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 Trade war, industrial war or tech war produces no winner: Chinese ambassador to U.S. Xinhua) 09:58, August 29, 2024 WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng has said that in the face of the new circumstances and challenges, "scapegoating solves no problem, and trade war, industrial war or tech war produces no winner." Xie made the remarks at the sixth U.S.-China Business Forum held by Forbes China in New York on Tuesday. "A major inspiration we can get from China-U.S. relations over the past 45 years is that when we work together, both countries and peoples will fare well; but when we turn against each other, both sides and the world will suffer. Cooperation is the only right choice," Xie said. As the top two engines of world economic growth, China and the United States make up over one-third of the global economy, and about one-fifth of global trade, the ambassador noted. "Any decoupling between us would only make the world poorer," he said. Over the past 45 years, two-way trade expanded over 200 times, surpassing 600 billion U.S. dollars annually, he noted, adding that in the first seven months of this year, two-way trade grew 4.1 percent when denominated in RMB. "Therefore, we are already deeply intertwined and basically inseparable from each other," he said. As a new round of the scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is unfolding, all countries are on a boat sailing upstream, i.e. facing challenges together, the Chinese ambassador said. "Only when we face the challenges squarely, make ourselves more competitive and paddle together can we ride the tide and forge ahead," he said. "We need to both expand cooperation in traditional areas including economy, trade and agriculture, and nurture cooperation in new areas such as climate change and AI, so that both our countries and the world will come out as winners," he said. The ambassador also noted that "there is simply no reason" why the China-U.S. relationship should be a zero-sum game. "Our two countries can help each other succeed in a race to the top, and both develop ourselves and prosper together on this vast planet," he said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Pastors, apostles and over 1,000 delegates gathered for the Family Impact Conference in Bukavu, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to reaffirm the sovereignty of God in the family unit. The three-day conference held in mid-July 2024 saw delegates travel from other DRC cities of Kinshasa and Goma but also from as far as Nairobi, Kampala and Bujumbura. The Family Impact Conference is an annual event that is convened by the International Centre for Transformation and Evangelization (CITE) whose visionary is Pastor Jerry Abdhala together with Sophie, his wife. The conference that was held in Bukavu is a platform aimed at reaching, evangelizing, transforming and restoring families - in line with the vision of CITE. Our aim (at the conference) was to expose the families to the Word of God regardless of the denomination so that when they go back to their homes, families or churches, they will have been transformed by the Word of God. It was also an opportunity to evangelize thousands of people who attended the conference, said Pastor Abdhala in an interview with CDI. The conference also provided a platform for church leaders and ministry workers to pray and deliberate on common approaches that can be used to support families in a church setting, said Pastor Abdala. The participants had the opportunity to hear from the different speakers. Sometimes we are not open to hearing other servants of God when we are in our churches but the Family Impact Conference removes the denominational barriers and allows people of God to hear and learn from different pastors, added Pastor Abdhala. Pastors from Nairobi, Kinshasa and Bukavu taught in the different areas where participants can subject their families to the Lordship of Christ - from finances, to family altars and devotion. A majority of Churches and evangelical pastors speak more about blessings but do not teach about financial management and Biblical principles of managing money, said Pastor Abdhala. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up The conference comes at a time when the conflict between DRC government forces and rebels in the eastern part of the country has been escalating over the last few months. The government has been battling several jihadists groups and armed militants aiming to seize control of the mineral-rich zones in North and South Kivu. The Islamic militants have, in particular, expanded their activities in eastern DRC. Between January and June, 2024, 639 Christians in DRC were killed, 50 people were abducted and nearly 100 homes, churches and schools were torched. The conflict, which has been on-going for nearly 30 years, has broken the social-economic structure of thousands of people in eastern DRC, argues Pastor Abdhala. Young people are turning to negative coping mechanisms to deal with the conflict. You find couples living together out of economic convenience rather on the foundation of Christ, explained Pastor Abdhala. The call to address the family and marriage issues has been urgent in the recent past partly due to the alarming separation and divorce incidences in DRC. One in three couples are divorcing. Marriage is no longer seen as the spiritual institution God established but it's more of a convenience, said Pastor Abdhala. He alluded to the desperation and a sense of betrayal as a result of the conflict. Young people are disillusioned by the lack of opportunities for economic progression. According to a Save the Children report, at least 78,000 children were displaced and families separated in February 2024 alone as the fighting government forces and the M23 armed group intensified. Pastor Abdala believes the annual gathering will empower believers to be agents of Christ in their families and be the voice of transformation and restoration despite the war at home and conflict in the fields. Richmond is joining the act by signaling the start of construction on its 13-mile segment of the Fall Line Trail. The 43-mile regional trail will stretch through seven localities from Ashland to Petersburg, snaking its way through forests, towns, city streets and across rivers. The overall vision for the trail aims to create a walking and biking paradise with a well-rounded experience of everything the region has to offer, as well as car-less connectivity to parks, restaurants and job centers. Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney called the project a game changer for not just Richmond, but the entire region, which has worked in tandem to approve respective parts of the massive $400 million transportation project. By breaking ground, we submit the fact that we are certainly doing it, Stoney said. This will not just simply traverse through Bryan Park, but it will go through downtown Richmond. It will go through South Side as well, and along this amazing trail, you will see an amazing amount of growth. A groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday kicked off a $3 million trailhead project in Bryan Park, the first of Richmonds six sections. A trailhead is a major access point for the trail, which includes amenities such as parking and bathrooms. Construction of the Bryan Park trailhead is expected to start in 2025 and take up to six months to complete. The Bryan Park trailhead picks up where Henricos 7.5-mile section of trail leaves off in Lakeside. The current projected path through Richmond exits Bryan Park on Bellevue Avenue and heads south down Brook Road until it hits Chamberlayne Parkway, when it crosses over Interstate 95. From there, it moves parallel to the highway before heading south along 7th Street, through downtown and crossing the Manchester Bridge. The path then follows a long stretch of Commerce Street before connecting into Route 1 and heading into Chesterfield. Some further sections of the Richmond trail are still in need of funding and final alignments could change. Andreas Addison, councilperson for Richmonds West End district, said the trail could get people outside walking and biking rather than driving downtown. This all comes together as part of what I see as our transit-oriented development future, Addison said. Were really going to focus on investing in and around these routes to bring access to housing, job opportunities and maybe stopping by for a bite to eat, coffee, other resources. The route, and future spurs sprouting from it, connect some of Richmonds upcoming and under-development areas. The trail goes close to the Diamond District and the incoming ballpark. It also runs through Richmonds City Center project an ongoing, 9-acre plan to redevelop blocks neighboring the Coliseum. Richmond leaders said they think housing, businesses and other developments could blossom along the route. They also mentioned the desire to bring affordable housing within touching distance of the route. Richmond leaders also pledged that the trail could create equity among all of the citys neighborhoods. There are a lot of people in our community that live 20 years less than a lot of other people in other zip codes, said Chris Frelke, director of Parks and Recreation. We have a huge health disparity in our city They dont have access to critical greenspace. Not everyone at the Bryan Park groundbreaking was happy with that portion of the project. A group of around 20 people holding signs stood among the crowd of 100 or so who were in the park to celebrate the start of the trail. Protesters Tom and Sally Chambers said they werent against the trail running though Bryan Park, but that they didnt like how it rips though the center of the park. They are worried that it creates hazardous bike traffic in areas for children and families. They preferred a route that went around the outskirts of the park. Bikers like to go pretty fast. Thats a hazard; there are going to be accidents, said Tom Chambers. Its poorly thought out. They also worried about the destruction of trees in the path as well as the destruction of root systems that could unintendedly kill other trees. Ryan Rinn, with Richmond Parks and Recreation, said the trail is expected to displace six trees. He also said the path will have signs to direct bikers on a path around the outskirts of the park if they want to avoid crowds of people on busy days. The Central Virginia Transportation Authority has helped fund more than $250 million of the project so far. It was created by the General Assembly as a way to distribute funds for major infrastructure projects. The Fall Line was the first project it decided to fund with an initial $104 million sum and matching grant from the state. It generates revenue through a 0.7% regional sales and use tax, 7.6 cents per gallon gasoline tax and 7.7 cents per gallon diesel fuel tax. Henrico anticipates that its portion of the 43-mile overall trail will be done in 2026. Hanover projected its 4.8 miles of trail to be done the same year. The Virginia Department of Transportation is close to breaking ground on a 10-mile piece of the 17 miles slated for Chesterfield. PHOTOS: Sections of the Fall Line Trail Character areas Trolley Line Power Line Boulevard of Brooks Richmond Northside Richmond City Industrial Heritage Commerce Road Reservoir Ramble Cross Chester Connector Colonial Heights Southern Gateway Latin America 1 month ago Try to imagine these three situations: a workers' conference where all the speakers are business leaders, a television debate on racism where everyoneincluding the moderatoris white, and a video series on women where all the presenters are men. Do they not now seem inappropriate, unreal, archaic, more typical of the middle of the last century than of this one? Independent candidate Cornel West did not qualify for the presidential ballot in Virginia, but Robert F. Kennedy Jr. did, despite suspending his campaign and throwing his support to former President Donald Trump. The Virginia Department of Elections has not completed its review of required forms and signatures for three other independent candidates Claudia de la Cruz of the Party for Socialism and Liberalism; anti-abortion activist Randall Terry; and Indian American entrepreneur Shiva Ayyadurai. But the state confirmed that it had informed West, a progressive academic and philosopher, that he had not qualified to appear on the ballot. The department indicated that Wests campaign had not correctly filed the necessary forms, but did not provide details. The West campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. So far, five candidates have qualified for the presidential ballot in Virginia former President Donald Trump, a Republican; Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat; Kennedy, a former Democratic candidate who was running as an independent; Green Party nominee Jill Stein; and Libertarian nominee Chase Oliver. Wests exclusion from the ballot could have a marginal effect on the race in Virginia, as independent candidates across the political spectrum could potentially siphon votes from the Republican and Democratic candidates. It is significant, said Mark Rozell, dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. This is one of those things that flies under the radar for many people, but it is a potentially critical factor in the outcome of the election in some places. Rozell cited Steins effect on the 2016 presidential election, when Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton lost to Trump in the Electoral College because of vote margins in a handful of battleground states that four years later secured the presidency for Democrat Joe Biden. Virginia, which has backed Democrats in the last four presidential elections, is not one of those states, having voted for Biden by 10 percentage points over Trump in 2020, but Republicans say they are confident that the state will be much more competitive this year, with control of the White House and Congress at stake. Virginia should be in the category of competitive states, said Rozell, who added that he still thinks the states 13 electoral votes are likely to go to Democrats. Larry Sabato, president of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, does not think Virginia is in play for Trump or that West would have drawn a significant number of votes from other candidates. I think he would have gotten a fraction of 1%, Sabato said. Most of the votes were going to come out of Harris campaign and the others would not have voted. However, a Roanoke College poll released last week showed West receiving support from 2% of the nearly 700 people interviewed for the survey. Kennedy had support from 6% and Oliver 2%, with all independents together supported by 13% of those polled. Harris had a 3 percentage-point advantage over Trump in the poll, although that falls within the margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points. The margin was the same, whether the race was between the two of them or included independent candidates, but the numbers were 2 percentage points lower. Sabato said Wests exclusion showed that Republicans did not make much of an effort to ensure that he qualified for the ballot, even though Virginia was among eight states where the Associated Press reported this month that Republicans and their allies were trying to ensure he qualified. Last weekend, a judge in Michigan ordered West to be restored to the presidential ballot there, just over a week after the state disqualified his candidacy because his statement of identity had not been notarized. In Virginia, Democrats gave little weight to his exclusion from the ballot or Kennedy remaining a candidate here after suspending his national campaign. The bottom line is it doesnt change anything, state Democratic Party Chair Susan Swecker said Thursday. Theyre not serious candidates, and weve got serious voters in Virginia. Trump spokesman Jeff Ryer did not comment on Wests disqualification, but he said Kennedy has endorsed Trump and is actively supporting him and Sen. JD Vance, the Republican nominee for vice president. President Trump and Senator Vance are campaigning to earn the votes of every American who supported the Kennedy-Shanahan campaign, Ryer said. (California attorney Nicole Shanahan was Kennedys running mate for vice president.) Harris campaign had no comment on the states decisions to include Kennedy and exclude West from the ballot. The Department of Elections is pushing to complete its review of the qualifications for presidential candidates this week, with early voting set to begin on Sept. 20. They have to get it done fast, Sabato said. Photos: Kamala Harris through the years Further development expected as new system heads for Caribbean Sea Riviera Maya, Q.R. After a quiet two weeks, two systems were detected in the Atlantic this week. One one came and quickly went after dissipating, while the second is forecast to develop next week. On Thursday morning, the National Hurricane Centre (NOAA) reported on the increase in likely development for a tropical wave located in the central Tropical Atlantic. The system, which is currently producing showers and thunderstorms, has doubled its probability of further development since yesterday. A tropical wave over the central Tropical Atlantic Ocean is producing some disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form by early next week while it moves westward at 10 to 15 mph and approaches the Lesser Antilles, the NOAA reported. The system is then forecast to move westward to west-northwestward across portions of the eastern Caribbean Sea during the middle part of next week, the NOAA said Thursday morning. If the system continues to develop into a named storm, it will become Francine, the sixth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, above the average of four for this time of year. In the meantime, scattered thunderstorms are forecast for the remainder of the week across Quintana Roo. According to the Servicio Meteorologico Nacional (SMN), on Thursday, as much as 50 mms of rain is expected along the coast. Industrial vehicle leaves large area of Jose Maria Morelos without services Jose Maria Morelos, Q.R. An industrial vehicle traveling through Jose Maria Morelos left a large area without services. Several residential neighborhoods were suddenly without electricity after the large vehicle snagged a set of overhead lines. The incident happened around 11:30 a.m. Thursday when the oversized vehicle was passing through the town transporting machinery for Maya Train construction. Along the way, it became entangled in a set of overhead high voltage cables that crossed the federal highway. As the vehicle kept advancing forward, a total of four poles were ripped down and their lines felled. The poles belonged to both CFE and Telmex. Civil Protection arrived with Municipal Police who in turn, requested the presence of CFE (Federal Electricity Commission) personnel to repair the poles and restore electricity. Authorities arrived and photographed the damage. Photo: August 28, 2024. While electricity was reestablished within the hour, Internet was not restored until later that night. Police did not comment on possible charges to the driver. National Guard agent attacked by armed group inside his Chetumal home Chetumal, Q.R. Several armed men broke into the home of a National Guard agent where they physically assaulted him. The assault reportedly happened Tuesday at the agents home in the Forjadores neighborhood of Chetumal. The agent, who was assigned to the Chetumal International Airport, reported the attack which lead to an intense search operation, however, arrests have not been announced. According to the police report, at least a dozen men arrived at his home Tuesday afternoon. Two vehicles pulled up outside his house before forcefully entering his home and assaulting him. The National Guard agent, Ricardo P, was off-duty at the time of the attack. At least 12 hooded men armed with M4 rifles forced their way into his house and physically assaulted him in front of his family. The attack immediately triggered a Red Code search operation. His house, located on Blas Villamor Street, was quickly surrounded by agents. National Guard has confirmed Ricardo P as one of its active members and said they continue to investigate the attack. PDC real estate company fined nearly 1.5 million for smoking out nearby neighborhoods Playa del Carmen, Q.R. Real estate company CADU has been fined nearly 1.5 million pesos. The company was fined after setting fire to a large mound of construction garbage that created thick smoke that suffocated nearby residents. Maria de Lourdes Varguez Ocampo, the Secretaria de Medio Ambiente Sustentable y Cambio Climatico en Solidaridad, said the fine was also for not having permits for the vegetation removal or to burn. Ocampo, who heads the municipalitys Sustainable Environment and Climate Change, said the company has since applied for those permits. Their standing will be reviewed after August 30, which is the deadline to pay the fine. CADU (Corpovael SA de CV) has offered to pay for the medical expenses of the 80 area residents affected by the smoke due to the fires they created. Ocampo says the company has been fined almost 1.5 million pesos. Photo: August 27, 2024. Municipal firemen tried on several occasions to extinguish the stubborn fire, which kept reigniting, smoking out residential areas. According to Ocampo, the fire has been fully extinguished for more than a week, however, her department continues to carry out the corresponding inspections with the intention of corroborating that the fire has been completely extinguished. Solidaridad firemen spent days at the site trying to put out the intentionally set garbage burn. Photo: Sria de Proteccion Civil, Prevencion de Riesgos y Bomberos de Solidaridad August 8, 2024. Earlier this month the real estate company, who are building a new subdivision in west Playa del Carmen, were fined for burning without permits. After putting out the fire, it reignited, which lead to days of intense thick smoke and complaints from area residents. Quintana Roo signs new Cruise Tourism Development Fund with Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Riviera Maya, Q.R. An agreement has been signed with cruise ship companies to charge passengers an additional $5.00 USD. That money will be forwarded to the state of Quintana Roo for infrastructure docking improvements in Cozumel and Mahahual. The agreement was signed Wednesday establishing the payment of $5 USD per cruise passenger that will be used to improve the tourist infrastructure, the prevention of natural disasters and security in the ports of Cozumel and Mahahual, Governor Mara Lezama said. The new Cruise Tourism Development Fund agreement was signed between the State of Quintana Roo and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Executive Director Michele Paige and Adam Ceserano, President of the Association. The signing of this agreement shows my governments commitment to continue working differently, hand in hand with each cruise line and the FCCA to improve our ports, remain competitive and provide well-being with shared prosperity to the people of Quintana Roo, who make tourism success possible, said Governor Mara Lezama. Governor Lezama and Tourism Secretary Bernardo Cueto Riestra also participated in the signing. With the signing of this agreement, Quintana Roo not only strengthens its position as a top-level cruise destination, but also establishes a model of international collaboration promoting inclusive and sustainable development that, in turn, generates growth in cruise tourism that translates into shared prosperity for the people of Quintana Roo, Lezama explained in a statement. The new agreement means each cruise ship passenger will be charged $5.00 USD that will be forwarded to Quintana Roo. Photo: CGC August 28, 2024. This fund will be used to improve tourism infrastructure and public safety, and a percentage will be allocated to the prevention and response to natural disasters and health emergencies in the ports of Cozumel and Mahahual, in the Mexican Caribbean, she added. During the signing ceremony of the agreement, the parties highlighted that the government of Quintana Roo has become a strategic partner of the FCCA to focus even more on the growth of cruise tourism and its benefits for communities, mainly rural ones near Puerto Maya in Mahahual in the south of the state. As part of the agreement, it was established that, in the first half of 2025, a fund will be created with equal contributions from the FCCA and the Government of Quintana Roo. The contribution scheme to the Fund will be equal and will consist of $5 USD per passenger applied to itineraries of cruise lines that arrive in Quintana Roo, regardless of whether they make more than one stopover at the destination. A Technical Committee that will work permanently will oversee the transparency and operation of the Trust Fund. The Committee will be composed of four representatives of cruise lines, four representatives of the state government and one vote of the Governor of the State of Quintana Roo, in total, nine members. The new Cruise Tourism Development Fund agreement was signed Wednesday. Photo: CGC August 28, 2024. Michele Paige, CEO of FCCA, saw Quintana Roo as a legacy for the people. We are honored that the State government has placed its trust in us. Through this agreement, FCCA is fully committed to fulfilling initiatives that focus on assisting the private sector, improving employment, encouraging the purchase of local goods by cruise lines and more, so that locals prosper with the economic impact that the industry brings. I am very excited to see what this will bring for the destination and, most importantly, for the people, building a long-term vision with transparency, she said. Takedown in Tulum: Four arrested in deadly afternoon beach club shooting Tulum, Q.R. Four men remain in police custody after a deadly beach club shooting in Tulum Wednesday. Their arrests were made after the armed men entered the beach club around 2:00 p.m. and opened fire leaving one dead and one injured. Four suspects were arrested from a Tulum taxi Wednesday. Photo: August 28, 2024. In custody are Manuel de Jesus N, Rodrigo N, Henry Antonio N and a teenager who cannot be identified due to his (minor) age. The four males were arrested from a Tulum taxi in broad daylight Wednesday immediately after the shooting. One of those in custody is the Tulum taxi driver. The takedown by elements of the SSC (Citizen Security Secretariat) and Municipal Police of Tulum was witnessed by motorists and pedestrians on Tulum Avenue Wednesday. Arrested were four male persons, including a teenager, for their probable participation in events that could constitute the crimes of qualified homicide and attempted homicide, the State Attorney General has since reported. Manuel de Jesus N, Rodrigo N, Henry Antonio N and a teenager were arrested Wednesday afternoon after an armed attack on a bar located in the coastal area of Tulum where one person lost his life and another was injured by gunshot. Both victims were Mexican nationals and workers at said establishment, the Fiscalia General del Estado (FGE) explained. The arrests took place on Tulum Avenue between Orion Sur Street and Beta Sur Street after a chase. The four suspects were arrested with firearms with which they probably committed the crime, the FGE said. The afternoon shooting happened at the Taboo Beach Club in Tulum. Photo: August 28, 2024. The deadly beach club shooting happened at kilometer 7 of the Tulum-Boca Paila coastal highway. After the shooting, the three gunmen escaped in a waiting taxi from where they were eventually captured. During their arrests, one managed to escape the hold of an officer. He was seen running from the police officer down a sidewalk where he disappeared but was later found and taken into custody. Another suspect also tried to escape the hold of an arresting office while being escorted to the police unit Wednesday. The officer is seen tackling the young man to the ground for a second attempt at putting him inside the police truck. It is the second time this month a deadly shooting has taken place at the same Tulum beach club. Earlier this month, armed men left one male dead inside the same Tulum club. A 16 year-old was also part of the four arrested for the Tulum beach club shooting. Photo: SSC August 29, 2024. In a public statement Thursday, the SSC (Secretaria de Seguridad Ciudadana) said while on surveillance duty in the municipality of Tulum, elements of the Citizen Security Secretariat received a report of gunshots at the Taboo beach club in the Coastal Zone, where there was one injured and one dead. They reported that the perpetrators shot him and got into a white Nissan Sentra taxi with red stripes. The shooting happened at a Tulum beach club at Kilometer 7 of the coastal road. Photo: August 28, 2024. At that time, the search and location of the unit was carried out, and when driving in the lane next to the median strip on Tulum Avenue, between Beta Sur Street and Orion Sur Street, as a reference in front of the Kukulcan hotel, they detected the vehicle and the subjects indicated that matched the given characteristics. Another suspect, after being handcuffed, also tried to make a run for it while being escorted to the police unit but was tackled by the arresting officer. Photo: August 28, 2024. The officers blocked the way and told the four people who were on board to get out of the vehicle to proceed with the corresponding inspection and that is when they noticed that two of them were armed so they were instructed to drop the weapon and leave it inside the car. At the time of the inspection, one of the men took an aggressive attitude and suddenly ran away, fleeing; a situation that was reported to the municipal police for support in locating him, which occurred almost immediately. One of the suspects managed to escape his police hold and run away. He was later captured. Photos: August 28, 2024. The three subjects were seized two firearms, the white Nissan Sentra vehicle with red stripes with the economic number corresponding to the taxi union Tiburones del Caribe with license plates from the state of Quintana Roo. Photo: SSC August 29, 2024. Two short firearms, Taurus G3 919 brand with the legend Taurus Armas Made In Brasil, three short gun magazines, a black semi-automatic long firearm brand U.Z.I. with the legend Fabrique National Darmes de Guerre Licence U.Z.I. FN-Herstal Belgium, two long gun magazines and 39 gold cartridges with the legend Aguila caliber 9 mm. The detainees respond to the names of Manuel N, Henry N and L.D.R.C., 16 years old, the latter was taken before the corresponding authorities in the city of Cancun. Meanwhile, the fourth male was captured by the elements of the Municipal Police of Tulum and said he responded to the name of Rodrigo N. The term Greenhouse effect is primarily used by the environmentalist movement as an explanation for global warming, but in 1992 Judge Laurence Silberman appropriated the term and in a clever play on words linked it to Linda Greenhouse, the Pulitzer Prizewinning reporter who covered the Supreme Court at the New York Times for more than 40 years. Over the course of their careers, Judge Silberman and others noted that conservative justices tended to move to the left of the Court. And the Greenhouse effectheat applied through left-leaning op-ed pages and other mediawas, according to Judge Silberman, at least partly to blame. There are Greenhouse effect equivalent theories in other fields, but every once in a while a Clarence Thomas or a Samuel Alito ascends to the Court with a stable and principled jurisprudence and proves able to resist the heatand the Georgetown cocktail party circuit. Prof. Randy E. Barnett, the author and subject of A Life for Liberty: The Making of an American Originalist, recounts his own story of how he became an influential law professor seemingly impervious to the pressures in academia to adopt increasingly uniform views. In the process, hes known and influenced countless lawyers and judges and even lived to see many of his once-novel ideas become mainstream in the legal academy and profession. Admittedly, I was surprised to see that a still-active and very much still-living academic was publishing a memoir. With a few notable exceptions, writing such a work is reserved for the end of a career or retirement. And those who have found themselves challenged and enlightened by Barnetts scholarship certainly hope that neither is close. It is clear, however, that Barnetts unique contribution to the law has had a significant impact on the law itself and the profession dedicated to translating the law into real life. It has taken his entire career for that to come to fruition, but studying his path to his present notoriety is as helpful in understanding his scholarly and intellectual contribution to the field as his writings themselves. Barnett was born and raised in the Chicago suburb of Calumet City by hard-working parents who were middle-class small-business owners. His Jewish family faced regnant anti-Semitism, but despite this he developed a loyalty to the city that drove him to be singularly focused on building a career as a criminal prosecutor there. Even admission to Harvard Law School, whose graduates rarely pursue that field, did not distract him from that goal. He clerked for the Cook County prosecutor in law school, participated in criminal law clinics, and ultimately returned full time to work in the prosecutors office from 1977 to 1981. Barnett has published widely in the field of criminal law, but he has also written a notable contracts textbook. In addition, he has written extensively in the field of constitutional law, which is where many of his most notable contributions have been made. But Barnett is perhaps best known for advancing a uniquely libertarian theory of the law, what he calls the liberal conception of justice. The thread that runs through the diverse areas of Barnetts interests is, in fact, this concept of justice with a libertarian focus on the rights of the individual. Criminal lawyers tend not to be theoreticians, but his commitment to justice is what motivated his initial interest in the prosecution side of the field. The area of contracts deals with enforceable agreements made between individuals and is one of the subfields of what is known as private law. And his constitutional interests spring from his interest in the parts of the Constitution that, when interpreted correctly, restrain government intrusion into the lives of individuals. This explains his very public involvement in Gonzales v. Raich (one of the first Supreme Court cases dealing with medical marijuana specifically, but Congresss powers under the commerce clause more broadly) and NFIB v. Sebelius (the Obamacare case). It is likely not an overstatement to say that Randy Barnett has done as much or more for the constitutional theory of originalismthe view that the meaning of the Constitution is located primarily in the meaning of the text at the time it was adoptedthan anyone else. Originalism was somewhat controversial in the 1980s, when Barnett entered academia. Judge Robert Bork was famously denied a seat on the Supreme Court in large part due to his originalist views. But progressive nominee and now sitting justice Ketanji Brown Jackson identified herself as an originalist when she was nominated to the Court by President Biden. Clearly there is still a lot of methodological diversity within the field of originalism, but even much more conservative nominees like Anthony Kennedy, who eventually was confirmed to the seat denied Bork, would not have identified himself in that way. Barnetts originalism is unique and controversial, drawing critics even from the right in the legal profession. In his 2003 book, Restoring the Lost Constitution, he argues for a form of originalism that focuses not on the intent of the framers who wrote the Constitution but rather on the original meaning of the Constitution as it would have been understood when it was ratified. Another unique feature of Barnetts originalism is his advocacy for a presumption of liberty when interpreting the Constitution such that the burden is on the state to prove the necessity of any restraint on individual liberty. The more traditional approach is the presumption that, when acting through elected representatives, the state has weighed competing interests and determined that restraints on liberty are constitutionally permissible. The reason Barnetts story rather than just his scholarship is important is that without such a unique personality and set of life experiences, its uncertain his influence would ever have been felt. While attending Northwestern University as an undergraduate and then Harvard Law School, he did not consider himself to be a part of the elite. He admits to spending more time on libertarian causes than studying, committing little energy to the networking typically required of those with upward aspirations, and eschewing such typical law school marks of excellence as moot court and the law review. All these things are the province of the gold-star chasers who will end up in careers where they are subject to and influenced by the Greenhouse effect. The Georgetown cocktail party circuit of the 1980s (and even today) would not be terribly impressed with restraint on government power, liberty-oriented theories of constitutional interpretation, or personal liberty for every American more broadly. It really did take a smart guy who had been toughened by racial and religious prejudice, intellectually shaped by libertarian giants like Murray Rothbard, and generally conditioned to be unconcerned with what others think to make progress in the field. A Life for Liberty: The Making of an American Originalist is a unique memoir. While I am not myself a libertarian and do take issue with some aspects of his positions, Barnetts life and career have been intertwined with the rise of a more conservative jurisprudence, and he has been unapologetically focused on advancing causes that every American should appreciate: limited government, individual liberty, and the inviolability of private property. (He was also one of the last Harvard law students ever to see the great legal philosopher Lon Fuller in a classroom.) In sum, A Life of Liberty provides a window into what it takes to remain unaffected by the pressures to conform to the prevailing wisdomcourage, humility, and a principled commitment to truth. Try to imagine these three situations: a workers' conference where all the speakers are business leaders, a television debate on racism where everyoneincluding the moderatoris white, and a video series on women where all the presenters are men. Do they not now seem inappropriate, unreal, archaic, more typical of the middle of the last century than of this one? But what if I told you that this is something that happens across the board in our churches, all over the world and in the vast majority of denominations, when it comes to the relationship between leaders and the led? Is it not true that the overwhelming majority of people who speak, write, and record audios and videos about the church and other Christian ministries are leaders? The same proportion does not vary when it comes to talking about ordinary church members, the led. These numbers and ratios reveal a lack of representation and, more importantly, this can speak to the health and fruitfulness of the church. While there are some truly congregation-led churches, even denominations purporting to be congregational can be dominated by a few influential leaders. There are numerous reasons for this imbalance between leaders and the led, some reasonable, some not, but I will highlight some consequences of platforming a predominantly leader-oriented perspective. Consider these issues: PrioritiesDo the issues dealt with from the pulpit have to do with the daily lives of the members or are they more about the interests and training of the leaders? AttentionWhen some of the many moral scandals of leaders occur, who receives all the attention and even support, and who (or how many) of those affected by these leaders are relegated to anonymity, powerlessness, and disappointment? ProtectionWhen an ordinary member has a problem and leaves the church, is he or she likely to experience leaders doing all they can to try to solve the problem and bring him or her back? IdentityThere is an implied message that the leaders, the ones who appear, the ones who speak, are of greater value than the others. Recall that Paul, in all his letters except the personal ones (1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon) addressed all members of the churches equally. For example, "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people" (Romans 1:7 NIV), "To the church of God in Corinth, together with all his holy people throughout Achaia" (2 Corinthians 1:1 NIV), "To Gods holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 1:1 NIV). Similar greetings can also be found in the letters of James, Peter, John and Jude. Listening, considering and yielding In this relationship between leaders and led, three terms can easily be confused: Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up ListeningThis simply means taking the time to find out what the other person thinks, needs and is concerned about. Considering or taking into accountThis is an additional step. It involves taking what the person said, accepting it as valid and acting accordingly. YieldingThis is where a person's opinion influences the other in a relationship in such a way that they give way, they withhold their strength or power. I can be in a decision-making position, listen to someone and not take into account what he or she says. At a second level, in addition to listening to them, I canconsider what they said as valuable and worth taking into account. The third level is when, after considering what the person has said, I find it compelling and it influences me to yield, to change my mind and/or alter my actions. If I were an insecure leader, I could fear that it would threaten my authority if I were to listen to someone or take into account what they say. These are three very different things. If I were an insecure leader, I could fear that it would threaten my authority if I were to listen to someone or take into account what they say. I could not possibly yield to them and lose my authority. If this were the case I would have a serious identity problem that will negatively affect the entire church. For example, in churches that do not accept a leadership role is appropriate for women, many "play it safe" and do not even give space to listen to them, let alone to consider whether or not their concerns are valid. They fear that to do so would mean giving up their principle of not allowing women in leadership and thereby losing their authority. A novelized experience Two years ago I rewrote and translated a novel that had emerged ten years earlier from a time of crisis in relation to my experience in different evangelical churches. The book, "Pastor Pastor: Feed My Sheep" is meant to be a compassionate and sympathetic look at the widespread division between leaders and the led aiming to "reduce the number of disenchanted leavers and recover them fully for the Kingdom" (from the back cover). I think one of the uniquenesses of this book is that it counters the archaic experience highlighted above of inappropriate representation. The book is not written by the leaders, it is written from below, from someone who never held a leadership position in a church but saw how the unilateral decisions of leaders affected many fellow congregants. Perhaps an excerpt from one of the chapters that will resonate with ordinary members. This is from chapter 11, "The Non-Church," where a group of ordinary members go through a long list of known individuals and families who have been hurt and left churches because of mistakes and mistreatment by church leaders. At one point, during a brainstorming time, the following dialogue takes place... Suddenly, the idea came to me as a flash. I got it! Mariela and Mercedes looked at me. I'm sorry I scared you. But I think I know what we must do. And it's something that's never been done before. Something original. What is it? said Mercedes. A members' union, I said, triumphant. What? exclaimed Mariela. The name doesn't matter, I can't think of anything better, but what matters is the concept. Notice that in all these cases we have been seeing, what was missing was someone to defend the rights of the common people who had had some problem with the church, with the leaders, with the pastor. Except for some churches that have this type of mechanism, in the great majority of churches that I know of the common member, the person that attends, works, contributes, gives, as much and often more than the leaders, the pastors, doesnt have any type of protection, no rights. Outlandish? Dangerous? Subversive? Maybe, but a similar dialogue brought started a movement of change when labor unions were born, when women's suffrage movements won the most basic rights for women in society (like the right to vote), and when people discriminated against because of their skin color organized to defend themselves and demand justice in different parts of the world. A heartfelt plea I speak on behalf of ordinary members of churches who make up the vast majority of the body of Christ around the world when I make these heartfelt pleas: Most of us have no interest in holding positions and offices in the church, but this does not mean that we have any less interest and commitment to work and minister for Jesus than those who do hold them. We do not want leaders to feel threatened by simply listening to us, but we do want to be listened to and our perspectives considered. We need to see our interests and concerns reflected in the decisions leaders make, and we would like to see more ordinary members appearing in the church speaking from our perspective. We are concerned about the large number of ordinary members who have left our churches disillusioned by bad decisions or conduct from leaders. We grieve that leavers were not given the opportunity to express themselves and contribute to solving problems that affect all of us. We would like to see in every church a group of both leaders and the led specifically dedicated to dealing with interpersonal problemsespecially between leaders and the leda group entrusted to talk with members expressing hurt, who are thinking of leaving, or who have already left, especially if it is due to problems with the church's leaders. Conclusion Today it seems a truism to point out that the perspective of any institution, including the church, is different depending on the position a person has within the institution. A pastor may give an inspiring message, be a good administrator, and have the best intentions in dealing with common membership issues, but the pastor is not a common member and may never have been a common member of their church. It takes both views to get the whole picture. Just as the full participation of workers, women, or discriminated people in free societies is widely accepted and promoted today, in contrast to what seemed normal fifty years ago, I suspect (or hope) that soon it will seem normal for the ordinary members of a church to have full rights to be heard on all issues that concern them. Let us make this possible in 2024. Let us not waste any more time. We need to work together to have a healthier body life in the church so that we can be a more positive influence in society. Alejandro Field has been an English-Spanish translator/interpreter in the Lausanne Movement since the Cape Town Congress in 2010. He holds an MBA from UADE and postgraduate studies in Sociology and Political Science from FLACSO. He lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with his wife Lily, and has three children and four grandchildren. An assistant manager at the Virginia ABC store in Rocky Mount is facing embezzlement charges after making alleged ghost returns, according to a court document. Sarah Ann Weddle, of Glade Hill, is charged with two felony counts of embezzlement and two misdemeanor counts of altering or erasing computer data, according to online court records. Weddle is one of at least five store employees believed to be involved in the alleged scheme, according to a search warrant filed July 10 in Franklin County Circuit Court. Law enforcement first learned about the possible embezzlement in May, when an ABC district manager told an ABC special agent about the suspected ghost returns. There is no product or customer there, the warrant affidavit reads. The transaction is done by the store employee, who then receives the returned funds either in cash or it is placed onto a debit, gift card, or credit card. Most of the ghost returns at the ABC store in the 400 block of Old Franklin Turnpike were paid out in cash, the affidavit continues, but a small minority were put onto a Visa debit card. The district manager provided the ABC agent with an Excel spreadsheet detailing returns that had been made without receipts beginning in July 2023. The agent watched a security camera video from April 21 that captured a store employee getting a product code from the shelf, walking over to the register, logging into the register and entering the product code obtained from the shelf, the affidavit reads. That person then turns the card reader in her direction. The person took a debit card out of her back pocket, tapped the card and then pocketed it again. The agent determined that that specific ghost return was for $210.59. According to the affidavit, At no time during the video footage was any product or customer present. One of the most expensive alleged ghost returns at the Rocky Mount store was for $315.89 of Gold Spot Irish Whiskey. The stores net sales for that whiskey about $3,900 had also exceeded those of the surrounding 34 ABC stores in the 2023-24 fiscal year. The district manager also told the investigating agent that the alleged ghost returns appeared to be manually deleted out of the system to adjust inventory. On July 5, Weddle told the agent in an interview that the alleged ghost returns were actually bottles from a licensee she met in northern Virginia, the affidavit continues. But when the agent asked her for the licensees name, she said she couldnt remember, according to the affidavit. She stated that the licensee would have people drive down to Franklin County and meet her to give them the money, the affidavit reads. She said they spoke on Facebook. Police obtained a search warrant for Weddles Facebook account and seized data from it July 10. Online court records indicate that she was arrested on her embezzlement charges about a month later. A hearing is scheduled in Franklin County General District Court for Sept. 16. CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Defence authorities in Latvia have launched new facilities at the Adazi Military Base after the NATO Multinational Brigade was established in the Baltic country. The Canadian-funded armoured vehicle storage and maintenance facilities, which opened on Wednesday, will house the brigades tanks and other armoured vehicles and provide sheltered areas for essential maintenance. The enhancements also include a new warehouse, tent facilities, a security perimeter, and a concrete road. The investments by Canada and Spain in constructing these facilities amount to more than 7 million. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by representatives from Latvia's National Armed Forces, NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia and NATO Multinational Division HQ North, among others. "This is a multi-million euro project. This exceeds 7m, which is just another commitment to combat the possible aggression that is happening around," Colonel James Smith, Commander of the Canadian Armed Forces Command in Latvia, said. "We are bringing more power, more people here. We train our people, we also bring equipment. And then we also house that equipment in that infrastructure. As part of our continuing uplift to have brigade that`s operating by the end of next year," Smith added. According to the Latvian government, Wednesday's ceremony marked the completion of infrastructure projects funded by Canada and Spain, enhancing the facilities within their respective compounds at the Adazi Military Base. Related Latvia provided construction supervision to ensure the success of the projects, which began in 2023 and were completed in about a year. "Of course, this is to let the aggressor see that our abilities are growing every day and we are becoming safer every day," said Atis Svinka, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Latvia. The brigade is expected to conduct its first large-scale field training exercise in November and demonstrate its integration into the NATO higher command structure. Full combat readiness is projected for 2026. NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia is led by Canada and includes troops from Albania, Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. Sweden is also expected to join. In March, Latvia celebrated 20 years of NATO membership. It was invited to join the alliance in 2002, along with Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Two years later, all these countries became NATO members, marking the alliance's largest expansion in history. Meanwhile, in Lithuania, construction is underway to develop a military base in Rukla. The base, funded by Germany and implemented through NATO, is one of two bases in Lithuania designated to house German soldiers. "It's about deterrence, and it's about Russia. We must be able to station a German armored brigade here in Lithuania in order to ensure the freedom of the Western nations," said Harald Gante, Commander of the Field Army of Germany. The brigade will be home to around 2,000 soldiers and combat vehicles and is expected to become fully operational in 2027. The largest share of migrants worldwide are Christians, the country of origin for the highest number of Christian migrants is Mexico (11.3 Million or 9%), and Christian migrants' destination country of choice is the USA followed by Germany and Russia, according to latest Pew Research Center data, published on August 19. The findings reinforce the importance of migration and diaspora ministry, an issue that will likely get attention at the upcoming Lausanne Congress in Seoul next month. Data showed that adherents of Christianity comprise a larger share of migrants at 47 percent, when comparing it to their percentage of the worlds population overall (30%). Pew Research Center analyzed data from the United Nations, alongside 270 censuses and surveys for its report, up to 2020, the latest year for available global figures. Migration has grown steadily in recent decades, wrote the reports authors, Stephanie Kramer and Yunping Tong. Today, more than 280 million people, or 3.6% of the worlds population, are international migrants meaning they live outside their country of birth. Kramer and Tong said people moved internationally for many reasons, such as finding work, education or joining family members. However, religion and migration are often closely connected. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up Many migrants have moved to escape religious persecution or to live among people who hold similar religious beliefs. Often people move and take their religion with them, contributing to gradual changes in their new countrys religious makeup. Sometimes, though, migrants shed the religion they grew up with and adopt their new host countrys majority religion, some other religion or no religion. For Jewish migrants, Israel was both the most frequent originating and destination country. Jews were also a larger share of migrants at one percent, than their percentage of the worlds population at 0.2%. The report stated that Jews, out of all major religious groups, were by far the likeliest to have migrated with one-in-five Jews living outside their birth country, compared to six percent of Christians. For this dataset of living outside a birth country, Muslims and Buddhists were both four percent, and Hindus one percent. Religiously unaffiliated were two percent, representing 13% of all migrants. The report also highlighted that Muslims were 29 percent of all living migrants, then Hindus (5%), and Buddhists (4%). Report focused on 'stocks', not migration flows The reports authors said the data analysis focused on stocks, not flows of migrants. They were counting all adults and children living outside of countries of birth, regardless of when they left. There was no intention to calculate how many moved in a single year. Over the past three decades, the total number or stock of people living as international migrants has increased by 83%, outpacing global population growth of 47%, wrote Kramer and Tong. They also said that the religious makeup of all international migrants had remained relatively stable since 1990. While the religious makeup of migration flows can change drastically from year to year due to wars, economic crises and natural disasters the total stock of migrants changes more slowly, reflecting patterns that have accumulated over time. Differences may remain with the religions of migrants but these people also shared objectives, according to the reports authors. Migrants will often go to countries where they share the dominating religion. Muslims, for example, often move to Saudi Arabia and Jews, as noted above, head towards Israel and Christians tend to gravitate towards the USA, Germany or Russia. And, regardless of their religion, migrants often move from relatively poor or dangerous places to countries where they hope to find prosperity and safety, wrote Kramer and Tong. An issue to be discussed at the upcoming fourth Lausanne Congress The timing of the publication of this data, showing the challenge facing the global Church in the face of so many Christians and others living as migrants, comes just one month before thousands of church leaders from around the world are due to meet in South Korea for the Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization, also known as Seoul-Incheon 2024. An occasional paper under the title Forcibly Displaced People written in June 2024 by the Diasporas Issue Network of the Lausanne Movement, highlighted the particular challenges for migrants left with no choice but to leave their home countries. The paper documented the actions of the global church over the past two and a half decades as the world continues to redraw borders and reconstitute governments. Various issues related to human displacement had thus grown considerably. The paper referenced a meeting of Christian organizations and ministries convened by the World Evangelical Alliance in Izmir, Turkey, in 2001, to consider collaborative strategies to respond to the issues related to refugees and forcibly displaced people. This led to a Best Practices of Refugee ministry and the development of networks and ministries such as the Refugee Highway Partnership, alongside a World Refugee Sunday held in June each year. Another Lausanne meeting in Pattaya, Thailand in 2004, led to further position papers such as The New People Next Door and At Risk People but the occasional paper, whilst acknowledging how these documents helped to create a framework for ministries supporting refugees, said the issue of forcible displacement has become more complex and global. A prophetic call was heralded at the Cape Town 2010 Congress of the Lausanne Movement centering a strategic mission focus area for the global church. An upsurge in migration and refugees since then, affecting humanity on a large scale, means that migration will impact the mission of God in the coming decades and will no doubt form a central discussion at the upcoming Lausanne event in South Korea. It needs to be said that, despite his current rehabilitation in the pop culture ferment, Adam Sandler has mostly starred in slop. I, like almost every other 33-year-old white guy on the planet, retain some fondness for the schlocky 88-minute comedies he produced in the late 90s and early aughts: Billy Madison, The Waterboy, Big Daddy. But my affection for those films has much more to do with my wistfulness for a bygone, outrageously Y2K form of cable-TV osmosis that is impossible to replicate in the streaming age. It is 10 p.m. on a steaming summer night. You and your friends are a six-pack deep and crunched into an unventilated basement den. Someone flips on Spike TV. Happy Gilmore is on. Life has never been better. This is the world in which Sandler became a superstar, and I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that I havent revisited much of his work since I left for college. The jokes werent great then, and theyve only gotten worse since. Sandler put us all through a truly grotesque late prime; I think even his most ardent defenders would struggle to go to bat for Click, or Pixels, or the Boschian nightmare of Grown Ups and Grown Ups 2. (Ten percent and 8 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, respectively.) The Sandler cinematic formula wore thin quickly. There were a lot of fart jokes. A lot of poop jokes. And a potentially lethal dose of Rob Schneider. Advertisement And yet, as Sandler enters his late 50s, all of his crimes have been miraculously washed away. He has flipped his fortunes, crossing over into bona fide Hollywood royalty status. Last year, he won the Mark Twain Prize. Soon hell be starring in a Noah Baumbach movie. And Love You, his first stand-up special in six years, debuted on Netflix this week and has yet to leave the platforms top 10 most-watched programsundoubtedly bolstered by strong endorsements from needle-movers like the New York Times. The comedy special is being framed as the next chapter in Sandlers ongoing cultural coronation: more grist for the glow-up. Meanwhile, halfway through it, Sandler concludes a story about a genie who will only grant him three wishes if he gives a handjob to a man who just suffered explosive diarrhea in an airport bathroom. He hasnt changed. Have we? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sandler is adroit enough to drape Love You with the spoils of his newfound critical respect. The director here is Josh Safdie, one half of the Safdie brothers, who cast Sandler as the degenerate gambler Howard Ratner in the 2019 freak-out hit Uncut Gems. Sandler was the perfect complement to the Safdies one-of-a-kind sensory deliriuma world where everyone is perpetually taking a phone call in a crowded nightcluband Josh Safdie sprinkles a little bit of that chaos into the preamble of this special. Sandler pushes through fans and hangers-on in the crowded halls backstage, everyone looking warmed-over, with gaping pores, under the piercing fluorescent lights. The venue resembles a dilapidated high school theater: cloistered and visibly uncomfortable, always threatening to fall apart. And it does, frequently. In one surreal sequence, a dog gallops toward the front row from the bowels of the green room, interrupting Sandlers joke before getting scooped up by a mindful PA. (Those mishaps were planned, but Sandler didnt know the shape theyd take until they happened.) The results bring to mind some of the edgier, more auteur-ish comedians on the circuit: Conner OMalley, Sarah Sherman, Maria Bamford, all of whom are unlikely to appear in a Grown Ups 3. Advertisement Advertisement But when it comes to the jokes, Sandler remains deep in his comfort zone. There is a bit about accidentally sending a dick pic to Al Pacino. He sings a song about his sisters ugly new boyfriend. He blames the imaginary illiterate brother of Merriam-Webster for the spelling of words like answer and enough. There is an extended riff about how he applies Botox to his penis, thus removing its wrinkles, leading to a conundrum where the men in the YMCA bathroom believe Sandler is erect when he is, in fact, fully flaccid. It is not brainy material, but these stories are delivered amicably, in a stream-of-consciousness blabber, without a shred of grievance or any discernible political posture bleeding in from the margins. Sandler is unapologetic about the things he finds funny. That was true in 1995, and its still true in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement And frankly, that might be whats animating the ongoing Sandler renaissance. Nearly all his peersparticularly his 90s-era Saturday Night Live compatriotsare heavily invested in what they perceive as a war for the soul of comedy. It has led to some exhausting, redundant seminars posing as stand-up specials. I never needed to hear Chris Rock say the word woke, but he still has dedicated swaths of his Netflix oeuvre to debating the ideology. Sandler should ostensibly fit the same mold: Hes a man in his late 50s who can credit much of his success to the lowbrow territory in which his filmography treads. And yet, if he feels under siege by sensitive snowflakes or whatever, Sandler scarcely shows it. Instead of fighting a culture war, hes dedicated his craftsmanship to becoming astonishingly effective at telling the same dick, poop, and fart jokes hes been telling for decadestrimming the fat, reforging their elements, until they land with something you could call grace. (Its no wonder that these punchlines are at their most effective when theyre presented within the confines of a stripped-down stand-up set rather than a bloated ensemble film.) Sandler has checked out of the conversation that has made the consumption of contemporary comedy so litigious and annoying. There is a deftness in all this stupidity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of Love You, Sandler picks up a guitar and plays a song that functions like a We Didnt Start the Fire for the people who have inspired him throughout his career. He daisy-chains together the names of comedy royaltyLucille Ball, Sam Kinison, Lorne Michaels, Jim Downeybefore eventually landing on the gut punch of the departed Norm Macdonald and Chris Farley. (Sandler performed a different tribute to Farley on a Saturday Night Live stint, which was another crucial component of his reclamation.) In the chorus, Sandler doesnt sing about comedys ability to change the world, or expose grave injustices, or adjudicate political correctness once and for all. No, instead, Sandler asserts that comedys most profound social power is how it can make someone feel good, when they were previously feeling sad. It is a radically modest statement in a realm of performers who tend to take themselves a bit too seriously. Maybe we really have changed, after all. If you take a gander at the Swifties for Kamala website or any of its social media profiles, you wont get too far without encountering one all-important phrase: not affiliated with Taylor Swift. The group, which formed earlier this summer to support Harris presidential run, tries to be up front about this fact, but that doesnt mean that its not a little bewildering. I thought so again on Tuesday evening during a kickoff Zoom call held by the group, when an organizer happened to say, about an hour and a half in, And again, this has nothing to do with Taylor or her team. Well, nothing and everything, right? She was talking specifically about a contest the organization was promoting, to win tickets to the Eras tour by registering people to vote, but the disclaimer struck me as an encapsulation of a fundamental contradiction of the group: Swifties for Kamala was established independently of Swift, who has yet to endorse anyone in the 2024 election. The groups call joins an array of other political Zooms this election season. The event was star-studded, featuring Carole King (who sang a few bars of Shake It Off when it was her turn to speak), three different U.S. senators, and other political speakers. It was all at least a moderate success, if you go by the numbers organizers have touted: Some 34,000 attendees raised nearly $150,000 for Harris campaign, according to NPR. Not White Dudes for Harris numbers, but not too shabby. Of course, anyone who attended hoping for a surprise appearance from a certain pop star probably left disappointed. Advertisement Swift was treated a bit like the elephant in the room all eveningthe event was both about her and not at all about her. There has been a lot of talk this election season about a potential Swift endorsement, including some disappointment that the artist has stayed silent so far. In some ways, this frustration can seem misplaced: Though Swift stayed out of politics early in her career, over the past few years, she has made where she stands known, endorsing several Democrats for office, including Joe Biden in 2020. Her power to actually affect elections seems somewhat overstated, though. While Swifts influence is huge, it also has limits; candidates she has endorsed dont always win. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of this puts a group like Swifties for Kamala in a slightly awkward position. Although most of its members probably assume that Swift is on their side, and maybe even expect her to come out and endorse Kamala eventually, for now they have to toe a careful line, organizing under Swifts name while constantly clarifying that they are doing so in an unofficial capacity. It makes for a confusing dance, and its something Ive struggled to imagine how I might explain to an alien, or an older family member: So there are these people, and they really love this one music artist, so much that theyve kind of made it their identity, and now theyre trying to parlay the momentum and community theyve formed from loving that artist into political organizing, even though the musical artist hasnt really given them the green light to do so. A fair follow-up response to this explanation would definitely be Uh why? And indeed, the connection between being a Swiftie and supporting Harris run can seem pretty loose at times. One speaker during Tuesdays call said of Harris, The way she has been opening doors for marginalized communities and making sure those doors stay open in her career reminds me of Taylor and her fierce work in the music industry. When I consider Swifts career, what initially springs to mind isnt her opening doors for marginalized communitiesnor is that among the first things I associate with Harris, come to think of it. Advertisement Advertisement But you know what? No matter how mystified I occasionally am by members of Swifties for Kamalas determination to support Kamala not just as themselves but as Swifties, theres no real reason to begrudge the group. Yes, its cringe to watch politicians attempt to out-pander one another with the amount of Swift references they can cram into a few minutes of addressing her fans (did you know that Sen. Elizabeth Warren considers herself a Karma fan?), but the organization isnt hurting anyone, and it may be helping, not only by raising money but by keeping voters engaged in the election. And good for them. Even if Taylor Swift never thanks them, democracy might. I think were all in agreement that Facebook, at this late date, is a noxious, unusable wasteland. Most days, my feed consists of MasterClass ads, posts from pages called Action Movie Buffs and Fans with 10 uninteresting facts about Air Force One, Reels I dont watch, and the very occasional Trump joke from someone I went to high school with. What was once a fascinating, if fraught, stream of photos, arguments, and updates from friends near and far is now an algorithm-driven sludge hose spraying goop at me in desperate hope that something sticks. Except for this week. This is the one week a year that Facebook fulfills its potential. Its the week that keeps me on the platform, despite all evidence that its not only an evil company but a lousy product. Its the week that my feed fills with adorable photos of children from all over the country, all dressed in their best clothes, all smiling enthusiastically or shyly or grudgingly for their parents cameras. Yes, its First Day of School Week on Facebook, and Im so happy. Lets scroll! Tom is starting his freshman year in high school. There he is, sitting on his front stoop in North Carolina, grinning with goofy charm, obviously raring to go. Nearby, Bea (fifth grade) has an arm around her sister Harriet (first grade), whos sporting kitty-cat ears and a missing front tooth. In Wisconsin, siblings Hannah (12th grade) and Tyler (11th grade) have the exact same corkscrew hairdo; Tylers wearing a knapsack on his front and a second one on his back. In Pennsylvania, Gwen, whom I still think of as a third grader, is starting her sophomore year of high school; in the photo her mom posted, she stands in the early-morning light with hands on hips, looking bemusedly off to the side, assuredly at her dad doing something ridiculous to get her to smile. Here in Virginia, Quentins starting kindergarten this year, and his parents posed him at the same elementary school sign where we took pictures of our kids. His face radiates joy, pride, and enthusiasm for the year ahead. Up in Montreal, little Mathis is making the exact same face as he steps into the door of his new maternelle. Et cest parti! writes his mom, whom I havent talked to since college. Here we go! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How did it happen that parents everywhere have come to embrace this ritual? As far as I know, Facebook has never specifically encouraged or promoted back-to-school photos on the platform. Yet as long as weve had children, we and most other parents we know have somehow organically understood that on the first day of the new school year, you line your kids up on the front porch, take a photo, and upload that photo to Facebook with the kids grade level and a few words about how you cant believe that the summer went by so quickly. These photos are your gift to all your friends, anticipating their photos of their kidsacknowledgment that this week and this week only, Facebook still retains the ability to create a community online. Advertisement Related From Slate The Real Reason So Many Parents Are Against Phone Bans in School Seems Irrational. Is It? Read More Yes, there are some parents who have made the decision to keep their kids off social media entirely. I respect that decision and admire those parents. But Im truly thankful for all the moms and dads who have continued posting their kids in late August of every year. If you click through to those parents Facebook profiles, youll see that they, like me, have mostly given up on Facebookoften the previous post on their page is the previous years back-to-school photo. This suggests that the joy of First Day of School Week transcends our fear of or boredom with social mediathat the tradition is important enough to all of us that it might escape containment and persist, somehow, long after Facebook is dead and gone. Advertisement Advertisement As our kids have gotten older, so too have the kids of many of our parent friends, so for me, First Day of School Week skews more teenager-y than it used to. The kids my children went to elementary school with, back when Facebook-friending parents you just met on the playground was de rigueur, are now sometimes unrecognizable; Ive watched the kids of my own school friends, most of whom Ive never met, grow from moppets to near-adults as if in a time-lapse sequence, one photo per year, every fall without fail. (Even the coronavirus year, parents took photos of their kids in front of their remote-school laptops, posting them with cryinglaughing emojis.) Even now, for the most part, these teenagers still accommodate their parents desperation to document the turning of the years, even if the resulting photos sometimes betray that they were caught, smirking, on the way out the door. This year I even saw photos that obliging college students texted to their parents without, those parents claimed, any haranguing at all. Advertisement Advertisement My own daughter drove off at 5:30 the morning of the first day of her senior year of high school, to participate in her own social-media tradition, senior class photos on the National Mall at sunrise. But she had a little time between her return and first period, so she drove home, knocked on our bedroom door, and said, Do you want to take a photo for the first day of school? We did, we did. We posted it alongside a shot of her 12 years ago, on the first day of kindergarten, her backpack wider than her torso. (This, too, has become a tradition: the senior-year shot alongside the kindergarten shot.) From near and far, friends and relatives liked the photos, loved them, commented I cant believe how big she is! All week, Facebook Memories has chimed in with photos from past First Days of School to remind us, over and over, that we cant believe it either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The actual date of your First Day of School Week may vary, depending on where you and most of your Facebook friends live. If you live in the Great Plains, First Day of School Week happened earlier in August. If you live in New York City, it wont happen until after Labor Day. But for me, a person whose Facebook friend group clusters in the mid-Atlantic, this week has been a heartwarming cavalcade of excitable kindergartners, gawky tweens outgrowing their backpacks, and eye-rolling sophomores coaxed into just one shot. Its the last remaining wholesome thing on Facebook. I dont know how much Ill be using this platform for the next 51 weeks, but come August 2025, Ill be back. The legal warfare over the 2024 election is well underway. The MAGA shenanigans of the Georgia election board have overshadowed disturbing developments in Arizona. Last week, the Supreme Court signaled it would revisit an issue it had settled over a decade ago, allowing a new Arizona law to go into effect requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. Reopening the issue at the last minute and after registration has begun, the justices are fomenting a false public narrative that noncitizens are a threat to U.S. elections. This is the latest signal that the justices are in cahoots with former President Donald Trump and may be prepared to meddle in the electionunless it is decided by margins too large to tamper with. Advertisement The case is Republican National Committee v. Mi Familia Vota, where the Republican National Committee requested eleventh-hour emergency changes to Arizonas voter registration lawseven though the states vote-by-mail registration window has already begun. The lawsuit strikes at the heart of voting rights and fair elections: Not only does the RNC seek to prevent tens of thousands of eligible Arizonans from lawfully casting ballots, but they also advance the canard that noncitizens are voting in U.S. elections. As the libertarian Cato Institute noted: there is no good evidence that noncitizens voted illegally in large enough numbers to actually shift the outcome of elections. This high-court intervention is wrong, and the stakes could not be higher: Joe Biden won Arizona in 2020 by only 10,457 votes, and its unclear what impact the courts new ruling could have in November. The courts unsigned order in the RNC case allows an Arizona law to go into effect requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. This strongly suggests that the conservative wing of the court, three of whom are Trump appointees, will ultimately strike down a portion of the 1993 National Voter Registration Act, a crucial federal voting rights lawformerly championed by Justice Antonin Scaliaas unconstitutional when it ultimately hears the case. While the court in this case granted the RNCs request to enable a law that required documentary proof of citizenship for all new registrations, it refrained from granting another to strike the 42,301 voters who are already registered without documentation. However, Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch would have done the latter as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the threat is not over, since the court will have other potential opportunities to interfere with Arizonas voter rolls. For instance, Trump policy architect Stephen Miller and his America First group filed a lawsuit in Maricopa County, just a few weeks ago, to compel the county recorder to engage in list maintenance by submitting the names of voters registered without documentation to the Department of Homeland Security and the state attorney general. Although Millers lawsuit may (and hopefully will) go nowhere, the courts election season intervention could tip the election even if the law applies only to prospective registrations. Voter registration is surging in the wake of President Joe Bidens exit from the race, with nonpartisan registration group Vote.org reporting tens of thousands of new registrants across the nation, 83 percent of whom were under the age of 34, in just the first two days following Bidens announcement. Although data from Arizona is not yet available, the trend continues in battleground states nationwide. With the registration period already well underway, the courts new ruling means that information previously provided to aspiring voters to ensure their eligibility to vote is no longer accurate. This compounds Arizonas preexisting registration pain points, where over 20,000 residents had their registrations put on hold back in the July primarymany due to inconsequential technical errorswell before this court decision. Advertisement Related From Slate The Courts Are Already Starting to Implement Project 2025, Without Trump Read More How did we get here? In an era three decades ago when the right to vote enjoyed more bipartisan support, Congress passed the NVRA to standardize voter registration procedures across the country. To do so, it created a national registration application form, which requires applicants to swear under penalty of perjury to their status as U.S. citizens, but does not require voters to submit additional supporting documentation. Nonetheless, a decade later in 2004, Arizona enacted Proposition 200, which compelled voters to submit proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, to register to vote. Advertisement The Supreme Court in 2013 said Arizona couldnt do that. In a 72 decision, authored by Scalia and joined by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court held that the federal NVRA preempts Arizonas conflicting documentation requirements because the power of Congress over the Times, Places and Manner of congressional elections is paramount, and may be exercised at any time, and to any extent which it deems expedient. Advertisement Arizona already requires proof of citizenship to vote in state elections, and almost all Arizona voters provide such proof. However, there are a few thousand federal only voters in Arizona who have not submitted additional documentation, many of whom register in precincts on college campuses (so theyre likely college students without drivers licenses, not noncitizens who are ineligible to vote). Advertisement Advertisement Emboldened by a party climate that seeks to unravel constitutional norms and the rule of law, in 2022 Arizona Republicans passed a statute that soughtin clear conflict with the Supreme Courts 2013 caseto reimpose the citizenship documentation requirement for federal elections. The Supreme Court had explained that the NVRA precludes Arizona from requiring a Federal Form applicant to submit information beyond that required by the form itself. In this age where precedent is no impediment to the court reaching its ideological aims, the RNCs recent bid appears to have been successful: Under the courts order last week, the new Arizona law requiring all new registrations to provide documented proof of citizenship will go into effect. And once it reviews the case fully, which we anticipate it will next year, it may well revisit the status of the 40,000-plus voters who have already been registered. Advertisement To add insult to injury, the courts conservative wing has been dizzyingly hypocritical in reversing itself here. In the 2020 election, Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Gorsuch invoked the so-called Purcell principle, which stands for the idea that federal courts should not interfere with state voting laws close to an election. The courts last-minute changes to election rules here could make a difference in November. Not all voters without an ID vote Democratic, but many do. That includes college students who are away from their homes and, consequently, without the sort of documentation that Arizonas new law requires. Among 18-to-29-year-old registered voters in battleground states, Harris leads Trump by 9 points. Advertisement Advertisement Beyond the age-old strategy of voter suppression, the RNCs agenda in bringing this case so close to the election is undoubtedly meant to serve as a psychological operation to sow seeds of doubt in the presidential election by reviving the debunked conspiracy theory about outcome-determinative noncitizen voting. And they are not alone: 24 states wrote an amicus brief in support of Arizona alleging that aliens are illegally voting in elections in numbers sufficient to have won North Carolina for Obama in 2008. In support for these assertions, the states cite a single, deeply methodologically flawed and widely debunked study, whose author has long lamented his work being twisted in this way. Advertisement Contrary to the conspiracy theories, there are plenty of benign reasons why people sometimes dont have proof of citizenship, many corresponding to income level. Extensive research has demonstrated that nearly 9 percent of voting-age citizens do not have a non-expired drivers license, while another 12 percent (28.6 million) have a non-expired license, but it does not have both their current address and current name. The same study found that people in lower income groups are more likely to think photo IDs are not required for voting in person or to be unsure. Citizens might not have access to documents that are locked in a safety deposit box at a bank, or because they have been lost or stolen in times of moving or hardship. Thats why the NVRAs oath requirement works so well: It allows people who dont have easy access to adequate documentation to vote, while raising the specter of criminal penalties should they lie. Not only are Arizonas restrictions burdensome, they are unnecessary. States have many existing safeguards in place to ensure that noncitizens are not on the voter rolls and cannot cast ballots. For example, states can cross-reference state DMV records, jury duty records, and Social Security records to ensure that noncitizens do not register to vote. Jack Smith isnt throwing in the towel. Despite the setback of the Supreme Courts presidential immunity decisionwhich ruled that presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for certain official acts taken while in officeSmith is still trying to hold Trump accountable for his actions in the aftermath of the 2020 election. Smiths new superseding indictment, filed Tuesday, raises the same four charges against Trump as were in the original indictment, including conspiracy to defraud the government, obstruction of an official proceeding, and conspiracy to deprive citizens of their rights to have their votes counted. Keeping the obstruction charges is a bold move because, in a separate case this past term, Fischer v. United States, the high court also narrowed the scope of the law Smith is using. That decision overturned a number of Jan. 6 prosecutions. Before that ruling, the law Smith is using, SarbanesOxley, had a section that seemed as if it dealt broadly with any obstruction of an official proceeding; in June, SCOTUS said it applies only to interfering with official documents. There was some speculation that Smith might refile his indictment using a different conspiracy law to be on firmer legal ground. That hes sticking with the original one suggests hes willing to fight the issue out in court, said Dennis Fan, a former federal prosecutor. I imagine he would say that undermining the certification vote or offering false slates of electors impairs the integrity of documents within the meaning of 18 U.S.C. 1512, Fan explained. The defendants in Fischer got off primarily because they were just involved in obstructing the proceeding, as opposed to the documents used in the proceedings. Advertisement The special counsel is also using a narrower set of evidence in the new superseding indictment and has changed the co-conspirators involved, with former Department of Justice official Jeffrey Clark noticeably absent. Former Vice President Mike Pence, a witness against Trump, also holds a smaller role in the indictment, but its notable he was included at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Courts presidential immunity decision determined that communications between Pence and Trump are likely official acts offering a presumptive immunityso Smith cant use them as evidence unless he convinces the judge that undoing the immunity protection in this instance doesnt hinder the work of the presidency. The same thing goes for Trumps communications with the DOJ and national security officials. Advertisement In response, Smith removed a series of conversations between Trump and these officials in which they told him that he had lost the election. Its going to make it significantly harder to show the timing of Trumps knowledge and his intent when you cant really show some of the conversations that happened, Fan said. The only witness you could really bring to trial would be these private attorneys who Trump was in touch with, and potentially the vice president. Smiths new indictment features the same list of co-conspirators that are each described as Trumps private attorneys, with the one former DOJ official removed. Although Pence is still mentioned, there is no longer mention of any conversations Trump and Pence had in the lead-up to Jan. 6the Christmas Day conversation in which Trump tried to pressure Pence to reject electoral votes is notably missing. Instead, according to Smiths new indictment, Trump and his co-conspirators attempted to enlist the Vice President in his ceremonial role as President of the Senate at the January 6 certification proceeding to fraudulently alter the election results. Advertisement Related From Slate Three Ways That Jack Smith Could Resurrect the Classified Documents Case Read More The Supreme Courts decision pertains only to the communications Trump had with Pence, his DOJ, and advisers. Smith technically can still talk about Pencebut if he fails to successfully convince the judge that Trump and Pences conversations dont need to be covered by immunity, he wont be able to use them, and that will create more openings for Trumps defense team. You dont have access to the full range of conversations, and then you have plausible gaps in knowledge where Trump can say, Look, I wasnt really involved in this; I wasnt doing anything between Jan. 3 and 5, Fan said. Advertisement Fan believes there are opportunities for Smith to get creative, and thats where Trumps private attorneys come into play. Many of them could have been in the room with Trump while he was having conversations with Pence or his DOJ or could have communicated with him shortly before or after they happened, creating evidence potentially helpful to Smith. If Trump wrote to one of his private attorneys, Today I had a conversation with my attorney general and he said Blah, blah, blahshould we do it? and Trump says, Yes, it doesnt really matter that you cant have that conversation between the attorney general and Trump at trial on record at that point, Fan explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Tanya Chutkan has scheduled a hearing for Sept. 5, and her main priority will be the task given to her by SCOTUS: go on a fact-finding mission to determine what portions of Smiths indictment fall under core official presidential acts and what do not. Core official presidential acts cannot be used to prosecute the former president; those might be official acts but not core duties exclusive to the president. (These have only presumptive immunity, which could conceivably be rebutted by Smith.) Those considered not official acts, on the other hand, are fair game to use at trial. In order to make those decisions, Chutkan could demand a pretrial evidentiary hearing that involves witnesses testifying, though a couple of reports this week suggest that Smith is not keen on that approach. Advertisement However, Robert Katzberg, a veteran white-collar criminal defense attorney and author of the book The Vanishing Trial, explained to Slate that a pretrial evidentiary hearing might just be necessary, whether or not Smith asks for one. As the finder of fact, she will be much better able to draw accurate, reality-based factual conclusions on novel, unprecedented evidentiary issues with key witnesses testifying before her, Katzberg said. A full evidentiary hearing will make her conclusions both stronger and more difficult to overturn by appellate judges who did not have the benefit of her full and direct access to key witnesses. Coffee and the American Northwest are more or less synonymous, and seminal coffee companies from places like Seattle and Portland have become household names. But what folks in other parts of the country might not realize is that the city of Spokane300 miles east of Seattle, near the Idaho borderis home to a really innovative, exciting, deeply rooted coffee scene. They love their coffee out in Spokane, and one of the core movers there over the last 15 years is Indaba Coffee, a specialty coffee company with a strong fanbase and community focus. This new cafe from Indaba were featuring today is another highlight in the 2024 Build-Outs season. Lets take a closer look. The 2024 Build-Outs of Coffee is presented by Ceado and Dona. The 2024 Build-outs of Coffee is sponsored by Pacific Barista Series, La Marzocco, Acaia and Ghirardelli. As told to Sprudge by Bobby Enslow. For those who arent familiar, will you tell us about your company? Indaba Coffee first opened in 2009 in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Spokane, WA. The mission was to create a community space where everyone felt welcome and provided an opportunity to catalyze change in the neighborhood. We became a multi-roaster bar in 2012 and then began roasting in 2014. We are a family-owned business that has been blessed with some awards over the years but we are most proud of our community service award and how we give back to our community. We enjoy long walks along the Spokane river while sipping on a refreshing lemon vanilla cold brew. Can you tell us a bit about the new space? Our new space on North Monroe we are calling our forever home. Just a few blocks from our actual home, we see ourselves spending most of our days here connecting with our community and serving delicious coffee and light fare. Set inside an old car show room, the large open windows create a sense of openness and connection to everything around us. The original terrazzo floor has been cleaned up and dressed with a variety of furniture to create pockets where community and connection can happen. We will be sporting two espresso bars, a slow bar, and a training room we plan to use to provide classes and certifications. The most exciting part of the space is the fact we are ditching the fast-food order/pickup model for what were calling the human model. With the constant push for speed, mobile ordering, and pressure to tighten margins, we believe we are losing the art of connecting in real life. You wont see any cash registers in this space. You will just see another human, a barista, there to connect and serve you delicious coffee. Our goal is to connect and serve first, and then, sure, well take your money, but not until weve provided you with a quality product and service. Whats your approach to coffee? We approach coffee with humility and respect for the diversity and delight found in a variety of different beverages. We enjoy everything from a nice single origin co-ferment coffee pour-over to a house-made butterscotch latte. We value hospitality and making everyone feel welcome by doing our best to have something they will enjoy while doing our best to maintain a small and simple menu. Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up? After going to the SCA Expo in Chicago, we were inspired to feature some fun new gear. We will be grinding on the new Ceado E37Z-Barista grinder using Red Speed Burrs. The taste, reduction in waste, and longevity were some of the main factors in our decision. We will continue to use Slayer Steam LPx machines for espresso service along with Mahlkonig EK43S grinders for single dose espressos. We will also be featuring the Gen2 Ground Control Brewers to brew our batch brew coffee and batch espresso for iced lattes. Another thing we are excited about is having a dedicated slow bar utilizing frozen beans. We have been roasting up some fun new coffees as part of our Indaba Reserve line featuring co-ferments like coconut/pineapple or passionfruit and so on. While these coffees may not be everyday drinkers, we believe they serve an important role in getting people excited about coffee and creating those sought after aha moments for people. There is something exciting when you see someones eyes widen after that first sip of a special process coffee. How is your project considering sustainability? Sustainability has been important throughout this project. Everything from remodeling an old car dealership, to having a self-serve washing station for travel cups, we want people to slow down and consider their impact on the environment. Spokane is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Worlds Fair in Spokanethe first Worlds Fair to have an environmental focus. We want to honor that legacy by encouraging the use of for-here wares and using your own takeaway mugs. Whats your hopeful target opening date/month? We had a soft opening in mid-July with a Grand Opening event in late August. Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that youd like to mention? There are quite a few artisans we would like to mention: Rock Solid Remodeling, Old Hat Workshop, Baker Construction, Bernardo Wills Architects, Maker & Made Design Firm, and Freeform Spaces. Thank you! Thank you! https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/august-29-1949-the-day-americas-monopoly-on-nuclear-weapons-came-to-an-end-1119949308.html August 29, 1949: The Day Americas Monopoly on Nuclear Weapons Came to an End August 29, 1949: The Day Americas Monopoly on Nuclear Weapons Came to an End Sputnik International 75 years ago today, the USSR tested its first atomic weapon, becoming the second country in the world after the United States to master the fearsome... 29.08.2024, Sputnik International 2024-08-29T15:50+0000 2024-08-29T15:50+0000 2024-08-29T16:01+0000 military joseph stalin ussr moscow russia nkvd cia soviet union nuclear bomb balance of power https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105748/72/1057487220_0:115:3235:1934_1920x0_80_0_0_a49272ae0dddc28896401c4a50ad4d35.jpg Armed with an explosive yield equivalent to about 22 kt of TNT, the 4.7-ton RDS-1 used in the test was a combat-ready weapon designed to be dropped from a Tupolev Tu-4 strategic bomber. About 30 RDS-1s were produced by the mid-1950s after the successful August 29, 1949 test.The test ended Americas nuclear monopoly, adding much-needed balance in international politics, reining in American and European imperialism, preventing the Cold War from going hot, and ultimately, providing modern Russia with a guaranteed capability to respond to large-scale military aggression.That, Ryabv recalled, led to the acceleration of Soviet nuclear research via the creation of a powerful Special Committee headed by NKVD chief Lavrentiy Beria in August 1945.The 1949 test surprised the CIA. Agency analysts had expected the first Soviet nuclear bomb to appear only by the early-to-mid 1950s, underestimating the USSRs scientists, Berias organizational skills, and Moscows possession of high-grade uranium ore deposits.By the early 1940s, the USSR amassed dozens of world-class atomic scientists, from Igor Kurchatov and Yuli Khariton to Isaak Kikoin, Andrei Bochvar, Igor Tamm, and many others. The Soviet State Defense Committee approved work on what would become the Soviet nuclear program in September 1942, at the height of the Battle of Stalingrad.We were exceptionally lucky that there was a person whotook responsibility and led us through the most difficult moments, Ryabev recalled, referencing Kurchatovs critical role as head of the Soviet nuclear program.While the USSR had its own independent path to a nuclear bomb, atomic espionage did give Moscow crucial information on foreign efforts in this field. The Cambridge Five, Klaus Fuchs, the Rosenbergs and many others risked their careers and lives to provide Moscow with critical information on foreign nuclear developments, from classified documents and photographs, to details on the political, diplomatic and military aspects of the US nuclear problem.Thats why when President Truman informed Joseph Stalin that the US was in possession of a new weapon of unusual destructive force, Stalin, to Trumans surprise, expressed little interest, nonchalantly replying that he hoped the US would make good use of it against the Japanese. By that point, the Soviet nuclear program was in full swing, receiving help along the way from intelligence.Modern Russia prides itself on its great scientific minds, and doesnt rest its Soviet laurels when it comes to new developments in experimental physics. Right now, scientists at the Sarov Nuclear Center are currently working on the UFL-2M Tsar Laser a 192-beam mega installation expected to become the most powerful laser in the world. The Tsar Laser will prove useful for research in high energy density and astrophysics, as well as the creation of a new generation of nuclear weapons, thanks to its ability to model processes occurring at the moment of a nuclear explosion. https://sputnikglobe.com/20200917/arthur-adams-the-unassuming-swedish-soviet-spy-who-exposed-americas-greatest-military-secret-1080492006.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20190829/wunderwaffe-failure-russian-scientist-explains-why-hitlers-reich-never-built-a-nuke-1076670690.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20190829/first-soviet-nuclear-bomb-test-how-it-happened-1076671577.html ussr moscow russia soviet union Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov when was us nuclear monopoly broken, who developed the second nuclear bomb, did the soviet union steal american nuclear technology https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/death-toll-from-israeli-west-bank-operations-rises-to-11--reports-1119945371.html Death Toll From Israeli West Bank Operations Rises to 11 Reports Death Toll From Israeli West Bank Operations Rises to 11 Reports Sputnik International Israeli forces killed 11 Palestinians in the West Bank during a raid, injuring 26 more, according to local media. 2024-08-29T00:14+0000 2024-08-29T00:14+0000 2024-08-29T00:14+0000 world middle east palestinians west bank israel jenin israel defense forces (idf) wafa newsfeed sputnik https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/1d/1119945214_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_5d240b32258c2bb5be2f5a2e5b4cff55.jpg Earlier reports said nine people were killed and 11 others injured as a result of the Israeli military's actions on Wednesday in Jenin, Tubas and Tulkarm in the West Bank. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had carried out operations in the Jenin and Tulkarm areas of the West Bank jointly with other law enforcement agencies, killing nine Palestinians they described as radicals. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240711/g7-nations-condemn-israeli-land-grab-in-west-bank---statement-1119343647.html west bank israel jenin Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International west bank raids, israeli actions in jenin, tubas, tulkarm Sindh Province officials are trying to impose a ban on organizers of a minority rights march under pressure from an extremist Islamist party opposed to any changes in Pakistans harsh blasphemy laws, sources said. In an official letter to the Commissioner of Karachi Division on Friday (Aug. 23), the Sindh Home Department stated that the organizers of the Minorities Rights March held on the Aug. 11 National Minorities Day had violated their responsibility to uphold religious harmony and respect interfaith boundaries. The SSP [Senior Superintendent of Police] has recommended that the NOC [No Objection Certificate] granted to Mr. [Luke] Victor and his associates may be prohibited from organizing any future events for violating the said code of conduct to prevent any potential law and order issues, states the letter viewed by Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and other Islamist parties, including the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Sunni Tehreek, had earlier threatened the Sindh government with unrest if it allowed the minorities rights march on Aug. 11. The government initially withdrew the NOC granted to march organizers in Karachi but later allowed them to hold a gathering after protests against the decision. Hundreds of TLP workers on Friday (Aug. 23) clashed with police outside the office of the Sindh Police Inspector General, demanding that a case be registered against march organizers for allegedly spreading fake propaganda against Section 295-C of Pakistans widely condemned blasphemy statutes. The law carries a mandatory death penalty for disrespecting Islams prophet, Muhammad. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up The TLP workers attacked policemen with stones, injuring several officers, and were dispersed only after senior police officials vowed that NOCs for such marches would not be given in the future. Attorney Luke Victor, one of the organizers of the Minorities Rights March, said surrendering to illegal demands from extremist forces would not bode well for Pakistan. The TLP and some other Islamist parties had begun a campaign to stop the minorities march on the false pretext that we were demanding the abolition of the blasphemy laws, Victor told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News from Karachi. This is a blatant lie, because nowhere in our social media campaign and in the rally itself any such demand was made. Our demand has always been to stop the abuse of the blasphemy laws and the violence perpetrated against religious minorities in its name. The lawyer-activist rejected the propaganda that the march organizers were anti-Islam and anti-Pakistan. We are as much Pakistanis as they are, and we have never said or done anything that undermines Islamic teachings, he said. Our objective is a pluralistic Pakistani society where citizens belonging to all faiths, caste or creed can live freely. We are opposed to the abuse of the blasphemy laws against any citizen and have always urged the state to look into this issue with due seriousness. Victor said that march organizers and participants believed all religions preach peace and tolerance. This is the reason why many Muslims endorsed and participated in the gathering to show support for the just demands of the religious minorities, he said. We are demanding protection for vulnerable communities from societal discrimination and persecution, including abduction and forced conversion of underage Christian and Hindu girls, and their fundamental right to quality education, health and other privileges enjoyed by the majority community. Pastor Ghazala Shafique, another organizer of the minority rights march, lamented that some in the local Christian community were colluding with extremist groups for their vested interests. They have tagged me as an Ahmadi and are falsely propagating that Im promoting a Qadyani [derogatory term for Ahmadis] agenda in the church, Pastor Shafique said. This is a very dangerous attempt to disrupt peace and interfaith relations and damage the church. The government should take strict notice of this propaganda which is strengthening extremist elements. The Ahmadis consider themselves a branch of Islam but are considered heretical by Pakistani Muslims, and Ahmadi worship places are often attacked by Islamist groups. On Aug. 22, the Supreme Court of Pakistan was forced to dilute its verdict in a case pertaining to bail it granted to an Ahmadi after TLP activists called for the murder of the Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa. Under immense pressure and threats, the Supreme Court announced that it was ready to review its verdict for a second time, a first in the countrys judicial history. I dont want to say [it] but am helpless; I pray in every prayer that may God prevent me from making any wrong decisions, Isa said as a three-judge bench headed by the chief justice ordered the exclusion of the controversial paragraphs from the verdict, including one related to freedom of religion in which the court had cited Article 20 of Pakistans Constitution. Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/leningrad-region-specialists-restore-memorial-mosaic-panel-in-mongolia-1119946873.html Leningrad Region Specialists Restore Memorial Mosaic Panel in Mongolia Leningrad Region Specialists Restore Memorial Mosaic Panel in Mongolia Sputnik International Leningrad specialists have completed the restoration of the mosaic panel of the Zaisan memorial complex dedicated to the Soviet-Mongolian victory at Khalkhin Gol in 1939. 2024-08-29T11:31+0000 2024-08-29T11:31+0000 2024-08-29T11:35+0000 world ulaanbaatar mongolia leningrad region russia memorials memorial https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/1d/1119947213_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_048fa389f2b2a3ce4c7702905a3a598d.jpg Specialists from the Leningrad region have completed the restoration of the mosaic panel of the Zaisan memorial complex dedicated to the Soviet-Mongolian victory at Khalkhin Gol in 1939 in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar, Leningrad region Governor Alexander Drozdenko said.The governor added that the two countries jointly preserve the memory of their victory and mutual assistance.Earlier, Leningrad region government First Deputy Chairman Roman Markov visited the Zhukov House Museum in Ulaanbaatar and laid flowers at the Soviet marshal's monument. The museum was opened on August 19, 1979, on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the victory at the Khalkhin Gol River. The creation of the museum and the opening of the monument is a tribute to the grateful memory and true national love for the great commander.The Mongolian people have forever connected the victory at the Khalkhin Gol River with the name of Georgy Zhukov. Considering the great importance of the work to preserve the historical truth and memory of Soviet-Mongolian military glory, the Leningrad region has been looking for ways to participate in the restoration of the memorial complex to Soviet soldiers erected in Ulaanbaatar on Zaisan Hill on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Khalkhin Gol. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231017/putin-meets-with-heads-of-thailand-vietnam-laos-mongolia-in-beijing-1114246337.html ulaanbaatar mongolia leningrad region russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International leningrad region, mosaic panel of memorial in mongolia, zaisan tolgoi hill, mongolia, soviet-mongolian victory at khalkhin gol https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/netanyahu-warned-of-threats-ahead-of-october-7-deliberately-failed-to-act-fmr-israeli-pm-says-1119952797.html Netanyahu Warned of Threats Ahead of October 7, Deliberately Failed to Act, Fmr Israeli PM Says Netanyahu Warned of Threats Ahead of October 7, Deliberately Failed to Act, Fmr Israeli PM Says Sputnik International Ex-Israeli PM Yair Lapid dropped a political bombshell, endorsing months of reporting citing anonymous officials that PM Netanyahu knew about reports of Hamass plans to attack. 2024-08-29T19:25+0000 2024-08-29T19:25+0000 2024-08-29T19:26+0000 world yair lapid middle east benjamin netanyahu bezalel smotrich israel tel aviv hamas israel defense forces (idf) shin bet https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/04/1100365791_0:28:3070:1755_1920x0_80_0_0_9eb46b8f11eb73b7006a350103db1f4a.jpg Former Israeli prime minister and opposition leader Yair Lapid dropped a political bombshell on Thursday, endorsing months of reporting citing anonymous officials that Prime Minister Netanyahu knew about reports of Hamass plans to attack but did nothing to respond.During the months leading up to the [October 7, 2023] disaster, the prime minister and cabinet ministers received a series of serious, unprecedented warnings. From the middle of 2023 there were more and more voices with in the terrorist organizations that said that the moment they had been waiting for had arrived, Lapid said in testimony before an independent civilian commission of inquiry in Tel Aviv on Thursday.Seeking to refute longstanding claims by the government that it was not aware of Hamass looming offensive, Lapid said it was informed, and that he, as leader of the opposition, was also informed, including through a security briefing on August 21, 2023 by prime ministerial military advisor Avi Gil on the plans of Israels enemies, and the perceived weakness on the Israeli side.Lapid said he received additional classified intelligence on September 18, 2023 through the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee warning that Israeli deterrence has eroded dramatically and that our enemies think they have a rare opportunity to harm us, with Israel being at the greatest level of danger.This, Lapid said, prompted his September 20, 2023 public warning that Israel was drawing close to a multifront confrontation, in which he said that according to the security establishment, the number of alerts in Judea and Samaria is unprecedented.Lapid accused Netanyahu of ignoring a clear and present danger highlighted by the intelligence and defense establishments, and slammed the PM over the appointment of cabinet ministers, including Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, whom Lapid said should not be anywhere near Israels sacred security.Netanyahus office dismissed Lapids allegations, saying in a statement that the prime minister did not receive any warning about the war in Gaza, that the opposite is true and the protocols prove it.Thursdays testimony was the second time in a week that Lapid has publicly attacked Netanyahu on October 7.Last week, in an interview with the Times of Israel, the opposition leader said all the signs, all the red flags, all the warnings were there ahead of the attack, but Netanyahu willfully ignored them all.Fast forward to today, Lapid accused Netanyahu of deliberately stalling negotiations with Hamas on a ceasefire deal and hostage exchange to prevent his coalition from falling apart, saying the addition of new conditions particularly the demand for permanent control of the Philadelphi Corridor border between Gaza and Egypt, was connected to his desire to remain in power.Nearly 42,000 people, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, have been killed to date in the Israel-Hamas conflict sparked by the October 7, 2023 Hamas incursion into southern Israel, which the Palestinian militia said it carried out in response to Israels occupation of Palestinian territories, provocations at the Al-Aqsa Mosque holy site in Jerusalem, and the blockade of Gaza. Over 40,400 of the victims to date have been Palestinians the vast majority of them civilians. Close to 1,500 Israelis, including civilians, troops, police and hostages, have been killed. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/palestine-expecting-action-against-dual-citizenship-soldiers-fighting-in-gaza---official-1119945776.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240827/over-50000-tons-of-arms--equipment-shipped-to-israel-from-us---report-1119919310.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240828/mideast-powers-warn-israel-not-to-touch-al-aqsa-as-palestinians-warn-of-full-scale-religious-war-1119941810.html israel tel aviv Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov did netanyahu ignore warnings about october 7, why did netanyahu ignore gaza warnings https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/palestine-calling-for-pressure-on-israel-to-allow-president-abbas-to-visit-gaza---state-minister-1119945630.html Palestine Calling for Pressure on Israel to Allow President Abbas to Visit Gaza - State Minister Palestine Calling for Pressure on Israel to Allow President Abbas to Visit Gaza - State Minister Sputnik International Palestine is calling on the international community to pressure Israel to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to visit the Gaza Strip. 2024-08-29T00:40+0000 2024-08-29T00:40+0000 2024-08-29T02:44+0000 world middle east mahmoud abbas israel gaza strip palestine palestinian national authority (pna) walla sputnik newsfeed https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/05/0d/1082874417_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_184e062dd7445ed581b5ef75bf1f31b3.jpg Last week, the Walla news portal reported that the Palestinian National Authority had asked the Israeli authorities for permission for Abbas to visit Gaza in the near future. Later, Abbas' adviser on international relations and his special envoy, Riyad al-Maliki, told Sputnik that Israel had denied the Palestinian leader permission to visit the enclave. "We will act to ensure President Mahmoud Abbas' visit to the Gaza Strip. A Palestinian commission has been formed to work and organize this visit to the Gaza Strip. We ask the international community to put pressure on Israel to ensure President Abbas' visit," Aghabekian Shahin said. She also added that the Palestinian Authority informed all its ambassadors and representatives of the need for action in all countries and at all levels to mobilize international support for this initiative. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240819/palestine-asks-israel-for-permission-for-mahmoud-abbas-to-visit-gaza---reports-1119834156.html israel gaza strip palestine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International mahmoud abbas visit to gaza, palestinian president, gazan genocide https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/palestine-expecting-action-against-dual-citizenship-soldiers-fighting-in-gaza---official-1119945776.html Palestine Expecting Action Against Dual-Citizenship Soldiers Fighting in Gaza - Official Palestine Expecting Action Against Dual-Citizenship Soldiers Fighting in Gaza - Official Sputnik International The Palestinian government says it received promises from several countries that they would take action against their citizens participating in military operations in the Gaza strip on the Israeli side. 2024-08-29T02:43+0000 2024-08-29T02:43+0000 2024-08-29T02:43+0000 world naledi pandor south africa palestine international court of justice palestinian national authority (pna) sputnik newsfeed israel israel-gaza conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/0d/1117917238_0:0:2200:1239_1920x0_80_0_0_595f26a5842f14673827ebf9f9b1c863.jpg "We have received promises on this issue and we hope that there will be a move from words to deeds within the framework of international law and laws adopted in countries," Aghabekian Shahin said. She added that this issue was raised by the Palestinian National Authority a long time ago, and contacts with countries that are involved are currently ongoing. In March, South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said that any South Africans fighting alongside or in the Israeli Defence Forces would be arrested when they return home. Last year, South Africa launched a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of genocide in Gaza. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240628/spain-joins-south-africas-genocide-lawsuit-against-israel---icj-1119170276.html south africa palestine israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International dual citizens in the idf, will idf soldiers be held responsible, americans fighting in gaza, uk fighting in gaza, european nationals in gaza https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/russia-ukraine-nearly-reached-agreement-in-2022-but-us-wanted-war---turkish-parliament-speaker-1119946056.html Russia, Ukraine Nearly Reached Agreement in 2022, But US Wanted War - Turkish Parliament Speaker Russia, Ukraine Nearly Reached Agreement in 2022, But US Wanted War - Turkish Parliament Speaker Sputnik International Russia and Ukraine were close to reaching an agreement during talks in Istanbul in 2022, but a number of countries did not want the conflict to end, the speaker of Turkiye's Grand National Assembly said. 2024-08-29T03:37+0000 2024-08-29T03:37+0000 2024-08-29T03:37+0000 world volodymyr zelensky boris johnson ukraine russia istanbul numan kurtulmus verkhovna rada sputnik https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/1b/1115229071_0:151:1600:1051_1920x0_80_0_0_d776d621f6cd38984887e15d69501968.jpg At the end of November 2023, the head of the faction of Volodymyr Zelensky's Servant of the People party in the Verkhovna Rada and a member of the Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence David Arakhamia stated that military actions in Ukraine could have ended in the spring of 2022, but the Ukrainian authorities did not agree to the country's neutrality. After talks with the Russian side in Istanbul, then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged Kiev not to sign anything with Russia and just fight. "We have reached the last point to achieve peace [in Ukraine]. All that was left to do was to put signatures of the sides in the Dolmabahce Palace [in Istanbul]. But, unfortunately, a number of countries did not want the war to end. Because the US, through the war in Ukraine, is trying to consolidate the European continent and put pressure on Russia, considering regional turbulence necessary in its own interests. First of all, the political intentions of the parties are necessary. This is difficult. Russia has its own will, Kiev also needs to proceed from its political intentions," Kurtulmus said in an interview with Turkish broadcaster Haberturk. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240222/uks-boris-johnson-sabotaged-russia-ukraine-peace-deal-on-us-orders-1116927933.html ukraine russia istanbul Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia-ukraine talks, istanbul ukraine russia talks, peace deal almost reached in 2022, us sabotaged peace talks, uk sabotaged peace talks, boris johnson sabotaged peace talks https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/sullivan-chinese-general-meet-to-discuss-bilateral-international-agenda---white-house-1119946467.html Sullivan, Chinese General Meet to Discuss Bilateral, International Agenda - White House Sullivan, Chinese General Meet to Discuss Bilateral, International Agenda - White House Sputnik International US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and senior Chinese military official Gen. Zhang Youxia met in Beijing Thursday to discuss issues on the bilateral and international agenda, the White House said in a statement. 2024-08-29T05:27+0000 2024-08-29T05:27+0000 2024-08-29T05:27+0000 world china beijing south china sea jake sullivan https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/0b/1082049363_0:140:2687:1651_1920x0_80_0_0_ed7b8c4934cf65905175bc1c9d511d3d.jpg "National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met on August 29 with General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission in Beijing, China. Mr. Sullivan stressed that both countries have a responsibility to prevent competition from veering into conflict or confrontation," the statement said. It said the two sides reaffirmed the importance of regular military-to-military communications as part of efforts to maintain high-level diplomacy and open lines of communication. "Mr. Sullivan and Vice Chairman Zhang recognized the progress in sustained, regular military-military communications over the past ten months and planned to hold a theater commander telephone call in the near future. Mr. Sullivan also raised the importance of cross-Strait peace and stability, the US commitment to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, concerns about PRC support for Russias defense industrial base, the need to avoid miscalculation and escalation in cyber space, and ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza," the statement said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/amid-tense-us-china-relations-congressional-delegation-visits-taiwan-for-talks-1119721745.html china beijing south china sea Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us national security advisor jake sullivan, chinese military official gen. zhang youxia https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/talks-on-transferring-50bln-to-ukraine-delayed-due-to-us-position---reports-1119947984.html Talks on Transferring $50Bln to Ukraine Delayed Due to US Position - Reports Talks on Transferring $50Bln to Ukraine Delayed Due to US Position - Reports Sputnik International Negotiations on the allocation of $50 billion for Ukraine using profits from frozen Russian assets have been delayed due to US demands for guarantees that EU sanctions against Russia will remain in place for an extended period of time, the Euractiv news outlet reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. 2024-08-29T12:12+0000 2024-08-29T12:12+0000 2024-08-29T12:12+0000 world russia ukraine washington european union (eu) russian foreign ministry asset freeze asset seizure sanctions https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/09/1110220172_0:159:3077:1890_1920x0_80_0_0_fe0bc93df38f17af9cda3f7082769dda.jpg The West is facing delays in reaching an agreement on the technical aspects of a deal, the people said. Negotiations have been slow due to US concerns over whether the freeze will be permanent, as the European Union must renew its sanctions against Russia every six months with the unanimous support of all 27 member states. Washington has reportedly asked for more long-term assurances that the sanctions would be extended for a year or more. Western countries and their allies froze approximately 300 billion euros ($333 billion) worth of foreign exchange reserves belonging to Russia after it launched its military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. The Russian Foreign Ministry has called the freezing of Russian assets in Europe a theft, noting that the EU is targeting not only private individuals' funds but also Russian state assets. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the West's seizure of Russian assets would not go unanswered. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240809/us-unveils-125mln-ukraine-aid-package-includes-stingers-artillery-shells---white-house-1119697867.html russia ukraine washington Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International allocation of $50 billion for ukraine, ukraine delayed, eu sanctions against russia https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/telegram-ceo-durov-left-paris-court-in-private-car-says-telegram-complies-with-the-law-1119945039.html Durov Released From Custody, Says Telegram Complies With The Law Durov Released From Custody, Says Telegram Complies With The Law Sputnik International Telegram CEO Pavel Durov left court in Paris on Wednesday, with his lawyer saying bail will be posted soon and that Telegram complies with European laws. 2024-08-29T00:04+0000 2024-08-29T00:04+0000 2024-08-29T10:49+0000 world pavel durov france paris ria novosti sputnik telegram europe https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106376/46/1063764655_0:52:1894:1117_1920x0_80_0_0_912d481d40b7edd90e0cccc428139404.jpg Durov spent more than eight hours in court, after which the Paris Prosecutor's Office announced the possibility of his release on bail. The Paris Prosecutor's Office said on Wednesday Durov has been placed under judicial supervision, is forbidden to leave France and must pay bail worth 5 million ($5.5 million). Durov has not yet posted the bail requested by the French justice system, but will do so soon, his lawyer David-Olivier Kaminski told RIA Novosti.Russian-born Durov, who holds citizenship in several countries including France, was detained at Paris Le Bourget Airport on August 24. The Paris Prosecutor's Office reported August 28 that Durov was not placed in a pretrial detention center, but was banned from leaving France. Durov is charged with complicity in administering an online platform for the purpose of making illegal transactions by an organized group and other offenses. He could face up to ten years in prison.Kaminski reassured RIA Novosti that Telegram respects European laws and also considers the claims that the owner of the social media service is responsible for the abuses committed on it to be absurd."Telegram complies with European laws, including the Digital Services Act, and its moderation actions comply with industry standards. It makes no sense to say that the platform or its head are responsible for the abuses that occurred on it," Kaminski said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240827/us-declaring-war-on-telegram-to-control-last-vestige-of-free-speech--mega-founder-1119931845.html france paris Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International pavel durov arrest, durov released, telegram ceo arrested, france vs telegram https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/top-ukrainian-officials-to-meet-with-us-govt-to-seek-permission-to-strike-russia---reports-1119946339.html Top Ukrainian Officials to Meet With US Govt to Seek Permission to Strike Russia - Reports Top Ukrainian Officials to Meet With US Govt to Seek Permission to Strike Russia - Reports Sputnik International Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukrainian President's office and Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will meet this week with representatives of the US President administration in an attempt to persuade the White House to lift restrictions on strikes deep into Russian territory using long-range US weapons, media reported. 2024-08-29T05:23+0000 2024-08-29T05:23+0000 2024-08-29T05:23+0000 world sergey lavrov ukraine russia nato us pentagon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/0a/0d/1089904954_0:659:2048:1811_1920x0_80_0_0_fcff8ec99b34fcdcb3db867afffc452a.jpg Yermak and Umerov intend to provide Washington with a list of "priority targets" without which, according to Kiev's position, "it will be difficult to change the course of the war in Ukraines favor," the report said. Umerov will meet with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday, the report read, adding that it is unclear, however, with whom Yermak will hold talks. On Tuesday, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said that the United States has no immediate plans to lift restrictions on strikes against Russian targets inside the country using US-donated weapons.Russia views the supply of weapons to Ukraine as an impediment to conflict resolution, arguing that it directly involves NATO countries in the conflict and constitutes "playing with fire." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that any shipments containing weapons for Ukraine will be considered legitimate targets for Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240630/russian-air-defense-shoots-down-36-ukrainian-drones-over-russias-territory-1119185065.html ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian territory, long-range us weapons, strikes deep into russian territory https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/uae-in-contact-with-france-on-durovs-case---government-1119948360.html UAE Confirms Ongoing Contact with France Regarding Durov Case UAE Confirms Ongoing Contact with France Regarding Durov Case Sputnik International The UAE is in contact with France and Telegram founder Pavel Durov's representatives amid the ongoing investigation, the UAE government told Sputnik on Thursday. 2024-08-29T12:19+0000 2024-08-29T12:19+0000 2024-08-29T14:16+0000 world pavel durov uae france paris telegram europe https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/103897/77/1038977797_0:377:1025:953_1920x0_80_0_0_9abd1e0b09304a5982c2024354fce8f1.jpg The UAE prioritizes the welfare of its citizens, safeguarding their interests, and providing them with assistance as a key priority. We are in touch with the French authorities about this case and Pavel Durovs representatives," the government said.Russian-born Durov, who holds citizenship in several countries including France and the UAE, was detained at a Paris airport on Saturday on charges related to the criminal use of his Telegram app, including terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering and fraud. On Wednesday, he was released under judicial supervision, banned from leaving France and ordered to pay a 5 million euro ($5.5 million) bail. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/telegram-ceo-durov-left-paris-court-in-private-car-says-telegram-complies-with-the-law-1119945039.html uae france paris Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International uae in contact with france, telegram founder pavel durov, uae government Under the theme of "The Art of Unpacking" I write reflective blogs because of three loves: (a) I love chatting away to myself, shaping-ideas and smithing-words; (b) I love unpacking what swirls around me, thinking my own thoughts about it all; and (c) I love serving others, looking for ways to resource them with new ideas. With those motivators in view, and since this was my 800th post, I thought I would provide a candid autobiographical reflection on almost six decades of life. In my 10s: a way of privilege I will be forever thankful for the opportunity to express to my parents my two great gratitudes in the final days of each of their lives: bringing me to Jesus, and taking me to India. There is an immense privilege to be found in growing up as a guest in another country. To remain an outsiderlistening, watching, learningand then, along the way, to develop an affection for, and an affinity with, people unlike yourself. It hasnt always been easy. Bishop Azariah of Dornakal India, whose book I recently reviewed, was described as a perpetual foreigner. Yep, I hear ya Bishop. I was 36 before I stayed in one place longer than five yearsand all but one of the earlier shifts had been inter-continental. But thats okay. I have tasted the truth in C.S. Lewis words and for this I am thankful: a man who has lived in many places is not likely to be deceived by the local errors of his native village (from "The Weight of Glory"). This is partly why I am so impatient with nationalismsunless, of course, your nations existence is under threatand why, from these early years, I gravitated towards being, in the words of John Stott, "a committed internationalist". In my 20s: a way of living Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up As a young pastor in a tiny church in Southland, a remote part of New Zealand, I knew little more than to love my peopleand to feed them. Off we went, Bible book after Bible book, into one sermon series after another. Wherever possible a John Stott commentary would accompany me, as was the case in that first year with his "Christian Counter-Culture"and a series through the Sermon on the Mount. His chapter on A Christians Influence: Salt and Light captivated me. Ahh, the tension in avoiding the twin dangers of worldliness (by being the light) and unworldliness (by being the salt). I stumbled into a way to capture that tension, a bit simplistically, by using a couple of axes and four quadrants. In the decades that followed I found myself drawing versions of it, again and again, on napkins, envelopes and whiteboardswith this being the latest version, used very recently in a class. In it I found a new way of living. It helped me see the insufficiency in my own Q3 upbringing (High-Light; Low-Salt). It restrained me from the common over-reaction of swinging to the other (Q2) extreme. No! The way forward for me was about adding Q2, without deletingQ3, in order to move towards the tension that marks Q4: very involved, very distinct. It is not an easy tension to find, or to live. All these years later, I am collecting peoples descriptions of this life, like: "Fitting in and being different"(Larry Hurtado). "A faithful presence within the world" (James Davison Hunter) faithful to God, yet present in the world. faithful to God, yet present in the world. "They lived lives that contained a yes and a no" (Alan Kreider). "(We need) churches that combine an unembarrassed commitment to a Christian identity with an open-ended presence in the world" (Stefan Paas). The story of the church in Aotearoa New Zealandwhere I was based through my 20s, 30s and 40sis sadly disappointing. (Very) generally speaking, we got stuck in Q2, while thinking we were in Q4. There has been this breathless pursuit of relevance, seeing it to be the key to missionbut it isnt, unless we are also nurturing "contrasting communities" (Michael Goheen). Targeting relevance without contrast not only misses the opportunity to be intriguing, it slips so easily into syncretism, the bane of the mission of God through the church everywhereand far easier to see through a window than in a mirror! In my 30s: a way of looking Our little family moved to Auckland New Zealand a few weeks after my 30th birthday, when I joined the faculty of what is now known as Laidlaw College, a theological training institution. My main teaching responsibility would become the preaching classes, but for some reason senior lecturers Edward Sands and John Hitchen entrusted me with a big new course, entitled "The Gospel in a Post-Christian Society". I had to build it from scratch. Yikes! What were they thinking? However there was inspiration lurking in the background. New Zealands Newbigin, Harold W. Turner, had recently returned home and was gathering people for chats about mission in a secular society. I went along, sitting quietly among the luminaries while finding many of his handouts to be incomprehensible. But one of them could not have been clearerand more galvanizing for me. Turners three levels of mission, as described in his article, Deep Mission to Deep Culture, fascinated mewith "The Analogy of Marxism" being the penny-dropping moment. To my great delight, I recently found that original handout in my files: Turner argued that even though Level I & II mission may look successful, they can never be enough. There needed to be this "deep mission" to "deep culture" taking us into what is often called worldview. This is mission that unmasks ideologies, -isms and idolatries, with another little Lewisian classic coming to mind, the most dangerous ideas in a society are not the ones being argued, but the ones being assumed (C. S. Lewis). A new way of looking was needed. That misleading iceberg (still flooding the internet today as the authoritative image of worldview) needed to be melted and in its place have a tree planted in peoples minds. Assumptions lie below arguments. Roots lie below fruits. There is a Level III with culture. This image unleashed a new passion: cultural exegesis. I was hooked. From Robin Hood movies to Calvin Klein perfumes, and a whole bunch of stuff in-between, I loved using this new way of looking. It pressed me towards (a) Going Deeperdeveloping the art and skill of tracing the fruit to its root; and (b) Being Patientas botanical-agricultural imagery always reminds us to be. Things take time to grow, whether it be for good or ill. In my 40s: a way of thinking Yes, cultural exegesis was great fun. Looking at fruits, while wondering about roots. Listening to arguments, while probing for assumptions. But here is the issue: how do I engage all that I see and hear, above and below, with the gospel of Jesus, the worldview of God and the story of the Bible? A new way of thinking was needed. I soon realized that, back in my 30s, there was a Stottian sentence (yep, thats righthim again!) that could provide the spark: "The Bible divides human history into epochs, which are marked not by the rise and fall of empires, dynasties or civilizations, but by four major events the Creation, the Fall, the Redemption, and the End." (John Stott, Decisive Issues Facing Christians, 34) or, the good, the bad, the new, and the perfect. I represented the good, bad, new and perfect by four chairs. By interacting with these chairs, a new way of thinking emerged. I would (a) Make the chairstelling the story of the "good-bad-new-perfect", by bringing out each chair one at a time and revealing their contribution the story from Genesis to Revelation; then we would (b) Play with the chairsunderstanding the story, by moving the chairs around, even re-moving them one at a time, while asking probing questions as we did so and, finally, we would (c) Sit in the chairsliving in the story. It is here that a new way of thinking emerges. The idea is to hold a metaphorical fruit or rootan argument or assumptionin the hands and sit in each chair, one at a time, asking questions of it which pertain to that specific chair. Gradually, one chair at a time, an understanding of how the gospel of Jesus, the worldview of God and the story of the Bible encounters that issue takes shape. In my 50s: a way of exegeting A few months before my 50th birthday, God drew me into the pinch-me world of Langham Preachinga ministry founded by the aforementioned John Stott. My life became filled with training preachers across Asia. As I traveled, largely in the wake of Stotts influence, one of his phrases popped-up far more than any other Double Listeningby which he meant the importance of listening to both Word and World. I had already come out as a double-listener, like when I opened both Nike and Ecclesiastes in a series of messages at a TSCF student conferenceor, the time I added Lesslie Newbigin as a conversation partner in a series through 1 Peter. However as I traveled with Langham, I became a little frustrated. I was hearing plenty of preachers talk about the importance of double listening, but very few seemed to be doing it in their sermons Why was this the case? Something must be missing. It dawned on me that while we had many methodologies for biblical exegesis, the same cannot be said for cultural exegesisand certainly not at the grassroots level where we were working. I decided to experiment a bit. While acknowledging the accuracy in Kevin Vanhoozers expansive understanding of the world, I chose to focus on "the battleground on which to engage the enemy" and the hard stuff confronted by so many of the people with whom we worked. Five stages emerged in my experimental methodology. The first three were much the same as for biblical exegesis: 1. Selecting; 2. Listening; and 3. Understanding a cultural text. Then came the point of departure. As a means of 4. Engaging that text, I began by reading the New Testament looking for the imagery it uses to describe the world. I discovered 12-15 such pictures, but settled on six: darkness, emptiness, blindness, foolishness, groaning and slavery. They became the lenses through which to engage the hard stuff in a cultural text. Finally, it was about 5. Responding to that text, by developing a way to do so (i) instinctively, as evangelists, with an eye particularly on the fruit; and (ii) thoughtfully, as theologians, with an eye particularly on the root. In my 60s: a way of loving and imagining I trust that an unfinished decade can permit some thoughts that are still rather... unformed! It was a revised edition of "The Universe Next Door" by James Sire that alerted me to a wind shift. In it he expanded his understanding of worldview. The prevailing imagery related to sight and cognition, with words like lens and worldview, seemed to be no longer adequate. Hmmm. Then it was James K. A. Smiths "You Are What You Love" that opened a new world to me. All kinds of memorable assertions come to mind: The place to start is by attending to our loves (p7), You are what you love because you live toward what you want (p13), Our primary orientation to the world is visceral, not cerebral (p33). If we think human beings are brains-on-a-stick, then we will fail to see surrounding cultural practices as liturgies, as habit-forming, love-shaping ritualsthat get hold of our hearts and aim our loves (p38). Wow. So it is not just our thoughts, but also our loves? And it involves the affective as well as the cognitive? Goodness me, I should have listened more closely to my father, Dr Ray Windsor. As I headed off into pastoral ministry, all those years ago, he said to me pay attention to peoples feelings because that is where their responses and behavior is sourced. I dont think I really believed him at the timeand yet Tim Keller (channeling Augustine, I believe) would concur with dad: "Whatever captures the hearts trust and love also controls the feelings and behavior. What the heart most wants, the mind finds reasonable, the emotions find valuable, and the will finds doable. It is all-important, then, that preaching move the heart to stop trusting and loving other things more than God People, therefore, change not by merely changing their thinking but by changing what they love most." (Tim Keller, "Preaching", p159) Such a focus on our loves is also closer to the way Jesus plays with the imagery of a treein Luke 6, for example. We need a new way of lovingbut then also a new way of imagining, as Charles Taylor explores in his book "A Secular Age". Here is another effort to stretch the idea of worldview beyond metaphors of sight related to the cerebraland onto the significant role of the imagination. But I will need reflect more on that at a later time, once I feel that I understand Taylor betterin all likelihood, closer to my 70s, or 80s! Originally published on Paul Windsor's blog, "The Art of Unpacking". Republished with permission. Dr Paul Windsor is Program Director for Langham Preaching. After a childhood in India, a theological training in the USA and a pastoral ministry in Southland, New Zealand, Paul spent twenty years in theological education in New Zealandfirst at Laidlaw College and then at Carey Baptist College, where he served as Principal. In 2009 he began working with Langham Partnership and has been the Programme Director for Langham Preaching since 2013. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/ukrainian-militants-abduct-civilians-from-russias-kursk-region---special-envoy-miroshnik-1119945939.html Ukrainian Militants Abduct Civilians From Russia's Kursk Region - Special Envoy Miroshnik Ukrainian Militants Abduct Civilians From Russia's Kursk Region - Special Envoy Miroshnik Sputnik International Russia has information that implicates Ukrainian militants in kidnapping civilians in Russia's Kursk region, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large on the Kiev Regime's War Crimes Rodion Miroshnik said. 2024-08-29T03:21+0000 2024-08-29T03:21+0000 2024-08-29T03:40+0000 russia kursk vladimir putin russian defense ministry ukraine russia sputnik https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/0b/1119719377_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_d9ffd9af118e52790b6223bad90bd72c.jpg "There is information that Ukrainian militants... kidnap people. They grab civilians and take them away in an unknown direction. Often, information or contact with them is lost," Miroshnik said. Early on August 6, Ukrainian forces crossed the border into Russia and launched an offensive in the Kursk Region. Commenting on the attack, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine had carried out another large-scale provocation, firing indiscriminately at civilian targets. The enemy will receive a proper response in the border regions of Russia, Putin said. He said the Ukrainian regime is ready to use any methods to achieve its goals."As a terrorist regime, and Ukraine today is an openly terrorist regime, it is ready to use any methods to achieve some of its goals," Miroshnik said when asked why the Ukrainian Armed Forces kidnap civilians from the Kursk Region.The Russian Defense Ministry said August 28 that Ukrainian troops had lost up to 7,000 servicemen and 74 tanks during the offensive in the Kursk Region. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240826/graveyard-for-nato-armor-western-heavy-weapons-destroyed-during-kievs-kursk-gambit-1119912825.html kursk ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukrainians kidnap russians, kursk incursion, kursk updates, ukrainian war crimes https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/us-has-double-standards-on-nuclear-proliferation-threatens-strategic-stability---beijing-1119948229.html US Has Double Standards on Nuclear Proliferation, Threatens Strategic Stability - Beijing US Has Double Standards on Nuclear Proliferation, Threatens Strategic Stability - Beijing Sputnik International BEIJING (Sputnik) - The US adheres to double standards on nuclear proliferation, which threatens global strategic stability, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman... 29.08.2024, Sputnik International 2024-08-29T12:17+0000 2024-08-29T12:17+0000 2024-08-29T14:32+0000 world joe biden us washington china wu qian https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/04/1110897010_0:168:3043:1879_1920x0_80_0_0_ff238e5b1c0271242c56bd5cb7de13e0.jpg Earlier this month, the media reported that US President Joe Biden approved a new nuclear strategy in March, which refocuses on China's growing nuclear arsenal but also addresses concerns of potential coordinated nuclear challenges by China, Russia, and North Korea against the United States. China opposes the US expanding its nuclear arsenal under the pretext of a non-existent "Chinese nuclear threat," the spokesman said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240819/chinas-restrictions-on-antimony-exports-could-cripple-us-military-industrial-complex-heres-why-1119827925.html washington china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International joe biden, us, washington, china, wu qian https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/us-south-korea-conclude-annual-large-scale-military-drills-1119948101.html US, South Korea Conclude Annual Large-Scale Military Drills US, South Korea Conclude Annual Large-Scale Military Drills Sputnik International The United States and South Korea concluded the annual large-scale joint military exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) on Thursday, the United States Forces Korea (USFK) announced. 2024-08-29T12:14+0000 2024-08-29T12:14+0000 2024-08-29T12:14+0000 military south korea us united states forces korea south korean defense ministry https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/0f/1119382238_0:99:2368:1430_1920x0_80_0_0_3e7ad886b1ca7adbfc0023f081498535.jpg "The United States and the Republic of Korea today concluded Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 24, building combined readiness and strengthening the combined defense posture. Conducted from Aug. 19-29, UFS 24 reflected a range of realistic threats across all domains, including the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's missile capabilities, GPS jamming, and cyber-attacks, along with lessons learned from recent conflicts," USFK said in a statement. Some 19,000 South Korean troops participated in a major command and staff exercise based on computer modeling of a full-scale war scenario, the statement said. The military also took part in 48 field training exercises, such as amphibious landings and live-fire drills, up from 38 conducted last year. For the first time this year, the exercise included a scenario simulating a North Korean nuclear attack. The drills also involved civil defense exercises. The South Korean Defense Ministry also held its first-ever meeting with relevant agencies to respond to wartime disinformation, amid growing concerns about the threat of hybrid warfare. North Korea has condemned the UFS exercises as the most offensive and provocative military drills aimed at carrying out aggression. However, South Korea and the US describe the exercises as defensive in nature. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/us-aircraft-carrier-docks-in-south-korea-amid-deepening-russia-north-korea-ties-1119059615.html south korea Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us, south korea, ulchi freedom shield, annual large-scale joint military exercise https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/us-state-dept-used-telegram-as-a-tool-to-mobilize-protests-in-foreign-countries--ex-official-1119945486.html US State Dept. Used Telegram to Stir Up Protests in Foreign Countries, Says Ex-Official US State Dept. Used Telegram to Stir Up Protests in Foreign Countries, Says Ex-Official Sputnik International Former US State Department official Mike Benz said that the department used Telegram to mobilize protests in foreign countries. 2024-08-29T00:20+0000 2024-08-29T00:20+0000 2024-08-29T10:30+0000 world pavel durov paris france sputnik telegram tucker carlson us elon musk x (formerly twitter) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/1c/1119934222_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_90a3a3c764075f7468e8c7548794d723.jpg "Telegram is this very powerful vehicle for the US State Department to be able to mobilize protests, to be able to galvanize political support against authoritarian countries," Benz said during an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson that aired on Wednesday. The remarks were in response to Carlson's question about why the US government, which upholds the Constitution and democracy, would attempt to end democracy in various countries through censorship. The US favored Telegram from 2014 to 2020 due to its ability to circumvent state control and surveillance through its private functions and anonymous forwarding features, which were beneficial to US-funded political groups and dissidents, Benz said. Later in the interview, Benz was asked about the possible impact of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov's arrest on US entrepreneur Elon Musk and whether the authorities view Musk similarly. Durov was detained at Paris Le Bourget Airport on August 24. The Paris Prosecutor's Office reported on August 28 that Durov was not placed in a pretrial detention center but was banned from leaving France, and he must also post a bail worth 5 million euros. Durov is charged with complicity in administering an online platform for the purpose of making illegal transactions by an organized group and other offenses. He could face up to 10 years in prison. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/telegram-ceo-durov-left-paris-court-in-private-car-says-telegram-complies-with-the-law-1119945039.html paris france Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International telegram, mike benz, cia used telegram, state department used telegram When owner Bill Peshina bought Irish-bred pacer Oakwood Ardan IR in late December, he said he was just hoping for a nice racehorse he could watch every week and be proud of. Eight months and 10 wins later, Peshina added, Hes sure done that for me. Oakwood Ardan, trained by Robert Cleary, has finished worse than second only once in 15 races since arriving from Great Britain last fall. The five-year-old gelding will make his next start Saturday in the $540,000 Canadian Pacing Derby at Woodbine Mohawk Park, which will mark his first appearance in a Grand Circuit stakes event. He is the 3-1 second choice on the morning line in a field of 11. Its amazing the progress the horse has made, said Cleary, who has trained Oakwood Ardan since his arrival in the U.S., first for the horses previous overseas connections and then for Peshinas Royal Wire Products since the sale. You could tell when training him that he had a big engine and could carry speed. You could tell he wanted to be a good horse right off the bat. It wasnt like he was real flashy, but you could feel the power there. And you could tell he really wanted to do his job. He wants to do his job probably more than any other horse Ive ever been around. The only thing he wants to do when he goes to race is win. Hes not looking for excuses, he wants to get it done. Oakwood Ardan, a half-brother to Grand Circuit-winner Ideal Cowboy, won his first six races in the U.S., all at The Meadowlands, before a second-place finish by a neck snapped his streak. Following a two-month respite, the son of Sweet Lou-Trend Setter returned to win three consecutive starts at the Big M, then headed to Mohawk for the Gold Cup Invitational, where he finished fifth despite a :25.4 last quarter mile as he attempted to rally from eighth in the nine-horse field. He bounced back with two more victories at The Meadowlands, then returned to Mohawk for his two most recent races, both second-place finishes in the Preferred. Last week, Oakwood Ardan was nipped by a nose by Abuckabett Hanover (the 5-2 morning-line favourite in the Canadian Pacing Derby) after providing first-over cover to his rival around the final turn and into the stretch. I would have liked an easier start going into the final, but he still raced good, Cleary said. Hes a horse with such a good attitude. All he wants to do is please you and win. Hes got speed, determination, and ability. Hes really been the full package. Hes just a real pleasure to be around. Oakwood Ardan has raced from off the pace in all 15 of his North American starts and come home with a last quarter of :26 or faster on eight occasions. He has come home in :26.2 or quicker in 10 of his past 11 races. I like the way he can finish a race, Peshina said. Thats the biggest thing. Thats really what I like to see. Oakwood Ardan and regular driver Andy McCarthy will start the Canadian Pacing Derby from post one. Abuckabett Hanover, a six-year-old son of Betting Line-All Tucked Up who counts the Dave Brower Memorial and William R. Haughton Memorial among his victories this year, will leave from post six with Dexter Dunn in the sulky for trainer Andrew Harris. Oakwood Ardan was eligible to the Brower and Haughton but did not draw into the fields, which were based on 2023-2024 earnings. Taurasi, who has won 11 of 17 races this year including the Aug. 17 Preferred at Mohawk in his most recent start, is the 4-1 third choice. The five-year-old son of Racing Hill-Voluminous will start from post 11 with Doug McNair driving for Gregg McNair. Four-year-old Voukefalas, the Graduate Series champion, is 9-2 and will leave from post nine. Jordan Stratton will drive the son of Lazarus N-Inittowinafortune for Mike Russo. Well see what happens Saturday, Peshina said. Im sure (Oakwood Ardan) will do the best he can. Hes a very nice horse and Robert has done a real nice job with him. Like always, we hope he comes through the race safely, and everybody else also. Well just hope for the best. The Canadian Pacing Derby will share the spotlight Saturday with the $600,000 Maple Leaf Trot for older trotters at Mohawk. Periculum, who won his Maple Leaf Trot elimination by 4-3/4 lengths in 1:51.2 is the 9-5 morning-line favourite. Scott Zeron will drive the five-year-old son of Muscle Hill-Amour Heiress from post five for trainer Marcus Melander. The 2024 Canadian Pacing Derby is the eighth race on Saturday, with a first post time of 7:10 p.m. To view the full entries for Saturday's card of harness racing, click one of the following links: (USTA) Its a good bet that fans of pop megastar Taylor Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, will be cheering for a Canadian racehorse this weekend after it was announced that Kelce is joining the ranks of racehorse ownership. On August 27, Barry Irwin, founder and CEO of Team Valor International, shared the news that the Zoldan Family, owners of Phantom Fireworks, and Kelce, one of the NFLs most recognizable names, have acquired a significant share of Team Valors interest in the three-year-old gelding Swift Delivery, who Team Valor owns with Gary Barber. Swift Delivery is set to race this Saturday (Aug. 31) in the $125,000 Toronto Cup Stakes Presented by Crown Royal, at Woodbine Racetrack. Swift Deliverys dual Hall of Fame trainer, Mark Casse, a winner of over 3,800 career races, is thrilled to have Kelce, a three-time Super Bowl champion, who was at this years Kentucky Derby, join the Thoroughbred ownership ranks. This is great for racing, said Casse. This isnt just about Travis Kelce buying a horse he bought a good horse. Swift Delivery at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) Bred in Kentucky by Hunt-Steeple Hill, Swift Delivery made his first four starts at Woodbine before heading to Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida, for a pair of races this April and May. We bought him as a yearling, said Casse. His sire, Not This Time, is one of the best in the country. Patrick [jockey, Husbands] and [assistant trainer] David Adams were very high on this horse, but he just didnt perform as a two-year-old. We gelded him in the wintertime and from that point on, hes trained and performed very well. Hes an easy horse to be around, added assistant trainer Kathryn Sullivan. He loves to train and hes very professional. After back-to-back thirds in the Sunshine State, Swift Delivery was able to shake it off and win consecutive races at Woodbine. His milestone first win came for Team Valor and Barber in an allowance race on July 19, which followed a head-turning 16-1/2 length triumph on June 23 when Barber was the sole owner. When he won that race by 16-1/2 lengths, I watched the finish with my mouth open, recalled Casse. When he won the other in July on the inner turf, he drew post 11. I told Gary and Barry that this horse would have to be Superman to win that race from there. Patrick had the horse near the back, and I thought, Are you going to get him a little closer? And in typical Patrick style, he was patient and when he asked the horse to go, they took off. Now, the horse with a record of two wins and two thirds from eight starts will enter a new era when he contests his first stakes race, the Toronto Cup, on Saturday. Casse expects Swift Delivery to be up for the challenge in the one-mile event for three-year-olds over the world-renowned E.P. Taylor turf. The 16-time Sovereign Award winner as Canadas champion trainer hopes it will be a win-win for all involved, including fans of Swift and Kelce. Believe it or not, my wife [Tina] and I are Swifties, said Casse. We love Taylor Swift, and I am also a big Travis Kelce fan. Any time I can, I watch him play. My kids are excited too. My daughter, who is in Calgary, called me. My son, who is in Ottawa, called me too. This is great for horse racing and hopefully on Saturday, we can deliver. The Toronto Cup is Woodbine's ninth race on Saturday. (with files from Woodbine) On Friday, Aug. 30 at Hippodrome 3R, the trotters will be in the spotlight with two special Quebec-bred races. One for the older horses and the other for three-year-olds. The older horses will be on the track first in the sixth race $8,500 trot and former Quebec-bred champion Royalty Beer will make his return after racing stateside and a brief layoff. It has been nearly a year since the five-year-old gelding last raced at the Trois-Rivieres half-mile oval. Owned and trained by Jean-Francois Maguire of Sainte-Marie, Que., the Ecuries Maguire homebred son of Royalty For Life was a provincial champion at ages two and three. Maguire tried his trotter at Ontario's Woodbine Mohawk Park at age four and he took a lifetime record of 1:54 then it was off to the USA to the stable of trainer/driver Patrick Lachance, the son of U.S. Hall of Famer Michel Lachance. Racing mainly in the Invitational Trots at Yonkers Raceway, Royalty Beer hit the board in a dozen of his starts earning $134,961 this season. At the end of May, Royalty Beer was sent back home to Quebec and now Maguire has brought his top trotter back to 3R to hopefully prepare to return to race in the USA. Royalty Beer has post eight for driver Pascal Berube in the main event on Friday. He recently prepped with a start on the Quebec fair circuit and a qualifying race at 3R two weeks ago where he was a game second by a nose in a 2:01.4 mile. Royalty Beer is great right now, said Maguire. We turned him out at my cousin [Kevin Maguire]'s farm in Sainte-Marie and he has trained him back. He may need a couple of starts before he returns to the USA, noted Maguire. I hope he is ready to rock on Friday but post eight is tough. Tough it will be for the return of Royalty Beer as he faces a full field of eight rivals -- three of them coming off victories. The race favourite is Kinnder Dangerzone in post seven for driver Marie-Claude Auger. This six-year-old son of Northern Escort returned in July from more than a year and half layoff and won his first four starts back for breeder, owner and trainer Denitza Petrova, with the fastest victory being a 1:56.4 lifetime mark at Rideau Carleton Raceway. But last week, just as he was making a three-wide move in the backstretch to take the lead, Kinnder Dangerzone made a break in stride and finished last. Another Kinnder horse, bred by Petrova, is Kinnder Motown (post five), who enters the race off a 1:59.4 victory in the Preferred on Aug. 18. Thats Hooligan (post three) was a 27-1 upset winner last weekend with a 2:01.3 mile while La Bromontoise, the lone mare in the field, goes from the rail off a 2:01 triumph on Aug. 16 at 3R. The eighth race is the Quebec-bred trot for three-year-olds, with a purse of $7,000. All seven of the starters are tuning up for their respective $65,000 finals of the Breeders Trophy Series on Super Sunday, Sept. 8. Jean-Francois Maguire owns and trains the 5-2 race favourite, Paradise Moni, who will start from post four with driver Denis St. Pierre. Last week at Rideau Carleton, Pierre drove Paradise Moni to an impressive 1:55.2 lifetime mark. It was the second straight win for the International Moni colt and his fifth victory on the year from 10 starts. The week prior, the colt won in the Breeders Trophy Series with a 1:58.4 triumph. Rival Captain PV, who will start from post five, had his five-race winning streak brought to an end by Paradise Moni in their last start. The Wheeling N Dealin gelding will be driven by Auger for trainer Serge Nadeau. Trained by Marc-Andre Simoneau, Cleomax Duharas is on a winning streak for driver Loic Gueriel and will start from post two. The daughter of Muscle Mass is one of three fillies going against the colts, but this filly has won her last three starts and last week at Rideau Carleton took a lifetime mark of 1:58.4. Other top contenders in the race include the entry of MVPs Daughter (post one) and Last Try (post six) for owner, breeder and trainer Jerome Lombart. First race post time for the 10-race card on Friday is 4 p.m. To view Friday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Friday Entries - Hippodrome 3R. (With files from Quebec Jockey Club) Community House on Broadways new youth shelter will be named Beths Place in honor of executive director Frank Morrisons daughter Mariah Beth, who passed away after an overdose in 2023 at 28 years old. Although she was not homeless herself, her experience with addiction has motivated him to help others with similar struggles, which often includes people who are homeless, he said. Morrison said he hopes the shelter will be able to open in October, but the timing depends on how construction goes and when the state finishes reviewing the shelters policies. Growing need Cowlitz County is seeing an increase in homeless unaccompanied youth, according to Morrison, but does not have any shelters available for them. Unaccompanied youth are defined in the U.S. McKinney-Vento Act as homeless children who are not in the custody of a parent or guardian. As of October 2023, Longview, Kelso and Castle Rock school districts had a total of 106 unaccompanied youth, according to a Community House survey. The state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction also reported Longview had 255 total homeless students during the same time, Kelso had 262 and Castle Rock had 58. Updated counts for the current school year are not yet available. Community House accepts families but does not typically allow unaccompanied youth due to safety concerns and to make sure it is not sheltering runaways, which it cannot legally do without notifying either their parents or the state Department of Children, Youth and Families. However, Morrison said he often saw cases there and at CORE Healths Ascent Youth Activity Center that underscore the need for a youth shelter. These cases include a pair of teenagers whose mother died while staying at Community House and a 15-year-old who had been kicked out of her home after becoming pregnant. He also highlighted two brothers, Juan and Antonio Navarro-Guizar, 19 and 17, who stayed at Community House last year and spoke at a dinner about their experience. The shelter made an exception to allow them to stay without their parents despite Antonio Navarro-Guizar being underage because staff knew them from a previous stay with their parents and didnt want to risk them ending up on the street, Morrison said. I typically kind of kept to myself, especially being a younger-ish person there and just living with my brother, Antonio Navarro-Guizar said. Some of the people there, I did get to know a little bit, but other than that I just did what I had to do and stayed on the low. The brothers separated from their parents because of issues with their father, who was taking money from Juan Navarro-Guizar, Morrison said. After staying at Community House, they were able to move into an apartment of their own last month. Despite moving out, Antonio Navarro-Guizar continues to receive support from Community House such as mental health counselling and a peer support counselor who helps him go over his goals. His peer support counselor is currently helping him get his learners permit, he said. He also works at Grizzly Shakes and More, a business run out of Ascent Youth Center where teens aged 16 to 19 can gain work experience. Beths Place will have a similar program so residents can earn money and gain experience. Morrison said he would like that location to sell crepes with sweet and savory toppings. Mackins Auto Body, which leases space from Community House in the same building, has also offered to hire some residents. How will it work? The youth shelter, which is currently still under construction, will be located on 12th Avenue, behind Community House and in the former location of The Carriage Restaurant and Lounge. It will have 12 rooms for boys and 12 for girls, each with two beds, as well as a recreation area, a workforce training center and space for CORE Health counselors to meet with residents. Although it will have space for 48 residents, the plan is to start with 24 while the program gets off the ground, Morrison said. Cowlitz County teens aged 13 to 17 years old will be able to stay at Beths Place if they agree to engage in substance use treatment and work toward sobriety if applicable. The program is geared towards getting residents on track to graduate school and find employment, Morrison said. Were looking for the ones that want to be helped, not the ones that are fighting the system, he said. Many homeless youth and adults struggle with substance use, and the problem often starts young, Morrison said. A survey of Community House residents found that the average age when children started using drugs is 11 years old. The shelter will work with liaisons at local school districts to identify teens who might need somewhere to stay. Funding the shelter The projected annual budget for the shelter is about $1.37 million, according to information provided by Community House. Most of that will go to employee wages, salaries and benefits. Household and program supplies including cleaning supplies and meals are the second largest portion. The majority of the shelters funding is expected to come from a partnership with CORE Health and community support and grants. Service revenue, leasing facilities to businesses and in-kind and food donations make up the remainder. Community House was awarded $2 million in county funds for construction in December, following a drawn-out debate by the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners. It also received a $5.3 million state grant in March 2023. The shelter currently has funding to cover construction costs but not operational costs, Morrison said. Operational funding will hopefully come from community donations, as its harder to secure grants for intangible costs than for things like building new facilities. He also plans to reduce costs by sharing staff between Community House, Ascent Youth Center and Beths Place and by having fewer staff on duty during hours when residents are in school. ... The community has always stepped up, Morrison said. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Malta and Cyprus team up with larger EU countries to increase their clean energy capacity. For many Europeans, Cyprus and Malta represent a distant Mediterranean paradise. But despite their sunny climate, the two are less able to capitalize on their wealth of sunshine and potential clean energy than one may expect. One solution has been for these small island nations to partner up with expert research partners from bigger EU countries, which are largely ahead in moving toward a low-carbon economy and clean mobility. Professor George Georghiou and his team at the FOSS Research Center for Sustainable Energy at the University of Cyprus have been working since 2016 alongside fellow researchers from the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU)both established experts in the field of photovoltaic (PV) and smart energy gridsas part of an EU-funded research initiative called TwinPV. Their shared goal was to explore how Cyprus could better use PV energy to meet its growing electricity needs and drive research and innovation linked to this renewable energy resource. The research partners ran a number of case studies focused on the entire solar energy cycle, from PV cells and energy storage to smart electricity grids and energy forecasting. The overall aim was to find ways to use more renewable energy on the island and end Cyprus' reliance on crude oil. This required addressing challenges unique to small island nations like Cyprus. Power of the sun Cyprus receives more than 3,300 hours of sunlight per year, which makes it an ideal place to harness solar energy. Yet, it still imports most of its energy in the form of fossil fuels. In 2019, just 13.8% of its energy came from solar and wind energy, well below the 19.7% European average, according to Eurostat. The obvious question is: why? The challenge is that renewable energies, such as solar energy, are unpredictable and do not allow the country to react to its changing energy needs. On average, Cyprus receives four million tourists annually, most of them arriving during a few short months. Energy needs on the island then surge from 300 megawatts in the spring to 1,200 megawatts. Methods for storing renewable energy are still complicated and costly, making it difficult to use it as the primary energy source. A significant amount of surplus energy is therefore not stored for later use, but is instead lost. This is because there is as yet no connection with power grids in mainland Europe, making it hard to export surplus energy. "In the rest of Europe, if you produce a lot of electricity, you can always send it to a neighboring country, but Cyprus is an island, not connected to the European energy market," explained Georghiou. "We cannot transfer our energy, and we also cannot store it because it is too costly." As a result, Cyprus primarily relies on three fuel oil-burning stations, and electricity prices in the country are constantly rising, leaving much of the population threatened by energy poverty. "Cyprus is an isolated network, which makes it difficult for the country to rely solely on solar energy," said Georghiou. Capacity building The help of more experienced partners was crucial and Georghiou acknowledges that the TwinPV collaboration contributed significantly to building research capacity in Cyprus. "We gained a lot of knowledge and expertise from our more advanced partners. The project helped us to expand our capabilities and produce relevant research into solar energy, smart grids and the integration of renewable energy sources," said Georghiou. One significant result for Cyprus was the upgrading of the FOSS research center into the PHAETHON Research and Innovation Center of Excellence (CoE) for Intelligent, Efficient and Sustainable Energy Solutions starting in 2024. This transformation, supported by the EU, will create a new regional CoE in sustainable energy. It has also led to plans to turn the University of Cyprus campus completely "green," said Georghiou. A major new solar park with battery storage is currently being built, which should meet a significant part of the university's electricity needs. Overall, the use of distributed renewable energy is expanding in Cyprus, which hopes to boost its share of renewable energy to 23% by 2030 as part of its National Energy and Climate Plan. Promisingly, the number of photovoltaic systems in Cyprus rose by 66% in 2023 and this trend is expected to continue. Even though TwinPV ended in December 2018, all the researchers involved have continued to work together. "We have formed strategic partnerships and created a win-win situation," said Georghiou. eMobility connection On the western side of the Mediterranean Sea, Dr. Brian Azzopardi, senior lecturer at the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) and founding chair of the MCAST Energy Research Group, tells a similar story. As part of another EU twinning project, NEEMO, which ran for four years until 2023, Malta has been able to significantly boost its research into electric mobility and clean energy. As part of this collaborative effort, MCAST also joined forces with the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), as well as with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and the Nicosia Development Agency (ANEL) in Cyprus. "The purpose was to enhance and build research capacity in electric mobilityor eMobilityand its operations in Malta," said Azzopardi, who coordinated the project. The NEEMO experts investigated the specific challenges for eMobility in Malta, including its physical limitations. As the island is only 27 kilometers long, most journeys are short and there were not enough charging points, particularly during the busy tourist periods. NEEMO's focus on micromobility solutions aims to help improve access to transport for all citizens, including those with limited mobility or limited access to public transport. "We cannot solve all problems of eMobility, but we made substantial contributions to ongoing research," said Azzopardi. This included research work into so-called bidirectional power flow. This is when charging goes both waysinto the vehicle, as the primary aim, but also allowing electricity stored in the EV's battery to flow back to a house or the power grid. This can help stabilize the grids, particularly as they restart after blackouts. "This benefits our inhabitants because it helps to improve conditions for electric mobility, which is becoming increasingly popular here in Malta," he said. In parallel with the work of NEEMO researchers on e-Mobility, the Maltese government has tapped into EU funds to roll out new grants for the purchase of electric vehicles. The island's transport authority reported last August a "significant increase" in the sale of electric and plug-in hybrid cars. Foundation for research Like TwinPV, the international collaboration initiated through NEEMO has led to significant advances in the research and innovation capacity of the island. In particular, through the launch of the Foundation for Innovation and Research Malta (FiR.mt), which has helped to bridge the gap between industry, research and the academic community, said Azzopardi. "Until the establishment of FiR, there was no research center in Malta," said Azzopardi. "This has definitely been a success, especially in terms of research capacity building." Azzopardi also credits NEEMO with the fact that Malta's MCAST college was accepted into the European Automotive Research Partners Association (EARPA), which brings together Europe's most prominent independent R&D providers in the automotive sector. "All this is the legacy of NEEMO. The collaboration jumpstarted a lot of initiatives," he said. In return, Malta offers unique opportunities for larger EU countries he believes. "Malta is manageable and reachable. It offers a good environment for nationwide research experiments, which can then be deployed on mainland Europe." "There is a lot of talent in our countries, but sometimes a little bit of guidance is needed," said Georghiou. This article was originally published in Horizon the EU Research and Innovation Magazine. 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 four nuclear power plants currently in service provide around a third of Switzerland's total electricity production. Switzerland said Wednesday it was open to building new nuclear power stations in the long term, given new geopolitical uncertainties, climate targets and population growth boosting the demand for electricity. The Swiss approved the gradual phase-out of nuclear power in a referendum in 2017, by banning the construction of new power plants. That law was the result of a long process initiated after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan, triggered by a tsunami. However, "since 2017, the situation on the electricity market has changed radically", Energy Minister Albert Rosti told a press conference, following a government meeting. Furthermore, last year voters backed a new climate bill aimed at steering the country towards carbon neutrality by 2050. Rosti said new nuclear power was "not an option" in the short or even medium term. "But to be ready, if it is necessary in the long term, in the next 15 years I would say, we must start now," he stressed. His ministry will submit an amendment to the nuclear energy law by the end of the year. Parliament would then have to debate it and the public would have to vote in a referendum. "We are not saying that in 10 years there will be a new power plant... but we are responsible for leaving the door open to all possible technologies," said Rosti, stressing that if the process was not initiated now, it will "perhaps be too late in 20 years". As the wealthy Alpine nation hopes to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the government said it needed to be open to different technologiesand the ban on new nuclear plants was "not compatible" with that objective. The four nuclear power plants currently in service provide around a third of Switzerland's total electricity production. They can continue running as long as they remain safe. When they eventually have to close, the government fears renewable energy might not be able to plug the gap. "At the time, we had imagined producing the missing electricity using gas-fired power plants," but "this option has become almost unthinkable" to achieve carbon neutrality, Rosti explained. He said the lifting of the ban on new nuclear power plants was a "fallback option, just in case". The announcement was immediately criticised by Greenpeace Switzerland as well as centrist, socialist and environmentalist parties. "The construction of a new nuclear reactor will come too late to effectively reduce our carbon emissions and will not free us from our dependence on third countries for our energy supply," said Greenpeace Switzerland. 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Pavel Durov, co-founder of encrypted messaging app Telegram, was arrested at an airport near Paris. France on Wednesday charged Pavel Durov, the founder and chief of Telegram, with a litany of violations related to the messaging app and banned him from leaving the country while allowing the billionaire to walk free after four days under arrest. Durov, 39, was charged on several counts of failing to curb extremist and illegal content on the popular messaging app following a hearing with investigating magistrates in Paris. Russian-born Durov was arrested at Le Bourget airport outside Paris late Saturday and questioned in subsequent days under arrest by investigators. He was granted conditional release against a bail of five million euros and on the condition he must report to a police station twice a week as well as remaining in France, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said in a statement. The charges concern alleged crimes involving an organised group including "complicity in the administration of an online platform to enable an illicit transaction". Durov has also been charged with refusing to share documents demanded by authorities as well as "dissemination in an organised group of images of minors in child pornography" as well as drug trafficking, fraud and money laundering. His lawyer David-Olivier Kaminski said it was "absurd" to suggest Durov could be implicated in any crime committed on the app, adding: "Telegram complies in all respects with European rules concerning digital technology." Separately, Durov is also being investigated on suspicion of "serious acts of violence" towards one of his children while he and an ex-partner, the boy's mother, were in Paris, a source said. She also filed another complaint against Durov in Switzerland last year. President Emmanuel Macron complained false information was circulating. 'Not political' The tech mogul founded Telegram as he was in the process of quitting his native Russia a decade ago. Its growth has been exponential, with the app now reporting more than 900 million users. An enigmatic figure who rarely speaks in public, Durov is a citizen of Russia, France and the United Arab Emirates, where Telegram is based. Forbes magazine estimates his current fortune at $15.5 billion, though he proudly promotes the virtues of an ascetic life that includes ice baths and not drinking alcohol or coffee. Numerous questions have been raised about the timing and circumstances of Durov's detention, with supporters seeing him as a freedom of speech champion and detractors as a menace who wilfully allowed Telegram to get out of control. Le Monde newspaper reported Wednesday that Durov had met President Emmanuel Macron on several occasions prior to receiving French nationality in 2021, via a special procedure reserved for those deemed to have made a special contribution to France. The Wall Street Journal added that at one lunch in 2018, Macronwho along with his team was in the past an avid user of Telegramhad suggested it should be headquartered in Paris, but Durov refused. According to a source close to the case, confirming a story first published on the Politico news site, both Pavel Durov and his elder brother Nikolai, a lower-profile figure seen as the mathematical brain behind Telegram, have been wanted by France since March this year. In a post on X to address what he called "false information" concerning the case, Macron said Durov's arrest was "in no way a political decision" and it was "up to the judges to rule". Telegram's logo is a paper plane. In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the charges were very serious and thus needed "no less serious evidence". Among those voicing support for Durov is fellow tech tycoon and chief executive of X, Elon Musk, who has posted comments under the hashtag #FreePavel. After the charges, Musk posted a meme on X of a surveillance camera attached to buildings inscribed with France's motto, "liberty, equality, fraternity." 'Near total absence' Durov left Russia a decade ago as he was setting up Telegram amid an ownership squabble concerning his first project, the Russian social network VKontakte. But his departure from Russia was reportedly not an abrupt exile: according to the Vazhnye Istorii news site, citing leaked border data, he visited the country more than 50 times between 2015 and 2021. Telegram has positioned itself as a "neutral" alternative to US-owned platforms, which have been criticised for their commercial exploitation of users' personal data. It has also played a key role since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, used actively by politicians and commentators on both sides of the war. The Paris prosecutor said the French judicial authorities had been made aware of the "near total absence of a response" from Telegram to requests from the authorities and had first opened an investigation in February 2024. 2024 AFP A committee that studied Texas A&Ms capacity over the past few months has recommended the university pause its undergraduate growth on the main campus over the next five years after enrollment grew 33% over the past decade, according to a report shared by A&M President Mark A. Welsh III. The report identified deficiencies in on-campus housing, dining and study spaces. Recommended solutions include increasing housing by 2,500 beds, increasing infrastructure of classroom and dining space on A&Ms west campus, and looking into the feasibility of an underground tunnel system from main campus to west campus that would have an all-electric transportation system. Welsh shared the capacity study report, along with a student experience study report, to the campus community on Monday. Both studies were led by Joe Pettibon, A&Ms vice president of planning, assessment and strategy. Welsh announced the formation of the two studies at his state of the university address last fall. He wrote he is seeking feedback on the student experience study report until Sept. 10 and the capacity study report until Sept. 17. The capacity study report recommended A&M target adding 15,000 new undergraduate students (11,750 freshmen and 3,250 transfers) per year over the next five years. The capacity study report said the fall 2023 enrollment included 16,267 total new students (12,865 freshmen and 3,402 transfers). At the same time, the capacity study report recommended the university should still allow graduate, online and locations outside Bryan-College Station to continue growing at modest rates. After the five-year window, growth should be well-planned and forecasted to a minimum of 10 years out to plan infrastructure. A&Ms enrollment grew by around 17,500 students from 2013-23, according to the capacity study report. The student experience study report said there were 57,047 undergraduate students at A&Ms main campus for the fall 2023 semester, up from 42,037 in fall 2013. The capacity study report shows A&M has a significant number of areas that must be improved to account for its current enrollment, including on-campus housing, dining, study and meeting spaces. On-campus housing for undergraduates has decreased to 20%, which has created challenges for the local Bryan-College Station communities, according to the capacity study report. Students and residents have battled over housing issues in recent years. The student experience study report said because A&M cannot guarantee housing for its entire incoming class, many spring-admitted students have trouble securing on-campus housing for the fall semester which has created a trend of first-year students living off campus. Data from the student experience study report shows the percentage of freshmen living on campus dropped from 72% in fall 2019 to 63% in fall 2022. And while there are several new, high-density student housing developments off campus, they have high costs. Students said the enforcement of the city of College Stations No More Than Four ordinance has exacerbated the student housing shortage and lack of affordable housing. The capacity study report recommended A&M increase the number of on-campus beds by 2,500 to allow 25% of undergraduates, particularly freshmen, to have the option to live on campus. The universitys growth also has caused transit and parking issues. The capacity study report said campus parking has fluctuated between 35,000 and 38,000 spaces over the last 10 years, and the student experience study report said only 73% of all students on main campus had a parking permit for Fiscal Year 2023. The capacity study committee has recommended encouraging campus community members to park once and use other modes of transportation to move around campus. The student experience study report recommended the university look to expand infrastructure of bikes, motorcycles and mopeds, look at ways for students to have permits for multiple parking lots and garages, and consider expanding the number of parking spaces on campus. The capacity study report recommended expanding A&Ms current bus fleet by 10%, which would add 9-10 new buses. One idea proposed by the capacity study committee is to look at the feasibility of building a tunnel system through campus to increase the movement of people. An all-electric, underground public transportation system running from the Polo Road Garage to White Creek Apartments called The Aggie Loop would take three years to build at an estimated cost of $250-$350 million. According to the capacity study report, 30% of students academic homes are now on A&Ms west campus, but parking needs have not kept pace. The capacity study report recommended creating a west campus development plan that included more on-campus housing, dining, recreational spaces, study spaces, parking and more. The capacity study report also recommended building a west campus classroom facility with over 100,000 square feet that projects to cost $130 million that would have several 100-seat or greater classrooms that would allow core curriculum classes to be taught on both sides of campus. Another idea proposed by the capacity study committee to alleviate transit concerns on west campus is to create a minimum 20-minute offset start time for west campus courses that would begin 15-30 minutes after east campus classes. The student experience study report said students desire readily available dining options across campus. The report showed the number of daily dining transactions has increased 87% in the past 10 years, but the seating in A&Ms three dining halls has decreased by almost 1,000 during that time due to renovations and the additions of retail space. The student experience study report included a quote from an unnamed current student who spoke at a listening session and said, Why are dining halls closed from 2:30-5:30 p.m.? This is when I am the most hungry. Even the Corps TAMU has their dining halls open with no breaks. The capacity study report recommended adding 28,000 square feet in dining to the West Campus Dining Center, returning the engineering space in Sbisa Dining Hall back to dining, work with the Barnes & Noble bookstore to shrink its space in the Memorial Student Center basement to add more dining space, and increase utilization of Duncan Dining Hall by the Corps of Cadets. Despite the hike in enrollment, the report said student achievement has remained steady. The average time to complete a degree has remained at four years, 61.7% of full-time freshmen graduated in four years and 81% of students had a job or were accepted into graduate school at the time of graduation. A&Ms overall program rankings also have continued to be maintained or improved, its research expenditures continue to grow, and the university has an all-time high (56) of National Academy faculty members. Growth may be built into the DNA of this campus, as every dean has indicated a desire to continue to grow in the coming years, either with new degree programs, degrees at new locations, or an increased focus on graduate and online degree programs, the capacity study report said. The opportunity to meet that desired growth is certainly present. An analysis of admissions application data suggests that, despite growth, there are still thousands of qualified students who are not offered admissions each year due to capacity constraints, with many seeking entries to the largest undergraduate degree programs. The university has done a remarkable job in many areas to manage the growth that has occurred over the past decade, while achieving markers of maintaining and enhancing the overall success of the university. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC acquired a new position in shares of Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 2,187 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $302,000. A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in DELL. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 1.4% in the second quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC now owns 5,959 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $822,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the period. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 58.2% during the first quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 223 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. J.P. Marvel Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 0.9% during the first quarter. J.P. Marvel Investment Advisors LLC now owns 10,887 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,242,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the period. BSW Wealth Partners grew its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 0.7% in the first quarter. BSW Wealth Partners now owns 16,765 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,913,000 after purchasing an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. Finally, M3 Advisory Group LLC increased its holdings in Dell Technologies by 3.4% in the second quarter. M3 Advisory Group LLC now owns 3,557 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $491,000 after purchasing an additional 117 shares during the period. 38.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Dell Technologies Price Performance Shares of NYSE:DELL traded up $0.19 on Tuesday, hitting $111.86. The companys stock had a trading volume of 6,247,576 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,156,083. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $122.31 and a 200 day simple moving average of $122.17. The company has a market capitalization of $79.34 billion, a PE ratio of 22.83, a PEG ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.92. Dell Technologies Inc. has a 1 year low of $53.62 and a 1 year high of $179.70. Dell Technologies Announces Dividend Dell Technologies ( NYSE:DELL Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 30th. The technology company reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.00 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $22.24 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.70 billion. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 4.00% and a negative return on equity of 173.72%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 23rd were given a dividend of $0.445 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 23rd. This represents a $1.78 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.59%. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is 36.33%. Analysts Set New Price Targets DELL has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Citigroup reduced their price target on Dell Technologies from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Bank of America decreased their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $180.00 to $150.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $142.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $120.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, May 20th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $129.38. Read Our Latest Report on DELL Insider Activity at Dell Technologies In related news, CEO Michael S. Dell sold 139,419 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $136.18, for a total value of $18,986,079.42. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 30,272,822 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,122,552,899.96. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Dell Technologies news, CEO Michael S. Dell sold 2,837,829 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction on Friday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.75, for a total value of $379,559,628.75. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 20,412,241 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,730,137,233.75. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Michael S. Dell sold 139,419 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $136.18, for a total value of $18,986,079.42. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 30,272,822 shares in the company, valued at $4,122,552,899.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 7,058,131 shares of company stock valued at $963,293,619. Corporate insiders own 46.70% of the companys stock. About Dell Technologies (Free Report) Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG). Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DELL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Dell Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dell Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW Get Free Report) were up 2.9% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $119.75 and last traded at $119.17. Approximately 4,298,160 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 35% from the average daily volume of 6,657,071 shares. The stock had previously closed at $115.86. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Snowflake from $170.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, May 23rd. UBS Group decreased their target price on Snowflake from $171.00 to $155.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 19th. Rosenblatt Securities restated a buy rating and issued a $195.00 target price on shares of Snowflake in a report on Monday, August 19th. Piper Sandler restated an overweight rating and issued a $165.00 target price on shares of Snowflake in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, Wedbush decreased their target price on Snowflake from $210.00 to $140.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and twenty-five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $176.03. Get Snowflake alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Snowflake Snowflake Price Performance The stock has a market capitalization of $37.35 billion, a P/E ratio of -39.85 and a beta of 0.85. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $129.24 and a 200-day moving average of $152.18. Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 21st. The company reported $0.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.16 by $0.02. Snowflake had a negative return on equity of 15.99% and a negative net margin of 30.80%. The firm had revenue of $868.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $851.72 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted ($0.52) earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 28.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts expect that Snowflake Inc. will post -2.31 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity In other news, EVP Grzegorz Czajkowski sold 469,120 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.09, for a total value of $57,743,980.80. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 494,942 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $60,922,410.78. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Snowflake news, EVP Grzegorz Czajkowski sold 469,120 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.09, for a total transaction of $57,743,980.80. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 494,942 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $60,922,410.78. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Christian Kleinerman sold 546 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.32, for a total value of $70,608.72. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 756,489 shares in the company, valued at approximately $97,829,157.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 527,678 shares of company stock worth $65,491,235. Company insiders own 7.80% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Snowflake by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,286,148 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,439,842,000 after purchasing an additional 297,428 shares during the period. Jennison Associates LLC lifted its stake in shares of Snowflake by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 7,008,464 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,132,568,000 after purchasing an additional 249,249 shares during the period. Sands Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Snowflake by 12.6% in the 4th quarter. Sands Capital Management LLC now owns 5,443,406 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,083,238,000 after purchasing an additional 610,970 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Snowflake in the 4th quarter valued at $838,455,000. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc lifted its stake in shares of Snowflake by 11.5% in the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 2,175,131 shares of the companys stock valued at $293,838,000 after purchasing an additional 223,936 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.10% of the companys stock. About Snowflake (Get Free Report) Snowflake Inc provides a cloud-based data platform for various organizations in the United States and internationally. Its platform offers Data Cloud, which enables customers to consolidate data into a single source of truth to drive meaningful business insights, build data-driven applications, and share data and data products, as well as applies artificial intelligence (AI) for solving business problems. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Snowflake Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Snowflake and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Buy by the seven brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $190.14. WMS has been the subject of several research reports. Oppenheimer reissued an outperform rating and issued a $192.00 price objective on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Loop Capital lowered their price objective on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from $188.00 to $180.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 12th. StockNews.com cut shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Northcoast Research began coverage on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. They issued a buy rating and a $190.00 price target for the company. Finally, Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from $200.00 to $187.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 9th. Get Advanced Drainage Systems alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on WMS Advanced Drainage Systems Price Performance Advanced Drainage Systems Dividend Announcement Advanced Drainage Systems stock opened at $156.43 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $12.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 1.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 2.89 and a quick ratio of 1.90. Advanced Drainage Systems has a 1 year low of $102.32 and a 1 year high of $184.27. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $160.05 and a two-hundred day moving average of $164.39. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.16 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.41%. Advanced Drainage Systemss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.94%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, insider Tim A. Makowski sold 3,800 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.68, for a total transaction of $648,584.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 4,530 shares in the company, valued at approximately $773,180.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Advanced Drainage Systems news, EVP Michael G. Huebert sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $172.58, for a total transaction of $1,725,800.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 7,225 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,246,890.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Tim A. Makowski sold 3,800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.68, for a total transaction of $648,584.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 4,530 shares in the company, valued at approximately $773,180.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 2.05% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky increased its stake in Advanced Drainage Systems by 5.3% during the 2nd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 22,440 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $3,599,000 after purchasing an additional 1,123 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its holdings in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 4.8% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 15,945 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $2,558,000 after acquiring an additional 729 shares during the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 14.5% in the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 2,095 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $336,000 after acquiring an additional 266 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. purchased a new stake in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in the 2nd quarter valued at $21,657,000. Finally, Quarry LP boosted its holdings in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 303.9% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,143 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $183,000 after acquiring an additional 860 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.83% of the companys stock. About Advanced Drainage Systems (Get Free Report Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc designs, manufactures, and markets thermoplastic corrugated pipes and related water management products, and drainage solutions for use in the construction and agriculture marketplaces in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and internationally. The company operates through Pipe, International, Infiltrator, and Allied Products & Other segments. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Advanced Drainage Systems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Advanced Drainage Systems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors lifted its stake in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:IEMG Free Report) by 76.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 34,965 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 15,129 shares during the quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors holdings in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF were worth $1,872,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. boosted its holdings in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 2.5% during the second quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 968,577 shares of the companys stock worth $51,838,000 after buying an additional 23,987 shares in the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. grew its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 848,781 shares of the companys stock valued at $45,426,000 after acquiring an additional 16,155 shares during the period. Strategic Blueprint LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 31.0% in the 2nd quarter. Strategic Blueprint LLC now owns 138,213 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,399,000 after purchasing an additional 32,703 shares in the last quarter. SlateStone Wealth LLC raised its holdings in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter. SlateStone Wealth LLC now owns 30,107 shares of the companys stock worth $1,612,000 after purchasing an additional 970 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 2.8% during the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 6,296,468 shares of the companys stock worth $337,050,000 after purchasing an additional 172,596 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF alerts: iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Trading Up 0.1 % IEMG traded up $0.04 during trading on Thursday, hitting $54.32. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,278,657 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,437,604. The firm has a market capitalization of $80.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.74 and a beta of 0.85. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $53.80 and its 200 day simple moving average is $52.64. iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a twelve month low of $45.57 and a twelve month high of $55.99. About iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF The iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Emerging Markets IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of emerging-market firms, covering 99% of market capitalization. IEMG was launched on Oct 18, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IEMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:IEMG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Asante Gold Co. (OTCMKTS:ASGOF Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,300 shares, a drop of 31.7% from the July 31st total of 6,300 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.4 days. Asante Gold Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS ASGOF remained flat at C$0.87 during midday trading on Thursday. Asante Gold has a 52 week low of C$0.66 and a 52 week high of C$1.28. The firms 50-day moving average is C$0.79 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$0.86. Get Asante Gold alerts: Asante Gold Company Profile (Get Free Report) See Also Asante Gold Corporation, a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of mineral resource properties in the Republic of Ghana. It holds 100% interest in the Fahiakoba concession situated in the Ashanti and Central regions in the Republic of Ghana; and 90% interest in the Bibiani gold mine located in the western region of Ghana. Receive News & Ratings for Asante Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Asante Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Banco Macro S.A. (NYSE:BMA Get Free Report)s share price shot up 7.4% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $56.40 and last traded at $56.40. 105,473 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 71% from the average session volume of 365,748 shares. The stock had previously closed at $52.53. Analysts Set New Price Targets BMA has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Bank of America raised shares of Banco Macro from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and raised their target price for the company from $53.00 to $62.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Banco Macro from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. Get Banco Macro alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Banco Macro Banco Macro Stock Performance The stock has a market cap of $3.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.30 and a beta of 1.91. The company has a fifty day moving average of $54.07 and a 200 day moving average of $52.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 1.05. Banco Macro (NYSE:BMA Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 22nd. The bank reported ($4.01) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.49 by ($5.50). Banco Macro had a return on equity of 37.91% and a net margin of 16.33%. The firm had revenue of $1.03 billion for the quarter. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.69 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Banco Macro S.A. will post 11.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Banco Macro Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, August 16th were issued a dividend of $1.798 per share. This is a boost from Banco Macros previous monthly dividend of $1.74. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 16th. This represents a $21.58 annualized dividend and a yield of 38.71%. Banco Macros payout ratio is presently 127.41%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in Banco Macro in the first quarter worth approximately $33,000. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Banco Macro in the second quarter worth approximately $51,000. Shilanski & Associates Inc. acquired a new position in Banco Macro in the second quarter worth approximately $244,000. Claro Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Banco Macro in the first quarter worth approximately $260,000. Finally, Norden Group LLC acquired a new position in Banco Macro in the first quarter worth approximately $261,000. Banco Macro Company Profile (Get Free Report) Banco Macro SA provides various banking products and services to retail and corporate customers in Argentina. It offers various retail banking products and services, such as savings and checking accounts, time deposits, credit and debit cards, consumer finance loans, mortgage loans, automobile loans, overdrafts, credit-related services, home and car insurance coverage, tax collection, utility payments, automated teller machines (ATMs), and money transfers. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Banco Macro Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Macro and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BNP Paribas SA (OTCMKTS:BNPQY Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 98,900 shares, an increase of 186.7% from the July 31st total of 34,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 480,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days. BNP Paribas Price Performance BNPQY stock traded down $0.35 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $34.31. The companys stock had a trading volume of 97,366 shares, compared to its average volume of 233,504. BNP Paribas has a fifty-two week low of $28.24 and a fifty-two week high of $39.32. The stock has a market cap of $77.60 billion, a PE ratio of 7.17, a P/E/G ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.79. The companys 50 day moving average is $33.52 and its two-hundred day moving average is $34.09. Get BNP Paribas alerts: BNP Paribas (OTCMKTS:BNPQY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The financial services provider reported $1.51 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $13.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.92 billion. Equities research analysts expect that BNP Paribas will post 4.9 EPS for the current year. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Berenberg Bank upgraded shares of BNP Paribas to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 23rd. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on BNP Paribas About BNP Paribas (Get Free Report) BNP Paribas SA provides various banking and financial products and services in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through three divisions: Corporate & Institutional Banking; Commercial, Personal Banking & Services; and Investment & Protection Services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for BNP Paribas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BNP Paribas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT Free Report) had its target price hoisted by Scotiabank from $116.00 to $125.00 in a research note published on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a sector perform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. CPT has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Mizuho cut their price objective on shares of Camden Property Trust from $111.00 to $108.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Camden Property Trust from $114.00 to $122.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Camden Property Trust from $109.00 to $117.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on shares of Camden Property Trust from $111.00 to $110.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Camden Property Trust from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and boosted their target price for the company from $104.00 to $127.00 in a research report on Monday. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $116.62. Get Camden Property Trust alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Camden Property Trust Camden Property Trust Stock Performance NYSE CPT opened at $124.73 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The company has a market capitalization of $13.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.57, a P/E/G ratio of 4.50 and a beta of 0.88. Camden Property Trust has a 12-month low of $82.81 and a 12-month high of $125.35. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $114.09 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $105.17. Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.67 by ($1.27). The business had revenue of $387.15 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $384.76 million. Camden Property Trust had a net margin of 25.64% and a return on equity of 7.95%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.70 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Camden Property Trust will post 6.73 earnings per share for the current year. Camden Property Trust Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 28th were given a $1.03 dividend. This represents a $4.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.30%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 28th. Camden Property Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 100.98%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Camden Property Trust Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CPT. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Camden Property Trust in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $90,900,000. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System acquired a new position in Camden Property Trust in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $645,000. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its position in Camden Property Trust by 18.6% in the 4th quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 3,552 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $353,000 after acquiring an additional 558 shares during the period. Naviter Wealth LLC increased its position in Camden Property Trust by 10.9% in the 4th quarter. Naviter Wealth LLC now owns 8,106 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $812,000 after acquiring an additional 797 shares during the period. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its stake in shares of Camden Property Trust by 14.3% in the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 43,459 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $4,315,000 after purchasing an additional 5,423 shares during the last quarter. 97.22% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Camden Property Trust (Get Free Report) Camden Property Trust, an S&P 500 Company, is a real estate company primarily engaged in the ownership, management, development, redevelopment, acquisition, and construction of multifamily apartment communities. Camden owns and operates 172 properties containing 58,634 apartment homes across the United States. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Camden Property Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Camden Property Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES Get Free Report) had its target price upped by research analysts at Bank of America from $67.00 to $68.00 in a report released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a neutral rating on the utilities providers stock. Bank of Americas target price would suggest a potential upside of 2.32% from the stocks current price. Other research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Eversource Energy from $72.00 to $79.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Eversource Energy from $69.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd. Barclays lifted their price objective on Eversource Energy from $65.00 to $69.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Scotiabank lifted their price target on Eversource Energy from $57.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Eversource Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, July 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $68.93. Get Eversource Energy alerts: View Our Latest Report on Eversource Energy Eversource Energy Price Performance NYSE:ES traded down $0.58 on Thursday, reaching $66.46. The stock had a trading volume of 249,523 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,500,988. The company has a market capitalization of $23.41 billion, a P/E ratio of -56.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.59. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $62.02 and a 200-day moving average price of $60.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71. Eversource Energy has a 1-year low of $52.03 and a 1-year high of $68.72. Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The utilities provider reported $0.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.95. The business had revenue of $2.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.90 billion. Eversource Energy had a positive return on equity of 10.34% and a negative net margin of 0.81%. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.00 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Eversource Energy will post 4.56 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at Eversource Energy In related news, EVP Penelope M. Conner sold 2,700 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $58.75, for a total transaction of $158,625.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 10,272 shares in the company, valued at approximately $603,480. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Penelope M. Conner sold 815 shares of Eversource Energy stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.50, for a total transaction of $53,382.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 9,032 shares in the company, valued at $591,596. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Penelope M. Conner sold 2,700 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $58.75, for a total value of $158,625.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 10,272 shares of the companys stock, valued at $603,480. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 4,015 shares of company stock valued at $244,478. 0.41% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Heritage Wealth Advisors bought a new position in shares of Eversource Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Lynx Investment Advisory bought a new position in shares of Eversource Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Rise Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Eversource Energy during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its stake in shares of Eversource Energy by 62.6% in the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 522 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 201 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Salem Investment Counselors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Eversource Energy by 49.7% during the 1st quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 545 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 181 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 79.99% of the companys stock. About Eversource Energy (Get Free Report) Eversource Energy, a public utility holding company, engages in the energy delivery business. The company operates through Electric Distribution, Electric Transmission, Natural Gas Distribution, and Water Distribution segments. It is involved in the transmission and distribution of electricity; solar power facilities; and distribution of natural gas. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Eversource Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eversource Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fidelity China Special (LON:FCSS Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as GBX 180.60 ($2.38) and last traded at GBX 180.95 ($2.39), with a volume of 695063 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 182.60 ($2.41). Fidelity China Special Stock Up 1.1 % The stock has a market cap of 843.34 million and a PE ratio of 3,532.96. The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 192.91 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 204.20. Get Fidelity China Special alerts: Fidelity China Special Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 20th were given a dividend of GBX 6.40 ($0.08) per share. This represents a yield of 2.92%. This is a boost from Fidelity China Specials previous dividend of $6.25. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 20th. Fidelity China Specials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 12,000.00%. Fidelity China Special Company Profile Fidelity China Special Situations PLC is a close-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by FIL Investment Services (UK) Limited. The fund is co-managed by FIL Investment Management (Hong Kong) Limited and FIL Investments International. It invests in the public equity markets of China, which includes companies listed in China or Hong Kong and Chinese companies on other stock exchanges. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Fidelity China Special Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fidelity China Special and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Financial Advocates Investment Management lifted its stake in shares of Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:TBLL Free Report) by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 4,264 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 127 shares during the period. Financial Advocates Investment Managements holdings in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF were worth $450,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF in the first quarter worth $53,000. Clear Investment Research LLC bought a new position in shares of Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF in the 1st quarter worth about $64,000. Triad Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $82,000. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF during the second quarter worth about $200,000. Finally, Advisory Alpha LLC bought a new stake in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF during the first quarter worth about $248,000. Get Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF alerts: Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF Price Performance Shares of TBLL stock traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $105.55. 21,262 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 147,343. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $105.59 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $105.56. Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF has a 12-month low of $105.20 and a 12-month high of $106.23. Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF Profile The Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF (TBLL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the ICE US Treasury Short Bond index. The fund tracks a market-weighted index of debt issued by the US Treasury. Remaining maturity must be between 1-12 months. TBLL was launched on Jan 12, 2017 and is issued by Invesco. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TBLL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:TBLL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:HWM Get Free Report) EVP Neil Edward Marchuk sold 70,637 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.94, for a total transaction of $6,847,550.78. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 92,687 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,985,077.78. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Neil Edward Marchuk also recently made the following trade(s): Get Howmet Aerospace alerts: On Monday, June 3rd, Neil Edward Marchuk sold 32,614 shares of Howmet Aerospace stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.26, for a total transaction of $2,748,055.64. Howmet Aerospace Trading Down 0.4 % Shares of HWM stock opened at $96.52 on Thursday. Howmet Aerospace Inc. has a 12-month low of $42.94 and a 12-month high of $98.15. The firm has a market cap of $39.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.63, a PEG ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The company has a 50 day moving average of $85.63 and a 200-day moving average of $76.72. Howmet Aerospace Increases Dividend Howmet Aerospace ( NYSE:HWM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $0.67 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.60 by $0.07. Howmet Aerospace had a net margin of 13.15% and a return on equity of 23.02%. The business had revenue of $1.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.83 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.44 EPS. Howmet Aerospaces revenue was up 14.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Howmet Aerospace Inc. will post 2.6 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 26th. Investors of record on Friday, August 9th were paid a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.33%. This is a positive change from Howmet Aerospaces previous quarterly dividend of $0.05. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th. Howmet Aerospaces payout ratio is currently 15.46%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of HWM. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Howmet Aerospace by 1,025.8% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 142,127 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,692,000 after buying an additional 129,502 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC bought a new position in Howmet Aerospace in the 4th quarter valued at $240,000. CWM LLC boosted its holdings in Howmet Aerospace by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 8,666 shares of the companys stock valued at $469,000 after purchasing an additional 299 shares during the period. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in Howmet Aerospace by 7.8% in the 4th quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 11,586 shares of the companys stock valued at $627,000 after purchasing an additional 836 shares during the period. Finally, Truist Financial Corp boosted its holdings in Howmet Aerospace by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 61,486 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,328,000 after purchasing an additional 768 shares during the period. 90.46% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Howmet Aerospace from $88.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Howmet Aerospace from $72.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, May 6th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Howmet Aerospace from $85.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of Howmet Aerospace from $84.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Howmet Aerospace from $77.00 to $87.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, May 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Howmet Aerospace has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $90.67. View Our Latest Analysis on HWM Howmet Aerospace Company Profile (Get Free Report) Howmet Aerospace Inc provides advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries in the United States, Japan, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Italy, Canada, Poland, China, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Engine Products, Fastening Systems, Engineered Structures, and Forged Wheels. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Howmet Aerospace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Howmet Aerospace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CAVA Group (NYSE:CAVA Free Report) had its price target raised by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $77.00 to $90.00 in a report released on Monday, Benzinga reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. currently has a neutral rating on the stock. A number of other equities analysts also recently commented on CAVA. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of CAVA Group from $93.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of CAVA Group from $72.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, August 23rd. Wedbush raised their target price on shares of CAVA Group from $100.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on CAVA Group from $105.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 23rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on CAVA Group from $94.00 to $117.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 23rd. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $105.08. Get CAVA Group alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on CAVA CAVA Group Stock Performance Shares of CAVA stock opened at $118.39 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 288.76 and a beta of 3.27. CAVA Group has a one year low of $29.05 and a one year high of $128.18. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $91.41 and its 200-day simple moving average is $77.45. CAVA Group (NYSE:CAVA Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 22nd. The company reported $0.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.13 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $233.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $219.47 million. CAVA Group had a return on equity of 5.18% and a net margin of 3.75%. CAVA Groups revenue for the quarter was up 35.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.21 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that CAVA Group will post 0.34 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling In other CAVA Group news, CEO Brett Schulman sold 66,414 shares of CAVA Group stock in a transaction on Friday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.11, for a total transaction of $5,984,565.54. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 904,094 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $81,467,910.34. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Brett Schulman sold 66,414 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.11, for a total value of $5,984,565.54. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 904,094 shares in the company, valued at approximately $81,467,910.34. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Tricia K. Tolivar sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.64, for a total transaction of $628,200.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 292,600 shares in the company, valued at $36,762,264. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 1,725,558 shares of company stock valued at $163,000,919 in the last three months. Hedge Funds Weigh In On CAVA Group Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Private Advisor Group LLC raised its stake in shares of CAVA Group by 69.1% in the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 33,619 shares of the companys stock worth $2,355,000 after buying an additional 13,739 shares in the last quarter. CHURCHILL MANAGEMENT Corp acquired a new stake in CAVA Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $3,213,000. Swiss National Bank bought a new position in shares of CAVA Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,926,000. Stephens Inc. AR acquired a new position in shares of CAVA Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,014,000. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers bought a new stake in shares of CAVA Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $2,455,000. 73.15% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About CAVA Group (Get Free Report) CAVA Group, Inc owns and operates a chain of restaurants under the CAVA brand in the United States. The company also offers dips, spreads, and dressings through grocery stores. In addition, the company provides online and mobile ordering platforms. Cava Group, Inc was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Washington, the District of Columbia. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for CAVA Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CAVA Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The North West Company Inc. (TSE:NWC Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as C$45.95 and last traded at C$45.92, with a volume of 27710 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$45.44. Analysts Set New Price Targets NWC has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of North West from C$41.00 to C$44.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 6th. CIBC increased their price target on North West from C$43.00 to C$44.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, June 6th. Finally, TD Securities lifted their price objective on North West from C$47.00 to C$52.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$44.60. Get North West alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on North West North West Trading Up 0.6 % The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 2.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 60.46. The stock has a market capitalization of C$2.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of C$43.59 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$40.85. North West (TSE:NWC Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, June 5th. The company reported C$0.53 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$0.54 by C($0.01). North West had a net margin of 5.37% and a return on equity of 20.19%. The business had revenue of C$617.52 million for the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts expect that The North West Company Inc. will post 3.3071325 earnings per share for the current year. North West Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 28th were issued a $0.39 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 28th. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.41%. North Wests dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 56.32%. Insider Transactions at North West In related news, Senior Officer John King sold 5,230 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$42.70, for a total value of C$223,321.00. In other news, Senior Officer Walter Pickett sold 767 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$42.64, for a total value of C$32,704.88. Also, Senior Officer John King sold 5,230 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$42.70, for a total value of C$223,321.00. Insiders sold 11,662 shares of company stock valued at $497,015 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock. About North West (Get Free Report) The North West Company Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the retail of food and everyday products and services to rural communities and urban neighborhood markets in northern Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific, and the Caribbean. The company operates Northern stores, which offers food, financial services, and general merchandise; NorthMart stores that provides fresh food products, apparel, and health products and services; and Quickstop convenience stores that provides ready-to-eat food products, and fuel and related services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for North West Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for North West and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE:OUT Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $17.02 and last traded at $17.01, with a volume of 296861 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $16.66. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. TD Cowen initiated coverage on shares of OUTFRONT Media in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. They set a hold rating and a $16.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com lowered OUTFRONT Media from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. Barrington Research raised their price objective on OUTFRONT Media from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on OUTFRONT Media from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $16.00. Get OUTFRONT Media alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on OUT OUTFRONT Media Stock Performance The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $15.21 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $15.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.08, a current ratio of 0.58 and a quick ratio of 0.58. The company has a market capitalization of $2.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.92. OUTFRONT Media (NYSE:OUT Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.41 by $0.60. OUTFRONT Media had a negative net margin of 23.38% and a negative return on equity of 72.77%. The company had revenue of $477.30 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $482.27 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.47 earnings per share. OUTFRONT Medias quarterly revenue was up 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that OUTFRONT Media Inc. will post 1.55 EPS for the current fiscal year. OUTFRONT Media Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Investors of record on Friday, September 6th will be issued a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 6th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.06%. OUTFRONT Medias dividend payout ratio is presently -45.11%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On OUTFRONT Media Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of OUT. Quarry LP raised its position in shares of OUTFRONT Media by 258.8% during the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,837 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 1,325 shares during the period. Spire Wealth Management bought a new stake in OUTFRONT Media during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. National Bank of Canada FI acquired a new stake in OUTFRONT Media during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Riverview Trust Co bought a new position in OUTFRONT Media in the first quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Quest Partners LLC raised its position in OUTFRONT Media by 30.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 4,311 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $62,000 after buying an additional 994 shares during the last quarter. About OUTFRONT Media (Get Free Report) OUTFRONT leverages the power of technology, location, and creativity to connect brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in North America. Through its technology platform, OUTFRONT will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage audiences on-the-go. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for OUTFRONT Media Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for OUTFRONT Media and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas Inc. plant is located on the South Side of San Antonio. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News A future land use map shows designated uses around Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas Inc.s South Side plant. City of San Antonio Daniel Negrila, a resident of San Antonios South side, listens to speakers at a Planning Commission meeting this summer about the proposed rezoning of the area around Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas Inc.s plant. Jessica Phelps After months of controversy, the City Council approved a plan limiting the type of development around Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas Inc.'s plant to industrial, parks and government operations while encouraging more housing and retail around Texas A&M University-San Antonio. But a related proposal that would have created a special zoning district to further restrict development in the area surrounding the plant was shelved before the vote. The South Side land-use plan says land south of Toyotas plant can be used for parks or agriculture. Sites north of the plant would be designated as being available for light industrial development, agriculture or government operations. Properties close to A&M-San Antonio could include housing and stores. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Landowners who wanted to develop their property for uses other what its designated for in the plan would first have to get approval from the city. Council Members Marc Whyte and Manny Pelaez were the only members of the council to vote against it. Whyte said he was concerned about landowners rights and residents not being heard adequately. Council Member Phyllis Viagran, who represents the area, said the city needed a plan for addressing the growing demand for infrastructure such as grocery stores and child care facilities, especially as A&M-San Antonio continues to expand. The land-use plan covers a 15.1-square-mile area bounded by Loop 410 to the north, Neal Road to the south, Pleasanton and Neal roads to the east and South Zarzamora Street to the west. Council members directed city staff to initiate rezoning to implement the plan. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During the meeting, two South Side landowners asked the city to further tweak some of the language in the land-use plan to make it clearer that it applies only to properties within the boundaries. The plan also called for creating a special zoning district around Toyotas facility. But council members on Thursday shelved that proposal for now. The industrial compatibility overlay district is not currently scheduled to be taken up by council, city spokesperson Brian Chasnoff said. The vote came after dozens of frustrated and confused residents packed into city planning and zoning meetings this summer, prompting members of the Zoning and Planning commissions to question city staff and leading to revisions of the land-use plan. Some landowners said they were concerned the land-use and zoning changes would restrict what they could do with their property and make it less attractive to potential buyers as construction of homes, stores and restaurants in the area is increasing. They wondered whether Toyota was behind the effort, since the moves would essentially codify albeit reducing a buffer zone elected officials pitched to persuade the automaker to build its plant here in 2006. Others decried the citys communication about the moves, saying they had received notices about meetings with just a few days notice and tried calling staff for more information to no avail. The land-use plan and zoning overlay would not apply to property outside the city limits and are focused on new development, but many did not know that. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a rare move by a member of a city panel, Zoning Commissioner John Whitsett also expressed concerns to other commissioners, the Planning Commission and council members about both the land-use and zoning district proposals. The Zoning and Planning commissions make recommendations to the City Council, which has the final say. The original deal between the city and Toyota, known as the Starbright Agreement, created a 3-mile zone around the facility to discourage residential construction and other uses Toyota considered incompatible with manufacturing operations. Critics have long argued it amounts to contract zoning, an illegal quid pro quo in which Toyota has authority over whats built. Toyota has said zoning decisions are the sole responsibility of the city and not any company. The special zoning district pitched by the city would have reduced the zone to 2 miles. It was to consist of two zones, with Zone A limiting new residential and commercial development within 1 mile of Toyotas plant and Zone B extending another mile outward and restricting new residential projects. The outcry from residents prompted commissioners to repeatedly delay decisions on whether to recommend the items to council members and to direct city staff to host another public meeting to provide more information. City staff also amended the proposals, removing some of the language referencing Toyota, noting that potential options for regulating land use may include the creation of a zoning district and clarifying that such a district would apply to land within the borders of the plan. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Planning Commission ultimately suggested council members approve the plan with the revisions, while the Zoning Commission rejected the citys request to recommend they give the green light to the zoning district. Its unclear whether city staff plan to bring the proposal for the zoning district to council members in the future. It places an undue burden on residents, is unfair to taxpayers and is inconsistent with a variety of things Ive experienced in my own district related to industrial and residential zoning being adjacent to each other and is thus unfair, especially since its not being implemented in all industrial areas of the city, Commissioner Taylor Watson said during a July meeting. The plan council members approved Thursday is part of a larger document adopted in 2016 that is aimed at guiding land use across the city through 2040. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Shares of Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE:OXM Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Hold from the six ratings firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $103.20. A number of brokerages have commented on OXM. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Oxford Industries from $94.00 to $92.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, June 13th. Telsey Advisory Group reissued a market perform rating and set a $110.00 price objective on shares of Oxford Industries in a research note on Thursday, June 13th. Get Oxford Industries alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on OXM Insiders Place Their Bets Institutional Trading of Oxford Industries In other news, EVP Thomas E. Campbell sold 17,540 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.91, for a total transaction of $1,752,421.40. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 24,865 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,484,262.15. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link . 5.70% of the stock is owned by insiders. Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Pacer Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Oxford Industries during the 2nd quarter valued at about $54,882,000. Millennium Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Oxford Industries by 254.1% in the second quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 266,412 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $26,681,000 after purchasing an additional 191,185 shares during the period. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC bought a new position in Oxford Industries in the second quarter worth approximately $10,040,000. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Oxford Industries during the 4th quarter worth $9,682,000. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its position in Oxford Industries by 21.7% during the 2nd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 496,092 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $49,684,000 after purchasing an additional 88,345 shares in the last quarter. 91.16% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Oxford Industries Trading Up 0.5 % Shares of Oxford Industries stock opened at $84.20 on Thursday. Oxford Industries has a twelve month low of $82.33 and a twelve month high of $113.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $96.29 and a 200-day moving average price of $102.07. The firm has a market cap of $1.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.09 and a beta of 1.54. Oxford Industries (NYSE:OXM Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, June 12th. The textile maker reported $2.66 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.70 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $398.18 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $404.81 million. Oxford Industries had a net margin of 2.62% and a return on equity of 23.78%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.78 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Oxford Industries will post 8.8 EPS for the current fiscal year. Oxford Industries Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, July 19th were given a $0.67 dividend. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.18%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 19th. Oxford Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 108.50%. Oxford Industries Company Profile (Get Free Report Oxford Industries, Inc, an apparel company, designs, sources, markets, and distributes products of lifestyle and other brands worldwide. The company offers men's and women's sportswear and related products under the Tommy Bahama brand; and women's and girl's dresses and sportswear, scarves, bags, jewelry, and belts, as well as children's apparel, swim, footwear, and licensed products under the Lilly Pulitzer brand. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Oxford Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oxford Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PHX Energy Services Corp. (TSE:PHX Get Free Report) Senior Officer Michael Leslie Buker sold 4,900 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$10.03, for a total value of C$49,147.00. PHX Energy Services Stock Up 0.5 % Shares of TSE:PHX traded up C$0.05 on Thursday, reaching C$10.08. The company had a trading volume of 24,700 shares, compared to its average volume of 73,387. The stock has a market capitalization of C$469.02 million, a P/E ratio of 5.48 and a beta of 2.35. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of C$9.78 and a 200 day moving average price of C$9.31. PHX Energy Services Corp. has a twelve month low of C$7.00 and a twelve month high of C$10.70. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.51. Get PHX Energy Services alerts: PHX Energy Services (TSE:PHX Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported C$0.26 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$0.20 by C$0.06. The business had revenue of C$154.23 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$149.00 million. PHX Energy Services had a return on equity of 42.04% and a net margin of 13.50%. On average, equities analysts expect that PHX Energy Services Corp. will post 0.957346 EPS for the current year. PHX Energy Services Announces Dividend Wall Street Analyst Weigh In The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 28th were paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 28th. PHX Energy Servicess payout ratio is 43.72%. Separately, ATB Capital boosted their target price on shares of PHX Energy Services from C$11.75 to C$12.25 in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on PHX Energy Services PHX Energy Services Company Profile (Get Free Report) PHX Energy Services Corp. provides horizontal and directional drilling services, rents performance drilling motors, and sells motor equipment and parts to oil and natural gas exploration and development companies in Canada, the United States, Albania, the Middle East regions, and internationally. It offers Atlas motors; Velocity Real-Time Systems that provide downhole guidance systems; Echo system; PowerDrive Orbit RSS, a rotary steerable system; performance drilling motors; P-360 Positive Pulse MWD System, a measurement while drilling (MWD) tool; and E-360 EM MWD System, a MWD tool that transmits electric signals through geological formations. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for PHX Energy Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PHX Energy Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Science Group plc (LON:SAG Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 494 ($6.51) and last traded at GBX 488 ($6.44), with a volume of 19323 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 482.50 ($6.36). Science Group Stock Performance The company has a current ratio of 2.01, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 19.36. The company has a market cap of 223.56 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3,784.62 and a beta of 0.46. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 438.58 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 423.62. Get Science Group alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Science Group In other news, insider Martyn Roy Ratcliffe purchased 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 19th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 469 ($6.18) per share, for a total transaction of 46,900 ($61,848.87). Insiders own 24.49% of the companys stock. About Science Group Science Group plc, a science, engineering, and technology business company, provides consultancy services in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, North America, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Services Operating Business, Product Operating Business, and Freehold Properties. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Science Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Science Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rio Tinto Group (OTCMKTS:RTNTF Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 615,300 shares, a drop of 20.4% from the July 31st total of 773,200 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1,025.5 days. Rio Tinto Group Stock Performance OTCMKTS:RTNTF traded up $2.03 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $76.53. The stock had a trading volume of 631 shares, compared to its average volume of 629. Rio Tinto Group has a 12-month low of $69.44 and a 12-month high of $94.30. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $77.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $81.06. Get Rio Tinto Group alerts: Rio Tinto Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Further Reading Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. The Iron Ore segment engages in the iron ore mining, and salt and gypsum production in Western Australia. The Aluminum segment is involved in bauxite mining; alumina refining; and aluminium smelting. Receive News & Ratings for Rio Tinto Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rio Tinto Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Skyline Champion Co. (NYSE:SKY Get Free Report) EVP Jonathan Wade Lyall sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $89.90, for a total transaction of $899,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 36,082 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,243,771.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Jonathan Wade Lyall also recently made the following trade(s): Get Skyline Champion alerts: On Thursday, August 15th, Jonathan Wade Lyall sold 12,448 shares of Skyline Champion stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.88, for a total transaction of $1,093,930.24. Skyline Champion Stock Performance NYSE SKY opened at $91.01 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $5.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.83 and a beta of 1.57. Skyline Champion Co. has a 52-week low of $52.12 and a 52-week high of $93.53. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $77.93 and its 200 day moving average price is $78.05. The company has a quick ratio of 1.57, a current ratio of 2.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. Analyst Ratings Changes Skyline Champion ( NYSE:SKY Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $0.91 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.22. Skyline Champion had a return on equity of 13.07% and a net margin of 6.45%. The company had revenue of $627.80 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $600.39 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.89 EPS. The companys revenue was up 35.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Skyline Champion Co. will post 3.01 earnings per share for the current year. A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. Craig Hallum decreased their price target on Skyline Champion from $88.00 to $84.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 23rd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Skyline Champion from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Skyline Champion from $68.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Wedbush restated a neutral rating and issued a $64.00 price objective on shares of Skyline Champion in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on Skyline Champion from $68.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Skyline Champion currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $78.75. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on SKY Institutional Trading of Skyline Champion Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Aristides Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Skyline Champion during the second quarter worth about $339,000. Algert Global LLC purchased a new position in Skyline Champion in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $374,000. Scientech Research LLC acquired a new position in Skyline Champion during the second quarter worth $539,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its position in Skyline Champion by 3.4% during the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 32,642 shares of the companys stock worth $2,211,000 after purchasing an additional 1,064 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Millennium Management LLC grew its holdings in Skyline Champion by 75.8% in the second quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 78,370 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,310,000 after purchasing an additional 33,794 shares during the last quarter. About Skyline Champion (Get Free Report) Skyline Champion Corporation produces and sells factory-built housing in North America. The company offers manufactured and modular homes, park models RVs, accessory dwelling units, and modular buildings for the multi-family and hospitality sectors. It builds homes under the Skyline Homes, Champion Home Builders, Genesis Homes, Athens Park Models, Dutch Housing, Atlantic Homes, Excel Homes, Homes of Merit, New Era, Redman Homes, ScotBilt Homes, Shore Park, Silvercrest, and Titan Homes brands in the United States; and Moduline and SRI Homes brand names in western Canada. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Skyline Champion Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Skyline Champion and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Berkeley Group Holdings plc (OTCMKTS:BKGFF Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 64,900 shares, a decline of 54.2% from the July 31st total of 141,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently days. The Berkeley Group Stock Performance Shares of BKGFF remained flat at $61.14 during trading hours on Thursday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $59.94 and its 200-day moving average price is $59.20. The Berkeley Group has a fifty-two week low of $49.43 and a fifty-two week high of $61.14. Get The Berkeley Group alerts: About The Berkeley Group (Get Free Report) Read More The Berkeley Group Holdings plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the residential-led and mixed-use property development and ancillary activities in the United Kingdom. The company is involved in land selling activities. It operates under the Berkeley, St Edward, St George, St James, St Joseph, and St William brand names. Receive News & Ratings for The Berkeley Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Berkeley Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the twenty-two analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $122.77. EL has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Estee Lauder Companies from $129.00 to $105.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $131.00 target price on shares of Estee Lauder Companies in a report on Tuesday, August 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on Estee Lauder Companies from $115.00 to $100.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. Bernstein Bank boosted their price target on shares of Estee Lauder Companies from $155.00 to $160.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 1st. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price objective on shares of Estee Lauder Companies from $108.00 to $105.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 20th. Get Estee Lauder Companies alerts: View Our Latest Report on EL Insider Buying and Selling at Estee Lauder Companies Institutional Investors Weigh In On Estee Lauder Companies In other news, Director Lynn Forester sold 3,890 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.61, for a total value of $364,142.90. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 15,209 shares in the company, valued at $1,423,714.49. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . In other Estee Lauder Companies news, Director Lynn Forester sold 3,890 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.61, for a total value of $364,142.90. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 15,209 shares in the company, valued at $1,423,714.49. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . Also, Director Charlene Barshefsky sold 3,437 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.93, for a total value of $315,963.41. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 49,800 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,578,114. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 12.77% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of EL. Riverview Trust Co purchased a new position in shares of Estee Lauder Companies during the first quarter worth approximately $26,000. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in Estee Lauder Companies by 103.1% during the 1st quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 195 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the period. Rothschild Investment LLC purchased a new position in Estee Lauder Companies during the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. PARK CIRCLE Co purchased a new position in Estee Lauder Companies during the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. Finally, Kimelman & Baird LLC acquired a new position in Estee Lauder Companies in the second quarter valued at $32,000. 55.15% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Estee Lauder Companies Stock Down 0.5 % Estee Lauder Companies stock opened at $92.39 on Thursday. Estee Lauder Companies has a 12 month low of $86.05 and a 12 month high of $165.76. The stock has a market capitalization of $33.13 billion, a PE ratio of 51.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 1.58 and a quick ratio of 1.15. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $100.07 and a 200-day simple moving average of $125.16. Estee Lauder Companies (NYSE:EL Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 19th. The company reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.25 by $0.39. Estee Lauder Companies had a return on equity of 13.08% and a net margin of 4.18%. The company had revenue of $3.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.80 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.07 EPS. Estee Lauder Companiess quarterly revenue was up 7.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Estee Lauder Companies will post 2.21 EPS for the current fiscal year. Estee Lauder Companies Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.66 per share. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.86%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. Estee Lauder Companiess payout ratio is 148.31%. Estee Lauder Companies Company Profile (Get Free Report The Estee Lauder Companies Inc manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide. It offers skin care products, including moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, body care, exfoliators, acne care and oil correctors, facial masks, and sun care products; and makeup products, such as lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, foundations, eyeshadows, nail polishes, and powders, as well as compacts, brushes, and other makeup tools. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Estee Lauder Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Estee Lauder Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Voestalpine AG (OTCMKTS:VLPNY Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 300 shares, a drop of 50.0% from the July 31st total of 600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.0 days. Voestalpine Price Performance Voestalpine stock remained flat at $4.80 during midday trading on Thursday. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1 shares, compared to its average volume of 155. The stocks fifty day moving average is $5.12 and its 200-day moving average is $5.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 0.50. Voestalpine has a one year low of $4.55 and a one year high of $6.20. Get Voestalpine alerts: Voestalpine (OTCMKTS:VLPNY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $0.17 earnings per share for the quarter. Voestalpine had a return on equity of 1.13% and a net margin of 0.35%. The company had revenue of $4.46 billion for the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Voestalpine will post 0.72 EPS for the current fiscal year. Voestalpine Cuts Dividend About Voestalpine The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 31st. Investors of record on Friday, July 12th were given a dividend of $0.0955 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 12th. (Get Free Report) Voestalpine AG processes, develops, manufactures, and sells steel products in Austria, European Union, and internationally. The company operates through five segments: Steel, High Performance Metals, Metal Engineering, Metal Forming, and Other. The Steel division produces hot and cold-rolled steel strips, as well as electrogalvanized, hot-dip galvanized, and organically coated steel strips; and heavy plates for the energy sector, as well as turbine casings for automotive, white goods/consumer goods, building/construction, energy, mechanical engineering, and others. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Voestalpine Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Voestalpine and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB Free Report) had its target price hoisted by Wells Fargo & Company from $222.00 to $244.00 in a research report report published on Monday, Benzinga reports. Wells Fargo & Company currently has an overweight rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on AvalonBay Communities from $203.00 to $209.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 14th. Evercore ISI cut their target price on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $218.00 to $216.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $207.00 to $214.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Argus raised their price objective on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $188.00 to $212.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, April 30th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $204.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, April 29th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, AvalonBay Communities presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $214.47. Get AvalonBay Communities alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on AVB AvalonBay Communities Trading Up 0.7 % AVB opened at $223.01 on Monday. AvalonBay Communities has a 52 week low of $160.45 and a 52 week high of $224.23. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $208.17 and a 200-day simple moving average of $194.84. The firm has a market cap of $31.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.19, a P/E/G ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.96. AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The real estate investment trust reported $1.78 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.71 by ($0.93). AvalonBay Communities had a net margin of 29.61% and a return on equity of 7.16%. The firm had revenue of $726.04 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $718.49 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.66 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that AvalonBay Communities will post 10.97 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity at AvalonBay Communities In other AvalonBay Communities news, CIO Matthew H. Birenbaum sold 5,000 shares of AvalonBay Communities stock in a transaction on Monday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $208.90, for a total value of $1,044,500.00. Following the transaction, the executive now directly owns 65,967 shares in the company, valued at $13,780,506.30. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other AvalonBay Communities news, CIO Matthew H. Birenbaum sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $208.90, for a total transaction of $1,044,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive now directly owns 65,967 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,780,506.30. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Keri A. Shea sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $207.17, for a total value of $414,340.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 4,383 shares in the company, valued at approximately $908,026.11. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.42% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of AvalonBay Communities Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AVB. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in AvalonBay Communities in the second quarter valued at about $32,000. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its holdings in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 1,877.8% in the 2nd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 178 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 169 shares during the period. BROOKFIELD Corp ON purchased a new stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities in the first quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. grew its holdings in AvalonBay Communities by 50.0% during the first quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. now owns 225 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares during the period. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its position in AvalonBay Communities by 38.8% in the second quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 261 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $54,000 after acquiring an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.61% of the companys stock. AvalonBay Communities Company Profile (Get Free Report) As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 299 apartment communities containing 90,669 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 18 communities were under development. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado. See Also Receive News & Ratings for AvalonBay Communities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AvalonBay Communities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. increased its stake in shares of Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL Free Report) by 3.8% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 8,290 shares of the transportation companys stock after acquiring an additional 302 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co.s holdings in Delta Air Lines were worth $393,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. American International Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. American International Group Inc. now owns 181,107 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $7,286,000 after buying an additional 2,783 shares during the period. First Hawaiian Bank acquired a new stake in Delta Air Lines during the 1st quarter valued at $749,000. Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 7.0% during the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,127,607 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $45,364,000 after purchasing an additional 73,936 shares in the last quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System increased its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 50,358 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $2,384,000 after purchasing an additional 1,362 shares in the last quarter. Finally, RFG Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in Delta Air Lines during the 1st quarter valued at $1,108,000. Institutional investors own 69.93% of the companys stock. Get Delta Air Lines alerts: Delta Air Lines Stock Up 3.1 % Shares of NYSE:DAL traded up $1.26 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $41.69. 3,937,045 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 9,460,896. The firm has a market cap of $26.90 billion, a PE ratio of 5.82, a P/E/G ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.35. Delta Air Lines, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $30.60 and a fifty-two week high of $53.86. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $43.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $45.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 0.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. Delta Air Lines Increases Dividend Delta Air Lines ( NYSE:DAL Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 11th. The transportation company reported $2.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.37 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $15.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.45 billion. Delta Air Lines had a net margin of 7.46% and a return on equity of 36.02%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.68 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 6.26 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, August 20th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, July 30th were paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. This is a boost from Delta Air Liness previous quarterly dividend of $0.10. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.44%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, July 30th. Delta Air Liness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 8.63%. Insider Activity In other Delta Air Lines news, Director Willie Cw Chiang bought 10,000 shares of Delta Air Lines stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 12th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $43.90 per share, for a total transaction of $439,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 20,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $878,000. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.96% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms recently weighed in on DAL. Citigroup raised their price target on Delta Air Lines from $55.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, May 29th. HSBC assumed coverage on Delta Air Lines in a research note on Monday, May 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $72.80 target price for the company. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered their target price on Delta Air Lines from $66.00 to $62.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 12th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on Delta Air Lines from $58.00 to $56.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, June 28th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered their target price on Delta Air Lines from $61.00 to $59.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Delta Air Lines has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $60.70. View Our Latest Research Report on DAL Delta Air Lines Profile (Free Report) Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DAL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Delta Air Lines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Delta Air Lines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Annasofia Scheve covers trending news for the Express-News. She can be reached at Annasofia.Scheve@express-news.net. Annasofia has bachelor's degrees in journalism and political science from the University of Missouri. She is an Ohio native, and wrote for Cincinnati Magazine and the Cincinnati Enquirer before joining the Express-News in 2023. French prosecutors on Wednesday formally charged Telegram CEO Pavel Durov with facilitating a litany of criminal activity on the popular messaging platform and placed him under formal investigation following his arrest Saturday. Russian-born Durov, who is also a French citizen, has been charged with being complicit in the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) as well as enabling organized crime, illicit transactions, drug trafficking, and fraud. Durov has also been charged with a "refusal to communicate, at the request of competent authorities, information or documents necessary for carrying out and operating interceptions allowed by law," according to an English translation of the press release. The 39-year-old was detained at Le Bourget airport north of Paris at 8 p.m. local time on Saturday after disembarking from a private jet. To avoid pretrial detention, Durov has been ordered to pay a 5 million bail, but he is barred from leaving the country and must report to the authorities twice a week. The arrest is in connection with a judicial investigation into an unnamed person that was opened in France on July 8, 2024, primarily driven by Telegram's lax moderation policies that have allowed extremist and malicious activity to thrive on the platform. A preliminary probe is said to have commenced in February 2024. "The almost total lack of response from Telegram to judicial requisitions was brought to the attention of the cybercrime fighting section (J3) of JUNALCO (National Jurisdiction for the Fight against Organized Crime, within the Paris prosecutor's office), in particular by OFMIN (National Office for Minors)," Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said. "When consulted, other French investigative services and public prosecutors as well as various partners within Eurojust, particularly Belgian ones, shared the same observation. This is what led JUNALCO to open an investigation into the possible criminal liability of the managers of this messaging service in the commission of these offenses." Other charges against Durov include - Supply of cryptographic services designed to ensure confidentiality without a declaration of conformity Supply and import of a cryptographic means that does not exclusively ensure authentication or integrity control functions without prior declaration The development marks one of the rare instances where a company's top executive has been held liable for what users' post on a major platform that has more than 950 million monthly active users. Durov was previously the CEO of the Russian social media platform Vkontakte which he had founded in 2006. Telegram was subsequently launched in 2013. Following Durov's arrest, Telegram said in a statement on X that he has "nothing to hide," adding "it is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform." The company also claims it regularly publishes reports of thousands of groups and channels related to child abuse being banned on the messaging service. It's also worth noting that the site's terms of service specifically state that it does not process any requests related to illegal content shared on Telegram chats and group chats. Politico has since reported that French authorities issued arrest warrants for Telegram CEO Pavel Durov and his co-founder brother Nikolai in March 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that Durov's arrest wasn't a political decision but part of an independent investigation. The Wall Street Journal further revealed Wednesday that Durov's iPhone was hacked by French spies in a joint exercise with the United Arab Emirates in 2017 as part of a previously unknown operation codenamed Purple Music, citing people familiar with the matter. "French security officials were acutely concerned about Islamic State's use of Telegram to recruit operatives and plan attacks," the report said. Vietnam not yet a net winner of production relocation from China: S&P Global By Tri Duc Thu, August 29, 2024 | 11:14 am GMT+7 Vietnam and other emerging markets in Asia are not yet major net winners of production relocation from China, whose role in global trade will not diminish drastically as global supply chains continue to evolve, an S&P Global report says. China's consistency in global supply chain In a recent commentary, S&P Global noted geopolitical friction, trade barriers, and industrial policy are challenging Asia's dominant supply chains, especially businesses' operations in China. Before the trend, firms in the textile and footwear sectors relocated their production lines away from China due to higher costs and wages. The trend has intensified and broadened the relocation to other industries, including semiconductors and smartphones. In addition to moving out of China, multinationals are now more likely to install new capacity elsewhere. However, trends in exports and foreign direct investment (FDI) show that, overall, the role of Asian economies, including China, in the global supply chains is changing only modestly. China's falling market share in the U.S., Japan and Europe. Photo courtesy of S&P Global. S&P Global pointed out that China's share of U.S. goods imports has shrunk since the Trump administration increased tariffs on most imports from China, with other Asian emerging markets and Mexico filling most of the gap. Similar developments were noted in Japan and Europe. Meanwhile, China's exporters have expanded their share of the imports in emerging markets. This matters as emerging markets' imports make up a large and rising proportion of the global total. S&P Global attributed the changes to China's growth in exporting "normal" goods, which outpaced the growth of exporting components assembled in China for re-export to third countries. China's global market share with minor changes. Photo courtesy of S&P Global. China's export market share rose to 39.8% in the year to mid-2024, from 36% six years earlier, S&P Global highlighted. Asia's emerging markets grow modestly at changes in China As data show, the supposed change is far less than the common understanding, and China's share has improved in the global export market, S&P Global pointed out that Asian emerging markets and Mexico have only made modest gains. Vietnam's growth in share of Asia and Mexico exports. Photo courtesy of S&P Global. In particular, for Vietnam, the country's share of total Asian + Mexico exports expanded impressively in the 15 years through early 2020. Its rise was subsequently disrupted for several years amid the Covid-19 pandemic. While recent trends suggest the growth may have resumed, Vietnam doesn't seem to have been as much of a winner in the recent global supply-chain shifts as is sometimes assumed, according to S&P Global. Vietnam and Indonesia with improvements in share of total FDI into Asia and Mexico. Photo courtesy of S&P Global. Regarding FDI into Asia and Mexico, the plunge in China since 2022 suggests some emerging markets would benefit from the trend. In fact, S&P Global data shows that only Vietnam and Indonesia reap benefits with higher shares of the total FDI in Asia and Mexico than six years ago. Vietnam is the only "manufacturing" economy that has a significant increase of 1.7 percentage points in progress, according to S&P Global. For absolute figures, FDI into Asian emerging markets excluding China was $24 billion lower in the year to March 2024 than six years earlier. The total for Asia-Pacific excluding China rose. But that was more than driven by Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore, S&P Global stressed. A Southeastern fast food restaurant chain is opening in Orangeburg. Krystal Restaurants LLC is opening a 2,200-square-foot drive-thru and dine-in restaurant on Chestnut Street next to Shoney's. The restaurant will be in the same Chestnut Village shopping center as Ollie's Bargain Outlet, Planet Fitness and Bealls. The restaurant is scheduled to open in late November, according to an on-site construction manager. Chattahoochee Construction Group out of Georgia is the general contractor. Site work began in early August. The restaurant is known for its small square burgers or sliders, chicken wings, fries and tots, biscuit meals, egg breakfasts, hot dog pups, desserts and beverages. Efforts to contact a representative of SPB Hospitality, Krystal Burgers parent company, were not successful According to the company's website, there are only three Krystal's in South Carolina. The restaurants are in Aiken, Gaffney and North Augusta. Krystal was founded in Chattanooga, Tennessee, by Rody Davenport Jr. and partner J. Glenn Sherrill in October 1932. The original restaurant cost $5,000 and consisted of a 25-by-10 foot building, according to the restaurant's website. Today the restaurant has about 275 locations in ten Southern states, according to its website. It is headquartered in Georgia. Krystal Restaurants merged with SPB Hospitality April 2023. The company owns several restaurant brands, including Logan's Roadhouse and Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom. (TBTCO) - Nhung tiem nang nao cua ban than ma ban chua kham pha ra? Lam the nao e nam bat nhung co hoi, trai nghiem moi trong su nghiep cua minh? ang ky tham gia ngay su kien Mega Livestream "Mo tiem nang- Vuot gioi han" uoc Prudential lan au tien to chuc, hua hen mang en nhieu thong tin thu vi, co hoi nghe nghiep hap dan va nhung phan qua gia tri cho nguoi tham gia. 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). Universities and colleges nationwide welcome freshmen People's Daily Online) 10:22, August 29, 2024 On August 19, Peking University welcomes freshmen. (Photo/Peking University) With a new semester approaching, there's an atmosphere of youthful vigor at colleges and universities across China. Students step onto campus for the first time as university students, full of hopes and dreams, ready to embrace their new college lives. (Intern Li Jingyan contributed to this story.) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Traffic backs up at South Main Street and Interstate 10 in Boerne in this file photo. The fast-growing city's budget allocates more than $30 million for infrastructure spending in the coming fiscal year. Josie Norris, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer The Boerne City Council has given initial approval to a $138 million budget for the coming fiscal year, with a focus on capital projects for the fast-growing Hill Country city. Boerne's budget for fiscal 2025 calls for almost $36 million in capital outlay spending, meaning larger infrastructure projects that take more than a year to complete. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Boerne's city-owned utilities are scheduled to get about $12 million of that investment. Another $11 million from a bond measure approved by voters in 2022 will be spent on widening Adler Road, constructing parks and other mobility improvements. Boerne's population has grown rapidly in recent years, jumping from about 10,000 in 2010 to nearly 22,000, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates for 2023. The Boerne Police Department takes up a bigger chunk of the budget than any other city department, with projected expenses of almost $8 million, or nearly 20% of the city's $41 million general fund. The budget projects a 2% drop in spending from the previous fiscal year. The budget calls for all city employees to get a 4% pay increase, along with merit raises of up to 3%. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Boerne is proposing a property tax rate of just over 47 cents per $100 of property value. That is a slight decrease from last years rate of about 48 cents per $100, but it still requires a public hearing because the city expects it will generate more revenue due to increasing property values. The median home value in the city jumped to about $424,000 in 2023, up from about $381,000 in 2022. The 4th edition of the PPP Mena Forum is set to make history on September 10 and 11, 2024, when senior regulators from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman will convene under one roof for the first time. Besides announcing groundbreaking projects from these key regions, the forum, organised by Great Minds Event Management, will feature policymakers, investors, business leaders and other influential stakeholders dedicated to advancing PPP initiatives across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region. The forum's strategic importance is underscored by its role in facilitating meaningful dialogues and fostering impactful collaborations. The forum aims to showcase and announce. Diverse participants The forum will be attended by a diverse group of participants, including policymakers, investors, business leaders, and other influential stakeholders dedicated to fostering sustainable development through PPPs. These attendees represent a range of sectors, underscoring the forums broad relevance and its role in facilitating strategic collaborations. Nasser Massoud, Founder and Managing Director of Concept Realisation and WAPPP Chair for the Social Sector PPPs Chapter in the UAE, said: The 4th PPP Mena Forum is more than just an event; it's a crucible for transformative ideas and partnerships that drive the social and economic progress of our region. Bringing together such a high caliber of leaders and decision-makers under one roof not only amplifies the impact of our discussions but also accelerates the implementation of innovative PPP projects that can benefit millions. The forum will also feature a dynamic agenda delivered by a distinguished lineup of subject expert speakers who will provide valuable insights into the latest developments and strategic trends in PPPs. This gathering is a unique opportunity for attendees to network with top policymakers and industry leaders, thereby enhancing their understanding of the evolving PPP landscape and exploring new opportunities. The organisers are also proud to announce that the Khaled Alrubaian as a speaker from NCP Saudi Arabia is among the key speakers, reinforcing the event's significance. Future of PPPs Topics covered in the forum include the future of PPPs in the Mena region, Challenges and opportunities in financing PPP projects, legal and regulatory frameworks for effective PPP implementation and there will be case studies on successful PPP projects and their impact on regional development. The event is sponsored by Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP), NCP Saudi Arabia and various local and international firms specialising in finance, legal, and consultancy services. The support of such prominent organisations is instrumental in driving the success of the forum and advancing the future of PPPs across the Mena region. The continued evolution of PPPs and their role in shaping sustainable infrastructure in the Mena region underscores the timely relevance of this forum. As stakeholders from across the region gather to share insights and forge partnerships, the impact of their discussions is expected to resonate well beyond the immediate future.--TradeArabia News Service Mered, an award-winning international real estate developer, is making strides with its Iconic Tower, which, in just one year, has begun construction on what is set to become the tallest building in Dubai Internet City at 286.4 m. Featuring 310 luxury apartments and world-class amenities, this project is developed in partnership with global leaders like Pininfarina, Mirage, and Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), setting a new standard for upscale living in Dubai. In addition, Mered has acquired a prime 11,890 sq m waterfront plot on Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, part of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), expanding its footprint into the capital city. Known for its stunning waterfront views, this strategic acquisition reflects the companys ongoing commitment to delivering cutting-edge residential and commercial projects across the UAE. Enhancing digital platform Meanwhile, Mered has enhanced its digital platform with new features designed to improve the interaction and management experience for partner brokers. The upgraded platform includes advanced real-time tracking, enabling brokers and clients to monitor ongoing processes with full transparency. It streamlines workflow by making it easier to create detailed, visually appealing sales offer documents, which enhances client presentations. Brokers also gain access to detailed analytics through advanced statistical insights, supporting better decision-making and performance tracking. Additionally, secure document exchange is provided, ensuring smooth and protected communication. As part of its digital transformation, Mered has introduced a brand-new Unreal Model that allows investors and buyers to explore the Iconic Tower virtually. This cutting-edge feature offers an immersive experience, enabling users to step inside and tour every floor and apartment as if they were physically in the completed building. This digital model showcases the upscale surroundings and world-class amenities, helping buyers visualise their potential new home with unprecedented realism.--TradeArabia News Service Ethiopian Airlines, a leading aviation group in Africa, alongside Boeing and Think Young, are strengthening their commitment to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education programme that supports underserved youth across Ethiopia. The three-year STEM School programme fosters academic growth and stimulates interest in higher education. This year, 28 high school students in grade 11, with an impressive 50% female participation, successfully completed the second edition of the STEM School programme, designed to equip them with critical skills. The selection process is conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, ensuring that the most promising students are given the opportunity to excel. By investing in the education of our youth, we are investing in the future of Ethiopia," said Mesfin Tasew, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines. "This programme empowers the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers by providing them with the essential skills needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving technological landscape. We are proud to witness the growth and accomplishments of these bright young minds and are confident they will contribute significantly to Ethiopia's future. Kuljit Ghata-Aura, President of Boeing Middle East, Turkiye, Africa and Central Asia, said: The STEM Schools meticulously designed training programme delivers a life-changing experience for students. It combines Boeing's global expertise in aerospace, Ethiopian Airlines' legacy as Africas leading carrier, and Think Youngs innovative approach to education. The programme helps feed the talent pipeline supporting Ethiopia's booming aviation sector and the broader economy. We are excited to see how these young minds will shape the future of aviation in Africa. Delila Kidanu, Director of ThinkYoung Africa, said: Returning to Ethiopia to meet new students and reconnect with students from last year has been incredibly fulfilling. We are happy to support the future generation of STEM champions in Ethiopia and Africa. We look forward to partnering again with Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines next year and further developing this innovative program for and with young people. During the programme, participants were imparted the core principles of STEM, which enhanced their digital proficiency through learning coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence, besides honing skills, including collaborative teamwork and advanced problem-solving abilities. Bethel Teshome Sebsibe, a 17-year-old STEM School student, shared her impression of the program: Thanks to the STEM School, I have learned things that I never thought I was interested in. The relationship we have built with the students and teachers is helping me learn and improve. The STEM School, hosted by Ethiopian Aviation University and leveraging Ethiopian Airlines' specialised knowledge, provided participants with exclusive access to the airline's cargo, as well as maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations, offering a tangible perspective on the aviation sector. The initiative is set to continue, welcoming a new cohort of Ethiopian students in the following year. TradeArabia News Service Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has announced a 21% rise in the number of companies joining from Colombia since the start of the year. The growth means DMCC is now home to 23 companies from Colombia, and over 150 companies from across South America. Alongside the announcement, DMCC also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bogota Chamber of Commerce, marking a significant step in further deepening its economic ties with Colombia. Boosting business growth The new partnership aims to enhance the exchange of economic information and boost business growth through targeted support for enterprises and events promotion. Both announcements were made as DMCC successfully concluded its Made For Trade Live (MFTL) roadshow in Colombia, marking its third visit in as many years. With a focus on coffee, precious stones and technology, DMCC visited the Colombian capital Bogota and the neighbouring city of Medellin, highlighting opportunities for Colombian businesses to expand their operations globally through Dubai. DMCCs visit follows the historic signing of a new UAE-Colombia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is expected to more than double non-oil bilateral trade to $1 billion within the next five years. Colombias commodity-rich and innovation-driven market offers diverse export potential, which is perfectly mapped to DMCCs commodities and Web3 ecosystems. Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said: Colombia is a richly diverse country with an abundant physical commodities market. Recognised as the largest exporter of coal to the U.S., Colombia is also one of the top producers for emeralds, the second largest coffee producer in Latin America, and a top ten cacao producer. In 2022, Colombia exported $2.59 billion in bullion, making it a top 30 gold exporter. With the UAE-Colombia CEPA now entering into force alongside DMCC's new strategic partnership with the Bogota Chamber of Commerce, we have a major opportunity to use this as a springboard to deepen our regional connectivity and drive mutual economic growth. I am therefore delighted to be back in Colombia at this pivotal time to engage with the business community and ensure Colombian companies can take full advantage of the trade opportunities Dubai has to offer. Era of bilateral prosperity Mohamed Alshamsi, Ambassador of the UAE to Colombia, said: The UAE and Colombia are collaboratively building an era of bilateral prosperity, built on a foundation of increased trade and economic activity as well as knowledge and cultural exchange. It is through events such as DMCCs roadshows that we enhance these concerted efforts, so I congratulate the DMCC team on their efforts here today. Ovidio Claros, Executive President of the Bogota Chamber of Commerce, said: Our MoU with DMCC has come at an exciting time as our countrys economic ties continue to flourish. Our central aim is to provide Colombian businesses with an array of enterprise initiatives and events that will foster deeper connections and present expansion opportunities into new markets. In addition, the exchange of economic information will deepen our mutual understanding of market dynamics, ensuring the relevant trade and investment opportunities are front and centre. The two Made For Trade Live events were hosted in partnership with the UAE Embassy in Bogota, the Bogota Chamber of Commerce and ANDI the National Business Association of Colombia. Over 400 Colombian business leaders were briefed on the commercial appeal of Dubai and the ease of doing business within DMCCs business district. The events were part of DMCCs strategic drive to attract a new wave of Colombian businesses to Dubai, with the country representing a key target market. DMCCs roadshow programme plays a pivotal role in spotlighting Dubai as a premier business destination. Throughout the series, DMCC emphasises Dubais distinctive value proposition in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to the emirate. Notably, DMCC contributes 15% to Dubais annual FDI inflows, and in 2023, the business district achieved its second-best year on record, welcoming nearly 2,700 new companies. DMCC is now home to over 24,000 businesses from around the globe.--TradeArabia News Service With over 1,200 new small and medium sized companies registered in the first half of 2024, Smart Zone has established itself as the experts in business setup in the UAEs booming entrepreneurial scene. Since its inception, the company has helped establish over 30,000 companies in the UAE with Residency Visas, Bank Account Opening, Tax & Accounting, and many more services empowering startups and SMEs in the region. With a vision to further boost the startup ecosystem in the UAE, the company aims to service 10,000+ new businesses by the end of 2025. With a 96% client retention rate and over 1,200 new businesses launched with Smart Zone's expert guidance, the company is a key driver of economic growth in the UAE. Smart Zone is playing a pivotal role in driving economic growth across some of the nations most crucial sectors essential to the UAE's economic diversification and GDP growth, such as e-commerce, general trading, real estate, and FMCG. Contributing to the economy As the UAE continues to diversify its economy, companies like Smart Zone are at the forefront, making it easier for businesses to establish operations and contribute to the country's rapidly evolving economic landscape. During the first half of 2024, Smart Zone has facilitated 5,000+ Corporate Tax registrations and set up over 800 bank accounts for their clients in the UAE, contributing immensely to the startup ecosystem in UAE. Smart Zone will also invest over AED500,000 ($136,133) in 2024 to upgrade services empowering start-ups and enhancing customer experience for its clientele. "The UAE is buzzing with entrepreneurial energy, sparking a thrilling wave of innovation thats transforming our economy. As bold new ventures take root, theyre not just driving growththeyre shaping the future of a vibrant, dynamic UAE. Its an exciting time to be part of this unstoppable momentum, where every new business is a building block in our nations extraordinary success story, said Varoon Sinha, Founder, Smart Zone. Sinha added: The UAE's real estate market is soaring to new heights accounting for 5.5% of the GDP, fuelling a dynamic wave of growth thats reshaping our nations skyline and economy. With visionary entrepreneurs stepping up, were not just witnessing a boomwere architecting the future. This momentum is a powerful catalyst for the UAEs prosperity, driving both stability and innovation across the entire economy.--TradeArabia News Service Technology leaders from around the world will explore the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI) at the third edition of the Global AI Summit (GAIN) from September 10 to 12, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Hosted by the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), GAIN 2024 will explore pivotal themes, such as Generative AI, AI in urban life, and the ethical governance of AI, ensuring a comprehensive discussion on the technology's impact on society, business, and governance. Set to take place at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, the event will have over 300 speakers from over 100 countries, including global leaders and AI specialists who will not only advance AI discussions, but also pave the way for international collaborations that drive global AI initiatives and foster ethical innovation across borders. High-profile sessions The summit will feature high-profile sessions, including a debate on the future of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), panel discussions on AI-powered precision medicine, and workshops on AI's role in sustainable development and smart cities. Top executives from Silicon Valley and worldwide, influential policymakers, and renowned AI researchers, including Cristiano Amon, President & CEO of Qualcomm & Incorporated, Professor Simon See, Global Head at Nvidia AI Technology Centre, Antony Cook, Deputy General Counsel at Microsoft, Nick Studer, President & Chief Executive Officer Oliver Wyman Group, and Caroline Yap, Global Managing Director at Google Cloud will lead discussions on the future of AI governance, the ethical implications of AI, and the role of international cooperation in harnessing AIs potential covering important topics such as the ethical AI framework and the impact of the Islamic World AI Charter. The third edition is being organised under the patronage of Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), and will see participation from industry giants like Accenture, Oracle, Dell Technologies, Siemens, Boston Dynamics, and Google Cloud. Dr Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi, President of the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA), said: "As we approach the third edition of the Global AI Summit, we stand poised at the threshold of a new era, where AI's transformative power will be harnessed to explore AI through the lens of 'Now, Next, Never'examining the current state of AI, its future trajectory, and the ethical considerations necessary to ensure a desirable future. A future where the need for international collaboration to fully harness AIs potential and manage its impact responsibly has never been more urgent. Harnessing AI Dr Alghamdi added: Under the visionary leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia is committed to advancing AI technologies that are beneficial to all of humanity. We look forward to welcoming leaders and innovators from around the world to Riyadh as we collectively explore how AI can be harnessed to create a brighter, more inclusive future. GAIN 2024 will serve as a catalyst for global AI innovation, with opportunities for attendees to engage in over 120 interactive sessions, network with industry pioneers, and contribute to groundbreaking AI collaborations that will be announced during the summit. Moreover, the summit will witness the signing of a number of agreements and announcements between SDAIA and global AI tech giants.--TradeArabia News Service Dubai AI Campus, the largest dedicated cluster of AI companies in the region at the DIFC Innovation Hub, home to the first and largest financial technology accelerator in the Middle East, and Google Cloud, are partnering to foster the growth of the startup ecosystem within the Dubai AI Campus. The collaboration seeks to leverage Google Clouds expertise and resources to empower startups in the region and accelerate their expansion. The Dubai AI Campus is a dedicated ecosystem for AI and Web3 innovation providing state-of-the-art physical and digital infrastructure at the heart of Dubai International Financial Centre. The Campus includes R&D facilities, accelerator programmes and collaborative workspaces, to attract, build and scale startups in the region. Under this collaboration, Google Cloud intends to offer mentorship opportunities for selected startups within the Dubai AI Campus, and work with the Campus on programs such as Google Clouds Gen AI Startup School. Furthermore, Google for Startups Cloud Program intends to give early-stage startups in the Dubai AI Campus ecosystem access to numerous Google resources designed for early-stage startup founders to help unlock the potential of Google Cloud, including its latest innovations in AI. Mohammad Alblooshi, Chief Executive Officer of the DIFC Innovation Hub, said: We are pleased to join forces with Google Cloud to create an optimal ecosystem equipped with resources to enable startups to drive innovation in AI. This partnership is a strategic step in harnessing the potential of emerging technologies. We are confident this collaborative agreement will strengthen the Dubai AI Campus as a favourable destination for startups across the world to scale their AI capabilities. Furthermore, it will solidify Dubais position as a hub for technology-focused companies and attract more world class talent and diversified investors to the region. Ziad Jammal, Country Manager for Google Cloud in the UAE, said: We are thrilled to be working with Dubai AI Campus to empower the vibrant startup ecosystem in Dubai. This is another step towards supporting Dubais forward-looking economic agenda D33 that aims to make Dubai the fastest, safest and most connected city in the world. Today, half of all funded generative AI startups are Google Cloud customers, including 70 percent of generative AI unicorns. Google Cloud can provide the infrastructure that startups actually need through our combination of security, scalability, and AI services. This collaboration reaffirms our deep commitment to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. By providing startups with access to Google Clouds cutting-edge technology, mentorship, and resources, we aim to accelerate their growth and enable them to make a lasting impact on the global stage. We believe that AI has the potential to transform industries and solve some of the worlds most pressing challenges, and were excited to work with Dubai AI Campus to unlock that potential in Dubai. TradeArabia News Service FHS World has unveiled its stellar line up of speakers, an action-packed agenda and a wealth of new features at its biggest event to date, which will see more than 1,500 hospitality and tourism leaders descend on Dubais Madinat Jumeirah, from September 30 to October 2. Under the theme Invest in our Future, the FHS World programme will present three days of strong debate, insight and groundbreaking news, covering everything from investment opportunities to innovation and ESG to exclusive announcements. Among more than 110 confirmed top-flight speakers and presenters at FHS World is Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy for the UAE, who, having played a crucial role in developing some of countrys most important hospitality and tourism policies, will share his insights on the world of hospitality investment in a welcome address moderated by Stephen Sackur, Presenter of HARDTalk, on October 1. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of FHS World organiser, The Bench, said: FHS World is all about bringing together the best in the industry and connecting decision-makers, investors, hotel owners, operators and innovators across the global hospitality investment sector. As the hospitality and tourism industry reaches new heights in terms of investment, innovation and sustainability, our bursting agenda will push boundaries and challenge the norms to set the tone for the immediate, short-term and long-term future and success of the ever-growing and evolving sector. We look forward to three days of strong discussion, hot debate and industry-changing decision making it our biggest, boldest event yet. Who is speaking at FHS World? The growing list of speakers at FHS World features renowned names in hospitality, investment and tourism. Among them: Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing; Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Airports; Pier Paolo Righi, CEO & President, Karl Lagerfeld; George Azar, Chairman & CEO, Sotheby's International Realty - Dubai, Saudi, UK, and Pat Thaker, Editorial Director MEA, The Economist Group. Representatives from some of the industrys leading hotel and tourism operators include Sebastien Bazin, Group Chairman & CEO, Accor; Thomas B. Meier, Chief Operating Officer and interim Chief Executive Officer, Jumeirah; John Pagano, Group Chief Executive Officer, Red Sea Global; Gregory Lanter, CEO Global Development Construction Property, ClubMed - All-Inclusive Beach and Mountain Resorts; Guy Hutchinson, President, Middle East & Africa (MEA), Hilton; Inge Huijbrechts, Chief Sustainability & Security Officer, Radisson Hotel Group; Satya Anand, President - Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Marriott International.; Haitham Mattar, Special Advisor UN Tourism, Managing Director MEA & South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts; Javier Aguila, Group President - EAME , Hyatt; Philip Barnes, Chief Executive Officer, Rotana; Kevin Goh, Chief Executive Officer, The Ascott Limited; and Duncan ORourke, Chief Executive officer MEA & Asia Pacific, Accor. Leaders from ARC International Design Consultants, Booking.com, CBRE, Colliers, Dubai Real Estate Corporation, Elaf Group, Enterprise Greece, Group Barrierre, HAMA MEA, Hotelschool The Hague, Hyatt, HVS, JLL, JT+Partners, Kearney, Knight Frank, Leva Hotels, QUO, Rove Hotels, Savills, STR, TUI BLUE Hotels & Resorts, The Ascott Limited; van Marken Consulting, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; Union Investment Real Estate; Savills; STR; and United Hospitality Management also feature. Whats on the FHS World agenda? With more than 40 sessions, covering nearly 20 conference tracks across four stages (Summit, Future, Exhibition and Innovation), the FHS World agenda is bursting with information and insight to address the biggest, most pressing issues facing the hospitality and tourism industry. Key tracks include ESG and Human Capital; Technology and Innovation; People, Planet, Profit; Real Estate Hotelisation; Investment and Development; Branding and Culture; and Wellness, as well as several sessions dedicated to industry awards and competitions. Tanja Millner, Production Director at The Bench, said: As FHS World continues to expand and evolve, so do its agenda, attractions and features. This years programme promises to be the largest, most diverse and most immersive to date, with more topics and themes to inform, educate and inspire than ever before. Weve also packed a host of new attractions into FHS 2024, including a mini expo spotlighting various countries investment opportunities, a forum dedicated to all things branded residences, and showstopping contests that will highlight our industrys talent and creativity. Must-attend events Panel debates and presentations on all things People, Profit, Planet, including Scaling Tourism Destinations with Sustainable Footprints An ESG Approach; Where to start with Decarbonisation, Achieving Net Positive Hospitality; and Justifying Sustainability. Plus, there are several sessions covering sustainable design and construction, including what hotels of the future will look like, and decoding sustainability certifications The BIG Project Pitch given the high demand from investors for new opportunities, FHS World has invited innovative hospitality projects from across the globe to take the stage and present their ideas in an interactive, live- judging format. Countries represented include Greece, Italy, the Maldives, Morrocco, Sri Lanka and more to be announced Technology-focussed sessions exploring issues such as addressing bottlenecks in innovation, the future of design and customer experience; and practical insights and implementations for advancement In depth discussions on the hotelisation of real estate assets, including Commercially-driven Asset Management in Hospitality; Capitialising on the Alternative Accommodation Boom; The Rise of Blended Accommodation; and Global Trends in Co-Living TenX Leadership Talks: Building Tomorrows Foundation for the Future of Travel; Insights of a CEOs Journey Special focuses on Europe and Africa examining the Europes hospitality revival and investment opportunities, and the booming hospitality market, dynamic investment landscape and approach to authentic leisure in Africa A deep dive into wellness, including sessions that explore the future of wellness travel, inhouse wellness brands versus outsourcing, and harmonising environmental responsibility with high end hospitality crafting inhouse strategies New and unique to FHS World 2024 From country showcases to curated competitions, FHS World is launching several new events and features this year. The Branded Residences Forum, presented by Accor One Living, will deep dive into the history, current trends and future of all things branded residences in the Middle East and across the globe, with industry experts, developers, designers and branding experts among the speaker line-up. Also new for 2024 is the Country Pavilions exhibition, showcasing new and unique hospitality projects and destinations and the plethora of investment opportunities they bring in international markets. Greece, Italy, Morocco, the Maldives and Sri Lanka are all confirmed for the event. Plus, new competitions and industry awards will make their debut this year, as part of The Benchs continued commitment to encouraging innovation and creativity in the hospitality sector. Contests include the semi-finals of the UN Tourism Women in Tech Start Up Competition; and the Sustainable Cook Off. As in previous years, the finals of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge, now firmly established as a key element of the industrys events calendar, will also be held at FHS. Awards and announcements FHS World 2024 is the platform to showcase and celebrate top flight performers in the regions hospitality industry, with the FHS Future Leaders and Leadership Awards, set to recognise the best contributors, creators and new talent. Nominations for both awards are open. The Leadership Award, in partnership with Hospitality News Middle East, celebrates exceptional leaders and innovators who have significantly impacted the global hospitality industry over their careers. This award aims to honour those who have shaped the industry through their dedication, leadership, and innovation, setting benchmarks for excellence and inspiring future generations of hospitality professionals. The Future Leader Award, in partnership with EHL, is dedicated to individuals, 35 years old and younger, who exemplify the next generation of hospitality leaders on a global scale. This award aims to spotlight those who embody the spirit of hospitality and possess the vision to shape the future of our industry. -TradeArabia News Service Turkish Airlines has announced a significant milestone for its Miles&Smiles loyalty programme, welcoming its 20 millionth member. This achievement marks 35 years of growth and innovation since the frequent flyer programme's inception in 1989. Miles&Smiles programme offers unparalleled benefits to its members, who can earn Miles from flights with Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance member airlines. Members can also earn Miles through co-branded credit card expenditures and from Turkish Airlines programme partners across various sectors, including accommodation, tourism, car rental, and technology. Earned Miles can be redeemed for economy and business class award tickets on Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance member flights. They can also be used for cabin upgrades, additional baggage allowance, seat selection, and many more onboard features that enhance the flight experience for members. Miles&Smiles members can also redeem Miles on the programmes online platform shopandmiles.com, which operates in 19 countries. Members can buy gift cards, convert miles into programme partner points, or simply pay online with Miles at more than 100 leading brands. Since its inception, Miles&Smiles has issued over 20 million award tickets, demonstrating its immense popularity among travellers. Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof. Ahmet Bolat, said: "Our passengers are at the heart of everything we do. Reaching 20 million members is a momentous milestone, reflecting not only our commitment to being a dynamic and authentic lifestyle brand but also the trust and loyalty our members have shown us over the years. We will continue enhancing our guests travel experience, and as we celebrate this achievement, we look forward to introducing even more innovative features and rewards to the Miles&Smiles programme in the future." Today, Miles&Smiles has partnership with over 300 brands globally including Booking.com, Marriot, Enterprise, Apple, Ikea, Sephora and Ticketmaster. TradeArabia News Service Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the ultra-low-fare national airline of the UAE, has introduced new flights from capital Abu Dhabi to Chisinau, Moldova, an affordable green city, and Cluj-Napoca, Romania, a cultural melting pot that it said are ready to be discovered by travel lovers and gastronomy enthusiasts. While the new route between Abu Dhabi and Cluj-Napoca starts on October 2, with flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the services between Abu Dhabi and Chisinau starts on October 28, with flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Tickets are already on sale on wizzair.com and the WIZZ mobile app, both of which are accessible in Arabic. Wizz Air is giving the power to the passenger to control their travel and recently introduced a unique 'all-you-can-fly' membership, offering unlimited ticket purchases and significant savings compared to standard fares. The 10,000 memberships sold out in 24 hours, highlighting the value and limited nature of this offer. Additional services such as baggage and seat selection can be added to bookings as needed, a statement said. Johan Eidhagen, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, said: Chisinau and Cluj-Napoca are unique, affordable travel destinations steeped in history. We are delighted to launch direct flights between the UAE and Moldova, one of the least visited countries in Europe, to foster connectivity with hassle-free travel. We are reaffirming our commitment to Romania, with our second marvellous destination after Bucharest, a captivating country to visit offering a rich blend of natural beauty, history and cultural diversity. As the flagbearer for ultra-low-cost travel in the region, we are strengthening our network with daily flights to Amman, enabling convenient ultra-low-fare travel. We look forward to welcoming you on board our aircraft soon. Must-visit destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, with a one-way lowest fare until 30 November, include, Almaty, Amman, Athens, Dammam, Erbil, Bishkek, Alexandria, Sohag, Larnaca and Giza. Situated on the Bic River, Chisinau boasts top tourist attractions, with 23 lakes surrounded by fertile land rife with vineyards. Moldovas political, economic and cultural hub, Chisinau has one of the highest proportions of natural green spaces of any city in Europe. Boasting a long and diverse history, with influences from various civilisations such as the Greeks, Romans, Ottomans, and Russians, Chisinau is a food-loving capital with a rich cultural heritage. Must-see highlights include lush parks, victory memorials, cathedrals and historical sites. Cluj-Napoca, the heart of Transylvania, is a vibrant cultural and educational hub that invites exploration, offering a unique blend of historical charm and contemporary vibrancy. Known for its rich history and baroque architecture, tradition and modernity blend seamlessly. Home to numerous festivals, theatres, and art galleries, it's a city that celebrates creativity and diversity. Key attractions include the majestic St. Michael's Church, Central Park, and the National Museum of Transylvanian History. Amman is steeped in ancient history and is a great city to sample the best of Middle Eastern culture with ancient ruins, historic theatres and Roman temples. The birthplace of several great civilisations, modern Amman is experiencing a cultural boom with a plethora of exciting opportunities for adventurous travellers to explore. Originally built on top of seven hills, Amman boasts a wealth of mosques, souqs and coffeehouses all offering the best of the unmissable Jordanian culture. The Wizz MultiPass is a pioneering and innovative flight subscription service that allows frequent travellers to travel from the UAE every month and explore multiple destinations while earning loyalty rewards. Passengers lock in a fixed price for tickets and baggage for the entire year, potentially saving up to 40% on tickets to popular summer destinations using the ticket-only fare. TradeArabia News Service Rene Guzman writes about all things San Antonio, from past and present to pop culture and puro cultura. He can be reached at rguzman@express-news.net. Before joining the Express-News in 1998, the San Antonio native co-owned a college humor magazine called Bitter, for which he wrote, designed and edited, as well as distributed at various campuses and businesses citywide. His features writing has appeared in the Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Times-Union. Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG), a leader in lifestyle hospitality in the UAE, has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Hong Kong-based Maximal Concepts Holding (Maximal Concepts), one of the most awarded hospitality groups in Asia. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in SHGs ambitious acquisition strategy, aimed at diversifying its portfolio and expanding its global presence into key markets such USA, Canada, Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam, bringing SHGs total number of venues to over 80, across 22 countries. In line with SHGs vision and commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences to guests all over the globe, Maximal Concepts holds a strong presence across multiple markets, with 19 multinational operating locations across brands including John Anthony, Limewood, Palais de Chine, Sip Song, The Aubrey, and the well-known and highly awarded Mott 32. The founders and management team of Maximal Concepts will continue in their current roles, overseeing the daily operations of the business. Maximal Concepts flagship brand Mott 32 embodies Chinese culture and philosophy with modern recipes that have been refined from generation-to-generation. Using the finest ingredients and flavours from around the world, Mott 32 delivers Chinese fine cooking as it should be, authentic with a modern touch, built on sustainable values. With locations in Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Vancouver, Singapore, Dubai, Toronto, Bangkok, Seoul, and Cebu, and upcoming venues in Los Angeles, Bali, Riyadh, Manila, Mumbai, and Scottsdale, Mott 32 has established itself as an international symbol of Chinese culinary excellence. Sunset Hospitality Group has a longstanding relationship with Maximal Concepts since it opened Mott 32 Dubai in 2022. Mott 32 Dubai has received notable accolades in the culinary realm, including the toque award in Gault & Millau 2024, and recognition in The Michelin Guide Dubai 2024, as well as recently being awarded with the Restaurant & Bar Design Award 2023 in the Middle East & Africa Hotel category. Chris Spiliopoulos, Managing Director of Investment and Strategy, SHG, says this is just the beginning, and the acquisition of Maximal Concepts marks a key milestone for the expansion of SHG. This is just the start of our strategic M&A expansion plans - we are actively seeking opportunities to invest in businesses that complement our existing portfolio both as hospitality concepts and geography. Xuan Mu & Malcom Wood, Co-Founders of Maximal Concepts, said: This partnership opens up a world of possibilities for us at Maximal Concepts. We are thrilled to join forces with Sunset Hospitality Group, a company that shares our passion for innovation and excellence in hospitality. Maximal Concepts unique approach to hospitality aligns perfectly with our values, vision for growth, and excellence in the industry. This investment provides us with additional operating and creative firepower, and the combination with Sunset capabilities and network will accelerate the growth of Mott 32 and the other brands in the Maximal portfolio. Furthermore, we will extend our presence to additional markets including USA, Canada, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and Hong Kong, which will also provide new opportunities for Sunset existing brands," concluded Antonio Gonzalez, CEO and Group Chairman of SHG. - TradeArabia News Service The AlUla Wellness Festival will make a return from October 17 to November 2, inviting travellers to once again take a voyage within and discover holistic renewal, self-reflection, healing, and immersion in nature. Set amid the historic and breathtaking natural landscapes of AlUla, this year's festival promises an even more inspiring blend of revitalising community activities, tranquil wellness experiences and enlightening workshops that offer a comprehensive approach to wellness, said a statement. Once a lush oasis that offered rest and rejuvenation to travellers along the ancient incense trade route, AlUla has a storied legacy as a sanctuary of renewal. The 17-day festival pays homage to that rich heritage by bringing together renowned yoga, pilates, meditation, and wellness practitioners alongside local and global talents, all converging to create a transformative wellness journey like no other. Attendees can participate in dynamic yoga practices, somatic healing sessions and massages, art therapy and inspiring talks led by leading experts. They will also be able to reconnect with the environment through sunset music therapy, and other nature-centred activities, contributing to a deeper connection with AlUla's stunning outdoors. The festival also marks the return of the Five Senses Sanctuary, where attendees can indulge in a sensory feast of wellness experiences. - TradeArabia News Service Liz Teitz covers environmental news and the Hill Country for the San Antonio Express-News. She writes about the San Antonio Water System, news in New Braunfels and Comal County and water issues around Central Texas. She can be reached at liz.teitz@express-news.net. Liz joined the Express-News in June 2023. She has been a reporter for eight years, covering housing, government, education and other topics for the Ouray County Plaindealer, Hearst Connecticut Media Group and the Beaumont Enterprise. Liz grew up in Rhode Island and graduated from Georgetown University. 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. PHOENIX Three Republicans with links to the Jan. 6 riot will get a chance to escape paying the legal fees of a Democrat whom, according to a judge, they unfairly sued. And others involved in partisan lawsuits, and attorneys they hire, may also soon be exempt from sanctions. The Arizona Supreme Court is moving on two fronts to reduce the fear of lawyers who file political cases that they or their clients will be punished if a judge finds their case has no legal merit. First, the justices say attorneys handling these issues should have more leeway to make their arguments even if a court ultimately determines they have no legal merit and not automatically be forced to pay the other sides legal fees. By sanctioning parties and their lawyers for bringing debatable, long-shot complaints, courts risk chilling legal advocacy and citizens raising questions under the guide of defending the rule of law, the justices ruled. In a separate move, the high court just adopted a new rule narrowing the ability of people not directly involved in cases to file ethics complaints against lawyers. Thats designed to keep the disciplinary process from being weaponized by partisans or the appearance of that occurring, said David Byers, administrator of the Administrative Office of the Court, who wrote the rule. Jan. 6 case In the Jan. 6-related case, the justices issued a new order telling the Court of Appeals to reconsider its 2023 ruling. The Court of Appeals had upheld a lower-court decision requiring Republicans Mark Finchem, Anthony Kern and Paul Gosar to shell out $75,000 that Democrat Charlene Fernandez had to pay her attorneys. The three had sued Fernandez for defamation after she called for the FBI and U.S. Justice Department to investigate their actions around the riot, which sought to block certification of Joe Bidens defeat of Donald Trump in 2020. Finchem and Kern, state lawmakers at the time, were in Washington at the Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6, 2021, though there is no evidence either breached the Capitol. There were unproven allegations that Gosar, a member of Congress, was involved in planning the disturbance. The case against Fernandez, then a state lawmaker from Yuma, was tossed by Yuma County Judge Levi Gunderson. Defendant had the right to express her concerns, both as an individual and as a state legislator, Gunderson said. Defendant had the fight to petition the government, just as her constituents have the right to petition her. More to the point, the judge said the Finchem, Kern and Gosar lawsuit was brought for an improper purpose, having been filed against a political opponent primarily for the purposes of harassment. The trio never appealed the underlying ruling in favor of Fernandez. But they argued to the appellate judges that Gunderson was not justified in forcing them to pay Fernandezs legal fees. Such sanctions will stifle creative advocacy, Finchem, Kern and Gosar argued. The three-judge appellate panel disagreed, concluding the trio filed suit without substantial justification and that their pleadings were riddled with irrelevant allegations. But now the Supreme Court has ordered the appellate court to take a new look at the case. More leeway now in political cases The legal landscape has changed. The justices now want to give those who filed lawsuits in political cases more leeway to make their claims without fear they are going to be punished, either with having to pay the other sides legal fees or by being disciplined for ethical violations. The justices, in essence, told the appellate court to go back and read their decision in a case where the Arizona Republican Party sued Maricopa County and others over procedures used in a post-election hand count. A lower-court judge not only threw out the case as groundless but concluded it was filed for the wrong reasons. He said the GOP admitted that public mistrust following this election motivated this lawsuit. The plaintiff is effectively admitting that the suit was brought primarily for an improper purpose, wrote Maricopa County Judge John Hannah. Public mistrust is a political issue, not a legal or factual basis for litigation. That meant the attorneys for the GOP had to pay more than $18,000 in legal fees, Hannah ruled. But the Supreme Court set that award aside. Any suggestion that a party or an attorney faces enhanced risk of sanction merely because they couple political motives with a long-shot effort to vindicate a legal right in the election law context intolerably chills citizens and their attorneys precisely in an area where we can least afford to silence them, wrote Justice John Lopez for the unanimous court. It is that ruling the justices are using to tell the appellate court to reconsider the $75,000 award to Fernandez this time using the new standard. Weaponization Potentially more far reaching is the change in the procedure for filing ethics complaints against attorneys. Strictly speaking, the new rule does not stop anyone from filing a complaint with the State Bar of Arizona. But it says those filed by individuals with direct knowledge of the issue judges, attorneys, parties and witnesses will be handled the traditional way, with the person who files the paperwork entitled to access to all information gathered by the Bar. For everyone else, the Bar would review the complaint and make an initial determination if it had merit. Only in that case would the person who filed the complaint be part of the process, free to publicly disclose the fact that someone is under scrutiny, and to be made aware of the outcome. The rule was just adopted by the Supreme Court on an emergency basis. Byers said thats aimed at the upcoming election. Media coverage of election-related litigation generated charges from individuals who were not directly involved in the underlying case, he said. At least 40 such cases were submitted since the 2020 general election, he said. Were seeing lots of complaints come in where somebody said, I read this in the newspaper that this lawyer did this, Im filing a complaint with the bar over this. Byers said many of the complaints appear to have been filed largely for political reasons. It really became a weaponization of the system, he said. So far, Byers said, mostly Democrats and their allies some from out of state have filed complaints against lawyers representing Republicans who were trying to have elections overturned. Once these individuals have legal standing as a complainant, they can make public the fact that an attorney is being investigated, even if there is no finding that the lawyer acted unethically. State Senate President Warren Petersen, a Gilbert Republican who is a member of the Bar, submitted comments favoring adoption of the rule change. Not only can the current process be weaponized by partisans, but it also can be weaponized for any reason, he said. Complainants speech rights But Dianne Post, an international human rights attorney, dismissed the concern about weaponization of the complaint process. She said lawyers who file frivolous complaints can be disciplined. For everyone else, she said, The solution is not to punish those filing valid complaints but may not know how to investigate beyond news reports (nor is that their duty) but to reject those efforts to attack the rule of law. The State Bar could do so by expeditiously dismissing non-meritorious complaints filed for political purposes, and by communicating to the public via the news media the fact that certain individuals or groups are misusing the Bar complaint process improperly for political purposes. Amelia Cramer, a former chief deputy Pima County attorney now in private practice, had her own objections, including denying the right of some who file complaints from being informed of the outcome. More transparency, not less, regarding Bar discipline is warranted in these times of distrust of government institutions and misuse of the justice system for political purposes, Cramer wrote. Those who submit Bar charges deserve to know ultimately what happened with respect to those charges. Tempe attorney Victor Aronow said the amendment is purely political in nature and is intended to eliminate one more mechanism with the State Bar that could be used to preserve respect for the law, respect for the vote, and respect for the legal profession. Ralph Adams, a former senior Bar counsel in Arizona, now retired, said it is completely irrelevant whether someone has first-hand knowledge of the events. The First Amendment protects complainants free speech rights, he said, including their right to comment about a complaint they have filed. He said said Byers concern about 40 election-related complaints is no reason to change the rules. In the same four years, the Bar processed more than 9,200 complaints, Adams said. A 43-year-old man was killed in a gunfight Tuesday night at a Tucson convenience store, Tucson police say. Just after 8 p.m., police were called to a the store in the 5100 block of East Speedway, just east of North Rosemont Boulevard for a reported shooting, police said Wednesday in a news release. Ryan Edward Brean was found wounded behind the business and died at the scene, the release said. Soon after, police were told that a 34-year-old man arrived at a hospital with with a gunshot wound. Investigators soon linked the two incidents, the release said. Brean and the wounded man were in an altercation at the store that escalated into a gunfight, investigators say. The unidentified man at the hospital was treated and released, police said in the news release. No one else at the gas station was injured. Jaime Esparza, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas (center) held a joint news conference with Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Topper for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (right). Esparza and Topper outlined an operation from Tuesday that led to the arrests of individuals indicted for firearm offenses in San Antonio including the theft of firearms from vehicles. Jessica Phelps The Justice Department and federal agents have released new details about the 22-year-old man shot and killed by agents and the arrest of others accused of trafficking stolen guns. Sina Chohili Sobby, 22, was shot and killed by an agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Tuesday at a Northeast Side apartment complex. An ATF search team had gone to the apartment to arrest Sobby in connection with a court-authorized knock-and-announce federal arrest warrant. At some point, Sobby pointed a firearm at the search team, and an ATF agent shot and killed him, officials said during a joint news conference Wednesday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jaime Esparza, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas, said 12 people were arrested Tuesday as part of a yearlong operation the ATF conducted. In indictments made public Wednesday, the suspects are facing a plethora of federal charges of trafficking and possession of illegal firearms in and around San Antonio. "The charges include a variation of offenses from firearms trafficking and dealing ... firearms without a license, to possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a machine gun," Esparza said. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Topper for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives held a joint news conference with Jaime Esparza, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas (right). Esparza and Topper outlined an operation from Tuesday that led to the arrests of individuals indicted for firearm offenses in San Antonio including the theft of firearms from vehicles. Jessica Phelps Esparza said individuals indicted on charges related to machine gun possession had machine gun conversion devices, commonly referred to as switches. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Robert Topper, ATF assistant special agent in charge, said his team worked with the Commerce Department, the U.S. Marshals Service and the San Antonio Police Department to conduct joint operations in 14 locations between San Antonio and McAllen. All individuals arrested in the operation face up to five years in prison in connection with dealing firearms without a license, a maximum of 10 years in prison for possession charges and up to 15 years in prison for trafficking firearms and felony possession charges. The operation "was the culmination of a yearlong investigation into an organization of individuals who were trafficking stolen firearms, machine guns and machine conversion devices within San Antonio," Topper said. Jaime Esparza, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas, held a joint news conference with Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Topper for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Esparza and Topper outlined an operation from Tuesday that led to the arrests of individuals indicted for firearm offenses in San Antonio including the theft of firearms from vehicles. Jessica Phelps He added that the organization had the intention of trafficking to Mexico. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Topper said the ATF seized over 200 firearms, including 14 machine guns and more than 60 switches. He said six of the firearms recovered in the operation, including three machine guns, were used in shootings in San Antonio. This year, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar and Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales joined Esparza in a news conference to sound the alarm about firearms being stolen at high rates in Texas' largest urban areas Houston, Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio. From 2020 to 2023, about 25,000 guns were stolen from vehicles in those four cities, Esparza said. Last year in San Antonio, 3,146 guns were stolen from vehicles, with most thefts occurring in shopping areas near the Rim, North Star Mall and the downtown business district. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "As lawful gun-owning Americans, everyone must understand the dangerous consequences of not securing your firearm, your weapon, your gun, especially when it is in your vehicle," Esparza said. Editor's note An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the man shot and killed by a federal agent as Jesus "Chuy" Hernandez Jr. Hernandez was arrested and charged in the investigation but was not shot. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Steve Metzer Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Follow Steve Metzer 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 OKLAHOMA CITY People looking for a quality used truck or even a boat or fishing reel might find a good buy online, as the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has launched an auction of surplus equipment. According to property manager Daniel Griffith, auctions are held at least once a year as older vehicles driven by game wardens, staff biologists and others are rotated out of the departments fleet. Most of the vehicles, which have been assigned to all corners of the state, have more than 100,000 miles on their odometers, but theyre all supposed to be well-maintained. Staff members are required as part of their job duties to handle maintenance and upkeep, Griffith said. If there are issues, theyll be documented. Bidding is now open. Potential bidders can check out vehicles and other items and make bids at PurpleWave.com. Twenty vehicles on the list range from a 2014 Ford F-150 to a 2016 Ford F-350 super duty flatbed. Theres also a 2014 Honda Civic on the electronic auction block. A boat to be auctioned is a 2004 Bluewave Classic 190. Theres also a 1995-model enclosed cargo trailer, various fishing reels and other sporting goods along with some computer equipment. Griffith said online auctions have been popular since the department launched them a few years ago, sometimes drawing bidders from out of state or even from outside the country. Some people who have been successful in buying vehicles have returned to sales again and again. We get a lot of people who buy our vehicles and like them, so they come back, he said. Revenues raised supplement the departments budget and are used to manage and protect Oklahomas fish and wildlife resources and habitat. People must register at the online auction site before making bids. For convenience, theyre allowed to make a starting bid, which could conceivably be all they need to secure a purchase, but also a maximum bid for the site to use if their initial bid falls short. A 10% buyers premium will be added to all winning bids. Other auction details, terms and conditions can be found on the auction website. Bidding will remain open through the morning of Sept. 10. Most people who cast winning bids will be able to pick their vehicles or other items up in Oklahoma City, Griffith said. Items are sold as-is. For more information, call the departments property division at (405) 521-4600. The Tulsa World is where your story lives InfraCo Asia, headquartered in Singapore, an arm of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), has provided a US$4m convertible loan to Vietnamese electric motorbike manufacturing company Dat Bike. The loan will allow Dat Bike to more than double its production capacity through facility expansion, tool optimization, and increased automation. In turn, Dat Bike is expected to be able to manufacture more than 30,000 e-motorbikes over the next two years. The loan is particularly meaningful amid the rapid growth of the Vietnamese electric motorbike market. Vietnam led Southeast Asia in electric motorbike market penetration in 2023, reaching 16 percent, with projections indicating that this figure could climb to 40 percent by 2040. To date, Dat Bike has secured over $25 million in loans to support its operations. The $4-million loan provided by InfraCo Asia is expected to help Dat Bike expand its production. Photo: Dat Bike Nguyen Ba Canh Son, a former technological engineer from Silicon Valley and founder of Dat Bike, has set an ambitious goal for his company to become a leading electric motorbike manufacturer in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, where the market is valued at $8 billion and $25 billion respectively. Over the past five years, Dat Bike has launched four e-motorbike models, with its latest model, the Quantum, priced at nearly VND50 million ($2,000). This model boasts a 270-km range, a 7kW power output, and rapid charging capabilities. The Dat Bike production facility in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Dat Bike PIDG is an innovative infrastructure development and finance organization which encourages and mobilizes private investment in pioneering infrastructure in Africa and South and Southeast Asia to promote economic development and combat poverty. The group is funded by the governments of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia, Sweden, and Germany, as well as the International Finance Corporation. InfraCo Asia was established in 2009 and invests in a range of sectors with renewable energy and agriculture in South and Southeast Asia being priority areas. Before Dat Bike, InfraCo Asia had invested in the Coc San hydropower plant in northern Lao Cai Province and a 168MWp solar power plant in Ninh Thuan Province, south central Vietnam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Liu Ning, Secretary of the Communist Party of China Committee of Chinas Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, affirmed Guangxis commitment to tightening cooperation with Vietnamese locales during his meetings with top Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi on Wednesday. Vietnams Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, along with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, hosted separate receptions for Liu, who is paying an official visit to Vietnam from August 26 to 30. Party chief and State President To Lam underscored the importance of Liu's visit, highlighting its role in enhancing relations between Vietnams border regions and China. Lam affirmed that the top leaders of both the Parties and countries place significant importance on the development of friendship and bilateral relations between the border provinces of Vietnam and China, particularly between Guangxi and Vietnam's northeastern provinces. He commended Guangxi for leading in economic and trade relations with Vietnam and urged continued efforts to enhance cooperation mechanisms in areas such as trade, investment, and digital transformation between Guangxi and Vietnam's border provinces. The state president emphasized the importance of continued efforts to manage and build a peaceful, stable, and cooperative Vietnam-China border. He called for strengthening the friendship and development between the two nations, further solidifying the relationship between their Parties and countries. Vietnams Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (R) hosts a reception for Liu Ning, Secretary of the Communist Party of China Committee of Chinas Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Hanoi, August 28, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency Liu affirmed Guangxis readiness to closely collaborate with Vietnams border provinces, boost friendly exchanges, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation in economy, trade, investment, tourism, education, and people-to-people exchanges. During his meeting with the Guangxi Party leader, PM Chinh praised Liu for his repeated visits to Vietnam since taking office. The prime minister noted that these visits underscored Guangxi's strong dedication to enhancing ties with Vietnamese localities. Two-way trade between Vietnam and Guangxi surpassed US$36 billion in 2023, marking a 29.2-percent year-on-year increase. Vietnam has been Guangxis largest trading partner for 25 consecutive years, with the autonomous regions total investment in the Southeast Asian country exceeding $1.83 billion. PM Chinh expressed his hope for continued high-level cooperation between both sides. He emphasized the importance of accelerating expressway and high-speed railway projects, such as the Lang Son - Hanoi and Mong Cai - Ha Long - Hai Phong routes linking with Guangxi while bolstering cooperation in upgrading smart customs and smart border gates. PM Chinh also called on Guangxi to facilitate the import of Vietnamese goods into Chinas inland regions and to third countries, encouraging Guangxi-based businesses to invest in Vietnam, particularly in such sectors as green agriculture, clean energy, and sustainable development. He suggested that both sides explore models for cross-border economic cooperation zones and collaborate on effective border management. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (C) bids farewell to Liu Ning, Secretary of the Communist Party of China Committee of Chinas Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, after their meeting in Hanoi on August 28, 2024. Photo: Vietnam Government Portal The Chinese official affirmed his commitment to deepening cooperation between Guangxi and Vietnamese provinces and cities, and to strengthening transportation connections by road, rail, and sea. Liu also suggested leveraging the unique advantages of both sides to enhance connectivity through Guangxi to mainland China and third countries, as well as to connect with ASEAN countries via Vietnam. He underlined the need for both sides to scale up and enhance their trade and investment partnerships, improve customs clearance efficiency by deploying smart border gates, and establish cooperation in seaport, electricity, digital economy, and digital connection spheres. During his visit to the Southeast Asian country, the Chinese official also met with Nguyen Van Nen, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, on Monday and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on Tuesday. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! As many as 152 workers were hospitalized for suspected food poisoning after their lunch at Sunrise Apparel Vietnam Company in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam on Wednesday. They developed symptoms of headache, nausea, and stomachache. Some also suffered diarrhea. The workers were later rushed to a nearby hospital. Six of the affected workers showed signs of level-two anaphylactic shock, with symptoms including stomach pain, vomiting, widespread hives, and mild breathing difficulties. The lunch that allegedly caused the incident was provided by a company in Viet Tri City, Phu Tho Province, and consisted of braised fish, boiled vegetables, tofu braised with minced pork, and rice. Local authorities have collected food samples for testing to determine the cause of the incident. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Wade Hartzell, 63, was arrested Wednesday and charged with three counts of possession of child pornography. Bexar County Sheriff's Office San Antonio police arrested a 63-year-old man accused of possessing child porn. The San Antonio Police Department's Human Exploitation Unit received a tip that Wade Hartzell was "possibly in possession of child pornography." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police detectives determined that Hartzell had enough child porn in his possession to file three separate arrest warrants. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security has successfully dismantled a ring accused of trafficking newborns in 32 localities across Vietnam, arresting 16 suspects, it reported at a press conference on Wednesday. The infant trafficking ring disguised itself as an adoption service. Through a nationwide campaign that encourages citizens to report crimes and monitors online groups, the municipal police uncovered a suspected newborn trafficking racket. From collected information, police officers summoned Nguyen Thi Anh Dao, a 35-year-old resident of north-central Nghe An Province, who was found caring for a three-day-old male infant at a hotel in Tan Binh District. According to her confession, she told the baby's biological mother in Dak Lak, a province in the Central Highlands, that she was unable to have children and wanted to adopt the baby. However, her real intention was to sell the baby to a couple in Ho Chi Minh City for VND40 million (US$1,610). Expanding their investigation, police found that the infant trafficking ring was operated by Dao; Hoang Thi Nhung, 42, from Dong Nai Province in southern Vietnam; Do Thi Thuy Ngan, a 30-year-old resident in Hanoi; and 41-year-old Cao Thi Thu Phuong from Hai Duong Province in the northern region. The ring was assisted by six brokers. Since early 2024, the group allegedly used social media to connect with women facing personal and financial difficulties who were unable to care for their newborns. They are accused of purchasing a total of 16 infants, aged between three days and three months, for VND10-23 million ($402-924) each. The infants were then reportedly sold by the ring for VND35-75 million ($1,407-3,015) each. Colonel Pham Dinh Ngoc, head of the criminal police unit under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security, announces details of the infant trafficking ring at a press conference held in the city on August 28, 2024. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre The network also worked with a document counterfeiting ring headed by 35-year-old Phan Phuong Nam from Dong Nai Province, acquiring forged birth certificates for the trafficked infants. City police confiscated 49 pieces of equipment, including computers, printers, photocopiers, and seals, as well as thousands of fake documents, including bogus birth certificates. Utilizing the counterfeit birth certificates, police established nine task forces to investigate 84 suspected baby trafficking cases across 32 provinces and cities nationwide. To date, they have successfully identified and rescued several trafficked children and are working with local authorities to ensure their protection and care. Among the significant rescues is a 20-day-old baby boy, who was retrieved from Vi Thi Anh, a 38-year-old resident of Son La Province. Anh had purchased the child to delay serving a 12.5-year prison sentence for drug trafficking. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Over eight hundred of the 4,500 employees from a pharmaceutical firm owned by Indian billionaire Dilip Shangvi took boat rides to explore the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh Province, northern Vietnam on Wednesday. Ninh Binh is a mountainous province located in the southernmost part of the Red River Delta, roughly 100 kilometers from Hanoi. The group arrived in Hanoi on Tuesday afternoon to kick off their tour through three northern Vietnamese locales, including Hanoi, Ninh Binh Province and Quang Ninh Province. The tourists were eager to thread through Trang Ans slew of spectacular caves on small eco-friendly boats. Indian tourists take a boat ride to admire the natural beauty of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. Photo: Ninh Binh Department of Tourism The travelers visited temples and pagodas with historical, religious, and spiritual significance. They were also introduced to the culture of Ninh Binh Province. After exploring Trang An, the tourists ate lunch at Trang An 5 Restaurant in Ninh Binh City, which served six main vegan dishes with 90 percent of the ingredients sourced from India. Indian tourists take a wefie at a tourist site in Ninh Binh Province. Photo: Ninh Binh Department of Tourism Billionaire Dilip Shangvi, founder of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, a multinational pharmaceutical company based in India, booked the tour to show appreciation to his workforce. The delegation of 4,500 guests, mainly traveling from India but joined by international colleagues, will stay at 11 four- and five-star hotels in Hanoi. The employees will be divided into smaller groups during their tour from August 27 through September 3. The Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex was listed as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site in June 2014 by UNESCO. Trang An is rated as the 31st mixed heritage site in the world, the 11th in Asia-Pacific, and the first in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. The Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is one of the most stunning attractions in the northern province and is flanked by limestone karst peaks crisscrossing submerged valleys and overlooking near-vertical cliffs. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A caravan of supercars will set off in Ho Chi Minh City on September 14 to kick off the Gumball 3000 2024, an international car rally for celebrities and the wealthy, which will make its Southeast Asian debut as it spans five nations in the region this year. The 3,000-mile rally will take Gumballers through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. The rally will bring together over 100 supercars and hypercars from renowned brands such as Bugatti, Porsche, Pagani, Koenigsegg, Ferrari, and Lamborghini. The convoy will be led by British entrepreneur Maximillion Cooper, founder of the Gumball 3000, and YouTuber Mr. JWW (James Walker) in a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. After their start on Le Loi Street in Ho Chi Minh City, where they are set to complete all registration procedures and decorate their supercars, the participating Gumball drivers will head to the Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the southern metropolis most important historic tourist attractions, for sightseeing. The Gumballers will reach the next stop of the superstars and supercars trip in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and participate in various music events. British businessman and former racecar driver Maximillion Cooper, founder of Gumball 3000, visits Ho Chi Minh City in August 2024. Photo: Gumball 3000 Drivers participating in the Gumball 3000 will make a stop at Cambodias iconic Angkor Wat on September 16, where they will take part in a charitable auction benefiting youth programs worldwide. The following day, the convoy will set a Guinness World Record for the largest-ever supercar performance at one of the Wonders of the World. The rally continues with stops in Bangkok and Krabi Island, Thailand, before heading to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on September 20, where American rapper Ja Rule is set to perform at an exclusive music event. The journey will conclude in Singapore on September 21, coinciding with the Formula One race. Among the notable participants are Vietnamese rapper Binz, American streamer IShow Speed, former Manchester United fullback Patrice Evra, and American YouTuber DailyDrivenExotics (DDE). Several supercars, including the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, Rolls-Royce Dawn, and Ferrari 812 Competizione, have already been imported into Vietnam for the event. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Following two identical, brand-new Boeing 737 Max jets crashed within five months of each other killing 346 people on board, 7News Spotlight reports on cover-ups and lies. This Sunday Liam Bartlett presents new evidence that shows Boeing knew of a serious fault in its 737 Max aircraft before it crashed, as families of the victims say Boeing is still hiding from accountability. You see, Boeing wants you to think all their problems are behind them, that theyve paid the price for two catastrophic crashes in their planes that killed 346 people, and that theyve learnt their lessons about what went wrong and why, says Bartlett. Boeing wants you to believe theyve accepted responsibility and now its completely safe to jump back on a brand-new Boeing made plane, specifically the 737 Max. But thats a long way from the truth. Whistleblowers on the inside, including a former leading safety supervisor on Boeings assembly line, Ed Pierson, say that unless there are substantial changes within the company and improvements made on the factory floor, its only a matter of time before Boeing is back in the news for all the wrong reasons. Now what I know, it scares me and thats why Im agreeing to this interview, because I feel like the public needs to know these things are going on, Mr Pierson, who admits hed never voluntarily fly on a 737 Max now, tells 7NEWS Spotlight. Next week in a United States courtroom, the Department of Justice and the American aeroplane manufacturer will meet to finalise a plea deal that Boeing hopes will give it a fresh start. Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to lying to the safety regulator, effectively criminal fraud. It sounds serious, but dont be fooled. What does that mean for safety over Australian skies? And should Aussie airlines be thinking twice before buying more of these planes? Dont miss this 7NEWS Spotlight major investigation as critical new evidence is put forward and a clearer picture is presented of how we should all feel about flying on a Boeing. 8:40pm Sunday on Seven. Changes to advertising in recent years did not lead to the loss of locally-made childrens television but the removal of quotas, according to the Australian Childrens Television Foundation. ACTF CEO Jenny Buckland, speaking at the Australian Childrens Content Summit, said the removal of sub-quotas during the pandemic led to commercial networks abandoning new commissions. I know sometimes the commercial broadcasters might have said that they had all those restrictions. In actual fact, there was quite a lot of stuff they could advertise, she said. But I think the reality is they just didnt want to do Childrens shows. They lobbied for so many years and for so long, and every politician who came into that Communications portfolio just had them on the door all the time. I just think they regarded it as a tax that they had to do Childrens shows. I really dont understand the ABC gets really big audiences for some Childrens shows, and always did. We would see that when we tracked audience numbers, back in the day, that something that was bought for the C Quota and was on Channel Nine for a couple of years, didnt get much of an audience because they put it on at some ridiculous time, and didnt advertise it. But we would see that it would go to the ABC. and suddenly, the audience was tenfold, back in the day, to what it was. They didnt want it to succeed under any circumstances. So I actually dont think it was the advertising restrictions that were the problem. Bridget Fair CEO of Free TV Australia told TV Tonight, The childrens television standards came into existence at a time when Australian children had no other source of audio-visual content than Free to Air television. But kids are no longer limited in this way with an ever-growing number of new choices including child-specific ad-free channels on the ABC, subscription streaming services and YouTube. As almost any parent can tell you, kids have moved to these new platforms in droves. The key issue driving Free TVs push to remove C and P quota obligations was that the number of children watching C and P programs had dropped dramatically by the end of the last decade, with average audiences for C and P programs well under 5,000 children. It is impossible to sell advertising into audiences that size and as a platform that is required to be funded by advertising, if there is no audience we simply cant generate the revenue to pay for the programs. More importantly, if no kids are watching these shows they are not having the intended cultural impact that C and P quotas were supposed to deliver. Broadcasters still provide plenty of programs that kids like to watch, particularly programs with broad appeal that bring families together. Commercial TV broadcasters spent $1.67 billion on Australian content last year and we are proud of our commitment to telling Australian stories and supporting the local production sector. Paramount has confirmed a diverse cast for its upcoming reality series Aussie Shore, a local version of the Geordie / Jersey Shore format, to screen in October. Geordie Shores Charlotte Crosby is House Boss, presiding over the action filmed in Cairns, as a cast of singles navigate the highs and lows of living, working and partying together. House Boss, Charlotte Crosby said: Ive never in my whole entire life met a group of people so crazy! If you thought us Geordies were wild, then you better brace yourselves as youre about to have your minds blown. The Aussie Shore cast antics made my time on the show HUGELY enjoyable and utterly memorable on every level. Im so excited to watch the whole series and hear what you all think! Described as Unapologetically wild, sexy, hilarious, authentic, and confident, Paramounts cast comes from across Australia representing different ethnicities, races, sexualities, lifestyles, gender and backgrounds. Callum Playboy Callum first appeared on our screens on Love Island Australia where his hilarious banter and spontaneity were a recipe for fun, but also disaster in the best way possible. More recently, he won a legion of fans on the latest season of Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!. The charismatic jokester earned himself a third-place spot after Australia fell in love with his overall lack of knowledge on basically everything around him. Cheeky, naughty and wildly fun, Callums electric personality and endless energy always kept things interesting for his fellow campmates and those watching at home. Catia Self-proclaimed Hot Mess Catia will flirt with anything that breathes. The 23-year-old trainee PT falls in love every weekend and, according to her mates, goes missing on a night out so often theyve started writing their phone numbers on her arms. Nardos Perth law graduate Nardos just finished her studies but shes not in a rush to get a job when she knows her partying ways can be funded by the bank of mum and dad and the dole. The party animal will be a force of nature in the house, and on any dance floor she can find. Lexie Pocket rocket Lexi may be 52 but her huge personality more than packs a punch. Pansexual (attracted to whoever she connects with), 23-years-old and a content creator, Lexie lives by the motto f*** it. Always down for some fun, be it a vodka or a nudie run, Lexie does what she wants and faces the consequences of her actions later. Lily At just 21, Lily will be the baby of the house but she makes up for it with her impeccable vibes. Admittedly, Lily says she first gets noticed for her boobs, then her loud energy. But dont get on her bad side, the mischief maker isnt one to be messed with and while she may look sweet, shell ruin anyone that dares cross her. Jaeda On the job site, 22-year-old Jaeda describes herself as conservative and mean, but as soon as Friday arvo rolls around, the building manager transforms into a party monster. Jaedas gift of the gab is so powerful she once managed to flirt her way into getting a ride home from a paramedic in an ambulance. Manaaki Tall, dark, handsome, and an impulsive sh*t-stirrer, model and professional heartbreaker Manaaki spends most of his time partying. With a heavily religious mum and a dad who was in a gang, the 22-year-old was exposed to both worlds growing up, and now lives his life as a shameless attention seeker. Con No stranger to hard work, be it in the barbershop he set up in his garage or on his rig, he takes pride in his appearance and hopes the women in his life do the same. At 27 and 60, Con hopes to be the alpha of the house, and believes his sense of humour (and knack for poetry) will be key to winning over the ladies, adding, if you can make them giggle, you can make their arse jiggle. Cooper A gym junkie covered in tatts, Cooper knows what its like for people to judge him, even his own mum describes him as a bit of a c*ckhead. Deep down the 27-year-old labourer and fitness model is a big softie and serial monogamist is always falling in love, until the post nut clarity kicks in and hes on to the next lucky lady. Tom Tom certainly puts the F boy in farm boy. Originally from country Victoria, the serial shagger knows his good looks can get him into trouble. On his last holiday he earned himself the title of most hated after sleeping with too many of the women on the trip. Kyle Describing himself as probably gay but a mix of bisexual, Kyles own friends describe him as chaotic and ruthless on a night out. Working as a court officer, the 25-year-old pot-stirrer doesnt hold back when theres drama afoot and is not afraid to get messy. This new iteration of the iconic reality TV franchise promises to take viewers on a rollercoaster ride of drama, romance, and pure Australian mayhem. Aussie Shore is supported by Screen Queenslands Production Attraction Strategy. Two episodes Thursday, 3 October then weekly on Paramount+. Updated. Seven network claims thirteen women have come forward with claims against former crime reporter Robert Ovadia, following his dismissal by the network. Ovadia launched Federal Court proceedings in August against Seven and his former boss, news and current affairs director Anthony De Ceglie, alleging he was unlawfully sacked. His lawsuit alleges adverse action and breach of contract. Sydney Morning Herald reports at a preliminary hearing that Sevens barrister Vanja Bulut in the Federal Court today, 13 more females have come forward with complaints in relation to his conduct, and this was subject to an investigation. Ovadia had been put on notice of that, Bulut said. To the extent that those allegations are recorded in documents, those documents have been provided [to Ovadia]. Ovadia has rejected all the allegations, some of which were reported by Four Corners. News.com.au also reports Ovadias barrister, Andrew Gotting, also noted in court documentation provided by Seven regarding 13 further women and their allegations, it had featured redactions and lacked particularity. He said another aspect of the claim was that a statement about the dismissal had been calculated to demean Mr Ovadia, and caused significant harm. This would be part of Sevens defence, Bulut said. Mr Gotting told the court that Ovadias termination was effected immediately for serious misconduct and there was an express statement that he was not entitled to notice of termination. There are two principal claims made, the first relating to adverse action and the second relating to the provision of notice of termination, Gotting said. The first is a claim under the Fair Work Act and the second is a breach of contract claim. Mr Ovadia was a 23-year veteran of Seven and a two-time Walkley Award winner. He worked as an investigative reporter and occasional presenter for the Sydney newsroom. In a statement made after court, Mr Ovadia denied the claims against him. The claims are baseless and Seven has never provided evidence despite repeated requests, he said. Even today, no evidence to support any of this just a dirty tactic to try to bully me away from defending myself. Federal Court Justice Elizabeth Raper ordered the parties to attend mediation. When Sharyn Ghidella drive up Mt Coot-Tha on Monday, shes relieved to know Channel 10 is the first of the three Brisbane stations her car will reach. After all, shes spent 17 years driving to Sevens Brisbane studio. If old habits die hard, she could be forgiven for inadvertently taking a wrong turn. Im a bit worried about that as to where Ill end up, she tells TV Tonight. But the good news is 10 News First is first. Ive set the GPS to make sure that I only go as far as 10 now, but my old security pass that I had from the 1990s, Im told doesnt work anymore. Ghidella returns to the network where her career commenced 38 years ago. Her exit from Seven during a phone call when at the hairdressers (Ghidella confirms her instincts when asked to meet with Seven News Director Michael Coombes thwarted their plans for face to face) drew plenty of headlines. Ghidella is arguably as Queensland as pinapple pie but her absence from screens is thankfully short-lived, strategically hired by 10 in a move to relaunch their locally-produced bulletin, axed in 2020. Nor was Ghidella ready to sail off into the sunset just yet, thanks. I must say, there were moments after what happened to me where I did think, Is this the end of my television career? she admits. When I first started in television news back in the late 80s, there werent a lot of women on air over the age of 40. But I didnt want it to end that way. I wanted some new beginning. Next minute, I was signing a contract. It was a call from Erin Edwards, Executive Editor 10 News First Queensland, just days after her exit from Seven that canvassed her interest. I just thought it was a lovely, friendly Sorry about whats happened to you, but she was forward-planning and thinking ahead. She got straight on to (10 Head of Broadcast News) Martin White. I think by the next week, Martin had called me, and it was like, Can we meet? Next minute, I was signing a contract. While a Sport presenter is yet to be announced, Liz Cantor (pictured above) joins as Weather Presenter and a new set has been rapidly assembled. They have brought some pieces from Melbourne and Sydney, and put it all together in record time. It looks fantastic, its modern, its fresh, its bright, its everything about 10 that you see in Sydney and Melbourne and other places. It really is a fresh approach, and Im extremely happy with what theyve been able to do in such a very short period of time. Getting a television studio up and running again is not an easy task! When it airs across Queensland from Monday, it will also go head to head in the Gold Coast market against local Seven and Nine bulletins, at least from 5:30pm. Ghidella is hoping it will make inroads in Gold Coast and wider. It will be interesting. I mean, you never know what the ratings are going to be like and whos going to tune in. But I must say, I have had the most positive response to this 10 News First bulletin coming out of Brisbane. I cant tell you how many people, when Im out and about, have come up to me and said, Its great 10 is bringing local news back to Queensland, well be tuning in! she continues. There seems to be a real desire out there for straightforward news So I am crossing a lot of fingers and toes that those viewers will be there. There seems to be a real desire out there for straightforward news, a really strong bulletin, sound journalism, a lot of local as well as national and international news. Thats what 10 does so beautifully. If the straightforward inclusion is any clear reference to recent changes to news with comedy and horoscopes, Ghidella (a Sagittarian) isnt saying. But she is forthright about how she wants her News. For me News sells itself, she insists. News should be the focal point of any bulletin, and thats what 10 is committed to doing. I dont think you need to promote news. I dont think you need to necessarily try and sell it in any way or run stories or anything else to get people to watch. News sells itself because its interesting and it impacts our lives. If we can just do a really solid news bulletin with really sound journalism, which I know we can, I think thats what the viewers want right now. Im just hoping that they all tune in for Monday and give it a go, because I think theyll really enjoy the product that were going to put out. Signed to a two-year contract, Ghidella is also confident 10 is committed to local news, which is encouraging given the bulletin has been read by Sandra Sully from Sydney studios. I have no reason to believe that they arent. Everyone here is so excited about the fact that were bringing the presentation of this bulletin back to Brisbane for Queensland. She adds, I have great faith in 10 and Martin White in particular, as well as Erin, they are very committed to making this bulletin work. And at least this time around, the phone call didnt interrupt a hairdressing appointment. Not this time, no, but my hair was looking nice from the last time. 10 News First Queensland with Sharyn Ghidella begins 5pm Monday on 10. Season 3 of The Strange Chores premieres on ABC Family next week. The Ludo Studios / Media World series sees a team of teenage monster hunters back to give household chores a supernatural twist, turning ordinary life upside down and twisting the dullest parts of a kids life into a crazy tangle of monsters, magic and mayhem. The voice cast features Charlotte Nicdao, Michael Philippou, Cash Gallagher-Ruru and Nick Tate. The Strange Chores team of teenage monster hunters are back to give household chores a supernatural twist, turning ordinary life upside down and twisting the dullest parts of a kids life into a crazy tangle of monsters, magic and mayhem. Finally finding a balance between their ordinary lives and their secret after school adventures, season 3 sees Charlie, Pierce and Que ascend to the next level of their training as they are now called upon to do chores for the monsters themselves each with their own insane, eerie and irreverent odd-jobs. From stealing a dragons tooth for the Tooth Fairy, delivering invitations for Dracula, and hanging out with the son of Hades, to work experience at the Ministry of Monster Hunters, evicting a gang of mutant (but cool) Cockroaches and protecting Wolfman from the Little Pigs the gang quickly discover that the monsters have even stranger chores than they could ever have imagined! Production credit: The Strange Chores is a Ludo Studio and Media World Pictures production for the ABC. Principal production funding from Screen Australia, in association with VicScreen and Screen Queensland. Created by Daley Pearson and Charlie Aspinwall, Directed and Designed by Scott Vanden Bosch. Writers: John McGeachin, Luke Tierney, Alix Beane, Magda Wozniak, Nicholas Lin, Francis Stanton and Lauren Brown. Executive Producers Charlie Aspinwall, Daley Pearson and Colin South. ABC Executive Producer Jo Boag. Head of ABC Children & Family, Libbie Doherty. Produced by Carmel McAloon, Co-Produced by Lauren Brown. Animation Director Canaan Mendelsohn, editor Lora-Mae Adrao, 12field Studio Manager Kelly Lynagh. Music by Joff Bush, Daniel OBrien and Joseph Twist. International Distribution by Boat Rocker Studios. 7:30pm Friday September 6 on ABC Family. (Bloomberg) -- Egypt began supplying arms to Somalia and will provide training to its troops, a Somali official said, ratcheting up tensions in the Horn of Africa region. Most Read from Bloomberg The weapons delivery follows a deal earlier this year for landlocked Ethiopia to recognize the sovereignty of Somaliland, which has proclaimed independence from Somalia, in return for access to a port on the Gulf of Aden. In response, Somalia sought assistance from Egypt by signing a military cooperation pact earlier this month. Ethiopia and Egypt are also at loggerheads over the construction of a giant hydropower dam on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia. The North African nation has expressed concern the reservoir may affect the flow of its main source of fresh water. Guns and ammunition arrived yesterday, Somali Foreign Minister Ali Mohamed Omar said by phone of the Egyptian delivery. The idea is to have in-house training and Egypt will supply some of that. Since 2006, Somalia has relied on Ethiopian and other African troops to help fight Islamist-militant groups trying to overthrow the government. While about 13,000 soldiers in the African Union peacekeeping mission are expected to leave by the end of year, the continental body has endorsed the creation of a replacement force. Somalia will under no circumstances allow Ethiopian soldiers to join the new peacekeeping mission unless Ethiopias abandons its deal with Somaliland, Omar said. Donor nations are still discussing the financing and composition of the new force, he said. Ethiopia warned that the transition to a new peacekeeping force risks raising tensions in the Horn of Africa, as it accused Somalia of colluding with external actors to increase instability. It didnt specify which nations it was referring to. Ethiopia cannot stand idle while other actors are taking measures to destabilize the region, the nations foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. Forces trying to inflame tension for their short-term and futile objectives must shoulder the grave ramifications. --With assistance from Mirette Magdy and Fasika Tadesse. (Updates with Ethiopian foreign ministry comment in final paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home CPI-M MLA and Actor Mukesh booked in rape case Kerala Police Thursday filed a rape case against actor and ruling CPI (M) MLA M Mukesh based on a complaint by fellow actor Minu Muneer Thursday August 29, 2024 2:45 PM , ummid.com News Network Maradu: Kerala Police Thursday filed a rape case against actor and ruling CPI (M) MLA M Mukesh based on a complaint by fellow actor Minu Muneer. Minu Muneer in her complaint also accused actor Jayasurya of sexual harassment. The charges in each case are non-bailable. Mukesh is ruling party MLA from Kollam. Mukesh and Jayasurya have been booked amid allegations of sex assault by the actress surfacing against prominent personalities of the Malayalam film industry, also known as Mollywood. Cases against other accused Actress Minu Muneer had earlier accused actors Mukesh, Jayasurya, M Maniyanpilla Raju, Edavela Babu, and two technicians of physical and verbal abuse. Maniyanpilla Raju and Edavela Babu have been charged with rape by Kerala Police in Fort Kochi and Ernakulam (North). Minu Muneer filed the complaint against them with the 7-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the state government. "The special investigation team approached me after I revealed the incidents of sexual assault I faced from these actors and technicians during the 2008 - 2013 period," Muneer told The New Indian Express. The cases against the Kerala actors and technicians are among nearly two dozen filed by the police since a flood of sexual assault claims against senior Malayalam actors. Hema Committee Report The allegations followed the release of a report by Hema Committee inquiring into sexual abuse in the industry, according to NDTV. The Hema Committee report highlights the power nexus consisting of male figures within the industry and their control over its operations and opportunities. Filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan was the first to be charged with sexual assault in this wave of what is billed as Kerala Film Industry's #MeToo moment. Balakrishnan, who quit as Chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy, has been accused of assaulting Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra at his Kochi home in 2009, and sexually abusing a male actor in 2012. Meanwhile, Actor and MLA Mukesh responded to the allegations in a press release emphasising his innocence in the case. He said that he was being politically targeted, as he had been previously in 2018, and wished to clarify with evidence that the claims against him were untrue, according to Hindustan Times. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Governor cried, pleaded with Prez Murmu for 45 minutes over Manipur violence Former Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey cried and pleaded with President Draupadi Murmu for about 45 minutes seeking her intervention over violence against minorities in Manipur, veteran journalist Ashok Wankhede has claimed Thursday August 29, 2024 12:04 PM , ummid.com News Network [Former Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey with President Draupadi Murmu in a file photo.] New Delhi: Former Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey cried and pleaded with President Draupadi Murmu for about 45 minutes seeking her intervention over violence against minorities in Manipur, veteran journalist Ashok Wankhede has claimed. Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey called on President Draupadi Murmu and discussed with her for about 45 minutes the situation in the state, Ashok Wankhede said. Wankhede said during the meeting, Anusuiya Uikey profusely cried in front of the President while pleading for her intervention. Anusuiya Uikey asked the President to do something as situation in Manipur is alarmingly dangerous, Wankhede said while talking to Deepak Sharma on the latters YouTube Channel. Anusuiya Uikey was governor of Manipur from February 23, 2023 till July 26, 2024. During her tenure as Governor Manipur she called on President Murmu a number of times as the state engulfed in ethnic violence killing more than 220 people, according to official figure on May 03, 2024. One particular incident that shook the entire nation was the mass rape and naked parading of two women of the Kuki-Zomi community of Manipur. The video of the brutal incident surfaced in July 2023 but the incident occurred two months before it was actually reported. According to Ashok Wankhede, in one of her meetings with President Murmu, Anusuiya Uikey told her that the reports about the violence in Manipur that are in the public domain were nothing compared to the scale of what was going on. It is the tip of the ice-burg. The actual situation is far worst, Anusuiya Uikey told President Draupadi Murmu, according to Ashok Wankhede. Ashok Wankhede said along with President Murmu, Anusuiya Uikey had also sought the intervention of Prime Minister Modi. I pleaded in front of the President. I sought Prime Minister Modis intervention. But no one cared, Wankhede quoted the former Manipur Governor. Ashok Wankhede recalled his telephone conversation with former Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey during a discussion with Deepak Sharma on his YouTube channel on Presidents Murmus concerns expressed in the wake of the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata , West Bengal. Watch Video In a three-page statement released Wednesday, the President said she was dismayed and horrified when she came to hear of the incident at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. "What is more depressing is the fact that it was not the only incident of its kind; it is part of a series of crimes against women. Even as students, doctors and citizens were protesting in Kolkata, criminals remained on the prowl elsewhere," she said while referring to the incident at the RG Kar Medical College and another incident in Maharashtra's Badlapur . "The victims include even kindergarten girls. No civilised society can allow daughters and sisters to be subjected to such atrocities. The nation is bound to be outraged, and so am I, the President said. Commenting on Murmus statement on Kolkata rape and murder case, Ashok Wankhede said what happened in Kolkata was condemnable. But the situation in Manipur too warranted the Presidents intervention. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Gujarat NEET 2024 Round 1 Seat Allotment: Where and How to Check Candidates should note that ACPUGMEC Gujarat publishes NEET UG 2024 seat allotment result based on choice filling and option submission till 12:00 noon on August 29, 2024 Thursday August 29, 2024 8:06 PM , ummid.com News Network Gujarat NEET UG 2024 Allotment Result: Admission Committee for Professional Undergraduate Medical Educational Courses (ACPUGMEC) has released on its official website medadmgujarat.org most likely today NEET UG 2024 Round 1 Seat Allotment result of students who have registered for MBBS (Medical) and BDS (Dental) courses. Candidates, who are seeking admission in BHMS and BAMS courses based on NEET UG 2024 revised score, should note that seat allotment result for them will be published separately. Candidates should note that ACPUGMEC Gujarat has published NEET UG 2024 allotment result rank wise as well as institutewise that will be available for download in PDF. Candidates who have registered for the Gujarat medical counslling and whose name appeared in the Merit List and who exercised choice options can download the allotment list directly from the website and following the steps given below. Gujarat NEET UG 2024 Round 1 Seat Allotment Click here to go to the official website: medadmgujarat.org . Click on the link marked as "Alloted List (Meritwise)" or "Alloted List (Institutewise)". Click on "Last Rank" to check rank. Check your name in the PDF list. Candidates should note that medical admission seat allotment in Gujarat has been processed based on the choices, options and preferences enterd and submitted by them till 12:00 noon on August 29, 2024. Candidate should download his or her allotment letter and fees challan from his/her account after log in with the help of User ID and Password, Gujarat MBBS admission authority said. Payment of Tuition Fees at designated branch of HDFC Bank is from August 30 to September 04, 2024, whereas Reporting, Original Document Submission at Help Center is from August 30 to September 05, 2024. NEET UG 2024 Merit List Admission Committee for Professional Undergraduate Medical Educational Courses (ACPUGMEC) Gujarat had released on its official website medadmgujarat.org on August 18 NEET UG 2024 Merit List of the students who have registered for admission in different medical and dental courses, including MBBS and other courses. The Committee asked students to submit college options , choice and preferences for Gujarat NEET UG 2024 Counselling from August 25 to 29, 2024 till 12:00 noon. Candidates should note that before publishing the NEET UG round 1 seat allotment result, ACPUGMEC Gujarat will publish today the details of options submitted by the candidates. "Display of Choices filled by candidates will be on 29/08/2024 up to 04:00 pm", it said. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Impact of Jammu Kashmir, Haryana Polls on Modi, Rahul Gandhi Whose political fate is going to be judged most strongly based on the results of the assembly polls in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Haryana, Narendra Modi or Rahul Gandhi? Thursday August 29, 2024 5:49 PM , Nilofar Suhrawardy Whose political fate is going to be judged most strongly based on the results of the assembly polls in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Haryana, Narendra Modi or Rahul Gandhi? Should these be viewed as another political battle in essence between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, perhaps another strong test of nerves for numerous candidates in fray or in essence a major quest particularly by Kashmiris to assert their democratic identity? Undeniably, more questions can be posed, especially from the angle of Kashmiris as they will be casting their votes in assembly elections for the first time in a decade and after abrogation of Article 370 as well as change of the Jammu and Kashmir status from a state to union territory. In view of setback suffered by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Parliamentary polls, electoral jolt in these two assembly elections is most likely to pose numerous questions about the decline in popular appeal of Modi. There is no denying, BJPs political standing is strongly dependent on votes cast in favour of Modi. A rudimentary survey indicates that common Indians electoral support for BJP is decided not by what he thinks about this party but his admiration for Modi. The recent parliamentary elections may be viewed as a strong signal of there being considerable decline in this trend. In contrast to BJP having won all 10 Lok Sabha seats from Haryana in 2019, during the recent polls, it won 05 with the other 05 being bagged by Congress. During the 2019 assembly polls, though the BJP succeeded in forming the state government, the party failed to win the needed majority. It won 40 of 90 seats and thus formed a coalition government. In this context, going by this states verdict in parliamentary polls, possibility of Congress faring better than it did in 2019 cannot be dismissed. Yes, the possibility of the BJP government being pushed out of power in Haryana seems fairly strong. But a lot also depends on the nature of political cards played against each other by the key rivals BJP and Congress. Equally important is probably the intra-politicking exercised within the two parties by various factions. It may be noted, intra-party rivalry was also probably responsible for BJPs failure to win the majority in 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The timing of Haryana polls, being held soon after parliamentary elections, also implies that impact of their campaigning and of course result is likely to be visible on the assembly poll results. Voters decision to favour BJP/Congress may also be based on who would they prefer as the next prime minister- Modi or Rahul? Polls in Jammu & Kashmir may be viewed as a fairly tough battle for voters, parties as well as candidates in fray for several reasons. At the outset, it seems that the key fight is between INDIA-alliance and BJP. While the BJP has decided not to enter into any alliance, a seat-sharing deal has been reached between National Conference (NC) and Congress. NC will contest on 51 seats, Congress- 32, with a friendly fight on five. They have left 01 seath for CPI (M) and 01 for Panthers party. Interestingly, NCs key rival in the state, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has displayed mixed signals. On one hand, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti has pledged its support to INDIA-alliance, on the other, the party has begun the process of releasing list of its candidates. In other words, PDP is participating in these elections without entering into alliance with any other party. Mufti herself is not contesting. Against the backdrop of PDP having aligned with BJP in the past, speculations are certainly being entertained on whether it will pursue the same path again. PDP may have toyed with the idea of aligning with NC and Congress, but it seems this hasnt worked. The primary ground is perhaps that of PDPs political standing being fairly weak and it being still judged on basis of its past alliance with BJP. Besides, PDP failed to win any seat in 2024 as well as in 2019 parliamentary elections which were equally divided between BJP and NC. On this ground, Congress has stronger reason to align with NC against BJP than with PDP. The electoral risk is that while support for BJP may remain united, that of other parties-may get divided leading to former gaining ground. This risk may also increase because of numerous politicians contesting elections as independent candidates. Now, it is to be watched on what basis the voters judge candidates in the fray. Their decision needs to be based on whose government would they prefer following the polls, that of BJP, NC-Congress, PDP or whatever alliance that takes shape. They certainly have a tough decision facing them. In addition, the possibility of parliamentary elections impact on J&K polls cannot be ignored. In this context, they will probably be judging between political appeal of Modi and Rahul. There is no denying that Rahuls manner of reaching out to people has enhanced his image considerably. But this is only a part of strategy to win their support. There is no guarantee that this will get translated into votes. And even if it does, the possibility of it turning into success/victory being limited because of favourable votes division, as suggested earlier, cannot be ignored. At the same time, considering the intra-party problems being faced by BJP in distribution of tickets, this party too is encountering its share of problems in J&K elections. Besides, committed BJP supporters and rivals seem fairly disturbed by the party having withdrawn J&Ks status of a state. A reason which led BJP to face a setback in Lok Sabha polls was its supporters disillusionment with some of its policies. Who knows, BJP may face the same trauma in Haryana and J&K. Well, if this happens, it would only signal that the electoral show which began with 2024 Lok Sabha polls marking decline of Modis political appeal is displaying its impact in assembly polls too. But it is for the voters to decide. Just as each vote matters, a lot depends on whether their votes get too divided, letting the least favoured assume power! [Nilofar Suhrawardy is a senior journalist and writer with specialization in communication studies and nuclear diplomacy. She has come out with several books. These include: Modis Victory, A Lesson for the Congress? (2019); Arab Spring, Not Just a Mirage! (2019), Image and Substance, Modis First Year in Office (2015) and Ayodhya Without the Communal Stamp, In the Name of Indian Secularism (2006).] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Lebanese American University to mark 100th anniversary on Oct 3 Lebanese American University (LAU) is set to mark its 100th anniversary on Oct 3 with a special event titled "The Centennial Gala: A Tribute to the Past, A Promise for the Future" Thursday August 29, 2024 8:15 PM , ummid.com News Network New York: Lebanese American University (LAU) is set to mark its 100th anniversary on Oct 3 with a special event titled "The Centennial Gala: A Tribute to the Past, A Promise for the Future". Besides other things, the university has announce to confer its highest honors on pop icon and women's advocate Elissa, and Synopsys CEO and LAU alumnus Sassine Ghazi, at the event. "The Centennial Gala: A Tribute to the Past, A Promise for the Future is scheduled to take place on October 3 at the historic Stephen A. Schwarzman Building of the New York Public Library", the university said. "Global pop icon and women's advocate Elissa and Synopsys CEO and LAU alumnus Sassine Ghazi will receive one of the university's highest honors at the event that marks the university's 100th anniversary and raises funds for student scholarships, research, and patient care", the varsity said. Elissa has sold over 30 million albums to date and amassed over 60 million social media followers and 4.5 billion views on YouTube. She is a powerful advocate for women's causes, notably breast cancer awareness and domestic violence prevention. Sassine Ghazi is CEO and President of Synopsys, a global technology company based in Silicon Valley that specializes in silicon to systems design solutions. Ghazi's leadership contributed to record revenue growth at Synopsys, now with a market cap of over $80 billion. He graduated from LAU with a business degree in 1991 and advocates for STEM education. "We look forward to honoring these esteemed individuals for excellence in their careers and servant leadership that reflect the core values of LAU," Gala Co-Chairs, H.H. Sheikha Intisar Al Sabah and Peter Tanous, said. "The Centennial Gala represents joy and our renewed purpose as alumni and friends come together to support this beloved university." Lebanese American University (LAU) is co-educational, with nearly 9,000 students, campuses in Beirut and Byblos, Lebanon, and a U.S.-accredited branch campus in New York, in Midtown Manhattan. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Rhyma Castillo is a trending reporter for the Express-News and a member of its Digital Go Team. She can be reached at rhyma.castillo@express-news.net. A native of San Antonio and a Texas A&M University graduate, she is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience. She has reported on politics, immigration, climate change, gun violence, and workers rights. Additionally, she excels in lifestyle and entertainment writing, covering music, television, video games, technology, and relationships. In her free time, she enjoys painting, drawing, cooking, hiking, climbing, gardening, playing video games, cuddling with her cats, and making music with her band. Understanding that situation, VIETSTAR (Vietnam) co-operates strategically with the Singapore Institute of Directors - SID to develop the International Board of Directors Programme (IBOD). This specialised programme is tailored for senior leaders according to Singapore Corporate Governance Best Practices. IBOD has swiftly established itself as one of Viet Nam's leading advanced training programmes in Corporate Governance. Since establishing the partnership in 2022, the programme has brought together over 20 distinguished speakers, including senior leaders such as Chairmen, CEOs, C-suite executives, and advisors from Singapore. Notable participants include: Mr. John Lim - Past Chair of SID, Former Chair of OECD Asian Corporate Governance Network for State Owned Enterprises, Mr. Shai Ganu - Member of the global governing board of Climate Governance Initiative and the World Economic Forums Climate Governance, Ms. Wong Su-Yen - Former chairperson of the Singapore Institute of Directors, Member at First Resources, CSE Global, and IMDA, Mr Mr Hnn-Hui Hii - Managing Partner of Heidrick & Struggles' Industrial Practice, Asia Pacific and Mr. Wilson Chew - Managing partner of J.P. Wilson - Former Partner (Strategy), PwC Singapore. Elevating Sustainable Corporate Governance In the world of increasing environmental consciousness and competitiveness, sustainable governance has emerged not only as a trend, but also as a guiding compass for businesses navigating through turbulent times. Mr. Colin Low is a global independent director of AET Tankers - one of the speakers at the programme who highlighted the vital role of the Board of Directors in risk mitigation and safeguarding corporate interests, as well as in fostering sustainable development. To accomplish this, the Board must develop a transparent ESG reporting framework and cultivate a collaborative work environment where every member contributes toward a shared objective. Building a Solid Governance Foundation The Board of Directors is the soul of the enterprise. Mr. Joe Keen Poon - President of WEY Technology, emphasised that vision and strategic objectives are crucial for steering the business. In particular, he introduced the Singapore Governance Code as a "sharp tool" to help the Board of Directors make wise decisions and ensure transparent and effective operations. Board of Directors and CEO: Building, Implementing, and Monitoring Effective Strategies According to Mr. David Wikins - Founder of Bamboo Code and author of the renowned book Leadership Pure and Simple: How Transformative Leaders Create Winning Organisations, effectively accelerating business growth requires a collaborative effort between the Board of Directors and the Executive Management, from the strategic planning to implementation. The key issue is the balance of power between the Chairman of the Board and the CEO, and more broadly, between the Board and the Executive Management. Transparency in the roles and responsibilities of each party can help minimise conflicts and enable all members to share openly and honestly, without overstepping their boundaries, in the pursuit of the company's best interests. SID VIETSTAR: The 2025 Journey On August 23, 2024, the 3rd International Board of Directors Programme concluded successfully. It equipped leaders with the latest governance insights, enabling them to apply best practices in governance and to tackle the challenges of the modern era. Mr. Terence Quek, CEO of the Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) stated, Over the next year, alongside the ongoing International Board of Directors Programme, SID and VIETSTAR will collaborate to launch the Advanced Board of Directors Programme. This new initiative is designed for experienced leaders in roles such as Chairman, CEO, and C-suite executives, and will leverage governance models and best practices from ASEAN." VIETSTAR established a partnership with SID in 2022. Over the past two years, we have trained over 70 Chairpersons, CEOs, and senior leaders in Singapore for leading Vietnamese organizations such as the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN), Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Company (BSR), Ca Mau Petroleum Fertilizer Joint Stock Company (PVCFC), EVN Generation Corporation 2 (GENCO2), and Southern Power Corporation (EVNSPC) on Corporate Governance and Board of Directors Best Practices. In addition to training, we will set up bilateral forums and conferences in Vietnam and Singapore to expand the network of sustainable ASEAN leaders. This will be a crucial step for Vietnamese businesses to integrate deeply into the global economy and achieve success in Corporate Governance in the era of sustainability. Ms. Pham Thi Thu Hang, CEO of VIETSTAR, emphasised when the two parties established a common vision for 2025. HA NOI Facing fierce challenges in the international markets, Vietnamese honey has been looking at the domestic market for its potential, according to industry insiders and experts. As the US Department of Commerce (DOC) is expected to deliver a final verdict on the fate of Vietnamese honey in an anti-dumping review in June next year, Vietnamese honey exporters have voiced concerns over how an unfavourable decision will affect their ability to enter the US market. The US previously imposed extremely high anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese honey, ranging from 410.93 to 413.99 per cent. Since April 2022, the duties have been scaled down to 58.74 - 61.27 per cent. A representative from a HCM City-based company with export contracts to the US said the DOC has decided two Vietnamese companies must adhere to a new tax regime with rates as high as 100-150 per cent after the last review. He said that with tariffs that are more than four times the price of honey, Vietnamese exporters will effectively be banned from the US market. Meanwhile, according to a Vietnamese trade office in the EU, Vietnamese honey exported to the EU markets must comply with the blocs origin rules since February this year. The EU has also prohibited using sweeteners, including sugar and set up measures to combat counterfeit honey and trade frauds. Lu Nguyen Xuan Vu, director-general of Xuan Nguyen Group JSC. Co said his companys honey exports to the US have dropped by nearly 40 per cent since last year. He has been looking for an alternative, with China being the obvious choice, however he said it has not been easy to compete with Chinese domestic honey makers in terms of pricing. Vu said its time that companies turn their attention to the domestic market. There is something ironic about the domestic market. While Vietnamese honey enjoys great reception in the international markets for both its quality and production, most Vietnamese families do not have access to high-quality honey at a reasonable price, he said. Seizing the untapped market, Vus company has set up more than 16,000 depots across the country, selling around two million honey-related products in the domestic market every month since last year. A pivot to the domestic market may also provide a much-needed boost to beekeepers, who have been saying honey prices offered by exporters have decreased significantly to under VN20,000 litre (less than US$1), making it difficult for them to break even. Nguyen Van Tan, a beekeeper in Long Khanh City in the southern province of ong Nai said he once kept hundreds of hives for his businesses but financial burdens and losses have forced him to give them all up. Companies said the situation has now been reversed, with the finest honey is often reserved for the domestic market with companies trying out new ideas in packaging, sales channels and product developments. Tran Thi Hong Nhung, founder of a honey company, said her companys output was around the 60 tonnes mark annually. The best-quality 15 per cent of the companys output was sold in the domestic market while other types of honey, usually at lower prices, were sold to exporters. VNS HCM CITY Viet Nam is grappling with significant real estate inventory that could comprise nearly 80 per cent of some developers assets, raising concerns of potential bad debt and macroeconomic stability, experts warned. In the first half of the year, 110 publicly listed real estate companies reported accumulated inventories amounting to VN490.4 trillion (nearly US$20 billion), according to a Ministry of Construction report. Over 17,100 apartments and land plots remain unsold in H1, according to the report. Major real estate firm Novaland has reported an inventory of VN142 trillion, accounting for 59 per cent of its total assets. This is followed by Khang ien, with an inventory of VN21.5 trillion (76 per cent of its assets), and Nam Long Group at VN19.2 trillion (65 per cent of its assets). The issue of unsold properties has adversely affected the financial stability of numerous real estate firms, according to the report. Nguyen Van inh, chairman of the Vietnam Association of Realtors (VARS), said real estate sales have dropped significantly since mid-2022. The limited transactions have been attributed to high prices, unfavourable project locations, and legal issues, among other factors. Experts have observed a growing preference among buyers for developments with clear legal standing and competitive pricing, placing those with legal complications at a disadvantage. inh recommended real estate businesses prioritise the development of affordable housing to address market demand and alleviate inventory levels. Le Hoang Chau, chairman of the HCM City Real Estate Association (HOREA), advised businesses to diversify their capital sources, avoiding excessive reliance on bank loans, while focusing on affordable housing projects that meet residential needs. Recent legislative measures, including the new Law on Real Estate Business and the Housing Law, are expected to facilitate the advancement of stalled projects, experts said. Meanwhile, commercial banks are facing challenges in liquidating collateral from defaulting borrowers, mostly in the real estate sector, in order to recover debt amid the sluggish market. With over 70 per cent of their collateral composed of real estate, the banking sector is currently confronting non-performing loans totaling VN224 trillion as of the end of March. Compounding the challenges associated with selling mortgaged real estate is the arrest in late 2022 of Truong My Lan, the chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat, who faces the death penalty for financial fraud and other offenses. The Asian Development Bank has also warned of risks to the banking system arising from irregularities in the corporate bond and real estate markets. Experts have called for collaboration among stakeholders to address the issues related to real estate inventory, which is critical for restoring market confidence. VNS HA NOI Viet Nams Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the Republic of Korea (RoK)s Ministry of Small and Medium size Enterprises (SMEs) and Startups convened the first meeting of their bilateral cooperation committee in Ha Noi on Wednesday, aiming to enhance collaboration between the two countries' SMEs and startups. The formation of the cooperation committee follows discussions during Korean President Yoon Suk-yeols state visit to Viet Nam in June 2023, where the importance of SME cooperation was highlighted. The committee is expected to foster mutual understanding among entrepreneurs and enhance collaboration in sectors where both countries have significant strengths. During Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to the RoK in July 2023, an MoU on SME and startup cooperation was signed, anticipated to create new opportunities for investment, trade, and business connections, contributing to innovation and sustainable development in both countries. At the meeting, MPI Minister Nguyen Chu Dung expressed confidence that the committee's activities, supported by research institutes and SME associations, will lead to effective joint projects, particularly in high-tech agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and electronics. He also highlighted the importance of integrating Vietnamese SMEs into the RoK and global supply chains, reaffirming the ministrys commitment to supporting business development. The meeting served as a platform to discuss the development of SMEs in both countries and identify key areas for future support. Viet Nam's Ministry of Planning and Investment encouraged the RoK businesses to expand investments in areas where the RoK excels and Viet Nam has high demand, such as the digital economy, green economy, and emerging industries like semiconductors, AI, and hydrogen. Minister Oh Young Joo of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups recognised the significance of the meeting as a step toward a new chapter in bilateral cooperation, expressing his hope for concrete plans to implement the MoU. The RoK, a major investor in Viet Nam since the 1990s, had invested nearly US$87.5 billion across over 10,000 projects as of June 2024, making it Viet Nams top investor. Recently, the RoKs investments have increasingly shifted toward high-tech industries, energy, finance, and high-quality services, reflecting a move from traditional manufacturing to more advanced sectors. Vietnamese SMEs, meanwhile, are progressing in technology adoption and innovation, gradually climbing in the global value chain and forming partnerships with Korean companies. The potential of Viet Nam's SMEs spans various sectors, including manufacturing, electronics, agriculture, food processing, IT, textiles, and footwear. VNS The Concord Missionary Baptist Church at 7506 North Main is photographed Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 in Houston. The building was one of five buildings that was granted historic landmark status, a key preservation tool designed to ensure that pieces of Houstons history are not lost to reckless alterations or demolitions, by the Houston City Council. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Houston City Council on Wednesday granted five local buildings historic landmark status a key preservation tool designed to ensure that pieces of Houstons history are not lost to careless alterations or demolitions. Two of them the Frank A. Watts House at 2529 Stanmore Drive and the Menil House at 3363 San Felipe St. are now recognized as landmarks, meaning any redesign or maintenance must comply with additional regulations under the citys Historic Preservation Ordinance. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The other three structures the Alexander Z. and Julia C. Hester House at 1703 West St., Concord Missionary Baptist Church at 7506 North Main St. and the Knapp Chevrolet Building at 1230 Houston Ave. received the designation of protected landmarks, which offers a higher level of protection that provides significant safeguards against demolition and alterations. In Houston, we have seen a disturbing trend of demolition and destruction of our historic buildings, Laura Carrera, a local architect specializing in historic preservation, said during a recent public hearing in support of the applications. These landmarks are irreplaceable, and once they are gone, a piece of our history is lost forever. The city originally considered two other applications the Humble-Exxon Building and Garage at 800 Bell St. and 1616 Milam St., and the Braswell Building at 5613 Almeda Road but did not take action Wednesday. HOUSTON HISTORY: Exxon Mobil has deep roots in Houston area Mayor John Whitmire previously raised concerns about the Humble-Exxon Buildings designation. He noted that the building does not appear to have as much historical significance as the other proposed landmarks and that the status could restrict future commercial opportunities at a viable business structure in the central part of Houston. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Elise Marrion, spokesperson for the Planning and Development Department, told the Chronicle the Humble-Exxon Buildings owner has since withdrawn the application. In the case of the Braswell Building, resident Malcolm Lee previously said his sister has an unresolved ownership dispute with the current owner. Marrion said planning staff have since verified the current ownership and are set to present the application to City Council in the coming weeks. The five newly designated buildings have now joined a list of more than 200 landmarks and protected landmarks spread throughout the city. Heres what they are and why they matter. Alexander Z. and Julia C. Hester House The Alexander Z. and Julia C. Hester House at 1703 West Street is photographed Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 in Houston. The building was one of five buildings that was granted historic landmark status, a key preservation tool designed to ensure that pieces of Houstons history are not lost to reckless alterations or demolitions, by the Houston City Council. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The Hester House is a one-story Queen Anne-style cottage that has been serving as a community center in the Fifth Ward area. It features an original front gable with a bay window framed by corner brackets, exterior wood cladding and fenestration patterns. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The house was built in 1903 for Julia C. Hester, an influential teacher and community leader, and her husband, Alexander Z. Hester, a cotton sampler. Their dwelling was used as a gathering place to engage and educate children in the neighborhood. I feel very fortunate to live in a house with such a beautiful history, and I feel its a privilege and my duty to preserve their legacy at home, said the propertys owner, Marlene Weekley. She said she is working with the Texas General Land Office to repair the building and bring it up to code. Knapp Chevrolet Building The Knapp Chevrolet Building at 1230 Houston Avenue is photographed Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 in Houston. The building was one of five buildings that was granted historic landmark status, a key preservation tool designed to ensure that pieces of Houstons history are not lost to reckless alterations or demolitions, by the Houston City Council. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The one-story brick veneer building on Houston Avenue first opened in 1940 as an automobile showroom for Knapp Chevrolet, a local dealership still in business. Over the decades, it has also served as a repair shop, industrial print shop and a comedy improvisation theater called Station Theater. An art gallery currently occupies the space. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The buildings front facade continues to reflect Chevrolets industrial identity of the time, the application reads. Its Art Moderne-style represents a typical small-scale Texas automobile shop that provided commercial services for its surrounding community. The Knapp Chevrolet Building at 1230 Houston Avenue is photographed Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 in Houston. The building was one of five buildings that was granted historic landmark status, a key preservation tool designed to ensure that pieces of Houstons history are not lost to reckless alterations or demolitions, by the Houston City Council. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Concord Missionary Baptist Church The Concord Missionary Baptist Church at 7506 North Main is photographed Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 in Houston. The building was one of five buildings that was granted historic landmark status, a key preservation tool designed to ensure that pieces of Houstons history are not lost to reckless alterations or demolitions, by the Houston City Council. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer One of the few surviving church buildings in Independence Heights, the Concord Missionary Baptist Church was designed and built in the 1950s by Black contractor James M. Thomas. He was a prominent builder who designed dozens of churches, mostly for local African American congregations, at a time when few Black architects were recognized. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The congregation struggled with dwindling membership in the 21st century as an increasing number of residents moved from Independence Heights to other neighborhoods. They decided to stop using the church by 2011, and the building is currently vacant. The Concord Missionary Baptist Church at 7506 North Main is photographed Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 in Houston. The building was one of five buildings that was granted historic landmark status, a key preservation tool designed to ensure that pieces of Houstons history are not lost to reckless alterations or demolitions, by the Houston City Council. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Menil House Built around 1950, the one-story, single-family dwelling in the Briarwood neighborhood was the primary residence of John and Dominique de Menil, two internationally recognized art collectors. The house is considered a key symbol in the history of 20th century modernist culture. Its architecture had a direct impact on what became the Menil Collection and the Menil Drawing Institute. The entrance of the Menil House at 3363 San Felipe Street is photographed Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 in Houston. The building was one of five buildings that was granted historic landmark status, a key preservation tool designed to ensure that pieces of Houstons history are not lost to reckless alterations or demolitions, by the Houston City Council. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer MODERNIST HOMES: De Menil scion still seeking to shape Houston Frank A. Watts House The Frank A. Watts House at 2529 Stanmore Drive is photographed Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 in Houston. The building was one of five buildings that was granted historic landmark status, a key preservation tool designed to ensure that pieces of Houstons history are not lost to reckless alterations or demolitions, by the Houston City Council. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The two-story single-family home was designed in 1934 by Cameron Fairchild, an architect known for his eclectic residential designs primarily in River Oaks. The house features a wood frame with brick veneer and Colonial Revival details, along with a two-story garage that includes living quarters. It is located on a horseshoe-shaped court alongside five other residences. HA NOI Viet Nams passion fruits are moving closer to gaining certification to enter the US market after the two countries reached an agreement on technical requirements. This was a highlight of the working session between Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Trung and the US Acting Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural, Jason Hafemeister earlier this week. The event was held as part of the visit by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to the US to accelerate market openings for potential fruits from Viet Nam and enhance bilateral cooperation in plant protection, sustainable agricultural production and emission reduction. Technical requirements for Viet Nams passion fruits were agreed and the process will now move to the next step of implementing legal procedures for the official importation of passion fruits from Viet Nam. The two countries also initiated consideration for new fruits from Viet Nam, including seedless lemons, guavas and jackfruits, and moved one step closer for tangerines, plums, lemons and pomegranates from the US. An agreement was also reached to enhance cooperation in developing green agriculture, protecting the environment and ensuring global food safety as well as supporting each other in implementing global initiatives about smart, climate-change-adaptative and environmentally friendly agriculture. Efforts will also be increased to facilitate bilateral trade. The US is currently the largest export market of Viet Nams agro-forestry-fishery products with a value of US10.96 billion in 2023, accounting for 20.7 per cent of Viet Nams total agro-forestry-fishery exports. Currently, eight types of fruits from Viet Nam are being officially exported to the US, dragon fruit, mango, longan, lychee, rambutan, star apple, pomelo and coconut. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam's exports to Hungary grew by 61.1 per cent in the first seven months of this year. The Viet Nam Trade Office in Hungary said that although the Hungarian economy faced many difficulties due to the impact of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, political instability in some Gulf countries and the post-Covid-19 period, Viet Nam's exports to this market have regained momentum. Specifically, two-way trade between Viet Nam and Hungary reached US$506.7 million in the first seven months of this year, down 11.7 per cent year-on-year. Viet Nam's exports to Hungary grew by 61.1 per cent, reaching $392.2 million. Meanwhile, imports from Hungary reached $114.5 million, down 61.1 per cent. The main growth in exports was due to computers and electronic components, which reached $223.89 million, up 128 per cent, accounting for 57 per cent of Viet Nam's total export turnover to Hungary. Next was phones and components, reaching $27.2 million, up more than 21 times compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the import of raw materials and animal feed from Hungary fell 98.7 per cent, making it a major factor in the overall decrease in imports from Hungary. The Viet Nam Trade Office in Hungary stated that although Hungary was not a large market in the region, its import demand still increases annually, reaching over $100 billion per year. Of this, imports from Viet Nam have surged sharply in recent years. The entry into force of the Viet Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) continues to open up great opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to develop trade in goods and investment in the EU market and especially in Hungary in the coming time and vice versa, emphasised the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Although the turnover is still low, some agricultural products from Viet Nam such as cashew nuts, pepper and coffee exported to Hungary have accounted for a fairly high proportion of the total import turnover of these products in Hungary. This shows that these products have a good position in the local market, revealing an opportunity for Viet Nam to increase the export of these products to Hungary. VNS HA NOI PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation (PTSC) and Sembcorp Utilities Pte Ltd (SCU) of Singapore held the awarding ceremony for the wind and metocean measurement services and geotechnical desktop study packages. This is a critical component in the preparation and implementation of the offshore renewable energy import-export project from Viet Nam to Singapore. The PTSC-Sembcorp joint venture will be awarded the contracts and work to provide accurate data on the natural and technical conditions of the project area. The work will include collecting data on wind speed, wind direction and wind intensity at various heights; metocean measurements such as sea waves, currents, sea levels. The packages will involve geological and geotechnical desktop study, assessments of offshore wind power potential and the identification of advanced technologies for developing offshore wind power systems. The ceremony took place in Singapore on August 28. Several high-level representatives from Viet Nam and Singapore, along with representatives from PetroVietnam (PVN), PTSC) and SCU attended the event. The offshore renewable energy export project from Viet Nam to Singapore is one of the strategic collaborations between the two nations in the field of clean energy, initiated in early 2023 through the signing of the Joint Development Agreement (JDA). This agreement, which involves cooperation in investing and exporting clean electricity to Singapore from offshore renewable energy sources in Viet Nam, was signed during the official visit to Singapore by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Chairman of the Board of Members of PetroVietnam Le Manh Hung emphasised the significance of the ceremony, which is considered a memorable milestone in the offshore renewable energy sector for both countries. He also believed that the PTSC and Sembcorp would overcome challenges to successfully implement the project, turning it into a symbol of energy cooperation between Viet Nam and Singapore. The project represents a strong step forward in achieving the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. It also reflects the commitment to implementing Viet Nams Power Development Plan VIII, according to Le Manh Hung. Meanwhile, Chairman and CEO of Sembcorp Industries Wong Kim Yin said this project marks an important milestone in the cooperation between energy regulatory bodies. He emphasised Sembcorps contributions to Viet Nams energy sector and praised the collaboration with PVN and PTSC. General Director of PTSC Le Manh Cuong emphasised the importance of developing clean and sustainable energy sources in the current context. He said that PTSC has added renewable energy as its eighth sector, which aligns with PTSCs energy transition plans and PVN's overall strategy. Given the constraints on renewable energy sources, the Energy Market Authority of Singapore (EMA) has approved importing 4GW of clean electricity by 2025 from neighbouring countries, including 1.2GW from Viet Nam. Sembcorp will import this clean electricity from Viet Nam to Singapore, generated from offshore wind farms in collaboration with PTSC and transmitted through new underwater cables spanning about 1,000km. This project is expected to contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change and enhancing the global standing of Viet Nam and Singapore in the renewable energy sector. It is also a pilot project of the Vietnamese Government in the offshore wind power sector, contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening energy security nationally and regionally. VNS HA NOI Dozens of precious antique artefacts are on display in a temporary exhibition at the Viet Nam National Museum of History in Ha Noi. Entitled Bau Vat Champa Dau An Thoi Gian (Champa Treasures The Marks of Time), the exhibition features over 60 precious items, crafted from gold and silver, during the 17th and18th centuries. Many of these remarkable objects are on public display for the first time. Champa, an ancient kingdom that thrived from 192 to 1832, once occupied the region which is now central Viet Nam. Its rich cultural heritage was shaped by a captivating blend of Indian and Javanese influences, interwoven with unique Champa creations. Among its artistic achievements, three distinct styles stand out, including My Son, ong Duong, Thap Mam. Numerous temple ruins and sculptural remnants endure to this day, serving as tangible evidence that both Hinduism and Buddhism held sway as the primary religions in the ancient kingdom. Champa experienced its zenith during the 9th and 10th centuries. However, after the 15th century, as time marched forward, a gradual southward shift occurred in the heart of the Champa kingdom, accompanied by transformative changes. Notably, from 1692 (when Lord Nguyen established Thuan Thanh Town within Champas territory) until 1832 (when Champa officially merged into ai Nam, an ancient name of the current Viet Nam) under Emperor Minh Mang, scholarly attention toward Champas historical, cultural and artistic aspects remained relatively limited. Thats the reason why the Museum of History has collaborated with the Viet Nam Cultural Heritage Association and antique collector ao Danh uc to select more than 60 typical artefacts from this historical period to introduce to the public. The exhibition is divided into two sections one showcasing religious statues and sacred antiquities and the other highlighting jewellery and items imbued with both religious significance and royal authority. In the first part of the exhibition, visitors will encounter a captivating array of statues depicting the God Shiva, the elephant-headed God Ganesha, the serene Buddha, the compassionate Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, as well as the sacred linga, yoni and kosa linga all crafted from gold and silver adorned with precious gemstones. The second section unveils a dazzling array of Champa jewellery and regal artifacts. Among these treasures are earrings, rings, necklaces, hairpins, combs, bracelets, and belts. Notably, these pieces bear intricate symbols rooted in Champas religious and traditional beliefs. Hindu deities Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha take centre stage, alongside revered creatures like the sacred bull Nandin, the divine bird Garuda and the serpent god Naga. The National Museum of History presents this exhibition with a dual purpose to allow both local and foreign visitors to marvel at precious historical, cultural and artistic pieces from Champas lesser-known past and to deepen their understanding of this rich heritage. The exhibition opens to public until the end of October 2024. VNS HA NOI - Artworks in a variety of materials are on display at Japan Foundation for Culture Exchange in Ha Noi. The exhibition entitled Dialogue with Ukiyo-e Paintings aims to introduce visitors to the interaction between Vietnamese and Japanese traditional fine arts. Ukiyo-e painting is a traditional Japanese woodblock print which emerged in the early Edo period, the early 17th century. During the Japanese boom known as 'Japonisme' in Europe in the 19th century, the unique spatial expression and use of colours in Ukiyo-e paintings made a strong impression on many famous artists such as Monet, Cezanne and Renoir, who subsequently produced a variety of artworks that were greatly influenced by the Ukiyo-e form. Today, young Vietnamese artists took up a new challenge to create new artworks inspired by Ukiyo-e, but in keeping with Vietnamese tradition, so working with a variety of materials including silk, lacquer, ceramics, do (poonah) paper and even animation. "I feel very impressed with the works of Vietnamese artists," said Yoshioka Norihiko, director of Japan Foundation at the exhibition opening ceremony. "I believe that among the artists here, there are many who can follow the traditional path. However, from these works, I also hope you can open new paths for yourself and become one of the outstanding artists of contemporary art." Each piece shows Vietnamese culture using traditional and unique to the form materials, to excite both interested visitors and more nuanced art lovers. The exhibition is a part of a wider project which enables Vietnamese artists to practice contemporary art, according to the exhibition curator Nguyen The Son. "We honour the value of tradition," Son said. "The project focuses on dialogue from Vietnamese traditional materials to Japanese Ukiyo-e paintings. "I believe that Vietnamese artists will be more confidence in developing their contemporary art career inspired by traditional values, not only of Vietnamese art but also from the art of other country around the world." Dialogue with Ukiyo-e paintings was successfully launched at Van Mieu Literature Temple in January and introduced to the public and international visitors in Hoi An City within the framework of the 20th anniversary of Hoi An Japan Cultural Exchange in August. The exhibition runs until September 15 from 9am to 6pm at the Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange, 27 Quang Trung Street, Ha Noi. - VNS Exhibition marks National Day A NANG Nearly 200 archive documents and photos on the central city in the past and now are on display at an exhibition From Han River estuary to liveable a Nang City in celebration of the 79th anniversary of National Day, September 2 at the citys administration centre. The citys internal affairs department said documents had been collected from the national archives centres, the citys historical archive centre, libraries and domestic and international museums over many years. The exhibition is in two parts a Nang from the times of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-45) to 1975 and from 1975 until today both for free at No 24 Tran Phu Street until September 6. The exhibition depicts a long history of the beach city with fights against enemies over the centuries and still preserved relic related to the countrys protection activities. Many old photos and documents relate to the fight of the Vietnamese people against French-Spanish coalition forces in a Nang in 1858-60 and celebrate Nguyen Tri Phuong (1800-73), a famous general who commanded an army and civilians against the French-Spanish coalition forces. The city still preserves two martyr cemeteries the Hoa Vang and Nghia Ninh in honour of more than 4,300 civilians and soldiers killed during the 1858-60 battles against the French-Spanish forces, along with a graveyard of French and Spanish soldiers who died near Tien Sa Port. Old images feature the American War and peace time, the French Colonial era, the State of Viet Nam (1949-55), the provisional Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, the Republic of Viet Nam and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (from 1975 to now). The citys Hoang Sa Islands (Paracel) Museum has also put on display artefacts and documents showing the legality of Viet Nams sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa islands, including a collection of 150 maps published between 1618 and 1908. Many maps show evidence the Paracel and Spratly archipelagoes belong to Viet Nam including 102 books published in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and the Han Chinese script, all showing the frontier of Southern China is Hainan Island. An art and musical performance will be staged by the citys Trung Vuong Theatres Troupe at March 29 Square on August 30. HA NOI Party General Secretary and President To Lam, Secretary of the Central Military Commission, has said that due to its crucial role, the military needs to be built up across all aspects. He was presiding over a top level conference with the commissions Standing Committee regarding the implementation of military and defence tasks since the beginning of the 13th National Party Congress term. The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, a member of the Standing Committee, other members of the Politburo, including General Phan Van Giang, Deputy Secretary of the commission and the Minister of Defence. The Party General Secretary and President said he highly appreciated the forces of Viet Nam and congratulated the achievements and successes of the Standing Committee of the Central Military Commission, the leadership of the defence ministry and the officers and soldiers of the entire army. Expressing agreement with the tasks and solutions in the report of the Central Military Commission and the presentations of the delegates at the conference, the Vietnamese top leader affirmed that the military plays an important role in maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for the countrys development. Emphasising that national defence is the primary duty of the military, Lam stated that the military must be built up in all aspects. On the tasks and solutions until 2025, Lam requested that the Central Military Commission and the defence ministry focus on effectively fulfilling the strategic advisory function for the Party and State regarding military and defence matters, proactively enhance research and forecasting capabilities to handle situations flexibly and efficiently and avoid being caught off guard. He also urged effective coordination in implementing the resolution of the 8th plenum of the 13th-tenure Party Central Committee on national defence strategies in the new situation; along with various strategies, projects, and the legal system concerning military and defence. Additionally, he called for proactive research and proposals for enacting policies and laws related to military and defence that meet both immediate and long-term national defence requirements. In his speech, Party General Secretary and President To Lam said the defence sector must also proactively and positively implement comprehensive, synchronised and effective international integration and defence diplomacy efforts, guaranteeing the highest interests of the nation and the people, based on the principle of 'gaining friends, reducing enemies'. We must timely identify, handle the relationships with partners and adversaries appropriately, harmoniously, and flexibly, avoiding passivity and surprise, prevent the risk of conflict and confrontation and avoid isolation and dependence. The top leader stated that the entire military needs to continue deepening its understanding and thoroughly implementing the Partys line on all-people national defence, people's warfare and national defence in the new situation. They must adhere to the principle of relying on the people and the motto "the people are the root", the centre and the main actors and enhancing the effectiveness of State management of national defence at all levels. He called for concrete implementation of solutions to build and strengthen the all-people national defence, military regions and defence zones at all levels. The entire military must successfully carry out the policy of combining national defence with economic development, he urged. Particular attention should be paid to building a politically strong military, ensuring that the Military Party Committee is truly: "Clean, strong, exemplary and outstanding in terms of politics, ideology, ethics, organisation and personnel." It is essential to maintain and strengthen the absolute and direct leadership of the Party over the military in all aspects. In this regard, the Military Party Committee must set an example for the entire Party. He also called for the proactive coordination to review and firm the Party Central Committee's policies on personnel work in line with the specific characteristics of the military. He added that they need to build a contingent of officers and Party members following the spirit of the 'seven dares' -- dare to think, to speak up, to do, to take responsibility, to innovate, to bear hardship, and to act in service of common interests -- to meet mission requirements. Furthermore, there should be active innovation to enhance the quality of political, ideological, information and communication work. The military should also continue to carry out emulation and reward work effectively. Earlier General Secretary and President Lam and PM Chinh along with the military delegation planted planted commemorative trees in the courtyard of the defence ministry's headquarters. VNS LAO CAI The Border Guards High Command of the northern province of Lao Cai and the Honghe Border Management Unit, the Entry-Exit Inspection Station in Chinas Yunnan province conducted a joint patrol along the border areas they are responsible for on Wednesday. At the border demarcation line of the Lao Cai - Hekou International Border Gate, the patrol commands from both sides discussed joint patrol methods. They exchanged liaison officers to patrol within each other's teams, and each side established nine patrol units covering the area from Marker No. 87 in Y Ty commune, Bat Xat district to Marker No.167 in Pha Long commune, Muong Khuong district. During this joint patrol, the Chinese force handed over eight Vietnamese citizens who had been residing illegally in China to the Vietnamese side. Both sides agreed to continue exchanging information on the situation along their respective border areas via their hotline, letters, or liaison officers. They will coordinate to effectively address problems arising from efforts to combat crimes and manage the border; and work together to promptly detect and prevent criminal activities, particularly illegal border crossings, human trafficking, smuggling, and other violations. Additionally, they will collaborate closely to maintain political security and social order in the border areas. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam and Thailand should promptly upgrade their bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, fostering cooperation to address challenges and aiming to achieve a bilateral trade turnover of $25 billion at the earliest opportunity. This message was conveyed on Thursday during a phone call between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, following her appointment as the 31st Prime Minister of Thailand. PM Chinh extended the regards and well wishes of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam to the King, Queen and Royal Family of Thailand and congratulated Paetongtarn Shinawatra on her appointment. He expressed confidence that the Government and people of Thailand will continue to achieve even greater accomplishments in the country's development. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Viet Nam's consistent foreign policy, which values and seeks to further strengthen the increasingly strong, trustworthy and substantive relationship between Viet Nam and Thailand. PM Chinh also extended his sympathies to the Government and people regarding the recent severe flash floods in northern Thailand. Thai PM Paetongtarn thanked PM Chinh for his congratulatory letter and phone call on the occasion of her new position. She emphasised that Viet Nam is a close neighbour and an important partner of Thailand in the region and highly praised the country's socio-economic development achievements. She affirmed her readiness to cooperate with PM Chinh to enhance comprehensive and effective partnering between the two countries, for the benefit of their peoples and for peace and stability in the region. The Thai PM also expressed her gratitude to Viet Nam for the warm and gracious reception of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn during her visit to Viet Nam from August 13 to 15. The two Prime Ministers assessed that the Viet Nam-Thailand Strategic Partnership is growing robustly and effectively across various fields, and they agreed on the need to soon elevate their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. PM Chinh commended Thailand for being Viet Nams largest trading partner and the second-largest foreign investor within ASEAN, affirming that the nation will continue to facilitate effective business operations for Thai enterprises in the country. He also supported Thailands 'Six Countries, One Destination' initiative, which aims to effectively tap into the tourism potential among ASEAN countries. The Thai PM expressed a desire for both sides to work closely to enhance regional transport connectivity, strengthen cooperation in culture, education and training and promote people-to-people exchanges, thereby fostering the role of friendship bridges between the two nations. The Thai PM noted that Viet Nam and Thailand have closely linked and complementary economies. She expressed a strong desire for the two countries to collaborate in leveraging their strengths to become key drivers of economic growth in the region. Discussing regional and international issues of mutual interest, PM Chinh proposed that Viet Nam and Thailand continue to cooperate closely, strengthen ASEAN unity and centrality, support Laos in successfully chairing ASEAN in 2024 and promote sustainable development in the Mekong region. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining ASEAN's common stance on the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea), contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region. PM Chinh also extended a cordial invitation PM Paetongtarn for an official visit to Viet Nam and co-chairing the 4th Viet Nam-Thailand Joint Cabinet Meeting, which PM Paetongtarn graciously accepted. VNS HA NOI NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man emphasised the crucial role of Party building and rectification during a seminar in Ha Noi commemorating 55 years of implementing President Ho Chi Minh's testament. Addressing 600 delegates, Man highlighted the achievements under these principles, noting that Viet Nam has become "increasingly dignified and prosperous." He reaffirmed that President Ho Chi Minh's teachings have guided the Party, people, and military to uphold revolutionary ideals and national solidarity. The seminar, held at Dien Hong Hall, was organised by the Party Committee of Central Agencies, the Office of the President, the National Assembly, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, and the National Political (Chinh Tri Su That) Publishing House. Chairman Man affirmed that President Ho Chi Minh's thoughts and Testament have guided the nation for 55 years, ensuring the Party, people, and military remain steadfast in their revolutionary ideals. Under the Party's leadership, national solidarity and determination enabled Viet Nam to achieve victory in the resistance against the United States, liberate the south, unify the country, and realise President Ho Chi Minh's vision of national reunification. During nearly 40 years of renovation, by harnessing national strength and the continuous efforts of cadres, Party members, and citizens, Viet Nam has achieved historically significant accomplishments, Man said. He also emphasised the Party's commitment to implementing President Ho Chi Minh's teachings, prioritising Party building and rectification as essential, ongoing tasks. Man highlighted the link between building a culture of integrity and fostering ethical awareness among cadres and Party members, as a means to combat corruption and negativity. He echoed the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's sentiment that "honour is the most sacred and noble thing," underscoring this as a long-term solution. The Chairman also praised recent progress in Party building within central agencies, which serve as strategic advisory bodies staffed by politically knowledgeable and expert cadres. These agencies are vital in advising and implementing the Party's guidelines and State policies. Looking ahead, Man proposed that the Party should closely follow the leadership of the Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Secretariat to comprehensively implement Party building. This includes upholding democratic centralism, reinforcing the leadership role of Party organisations, and focusing on political and ideological work to counter hostile arguments and protect the Party's ideological foundation. The National Assembly Chairman emphasised the necessity of strictly implementing Central Resolutions on Party building and rectification, particularly the Central Committee's Conclusion No. 21, which focuses on accelerating these efforts and strengthening the political system. He stressed the importance of preventing and addressing any degradation in political ideology, ethics, and lifestyle among cadres and Party members, as outlined in the Politburo's Conclusion No. 01, which encourages studying and following President Ho Chi Minh's ideology, ethics, and lifestyle. Chairman Man called for a renewal in leadership methods within Party committees and organisations, urging a focus on key, breakthrough issues through specialised resolutions and effective implementation. He also advocated reviewing practical experiences and research to refine the organisational model, aiming for a more streamlined, efficient, and effective structure. Additionally, Man highlighted the importance of strengthening both regular and ad hoc inspections and supervision by Party committees and inspection bodies at all levels. This includes consistently monitoring the implementation of Party resolutions, addressing strengths, correcting weaknesses, preventing violations, and decisively handling any breaches, especially at the grassroots level. Man concluded by emphasising the enduring influence of President Ho Chi Minh's contributions to the Vietnamese revolution. He reaffirmed the Party's commitment to continuing Ho Chi Minh's cause, defending the nation's independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and building a Viet Nam that is "wealthy, strong, democratic, just, and civilised." The entire Party, people, and military are united in their pledge to maintain Party unity and continue studying and following President Ho Chi Minh's ideology, ethics, and style. VNS Downtown San Antonio shines. Billy Calzada/Staff photographer Low atmospheric pressure from the Gulf of Mexico in the summer, at it worst, can be a powerful, deadly hurricane like Beryl back in July other times, like this week, it can mean a chance for rain in parched South Texas. A weak low pressure system has developed in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, and its expected to move northward into Southeast Texas as we head into Thursday afternoon and evening. The coastal low likely will bring heavy tropical downpours to many along the Texas Gulf Coast, but the vast majority of the moisture is expected to stay east of San Antonio. We cant rule out a few isolated thunderstorms across South Texas, but the majority of the day is expected to be sunny. Heres a closer look at what you can expect. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A weather satellite image taken Wednesday afternoon shows a cluster of clouds where an unorganized low pressure system was harassing the upper Texas Gulf Coast. The low pressure will move over Southeast Texas by Thursday evening. NOAA Thursdays forecast Weather in South Texas on Thursday morning will be lovely as low temperatures fall to the mid-70s under mostly clear skies. Enjoy those conditions early on because San Antonio will become hot and humid as we move later into the day. San Antonio temperatures will rise into the mid-80s by 11 a.m., reaching the low 90s during the afternoon. Afternoon temps will top out between 92 and 94 degrees, close to average for late August. Itll feel even hotter, though, thanks to mostly sunny skies and muggy air indicated by high dew point temperatures in the low 70s. Humidity-driven heat index values likely will top out near 100 degrees. At left are the expected daily high temperatures Thursday in South Texas. At right arer the expected humidity-driven maximum heat index values, or feels like temperatures, for Thursday. Pivotal Weather Widely scattered thunderstorms are expected along the Texas coastline this morning, and the storms will become more widespread over Southeast Texas during this afternoon and evening. However, San Antonio will be on the west side of the low pressure system, which is generally the drier side of the system. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A few isolated showers and storms will be possible across San Antonio, generally between 2 and 7 p.m. Overall rain chances will be relatively low, around 10% to 20% from San Antonio and into the Hill Country. Future weather radar for 5 p.m. Thursday, based on forecast models, shows a few isolated showers and weak storms moving across South Texas. The majority of the region will stay dry. WeatherBell Active weather pattern continues The lack of high pressure over the area will help to keep the weather pattern very active into the Labor Day weekend. A weak cold front is expected to move into Central Texas by Saturday, and Gulf Coast moisture will continue to stream in from the south. On Friday and Saturday, San Antonio rain chances will stay relatively low at around 20 to 30%. As the weak cold front draws closer by early next week, rain chances will increase. From Sunday through Thursday. daily rain chances of 40% to 50% are expected. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Even with the higher rain chances, each day will consist of long periods of dryness interrupted by possibly short bursts of precipitation. Overall, the National Blend of Models estimates that San Antonio will see close to an inch of rain over the next seven days. Shown are potential rainfall totals over the next 7 days as an active weather pattern continues across South Texas. Pivotal Weather Temperatures will stay near average Friday and into the weekend as highs climb into the low to mid-90s. By early next week, highs will drop into the upper 80s to low 90s. Low temps will stay consistent in the middle to upper 70s. Extended forecast Long-range models indicate that conditions may start to move back to normal by the second week of September. According to the outlook from the National Weather Services Climate Prediction Center for Sept. 5-11, San Antonio can expect near-average precipitation and near-average to slightly above-average temperatures during that time frame. Thankfully, the chance of 100-degree heat will remain very low. VIENTIANE Delegations of Lao central agencies visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Vientiane on Wednesday and Thursday to congratulate Viet Nam on the 79th anniversary of its National Day (September 2). Leaders of Lao central agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Commission for Propaganda and Training, and the Organisation Commission of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party Central Committee, and the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction, conveyed their heartfelt congratulations to the Vietnamese Party, State, Government and people, lauding the nation's remarkable achievements across various sectors over the past 79 years. Praising robust cooperation between the Parties, States, and people of Laos and Viet Nam over the past years, they congratulated the Vietnamese Embassy and representative agencies on effectively serving as a bridge and advisor in fostering the bilateral relationship. The Lao officials were committed to working closely with the Vietnamese Embassy and relevant units to further strengthen the ties between the two countries, believing that under the sound leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam with General Secretary To Lam at the helm, Viet Nam would achieve even greater successes in the cause of national construction and development, ultimately realising the goals set forth by the 13th National Party Congress and becoming a prosperous, happy and high-income developed country by 2045. On this occasion, Lao delegations also thanked the Vietnamese Party, State, and people for their support during Laos' struggle for liberation and its ongoing national construction and development efforts. Phan Minh Chien, Charge d'Affaires of the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos, thanked the Lao delegations and highlighted the country's development achievements in various fields and outlined key areas of focus for future cooperation between the two countries. He underlined the embassy's commitment to maintaining close collaboration with Lao agencies and upholding its role as a bridge, contributing to the special relationship between Viet Nam and Laos and delivering tangible benefits to both nations and their people. VNS BUENOS AIRES The Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee's Commission for External Relations and the Vietnamese Embassy in Brazil, in collaboration with the Communist Party and the Workers' Party of the host country, have recently organised a seminar titled "President Ho Chi Minh and Viet Nam-Latin America Relations" in Brasilia. Politburo member, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee, and head of its Commission for Information and Education Nguyen Trong Nghiaa; secretary of international relations of the Communist Party of Brazil (PcdoB) Ana Prestes; General Secretary of the Brazil-Vietnam Friendship Association Pedro Olivera; and ambassadors of various countries attended the event. The seminar marked 55 years of implementing President Ho Chi Minhs testament, the 79th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19, 1945-2024) and the National Day (September 2, 1945-2024), and the 35th anniversary of the establishment of Viet Nam-Brazil diplomatic ties. The presentations and discussions at the seminar agreed that President Ho Chi Minh's Thought is a harmonious and dialectical blend of national cultural traditions, patriotism, solidarity, self-reliance, courage, and heroic sacrifice in the struggles against foreign invaders, combined with Marxism-Leninism, with a focus on the theory of the development of socio-economic formations. Historian Pedro Olivera affirmed that President Ho Chi Minh laid the foundation for the solidarity and friendship between the people of the two countries. Prestes emphasised that the relationship between the two countries dates back to the 1960s, when the people of Brazil actively supported and showed solidarity with Viet Nam's struggle for national liberation and reunification. Over the past 35 years, the bilateral relationship has developed positively, with increasing political trust, mutual understanding, and cooperation, she said. Both sides have maintained regular exchanges of delegations and bilateral contacts, and trade relations have seen significant progress. Brazil is a major trade partner of Viet Nam in Latin America, while Viet Nam is one of Brazil's key trade partners in Southeast Asia, with two-way trade reaching over US$6.7 billion last year, of which $714.8 million came from Brazil's exports. Meanwhile, Nghia emphasised that with the creative application of President Ho Chi Minh's diplomatic thought, Viet Nam continues to pursue a foreign policy of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, and active integration into the international community. The CPV currently maintains relationships with 253 parties from 115 countries around the world. Additionally, the country has relations with 193 countries and territories. The values embodied in Ho Chi Minh's Thought and the path to socialism being realised in Viet Nam will continue to spread and serve as a strong source of encouragement and inspiration for other nations on their journey toward building socialism, added the official. VNS HA NOI Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has called for port planning and development to prioritise mechanisms and policies that guarantee the safe and efficient growth of seaport infrastructure, aiming to attract investment from leading global shipping lines. He emphasised the need for a "dynamic and open" approach to ensure timely adaptation to technological advancements and international changes. He made the request while chairing a meeting yesterday with various ministries, sectors and localities to discuss the draft of the Detailed Master Plan for Seaport Groups. The plan, which covers ports, terminals, wharves and floating docks, sets out details for the period 2021-2030, with a vision extending to 2050. During the meeting, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Xuan Sang highlighted the significance of the plan as a crucial step in refining the broader master plan for the seaport system. He emphasised that this planning is vital for developing policies and strategies that align with socio-economic growth, while safeguarding the security of local, regional and national interests. The plan includes specific projections for each seaport and port area, detailing the number of berths, docks and port types needed by 2030. It also estimates the scale of major port areas for the 2030-2050 period to attract comprehensive investment. Key areas of focus include Nam o Son, Con Ong-Hon Net, Lien Chieu, Can Gio, Cai Mep Ha, the Cai Mep Ha lower-area and Tran e. The plan further proposes the development of public maritime infrastructure, guidelines for connecting transport infrastructure and orientations for the expansion of other docks and berths, laying a foundation for future planning efforts. Targets are set for cargo and passenger volumes, along with infrastructure needs, for each port group, aligning with forecasted growth. By 2030, total cargo volume is projected to exceed at least 1,249 million tonnes (under a low scenario) and 1,493 million tonnes (under a high scenario) with container cargo numbers ranging from 46.3 to 54.3 million TEUs. Passenger numbers are expected to reach between 17.382 and 18.845 million trips. The plan also updates Ho Chi Minh City's seaport, referenced as a special potential port, incorporating the Can Gio International Transhipment Port (in accordance with Decision No 442/QD-TTg). This update aims to optimise investment efficiency in seaport infrastructure and ensure a systematic, coordinated connection among seaports, sectors and regions nationwide, while safeguarding social security and national defence. Throughout the discussions, representatives from ministries, sectors, localities, and corporations provided feedback on the plan. Their insights are expected to significantly enhance services related to container port operations, including container handling, customs, freight transport and the use of docks, berths and buoy stations. Environment must be prioritised Later the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha reviewed the investment policy for the Saigon Gateway International Transhipment Port Project. The Deputy PM directed the Ministry of Planning and Investment to coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Transport, HCM City People's Committee and other relevant ministries and sectors, to ensure the projects alignment with related plans. He urged the swift completion of the dossier for investment policy approval. Deputy PM Ha emphasised that the environment must not be compromised, advocating for overall and harmonious benefits while avoiding conflicts with other projects. He stressed that the project must contribute to the goal of developing internationally and regionally competitive seaports, attracting investors with strong technological, human resource and management capabilities. According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Saigon Gateway Project in Can Gio District is currently under consideration for investment policy approval. The project involves services related to container port operations, with a projected land use of 571ha and a total investment of approximately VN113.5 trillion (over US$4 billion) to be implemented over seven phases, spanning 22 years. A representative of the HCM City People's Committee reassured that an environmental impact assessment would be thoroughly conducted during the feasibility study, in accordance with environmental laws, to ensure that the project does not impact the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve. The project will adhere to modern, environmentally friendly port operation technologies to protect the ecological environment, particularly the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve. Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment highlighted the project's location within the buffer zone of the biosphere reserve, which includes a UNESCO-recognised regenerating mangrove forest. They stressed the necessity of rigorous environmental impact assessments and further evaluation of land use planning around the project area to ensure its alignment with the overall master plan. Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Minh pointed out the lengthy project timeline and suggested that the project report clarify development trends and technology transfer to avoid poorly forecasted technology developments that could lead to inadequate investments and early obsolescence. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam is expected to have over 20 million surveillance cameras in operation by 2050, raising concerns about privacy and security risks. Statistical data shows that the country imports about 3.2 million surveillance cameras annually, most of which are from China, with popular brands like Dahua and Xiaomi dominating the market. Watchdog agencies are concerned that the surge of surveillance cameras would pose higher privacy and security risks to users as hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in those devices to steal personal data and launch cyberattacks. They found that over 800,000 surveillance cameras in Viet Nam have been compromised, with data being leaked online. Of these, nearly half are at risk of being taken over. Worse still, hundreds of online groups have emerged, selling leaked surveillance footage for between US$8 and $40 per clip. The Ministry of Information and Communications is working on a new regulation - the National Technical Regulation on Basic Information Security Requirements for Internet Protocol Surveillance Cameras - to raise the bar on surveillance data security. Under the regulation, all surveillance cameras will be required to be managed with safe passwords, undergo regular software updates and strong data communication protection to prevent denial-of-service attacks and other threats. The regulation will also establish data encryption and access management rules to ensure the security of personal information. Its scope will cover Vietnamese and foreign entities operating in Viet Nam, who are involved in research, development, assessment and the use of surveillance devices. VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Health (MoH) has urged local authorities to intensify their efforts to monitor and manage disease amid a surge in measles cases nationwide. Data from the Department of Preventive Medicine reveals that measles cases have surged by over 800% since the beginning of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with the disease spreading in several regions. On Tuesday, the HCM City People's Committee officially declared a measles outbreak, categorising it as a Category B infectious disease. In response, the MoH has launched a nationwide measles vaccination campaign for 2024. The ministry has released guidelines for proactive disease prevention as the new school year begins, with specific instructions on measles vaccination and prevention. MoH is working closely with provincial and municipal governments, relevant ministries and other stakeholders to ensure that these measures are rigorously enforced. In HCM City, the Department of Preventive Medicine has called for strict adherence to disease control protocols following the outbreak declaration. These include the formation and strengthening of disease control committees at all administrative levels, accurate reporting of outbreaks, organising emergency care and treatment, mobilising necessary resources and maintaining round-the-clock readiness to combat the disease. Other critical measures involve implementing medical isolation and ensuring personal protective measures are followed. Localities across the country need to maintain vigilant monitoring of the epidemic, conduct proactive surveillance, swiftly identify and address outbreaks and regularly assess risks to propose timely and effective interventions. Cooperation with neighbouring regions is also essential to share information and implement coordinated measures to prevent the spread and escalation of measles. The ministry is also emphasising the need to intensify measles vaccination campaigns. The public is advised to stay informed about the situation, ensure children receive all recommended vaccinations on schedule and follow preventive measures, such as avoiding large gatherings, practising regular hand washing with soap and wearing masks in public spaces. VNS Following a government resolution on administrative procedure reform and the province's 2024 digital transformation plan, BR-VT Smart was launched on April 25. Four months since the app's launch, BR-VT Smart has received an enthusiastic response from the public, thanks to its useful features and ease of use for all subjects and age groups. The app now has nearly 100,000 users and has generated around 120,000 visits. Ba Ria-Vung Tau province is focusing on accelerating the digital transformation of public services in 2024 and the future Talking about the development of the app, Do Huu Hien, director of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Department of Information and Communications, said the platform must become an integrated popular application, minimising registration, login, and information entry steps, and directly connecting with the provincial public service portal. For searching, proposing, and analysing solutions, Ba Ria-Vung Tau found that Zalo is currently the leading messaging/social networking application on phones, widespread among the majority of the Vietnamese population with over 76 million users. With a large user base and the practical manner that provinces and government agencies have deployed mini apps, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province expects Zalo's digital technology platform to solve technological limitations in the process of developing a smart city amid the digital transformation trend in the locality. "The launch of the BR-VT Smart mini app on the Zalo platform aims to guide citizens and businesses through administrative procedures, and give them access to online public services; thereby enhancing support and improving the quality of life of the people as well as the development of local businesses," Hien said. After four months of operation, the BR-VT Smart mini app has already had close to 100,000 users, generating nearly 120,000 visits As expected, the development of the BR-VT Smart mini app on Zalo has helped improve the quality of public services in the province. The government can now quickly gather information from the public, provide timely responses to questions, and quickly handle procedures. At the same time, the people can also save time travelling, researching information, and preparing documents thanks to the integrated steps and operations on the app. Through the application of Zalo, Ba Ria-Vung Tau People's Committee has developed public service features such as online document submission, direct document searches, online payments, and the province's hotline. In addition, the province has also expanded administrative utility features on the app, such as development proposals for the province, public reception schedules, planning information, land information, power outage schedules, and employment information. Citizens only need to enter the keyword "BR-VT Smart" in the search bar, then select the BR-VT Smart mini app in the search results to use the necessary utilities and features or to access updated local news. The features and utilities are suitable for all subjects, all age groups, and for general labourers to middle-aged and elderly people. The integration of the mini app on Zalo also saves storage space for people using low-cost and low-capacity smartphones. This part of the People's Committee's efforts to ensure that no citizen is left behind during the digital transformation revolution. The development and launch of the BR-VT Smart mini app on Zalo shows that Ba Ria-Vung Tau province is focusing on accelerating the digital transformation of public services in 2024 and beyond. According to statistics, there are about 15,700 official accounts run by government agencies on Zalo, and about 350 mini apps with over 5.6 million users just a year after Zalo launched this service for government agencies and public utilities. Ba Ria-Vung Tau province ranks first in foreign investment capital The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau took first place for attracting the most foreign investment capital in the first four months of the year. Ba Ria-Vung Tau to become a global logistics hub The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau has implemented solutions to modernise its seaports and logistics infrastructure, as well as improve its investment climate by streamlining its administrative procedures in the hope of attracting further investment. Ba Ria-Vung Tau leads the way in digital transformation The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau is pioneering digital transformation in public administration and social services, aiming to streamline bureaucracy and enhance citizen services while modernising governance and significantly boosting the region's investment appeal. Bangladeshi loss can be Vietnams gain in textiles, Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Bangladesh, one of the worlds top textile exporters, is grappling with domestic turmoil, with weeks of violent protests leading to telecommunications blackouts, curfews, and factory closures. According to Bangladeshs The Business Post, many international buyers have cancelled orders or seek the order to others due to concern over the shipment deadline. This is not the first time that Bangladeshs textile industry has been affected by such disruptions. Last year, protests by garment workers also impacted manufacturing and delivery times for garment exports. Sumetha Anand, CEO of Garcity, said, The crisis in Bangladesh has caused significant disruptions in the global supply chain. Many international brands that rely heavily on Bangladeshi factories for their apparel production are now facing delays and uncertainty. This situation has forced brands to look for alternative manufacturing hubs to diversify their supply chains and mitigate risks, She explained that in response to the crisis, many global brands are re-evaluating their sourcing strategies. The trend towards China+1 sourcing, where brands diversify their production away from China, is now expanding to include Bangladesh+1. This shift could lead to a more balanced and resilient global supply chain, with production spread across multiple regions. Countries like Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and Ethiopia are well-positioned to capitalise on the current situation in Bangladesh. These nations are investing in their garment manufacturing infrastructure and are becoming increasingly attractive to global brands seeking reliable and cost-effective production alternatives, she said. In the same viewpoint, SSI Securities Corporation believed that the closure of many Bangladeshi factories due to concerns about violence could cause the textile supply chain to shift to other countries such as China, India, and Vietnam. In which, India will have a distinct advantage because it is a neighbouring country and the textile and garment industries of the two countries have close relations. India is both a source of cotton and an investor in many large garment factories in Bangladesh. For Vietnam, businesses that mainly produce for the European market and process for brands may benefit because buyers can more easily move orders, said an SSI report released in early August. Pham Van Viet, deputy chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Textile and Garment Embroidery Association, said that on average, Bangladesh exports nearly $4 billion worth of textiles and garments to the EU, UK, and US markets each month. With the current situation, the instability in Bangladesh is difficult to resolve quickly, so disruption of the global textile and garment supply chain is inevitable. In terms of market share, before the protests and riots, Bangladesh was a direct competitor to Vietnams textile and garment industry. Therefore, when production activities in Bangladesh are disrupted, in theory, Vietnams textile and garment industry benefits. Vietnamese enterprises can receive more orders transferred by Bangladeshi customers in the short term to increase the speed of recovery after difficult times, Viet said. However, according to Viet, receiving more processing orders is not the biggest goal of Vietnams textile and garment industry because the countrys development strategy is different from Bangladeshs. While Bangladesh relies almost entirely on outsourcing orders for brands and trademarks and competes with low-cost labour, Vietnam is oriented towards developing a textile industry with higher added value - the fashion industry. Agribank Securities Company assessed that Vietnams textile and garment industry would benefit from the violence in Bangladesh. Garment exporting enterprises in Vietnam can receive orders shifting from this country. Currently, it is also the peak export season for garment products for the year-end festival season. In the long term, it added, foreign-invested enterprises may consider finding a country to replace Bangladesh in the textile and garment supply chain, due to the instability and potential risks of disruption, and Vietnam is a country with many advantages. The Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association quoted information from the Business Standard newspaper of Bangladesh saying that many Bangladeshi textile and garment exporting enterprises are witnessing a 25-40 per cent decrease in the number of orders. Export prices are also suffering a decline. Vietnams textile and garment export turnover in 2023 reached $40.3 billion, down 9 per cent compared to the previous year. This year so far, textile and garment exports has made a breakthrough in terms of markets and products, with up to 36 items and products of all kinds exported to over 100 territories. The textile and garment industrys export target of over $45 billion this year is feasible, according to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association. Positives signs for garments and textiles Figures from the General Department of Vietnam Customs show that Vietnams export value of garments and textiles rose 9.15 per cent to $392 million and 3.2 per cent to $3.2 billion respectively in July. Garments and textiles sector hoping to exploit 'green' recovery Many garments and textiles firms are focussing their investment on 'greening' their production processes to position themselves for the upcoming recovery period. Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha (right) receives CCCC Executive Director Wang Haihuai in Hanoi on August 28. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha received Executive Director of the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) Wang Haihuai in Hanoi on August 28, asking the firm to make practical proposals for infrastructure, construction, transport, and agricultural cooperation to help realise the high-level agreements between the two Parties and countries. Highly valuing the CCCCs road, railway, and renewable energy infrastructure projects, Ha suggested the company proactively consider and take part in priority infrastructure development projects in Vietnam, especially the North - South high-speed railway, along with the Hanoi - Hai Phong - Lang Son and the Hanoi - Mong Cai - Lao Cai rail routes to connect Vietnam with Chinese localities and some other countries. These are priority projects needing to be implemented as soon as possible, he noted, asking the CCCC to soon access Vietnamese partners and study both sides legal regulations to ensure the most effective collaboration in terms of design, technology selection, management, and operation, thus heralding a new stage of infrastructure development in Vietnam as well as for the companys ties with Vietnamese partners. The official spoke highly of the CCCCs green transition and renewable energy facilities and technologies in China, expressing his hope that its cooperation in Vietnam will help local businesses access new technologies and govern more efficiently. The CCCCs facilities and projects in Vietnam will become symbols of the two countries relations and open up investment and business opportunities in other fields for the firm, he said. For his part, Wang said over the last 30 years, his company has carried out more than 30 projects in Vietnam such as seaports, onshore wind power plants, and industrial parks with total contract value exceeding 3 billion USD. Extensive integration, a favourable legal corridor, and a strongly improved investment climate are optimal conditions for foreign businesses to operate in the Southeast Asian nation, he opined. He said the CCCC is closely following the important transport projects connecting Vietnam with Chinese localities, along with the North - South high-speed railway and metro lines in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The Executive Director also voiced the readiness to carry out wind power projects using the most advanced technologies in Vietnam. Chinese firms in Hai Phong requested to actively fight nCoV The Peoples Committee of northern Hai Phong city on January 31 asked Chinese businesses using labourers from China to pay special attention to the fight against the nCoV. Thai, Chinese firms tie up in cross-border payment TrueMoney, a leading fintech company in Thailand, has partnered with Ant Group of China to launch cross-border mobile payments between Thailand and China, allowing Thai tourists to use TrueMoney e-wallet to make payments to tens of millions of merchants in China. Minister welcomes Chinese firms plan to expand operations in Vietnam Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung has welcomed China Communications Construction Co. Ltd (CCCC)s plan to expand investment and business activities in Vietnam while meeting a representative of the firm in Beijing on October 19. Chinese director of wood firm detained for boiler explosion Feng Yong, Chinese male director of the wood processing firm in the southern province of Dong Nai, where a boiler explosion killed six workers on May 1, has been detained for violations of management practices. Varying types of hybrid vehicles make it more challenging to determine tax levels for them, photo Le Toan International auditors KPMG in collaboration with the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA) last month released a research report on the impact of proposed changes to the Law on Special Consumption Tax (SCT) on the vehicle industry, with reference to the experience of a number of countries. Of this, the VAMA proposed incentive SCTs for self-charging hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) at 70 per cent of the tax rate applied to gasoline-powered vehicles of the same type (currently 100 per cent); and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) at 50 per cent of the tax rate applied to petrol-powered vehicles of the same type (currently 70 per cent). The association said this aims to encourage the conversion from internal combustion engine vehicles to pure EVs. In the short term, incentives for HEVs and PHEVs will reduce state budget revenue, but generate other economic, environmental, and social benefits. If the incentives are approved, the selling price of HEV or PHEV will reduce to almost the same as internal combustion engine vehicles. Specifically, the Toyota Corolla Cross HEV version, which is currently priced at $38,200, will become $35,000, only $640 higher than the petrol model, if the SCT incentive was given, thereby encouraging consumers to use this environmentally friendly vehicle, a VAMA representative said at a conference held by the Central Institute for Economic Management in early August. The latest draft law released in July has already stipulated an incentive SCT rate at 70 per cent of the corresponding petrol car for PHEVs, while HEVs will still have to subject to the same tax rate as the corresponding gasoline-powered cars. This is not really reasonable because HEVs still reduce the use of fossil fuels and is a transition to pure EVs, while charging stations and technology are not convenient enough for consumers, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) said. The VCCI recommends the Ministry of Finance to consider policies to encourage HEVs without separate charging systems, with tax rates lower than those for corresponding petrol-powered vehicles. Countries with similar characteristics and development levels as Vietnam, including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, all have preferential policies for environmentally friendly vehicles, a VCCI report said. The report from KPMG and the VAMA assessed that HEVs could reduce fuel usage and emissions by 30-40 per cent compared to petrol vehicles, and PHEVs by 50 per cent. The price of hybrid vehicles is 10-20 per cent higher than that of petrol vehicles of the same type, which may not encourage people to switch. They estimate that if the SCT is applied, the total state budget revenue in 2026-2030 will decrease by about $940 million, but the benefits from reducing CO2 emissions and saving fuel will be more valuable, they noted. They calculated the total economic benefits to be more than $144 million over the period. Dam Hoang Phuc, director of the Automotive Engineering Training Programme at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, said there were currently many car models on the market with different configurations or technical characteristics, providing different fuel economy and emission reduction capabilities. Therefore, the SCT on hybrid cars needs to have tax schedules commensurate with emission reduction. If we use displacement for cars using internal combustion engines to tax, then for hybrid cars, we should base it on the electric capacity to ensure the balance of technology, the contribution to fuel saving, and emission reduction. A general rate at 70 per cent is not enough, Phuc said. However, in the view of Vu Tan Cong, deputy general director of Vietnam Automobile Industry and Trade Consulting, EVs still cause environmental pollution. According to Vietnam Electricity, the total electricity output of the system in the first quarter of 2024 reached 69.4 billion KWh. The proportion of power sources is 57.6 per cent from coal-fired thermal power, 16.5 per cent from renewable energy, 15.3 per cent from hydropower, 8.7 per cent from gas turbines, and 1.7 per cent imported. Of these, coal-fired thermal power and gas turbine power cause a lot of environmental pollution. EVs still pollute because of charging from the national grid. They only transfer environmental pollution from operation to coal-fired thermal power plants and gas turbine power plants, Cong said. Moreover, due to the larger weight of EV tyres compared to ones used by internal combustion engines, EV tyres wear out faster. This means that EVs emit more fine dust from tyres than cars using internal combustion engines, Cong added. In addition, when EVs reach the end of their useful life, the batteries must be properly disposed of to avoid polluting the environment. Thoroughly disposing of these expired EVs batteries is costly and challenging. He suggested reducing the SCT for PHEVs only, and not for mild hybrids and full hybrids. The draft Law on SCT is due to be submitted to the National Assembly in early September. In mid-August, PetroVietnam Power Corporation (PV Power) injected over $70,000 to build a pilot electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Hanoi, marking its foray into Vietnams fledging EV charging station market. Tech players take on EV charging infrastructure The pilot is part of an MoU signed between PV Power and EN Technologies in June 2023, in which the two sides aim to research and develop a charging network. The government is speeding up the transition from traditional cars to EVs, with demand for such vehicles predicted to rise. Infrastructure for EV charging stations is essential to the increasing use of EVs in Vietnam in order to maintain efficient traffic flows. Investing in EV charging stations is a strategic move that will allow PV Power to expand its operations and provide new business opportunities, the company said. Elsewhere, in late June, Singapore EV charging firm Charge+ and Porsche announced a project to develop 17 high-powered charging points spanning over 1,700km in Vietnam over the next three years. The project is highly synergistic with Charge+s ongoing implementation of an EV charging highway that spans 5,000km across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, the longest EV charging backbone in the region. Khoa Tran, country head of Charge+ Vietnam, told VIR, Vietnams EV charging infrastructure is expanding, led by VinFast and joined by new players, including Charge+. The government supports EV adoption, but regulations and incentives are still evolving. The burgeoning EV market presents opportunities for us to establish a strong presence. Charge+ plans to deploy a nationwide fast-charging network, making EV charging more accessible. Its innovative ultra-slim dual EV charger and smart charging software address space and energy constraints, appealing to businesses and public spaces, Tran said. Additionally, Charge+ offers customisable solutions for property owners and automotive partners, allowing them to tailor pricing and access controls. Charge+ is ready to scale its infrastructure as demand grows, drawing on experience in other Southeast Asian markets. However, infrastructure readiness remains a challenge. Grid upgrades may be needed in some areas, impacting station deployment costs and timelines. Meanwhile, evolving policies create uncertainty and potential delays in obtaining approvals, Tran added. Another challenge is to ensure compatibility and integrating advanced technologies for efficiency and user experience. High upfront and operational costs also pose financial challenges, and the networks success hinges on EV adoption and public awareness, he said. Another company, EBOOST, also has a plan to reach over 5,000 EV charging points by the end of 2025 across the country. EBOOST currently offers more than 1,500 charging points at various locations in the country, both for e-cars and e-bikes. Any brand of vehicle can access and charge at EBOOST stations, unlike Vinfast offerings. Founder and CEO Stefan Kaufmann said, The key to running a viable e-charging business on its own is demand. Vietnam needs brands both for e-cars and e-bikes to enter and establish the market to educate and convince vehicle buyers to actually switch to EV. With that, users will get a choice of different brands, pricing, and performance this is a must to accelerate the transition and thus generate enough demand for EV charging providers to operate and grow. Meanwhile, Foxconn announced that it will build an EV charging and component production plant in Vietnam through a $250 million investment, which will help facilitate a more rapid expansion of the local and Southeast Asia regional EV charging networks. According to a 2024 report by KPMG, building charging capacity should be a top priority for promoting EVs, as the availability of charging stations is the most critical factor influencing the purchasing decisions of future EV buyers. The Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association predicts that Vietnam will have about one million EVs operating in 2030 and 3.5 million EV in 2040. To promote the development of the EV charging landscape, Vietnam is researching incentive policies related to land, planning, and taxes for EV charging station companies. The country also plans electricity subsidies for EV charging stations. To further support the EV ecosystem, Vietnam should consider streamlining regulations across transportation, electricity, and safety sectors, Tran from Charge+ Vietnam said. The country should strengthen the grid and increase renewable energy integration, especially along highways. Efforts should be made to offer subsidies and tax incentives for EV infrastructure investments and equipment. Regulations also need to be provided for charger installation, particularly in enclosed parking, addressing fire safety. In the same vein, EBOOSTs Kaufmann noted that there is support to incentivise the EV transition. The key is to focus on two major areas. First is how the government can encourage demand and support early adopters and willing vehicle owners to buy and switch to an EV. The second factor is how the government can establish standards and guidelines around the e-charging business and infrastructure, Kaufmann said. This can be practical guidance on what is required (from a construction and standards point of view) at various locations, or this can be more bold moves such as obligations to actually provide e-charging facilities at certain locations and buildings, he added. PV Power invests over $70,000 to build electric vehicle charging station in Hanoi Petrovietnam Power Corporation (PV Power) is building a pilot electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Hanoi, marking its entry into Vietnam's fledging EV charging station market. Chinas EV inroads ring alarm bells A wave of car manufacturing factory closures in Thailand is spreading due to Chinas aggressive electric vehicle entry and price cuts, posing questions for other countries in Southeast Asia. Supporting a green strategy for the automotive industry With 6.5 million cars and 74 million motorcycles, Vietnam is the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from road transport in Southeast Asia, following Indonesia. Emissions from road vehicles in the country are rising rapidly, with an average annual increase of about 15 per cent over the past decade. Durov, 39, was charged on several counts of failing to curb extremist and illegal content on the popular messaging app following a hearing with investigating magistrates in Paris. Telegram boss Durov charged, banned from leaving France, Photo: Steve JENNINGS / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP Russian-born Durov was arrested at Le Bourget airport outside Paris late Saturday and questioned in subsequent days under arrest by investigators. He was granted conditional release against a bail of five million euros and on the condition he must report to a police station twice a week as well as remaining in France, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said in a statement. The charges concern alleged crimes involving an organised group including "complicity in the administration of an online platform to enable an illicit transaction". Durov has also been charged with refusing to share documents demanded by authorities as well as "dissemination in an organised group of images of minors in child pornography" as well as drug trafficking, fraud and money laundering. His lawyer David-Olivier Kaminski said it was "absurd" to suggest Durov could be implicated in any crime committed on the app, adding: "Telegram complies in all respects with European rules concerning digital technology." Separately, Durov is also being investigated on suspicion of "serious acts of violence" towards one of his children while he and an ex-partner, the boy's mother, were in Paris, a source said. She also filed another complaint against Durov in Switzerland last year. The tech mogul founded Telegram as he was in the process of quitting his native Russia a decade ago. Its growth has been exponential, with the app now reporting more than 900 million users. An enigmatic figure who rarely speaks in public, Durov is a citizen of Russia, France and the United Arab Emirates, where Telegram is based. Forbes magazine estimates his current fortune at $15.5 billion, though he proudly promotes the virtues of an ascetic life that includes ice baths and not drinking alcohol or coffee. Numerous questions have been raised about the timing and circumstances of Durov's detention, with supporters seeing him as a freedom of speech champion and detractors as a menace who wilfully allowed Telegram to get out of control. Le Monde newspaper reported Wednesday that Durov had met President Emmanuel Macron on several occasions prior to receiving French nationality in 2021, via a special procedure reserved for those deemed to have made a special contribution to France. The Wall Street Journal added that at one lunch in 2018, Macron -- who along with his team was in the past an avid user of Telegram -- had suggested it should be headquartered in Paris, but Durov refused. According to a source close to the case, confirming a story first published on the Politico news site, both Pavel Durov and his elder brother Nikolai, a lower-profile figure seen as the mathematical brain behind Telegram, have been wanted by France since March this year. In a post on X to address what he called "false information" concerning the case, Macron said Durov's arrest was "in no way a political decision" and it was "up to the judges to rule". In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the charges were very serious and thus needed "no less serious evidence". Among those voicing support for Durov is fellow tech tycoon and chief executive of X, Elon Musk, who has posted comments under the hashtag #FreePavel. After the charges, Musk posted a meme on X of a surveillance camera attached to buildings inscribed with France's motto, "liberty, equality, fraternity." Durov left Russia a decade ago as he was setting up Telegram amid an ownership squabble concerning his first project, the Russian social network VKontakte. But his departure from Russia was reportedly not an abrupt exile: according to the Vazhnye Istorii news site, citing leaked border data, he visited the country more than 50 times between 2015 and 2021. Telegram has positioned itself as a "neutral" alternative to US-owned platforms, which have been criticised for their commercial exploitation of users' personal data. It has also played a key role since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, used actively by politicians and commentators on both sides of the war. The Paris prosecutor said the French judicial authorities had been made aware of the "near total absence of a response" from Telegram to requests from the authorities and had first opened an investigation in February 2024. Russian court rules to block Telegram messaging app A Moscow court on Friday ruled to block the popular messaging app Telegram in Russia, after it refused to give state security services access to private conversations, an AFP reporter at the court said. Russia asks Apple to help block Telegram Russia's communications watchdog said on Monday (May 28) it had requested Apple help it block the popular messaging app Telegram which has been banned in the country for refusing to give the security services access to private conversations. Vietnam proposes stricter regulations for OTT apps like Zalo, Telegram The burgeoning adoption of over-the-top (OTT) telecommunications services like Zalo, Viber, and Telegram poses a grave concern, as the existing legal framework fails to provide adequate governance, jeopardising the rights, safety, and security of users' sensitive information, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications. The desk measures just over 17 feet from side to side with multiple levels, designed to accommodate library patrons of all ages and abilities. DES MOINES Three Libertarian Party candidates for Congress including one in a closely contested Eastern Iowa race should not be allowed on ballots for the November election, a state panel ruled Wednesday. The State Objection Panel, meeting at the Iowa Capitol, upheld challenges to the candidacies of Nicholas Gluba in Eastern Iowas 1st Congressional District, Marco Battaglia in Central Iowas 3rd District and Charles Aldrich in Western Iowas 4th District. The ruling effectively removes the three Libertarian candidates from the Nov. 5 ballot. The candidates could challenge the panels ruling in court. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird voted to uphold the objections and remove the Libertarian candidates; State Auditor Rob Sand voted against the objections. Pate and Bird are Republicans; Sand is a Democrat. The rules are the rules, and I as a commissioner of elections dont get to make them up. I have to enforce them as they are, Pate said during Wednesdays meeting. Does it feel like a technicality? Well, it may be in your eyes. But we have to be consistent. Iowas 1st and 3rd Districts, currently represented by Republicans U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, respectively, are projected to be closely contested. In the 1st District, Democrat Christina Bohannan is challenging Miller-Meeks, and in the 3rd District, Democrat Lanon Baccam is challenging Nunn. Sabatos Crystal Ball has both elections as leaning Republican, while the Cook Political Report has the 3rd District leaning Republican and the 1st likely Republican. Elections Daily classified the 3rd District as a tossup. Removing a third-party candidate from the ballot in those close elections could impact the outcome. In 2020, for example, the Libertarian candidate in Iowas 3rd District received over 15,000 votes in an election that was won by the Democratic incumbent by fewer than 7,000 votes. Chris Larimer, a political-science professor at the University of Northern Iowa, said removing Libertarian candidates from the ballot is more likely to have an impact in the 3rd District race. He said the question is whether those voters who would have voted for a Libertarian will now choose a different candidate or will opt against voting. The case made in the objections The objections were brought by Iowa Republicans in each of the districts, and they were represented by Alan Ostergren, a lawyer prominent in Iowa conservative causes. The objections centered on the assertion that the Libertarian Party of Iowa failed to properly conduct county conventions, thus nullifying the special conventions they later conducted to nominate the three congressional candidates. Iowa Libertarians conducted their precinct caucuses and county conventions on the same day: Jan. 15. But because Iowa law says delegates nominated at precinct caucuses do not begin their official term until the next day, Ostergren argued the Libertarians newly elected delegates were not yet able to conduct party business. Therefore, Ostergren argued, the actions taken by those delegates at the county convention were improper, and so were the special nominating conventions held June 8 to nominate the three candidates. This flaw is fatal, Ostergren told the panel. (The) less than two dozen individuals who met in Des Moines to purport to nominate candidates for these three congressional seats had no legal authority to represent the Libertarian Party of Iowa because they had not done basic organizational steps. Iowa Libertarians are subject to state elections law requirements for major political parties because the Iowa party earned major party status in the 2022 elections, when the partys candidate for governor, Rick Stewart, earned more than 2% of the vote. What panel members said Bird during the hearing said that when a political party earns ballot access, it becomes obligated to achieve certain party-building requirements set in state law. As I reviewed this, its clear to me that the Iowa code and here, it doesnt matter what my personal opinion may or may not be I am bound to follow the Iowa Code and the words on this page. The Iowa code makes it clear that a caucus and a county convention cant be held at the same time, at least not where they would transact any business, Bird said. Sand argued that the panel did not have the authority to consider the objections, and that it should reject them. He said the panel has been designated by law to consider only objections to candidates filing paperwork, such as nominating petitions. Iowa law allows for objections to the legal sufficiency of a nomination petition or certificate of nomination or to the eligibility of a candidate. Sand told reporters after the hearing that the law pertains only to the information that candidates are required to provide, like their address or whether they have been convicted of a felony. He also argued the objectors failed to submit documentation confirming their ability to vote for the candidates and that they did not have legal standing to object to Libertarians nominating procedures. Allegations of political motivations Sand also accused Pate and Bird, the State Objection Panels two Republicans, of voting to remove Gluba and Battaglia in order to help their fellow Republicans. I just want to call this for what it is: Its obviously Iowas GOP uni-party doing their part to prop up a dying two-party system, doing their part to limit the voters choices in the state of Iowa. And Im not going to go along with it, Sand said. Jules Cutler, chair of the Libertarian Party of Iowa who also represented the candidates during Wednesdays hearing, said she was not surprised by the ruling. The Democrats and Republicans have done everything to keep us off the ballot over the years, Cutler told reporters. Just like Mr. Battaglia said (during the hearing), we jump through whatever the hoops that are demanded, and then they create more hoops for us to jump through. In response to those allegations, Bird in a statement said her duty is to uphold state law. The law applies to everyone, regardless of party, Bird said in the statement. Pate, in a statement, also said his role is to administer the law as written, and to serve as a referee of elections. It is always unfortunate to have to turn anyone away, and I commend anyone for putting their name in and running for elected office. I have an immense respect for the passion we see displayed from political parties and the candidates, Pate stated. I have participated in the objections panel process several times over the years, and as a result we have had to make decisions in favor of and against each of Iowas major parties, Republicans, Democrats, and Libertarians alike. In the name of transparent, safe, and secure elections, it is the objection panels role to apply the information we are given to enforce Iowa Code to the best of our ability. Thats what we each did today. Whats next for the candidates Gluba, Battaglia and Aldrich could challenge the ruling in District Court. Cutler said that decision will be made after conferring with the candidates. Any legal challenge will need to occur soon. The Iowa Secretary of States Office said it will certify ballots Sept. 3, after which county auditors can begin printing them. The State Objection Panels 2022 ruling to uphold Democrat Abby Finkenauers U.S. Senate candidacy was challenged in District Court. Ultimately, the Iowa Supreme Court sided unanimously with State Objection Panel members Sand and former Attorney General Tom Miller in upholding Finkenauers candidacy. If they ultimately do not appear on the ballot, all three candidates told reporters they would continue to campaign and ask Iowans to vote for them as write-in candidates. How forecasts of bad weather can drive up your grocery bill How forecasts of bad weather can drive up your grocery bill Lower water levels slow down barges on the Mississippi River 2024 FOCAC Summit to renew friendship, draw cooperation blueprints 10:26, August 29, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on Sept. 5 in Beijing and deliver a keynote speech. During the summit, Xi will host a welcoming banquet and relevant bilateral events for the leaders of FOCAC's African members and representatives of relevant African regional organizations and international organizations invited to the summit. Local workers harvest Chinese foxtail millet in a test field of a China-Uganda agricultural cooperation park. (Photo/Long Wenjing) After a gap of 6 years, leaders from China and Africa will once again gather in Beijing to renew their friendship and discuss cooperation plans. This is bound to inject new impetus into the deepening of political mutual trust and the upgrading of pragmatic cooperation between China and Africa, and to consolidate consensus and strength in building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. Xi attaches high importance to China-Africa cooperation. He has been involved in the planning of China-Africa relations, providing important guidance for the steady and long-term development of China-Africa ties. During his visit to Africa in March 2013, Xi put forward the principles of China's Africa policy - sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and pursuing the greater good and shared interests, charting the course for China's cooperation with Africa, and providing the fundamental guidelines. At the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit in December 2015, Xi announced to implement ten major cooperation plans with Africa, and both Chinese and African leaders agreed to upgrade the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership to a China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership. Three years later, Xi chaired the 2018 Beijing summit of the FOCAC and delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony. He announced that to build an even closer China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, China will, on the basis of the ten cooperation plans already adopted, launch eight major initiatives in close collaboration with African countries in the next three years and beyond. In November 2021, Xi attended the opening ceremony of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC and delivered a keynote speech. He summarized the everlasting spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, and announced that China will work closely with African countries to implement nine programs. An Ethiopian employee of China First Highway Engineering Co., Ltd. is doing a survey task for a new terminal at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (People's Daily/Huang Peizhao) Under the guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, China-Africa relations have entered a new phase of building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. The building of a China-Africa community with a shared future continues to be at the forefront of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Friendship and justice, which defines China-Africa relations, require China to facilitate Africa's development endeavor with its development and ultimately deliver win-win progress and common development through mutually beneficial cooperation. From the ten major cooperation plans to the eight major initiatives, and to the nine programs, China and Africa have continuously expanded and deepened their cooperation. China is the largest developing country investing in Africa. It has carried out multiple trade promotion projects in Africa, such as a fishing port complex in Ghana and an interchange in Nouakchott, Mauritania. It has also built green development projects in Africa, such as a Juncao technology program in Central African Republic, a riverside green development project in Ethiopia, and a photovoltaic farm in Lesotho. Besides, China has assisted in the construction of a foreign service academy in Sierra Leone, the University of Bamako in Mali, and primary schools in Botswana, with an aim to enhance these countries' capacity building. So far, Chinese aid and development cooperation projects under the nine programs have all been completed. A vivid picture of China and Africa joining hands to forge a bright future is unfolding. A health checkup is conducted for local children by the 18th Chinese medical team to Chad. (Photo/Wang Lini) The pursuit of modernization is a common goal shared by China and African countries. In August 2023, Xi delivered a keynote speech at the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue, during which he announced that China will launch the Initiative on Supporting Africa's Industrialization, the Plan for China Supporting Africa's Agricultural Modernization and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development. These three initiatives focus on the urgent needs of Africa in achieving industrialization, agricultural modernization, and talent development, demonstrating China's support for Africa's development through concrete actions. African countries generally believe that China is an important partner of Africa in achieving modernization. China and Africa, through their creative explorations for modernization, are giving their answers to the questions of the times, and making joint efforts to advance the great endeavors of win-win cooperation, harmonious coexistence and shared prosperity of civilizations. They will definitely create a better future for the two peoples and set an example for building a community with a shared future for mankind. China has always followed the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests in its cooperation with Africa, which corresponds to the fundamental interests of African countries and the basic norms of international relations. China's aim in developing cooperation with Africa will always be to promote the fundamental interests of the Chinese and African people. Sincerity, equality, mutual benefit, justice, openness and inclusiveness will always be the guiding principles and defining features of China-Africa friendship. The Global South, including China and Africa, is growing fast and profoundly shaping the course of world history. Strengthening solidarity and cooperation between China and Africa is not only the necessary path for the two sides to achieve common development, but also a powerful driving force for building an equal and orderly multipolar world and promoting universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) UN nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi kicked off a visit Tuesday to "independently assess" conditions at Russia's Kursk nuclear plant following Ukraine's unprecedented cross-border offensive into the Russian region. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly warned of the dangers of fighting around nuclear plants following Russia's full-scale military offensive into Ukraine in February 2022. A spokesperson for Russia's nuclear agency, Rosatom, told AFP that Rossi had arrived at the power plant as he personally leads a mission to assess the situation there, which he has warned is "serious". In the first days of the conflict, Russian forces seized the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine, and also briefly held the decommissioned Chernobyl plant in the north. Ukraine launched its surprise incursion into Kursk on August 6 and has said it is making advances, even as Russian forces move deeper into eastern Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin last week accused Ukraine of trying to attack the Kursk nuclear power plant, which is less than 50 kilometres (30 miles) from fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces. The IAEA confirmed that it had been told by Russian authorities that drone fragments were found last Thursday roughly 100 metres from the Kursk plant's spent nuclear fuel storage facility. Grossi said Monday he would "independently assess what is happening" at the plant, "given the serious situation". "The safety and security of all nuclear power plants is of central and fundamental concern to the IAEA," Grossi said in a statement. The plant lies some 60 kilometres from the Russia-Ukraine border, next to the Seym river, and less than 50 kilometres away from Kursk city, the region's capital with a population of around 440,000. The plant has four reactor units though only two are operational and two more reactors are under construction. All four reactors are the same type as Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear power plant, without a protecting dome around them. In 1986, a reactor at Chernobyl exploded during a botched safety test, resulting in the world's worst nuclear accident that sent clouds of radiation across much of Europe and forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate. Tariq Rauf, a former IAEA official, said these types of reactors have since undergone "significant safety upgrades". Robert Kelley, a former IAEA director of inspections, said: "The possibility of a Chernobyl-type incident with the reactor blowing up and burning for days is zero." But he added that an errant bomb or large artillery strike on spent fuel storage ponds could damage the fuel and release radioactive gases and particles. Russia has repeatedly sounded the alarm over a possible hit since Ukrainian troops and tanks stormed into Kursk. The IAEA urged both Russia and Ukraine to exercise "maximum restraint" to "avoid a nuclear accident with the potential for serious radiological consequences". On Sunday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had taken control of two more Russian settlements in Kursk region, adding to dozens already captured. More than 130,000 people have been displaced so far. Kyiv has said the offensive aims to prevent cross-border strikes from Russia into its Sumy region and to force Russia to the negotiating table "on our own terms". The threat of a "megaquake", a series of typhoons, and a week-long national holiday have some Japanese scrambling to buy rice -- the nation's cherished staple food -- with the government warning Tuesday against panic buying. "We could only procure half the usual amount of rice this summer and bags of rice get quickly sold out," a clerk at a branch of the popular Fresco supermarket chain told AFP in the Japanese capital. Rice shelves in some stores emptied or stocks were rationed after a government warning this month -- since lifted -- of a possible "megaquake", as well as several typhoons and the annual Obon holiday. Other factors include lower harvests caused by hot weather and water shortages, as well as increased demand related to record numbers of foreign tourists. At one food store in Tokyo, a sign seen by AFP read: "In order for many customers to be able to buy, we ask you to purchase one (bag of rice) a day per family." A worker at another store in Tokyo said: "We can't purchase any rice at all, and there's no prospect of buying anytime soon". The Fresco worker told AFP that daily stocks ran out by midday. "Customers queue up before the store opens but piles of bags, each of which contains 10 kilograms (22 pounds), are always sold out during the morning," he said. Farm minister Tetsushi Sakamoto appealed for calm Tuesday. "Please be cool-headed in your purchase activity by buying only the amount of rice you need," Sakamoto said, stressing "the supply shortage situation will be gradually resolved. Rice is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture and its harvesting has shaped the nation's landscape -- even being used as a currency in the 7th century. With an annual consumption of seven million tons per year, it is by far the most consumed food staple in the country. Demand has been falling for some time, however, because of a declining population and changing eating habits by many Japanese as they opt for alternatives. The nation's stockpile in June was the lowest since 1999 when comparable data was first collected, but officials believe the inventory is sufficient. A new harvesting season has started with 40 percent of the crop available by the end of September, a farm ministry official told AFP. If there ever was a case of a pure distorted charade of our modern times of justice, Julian Assange is at the heart of it. Sweden has officially dropped the case, which means that Assange was correct in running in the first place. He said he was set up with lies and he was Swedish prosecutors dropped their rape case against Julian Assange, a cofounder of WikiLeaks, it was announced on Tuesday. Assange faced a rape allegation stemming from 2010, but prosecutors decided that, while the Swedish complainant was credible and evidence reliable, her memory of the night in question had faded and there was limited corroborative evidence available. Her statements have been coherent, extensive and detailed, however, my overall assessment is that the evidential situation has been weakened to such an extent that there is no longer any reason to continue the investigation, said Eva-Marie Persson, Swedens deputy director of public prosecution. In 2010, being suspected of committing sexual offences in Sweden, Assange fled to the United Kingdom, eventually taking up residency in the Ecuadorian embassy where he remained from June 2012 until April this year. Assanges Swedish lawyer, Per Samuelson, said as far as he was aware British lawyers had not yet been able to contact Assange in jail to inform him of the Swedish decision. This is the end of Assanges association with the Swedish justice system, Samuelson said. But he is not happy with the way hes been treated. He lost faith in the Swedish justice system years ago. Source: Julian Assange rape investigation dropped in Sweden | News | Al Jazeera I myself do not think that Assange is a saint by any means and I refuse to give him lofty heights of attention as so many do, treating him as we would an Angel from heaven. Assange does good and does bad, but this particular case against him has been a sham and setup from the beginning Anyone with an ounce of brains knew from the start that Assange had stepped on the wrong toes and TPTB were out to get him. The issue is that Assange had to run, for to have been taken in years ago, put him in greater danger than he is now. He as you and or me, have a right to run from a situation that is pure deceit filled and your lifes balance is in jeopardy What needs attention at this moment is not about Assange, but about the fact that he, you, me, them, they, us and everyone around you, do not have any rights whatsoever. Assange was convicted first, no trial and sentenced by media and governments. All with no preclusion to attempting a legit trial and or any form of justice Assange knew he did nothing wrong in the trumped up Swedish charges of rape. He knew he had been set up by a patsy woman/Gov and had no choice but to run. His life would very likely without a doubt be ended many years ago, at least now he has a 1% chance of surviving the ordeal. When this all started, he had no chance As everything surrounding the rape issue against Assange is false, then any actions by Britain and the subsequent squelching of his rights as a human, are criminal.does not matter if you think he is an angel or not, his rights as a human have been destroyed Destroyed because, someone and or something did not like what he did What he did was tell the truth and in our world the truth will get you killed We should all think about what if we stepped over the line drawn by our government? That line that says do not cross or else? That line is very close to our feet everyday and we think we are being good. In our world, no one is safe from crossing the line at anytime. They move the line as needed to ensnare us when they need to Me WtR PS: Britain has no reason to even have chased him in the first place, thus, he should walk free immediately. For when we are convicted with no evidence, it really is a travesty of justice. Assange never had a chance against the system and he made several errors in trying to believe in the system The biggest error was not running to Russia, where he could have lived free and safe, just like Snowden does But one thing Assange did not error in; he told the truth Russian Defence Ministrys report on repelling AFU attempt to invade the territory of the Russian Federation (28 August 2024) The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to repel an AFU attempt to invade the territory of the Russian Federation. The Sever Group of Forces supported by Army Aviation and artillery thwarted eight attacks launched by enemys assault detachments towards Borki, Korenevo, Kremyanoye, and Malaya Loknya. In addition, Russian troops thwarted the enemys attempts to launch attacks in the direction of Spalnoye, Olgovka, and Russkaya Konopelka. As a result, the Armed Forces of Ukraine has lost up to 75 troops killed and wounded, and one tank and eight armoured fighting vehicles have been neutralised. Five AFU servicemen surrendered. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue reconnaissance and search operations in forestry areas to locate and eliminate enemy small sabotage groups attempting to get to the depth of the Russian territory. Avation and artillery strikes together the troops engaged manpower and hardware of the AFU 22nd, 61st, and 115th mechanised brigades, 82nd and 92nd airborne assault brigades close to Apanasovka, Borki, Viktorovka, Kruglenkoye, Krasnooktyabrsky, Lyubimovka, Malaya Lokna, Mirny, Novoya Sorochina, Obukhovka, Plekhovo, Sverdlikovo, Sudzha, Snagost, and Yuzhny. Operational-Tactical Aviation has struck in Sumy region concentration areas of reserve manpower and military hardware of 41st and 54th mechanised brigades, 80th Air Assault Brigade, and 69th Separate Rifle Battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the 1st Ukrainian National Guard Brigade as well as 101st, 103rd, and 107th territorial defence brigades close to Atinskoye, Belopoloye, Boyaro-Lezhachi, Glukhov, Iskriskovshchina, Masenzovka, Mikhailovskoye, Pervomaiskoye, Pustogorod, Solyaniki, Shalygino, Ugroyedy, and Esman. The AFU losses amounted to more than 380 troops and 30 units of armoured vehicles, including one tank, one infantry fighting vehicle, and 28 armoured fighting vehicles as well as six artillery guns, three mortars, and nine motor vehicles. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses were over 7,000 troops, 74 tanks, 35 infantry fighting vehicles, 62 armoured personnel carriers, 460 armoured fighting vehicles, 210 motor vehicles, 51 artillery guns, 13 multiple-launch rocket system launchers, including four of HIMARS MLRS and one of MLRS, five SAM launchers, 10 electronic warfare stations, two radar counter-battery stations, one air defence radar, five engineering vehicles as well as two counterobstacle vehicles and one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle. The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress. Tags: and Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (28 August 2024) The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation. The Sever Group of Forces units in Volchansk and Liptsy directions defeated formations of the 36th Marine Brigade, 113th Territorial Defence Brigade, and 13th National Guard Brigade near Alisovka, Liptsy, and Volchansk (Kharkov region). The enemy losses amounted to up to 165 troops, nine motor vehicles, one 152-mm D-20 gun, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. One AFU fuel depot was neutralised. The Zapad Group of Forces units improved tactical situation, inflicted losses on manpower and materiel of 14th and 44th mechanised brigades, 4th Tank Brigade of the AFU, 1st National Guard Brigade near Petropavlovka (Kharkov region), Torskoye, Serebryanka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Stelmakhovka and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk Peoples Republic). The Russian troops repelled five counter-attacks of 67th Mechanised Brigade, 23rd Rifle Battalion of the AFU, 3rd National Guard Brigade, and 12th Special Forces Brigade of the Azov. The enemy suffered losses amounting to up to 490 troops, one tank, one armoured fighting vehicle, and three motor vehicles were neutralised. In the course of the counter-battery warfare, Russian troops eliminated four 155-mm howitzers including one U.S.-made M777 and three UK-made FH-70 howitzers, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, one 122-mm D-20 gun, one Croatian-made RAK-SA-12 MLRS launcher, and one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-36 radar counter-battery station. The Yug Group of Forces units took more favourable lines, engaged manpower and materiel of 24th, 30th, 54th, 69th, 93rd mechanised brigades, 56th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 4th Tank Brigade, 143rd Infantry Brigade near Grigorovka, Chasov Yar, Krasnogorovka, Zaliznyanskoye, Stupochki, Karpovka, and Konstantinovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 690 troops, 21 motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, two 152-mm Msta-B howitzers, three 122-mm D-30 howitzers, three U.S.-made 105-mm M119 guns, and one Bukovel-AD EW station. In addition, three AFU ammunition depots were destroyed. Tsentr Group of Forces units have liberated Kamyshchevka, Donetsk Peoples Republic, and go on advancing to the depth of the hostile defence. The Russian troops engaged 44th, 53rd, 100th mechanised brigades, 68th Jaeger Brigade, and 95th Air Assault Brigade of the AFU, 15th National Guard Brigade near Rozovka, Druzhba, Grodovka, Dzerzhinsk, Karlovka, Galitsynovka, Lesovka, and Mikhailovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The Russian troops repelled seven counter-attacks of the 144th Infantry Brigade, 25th Airborne Brigade of the AFU, 37th Marines Brigade, 15th National Guard Brigade, and Lyut Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian National Police. The enemy lost up to 475 troops, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, two motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, two 152-mm D-20 guns, two 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. The Vostok Group of Forces units improved tactical situation, inflicted losses on manpower and materiel of 65th and 72nd mechanised brigades, 58th motorised infantry brigade of the AFU near Vodyanoye, Ugledar, and Shakhterskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Russian forces repelled three counter-attacks of 118th and 125th territorial defence brigades. The enemy lost 115 troops, six motor vehicles, one Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and one 100-mm Rapira anti-tank gun. The Dnepr Group of Forces defeated formations of the AFU 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, 37th Marine Brigade, and 123rd Territorial Defence Brigade near Zherebyanka, Kamenskoye (Zaporozhye region), Dneprovskoye, Udarnik (Kherson region). The AFU losses are as follows: up to 50 troops, nine motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 152-mm Giatsint-B gun, and 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery gun. One AFU ammunition depot was destroyed. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Groups of Forces of the Russian Armed Forces engaged a foreign mercenaries camp, as well as a cluster of manpower and materiel in 148 areas. Air defence systems have shot down one French-made Hammer guided aerial bomb, three U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and 49 unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, 640 airplanes and 283 helicopters, 30,613 unmanned aerial vehicles, 575 air defence missile systems, 17,589 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,426 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 13,720 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 25,312 units of support motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation. Tags: Special Military Operation WtR Years ago I watched as Windows to Russia was attacked left, right and then straight on. Sued, blocked and death threats were common.it got really rough at times And a hundred plus more links than above. Everything from death threats to myself, Sveta and our long gone doggy Boza. It has been a very hard many years and I have thought about giving up many times. I had a good break from it all for about a month now. I did a bunch of thinking and came to a bunch of conclusions I have watched the big boys get what happened to me and watched how it has become important to a lot of people now that they are hitting the big sites Hard for me to feel sorry for anyone, when I have talked about this very same thing for many years. From being blocked in Ukraine (Ukraine Blocking), attacked by DC (DC Attack), turned off by GoDaddy, Blogger Blogspot tried to stifle me and dozens of others have tried and failed. Granted they sorta won, they pushed me out of my home base and made me relocated finally in Iceland I have spent many years being destroyed by the status quo and it gets tiring after awhile. I have always walked alone and still post alone after all these years. But everyone (readers and website acquaintances) scatters like rats when Big Gov comes after you.just like everyone will run and hide when ZH gets censoredGet ready for it. I am just a little site that at one time reached millions of unique views monthly and DC destroyed me and burned me to the ground. I am surviving as a site, because I moved the domain to Russia and the hosting to Iceland. That stopped the lawsuits and blocking from guilty until proven innocentI started years and years ago on Blogger Blogspot and got banned there. Had domains on Godaddy and got destroyed there. Had hosting on HostGator and got banned there. I spent a year trying to survive with India hosting and got banned there. French hosting burned my ass. Russian hosting sucks but safe, dont try Canadian hosting and Iceland just saved me and WtR. By the way 1984 hosting is the name and you should understand what the 1984 is aboutI have been posting for over ten years and no one gives a damn, you all run when the shit hits the fan Source: Ultimately you will all be censored | Windows to Russia Therefore, I smile and watch the big boys run around and cry.someone has been telling you all about this problem. I told you recently as they shut down my Facebook and Twitter accounts (Facebook, Twitter) But, after I smile, then I am sad For no one listened and I am reminded of a saying, just add the appropriate characters Martin Niemoller is most likely best remembered for the quotation that he varied at times in his talks, as this one First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak outbecause I was not a (socialist.) Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a (trade unionist.) Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak outbecause I was not a (Jew.) Then they came for meand there was no one left to speak for (me.) Well everyone! They came for WtR and you all laughed They threatened me and no one cared But, now that they are taking out the big guys? You all whine, yet, still look the other way! Who will speak out for you? (cnn-bbic-nbc-npr-fox-o-abc-news-nbc-news ???) That is what I thought WtR PS: I do speak out for you and I get beat up all the time. From both sides Within eight weeks of joining UW-La Crosse, new chancellor James Beeby has already set aspirational goals for the university. Beeby delivered his first welcome address Wednesday as chancellor, using the opportunity to highlight his top priorities, which include developing a new strategic plan, completing the Prairie Springs Science Center construction project and maintaining UW-Ls status as a destination school. What I saw in March, and what I saw when I came to visit in May, is real. This is a wonderful university, and everyone has been so welcoming, said Beeby. We are going to welcome a huge incoming class of students and make sure they have a wonderful experience. We have an excellent academic reputation. We are a gem in the state of Wisconsin. We are superb. We should be proud of that. Beeby promised the audience, which practically filled the entirety of seats at the Bluffs Ballroom at the UW-L Student Union building, that he will work hard to propel the university forward, further cementing its importance to the La Crosse community. There is a lot of division over higher education, but we have a noble mission. We transform lives, and we transform communities thats what we do, said Beeby. While he recognizes the universitys greatness and successes, he said he strives to achieve even more. We are already excellent. But how are we going to be better? said Beeby. What can we do to continue to be a destination institution that serves the leaders and the needs of our state and our citizens? To best accomplish the many goals the university aims to achieve, he plans to develop an aspirational strategic plan in the spring. We have to have a new plan. Its vital for us, said Beeby. If we dont know where we want to be in the next five years, how do we know when weve got there? I call on all of you to be involved and engaged with this. It must be aspirational. He argued that his role in the strategic planning process will be critical but must involve the entire campus to be successful. I can commit to you that I will be personally involved in this strategic planning process. You need to have your chancellor in there, said Beeby. Id like this to be collaborative across campus and with our external partners being involved in the planning process, and then we deliver on it. We need our students involved in this. We need to be grassroots, and get everybody involved. That is going to be a focus of this year. His top priority is to ensure the completion of the Prairie Springs Science Center. Weve been focusing on this for a number of years, but we havent been able to get the funding where we wanted to be, said Beeby. Thats going to be my main focus working with stakeholders in the business community, working with our state delegation and working with the state legislation to get that passed. While the first phase of the facility was completed in the summer of 2018, the timeline for the second phase is unknown, as the funding must be approved in the states legislative biennial budget next year. If approved in the budget, the project could be completed by the summer of 2028. Other major capital projects will soon be completed, including $14 million in heating and air conditioning system improvements at Graff Main Hall approved in 2022. That project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2025. Additionally, the parking ramp and police service additions are set to be completed by April 2026. When Beeby accepted the position of chancellor, he said one of his friends told him, Dont forget the little people the ones that make the university work. I was there Im one of those people. I remember starting my first tenure track job and not having enough money to make my rent, said Beeby. People are working really hard, and particularly since COVID, people have felt tired. We need to bring the joy back into the work we do. We cant rely on just culture to keep us going, people have to get the support. So we will do that. We will do the best we can to make that happen. Dr. Maureen Murphy has served in many roles during her 40-year medical career but has always been embraced working in central Wisconsin. The SSM Health doctor, who serves as vice president of medical affairs for St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo, has spent her entire four-decade career in Wisconsin Dells and Baraboo, except for stints in Haiti, where she helped open a hospital. She received the 2024 Wisconsin Rural Health Ambassador Award in May, and has served in leadership roles for nearly her entire career. This community has been home to me, said Murphy, 70. Its been a medical home, but also my home. I feel that, through knowing my patients, I feel really blessed to be doubly gifted with so many wonderful people from both communities. Murphy has specialized in family medicine with focus on holistic care and integrative medicine, as well as hospice and palliative care, and has helped families make difficult end-of-life decisions for loved ones. She said she has not focused on those areas much during the past decade because of her time in leadership roles. It all kind of comes together in a way, said Murphy. How can we best heal our patients and be with them through chronic illnesses? I do have a special place in my heart for my patients nearing end of life and try to have conversations with them before they get to the acute stage of being in the hospital and needing to make a decision. Live your calling Murphy has had a passion for rural healthcare, along with her specialties, according to Sharilyn Munneke, a 30-year physician at SSM Health who was hired in 1994 by Murphy and others. There were not many women in medicine when she started, Munneke said, and having Murphy as a mentor has been invaluable to her throughout her career. She was a bit of a pioneer, Munneke said of Murphy as a female physician in the mid-1990s. I wanted to be in a place where there was a respected female physician. Munneke, who has worked in palliative care and family medicine, said Murphy has been a role model for her in her specialties. Dr. Murphy is a beautiful example of what it means to care for the community you live in and to live your calling, said SSM Health St. Clare Hospital president DeAnn Thurmer. She is deeply dedicated to improving the lives of people that come into her care and the community at large. Murphys medical career began as a Franciscan Sister of St. Mary, where she was assigned to Wisconsin Dells in 1984. She was a sister for 13 years, and said the call to be part of this ministry, to be the healing presence of God, motivated her to join the religious congregation. Prior to her current position, which she has served in for four years, Murphy was the Baraboo hospitals chief medical officer for a decade, and she has served on five committees throughout her SSM tenure. Her favorite aspect of leadership roles has been working with physician and nursing staff. She has primarily worked in the Wisconsin Dells area and started an integrative medicine clinic in Lake Delton. After the Lake Delton clinic closed, Murphy and others from Lake Delton moved to the Wisconsin Dells clinic, located on the eastern end of the city. An SSM Health Urgent Care clinic is still open at the former integrative clinic site in Lake Delton on Wisconsin Dells Parkway. Munneke said she and Murphy have referred to the Dells clinic, where Munneke currently works, as a mission clinic to bring good health care to rural patients. Haiti clinic In 1997, Murphy made her first of 15 trips to Thiotte, a commune in southeastern Haiti, to start Haiti Medical Mission of Wisconsin. The nonprofit opened clinic Centre de Sante Sacre-Cur de Thiotte four years later, according to Centre NGO, a nonprofit that helps other nonprofits establish services in Haiti. Since then, the Thiotte clinic has added a hospital and has expanded services, and now employs 18 Haitian medical specialists, according to Centre NGO. It has really been a rewarding thing to be part of starting something that now is continuing a life of its own that is more and more being run by the Haitian people, which was our ultimate goal, said Murphy. Patients from cities in Haiti have received care at Centre de Sante Sacre-Cur de Thiotte, located in a rural area, in efforts to temporarily escape gang violence, according to Murphy, who added that she and others from the Wisconsin nonprofit have made more infrequent trips in recent years due to the violence. Their volumes (of patients) are really increasing, said Murphy of the Haiti clinic. Murphy was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She earned her medical degree from the Saint Louis University School of Medicine and did a residency at University of Arizona. She lives on an area farm with her husband, Larry, and one of their 10 children, as well as dogs. She said she has no plans to retire soon, adding that she will remain in the medical field for as long as she is able to. Barry Manilow performs in concert at Smart Financial Sugar Land on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Sugar Land. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Barry Manilow performs in concert at Smart Financial Sugar Land on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Sugar Land. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Barry Manilow performs in concert at Smart Financial Sugar Land on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Sugar Land. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Barry Manilow performs in concert at Smart Financial Sugar Land on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Sugar Land. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Barry Manilow performs in concert at Smart Financial Sugar Land on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Sugar Land. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Barry Manilow performs in concert at Smart Financial Sugar Land on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Sugar Land. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Barry Manilow performs in concert at Smart Financial Sugar Land on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Sugar Land. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Barry Manilow performs in concert at Smart Financial Sugar Land on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Sugar Land. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Barry Manilow performs in concert at Smart Financial Sugar Land on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Sugar Land. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Barry Manilow performs in concert at Smart Financial Sugar Land on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Sugar Land. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Barry Manilow performs in concert at Smart Financial Sugar Land on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Sugar Land. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Barry Manilow performs in concert at Smart Financial Sugar Land on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Sugar Land. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Barry Manilow performs in concert at Smart Financial Sugar Land on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Sugar Land. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Barry Manilow performs in concert at Smart Financial Sugar Land on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Sugar Land. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Barry Manilow performs in concert at Smart Financial Sugar Land on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Sugar Land. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Barry Manilow performs in concert at Smart Financial Sugar Land on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Sugar Land. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Barry Manilow soundtracked much of the 1970s. His run of singalong tunes were all things to all people: sincere and schmaltzy, sentimental and campy, affirming and dramatic. Theyre big, billowy puffs of pop magic. Manilows songs still resonate with lots of people. Wednesday night, they packed into Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land, many in groups, wearing boas and waving green glowsticks. Some wore homemade T-shirts. Barry & wine make everything fine! read one. The show, part of his series of Last Concerts, was rescheduled from Aug. 16 after Manilow tested positive for COVID. MORE FROM JOEY GUERRA: Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert kick up some real country music at Houston show Advertisement Article continues below this ad The legendary crooner, who turned 81 in June, understands his audience and his place in music history. A night with Manilow is about nostalgia, dancing like no one is watching and a bit of self-awareness. Im so glad you still like these songs. What I can hope is that my songs will be ruined in elevators for years to come. And dentists' offices. As long as there are teeth, my songs will live forever, Manilow quipped. Barry Manilow performs in concert at Smart Financial Sugar Land on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Sugar Land. Karen Warren/Staff photographer He took the stage just after 8 p.m. in the first of several colorful blazers. The hair was fluffed. The teeth were gleaming. His band and backup dancers are a well-oiled machine. Opener Its a Miracle segued into a bit of Dance to the Music by Sly and the Family Stone. Im Your Man, an overlooked 1985 single, was an early highlight that echoed ABBAs Voulez-Vous. Manilow recalled his early shows in Houston, including two at the Music Hall in 1975. He played RodeoHouston in 1988 and 2001. He also paused to poke fun at the name of the venue. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What a pretty name for a place like this, he teased. I guess its better than the Stupid Financial Center. Manilows voice is still rich and expressive. He and his band are great at building a song, often starting with just a few tinkling piano keys that build to a delicious crescendo. He put impressive punch into Somewhere in the Night, and Weekend in New England was majestic. Mandy was a standout, cleverly presented as a duet between current and 70s era Manilow via video. He even put a surprisingly effective power-ballad spin on If Tomorrow Never Comes, a country hit for Garth Brooks. Barry Manilow performs in concert at Smart Financial Sugar Land on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Sugar Land. Karen Warren/Staff photographer A Manilow show is as much about the conversation as it is the music. And he had lots to say. He credited his grandfather with recognizing his musicality as a child and dedicated This Ones for You to him. He winced at the cover of his debut album when it displayed on a large screen, joking, Do I look like Taylor Swift on a bad hair day? he asked. He referred to the State Farm jingle, one of many he wrote, as my greatest hit. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Barry Manilow setlist - Sugar Land It's a Miracle I'm Your Man Somewhere in the Night Daybreak Looks Like We Made It Can't Smile Without You This One's for You Bandstand Boogie Even Now All the Time If Tomorrow Never Comes (Garth Brooks cover) Weekend in New England Can't Take My Eyes Off You (Frankie Valli cover) Band-Aids and State Farm jingles Could It Be Magic I Made It Through the Rain Mandy I Write the Songs Copacabana Manilow also honored local teacher Michael Isadore through the Manilow Music Project, which provides instruments and financial support to schools. Isadore, orchestra director at Dulles High School, received $10,000 and was acknowledged by Manilow from the stage. Sheriffs deputies are investigating an apparent homicide at an aging maximum security prison in northeastern Wisconsin, marking another in a string of inmate deaths at two of the states toughest prisons over the past year. The Brown County Sheriffs Department said in a news release Wednesday that deputies were called to the Green Bay Correctional Institution in Allouez at about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday for a report of an inmate who had no pulse and wasnt breathing. Micah Laureano, 19, was pronounced dead at the scene, the sheriffs department said. The initial investigation determined that Laureano died of homicide in his cell. Deputies have identified Laureanos 24-year-old cellmate as a suspect, the release said. Online court records indicate that Laureano was sentenced to two years in the state prison system in January for being a party to substantial battery in Waukesha County, with the first year to be served behind bars and the second on extended supervision. His attorney in that case, public defender Maura McMahon, described Laureano as a funny, thoughtful young man and a talented artist in an email to The Associated Press. Laureanos cellmate was sentenced to 40 years in the prison system in January 2018 for attempted homicide in Manitowoc County, with 20 years to be served behind bars and 20 years on extended supervision. The cellmate was 18 years old when he was sentenced. His attorney in that case didnt immediately respond to an email. Asked for comment on the incident, state Department of Corrections spokesperson Beth Williams Hardtke responded with an email acknowledging that Laureano died Tuesday after an incident in his cell. She said no staff members were hurt and law enforcement was investigating. The prison was operating normally with all scheduled activities continuing as usual, she said. In July, prison officials lifted restrictions that had been in place at Green Bay Correctional for more than a year due to widespread understaffing across the Department of Corrections. Laureanos death is another blow for the Department of Corrections as it struggles to protect inmates and prison workers in the face of aging facilities and chronic staffing shortages. Five inmates at the maximum security Waupun Correctional Institution have died since June 2023. Two killed themselves, one died of a fentanyl overdose, one died of a stroke, and one died of malnutrition and dehydration. Prosecutors charged the prisons former warden, Randall Hepp, and eight other Waupun staff members this past June with misconduct in connection with the stroke and malnutrition deaths. Men held at Waupun have filed a class action lawsuit alleging mistreatment, including not having access to health care. And the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating a possible smuggling ring at the prison. Just weeks after the charges came down against Hepp and his staffers at Waupun, Corey Proulx, a counselor at the states youth prison outside Irma, died after a 16-year-old inmate punched him in the face. His death sparked calls from the facilitys staff and Republican legislators to lift a court-imposed ban on pepper spray. The federal judge who imposed the prohibition in 2018 has so far refused to consider their requests. Waupun opened in 1854. Green Bay Correctional Institution opened in 1898. Republicans have been calling for years to close both prisons, saying theyve outlived their usefulness. But concerns over job losses in the communities and the cost of building a new prison, estimated at as much as $1 billion, have proven to be stumbling blocks. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has tried to address the prison systems problems by giving guards raises. State Journal reporter Anna Hansen contributed to this report. Hearing news that a New Hampshire resident died after being infected with eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus may be worrisome, but theres no need for panic. Although mosquito season is still going strong, this mosquito-borne disease is a rarity. Only a few cases are reported in the United States each year. So far in 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed five cases total in New Jersey, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire. Several communities in Massachusetts are taking extra precautions to limit the potential spread of the virus after discovering elevated levels of the virus in mosquitoes. What is eastern equine encephalitis? Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare but serious mosquito-borne disease. On average, fewer than 10 cases are reported annually in the U.S., mostly in eastern or Gulf Coast states. There is no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment available for infections, which can cause flu-like symptoms. More severe cases include inflammation of brain tissue, known as encephalitis. About a third of people who develop encephalitis from the virus die from the infection; those who survive often have ongoing physical or neurological problems, according to the CDC. Speaking to the Associated Press, Richard Ellison, M.D., an immunologist and infectious disease specialist at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, explained that such an infection is very, very severe. Although its a very rare infection, we have no treatment for it, he said. Once someone gets it, its just all we can do is provide supportive care, and it can kill people. There were seven cases nationally last year. The last major outbreak occurred in 2019 when 38 cases, including at least a dozen deaths, were reported. Here are four things you should know about the virus, including how to protect yourself during mosquito season. 1. Symptoms appear several days after a bite Eastern equine encephalitis virus infection can result in fever or neurologic disease. The type of illness will depend on the age of the person and other factors. Adults 50 and older are among the groups at highest risk for a severe infection. Symptoms usually appear between four to 10 days after being infected from a mosquito bite. According to the CDC, mild symptoms lasting a week or two can include: Fever Chills Body aches Joint pain More severe cases involve neurologic disease, including encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord). Signs and symptoms of neurologic disease might occur after several days of systemic illness and can include: Cory Mo is photographed at the memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer BeatKings girlfriend Talameshia is supported by friends as she cries during a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Memorial for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Friends of BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, gather to speak at his memorial service on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer BeatKings daughters are photographed at a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer A live painter at the memorial for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, is photographed on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer The ashes of the Houston rapper BeatKing, known as the Club God who died this month, are displayed at his memorial service on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer BeatKings girlfriend Talameshia is supported by friends as she cries during a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer BeatKings girlfriend Talameshia is supported by friends as she cries during a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer People gather to release balloons as part of a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer People gather to release balloons as part of a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Beat Kings daighter is photographed speaking during a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Beat Kings manager Tasha Felder is photographed hugging her and Beatkings daughter, during a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Beat Kings manager Tasha Felder is photographed speaking during a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Memorial for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer BeatKings girlfriend Talameshia is supported by friends as she cries during a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer BeatKings girlfriend Talameshia is supported by friends as she cries during a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Bun B speaks during a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer KC speaks at a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Michael Watts speaks during a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Friends of BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, gather to speak at his memorial service on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Bun B attends a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Shoes made by Nardgotsole for the daughter of BeatKing are presented during a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Memorial for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Memorial for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Jacquelyn Tillis is photographed at a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Friends of BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, gather to speak at his memorial service on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Michael Watts and his wife Tammie Watts are photographed at the memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer BeatKings girlfriend Talameshia is supported by friends during a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer DJ WopTop is photographed at the memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Cfg Ruub is photographed at the memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Memorial for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Memorial for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Friends of BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, gather at his memorial service on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Shoes made by Nardgotsole for the daughter of BeatKing are presented during a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Friends of BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, gather to speak at his memorial service on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Memorial for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Program for BeatKing memorial, Aug. 29, 2024 courtesy Program for BeatKing memorial, Aug. 29, 2024 courtesy Program for BeatKing memorial, Aug. 29, 2024 courtesy Program for BeatKing memorial, Aug. 29, 2024 courtesy The death of BeatKing, the rapper and producer whose songs ruled the club scene, was a shock for the hip-hop community in Houston and beyond. He died earlier this month of a pulmonary embolism at 39 years old. But his memorial service, held Thursday afternoon at Bayou City Event Center, was an uplifting celebration of his music, humor and love of Whataburger. MORE FROM JOEY GUERRA: Scarface built a rap legacy with the Geto Boys. But he's also a guitarist who loves Kiss and ZZ Top "I know all of us here are very devastated with his passing. But nobody could be more upset than Whataburger. Without him, Whataburger will be going bankrupt, probably," joked Jayla Riley, his oldest of two daughters. "The cheeseburger-eating, chocolate-shake-drinking person has unfortunately passed and is in a better place now. And he's with all of us spiritually." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Beat Kings daughters and manager Tasha Felder are photographed accepting a proclamation from the City of Houston, naming today Beat King day, during a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer The ticketed event was attended by family and fans from Nacagdoches, Victoria and Port Arthur. Among the guests were producer Cory Mo, DJ WopTop and 97.9 The Box's DJ J-Que. BeatKing's ashes were on display, along with some of his keyboards, shoes and awards. Several people wore the black T-shirts with funny slogans BeatKing was known for and that are for sale on his website. A DJ played his music as guests arrived and punctuated several of the speeches with sound effects. A resurfaced BeatKing tweet from 2011 confirmed that he wanted it to be a lively affair and read, "Just for the record when I do die, I think I want my funeral in a club, I don't want nobody sad just loud music dranks and females dancing!" BeatKing, whose real name was Justin Riley, rose to fame with his 2010 album "Kings of the Club." His music was often the soundtrack of choice for strip clubs and college parties. He has worked on songs with 2 Chainz, Bun B, Slim Thug and T-Pain, among countless others. His latest album, "Never Leave Houston on a Sunday," dropped in July. He was making an appearance at a local radio station when he fainted and was rushed to the hospital. Advertisement Article continues below this ad BeatKings girlfriend Talameshia is greeted by Bun B during a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Several of his collaborators attended the memorial and spoke about BeatKing's talent and character. Bun B recounted working with BeatKing on the song "Hoes from da Hood" from the 2018 album "Return of the Trill." "It was how much he enjoyed doing what he loved to do. I really don't think this man did this for money. And by the grace of God, that man was allowed to do what he loved to do," Bun said. Friends of BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, gather to speak at his memorial service on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer An emotional DJ Chose, who worked closely with BeatKing, called him "my brother for real." The pair collaborated on several of BeatKing's best-known songs, including "Thick" and "Throw Dat Ahhh." Advertisement Article continues below this ad "He was a genius. And for those who got to touch him, and those he got to touch, in your career and your life, you're welcome," DJ Chose said. Michael Watts speaks during a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer DJ Michael Watts dubbed BeatKing an "innovator" and "brilliant." Tasha Felder, BeatKing's manager of more than a decade, said she was "broken" by the loss of her best friend. "Him being happy just made me happy to see," Felder said. "It just feels weird to not call him and say, 'Hey, we're planning this thing for you.' I can't tell him y'all are gonna be here. I just miss him a lot." Beat Kings manager Tasha Felder is photographed speaking alongside her and Beatkings daughters during a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Jayla and Kayla, BeatKing's daughters, were presented with a proclamation from the city declaring Aug. 29 as BeatKing Day in Houston. They also received custom shoes featuring their father from celebrity designer Ranard Hardman. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kayla couldn't hold back her tears. But Jayla promised to keep a smile on her face for her father. Shoes made by Nardgotsole for the daughter of BeatKing are presented during a memorial service for BeatKing, the Houston rapper known as the Club God who died this month, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer "A lot of people expect me to start crying and stuff. But he was just way too goofy, too lame, too annoying to just cry over. He would not want me to cry over him," she said. "A lot of you guys know BeatKing. A lot of you guys know Justin. I know somebody that only two people on this Earth know, and that's dad." A balloon release followed the memorial service, and food was provided by Cali Kitchen. The restaurant, known as BeatKing's favorite, was giving away free wings and "Hol'up Kool-Aid" all day Thursday in honor of the late rapper. They also planned to unveil a BeatKing mural Thursday night. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Boorara Gold Project Mining Underway Perth, Aug 29, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Horizon Minerals Limited ( ASX:HRZ ) is pleased to provide an update on the development of the Boorara Gold Project. The proposed mining project is 100% owned and located 15km east of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, adjacent to the Super Pit in the heart of the Western Australian goldfields (Figure 1). HIGHLIGHTS - Horizon approved the development of Boorara in late July 2024 to mine a series of four open pits containing 1.24 Mt of ore at 1.24 g/t Au for 49.5 koz of gold - Mining to occur over 14 months and processing over 19 months at Norton Gold Fields' Paddington plant to generate $30 million in free cashflow at a gold price of A$3,600/oz - Boorara mining services and surface ore haulage contracts awarded to Hampton Transport Services Pty Ltd ("Hampton") on competitive terms, with no mining contractor payments until first gold pour sold and funds received - Hampton has successfully mobilised and established the site, and grade control drilling is well advanced - Mining has commenced with the first drill and blast pattern fired last week to build up broken stocks in conjunction with free dig areas in Pit 2, the larger pit in the Regal zone of the Boorara ore system - Excavation has commenced on single shift, transitioning to double shift by the end of August, with a second digger shift commencing in September and ramping up to four digger shifts by the end of September - All activities have been undertaken productively and safely - First ore on track to be mined in September and processed at Paddington in October 2024 Commenting on the mining of Boorara, Managing Director and CEO Mr Grant Haywood said: "It is very pleasing to see mining accelerating at Boorara, with all activities being undertaken ahead of schedule and safely, which is a credit to the site team and our contract business partners. We are eagerly awaiting mining progressing to expose first ore in September and pouring gold bars in October to give us first revenue from Boorara in this strong gold price environment. This is a major milestone for Horizon as we commence our journey to be a long-term sustainable gold producer, delivering significant cashflows into the business to create further value through our significant portfolio of assets. Next Steps Complete Phase 1 of the grade control drilling program, and gradually ramp-up load and haul production activities throughout the remainder of August and September. First milling and gold production is expected in October 2024. *To view tables and figures, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/11CT3RGX About Horizon Minerals Limited Horizon Minerals Limited (ASX:HRZ) is a gold exploration and mining company focussed on the Kalgoorlie and Menzies areas of Western Australia which are host to some of Australia's richest gold deposits. The Company is developing a mining pipeline of projects to generate cash and self-fund aggressive exploration, mine developments and further acquisitions. The Teal gold mine has been recently completed. Horizon is aiming to significantly grow its JORC-Compliant Mineral Resources, complete definitive feasibility studies on core high grade open cut and underground projects and build a sustainable development pipeline. Horizon has a number of joint ventures in place across multiple commodities and regions of Australia providing exposure to Vanadium, Copper, PGE's, Gold and Nickel/Cobalt. Our quality joint venture partners are earning in to our project areas by spending over $20 million over 5 years enabling focus on the gold business while maintaining upside leverage. Related Companies Robin and Vuth Nou at Robin's Snowflake Donuts & Cafe in Spring. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer When Robin Nou woke up after having a double mastectomy 10 years ago, she prayed to God for more time on earth. More time for her kids and to take care of loose ends. She didn't know it at the time, but she would get that time and more, eventually opening Robin's Snowflake Donuts & Cafe. Her doughnut shop, which she co-owns with husband Vuth Nou, has become ingrained in the Spring community. They've made a name for themselves with a wide variety of craveable doughnuts as well as boudin eggrolls. The shop has been recognized by Yelp multiple years in a row, including among the Top 100 U.S. Donut Shops. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Nous attribute their shop's success to how they treat people. Robin and her kids can often be seen serving doughnuts and talking with customers; Vuth is baking in the back. She said she treats everyone like family and with respect no matter if they're spending $1.50 or $100. Sprinkles are added to a doughnut at Robin's Snowflake Donuts in Spring. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer A variety of specialty doughnuts at Robin's Snowflake Donuts. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Strawberry cheesecake donuts are frosted at Robin's Snowflake Donuts in Spring. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer A variety of specialty doughnuts at Robin's Snowflake Donuts in Spring. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Iced doughnuts at Robin's Snowflake Donuts. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Cereal-topped doughnuts at Robin's Snowflake Donuts in Spring. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer A menu showing the various flavors at Robin's Snowflake Donuts. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Robin Nou sorts freshly-made doughnuts at Robin's Snowflake Donuts. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Brandon Nou helps customers at Robin's Snowflake Donuts in Spring. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer "We're not trying to make a quick buck off of people. We're locals in the community and we have to take care of our community," Robin said. But the success was far from overnight. She remembers their first day open in 2016; they were excited and naive. They had the chalkboard menu up, fresh doughnuts in the glass case, but only 10 customers stopped by. They made just over $100. That first year was the hardest for them. "We were so slow, it gave us the opportunity to get to know every single person that walked through our door. It allowed us the opportunity to build friendship and rapport with the neighbors and everyone around here," Robin said. She added that it also gave them time to refine their recipes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They took the leap to open the shop with zero experience running a business. Robin, who was in cancer remission, was working at a job she loved at an investment firm when they opened. Vuth had been let go from his job in oil and gas. They took that as their chance to do something they both had been wanting to do: run a business. Robin said her husband had always been a great cook. Robin Nou hands a customer her order. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer The Nous, both of whose parents are immigrants from Cambodia, were inspired by other immigrant families in the industry. As seen on the documentary, "The Donut King," Cambodian families own or operate a majority of Texas doughnut shops. "Every day, I wake up blessed and thankful. I dont know what led us here, if its blessings, luck, or a little bit of both. But I cannot imagine myself doing anything else," Vuth said. After losing money in year one of the business, the Nous had a decision to make, close shop or find the money to keep funding it. Robin quit her job that she loved to tap into her retirement fund to support the shop. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Not long after, Robin's mother passed away. The business began to thrive and she says it's her angel watching over them. Robin's Snowflake Donuts has been recognized by Yelp users multiple years in a row. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer The first time they would sell out of food was after Hurricane Harvey swept through Houston. They stayed open from morning to night to provide food to the community in the week following the storm. They also gave away essential supplies that were hard to get at the time, such as water and milk, to those in need. "We did it not expecting anything in return. We did it just because we wanted to, because we were able to," Robin said. "I think God saw that, and then we were blessed tenfold." The community shared their positive experiences at the shop. Plus, Robin's Facebook following has expanded organically over the years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One offering from the shop on Valentine's Day went viral on social media: a doughnut Robin calls Cupid's Arrow, which looks... phallic. It gets people talking every year, Robin said, since they started making them about four years ago. It's also a popular option for bachelorette parties. Kaylah Nou frosts strawberry cheesecake doughnuts at Robin's Snowflake Donuts. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Robin's Snowflake Donuts, 4660 Louetta, will make just about anything a customer requests. They've been asked to make apple cider cake doughnuts, which are popular in the northeast, for example. Eight years since opening, they're starting to think about opening a second location in The Woodlands. Their daughter, Kaylah Nou, will likely run that site with her fiance. She's one of their four kids. They're taking it slow to ensure the same experience and quality as the original location. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "We never sacrifice on quality. We've never cut back on ingredients. The same part that we put into making it one day, the next day we keep repeating it over and over and over again," Robin said. Houston Chronicle Harris County officials are monitoring air quality in the area where a large fire broke out Wednesday afternoon. The fire happened at a North Houston scrap yard at 13917 Chrisman Road around 3 p.m. and was largely contained just a few hours later. Footage captured by KTRK showed heaps of tires consumed by the blaze. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said that while the situation is under control, hazmat teams are running tests in the area to see if the fire released dangerous chemicals. The fire is now contained and the situation is improving, but it will take some more time for the firefighters to completely extinguish, Hidalgo said in a statement posted to X. Harris County Pollution Control Services are conducting air monitoring to ensure there is no risk to the surrounding community. Advertisement Article continues below this ad AT RICE UNIVERSITY: Medical examiners release details in murder-suicide at university According to the Harris County Fire Marshal, the fire was caused by unauthorized burning in the area. An investigation is still ongoing to determine if criminal charges will be filed. Tire fires can become a significant environmental hazard, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Tires contain heavy metals, oils and other pollutants that may become a threat to surrounding communities if allowed to leach into groundwater. Hidalgo said an air quality update will be posted to the Harris County Pollution Control Services website as soon as one is available. Grass Valley, a leader in production solutions, has appointed Alex Keighley as the new Senior Vice President of Sales for North America. In this pivotal role, Keighley will focus on driving growth and enhancing customer relationships throughout the region. Keighley remarked, While media companies are navigating a challenging period with rapidly evolving technology and business models, its also a time of tremendous opportunity. They need trusted partners who can guide them through these transitions while ensuring they continue to deliver outstanding content. My mission is clear: to demonstrate that Grass Valley offers world-class technology, is the #1 trusted advisor for our customers, and that we are the technical and business partner they can rely on. As he takes on this new role, Keighley aims to build a leading market organization. He emphasized, One of the most important responsibilities of a sales leaderor any leaderis to enable their team and everyone around them to deliver their best results. My priority will be to ensure we have the best people in the right roles, equipped with the tools and resources they need to deliver for our customers and achieving the companys goals. Keighley brings a wealth of experience, having previously led sales teams for prominent media organizations like Reuters during the dot-com boom and the Associated Press EMEA commercial unit during the initial phase of multimedia transformation. His passion for the technology behind news gathering led him to Bitcentral, where he supported various local station groups across the U.S. In recent years, Keighley has held leadership roles at Avid and Telestream, most recently serving as Chief Revenue Officer at Backlight. He also has experience with Grass Valley, having led the U.S. West Sales team for five years before returning to head the North American sales team. Tim Banks, Chief Revenue Officer at Grass Valley, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, Were thrilled to have Alex back at Grass Valley. His deep understanding of both our industry and our customers, coupled with his proven leadership, makes him the perfect fit to lead our North American sales efforts. Were confident that under his guidance, well continue to strengthen our position as the go-to partner for media organizations across the region. Also Read: OYO pact with India Khelo Football to support football at grassroot level Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Mumbai, Akasa Air, a brand under SNV Aviation, is celebrating its second anniversary in August 2024. Since its launch in 2022, this Indian low-cost airline has swiftly expanded its operations, now boasting a fleet of 24 aircraft and servicing 22 domestic and five international destinations. With its rapid growth, Akasa Air continues to make a significant impact in the competitive airline industry. During a recent roundtable conference, Belson Coutinho, Co-founder, CMO & CXO of Akasa Air, highlighted the airlines commitment to enhancing the consumer experience and its dedication to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability. Coutinho emphasized on Akasa Airs dedication to sustainability with several initiatives such as use of non-bleached paper towels and tissues on board, as well as serving meals with degradable packaging and cutlery. These measures reflect the airlines commitment to eco-friendly practices and responsible operation. The airlines unique initiatives, such as specially curated meals for festivals and the introduction of sneakers in the uniform for its crew members, reflect its focus on innovation and customer comfort. Akasa Air has collaborated with several NGOs, reinforcing its CSR efforts. Among the airlines various new features, some standouts include: Pets on Akasa: Allowing passengers to travel with their pets. SkyScore by Akasa: updates on match scores of major sporting events throughout the year SkyBeats by Akasa: distinctive in-flight music takes the onboard experience to new heights. SkyLights: innovatively using the lightning features of the Boeing Sky Interior Cafe Akasa: Inclusive menu with an array of 45+ meal options catering to varied palates Akasa Holidays: Offering curated holiday packages. The airline also emphasizes on the use of AI to enhance customer experience. As Belson Coutinho noted, AI can be used to accelerate the customer experience, particularly in areas like refund processing and customer service through AI-led chatbot technologies. Akasa Air has automated its refund process, ensuring real-time processing to reduce consumer anxiety over refunds. The airline also partners with airports like Bangalore Airport to assist passengers with reduced mobility. When discussing Akasa Airs PR and marketing strategies, Coutinho stressed on the importance of transparency and active engagement. We leverage a lot of PR, and typically, in my experience, airlines have only used PR and media for crises and for reactive conversation. I can tell you for sure the team here has this culture of being very transparent and building a very open relationship. Thats a big piece, and it has worked very well for us. I tell the team its a case study that Ill write one day on how an airline can build a good relationship with PR professionals, not just as press release dissemination or countering an article, but as a proactive tool for building open relationships, he explained. Akasa Airs marketing strategy is deeply rooted in digital-first initiatives, leveraging PR and social media to build transparent and open relationships with consumers. Coutinho emphasized the airlines high engagement rate across digital platforms, which surpasses that of many other brands. Our digital capability, leveraging social platforms, is massive for us, he added. Akasa Air also runs need-based and always-on campaigns through digital platforms, focusing on performance marketing and cross-communication of its products. In the evolving landscape of customer experience, Akasa Air continues to invest in both technology and the softer side of its operations, ensuring a warm, respectful, and inclusive environment for all passengers. As Coutinho explained, Anyone can replicate planes or technology, but replicating a culture of customer centricity and warmth is far more challenging. That is what sets Akasa Air apart. Akasa Air remains dedicated to its long-term vision, with a strong emphasis on both technological advancements and the human touch in delivering exceptional customer experiences. Also Read: Captify appoints Jane Wolfson as President, International Registered in the year that India gained her Independence, Press Trust of India started functioning in the year 1949. As Indias premier news agency completes 77 years, PTI today commands 90 per cent of the news agency market share in India. With a reach that covers every corner of India, PTI employs more than 600 journalists and 800 stringers to cover almost every city and small town in India. Collectively, PTI journalists put out more than 1,000 text stories, about 200 live videos, about 130 raw video stories, more than 30 voiced video stories and 250 photographs, including graphics every day to feed the appetite of the diverse subscribers, who include the mainstream media, the specialized presses, research groups, companies, and government and non-governmental organizations. Wishing the news agency on its 77th anniversary, President Draupadi Murmu said, I congratulate all the members of the organisation on achieving this milestone. As PTI was established barely a few days after India won Independence, this news agency has been in the enviable position of chronicling the journey of the nation, right since its inception. She further said, PTI, as the premier news agency established by the efforts of newspapers, has been one of the most indispensable parts of Indias journalism. It has upheld the highest standards of news writing and reporting. As a result, it enjoys high credibility, and remains an inspiring model. The role of PTI in our country has been crucial, as timely dissemination of news in an impartial manner is crucial to the health of democracy. For India@100 Shri Shaktikanta Das, Governor, Reserve Bank of India proposed five priorities for the future of the financial system: 1) financial inclusion, 2) digital public infrastructure, 3) consumer protection and cyber security, 4) sustainable finance and 5) global integration and co-operation. This journey will be marked by dynamic shift in technology, regulation, geopolitics and growing societal expectations. It is up to the stakeholders in the Indian financial ecosystem to foster economic resilience, said Shri Das, speaking at the Global Fintech Fest 2024 here today. Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 is presented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Ministry of External Affairs, the Department of Financial Services (DFS), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). The conference is jointly organised by the Payments Council of India (PCI), the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and the Fintech Convergence Council (FCC). In his keynote address, Shri Das said, India is a fast-growing economic powerhouse with an increasingly tech-savvy population. Indias financial sector has witnessed a remarkable transformation driven by the fintech sector. Publicly available information places the number of fintechs founded in India at approximately 11,000, and the fintech sector has received investments of about USD 6 billion in the last two years alone. The Governor proposed to highlight three major aspects: First, setting the priorities for India at 100. Second, technologies for the future and third, the regulatory architecture for fintechs. Welcoming the RBI Governor, Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chair - GFF2024, Co-founder Infosys and Chairman, Axilor Ventures said, The role of a regulator is enabling and enforcing, as without enabling, enforcement is not possible. I believe that RBI has done a fantastic job of working with the industry and making innovation possible and creating an economy that is inclusive, equitable and that is driven by technology. Around 800 speakers, including policymakers, regulators, senior bankers, industry captains, and academicians, from India and various other countries are addressing more than 350 sessions over three days of the conference. Delegates have arrived from around a hundred countries, besides India. GFF 2024 Highlights 3 Days | 7 Tracks | 11 Stages |300+ Exhibitors| 350+ Sessions | 800+ Speakers | For more information on the conference, live agenda and list of speakers visit the website: Global Fintech Fest 2024. Also Read: Schaeffler's latest campaign portrays Schaeffler TruPower Wiper Blades Since 2021, Highlands College has received more than $30 million from Hobby Lobby to expand its campus. The Birmingham college, accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education, used the funds to build more student housing. Phase one of The Village, a housing facility that currently holds 100 students, finished construction this summer thanks to a $17.5 million donation from the Green family, owners of Hobby Lobby, in November of last year. According to Corena Cottles, Highlands Colleges executive director of internal communication, the college purchased and converted a nearby Extended Stay America. Once the college completes phase two, it will accommodate up to 280 students in 140 rooms. In the 2022-23 school year, the college enrolled 343 students, according to its website. A total of 985 students attended the college and its leadership institute that year. Students began attending classes at the new campus of Highlands College in January 2022. A grand opening ceremony was held Feb. 3, 2022. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com) The colleges first residence hall, The Heights, was completed in the spring of last year after the companys first donation of $20 million in 2021 . Highlands College Chancellor Chris Hodges, senior pastor of Alabamas largest church, Church of the Highlands, called the initial donation transformational. Kay Hargrave, the schools chief advancement officer, called the Green familys generosity overwhelming. The financial gift will bring us another step closer to housing all students on campus and creating a ministry academy model with world-class facilities. The four-year institution began awarding bachelor degrees last year. Eggs Up Grill has new locations in the works. The breakfast, lunch, and brunch concept, recently announced a development agreement that will bring seven brand-new locations to the South. According to Eat This, Not That, six locations will open in Charlotte, N.C., while the seventh will open in Travelers Rest, S.C. We sell an all-American breakfast tailored to our guests request. This isnt about a flavor adventure or trying something youve never heard of. Its accessible, high-quality food, Eggs Up Grill CEO Ricky Richardson told Nations Restaurant News in June. But our real differentiator is our people, our franchise partners. Theres a sincerity there that I found unique even after being in the industry my whole career. Eggs Up Grill currently operates over 30 restaurants across Alabama, the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Tennessee, Texas, and Mississippi. Eat This Not That reports the chain has another 100 locations under development or committed to opening over the next 10 years. Eggs Up Grill offers favorites, such as corned beef hash with potatoes, onions and special spices; made-to-order omelets; buttery, grilled blueberry muffins, and lunch selections including burgers, melts, and salads. Tony Earls, indicted in the 2022 death of 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez, appears in front of Judge Colleen Gaido of the 337th District Court on a murder charge Monday, May 6, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Andy Kahan, Director of Victim Services and Advocacy for Crime Stoppers, comforts Wendy Alvarez as she speaks about her daughter, Arlene Alvarez, during a press conference to discuss the indictment of Tony Earls in the death of the 9-year-old in 2022 at Crime Stoppers on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Houston. (Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via AP) Karen Warren/Associated Press A judge unexpectedly removed herself from a case involving the shooting death of 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez during a 2022 robbery moments before a hearing aimed at recusing the special prosecutor was expected to begin. The move by Judge Colleen Gaido to recuse herself Wednesday took the defense attorneys for Tony Earls, charged in April with murder, and the prosecutor by surprise. The lawyers huddled around special prosecutor Warren Diepraam's laptop in the 337th District Court, combing through judicial law in an attempt to understand Gaido's unceremonious decision. She did not provide a reason. "I loathe to recuse myself from any case in which I can be fair," Gaido said in court. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Judge Susan Brown, who oversees the 11th Administrative Judicial Region of Texas, said judges recuse themselves on a regular basis for any number of reasons. The case will pass to another court at random. State law lists eight reasons for a voluntary recusal, including having personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts, becoming a witness in the case or a witness having previously practiced law with the judge, according to state law. "The statute has a shotgun approach and lists multiple factors when a judge should or is required to step down in the case," Diepraam said. "Obviously the judge felt that one of those things applied to her." The lawyers were expected during the hearing to argue whether Diepraam should remain prosecutor over the case. Several members of Arlene's family were in court to watch the proceedings in support of Diepraam. "If there was an issue with this case from the get-go, she should have recused herself earlier because now we have to start over," Arlene's aunt, April Aguirre, said, criticizing the recusal after court. "There's a lot of judges that I really fear here in Harris County that don't do a good job. We were lucky enough to have one of the good ones." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Both parties met on Monday in dispute over the sharing of evidence, prompting Gaido to sign orders for Diepraam, hired in March 2023 and for months lacked a Harris County email, to save any outside communications about the case. After the judge's recusal, one of Earls' attorneys, Anthony Osso, told her they had considered withdrawing their motion to recuse Diepraam anyway because communications with the prosecutor had since improved. "That takes the bite out of our argument," Osso said. Osso bemoaned that Gaido's decision marked the second time this month that a judge stepped down from one of his cases. In San Jacinto County, the judge recently asked that another step in to handle the death penalty case involving accused shooter Francisco Oropeza, who Osso also represents. The motion, filed in June argued, that Diepraam's $175 hourly rate gave "the appearance of impropriety" as Harris County already staffed salaried prosecutors devoted to handling a multitude of felony cases. Jed Silverman, a defense attorney who recently served as a special prosecutor against state Attorney General Ken Paxton, countered that court-appointed defense attorneys also work at an hourly rate. He doubted that the recusal motion would have been successful but agreed aspects of the case were curious. He questioned why the district attorney's office hired an outside counsel for a previously no-billed case rather than rely on the salaried prosecutors already in their ranks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "It doesnt look right and doesnt smell right, but is the recusal going to be granted just on this? I don't think so," Silverman said. An earlier grand jury believed charges against Earls were not merited, leading to the temporary end of his prosecution in July 2022. The district attorney said then she would not task another grand jury to review Earls' case unless new evidence was found. Diepraam, a former Waller County prosecutor, was hired and tasked with reviewing Earls' case and another. Not everyone enjoyed Kenny Chesneys Sun Goes Down tour at Gilette Stadium over the weekend. Shane Lynch, an off duty police officer from Cranston, Massachusetts, was arrested Saturday after Foxborough police said he urinated on a woman in the audience, per Taste of Country. Newsweek reports the incident took place in the front row where Lynch was described as heavily intoxicated. According to the report, the woman felt something before turning around and seeing Lynch in the act. At that point, Lynch tried to avoid security before it caught up with him. Lynch was charged with disorderly conduct and destruction of property. Cranston Police Department police chief Michael Winquist said he was aware of Lynchs arrest and that he would handle the matter administratively, according to Taste of Country. Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily. A new sandwich is returning to McDonalds menus. The fast food chain is reportedly bringing back the Chicken Big Mac, a twist on the classic Big Mac that replaces the sandwichs beef with two tempura chicken patties. According to Quartz, talks of the new big sandwich come after McDonalds CEO Chris Kempczinski taste-tested the Chicken Big Mac in March 2024. Back in 2022, the sandwich was tested as a limited-time offer in Miami. The sandwich has been popular internationally, particularly in the U.K. and Australia. McDonalds has yet to announce when the Chicken Big Mac will be available but according to All Recipes, some online sources say the sandwich is popping up in Florida now. According to the food blogger Burger Beast, some locations in Miami already have the Chicken Big Mac. Burger Beast also found the sandwich on the McDonalds app for $4.99. The day may come when the opening of a new Wawa store in south Alabama seems routine, but Thursday was not that day: Mobile got its first brand-new store and Baldwin County got its second. Scores of people gathered at the intersection of Cottage Hill Road and Sollie Road in west Mobile for an 8 a.m. opening. By the time the Excelsior Band played its final fanfare, many of them were waiting in line, enjoying the music and, in some cases, dancing with Wally Goose, the chains mascot. When the doors open they flooded in, ready to grab some coffee or maybe one of those famed made-to-order hoagies. Its incredible, the amount of people and the devotion, said Ala. Rep. Margie Wilcox, whose District 104 includes the store. Ive never seen anything like it. Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson likewise called it amazing. RELATED: Wawa has landed in Alabama. We tried (and ranked) some of those famous hoagies Patrons dance with mascot Wally Goose before the opening of Mobile's first Wawa store.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com The East Coast gas-and-convenience-store chain, which has legions of die-hard fans, is in the process of an aggressive expansion across the central Gulf Coast. Its first Alabama store opened in Fairhope in April. The 8:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting at 7095 Cottage Hill Road in west Mobile was to be followed by one a few hours later at 21022 Ala. 59 in Robertsdale. At the Mobile opening, Director of Store Operations Joe Collins gave an update on the next few openings. Before years end, he said, Mobiles second Wawa will open at 664 Schillinger Road. Early in 2025 Fairhope will get its second, at the intersection of Ala. 181 and Ala 104. Collins said he expected two more stores to open in the middle of 2025: one at 7780 Lamplighter Drive in Semmes and another at U.S. 98 and Johnson Road in Daphne. Were excited about our new plans in Alabama, and you should know were just getting started, Collins said. Were going to open 40 stores in the Florida Panhandle and south Alabama markets, at least, before all is done. As part of Thursdays festivities, the Wawa Foundation presented a $10,000 grant to Feeding the Gulf Coast. Store officials also held a Hoagies for Heroes sandwich-making competition between the Mobile Fire Rescue Department and the Mobile Police Department. The police team managed to put together a few more sandwiches in the allotted time. Each squad received a $1,000 contribution, with the MPDs gift going to the Mobile Law Enforcement Foundation and the MFRDs to the Dumas Wesley Community Center. Teams from the Mobile Fire Rescue Department (foreground) and Mobile Police Department (background at left) competed in a "Hoagies for Heroes" event at the opening of Mobile's first Wawa store.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com At the newly opened stores, self-serve coffee is free for the first 10 days. Wawa is a food market/gas station chain that started with a dairy market in 1964 in the Pennsylvania town of Wawa. Its a privately held company with more than 1,000 stores, mostly in East Coast states, including many in Floridas main peninsula. The company announced in 2022 that it planned a rapid expansion into the Florida Panhandle and Lower Alabama. Verdict in Morgan County killings A guilty verdict has come down in the shooting that killed seven people in a Morgan County house in June 2020, reports AL.coms William Thornton. The jury found Frederic Rogers guilty of three counts of capital murder, meaning he is eligible to receive the death penalty. Investigators have said they believe Rogers and another man, who has yet to stand trial, killed the seven people over a dispute among members of a motorcycle club. Its believed two of the victims were members of the Seven Deadly Sins motorcycle club, which had been organized by the suspects. The victims included four men and three women ranging in ages from 45-17. Transgender bill in the courts A federal appeals court declined to consider a preliminary injunction regarding Alabamas law banning puberty blockers and hormone therapy as transgender care for children, reports AL.coms Howard Koplowitz. The Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act makes it a Class C felony for doctors to use puberty blockers, hormones or surgery as transgender therapies, with exceptions for medically verifiable disorders of sex development. Class C felonies are punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The bill -- and others like it -- is still being challenged in courts on its merits. This weeks non-action by the appeals court affirmed the lifting of a district courts injunction and allows the state to continue enforcing the law. Gambling machines update Five men from Bessemer were charged in the case we mentioned yesterday in which illegal gambling machines that had been shut down in Selma showed up in the back room of a Lipscomb bingo hall with evidence stickers still on them, reports AL.coms Carol Robinson and Greg Garrison. Attorneys for the Selma establishments said their clients are shocked and baffled as to how the machines were taken off their properties. The five men are charged with third-degree burglary. Dog days are back Yesterday parts of the state saw triple-digit temperatures, reports AL.coms Leigh Morgan. The highest was in Muscle Shoals, where it reached 102 degrees. It also hit 100 in Huntsville and Montgomery. None of those are record highs, but much of the state was around 5-10 degrees above average for August 28. And for those in South and Central Alabama who were blessed with rain yesterday: Share some of that with the rest of us today. There is a chance for storms and showers across the state today as temperatures again are expected to creep up well into the 90s. Sand dunes forever The state has added to its preserved land at Fort Morgan by 79 acres, reported AL.coms Margaret Kates for The Press-Register digital edition. The 79-acre purchase is undeveloped beachfront property that cost $16 million. Its located next to the Beach Club Resort & Spa. A nearby purchase was made by the conservation department in 2018. Combined, those two total 200 acres and more than a half mile of shoreline and sand dunes. By the Numbers $233,700 Thats the advance U.S. Sen. Katie Britt received for her 2023 book, God Calls Us to Do Hard Things: Lessons from the Alabama Wiregrass, according to a financial disclosure form. More Alabama News Get the Down in Alabama newsletter: Enter your email to subscribe to the daily Down in Alabama newsletter: The podcast Some residents of a Marshall County city are looking to form a non-profit to deal with what they say are problems resulting from exploitation of Haitian immigrant workers in north Alabama. The group, Concerned About Albertville, sometimes referred to as Concerned About Alabama, grew out of a series of community meetings in Albertville churches earlier this month. Gerilynn Hanson is an electrical contractor in the area. Her nephew, Jeff Lamour, is a businessman and a Haitian immigrant who has lived in Albertville for several years. They say Haitians who have come to north Alabama are being exploited for labor and forced to live in inhumane conditions. At the last community meeting, volunteer sheets were left for attendees to sign. The idea, Hanson said, is to use individual expertise to help fill needs. For example, retired educators might be able to help with English as a second language training, she said. In other cases, it may be to coordinate housing needs. Theres several different dynamics going on, and everybody has their own expertise, she said. The community meetings began in response to photographs of people entering and exiting charter buses in Albertville, which were shared on Facebook, with users questioning what purpose the buses served, who was on them, and where they were coming from. Pilgrims Pride later issued statements saying it had chartered the buses for employees to and from its Russellville plant. The company then said it would no longer use charters. But discussion on social media and at meetings centered around recent Haitian immigration and its impact on the city. Lamour said he was upset by the initial tone of the furor over the buses, but that many in Albertville were motivated by something more than fear and mistrust of immigrants. At first, I thought it would be something against Haitians, he said. The way they started out, it wasnt good. But their motive is different. Weve got local pastors working with them. And it seems like they are working with the local community. It sounds like theyre trying to do the right thing, fighting human and labor trafficking. Hanson and Lamour, as well as other residents, say many Haitians are living in substandard housing, and are being exploiting by immigration sponsors even as they have fled the political turmoil in their homeland. In June, the Biden administration announced a new temporary protected status for Haitians who arrived in the U.S. on or before June 3, to shield even those who entered the country illegally from being deported back to Haiti, according to NBC News. Immigration advocates estimate the number of Haitians in the U.S. with protected status is roughly 500,000. Haiti has seen political unrest for years, as the country has not fully recovered from a 2010 catastrophic earthquake, and has not held elections since 2016. In March, criminal organizations on the Caribbean island organized a jailbreak of more than 4,000 inmates. More than 2,500 people died there from January thru March. The unrest kept the countrys prime minister from returning from abroad, with him eventually resigning. Gross National Income per capita in Haiti is $1,730, and a quarter of the islands population lives in extreme poverty on less than $1.25 per day. A Haitian can apply as a refugee, i.e., a person with well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group, who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence. However, the process to apply for refugee status can take up to two years. At the end of the day, most of the people are fleeing Haiti due to gangs, Lamour said. But it seems like everybody is wanting to use these people for their own benefit. Hanson said some immigrants may not know what kind of aid they can receive from the federal government, while others are afraid to report substandard housing for fear of being deported. Theres all kinds of needs, she said. Just pick one. A Hoover man has been charged with two felony crimes in the reported sexual assault of a woman. Terrance Jordan Grimes, 28, is charged with first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy. Grimes was taken into custody Wednesday after a large police presence and lengthy negotiations with officers at The Avenues of South Hoover on Summer Place Parkway. Charging documents against Grimes state the sexual assault took place about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Police Lt. Daniel Lowe said they were notified just after 11 a.m. and quickly learned about a possible location of the suspect. The suspect and the victim were acquaintances. Lowe said officers communicated with Grimes for a couple hours to facilitate his surrender, which he did without incident. Lowe said the situation was not a standoff. Grimes will be held without bond. Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance was caught trashing teachers who dont have biological children in a recently resurfaced 2021 audio recording. I hate to be so personal about this, but theyre people without kids, trying to brainwash the minds of our children, Vance said at a Christian conservative forum during his winning Ohio U.S. Senate campaign. He took special aim at teachers union chief Randi Weingarten, a familiar bogeyman for right-wing Republicans. She doesnt have a single child. If she wants to brainwash and destroy the mind of children, she should have some of her own and leave ours the hell alone, Vance said of Weingarten, who is a lesbian and describes herself as the step-mother of her partners child. The 30-second clip, which was posted on X by a Chicago progressive talk radio station, is the latest evidence of what Democrats say is Vances long-standing obsession with belittling Americans who dont have biological children. Vance has derided women without children as childless cat ladies. He has suggested parents of small children should get additional votes in elections, a proposal that would effectively reduce the voice of Americans who dont have children. He also said those without children should pay higher taxes. However, Vances Republican Senate colleagues rejected a Democratic effort last month to pass an expanded child tax credit in a vote he skipped. Weingarten, who is president of the American Federation of Teachers, hit back at Vance, calling his remarks gross and noted that many Catholic school teachers are nuns who are prohibited from having children by church teachings. JD Vances comments are sad and insulting to millions of modern families, and school teachers including Catholic nuns, none of whom should be targeted for their family decisions, Weingarten tweeted. Vance converted to Catholicism in 2019. Taylor Van Kirk, a spokeswoman for Vance, framed the remarks as part of his critique of liberal education policy and did not explain the relevance of a teachers parental status. There is no bigger threat to American children than the left wing indoctrination being peddled in our schools, Van Kirk said in a statement to NBC. _____ 2024 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A Kentucky man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after he was found with a young missing Alabama girl who he met on social media. Glendon Arnold Carpenter Jr., 44, will also remain on supervised release for life once he is released from prison, according to a Thursday statement by Middle District of Alabama Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin P. Davidson. The sentence was handed down Wednesday. Carpenter began communicating with a 14-year-old girl in Lee County in 2023 through an online messaging app. His profile picture appeared to be a teen boy. After establishing a relationship with the minor, Carpenter convinced her to leave home. In July of 2023, Carpenter traveled to Alabama to pick up the 14-year-old and take her back to Kentucky where the two engaged in sexual activity. The victims parents reported her missing and law enforcement immediately began searching for her. Agents found Carpenter and the victim in Kentucky within two days at a fast-food restaurant. A federal grand jury indicted Carpenter for unlawfully transporting a minor across state lines in August of 2023. On February 12, 2024, Carpenter pleaded guilty to the charge. The FBI Mobile Field Office and the Lee County Sheriffs Office investigated this case, with assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Richmond, Kentucky Police Department, and the FBI Louisville Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara S. Ratz prosecuted the case. Several Alabama cities hit 100 degrees or higher on Wednesday, according to data from the National Weather Service. Much of the rest of the state also logged temperatures in the upper 90s. But despite that no records were broken or even tied on Wednesday, which could end up being the hottest day this week. Still, temperatures across the state were 10 degrees or more above the average for this time of year. The highest temperature of Alabamas bigger cities was Muscle Shoals, which hit 102 degrees on Wednesday afternoon: MUSCLE SHOALS Aug 28 Climate: High: 102 Low: 65 Precip: 0.0" Snow: 0.0" Snow Depth: 0" https://t.co/eZpG1qWcj2 pic.twitter.com/zjR7in4yKH IEMBot HUN (@iembot_hun) August 28, 2024 That was very hot, but not hot enough to break Muscle Shoals record for Aug. 28, which was 104 degrees in 1909. According to weather service data the average high temperature for Muscle Shoals on Aug. 28 is 90 degrees. Huntsville also hit triple digits on Wednesday with a high of 100 degrees. The record was 103 degrees, which was set in 1924. Montgomery also reached 100 degrees, but that also was not enough to set a record, which was 104 degrees in 1954. The average high in Montgomery for Aug. 28 is 93 degrees. Here are some other high temperatures from Wednesday and the average high temperature for Aug. 28: * Anniston: 96 (normal 89 degrees) * Birmingham: 99 (normal 90 degrees) * Dothan: 97 (normal 91 degrees) * Mobile: 95 (normal 90 degrees) * Troy: 98 (normal 90 degrees) * Tuscaloosa: 98 (normal 90 degrees) Thursday also promises more above-average heat, but the weather service isnt forecasting it to be quite as hot as today. There will also be increased chances for rain and storms across the state. (See the forecast for Thursday at the top of this post.) Some parts of south and central Alabama were getting welcome rain as of Wednesday afternoon. Temperatures could cool off some next week and get back closer to average, according to weather service forecasts. The Climate Prediction Centers eight- to 14-day temperature outlook is forecasting near-average temperatures for the northern two-thirds of the state next week. South Alabama, however, may run the risk of being warmer than average still: Three of four young suspects charged with murder in last weeks deadly shooting at a Birmingham apartment complex that was captured live in Facebook videos were denied bond by a judge who said they were too dangerous to set free. Attorneys for the trio, however, argued that their clients fired in self-defense, claiming that a family member of slain mother Asia Poole fired first and the barrage of gunfire that followed at least 168 rounds from multiple guns was a response, not an offensive attack. Aacoreyah Denae Woods, 20, Justin Jamond June Bug Hendrix, 20, Taylor Paper Route Tay, McCloud, 22, and a 17-year-old male are charged with murder in Pooles slaying. They are also charged with attempted murder in the wounding of Pooles best friend, Damarion Rankins, who was shot in the hip. Janiyah Hendrix, 19, who was fighting with Poole before the shots rang out, is charged with first-degree auto theft after authorities say she fled the chaotic scene in Pooles co. Janiyah Hendrix and Justin Hendrix are siblings, and were taken into custody at their maternal grandparents home. Their father was shot to death in 2022 when he stopped at a Homewood ATM on his way home from church. McCloud was arrested during a stop with Mountain Brook police during which a illegal substance was found in his vehicle. Woods was booked into the jail Tuesday, and the juvenile on Wednesday. The mother of a young daughter, Poole died from a single gunshot wound to the back, according to a testimony in an Aniahs Law bond hearing held Wednesday before Jefferson County District Judge Kechia Davis. The father of Pooles 4-year-old daughter died weeks before Poole was killed. When the hearing was over, the judge said there was no combination of release conditions that would guarantee the suspects would show back up in court or that would protect the safety of the community or the surviving victim. She noted that all three suspects are out on bond from previous crimes. I think the community has an absolute right to feel and be safe in their homes Davis said and ordered the trio to remain held without bond. The fourth suspect the 17-year-old juvenile has not yet had a bond hearing. The shooting happened about 10 p.m. Aug. 20 at Monarch Ridge apartments. Pooles acquaintances said there was an ongoing dispute between her and Janiyah Hendrix over a man. The fight between Poole and Janiyah Hendrix started near Pooles vehicle in the parking lot. They were eventually separated but it started back up in the breezeway of the building where Poole lived. The fight and subsequent gunfight were captured in Facebook Live videos. Surveillance cameras including cameras that are present in each breezeway of the large apartment complex - also captured some of the chaos that night and were retrieved by the Metro Area Crime Center. Jefferson County Deputy District Attorneys Dianah Ellis and Tyerra Henderson are prosecuting the case. Justin Hendrix was represented in court Wednesday by attorney Scott Boudreaux. Woods is represented by Darryl Bender and Luckie Milad, and McCloud by Rolando Rankin. Birmingham homicide Det. John Finke was the lone witness in the Aniahs Law hearing. Finke testified that when he got on the scene at Monarch Ridge that night, shell casings were everywhere, and Poole was dead in her breezeway. Finke said initially he got nicknames of those involved, and later was able to identify them by their real names. With the help of witnesses and the surviving victim, he was able to identify those seen in the videos. Finke said Justin Hendrix was seen in the videos wearing a black hoodie, a black ski mask, and was armed with two guns a Draco and an AR- 15 pistol. McCloud was wearing all black, he said, and was armed with a gun. Woods was wearing denim shorts, a brown shirt and was armed with a Draco that had an extended magazine. At one point, the detective said, she also was wearing a ski mask. The video, Finke testified, showed that the 17-year-old suspect who was seen shirtless in the videos fired the first shot toward the breezeway as Janiyah Hendrix was fleeing the scene in Pooles vehicle. It also showed Woods, McCloud and Justin Hendrix firing their guns. All four shooters, Finke said, were firing their guns toward the breezeway. They were all shooting in the direction where the victim was killed, Finke testified. Justin Hendrix told detectives that he was high and didnt remember much of what happened that night. He said he heard gunshots, turned and started shooting, Finke said. Finke said videos did not show anyone shooting from the breezeway and said no shell casings were found there. One of the Facebook Live videos was from a cell phone that was dropped in the breezeway once the shooting started and captured the minutes-long barrage of gunfire. That cell phone also recorded Pooles brother crying out in despair, Call the police. My sisters right here dead. Defense attorneys contend that the audio from that recording clearly indicate that the first shot fired was in close proximity to the that cell phone and not from the parking lot. You can hear it clearly, said attorney Bender. Finke disagreed. It appears to me that once (the 17-year-old) shoots, everybody starts shooting, Finke said. They were shooting and running. Evidence technicians recovered evidence of at least four different types of guns fired. Police also said after the four suspects fired, at least two people returned fire. The gunfire also damaged multiple vehicles and apartment units. Investigators have not yet determined the caliber of bullet that killed Poole, he said. Under cross examination, Finke testified that Pooles brother was also armed with a long gun. Bender said his client, Woods, had a permit to carry a gun, was trying to break up the fight, and fired in self-defense. Based on what we hear, a shot was fired from the breezeway and every other shot fired was in response, Bender said during closing arguments on the bond issue. If that first shot hadnt been fired, not shots would have been fired. A gun can be fired not expel a shell casing, Bender said to bolster his belief that someone in the breezeway fired first. Rankin said his client, McCloud, also tried to break up the fight and only brandished his gun after that first shot was fired. I believe he was running from that first shot, Rankin said. Boudreaux also argued for bond for Justin Hendrix. Four people are charged with the same offense which clearly shows we dont know what happened, he said. When ballistics (testing) comes back, it will be narrowed tremendously. The attorneys said murder is bondable offense and that the high-profile nature of Pooles killing should not factor into the judges decision. Theres a lot of heat on this case, its like a baby-killer, Boudreaux said. All four the defendants cannot be guilty in this case. Judge Davis disagreed and said indeed all four people could be convicted on the charge of murder. Prosecutor Ellis successfully argued that the suspects should be denied bond. The violence of the attack is shown by the sheer amount of gunfire, she said. She also acknowledged the high-profile nature of Pooles killing and said it should be prominent in the news. Yes, the public has a very big interest, she said, in not having their homes shot up. The body of 21-year-old Muna Pandey was found inside a southwest Houston apartment on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. Courtesy/Drona Gautam A man was arrested late Wednesday night and charged with capital murder in connection to the death of Muna Pandey, a 21-year-old Houston Community College student, court records show. Bobby Singh Shah, 51, of Houston, was arrested in a traffic stop and booked into Harris County jail at midnight, according to the Houston Police Department. Shah was charged with capital murder. MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Prep work will help with Labor Day travel to and from Bush, Houston airport officials say Advertisement Article continues below this ad Shah is accused of shooting Pandey during an attempted robbery on Aug. 24, according to court records. Pandey's body was found inside her apartment in the 6300 block of West Airport on Monday, according to police. Court records don't show if Shah and Pandey knew each other. Shah's home address is listed as an apartment complex in northwest Houston, miles from Pandey's apartment. Shah has no criminal history in Harris County. Pandey was a native of Nepal who moved in Houston in 2021, according to the Nepalese Association of Houston. The group is raising money to bring Pandey's mother to the United States and cover the cost of the young woman's funeral. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police on Wednesday released a photo of a man wanted as a suspect in Pandey's killing on Wednesday morning. The picture, taken from security video, showed Shah leaving an apartment on the same day Pandey died. In an initial motion for bond conditions, prosecutors asked for Shah to be fitted with a GPS monitor if he is released. He is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 3, according to court records. Shah didn't have a listed defense attorney as of Thursday morning. An Arlington National Cemetery official was abruptly pushed aside during an altercation with former President Donald Trumps staff during a wreath-laying ceremony but declined to press charges, an Army spokesman said Thursday. A statement said the cemetery employee was trying to make sure those participating in the wreath-laying ceremony earlier this week were following the rules. This employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption, the statement said. The incident was reported to the police, but the employee decided not to press charges. The Army said it considered the matter closed. Trumps campaign was warned about not taking photographs before the altercation at Arlington National Cemetery during a wreath-laying ceremony on Monday to honor service members killed in the Afghanistan War withdrawal, a defense official told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, said that the Trump campaign was warned about not taking photographs in Section 60 before their arrival and the altercation. Section 60 is the burial site for military personnel killed while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. Trump was at Arlington on Monday at the invitation of some of the families of the 13 service members who were killed in the Kabul airport bombing exactly three years prior. Cemetery officials had previously acknowledged that an incident had occurred and a report had been filed, but it did not address details of what had happened. They declined to share the report. Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, to include photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes, or in direct support of a partisan political candidates campaign, the cemetery officials statement said. Arlington National Cemetery reinforced and widely shared this law and its prohibitions with all participants. We can confirm there was an incident, and a report was filed. Trumps spokesperson Steven Cheung said the Republican presidential candidates team was granted access to have a photographer. He contested the allegation that a campaign staffer pushed a cemetery official. The fact is that a private photographer was permitted on the premises and for whatever reason, an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trumps team during a very solemn ceremony, he said. Chris LaCivita, a top Trump campaign adviser, noted that Trump was there at the invitation of the families of the service members who were killed in the airport bombing. The Trump campaign posted a message signed by relatives of two of the service members killed in the bombing that said the president and his team conducted themselves with nothing but the utmost respect and dignity for all of our service members, especially our beloved children. For a despicable individual to physically prevent President Trumps team from accompanying him to this solemn event is a disgrace and does not deserve to represent the hollowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, he said in a written statement, misspelling the word hallowed. Whoever this individual is, spreading these lies are dishonoring the men and women of our armed forces. Michael Tyler, a spokesperson for Trumps Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, said the reports of the altercation were what weve come to expect from Donald Trump and his team. Donald Trump is a person who wants to make everything all about Donald Trump, Tyler said on CNN on Wednesday. Hes also somebody who has a history of demeaning and degrading military service members, those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Trumps running mate JD Vance was asked about the incident Wednesday at a campaign event in Erie, Pennsylvania, and said that apparently somebody at Arlington Cemetery, some staff member, had a little disagreement with somebody and the media has turned this into a national news story. He instead tried to focus on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling Harris disgraceful for not firing anyone for the deaths of service members in the terror attack. She can go to hell, Vance said. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack. A Pentagon investigation into the deadly attack concluded that the suicide bomber acted alone and that the deaths of more than 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members were not preventable. But critics have slammed the Biden administration for the catastrophic evacuation, saying it should have started earlier than it did. Frustration is growing over illegal street racing that exploded early Sunday after six people were shot in the historic community of Africatown. But Mobile police say that before Sunday, they had no idea street racing was a concern along Paper Mill Road -- a main thoroughfare along Africatowns east side that traverses past heavy industrial plants along the Mobile River north of downtown Mobile. Six people suffered non-life-threatening injuries following the racing that occurred around 12:30 a.m. along Paper Mill Road at McKinley Street -- one of the key entrances into a community that has, in recent years, experienced plenty of public attention with millions of dollars invested into it to highlight Africatowns founding by the survivors of the slave ship Clotilda following the Civil War. Related content: We got to do something to prevent the racing, which is illegal, Mobile City Councilman William Carroll said during Tuesdays meeting. One longtime pastor in the community says that street racing has been a persistent problem along Paper Mill Road, and that community concerns have not been addressed. The Rev. Christopher Williams of Yorktown Missionary Baptist Church, said the community has tried for years to do something to stop the racing on Paper Mill Road. We contacted everyone we knew to contact, and even offered suggestions, Williams said. We were told cameras were there. We found out there were no cameras. Were concerned. We are at wits end on who to speak to and what to do. Carroll, during Tuesdays meeting, suggested Williams and the Rev. Lamar Brady at First Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, meet with city officials to discuss the concern. It used to be about every weekend, Williams said about the street racing. You can see where the burnouts are and everything. Its like a regular speedway. Blake Brown, a spokesperson with the Mobile Police Department, said that Interim Police Chief William Randy Jackson will meet with Carroll and other city leaders to look at ways to deter street racing in the area. He said an immediate option includes close patrolling of the area. Carroll said street racing once occurred on nearby Interstate I-65 and was addressed by police years ago. If those living and working in that area have concerns and notice large groups congregating and blocking the road/street racing, we need them to call us and let us know so we can respond appropriately. Brown said the agency was only first made aware of the problem following the shooting. The victims ages ranged from 15 to 25, Brown said. Though none of the injuries are life-threatening, its unclear what their conditions were as of Wednesday. Anytime someone gets hurt or shot, its a terrible thing, Williams said. We dont want anyone get hurt just because they are gathered to race. But when its an illegal act, the community, city and police department should (take notice). Said Brown, Street racing is illegal and dangerous. We want to make sure it doesnt become a larger concern for those who live and travel on Paper Mill Road. No arrests have been made into the Sunday shooting. Police are encouraging people with information about the shooting to contact them at 251-208-7211. Anonymous tips can be submitted by testing 844-251-0644 or by visiting mobilepd.org/crimetip. Alabama congressional candidate Caroleene Dobson will tour the U.S. border with Mexico in El Paso, Texas, on Thursday, ride with officers on patrol, and receive a briefing on illegal immigrant crossings, her campaign announced. Dobson, an attorney in Montgomery, is the Republican nominee in Alabamas redrawn 2nd District. She faces Democratic nominee Shomari Figures of Mobile, an attorney who worked in the Obama administration and in the Justice Department under the Biden administration. In a press release, the Dobson campaign said the Biden administration has opened the border to allow illegal immigrants, dangerous drugs like fentanyl, and possibly terrorists into the country. I know that in order to understand, fix, and secure our open border, you must visit it, witness the problem firsthand, and work with those on the ground to secure it, Dobson said. Dobson will tour the border with Congressman Tony Gonzales of Texas, a Republican who represents the 23rd District, which includes roughly 800 miles of the border. Dobson and Figures will participate in a live online debate in October that will be broadcast on AL.com as well as AL.coms Facebook and YouTube channels. The election is Nov. 5. Birminghams Brasfield & Gorrie is announcing several major leadership changes to take effect at years end. President Rob Blalock will become CEO effective Jan. 1, while current CEO Jim Gorrie will become executive chairman of the company, and founder and chairman Miller Gorrie will continue to serve as chairman of the Gorrie Legacy Trust. Jim Gorries role will include supporting Blalock and the leadership team in his new role. A representative of the Gorrie family will always serve on the trusts board to ensure that the company continues to operate by the principles and values theyve established, the company said in an announcement. Blalocks elevation is seen as the culmination of a move in the works for some time for one of Alabamas signature contractors. Blalock has spent 26 years with Brasfield & Gorrie, serving in preconstruction and project management positions. He was appointed as president in 2022. During his career, he has led commercial and multifamily high-rise projects, such as Atlantas 1010 Midtown, 77 12th and the Loews Atlanta Hotel and Convention Center, as well as Red Hat Tower in Raleigh; and the Omni Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville. I know I have big shoes to fill as I follow Jim, whose leadership has been tremendously important to me throughout my career at Brasfield & Gorrie, Blalock said. Jim followed in his dads footsteps by prioritizing treating our clients and subcontractors the way we want to be treated. He also set the tone for collaboration across the company. Its a huge privilege to carry forward the foundation laid by past generations. I could not be more confident in the future outlook for our company, Jim Gorrie said in a statement. Robs creativity, passion, and leadership have been evident throughout his career, and were thrilled to formalize this transition after years of planning and working closely together. The company is in good hands, said Miller Gorrie. I have every confidence that Rob will continue to uphold the values and foundation of Brasfield & Gorrie, and the Gorrie Legacy Trust ensures our stability for the long term. In other moves, Todd Jackson has been named president. During his 29 years with the company, he has specialized in healthcare construction project management and leadership. His projects have included Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham; Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga; Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor and Select Medical Californias Rehabilitation Institute in Los Angeles. Alexia Borden, who joined the company in early 2024, will be promoted to chief administrative officer. This is another installment in Birmingham Times/AL.com/CBS42 joint series Beyond the Violence: what can be done to address Birminghams rising homicide rate. This story was originally published by The Birmingham Times. More witnesses are coming forward to help the Birmingham Police Department make arrests and close a significant number of homicide cases, but now is not the time to celebrate, as gun violence continues to increase in the city, BPD Chief Scott Thurmond said during a recent interview. Police credit an outpouring of assistance from community members in obtaining arrests warrants for suspects in the shooting death of 21-year-old Asia Poole on Tuesday, August 20. A total of five suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting after the fifth was taken into custody Wednesday and fourth to be charged with murder. In another case this month, with the help of a witness, police were able to arrest a suspect in a seven-year-old homicide case involving a 57-year-old woman who had been stabbed to death. Until recently, investigators didnt have enough evidence to make an arrest. That changed when a witness came forward, police said. Thurmond, who is on the Crime Stoppers Board, said he sees first-hand the number of people providing tips that are leading to more arrests. Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama is a nonprofit that offers cash rewards for anonymous tips that help solve felony crimes and lead to arrests of persons wanted on warrants charging them with felony crimes. The number of cases that citizens have called about and the number of arrests that Crime Stoppers has been given information for law enforcement to make the arrests has increased dramatically this year, the police chief said. The clearance rate from where it was last year to where it is this year has increased significantly, which means were closing more cases by arrests. He added, Citizens who get involved by calling Crime Stoppers can be 100 percent anonymous, get a reward, and help law enforcement get these individuals off the streets of Birminghamand thats what we want. We want a safer Birmingham, too. According to BPD Officer Truman Fitzgerald homicide detectives have made arrests in 44 cases this year through Friday, Aug. 23. Although it was unknown how many were a result of witnesses who came forward, Thurmond reiterated that the number was significant. Killers off the street Residents seem to be responding to pleas from city leaders to share information anonymously. Three months ago, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin called on residents to help police solve homicide cases. I need the public to help us take shooters and killers off the street who harm our most vulnerable community members, which are our children and our seniors, Woodfin said in mid-May after a 62-year-old man in a wheelchair was killed and two children were injured in gun shootings. That is my direct plea to the public: We need your assistance. If you need safe harbor or help in sharing that information, let us know so we can give it to you. Acting Birmingham Chief of Police Scott Thurmond speaks to press after a police-involved shooting of a suspect in a domestic violence incident While more arrests are being made with the help of witnesses, Thurmond said now is not the time to celebrate. The only way I would celebrate is if the number of murders in the city went down significantly, he said. We have to stop having homicides. Its still very frustrating when people are still losing their lives. Yes, were making arrests, were closing those cases, but people are still being killed and there are families that are still being destroyed. Thats the disturbing, more troubling part to me. On August 13, a 61-year-old man became the citys 100th homicide of 2024 when he was shot to death inside an apartment at the North Birmingham Homes public housing community, also known as Vice Hills. Last year, the city didnt reach 100 slayings until October 3. So far in 2024, 108 people have been killed, including 8 justifiable death rulings. Thurmond said he sees personally what impact violence can have when families visit BPD headquarters. Weve got mothers saving voice mails because its the last time they ever heard their childs voice, and they play it day after day. Thats the only memory they have of them, he said. Its very disturbing when you see these mothers faces, these family member faces, and you see what theyre going through, whether its the day after, six months, a year, two years later, he continued. They think about it when Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, special family days come. Whatever it is, that loved one is not there. Even if the department is closing more cases, Thurmond added, It doesnt fix your heart or your mind. Senseless The interview with the police chief took place one day after a fight at an apartment complex in Birmingham escalated into a shooting that left 21-year-old Asia Poole dead and a man injured. Authorities said it was all captured on videos posted to Facebook, which showed Poole in a brawl involving multiple people at the Monarch Ridge Apartments, according to Al.com. The altercation appeared to start near a vehicle in the parking lot and then moved to a breezeway in one of the apartment buildings and continued before gunfire erupted. Asia Poole, 21, was shot to death Aug. 20, 2024, at Monarch Ridge Apartments in east Birmingham. The shooting followed a parking lot brawl.(Contributed) The reason we see people getting murdered in our city is just senseless, Thurmond said. Look at the [Poole] homicide. The young lady, shes 21 years old, and another female are engaged in a physical altercation. Somehow that turns into gunfire. [Poole] is dead, another [person] is shot. [Poole] had a 1-year-old that now has no mother. This is senseless. Police said they documented 168 rounds fired in that shooting, according to AL.com. Residents and witnesses described the shooting as something out of a movie and said it appeared to be premeditated. There were multiple shooters, they said, some wearing masks and armed with assault-type rifles and guns with Glock switches. (A Glock switch, according to the GunZone.com, is a device used to modify a Glock pistol to allow for automatic firing.) The mentality of some perpetrators is totally different than most, Thurmond said. Killing someone is not a big deal for them, the police chief said, Talk to the guys on the street now about having a gun, [and they say things like], Well, I have to have a gun because everybody else has a gun, so I have to level-up. If I didnt carry a gun, they all have guns. I may be a great fist fighter, but thats not going to stop bullets. I have to get the biggest, baddest gun I can because a lot of other people have the biggest, baddest guns. In addition to making arrests, the challenge for police is to determine the root cause behind the gun violence, Thurmond said. Is there something that the police or some group can do to get out in front and stop that thing from occurring? Its just disturbing that these simple little things are leading to people losing their lives. As a law enforcement leader, it makes you want to beat your head against wall, said Thurmond. Anyone with information about a homicide incident is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Your call will be anonymous, and you could receive a reward. A Georgia woman died and an Alabama woman was airlifted to a hospital after the ATV they were passengers in overturned in north Alabama, authorities said Wednesday. Both women were not wearing seat belts and were partially ejected from the Honda Pioneer 1000 ATV during the incident just after midnight Sunday in Randolph County, said Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Senior Trooper Vu Quang. Emily S. Long, 51, of Canton, Georgia, was airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham, where she died of her injuries Tuesday, Quang said. The second victim, a 49-year-old Wedowee resident, was airlifted to WellStar Kennestone Regional Medical Center in Marietta, Georgia. The extent of her injuries were not disclosed. The ATV overturned around 12:10 a.m. Sunday on Randolph County Road 256 near Randolph County Road 2564, about eight miles north of Wedowee. Further information on the incident was unavailable as state troopers continued to investigate. A Marshall County jury Wednesday convicted a Georgia man of capital murder in a 2021 double killing outside a Guntersville restaurant. Kenov Yenovi Williams, 26, was found guilty in the deaths of Elias Gaspar Lopez, 19, and Enrique F. Rodrigues Alvarado, 17. The two were shot to death on September 23, 2021 outside a Taco Bell. At the end of the five-day trial, Williams was found guilty of murder or two or more people, two counts of murder during a first degree robbery, murder using a deadly weapon on a victim inside a vehicle, as well as criminal conspiracy to commit first degree robbery. Judge Christopher Abel sentenced him to life without parole on the murder counts and 20 years for the conspiracy charge. Over the course of a five-day trial, prosecutors presented a case using Snapchat data and witness accounts that Williams, while acting as a drug dealer, intended to rob and murder the two victims as an act of retaliation. Williamss heinous acts at Taco Bell on that night in September 2021 changed the course of many lives, Marshall County District Attorney Jennifer Bray said. My heart goes out to the Lopez and Alvarado families whose children were taken from them far too young. I know this trial was difficult for them, but Im hopeful that the jurys decision to convict Williams and the fact that he will spend the rest his life behind bars gives them some sense of justice... We thank Judge Abel for ensuring that Williams will never live outside of a prison cell. Alabama can continue to enforce a state law banning gender-affirming care for minors after a federal appeals court on Wednesday declined to put the question of a preliminary injunction before the full court. A panel of the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals reversed U.S. District Court Judge Liles Burkes preliminary injunction last year, prompting transgender minors and their parents suing Alabama over the law to ask the full 11th Circuit to take up the issue. But the full federal appeals court declined to consider a preliminary injunction on Wednesday. The Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act makes it a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison for doctors to treat people under 19 with puberty blockers or hormones to help affirm a new gender identity. The law, signed by Gov. Kay Ivey in 2022, is still being challenged on its merits, but the case was put on hold last month because the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a challenge to a similar law out of Tennessee. The plaintiffs attorneys, in a statement issued through GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), said they were disappointed by the decision but encouraged that nearly half of the circuits 12 judges dissented with the majority. Along with GLAD, the plaintiffs are represented by lawyers with the Southern Poverty Law Center, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), King & Spalding LLP and Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC. As the dissenting judges point out, the panels decision is not only wrong, but dangerous. Families, not the government, should make medical decisions for children, they said. The evidence presented in the case overwhelmingly showed that the banned treatments provide enormous benefits to the adolescents who need them, and that parents are making responsible decisions for their own children. We will continue to challenge this harmful measure and to advocate for these young people and their parents. Laws like this have no place in a free country. Chief Judge Bill Pryor, who agreed with the majority of the court not to put the preliminary injunction issue before the full circuit, argued against a dissenting judges view that the full court should have heard the case because of the substantive due process doctrine -- the idea that legislatures cannot pass laws without a valid reason for interfering with citizens liberty. The doctrine of substantive due process does violence to the text of the Constitution, enjoys no historical pedigree, and offers judges little more than shifting and unilluminating standards with which to protect unenumerated rights, Pryor wrote. Difficult questions of morality, parental rights, and medicine are properly left to democracy, and we should not pretend that the Due Process Clauses give unelected judges the authority to second-guess public policy, he went on to say. In her dissent, U.S. Circuit Judge Robin Rosenbaum claimed the panels decision not to uphold Burkes preliminary injunction had far-reaching consequences beyond transgender care for minors. The panel opinions reasoning strips every parent in this Circuit of their fundamental right to direct that their children receive any medical treatment (no matter how well-established and medically endorsed)except for those medical treatments in existence as of 1868. Yes, 1868before modern medicine, Rosenbaum wrote. So in the states of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, blistering, blood-letting, and leeches are in, but antibiotics, antivirals, and organ transplants are out, she continued. Rosenbaum called the panels opinion wrong and dangerous. Make no mistake: while the panel opinion continues in force, no modern medical treatment is safe from a states misguided decision to outlaw it, almost regardless of the states reason, she wrote. Worse still, if a state bans a post-1868 treatment, no parent has legal recourse to provide their child with that necessary, life-saving medical care in this Circuit. And if an individual cant access a medical treatment because of their sex or transgender status, they are similarly without legal recourse. U.S. Circuit Judge Adalberto Jordan, whose dissent was criticized in Pryors opinion, gave similar reasoning as Rosenbaum. The panels decision necessarily means that the fundamental right of parents to obtain medical treatment for their children extends only to procedures and medications that existed in 1868, and not to modern advances like the polio vaccine (developed in the 1950s), cardiac surgery (first performed in 1983), organ transplants (first successfully completed in 1954), and treatments for cancer like radiation (first used in 1899) and chemotherapy (which started in the 1940s), he wrote. All professions are conspiracies against the laity. The Doctors Dilemma by George Bernard Shaw, Act I (spoken by Sir Patrick Cullen to fellow physician Sir Colenso Ridgeon). The recent presidential resignations at vaunted schools such as Harvard, Columbia, and Penn, which Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and other members of Congress pushed for and celebrated, are promising less and less to be long-term solutions to the disorder that has pervaded the college campuses. Moreover, the current situation may well bode future deterioration of the quality of the physicians that these and other schools produce. Thats because American physicians traditional arrogance is becoming tightly entangled with hard-left, woke ideology. Although I am a lawyer, I have seen what is happening with physicians because I have been married to a physician for almost forty years, so Ive paid close attention to what is happening in her field. These are my views, of course. My wife, if she so chooses, is quite capable of similarly critiquing from her own perspective the implications of the situation upon the legal profession. Image: Harvard Medical School, c. 1928 from the Wellcome Trust collection.. CC BY 4.0. To be sure, my interactions with and exposure to the medical profession during my formative years were overwhelmingly positive. I have been treated by some of the best medical practitioners ever (including Dr. C. Everett Koop, a future U.S. Surgeon General). My mothers brother was always a positive model of a physician. My cynical view of the medical profession is accordingly institutional and not personal. When I was in junior high school, I read the autobiographical bestseller My Life in Court by Louis Nizer. There, he recounted a medical malpractice case where he prevailed by finding a newly minted physician who, through an apparent combination of principle and naivete, was willing to defy the medical professions effective omerta by testifying at trial that the defendant obstetrician had been negligent in performing a delivery that neither mother nor baby survived. While an undergraduate, I had an on-campus job shelving books in the university library. The floor where I worked contained the stacks for Library of Congress classifications Q (Science) and R (Medicine). Many of the bound periodical volumes in those stacks had missing pages. There were instances of students being caught in the act of tearing out the pages. Each time, it was a pre-med student who sought to gain academic advantage over his fellow classmates by depriving them of access to the article in the competition for acceptance to medical school. Moreover, my Insurance & Risk professor mentioned in a lecture that the rising costs of healthcare (even back in those days) were caused in no small part by the medical professions actions that deliberately limited the numbers of physicians. During the medical malpractice insurance crisis of the 1970s, I cynically commented to friends that the physicians, having used their political power to gain exemption from jury duty, were then complaining that the juries from which they had excluded themselves were delivering high-dollar verdicts against them in medical malpractice lawsuits, thereby jacking up the cost of insurance coverage. Physicians had long carried the attitude that they were too genteel to become bogged down in litigation. They were content to pay the Danegeld to plaintiffs attorneys to quickly settle any medical malpractice lawsuits brought against them. This strategy caused med-mal lawsuits to become a means of financing healthcare. At a dinner table discussion with my wife regarding the disorder now plaguing college and university campuses, she noted that, of the four recent Ivy League school president resignations, three of the four replacements are physicians. Katrina Armstrong, MD, replaced Minouche Shafik as President of Columbia University; J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, replaced Liz Magill as President of the University of Pennsylvania; and Alan M. Garber, MD, PhD, replaced Claudine Gay as President of Harvard University. Although a Columbia alumnus friend of mine e-mailed Ding Dong, the witch is dead to his contact list upon Shafiks resignation, we clearly cannot expect much improvement under the watch of whomever ultimately becomes installed as her successor (Dr. Armstrong being an Interim President of the institution). The President of Columbia University is effectively answerable only to Columbias radicalized facultyand Columbias governing board is terrified of offending the faculty. Ditto for all other so-called elite universities, Ivy League or otherwise. Conservative judges have expressed their concerns regarding the suitability of Columbias law graduates to enter the legal profession. Whether the new presidents of Harvard, Columbia, or Penn exploit the opportunities their new positions have availed them to address similar concerns regarding the medical profession remains to be seen. The politicization of the medical profession in academia, including at the pre-medical college major stage, is driving so many physicians and medical students to violate their Hippocratic Oath (my wifes incredulity and disgust on this exceed my own), not only in America but in other countries also. If the physicians in American academe (and the lawyers there, too) do not soon address the wokeist wave that is now corrupting higher education, then American medical schools can be expected to produce future crops of physicians such as Dr. Josef Mengele, Dr. Che Guevara, and Dr. George Habash. Kenneth H. Ryesky, a writer currently based in Israel, is an attorney who taught business law and taxation at Queens College CUNY for more than two decades. Is Aurora, Colorado home to our first official no-go zone? Disturbing new footage from Aurora, Colorado reveals that an illegal immigrant gang has completely seized control of an entire apartment complex. This gang, originating from Venezuela through the Biden-Harris open border policy, is deeply involved in human smuggling, brutal pic.twitter.com/ho4G5KqcAZ Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) August 28, 2024 Seeing as these men are reportedly from the socialist Venezuela, Tim Walz might just consider this neighborly behaviorbut the American neighbors are fleeing as quickly as possible. Per a report from a local Colorado news outlet: The video was shot in the building where Cindy and Edward Romero lived until Wednesday. FOX31 caught up with them as they loaded up their stuff and moved out. Its been a nightmare and I cant wait to get out of here, former resident Cindy Romero said. The Romeros say the trouble started when a large number of migrants began moving in. The footage above was taken at The Edge at Lowry apartments, which became a reported crime hotspot after the Biden-Harris machine opened the floodgates and doled out our tax dollars to the NGOs, states, and local municipalities resettling the newcomers into American communities. In fact, Alejandro Mayorkas just announced that theyd be handing out another $380 million to these same entities. From a Breitbart report yesterday: [M]ore than $380 million worth of Shelter and Services Program (SSP) grants will go to local and state governments, as well as NGOs, that are providing critical support such as food, shelter, clothing, acute medical care, and transportation to migrants recently released from DHS custody and awaiting their immigration court proceedings. This spending comes after Biden-Harris funneled $780 million just last year, and just through two channels (SSP and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program). How much spending is going on elsewhere? (Hint: Its in the hundreds of billions.) Remember what Representative Jodey Arrington revealed earlier this year? From a Budget Committee press release: The greatest national security threat to the American people is posed by these open borders. The social cost has consistently been well in front of the American people. But I dont think weve talked enough about the financial burden to taxpayers and the fiscal impact. The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) has done a great job. Studies suggest this [illegal migrant] cost is upwards of $400 billion, but their cost estimate is $150 billion. The lions share of that cost is borne by state and local governments. State and local governments can't borrow or print money like the federal government, so they have to balance their budgets by either absorbing this cost through raising taxes or they have to cut services to their citizens. On another note, Colorado has some of the strictest and most infringing gun laws in the nation, so I have to wonder how these men, who are obviously unable to legally purchase firearms considering their status, are armed with such heavy firepower? Wait, does preventing peacefully-minded and law-abiding citizens from fully exercising their right to self-defense fail to prevent criminals from obtaining and using guns for terror? Weird. Now, the formerly sleepy and safe Denver suburb of Aurora has already been in the news this year for migrant crime: In June I wrote an essay on a video that had gone viral, showing three purported (illegal) Venezuelans, one of whom was posing as an Amazon delivery driver, breaking into a home and hurting the mother and her children inside during the robbery. Recall what Auroras mayor said earlier this year though: We value our immigrant communities greatly and have strong working relationships with each of them. For many years, we have expressed unwavering support for immigration through established immigration channels. We have also maximized our existing resources as efficiently as possible to align with the citys unique Immigrant and Refugee Integration Plan. In that context, consider a quote from Aristotle: It is ... a habit of tyrants to prefer the company of aliens to that of citizens at table and in society; citizens they feel, are enemies, but aliens will offer no opposition. Progressivism? More like tyranny. Image from X. Houston Police are searching for a suspect in the shooting of 21-year-old Muna Pandey. Police on Wednesday released a photograph of the suspect, a bald man wearing a blue shirt. The man was seen leaving Pandey's apartment at 6363 West Airport Boulevard around on Aug. 24, according to the photograph. Her body was found two days. COURTESY/Houston Police Department Houston police are searching for a man they say is a suspect in the killing of a 21-year-old Nepali college student inside her west Houston apartment. The police department on Wednesday morning released a security camera still of a bald man in a blue T-shirt leaving an apartment and asking for the public's help in identifying him. MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Houston children at greater risk of road dangers in neglected areas, new study finds Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police said the man is wanted as a suspect in the shooting of a woman whose body was found 5:35 p.m. Monday at an apartment building in the 6300 block of West Airport. It's unclear when her body was found, exactly. The photograph provided by police is dated Aug. 24. The woman was identified as Muna Pandey, 21, a student at Houston Community College, according to Drona Gautam, the vice president of the Nepalese Association of Houston Police said they received a call from the apartment complex about a wounded person, and when they arrived they found Pandey suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She died at the scene. The apartment complex's employees told investigators that they received an anonymous call about a body being inside the apartment, and then went to find Pandey. The employees called 9-1-1. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Muna Pandey, 21 Courtesy/Drona Gautam Police said they had identified the man was a suspect, but didn't release any more information about who he might be. Pandey had lived in Houston for about three years and worked a retail job while attending college, Gautam said. She is survived by her mother, who still lives in Nepal, Gautam said. Gautam said he believed Pandey lived alone. Anyone with information about the man or the shooting was asked contact the police department's homicide division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS. When it gets hot, Southern California can become a furnace, and when wildfires start, it becomes a literal furnace. Because of these wildires, local residents pay high homeowner insurance rates, when they can get any at all, and accept strict regulations about clearing brush and not starting open flames on broiling hot dry days. But as fire season kicks in through October, the desert badlands of San Diego County near the border nevertheless are seeing wildfires, lots of wildfires, all because under the Harris-Biden administration, the border is still wide open. Now we have the receipts. According to East County Magazine: ... along the international border, campfires lit by migrants and fires set by smugglers have sparked numerous recent blazes -- also igniting public safety concerns. After a surge in border fires in May, Amy Reichert, chairwoman of Restore San Diego, obtained public records from CalFire from May 1 through June 1. Reichert claimed that of the eight fires along the border May 1-June 1, seven were tied to illegal border crossers, with one of undetermined cause, since it started in Mexico. ECM fact-checked that claim and found it largely accurate, with migrant fires the most likely cause of six fires, shooting the most likely cause in one fire despite a campfire nearby, and the Mexico fire of undetermined cause. This crisis poses a significant threat to our entire county and has far-reaching national implications, Reichart said. She noted, San Diego County residents, already on edge due to living in high wildfire threat areas, face additional stress as insurance companies flee California, raise rates, or drop homeowners coverage entirely. Environmental damage and risk to area residents, property owners, and the safety migrants, are also concerns. Here's the exact details from the CalFIRE records, as East County Magazine reported: May 11: Border 44 Fire in Marron Valley south of Jamul: 27 acres. This fire was probably arson, Cal Fires incident report states. Fire was dragged from a bonfire in the middle of Barrett Truck Trail to set fire to a nine-tire Border Patrol road drag which ignited grasses. Cal Fire states there is high suspicion that this was related to international travelers and noted that dozens of bonfires had burnt out on Barrett Truck Trial. Of note, a Cal Fire speaker recently at a Jamul-Dulzura Fire Safe Council meeting said there have been recent incidents of smugglers setting fire to distract immigration authorities from other illegal activity nearby. May 13: Border 45 Fire, Marron Valley: 2.43 acres. Cause is believed to be burning personal items, possibly a signal fire for help as occurs when a migrant becomes lost, injured or dehydrated. Eight people found nearby denied setting the fire. In addition to migrants, this is also an area with homeless people/transients, according to Cal Fire. May 14,Border 46 Fire, base of Tecate Peak: 4.7 acres. Cause was a distress/signal fire; vacated campfires were in the area. May 15, Border 47 Fire, Marron Valley: 50 acres. Probably cause is arson. The report notes that migrants finding themselves in a remote and mountainous location with no signage or infrastructure to receive them, typically seek transit out of the area by any means possible and have previously called9-11 and/or started fires seeking to attraction attention to their location and expedite a response. Border Patrol had apprehended a large group of migrants and a second group approached Cal Fires crew, though both groups denied setting the fire. May 19, Border 49 Fire in Marron Valley: 3.89 acres: This was caused by debris and open burning from a bonfire set on the edge of a roadway. Cal Fire found a high level of suspicion that the fire was started by international travelers who had crossed the border, finding evidence of dozens of bonfires set by international travelers along Barrett Truck Trail. May 26, Border 51 Fire,Marron Valley: 10.98 acres. Cal Fire could not determine the cause of this fire despite evidence of an open fire for warming/cooking as a contributing cause. However, a witness reported hearing gunshots and saw smoke, as well as a black vehicle driving away form the area, a popular shooting area, so gunfire is also a possible cause. Shell casings were found near the fire, but also burned personal items including clothing, shoes, and papers. June 1, Border 52 Fire in Otay: 0.1 acre. Cal Fire found the most probably cause to be shooting, since targets and shell casings were found, but campfire was listed as another possible cause. June 1,Border 53 Fire which burned 300 acres burned on the U.S. side of the border. Cause is undetermined, since it started in Mexico. At least three more border-area fires occurred in July. Cause remains undetermined on these, per Cal Fire incident reports, including the Border 66 fire which charred 300 acres. They set up campfires wherever they want. They set wildfires to attract border agents to pick them up and transport them to their destinations of choice. They burn down border vehicles because they don't like the Border Patrol. It's shocking what they will do whenever they want something, given the danger of the fire risk and just how big and catastrophic these fires can get once they get out of control. Sound like the kind of people who might rape and murder, too, once they go through catch-and-release? And nobody in the Biden administration, let alone his border czar, are doing a thing about the border, not on the sea-side, where illegals ride in through the surf and run through the beachgoers' picnics and beach ball parties, as we have seen, and not on the badlands side where illegals set wildfires intentionally and apparently all of them get away with it. One set of rules for the citizens, who face high fire insurance rates because of these wildfires, and one set of rules for the illegals, who get away with it every time and as a result, proliferate it. I find these figures shocking, given the risk involved, the hot months ahead, and the lack of consequences of any sort for these illegal border crossers. The presence of a wildfire should be automatic grounds for deporting every illegal border crosser back to where he came from. But that's not how these things are doing, so we have what we have, and now illegals are getting away with it. Reichert checked up on the biggest of the wildfires, the Border 66 fire, which was listed as cause unknown on the CalFIRE report, and sure enough, it too was the work of illegals: JUST IN : Public records request from @CAL_FIRE for Border Fire 66, which burned over 300 acres in a high human trafficking area reveals the fire was intentionally set by people entering the U.S. illegally or was an escaped warming fire. #BorderFire66 #Wildfire #CALFIRE pic.twitter.com/IEC6QslDVL Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) August 27, 2024 Border Fire 66 started on July 30, 2024, and was cleared on August 1, 2024. It was widely reported in the media @CBS8 @10News @nbcsandiego https://t.co/ZYClTuzoSyhttps://t.co/TezT2KDsKyhttps://t.co/4GrFW9PeZ6 Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) August 27, 2024 It's way past time for something to be done about this, but under this administration, nothing will be, not even if the fires become conflagration infernos. Image: Screen shot from ABC 10News video, via YouTube In a couple of months, President Lopez Obrador (AMLO) will hand the presidency to Claudia Sheinbaum, a party loyalist who promises to keep the ball rolling. The most controversial issue south of the border is judicial reforms. Some see the proposals as democratic, having voters elect judges. Many see it, as I do, as a way of putting justices in the court who will rubber stamp the presidents plans. Its sort of like court-packing in Spanish! Its very controversial, and the U.S. and Canada have expressed doubts about the reforms. As expected, AMLO does not like to hear it. This is from Politico: Mexicos president told reporters Tuesday he has put relations with the United States and Canadian embassies on pause after the two countries voiced concerns over a proposed judicial overhaul that critics say could undermine the independence of the judiciary. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador didnt elaborate on what a pause would mean. Its not a term used in formal diplomatic codes, and Mexicos foreign ministry did not respond to an Associated Press request for comment about what it would entail. The judicial overhaul proposal, suggested by the Mexican president during his final weeks in office, includes having judges elected to office, something analysts, judges and international observers fear would stack courts with politically biased judges with little experience. It has spurred major protests and strikes and wide criticism from investors and financial institutions. Last week, American ambassador Ken Salazar called the proposal a risk to democracy that would endanger Mexicos commercial relationship with the United States. Lopez Obrador lambasted the ambassador, saying he violated Mexican sovereignty. Salazar has since dialed back his tone, writing on X that he was open to a dialogue. Lopez Obrador said during his morning press briefing Tuesday he believed the sharp comments were not from Salazar, but rather from the U.S. State Department. Were not going to tell him (Salazar) to leave the country, he said, I hope that they promise to be respectful of Mexicans independence, of our countrys sovereignty. But until that happens, and they continue these policies, its on pause. AMLO is angry that someone is exposing his corrupt power grab. Its one thing to have your political party dominate the political game. Its quite another to have judges rubber stamping everything. The latter affects investors who want to see transparency in contracts and foreign investment laws. So where is la presidenta electa or the disciple about to take over? So far, she is planning to finish the job and assures investors that nothing will change. Really? The investors are not buying it and thats what the U.S. and Canada embassies are reminding Mexico. How strong is the new president? Is she willing to do the right thing and break with her mentor? Probably not, but it would help her international image if she did. So far, most people see her as AMLOs pawn. In fact, Ive heard Mexicans say that she may not even have practical control of the military. I don't know if thats true, but Mexicans are whispering it. So la telenovela politica will be interesting south of the border. Stay tuned. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos. Image: YouTube video screen grab. At the DNC convention, one of their most heard talking points to mislead voters was that the Democrats are the party of freedom. Here is an example of how Democrats view freedom though: The Kennedys are free to vote for anyone they want, as long as they support Democrats. Leaving a woman to die in a submerged car to protect your political rear, and waitress sandwich scandals are fine, but deciding to independently think ruins the familys reputation. This traditional Catholic family must vote for Democrats who promote unlimited abortion or else their legacy will be tarnished. Blacks are free to vote for anyone, as long as they support Democrats. Otherwise they will be destroyed as Uncle Toms or race traitors. As Joe Biden said, you aint black if you didnt vote for him. Free thinking is not allowed. Families shouldnt be free to keep the money that they have earned, and the wealth that they have built over generations, at death. Democrats believe they are entitled to over 50% of that money, even though they did nothing to earn it. In Walzs Minnesota, they believe they are entitled to another 16%. Of course, Democrats see nothing wrong with powerful people like the Bidens and Clintons lining the pockets of their children and grandchildren with millions in kickbacks though, hoarding ill gotten gain for greeds sake. Democrats not only dont want you to have freedom to transfer wealth at death, they want to tax your wealth as you accumulate it while you are alive, with their pathetic suggestion of taxes on unrealized gains. To greedy Democrats, taxes can never be too high. Democrats claim women are free to do whatever they want with their bodies, but they fired them if they dared to make the choice not to take a vaccine. Democrats dont think states should be free to put any limits on abortion, like almost all countries in the world do. Kamala said that anyone who wants limited abortion is out of their mind and dangerous; the people who are clearly out of their mind are those who want unlimited abortion, and who align with a party that cant even define what a woman is. They think men can make the decision to be a woman if they feel like it. Democrats believe that Planned Parenthood should be free to abort children throughout a pregnancy, and to withhold health care from fully developed children in botched late term abortions in which these babies are born alive. They dont believe these children should have the freedom to live. Why would anyone trust people who vote against the Born Alive Act to be in charge of health care for the rest of us? Democrats dont believe that Crisis Pregnancy Centers should have the freedom to exist. They dont seem to like alternatives to abortions. Democrats dont believe that the Supreme Court should have the freedom to adjudicate independently, and assert that bureaucrats and judges dont make laws. Democrats dont believe that states should have freedom to sensibly require photo IDs to vote, but they can require IDs to attend their convention. Democrats believe that sanctuary cities and states have freedom to ignore immigration laws. Democrats dont believe states should have freedom to keep children from having access to pornography. They falsely claim this is book-banning. We have limits on smoking, drinking, driving, and voting. They are not banned. Democrats believe that parents shouldnt be free to determine if their childrens body parts remain intact or cut off by surgeonsthey believe parental rights belong to the state. Democrats believe a president has the freedom to dictatorially and unconstitutionally pay off student loans to buy votes. Democrats believe in freedom of speech, as long as it adheres to their narrative. You can say whatever you want about COVID as long as you repeat what the government tells you. Otherwise, you should be silenced. In Walzs Minnesota, radical leftists have the freedom to destroy cities, but if you dare violate his COVID lockdown, he will send out cops to shoot paintballs at you. Walz has a strange concept of freedom and minding your own business. Democrats have the freedom to challenge any election they like, but not Republicans. They will be accused of seeking to destroy democracy and be called election deniers. Democrats think people have the freedom to say anything they want about climate change but only if you agree with them. Democrats dont believe that people should have the freedom to buy the cars or appliances of their choosing. In Democrat World, parents dont even have the freedom to speak up at school board meetings. The Justice department might label them as domestic terrorists, just like Trump supporters. Conclusion: We are free to do whatever we want as long as we do what Democrats say. Image generated by AI. When Bobby Junior endorsed Trump, a number of Bobbys siblings released a statement saying that his endorsement of Trump was a betrayal of Kennedy political values. It would horrify Uncle Jack and Bobby Senior. Well, Im not so sure. Im an old man, and I cast my first vote for president in 1960 with great enthusiasm for JFK. His largest pool of support that year came from two demographic groups: Catholics, his co-religionists, and members of the working class, who had been reliable Democrats since the days of Franklin Roosevelt. I said I voted for Kennedy with great enthusiasm. I could hardly do otherwise, since I had grown up Catholic in a working-class family. When Bobby Kennedy made his run for the White House in 1968, a run that was terminated by his assassination, he too relied especially on these two demographic groups, although he expanded the Kennedy political base to include blacks. And whom do these two demographic groups, Catholics and workers, support today? If we define the working class as all adults over the age of 25 or 30 who lack a college degree, they are Trump-supporters. This was not precisely the 1960s definition of the working class, but the two groups 1960s workers and present-day non-college folks the two groups closely resemble one another socio-economically. As for Catholics, back in the 1960s, especially the early 60s, they used to be a relatively homogeneous group. Since then, they have divided into two very distinct sub-groups. On the one hand, there are Catholics who take their now-unfashionable religion seriously: they are regular church-goers, they deplore abortion, they are no fans of homosexuality or transgenderism, and they have drifted away from the Democrat party, which they feel to be anti-Catholic. These Catholics are pro-Trump not perhaps in an enthusiastic way, the way Catholics were enthusiastic for JFK in 1960, but because Trump is the only practical alternative to what the Democrats have to offer. On the other hand, there are Catholics nominal Catholics who have drifted with the culturally liberal tide that has swept the USA since the 1950s. They have no serious objection to abortion, no objection at all to homosexuality and redefining marriage, and barely any objection to transgenderism; and if the Democrat party is anti-Catholic, they either dont notice it or dont care. Generally speaking, they are Trump-haters. And so Bobby Junior, at least in my opinion, can reply to his siblings who accuse him of betrayal this way. Not at all, he can say. Just the opposite. Uncle Jack and our dad Bobby were champions of Catholics and the working class. Trump is their present-day champion. By standing with Trump, I am standing where the entire Kennedy clan would be standing if we wished to stand on the same demographic bases that our uncle and our father stood on. So, far from being guilty of betrayal, I and perhaps I alone am a Kennedy loyalist. Image: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Less than a week ago at a high-security penal colony in Russia, four prisoners who identified themselves as the Mujahideen of the Islamic State launched a terror attack from inside the compound, taking security officers hostageslitting a throat, gutting another, and brutally beating the head warden of the prison with a hammer and a bottle. According to Amy Meks new article out at RAIR Foundation today, the prisoners were armed with knives and makeshift explosives that theyd obtained by reportedly bribing prison staffthe ordeal ended when Russian special forces were called up and quickly neutralized the jihadis. Now, also per Mek, several videos of the situation made it online, in which the terrorists made their motive abundantly clear: The attackers were explicit in their reasoning, repeatedly stating that their actions were undertaken for the sake of Allah and to establish Sharia law. They viewed their violent actions as part of a jihada holy struggleto protect Islam and retaliate against perceived injustices suffered by Muslims globally. Even when these people are off the streets and locked away, adherents to the religion of peace are still a serious threat to the security of everyone else, promising vengeful bloodshed for their Muslim brothers. As Mek also reports, at least two of the four terrorists were foreigners (hailing from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan); you know what we in the States should do? We should continue to import these types of individuals, by the tens of thousands, so every American enclave can be a little Stan. Worked out really well for England and the rest of Europe didnt it? Isnt Islam just so culturally enriching? How would you describe this photo in two words? pic.twitter.com/MysZvjlqsI RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) August 28, 2024 This is exactly whats in America now, and not just the urban hellscapesI live in a small(ish) town outside of Huntsville and Ive seen groups of burqa-clad individuals on more than one occasion. What about the stabbing spree at a German festival last week? Syrian migrant. The Southport stabber, the son of African migrants? Why is the motive still unknown by authorities? Theyve had him in custody for a month now, and they dont have any inkling of why he decided to start hacking young children to death? Open borders have (deadly) consequences. Image generated by AI. Just in time for U.S. elections, Pope Francis waded into U.S. politics, and as he exhorts others to do, decided to "make a mess." According to Catholic News Service: VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Working to turn migrants away from the prospect of peace and security in a new country is "a grave sin," Pope Francis said. "It needs to be said clearly: There are those who systematically work by all means to drive away migrants, and this, when done knowingly and deliberately, is a grave sin," he said during his general audience Aug. 28. The pope began his audience in St. Peter's Square by explaining that he would "postpone the usual catechesis" -- he currently is in the middle of a series of talks about the Holy Spirit -- to discuss "the people who -- even at this moment -- are crossing seas and deserts to reach a land where they can live in peace and security." "Brothers and sisters, we can all agree on one thing: Migrants should not be in those seas and in those lethal deserts," he said. "And, unfortunately, they are there." But migrants cannot be deterred from those deadly crossings "through more restrictive laws, nor through the militarization of borders, nor through rejections," the pope said. "Instead, we will achieve it by expanding safe and legal avenues for migrants, by facilitating sanctuary for those fleeing wars, violence, persecution and many calamities; we will achieve it by fostering in every way a global governance of migration based on justice, fraternity and solidarity." The kindest thing that could be said about the pope's strong statement is that he couldn't possibly be talking about us -- the U.S., after all, takes in a million legal immigrants each year, which is more than any other country. He even mentions the Mediterranean as an area where illegally crossing migrants drown, which he called preventable, but once again pinned on the West for not rescuing them hard enough. Fact is, any Mediterranean Sea death can be prevented simply by obeying other nations' immigration laws, but that might involve personal responsibility, none of which he assigns to migrants or their cartel sponsors. But since the strongest efforts to turn back illegal migration are in the states, and there's an election on, it's hard to think he wasn't pointing the finger at the U.S. and saying "grave sin," for anyone trying to shut down the border, while ignoring the rapes, robberies, murders, apartment takeovers, wildfires, ecological damage, bus hijackings, gang shootouts, and unsustainable spending brought on by the lower middle classes of the third world gaming the U.S. system in search of the best benefit packages. It matters because the pope's statement makes a nice dart for Democrats to hurl at Catholic politicians seeking to restore order at the border such as J.D.Vance, Greg Abbott, and Ron DeSantis, even as their own standard-bearers, Catholic abortion king Joe Biden and probably atheist abortion advocate Kamala Harris go without criticism and actually with encouragement. At this point, the politics of the pope's statement gets pretty thick. The pope's statement also pretty well contradicts past Catholic teaching and even his own statements that sovereign states have a right to control their borders and nations can send illegal border crossers back to their homes. The pope actually said that in a televised interview recently. It's intellectually sloppy as heck. As this Twitter denizen put it: Our pope apparently doesnt understand the difference between knocking at the door and asking for help and breaking in ones house and demanding provision. Now he's using his moral authority as pope to command the U.S. to take all comers -- killers, rapists, chiselers, gang members, terrorists, spies, saboteurs and other human plagues -- because that is what he's doing, given that the good cannot be sorted out from the bad in an impromptu illegal crossing situation out in some desert badlands, or be a grave sinner. It's either take them all with catch-and-release, or maintain the customary rule of law such as it is practiced in a hundred and eighty-some other states, and most of us not only don't want to get raped, robbed, or burned out, we have a right to not want that natural result, brought on by an open border that takes all comers, vetted or not. But what really makes his statement ring hollow is his focus on those who "drive out" migrants, not those who push out migrants, whether it's cartels who entice ordinary members of third world lower middle classes to come who might not otherwise come, or the crappy governments which drive migrants out based on their countries being socialist hellholes. In particular, the worst of them is Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, the socialist monster who just nakedly stole an election from Venezuela's voters in front of their faces, and is now out arresting and torturing kids. Why's he so friendly with that guy, given the migration he's caused, something like a quarter of his country having already fled? A recent poll showed that some 40% of Venezuelans would like to leave the country based on that vile specter of electoral fraud and the repression enacted to enforce the lie. Thou shalt not steal? Never it heard it from the pope. In fact, the pope was one of the few leaders who refused to take a stand on Venezuela, unlike virtually all of Latin America, save for the other socialist hellholes of Cuba, and Nicaragua, plus increasingly dictatorial socialist Mexico. Even the weakling U.S. under Joe Biden generally made it clear that Maduro's electoral theft was unacceptable. I'm not the only one who has noticed the contradictions within the pope's position. Venezuelans have, too: | URGENTE: El papa comunista Francisco advierte de que es un pecado grave rechazar a las personas migrantes. Es el mismo Papa que CALLA ante la masacre de la dictadura de Nicolas Maduro que ha matado a 27 personas, herido a 200 y detenido a casi 2000, incluidos 100 ninos. pic.twitter.com/hubkxooclT Eduardo Menoni (@eduardomenoni) August 29, 2024 So the pope effectively joined Russia's Vlad Putin, China's Xi Jinping, and the mullahs of Iran in sticking up for, and propping up Maduro. That's set off a new wave of migration that the pope claims to be concerned about. If he were really concerned about this, he'd have a word with his pal Maduro, with whom he is always smiling in pictures, and hold him up as the creator of this surge in migration, the epicenter of which is Venezuela. He might even be able to influence him to make his regime more livable, but of course, that's not what this is about. Instead, he points the finger at America and the West, scolding us for not cleaning up Maduro's mess for him and keeping him propped up against the actual will of the Venezuelan people. It's sad stuff. Who would have thought we would have a pope so morally blind and so meddlesome and politicized? The article above said he decided to dispense with "the usual catechesis" about the Holy Spirit for this. That was a rather poor choice. All one can say about this sorry speech and specter is that he's easy to ignore, having given up all pretense to moral authority with his failure to condemn the monstrous Maduro, the great driver of migration in this hemisphere. That is just sad. Image: Meme and Twitter screen shot Last week at the DNC, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz accepted his partys nomination to be their candidate for vice president. While he pitched himself as a moderate Midwesterner, conservatives should be ecstatic over this choice. Walzs radical policies mark Kamala as an even more polarizing figure and hurt her chances to win swing states. I was born and raised in the Midwest, and lived just outside Minneapolis during the George Floyd riots, so I got a firsthand look at Tim Walzs governing tactics. Its an understatement to say that he does not align with Harris image as a law-and-order prosecutor. Walz took a hands-off approach to the violence that followed the death of George Floyd, and did not send in the National Guard until a full day after Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey requested them on the evening of May 27th. Worse, the National Guard waited to restore order until early on the morning of May 30th, 2020, after the third straight night of violence had taken place. In all, these riots resulted in roughly $2 billion in damages. When it comes to swing states, Kamala cannot expect Walzs radical policies to help. Transgender policy is another issue on which Walz takes a radical approach. Last April, he signed a bill turning Minnesota into a sanctuary state for transgender kids. Not only does the law legalize such procedures for minors, but it requires that the state of Minnesota block any individuals who would return children who are fleeing states where these types of medical procedures are illegal. Polls show that Americans overwhelmingly oppose puberty blocker use on children. This law again demonstrates Walz to be on the fringes of what the American public supports. Candidates need to appear moderate in swing states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania to appeal to the broadest spectrum of voters. By picking someone so radical on transgender policies, Harris loses any hope of gaining moderate conservatives. Republicans can cast the Harris-Walz ticket as being on the most radical end of an unpopular issue. If Harris had picked Josh Shapiro as her running mate, her ticket would have someone who has high approval ratings in a swing state with 20 electoral votes. Had she chosen Mark Kelly, the same would be true in a state with 11 electoral votes. With Walz, Harris chose someone from a state with 10 electoral votes but is not a swing state at all. In fact, no Republican has won the state of Minnesota since Richard Nixon in 1972. Elections are won by running toward the center and appealing to moderates. Tim Walz does neither. In this regard, Tim Walz is doing Kamala Harris no favors in her matchup with Donald Trump. While Walz may energize some on the radical Left, a contentious election victory relies on winning over moderates in swing states. Even in his home state of Minnesota, where local pride is a cultural feature, the only conservatives who will celebrate his addition to the national ticket will be those who hope to see Harris fall. Matt Cookson works in the supply chain for a US Defense Contractor. His commentary has appeared in Providence Magazine, China Source, and with the Idaho Freedom Foundation. You can follow him on X @MattCookson95. Image: Lorie Shaull Samsungs newest foldable offering, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (review), seems to be off to a rough start. The Z Fold 6 has received a poor response from consumers globally, resulting in lower initial sales than the Z Fold 5. According to Ice Universe, Samsung managed to sell only 270,000 units of the new foldable during the first two weeks since it became available. Even with all the upgrades and Galaxy AI features, the new foldable wasnt able to capture the attention of the buyers. Samsung reportedly sold only 270,000 Galaxy Z Fold 6 units in the first two weeks The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has met with a poor response in the brands home market as well as globally. As per the source, the brand managed to sell just 270,000 Fold 6 phones globally in the first two weeks. The phones pre-orders in South Korea were significantly less than the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Furthermore, Ice Universe claims that Samsung sold 420,000 units of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 (review) in the first 14 days globally. This means a total of 690,000 units of the Fold 6 and Flip 6 were sold in the first two weeks. Despite the latest Qualcomm flagship chipset and major Galaxy AI features, the initial sales of the new phones were abysmal. Notably, a ZDNet Korea report last month suggested that Samsung was able to pre-sell 910,000 units of its latest foldables. These pre-sales were recorded in South Korea during the July 12 and July 18 period. In comparison, last years Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 broke records for the highest pre-sales of foldable phones. The pre-sales of last years models exceeded 1.02 million units. Its worth mentioning that many of these pre-orders may have been canceled before the phones could ship. Still, the Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 have garnered poorer sales than their predecessors. Samsung may soon launch the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition to make up for the poor sales Despite the slow sales of the Z Fold 6, Samsung doesnt appear to be giving up on the foldables yet. The company is reportedly planning to launch a Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition in the coming weeks. The new phone is said to be slimmer than the Z Fold 6. The Special Edition could measure 4.9mm when open and 10.6mm when folded. In comparison, the Z Fold 6 measures 5.6mm around the waist when open and 12.1mm thick when folded. Samsung could make up for the Z Fold 6s poor sales by offering a major camera boost on the Special Edition variant. The device could borrow a 200MP main camera from the S24 Ultra. The phone is expected to launch later this year, though the brand hasnt yet confirmed anything officially. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 arrived this year as Samsungs latest foldable phones. The Fold is the more premium and capable of the duo, but several users arent satisfied with one aspect in particular. Galaxy Z Fold 6 owners have been reporting a paint peeling issue on their expensive devices. Recent reports claim that the South Korean giant is working on a Special Edition of the phone. Samsungs latest Fold starts at $1,900 in the US, so the least its buyers would expect is top-notch durability and build quality. It can be quite frustrating when a device you spent so much money on starts showing issues after just a few days of use. This is particularly frustrating when those issues result in permanent damage to the phones aesthetic appeal. Samsung blames third-party chargers for paint peeling on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 For days now, reports of paint peeling on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 have surfaced on Reddit. It seems that they were numerous enough to reach Samsungs ears. The South Korean giant created a section on its website to try to explain the situation. Unofficial chargers and even other accessories youve plugged into your Galaxy Z Fold 6 are to blame for the visible paint chips, according to the company. Apparently, there are two key elements that lead to the problem. First, theres the Z Fold 6s anodized metal finish that makes it more durable and long-lasting, but its also more prone to showing signs of damage from improper electrical grounding. Then theres the leakage current effect, which occurs when you charge and hold the phone simultaneously, causing small amounts of current to leak through where it shouldnt. Samsung asserts that unofficial chargers may fail to properly ground the device. This, in turn, leads to leakage current that causes the devices paint to peel. EMS massagers could also cause the problem Samsung mentions not only third-party chargers, but also EMS massagers. These types of accessories draw power directly from the phone through the USB-C port. For this particular case, the company recommends that you place the Galaxy device away from you so that it doesnt touch any part of your body. Of course, there are users who are unhappy with Samsungs official word on the issue. They feel that the company is washing its hands of a potential manufacturing problem. Anyway, only time will tell if the problem continues to escalate and forces the company to take further action. Ever since it was first introduced, Google Gemini has been getting smarter. The dedicated app brings the powerful chatbot to your phones, and Google just brought two new features that will make it even better. Google launched the Ask about this screen and Ask about this video feature for Gemini. The Gemini app is free to download, and its making its way over to tablets. With it, you have the power of Gemini right on your phone. If you want to use Gemini as your voice assistant, you can set it as your assistant. Be sure to download the app if youre interested in what it has to offer. Google brings the Ask about this screen feature Lets rewind back to the year 2015. Google unveiled a revolutionary new feature called Google Now On Tap. If you remember it, then you were probably as excited about it as we all were. This was the feature that would allow Google to look at your screen and read the context of whats on it. Of course, that feature has come and gone, but the mentality lived on with Google Lens. Well, it looks like, after nine years of hard work, Google has finally realized this dream feature, but its name isnt any more catchy. Today, Google started rolling out the feature called Ask about this screen. While the name doesnt quite roll off the tongue, its pretty easy and intuitive to use. As the name implies, when you summon Gemini, youll be able to ask it whats currently on your screen. It basically makes it easier to use one of Google Lens most useful features. Youre able to take screenshots and import them into Google Lens and have it read whats in it. Using Ask about this screen, Gemini will take the screenshot and analyze it for you, cutting out the middleman. After summoning Gemini, youll see the action button pop up above the text field, so you wont have to type it or say it. That makes the feature that much more convenient. The button will appear for you no matter what screen or app youre using. The only exception is if youre on YouTube. In classic AI chatbot fashion, Gemini will give you an in-depth explanation of whats on the screen. Say, youre seeing an image of a certain flower on social media, and the post doesnt give you any context as to what it is. You can summon Gemini to scan whats on your screen and tell you what it is. Theres also Ask about this video The other feature that Google unveiled is specialized for YouTube. Now, Google wont somehow watch the entire video in the blink of an eye and give you a play-by-play of what its about. It will extract information about the video like the captions. If the video doesnt have captions, the feature actually wont work. These two features are making their way to users, and it doesnt seem that Google is holding them hostage in the Pixel phones. They were discovered in version 15.33.38.28 of the app. Using the feature The feature works well in my testing. The thing is that you have to be using an app for it to work, so you wont see it pop up when youre on your home screen. However, it works with system apps like the settings. As for the speed, its very speedy. This also goes for analyzing videos. I was able to get a full rundown of the video in just a matter of seconds, and I think that its really impressive. Also, I like how you can ask follow-up questions about what youre looking at. I only have one minor complaint about the feature. Firstly, after you press the button, you have to press the microphone button to start speaking. It would be nice to have the microphone active right off the bat to start speaking right away. This way, people who are speaking dont have to do an extra step. People who are typing are going to be interacting with the screen anyway, so an extra tap doesnt really impact the experience. FBI special agent in charge Douglas Williams speaks during a press conference regarding a joint law enforcement effort that lead to several arrest in a drug bust and gang activity on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer A screen showing the logo of Rich Kings on a map is on display while U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdeni holds a press conference regarding a joint law enforcement effort that lead to several arrest in a drug bust and gang activity on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz speaks during a press conference regarding a joint law enforcement effort that lead to several arrest in a drug bust and gang activity on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdeni holds a press conference regarding a joint law enforcement effort that lead to several arrest in a drug bust and gang activity on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz speaks during a press conference regarding a joint law enforcement effort that lead to several arrest in a drug bust and gang activity on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer The arrests of twenty people from across Houston, including a third grade teacher, were announced Wednesday as part of the latest sweeping crackdown against people federal authorities said were involved in violent crimes and drug dealing. The 20 arrests stemmed from six separate indictments, alleging 15 different crimes. Most of the charges are related to the possession and distribution of cocaine or methamphetamine. Ten of the people are also charged with gun crimes, and one person was charged with maintaining a drug premises. Among the arrestees announced Thursday was Jessica Ferguson, 34, who officials described as a third-grade teacher who was caught on a federal wiretap completing a drug deal while inside her classroom. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: United Airlines flight attendants vote to authorize strike if contract negotiations fail You could hear the children in the background, said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District Alamdar Hamandi, during a news conference announcing the arrests. Ferguson was charged with conspiracy to distribute at least five kilos of cocaine, according to the Department of Justice. Federal officials said the indictments were related and connected to a crackdown on a gang known as the Rich Kingz. U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdeni answers question from the meeting during a press conference regarding a joint law enforcement effort that lead to several arrest in a drug bust and gang activity on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Hamandi said the gangs business created deadly consequences that play out on the streets of Houston every day and every night. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Seventeen of the 20 alleged gang members and associates were arrested this week according to the Justice Department. Federal officials said the two-year operation resulted in the seizure of more than 10 guns and $26,000 in cash, as well as drugs. One man, Alfred Jacoby Coby Green, 35, was charged with six separate offenses, the most of any of the named defendants, according to an unsealed indictment. Green is accused of conspiring to possess cocaine with an intent to distribute, of actually possessing the drugs on four separate dates between March and May, and of possessing 10 handguns and a shotgun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to court records. Officials said the Rich Kingz operated in a large area of Houston south of the 610 Loop between I-69 and I-45. The gang is believed to be responsible for several murders, officials said. However, none of the indictments are related to specific violent crimes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A press conference is recorded as U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdeni talks about a joint law enforcement effort that lead to several arrest in a drug bust and gang activity on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Hamandi called Green one of the leaders of the Rich Kingz. The gang is accused of distributing cocaine not only in Houston but also to places in Virginia and Ohio, Hamandi said. Five of the indicted men are alleged to be Greens cocaine suppliers, Hamandi said. One of the indictments was related to an illegal gun possession charge from October 2022. Officials credited 25 different agencies for helping with the investigations that led to the arrests police departments in Missouri City, Pasadena, Pearland and Sugar Land, as well as in Newport News,Virginia and Cincinnati. The investigation was led by the FBI, Houston Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety. FBI special agent in charge Douglas Williams speaks during a press conference regarding a joint law enforcement effort that lead to several arrest in a drug bust and gang activity on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Three hundred law enforcement officers participated in the 17 arrests that happened Wednesday, Hamdani said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The arrests are the latest result of an anti-crime initiative announced in 2022 that targets crime hotspots in the Houston area. The initiative has led to charges against 77 people, Hamdani said. It may be months, if not over a year before we see some real change happen after Googles massive antitrust ruling that happened in August. The company has been deemed a search monopoly in one of the biggest antitrust cases of this day and age. However, just weeks after the ruling, Yelp is now suing Google over basically the same practices. This case is still in its early stages, so theres still a bunch of information that were waiting on. Depending on how large of a case this is, it could be a couple of months before we get an official ruling. Googles looming changes In case youre in the dark about the aforementioned antitrust ruling, the court considers the company an illegal search monopoly. It gets more than 90% of the search traffic across the internet with its biggest competitor, Microsofts Bing, snagging only 3%. The company has been throwing its weight (and money) around to maintain its hold on the search market. For example, Google paid $26 billion to be the default search engine on iPhones back in 2021. This also goes along with claims that Google manipulates its algorithm to favor its own services and stifle companies that offer similar services. At this point in time, we dont know what the government is going to do with the company. We wont know for quite some time, so were going to need to hang tight. Yelp is suing Google after its large antitrust loss Yelp is one of the many companies that rely on ad revenue from Google search results. Its a pretty big company, but at the end of the day, it lives and dies by Google. On Wednesday, it filed a 66-page lawsuit against Google claiming that the search giant has been unfairly favoring its own local services and leaving competing platforms with diminished traffic. While Yelp has been vocal about its distaste for Googles practices, its been hesitant to file a lawsuit until now. One reason is because of the amount of money and time it would require. Google is a much larger company, so it has the money to postpone a lawsuit while the opposing side runs out of money. Not only that but Yelp used the momentum from the major antitrust ruling to propel its lawsuit. the winds on antitrust have shifted dramatically, Yelps CEO, Jeremy Stoppelman told The New York Times. Stoppelman wrote an extensive blog post pinning Google to the wall about its practices. Google abuses its monopoly power in general search to keep users within Googles owned ecosystem and prevents them from going to rival sites, the blog post stated. When you do a search for a local place on Google, sure, youll see results from other sites, but before you see them, youll see information about it served by Google first. This includes hours of operation, location, directions, and reviews. All of this information is provided by Google, and it keeps people on its site and away from others. Websites only gain ad revenue when someone actually goes to their site. However, since you can see all of the information you need on Googles home page, theres not much need for you to visit other sites. Traffic jam Google has so effectively self-preferenced its offerings that an increasing volume of searches result in zero clicks, the blog post stated. This is the same effect that Googles AI Overviews have on most sites on the platform. Stoppelman referenced an arXiv report from 2023 about the impacts of SERPs (search engine results pages) on organic click-through rates. The blog post goes on to say that 30% of the people who do eventually click on Yelps links wind eventually wind up going to another Google site. This anticompetitive conduct siphons traffic and advertising revenue from vertical search services, like Yelp, that provide objectively higher quality local business content for consumers. This extends past Yelp, as there are other companies that offer local search results. Companies like Zillow offer local search results and other relevant information. The same thing goes for companies like Expedia. However, as Googles own local search platform has expanded over the years, its taking the users attention away from dedicated companies. Lower-quality product In its case, Yelp remarks that Google is providing users with an inferior product when people use its platform. Yelp has been offering reviews on local places for longer than Google, so it, ostensibly, offers a better-quality product. For example, according to a report cited by the FTC, about 32% of the reviews on Google have no text. This means that anyone could simply place a meaningless star review without explaining why they gave that rating. Yelp, on the other hand, requires that every review be accompanied by text. Yelp is a company that specializes in being a review site, so all of its resources go toward creating the best and most comprehensive experience. Google, on the other hand, doesnt. So, we dont know how much attention the company actually pays to make its review platform quality. Googles response Companies like CNN reached out to Google for comment, but the company hasnt responded directly. However, a Google Spokesperson did offer a statement. Yelps claims are not new, Google Spokesperson Peter Schottenfels said, Similar claims were thrown out years ago by the FTC, and recently by the judge in the DOJs case. On the other aspects of the decision to which Yelp refers, we are appealing. Google will vigorously defend against Yelps meritless claims. Obviously, Googles going to fight this. In another statement, the company said that it was going to appeal this claim. Also, and this might sound cocky on the companys part, the statement mentions an argument that the company is the reason why people prefer to use Google over the competition. It sounds like Googles saying that people navigate to Google, not because of any anti-competition practices, but because it just offers a better experience. However, Google holds the reins on its own search engine. When you do a local search, you see Googles platform first and foremost. When you tap on a result, youll see all of the information you need to know about the location. The company is putting its own results above the competition. On mobile, its not uncommon for Googles results to take up the entire first screen. Third-party companies dont often have a chance to cross the consumers eyes. Yelps demands These companies are going to battle it out in the courtroom, and well know the results down the road. As for Googles slap on the wrist, Yelp demands monetary compensation. Also, the company wants an injunction prohibiting Google from continuing to engage in the anticompetitive practices. We dont know what monetary damages Yelp is demanding, but we expect them to be a drop in the bucket for Google. If you have been waiting for Samsungs tenth annual developers conference, the dates are finally out. Yesterday, Samsung announced that the Samsung Developer Conference 2024 will kick off on October 3. For those uninitiated, this is where the company showcases some major improvements coming to its products and services. One UI 7.0 could be on display at the Samsung Developer Conference 2024 To mark the tenth edition of its developers conference, Samsung will celebrate a decade of open innovation and collaboration with developers, partners, and customers with a focus on how to make the most of todays AI innovation. The company will also discuss One UI, Samsung Health, Smarthings, and more at the conference. So, you could see One UI 7.0 being discussed with some upcoming features. Besides, Samsung could showcase Tizen 8.0 at the Samsung Developer Conference 2024. And, also discuss innovations and new features across Samsung Knox, SmartThings, and Galaxy AI. It will also focus on how app developers can utilize the power of AI to create game-changing apps and services. Per the official blog, JH Han, Vice Chairman, CEO, and Head of Samsung DX at Samsung Electronics will open the keynote at the event. The opening keynote will celebrate Samsungs vision of AI for All by focusing on a more personalized and safe multi-device AI experience across mobile, TV, and smart home appliances. Han will also shed some light on the companys AI ethics. Developers can make the most out of the event Top-level executives from Samsung Research, Device Platform Center, Mobile eXperience Business, and Visual Display Business will be there at the Samsung Developer Conference 2024 to talk about the companys latest technologies and initiatives. Attendee developers can make the most of Open Stage sessions. It will help them get industry insights from the experts and interact with special guest speakers. And, also have hands-on demos of the companys latest products and services at Tech Square. Developers can also explore new tools and software development kits (SDKs) at the Code Lab during the event. The Samsung Developer Conference 2024 will take place at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, California, USA. You can also watch the event live on Samsungs YouTube channel and Samsung Developer website at 10 AM PT. Verizon customers are getting satellite messaging, the carrier has announced. The company has partnered with Skylo to offer its customers direct-to-device messaging and location-sharing services that use Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites for communication. When will Verizon customers get satellite messaging? According to Verizons announcement, its subscribers will be able to rely on LEO satellites to convey their messages and share their location. Verizon assures subscribers with compatible handsets that they will soon be able to reach emergency services even in areas with no cellular service. Verizon claims it will start offering satellite messaging this fall. The company indicated the service is designed to complement Apples Emergency SOS feature. However, Verizons satellite messaging will reportedly work on Android phones. In the initial stages of deployment, Verizon customers will only be able to message emergency services. In other words, Verizon is limiting communication to select services. However, the carrier hasnt confirmed which Android smartphones will support this feature. Exciting news! Verizon and @skylo have teamed up to launch a commercial direct-to-device messaging service for Verizon customers so they can stay connected wherever they are. Learn about this first-of-its-kind satellite IoT trial here:#vteam https://t.co/IhIGxMJoCh Greta Knappenberger (@_GretaK) August 28, 2024 To reliably support satellite communication Android smartphones need native support for the technology. Google has been adding code to Android 15, which strongly suggests the mobile operating system could support the feature soon. Similarly, several Samsung apps for the Android OS ecosystem reportedly have text strings related to supporting satellite communication. However, smartphones would need the latest chipsets that support this technology. Will customers be able to make calls and send lengthy texts via satellites? Satellite communication isnt a new technology. However, its implementation in smartphones is still in its early stages, and only a select few brands have managed to embed the same into a few of their flagship devices. Some Apple iPhones have satellite communication. Apples implementation of satellite communication restricts the feature to sending emergency messages only. In other words, no iPhone can send lengthy text messages, and emojis, or make calls using LEO satellites. We are excited to partner with @Verizon, the carrier known globally for its powerful performance and reliable service, as we bring a new level of connectivity from space. Satellite access isnt just about reaching out when youre in trouble; its connectivity for staying in pic.twitter.com/6cS4qoWwi3 Skylo (@SkyloTech) August 28, 2024 Verizon too has confirmed these restrictions. Skylo, Verizons service partner, is a California-based satellite network service provider. It claims to rely on a dedicated, licensed mobile satellite spectrum to ensure reliable connectivity in areas where building a cellular network isnt feasible. Satellite communication is a lot more strenuous on a smartphones battery than cellular connectivity. However, Verizon has indicated that starting next year, users will be able to text anywhere via satellite. Complaints about financial products jumped by around 70% between April and June, compared with the same period a year earlier, according to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). Consumers raised 74,645 cases with the resolution service about financial products between April 1 and June 30 this year, compared with 43,953 complaints reported in the same period last year. Professional representatives, who tend to take a chunk of any payout, now account for around half of the complaints received by the ombudsman. The service said that, in the first quarter of this financial year, 25% of claims brought by professional representatives were upheld, compared with 40% of those brought directly by consumers. Most complaint issues brought by professional representatives relate to perceived irresponsible and unaffordable lending or motor finance, the service said. Credit cards were the most complained-about product in the first three months of this financial year, receiving 18,175 complaints. The vast majority of these complaints 15,580 were about perceived irresponsible and unaffordable lending. Of this figure, more than half were brought by professional representatives. Hire purchase (motor) was the second most complained-about product, with 15,925 complaints, of which around three-quarters relate to motor finance commission. More than 90% of the motor finance commission complaints were brought by professional representatives. Earlier this year the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced it was carrying out a review of motor finance discretionary commission arrangements. In the meantime, the ombudsman said it will continue to investigate the complaints that come to its service and are not captured by the FCA pause. The ombudsman has been consulting on a proposed case fee for professional representatives and will give an update in the coming months. FOS chief executive and chief ombudsman Abby Thomas said: Whilst professional representatives have an important role to play, they must ensure that their cases are well evidenced and have merit. If consumers have a dispute with their bank or finance provider they can come directly to our easy-to-use service for free and we will see if we can help. US actor Adam Sandler has praised Taylor Swifts high-profile relationship to Travis Kelce. The pop superstar and NFL player first stepped out as a couple in 2023, which comedian Sandler commended during his appearance on the New Heights podcast Travis shares with his brother Jason Kelce. You being together, that photo of when you first started dating, my god my family was like Yes look how good they are together, hes a gentleman and shes having so much fun with him, Sandler said of Swift and Kelce. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce with Taylor Swift following his sides Super Bowl LVIII victory against the San Francisco 49ers at the Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (PA) Any time Taylor is laughing with you, my whole f***ing family is high fiving, the 57-year-old joked. Hollywood star Sandler went on to describe the effect Swift has had on his daughters, Sadie and Sunny. What a girl, he said. She means so much to our house. I think I was shooting Grown Ups or Thats My Boy, something in Massachusetts, and the kids were little and we were listening to Taylor Swift, listening to every song. It was one of the first times that you listen to every song on the record. When I was a kid, I think The Beatles you did that with, maybe Elton John where you do every tune, start to finish. Taylor in our house, every tune, they knew every word. Taylor Swift performing at her first London concert at Wembley Stadium, during the Eras Tour (Ian West/PA) His praise prompted Kelce to describe Swift as the best performer out here. Sandler joked that he gets nervous around Swift because he does not want to say the wrong thing which would blow it for his daughters, while also admitting he has become a Swiftie in his own right. I love listening to her in the car, I love what she has to say. Every message, every melody, the production, he said. What she means to young girls, what she means to women, what she means to guys doing the right thing in life. Sandler also spoke about when he took his daughters to the Eras Tour concert film premiere last October, when Swift complimented them on their 2023 Netflix comedy You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah. Throughout the years, Saturday Night Live, she saw the kids there, took her time, hung out with them, Sandler added. And then at her premiere for the movie, she talked to the kids about their movie, they did a Bat Mitzvah movie and she talked about what she liked in it, and she just floors my family. Defending champion Coco Gauff breezed into the third round of the US Open after a straight-sets win over veteran Tatjana Maria. The 2023 champion, who said on Monday she will one day win a second title at Flushing Meadows is looking a good bet to do it this year after winning 6-4 6-0. Her victory included an outrageous shot at the end of the first set where a volley spun so viciously it hit the umpires chair and denied Maria what would have been a clear winner. It's onward for Coco! pic.twitter.com/WPA9M34o8i US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2024 Gauff said of her win: I played well overall, I could serve better, I think it could have made the first set a lot easier. I am not feeling pressure, I have nothing to lose, I am 20 years old, I already have one grand slam under the belt, whether or not its this year, I have the potential to do more. Victoria Azarenka battled through a migraine to see off Frenchwoman Clara Burel. The 20th seed, three-time runner-up at Flushing Meadows looked to be in trouble when she had to have a medical timeout midway through the second set. She had won the first set but was trailing 3-1 in the second when she began rubbing her temples and eyes. Coco out here creating obstacles for her opponents pic.twitter.com/5NwBSQRasm US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2024 The Belarussian told the doctor she was seeing spots in her eyes and later confirmed she was suffering from a migraine. But the medical timeout seemed to affect Burel more than Azarenka as the Frenchwomans game crumbled. Azarenka claimed the 6-1 6-4 victory before breaking down in tears. It is very tough to be out here, I dont know how I played the match, I just hoped it would get better, she said. Victoria Azarenka overcame a migraine to progress (Matt Rourke/AP) I have a chronic migraine and it couldnt be a worse time to start it, its tough to deal with. Heat exhaustion ruined Iva Jokics teenage dream of a third-round meeting with Aryna Sabalenka. American Jokic, who is 16 and the youngest player in the main draw, was a set up against 29th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova. But in sweltering conditions, where the mercury was nearly at 40C, the heat got the better of her midway through the second set. Iva Jokic has bowed out in the second round of the US Open (Mark Rourke/AP) She needed medical treatment and had her blood pressure and pulse checked. Jokic, a semi-finalist in the Wimbledon juniors last month, rejoined the match but Alexandrova eventually claimed a 4-6 6-4 7-5 victory. Sabalenka is waiting in the third round after last years finalist coasted past Lucia Bronzetti 6-3 6-1. There was a nice moment as she met with a young fan dressed like her, including a replica tiger tattoo after the match. The Belarussian said: It was really adorable moment. I just looked up, and I saw on the big screen a mini-me. It was so cute. Its such a motivation to keep going to inspire the young generation. Thats the main goal. The openness and fragility of the womens top seeds were again highlighted as Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova was ousted in the second round. The Czech, who beat Jasmine Paolini in the final at SW19 last month, crashed out to world number 61 Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen came from a set down to beat Erika Andreeva 6-7 (3) 6-1 6-2. China-SADC cooperation expected to flourish: African think tank Xinhua) 10:30, August 29, 2024 HARARE, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- The election of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) should help boost China-SADC cooperation, according to an African regional think tank. Munetsi Madakufamba, executive director of the Southern African Research and Documentation Center (SARDC), a SADC knowledge partner based in Harare, the Zimbabwean capital, told reporters Tuesday that they have high expectations for the forthcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, including the further elevation of the all-round China-Zimbabwe and China-SADC cooperation. Madakufamba made the remarks Tuesday at a half-day seminar held in Zimbabwe's capital of Harare to discuss ways to strengthen relations between China and SADC ahead of the FOCAC Summit which will be held in Beijing early next month. The seminar was held under the auspices of the SARDC Institute for China-Africa Studies in Southern Africa in conjunction with the Center for Africa Studies of Peking University. Mnangagwa assumed the rotating chairmanship of the SADC regional grouping in a summit held in Zimbabwe this month. "President Mnangagwa has just taken over the chair of SADC and from a regional perspective, it is important that we see the strengthening of relations between China and SADC. I do not doubt that as the new chairperson of SADC, that will be one of the issues that will be on the president's mind and further to that, taking the China-Zimbabwe relations to the next level building on what we have achieved so far," Madakufamba said. Madakufamba said Mnangagwa is already active in building and strengthening synergies for regional industrial development, hence the forthcoming FOCAC Summit must seize the opportunity to enhance China-Africa relations through formalization and development of relations with SADC as a regional organization of 16 countries and build a China-Africa community with a shared future. An expert in Southern Africa's regional development and integration, Madakufamba said SADC must leverage its strategic partnership with China under the FOCAC framework and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to boost cooperation and advance industrialization in the region. "FOCAC presents a fresh South-South cooperation partnership that is mutually beneficial," he stressed. He said FOCAC emphasizes mutual respect, equality, and joint consultation. "These are very key features of FOCAC which makes it different from other partnerships that Africa has with other countries and regional bodies around the globe." He hailed China for its cooperation thrust where it is transferring technology to Africa because it understands the need for equitable development. "China has always stood firmly with Africa, supporting development projects across sectors and this practical cooperation has now become even more important given the new challenges that Africa is now facing in the post-COVID era which now calls for an even deeper and closer cooperation between China and Africa and such support can take many forms but mainly we want to see closer cooperation," Madakufamba said, adding that at the forthcoming FOCAC summit, Africa is eyeing to boost cooperation with China with particular priority on energy generation and other infrastructure development that cut across countries and regions. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Houston ISD's Board of Managers hold their monthly board meeting on Thursday, May 9, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Houston ISDs audit committee announced Wednesday that in the interests of increased transparency, it had reversed its decision to no longer hold public meetings. The Chronicle first reported Friday that the three-member committee had stopped holding public meetings after more than 17 years. Less than a week later, the committee announced that going forward, members of the public will be able to attend future meetings at Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, and it will announce meeting dates and times at least 72 hours in advance. As a committee and a school board we believe that it is critical that the full school board deliberate and act on audits related to key district functions, the committee said in a statement. However, in the interests of increased transparency and in response to public feedback, we will make the advisory discussions of the audit committee open to the public moving forward. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Committee chair Janette Garza Lindner previously defended the committees initial decision to close its meetings. She said the committee had planned to bring recommendations to the full nine-member Board of Managers to consider during its regular meetings, which would allow more people to give input on the audits and recommendations. For the sake of transparency, right, we want to make sure that people are getting the information they need, Garza Lindner said. Bringing those audit findings to a broader audience at the board meetings, I think that really improves what we want to see as far as transparency ... and then also we are able to get more input from the broader board by working in this way. The committee said Wednesday that its function will remain advisory, and all official deliberations of district audits will occur during regular school board meetings. It is expected to meet at least three times this academic year, with its next meeting scheduled for 1 p.m. Sept. 13. The committee plays a vital role in overseeing the districts governance, risks and internal control practices through monitoring internal and external audits, financial statements and the districts progress in implementing action plans, according to its new charter. The other two members of the committee are board members Ric Campo and Adam Rivon. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The initial decision to close meetings came after the committee drafted a shorter charter earlier this year, which the full school board voted to approve in June. The districts website was updated in July to say the committee was no longer subject to Texas Open Meetings Act requirements since its scope had been limited to a strictly advisory role under the new charter. The new charter states the committee is committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in its oversight role and strives to enhance organizational effectiveness and trust. It also does not contain much of the language from the previous charter, which outlined more than 50 of its responsibilities, its purpose and its authority. The committee met in July without posting an official public notice for the first time since at least November 2006, when it discussed audits for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal year, bus driver pay, employee terminations and the districts On-Time Grad Academy, according to meeting records. It also did not publish a video of the July meeting or any meetings held in the 2023-24 year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Energy giants at SSE have announced the completion of what is expected to be the most productive onshore wind farm in the UK along with a 160-mile long subsea link to take power generated on its island home to the mainland. The two projects on the Shetland Islands, which are together worth more than 1 billion, have been described by SSE as a major milestone on the UKs path to a clean energy system. SSE Renewables has just finished construction of the Viking Wind Farm there, where it is thought the 103 turbines could produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of almost 500,000 homes annually. The specialist cable-laying vessel NKT Victoria was used to install the subsea cable, which will take electricity produced on Shetland to the UK mainland (SSE/PA) The new wind farm takes the UKs combined onshore and offshore generating capacity to more than 30 gigawatts (GW), with this said to be sufficient to meet the annual power needs of 26 million homes while cutting carbon emissions by more than 35 million tonnes a year. At the same time a second renewable energy project on Shetland has seen SSEN Transmission energise a 160-mile (260-kilometre) long subsea cable, which will take electricity produced on the islands to the UK mainland. The developments are both part of a commitment by Perth-based SSE to invest 20.5 billion in developing the UKs renewable energy infrastructure by 2027. And their completion means that for the first time hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across the UK can be powered by renewable energy from Shetland which according to the Met Office is the windiest place in the UK. With the islands having an average annual wind speed of 14.6 knots, the Viking development is expected to be the UKs most productive onshore wind farm in terms of annual electricity output. Meanwhile the new 260km HVDC subsea cable, which runs from Kergord in Shetland to Noss Head, near Wick on the Scottish mainland, means the islands will be connected to the GB electricity grid for the first time ever. Scottish First Minister John Swinney said the projects will help stimulate sustainable economic growth in the local area (Jane Barlow/PA) Scotlands First Minister John Swinney hailed the two projects as a significant step in unlocking the green energy potential of the Shetland Islands. The projects will not only help to stimulate sustainable economic growth in the local area, he added, but will help with the Scottish Governments mission to bring about a just transition to net zero. SSE chief executive Alistair Phillips-Davies said: Delivery of both the Viking Wind Farm and Shetland HVDC transmission link are big engineering achievements and together represent a major milestone on the UKs path to a clean energy system. Shetland and the wider North Sea have long supported the countrys energy security and now they are playing a significant role in decarbonising our power system. However he said it had taken nearly 20 years for the projects to go from concept to completion. And with the new Labour Government having a national mission for clean power by 2030, the energy boss added: If we are serious about delivering clean power by 2030 less than 2,000 days away we need to make it much easier and faster to build this kind of mission-critical infrastructure. Mr Phillips-Davies pledged: At SSE we are ready to play our part, delivering more vital projects, supporting more good jobs and ensuring our local communities share in the economic opportunities of this transition. Dan McGrail, chief executive of the industry body Renewable UK, said: When the Viking project was first conceived nearly 20 years ago, the UKs wind capacity stood at less than five gigawatts, and turbines were around 75% less efficient than they are now. Reaching the milestone of 30GW is a phenomenal achievement for the entire industry and further underlines the fact that wind is now the backbone of our future energy system, having generated a record 28% of our electricity last year. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: By switching on Viking, the UKs largest onshore wind farm, hundreds of thousands of homes in the Shetlands and right across the country will benefit from cheap, homegrown energy, and this project has created jobs and growth for local communities. This shows why we need more developments like this to make Britain a clean energy superpower and that is why we lifted the onshore wind farm ban in our first 72 hours in Government. This will be a crucial part of delivering our mission for clean power by 2030 reducing our reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets, boosting our energy independence and protecting consumers. Power station operator Drax has agreed to pay a 25 million penalty after the energy watchdog found it failed to report accurate data on the sourcing of wood pellets it burned at its North Yorkshire plant. Ofgem carried out a 15-month investigation into the company over data that profiled the sources of pellets it used from Canada between April 2021 and March 2022, such as whether the wood came from sawmills or forests. Drax has historically faced accusations of burning wood from unsustainable sources overseas as well as claims that it was taking timber from precious rare forests in Canada. On closing the investigation, Ofgem said Drax was found to have lacked the necessary data governance and controls, meaning it did not give the regulator accurate and robust data on the type of wood it uses. The regulator said it found no evidence to suggest the breach was deliberate but was instead technical in nature. Drax will pay 25 million to its voluntary redress fund as a result of the findings, it added. The company currently gets hefty government subsidies for generating electricity by burning biomass wood chips, which is classified as renewable power. Proponents of biomass say it can create carbon-neutral energy because trees and other plants first absorb carbon, then are burnt and release the same carbon back into the atmosphere. However, critics say this assumes the companies only use sustainable wood in their boilers and have expressed doubts over the carbon sequestration logic. The Government is facing growing calls from environmental groups and campaigners to end the subsidies for firms that burn wood and redirect the money to renewable energy such as wind and solar. Ofgem said it found no evidence to suggest Drax did not meet the UKs threshold that a minimum of 70% of biomass must come from sustainable sources in order to receive public funding. Ultimately, the data under investigation fell outside the criteria used to determine the amount of subsidies the firm received, it added. The regulators chief executive Jonathan Brearley said: This has been a complex and detailed investigation. Energy consumers expect all companies, particularly those receiving millions of pounds annually in public subsidies, to comply with all their statutory requirements. There are no excuses for Draxs admission that it did not comply with its mandatory requirement to give Ofgem accurate and robust data on the exact types of Canadian wood it utilises. The legislation is clear about Draxs obligations thats why we took tough action. Drax has accepted that it had weak procedures, controls and governance which resulted in inaccurate reporting of data about the forestry type and sawlog content being used. He added: While Ofgem currently has no reason to believe there have been further instances of non-compliance, we wont hesitate to act if required. The regulator said Drax had engaged constructively throughout the investigation. Drax Group chief executive Will Gardiner said: Although Ofgem has noted there is no evidence to suggest Drax deliberately misreported its profiling data, we recognise the importance of maintaining a strong evidence base and are continuing to invest to improve confidence in our future reporting. Environmental groups said the penalty was a drop in the ocean for the firm as they reiterated calls for the UK to end subsidies. Matt Williams, senior advocate for the US-based Natural Resources Defence Council, said: This ruling shows how difficult it is to prove that burning wood from forests is good for the environment. Theres one simple reason for that it isnt. The 25 million fine Drax have volunteered to pay is a drop in the ocean compared to the billions theyre asking for in new subsidies. The Energy Secretary Ed Miliband must see its not worth paying even more of the publics money to a company that cant play by the rules. Phil MacDonald, founder of energy think tank Ember, said: Regulators in the UK, including Ofgem, have weak enforcement powers, and Drax will be relieved today to only receive a 25 million fine for these multiple compliance failures, in light of the more than half a billion pounds it makes every year from public subsidy. Citing the National Audit Offices findings from earlier this year that the Government was unable to adequately assess the sustainability of biomass sourcing, he said: The Ofgem findings seem to confirm their fears. This must be a trigger for the Secretary of State to now fully investigate the major issue here: whether wood burnt in UK power stations is genuinely sustainable. An Energy Department spokesman said: We expect full compliance with all regulatory obligations consumers rightly expect the highest standard of accountability from generators. The size of the redress payment underscores the robustness of the regulatory system and the requirement that generators abide by both the spirit and the letter of the regulations. The detail of the investigation and subsequent findings are a matter for Ofgem. Eyewitnesses will give evidence at an inquiry into the death of a camera operator following a mid-air paramotor collision. Footage from GoPro cameras could also form part of the evidence discussed at the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the death of Dan Burton, which is due to begin on October 24 at Tain Sheriff Court. Mr Burton, 54, died after his paramotor was involved in a collision with one flown by his colleague Sacha Dench, known as the human swan, in the Highlands in September 2021. At a preliminary hearing held virtually by the same court on Thursday, fiscal depute Jemma Eadie said the Crown expects to lead evidence from eyewitnesses on the first day of the FAI. She said: There were eyewitnesses in effect who had taken a series of photographs and had been just passers-by on a walk who had seen perhaps not the full scope of the collision and accident but can speak to the circumstances surrounding them. Ms Dench was attempting a 3,000-mile round Britain by paramotor challenge to highlight climate change ahead of the Cop26 conference when the collision happened near Loch Na Gainmhich in Sutherland on September 18, 2021. The Australian, who survived but suffered serious injuries, is known as the human swan for her adventures in using a paramotor to follow swans migrating from Russia across Europe to the UK. Joanna Lumley had been due to present a documentary on the round Britain challenge. Ms Eadie said the Crown hopes to obtain data contained on electronic devices which it would need to have analysed. Mr Burton was known to sometimes use a body-worn GoPro camera, raising the possibility that there may be some footage immediately preceding the incident. The lawyer said: There were GoPro cameras which were possibly taking photographs and/or recording footage. The British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA) have the data from the GoPro devices. I dont foresee any significant logistical difficulties with obtaining that data because most laptops will be able to open jpeg files. There are also flight recording GPS data devices. Dan Burton was working with human swan Sacha Dench (Andrew Milligan/PA) Ms Eadie told the hearing she would like to ask Mark Shaw, author of a BHPA report the Crown intends to refer to, about what was found on the electronic devices when he appears as a witness. She said: Im advised that on occasion Mr Burton would sometimes record flights from a GoPro device that was body-worn in some way, and if there was any possibility of footage immediately preceding the incident then I think that would be absolutely crucial to put to Mr Shaw. The court heard it is not known how long it will take for the electronic data to be analysed, and whether it will be done in time for a second evidential hearing currently set to take place in late November. Sheriff Neil Wilson set a further preliminary hearing for late September, at which point it may be decided to push back the November date if it is found the electronic data will not be available by then. The hearing in October will take place in person though the parties involved are being asked whether they might wish the inquiry to be held in hybrid form with the option of watching remotely. David Short, representing Mr Burtons widow Caroline, said: I will discuss with her whether in-person or if your Lordship would permit a hybrid. I think in-person is best. The sheriff said: Its best for practical reasons. Its also best for the widow of the deceased because it feels like a proper hearing, a court hearing as opposed to an online Zoom meeting or Webex meeting or something. But that is my personal view. Victoria Anderson, representing Conservation Without Borders and Ms Dench, said her clients plan to attend in person, as far as she is presently advised. This roundup of claims has been compiled by Full Fact, the UKs largest fact checking charity working to find, expose and counter the harms of bad information. Misleading figures on public sector pay After seeing a widely shared claim online making misleading comparisons between the starting salary of an NHS England nurse and the pay of an NHS equality, diversity and inclusion officer, Full Fact took a look at how much both groups could expect to earn. Social media posts claimed that a nurses starting salary was around 28,400 while maintaining that a diversity officer could expect 96,000. In reality the starting salaries for each profession in the NHS are much more similar. A newly qualified nurse can expect to earn 28,407. After that pay can vary depending on experience, qualifications and years of service. The most senior nurses can earn between 99,891 and 114,949. In March 2024 the average basic pay for a nurse or health visitor working in the NHS in England was estimated to be the equivalent of 38,713 for a full-time role. While there isnt such a clear starting point for diversity officer salaries, job listings we saw indicate that it can be around 25,147 while others might be higher and can vary from region to region. Just as with nurses, a more senior diversity officer could expect to be paid much more than this with some senior roles, such as a head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, being paid between 70,417 and 81,138. Graphic image does not show child shot in Gaza A number of posts sharing a graphic image of a child who had been shot in the head have been circulating on social media. The posts imply the child was shot as part of the conflict between Israel and Gaza. While it is the case that many children have been tragically killed in Gaza as a result of Israeli military action since the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel, the child in the image is not one of them. The image dates back to 2020 and was taken in Yemen. Reports from the time feature the image and report that a little girl was shot by a Houthi sniper in the city of Taiz. This roundup of claims has been compiled by Full Fact, the UKs largest fact checking charity working to find, expose and counter the harms of bad information. The youngest daughter of the late Labour leader John Smith has said it is a great honour to become a legal adviser to the UK Government. It was announced that the King had approved the appointment of Catherine Smith KC as Advocate General for Scotland. The King also intends to give her a life peerage, which will see her join the House of Lords. The Advocate General for Scotland provides legal advice to the UK Government on matters relating to Scots law. Ms Smith said: It is a great honour to be appointed the Advocate General for Scotland and join the team of UK Government law officers. I look forward to playing my part in protecting and promoting the rule of law and contributing to this governments commitment to public service. Catherine Smith, centre left, with her mother Elizabeth, right, and sisters Jane, left, and Sarah, centre right, at a memorial service for the former Labour leader John Smith, who died in 1994 (Neil Munns/PA) Ms Smith takes up the post after a legal career which has seen her specialise in personal injury, clinical negligence and judicial review cases as well as sitting part-time as a sheriff. The lawyer, who is the youngest of John Smiths three daughters, is also currently involved in the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry. She is chair of the John Smith Centre for Public Service at the University of Glasgow, which was set up to promote a positive vision of politics, and is vice chair of Justice Scotland, which is part of a London-based organisation working for a better and fairer justice system. The outlook for the UKs chemical industry is worrying without a plan to eliminate its reliance on fossil fuels, sector experts have warned. Researchers from the think tank Green Alliance assessed how much Britains policy supports the transition in the sector, which relies heavily on fossil fuels for energy and as a feedstock. They found that 140,000 jobs in the industry are at stake over the long term if it remains dependent on fossil fuels, and policymakers fail to plan for its decarbonisation. It comes as the steel industry, which employs far fewer people at an estimated 33,700, hit the headlines in recent months due to job losses at Tata Steel as it switches to a greener form of production at its Port Talbot plant in south Wales. The Green Alliance researchers found that if plans for a greener, modernised chemical sector are written into the UKs forthcoming industrial strategy, it could realise opportunities for growth and support the UKs economic resilience. Industrial heartlands in the North West, Teesside and Humberside in particular would be likely to benefit, they added. The sector is responsible for 19% of the UKs industrial emissions but it also provides essential components for net zero technologies, such as batteries, wind turbines and heat pumps, the researchers said. This makes it vital to phasing out fossil fuels and decarbonising supply chains across the wider economy. But Green Alliance warned that the UK sector is highly exposed to international competition due to comparatively high operating costs and the global market. Industry output in 2023 fell by 9% and employment by 7%, the researchers found. They also highlighted CF Fertilisers closing their last ammonia plant in Billingham, County Durham, in 2022, citing high natural gas prices and rising carbon costs. While the company had looked into decarbonisation options, it chose not to wait for Government support on carbon caption and storage (CCS), one of the main solutions on offer. The Governments strategy to cut emissions in the chemical industry has largely focused on CCS, backed by a promise of 20 billion in investment, and a switch to hydrogen fuel, supported by 240 million in capital expenditure. Two industrial clusters HyNet in the North West, and the East Coast Cluster connecting Teesside and Humberside are expected to connect to CCS and hydrogen infrastructure around 2027. However, the researchers found that other policies essential to a greener chemicals industry are lagging far behind, such as the Government not adequately supporting electrification and having no incentives for companies to replace fossil fuel feedstocks. Stakeholders told Green Alliance researchers that the complexity of the chemicals industry meant policymakers struggled to understand it, and it could prevent the sector from speaking with one voice. David Bott, head of innovation at the Society of Chemical Industry, said: The UK has a long history of innovation and expertise in chemicals but the government has never really understood our industry. Its now under threat from international competitors offering better incentives to pursue a greener future, and better-aligned regulation. We need an industrial strategy that helps steer the UK chemicals industry on to a positive path, directing its attention towards long term risks and opportunities. Liam Hardy, senior policy analyst at Green Alliance, said: We need a UK chemicals industry, the highly skilled jobs it provides, and the contribution it will make to a greener economy. But it will take deliberate government policy to find a way forward: for example, by requiring a certain amount of carbon in chemicals to come from greener sources through a green carbon mandate. Businesses we spoke to also said innovation funding is often complex, overly prescriptive and focused on the short term. The forthcoming industrial strategy is a key moment for the Government to set out a plan for a thriving green chemical industry fit for the future. A Government spokesperson said: Our new industrial strategy will deliver long-term, stable growth that works for all workers and businesses right across the UK. That includes backing our strong chemicals industry, which exported nearly 60 billion last year and is a crucial part of delivering a fairer, greener future and meeting our 2050 net zero target. World number one Jannik Sinner is unfazed by the possibility of being interviewed on court at the US Open by Nick Kyrgios. The Australian is working with American broadcaster ESPN while he recovers from injury and has been conducting on-court interviews after matches. Kyrgios is one of the players who has been outspoken on Sinners failed anti-doping tests and said the Italian should have been banned. Ridiculous whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance you should be gone for 2 years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream. Yeah nice https://t.co/13qR0F9nH2 Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) August 20, 2024 After the decision to clear Sinner at the start of last week, Kyrgios posted on X: Ridiculous whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance you should be gone for 2 years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream. Yeah nice Sinner, who was cleared of fault or negligence by an independent tribunal who accepted the banned substance had accidentally entered his system, continued on his merry way in the US Open, dismantling American Alex Michelsen 6-4 6-0 6-2. Sinner suggested he is happy to let bygones be bygones if he comes face to face with Kyrgios. I dont want to respond on what he said. Everyone is free to say everything, so its OK, Sinner said. If that is the case, lets see. Its going to be different, for sure, but I dont know. I dont know what to say. Maybe if I say something now, and then the reaction is going to be something else because you live in this moment. But Im always quite relaxed. Im someone who forgets quite fast something. As I said, everyone is quite free to say everything, so it is what it is. A spike in searches for homes near Jeremy Clarksons new pub has been recorded by property website Rightmove. The pub in Asthall, near Burford in Oxfordshire, reopened to the public on August 23 after being renamed The Farmers Dog. Hundreds of people queued to wait for the doors to open on the first day of trading. Rightmove said that August 24, the day after the pubs opening, saw the highest number of searches for homes for sale in Burford in more than a year. Across the pubs first bank holiday weekend, the number of searches for homes for sale in Burford was 63% higher than the same period a year ago, the website said. People queued outside The Farmers Dog on the day it reopened (Ben Birchall/PA) Pubgoers hoping to live close to Clarksons new business venture will typically need to have around half a million pounds available to them because the average asking price in the Burford postcode area is 537,827. Clarkson recently described the impact of his new pub on British farming as a tiny pinprick, but added: If everyone does it, if all the farmers get together and buy a pub as you can get a pub for chicken feed these days it might work. If this works it is a co-operative of farmers we have formed it might work, it might not, Im the trailblazer. It is not the first time that Clarksons ventures appear to have inspired property searches. The launch of series one and series two of Clarksons Farm led to a spike in searches for Chadlington, in the area where the programme is set, Rightmove said. Rightmove property expert Tim Bannister said: The Cotswolds will always inspire people to search and explore what living in one of its many areas of beauties could be like, and Jeremy Clarksons ventures have added further intrigue. Joe Root continued his sparkling summer but several of his England teammates could not capitalise after Sri Lanka surprisingly elected to bowl at Lords under clear blue skies. Roots 81 not out is a fifth fifty-plus score in his last seven innings and underpinned a total of 200 for five at tea on the opening day of the second Test on a relatively blameless surface. England, though, were in charitable mood with all of their top three out to loose strokes, with Ollie Pope registering his third successive single-figure score since stepping in as captain for the injured Ben Stokes. A bundle of boundaries on Day 1 at Lord's pic.twitter.com/b8nY73aMFa England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 29, 2024 Pope admitted he had struggled to separate his batting and leadership duties last week, making two scores of six in an otherwise successful debut as skipper as England won the first of three Tests. He was presented with a clean slate as Sri Lanka ignored the overheads and asked England to bat first but, after Lahiru Kumaras extra pace accounted for makeshift opener Dan Lawrence for nine, Pope horribly miscued a pull off Asitha Fernando, top-edging to Dhananjaya de Silva for one off 10 balls. Ben Duckett made a typically busy 40 before reverse sweeping Prabath Jayasuriya to Kumara on the fence but Root was a reassuring presence in the middle and he needs just 19 runs in the final session to equal Sir Alastair Cooks England record of 33 Test centuries. Dhananjayas decision to bowl first looked to have backfired with scant early movement, with Duckett settling in by twice driving and late cutting through the off-side for three fours in an over off Fernando. Ben Duckett started well (John Walton/PA) Lawrence got a streaky inside edge for four but he was unsettled by the extra pace of Kumara, advancing uncertainly and prodding at one that moved just enough up the slope to take the edge and carry through to Nishan Madushka, Sri Lankas third wicketkeeper this series. Kumaras next ball reared up at Pope, just evading the outside edge, before he cut Englands number three in half moments later. Popes luck then ran out as he injudiciously tried to whip Fernando into the leg-side only to sky high into the air, with Dhananjaya settling under a looping catch. Root effortlessly clipped his first ball for four before milking Sri Lankas bowlers backward of square. He had a let-off on 12 after being rapped on the pad by Kumara, with a Sri Lanka review showing umpires call on hitting the stumps. He welcomed Jayasuriya with a sweep for four but Duckett perished on the reverse in the slow left-armers first over. Usually a shot he plays so well, Duckett instead got a top edge to deep point. Milan Rathnayake celebrates taking the wicket of Jamie Smith (John Walton/PA) Harry Brook was free-scoring after lunch but he fell lbw to Fernando for 33 from a carbon copy of a delivery where Root had earlier escaped. Both would have brushed leg-stump but the umpires finger stayed down for Root and went up for Brook, with the on-field decisions upheld on review. With Jayasuriya operating at one end in tandem with Sri Lankas seamers at the other, Root went to his half-century, as he and Jamie Smith led England into calmer waters. Two streaky edges off Milan Rathnayake both whizzed to the boundary but were rare false shots from Root before Smith fell to a full-blooded push off Rathnayake, with Madushka taking his second catch. Englands Jordan Smith overcame a worrying warm-up to card an encouraging 69 in the first round of the Betfred British Masters. Smith carded five birdies and two bogeys at The Belfry to join compatriot Laurie Canter in the clubhouse on three under par, two shots behind early leader Jeong weon Ko. Im very happy, its probably one of the worst warm-ups Ive ever had so I was quite surprised when I got out there, Smith told the PA news agency. Round one of the Betfred British Masters is under way at The Belfry #BetfredBritishMasters DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) August 29, 2024 A lot of good stuff, just a couple of short putts missed unfortunately, but overall really, really happy. I hit it great Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and then got on to the range this morning and couldnt hit my hat. I guess its a warm-up for a reason and I went out there and played some really good stuff to be fair. The course is in really good condition, probably the best Ive seen it and probably the toughest Ive seen it for a long time. The roughs up in a few places and the firm conditions makes it tricky if youre slightly out of position. This sort of course and the way its set up definitely suits me. Today the long game was great and thats where I could take advantage of the par fives and par fours. Smith had missed the cut in his last three starts following a runners-up finish in the BMW International Open in Munich, but remains in contention to claim one of the 10 PGA Tour cards on offer to the top players in the Race to Dubai at the end of the season who are not already exempt. Englands Jordan Smith carded an opening 69 in the Betfred British Masters at The Belfry (David Davies/PA) Scotlands Robert MacIntyre and Frances Matthieu Pavon have both tasted victory on the PGA Tour this year after securing their playing rights via the same route. Its definitely inspiring to see those guys go over there and show the Americans that us Europeans can do it over there, Smith said. Thats the main goal and with a few more good results, you never know. A crossing guard wears a face mask as he guides students across Oak Ridge School road after Oak Ridge High School let out for the day, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. Conroe ISD students, faculty and staff returned to school from the winter break as Montgomery County reported an increase of more than 5,000 new COVID-19 cases since last Tuesday. Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Public health officials detected COVID-19 in the wastewater of two-thirds of HISD schools two weeks into the start of the new school year, Houston Health Department officials said. The department detected the disease in 29 of the 45 schools monitored as part of the departments Wastewater Monitoring Dashboard. Dr. Jeanna White, deputy health authority for the Houston Health Department, said that COVID-19 levels have begun to plateau in recent weeks, but residents should remain alert and seek treatment if they experience any symptoms. For the past couple weeks, our wastewater numbers have been leveling out, meaning theyre not increasing, White said. But thats not to say that people shouldnt pay attention to their personal risks and health concerns. If you have risks, comorbid conditions or just think youre showing symptoms, you should still seek treatment immediately. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The departments wastewater dashboard, which tracks the presence of COVID-19 in the citys sewer water, does appear to have evened out over the past month. Since late June, the viral load defined as the number of viral pieces that entered a water treatment plant on a given day has hovered around 300, less than half of the city-wide high reached in early 2022. The dashboard displays data relative to July 2020. As of Aug. 19, the Houston Health Department reported COVID-19 levels to be just under three times those recorded in 2020. While this may seem alarming, data collected from wastewater treatment facilities is only a small part of the greater picture, White said. When youre dealing with wastewater, you have to think about what data youre capturing, White said. There are a host of factors that can skew data one way or another. If there was a concert or other big event, you might see a spike. Part of the reason we started looking at schools is because it provides an extra level of granularity to the data. School wastewater provides a more narrow sample that is largely limited to residents and families, White said. This can help eliminate outliers in the form of conventions and other events that bring people to the city. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But data shows some areas have fared better than others. Kingwood, for example, currently sits at a staggering 1800% of the viral load detected in 2020. Thats despite having just a fraction of Houstons population. Rebecca Schneider, a staff analyst for the Houston Health Department, said there are a host of factors that can result in higher COVID-19 numbers for certain regions. In particular, areas like Kingwood that had lower levels at the start of the pandemic tend to produce more alarming figures when upticks occur. You have to keep in mind that this is in comparison to July 2020. Places that had lower levels then might look really, really bad in 2024, Schneider said. With that in mind, Kingwood is one of the few areas where we are seeing an increase in the disease. Looking forward, White said the Houston Health Department will continue monitoring COVID-19 levels across the city and take appropriate action as needed. For the time being, residents should continue to take basic precautions to guard themselves from the disease. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Parents of students who attend schools where COVID-19 was recently detected should be on the lookout for any symptoms and seek treatment as needed. White said its important that parents keep their children at home if they believe they might be sick. Its all about just maintaining those best practices, White said. Cover your cough, cover your sneeze, use hand sanitizer and distance yourself when youre sick or you have a fever. The best tool against COVID-19 is prevention. COVID-19 has been detected in the following schools since Aug. 19: Sharpstown International School Scarborough Elementary School Sylvan Rodriguez Elementary School Reagan K-8 Educational Center Gabriela Mistral Center for Early Childhood Milby High School Lyons Elementary School Ninfa Laurenzo Early Childhood Center Sam Houston MSTC High School Garcia Elementary School Farias Early Childhood Center Energized For Excellence Academy Elementary Cunningham Elementary School Crespo Elementary School Cornelius Elementary School Chavez High School Challenge Early College High Burnet Elementary School Berry Elementary School Barrick Elementary School Brookline Elementary School Braeburn Elementary School Bonner Elementary School Benavidez Elementary School Park Place Elementary School Sam Houston MSTC High School Gallegos Elementary School Edison Middle School De Chaumes Elementary School Katie Boulter accepted she did not have the winning mentality during her horrendous straight-sets defeat to Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro at the US Open. The British number one had said it was time for her to start producing deep runs at grand slams after her opening-round win on Tuesday, but it will not be in New York this year. Boulter was outplayed throughout her 7-5 7-5 defeat to the world number 74 to end British interest in the womens draw. Defeat for Katie Boulter in the US Open second round#BackTheBrits | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/HCBtqY4VeC LTA (@the_LTA) August 29, 2024 I feel like I played that match not wanting to lose rather than trying to win, she said. Thats something that I have to remind myself of, that Im here to win. Im not just trying to get through a match. And I think when Im more positive with myself and my game, thats when Im winning matches. I think my mentality today needed to be a little bit more aggressive, and I wasnt quite that. I still put myself in a great position in the first set to win the set, and if Id stepped in maybe a little bit more on that forehand line, then it could be in totally different match. But I didnt. So, I have to remind myself that Im an aggressive player. Im not here to just put the ball in the court, and thats how Im going to win matches. Jessica Bouzas Maneiro reached the third round at Wimbledon (Mike Egerton/PA) She was heard saying to her team on courtside that everything was horrendous as her best game deserted her. Much like Harriet Darts exit to Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk on Wednesday, the match hinged on the first set and Boulter looked in a good position when she broke to go 4-2 up. But from that point the Spaniard dictated the match, cleverly moving Boulter around the court to win. Boulter accepted that it was a match she had to win, but did row back slightly on her ambitions to produce deep runs at a major tournament. I have to win these matches. Its a no-brainer for me to progress in a tournament, you have to win the second round. So to get into the third round, you got to win the second and to get in the fourth, you got to win the third. So I have to win that match. But I also dont want to put too much pressure on myself. I can sit here and and say, Im trying to get a run in a grand slam, and Im pushing myself in these moments, but at the same time, Im trying not to put too much emphasis on it, because you can kind of start thinking about just winning the match instead of the actual process of it. And I actually felt like I did that a bit today. I was trying to, trying to put the ball in the court and make her play instead of me playing my game. A man has been remanded in custody over the murder of a woman in Londonderry. Montserrat Martorell, 65, was found dead in a flat in Londonderry on Saturday August 24. Ciaran Murray, 28, of Gortfoyle Place in the city, has been charged with her murder. He has also been charged with other serious offences, including arson endangering life with intent. He appeared before Londonderry magistrates court via videolink on Thursday. He said: Yes, I understand the charges, after they were read to him. A detective inspector said she believed she could connect him to the charges. No application for bail was made during the brief hearing. The case will next be mentioned at court on September 26. A miniature lab designed and built by UK scientists is heading to the moon on a mission to search for frozen water. ProSPA, created by experts at the Open University (OU), will process samples gathered by Prospect, which could become the first European device to land on the Moon this decade. The Prospect system, which also features a robotic drill that will collect samples up to a metre below the lunar surface, is being built by Italian aerospace company Leonardo. The European Space Agency device is expected to head to the lunar South Pole sometime between 2027 and 2028. As well as water ice, Prospect will also hunt for volatiles, chemical compounds that easily evaporate or vaporise under certain conditions. The aim of the mission is to answer questions such as how much water is present on the moon and whether it will be accessible for future human moon missions. Dr Simeon Barber, who leads the ProSPA project at the OU, said: After more than a decade of developing the ProSPA concept and instrument, our team is super excited to be hitching a ride to the moon. We look forward to analysing fresh samples which might contain ancient reserves of water and other ices. We cant wait to unravel the mysteries of this extreme environment, and discover its potential to support future exploration missions. An artists impression of the European Space Agencys Prospect system (ESA/PA) Prospect will fly to the moon as part of Nasas commercial lunar payload, which also includes retroreflectors to locate landing sites on the moon and yeast to study how organic matter responds to radiation and gravity. The robotic drill ProSEED, also built by Leonardo, will penetrate the subsurface where temperatures are less than minus 100C and where water ice may potentially be stable. ProSPA will receive the samples from the drill via a carousel with multiple ovens, the scientists said. It will seal and heat the lunar soil to extract the cold-trapped volatiles. ProSPA will use its own instruments to identify the chemicals in the samples. It will also test certain processes, such as whether extracting oxygen directly from lunar rocks and dust could be an efficient way to supply oxygen for human habitats or spacecraft propulsion, the Prospect team said. Chris Howe, production and software group leader at RAL Space, said: The technology behind ProSPA is the result of years of collaboration between RAL Space and the OU, and were delighted that this latest milestone is bringing the instrument one step closer to the moon. ProSPA will not only build on the legacy of previous projects but the insights we gain from it will also support future missions advancing our understanding of the lunar surface. Its a really exciting project to be part of. The Government has no plans to force businesses to accept employees four-day working week requests. Conservative shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake claimed businesses were petrified about Labours Make Work Pay plans, which The Telegraph reported could include new rights for workers to demand a four-day week. But a Department for Business and Trade spokesperson denied they would impose the working pattern on businesses. The PA news agency understands any plan to open up compressed hours to more workers would not result in bank holiday-style weekends each week, and that employees would usually need to work their contracted hours, even if they choose to over fewer days. The Whitehall spokesperson said: We have no plans to impose a four-day working week on employers or employees. Any changes to employment legislation will be consulted on, working in partnership with business. Our Make Work Pay plan is designed around increasing productivity and creating the right conditions for businesses to support sustained economic growth. Many employers already provide good, family-friendly conditions for their workers because they know that doing so improves morale and retention. We are working in close partnership with business and civil society to find the balance between improving workers rights while supporting the brilliant businesses that pay peoples wages. The Department for Business and Trade vowed to set out further details of its approach within 100 days. Labour released a document titled Labours Plan To Make Work Pay two days after Rishi Sunak called the General Election in May. It did not propose a four-day week but committed the party to banning zero-hour contracts, replacing them with documents which reflect the number of hours an employee regularly works, a genuine living wage, and an end to fire and rehire practices where workers are laid off and then re-employed on new terms. The Telegraph reported compressed hours could feature in a new law, which could shift the balance of power, so companies could be legally obliged to offer flexible working from day one except where it is not reasonably feasible. Mr Hollinrake told the newspaper: Despite warning after warning from industry, Angela Rayner is pressing ahead with her French-style union laws that will make doing business more expensive in the UK. Labour must listen to businesses who are petrified about day one employment rights and bringing in the four-day week through the back door. A Labour source said the Conservatives pledged to make flexible working the default then failed to do so, a reference to the partys winning 2019 manifesto which Boris Johnson fronted, which read: We will encourage flexible working and consult on making it the default unless employers have good reasons not to. The Labour source also told The Telegraph: Well build on their existing legislation to ensure flexibility is a genuine default, except where it is not reasonably feasible for employers to agree. More than 20,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel so far this year, latest figures show. Some 614 people made the journey in 10 boats on Wednesday, taking the provisional total for 2024 to 20,433. This is 3% higher than at the same point in 2023 (19,801) and 18% lower than 2022 (25,065), according to PA analysis of Government data. (PA Graphics) It is the second highest number of arrivals on a single day since the General Election, after 703 arrivals on August 11. The highest number on any day so far this year was 882, on June 18. The Home Office figures come as crossings continued on Thursday morning. A Home Office spokesman said: We all want to see an end to dangerous small boat crossings, which are undermining border security and putting lives at risk. The new Government is taking steps to boost our border security, setting up a new Border Security Command which will bring together our intelligence and enforcement agencies, equipped with new counter-terror-style powers and hundreds of personnel stationed in the UK and overseas, to smash the criminal smuggling gangs making millions in profit. South Hampstead High School, one of the 23 schools in the chain where fees are rising - Clara Molden The largest chain of private schools for girls in Britain has said it will hike fees 12 per cent from January when the Government will begin applying VAT to them. The Girls Day School Trust (GDST), a group of 23 top private schools in England and Wales, said it would not pass on the entire 20 per cent VAT charge to families. The group said in a letter to parents that it has worked at pace to deliver on our commitment to reduce appreciably the overall financial impact of these tax changes on your fees after the Government confirmed its plans in July. Following a detailed review of our costs and approval from trustees, we are now in a position to confirm that fees, inclusive of VAT, will rise by 12 per cent from January 2025, said the letter, first reported by The Times. It means that fees at top GDST schools including South Hampstead High School will rise to more than 29,000 from the new year, up from 24,450 currently. Impact mitigated The letter continued: We have managed to mitigate the full financial impact of 20 per cent VAT and the removal of business rates relief by using the opportunities that our size and scale provide, and by passing on any benefit we may receive should we be able to reclaim VAT on other aspects of our running costs. Cheryl Giovannoni, GDSTs chief executive, said she was disappointed that the Government appeared to have accelerated its VAT plans and added that the groups leaders appreciate the financial pressures that will be felt by many of our families. We are especially disappointed that the Government is introducing this change at such short notice and during an academic year... We have made representations ... on the impact that any disruption is likely to have on a students education, said Ms Giovannoni. The school group informed parents that they have just over a week to decide whether to remove their children from schools in light of the fee rise. Parents are usually required to give a terms notice if they intend to withdraw their children from a private school. Fee rises elsewhere Other schools have announced moderate fee rises from January in an attempt not to deter families by passing on the 20 per cent VAT in full. Rossall School in Lancashire will raise fees by around 9.5 per cent from January to minimise the potential impact upon our parents when the tax comes into force. It means day pupils in Year 9 and above will be charged around 17,300 from the new year which will still be below average. The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that average fees for day pupils are currently around 15,000, which would become 18,000 if the 20 per cent VAT were applied in full. Jeremy Quartermain, the head teacher of Rossall, told The Telegraph the school had always been conscious of issues of affordability which are felt acutely in regions such as the North West. Bursaries impacted Our parents make enormous sacrifices to ensure that their children are able to benefit from an outstanding quality of education, Mr Quatermain said. They come from a diversity of backgrounds, particularly in Fleetwood and North Blackpool theyre teachers, theyre nurses, theyre plasterers, theyre decorators. And a good amount of our children receive bursarial support. The co-educational school spent around 3 million on scholarships, discounts and other benefits last year. Around 250 pupils from the most disadvantaged areas received discounted fees, with the schools average bursary amounting to 40 per cent. The private school head warned that while the school was able to cover the remainder of the VAT costs for now, it would potentially impact upon the extent of the public benefit that we are able to provide scholarships, bursaries, [and] use of facilities. VAT is a regressive tax which impacts most heavily upon those parents who are least able to afford it, he said. Click here to view this content. There are a number of myths surrounding dyslexia - Nadezhda1906/iStockphoto Children are at risk of being misdiagnosed with dyslexia because the majority of experts believe pervasive myths about the condition, a study has found. Research led by the University of Durham found that 61 per cent of dyslexia specialists believe that people with the learning difficulty read letters in reverse order a theory which is not backed up by evidence. The poll of 275 UK dyslexia professionals also found that 30 per cent believe that letters jumping around is a key feature of the condition. The study, funded by the British Educational Research Association (BERA) and published in the Annals of Dyslexia journal, focused on professionals who are involved in assessing students for dyslexia. They were asked about the assessments they use, how they make their diagnosis decisions and what they believe to be indicators of the language-based learning disability. Although three-quarters use dyslexia tests recommended by the Specific Learning Difficulty Assessment Standards Committee, 82 per cent said they also use other indicators. The survey found that experts also believe a number of other unsubstantiated claims about dyslexia. In total, 17 per cent said they think people with dyslexia are highly creative, 15 per cent said they believe dyslexics have problems reading words in certain colours, and 12 per cent said the same about certain fonts. The International Dyslexia Association lists some of the myths highlighted in the report as common misconceptions about dyslexia, along with the belief that dyslexia is a gift or something you can outgrow. Researchers said that lack of consensus on dyslexia tests raises concerns about the reliability and consistency of the dyslexia identification process. They also said the findings highlight the need for standardised approaches to dyslexia identification and debunking prevailing misconceptions. The report also referenced previous research suggesting that families with higher parental income are more likely to be diagnosed with dyslexia, with most child dyslexia tests unavailable on the NHS and costing between 500 and 700. Given the high costs of assessments and the post-pandemic cost of living crisis in the UK, we wonder how many households have disposable incomes to afford paying for dyslexia assessments, the researchers said. Johnny Daniel, the lead author of the report and a professor at Durham Universitys school of education, called on the Government to introduce specific guidance on identifying dyslexia among pupils. There is currently no official government policy on how to identify dyslexic students and schools usually defer to specialists if a pupil scores badly in standardised assessments. The US Department of Education, on the other hand, states in official guidance that in many cases, assessments have not been used to make appropriate intervention decisions. Dr Daniel said: Our findings show that there is a need for government policy to guide how students with reading disabilities should be assessed, based on reliable evidence. Its also important that dyslexia and psychological associations in the UK ensure that any misconceptions amongst professionals are directly addressed in their guidelines so that children are assessed in a consistent way across the board. One in ten people in the UK are thought to have dyslexia, according to the British Dyslexia Association. Figures are not collected on the number of school children that have received a dyslexia diagnosis. However, those with the most complex special needs are able to apply for an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), which entitles them to tailored support. The number of EHCPs handed out to pupils in England increased by 11.6 per cent this year to more than 434,000, with autism spectrum disorder the most common reason cited. A further 1.2 million pupils receive special educational support in the latest academic year, up 4.7 per cent compared to 2023. At the same time, the number of pupils being given extra time for their GCSE and A-levels has catapulted over the past few years. Latest Department for Education data show that around 366,000 pupils were granted 25 per cent more time than other candidates in 2023. It marks a 42 per cent rise since 2019, and means that one in four of all pupils sitting formal exams last year received extra time. The cleaners at the school have now been offered higher backdated pay, guaranteed annual increases and the London living wage from next year. Photograph: Jeffrey Blackler/Alamy Cleaners at a prestigious London private school have won their battle for improved pay and working conditions, as well as compensation for steep cuts in their hours, scrapping plans for industrial action that was due to have started next week. As part of the dispute former pupils of James Allens girls school (Jags) in Dulwich, south-east London, distributed leaflets publicising the strike in the local community, and called on the schools leaders to set a better example to pupils. The group of cleaners belonging to United Voices of the World (UVW), a grassroots trade union for low-paid migrant workers, voted to strike after the schools contractor wanted to slash their working time from 43 to 38 weeks a year but offered only a 1.55 hourly pay rise in return. Related: Cleaners at prestigious UK girls school vote to strike over cut in hours After the vote to strike, and appeals from teachers and former students, the school and its cleaning contractor, DB Services, reversed course and offered higher backdated pay of 13.15 an hour to the cleaners, as well as guaranteed annual increases and to meet the London living wage from next year. The cleaners would also receive compensation for the five-week cut and the introduction of full sick pay, the union said. The school and DB Services did not respond when contacted for comment. Rosa Garces Chinche, one of the Jags cleaners and a UVW member, said: I am very happy with what we won today. We achieved a lot especially considering for many of us it was the first time we were in a union. We are very appreciative of all the support we received along the way, from other union members, from the teachers who stood by us every step of the way, and from the community members and alumni of Jags that sent us so much support. I think it is important that migrant cleaners everywhere know that we have power in our hands, and we need to unite and build unions in order to have respect at work and win big wins. Always remember, La union hace la fuerza! [unity is strength!]. Some of the cleaners have worked at Jags for more than a decade, with several having to work split shifts at the site starting at 5.30am and then returning for a later shift ending about 6pm. Petros Elia, the general secretary of the UVW, said the bravery and determination of the cleaners enabled them to refuse the demands to accept steep cuts in their working weeks with little in return. Were pleased the strike action can be avoided and that Jags the oldest independent girls school in London will finally treat their cleaners with dignity and respect, Elia said. The private school dates to 1741 and charges 24,500 a year for pupils attending its senior school. The facilities on its 9 hectare site include a music centre, swimming pool and theatre, with alumni including the actor Sally Hawkins, the star of Made In Dagenham. Parents at the school are likely to face higher costs from January after the government applies VAT of 20% to fees. But the increase passed on to parents is likely to be lower than 20%, as schools plan to reclaim VAT on their eligible spending and absorb some of the rise. Medlow Dam in the Blue Mountains has been closed by WaterNSW after tests detected elevated levels of PFAS chemicals. Photograph: WaterNSW WaterNSW has temporarily closed a dam in the Blue Mountains after tests detected elevated levels of PFAS chemicals in untreated water. The states water agency said it had disconnected Medlow Dam from the regions water supply as a precautionary measure while further investigations were conducted. Medlow Dam does not supply raw water directly. The water travels through other dams in the network to the Cascade water filtration plant, which then supplies treated drinking water to Blue Mountains communities. Sydney Water confirmed the water supplied from the Cascade plant to communities was safe to consume and met the Australian drinking water guidelines. In a statement, WaterNSW said it had been conducting targeted investigations in the Blue Mountains area in the upper reaches of the greater Sydney catchment to ensure other agencies had up-to-date information on the presence of PFAS. Related: Body found at NSW beach identified as Queensland woman who vanished six months ago PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are sometimes called forever chemicals as they are difficult to destroy. There are about 12,000 PFAS and strong evidence of health harms including an association with cancer primarily exists for just two: PFOA and PFOS. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies PFOS as possibly carcinogenic but notes there is inadequate evidence that it directly causes cancer. An expert health panel report on PFAS delivered to the Australian government found no current evidence that suggests an increase in overall cancer risk from the chemicals. Research on the chemical compound PFHxS is ongoing and the evidence for any health impacts is less comprehensive than for PFOA and PFOS. Testing of untreated water at Medlow Dam found levels of PFOS and PFHxS combined were 0.09 micrograms per litre. This is slightly above the levels set for treated water o.o7 micrograms per litre under the Australian drinking water guidelines. Once Medlow Dam water is processed through the Cascade plant, the levels of PFOS and PFHxS in drinking water remained well within the safe limits, WaterNSW said. Preliminary results, published on the WaterNSW website, indicate Medlow Dam is the only part of the Blue Mountains dam network returning elevated results, the agency said in a statement. This dam does not supply raw water directly, but as a precautionary measure has been disconnected from supply while further investigations are conducted. Once the water leaves Medlow Dam, it travels through Greaves Dam and the upper, middle or lower Cascade dams before reaching the Cascade filtration plant. Tests found PFAS levels in the untreated water that reached the filtration plant were within the Australian drinking guidelines. Prof Stuart Khan, a water expert and the head of the civil engineering school at the University of Sydney, speaking generally said if contaminants were detected in water it was appropriate that authorities tried to identify the source and conduct remediation if necessary. But at this point the message Sydney Water has been trying to give is that exposure [to PFAS] is at safe levels and theres nothing to be alarmed about, he said. Khan said he did not believe it was necessary to close Medlow Dam and, at some stage, the water supply in the dam would be needed again. Its sending a message that theres a problem when the problem is nowhere near as significant as its been presented in the media, he said. Khan said he was concerned some media reports were doing a lot of damage in terms of public trust in water supply. Its generating fear where there shouldnt be and theres a risk they [regulators] then get priorities wrong. Feminist groups argue the SWA have put the 'feelings of men with trans identities before the needs of vulnerable women' - izusek/E+ Scotlands leading domestic abuse charity has advertised for a senior women-only role but will allow men who identify as women to apply. Scottish Womens Aid (SWA) advertised for a head of policy, and said that applications from women only would be accepted for the key role. But the advert then said that the definition of women included people with the protected characteristic of gender reassignment under the Equality Act 2010. The legislation defines gender reassignment as proposing to undergo, undergoing or having undergone a process to reassign sex. People do not need to have undergone any medical treatment or surgery or even have applied for a gender recognition certificate confirming their change of legal sex. Scottish Women's Aid's job advertisement for a head of policy However, feminist groups argued that the SWA had misinterpreted the legislation and put the feelings of men with trans identities before the needs of vulnerable women. Maya Forstater, the chief executive of the charity Sex Matters, said: If a job needs to be done by a woman, as is usually the case in the womens sector, employers can lawfully discriminate by excluding men from consideration for the role. SWA may, indeed should, turn down applications for this post from men who identify as women. The Equality Act protects transgender people from discrimination in situations such as renting a home or being served in a restaurant. It does not mean employers must consider men who identify as women for jobs that require an actual woman. SWA is the umbrella organisation for 33 autonomous womens aid groups helping people, including children, across Scotland. The advert was posted despite Dundee Womens Aid (DWA) facing criticism in January for allowing those who identified as women to apply for a female-only job. Maya Forstater, the chief executive of charity Sex Matters - Eddie Mulholland Clare Blom, of the group Women Wont Wheesht, said they had written to DWA earlier this year to complain and it had changed its practices. She said: It is unconscionable that SWA yet another organisation funded by the Scottish Government have learnt nothing from their colleagues in Dundee and are gaslighting and lying to their service users by pretending that only women are employed in their women-only roles. We are deeply disappointed by this wanton disregard for womens privacy, safety and dignity, not to mention their profound lack of understanding of anti-discriminatory legislation. The job advert said the head of policy post was a key member of the senior leadership team and would identify, shape and develop policy priorities. It said the successful applicant would be responsible for leading a diverse range of policy areas and levers for change to end domestic abuse and violence against women and girls in Scotland. Heresay hunt The role also included submitting consultation responses to the government, researching and writing briefings and preparing for SWA to provide evidence in parliament. The Edinburgh-based post has a salary between 41,026 and 47,078. Applications will be accepted from women only under Schedule 9, part 1 of the Equality Act 2010, the advert said. But it continued that all women, including women with the protected characteristic of gender reassignment, may apply for women-only roles. SWA declined to comment. An employment tribunal ruled in May that a transgender woman who heads a Scottish rape charity presided over a heresy hunt against a former worker who held gender-critical beliefs. Roz Adams won her constructive dismissal action against Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ERCC), with the tribunal finding she was harassed and discriminated against over her belief that biological sex is immutable. Mridhul Wadhwa, a trans woman who is the ERCC chief executive, was found to have played a key role in an investigation of Ms Adams that was found to be somewhat reminiscent of the work of Franz Kafka. Peter Warren is a general assignment reporter for the Houston Chronicle. He can be reached at peter.warren@houstonchronicle.com. Peter previously lived in Dallas, where he covered the sports as a freelancer for the Dallas Morning News and other outlets. He has been published in Texas Highways Magazine, DMagazine.com, the Star Tribune and Bowlers Journal International. Peter graduated from Northwestern University in 2021. Nicolas Maduro at a rally to celebrate the results of last month's presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela on 28 August. Photograph: Fausto Torrealba/Reuters The EUs foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has said its members have given up hope of Nicolas Maduro producing evidence that he won Venezuelas election and will not accept his legitimacy as president-elect. Addressing reporters after EU foreign ministers held a video call with Edmundo Gonzalez, the former diplomat widely believed to have beaten Maduro in the 28 July vote, Borrell announced: The European Council decided that Maduro has no democratic legitimacy as president. Maduro has refused to publish detailed election voting tallies supporting his claim to victory something that has nearly always been done since Venezuelas electronic voting system was introduced by his mentor, Hugo Chavez, in 2004. Related: US and 10 Latin American states reject Nicolas Maduros vote certification As there are no tallies and there is no verification, and we fear that there will never be any, we cannot accept Maduros legitimacy as Venezuelas president-elect, Borrell told journalists after an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. He will remain president de facto, Borrell said, but we deny democratic legitimacy based on the results that cannot be verified. The EUs stance stopped short of recognising Gonzalez as president-elect or the official winner of the election. But Borrell said he believed voting data published by Venezuelas opposition showed the opposition candidate got strong support much bigger support than the one got by Maduro. Tensions continued to rise in Venezuela on Thursday, with Gonzalezs main backer, the opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, claiming she feared Gonzalezs home would be raided by security forces in the coming hours. A prominent opposition politician, Biagio Pilieri, and his son were reportedly seized by secret police after leaving an opposition rally on Wednesday afternoon. The previous day one of Machados closest confidants, the lawyer and opposition spokesperson Perkins Rocha, was also allegedly taken. Dad, I love you and I hope we see each other again soon in a free Venezuela, Rochas son, Santiago, said in a video message to his father, whose whereabouts remains unknown. Related: Venezuela and the president who wont concede defeat - podcast Pilieri and Rocha are among more than 1,600 people who human rights activists say have been arrested as part of a post-election crackdown designed to extinguish the latest in a series of opposition challenges to Maduros 11-year rule. Borrell said the EU called on Maduros government to put an end to the repression and respect the dignity, freedom and rights of the opposition, starting with Edmundo Gonzalez, Maria Corina Machado, all opposition members, civil society and journalists. Political prisoners have to be freed, he added. However, many expect the repression to intensify after Maduro made one of his political movements most hard-line figures, Diosdado Cabello, interior minister this week. That position gives the 61-year-old former soldier control of the Bolivarian national police force and the national intelligence service, Sebin. The Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarm, West Bank, after an Israeli raid on Thursday. Photograph: Issam Rimawi/Anadolu/Getty Images The Israeli military said it had killed five Palestinian fighters inside a mosque in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, in the midst of one of the largest assaults on the occupied territory for months. Related: Israeli forces kill at least 10 Palestinians in West Bank raids and strikes The overall toll of 16 Palestinians killed in less than two days would make it the deadliest Israeli operation in the West Bank since the 7 October Hamas attack in Israel which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and ignited the Gaza war. The latest fighting came as the EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said on Thursday he had formally asked the blocs members to consider imposing sanctions on some Israeli ministers for hate messages against Palestinians that he said broke international law. Borrell did not name any of the Israeli ministers to whom he was referring, nor specify which messages he had in mind. But in recent weeks he has publicly criticised Israels security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and the finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, for statements he described as sinister and an incitement to war crimes. The second day of the Israeli operation, in which as many as three brigades of troops have been deployed in several major West Bank cities backed by helicopters, drones and armoured personnel carriers, also included raids in the northern city of Jenin and in the Jordan valley. Inside Nur Shams refugee camp near Tulkarm, residents told the Guardian Israeli troops had gone house to house, detaining Palestinian men as they went. Mohammed Aisha, a 42-year-old Nur Shams resident, speaking at a mosque just outside the camp, said: The soldiers asked us to leave our house at 10am this morning and the Israelis made a big hole through the walls from one house to another. They handcuffed us with plastic strips and we were taken to a military base outside the city. Aisha described a scene of desolation left by the raid, adding: All of our male neighbours were taken to the military base. The roads inside the camp were totally destroyed, sewerage pipes, water pipes were destroyed. The streets became hills of rubble, many houses are totally burned, this is not the camp we knew any more. On the outskirts of Nablus, 14 miles (23km) to the east, residents were told that some roads in and out of the city would be closed on Thursday, and the sound of drones locally nicknamed samiras could be heard overhead amid fears the operation would also target the city. People are saying that tonight it will be Nabluss turn, one resident called Ghassan said. Fears are rising about the trajectory of the already serious violence in the West Bank, which has been fuelled by the actions of far-right settlers and their supporters in the government of Benjamin Netanyahu. In recent weeks, Israeli defence officials have voiced their concerns that the situation in the West Bank could boil over, turning the territory into a major new front in Israels ongoing conflicts, even as the war in Gaza continues and tensions remain high with Hezbollah on the border with Lebanon. Hamas repeated its calls for Palestinians in the West Bank to rise up, calling the raids part of a larger plan to expand the war in Gaza. The militant group urged security forces loyal to the western-backed Palestinian Authority to join the sacred battle of our people. The Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, has condemned the Israeli raids, but his forces were not expected to get involved. Referring to the latest West Bank assault, Israels foreign minister, Israel Katz, said in a post on X overnight: This is a war in every sense, and we must win it. He accused Iran of working to destabilise Jordan and establish an eastern front against Israel via arms smuggling networks, as it has done in Gaza and in Lebanon. To address the threat of an eastern front, Katz said Israel would have to use all necessary means, including, in cases of intense combat, allowing the population to temporarily evacuate from one neighbourhood to another to prevent civilian harm. Among those killed on Thursday was a local Islamic Jihad commander named as Mohammed Jaber. According to Palestinian reports, troops dressed in civilian clothes entered the mosque where an exchange of fire occurred. Thursdays fatalities came a day after Palestinian health authorities said at least 12 Palestinians were killed in Wednesdays operations. The UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, called on Israel to halt its military operation in the northern West Bank immediately. Latest developments in the occupied West Bank, including Israels launch of large-scale military operations, are deeply concerning, Guterres wrote on X. Families of Israeli hostages being held in the Gaza Strip protested near the border on Thursday, demanding a deal to secure their release. At one point they made a dash to try to cross into the coastal territory. Carrying photographs and wearing shirts marked with red paint, relatives of some of the 107 hostages still held by militants in Gaza gathered at Nirim kibbutz in southern Israel, about a mile from the border. They began by shouting messages of love and support through a stack of speakers pointed towards the frontier. Police officers guarding the access road to the Brook House IRC at Gatwick airport, June 2022. Photograph: Niklas Hallen/AFP/Getty Images Safety has deteriorated and violence has increased at one of the UKs largest immigration detention centres, with failings that were identified in a public inquiry almost a year ago still not addressed, according to a report. The findings are published in the annual report by the independent monitoring board for the Gatwick immigration removal centre. The IRC is 200 metres from Gatwick airports main runway and comprises two detention centres, Brook House and Tinsley House, which together can accommodate more than 600 detainees. The board found a general hardening of conditions at the centre. In September 2023 the Brook House public inquiry, the first into abuses at a UK immigration detention centre, identified a toxic culture and credible evidence of breaches of human rights law relating to torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, as well as the use of racist, derogatory language by some staff towards detainees. The inquiry was ordered by the then home secretary Priti Patel after the BBCs Panorama broadcast undercover footage of violence against and abuse of vulnerable detainees at Brook House, filmed between April and August 2017. One of the reasons for deteriorating conditions at the Gatwick IRC is the large transfer of foreign-national offenders from prisons to help tackle the prison overcrowding crisis. This has led to some of the most vulnerable detainees being accommodated alongside others who have a higher risk profile. The policy was called Operation Safeguard, and according to the report an effect of Operation Safeguard has been to make Gatwick IRC a less safe place. The report is published at a time when the government has pledged to detain and deport more people who have arrived in the UK. Key findings include: Assaults nearly tripled last year, with 146 assaults on staff compared with 55 in 2022, and 82 assaults between detainees compared with 33 in 2022. Use of force more than doubled. Handcuffing of detainees for hospital and other external visits jumped from 30% to 100%. There were some indications that some staff were involved in the supply of drugs to detainees. Home Office staff from the detention engagement team felt reticent about moving around the centre. According to the report, the concerns appear to be related to their personal safety. Twelve complaints of serious misconduct by staff escalated to the Home Offices professional standards unit for investigation. There was bedding so old that it had yellowed with age. The report concludes: The board has sometimes found the tone and approach of some staff unnecessarily aggressive and intimidating. The vice-chair of the Gatwick immigration detention centres independent monitoring board, Clea Kahn, said: The board is very concerned that some of the issues we continue to raise echo findings of the Brook House inquiry. This includes the need for more robust safeguarding. We are concerned that the need for review and change in the areas highlighted by the inquiry are not being taken seriously enough. In addition, the board is seeing signs of a general hardening of conditions at the Gatwick detention centre. This includes security measures like the increase in lock-up times, resulting in less time for men to engage in activities, contact their families or pursue their legal cases. A Home Office spokesperson said: We take the welfare and safety of people in our care very seriously and it is vital that detention and removals are carried out with dignity and respect. We are committed to improving our immigration detention facilities and will carefully consider the findings of this report. Heinz spaghetti carbonara will be available in shops from September in the hopes of attracting more Gen Z consumers to the brand Heinz has angered Italians by putting spaghetti carbonara in a tin, with the new product being called a disgrace. The dish, comprising spaghetti and pancetta in a creamy sauce, is the first tinned pasta product released by the US brand in more than a decade. It will be available in British supermarkets from September. Its launch comes as Heinz looks to win over Generation Z consumers who want their food to be fast and convenient, according to research. But the company has outraged Italian chefs and restaurant managers, who claim it is not authentic carbonara. Cristina Bowerman, a Michelin-star chef who owns the Glass restaurant in Rome, said it was impossible to produce carbonara in a tin and described it as a bastardization of one of the countrys most beloved dishes. There is no way spaghetti carbonara can be handled in a can, Ms Bowerman told The Telegraph. I am totally against it. Its a bastardization. She said the majority of pastas, including spaghetti, could not be prepared in advance and the timing required to produce a tasty carbonara was quite particular. If you get to eat the real carbonara, there is no way you will be satisfied with one in a can, she said. Italians have criticised the tinned product as a 'disgrace' and likened it to 'cat food' Moreno Cedroni, a Michelin-star chef who has three restaurants near Ancona on the Adriatic Coast, also questioned how carbonara could be served in a can, while noting Heinz was the same company that bottled mayonnaise and ketchup. We are a country accustomed to preparing our dishes according to tradition and we are always among the best, he said. I dont think this will be successful, I certainly wouldnt buy it. But the market will decide. While Romans like to claim spaghetti carbonara as one of their own, its origins are hotly disputed. The dish has been eaten throughout central Italy over the years but according to local legend, it became a Roman staple after being popularised by American soldiers when they liberated the Italian capital in 1944. Aldo Zilli, who became one of Britains best loved Italian chefs after moving here at the age of 20, told The Telegraph he was appalled at the idea of spaghetti carbonara in a can. What is going on with the world? They must be mad putting the beauty and simplicity of a dish like carbonara in a can, he said. Heinz pasta hoops in a tin were fun at least. This sounds disgusting. Click here to view this content. Mr Zilli, who has opened several restaurants and written 10 books on Italian cooking, said: I come from Abruzzo, which is not far from Rome, where carbonara comes from, and my mother taught me how to make that dish using the guanciale [pork jowl] from the pigs we reared. My mother is probably turning in her grave at the thought of it being in a can now. The chef, now 68, added: For me it was a growing up recipe. She would make it for me and my eight siblings when she hadnt had time to make a long, slow cooked ragu, because it is a quick dish. The taste and flavour of her carbonara has never left me. Food is fundamental and Heinz dont realise what they are doing to people who have grown up with it. These dishes should not be messed around with. The tinned carbonara is 'effortless to prepare' according to Heinz's meals director Alberto Martelli owns La Carbonara restaurant, which features the dish as one of its specialties. The Roman restaurant has been run by his family for four generations. Pasta in a can is not right, it is very strange, Mr Martelli said. Many Italians, indeed many Romans, come to eat our carbonara. They know the difference. Paolo Catarinozzi, who owns Zi Umberto Osteria in the Trastevere quarter, said the concept was disgusting. I am speechless, he said. This is a really bad idea. Whether you are talking about short or long pasta, you dont put it inside a tin. As Romans we are really pissed off about this. Alessandra de Dreuille, the meals director at Kraft Heinz, said: We understand that people are looking for convenient meals that are effortless to prepare, and our new spaghetti carbonara delivers just that. Its the perfect solution for a quick and satisfying meal at home. Click here to view this content. Taste test By Amber Dalton, acting food editor I remember the ire that was stoked when The New York Times linked to a recipe for a smoky tomato carbonara in a tweet last year. This should be illegal, readers cried. I expect theyd be apoplectic at the thought of Heinz taking this much-loved dish and putting it in a can along with a scattering of maltodextrin, a drizzle of smoked sunflower oil and una piccola quantita of, err, sodium citrate among a list of 25-plus ingredients, most of which have no right to be here. Even the addition of natural garlic flavouring would have the carbonara purists up in arms, the pungent allium having no place in an authentic version. Amber Dalton tucks into some carbonara - Jamie Lorriman Two and a half minutes in the microwave and its ready. The first thing I get is a slight smoky whiff, presumably thanks to that smoked sunflower oil. Theres no fork twirling to be done the strands of spaghetti are fat and stunted. Some are just an inch long. Flavour-wise, its strangely milky and just tastes beige. With no pecorino to amp up the umami, its worse than school tapioca. Even the nubbles of pancetta do nothing to balance the weird blandness. I dont think a snow drifts worth of grated pecorino or Parmesan could rescue this and why did they even bother with the one per cent cheese powder blend? Heinz claims there are two servings per can but I defy anyone to manage more than a forkful. Good pasta. Good times, says the label. Id hate to be at a party with the people who developed this recipe. Simon Rouse as Hector, Mahesh Parmer as Akthar, Tashinga Bepete as Crowther and Lewis Cornay as Posner Its 20 years since The History Boys burst boisterously onto the scene and yet the chatter about Alan Bennetts quotably funny, Olivier-winning portrait of Sheffield grammar-school lads getting post-A-level tuition in preparation for their Oxbridge entrance exams has barely subsided. What might have sounded dry as dust on paper was a triumph for Bennett and director Nick Hytner (defining his golden era at the National), memorably introduced the world to a crop of fresh-faced talent (James Corden included) and featured A-grade performances from Richard Griffiths and Frances de la Tour as the wayward English teacher Hector and wryly observant history beak Mrs Lintott. The ensuing 2006 film gave a heady flavour of the plays tragicomic potency, as Hector faces the consequences of his unconventional teaching methods and inappropriate behaviour with pupils, but the stage production had a back-of-the-bus energy that took you to the palpitating heart of adolescent school-life. One almost gets butterflies in the stomach at a re-inspection; can it live up to the memories, does it warrant its status? Not really to the first question, yes to the second. Sean Linnens anniversary revival is designed to tour, and I suspect will gather confidence and slickness as it roves the country. It will enlist the excitability of school-parties too, who should be fascinated to rewind to the 1980s, before mobile phones, albeit Bennetts evocation of period is marked by his own Fifties youth. The milieu comes to life, as does the dramatic matter how best to teach: truthful original thought versus smart pseudo distinction. Still, the new production tries a bit too hard to scene-set, while suffering from touring stage-design syndrome. Theres an establishing A-level results day vignette of contrived chumminess, an immediate surfeit (nostalgic though it be) of 80s pop-tracks, and a playground-surface backdrop of punishing drabness (the cast enlisted to wheel-about a barely more alluring classroom interior, complete with exposed insulation cladding). Mahesh Parmer as Akthar, Yazdan Qafouri as Scripps and Lewis Cornay as Posner As a group, the hopeful pupils proffer lithe vitality and valuable diversity though the script, scant on personal backgrounds, is too set in its ways to enable fresh, valid questions about any additional obstacles of prejudice. While Teddy Hindes Timms filling Cordens impossible shoes has less scene-stealing enormity, each actor brings their own stamp to bear. And so far as the cocksure Dakin (Archie Christoph-Allen) and the more repressed, forlornly unrequited Posner (Lewis Cornay) are concerned, the casting is bang-on, Cornays singing especially effective, although a searing last line about Posner has been strangely dropped. In contrast to the mighty Griffiths, Simon Rouse seems smaller-than-life, arousing sympathy by being care-worn and fragile; a decent reading but hes often eclipsed by his unruly charges, especially in the cherishable scene when his class chaotically depict a faux French brothel. In the quieter, simpler moments as when he talks to Posner about Hardys poems, or Bill Milners meretricious Irwin (drafted in to secure results) flinches at a candid overture from the uninhibited Dakin the evenings pathos, and aching sense of futures in the balance, soars to the fore. Until Sat. Tickets: theatreroyal.org.uk; tours to Nov 2 Catania, Sicily. Sicily has structural and social problems that go back centuries, and the multiple conquerors over a couple of millennia are part of the explanation. Photograph: NAPA/Alamy As an exiled German whos lived in the UK for 39 years, I can really empathise with Viola Di Grado (Sicilians are brought up to hate our island but those of us who flee are seen as the enemy, 21 August). Most Germans I meet who have lived in the UK for a while appear to prefer speaking English even when I address them in German. When I left in 1985 to do an MA, I felt a mixture of relief at not having to fully confront a German history that I was powerless to change as well as the excitement of landing in a truly multicultural capital that was willing to give me a chance at a different life. I have spent the last 39 years trying to reframe my troubled relationship with the country of my birth and have, it seems, made peace with it while recognising that Im not English either. My two passports live happily in the same drawer along with my sense of being neither fish nor fowl, but appreciating the fins and the feathers that come with it. Possibly a chimera but one at peace with itself. Martin Klopstock Letchworth, Hertfordshire I am a Sicilian in my late years. I spent 10 years in different places in Italy and abroad as a professional, and came back more than 30 years ago to live and work in Sicily. The family experiences of Viola Di Grado are not the same as mine, and as to the feelings she describes with her friends, these cannot be generalised either. But Sicily has structural and social problems that go back centuries, and the multiple conquerors over a couple of millennia are part of the explanation. Today, the representatives we elect bear much of the responsibility. At the end of the day, when we vote we choose friends, wherever they might be politically placed and whatever their competence. We tend to choose people who we feel could give us something in return: a job, or a job for a relative, being the most valuable item. Accordingly, the administration staff are not the most qualified in the world, and paperwork tends to be impossibly slow. So shortcuts are handy, even if they are much costlier. My grownup children are abroad and I dont expect them to come to live here anytime soon. Anecdotally, I only know few families whose children stayed here and have a job; dozens of other families have children somewhere else in Italy or abroad. Sicily is a great land to visit, The White Lotus or not, but is a much harder place to live in and thrive if you dont happen to go along with the way its society works. Vincenzo Guardabasso Catania, Italy Have an opinion on anything youve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section. Agreement ratified by Tuvalu prime minister, Feleti Teo, and Australias prime minister, Anthony Albanese, recognises that the Pacific island nation commits the two countries to work together in the face of the existential threat posed by climate change. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP Tuvalus climate minister has declared that opening, subsidising and exporting fossil fuels is immoral and unacceptable, just a day after Australia ratified a climate and security deal with the low-lying Pacific nation. The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, welcomed the agreement with Tuvalu on Wednesday, saying Pacific island countries were fully aware of the commitment that we have to climate action but gas would continue to play a role. On Thursday, Tuvalus climate change minister, Maina Talia, joined several First Nations leaders from across Pacific to call on Australia to set an urgent deadline for an end to fossil fuels. Related: A crisis entirely of humanitys making: UN chief issues climate SOS on trip to Pacific Speaking on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum (Pif) talks in Tonga, he said he supported the push for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty because he knew that fossil fuels were killing us. Opening, subsidising and exporting fossil fuels is immoral and unacceptable, he said. If this [Pif leaders meeting] aims for regional prosperity, we must address climate justice, sea level rise and the root cause of climate change, which is the burning of fossil fuels. Environmental groups have mobilised on the sidelines of the Pif summit to call for Australia to stop new coal and gas projects and curb fossil fuel exports. Albanese defended the pace of Australias transition plans when he and the Tuvalu prime minister, Feleti Teo, ratified their new agreement on Wednesday. The agreement recognises that Tuvalu is especially vulnerable to sea level rise and commits the two countries to work together in the face of the existential threat posed by climate change. From next year, Australia is offering to issue 280 visas to people from Tuvalu who wish to live, work, study or visit the country. Australia is obliged to respond to requests for help if Tuvalu has to deal with a major natural disaster, a pandemic or military aggression. In return for this security guarantee, Australia has the right to veto Tuvalus security cooperation with other countries, although Tuvalu could choose to terminate the treaty entirely if it objects to such intervention. Recently published analysis found Australia was the third biggest fossil fuel exporter on an energy basis in 2021, trailing only Russia and the US. Teo said on Wednesday the treaty did not include any specific commitment to stop any new coal and gas projects in Australia. But the spirit of the treaty does give us comfort that Australia will do whatever is within Australias capacity to assist Tuvalu and the regions efforts to combat climate change, he said at a press conference with Albanese. Albanese said the region was aware of Australias commitment, including ensuring 82% of its energy supply was renewable by 2030. The government has a target of a 43% cut in emissions on 2005 levels by 2030, on the way to net zero by 2050. JD Vance was applauded as he told the audience at his rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, that Kamala Harris could 'go to hell' - Gene J Puskar/AP Photo Click here to view this content. JD Vance has told Kamala Harris to go to hell in his latest personal attack on the Democratic presidential nominee. Speaking at a Pennsylvania rally on Wednesday, Mr Vance, the running mate of Donald Trump, branded Ms Harris disgraceful and asleep at the wheel over the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Mr Vance had been asked about an altercation which reportedly took place at Arlington National Cemetery earlier this week between Trumps campaign staff and cemetery officials during a wreath-laying ceremony for 13 US troops killed by a suicide bomber at Kabul airport during the evacuation in 2021. US law prohibits campaign-related activities at military cemeteries, but official sources said Trumps team verbally abused and pushed a cemetery official who attempted to stop them filming. Mr Vance sought to defend Trumps controversial appearance, turning the focus on to Ms Harris, who he blamed as vice-president for the deaths of the servicemen. Kamala Harris is so asleep at the wheel that she wont even do an investigation into what happened. And she wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up? She can go to hell, he told his audience, who roared with applause. Sources said Trump's team 'verbally abused and pushed' a cemetery official during a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery - Alex Brandon It marks his harshest language yet directed towards Ms Harris on the campaign trail and follows a growing trend of inflammatory, often problematic, rhetoric that goes against advice from senior Republicans to focus on her policies and not personal attacks. The Trump-Vance campaign is still dealing with the backlash of Mr Vances childless cat lady remark, and he is under renewed scrutiny for resurfaced comments that he made about female teachers. On Wednesday, Ms Harriss campaign released a 2021 audio of Mr Vance telling a Christian leadership forum that the idea of childless women in teaching really disorients and disturbs me. Click here to view this content. He singled out Randi Weingarten, the head of the American Federation of Teachers, saying she doesnt have a single child. If she wants to brainwash and destroy the minds of children, she should have some of her own and leave ours the hell alone, the senator continued. The American Federation of Teachers officially endorsed Ms Harriss presidential bid last month. Click here to view this content. Kamala Harris will be accompanied by running mate Tim Walz for her CNN interview on Thursday - SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images Kamala Harris has been mocked for getting Tim Walz to join her as a babysitter in her first major interview since announcing her run for the US presidency. The Democratic nominee will sit down with CNN on Thursday in what is being seen as a key test of her credibility and a moment for her to appeal to undecided voters. Ms Harris has so far been criticised by Donald Trumps campaign for not agreeing to a major interview or staging a formal press conference since she began her candidacy. Trump, in contrast, has made a point of holding the press at his Bedminster and Mar-a-Lago estates throughout the campaign and accused his rival of avoiding interviews because she cant do better than [Joe] Biden. However, the decision to be accompanied on CNN by Mr Walz has sparked disapproval from several Republicans and conservative commentators, who say Ms Harris is trying to dodge the scrutiny of a solo interview and use the Minnesota governor as a security blanket. I think its incredibly weak, weak sauce, to show up with your running mate, said Scott Jennings, a former special assistant to George W Bush. He added that Ms Harris had a troubling lack of confidence in her political ability. Ms Harris's decision to be accompanied on CNN by Mr Walz has sparked disapproval from Republicans - EMILY ELCONIN/BLOOMBERG Sarah Huckabee Sanders, governor of Arkansas, told Fox & Friends on Wednesday: Its clear that her own team and her own party think she needs a babysitter. Ms Sanders continued: This isnt even a tough interview. This is on CNN. But supporters of Ms Harris have claimed she is just doing things at the right pace given the unprecedented nature of her ascendency to the top of the ticket. A senior Harris campaign official told Politico, obviously she will do solo interviews too over the course of the campaign. It is also not unusual for joint interviews featuring both members of the presidential ticket and the Harris-Walz campaign sought to prove that by providing a long list of each one conducted since 2004. The highly anticipated CNN interview will be followed by Trump and Ms Harriss first head-to-head debate on ABC News in a few weeks. After uncertainty as to whether Trump would be taking part, he clarified on Tuesday that an agreement, presumably with Ms Harriss team, had been reached. Click here to view this content. Sir Keir Starmer received a warm welcome from Emmanuel Macron ahead of meetings aimed at rebooting Anglo-French relations - Simon Dawson Emmanuel Macron will turn on Keir Starmer and Britain if he thinks it will save his own skin. The Prime Minister met the French president in Paris on Thursday to win French support for his relations reset with the EU and to turn the corner on Brexit. Mr Macrons support will be vital in building political will behind the next generation of Brexit talks and to foster closer British ties with the bloc. But Sir Keir should remember that the avowedly pro-EU Mr Macron was the bad cop in Brussels during the first Brexit negotiations. The Prime Minister received a warm welcome from Mr Macron in the latest of a string of meetings aimed at rebooting Anglo-French relations. It was in stark contrast to his attitude towards Boris Johnson, who Mr Macron reportedly derided as a clown when the relationship between Paris and London was badly strained. Sir Keir invested time and effort in building bridges with Mr Macron before his election victory. Such assiduous courting could pay dividends if Mr Macron puts pressure on the European Commission to negotiate a more advantageous trade deal. That would, however, be a volte-face from Paris, which consistently pushed for the toughest stance from the commission during the painful years-long talks taking the UK out of the EU. Mr Macron and his allies rarely missed an opportunity to pour scorn on Brexit and decry its failures, branding it an intellectual fraud based on many lies. Sir Keir and Mr Macron appeared to be getting on well, but with domestic worries high for the president, that doesn't necessarily mean Britain will get what it wants - Simon Dawson Marine Le Pen, the leader of the hard-Right National Rally who once called for a Frexit referendum and cheered Brexit, was Mr Macrons true target. Mr Macron wanted Britain to serve as a warning of what could happen to France if it chose Ms Le Pen over him as president in the 2022 elections. It is no coincidence that the Anglo-French detente did not begin until after Mr Macron won his second term in a vote in which he accused Ms Le Pen of planning Frexit by stealth. French voters soon set about humbling the president, stripping him of his absolute majority in the legislative elections two years ago and handing him a drubbing in this years European elections. Stung by a crushing defeat at the hands of the National Rally, Mr Macron decided to call the peoples bluff and triggered a snap legislative election this summer. The National Rally was poised to seize control of the government after the first round. Centrist and Left-wing parties stood down candidates in a cordon sanitaire to keep the hard-Right from power in the second round. Mired in political crisis France now has an unprecedented hung parliament between National Rally, Macrons centrists, and the victorious coalition of Leftist parties led by the hard-Left France Unbowed, which fell short of a majority. Now it is France and Mr Macron which is mired in political crisis, while, thanks to a huge majority, Sir Keir and Britain appear like a beacon of comparative stability. Mr Macron this week rejected the Lefts choice for prime minister, preventing the formation of a new government and leading to calls for his impeachment. The president has two goals. One is to split the centre-Left Socialist Party from their alliance with the Eurosceptic France Unbowed so they join him in a coalition. The other is to damage the nationalist Ms Le Pens chances of winning the 2027 presidential election which he cannot contest. If Mr Macron thinks he can do that by ensuring Britain suffers at the hands of the EU on the new Brexit talks, he wont hesitate. Carmen Nuncio speaks as Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia and other panelists held a town hall, where they took questions about the Houston ISD Board of Managers' decision to approve an election on the $4.4 billion bond at Harris County Education Department on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Mike Miles hasnt exactly prioritized the building of trust with the community since he arrived to helm the states takeover of Houston ISD. The doubt and skepticism were on full display Tuesday night as dozens lined up at an open mic in a nondescript conference room on the Northside to vent anger about Miles' reforms and question why voters should trust him enough to vote for the $4.4 billion school bond on the November ballot. Carmen Nuncio, a longtime Houston ISD volunteer and veritable Northside institution, said it best as she gave her opening remarks on a small stage, one of two opponents to the bond whose perspectives were balanced at the forum by two supporters of it. U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, who hosted the event, stayed neutral, saying she is undecided. He has said so many things that are untrue, Nuncio said of Miles, about how good the schools are doing, how hes brought the scores up. Thats not true. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Isnt it? We asked that question ourselves. After all, its hard to reconcile this rosy picture of progress that Miles paints against the incessant reports of toxic culture, high teacher turnover and dropping enrollment at the states largest school district. And indeed, Miles has strayed from some of his promises, and some of the facts. Hes backtracked on some teacher bonuses. Hes touted a high quality curriculum at his New Education System schools that has included worksheets with stilted passages and flat-out errors, according to teachers. Hes let go or driven away beloved, seemingly high-performing teachers and principals. He promised no school closures and then unveiled his plan to co-locate 15 schools as part of the bond. So, can we believe his recent proclamations of rapid progress in this high-poverty, urban district? They include the eye-popping figure of reducing the number of schools rated D and F from 121 to 41 in the past year. He claims to have increased the number of schools rated A and B from 93 to 170. Take the win, Miles tells us. Wed like to. But since trust is lacking, we must verify. Thats not so easy in this case because Miles' numbers are unofficial. That may feed some peoples skepticism but its not Miles' fault. Ongoing litigation has blocked the Texas Education Agency from releasing the official numbers. The back story: In 2023, more than 120 school districts sued, objecting to the state rollout of changes in how it measures high schools career and college readiness scores. A Travis County judge sided with the districts and barred the state from releasing its grades. This year, the state was again blocked from sharing ratings after a second, smaller lawsuit from districts concerned about the introduction of automated scoring on state assessments that coincided with a drop in reading scores. Advertisement Article continues below this ad So, Miles took things into his own hands, calculating scores for the year before he took over using the states raw data and methodology. This year, the state even shared a letter with all districts inviting them to do the same and offering to double check their work. A TEA official tells us the agency confirmed that HISD asked TEA to check its numbers. They came back clean. So can we trust them? Short answer: yes. Another challenge with judging the HISD takeover using the states rating system is that district schools saw a big jump in the ratings in 2019, well before Miles arrived. Then, according to Miles' own calculations, the ratings tumbled for the year right before he arrived. How convenient! It seems like both Miles and the TEA may be toying with us. But the TEA had an explanation: the reason for the yo-yo in ratings before Miles arrived was COVID, not a conspiracy. Scores understandably tumbled almost across the board in the wake of the pandemic in 2021. Then in 2022, they seemed to rebound, even look good. Youll recall, 94% of HISDs schools were rated A-C. It generally wasnt because the test scores were suddenly great but that many campuses saw growth from a dramatic low point to a less-low point. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We should explain. The ratings rely, in part, on the better of two outcomes: achievement levels reflected in raw test scores alone or growth in test scores from year to year. But its hard to repeat big jumps in growth a second year. In 2023, then, if TEA had been allowed to release scores, we wouldve gotten a clearer picture of where students were and that picture probably would not have been great. And that may be part of the reason why Miles own calculation of the 2023 grades seemed so doom and gloom. We had worried that he could have been exaggerating the gloom to make progress under his own administration look rosier but that doesnt appear to be the case. The fact that progress can be measured by growth or achievement measured by raw test scores is sometimes confusing. And it can lead to people assuming Miles' results are too good to be true. We have our own questions, for example, about scores that seemed to soar even as the number of students taking the tests dropped at certain schools. In reality, while a school jumping from an F to an A is an excellent example of growth, its not necessarily some fairytale in which a long-struggling campus suddenly catapults to the the same reading levels or math achievement of, say, River Oaks Elementary, or other highest-scoring campuses. It can mean they gained on their previous performance. And thats still worth celebrating. Consider Wainwright Elementary. Miles, in a letter demanding an apology on the schools behalf from state lawmakers who have called for district audits, wrote that Wainwright had found itself in the public spotlight as an emblem of everything wrong with HISD. Miles boasts, however, that Wainright is one of three schools that went from a F to A rating, in just one year. For Wainwright, that meant third-graders went from 11% performing at- or above-grade level in spring 2023 to 47% in 2024. Fourth and fifth graders also saw gains. But even with that wonderful level of growth, its important to remember that more than half of third graders read below grade level. (At this rate, hopefully, not for long!) One thing about these ratings still concerns us, though: how theyre getting used. Miles has promised more autonomy to schools that earn high ratings in consecutive years, while others have been added to the expanding and controversial NES (New Education System) model due to low ratings. In short: bad reading scores? No library for you. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Clearly, Miles has to earn trust on a whole range of issues but, at least on these scores and ratings, we trust that they are the same ones wed be getting from the TEA right now. We also believe they provide some measure of proof of improved outcomes for students, though true success includes so much more, not the least of which would be positive morale in our schools. Margaret Jones only began her work as an illustrator after her work was spotted by the Arts Council of Wales at a private exhibition Photograph: none My mother, Margaret Jones, who has died aged 105, was an illustrator of books that retold the myths and legends of Wales, though also of other cultures. After a late start to her career at the age of 60 she illustrated more than 20 books, including, most notably, a new version of The Mabinogion (1988), a collection of the earliest Welsh prose stories featuring a hand-drawn map of Wales that has become a favourite in schoolrooms and homes. Mainly using watercolour, her illustrations also adorned a 1988 adaptation by Gwyn Thomas of the Welsh folk tale Culhwch ac Olwen, as well as a collection of European stories by Wolfgang Greller, From the Four Corners of Europe (2000), and The Elephant-headed God and Other Hindu Tales (1989) by Debjani Chatterjee. In 2000 she illustrated Owain Glyndwr: Prince of Wales, a book commissioned by the National Library of Wales to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the beginning of the Welsh leaders reign. Margaret, who was mostly known as Peggy, lived most of her life in Wales but was born in Bromley in Kent as the second child of a Methodist minister, Christopher North, and his wife, Dorothy (nee Atkinson). Her mother died when she was eight, after which she was sent to Trinity Hall boarding school in Southport, Lancashire. She then took a degree in classical studies at the University of Birmingham before going on to train to become a missionary at Kingsmead College in Selly Oak, and it was there, in 1941, that she met Basil Jones. They married the same year. The pair became missionaries in Mizoram, India, until 1953, when they returned to live for the rest of their lives in Aberystwyth, where Basil became a lecturer in education at Aberystwyth University and a peripatetic minister in mid-Wales. They had six children, and it was because of Peggys duties as a mother and housewife that her career as an illustrator did not begin earlier. Peggy had never received any formal training as an artist, but in 1979 she asked the Aberystwyth Arts Centre if they would let her mount a personal exhibition at their gallery on Penglais Hill. They agreed, and as a result she received an approach from the Arts Council of Wales to send them samples of her work with a view to illustrating a new version of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi. In the following 25 years Peggy made up for lost time, illustrating not just books but posters and calendars, as well as two myth-related maps of Wales. She also wrote two books for children, Nat (2004) and Nat and the Box of Gifts (2006), which she illustrated. In addition, for her own pleasure, she self-published a sumptuous, illustrated version of The Revelation of John in 2008. Basil died in 2002. Peggy is survived by five of their children, Elaine, Malcolm, Christopher, Mark and me, 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Her son Peter died in 2022. This article was amended on 8 October 2024 to correct the number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Health officials are concerned about a rise in heart deaths among men since the pandemic - E+ Health MOTs will be offered in offices, pubs and building sites as part of efforts to tackle a rise in heart disease among middle-aged men. Checks will be offered across the country under a government scheme to ensure deadly risks are spotted sooner. Health officials are concerned about a rise in heart deaths among men since the pandemic, with men less likely than women to take up offers of assessments. Official figures show heart-related deaths among men aged 45 to 49 have risen by almost 17 per cent in a decade the highest of any age group. The new drive will see more than 130,000 checks offered in workplaces. Blood pressure and cholesterol checks Under the scheme, employees will be weighed and measured, asked about their exercise levels and alcohol intake, and offered blood pressure and cholesterol checks. Office workers, and staff employed by pubs, hotels, and taxi firms will be among those targeted, along with teachers, factory and construction workers, and those working in transport and social care. Jaguar Land Rover, Britains largest automotive manufacturer, is among companies rolling out the checks, offered to those from board level to production line. Crisis in masculinity The rollout follows warnings from Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, that a crisis in masculinity is costing lives. In his first speech as Health Secretary, he said the NHS would deliver billions of pounds of economic growth by getting Britain back to health and back to work. A record 2.8 million people are out of work because of long-term sickness, with a further 3.7 million people are in work but with a health condition that is work-limiting. The midlife checks, for those aged between 40 and 74, will be funded by local authorities. While large firms may deploy their own occupational health workers, others will deploy NHS staff or private firms for the assessments. All eligible workers would be offered a basic check. Those found to be at risk of heart disease, kidney problems and diabetes will be offered further tests on cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. Prevents 300 premature deaths a year Until now the programme has been largely delivered by GP practices, with estimates suggesting it prevents more than 400 heart attacks and strokes, and 300 premature deaths a year. Officials said the 7 million rollout in workplaces, starting next month, could save thousands of hours of valuable NHS time. Andrew Gwynne, minister for public health and prevention, said: We know so many deadly diseases can be avoided if we seek help in enough time. Thats why were working to improve access to treatment while also taking steps to address the preventable causes of cardiovascular disease. This innovative new programme is an important step towards community-focused healthcare and supporting economic and productivity through improving health, shifting the focus from treatment to prevention, easing the strain on the NHS and helping people to live well for longer. More than 16 million people are eligible for an NHS Health Check. However, latest data shows that only around 40 per cent of those invited went on to complete one. Men are less likely to seek help, despite the fact they are more likely to develop heart disease early. The extra 130,000 checks will be rolled out in work places by March of next year. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death and disability in England, accounting for almost 1 in 4 deaths in England in 2022. Around four in five cases are preventable. Heart-related conditions Death rates from heart-related conditions are soaring among middle aged men, official figures show. Over the decade ending in 2022, the mortality rate for 45-49-year-old men from heart and vascular conditions has increased by almost 17 per cent. The data from the Office for National Statistics show such deaths have jumped from 59.3 per 100,000 in 2013 to 69.1 per 100,000 in 2022. For women in the same 45-49 age group, the mortality rate has increased from 24 per 100,000 to 25.8 an increase of 8.9 per cent. Adult mortality rates increased Across England, the number of deaths with an underlying heart or vascular cause among men aged 45 to 64 has increased from 9,144 in 2013 to 11,208 in 2022. For women in the same age group, related deaths have also increased from 3,601 to 4,378 over the same period. This means that mortality rates across all adults aged 45 to 64 have increased on average by 8.7 per cent. Ministers will also announce that a new digital version of the NHS Health Check will be ready for testing early next year. The service through the NHS App means users can take an assessment at home, with cholesterol and blood sugar tests posted out. The results are then automatically written back into their GP electronic health record. Local authorities in Norfolk, Medway in Kent and Lambeth in south London have been selected to pilot such checks. Officials estimate that the programme will deliver around one million checks in its first four years. People aged 40 to 74 who have not received an NHS Health Check in the last five years can speak to their GP or local council. Researchers observed Bhumi and Belle, who are mother and daughter, using labels for one another - Dr David Omer Monkeys give each other names, scientists have found for the first time. Marmosets have been observed using labels for one another, making them the only known primates to do so. Dolphins, elephants and humans are the only other known species to use names. Marmosets are native to South America and are a small, social primate known for being extremely vocal, with a wide range of high-pitched calls used to communicate with one another. Scientists in Israel experimented with 10 different monkeys from three separate groups, putting two individuals in a room together with a barrier between them to stop them from being able to see one another. Computers recorded one-minute-long snippets of their noises and used audio software and computer modelling to unpick the sounds being made. The researchers, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, focused on phee-calls in the range of 5.5 to 10kHz which are known to be a way for the monkeys to communicate. Analysis found that the natural conversations between the monkeys used the calls to address others specifically, and they were also able to tell when a monkey was directing a phee-call at them directly. These calls are not just used for self-localisation, as previously thought marmosets use these specific calls to label and address specific individuals, said Dr David Omer, the studys lead author. Evolved behaviour aids survival The findings also suggest that members of the same family use similar vocal labels and sound similar to each other, with the academics comparing it to the use of names and dialects with people. They suggested this means marmosets can learn names of others from their peers. We found that marmoset monkeys use phee-calls to vocally label [members of their species], distinguish between phee-calls that were directed at them as opposed to non-directed calls, and can respond correctly to the callers identity, they wrote in their study, published in the journal Science. The natural habitat of marmoset monkeys is the densely foliated rainforest, in which visual occlusions may endanger group cohesion. Vocal labelling of others may be an evolved behaviour that aids group cohesion and survival. It remains to be investigated in future studies whether vocal labels are learned through a foundational, step-by-step learning process or whether monkeys are born with a predefined set of labels that they then learn to associate with different individual The vocal labelling of others that we report here represents a learned, highly flexible call production that requires brain mechanisms for representations of others as discrete concepts, vocal learning, imitation, and modification of the acoustic fine structure of calls. These mechanisms might be similar to those that facilitated the evolutionary transition from nonlinguistic communication to language in our prelinguistic humanoid ancestors. A car burns in Middlesbrough after the riot on Aug 4 - Ian Forsyth/Getty A mother and daughter went to an anti-immigration riot and took their pet dog with them, a court heard. Megan Davison, 24, and Amanda Walton, her 52-year-old mother, smashed up a parked car which was later torched by a mob, in Middlesbrough on Aug 4. The pair, and their Chow Chow dog, were identified on police drone footage, with Davison leaping up and down on the car roof while her mother tugged at a wing mirror. As they did so, Davisons boyfriend Jake Wray, 23, asked motorists at a nearby road junction: Are you white? Are you English? before deciding whether to let them pass. Police officers in the streets of Middlesbrough on Aug 4 - Ian Forsyth/Getty Waltons lawyer said the mother had only thrown a stone which she found on the ground to prevent it being hurled with intent by someone else. And rather than damaging the wing mirror on the car, she was attempting to push it back into place, he claimed. Violent disorder Davison and Walton appeared in the dock at Teesside Crown Court on Thursday to plead guilty to violent disorder. Their case was adjourned for reports until Sept 23. Davison burst into tears as Judge Francis Laird KC said she would be remanded in custody until her sentencing hearing. The court was told she is the mother of two children aged five and six who are being looked after by her aunt. At a previous hearing before Teesside magistrates court, the pair wept as they sat side by side in the dock while the case against them was outlined. Click here to view this content. On that occasion, Judge Marie Mallon was shown video footage and told that as well as attacking the car, Walton had hurled a stone in the direction of a property on Parliament Road, Middlesbrough. At the heart of the towns asylum and refugee community, Parliament Road was the street most targeted by the race-hate mob, with vehicles, homes and businesses smashed and set ablaze. Bail not granted Lee Goodchild, Waltons lawyer, made an unsuccessful bail application on their behalf, telling the court: Amanda Walton had concerns about the path the Government was taking but what started as a peaceful protest to express her fears and beliefs got hijacked. He said that Walton could not remove herself from the trouble once it broke out, adding: She was walking her dog and it was only her intention to go and make a donation for the three young girls who lost their lives in that dreadful incident in Southport. Mr Goodchild said Walton and Davison were concerned about the care of Davisons children given that they and Davisons partner were all remanded in prison. Judge Mallon replied: Who was looking after the children on the day in question when their mother, her partner and grandmother were involved in these incidents? She remanded them in custody, saying: You were concerned in what happened, you were not bystanders and you could have surrendered yourselves after the police made their appeal for information. Boyfriend guilty Wray, said by a prosecutor at a previous hearing to have played a leading role in the disorder, appeared briefly before a judge on Thursday. He pleaded guilty to a single charge of violent disorder. The 23-year-old was arrested for stopping vehicles at a road junction and grilling the drivers about their ethnicity. Motorists were only allowed to pass Wrays checkpoint if he was satisfied they were white. Appearing via video link from HMP Nottingham, Wray, from Middlesbrough, admitted his guilt and also that he was in contravention of a suspended sentence order imposed on April 12 this year. Judge Laird remanded Wray in custody to face sentence on Sept 18. Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's foreign minister, speaks alongside Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief - Virginia Mayo/AP Ukraine has urged Britain not to squander the momentum created by its invasion of Kursk and to grant it permission to fire Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia. Kyiv has ramped up its calls for the UK to drop restrictions on the long-range weapon since mounting its cross-border raid into the southern Russian frontier region. The air-launched cruise missile, which can dodge enemy radar and precisely hit targets up to 190 miles away, is seen as crucial for targeting airfields deep inside Russia. On Thursday, Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraines foreign minister, urged the countrys Western allies to take bold decisions, with both Britain and America holding back on granting permission to use the weapon more freely. Click here to view this content. He told reporters arriving at a meeting of EU counterparts in Brussels: What we want to avoid is the situation when the public message is that no one, in principle, is against deep strikes in Russia, but no real action is made to allow it. What really matters is the timing. And this is the issue today. This is why we have very open conversations with the United Kingdom, with the United States, not to waste the monument our soldiers and civilians paid for with their blood and sacrifice. The Telegraph reported earlier this week that the UK supports Storm Shadow strikes on Russian soil but will not say so publicly because of concerns it would provoke a row with the US. Volodymyr Zelensky, centre, with Sir Keir Starmer at a Cabinet meeting in July - Richard Pohle/Pool Photo via AP Emmanuel Macron, Frances president, has issued a similar message about the use of Scalp-EG, the French version of Storm Shadow. But it is understood the missiles operate alongside classified US systems, which requires permission from Washington. Ukraine has captured more than 500 square miles of territory since it launched its surprise ground offensive into Russias southern Kursk region more than three weeks ago. Click here to view this content. The operation marked the first foreign invasion of Russian soil since the Second World War and has been described as part of the plan to end Moscows invasion by Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian president has said the incursion was launched to create a buffer zone to prevent similar cross-border attacks by Moscows forces. But the Russian air force is still able to launch long-range bombardments of missiles and drones from deep inside its country with little answer from the Ukrainians. The White House has argued that allowing Kyivs forces to go after military targets inside Russia with Western weapons could be seen as escalatory by Moscow. US officials have also said they believe many potential Russian targets have been moved outside of the range of Storm Shadow missiles. Russian soldiers fire from a 203-mm self-propelled gun in Ukraine - Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP Mr Kuleba attempted to reassure those concerns by insisting that Ukraine would only use long-range missiles against legitimate military targets. Separately, Rustem Umerov, Ukraines defence minister, and Andriy Yermak, Mr Zelenskys chief of staff, will travel to Washington this week to hand over a list of potential targets. Kyiv is also asking the US to sanction strikes using American-supplied Atacms ballistic missiles on Russian soil. Onno Eichelsheim, the Netherlands top general, said Ukraine was allowed to use Dutch-supplied F-16 fighter jets in cross-border attacks, adding further pressure onto the Americans. But he warned that his American colleagues only partly agreed with that position, making strikes unlikely given they will rely on US ammunition. In Brussels, Mr Kuleba also warned allies against over-promising, claiming that several nations had not yet delivered Patriot air defence systems pledged earlier this summer. Good progress has been made and announcements were made, but again, some Patriot systems were announced and not delivered yet, the minister said. Kyiv has around five Patriot batteries two supplied by the US and three by Germany. Romania, the Netherlands and Spain have indicated they would help by supplying further systems and ammunition, but there has been no confirmation of their arrival in the war-torn country. We are, as you are, entering a school year, and we have to protect our cities. We have to protect our children. So I will urge all partners who have made their pledges to finally deliver these systems, Mr Kuleba said. He added: Some complain about bureaucracy ... some argue that there are delicate internal moments in their politics such as elections. There is always an explanation. We pay for all these delays with damage and the loss of lives. Click here to view this content. Josh Burns says the government must be inclusive and the census is an important tool to gather data and feed into government systems and services. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP Josh Burns has become the first Labor MP to break ranks and call on the government to reverse its decision to ditch gender and sexuality questions in the census. The Macnamara MP joins the crossbench, the Greens, the sex discrimination commissioner and advocacy groups in calling for the Albanese government to include sexuality and gender questions in the next census, after assistant treasury minister Andrew Leigh announced on Sunday the questions would be dumped. Burns said he had spent the days since the decision was announced making representations internally for Labor to include the questions in the 2026 census, which he said was necessary to ensure everyone was counted. Related: Impossible to make policy for LGBTQ+ community without extra census questions, crossbenchers say Macanamara is home to many LGBTIQA+ community members and I love being their MP and as part of that, I feel a responsibility to stand up for them, he said. Ive made it clear that the way we govern needs to be inclusive and the census is an important tool to gather data and feed that into government systems and services. For that to work the best it can, we need as few blind spots as possible, which is why I am asking the government to reconsider this decision. It is not too much to ask for people to be counted. Burns said he was breaking ranks as he believed the government had an opportunity to correct a wrong decision. Consultation began in early 2023 and in December 2023 the ABS finalised its proposed new topics, which included gender identity and sexual orientation. The government has not given a concrete reason for its decision to drop the questions. On Wednesday the deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, said the government decided not to add questions on sexuality to the 2026 census to avoid divisive community debates. Marles said the government had opted to take the existing set of questions to the next census rather than adding five new topics including sexuality as had been proposed, out of concern for social cohesion. We are doing that because we do not want to open up divisive debates in the community now, Marles told journalists on Wednesday. Peter Dutton said he believed the existing questions in the census have stood us well as a country and accused the Labor government of having a woke agenda which he thought was at odds with the vast majority of Australians. Related: Dumping gender and sexuality questions from the census doesnt make us less gay it leaves us uninformed | Liz Allen Nicky Bath, the chief executive of LGBTIQ+ Health Australia, who has been critical of the governments decision to drop the questions, has requested a meeting with Dutton over his comments. Rather than blaming so called woke agendas, Mr Dutton would be better to be asking what the financial cost will be of suboptimal health and wellbeing services and program planning if these four simple questions are not asked, she said. The governments decision has prompted backlash from members of the LGBTQ+ community who have questioned why their identity would be considered divisive. Privately, several Labor MPs have expressed discomfort at the decision, and questioned Labors strategy of attempting to limit culture wars with the Coalition, while opening up Labor to attacks from the Greens on the partys vulnerable left flank. You have to wonder why, in 2024, party leaders are so focused on just the Coalition, when voters are not, one Labor backbencher said. These decisions are not going to win any seats at the next election, but they risk losing them. The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, appeared to leave the door open for the decision to be revised by noting the census is still a couple of years away. I do genuinely understand the disappointment that people have had this week, he told ABC radio on Thursday morning. [But the] census is still a couple of years away, and our focus has been on other issues, including some of the issues weve talked about today like the cost of living. Its not unusual for the ABS to test and tease out questions in advance, and thats whats prompted all of this now, but the census itself isnt until 2026. Brian Loughnane in 2015. The former federal Liberal director has been called in to examine the NSW division of the party. Photograph: Julian Smith/AAP Northern Beaches Liberals have called for federal intervention over the catastrophic failure of the New South Wales division to nominate candidates for local government elections. On Wednesday evening the Northern Beaches local government conference which accounts for 15% of the state party voted unanimously for motions critical of the failure calling for an administrator to be appointed to run the division and governance reforms. The motions may fuel moderate fears of reforms to disadvantage their faction or moves to sack the NSW president, Don Harwin, but others insist unanimous votes 126 to 0 indicate widespread support including among moderates. Related: NSW Liberal party claims nomination failure will not define us after sacking director and promising refunds The motions were moved by Stu Cameron, the president of the Mackellar federal electoral council (FEC), and Alex Dore, the president of the Warringah FEC, who are both considered unaligned, although moderates regard them as hostile to their control of the NSW party. Earlier in August the state director, Richard Shields, was sacked over the NSW divisions failure to lodge nominations for more than 130 council candidates. Brian Loughnane, the former federal Liberal director and reviewer of the 2022 election defeat, has been called in to examine the nomination failure and preparedness of the NSW division for the next election. Loughnane is set to report back on 2 September one day before a meeting of the federal executive to decide if there are grounds under the partys federal constitution to intervene. The motions, seen by Guardian Australia, note the significant impact of the catastrophic failure, including preventing councillors and candidates from serving their community and disenfranchising Liberal voters. Cameron and Dores motions called on the federal executive to appoint an administrator and an appropriately qualified state director. Northern Beaches Liberals, together with the FECs in Pittwater, Wakehurst, Manly, Mackellar and Warringah, will also prepare a submission proposing unspecified governance reforms of the NSW division. These would be designed by a subcommittee and then considered at state council on 2 November. Conservatives have long complained moderates maintain power in the NSW division by party structures that reward control of individual branches rather than respecting the principle of one vote, one value for each member. One Liberal, who spoke anonymously as they were not authorised to speak with media, argued the party structure is not fit for purpose and the division required reduction in the size of governing bodies and more cooperation and information sharing between branches. Factional warlords dont control the branches. One of the techniques that they use is to concentrate authority in the state executive, they said, leaving the director forced to act on instructions. I would say of all factional leaders: that hubris, overconfidence, and confirmation bias dominate their thinking and actions. Theyve lost the focus on the real mission and whats required to deliver on that mission. The failure to nominate was the most manifest failure of process and leadership that Ive ever seen in any political movement, anywhere, at any time, they said. The Northern Beaches Liberal groups are situated in two formerly blue-ribbon Liberal seats lost to teal independents Sophie Scamps and Zali Steggall. The nomination failure has prompted speculation the Northern Beaches deputy mayor, Georgia Ryburn, could contest Mackellar against Scamps at the next federal election. The Liberals are struggling to attract a quality candidate to contest Warringah, which Steggall won off former prime minister Tony Abbott in 2019. In 2022 the seat was contested for the Liberals by Katherine Deves, a campaigner against trans womens inclusion in womens sport. Earlier in August Abbott described the NSW division as a factional plaything for too long, reportedly telling the Australian Financial Review it must be cleaned up lest it start to interfere with our federal campaign to save Australia from a really bad government. State conservatives including Lane Coves MP, Anthony Roberts, have publicly pushed for both Shields and the NSW president, Don Harwin a moderate to go as a result of the council nomination failure. The Liberal who spoke with Guardian Australia likened the situation to a public company that was very clear on their mission and failed on that mission. I dont imagine shareholders would tolerate either the CEO or chairman of the board sticking around for longer, they said. I think there would be, quite rightly, moves to dump both those people when the sorts of processes and accountability werent there. Earlier in August several senior Liberals told Guardian Australia conservatives are definitely keen to use the scrutiny on the NSW division to weaken the hold of moderates. One senior Liberal said it was absurd blame was being directed at Harwin for the failure to nominate, which was the responsibility of the state director. John Swinney may try play the smallest of violins in a bid for sympathy, but he and his party deserve none - PA/Jeff J Mitchell In autumn, a young or old political correspondents thoughts lightly turn to party conferences. Or they should; they certainly used to. The annual jamborees of Britains tribunes used to be when our leaders reputations were made or destroyed. But, so stage-managed are they now, that is no longer the case at least not in relation to the SNP. Such is their embarrassment, or maybe its shame, over their unalloyed hammering at the general election that John Swinney, the party leader and Scotlands First Minister, is opening their 2024 gathering in secret. If ever there was an indictment of a political force that believes its destiny is to break up the UK then this is it. With public and press banned from the Edinburgh conference hall thanks to this hole-in-the-corner edict, the nationalists prefer to lick their wounds in private rather than apologise in public to the voters. And yet their behaviour is distinctly at odds with the way many political leaders have faced up to, and seen off, their critics at their own partys conferences. Margaret Thatcher responded to her internal Tory critics who wanted her to change course early in her premiership by declaring: You turn if you want to the Ladys not for turning. And, of course, not even an IRA bomb could stop Maggie continuing with her 1984 conference in Brighton in public. Margaret Thatcher never lacked the courage to face down her critics, not even an IRA bomb could prevent her from speaking at the Tory conference in 1984 - Getty Images Neil Kinnock made what I still reckon was the best conference speech I ever heard when he shouted down the Trotskyist Militant Tendency at Labours 1985 Bournemouth conference, savaging them for sacking council employees by taxi after theyd bankrupted Liverpool council. Willie Whitelaw, the then home secretary, stuck to his guns and saw off demands from the Tory Right for the return of hanging in Blackpool 1979. And moderate trade union leader Eric Hammond faced down Arthur Scargill during the miners strike. Lions led by donkeys, is how he described the situation. On the other side of the coin, I saw Jim Callaghan forced to eat humble pie as the Left accused him of abandoning socialism by failing to secure the abolition of the House of Lords. It took courage to do that while remaining in charge. It is clear that political leadership takes courage, but it will be crystal clear when the SNP convenes its annual get-together on Friday, that its a commodity in very short supply amongst these not so Braveheart nationalists. Most party leaders may not enjoy the experience of being castigated by their followers in the full glare of the TV lights and with all of the nations press and public looking on. But they accept that what they endure, probably on an annual basis, is the price they pay for the honour of leading their party. And if they dont like being seen to be harangued in public then there is an obvious remedy: resignation. But, of course, that would take courage too. In the portrait the Queen, 77, is seen wearing the regiment's colours as well as a brooch specially commissioned and given to her by The Rifles The Queen has honoured infantry veterans by becoming the first patron of the Riflemans Association. She will serve as the figurehead after taking on the role of their Colonel-in-Chief from the late Duke of Edinburgh in 2020. In pictures to mark the announcement, the Queen, 77, is seen wearing the regiments colours as well as a brooch that was specially commissioned and given to her by The Rifles. The Rifles, formed in 2007, is the British Armys largest infantry regiment, made up of seven battalions across the UK. Its umbrella association is dedicated to all the veterans and serving Riflemen. Described by a Rifles spokesman as something of an old boys network, the association was set up in part with a view to bring Riflemen together to support and comfort one another following the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns. The Queen has been The Riflemen's colonel in chief since 2020. She is pictured inspecting the troops on parade earlier this year - Mark Owens/British Army The spokesman added that the Queen understands the precedence of this sort of thing as she comes from a military household, adding: She understands the work weve been doing and is a huge supporter. The Queens father, the late Major Bruce Shand, was a 12th Royal Lancer who won the Military Cross during the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940 and again at al-Alamein in 1942. She has previously revealed that he did not speak about his experiences in the war until his grandchildren were born. Her new role as patron of the Riflemans Association will also include support of the Always a Rifleman programme, a suicide prevention and mental wellness initiative, and Care for Casualties, set up following the losses and injuries sustained in Iraq and Afghanistan. The spokesman added that the serving Rifleman know her quite well after multiple visits to the seven battalions around the country and that her acceptance of the new patronage means a lot to the troops. Its a huge honour and we are flattered beyond belief, it means a lot to us and it means a lot to our troops. She really cares for everybody, including the families and the children, he added. Speaking about the patronage, Lt Gen Tom Copinger-Symes, the Rifles Colonel Commandant, said: This is a huge privilege for the regiment and highlights Her Majestys care, commitment and understanding for the wellbeing of our soldiers and their families. We are honoured that she has chosen to offer her patronage to all our Riflemen and their families. Anna Cody has warned that backtracking on asking about gender and sexuality in the census could affect the wellbeing and equality of LGBTQ+ people. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAP The sex discrimination commissioner has called on the Albanese government to put gender and sexuality questions in the census, as the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, appeared to open the door to revising the controversial decision to exclude them. On Thursday Anna Cody wrote to the government warning backtracking on a commitment to ask about gender and sexuality carries serious implications for the health, wellbeing and general equality of LGBTIQA+ Australians and their families. The Australian Human Rights Commission resolved a discrimination complaint against the Australian Bureau of Statistics about the exclusion of gender and sexuality questions from the 2021 census, resulting in a statement of regret acknowledging the hurt and distress that had caused. Related: Labor says sexuality questions dumped from census to avoid divisive debates On Wednesday the acting prime minister, Richard Marles, sought to justify excluding gender and sexuality questions again in the 2026 census as desirable to avoid divisive community debates. But Cody wrote to the assistant treasury minister, Andrew Leigh, expressing concern that the decision will strengthen the voices of discrimination and division that seek to disrupt the nations social cohesion. In the face of rising negative rhetoric, there may be concern about the harmful impacts that another public debate may have on LGBTIQA+ people and their families. However, while we must seek to minimise harm, the answer cannot be to do nothing. LGBTIQA+ Australians and their rights must be protected and supported, as must the rights of all Australians. Cody also noted Labors platform commitment to ensure the 2026 census gathered relevant data on LGBTIQ+ Australians, and urged it to reconsider the decision not to count them in. The governments direction to the Australian Bureau of Statistics not to add the questions has also prompted internal consternation about lack of consultation and the need for better data. On Thursday the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, weighed in, backing the current set of census questions. If youve got the woke agenda, which I think is at odds with the vast majority of Australians, then the prime minister should argue that case, he told reporters in Brisbane. Earlier, Chalmers told Radio National the government had wanted to avoid nastiness and weaponisation of some of these issues. Chalmers noted some of that around the Olympics, [and] weve seen it on other occasions, an apparent reference to the gender row sparked by anti-trans campaigners falsely claiming the Algerian boxer Imane Khelif is not a woman. Chalmers noted the census isnt the only opportunity to gather that sort of data, which the government aims to do in the best way we can, in the most sensitive way that we can. I do genuinely understand the disappointment that people have had this week, he said. [But the] census is still a couple of years away, and our focus has been on other issues, including some of the issues weve talked about today like the cost of living. Its not unusual for the ABS to test and tease out questions in advance, and thats whats prompted all of this now, but the census itself isnt until 2026. Asked if he would intervene to override the decision, Chalmers said: Well, Im not here to flag that Im not flagging that, Im not proposing that. Rodney Croome, a spokesperson for LGBTQ+ group Just Equal, said the government had not expected the backlash it has received so Chalmers may be suggesting LGBTIQA+ inclusion will be revisited after the election. But Croome accused Labor of stringing the LGBTIQA+ community along on issues including the religious discrimination bill, urging a continued campaign for census inclusion. Croome rejected Labors claim of avoiding weaponisation as self-serving paternalism. This is our decision to make and we want to be counted. On Wednesday a group of 11 crossbench MPs and senators wrote to Anthony Albanese, urging the government to reverse its decision to exclude LGBTIQA+ people from the 2026 census. The letter was signed by the seven teal independents including Wentworth MP Allegra Spender, along with former Nationals MP Andrew Gee, Helen Haines, Andrew Wilkie and Senator David Pocock. In the last census, LGBTIQA+ people who were single, trans and gender diverse, intersex, or living in notionally heterosexual relationships were not recognised because the census did not include questions on gender identity, sexual orientation, and variations in sex characteristics, they said. They said they were deeply disappointed, arguing no clear justification had been provided and that LGBTQ+ people were left feeling excluded, demeaned, and angry. They are being denied the basic right to be recognised and valued, they said, arguing lack of good data would impact negatively on peoples lives for many years to come. In a separate letter urging a rethink, Nicky Bath, LGBTIQ+ Health Australias head, said that there were no alternative data sources or solutions meeting the needs for health planning, so meaningful inclusion of these topics in the 2026 census is essential. Sergio Lira, president of Houston LULAC Council 4967, speaks during a press conference about voters having their registrations suspended ahead of the upcoming November election Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at a Harris County administration building in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Charlotte Christman returned to her Houston home last month to a curious letter. Her voter registration, it said, was under suspension, and the 68-year-old would need to confirm that she still lived at her address. Christman mailed the card back and, for now, appears registered to vote this November. But after hearing Gov. Greg Abbotts announcement on Monday that state officials had removed over 1 million Texans from voter rolls, she is rethinking her story. Was she being flagged for political reasons? Why had her address been questioned in the first place? Its very fishy that this is happening right before a presidential election, said Christman, who votes Democratic. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Houston City Councilmember Abbie Kamin speaks about voters having their registrations suspended ahead of the upcoming November election Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at a Harris County administration building in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Abbotts announcement, coming just weeks before the deadline for registering to vote in the November election, has prompted confusion by voting rights groups and some Texans who say they were surprised to learn recently that they had been flagged for potential removal by their local elections offices. But most of the people identified by the governor appeared to have died or moved and not participated in recent elections, and the figures Abbott cited arent out of line with totals reported annually by the secretary of states office, according to a review by Hearst Newspapers. Civil rights advocates have pressed for access to the underlying data behind the purges, saying they are concerned that eligible voters could be ensnared. In a letter to Secretary of State Jane Nelson on Wednesday, they specifically raised concerns that eligible voters could be getting wrongly identified as noncitizens and that ongoing removals would violate a federal quiet period, which prevents removals from voter rolls in the 90 days before an election. Democratic lawmakers warned on Thursday that the removals could mirror a botched 2019 effort to remove noncitizens from the rolls, and they urged supporters to check the status of their own voter registration. Advertisement Article continues below this ad State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, blasted state leadership for not sharing the underlying data. State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, speaks during a press conference about voters having their registrations suspended ahead of the upcoming November election Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at a Harris County administration building in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer CHECK YOUR STATUS: Here's how to check that your Texas voter registration is still active "We've asked to see the list of the people who have been kicked off the rolls, people who have been suspended, why they were suspended," Wu said at a news conference in Houston. "They have so far completely ignored those requests." A spokesperson for the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collectors office, which is responsible for overseeing the county's voter rolls, said they have not carried out any sort of unusual purge of records this year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Records have been canceled if a voter moved out of Harris County or if we have been notified of a voters death," she said. Jacquelyn Callanen, Bexar County elections chief, said the county had conducted only its routine maintenance, removing around 40,000 names last year. Charlene Vincent speaks during a press conference about having her voter registration suspended Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at a Harris County administration building in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer The secretary of states office declined to comment. Abbotts office didnt respond to a request for comment. Senate Bill 1, a Republican-backed election law overhaul passed in 2021, requires that the secretary of states office conduct regular sweeps of the voter rolls. The office receives data from the Department of Public Safety on noncitizens who apply for state IDs or drivers licenses, as well as information from Texas courts on undeliverable jury summons. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Of the 1 million Texans removed from voter rolls in the last three years, almost half of them, around 457,000, were dead. A similar number were flagged for the so-called suspense list for having moved and not updated their addresses. Smaller numbers of voters were removed because of a felony conviction (6,000), the voter canceling their registration (19,000) or the voter confirming that they moved out of state (134,000). Only a small number were removed for citizenship-related reasons. Abbotts original announcement, which stated that 6,500 noncitizens had been removed, was updated Wednesday to call them potential noncitizens. Being placed in that category does not prove a person is a noncitizen, as the list includes people who failed to respond to a request from the secretary of states office for them to submit proof of citizenship within 30 days. Those who have recently moved may not have seen the notices. State Rep. Christina Morales, D-Houston, speaks about voters having their registrations suspended ahead of the upcoming November election Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at a Harris County administration building in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Of the 6,500 potential noncitizens, around 1,900 had a voter history in Texas. Abbotts announcement added that systematic cleaning of voter rolls has been, and will continue to be, ongoing. That prompted the Campaign Legal Center to warn that Texas could be violating federal law that requires such maintenance to be put on hold in the 90 days before a federal election. This years quiet period began on Aug. 7. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some voters say they remain confused. Houston resident Sonia Parga said she checked her voter registration this week and found that she was on the suspense list. She hadnt knowingly received anything in the mail but said her mail can be unreliable. Steffani Williams of Galveston County also described her mail service as unreliable, and she said she may not have seen a notice. I could very well have lost mail from them, she said. But her husband, who is registered at the same address, is still listed as an active voter. She said that why they have different statuses is a mystery to her. Voters can check their voter registration status on the secretary of states website. Jamari Reid had his head and arm torn off by a shark off the coast of Jamaica A Jamaican teenager has been decapitated by a shark after he went spearfishing alone on Jamaicas north coast. The body of Jahmari Reid, 16, was reportedly found in the water on Tuesday, near to a large tiger shark, with both his head and left arm missing. The high school student had gone spearfishing early on Monday near his home in Trelawny, east of the popular resort town of Montego Bay, police said. When he did not return, a search was launched and a group of divers recovered Jahmaris body later the following day. His father, Michael, was on the beach outside the town of Falmouth when it was brought in. Jahmari's mother said the teen had been fishing in the sea since he was young I cant believe that he went to sea by himself and that was the outcome. Sad to know. I feel so bad, he told the Jamaica Observer, adding that he had tried to discourage his son from his spearfishing hobby. Jahmaris mother, Lavern Robinson, told the Jamaica Star: Right now [I] dont know what to say. Jahmari has been going to [the] sea [since he was] small. The group of divers who found the teenagers body said they saw a big tiger shark close by, according to Christopher Reynolds, a fisherman. All of the fishermen went out there and, while they were diving to take him up, they saw the big shark. They shot at him but they didnt get him, he added. Nearby residents gather by Falmouth Bay, where Jahamari's body was recovered Mr Reynolds said the community was determined to locate the shark, kill it and retrieve the severed head. It is the first time in recent history that a person has been killed by a shark in local waters, according to Fritz Christie, the head of the local fishermens association. He suggested the shark may have followed a cruise ship into Falmouth Bay and then stayed in the area. Mr Christie urged anyone going spearfishing to be extremely cautious. Shark attacks are incredibly rare in Jamaica, with only three reported off the coast of the Caribbean island since 1749, according to the International Shark Attack File. An undated photo provided by the South Carolina department of corrections shows the states death chamber, including the electric chair, right, and a firing squad chair, left in Columbia, South Carolina. Photograph: South Carolina Department of Corrections/AP A man on death row in South Carolina has until 6 September to decide how he would prefer to be executed by the state. South Carolinas prisons director has declared the states supply of a lethal injection drug acceptable and said its electric chair was tested two months ago and its firing squad has the ammunition and training to carry out its first execution next month in more than 13 years, if needed. Corrections director Bryan Stirling was ordered by the state supreme court to submit a sworn statement to the lawyer for Freddie Owens certifying that all three methods of putting a prisoner to death are available for his scheduled 20 September execution. Owenss lawyers have said they will review the statement, and if they do not think it is adequate, they will ask the state supreme court or federal judges to consider it. Related: South Carolina supreme court rules states death penalty is legal Owens, 46, was sentenced in 1999 for shooting and killing Irene Graves, a gas station employee in Greenville during a robbery in 1997. Owens has until 6 September to decide how he wants to die, and he signed his power of attorney over to his lawyer, Emily Paavola, to make that decision for him. The state supreme court has agreed to a request from the prison system to see if that is allowed under South Carolina law. The power of attorney was signed under the name Khalil Divine Black Sun Allah. Owens changed his name in prison but goes by his old name in his legal hearings with the state to avoid confusion. In the sworn statement, Stirling said technicians at the state Law Enforcement Division laboratory tested two vials of the sedative pentobarbital, which the state plans to use for lethal injections. Stirling released no other details about the drugs under the guidelines of the states new shield law, which keeps secret the name of the supplier of the drug and anyone who helps carry out the execution. The laws passage in 2023 also helped restart executions so the state could buy pentobarbital and keep the supplier private. The states electric chair, built in 1912, was tested 25 June and found to be working properly, Stirling wrote, without providing additional details. The firing squad, allowed by a 2021 law, has the guns, ammunition and training it needs, Stirling wrote. Three volunteers have been trained to fire at a target placed on the heart from 15ft away. In South Carolina, the governor, Henry McMaster, has the ability to grant clemency to an individual on death row. However, no governor has done so in the states past 43 executions, the Associated Press reports, adding that McMaster told reporters on Tuesday that he would only announce his decision minutes before the execution when prison officials dial his office from the death chamber. When the rule of law has been followed, there really is only one answer, McMaster said. In response to McMasters comments, Hillary Taylor, executive director of South Carolinians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, said: Just because something is law does not mean that it is justice. Justice would actually be making sure that we interrupt and prevent violence from happening in the first place, not execute somebody whos been on death row for decades. Earlier this week, Taylors organization circulated a petition for clemency from McMaster, which has garnered more than 1,300 signatures. Khalil Allah is somebody who experienced profound trauma as a child [and] as an adolescent, both in terms of his family of origin and also the South Carolina judicial system We do not believe that Khalil should be executed for things that are our fault as a society, said Taylor. Related: Utah man put to death by lethal injection in states first execution since 2010 Calling the death penalty cheap justice, Taylor added: We would literally be better spending money on protecting children and creating more victim services for people who are experiencing violence and harm The death penalty doesnt do any of that. Taylor also pushed back on the conservative states so-called pro-life stance on reproductive rights, particularly its six-week abortion ban amid the backdrop of its death penalty law. There are government officials in South Carolina who like to brag that South Carolina is an extremely pro-life state, and if indeed all lives matter, then Khalils life especially matters because of the ways that he has been let down. He does not deserve to be cut off from this life. He deserves to live, she said. The South Carolina chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has also condemned the death penalty, with executive director Jace Woodrum saying: The state is preparing to kill one of our neighbors under a shroud of secrecy. Politicians and prison officials have not only hidden key details about all three execution methods, but they have refused to allow media interviews with people held on death row as they make their last pleas for clemency. We are joining faith leaders, civil rights leaders, and people of good conscience around our state calling on governor McMaster to stop this execution and all others. The Guardian has asked the governors office for comment. The Associated Press contributed reporting. South Korean climate campaigners outside the constitutional court in Seoul. Photograph: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images South Koreas constitutional court has ruled that part of the countrys climate law does not conform with protecting the constitutional rights of future generations, an outcome local activists are calling a landmark decision. The unanimous verdict concludes four years of legal battles and sets a significant precedent for future climate-related legal actions in the region. Related: How does todays extreme heat compare with Earths past climate? The court found that the absence of legally binding targets for greenhouse gas reductions for the period from 2031-49 violated the constitutional rights of future generations and failed to uphold the governments duty to protect those rights. The court said this lack of long-term targets shifted an excessive burden to the future. It gave the national assembly and government until 28 February 2026 to amend the law to include these longer-term targets. The decision echoes a similar ruling by Germanys federal constitutional court in 2021, which found the countrys climate law lacked sufficient provisions for emission reductions beyond 2030, potentially infringing on the freedoms of future generations. South Koreas climate litigation began in March 2020 when Youth 4 Climate Action, a group leading the Korean arm of the global school climate strike movement, filed the first lawsuit, alleging that the governments inadequate greenhouse gas reduction targets violated citizens fundamental rights, particularly those of future generations. Subsequently, three additional lawsuits were consolidated, bringing the number of plaintiffs to 255. These plaintiffs represented a wide age range, including children, babies, and even a foetus at the time of filing, emphasising the long-term impact of climate policy on future generations. Activists including Kim Seo-gyeong from Youth 4 Climate Action said they saw the courts decision not as the end but as the beginning of a renewed push for more ambitious climate action. Responding to the climate crisis means reducing its risks, controlling factors that could exacerbate the crisis, and building safety nets to sustain life and society, Kim said. I look forward to seeing how this constitutional complaint will change the standards for climate response and what transformations it will bring. Jeah Han, a 12-year-old plaintiff who was part of the baby climate litigation consisting of young children and babies represented by their parents, expressed her feelings of joy. I have always believed that this complaint represented the wishes of many people. Todays outcome feels like a wish has come true, and I am both happy and proud. Just as we have come together to fight for a better future amid the climate crisis, I hope more people will join us moving forward, she said. The court, however, rejected the plaintiffs claims that the governments 2030 target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% from 2018 levels, as stipulated in the countrys carbon neutrality act, violated constitutional rights, saying this near-term goal was sufficient. After the verdict, the plaintiffs said in a joint statement: There is some disappointment regarding the parts that were not upheld today. However, it is clear that todays ruling represents meaningful progress in protecting everyones rights beyond the climate crisis. The decision we face today is not just a victory for the plaintiffs who filed the lawsuit; it is an achievement for all those who have been excluded from the national climate response process while confronting the climate crisis. Sejong Youn, a solicitor who has represented all four litigation cases, emphasised the core reason for the unconstitutionality was the regulation of reduction targets that would impose an excessive burden without considering the rights of future generations. Therefore, a new greenhouse gas reduction pathway that addresses this unconstitutionality must be presented within the timeframe set by the constitutional court, he said. The historic decision is expected to have consequences beyond South Korea, potentially influencing climate litigation and policy in other Asian countries, such as Japan and Taiwan, where similar cases are under way. Jace Tunnell, a director at the Harte Research Institute, shows off a fireworm - Jace Tunnell/Harte Research Institute Barefoot beachgoers in Texas are being warned of a spiky new menace lurking underfoot venomous sea worms. Known as bristle worms, or marine polychaetes, the prickly creatures are rarely seen but have recently started washing up on the Gulf of Mexicos northern shores. The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies issued a warning earlier this month that an increasing number of the pain-inflicting aquatic worms had been spotted in the area. The creatures can grow to 30cm and have venomous needle-like spikes that contain neurotoxins. If stepped on, the spikes lodge themselves in the skin and release venom which is so painful that the creatures have also been nicknamed fireworms. It literally feels like fire for about three hours. Your skin can feel sensitive in the sting site for weeks depending on where it stung you, the institute said. They are typically nocturnal creatures and are found on coral reefs, rocky areas or seagrass beds across the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The worms have seldom been spotted by humans. However, experts say their increased presence on beaches in Texas could be related to changing ocean currents, weather patterns or other environmental factors. The creatures, which are also known as bristle worms or fireworms, are lined with venomous needle-like spikes - Jace Tunnell/Harte Research Institute Each of the 28 species of bristle worm can hurt humans. They usually feed on small crabs, barnacles, corals and other crustaceans. Footage released by the Harte Research Institute shows the large worms, with their beard-like exterior and razor-sharp bristles, on several beaches. Marine experts said they are likely to have washed up on barnacle-covered logs they were feeding on. Jace Tunnell, the institutes director of community engagement, said anyone pricked by the creatures should remove every bristle stuck in their skin with tweezers and then wash the affected area with disinfectant. However, he added: Its gonna be painful no matter what. John Smith, the former Labour leader, pictured at the party's conference in 1991. His youngest daughter has become the Advocate General for Scotland - Ken Mason Sir Keir Starmer has appointed the daughter of a former Labour leader as the Governments top legal adviser in Scotland. On Thursday, Downing Street announced that Catherine Smith KC has been hired as the Advocate General for Scotland. She is the youngest daughter of John Smith, the late Labour leader who led the party from 1992 until his death in 1994. Her appointment comes as Sir Keir faces a cronyism scandal over the parachuting of party loyalists into top Civil Service jobs. Ms Smith will run the Governments team of lawyers in Scotland and provide No 10 with advice on legal issues, including devolution. She will be given a life peerage so that she can take up the role, which is a ministerial post. It is a great honour to be appointed the Advocate General for Scotland and join the team of UK Government law officers, she said. I look forward to playing my part in protecting and promoting the rule of law and contributing to this governments commitment to public service. Catherine Smith KC said it was 'a great honour to be appointed the Advocate General for Scotland' The Advocate General for Scotland is a political appointee, with the previous two holders sitting in the Lords as Conservative peers. Ms Smith is involved in the Scottish Covid Inquiry and also chairs the John Smith Centre for Public Service, which was set up to promote a positive vision of politics. Her appointment comes as No 10 faces intense scrutiny over alleged cronyism related to a series of controversial appointments. The Prime Ministers approval ratings have plummeted amid accusations that he is filling civil service posts with political allies. He has attempted to dismiss the allegations as Tory smears, but the appointments have also been criticised by independent experts. On Wednesday, it emerged that a former member of Wes Streetings staff had been given a Civil Service role, sparking fresh allegations of cronyism. The row began when it emerged that Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, had appointed a Labour donor to a senior Civil Service role in the Treasury. Ian Corfield, who gave more than 20,000 to the party, was made a director of investment but has given up the job to become an unpaid adviser following an outcry. It was followed by Emily Middleton, a businesswoman whose firm donated 67,000 to Labour, being made a director general in the Department for Science. Jess Sargeant, who worked for a pro-Starmer think tank, has also been handed a senior role in the Cabinet Offices Propriety and Constitution Group. Sir Keir faces more questions over the decision to hand Lord Alli, a leading Labour donor, a much sought-after No 10 security pass. Sir John Hall backed Nigel Farage and Reform UK at the general election - @Nigel_Farage/X A major Tory donor who left the party to vote for Reform UK has rejoined so he can support Robert Jenricks bid for the Conservative leadership. Sir John Hall, a former owner of Newcastle United, had previously donated more than 500,000 to the Conservatives but endorsed Nigel Farages party during the general election campaign. Speaking to Mr Jenrick on a visit to Newcastles stadium, Sir John, 92, said: Im basically concerned for the culture of our nation and the way its going. In the coming leadership election, I would hope people like yourselves will come with another message. Mr Jenrick, a former immigration minister, said: Thats what Im trying to do. Thats why Im standing to be leader of the party. Sir John replied: Thats a difficult task. I wish you well. Hopefully, youll try to deliver it. Without those thoughts and wishes, our areas will have no champions to fight for us. Mr Jenrick said: This is a great country and this is a great part of our country. But weve got to give it hope and optimism, and thats what the Conservative Party has got to do in the future. In June, Sir John spoke at a Reform UK rally in Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland. At the time, Mr Farage wrote on X, formerly Twitter: It says a lot when a man like Sir John Hall, after decades of public support for the Conservative Party, is now supporting Reform UK. We are delighted to have him. Sir John, who grew up in a Northumberland mining family, made his fortune developing the MetroCentre on Tyneside, Europes largest shopping centre, and later bought Newcastle United. After the event in Houghton-le-Spring, he said: English is my way of life, which I feel is under threat. The Reform party are the only ones I feel who are going to speak about saving my English culture. But I am against people who are coming, not really to be part of our society but to bring over their own ways and try and install them, the way they want to live. We have sleepwalked into this battle for hearts and minds and souls of everybody here. Nigel Farage is the only one who speaks for what I feel should be my English way of life. Reform UK said Sir John had made a substantial donation to the party. Jade Anthony Barnett was attacked on Wednesday afternoon. He was treated by paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene. Photograph: Metropolitan police/PA Tributes have been paid to a jolly, cheerful, caring man who was stabbed to death in east London. Officers were called at 3.38pm on Wednesday to reports of a fight in Rushmore Road, Clapton, where they found Jade Anthony Barnett, 38, with stab wound injuries. Barnetts sister, Simone, 45, from Hackney, told the PA news agency that her brother never took nothing too seriously, he laughed everything off. She added: He comes around here [Clapton] all the time, everyone knew my brother young, old, mothers, fathers, everybody knew my brother. Everybody is family, hes just that character. His friends said Barnett lost his leg in a motorcycle accident in 2007 and used a mobility scooter. One note left on a bunch of flowers at the scene read: Jade, I have no words, we are all so shocked and numb, we cannot believe you are gone. Fly high Jade, we will never forget you. James Cook, 65, who runs the nearby Pedro youth club, said Barnett grew up in the club, he was a friendly young man. He wasnt one to make trouble, he was passive. Cook said: Im scared for the people in the area. The police arent in the area, weve got people struggling, people are frightened in their own communities. Kids will tell me the police cant do nothing. A local person, who only wanted to be called Jacquie, said Barnett was going to be missed by everybody. The 59-year-old said: Ive lived here all my life, his family brought him up amazingly, they brought him out of a dark place after his accident. He was just an angel really. He always had a big smile, he was always positive. Barnett was treated by London ambulance service paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene. His family continue to be supported by specialist officers. Two men, aged 28 and 21, were arrested near the scene of the fight on suspicion of murder and remain in custody at an east London police station. Metropolitan police inquiries are trying to establish the full facts of the incident. DCS James Conway, responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: My thoughts are with Jades loved ones as they try to come to terms with this horrific incident. I know the attack of a disabled man who was well known in the area will greatly concern residents. We are continuing to keep an open mind as we explore possible motives. I urge anyone who feels unsafe or has any concerns to contact us. Our investigation into Jades death is still in the early stages and my colleagues from the specialist crime team are working hard to establish the circumstances of what happened yesterday afternoon. Conway added: If anyone has any information about this tragic incident I urge them to come forward and speak to us, or you can contact Crimestoppers completely anonymously. A number of streets have been cordoned off and I am grateful for the patience of the local residents of Clapton. The public can expect to see continued and significant police activity in the local area as we continue with our rigorous investigation. Protesters in 2019 pack into Hong Kongs Victoria Park over a planned extradition law, which morphed into a wider call for democratic rights. Photograph: Isaac Lawrence/AFP/Getty Images Two journalists from the closed Hong Kong media outlet Stand News have been found guilty of conspiring to publish seditious materials the first such convictions since Hong Kongs return to Chinese control after a trial that was closely observed as a bellwether for the citys diminishing press freedom. The former editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen and former acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam were arrested on 29 December 2021 after police raided the outlets newsroom. Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, said the verdicts marked a dark day for press freedom in Hong Kong. The court found 11 articles published by Stand News to be seditious, from the 17 that prosecutors had said sought to promote illegal ideologies and to incite hatred against the governments in Hong Kong and China and the 2020 national security law. The parent company of Stand News, Best Pencil Ltd, was also found guilty. The line [Stand News] took was to support and promote Hong Kong local autonomy, the judgment said. It even became a tool to smear and vilify the Central Authorities [Beijing] and the [Hong Kong] SAR government. The district court judge Kwok Wai-kin said that in making a ruling on seditious intent, the court had considered the potential danger to national security and the actual situation at the time. Stand News, launched in 2014, had been a significant source of news about the 2019 pro-democracy protests and the harsh crackdown by authorities. It became known for its livestreamed reports from the frontline of protests as police clashed with demonstrators. Related: Free media in Hong Kong almost completely dismantled report Patten said: The baseless allegations and verdict of this trial mark a further sinister turn for media freedom in Hong Kong, as it is clear that political commentary and opinion pieces may violate national security. Catherine West, the Foreign Offices Minister for the Indo-Pacific, said on X: The UK wants Hong Kong to succeed as a truly international city, with the free exchange of opinions and information. Hong Kong authorities should end politicised prosecutions of journalists. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US state department, said that the verdict is a direct attack on media freedom and undermines Hong Kongs once-proud international reputation for openness. Stand News faced criticism from authorities but was seen by the population as one of the most credible Hong Kong outlets in 2019, according to surveys. As authorities clamped down on the pro-democracy movement, they also targeted outlets seen as supporting it, including Stand News and Apple Daily. In 2020 Beijing imposed the sweeping national security law (NSL), outlawing a swathe of vaguely defined acts of dissent. In June 2021 police raided the Apple Daily offices and arrested several editors and executives and the papers founder, Jimmy Lai. Lai remains in jail on protest-related convictions and is on trial for NSL charges. Six months later, authorities came for Stand News, raiding the newsroom and the home of its news editor, Ronson Chan, who led the Hong Kong journalists association. After the raid and arrests, the outlet was forced to shut down and remove all of its online content. The raid on Stand News prompted the independent outlet Citizen News to announce within days that it would cease operations, citing the increasingly risky media environment. The sedition law dates back to the British colonial era and had been little used until authorities began charging pro-democracy figures with its crimes after the 2019 protests. It was repealed in March after Hong Kong introduced its own domestic national security law. Sarah Brooks, the China director for Amnesty International, called the verdicts dismaying. Brooks said: The journalists convicted today have committed no internationally recognised crime and their conviction should be quashed. In October 2022, Chung and Lam pleaded not guilty, Chung choosing to testify in court. He spent 36 of the trials 57 days in the witness box and defended Stand News and its commitment to press freedom. The media should not self-censor but report, Chung said. Freedom of speech should not be restricted on the grounds of eradicating dangerous ideas, but rather it should be used to eradicate dangerous ideas. The defence said Chung and Lam were legitimate journalists who covered the same stories as other Hong Kong outlets, and accused prosecutors of cherrypicking articles and introducing new evidence during the trial. Closing arguments were delivered more than a year ago, and the verdict against Chung and Lam had been due in October but faced repeated delays, including courts wishing to wait for the outcome of a separate sedition case. The pair now face up to two years in prison and a fine of 5,000 Hong Kong dollars (about 485/US$640) for a first offence. They have the right to appeal against the ruling. Both men spent more than 300 days in pre-trial custody before being granted bail after the trial began. The judge granted the them bail until their sentencing, scheduled for 26 September. Beh Lih Yi, of the Committee to Protect Journalists, said the use of the sedition law to target journalists makes a mockery of justice. Todays oppressive ruling shows Hong Kong is descending further into authoritarianism, and that not toeing the official line can land anyone in jail, Beh said. In a separate case on Thursday, a Hong Kong jury convicted one person and acquitted six others over an alleged plan to detonate explosives and use firearms against police during a 2019 protest, in a landmark case under the UN anti-terrorism ordinance. Lai Chun-pong, 30, was the only one found guilty. The prosecution alleged that the accused were members of a group known as the Dragon Slayers. The trial marked the first time the UN anti-terrorism measure was drawn upon in Hong Kong. The British Medical Association is the only medical organisation in the UK that has not accepted the findings of Dr Hilary Cass. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA The British Medical Association (BMA) has been accused of undertaking a witch-hunt to try to identify which senior figure leaked that it was set to oppose the landmark Cass review on transgender healthcare. It has warned its ruling councils 69 members that whoever tipped off the media about its stance should own up or face their non-cooperation being seen as an act of dishonesty. Critics said its action is disgraceful, Orwellian and witch-hunt-like. The BMA has been heavily criticised by key medical figures since it voted on 17 July to in effect reject Dr Hilary Casss report. It is the only medical organisation in the UK to not accept and find fault with her findings, which were accepted by the last government and its Labour successor. The union has been in turmoil ever since. Its dismissal of the report as unsubstantiated has led to a serious split, resignations and huge tension within the body that represents about 195,000 doctors a large majority of the UK medical profession. The New Statesman revealed on 16 July that the BMAs council was going to discuss a motion recommending that the union disavow the Cass review when it met the next day. That disclosure led to the motion being reworded, with the new version no longer using the word disavow and instead committing the BMA to publicly critique the findings. Rachel Podolak, the unions joint chief executive, has added to what some leading BMA figures have said is a climate of fear within it over the toxic subject of Cass by telling council members that an investigation into the leak had been launched and that the culprit should reveal themselves. In a message posted on the councils message board the day after the motion was passed, Podolak scolded whoever had leaked details of the two Cass-related motions and made clear that, because the confidentiality of council proceedings had been breached, we are investigating further. She asked anyone who had shared information about the move to dissociate the BMA from the Cass report to contact her so that she could decide what purposes that had been done for. Then, in language which some council members found threatening, she added: Legal advice received confirms that failure to admit breach of confidentiality may be regarded as a denial, which in turn could be viewed as an act of dishonesty if/when responsibility is established. Dr Clare Gerada, an ex-BMA council member and ex-chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: I think the BMA are blaming the messenger, not themselves. She questioned why it had adopted such a controversial position on such a sensitive subject without asking members for their views first. She is among an array of leading doctors who have signed a letter voicing serious concern at the BMAs stance. The BMA defended its actions. A spokesperson said: The BMA treats very seriously any breaches of confidentiality, especially so where they include a breach of personal data. Leaking confidential information as well as that which contains personal data and then failing to declare it when asked, is likely to be a serious breach of our conduct and governance rules. In addition, the law contains restrictions on processing personal data and on disclosing confidential information which must be respected. It has set up a task and finish group to examine and produce a critique of Casss research and conclusions, which took four years to collate, including a focus on claimed weaknesses in the methodologies used. The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, which brings together doctors professional bodies, has criticised the BMAs refusal to accept the validity of the evidence and consequently the findings of the independent Cass review of gender identity services for children and young people. Our view is that further speculative work risks greater polarisation on this matter, which is not helpful. The BMA has also been criticised for decrying the governments ban on puberty blockers. Cass warned that the drugs were not based on sound medical evidence and could cause harm. Angela Rayner has been working with fellow ministers on the legislation, expected to be published in mid-October - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu via Getty Images Workers are to be given new rights to demand a four-day week in a law planned for this autumn. The Telegraph understands the system of compressed hours, which lets an employee work their contracted weeks hours in four days rather than five, will be included in the package of new rights for workers. It will form part of a law being championed by Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, in close consultation with trade unions as well as businesses. Currently, employees have the legal right to request flexible working, but there is no obligation on companies to agree. That balance of power is to be shifted, with companies instead legally obliged to offer flexible working from day one except where it is not reasonably feasible. It means workers will have much greater powers to get bosses to agree if they want to complete their full weeks hours between Monday and Thursday, taking Friday off. The Conservatives warned that the approach undercuts Labours promise to prioritise economic growth and would leave businesses petrified. Kevin Hollinrake, the Tory shadow business secretary, said: Despite warning after warning from industry, Angela Rayner is pressing ahead with her French-style union laws that will make doing business more expensive in the UK. Labour must listen to businesses who are petrified about day one employment rights and bringing in the four-day week through the back door. It will be businesses and consumers who pay and growth that suffers if they dont listen. Reduced productivity Critics of the approach warn that flexible working, such as allowing people to more readily work from home, would actually lead to reduced productivity. But a Labour source close to the plans rejected the criticism, pointing out that the Tories, in their 2019 election manifesto, vowed to make flexible working the default and citing studies showing it could improve productivity. A Labour source said: The Conservatives pledged to make flexible working the default then failed to do so. Well build on their existing legislation to ensure flexibility is a genuine default, except where it is not reasonably feasible for employers to agree. Flexible working options such as compressed hours and term-time working can support more people to stay in the workforce and boost productivity, whether keeping parents in their jobs or helping those juggling caring responsibilities for older relatives. The working rights package, called Labours Plan to Make Work Pay, has been the subject of years of internal discussion and debate with trade unions. Now they are in government, ministers plan to deliver their promise to submit draft legislation to Parliament making the changes within 100 days of the election, by mid-October. Exactly how the new approach will work in practice is legally unclear. Much of the public debate has focused on hybrid working, which lets people work from home, and the right to switch off, which says employees should not be required to respond to emails after they have left work. But The Telegraph understands compressed hours will also be part of the package. That could mean a worker deciding to start earlier and work later for four days a week in order to have the fifth day free. A Labour source stressed that this was slightly different to how the four-day week is often understood, with someone doing 80 per cent of the work of a usual full week. The specific ability for businesses to reject such demands will depend on the exact wording of the legislation Labour will propose this autumn. Its proposal for companies to offer day one flexible working, set out in the finalised pre-election plan published in May to apply except where it is not reasonably feasible, must be converted into proper legal wording. The design of the package overall is to shift the burden from companies being able to opt into flexible working to their having to opt out for specific reasons. Government supporters of the drive argue that it is focused on shift workers as much as those who work in offices from Monday to Friday. They also argue that the change could help new parents getting back into work, allowing them to minimise childcare costs. Ms Rayner and Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, are jointly working on the new law. The legislation is expected to be published in mid-October, with some elements then going to consultation. A person submits their voter registration form after officially becoming a United States citizen during a naturalization oath ceremony held at Lila Cockrell Theater on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Gov. Greg Abbotts recent announcement that officials removed over a million Texans from voter rolls has renewed questions about the states so-called suspense list. Between 1 million and 2 million people are on the list at any given time, and if they dont correct the issue that got them there, their registration will eventually be canceled. Heres how the list works and how you can check if your name has landed on it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Why is my voter registration tracked? A voter can be flagged if any piece of mail, including a jury summons or voter registration certificate, is returned as undeliverable to their residential address. The secretary of state sends a voter registration certificate to all voters every two years. Many land on the list after moving within or out of Texas. A voters registration is canceled if they remain on the suspense list for two federal elections, or four years. Counties conduct a biannual cleaning in the months after each election cycle. How to check if your voter registration is active Enter your information on the secretary of states website to confirm whether your registration is active, under suspense or inactive. Advertisement Article continues below this ad You can search for your status based on your voter unique identification number (VUID), your Texas drivers license number or your name and county of registration. All searches require your date of birth. What to do if your registration is flagged Voters on the suspense list are still able to cast ballots in their county during early voting and on election days. This year, theyll need to update or confirm their address online before Oct. 7, the voter registration deadline, to be removed from the suspense list. The secretary of state is also required to send a notice of address confirmation, informing a voter of their suspense status. The voter can reply to that notice and be removed from the suspense list. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Daniel Sancho Bronchalo has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of murder - Somkeat Ruksaman/AP A Spanish Youtube chef has been found guilty of killing and dismembering a plastic surgeon with whom he travelled to Thailands full moon party island. Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, a member of a Spanish acting family, was on Thursday found guilty by a Thai court of premeditated murder and sentenced to life in prison. The Koh Samui Provincial Court issued an initial sentence of death for Sancho but commuted it to life imprisonment citing his co-operation during the trial. Sancho, 30, had been charged with the murder of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, a 44-year-old from Colombia, when both were staying on the Thai holiday island of Koh Pha-ngan in August last year. The island is famous for its monthly full moon beach parties, attracting travellers from around the world for all-night raves. Sanchos father, Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre, a prominent Spanish actor, attended the sentencing. Rodolfo Sancho leaves court after his son Daniel Sancho Bronchalo was handed a life sentence - Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP The case came to light when refuse collectors found what the Bangkok Post newspaper described as a sawed-off pelvis and intestines weighing about 11lbs (5kg) in a fertiliser sack at a rubbish dump. Shortly after that, Sancho reported to police that Arrieta was missing. Police then gathered evidence linking the two men that led them to detain and interrogate him. Police said that Sancho had confessed to murdering Arrieta because he threatened to disgrace him and his family by revealing their alleged sexual relationship. Sancho, through his father and his lawyers, said that was a distorted version of what he told police, and denied having a sexual relationship with Arrieta. Police obtained surveillance video showing Sancho allegedly purchasing a knife, rubber gloves, garbage bags and cleaning solutions at a convenience store before Arrietas death, which prosecutors claimed bolstered the charge of premeditated murder. I am sorry for what I did In his closing statement earlier in his trial, Sancho told the court he regretted his actions, the Spanish newspaper El Pais reported. I am sorry that a life has been lost and that parents have lost a son, Sancho said. I am sorry that his family was not able to bury him properly. Im sorry for what I did after the death. Dr Edwin Arrieta Arteaga was a plastic surgeon from Colombia The court also ordered Sancho to pay more than 4.2 million baht (94,000) in compensation to the victims family. Sanchos father said after the verdict that he intended to always keep fighting, to keep fighting. At his trial on the island of Samui, Sancho claimed he got into a fight with Arrieta when he allegedly tried to sexually assault him. He said that Arrieta fell as they scuffled and hit his head on a bathtub, losing consciousness and then dying. He had pleaded not guilty to charges of premeditated murder. Sancho acknowledged dismembering the victims body and disposing of the parts on land and at sea. For the charge of concealing or damaging a body, he received a four-month prison sentence, reduced to two months for acknowledging the act. He had also pleaded not guilty to the charge of destroying another persons documents the victims passport for which he received a two-year prison term. The elements of the case violent death on a holiday island, the celebrity connections and the lurid details attracted huge coverage in Spanish media. HBO has produced a Spanish-language documentary on the events. Under certain conditions, Sancho can apply to be repatriated to serve the remainder of his prison term in Spain after several years of incarceration in Thailand, according to a treaty between Bangkok and Madrid. One of Britains most wanted men has admitted his part in a drugs trafficking ring which brought cocaine worth 76 million into the UK from Ecuador. James Stevenson, 59, known as Jamie, entered a guilty plea mid-trial on Thursday as he faced 14 charges relating to the importation of cocaine, at the High Court in Glasgow. Stevenson admitted two charges of directing a serious criminal offence of importation of cocaine, and of being involved in organised crime through the production and supply of etizolam, often known as street Valium. He had denied all the charges, entering a special defence of incrimination, and had been subject to an international appeal by the National Crime Agency after the seizure of a tonne of cocaine at the Port of Dover in September 2020. His not guilty pleas to the remaining charges were accepted by the Crown. Co-accused Paul Bowes, 53, pleaded guilty to a charge of being involved in organised crime by being involved in the production and supply of Class C drug etizolam at a string of premises including the Nurai Island Resort in Abu Dhabi, in London and Rochester, Kent. Fruit market trader David Bilsland, 67, entered a guilty plea to a charge of agreeing to import cocaine, after the court heard evidence that he told a refrigeration engineer he had done something stupid and was going to jail for a long time. On Wednesday, Gerard Carbin, 44, and Ryan McPhee, 34, admitted being involved in organised crime through the production and supply of etizolam. Co-accused Lloyd Cross, 32, entered a guilty plea on the first day of the trial, August 7, with his defence saying the drugs could achieve a value of 76 million. Ryan McPhee admitted his role at the court on Wednesday (Police Scotland/PA) Defending, John Scullion said: The charge is in relation to a large quantity of cocaine which was recovered in Dover, which was concealed in a banana consignment 119 packets were concealed. Cocaine was of a purity of not less than 73%. The total value was in the region of 38 million on a wholesale basis. It could achieve a value of 76 million. There has been a considerable degree of co-operation on behalf of Lloyd Cross. On Thursday, prosecutors accepted not guilty pleas from Garry McIntyre, 43, and he was allowed to walk free from court. Stevenson, known as the Iceman, was described by the National Crime Agency as one of Scotlands most wanted fugitives in 2022 when he was named in a list of the UKs 12 most-wanted, after an international appeal was issued due to links with Alicante and Barcelona, Spain. Police Scotland described him as a dangerous individual who is responsible for a catalogue of serious crimes in an appeal, linked to the case. Images of the hoard of fruit were shown to the jury, along with a bag of cocaine seized. National Crime Agency witnesses gave evidence regarding the infiltration of highly-encrypted network Encrochat, which was intercepted by French law enforcement in April 2020. Prosecutor Michael Mackintosh told the court in a joint minute of agreed evidence that on September 21 2020, UK Border Force officials intercepted crates of bananas from Ecuador, addressed to a company, Glasgow Fruit Market, which contained a total of 952 blocks of cocaine each weighing one kilo just less than a tonne. Between May and September 21 2020, some 18 consignments were shipped to the company followed by a further two which arrived after law enforcement officers made the discovery. Forensic officers found the Class A drug was of 73% purity in 119 foil packages, each containing eight blocks of compressed white powder, the court heard. Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Police Scotlands head of organised crime, said the gang believed they were untouchable. The value of drugs was estimated at about 100 million and Stevenson was arrested in February 2022 in the south of the Netherlands, police said. Mr Ferry said: The conviction of this dangerous, organised crime group is testament to a complex investigation which spanned countries across the world. The multi-agency operation prevented a massive haul of drugs reaching our communities and ruining lives. It also underlines the value of working in partnership with our law enforcement colleagues in this country and abroad. Officers work tirelessly every day to disrupt the activities of serious organised crime groups who think they are above the law, and in some way untouchable. The guilty pleas tendered today show this not to be the case. NCA regional head of investigations Gerry Mclean said: The drugs trade causes damage and devastation, fuelling violence and the exploitation of young and vulnerable people. Following his arrest in 2020, career criminal Stevenson fled the country but continued to direct the importation of cocaine into the UK from abroad, falsely believing he could evade justice. His plea today, and admissions of guilt by five of his co-conspirators, are testament to the dedicated work of NCA, Police Scotland and law enforcement colleagues right across the globe. We are working tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups who supply Class A drugs, ensuring that all those involved, wherever they choose to hide, are brought before the courts. The case was adjourned until Monday at the same court. Double Paralympic swimming champion Maisie Summers-Newton hopes to remain top of her class in Paris after qualifying as a primary school teacher. Summers-Newton will defend her SB6 100m breaststroke and SM6 200m medley titles in the French capital following an A* performance on debut in Tokyo. The 22-year-old subsequently enrolled on a full-time teaching course at Northampton University and will graduate in November after receiving her results earlier this summer. Yet she will not be swapping the pool for the classroom any time soon, having chalked up multiple world titles and Commonwealth gold during the past two years. Its been quite intense but Im someone who loves being busy and Ive been able to have that life outside of sport, which is really important, Summers-Newton, who competes in the 100m on Friday, told the PA news agency. Sport, as much as I would love to stay in it forever, its not going to last forever hopefully it will last a few more years. Anything could happen with injury, you dont know what will happen, thats the nature of sport. Today just got EVEN bigger! Meet the first athletes heading to Paris #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/eWDmH5jh1h ParalympicsGB (@ParalympicsGB) May 20, 2024 Im just someone who likes to be prepared, so having that as a back-up, its always there for me. Topping the podium twice in Japan propelled Summers-Newton from little-known newcomer to one of ParalympicsGBs headline acts. With Ellie Simmonds and Ellie Robinson having retired after the last Games, she is one of only two reigning champions in GBs current swimming squad, alongside S5 100m freestyle gold title holder Tully Kearney. Despite her previous successes and new-found senior status, Summers-Newton will not be troubled by the weight of expectation. Theres always the perception of, shes double Paralympic champion so shes got to come away with the same amount of medals again, she said. But before going into Tokyo, I would never have dreamed of coming away with two gold medals so thats my ultimate dreams come true. To add more on to that would be absolutely amazing and fulfil even more of my dreams. Fingers crossed it will happen but Im trying not to put too much pressure on myself. Kimberly Rae Owens, 58, is a respiratory therapist and mother-of-three living in Alabama, US. In 2021, she fell in love with a man and was with him for a year before discovering he was a serial conman who had committed fraud and theft in previous relationships. Here's her shocking story... Kimberly Rae Owens had been married for 26 years but after they split up, she found herself back in the dating world. (Supplied) (Supplied) As I boarded the plane to Florida, I was nervous but felt a sense of exhilaration. For the first time in my life, I was embarking on a solo holiday, a sunshine break purely for me. For most of my adult life I had been a loyal wife and hardworking mother. Id married my husband in my twenties and wed been married for 26 years. The first few years were great but we drifted apart. I knew I wasnt in love but it took until my late forties to end it. It was a hard decision but the right thing to do. I wanted fun, affection and to shake life up a bit. I was nervous about dating again but started seeing someone from work for a while. Then I tried online dating which was an experience! Either men wanted you for sex or they wanted you to commit. I went on a few dates but realised that it was just a game and wanted someone special. I fell into a two-year relationship but again, I ended it. I was still learning about what I needed from life. Which is why, after this break-up, I decided to take my first ever solo holiday to Key West, a beautiful part of Florida where Id spent many happy times. I planned to meet up with a girlfriend after a few days to do some skydiving. Kimberly, pictured the day before she met Chad* who turned her life upside down. (Supplied) (Supplied) Love-bombed by my new boyfriend It was while on a night out with that girlfriend that we got chatting to a security guard at the hotel. Tall, tanned and handsome with beautiful hazel eyes, Chad* really made me laugh. He gave me his number and when my friend was out on a date the following day, I decided to call him. He came over and we hung out by the pool, laughing and drinking. There was a definite spark and we promised to keep in touch. When my plane landed, Chad* had already texted saying, I watched your plane leave. Youre the kind of woman I could fall in love with and I felt a warm glow. As I sat on the plane flying home, I couldnt stop smiling. When I landed, Chad had already texted saying: I watched your plane leave. Youre the kind of woman I could fall in love with and I felt a warm glow. We texted and flirted, finding out more about each other. Then, a few months later, he invited me to stay with him for one of the big festivals. He told me that hed recently bought a sailboat for a good price. Tragically, the previous owner had killed himself and while the son had inherited the boat, he didnt want it. It needed lots of work. Chad told me that he was busy moving from his apartment to the boat, so why didnt I come and stay with him? It sounded like a wonderful opportunity. The infamous sailboat which the conman Chad* claimed he owned. (Supplied) (Supplied) A whirlwind romance When I arrived in Florida the sun was shining and I couldnt wait to see him. On the boat that night, after hed returned from work we spent our first night together and the sex was amazing. We had a fun few days, going out for meals and dancing together. He seemed incredibly popular with the locals, buying drinks for everyone and he seemed proud to be with me. We had a fun few days, going out for meals and dancing together. He seemed incredibly popular with the locals, buying drinks for everyone and he seemed proud to be with me. We continued to keep in touch and a few months later an opportunity to work in a Florida hospital came up and I decided to go for it. Id been thinking about a change of career and Id be based eight hours away from where Chad was living on the boat, so it wasnt as if I was moving to be with him. But I could visit him more easily at the weekends and hed be nearer to me. When I told him my plans he seemed a little surprised but said, "If youre all in, Im all in." At first, spending time on the boat with Chad* seemed like the dream lifestyle. (Supplied) (Supplied) Leaving my home and job I moved in January 2022 and we made many exciting plans. He was going to fix up the boat and sail it north to moor in a marina closer to me. He mentioned something about needing to change his surname as he was going to inherit some money from his stepfather, who had insisted that he change his name to his. That seemed a little strange, but I didnt think any more about it. We made plans to both get our captains licence and then run sailing trips on the boat. We even talked about engagement rings and our future. But looking back, there were signs all was not well. There often seemed to be an issue with his credit card and Id find myself having to pay for little things like petrol or trips out to the boat. He asked if I could put down the $500 deposit for a beautiful marina near my home so he could moor up when he arrived to be with me. But I didnt mind. I was doing this for 'us'. Looking back, there were signs that all was not well. There often seemed to be an issue with his credit card and Id find myself having to pay for little things like petrol or trips out to the boat. I could tell that Chad seemed to be getting depressed by how much time it was taking to fix the boat. On one of my visits to him he looked like hed been sleeping rough. I took him to a hotel to get cleaned up and we went out for a lovely meal which I paid for. The next night we went to another restaurant which he offered to pay for but then told me hed 'lost his wallet'. The disasters continued. When, several weeks later, the boat was finally fixed and he was sailing to be nearer to me, he was beset with more problems. The boat broke down an hour from where hed set off, he was caught in a big storm, he got carbon monoxide poisoning, he lost a rudder. Red flags Something in my gut didnt feel right. I cancelled the marina fees as Id been paying $500 (380) for four months and I drove down to see him. Once again, I ended up paying hundreds of dollars for the boat to be towed back to safety. Chad had been borrowing my truck for several months because he didnt have a car and when I said I needed it back, he got angry with me, so I gave in and let him keep it a little longer. The next night we went to another restaurant which he offered to pay for but then told me hed 'lost his wallet'. It was one morning soon afterwards when we were out walking together that I suddenly had a panic attack. The night before, Id watched a programme about a conman scamming someone out of money and I blurted out, "Are you going to take me for everything and then chop me up into little pieces?" Chad laughed. He reassured me and I felt a little silly. But after he left that day to go back to the boat, I tracked him on my phone. For months wed had Find My Phone on each others devices so we could trace each others whereabouts if we got lost. I saw he wasnt going back to the boat at all. Within minutes, hed untagged me from the tracker and I had no idea where he was. The sickening truth At that moment I knew. I just knew. Panic set in. Chad still had my truck and I knew I needed to get it back or Id never see it again. Id already paid out thousands of dollars on the marina, on meals and hotels, on the boat money Id never see again. I didnt want to lose any more. I went home and started to Google frantically. I discovered he was already on probation and there was a warrant out for his arrest a woman had a restraining order on him. Even worse, as I was checking my phone I discovered a message Id had on there for 30 days that Id never opened. It was anonymous but said, 'Dont give him any more money, hes not who you think he is.' I felt sick. Why had I not seen this before? I went home and started to Google frantically which is when I discovered he was already on probation and there was a warrant out for his arrest a woman had a restraining order on him. Had he breached it? I started asking questions and via mutual friends I discovered another woman he had conned. I got a number for her and we texted. She told me that while hed never hurt her physically, he had made her life hell. I was never really sure what she meant by that and she didnt explain but it made me very nervous. Kimberly was gradually conned out of more and more money by her criminal boyfriend. (Supplied) (Supplied) Terrifying rage I knew I needed to get my things back and end it straightaway. With my heart racing, I texted him to say that the car Id been borrowing had broken down so I needed my truck back. He went mad, really angry. I tried to placate him by saying that we would talk about it over dinner and perhaps we could find a way to finally make this work? As I travelled down to Key West for the last time, I was so nervous. I realised I had no idea who this man really was. I texted my three daughters to say that I wasnt sure what he was capable of but I would be careful. I realised I had no idea who this man really was. I texted my three daughters to say that I wasnt sure what he was capable of but I would be careful. When I arrived at the airport, Chad was waiting for me but he was cold and distant, a completely different person. There was no hug or kiss. We made our way to the truck where he handed me the keys and told me to drop him off somewhere. I tried to leave on good terms but he wasnt interested. The last I heard from him was a text to ask how it was going. My response was, "Dont you dare contact me again or Ill call the police and thats how my day is going." A conman unmasked A month later, I got a phone call from the people who owned the boat. They said Chad had offered to look after the boat for them when they inherited it a kind of caretaker. He had conned them and taken the boat without their permission. In fact, I discovered that he had conned several people. I'd lost around $7,000 (5,345) in total to him but it could have been so much more. Id had a lucky escape. I have since discovered hes been found guilty of fraud and theft after conning another woman and been ordered to pay her back thousands of dollars. Ill never know if she received her money. I discovered he'd conned several people. I'd lost around $7000 (5345) in total to him but it could have been so much more. Id had a lucky escape. I can see now that I should have seen so many more red flags but he was clever and convincing. Plus, I really thought we had something special. My three daughters are relieved Im out of the relationship. They never liked Chad but couldnt say anything to me because they thought I was in love. But theyve warned me only half joking that Im not allowed to date anyone else until theyve met him. Ive written a book about my experience in the hope that it will help other women recognise how manipulative some men can be and it may help them look at their own relationships. Ive realised how some women, like me, are attracted to men with faults because we want to 'fix' them. But we end up being the ones who get hurt. Now, nearly two years on, Im ready to move on. Im not a man-hater. I know there are good men out there and Im willing to try dating again. But I will be a lot more careful and will know the signs to look out for Im a lot less trusting than I used to be. Red Flags in Key West, a memoir by Kimberly Rae Owens is out now on Amazon. *Name has been changed. Read more I became friends with the man who tried to scam me (Yahoo Life UK, 9-min read) My ex was a narcissist, it took me two years to recover from his abuse (Yahoo Life UK, 9-min read) I suffered financial abuse my husband would get angry if I even spent 1.50 (Yahoo Life UK, 7-min Shread) Rachel Reeves held talks with the leaders of some of Britains biggest business groups on Thursday, vowing to co-design Government policy with them ahead of the October Budget. The Chancellor, who embarked on a major charm offensive with businesses while in opposition, said she would continue the strong partnership now that Labour is in Government. Bosses at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the Institute of Directors (IoD), the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Make UK were at the meeting. Ms Reeves said: Under this new Governments leadership, I will lead the most pro-growth, pro-business Treasury in our history, with a laser focus on making working people better off. This afternoon @BCCShevaun was pleased to join business leaders for a productive meeting with Chancellor @RachelReevesMP. It was a valuable opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to work in partnership with government to boost business investment and drive economic growth. pic.twitter.com/lERlWJLQg1 BCC (@britishchambers) August 29, 2024 That can only happen by working in partnership with businesses, big, medium and small. I want to continue the strong partnership we built with business in opposition now we are in Government, to deliver on our shared goal of fixing the foundations of our economy, so we can rebuild Britain and make every part of the country better off. Bosses voiced their support after the meeting, but also hinted at the demands they made behind closed doors. Stephen Phipson, chief executive of manufacturing trade body Make UK, said the meeting was very welcome, and called for more detail on the delivery as well as vision. Shevaun Haviland, director general of the BCC, said the group outlined our priorities for the autumn Budget, recognising the public finance challenge. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned of a painful Budget in October earlier this week. He also said things are worse than we ever imagined because of a 22 billion black hole in the public finances. Sir Keir said he found out last week that the Tories had borrowed almost 5 billion more than the Office for Budget Responsibility expected. According to a Treasury announcement, Ms Reeves told bosses her door is always open to valuable business insights on the opportunities and challenges they face. Tina McKenzie, FSB policy chairwoman, said the diversity of UK businesses 99% of which are the small, micro or self-employed that we represent needs reflecting in Government policy-making. Rain Newton-Smith, chief of the CBI, added that she welcomes the promise to co-design policy. Jonathan Geldart, director general of the IoD, added that Ms Reeves must design a stable tax and policy framework needed to support business confidence and investment. A man who used a wheelchair has been described as cheerful and caring after he was stabbed to death in east London. Jade Anthony Barnett, 38, was attacked on Wednesday afternoon and two men have since been arrested. The Metropolitan Police said officers were called at 3.38pm on Wednesday to reports of a fight in Rushmore Road, Clapton, and found a man with a stab injury. He was treated by London Ambulance Service paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene. Crime scene markers on Overbury Street near the scene in Rushmore Road, Clapton, east London, after a man in his 30s was stabbed to death (PA) His sister, Simone Barnett, 45, from Hackney, told the PA news agency that her brother was jolly, cheerful, caring and he never took nothing too seriously, he laughed everything off. He used to live in Clapton with his mother but his friends said he had moved to the Stratford area. Ms Barnett said: He comes around here (Clapton) all the time, everyone knew my brother young, old, mothers, fathers, everybody knew my brother. Everybody is family, hes just that character. His friends said he lost his leg in a motorcycle accident in 2007. A woman who was also at the cordon and who did not want to be named, said: He was always funny, making jokes, friendly with everybody, always had a smile on his face, and always pleasant. Theres not a bad thing I could say about him. I know him from long time, hes a nice guy, very nice guy, always see him, hes always pleasant. You never expect (an incident like this) at all, to be honest, but to him, least of all hes just nice, always, always a pleasure to see him, hes upbeat. A man who knew Mr Barnett, but also did not want to be identified, said he was a young guy, good spirit, no enemies, no guns, no crime, no gangs. Two men, aged 28 and 21, have been arrested and remain in custody at an east London police station. A black and grey electric wheelchair could be seen standing behind the cordon close to a forensics tent at the scene late on Wednesday evening. The wheelchair and tent are on Overbury Street overlooked by a housing estate, with the cordon stretching on to Rushmore Road. Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: Our investigation is still in the early stages and my detectives are working hard to establish the circumstances of what has happened this afternoon. If anyone has any information about this tragic incident I urge them to come forwards and speak to us, or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously with any information. A number of streets have been cordoned off as our investigation continues at pace and I am grateful for the patience of the local residents of Clapton. Our thoughts are with the family of the victim at this difficult time. The public can expect to see continued and significant police activity in the local area as we continue with our rigorous investigation. Anyone with any information has been asked to call police on 101 or message @MetCC on X, formerly Twitter, quoting CAD 4793/28AUG. Smokers heroes of the nation, says Farage as he lights up cigarette near pub Nigel Farage has branded smokers the heroes of the nation in terms of the amount of taxation they pay, in response to a potential cigarettes ban outside pubs. The Reform UK leader lit up a Benson and Hedges outside the Westminster Arms shortly before 6pm on Thursday, less than 400m from the Prime Ministers official residence in Downing Street. Sir Keir Starmer earlier told reporters the loss of lives because of smoking are preventable and that his ministers would take decisions on an outdoor cigarettes ban. According to leaked Whitehall papers, seen by The Sun newspaper, ministers could extend the indoor smoking ban to beer gardens, university and hospital campuses, sports grounds, childrens play areas and small parks. Taking questions at the pub, Mr Farage told the PA news agency: Youll notice very few people drink inside it, they drink outside it. Why? Because theyre allowed a smoke outside. Ive been coming here for 30 years, regular basis, every week for 30 years. If the Government say that I cant have a drink and a smoke outside, I wont come back. And Im one of hundreds of regular customers of this pub that take that view. And look, you know, I do understand that people in enclosed areas didnt like smoke, but youve got the option now you can be inside, you can be outside, you can avoid it if you want to. I dont think the Government have thought through the consequences of this. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage with a cigarette and a pint in central London (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Are we really going to be smoke-free by 2030? Well, let me ask another question are we going to be drug-free by 2030? What the Governments doing is attacking something thats legal because its given up on attacking the illegal drugs trade, but if you tax tobacco too heavily, which were doing, if you regulate and almost ban people from smoking anywhere, what you do is you drive it into the hands of the criminals. Mr Farage claimed that in Australia cigarettes now are sold under the counter, massive criminal gangs are behind the smoking trade. According to the Australian Taxation Office, the Canberra-based bureau has agreed to hike tobacco excise and excise-equivalent customs duty by an additional 5% per year for three years, starting in September last year, in addition to ordinary index-linked rises. The previous Conservative government had suggested a cigarettes ban for anybody turning 15 this year, or younger. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill would have made it an offence for shopkeepers to sell tobacco or herbal smoking products, or cigarette papers, to anybody born after January 1 2009, and it had almost cleared the House of Commons before Rishi Sunak called the General Election in May. Labour suggested reviving those proposals as part of the Kings Speech in July. A Bill will be introduced to progressively increase the age at which people can buy cigarettes and impose limits on the sale and marketing of vapes, Charles told peers and MPs in the House of Lords. Mr Farage said: This is not just the Labour Party. I mean, this is the political class saying, you know, We know whats best for you, you must do what we tell you to do. Rishi Sunaks plans were completely mad that in 10 years time a 25-year-old could buy a smoke and 24-year-old couldnt. Asked about the cost of smoking to the NHS, the MP for Clacton in Essex replied: Well, the last time I looked at it, tobacco revenues were four to five times the cost of the NHS annually. So theres no economic argument. In fact, you could argue that smokers are the heroes of the nation in terms of the amount of taxation they pay. Asked about plans for a smoking ban on a visit to Paris, where he attended the Paralympics 2024 opening ceremony, Sir Keir said: I think its important to get the balance right, but everybody watching this who uses the NHS will know that its on its knees. We have to relieve the burden, and thats why I spoke before the election about moving to a preventative model when it comes to health. Sir Keir Starmer met British athletes on his visit to Paris, including Funmi Oduwaiye (left), Daniel Pembroke (second right), Aled Davies (right) and head of preparations Maria Adey (centre) (Justin Tallis/PA) The Prime Minister added: My starting point on this is to remind everyone that over 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking. Thats a preventable death. Its a huge burden on the NHS, and, of course, its a burden on the taxpayer. So, yes, we are going to take decisions in this space. More details will be revealed, but this is a preventable series of deaths, and weve got to take the action to reduce the burden on the NHS and reduce the burden on the taxpayer. According to the charity Action on Smoking and Health, in the year following the introduction of English smoke-free laws in 2007, there was a 2.4% reduction in hospital admissions for heart attacks, saving the NHS 8.4 million in their first year. Sir Keir Starmer has said he discussed his plans to reset relations with France and the European Union as a whole during talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The Prime Minister held talks with Mr Macron at the Elysee Palace after meeting some of Team GBs Paralympic athletes on Thursday morning. Sir Keir said of his meeting with the French president: We discussed the situation in Ukraine, as you would expect, the situation in the Middle East, bilateral issues in terms of trade and defence and security, but also the wider reset that I want in relation to our relations, not just with France, but with the EU in general. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is embraced by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace (Justin Tallis/PA) They were the topics that we discussed as part of the reset, rebuild and making sure that our number one mission, which is growing the economy, is absolutely central to everything that we do. A Downing Street spokesperson said: The leaders reflected on the success of the European Political Community meeting, held at Blenheim Palace last month, and agreed on the importance of further strengthening and broadening the close relationship between the UK and France in the coming months. The Prime Minister also welcomed the joint action between the UK and France to tackle small boat crossings and he and Mr Macron agreed to do more together to dismantle smuggling routes further upstream and increase intelligence sharing, the spokesperson said. Sir Keir and Mr Macron were among the audience at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony in the French capital on Wednesday evening. The Prime Ministers visit to Paris follows talks in Berlin with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a sign of his desire to seek closer relations with key figures in the EU. On the first leg of his trip, Sir Keir said he was not reversing Brexit as he set out plans for a new treaty with Germany including deeper links in several areas. He agreed that a deal with Germany would be in place by the end of the year following talks with Mr Scholz and also noted it was a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The two countries also agreed to develop a joint action plan to tackle illegal migration. An agreement on youth mobility has been suggested by Brussels and could be a key demand in any negotiations. That could be seen as a step towards the restoration of free movement and Sir Keir said he did not have plans for a youth mobility deal, and he had clear red lines on the future relationship with the EU. Sir Keir Starmer with Team GBs team manager for athletics Pamela Robson (left) and head of preparations Maria Adey (right) at a training centre in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Justin Tallis/PA) Germanys ambassador to the UK has said an agreement with the European Union on youth mobility should be in the British interest. Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: There are many misunderstandings about what youth mobility really means. It is not freedom of movement, it has nothing to do with migration. It means that young people, who are really those who have most lost because of Brexit, that they have the possibility to come to the European Union, to come to the United Kingdom, for a limited amount of time, and then they will leave. So, its enhancing the possibilities for young people. Thats what we want. And its not only Germany, I can tell you all the 27 in the European Union want to enhance that. Sir Keir Starmer has met French President Emmanuel Macron for talks in Paris as he continues his plan to reset relations with the European Union. The Prime Minister met some of Team GBs Paralympic athletes on Thursday morning before the talks with Mr Macron at the Elysee Palace. Sir Keir and Mr Macron were among the audience at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony in the French capital on Wednesday evening. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is embraced by Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace (Justin Tallis/PA) Sir Keirs visit to Paris follows talks in Berlin with German counterpart Olaf Scholz in a sign of the Prime Ministers desire to seek closer relations with key figures in the EU. On the first leg of his trip, Sir Keir said he was not reversing Brexit as he set out plans for a new treaty with Germany including deeper links in several areas. He agreed that a deal with Germany would be in place by the end of the year following talks with counterpart Olaf Scholz and also noted it was a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The two countries also agreed to develop a joint action plan to tackle illegal migration. An agreement on youth mobility has been suggested by Brussels and could be a key demand in any negotiations. That could be seen as a step towards the restoration of free movement and Sir Keir said he did not have plans for a youth mobility deal, and he had clear red lines on the future relationship with the EU. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer walks on a track and speaks with Team GBs team manager for athletics Pamela Robson (left) and head of preparations Maria Adey (right) at a training centre in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Justin Tallis/PA) Germanys ambassador to the UK has said an agreement with the European Union on youth mobility should be in the British interest. Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4s Today Programme: There are many misunderstandings about what youth mobility really means. It is not freedom of movement, it has nothing to do with migration. It means that young people, who are really those who have most lost because of Brexit, that they have the possibility to come to the European Union, to come to the United Kingdom, for a limited amount of time, and then they will leave. So, its enhancing the possibilities for young people. Thats what we want. And its not only Germany, I can tell you all the 27 in the European Union want to enhance that. John Swinneys first party conference since returning as SNP leader is due to begin with a post-mortem examination into what went wrong in the election campaign. The SNP dropped to just nine seats in the July 4 poll, its worst return in more than a decade. The first session of the Edinburgh conference will be a behind-closed-doors meeting led by Mr Swinney that will assess what went wrong in the campaign. Speaking to the PA news agency on Thursday, he described the election as very difficult for the party. Theres obviously a lesson that weve to learn from that, and that would be part of the discussion on Friday morning, he said. Whats important is the SNP focuses on building for the future. Weve got a great track record of serving the people of Scotland, we need to build on that to make sure we make the positive and hopeful case for independence and that will be at the heart of the party conference. Over the course of the weekend, speeches from depute leader Keith Brown, Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and Mr Swinney will be punctuated by policy discussions with Scottish Government ministers including Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson and Finance Secretary Shona Robison. (PA Graphics) Mr Robertson will likely face questions from members about the recent controversy surrounding his meeting with the deputy Israeli ambassador. Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said the conference takes place in the long shadow of SNP failure. She added: NHS waiting lists are at a record high, exam results are tumbling and public services across the board are facing brutal cuts, but the SNP has no answers. This is a Government that has completely lost its way and we are all paying the price for its incompetence. The SNP is tired, divided and mired in scandal it cannot deliver for the people of Scotland. They are a party out of ideas and Scots are paying the price. Scottish Conservative finance spokeswoman Liz Smith said: John Swinney is fooling no-one with his desperate attempt to blame anyone but the SNP for the savage cuts and tax rises his Government is imposing. With the financially illiterate SNP destroying our economy, and Labour imposing savage cuts on the most vulnerable, Scotland is truly stuck between a rock and a hard place. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, shown speaking during the 2022 Republican Party of Texas Convention in June, has asked the federal government for more time to challenge the accuracy of a nationwide map that purports to show household-level information about who lacks access to reliable, high-speed internet. Michael Wyke / Contributor A coalition of progressive business organizations is suing Texas over a 2021 law that blocks the state from investing in and contracting with companies that boycott the fossil fuel industry. The suit, filed in federal court in Austin on Thursday by the American Sustainable Business Council, argues that the law infringes on the companies free speech and association rights and does not allow banned companies due process. The law, it argues, constitutes viewpoint-based discrimination that allows the Texas comptroller to punish speech he dislikes. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar and Attorney General Ken Paxton are named as defendants. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Among ASBCs many projects are efforts to encourage sustainable investing and sustainable business practices, lawyers for the council write in the suit. These are all cornerstones of the modern Texas economy. Yet, SB 13 takes aim at, and punishes, companies that speak about, aspire to, and achieve this goal. Republicans pushing SB 13 contended that doing business with companies that boycott fossil fuel-based energy companies has a negative effect on the Texas economy. S.B. 13 seeks to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not being used to promote an agenda that hurts the state's energy sector and economy as a whole by prohibiting investments by certain state entities in companies that boycott these energy companies, the bill analysis reads. As of this month, there are almost 370 businesses and investment funds, including Blackrock, Inc and HSCBC Holdings, PLC, that the comptrollers office has blacklisted for their boycotts of the oil and gas industries. Hegar called the lawsuit an "absurd" attempt to "force the state of Texas and Texas taxpayers to invest their own money in a manner inconsistent with their values and detrimental to their own economic well-being." Advertisement Article continues below this ad "During a time when experts are revising long-term fossil fuel demand projections drastically upward, these groups continue to shove their radical agenda onto consumers and ignore the critical role this sector plays, and will continue to play, in our daily lives," he said in a statement. The attorney generals office, which defends state agencies in court, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In Thursdays suit, the business council argues that SB 13 forces members to choose between their First Amendment rights and their ability to compete for investments from and contracts with the state. It also argues the law is written so vaguely that council members cant determine whether their actions or expressions constitute a boycott. Advertisement Article continues below this ad SB 13 is similar to a 2017 law that blocks state investments and certain contracts with companies that boycott Israel. In 2019, after a federal judge blocked enforcement of the law, finding that it would violate the First Amendment, lawmakers narrowed the law to exclude small businesses and small contracts. Oasis have announced three more dates in Manchester, London and Edinburgh for the Britpop bands reunion tour. Noel Gallagher posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying that due to unprecedented demand shows in Heaton Park, on July 16, Wembley on July 30 and Murrayfield Stadium on August 12 had been added. Tickets have not yet gone on sale, but the Manchester rockers invited fans to apply for a pre-sale ballot which has now closed before Saturdays general release. Noel and his brother Liam put their acrimonious split behind them, confirming the bands long-awaited reunion on Tuesday, saying: The great wait is over. Ticket prices for the Oasis Live 25 tour are expected to be announced on Thursday, before lucky fans are notified by email that they have secured the opportunity of getting pre-sale tickets. The band also reassured applicants that the confirmation email for pre-sale ballot entries are still being sent on Thursday. Oasis wrote on X: The deadline to confirm your entry has now been extended to 10am BST tomorrow morning (Friday 30th August). If successful in the ballot, you will be contacted tomorrow by 5pm BST with pre-sale access information. Thank you for your patience. The UK and Ireland shows, which are the only European dates, will also visit Dublins Croke Park, and Cardiffs Principality Stadium. The dates already released are as follows: Principality Stadium July 4 and 5; Heaton Park July 11, 12, 19 and 20; Wembley Stadium July 25 and 26 and August 2 and 3; Murrayfield Stadium August 8 and 9; and Croke Park August 16 and 17. Due to unprecedented demand, three new UK dates will be added to Oasis Live 25 Heaton Park July 16th Wembley July 30thEdinburgh August 12thTickets on go on sale this Saturday, 31st August at 9am BST: https://t.co/oQKxgC2kr9 pic.twitter.com/sNk0ZpHlVG Noel Gallagher (@NoelGallagher) August 29, 2024 Promoters MCD revealed on its website that the cost of the two Croke Park gigs will start at 86.50 euros (72.75). It has not been announced who will be performing with Liam and Noel as part of Oasis. Fans have been pleading with the brothers to regroup since they disbanded, prompted by a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris. Noel, 57, quit the Manchester rock group on August 28 2009, saying he simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer, and the brothers have made negative comments about each other for more than a decade. Though fans have been positive about a reunion, concerns have been raised about high ticket prices and accommodation, and the prospect of Liam and Noel having another falling out. What better way to live in a Barbie World than with a Barbie phone? HMD (Human Mobile Devices) unveiled its Barbie Flip Phone Wednesday, designed with plenty of pink nostalgic and without social media. The company has partnered with Mattel to create the retro device that helps cut down on screen time to focus on living the Barbie lifestyle. While fulfilling the essential functions of mobile phone like calling and texting, the device will not have internet access or the ability to install social media apps. Instead the device will be equipped with multiple Easter eggs including a "Hi Barbie" voice message when powered on. "Its pink, its chic, its sleek, its got a mirror on the front (so you can touch up on the go) and it is the perfect tool to live your best life and take a vacation from your smartphone," the HMD news release said. While the product is already available in the U.K. for 99 ($130.74) as of Wednesday, U.S. consumers must wait for October to make calls like Barbie. Barbie phone with pink battery, lanyard and extra covers If owning the phone of childhood dreams wasn't appealing enough, the product also comes with replaceable covers, accessories and a Barbie-style beaded phone strap, according to HMD. The purchase of the Barbie flip phone comes with the following items: Two extra back covers Crystals, gem stickers and other accessories Pink battery Pink USB Type-C charger Beaded lanyard and attachable charms Cleaning cloth Setup guide HMD has unveiled its new Barbie Flip Phone available for U.S. customers for $129 starting Oct. 24, 2024. How to buy the HMD Barbie Phone The HMD Barbie Phone will cost $129 for U.S. customers. The product release date is set for Oct. 1, however, eager buyers can place their pre-order by visiting HMD.com by Sept. 23. The cellular device will work for AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon wireless networks. The company also recommends following @hmd.unitedstates on Instagram for updates until release date. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hi Barbie! How to get your own HMD Barbie-themed flip phone Artem Chigvintsev, 42, has been arrested and faces a felony domestic violence charge. "Dancing with the Stars" pro Artem Chigvintsev has been arrested in California on suspicion of felony domestic violence. The 42-year-old dancer, who is married to former WWE star Nikki Garcia of "Total Bellas," was arrested around 10 a.m. Thursday and booked in Napa County jail. He was being held on $25,000 bail, according to booking records reviewed by USA TODAY. He was released past 2 p.m., more than three hours after he was booked in jail. USA TODAY has reached out to reps for Chigvintsev, Garcia, the Napa County Sheriff's Office and "DWTS" for comment. Chigvintsev and Garcia, who were partnered on "DWTS" in 2017 and married in 2022, share a 4-year-old son, Matteo Artemovich. Garcia on Wednesday posted an Instagram Story indicating she was in Napa, where their family lives. Chigvintsev, who won Season 29 of "DWTS" with Kaitlyn Bristowe in 2020 and came in fourth place with Charity Lawson last season, has been on the ABC competition show for a decade, except for a hiatus during the 2019 season. A source familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly told USA TODAY Thursday that Chigvintsev is not part of the "Dancing with the Stars" Season 33 cast. "Pommel horse guy" Stephen Nedoroscik, an Olympic medalist who went viral earlier this summer, is the only confirmed cast member so far. Garcia in 2020 revealed that being cut from "DWTS" for one season was detrimental to her husband's mental health. "This past year was really tough on him, and it was also tough on our relationship, because Artem was fighting depression," she said on "The Bellas Podcast." "He was really depressed being cut, and it was really hard for him to get past it. And he then finally found a job right before COVID hit, then he lost it, and then it brought that depression back of not being a part of 'Dancing With the Stars.'" When Chigvintsev got the call to return, however, he "immediately changed," she added. "I felt like I had my old Artem back, the man that I fell in love with," she said. "To see him perform, his smile could not get any bigger, and you just felt his excitement and his love and his passion and, more than anything, his happiness. He was so happy to be back." If you are a victim of domestic violence, The National Domestic Violence Hotline (thehotline.org) allows you to speak confidentially with trained advocates online or by the phone, which they recommend for those who think their online activity is being monitored by their abuser (800-799-7233). They can help survivors develop a plan to achieve safety for themselves and their children. Contributing: Charles Trepany This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Artem Chigvintsev arrested on domestic violence charge Ford is changing some of its diversity and inclusion policies, joining a growing list of companies altering their approaches amid a changing legal and political environment and online pressure from the right. Ford CEO Jim Farley said in an email to employees Wednesday that the company has changed some of its policies in the past year. It has shifted its employee resource groups focus and ended participation in external culture surveys by the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group. In 2017, Ford boasted about its recognition from the organization as one of the best places to work for LGBTQ equality. Right-wing activist Robby Starbuck posted a copy of the email on X and took credit, saying he had told the automaker he was looking into their policies. (Ford confirmed the accuracy of the email to CNN.) We are mindful that our employees and customers hold a wide range of beliefs, Farley wrote in the email. The external and legal environment related to political and social issues continues to evolve. Farley said that Ford remains committed to creating an inclusive workspace and building a team that leverages diverse perspectives, backgrounds and thinking styles. Ford joins Harley-Davidson, Tractor Supply Co., John Deere and other companies in revising or pulling back on their diversity, equity and inclusion programs (DEI), support for gay Pride marches and LGBTQ events, strategies to slow climate change and other social policies. Some companies have backtracked more than Ford. Tractor Supply, for example, announced in June that it will withdraw its carbon emission reduction goals and eliminate jobs and goals focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. It will also stop sponsoring LGBTQ+ Pride festivals and voting campaigns Starbuck, a former Hollywood music video director turned conservative activist, has claimed credit for these moves. But business experts have told CNN that Starbucks activism alone does not fully explain these decisions, and some companies commitments to diversity and inclusion were thin to start. The Human Rights Campaign criticized Fords announcement, saying the company was abandoning inclusive employees policies and support and cowering to Starbuck. Ford Motor Companys shortsighted decisions will have long-term consequences, Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said in a news release Wednesday. Ford Motor Company is abandoning its financial duty to recruit and keep top talent from across the full talent pool. In making their purchasing decisions, consumers should take note that Ford Motor Company has abandoned its commitment to our communities. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) - General Motors was ordered by a federal appeals court to face a class action claiming it violated laws of 26 U.S. states by knowingly selling several hundred thousand cars, trucks and SUVs with faulty transmissions. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said a lower court judge had discretion to let drivers sue in groups over Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles equipped with 8L45 or 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmissions, and sold in the 2015 through 2019 model years. Drivers said the vehicles shudder and shake in higher gears, and hesitate and lurch in lower gears, even after repair attempts. They also accused GM of telling dealers to provide assurance that harsh shifts were "normal." GM did not immediately respond on Thursday to requests for comment. The decision was issued on Wednesday by a three-judge panel of the Cincinnati-based appeals court. Class actions can result in greater recoveries at lower cost than if plaintiffs were forced to sue individually. The GM litigation covers about 800,000 vehicles, including 514,000 in the certified classes. Vehicles include the Cadillac CTS, CT6 and Escalade; Chevrolet Camaro, Colorado, Corvette and Silverado; and GMC Canyon, Sierra and Yukon, among others. In opposing class certification, GM said most class members never experienced problems and therefore lacked standing to sue. It also said there were too many differences among class members to justify group lawsuits. Circuit Judge Karen Nelson Moore, however, said overpaying for allegedly defective vehicles was enough to establish standing. She also said "exactly how, and to what extent, each of the individual plaintiffs experienced a shudder or shift quality issue is irrelevant" to whether GM concealed known defects, and whether drivers would have found that information material. The court also rejected GM's argument that many potential claims belonged in arbitration. It returned the case to U.S. District Judge David Lawson in Detroit, who certified the classes in March 2023. "We look forward to holding GM accountable before a Michigan jury," Ted Leopold, a Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll partner representing the drivers, said in a statement. The case is Speerly et al v. General Motors LLC, 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 23-1940. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Nick Zieminski) Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, a Republican, took steps to remove more than 3,000 voters from the state's rolls. Esternita Watkins, 42, became an American citizen nearly two years ago, wearing a green dress and a big smile at her naturalization ceremony in Montgomery, Alabama. Shed been living in the U.S. since 2015, when she arrived from the Philippines on a fiancee visa to marry Christopher Watkins, 54, now her husband, whom shed met on Facebook. Soon after she earned citizenship, she registered to vote and was looking forward to casting her first ballot in this years presidential election. But she got a letter this month saying state Secretary of State Wes Allen had flagged her for having a noncitizen identification number and deactivated her voter registration. To prove her citizenship and vote in November, the letter said, she would need fill out the voter registration form again. Esternita Watkins at her naturalization ceremony in October 2022 in Montgomery, Alabama. I was mad, because I worked so hard to be a U.S. citizen so I can vote, Watkins said, adding that the naturalization process had been expensive. She was uncomfortable with the letter it felt like something political was going on, she said and she said she wasnt sure she wanted to register again. With Republican officials around the country like Allen putting a fresh focus on preventing noncitizens from voting which is already illegal and rare its naturalized Americans like Esternita Watkins who will be most affected by such voter roll purges, voting rights advocates and attorneys say. "Maybe the first time an election official tried doing this, you could say, OK, they didn't really think it through," said Danielle Lang, senior director of voting rights at the Campaign Legal Center, a voting rights group in Washington, D.C. "But they keep doing the same thing, even though they know that every single time what happens is that thousands and thousands of naturalized citizens are targeted and accused of being fraudulent noncitizens voting, being accused of committing felonies, having their citizenship status placed into question." Allen announced he had put 3,251 voter registrations on track for removal in mid-August as part of a new process that flags anyone on the state voter rolls with a noncitizen identification number. Allen shared the list with the attorney general for "further investigation and possible criminal prosecution," his office said in a release. Every single naturalized citizen in Alabama has an immigration number, every single one, Lang said. According to the latest data available from the Department of Homeland Security, 3,998 people were naturalized in Alabama in 2022. The year before, 1,614 people became U.S. citizens in Alabama. Allen is among a spate of Republican officials who have sought to crack down on noncitizen voting ahead of the presidential election. Officials in Texas, Virginia and Ohio have recently said they are removing noncitizens from their voter rolls, while House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has championed legislation to require documentary proof of citizenship. Former President Donald Trump and his allies have falsely claimed that voting by noncitizens is widespread and that Democrats want to let them vote in November. Voting rights advocates and experts say there's little evidence that noncitizens register or vote in any great numbers. Allen acknowledged in a news release announcing the process that it was possible that some naturalized citizens would get caught up in the search but said they could fill out a form and re-register to vote. Watkins already proved her citizenship when she registered to vote two years ago by showing her certification of naturalization, her husband said, adding that yet another form was a "burden." Christopher Watkins said the whole process amounted to voter suppression. Efforts to uncover why his wife ended up on the list were fruitless, he said. Local officials urged him to call Allen's office, which said she had been flagged for a traffic violation. But Esternita Watkins doesn't drive, he said. I was burning up, Christopher Watkins said. This Wes Allen, what gives him the right to deem her not a citizen? The letter Esternita Watkins received from the county said she must be registered to vote two weeks before the election, but when he was pressed by NBC News, Allen said eligible voters could update their registration on Election Day. "This update can be done by completing a form or going online. This step may be accomplished even at the polling place on election day," he said in a statement. The letter Esternita Watkins received from the county, which was shared with NBC News, didnt mention that option. A coalition of 11 voting and immigrant rights advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the League of Women Voters, the Campaign Legal Center and the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice, argue that Allens process violates federal voting law. The groups argued that the new process violates the National Voter Registration Act for a variety of reasons, including removing voters from the rolls too close to Election Day and discriminating against naturalized citizens. They demanded Alabama stop the process and requested a host of documents about the programs development and use. Allen hasnt yet responded to their letter, said Lang, of the Campaign Legal Center. Allen told NBC News in a statement that he will not bow down to threats from ultra-liberal activist groups who will stop at nothing in their quest to see noncitizens remain on Alabamas voter rolls. In his statement, Allen also said hed sought better data from the federal government but was refused. Repeated requests to the United States Federal Government for assistance in obtaining a listing of noncitizens currently residing in Alabama were denied," he said. "This lack of cooperation led my team and I to approach the issue differently." Vice President Kamala Harris faces the next test in her presidential bid on Thursday with her first unscripted interview with a major media outlet since becoming the Democratic nominee. Harris will be hoping to extend the momentum shes conjured at the start of her campaign and to avoid the types of unforced errors that plagued her first presidential bid in 2019, as well as her early days as vice president. Its also a chance for the newly anointed candidate to heighten a contrast with Republican nominee Donald Trump, to connect with undecided voters and to highlight her credentials to lead in the Oval Office at a tense time for the United States at home and abroad. Harris will appear alongside her vice presidential pick, Tim Walz, in a CNN primetime special airing at 9 p.m. ET from Georgia, where she is on a bus tour designed to put a swing state the GOP thought it was close to securing in November back on the board. The interview is the most important chapter of the campaign between last weeks Democratic convention in Chicago and the presidential debate set for Philadelphia on September 10. The interview, with Dana Bash, has taken on elevated significance because of the compressed race Harris is running after she became her partys candidate and because of the way it mushroomed into an issue between the feuding campaigns. Its the latest highly anticipated moment in a wild race that has seen Trump become the first major party nominee to be convicted of a crime and the ex-president survive an assassination attempt. President Joe Bidens disastrous performance in the CNN debate in Atlanta, meanwhile, set off a crisis that ended his reelection bid. Major television interviews like Thursdays have also played an outsized role the president agreed to several in an attempt to arrest his slide but only exacerbated concerns about his age and capacity to serve out a full second term. By not scheduling a major interview before now, Harris opened herself to complaints by Trump and some non-partisan observers that she is trying to dodge scrutiny. This raised the stakes for any potential gaffes will be seized upon by the Trump campaign. However, a strong performance by the vice president would be another challenge for Trump, who has struggled since Harris transformed the race by closing his leads in battlegrounds and raising half a billion dollars. Delegates cheer as Kamala Harris speaks on the last day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 22, 2024. - Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images/File Adding substance to a joyful rollout While Harris sparked intense enthusiasm at last weeks star-studded Democratic convention in Chicago, as well as in joyful rallies among Democrats who were previously demoralized over Bidens chances of reelection, she is yet to enter a forum where her answers and policies can be cross-examined. Her speeches have been packed with what she wants to do as president from easing the economic burden on Americans, to unleashing a housebuilding boom to winning the geopolitical contest of the 21st Century against China. But the vice president has not been specific about exactly how she would enact some of those aspirations and how she would finance them in deeply divided Washington. The interview will be watched for whether Harris creates space on key issues with Biden as she bills herself as a change candidate despite serving as vice president in an unpopular administration. Already, Harris has gone further than her boss in pledging to combat the high grocery prices plaguing millions of Americans. This populist twist might be politically smart but it was panned by many economists. The interview has become a hurdle for the vice president because Trump aides have been goading her into it for weeks, apparently believing shell flunk difficult questions, will blank on policy details and that she lacks nimble political instincts. In a statement on Wednesday, Trumps campaign mocked Harris, saying that she had mustered up the courage to sit for a *joint* interview after 39 days of hiding out from reporters. While she has not sat for a major interview, Harris has taken some questions from reporters traveling with her. After years as a prosecutor, Californias attorney general and senator who excelled in high-profile hearings, Harris has often seemed more comfortable asking penetrating questions than answering them. She lacks the decades of policy experience that helped former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, for example, turn interviews into policy seminars. And unlike Trump, she doesnt swamp interviewers with torrents of falsehoods, outrageous statements and bombast, which means he often is able to distract attention from what he actually says. Republicans are convinced Harris will be exposed in high-pressure situations Republican confidence that Harris could be exposed by a televised interview springs from a one-on-one she conducted with NBCs Lester Holt early in her vice presidency that focused on her role as emissary to Latin American nations that represent the source of much of the undocumented migration to the US. Asked why she had not by that point visited the southern border as vice president, Harris pointed out that she hadnt visited Europe either since taking the job. Her discomfort provided fuel for years of Republican attacks and the interview still hangs over her tenure as vice president. In that interview, Harris seemed ill prepared a scenario that seems unlikely to be repeated considering she is deep into debate prep. In more recent interviews, for instance, on CBS 60 Minutes last October and with CNNs Anderson Cooper in late June when she defended Biden, she seemed far more at ease. Heading into Thursdays interview, Republicans are also demanding answers on why Harris has dropped some positions she held in her short-lived 2020 presidential bid, including Medicare for All. Her campaign has also indicated that she no longer opposes fracking an important issue in Pennsylvania where Trump is highlighting the commonwealths carbon energy industry. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz visit Liberty County High School in Hinesville, Georgia, on August 28, 2024. - Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters The Trump campaign and conservative media Wednesday portrayed the presence in the interview of Walz, the Minnesota governor, as a crutch for the vice president. It is not unusual however for presidential nominees to appear with their vice presidential picks. Trump sat with his vice presidential nominee, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, in a friendly interview on Fox News last month that ended with a questions from fans segment. The former president also did a joint interview with his newly minted vice presidential nominee Mike Pence in his Trump Tower penthouse on 60 Minutes in 2016. The future vice president tried to finesse the extreme positions of the man who picked him, while Trump kept interrupting. Harris had a joint interview with Biden in 2020 when she was vice presidential nominee and Democratic nominee Clinton and her running mate Tim Kaine did likewise in 2016. Partisan bickering over the interview aside, there are many reasons why it makes sense for presidential candidates to submit to tough interviews. Someone hoping to run the country ought to feel an obligation to explain what they plan to do even if it might please their campaign managers to restrict appearances to low-risk partisan outlets and empathetic social media influencers. The more interviews a politician conducts, the more practiced they become. A more robust media plan might have helped Harris hone her skills before debating Trump. Successful presidencies are also built on political capital accrued on the campaign trail. The days might have passed when presidential campaigns were founded on weighty policy speeches and time is short in this compressed race for such events. Yet past presidential candidates proved their credibility by taking voters into their confidence on policy plans. In 1960, for instance, Democratic nominee John F. Kennedy laid out an agenda on the campaign trail on issues like civil rights, housing and foreign policy that became the basis for policy achievements in his presidency and Lyndon Johnsons subsequent administration. Thursdays interview comes as Democrats debate whether Harris should concentrate most on policy issues or drawing character contrasts with Trump, as she tells voters they have a fleeting chance to move on from his cacophony. Kate Bedingfield, Bidens former White House communications director, said Harris needed to use the occasion to make clear who she is fighting for, and her pledge to protect voters from what she sees as GOP attacks on their freedoms. I think she needs to not get too wrapped up in the idea that this needs to be a Ph.D policy test of every potential plank of a Harris administration and really use it as a messaging opportunity, Bedingfield, now a CNN commentator, said. But Leon Panetta, a former CIA director, defense secretary and White House chief of staff, told CNNs Brianna Keilar that candidates should discuss issues they believe in to show they can put the country on a better path. He added: You better damn well know the answers to specific questions, because that will test whether or not youre just talking in broad terms or whether you really have a specific policy that you want to put in place. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com On Wednesday night, Kerry Kennedy had just returned to a hotel room in Las Vegas after making three campaign stops on behalf of Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota. The daughter of former U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and niece of former President John F. Kennedy, who were both killed by assassins, said stumping for the Democratic ticket was her way of countering what her brother, Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had done last week: Endorse former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee. "I just called the campaign on Friday, and said, I would like to help. They said, 'Will you be on a flight Tuesday morning to Phoenix?' I flew to Phoenix, and then they said Nevada. And here I am in Nevada," Kerry Kennedy told USA TODAY. "There's an endless number of Kennedys who are wanting to and willing to help out with this." Except for Douglas Kennedy, who is a journalist, Kerry Kennedy said she spoke for all her other siblings about their disappointment over their brother throwing in his lot with Trump. "Donald Trump is anathema to everything our family stands for. I distance myself and reject everything that Bobby is doing and saying because I think that it's a rejection of our family's values and everything that I've spent my life working for," said Kennedy. "And frankly, everything Bobby spent his life working for." 'They're troubled by my decisions': Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he understands family's disappointment after he endorsed Donald Trump Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 70, was a leading environmental water protection attorney for about 30 years and headed the Riverkeeper, a New York-based non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection of the Hudson River. His embrace of Trump, who rolled back more than 100 environmental rules, has mystified his family. In a virtual address Friday, Kennedy Jr. said he planned to remove his name from the ballot in about 10 battleground states "where my presence would be a spoiler. He then endorsed Trump. But Kennedy Jr.'s attempts to withdraw his candidacy in some swing states came either after ballots were already approved, the deadline to withdraw had passed, or withdrawing wasn't an option. His name will appear on the ballots in Wisconsin and Michigan; while in North Carolina, another key swing state, absentee ballots with Kennedy Jr.'s name on them have already been printed and will be mailed to voters beginning next week. Kennedy Jr. support stood at 4% in an Ipsos poll taken this month, and his campaign appeared to be running out of money, according to Federal Election Commission filings published this week. At the end of last month, Kennedy Jr.'s campaign owed close to $3.5 million and had only $3.9 million on hand. Kerry Kennedy on Trump: He is a 'threat to most basic rights' Throughout his run as a third-party candidate, Kennedy Jr. has remained a controversial figure because of the conspiracy theories hes promoted over the years, which include that COVID-19 was genetically engineered to target certain races and that mass shootings are linked to prescription drugs. Earlier this week, Trump added Kennedy Jr. to his transition team. While Harris and Walz have been champions for the values her family has fought for years, Trump is the "polar opposite," Kerry Kennedy said. "He's the threat to most basic rights and freedoms that are core to who we are as Americans," Kerry Kennedy said. If her father and uncle were alive today, theyd have detested everything about Trump, she added. "His lying, his selfishness, his rage, cynicism, hatred, racism, fascist sympathies, deliberate misinformation about vaccines, criminal felony convictions," she said. "Kamala Harris is comfortable being tough on someone who represents a threat to the rights of Americans." Asked when the last time she spoke to her brother was, Kerry Kennedy said he had attended her and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomos daughters wedding in July. "But we text each other all the time. I texted him on Friday (after hed endorsed Trump)." Asked if she knew what was going on with her brother, she said; "Im not a psychiatrist." Contributing: Joey Garrison, USA TODAY Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @SwapnaVenugopal This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump 'anathema' to everything the Kennedys stands for: Kerry Kennedy By Kylie Madry MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican fintech Stori plans to kick off operations in Colombia with a $100 million investment in the South American nation over the next three years, the firm announced on Thursday. Stori has already scooped up 3 million clients in Mexico in the last four years, offering services such as savings accounts with 15% yields and credit cards with near-total approval rates. Stori plans to launch its "S Card" in Colombia in September, it said in a statement, with credit limits starting at 200,000 Colombian pesos ($48.34). The fintech is aiming to sign up 500,000 clients for its card services in its first year in the country, it added. Colombia "has huge potential," Stori co-founder and Chief Governance Officer Marlene Garayzar said. "We're ready to offer our solutions to those who have not been served by the traditional banking sector." Earlier this month, Stori raised a $212 million funding round. It also launched a so-called "black card" in Mexico, offering 3% cash back on purchases and a credit limit of up to 230,000 Mexican pesos ($11,598.59). ($1 = 4,137.5000 Colombian pesos) ($1 = 19.8300 Mexican pesos) (Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Aida Pelaez-Fernandez and Diane Craft) Pavel Durov, the co-founder and CEO of messaging app Telegram, is no longer under the custody of French authorities. However, the 39-year-old Russian-born tech executive now faces a number of charges in France that are related to the app. In addition, Durov has been banned from leaving the country as the formal investigation takes place. Durov was arrested on August 24 after a flight from Azerbaijan. The Telegram CEO is also a French national. Pavel Durov is No Longer Under Custody According to a report by The New York Times, Durov has been ordered to to pay amounting to 5 million euros, which is equivalent to about $5.5 million. As of press time, he has yet to comment on his arrest as well as the charges made against him. The charges were formally made on Wednesday, August 28, and is described by The New York Times as "a rare move by legal authorities to hold a top technology executive personally liable for the behavior of users on a major messaging platform, escalating the debate over the role of tech companies in online speech, privacy and security and the limits of their responsibility." His company previously stated that Telegram abides by the laws of the European Union and said that "it is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform." Related Article : Telegram Vulnerability Allows Hackers to Send Video Malware to Android Users What Has He Been Charged With? A report by the BBC notes that among the offenses that he has been charged with include his alleged "complicity in the administration of an online platform to enable illicit transactions by an organized gang." In addition, he has been charged for his alleged "complicity in organized criminal distribution of sexual images of children." He has likewise been charged for refusing to communicate with authorities. It should be noted that Telegram is finding itself at the center of a controversy in South Korea over sexual deepfakes of females that have been shared in the app's chatrooms. Some of the victims of these deepfakes are still students. Since his arrest, Russia has been trying to calm fears that Durov's arrest will negatively affect Telegram and its users, according to report by CNN. Editors Note: This CNN Travel series is, or was, sponsored by the country it highlights. CNN retains full editorial control over subject matter, reporting and frequency of the articles and videos within the sponsorship, in compliance with our policy. Traveling to western Mongolias Khyargas Lake from capital Ulaanbaatar isnt for the faint of heart. The drive is roughly 1,800 kilometers (about 1,118 miles), which can take anywhere from one to three days to cover, depending on how comfortable you are behind the wheel on this countrys challenging roads. And then theres the weather - its not uncommon to experience three seasons in an afternoon when roadripping in Mongolia. Once you get to the lake, its another 43 kilometers over washboard roads, some stretches filled with deep sand, to reach its most famous landmark, Khetsuu Khad. But the journey is more than worth it particularly at a time when stories and images of overcrowded destinations and fed-up locals continue to dominate headlines worldwide. Known for its whitewashed cliffs and crystal-clear waters, this little-known Mongolia site makes visitors feel more like they are in the Mediterranean than a remote corner of Asia. Khyargas Lake is one of Mongolias best-kept secrets, says outdoor enthusiast and Ulaanbaatar local Uyanga Vladimir of TIC 4x4 and Outdoor, who shares photos of her travels on Instagram at @uvtravels. The uniqueness of its landscape and the rocky formations surrounding the area compared to what youd normally expect in other regions of the country is fascinating. Khyargas Lake looks and feels more like Greece than anything else. Its almost other-worldly. While joining the handful of locals who come to swim in these magical waters, theres a feeling youre witnessing something special. This untouched, raw beauty is part of the lakes charm and makes the experience even more memorable. But, according to Vladimir, it isnt just the scenery thats other-worldly. Theres a legend that says a giant blue bull lives within the depths of Khyargas Lake, he explains. And each fall, the bull would rise from the bottom of the lake to visit only but a few herder families and bless them with abundant livestock for the coming year. One of Mongolias biggest lakes Want to avoid crowds? You've come to the right place. - Uyanga Vladimir One of several salt-water lakes in the country, Khyargas is located in the northwest province of Uvs and feeds into the Zavkhan River basin, an area famous for its semi-desert climate. (Youre more likely to see the countrys famous Bactrian camels walking along the lakes shores than people.) At 74 kilometers long, 31 kilometers wide and reaching depths of 80 meters, its Mongolias third-largest lake. Khetsuu Khad, the main attraction, is a natural rock formation that runs along the eastern shore. If planning to visit on your own, a 4x4 capable SUV that can handle deep sand is highly recommended. (Just ask all the Prius drivers that are seemingly rescued on an hourly basis). Alternatively, boats travel to Khetsuu Khad from the lakes north shore, which is a popular beach and camping spot. There are a few lodges on the lake, including the Khetsuu Khad Tourist Camp and Baruun Beach Resort. Both are located 43 kilometers off the main road to Khyargas. The drive can take upwards of two hours, depending on whether you get bogged down in the dunes. There is also a free camping area in front of Khetsuu Khad, which is a popular choice for locals. While theres no official entrance or designated ranger station, officials do roam around the lake. When making their rounds, theyll ask you to pay a modest entrance fee of 9,000 tugrik, which is less than $3. Pockets of hot springs can be found around the lake, while natural springs sit to the north. Birders paradise There are plentiful bird species to be spotted here. - Breanna Wilson For bird enthusiasts, the shores of Khyargas Lake, especially Khetsuu Khad, are a huge draw. Several globally threatened species can be found here. An early morning spotting session can include Dalmatian pelicans, bar-headed geese, great crested grebes, great cormorants, cinereous vultures, little owls, Eurasian kestrels, lesser whitethroats, Siberian stonechats, isabelline and desert wheatears and house and rock sparrows. Migratory birds arrive at the lake in April and are off again by mid-September. Most notably, travelers come to see the big, round great cormorant nests that sit atop the cliffs of Khetsuu Khad, where they lay and hatch their eggs. There is also an abundance of fish species such as the Mongolian grayling, Altai leuciscinae, lake osman and dace all a great food source for the birds. The antidote to overtourism? As noted earlier, getting to Khyargas Lake from Ulaanbaatar is a long drive. Eager travelers could reach it within a day. Taking 2/3 days to cross the 1,800 kilometers is more realistic. Otherwise, travelers can fly from Ulaanbatar to Ulaangom, the capital of Uvs province, which sits just 220 kilometers away from the lake. Several tour operators offer journeys in the region that include visits to the lake as well. Meanwhile Uvs, in the northwest near the Russian border, is Mongolias largest province and also one of its most diverse. There arent just picturesque lakes here; snow-capped mountains and arid deserts also make up this unique part of the country. When immersed in the rugged rawness of this remote corner of Mongolia, one cant help but contrast the experience with the overcrowded destinations many visited this summer, a season filled with news of Spanish towns fining tourists for hogging beach spots and spraying water guns at tourists in the streets, and Japanese officials being forced to take action against an overload of Mount Fuji visitors, to name just a few incidents. Its a nice reminder that Mongolias lesser-known natural wonders, while by no means easy to reach, are great alternatives to some of the famed global destinations that are becoming increasingly challenging to enjoy. Follow Breannas Mongolia adventures on Instagram at @breannajwilson For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com VATICAN CITY, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Wednesday strongly decried the treatment of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea to enter Europe, saying it was a "grave sin" not to offer aid to migrant vessels. "There are those who work systematically and with every means to reject migrants," the pontiff said during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square. "And this, when done with conscience and responsibility, is a grave sin," he said. The pope has spoken frequently about the treatment of migrants over his 11-year papacy. But his words on Wednesday, invoking Catholic terminology for one of the worst kinds of sin, were especially strong. Pope Francis holds the weekly general audience at the Vatican, August 28, 2024. REUTERS/Ciro De Luca Migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea in simple crafts or home-made dinghies from northern Africa and the Middle East have been the subject of intense debate across Europe over the past decade. The International Organization for Migration estimates that more than 30,000 migrants crossing the Mediterranean have gone missing since 2014. In Italy, a rescue ship operated by the Doctors Without Borders charity was issued a 60-day detention order on Monday. Authorities said the vessel, which had conducted several rescue operations on Aug. 23, failed to properly communicate its movements. Doctors Without Borders refuted those claims. "We have been sanctioned for simply fulfilling our legal duty to save lives," it said in a statement. Francis on Wednesday called for expanding access routes for migrants and a "global governance of migration based on justice, brotherhood and solidarity." The pope said the issue would not be resolved through the "militarization of borders". In recent weeks, the pope had been offering a series of reflections about Catholic spiritual matters in his weekly audiences. At the beginning of Wednesday's remarks, the pope said he was postponing that series this week, to consider "people who are crossing seas and deserts to find a place where they can live in peace and security". Wednesday's audience was the last before Francis, aged 87, embarks next week for an ambitious four-country visit across Southeast Asia from Sept. 2-13. It is the longest trip yet by the pontiff, who now regularly uses a wheelchair due to knee and back pain. (Reporting by Joshua McElwee, editing by Alvise Armellini and Sharon Singleton) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pope Francis says refusing aid to migrants a 'grave sin' Republicans are accusing Vice President Kamala Harris of flip-flopping after she confirmed her support for an immigration plan that includes expanding the U.S. southern border wall. Last week at the Democratic National Convention, Harris said that she would sign such a bill if elected president. The deal, which faltered in the Senate earlier this year, was a collaboration between the Biden-Harris administration and congressional Republicans and represents one of the strictest approaches to illegal immigration in recent years. More: Exclusive: Kamala Harris surges ahead of Donald Trump in latest poll taken after DNC Senator James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma and a key architect of the deal, criticized Harris for what he called a flip-flop. He told Axios, It requires the Trump border wall, citing provisions in the bill that adhere to the standards set during the Trump era, including specifics on construction and design. Lankfords office confirmed that the deal sets aside $650 million for the walla significant cut from the $18 billion that President Donald Trump had requested in 2018. Harris supported an expansion to the southern border wall while serving as Biden's vice president but did not beforehand. As a U.S. Senator from California, she denounced the wall as a "medieval vanity project" and vowed to block its funding. In 2019, she dismissed the project, and in early 2020, she criticized it on social media as a "complete waste of taxpayer money." Migrants walk along the Mexico-U.S. border wall in El Paso, Texas on March 19, 2024. Trumpworld follows Lankfords lead, attacks Harris stance The Trump campaign has also seized on Harris' statement. Karoline Leavitt, national press secretary for the former presidents campaign, criticized Harris for avoiding direct interviews and relying on staff to address the issue. Its DAY 37 of ZERO interviews, and Kamalas anonymous campaign sources are now claiming she supports President Trumps border wallthis is a preposterous and false claim, Leavitt said in a statement. Trump senior adviser Jason Miller described it as total bulls--- and said Harris hasnt flip-flopped on anything, according to Fox News. Harris opposes the wall, has always opposed the wall, and stopped wall construction as V.P., he said. Former President Donald Trump has also made the U.S.-Mexico border a central issue, mainly due to his influence in shaping its narrative. Earlier this year, Senate Republicans, following Trumps lead, rejected the bipartisan border security bill introduced by Senators James Lankford, Kyrsten Sinema and Chris Murphy. Trump commented on the bills defeat: I think we killed it. I think its dead! But you can never say it because bad bills always come back to life because these guys make a lot of money with bad bills. Jeremy Yurow is a politics reporting fellow based in Hawaii for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach him at JYurow@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter @JeremyYurow This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kamala Harris border policies come under fire from Republicans We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we believe in. Pricing and availability are subject to change. Traveling soon? You've probably already double-checked that you have your passport, clothes and toiletries at hand. And that's all you'd need to have a fabulous trip anywhere in the world, right? Wrong. For a truly comfortable and stress-free journey, we highly recommend investing in some top-rated travel tech. Whether you're taking a flight or going on a road trip, these pieces come highly recommended by seasoned travelers and travel industry insiders. Be it noise-cancelling headphones or a battery pack to juice up your phone, bringing a few problem-solving tech accessories along for the ride is always a good idea. And who better to recommend travel tech than flight crew personnel, who've made frequent travel their profession? We talked with a flight attendant and scoured the internet for flight-crew-recommended products, and here are our findings. Amazon Best travel tech to keep you charged internationally Universal Travel Adapter Traveling abroad? Keep in mind that outlets vary by country. This'll keep you plugged in from Stockholm to Shanghai, and all points in between. A universal travel adapter helps continue to charge your electronics like your phone, tablet or laptop. This all-in-one model includes four USB-A connectors and a USB-C. "Bought this for our nephew who is prepping for his first trip to Europe!" said one travel pro. "This travel adapter is all in one piece and very sturdy; I am getting a couple for my husband and I as we are flight attendants! Not having to worry about missing pieces is great!" $20 at Amazon Amazon Best travel tech for keeping track of items Apple AirTag, 4-Pack Apple AirTags are great not just for keeping track of your keys and wallet but also for making sure your luggage won't get lost! Most frequent travelers will tell you that the easiest way to prevent lost luggage is to bring it as a carry-on, but that just isn't realistic for everyone. To help make sure your luggage doesn't get lost, try using an Apple AirTag. "I put one in my flight attendant bag whenever I have to check it," said one five-star reviewer. "These are super easy to use and definitely worth the money." $80 at Amazon Amazon Best travel tech after a long flight Portable Mini Humidifier Tired of arriving at your destination with parched, papery skin? Here's a fix. Simon Wu, a flight attendant for Cathay Pacific for six years, told Yahoo Life that a humidifier is a must after a long flight. "I absolutely need a humidifier for my skin after a long plane ride," he says. He recommends this particular brand and model due to its size. "This small one makes it very easy to pack." It operates via USB, comes with two spray modes, plus there is a night-light LED. $10 at Amazon Amazon Best travel tech to tune out the noise Google Pixel Buds Pro An alternative to Apple's AirPods, these noise-cancelling earbuds reach up to 31 hours of battery life with the charging case. While Apple AirPods are popular, Wu prefers Google Pixel Buds Pro. "The Pixel Buds are a must-have when I'm taking a nap during my shift break," he said. They're compact, they have excellent battery life and they use Active Noise Cancelling to greatly reduce outside sound. Plus, you can ask Google for directions, to answer calls and to control your music, keeping everything hands-free. $200 at Amazon Amazon Best travel tech to keep you charged Anker PowerCore 13000mAh Portable Charger Never worry about your phone's battery running out again with this handy Anker portable charger. You'll likely be using your phone a lot on your trip, which will certainly drain the battery. A power bank is a must. This one's a favorite with Amazon reviewers, some of them crew members. "As a flight attendant I always need power on the go," said one. "I bought this to replace an older Anker power bank I had left on a plane. This battery is perfect for me. ... This battery charges my phone incredibly fast and holds around four full charges for my iPhone X. My only complaint is the shape. I wish it were a tad more slender ... when held against my phone it sticks out on the sides making it hard to hold. Otherwise a great, fast battery pack and easy to stow for travel!" $34 at Amazon Amazon Best travel tech to charge anything and everything Universal Travel Adapter, Voltage Converter Do you have more robust electronic needs? This universal travel adapter comes with a 110-to-220V converter, which is useful for appliances such as curling irons and fans. If you plan on bringing appliances such as hair dryers and electric toothbrushes, then you might want to get a universal travel adapter that has a voltage converter. "As a retired international flight attendant, I have had every kind of converter for overseas travel," said this reviewer. "The Bestek converter was the best I have ever purchased. With phones, iPads, curling irons, computers, etc., the converter makes it so easy to charge it all up at the same time. I had a mini-curling iron that I thought wouldn't work with the converter, but it heated it up perfectly. Loved it!" $30 at Amazon Amazon Best travel tech for hot meals Hot Logic Mini Portable Oven Not every hotel room has a microwave, which is a pain if you want to heat up leftovers or breakfast. Enter the Hot Logic Mini Portable Oven: an electric food-warming tote that has become something of a cult hit among flight-crew personnel. One five-star reviewer said it's a must-have for flight crew: "I absolutely love my Hot Logic. Ive been a flight attendant for a really long time and this is my second one. ... I mostly do turns (day trips), but even on those I take this with me just in case we dont make home and have to stay overnight somewhere. ... Outside of North America, microwaves in hotels are almost impossible to find. The Hot Logic works great with converters as well. Just keep an eye on how hot it may get when using a converter." $35 at Amazon Amazon Best travel tech for organization Bubm Double Layer Electronic Accessories Organizer Errant cables and plugs can make an already chaotic experience (travel) even chaotic-er, but corraling your accessories like this makes at least packing a breeze. And it's waterproof! Though not quite a tech gadget, an electronics organizer like this one from Bubm is a travel tech essential because it helps keep all of your cables and plugs in one place. "I am a flight attendant and I LOVE this organizer!" wrote one reviewer. "I keep my iPad, passport, cords, paperwork, and hand sanitizer in here. It keeps me organized! Definitely recommend to anyone who travels and needs to keep organized." $19 at Amazon If you have Amazon Prime, youll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.) The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication. Bankrate and AOL may earn commission from links in this story. Pricing and availability subject to change. History shows that long-term investing can yield substantial rewards. By holding stocks over extended periods, investors can benefit from the power of compounding returns and weather short-term price drops. Most investors are lucky to watch their investments grow for 30 or 40 years, but what if that timeline was extended to nearly a century? How much could investors make from the stock markets top performers? And which companies would win the long game? This article explores the 10 best-performing stocks of the past century, as identified in a July 2024 study by Hendrik Bessembinder, a finance professor at Arizona State University. 10 best-performing stocks of the past century Bessembinders study, Which U.S. Stocks Generated the Highest Long-Term Returns? analyzed the performance of more than 29,000 publicly traded stocks listed on the Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP) daily common stock database from December 1925 to December 2023. The data was evaluated based on a buy-and-hold strategy, where dividends were reinvested in the same stock. The following list showcases the top 10 stocks based on their cumulative compound returns over the last 98 years. The magnitude of these returns is remarkable. Investors could have turned a single dollar into as much as $123,724 by investing in Coca-Cola in December 1925 or a mind-blowing $2.65 million by investing $1 in Altria Group (formerly Philip Morris) during the same period. 1. Altria Group (MO) Years of returns: 98 Return per $1: $2.65 million Cumulative compound return: 265,528,901 percent Annualized compound return: 16.3 percent Altria Group, formerly Philip Morris, is a leading tobacco company, known for brands such as Marlboro and Black & Mild, along with smokeless tobacco and electronic cigarette products. The company has a dominant market share in the U.S. and has retained its position despite increasing regulatory pressure and declining smoking rates in the U.S. Altria has a strong history of paying dividends to shareholders and tops Bankrates list of high-dividend stocks. Dividends offer a steady stream of income for investors, separate from stock price appreciation. That can be especially appealing to people seeking passive income in their portfolios. Altria has consistently increased dividend payments for 55 years in a row, earning its crown as a Dividend King. With a yield of 7.9 percent as of Aug. 26, 2024, Altria also has one of the highest dividend rates in the S&P 500 index. Some ethical investors may have reservations about supporting a company that profits from selling a highly addictive substance to millions of people around the world. But for buy-and-hold investors, given a high, consistent dividend and an astounding cumulative compound return of more than 2.6 million percent over 98 years, its hard to argue with the stocks long-term outperformance. 2. Vulcan Materials (VMC) Years of returns: 98 Return per $1: $393,492 Cumulative compound return: 39,349,084 percent Annualized compound return: 14.1 percent Vulcan Materials isnt a household name, but this 115-year-old company is the United States largest producer of construction aggregates, the crushed rocks used to make concrete, cement, asphalt and other materials essential for infrastructure projects. It also operates hundreds of quarries and processing facilities around the world. Vulcan Materials has a few competitive advantages, including its extensive network of quarries along with a strong balance sheet and cash flow. The companys ability to supply high-quality materials at competitive prices has helped solidify its market position. The stock recently received a strong buy signal from several Wall Street analysts, with an average forecast price target increase of 14.18 percent as of Aug. 26, 2024, according to Tipranks. 3. Kansas City Southern (KSU) Years of returns: 96 Return per $1: $361,757 Cumulative compound return: 36,175,578 percent Annualized compound return: 14.3 percent Incorporated in 1887, Kansas City Southern was a railroad company that operated a network of railways in North America. The companys network connected major markets in the U.S. and Mexico, providing essential transportation services for businesses in both countries. However, Kansas City Southern is more of a legacy than an investment at this point. In March 2023, it merged with Canadian Pacific, creating the first single-line railway connecting the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Investors interested in buying shares of railway companies could research Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CP), the new company formed post-merger. 4. General Dynamics (GD) Years of returns: 98 Return per $1: $220,850 Cumulative compound return: 22,084,880 percent Annualized compound return: 13.4 percent General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company that provides aircraft, ships, combat systems and information technology solutions. As a defense contractor, its primary customer is the U.S. government and its main competitor is Lockheed Martin. Although incorporated in 1952, General Dynamics traces its history back to 1899 with the founding of the Electric Boat Company. Despite its lengthy history, GD remains a strong buy among 13 Wall Street analysts price targets, according to Tipranks. Analysts forecast a 13.1 percent average increase for the stock over the next 12 months, as of August 2024. 5. Boeing (BA) Years of returns: 89 Return per $1: $212,206 Cumulative compound return: 21,220,526 percent Annualized compound return: 14.7 percent Boeing is a global aerospace company that designs, manufactures and services commercial and military aircraft. Boeing has faced some major challenges in recent years, most notably the grounding of its 737 MAX aircraft following two fatal crashes, as well as a door plug flying off its 737 MAX plane in January 2024. The headwinds have kept Boeings stock suppressed, with shares tumbling a dramatic 32 percent from Jan. 2, 2024, through Aug. 23, 2024. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 saw a 17.5 percent increase during the same time. It marks another year of losses for the aerospace giant. Recent setbacks and declines arent included in the study data but past valleys didnt made a dent in the companys impressive more than 21 million percent 89-year cumulative return. And with only one major competitor (Airbus), Boeings dominance in the aerospace industry is likely to help the shares weather some ongoing turbulence. Thats good, because the stock price might be volatile in the short term. 6. International Business Machines (IBM) Years of returns: 98 Return per $1: $175,437 Cumulative compound return: 17,543,644 percent Annualized compound return: 13.1 percent IBM, or International Business Machines, is a technology company dating back to 1911. While its often associated with the early days of mainframe computers, its successfully reinvented itself again and again over the decades to remain a player in the tech industry and a consistent moneymaker for investors over time. IBM has a history of returning value to shareholders through dividends. However, company shares have been disappointing in recent years. It has yet to exceed an all-time high of $206 set in 2013 more than a decade ago. Its up for debate whether this veteran tech giants best days are behind it. While the companys revenue growth has been lackluster recently, its free cash flow remains strong, allowing IBM to pursue acquisitions, stock buybacks and dividends. 7. Eaton Corp (ETN) Years of returns: 98 Return per $1: $151,173 Cumulative compound return: 15,117,168 percent Annualized compound return: 12.9 percent Eaton is a global technology and power management company. Since it launched over 100 years ago, it has evolved from a small manufacturer of electrical components to a leading multinational player. Founded in 1911, Eaton is making headlines in 2024 as a potential player in the artificial intelligence craze. As more companies deploy data centers to power their AI software, the need for reliable and efficient energy infrastructure is booming. Eatons sales, earnings and organic growth all came in ahead of analysts expectations in its first-quarter 2024 results. As the company points out on its website, The worlds demand for power keeps growing. Increasing demand is always a good sign for businesses, especially an established, efficient operation like Eaton. And the company keeps winning. As recently as March 2024, Zacks Equity Research named Eaton a top growth stock for the long term. The idea of a 113-year old company still performing like a young growth stock is pretty incredible, and should be an encouraging sign for investors. 8. S&P Global Inc. (SPGI) Years of returns: 95 Return per $1: $128,787 Cumulative compound return: 12,878,643 percent Annualized compound return: 13.2 percent S&P Global is a leading provider of intelligence and data for financial markets, businesses and governments. Offerings span four key divisions: credit ratings, market intelligence, indexes and risk solutions. The company has carved out an essential role in the financial markets during its more than 164-year history, and it faces little competition. Top-performing stocks often keep winning, and S&P Global is no exception. Despite being one of the oldest companies on this list, its recent stock performance is impressive. During the 10 years leading up to August 2024, shares of S&P Global increased 518 percent, while its benchmark index, the S&P 500, gained only 180 percent over the same period. S&P Global has also reliably raised its dividend over time, making it one of fewer than 25 companies in the S&P 500 to annually increase its dividend for at least 51 years straight. S&P Global was rated a strong buy in August 2024 based on 10 Wall Street analysts price targets, according to Tipranks. 9. Coca-Cola (KO) Years of returns: 98 Return per $1: $123,724 Cumulative compound return: 12,372,265 percent Annualized compound return: 12.7 percent Founded in 1886, Coca-Cola is a quintessential blue chip stock with one of the most recognizable brands in the world. And the companys extensive distribution network allows it to reach consumers in virtually every corner of the globe. While Coca-Cola faces challenges such as increasing competition and health-conscious consumers, decades of brand loyalty coupled with a massive global reach have helped reap impressive cumulative returns for long-term investors. With its 62-year streak of dividend increases, Coca-Cola has also rewarded shareholders who reinvested their dividends over time. Thats likely why its one of the longest-held stocks of legendary investor Warren Buffett. The companys appeal lies more in its consistent performance over the long term, rather than eye-catching growth. Coca-Cola is a mature business that tends to grow at an annual mid single-digit pace. That might not excite new investors seeking rapid gains, but it delivers on stability and predictability. For patient investors willing to ride out stock market fluctuations, buying shares of Coca-Cola during a dip could be a strategic buy-and-hold move. 10. PepsiCo (PEP) Years of returns: 98 Return per $1: $86,360 Cumulative compound return: 8,635,938 percent Annualized compound return: 12.3 percent Hot on Coca-Colas heels is its biggest rival, PepsiCo. Like Coca-Cola, Pepsi has evolved over time to include a wide portfolio of brands, including Frito-Lay, Doritos and Quaker. Like the two companies themselves, shares of PepsiCo and Coca-Cola hold many similarities. Like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo has offered a solid and reliable dividend for investors, boosting it annually for 52 years, just a decade shy of Coca Colas streak. Pepsi is also a mature, blue chip stock, so dont expect it to run away with double-digit growth. In fact, its quite possible the stock price will fluctuate in the short term, and there may be periods of decline, especially during economic downturns or pullbacks in consumer spending. But over the long haul, PepsiCo has delivered for shareholders. If your great-grandmother had invested $1 in PepsiCo in December 1925 and you inherited her investment, youd have about $86,360 today. What top-performing stocks of the past century reveal about long-term investing Here are other key findings from Bessembinders study on the best-performing stocks of the past 100 years, along with how investors can apply some of these lessons to their own portfolio. Most companies dont last a century The average stock in the broader study (not just the 30 best-performing) were only present in the database for about 11.6 years, making companies on this list relative outliers. This demonstrates that few businesses have the staying power to last for generations let alone remain profitable. It also highlights the importance of selecting companies with a long-term outlook. Time is the secret ingredient of wealth The top-performing stocks generated relatively modest annualized returns, averaging 13.5 percent a year. Time not short-term spikes is their superpower for building wealth. Returns had an average of 92 years to compound. Several technology stocks have been the biggest winners over the past five and 10 years, returning investors money many times over in just a few years. But except for IBM, none of these technology stocks have been around long enough to accumulate the staggering compound returns of veteran companies. This long time horizon underscores the adage of time in the market as a key driver of investment success. Its like the old story of the tortoise and the hare. The hare was faster in the beginning, but the tortoise made it all the way to the end. And in this case, made sure to reinvest their dividends along the way. Past performance is no guarantee of future results While its easy to become fixated on past performance, remember that a stocks history doesnt guarantee future returns. Dont assume a high-performing stock has reached its peak or that itll continue its winning streak. Instead, dive into the fundamentals of each company to determine whether the stock is healthy and has growth potential. Index funds give you exposure to top performers If youre considering individual stocks, thorough research and due diligence is important. But this can be time-consuming, so many investors prefer the simplicity of a diversified index fund. A S&P 500 index fund, for example, has historically outperformed the majority of individual investors through a buy-and-hold strategy. With an S&P 500 index fund, youll get hundreds of the markets top performers, including several on this list, like Boeing, Coca-Cola, Vulcan Materials and IBM. That way, youll gain exposure to both older, consistent companies as well as newer, growth-oriented ones. Bottom line The top-performing stocks of the past century reveal that time is a powerful force in investing. By remaining invested for extended periods, investors can harness this power in their own portfolio, even if they dont have 100 years to compound returns. However, its always important to remember that past performance is not indicative of future results just look at Boeings recent losses or IBMs lackluster returns over the past 11 years. For those seeking a simpler approach, index funds offer a diversified way to gain exposure to many of the best-performing stocks of the past century along with newer players, too. Editorial Disclaimer: All investors are advised to conduct their own independent research into investment strategies before making an investment decision. In addition, investors are advised that past investment product performance is no guarantee of future price appreciation. Former President Trump is leading Vice President Harris among independent voters, a new survey found. The survey, released Wednesday by YouGov, found that 42 percent of independent voters said they plan to vote for Trump in this Novembers election, while 37 percent said they would cast their ballot for Harris. Thirteen percent of independent voters say they are not sure whom they will vote for. Harris and Trump each earned nearly all of their support from their respective parties. Ninety-five percent of Democrat said Harris has their vote, and 91 percent of Republican voters said they plan to vote for Trump. Fifty-three percent of independent voters said they would not consider voting for Harris, and 47 percent said they would consider casting their ballot for her. Fifty-five percent of independent voters said they would consider voting for Trump, and 45 percent said they would not consider voting for him. The survey comes as Harris gains ground in other polling. Just weeks after announcing her campaign, Harris has cut into Trumps lead in several key battleground states. After the Democratic National Convention, where she formally accepted the partys nomination, Harris widened her lead. The survey comes just after independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his campaign last week and endorsed Trump. The YouGov survey was conducted Aug. 25 to 27 among 1,555 people and has a margin of error of 3.2 percent. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Ted Hesson and Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States government will resume an updated version of a migrant sponsorship program that it had paused earlier this summer over concerns of fraud, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a statement on Thursday. "With these updated procedures in place, DHS is resuming the issuance of new Advance Travel Authorizations and will closely monitor how this new process is operating moving forward," the department said. The program is part of an effort by the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden to increase legal pathways to the United States and discourage illegal border crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border but has been criticized by Republicans as overly permissive. The program allows up to 30,000 people into the United States each month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela if they have sponsors and meet other conditions. Sponsors must be in the United States legally and have sufficient financial resources to support the person they are sponsoring for the duration of their stay. The modified vetting measures include further scrutiny of supporters' financial records and criminal background, additional vetting to identify fraudulent supporter profiles, and bolstered review methods to identify serial filing trends, the department said on Thursday. It added that the department will also now require fingerprints from U.S.-based supporters. As of June 30, some 495,000 people from those four nations had entered the United States under the program, which began for Venezuelans in 2022 and the other nationalities in 2023, according to DHS statistics. Immigration from the U.S.-Mexico border is a key issue in the Nov. 5 U.S. elections in which Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris faces Republican former President Donald Trump. (Reporting by Ted Hesson and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Aurora Ellis) Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has performed a surprise gig in Dublin city centre, but left fans disappointed after singing the same song three times. Smartphone-wielding fans packed out Grafton Street in Dublin, making it practically impassable, to see a barefoot Martin sing his new single We Pray. But rather than performing a rumoured impromptu gig, Martin, the only Coldplay member present, ended up filming a music video for the single. He was accompanied by Nigerian singer Burna Boy, rapper Little Simz, Palestinian-Chilean singer-songwriter Elyanna and Tini, a performer from Argentina. Chris Martin surrounded by fans wielding mobile phones in Dublin - Gareth Chaney/PA Wire Some fans were reportedly frustrated after waiting hours for their idol to appear. The lack of speakers also meant many of the gathered crowd could not hear the song. Niamh Burke, from Co Tipperary, said she was disappointed with the audio but told The Mirror, I enjoyed it. It was a thrill to see them in person. Martin appeared barefoot for his busking-style performance, which was used to film a music video for his new song We Pray - Lucia Williams/PA Another fan, who preferred to remain anonymous, added: I dont know what it was but it was a waste of time anyway. Word of the surprise appearance was leaked on Wednesday afternoon and expectation increased when camera crews were seen setting up in nearby buildings. The first fans arrived at the location at 6.30pm, The Irish Times reported, with Martin making his appearance two hours later. Police and crew members tried to move the crowd down Grafton Street to make more space on the path but to no avail. Click here to view this content. Coldplay, who are playing four dates at Croke Park starting from Thursday, have sold out the 82,000 capacity stadium. The concerts are part of record-breaking Music of the Spheres World Tour that has sold more than 10 million tickets, making it the most attended music tour in history. Martin, who was once married to Gwyneth Paltrow, did try to speak to the crowd but sound issues meant he could not be heard. Earlier on Wednesday, he had shared a video of himself chatting with a busker on the pier in the suburban coastal town of Dun Laoghaire. We Pray, which was co-written by rapper Jay-Z, is from Coldplays forthcoming album Moon Music. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A woman working for Wells Fargo in Arizona died at work and was found four days later, authorities have confirmed. Denise Prudhomme, 60, last clocked in at the Wells Fargo in Tempe at 7 a.m. on Aug. 16, the Tempe Police Department confirmed to USA TODAY on Thursday. She was found at a third-floor desk in the office on Aug. 20, leading on-site security to call police. Firefighters also responded and pronounced the woman dead at 4:55 p.m., police said. Prudhomme's cause and manner of death were pending as of Thursday morning, according to the Office of Medical Examiner. According to police, an initial investigation found no obvious signs of foul play. An investigation is ongoing and authorities are interviewing employees at the Wells Fargo location to get more information. Wells Fargo workers reported smelling a foul odor but thought it was an issue with the plumbing, local television station KPNX reported citing an unnamed employee. At least one employee told the outlet they wondered why Wells Fargo didn't formally address workers about the woman's death initially. Most Wells Fargo employees in the office work remotely but the building has 24/7 security, per KPNX. Wells Fargo said in a statement to USA TODAY that the company had to communicate with Prudhomme's family before speaking to employees. The company added that she sat in a "very underpopulated area" of the building. Breaking news, every morning. Sign up for USA TODAY's Daily Briefing newsletter. In a statement to USA TODAY, Wells Fargo said the company is saddened by Prudhommes death. We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague, Denise Prudhomme. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones, and we are in contact to ensure they are well supported during this difficult time. We are committed to the safety and wellness of our workforce. Counselors are available to support any employees impacted by this event. A previous statement sent by Wells Fargo to USA TODAY indicated the company would be reviewing its internal procedures. Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wells Fargo worker found dead at Arizona office days after clocking in Proofpoint has hired former Imperva Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) vice president for channels Nelson Soon to lead its channels and alliances across the region. Based in Singapore, Soon will oversee Proofpoints channel and alliance operations for APJ, which the cyber security vendor says underscores its commitment to its channel business and investment in the growth of its partner ecosystem in the region. Partners play a critical role as trusted advisors in helping customers define and implement their security strategies. My role is to help facilitate their contributions within the framework of human-centric offerings that best address the threats shaping the current cyber security landscape, said Soon. He comes into the role with over 20 years of experience at IT companies. In addition to his time at Imperva, he worked in channel-specific roles at Gigamon, Extreme Networks and Agilent Technologies. Aside from this, Soon also worked as head of sales for Australia and New Zealand, ASEAN and Taiwan at Ixia. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing a significant role in the way Juniper Networks appeals to its channel partners. In an interview with ARN, Dean Cunningham, Juniper senior director of partner sales for Asia Pacific Japan, said that AI will play a significant role in making partners operations easier. The networking vendor is focused on bolstering partner capabilities, especially for managed service providers through comprehensive channel programs, training and access to advanced technologies like its AI-Native Networking Platform. When it comes to AI initially, businesses had a certain vision of what AI could do, but as they discover new use cases, they realise its broader potential, said Cunningham. This constant discovery is reshaping how businesses operate. In March this year Juniper launched its latest iteration of the Juniper Partner Advantage (JPA) Program. This update introduced new elements designed to help partners leverage AI for IT operations (AIOps) to offer managed networking services with enhanced reliability, agility and reach. The updated JPA Program focuses on integrating AIOps capabilities, allowing partners to provide advanced managed networking services. This integration supports increased reliability and agility, unlocking new revenue opportunities for partners. Each year the vendor evolves the JPA program to elevate partners role and optimise their profitability, with managed service providers (MSPs) a big focus for the vendor. I think from a Juniper perspective, were probably a little behind the US and EMEA in terms of adoption, but weve made some updates to our MSP program, he said. What weve found, through various conversations, is that many new and existing partners have MSP businesses, but they havent necessarily been doing them with Juniper. Whats changed for the vendor is that is had made it easier by shifting from just a program to more of a use case to allow partners to see how they can slot Juniper into their existing operations, said Cunningham. Obviously, for every MSP, the challenge is their own integration work, he said. Where its gotten easier is the APIs that came with the AI-Native Network Platform are easy to integrate with and several [Australia and New Zealand] partners have gotten ahead by using those APIs in their managed service platforms, making the process much smoother. For Cunningham, its all about simplification and how the vendor can remove what might seem like hurdles and allow partners to pick up and integrate products into their day-to-day operations. Another one of its programs Juniper is focusing on is its Champions Program. The Champions Program is about allowing our partners to validate the skills they have, and then we help them promote those skills to customers by saying, look, this partner has met these criteria, he said. Weve also got a Partner Assurance Program, where its not just Juniper saying that a partner has the skills, but were actually engaging with third parties to validate those skills on behalf of the partners. Cunningham noted that a lot of feedback from owners and senior executives at its partner companies has been that theyre all for educating their people, but every time they pull a service engineer out of the field, it costs them money, since those engineers are revenue-generating assets. If you take them out of the field for two weeks, that costs them a certain amount, so they want to know the benefit is worth it, he said. In response, Juniper has developed the Partner Acceleration Program, with the idea that if partners already have certain certifications, like university prerequisites, then theyve got the skills. We simplified the process by taking what used to be a multi-week training program and narrowing it down to a couple of hours of video followed by a single exam, instead of taking people out of the field for five weeks, he said. As a result, partners remain keen to learn and Juniper is learning from them about what theyre seeing in the field on a day-to-day basis, noted Cunningham. All these steps are necessary to help channel partners to meet the economic headwinds, as businesses become selective in their digital transformation journey, said Cunningham. In the face of economic challenges, organisations are focusing on improving efficiency without making drastic changes, he said. AI, especially when implemented as part of a unified platform, is helping companies achieve these efficiencies. According to Cunningham, the IDC report IDC FutureScape: Artificial Intelligence Will Reshape the IT Industry and the Way Businesses Operate suggests that by 2025, 40 per cent of IT spending will be related to AI. The digital transformation underway shows no signs of slowing down, noted Cunningham. Its not something where companies can simply declare theyre done, instead, theyre continuously evolving as they grasp new AI capabilities, he added. by Vladimir Rozanskij In Kazakhstan, the topic of developing new nuclear power plants to meet energy needs is a hot topic with public debates and discussions. Gas reserves are not enough and Uzbekistan prefers trade with China. Ties with Moscow and the prospect of a public referendum among the population. Moscow (AsiaNews) - A very lively public discussion was held in Almaty, the southern capital of Kazakhstan, on the project to build a new nuclear power plant. Speakers explained the need to proceed in order to obtain a stable source of electricity; however, many voices were raised in the audience who were against, concerned about ecological safety, economic feasibility and the many possible consequences of the new plant's activities. As promised by the government, the issue has been given the opportunity to discuss it publicly in various venues (about 20 so far), as it happened in the Almatygenplan building on Abaj Prospekt in Almaty since 9 am on August 26, in an auditorium packed with mostly elderly people, under police control. I n the front rows sat representatives of the metropolis Social Council, called to support the speakers sent by the Ministry of Energy, the Institute for Atomic Energy and the Institute for Nuclear Physics. In the central sector sat ecologists and other citizens sensitive to the issue, who displayed signs with the words The people of Kazakhstan against the referendum on the AES, the nuclear power plant, and Whoever supports the AES is an enemy of the people. Gulmira Mursalovaja, deputy director of the ministry's Department of Atomic Energy, tried to explain the need for the initiative with the help of images, comparing it with existing reactors in the world and indicating the values of uranium extraction in the country, the material needed for nuclear fuel. The director of the National Atomic Center, Erlan Batyrbekov, spoke about Kazakhstan's serious energy deficit, which can be addressed in three ways: hydroelectric, coal or atomic generation, whichever is most appropriate. Physicist Sajabek Sakhiev assured that there is no need to fear nuclear energy, and that an experimental reactor has been operating in his laboratory that has been producing medical radioisotopes for over half a century. The interventions of the public sought to explain the risks as well as the advantages, and some asked why gas-fired power plants cannot be built. The presidency explained that there is not enough gas in Kazakhstan, and there is very little hope of obtaining it from Uzbekistan, as the Uzbeks practically only sell to the Chinese. Some accuse those responsible for the discussion of "just organizing an advertisement for [Vladimir] Putin and other atomic corporations", considering that the project would be financed mainly by Moscow. Many believe that the power plants already under construction are sufficient, fueled by gas produced in western Kazakhstan, which "comes from Russia anyway". The government assures that participation in the financing will be diversified, and in addition to Russia there will also be companies from France, South Korea and China. For some, nuclear power plants "are the business of more economically powerful and technologically advanced countries", and it would be more appropriate to modernize the existing plants, several of which are now on the verge of permanent closure. Among those present, many expressed their distrust in the government of Astana: "We've been told since we went to school that we'll make it, there are proclamations and demonstrations, but we're always at the same point" said the young Berikbol, who says "I want to build my own future!". The director of the company Nuclear Power Plants of Kazakhstan, Timur Zantikin, finally explained that the costs of the project vary between eight and 11.5 billion dollars, without giving detailed explanations, recalling that the Akkuju plant recently built in Turkey with the Russian company Rosatom cost 25 billion dollars. The tariffs depend on many factors: the Turkish plant produces at 12.25 cents per kWh, while in the US the tariff is three cents and in China six. At the end of the discussions, probably in the fall, a referendum is planned in all regions, but the date is still pending, trying to carry it out in a constructive climate, as stated by President Kasym-Zomart Tokaev. Today's news: The World Food Programme (WFP) pauses travel in Gaza after a vehicle is targeted by Israeli soldiers, while the possibility of a temporary truce for vaccinations gains traction; At least 28 die in Gujarat due to monsoon rains, 30,000 people evacuated; Google wants to open a large data centre in Vietnam. SOUTH KOREA The government and the People Power Party (PPP) have agreed to tighten measures against deepfake sex crimes, after the discovery of a series of such pornographic materials, involving young women, spread via messaging apps such as Telegram, sparked public outrage. The two sides agreed to work on the establishment of a hotline, adopt legislative measures to increase maximum prison sentences GAZA - ISRAEL The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced a pause in the movement of its employees in the Gaza Strip until further notice after one of its vehicles was hit by gunfire just metres from an Israeli-controlled checkpoint. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening as the vehicle was approaching the Wadi Gaza Bridge checkpoint. Israel is reportedly open to the possibility of a temporary truce in the Strip to facilitate the vaccination of children against polio. CHINA-UNITED STATES Chinese President Xi Jinping is meeting with U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan in Beijing on Monday, in talks that could pave the way for a highly anticipated third summit between the Chinese leader and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden. Sullivan is the first White House national security adviser to visit the Chinese capital in eight years. INDIA Heavy monsoon rains and flooding in the Indian state of Gujarat have killed at least 28 people in the past three days, some drowned and others were hit by falling trees, government officials said. Overflowing rivers have forced at least 30,000 people to flee their homes. VIETNAM Google is considering building a large data center in Vietnam, in what would be the first such investment by a major U.S. technology company in the Southeast Asian country, an anonymous source at the company told Reuters. Located in Ho Chi Minh City, the country's southern economic hub, it would be a confidence boost for Vietnam, which has so far failed to attract large foreign capital to its data centers due to its fragmented infrastructure, with big tech companies preferring to host their centers in rival countries in the region. RUSSIA The ever-decreasing number of prisoners eligible for war is causing people accused of serious crimes to ask to go to the front directly when they are sentenced by the court, as in the case of Vitalij Ormandzhi, a resident of Sterlitamak in Bashkortostan, who went to Ukraine after killing his ex-wife, without even going through the concentration camp. ARMENIA The leader of the Armenian opposition movement Tavowsh in the Name of the Fatherland, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, called on all compatriots to celebrate the Day of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) on September 2, by gathering in the churchyard of St. Anna in Yerevan to go to the Erablur Military Pantheon and the Artsakh representation. Champion local news. Join our community of readers who value daily beat reporting and in-depth stories alike. Your membership allows us to continue the legacy of local, independent journalism in the Roaring Fork Valley. With your support, we can remain a free and accessible source of news for everyone, always without paywalls or corporate influence. Together, we can ensure that vital local stories are told. 29 August 2024 13:33 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more Since late January of this year, tension has been high in the relations between Azerbaijan and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which was triggered by the Assembly's decision not to ratify the credentials submitted by the Parliamentary delegation of Azerbaijan. Considering the high potential for cooperation between the two sides, it is regrettable that certain factions within PACE harbor biases against Baku and openly reflect these biases in their policies. For nearly thirty years, Azerbaijan sought assistance from the Council regarding refugees and internally displaced persons, nevertheless, the Council consistently refrained from engaging in such matters, claiming it lacked the mandate. After the Azerbaijani Army liberated Garabagh from Armenian occupation, many politicians revealed their pro-Armenian stances. It is worth noting that after the liberation of Azerbaijani territories, discussions on the Garabagh issue became a recurring topic in almost every session of the assembly. Curiously, some deputies who had opposed the discussion of the Garabagh conflict over the previous 30 years began persistently raising the issue in every session. These individuals, who previously ignored discussions about the rights of Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs during the occupation, now openly focused on the rights of Armenians who later settled in Garabagh and their fate after leaving Azerbaijan. Azerbaijans decision to invite the OSCE, rather than PACE, to monitor the early elections held in February became a pretext for these individuals. Frank Schwabe, head of the German delegation to PACE, is one of the politicians with a pro-Armenian stance and bias against Azerbaijan. Aserbaidschan ist eine Diktatur, die die Anstandigsten und Aufrechtesten des Landes zu politischen Gefangenen macht. Vor der in diesem Jahr stattfindenden Weltklimakonferenz #COP29 spitzt sich die Lage dramatisch zu. Jungstes Beispiel ist Anar Mammadli. Frank Schwabe #FreeNahid (@FrankSchwabe) May 1, 2024 Schwabes portrayal of his personal views as the interests of his country and PACE is unacceptable, especially since the Germany he represents places special importance on its relations with Azerbaijan and supports Azerbaijan's just victory in the Garabagh issue. Berlin and Baku have a longstanding partnership. However, Azerbaijan is not only a favorable partner for Germany but also for other European countries such as Hungary and Italy. PACE itself is aware of Azerbaijans importance to the West. During her meeting with President Ilham Aliyev in Baku in the summer of 2022, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, emphasized Azerbaijans crucial role in international partnerships. Her recognition extends beyond diplomatic formalities and into the core of collaboration. Notably, about two years before Azerbaijan won the proposal to host COP29, von der Leyen praised Azerbaijans importance as a critical energy partner. This demonstrates that cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union is mutually beneficial. However, the presence of individuals like Frank Schwabe, who serve the interests of the Armenian lobby, discredits both PACE and the Germany he represents. Schwabes latest accusations against Azerbaijan were reflected in his interview published on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on August 23. He claimed that Azerbaijan is not interested in maintaining its membership in the Council of Europe and accused Azerbaijan of not adhering to the values promoted by the Council. His subsequent defamatory remarks against the countrys leadership did not go unanswered. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan has included the deputies who voted against the Azerbaijani delegation in PACE, represented by Frank Schwabe, in the list of "undesirable persons." It is important to note that Azerbaijan has no bias or misunderstanding with the European Union. Baku prioritises cooperation with all institutions and countries within the framework of justice. However, individuals who overstep their bounds by attacking Azerbaijans territorial integrity and policies will not be tolerated by Baku. The presence of such individuals representing institutions like PACE is seen as a parasitic force that drives the politics between countries towards failure. Their primary mission is to create conflicts and strain relations between institutions and states. No state is perfect. However, to criticise another states policies, one must at least be aware of that states history and the difficult paths it has gone through. If Frank Schwabe had deeply understood the Armenian crimes committed against the Azerbaijani people and the Armenian occupation, he would have rightly condemned the Armenian government instead of criticising Azerbaijan, which is a significant partner for Europe in the South Caucasus. Justifying Armenia's 30-year occupation policy, covering up Armenian crimes committed in Garabagh, and creating a scandal in Azerbaijan under the slogans of bribery and freedom of speech can only be the act of a politician that is sold to the Armenian lobby. Schwabe, who himself has been accused of bribery and corruption, only exposes his dirty past with such biased actions.. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 August 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Among the foremost global challenges today, climate change and the depletion of water resources are of paramount concern. Approximately two billion individuals worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, while half of the global population encounters severe water scarcity at least once annually. Presently, only 0.5% of the Earth's water is accessible and usable as fresh water, and the impacts of climate change are intensifying this critical issue. Over the past two decades, surface water reservesincluding soil moisture, snow, and icehave diminished by up to one centimeter annually, posing significant risks to water security. According to the World Resources Institute, 36 countries are already experiencing water stress, meaning that water required for settlements, industries, and farms is fully utilizing available resources. The water crisis has consistently been listed among the top five Global Risks by the World Economic Forum. Water stored in glaciers and snowpacks is projected to decline further over the century, reducing water availability in regions that are home to more than one-sixth of the world's population, particularly those reliant on meltwater from major mountain ranges during dry periods. In Azerbaijan, surface water resources total 30 billion cubic meters, with 30% originating within the republic and 70% from neighboring countries. Recent climate changes have led to a sharp decrease in these resources, with the volume dropping to 17 billion cubic meters in 2022. Addressing this issue is a priority for state policy. On August 28, Baku hosted an event titled "The Role of Water Management Systems in Climate-Resistant Agriculture: COP29 Round Table Discussions," where the decrease in water resources in Azerbaijan was discussed. Firudin Taghiyev, head of the Department of Land Use Control at the Ministry of Agriculture, reported an 18% reduction in glacier areas in Azerbaijan over the past seven years. He also noted an 18-20% decrease in water resources entering the country in recent years, with a 4.2% reduction in the area of mountain lakes compared to the previous August. Taghiyev highlighted that the Kura River is experiencing low water levels and, in recent years, has reversed its flow direction, indicating severe problems with the river's ability to reach the sea, which ultimately affects water resources. The primary water challenges in Azerbaijan include the failure to implement an effective water balance and crop accounting system for resource assessment. The State Water Resources Agency, in collaboration with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Agriculture, is working on this, though the system remains incomplete. The ongoing development of the Electronic Water Management Information System aims to improve water resource management. According to Rafik Verdiyev, deputy head of the Environmental Policy Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the water balance system has been handed over, allowing for real-time assessment of water resources using data from automatic stations across most rivers. This issue extends beyond Azerbaijan, affecting neighboring countries such as Turkiye, Armenia, Georgia, and Iran. These nations are also experiencing reductions in atmospheric precipitation, which contribute to diminished water resources both locally and across borders. The challenges are further compounded by droughts, seasonal variations in river flow, and inefficient management of floodwaters, which complicate irrigation and water supply for agriculture. Azerbaijan is home to 153 reservoirs with a combined capacity of 21.9 billion cubic meters. These reservoirs play a critical role in flood regulation, energy generation, and agricultural support. Notable reservoirs include Mingachevir, Shamkir, Yenikand, Araz, Sarsang, Jeyranbatan, Takhtakorpu, Aghstafa, Varvara, Gyz Gala, Zogalavachay, Khanbulanchay, Khachinchay, Khudafarin, and Sugovushan. In April 2023, President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree for the construction of the Yingeja Reservoir, underscoring the commitment to expanding water infrastructure and advancing a "green economy." Azerbaijan is also focused on optimizing water resource management in Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur. Official reports highlight the presence of 14 rivers, 9 reservoirs, and 7 aqueducts in these liberated areas, with the Khudafar Reservoir being the largest, holding 1 billion 612 million cubic meters. These resources are essential for irrigation, potable water, and energy in these regions. The Sarsang Reservoir, located in Garabagh, suffered significant damage due to prolonged Armenian occupation, which disrupted its capacity to irrigate 100,000 hectares and affected surrounding infrastructure. Following Azerbaijans recent conflict victory, the Sarsang Reservoir has undergone rehabilitation, including the construction of a new 50-megawatt hydropower plant. Initially developed under the initiative of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in 1976, the Sarsang Reservoir remains a vital strategic asset for Azerbaijan. It should be noted the Sarsang Reservoir in Garabagh, known for its abundant water resources, has seen a record-breaking increase in surface area this year compared to previous years. Satellite images from 2024 reveal that the reservoir's water surface has reached a peak of 1,065 hectares over the past decade. This significant rise follows years of fluctuating water levels from 2014 to 2023. The rehabilitation of the Sarsang Reservoir and the construction of a new hydropower plant further illustrate Azerbaijans strategic approach to water resource management. As these initiatives progress, they will play a vital role in ensuring the country's water security and contributing to broader regional stability. In Azerbaijan, the situation reflects these broader trends, with a substantial decrease in surface water resources exacerbated by climate change. Recent reductions in glacier areas and water resources entering the country emphasize the need for effective management and conservation strategies. The Baku event on water management systems highlights ongoing efforts to address these challenges, including the development of an Electronic Water Management Information System. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 August 2024 16:44 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia are advancing effectively, with increasing collaboration across multiple sectors, including agriculture, air transport, tourism, medicine, and transport infrastructure. This evolving partnership is evidenced by the deepening economic ties between the two nations. Recent discussions in Belgrade focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in tourism, expanding collaborative efforts within international organizations, and facilitating the exchange of crucial information related to tourism education. Fuad Nagiyev, Chairman of the State Tourism Agency, met with Huseyn Memic, Minister of Tourism and Youth of Serbia, to address these topics. During the meeting, Nagiyev informed Memic about the integration of tourism themes into the thematic program of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which Azerbaijan will host in November. He also invited Memic to participate in the "1st High-Level Meeting of Ministers on Improved Climate Action in the Field of Tourism," scheduled as part of "Tourism Day." At the conclusion of the meeting, which included the heads of the Tourism Bureaus of Azerbaijan and Serbia, a "Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism" between the Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau and the National Tourism Organization of Serbia was signed. This agreement builds on the discussions held during the 8th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Serbia last month. Kanan Gasimov, Chief of Staff of the State Tourism Agency, noted that the current volume of mutual tourist trips does not reflect the strong ties between the two countries. He identified the lack of direct air connections as a significant barrier. Gasimov announced that the Chairman of the State Tourism Agency plans to meet with Serbia's tourism minister during an official visit in early August to address these issues and finalize the long-awaited memorandum. Gasimov expressed optimism about the potential impact of this visit on tourism relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia, stating, "I am confident that it will mark a significant turning point for our bilateral tourism relations." Additionally, Azerbaijan and Serbia maintain a visa-free regime, and the introduction of direct flights is expected to further boost tourism exchanges. On August 28, Fuad Nagiyev also met with Nikola Selakovich, Minister of Culture and co-chairman of the Azerbaijan-Serbia Intergovernmental Commission. The meeting underscored the close connection between culture and tourism and highlighted the positive effects of expanding cooperation in these areas on tourist flows. Azerbaijans Ambassador to Serbia, Kamil Khasiyev, participated in the meeting, and the delegation visited several significant sites in Belgrade, including the monument to National Leader Heydar Aliyev in Tasmajdan Park and memorials dedicated to the children who died during the 1999 bombing of Belgrade and the Serbian writer Milorad Pavic. The role of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, established in 2011, remains crucial in the development of bilateral relations. The commission's most recent meeting was the 8th session, held on July 25, 2023, in Serbia. The ongoing collaboration between Azerbaijan and Serbia is demonstrating significant progress, particularly in the fields of tourism, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange. Recent developments, such as the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and discussions at high-level meetings, underscore the commitment of both nations to deepen their partnership. The integration of tourism into global climate initiatives and the planned increase in direct air connections are expected to further enhance bilateral relations and boost mutual tourism. As both countries work to address existing challenges and expand their cooperation, the future looks promising for continued growth and stronger ties between Azerbaijan and Serbia. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 August 2024 12:56 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, designated President of COP29, Mukhtar Babayev, met with Mike Freelander, the head of the Australia-Azerbaijan interparliamentary friendship group, in Sydney within the framework of cooperation in global efforts to combat climate change, Azernews reports, citing the post shared by COP29 on its official "X". It was reported that at the meeting, the parties discussed the main areas of cooperation and the role played by both countries in solving global climate problems. --- The COP29 Presidency held a valuable meeting in Sydney today with Dr. Mike Freelander MP, Chair of the Australia Azerbaijan Parliamentary Network, to collaborate on global efforts to combat climate change. We discussed key areas of collaboration and the important role both pic.twitter.com/pxJOpJYpfi COP29 Azerbaijan (@COP29_AZ) August 29, 2024 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 August 2024 14:15 (UTC+04:00) The STAR refinery, a key asset of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) in Turkiye, will halt operations temporarily from September 5 for essential repair and maintenance work, Azernews reports citing Reuters. The refinery will be shut down for two months to undertake its first major overhaul since its commissioning in October 2018. The STAR refinery, with a processing capacity of 13 million tons, handles various oil types including "Azeri Light," "Kirkuk," and "Urals." SOCAR has invested approximately $7 billion in the construction and development of this facility. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz U.S. reports 21 Oropouche cases among travelers returning from Cuba Xinhua) 10:40, August 29, 2024 LOS ANGELES, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- A total of 21 Oropouche virus disease cases have been reported among U.S. travelers returning from Cuba, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Oropouche virus is an emerging arthropod-borne virus in the Americas. Recent reports of outbreaks in areas without previous endemic transmission, fatal cases, and vertical transmission associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes have raised concerns about human health risks. For the 21 cases reported in the United States, most patients had self-limited illness. At least three patients experienced recurrent symptoms after resolution of the initial illness, according to CDC. The CDC called on clinicians and public health jurisdictions to be aware of the occurrence of Oropouche virus disease in U.S. travelers and request testing for suspected cases. Travelers should prevent insect bites when traveling, and pregnant persons should consider deferring travel to areas experiencing outbreaks of Oropouche virus disease. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) 29 August 2024 18:22 (UTC+04:00) By News Centre The first step was taken for the flights that will connect Istanbul with Mostar, one of the most important touristic and historical cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the meeting, the tourism potential and investment opportunities of the city of Mostar and the Herzegovina region in general were conveyed to Turkish officials, while the importance of direct flights from Istanbul to Mostar was also emphasized. Deputy Minister of Transport of the Republic of Turkey Enver Iskurt and Civil Aviation Director General Kemal Yuksek, Civil Aviation Directorate General Air Transportation Department Head Sefa Ceyhan, Pegasus Airlines Sales and Network Planning Director Emre Pekesen, Ground Operations Group Head Bogac Ugurlutegin met with Mostar Mayor Mario Kordic, Herzegovina Neretva Canton (HNK) Prime Minister Marija Buhac, HNK Finance Minister Adil Suto and Mostar Airport Director Marko Duzel during their visit to Mostar. Investment opportunities were discussed At the meeting, the tourism potential and investment opportunities of the city of Mostar and the Herzegovina region in general were conveyed to Turkish authorities, while the importance of direct flights from Istanbul to Mostar was also highlighted. Mayor Mario Kordic stated that it was very important for Mostar to be directly connected to Istanbul by air, and that they, as the Mostar Municipality, were ready to contribute to the realization of this flight. Parties approached positively HNK Prime Minister Marija Buhac emphasized that tourism is one of the strategic areas for the development of Herzegovina region and said that the government is ready to support the improvement of the airport infrastructure and the opening of new lines. Deputy Minister of Transport Enver Iskurt expressed that they want to work on starting direct flights between Istanbul and Mostar. Pegasus officials also noted that Mostar is a well-known destination in Turkey and that this destination has potential, and that if the technical infrastructure of the airport is suitable, they will start flights from Istanbul to Mostar in the coming period. Meanwhile, Pegasus Airlines, which has been operating flights between Istanbul and Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for many years, recently started flights to Tuzla. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 August 2024 17:35 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more From August 22 to 29, the Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau conducted a series of promotional events in Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Astana (Kazakhstan), Moscow and St. Petersburg (Russia), and Minsk (Belarus), Azernews reports. These events aimtourisned to highlight Azerbaijan's tourism offerings and attract international visitors. The State Tourism Agency reported that 14 local partners, including the "Shahdag" Tourism Center, participated alongside the Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau in these promotional activities. During the B2B (Business to Business) meetings, detailed presentations were made about Azerbaijan's diverse tourism opportunities, covering regions such as Baku and other parts of the country. The events showcased various attractions, including summer and winter destinations, health tourism facilities, medical resorts, and mountain ski centers. Notably, between January and July 2024, Azerbaijan welcomed 527,785 visitors from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Belarusan increase of over 20 percent compared to the same period in the previous year. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 August 2024 10:37 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received President of the World Ethnosport Confederation Bilal Erdogan on August 29, Azernews reports. Bilal Erdogan conveyed greetings from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the head of state. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the greetings and asked Bilal Erdogan to relay his own greetings to the Turkish President. The Azerbaijani President praised the activities of the World Ethnosport Confederation and congratulated the organization on its achievements. He highlighted Azerbaijan's active participation in the Confederation, noting the success of Azerbaijani athletes in its competitions. The discussion also underscored the brotherhood, friendship, and strategic alliance between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, with both sides emphasizing that the two nations always stand by each other. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 August 2024 20:00 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more Russia's recent shifting away from its mediating role in the negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, focussing on the conflict with Ukraine and the emergence of Western elements in the South Caucasus amidst these developments, is strengthening the chains of chaos in the region. It is no secret that Moscow has long, even for centuries, shown special care towards the Armenian nation, supporting Armenians in crimes against Azerbaijanis during the Tsarist and Soviet periods. The devastation of Azerbaijani territories during the 30-year Armenian occupation was due to Russia's adherence to its old habits. However, in 2020, the Armenian army's provocations reached their peak. Despite mild warnings from Baku to Armenia during this period, there was no chance of turning back; Baku did not show tolerance this time, and the Azerbaijani army launched a counteroffensive. The Armenian government, always relying on support from Russia, found itself helpless and faced bitter consequences, albeit limited ones, for its actions. The 44-day Second Garabagh War demonstrated that without the support of Russia and other countries, the Armenian army was powerless against Azerbaijani soldiers, and it took Azerbaijan less than two months to defeat the Armenian forces. The defeat also led to growing resentment in relations with the Kremlin. Russia's less intervention in the Second Garabagh War and almost leaving the anti-Armenian forces unequipped later led to the breaking of ties between Yerevan and Moscow. The Pashinyan administration realised the difficulty of maintaining its offence in the region without additional support. The situation had reached such a point that the country's prime minister and the forces under his authority could no longer sit comfortably in Yerevan, which was once the historical territory of Azerbaijan. The second Garabagh War created a kind of vacuum for Western forces. The separation of Russia from Armenia caused this gap to be replaced by the West. Thus, Western circles, seeking to squeeze Russia out of the region, began efforts to expand their influence in the South Caucasus. The Council of Europe, which had avoided discussing the rights of Azerbaijanis expelled from their lands over 30 years, interestingly, after the Second Garabagh War, stood up to defend the rights of Armenians who left Azerbaijani territories of their own accord. The financial and moral support sent to Armenia by the West, particularly France and the U.S., was beyond measure. Against this backdrop, politicians began sending criticism and threats to Azerbaijan for liberating its own lands from occupation. It is pathetic that those who have gained wealth through colonisation and crimes are now backing a state like Armenia and revealing its true colours. After the Second Garabagh War, while the West was busy preparing its plans, the Pashinyan government started taking steps towards peace. Following the meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in May, there were growing speculations that a peace agreement between the two countries would be signed. However, the 10-million-euro "gift" from the "European partners" to Armenia indicated that Yerevan would be under Western protection. Subsequently, the ceasefire was once again violated at the border, and accusations against Azerbaijan resumed. "Old habits die hard." Armenia, finding new patrons, resumed its provocations. Russia reminds of its presence in the South Caucasus On August 19, during his visit to Azerbaijan, the Russian president later called Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, followed by continued discussions with President Ilham Aliyev over the phone, signaling Russia's renewed desire to mediate between Baku and Yerevan. It should be noted that during his visit to Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev expressed willingness to continue peace talks in Moscow. Notably, Putin's recent call to President Ilham Aliyev might suggest that Pashinyan is setting conditions related to the peace process. However, having been indulged in the West's care, the Pashinyan administration shows no desire to return to the negotiating table with Moscow. This explains why, yesterday and today, the Armenian side once again violated the ceasefire in the direction of Nakhchivan. When diplomatic manoeuvres are exhausted, Armenia's plan to resort to provocations and create tension has become habitual. This time, Yerevan intends to create chaos in the region and present it as a consequence of Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation, portraying itself as a victim. US reaction Additionally, the firing on Azerbaijani positions in Nakhchivan following Vladimir Putin's visit to Baku and the meeting between the Azerbaijani and Turkish foreign ministers are reactions from the West, led by the U.S. and France. As Armenia increasingly loses control by trusting in the West's empty promises and a few-thousand-euro gift, the South Caucasus gradually turns to be a battleground between the U.S. and Russia, where the West is using Yerevan against Moscow. However, those who desire bloodshed and war should know that Azerbaijan will continue to work for peace and stability in all circumstances. Despite the crimes committed against the Azerbaijani people over the years, Azerbaijan has once again extended a peace hand to Armenia. As long as Armenia has the choice for peace, it should seize this opportunity and make rational decisions. Otherwise, the foreign elements drawn into the region will not work in the interests of any nation but will expand the chaos, creating an inextricable chain of problems that will be most damaging to Armenia, which is already suffering from economic, social, and political collapse. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 August 2024 15:17 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more Military lawyers from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan held a working meeting in Baku within the current military cooperation between Defense Ministries of the two states, Azernews reports. The sides exchanged opinions on experience in the field of organization of legal service, military legislation and service activity of military lawyers. Discussions were held on matching the military legislation of both states within the framework of international law and principles, as well as on a range of other issues. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 August 2024 21:58 (UTC+04:00) On August 29, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of IDEA Public Union, attended a ceremony for the release of rare animals into the wild in the Ismayilli section of Shahdag National Park, Azernews reports, citing AZERTAG. The ceremony featured the release of noble deer, Dagestan turs, and crested porcupines into specially selected natural areas. In 2022, four noble deer were initially released into the park with Leyla Aliyevas participation for an adaptation period. Their population has now increased to 10. Additionally, two more deer were transferred from Baku Zoo Park, bringing the total to 12. Alongside with these, 10 crested porcupines and 3 Dagestan turs, raised at Baku Zoo Park, were also released. This event is part of the Biodiversity Development project, a collaborative effort between IDEA Public Union, Baku Zoo Park, and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 August 2024 22:06 (UTC+04:00) Under the chairmanship of Mazahir Panahov, the Central Election Commission (CEC) convened for another meeting on Thursday, Azernews reports, citing AZERTAG. The session commenced with the approval of the protocol from the August 28 meeting. The commission registered the authorized representatives of the White Party (Ag Partiya) and reviewed queries related to the snap parliamentary elections scheduled for September 1. The meeting featured extensive discussions on applications and the adoption of related decisions. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 August 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00) The government of Belarus has added to the list of goods that are prohibited for import and sale in the country. The relevant decision was signed by the Prime Minister of Belarus, Roman Golovchenko, Azernews reports, citing BELTA. According to the decision, the following items are added to the list of goods produced from non-friendly countries, which are prohibited for import and sale in the territory of Belarus: high-density polyethylene, tire products, OSB boards, plywood, joinery and carpentry products, paper and sanitary products, paper and cardboard, o including fiberglass and cotton upholstery. It was noted that bags and suitcases, wallpaper, ceramic tiles, sanitary-technical products, refrigerators, freezers and their equipment, washing machines, and diapers were added to the list of prohibited goods originating from Poland, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. The authorities stressed that the signed resolution is a response to the European Union's decision to extend sanctions against Belarus from July 1, 2024. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Now that Kamala Harris has been coronated the Democratic Socialist designee for nomination as their candidate for President of these United States, after that political party's contrived primary process "democratically" elected Joseph R. Biden: What are your feelings about this party's progressive posture within their self-styled exercise of "Saving Democracy for America," and how truly critical the outcome of this presidential election will be? 8.7% I am ecstatic that this "Democracy's" First partially Black, First partially Indian, First female Co-Parent, and this nation's primary necessity is to her elect our First woman president.26.09% I really do not care about all these "Firsts." I will continue to pray, and work for this Representative Republic to elect someone competent, and brilliantly patriotic to be our next president.65.22% I will never vote for any politician that "first" does not have the core values to understand how dire this Constitutional Republic's situation has become. The COO of St. Petersburg, Fla.-based Gulfcoast Eye Care rescued an 86-year-old woman and her dog from a home fire, Spectrum News reported Aug. 28. Alex Delgado was in the Gulfcoast's office the morning of Aug. 27 when he noticed smoke outside the window. Mr. Delgado, a former Marine, told Spectrum News that he wasn't supposed to be in the office that day, but made an unexpected trip and noticed the smoke. When he arrived at the home, he said flames were traveling from one side of the house to the main part of the property. He alerted a man inside the house that the residence was on fire, and the man's grandmother was also home. Mr. Delgado told Spectrum News that the grandmother only spoke Vietnamese and was blind. "When I saw there was a little bit of noncompliance and she was a little bit agitated, I just, unfortunately, had to pick her up and take her outside the home to safety," said Mr. Delgado. She was also carrying the family dog. "Hes a lifesaver," homeowner Khuong Nguyen said of Mr. Delgado. "I dont know how much I appreciate what he did for my mom. Without my mom, I probably couldnt survive." Mr. Nguyen's daughter-in-law, who also lived in the house, is pregnant and expected to give birth in a week. Neighbors of the family have set up a GoFundMe to support their recovery. ASC leaders and physicians remain frustrated with Medicare and private payers over disparities in reimbursements between their facilities and hospital outpatient departments. One proposal to even out the payment playing field is site neutral payments, or site neutrality. Site-neutral payments means that patients pay the same price for the same services, regardless of where services are performed. Some legislative efforts have been undertaken to reform site-neutral payment policies. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 introduced site-neutral payment reforms that applied lower payment rates to off-campus HOPDs, with some exemptions. In 2019, CMS extended site neutrality to all off-campus HOPDs for clinic visits, including those previously exempt, and rural hospitals were exempted from those reforms in 2022. The Peter G. Peterson Foundation advocates for further updates to site-neutral payment policies in an Aug. 26 blog post. Here are five major points raised: 1. There is little to no evidence that the quality of care is better in a hospital setting than in ASCs or physicians' office, and payments should reflect that. PPF notes that in many cases, physician group practices have been purchased by hospitals and relabeled as part of the HOPD, thereby receiving higher payments for the same services. This encourages the ongoing consolidation in healthcare that is being driven by corporations, payers and private equity groups. Physicians regularly cite a lack of leverage with payers and decreasing reimbursements as a main reason they are flocking to employed settings. 2. Data shows that even with comparable volume growth rates, average prices at HOPDs have grown by 27% as compared with 11% growth at ASCs and 2% of growth at physicians' offices. This demonstrates that under current policies, hospitals and large health systems are incentivized to keep their prices high and further fuel the buyout of smaller facilities, physician groups and ASCs. 3. These higher prices are passed onto patients and the federal government but site neutrality could fix that. Site neutrality would affect out-of-pocket costs and cost sharing for Medicare patients and those covered by private insurance. According to the American Action Forum, Part B beneficiaries in 2019 paid a $9 copayment for a standard clinic visit at a physician's office, but paid 2.5 times as much for the same services at a HOPD. Site neutrality could cut down on that disparity and its impact on patients' wallets. 4. Hospital groups argue that reimbursement rates are formulaically higher for HOPDs to account for differences in regulatory burden, complexity of services, equipment and patient mix. They contend that neutralizing payments for a wider range of services would negatively weigh on their balance sheets. One recent report from MedPAC found that hospitals' 2023 aggregate all-payer operating margin remained below pre-pandemic levels. The report found high variation in their margins, between negative 5% and 10%, which are dependent upon trends in patient volumes, higher labor and supply costs, and the end of the federal COVID-19 funds. 5. There are a few examples of proposed site-neutrality legislation with bipartisan support. Payments to hospitals currently account for nearly 40% of all Medicare payments the single largest component of Medicare spending. Current legislative proposals would reform Medicare payments to alleviate the burden on the federal budget and support Medicare's Hospital Insurance Trust Fund. One site-neutral option would pay HOPDs at the lower rates paid to stand-alone physician offices for certain services, in addition to paying all hospital-owned physician offices located off-campus at that same rate. One analysis created for Blue Cross Blue Shield found that this proposal could save the government $231 billion from 2024 to 2033. Another policy evaluated by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget would require the payment rates for some services performed at on-campus HOPDs to match the Medicare physician fee schedule that applies to physicians' offices. Payments for all services rendered at off-campus HOPDs, stand-alone emergency departments and clinics would be set at this rate. This proposal would also give CMS the ability to identify more services for application of the site-neutral payments. According to CRFB, this policy would bring down premiums and cost sharing for Medicare beneficiaries by $94 billion, reducing private cost-sharing premiums by up to $466 billion over 10 years. The Alabama State Health Planning and Development Agency in Montgomery, Ala., has issued a certificate of need for an $18.6 million cardiology ASC, according to an Aug. 28 report from ABC affiliate WBMA. The certificate was issued to CV Surgical Services to create a non-hospital-based, limited multi-specialty ASC focusing on cardiology and vascular procedures. The ASC will have three operating rooms and 11 recovery bays. It will be located in an office building on the St. Vincent's East Hospital campus. Eiman Jahangir, MD, a cardiologist from Nashville-based Vanderbilt University, is heading to space as part of a six-person crew, according to an Aug. 28 report from NBC affiliate WSMV. The Blue Origin New Shepard spacecraft that will carry the team is set to blast off on the morning of Aug. 29. The 12-to-14-minute round-trip flight will launch from Blue Origins West Texas base and return to Earth via parachute, according to the report. The crew will be in space for roughly four minutes in total. Dr. Jahangir won the opportunity to go on the spacecraft in a contest after applying through NASA and being rejected five times. A 443-acre community development featuring retail, housing and recreational amenities is coming to Valley Children's Healthcare in Madera, Calif. The health system shared plans for a major community development project, dubbed "The Hill," in an Aug. 29 news release. When complete, retail, hospitality, recreation and residential districts will surround Valley Children's main campus. Cost estimates have not yet been determined, a spokesperson told Becker's, adding the planning process is still in early stages. The health system is in talks with potential partners and contractors to construct the districts in phases, a spokesperson said. An exact timeline on construction and completion has yet to be determined. Plans for the residential district include up to 450 apartments and townhomes, while the retail district will feature at least 30 shops and a grocery store in a village-style environment. Revenue from the project will support the healthcare system's ability to maintain and grow operations, "far beyond what the hospital will receive in reimbursement from state/federal programs and commercial insurance payouts," Valley Children's said in the news release. "Our patients and families need more than a hospital and we need to ensure there is a sustainable financial future for Valley Children's," said Todd Suntrapak, president and CEO of the pediatric health system. "We have spent the last decade creating a solid foundation for Valley Children's, one that's absolutely vital in an era when so many hospitals in the Valley have had to sell, reduce services or close." The healthcare system in California's Central Valley is fragile, with several hospitals on the brink of closure, leaders told Becker's last year. One of the largest financial challenges for many hospitals is dependence on state and federal programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, which don't reimburse providers nearly as much as commercial insurers. At Valley Children's, more than 72% of patients are publicly covered. HHS has appealed a court ruling that disallowed the agency from prohibiting hospital websites' use of consumer-tracking technology. Attorneys with the Justice Department's civil division filed the appeal Aug. 19 in federal appeals court following a judge's June order striking down HHS' guidance to hospitals on the tracking technology. After many hospital and health system websites were found to be using so-called pixel technology that gathers information on visitors, HHS said in 2022 that healthcare organizations that transmitted data to technology companies without users' consent could be violating HIPAA. The American Hospital Association and two health systems Arlington-based Texas Health Resources and Wichita Falls, Texas-based United Regional Health Care sued to overturn the rule, calling it "unlawful" and a "gross overreach" and asserting that the technology gives healthcare organizations valuable insights into the health of their communities. Thirty hospitals and health systems filed a brief in favor of the lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, of the Northern District of Texas, agreed, ruling that HHS overextended its authority and allowing health systems to continue using the technology. Becker's reached out to HHS and the American Hospital Association for comment about the appeal. An Idaho hospital plans to host focus groups after a Facebook post received a flood of negative comments about its emergency care. Local resident Cassidy Chun posted Aug. 13 on Facebook about her grandfather's emergency department experience at Rexburg, Idaho-based Madison Memorial Hospital, where she said he had to wait hours to see a physician after crushing his hands in an accident and deal with apathetic staff along the way. Her post on the Life in Rexburg Facebook group received more than 200 comments, many of them echoing similar problems with the hospital's ED. "Madison Memorial has been an intricate part of this community for almost 75 years, so it breaks our heart to hear your experiences," hospital communications strategist Jess Goudy posted on the Facebook group Aug. 14. "While we are unable to discuss patients or their care in this setting due to our commitment to privacy, we can say we hear you. It happened to you. You experienced it. And that makes it real for us." She wrote that Madison Memorial was forming an ED focus group made of community members and city, county and hospital officials. The hospital planned to start sending out invitations in early September, East Idaho News reported Aug. 25. Of the previous complaints sent to Madison Memorial's official channel a hotline only 1% involved the ED. "There's obviously a disconnect from people feeling or being able to voice some concerns or some issues about the care they received," Doug McBride, the executive director for business development at Madison Memorial Hospital, told the news outlet. "So that was one of the biggest things that alerted us to the idea we need to be looking at this." Upland, Pa.-based Crozer Health will cut 30 positions at its Ridley Park, Pa.-based Taylor Hospital due to the 107-bed hospital ending surgical services by Sept. 1, The Philadelphia Business Journal reported Aug. 28. A spokesperson from Crozer Health told the publication that all affected employees, including support and surgical services positions, were offered other roles within the health system. Fifteen of the employees took other Crozer jobs while the other 15 decided to leave their positions. The affected employee count represented less than 1% of the health system's 3,400 employees, the spokesperson told the Biz Journal. Crozer shared plans in early August to consolidate its surgical services to Crozer-Chester Medical Center after a thorough evaluation of its surgical case volumes and staffing changes. "Taylor Hospital, which has been averaging 3-4 surgical cases per day, will no longer provide surgical services due to a reduction in general surgeons and a need to optimize our resources," Tony Esposito, CEO of Crozer Health, said in an Aug. 29 statement shared with Becker's. "Taylor Hospital will continue to serve the community by offering comprehensive non-surgical care and emergency services. We remain committed to delivering high-quality care and supporting the health needs of our patients." Prospect Medical Holdings, Crozer's for-profit owner, recently signed a letter of intent to sell the four-hospital system to CHA Partner, a deal that would return the hospitals to nonprofit status. The sale has received scrutiny from state lawmakers. In late August, Pennsylvania state Sen. Tim Kearney raised concerns about the lack of detail and transparency around the sale and called on the state's attorney general to conduct a thorough review of the deal. A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals told Becker's that 14 of the employees they represent were affected by the restructuring. "My heart breaks for our patients," Theresa Wisely, RN, said in an Aug. 28 PASNAP news release shared with Becker's. "The community relies on this hospital. Yet despite what our patient community needs and deserves, Prospect has slowly chiseled away at our services, prompting patients to leave the system and go elsewhere." Ms. Wisley was one of the employees affected by the restructuring but has now taken a job in the post-anesthesia care unit at Crozer-Chester Medical Center. Two faith-based, nonprofit health systems are pushing back against Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare's expansions in Western North Carolina and Central Virginia, two high-growth areas that are seeing increased competition among providers. Virginia Cincinnati-based Bon Secours Mercy Health, a 49-hospital, Catholic system, has a prominent presence in Central Virginia and has pushed back against HCA's plans to build a $21 million ambulatory surgery center with three operating rooms in Hanover, Va. In June, HCA received approval to build the ASC. Virginia's state department of health had previously rejected two separate certificate-of-need applications from the for-profit system to build a hospital and a freestanding emergency facility in the area. HCA is planning for the Hanover ASC to be first piece of a larger expansion, which would also include a 60-bed hospital, a freestanding emergency room, a second medical office building and a potential 90-bed hospital expansion. Construction of the ASC is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed in 2027. But HCA would still need to get approval from state officials to build the other planned facilities. Hanover is a wealthy area of Virginia in which the population is growing, and Bon Secours claims HCA is trying to take away market share from its existing hospital in the area. HCA argues that it is expanding access to care close to where its patients live and work. "The surgical center would significantly benefit our patients by improving access to high-quality surgical services from their preferred health system at a location much closer to home," a spokesperson for HCA told Becker's. Earlier this month, Bon Secours broke ground on a 10-bed, freestanding emergency facility in Hanover. The system intends to use the facility to treat patients in need of emergency care and transfer those needing inpatient care to Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville, Va., for direct admission, bypassing the hospital emergency department. "These expanded emergency and imaging services will help to decompress high volumes on the main campus of our award-winning Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center while also improving medic reliability and emergency transport times for the Hanover community and beyond," John Emery, president of Bon Secours' Memorial Regional and Rappahannock General hospitals, said. North Carolina Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based AdventHealth, which operates more than 50 hospitals across multiple states, aims to curtail HCA's growth in Western North Carolina, appealing several of Mission Health's recent CON applications to build a freestanding emergency facility. Last fall, AdventHealth Hendersonville and AdventHealth Asheville appealed the CON application for Mission's planned $29 million freestanding ED in Candler, N.C. HCA pushed back against the appeal, arguing that emergency rooms across the country are seeing a rise in patients and longer wait times post-pandemic. "This ER is an imminent solution to help meet the needs of our community and bring additional access to emergency care in Buncombe County," a spokesperson for Mission told Becker's last October. "It is disappointing other hospitals that regularly send their patients to Mission for a higher level of care would actively work to stop better access to emergent care for our communities." AdventHealth, a Seventh-day Adventist nonprofit system, in May received approval to build a $254 million, 67-bed community hospital in Weaverville, N.C. Mission previously appealed the state's initial approval of the hospital, leading to a trial last fall. Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health also wanted to build a 67-bed hospital in the area, but dropped out of the process. "We are confident in the state's decision to award AdventHealth Asheville the CON for the new hospital," Brandon Nudd, president and CEO of AdventHealth Hendersonville, said in a news release. "With the purchase of the property in Weaverville, we are ready to move forward building this hospital." HCA said it was "disappointed" in the office of administrative hearings' decision to uphold the awarding of 67 acute care beds to AdventHealth. "This will not solve the need to transport high-level, critical care patients out of the area when our region's advanced care beds only available at Mission Hospital are full," a spokesperson for Mission said in a May 13 statement to Becker's. "Mission Health remains committed to providing the region's most advanced healthcare and will continue to take our community's evolving health needs into account as we look to the future." New York City-based Montefiore Health System reported operating income of $32.3 million (0.8% margin) in the first half of 2024, up from an operating loss of $17.5 million over the same period last year. The health system posted total operating revenue of $4.1 billion in the six months ended June 30, up from $3.7 billion posted over the same period in 2023, according to its Aug. 29 financial report. Net patient services revenue was $3.8 billion, up from $3.4 billion in the first half of 2023. Total operating expenses were $4.1 billion in the first six months of 2024, up from $3.7 billion reported over the same period last year. Salary and wage expenses totaled $1.9 billion, up from $1.7 billion. Supplies and other expenses were $1.4 billion, up from $1.3 billion. "Patient volume remained flat, as expenses, including labor costs, continue to rise," the health system said in a statement shared with Becker's. "The most significant drivers that positively impacted our margins were the New York 1115 Medicaid waiver and Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements recorded this year. We are most grateful to our government partners in supporting new programs particularly for our Medicaid population, like the new waiver, as 80% of our patients are on governmental insurance like Medicare and Medicaid." Montefiore posted a net income of $57 million in the first half of 2024, up from a net income of $29.3 million over the same period in 2023. St. Louis-based SSM Health has selected Kerri Bayer, DNP, RN, as chief nursing officer of its Oklahoma and Mid-Missouri region. Dr. Bayer's healthcare career spans more than 25 years, the system said in an Aug. 29 news release sent to Becker's. She is the former chief nurse executive at Oklahoma City-based Integris Health, according to LinkedIn. Dr. Bayer also served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Nurse Reserve Corps from 2001 to 2004, where she provided care to Marines returning from the Iraq war. Michael Costa was named president and CEO of Randolph, Vt.-based Gifford Health Care, effective Oct. 14. Mr. Costa has been CEO of St. Johnsbury, Vt.-based Northern Counties Health Care since 2019, according to an Aug. 29 news release from Gifford Health Care. He will succeed CEO Dan Bennett, who is retiring Oct. 11, the release said. Gifford Health Care includes family health centers and a community hospital with an emergency department, nursing home and independent living facility. Kim Manus, CFO of Newport (Wash.) Hospital and Health Services, was named interim CEO of the organization, according to an Aug. 22 news release shared with Becker's. Current CEO Merry-Ann Keane, MSN, BSN, RNC, is moving to western Washington "to be closer to her daughter and continue her healthcare career as a hospital CEO," the release said. Her last day with Newport Hospital will be Sept. 15. Ms. Keane has helmed the hospital since 2022, according to her LinkedIn page. Ms. Manus joined Newport Hospital in 1986 and has served as the business office manager/treasurer and CFO. During their time on the executive leadership team, the hospital has expanded its express care service, MRI service and respiratory therapy, while switching to live human telephone operators, according to the release. Newport Hospital and Health Services is a public entity. It is owned and operated by Pend Oreille County Public Hospital District No. 1. About 1,100 SEIU Healthcare 1199NW-represented workers have ended their weeklong strike at Richland, Wash.-based Kadlec Regional Medical Center and its Kennewick ER, as contract negotiations continue. Here are seven things to know about the strike and negotiations: 1. The strike began Aug. 20 and ended as planned at 6 a.m. Aug. 27. 2. "We have welcomed back our caregivers who participated in the strike, and together, our team continues to provide the safe, compassionate, high-quality care our community depends on us for," the hospital said in a statement shared with Becker's. 3. The union also acknowledged the end of the strike on its Facebook page, writing, "The past week has been filled with many emotions we never want to strike and leave our patients, but Providence left us no choice." 4. SEIU Healthcare 1199NW and Kadlec, which is part of the Providence system based in Renton, Wash., began negotiating a new labor contract in January. 5. During negotiations, the hospital bargaining team has "passed multiple strong proposals to the union that would provide immediate and significant wage increases averaging 15.98% for our caregivers, with additional increases over the next three years," the hospital said in a statement shared with Becker's on Aug. 12. 6. Meanwhile, the union seeks a contract with wages that are more aligned with those at Swedish Health Services in Seattle and investments that recruit and retain front-line workers. 7. The next negotiating sessions are tentatively scheduled for Sept. 16-18, and Sept. 24-26. A federal lawmaker investigating pharmacy benefit managers is accusing top executives from CVS Health, Cigna Group and UnitedHealth Group of making false statements during a committee hearing in July. On Aug. 28, Rep. James Comer, chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, called on three PBM executives "to correct the record" regarding testimonies they made during a hearing about how the PBM industry influences prescription drug markets. "At our hearing, the witnesses claimed they do not steer patients to PBM-owned pharmacies," the committee wrote on X. "The executives also made claims contradicting the committee's and FTC's findings regarding contract negotiations, contract opt outs, and payments to pharmacies." Mr. Comer is asking David Joyner, president of CVS Caremark; Adam Kautzner, PharmD, president of Cigna's Express Scripts; and Patrick Conway, MD, CEO of UnitedHealth's OptumRx, to provide any necessary corrections to the record by Sept. 11. In his letter to the three executives, Mr. Comer highlighted the potential consequences of making false statements to Congress, including fines and imprisonment of up to five years. The letter comes amid heavy ongoing scrutiny of PBMs in Washington, D.C., with the FTC accusing the industry in July of favoritism toward its own pharmacies and creating vast market control, affecting both medication access and affordability. The three largest PBMs CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and OptumRx handle 79% of U.S. medical prescriptions for approximately 270 million people. Integrating further with health insurers allows even more control over medication prices and access, according to the FTC. The agency is also preparing lawsuits against UnitedHealth, Cigna and CVS over their PBM business practices, according to reporting from The Wall Street Journal. In second quarter calls with investors, the CEOs of CVS and Cigna said their PBMs save customers money, and promised to defend their businesses in Washington. "On the Shoulders of Giants," a documentary that chronicles the history of NYU Langone orthopedics, wasn't originally supposed to be an hour-long feature. The documentary's director, Peter Sanders, told Becker's that the film was commissioned to be a 30-minute movie. However he suggested turning the production into a feature-length film to executive producers, Kenneth Egol, MD, and Joseph Zuckerman, MD. The documentary would later become one of the four finalists for Best Documentaries at the 23rd Tribeca Festival. Mr. Sanders became involved with the project after Dr. Egol, an orthopedic surgeon, suggested the project when the director was a patient. "[Orthopedic surgeons] are unrecognized heroes," Mr. Sanders said. "Dr. Egol will say that you have not met him until you're in dire straits and then, when you do need him, he does the most unbelievable heroic things to make your body work again, to walk again The pioneers have already paved the way for so many innovations in the last 165 years, and the future of orthopedics is built on that legacy. The future will take NYU Langone orthopedics to places that our imagination cannot even fathom." Dr. Egol said he had the notion to document the orthopedic history for a few years, and the extra time from the COVID-19 pandemic helped kickstart things. "We thought it'd be a good idea to start looking at all the luminary orthopedic surgeons in the history of the hospital and write a biography," Dr. Egol told Becker's. "So we spent a couple years putting together about 22 or 23 biographies that we published. In doing that and learning their stories, that's where we got the idea to put it all together and make a [documentary]." "On the Shoulders of Giants" is as much a history of orthopedics as it is about NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital's growth. The documentary outlines the path from its association with Bellevue Medical College, the Hospital for Joint Diseases and what is now NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital. The movie highlights orthopedic pioneers including Lewis Sayre, MD, the first orthopedic professor in North America, who worked at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, Marian Sloane, MD, the first female orthopedic surgeon in the U.S. to publish a peer-reviewed journal and J. Serge Parisien, MD, who helped develop modern arthroscopic techniques. Another unique pillar of the documentary is music. Classical works are weaved throughout the film, including composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Sebastian Bach and Antonin Dvorak. One of the prominent works is Dvorak's String Quartet No. 12 ("American Quartet"), which is included throughout the documentary. Its contemplative second movement opens the movie; the upbeat viola melody from the first movement introduces Joseph Milgram, MD, the first chair of orthopedics at The Hospital for Joint Diseases, and the jubilant third movement arises during a segment about orthopedic innovation and solutions. Mr. Sanders' mother, musicologist Malena Kuss, helped select music for the documentary and she performed Beethoven's piano sonata Op. 2 No. 3 for the film, the director said. The choice to add the iconic Dvorak quartet came from Andrew Coffman, the documentary's editor. "It's a question of affinities," Mr. Sanders said, explaining the strategies used to select the music. "How do you make a movie? You have a beginning, a middle and an end. You divide each unit, matching emotionally the content of a segment and these contrasts, variations, and repetitions, carry an affinity with the context and drive the narrative forward. You'll recognize the Dvorak "American" string quartet, which is a perfect match for remembering the pioneers. Dvorak was a very good selection that has great affinities with the tone and the style of the film." Looking ahead, Mr. Sanders is working on an audio and visual project to further explore NYU Langone's orthopedic surgeons and history. Those works will be available on the NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital's website and onsite at the hospital by the end of the year. At the hospital, the next chapter for its orthopedic legacy lies especially in the physicians it trains. "The success of our training program, which is now 100 years old, started in 1923 really rests on the dedication of the faculty," Dr. Egol said. "Our primary missions are to take care of patients, but also to train the future orthopedic surgeons. Everybody here who's involved in our department loves teaching, scholarly activity and the pursuit of academic activities. We have the largest residency training program in the country." With more than 100 trainees coming through NYU Langone Orthopedics each year, their collective reach extends beyond the region. "Our impact on orthopedics is not only in the people we train, but geographically, is throughout the Tri-state area and expanding into other areas," Dr. Zuckerman said. "We've always said that the legacy of what we do is not necessarily in the patients we care for, although that's important However, when you look at all the orthopedic surgeons that we graduate, who then go out and take care of hundreds of thousands of patients and do hundreds of operations each year, that is a tremendous cascading effect. We have a tremendous impact on orthopedic care in this country, and that's very important to us." "On the Shoulders of Giants" is available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime and Google Play. It will be added to Kanopy, Vudu Fandango, inDemand, Hoopla, Microsoft, Direct TV and Dish Echostar on Oct. 4. In 2025, the documentary will be available on Tubi, and a Roku streaming deal is pending. The founder of JD Wetherspoon has defended the sale of alcohol in airports after Ryanair called for tighter controls on pre-flight drinking . Sir Tim Martin, who was educated at Belfasts Campbell College, said there had been no complaints about the pubs from the airport authorities in recent years. He added that Wetherspoons airport pubs no longer sell shooters or promote two-for-one drinks offers at their three Gatwick, two Heathrow and Stansted watering holes. Ryanair in contrast offers a discount on Irish whiskey if a double is ordered, Mr Martin told The Telegraph after Ryanair called for alcohol limits in airports to tackle disorderly behaviour on flights. Ryanair boss Michael OLeary told The Independent this week that air rage is at a record high and called for a two-drink limit to be imposed at European airports. Read more Six drinks to sum up Belfast might surprise you Mr OLeary said: We and most of the airlines around Europe are seeing a spike upwards, particularly this summer, of disgruntled passengers on board. I think the real challenge is: flight delays are up at a record high this summer, so people are spending time in airports drinking before they board aircraft. Mr OLeary also asked for governments across Europe to introduce more effective fines for disruptive behaviour at airports and onboard aircraft. In the same way that you have to show your boarding pass when you go through duty-free to buy cigarettes or alcohol, we believe you should have to show your boarding pass to buy an alcoholic drink at a bar at an airport. You shouldnt be served more than two alcoholic drinks particularly when flights are delayed, said Mr OLeary. Since 2018, the One Too Many campaign run by the UK Travel Retail Forum, the Airport Operators Association and the International Air Transport Association has aimed to encourage responsible drinking. Ryanair identified particularly problematic airports including Liverpool, Glasgow, Manchester and Edinburgh, with flight paths to party destinations such as Ibiza often prone to disruption. According to the Civil Aviation Authority, the punishment for in-flight disorderly behaviour can be fined for diversion costs up to 80,000 and up to five years in prison. The founder of JD Wetherspoon has dismissed calls to curb alcohol consumption at airports after calls for tighter controls were made by Ryanair boss Michael OLeary. Sir Tim Martin, commander in chief at the British hospitality giant, told the Telegraph there had been no complaints about our pubs from the airport authorities or airlines in recent years, adding Wetherspoons airport pubs no longer serve shots. Founding member of rock group Thin Lizzy, Eric Bell, has been named as the recipient of this years Legend Award by The Oh Yeah Music Centre. The Oh Yeah Legend award is presented annually to an individual or band that has made a significant contribution to the world of music. Previous recipients include names such as Barry Devlin (Horslips), ASH, Snow Patrol, Paul Brady and Gary Moore (Posthumous). Eric Bell founded Thin Lizzy of which he was a member of from 1969 to 1973 and two years ago, in 2022, released his autobiography Before, During and After Thin Lizzy. During his time with the rock band, Eric played on Thin Lizzy's first three classic albums Thin Lizzy, Shades of a Blue Orphanage and Vagabonds of the Western World, and their hit single "Whiskey in the Jar". He co-wrote a number of songs with Lynott and Downey, including "The Rocker" which became a live favourite throughout the band's career. Eric spent his early days with The Earth Dwellers, The Bluebeats and Irish showband the Dreams. He also played with Shades of Blue, where he replaced a young Gary Moore on guitar and famously joined Van Morrison and Them in the later part of the bands time in 1966. The presentation of Erics latest award will be made by PRS for Music at the Northern Ireland Music Prize on Wednesday 13 November at the Ulster Hall, Belfast. Following the presentation, Eric will take to the stage for a special guest performance with his band the Eric Bell Trio. Special guests will also join Eric on the night. The NI Music Prize is an annual awards night celebrating the best of Northern Irish music and will include sets from shortlisted acts including Album, Single and Live, as well as from last years BBC ATL New Artist winners Tramp. Eric said it was an honour to be recognised in his hometown, after he heard he would be receiving the award. I would just like to thank every person out there who made it possible for me receiving this award, he said. It's such an honour to be recognised in your own hometown. Thank you all." Stuart Fleming, Senior Writer Relations Manager - Northern Ireland & Scotland, PRS for Music, said: Eric is one of the most iconic guitarists and songwriters in contemporary music. From his early days as a co-founder of Thin Lizzy through to his extraordinary solo material, he helped shape the sound of an era and continues to inspire the next generation of Northern Irelands blues and rock musicians. We look forward to honouring Erics contributions to music, which underscore his status as a true legend. Charlotte Dryden of Oh Yeah said: It was never a case of if, but when, with making this presentation to Eric. He is a true original and an East Belfast rock n roll blues hero. He has inspired generations of musicians to start bands and pick up guitars. He gave us Thin Lizzy and timeless classics like Whisky in the Jar and The Rocker, songs that have resonated with fans from all over the world. We look forward to celebrating with Eric on what is set to be another excellent evening for all. A very limited number of tickets on sale now from the Ulster Hall and Waterfront website. https://www.waterfront.co.uk/what-s-on/northern-ireland-music-prize-2/ Taylor Swift cancelled her gigs in Vienna as a consequence of terrorism concerns (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP, File) The suspects in the foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna earlier this month sought to kill tens of thousands of fans before the CIA discovered intelligence that disrupted the planning and led to arrests, the agencys deputy director said. The CIA notified Austrian authorities of the scheme, which allegedly included links to the Islamic State group. The intelligence and subsequent arrests ultimately led to the cancellation of three sold-out Eras Tour shows, devastating fans who had travelled across the globe to see Swift in concert. CIA deputy director David Cohen addressed the failed plot during the annual Intelligence and National Security Summit, held this week in Maryland. Police officers stand near gathering swifties in Vienna on Friday August 9 (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader) They were plotting to kill a huge number tens of thousands of people at this concert, including I am sure many Americans and were quite advanced in this, Mr Cohen said on Wednesday. The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our partners in the intelligence community provided them information about what this Isis-connected group was planning to do. Austrian officials said the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian man, was inspired by the Islamic State group. He allegedly planned to attack outside the stadium, where upwards of 30,000 fans were expected to gather, with knives or homemade explosives. Another 65,000 fans were likely to be inside the venue. Investigators discovered chemical substances and technical devices during a raid of the suspects home. The 19-year-olds lawyer has said the allegations were overacting at its best, and contended Austrian authorities were presenting this exaggeratedly in order to get new surveillance powers. Swift broke her silence about the cancellations last week after her London shows had concluded. Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating, she wrote in a statement posted to Instagram. The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows. She thanked authorities thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives, she wrote and said she waited to speak until the European leg of her Eras Tour concluded to prioritise safety. Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows, she wrote. Swifts publicist did not immediately return a request for comment on Thursday. Concert organizer Barracuda Music said it cancelled the three-night Vienna run that would have begun on August 8 because the arrests made in connection to the conspiracy were too close to showtime. The main suspect and a 17-year-old were taken into custody on August 6, the day before the cancellations were announced. A third suspect, 18, was arrested on August 8. The shows in London, the next stop after Vienna, came on the heels of a stabbing at a Swift-themed dance class that left three little girls dead in the UK. In a statement issued after the Southport attack, Swift said she was just completely in shock and at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families. News outlets reported that Swift met with some of the survivors backstage in London. The Vienna plot also drew comparisons to a 2017 attack by a suicide bomber at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, that killed 22 people. The bomb detonated at the end of Grandes concert as thousands of young fans were leaving, becoming the deadliest extremist attack in the United Kingdom in recent years. Cohen on Wednesday praised the CIAs work in preventing the planned violence, saying that other counterterrorism successes in foiling plots typically go unheralded. Winona Ryder says that her experiences of being sexually harassed soured making movies for her (Vianney Le Caer/AP) Winona Ryder has revealed she faced a couple of difficult experiences when she was younger with people who were just blatantly sexually harassing me. The US actress, who stars in Tim Burtons 1988 movie Beetlejuice and its forthcoming sequel, said that in retrospect those experiences really soured making movies for her. Speaking to magazine Esquire UK, the 52-year-old reflected on her career, which began in the 1980s, and what it was like to meet disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. Actress Winona Ryder at an Oscars after-party (William Conran/PA) The actress suggested he would not hire her as I think I knew a little bit too much. She also said: I think (not being hired by him) was (for) various reasons. The one time I was supposed to have a meeting with (him), I went to the Miramax office and I extended my hand and he shook my hand and I sat on the couch and we had a conversation and I left. And (afterwards) I got like screamed at (by an agent). What the f*** did you do? I was like, What? Apparently, I offended him because I extended my hand?. Weinstein is currently awaiting a retrial on rape and sexual assault charges in Manhattan and Ryder said she can really understand what his alleged victims went through. I had a couple of difficult experiences with a couple of people who were just blatantly sexually harassing me, she said. And then it happened again in my 30s. It wasnt an assault. But it was incredibly inappropriate. It was wild. I really understand (what the alleged victims of Weinstein and others went through). I was lucky because I was known, so it didnt happen as much as maybe it would if I had been a struggling actor. But I remember this feeling in your mind: youre negotiating, youre thinking about whats going to happen if you say something. Youre working it out while this person is being extremely creepy. She added that she had become accustomed to brushing off the unwanted attentions of men. She said: If someone was being inappropriate or drunkenly hitting on me it was like, Ha ha!. You kind of do that. Ha ha! Inappropriate? I dealt with that. But touching me? It felt very invasive. Esquire UK reports that Ryder was not a victim of Weinstein and does not want to name any of those involved or to go into what happened in detail. I think in retrospect, it really soured (making movies), she said. All the great actors always told me that when it stops being amazing, you gotta get out. I really took that to heart. Ryder, who has had high-profile relationships with Johnny Depp and Matt Damon, reflected on her love life and said she was ready to be a spinster before she met her partner Scott Mackinlay Hahn. I was like, Im f****** done. I was like, Ill just be a spinster, she said. I know for younger people its a hard thing to hear that itll happen when you least expect it. But Asked if they are married, Hahn said: Not officially, but were about to be. He added it will happen probably later this year. Ryder is also known for starring in films including Heathers, Edward Scissorhands and Little Women and also plays Joyce Byers in the Netflix series Stranger Things. The Autumn issue of Esquire UK is on sale now. She had drawing displayed at a top gallery in Tokyo Young Ballynahinch artist, Charley Bell pictured in Japan attending the 25th International High School Arts Festival in Tokyo at which her prize-winning entry from this year's 70th Texaco Children's Art Competition was displayed. A Co Down teenager who represented Ireland in a global art exhibition has described her thrill at seeing her drawing in one of Tokyos top galleries. New York native Miranda Johnston moved to Northern Ireland last August. Since then, Miranda has amassed a 12.2k following on Instagram, with a popular TikTok page journeying her move from the US. From picturesque views of Kodak Corner, Rostrevor, to more intimate feelings of homesickness, Miranda doesnt shy away from showing both the highs and lows of moving abroad. After marrying her Northern Irish husband David two years ago, Miranda is familiarly acquainted with a north coast accent, Guinness, and fifteens. Yet there are a couple of things that arent so mundane to the 27-year-old. New York was very much like, by the age of 12, you learn how to take the train. You learn how to get around by yourself, and learn how to meet people from all different cultures, all different kinds of lifestyles, explains Miranda. When I came [to Northern Ireland] it definitely is a slower-paced lifestyle. Little things like, I got around easy in New York because you take the train. I dont actually drive. Now Im here where you need to be able to know how to drive to get to most places. Miranda says that this changed her day-to-day life significantly. The best way to explain it is that because [New York City] is so fast-paced, you really have no other choice but to kind of match that energy, or match that intensity, she continues. I think that the change of pace from being outside of the states, and being here, and just having more accessibility to nature and being able to fully enjoy it for what it is, has also been a really, really refreshing change. Miranda moved to Belfast from New York Moving to Northern Ireland has been somewhat of a circuit-breaker she says, but this has not been without difficulty. It is a bit harder because Im a bit more dependent on other people: whether its my husband, or family, or family friends. It means my independence was kind of shifted, and that impacted my confidence in myself. And then people dont really know this, but when you have a visa pending, youre not allowed to live in the country that youre waiting for your visa in. So even though [me and my husband] we were married for two years, we spent a year separated simply because if I had a visa pending and I was waiting for a decision, I wasnt allowed to live in Northern Ireland, or I wasnt allowed enter the UK, Miranda explains. Following the tumult of the separation and the painstakingly long wait for visa approval, Miranda says she expected her new life in Northern Ireland to materialise immediately. I thought that, oh my goodness: I finally got my visa. Everything is going to fall into place. But that wasnt really reality. I think there are kind of sides of it that no one really loves to talk about, which is this idea that you kind of uproot everything. I think that the first couple of months were really tough for me, as I really, very much didnt know what to expect, because I dont think that people have the kind of conversations about the lows of living abroad. New York native Miranda Johnston It got to the point where [David] said: hey, have you ever thought of putting, kind of all of your thoughts and feelings and kind of your journey in a more digital diary form, where you not only can connect with people, but you can really find a community that also understand? This sparked Miranda to create her TikTok and Instagram pages, which are now embellished with colourful videos of the countryside, thoughts about living in Belfast and the downpours of rain in the summer. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content It was funny: I didnt even want to start my social media pages. I was terrified of doing it, but I kind of sucked it up and did it, and now were at the phase of, its done and it has been helpful for me. She also says it has been invaluable in connecting with people who may be in a similar position. Recently I was at a coffee shop, and someone stopped me because they recognised me. It was the weirdest thing, she laughs. They were from Northern Ireland, and I have a big following from Northern Ireland. They dont really share my abroad journey. However, their brother married someone from outside of their culture, and country, and theyre sitting at the dinner table, with their new sister-in-law, for all these Sunday roasts and events. They said they never really thought to ask her, like, hey, how are you finding it? Or how is it different? They said it wasnt until they started following my social media page that they kind of grew the empathy on how to navigate people who are living abroad, and how to make them feel seen. Distance from the current presidential election in the US has also provided some much-needed space, Miranda says. Its very unfamiliar to be far away and watch that unfold, and what thats going to mean for the next four years, and the fear that comes with it, she explains. Although the 27-year-old New Yorker says she prefers not to be drawn on whats happening across the pond, she emphasises her gratitude for being able to explore a new country. Im pretty sure that theres a handful of Americans who never leave the country, their whole life, or never get a passport. To know that some people will never be able to experience a beautiful cliff, or waterfall, or to explore in this way. There are people in this lifetime that will never be able to experience this, and Im just really grateful that Im in a position where, while Im here, I can do that. Miranda also attributes some feelings of comfort to the fact that the healthcare system in Northern Ireland operates very differently to the US, citing an initial sickness when she first moved. My husband always jokes around about this, she cautions. But I ended up getting vertigo, which is so random. I was so terrified because while I was able to legally live here, I was still waiting for my national insurance and my NHS. I was really scared. I could barely walk in a straight line. I thought, I dont have insurance here, so what does that mean for me? Can I go to hospital? Can it be fixed? It was the most bizarre experience to walk into a hospital, get seen, get my problem fixed, and then leave, she continues, it was the weirdest thing. New York native Miranda Johnston Regardless, Miranda says she never actually felt the itch to leave home. It wasnt until she studied abroad in London one year that she called the biggest plot twist: she met her husband. They spent time in Northern Ireland while dating, before getting married in 2022. One of our favourite places together is a place called Torr Head, she says. Its essentially like an abandoned rooftop. It used to be kind of a lighthouse post, and when we were dating, we would go up there a lot, just for dates. Wed do picnics, or play board games, we watched sunsets up there. We got engaged up there. Just with memories, I think that whole area would be a favourite. The Torr Head area, and then Murlough Bay beach, and White Park Bay. That whole area is stunning and beautiful, Miranda says. We recently went to Silent Valley, and we went to Donegal. I thought, places like this dont exist, I was like wait, what? Although regarding an Irish summer, Miranda says even her friends have been messaging her about it. Im at the acceptance stage. I think theres mourning. We got married back home in New York in July, so even for our wedding, it was 30 degrees. It was one of those things where I love the sun, and this is my first summer living here. It was so funny: I was in denial for most of July. I kept telling my husband, you know, its going to get better. It is going to get better: just watch. And then I think that once we hit the end of July, I was like: okay. This is it, she says. Where Im okay with the change is that we dont have long summer days back home. So I think thats been, mental-health wise, thats been keeping me. Trad music has also found a new place in Mirandas home after attending Belfasts trad week. I grew up with hip-hop. So [trad week] was just so different. I was there, mouth open, just in awe of what I was watching. After trad week I kept playing traditional music, just in the house. My husband saw me, and went: what the hell? I was all, Im in my trad-era, she laughs. Guinness has grown on her, too. Im not a full-pint girl, Im definitely a half-pint girly, she adds. But Miranda still says she has a long way to go building a life in Northern Ireland. It was difficult at first, but now when it comes to actually producing a life here, I think that Im just starting that journey. I spent my whole life, I guess, establishing a life in New York where Im from. Thats community, friends, family, hobbies, you know, extracurricular activities, and a career. Now Im establishing these new kinds of relationships and friendships and navigating that to the sense of hopefully, these people will stick around for the next 10 years. Follow Miranda on Instagram @miranda__johnston and on TikTok @miranda__johnston Chinese chef who popularised fusion cuisine excited to inspire new talent Mr Hom has sold over 7m woks in the UK The legendary Chinese-American chef Ken Hom will teach a masterclass at the University of Ulster in October The famous Chinese chef Ken Hom will host a masterclass for Belfast culinary students this October. Mr Hom is visiting Northern Ireland as part of Ulster Universitys Culinary Salon, which brings students together with chefs and food writers. He has promoted Chinese cuisine over the course of his career. His work includes five TV series, and 37 books. He is also known for his range of Asian cookware, and has sold seven million woks in the UK. Speaking ahead of his visit to Belfast, Ken Hom said: I have always considered myself, first and foremost, an educator - so its a real privilege to be working with students who will go on to shape our international hospitality industry. Im also looking forward to be back in Northern Ireland and meeting the chefs and food writers who are forging its reputation as a leading gastronomic destination. Mr Hom, who now lives in Thailand and France, also works with the charity sector. The event at Ulster University will raise funds for Action Against Hunger, an organisation which fights hunger in over 50 countries around the world. The world-renowned chef was born in the United States, in Tucson, Arizona, and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were Cantonese, and he began working in his uncles restaurant at aged 11, taking up professional cooking while a student in California. Mr Hom has sold over 7m woks in the UK The UK was introduced to his work and food in 1984 when he made the series Ken Homs Chinese Cookery for the BBC. Laura Wells, lecturer in International Hospitality Management, told the Belfast Telegraph about her excitement at the prospect of welcoming the famous chef: We are honoured to host Ken Hom at Ulster University and introduce him to our fantastic Culinary Arts Management and International Hospitality Management students. Within the Department for Hospitality Tourism and Events Management, we seek to create immersive learning experiences that truly inspire and enrich our students and fuel their passion for the industry. A world-renowned chef and TV personality, we look forward to welcoming Ken to the Academy to host a Culinary Salon dinner in partnership with our students. Mr Homs visit and class at the university is supported by the Savoy Educational Trust, and the Oxford Cultural Collective. Angela Maher, Chief Executive, Savoy Educational Trust added: The Savoy Educational Trust is delighted to continue its support of the Culinary Salons series at Ulster University. This unique programme enables students to interact with, and learn from, some of the best hospitality professionals in the world. It is wonderful to see how well connected the university is to industry and the importance they place on experiential learning. Tourists made 5.4 million overnight trips to Northern Ireland in 2023 and spent 1.2bn in total, the Department for the Economy has said. But it warned that the latest statistics were not directly comparable with previous years, partly down to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on tourism. Releasing figures from the NI Statistics & Research Agency (Nisra) on Thursday, DfE said the 5.4 million included 3.3 million overnight trips by external visitors to NI, as well as domestic trips by NI residents. Domestic pleasure seekers therefore accounted for 40% of the overnight trips, and were responsible for 0.3bn of the spending. The remaining 0.9bn was spent by external visitors. DfE said the figures demonstrated the importance of domestic tourism to the industry. And Economy Minister Conor Murphy said they show that tourism is thriving in Northern Ireland following the lean times of Covid-19. "The statistics come on the back of what I know was a difficult period across the industry, but there are real signs of optimism across the sector as we emerge stronger. "While the figures cannot be directly compared to previous statistics, undoubtedly 1.2bn of tourism expenditure is a significant economic boost. "I am determined to continue to work with the industry to enable it to grow even further in a way that aligns with my economic vision of a productive, regionally balanced, net zero economy with good jobs. Hotel room occupancy in Northern Ireland was 64% during 2023, while the estimated room occupancy for guest houses, bed & breakfasts and other guest accommodation was 38%. In 2023, there were 5,845 tourism businesses operating in Northern Ireland, and over three-quarters (77%) of these were outside Belfast City Council. The Minister said he had been impressed with the optimism, energy and ambition of tourism businesses since taking up his role in February. Mr Murphy said he had set up a tourism partnership board to plan even greater success though he said there was already a lot to look forward to. The Irish Open will return to the north next month at Newcastle, and in 2025 we will host The Open in Portrush. "Our tourism offering goes from strength to strength with many new hotels, attractions and experiences in the pipeline which has been boosted by the City Deal tourism projects. The outlook for local tourism is very positive, and we must maintain the momentum which has been created over the last few years to continue to build a tourism sector which can bring tangible economic benefits across all of the north. The figures showed that Belfast commanded the lions share of overnight trips during 2023, at 1.7 million or 31% of all NI overnight trips. Causeway Coast and Glens accounted for 1.3 million of all overnight trips, with 75% of those trips taken for holiday or pleasure. In contrast, just 50% of Belfast overnight trips were taken for that purpose. Earlier this year, Nisra published the Tourism Satellite Account for 2019, estimating the economic impact of direct tourism in NI that year at 0.9bn. A masked intruder who held a pensioner prisoner for over three hours in her own home and threatened her with a screwdriver has been jailed. The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) also said the system remains in a precarious state Quarterly statistics for NI's waiting times were published on Thursday Northern Irelands healthcare system is in need of radical change, a leading medic has said, after the latest official figures showed patients are waiting up to five years for treatment. The chair of the BMA NI Council, Dr Alan Stout, said Northern Ireland could not afford to continue running the health service in its current form. "There needs to be radical change, with clinicians involved in the process to make sure services are delivered in a way that is timely and efficient, and gives patients access to the best treatment so they have the best health outcomes, he said. It comes after quarterly statistics on outpatient, inpatient, day case and diagnostic waiting times were published by the Department of Health. The figures however were incomplete, with those in the Belfast and South Eastern Trusts treated as official statistics in development. Both trusts are in the process of transitioning to fully digitised records after implementing the Encompass digital system in the last year. As a result, NI-wide figures in the bulletin reflected only the Northern, Western and Southern Trusts. The quarterly waiting list figures show that more than 340,000 people were waiting for a first consultant-led outpatients appointment across four of the five health trust areas on June 30. More than half of those patients have been waiting for more than a year. The number of people waiting for inpatient or day case admission decreased by around 17% from Jun 2023, while the median waiting time increased by 0.3 weeks. The longest waiting time (the 95th percentile) saw an increase of around seven weeks, from 261.3 weeks to 268.6 from March this year. RCS NI Director Niall McGonigle Around half of outpatients in June 2024 had waited more than a year for an appointment, while 84.2% of outpatients were waiting more than nine weeks. The longest wait for an outpatient appointment was just over five years (263.4 weeks). The number of patients waiting on a diagnostic test has risen by 14.5% since last year, with 61.4% waiting more than nine weeks to be seen, an increase of around 8%. Just over 35.2% of those waiting for a diagnostic test had waited more than 26 weeks, an increase of over 25% since last year. Of 80,953 urgent tests carried out, 77.9% were reported on within two days. Trust targets demand all urgent tests are reported on within the two-day window. Dr Stout also said the use of median figures in bulletins obscured the reality that many patients have been waiting years for care. "It is hard to hope that one day these figures will bring good news for everyone in Northern Ireland, where we will see waiting times dropping and patients moving swiftly and efficiently through the system and where we will no longer have the longest wait times in the UK, he said. NI BMA Chair Dr Alan Stout A key part of addressing the issues is the health services ability to retain and recruit doctors. "Consultants have now settled their pay dispute and we would urge the Minister to address the junior doctor dispute as soon as possible and ensure that SAS (specialist, associate specialist and specialty) colleagues do not also take industrial action. "Without the right workforce in place nothing will improve. Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) NI Director Niall McGonigle said many surgeons were leaving an already-depleted workforce due to the pressures of the job. "Northern Irelands health service remains in a precarious state, with huge pressures on a depleted and stretched workforce, he said. "We are concerned that the surgical workforce, on which much of the elective recovery relies, may reduce further in the coming years. "Our surgical workforce census showed 91% of respondents aged 55 to 64 plan to retire in the next four years. "Burnout and stress are also leading surgeons to consider leaving the health service. This is catastrophic when we need their expertise like never before. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt The health service in Northern Ireland is in desperate need of a recurrent budget to help with planning and approval of funds for the Ministers 5-year waiting list plan. Alliance Party health spokesperson Nuala McAllister said a lack of movement on healthcare reform was immensely frustrating. "Behind all of these figures are real people desperately waiting for often life-saving treatment, she said. "We must focus on providing diagnostics and treatment far more quickly, often within primary and community care settings. "Bringing down waiting lists in this way, accompanied by a system-wide approach to regional specialisms and surgical hubs, will make the whole of Health and Social Care more efficient and responsive to patient need. "Budgetary pressures across the Executive have played a part, this only underlines the importance of spending money wisely, targeting efficiencies and avoiding the duplication of services. Sinn Fein spokesperson Liz Kimmins said Health Minister Mike Nesbitt needed to act. "Long waiting times highlight the immense pressure on the health system and on staff, she said. "The health minister needs to set out a plan to begin to tackle unacceptably long waiting times so people can access the care they need. "This would ease pressure on other parts of the system including GP services allowing people to live longer, healthier lives. Pictured at the launch of the event are Leigh Osborne, Head of Fundraising Aware NI; Alan Waring from Belfast Harley Davidson; Jarlath McCreanor Aware NI Volunteer and Terry Bradley. Belfast artist Terry Bradley is partnering with mental health charity Aware NI and Titanic Belfast to launch a Motorcycle Meet Up event next month. Bikers from across Northern Ireland are being invited to park their motorcycles on the iconic Titanic Slipways on Sunday 15 September from 1pm to 3pm. The event will give people the opportunity to come together in an environment where they can talk and find out more about the mental health support that is available to them. Guests can also view Terry Bradleys free summer exhibition - Dockers & Dolls The Art of Terry Bradley which, due to popular demand, has been extended until Sunday 29 September in Titanic Belfast and showcases his work across the years including his pieces relating to mental health awareness. Terry Bradley said that he is a firm believer in talking openly about his own struggles with mental health. Throughout my career, I have shared my own mental health struggles and Im a firm believer that talking openly and publicly has helped me accept this part of my life and be able to deal with it on a daily basis, he said. In doing this, I hope I have encouraged other people to do the same. Its important that anyone struggling with their own mental health, knows that they are not alone. There are so many people around you in your own circle, as well as many organisations, who are there to help and support you. The first step is starting the conversation, he added. I am delighted to team up with Titanic Belfast and AWARE NI to launch the Motorcycle Meet Up, an opportunity for everyone, not just bikers, to come along and talk. It will be a supportive environment, where you will be able to speak to people who are there to help and can also signpost you to where you can find further support. Judith Owens MBE, Chief Executive of Titanic Belfast said: In Terry Bradleys summer exhibition at Titanic Belfast, Dockers & Dolls The Art of Terry Bradley, he has curated a very personal and reflective display of his artwork, showing how introducing colour into his work signified a shift in his own mental health. In admirably sharing his own journey with us, Terry is helping to create awareness of the importance of supporting those who struggle with their mental health and in talking about it if you are struggling. We hope that this event will give people from across Northern Ireland the opportunity to connect, talk and feel supported. Whether you're a biker or simply a fan of motorcycles, we hope the 'Motorcycle Meet Up' will offer a chance to connect with like-minded individuals and enjoy a memorable experience." Leigh Osborne, Head of Fundraising at Aware NI, added that they are honoured to be selected as the charity of choice for this event. We look forward to bringing together bikers and non-bikers alike in a shared mission to raise awareness for mental health, she said. We hope the Motorcycle Meet Up will foster a strong sense of community, provide a platform to discuss mental health openly, and raise vital funds to support AWARE NIs network of peer-led support groups and education programmes. To register for the Motorcycle Meet Up go www.titanicbelfast.com The number of race hate incidents in Northern Ireland has reached an all-time high, figures show. More than 1,400 reports were made to the PSNI within a single year. The statistics, published by the PSNI and NI Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra), reveal that officers dealt with a total of 1,411 racist incidents in the 12 months to the end of June up 144 compared to the previous year. A total of 891 racist crimes were also recorded by police in the same period with a rise in faith/religious motivated hate crimes and transgender hate crimes. Amnesty International said the statistics demonstrate the need for action. Patrick Corrigan, the regional director of the human rights group, said tackling racism requires a consistent response from police and clear political leadership and effective government strategies. These new figures show that even before the recent orchestrated campaign of racist violence in parts of Northern Ireland, the number of race hate incidents reported to the police was at an all-time high, he said. "The fact that racist crimes represent almost one in a hundred of all recorded crimes in Northern Ireland should be a wake-up call to the scale of the problem now facing us. For too long, those behind these attacks have felt able to act with impunity, emboldened to carry out further attacks. "This has been the depressing backdrop to the recent and ongoing spike in racially-motivated attacks which have left minoritised communities living in fear. Tackling racism and race hate crime in Northern Ireland requires not just a consistent response from the police but clear political leadership and effective strategies from the government. It follows the outbreak of serious public disorder in Belfast and other parts of the UK linked to anti-immigration protests earlier this month. Earlier this week, a police officer told a court that the PSNI is receiving reports of race hate incidents on a daily basis despite riots being quelled with properties and businesses still being targeted. They said that during the disorder, three Belfast-based businesses were destroyed including one that had apartments above it resulting in the evacuation of 42 people. The newly published statistics show that the number of race hate incidents is at its highest rate since records began in April 2004. Racist crimes represented 0.9% of all recorded crime between July last year and June this year. Almost half of recorded race hate incidents and crimes occurred in Belfast. However, the number of sectarian incidents fell from 317 to 254, marking the biggest drop within a 12-month period since autumn 2016. There were more race, faith/religion and transgender identity hate incidents when compared with the previous 12 months, the PSNI and Nisra report states. "Crimes with a faith/religion hate motivation saw the largest increase, with small increases also seen in race and transgender identity crimes. "Sectarian crimes saw the largest decrease, with smaller decreases in sexual orientation and disability crimes. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood during a press conference where he announced his resignation as party leader (Mark Marlow/PA) SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said it has been a great privilege to lead the party and tipped fellow MP Claire Hanna as his successor. Mr Eastwood is set to resign at the partys conference in October after nine years at the helm of the party he joined as a teenager. Speaking at a press conference in Londonderry on Thursday, Mr Eastwood said he wants to become a voice for change and developing a new Ireland, describing the post-Brexit environment as a moment of opportunity. Ms Hanna has not ruled herself out of the running to be the next SDLP leader. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content On Thursday afternoon, she posted on the social media network X that she will have more to say on that in the coming days. Political leadership is a huge privilege and rightly carries huge responsibility. Im grateful for many messages from colleagues, constituents and others about the future leadership of the SDLP, she said. Ill have more to say in the coming days after speaking to my family and team. He insisted it had been his decision to resign as SDLP leader. This is absolutely my decision. I have taken time to make that decision, I have spoken to others about it, Mr Eastwood said. You dont often get to pick your own moment and Ive been glad that Ive been able to do that. You can play different roles in politics. I have been a party activist and, first and foremost, I am committed to the principles of the SDLP. Almost more importantly to the cause of delivering a new Ireland. It just is an awful lot of work over nine years to have to deal with all of the day-to-day issues of running a political party. I feel much freer now to be able to do that work, which is the work of this generation, to deliver a new united Ireland for all of our people. SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna (Liam McBurney/PA) Mr Eastwood also said that South Belfast MP Claire Hanna was far and away the best candidate to replace him as SDLP leader. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that Claire Hanna has what it takes to be the leader of the SDLP, he said. She would be far and away the best option for the members. This is my opportunity to be the first to endorse Claire Hanna. It is up to Claire but I hope she puts her name forward, and I hope the party endorse her. Mr Eastwood became the partys youngest ever leader in 2015, having taken over from Alasdair McDonnell following a leadership contest that he won by fewer than 40 votes. The 41-year-old father of two also previously served as the mayor of Londonderry. While Mr Eastwood led the party as it consolidated its position in Westminster, the SDLP has failed to make progress at the Northern Ireland Assembly. In the last Assembly election in 2022, the party trailed in fifth leaving it without a sufficient number of seats to be eligible for a place in the Northern Ireland Executive. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, Irish premier Simon Harris, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill and DUP leader Gavin Robinson paid tribute to Mr Eastwood. Mr Benn thanked Mr Eastwood for the great contribution you have made over nine years as SDLP leader. The Taoiseach said Mr Eastwood served the entire island of Ireland with distinction at Westminster during Brexit. For that, we all owe Colum a debt of gratitude, he said. I spoke to Colum last night and was glad to hear he still has a lot more to give to politics and will continue to serve as an MP after his successor as leader is appointed. Ms ONeill said: I want to wish Colum Eastwood and his family well as he steps down as leader of the SDLP. We have worked together as leaders for many years now, to restore the political institutions in the north and in protecting the Good Friday Agreement and the all-island economy against efforts to impose the hardest possible Tory Brexit. I look forward to working with his successor as leader of the SDLP in a constructive manner for the good of all our people. Sinn Fein will continue to work with all parties in the Assembly and Executive to deliver for workers, families and public services. Mr Robinson said: I wish him well. Hell continue to champion Foyle in Westminster and as before, we will work together on mutually benefiting Northern Ireland. Former Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith said on social media: Really sorry to read that Colum Eastwood is stepping down from the SDLP. Whilst many differences on many issues, he is an exceptional communicator and I am certain will remain a key player in the UK and Ireland political fray. Ar aghaidh! [Forward!] Fianna Fail TD Jim OCallaghan praised Mr Eastwood as having led the SDLP with distinction during very challenging times. He added: He was a strong leader of nationalist Ireland, following in the great tradition of Hume and Mallon. I wish him well in the future and hope he remains actively involved in politics. Mr Eastwoods decision to step down follows the recent announcement that UUP leader Doug Beattie will also be leaving his post. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood during a press conference where he announced his resignation as party leader, at Eskaheen View, Derry. Photo: Mark Marlow/PA Wire SDLP leader Colum Eastwood during a press conference where he announced his resignation as party leader, at Eskaheen View, Derry city. Photo: Mark Marlow/PA Wire Colum Eastwood said it was the privilege of his life to serve as SDLP leader as he pledged to turn his focus to Derry and promoting a new Ireland. The Foyle MP was adamant he was not pushed from the leadership position but, unusually in politics, got to pick my moment. Mr Eastwood said the SDLP membership will decide on the leader but he was first to endorse South Belfast MP Claire Hanna, saying he has absolutely no doubt she has what it takes to be leader and is far and away the best option. At a press conference on a hillside overlooking the city, Mr Eastwood reflected on the beginning of his career, saying he joined the SDLP at 14 and was a councillor aged 22. John Hume, and the work he did to bring about the Good Friday Agreement, was the reason he became a politician. Mr Eastwood man made it clear he will continue in his role as Foyle MP for as long as the people of Derry will have me. He told reporters that he wants to fight for the people of Derry and be a voice for change. (The SDLP) is the most successful political party on these islands which made a massive contribution to ending the Anglo-Irish conflict, he said. He added: This last few years has been a period of immense change across these islands, what we have seen after Brexit has been really unstable in many ways but also a moment of opportunity. Now that we have the three strands, all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement in a better place, in a more stable place, this is also now a big moment, I think, of change for this island. I for one want to give my full commitment to leading in that space. I want to be a voice for leading for change to develop a new Ireland, to make a case for change across this island, and I want to be able to have the space to do that, the time to do that. People dont realise how much effort goes into the day-to-day running of a political party, he said, and the moment has come to step aside and allow other people to take on that mantel. Colum Eastwood backs Claire Hanna to succeed him as SDLP leader after confirming he is quitting His resignation will take effect from the party conference on October 5. Mr Eastwood was challenged on his record of having fewer MPs, MLAs and councillors. He said the party was in a bad place when he took over and needed modernised and refreshed with new talent. The party took much more progressive views and positions, he said, bringing the party back to its radical beginnings and that for me was very important. He spoke of ups and downs electorally, but believes the party is in a good place with a strong opposition led by Matthew OToole at Stormont. When asked what the point of the SDLP is now, he said it has transitioned a number of times from its birth during the civil rights movement, to setting the parameters for the Good Friday Agreement which brought about enormous change where people could live in peace. The party now needs to set out the case for the future, he said, and building towards a new Ireland. Mr Eastwood said he feels much freer now to be able to concentrate on delivering that ambition to end division in communities and end division of partition which has held us back. He set up the New Ireland Commission and wants to see it take a more energised approach. Democratic leaders need to come together to set out a case for a united Ireland, he concluded. Nominations for the leadership opened yesterday with only Ms Hanna and the partys eight MLAs eligible to put their names forward over the next seven days. However, the Belfast Telegraph understands there is unanimous support among SDLP representatives at Stormont for Ms Hanna. Mr Eastwood successfully challenged Dr Alasdair McDonnell to become the partys sixth leader. He defeated the then South Belfast MP by 172 votes to 133 at the partys annual conference in November 2015. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, Irish premier Simon Harris, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and DUP leader Gavin Robinson paid tribute to Mr Eastwood. Mr Benn thanked Mr Eastwood "for the great contribution you have made over nine years as SDLP leader". The Taoiseach said Mr Eastwood "served the entire island of Ireland with distinction" at Westminster during Brexit. Ms O'Neill said: "I want to wish Colum Eastwood and his family well as he steps down as leader of the SDLP. Mr Robinson said: "I wish him well. He'll continue to champion Foyle in Westminster and as before, we will work together on mutually benefiting Northern Ireland." Revealed | How Tony Blairs granduncle shot IRA man attacking his farm Unionists who found themselves living on wrong side of the border were often bewildered and apprehensive following partition, writes Dr Edward Burke Tony Blair Edward Burke Thu 29 Aug 2024 at 07:54 In the midst of the Anglo-Irish War over a century ago, 14 members of the IRA attacked a farm owned by the Corscadden family at Carricknahorna in the hills of south Donegal. This was later the family home of Hazel Corscadden, the mother of future Prime Minister Tony Blair. James Corscadden, the owner of the farm, was Blairs granduncle. Killer was sent back to jail after having sex with daughter of prison officer: He is clearly a danger to women David McCord has been returned to jail so many times for breaking the rules its beyond a joke, said the source. Convicted Killer David Thomas McCord pictured walking the streets of Belfast on 19th July 2024. Steven Moore Thu 29 Aug 2024 at 15:46 Escaped killer David McCord was sent back to prison for having sex with the daughter of a prison officer, it can be revealed. The scene of an arson attack at the UCKG Help Centre on Templemore Street, Belfast Presseye A racially motivated arson attack on a church was a needless and pointless assault on a group doing good for people right across the community here in east Belfast, a local religious leader has said. An angle grinder was used to cut a hole in the shutters of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) church premises on Templemore Street on Tuesday night. A flammable substance was thrown inside and then set alight. Rev Sammy Robinson, chair of the East Belfast Church Network, said all churches in the area were standing together to condemn the attack. Racism has no place in our society, racism is not a Christian value and many people are carrying out these attacks in the name of God and the name of Ulster and many different things, and these attacks are not representative of those things, he said. UCKG was founded in 1977 in Brazil and has millions of followers. The multi-cultural church has been based on Templemore Street since 2018 yet this is the first time it has been attacked. Police have confirmed they are investigating the incident as a racially motivated hate crime. WATCH: Angle grinder used in race-motivated attack on east Belfast church premises Rev Robinson said the recent racist attacks across Belfast are unacceptable. My simple message, but my strong message, is to stop, he said. He also wanted to assure any immigrants attending church in east Belfast that they are safe to do so. Places of worship are places of safety and welcome, we want to assure you that each and every one of our churches will be taking every safety precaution necessary, and regardless of creed or race we will be welcoming people with open arms, Rev Robinson said. The clergyman added: "What happened here last night was a needless and pointless attack on a church who are doing good for people right across the community here in east Belfast." The scene of an arson attack at the UCKG Help Centre on Templemore Street, Belfast (Credit: Press Eye) DUP leader Gavin Robinson condemned the attack. Im disgusted by what happened here last night. It does not reflect the local community in which this church is based. He said the church provides support for a range of people in east Belfast. Theres no church that deserves to have (people) turn up with an angle grinder and masks and cut through the centre and attempt to burn it down a church that serves our local community, a church that has a food bank attended by people that are living in Belfast, he said. Mr Robinson believes those responsible for the attacks should now feel the same fear they inflicted on their victims. They (the victims) shouldnt feel scared. In fact, the people that are threatening them should feel scared about the societal response that they will get through the criminal justice system. Photo: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press He added: I havent met anyone that supports the attack we saw last night though clearly individuals like them exist and I hope they feel the full force of the law. His DUP colleague, South Belfast MLA Edwin Poots condemned the recent racist attacks in Belfast, but called for other people in power to look behind working-class anger and if any of it is justified. The Stormont Speaker said: Attacking a Christian church; anyone doing that is the antithesis of what I stand for. Faith is incredibly important and you dont go attacking churches. But he added: Essentially, you have communities who have been largely ignored by key organisations and none of this justifies what individuals have done [in terms of racist attacks]. But, when we go beyond this and things settle down, we need to look at why there is that anger, and if any of it is justified. It certainly isnt justified to attack communities, but have people got reasonable cause to be upset at how the local community has been treated for many years? He also doesnt believe that this is a priority for many other Assembly members. Police in east Belfast are investigating an arson attack at a property in Templemore Street on August 27 (Credit: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press) Mr Poots said that the biggest concerns for his constituents are things people took for granted 20 years ago, such as housing and getting quick GP appointments relatively easy. People will focus on the bad behaviour and say this is disgraceful, but theyll not actually look behind that and to the many people who didn't engage in bad behaviour, but who have a fair degree of annoyance at how they have been treated, he said. UUPs Andy Allen also attended the scene of Tuesday nights attack. Its a church that is embedded within the community, its a disgraceful attack and there is no justification whatsoever, he said. We need to call out these attacks, we need to ultimately stop them, we need to see a robust response to the perpetrators of these attacks. SDLP councillor Seamas de Faoite also condemned the church attack. This is another disgraceful attack on a place of worship in our city. The vast majority will be appalled that a church has been targeted in this way and that a place that is so important to many within our community has suffered extensive damage as a result. East Belfast Alliance MLA Peter McReynolds called the attack unacceptable. Those responsible do not represent the views of the broader community, which opposes these senseless attacks, and they must face the full consequences of their actions, he said. Translink have condemned the graffiti incidents on its trains. Two men have been charged in relation to a number of reports of graffiti sprayed on trains across Northern Ireland. A 35 year old man has been charged with 40 counts of criminal damage, two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and one count of trespassing on railway. He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on Wednesday 18th September. Meanwhile, a 24 year old man has been charged with 38 counts of criminal damage. He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on Thursday 26th September The men were arrested by the PSNI on Thursday. Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson, from the Police Service of Northern Irelands Operational Support Department, said: This has been a complex and time-intensive investigation, in which we have been working closely with various partner agencies to make these arrests. "If those involved in this type of offence believe their criminal activities will be ignored, this is a clear example that police will thoroughly investigate this type of offence. Criminal damage such as the graffiti of train carriages causes a significant monetary loss in cleaning the trains, which impacts the numerous rail users who are dependent on this mode of transport as these carriages are removed from service." Translinks Hilton Parr, Interim General Manager, Rail Operations said: We condemn any form of anti-social behaviour. We have a close working partnership with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and we welcome this outcome." Chief Superintendent Donaldson added: We are committed to tackling this kind of crime and would remind everyone to play their part. If you see something suspicious, report it to police as this information provided can help us apprehend criminals and bring them before the Court. If you think you can help, contact us on 101, or online at www.psni.police.uk/report. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999." As is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. The PSNI said the cost of cleaning the trains was significant (Niall Carson/PA) Two men have been arrested as part of an investigation into graffiti being sprayed on trains. The PSNI said the arrests followed a complex and time-intensive investigation involving numerous agencies. Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson, from the operational support department, said: Following extensive work conducted by officers in relation to reports received of graffiti spray-painted on trains, a 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of 32 counts of criminal damage, two of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and 13 of trespassing on railway on Thursday August 29. A 24-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of 37 counts of criminal damage on Thursday August 29. Both men, who were arrested in the Belfast area, are in police custody at this time. He added: If those involved in this type of offence believe their criminal activities will be ignored, this is a clear example that police will thoroughly investigate this type of offence. Criminal damage such as the graffiti of train carriages causes a significant monetary loss in cleaning the trains, which impacts the numerous rail users who are dependent on this mode of transport as these carriages are removed from service. Translinks Hilton Parr, interim general manager, rail operations said: We condemn any form of anti-social behaviour. We have a close working partnership with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and we welcome this outcome. Mr Donaldson added: We are committed to tackling this kind of crime and would remind everyone to play their part. If you see something suspicious, report it to police as this information provided can help us apprehend criminals and bring them before the court. If you think you can help, contact us on 101, or online at www.psni.police.uk/report. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999. Shaun Brady had been living in Kansas City for the last decade where he was a popular figure in the citys Irish community Two teenagers have been arrested after an Irish man was shot dead outside his restaurant in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri. Shaun Brady from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, ran the successful Brady & Fox restaurant and lounge in Kansas City for more than a decade. Police said they responded to a report of a shooting in a car park next to several businesses on 63rd and Rockhill, where Mr Bradys Irish restaurant was located. Police said that from their initial inquiries, Mr Brady was taking out rubbish when he saw several people beside a vehicle in the car park. Kansas City Police are now investigating the killing and have launched a murder investigation. Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to the Tipperary chef who was shot dead in the US. Police said that within an hour of the incident, two juvenile male teenagers were taken into custody. Investigators will be working with prosecutors to determine applicable charges, police said. The vehicle used in the crime was also recovered a short distance away in Midtown, they added. The incident is being investigated as a homicide and have examined the scene for physical evidence. They said they are interviewing several witnesses and reviewing any available surveillance footage of the incident. The fatal shooting occurred outside the popular restaurant at 5.15pm local time yesterday. It is believed Mr Brady may have stumbled across an attempted car theft in a parking area at East 63rd Street located directly across from his premises. He was taking rubbish from the restaurant to a streetside bin when he apparently spotted a number of people gathered around a parked car. The attack occurred after a short interaction between Mr Brady and the group. He was shot multiple times before his killer fled the scene. Despite efforts by pedestrians and paramedics to help Mr Brady, he was pronounced dead shortly after he was taken to hospital. Kansas City Police Department officials are now investigating whether the bungled robbery is linked to a recent series of thefts and car-jackings from around commercial premises and homes in the area. Sgt Phil DiMartino said a major investigation was now under way to hunt down Mr Brady's killer or killers. Witness testimony and CCTV security camera footage is expected to prove crucial. Talented chef Mr Brady ran the Brady & Fox restaurant for more than a decade after relocating from Ireland to the US in 2013. He operated the restaurant with friend Graham Farris. Mr Brady decided to move to the US after marrying his American-born wife, Kate. The couple met when Kate who is from Wichita in Kansas was travelling in Ireland on holiday and were initially based here. The couple are understood to have children. Everyone is shocked and horrified by such a talented and hardworking young man losing his life in these circumstances Mr Brady had worked at top Irish restaurants after deciding on a culinary career following secondary school at Nenagh CBS. Locals described him as a hugely talented chef who was known for his insistence on promoting Irish food and ingredients and for his sense of humour with his customers. Councillor Seamus Morris said the north Tipperary town was deeply upset by the tragedy. "Everyone is shocked and horrified by such a talented and hardworking young man losing his life in these circumstances, the Tipperary county councillor said. "To see a young life needlessly taken in such violent circumstances is absolutely beyond belief." He said the extended family, who are well known and highly regarded in Tipperary, were in total disbelief at the news from the US. "They are a wonderful family and everyone in Nenagh is heartbroken over what happened, Cllr Morris said. He said Mr Brady was proud of his Irish roots and became very involved in the Irish community in Missouri once he relocated there more than a decade ago. Mr Brady settled in the Missouri city of Kansas City, which is close to Wichita where his wife hails from. "He was very involved in the Irish Fest in Kansas City and supported all kinds of Irish events there," Cllr Morris said. Mr Brady's premises became one of the central locations in Missouri for the celebration of St Patrick's Day each year. I want to offer my deepest sympathies to his family in Nenagh and family and friends in Kansas. He was highly thought of over there, Cllr Morris said. Im shocked to hear this now. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. A young life snuffed away for absolutely no reason at all. An awful loss to everyone who knew him. Mr Brady had previously told the Kansas City Star newspaper how he fell in love with cooking while growing up in Co Tipperary. He said he started making meals to help out his single mother of four My mammy was very, very against me being a chef," he said. "It took her quite a few years to come around. We werent put up on the pedestals like we are now. Shaun Brady "Chefs had a history of drug and alcohol problems. It was just a different time. This morning, Shaun's friends have flooded social media with tributes to the Co Tipperary man. Writing on their website, Shauns business, Brady's KC, thanked patrons for their support following the horror shooting. "Our hearts are broken. There are no words to express our sadness, anger and frustration. Our community is with Shaun's family - forever, they said. "We appreciate the outpouring of support, offers to help, and your love. Together we are united. Together we will grieve. Together we will heal. We ask that you show compassion and aid in our healing by respecting the privacy of Shaun's family. Ar scath a cheile a mhaireann na daoine. Mr Bradys long-time friend Pat ONeill told Fox4 News the Irish community were in shock. The Irish community is totally stunned. He was a beloved figure, a native of Ireland, just a generous do anything for anyone kind of guy, so, a lot of us again, stunned, praying, angry, wondering why, he said. A popular foodie social media page wrote: "The senseless loss of Chef Shaun Brady weighs heavily on our hearts. "May we find comfort in the love and laughter he shared with us through his exquisite cuisine. "Let us continue to honour his memory by continuing to cook with love and passion, let us raise our forks and remember the joy he brought to our taste buds. On Facebook, a friend said Shauns murder was devastating for his family and friends. "Unbelievably sad and disgusting Such a wonderful friend, great father, husband, and extraordinary and creative chef/baker, restaurant owner, they said. "Such passion and love for the food he cooked, patrons he served, employees and friends, he showed genuine love for all of this. You will be missed more than words could ever express. There should be a legal right to two years of early childhood care and education (ECCE), the childrens minister has said. On Thursday, Roderic OGorman said he wanted to ensure access to ECCE for every child in every part of the country and added that the State needs to be taking a greater role in the actual delivery of childcare services. He said: I believe there should be a legal right to the two years of ECCE for every child, that should be down there as a statutory entitlement in the same way you have a legal right to go primary school. The Green Party leader also expressed support for increasing pay for childcare professionals. It comes as the Government announced that new childcare subsidy rates will reduce costs for thousands of families by almost 100 euro a week. In addition, a new fee cap for childcare providers using Core Funding from the Government are to be introduced. The minimum hourly subsidy under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) for children under 15 will increase from 1.40 euro to 2.14 euro from Monday, September 2. The hourly subsidy under the NCS sponsor referral programme, which makes special provisions for vulnerable children, will also increase. For families using Tusla-registered early learning and childcare, the Department of Children and Equality said the subsidy increase could see families save up to 96.30 euros a week per child or more than 5,000 euros a year. The subsidy increase comes as many parents are struggling with the cost of childcare or finding a place at a creche or childminder. Meanwhile, a new fee cap for services using Core Funding for the first time will be introduced from Monday. It sets a maximum rate of 390 euro per week for full-time (50 hours or more) childcare, with lower caps for differing levels of care. The cap will initially be for new services joining Core Funding, extending to existing participants from September 2025. That rate is yet to be determined but the goal is to bring above-average fees down towards the national average. Elsewhere, the guaranteed minimum allocation under Core Funding has been increased to 14,000 euro in a bid to support smaller, rural services. The maximum allocation has been lowered to 500,000 euro. Early years educators have said they are struggling to keep their businesses afloat amid increasing costs and some have said they may need to increase their fees. Elaine Dunne, of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers, said that the subsidy rate being increased is of no value to parents who cannot get a childcare place and added that there there was a staffing and funding crisis that needed to be addressed. She told the PA news agency: Weve lost so many small childhood and early education providers. Parental choice is gone and waiting lists are astronomical you cannot get a baby place nationally. The 2.14 euro universal measure should be a lot higher, she added, its no good if the places are not there, if theres no place for a child who is then put on a waiting list for three years. Children have a right to be educated and children are being failed here. Ive seen an awful lot of broken parents over the years struggling with mortgages and car loans and everything else. There has to be some leeway on the NCS where you can fill in a form if youre over the threshold. She said that the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic illustrated how a well-funded early-years sector could run. Many women opt not to return to work after having a child as the monthly cost of childcare can match their salary. The Department said that some policy measures, such as extending the universal subsidy from all children under the age of three to all children under 15 in August 2022, and increasing the universal hourly subsidy from 50 cents to 1.40 euro an hour in January 2023, have made a difference to what families can afford. It cited OECD data that it said showed improvements in affordability indicators for early learning and childcare in Ireland. For example, in 2022, couples on the average wage spent 27% of their household income on full-time early learning and childcare, while single parents on the average wage spent 17% of their household income on full-time early learning and childcare. In 2023, this figure fell to 17% and 7% respectively. In 2022, couples on the minimum wage spent 24% of their household income on full-time early learning and childcare while single parents on the minimum wage spent 4% of their household income on full-time early learning and childcare. In 2023, this figure fell to 12% and 0% respectively. A total of 175,389 children have benefitted from an NCS subsidy so far this year, the Department said. People who catch up on their sleep by sleeping in at weekends may see their risk of heart disease fall by a fifth (Dominic Lipinski/PA) People who catch up on lost sleep at weekends may potentially lower their risk of heart disease by up to 20%, research suggests. Data from more than 90,000 people in the UK suggests compensating for lack of sleep during the week with extra snooze time at the weekend can mitigate the negative effects of sleep deprivation. Findings presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2024 showed sleep-deprived people with the most catch-up sleep at weekends saw their risk of heart disease fall by a fifth, compared to those who had no extra shut-eye or slept even less at weekends. Study author Yanjun Song, of the National Centre for Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, in Beijing, China, said: Sufficient compensatory sleep is linked to a lower risk of heart disease. The association becomes even more pronounced among individuals who regularly experience inadequate sleep on weekdays. For the study, the authors looked at self-reported data from 90,903 people who are part of the UK Biobank project, which holds medical and lifestyle records of half a million individuals. Of them, 19,816 met the criteria for being sleep deprived. Hospital records and cause of death registry information were used to identify those who had heart diseases, heart failure, irregular heart rhythm and stroke. Over a follow-up period of 14 years, the team found people with the most extra sleep (ranging from 1.28 to 16.06 hours of additional sleep during weekends), were 19% less likely to develop heart disease than those with the least amount of compensatory sleep (ranging from losing 16.05 hours to losing 0.26 hours over the weekend). In a sub-group of people with daily sleep deprivation, those with the most compensatory sleep had a 20% lower risk of developing heart disease than those with the least, the researchers said. Study co-author Zechen Liu, also of the National Centre for Cardiovascular Disease, said: Our results show that for the significant proportion of the population in modern society that suffers from sleep deprivation, those who have the most catch-up sleep at weekends have significantly lower rates of heart disease than those with the least. Commenting on the study, Professor James Leiper, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, who was not involved, said: Lots of us dont get enough sleep due to work or family commitments, and while a weekend lie-in is no replacement for a regular good nights rest, this large study suggests that it might help reduce risk of heart disease. We know that lack of sleep can affect our overall wellbeing, and this research is an important reminder of how important it is to try to get at least seven hours sleep every night. We look forward to future studies to better understand how sleep patterns can impact the heart and how we can adapt modern lifestyles to help improve our health. This roundup of claims has been compiled by Full Fact , the UKs largest fact checking charity working to find, expose and counter the harms of bad information. Misleading figures on public sector pay After seeing a widely shared claim online making misleading comparisons between the starting salary of an NHS England nurse and the pay of an NHS equality, diversity and inclusion officer, Full Fact took a look at how much both groups could expect to earn. Social media posts claimed that a nurses starting salary was around 28,400 while maintaining that a diversity officer could expect 96,000. In reality the starting salaries for each profession in the NHS are much more similar. A newly qualified nurse can expect to earn 28,407. After that pay can vary depending on experience, qualifications and years of service. The most senior nurses can earn between 99,891 and 114,949. In March 2024 the average basic pay for a nurse or health visitor working in the NHS in England was estimated to be the equivalent of 38,713 for a full-time role. While there isnt such a clear starting point for diversity officer salaries, job listings we saw indicate that it can be around 25,147 while others might be higher and can vary from region to region. Just as with nurses, a more senior diversity officer could expect to be paid much more than this with some senior roles, such as a head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, being paid between 70,417 and 81,138. Graphic image does not show child shot in Gaza A number of posts sharing a graphic image of a child who had been shot in the head have been circulating on social media. The posts imply the child was shot as part of the conflict between Israel and Gaza. While it is the case that many children have been tragically killed in Gaza as a result of Israeli military action since the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel, the child in the image is not one of them. The image dates back to 2020 and was taken in Yemen. Reports from the time feature the image and report that a little girl was shot by a Houthi sniper in the city of Taiz. This roundup of claims has been compiled by Full Fact, the UKs largest fact checking charity working to find, expose and counter the harms of bad information. Sir Keir Starmer will continue efforts to build bridges with European leaders as he holds talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday. The Prime Minister travelled from Berlin to Paris as he undertakes two days of meetings designed to show the UK wants to reset its relationship with the European Union following years of Brexit troubles. Sir Keir and Mr Macron were among the audience at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony on Wednesday evening. Prime Minister Keir Starmer applauds in the stands during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games (Adam Davy/PA) A breakfast meeting with French business leaders is scheduled for Sir Keir, and a summit with Mr Macron at the Elysee Palace. On the first leg of his trip, Sir Keir said he was not reversing Brexit as he set out plans for a new treaty with Germany including deeper links in several areas. He agreed that a deal with Germany would be in place by the end of the year following talks with counterpart Olaf Scholz, and also noted it was a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The two countries also agreed to develop a joint action plan to tackle illegal migration. Sir Keir said: Im absolutely clear that we do want a reset. I have been able to repeat that here today, a reset with Europe, a reset with the EU. That does not mean reversing Brexit or re-entering the single market or the customs union, but it does mean a closer relationship on a number of fronts, including the economy, including defence, including exchanges, but we do not have plans for a youth mobility scheme. An agreement on youth mobility has been suggested by Brussels and could be a key demand in any negotiations. But that could be seen as a step towards the restoration of free movement and Sir Keir said he had clear red lines ahead of talks with the European Union on the future relationship. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission shakes hands with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan before a meeting. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, Pool) United States national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with a top Chinese military official on Thursday as the two countries strengthen communication to prevent differences over the South China Sea and Taiwan from spiralling into conflict. The meeting came one day after the White House said both countries would plan for a phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden in the coming weeks. Mr Sullivan was wrapping up a three-day trip to China, his first as national security adviser and one aimed at stabilising bilateral relations to avoid conflict. His main talks were held over the past day and a half with Wang Yi, the foreign minister and the ruling Communist Partys top foreign policy official. Wang Yi, right, the director of the Communist Partys Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office speaks to White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, left, before their talk at Yanqi lake in Beijing (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, Pool) A White House statement on Wednesday after talks with Mr Wang concluded said both sides would keep lines of communication open, including planning for a leader-level call in the coming weeks. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Mr Wang and Mr Sullivan discussed a new round of interactions between the two countries heads of state to take place in the near future. There was no indication whether the two leaders might meet in person before Mr Biden leaves the Oval Office in January. Mr Sullivans meeting on Thursday was with Zhang Youxia, one of two vice chairs of the Central Military Commission, an organisation Mr Xi personally heads. It was a rare meeting with a civilian US official. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Your request to meet with me shows the value you attach to military security and the relationship between our militaries, Mr Zhang told Mr Sullivan in opening remarks. A White House statement after the talks said the two had recognised the progress in sustained, regular military-military communications over the past ten months and noted the agreement to hold a telephone call between commanders at the theatre level in the future. Any potential call would be between Admiral Samuel Paparo, who heads the US Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii, and his Chinese counterpart, said Danny Russel, a vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York. This theatre command-level dialogue is critical for crisis prevention but something the Chinese military has been resisting, Mr Russel said. Bill Barnett, left, grandfather of Darin Taylor Hoover, and Republican presidential nominee former president Donald Trump place their hands over their heart after placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider in Arlington National Cemetery (Alex Brandon/AP) A cemetery official was abruptly pushed aside during an altercation with former president Donald Trumps staff during a wreath-laying ceremony but declined to press charges, a US Army spokesman said. A statement said the employee at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia was trying to make sure those participating in the wreath-laying ceremony earlier this week were following the rules. This employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption, the statement said. Bob Quackenbush, deputy chief of staff for Arlington National Cemetery, and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider (Alex Brandon/AP) The incident was reported to the police, but the employee decided not to press charges. The Army said it considered the matter closed. Mr Trumps campaign was warned about not taking photographs before the altercation at the cemetery during a wreath-laying ceremony on Monday to honour service members killed in the Afghanistan War withdrawal, a defence official told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, said that the Trump campaign was warned about not taking photographs in Section 60 before their arrival and the altercation. Section 60 is the burial site for military personnel killed while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. Mr Trump was at Arlington on Monday at the invitation of some of the families of the 13 service members who were killed in the Kabul airport bombing three years ago. Bill Barnett, left, grandfather of Darin Taylor Hoover, and former president Donald Trump place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider (Alex Brandon/AP) Cemetery officials had previously acknowledged that an incident had occurred and a report had been filed, but it did not address details of what had happened. They declined to share the report. Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, to include photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes, or in direct support of a partisan political candidates campaign, the cemetery officials statement said. Arlington National Cemetery reinforced and widely shared this law and its prohibitions with all participants. We can confirm there was an incident, and a report was filed. Mr Trumps spokesman Steven Cheung said the Republican presidential candidates team was granted access to have a photographer. He contested the allegation that a campaign staffer pushed a cemetery official. The fact is that a private photographer was permitted on the premises and for whatever reason, an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of president Trumps team during a very solemn ceremony, he said. Bob Quackenbush, deputy chief of staff for Arlington National Cemetery, and Donald Trump at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider (Alex Brandon/AP) Chris LaCivita, a top Trump campaign adviser, noted that Trump was there at the invitation of the families of the service members who were killed in the airport bombing. The Trump campaign posted a message signed by relatives of two of the service members killed in the bombing that said the president and his team conducted themselves with nothing but the utmost respect and dignity for all of our service members, especially our beloved children. For a despicable individual to physically prevent president Trumps team from accompanying him to this solemn event is a disgrace and does not deserve to represent the hollowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, he said in a written statement, misspelling the word hallowed. Whoever this individual is, spreading these lies are dishonouring the men and women of our armed forces. Michael Tyler, a spokesman for Trumps Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, said the reports of the altercation were what weve come to expect from Donald Trump and his team. Donald Trump is a person who wants to make everything all about Donald Trump, Mr Tyler said on CNN on Wednesday. Hes also somebody who has a history of demeaning and degrading military service members, those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. One of the prepared sniper positions prepared by the Trains (Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General via AP, File) Three Christian extremists would probably not have fatally shot two police officers and a bystander in an ambush on a rural Australian property and wounded a third officer two years ago if they had not shared the same psychiatric disorder, a coroner was told on Thursday. Brothers Gareth and Nathaniel Train and Gareths wife, Stacey Train, were killed by police reinforcements with armoured vehicles, ending a six-hour siege on December 12 2022, in the sparsely populated Wieambilla region west of the Queensland state capital, Brisbane. State Coroner Terry Ryan on Thursday ended his 17-day inquiry into the cause of the violence that claimed six lives. He will release the findings of his investigation and make recommendations aimed at preventing a repeat of the tragedy at a later date. Police called in armoured vehicles to end the siege at the Trains property (Department of Justice and Attorney-General via AP, File) The lawyer leading evidence in the inquiry, Ruth OGorman, told Mr Ryan in her final submissions that the Trains believed the End Times were imminent. The court has heard that the Trains followed the Christian fundamentalist belief system known as pre-millennialism that focused on an apocalypse before Jesus Christs return to Earth. Their religious extremism was a key driver for their actions and the Trains were likely suffering from a shared delusional disorder which pre-existed those religious convictions, Ms OGorman said. Their shared delusion involved a belief that they were being persecuted by authorities, particularly police, she said. This image of Gareth Train was recorded by a police body camera during the siege (Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General via AP, File) The Trains likely developed their religious extremist views and beliefs in a way to make sense of, and even seek hope in, a world in which they truly and wrongly believed they were being persecuted and it is unlikely that their religious extremism would have developed without the underlying shared delusional disorder, Ms OGorman said. It is unlikely that the events of December 12 2022, would have occurred in the absence of their shared delusional disorder, she added. Forensic psychiatrist Andrew Aboud earlier told the inquest that had the Trains survived the siege, they might have been found mentally unfit to stand trial on any criminal charge. Four police officers had gone to the Trains house to arrest Nathaniel Train on a warrant relating to firearm offences. The brothers opened fire with bolt-action rifles from hidden sniper positions on their wooded property. Police officer Matthew Arnold was killed by a single shot to the chest from Nathaniel Trains rifle. Officer Rachel McCrow was later shot three times before Gareth Train fired the fatal shot to her head at close range. Both brothers could have fired the first three shots, Gormon said. Officer Randal Kirk was wounded as he fled and the fourth officer, Keely Brough, hid in woods on the property until reinforcements arrived. Neighbour Alan Dare was fatally shot through the chest by one of the brothers as Mr Dare came to investigate the sounds of gunfire and the smell of smoke from a burning police car. Stacey Train, who had been married to Nathaniel and had two children with him before marrying the older brother, did not start firing until the police armoured vehicles arrived. Families of the victims provided heartbreaking statements to the coroner on Thursday which said the tragedy should have been avoided for a range of reasons. Ms McCrows family said she had repeatedly told them in her body camera and audio recorder I love you in the eight minutes she survived after she was first wounded. The family said authorities did not tell them of her last words until three months after her death. Rachel, we want you to know we love you so much too, their statement said. She would have turned 31 on Friday. Arnold was one of triplets. He died at age 26. The triplets birthday, or any family event will never be the same again, his family said. Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, meets with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing (Li Xueren/Xinhua via AP) President Xi Jinping of China met with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday in Beijing, on a visit with the stated aim of keeping communications open between the two powers, as the relationship between China and the United States has become increasingly tense in recent years. Mr Sullivan, on his first trip to China in his capacity as the main adviser to President Joe Biden on US national security issues, also met with senior Chinese officials including foreign minister Wang Yi and a senior general of the Central Military Commission. China and the US have become increasingly at odds over various issues, starting with a trade war dating back to 2018, and which now encompasses global security matters, such as Chinas claims over the South China Sea, and industrial policy on things like automobile and solar panel manufacturing. Both sides said on Thursday that they remain committed to managing the relationship. Mr Xi and Mr Biden met in San Francisco last November in an effort to improve ties. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, rear left, meets Chinese President Xi Jinping, centre, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing (Trevor Hunnicutt/Pool Photo via AP) Although the situations of the two countries and China-US relations have changed greatly, Chinas goal of being committed to the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US relations has not changed, Mr Xi said, according to state broadcaster CCTV. President Biden is committed to responsibly managing this consequential relationship to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict or confrontation, and to work together where our interests align, Mr Sullivan said. Beijing and Washington will also plan for a phone call in the coming weeks between Mr Xi and Mr Biden, the White House said on Wednesday. The White House statement said that both sides would keep lines of communication open. A security guard wards away the media from Jake Sullivan in Beijing (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, Pool) There was no indication that the two leaders might meet in person before Biden leaves the Oval Office. The White House said the two sides also planned to hold a military theatre commander phone call in the near future. China has rapidly expanded its military, and there are concerns that Taiwan and the South China Sea are becoming flashpoints. Mr Wang, Chinas top diplomat, told Mr Sullivan that Taiwans independence poses the greatest threat to stability in the immediate region. He demanded that the US stop arming the island but support Chinas peaceful unification, according to a statement released by the Chinese foreign ministry. Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy that split from authoritarian communist China in 1949, has rejected Beijings demands that it accept unification with the mainland by peace or by force. The US is obligated under a domestic law to provide the island with sufficient hardware and technology to deter invasion. The White House statement said Mr Sullivan underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Mr Sullivan planned to meet with Chinas vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Youxia, on Thursday morning, according to a senior Biden administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the yet to be publicly announced meeting. Zhang has spoken in the past of Beijings determination to take control of Taiwan. At an international naval gathering earlier this year in northeast China, Zhang said China would strike back with force if its interests came under threat. Adobe Stock The secret to aging gracefully may be finding that special someone to spend your life with especially if youre a man. New research suggests the key to living with vigor and vitality appears to lie in the most fundamental of human bonds: marriage. A groundbreaking study published in the journal International Social Work has uncovered a remarkable connection between marital status and successful aging among older adults. Specifically, the findings reveal that for men, the protective effects of marriage are truly remarkable, with married or recently married respondents up to nearly four times more likely to achieve optimal physical, mental, and social well-being compared to their single peers. Little is known about the relationship between marital trajectories in old age and successful aging, explains lead author Mabel Ho, a recent doctoral graduate at the University of Torontos Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (FIFSW) and the Institute of Life Course and Aging, in a media release. Our goal was to see whether different marital trajectories were associated with physical health and well-being, and whether these relationships varied for men and women. The studys expansive definition of successful aging" went well beyond just physical fitness, also encompassing freedom from serious mental illness, adequate social support, and a sense of subjective well-being. The results were striking 70 percent of the 7,641 older Canadians surveyed were aging optimally according to this comprehensive measure. However, marital status emerged as a crucial differentiating factor, particularly for men. Previous studies have shown that marriage is associated with better health outcomes for both men and women, while men who were never married generally had the poorest health outcomes, notes David Burnes, Professor and Canada Research Chair at FIFSW. It may be that married people encourage each other to adopt or maintain positive health behaviors such as quitting smoking or exercising regularly. Previous studies have shown that marriage is associated with better health outcomes for both men and women, while men who were never married generally had the poorest health outcomes, notes David Burnes, Professor and Canada Research Chair at FIFSW. It may be that married people encourage each other to adopt or maintain positive health behaviors such as quitting smoking or exercising regularly. Intriguingly, the researchers did not find the same strong link between marital trajectories and successful aging for women. The only exception was that women who transitioned from married to unmarried status (through divorce, separation, or the death of their spouse) were significantly less likely to age optimally compared to their never-married peers. Ho explains that women tend to have broader social support systems and more experience maintaining their health and well-being independently, even when going through major life changes. Marriage may not be a magic bullet, but the researchers note that their findings suggest it provides an important protective effect, especially for men, that society cant afford to overlook. Ultimately, the study points to the crucial need for tailored, gender-specific approaches to supporting older adults through lifes inevitable transitions. Whether its grief counseling for those navigating widowhood or programs to foster social engagement for the unmarried, the message is clear: the secret to graceful aging may lie not just in our own hands but in the hands of those we hold dearest. Methodology The researchers used data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), a national, population-based study following over 50,000 Canadians between 45 and 85 years-old. They focused on 7,641 respondents 60 and older who were classified as aging successfully at the studys baseline. Successful aging was defined using a multidimensional model that looked at physical, mental, psychological, and social well-being. Respondents had to meet criteria like having no limitations in daily activities, no chronic pain, no serious mental illnesses, adequate social support, and good self-perceived health. The team then analyzed how trajectories of marital status (e.g., continuously married, continuously widowed, transitioning to/from marriage) over the course of the study were associated with successful aging at the follow-up time point. They also looked at potential moderating factors like age, sex, income, health conditions, and social isolation. Key Results The study found that the prevalence of successful aging at follow-up was 70.5 percent. Compared to never-married respondents, those who were continuously married, continuously widowed, or became married during the study had significantly higher odds of being successful agers. This effect was especially pronounced for men. Among male respondents, those who were continuously married, continuously widowed, or became married were 2.5-3.8 times more likely to be aging successfully compared to never-married men. In contrast, marital trajectories were not as strongly linked to successful aging for women, with the exception of those transitioning from married to not married. Study Limitations The studys relatively short time frame (3-4 years) may have limited the ability to fully capture changes in marital status and their effects on aging. Additionally, the CLSA sample skews towards very well-educated older adults, so the findings may not be generalizable to the broader older adult population. Discussion & Takeaways This research provides important insights into how our closest relationships can profoundly influence the aging process, with marriage appearing to offer particular benefits for mens health and well-being in later life. The findings underscore the need for social services and policies that support older adults through major life transitions, like the loss of a spouse. Funding & Disclosures This research was funded by the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), which is supported by the Government of Canada through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation. The authors report no conflicts of interest. This article originally appeared on StudyFinds. StudyFinds sets out to find new research that speaks to mass audiences without all the scientific jargon. The stories we publish are digestible, summarized versions of research that are intended to inform the reader as well as stir civil, educated debate. StudyFinds Staff articles are AI assisted, but always thoroughly reviewed and edited by a Study Finds staff member. Read our AI Policy for more information. 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. Acclaimed actor and second-generation clogger Walton Goggins has stepped up as an executive producer of the Oldtone Music Festival, which had announced its closure last year. For the final week of my summer vacation, I decided to make a bold move and pay a visit to one of the wonderful coastal areas of Massachusetts. Earlier in the summer I went to First Encounter Beach, in Eastham. To round out the coastal tour, I headed to the northernmost area that I could think of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport. Its a place that Ive always wanted to go, so I finally went. The big problem that I encountered was the weather. I arrived at the refuge at about 1 p.m. on Aug. 19 and immediately encountered rain. I tried to buy some time by enjoying a delicious lobster for lunch, but the rain didnt let up. Next, I went to the visitors center to gather some intelligence and that is when the rain started to come down in buckets. Birding wasnt going to be an option. The following day had similarly miserable weather and, for a variety of reasons, no birding happened that day either. So, as is often the case with outdoor pursuits, it all boiled down to the final day. I was a little surprised when I poked my head outside and saw blue skies and sunshine. The front that had caused all of the rain had moved through the area quicker than expected and I was finally gifted with a glorious day. I had a quick breakfast, checked out of my hotel and headed to the refuge with tremendous excitement. THREE SPECIES I saw a lot of wonderful things while I was there, but the most interesting thing that I saw was a remarkable display of communal feeding among three very different species of birds. The species driving the feeding frenzy was the double-crested cormorant (Nannopterum auritum). This is a bird that can occasionally be seen on the Connecticut River around Turners Falls, but most of the birds will stick to coastal areas where they can dive down into deep water and find the fish that they depend on for food. The cormorants were working as a team, driving schools of small fish in front of them. One bird would occasionally lift its head out of the water and swallow a fish, but most of them kept moving forward with their heads underwater. What was particularly fascinating was that this activity, in shallow water, attracted the attention of two other very different species of birds. The first was the snowy egret (Egretta thula), which is an extremely small and elegant member of the family that contains herons and egrets. A relatively small wading bird, the snowy egret normally hunts for food by slowly moving through shallow water (less than a foot deep) and uses its long, spear-like beak to swiftly strike out and seize small animals. The prey items (fish, amphibians and small crustaceans) are generally not impaled by the beak but rather grasped. YELLOWLEGS The second species taking advantage of the cormorant activity was the lesser yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes). This is a relatively large member of the shorebird family and the typical hunting strategy of this particular species is much more active. Yellowlegs will wade into shallow water and begin probing the bottom in search of anything that they can scare up. Where the egrets are very slow and methodical, the yellowlegs will be constantly active. Small crustaceans, worms, invertebrates and small fish are menu items, but, like the egrets, the yellowlegs were not going to turn down a chance to follow the cormorants. It wasnt easy to get photos that showed how this all unfolded, but I eventually captured an image that showed all three species in the same frame. The double-crested cormorant is the largest bird on the right-hand side of the photo, the snowy egrets are the white birds and you can see that one of them has its beak open after stabbing at a small fish, and the lesser yellowlegs are the two birds in the background. At one point there were about eight cormorants, about 10 egrets and a handful of yellowlegs to round out the group. All of the birds were a whirlwind of activity as they tried to gobble up as many of the small fish as possible. A RARE EVENT Later on, in a different part of the refuge, I saw the same thing happen again. This time, however, there were gulls, terns and other egrets involved, but no yellowlegs because the water was too deep. The event, therefore, seems to be pretty common, but the involvement of the yellowlegs appeared to be something rather unusual. I ended up speaking with another birder who had also seen the yellowlegs feeding with the cormorants and he, too, seemed to think it something rather special. So, with a sense of accomplishment, I finished off the summer of 2024 with a wonderful birding adventure. TAKE A TRIP There is still plenty of time to get out and enjoy all of the diversity that our beautiful state has to offer, so perhaps you might think of planning your own nature safari. Will it be to the ocean coast of eastern Massachusetts, or might you try something a little closer to home at one of the state parks here in Western Mass? Whatever your choice, I hope you have clear skies and good luck with the birds! A second organized plan to hit the plaza Tractor Supply store failed. But not without drama and a mystery about a car with fake plates that is registered to someone who does not appear to exist. Stay up to date on Berkshires news with Berkshires in Brief, our free daily newsletter NORTH ADAMS A day before students are set to return to the classroom, North Adams and union officials said they are confident that Brayton Elementary School can open safely despite the discovery of mildew in parts of the building. But some parents have lingering questions about how the district has handled the problem, which was initially discovered earlier in the month, and whether the building is safe for their children. My son is special needs and asthmatic, said Jenni Blakeman, whose first grader has been shifted from another building to Brayton as part of a grade reconfiguration. The thought of him being in this damp, windowless, subterranean area of the building is very concerning. The district took steps on Wednesday to cordon off the affected areas amid reports that mildew was covering equipment and other surfaces in multiple rooms, including subterranean rooms on the first floor and the occupational therapy/physical therapy room. Superintendent Barbara Malkas and North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey both said they are confident Brayton remains a safe environment for students and staff. Mitigation efforts The district sent out a statement to families Wednesday, concerning, in part, the exact mitigation strategies for the existing mildew. These include: Increasing the air exchange rate in the classroom by 75 percent. Increasing the use of dehumidifiers to reduce indoor humidity. Applying mold-resistant paint to all painted surfaces. Implementing routine disinfection of all surfaces. Consistent monitoring of the area for mildew growth so a prompt response can be taken. Removal of the carpet in the classroom. If we thought it was unsafe, we would have no problem with closing the school. There is no reason to do that, Malkas said. Two-and-a-half of the floors in this building had no incident, and thats where all of our classrooms are located. Why wouldnt we open? Students and staff who wouldve been in the occupational therapy/physical therapy classroom will now be in the former YMCA rec center. The whole right side of the south wing, were doing full-on mitigation, Malkas said. Its going to have to be staged. The OTPT room is the priority room. Then well do the storage area next to it, then well do the music room at the end of that hallway. Theres never been any evidence of mildew in the other classrooms. North Adams Teachers Association Elementary Co-Chair Mary Scanlon said the local chapter of the Massachusetts Teachers Association union is pleased with what the district is doing now. We have a nice space for them to use in the midterm while thats being done, Scanlon said. When theyre done with the remediation, theyre going to test air quality and make sure their efforts have been effective. Malkas said the district hopes to meet with a contractor Thursday to conduct air quality testing in classrooms. She said she didnt think there would be any rooms testing positive beyond the first floor. Macksey said a contractor will be coming in to install a new tile floor. The room could be deemed safe and able to use again within two weeks. There was no evidence of mold under the carpet, which was removed Wednesday. PARENTAL PERSPECTIVE Parents and concerned citizens had questions after The Eagle reported the mold problem and mitigation efforts on Tuesday. They wondered whether outside professionals would be brought in to test the air quality, why they are just finding out about this issue now, and whether students would be allowed in affected rooms. Maria LaBombard, who is the parent of a kindergartner and a first grader at Brayton, said she and others are concerned about the wellbeing of their kids. Im appalled that the superintendent kept this a secret and decided to let us know only two days before the school year starts, she said. I think I speak for many parents when I say we feel like we have our hands tied and are feeling like horrible parents because there are no other schools in town where we can send our kids. LaBombard said she and other parents asked that the school put together an action plan for the mold and make it public. We need a professional team to come in with the proper equipment to take care of this," she said. And Blakeman, who was concerned about her son's asthma, said shes felt the messaging from the district has been convoluted. And she said it was "upsetting" that that parents learned about the mildew days before the school year was set to begin. TIMELINE North Adams resident Joseph Smith said he was at a Brayton building walkthrough hosted by the district last week, and that Malkas made it clear multiple times that there was absolutely no active mold or mildew issue at Brayton, and that no moldy conditions were apparent in the rooms people were shown. Resident Jennifer Barbeau and others backed up his account. Barbeau said Malkas was asked by the spouse of a school employee three different times during the walkthrough if there was mold. He was trying to get her to say yes, and she absolutely denied it, Barbeau said. Malkas disputed the characterization of her comments, saying that on the day of the walkthrough on Aug. 22, signs of mildew that had been found on Aug. 9 had been taken care of. It wasnt until days later that it became clear the mildew had returned. What I said was true on Aug. 22, and what I found was true on Aug. 27, because thats what mildew does, Malkas said. It grows in a very short amount of time, very quickly, in a warm, moist environment. Scanlon added that Malkas has been responsive and truthful throughout the process. People are trying to make her out to be the bad guy, and shes not, she said of Malkas. While there are a variety of sources that portray hell as a place of levels, where different sin is punished according to its nature, the most influential and prominent one comes from Divinia Commedia, or the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri. This narrative poem took twelve years to write. It is a masterwork of literature, with vivid imagery, well-constructed verses, and even interesting mathematical and scientific themes. It tells the story of the writer, Dante, searching for his dead lover Beatrice while exploring the three realms, Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. In English, those are hell, purgatory, and heaven, or paradise. While all three literary works are excellent, the Inferno captured the worlds imagination in an enduring way. Here, the circles of hell are laid out as nine circles, each punishing greater wickedness, until Dante and his guide, the poet Virgil, reach the center of the earth: - Limbo: The unbaptized and the virtuous pagans; similar to earth, but sufferers live in sorrow for being forever separated from God. - Lust: People who committed lust-driven sins like adultery and fornication; the souls are blown about in a terrible storm without rest. - Gluttony: The overindulgent sinners; forced to lie in freezing slush. - Avarice and Prodigality: The place for the greedy and the ungenerous; they must smash heavy weights together again and again. - Wrath and Sullenness: Those who were always angry or gloomy; the wrathful must engage in eternal fights while the sullen are always sunk beneath the river Styx. - Heresy: These souls spoke or acted against God or the church; trapped in flaming tombs. - Violence: Those who committed violence against others, property, themselves, as well as con artists; immersed in boiling blood. - Fraud: All types of fraud are punished here including seducers, false prophets, and sorcerers; they run back and forth while being whipped by demons. - Treason: Here, Judas, Brutus, and Cassius are in the jaws of Satan, frozen in a lake of ice. Dantes version of hell punishes the unrepentant sinner in a manner that is fitting their sins. For those who confessed and repented before they died, their souls labor in purgatory to be freed of their sins eventually. This version of hell is more influenced by Aristotle than by the Bible, with the punishment fitting the specific crime, as well as by implying that people are only guilty of one specific sin over all others. In fact, Dantes entire trilogy is not meant to be taken literally. It is an allegory for the Christian journey towards God. The inferno is where the soul recognizes its own sin, rejecting it and turning away from it and towards God. Dante emphasized this by having the journey through hell being the only journey downwards; after the ninth circle, the other two climb upwards. Purgatory represents the penitent Christian life, striving to repent of sin and be more holy. Paradise is the achievement of going to God, and finally ascending to be with Him. While it is a powerful image, the inferno of Dante is not an actual depiction of hell, and should not be taken that way. Photo credit: Pixabay/Rhodan59 The Writer John was the Apostle whom Jesus loved, and it is generally believed He was the last of the Apostles to die. He was the Son of Zebedee, and had a brother named James; together they were called the Sons of Thunder. They worked as fishermen before they were called by Jesus to follow Him. His mother also followed Jesus, as she recognized He would come into the kingdom of David. Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, What do you want? She said to him, Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom (Matthew 20:20-21). John would go on to take responsibility for Mary the mother of Jesus. He also wrote three epistles and the Book of Revelation. Where and how he died is unknown. Unique Features This Gospel stands out structurally, as it lays out its thesis in the first chapter. It also emphasizes the signs and wonders performed by Jesus during His ministry on earth, rather than just outlining the totality of it. Seven of these signs are changing water into wine, healing the royal officials son, healing the paralytic, feeding the 5,000, Jesus walking on water, healing the man blind from birth, and raising Lazarus from the dead. Each of these signs either fulfills a prophecy, demonstrates Jesus authority, or demonstrates His deity. Who Is Jesus? John focuses on Jesus as the Son of God, the Word at the beginning, and the right ruler of all things. Jesus makes seven I AM statements, invoking the name God gave to Moses and to the Hebrew people centuries before. John outlines the divinity and significance of Jesus as the first priority: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome itAnd the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:1-5&14). All four Gospels contribute to a complete picture of who Jesus is, and draw the believer closer to their Savior. God wants to be real to the world, and wants multiple people to show how everyone can have a unique relationship with Him, in part through the Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were guided by the Holy Spirit to record the truth of who Jesus is, to make Him real for the centuries of people who would come later who believe by faith, not by sight. Sources Bloomberg, Craig. The Historical Reliability of the Gospels. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2007. Walvoord, John F. and Roy B. Zuck. The Bible Knowledge Commentary An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Old Testament and New Testament. United States of America: Victor Books, 1987. Wilmington, H.L. Wilmingtons Guide to the Bible. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1981. Photo credit: SparrowStock Many Christians look forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ back to earth, where He is expected to rule for 1,000 years. As it draws near to the end of the ages, the church continues to live in great expectation and anticipation of the soon-coming King, who is Israels Messiah and the Savior of the Gentile race. The second coming of Jesus and the churchs rapture are separate events; we should not confuse one with the other. Many Bible scholars say the rapture will happen before the great tribulation, and Christ will remove His church to protect His people from the evil unleashed on the earth during the Antichrists reign. Other Christians believe that the tribulation will take place before the rapture. These two events are expected to occur before the second coming of Christ. The masters second coming will happen seven years after the tribulation period. The prophet Daniel in the Old Testament had a peek into the future when he saw a little of what will happen just before the 1,000-year reign of Christ (Daniel 12:1-3). The Lord Jesus second coming will be to rule, bind Satan for 1,000 years, and defeat the Antichrist by throwing him into the lake of fire. Pastor David Jeremiah states the following differences between the rapture and Jesus second coming: At the rapture, Jesus will return for His saints. At the second coming, He will return with his saints. At the rapture, Jesus will not descend to earth. At the second coming, He will descend to the Mount of Olives as a prelude to His earthly reign. At the rapture, Jesus will bring a blessing to His saints. At the second coming, Jesus will bring judgment to those who have rejected Him. The rapture could occur at any moment. The second coming will occur seven years later. During the millennium, Jesus will reign and rule for 1,000 years on earth after His second coming, and Satan will have no say whatsoever in anything about activities in the world. There will be a new heaven and earth, and people will live in peace and harmony. The new heaven and earth God will give us will be known as the New Jerusalem. Everyone in the New Jerusalem will live and reign with Christ (Revelation 20:4). The 1,000-year reign with Christ will be a joyous time for the saints. Why Did Jesus Say the Kingdom of God Had Come? Jesus declared the kingdom of God had come because He was trying to let the people know that the Lord God was ruling in their midst. Many Jews in those days were expecting and eager to see the kingdom established through violence and bloodshed. They were looking for a king who would come and defeat the Romans once and for all. However, they did not realize that the real King was already in their midst because He was teaching and preaching it to them. Jesus was carrying the Kingdom of God in His heart. Everywhere He went, He shared it with those He came into contact with. The mighty acts that Jesus did were also living testimonies that the kingdom of God was in operation in the midst of the people. As Jesus walked among the Jews, apart from teaching and preaching about the kingdom of God to the people, He conducted many healings, signs, wonders, and miracles. Many people that saw the miracles of Jesus were amazed. One day while out in the boat with His disciples, a frightening storm arose so that all the disciples were sore afraid. The disciples feared for their lives and woke Jesus, who was asleep. When Jesus awoke, He rebuked the storm and the waves. Immediately, the storm calmed. The disciples in the boat saw what He did and said, what kind of man is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him! (Matthew 8:27 NIV). The Lords mighty acts that He did while physically here on earth were all proof that the kingdom of God had come to a dark and dying world. (Acts 2:22) (1 Corinthians 4:20). Did Jesus Know When the Second Coming Would Arrive? When the disciples asked about the end of the age, Jesus replied that no one except God the Father knew its day or hour (Matthew 24:36). When Jesus described the end of the age, he included details that many scholars identify as the rapture: two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left (Matthew 24:40). If the rapture comes before the second coming, and only God the Father knows when it will happen, we can assume that Jesus does not know when the rapture or second coming will occur. Only God the Father knows of such matters. In due course, He will pass on this information to His Son. Do We Know When the Second Coming Will Take Place? As stated earlier in the text, no one except God the Father knows when the second coming of Christ will happen. We are given hints in the Scriptures concerning this great future event, but no definite date. We remain in the unknown concerning these two great events. How Can We Prepare For the Second Coming of Jesus? We can prepare for the second coming of the Lord by doing the following: 1. By drawing closer to the Lord Spending quality time with God in prayer and fellowship with the Lord is one of the greatest ways we can prepare for the Lords second coming. Prayer will bring us into a close relationship with our Creator and create a desire to stay close to Him. If we remain close to the Lord, the second coming will not catch us unaware or unprepared. 2. By reading the Scriptures Each time we read the Word of God, we are drawn closer to the Lord because of the power residing in the Scriptures. In addition, as we read the Word of God, we will receive directions about how we can live right and prepare for His second coming. 3. By living holy Living a life of holiness will please the Lord. Without holiness being evident in our lives, we will not be prepared for the Lords second arrival. Holiness must become a lifestyle for us to live out in our everyday lives if we are to live and reign with Christ. 4. By keeping our focus on the Lord Our focus must be on the Lord if we want to remain on high alert for the coming of the risen Savior. The devil intends to cause us to lose focus so that we become too busy, confused, discouraged, and even go off course. If the devil can cause those bad things to happen to us, he stands a good chance of causing us to miss out on Christs second coming. We will be so busy trying to find happiness in our own strength that we wont depend on the Lord to help us. We can easily lose our zeal to continue serving the Lord which will ultimately cause us to miss out on the Lords second return. 5. By loving and forgiving each other The Bible says that love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8) and that God the Father will not forgive us if we dont forgive others (Matthew 6:15). If we cannot love and forgive each other, we are in big trouble with God and cannot be a part of the 1,000-year reign with Christ. Love is the ingredient that keeps us together. Without it, we will become cold towards one another, quarrelsome, and unforgiving. As the clock continues ticking and we draw closer to the end of the age, we should live in holy readiness, knowing that the coming of the Lord is near. Photo Credit: Getty Images/grace21 Lancelot Tucker is a book author and freelance writer who writes on a vast amount of topics. In addition, he serves as an associate pastor in his hometown, Spanish Town. Lancelot loves to do research and write, and is an avid reader of other authors' works. When not writing or reading, he spends his time reaching out to the less fortunate residing in his community. This article is part of our larger End Times Resource Library. Learn more about the rapture, the anti-christ, bible prophecy and the tribulation with articles that explain Biblical truths. You do not need to fear or worry about the future! Seven Churches of Revelation Antichrist Seven Trumpets New Heaven and New Earth Who Are the 144,000? BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. Reopening of China-Zambia textile joint venture in sight as new machinery arrives Xinhua) 13:10, August 29, 2024 LUSAKA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- A China-Zambia textile joint venture in central Zambia has recently celebrated the arrival of the first batch of new equipment and machinery, which marked a significant step toward resuming production after a 17-year hiatus. At a ceremony attended by hundreds of people on Monday, Zambian Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga said that the reopening of Mulungushi Textiles will boost economic development in Central Province and nearby areas by directly creating about 500 jobs and revitalizing Zambia's cotton industry. Wang Chuanyuan, chairman of Mulungushi Textiles, said the company will usher in a new chapter in its development and improve livelihoods. Albert Halwampa, director-general of the Zambia Development Agency, said the factory's reopening is "a milestone" for the Zambian government and people and looks forward to the mutually beneficial cooperation between Zambia and China. Located in the town of Kabwe, Mulungushi Textiles began construction in 1978 and was once one of Zambia's largest textile companies. It ceased operations in 2007. The consensus on redeveloping Mulungushi Textiles was noted in a joint statement on establishing a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, during Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema's state visit to China in September 2023. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) The founder of JD Wetherspoon has dismissed calls to curb alcohol consumption at airports after calls for tighter controls were made by Ryanair boss Michael OLeary. Tim Martin, commander in chief at the British pub giant, told the Telegraph there had been no complaints about our pubs from the airport authorities or airlines in recent years, adding Wetherspoons airport pubs no longer serve shots. Advertisement Years ago we stopped selling shooters at airports, as well as double-up offers. Ryanair, in contrast, offers a discount on Irish whiskey if a double is ordered, he said. In the Telegraph, Ryanair identified four airports that airline staff find particularly problematic Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Wetherspoons has three pubs at Gatwick, two at Heathrow, and one at Stansted. All bar one are located beyond airport security and all are covered by CCTV. Mr Martin told The Telegraph that evidence suggests, in most instances of in-flight drunk, violent or antisocial behaviour, the majority occurred on flights inbound to Britain and Ireland. Advertisement His comments come after Mr OLeary called for alcohol limits in airports to tackle a rise in disorder on flights. Mr OLeary said passengers should be restricted to two drinks per journey to curb what he says is an increase in antisocial behaviour and violence. He told the Telegraph violent outbursts are occurring weekly with alcohol, especially when mixed with other substances. Advertisement A Ryanair plane taking off from Stansted Airport (PA) We dont want to begrudge people having a drink. But we dont allow people to drink-drive, yet we keep putting them up in aircraft at 33,000 feet, he said, adding it was difficult for airlines to identify inebriated people at the gate, especially when boarding in a group. As long as they can stand up and shuffle they will get through. Then when the plane takes off we see the misbehaviour. Mr OLeary said crew members and other passengers have become targets of delays adding to the problem of longer drinking times at airports. Advertisement In the old days, people who drank too much would eventually fall over or fall asleep. But now those passengers are also on tablets and powder, he said. Its the mix. You get much more aggressive behaviour that becomes very difficult to manage. Mr OLeary said Ryanair staff search bags before passengers are allowed to board flights to Ibiza, one of the party destinations he says are worst affected. An international protection applicant, arrested in Dublin for not carrying valid identity documents and facing questions over his age and personal information, has been granted bail. Afghan national Alinna Shafaie, who is of no fixed abode, claims to be 26, but his age and his identity were disputed by a garda who arrested him on Wednesday on Trinity Street, Dublin 2. Advertisement The father of three, who has yet to indicate a plea, was charged that while being a non-national present in the State aged 16 years or over, he failed to produce on demand to a garda a valid passport or equivalent document to establish his identity and nationality. He was held overnight and appeared before Judge William Aylmer at Dublin District Court on Thursday. Garda Emmet Cullen objected to bail on the basis that the accused did not have a photo ID with a date of birth. The court heard the man told the garda he was born in 1998 and was 26, which the officer did not believe. Advertisement The accused listened to the proceedings with the help of an interpreter but was not required to give evidence during the bail hearing. Garda Cullen said Mr Shafaie did not have documents featuring a photo side-by-side with a date of birth. The garda agreed with defence solicitor Donal Quigley that the man told him his identity and that he had an International Protection Office (IPO) card for people who have entered the asylum procedure. The solicitor said the social welfare office accepted the information his client provided, and he received a social welfare payment, which he collects from a post office. Advertisement The solicitor added that his client stated he was from Afghanistan but had been to London and Germany before coming to Ireland. The court heard his wife and family were in Germany, and Mr Shafaie had a phone with a SIM card when he was arrested. The garda agreed he was concerned the accused had travelled here without identification. Mr Quigley put it to the officer that other organs of the State had accepted his details, but the officer thought that was to be generous "to help people in need". Advertisement He also thought due diligence was not done to confirm the man's identity. The garda repeated that the man had no documents with a photo and date of birth and added, "I don't believe he is 26". Pleading for bail, Mr Quigley submitted that, rightly or wrongly, the State has already accepted his client's identity and date of birth, and he got social welfare and an IPO card. The judge noted the garda objection was not about whether the man would turn up to court but based on his identity. He released Mr Shafaie on 100 own bond bail and ordered him to sign on three days a week at Garda station, provide his mobile phone number to gardai, remain in contact, and return to court on a date in September. The charge is contrary to section 12 of the Immigration Act, 2004 and carries a 12-month sentence. A man has been remanded in custody after being charged with preparation of terrorist acts. Habib Shah Shamel (27), with an address given as Maghaberry Prison, appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court also charged with possessing articles for use in terrorism and possessing documents or records likely to be useful to terrorists. Advertisement The court heard the charges date from April 2023 and relate to the possession of information on a USB stick. Shamel appeared in the dock during the brief hearing at Belfast Magistrates Court (Liam McBurney/PA) A PSNI detective sergeant connected Shamel with the charges. Advertisement No application for bail was made. No further details were given during the brief hearing. Shamel spoke only to confirm he understood the charges as he appeared in the dock. He was remanded in custody until September 26th. Two years ago, Shaun Brady told the Kansas City Star that he and his friend Graham Farris had worked twenty hour days in order to open their restaurant on time for Patricks Day of that year. Mr Brady said that he grew up in a family of four and started making meals when he was a young man in order to help his mother Mary. Advertisement He told the paper that he had honed his skills by watching his grandmother cook. He also enjoyed hanging out in the kitchens of family friends who were in the business being nosey. He said that his friends at the CBS in Nenagh had wanted to join the fire brigade or became guards. However, the owner of Brady and Fox Restaurant and Lounge stated that his dream from an early age had been to train as a professional chef. My mammy was very, very against me being a chef. It took her quite a few years to come around. "We werent put up on the pedestals like we are now. Chefs had a history of drug and alcohol problems. It was just a different time. Advertisement Shaun moved to Dublin as a teenager and worked his way up the ladder in restaurants in the city. He was one of the youngest in his class when he graduated as an executive chef having completed a course in the Dublin Institute of Technology. He said that he bounced around at restaurants in Europe and Asia. While traveling, if I found a restaurant I really liked, I would go back to the restaurant the next day and knock on the door, Do you need help? he said. I would offer to work for free and watch what was going on in the kitchen. Mr Brady met his wife, Kate, while she was travelling in Ireland. Kate is a native of Wichita in Missouri. The couple lived in Chicago before relocating to Kansas City in 2013. Advertisement Shaun worked as executive chef at the Ambassador Hotel in downtown Kansas and then became corporate chef. He then opened Bradys Public House and Restaurant. A hugely successful spot, it came under pressure and closed during the pandemic. His next big venture was Brady and Fox. In a statement online, management and staff at Brady and Fox said that their hearts are broken following the death of Shaun. There are no words to express our sadness, anger and frustration. Our community is with Shaun's family - forever.. We appreciate the outpouring of support, offers to help, and your love. Advertisement "Together we are united. Together we will grieve. Together we will heal. "We ask that you show compassion and aid in our healing by respecting the privacy of Shaun's family. "Thank you. Ar scath a cheile a mhaireann na daoine. Meanwhile, KC Irish Fest is due to get underway in Kansas City this weekend. Advertisement Pat ONeill, who was a friend of Mr Bradys, told FOX4 last night that he and others are trying to come to grips with what happened. He was a really beloved figure in our community. He was a native of Tipperary in Ireland and just a generous do anything for anybody kind of guy. A lot of us are just stunned, crying, angry, wondering why? Fox 4 said that Sean had featured on their channel on a number of occasions in order to promote Irish food for Patricks Day and the KC Irish Fest. In a statement the KC Irish Fest board offered their heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of Shaun. The Kansas City Irish Fest mourns the loss of our dear friend Shaun, tragically taken from us too soon. His extraordinary culinary gifts and easy Irish charm made his table the favorite gathering place of Kansas Citys Irish community. He will be sorely missed. The board described Brady as a large part of the KC Irish Fest family, head chef and creator of the Kansas City Irish Breakfast. The breakfast was supposed to take place after mass next Sunday.The breakfast has been cancelled as a mark of respect to Mr Brady. Sean lived in Overland Park in Kansas City. He and his wife Kate got married in 2005. Nenagh Councillor Seamus Morris (NP) said that the late Shaun Brady was a great ambassador for his home town and Ireland. It was a shocking end (for Shaun). He had moved to Kansas about ten years ago. He got so involved in the community over there. "He was involved in the Irish Fest which is coming up shortly. He ran a business. Whatever happened, and I dont know what happened, but to disturb something (a theft). And then to be shot. "I am a postman to many of his cousins and to his grandmother, Lillian, and they are all in absolute shock that a life could be ended so needlessly. "I met his cousin this morning and I sympathised with them. It is an awful tragedy for his family and of course his family in Kansas. He was a great ambassador for us all which a lot of our young people are. Labour councillor in Nenagh Cllr Louise Morgan Walsh said that locals wereshocked and saddened to hear of the unlawful killing of Mr Brady. I remember Shaun from school. He was a really lovely guy. To think that his life has ended so tragically while he was trying to do good. This is so wrong. "My thoughts and prayers are with his mum, Mary, and his sisters and all his family and friends here in Nenagh, Ardcroney and in Kansas City in the US at this very difficult time. Meanwhile, Mayor of Kansas Cllr Quinton Lucas said that he was heartbroken to learn of the death of Shaun Brady. He posted on social media that he had enjoying meeting Shaun and laughing with him. I heard just a bit of his and his familys story and was inspired by the business and the community he was building in Kansas city. "I grieve for and express my sincerest condolences to his family and all who knew him. More distress comes in knowing how he died--due to violence arising once more in our community. For years now, but more acutely in recent months, business owners in Brookside and Waldo, but also along Prospect, in the Crossroads, and throughout too much of our city have expressed serious concerns about a rise in property and nuisance crimes plaguing their stores, their parking lots, and their customers. A co worker posted online that he had lost friends who were chefs to overdose, suicide, health complications, and (for the lucky few) old age. But he said that it was sickening to lose a wonderful friend, great father, husband, and extraordinary and creative chef to murder. Anthony's Italian Restaurant and Lounge in Kansas city posted on Facebook that they were in mourning following the loss of one of best chefs in the city. Shaun Brady was an icon and a staple in Kansas City for his Irish cuisine. Irish Festival will never be the same without him. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said it has been a great privilege to lead the party and tipped fellow MP Claire Hanna as his successor. Mr Eastwood is set to resign at the partys conference in October after nine years at the helm of the party he joined as a teenager. Advertisement Speaking at a press conference in Derry on Thursday, Mr Eastwood said he wants to become a voice for change and developing a new Ireland, describing the post-Brexit environment as a moment of opportunity. He insisted it had been his decision to resign as SDLP leader. Colum Eastwood and Claire Hanna. Photo: PA Images This is absolutely my decision. I have taken time to make that decision, I have spoken to others about it, Mr Eastwood said. Advertisement You dont often get to pick your own moment and Ive been glad that Ive been able to do that. You can play different roles in politics. I have been a party activist and, first and foremost, I am committed to the principles of the SDLP. Almost more importantly to the cause of delivering a new Ireland. It just is an awful lot of work over nine years to have to deal with all of the day-to-day issues of running a political party. Advertisement I feel much freer now to be able to do that work, which is the work of this generation, to deliver a new united Ireland for all of our people. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood was re-elected to Westminster on July 4th. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Mr Eastwood also said that South Belfast MP Claire Hanna was far and away the best candidate to replace him as SDLP leader. Advertisement I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that Claire Hanna has what it takes to be the leader of the SDLP, he said. She would be far and away the best option for the members. This is my opportunity to be the first to endorse Claire Hanna. It is up to Claire but I hope she puts her name forward, and I hope the party endorse her. Mr Eastwood became the partys youngest ever leader in 2015, having taken over from Alasdair McDonnell following a leadership contest that he won by fewer than 40 votes. Advertisement The 41-year-old father of two also previously served as the mayor of Derry. While Mr Eastwood led the party as it consolidated its position in Westminster, the SDLP has failed to make progress at the Northern Ireland Assembly. In the last Assembly election in 2022, the party trailed in fifth leaving it without a sufficient number of seats to be eligible for a place in the Northern Ireland Executive. Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill and DUP leader Gavin Robinson paid tribute to Mr Eastwood. Ms ONeill said: I want to wish Colum Eastwood and his family well as he steps down as leader of the SDLP. We have worked together as leaders for many years now, to restore the political institutions in the north and in protecting the Good Friday Agreement and the all-island economy against efforts to impose the hardest possible Tory Brexit. I look forward to working with his successor as leader of the SDLP in a constructive manner for the good of all our people. Sinn Fein will continue to work with all parties in the Assembly and Executive to deliver for workers, families and public services. As @columeastwood prepares to pass on the baton of leadership, I wish him well. Hell continue to champion Foyle in Westminster and as before, we will work together on mutually benefitting Northern Ireland. Gavin Robinson (@GRobinsonDUP) August 29, 2024 Mr Robinson said: I wish him well. Hell continue to champion Foyle in Westminster and as before, we will work together on mutually benefiting Northern Ireland. Former Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith said on social media: Really sorry to read that Colum Eastwood is stepping down from the SDLP. Whilst many differences on many issues, he is an exceptional communicator and I am certain will remain a key player in the UK and Ireland political fray. Ar aghaidh! [Forward!] Colum Eastwood, right, is announcing his decision to leave the SDLP leadership after UUP leader Doug Beattie, left, said he will quit his position. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Fianna Fail TD Jim OCallaghan praised Mr Eastwood as having led the SDLP with distinction during very challenging times. He added: He was a strong leader of nationalist Ireland, following in the great tradition of Hume and Mallon. I wish him well in the future and hope he remains actively involved in politics. SDLP councillor Seamas de Faoite said Mr Eastwood gave leadership and voice to the partys vision and values during the chaotic Brexit years. He added: The foundation of the New Ireland Commission has helped us to chart a path towards a country free from the divisions of sectarianism, poverty and partition. Colum secured the first NI Assembly majority for equal marriage. He helped to bring about real progressive change in SDLP policy so we could truly be a party of civil rights again. He helped to bring forward more women, young people, LGBT+ and ethnic minority local leaders. Mr Eastwoods decision to step down follows the recent announcement that UUP leader Doug Beattie will also be leaving his post. The United Nations World Health Organisation has announced that there will be limited pauses in fighting in Gaza to allow for polio vaccinations for hundreds of thousands of children. It comes after a baby contracted the first confirmed case in 25 years in the Palestinian territory. Advertisement Described as humanitarian pauses that will last three days in different areas of the war-ravaged territory, the vaccination campaign will start on Sunday in central Gaza, said Rik Peeperkorn, World Health Organisation representative in the Palestinian territories. Displaced children sort through trash at a street in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) That will be followed by another three-day pause in southern Gaza and then another in northern Gaza. Advertisement He thinks they might need additional days to complete the vaccinations. Mr Peeperkorn says they aim to vaccinate 640,000 children under 10 and that the campaign has has been co-ordinated with Israeli authorities. Im not going to say this is the ideal way forward. But this is a workable way forward, Mr Peeperkorn said of the humanitarian pauses. Later, he added: It will happen and should happen because we have an agreement. Advertisement These humanitarian pauses are not a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that talks mediators the US, Egypt and Qatar have long been seeking, including in talks that are ongoing this week. Displaced infant Abdel-Rahman Abu El-Jedian, who suffers from polio, sleeps at a makeshift tent camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) An Israeli official said there is expected to be some sort of tactical pause to allow vaccinations to take place. Advertisement The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the plan has not been finalised. The Israeli army has previously announced limited pauses in limited areas to allow international humanitarian operations. The Who said health workers need to vaccinate at least 90% of children in Gaza to stop the transmission of polio. The campaign comes after 10-month-old Abdel-Rahman Abu El-Jedian was partially paralysed by a mutated strain of the virus that vaccinated people shed in their waste. Advertisement The baby boy was not vaccinated because he was born just before October 7, when Hamas militants attacked Israel and Israel launched a retaliatory offensive on Gaza. He is one of hundreds of thousands of children who missed vaccinations because of the fighting between Israel and Hamas. United States national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with a top Chinese military official on Thursday as the two countries strengthen communication to prevent differences over the South China Sea and Taiwan from spiralling into conflict. The meeting came one day after the White House said both countries would plan for a phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden in the coming weeks. Advertisement Mr Sullivan was wrapping up a three-day trip to China, his first as national security adviser and one aimed at stabilising bilateral relations to avoid conflict. His main talks were held over the past day and a half with Wang Yi, the foreign minister and the ruling Communist Partys top foreign policy official. Wang Yi, right, the director of the Communist Partys Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office speaks to White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, left, before their talk at Yanqi lake in Beijing (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, Pool) Advertisement A White House statement on Wednesday after talks with Mr Wang concluded said both sides would keep lines of communication open, including planning for a leader-level call in the coming weeks. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Mr Wang and Mr Sullivan discussed a new round of interactions between the two countries heads of state to take place in the near future. There was no indication whether the two leaders might meet in person before Mr Biden leaves the Oval Office in January. Mr Sullivans meeting on Thursday was with Zhang Youxia, one of two vice chairs of the Central Military Commission, an organisation Mr Xi personally heads. Advertisement It was a rare meeting with a civilian US official. Welcome to Beijing National Security Advisor @JakeSullivan46 pic.twitter.com/hN33dqWvkE Ambassador Nicholas Burns (@USAmbChina) August 27, 2024 Advertisement Your request to meet with me shows the value you attach to military security and the relationship between our militaries, Mr Zhang told Mr Sullivan in opening remarks. A White House statement after the talks said the two had recognised the progress in sustained, regular military-military communications over the past ten months and noted the agreement to hold a telephone call between commanders at the theatre level in the future. Advertisement Any potential call would be between Admiral Samuel Paparo, who heads the US Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii, and his Chinese counterpart, said Danny Russel, a vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York. This theatre command-level dialogue is critical for crisis prevention but something the Chinese military has been resisting, Mr Russel said. Vice president Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota governor Tim Walz, will sit down on Thursday for their first major television interview of their presidential campaign as the duo travels in south-east Georgia on a bus tour. The interview with CNNs Dana Bash will give Harris a chance to quell criticism that she has eschewed uncontrolled environments, while also giving her a fresh platform to define her campaign and test her political mettle ahead of an upcoming debate with former President Donald Trump set for September 10. Advertisement But it also carries risk as her team tries to build on momentum from the ticket shake-up following Joe Bidens exit and last weeks Democratic National Convention. Joint interviews during an election year are a fixture in politics; Mr Biden and Harris, Mr Trump and Mike Pence, Barack Obama and Mr Biden all did them at a similar point in the race. Kamala Harris speaks to marching band members at Liberty County High School in Hinesville, Georgia (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Advertisement The difference is those other candidates had all done solo interviews, too. Ms Harris has not yet done an in-depth interview since she became her partys standard bearer five weeks ago, though she did sit for several while she was still Mr Bidens running mate. Ms Harris and Mr Walz remain somewhat unknown to voters, unlike Mr Trump and Mr Biden of whom voters had near-universal awareness and opinion. The CNN interview, airing on Thursday evening, takes place during her two-day bus tour through south-east Georgia campaigning for the critical battleground state, a trip that culminates on Thursday with a rally in Savannah. Advertisement Harris campaign officials believe that in order to win the state over Mr Trump in November, they must make inroads in GOP strongholds across the state. Ms Harris, during her time as vice president, has done on-camera and print interviews with the Associated Press and many other outlets, a much more frequent pace than the president except for Bidens late-stage, media blitz following his disastrous debate performance that touched off the end of his campaign. Ms Harris lack of media access over the past month has become one of Republicans key attack lines. The Trump campaign has kept a tally of the days she has gone by as a candidate without giving an interview. Advertisement On Wednesday, Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Mr Trumps former press secretary, suggested Ms Harris needed a babysitter and that is why Mr Walz would be there. They know Kamala Harris cant get through an interview all by herself. There is not a lot of confidence in somebody to become the leader of the free world and ask people to make her president of the United States when she cant even sit down (for) an interview, she said. Mr Trump, meanwhile, has largely steered toward conservative media outlets when granting interviews, though he has held more open press conferences in recent weeks as he sought to reclaim the spotlight that Ms Harris elevation had claimed. The Israeli military said its soldiers killed five more militants in a large-scale operation in the occupied West Bank early on Thursday, including a well-known local commander. There was no immediate Palestinian confirmation of the death of Mohammed Jaber, known as Abu Shujaa, a commander in the Islamic Jihad militant group in the Nur Shams refugee camp on the outskirts of the city of Tulkarem. Advertisement He became a hero for many Palestinians earlier this year when he was reported killed in an Israeli operation, only to make a surprise appearance at the funeral of other militants, where he was hoisted onto the shoulders of a cheering crowd. A youth rides his bicycle past an Israeli armoured vehicle in Jenin (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) The military said he was killed along with four other militants in a shootout with Israeli forces early on Thursday after the five had hidden inside a mosque. Advertisement It said Mr Shujaa was linked to numerous attacks on Israelis, including a deadly shooting in June, and was planning more. The military said another militant was arrested in the operation in Tulkarem, and that a member of Israels paramilitary Border Police was lightly wounded. Israel has launched a large-scale operation in the West Bank. Hamas said 10 of its fighters were killed in different locations, and the Palestinian health ministry reported an 11th casualty, without saying whether he was a fighter or a civilian. The secretary-general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, called for an immediate halt to the deadly raids, asking Israels government to comply with its obligations under international law and take measures to protect civilians. Advertisement These dangerous developments are fuelling an already explosive situation in the occupied West Bank and further undermining the Palestinian Authority, he said in a statement from his spokesman Stephane Dujarric. Palestinians stand outside a heavily damaged mosque following an Israeli military operation in the West Bank refugee camp of Al-Faraa (Nasser Nasser/AP) Violence has surged in the West Bank since the Hamas October 7 attack out of Gaza ignited the war there. Advertisement Nur Shams is among several, built-up, refugee camps across the Middle East that date back to the 1948 war surrounding Israels creation, in which about 700,000 Palestinians fled or were driven out of what is now Israel. Many of the camps are militant strongholds. Israel captured the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war, and the Palestinians want all three territories for their future state. The three million Palestinians in the West Bank live under seemingly open-ended Israeli military rule, with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority administering towns and cities. More than 500,000 Jewish settlers, who have Israeli citizenship, live in about 100 settlements across the territory that most of the international community considers illegal. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced a three billion dollar deal to buy 12 French warplanes, in a move that shifts his country away from its dependence on Russian arms. The announcement about the Rafale multi-purpose fighter jets was made during a joint news conference in Belgrade with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was on a two-day visit to Serbia. Advertisement Mr Macron called it a historic and important deal and praised Serbias strategic courage. Its a true demonstration of European spirit. French and Serbian flags fly on lampposts on a highway in Belgrade, Serbia, ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron two-day state visit to Serbia (Darko Vojinovic/AP) An official in Mr Macrons office, who was not authorised to be identified according to French presidential policy, said the warplane deal was part of larger strategy of bringing Serbia closer to the EU. Advertisement Serbia needs to upgrade its fleet and the Rafale is a strategic choice for Belgrade, which could choose to rely only on Russian equipment instead, the official said. Serbia had been considering the purchase of the new Rafale jets for more than two years, since neighbouring Balkan rival Croatia purchased 12 used fighter jets of the same type for about one billion euros (841.1 million). The acquisition allows Serbia to modernise its air force, which consists mainly of Soviet-made MiG-29 fighters and aging Yugoslav combat aircraft. Russia has been a traditional supplier of military aircraft, including combat helicopters, to Serbia, which has refused to join international sanctions against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Selling Rafales to Russian ally Serbia, which has occasionally expressed an aggressive stance toward its Balkan neighbours, has raised some concerns, one of which is how France plans to prevent sophisticated Rafale technology from being shared with Russia. Asked if there would be a clause restricting the use of the Rafales, the French official said in any contract there are clauses that set a framework for the use of such material. Serbia is formally seeking European Union membership, but under Mr Vucics increasingly autocratic rule it has made little progress in the fields of rule of law and democratic reforms, which are the main preconditions for membership in the 27-nation bloc. A court in Thailand on Thursday found Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, a member of a famous Spanish acting family, guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced him to life in prison. The Koh Samui provincial court issued an initial sentence of death for Sancho but commuted it to life imprisonment due to his co-operation during the trial, police colonel Paisan Sangthep, deputy commander of the Surat Thani provincial police, who attended the hearing, told the Associated Press. Advertisement Sancho, a 30-year-old chef with a YouTube channel, had been charged with the murder of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, a 44-year-old plastic surgeon from Colombia, when both were vacationing on the Thai holiday island of Koh Pha-ngan in August last year. The island is famous for its monthly Full Moon beach parties, attracting travellers from around the world for all-night raves. Rodolfo Sancho talks to reporters outside Koh Samui provincial court in southern Thailand (AP Photo/Thanapat Cherajin) Advertisement The convicted man is the son of Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre, a prominent Spanish actor, and Silvia Bronchalo, who has also worked as an actor. Both parents are 49 years old and attended Thursdays court session. At his trial on the island of Samui, Sancho claimed he got into a fight with Mr Arrieta for allegedly trying to sexually assault him. He said that Arrieta fell as they scuffled and hit his head on a bathtub, losing consciousness and dying. He had pleaded not guilty to charges of premeditated murder. Sancho acknowledged dismembering the victims body and disposing of the parts on land and at sea. Advertisement Bronchalos mother, Silvia Bronchalo, centre, attended her sons court hearing (AP Photo/Thanapat Cherajin) For the charge of concealing or damaging a body, he received a four-month prison sentence, reduced to two months for acknowledging the act, said Mr Paisan. He had also pleaded not guilty to the charge of destroying another persons documents the victims passport for which he received a two-year prison term. Advertisement The elements of the case: violent death on a holiday island, the celebrity connections and the lurid details; attracted huge coverage in Spanish media. HBO produced a Spanish-language documentary on the events. The case came to light when trash collectors found what the Bangkok Post newspaper described as a sawed-off pelvis and intestines weighing about five kilogrammes in a fertiliser sack at a garbage dump. Shortly after that, Sancho reported to police that Mr Arrieta was missing, and police then gathered evidence linking the two men that led them to detain and interrogate him. Police established a narrative, claiming to the press that Sancho had confessed to the murder and saying he had planned it because Mr Arrieta threatened to disgrace him and his family by revealing their alleged sexual relationship. Advertisement Sancho, through his father and his lawyers, said that was a distorted version of what he told police, and denied having a sexual relationship with Mr Arrieta. Police obtained surveillance video showing Sancho allegedly purchasing a knife, rubber gloves, garbage bags and cleaning solutions at a convenience store before Mr Arrietas death, which prosecutors claimed bolstered the charge of premeditated murder. In his closing statement earlier in the trial, Sancho told the court he regretted his actions, the Spanish newspaper El Pais reported. I am sorry that a life has been lost and that parents have lost a son, Sancho said. I am sorry that his family was not able to bury him properly. Im sorry for what I did after the death. President Xi Jinping of China met with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday in Beijing, on a visit with the stated aim of keeping communications open between the two powers, as the relationship between China and the United States has become increasingly tense in recent years. Mr Sullivan, on his first trip to China in his capacity as the main adviser to President Joe Biden on US national security issues, also met with senior Chinese officials including foreign minister Wang Yi and a senior general of the Central Military Commission. Advertisement China and the US have become increasingly at odds over various issues, starting with a trade war dating back to 2018, and which now encompasses global security matters, such as Chinas claims over the South China Sea, and industrial policy on things like automobile and solar panel manufacturing. Both sides said on Thursday that they remain committed to managing the relationship. Mr Xi and Mr Biden met in San Francisco last November in an effort to improve ties. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, rear left, meets Chinese President Xi Jinping, centre, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing (Trevor Hunnicutt/Pool Photo via AP) Advertisement Although the situations of the two countries and China-US relations have changed greatly, Chinas goal of being committed to the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US relations has not changed, Mr Xi said, according to state broadcaster CCTV. President Biden is committed to responsibly managing this consequential relationship to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict or confrontation, and to work together where our interests align, Mr Sullivan said. Beijing and Washington will also plan for a phone call in the coming weeks between Mr Xi and Mr Biden, the White House said on Wednesday. The White House statement said that both sides would keep lines of communication open. Advertisement A security guard wards away the media from Jake Sullivan in Beijing (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, Pool) There was no indication that the two leaders might meet in person before Biden leaves the Oval Office. The White House said the two sides also planned to hold a military theatre commander phone call in the near future. Advertisement China has rapidly expanded its military, and there are concerns that Taiwan and the South China Sea are becoming flashpoints. Mr Wang, Chinas top diplomat, told Mr Sullivan that Taiwans independence poses the greatest threat to stability in the immediate region. He demanded that the US stop arming the island but support Chinas peaceful unification, according to a statement released by the Chinese foreign ministry. Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy that split from authoritarian communist China in 1949, has rejected Beijings demands that it accept unification with the mainland by peace or by force. Advertisement The US is obligated under a domestic law to provide the island with sufficient hardware and technology to deter invasion. The White House statement said Mr Sullivan underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Mr Sullivan planned to meet with Chinas vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Youxia, on Thursday morning, according to a senior Biden administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the yet to be publicly announced meeting. Zhang has spoken in the past of Beijings determination to take control of Taiwan. At an international naval gathering earlier this year in northeast China, Zhang said China would strike back with force if its interests came under threat. Pavel Durovs laissez-faire attitude to regulation made messaging app Telegram into a giant and gave him a platform to clash with officials from Moscow to Brussels from his perch in Dubai. His decision to repeatedly ignore requests from governments to better moderate content on his platform reached a tipping point this past weekend, when he was detained in France over allegations that Telegram failed to adequately combat crime on the app, including the spread of child sexual abuse material. He has since been handed preliminary charges for allowing alleged criminal activity on his messaging app. The 39-year-old has a net worth of over $US9 billion. Credit: Nadine Rupp Telegram has been reluctant to remove all but the most violent content under Durov, who has a net worth of $US9.2 billion ($13.5 billion), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The 39-year-old has styled himself as a radical libertarian and cultivates a look riffing off of Keanu Reeves Neo character in The Matrix, usually sporting an all-black wardrobe. With passports from the United Arab Emirates and France, he often documents his globetrotting life, recently posting pictures of his travels throughout Central Asia. Despite the carefree image, Durov faces heightened pressure to monetise Telegram, which is free to use. Ahead of a $US2.4 billion bond maturing in March 2026, the platform has been trying to make money off of its 900 million users. Her disappearance made national headlines and more than 120 people helped her family search for her. Loading Flacks body was eventually found by two members of the LGBTQI community at Willsmere-Chandler Park. Giles did not make any adverse findings against the police officers involved in Flacks case and found she most likely died the day she went missing. But the coroner said it was deeply concerning none of the recommendations Victoria Police had made following its own extensive internal review into its search for Flack in 2021 had been enforced. Victoria Police said the challenges in Flacks case were partly due to challenges with a dated IT system, and it would strive to take into account LGBTQI status when assessing risk for future missing person cases. But Giles said it was troubling that no recommendations have been implemented several years on due to what is ostensibly an IT issue. Victoria Polices internal assessment had deemed Flack a medium risk, despite being repeatedly warned about fears of self-harm and suicide. Giles said Flacks case was handed over to the Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit, but despite the best efforts of officers, the investigation was already compromised. A police officer, who made a second request to triangulate Flacks phone after the first request had been rejected, told the inquest by that time it was evident that the missing person was in considerable risk of harm, and that all that could be done to locate her should be. Loading Giles recommended police urgently implement changes to its missing person risk assessments, improve data collection to capture all gender identities and roll out mandatory LGBTQI training for all police. Giles said Flacks disappearance had stirred up anger, fear and distress in the LGBTQI community, who felt they had been left by police to search for one their own. One of the people who found her body later told Giles: I want to make it known that trans lives matter. The police approach to Flacks disappearance was just one element in the landmark and wide-ranging inquest. Giles also called for the federal government to urgently investigate ways to restrict the online sale and distribution of a dangerous chemical substance, which The Age has chosen not to name, that had been ingested by three of the five women. One woman had purchased it on eBbay, and another for a minimal sum from an Australian-based online store, before it was delivered to their door by Australia Post. She said there appeared to be an element of suicide contagion and that there was evidence the women had engaged in such discussions on online forums before their deaths. Giles other recommendations included an urgent increase in resources by the Victorian government to ensure publicly funded health services delivered gender-affirming care and that training for healthcare workers be developed under the guidance of trans and gender-diverse communities. Last year, the inquest heard devastating testimony from the families of the women. Relatives described them as beautiful young women with their lives ahead of them, but who also faced discrimination, dislocation and isolation as members of the trans community. Flacks sister, Angela Pucci Love, wiped away tears on Thursday as the recommendations were read out over two hours in the Coroners Court. Outside the court, she said her sister was a fierce and dedicated activist, who always stood up for what she believed in. Angela Pucci Love, whose sister Bridget Flack died by suicide, hugs a loved one outside the Corners Court on Thursday. Credit: Jason South Last year, Pucci Love told the Coroners Court of her anguish and frustration as she battled to convince police to take her sisters disappearance seriously, revealing one officer even suggested she call the fire brigade. Pucci Love said police had failed to understand the level of risk to her sisters life, including that shortly before her death, she had been calling hospitals seeking a mental health admission after receiving a GP referral, but was turned away. There is a sense of relief and vindication in knowing that there were failures in the handling of Bridgets disappearance by Victoria Police and I sincerely hope the recommendations are heard and actioned, Pucci Love said. Giles acknowledged the grief, devastation, dignity, grace and patience of the womens loved ones throughout the inquest. Pucci Love said it was heartening Victoria Police had conducted a review into its handling of her sisters case, but frustrating none of the recommendations had been implemented. Until those changes start being implemented, they dont mean a lot, she said. She said she wanted her sister to be remembered for who she was when she was alive: kind, artistic, smart, loyal and passionate. Loading Transgender Victoria chief executive Son Vivienne said the coroners recommendations echoed what the LGBTQ community had been calling for over many years. The debate over rental e-scooters is set to continue after Sunshine Coast Council voted to end an 18-month trial and not revisit the issue until 2026. Neuron Mobility was selected to conduct the trial, in Mooloolaba and Maroochydore, and deployed its orange e-scooters and e-bikes in June last year. Within a year, more than 130,000 trips were taken, with riders travelling more than 260,000 kilometres in total. Sunshine Coast Council has voted to remove rental e-scooters and e-bikes. Credit: Patrick Woods, Sunshine Coast Council But a survey of residents found most wanted the trial to end, prompting councillors to vote against its extension or the permanent introduction of rental e-scooters and e-bikes. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is under attack for excluding trans and gender-diverse people from the next census count, despite a government backflip to allow gay, lesbian and bisexual people to be included. An internal Labor revolt forced Albanese to on Friday reverse his governments decision to block new questions in the survey so it could avoid a divisive debate. But he opened another fraught dispute for minority groups when he maintained the call to exclude planned questions about trans and intersex Australians. The Greens will seek to wedge Labors progressive MPs on the issue and accused Albanese of trying to split the queer community down the middle, while Opposition Leader Peter Dutton seized on the disunity in the Labor ranks and said, the wheels are falling off the government. The commercial launch of GARUD 15M will be in Q4 FY25. | Photo: Shutterstock Leading commercial vehicle manufacturer Ashok Leyland on Thursday announced unveiling its pioneering GARUD 15M bus chassis at Prawaas 4.0 in Bengaluru. The Hinduja Group flagship company unveiled the chassis at the event organised by Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI). Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp "The GARUD 15M is India's first front engine multi-axle bus chassis, setting a new standard in the industry. Designed specifically for long distance intercity travel, this innovative platform offers the largest saloon space available in Indian buses. With a best-in-class capacity of 42 sleeper berths, the GARUD 15M maximizes per-trip revenue for bus operators," a company release said. It has a cutting-edge design for comfortable long-distance travel. Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland said, "GARUD 15M represents a significant leap forward in bus chassis technology, combining advanced engineering with unparalleled comfort and efficiency." Sanjeev Kumar, President-MHCV at Ashok Leyland said, "with the unveiling of the GARUD 15M at Prawaas 4.0, we are not just enhancing our product portfolio but also setting new benchmarks in the intercity travel sector in India." GARUD 15M bus chassis is equipped with advanced features such as front wheel disc brakes, an electromagnetic retarder, and an optional full air suspension with anti-roll bar. The ergonomically designed 3-way adjustable driver seat and the air-assisted hydraulic clutch with a cable shift gear mechanism ensures a smooth and fatigue-free driving experience, it said. "The commercial launch of GARUD 15M will be in Q4 FY25," the city-headquartered company added. The centre by the Finnish major will propel the development of next-generation networks and create around 100 specialised jobs. (Photo: Bloomberg) Soon, the global vision of blazing-fast bandwidth with ultra-high-speed internet access which could revolutionise virtual reality, augmented reality, and the technology landscape will get a Chennai touch. On Friday morning, multinational telecommunications giant Nokia is set to sign a deal to establish the worlds largest fixed network testbed in Chennai. This testbed will spearhead Nokias technological innovations in 10 gigabit (G), 25G, 50G, and 100G passive optical networks. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The centre, involving an investment of about Rs 450 crore, will be one of Nokias largest research and development (R&D) laboratories (labs). It will also focus on fixed wireless access, and multi-dwelling unit solutions, as well as access networks and home controllers. The deal will be signed in San Francisco on Friday morning in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister (CM) M K Stalin, who is on a 17-day trip to the US to attract fresh investments. This is his fifth overseas trip since the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam came to power in 2021, following visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, Japan, and Spain to attract investment proposals for Tamil Nadu. The Nokia centre will be established at the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu in Siruseri. Today, Tamil Nadu has evolved into a global destination of choice for R&D and technology services. Nokia has been a long-standing partner in Tamil Nadus growth story, and it is a matter of pride for us that the new facility, the largest fixed network lab within Nokia and possibly the world, will be in Chennai, said T R B Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion, and Commerce in the Government of Tamil Nadu. This is the result of path-breaking initiatives by the CM, such as Naan Mudhalvan and the Tamil Nadu R&D Policy 2022, which have also led to unprecedented investments. It is our endeavour to sustain this momentum and generate high-value employment opportunities for our youth, Rajaa added. The centre by the Finnish major will propel the development of next-generation networks and create around 100 specialised jobs. The Government of Tamil Nadu will provide Nokia with essential infrastructure, regulatory, and policy support in line with current policies. This collaboration reinforces Chennais strategic importance in Nokias global operations and underscores the regions increasing prominence as a centre for technological innovation, said a government source. Stalin will also visit Chicago, where he will interact with several multinational companies. Stalins earlier visits to the UAE, Singapore, Japan, and Spain attracted investment proposals totalling Rs 10,882 crore through 17 memoranda of understanding, which are expected to create over 18,500 jobs. Of those 17 projects, five worth Rs 990 crore have already started production. Before leaving for the US, Stalin stated that since his government took charge, the state has seen around 872 investment deals with a cumulative investment of Rs 9.99 trillion, creating around 1.89 million jobs. Of those 872 projects, 234 have already started production. In a Global Investors Meet held in January this year, the state saw investment commitments totalling around Rs 6.6 trillion, of which projects worth Rs 59,454 crore have reportedly been realised. The University of Southampton was on Thursday granted approval by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish a branch campus in India, making it the first global top 100 and UK Russell Group university to set up a campus in the country under the 2020 National Education Policy. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan handed over the Letter of Intent (LoI) in New Delhi as part of the internationalisation at home vision under the NEP 2020. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Jaishankar said the move is part of the goal of elevating the country's educational standards to the highest global levels and delivering on the education pillar of India-UK cooperation. Confident that such endeavours will further make our youth world ready and foster a spirit of global understanding and cooperation, he said. Pradhan said the move taps into the potential of India as a global education and talent hub of the future, with globally renowned higher education institutions (HEIs) keen to establish multi-faceted collaborations with top Indian institutions. Establishment of campuses of foreign universities in India and Indian HEIs abroad is not just about expanding educational opportunities, it is about creating a vibrant ecosystem of research, knowledge exchange and global collaboration. Educational institutions across countries have a responsibility to produce global citizens with global ethos who can provide solutions to global challenges, said Pradhan. The new university campus is expected to be located in Gurugram, within the National Capital Region (NCR), to provide world-class teaching and learning opportunities for students across a range of top degree programmes. The university said it will build on the strategic objectives, leadership and expertise of the University of Southampton India Centre established in March 2019 as part of the institution's long-standing engagement in and with India. The University of Southampton is privileged to be approved to establish a campus in India. Building on our long-standing and deep ties, a campus is the logical next step in developing a closer partnership with India, said Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice-President of International at the University of Southampton. We have worked closely with the India Business Group (IBG) on certain strategic matters and stakeholder engagement, and we look forward to doing so as the campus develops, and we build even stronger ties with businesses, partners and stakeholders in India, he said. IBG said its expertise as a strategic advisory consultancy working in the UK-India corridor will assist the University of Southampton with stakeholder engagement, industry liaison and fostering business links. This is truly a landmark moment for the rapidly evolving UK and India relationship. IBG is delighted to be working with Southampton as one of its strategic advisory partners, said Amarjit Singh, IBG Chief Executive and an alumnus of the UK university. We acknowledge that education, research and innovation are key pillars of the bilateral relationship, and this exciting development will promote academic excellence, engagement with industry and government and strengthen the living bridge between our two great nations, he said. IBG said it is already working closely with the university's senior leadership team and the International Office to support deeper in-country engagement with academia, industry and government. NEP 2020 published a commitment to enhance the higher education landscape across India, with new policy developments and innovations in transnational education offering exciting avenues for global institutions to collaborate and develop new models of engagement in-country. According to experts, as one of the world's fastest-growing economies with over 25 per cent of the world's student population, India is well positioned to become a global talent hub for skilled workforce. In setting up a comprehensive campus, the University of Southampton says it will adopt a phased expansion leveraging its triple helix strategy, which integrates education, research, enterprise and knowledge transfer. Recognised as one of Europe's most entrepreneurial universities, Southampton claims strong industry partnerships with globally leading businesses such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Microsoft. Business Standard celebrates the 50th anniversary of its birth just as India marks the 77th anniversary of its independence. The newspaper was born in tumultuous times. Soon after its first edition appeared on March 27, 1975, the country was subjected to the dark days of the Emergency, which marked a major setback to its democratic dispensation. Fortunately, the political nightmare was short-lived with the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, holding fresh elections in 1977. She and her party, the Indian National Congress, had to face a humiliating electoral defeat. Democracy emerged stronger from this reverse. Since then The CM also highlighted the recent launch of schemes aimed at improving cleanliness. | Photo: PTI To address shortage of doctors in state-run hospitals, the Jharkhand government has decided to rope in private doctors to provide treatment in facilities where there is a lack of specialists. This was announced by the government during distribution of appointment letters to 365 community health officers (CHOs) by Chief Minister Hemant Soren here at a function on Thursday. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp "The government is continuously working to enhance health infrastructure in the state. We have undertaken several initiatives in this regard and are developing a system so that residents do not need to seek treatment in other states," the Chief Minister said. "To tackle the shortage of specialist doctors, particularly in community health centres and district hospitals, the government has decided to allow private doctors to provide treatment in these facilities. They will be offered incentives for their services," said state health secretary Ajoy Kumar Singh. The CM also highlighted the recent launch of schemes aimed at improving cleanliness, repairs, and maintenance of health centres, hospitals, and medical colleges. An annual budget of Rs 5 crore has been allocated for these purposes. "A provision of Rs 2 lakh for sub-health centres, Rs 5 lakh for primary health centres, Rs 10 lakh for community health centres, Rs 50 lakh for sub-divisional hospitals and Rs 75 lakh for district hospitals annually has been kept for the purpose of cleanliness and maintenance," Soren said. Additionally, the CM mentioned significant recruitment efforts in the health sector and other areas to boost manpower. "Thousands of recruitments are underway, even though some critics continue to target the government on employment issues," Soren said, apparently responding to criticism from the BJP without naming the party. Lambasting West Bengal Chief for "attempting to protect the culprits" of the rape-murder of trainee doctor, Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi on Thursday urged Mamata Banerjee to focus on women's safety. Speaking exclusively with ANI, Annapurna Devi said, "The incident that happened in Bengal is very tragic. Regarding this incident, the Chief Minister of Bengal, who is herself a woman, should have immediately taken cognisance and taken action against the culprits. But instead, it seems that she is somehow trying to cover it up and attempting to protect the guilty." On Mamata's letter to the Prime Minister, Devi said, "Recently, she wrote a letter to the Prime Minister. Today, when the women's helpline, which is run entirely by the Government of India, is not implemented in Bengal. If the women's helpline were implemented, then if any woman faced any trouble, she could call, and that call would be transferred to emergency number 112, after which necessary action would be taken in an integrated manner. Perhaps this could have helped a lot of people." Two Rajya Sabha MPs from the YSR Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP have quit the party and their membership in the Upper House. Vice President and Chairman of Rajya Sabha Jagdeep Dhankhar has accepted their resignation, news agency PTI has said. Two Rajya Sabha MPs from the YSR Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP have quit the party and their membership in the Upper House. Vice President and Chairman of Rajya Sabha Jagdeep Dhankhar has accepted their resignation, news agency PTI has said. A case has been filed against actor and CPI (M) MLA from Kollam, Mukesh M, following the complaint of actress Minu Muneer. Kerala Police informed ANI on Thursday, "FIR has been registered against actor Mukesh, CPI (M) MLA from Kollam constituency. The FIR was registered on the basis of the complaint of an actress." The police also added that another FIR has been registered against Actor Jayasurya on the complaint of the same actress, under section 354 which deals with intent to outrage modesty. Special Investigation Team (SIT) has taken the statement of the actress yesterday (Wednesday)." Muneer has accused actors Mukesh M, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu of both verbal and physical abuse during their collaborations on film projects. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde held a meeting with top state government and Navy officials on late Wednesday night and discussed the collapse of a Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Sindhudurg district two days ago. The incident has caused an acute embarrassment to the Mahayuti government ahead of the assembly polls, drawn intense criticism from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and sparked protests. World today brings hope and concerns, on one hand we are living with scientific breakthrough like artificial intelligence, we are promised proprietary. The birth of AI has opened up opportunities to help solve multiple problems, but geopolitical tensions threaten to challenge global economy, Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries, said today.The Delhi High Court today extended interim protection from arrest granted to former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar in the case registered against her for fraudulently availing attempts in the Union Public Service Commission or UPSC examination beyond the permissible limit.Waterlogging and traffic congestion were witnessed in multiple parts of Delhi after the national capital received heavy rainfall on Thursday morning. Weather body the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert in the city, predicting heavy showers throughout the day.Defence minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to commission India's second nuclear-powered submarine capable of launching ballistic missiles (SSBN) into service. This submarine, known as INS Arighat or S-3, will be commissioned during a low-key ceremony in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. The event will be attended by chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, head of Indian strategic command Vice Admiral Suraj Berry and top DRDO officials. Once commissioned, the SSBN will operate under the authority of India's strategic command. Thirty-one people have lost their lives, 2 injured and 1 person is missing in the recent floods caused by continuous rainfall from August 19 to 23 in Tripura, the state government said on Wednesday. According to the state government, 53,356 people are still in the relief camps across the state. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp "As of date, 369 relief camps are operational by the district administration, providing shelter to over 53,356 people in the state. The District Administration is continuing to provide necessary relief, including food, drinking water, medical help, etc., in relief camps. Over 27,000 food packets have been distributed till date," said an official release issued by the Relief, Rehabilitation & Disaster Management Department of the state government. The water level of the Gomati River at Sonamura has come down from above the critical level but is still above flood level, according to the release. 3 teams of the State Disaster Response Force (TSR) and 2 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are working on relief operations in Gomati and Sepahijala districts. About 500 volunteers of Civil Defence and Aapda Mitra are continuing to be engaged in relief operations. "The situation is being closely monitored at the highest level. Yesterday morning, the secretary, RR & DM reviewed the flood situation with all the district magistrates & collectors. Subsequently, the Hon'ble Chief Minister also held a review meeting on the flood situation yesterday evening at 05.30 PM. As per the direction of the Hon'ble Chief Minister, DM & Collector are focusing on providing instant relief, Drinking Water, Health and sanitation, and expediting the restoration measures," said the release. According to the release, the floods caused significant disruption in urban areas. Over 32,000 (8,000 families) people were safely evacuated and sheltered in camps, where they received food, water, and medical care. All of the 3 water treatment plants and 11 deep tube wells that were damaged in Agartala city were promptly restored. Total 9 Water Tankers have been deployed in areas reported to have non-availability of drinking water in Agartala. The declogging and dewatering efforts are undertaken by making all damaged pumps functional, clearing city streets and facilitating normalcy. To prevent the spreading of any waterborne diseases, regular cleaning of toilets, bleaching, disinfectant spraying and a hygienic environment in shelter houses have been ensured. A waste management SOP for safe sanitation practices has been released for ULBs to adhere to. As the state gets back on its feet, we remain vigilant and committed to building a more resilient future for all. A preliminary assessment of assets damaged due to floods in ULBs is to the tune of around Rs. 306 Cr. To tackle the fallout of floods on health aspects, doctors have visited relief camps 1107 times and treated 35,477 persons. They carried out 1,650 health camps for checking over 45,000 persons. The Health Department will procure 2 lakhs of ORS packets and 20 lakhs of halogen tablets, 10 lakhs of zinc tablets and medicines for fever, skin lotions and ointments in quantity sufficient, etc. for carrying out disinfection and antidiarrhoea measures. The Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), led by BC Joshi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi, has arrived in Agartala for an advance on the spot assessments. IMCT members consist of officials from Agriculture, Finance, Transport, Water resources and Rural Development sectors. The state government will extend all assistance, including briefing the IMCT for on-the-spot damage assessment and their field visit to the areas affected by the recent floods. All departments have accordingly taken preparatory steps, said the release. A clutch of pharmaceutical companies approached the Delhi High Court on Thursday seeking interim relief against the central governments decision to ban 156 fixed drug combination (FDC) medicines, so that they could clear the stocks lying in the market. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had on August 22 issued notification banning the 156 FDC medicines saying they had no therapeutic benefits. The high court, after admitting the petition, sought the governments response by September 2. FDCs are drugs that contain a combination of two or more active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in a single form, usually manufactured and According to federal health officials, over 20 people returning to the US from Cuba have been infected with a virus called Oropouche virus transmitted by bugs in recent months. Although no deaths were reported and there is no evidence that the virus is spreading in the United States, the officials warned doctors to check all the travellers coming from Cuba and South America. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp What is the Oropouche virus? Oropouche, a virus that is native to forested tropical areas, was first identified in 1955 in a 24-year-old forest worker on the island of Trinidad. The virus is named after a nearby village and wetlands. This virus is also called Sloth fever. The scientists first investigating the virus found it in a three-toed sloth and believed that they were the ones responsible for its spread between insects and animals. Sloth fever symptoms Sloth fever resembles other mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue or chikungunya fever, making its identification more challenging. According to the New York State Health Department, some of its symptoms include: Fever Chills Headache Muscle aches and pains Joint stiffness According to the CDC, other symptoms can include: Sensitivity to light Dizziness Pain behind the eyes Nausea Vomiting Rash Symptoms generally last less than a week and can reoccur after a few days or even weeks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most of the Oropouche-infected people recovered within a few days to one month. One in 20 patients develops serious diseases like meningitis (membrane inflammation that surrounds the brain and spinal cord), encephalitis or bleeding. Sloth fever treatment and prevention CDC also states that currently there is no vaccine to treat Oropouche and the only prevention technique is to avoid bug bites. You can do this by using insect repellant, using window and door screens and using a fan outdoors to keep bugs away, the CDC recommends. Apart from this, the pregnant people have also been advised to avoid travelling to areas of infection including Brazil and Cuba. How many cases have there been? The virus is identified as the cause of large outbreaks in the Amazon region where it used to exist along with some new areas in South America and the Caribbean. Around 8000 local cases are being reported in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba and Peru. However, some travellers were diagnosed with the virus in the United States and Europe. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms 21 cases; 20 in Florida and one in New York. All the cases had been in Cuba. European health officials said that they found 19 cases all among travellers. How is Sloth fever transmitted? Primarily this viral disease, Oropouche, is transmitted through the bite of infected midges and mosquitoes. The virus is transmitted in forested areas between mosquitoes and non-humans like birds, sloths and rodents. Visiting these areas can result in people bringing the virus to urban environments. Why is Oropouche called sloth virus or sloth fever? Oropouche is also known as 'sloth virus' or 'sloth fever' and it is found in areas where sloth is present. Scientists believe that the virus has a reservoir in pale-throated sloths, and non-human primates and some birds play a key role in transmitting the disease through the midges or mosquito bites. What we don't know? Oroopouche is not a new virus, it has been here for decades but we didn't know much about it. Lancet medical journal called it a 'mysterious threat' earlier this month. Scientists also do not have any idea about the current outbreak. It is an RNA virus and its genome is made up of multiple segments. Stephen Graham, virology professor at the University of Cambridge, explained the virus of Oropouche is capable of rapid mutation, and prone to mixing and matching different segmentsa process akin to shuffling two decks of cards known as reassortmentif you are unlucky enough to be infected with two different strains. Are there other concerns? Officials in Brazil are investigating reports that infection might pass from a pregnant woman to a foetus, drawing similarities to what we saw during the Zika virus outbreak nearly a decade ago. The CDS advises pregnant women to avoid travelling to Cuba and suggests all travellers take steps to prevent bug bites by using insect repellents and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care declined 2.54% to Rs 16,550 after the company's standalone net profit declined 46.4% to Rs 81.06 crore in Q4 FY24 as against Rs 151.24 crore posted in same quarter last year. Profit before tax (PBT) fell 45.6% to Rs 112.28 crore in the quarter ended 30 June 2024 as compared with Rs 206.58 crore in the quarter ended 30 June 2023. Total expenses jumped 26.02% to Rs 826.78 crore during the quarter as against Rs 656.05 crore posted in corresponding quarter last year. Cost of raw and packing materials consumed stood at Rs 176.85 crore (down 11.53% YoY) while employee benefit expenses stood at Rs 67.13 crore (up 39.65%) The companys business continues to grow behind a strong product portfolio, superior consumer communication and a continuous stream of product innovations. This includes Vicks Cough Drops Double Power, Whisper Ultra XL. It also introduced Vicks VapoRub Steam Pods, Vicks Roll On, Whisper Period Panties, and much more. On full year basis, the companys standalone net profit fell marginally to Rs 675 crore in FY24 as compared with Rs 57,814 crore posted in year ago, driven by significant impact of one-time tax related items both in the base period and current period. Revenue increased 7.3% YoY to Rs 4,191.57 crore in FY24, owing to innovation, premiumization and driving category growth in the feminine hygiene category Operational profit, excluding these one-time impacts, was Rs 809 crore, up 19% versus year ago. V Kumar, managing director, Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care, said, Even in a challenging operating environment, we delivered a balanced growth this year, while continuing to drive category growth through innovations that delight our consumers. These results are a testament to our teams execution of the integrated growth strategy, which we remain committed to a focused product portfolio of daily use categories where performance drives brand choice, superiority (of product performance, packaging, brand communication, retail execution and consumer and customer value), productivity, constructive disruption, and an agile and accountable organization all aimed at delivering sustainable, balanced growth and value creation. Meanwhile, the companys board has declared dividend of Rs 95 per share for financial year 30 June 2024. The divided shall be paid between 19 November to 15 December 2024. Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care is one of India's leading FMCG companies that has in its portfolio WHISPER India's leading feminine hygiene brand, and VICKS India's No. 1 health care brand and Old Spice. Powered by Capital Market - Live News Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content Revenue increased 9.3% YoY to Rs 927.43 crore during the quarter. NBCC stock gains: State-owned company NBCC rose as much as 4.97 per cent to hit an intraday high of Rs 205.65 per share on Thursday, August 29, 2024. The uptick in NBCC share price came after the company announced, via two separate filings, that it has sold commercial spaces worth Rs 2,251 crore. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp In an exchange filing, NBCC said, It is hereby informed that NBCC has conducted 27th auction for sale of commercial space in the World Trade Centre, Nauroji Nagar, New Delhi as PMC & Marketing Consultant on behalf of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Govt. of India. The project is in self sustainable mode. NBCC has sold 100 per cent of Office space at World Trade Centre Nauroji Nagar. Under this deal, the company has sold a total unsold commercial inventory of approximately 1.81 lakh sq. ft. worth Rs 908.48 crore, of which 0.60 lakh sq. ft. area was sold for Rs 312.23 crore to private entities. In a separate filing, the company said, It is hereby informed that NBCC has conducted the bulk sale e-auction for sale of Commercial Built-up Space at Down Town Sarojini Nagar, New Delhi as PMC & Marketing Consultant on behalf of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Govt. of India. The project is in self-sustainable mode. NBCC has sold 100 per cent of Commercial Built-up Space at Down Town Sarojini Nagar. According to the aforementioned deal, the company sold a total unsold commercial inventory of approximately 3,52,499 sq. ft. worth Rs 1,342.28 crore in bulk sale to a private entity. NBCC is a construction company. It provides project management consultancy, real estate, engineering procurement, construction, civil engineering, and redevelopment. NBCC also provides water treatment plants, water supply networks including raw water mains, and solid waste management The 52-week high of the stock is Rs 209.75 per share while its 52-week low is Rs 50.99 per share. The market capitalisation of NBCC is Rs 35,334 crore, according to Bombay Stock Exchange. The company falls under the BSE 500 category. At 1:49 PM, shares of NBCC were trading 0.20 per cent higher at Rs 196.30 per share. By comparison, S&P BSE Sensex was trading 0.44 per cent higher at 82,145.84 levels. Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health stock slips in trade: Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health stocks fell up to 3.76 per cent to hit an intraday low of Rs 16,342 per share on Thursday, August 29, 2024. The fall in Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health stock came after the company announced a weak set of financial results for the fiscal and quarter ended June 30, 2024. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The companys profit plunged 43.6 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to Rs 31.2 crore in the three months ended June 30, 2024, as opposed to Rs 55.3 crore during the same period last year. Revenue from operations, however, rose 9.3 per cent to Rs 931.8 crore in the quarter under review, as against Rs 852.5 crore a year ago. At the operating front, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) plummeted 44.7 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 118.8 crore in the June quarter this year versus 214.9 crore in the same quarter a year ago. Consequently, Ebitda margin squeezed 1,240 basis points (bps) to 12.8 per cent, as against 25.2 per cent in the same quarter previous year. Even in a challenging operating environment, we delivered a balanced growth this year, while continuing to drive category growth through innovations that delight our consumers. These results are a testament to our teams execution of the integrated growth strategy, which we remain committed to a focused product portfolio of daily use categories where performance drives brand choice, superiority (of product performance, packaging, brand communication, retail execution and consumer and customer value), productivity, constructive disruption, and an agile and accountable organisation all aimed at delivering sustainable, balanced growth and value creation, said V Kumar, managing director, Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care Ltd. The company also announced a dividend of Rs 95 per share. We are pleased to further inform you that the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held today, inter alia, have recommended a final dividend of Rs. 95 per Equity Share (Nominal Value of Rs. 10/- each), for the Financial Year ended June 30, 2024. The dividend shall be paid between November 19, 2024 to December 15, 2024, on approval of the Members at the 60th Annual General Meeting, Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care added. Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care is among Indias top FMCG companies, boasting a portfolio that includes Whisper, the countrys leading feminine hygiene brand, VICKS, the top health care brand in India, and Old Spice. The market capitalisation of Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care is Rs 53,621.89 crore, according to Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). At 11:17 AM, shares of Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care were trading 2.83 per cent lower at Rs 16,500 apiece.In comparison, BSE Sensex was trading 225.44 points or 0.28 per cent higher at 82,011 levels. The governments industrial parks policy, cleared by the Cabinet this week, is one of the most ambitious efforts to create business-friendly zones since the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act of 2005. The Rs 28,600 crore package to set up 12 such enclaves is intended to create what Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal called a golden quadrilateral of industrial parks, invoking Atal Bihari Vajpayees successful road-building project. The plan is to work with state governments and the private sector to set up plug-and-play integrated smart industrial cities with residential and commercial zones. The target is to attract China firmly walks side by side with Africa on path to modernization 13:12, August 29, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily In 2023, the trade volume between China and Africa reached $282.1 billion, with China maintaining its position as Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. By the end of 2023, China's direct investment stock in Africa exceeded $40 billion, making it one of the major sources of foreign investment in the continent. Chinese and Kenyan researchers work at the Kenya-China Joint Laboratory for Crop Molecular Biology at Egerton University in Kenya. (People's Daily/Huang Weixin) Over the past three years, Chinese companies have created over 1.1 million local jobs in Africa. This growing cooperation between China and Africa has greatly contributed to their common development and brought tangible benefits to the people of both sides. The pursuit of practical results is a distinctive feature of China-Africa cooperation. Since 2013, China has been involved in the construction of over 6,000 kilometers of railways, over 6,000 kilometers of roads, and more than 80 large power facilities in Africa, effectively boosting the development of the continent. Additionally, China has established 24 agricultural technology demonstration centers across Africa, which popularized over 300 advanced and applicable technologies. They led to an average increase in crop yields of 30 percent to 60 percent in relevant regions, benefiting over 1 million small farming households. Chinese enterprises have invested in and constructed economic and trade cooperation zones in various industries such as agriculture, processing and manufacturing, and trade and logistics, making significant contributions to local tax revenue and improving Africa's ability to earn foreign exchange through exports. Leveraging the platforms of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China and Africa have continuously deepened their practical cooperation. The fruitful results of the cooperation are effectively facilitating the two sides' common development. Striving for higher-quality development and advancing in emerging fields remain the enduring goals of China-Africa cooperation. Photo shows the gate of the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone. (Photo/Cao Xue) The development of new quality productive forces has become a key driver of high-quality cooperation between China and Africa. In recent years, within the framework of the nine programs of pragmatic cooperation between China and Africa, Chinese enterprises have implemented a large number of clean energy projects in Africa, providing high-quality new energy products such as lithium batteries and photovoltaic products. The two sides have established more than 10 joint laboratories or research centers, conducting joint research in areas such as resource remote sensing, renewable energy, and ecological agriculture. Chinese enterprises have helped build and upgrade about 150,000 kilometers of communication backbone networks in Africa that serve 700 million users. The two sides have jointly formulated and released an action plan for the development of digital China-Africa cooperation, which aims to jointly build 10 digital transformation demonstration projects and train at least 1,000 professionals in the digital field. China-Africa cooperation is continuously expanding into emerging fields, injecting strong impetus into Africa's economic transformation and development. Providing Africa with the means for independent development is the aim of China-Africa cooperation. Africa is a continent full of hope, and international cooperation with Africa should help enhance the continent's capabilities in independent development. In recent years, cooperation zones invested and built by China in Africa have helped create industrial clusters and build advantages for industrial development. The two sides have engaged in close exchanges in new technologies, industries and business forms to help enhance Africa's capacity for sustainable development. During the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue held in August of last year, China announced to launch the Initiative on Supporting Africa's Industrialization, the Plan for China Supporting Africa's Agricultural Modernization and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development. These three initiatives focus on the urgent needs of Africa in achieving industrialization, agricultural modernization, and talent development, demonstrating China's support for Africa's development through concrete actions. A local student learns to control a robotic arm under the instruction of a trainer at a Luban Workshop in Ethiopia. (People's Daily/Shen Xiaoxiao) China and Africa are good partners along the path of development and revitalization. They are walking side by side on the path to modernization. African countries are experiencing a new awakening. Models imposed from outside have brought Africa neither stability nor prosperity. African countries need to explore development paths suited to their national conditions and keep their future and destiny firmly in their own hands. In this new historical process, China will continue to stand firmly with Africa and supports an Africa that is truly independent in thinking and ideas. China will assist Africa in building capacity for self-driven development and support faster modernization in Africa. China will work with Africa to promote the synergy between high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Agenda 2063 of the African Union and African countries' development strategies. The two sides will deepen exchanges on experience of governance, and advance cooperation initiatives in line with the development needs of China and Africa in the new era, so as to strive for greater achievements of China-Africa cooperation. Win-win cooperation and happiness for all are what it means to build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. China always complements Africa's development through its own growth, and it is for both China and Africa to pursue win-win cooperation and common development. With top priority given to the interests of Chinese and African peoples, China advances its cooperation with Africa to improve the well-being of Chinese and African peoples and deliver more benefits to them. China will enhance its long-standing friendship and deepen unity and collaboration with Africa to open up new vistas for common development. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) By Bloomberg News Chinese electric car maker BYD Co.s relentless growth is squeezing out smaller rivals, with Li Auto Inc. joining fellow upstart Xpeng Inc. in releasing disappointing earnings. In a stark highlight of their contrasting fortunes, BYD on Wednesday posted a 33 per cent jump in second-quarter profit, while around the same time Li Auto posted a bigger-than-estimated 52 per cent drop in earnings sending its US-listed shares tumbling. Xpeng last week forecast third-quarter revenue well below analyst expectations amid a bruising price war in China. Neither Li Auto or Xpeng have managed to break into the top 10 largest Chinese EV makers by sales. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp BYDs rise to become the dominant force in Chinas auto market, overtaking established western automakers like Volkswagen AG to sell 3 million units last year comes amid a broad slowdown in EV demand globally. Ford Motor Co., Porsche AG and Mercedes-Benz Group AG have all walked back their EV ambitions in recent months, while Tesla Inc. is well off the pace of 1.8 million cars sold last year. In another sign of slowing demand for EVs, automotive researcher J.D. Power said Wednesday that battery-powered models will account for just 9 per cent of sales in the US this year, down from its previous forecast of 12.4 per cent. BYDs result is impressive, as most of its EV peers in China and around the world have been incurring significant losses for some time and are faced with potential liquidity issues, Barclays analysts Jiong Shao and Lian Xiu Duan wrote in a note. You can easily tell from the sales data that top carmakers are accounting for a bigger share now, while low ranked performers may be phased out as soon as in two years, said Yale Zhang, managing director at Shanghai-based consultancy AutoForesight. The consolidation is pushed by the market, and the price war is one of the most effective and cruel methods. ALSO READ: BYD eyes 50% overseas sales after it posts strong first half results BYD has established its dominance in recent years by pioneering battery and hybrid technologies that its deployed across a wide lineup. Offerings include the affordable Seagull hatchback, now one of Chinas best-selling EVs, which starts from 69,800 yuan ($9,800), to the luxury Yangwang supercar series, which sell for more than 1 million yuan. The carmakers growth has also been supported by the popularity of plug-in hybrids, whose sales are increasing at a faster pace than battery EVs. While Tesla may have been the first major EV maker in the China market to slash prices nearly two years ago, BYD has intensified the price war. It cut the prices of its Qin Plus sedan series by about 20,000 yuan in February, forcing other EV manufacturers and legacy automakers to follow suit. BYD isnt immune to the price pressure, but its scale and vertical integration provide crucial support to profitability, and allow it to cut prices more if necessary to squeeze out smaller rivals and accelerate industry consolidation, said Joanna Chen, Bloomberg Intelligences China auto analyst. Chinas best-selling car brand also has ambitions for the global market. In an interview with Bloomberg News on Monday, Executive Vice President Stella Li said she expects international sales to grow to nearly half of BYDs total in the future. Overseas deliveries of passenger vehicles made up about 12 per cent of total as of July. The company is chartering its own fleet of ships to help achieve that goal, with the BYD 01 embarking on export voyages this year. That prospect became more real last Sunday when Israel dispatched 100 warplanes to take out Hezbollah missile launchers and, officials said, thwart a planned assault | Photo: Shutterstock By Dana Khraiche The glass panels shuddered as the two explosions reverberated through the shopping mall. A few people started running to the exit, but most stayed put. It was only Israeli planes breaking the sound barrier, they said to each other. Barely anyone reacted when there was a third. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp We thought this was it, the war had started, Leila, who owns a beauty parlour next to the mall on the outskirts of Beirut, recalled as she filed the nails of a customer. But any dip in business would be short-lived, she said. Youll see, Lebanese people will be back out and everything will go back to normal. Beirut is used to living with the threat of war, and this was a couple of weeks ago. That threat is now getting more acute after Israel launched a preemptive attack on southern Lebanon. But for many in the city, recent events have just been the latest version of normality. Lebanon has been waiting for war since October, when Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah began firing at Israel because of the war in Gaza, itself a response to Hamass assault on the Jewish state. The two sides have been trading fire along the border, exchanges that could spiral into a bigger, broader conflict involving global as well as regional powers. That prospect became more real last Sunday when Israel dispatched 100 warplanes to take out Hezbollah missile launchers and, officials said, thwart a planned assault by the group to avenge an earlier attack. Israel struck Beiruts southern suburbs at the end of July and killed the military chief of Hezbollah, designated a terrorist organisation by the US and UK. Hours later, Iran blamed Israel for killing Hamass political head Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Since the assassinations, the world has been bracing for the repercussions. Flights were suspended in and out of Lebanon and countries including the US, UK, France and Gulf states told their citizens to leave. But for Leila and others in Beirut, it was a case of adding it all to the list of worries. Their economy is still reeling from a financial meltdown in 2019 and then a massive explosion at Beiruts port a year later. The currency is shaky, unemployment hit almost 50 per cent and infrastructure is crumbling. On Aug. 17, state-run power firm Electricite du Liban said it had run out of fuel. An ensuing blackout hit Beirut airport, ports and prisons. Lebanese make fun of themselves and their definition of normal on social media. A meme circulating online summed up their way of living, showing the branded bottle of Absolut Vodka with the words Absolut denial instead. You have to be in your 40s to have much memory of the civil war that made Beirut a byword for Middle East conflict, but the country remained a tinderbox. There was tension with Syria and regular exchanges with Israel, as well as the sporadic sectarian strife that has defined the country for decades. George Beshara, a contractor who lives in the district of Matn, dropped out of school during the civil war and also remembers dodging parts of the city in 2006 when Israel hit the airport and port in response to a Hezbollah attack over the border. Lebanon has always been like that, said Beshara. If Israel goes for war, itd be for a couple of days and then itll be over. That sanguine attitude, though, contrasts with people who had more of a choice. Days after the Israeli strike, barely anything changed as the Lebanese diaspora, one of the largest in the world, flocked for the summer season. Tourist arrivals were up over 100 per cent in June compared with the same month last year. The lights emanating from Sky Bar, one of the most popular nightclubs in the Middle East, lit up the Beirut night. Many others had to turn people away. Cars lined up to get into clubs a few kilometers down the coast from Beirut. Scheduled concerts went ahead. Then the threat of all-out war and travel warnings snuffed out any hope that tourist income would exceed the $5 billion to $7 billion recorded last year, according to the minister responsible for the economy. Welcome to the Lebanese expatriate, the backbone of the economy, read posters glued to several buildings along a highway leading to downtown Beirut. Visitors would have passed them as they joined long queues at the airport, with stories of skyrocketing prices for tickets back to Europe and the US. Ali, a 50-year-old staunch supporter of Amal Movement, Hezbollahs main ally, drives his taxi through Beiruts southern suburbs, one of Hezbollahs traditional strongholds. When he passed through after the Israeli missiles hit, Ali saw barely any traffic for the first time in years. People got scared and moved out, he said. A picture of his brother in military fatigues is fixed on the blades of his cars air conditioning. He died in an airstrike in southern Lebanon earlier this year. Israeli assaults on that region near the border and elsewhere have so far killed at least 500 people, mostly Hezbollah fighters, based on local estimates. Roughly 30 soldiers and 18 civilians have been killed by Hezbollah attacks, according to the Israel Defence Forces. Entering Beirut, a billboard shows an image of a child with torn clothes looking at a destroyed building and reads Enough, were exhausted, with a hashtag Lebanon does not want war. Bashir, a 43-year-old father of two, belongs to a significant portion of society that believes the problem is Hezbollah, which holds great sway over political life in Lebanon and is better armed than the Lebanese military. Leader Hassan Nasrallah said that his group, whose ultimate goal is to destroy Israel, has contained the conflict on the border for the sake of the Lebanese against calls from Palestinians to escalate further. Who is he to make a decision to go to war on my behalf? said Bashir, who, like Leila, declined to be identified by his full name. I didnt ask for this. Bashir still makes his way 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Beirut to south Lebanon every week to check on his house near the border. Many people in that area have grown used to the sounds of the strikes. Theyre now normal, he said. Mastercard today announced its collaboration with Aquapay, a leading enterprise payment solutions provider, to launch Mastercard In Control for Business Travel in India. Designed for issuers of commercial cards, the solution enables virtual card issuance for central travel accounts (lodged cards) through travel management companies (TMCs). Virtual cards for business travel play a key role in driving operational efficiencies, further securing payments, streamlining processes, expanding spending controls, and easing reconciliation of purchase transactions. Mastercard In Control for Business Travel will unlock new avenues for embedded finance in this segment, and further democratize business travel payments by enabling all TMCs to leverage benefits of central travel accounts. Highlighting the significance of the solution for the Indian market, Ravi Datla, Senior Vice President, Customer Solutions, South Asia at Mastercard, said, According to industry estimates, India is the world's ninth-largest market for business travel spending and fourth-largest in the Asia Pacific region. Virtual cards play a significant role in this segment by contributing to a more efficient, secure, and user-friendly payment ecosystem. Mastercard is delighted to collaborate with Aquapay to launch its In Control for Business Travel solution, which will strengthen the value proposition for Aquapay customers with expanded spending controls and improved data capture. Commenting on the collaboration, Nitin Chavan, Chief Executive Officer, Aquapay, said, By leveraging Mastercard In Control for Business Travel, Aquapay would act as both certification layer and virtual card payment specialist especially for medium and small TMCs to cater to their corporate customers. This state-of-the-art and industry-first travel solution for India will create disruption in business travel by ensuring access to cutting-edge financial services with user-friendly digital environments. While virtual card capabilities are currently offered for B2B payments on commercial purchase cards, this solution will offer such capabilities on central travel accounts for business travel payments across India. Thereby adding incremental value to the travel ecosystem with better reconciliation and efficiency, and expanded functionality for all central travel bookings with total flexibility for all payment categories air, hotel, car rental/service, rail and travel manager service fees. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code SEASONED hikers and casual walkers alike have been following in the footsteps of the inspirational 6th century monk St Columbanus. Walkers gathered in St Mullins last week, where they were led out on their pilgrimage by Bishop Denis Nulty, who blessed the launch of the inaugural Columban Way Walk. Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council Fergal Browne described the occasion as momentous. Walkers ready to get underway at St. Mullin's Addressing the gathering, cllr Browne said the creative and inspirational project invites people of all ages and backgrounds to put on their walking boots and take the time to connect with the beauty of the landscape, listen to the sound of nature and follow in the footsteps of the men and women who shaped this landscape and its stories centuries ago. The walk offers visitors the opportunity to connect with nature while embarking on a personal journey of reflection and contemplation along the stunning landscapes of the River Barrow and the Blackstairs Mountains. Celebrating the inaugral Columban Way Walk Modelled on the renowned Camino de Santiago, it features historical sites and landscapes of early Christian Ireland, bringing together communities of different faiths and cultural traditions. The Carlow Walk joins the finished route at Bangor, Co Down as part of a wider national and European Columban Way, spanning eight countries and encompassing over 5,000 kilometres, which cathaoirleach Browne says links us in a very tangible way to our neighbours in Northern Ireland, Britain, France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. We are very fortunate in Carlow that with investment from Carlow County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development the route has been signposted and interpreted fully, he said. Smiles in the sunshine on the inaugral Columban Way walk Locally, the route travels from the 6th century ecclesiastical site of St Mullins along the Barrow Way to the official start of the walk at Mount Leinster, through landscapes that have remained largely unchanged for thousands of years. From there it descends into the village of Myshall before travelling along quiet country roads to Bagenalstown. Here it rejoins the Barrow Way to Leighlinbridge and Carlow to reach Co Kildare. Start of a long journey Participants can choose to walk the entire route, complete the full Co Carlow stretch, or enjoy specific sections for a single or multiple day trip, or indeed, continue along the route to Bangor, where walkers will gather to celebrate World Day of Peace on Saturday 21 September. Given the current situation of conflict in Europe and across the Middle East, organisers are inviting participants to focus on peace, healing and wellbeing. More information is available from Carlow Tourism or Turas Columbanus. Adani Group to set up new cement grinding unit ICR Newsroom By 29 August 2024 Adani Group has announced plans to set up a 2Mta cement grinding unit in Guna, Madhya Pradesh, India. At the same time, the group is going to develop a state-of-the-art propellant production facility at Shivpuri, announced Karan Adani, CEO of Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd. The two projects for the construction of cement grinding and propellant production units, would result in an investment of INR35bn (US$417.2m), and create over 3500 direct and indirect jobs. These announcements were made in an address to the 2024 Regional Industrial Conclave held in Gwalior, in the presence of Chief Minister, Mohan Yadav. Adani added, We are witnessing a remarkable period of progress in India an era of amazing growth. However, this remarkable transformation across the nation is complemented at the state level by exemplary leaders such as Mohan Yadav ji. Under him, Madhya Pradesh is becoming a stand-out example of economic growth. In Madhya Pradesh, Adani Group has already invested INR182bn and created some 12,000 jobs across sectors such as cement, defence, road, thermal power, renewable power and transmission. Published under Its the worst explosion Ive seen in Chattanooga. Those were the words from the late Fire Marshall Mike Quinn after a Thursday morning explosion 50 years ago killed one person and left millions of dollars damage on 9th Street (later re-named Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.) In just a few hours over 250 firefighters and most of the citys firefighting equipment was on the scene. Fire and Police Commissioner Gene Roberts asked for and got assistance from the National Guard. Commissioner Roberts said the investigation pointed to arson as the cause of the explosion and fire that claimed the life of Frank Ratcliff, a janitor. Commissioner Roberts said the 57-year-old's body was discovered after firefighters began sifting through debris. This writers telephone rang early on Aug. 29 with the news from Darrell Patterson who was working the WDOD news desk. Mr. Patterson said extra firefighters were being called to help contain a large fire following an explosion that shook buildings several blocks away. News Free Press Editor Lee S. Anderson said he was on his way to the newspaper office just a few blocks from the explosion. Mr. Anderson said the paper immediately sent a reporter and photographer to the scene after police feared massive causalities. Mr. Anderson, who was always up very early driving from his Missionary Ridge home to the newspaper, also reached in the rear seat of his Corvette. He grabbed his camera and took a few pictures himself. UPI was one of the first outlets to break the news. An explosion wiped out a city block in Chattanoogas black night club district today, killing one man and injuring at least 13. Police said the blast was apparently caused by something other than a bomb but were unable to immediately pinpoint the cause. The explosion occurred at 3:05 a.m., after the nightclubs had closed and shook buildings like an earthquake six blocks away. Firefighter Joe Knowles (who later became the citys fire chief) told the Associated Press the situation could have been a lot worse. He said if it had happened on the weekend the clubs might have been full of people. The morning fire and explosion made national news. CBS TVs Anchor Bob Schieffer introduced the story, Explosion tears through business section and apartments in the black section of a Tennessee city. Our report from Bruce Hall. Police made several arrests including businessman man Sam Pettyjohn, who was later murdered in his Market Street liquor store. The others were acquitted and never served any prison time. Click here for raw footage from WSB TV. * * * Earl Freudenberg can be reached at HeyEarl1971@epbfi.com In July 1925 when the true Trial of the Century took place, the small town of Dayton, Tennessee in Rhea County had a population of 1903 citizens. It would stimulate an upwards increase of at estimated initial crowd of up to 10,000 concerned citizens and visitors. Because of concern over security, Dayton Mayor AP Haggard and Sheriff Robert Harris had sought the help of Tennessee Governor Austin Peay and requested him to send in National Guard troops during the duration of the trial. When that request was denied, the two public officials recruited paid police officers from Chattanooga. Judge John Raulston would later select one of the officers Kelso Rice (1896 to 1986) to serve as court bailiff and maintain order during the trial. One of the early controversies in the trial was the presence of religious signs such as, Prepare to Meet Your Maker, Repent or be Damned, etc, and Read your Bible. Over time, one prominent display at the Rhea County Courthouse while the attorneys were arguing whether the sign should be taken down, bailiff Price admonished the noisy courtroom crowd to quiet down, with probably the worst selection of words in the famous event when he told them, This is no circus. There are no monkeys up here. This is a lawsuit. Let us have order. After the jury's five to nine minute deliberation, finding John Scopes guilty of violating the Butler (Anti-Evolution) Act. Kelso Rice stood beside the defendant in one of the prominent photos while awaiting his sentence of an illegal $100 fine by Judge Raulston, rather than being set by the jury in violation of a Tennessee constitution provision that required any fine over $50 to be set by the jury. Upon the unexpected death in Dayton after the trial of fundamentalist advocate and trial participant for the prosecution, William Jennings Bryan, Kelso Rice would be selected to accompany Bryan's glass topped, flag draped casket on a special Pullman railroad car for transport by rail to Washington, DC for burial in Arlington National Cemetery. In final recognition of Kelso Rice's service by Bryans widow he would be given an ink pen that her husband had used to sign various treaties while serving as United States Secretary of State. Additional ironies of Kelso Rice being selected to be the court bailiff in the Scopes Trial is that Chattanooga and the defense had unsuccessfully tried to move the case away from Dayton, and have it heard at the Memorial Auditorium on McCallie Avenue and to establish federal jurisdiction away from that of the state of Tennessee. ---- If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact him at jsummers@summersfirm.com) The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Librarys Special Collections has been awarded a $3,679 Tennessee Historical Records Advisory Board programming regrant through funding made available by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The grant funds will support an essential project to digitize, describe and publish online the records of the Womans Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) of Chattanooga.These records, which span from 1889 to 1980, offer a unique and invaluable perspective on the temperance movement and the evolving role of women in the public sphere during a transformative period in American history.UTC Manuscripts Archivist Molly Copeland said that Special Collections is dedicated to acquiring, preserving and ensuring equitable access to a diverse array of cultural heritage resources.These collections document the rich history of Chattanooga, the Tennessee Valley and the Southas well as the history of the University.The WCTU of Chattanooga was not just a chapter in a national organization; it was a force for social change in the region, said Ms. Copeland, who will serve as the project director. This grant will allow us to preserve and share these invaluable records, the earliest of which provide insights into how Chattanooga women organized themselves politically and worked to address pressing issues in their community in an era before womens suffrage.Ms. Copeland said that funding from the grant will allow for the hiring of a student assistant to create robust digital object metadata, use a flatbed scanner to digitally capture unedited master images, and deskew and trim derivatives for publication online.The digitization project, set to begin in January 2025, will involve scanning approximately 167 images, including 48 text-based documents and 11 photographs. These materials will be made freely available online, complete with detailed metadata and transcripts, to ensure they are accessible to researchers, historians and the general public.Once digitized, the collection will be available through UTC Digital Collections, providing unrestricted access to these significant historical documents. The project is scheduled for completion by July 2025.The records of the WCTU of Chattanoogaincluding charters of incorporation, bylaws, meeting minutes and photographscapture the history of this institution and its role in the lives of thousands of women over nearly a century.Assistant Head of Collection Services and Director of Special Collections Carolyn Runyon emphasized the broader impact of this project.By digitizing and sharing these records, we are not only preserving the history of a crucial women-led organization in Tennessee but also contributing to a deeper understanding of the temperance movement and the social reform efforts that shaped Chattanooga and the South, Ms. Runyon said. These records offer scholars a rare glimpse into the intersection of gender, politics and social change during a critical era in American history.Founded in 1874, the WCTU was one of the most influential womens organizations of the 19th century, advocating for a wide range of social reforms. While the organization is most famously associated with the temperance movementcampaigning against the consumption and sale of alcoholit also played a significant role in the fight for womens suffrage, labor laws and prison reform.The Chattanooga chapter was deeply involved in the national temperance movement while also addressing local issues specific to the South and specifically the changing social conditions in Chattanoogawhich in the late 19th century was experiencing a boom in population and industry.The WCTU of Chattanooga records hold particular value as they document the Frances Willard Home, the only boarding house for wage-earning women in the U.S. that was owned and operated by a WCTU chapter. The home, named for Ms. Willardthe national WCTU organizations second presidentfollowing her death in 1898, housed over 5,000 young women between 1928 and 1976.The final location of the homea historic building located at 615 Lindsay St. in Chattanooga, just two blocks from the UTC campuswas added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This process is documented within the collection. Erlanger Dermatology has hired Rachel Murray, DO, and announces the reopening of the downtown Chattanooga office, located in the Erlanger Medical Mall in Suite A-445. Dr. Murray is now accepting new patients.Dr. Murray is a Chattanooga native and attended Notre Dame High School. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and attended medical school at Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine. She then completed her residency with HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital where she served as chief dermatology resident, was on the resident advisory board for Florida Academy of Dermatology and presented at various national conferences including the Symposium of Advanced Wound Care, Cosmetic Surgery Forum and ODAC Dermatology, Aesthetic, and Surgery Conference.Officials said, "Dr.Murray is passionate about dermatology. She believes it encompasses the perfect blend of critical thinking, procedural skills and continuity of care. She enjoys treating patients of all skin types and of all ages from newborn to geriatric. She provides services in skin cancer prevention, complex medical dermatology, surgical dermatology and cosmetic dermatology. She enjoys treating a variety of skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis, acne, hidradenitis suppurativa, cutaneous oncology, hair loss, nail disorders, lupus, dermatomyositis, autoimmune blistering disorders, vitiligo, melasma and skin care needs related to the LGBTQ/SGM community. She is passionate about providing an inclusive space where patients can feel safe and seek medical care without judgement."For more information about Dr. Murray and dermatology services, visit erlanger.org/dermatology or call 423-778-5693. The Chattanooga Boys Choir is hosting an open community sing on Tuesday, Sept. 10.Those present will learn, rehearse and record the piece When We Are Singing, an arrangement of the Mexican folk tune Somos del Senor to an original text by Kevin Padworksi. This recording will then be released later in the month in celebration of International Day of Peace.Interested participants are invited to arrive at Second Presbyterian Church, 700 Pine St. by 5:30 p.m. No experience or preparation is required.Those in attendance will be welcomed by a brief performance by members of the Chattanooga Boys Choir.All gathered will then learn and rehearse the song, which will be directed by CBC Artistic Director Vincent Oakes and led by members of the CBC.After approximately 30 minutes of rehearsal, everyone present will make a video recording of the song. This recording will be released through social media outlets on Sept. 21 to coincide with the commemoration of the International Day of Peace.First celebrated in 1982, the International Day of Peace (also World Peace Day) is an initiative sponsored by the United Nations promoting peace across the world (http://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/).The Chattanooga Boys Choir led a similar effort with its first community sing of the South African hymn Ukuthula for the Voice4Peace movement beginning in 2016, resulting in a video that has been viewed tens of thousands of times online. The CBC has continued this effort with community sing recordings of Be the Change, Love Is Love, and more.Mr. Oakes said, I hope that such an effort will show how we have more in common the love of making music and being in community than there is different about us. Singing has provided the soundtrack to the history and struggle for peace throughout the world for centuries, from spirituals to civil rights anthems to songs of protest. We hope to add our voice to this in a substantive and direct way through singing together and building community.Mr. Padworski said, "As a composer, nothing fills me with greater joy than knowing 'When We Are Singing' brings people together in harmony. I am excited that the Chattanooga Boys Choir has chosen to bring people together in this way, which speaks to the meaning of the song. Theres something profoundly human about communal singingit unites us, transcends our differences and reminds us of the beauty in shared voices. In those moments, we not only make music; we create a experience that resonates deeply with our shared humanity. Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly on Thursday unveiled the citys first-ever brand, which was co-created by local talent with input from residents across the community. Watch the video introduction here. Officials said, "The city realized the need for a unifying visual identity as part of the redesign of the city website, which is expected to be finished next month. The citys new brand is a comprehensive toolbox that will flex and grow across city departments, initiatives and agencies in the years to come, unifying what in the past has been a fragmented and discordant public presence. "The city seal, which is part of Chattanoogas city charter, will not change but will begin to return to its proper use as an authenticator in official documents." One of the things I learned in 30 years of business is the power of good branding, said Mayor Kelly. Our lack of branding has caused confusion for Chattanoogans about what is and isnt a city service, and our upcoming website redesign gave us the perfect opportunity to solve this problem. We received a lot of community input, and I think this new branding honors our history while celebrating the progress weve made and looking forward to our bright future.Officials said, "The city solicited feedback from a diverse group of residents and partners about what a future city logo could look like. Those conversations, happening over many months, painted a picture of a community that aspires to be the best in the world, but is still growing from its complicated history of pollution, economic disparity and segregation."It was important to everyone at the table that this was something we did with the community, not something that was thrust upon the community, said Carmen Davis, senior director for Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy. While these conversations take time, it was critical for us to engage with residents in order to get this right."The brand will be phased in over time. Chattanoogans will start to see it soon on city uniforms, vehicles, signs, in parks, on buildings and across our digital footprint," officials said. "The brand is designed as an overall system, or toolbox, that can be deconstructed and reconstructed in various ways depending on the application."About the brand Arrow notch: The notch gives this the feeling of a physical sign, representing our complicated past, and shows forward progress from a little arrow of change to a big arrow of change. The arrow: The right facing arrow of the logo container represents forward movement. Forward from the past. Forward to the future. The type: The geometric sans-serif font represents the rich history of Chattanooga while maintaining a clean, modern appearance. The leaf: Represents nature, clean air and 33 years of being designated a Tree City. The angled lines not only mirror the veins of a leaf, but also reflect the gentle slopes of our mountains and the diverse angles found in our bridges and buildings. The water: Represents the rivers, streams and lakes that course through our city. And the balanced waves signify our community's dynamic energy and ongoing pursuit of equilibrium and unity.Other variants:Stacked logo -Shortened logo - "The final iteration of the brand took shape under the guidance of local talents Steve Hamaker and David Littlejohn, both of whom are accomplished and acclaimed brand creators who have worked on both local and national-scale projects," officials said. My favorite part of this project has been what you dont see the work that we put into visually reflecting both where Chattanooga has been, and where its headed, said Mr. Hamaker, who has now joined the city as director of design. The final product feels like it has weight and industrial roots, while the arrow points to our positive future. And I love that from an identity architecture standpoint, its simple, iconic and incredibly functional. Residents may purchase branded shirts, hats, backpacks and more at cost from cha.city/shop. Audacys 98.1 The Lake (WLND-FM) in Chattanooga will rebrand as Olivia 98.1, Chattanoogas Gold Medal Station, from Friday through Wednesday.The new name will honor hometown weightlifter Olivia Reeves, who won the first gold medal for the United States in 24 years in this sport at the Paris Olympics. Olivia 98.1 will continue to deliver its adult hits format with the addition of tributes to Ms. Reeves journey and her record-breaking achievement.We are thrilled to commemorate Olivia and her extraordinary victory by changing our name to Olivia 98.1 for the holiday weekend, said Nichole Hartman, market president, Audacy Chattanooga.Olivia is a true inspiration to our community, and we are proud to call her one of our own. This name change is a small way for us to champion her incredible accomplishment.The launch of Olivia 98.1 coincides with other local celebrations. Ms. Reeves will throw the first pitch before the Chattanooga Lookouts Red, White, Blue and Gold Day game against the Birmingham Barons on Friday, and the City of Chattanooga will throw a parade in her honor next Tuesday.Listeners can tune in to 98.1 The Lake (WLND-FM) in Chattanooga on air and nationwide on the Audacy app and website. Fans can also connect with the station via X, Facebook and Instagram. A woman was sent to the hospital with burns from the scene of a house fire in Lupton City on Thursday afternoon. Chattanooga Fire Department Green Shift companies were dispatched at 1:39 p.m. to a residence in the 3500 block of Northrop Street which is close to Fire Station 16, allowing for a fast response from Engine 16 and other units. Heavy smoke was coming from the back of the structure and firefighters made a quick attack. The back porch was damaged, but CFD personnel effectively prevented the flames from causing extensive damage to the rest of the house. Crews then checked for extension and targeted hot spots. One resident was transported to the hospital with burns on her hands and feet. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The American Red Cross will be assisting impacted residents. Engine 16, Engine 12, Ladder 19, Squad 19, Engine 11, Battalion 2, Battalion 3, and CFD Investigations responded. Angelina Jolie's backless dress at the Venice Film Festival exposed several of her tattoos for the first time in years. Angelina Jolie tends to wear more modest clothing these days. The 49-year-old often dons gorgeous gowns draped in luxurious materials, as evidenced by several of her media appearances in 2024. However, the A-list actor occasionally bares her shoulders and back, showing off the extensive tattoos shes added over the years. Angelina Jolie at the 2021 premiere of The Eternals; Jolie in April 2024; Jolie at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival | Samir Hussein/WireImage; Jason Howard/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images; Stefania DAlessandro/WireImage How many tattoos does Jolie have in total? Fans say over 20. Recently, the Malificient star wore a backless dress to the 81st Venice International Film Festival, giving us more tattoo details than weve seen from Jolie in a long time. Angelina Jolie at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival in Italy | Franco Origlia/Getty Images; Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images In total, Jolie likely has over 20 tattoos ranging from GPS coordinates to a 12-inch-long Bengal tiger. The ones featured on her back are some of her most obscure pieces, given that she often covers up her upper half. However, the the mother of six attended a photocall for the psychological drama Maria in Venice, Italy, on August 29, 2024. As she exited the event via boat, Jolies black backless dress showed off her ink. Angelina Jolie at the Maria photocall at the 81st International Venice Film Festival | Daniele Venturelli/WireImag; Marco Bertorello/AFP via Getty Image First, reports Pop Sugar, Jolie has Know Your Rights tattooed across the top of her back, below her neck. The empowering statement is the title of one of her favorite songs by The Clash. To the left and slightly down her back is an intricate Buddhist Pali incantation written in Khmer script. Meant to protect her and her son, Maddox, from bad luck, it allegedly reads, May your enemies run far away from you. If you acquire riches, may they remain yours always. Your beauty will be that of Apsara. Wherever you may go, many will attend, serve, and protect you, surrounding you on all sides. Angelina Jolie on August 29, 2024 in Venice, Italy | Gisela Schober/Getty Images The other three designs tattooed on the middle of Jolies back represent four continents. While filming First They Killed My Father in Cambodia, the Mr. and Mrs. Smith star had the pieces tattooed using steel rods mounted with a surgical steel needle. The design to the far right supposedly brings wealth and luck. Another involves a Buddhist temple design. The largest tattoo in the middle of her back represents the classical elements of earth, water, air, and fire. Angelina Jolie leaves Palazzo del Casino in Venice, Italy | Gisela Schober/Getty Images One back tattoo wasnt completely exposed at the Venice Film Festival. Jolies Bengal tiger tattoo honors her Cambodian citizenship. In 2004, the Girl, Interrupted star got the 12-inch piece done using a traditional Thai style of tattooing with a manual needle. You can see the top of the tiger in the photo above. Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton on July 31, 2001; Angelina Jolie on August 29, 2024 | Steve Granitz/WireImage; Alessandra Benedetti Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images Jolie used to have a dragon tattooed on her upper left arm with the name Billy Bob over the top. However, she removed this piece when she and Billy Bob Thronton got divorced in 2003 after three years of marriage. The Maria star replaced it with the GPS coordinates of each of her childrens birthplaces. German companies use artificial intelligence (AI) more frequently than the EU average. However, this usage has stagnated since 2021, according to a recent study by ZEW Mannheim for the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. AI is increasingly gaining attention in public discourse and is considered the defining technological trend. Against this background, it is surprising that AI usage in companies has only grown by one percentage point since 2021. Nevertheless, Germany performs well in the European comparison, explains Dr. Christian Rammer, author of the study and deputy head of ZEWs Economics of Innovation and Industrial Dynamics Unit. AI stagnation in Germany surprising In 2023, 12 per cent of companies in Germany used AI in their business activities, up from 11 per cent in 2021. This slight increase is primarily attributed to the information and communication sector as well as the trade sector. Considering the overall positive impact of AI on productivity and the dynamic development of its applications, particularly generative AI such as ChatGPT, one would have expected much faster adoption of AI in businesses. Figures should be treated with caution However, there are signs that the figures should be taken with a pinch of salt: In 2023, 5 per cent of all companies reported no AI use, despite having indicated AI use in previous surveys. These companies have either stopped using AI in the meantime, or AI processes have become such an integral part of their operations that respondents didnt consider them noteworthy. If we include these companies, we see a significant rise in AI usage in 2023 compared to 2021, Rammer explains. IT, legal and accounting services lead in AI use The industry group with the highest proportion of companies using AI is IT services (42%). Much of the AI activity in this sector is driven by the development and commercialisation of new AI applications. This is followed by legal and accounting services (36%), which often use AI to automate the processing or creation of documents. Research and development (R&D) is on a par, where AI is most commonly used for data analysis and modelling. Other sectors with high AI adoption include banking (34%), management consulting (27%), broadcasting and telecommunications (26%), and media, including publishing, film and recording studios (26%). AI use above average but not leading In 2023, the EU average for AI adoption in companies was eight per cent. In Germany, the figure is 11.6 per cent. EU countries with higher AI adoption in the business sector include Denmark, Finland, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Some of the deadliest diseases to have ravaged humankind were spread to us by animals. For instance, rats are notorious for being disease carriers and have long been blamed for spreading the Black Plague that killed millions of people across Europe. In addition, many experts believe that bats carried the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a new study shows that its actually more common for humans to infect animals with illnesses rather than the other way around. In fact, humans pass on twice as many viruses to animals than animals give to us. The results of the analysis can help scientists be better prepared for future virus outbreaks. By surveying and monitoring transmission of viruses between animals and humans, in either direction, we can better understand viral evolution and hopefully be more prepared for future outbreaks and epidemics of novel illnesses, while also aiding in conservation efforts, Francois Balloux, a co-author of the study, said. In the study, researchers analyzed nearly 12 million viral genome sequences across 32 viral families, examining their evolution as they jumped to different hosts. Not all the sequences had data on when they were collected or what host species they were from. So, the researchers narrowed the 12 million down to 60,000 fully complete sequences. Overall, they identified almost 3,000 jumps between species, with 599 of them involving humans. After examining the 599 host jumps, they determined that 64 percent of them were from humans to domestic or wild animals, known as anthroponosis, and 36 percent were transmitted by animals to humans, which is called zoonosis. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Before Christopher Columbus arrived in the Bahamas, many of the islands were occupied by the little-known Lucayan people. The Lucayans were Indigenous people who were part of the larger Taino group. They were the first Native Americans encountered by Columbus on his 1492 voyage. After European settlers landed on their island, the Lucayans vanished. On October 12, 1492, Columbus reached an island in the Bahamas that he named San Salvador. There, he came into contact with the Lucayans. At the time, they had an estimated population of 20,000 to 40,000 people. They had been living in the area for at least 600 years before Columbus discovery. He described them as friendly and peaceful, noting their willingness to trade and their unfamiliarity with warfare. The Lucayan society was organized into a hierarchy. Communities were led by chiefs who were responsible for political and religious matters. Social roles and responsibilities were assigned based on ones status in the society. The Lucayans practiced agriculture, gathering, and fishing, making good use of the marine resources around the islands. They exported crops such as cotton and tobacco for trade. They also lived in villages in wooden homes with thatched roofs made from palm leaves and branches. Some of these homes could accommodate up to 20 family members. For recreation, they enjoyed singing, dancing, and drinking beer. The Lucayan lifestyle came to an end following Columbus arrival. Within 25 years, the Lucayan population was decimated by disease and enslavement. The Spanish captured them by using their religious beliefs against them, luring them onto ships under the pretense that they would be transported to an eternal paradise. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. In Mexico, a pre-Hispanic victim of child sacrifice had parents who were unusually closely related. The childs remains were found in a burial during excavations conducted in the late 1950s and 1960s at an archaeological site called Paquime. The site is located in the northwestern Mexican state of Chihuahua. Despite the discovery taking place decades ago, it is the first time that a genetic study has been performed on the child. Radiocarbon dating suggests the child lived between A.D. 1301 and 1397 and was two to five years old at the time of death. According to the authors of the study, the child may have been sacrificed as part of a ritual by an elite family to consecrate a particular building and grow their wealth and power. Paquime is also known as Casas Grandes, and it is one of the largest and most significant archaeological sites in the region, from Northwest Mexico to the Southwest United States. Most of what is known about the site was discovered during the initial excavations in the mid-20th century. At its peak, which was from around A.D. 1200 to 1450, Paquime was the hub of the pre-Hispanic Mogollon culture and the sociopolitical center for the Northwest/Southwest region. The site consisted of massive adobe structures, monumental architecture including cruciform and serpent-shaped mounds, an underground well, an aqueduct, large roasting pits, plazas, and millions of artifacts, including shell and other exotic goods imported from hundreds of miles away, said Jakob Sedig, the lead author of the study with Harvard University. Although extensive investigations have been conducted at the site, not much information about the social organization and genetic makeup of the population was found. The hot climate of northern Mexico causes ancient DNA to deteriorate rapidly. So, archaeologists were still unclear about how the inhabitants of Paquime were biologically related to each other and their neighbors. DNA analysis of any remains from Paquime would be helpful in answering such questionsso thats what researchers did. They already knew that the burial of the Paquime child was unique since it was located beneath the support beam of a roof in a building called the House of the Well. The building was believed to be a ceremonial center due to the ritual items found within and its connection to a sacred underground well. When taken together, it suggests that the child was from a lineage of high status. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Home News Christian brothers charged with blasphemy in Pakistan, face life in prison Two Christian brothers in Pakistan were arrested and charged with blasphemy on Tuesday after they were accused of desecrating pages of the Quran, sources said. Tabish Shahid and Kalu Shahid, 18-year-old sons of Shahid Masih of Kalay Wala Tehsil, Kasur District, Punjab Province, were arrested on the complaint of a Muslim, Ghulam Mustafa, after the illiterate brothers were alleged to have torn pages of the Quran. Desecrating the Quran carries a life sentence in Muslim-majority Pakistan, but intent must be proven for a conviction. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Mustafa alleged that on Monday night the brothers desecrated quranic pages at a local village fair. The boys were making TikTok videos by throwing fake currency notes and bits of paper during the annual Urs [anniversary] at the shrine of Baba Ronaq Shah when some locals noticed quranic verses on the torn paper, Mustafa stated in the First Information Report (FIR) registered under Section 295-B of Pakistans widely condemned blasphemy statutes. Sajid Christopher of the Human Friends Organization said the brothers were illiterate and belonged to a poor family. Tabish and Kalu had gone to the shrine to watch the Urs celebrations and make TikTok videos, Christopher told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. When they saw other people throwing money into the air in jubilation, the boys thought of having some fun. Due to their illiteracy and ignorance, the two did not realize that they had inadvertently torn pages of a quranic booklet placed nearby. Family members of the young men surrendered them to the police after officials took their mother and a maternal uncle into custody, Christopher said. Their father Shahid Masih worked at a brick kiln, but he had recently started working as a mason, he said. The boys had also begun working at a local factory just a few days before this incident. Christopher said the family contacted his organization for legal support, which engaged a Muslim lawyer, Chaudhry Imtiaz, to defend the brothers. Stressing the need to raise awareness about the threat of blasphemy accusations among the illiterate poor, Christopher said many accused Christians lack basic education. While its true that a majority of blasphemy allegations arise from personal disputes and rivalries, there are instances where Christians have found themselves in trouble due to their illiteracy, Christopher said. Church and civil society organizations should focus on this aspect as well to prevent people from getting implicated in these cases. Mustafa alleged in his FIR that the incident had hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims. Local sources on condition of anonymity told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News that some Christian families in the village fled their homes due to fears of violence. The situation has normalized now after the boys surrendered to police, but there were fears that Islamist groups may target their homes, a source said. In Jaranwala Tehsil of Faisalabad District, Punjab Province, a Muslim mob on Aug. 16, 2023, ransacked 25 churches and more than 80 homes of Christians after two brothers were accused of desecrating the Quran and writing blasphemous content. The brothers were discharged from the case after eight months after it was found that they had been falsely accused by another Christian. Nearly 3,000 persons have been accused of blasphemy since 1987, according to the Center for Social Justice. The actual scale of abuse of these laws may be three to four times higher, it noted in a report. It stated that hundreds of accused were incarcerated last year in Pakistan, with 552 detained in prisons in Punjab Province alone. In June 2024, at least 350 persons were behind bars, according to the report, adding that 103 new persons had been accused of blasphemy between January and June 2024. Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year. This article was originally published by Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News. Home News Former mob boss preaches at Greg Laurie's church, encourages healthy fear of eternal damnation Michael Franzese, an ex-mob boss-turned-outspoken Christian author and speaker, delivered a message at Pastor Greg Laurie's California-based megachurch Sunday and stressed the importance of possessing a "healthy" fear of Hell and eternal damnation. As a former second-generation member of the Colombo Italian-American Mafia crime family in New York, Franzese previously lived his life on the wrong side of the law. He once held a caporegime rank, an influential role that gave him control over a "crew of soldiers." Working alongside his father, Sonny Franzese, he stole money and engaged in other criminal activities. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe After being arrested on 18 different occasions, Franzese served eight years in prison before he was ultimately released in 1994. During his time behind bars, a prison guard gave him a Bible, enabling him to discover the good news of Jesus Christ. Speaking at Laurie's Harvest Christian Fellowship, the former Mafia "prince" shared how he developed a "healthy fear of Hell" as a former inmate in solitary confinement. "When I was in prison, I spent 29 months and seven days in solitary confinement [in a] six-by-eight cell, 24/7. Me and God. That's not easy. We weren't meant to be solo creatures. We were meant to be social. [When] those lights [went] out at night, a lot of guys did not do well; a lot of moaning and groaning," Franzese recounted. "I dove into my Bible. I prayed every day. It was my closest time with the Lord because I had no choice. That was it. And thank God, I turned to Him and nowhere else. But you know what happened in that hole? I developed a healthy fear of Hell." Franzese encouraged the crowd to envision the reality of Hell's existence. "I want you to stop for a minute and think of the worst thing that you've ever encountered in your life and realize that that worst thing will never go away. This is your constant thorn in your side forever. And now put yourself in Hell, which is a million times worse and will never end. That's Hell," Franzese preached. "[The] Bible is very descriptive. I'm not bringing you bad news. I'm just telling you the truth. The good news is we don't have to go there. There is a Heaven, and there is a Hell." He said that it is good to have a healthy fear of anything that can potentially be harmful to a person and shared how his sister died of a drug overdose at the age of 27 and how his brother struggled with drug addiction for 25 years. After seeing what happened to his siblings, Franzese developed a "healthy fear of drugs." "My father drummed into my head from the time I was a kid that drugs were bad," Franzese shared. "I've seen so many people die because of drugs. I'm afraid of drugs. I don't mind saying it. I never even smoked a joint because I'm afraid I'll like it. I don't want to be addicted, so I stay away from it. It's good to have a healthy fear of things that are no good for you. That's manly. That's a man's man that can resist that kind of stuff," he added. Although Franzese said it is "good" to recognize God's call to confess, repent, believe and evangelize, he stressed the importance of sharing the truth in a loving way. "Jesus was direct when He had to be, but He had a knack for communicating with gentleness," he contended. "Today, our culture seems to celebrate men who speak their mind and pull no punches as if being a bully is an admirable trait. On the contrary, Jesus Himself said, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.'" Franzese emphasized the importance of "gentleness" when sharing difficult truths with non-believers, adding: "Every time I [share] my testimony, I always go into the back room and I pray and I say: 'Lord give me the right words. Let me be effective. Let me be passionate enough in delivering this message so that You can reach out and touch the hearts that You want to touch in this room.'" In concluding his sermon, Franzese urged audience members to consider giving their lives to Christ before it's too late. "We are living in crazy times," he reminded. "We don't know from one minute to the next what's going to happen in this life. We really don't. And I'm telling you, I've seen people that I love with me one day, gone the next. Shocking. We don't know. We're not guaranteed anything. And what are you waiting for? Why would you want to test it?" "Why would you even want to think that maybe I'm not ready to go to Heaven? Why? I told you what the benefit is of emulating Jesus Christ. It's a win-win situation. You can't lose. The only way you lose is if you don't confess your sins and accept Jesus as your Savior. But in every other way, you win." Home News Buying cocaine, preaching Jesus: How the 'Undercover Pastor' kept faith in Christ despite darkness, temptation For over 20 years, Dale Sutherland ministered to youth in Washington, D.C., while leading a double life that led to various brushes with death. As an undercover narcotics officer during the height of the crack cocaine wars in the 1980s and early '90s, he would sometimes pose as a pimp, a drug buyer or someone involved in plotting murder. "It was crazy in the sense that I would be telling kids what not to do while at church, and then in the evening, I would be out there in these clubs," Sutherland told The Christian Post. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "I didn't always work at clubs, but sometimes we did, and there was always alcohol around. And certainly, I also worked a lot of prostitution. I even worked undercover as a pimp for a while." Having since retired from the police force, Sutherland now serves as a pastor at the CityLight Church in Falls Church, Virginia. He is also dedicated to trying to ease the tensions between police and civilians through his nonprofit, Code 3 Association. He recently launched a new partnership with God Behind Bars to provide hundreds of thousands of prisoners access to his ministry through iPads. While not many youth pastors are also narcotics officers, Sutherland felt the job was something he needed to do. While attending Washington Bible College in Maryland, Sutherland felt called to minister to urban youth in the nation's capital, not because of a similar background but because of a genuine desire to serve. His original plan was to work as a police officer for two years to learn more about life on the street, thinking this would better equip him to minister to urban youth. "The calling thing is always a funny thing," Sutherland said. "I can't say that I ever had, you know, a dream or a moment or something like that where I said, 'This is what I have to do.'" "But I tried to follow the Lord closely, ask for his direction, and follow what the Lord wanted me to do. But I would say the clarity was around the idea that I really thought I was needed working in the city." Once he joined the D.C. Police, Sutherland loved the job. He spent 20 years as an officer before retiring in 2013. In 2001, Sutherland began his career as a youth pastor with McLean Bible Church in Virginia, later assuming the role of lead pastor and director of outreach. "I always did multiple jobs at the same time," he said, laughing. Four months into his police job, Sutherland was transferred into the vice unit to assist. He did his first undercover buy in August 1988. He recalled the extent of his training for conducting a drug bust consisted of a senior officer instructing him, "Walk in and buy drugs." While the pastor maintained his faith in God despite crossing into such a sinful world, Sutherland said the work was sometimes spiritually challenging because he witnessed many horrifying things during undercover cases. During one undercover operation, Sutherland once pretended he was looking to hire a hitman. While planning the murder with two other people, a man and a woman who didn't know Sutherland was a cop suggested cutting off the head of the intended victim. Sutherland had many close calls where he almost lost his life. In 1992, the officer grew close with a young informant who approached law enforcement after some criminals killed his uncle. Sutherland became friends with the young man, who was only in his 20s, building a relationship by talking and praying with him. The plan was for the informant to introduce Sutherland to the criminals as a buyer, but the situation took a tragic turn. "We were supposed to buy two ounces of crack, but we were late; otherwise, they would have been there waiting for us," the former officer explained. "Had we been on time, they would have killed both of us." After arriving 45 minutes late, the informant stepped out of the car he arrived in with Sutherland to meet with the criminals in another vehicle. The men in the opposite car shot the informant dead. "And it was tough that day because, you know, you're with the guy, and then I'm up at the hospital looking at his body, and I can remember bullet holes from his neck down to his ankles," Sutherland said. But despite the darkness, Sutherland never lost faith in God. "I realized how final this life is," he continued, "and Christ really is the only answer because we have no guarantees of what's going to happen tomorrow or even later today." Confronted with violence and death, the pastor stated that the Lord was still gracious, even when he became immersed in a world that did not adhere to Christian values. If anything, Sutherland's faith was strengthened, and he meditated on God's word daily during this period of his life. "Walking with the Lord, talking to him along the way, and keeping Godly counsel by going to church, you know, all those things really kept me focused on God," Sutherland said. "But it was challenging. Definitely. And I'm just as rotten as anybody else, so I certainly was tempted by the things of the world." In February, the pastor started a podcast titled "Cops, Criminals, and Christ" to highlight the power of faith in the world of law enforcement and crime. Through his other ministry, The Undercover Pastor, Sutherland produces podcasts, weekly blog posts and other content intended to bring people closer to the Lord. He has also partnered with God Behind Bars to help prison inmates access the ministry. While the partnership between the two organizations is new, Sutherland said they have seen at least 300 inmates come into the faith within the first month. "In my police career, I used to lock people up, but now, in my ministry career, we're setting people free," the pastor said. Home News Jewish professors seek freedom from union accused of antisemitism: 'Cruel and oppressive' A group of Jewish professors petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to free them from the representation of a union they view as antisemitic because it maligned Israel as an apartheid state and defended the anti-Israel protests at Columbia University, among other actions. The six professors at the City University of New York, five of whom are observant Jews, contend that they have the right to disassociate from the Professional Staff Congress union, but New York law forces them to accept the unions representation. The Fairness Center, along with the National Right to Work Foundation, filed a lawsuit in 2022 on the professors behalf. The lawsuit argues that forcing the professors to accept representation from the union is a violation of their First Amendment rights. Last year, the professors appealed the case in appeals courts, and earlier this year, the case made its way to the Supreme Court. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe In response to an inquiry from The Christian Post, a PSC spokesperson dismissed the lawsuit as meritless. It has been brought by members of the CUNY faculty who are not members of the PSC and who are funded by the anti-union National Right to Work Legal Foundation in another attempt to eliminate unions, the spokesperson stated. Representing every worker in a shop is fundamental to a unions power. Its what makes the workers power collective and gives them the combined strength to win better pay and working conditions. The spokesperson argued that appeals courts have already ruled that public sector unions acting as an exclusive bargaining unit for all employees is not a First Amendment violation. PSCs spokesperson added that right-to-work executives are scared of a reported increase in support for unions. So, theyre distorting the deeply held convictions and pain that some PSC members feel about Israel and Palestine to leverage their anti-union agenda and are using it to recycle the same failed legal arguments, the spokesperson concluded. Just last week, the Goldwater Institute think-tank filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the professors. The conservative and libertarian think-tank called it cruel and oppressive to coerce someone to associate what the institute described as ideologically driven organizations. In its brief, the Goldwater Institute highlighted a 2021 PSC resolution that accused Israel of apartheid, suggesting the Palestinians situation is similar to the racism Indigenous people and people of color have faced in the United States. The union also condemned what it believes is a massacre of Palestinians by Israel. Earlier this year, anti-Israel activists set up a series of encampments on college campuses in response to Israels war against the terror group Hamas. Jewish students at multiple schools reported that they experienced antisemitic harassment and intimidation from the activists. Students at Columbia University took over a building on campus, while demonstrators at UCLA prevented Jewish or pro-Israel students from accessing certain areas of the school. The anti-Israel demonstrations on college campuses throughout the country resulted in multiple arrests. In April, PSC condemned Columbia University for allowing the New York Police Department to arrest the students protesting on campus. The union claimed that freedom of speech rights have come under increasing attack, citing as an example recent congressional hearings questioning university leaders about addressing antisemitism on campus. As faculty and staff who work to develop students into critical thinkers and active participants in a pluralistic democracy, PSC members have a responsibility to challenge the forces now casting student protest as adjacent or even antithetical to higher education, the union stated. Student safety and freedom from harassment on campus are achievable without resorting to the forcible removal of peaceful protestors. Home Opinion Apologetics is the gateway to reaching spiritual Gen Z At a time when the American Christian population continues to decline with a Gallup poll suggesting that church membership has dropped below 50% and a Pew Research Center study projecting that less than half of Americans will identify as Christian by 2070 you would be forgiven for thinking that younger generations are becoming more secular. However, this is not what we see happening in reality. Repeated surveys have shown that interest in spirituality is in fact on the rise among Gen Z. Research from Springtide Institute in 2023 found that one in three Gen Z adults believe in a higher power, up from one in four only two years prior. And a UK study by Theos Think Tank found Gen Z (57%) are more likely to believe that religion has a place in the modern world than any other generation. My own research has found that worldwide, 200 people each second type Is God real? into search engines, begging the question: why? Why do some people seem to have such inbuilt spiritual urges? And is this seemingly innate interest in spirituality evidence in and of itself that God exists? Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Our longing for the transcendent can be a clue that the transcendent or God does exist. As C. S. Lewis said, Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exist. American philosopher Douglas Groothuis said: We all experience a deep sense of yearning or longing for something that the present natural world cannot fulfill something transcendently glorious. If God created us in His image, it makes sense that we would have a natural longing to connect with Him. I was an atheist trained in journalism and law, and I lived a lifestyle consistent with the idea that there is no God or eternal repercussions for how we conduct ourselves. When my wife became a Christian, I wanted to rescue her from this cult by disproving the faith, especially the resurrection of Jesus, which I recognized as the foundation of Christianity. I spent two years using my journalism and legal training to systematically investigate the faith. I reached my verdict on November 8, 1981, when I realized that in light of all of the evidence for Christianity, it would take more faith to maintain my atheism than to become a follower of Jesus. In the years since, I have written several books on my findings, many of which I will be speaking about at the Hope Together Conference in Dallas Fort Worth in September with Hope for the Heart. We live in a world dominated by the philosophy of scientific materialism, which rules out the existence of a supernatural or spiritual realm, causing many people, including Gen Zs, to rule out the possibility of God at the outset. It also rules out using spiritual arguments to convince people that Christianity is real. But when you look at the implications of cosmology, physics, and our genetic code, they provide compelling scientific evidence for a divine Creator. For example, one of the most cogent arguments for God is that whatever begins to exist has a cause; we now know that our universe began to exist at some point in the past; therefore, there must be a cause behind the universe. What kind of a cause could bring a universe into existence? It must be transcendent because it exists apart from creation; immaterial or spirit, because it existed before the physical world; timeless or eternal, since it existed before time was created; powerful, given the immensity of the creation event; smart, given the precision of the creation event; personal because it had to decide to create; creative, given the beauty and complexity of the universe; caring or loving, because it so purposefully created a habitat for us to flourish in; and the scientific principle of Occams Razor says there would be just one creator. If that is not a description of the God of the Bible, then I dont know what is. Of course, there are still objections to Christianity, and I address two of the biggest: If God is real, why is there suffering and why does He seem so hidden? In my latest book Is God Real? Exploring the Ultimate Question of Life. Im seeing more and more people from all generations reaching out for hope amid this turbulent and troubling world, and this book seeks to build a robust case not just for the existence of a higher power, but for the specific existence of the God of Christianity. Police detective J. Warner Wallace, an atheist who also became a Christian because he investigated the faith, said that evangelism in the 21st century is spelled A-P-O-L-O-G-E-T-I-C-S. I believe he was being a bit hyperbolic for effect, but hes on the right track. Because of the rise of the internet and secularization of our culture, many people in Gen Z and Gen Alpha (those under the age of 12) have what I call spiritual sticking points doubts or objections that hinder them in their path toward God. Apologetics can help clear away those impediments. For Christian parents and church leaders worried that their children will eventually leave the faith, this does not mean that you must become apologetics experts. Focus instead on living out a consistent and authentic Christian faith in front of them. Values are caught more than taught, and young people need to see us having an active and honest relationship with God to ground their understanding as to what we believe as well as why we believe it. Second, let young people know its okay to have questions and doubts. If they hold these things in, they can erode them from the inside, but when they feel free to openly discuss their questions and concerns, these doubts tend to lose their power over them. My wife and I created a safe time right before bed when our kids could ask whatever questions were bothering them. We wanted to create a healthy environment in which there was no stigma in expressing any objections or doubts. I think it worked our son is now a theology professor at a seminary! Im optimistic about faith among younger generations. As society becomes more secularized, people are becoming more honest about where they stand. When I was a kid, virtually everyone claimed they were Christians but were they? Of course not. My friend Greg Stier, who leads an evangelistic ministry for young people, put it this way: The bad news is that Gen Z is flat on its back, knocked down by sadness, loneliness, and anxiety. The good news is that this sense of hopelessness is resulting in an increased openness to seeking spiritual answers. My friend Shane Pruitt, who travels the country to present the gospel to high school and college students, said: Ive personally seen more college students and teens start following Jesus in the last three years than in the previous eighteen years of ministry combined. God loves this next generation of young people and we do, too. We need to commit to bringing them the only message in the universe that can bring true hope and eternal security. To hear me speak in more detail about these issues sign up for the Hope Together Conference 2024 by visiting: www.hopetogether.com/ Home Opinion The 2024 Democratic platform is more extreme than the draft The final version of the Democratic Partys 2024 Platform has added references calling transgender procedures medically necessary, claiming that Christian schools may further discrimination, shifting blame on the U.S. border to the previous administration, and promising American children a more multilingual education. The platform maintains its promises to keep fighting parents efforts to keep pornographic books out of childrens hands, expanding abortion nationwide, and promoting transgender procedures for children and prisoners. Delegates to the 2024 Democratic National Committee in Chicago adopted the revised platform last week inside Chicagos United Center. The final version contains minor modifications from the draft platform, which was released on July 13 and obtained by Politico. At that time, Joe Biden remained the presumptive Democratic Party presidential candidate. Curiously, the 2024 Democratic Party Platform did not update the previous versions references to the nominees name: It contains 20 references to 2024 being an election for Joe Bidens second term. For example, the 2024 platform states, In his second term, President Biden will continue to support access to FDA-approved medication abortion and stand with Ukraine. It contains less than 10 references to Kamala Harris in an individual capacity, rather than conjoined with Joe Biden or as part of the Biden-Harris administration. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Yet the alterations made between the two drafts indicate a Democratic Party moving ever further to the Left. The revised platform added a brand new promise not to average citizens but to the transgender industry: Democrats will vigorously oppose state and federal bans on gender-affirming health care and respect the role of parents, families, and doctors not politicians in making health care decisions. Yet Minnesota Governor and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz (D) signed a bill disrespecting the role of parents in their childrens health care by allowing children whose parents will not allow them to undergo transgender procedures to flee to Minnesota, a sanctuary where the state will reassign custody until the child has undergone a transition against his/her parents wishes. Walz also signed a bill outlawing so-called conversion therapy, even if parents and children want it. The 2024 Democratic Party Platform doubles down on transgender procedures, adding that Biden protected transgender Americans access to health care and coverage, including medically necessary gender-affirming care (emphasis added). The platform also strengthened promises to come after individuals accused of holding the wrong positions on hot-button issues. The revised platform changed its promise of protecting LGBT children from bullying and assault to stopping anti-LGBT bullying and discrimination (emphasis added). The platform still mentions the partys intent to prosecute hate crimes, noting, The Justice Department is taking an all-of-department approach to protecting LGBT rights. That promise may be directed at Christian schools, which may lose federal funding for holding to biblical morality under the vague language of the 2024 Democratic Party Platform. A new section added to the platform states: We oppose the use of private-school vouchers, tuition tax credits, opportunity scholarships, and other schemes that divert taxpayer-funded resources away from public education. Public tax dollars should never be used to discriminate (emphasis added). Teachers unions and LGBT pressure groups have accused Christian schools of discrimination, because they do not allow teachers who flout biblical morality to set that example for their students, or because they do not allow GSA Networks clubs like the one Tim Walz founded in his high school, which promotes transgender transitions without parental notification. Traditional Christianity teaches that ones biological sex is unalterable, a gift from God, and should be treasured, as well as opposing all sexual activity outside biblical marriage. The revised platform also deals with language, promising a greater cacophony inside public schools: [W]ere working to provide every student with a pathway to multilingual education, while ensuring equitable access to a high-quality education for English learners, whove historically been underserved. The revised platform pledges to tax U.S. citizens and their communities to facilitate giving U.S. citizenship to non-citizen immigrants. A new sentence states the Harris administration will also help to fund community-based organizations that host clinics to assist with immigration cases. Seemingly, the revised platform added references to the LGBT movement wherever possible. The revised platform adds that not only did President Joe Biden pardon gay veterans, but he pardoned approximately 2,000 gay, lesbian, and bisexual veterans who were convicted years ago just for being themselves (emphasis added). Again, President Biden expanded funding for campus sexual assault prevention and is keeping students safe on campus by restoring and strengthening protections under Title IX, including explicit protections for LGBT students (emphasis added). At other times, it worsens the reputation of those who disagree. It notes that Biden and Harris reversed Trumps un-American ban on transgender service members and ended the disgraceful and discriminatory ban on blood donation by gay and bisexual men (emphasis added). It also replaced the term gay with the ever-more expansive LGBT. The platform still contains its promise to expand taxpayer-funded abortion-on-demand nationwide: With a Democratic Congress, we will pass national legislation to make Roe [v. Wade] the law of the land again We will repeal the Hyde Amendment. And in his second term, President Biden will continue to support access to FDA-approved medication abortion, appoint leaders at the FDA who respect science and appoint judges who uphold fundamental freedoms. A second abortion-related plank invokes the so-called Equal Rights Amendment, a relic of the 1970s feminist movement led by Gloria Steinem. Democrats will fight to make the Equal Rights Amendment the law of the land, although the never-ratified ERA has been interpreted to codify both a constitutional right to abortion and womens eligibility for the military draft. At times, the revision nods toward reality. It edits a sentence saying the cost of living can still feel too high to say the cost of living is too high. The revision specifies that national rent control is coming in a Harris-Walz administration. A new sentence states that their housing policy offers corporate landlords a basic choice for the next two years: either cap rent increases at 5 percent, or lose a valuable federal tax break. The new platform added another line on housing policy: And we will go after negligent landlords who dont maintain basic habitability standards. We will also crack down on those who violate the Fair Housing Act, and on landlords who discriminate against low-income and minority renters and people with housing vouchers. The Obama-Biden administration ignored written law and interpreted the Fair Housing Act as though it applied to people who identify as transgender. If you are renting out a room in your home but do not want your children sharing a bathroom with a trans-identifying male, you could become the target of a federal lawsuit. A new section also alleges that former President Donald Trump and his allies benefit directly from the housing shortage. The language does soften some of its anti-Trump rhetoric in light of the July 13 assassination attempt. Rather than saying, Trump is a greater danger to democracy than ever, the revised platform states, Trump refuses to defend core tenets of our democracy: the Constitution, the rule of law, our system of checks and balances. In two other instances, the platform changes some variant of the word threat to softer language (e.g., The stakes in this election for the soul of our nation are profound.). It also deletes a sentence stating Trump has never respected service because he does not understand sacrifice. Yet it seeks to blame Trump and others for a historic influx of illegal immigrants over the last four years, and away from the Biden-Harris administration, discussing a broke immigration system decades in the making (emphasis added). The revised platform contains the pledges made in the previous draft, as well, to continue fighting alleged book bans. Since delegates did not revise the nominees name or pronouns the platform gives an insight into what a Joe Biden reelection campaign might have looked like. Until her rebranding as the candidate of joy, Kamala Harris was seen as the weaker link on the ticket, with major publications calling on her to drop out so Biden could choose a stronger running mate in articles with titles such as The Case for Biden to Drop Kamala Harris, in New York Magazine last September, or For the countrys sake, Vice President Harris should step aside in The Washington Post this March. The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee adopted a slimmed-down document containing only a handful of campaign promises that resonated with Donald Trumps campaign. Notably, the 2024 Republican Party Platform jettisoned its traditional language vowing to protect life from the moment of conception until natural death. Over the weekend, vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance indicated that President Donald Trump opposed any federal legislation to protect life, leaving the matter entirely to the states. That is, however, significantly less pro-abortion than the 2024 Democratic Party Platform. Originally published at The Washington Stand. Home News Hostage families caravan to Gaza border, breach fence, call out to loved ones with loudspeakers On Wednesday, the Hostage Families Forum representing family members of Israelis kidnapped by Hamas led a convoy of vehicles from the Hostage Square in Tel Aviv to the Gaza border. The convoy arrived at Kibbutz Beeri Wednesday evening, with some vehicles pulling trailers carrying burned-out skeletons of vehicles destroyed during the October 7 Hamas massacre. According to The Jerusalem Post, over 300 vehicles participated in the convoy. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe On Thursday morning, several of the family members who had approached the border area broke through a perimeter fence and ran towards the Gaza border barrier, where several of them used megaphones and loudspeakers to call out towards their loved ones being held in Gaza. Video from the incident showed around two dozen hostage family members, many wearing shirts with bloody handprints, and carrying signs of the hostages, rushing through the fence and towards the security barrier. The Hostage Family Forum released a statement saying, The families in their great pain breached the fence to Gaza and ran toward the Gaza Strip to get as close to their loved ones as possible. The Forum also blamed the government for failing to reach an agreement for the release of the remaining hostages. The group of people spent about 20 minutes in between the perimeter fence and the security barrier before IDF soldiers asked them to return to Israeli territory. The cousin of hostage Carmel Gat, Gil Dickman, told Ynet news, I'm still not sure it was the right decision not to continue to Gaza. Next time we will be more, hundreds, thousands and we will not stop. Omri Shtivi, a relative of hostage Ivan Shtivi, said, If the government wont bring them back, then we will. If the government wont make a deal, then we will get them. Dickman said that the security forces told them just a few minutes earlier there had been mortar fire in the area, and they were ducks on a shooting range. Hebrew news site N12 reported that one of the police officers appealed to the families of the hostages, calling on them to return to the area of Kibbutz Nirim. I cried like a little girl, the officer said. There is no one who identifies more than us. The officer also told them, You are endangering our lives and yours. Please don't make us use force. We don't want to do it, you are our brothers. Ella Ben Ami, daughter of Ohad Ben Ami, cried out to her father, Daddy! I love you, I will do anything to hug you again. Hang on, don't break. It's hard but you'll be fine! You will come back and we will all hug you! Dad, we're all waiting for you here. You are so missed, missed by all of us. You have to survive it to the end. The parents of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin also spoke over the loudspeaker. Its day 328. We are all here. All the families of the remaining 107 hostages, said Rachel Goldberg-Polin in English. She also told him that she was praying a daily blessing for him, based on the Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6:24-26. May God bless you and keep you. May Gods light shine upon you, and may God be gracious to you. May you feel Gods Presence within you always, and may you find peace, Goldberg-Polin said. Many of the family members condemned the government for creating obstacles in the negotiations, such as the demand to retain control of the Philadelphi Corridor. Of the 107 remaining hostages in Gaza, at least 33 have been confirmed as dead according to the IDF. This article was originally published by All Israel News. Home News Missouri lawmakers, activists file lawsuit to invalidate abortion ballot measure A new lawsuit seeks to disqualify a ballot measure that would establish a right to abortion in the Missouri Constitution as several states will give their voters an opportunity to weigh in on abortion this fall. In a statement posted on Facebook Friday, Missouri State Rep. Hannah Kelly announced the filing of a lawsuit seeking to invalidate Missouri's Amendment 3. Filed in Cole County Circuit Court, Kelly was joined as plaintiffs by her fellow Republican state legislator Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, pro-life activist Kathy Forck and maternity home director Peggy Forrest. The plaintiffs contend Amendment 3 would "open the door for taxpayers to pay for abortion and gender transition surgery" and "rob Missourians of their right to justice if a healthy baby is lost or a healthy mother is harmed or injured due to negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery." Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "Amendment 3 is a direct threat to the lives of Missouri women by erasing the will of voters who chose to protect the safety of women and the child by electing strong pro-life leaders," the plaintiffs asserted in a joint statement. "We are united in our fight against this insidious amendment that seeks to enshrine the brutal practice of abortions even in the 7th, 8th or 9th months of pregnancy." The lawsuit argues the amendment's use of the phrase "reproductive freedom" violates the single-subject rule for state constitutional amendments. The complaint characterized the phrase as "unlimited in scope," expressing concern that it would end up "systematically neutralizing all laws, existing or future, that attempt to limit this new, limitless 'right to reproductive freedom.'" The text of Amendment 3, as compiled by the Missouri Secretary of State's Office, states, "The Government shall not deny or infringe upon a person's fundamental right to reproductive freedom." The measure defines "reproductive freedom" as "the right to make and carry out decisions about all matters relating to reproductive health care, including but not limited to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion care, miscarriage care, and respectful birthing conditions." The proposed amendment adds that "the right to reproductive freedom shall not be denied, interfered with, delayed, or otherwise restricted unless the Government demonstrates that such action is justified by a compelling governmental interest achieved by the least restrictive means." "Any denial, interference, delay, or restriction of the right to reproductive freedom shall be presumed invalid," the proposed constitutional amendment states. The measure would allow the state to regulate abortions after the point of fetal viability, defined as "the point in pregnancy when, in the good faith judgment of a treating health care professional and based on the particular facts of the case, there is a significant likelihood of the fetus's sustained survival outside the uterus without the application of extraordinary medical measures." The proposed constitutional amendment includes a caveat that abortions can take place after fetal viability if a medical professional determines that they are necessary to "protect the life or physical or mental health of the mother." If passed, Amendment 3 would nullify current Missouri law, which bans abortions in almost all circumstances. More recent public opinion polling sampling voter sentiment toward Amendment 3 is limited. However, a February survey of 900 likely Missouri voters conducted by St. Louis University and YouGov found that 44% of respondents intended to support Amendment 3 while 37% planned to oppose it. The measure must secure the support of a majority of Missouri voters in order to pass. Missouri is one of several states where voters are expected to have the opportunity to weigh in on abortion policy at the ballot box this fall. Additional states with similar measures on the ballot include Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York and South Dakota. The push to establish a right to abortion in state constitutions has picked up steam following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organizationdecision, which determined that the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion and enabled states to implement laws prohibiting most or nearly all abortions. Voters in California, Michigan and Vermont approved measures establishing constitutional rights to abortions in their respective states in 2022 while Ohio did the same in 2023. Home News Nigeria deports UMC bishop involved in denominational leadership change UPDATE: 12 p.m. ET Sept. 2: In comments to reporters upon his return to Zimbabwe, Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa disputed the narrative surrounding his departure. Read more here. Original: Nigeria has deported a United Methodist Church bishop trying to oversee a transition in local leadership, purportedly because of an issue surrounding his visa status. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa of Zimbabwe, who was part of a team appointed by UMC leadership to oversee the Nigerian Episcopal Area until December, was detained by authorities last week. Authorities believed that Nhiwatiwa was in violation of the conditions of his visa due to his involvement in the local church election process, News Agency Of Nigeria reported Wednesday. "However, it was discovered he participated in the Methodist Church leadership election process," stated Service Public Relations Officer Kenneth Udo, as quoted by the news agency. "This is in clear violation of the terms and privileges associated with the Tourist Visa as provided in the Nigeria Visa Policy 2024." "In light of the above, the NIS Comptroller General, Kemi Nandap with Ministerial approval, has ordered his immediate repatriation from the country. The Service encourages lawful inflow of Foreign Direct Investment and individuals engaging in business and social activities, as key facilitators of economic growth and development." The Rev. Ande I. Emmanuel of the UMC Southern Nigeria Annual Conference alleged to United Methodist Insight that a faction affiliated with the Global Methodist Church, a theologically conservative alternative to the UMC, was involved in the visa issue. "Nhiwatiwa arrived in Nigeria successfully and was cleared at the airport with a visa on arrival. He entered Nigeria to commence his visit. But the Global Methodist Church (GMC) breakaway faction led by John Wesley Yohanna reported him to the immigration that he came to promote homosexuality in Nigeria," stated Emmanuel. In Nigeria, not only is same-sex marriage and the sexual act of homosexuality illegal, but the government also prohibits people from being involved in LGBT advocacy groups. Earlier this year, the UMC General Conference voted overwhelmingly to remove denominational rules prohibiting the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals. Last month, Nigerian Bishop John Wesley Yohanna sent a statement to Nigerian state officials explaining that, at a special called session held earlier that month, the regional body voted to leave the UMC and join the GMC. "Therefore we want to make a statement that since the church has derailed from biblical principle we cannot be in this church where homosexuality can be celebrated," Yohanna stated in July. However, a group of Nigerian UMC officials released a statement disputing Yohanna's claims, arguing that only the former bishop and about 10% of the regional body had left the UMC. On Aug. 1, UMC leadership named Nhiwatiwa, along with bishops Patrick Streiff and John Schol, to serve as an interim team to lead the Nigerian Episcopal Area through December, when a new bishop for the regional body would be appointed. The GMC has maintained that the Nigerian Episcopal Area and its four annual conferences have affiliated with their denomination, with Transitional Connectional Officer Keith Boyette telling The Christian Post in an earlier interview that their information on the issue "came directly from those in positions of authority on the ground in Nigeria." "They informed me that unanimous votes were taken at the duly called special sessions of each of the four annual conferences in Nigeria to withdraw from The United Methodist Church and to align with the Global Methodist Church," Boyette explained. The UMC directed CP to a letter by Schol, which claimed that "[s]everal hundred congregations and clergy have already communicated that they will stay with The United Methodist Church." Last week, Nhiwatiwa was detained by the Nigeria Immigration Service. A government official told Sahara Reporters that Nhiwatiwa "was found doing religious business with a visit visa," which is prohibited under their immigration law. "We arrested him following an information that he was presiding over a church meeting with the aim of electing a new bishop," continued the official. "And it is prohibited to perform any religious duty with a visit visa. He required a religious visa to function as such." Another factor was his representation of a "faction" believed to be in support of same-sex marriage, with the official claiming that Nhiwatiwa "deceived our embassy in his country because I think he knows the difference between the two visas." Home News Rick Joyner says 'deceptive spirit' at play in Chris Reed's resignation as ministry faces lawsuit Days after MorningStar Ministries leader Chris Reed abruptly resigned Monday, citing, among other things, the sexual abuse of minors by a former volunteer and police officer, the organization's founder, Rick Joyner, blamed his departure on "the most deceptive spirit" he's ever encountered, suggesting Reed "is in a battle for his future." In an extensive statement shared on X, Joyner revealed that the family of one of the four teenage boys sexually abused by the former volunteer has filed a lawsuit against the South Carolina-based organization. He says they are alleging "many outrageous things about the ministry that are not true" and the organization is defending itself in court because "we are confident we can prove our innocence." Joyner's post appears to have since been taken down, but screenshots have been shared on social media, charismatic news sites and discernment blogs. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe In a letter to MorningStar staff shared on X, Reed announced his resignation effective on Monday and explained he was returning leadership of the ministry to Joyner to focus more on what God called him to do, which is "to prophesy, pastor, teach, preach and write." Reed pointed to the 2023 arrest of former church volunteer and police officer Erickson Douglas Lee, who is accused of sexually abusing multiple minors connected to a youth group of MorningStar Fellowship Church. He then revealed that both he and his wife, Missy, had "experienced the evils of sexual abuse" as children. Joyner noted in his statement that he wanted to "clear up some things," suggesting that Reed's resignation may not have been the right move and likely appeared bizarre to his followers. "This resignation may seem bazaar (sic) and confused to those have followed, and I hope this will clear up some things. First, I want to thank all who have communicated your prayers and support for Chris and for us," he began. "This is a serious situation, and I've seen this kind of thing several times over the 50+ years I've been in ministry, and I've seen it rob some with very powerful gifts of years of effective ministry. One was me, as this deception came upon me and cost me more than ten years of ministry. I saw it cost Bob Jones eight years, and I think it cost Paul Cain his ultimate purpose. It is the most deceptive spirit I've ever dealt with, and right now I think Chris Reed is in a battle for his future," Joyner said. "Later, I will elaborate on this in much more detail because I have witnessed many Christians led astray from their purpose by this, with an incalculable cost to the body of Christ. However, I've seen some wake up, get restored, and even when they had lost many years of effective service, the Lord make this up to them," he added. "For this reason, I never give up on anyone, regardless of how far off they seem to get. Many of the great voices in Scripture and history also experience this. Not all recovered, but those who did were used in an even greater way." Joyner did not immediately respond when asked by The Christian Post on Thursday to explain more about this "deceptive spirit" and how he saw it working in Reed's life as well as his. "Chris has an important calling for this time, and I feel at least partially responsible, understanding this as I do, for not seeing this coming at him. I could have done better [by] helping him resist it. Even so, whether in a short or long time, I am confident Chris will get through this and take his place doing what he is called to do," Joyner said. "This is not to imply that leaving MorningStar will cost people their purpose. Many come to MorningStar for a period of time to get what they need from us, and then need to leave to go on to their purpose." A release from the York County Sheriff's Office in South Carolina said they arrested Lee after he turned himself into detectives on May 2, 2023. He was charged with dissemination of obscene material to a person younger than 18, assault and battery first degree, and criminal sexual conduct with a minor second and third degree. Warrants connected to Lee's arrest cited by WSOC-TV said between December 2020 and June 2022, Lee allegedly committed a sex act with a victim younger than 16 years old for as many as 30 times over 1.5 years. Investigators allege that around July 22, 2022, Lee, who served as a 17-year-old victim's youth leader, hurt him through "nonconsensual touching" while the victim was intoxicated at his home. Lee also allegedly played a pornographic video for the teenager. Warrants show that Lee did the same thing to at least three other victims who were younger than 18 years old at his home from August 2021 until January 2023. Reed took over leadership of the ministry over a year ago but worked with MorningStar Ministries for three years before he resigned on Monday. While he did not reveal the specifics of the allegations made against MorningStar Ministries, Joyner insists that they were not negligent in their handling of the volunteer, but the family of one of the victims disagrees. "Overall, we felt that the victims and their families dealt with this with remarkable grace, but one decided to sue us. They alleged many outrageous things about the ministry that are not true. None of the leaders of MorningStar were charged with anything or were in any way involved in this. There was no negligence found on our part. There was drinking and pornography given to under-aged minors by the police officer charged, but to our knowledge, none of this happened at a MorningStar event, or property," he said. Joyner further noted that the ministry brought in a professional agency to review how they handled the situation, and the agency found no negligence on their part. "Of course, the lawsuit filed alleges differently and accuses the ministry of some very outrageous things that are not true. Because these accusations are so outrageous we do not intend to settle but want it to go to court where we are confident we can prove our innocence," Joyner said. "We are grieved by what happened to these young men, and the hurt this has caused everyone touched by it. Even though we may have been innocent negligence (sic) in this, we have offered to take care of any counseling or ministry needed by these families because we want to help any of God's people who He has put in our care get healed from any spiritual or emotional wounds and turn what the devil meant for evil into good as God is so good at doing," he added. "In these times, this kind of thing is getting much more frequent, and we are seeking to use it as much as we can to help any victims of it." Home News Trump: 'It has to be God' who spared my life; I would win Calif. if Jesus was 'vote counter' Former President Donald Trump credited God for sparing his life from an assassins bullet and insisted that he would win California if Jesus was the vote counter. Trump, the Republican nominee for president, sat down with talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw for an interview on his television program Dr. Phil Primetime posted on YouTube Tuesday. McGraw began the conversation by bringing up the July 13 assassination attempt against the candidate, where a bullet grazed his ear as he spoke at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. After McGraw explained to Trump that experts said, frankly, you shouldnt be here right now and experts said a kill shot was almost a certainty, but yet here you sit, McGraw pressed the former president on whether he had asked himself, How am I here and why am I here? Trump responded by addressing the big luck he experienced at the rally, which enabled him to survive. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The big thing was the turn, he said. It had to be a perfect 90-degree turn or I wouldnt be with you today. And I had to be looking at something to the right. Acknowledging the massive crowds at the event, Trump described how they were in front and there was no reason to be looking to the right. The former president also highlighted the presence of what he called his all-time favorite graph documenting illegal immigration statistics at the rally, telling McGraw that he typically uses it about 20% of the time and that when he does, its always at the end of his speeches and always positioned to his left instead of his right. Trump also discussed how the graph was featured at the beginning of his speech at the Butler rally. In response to McGraws question, Why were you spared? Trump replied, There had to be some great power as he reflected on the low odds of his surviving the situation he found himself in. The only thing I can think [of] is that God loves our country and He thinks were going to bring our country back; He wants to bring it back. It has to be God, he added. How can you say its luck when its 20 million to one? Trump answered in the affirmative when McGraw posited, Do you believe Gods hand was in this that day? McGraw also inquired as to whether Trump believes he has more to do, you arent done, you were spared for a reason? To which Trump asserted, God believes that, I guess. Outlining the replacement of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden with Vice President Kamala Harris and the difficulties associated with this development in the race, Trump contended that if he won the 2024 presidential election, That would really serve to say that theres an incredible power up there that wanted me to be involved in saving and maybe its more than saving the nation, maybe its saving the world. After Trump elaborated on the problems facing the world, McGraw asked if he was meant to take those challenges on and meant to serve in that way. The former president replied, I dont know, adding, Its beyond any of us, I guess, to really know that. The exchange about the assassination attempt concluded with Trump implying that the fact that the bullet went along that path and hit the top of my ear as opposed to any other place might have been divine intervention. In another portion of the interview, Trump recalled how he decided that theres no way I could lose California after giving a speech there with a crowd that was so big. But he lamented, automatically, they mark it down if youre a Republican, as a loss. Reacting to the finding that he lost the state by 5 million votes, Trump told McGraw, I guarantee if Jesus came down and was the vote counter, I would win California, clarifying that he merely meant that if we had an honest vote counter, a really honest vote counter, he would win the state. California is among the most Democratic states in presidential elections. As Trump highlighted in the interview, he lost the state by a margin of approximately 5 million votes and 29 percentage points in the 2020 presidential election. Four years earlier, the former president lost the state by a margin of more than 4 million votes and 30 percentage points. In light of its status as a Democratic bastion, polling for the 2024 presidential election in California is limited. However, a survey of 3,765 likely California voters conducted by the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California, Berkeley between July 31 and Aug. 11 shows Harris beating Trump 59% to 34%. Alarm as UK teenagers rank last for life satisfaction in Europe The UK's teenagers have the lowest levels of happiness and life satisfaction in Europe, a new study has found. The Good Childhood Report 2024 was compiled by Christian charity, The Children's Society, which said it painted a "deeply worrying picture" about how young people in the UK feel. The report is based on the findings of The Children's Society's own annual household survey in 2024 and an analysis of data from 27 European countries belonging to the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). The report reveals that a quarter of 15-year-old students in the UK (25.2%) reported low life satisfaction in 2022 - the most recent data available - a far greater proportion than the 16.6% average across the same age group in the other 26 countries. By contrast, only 6.7% of Dutch teens reported low life satisfaction. UK girls are significantly unhappier than their peers in other European countries. Nearly a third (30.9%) of UK girls aged 15 reported low life satisfaction, compared to only one in five (21.4%) of the same age across Europe. Life satisfaction for both young girls and boys in the UK declined between 2015 and 2022 more rapidly than other parts of Europe - by 1.03 points for UK girls, compared to 0.77 points for girls on average across Europe, and 0.80 points for UK boys, compared to 0.41 points for boys on average across Europe. The UK has some of the highest rates of food poverty in Europe with one in 10 UK 15 year olds (11%) skipping meals at least once a week because of financial pressures - putting the UK above only Bulgaria, Romania, and Lithuania. UK youths aged 10 to 17 from financially strained households were found to have lower low life satisfaction than their peers in more affluent households. Commenting on the findings, Children's Society Mark Russell, said that "alarm bells are ringing". "UK teenagers are facing a happiness recession, with 15-year-olds recording the lowest life satisfaction on average across 27 European nations," he said. "It's time for change, and we're committed to leading the way." Christians among victims of 'unprecedented' attack in Burkina Faso Christians are among the 150 people killed in "unprecedented" attack by Islamist terrorists in Burkina Faso. The attack happened last Friday when soldiers and civilians were digging defensive trenches to protect themselves in Barsalogho, central Burkina Faso, according to reports received by Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). Twenty-two Christians were among the victims of what ACN described as one of the deadliest atrocities in Burkina Faso's history. Bishop Theophile Nare of Kaya called it a "tragedy of unprecedented proportions" and announced Wednesday as a day of mourning for the victims, who also included children. "I make it my duty to come and urge you not to let yourselves be defeated but to keep hope, which is hope that keeps us alive," he said. "I would also like to exhort you to penance and conversion so that the God of mercy can give us the healing and consolation that we expect from him." Burkina Faso has struggled to contain the spread of Islamist extremism in the last decade and violence has continued this year with three attacks this month alone. The whereabouts of over a hundred people kidnapped by gunmen at the start of the month remains unknown. They were taken in the Boucle du Mouhoun region of western Burkina Faso. Kamala Harris sets out vision for presidency in message to church (CP) Vice President Kamala Harris quoted from the Gospel of Luke when giving a message to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, saying that her campaign is "focused on the future." In a video message given to the AME Church General Conference on Tuesday, the Democrat presidential nominee commended the historically black denomination for its efforts to get people registered to vote. "Organizing souls to the polls, making sure your members are registered and ready to vote," she observed. "Because, of course, we all know that this is the most consequential election of our lifetime." Harris said that the United States faces "a choice between two very different visions for the future of our nation," with her campaign being "focused on the future" while the Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump and his campaign are "focused on the past." "We are not going back," Harris stated. "We are fighting for a future where no child has to grow up in poverty, where every senior can retire with dignity, and every person has the opportunity to own a home, start a business, and build intergenerational wealth." "A future with affordable health care, affordable child care and paid leave, and a future where we protect our most fundamental freedoms and rights, including the freedom to worship." Harris went on to quote Luke 1:79, which describes faith as having the power "to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." "In moments such as this, faith guides us forward," she continued. "Faith in the promise of America. Freedom, opportunity, and justice. Not for some, but for all." Harris' remarks came as part of the AME Church's 52nd Quadrennial Session of the General Conference, held Aug. 21-28 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. General Conference Commission Chair Bishop James L. Davis greeted attendees, stating that "we are at a defining moment in the history of our church and our world." "I hope that our combined energy, commitment, and dedication to God's plan for us as agents of liberation and social justice for all humankind, will lead us to re-imagine transformations for empowering and developing clergy and lay for the next phase of this journey," said Davis. "May God grant us wisdom and courage to lead the church He placed in our hands in the direction He wants it to go for embracing all members of the human family." Last month, President Joe Biden announced that he was not going to run for reelection, and endorsed Harris as his replacement as the Democratic Party's nominee for president. Earlier this month, Harris officially accepted the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party, having secured enough support from delegates even though she had not received a single vote during the primary season. "I will be a president who unites us around our highest aspirations. A president who leads and listens; who is realistic, practical and has common sense," she stated during her acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. "It is now our turn to do what generations before us have done, guided by optimism and faith, to fight for this country we love, to fight for the ideals we cherish and to uphold the awesome responsibility that comes with the greatest privilege on Earth: the privilege and pride of being an American." The Christian Post Keswick, Brephos, and burning bridges: The necessity of offence The interesting thing about the controversy with Keswick is that it centres around the visual presentation of a living baby in the womb, not one violently mutilated through "abortion". This is interesting, and helpful, because it isolates the problem and clarifies the issue. Because you see no-one can argue that the image itself is objectively inappropriate, for anyone at any age. It doesn't depict anything evil or violent. It doesn't even show anything unseemly or unpleasant, as do images of throat cancer on a cigarette packet. Indeed, the image itself is majestic in beauty, and children in particular tend to be gripped by it and respond in wonder and fascination. I have discussed elsewhere the question of "abortion victim photography", including whether children should ever see that, but that's not what we are talking about here. This image, we say, is objectively good and beautiful and everywhere-appropriate. It can be found in medical textbooks, school classrooms, National Geographic documentaries, public museums. It is true, noble, right, pure, lovely admirable, excellent, praiseworthy for we are fearfully and wonderfully made! Christians in particular ought to be happy to have their minds turned to these things by such extraordinary visuals, harnessing the powers of the most cutting-edge imaging technology of our day. And what is good for the goose is good for the gander: we should be equally enthusiastic and unabashed about sharing this image with the not-yet-believing world. Of course, in a broken, fallen, sinful world, even good things can be emotive or "triggering" in a painful way for some. Fireworks, baby booties, a particular song, a certain place... But we would never go so far as to say that these objectively appropriate, beautiful things should be censored from public view just because of the subjective responses of some. And yet that is exactly what has happened here in Keswick. Since it is inarguable that the image itself is objectively good and beautiful and appropriate, Keswick Convention's charge that we have behaved inappropriately in showing it rests solely on the subjective response offence of (some of) the locals. This is significant. Because it upsets, and in turn brings "reputational damage" on the Convention, it apparently harms gospel witness even though it's a beautiful image. In other words: you've done nothing wrong, but you've done something wrong because they feel wrong about something right and true: purely because they are offended. Offence itself is wrong. Can this be right? Now, we certainly are called to avoid offence as much as possible, both within the Church and without. On disputable matters, such as eating and drinking, we should show charity, humility, and consideration, and not allow "being right" to manifest as unlovingly causing a brother to stumble (Romans 14:1-15:13) or becoming quarrelsome and divisive (Titus 3:9-10). The principle appears to be extended into the world: Paul became a Greek to the Greeks, a Jew to the Jews, all things to all men, that he might save some (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). Few, I think, would disagree that a female missionary in a Muslim nation should cover up more than she otherwise would, in order to avoid (unnecessary) offence, and to keep clear channels for the gospel. But the operative clause is: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you..." (Romans 12:18a). It is emphasised here, in the positive command of Scripture, by this double qualification, that sometimes offence will be inevitable, even when we're doing it all right. Indeed, Jesus himself was and is the Rock of Offence (1 Peter 2:8), causing people to stumble, and to grumble (John 6:25-70). Many of his own disciples were offended by his teaching, turned back, no longer followed. Offence was fundamental to his earthly ministry, and above all to his crucifixion. He was crucified at one level because he offended people, and his crucifixion became an offence to the Jews in particular (1 Corinthians 1:23). His disciples had the same instinctive reaction to offence that we do. "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?" they objected (Matthew 15:12). Jesus's reply is (obviously) instructive: "Ignore them." Of course, offending people was never the ultimate goal for Jesus or the Early Church, but it would probably be underplaying it to call it merely incidental to the plan, an occasional by-product. Jesus tells us to expect to offend people and indeed to rejoice when we do (Matthew 5:10-12) since what is persecution except what you get when you offend people? Why would the world hate us as it hated Jesus (John 15:18) if we never offended them? The tone is set not only in the explicit teaching of the New Testament but also in the recorded example of the Apostles. When they delivered a slave girl in Philippi of her fortune-telling spirit (Acts 16:16ff), thus frustrating the earning prospects of her owners, they offended them. Indeed, they ended up in prison as a result. There is no need to list here all the things that happened to the Apostles because they offended people, but given the context of Keswick shopkeepers claiming that the Convention and its side effects are bad for business, one might also be reminded in particular of the out-of-pocket idol-workers rioting in Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41). They were offended. There is no suggestion anywhere that any of these instances of offence amounted to an own goal for the gospel. Nowhere is "reputational damage" bemoaned. Never is anyone's wrist slapped for "burning bridges" for the gospel. We would do well to remember that a great deal of the New Testament was written from within prison. Many of the Letters might as well bear the editorial heading: "I just offended a LOT of people!" Yes, some will say, we have to be ready to offend where necessary but we want the only offence to be the offence of the gospel. We don't want our politics or our beliefs about sexuality or our pro-life convictions to get in the way of gospel proclamation, important though they may be. Let the Cross of Jesus be the only offence! But will that really do? When John the Baptist offended Herodias by saying it wasn't lawful for Herod to have his brother's wife, was it with the gospel that he offended her? Was it not rather with the moral law of God? When Jesus offended, or at least saddened, the rich young ruler (whom he loved), by telling him to part with his money, was it with the gospel? And going back to the fortune-telling slave girl was it gospel proclamation that actually enraged her owners, or was it rather that the girl was delivered of a demon and they lost some money? The truth is that whilst we can draw a distinction between the law of God and the gospel, there can be no separation. That is to say, there are precursors to the gospel (creation, the fall, God's law...), and implications of the gospel (the life of the Spirit, based on the law of God, touching also on public life), that are inescapably connected to the gospel. And, it is important to say, it is more often these precursors and implications that will cause offence, than the gospel itself per se. The only place where you're going to get serious opposition for the Five Solas is in certain wings of the professing Church. Out there in the world, it's your anthropology and your ethics that will get you into trouble. We are simply not at liberty to say that we'll cause offence and take flak for Romans 3:9-8:39, but not for Romans 1:18-32, or Genesis 1 and 2, or Psalm 139. We are blessed when we experience persecution because of "righteousness", not just because of "by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone": that white-hot counter-cultural God-fearing holiness and zeal for justice that is a painful affront to an unbelieving world. To lop off these inseparable portions of the whole counsel of God is to end up with a truncated and in the end, a false gospel. There is a valid distinction between evangelism and "good deeds" (Matthew 5:16) and we can even say that there is a primacy to evangelism. But we are also commanded to do good deeds, to care for the orphan and widow in their distress (James 1:27), to be a voice for the voiceless (Proverbs 31:8), offence or none. Importantly, there is no contradiction between these two commands, because there is no contradiction in the God who gave them. We do not have to choose between being evangelists and being people who care for God's justice and righteousness. We don't have to hide or mute our pro-life convictions in order to maintain bridges for the gospel. (In fact, notice how often in the New Testament controversy actually creates a platform for evangelism, rather than precluding it something we find to be true in our public education displays, including in Keswick, where we find that we get opportunities to share the gospel and pray with people, offence notwithstanding.) As Gregg Cunningham memorably put it: we are not required to adopt an evangelistic methodology that requires children to be sacrificed for souls to be saved. Just as we must preach the Cross of Jesus, offence or none, we must also clearly bear witness to the whole counsel of God, including (perhaps especially) where it most grates against the culture. It is possible to mark out at least two areas where we should be particularly ready to offend. The first is where, as mentioned above, the culture in question most violently clashes with the claims of the gospel. Ephesian idol-worship would be an example. Where the darkness is greatest the light of the gospel needs to shine brightest and most explicitly. The second is where innocent human beings are being oppressed in a widespread and systemic a socially acceptable way. Because we hold that all human beings are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and because the shedding of innocent blood is an abomination (Proverbs 6:17), and because we have love for our neighbours, in particular the fatherless, the widow, the weak, the marginalised, it should be obvious that as well as proclaiming the gospel we Christians should interpose ourselves on behalf of victims of oppression to see justice done. (It is worth noting that "abortion" in fact occupies both of these areas: bodily autonomy and self-definition are an anti-Christ ideology and idol of our day, and the baby genocide easily outweighs in numerical terms any other justice issue not just of our day but of all of human history.) Concern for justice is uncontroversial when it happens to align with the sensibilities of the day such as in the case of racism or building regulations. But if you are going to taken on the accepted injustice of the day, you will inevitably offend. It is easy and painless today to claim Wilberforce and Clarkson as part of our evangelical canon, but at the time they were deeply offensive both to those within the Church and to those without. Clarkson had to have a bodyguard. He was very nearly assassinated on a pier in Liverpool. Clearly, the slave traders were offended. They are not alone in our tradition. Amy Carmichael helped little girls escape hideous enslavement in Hindu temples, leaving a trail of offended owners. William Carey denounced widow-burning in the same nation, and child sacrifice. "Why should babies be cast into the river year after year?" he asked. Why indeed. Against this great crowd of witnesses, biblical and thereafter, here we stand, at the beginning of the 21st century, presiding over a genocide of 10 million babies since 1967, still justifying our (relative if not total) silence and inaction with, "We don't want to offend people." What right have we? The question is not, "Will this offend?" but, "Is this right?" Or to put it another way, it is not, "Will I offend the locals by doing this?" but "Will I offend God by not doing this? Or by trying, even, to discourage or stop others from doing it, or by withholding my support from them in the cause?" If we agree that offending the locals is in and of itself a red light, a line that cannot be crossed, we grant them a heckler's veto whatever they don't like has to go. We write them a blank cheque. We crown them, in fact, lord of the Church: they tell us what we can and can't do in public. And perhaps, one day, in private too. But Christ is either Lord of all everywhere or he is not Lord at all anywhere. In my last communication (a few weeks ago) with the leadership of Keswick Convention I asked them what they would have done if we had come with a banner showing some black people or some Jewish people, with the caption that they were human beings too, and if a few local racist youths had been offended and kicked off. Would they have sided with the racists, or with us? Would they have told the papers they were "saddened" by our display, or would they have been "saddened" by the racist reaction, and by racism itself? I am still awaiting a response. Dave Brennan is director of Brephos, an organisation that exists to help churches respond to abortion. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Aboneaza-te la rubricile dorite si primeste zilnic notificari pe email cu link-uri la articolele care au fost adaugate in ultimele 24 de ore. Notificarile vor fi expediate la adresa indicata mai jos. Daca doresti sa schimbi adresa - o poti modifica editand informatia de profil aici. Sufficient electricity ensures accelerated production of dairy enterprises in Urumqi, NW China's Xinjiang 14:25, August 29, 2024 By Zheng Wanlu ( People's Daily Online "Since August, there have been many orders for dairy products and ice cream, and we have increased our production efforts. With access to a reliable power supply, the company's production is worry free," explained the person in charge of Xinjiang Mengniu Tianxue Food Co., Ltd. Recently, the Party member service team of State Grid Urumqi Power Supply Company in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, came to Xinjiang Mengniu Tianxue Food Co., Ltd. to inspect the electrical equipment in workshops, distribution rooms and other places. Accompanied by the company's electricians, the service team looked to identify safety hazards, and ensure the company's safe use of electricity and production during the peak summer season. The Party member service team of State Grid Urumqi Power Supply Company inspects the electrical equipment of a company in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (Photo/China Daily) Xinjiang Mengniu Tianxue Food Co., Ltd. is a food processing enterprise that integrates production, research and development, and sales. It currently has 18 production lines, including seven at room temperature, seven at low temperature, and four for ice cream. Since the beginning of summer, with the continuous increase of orders, the company's electricity consumption has been increasing. To ensure the company's access to stable and reliable electricity, the State Grid Urumqi Power Supply Company took the initiative to visit and understand the production and operation situation, power supply equipment operation situation, and electricity demand of the enterprise. The power supply company tailor-made power supply service plans, and relied on the "Online State Grid" APP to provide "power supply+energy efficiency" services for the enterprise, helping it reduce costs and burdens. During the peak summer season, the State Grid Urumqi Power Supply Company carried out the "Entering Enterprises and Ensuring Safety" publicity campaign, explaining relevant regulations and typical cases of safety hazards to the enterprises in its jurisdiction. It also sent promotional materials to employees of the enterprises, continuously enhancing their awareness of electricity safety and striving to create a safe and reliable business environment. The State Grid Urumqi Power Supply Company's next step will be to continue increasing the inspection of line equipment to ensure the safe and stable operation of power grid equipment. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun) Credit: Fahad Kaizer/ActionAid Several major UK charities have launched emergency appeals for fundraising as they respond to what has been described as one of the worst floods in Bangladeshs history, which has left 27 people dead and left almost one million trapped without access to food, clean water, or shelter. Charities including ActionAid UK, Oxfam, and Muslim Aid all began asking for donations this week in response to the natural disaster, which is estimated to have affected over five million people in the south Asian country overall. The floods have affected around 12 districts across Bangladesh, and were thought to have been triggered by relentless heavy rainfall, overflowing rivers, and the release of water upstream in India. Along with a lack of access to food, clean water or shelter, many of the 5.7 million people affected have also lost their livelihoods as entire communities have been left submerged by the floodwaters. Oxfam Oxfam has set a target of raising an initial 3m (around 2.5m) to respond to the floods, but said it would require an additional 5m to support longer-term rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas. The charity will initially be distributing dignity kits, baby food, and cooked meals, and will later be focusing on addressing critical needs including water, sanitation, and shelter by restoring water and sanitation facilities, repairing shelters, and helping to rebuild livelihoods and community infrastructure. ActionAid UK ActionAid teams on the ground in Bangladesh are distributing food; dignity kits for safe and hygienic menstruation; clean water and water purification tablets and oral rehydration sachets. In the next few weeks, the charity is hoping to provide emergency medicine to 7,500 flood survivors in temporary shelters, while its network of youth volunteers is travelling by boat into communities still submerged by the floodwaters to deliver supplies to those in need. Muslim Aid Muslim Aid is on the ground in Bangladesh distributing food, clean water, and supporting temporary shelters. It has also set up a recovery and reconstruction fund, which will be contributing towards rebuilding flood survivors livelihoods and community infrastructure. Islamic Relief Islamic Relief is distributing food to 5,000 of the most affected families in areas hard-hit by the floods, like Feni district and Comilla district. It is also providing livestock fodder so farming families can feed their livestock; multipurpose cash assistance, and hygiene kits. Human Appeal UK Human Appeal UK , which has been working on the ground in Bangladesh for more than 30 years, is distributing food, livestock fodder, hygiene kits, and seeds for farmers whose agricultural land has been flooded. In doing so, its hoping its support will be able to reach around 12,000 flood survivors. In the next few weeks, the charity is also going to work to rebuild latrines and tubewells to restore water and sanitation facilities in the affected areas. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. Before we go any further, I should note that this is my last newsletter for CJR, as I am moving on from my job as the magazines chief digital writer. (In case the headline doesnt make any sense, it comes from a Douglas Adams book, in which he describes how all the dolphins suddenly vanished from the Earth, leaving behind the message: So long, and thanks for all the fish!) My byline may show up in CJR again on a freelance basis, but this will be my last piece as a member of staff. As I reflected on the last seven years or so of writing about the intersection of media and technology, I started to think about what (if anything) has changed since my first CJR piece was published, in October 2017an essay headlined The 140-character president, about Donald Trumps obsession with what was then known as Twitter. Obviously, some things have changed quite a bit. Trump is no longer president (although he is trying hard to regain that position), and Twitternow known as Xis owned by Elon Musk, the billionaire who also owns Tesla and SpaceX. Much has been written (by me and just about everyone else) about Musks problem-plagued acquisition of the platform, and the changes he has made to it; it is reportedly hemorrhaging money and scrambling for both users and revenue. None of this is particularly newthe old Twitter under cofounders Jack Dorsey and Ev Williams also seemed to be continually scrambling for money and users. The reasons have changed, however: Musk, who maintains that his guiding principle is to enable free speech, has enabled many of the worst kinds of speech, including white supremacy, racism, and misogyny. This has (not surprisingly) led to an exodus of both users and advertisers. These days, one popular conspiracy theory is that Musk is a Russian stooge who is trying to help Trump get reelected, a theory based in part on rumors about Russian troops in Ukraine using Musks Starlink for internet access and whispers that Putin-adjacent sources helped fund the purchase of Twitter. (The evidence for this is circumstantialat best.) Russias involvement in a variety of nefarious projects (or rumors thereof) has been a consistent theme since I started writing for CJR. An early taste of that came in November 2017, when I traveled to Washington and sat in on a series of congressional hearings looking into whether Meta (then known as Facebook), Google, and Twitter had allowed Russia and Russian-aligned agents to use their services as the foundation of a gigantic disinformation campaign. Did this happen? Yes, at least in a limited way. Did it affect the outcome of the 2016 election? Opinion remains divided, but some of the smartest people in the field say no, it likely did not. A related topic that has resurfaced again and again is whether misinformation and disinformation (Russian or otherwise) is a scourge that should be eradicatedby law if necessarybecause it changes peoples behavior, or whether it is just a lot of sound and fury that doesnt change much of anything. Disinformation experts argue that these kinds of campaigns, including what some like to call automated propaganda, do have a deleterious effect, but research shows that even the worst disinformation rarely changes peoples minds in any significant way (although in some cases, it can help reinforce things people already believe that are wrong or untrue). And disinformation remains, to some extent, in the eye of the beholder. Not so long ago, users who suggested that COVID-19 came from a lab might have had their Facebook accounts suspended. Now there are plenty of scientists who believe that this is a valid theory about the disease. The broader question of whether the internet and social media are a negative influence has also been a consistent theme of my time at CJR. Multiple scientific-sounding articles have argued that cellphone and social media use have caused widespread anxiety, depression, and mental health problems among users, particularly teenage girls. This is a plausible-sounding phenomenon, and yet the majority of the research that has been done to date shows no such correlationand, in some cases, actually shows that smartphone and social media use is a net positive for teens. I think, in general, that we should be wary of theories that tie complex human relationships to a single cause, whether its Instagram use or Russian troll farms engaging in what Facebook likes to refer to as coordinated inauthentic behavior. As for whether the internet and social media are good for anyone at all, that question, too, has been an undercurrent of my work for CJRand even before that. I confess that when I started writing about the social Web at the Globe and Mail, a daily newspaper in Toronto, in 2004 or so, I was convinced that it had the potential to change the world for the better. (I even cofounded a conference called Mesh that tried to explore all the ways it might do so.) I helped the Globe and Mail set up a Twitter feed and a Facebook account and do live-blogging and open itself up to reader comments; I even started a wiki to crowdsource reader insights about politics. At Gigaom, I wrote about how Twitter and Facebook helped enable the Arab Spring in Egypt, among other phenomena. Networked information seemed to have so much potential. Sign up for CJRs daily email Unfortunately, the next decade or soincluding most of my time herewould provide plenty of evidence that social media, like the internet itself, enables all of the good things about people but also all of the bad things. There was Gamergate, which in many ways helped give birth to the alt-right and its obsession with using freedom of speech to harass and abuse people via social media; then there was the rise of QAnon and conspiracy theories about Hillary Clinton and a sex-abuse ring. Facebook inadvertently helped to enable what many international observers have described as a genocide in Myanmar. To some extent, social media gave birth to the human chaos engine known as Donald Trump, a man who embodies Steve Bannons motto that the best route to informational success is to flood the zone with shit. (Unfortunately, this tactic often works on journalists and media outlets that should know better.) Was I too naive about the positive impact of social media, and too dismissive or unaware of its negative effects? Absolutely. (In my defense, so were Dorsey and Mark Zuckerberg.) And yet what can counter these kinds of negative effects but people using those platforms and tools and technologies for good instead of evil? Perhaps thats part of the reason I havent vacated Twitter (or X) despite my misgivings about Musk; if we all abandon these platforms to the bad actors and bots, how does that help? (I should note that I am also there because I enjoy the memes.) Maybe flooding the zone with positive content can counteract the effects of those who are flooding the zone with the other stuff. Ive also been encouraged by the rise of Threads, Metas Twitter clone, and its experiments with the networked fediverse, including open-source platforms such as Mastodon and BlueSky, although none of them have really replaced Twitter as of yet. Another major theme of my time at CJR: Google and Facebook holding themselves out as the saviors of the media multiple times and in multiple ways, something I wrote about at length in a 2018 piece called The Platform Patrons. Several years later, the hundreds of millions of dollars that both platforms committed to journalistic effortsmuch of which consisted of training in how to use their products, which in turn exacerbated media reliance on those productshas vanished or been spent, leaving many media outlets no further ahead. Meta, in particular, killed the media- and journalism-related projects it once ran (something that I warned about in another piece, The Facebook Armageddon) and is now fighting attempts to make it pay for journalism in the US and Canada. The decision on the part of many news outlets and publishers to tie so much of their business to these platforms has truly been the worst kind of Faustian bargain. All of the topics Ive mentioned so far, from the challenges of free speech and antitrust to journalism funding and social media moderation, were the subject of some fascinating debates that I conducted for CJR through an online platform called Galley, which we took over in 2018 after we were approached by its creators, Josh Young and Tom McGeveran. Galley was designed to be a better version of Twitter, allowing users to designate certain followers as trusted and then set up a chat open only to these users. We wound up using it for roundtable discussions with experts from the fields of law, science, sociology, and politicsan approach that I used to describe as being like a podcast, but with more typing. Unfortunately, we stopped hosting those discussions for a variety of reasons (funding being one of them), but I still believe that they added real value to those kinds of debates. I am often asked whether there is anything worth being optimistic about in journalism and media, given the carnage we see all around us in the industry. Whether I am still naive or not remains to be seen, but I am optimistic about small, digital-native publications run by individuals like Ben Thompson (whose newsletter, Stratechery, was the inspiration for the creation of Substack) and Casey Newton (Platformer), or groups of writers like the teams behind 404 Media, Flaming Hydra (and its predecessor, Brick House), and Drop Site, founded recently by former staffers at The Intercept. Hopefully at least some of them will find funding mechanisms that allow them to prosper, instead of relying on venture capitala phenomenon that has taken down more than one promising media venture, including BuzzFeed News, Mic, and Gigaom. And, while crypto is still mostly a den of iniquity, I continue to think that Civila crypto-powered journalism platform that launched in 2018 and flamed out not long afterwardhad some good ideas that might have worked if not for the industrys speculative excesses. Despite the challenges the media faceswhether its social algorithms, declining ad revenue, or AI-driven fakesI still believe that there has never been a better time to be a journalist. The journalism business may be tanking, but the practice itself has never been more robust. At what other time in history could someone have started writing and within a matter of weeks reached tens or even hundreds of thousands of readersand be making a living solely from subscriptions? I.F. Stone would have sold his soul for something like that. I am no I.F. Stone by any means, but I would like to thank all of you for reading me over these seven years, and for helping me draw attention to some of the issues that matter. I hope we can stay in touch in other ways. Onward! Other notable stories: Mathew Ingram was CJRs longtime 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. A Chinese hacking group exploited a software bug to compromise several internet companies in the United States and abroad, a cybersecurity firm said on Tuesday. Researchers at the firm Lumen Technologies said in a blog post that the hackers took advantage of a previously unknown vulnerability in Versa Director a software platform used to manage services for customers of Santa Clara, California-based Versa Networks. It said four U.S. victims and one Indian victim had been identified, although it declined to identify them. Versa Networks issued an advisory on Monday acknowledging that the vulnerability had been exploited in at least one known instance by an advanced group of hackers, and urged customers to update their software to fix the bug. In an email, the company said it had confirmed three victims including an internet service provider. Lumens blog post said that its researchers assessed with moderate confidence that the hacking campaign, which kicked off as early as June 12, was carried out by an alleged Chinese government-backed group nicknamed Volt Typhoon. Lumen researcher Ryan English said that the internet companies were targeted for the attackers to surveil their customers. They very rarely go in through the front door, he said. Doug Britton, an executive with Virginia-based RunSafe Security, said the research appeared sound and that the access described by Lumen would allow a group like Volt Typhoon the ability to do broad, silent surveillance. The Chinese Embassy in Washington said in a statement late Tuesday that Volt Typhoon was actually a gang of cybercriminals and was not sponsored by any state or region. It accused the U.S. intelligence community of collaborating with cybersecurity companies to gin up the threat of the so-called Chinese governments support for cyber attacks against the U.S. Brandon Wales, the recently departed executive director of CISA, was quoted by the Washington Post on Tuesday saying that Chinas hacking effort had dramatically stepped up from where it used to be. Volt Typhoon has emerged as a group of particular concern to U.S. cybersecurity officials. In April, FBI Director Christopher Wray said China was developing the ability to physically wreak havoc on U.S. critical infrastructure. (Reporting by Satter; Editing by Rod Nickel and Mark Porter) Typhoon Shanshan weakened to a tropical storm after hitting Japans southwestern island of Kyushu, with the government continuing to warn that landslides could be triggered by heavy rain as the weather system beats its way slowly across the country in the coming days. Shanshan was located near Unzen City in Nagasaki prefecture, and moving north as of 5 p.m. JST, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Some areas of Kyushu saw record-breaking rain of over 800 millimeters (31 inches) in the 72 hours to 3 p.m. Thursday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. Three people have been reported dead, and one person was missing due to the typhoon, which made landfall earlier Thursday, Japans Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a press conference. A weather bureau official on Wednesday described Shanshan as a rare typhoon in terms of its strength. Power plants in Kyushu and Kansai region have been impacted by the storm, with several units planning to operate at a lower output. More than 190,000 buildings across the seven prefectures in Kyushu were without power, according to Kyushu Electric Power Transmission and Distribution Co. Kyushu is also home to producers of semiconductor chips. Renesas Electronics Corp. suspended operations at its two plants in Matsumoto, but plans to restart them on Friday. The company said its facilities in Oita and Ehime prefectures have also been affected. Tokyo Electron Ltd. said it will halt its Kumamoto plant on Thursday and Friday. Murata Manufacturing Co. said it would suspend operations at some plants. Carmakers Impacted Toyota Motor Corp. plans to keep all its factories in the country closed through Friday, according to a spokesperson. Daihatsu Motor Co. will halt operations at several plants, local broadcaster TBS reported. Nissan Motor Co. is halting two plants in Kyushu from Thursday morning until Friday morning. Honda Motor Co. suspended a plant for Thursday and Friday and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said it would halt operations at its plant in Okayama prefecture on Friday. Mazda Motor Corp. said that it will halt its plants in Hiroshima and Yamaguchi prefectures from Thursday evening to Friday evening. Yamaha Motor Co. said it will suspend its facilities in Kumamoto prefecture from Thursday to Friday. Transportation has been disrupted by the storm. Japan Airlines Co. said it canceled 280 flights for Friday while All Nippon Airways Co. canceled over 600 flights between Wednesday and Saturday. Kyushu Railway Co. said it will suspend or adjust schedules for some bullet train services in the region between Thursday and Friday. Central Japan Railway Co. said the Tokaido bullet train which connects Tokyo to western part of the country wont run between Mishima and Nagoya on Friday. Services may be impacted into the weekend depending on the path of the typhoon, the operator said. Top photo: A man holds his umbrella in the wind outside Hakata station in Fukuoka, Japan, on Aug. 29, 2024. Photographer: Yuichi Yamazaki/AFP/Getty Images. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. MEDINA, Ohio -- City Council has given the green light to go after two grants aimed at improving roads within Medina. Council has approved a resolution that authorizes the mayor to file for grant assistance with the Federal Highway Administration through its Safe Streets and Roads for All program. City Engineer Patrick Patton said that if the application is approved, Medina will receive a grant to pay for a planning study. This planning study would review the citys accident data and prioritize hot spots in Medina and then suggest projects that would address these problem areas, Patton said. Patton also added that by completing such a study, the city would be eligible to apply for federal funding to help pay for some of the projects to improve safety throughout Medina. There is an estimated $3 billion in federal funding available for these types of projects, he said at the Aug. 26 council meeting. We need to have the application in by Aug. 29. Council also approved legislation that would authorize the city to apply for Issue 1 funds through the Ohio Public Works Commission. Patton said the engineering department met with the service director, the mayor and other city officials to discuss several projects that might be eligible through the program. They decided on the reconstruction of East Smith Road between South Jefferson and South Harmony streets. There are also some storm sewer issues that we would address with that project, he said. Patton said the estimated project cost is $1.5 million. The grant, if awarded, would cover roughly $530,000. Read more from the Medina Sun. CLEVELAND, Ohio A Cleveland man was sentenced to 20 years in prison Thursday for selling fentanyl to two men who died of overdoses in the span of a week. U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi ordered Kendale Ware, 24, to prison on three drug charges, with enhancements for the deaths in November 2022. She also said he must be supervised for five years by federal officials after his release. Prosecutors said Wares fentanyl caused the death of Jason Witnik, 51, of Sheffield Lake on Nov. 5 and the death of Daniel Ratliff, 39, of Parma on Nov. 10. I dont think there is a more singularly tragic case in federal court than these types of cases, Wares attorney, Justin Weatherly, said after the hearing. He had absolutely no intention of killing a person. Thats absolutely the last thing that he had wanted. Ware was initially arrested in December 2022 after a joint investigation by several police departments in Cuyahoga Countys western suburbs, along with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Avon Lake police initially investigated Ware and used a confidential informant to buy fentanyl from him in August 2022, according to court records. After Witnik was found dead at a home on East 272nd Street in Euclid, investigators texted Ware using Witniks phone to set up another drug deal on Nov. 17. A car pulled into the drive way, and a SWAT team swarmed the vehicle. The driver sped away, and the police chase was called off because of its dangerous nature, according to court records. Investigators on Dec. 13, 2022,tracked Wares location to the West Side of Cleveland. An Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper tried to stop Wares car on West 140th Street, but he again sped away. Troopers called off the chase after Wares car reached speeds of about125 miles per hour, court records say. Agents later linked Ware to Ratliffs death. Ratliff died in his car on Interstate 90 near the Abbey Avenue exit in Cleveland, according to court records and the office of the Cuyahoga County medical examiner. Ware was arrested days later at an apartment in Westlake. Ware pleaded guilty to the charges in April. COLUMBUS, Ohio A former Columbus police officer accused of stealing and selling cocaine while investigating drug cases has pleaded guilty in federal court to multiple charges. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Ohio says Joel Mefford, 35, of London, Ohio, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, one count of possessing with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, and one count of money laundering. Mefford is facing a minimum of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, prosecutors say. Mefford was arrested in January after he was accused of illegally gaining access to the garage of a suspect during a drug investigation in February 2020. Mefford searched the garage without a warrant and found 2 kilograms of cocaine in the rafters of the garage, prosecutors say. He is accused of taking one of the kilograms, then leaving the other to be found during a legal search the next morning. Mefford gave the stolen cocaine to another person to be sold, prosecutors say. On March 7, 2020, Mefford reportedly took a bag containing multiple kilograms of cocaine from a house on Ambleside Drive in Columbus and then arrested suspect. He is accused of going to another house and removing a kilogram of cocaine. Mefford submitted 1 kilogram of cocaine as evidence, then kept the other drugs to be sold, prosecutors say. In April 2020, Mefford reportedly stole 20 kilograms of cocaine from the Columbus police property room and replaced it with fake cocaine. Mefford transported the stolen cocaine in a police cruiser and another officer later gave the drugs to another individual to sell. The drug proceeds were then given to the other officer, who provided Mefford his cut. Mefford personally received a total of approximately $130,000 from cocaine sales and deposited more than $72,000 of the cash derived from the cocaine sales into his personal bank account, prosecutors say. Former Columbus police officer John Castillo, of Grove City, pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. Castillo also is facing a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life. ERIE, Pa. -- Ohio Sen. JD Vance defended Donald Trump, the GOPs presidential candidate, on Wednesday following a controversy at Arlington National Cemetery. During a rally in Erie, Vance lashed out at Vice President Kamala Harris, saying she can go to hell. Vances outburst followed a series of factually inaccurate statements regarding the events at Arlington on Monday, the deaths of 13 soldiers in Afghanistan, and the aftermath. He also misrepresented comments Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, supposedly made about Trump. Trump was at Arlington on Monday for a wreath-laying ceremony, honoring 13 American troops who were killed in the Abbey Gate suicide bombing during the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan three years ago. NPR reported that the Trump campaign was not authorized to film or photograph in Section 60 of the cemetery, where many soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried. Federal law prohibits the use of military cemeteries for campaign events. Trump did post video with footage from the event on TikTok. At the rally in Erie, Vance sought to shift the focus to Harris, attacking her for the loss of lives at Abbey Gate. To have those 13 Americans lose their lives and to not fire a single person is disgraceful. Kamala Harris is disgraceful, Vance said. If were going to talk about a story out of those brave 13 Americans who lost their lives, its that Kamala Harris is so asleep at the wheel that she wont even do an investigation into what happened. And she wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up. She can go to hell. Trump has said President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris bear responsibility for the bombing and Americas chaotic withdrawal. He repeated his attacks on the subject in campaign events after his visit to the cemetery, The New York TImes reported. During the Arlington event, two Trump campaign staffers got in a physical and verbal altercation with the Arlington staffer who tried to prevent the filming, NPR said. The Trump campaign responded to the NPR report by baselessly stating that the employee was suffering from a mental health episode. Officials at the Defense Department, which administers the cemetery, told The Washington Post that the employee was trying to do her job, and the claim of a mental health episode was false. Military officials told The Times that the employee declined to press charges fearing Trump supporters would retaliate. Vance insisted in Erie that the altercation at Arlington Cemetery is the media creating a story where I dont think that there is one. There is verifiable evidence that the campaign was allowed to have a photographer there. Family members of soldiers killed at Abbey Gate had indeed joined Trump during the visit. But at least one family of a service member buried in that part of the cemetery complained to The Times that their sons gravesite was photographed without their consent. And as for investigations, in the furor after the departure from Afghanistan, the Biden administration and Congress conducted several into the U.S. withdrawal and the attack that occurred at Abbey Gate, as service members were helping people evacuate from the country. In a report by the National Security Council released last April, for example, largely blamed the Trump administration for the chaotic pullout, NBC News reported. The former U.S. commander who oversaw the withdrawal testified at a congressional hearing this year that he, alone, bears responsibility for the deaths of the 13 American service members at Kabuls airport. At the hearing this year, retired Army Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged that officials were still seeking more information and that it would take a considerable length of time to get some answers, in part because much of the record is classified. Vance, just before saying Harris could go to hell, complained about her being critical of Trump when he has stood up for veterans. The Washington Post noted that Harris, campaigning in Georgia, did not address the Arlington incident. One Harris campaign staffer told The Post that the cemetery incident was pretty sad but not surprising coming from the Trump team. See all JD Vance in the news stories. Cleveland.com is closely tracking JD Vances every move and the reactions he provokes, as he becomes the first Ohioan in 80 years to appear on a presidential ticket for either major party. The coverage of JD Vance aims to provide a daily snapshot of the buzz surrounding him, capturing what he says, what he does, and what others are saying about him. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang delivers a keynote address during the Nvidia GTC Artificial Intelligence Conference at SAP Center on March 18, 2024 in San Jose, California. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images Nvidia reported its fourth-straight quarter of triple-digit revenue growth on Wednesday, sailing past estimates on the top and bottom line while also issuing a forecast that topped Wall Street expectations. The company even bolstered its buyback program with a plan to repurchase $50 billion in shares. But the stock dropped 7% in extended trading. That's life for Nvidia, which has ridden the artificial intelligence boom to a $3 trillion market cap, soaring almost nine-fold since the end of 2022 and surpassing every public company other than Apple in valuation. (It topped Apple for a stretch in June.) In addition to reporting 122% annual revenue growth on Wednesday to over $30 billion, Nvidia said sales in the current period will jump about 80% to roughly $32.5 billion. Analysts were expecting close to $32 billion. However, Stacy Rasgon, an analyst at Bernstein, told CNBC before the report came out that "buyside whispers" were closer to $33 billion to $34 billion, meaning Nvidia would have to dramatically surpass analyst estimates in its guidance in order to see a pop. Rasgon, who recommends buying shares of the chipmaker, said there are no indications that demand is waning for Nvidia's graphics processing units (GPUs), the core infrastructure for developing and running AI models. "There's still a ton of demand," Rasgon said on CNBC's "Closing Bell." "They're still shipping everything that they can sell." Nvidia said it expects to ship "several billion dollars" worth of Blackwell revenue in the fiscal third quarter, which ends in October. Blackwell is the company's latest generation of technology, following Hopper. There had been some concerns that Blackwell would be delayed, but CFO Colette Kress said on the call with analysts that "supply and availability have improved." Still, "demand for Blackwell platforms is well above supply, and we expect this to continue into next year," Kress said. Other than missing the "whisper" numbers, some investors may be looking at Nvidia's gross margin, which slipped a bit in the quarter to 75.1% from 78.4% in the prior period. That's up from 43.5% two years ago and 70.1% in the fiscal second quarter of last year. For the full year, the company said it expects its gross margin to be in the "mid-70% range." Analysts were expecting full-year margin of 76.4%, according to StreetAccount. 'Getting returns right away' On the earnings call, analysts asked Nvidia executives about customers and whether they're making money on their investment. Following the company's prior report, Kress gave investors data points showing that a cloud provider could make $5 over four years selling access to $1 of Nvidia chips. This time, Nvidia took a different approach. CEO Jensen Huang said on Wednesday's call that Nvidia's technology will be taking work away from traditional processors, like those made by Intel or AMD . He also said generative AI would start to do more coding, that companies like Meta can use Nvidia chips for recommender systems, and that nations are starting to buy more chips. "The people who are investing in Nvidia infrastructure are getting returns on it right away," Huang said. Huang also said that next-generation AI models would require "10, 20, 40 times" more computing power, echoing comments recently made by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. The logo of Nvidia Corporation is seen during the annual Computex computer exhibition in Taipei, Taiwan. Tyrone Siu | Reuters "The frontier models are growing in quite substantial scale," Huang said. He said Nvidia's main customers are vying to be first to produce new AI advancements. "The first person to the next plateau gets to introduce a revolutionary level of AI," Huang said. "The second person who gets there is incrementally better or about the same." But buying into Nvidia at these levels is a bet that the company can continue to outperform very high expectations and requires a willingness to accept the kind of stock volatility generally reserved for much smaller companies. After reaching a record in June, Nvidia proceeded to lose almost 30% of its value over the next seven weeks, shedding roughly $800 billion in market cap. It's since recovered most of those losses. In the past two years, the stock has moved 5% or more in a single day on 50 separate occasions. For Microsoft , that's happened only six times, which is one more than for Apple . At Meta , it's happened 21 times. Tesla fans, however, can relate. Shares of the electric automaker have moved at least 5% on more than 70 trading days over that stretch. One reason for Nvidia's increased volatility is that it relies on a small group of customers including those mentioned above for an outsized amount of its revenue. Top execs at Alphabet and Meta both acknowledged recently that they could be overspending in their AI buildout, but said the risk of underinvesting was too great for them to not be aggressive. WATCH: Nvidia's latest report 'basically down the middle' When a friend throws an unexpected jab your way, it stings more than an unpleasant comment from a stranger. It's also harder to know how to proceed because, unlike with a stranger, you will have to see them again. Sara Jane Ho, who is the host of the Netflix show "Mind Your Manners" and author of a book by the same name, has a pretty clear idea on how to deal with a rude comment without putting another person down. Here's how to respond to a sassy remark and shut down negativity in social settings. 'Are you OK?' "If it were a friend who said something mean to you, I usually look up and say, 'Are you OK?'," Ho told CNBC Make It. Those three words can politely signal that what your friend said was out-of-line. Just as important as content is tone, Ho emphasizes. When you say, "Are you OK?" don't be short or sharp. Use a friendly affect. "I'm not being offensive back," she says. "I'm coming from a place of care and that is usually to put the other person in check." The right way to shut down a negative friend Sometimes when a friend is in a bad head space, these comments can become pervasive. If put-downs like this increase in frequency, it's OK to push back, Thema Bryant, a professor of psychology at Pepperdine University and former president of the president of the American Psychological Association told CNBC Make It. Just don't do it in a "hostile or argumentative way," she says. "When they say something that is putting you down or putting the whole group down, in one sentence refute it," she says. "Counter it so it doesn't sit there as truth." How to end the friendship Shaoqing Ren, vice president, autonomous driving development, at Nio speaks about the electric company's 5nm chip at its tech day in Shanghai on July 27, 2024. CNBC | Evelyn Cheng BEIJING Chinese electric car companies that are already engaged in an intense price war are turning up the heat on another front: Chip-powered tech features such as the driver-assist function. Nio and Xpeng have announced that their in-house designed auto chips are ready for production. So far, many of the major Chinese electric car makers have relied on Nvidia chips, with the company's automotive chips business over the past few years bringing in more than $300 million in revenue a quarter. "It's hard to point to your product being superior when your competitors use the exact same silicon to power their infotainment and intelligent driving systems," said Tu Le, founder of consulting firm Sino Auto Insights, explaining why EV makers are turning to in-house chips. Le said he expected Tesla and Chinese electric car startups to compete on designing their own chips, while traditional automakers will likely still rely on Nvidia and Qualcomm "for the foreseeable future." Nvidia reported a 37% year-on-year increase in automotive segment revenue to $346 million in the latest quarter. "Automotive was a key growth driver for the quarter as every auto maker developing autonomous vehicle technology is using NVIDIA in their Data Centers," company management said on an earnings call, according to a FactSet transcript. watch now "I think the main reason why Chinese [automakers] pay attention [to] self-development system-on-chip is the success of Tesla in full-self driving," said Alvin Liu, a Shanghai-based senior analyst for Canalys. In 2019, Tesla reportedly shifted from Nvidia to its own chip for advanced driver-assist functions. By designing their own chips, Chinese automakers can customize features, as well as reduce supply chain risk from geopolitical tensions, Liu said. Liu does not expect significant impact to Nvidia in the short-term, however, as Chinese automakers will likely test new tech in small batches in the higher-end of the market. Leveraging latest tech Nio in late July said it had finished designing an automotive-grade chip, the NX9031, that uses a highly advanced 5 nanometer production technology. "It is the first time that the five-nanometer process technology has been used in the Chinese automotive industry," said Florence Zhang, consulting director at China Insights Consultancy, according to a CNBC translation of her Mandarin-language remarks. "It has broken through the bottleneck of domestic intelligent driving chip research and development." Nio, which had teased the chip in December, plans to use it in the high-end ET9 sedan, set for delivery in 2025. The 5 nanometers technology is the most advanced one for autos because the 3 nanometer tech is mostly used for smartphone, personal computer and artificial intelligence-related applications, CLSA analyst Jason Tsang, said following the Nio chip announcement. Xpeng at its event on Tuesday did not disclose the nanometer technology it was using for its Turing chip. The company's driver-assist technology is widely considered one of the best currently available in China. While Xpeng revealed its chip on Tuesday, Brian Gu, Xpeng president, emphasized in a CNBC interview the day before that his company will primarily partner with Nvidia for chips. The two companies have a close relationship, and Xpeng's former head of autonomous driving joined Nvidia last year. Giants in China's electric car industry are also recognizing the importance of chips for autos. If batteries were the foundation for the first phase of electric car development, semiconductors are the basis for the industry's second phase, as it focuses on smart connected vehicles, BYD 's founder, Wang Chuanfu, said in April at a press conference held by Chinese driver-assist chip company Horizon Robotics. Wang said more than 1 million BYD vehicles use Horizon Robotics chips. BYD on Tuesday announced its Fang Cheng Bao off-road vehicle brand would use Huawei's driver-assist system. U.S. restrictions on Nvidia chip sales to China haven't directly affected automakers since the cars haven't required the most advanced semiconductor technology so far. But with increasing focus on driver-assist tech, which relies more on artificial intelligence a segment at the center of U.S.-China tech competition Chinese automakers are turning to in-house tech. Looking ahead to the next decade, Xpeng Founder He Xiaopeng said Tuesday the company plans to become a global artificial intelligence car company. When asked about the availability of computing power for training driver-assist tech, Xpeng's Gu told reporters Monday that prior to the U.S. restrictions the company had been working with Alibaba Cloud. He claimed that access now probably gives Xpeng the largest cloud computing capacity among all car manufacturers in China. Creating new tech and standards US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping (R) during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on August 29, 2024. BEIJING U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan said he raised concerns about the country's focus on economic security in meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other officials this week. Just as the U.S. has cited national security concerns for its own restrictions on Chinese tech imports, China has increasingly emphasized the need to protect its economic security. Foreign businesses in China have complained of vague data rules and preferential treatment for local players, as well as subsidies that allow Chinese businesses to sell at far lower prices. Sullivan told reporters Thursday that he had discussed the impact such issues have on Western businesses and supply chains. "We had a vigorous give and take on the issue, obviously didn't come to agreement," Sullivan told reporters during a press conference at the end of the trip. Sullivan, advisor to the outgoing Biden administration, said his trip to China was part of an effort to manage the bilateral relationship ahead of the inauguration of a new U.S. president in January. Emery Wells is the co-founder and CEO of Frame.io, which sold to Adobe for $1.275 billion in 2021. Success means never being satisfied, says Emery Wells, the CEO and co-founder of video collaboration software tool Frame.io. Three years ago, Wells sold his business to Adobe for $1.275 billion, a culmination of seven years of hard work building and perfecting his software platform. Pulling off a billion-dollar exit can be life-changing, but Wells was soon back at work and thinking about what comes next, he says. If anything, the sale made Wells think about "just how relative success is," he tells CNBC Make It. And meeting other successful entrepreneurs led him to believe that he isn't alone. "I think one of the traits of highly successful people is really never being satisfied or never thinking you're done," Wells says. You can always celebrate how far you've come. The most successful people also tend to seek out discomfort, like learning a difficult new skill to advance their career, and constantly hold themselves to high standards to strive for excellence, Wharton organizational psychologist Adam Grant wrote for Make It last year. "Somehow, we have the ability [that] no matter what level of success you achieve, you're always looking at the next thing that you can do," says Wells. Constantly re-defining success As a teenager growing up in Miami, Wells dreamed of a career in the film industry. He skipped college and, at age 19, moved to New York to bartend while honing his filmmaking skills, with an eye on picking up freelance gigs as a video editor. After years of struggling to pay his bills, a rash decision to buy a $17,500 digital camera paved the way for Wells to open a boutique video post-production business called Katabatic Digital. Owning the camera, an industry-changing piece of technology, gave Wells plenty of work: By 2014, Katabatic brought in more than $1 million in annual revenue from clients like Coca-Cola and Pfizer. Wells could have continued with Katabatic, making a good living, for the rest of his career. Instead, he and Katabatic engineer John Traver started tinkering with software coding in their spare time hoping to build a piece of software they could sell for big money, Wells says. Their first real project together, a software platform for people to collaboratively give feedback on videos throughout the post-production process, was supposed to be a "smaller idea" for learning how to build and sell an app, says Wells. Afterwards, they'd "swing for the fences and do something really huge." The project became Frame.io, which grew bigger than they'd imagined, raising more than $80 million in funding before selling to Adobe for an eye-popping figure. Wells initially considered the deal life-changing, he says until he realized that among other tech entrepreneurs who'd sold their companies for billions, his success was relatively small. "I was like, 'Well, I'm not actually successful in this group of people,'" says Wells. "That's a wild thing ... 'Am I king of the world? Not at all.'" 'There's just an internal motivation to build something' Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and vice presidential nominee Tim Walz walk down the steps from Air Force Two at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Savannah, Georgia, U.S., August 28, 2024. Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in a new interview Thursday defended her vice presidential record on immigration and blamed her Republican rival Donald Trump for killing a bipartisan bill aimed to address the U.S.-Mexico border. Harris said her work to address the root causes of U.S. migration from the so-called Northern Triangle "has actually resulted in a number of benefits, including historic investments by American businesses in that region." "The number of immigrants coming from that region has actually reduced since we began that work," she told CNN anchor Dana Bash in her first sit-down interview since becoming the Democratic nominee. Harris said that she and President Joe Biden, who dropped his reelection bid in July, had worked with Congress to craft a bipartisan bill that would have helped secure the border. "Donald Trump got word of this bill that would have contributed to securing our border," Harris said, "and because he believed that it would not have helped him politically, he told his folks in Congress, 'Don't put it forward.'" "He killed the bill, a border security bill that would have put 1500 more agents on the border," she said. Harris vowed to sign that bill into law if she beats Trump in the Nov. 5 election. The remarks came in her first joint interview with Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, on the campaign trail. Harris and Walz have come under fire from their Republican rivals, Trump and Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, over their lack of exposure to the press. The interview took place at Kim's Cafe in Savannah, Georgia, earlier Thursday. Elsewhere in the interview, Harris responded to Trump's bizarre claim that she only had recently begun identifying as Black, calling it the "same old tired playbook" that the Republican nominee has used before. Speaking at the National Association of Black Journalists' annual convention last month, Trump claimed Harris "was always of Indian heritage and she was only promoting Indian heritage," until she wasn't. "I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black," the former president continued. Bash in Thursday's interview noted, "He suggested that you happened to turn black recently for political purposes, questioning a core part of your identity." Harris replied, "Yes ... Same old tired playbook. Next question, please." Bash asked, "That's it?" "That's it," Harris said. Harris also told Bash that she plans to select a Republican to serve in her Cabinet if she defeats Trump in the November election. "I have spent my career inviting diversity of opinion," Harris said. "I think it's important to have people at the table when some of the most important decisions are being made that have different views, different experiences," Harris said. "And I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who was a Republican." Harris also defended the apparent policy shifts to the center she has made since her 2019 run for president. "I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is, my values have not changed," Harris told Bash, singling out her values on border security and climate change. Bash in the clip had asked Harris, "How should voters look at some of the changes that you've made, that you've explained some of here, in your policy?" The vice president picked two hot-button issues to illustrate her point. "You mentioned the Green New Deal," Harris said. "I have always believed, and I have worked on it, that the climate crisis is real, that it is an urgent matter to which we should apply metrics that include holding ourselves to deadlines around time." China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) shakes hands with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at Yanqi Lake in Beijing on August 27, 2024. BEIJING U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to speak over the phone in "coming weeks," the White House said Wednesday. The announcement came amid U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan's trip to Beijing this week to meet with Wang Yi, China's top diplomat. Both sides said their military leaders would also hold a call in the near future. Chin added that plans for the second round of U.S.-China talks on artificial intelligence are underway. The White House noted John Podesta, senior advisor to the president for international climate policy, would soon travel to China, without specifying a date. In official readouts of Sullivan's trip, the two nations maintained their positions on tech restrictions, Taiwan, the South China Sea and Ukraine. For some time now, Nvidia has been riding a number of tailwinds, including strong pricing power thanks to high demand for its chips and tight supply that's helping the company command gross profit margins of over 70%. The chipmaker reported earnings for its fiscal second quarter after the close on Wednesday that beat market expectations, although the stock fell in extended trade Thursday as investors hoped for an even bigger rise . Looking ahead, one fund manager highlighted a sign for investors to watch closely that could foreshadow the start of the erosion of Nvidia's pricing power and margins. That signal is capital expenditure or capex from so-called "hyperscalers," like Microsoft, Google and Amazon. Several major technology firms have already released their June quarter earnings reports, which showed rising spending, particularly on artificial intelligence which includes the graphics processing units that Nvidia designs. These are the biggest cloud computing players in the world that have been bulking up their infrastructure to train artificial intelligence models. Microsoft said June quarter capex rose more than 77% year-on-year to $19 billion. Google parent Alphabet meanwhile said the company's capex in the June quarter rose more than 90% against the same period of last year. Tech giants have signaled that high spending on AI is likely to continue. NVDA 1Y mountain Nvidia "As long as that's going on, you can expect this margin situation that Nvidia has right now to continue," Josh Koren, founder of Musketeer Capital Partners, told CNBC's "Street Signs Europe" on Wednesday. "But when we start to see those capex guidance trail off ... that's how you know that the pricing is kind of starting to erode," he added. He said that likely won't happen in the current quarter, but might take place in the not-too-distant future: "I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen maybe within the next two or three quarters." And when that does happen, it could push Nvidia's share price down 20% or more, he added. Koren and his firm do not own Nvidia stock. Analysts give Nvidia upside potential of 15.8% on average, according to FactSet data on Thursday. Of 61 analysts, 92% have a buy or overweight rating on the stock. Nvidia is now facing rising competition from the likes of AMD , but many analysts still think the company has a strong position to fend off rivals. Yang Wang, senior research analyst at Counterpoint Research, said that Nvidia will take the bulk of the money from cloud companies over the next two to three years, as they continue to ramp up capex. "Nvidia will still take the lion's share of, to our estimates, $700 billion of capex over the next two and a half years. So the outlook should still be strong for Nvidia," Wang told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" on Wednesday. Workers inspect the Repository in ONKALO, a deep geological disposal underground facility, designed to safely store nuclear waste, on May 2, 2023, on the island of Eurajoki, western Finland. Jonathan Nackstrand | Afp | Getty Images Finland is on the cusp of burying spent nuclear fuel in the world's first geological tomb, where it will be stored for 100,000 years. The pioneering project has been hailed as both a watershed moment for the long-term sustainability of nuclear energy and "a model for the entire world." At some point either next year or in early 2026, highly radioactive spent nuclear fuel will be packed in watertight canisters and deposited into bedrock more than 400 meters below the forests of southwest Finland. The durable copper canisters will be isolated, separated from humans and kept underground for thousands of years. "Onkalo," which is the trademark name of the long-term disposal facility, is the Finnish word for a small cave or pit. It is an apt name for the repository, which sits atop a warren of tunnels and is situated next to three nuclear reactors on the island of Olkiluoto, approximately 240 kilometers from the capital of Helsinki. A worker walks at the turbine room linked to the OL3, the latest among three reactors at the nuclear power plant Olkiluoto on May 2, 2023, on the island of Eurajoki, western Finland. Jonathan Nackstrand | Afp | Getty Images Established in 1995, Posiva is tasked with the responsibility of handling the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel rods at Onkalo. The Finnish company is jointly owned by nuclear power company TVO and utility Fortum. "Basically, the Onkalo project is that we are building an encapsulation plant and disposal facility for spent fuel. And it's not temporary, it's for good," Pasi Tuohimaa, head of communications for Posiva, told CNBC via videoconference. The fact that Finland [has] built a repository now and in the next year or two we're going to be operating it and start the disposal process I don't want to call it a miracle, but it wouldn't be a bad way of framing it in the global context. Gareth Law Professor of radiochemistry at the University of Helsinki Tuohimaa said the first-of-its-kind geological disposal facility had received a lot of interest from industry players, citing what he described as a nuclear "renaissance" in recent years and an energy crisis that gripped Europe and parts of Asia from mid-2021 through to late 2022. "Having a solution for the final disposal of spent fuel was like the missing part of the sustainable lifecycle for nuclear energy," Tuohimaa said. The role of nuclear power The Onkalo project has stoked debate about whether anyone can guarantee the long-term safety of spent nuclear waste and the extent to which atomic power should be used in the fight against the climate crisis. Nuclear energy currently provides about 9% of the world's electricity, according to the World Nuclear Association. As it's low-carbon, advocates argue that nuclear energy has the potential to play a significant role in helping countries generate electricity while slashing emissions and reducing their reliance on fossil fuels. Some environmental groups, however, say the nuclear industry is an expensive and harmful distraction to cheaper and cleaner alternatives. Finland is poised to bury spent nuclear fuel in the world's first geological tomb. The Onkalo site is situated next to three nuclear reactors on the island of Olkiluoto in southwest Finland. Credit: Posiva "I work both in nuclear waste disposal and nuclear accidents and I have experienced the best and worst of what the nuclear industry can offer," Gareth Law, professor of radiochemistry at the University of Helsinki, told CNBC via videoconference. "Clean energy, cheap energy, good baseload but then I have seen the bad side too, accidents, waste creation and the problems that we have there," he continued. "To have a country now that's demonstrating that you can actually take this very dangerous waste that's going to be here for 100,000-odd years into the future, and we actually have a disposal solution for it, I think that shows it can be done." Finland 'at least a decade ahead' Law described the Onkalo project as a "big milestone" for both Finland and the international nuclear power industry. "Posiva are very correct in selling this as a world first. It is going to be the first repository to take spent nuclear fuel and dispose of it in what I think is going to be a very safe and robust manner into the future." Law said that while many countries will want to follow in Finland's footsteps when it comes to the geological disposal of spent nuclear fuel, the Nordic country is "at least a decade" ahead of neighboring Sweden, the next country that's likely to achieve such a feat. Visitors are shown the Repository in ONKALO, a deep geological disposal underground facility, designed to safely store nuclear waste, on May 2, 2023, on the island of Eurajoki, western Finland. Jonathan Nackstrand | Afp | Getty Images "Scientifically and engineering-wise, it is a very difficult thing to put it into place and to enact, but also politically, it is very, very difficult to get the impetus to do this disposal scenario," Law said. "There are many countries in the world that are still very much in the planning stages and even just trying to find somewhere to put the waste. So, the fact that Finland [has] built a repository now and in the next year or two we're going to be operating it and start the disposal process I don't want to call it a miracle, but it wouldn't be a bad way of framing it in the global context." 'A model for the entire world' The Onkalo project is based on the so-called "KBS-3" method developed by the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company, which is working on what could be the world's second final repository. KBS-3 is based on a multi-barrier principle, where several engineered barriers seek to ensure the long-term safety of the spent nuclear fuel. In practice, it means that if one of the barriers were to fail, the isolation of the radioactive waste is not compromised. "It is a way to showcase that such a small nation sometimes is able to solve one of humankind's maybe top 20 problems or challenges," Finnish Climate Minister Kai Mykkanen told CNBC via videoconference. "As we have seen during the past 10 years, nuclear seems to be required in a very important way for the green deal in Europe but especially if we want to see Asia and the U.S. get rid of fossil electricity production," he added. The Repository in ONKALO, a deep geological disposal underground facility, designed to safely store nuclear waste, is pictured on May 2, 2023, on the island of Eurajoki, western Finland. Jonathan Nackstrand | Afp | Getty Images The Asia-Pacific region is set to see strong data center demand over the next few years, which is a boon for artificial data center operators and hyperscalers' expansion in that part of the world, Bank of America found. APAC data center capacity is set to double in five to six years at a compound annual growth rate of 14% in the next five years, adding nearly 2 gigawatts of new capacity per year, analyst Sriharsh Singh said in a Tuesday note. "Data center demand continues to shift towards hyperscalers (Microsoft, Amazon, Google, ByteDance) with data center investments growing in scale," Singh said in a Tuesday note. Hyperscalers are large cloud service providers. "APAC as a proportion of hyperscale capacity stands at 26%.... We think APAC is under-indexing as a share of hyperscaler capacity, which will result in catch-up spend in the region," the analyst added. The APAC region which encompasses countries from East Asia to Southern Asia and Oceania saw just about 1 gigawatt of new capacity additions per year between 2018 and 2023, reflecting a ramp up in hyperscaler demand amid the ongoing adoption and buildout of generate AI models, Singh said. Hyperscalers are continuing to expand their cloud infrastructure hubs across the Asia Pacific. Amazon on Wednesday announced that it plans to invest more than $6.2 billion to support its Amazon Web Services infrastructure in Malaysia through 2038. In January, the e-commerce giant had announced a 2.26 trillion yen investment plan to expand cloud computing in Japan. Microsoft and Google also recently each announced cloud and AI infrastructure investments of about $2 billion into Malaysia. Growth in the APAC region Globally, the adoption of generative AI models are expected to drive as much as one-third of incremental data center demand in the next five years, Singh said. According to the analyst, APAC will benefit from the localization of latency-sensitive inference workloads tasks that require results from machine learning or AI to be done in a quick frame in the next 18 to 24 months. Bank of America mentioned two key stocks that are tapping into this growing data center demand in APAC: GDS Holdings and KT Corp . The firm has a buy rating on high-performance data center developer GDS , its strongest conviction idea for this year given AI data center-related opportunities in the APAC region but also because of the company's robust international business expansion. GDS is heavily exposed to the greater Chinese market, as well as markets in Japan, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. Along with Singh, BofA's Daley Li had reiterated the firm's bullish outlook and raised its price target on the stock in a Tuesday note after GDS reported higher-than-expected revenue for the second quarter. The firm's $22.40 price target on U.S.-traded shares suggests GDS has nearly 37% upside from Wednesday's close. This year, GDS shares have soared 79.8%. "We see strong demand in the international market and remain positive on its growth, especially in FY25-26E," Li said. GDS is a top "pure-play" carrier-neutral data center operator in China, Singh pointed out, noting that it has an "abundant order backlog" and strong visibility on mid-teens earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization growth. The analyst also highlighted South Korean telecommunications company KT Corp . The company "offers defensive exposure in a falling rate environment with optionality on DC growth" and "has no. 1 position in Korean DC market (40% share) and geographical advantages with metro Korea DC footprint," Singh said. U.S.-traded shares of KT have advanced nearly 9% this year. Analysts polled by FactSet have a consensus price target of $17.07 per share. That indicates about 16.6% potential upside over the next year. Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump lays a wreath alongside Marine Cpl. Kelsee Lainhart (Ret.) and and U.S. Marine Corps. Sergeant Tyler Vargas-Andrews (Ret.) who were injured at the Abbey Gate Bombing, during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on August 26, 2024 in Arlington, Virginia. An aide to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump "abruptly pushed aside" an Arlington National Cemetery employee who tried to ensure that Trump and his entourage adhered to federal laws and policies that "clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds," a U.S. Army spokesperson said Thursday. The spokesperson said that the pushing incident which occurred before Trump and family members of slain Marines posed for photos after he laid flowers at two gravesites at Arlington's Section 60 led to military police being notified but "the employee subsequently decided not to press charges." "Therefore, the Army considers this matter closed," said the spokesperson. The Army oversees Arlington's operations. The spokesperson said that participants in Trump's visit to Arlington and the visit to Section 60 graves were made aware of laws barring political activities on military cemetery grounds, such as Arlington. Section 60 is an area of the cemetery where some service members killed in Afghanistan and Iraq are buried, and where recording is typically restricted. Nonetheless, former president Trump and campaign officials have posted several videos of the former president at the cemetery to his social media accounts, including a video on TikTok. Trump's campaign earlier this week claimed the cemetery employee who tried to make sure he and others complied with the ban on political activities was suffering from a mental health episode and was "despicable." The Army called out the Trump camp's efforts to smear the cemetery employee in an unusually direct public statement. "This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked," the spokesperson said. "ANC is a national shrine to the honored dead of the Armed Forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nation's fallen deserve," the spokesperson said. Two Defense officials told NBC News that military police arrived on the scene while the Trump motorcade was still on site and wrote up the incident but they did not get a formal statement from Trump's team. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, said the Arlington employee initiated the physical altercation. "False. Not even remotely true and this person is a liar," Cheung told NBC News, referring to the employee's claims of having been pushed. "This individual was the one who initiated physical contact and verbal harassment that was unwarranted and unnecessary," Cheung said. Unnamed military officials told the New York Times on Wednesday that the employee who filed an incident report declined to press charges in fear of retaliation from Trump's supporters. The incident, first reported by NPR, occurred during Trump's visit to commemorate the third anniversary of the death of 13 U.S. service members killed in the Abbey Gate attacks at Kabul's airport during the 2021 evacuation of Afghanistan. Republican vice presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) speaks at a rally at trucking company, Team Hardinger on August 28, 2024 in Erie, Pennsylvania. Donald Trump's presidential running mate JD Vance is urging Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel to "get off the sidelines" and financially support the Republican ticket, Vance told the Financial Times. Vance, in an interview in the key swing state of Wisconsin, told the outlet that he will keep trying to push Thiel, his former boss, to ditch his decision to stay out of the 2024 presidential race. "I'm going to keep on talking to Peter and persuading him that you know he's obviously been exhausted by politics a little bit but he's going to be really exhausted by politics if we lose and if Kamala Harris is president," the U.S. senator from Ohio told the FT. "He is fundamentally a conservative guy," Vance said, "and I think that he needs to get off the sidelines and support the ticket." A representative for Thiel did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on Vance's remarks. The Trump campaign has been contacted for additional comment. LONDON Uber and British artificial intelligence startup Wayve announced a partnership Thursday that will see the two firms collaborate on autonomous driving technology. As part of the deal, Uber is also investing an undisclosed amount into Wayve for a minority stake, the companies said in a statement. The investment is an extension of Wayve's $1 billion Series C funding round announced earlier this year, which was led by Japanese tech investor SoftBank . U.S. chipmaker Nvidia and software giant Microsoft also invested in Wayve's Series C. "Wayve is building a 'general purpose' driving Al that can power all levels of driving automation in any type of vehicle, anywhere in the world," Alex Kendall, Wayve's co-founder and CEO, said in the statement. He said that, together with Uber, Wayve is "excited to work with Automotive OEMs [original equipment makers] to bring autonomous driving technologies to consumers sooner." Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi added that the two companies "share a vision of reimagining mobility for the better." "Wayve's advanced Embodied AI approach holds a ton of promise as we work towards a world where modern vehicles are shared, electric and autonomous," Khosrowshahi said. Uber will integrate Wayve's AV2.0 technology an algorithm-based product that enables vehicles to drive themselves using data from the physical environment into consumer vehicles "to enable a range of automated driving capabilities," according to the statement. Wayve's AV2.0 product is an end-to-end AI solution that allows automakers to equip existing vehicles with Level 2+ advanced driver assistance and Level 3 and 4 automated driving capabilities. Different levels of vehicle autonomy are determined by SAE International, a global standards body for the mobility engineering industry. In the future, Uber intends to launch self-driving vehicles on its app equipped with Wayve's tech, the companies said. Previously, Uber had its own self-driving car unit, but it sold the division in 2020 to Aurora Technologies, an Amazon-backed self-driving car firm. As part of that deal, Uber said it would invest $400 million into Aurora. The ride-sharing giant announced last week a similar tie-up with Cruise, a General Motors-backed autonomous driving startup, to offer driverless rides on its ride-hailing network. Uber has also offered rides in vehicles operated by Waymo, the Google self-driving spinoff, as part of a commercial tie-up. In 2019, Waymo announced a similar partnership with Lyft, a competitor to Uber. Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi holds a press conference on the opening day of a quarterly meeting of the agency's 35-nation Board of Governors in Vienna, Austria, November 22, 2023. The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog has pushed back against Moscow's calls for further objectivity, following an inspection at the nuclear facility in the embattled Russian region of Kursk. Last week, Russia accused Ukraine of attempting a drone strike at the Kursk nuclear plant during a lightning cross-border incursion that has been under way since early August and which Moscow is still trying to repel. CNBC could not independently verify the incident and has reached out to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "What we need to do is to objectively, not to stoke any hysteria or anything like that, but to indicate when a danger exists. And here it does. It objectively [exists]," Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" on Thursday. "The spokesperson of the Russian ministry of foreign affairs rightly says, be objective. Yes, we are being objective. We are saying here that this nuclear power plant ... is within range of a potential artillery strike, which means that the danger exists. Is this danger inherent to the technology? Absolutely not," he said, adding that these facilities hold "strategic value" in military conflicts because they serve national energy infrastructure. "They are, I wouldn't say pawns, but they are factors in a wider confrontation," he noted. His comments come after Russia on Wednesday urged more objectivity from the IAEA in the performance of its duties. "We see both the assessments and the work of this structure [the IAEA], but each time we want a more objective and clear expression of this structure's position, not in favor of our country, not in favor of confirming Moscow's position, but in favor of facts with one specific goal: ensuring security and preventing the development of a scenario along a catastrophic path, to which the Kiev regime is pushing everyone," Maria Zakharova, official representative of the Russian foreign ministry, said Wednesday on Sputnik radio, according to a Google-translated report from Russian state-owned news outlet Ria Novosti. Grossi on Thursday acknowledged that parties at war are likely to retain a "strategic ambiguity that surrounds any military operation," translating into less disclosure over their activities. "I also understand these attempts to drag me, or us, the agency, into their own preferred narrative that we need to avoid," he said. Grossi led a delegation to inspect the Kursk facility on Wednesday, telling reporters in a subsequent briefing that "the core of the reactor containing nuclear material is protected just by a normal roof. This makes it extremely exposed and fragile, for example, to artillery impact or drone[s] or missiles." On Thursday, Grossi explained that the Kursk nuclear plant contains reactors of the Soviet RBMK-type, similar to the ones present in the Chernobyl facility, which suffered one of the worst nuclear disasters in history in 1986. Are you wildfire ready? Knowing what to do before, during and after a wildfire can make a big difference in your safety. Taking simple steps t Ive been an employee, a freelancer, and Ive owned small businesses. Non-compete agreements have only hurt me in the first two cases, and I never found a reason as a boss for requiring my employees to sign a non-compete contract clause. I know there are times when these agreements do make sense. If I invented a better mouse trap, I wouldnt want my engineers taking the cheese to rival Acme Giant Mouse Trap Inc. But more often than not, the non-compete clauses Ive seen are just there to trap employees. You might think these things are only a pain for people like me who work in the tech and creative space. Youd be wrong. Employees also locked into their jobs include hairdressers, janitors, security guards, and fast-food workers. Who knew that the ability to say, Would you like fries with that? was proprietary? Not me. And that anything bad about her is his fault Christina Applegates Married With Children papa, Ed O'Neill, was this weeks guest on the MeSsy with Christina Applegate and Jamie-Lynn Sigler podcast. I dont even know how to explain this person, Applegate said as she introduced her fictional father. He raised me, so if you dont like anything about me, its his fault. To be fair, she added, If you do like anything about me, also his fault. Applegate almost didnt get to play Kelly Bundy to ONeills Al Bundy. At 15, the young actress read the pilot script and concluded, This is toilet humor. And I dont do toilet humor. Its totally gross. (She wasnt wrong about Married jokes, even though she claims she was a shit snot at the time.) Don't Miss Married with Children hired two other kid actors David Faustino wasnt an original Bundy either and shot the pilot. It didnt work, Applegate remembered. They came to me and said, Please, please just watch the pilot that we did. And Ill never forget putting in the VHS tape of the MWC pilot or what it was called at the time, Not The Cosbys. Applegate claims she and her mother were determined not to laugh. But when ONeill came on, you had hit your hand on a cactus instead of the alarm, and you had a bandage on your hand. And my mom and I were like, Oh God, this is fucking hysterical. I hate myself for loving this. That was that. Applegate and Faustino auditioned for the Bundy kids just as a formality, she explained, and then the rest is history. You and Katey (Sagal, who played Peg Bundy) just killed me, man. Play How long did the family stay together? Too many years, said Applegate before correcting herself. So many years. Advertisement Advertisement Eleven seasons, confirmed ONeill, although he thought we'd be canceled after six shows. Because we were making fun of obese women. We were making fun of midgets. We cant say midgets, Applegate scolded. Thats what we called them in those days, ONeill said, correcting himself. Despite her call for sensitivity, Applegate ranted about the subject matter Fox wouldnt let Married With Children get away with back in the day. I watch TV, and Im like, it is so much more than what we were doing. We were like Little House on the Prairie compared to the stuff thats on television now. What was it like having Applegate as a TV daughter? Christina was great, ONeill explained. Shes got a photographic memory. She knew all the lines before anybody could possibly even read them. Not good enough for Applegate. This is really important to know, she insisted. Julie Bowen or me? Favorite daughter. Advertisement The question comparing Applegate to Bowen, ONeills offspring on Modern Family, was a joke but ONeill answered it anyway. First of all, youre completely different people, he replied. Secondly though, the thing that you both have that I really like is good hearts. Youre good-hearted. Applegate has the same affection for ONeill. Years and years of my life spent with this man, she said. Hes an incredible actor. Hes an incredible human being. The Waiter from Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia might just be the most underappreciated comic actor on television even a die-hard Always Sunny fan will claim that theyve never seen that man in their life. An oft-overlooked factor in the winning formula that makes Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia a record-breakingly successful sitcom is that series stars and co-producers Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton and Charlie Day are unmatched in their ability to find the perfect actors to fill the shows many supporting roles. Not every actor can handle the chaotic, improvisational chemistry of the average Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia scene, and quick-thinking, creative performers tend to fare better on the series than the robots who can only ever stick to the script. As such, its only fitting that the all-time greatest Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia bit-part performer is a seasoned improvisational comedian who is so flexible and dynamic that hes able to play two completely different characters. Don't Miss When casting the classic Season Four episode Sweet Dee Has a Heart Attack, McElhenney, Day and Howerton tapped Michael Naughton, a veteran of the legendary Los Angeles improv and sketch comedy troupe The Groundlings, to play Mac and Charlies temporary boss at their shared mail room gig. In the final cut of the episode, the interview scene introducing Naughton to the Always Sunny universe is disappointingly brief. But judging by the blooper reel posted by McElhenney on Instagram on Tuesday, shooting the interview must have taken all day. While most of Naughtons incredible work in Sweet Dee Has a Heart Attack didnt make it to airtime, his comedic chops impressed his bosses and co-stars enough that, four seasons later, they invited him back to the show to play a new role: a put-upon server at an upscale restaurant whom The Gang consistently terrorizes without ever learning his name or remembering his face. Fifteen years after Sweet Dee Has A Heart Attack first aired, McElhenney, Day and Howerton invited Naughton onto The Always Sunny Podcast to discuss his whole body of work on Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and they revealed the above blooper reel from his first appearance. Advertisement Contrary to what some fans believed about the bloopers, Naughton admitted that he didnt actually improvise the highlights of Charlie and Macs resume, even though the content of the application was new to Day and McElhenney. However, Naughton never received any direction to actually read the duos work history, making the inspired choice to deliver the hilarious lines deadpan to his scene partners and ruin their poker faces in the process. As McElhenney, Day and Howerton pointed out on the podcast, the core cast of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia doesnt contain a single straight man, so Naughtons ability to be the only normal person in a room full of maniacs stands out among the many eccentric side characters in Always Sunny history. Naughtons composure and his impeccable comedic timing managed to make his first scene in Always Sunny the first time in the shows history that the stars and producers couldnt get through a single take without a guest actor causing them to break character. Advertisement Naughton was able to turn a tiny part into a long-term gig, as his later character The Waiter has played a central role in six different Always Sunny episodes and counting. Hopefully that paycheck will become even more steady, and Always Sunny will utilize The Waiter even more in the upcoming Season 17 blue food doesnt pay for itself. Days on from his arrest at Paris Le Bourget airport last Saturday, it looks as if Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov will be spending more time in France than he bargained for. On Wednesday, French prosecutors formally charged Durov with being complicit in allowing the Telegram platform to be used for wide-ranging internet criminality. As trailed in the arrest announcement, the charges include organized crime, drug crime, fraud, and the distribution of child abuse imagery. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. If St. Johnsville is awarded a NY Forward grant, any sum of money could go toward transforming the old Gehring Tricot Corp. plant into a housing complex, fixing facades on Main Street and sprucing up Montgomery Countys only marina campground on the northern bank of the Mohawk River. School in India's Tamil Nadu closed after receiving bomb threat Xinhua) 15:51, August 29, 2024 NEW DELHI, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- A known private school in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu was forced to declare a holiday Thursday in the wake of a bomb threat, police said. The school administration received an email Thursday morning suggesting bombs had been placed inside the school premises at Ramjinagar in Tiruchirappalli district, about 340 km southwest of Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu. The email from the unknown sender sent a tizzy among the school administration, who alerted police. Immediately, a bomb detection and disposal squad along with a dog squad rushed to the school premises to conduct a thorough check. However, nothing suspicious was found. Police have registered a case and ordered an investigation into the threat. Police were trying to identify the sender of the email and track the Internet Protocol address from where the email has been sent. The incident was the latest among a series of hoax bomb threats that have been sent to schools, airports, shopping malls and hospitals in the country. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) There was blood on the track as I made my way to work yesterday morning. Yes, actual human blood, a substantial patch of gore, slowly drying on the bonded gravel surface of a busy cycle path. It was, I happen to know, the blood of a cyclist, involved in what I must call a collision with a far faster, far heavier electric bike. This took place on Sunday. My wife, Eve, saw the horrible aftermath, but not the crash, and arrived home soon afterwards, white-faced and shocked, saying: It could have been me. Mrs Hitchens is no softie. She has seen some pretty awful things, especially when we lived in Moscow where traffic victims could be left for long periods by the roadside and the Soviet-era ambulances were often streaked with blood that nobody bothered to wash off. But that was savage, raw, semi-civilised Soviet Moscow. This was beautiful, ultra-civilised, gentle Oxford. On this occasion, she saw a small group of people gathered round an unconscious fellow-creature, bleeding from his head, pale and still. This being Oxford, one of those at hand was a doctor, who briskly told the 999 operator that the case looked pretty serious, and an ambulance must come. It did, though the paramedics had to reach the scene on foot from 300 yards away. The e-bike rider was long gone. I have for some years been puzzled by what seemed to be a government policy of encouraging e-bikes and e-scooters (File image) It could have been me, too. I often use this path, an immensely busy trunk route for cyclists in Oxford, a city where many thousands ride pushbikes, pretty much on principle. We think it is good for us, and good for our neighbours, and good for the world. For many years it was very safe, though it is no longer as e-bikes multiply. But if it werent for me, youd never know this had happened, and I have grave doubts about whether it will ever find its way into official statistics. Which is a big, bad problem. My thanks to the local ambulance people who confirmed it, saying interestingly: We dont normally provide information on these types of historical[!] incidents but this one seems to have generated more media interest than would normally be expected, so Im happy to provide you with the following statement. It read: We received a 999 call at 17:19 on Sunday, 25 August, with the caller reporting a collision on the Marston cycle path leaving one cyclist seriously injured. We sent two ambulances and a rapid response vehicle to the incident. The team treated an approximately 60-year-old male for head and facial injuries at the scene before transporting them to the John Radcliffe Hospital. As I write this, Thames Valley Police are officially unaware the event took place, even though I have told them. The local hospital, Oxfords mighty John Radcliffe, loftily refuses to comment on the victims condition. It is only thanks to the South Central Ambulance Service that any record exists. So why am I so exercised about this? It matters. The whole country is rapidly being changed for the worse by an avoidable, reversible mistake, for which here is hard, painful evidence. I have for some years been puzzled by what seemed to be a government policy of encouraging e-bikes and e-scooters. Most normal human beings hate them, though a few funky urbanites think they are the future, such as the metropolitan journalist Janice Turner who wrote recently: Unlocking a Lime bike makes me feel like a citizen of the future! Leaving a restaurant alone, theres something swashbuckling about jumping on one and heading into the night. You might bag a particularly peppy bike, one that flies up hills without the need for much pedalling, so you feel like Flashman galloping home on a fast horse. Why, when our road safety policy has been strikingly successful in saving lives, has the Department for Transport abandoned it for electric bikes? (File image) And crucially she also explained that: My bit of south London is a transport black hole Theres no Tube, just ill-spaced, unreliable trains. LTNs [low traffic neighbourhoods] have made driving impossible and bus routes sclerotic. She has a sort of good point, which Ill come to. The whole foundation of this countrys road safety policy has been that drivers and riders of motor vehicles should hold licences and pass tests, and that vehicles should be registered and carry number plates. By these simple rules, the police and courts could deter and punish dangerous driving and easily identify the culprits. Number plates were introduced in 1904, and driving tests in 1934-35, as were zebra crossings and the first 30 mph speed limits. These measures were brought in to deal with terrible carnage on British roads, which was then far worse than it is now even though there are so many more motor vehicles (41 million such vehicles now, compared to 2.5 million in 1934). Between 1926 and 1933, 50,000 died on our roads and 1.42 million were injured (roughly 7,000 deaths a year, and about 200,000 injured each year). In contrast, road deaths for 2022 were 1,711 and 136,000 injured. So why, when our road safety policy has been strikingly successful in saving lives, has the Department for Transport abandoned it for electric bikes? These powerful motor vehicles can now be ridden on our roads and bike tracks, without the rider needing a licence, or the vehicle needing a number plate. E-bikes slipped into legality, thanks to an EU change in regulations in 2016. Their annoying cousins, rented e-scooters, followed soon afterwards, though it is still officially illegal to ride privately-owned versions on public roads, pavements or bike lanes. Dont listen to the public relations spin that e-bikes help your poor old granny ride up the steep hills of Cornwall or Cumbria. If there are such grannies, Im sure they have driving licences. Anyone can see that e-bikes are mostly used by tough food delivery riders, or by fit young urbanites who cant be bothered to pedal a real bike. Those who witnessed the Oxford accident on Sunday describe a horrible scene with the e-bike rider shouting crazily as he approached the pedal-cyclist from behind at a terrifying speed. For this is the other myth. Officially e-bikes are limited to 15.5 mph. But it is astoundingly easy to bypass the limiters. A few weeks ago, I was on the same path when I became aware of an angry whirring behind me. I pulled in, stopped and watched as an electric bike travelling at a minimum of 25mph and probably faster, sped past me, swerving violently as it took the bend. The rider was (as they often are) masked like a bandit. Fortunately, nobody was walking a dog and there were no small children, as there often are on this path. Had there been, I hate to think what might have happened. But would it have been recorded? Or would it have slipped by unreported, as Sundays crash almost did? On Monday, I spoke to an official at the Department of Transport and put in a request for annual figures on reported casualties in accidents and collisions involving electric bicycles, beginning in 2018. But after two business days, all they could confirm was that they do not hold such figures, but leave it to individual police forces to record. Could it be that the DFT have in fact given up on public transport, and decided that allowing mass use of unlicensed electric bikes and scooters will fill the gap? So best keep quiet about the risks. Can anyone give me a better explanation? Sir Keir Starmer turned up in Berlin yesterday to tell German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that his Government wants to 'turn a corner on Brexit' and seize a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity' to fix Britain's relations with the European Union. Who voted for that? Certainly not the 17.4 million citizens who put their X in the box marked 'Leave' in the 2016 referendum, which was billed as a 'once-in-a-generation' chance to 'take back control'. That's getting on for twice as many as the 9.7 million who voted Labour in July. Or, to put it another way, just 20 per cent of the electorate. None of those Labour voters were told they were opting to undo Brexit. Indeed, the very day before the General Election, Starmer said that he could not see us rejoining in his lifetime. Yet within weeks of being elected, he's off cosying up to Scholz and France's Emmanuel Macron, the two EU leaders most in favour of the dead hand of Brussels running member countries' affairs. Starmer should be careful what he wishes for. After all, both Scholz and President Macron (whom he will also meet today) are toast in the short-to-medium term. Germany and France are run by zombie governments: administrations whose support has collapsed due to their abject failure to meet their voters' concerns about everything from mass migration to the lunatic obsession with net zero. Sir Keir Starmer turned up in Berlin yesterday to tell German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, that his Government wants to 'turn a corner on Brexit' Despite his bloated supermajority in Parliament which stands at 158 even after the suspension of seven MPs for voting for an SNP amendment on, needless to say, Gaza Starmer's landslide was a loveless one, and he might soon face the same fate as his technocratic European chums if he continues to treat voters with contempt. Of course, Labour will insist that Starmer's trip to Berlin is intended only to secure 'special access' to German markets for British business and make deals on trade and defence. But these first moves in what you might call Starmer's 'Operation Reset' look to me like the thin end of a Rejoin-shaped wedge. He might want to agree a new defence pact, for example, in the shadow of the Ukraine war. But Scholz has little room to manoeuvre without the approval of Macron and Brussels. They are firmly committed to a comprehensive EU security policy and ultimately a European Army. How willing is Starmer to sign up to that? As for trade deals, Germany remains at the heart of the EU single market. For all the polite smiles and handshakes, any special access to the trading bloc is fanciful unless Starmer is prepared to rewrite Britain's overall Brexit deal, signed in a triumph of statecraft by Boris Johnson in 2020. And Brussels, which has no wish to restart negotiations except on the most favourable terms, will countenance no amendments unless Starmer makes agonising concessions when it comes to obeying EU rules. Yesterday, a senior Brussels source issued a friendly reminder about the likely price of Operation Reset: 'It is good to see Starmer in the European capitals. But he must realise any access to the EU's single market comes with obligations when it comes to mobility and alignment with European laws.' Labour will insist that Starmer's trip to Berlin is intended only to secure 'special access' to German markets for British business and make deals on trade and defence 'Mobility' is code for open borders. The EU has already raised the highly troubling prospect of its under-30s being given the freedom to live and work in the UK. Labour in the usual weasellish non-denial has said it has 'no plans for a youth mobility scheme'. But officials hint Starmer might 'give ground' as part of his beloved reset, leaving Britain's front door even more agape. This would be a disaster for his own Government as well as our country, which has repeatedly made its concern about freedom of movement clear. In his funereal Downing Street speech this week, Starmer uttered not a word about the illegal migration crisis. Having ditched the Tories' Rwanda scheme on day one in No 10 and failed to propose any alternative, his Government has since pledged to fast-track 100,000 outstanding applications for asylum that is, 'dealing' with illegal immigration by effectively legalising it. This abnegation of the Government's clear responsibility to secure our border perhaps explains its bizarre new policy highlighted in the Mail last Saturday by Boris Johnson of no longer referring to 'illegal migration' but instead calling it 'irregular migration'. This is nonsensical. An Ipsos poll this month confirmed that immigration is now felt by the whole electorate not just Tories and Reform voters to be the single most important issue facing Britain today, ahead of the NHS, the economy or crime. For Starmer to have shied away from addressing this is enough to make one despair. But these first moves in what you might call Starmer's 'Operation Reset' look to me like the thin end of a Rejoin-shaped wedge Our globalist Prime Minister who boasted in 2023 that he preferred hobnobbing with bankers in Davos to slumming it with MPs in Westminster is an instinctive enthusiast for open borders. This sentiment lies at the heart of his desire to 'reset' relations with the EU and helps explain his trip to Germany in the first place. But if he only looked around him in Berlin, he might see the inherent dangers. Germany's borderless migration policy has been a disaster, thanks to a convoluted system of appeals that makes it virtually impossible to deport asylum seekers and a failure to assimilate many of the millions who have been given the right to remain. Both these shortcomings were epitomised by the recent murder of three festival-goers in the city of Solingen by an Islamist Syrian knifeman who was meant to be deported a year ago. As the anti-migration Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) has risen in popularity, Scholz and Germany's terrified political establishment have tried to demonise and even ban it. All to no avail. Indeed, this weekend parties in Scholz's coalition the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and Free Democratic Party (FDP) are expected to be hammered by the AfD and a new Leftist 'alliance' led by the grim-faced populist Sahra Wagenknecht. Things look equally bleak for Starmer's beloved Macron in France. Having been trounced by Marine Le Pen's National Rally in the European elections earlier this year, the pint-sized premier called and lost a parliamentary election that left him impotently watching over a bitterly divided society. There are now two Europes. While Scholz, Macron and Starmer live in a looking-glass world, in which internationalists like them pursue ever-closer integration and open borders, others such as Italy's Giorgia Meloni, Greece's Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Hungary's Viktor Orban have seen the writing on the wall and stand up for the millions who have had enough of policies they can see are worsening their societies. This week, Starmer gloomily warned us that things can only get worse. That will be true for him, too, if he continues on his current path: already his personal approval rating has collapsed from a high of +11 in late July to -16 this week. It may never recover. The people's revolt that brought about Brexit has now spread across the EU. That democratic genie is never going back into the bottle, however hard the Establishment parties wish it would. Mick Hume is the author of Trigger Warning: Is The Fear Of Being Offensive Killing Free Speech? New York, US (PANA) - The World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Wednesday a pause in the movement of its employees in Gaza until further notice following an attack on a team returning from an aid delivery mission on Tuesday evening, just metres from an Israeli-controlled checkpoint Andrew Lloyd Webber's Coronation anthem Make a Joyful Noise reportedly reduced King Charles to 'goosebumps and tears'. He also wrote the music for the 40th anniversary of the Queen's reign in 1992. So why wasn't Andrew, purportedly HM's favourite composer, appointed Master of the King's Music instead of Errollyn Wallen? My sources whisper that the Phantom of the Opera creator wasn't even on the shortlist made by the informal committee the King assembled. Errollyn ticked more boxes. And with the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa just weeks away, appointing a Belize-born black woman hits the right note. One of her first commissions will be a piece for the King's funeral, which HM will hope won't be heard for a long while. ndrew Lloyd Webber's Coronation anthem Make a Joyful Noise reportedly reduced King Charles to 'goosebumps and tears' How does Dominic Grieve's old Tory colleague Damian Green feel about him throwing his hat into the ring to become the next Chancellor of Oxford University? Back in 1977, former attorney general Grieve was understood to have been part of a student mob which violently seized Green and threw him into the River Cherwell. Having almost been impaled on a bridge's railings, young Damian broke his wrist. Normally gentlemanly Dominic later apologised to Damian, his involvement deemed to have been 'totally out of character'. Gladiator II director Sir Ridley Scott explains to Empire magazine why original Maximus Russell Crowe isn't returning for the new blockbuster. 'I think he's still one of the best actors in the world, and I think we have a good relationship,' he says. Sir Ridley added: 'As long as he doesn't start bitching about how he wasn't consulted. Why would he be? His Maximus is dead!' Gladiator II director Sir Ridley Scott explains to Empire magazine why original Maximus Russell Crowe(pictured) isn't returning for the new blockbuster With Liam and Noel clearing their throats for an Oasis tour, how long before Pink Floyd stage a reunion? 'It will not happen with our band,' says drummer Nick Mason. 'I don't think Dave Gilmour and Roger Waters will ever get back together. Pigs might fly literally first.' They did once Nick but not according to plan! Take no prisoners critic and biographer Roger Lewis caddishly attacks the late author Dame Iris Murdoch, saying: 'I knew Iris well and she was pretty stupid. She thought Barbara Windsor was a relative of the Queen. She thought Proust's novel opened with Marcel getting up early, instead of getting to bed early.' Might Iris's Alzheimer's, from which she died aged 79 in 1999, have been an issue? Take no prisoners critic and biographer Roger Lewis caddishly attacks the late author Dame Iris Murdoch (pictured) Telly cook Rustie Lee is in no danger of letting her complexion get rusty, telling Best magazine she douses her face in castor oil. 'I massage my face, arms and everything else with it,' she says of the unguent, an ingredient in motor oil. 'I do have some good face creams too but I like castor oil because it's good for everything.' Is that the secret of gabby Rustie's nought to 60 conversation speed? As she was pushed into the court in a wheelchair, the elderly womans face was hidden behind a printed silk scarf. Sunglasses and a medical mask further shielded her from Press photographers who had been briefly permitted to take pictures. Irmgard Furchner was the first woman to stand trial on charges relating to Third Reich atrocities for decades. The trial began three years ago bizarrely in a juvenile court near Hamburg, Germany. She had been only 18 when she began working as secretary to the Kommandant of Stutthof camp. I noticed an electronic tag on her arm. It had been attached after she fled her nursing home to avoid trial, an act that seemed to prove she understood the seriousness of her predicament. Bear in mind, this woman was accused of complicity in the deaths of 11,400 people at Stutthof, on Polands Baltic coast, which became the first Nazi camp outside Germany when it opened two days after the wars outbreak. Despite her protestations of innocence, Furchner was convicted as an accessory to mass killings and given a two-year suspended sentence. Now 99, her appeal against her conviction was rejected last week by Germanys Federal Court. Irmgard Furchner was the first woman to stand trial on charges relating to Third Reich atrocities for decades When I first saw her in 2021, she looked sad and pathetic just like the 100-year-old man I observed two days later in another German court, wearing a striped jumper and complaining of sleeping difficulties as he faced similar accusations. The Lithuanian-born centenarian could not have looked less threatening. Yet this man, Josef Schutz, was found guilty of assisting in the slaughter of 3,518 people at Sachsenhausen concentration camp near Berlin. Not that he saw the inside of a jail cell. Allowed to remain free while he appealed his five-year sentence, he died last year. It felt strange to see on court TV screens the spookily-familiar black and white images of strutting Nazi guards in those grotesque camps then to look across at first Furchner then Schutz, listening to claims they were crucial cogs in the Nazi machinery of mass murder. Past horror entwined with present reality as Germany pursued some of the last surviving alleged perpetrators of these crimes against humanity. This spate of cases followed the 2011 conviction of John Demjanjuk, a former guard at Sobibor camp. Previously, German cases required proof of involvement in a murder. Yet after that case, anyone working at such a place could be tried as an accessory to the killings carried out there. This woman was accused of complicity in the deaths of 11,400 people at Stutthof, on Poland s Baltic coast (Furchner pictured in 1944) I was surprised by my reaction as I watched those frightened old people. I had been ambivalent about such trials beforehand, torn between the enormity of Nazi crimes and the age of these defendants and the comparatively minor role they played. But my attitude hardened as I looked at that miserable old woman and even older man. I became convinced that these trials were correct even if they came decades too late and the accused were in the dock partly since they lived longer than their contemporaries. Strangely, it was the sheer ordinariness of the defendants that strengthened my desire for justice. The banality of evil was on display as Schutz listened through his headphones (due to hearing difficulties) and Furchner fiddled with her sunglasses. At one point, Heike Trautmann, a senior police officer, showed the court records of Schutzs SS service after he answered the Fuhrers call to join the Nazi cause. Trautmann revealed that during Schutzs 40 months as a guard at Sachsenhausen, there were 38,110 fatalities: They were gassed, shot or died as a result of malnutrition and poor hygiene. Heinrich Himmler (centre) at Stutthof, the first Nazi camp outside Germany She asked a court official to assist as she unrolled the list on which Sachsenhausen staff had detailed daily killings of Allied prisoners, political foes and antisocials such as Jews and Roma. It was, incredibly, 45ft long. This was a stunning indication of the scale of these crimes and a reminder that even the most disturbing evil is carried out not by freaks and monsters but by ordinary people, driven by typical human traits such as ambition, fear or misguided sense of duty. The Nazi regime needed bureaucrats, guards and secretaries to function effectively and, as the historian Rachel Century told me, if enough people had refused to co-operate, millions of lives might have been spared. About 64,000 of the 110,000 inmates held at Stutthof died, including some 28,000 Jews along with political prisoners, homosexuals and survivors of the Warsaw Uprising. Many were executed but others died of disease, exhaustion and hunger. Asia Shindelman was 15 three years younger than Furchner when taken to Stutthof in a cattle truck with her family. She told me of seeing her grandmother being led off to be murdered, prisoners thrown on electric fences and men fed like meat to dogs. Its not possible for someone to say they did not know what was going on all around them, said Shindelman, who was among the four per cent of Lithuanian Jews to survive the Holocaust. We did not look like people we looked like skeletons. We can easily blame leaders for evil deeds yet the potential for depravity lies beneath the surface of all human societies. In my own lifetime, it has been seen repeatedly: from the slaughter of two million Cambodians under the despotic Pol Pot and the Rwandan genocide through to more recent events in the Middle East. Or look at the hideous rampage of murder, rape and torture carried out by Russian soldiers and their stooges in Ukraine. Is it any wonder Ukrainians get infuriated when outsiders casually blame Putin alone for the nightmare engulfing their nation? I have met many victims of abuse and torture while reporting around the world and often wondered how anyone could perform such atrocities. A few weeks before attending those court cases, I interviewed a Chinese police officer who told me how he helped beat and brutalise Uyghurs in the dictatorships clampdown on Muslim minorities. He talked about whipping people until they became blind and using electric batons on genitals. This man was a whistleblower who fled China in disgust at his own role in these sordid events. He was remorseful. Yet he showed how a warped sense of duty and a fear of punishment led an ordinary man to assist in torturing the innocent. This is why those trials matter and why I changed my mind looking at those two old people. They remind us how ordinary men and women aid and carry out the most terrible crimes. And for the sake of humanity, we must send an unstinting message to anyone participating in such atrocities that they will never be safe from justice. A former Mormon couple have revealed a lesser known 'sacred' and secretive ritual that happens in the church for only a select few - known as the second anointing. Alyssa Grenfell, 31, grew up in an ultra-strict household but fled from Utah to New York in 2017 - and has since been focusing on rebuilding her new life with her family. In a recent video posted to YouTube, the ex-Mormon was joined by her husband of nine years, Jackson, and the couple spoke of the various religious rituals in the church, sharing insider knowledge of the 'cream of the crop' ritual: the second anointing. 'There's ordinances that happen or rituals that happen outside of Mormon temples and rituals that happen inside of Mormon temples,' Jason explained. He said after a person is baptized, they go into a Mormon temple to take part in what they call the endowment, which is the washing and anointing of a person. Alyssa Grenfell and her husband Jackson grew in an ultra-strict household but fled from Utah to New York in 2017 While most Mormons are familiar with the first anointing - which refers to the washing and anointing part of the endowment ceremony in which a person is anointed to become a king and priest or a queen and priestess unto God - few know about the second anointment, as it's a much rarer occurrence. The pair admitted there are many tiers of rituals within the church, describing the first time they were in a prayer circle in the temple, both candidly reflecting that it was 'the moment you realize that maybe you were raised in a cult.' 'If you are raised Mormon especially like we were, basically everyone you know and trust has done this ceremony [the prayer circle] so it's very much kind of the gravity that pulls you forward,' the mother-of-two explained. 'You're about to serve a mission, you're about to get married - everyone that you know that's in leadership or an adult that's gone before you has done the ceremony so it's very hard to opt out,' she explained. However, the craziest part of these rituals is the second anointing, according to Alyssa and Jackson. 'Like I said, most Mormons have no idea even exists even in the highest levels of Mormonism,' Alyssa shared. 'Most of those people haven't had the opportunity or been given the privilege to do the ceremony yet it's basically like the cream of the crop.' Jackson said he first learned of the second anointing as he was leaving the church, only being offered to 'elite' members. The pair admitted there are many tiers of rituals within the church, describing the first time they were in a prayer circle in the temple, both candidly reflecting that it was 'the moment you realize that maybe you were raised in a cult' Alyssa Grenfell, 31, grew up in an ultra-strict household but fled from Utah to New York in 2017 - and has since been focusing on rebuilding her new life with her family. 'I'd spent my life in the church in Utah in the in the belly of the beast and had never heard of this,' he recalled. 'You realize that even for us who married in the temple, we got through so many levels, we still didn't get past the final level of... the Mormon game show of getting to be a God,' Alyssa jokingly chimed in. The duo explained that a second anointing is seen as a guarantee your entrance into the highest degree of Heaven. 'When we got the endowment we were promised to become kings and queens in the afterlife, contingent upon our faithfulness - so it's basically saying you'll get there but you have to be ultra faithful and then at the final judgment God and Jesus will decide,' Alyssa explained. The second anointment, she explained, is when they take away that last part where they say 'contingent upon your faithfulness' - it's basically like having the second judgment here on Earth in these days before you even die.' They added that whoever is officiating the second anointing is far higher up than whoever officiates the first. Another unusual part of the ceremony is that the woman will often bless her husband - something Alyssa said she had never seen before. Jackson said the people in the church chosen to get a second anointing by 'stake presidents,' who were instructed to identify people from their local area who should be considered as candidates for the second anointing. 'My understanding is that now really the recommendation has to actually come directly from an apostle and so it's become I think a lot more restricted really to people who exist in the in the sphere of influence,' Alyssa explained In the past, the ex-follower unveiled her shocking theory on why there were so many Mormon influencers. She explained that she believed that the church, also known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was 'sponsoring influencers through travel and meals' - adding that the organization was 'funneling money around the term Mormon.' Alyssa has previously opened up about her glow-up after leaving the church and the truth about 'Mormon face.' A few weeks ago, Jade McCrossen-Nethercott received a payment of 35,000 into her bank account. A substantial sum of money but it was what it signified, rather than its monetary value, that meant most to her. 'I cried when it came through,' says Jade, now 32. 'I sat on my sofa looking at the balance on my banking app, sobbing. My partner thought something must be wrong, but I told him no, they were happy tears. 'I said: 'Finally I have proof they listened to me and have taken my complaint seriously.' ' In an extremely rare admission of fault, the payment had been awarded as compensation from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Jade had contacted the police after she was allegedly raped in her sleep by an acquaintance at a small house party. For three years, she worked with officers to build a case and bring charges an often agonising and deeply intrusive process. But just 13 days before her alleged attacker was due to stand trial, lawyers from the CPS informed her that her case had been dropped because two sleep experts said it was possible she had had an episode of sexsomnia a medically recognised, but rare, sleep disorder which can cause a person to engage in sexual acts in their sleep while appearing to be awake and consenting. Wrongly, the case was closed immediately and the man acquitted. It was devastating for Jade. Indeed, she says now: 'The trauma inflicted by the CPS was far worse than the incident itself. Jade had contacted the police after she was allegedly raped in her sleep by an acquaintance at a small house party 'My voice was dismissed and the decision to drop my case was made based on completely unfounded claims.' Kate Ellis, the joint litigation lead at the Centre for Women's Justice, who represented Jade, said claims from victims against the CPS were 'difficult legally', with payouts 'extremely rare'. 'This is the first case of which I'm aware in which a rape victim has been awarded compensation by the CPS in relation to a decision that's been taken to discontinue their case before trial,' she said. 'It's a testament to how severe the failing was on the part of the CPS that we have been able to bring this claim.' Indeed, it took a profound toll on Jade, who became suicidal, coming close to throwing herself off London Bridge one night before seeking help at St Thomas's Hospital, where she received psychiatric support. She also suffered hallucinations thinking she saw the defendant on train platforms or in crowds and panic attacks so crippling she struggled to sleep, leaving her unable to work for six months. In an effort to numb the pain, Jade developed unhealthy coping mechanisms. She mixed diazepam prescribed by her GP with other sedatives and alcohol, pouring gin into tonic water bottles to hide the extent of her drinking from loved ones. 'Living with the knowledge that someone could do such a terrible thing to me without any legal consequences, and then be free to do the same to others, just felt too much to bear,' she says. Over the next few months, the distress and upset turned to fury, and Jade felt the need to fight back. She explains: 'The suggestion that I might have been responsible for what happened because of this condition, sexsomnia, which I'd never heard of nor been tested for, felt like the most brutal form of victim-blaming.' Rape cases are notoriously difficult to bring to court. In England and Wales, a mere 5 per cent of those accused of rape are ever charged and just 1 per cent are convicted of the crime in a court of law. According to the charity Rape Crisis, five out of six women affected don't bother involving the police as a result. Historically, those victims who did appear in court have faced gruelling cross-examination, being told they were 'asking' to be sexually assaulted on account of wearing short skirts or drinking 'too much' alcohol. Jade was concerned that her case would set a dangerous precedent: the sexsomnia defence could be used against more victims. She decided she had to prevent that by pursuing a case against the CPS. Her case was dropped because two sleep experts said it was possible she had had an episode of sexsomnia. Jade is pictured during a police interview It was in March 2017 that Jade, then 24, joined a group of friends in a South London bar. Over the course of around six hours Jade drank two gin and tonics and half a bottle of Prosecco before some of them went back to the defendant's flat. He poured her a glass of red wine, which Jade recalls tasted 'salty' a fact she put down to it being cheap, but now believes the drink may have been spiked with the date rape drug GHB, something a sleep expert has since confirmed is possible. When Jade became sleepy at around 1am, her alleged attacker offered her his bedroom. She declined, concerned that might 'give the wrong signals', saying she was happy to 'nestle down' on the sofa with a blanket over her, as the rest of the group continued to listen to music and chat around her. She has no memory of what happened between then and around 5am when she woke. 'As I opened my eyes, I had this horrible feeling of having been violated, uncomfortable, sore, as if something had penetrated me, but I had no idea what,' recalls Jade, who has recounted these events so often since that she now feels able to do so without breaking down. 'My trousers were off. My pants were off. My bra was unfastened at the back. I had fingertip-size bruises on my arm. My favourite chunky necklace was broken. 'I sat bolt upright in a panic, looking around, and saw he was on the other side of the L-shaped sofa, asleep. I started screaming at him: 'What the f*** has happened?' and, when he stood up but didn't respond, I pushed him into a corner of the room, desperate to get answers. 'He told me to 'Shut up, be quiet' because other people were asleep in the bedrooms, and then he said: 'I thought you were awake,' before running out of the flat, leaving the door open.' Numb with shock, Jade dressed and left shortly afterwards, calling her best friend on the way out. 'I was crying hysterically down the phone and, as soon as the words 'I think I've been raped' left my mouth, I vomited on the pavement,' recalls Jade. 'It was a visceral response, my body reacting to the shock of what had happened to me. 'My friend sent a taxi to pick me up. She was waiting outside her flat in her dressing gown when the driver dropped me there, and she bundled me inside.' Although desperate to get out of her clothes and shower 'I felt so dirty and wanted to cleanse myself of him' her friend advised her to contact the police first. Two officers wearing body cameras arrived later that morning and took a statement from Jade before bagging up all her clothes and asking her to do a urine sample as well as vaginal and oral swabs. Jade became suicidal, coming close to throwing herself off London Bridge one night before seeking help at St Thomas's Hospital, where she received psychiatric support They drove Jade and her friend across London to a sexual assault referral centre, where internal examinations and more swabs were done. These confirmed the presence of semen, which was later proven to be from the alleged attacker. Jade was given the morning after pill and vaccinated against Hepatitis B but had to wait an agonising few months for blood tests to confirm she had not contracted it or HIV. While urine tests showed no evidence that she had been drugged, she later discovered that GHB can clear the system within hours and Jade had emptied her bladder twice before providing a sample. She also handed over her phone, doing everything to the letter, in an effort to ensure justice was done. When the accused was first interviewed by police, his only response was 'no comment'. After the swab results, he was interviewed again, this time stating sex had happened but claiming it was consensual. 'The most plausible explanation is that I was spiked, because how the hell did I not wake up?' says Jade. 'However, I came across reports of people not waking during acts of rape because of some mechanism being triggered in the brain to protect them. If I'd woken up, I'd probably have fought him off and, given that he was willing to rape someone unconscious, he could have hit me over the head with something or strangled me.' Other than being asked to fill out a sleep questionnaire in June 2020, Jade had no contact with the CPS until she was called to Brixton police station in South London that October, to be told the case was being dropped. 'There had been no red flags or concerns about the defence's case raised with me before then,' says Jade. 'They told me about the Victims' Right to Review process, but also explained that it wouldn't change the outcome of my case as he couldn't be charged a second time. That was incredibly upsetting and frustrating.' Like one in five people, Jade had sleep-walked as a child and occasionally sleep-talked as an adult, both precipitating factors in sexsomnia. But none of her romantic partners, who were not interviewed, had ever noticed anything untoward about her sexual behaviour. The experts' assertions were based on interviews with the defendant who, despite Jade waking to find her necklace broken and bruising as if a hand had grabbed her upper arm, said that he 'thought she was awake'. Sexsomnia has been used as a defence by men accused of rape or sexual assault in other words, they have claimed they were asleep during the act. But Jade's is the only known case in the UK where the victim has been said to have the condition. In 2022, the CPS admitted it had been wrong to drop Jade's case and in May this year 'apologised unreservedly' to her. She is pictured during a police interview Crazy though the suggestion seemed, Jade began to worry she might, in fact, be among the tiny proportion of people believed to suffer from sexsomnia most of whom are men. 'As much as I knew deep down that I didn't, the CPS had planted the seed it was enough for them to close their case and for the defendant to walk free, for heaven's sake,' she says. 'As someone who had always had faith in the justice system, I couldn't help questioning myself.' Jade's GP, appalled by her experience, referred her for assessment at a sleep clinic at London's Guy's Hospital. But after the initial consultation she was told it couldn't be done on the NHS as there was no evidence of a sleep disorder. Determined to get answers, in 2021 Jade paid 500 to see a sleep specialist privately and a further 1,500 for a polysomnography a diagnostic tool that records brain waves and other vital signs while you sleep. There was nothing in the findings to suggest she suffered from sexsomnia. In 2022, the CPS admitted it had been wrong to drop Jade's case. Emboldened by this, and with legal representation from the Centre for Women's Justice, Jade sued the organisation, whose role is to prosecute cases investigated by the police. In May this year, as compensation was announced, the CPS 'apologised unreservedly' to Jade and said it was 'committed to improving every aspect of how life-changing crimes like rape are dealt with'. 'It felt like a triumph,' says Jade. 'I knew the odds were stacked against me, as the CPS hardly ever admits fault, so the compensation was a groundbreaking admission. 'My partner and I celebrated with a bottle of Taittinger champagne, and a steak and chips home-cooked dinner. 'However, I'm still waiting for a letter I've been promised, outlining the lessons the CPS has learned from my case. This is the most important bit of all for me. I really need to see that changes have been implemented and that it will ensure no other victim has to go through what it put me through. 'First the rape, and then being told that, even in my sleep, I was somehow complicit in this heinous act, was the ultimate disempowerment. By forcing the CPS to accept and acknowledge fault in this way, I feel I've reclaimed some of that power, for myself and other victims.' It is, says Jade, thanks to the support of her friends, parents and her partner of more than eight years that she has survived this ordeal. And she feels it's important to acknowledge the impact rape can have on intimacy: 'About five days after it happened, I said to my partner 'I think we need to have sex, because otherwise I'm scared I'm never going to want to do it again.' 'It was an emotional rollercoaster at some points I was crying and we just hugged but I'm glad we didn't let it become a thing. 'There have been times when we've been having sex and I've had a flashback . . . to the morning after on that sofa, when I realised what had happened.' While she mostly sleeps well, other than on the nights her partner is away, Jade no longer feels safe falling asleep alone on trains and planes. But she has been able to quit the medication, only drinks in moderation and has a fulfilling job as a client care manager at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, where she supports women making difficult decisions, including some who have experienced rape. Had she not been so preoccupied with the legal battle, she believes she and her partner might have had a child, which is something she still hopes for. Jade plans to use some of the money to fund an arts project, giving voice to victims of both rape and miscarriages of justice. 'As part of my assessment for compensation, I had to see a psychiatrist who determined what damage had been caused to me by the rape and my treatment at the hands of the CPS,' says Jade. 'They were able to quantify the financial impact loss of earnings, cost of sleep assessments. It is, however, much harder to quantify, or compensate for, the emotional toll an ordeal like mine can take.' The new flavour is set to reach major UK retailers in October for 2 Terry's Chocolate Orange is a beloved chocolate treat and a staple in many UK households at Christmastime. After it hit UK supermarket shelves in 1932, the product, divided into orange-flavoured segments, built a colossal following. However, those loyal fans have been left in uproar after the York-based chocolate company revealed its newest product. Terry's Chocolate Milk Ball, which appears in the same segment style as the signature Orange product but has a different flavour, has caused controversy among fans. The confectionery, available in all major UK retailers from October for 2, is a chocolate orange without the orange, otherwise dubbed a 'norange'. Terry's Chocolate Orange have released a new product - Terry's Chocolate Milk Ball (pictured) - without it's signature orange flavour The decision to introduce the new flavour stemmed from the success of Terry's Chocolate Mint Ball, which the company launched last year in time for Christmas and sold out mid-season. Discussing the new product, Lorene Decam, a spokesperson at Terry's said: 'Terry's is an institution, so anything we do needs to respect the love that people have for our products. 'The Chocolate Milk Ball is a way for all chocolate lovers to enjoy the unique novelty of a Terry's ball. 'After launching Terry's Chocolate Mint Ball last year and selling out in record time, we wanted to be even ballsier. 'Launching a plain version is something most brands start with, but Terry's will always be different who knew that forgetting the orange could be so ballsy. 'But superfans fear not as the Chocolate Milk Ball will live side by side this Christmas with the Terry's Chocolate Orange.' Terry's confirmed that the new flavour will not be a limited-edition release, meaning it's a permanent member of the Terry's Chocolate Ball family and will be available beyond the festive season. Fans of Terry's took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their thoughts on the release. One simply questioned: 'Why?' The new and controversial release among loyal fans follows the success of Terry's Chocolate Mint Ball last year Another added: 'This is as wrong as my favourite milk chocolate adding orange flavour. It's either a Galaxy Milk Chocolate day or a Terry's Chocolate Orange day. You can't improve on either by adding or taking away orange. A third wrote: 'I got excited because the Terry's mint is back. There's also Terry's milk....which is just regular chocolate? Seems a bit pointless as a new product. But obviously I bought one. A fourth person questioned: 'Why are they messing with a Terry's chocolate orange'. Terry's Chocolate Orange was first produced at Terry's Chocolate Works in York in 1932. The company was started in 1926 by Joseph Terry, who had previously worked for a different confectionery firm in York. The brand itself has changed hands between several different owners over the past few decades and currently, Terry's Chocolate Orange is produced by the company Carambar in Strasbourg, France. Social media users took to X, formerly Twitter to share their thoughts on the new product, and many were divided It comes after Coca-Cola and Oreo collaborated to make Coca-Cola Oreo Zero Sugar - the limited-edition beverage that is set to hit UK stores from September. In line with the sandwich cookie, the limited-edition fizzy drink comes in black and white packaging, with the addition of a red stamp to credit Coca-Cola. The new beverage mixes the refreshing taste of Coca-Cola with hints of Oreo cookies. Inspiration from the new drink comes from friendship, with the brands celebrating what it means to have a best friend. In addition to the new flavour, the brands have partnered with Spotify to create a new, immersive digital element called 'bestie mode'. By scanning the QR code on packs, people can follow the steps to enjoy the new mode, which allows customers to synchronise music preferences with friends. Once connected to a Spotify account, fans will answer questions to see how their taste in music stacks up against their friends. Then, the app generates a playlist with combined music preferences for both friends to enjoy together. Oana Vlad, Global Vice President - Brand Strategy at The Coca-Cola Company. said: 'Bringing together the playfulness of Oreo and the Real Magic of Coca-Cola is so unexpected, but also feels so right because we are alike in so many ways. 'As a first-of-its-kind collaboration for both brands, we are thrilled for besties around the world to join us in celebrating new products, great experiences and unexpected moments of connection.' Meanwhile, Eugenia Zalis, Global Head of Marketing and Brand for OREO, Mondelez International added: 'At OREO, we strive to identify fresh ways to excite consumers, and, with this collaboration, we have truly upped the ante.' 'The bestie bond forged between OREO and Coca-Cola is a playful way to unite our fanbases and celebrate the power of connection and togetherness. 'We cannot wait to see the reaction to the campaign and hope fans are excited to experience the latest twists on two classics.' Eliot and I were a couple now (he officially asked me to be his girlfriend when we were at a bar; in my day it was just assumed after a couple of drunken nights out) but we were not ready to go on holiday together. I had my three kids; he had his friends. That summer, he and his mates booked a holiday to Malaga, leaving early from Stansted. As we still didn't have a place for 'alone time', what with his flatmates and my children, Eliot asked if I would I like to stay the night with him at the Premier Inn at the airport, an hour and a half away. It was hardly the Ritz in Paris, but I said yes immediately. I would have said yes to a cupboard in Caithness, because the truth was that I was crazy about him. The closest we'd got to a holiday so far was an ill-fated camping trip. But two weeks earlier, we'd both carved out an hour from our afternoons and caught the Thames Clipper. I looked at Canary Wharf rising above the glittering water, then kissed him. I love London for all its variety, and that afternoon it felt brand new. At Greenwich we walked along the river holding hands. At the bottom of algae-dotted steps I slipped my sandals off and paddled. We kissed again. 'I told him the words forming behind my lips: 'I love having sex with you.' What I actually meant was: 'I love you', writes Annabel Bond But as we sat down for a drink I realised I only had 15 minutes left before I had to pick up Hector and Maude from their swimming lesson. So instead, we leant our foreheads together, my knees between his. I pressed my palm above his heart onto the heat of his chest. Eliot said: 'I think about you every minute of every day. You make me feel special.' 'I feel the same,' I said. But our parting was always imminent. I had to get back to my kids. He had to get to work. More than that, the 20-year age gap meant that Eliot had hardly started on his life, whereas I was more than half way through mine. I knew he wanted children one day, and a wife. In the meantime, we had the Stansted hotel. My ex-husband was at home looking after the kids, and I'd chosen my outfit carefully: high-waisted jeans and a vintage flowery shirt. I wanted to look effortlessly cool, but now I regretted it - I was too hot. Eliot wore a black T-shirt that showed off his pecs, and shorts that showed off his legs. As I caressed his arms on the train, a woman my age grinned supportively from the other side of the carriage. When we got off I insisted on walking to the hotel but it turned out to be along several dual carriageways. I felt embarrassed and tried to cover it by talking pretentiously about the theory of airports being 'non-places'. Before I could get far, Eliot kissed me on the hard shoulder, pulling me into him probably because he wanted me to stop talking about cultural theories. But the 'non-place' of the airport hotel was perfect for Eliot and me. We were not 'for ever'. The narratives of our lives dissolved when we were together; there was no past and no future. I wanted there to be a future, but I couldn't give him children I was too old, and had three of my own. I'd have to settle for the Premier Inn at the edge of the runway. The hotel was blandly tasteful. But everyone else at the check-in desk, including Eliot, had enormous suitcases. I had a clean pair of pants and make-up in my handbag. Ironic, because out of the two of us, I had the most baggage. Annabel and Eliot stayed at a Premier Inn at the edge of Stansted airport Once in the room, I went to wash. I stared at myself in the mirror, willing my sense of self to return. I didn't know who I was in this new reality. When I returned to the bedroom Eliot was lying on his front, his eyes squeezed shut. I knew he had seen me staring at myself in the mirror, but he didn't say anything. Once in bed, my sense of dislocation made everything more intense. Eliot did everything he promised he would do on the wildest of our sexts; it was amazing. I turned my head away afterwards willing myself not to cry. The following morning, before he left, we had sex again while it was still dark. It was even more intimate. We switched positions: him on top, me on top, my hands pressing on his chest, his hands on my breasts. He asked that we try a position that I never wanted to do in my marriage, but with him I loved it. His body was so big and strong, the whole of it was an erogenous zone for me. I hoped I would tire of him through all this sex, but the opposite was happening. I told him the words forming behind my lips: 'I love having sex with you.' What I actually meant was: 'I love you.' He said nothing, only kissed my face for a long time. Then he got up, pulled on his clothes and was gone. Annabel Bond is a pseudonym. Names have been changed. A furious Floridan blogger has slammed her son's school for setting her first grader up with a heavy amount of homework. Cassi Nelson posted a sad picture of her son on Facebook, in which the toddler is shown distraught and holding back tears, while attempting to finish his homework in the kitchen. The concerned mother shared that her little one, named Phoenix, had to complete 'four pages' of homework after concluding only his 'second day of first grade.' In the moving post, which got more than 21,000 reactions, the furious mother explained: 'He already doesnt get home from school until 4p.m. Then he had to sit still for another hour plus, to complete more work. 'I had to clear out the kitchen so he could focus. His little legs kept bouncing up and down. He was bursting with so much energy - just wanting to go play.' A furious Floridan blogger has slammed her son's school for setting her first grader up with a heavy amount of homework Cassi transparently continued in his post: 'Then he broke my heart when he looked up at me with his big teary doe eyes and asked: "Mommy when you were little, did you get distracted a lot too?!" Pictured is mother Cassi Nelson, who took the photograph of her first grader "Yes sweet baby - mommy sure did too." 'I dont know how people expect little children to sit at school all day long, and then ALSO come home to sit, and do MORE work too 'Its been tested and proven time and time again that homework is actually highly unnecessary, and actually hurts children more than it helps' She added: 'If this little guy's face doesnt confirm that for you, then idk what would. 'If we [can] do anything in this cancel culture, can we please cancel so much unnecessary homework? Especially for the younger kids. 'Its breaking their spirit, and it robs them of what little fun and family time they have when they come home after a long day of school.' The post got more than 95,000 shares and 477 supportive comments. The post got more than 95,000 shares and 477 supportive comments Poll Is four pages of homework too much for a fourth grader? Yes No Is four pages of homework too much for a fourth grader? Yes 291 votes No 251 votes Now share your opinion Many parents strongly emphasized with the mother. One person wrote: 'He shouldnt be having homework [in] first grade, and if he does, then it needs to be very, very little. This is upsetting.' A second person commented: 'Poor little man. Children below a certain grade should not be given homework! Small children have a hard time sitting still for a long period of time, yet alone [be] expected to sit and do hours of homework - for what??? 'They are SMALL CHILDREN! Let them snack, play, laugh, and all the other fun things when they get home. You are only a child once. They don't need that taken away from them. Let them embrace their inner creativity, imagination, recipes, etc;.' A third person added: 'This breaks my spirit. Our schools are huge scams. You're exactly right Cassi. Homework is ridiculous. 'Kids till the age of 10 primarily learn through real-life situations and play scenarios. It's just awful. I wish all public schools naturally took a Montessori approach.' A fourth person wrote: 'I know it girl. Breaks my heart. I dont agree with most homework. Kids are already at school for up to eight hours. 'If they cant get it done in that time, save it for the next day. All its teaching kids, is to take work home as adults, and that it's "ok." I disagree.' A fifth person commented: 'Ya, thats not ok for first grade. Poor guy - these kids arent meant to spend all day at school and at night. 'How can home school kids get everything done that they need to learn in four to five hours, and then we send our kids to school, and seven hours isnt enough? Thats wild.' Some parents explained that seeing their own child just as saddened, made them switch to 'homeschooling' Some parents explained that seeing their own child just as saddened made them switch to 'homeschooling.' One person wrote: 'This is so sad. This is one of many reasons I'll be homeschooling. Kids don't need to sit still and focus all day, in and out of school. It is ridiculous that anything was sent home.' A second person commented: 'One of the many reasons we are homeschooling.' A third person added: 'That's why I just started homeschool.' Several teachers chimed into the conversation with their professional take. One person wrote: 'I dont send homework home with my students. Eight-hours-a-day is enough for little minds to be going. They need and deserve a break.' A second person added: 'As a second grade teacher, I dont believe in sending homework home. 'I do send a reading log home, and ask that they complete an hour of reading for the entire month, but I understand they are just kids and need to be kids! 'Poor baby!! I remember when I was in first grade, [and] I came home with two to three hours of homework and I had dance. I literally never had a minute to be a kid and just play. This is why I dont send home the busy work.' Cassi has decided to homeschool both of her kids - Valkyrie and Phoenix. She shared an update about her homeschooling journey on Facebook Cassi has decided to homeschool both of her kids - Valkyrie and Phoenix. She shared an update about her homeschooling journey on Facebook and said: 'Not every kid fits inside the "normal" box for a traditional school AND THATS OK!! 'Its up to us as their parents to figure out a different learning route thats better suited for them. 'Just like not one job is for every person, not one way of school is for every child either. 'Thank you to everyone who encouraged me to take this leap of faith. Y'all werent lying when you said its not hard! 'And I appreciate y'all more than I can ever say for guiding me in all the right directions for our littles.' According to the National Education Association, it is recommended that teachers follow a '10-minute rule,' which entails that students should not do more than 10 minutes of homework nightly, per their grade level. As heir, she will one day take the title of Commander in Chief of the armed forces Princess Leonor of Spain looked in high spirits today as she arrived at navy school to start the next stage of her military training in Marin on the western coast of Spain. The future queen, 18, will spend a year training with the navy, before moving onto her final rotation at the General Air Academy. As she is the heir to the throne, Leonor will one day take the title of Commander in Chief of the armed forces, alongside being the Queen of Spain. She therefore has to spend three years in each section of defence and has just spent a year at the General Military Academy of Zaragoza. Today, she looked regal as she proudly donned the crisp white uniform, donning a shirt with epaulettes, which she tucked into a pair of belted black smart trousers. The 18-year-old will spend a year training with the navy, before moving onto her final rotation at the General Air Academy The teenager smiled for the cameras as she sported a naval hat along with black boots with a small heel. Leonor decided to keep her appearance natural and opted to wear minimal makeup, sporting just a hint of mascara. The heir also pinned her brunette tresses back in a low braided bun, a practical hairstyle to get stuck into her training, along with opting to wear a pair of simple diamond stud earrings. Snaps from this historic day also show Leonor donning a striking all-white uniform, complete with white shoes, shaking hands and meeting others in the academy. She will spend the next four months at the school before embarking on the training cruise aboard the Juan Sebastian Elcano, the Spanish Navy training vessel, according to Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia. Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, is quoted in the outlet saying: 'I am very proud that the Princess of Asturias is undergoing this military training, which is essential and fundamental because it embodies a series of values, commitment to citizens, loyalty, love for Spain, and leadership that is very important for someone who is going to be the future head of state.' The Princess is following in the footsteps of her father King Felipe as well as her grandfather Juan Carlos, who all attended military training with every of the three armed services in the country. But it won't be easy for Princess Leonor, as she will have her work cut out. As she is the heir to the throne, Leonor will one day take the title of Commander in Chief of the armed forces, alongside being the Queen of Spain The teenager smiled for the cameras as she sported a naval hat She looked regal as she proudly donned the crisp white uniform, donning a shirt with epaulettes, which she tucked into a pair of belted black smart trousers She will spend the next four months at the school before embarking on the training cruise aboard the Juan Sebastian Elcano, the Spanish Navy training vessel Princess Leonor listens intently to another member of the naval school as she settles in The heir also pinned her brunette tresses back in a low braided bun, a practical hairstyle to get stuck into her training, along with opting to wear a pair of simple diamond stud earrings Princes Leonor of Spain looked regal in her white naval uniform as she starts her first day at the academy She has to spend three years in each section of defence and has just spent a year at the General Military Academy of Zaragoza Before she started her three-year training, Leonor revealed her enthusiasm for becoming a cadet last year Snaps from this historic day also show Leonor donning a striking all-white uniform, complete with white shoes, shaking hands and meeting others in the academy Leonor decided to keep her appearance natural and opted to wear minimal makeup, sporting just a hint of mascara Navy Captain Pedro Cardona Suanzes, director-commandant of the Naval Military School in Marin, also described the daily routine of the midshipmen to the publication. He said that their life is 'non-stop' adding that there are constant tasks for them to do, from the minute they wake up until they go to bed in the evening. The captain said the day starts at 6.45am. They then shower, make their beds and go and get breakfast all before 7.30am - when their white uniforms are inspected to be 'spotless'. During the week, all students must be in bed before 10.45pm to ensure they get their full eight hours of sleep. On weekends, pupils are allowed to wake up two hours later than usual, at 8.45am and first-years are allowed to stay up until 1.30am in the morning. Before she started her three-year training, Leonor revealed her enthusiasm for becoming a cadet at the Princesa de Girona Foundation award ceremony in Girona last year. She said at the time: 'I have just finished high school and I am about to start a new stage with a period of military training. 'I am happy because I know how much the Spanish value our armed forces... it is an important moment in my life and I feel very excited and determined to continue learning and giving my best effort.' An Australian man has vented his frustration after being unable to find 'simple' men's winter clothing in Sydney - and he's not alone. The shopper argued that there are hardly any decent options at cheaper stores, especially when looking for simple non-branded designs. He claimed Sydney is the worst place he's browsed, saying all of the affordable retailers stock plenty of short sleeved options but very few long sleeved, well tailored pieces. Popular stores like Zara and Myer were also out of the question for him as he wasn't prepared to spend upwards of $60 on one basic buy. 'I just want a plain long sleeve shirt that doesn't have ridiculous text or branding on it,' he ranted on Reddit. 'There is unfortunately no 'middle-ground' high street clothing stores like Next or Marks and Spencer in the UK that offer decent clothing at average prices. 'Basically [all I want] is the IKEA of standard clothing without brand labels or too out-there designs.' Many said they were struggling with the same problem and put the issue down to high rent and the cost of living. The male shopper preferred to shop in person rather than online 'Horrid perfect storm of 1) tiny population 2) high rent costs 3) high wages 4) isolated from other 'fashion' hubs such as Europe and North America,' one wrote. 'Because of decades of being exposed to this, men perpetually never learn to be adventurous when dressing. Every guy is a RM boots, Uniqlo carbon copy. Which further makes it's harder for new brands to make any real foothold.' 'Men's clothing does indeed need more variety. Connor, YD and Tarocash are okay for business and going-out wear but not so much for comfy or even casual looks,' another added. 'City Surf used to be ok but now it's hard to find a variety of T-shirts pants or shorts that aren't all the same every year. Myer is a rip.' Many said Uniqlo was the 'only place' they'd found success - even if it meant they dressed the same as their mates the majority of the time Others said in addition to the 'dream Op shopping' in cities like Melbourne and Brisbane, Uniqlo was the 'only place' in Sydney they'd found success - even if it meant they dressed the same as their mates the majority of the time. Another recommended trying Australian brand As Colour, before options like Cotton On, TK Maxx, Uturn Outlet and H&M were thrown in. Others ranted about the 'pitiful' state of men's fashion in general in Australia. 'The styles are so boring... all grey, blue, white and black with no pattern, stripes or squares... Such depressing clothes, makes me wanna cry,' one wrote. Even brands with deeper pockets are struggling to survive with a large number of well known Australian labels recently falling into administration amidst the country's cost of living crisis. There have been many moments in my parenting life when I have been gripped with that icy terror that comes from being a whisker away from something going horribly wrong. Afterwards I have laughed, still shaking, and said: 'There but for the grace of God.' When Annie, aged three, pulled off her arm bands in a packed hotel swimming pool in Spain and then flung herself in at the deep end, for example. Or, a few years later, when Monty, then five, gangly and uncoordinated, leapt on to a sea wall and teetered alarmingly; the drop on the other side was about 30 metres onto rocks. Most mothers have had similarly heart-stopping reminders that the most precious people in their world might be snatched away in an instant. So we hold their hands a little tighter, yell at them to look before jumping and fork out for another term of costly swimming lessons. But there is another, less obvious danger that can topple a happy family. And it's rarely on our parental radar. I refer to social services and the threat of having your children removed from your care. Oh, that will never happen to me, you assume. But it can take just one, sinister phone call from a vindictive acquaintance or total stranger, if you share details about family life on social media to alert their attention. Nine years ago I was reported to social services after allegations were made that my youngest daughter, Dolly, bottom left, was 'at risk in the family home' (Photo taken in 2012) Kirstie Allsopp knows all about this. Last week, she was reported to social services by a 'concerned' member of the public (anonymous, of course) who was alleging neglect of her 15-year-old son, Oscar. Her crime? She had allowed him to go interrailing around Europe with a friend on what sounded like an incredible adventure for three weeks. Kirstie was 'incandescent' when the social worker demanded to know what 'safeguards' had been put in place for Oscar to be allowed to travel on the continent without adult supervision. And I can fully empathise. Nine years ago, I felt overwhelming shock, nausea and later fury, when I too was reported to social services after an 'anonymous member of the public' made 'extremely serious' allegations that my youngest daughter, Dolly, then five, was 'at risk in the family home'. The call from social services came out of the blue and felt like a poisonous arrow aimed right at the heart of our contented family life. I can remember holding the phone and hearing the words but not being able to comprehend what was being said to me. When a bombshell explodes like this, it can take a moment or two for the brain to catch up. For a split second I felt suspended in a bubble of incomprehension. Nothing the worker was saying made any sense and yet still she kept talking, advising me she was about to read out the list of complaints. 'You, the mother, abuse alcohol and often leave Dolly at home, alone, while you get drunk in the pub. Dolly is constantly exposed to inappropriate behaviour from her older siblings. Your 16-year-old daughter is promiscuous, drinks and takes drugs.' And then the most ludicrous one of all, 'On Christmas Day, your children were forced to eat kebabs for lunch.' Last week, Kirstie Allsopp was reported to social services after allowing her 15-year-old son, Oscar, to go interrailing around Europe with a friend As the fog of disbelief lifted, anger crept in. Who had reported such unbelievable nonsense? We had eaten homemade kebabs for Christmas lunch, but only because that's our favourite family meal and no one likes turkey. In fact it was this particular allegation that eventually led me to identify who had reported us. Unbelievably it was an embittered, jealous mother from my very own social circle (aren't they always the worst?). I knew this because I later spent hours piecing together who I'd told what to. And I worked out she was the only person who had some knowledge of every single allegation. Not that social services would confirm or deny her identity. In fact, they urged me to get back to the business of defending my mothering skills or else my five-year-old daughter might be removed from my care. Of course, these weren't their exact words, but they made it scarily clear that Dolly would be taken away if I couldn't defend my actions. This was a very real threat and it was happening to me whether I liked it or not. Like TV presenter Kirstie, I am honest and opinionated on social media. I have always worn my heart on my sleeve when it comes to family life and my shortcomings as a mother. I am not afraid to confess when I get things wrong and to reveal the often chaotic rollercoaster that has been the reality of raising four human beings. And it was being similarly candid that got Kirstie into trouble. Once her son was safely home and she had put the contents of his rucksack through a 90-degree wash, she shared details of his journey on X, formerly Twitter, proudly declaring: 'If we're afraid, our children will also be afraid. If we let go, they will fly.' That's when someone took it on themselves to report her for neglect. Social services launched an investigation and everyone waded into the social media fray to criticise or defend her ability to make her own decisions about mothering her son. Being too open was my biggest mistake. In 2013, before the complaint, we had relocated as a family, (God knows why, but that's another story), from commuter belt Surrey to a parochial backwater in North Devon. Flo, was 15, Annie, 13, Monty, 11, and Dolly just four. To say this move was a hugely regrettable upheaval would be a massive understatement. Flo absolutely hated her new school, resented us for dragging her from civilisation to rural isolation and was generally railing against the system and everybody in it. Being too open was my biggest mistake. I'm a parent first but I'm also a journalist who turns my experiences into copy (Shona with her children and dogs in 2021) I found some comfort in charting the ups and downs of navigating our new life in a small town where nobody seemed to like us and my children were struggling to fit in. It helped me cope with the enormity of the mistake I'd made. I talked to other mothers at the school who I didn't know very well and who, with hindsight, were clearly judging me. It didn't help that Flo was behaving like a total psycho, getting drunk at parties, being excluded from school and generally putting my mothering skills under the spotlight. Probably, I should have kept our dramas behind closed family doors. But that's never been my way. I'm a parent first but I'm also a journalist who turns my experiences into copy. I've always, perhaps naively, thought it might help other mothers feel less alone and maybe comforted that someone else is getting stuff wrong. And then came the phone call. It's hard to describe the icy terror that descended in that moment. When they asked for my permission to contact a number of agencies the police, the children's school, our GP surgery to perform a thorough investigation into our family, in utter panic I refused. The allegations that had been levelled against me were a mix of total fantasy and some distorted truth borne out of children gossiping at school, me oversharing at the school gates and writing newspaper articles that had been wildly over exaggerated and twisted. I wouldn't lower myself by responding. This, however, was not a wise move. 'If you refuse to co-operate we will have to launch our own enquiry which will involve interviewing each of your children,' the social worker explained. What she didn't say, but which hung heavily in the air, was the fact that if I was innocent, then I should have no reason not to agree. The onus was very much on me to play ball. And so I requested 24 hours to think about our position. That night I lay awake agonising that I had given the wrong impression over the phone. Had I been too aggressive or sounded too over-wrought? Might the social worker think the lady doth protest too much? It occurred to me that whoever had made the complaint wanted to harm my family to the extent they were prepared to have Dolly forcibly removed from a loving home. Now that takes a seriously malicious person. Of course, social services need to investigate tip-offs from the public to ensure children are properly safeguarded. And terrifying as it is to be on the receiving end of an anonymous report, I also understand the logic in letting people who make one hide behind anonymity. But the problem is that this surely throws the doors wide open for any small-minded individual with a personal vendetta to waste social services' valuable time. Kirstie's experience sparked accusations of a nanny state and threw a spotlight on how councils can be hoodwinked into opening probes into neglect on the basis of 'vexatious' complaints. Just two months ago, I allowed Dolly (left), now 14, to fly to Dubai alone to surprise my husband Keith, who lives and works there, for Father's Day Dame Karen Bradley, a Tory MP and the mother of sons aged 18 and 20, said: 'It seems like the worst kind of box-ticking and a waste of effort and time by council officials who should be focused on children who are at genuine risk.' I couldn't agree more. After a fortnight of being investigated which involved social services calling all the agencies previously mentioned and raking through our personal details our case was unceremoniously closed with a letter stating that no further action would be taken. At that point I got straight on the phone to the council to demand answers. How could this be allowed to happen? I was told they receive approximately 1,400 enquiries each month, many of which are vendetta calls, and all have to be given due consideration. This must surely strike fear into the heart of any mother who is juggling a hundred balls and muddling through trying to do her best. Anyone can make a referral to social services if they believe a child to be at risk. And that person could be a cowardly, interfering individual who just wants to cause trouble. It is then up to the social worker and their line manager to decide what action should be taken. People ask me whether what happened to me has forced me to change the way I parent, to take a more neurotic approach perhaps tagging my children and curtailing their liberty? To which I generally snort and roll my eyes. Just two months ago, I allowed Dolly, now 14, to fly to Dubai alone to surprise my husband Keith, who lives and works there, for Father's Day. She had to change planes and, as it happened, terminals, at Doha airport in Qatar, all without help from an adult. She called me at 2am, in transit, asking if she could buy a burger from the most expensive Burger King on the planet. Afterwards she told me it had been the best journey of her life so far. So we carry on exactly the same as before. I'm just much more careful who I tell about it. Customers are already finding flaws with the latest technology Woolworths has introduced a new way to shop in stores using a digital trolley - but many are not happy about it. The supermarket giant launched the Scan&Go Trolley trial in selected Sydney stores, which allows customers to scan their items as they shop using a tablet. But many have raised concerns and find the change to be inconvenient and time-consuming compared to traditional checkouts. Before shopping, customers can unlock a tablet by scanning their Everyday Rewards card and placing it on a trolley. The groceries can be tracked easily and paid for in one transaction without the need to remove any items. The new offering is being trialled at Woolworths Windsor in Sydney's North West with plans to also launch in Warringah Mall, The Ponds, Kellyville North, Lane Cove, Kellyville, Oran Park, Kellyville Grove, Schofields Town Centre and North Parramatta. One shopper, Jenny, said it took longer than usual to finish her regular grocery shop while using the new tech. 'It wasn't as easy as just doing my normal shop. I don't know where to scan it,' she told 7NEWS. Woolworths has launched the Scan&Go Trolley trial in Sydney which allows shoppers to scan their items as they shop using a tablet 'It took much longer than I thought it would. It was finding the products, and then also scanning and leaning over and just checking it all the time.' Others complained on social media, with one person claiming the technology is 'dehumanising' because it lowers the amount of social interaction in store. 'I feel so sorry for the elderly who may have no idea of how to use this technology,' one wrote on Facebook. 'Nope, I want my human cashiers scanning and bagging my items. I believe we should be discounted for scanning and bagging our own groceries,' another said. 'I think it's just another way to dehumanise us, moving further and further away from socialising whilst risking the livelihoods of people trying to make ends meet,' a third added. Before shopping customers can unlock a tablet by scanning their Everyday Rewards card and placing it on a trolley. But shoppers on TikTok were outraged and claimed the new feature makes them feel like they're Woolworths employees 'I don't want to lose my social skills altogether, as this is about the only regular time apart from my studies that I'm physically in contact with others,' another wrote. However, others said the technology will heap streamline supermarket queues, especially at Christmas and Easter. 'This looks good as I have been using scan and go on my phone for ages!' one wrote. 'Love Scan&Go!! It's been at my Woolies for at least a year now,' another added. Woolworths argues the change is centered around making grocery shops more convenient for customers. 'Our customers are looking for us to deliver both value and convenience,' Woolworths Group's Faye IIhan said in a statement. 'Scan&Go Trolley is a market-leading innovation that will help them both save time and balance the budget on their supermarket shop. 'Pending feedback from our customers, we hope to introduce the Scan&Go Trolley in more of our supermarkets nationwide.' The latest technology is an extension of the mobile feature offered at selected locations. How does the Woolworths Scan&Go Trolley trial work? 1. Unlock a device: Scan your Everyday Rewards card to unlock a device and pop it on your trolley. 2. Scan your items: Scan your items using the built-in scanner, and pack your groceries as you go. 3. Pay and go: Once you're ready to check out, head to the self-serve checkout to pay for your shop Advertisement A Woolworths spokesperson told FEMAIL: 'Customers are saying our new Scan & Go Trolley is saving them time and the ability to see a running total of their shop means it's helping them better manage their budget. 'We're seeing a number of customers coming back to use the Scan & Go Trolley again and again in their regular shop, and those doing a larger shop have found the trolleys particularly helpful to budget and save time at the register. 'Both card and cash can be used to pay at the end of their shop via the self service checkouts, just like customers can today when using a basket or regular trolley.' Daily Mail Australia understands the Scan&Go Trolley will be offered to customers as a new way to complete their shop and there will be no change to the existing methods. 'We're grateful to customers who have given these trolleys a go as their feedback will allow us to further refine and improve their shopping experience,' the spokesperson added. The thought of a lie-in is what gets many of us through the stresses of a working week. Now people can enjoy the weekend pleasure guilt-free after scientists revealed catching up on shut eye can also significantly lower the chances of a potentially fatal heart attack or stroke. People who manage 'compensatory' sleep on a weekend can see their risk of heart disease fall by a fifth, a study shows. It is hoped it will finally 'put to bed' the argument over whether additional sleep is good or bad for you. Researchers used data involving more than 90,000 Britons to examine the relationship between extra weekend sleep and heart disease. People who manage 'compensatory' sleep on a weekend can see their risk of heart disease fall by a fifth, a study shows. It is hoped it will finally 'put to bed' the argument over whether additional sleep is good or bad for you Sleep deprivation can lead to obesity, memory loss, diabetes, heart disease, heightened and unstable emotions, impaired ability to learn and a reduced immune response, leaving you vulnerable to disease Sleep data was recorded using accelerometers for an average of about 14 years and then compared to people's health records. Some 19,816 participants 22 per cent- were defined as sleep deprived, managing less than seven hours sleep per night. While others experienced occasional inadequate sleep, their nightly average hours of sleep were considered adequate. Hospital records and cause of death registry information were used to diagnose cardiac diseases including ischaemic heart disease (IHD), heart failure (HF), atrial fibrillation (AF), and stroke. Those who managed the most compensatory sleep more than 75 minutes - were 19 per cent less likely to develop heart disease than those with the least. In the subgroup of patients with daily sleep deprivation, those with the most compensatory sleep had a 20 per cent lower risk of developing heart disease compared to those with the least. The analysis, being presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in London, did not show any differences between men and women. Co-author Yanjun Song, of the state key laboratory of infectious disease in Beijing, China, said: 'Sufficient compensatory sleep is linked to a lower risk of heart disease. 'The association becomes even more pronounced among individuals who regularly experience inadequate sleep on weekdays.' Co-author Zechen Liu, also of State Key Laboratory, Beijing, China, said: 'Our results show that for the significant proportion of the population in modern society that suffers from sleep deprivation, those who have the most 'catch-up' sleep at weekends have significantly lower rates of heart disease than those with the least.' Although it is not clear exactly how sleep benefits the heart, research suggests disturbed sleep is associated with higher levels of a protein called CRP. This is a sign of inflammation, the process linked with heart and circulatory disease. Experts believe getting more sleep can help the heart recover and repair itself and is also good for weight management, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Professor James Leiper, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said: 'Lots of us don't get enough sleep due to work or family commitments, and while a weekend lie-in is no replacement for a regular good night's rest, this large study suggests that it might help reduce risk of heart disease. 'We know that lack of sleep can affect our overall wellbeing, and this research is an important reminder of how important it is to try get at least seven hours sleep every night. 'We look forward to future studies to better understand how sleep patterns can impact the heart and how we can adapt modern lifestyles to help improve our health.' From control pants that pull in your tummy to tights that perk up your bottom and full-body underwear that compresses thighs and arms, the popularity of shapewear is booming. Global sales are forecast to reach almost 3billion in 2025, up from almost 2billion in 2019. While most people (43 per cent) want to make their waist look slimmer, others (17 per cent) want to slim down their overall shape and 11 per cent want to smooth their hips, according to a survey by fashion company Kaleidoscope. But could there be a price to pay when it comes to our health? Experts warn that these garments can sometimes lead to a host of health complaints, including urinary tract infections, skin problems and even heartburn. The idea of using undergarments to enhance a womans silhouette is of course nothing new for centuries women achieved waspish waists with the use of corsets and some found their health suffered as a result. Innovative fabrics mean shapewear is more breathable - but modern garments can still cause health problems According to a review of studies published in The Classic Journal in spring 2024, which examined the effects of Victorian corset-wearing, women commonly suffered deformed ribs and a condition called chicken breast - where the ribs were so compressed that they were weakened to the point of collapse. The advent of materials such as Lycra, Spandex and other innovative fabrics to make shapewear more breathable and moveable has meant that most wont carry such severe risks but thats not to say that modern garments cant still cause problems, says Dr Shirin Lakhani, a GP and intimate health expert based in Kent. Wearing shapewear occasionally shouldnt have any negative impact on your health - its when youre using it every day for most of the day that it can cause problems, she says. Its those designed to hold in the tummy and thighs that are too tight and constrictive that are particularly troublesome. Thats partly because they increase moisture in the genital area which puts you at risk of things such as urinary tract infections [as the trapped moisture can encourage bacterial growth] or fungal infections, such as thrush. The greatest risk, she says, is to women going through the perimenopause - the years in the run up to the menopause as this is when the vaginal wall is thinning due to a decline in oestrogen levels, making it easier for bacterial and fungal infections to become established. Dr Sarah Jenkins, a GP based in London who specialises in womens health, adds: Women aged 40-plus, who are perimenopausal and whose microbiome [the microbes bacteria, fungi, viruses which live in and on our bodies] is changing may be more susceptible to having those intimate health issues. Compression wear that constricts the midriff may affect breathing She says lower levels of beneficial lactobacillus in the vaginal microbiome at this time of life can allow harmful bacteria to take hold. You want good air flow and to let the skin breathe. Shapewear will cause more chafing and sweating in that area - and infection-causing bad bacteria and the Candida infection [that causes thrush] thrive in moist areas. Plus, theres a practical problem, says Dr Lakhani: Shapewear is uncomfortable to put on and take off, so if you are wearing tight compression wear you are not going to go to the loo as much as you should - and thats going to lead to an increased risk of UTIs, too. Thats because delaying going to the loo can allow bacteria in the bladder to multiply and thrive. Its one reason Dr Lakhani cautions that shapewear should be reserved for special occasions only, not everyday use. And even so, there are other risks associated with wearing it, she says. For example, she cautions that overtight shapewear can put pressure on the intestines, stomach and colon, potentially worsening digestive issues such as bloating and acid reflux and heartburn (when stomach acid leaks up the oesophagus, leading to a burning sensation). Dr Jenkins adds: If you have acid reflux and youre wearing compression pants [to shape your waist or hold your stomach in], the extra pressure on your abdomen can cause more acid to come up. Whats more, this increase in abdominal pressure could increase your risk of incontinence, says Dr Lakhani. As pressure in the abdomen increases over the pressure of the urethral sphincter [the muscle which controls the flow of urine], thats when we leak. 'Anything restricting the flow of blood around the body will cause issues' - if a garment is too tight it can cut off circulation It may even contribute to pelvic organ prolapse (when organs in the pelvis drop due to damage to the surrounding muscles and tissues). The effect of tight shapewear is comparable to being overweight or pregnant - the increased pressure on the abdomen can put pressure on your organs and may force them down and out, says Dr Lakhani. Most shapewear is made from nylon, Spandex or microfibre which in the summer especially can lead to rashes. Dr Lakhani explains: Synthetic material is stretchy but you are more likely to get rashes as its not as breathable as cotton. Tightness, heat and moisture can cause chafing and irritation. And hives [itchy lumps caused by an allergic reaction] can be an issue if you are allergic to one of the components of the material. One way to avoid these problems is to look for shorts, briefs or bodysuits with a cotton gusset, advises Dr Jenkins. Any compression wear that constricts the midriff may have an adverse effect on our breathing, too. Dr Lakhani explains. Too tight shapewear can constrict the movement of the rib cage. The rib cage moves out and up, and the diaphragm moves down as we breath. In Victorian times, when women wore corsets without any give, they would faint from not being able to take deep enough breaths. Dr Jenkins adds: But if your shapewear is causing symptoms like not being able to breathe properly, you have to ask, why are you doing that to yourself? You want shapewear to work on your subcutaneous fat and skin layer, not to squish your internal organs. Plus, if youre wearing it every day and not moving properly as a result, or its affecting your posture, then it could have a knock-on effect on the muscles. Essentially, it could make them weaker and less able to pull you in naturally. Meanwhile, tight sportswear leggings and tops - that are a world away from shapewear that has to be tight enough to alter the bodys appearance - may still be problematic, even though theyre designed to allow full movement. As Dr Lakhani explains, anything too tight could inhibit blood flow. Wearing really tight clothing around the abdomen can reduce the blood flow back to the legs so it can make varicose veins worse, for instance, she says. Blood is pumped around your body so anything restricting that flow of blood will cause issues. If a garment is too tight you will cut off circulation to those areas. Signs your shapewear is too tight include mottling of the skin, pain while walking or numbness or tingling. If you experience any of these symptoms, then you should remove the garment and get a bigger size. Theres no evidence that shapewear can actually remodel our bodies permanently or make us thinner so dont be tempted to opt for a tighter fit. Finally and perhaps surprisingly wearing shapewear can have a negative effect on our mental health. A survey of 2,000 men and women carried out by Opinium last year revealed that 45 per cent of wearers said it has a negative impact on their body image, making them less confident in the long term and 83 per cent of women whove bought shapewear reported feeling less confident about how their body looked when they are not wearing it. Perhaps the solution is to learn to love our bodies more instead and let the flabby bits hang free. A man went to the hospital with a life threatening condition after doing things more than a million Americans do every day - taking antidepressants and drinking. The unnamed patient had been taking the popular antidepressant escitalopram - better known in the US by the brand name Lexapro. He was an occasional drinker and one day, after consuming 'substantial' amounts of alcohol, he developed muscle pain, trembles and passed out. Doctors theorized his Lexapro had caused his muscles to break down spontaneously - leaking bits of damaged tissue into his blood, blocking up his kidneys and putting him into life-threatening kidney failure. The patient had a history of bipolar disorder and mild alcohol use. The doctors didn't specify how much he had drank before coming to the emergency department, but called it 'substantial' In rare situations - a breakdown of muscle tissue can lead to kidney failure. Some case reports have linked this condition to antidepressants Researchers aren't sure how antidepressants could cause this rapid muscular break down, but one theory is that it causes prolonged muscle contractions, leading to cellular damage. The case, which occurred in Romania in 2023, was revealed in the American Journal of Case Reports. The scientists said this is an exceedingly rare side effect of antidepressants, though it has been reported in other cases. 'The findings underscore the necessity for rigorous and ongoing renal function monitoring for individuals undergoing long-term treatment with psychiatric medications, regardless of dosage levels,' the study authors said. Roughly 43 million Americans were taking antidepressants in 2018, which was the most year on record. The most commonly prescribed kind of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)- drugs which increase the amount of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that controls mood, sleep and sex drive. Over 70 percent of Americans using antidepressants take SSRIs, according to research from Rush University. Popular brands include Zoloft, Prozac and Lexapro. Lexapro's official FDA label advises against drinking alcohol while taking the drug. In the case of the Romanian patient, he had been using different types of psychiatric medication to treat his bipolar disorder for at least five years. His current cocktail included Lexapro and anti-seizure drugs and alcohol. When he came to the Emergency Clinical County Hospital in Bucharest, Romania, the man had diarrhea, muscle aches, tremor and high blood pressure for two days and had passed out after drinking 'substantial' amounts of alcohol. They found out that he had rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition where the muscle cells rapidly break down and leak material into the blood stream - blocking the kidneys and putting someone into kidney failure. He likely passed out from the alcohol use because his kidneys had already stopped working - so his body wasn't able to filter out the effects from his blood efficiently. It's not that the condition was caused by alcohol, the doctors wrote, but the alcohol likely exacerbated the condition. After the doctors took him off Lexapro and gave him fluids via an IV, he stabilized. But when they put him back on the drug his condition started to return - making the doctors theorize that the SSRI had caused the rare condition in the first case. Doctors aren't sure how common this is, or how SSRI's might cause it. They have noted it in a few other cases, including a teenager in Norway in 2023, a 25-year-old woman in New York in 2016 and a 13-year-old boy in New York in 2018. Lexapro is one of a popular class of antidepressants that act on the neurotransmitter serotonin. Similar medications include Zoloft and Prozac It could be that taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which increase the amount of the neurotransmitter in your system in hopes of boosting your mood, could also cause your muscles to contract. Researchers from Norway suggested that its possible these drugs cause your muscles to contract, or tense, for a prolonged period of time, causing them to break down and leak their contents into blood. In other cases, this leaky-muscle cell syndrome occurs when someone's muscles get injured or are put on bed rest for too long. This syndrome is just one of many things that can cause your kidneys to fail. More commonly, conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a long history of taking drugs that can damage the kidneys, like over the counter pain relievers, lead to the condition. All told roughly 750,000 Americans to go into kidney failure each year. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering toxins out of your body. So when they slow or stop working, you get sick with nausea, vomiting, fatigue, confusion, swelling and muscle cramps. Eventually, if left untreated, this can lead to death. The scientists who published the case study wrote that this rare condition should be something that doctors consider when prescribing their patients SSRI's - and should take note if they have a family history of kidney disease or alcohol use. If you're in pain and want quick relief, you may want to avoid Tylenol's rapid release gels. They cost three dollars more than the standard pills yet take even longer to reduce feelings of pain. The difference was highlighted Wednesday after a proposed class action lawsuit against Tylenol's manufacturer, Kenvue part of Johnson and Johnson over the 'misleading' labeling was dismissed. The above graphic compares Tylenol 'rapid release' gelcaps to the Tylenol original. Despite the $3 gap in price at CVS, the original acts faster than the rapid version Consumer Evie Collaza, from New York, was leading the class action lawsuit seeking an undisclosed payment over marketing the products as 'rapid release'. She said she would not have bought the bills if she had realized they did not work as rapidly as the original versions. In the proposed lawsuit, she cited a 2018 study that found the pills took 23 seconds longer on average to work than the standard versions. 'Rapid release' Tylenol also costs $8.29 for 24 tablets at CVS, compared to $5.29 for the same number of tablets of the standard version. In the 2018 study, the 'rapid release' Tylenol Extra Strength 500mg tablets and similar brands were found to take about 3minutes 56seconds to dissolve by at least 80 percent the threshold for action in the body. For comparison, the same study found that Tylenol Extra Strength 500mg took 3minutes and 33seconds to dissolve on average or about 23 seconds faster. It is the latest proposed class-action lawsuit to be dismissed by judges (stock image) Ms Collaza saud the difference meant she was owed compensation. But US District Judge Andrew Carter in Manhattan disagreed, saying that the term 'rapid release' was similar to the term 'immediate release' which the FDA has defined. In the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), it defines it as tablets containing acetaminophen the drug in Tylenol dissolving by at least 80 percent within 30 minutes. The judge found the term 'rapid release' was within this definition, and dismissed the proposed case. Johnson and Johnson have also previously claimed that the 'rapid release' label refers to a comparison to a regular gelcap, and not a tablet. They also said that the laser-drilled holes in the gelcap are the cause for the difference in pricing. It is just the latest class-action lawsuit over the pricing difference to be dismissed, after cases in California and Massachusetts were also thrown out of court. In December 2022, grocery store chain and pharmacy operator Albertsons also won a dismissal of a proposed class-action lawsuit over the labeling. US District Judge Richard Stearns ruled at the time that 'rapid release' was a term that 'closely resembles' the phrase 'immediate release'. He said: 'To find otherwise would require the FDA to list phrases in every possible permutation of similar words to have pre-emptive effect.' Tylenol is a popular over-the-counter painkiller in the US, with more than 60million Americans estimated to take the drug every week. It is most commonly taken by people with mild to moderate pain, including those suffering from headaches, toothaches, menstrual cramps, fevers and colds. It works via inhibiting an enzyme that is responsible for the production of chemicals that send pain signals to the brain. But some experts say it also has a placebo effect, where someone feels their pain has improved simply because they took the tablet. For 500 milligram strength tablets, like those listed above, doctors recommend taking about one tablet every four to six hours and no more than six tablets a day. There should also be an at least four-hour gap between each dose. Doctors have treated the first ever case of rice-related food poisoning affecting the genital region. A 38-year-old man sought help from urologists after suffering redness, swelling and scabbing on his penis, which had persisted for the best part of a week. Further investigations revealed that the troubling symptoms had begun soon after he'd suffered a bout of severe diarrhea and vomiting. The doctors, at the American University of Beirut Medical Center in Lebanon, where he was treated, took a swab of the man's penis to test for infection. They found evidence of the bacteria bacillus cereus, which is usually found in rice that's been left out at room temperature for too long and can cause sickness and stomach upsets if eaten. The man went to the urology clinic in Lebanon after suffering painful swelling and redness on his penis, as well as gastrointestinal symptoms for a week The doctors concluded that the man's unusual genital infection had been caused by an episode of diarrhea and vomiting that occured almost immediately after 'vigorous sex' with his wife. The intimate act can increase the risk of bacteria permeating the skin due to the change in blood vessels. The bacteria was said to have made direct contact with the patient's groin. The doctors remarked that it was 'unusual' to see bacillus cereus in the skin, let alone the genitals. This was the 'first case in literature' of the food poisoning in the penis. The man, a father-of-two, was treated using a topical antibiotic called fucidic acid, usually used to treat eye infections. The patient was also told wash the area 'properly' and avoid sex and masturbation until it healed. The bacteria that infected his penis, Bacillus cereus, is usually found in contaminated rice One month after the infection the patient said he had no burning, or discomfort in the genital area and the infection did not come back. The doctors explain bacillus cereus can cause you to be sick just 30 minutes after eating. Symptoms are relatively mild and usually last about 24 hours, according to the NHS. The patient had eaten a meal containing rice with his family just a day before his symptoms started. The study, published in the journal Annals of Medicine and Surgery, noted that penile infections usually occur after an injury that creates an open wound, and typically involve the bacteria group A streptococcus. Study authors wrote: 'In this current case, it is plausible that the diarrhea and vomitus which contaminated the penis post intercourse is likely the source of the skin infection.' Households may be falling out of love with smart meters, as the latest Government figures show another decline in installations. Smart meters can communicate with energy firms in real time, meaning customers do not need to send manual meter readings and may be able to access exclusive energy tariffs. They also show energy usage and costs in real time, which some customers find helpful if they are trying to reduce their bills. The latest Government figures show that only 692,000 smart meters were fitted in Q2 2024 - down 11 per cent on the previous three months and 15 per cent on the same quarter of 2023. Energy oversight: A perk of smart meters for many is that they come with an in-home display which shows how much gas and electricity used in real time, and how much it costs There are now 30.6 million smart meters in UK homes, with an additional 3.4 million smart meters in 'traditional mode'. That means they do not function in smart mode, either because they are not working, or a household has swapped to an energy firm that doesn't support them. Citizens Advice hit out at this figure, calling for new meters to be provided to those who want them. Gillian Cooper, director of energy at charity Citizens Advice, said: 'Today's figures show once again millions of households are missing out on the benefits of their smart meters because they simply aren't working properly. 'Despite a small improvement, there's still a long way to go, and the rollout of new meters has slowed. 'Earlier this year we found that one in five households with smart meters have to submit regular manual readings, and nearly a third experienced issues with their in-home display.' Not all energy customers are keen to have a smart meter, with many citing reports of the devices not working properly or submitting inaccurate reading. Others object to their energy firm receiving real-time data about the power they are using, which could reveal when they are out of the house for example. At the end of June 2024, 57 per cent of all domestic meters were smart meters running in smart mode. Energy firms are requesting households get smart meters fitted in order to meet Government targets that they be installed in 80 per cent of homes by the end of 2025. The number of new smart meters being fitted has fallen overall since a peak in 2017. By last summer, energy suppliers said they had exhausted the 'low-hanging fruit' of households who want a smart meter, according to a report from the National Audit Office. Last year, energy regulator Ofgem fined six of the UK's biggest energy firms 10.8million for missing smart meter installation targets. Smart meters can only be installed if households agree to them, unless an old traditional meter has reached the end of its life and an energy firm has no replacements left. Chinese-owned MG has taken the covers off its latest family model and confirmed it will be available with a market-leading low price. The all-new ZS has been unveiled this week and has received a sporty overhaul with a new look, hybrid powertrain and more equipment than before. Not only will it become one of the most affordable family cars available but it will also undercut its biggest rival - and Britain's most popular new motor - the Ford Puma by almost 4,000. MG's new low-price family SUV: The Chinese company has unveiled its second-generation ZS compact SUV, which will arrive with a hybrid engine The brand - now operated by Chinese mega automotive group SAIC - has confirmed the new ZS will start from 21,995. That will put it among the least expensive new compact SUVs on sale - though it is likely to be undercut by the 2024 Dacia Duster, which is due to be around 3,000 cheaper when price are confirmed in early September. While the ZS isn't likely to be the most affordable model in the segment, it will be kinder to budgets than the UK's best-selling car of the moment, the Puma. The Ford, which was the nation's most-bought new car in 2023 and is topping registrations charts this year too, starts from 25,800. It means the MG will be a whole 3,805 less expensive - and while the Ford has a mild-hybrid powertrain, the one in the ZS is a full conventional (also commonly referred to as self-charging) hybrid, meaning its small battery is charged by regenerative braking and the engine itself. The ZS uses the same hybrid drive system lifted from MG's award-winning 3 supermini. This is a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine married to a single electric motor to deliver 193bhp The brand - now operated by Chinese mega automotive group SAIC - has confirmed the new ZS will start from 21,995 At just under 22k, the MG ZS will be among the least expensive new compact SUVs on sale - though it is likely to be undercut by the 2024 Dacia Duster The ZS returns to a very competitive segment, which is dominated by a number of volume sellers. This includes the Ford Puma - Britain's most-bought new model right now - but the MG will be almost 4,000 less than the Ford's 25,800 start price Using the same drive system lifted from its award-winning MG3, the ZS is powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine married to a single electric motor to deliver 193bhp. This provides enough grunt to shift the compact crossover from zero to 62mph in 8.7 seconds. The small 1.83kWh battery also provides short periods of pure-electric driving at low speeds in and around town, which the entry Puma does not. Its greener drivetrain results in an 'official' fuel efficiency return of 55.4mph and CO2 emissions from 115g/km CO2. The addition of the battery has eaten somewhat into the ZS's luggage space. At 443 litres, the boot fits 5 litres less than what its predecessors could. However, thanks to a slightly larger cabin, once the back seats are folded flat, there's an extra 82 litres of carrying capacity (1,457 litres in total). With the backrests upright, the MG still betters the loading space of a Nissan Juke and Peugeot 2008. Yet, the ZS is no match for the Ford Puma and its innovative 'MegaBox' boot compartment under the floor. As standard (SE trim), every ZS comes with a 12.3-inch central touchscreen with built-in sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The driver gets a new 7-inch digital instrument cluster and the convenience of a reversing camera, rear parking sensors and keyless entry. As standard (SE trim), every ZS comes with a 12.3-inch central touchscreen with built-in sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster Higher-spec Trophy trim, which costs an extra 2,500, adds leather-effect upholstery and a more advanced parking camera While the ZS is aimed at families, the middle seat in the second row is very thin, so only really suitable for short journeys Every ZS comes with a seven-year/80,000-mile warranty. Order books open imminently The Chinese firm's own MG Pilot suite of safety and driver-assistance systems also includes active emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, lane-keeping assist and traffic jam assist. The higher specification is Trophy, which, for an extra 2,500, adds bigger 18-inch alloy wheels, a 360-degree bird's-eye-view camera and heated front seats and steering wheel for those cold winter days. This trim level also includes leather-effect upholstery and a six-way adjustable driver's seat. Every model also comes with a seven-year/80,000-mile warranty. For those who don't want a hybrid a prefer a simple combustion engine, a cheaper petrol-only version is rumoured to be in the pipeline to arrive next year, which is likely to run the Dacia close in terms of entry price point. However, there won't be an all-electric model like the first-generation ZS EV - this will be replaced by an entirely new car, MG bosses have said. Youve heard of the Yuppies, the tribe of young, upwardly mobile professionals who rose to prominence in the 1980s. Forty years on, their spiritual heirs are the Henrys: a fast-expanding group of young people who are High Earning, Not Rich Yet. The Henrys are not trustafarians, people with piles of family money who plead poverty, though its easy for the uninitiated to confuse the two. Henrys need to work. They are young or young-ish executives and professionals earning six-figure incomes. But, due to their aspirational lifestyles and the high cost of what they consider essentials, they dont view themselves as rich instead, they think they are struggling to get by. Their goal is to acquire large houses and even larger pension pots objectives they discuss in detail on the Reddit online forum. The Yuppies of the 1980s have been replaced by Henrys (High Earning, Not Rich Yet) Henrys exist on both sides of the Atlantic, but in the US their dreams of wealth have become more elusive. To feel rich, an American needs a net worth (that is, property and investments less any borrowings) of $2.5 million (1.9 million), according to the latest Modern Wealth survey from investment broker Charles Schwab. This is 14pc higher than a year ago, due in part to rising property prices. But being rich is not just about dollars and cents. It is subjective, the goalposts moving depending on how well-off people perceive their peer group to be. As Charles Schwab says, the notion of wealth combines both numbers and emotions. In the UK, a net worth of about 2m is generally seen by wealth managers as a benchmark for being rich. But the threat of higher taxes in chancellor Rachel Reevess first budget on October 30 is set to make the Henry lifestyle even trickier to achieve. The imposition of VAT on school fees with effect from January 2025 will present another obstacle. The term Henrys was coined way back in a 2003 article in Fortune, an American magazine. You may hear it more in the weeks to come, amid speculation over Budget measures that will hit the affluent and the Henrys in particular. The average annual salary in the UK is 35,464. So it may be hard to put yourself in the shoes of a twentysomething Henry pocketing a cool 400,000 a year from their buy-to-let business, but still wondering whether a hedge fund could be a more lucrative line of work. Henrys have aspirational lifestyles and consider things like luxury holidays essentials (picture posed by models) It may also be a challenge to sympathise with a poor Henrietta female Henrys still suffer the gender pay gap about to start a new job at a multinational corporation with a basic salary of 200,000, plus share options. By the time income tax and national insurance is deducted she will be left with 117,786 (9,816 a month) and maybe less after the Reeves Budget. Thats still good money by most standards, for HMRC as well as for Henrietta, and high taxes do act as a brake on aspiration. In any case, as F. Scott Fitzgerald put it, 'the rich are different' and thus fascinating. There is something addictive about the Henrys Reddit posts on such issues as the structuring of comp (compensation) salary packages for maximum tax efficiency. On the UK Henry section of the Reddit forum with its 46,000 members, aliases are the norm, for obvious reasons. From these posts we learn that, among many Henrys, the dream is to attain FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). But this must be Chubby FIRE, by which they mean retirement with a fat pile of cash, sufficient to fund a lifestyle of ease and travel not the thin gruel of a meagre pension. In the US, to achieve Chubby FIRE you need $2.5 million to $5 million. In the UK it is 2.5 million-plus. To put that into perspective, the average pension pot the total nest egg, NOT the annual income is worth a mere 37,000. Prioritising a comfortable retirement may be a Henry preoccupation. But their monthly outgoings are so large that many are unable to save much at all, despite having a high income. Some are even finding it tough to get on the housing ladder. The average home in London is valued at 523,376. This means that a borrower lucky enough to have a 15 per cent deposit of 78,506 still needs an income of close to 100,000 to qualify for a mortgage of 4.5 times their income, according to estate agency Benham and Reeves. Anyone aspiring to an end-of-terrace property in Balham, London SW12 would require a salary of about 416,000, to be eligible for a mortgage of 4.5 times their income (one of these home costs more than 1.8million on average). Reddit also reveals that a sense of being trapped in a well-paid job they dislike is a common Henry complaint, as is the fear they may be sacked. One poster Mr LangfordG sums up these terrors when he says: 'I am not confident I will secure a role at the same level so easily if I am made redundant.' That could indeed be a catastrophe, particularly if there are little Henrys involved and private school fees to pay. Once VAT is charged, a household with an 11-year-old about to enter a senior school with fees of 8,600 a term can expect a total 216,720 bill for educating this one child until the age of 18. Emma Sterland, chief financial planning director of wealth managers Evelyn Partners, highlights the other clouds on the Henrys horizon. Currently, tax relief on pension contributions are available at a savers highest marginal rate of tax but this is thought to be in Rachel Reevess sights. 'The pension tax reliefs may be under threat in the Budget, with higher-rate relief abolished and replaced by a lower flat rate,' says Sterland. Chancellor Rachel Reeves with Andrew Montlake of Coreco And what of mortgage costs? She continues: Thousands of people are coming off heavily discounted fixed-rate mortgages at rates of 2 per cent or lower. Mortgage rates may be moving downwards but these borrowers will still be paying substantially more each month. A homebuyer with a 900,000 mortgage at a rate of 1.9 per cent would pay about 3,771 a month. This would rise to 4,751 on a new fixed-rate loan deal at 4 per cent. The additional repayments amount to around 980 a month or 11,760 over 12 months. Since mortgage repayments are made from taxed income, gross (before tax) earnings of close to 20,000 are required to meet the extra outgoings. This is the kind of calculation that people on Reddit carry out which helps explain why they have such difficulty in seeing themselves as rich. However, as Andrew Montlake of mortgage brokers Coreco points out, Henrys can expect more understanding treatment than other borrowers. He comments: There are specialist lenders who are prepared to advance 5.5 times income for "high net worth" customers who are earning above, say, 100,000. Some lenders will do special deals for accountants, doctors and lawyers. He continues: If youre on 300,000 a year or more, a private bank, like Investec, will start with a blank sheet of paper when it assesses how much it may be happy to lend you. But it may require that future bonuses be used to pay down the loan.' THINK LIKE A HENRY By now, you may think the Henrys are a money-obsessed and entitled bunch. But experts say that, while they may take it to extremes, the rest of us might be better off if we adopted some Henry-style money habits. As Emma Sterland points out, Britons are reluctant to talk about money, and that can lead to poor decisions. Its not in our culture. People put it off until another day when they should be trying to get some clarity and direction [on their finances.]' Many of us could take a leaf from the Henrys book on their Reddit discussions and think about tackling our own finances. A Henry-style attitude within reason could stand workers on more modest salaries in good stead. Have a look at your pension, and if it looks as though it will only provide for a lean rather than a chubby retirement, then its worth trying to address the issue. Aviva, Standard Life and other insurers have online calculators that will help you check whether you are on track for comfort or hardship. Saving more may seem like a strain, whatever your income, but its a great idea to get into the habit of setting cash aside each month, however small the sum. 'Dont just go with the flow, try budgeting instead. Think about your discretionary spending that expenditure which is over and above your outgoings on your mortgage, food and energy bills, Sterland says. Ask yourself, would I be happy to sacrifice a second holiday every year if it meant that I could retire five years earlier? Sterland suggests that you should also pass on this message to your children. When people consult me, they will often say that they want the very best for their children. But rather than buying them the latest trainers, people should consider putting money aside for them in Junior Isas (individual savings accounts). Lessons in money management might mean your child or grandchild grows up to be a bit of a Henry. There are worse fates. Debt-riddled Thames Water has slammed the industry regulator as it looks to raise prices. Britains biggest supplier, buried under a 15billion debt pile, wants to increase household bills by 18.99 a month or 52 per cent by 2030. Ofwat last month said it could only increase bills by 23 per cent over the five years. Thames water, buried under a 15bn debt pile, wants to increase household bills by 18.99 a month or 52% by 2030 But lobby groups warn a cap would hamper companies ability to raise enough investment to stop problems like sewage spills. Chris Weston, Thames chief executive, claimed Ofwats proposed 23 per cent rise would be neither financeable nor investible. It would also prevent the turnaround and recovery of the company, he added. Thames, which serves 15m households in London and the South East, faces a funding crisis leaving it on the brink of emergency nationalisation as it struggles under the weight of its debt. It is currently clamouring to find 3.3billion and is on the hunt for more investors. Last month, Thames Water lost its investment-grade credit ratings, putting it in breach of its licence conditions and pushing it closer to renationalisation. Its bonds are now trading at deep discounts to face value and some major lenders have taken losses when cutting their exposure. The industry had set out plans to invest 105billion over the next five years but Ofwat had proposed cutting this by 17billion. The founder of AllSaints has blasted Shein's planned 50billion London float as 'ridiculous'. Stuart Trevor, who set up the leather jacket maker in 1994, is the latest in British fashion to criticise the controversial Chinese giant's plans. In a broadside shared on social media, the fashion designer dubbed the retailer 'fraudsters' who were 'making as much noise as possible'. Stitch up: Stuart Trevor is the latest British fashion firm to criticise controversial Chinese giant Shein's plans Trevor said Shein were 'desperately trying to make out as if they have some sort of respectable business practice in the hope that the British Government are stupid enough to allow their stock market listing to go through'. A listing was 'absolutely ridiculous and cannot be allowed', he added. Trevor was responding to reports that Shein has accused its Chinese rival Temu of running a 'fraud marketplace'. Alongside his co-founder Kait Bolongaro, Trevor sold his shares in AllSaints in 2006. The brand now operates 68 UK outlets, including department store concessions. Trevor, who now runs his own label, is well known in the fashion industry. He is a former head of menswear design at Kate Middleton favourite Reiss and founded fashion label Bolongaro Trevor. The Government is thought to be supportive of a Shein float as it would help revive the troubled London markets. Shein has reportedly filed papers with the Financial Conduct Authority, the first step to listing. Its market debut would be one of the City's biggest-ever. Shein declined to comment on Trevor's remarks. Indigenous community leaders have erupted in anger after a little-known elder - who claimed to hear the spirits of her ancestors crying - blocked a billion-dollar mining project. Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek halted the building of a tailings dam on the Belubula river - a key component of the McPhillamy's gold mine project near Orange in central NSW - throwing the future of the project into doubt. Ms Plibersek's decision came after artist Nyree Reynolds put in a submission saying the dam would destroy sacred land. Ms Reynolds says she is the descendant of a Wiradjuri woman born in the 1820s, but local Aboriginal groups say they have never heard of her and are furious at the imperiling of the dam project which would have been lucrative for their people. As a result of the block on the tailings dam, the company behind the project, Perth-based Regis Resources, said the mine at Blayney was no longer financially viable. As a result it will write off nearly $200 million invested in the development and look for a new site. The Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council has since challenged the grounds of Ms Plibersek's decision, furious that 900 jobs that would have come with the project and benefit local indigenous workers will instead go elsewhere. Ms Reynolds began her statement by writing: 'I am Nyree Reynolds, a proud Wiradjuri Elder who has lived in Blayney for 33 years.' Nyree Reynolds (pictured) wrote a statement to government opposing the Blayney gold mine Roy Ah-See (pictured), ex-NSW Aboriginal Land Council Chairperson, says the locals don't know Ms Reynolds However, Wiradjuri elders of the Orange region claim they have no idea who Ms Reynolds is - and have instead called on Ms Plibersek to listen to the local Aboriginal land corporation. There are questions over why Ms Plibersek overlooked the written recommendation from the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council, which has legal authority over the cultural heritage of the area. That council's advice was that the dam would not affect any culturally significant sites. Talking to 2GB's Ben Fordham, Roy Ah-See, descendant of the Wiradjuri Nation and former chairman of the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council, said only Ms Plibersek seems to know who Ms Reynolds is. 'I'm a Wiradjuri traditional owner, I'm a voting member of our local Aboriginal land council, and we've never heard of this lady,' he told the show. Fordham said his team had rung other local elders, and they didn't know Ms Reynolds either. 'This should be a real concern for industry, corporations, but more importantly local Aboriginal land councils,' said Mr Ah-See. 'We've got a process in the land rights system where we know who the members are, we know who speaks for country... so it's really dangerous when you've got others outside of our system that can stop projects. 'What's concerning for me is that one individual representing 18 people set up a corporation through ORIC (Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations), that's all it is, they haven't been through the native title process.' Mr Ah-See rejected the idea that all 'Aboriginal people should be environmentalists'. 'That shoe doesnt fit. We are balanced. It is about economic empowerment for us,' he told The Australian. 'We want to create economic opportunities for the future generations and we are not going to do that by locking up our land and using them as environmental corridors or offsets for other developers. Thats crazy.' The project had been approved by the New South Wales Independent Planning Commission in March after nearly four years of assessment. Since the protection declaration, ASX-listed Regis Resources has written down the estimated value of its project by $192million. Ms Reynolds, who describes herself as a 'very light skinned descendant' of a Wiradjuri woman born many generations ago, celebrated the fact the project had been halted. In a video posted to Ms Plibersek's Instagram page Ms Reynolds claimed her ancestors' voices came to her asking for her help stopping the mine's construction. Tanya Plibersek (pictured) made a declaration of Indigenous Heritage Protection over the area where the mine was proposed near Blayney in central-west NSW 'Every time I drove past (the site), I could feel the ancestors saying 'help us', and I thought, if I can do work with everyone, and the ancestors, to stop this (I will), because to kill the Belubula by putting cement in the springs was unthinkable. 'The ancestors, I'm saying they'll be happy. That's not a strong enough word. They would be grateful, happy, secure, and I just want to say thank you.' She said that she hoped her ancestors were 'proud' of her efforts. 'Its a sacred songline more than often, we get told our knowledge isnt traditional enough, and we make things up,' Ms Reynolds added. 'But weve been told (by our ancestors) to always stay on our songline, and talk straight, and tell the truth. 'And we did that, and we did that for country, and we did it for our mob that come from south: my fathers people, my fathers country.' Her two-page submission against the proposal detailed her personal connection to the Belubula valley, referring to and including examples of her own artworks and short stories. Ms Reynolds (pictured0, who describes herself as a 'very light skinned descendant' of a Wiradjuri woman 'born in the 1820s', celebrated the fact the project had been halted in a video posted to Plibersek's Instagram page. The McPhillamys project (pictured) was likely to provide nearly 1,000 jobs to the Orange region Mr Ah-See was appalled by Ms Reynolds' comments which were read to him on air. 'Oh come on, fair dinkum... This makes a mockery of my people, my old people, that fought for rights in this country. 'Now its about economic empowerment for us as Aboriginal people through the land rights system, we've got the office of the environment listening to the wrong people. 'The collective wisdom of our people don't get it wrong, this is making a mockery of our culture, our culture and heritage, and who speaks for country.' Mr Ah-See said the economic case for the development offered a lifeline for his community. 'The land council has a provision for the protection of culture and heritage, but the legislation (also) empowers Aboriginal people to seek economic empowerment. 'How're we going to get economic empowerment if a gold mine can't get up? What chance has our local Aboriginal land council got to utilise our land? We own forty per cent of the country, but we're broke!' The project offered nearly 1,000 jobs in the Orange region and serious economic development opportunity for the local communities. The Orange Aboriginal Local Land Council, the recognised authority in the area representing the Wiradjuri people, had previously stated it was 'neutral' about the project. Ms Plibersek said the advice she received had to remain confidential 'due to their cultural sensitivity'. She added she'd heard feedback from both groups. Ms Plibersek said her decision was not to axe the mining project last week, instead she wants the proposal reassessed. The company behind the project, Perth-based Regis Resources, said it was no longer financially viable to continue the development near the tiny farming town of Blayney, which sits between Orange and Bathurst in the states west. 'Crucially, my decision is not to stop the mine. The company has indicated to me that it has assessed around four sites and 30 potential options for the tailings dam. 'Protecting cultural heritage and development are not mutually exclusive. We can have both.' Opposition Indigenous Australians spokeswoman Jacinta Nampijinpa Price slammed the environment minister's decision and supported a disallowance motion with her colleagues to scrap the section 10 Indigenous heritage order on the project. 'Its utterly disgraceful that minister Plibersek has determined to ensure that 870 jobs do not go ahead, that Indigenous Australians from the Orange area will miss out on economic development within their region,' Ms Price said on Tuesday. 'We know that the NSW State government are up in arms at this decision made by Minister Plibersek as theyve given the prior approval for this to go ahead in this region because they know what it means to bring about economic development to the region. 'Weve heard from the head of the Orange Land Council who has once again spoken about an issue that I have highlighted over and over and over again; that activists are getting in the way of economic development opportunities, jobs for Indigenous Australians. 'The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, an industry lobby group, said the government order 'lacks reason and commonsense'. '(It) sets a truly terrible precedent for investment risk in Australia,' association chief executive Warren Pearce said in a statement. 'Ms Plibersek had ignored the views of local traditional owners, the Orange Local Aboriginal Corporation, who did not oppose the project,' he said. 'They could see the value and future prosperity that this project could bring to their people.' A spokesperson for Ms Plibersek said Ms Reynolds' document wasn't 'relied on' in the decision to veto the construction of the dam. The Orange Land Council has been contacted for comment. Footage of a fisherman catching a shark and then dragging it over rocks before tossing it back into the ocean has sparked outrage. The fisherman hooked a Port Jackson shark and reeled it in at Maroubra Beach, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, early Tuesday morning. But what he did next angered a bystander who was filming the incident. The fisherman took a photo of the shark resting on the rock platform, prolonging its time out of the water. As the fish fought for life, the filming man yelled out from the top of the rocks telling the fisherman to put the shark back into the water. The bystander estimated the shark had already been out of the water for between four to five minutes by this stage. The fisherman complied but did so by dragging the shark by its tail, bumping its head along the rocks. The shark was then dumped into the ocean - but only into a crevice between rock walls, rather than into the open sea. The fisherman (pictured on the right) caught a Port Jackson shark and kept it out of the water to take its picture When a bystander saw the shark had been out of the water for between four to five minutes, they yelled out for the fisherman to put it back into the ocean. But the fisherman dragged the shark along the rocks before he putting it back into the water (pictured) The bystander, who asked to not be named, said he started filming because he didn't think taking a 'shallow picture to show friends' warranted inflicting such suffering upon a wild animal. 'I believe every living thing on this planet has a right to live,' he said. 'I could see this shark was dying and needed immediately to be put back where it came from so I had to intervene. 'I was outraged.' The man said the fisherman wasn't 'disrespectful or aggressive' when he yelled out to him. 'He put the shark back in the ocean at my request. I'm not convinced he would have done if I didn't intervene,' he said. 'I called out to the fisherman and we passed comments but I didn't go down to talk to him. 'I wish I would have so we could have a respectful conversation about why I believe it was wrong and perhaps educate them on how important sharks are for a delicately balanced underwater ecosystem.' Sadly, it's not the first time the local man has seen such animal cruelty in the area. 'Twelve months ago I stumbled across a decapitated Port Jackson shark down on the rocks next to the north end of the beach,' he said. 'Seeing potential culprits in action made me angry which was the driver for me calling out - to stop something so tragic happening again.' The concerned local was not confident the shark would have survived the ordeal. 'The shark looks limp and very close to death in the video,' he said. 'I guess I will never know.' The fisherman released his catch after dragging its head over rocks (pictured) Those viewing the footage online were scathing of the fisherman's actions. 'This is appalling. We need to fix this broken world there should be marine reserves up and down the coast,' one wrote. 'We know that fish feel pain and have rich social and emotional lives,' one said. Another added: 'So wild how he just drags its head across the rocks'. Australian Marine Conservation Society shark scientist Leonardo Guida told Yahoo Port Jackson sharks are 'very hardy' and able to survive out of the water for several minutes, but it is still stressful to the animal. 'Whenever possible, people should release unwanted animals caught in fishing gear as safely and as soon as possible,' he said. Not many job-seekers would retain hope if their pleas for work were ignored by thousands of people each day, but Glenn Morrissey's dedication to starting a new life in Australia means he's willing to tolerate the 'soul-destroying' rejection. Day after day, the 50-year-old sits on Sydney's busy George Street with signs asking to be given a chance at a job, but for the most part he is studiously ignored. 'Brains for hire,' says one of his colourful laminated signs. 'Use my unique problem-solving ability and attention to detail, analytical ability and superb English in your business. Unleash my autistic brain.' 'This has gone through a lot of iterations, trying different formats,' the New Zealander told Daily Mail Australia about his very public job pitch. Mr Morrissey also hands out business cards and has an up-to-date LinkedIn page to enhance his hiring prospects. However so far his admirable dedication has not borne fruit, and he blames ageism in bustling and burgeoning Sydney which he calls a '20-year-olds' town'. After coming to Australia from New Zealand a little over a year ago for a 'mid-life change' with the aim of getting degrees in science and mechanical engineering, things had not gone to plan for the indefatigable Kiwi, and he has been sleeping rough for the past eight months. Although many people would walk straight past him without so much as a glance Glenn Morrissey puts himself out on the pavement for long days looking for work 'The first six months I was here I tried to do the conventional job agency thing and absolute silence,' Mr Morrissey said. 'There's a lot of misconceptions that New Zealanders in Australia get the dole; no they dont. 'I came here with five grand but once your money runs out you are screwed. 'Australia has got so damn expensive, its way more expensive than New Zealand now and it always used to be the other way around.' Mr Morrissey said he survives now purely on donations, which he solicits with another of his laminated signs: 'Contributions welcome'. 'I float around the inner city because this is the only place you get working people on foot,' he said. However, he said some days 'you dont make any money at all'. 'There is nothing more soul-destroying than sitting here all day and getting $2,' he said. Mr Morrissey's colourful signs invite people to 'unleash his autistic brain!' in the workforce 'I dont do the food line, the food vans, I buy my food. Sometimes I dont make enough money to buy my food for the day. 'But everyone is doing it tough not just me. 'Then you will get very generous people, thank God for the generous people.' Being homeless, it is difficult to keep up a reasonable level of presentation to make him a job prospect, but he does his best. 'I try and keep my clothes washed, I have one of those buzzers I cut my hair with,' he said. 'If I look like a bag of s**t nobody is going to take me seriously at all. 'I dont look like I am just hanging out because I am not hanging out. 'I stopped drinking when I turned 30 because I knew it was bad for me, I dont gamble, I don't take drugs.' Although he has yet to land a job despite his admirable efforts, he said there have been some promising leads recently. 'Last week I gave out a business card to a civil engineer, a software developer, someone who wanted an aid for their business, so it is starting to click with people but youve got to be out here a lot,' he said. 'Its almost like a stickability thing, they will walk past you lots of times before theyll actually stop. 'Its the left-field people who will stop. Its not the conventional people because they are like "just get a f***ing job".' Mr Morrissey's last job was in New Plymouth, on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island, in a sheet metal workshop. Mr Morrissey came out to Australia with the ambition of studying but ran out of money eight months ago 'My background pre-Covid is trades, so building, joinery, I had a maintenance business that I subcontracted to a mate. I am just a bit too old for that now,' he said. Mr Morrissey said he also had computing, Maori and hammer hand qualifications. 'My resume is three pages but it would run to seven pages if I put all my skills in there,' he said. The other major hurdle Mr Morrissey sees to his employment prospects is his autism, which was diagnosed 10 years ago, although he regards it as a strength in some ways. 'The word autism on a resume is poison,' he said. 'The unemployment rate for us runs at about 38 per cent.' When asked why he is so upfront about his condition, Ms Morrissey said employers were bound to 'find out pretty quick'. 'The moment you put me into a squeeze, you put me a pressure situation where I dont know what I am doing, I dont react to that well,' he said. 'In autism we call it a meltdown. A meltdown is a like an anxiety version of a panic attack and its horrible.' Mr Morrisey said being open about his condition was 'his voice, my statement to the world'. 'People think autism is a mental illness, its not - its a developmental one,' he said. 'To be in the higher end (of the spectrum) is almost like a curse, because you are just left, there is no money, there is no help, there is no support. 'You end up explaining yourself a hell of a lot more than you should. People should know more than they do.' Mr Morrissey said he wanted to show that autism had positives. 'Why you hire me is my ability to think outside the square and thats really an autistic thing,' he said. 'You cant buy that sort of analytic ability to look at things differently and the fact that I have English as my first language and am very good at.' A pair of Vrbo renters tried to play dumb after causing massive damage at a Wisconsin property - but looked even dumber after being recorded the whole time. Ashley Deutsch, the owner of the vacation home, said that the guests flooded the place by stuffing pizza in the sink and clogging the drain, then leaving the water running for hours. 'We can say we woke up to it,' one renter says in the footage, during a feeble attempt to clean up. Deutsch said that approximately 640 gallons of sink water caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, destroying her home and the business beneath her. A pair of Vrbo renters thought they could avoid blame after causing hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of damages to a Wisconsin property The video also featured pictures of water-logged sheets on the staircase and rolls of paper towels haphazardly strewn about the floor 'Every time you took a step, water would be squishing out from the floors,' the owner told CNN. In Deutsch's Ring camera footage, the destructive duo can be seen drinking beers and stumbling on the stairs. Later on in the video, the renters fling soaked towels, bedding, and rugs downstairs in an ill-advised attempt to dry up the flood they created. Unaware that they are being recorded, the oblivious pair can be heard chuckling while they plot ways to cover up their role in the damages. 'For right now...we can say we woke up to it,' one of the renters said. To hear the men scheming in such a despicable way was difficult for Deutsch. The owner of the vacation home said that the guests deliberately flooded the place by leaving the water running for hours, wasting approximately 640 gallons 'It's so frustrating to hear them trying to come up with lies to excuse their behavior as he's wringing out a towel with his feet,' the heart-broken property-owner said. The video also featured pictures of water-logged sheets on the staircase and rolls of paper towels haphazardly strewn about the floor. Around 4 in the morning, Deutsch began getting notifications from her camera outside the door. When she arrived at the property, she found it in a state of chaos. In Deutsch's Ring camera footage, the destructive duo can be seen drinking beers and stumbling on the stairs 'The sink was clogged with pizza and things that they might've had at dinner.' Deutsch told CNN. But the destruction wasn't limited to the Vrbo property. In the unit downstairs, a tattoo parlor, also suffered severe damages from the flooding. Less than nine months ago, Jamie Princen opened her shop. But now the small-business owner will forced to remain closed for the foreseeable future while she tries to restore her tattoo parlor. 'It was just soaked,' Princen recounted with emotion. 'Hundreds of hours of work into making this studio what it was and just seeing all of that just kind of ripped away,' she said. Less than nine months ago, Jamie Princen opened her shop. But now the small-business owner will forced to remain closed for the foreseeable future while she tries to restore her tattoo parlor With the property in a state of disarray, Princen and Deutsch are now taking legal action. But both women have been forced to sell possessions in order to defray the expenses involved in repairing the property. Throughout the ordeal, they have come to depend on each other for support. 'I think that we will come back a lot stronger,' Princen said. When Sandra Birchmore learned she was pregnant, she drew the father a card to celebrate the happy occasion. 'Congrats, we are going to be parents! 2021' the text read. It was adorned with rainbow coloring in and stickers of animals. The 23-year-old sent a picture of the card to former Stoughton Police detective Matthew Farwell, a married father-of-three with whom she had been having a sexual relationship since she was 15. Within five weeks, she was dead. Farwell, 38, was arrested on Wednesday in Revere, Massachusetts, accused of fatally strangling Birchmore in her home then framing her death as a suicide on February 1, 2021. At the time, his wife Michelle was eight months' pregnant. Police allege he was motivated to kill Birchmore - who had tragically lost both her mother and grandmother within the span of a month - to avoid his years of grooming and sexual violence against her being made public. Text messages in a 45-page FBI affidavit seen by DailyMail.com revealed he had a penchant for choking the young woman and acted out incestuous role-play fantasies with her. When Sandra Birchmore learned she was pregnant, she drew her boyfriend a card congratulating him on the happy occasion The 23-year-old sent a picture of the card to former Stoughton Police detective Matthew Farwell. Within five weeks, she was dead The affidavit lays bare the horrifying abuse Birchmore received at the hands of Farwell. Two other cops, Farwell's twin brother William and their colleague, former deputy chief Richard Devine were also publicly reprimanded in 2022 by Police Chief Donna McNamara for 'inappropriate' relationships with the young woman. Neither have been charged with any offence. A trove of disturbing messages between Birchmore and Farwell released in the affidavit allegedly detail a sexual relationship which dates back as far as 2013, when he was 27 and she was 15. Police claim the relationship was marked by abuse and exploitation, and that her phone was littered with messages from Farwell. A meme stored on his iCloud account even joked about accidentally strangling women to death. The full, harrowing account of how Birchmore came to meet Farwell - a married father-of-three - when she was 12 years old has now been laid out in a 45-page FBI affidavit Years of alleged grooming Birchmore joined Stoughton Police Explorer's Program, which was dedicated to teaching young people about careers within law enforcement, when she was 12. Farwell was an instructor with the program. An image shared on social media shows a baby-faced Birchmore posing with officers during the program. In 2022, 18 months after Birchmore's death, three officers were publicly reprimanded by Police Chief Donna McNamara for 'inappropriate' relationships with the young woman. Each of the men, Farwell, his twin brother William, and former deputy chief Robert Devine, knew Birchmore when she was a child in the explorers' program. Devine, who has since retired, said: 'I had no personal relationship with Sandra whatsoever. She never had access to my phone number and I never socialized with her', according to The Boston Globe. Farwell was placed on paid administrative leave shortly after Birchmore's body was found, and resigned altogether in 2022 after a year-long internal investigation. McNamara, for her part, called for all three men to be decertified as police officers. 'All three men the Farwell brothers and Devine violated their oaths of office and should never have the privilege of serving any community as a police officer,' McNamara said. 'Through a sustained and deliberate combination of lies, deceit, and treachery, they violated the policies and core values of the Stoughton Police Department, not to mention human decency.' Birchmore was vulnerable after the deaths of her beloved mother and grandmother, both of whom died just a month apart in 2016. At the time of Birchmore's death, she was three months pregnant with Farwell's child Pregnancy 'complication' At the time of Birchmore's death, she was three months pregnant with Farwell's child. His wife, Michelle, was also pregnant with their third child. Birchmore had created a hand drawn card to celebrate the news. 'How far are you?' Farwell said. 'Regardless of how far we're keeping it. But 3.5 weeks... Which means I concieved [sic] this month,' Birchmore answered. She then said: 'And the birth certificate is being signed, or hers isn't.' According to the court documents, police interpreted this message to mean Birchmore was aware of Farwell's wife's pregnancy. Birchmore also insisted that Farwell be there during her labor. 'You are truly the worst person on the face of the earth,' Farwell said during the text exchange, according to the court documents. At the time of Birchmore's death, she was three months pregnant with Farwell's child. His wife, Michelle, was also pregnant with their third child Birchmore died of strangulation, and her body was staged after her death to make it appear as though she had hung herself 'Rape, incest' material found in phone Birchmore died of strangulation, and her body was staged after her death to make it appear as though she had hung herself. Court documents seen by DailyMail.com reveal Farwell had sent text messages throughout their relationship discussing choking during sex. His iCloud account, police allege, 'contained images that confirm his interest in domestic and sexual violence, including strangulation.' Among memes and images found in the account were a picture which read 'When she says ''choke me daddy'' and you get carried away and now she's dead.' Police also allegedly found text messages in which 'Farwell asked Birchmore to pretend that she was 13 or 14 years old when they were having sex. 'He also had Birchmore join his sexual role play in which he posed as her older brother and simulated nonconsensual incest,' the court document stated. On February 21, 2020, just shy of a year before Birchmore's death, police allegedly found a text message from Farwell to Birchmore which asks her if, during sex, she could say 'Matt stop I'm 13 I'm not ready for this omfg please stop.' In November 2020, court documents allege Farwell told Birchmore: ''Maybe I'll hold you down by your throat while I pound you'', questioning ''how tight'' he should squeeze, texting that he wanted her to feel like ''omg this is really happening and I can't stop it''.' Police also allegedly found text messages in which 'Farwell asked Birchmore to pretend that she was 13 or 14 years old when they were having sex Alleged cover up On January 20, 2021, Stoughton Police Department, where Farwell was still working, received a call from a friend of Birchmore's, who revealed the nature of their relationship. Farwell learned of the call and sent increasingly erratic messages reprimanding her over the incident. The first read: 'Your friend just called my f***ing work to complain about me wtf.' Later, he said: 'What is going on? You also told me that no one knew about us yet she claimed we are f***ing.' Another read: 'She called my job that's insane. 'Why would she call and drop my f***ing name Sandra? 'Like you have no idea how bad what she did is. The final message read: 'I literally can't believe this is even real life like what else do I have to worry about now? Which other friend will do something tomorrow?' Within two weeks of that exchange, Birchmore was dead. Police now allege Farwell staged the 23-year-old's death to make it appear to be a suicide, which is what it was initially ruled. It was only after her family hired their own pathologist, who insisted her death was a homicide, that the case was reopened. Farwell, 38, was arrested on Wednesday in Revere, Massachusetts , charged with murdering Birchmore in her own home on February 1, 2021 A man has died after his car crushed by fallen branch A man has died, and a woman is in critical condition after a falling tree crushed their car as fierce storms continue to batter Australia's southeast, leaving a trail of damage and power outages. Emergency services worked to free the pair in western Victoria's Gellibrand on Wednesday afternoon, but the male driver died at the scene. The female passenger has been airlifted to hospital in a critical condition. The operation was one of more than 1,000 emergency call-outs across multiple states in the last 24 hours as wild weather continues to wreak havoc. The SES said the damage was concentrated to Victoria's southeast and parts of Melbourne. 'SES volunteers have been working tirelessly with other emergency services and local councils to make sure that we can get those trees off the roads and off people's buildings and properties,' chief operations officer Tim Wiebusch said. Mr Wiebusch urged the community to be patient, as call-outs were expected to continue into the night and coming days. Victoria's two biggest electricity distributors Powercor and AusNet told AAP they were working to restore electricity to about 15,000 customers. A man has died and a woman is in a critical condition after their car was crushed by a falling tree as fierce storms continue to batter the southeast (pictured, damage to a NSW home) There has been more than a 1,000 emergency call-outs across multiple states in the last 24 hours as wild weather continues to wreak havoc Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Kevin Parkin warned winter gales could persist next week across Victoria. 'There is a risk next Monday, with a low-pressure system tracking across Tasmania... which could result in similar gusts that we're seeing today,' Mr Parkin said. 'These winter gales are going to continue.' Severe wind gusts of 135km/h were recorded in Wilsons Promontory on Victoria's southeast tip, and gusts of 128km/h at Mount Buller. Severe warnings are in place for parts of WA, NSW and Tasmania, where emergency services responded to 44 requests overnight. Abnormally high tides and dangerous surf was expected to continue around the southwest coast, Gippsland and Port Phillip Bay. Damaging surf conditions along the South West Gippsland and exposed Central coasts have calmed on Thursday morning, but will redevelop from the early hours of Saturday and then persist until Monday. In particular, exposed west and south-facing coasts between Nelson and Cape Otway and between St Andrews Beach and Wilsons Promontory are most at risk of damaging surf conditions, VicEmergency says. People have been warned to stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas because of the threat of beach erosion. In NSW, emergency services reported damaging gusts of more than 110km/h, with the Illawarra, South Coast, Snowy Mountains, Blue Mountains and parts of Sydney affected. NSW SES crews had responded to 535 incidents across the state by 3pm, with the Illawarra and metropolitan Sydney most affected In NSW, parts of a patrol station roof were blown off in Gwynneville and a window frame from in Wollongong blew off and hit a pedestrian (pictured is damage to a NSW home) Winds are expected to ease during Friday afternoon (pictured, a Weatherzone map) Eighty firefighters battled to save homes in Horningsea Park, southwest Sydney, on Wednesday, with two firefighters sustaining injuries during the effort. NSW SES crews had responded to 535 incidents across the state by 3pm, with the Illawarra and metropolitan Sydney most affected. Figures released early Thursday morning by the NSW SES show the service was required at 1,286 incidents on Wednesday, mostly in the state's southeast. The NSW Rural Fire Service said it was responding to 27 fires statewide. The Illawarra region copped the brunt of the chaos, as roof tiles and windows were ripped from their foundations onto main thoroughfares. Parts of a patrol station roof were blown off in Gwynneville, a window frame from the Spotlight building in Wollongong blew off and hit a pedestrian and a large gazebo landed on a vehicle at Bowral. The Bureau of Meteorology has reissued severe weather warnings, as damaging winds are expected to redevelop in eastern and southeastern parts of NSW from Thursday night into Friday. Winds averaging 60 to 70km/h with 90km/h gusts are possible from late Thursday evening for the Snowy Mountains. For areas above 1900m, damaging winds may average 80 to 90km/h with peak gusts about 125km/h. From Friday morning, the Illawarra and Tablelands can expect 60km/h winds with 100km/h gusts, particularly at Wollongong, Nowra, Bowral, Batemans Bay, Katoomba and Goulburn. Winds are expected to ease in NSW on Friday afternoon. The wild weather has continued in the nation's west, with WA's Department of Fire and Emergency Services issuing a Prepare Now alert for parts of the south and southwest coast. Sydney Thursday: Sunny. Winds westerly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light during the morning. Min 13C Max 23C Friday: Sunny. Winds northwesterly 25 to 35 km/h becoming light during the evening. Min 12C Max 29C Saturday: Sunny. Winds west to northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming westerly 25 to 40 km/h during the morning then turning northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon. Melbourne Thursday: Cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds west to northwesterly 20 to 30km/h tending north to northwesterly 25 to 40km/h during the day. Min 10C Max 17C Friday: Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Winds northerly 35 to 50 km/h turning westerly 25 to 40km/h during the morning then tending west to northwesterly 20 to 30km/h during the afternoon. Min 13C Mac 19C Saturday: Cloudy. High chance of showers about the Dandenongs, medium chance elsewhere. Winds northwesterly 30 to 45 km/h. Brisbane Thursday: Sunny. Light winds becoming north to northwesterly 15 to 20km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening. Min 19C Max 33C Friday: Sunny. Light winds becoming northwest to northeasterly 15 to 20km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Min 16C Max 32C Saturday: Sunny. Winds west to northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h tending north to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the evening. Perth Thursday: Cloudy. Very high chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Winds northwesterly 25 to 35 km/h tending westerly 25 to 40km/h during the morning then decreasing to 15 to 25km/h during the evening. Min 15C Max 21C Friday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Winds westerly 20 to 30km/h. Min 11C Max 18C Saturday: Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming westerly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning. Adelaide Thursday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds west to northwesterly 15 to 25km/h tending north to northwesterly 25 to 35km/h during the morning. Min 11C Max 22C Friday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds northwesterly 25 to 35km/h turning westerly 30 to 45km/h during the morning. Min 14C Max 19C Saturday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Winds westerly 30 to 45 km/h turning northwesterly 30 to 40 km/h during the afternoon. Hobart Thursday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, with possible small hail in the morning. Winds westerly 25 to 40km/h turning north to northwesterly 15 to 25km/h during the afternoon. Min 7C Max 14C Friday: Cloudy. Very high chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Winds north to northwesterly 25 to 35km/h turning westerly during the morning then tending northwesterly 20 to 30km/h during the evening. Min 10C Max 15C Saturday: Partly cloudy. Very high chance of showers. Winds west to northwesterly 25 to 40 km/h. Canberra Thursday: Partly cloudy. Winds westerly 15 to 25km/h turning northwesterly 20 to 30km/h during the afternoon then decreasing to 15 to 20km/h during the evening. Min 4C Max 16C Friday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds northwesterly 20 to 30km/h increasing to 30 to 45km/h during the morning then turning westerly 15 to 25km/h during the afternoon. Min 5C Max 21C Saturday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds west to northwesterly 30 to 45 km/h becoming northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h during the evening. Darwin Thursday: Sunny. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 25km/h during the morning then tending northwest to northeasterly 15 to 20km/h during the evening. Min 23C Max 24C Friday: Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming northwest to northeasterly 15 to 25km/h during the day then tending west to northwesterly during the afternoon. Min 23C Max 33C Saturday: Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower about the Cox Peninsula. Light winds becoming northwest to northeasterly 20 to 30 km/h during the day then becoming north to northwesterly and light during the evening. Anthony Albanese has hit back at a journalist who broadcast a 'hot mic' moment in which Australia's Prime Minister was overheard in a candid conversation with a high-ranking US official. The audio captured a conversation between Mr Albanese and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell in which they discussed the Pacific Policing Initiative under which Australia will bankroll the $400million plan. When Mr Campbell said the United States would step aside and let Australia run the policy, Mr Albanese joked that he would welcome American involvement if they 'go halvies' on the cost. The Pacific Policing Initiative, to be rolled out over the next five years, was endorsed on Wednesday by leaders attending the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum. The initiative will involve multi-country police units, four training centres across the region and a Brisbane-based coordination hub, as Australia and the US seek to bolster their regulatory role in the Pacific to head off China's strategic interest in the region. 'Well, we had a cracker today getting the Pacific Policing Initiative through,' the Prime Minister was heard to say on the 'hot mic'. 'It's so important. It will make such a difference.' Mr Campbell praised the PPI, calling it 'fantastic' and 'great'. 'I talked with Kevin about it,' he said, referring to Australia's ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd. The Australian Prime Minister was casually chatting to US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell (pictured) on the sidelines of the PIF when he made the comments, giving a rare behind-the-scenes look at international diplomacy The Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), an Australia-funded policing scheme to be rolled out over the next five years, was endorsed on Wednesday by Pacific leaders attending the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum 'So you know we were going to do something (but) he asked us not to, so we did not. 'We've given you the lane. So take the lane.' 'You can go us halvies on the cost if you like,' Mr Albanese quipped back with laugh and a pat on the back prompting a chuckle from the US official. 'It will only cost you... a bit,' he added. The video was recorded by Radio New Zealand journalist Lydia Lewis and posted on social media. At the end of the footage, Pacific Minister Pat Conroy chastised the journalist for filming the exchange, saying: 'Oh! Come on, Lydia.' On Thursday morning, Mr Albanese accused the journalist of behaving unethically and filming him without his consent. 'It was a private conversation, a jovial conversation and a friendly one,' Mr Albanese said, describing Mr Campbell as a 'mate of mine'. 'The video is what it is: its up to whoever did that to think about their own ethics when it comes to journalism.' He added: 'I myself, were I a journalist, would not do that and I know that most of you wouldnt either.' Mark Stevens, chief news officer at RNZ told Daily Mail Australia it 'stands by its reporter and its reporting'. 'Having spoken to our reporter, there is nothing to suggest they acted unethically or outside of our rigorous editorial policies,' Mr Stevens said. Pacific leaders have hailed the PPI as a show of unity and shared responsibility, and is a major strategic win for Canberra as it navigates China's increasing assertiveness in the region. Dozens of families who forked out tens of thousands of dollars to buy their dream caravans have been left with nothing after a company took their money and collapsed. Victorian-based Tango Caravans has been put into liquidation with 85 creditors owed significant cash - more than 60 of those are customers who spent their savings or got loans to buy caravans that they never received. 'Our family's dream was stolen by Tango Caravans, who left us $83,000 in debt with a five-year repayment plan and a balloon payment looming,' Queensland woman Taisha Ellis told Daily Mail Australia. Ms Ellis and her partner were told they would have their custom-built caravan within two weeks after putting in their purchase order but when it never arrived, they contacted the manufacturer used by Tango Caravans. That company told them that they were already owed so much money from Tango they were refusing to build any orders, with Ms Ellis demanding to know where her money has gone. 'What was supposed to be a new beginning for our family has turned into a financial nightmare,' she said. Andrew Yeo from Pitcher Partners has been appointed as liquidator of the business. The company's website links to a notice to creditors saying the company's finances are being looked into. Sylwia Logan, who moderates the Tango Owners Australia Facebook group, said it has gone from customers discussing designs, models and where they would travel with their new purchase to 'more than 40 people who are now in financial difficulty and desperate because of this company'. Taisha Ellis and her husband Jaime paid for their 'dream' from Tango Caravans but said they have been left with no caravan and an $83,000 debt Tango Caravans offered custom-built caravans which were constructed by a third party Ms Logan explained that she ordered her caravan in December last year and was told in March that work had started on it. 'In May I was told must I must pay the full amount because it was a custom caravan which I made fit-out choices for and it would be hard to re-sell. 'Then after I paid they stopped communicating.' Ms Logan said after repeatedly being fobbed off with excuses about delays, broken parts and that key staff were sick, she took matters into her own hands. The week before the liquidation Ms Logan said she went into the Tango Caravan premises and told them wouldn't go without a refund. She said after 'hours' she was handed a letter in writing saying they would give her a full refund in a matter of days but then the business was placed under administration. 'I paid a $15,000 deposit and took out $60,000 in loans and I'm now in this huge debt over something I won't own. 'I've got two kids and this was supposed to allow me to work part time, travel and do family bonding but now I've gone back to work full time and am spending less time with my kids.' Customers have been told by the liquidator it is unlikely they will receive much, if any, of their money back. The company's liquidation has also left Sylwia Logan's family (pictured) with no caravan and a sizable debt, with Ms Logan saying it's clear via a Facebook group she moderates that dozens of customers have been affected Ms Logan said she has called the police, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Consumer Affairs Victoria and her banks in attempts to recover her money without success. She has now contacted the Australian Financial Complaints Authority which she said she hoped will lead to a better outcome. 'They were still taking orders for caravans in July.... People might consider me as naive but that's easy to say in hindsight.' Among the other affected customers is 41-year-old Ali Winter, her husband and their three children, who sold their house to travel around the country with their new caravan. She said they took a short-term rental while they waited for their caravan and when that expired the family of five has been living out of their car while they waited for their home on wheels. She said with Tango's collapse they will now likely apply for a permanent rental property. Sarah Horter is listed as the sole director of Tango Caravans and has been contacted for comment. Sarah Horter is listed as the sole director of Tango Caravans which has been placed under liquidation Liquidator Mr Yeo said according to his preliminary investigations Tango is not in a position to refund customers. He said it appears Tango does not have any stock of caravans on site. 'It may be possible that some caravans are presently being manufactured by external suppliers, and a partial resolution may be achievable,' he said. Gabby Petito's father has shared an emotional tribute to his daughter on the third anniversary of her death. Petito, 22, disappeared while on a cross-country road trip with her fiance Brian Laundrie in 2021. Laundrie, 23, returned home to Florida without Petito - spurring a search that ended with her corpse being found on the edge of Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park. It was determined she had been strangled a few weeks earlier, with the date of death of her disappearance being August 27, 2021. An warrant was issued for Laundrie and his remans were found at campsite weeks later, following an apparent suicide. Petito's father brought attention to the grim occasion Tuesday by writing to his more than 90,000 followers on Instagram. Gabby Petito's father has shared a tribute to his daughter Tuesday to memorialize her death 'Three years ago this evening you were taken from us,' the 45-year-old father wrote in a post that showed him and his late daughter enjoying a spa treatment. 'We can't stop crying when we think of you,' he continued. 'There is no waking up from this nightmare. 'We push forward for you and all those you have inspired and nothing can make us stop. I ask anyone who reads this, please share a #missingperson flyer today.' Words of consolation would pour in on the comments, as onlookers who followed the head-line grabbing case so many years ago showed their support. 'Thinking of your family,' one person wrote. I can't believe it's three years already.' 'You are doing everything you can, and she would be so proud,' added another. I'm so sorry for this horrible pain you feel daily. 'Thoughts and prayers to you and your family!' someone else said. 'She won't ever be forgotten.' Petito, 22, was killed by her fiance Brian Laundrie on a cross-country road trip in 2021 that ended with her disappearance on August 27 of that year Laundrie, 23, returned home to Florida without her - spurring a search that ended with Petito's corpse being found on the edge of Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park Joseph previously penned tribute to his only daughter last August 27, with a photo of her posing in front of a waterfall, 'If her story touched you, I ask you to share a #MissingPerson flyer, he wrote at the time. 'Help get someone home safe to their loved ones that are missing them.' Petito's mother, Nichole Schmidt, has also asked the public to shine a light on domestic violence. Both parents have said Laundrie posed an 'emotional and mental threat' to their daughter in a lawsuit filed against the Moab Police Department, after an officer pulled the couple over after a spat two weeks before Petito's disappearance. Filed in Utah's Seventh District Court, the suit cited transcripts of an interview between the officer folled a call from Petito that claimed she was being attacked by her 23-year-old boyfriend and seeks damages in excess of $50 million. It names officer Eric Pratt as a defendant, charging that both he and his department did not uphold their duties as peace officers by failing to an arrest, despite Pratt later telling other cops Laundrie raised 'more red flags than a Chinese communist rally.' A Utah statute requires all officers to make an arrest or issue a citation in all domestic incidents. Pratt, at the time, told other investigators that he viewed Laundrie as a threat, but still cut him loose, the filing showed. Pictured: Petito crying and visibly distressed as cops questioned her during the traffic stop two weeks before her disappearance A picture was shared by lawyers for Gabby's family, who are building a lawsuit against police in Moab, Utah, shows bruising Petito sustained before the traffic stop. The suit alleges police failed to deal with the incident properly Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt (pictured) filed the lawsuit against Christopher and Roberta Laundrie earlier this year claiming the couple knew that their daughter was dead and refused to tell them the location of her remains 'I thought he was an emotional threat to her,' the officer, who still works at the force, allegedly told a Price police captain during an independent review of the incident, which launched due to the lack of arrest. 'I thought he was a mental threat to her.' Transcripts of the interview produced by Petito's parents further revealed how Pratt failed to adhere to proper police policy by cutting Laundrie loose - despite telling Price Police captain Brandon Ratcliffe the suspected killer showed 'red flags.' Pratt allegedly told Ratcliffe that Laundrie was 'a weird, not healthy dude that 'looked unsavory,' the lawsuit claims. Body camera footage of the incident had already showed that Petito was visibly shaken throughout the encounter with Pratt, telling him and officers Laundrie had grabbed her face while gesturing toward her neck. A picture shared by lawyers for Gabby's family also showed the bruising Petito sustained before the traffic stop. The wrongful death suit has been in the works for more than a year, and last month, lawyers for Petito's family asked a Utah judge to allow it to continue as her parents rip into the Moab Police Department for minimizing scrutiny over their alleged failures during an August 2021 traffic stop just two weeks before her murder as a money grab. Lawyers for Moab asked the judge to throw out the case in April, arguing that police were protected by government immunity. They also accused Petito's parents of merely wanting money, spurring a scathing response from the mourning father. The suit has yet to be tossed Lawyers for Moab asked the judge to throw out the case in April, arguing that police were protected by government immunity. 'Petitos murder is an undeniable sorrow,' attorneys for the department wrote in that filing. 'Laundries crime was undisputedly depraved, but the judicial system is not a substitute for a GoFundMe campaign,' they wrote. 'Heartbreak is not enough.' The Petito family's team subsequently filed an opposition brief in July saying the wrongful death claims against the government are protected under the Utah Constitution, and Joseph issued his own personal response as well. 'Moab still doesnt get it,' he told Fox News. 'This case has never been about money. 'It has always been about seeking accountability and fighting for change that will save lives. When law enforcement fails to follow the law, fails to protect, and refuses to learn from its mistakes, like the Moab police department, it puts us all at risk.' The case is still making its way through the Utah courts. 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The screenshot was posted to Mr Bowen's X profile on Wednesday afternoon and appeared to show the minister's media advisor asking their 'boss' whether to post energy data on social media. It read: 'Hey boss, new ABS data out today shows that our Govt's Energy Bill Rebates helped lower energy bills by 6.4%. 'Without them, bills would have gone up and Aussie homes and businesses would be paying more. 'Want me to post it on your social media?' Mr Bowen replied: 'Good stuff, yeah post right away, thx mate.' The message referred to a $300 energy rebate Labor unveiled in the 2024-25 Federal Budget in May, which was heavily criticised at the time because the scheme was not means tested. Users slammed the 'cringe' post, asking whether the text was genuine. Chris Bowen (pictured) has been slammed over a 'cringe' tweet about Labor's energy rebate On Wednesday, a screenshot of a text was posted on Chris Bowen's X page, supposedly showing an exchange between himself and his media staffer One user said: 'Siri, give me an example of cringe.' Another wrote: 'I'm just here for the comments...they're great. I'm waiting for you to delete this but in the end you'll never live this down.' A third person said the rebate was taxpayer-funded: 'Well technically you're just paying part of my bill, with my money, before I get [it]. Magic pudding finances.' Some asked whether the screenshot was a text Mr Bowen sent himself. One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts commented: 'Oops. Blundering Bowen AGAIN. As usual, the people pay for his blunders. It seems he sent the message to himself.' Another wrote: 'Just when you think Bowen couldn't be any worse..He posts a screenshot of him messaging himself.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Bowen for comment. The text exchange marked a departure from his regular routine slamming Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. Australians were quick to slam Mr Bowen for the 'cringe' post (pictured) Mr Bowen's team has penned about 30 tweets mentioning Mr Dutton directly since the start of August, with cracks at Nationals leader David Littleproud scattered in between. He has only written about five posts praising his own government within the same period. On Tuesday, he uploaded a video of himself reacting to Mr Dutton's plan to build seven nuclear power plants on the sites of decommissioned coal-fired plants by 2050. Holding up a newspaper, he said: 'Can you believe it? 'Two months ago, Peter Dutton announced seven sites for nuclear reactors and he told us he'd done all the homework and all the studies, and now he's saying if there's earthquakes there, he'll cancel those sites. 'Well, Peter, if you cancel those sites, where will the energy come from? Will other sites be chosen? Will other communities have nuclear reactors? This policy's an absolute mess.' Earlier this week, Mr Dutton said nuclear reactors would be able to deal with earthquake tremors in the Hunter Valley area, near one proposed site. Social media users suggested he stop the constant attacks against the Coalition. A primary school principal has been charged with possession of child exploitation material and sexually grooming children. Patric Brady, 54, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon after police searched his home at Pimpama, on the northern end of the Gold Coast. Brady has been the highly respected principal at nearby Oxenford State School since October 2018. A Queensland Police spokesperson noted there is 'no indication' his alleged offending was related to his employment. It will be alleged Brady was found to be in possession of the material as well as encrypted messaging services used to groom children in the Philippines. He was charged with one count of possessing child exploitation material and three counts of soliciting child abuse material by using a carriage service. Brady also faces one count each of grooming a person to make it easier to engage in sexual activity with a child outside of Australia, and grooming a child to engage in sexual activity outside of Australia. The principal of Oxenford State School, Patric Brady (pictured), has been charged over allegedly possessing child exploitation material and grooming children The arrest stemmed from a joint operation by Queensland Police and the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE). Ongoing investigations into the extent of the alleged offences are led by Queensland Police's Task Force Argos, which specialises in online child exploitation and abuse. Argos detective inspector Glen Donaldson said officers were leaving 'no stone unturned' in efforts to identify alleged offenders. 'The issue of Live Online Child Sexual Abuse (LOCSA) of vulnerable children across the world is a significant concern and remains a targeting priority of law enforcement across Australia,' Mr Donaldson said. 'Law enforcement continue to share intelligence on a daily basis, working together to identify those who seek to hide on platforms they believe make them anonymous. 'Everything you do online leaves a trace, and our detectives will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to identify and prosecute offenders.' Brady also faces one count each of grooming a person to make it easier to engage in sexual activity with a child outside of Australia, and grooming a child to engage in sexual activity outside of Australia (pictured, Brady during the police search) A spokesperson for the Department of Education said it is aware an 'employee was arrested' and is providing counselling to those who require it. 'The department is supporting the police investigation and is providing ongoing support to the affected school community,' the spokesperson said. 'Counselling and guidance services are available for anyone requiring support.' Brady was granted bail at Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday having previously been refused it by police after his arrest, the Courier Mail reports. He is expected to return to face court on September 12. An amorous couple had to make a hasty and awkward escape from their car when it rolled into a river when them in the back seat. The couple were having sex in their spacious 2020 Range Rover near the Schuylkill River in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, about 4.15am on Wednesday. As the couple enjoyed their lovemaking, an errant limb accidentally nudged the gear stick into drive and the SUV began to roll away. A amorous couple had to make a hasty and awkward escape from their car when it rolled into a river when them in the back seat The white Range Rover was finally hauled out of the river about 9am Before they knew it, the car toppled over the edge into the river near the Strawberry Mansion Bridge and began sinking. Both man and woman were able to escape from the car before it sank under the water, but had a very embarrassing swim back to dry land. The car's headlights cast an eerie green glow across the water through the early morning until the fire department could attend to it. The white Range Rover was finally hauled out of the river about 9am. Another car was driven into the river around the same location on August 16, and police said no one was found inside. Norman Stanley Fletcher would be amazed he's being celebrated by Royal Mail. Eight special stamps marking the 50th anniversary of BBC prison sitcom Porridge are being released. They feature quotes and pictures of the cast, including Ronnie Barker as old lag Fletcher, Richard Beckinsale as his cellmate Lennie Godber, and Fulton Mackay as prison officer Mr Mackay. The British TV show follows jailbirds Norman and Lennie as they come face to face with the reality of imprisonment while surrounded by petty criminals and prison officers including Mr Mackay and Mr Barrowclough, played by Brian Wilde. The show, written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, ran for three series from 1974 to 1977. The stamps go on general sale next Tuesday, with a presentation pack of all eight a steal at 14.30. Eight special stamps marking the 50th anniversary of BBC prison sitcom Porridge are being released They feature some of the most popular characters, including Fletcher, Godber and Mr Mackay Speaking about the series, writer Clement said: 'Ian and I told Ronnie that we had come up with the perfect title for the series. 'He said he had too. We let him go first. 'Porridge', he said. We stared at each other and laughed. That was our title too.' La Frenais added: 'So it was agreed with Ronnie and ourselves that we would write a comedy set in prison. 'In the interests of research Dick and I visited Wormwood Scrubs, Wandsworth and Brixton, after which we decided that there was absolutely no way a series about Porridge could ever be funny.' David Gold, director of external affairs and policy at Royal Mail, said: 'Porridge continues to resonate with audiences even after five decades thanks to the quality of the writing and the characters the cast brought to the screen. 'These stamps celebrate British television creativity that is timeless and enduring.' The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available to pre-order from August 29 on the Royal Mail website and by telephone on 03457 641 641. They go on general sale on September 3. A presentation pack including all eight stamps is priced at 14.30. English girls are more likely to have had sex at 15 than those in many developed countries and are less likely to use a condom, a World Health Organisation report reveals. Health officials highlight 'worryingly high' rates of unprotected sex and warn teenagers are putting themselves at risk of unplanned pregnancy and sexual diseases. The declining use of condoms is particularly 'alarming' and demonstrates the need for better sex education and improved access to contraception, the body adds. Researchers surveyed over 242,000 15-year-olds across 42 countries between 2014 and 2022 for the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. The countries span Europe, Central Asia and Canada. English girls are more likely to have had sex at 15 than those in many developed countries and are less likely to use a condom, a World Health Organisation report reveals (file photo) Some 21 per cent of 15-year-old girls in England said they have had sex in the most recent year, compared with an average of 15 per cent across all nations. Of these, 48 per cent in England said they used a condom the last time they had sex, 41 per cent were on the contraceptive pill and 32 per cent used neither. The global averages were 57 per cent, 26 per cent and 30 per cent. Girls in England decreased their use of condoms and increased their use of the contraceptive pill between 2014 and 2022. The proportion having sex by the age of 15 is down from 23 per cent in 2014 but up from 18 per cent in 2018. Meanwhile, boys in England are less likely to have had sex than those in other countries. Some 18 per cent of 15-year-old boys in England have had sex, down from 22 per cent in 2018 and equal to 18 per cent in 2014. The figures for the global average are 20 per cent, 24 per cent and 25 per cent, respectively. In England, 69 per cent of boys aged 15 used a condom when they last had sex in 2018 but this had fallen to 61 per cent by 2022. Some 21 per cent of 15-year-old girls in England said they have had sex in the most recent year, compared with an average of 15 per cent across all nations. Of these, 48 per cent in England said they used a condom the last time they had sex, 41 per cent were on the contraceptive pill and 32 per cent used neither (stock image) Dr Hans Henri P Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, described the findings as 'dismaying'. He added: 'Age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education remains neglected in many countries, and where it is available, it has increasingly come under attack in recent years on the false premise that it encourages sexual behaviour, when the truth is that equipping young persons with the right knowledge at the right time leads to optimal health outcomes linked to responsible behaviour and choices. 'We are reaping the bitter fruit of these reactionary efforts, with worse to come, unless governments, health authorities, the education sector and other essential stakeholders truly recognise the root causes of the current situation and take steps to rectify it. 'We need immediate and sustained action, underpinned by data and evidence, to halt this cascade of negative outcomes, including the likelihood of higher STI rates, increased healthcare costs, and - not least - disrupted education and career paths for young persons who do not receive the timely information and support they need.' Lead author Dr Andras Kolto, from the University of Galway, said: 'Comprehensive sexuality education is key to closing these gaps and empowering all young people to make informed decisions about sex at a particularly vulnerable moment in their lives, as they transition from adolescence to adulthood. 'But education must go beyond just providing information. 'Young people need safe spaces to discuss issues like consent, intimate relationships, gender identity and sexual orientation, and we - governments, health and education authorities, and civil society organisations - should help them develop crucial life skills including transparent, non-judgmental communication and decision-making.' Health officials highlight 'worryingly high' rates of unprotected sex and warn teenagers are putting themselves at risk of unplanned pregnancy and sexual diseases (stock image) Lisa Hallgarten, head of policy and public affairs at UK sexual health charity Brook, said: 'We recognise the picture painted by the WHO and share its concerns about the political resistance to high quality, timely sex education which is putting the health and wellbeing of young people at risk by delaying the provision of the vital information they need to stay safe. 'England needs a holistic sexual and reproductive health strategy to address every aspect of sexual health including shortfalls in education and information about safer sex, widespread misinformation online, resistance to condom use, long waiting times and lack of accessibility to sexual health services. 'With STI rates soaring and high rates of unplanned pregnancy there is an urgent need to develop new more effective public health approaches.' A Government spokesperson said: 'We know there is much work to do to make sure everyone has timely access to sexual health services, and we are determined to shift the focus from treatment to prevention and reduce the inequalities that drive poor health. 'The consultation on proposed changes to the statutory guidance on teaching relationships, health and sex education has now closed and the government will carefully consider next steps.' EXCLUSIVE A controversial book which has been slammed worldwide for exposing children to 'gay porn' has been ripped from an Australian city's library shelves for the first time. Bundaberg Regional Council on the Queensland coast this week removed Maia Kobabe's divisive coming-out memoir 'Gender Queer' following a public outcry. On Thursday, Christian lobbyist Lyle Shelton lauded the council for being 'brave' enough to act on concerns from outraged lobby groups. He said the graphic novel, which features illustrations of masturbation, sex toys and oral sex, had been allowed to proliferate library shelves in children's sections around the country for far too long. 'Well done to the council for getting rid of it,' the ADH TV host told Daily Mail Australia. 'This book is totally inappropriate for a public library and the childrens section. 'Just because it flies under the rainbow political flag, it doesnt mean it is good for kids.' Gender Queer, by Maia Kobabe, is the most banned book in America, with critics claiming its graphic depictions of teenage sex (censored here by Daily Mail Australia) are targeted at kids Maia Kobabe (pictured), a non-binary author from California who uses e/em/eir pronouns, has received multiple awards for her controversial memoir since it was first published in 2019 He added: 'Because LGBTQIA+ activists cry "bigot" if their agenda is ever questioned, politicians and bureaucrats are too afraid to properly scrutinise the material with which they seek to indoctrinate our children. 'In the case of Gender Queer, they've let illegal material into the kids' section of public libraries.' The decision is set to outrage LGBTQIA+ supporters who believe the award-winning book has become a critical resource for many teenagers. But Gender Queer was this year ranked America's most divisive book by the American Library Association after it received more complaints than any other title. Critics have leapt on a selection of explicit images in the book that depict Kobabe's evolving understanding of gender and sexuality as a teenager and young adult. The cartoons show Kobabe and a girlfriend experimenting with a strap-on sex toy, and another of Kobabe fantasizing about two men having sex. The content has seen the book banned in dozens of school districts in the US and removed from libraries across America in states such as Alaska, Iowa, Texas and Pennsylvania. Some schools even pulled the book preemptively, before any formal complaint were made. Conservative activist Bernard Gaynor (pictured) hopes the Bundaberg book ban will inspire other cities to follow suit and also remove the controversial memoir from their libraries Kobabe - a non-binary author from California - insists the novel can help confused ' older teens' identify by providing a language for the trans and non-binary community, and unpacking the feelings young people may be experiencing. But conservative critics have labelled its graphic, gender-diverse depictions of teenage sex harmful and 'pornographic.' Bundaberg Regional Council would not discuss the apparent ban, saying only 'the book is presently not on library bookshelves.' A review of the council libraries' website catalogue revealed it had also been pulled from its online booking system. Although the book has now disappeared from the Queensland city's libraries, the 239-page graphic memoir remains on shelves in other libraries around Australia. Brisbane City Council has 17 copies of the novel available for loan across its collection of libraries, with three copies available in Ashgrove Library, and two copies each at Carindale, Indooroopilly and Stone Corner libraries. In the City of Sydney, readers can find it on shelves in Green Square, Glebe and Newtown libraries, while borrowers in the Victorian capital can loan a copy from Kathleen Syme Carlton Library, East Melbourne Library and the Library at the Dock. The Bundaberg ban comes a year after the 239-page graphic memoir's presence in Logan City Council's libraries, in south-east Queensland, sparked a public backlash. The award-winning book was ultimately removed from its shelves following a formal complaints by conservative Catholic activist Bernard Gaynor. However, it has remained publicly available for anyone who requested it, with a search of the library's website revealing it can still be reserved online. Mr Gaynor - who considers the graphic novel 'pornographic' - demanded the Australian Classification Board ban the book in Australia entirely last year. The ACB board instead issued the 2019-novel with an 'unrestricted' classification, with consumer advice of 'M (Mature) - Not Recommended for Readers under 15 Years'. Bundaberg Regional Council pulled the graphic novel from its libraries this week He said he hoped Bundaberg's decision would inspire other cities to follow suit. 'This is the first council in Australia to actually look at this book seriously and take it off the shelves,' he said on Shelton's online news ADH TV program on Thursday. 'Its just great news because there be more to follow. This book has to go. Under Australian law, it is actually unlawful. 'The Australian Classification Board and the Classification Review Board did not want to actually deal with the reality that an LGBTQI book, depicted a scene with the image of a child. 'They said the image was actually an adult. It is ludicrous. Anybody who looks at that picture knows instantly that they're looking at a child. You don't have to be an expert to say that.' Prisoners are set to be freed after serving just 20 per cent of their sentence and slapped with electronic tags under Labour's early release scheme. The plans will make them stay under curfew in their homes for a further six months - time they would previously have spent locked up. Burglars, thieves and fraudsters and even convicted rioters could be allowed out with a tag after serving just a fifth of their prison time. Current measures mean lags are allowed to be released with electronic monitoring after a quarter of their time inside, but under early release schemes starting next month this will drop by five per cent. Mark Fairhurst, chairman of the Prison Officers' Association, told The Telegraph: 'The problem I have with all this is: Have we engaged with the victims of crime? Are they content that this is only a temporary emergency measure? The plans will make them stay under curfew in their homes for a further six months - time they would previously have spent locked up. Pictured: Keir Starmer Burglars, thieves and fraudsters and even convicted rioters could be allowed out with a tag after serving just a fifth of their prison time. Pictured: Rioters earlier this month in Rotherham Britain's already crowded prison system has come under even more pressure in recent weeks Police officers with protesters as trouble flared during an anti-immigration demonstration outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, South Yorkshire earlier this month 'Then are we going to go back to normal? Are we going to provide more prison places? How are we going to reform sentencing? What is the view of the victims? All we have had is the view of politicians.' It comes as just 100 places are left in men's jails, according to reports - marking the closest the prison service has come to running out of space. Britain's already crowded prison system has come under even more pressure in recent weeks following the jailing of far-right thugs involved in race riots earlier this month. A surge of arrests over the Bank Holiday weekend, including 330 at the Notting Hill Carnival in West London, has further worsened the situation. The Ministry of Justice has already activated Operation Early Dawn, which allows defendants to be held in police cells and not summoned to magistrates' court until a space in prison is available. And earlier this month magistrates were told to stop jailing convicted criminals for several weeks to help ease pressure on overcrowded prisons. Lord Justice Green, the senior presiding judge in England and Wales, told them to make the change until the Government's early release scheme comes into effect in early September. It comes as Keir Starmer revealed ministers had to check 'every day' that there was space to jail race rioters after the Southport tragedy amid a crisis in UK prisons. Britain's already crowded prison system has come under even more pressure in recent weeks following the jailing of far-right thugs. Pictured: Rioters clash with cops in Manchester A surge of arrests over the Bank Holiday weekend, including 330 at the Notting Hill Carnival in West London, has further worsened the situation. Pictured: A man is led away in handcuffs at the Notting Hill Carnival The Prime Minister said he had questioned whether the legal system could handle the fallout from the lawlessness that followed the attack in Merseyside that left three children dead. Sir Keir said that as a former director of public prosecutions he had not wanted to trigger the early release of other prisoners to free up space. But he suggested he had needed to make an example of those involved in violence and criminal damage in the days after the stabbings. After a speech in Downing Street earlier this week he said that in 2011, when he was DPP, he did not doubt that the courts could respond to the riots, but 'this time, to be honest with you, I genuinely didn't know'. 'Every day of that disorder, literally every day, we had to check the precise number of prison places and where those places were to make sure we could arrest, charge and prosecute people quickly,' he said. 'Not having enough prison places is about as fundamental a failure as you can get and those people throwing rocks, torching cars, making threats, they didn't just know the system was broken, they were betting on it, gaming it. They thought ''Ah, they'll never arrest me and if they do, I won't be prosecuted, and if I am, I won't get much of a sentence''. 'They saw the cracks in our society after 14 years of failure and they exploited them. That's what we've inherited. Not just an economic black hole, a societal black hole and that's why we have to take action and do things differently.' Earlier this month ministers activated 'Operation Early Dawn' as they triggered emergency measures to avoid prison overcrowding as more rioters were sentenced. Earlier this month magistrates were told to stop jailing convicted criminals for several weeks to help ease pressure on overcrowded prisons. Pictured: Rubble lies at the feet of police officers thrown by protesters in Liverpool Sir Keir said that as a former director of public prosecutions he had not wanted to trigger the early release of other prisoners to free up space. Pictured: Police officers detain a demonstrator during a protest in Manchester The Prime Minister suggested he had needed to make an example of those involved in violence and criminal damage in the days after the stabbings. Pictured: A man is detained by police officers as people protest in Middlesbrough The long-standing plan, described as a 'one in, one out' policy, was implemented in the North of England in the wake of the recent widespread disorder across towns and cities. It allows defendants to be held in police cells and not summoned to magistrates' court until a space in prison is available. In the aftermath of riots that broke out after the Southport stabbing attack on 29 July, hundreds of people appeared in magistrates' courts in relation to the chaos. Sir Keir told reporters: 'I didn't want to release prisoners early, I was chief prosecutor for five years, it goes against the grain of everything I've ever done, but to be blunt, if we hadn't taken that difficult decision immediately, we wouldn't have been able to respond to the riots as we did. The Prime Minister drew parallels between the clean-up of the riots, and the work his Government is proposing to improve the country. Sir Keir Starmer said: 'We can get through this together, because the riots didn't just betray the sickness, they also revealed the cure, found not in the cynical conflict of populism, but in the coming together of a country. 'The people who got together the morning after, all around the country, with their brooms, their shovels, their trowels and cleared up their community, they reminded us who we really are. I felt real pride in those people who cleaned up our streets, rebuilt the walls, repaired the damage. 'And I couldn't help thinking about the obvious parallels, because imagine the pride we will feel as a nation when after the hard work of clearing up the mess is done, we have a country that we have built together, built to last, that belongs to every single one of us, and all of us have a stake in it. 'Our hard work rewarded a dozen times over, because we'll have an economy that works for everyone, an NHS not just back on its feet, but fit for the future, streets that everyone feels safe in, no longer dependent on foreign dictators, because we're producing our own clean energy right here and giving every child, wherever they come from, whatever their background, the chance to go as far as their talents will take them.' DO YOU KNOW MORE? Email david.southwell@dailymail.com After a resident cut down a tall tree to improve their view of Sydney Harbour, a local trust responded by erecting an elevated sign in its place to block the view. 'Tree vandalism has occurred in this area,' the sign erected in the Sydney lower North Shore harbourside suburb of Woolwich, where the median house price is over $5.5 million, reads. 'The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust protects and manages this land for the enjoyment of the public. 'Acts of vandalism like this deprive all of us of the natural environment.' After a photo of the sign was shared on a Reddit Sydney thread, it received plent of praise. 'I hope the person who did it is spewing. They had a view of the harbour and a lovely tree, and now an ugly sign that reminds them of their bad deed,' one said. 'Love this. It would only be better if it lit up at night with a big ugly penis or something,' wrote another. A third added: 'Mosman Council also does this for the people that cut down trees on the public path in front of the mansions, except it's a way bigger hanging sign. I love it.' A sign has been placed to keep blocking the harbour view when a tree on Sydney's lower North Shore was cut down The sign, put up by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, has been applauded by Reddit users The tree was felled in the affluent city suburb of Woolwich, where the median house price is over $5.5million Another said: 'What a brilliant way to teach people that they cant simply do as they please without ramifications.' A spokesperson for the Sydney Harbour Trust warned that anyone caught illegally cutting down trees could face hefty fines. 'Following this, the Harbour Trust installed a large sign in the former location of the illegally removed trees to inform the community of the vandalism and encourage anyone with information to contact us to help maintain and protect our environment,' the spokesperson said. 'Additionally, the Harbour Trust installed temporary fencing and a security camera that will monitor the area of replanted trees to prevent and deter any similar incidents in the future.' In NSW, under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, the maximum fine for illegal tree removal in NSW is $1.1 million for a corporation and $220,000 for an individual. The actual fine that is imposed may be significantly lower than the maximum penalty, usually ranging from $1,000 to $100,000 per offence. A criminal psychologist has suggested the man who poured a thermos of hot coffee on a nine-month-old baby may have acted on a 'hatred of young children'. The little boy had been on a picnic with his mother in Hanlon Park in Brisbane on Tuesday when the man approached them at about midday. He poured the coffee on top of the infant - who immediately began to scream - and was captured on CCTV fleeing the park on foot. The nine-month-old reportedly sustained burns to 60 per cent of his body and has undergone surgery in Queensland Children's Hospital. Dr Tim Watson-Munro told Daily Mail Australia that it was likely the man had 'cognitively rehearsed' the crime rather than acting on impulse. 'I suspect there was planning involved, even it was impulsive at the time,' he said. 'He knew about the consequences of his actions, hence the escape. It's more likely that he knew what he was doing, it's remote that it was a crime of impulse.' The criminal psychologist also suggested some potential motives. 'Maybe he had a hatred of young children or a jealousy of young families, maybe he wanted the attention and was seeking notoriety,' he said. Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia that it was likely the man had 'cognitively rehearsed' the crime rather than acting on impulse The nine-month-old baby boy (pictured) was attacked in a Brisbane park on Tuesday Police on Thursday morning released a second photo (pictured) of a man they wish to speak to in relation to the alleged assault in a Brisbane park 'Maybe he had a hatred of young children or a jealousy of young families, maybe he wanted the attention and was seeking notoriety,' he said. 'I think he's definitely a disturbed individual, this could have ended up in tragedy.' Dr Watson-Munro said it would be highly traumatic for both the baby's mother and bystanders to witness such a 'terrible' and 'cowardly' attack. 'In my 46 years of dealing with criminals, I've seen it all, I've seen cruelty to children but I have never seen a baby attacked in a public place. 'It's beggars belief... to attack a baby in its early days of life. It turns my blood cold.' Police on Thursday morning released a second photo of a man they wish to speak to in relation to the alleged assault. The alleged attacker is described as aged 30 to 40 with a proportionate build, tanned skin and wore a black hat, glasses, a shirt and shorts. Police have urged anyone that knows the man or has information to come forward. The baby's parents are still reeling from the attack, saying they can't comprehend why someone would hurt an infant. 'I don't know who would think that's okay to harm an innocent little baby,' the mother told Nine Network. 'A sick freak,' the father then said. The boy's mother (pictured left) became emotional as she recalled the harrowing experience The alleged attack occurred at Hanlon Park in inner-city Brisbane on Tuesday afternoon 'I'm just having flashbacks all the time about what happened and I wish that he had poured the coffee over me. 'I don't know who would think it is okay to harm a little, innocent baby.' A friend of the boy's mother said she tried to chase after the man but tripped, before rushing back to pour her water bottle over the infant. 'This man was standing above him, behind him, and poured a Thermos of hot coffee over him. He just started screaming,' Zara Mazza told The Project. 'Essentially all I could hear was his mum screaming that "it's hot, it's hot coffee", so I ran back, picked up my water bottle and dumped it over him. 'I removed him from his mum and we laid him down on the picnic rug and we peeled his clothes away, which revealed the peeling of his skin which started to blister.' Police have released CCTV images of a man they wish to speak to in relation to the incident A nurse-in-training offered a shower at her nearby apartment so water could constantly be running on the screaming infant. The little boy will need regular dressing changes under anesthetic over the next few weeks but is in a stable condition, Ms Mazza said. She has started a GoFundMe page to raise money for the family's hospital bills. An Indiana man confessed to lacing his wife's cans of Coca-Cola with drugs like cocaine and MDMA as part of a scheme to murder her and marry her daughter. On Monday, Alfred Ruf, 71, was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated battery posing a risk of death. The charges against the 71-year-old stemmed from a series of incidents in 2021, when he reportedly spiked his wife's soft drinks a dozen times. By January 2022, Ruf was under investigation after his wife, Liza Bishop, 51, notified authorities that she thought her husband was trying to poison her. Alfred Ruf, 71, confessed to lacing his wife's cans of Coca-Cola with drugs like cocaine and MDMA as part of a scheme to murder her and marry her daughter Before she contacted the police, Bishop was hospitalized six times over the course of a few weeks. She had been suffering from unexplained headaches, drowsiness, diarrhea, and other bizarre symptoms. During each stay at the hospital, she tested positive for substance like cocaine, MDMA, and benzodiazepines, none of which she took. At some point, Bishop also discovered a powdery residue in her cans of Coca-Cola. Ruf later admitted to his wife that he was indeed trying to poison her because he 'felt bad' about it. Afterwards, she contacted law enforcement. When authorities responded to the couple's home, they reportedly heard Ruf mention that he had been 'spiking' his wife's drink with an 'unknown substance' he had received from her 31-year-old daughter. The 71-year-old was taken to the Wayne County Sheriff's department, where he apparently confessed to the poisonings during an interview. He also reportedly admitted to having a sexual relationship with Bishop's daughter from a previous marriage. At some point, Bishop also discovered a powdery residue in her cans of Coca-Cola Ruf allegedly explained to the authorities how the 31-year-old woman had provided him with the drugs, instructing him to put them in her mother's drinks. According to court documents, 'Ruf stated that the substance would then make [his wife] go to sleep for approximately 13 hours or so.' During this window, Bishop's daughter and her friend would arrive at the house, where they would 'put on a show' for him, Ruf reportedly said. According to an affidavit acquired by USA Today, the 'show' amounted to the two women putting on Bishop's clothes and performing 'sex acts on each other.' Ruff allegedly claimed that the daughter engineered the plot, suggesting that they should 'get mom out of the picture' and benefit from her life insurance policy. The 71-year-old also reportedly told the police that the daughter wished to marry him after they 'took care' of Bishop. The 71-year-old was taken to the Wayne County Sheriff's department, where he apparently confessed to the poisonings during an interview From September 2021 through December 2021, Ruff poisoned his wife's drink 12 times, he reportedly told authorities. 'Ruf stated that he knew the substance would eventually kill his wife,' the police wrote. 'It was their ultimate goal.' When the police arrested the husband in January 2022, they reported that they were investigating two other suspects in connection with the case. At this time, no other arrests have been made. Ruf will serve four years behind bars, followed by five years of probation. Two people have been found dead inside a Brisbane home occupied by a single mother and two young children. Emergency services were called to a residence in Kentville Street in the northwestern suburb of Mitchelton shortly before 9am on Thursday. Multiple police officers and a man in a blue hazmat suit could be seen entering the property. Neighbours have told Daily Mail Australia a single mother and two primary-school-aged children lived inside the home, which is owned by the Queensland government. They said the community is 'praying' that the children - who are often seen playing in the yard - have not been hurt. They said they had not heard or witnessed anything unusual in the area in the previous 24 hours and were shocked when police swarmed the street on Thursday morning. Police are pictured at Kentville Street on Thursday after two people were found dead inside a home Police officers and forensics units remain at the scene Another local resident said the house was 'known to police' and that a stolen vehicle was towed from out the front of the property about a month ago. 'They [police] pulled up outside and took the plates then a tow truck showed up,' the resident said of the incident last month. 'It was rattle can painted black. It was dodgy. 'I have seen police there before that time too.' The resident said they had also previously heard fights happening at the property. A spokesperson for Queensland Police said officers were 'investigating the sudden death of two people in Mitchelton this morning'. 'Emergency services were called to a Kentville Street residence around 8.50am,' the spokesperson said. 'A crime scene has been declared and investigations into the cause of death are underway. 'There is no further information available at this time.' The man in the hazmat suit was later seen being escorted into a car with detectives after exiting the property. No charges have been laid. A construction company that was ordered to pay $3,000 for destroying an oak tree now has to pay 15 times the amount after challenging the fine in court. The developer was handed the $45,000 fine earlier this month for damaging the 80-year-old tree at a construction site in Revesby, Sydney's west, in 2023. The City of Canterbury Bankstown had initially issued a $3,000 fine last year to the company for failing to protect the tree. Several branches were cut off and the roots were damaged because of a concrete slab that had been poured too close to the area. The developer was building duplexes at the site and a council inspection found excavation work was being conducted at a Tree Protection Zone. The company decided to contest the fine at Bankstown Local Court, but the appeal spectacularly backfired. The court heard the excavation work was carried out without the supervision of a certified arborist. Magistrate Glenn Walsh, who delivered the ruling, said the company was 'well versed in the legal ways to deal with this situation'. The developer was issued the massive fine for damaging the oak tree (pictured) after several branches were cut off and the roots were destroyed because of a concrete slab 'Cost cutting can be the only reason behind the actions,' Magistrate Walsh said. The council has now been forced to remove to tree because of the damage. A council spokesman said protecting vulnerable natural resources are an important part of council's responsibilities. 'Council takes environmental enforcement seriously and we will not tolerate those who want to cut corners,' he said. 'May this act as a warning that if you are doing the wrong thing, you will be caught and you will be fined.' The council has been pushing for tougher penalties to deter the removal and vandalism of tress in the community. Last month, 12 large eucalyptus trees were poisoned and 13 were cut down at a property in Henry Lawson Drive. The developer was building duplexes at the site (pictured) and a council inspection found excavation work was being conducted at a Tree Protection Zone Imposing fines that are worth around the same value of having the trees removed was one of the penalties discussed at a council meeting recently. Local councils are responsible for the management of tree populations in NSW. Trees that are more than three metres high or with a crown more than two metres wide requires council approval before they are removed. Anyone who removes a tree illegally can be fined $3,000 and business can be issued a fine of $6,000 for the offence. A Woolworths worker held nothing back as he handed in a hilarious resignation letter taking aim at his boss. Sumit Aryal, who worked as a team member in the produce section of a Woolworths store, emailed in his resignation on February 9. A copy of the email was submitted to the Fair Work Comission as Mr Aryal launched legal action against the supermarket. He argued he was unfairly dismissed by Woolworths claiming he had wanted to relocate stores and maintain his employment - but his name was removed completely from the roster as a result of the letter. His tongue-in cheek email started out like any other resignation, explaining Mr Aryal's last day would be on February 17. 'It is with a mix of relief and disappointment that I announce my resignation from my position as team member at Woolworths, Grand Central,' he said. But soon the tone started to change and Mr Aryal mentioned his time at the workplace had been an 'eye-opening journey' - before he unleashed what he really thought about the Woolworths store. 'The decision to leave stems from the realisation that my tolerance for workplace absurdity, which you have so generously cultivated, has reached its limit,' he said. A Woolworths worker held nothing back as he handed in a hilarious resignation letter taking aim at his boss (pictured, a mock-up of the resignation letter) A copy of the email was submitted to the Fair Work Comission as Ms Aryal launched legal action against the supermarket 'Your knack for transforming a simple shift into a feat of Herculean proportions, complete with unnecessary pressure and stress, has been truly remarkable. 'If only it were a circus act.' The employee added that whilst they appreciated the 'opportunity' of working under the guidance of his boss, it had also been with 'a touch of bemusement'. 'I will cherish the memories of our interactions, though I suspect they'll make for excellent material in my future endeavours,' he said. Finishing up the letter, the employee assured his boss he would make sure his exit was 'smooth' and would help to find and train a replacement for him. To sign off, Mr Aryal added: 'Thank you for the "memories"'. In the letter, the worker said he intended to spread his wings 'to other Woolworths stores'. Mr Aryal was then removed from the roster with the employee taking Woolworths to the FWC in March claiming that he had been unfairly dismissed. He argued he had wanted to change stores and continue his employment with Woolworths. Documents from the FWC decision stated he attempted to withdraw his resignation by sending an email on March 4 - more than two weeks after his last shift. According to the documents, the supermarket argued Mr Aryal did not seek a transfer within the Woolworths Group. According to the documents, the supermarket argued Mr Aryal did not seek a transfer within the Woolworths Group (stock image) The FWC stated in its decision in May that Mr Aryal had in fact resigned. 'From the submissions and evidence provided, it appears Applicant made a decision to resign of his own free will and later sought to withdraw his resignation after his employment had already come to an end,' it read. The decision also noted the unfair dismissal application had been filed 29 days after his last shift - going beyond the 21 day timeframe to launch an application. The case was dismissed. Daily Mail Australia contacted Woolworths for comment. Just when you thought the Albanese government couldn't find new and inventive ways to impose more bad policies on the nation, the education minister Jason Clare enters the room. He's come up with the not so bright idea of imposing a cap on foreign students attending top tier universities. In other words, he is cutting the number of foreign students Australia's best higher education institutions can enrol, so that lower end institutions can increase their numbers. The reason Labor is doing this is because its previous policy of clamping down on foreign students across the sector resulted in fewer international students enrolling in low end institutions rather than the top ones. Because of that, the bottom end of the sector was brought to its knees, causing Labor all manner of political headaches in marginal seats and regional areas, where many of these struggling institutions are located. Don't take my word for it. Clare said these lower end institutions have been 'haemorrhaging' because of his 'ministerial direction'. That's hardly a surprising outcome by the way. The brains trust that is this government really should have seen it coming. If you allow fewer foreign students into the country but don't limit the numbers institution by institution, the best unis will naturally win out and the lower end of the market will collapse. It's common sense. Education Minister Jason Clare has announced a cap on foreign students attending Australia's top tier universities There is a perception that all foreign students coming here - and we take hundreds of thousands each year - want to become Australian citizens. Only they don't, at least not most foreign students studying at the elite universities Which is exactly what happened. An unintended consequence but one that a good government and a good minister should have foreseen. In fact, an average government and an average minister really should have predicted it too. Hopeless is the only descriptor. Now Labor is groping around in the dark for a new policy to fix the damage it's already done. However, what it has come up with is even worse, and doesn't solve the political problem the initial policy was crafted to address. So why was Labor looking to reduce foreign student numbers in the first place? It seems silly to anyone who knows anything about higher education as foreign students fund our universities. For years, Australia's governments have let funding levels for our universities decline. Compared to overseas institutions of similar standing and compared to per capita funding domestically in years gone by, funding has fallen. The universities have made up this shortfall - while maintaining high international rankings for a medium sized nation like Australia - by attracting foreign full fee paying students. They have funded our quality institutions, not the government. Which has let governments of both partisan stripes off the hook when it comes to paying for a quality higher education sector. The public probably doesn't mind, given that there is a perception out there that universities are bastions of activist inner-city woke ideology. That's sometimes true, but not always. For example there is plenty of that in arts and social sciences faculties at some institutions, but much less of it in faculties such as engineering, business and medicine. And let's face it, these are for the most part the well regarded faculties dragging up Australia's international higher education reputation. Labor in its infinite wisdom is killing that golden goose with its goose of a policy change just announced The political problem Labor faced shortly after coming to power was concerns about massive immigration fuelling difficulties accessing housing for many Australians. The perception being that large numbers of foreign students contribute to that. But they really don't - at least not students attending the top tier institutions that are now having their numbers cut. Foreign students studying in Australia get access to a visa upon completion, and with that a pathway to citizenship. This is obviously a huge attraction for many people living in other parts of the world not nearly as affluent or aesthetic as Australia. So the perception is that all foreign students coming here - and we take hundreds of thousands each year - want to become Australian citizens. Only they don't, at least not most foreign students studying at the elite universities. Under seven per cent of foreign students studying at the top universities seek to stay in Australia after they complete their studies. They want to go home with their quality qualification. At lower end institutions, however - the ones now retaining higher numbers thanks to Clare's policy on the run - that isn't the case. Much higher percentages of these students stay here. And those are the institutions Clare's policy change will allow to enrol more students, not less - and exactly the ones more likely to migrate. Which again isn't exactly surprising. These students aren't attracted by the low quality of the institutions they attended. They are attracted by the pathway to citizenship their enrollment offers. So where does all of this leave us? Labor HAD a policy that curbed foreign student numbers at lower end institutions wherein such students were more likely to take advantage of immigration pathways that contributed to population growth, thus putting pressure on housing. But not anymore. Previously, top tier unis could fund their high rankings with a large foreign student cohort - and one that doesn't contribute very much to immigration numbers as illustrated. But Labor in its infinite wisdom is killing that golden goose with its goose of a policy change just announced. It will result in job losses and funding shortfalls in our best unis, which will in turn see their rankings fall. And they will likely have to cut domestic student numbers to cover the cost of losing foreign students who are full fee paying. It's a dog of a policy change. So let's give Labor a slow clap for finding new and inventive ways to damage the Australian economy and higher education, which until now has been our second largest export industry after mining. Oh, and Treasury didn't even model the economic impact that this policy change will have on the economy. You really couldn't make this level of policy stupidity up even if you tried. Harrowing new footage has captured the moment an alleged Venezuelan gang seized control of an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado. The heavily-armed mob are seen storming through the residence brandishing guns in the video that emerged on Wednesday. A man in a hoodie lugs a high-powered rifle and pounds on a door in the building, while several others wield pistols. 'A GANG HAS TAKEN OVER several apartment complexes in Aurora!' local council member Danielle Jurinsky wrote on Twitter. Cops refused to confirm whether the gunmen belong to the infamous Tren de Aragua cartel, but council member Jurinksy told Fox 31 that the building had been overrun by a Venezuelan gang. 'This isnt just Americans. Other Venezuelans are being extorted by this gang, Jurinsky said. The footage comes as the migrant crisis under 'border czar' Kamala Harris has spiraled into chaos. The Venezuelan Tren de Aragua mob has established footholds across the country, including in Colorado. Harrowing new footage appears to capture the moment an armed Venezuelan gang seized control of an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado Members of the gang rush up the stairwell, bearing weapons. In the background, the men can be heard speaking to one another in Spanish. At the end of the video, the door opens and the gang members all walk into the apartment. It wasn't clear whether anyone inside the home was injured. The couple who filmed the footage told Fox 31 that it was recorded shortly before a shootout at the complex, which left one person grievously wounded. In the exchange of gunfire, several vehicles were also damaged. Cindy and Edward Romero moved out of the apartment on Wednesday due to safety concerns. 'It's been a nightmare, and I can't wait to get out of here,' Cindy Romero told Fox as she packed up her possessions. In their apartment, the Romeros had an elaborate system of locks running from the top of the door to the bottom. 'Every day when we come home, we have to do this every time we go outside to take out the garbage,' Cindy Romero said, demonstrating how the locks worked. 'Every time we go to bed at night. We have to keep like this so that nobody can kick in the door,' she added. Then other members of the gang rush up the stairwell, bearing weapons. In the background, the men can be heard speaking in Spanish to one anothe After a shootout at the apartment complex earlier this month, the Romeros' car was riddled with bullets. Jurinsky, the Aurora City councilmember, assisted the couple in moving out and finding a new place to live. 'The city nonprofits have line up to help the migrants that have come here but nobody is helping the Americans that are trapped in these apartment complexes,' Jurinsky told Fox. Referring to the spate of violent incidents at the apartment complex, the councilmember said that it 'all started with a gang takeover.' Aurora has found itself at the center of a constant cycle of violence ever since the brutal Tren de Aragua gang arrived. The Aurora police department released a statement Wednesday confirming that they are investigating the chilling new footage of the apartment takeover. The authorities noted that they had launched a special task force 'in collaboration with other local, state and federal partners to specifically address concerns about Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) and other criminal activity.' The cops said confirmed that they were 'aware that components of TdA are operating in Aurora.' They added that they have been 'increasingly collecting evidence to show the gang is connected to crimes in the area.' Incidents of migrant-related crime have caused the dismal situation at the border to fall under greater scrutiny. Under Biden and Harris' administration, illegal immigration into the US has ballooned into 8 million crossings- a number which is expected to rise to 10 million by the end of September. In 2021, Harris, 'the border czar' was charged with stemming the flow of illegal immigration. Has been given parole despite another attack when last released The parole board has released a murderer who stabbed another woman at a bus stop just 10 months after he was last let out into the community. The NSW State Parole Authority on Thursday released Terrence John Leary under strict conditions including that he be electronically monitored and reside at a secure Corrective Services-supported facility. Fiona Walker, the sister of Vanessa Hoson who was a teenager when she was killed by Leary with a hammer in her home in 1990 after she spurned him, warned in a submission to the board that 'it will happen again'. When he was last let out on parole in 2012, after serving 22 years for Ms Hoson's murder, Leary took 10 months before he attacked another woman. The 30-year-old Thai woman had just finished a babysitting shift in North Sydney on June 19, 2013 and was listening to music at a Hunters Hill bus shelter. In an 'explosive and ferocious' attack, Leary grabbed her by the neck, pulled her behind the bus stop, punched her in the face, ripped her jeans down so hard her belt snapped and stabbed her in the neck before a passer-by intervened and called police. The traumatised woman survived and Leary was sentenced to another 15 years for the assault and attempted rape. Ms Hoson's family has tirelessly campaigned against his release over the years and Ms Walker quoted the judge who last sentenced him in her submission, who stated 'he is a continuing danger to society' and 'it cannot be said he has any real prospects of rehabilitation'. Vanessa Hoson (pictured) was bludgeoned to death with a hammer after she spurned Leary, who then attacked another woman when he was last given parole Ms Hoson's sister Fiona Walker (pictured) argued against his release in a lengthy submission to the parole board but it has been granted In a media release on Thursday, the State Parole Authority confirmed his release from September 18 and said 'supervised parole is conducive to the safety of the community'. Authority Chair, the Honourable Geoffrey Bellew, SC said that if Leary served his full sentence, he would go back into the community unmonitored. 'The alternative is to keep the offender in custody and release him at some later point, either with a shorter period of parole supervision or at the end of his sentence with no period of supervised parole at all.' 'The Community is better served, in terms of its protection, by supervised release.' A court sketch of Leary when he was sentenced for stabbing another woman in 2013 Ms Walker argued Leary should be declared a repeat serious sex offender and held on a Continuing Detention Order. The Authority confirmed it had considered the expert advice of the Serious Offenders Review Council (SORC) which recommended parole as appropriate. 'The offender has successfully completed programs to address his offending, including a sex offender program,' it said. In addition to normal parole conditions a number of other rules were imposed including that he must not have any contact with the victim or her family, not go to certain council areas and participate in psychology sessions. A slain police officer bravely recorded the message 'I love you' to her family as an armed religious extremist approached her before executing her at close range, a coronial inquest has been told. Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow were murdered during what was supposed to be a routine job at a rural property in Wieambilla on December 12, 2022. The two officers attended the property alongside constables Randall Kirk and Keely Brough, who were following up on a missing persons report for Nathaniel Train, who was believed to be staying at his brother Gareth and his wife Stacey's property. But when the four officers jumped the locked gate to carry out their duties, Constable Arnold was fatally shot within minutes, and Constable McCrow was killed at close range moments later. On the final day of the coronial inquest, the families of the two constables murdered in cold blood shared the heartache they each continue to live with since the deaths. Constables Matthew Arnold (right) and Rachel McCrow (left) were murdered after being ambushed at a rural property in Wieambilla McCrow family statement Constable McCrow would have been celebrating her 31st birthday on Friday. Her mother, Judy, told the inquest that August 30 would always be a day 'marked by impossible grief'. 'Not only for the loss of our beautiful 'Rach' but for the many years of promise we'd looked forward to sharing with her as a family,' Dr McCrow said. 'Time isn't healing our wounds, our trauma remains intense, and our memories are so hard to let go of. 'We can't escape the fallout from the calculated, premeditated evil which claimed Rachel on December 12, 2022, at Wieambilla.' Dr McCrow said her youngest daughter deserved 'open disclosure and full transparency' about what happened on that horrific day. 'The inquest has exposed to the public the many despicable, disgusting and hate-filled acts which so brutally ended Rachel's hopes and ambitions,' she said. 'Ambitions that would certainly have seen her quickly attain the position of a commissioned officer, as claimed by many.' Dr McCrow revealed her family shared concerns about Constable McCrow being stationed at Tara. 'She had genuine concerns about her transfer to Tara,' she said. 'In fact, she wasn't keen to go, and we weren't either because we'd heard stories about the large number of people with guns in that community. 'The whole time she was there, we worried about her. 'Just another of life's cruel "what if moments".' Constable McCrow (pictured) and Constable Arnold attended the property alongside constables Randall Kirk and Keely Brough, following a missing persons report for Nathaniel Train Constable McCrow (pictured) had recorded messages of love to her family moments before she died The inquest was previously told that Constable McCrow, in her final moments, recorded a message of love to her family on her body-worn camera when she knew she was likely to die at the hands of Gareth Train. 'Bravely, according to her body-worn camera she'd been wearing at the Trains' ambush site, and in the chaotic moments leading up to her brutal murder, she was telling us over and over, "I love you",' Dr McCrow said. 'Messages we were not told about until three-months after the event. Rachel also recorded information about the murderers and the actions they were taking. 'Even in those last moments, she continued to use all of the skills she'd been trained for. For nearly eight minutes she fought back alone. 'Rachel - we want you to know - we love you so much, too. We will never stop loving you. 'We will never forget your commitment, passion and dedication to your job.' Dr McCrow said her family will 'never stop asking questions' about the fatal ambush and is demanding change so other families won't have to endure the same pain. 'We want to ensure other families of officers, injured or killed while on duty, are informed in a timely and supportive way,' she said. Family and friends of the slain officers told their coronial inquest how deeply the loss of their loved ones has effected them She told the inquest that media had reported her daughter's death before the family had been told at 9.20pm, more than four and a half hours after she was fatally shot. 'Adding to our stress and sadness - we've been kept in the dark in terms of some of the official investigation into the circumstances surrounding what unfolded on December 12, 2022,' she said. 'We've been told things which have turned out to be wrong - or not told other relevant things in a timely manner during the investigation process. 'In addition, the constant changes in witness scheduling and the inquest process has heightened the distress of our already fragile emotional wellbeing. 'Rachel must never become just another statistic and every police officer must be able to feel safe.' Dr McCrow said she was 'intensely proud' of her daughter not only in her role as a police officer 'but in life'. She called for improvements in radio and equipment available to police, including the use of drones, to ensure others are safe in the line of duty. 'We believe their deaths were preventable,' she said. 'Every moment of every day, we think about our beautiful daughter - and sister - being murdered. 'We go to bed each night knowing we will never see our beautiful Rachel again.' The family of Constable Matthew Arnold (pictured) insisted he did not die in vain Arnold family statement Constable Arnold's mother, Sue, said the pain of losing her son - who was a triplet - 'never fades'. 'Our pain in losing Matt isn't a singular event ... it never fades, has become a constant presence,' Ms Arnold said. 'Each day brings a fresh reminder of what's being lost, a stark realisation that he is gone. 'Each anniversary of Matt's death starts a regular chain of misery and missed family events. 'He won't get to be a groomsman at his sister's upcoming wedding. 'He won't be here on Father's Day this Sunday. 'We love you, Matty, we miss you every day, and we will speak your name with pride always. 'Matt did not die in vain.' The two police officers were killed at the Wains Rd property (pictured) on December 12, 2022 Ms Arnold said her son and his colleagues had walked into a 'deadly trap'. 'We have seen the evidence and the video footage showing the markers where he took his last breath,' she said. 'We have visited the site, and we have stood in the spot when Matt was executed. 'We have looked up that track and seen where the coward took aim and took our son and brother and cold blood; a single bullet ended his life and the life that we wanted to share with him. 'It was a life that included him being just two days away from doing a relieving stint at the Child Protection Unit in Logan and coming home to us.' Ms Arnold said she hoped police in future would provide better communication with families of police officers who had been injured, shot or killed after they had to wait several hours before being told Constable Arnold was dead. 'Unfortunately, we had to wait five hours to officially find out Matt had died,' she said. 'Why did it take Matt's sister repeatedly refreshing shared Apple Watch fitness data to know something was wrong? 'As the media were reporting three police officers were unaccounted for, family members began flocking to our home. 'We packed our bags in case we had to head out west to visit Matt in hospital. 'The media followed up those initial reports by saying two officers had been killed, mistakenly revealing the wrong ages of those deceased. 'We were able to breathe a sigh of relief ... to only then receive the dreaded knock on the door about 9.20pm, confirming our worst fears. 'Matt and Rachel's families deserved better that night. The family of Constable Arnold (pictured) described his death as a 'regular chain of misery' Ms Arnold said the inquest had revealed to their family the 'critical operational failings that could have prevented this tragedy'. 'We know who pulled the trigger and killed Matt, but systemic failings and negligence on behalf of many others sent him to Wains Rd,' she said. 'What could have been done to prevent Matt and Rachel's death? 'What policies and procedures were adhered to regarding interstate missing persons reports? 'We know Matt and Rachel were diligent officers. 'They did all the relevant checks before attending, but you can't find information when it hasn't been entered into the system. 'Why would communication breakouts, which rendered their radios and iPads useless, be allowed to persist. This put them at unnecessary risk. 'Better communications must be available to all police officers. Trying to find the best radio channel should not be a decision that officers need to make or having to put up with communications that we have heard is patchy at best.' The lengthy inquest previously heard evidence that the Train family's religious ideologies and shared delusion played a significant role in the fatal ambush. 'Still unanswered': Slain cop's mum breaks silence Outside court, Ms Arnold told reporters the inquest had been 'extremely traumatic' and had 'deeply impacted' the families' emotional wellbeing. She said their families had been comforted by the kind words and actions of many people, including police officers. 'The past five weeks have brought mixed emotions, many tears and hugs and anger,' Ms Arnold said. 'Back on July 29, in this spot, we spoke to the media on the first day of the inquest to convey our hope it would be open and transparent. On the final day of the coronial inquest, the families of the two constables murdered in cold blood shared the heartache they each continue to live with since the deaths 'While we respect and appreciate the role of the court in gathering information about what unfolded in Wieambilla, we leave with some critical questions still unanswered. 'That's disappointing.' Ms Arnold said the inquest not only exposed the evil acts that 'brutally' ended the two officers' 'hopes and ambitions, it also highlighted 'serious operational failings'. Ms Arnold referenced evidence given by Detective Senior Sergeant Duncan Gorrie, who confirmed Nathaniel was not a missing person, rather someone who had 'lost touch' with his family. She asked: 'So, our children were executed for what? A loss of contact?' Ms Arnold also said it was disappointing to hear the similarities to the 2017 murder of Toowoomba Senior Constable Brett Forte, especially 'in relation to shots fired and jobs not being properly recorded or investigated thoroughly'. 'Why wasn't Brett's murder a catalyst for change?' Ms Arnold asked. 'It's vitally important the coroner now recommends fundamental interventions to ensure deficiencies, or gaps, that were identified in the inquest are appropriately responded to at all levels, right across the nation. She said there must be a 'blueprint' to improving training, tactical options and equipment, risk assessment and data and intelligence sharing and analysis. Ms Arnold lamented that any recommendations were 'too late' for the two constables and neighbour Alan Dare, who was also murdered. 'We desperately miss Matt and Rachel - the pain so excruciating and unimaginable is with us every breath and every step we take,' she said. Ms Arnold revealed that Friday would have been Constable McCrow's 31st birthday. Instead, it will be a day marked by 'impossible grief'. Ms Arnold said her son too would not be able to celebrate his birthday with his siblings ever again. Ms Arnold said the inquest not only exposed the evil acts that 'brutally' ended the two officers' 'hopes and ambitions, it also highlighted 'serious operational failings' 'He won't be here for Father's Day on Sunday,' she said. 'Once again, we will be forced to dry our tears and to try and move on to the best of our ability. 'Matt and Rachel's deaths must not be in vain.' Kamala Harris is favored to win in three out of four crucial swing states she brought back into play after taking over from Joe Biden, new polls show. The vice president is leading Donald Trump in Georgia and Nevada by two per cent and Arizona by one per cent, and trailing North Carolina by one per cent. These four states appeared out of reach before President Biden dropped out of the race in favor of his VP on July 21, but are now winnable for the Democrats. The polls by Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research for Fox News, done after the DNC and Robert F Kennedy Jr dropping out, showed how Harris redrew the electoral map over the past month. Kamala Harris is favored to win in three out of four crucial swing states she brought back into play after taking over from Joe Biden Biden needed to win all of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania to stay president, all of which looked like they favored Trump. 'These results show Harris has succeeded at expanding the electoral map,' pollster Chris Anderson said in his analysis for Fox News. 'When Biden was at the top of the ticket, the only pathway to an electoral college victory for the Democrat ticket was a sweep of the blue wall states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. 'That's no longer the case with these Sun Belt states in play.' Michigan and Wisconsin now appear safe for Harris but Pennsylvania could go either way, heightening the importance of states like Arizona and Georgia. The Beacon/Shaw poll showed how much Harris improved the prospects of a Democratic victory that looked faint after Biden's June 27 debate disaster. Beyond the top-line numbers, they showed how Harris boosted Democratic support among black and Hispanic voters - which notably waned for Biden - plus better numbers among young people, and even for Americans over 65. Previous Fox News-sponsored surveys from earlier this year had Biden well behind Trump in each state, to the point polling was much less frequent. He was down by five per cent in both Arizona and Nevada in June, six per cent in Georgia in April, and five per cent in North Carolina in February. These four states appeared out of reach before President Biden (pictured on Saturday) dropped out of the race in favor of his VP on July 21, but are now winnable for the Democrats The new poll results mirrored those of the 2020 election, where Biden only lost North Carolina, and all results were by less than 100,000 votes. The poll is one of the first since RFK Jr dropped out of the race and endorsed Trump last week, and though three quarters of voters who said they had a favorable view of him backed Trump, the full effect of his exit is still yet to be seen. Harris improved support among black voters from Biden's to 79 per cent, 56 per cent with Hispanic citizens, 55 per cent if those under 30 and 51 per cent among voters 65 and over - all averaged across the four polls. Women preferred Harris by 11 per cent, men backed Trump by the same amount, and independents favored Harris by six per cent. Voters surveyed said the economy (41 per cent), immigration (14 per cent), and and abortion (13 per cent) were the biggest issues for them. Arizona was the outlier, with just 37 per cent ranking the economy number one and instead being slightly more worried about immigration and abortion at 16 per cent each. Healthcare and 'election integrity' were distant fourth and fifth concerns, and voters favored Harris. Donald Trump is now on the back foot, defending states he appeared to have in the bag Trump led Harris on who voters thought would better manage the economy at 53 to 45 per cent, and was far ahead on immigration at 57 to 41 per cent. Harris was trusted more on abortion, but down 44 to 52 per cent on handling the Israeli invasion of Gaza. The question is whether Harris can maintain and build on her improving poll results with last week's Democratic National Convention in the rear-view. 'Campaigns experience a bump in poll numbers after their convention and that typically dissipates in the month following and that could be what happens here, but this isn't a traditional campaign,' Anderson said. 'A lot of people thought Harris received a bump after Biden dropped out, but that has endured.' EXCLUSIVE The Seven Network has spent months compiling an explosive dirt file of alleged claims against one-time star crime reporter Robert Ovadia - with the scandal now threatening to claim former colleagues as collateral damage. It is understood the dossier is so extensive, Seven is preparing to 'draw a line in the sand' and fully commit to fighting the reporter's unlawful sacking claims despite another round of court-ordered mediation. The revelation comes as the network told the Federal Court on Thursday that 13 more women had come forward with allegations against the Walkley Award-winning journalist since he was sacked in June. Ovadia has strenuously denied any wrongdoing. The veteran reporter launched legal action against Seven on August 9, claiming the broadcaster had breached the terms of his contract and had no basis for axing him. The 51-year-old also claimed the network's newly minted news boss, Anthony De Ceglie, deliberately made statements 'calculated to demean, offend and injure' him. Seven is defending both those allegations. Former Seven star crime report Robert Ovadia was summarily dismissed in June following a weeks-long internal investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct, which he denies The veteran reporter had worked at the network for more than 20 years before he was sacked The courtroom drama comes after the Fair Work Commission failed to settle the dispute through mediation six weeks ago. Its attempt to resolve the matter during a video hook-up between the opposing parties in July quickly broke down, with Seven refusing to participate in any further sessions. Seven sacked Ovadia - effective immediately - on June 21 following a weeks-long internal investigation that unearthed two instances of allegedly inappropriate conduct by the reporter in its Sydney newsroom. Sevens barrister, Vanja Bulut, told the Federal Court on Thursday that they related to evidence Ovadia had sent 'inappropriate pictures by text and email' to a young female producer and an image of 'of a mans genital' to a male colleague. 'Subsequent to the applicants dismissal, 13 more females came forward. The applicant has been put on notice to that,' Ms Bulut told Justice Elizabeth Raper. 'My client has written setting out the additional allegations that have come to light. Those documents have been provided to the applicant. 'Even if they (Seven) didnt have a basis to primarily terminate the applicants employment at that time, the conduct that has come to light subsequently does provide a basis.' Ovadia's barrister, Andrew, Gotting, said that while his client had received some of the material, many of the particulars had been redacted. It is understood Seven made the extensive redactions to protect the privacy of dozens of Ovadia's former colleagues - both male and female - who now fear being caught up in the scandal. Court told more than a dozen women have now come forward with allegations against Ovadia Ovadia - who spent almost a quarter of a century at Seven - has continued to vigorously deny any suggestion he engaged in inappropriate behaviour. The reporter - who did not attend court - claimed the allegations against him were part of a plot to 'bully' him into dropping his case against his former television employer. 'The claims are baseless and Seven has never provided evidence despite repeated requests,' he said on Thursday afternoon. 'Even in court today, no evidence to support any of this just a dirty tactic to try to bully me away from defending himself.' Despite the parties troubled history with mediation, Justice Raper ordered a fresh round of talks - this time in person - between the two sides, noting it was 'worth it to have a go' before the case returns to court in February. Authorities are desperately looking for an elderly California couple who mysteriously vanished from their home on a nudist ranch in Redlands. On Sunday, Stephanie Menard, 73, and her husband, Daniel, 79, were reported missing by a worried friend. The Menards were last spotted leaving their home on the Olive Dell nudist ranch around 10am the day before. Investigators said that the couple's car was found unlocked not far from their residence. On Sunday, Stephanie Menard, 73, and her husband, Daniel, 79, were reported missing by a worried friend They further revealed that Stephanie's purse was discovered in the home, as well as both her and Daniel's cellphones. But the Menards' beloved dog, a small Shih Tzu named Cuddles, is also missing, according to the LA Times. The authorities said that Daniel is diagnosed with diabetes and suffers from dementia, complicating matters and lending a sense of urgency to the search. As the search for the Menards drags on, friends and neighbors struggle to remain hopeful. The authorities said that Daniel is diagnosed with diabetes and suffers from dementia, complicating matters and lending a sense of urgency to the search Stephanie Menard uses a can to move around 'Each day just gets longer and longer, and I get more and more worried,' Sandy Marinelli, a friend of the couple's, told ABC. 'There's just nothing to go off of right now.' Tammie Wilkerson, another friend pointed out that it wouldn't have made sense for the Menards to leave their car behind. 'There's no way that Stephanie or Dan could've walked away from that car. She has a cane. It was at home.' The Menards, who are very active in their church and in the Olive Dell community, were described as kind people. 'They're very sweet,' Wilkerson said, tearfully. ' There's not a mean bone in their body at all, which makes this confusing.' Friends of the Menards told ABC that the couple was being harassed, and that they fear this might be related to their disappearance. The Menards' beloved dog, a small Shih Tzu named Cuddles, is also missing Friends of the Menards told ABC that the couple was being harassed, and that they fear this might be related to their disappearance When asked if she thought the seventy-year-olds would return, Wilkerson said: 'my gut feeling is that they're not.' If the Menards are found, friends are worried about under what circumstances. 'If they do find them, how?' Marinelli said. Anyone with information about the disappearance is asked to contact Redlands police at (909)798-7681 or Detective Thomas Williams at twilliams@redlandspolice.org. The brother of a man allegedly gunned down by the owner of a neighbouring farm has revealed what they spoke about as they drove to an early morning meeting with him at their boundary line. Ross Tighe and his brother Graham arrived at the front gate of the cattle property at Bogie in the Whitsundays region of Far North Queensland at about 8am on August 4, 2022, where they found neighbour Darryl Valroy Young already waiting. Minutes later the brothers' mother Maree Schwarz and stepfather Mervyn Schwarz also arrived to the gathering which Mr Young, 59, had called the evening before - with Ross the only member of his family who would leave alive. In a committal hearing for Mr Young, who is charged with three counts of murder, in Mackay Magistrates Court this week Mr Tighe said he and his brother spent some of the 20-minute drive to the fence-line discussing whether they should be armed. 'I do remember saying ''F*** we've got no gun'',' Mr Tighe told the court, reported The Daily Mercury. He said his brother replied 'Yeah f***' but that they were both relaxed and did not turn around. When Mr Young's barrister asked whether his client was visibly holding a gun, Mr Tighe replied he was sitting in the driver's seat of his car with the door open and he did not see one at that stage. They had brought a key they'd borrowed to use a road on the neighbour's property but rather than getting out and taking it, Mr Young told them to hang it on the fence, which Mr Tighe said prompted him to think: 'What the f***'s the d***head doing?', the hearing was told. Ross Tighe, pictured with his partner Kaitlyn, recovered in hospital after allegedly being shot in the stomach Pictured: The block of land owned by the Schwarz-Tighe family in Bogie, in North Queensland Mr Tighe said his brother hung the key up but was not visibly angry and told the court, up until that day, he did not have any disputes with Mr Young. When his mother and stepfather arrived, he told the court Mr Young got out of his car but refused to shake his stepfather's hand. Police allege Mr Young pulled out a gun and shot all four members of the Schwarz-Tighe family, leaving Ross with a bullet wound to the stomach. Despite his injuries, Mr Tighe miraculously escaped by jumping into a car and driving 40 kilometres to another property to alert police, who rushed to the scene in search of the three other alleged victims and gunman. Queensland Police locked down the area after his call and found Mervyn, 71, Maree, 59, and Graham, 35, dead on the Shannonvale Road property a few hours later. Maree and Mervyn Schwarz died from gunshots wounds, along with Maree's son Graham Tighe. Graham Tighe (pictured left) left behind a young family Maree Schwarz's brother-in-law Greg Austen, a councillor on the Isaac Regional Council, previously told Daily Mail Australia his nephew-in-law showed incredible courage. 'Ross has two girls... he is a very strong young man. 'To witness what unfolded in front of him and then to be able to walk back to the car shows real resilience, and I'm sure he won't forget it for the rest of his life.' He was airlifted to Mackay Hospital where he underwent surgery and recovered in the ICU. Mr Young is in custody on remand and is yet to provide a plea. Struggled with relationships and had no attraction to humans WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT A depraved zoologist who was jailed for a decade for filming the rape and torture of pet dogs was never attracted to humans, despite his 16-year marriage, and fantasised about animals from the age of six. Adam Robert Corden Britton, 53, was this month sentenced to 10 years and five months behind bars, with a non-parole period of six years, backdated to his April 2022 arrest. UK-born Britton, who moved to Darwin to pursue his zoology career, pleaded guilty to 63 charges of animal abuse, bestiality, and possession of child exploitation material. He sourced the dogs from Gumtree Australia over a two-year period for the sole purpose of torturing them to death on camera, but would tell the former owners their pets were enjoying their new home. The dogs were usually already dead by the time updates were given to their old owners. Most were horrifically abused and slowly murdered within a few days. On Thursday, sentencing remarks by NT Chief Justice Michael Grant were released by the Northern Territory Supreme Court. The 42-page document, obtained by Daily Mail Australia, gives a horrifying insight into Britton's privileged childhood which was marred with depraved sexual fantasies - such as sneaking into paddocks at the age of ten to hug horses and eat their hair. Justice Grant said he took psychology reports into consideration when delivering his punishment, noting Britton tried to wriggle out of a lengthy sentence with a range of weak excuses. Before his deranged habits were uncovered, Adam Britton (pictured during an interview with Triple J) was a well-respected zoologist and crocodile expert Adam Britton (pictured with his ex-wife) was jailed for more than 10 years Britton told court-appointed psychologists he was chronically depressed before he started making home movies of himself raping, torturing and murdering dogs at the age of 49. He also falsely claimed similar twisted perverts online, where he posted on Telegram under the pseudonyms Monster and Cerberus, threatened to expose him if he didn't create the content they requested. Britton also tried to tell psychologists that he exaggerated his offending for the benefit of his online friends. But the judge ruled those arguments out. He said there was no evidence to suggest Britton was depressed - he did not tell anyone about it, he didn't write it down, nor did he seek medical help. The judge also said there was no evidence to suggest Britton was blackmailed by Telegram users. He said it was evident from the fact that he described his torture videos in great detail to his online friends - while saying things like, 'I just love hurting dogs'. 'The level of depravity in those communications and ideations matches the level of depravity which you demonstrated and recorded in the commission of the aggravated cruelty offences,' Justice Grant said. 'It should also be noted that the recordings provide clear and objective proof that you were in fact doing in real life what you were saying you were doing in those chatrooms.' The judge also noted that Britton did not help police uncover the identities of those users. Pictured: A Telegram conversation Britton had with a likeminded person Britton (pictured left, with his ex-wife) once hosted Sir David Attenborough (right) at their property in Darwin Police are still baffled as to how those users found out about Britton's arrest in April 2022, which prompted them to delete their Telegram accounts and remain in hiding. His name was not published in media reports until his guilty plea in 2023. The sentencing remarks also outlined Britton's lifelong struggle with the socio-sexual disorder, paraphelia and zoosadism. Britton was never attracted to humans and struggled to have proper relationships with women when he was a university student in Hong Kong and the UK. He had two female partners, but they were not sexual relationships. After graduation, the judge said he had a 'brief' sexual relationship with a woman who worked in the animal industry. 'You attempted to establish a sexual relationship with her but those attempts were obviously hampered by your unorthodox sexual preferences,' said the judge. 'Sexual intercourse with your wife was not something you enjoyed and was extremely sporadic as a result. 'The relationship eventually became entirely platonic and asexual in nature.' There is no suggestion his wife knew about his offending or his interests. The court heard she often spent months away from home due to work commitments. The judge said Britton's had an 'unusual' interest in animals from the age of six, when he would watch videos of animals defecating and urinating and fantasised about being immersed in cow faeces. Adam Britton was sentenced to 10 years and five months in jail with a non-parole period of six years, backdated to his April 2022 arrest 'You fantasised exclusively about animals and you had no sexual interest in other human beings,' he said. 'You began sneaking out at night to a field near your home where horses were kept. Once there, you would hug the horses, lick their saliva and eat their hair.' Justice Grant noted that Britton knew his interests would not be accepted by the broader community and tried to keep a lid on his fantasies for the first 49 years of his life. He also acknowledged Britton was born with his psychological issues, through no fault of his own, but said a 'clear and definitive' choice was eventually made. 'To paraphrase your own words during your unguarded messaging, although you were slow to start acting on your perversion, once you did you loved it,' he said. 'You could not stop doing it and, moreover, you did not want to stop doing it.' The court heard Britton's paraphelia could not be cured and that he would likely have to take libido-suppressants to curb his interests and ensure he did not reoffend. Britton had expressed remorse for his actions and was interested in doing what he could to ensure he didn't reoffend, but he was not enthusiastic about the prospect of medications. Adam Britton wrote a grovelling apology for harming the animals, which was tendered to the court (pictured) Justice Grant noted that Britton had been in the protective custody wing of Darwin Correctional Centre since his arrest in 2022, but had been subject to verbal abuse from inmates who saw him in the exercise area. He said there was a form of abuse, but did not give much weight to it in sentencing. Britton also tendered a short, hand-written apology detailing his struggles with paraphelia, for which he was too ashamed to seek help. The apology read: 'I take full responsibility for the demeaning crimes I perpetrated on dogs. I deeply regret pain and trauma that I caused to innocent animals, and consequently to my family, friends and members of the community I affected. 'I let you all down, and I'm truly sorry. 'I now acknowledge that I've been fighting a rare paraphilic disorder for much of my life, and that shame and fear prevented me from seeking the proper help I needed.' Britton said he was determined to seek long-term treatment to prove he was better than his horrific crimes, and to 'find a path towards redemption'. 'Please give my family the space they deserve to heal. They were not aware or involved in any way,' he added. In 2022, new legislation was introduced in the NT increasing penalties for animal cruelty from a maximum of two years to five years, but Britton's offending predated the reforms. He was also banned from owning a mammal for the rest of his natural life. The sister of a man who was stabbed to death with a machete while riding his mobility scooter has paid tribute to her 'cheerful and caring' brother. Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after Jade Anthony Barnett, 38, was killed on Rushmore Road in Clapton, Hackney. Met Police officers were called to the east London street at 3.38pm yesterday following reports of a fight, with suggestions that a machete was used in the gruesome attack. Mr Barnett was treated by emergency services, including ambulance service and air ambulance staff, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. His sister Simone Barnett, from Hackney, described him as a 'cheerful and caring man' who 'never took nothing too seriously'. Ms Barnett, 45, told how her brother had lived in Clapton with his mother, but his friends said he had moved to the Stratford area and also lost his leg in a motorcycle accident in 2007. A discarded mobility scooter on the scene where Jade Anthony Barnett was stabbed to death in a suspected London street fight Met Police officers were called to the east London street at 3.38pm yesterday following reports of a fight The scene last night after emergency services rushed to the scene to try and save Mr Barnett The forensics tent at the cordoned-off scene on Rushmore Road, Clapton, east London, last night A forensic officer shines a torch on the discarded scooter near the scene in Rushmore Road, Clapton, east London A crime scene was in place on Rushmore Road (pictured) and police confirmed two men have been arrested Video posted on social media - claiming the man was stabbed with a 'machete' - shows an air ambulance flying over the residential area Ms Barnett added: 'He comes around here (Clapton) all the time, everyone knew my brother - young, old, mothers, fathers, everybody knew my brother. 'Everybody is family, he's just that character.' On Wednesday evening, a black and grey mobility scooter was seen behind a police cordon - close to a forensics tent at the scene. The Met Police has confirmed two men, aged 21 and 28, have been arrested, on suspicion of murder. They remain in custody at an east London police station. Video posted on social media - claiming the man was stabbed with a 'machete' - shows the road blocked off with police tape and an air ambulance flying over the residential area. A local butcher described Mr Barnett as a 'good guy' who has lived in the area for about nine years. A woman who was among those gathering at a police cordon after the death and who did not want to be named, said: 'He was always funny, making jokes, friendly with everybody, always had a smile on his face, and always pleasant. 'There's not a bad thing I could say about him. I know him from long time, he's a nice guy, very nice guy, always see him, he's always pleasant. 'You never expect (an incident like this) at all, to be honest, but to him, least of all - he's just nice, always, always a pleasure to see him, he's upbeat.' A man who knew Mr Barnett, but also did not want to be identified, said he was 'a young guy, good spirit, no enemies, no guns, no crime, no gangs'. Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: 'Our investigation is still in the early stages and my detectives are working hard to establish the circumstances of what has happened this afternoon. A forensics officer sits on the ground and works by torchlight last night A local butcher described the victim as a 'good guy' who has lived in the area for about nine years. Pictured is the crime scene last night A forensics officer works at the crime scene following a knife attack in Clapton yesterday 'If anyone has any information about this tragic incident I urge them to come forwards and speak to us, or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously with any information. 'A number of streets have been cordoned off as our investigation continues at pace and I am grateful for the patience of the local residents of Clapton. 'Our thoughts are with the family of the victim at this difficult time. The public can expect to see continued and significant police activity in the local area as we continue with our rigorous investigation.' Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or message @MetCC on X quoting CAD 4793/28AUG. Tommy Robinson has been served with a second contempt of court notice through his X account after emails to the far-right activist went unanswered. The Attorney General's office confirmed it had taken the highly unusual step to serve the notice to the English Defence League founder, 41, made on behalf of Solicitor General Sarah Sackman. The application was first lodged last Monday, with both applications set to be heard in the High Court on October 28. It follows an earlier contempt application concerning other alleged breaches of the order, with a court hearing in London last month told that Robinson - whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - had left the country. Law officers allege that the English Defence League founder breached an injunction barring him from repeating libellous allegations through six actions between June and July this year. The order came after he lost a 2021 legal battle against a Syrian refugee who had sued him for libel. Robinson was successfully sued by Jamal Hijazi over a video which circulated online in 2018 showing the schoolboy being assaulted by another pupil in a Huddersfield playground. A second contempt of court application has been lodged against Tommy Robinson over alleged breaches of a High Court order from 2021, the Attorney General's Office has said Robinson was first served with contempt proceedings in June, with the Solicitor General telling a previous court hearing that he 'knowingly' breached the order by having 'published, caused, authorised or procured' a film titled Silenced in May last year. It is also claimed Robinson repeated the allegations banned by the injunction in three interviews between February and June 2023. Silenced was then shown again at a demonstration in Trafalgar Square in July this year, which is understood to be part of the alleged breach of the order under the second contempt application. The day after the protest, Robinson was arrested for the 'frustration' of a port stop at the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Adam Payter, representing the Solicitor General at the hearing in July, said that it was believed that following his release on unconditional bail, Robinson then left the country and that there 'was nothing to prevent him from doing so'. Mr Justice Johnson issued a warrant for Robinson's arrest but ordered that it not be carried out 'until early October' to allow Robinson time to indicate that he would attend the next hearing voluntarily or to apply to 'set aside' the warrant. Under the 2021 court order, Robinson was barred from repeating allegations he made against Mr Hijazi, a Syrian refugee. Mr Hijazi successfully sued Robinson after the then-schoolboy was assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in October 2018. After a clip of the incident went viral, Robinson made false claims, including about Mr Hijazi attacking girls in his school, leading to the libel case. Mr Justice Nicklin ordered Robinson to pay Mr Hijazi 100,000 in damages and his legal costs, as well as making the injunction preventing Robinson from repeating the allegations he made against the then-teenager. Robinson fled the country last month after committing 'flagrant' contempt of court relating to a film played at a protest in central London , the High Court was previously told Pictured: Tommy Robinson at a rally in Trafalgar Square on July 27 Tommy Robinson supporters gather outside Downing Street waving England and Union Jack flags after his arrest Thousands of people marched in Central London against immigration and in support of Robinson on July 27 Protesters outside Downing Street chanted 'release Tommy now' and 'we want Tommy out' the day after his arrest Robinson's arrest prompted flag-waving protesters to storm Downing Street demanding his release. Chants of 'release Tommy now' and 'we want Tommy out' could be heard from protesters. Robinson was previously jailed after being found in contempt of court after he filmed men accused of the sexual exploitation of young girls and live-streamed the footage on Facebook, in breach of a reporting ban, outside Leeds Crown Court in May 2018. He was sentenced to 13 months in jail after being found in contempt of court on the day of the broadcast, but served just two months before being freed after that finding of contempt was overturned by the Court of Appeal in August 2018. The case was then referred back to the Attorney General and he was jailed again in July 2019. Qantas airfares could skyrocket even higher after flight attendants scored a 30 per cent pay increase to work on new ultra-long haul routes. The massive wage hike is for crew to work on the 20 hour-plus Project Sunrise flights on specially configured A350-1000s scheduled for delivery in 2026. The non-stop flights will depart from Melbourne and Sydney to London and New York, and will mean crew will be on duty for up to 26 hours. Though the flights will shave up to four hours off the existing one-stop journey times on those routes, the union deal could come at the expense of higher fares. Qantas has also agreed to 'same job, same pay' for flight attendants employed through labour hire companies, after the Flight Attendants Association of Australia (FAAA) took the airline to the Fair Work Commission over the issue. These changes are expected to cost Qantas about $60million in the 2025 financial year, which chief executive Vanessa Hudson warned could lead to higher fares. 'Costs up and no productivity offset does erode our competitive position, so we also say that despite the fact we're pleased with the result, we are going to have to find ways to offset that. In the short term, pressure on fares remains,' she told the Australian. Ms Hudson also claimed that Qantas wage bill will now the three times higher than its direct competitors. Qantas airfares are set to soar after flight attendants (one pictured) scored a 30 per cent pay increases to work on new ultra-long haul routes The landmark deal could mean bad news for passengers flying with Qantas (pictured) Poll Is it fair that Qantas airfares could go up due to flight attendants getting a 30 per cent pay rise? Yes No Is it fair that Qantas airfares could go up due to flight attendants getting a 30 per cent pay rise? Yes 49 votes No 99 votes Now share your opinion 'There are 55 carriers we compete with internationally and our cabin crew cost base will now be triple that of our competitors,' Ms Hudson said, 'That actually does create a disadvantage for us in competing in that market and we are going to have to find ways to offset that and mitigate that.' The FAAA's federal secretary Teri O'Toole welcomed the new pay offer and said the negotiations were a 'far cry from the Qantas of just a couple of years ago'. 'The agreement strikes the right balance between getting cabin crew a much-needed pay rise and securing future work for Australian crew and providing the business certainty in the competitive international marketplace,' she said. 'For the first time in many years, cabin crew will not be forced to trade off hard-won conditions to gain a pay rise, and Qantas profits will flow through to cabin crew in the form of increased pay and improved working conditions.' It comes as Qantas' profits suffered a sharp drop of 28 per cent. The national carrier on Thursday reported a $1.25billion statutory profit for 2023-24- a figure that was far down on the previous financial year. The massive wage hike is for crew to work on the 20 hour-plus Project Sunrise flights on specially configured A350-1000s (pictured) Ms Hudson used her first results presentation to distance herself from her predecessor Alan Joyce, who angered many customers with acts such as selling tickets for already cancelled flights. 'Restoring trust and pride in Qantas as the national carrier is our priority, and while there's more work to do, we'll get there by delivering for our customers and people consistently into the future,' she said. The airline blamed the profit fall on lower fares, more spending on customer loyalty programs, increased competition for international flights and reduced freight revenue. Ms Hudson, who replaced predecessor last September last year, was CEO when the airline made a deal with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in May to pay $100million in fines for selling tickets for cancelled flights to 87,000 customers. Earlier this month, Qantas announced it would reduce Mr Joyce's remuneration by $9.26million, mainly through cancelling long-term incentives. Before he was stripped of those long-term incentives, he had a total remuneration of $11.919million in 2022-23, including a base salary of $2.145million. The Qantas Group, which also includes budget carrier Jetstar, returned to pre-Covid international capacity in May 2024, following the return of more aircraft including two Airbus A380s. Qantas' chief executive Vanessa Hudson (pictured) said the new pay deal could lead to higher airfares But additional flights from rivals led to an 11 per cent fall in revenue for the international flight division. In its announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange, Qantas said it expected international unit revenue to fall by 7 to 10 per cent in the first half of 2024-25, as revenue from domestic flight operations fell by 2 to 4 per cent. The airline's underlying profit before tax - which investors believe better reflects profitability - showed a 15.7 per cent decline to $2.078billion. Revenue, however, had increased by 10.7 per cent to $21.939billion. Israeli special forces say a terror group commander was among five people killed in a shootout at a mosque in the occupied West Bank yesterday, amid the biggest operation there in two decades. The Israel Defense Forced (IDF) said Mohammed Jaber, known as Abu Shujaa, a commander in the Islamic Jihad militant group in the Nur Shams refugee camp, was killed along with other members of his group as they hid in the building. The large-scale military campaign, launched on Tuesday night into Wednesday, is still ongoing and has seen raids across the north of the territory, including in the governorates of Nablus, Tulkarem, Jenin and Tubas. The Palestinian health ministry says the death toll in the attack so far is at least 12, with reports that two boys among the dead were killed while passing a house targeted by an Israeli airstrike. The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned 'the loss of lives, including of children,' and called for 'an immediate cessation of these operations.' Israeli soldiers take position during an army operation in Tulkarm in the north of the occupied West Bank on August 29 A Palestinian boy raises his arm into the air as Israeli soldiers inspect what he is carrying during a raid in Jenin Israeli army armoured vehicles move along a road during a military operation in Tulkarm in the north of the occupied West Bank Israeli soldiers disembark off an armoured vehicle as they take position during an army operation in Tulkarm The IDF said Mohammed Jaber (pictured), known as Abu Shujaa, a commander in the Islamic Jihad militant group in the Nur Shams refugee camp, was killed Violence has surged in the West Bank since Hamas' October 7 attack out of Gaza ignited the war there. Israel has carried out near-daily raids across the territory in the months since, but this is thought to be the most widespread and coordinated operation since 2002 during the second Palestinian Intifada, or uprising. The UN has warned that the situation in the Occupied West Bank 'could worsen dramatically if ISF continue to systematically use unlawful lethal force and ignore violence perpetrated by settlers'. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday he has started the process of asking member states if they want to impose sanctions on 'some Israeli ministers'. 'I initiated the procedure to ask the member states if they consider (it) appropriate to include in our list of sanctions some Israeli ministers (who) have been launching unacceptable hate messages against the Palestinians, and proposing things that clearly go against international law,' he told reporters ahead of a meeting with EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels. He did not name any of the Israeli ministers to whom he was referring. The UN's OHCR reported that 'at least four' airstrikes by the Israeli military had hit the Nur Shams Refugee Camp in Tulkarem on Monday night, leaving five dead. Members of a Palestinian family fleeing an Israeli raid in the Nur Shams camp near the city of Tulkarem These included three Palestinian men and two boys aged 13 and 15, the agency said. 'Three of the fatalities, including the two boys, were killed while they were passing by the targeted house, which was located in one of the small and crammed alleyways in the camp,' OHCHR said in a statement, citing multiple sources. Israel said Abu Shujaa, who the IDF claimed had been killed in a raid coordinated by Shin Bet, was linked to numerous attacks on Israelis, including a deadly shooting in June, and was planning more. He was reported killed earlier this year, but then made a surprise appearance at the funeral of other militants, where he was hoisted onto the shoulders of a cheering crowd. There was no immediate confirmation of his death from the Palestinian side today. Israeli military vehicles drive down a road during a raid in northern city of Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank The Israeli military said another militant was arrested in the operation in the West Bank city of Tulkarem, and that a member of Israel's paramilitary Border Police was lightly wounded. Since the start of Gaza war, at least 637 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli troops or settlers, according to UN figures. At least 19 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during army operations in the West Bank, according to Israeli official figures. A teenager has been decapitated in a horror shark attack after he went swimming off the Jamaican coast. Jahmari Reid's body was reportedly found with his head missing and his left arm bitten off. The 16-year-old had gone spearfishing near the popular tourist town of Montego Bay on Monday, according to local police. The high school student vanished after going out into the water by himself and his mauled body was recovered on Tuesday. His heartbroken father, Michael Reid, was on the beach when divers brought his son's remains back to land. Jahmari Reid, 16, had gone spearfishing near the popular tourist town of Montego Bay The high school student is pictured with his father, taxi driver Michael Reid 'I can't believe that he went to sea by himself yesterday [Monday] and that was the outcome. Sad to know. I feel so bad,' he told Jamaican media. The taxi driver said he had often tried to discourage his son from his spearfishing hobby, and that they often argued about him going out. Pictures from the scene showed scores of horrified locals gathering at the beach in the town of Falmouth on the island's northern coast. Fisherman Christopher Reynolds said a group of divers had found Jahmari's body after they launched a search for him on Tuesday morning. He said that the group had spotted a massive tiger shark near where the body was located shortly after they found a detached arm in the water. 'All of the fisherman went out there and, while they were diving to take him up, they saw the big shark. They shot at him but they didn't get him,' he told the Jamaican Observer. He added that they hoped to find and kill the shark and recover the boy's missing severed head from inside it. Locals in the town of Falmouth gathered on the beach as the body was recovered The attack happened off the beach in the north coast town of Falmouth The head of a local fisherman's association said that this was the first time in recent history that someone had been killed by a shark in local waters. Fritz Christie suggested that the shark might have followed a cruise ship into Falmouth bay, and warned spearfishers to exercise extreme caution when large vessels come in. 'What we have to do is make certain when the ships come to be careful of the diving. The shark eat off the man head, eat off one of his hand. It's crazy, man,' Christie said. Falmouth police are reported to be investigating the tragedy. Shark attacks are extremely rare in Jamaica, with only three unprovoked attacks reported since 1749, according to the the International Shark Attack File. The most common shark in Jamaica is a nurse shark, which is docile and usually stays near the seabed. Caribbean reef sharks, tiger sharks, hammerheads, and bull sharks have also been seen in Jamaican waters. A farmer has been ordered to pay more than 3,000 for letting his young grandson ride in his tractor with him. William Walters, 78, was spotted by neighbours letting the child ride on the farm vehicle - and was warned by officials. Health and Safety Executive officers went to his farm where Walters agreed not to do it again. But the following year he was caught when the neighbour filmed the little boy on board the tractor with Walters as he went to feed cattle. Walters' daughter claimed the boy had fallen off a 'skittish' horse at the farm and her father had given him a lift back to the farmhouse to save him walking. At a sentencing hearing at Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday, Walters was fined 500 and ordered to pay 3,000 costs. William Walters' neighbour made a complaint against the 78-year-old after he was seen operating the tractor with the child on board at Tirmynydd Farm, Swansea (pictured) The hearing heard it is an offence under the Health and Safety Act to allow a child under the age of 13 to ride in a tractor. In November 2020, HSE staff attended the defendant's farm to speak to him and he accepted allowing his grandchildren to ride in agricultural vehicles. A probation notice was served preventing him from carrying anyone under the age of 13 in a tractor. But in 2021, a further call was made by the neighbour to the HSE to say the defendant continued to allow his grandson to ride in the tractor, leading to an investigation being carried out. During the probe, the defendant's daughter provided a written submission to say her son was on a horse which became skittish and resulted in him falling off. In her statement, she said Walters had taken her son back to the farm in the tractor so he wouldn't have to walk. Walters, of Birchgrove, later pleaded guilty to one offence contrary to the Health and Safety Act. The court also heard he was in breach of a suspended prison sentence of 12 months for an environmental offence in 2019 which involved the depositing of controlled waste for financial gain. The neighbour expressed concerns about Walters' grandson riding in the front of an agricultural vehicle (pictured: Walters' Tirmynydd Farm in Swansea) In mitigation, Harry Dickens said his client has outstanding funds to pay to the court in respect of his previous convictions and is involved in a county court dispute. He said the defendant was remorseful but felt his actions were necessary after his grandson had injured himself. Sentencing, Recorder Jonathan Rees KC said: 'A child might interfere with machinery controls or distract the driver. This was a flagrant disregard for the law.' Walters was sentenced to a 12-month community order and was made subject to a 25 day rehabilitation activity requirement. He was also ordered to pay 3,000 in court costs and a 500 fine. Oasis have today announced three new UK dates to their reunion tour after an 'unprecedented' demand for tickets. The iconic Britpop band has added extra shows at Heaton Park on July 16, Wembley on July 30 and Edinburgh on August 12. The new concerts mean Oasis will play a total of 17 gigs in the UK and Ireland, with five of those at Wembley Stadium, as part of their planned world tour next year. The band made the announcement on their X account just after 8am today. They said: 'Due to unprecedented demand, three new UK dates will be added to Oasis Live '25.' Oasis have today announced three new UK dates to their reunion tour after an 'unprecedented' demand for tickets Millions of people are set to 'go to war' for tickets this weekend after Noel and Liam Gallagher put their 15-year feud behind them Liam and Noel Gallagher play to a sell out crowd at Wembley Stadium in July 2000 Millions of people are set to 'go to war' for tickets this weekend after Noel and Liam Gallagher put their 15-year feud behind them to announce a mammoth comeback tour across the UK and Ireland next summer. Oasis Live 25 tour dates JULY 2025 4th - Cardiff, Principality Stadium 5th - Cardiff, Principality Stadium 11th - Manchester, Heaton Park 12th - Manchester, Heaton Park 16th - Manchester, Heaton Park 19th - Manchester, Heaton Park 20th - Manchester, Heaton Park 25th - London, Wembley Stadium 26th - London, Wembley Stadium 30th - London, Wembley Stadium AUGUST 2025 2nd - London, Wembley Stadium 3rd - London, Wembley Stadium 8th - Edinburgh, Murrayfield 9th - Edinburgh, Murrayfield 12th - Edinburgh, Murrayfield 16th - Dublin, Croke Park 17th - Dublin, Croke Park Advertisement Fans who have entered a pre-sale ballot will find out tomorrow if they can apply for tickets ahead of their general release on Saturday. Tickets are officially released on Saturday at 9am for the UK shows and 8am for the Dublin performances in what many are calling the 'ticket bloodbath of the century'. Details of how much the tickets cost will also be released today with many predicting they will be more than 100. According to the bookies, Kasabian is the most likely contender to be opening the highly-anticipated shows. Experts at William Hill are suggesting odds of 7/4 of the band to support Oasis on any night of their tour. Spokesperson Lee Phelps told The Sun: 'News of Oasis' reunion tour has sent fans into a frenzy of speculation and there's lots that's still unknown about next summer's gigs, including who will be the support acts and the finalised Oasis lineup. 'Kasabian have always had a strong relationship with Oasis and, at 7/4, we think the Leicester band are likely to support at some point during the tour.' Kasabian, consisting of Sergio Pizzorno, Chris Edwards, Ian Matthews, and Tim Carter, were formed in Leicester in 1997 and are known for songs Fire and Club Foot. Back in June, they were one of the surprise bands who took to the stage at Glastonbury Festival. Another source told the publication: 'Talks are ongoing with groups like Fontaines DC and Kasabian, as well as Gene Gallagher's band Villanelle who opened for Liam's Definitely Maybe tour.' The extra dates have been added to Oasis' official website this morning which means they will now play five shows at Wembley The speculation comes just after Oasis broke their silence over rumours they will be playing at Glastonbury next summer to confirm they will not be at the festival According to the bookies, Kasabian is the most likely contender to be opening the highly-anticipated shows Liam Gallagher teased an official reunion during his set at Reading Festival last Sunday night The speculation came after Oasis broke their silence over rumours they would be playing at Glastonbury next summer to confirm they will not be at the festival. Speculation was rife Liam and Noel Gallagher would be returning to Worthy Farm in 2025 ahead of their comeback tour. But in a statement posted on the band's X account just after lunchtime yesterday, they ruled out appearing at Glastonbury or any other festival. Oasis said the only way to see the band in 2025 was by attending one of their shows during their world tour. Noel was yesterday seen for the first time since the brothers announced they had put their 15-year feud to the side to reform Oasis. The musician, 57, paid homage to the city from which he hails with an I Love Manchester keyring as he headed to his recording studio in north London on Wednesday. Noel cut a casual figure as he emerged for the first time since fans were sent into meltdown by the news that he and his brother Liam will be reuniting in 2025. The pair are expected to earn a huge 50 million payday from the shows, with the first show set to take place in Cardiff on July 4. Noel Gallagher, 57, has been pictured for the first time since it was announced Oasis will be reuniting for a string of shows, 15 years after their sensational split The musician paid homage to the city from which he hails with an I Love Manchester keyring as he headed to his recording studio in north London on Wednesday Oasis is tipped to announce even more dates for their long-awaited reunion tour, which music insiders say will 'sell out in less than three minutes'. Industry insiders have also claimed that Bonehead is 'confirmed' for the tour and 'ecstatic' that the band is back together. Liam and Noel Gallagher reportedly 'both wanted him in the fold' after he was 'one of the drivers of the reunion'. Oasis split in 2009 after many years of infighting, with Noel officially leaving the band just before a performance at a festival near Paris, saying at the time he 'simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer '. This is the shocking moment a fire broke out in the Blackwall Tunnel yesterday which forced drivers to abandon their cars and mass evacuate. A video on social media showed a van had caught fire with startled motorists looking down the tunnel at the alarming scene. Another video shared on social media showed motorists running away from their cars and a woman can be heard saying: 'That was so scary. I was running with my baby.' The van driver managed to escape the vehicle before fire crews arrived and no injuries were reported. The incident caused the tunnel, which is one of the only Thames crossings in east London, to be closed at around midday yesterday and it was not reopened until the early hours of this morning. A video on social media showed a van had caught fire with startled motorists looking down the tunnel at the alarming scene The incident caused one of the only Thames crossing's in east London to be closed at around midday yesterday and it was not reopened until the early hours of this morning Drivers were forced to abandon their cars and mass evacuate from the tunnel following the fire yesterday Huge tailbacks were visible yesterday at the tunnel approach in Greenwich, south east London The tunnel which links Tower Hamlets with Greenwich, and part of the A102 road was reopened by Transport for London (TfL) after 12 hours of works to repair the road throughout the evening. During the lengthy closure yesterday, huge tailbacks were reported on the A102 Greenwich to Poplar road and the Woolwich Road Flyover. Around 100,000 drivers use the Blackwall Tunnel every day and severe delays were affecting Greenwich and the surrounding area throughout Wednesday. One social media user said yesterday: 'I have never seen the traffic so bad. The whole of Greenwich around the station area is completely gridlocked. Chaos.' In a TfL planning document on east London river crossings, it stated there were a number of challenges with the tunnel. The managing director of planning wrote the problems include a northbound tunnel that was constructed in 1897 and has a max height restriction of 4m, and a southbound tunnel which was completed in 1967 has a clearance of 4.7m. The tunnel also operates at a 99 per cent capacity in the peak direction, which planners admit 'causes regular congestion'. They also note there is a 'lack of resilience', so when there is an incident there are no viable alternative routes which adds to the congestion. A police vehicle blocked the tunnel entrance at the front of a large queue of traffic on the A102M Blackwall Tunnel approach in Greenwich yesterday Cars queueing on the A102M by the Blackwall Tunnel after the van fire yesterday The tunnel operates at a 99 per cent capacity in the peak direction, which planners admit 'causes regular congestion' Blackwall Tunnel construction workers opened the tunnel fully in 1897. It was the longest underwater tunnel in the world at the time A map showing the Blackwall Tunnel and the under-construction Silvertown Tunnel which is due to open in 2025. The map also shows the ULEZ zone and its expansion which took place on August 29 A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service said yesterday: 'We were called at 12.18pm on Wednesday 28 August to reports of an incident in Tunnel Approach, SE10. 'We attended the scene to assist our emergency services partners. The patient at the scene declined all treatment and we were stood down.' The spokesperson added that the fire was attended by members of the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART). A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: 'Firefighters responded to reports of a van alight in Blackwall Tunnel, Greenwich. 'One van was destroyed by the fire. One man left the vehicle before the Brigade arrived. There were no reports of any injuries.' The Blackwall Tunnel is one of the few crossings in the area, with only the Dartford Crossing and Woolwich Ferry further east. Due to the constant congestion at the Blackwall Tunnel, a new east London tunnel at Silvertown costing 2billion is due to be completed in 2025. It will be a four-lane tunnel running for 0.9 miles and will connect North Greenwich with the Royal Docks. It was first proposed in 2005 under former Mayor Ken Livingstone but was also backed by Conservative mayor Boris Johnson. The Mayor of London previously confirmed in an interview that 'the intention is for both the Silvertown Tunnel and the Blackwall Tunnel to be tolled' to encourage traffic to split equally between the two. A woman accused of fatally stabbing her partner in the chest was allegedly knifed by him previously, a court has heard. Nikita Kirby, 31, had her bail application denied by Judge Helen Wilson in the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday due to a lack of evidence that she acted in self defence and concerns she could interfere with witnesses. She's accused of stabbing partner Scott Wallace, 37, at her sister's housing commission unit in Matraville in Sydney's south on May 28. Kirby's lawyer Talal Krayem told the court her client has been a victim of ongoing domestic violence by Wallace, citing an alleged stabbing incident in 2021. He claimed Wallace had attacked Kirby with a pair of scissors, which resulted in a small hole in her chest and police taking out an apprehended domestic violence order against him for her protection. A two-year restraining order was subsequently made against Mr Wallace. Police allege Kirby phoned her sister on the night of May 28, telling her 'you need to get home or this motherf****er is going to die in the house', speaking of Wallace. Minutes later, she allegedly punched her 'on and off' partner in the face before plunging a knife 'through his chest', the Daily Telegraph reported. The court heard a relative of Kirby's, who was in the house at the time, didn't see any aggression from Wallace before she allegedly stabbed him. Nikita Kirby (pictured), 31, is accused of stabbing to death former partner Scott Wallace, 37, at her sister's home Kirby claimed Wallace (pictured) had stabbed her three years prior to his alleged murder Police will allege Kirby phoned her sister on May 28, 2024, telling her 'you need to get home or this motherf**cker is going to die in the house', speaking of Wallace (pictured, officers at the scene) But it was not until later that same relative told police that Kirby's mother said it was self-defence "so it was", the court was told. '(She) wasn't present at the time and so her opinion as to self-defence will not be admissible,' Justice Wilson said. '... On what's available to this court, at this early stage, it doesn't seem like self-defence strongly arises, if it arises at all.' Mr Krayem argued that it was Kirby's first time in custody and was in need of psychological treatment for mental health and addiction issues. He proposed strict bail conditions which included home detention and Kirby reporting to police twice a day. Kirby is accused of punching Wallace in the face before plunging a knife 'through his chest' (pictured, officers at the scene) Prosecutors opposed Kirby's release, citing a history of charges for domestic violence and Kirby's previous non-compliance with bail conditions. The court also heard it could allow Kirby to interfere with witnesses as she would be living with her mother and have contact with her sister. Justice Wilson refused Kirby's bail application. 'All of [the evidence] tends to support the Crown case that this was an offensive attack rather than a defensive attack,' she said. 'On what's available to this court, at this early stage, it doesn't seem like self defence strongly arises, if it arises at all,' Kirby is yet to enter a plea to the murder charge. A lawyer representing Kirby (pictured) told the court she was a victim of ongoing domestic violence by Wallace The case is due to proceed to trial in mid-late 2025 and following a mention in court later this year. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Some 2,000 police in the Philippines have begun the sixth day of their search for 'cult leader' and self-proclaimed 'owner of the universe' Apollo Quiboloy, believed to be hiding deep underground his church's 75-acre compound in southern Davao city. The preacher to six million is accused of heinous crimes, indicted in the United States for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and the sex trafficking of children, among a litany of other alleged offences. A tip off from a 'whistleblower' helped police in their raid of a compound they believe has been used to store captive women across a number of floors, and two women they understand to be sex slaves have since been 'rescued'. While Quiboloy denies the allegations - and has claimed those pursuing him are agents of the Devil - the FBI has listed him among their Most Wanted, detailing in horrific detail the claimed reality of his 'labour trafficking scheme' and sex crimes. The Bureau cites horrifying allegations women at the compound were coerced into living situations at the compound, made to perform various household chores and even subjected to sexual abuse known as 'night duty' among the victims. Quiboloy, the self-described 'appointed son of God' , is on the FBI's most wanted list Quiboloy (pictured) has denied the criminal allegations against him and his religious group From above: the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City, in the Philippines Apollo Quiboloy is the head of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), a Restorationist Christian church based in the Philippines with a claimed following of six million people. Quiboloy reportedly founded the church after returning from 'an exile to Tamayong', proclaiming that he had been guided by God through dreams in the foothills of Mount Matutum to found his church in the late 1990s. Quiboloy has since attracted a huge following of ardent followers across the country, earning him the allegiance of various politicians and state officials. Rodrigo Duterte, the populist former president, saw the value of Quiboloy's support when he ran for mayor in 1988, and courted his attention. Quiboloy maintained a curated public persona, appearing for interviews in the national press and greeting followers on the streets of Davao as recently as 2022. American interest in Quiboloy brought international attention to the preacher's alleged wrongdoings, a federal grand jury indicting him for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling. By November 2021, a federal warrant was issued for his arrest. The FBI named Quiboloy among its Most Wanted, detailing some of the alleged crimes he is accused of. Quiboloy is wanted by the Bureau for his alleged participation in a labour trafficking scheme that 'brought church members to the United States via fraudulently obtained visas, and forces the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity that were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders'. Those who managed to solicit such 'bogus' donations were then allegedly 'forced to enter into sham marriages' or obtain fraudulent visas to continue working in the US year-round. The FBI also cites allegations that women were recruited to work as personal assistants or 'pastorals', preparing meals for Quiboloy, cleaning his homes, giving him massages and having sex with him in what they referred to as 'night duty'. Victims allegedly also faced threats of abuse and 'eternal damnation' unless they catered to the self-proclaimed 'son of God'. Police in the Philippines have had additional help from a woman named 'Amanda', a whistleblower and former 'full time miracle worker' for KOJC who testified that she was one of many women held after being coerced into a sexual relationship with Quiboloy 'at a young age'. The Daily Tribune, a local outlet closely following the case, reported that this was presented to victims as a 'special privilege' for a select few. On August 24, the Philippines National Police (PNP) conducted a raid of a 75-acre compound in Davao City associated with the KOJC in search of Quiboloy. The compound reportedly covers three levels, with two reserved for the 'most attractive' women kept by Quiboloy as 'offerings' and a third ostensibly used to confine other women, as reported by the Tribune. Haunting video showed police sweeping dingy, unlit lower floors, vacated but still with signs of life as laundry lay strewn out across large, open plan rooms filled with what appeared to be rows of low, wooden beds. Other floors looked more like hotel corridors, some with individual rooms containing neatly made single beds, pot plants and posters for decoration, others more sparsely decorated and featuring multiple bunk beds or double beds and sofas. The church claims the pastor (centre) is being pursued because 'the Devil... will try to eliminate a good man... who lays down his life for his fellowmen, who are oppressed by evil, at all costs' Haunting footage shows a room still full of personal belongings in the underground bunker Some rooms are filled with bunk beds, while others are designated as single rooms Supporters of religious leader Apollo Quiboloy stage a protest rally outside the compund Quiboloy has protested his innocence and his group had said that he was ready to face the charges in a court of law, before his sudden disappearance. But the sustained raids on his compound give police hope of bringing him to justice. Entering with radar technology capable of detecting heartbeats through concrete walls, they say they have now found signs of life deep under the surface, where Quiboloy is believed to be hiding out with dozens of fanatics. Quiboloy and his lawyer claim the attempt to arrest him is part of a campaign of misinformation led by critics and former members of his church, who were ousted from the group after committing irregularities. In his defence, many KOJC followers have turned out in recent days to protest the raid of the compound, clashing with police and pronouncing his innocence. At least one person has died as a result of a heart attack during the demonstrations. Police say this had nothing to do with their operations. At least 18 have been detained. Kate Spade had been suffering from private mental anguish in the years leading up to her suicide, the fashion icon's friends have revealed. Jill Kargman, a writer and Spade's former intern at Mademoiselle magazine told how the socialite designer had retreated into solitude in the final years of her life. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, she said: 'I think I was already looking at it through the prism of slight worry, but never in a million years did I think she would take her life, not in a million years'. Spade was found dead aged 55 in her Manhattan apartment on June 5, 2018, and police reported she had left a note, which was addressed to her only daughter, Frances Valentine Beatrix Spade. The day following her death, the fashion designer's husband, Andy Spade, released a statement that revealed his wife was on medication for depression and anxiety - but said there were no substance-abuse issues. He said: 'Kate suffered from depression and for many years. Kate Spade was found dead at the age of 55 in her Park Avenue apartment on June 15, 2018. Pictured: Kate Spade and husband Andy attend a DIFFA benefit at Steuben Glass Works, New York City, 2000 Jill Kargman, a writer and Spade's former intern at Mademoiselle magazine told how the socialite designer had retreated into solitude in the final years of her life Pictured: A Kate Spade store in Manhattan, New York 'She was actively seeking help and working closely with doctors to treat her disease, one that takes far too many lives. 'We were in touch with her the night before and she sounded happy. There was no indication and no warning that she would do this. 'It was a complete shock. And it clearly wasn't her. There were personal demons she was battling'. Spade's father, Frank Brosnahan, revealed at the time that iconic designer had 'been taking some pills, which I advised her not to take' and said he was aware that his most famous of six children had been struggling with mental health issues. 'Well, I don't know what happened,' he said while recalling a phone conversation they had the night before she died. 'The last I talked with her... she was happy planning a trip to California to look at colleges. She doted on her daughter.' Speaking to Daily Mail in 2018, Spade's older sister Reta Saffo said she struggled to cope with her celebrity status, which made her suspected bipolar disorder worse. 'My little sister Katy was a precious, precious little person,' Saffo said, 'Genuine in almost every way. 'Just dear - but she was surrounded by yes people, for far too long, therefore she did not receive the proper care for what I believed to be (and tried numerous times to get her help for) bipolar disorder... stemming from her immense celebrity.' Saffo said her sister never anticipated how successful her brand would become - and how she, with it, would become a household name: 'She never expected it - nor was she properly prepared for it.' At the time of Spade's death, the Kate Spade New York Foundation donated $1million to mental-health and suicide prevention causes. Kate Spade (pictured) had been taking medication for anxiety and depression in the lead up to her death, according to her husband and father Celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow have been spotted using Kate Spade's iconic handbags One of Spade's shimmery satin evening bags was seen on the arm of Rosario Dawson at the 2006 Met Gala 'We were in touch with her the night before and she sounded happy. There was no indication and no warning that she would do this.,' Spade's husband Andy (pictured left) said after her suicide Kargman told The Wall Street Journal: 'I think I was already looking at it through the prism of slight worry, but never in a million years did I think she would take her life, not in a million years' Liz Fraser, Kate Spade's current CEO told the newspaper that the company has 'authentic responsibility' to talk about mental health and amplify the message around it after Spade's death. The brand now claims it is one of the world's biggest corporate donors to women's mental health initiatives. But during Spade's reign within the fashion world, from 1993 when she and Andy founded Kate Spade New York, mental health was deemed a taboo and was not widely spoken of. The designer's nearest and dearest insisted she was mostly a happy and positive woman who loved her life, but admit everyone experiences their own private struggles. Pamela Bell, one of the Kate Spade co-founders and a co-founder of the Mental Health Coalition revealed that after Spade had taken her life, many people wondered just what had happened. 'I don't think any one thing happened,' she said. Spade and her husband were separated and had been living apart just a few months before her death. But Andy said they and their daughter, known as Bea, were still very much a family unit with their daughter. 'We were best friends trying to work through our problems in the best way we knew how, he said, following her suicide. 'We were together for 35 years. We loved each other very much and simply needed a break,' he added. Spade shot to fame in the mid-90s thanks to her eponymous line of handbags and was also the aunt of Rachel Brosnahan, the star of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel. She and Andy bought the nine-room apartment in which she died in 1999 for $2.675 million, and also owned a vineyard in Napa Valley. The couple launched their design line back in 1993, starting at first with just handbags before expanding to clothes and other accessories. Three years in the couple was able to open their first store, and for the next decade continue to grow the company. She had launched international and home lines by 2004, having by that point sold off most of her company. Andy also launched a men's line of bags, Jack Spade, in 1996, which is still sold at stores such as Barneys. Neiman Marcus purchased 56 per cent of the company in 1999 and the remaining 44 per cent by 2006, at which time Kate left the business to raise her daughter. Millions of dead fish have washed up in a Greek holiday resort and carpeted the scenic port with horrified tourists staying indoors to avoid the overwhelming stench. The floating carcasses created a silvery blanket across the port of Greek city Volos and a stench that alarmed residents and authorities who raced to scoop them up before the odour reached nearby restaurants and hotels. 'It spans kilometres,' city council member Stelios Limnios said. 'It's not just along the coast, but also in the centre of the Pagasetic Gulf,' he said, referring to the area offshore Volos whose coast is lined with holiday homes. On Wednesday, trawlers dragged nets to collect the fish that were then dumped in the back of trucks. On Tuesday alone, authorities removed 57 tons of the dead fish washed up on beaches near Volos. The city's mayor, Achilleas Beos, said the smell was unbearable. During a press conference he blamed the government for not dealing with the problem before it reached his city. Millions of dead fish have washed up in the Greek holiday resort of Volos and carpeted the scenic port as horrified tourists are staying indoors to avoid the allegedly overwhelming stench The floating carcasses created a silvery blanket across the port of Greek city of Volos and a stench that alarmed residents and authorities who raced to scoop them up before the odour reached nearby restaurants and hotels A worker operates a mobile crane to remove dead fish floating from the Xiria River near Volos, central Greece, on August 28, 2024 A lifeguard walks next to dead fish on the salt marsh beach in Volos, Thessaly, Greece, 27 August 2024 A man sits in a boat as tonnes of dead fish have washed up in the port of Volos, Greece, August 28, 2024 He said that rotting fish could create an environmental disaster for other species in the area. Experts said the problem was caused by historic floods last year that inundated Thessaly plane further north, including rivers and lakes. 'After the storms Daniel and Elias last autumn, around 20,000 hectares of plains in Thessaly were flooded, and various freshwater fish were carried by rivers' to the sea, Dimitris Klaudatos, a professor of agriculture and environment at the University of Thessaly. Since then the lake waters have receded drastically, forcing the freshwater fish toward the Volos port, a three-and-a-half-hour drive north of Athens, that empties into the Pagasetic Gulf and the Aegean Sea, where they cannot survive. A net was not placed at the mouth of the river leading into Volos, experts said. When the fish met the sea, the saltwater likely killed them. Crews from the port of Volos collect the dead fish from a protective net at the mouth of the Xiria stream, Volos, Greece, 28 August 2024 Dead fish float on the sea, at the harbour of Volos, Thessaly, Greece, 27 August 2024 People take pictures of dead fish floating in the waters of the port of Volos, central Greece, on August 28, 202 Dead fish are seen floating in the waters of the port of Volos, central Greece, on August 28, 2024 A worker sits on the river bank while removing dead fish floating from the Xiria River near Volos, central Greece, on August 28, 2024 Men clear dead fish as tonnes of it have washed up in the port of Volos, Greece, August 28, 2024 'They didn't do the obvious, to put a protective net,' mayor Beos said, referring to government services. Tourist traffic to the area has already plunged by nearly 80 percent since last year's flooding, according to the local association of restaurants and bars. 'The situation with this dead fish will be the death of us,' said Stefanos Stefanou, the president of the association. 'What visitor will come to our city after this?' Dimosthenis Bakoyiannis, 33, who owns a beach restaurant 6 miles from Volos, says his turnover dropped 80 per cent this summer as fewer tourists wanted to visit after the flooding. 'Closing the barrier now doesn't help,' he said. 'Now it's too late, the tourist season is over.' Local authorities have opened an inquiry to study water qualities and microbial levels in the estuary of Lake Karla, as well as potential pollution in the gulf. The environment ministry did not respond to a request for comment. The disaster is the latest impact of extreme weather in Greece that scientists link to climate change, including higher temperatures and erratic rainfall that cause wildfires and flooding. The widow of 'ER' creator Michael Crichton has locked horns with Hollywood studio Warner Bros. over an allegedly unauthorized reboot of the hit medical drama. Sherri Crichton filed the lawsuit on Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, in which she and her late husband's estate claims that Warner Bros. continued to develop and produce upcoming Max series 'The Pitt' despite not reaching a final agreement on an ER reboot. ER ran from 1994 to 2009 and followed the lives of several doctors who worked at the fictionalized Cook County General Hospital in Chicago. It launched the career of George Clooney and several other major actors including John Leguizamo, and Thandiwe Newton, starred in the show at various points of its 15-season run. Max's upcoming series, titled 'The Pitt,' will be a medical drama set in Pittsburgh, as opposed to 'ER's' Chicago setting, and will feature Noah Wyle in a starring role. Wyle is best known for playing John Carter on 'ER' in over 250 episodes. 'The Pitt' is also set to include several 'ER' alums behind-the-scenes, including John Wells as the executive producer and R. Scott Gemmill as the showrunner. Wyle, Wells and Gemmill are each named defendants in the suit. Wells was directly accused of a 'personal betrayal' in the lawsuit, which added: '"The Pitt" is "ER". It's not like "ER". It's not kind of "ER". It's not sort of "ER". It is "ER" with the exact same executive producer, writer, star, production companies, studio and network as the planned "ER" reboot.' Sherri Crichton (pictured, left, with Michael Crichton in an undated image) filed a lawsuit in which she claims that Warner Bros. continued to develop and produce upcoming Max series 'The Pitt' despite not reaching a final agreement ER ran from 1994 to 2009 and followed the lives of several doctors who worked at the fictionalized Cook County General Hospital in Chicago (File image of cast members) The estate is asking the judge to issue an injunction that would force the studio to stop production on the new series, and they are also seeking punitive and compensatory damages. Because of Crichton's success with projects including 'Jurassic Park' and 'Westworld' before 'ER' was developed, he secured a coveted 'frozen rights' provision in his contract for the series. The provision prohibits Warner Bros. from proceeding with any sequels, remakes, spinoffs or other productions derived from 'ER' without Crichton's consent, or his estate's consent after his death from cancer in 2008. Warner Bros. began developing a reboot of 'ER' for HBO's streaming service, Max, in 2020 without Sherri's knowledge, according to the lawsuit. In 2022, when Sherri Crichton was informed of the developing project, she and the estate engaged in negotiations with the studio, through which she says she was promised that Crichton would get a 'created by' credit, backed by a $5 million guarantee for the estate in the event the credit was not given. Ultimately, the term was revoked and negotiations stopped, which the lawsuit states should have ceased all development of the series. Author Michael Crichton poses for a portrait at The Peninsula Hotel in New York on Dec. 7, 2004. George Clooney (pictured) starred on the show between 1994 and 1999 John Leguizamo (pictured, right) was on ER from 2005 to 2006 Development continued on, and 'The Pitt' was announced in March. A release date has yet to be announced. 'If Warner Bros. can do this to Michael Crichton, one of the industry's most successful and prolific creators who made the studio billions over the course of their partnership, no creator is safe,' a spokesperson for Sherri Crichton said in a statement to The Associated Press. ' While litigation is never the preferred course of action, contracts must be enforced, and Michael Crichton's legacy must be protected.' 'The lawsuit filed by the Crichton Estate is baseless, as 'The Pitt' is a new and original show. Any suggestion otherwise is false, and Warner Bros. Television intends to vigorously defend against these meritless claims,' the studio said in a statement. Sir Keir Starmer continued his push for a 'reset' of Britain's relations with the EU during talks with Emmanuel Macron in Paris today. The PM met the French President with a hug after travelling from Berlin yesterday as part of two days of meetings in his bid to 'turn a corner on Brexit'. Speaking to journalists after his summit with Mr Macron, Sir Keir said the pair had discussed the Ukraine war, Middle East crisis and also 'the wider reset that I want in relation to our relations, not just with France, but with the EU in general'. Before the talks with Mr Macron at the Elysee Palace, Sir Keir met some of Team GB's Paralympic athletes this morning. He and the French President were among the audience at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony in the French capital last night. Speaking in Berlin yesterday, Sir Keir insisted he was not 'reversing Brexit' despite his desire for a 'reset' in UK-EU relations and closer ties with the bloc. But senior Tories expressed fears the Labour premier, who once backed a second EU referendum, could put Britain 'under the control of Brussels by the backdoor'. The PM met the French President with a hug after travelling from Berlin yesterday as part of two days of meetings in his bid to 'turn a corner on Brexit' Sir Keir Starmer continued his push for a 'reset' of Britain's relations with the EU during the talks with Emmanuel Macron Before the talks with Mr Macron at the Elysee Palace, Sir Keir earlier met some of Team GB's Paralympic athletes this morning The PM walked on a track with Team GB staff at a training centre in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, north-west of Paris Sir Keir spoke with British paraathlete Funmi Oduwaiye, who is set to compete in the discus and shot put The PM was among the audience at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony in Paris last night During his visit to the German capital, Sir Keir left the door open to the return of free movement for under-30s. The PM refused to rule out introducing a 'backpackers and baristas' scheme allowing 18 to 30-year-olds from across the EU to move to the UK for work, travel or study for a number of years. It is a key demand of EU members in exchange for a closer trading relationship. The PM, speaking at a press conference at the German Chancellery yesterday, said he had 'no plans' for such a scheme, but then refused to completely rule it out when pressed by reporters. He said: 'In relation to youth mobility, obviously, we've been really clear no single market, no customs union, no free movement, no going back into the EU. 'So the discussion about a close relationship within the EU or with the EU is in that context and within those frameworks.' In a joint press conference yesterday in Berlin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pointedly said that 'contact' between Germans and Britons has 'declined massively after Brexit and the Covid 19 pandemic'. 'We share similar views on this, and this is why we want to intensify the exchanges between Germany and the UK,' he said. It came after Nils Schmid, Mr Scholz's foreign affairs spokesman, suggested a youth mobility deal would be the price of closer ties. He told BBC Radio 4 it was a 'major feature of our wish list', and not about 'opening the walls of labour migration', but about facilitating a student exchange. The PM yesterday staged a joint press conference in Berlin with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Germany's ambassador to the UK this morning said an agreement with the EU on youth mobility 'should be in the British interest'. Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4: 'There are many misunderstandings about what youth mobility really means. 'It is not freedom of movement, it has nothing to do with migration. 'It means that young people, who are really those who have most lost because of Brexit, that they have the possibility to come to the EU, to come to the UK, for a limited amount of time, and then they will leave. 'So, it's enhancing the possibilities for young people. That's what we want. And it's not only Germany, I can tell you all the 27 in the EU want to enhance that.' Mr Berger added: 'Youth mobility should also be in the British interest. 'Young people from this country might want to live for a year in Berlin or in Madrid or in Paris, and the youth mobility scheme would open that possibility. 'I think we all could gain, for example, by a veterinary agreement, which would reduce prices in the supermarket.' Sir Keir's comments in Berlin sparked warnings that he was trying to put Britain 'under the control of Brussels by the backdoor'. Tory former home secretary Dame Priti Patel told the Mail: 'The PM, who constantly argued for a second referendum, cannot be trusted to protect Brexit. 'He's always wanted to bring us closer into the EU's orbit and put us under the control of Brussels by the backdoor. 'Labour's plans to relax migration controls with the EU would start a slippery slope towards closer alignment and the return of freedom of movement. 'Given his feeble track record in negotiations and rolling over so readily to his trade union paymasters, Keir Starmer cannot be trusted to safeguard something as precious as our sovereignty.' A one-legged mobility scooter rider who was knifed to death on a busy street in London has today been pictured for the first time. Jade Anthony Barnett, 38, 'tried to get away' but got stuck in his wheelchair, a witness has claimed, before he was killed yesterday on Rushmore Road in Clapton, Hackney. One of his friends claimed the attack happened at the top of a set of stairs after a gathering 'kicked off'. Mr Barnett lost his leg in a motorcycle accident in 2007, according to his pals. Met Police officers were called to the east London street at 3.38pm following reports of a fight, with suggestions that a machete was used in the gruesome attack. Mr Barnett was treated by emergency services, including ambulance service and air ambulance staff, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Two men, aged 21 and 28, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are being held in custody where they are being quizzed by Scotland Yard detectives. His sister Simone Barnett, from Hackney, described him as a 'cheerful and caring man' who 'never took nothing too seriously'. Jade Anthony Barnett, 38, was yesterday killed on Rushmore Road in Clapton, Hackney A witness claimed he 'tried to get away' but got stuck in his wheelchair with the attack happening at the top of a set of stairs after a gathering 'kicked off' TODAY: Mourners have been laying floral tributes today near to where Mr Barnett was killed TODAY: One of the messages of a floral tribute from Jade's uncle and aunt said they are 'all so shocked. numb. We cannot believe you are gone' TODAY: A forensic police officer and a police tent on Overbury Street near the scene in Rushmore Road, Clapton, on Thursday TODAY: A police officer stands by a cordon where a floral tribute for Mr Barnett has been left this morning TODAY: Forensic officers were collecting evidence at the scene this morning following the fatal stabbing A woman, who did not want to be named, told The Telegraph Mr Barnett was her friend and told how he desperately tried to escape. 'He tried to get away' but could not 'because he had his wheelchair', she said. Ms Barnett, 45, told how her brother had lived in Clapton with his mother, but his friends said he had moved to the Stratford area and also lost his leg in a motorcycle accident in 2007. Ms Barnett added: 'He comes around here (Clapton) all the time, everyone knew my brother - young, old, mothers, fathers, everybody knew my brother. 'Everybody is family, he's just that character.' Mr Barnett had for the last year been working out at the nearby Pedro Amateur Boxing Club - just a 30-second walk from the suspected murder scene - in a bid to get fit after suffering a stroke. Roosevelt Morrison, 44, had been coaching him and said he was 'crushed' to hear he had died. And he revealed Mr Barnett was planning to go to Senegal where he was working with a charity to donate his old prosthetic legs. 'All of a sudden I heard he got stabbed and Im just crushed. Everybody knows him,' he said. On Wednesday evening, a black and grey mobility scooter was seen behind a police cordon - close to a forensics tent at the scene. TODAY: A new police cordon was put in place outside the shopping centre off Rushmore Road TODAY: What appears to be a green medical bag with a blue rubber glove strewn on the floor TODAY: A forensics tent can still be seen in the middle of the road at the crime scene this morning TODAY: A forensics officer's white coveralls left on the pavement near to where the suspected murder took place TODAY: Forensics officers stand outside a blue police tent as they comb the scene for evidence LAST NIGHT: Met Police officers were called to the east London street at 3.38pm yesterday following reports of a fight LAST NIGHT: A forensic officer shines a torch on the discarded scooter near the scene in Rushmore Road, Clapton, east London LAST NIGHT: A discarded mobility scooter on the scene where Jade Anthony Barnett was stabbed to death in a suspected London street fight The Met Police has confirmed two men, aged 21 and 28, have been arrested, on suspicion of murder. They remain in custody at an east London police station. Video posted on social media - claiming the man was stabbed with a 'machete' - shows the road blocked off with police tape and an air ambulance flying over the residential area. A local butcher described Mr Barnett as a 'good guy' who has lived in the area for about nine years. A woman who was among those gathering at a police cordon after the death and who did not want to be named, said: 'He was always funny, making jokes, friendly with everybody, always had a smile on his face, and always pleasant. 'There's not a bad thing I could say about him. I know him from long time, he's a nice guy, very nice guy, always see him, he's always pleasant. 'You never expect (an incident like this) at all, to be honest, but to him, least of all - he's just nice, always, always a pleasure to see him, he's upbeat.' A man who knew Mr Barnett, but also did not want to be identified, said he was 'a young guy, good spirit, no enemies, no guns, no crime, no gangs'. Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: 'Our investigation is still in the early stages and my detectives are working hard to establish the circumstances of what has happened this afternoon. LAST NIGHT: A local butcher described the victim as a 'good guy' who has lived in the area for about nine years. Pictured is the crime scene last night LAST NIGHT: The scene last night after emergency services rushed to the scene to try and save Mr Barnett LAST NIGHT: A forensics officer works at the crime scene following a knife attack in Clapton yesterday YESTERDAY: Video posted on social media - claiming the man was stabbed with a 'machete' - shows an air ambulance flying over the residential area YESTERDAY: A crime scene was in place on Rushmore Road (pictured) and police confirmed two men have been arrested 'If anyone has any information about this tragic incident I urge them to come forwards and speak to us, or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously with any information. 'A number of streets have been cordoned off as our investigation continues at pace and I am grateful for the patience of the local residents of Clapton. 'Our thoughts are with the family of the victim at this difficult time. The public can expect to see continued and significant police activity in the local area as we continue with our rigorous investigation.' Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or message @MetCC on X quoting CAD 4793/28AUG. A shoplifter who stole 'tens of thousands' of pounds worth of goods over a 20-year career which saw him steal 300 a day has revealed he was never jailed. Ross, who has 23 convictions in the past two decades including 15 for shoplifting, boasted to the BBC: 'I'd be a gold medallist if it was a sport'. The 39-year-old became one of the most prolific shoplifters in Leeds which involved him terrorising shops all over the city to fund his crack cocaine and heroin addiction. Ross insists he never used violence and only targeted big chains, while defending his actions by saying it was because he was 'ill' and it was a 'simple case of survival'. He now claims he is 'ashamed' of his actions and has been clean from drugs for five months which has stopped him shoplifting. Ross, who has 23 convictions in the past two decades including 15 for shoplifting, boasted to the BBC: 'I'd be a gold medallist if it was a sport' The 39-year-old became one of the most prolific shoplifters in Leeds' which involved him terrorising shops all over the city to fund his crack cocaine and heroin addiction Ross revealed his operation worked by stealing to order for middlemen, who would then sell on the goods. But as well as individuals who were prepared to buy stolen goods, Ross also revealed that businesses across the city would buy them too. His customers included shops all across the city and Ross said over time he got to know the best spots to dump his goods, which would presumably be resold. He said: 'With my bag full of stuff, I'd know which shop to go to sell it on and we'd discuss a price and I'm out of there with the money. 'Perfume, always a staple. Box sets, cosmetics, leather handbags, a big box of Lego can be 100. 'I'm not allowed in most of the shops around here. I'm banned from them.' Ross's most recent shoplifting conviction in May involved him receiving a suspended prison sentence at Leeds Magistrates' Court after he stole more than 4,000 worth of goods from Urban Outfitters in Leeds over a two-year period. The shop was forced to stop displaying vinyl records on its shelves because of how often Ross was stealing them. Ross revealed his operation worked by stealing to order for middlemen, who would then sell on the goods Ross also showed the presenter text messages that showed him advertising his services to people, writing: 'Do you think you'll be wanting any of these bottles when I'm back?' One respondent asked for an entire shopping list of goods, including: 'Whiskey, vodka, Baileys, Tia Maria, honey, cheese, washing tablets and liquid if you can please mate.' Ross told the BBC: 'It was just to buy drugs. I know it's in the tens of thousands. I'm ashamed to say yeah. 'I get sick feeling literally thinking about what I used to do and yeah, guilt. 'I think I'd be a gold medalist if shoplifting were a sport. 'There was a weight of fear every day walking down the hill from where I live, which you've got to get rid of. If you can't you've just got to bury it but that's there every day, yeah.' When asked if the fear was because he might get caught, Ross replied: 'Yeah, and I was only ever inches away from it and it's only ever temporarily relieved when you get out of each shop and you haven't been caught.' The Centre for Retail Research has estimated that shoplifting adds 133 to the cost of an average household's shopping bill each year. A stock image of a thief putting a new gadget in his bag in the store When Ross is challenged by the presenter that shoplifting is not a victimless crime and costs the country billions of pounds a year, he replied: 'People who shoplift are ill and that's why they are doing it.' The Centre for Retail Research has estimated that shoplifting adds 133 to the cost of an average household's shopping bill each year. When Ross was asked if he understood his actions would cause fear in shop workers, he replied: 'Oh yeah, please understand that it's just a simple case of survival, it felt like. I felt like I didn't have a choice. 'There's always a choice, but it doesn't feel like you've got one when you're that desperate.' Ross said his life spiralled out of control when he began taking crack and heroin together, which caused his methadone prescription to get stronger. He is now calling for more support for people with drug and mental health issues, and claims if he got more help he could have led a different life. Experts say 70 per cent of shoplifters are addicts like Ross. Pictured: A stock image of a woman stealing a bottle of wine from the supermarket Despite his long list of convictions dating back as far as 2006, he said he was never offered drug treatment beyond a methadone prescription and voluntarily attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings. A psychiatric report read out at his most recent court appearance said he was 'highly likely' to have ADHD which, along with along with a 'severely traumatic' early childhood, led him to addiction. But Ross still said he has never received any mental health support. Ross put getting clean down to the intervention of an old friend after the death of a mutual friend. Experts say 70 per cent of shoplifters are addicts like Ross. West Yorkshire Police said in a statement the force was 'very much aware of the concerns of businesses and regularly reviews offences to identify patterns of offending and put robust plans in place to address them'. The National Police Chiefs' Council told the BBC it was 'almost impossible' to trace most shoplifted goods but insisted it is focused on making sure those involved are brought to justice. Meanwhile Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) said its members were reporting a 'high volume' of 'very brazen and direct' incidents of shoplifting, with meat, cheese and alcohol items typically being targeted. Businesses report seeing their items being sold locally or on Facebook or WhatsApp groups after they are stolen. James Lowman, ACS chief executive, told the PA news agency that he is aware that other businesses, usually smaller shops, are also purchasing stolen goods. Mr Lowman said that thieves are stealing to order, speculating that buyers may be turning a 'blind eye' because they cannot be sure if items are stolen. He went on: 'What we are seeing is a higher volume of theft from the same people who are professional shop thieves, often doing it to feed addiction problems. 'And how do they do that? Well, they re-sell the products. And so we think there probably is a stronger market for those resold products. 'And that is something that we have been observing and talking about for the last couple of years.' Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) said he is aware of criminal gangs getting involved in organising shoplifters, improving their ability to steal and dispose of the goods. Andrew Goodacre (pictured), chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) said he is aware of criminal gangs getting involved in organising shoplifters, improving their ability to steal and dispose of the goods He also described hearing more cases in the past year of other stores buying the goods once they are stolen. In Truro, Cornwall, Martin Gaunt, owner of quirky gifts store Happy Piranha, said he followed one thief and witnessed goods taken from his shop being sold on to another trader, Mr Goodacre told PA. Mr Goodacre went on: 'I think often it used to be, and it still is, items like meat and cheese. 'But now our membership consists of pet shops, clothing shops, hardware stores, cookware stores, gift shops, independent department stores, clothing shops. 'And I think 80% of them report stuff being stolen now which they wouldn't have done two or three years ago. 'People are stealing pet food, pet accessories, cleaning materials, kitchen utensils, kettles, all sorts of things, depending on what's been ordered. 'But also because putting a cheap kettle on Facebook Marketplace is likely to get a sale very quickly.' The ACS said 5.6 million incidents of shop theft were reported by its members over the past year, with half of the shoplifters being repeat offenders. In the last year, convenience stores spent 339 million on crime prevention, such as CCTV, alarms and tagging, the ACS told PA. The ACS said 5.6 million incidents of shop theft were reported by its members over the past year, with half of the shoplifters being repeat offenders (stock image) A British Retail Consortium (BRC) spokesman said stolen goods were ending up in 'unscrupulous' restaurants, on market stalls and online marketplaces. There has been a rise in recent years of gang-oriented retail crime, with thieves turning up at multiple different stores of the same company in a day, the spokesman said. He went on: 'It's tough for retailers because they do report these crimes and there are processes they go through. 'But the police response is so low at the moment that unfortunately these crimes, aren't treated with enough seriousness at the moment. 'These gangs realise they can get away with it.' Stephanie Karte from Retailers Against Crime, said: 'You'll have your local offender who, unfortunately, nine times out of 10 has an addiction, whether that be alcohol, drugs and, at the end of the day, they're stealing to feed their habit. 'Basically the items that they do steal, they're getting money from that and then where's the money going? It's going to the drug dealer. 'So at the end of the day, when you think about it and all of these little things, it's all really funding a more serious crime.' An Italian grandmother survived five days lost in the Alps by drinking rainwater and befriending a fox after falling into a ravine, it has emerged. Giuseppina Bardelli, 89, disappeared while foraging for mushrooms in the mountains near her home in the village of Monterecchio in the Italian Maccagno con Pino e Veddasca region, on the border with Switzerland, on August 21. Disoriented and dizzy, Giuseppina fell 20ft into a ravine overgrown with ferns, causing her to break two ribs and perforate a lung after she became separated from her son, Sergio, while foraging. Sergio called emergency services who sent rescue parties, drones and even helicopters before they managed to locate the elderly woman in the forest near the Swiss border four days later. Her other son, Roberto, told the Corriere della Sera newspaper how his mother managed to survive: 'She drank rainwater that she found in puddles. At night she slept under trees, using vegetation to cover herself. 'The fox approached her several times, sniffing out of curiosity. They sort of became friends.' Giuseppina Bardelli, 89, disappeared while foraging for mushrooms in the mountains near her home in the village of Monterecchio in the Italian Maccagno con Pino e Veddasca region, on the border with Switzerland, on August 21 Sergio called emergency services who sent rescue parties, drones as well as helicopters and managed to locate the elderly woman in the forest near the Swiss border four days later Disoriented and dizzy, Giuseppina fell 20ft into a gully overgrown with ferns, causing her to break two ribs and perforate a lung after she got separated from her son, Sergio, while foraging He said Giuseppina spoke to the fox and said: 'Don't do anything to me. I'm good, I'm serene.' 'And every evening she recited the rosary. She knew that every day could be her last,' Roberto added about his mother surviving in the woods. He also said that he burst into tears when his mother was found alive, adding: 'The joy was immense'. He said that his mother, who was hospitalised after she was rescued following her 20ft fall, is now 'quite well'. 'The slope was three times deeper. She could have hurt herself badly,' Roberto said. 'It's a miracle and that's it. We cried our eyes out.' Firefighter Silvio Rizzelli, who coordinated the search team, told local media: 'She was hidden in a deep gully, full of tall vegetation. She could not see us and we could not see her. 'The breakthrough came on Sunday morning, as rescuers were considering giving up the search. 'After finding her, my men reported Ms Bardelli was tired but totally lucid. It was great news and surprising that a person of her age could resist.' An aged care worker captured on CCTV forcing an elderly patient with dementia to perform a sex act on him several times will likely be deported when his jail sentence ends. Kenyan immigrant James Ng'Ang'A Irungu, 27, was sentenced to two years behind bars on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to three counts of indecently dealing with an incapable person. Irungu, who described himself as a 'secret homosexual', was employed as an aged care worker at The Queenslea in Claremont in Perth's south-west up until March. Among his duties was to care for a male patient, 83, who had both dementia and Parkinson's Disease, which caused his arms and hands to shake uncontrollably. The man's daughter had CCTV installed and was horrified while examining the footage to watch her father being forced to perform a sex act three times. The WA District Court heard that Irungu placed the man's hand on his genitals inside his trousers, the ABC reported. When the victim took his hand away, Irungu moved it back, Judge Alan Sefton was told. The man's daughter reported the horrific crime to police and Irungu was arrested and charged in March this years. He has remained behind bars ever since. Kenyan immigrant James Ng'Ang'A Irungu (pictured) has been sentenced to jail after he forced an 83-year-old man with dementia to perform a sex act multiple times His only explanations for his action to police were that he had 'repressed' his sexuality and was struggling to pay for his post-graduate studies in mechanical engineering at Edith Cowan University, the court heard. Irungu's despicable acts caused his elderly victim 'tremendous shame' and the man's health deteriorated after the incident. The patient died in July. A prosecutor told the court that Irungu has 'exploited vulnerabilities for his own gratification'. Irungu's lawyer told the court his client had 'repressed his sexuality' and now had a 'deep feeling of shame' following a strict Christian upbringing back home in Kenya. The court also heard Irungu had faced financial difficulty since arriving in Australia in 2023. Judge Sefton said that the victim needed a significant level of care and was unable to defend himself from sexual interference. 'You selfishly betrayed that trust (place in you),' he told Irungu. 'You were in a position of care.' Judge Sefton said that the sentence reflected the seriousness of the crimes. Irungu was employed as an aged care worker at The Queenslea in Claremont in Perth's south-west up until March Irungu was sentenced to eight months, 12 months and 16 months respectively on the three charges. The first and third counts are cumulative, which made the total sentence 24 months. The sentence was backdated to when he was first detained in March. Judge Sefton told Irungu that his visa was 'likely to be cancelled and you'll be deported' when his sentence ends. Irungu describes himself on his LinkedIn profile as a 'versatile mechanical engineer passionate about electrical and renewable energy'. He had completed several engineering internship in Kenya before arriving in Australia in continue his studies. For counselling and support, call 1800RESPECT. Failed migrants will receive free accommodation and help getting a job as part of a 15million plan to 'reintegrate' them back into their home countries. The Home Office wants to deliver the support in 11 nations including Albania, Iraq, Pakistan and Vietnam as part of a bid to speed up returns. This support would include 'cash assistance', 'provision of care and food packs', five days' accommodation upon arrival and help getting a job, according to contract documents posted on its website. Returned migrants could also be helped getting new official documents, after the government accepted returnees without documents were at risk of mistreatment at security checkpoints. Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has vowed to dramatically increase the number of failed migrants being deported from Britain, and has set a target of 14,500 this year. Your browser does not support iframes. Labour has vowed to crack down on the people smuggling gangs that are fuelling cross-Channel migration Small boats and motors used by Channel migrants pictured at a warehouse in Dover today It follows the decision to axe the Conservative government's Rwanda scheme, which has left critics accusing Labour of having no deterrent for people planning to enter the UK illegally. The contract for the 'Home Office Reintegration Programme', posted online on August 22, would run from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2028. The nations it names are Albania, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Iraq, Jamaica, Nigeria, Pakistan, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. It comes as a new report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) criticised overspending on the asylum system by the Tories and accused Labour of repeating their mistakes by submitting figures it 'knows to be insufficient'. Between 2021/22 and 2023/24, plans put before parliament by the Home Office at the start of each year budgeted an average of 110million for asylum operations, but it ended up spending much more - an average of 2.6billion per year. The IFS report claims that the 'woeful way' the Home Office and HM Treasury have budgeted for asylum costs lies at the heart of the recent disagreement between Chancellor Rachel Reeves and her predecessor Jeremy Hunt. In a financial audit of public spending conducted not long after Ms Reeves took office, spending pressures relating to asylum and illegal migration were one of the largest items identified amounting to an estimated 6.4billion in 2024/25. In response, Mr Hunt argued that this contradicted the budgets signed off by civil servants and presented to parliament just weeks before. The IFS said both the current and former chancellors have a point - but only because the Home Office and HM Treasury are continuing the 'poor budgeting practice' of recent years. The number of Channel small boat arrivals has now passed 6,000 since Labour came to power. Figures from the Home Office, published yesterday, showed 526 migrants reached the UK from northern France on Tuesday. It brought the total since the general election to 6,246, and the total since the start of the year to 19,820. Hundreds more arrived yesterday but numbers are yet to be confirmed. Yvette Cooper , the Home Secretary, has vowed to dramatically increase the number of failed migrants being returned to their home countries, including 14,500 this year Some 613 arrivals are also believed to have crossed the Channel yesterday. It brings the total since the General Election to a reported 6,858 and 20,433 overall since the start of the year This year's running tally is almost identical to the number who had arrived by the same point last year - 19,801. But it is down 21 per cent on the 25,065 who had arrived by the same point in 2022 - the year which went on to see an annual record. One of Labour's first acts in office was scrapping the Conservatives' Rwanda asylum scheme, which was designed to save lives in the Channel by deterring migrants from crossing in the first place. Labour's plan to deal with the crisis involves creating a new Border Security Command, which will bring together existing immigration units and equip it with new 'counter-terrorism style' powers, as well as seeking new returns agreements with other countries. Tuesday's arrivals - including children - were the first to reach the UK for a week. They were intercepted in the Channel by Border Force vessels Defender and Volunteer, and brought into the Port of Dover in Kent. One young girl needed a wheelchair as she was brought up the gangway. Last week it emerged that the number of Channel migrants winning permission to remain indefinitely in Britain has quadrupled, while efforts to increase deportations have stalled. More than 25,300 people who arrived here by small boat were granted asylum or another type of humanitarian protection in the year to June, Home Office data showed. It compared with about 6,600 in the previous 12 months. Across all types of asylum claims, the number granted last year hit an all-time high of 76,176, - more than triple the previous year's figure. The increases were due to a backlog-clearing exercise launched by former prime minister Rishi Sunak which aimed to eliminate 'legacy' asylum claims by the end of last year. At the same time, only three per cent of the total number of small boat migrants to have arrived here since the start of the Channel crisis have been removed. The data showed that of the 127,834 migrants to reach Britain since 2018, only 3,788 have been sent home. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'As the Home Secretary announced last week, the Government is planning to deliver a major surge in immigration enforcement and returns activity to remove people with no right to be in the UK and ensure the rules are respected and enforced. 'Continued international cooperation with partner nations plays a critical role in this, and we will be working closely with a number of countries across the globe as part of the mission to end irregular migration.' A murder suspect who was on the run for months has been caught in Memphis, Tennessee, after he fell through the ceiling from his hiding place in a family's attic. A warrant for the arrest of Deario Wilkerson, 20, was issued back in April in connection with the death of Troy Cunningham in Memphis. But he spent months evading police, who eventually managed to track him down to the home of a family member. As cops entered the home, Wilkerson tried hiding in the attic. But, according to the New York Times, officers heard 'loud sounds from the home' followed by a 'loud crash.' Photos shared by officers showed a large gaping hole in the ceiling, with fragments of plaster and dust covering the floor below. Photos shared by officers showed a large gaping hole in the ceiling, with fragments of plaster and dust covering the floor below A warrant for the arrest of Deario Wilkerson, 20, (pictured) was issued back in April in connection with a fatal shooting 'Mr. Wilkerson was not injured from the fall and was taken into custody with no further incident,' the Marshals Service said of the arrest, which took less than 10 minutes. He is now being held in the city's Shelby County Jail on a $6million bail. Wilkerson is one of three people charged in the shooting of Cunningham, who was found dead on April 2 in the city's Hollywood neighbourhood. According to a local District Attorney, cops investigating an incident in the area heard multiple gunshots, and found Cunningham the sidewalk near Peres and Merton Street, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the back of his head. On top of this, bullets hit a car two women were in, with one of them sustaining a gunshot wound to the shoulder. The alleged killer was charged with first degree murder. Police have revealed a disturbing new theory over what happened to the tourist who vanished after being swallowed up by a 26ft sinkhole. Vijaya Lakshmi Gali, 48, disappeared into a sinkhole in Malaysias capital of Kuala Lumpur last week on August 23 after a pavement collapsed. The Indian woman is still missing as the search enters its seventh day, with rescue teams flushing manholes around the area and using high-powered jets to remove debris blocking access to the sewers, Firstpost reports. Meanwhile, a second sinkhole has opened up roughly 50 metres away from the first, which has raised fears about the safety of the area. But, Malaysian police have told how they believe the woman was likely swept away by an underground water current. Chilling footage shows Vijaya Lakshmi walking along the pavement as normal Suddenly, the ground then opens up causing her to fall in as others narrowly avoid a similar fate She has now been missing for five days after being swallowed by the sinkhole A look at a sinkhole that opened in the same area where an Indian woman fell into an eight-meter deep sinkhole A man crosses a closed roadside after another deep sinkhole appeared a week after a woman fell into a sinkhole when a sidewalk caved in in Kuala Lumpur. Thursday, August 29 Police stand guard on a closed roadside after the latest sinkhole opened in the area Rescue teams say there are no other signs of the woman who fell through the gap Datuk G Parameswaran, the president of the Malaysian Water and Wastewater Quality Safety Association, told the Straits Times: 'Sewage water is also very harsh, and the current has a minimum flow speed of one metre per second. 'Theoretically, she could have travelled up to 86.4km within 24 hours.' Chilling footage shows the moment the 48-year-old walks long the pavement before she suddenly disappears. An initial search from Malaysian rescue teams found Ms Lakshmi's shoes, but there are no other signs of her, the Telegraph report. The CCTV video shows how others sitting on a nearby bench only narrowly avoided falling in with the woman. Malaysia Fire and Rescue Department officers inspect the site where a woman fell into an eight-meter deep sinkhole A search and rescue operation is still underway in the Malaysian capital An initial search from Malaysian rescue teams found Ms Lakshmi's shoes Rescue efforts continue into the night as fire rescue teams inspect the sinkhole Crowds gather as the wait goes on to find the missing woman in Malaysia The shopping area is known for its goldsmiths and jewellers and attracts lots of tourists Ms Lakshmi and her family are said to have been in Malaysia for roughly two months. They were due to fly home in Sunday. Authorities have since provided a counsellor for relatives of the woman, including her husband and son. The shopping area, known for its goldsmiths and jewellers, is approximately a 10-minute drive away from the city's Petronas Towers. A female migrant is feared dead after allegedly being deliberately thrown into the Channel. The woman was reportedly thrown into the water on a packed small boat trying to cross from France on Tuesday morning. Forty-eight hours later and there is no sign of her, with police fearing she has drowned. The alleged attack is believed to have happened in the Clipon jetty in Loon-Plage, northern France, around 30 miles east of Calais, according to local media. Over 500 migrants arrived in the UK on Tuesday alone as border forces struggle to manage the crisis, with the total now pushing 20,000 for 2024. File photo. Migrants walk in the water to board a smuggler's boat on the north coast of France File. Nearly 20,000 people have arrived in the UK in small boats since the start of the year French emergency services have launched a huge search and rescue operation to find the woman 'thrown' from a small boat - but she is still missing. A police spokesman said the migrants who remained in the area did not cooperate with their investigation when they arrived. He said: 'The authorities do not know if she was able to return to the jetty by her own means or if she drowned. 'Investigators are leaning towards the latter option.' French border police have launched a probe and have urged witnesses to come forward. Authorities came under fire last week when video showed border guards ramming their speedboat into an overloaded migrant vessel as it departed from Calais. The migrants made it less than 100ft into the sea before being spotted by a French board guard unit in a speedboat on August 19. Flashing blue and red lights, the speedboat made a couple of close passes by the dinghy, warning it to turn around and head for shore. When the dinghy continued on, the coastguard craft pulled up alongside before appearing to ram the sorely overloaded migrant vessel. Migrant crossings have risen through the summer, in keeping with yearly trends. Last year, a total of 29.437 people arrived in the UK in small boats - down from 45,755 in 2022. In the year ending June 2024, Afghans were the main nationality crossing the channel, followed by Iranians, Vietnamese and Turks. Many of the arrivals are fleeing war or persecution from oppressive regimes, but run significant risks making the perilous journey. Some 25 migrants have died attempting to cross the Channel this year, according to French officials. Your browser does not support iframes. Flashing blue and red lights, the speedboat made a couple of close passes by the dinghy, warning it to turn around and head for shore When the dinghy continued on, the coastguard craft pulled up alongside before appearing to ram the sorely overloaded migrant vessel A Home Office spokesperson said last week: 'We all want to see an end to dangerous small boat crossings, which are undermining border security and putting lives at risk. 'The new Government is taking steps to boost our border security, setting up a new Border Security Command which will bring together our intelligence and enforcement agencies, equipped with new counter-terror-style powers and hundreds of personnel stationed in the UK and overseas, to smash the criminal smuggling gangs making millions in profit.' Labour is said to be in the final stages of recruiting a new boss to lead the Border Security Command. They will report directly to the Home Secretary, and be paid up to 200,000 to provide 'strategic direction to work across agencies, drawing together the work of the National Crime Agency (NCA), intelligence agencies, police, Immigration Enforcement and Border Force'. Around 100 people have already moved into the command HQ based in the Home Office, establishing the remit and strategic direction of the new command. Oasis has extended the deadline for its fans to confirm pre-sale ballot entries to Friday morning after an 'unprecedented' number signed up for the reunion tour tickets. Millions of people are set to 'go to war' for tickets this weekend after Noel and Liam Gallagher put their 15-year feud behind them to announce a mammoth comeback tour across the UK and Ireland next summer. The band's devoted followers had until 7pm last night to confirm their pre-sale ballot on their official website, ahead of the official ticket release on Saturday at 9am for the UK shows and 8am for the Dublin performances. But this has been extended until 10am on Friday 'due to a last minute surge in pre-sale ballot entries'. It comes after some disappointed fans were left panicking as they still hadn't received their confirmation emails. Liam and Noel Gallagher yesterday confirmed that Oasis have reformed for a mammoth tour around the UK and Ireland. They are pictured here together for the first time in several years Oasis has extended the deadline for its fans to register their pre-sale ballot entries to until Friday morning after an 'unprecedented' number signed up for the reunion tour tickets These are the shows where Oasis will be performing. The band will kick off in Cardiff and end in Dublin Oasis shared a statement on X to announce the deadline to confirm pre-sale ballot entries would be extended. 'Due to a last minute surge in pre-sale ballot entries, a number of confirmation emails are still being processed and sent out.' it read. 'The deadline to confirm your entry has now been extended to 10am BST tomorrow morning (Friday 30th August). 'If successful in the ballot, you will be contacted tomorrow by 5pm BST with pre-sale access information. Thank you for your patience.' Fans faced a nervous wait for their confirmation emails ahead of the ticket release. Oasis supporters took to social media to share their frustrations using memes. Oasis supporters took to social media to share their frustrations using memes On Wednesday, the band's official social media page said it was 'aware' that many were still waiting for the email and 'rest assured they are on their way'. In a post, the band wrote: 'We are aware that many of you are still waiting on a confirmation email. Rest assured they are on their way, as we process an unprecedented volume of entries. 'Everyone who has filled out the ballot form by 7pm BST today, Wednesday 28th August, will receive an email where they can confirm their entry in the ballot.' Those entering the ballot are being asked who the band's original drummer is, and are offered the options of Chris Sharrock, Alan White and the correct answer, Tony McCarroll, who drummed with the band from their formation until 1995. Entrants are also being asked how many times they have seen the band. The legendary Manchester rock band will reunite for 14 shows in Cardiff, London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin - with gigs outside of Europe set to be added at a later date. Announcing the tour at 8am yesterday, the band said: 'The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised.' The tour will run from July 4 to August 17, kicking off at Cardiff's Principality Stadium before the brothers pack out Heaton Park in Manchester, Wembley in London, Murrayfield in Edinburgh and Croke Park in Dublin. The UK dates will be sold through Ticketmaster, Gigs and Tours and See Tickets, all of whom will be bracing for a frenzy when tickets go on sale. The Oasis website crashed immediately after their announcement yesterday, indicating just how many people will be battling it out for tickets. Announcing the Oasis Live 25 tour, the legendary band said: 'The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised.' The Oasis website crashed instantly after the comeback tour was announced at 8am this morning Group portrait of Oasis at Nomad Studios in Manchester in 1993. Pictured left to right: Paul Arthurs (aka Bonehead), Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Tony McCarroll, Paul McGuigan Those in the music industry say demand is set to rival or even exceed that of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour', which saw the global pop star sell out several concerts across the UK. Oasis Live 25: Full tour dates JULY 2025 4th - Cardiff, Principality Stadium 5th - Cardiff, Principality Stadium 11th - Manchester, Heaton Park 12th - Manchester, Heaton Park 19th - Manchester, Heaton Park 20th - Manchester, Heaton Park 25th - London, Wembley Stadium 26th - London, Wembley Stadium AUGUST 2025 2nd - London, Wembley Stadium 3rd - London, Wembley Stadium 8th - Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium 9th - Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium 16th - Dublin, Croke Park 17th - Dublin, Croke Park Advertisement Music insiders believe the band will announce even more dates soon as the current crop of tickets will 'sell out in less than three minutes'. More than 4million fans are expected to be vying for the 1,066,888 tickets available across the 14 gigs, with sources telling The Sun that once they sell out 'extra dates will be added for sure'. Industry insiders have also claimed that Bonehead is 'confirmed' for the tour and 'ecstatic' that the band is back together - with Liam and Noel Gallagher reportedly 'both wanting him in the fold' after he was 'one of the drivers of the reunion'. 'The Oasis family has really come back together. Bonehead is ecstatic,' the source said, adding: 'Noel has brought in some of his band too.' Ahead of the ticket release date, fans have been warned not to wait until Saturday morning to register to ensure you have an account set up with all the correct billing and delivery information. Fans have also been urged to make sure their accounts are verified, which can be done by adding your phone number and confirming a one-time passcode. Those hoping to secure a ticket for the comeback tour should also make sure their card details are already saved to avoid last-minute panic. Your devices, such as phones and laptops, should be well charged in advance of the deadline. Meanwhile, ticket success could come down to how strong your internet connection is and what device you are using. Joshua Houston, an appliance expert at Household Quotes said: 'Oasis have been away for 15 years, and in that time a whole new generation of their fans have formed who are yet to see them live. Liam and Noel Gallagher are pictured at the Knebworth Festival in 1996. They will be performing again next summer Industry insiders have also claimed that original guitarist Bonehead - real name Paul Arthurs (pictured in 1996) - is 'confirmed' for the tour and 'ecstatic' that the band is back together. Liam and Noel Gallagher reportedly 'both wanted him in the fold' after he was 'one of the drivers of the reunion' Oasis are pictured in Withington, Manchester, in 1993. (L-R) Paul McGuigan, Noel Gallagher, Tony McCarroll, Paul Arthurs and Liam Gallagher Fans have also been urged to make sure their accounts are verified, which can be done by adding your phone number and confirming a one-time passcode. Those hoping to secure a ticket for the comeback tour should also make sure their card details are already saved to avoid last-minute panic. Your devices, such as phones and laptops, should be well charged in advance of the deadline. Meanwhile, ticket success could come down to how strong your internet connection is and what device you are using. Joshua Houston, an appliance expert at Household Quotes said: 'Oasis have been away for 15 years, and in that time a whole new generation of their fans have formed who are yet to see them live. 'Millions will attempt to get tickets but only a few will succeed. 'So follow these tips to increase your chances, those that can go into the online queue first will get the tickets and part of this is down to how good your internet connection is.' Ticketmaster says that there is usually a waiting room which opens 15 minutes before the sale. Once the queue opens, you will be told exactly where you are in line. Ticketing sites warn that refreshing the page won't move you further up the queue and that the page updates itself automatically. Fans will be able to purchase a maximum of four tickets per transaction and you will not be able to sell them for more than you bought them for. The price of tickets has not been revealed but the Manchester Evening News reports it will exceed 100. Cameras have captured Anthony Albanese running fashionably late for the traditional leaders group photo taken on the last day of the annual Pacific Islands Forum. As 18 other nation leaders waited in the hot Tongan sun on Thursday, there was one glaring absence and an empty red seat reserved for Australia's Prime Minister. As the other leaders looked around, wondering where he was and the reason for the delay, Mr Albanese suddenly emerged, racing over to join the group. Despite the sole empty seat in the front row, Mr Albanese was unsure where he was supposed to be, with some viewers suggested he looked like 'an embarrassing uncle'. Someone finally pointed out his seat and Albo duly took his place. At least he was wearing the right gear, a brightly coloured, short-sleeved shirt and a traditional Tongan kahoa leis to match the other leaders, as is the tradition. The other Pacific leaders had looks on their faces ranging from amusement to bemusement as they waited for the Aussie to arrive. But they were probably less amused at Mr Albanese's 'hot mic' moment where he was caught on a live camera in a candid conversation with a high-ranking US official. Pacific Island leaders are pictured on Thursday, waiting in the Tongan sun for late arrival Anthony Albanese Mr Albanese was caught on camera arriving late for the traditional leaders photo taken on the last day of the annual Pacific Islands Forum gathering (pictured) Poll Was Anthony Albanese disrespectful in arriving late for the Pacific leaders photo? Yes No Was Anthony Albanese disrespectful in arriving late for the Pacific leaders photo? Yes 211 votes No 11 votes Now share your opinion The footage and audio captured Mr Albanese and US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell discussing the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI) under which Australia will bankroll the $400million plan. When Mr Campbell said the US would step aside and let Australia run the policy, Mr Albanese joked that he would welcome American involvement if they 'go halvies' on the cost. The PPI, to be rolled out over the next five years, was endorsed on Wednesday by leaders attending the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum. It will involve multi-country police units, four training centres across the region and a Brisbane-based coordination hub, as Australia and the US seek to bolster their regulatory role in the Pacific to head off China's strategic interest in the region. 'Well, we had a cracker today getting the Pacific Policing Initiative,' the Prime Minister was heard saying. 'It's so important. It will make such a difference.' Mr Campbell praised the initiative, calling it 'fantastic' and 'great'. 'I talked with Kevin about it,' he said, referring to Australia's ambassador to the US, former prime minister Kevin Rudd. 'So you know we were going to do something (but) he asked us not to, so we did not. We've given you the lane. So take the lane.' 'You can go halvies on the cost if you like,' Mr Albanese joked, with laugh and a pat on the back, prompting a chuckle from the US official. 'It will only cost you... a bit,' he added. The video was recorded by Radio New Zealand journalist Lydia Lewis and posted on social media. A relieved Anthony Albanese finally found his seat on the far left in the front row after he arrived late At the end of the footage, Pacific Minister Pat Conroy chastised the journalist for filming the exchange, saying: 'Oh, come on, Lydia.' On Thursday morning, Mr Albanese accused Lewis of behaving unethically and filming him without his consent. 'It was a private conversation, a jovial conversation and a friendly one,' Mr Albanese said, describing Mr Campbell as a 'mate of mine'. 'The video is what it is. It's up to whoever did that to think about their own ethics when it comes to journalism.' He added that if he was a journalist he 'would not do that'. Regardless of the hot mic moment, Pacific leaders have hailed the PPI as a show of unity and shared responsibility, and it is a significant strategic win for Australia as it navigates China's increasing assertiveness in the region. Along with the other leaders, Mr Albanese (pictured) wore a brightly coloured shirt and a traditional Tongan kahoa leis There was a mixed response on social media to Mr Albanese's late arrival for the leaders photo on Thursday. An Albanese parody account on X was quick to poke fun of the incident. 'I rocked up late to the Pacific Island leaders' photo. Got a laugh when I couldnt find my seat,' the footage was captioned. 'Island Time I think is the way they normally put it.' Some viewers didn't think the incident was such a big deal. 'Sounds like a memorable entrance,' one joked. But others were less impressed with Mr Albanese's tardiness and the hot mic incident. 'You know what they say, you don't need a long neck to be a goose! Unfortunately you reflect on all of us,' a commenter said. Some thought Australia's huge contribution to Pacific policing should have afforded the Prime Minister a better seat. '$400 million & they stick him down the end like an embarrassing uncle,' a commenter wrote. These disturbing photos show a tiny hidden van compartment where seven migrants were found screaming for help as they were starved of oxygen during a cross-Channel ferry crossing. Anas Al Mustafa, 43, has been convicted of assisting unlawful migration by trafficking the seven people in a specially-adapted van via a ferry between Dieppe, in France, and Newhaven, East Sussex, on February 16. New pictures and video released today revealed the claustrophobia-inducing space, which was two metres wide, 194cm tall and 37cm in narrow width - meaning the migrants had to stand and could not move to any meaningful degree. Jurors at Lewes Crown Court heard how the six men and one woman were being starved of oxygen and suffering from dehydration in the concealed space which was 'the width of a human chest'. Crew on the Seven Sisters ship heard pleas from inside a van on deck during the journey and used an axe to break down the fake partition that was hiding the people inside to free them. New pictures and video released today revealed the tiny compartment, which was two metres wide, 194cm tall and 37cm in narrow width The migrants climbed into the compartment through this hole The discovery at the East Sussex port sparked a major emergency services response, with ambulances, police and Border Force in attendance. Prosecutor Nick Corsellis KC said: 'The heat created by seven people in such a small space and the lack of sufficient air/oxygen had created a highly dangerous situation. 'It was no doubt this mortal emergency that forced the migrants to call for help in desperation.' Two of the migrants had lost consciousness by the time they were rescued at around 9.20am, and all of the group were taken to hospital and treated, jurors were told. None of them had been given water. An Australian nurse and passenger on the ferry, Sari Gehle, responded to a call to assist the crew during the incident and described the female casualty as 'terrified', gripping her arm tightly repeatedly saying: 'Vietnam, Vietnam', so she understood the group were from there. Other male casualties she recalled being on the floor, with one vomiting, and another with a cut across his left shoulder. All of them were given oxygen masks. During the trial, Al Mustafa, of Swansea, denied knowing they were in the vehicle and told jurors he was 'shocked' and 'completely numb' at the discovery. The father-of-two added it was the 'most difficult day of his life'. The court previously heard how Al Mustafa, who is originally from Syria but moved to the UK in 2010-2011, was introduced to a man called Badr last time he was in Syria who said he needed him to do a job for him driving a van. Anas Al Mustafa, 43, has been convicted of assisting unlawful migration by trafficking the seven people on February 16 This a picture of the back of the van looking in. The damage you see was caused by rescuers breaking down the wall with an axe Al Mustafa said he was paid 500 on a previous occasion to drive the van to get an MoT in Liverpool, but for the February job he was being paid 5,000 to drive the van to the UK Vietnamese migrant suffered stroke after ordeal A Vietnamese man who was taken to hospital after being rescued from a hidden compartment in a van trying to come to the UK, has suffered a 'life-limiting' stroke believed to be a direct result of the conditions, a Home Office official has said. Six men and one woman from Vietnam were rescued from the concealed spot 'the width of a human chest', after they were heard screaming for help as they were starved of oxygen and became dehydrated. Anas Al Mustafa, 43, has been convicted of assisting unlawful migration by trafficking the seven people in a specially-adapted van via a ferry between Dieppe, in France, and Newhaven, East Sussex, on February 16. The discovery at the port sparked a major emergency services response. Ambulances, police and Border Force attended and all the migrants were taken to hospital and treated. After the jury's unanimous verdict at Lewes Crown Court on Thursday, prosecutor Nick Corsellis KC said that while the younger migrants recovered from the dehydration and heat, one man had a possible heart attack, one woman had acute kidney injury and another man went to hospital in a comatose state and suffered a stroke. Speaking after the verdict, Chris Foster, the Home Office's criminal investigations regional lead for London and south, said: 'Frankly, how somebody didn't die I don't really know. 'They were very fortunate overall, but that has nothing to do with Mr Al Mustafa. He is the man responsible and it sends a really strong message.' Advertisement The prosecution had said in a police interview with no interpreter Al Mustafa said he was paid 500 on a previous occasion to drive the van to get an MoT in Liverpool, but for the February job he was being paid 5,000 to drive the van to the UK. Jurors heard that Al Mustafa told police he did not know there were people in the van but because he was being paid 5,000 he thought 'maybe this time there is people inside'. Mr Corsellis asked the jury to consider whether this is a confession, adding: 'We suggest that the defendant was not telling the full truth as to his involvement in the trafficking.' When asked about the interview, Al Mustafa told jurors via an interpreter that the 5,000 sum was incorrect and he meant 500. He also said he did not remember telling police he thought maybe people were in the van and did not know why he said that. Instead, Al Mustafa told the court he flew to Amsterdam for a holiday and met Badr at the airport who suggested he drive the same van he previously drove for the MoT to take it back to the garage as there was a fault with the gearbox. The self-employed construction worker will be sentenced on September 6. The Government said the conviction of Anas Al Mustafa sent a 'clear message' to people traffickers. Border security minister Dame Angela Eagle said: 'This appalling incident could have easily ended in tragedy and everyone who was squashed inside this criminal's van is incredibly lucky to still be alive. 'We are sending a clear message that we will not tolerate this sort of life-threatening activity. 'Our new Border Security Command will work with partners across Europe to smash the business models of the criminal smuggling gangs and halt their activities long before they reach the UK.' The sister of Israeli hostage Romi Gonen howled her name across the Gaza border today in a heartbreaking effort to reach her. Yarden Gonen, 30, desperately called out to her beloved sibling who has not been seen for more than 10 months, repeatedly yelling: 'Romi! Romi! Romi!' Stood perhaps within only a few miles of the 24-year-old, she shouted through a loudspeaker: 'I want you to know that no matter what, we won't stop. We're doing everything for you... 'My beautiful one, stay strong. You can. You're strong. You have so much light within you, and I'm sure you're spreading it to everyone around you.' In an emotional plea with those holding her little sister, Yarden switched to Arabic at one point to implore Hamas to release Romi and the other hostages. 'To all Hamas senior officials who hear me now, I turn to you, Hamas leader,' she roars. 'This is not Islam. Stop hurting women. Enough! Enough!' Romi's older sister Yarden calls out to her sister from the border with Gaza The families have not seen their loved ones in nearly 11 months since Hamas' shock incursion Romi Gonen was among the hostages taken into Gaza by Hamas during the October 7 attack Romi is pictured above with her family before she was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7 Romi (left) is pictured with her older sister Yarden (right) Romi is pictured with her grandmother Dvora Leshem, undated It was part of a powerful plea on the border from dozens of families whose loved ones have been held now for 328 days. Some even tried to run into Gaza themselves before being stopped by border guards in scenes of harrowing desperation. With politicians repeatedly failing on their promises to free the hostages, their relatives' agony has become unbearable. As talks continue to stall, they travelled to the Gaza border to let the hostages know they are still fighting for them after nearly a year of torment. Yarden screamed: 'Romi! I want you to know, I want you all to know we stopped everything and nothing but you matters. Nothing! 'You are the most important thing in the world right now. Romi, my dear! I'm fed up. You don't deserve this. None of you deserve this!' Yarden's family have not heard from Romi since a harrowing final phone call at the Nova festival on October 7. Their mother, Meirav, was forced to listen as terrorists kidnapped Romi into Gaza as her friends lay dying in their car which had been ambushed. Shira Albag, 51, whose daughter Liri, 19, is one of the youngest female hostages, also called out across the border. 'I love you, I miss you, I apologise,' she howled, tears running down her face. 'We still haven't managed, but I promise you that you'll come back. Believe it!' Liri was one of five teenage girls doing their national service as unarmed border observers when they were taken from the Nahal Oz base on October 7. Footage of their battered and bloodied faces went around the world and provoked international condemnation but still they remain in Gaza. Referring to accounts from those freed in a November hostage deal, Shira shouted: 'I know you're strong. You're a hero. The hostages who returned said so. 'Survive there. You can, I know you can. I know you. We are fighting here. We don't give up on anyone.' Desperately calling out, she added: 'I miss you so much it hurts.' Varda Ben Baruch, grandmother of hostage Edan Alexander, also called out across the border urging her grandson to be a 'strong boy'. 'Edan Alexander, your grandparents are here, our dear soul,' she screamed. 'We're calling out to youcan you hear us, Edanele? Your parents are waiting for you in America.' Despite fierce international pressure, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar have failed to come to a compromise that would see the remaining hostages freed and the bloodshed end in Gaza. Both sides have accused the other of making alterations to a format signed off by US President Joe Biden in May. The family of Liri Albag call for her to stay strong and survive in Hamas detention in Gaza As many as 107 hostages are still believed to be held in Gaza, with negotiations stalled Liri Albag was one of five teenage girls doing their national service as unarmed border observers when they were taken from the Nahal Oz base on October 7 A photo of Liri Albag before being taken hostage on October 7, undated Liri dressed up as queen Esther smiling at her father Eli Liri age 6 with her father Eli. The family agreed to publish these private pictures which chart how she blossomed from a shy little girl into a confident a young woman who dreams to travel Liri with boyfriend Nir Alboro. He was run over by a terrorist and left unable to walk, but while she has been held captive he has made a miraculous recovery and has vowed to run to meet her when she is freed Ceasefire negotiations that would free the 107 captives have dragged on with talks still ongoing between the U.S, Qatar, Egypt and Israel. The torment is becoming unbearable for the families with some trying to storm the border themselves today to bring back their loved ones. Families said they are listening to the police and will abide by the law of Israel 'but we will be back because the hostages must come home now,' Gil Dickman, whose cousin Carmel Gat is held, was among them. Threatening the Israeli government, using the PM's nickname 'Bibi', he warned: 'Bibi, Gallant this is just the start, this is just the tip of the iceberg, next time we will get inside. 'This is a threat, the family members of the hostages will not stop, if you will not bring them home we will bring them ourselves. We will be back.' A YouTube chef who murdered and dismembered his gay lover has been found guilty of premeditated murder and has been sentenced to life in prison in Thailand. Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, a member of a famous Spanish acting family, acknowledged dismembering the body of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, a 44-year-old plastic surgeon from Colombia, and disposing of the parts on land and at sea. Both men were vacationing together on the Thai holiday island of Koh Pha-ngan in August last year, an area famous for its monthly Full Moon beach parties, attracting travellers from around the world for all-night raves. The Koh Samui provincial court issued an initial sentence of death for Sancho but commuted it to life imprisonment due to his co-operation during the trial, colonel Paisan Sangthep, deputy commander of the Surat Thani provincial police, said. The convicted man is the son of Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre, a prominent Spanish actor, and Silvia Bronchalo, who has also worked as an actor. Both parents are 49 years old and attended Thursday's court session. Daniel Sancho Bronchalo has been found guilty of premeditated murder and has been sentenced to life in prison in Thailand. Pictured: August 7, 2023 A handout photo made available by Royal Thai Police shows Spanish chef Bronchalo sitting next to evidence and a police officer, after he was arrested for murder and dismembering the body of a Colombian man Thai police forensic officers investigate a garbage dump site as they search for parts of the body of a Colombian surgeon in Koh Phagnan island. August 4, 2023 Rodolfo Sancho, a Spanish actor, walks after a Thai court jailed for life his son, Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, for the high-profile murder Silvia Bronchalo, who has also worked as an actor, leaves the Thai court after her son's sentencing At his trial on the island of Samui, Sancho claimed he got into a fight with Mr Arrieta for allegedly trying to sexually assault him. He said that Arrieta fell as they scuffled and hit his head on a bathtub, losing consciousness and dying. He had pleaded not guilty to charges of premeditated murder. For the charge of concealing or damaging a body, he received a four-month prison sentence, reduced to two months for acknowledging the act, said Mr Paisan. He had also pleaded not guilty to the charge of destroying another person's documents - the victim's passport - for which he received a two-year prison term. The elements of the case: violent death on a holiday island, the celebrity connections and the lurid details; attracted huge coverage in Spanish media. HBO produced a Spanish-language documentary on the events. The case came to light when trash collectors found what the Bangkok Post newspaper described as a sawed-off pelvis and intestines weighing about five kilogrammes in a fertiliser sack at a garbage dump. Police said the body of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga (pictured) was found dismembered in a rubbish tip on the island of Koh Pha Ngnan Spanish chef Daniel Sancho Bronchalo (C), is escorted by Thai police officers to the court from Koh Phangan police station on August 7 last year A handout photo made available by Royal Thai Police shows a Spanish chef, a murder suspect Daniel Jeronimo Sancho Bronchalo, (C) is escorted by Thai police officers during a crime reenactment at a scene in Koh Phangan island, southern Thailand, August 7 2023 Police officers stand behind a cordon at a rubbish tip where Mr Arrieta's body was found Shortly after that, Sancho reported to police that Mr Arrieta was missing, and police then gathered evidence linking the two men that led them to detain and interrogate him. Police established a narrative, claiming to the press that Sancho had confessed to the murder and saying he had planned it because Mr Arrieta threatened to disgrace him and his family by revealing their alleged sexual relationship. Sancho, through his father and his lawyers, said that was a distorted version of what he told police, and denied having a sexual relationship with Mr Arrieta. A homeowner was left dumbfounded by 'kind crook' who broke into his house, made himself spaghettie, washed up and left him a very strange note. An as-yet-unidentified man has been prowling the gated community of Clearwood, in Thurston County in Washington State, for the last week, breaking into people's cars and properties. Several homeowners in the area have revealed their strange experiences with the man. Local man Eddie Andujo told K5 he thought he was being pranked when he first saw the note on his kitchen table on Friday, which read: 'I needed food, badly. I broke into your house. Please forgive me. I ate your food and washed my clothes and showered. Andujo said the note had an additional note, which read: 'P.S. Your popcorn maker wasn't working properly.' An as-yet-unidentified man (pictured) has been prowling the gated community of Clearwood, in Thurston County in Washington State , for the last week Local man Eddie Andujo (pictured outside his home) told K5 he thought he was being pranked when he first saw the note on his kitchen table on Friday The note read: 'I needed food, badly. I broke into your house. Please forgive me. I ate your food and washed my clothes and showered. P.S. Your popcorn maker wasn't working properly.' The homeowner added: 'He made spaghetti. But the funny part is, he washed his dishes. So he was a nice crook I guess, I don't know ... and he folded the blankets he used.' But others in the area aren't pleased with the series of incidents. Local woman Bethany Stirber said: 'He actually broke into my car, and he got my garage key, and he got my gate key. 'He tried to get into my garage while I was home and we scared him off, but then he keeps coming back. And then every time we call the cops, it's too there's too much time.' Locals are worried that the unidentified man (pictured outside a Clearwood home) may do some damage to their properties Homeowners are worried that the lack of cell service in the area will make the problem worse. Stirber said: 'I caught him again on Sunday. called 911. I could hear them, and they couldn't hear me. And they didn't get here in time. He got away.' A Thurston County Sheriff's Office spokesperson told local media that while it is not out of the question that they put an emphasis on patrolling the Clearwood community, their staffing roster is currently stretched thin. Homes in the community are being sold on Zillow for between $300,000 and $750,000. ORANGEBURG, S.C. South Carolina State Universitys Career Center has named Boeing its 2024 Employer of the Year. Boeing has partnered with SC State by providing students with internships and career opportunities, including four internships for the summer of 2024. In addition to the partnership and winning Employer of the Year, SC States Career Center has dedicated an office space in the name of Boeing. All I want to tell students is to bring what you have and we will help you get what you need to start your career, Career Center Director Joseph B. Thomas Jr. said. This is the pinnacle of success, and these are the positions we want our students to be in, so when they graduate from SC State, they will get the best of both worlds. We want to thank Boeing for providing these opportunities to our students. Boeing increased its commitment by adding more internships this year. My experience was great, said Iyanna Zimmerman, who interned at Boeing this summer. It was a great experience meeting new people, learning new skills, and doing some things that could develop into a long-term career. After Zimmermans internship with Boeing, she was offered a full-time position. Other interns also had good things to say. I did my second internship this past summer with Boeing, SC State mechatronics engineering major Omar Shaheed said. Even as an engineering major, I was more on the business side of things at Boeing -- its a lot that you can do and many places that you can go. Shaheed is also an ambassador for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). The Boeing Company and TMCF announced a $8 million, multi-year partnership to support campus recruitment initiatives, career immersion activities, TMCF Leadership Institute programming, and student scholarships at HBCUs through 2026. We are a diverse company, Boeing team member Shawn Burgess said, Its really cool to see that were the employer of the year because, we started our campus team at Boeing South Carolina 12 years ago when I was brand new at Boeing, its exciting to see the number of alumni that actually work with-in Boeing. For more information and to apply for the Boeing TMCF Scholar program, visit www.tmcf.org. Some 614 migrants crossed the English Channel yesterday, bringing the total number of crossings to 20,433 so far this year. The milestone was passed after 10 boats were intercepted in the Strait of Dover on Wednesday. The dangerous crossing was made by an average of 61 people per inflatable on Wednesday. It was the second consecutive day of arrivals after 525 people crammed into just eight dinghies made the treacherous 21-mile voyage on Tuesday. On Tuesday, a child needed a wheelchair as she was brought up the gangway at the Port of Dover. A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, from Border Force on August 29 The milestone was passed after 10 boats were intercepted in the Strait of Dover on Wednesday Tuesday's crossings were the first time migrants made the crossing since August 19, when 206 people in three boats made the journey. The number of arrivals crossing the Channel is 3 per cent higher than at the same point in 2023 (19,801) and 18 per cent lower than 2022 (25,065), according to analysis of Government data. It is the second-highest number of arrivals on a single day since the General Election, after 703 arrivals on August 11. The highest number on any day so far this year was 882 on June 18. A view of small boats and outboard motors used by people thought to be migrants to cross the Channel at a warehouse facility in Dover, Kent The Home Office figures come as crossings continued on Thursday morning. (People being brought ashore by Border Force this morning) The number of arrivals crossing the Channel is 3 per cent higher than at the same point in 2023 (19,801). (A group of people who appear to be migrants are brought ashore to Dover, Kent) The Home Office figures come as crossings continued on Thursday morning. A Home Office spokesman said: 'We all want to see an end to dangerous small boat crossings, which are undermining border security and putting lives at risk. 'The new Government is taking steps to boost our border security, setting up a new Border Security Command which will bring together our intelligence and enforcement agencies, equipped with new counter-terror-style powers and hundreds of personnel stationed in the UK and overseas, to smash the criminal smuggling gangs making millions in profit.' It comes after it was reported that a female migrant died after allegedly being thrown overboard in the Channel on Tuesday morning. The alleged attack is believed to have happened in the Clipon jetty in Loon-Plage, northern France, around 30 miles east of Calais, according to local media. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. French emergency services have launched a huge search and rescue operation to find the woman 'thrown' from a small boat - but she is still missing. A police spokesman said the migrants who remained in the area did not cooperate with their investigation when they arrived. He said: 'The authorities do not know if she was able to return to the jetty by her own means or if she drowned. 'Investigators are leaning towards the latter option.' A mobile shop owner has become the first person in the UK to be charged with illegally operating a crypto ATM. Habibur Rahman, 37, allegedly laundered 300,000 of criminal cash by converting it into cryptocurrency. Kent Police searched Rahman's Gadcet shop in Chatham, Kent, on April 28 last year where they seized a number of crypto ATMs. A crypto ATM are machines that allow customers to purchase or convert funds into cryptoassets.No crypto ATMs are currently registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and they have previously warned they can be used to launder illegally obtained cash. Rahman, who is from East Ham in east London, was arrested on the same day. Kent Police searched Rahman's Gadcet shop in Chatham, Kent, on April 28 last year where they seized a number of crypto ATMs A crypto ATM (pictured) are machines that allow customers to purchase or convert funds into cryptoassets.No crypto ATMs are currently registered with the FCA and they have previously warned they can be used to launder illegally obtained cash He has now been charged with operating the machine without registration from the FCA. Rahman has been bailed to attend Medway Magistrates' Court, Kent, on October 10. He is the first person to be charged operating an illegal cryptocurrency ATM, according to Kent Police. Matthew Long, Director of Payments and Digital Assets for the FCA, said: 'There are currently no crypto ATMs registered with the FCA - so if you're using one of these machines you could be handing your money to criminals. 'The FCA works with law enforcement partners like Kent Police to protect consumers and maintain the integrity of our financial markets. 'We continue to remind people that crypto remains largely unregulated and high risk; if you buy it, you should be prepared to lose all your money.' Donald Trump signaled that he could vote to end Florida's six-week abortion ban when it comes up in a referendum later this year, as he continues his delicate dance around a key election issue. In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com he previewed an upcoming announcement on his voting stance by saying that he did not think six weeks was enough time. But he avoided committing to using the presidential veto if a nationwide federal ban arrived on his desk as president even though his running mate said he would. In office, Trump reveled in being the most pro-life president in history, taking credit for ending federal protections for abortion by installing the conservative justices on the Supreme Court who overturned Roe v Wade. This time he is trying to keep both sides happy on one of the most divisive issues in the election by saying it is up to states to decide their own laws. Donald Trump said he had decided how he will vote in Florida's upcoming referendum on its newly enacted six-week abortion ban. 'I think six weeks is a mistake,' he said. 'And I'll be expressing that soon, but I want more than six weeks' That tightrope walk will be tested later this year when Florida, where Trump is a registered voter, holds a referendum on Amendment 4, which would abolish the state's new ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy and replace it with a 24-week limit. Trump said he has decided how he will vote. 'Well, I do know, but I do want more than six weeks,' he said in his ornate Mar-a-Lago living room. 'I want more than six weeks. 'I think six weeks is a mistake. And I'll be expressing that soon, but I want more than six weeks. 'And in Florida, we have a six-week program, and that's what I believe that you're voting on, and I think it should be more than six weeks.' Trump has expressed reservations about such an early ban in the past but has so far dodged questions about how he will vote in Florida's referendum. His election success in 2016 was powered in part by evangelical voters and he will need them again to win in 2024. Steve Deace, a conservative radio host who is helping rally support against the amendment in Florida has urged Trump to issue a statement announcing he will support the state's ban, and warned him that he risks being seen as playing 'fast and loose with pro-lifers.' Florida has one of the nation's most restrictive abortion laws, banning almost all terminations six weeks after conception. Many women don't even know they are pregnant at that time. Trump now finds himself on the other side of the debate from the likes of Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed the ban into law last year. (it took effect this year after legal challenges.) Trump spoke to DailyMail.com on a range of issues, from Kamala Harris and the 2024 campaign, to his family and life after almost being shot by an assassin Trump stoked concerns among his anti-abortion allies with this post last week when he used the language of opponents by referring to women and their 'reproductive rights' Trump stoked further concern among his own allies with a Truth Social post last week when he used the language of his political opponents. 'My Administration will be great for women and their reproductive rights,' he posted. Insiders played down its significance and suggested that Trump was merely using his Truth Social platform to experiment with wording. In the interview, he said that his post meant protecting I.V.F. after the Alabama Supreme Court earlier this year ruled that frozen embryos were babies. 'So IVF fertilization, we're the leader in that, in the sense of we want women to be able to be taken care of by good doctors, good professionals,' he said. And he said that returning the issue of abortion from the Supreme Court to states gave more power to voters to decide the issue for themselves. 'As far as abortion is concerned, for 52 years, people have wanted to take Roe v Wade out of the picture and bring it back to states,' he said. 'And we were, I was able to do that.' His own position he said was to ensure there were exceptions. Democrats are putting abortion referenda on the ballot in November in a range of states Florida has one of the strictest laws in the country, banning abortion after six weeks. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it into law last year and it took effect in May, 2024 'Now, I happen to be like Ronald Reagan in favor of exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother, and I think it's a very good thing,' he said. But he did not go as far as his own running mate when it came to the question of a federal ban. Sen. J.D. Vance at the weekend said Trump would veto any federal bill that landed on his Oval Office desk. 'Donald Trump's view is that we want the individual states and their individual cultures and their unique political sensibilities to make these decisions because we dont want to have a nonstop federal conflict over this issue,' he said. Trump would not commit to using the veto, instead saying that it simply wouldn't come to that. 'I don't mind answering that question, but there's no reason to, because the states are all voting,' he said. 'We have many states voting coming up, including Florida, and the states are all voting on this. 'But remember this, the Democrats have a problem because they're willing to do abortion ... think of this ... in the ninth month, and in some cases even even after birth, they're willing to kill the baby.' Such late term abortions are extremely rare and killing babies after birth is already illegal under homicide laws. A group of as many as 20 migrants tried to board school busus filled with kids in southern California, according to officials. The migrants attempted to board buses along two school routes twice this week at the stop near Highway 94 and Cochera, per the Jamul-Dulzura Union School District in San Diego County. Superintendent Liz Bystedt said in a letter to parents that on Tuesday three migrants were walking in the middle of the highway, trying to stop one of the district's school buses and forcing it to go around the group. Then on Wednesday morning, about 20 migrants rushed at one bus as it was picking up students from the same stop. Parents who were present say they helped the bus driver ensure that none of the migrants boarded the bus, as reported by Fox5 San Diego. The migrants attempted to board buses along two school routes twice this week in San Diego County - at the bus stop near Highway 94 and Cochera Nicole Cardinale told Fox 5 her eight-year-old son's school bus was one of the ones affected this week, describing the incident as 'really scary.' 'He said these adults - they weren't kids - had backpacks on and they were trying to get on [his bus]... He said there was a lot of them. Bystedt has announced that buses will now skip stops with migrants nearby, heading to the next one on the route, for 'the safety of students and bus drivers.' 'Please stay [vigilant] and if the bus drives by, please follow the bus to pick up your child at the next stop,' the superintendent told parents. It's unclear why the migrants tried to board the buses, but migrant advocate Pedro Rios told Fox 5 that the heat and mountainous terrain in the area can drive a desperate response. The school district reported the incident to US patrol, California Highway Patrol and the San Diego's Sheriff's office. 'Please stay [vigilant] and if the bus drives by, please follow the bus to pick up your child at the next stop,' the superintendent told parents Nicole Cardinale told Fox 5 her eight-year-old son's school bus was one of the ones affected this week, describing the incident as 'really scary' The Sheriffs Department said in a statement to Fox 5: 'The San Diego Sheriffs Office was made aware of this incident today. We are conducting a follow up investigation to determine if a criminal act has occurred. 'The Sheriffs Office takes issues regarding student safety very seriously and are working with the school district in order to keep the students and our community safe.' San Diego became the busiest corridor for illegal crossings in April, according to U.S. figures, the fifth region to hold that distinction in two years in a sign of how quickly migration routes are changing. Many migrants say San Diego is the easiest and least dangerous place to cross. They constantly check their phones for messages, social media posts and voice calls that help them plan their route and crossing. San Diego became the busiest corridor for illegal crossings in April, according to U.S. figures It's unclear why the migrants tried to board the buses, but migrant advocate Pedro Rios told Fox 5 that the heat and mountainous terrain in the area can drive a desperate response San Diegos draw lies in part because Tijuana is the largest city on the Mexican side of the border, U.S. officials say. People of nearly 100 nationalities have arrived at Tijuanas airport this year, including 12,000 each from Colombia and Cuba, about 6,000 each from Haiti and Venezuela and thousands more from Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, China and Mauritania. Migration in San Diego presents a challenge because people come from a wider variety of countries including India, Georgia, Egypt, Jamaica and Vietnam where deportation flights can be costly and difficult to arrange, U.S. officials say. Mexicans, who are deported nearby over land, and Guatemalans and Hondurans, whose governments have long accepted frequent deportation flights, are a smaller presence there than elsewhere on the border. A yob who was caught on camera stopping cars and asking the drivers 'Are you white? Are you English?' during the recent protests is now facing a lengthy jail term. Jake Wray, 23, is said to have played a 'leading role' in the anti-immigration disorder in Middlesbrough on Sunday, August 4. At a previous hearing prosecutors said he was arrested for stopping vehicles at a road junction and grilling the drivers about their ethnicity. Terrified motorists were only allowed to pass Wray's checkpoint on Linthorpe Road if he was satisfied they were white. Videos from the day of the protests on social media showed Wray shouting his questions at a driver when a car was trying to cross an intersection while hundreds marched around him. Jake Wray, 23, is said to have played a 'leading role' in the anti-immigration disorder in Middlesbrough on Sunday, August 4 Wray (circled in red) was arrested for stopping vehicles at a road junction and grilling the drivers about their ethnicity, asking them: 'Are you white? Are you English?' The 'checkpoint' was set up on Linthorpe road in Middlesbrough amid spiralling violence Videos from the day of the protests on social media showed Wray shouting his questions at a driver when a car was trying to cross an intersection while hundreds marched 'Yes, he is!' someone else was heard shouting back. Two cars narrowly avoided colliding as they sped away from the mob, prompting one of the agitators to whine he had 'nearly been run over' and calling out 'where's your police?' Rows of officers wielding riot shields were seen near the commotion as thugs circled on BMXs and continued stopping cars, standing in the middle of the road. Wray appeared briefly before a judge today to plead guilty to a single charge of violent disorder. He was also accused of setting fire to a wheelie bin which was then pushed into a line of riot police trying to quell the disorder by forming a line across Linthorpe Road, the main route into the town centre. However after reviewing evidence prosecutors decided not to proceed on that charge. Appearing via video link from HMP Nottingham, Wray, from Middlesbrough, admitted his guilt and also that he was in contravention of a suspended sentence order imposed on April 12 of this year. Wray, from Middlesbrough, appeared via video link from HMP Nottingham and admitted his guilt. He also that he was in contravention of a suspended sentence order imposed on April 12 of this year Wray's partner Megan Davison, 24, and her mother Amanda Walton, 54, have also been charged with violent disorder and will appear in court later today MIDDLESBROUGH: A car burns on Parliament Road after it was set alight by far-right thugs MIDDLESBROUGH: Police raced off with far-right agitators on Parliament Road on August 4 At a previous hearing before magistrates, prosecutor Michael Embleton said: 'He was heavily involved in the disorder and plays a leading role in my view.' Wray's partner Megan Davison, 24, and her mother Amanda Walton, 54, also pled guilty to violent disorder after their own appearance in court later today. Judge Francis Laird, KC, told Wray: 'You have pleaded guilty to violent disorder. I need to know a little more about you and particularly how you have progressed on the current suspended sentence order. 'Obviously as you were told when that order was imposed you are at risk of having that sentence activated as well as any sentence that is appropriate for this offence of violent disorder.' He was remanded in custody to face sentence on September 18. Elsewhere in Middlesbrough on the day of the riot, far-right groups torched cars and hurled bricks. The 'staggering' surge of violence led to 43 people being arrested in Middlesbrough on that day, police said. MIDDLESBROUGH: Cars were set on fire and objects thrown at police in riots Sunday, August 4 MIDDLESBROUGH: Riots devastated a number of towns and cities across the UK beginning on July 30 Buses had to change their schedules to avoid the disorder. About 300 people gathered in front of a mosque in Waterloo Road in the town to guard it while police blocked off nearby streets. A person was seen being stretchered into an ambulance after an incident at the Swatters Carr pub. Police in riot gear were forced to retreat to get away from a group dressed in hoods and face coverings at one point. Rioters smashed the windows of houses and cars and hurled objects at officers, with one seen shouting a racial slur and another telling police: 'It's our f****** country.' There was significant damage to the crown court, the university and a number of properties in the Parliament Road area. Meanwhile a grandmother is facing a possible jail sentence after admitting violent disorder outside an asylum seekers' hotel where her daughter was pushing her grandson in a pushchair. Vanessa Smith, 42, admitted the same offence as her daughter, Nevey Smith, 21, during trouble outside the hotel in Newton Heath, Manchester on July 31. Nevey Smith, 21, earlier this month admitted violent disorder after being caught on camera throwing liquid from a bottle towards police officers who were trying to maintain order in Newton Heath, Manchester on July 31 Smith was also seen to be pushing her one-year-old son around in a stroller during the trouble Nevey Smith, of Oldham, earlier this month admitted violent disorder after being caught on camera throwing liquid from a bottle towards police officers who were trying to maintain order. She was also seen to be pushing her one-year-old son around in a stroller during the trouble. Ms Smith, who like her daughter has no previous convictions, appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday for sentence but this was adjourned for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. Both mother and daughter will appear on separate days, September 26 and 23, for sentence. Joshua Bowker told the court Smith had caring responsibilities for a daughter, 11, and son, 16, who both had health issues. Judge Patrick Field KC, granted bail for the defendant, but warned her: 'The judge who sentences you will have all sentencing options open to him or her, that must include a custodial sentence, so there must be no misunderstanding.' This video is no longer available This video is no longer available A man dubbed 'the barcode bandit' has offered a honest explanation after his crafty shoplifting enterprise involving Caramello Koalas and Blu-Tack came unstuck. Adrian Rondan, 54, appeared in Wollongong Court last week where he pleaded guilty to five counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception after he was caught on CCTV stealing hundreds of dollars worth of groceries from his local Coles. The court heard he used Blu Tack to stick barcodes cut from Caramello Koala chocolate bars and gum to his finger then scanned them at the self-serve check-outa in place of other, more expensive, items he walked out of the supermarket with. Rondan walked away with ice-cream, mussels, steaks, toothpaste, bandaids and bug spray during five visits to Coles at Wollongong Central in April but his receipt only listed the gum packets and chocolates. On one shopping trip, he 'bought' bread, boxes of Golden Gaytime, chicken drumsticks, steak, coconut water and a $60 hair clipper which came to a bill of $143.10. He paid $11.20. Rondan was sentenced to nine months in prison to be served through an intensive corrections order at home. When confronted by A Current Affair this week, Rondan admitted what he did was wrong but explained that he was unemployed and short of money. He added that his mother's mounting medical bills led him to desperate measures. Adrian Rondan (pictured) offered a surprising excuse after his crafty shoplifting enterprise involving Caramello Koalas and Blu Tack came unstuck He used Blu-Tack to stick barcodes cut from Caramello Koalas (pictured) and gum to his finger and then scanned them in place of more expensive, items 'We were very short of money ... I know I did wrong,' he said. 'I didn't want to shoplift. I didn't want to brazenly take things and put them in my pocket.' He was surprised to find the television crew chasing after him while walking his dog along the beach. 'Who dobbed me in?' he asked the journalist. He declined her offer of some Caramello Koalas and admitted he was sorry. 'Of course I am. I said that in court,' he said. Rondan's lawyer told the court last week that his client was on a disability support pension and was also a full-time carer to his elderly mother, the Illawarra Mercury reported. Magistrate Mark Douglass opted against jail time but warned Rondan he would be sent to prison if he shoplifted again. Adrian Ronan was caught on CCTV stealing hundreds of dollars worth of groceries at the self-serve check-out his local Coles at Wollongong Central 'I'm not sure whether you'd do well in prison sir,' Magistrate Douglass said. 'Prison is a very violent, aggressive, competitive place ... you'd be going in there as someone who's older and probably not as physically capable as many.' About seven per cent of Australians have admitted to stealing from supermarkets or scanned items wrongfully, which is almost double last year's figures. 'It's one thing to do everything you can to save a buck, but having a criminal record may not be the best way to go about it,' Finder finance expert Taylor Blackburn told A Current Affair. Vile high school students in California were filmed forcing a middle school boy to lick the bottom of one of their shoes after slapping him across the face. Shocking footage shows the moment two unidentified bullies, aged 14 and 15, demand middle schooler Carter Lashaul to 'lick that sh**.' Adina Alaniz captured the foul footage on her home security cameras before running outside to console Lashaul who was left in tears after the incident. The teenagers have since been arrested. The little boy is no longer able to walk home from school, his grandmother Bobbie Moorehead revealed. 'Look what they did to him. How are you going to make someone lick your feet? Why would you do something like that? Thats not right,' Moorehead told KGET. Two unidentified California high school students, 14 and 15, were seen making middle schooler Carter Lashaul lick the sole of one of their shoes seconds after another slapped him One of the bullies, dressed in khaki shorts and a black t-shirt forced Lashaul to get down and lick the bottom of his shoe (shown) The incident occurred at a driveway in Bakersfield - around two hours outside of Los Angeles - on Monday. It is unclear how old the victim is but he appears younger than the other two boys in the clip. Footage which was shared widely on social media shows Lashaul, dressed in a yellow t-shirt, surrounded by the two students. He slowly walked toward one of them, dressed in khaki shorts and a black t-shirt as the teen told him: 'Get down on the floor and lick that sh**.' Adina Alaniz (pictured) ran out to console Lashaul after watching the horrific act on her home camera Lashaul then got onto his knees in front of the teen, while the other one stepped toward him and slapped him across the face. The other high school student then lifted up his foot while Lashaul appeared to lick the sole of his shoe before they walked away. Lashaul then stood helplessly in Alaniz's driveway as his cries were heard through the camera. Alaniz quickly ran out to Lashual and asked him: 'Are you ok?' She told the outlet: 'I thought I had got out there fast enough to prevent it but turns out it had already happened.' Lashaul's grandmother, Bobbie Moorehead (pictured), has decided her grandson will no longer walk home after the absurd incident Just before he licked the shoe, Lashaul was brutally slapped across the face (pictured) by the other teen 'Just from the beginning to the end - I can only imagine what he felt in that moment,' she added. Students at Golden Valley High School - where the bullies attend - are rallying to support the victim. A crowd gathered outside to hold up signs in support of Lashaul, who attends a different school in the same district. 'There should be no bullying allowed, no violence, everybody is a human being, we all make mistakes, we all are flesh and blood - there should be no reason for somebody to belittle a person when we're all humans at the end of the day. Simple,' student Persaias Hollinquest, said as her classmates cheered her on. On Tuesday, Kern High School District, which oversees the school said they 'stand firmly against such behavior' and do 'not tolerate bullying.' 'We are actively investigating this matter and are working closely with the Bakersfield Police Department and Kern High School District Police to address it appropriately,' the district said. Greenfield Union School District, which oversees Leon H. Ollivier Middle School - where Lashaul attends - also condemned the incident 'Our number one priority is the wellbeing of our students and we have initiated an investigation. The 14 and 15 year-old bullies are students at Golden Valley High School (right) 'We would like to encourage families at this time to have a conversation with their students about anti-bullying,' the district said. The two teens involved have since been arrested for assault, false imprisonment and conspiracy, the Bakersfield Police Department told DailyMail.com. Their identities are unclear. DailyMail.com contacted the superintendent at Kent High School District and Greenfield Union School District for comment. Massachusetts Republicans have demanded the state's Democratic leaders come clean on their alleged '$1 billion in secret migrant crisis spending.' The Bay State's GOP filed public records requests asking Gov. Maura Healey's administration to provide a detailed breakdown of spending on shelters, meals and other costs. The request comes as Massachusetts scrambles to accommodate the roughly 50,000 non-legal migrants who've entered the state since President Joe Biden took office in 2021. The Boston area has in recent weeks been roiled by outrage, after Stoughton school district cut bus services to local kids but kept them running for young migrants living in shelters. Against this troubling backdrop, Amy Carnevale, the state's GOP chairwoman, demanded that Healey come clean about how taxpayer dollars were being spent. Gov. Maura Healey tours a recreational center in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston that was converted into migrant shelter, denying the facility to local families Dozens of migrant families were until recently bedding down at Boston's Logan International Airport, spotlighting the strain on the Bay State Her 'administration has shrouded nearly $1 billion spent in secrecy, leaving Massachusetts residents in the dark,' Carnevale said. 'They have withheld critical information on 600 incidents involving police, fire, and EMT.' When reporters asked questions about migrant costs, Healey's team was 'blocking them at every turn,' said Carnevale. 'The administration has obstructed the flow of information to the public.' Healey's spokespeople did not answer The Mail's request for comment. In a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, Carnevale called for details of the state's funding to provide housing for migrants. It seeks the names of government and private entities that provide emergency shelters, where they're located, and details of any public safety issues and police and emergency reports. Healey's administration last August declared a state of emergency, saying Massachusetts had more than 20,000 migrants in its shelter system. Investigations have revealed that the surge in migrants has strained services and gobbled up huge amounts of taxpayer money. CBS News Boston in February got hold of documents showing the state had 17 contracts totaling $116 million to house migrant families through June. The state's Republican chairwoman Amy Carnevale accused Healey's team of operating behind a 'veil of secrecy' about its migrant spending and called for 'accountability.' Hundreds rallied for an end to border crossings, sanctuary cities, and housing for undocumented immigrants in Boston, Massachusetts, in May That included a worrying no-bid $10 million contract for a company providing meals, by the outlet. In some cases, the state paid hotels a staggering $64 per person each day for meals, including $16 for breakfast, $17 for lunch and $31 for dinner. Meanwhile, the Republican-led city of Taunton in March sued its only hotel, which had cut a $10 million-a-year deal with the state to become an emergency shelter for migrants. The city asked for $115,000 from the 155-room Clarion Hotel for housing more migrant families than it can safely hold. Carnevale accused Healey's team of operating behind a 'veil of secrecy' about its migrant spending and called for 'accountability.' 'Enough is enough,' she added. 'The public deserves transparency. Release the details on the vendors profiting from this crisis and the public safety issues affecting our communities.' The demand follows a report from the conservative Center for Immigration Studies, which warned that the crisis was pushing Massachusetts toward bankruptcy. The 50,000 non-legal migrants who've entered the state since Biden became president are putting a costly strain on schools, healthcare, and other services, it says. This will drain state coffers of a staggering $1.8 billion over the next two years, warns report author Jessica Vaughan. Migrants from Haiti and elsewhere load into a van in Boston headed to a shelter in Quincy, Massachusetts Even though some non-legal migrants will work and pay taxes, this revenue will not come close to the cost of social services for all 355,000 of them, says Vaughan. 'These migrants represent a looming fiscal disaster for taxpayers in Massachusetts,' Vaughan told the Mail. 'Even if they are working, they are not equipped with skills and education to avoid being a drain on public coffers.' Migration expert Jessica Vaughan The revelations come amid a testy 2024 presidential race, with Republican nominee Donald Trump using immigration as a weapon against his rival, the Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Republicans dub Harris a failed 'border czar,' as she was tasked with tackling the root causes of migration from Central America, even as illegal border crossings smashed records. Still, the number of illegal entries has dropped in recent months to levels not seen since the Trump administration, and it remains unclear how the issue will drive voting in November. Trump, for his part, has vowed to launch mass deportations if he returns to the White House. Though more than 2,000 miles from the southern border, Massachusetts has seen some 50,000 newcomer illegal migrants since January 2021, says the study. Some joined relatives, others sought jobs in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and other big cities. Others used buses provided by officials at the frontier, and a few dozen were controversially flown to the Massachusetts island of Martha's Vineyard by Florida's Republican Gov Ron DeSantis. They were at first greeted with open arms by a Blue state that affords 'sanctuary' protections to migrants. Migrants are no longer allowed to sleep overnight at Boston's Logan Airport A taxpayer funded class in computer skills for the influx of migrants in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston More than half of Americans want to see mass roundups and deportations of undocumented immigrants In recent months, however, the mood has changed to frustration. Gov. Healey recently announced that migrants would no longer be allowed to sleep overnight at Boston's Logan Airport, after dozens of families had been bedding down there for months. Poll Does the Biden administration have a grip on immigration? Yes No Not sure Does the Biden administration have a grip on immigration? Yes 390 votes No 17480 votes Not sure 148 votes Now share your opinion Migrants slept at the emergency department of Boston Medical Center until last year, when they were told to stop. Still, newcomers keep on showing up at the facility and have been seen resting outside on benches. Plans for a shelter for migrant families on Cape Cod have met stiff opposition from residents, who called the proposal a 'nightmare.' The Republican-led city of Taunton was so vexed by state officials sending migrants to an emergency shelter in its 155-room Clarion Hotel that it sued the owners for safety violations. Vaughan's report also documents the outrages committed by law-breaking migrants in Massachusetts. They include a cocaine-smuggling Dominican, a Russian fraudster, and a Guatemalan man who was arrested for child rape. But the most shocking case involves Haitian migrant Cory Alvarez, 26, who is behind bars fighting charges that he raped a disabled teen girl at his shelter in the Comfort Inn in Rockland. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, has called for action at the border and money to services running on in her cash-strapped state A few dozen migrants were controversially flown to the Massachusetts island of Martha's Vineyard by Florida's Republican Gov Ron DeSantis. The influx of migrants has further strained social services in a state that was already battling troubling levels of homelessness Massachusetts already spends $1 billion each year on emergency shelters, but Vaughan says this masks the real cost on taxpayers. The influx of newcomers under Biden, including some 10,000 children, 8,500 of whom travelled without an adult, is further straining education, healthcare, and other social services, it adds. Over the next two years, the combined cost of food stamps, schooling, health care, and public safety could reach a jaw-dropping $1.8 billion, says Vaughan. That 'fiscal time bomb' represents a sizable chunk of the state's $58 billion budget. Gov. Healey, a Democrat, in January joined eight counterparts from other migrant-hit states, asked the White House and Congress for action at the border and billions of extra dollars to keep services running. But, according to Vaughan, even an emergency grant won't solve Massachusetts' spending woes over the coming years. Instead, state lawmakers need to cut welfare payouts to migrants and get tough with employers who hire those without papers, she said. They should also end sanctuary policies that stop immigration officers from launching deportation raids, and even 'tap into' the remittance flowers migrants send back to their families overseas, she added. The Governor's office did not answer our request for comment. The White House and other migration experts have argued that newcomers often work hard, pay taxes and help to grow an economy. The PhD student facing the death penalty for allegedly killing her friend's baby came across as the perfect guest at the Airbnb where she was staying in Pittsburgh. Video exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com shows Nicole Virzi returning to her rental shortly before 1am June 16, appearing distraught and anxious as she struggled to unlock the door after she allegedly killed a six-week-old boy. The following morning she is seen leaving the apartment and getting arrested outside. She had paid to stay there another two days. But early the next morning, the 29-year-old made a hasty exit. At 5:47am, she can be seen stepping back outside and making a phone call before police swooped in and took her into custody. Nicole Virzi is accused of torturing six-week-old Leon Katz while watching him at the family's home in Pennsylvania Video exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com shows Nicole Virzi returning to her Airbnb rental in Pittsburgh shortly after midnight June 16, appearing distraught and anxious (pictured) as she struggled to unlock the door after she allegedly killed a six-week-old boy Virzi allegedly said that she'd gone into the kitchen to get Leon (pictured) a bottle when she suddenly heard screaming. When she returned, she said the baby, left unstrapped, had fallen out of his bouncer chair Virzi, who flew in from California to visit her friends, is now facing the prospect of the death penalty. She's accused of torturing six-week-old Leon Katz while watching him at the family's home. She is locked up without bail in a Pittsburgh jail, awaiting a a court appearance set for September 13. Virzi had been staying at the Airbnb just a mile away from the Katz house. Her profile on the app presents Nicole as a 'wonderful guest,' showing her smiling with a Hawaiian lei around her neck from a vacation. 'Graduate student who loves to travel!' her posting reads, followed by various hosts who sing her praises as 'very clean, respectful and kind.' Virzi informed her host in Pittsburgh that she was living in Philadelphia and in town visiting some friends who live a few blocks away. 'I am looking forward to staying at your lovely apartment,' she wrote. 'I do not need anything special, but I would like to let you know that I won't be checking in to the apartment until around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 13. I will make sure to be quiet and respectful to others when I arrive. Thank you very much!' The host told DailyMail.com on Friday that she didn't think twice about approving her guest. 'She had five reviews from the other hosts and five stars, was young, polite,' explained the owner, who asked not to be identified. 'It's so hard to believe that she could kill or be an abuser,' she continued. 'In the video when she's returning that night, she looked pretty sad and shocked. She didn't run away.' Virzi is pictured leaving the Airbnb prior to the baby's death before returning in the same outfit around midnight She can be seen stepping outside and making a phone call before police swooped in and took her into custody a few days later. She was taken to police headquarters for questioning, where she agreed to speak without a lawyer present The Airbnb the PhD student stayed while visiting her friends in Pittsburgh In fact, Virzi wasn't living in Pennsylvania. She was on the West Coast finishing up her PhD at UC San Diego. She flew into town to visit her friends Savannah Roberts and Ethan Katz, parents to newborn twins. Court papers described her as a 'trusted friend.' Police, however, allege she fractured baby Leon's skull and caused several brain bleeds that were picked up by a CT scan. She's also accused of injuring Leon's twin brother Ari, who survived. Court documents filed last week show the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office is seeking the death penalty against Virzi. 'The defendant committed the killing while in the perpetration of a felony,' the filing states. 'The offense was committed by means of torture.' While being questioned by cops, Virzi allegedly said that she'd gone into the kitchen to get Leon a bottle when she suddenly heard screaming. When she returned, she said the baby, left unstrapped, had fallen out of his bouncer chair. She called 911 around 11:17pm on June 15, reporting that the baby was 'becoming non-responsive.' Her Airbnb profile presents Nicole as a 'wonderful guest,' showing her smiling with a Hawaiian lei around her neck from a vacation Virzi told the host she would be arrive late to the Airbnb when she checked in. The host told DailyMail.com on Friday that she didn't think twice about approving her guest. 'She had five reviews from the other hosts and five stars, was young, polite' At that time, the boy's parents were already at the hospital with their other twin son, Ari, whod suffered an injury to his groin, along with scratches to his face and belly. Virzi was the one who alerted the parents about the groin injury earlier in the day, court records state. Ari had blood in his diaper and swelling to his genitals, records show. Virzi allegedly sent a photo of the injury to the parents. Defense lawyer, David Shrager said he has no idea what evidence prosecutors have to justify a homicide charge, much less a death penalty case She claimed the boy also scratched his face when she was placing him in the car seat as he flailed his arms. The Airbnb host sai she is still haunted by the unanswered questions in the case. 'Why did the parents leave her with the baby? Didnt they question that the other one was left scratched? Was it jealousy on Nicoles end that her friend had babies? Its shocking, but at the same time, how do you know if people in real life are okay and that something wont suddenly twist in their brain? Maybe Nicoles choice of study was her trying to understand her own issues. Its very sad and heartbreaking. Court papers state that after the 911 call for Leon, the dad, Ethan, rushed home, arriving just as paramedics pulled up. As Leon was transported to the hospital by ambulance, Ethan and Virzi drove to the hospital separately. The accused killer didn't stay there long. The Airbnb surveillance footage shows Virzi arriving back at her rental at 12:53am on June 16 a little more than 90 minutes from the time paramedics were called. Wearing a gray t-shirt and ripped jeans, her hair pulled back into a ponytail, she briskly walked up to the door, grim-faced. Clutching her cell phone in one hand, she used the other to punch in a passcode at the entrance to get inside. She struggled as she dialed the code, entering the wrong numbers in her first try. As she headed in for the night, Leon was barely clinging to life. The baby was pronounced dead at 5:47am the morning of June 16. Police were already on their way to Virzi's Airbnb at that moment. The video shows her stepping out of her rental at 5:45am. She reached for her phone and made a phone call. She then waited on the sidewalk. Virzi is also accused of injuring Leon's twin brother Ari, who survived (pictured with Leon and his parents) The Katz family home where the crime allegedly took place Virzi faces the death penalty. She has pleaded not guilty Police cars pulled up at 5:50pm. Two officers hopped out and could be seen confronting her on the sidewalk, before leading her into the patrol car. She was taken to police headquarters for questioning, where she agreed to speak without a lawyer present. 'Virzi was unable to provide any plausible explanation for the cause consistent with the extent of the injuries that Leon Katz sustained while in her care,' court papers state. She has pleaded not guilty. Speaking with DailyMail.com on Thursday, Virzis defense lawyer, David Shrager, said that since she was just formally arraigned last week, he still had no idea what evidence prosecutors have to justify a homicide charge, much less a death penalty case. 'My client has consistently maintained that nothing intentionally took place,' Shrager said. He said that Virzi had been close friends for years with the mother, a fellow PhD student who is studying Clinical and Developmental Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. He said theres no rational reasonVirzi would want to harm the babies. He said his client has no prior criminal record and no mental issues hes aware of. She is a PhD student focusing on behavioral medicine. According to her UC San Diego bio, her 'research aims to explore the complex interplay between psychological factorssuch as depression, stress, negative affect, and trauma and critical health outcomes and behaviors.' 'I am particularly interested in exploring these relationships within female and trauma-exposed populations. By concentrating on these relationships, my research aims to shed light on the unique challenges and opportunities for intervention within these vulnerable groups,' she said. Shrager said his client is maintaining a positive attitude, as much as she can under the circumstances, and that her parents are also giving her 100 percent unwavering love and support. Shes looking forward to sharing her truth at the appropriate time, the lawyer said. Two British crew members and the captain of the doomed Bayesian yacht have been allowed to fly home after being placed under formal investigation for 'causing a disaster and multiple manslaughter', MailOnline can reveal. Tim Parker-Eaton, 56, and Matthew Griffiths, 22, join the skipper New Zealander James Cutfield, 51, in a list of those warned they are being probed following the tragic sinking of the yacht which cost seven people their lives. Those who died included British tech billionaire Mike Lynch, 59, and his daughter Hannah, 18, who was due to start at Oxford University later this year, four other guests and the Bayesian's resident chef. In total three people are now being formally investigated for the sinking which happened off the coast of the village of Porticello, near Palermo, on the Italian island of Sicily on August 19 but the probe could be widened to others crew members. Being investigated does not equate to being charged and is a procedural step. The men are thought to have flown out on a private jet that landed in Palermo on Wednesday afternoon after flying in from the Spanish island of Majorca. Mr Cutfield is thought to have returned to his home on Majorca while Mr Parker-Eaton, who is from Clophill, Bedfordshire, is also though to live there, while Mr Griffiths lives in France. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Mario Scopesi, who is representing the two British men, said: 'The crew all left Sicily on Wednesday and have been allowed to return home with no restrictions from the prosecutors. Skipper James Cutfield (pictured) is being formally investigated for shipwreck and multiple manslaughter Tim Parker-Eaton, 56, who has been the Bayesian chief engineer since 2013, is also being investigated Another British crew member, Matthew Griffiths, is also under investigation after the 30m Bayesian sunk off the coast of Sicily last week The tragic sinking of the Bayesian yacht (pictured) cost seven people their lives on August 19 'I had a brief meeting with Tim and Matthew in Sicily before they left and they were doing well but obviously tired from the situation which has left them very drained. 'They are both very professional in their job and it would be wrong of me to pass any opinion on what happened, that is up to the investigation but what I will say is that they were in a situation where extreme weather played an important role. 'Both will do their best to provide us and the prosecutors with all the elements they can remember from what happened that night but they are still confused. Who died in the Sicily yacht disaster? Jonathan Bloomer, the chairman of investment bank Morgan Stanley and past chairman of Mike Lynch's software firm Autonomy Judy Bloomer, Jonathan's wife and a lifetime psychotherapist Christopher Morvillo, a partner at law firm Clifford Chance and Mike Lynch's lawyer Neda Morvillo, Christopher's wife and a jewellery designer Mike Lynch, British tech tycoon who had just been cleared of fraud charges in the United States Hannah Lynch, Mike Lynch's 18-year-old daughter Recaldo Thomas, a chef working on board the Bayesian yacht Advertisement 'I can categorically deny claims that they left so they wouldn't have to speak to the investigating authorities It was all perfectly transparent and cooperative. 'To have kept them in Sicily there would have needed to be serious proof of a crime but at this moment there is no strong evidence of guilt and so they were allowed to leave.' Mr Scopesi explained to MailOnline that he was appointed by Revtom, the owners of the Bayesian, and whose sole director is Mr Lynch's wife Angela Bacares, who was rescued after the sinking. He added: 'The weather will play a key part in any eventual trial and the role of both my clients will also be investigated but that is a job for the prosecutors and we will see what the consultants and technicians have to say. 'All I will add is that both my clients were awake at time of the storm but we need to understand the impact the weather had on the situation and what should or shouldn't have been done. 'The boat was in perfect condition and the crew are all experts, I hope that both my clients will return to sailing as soon as possible but for the time being they have been allowed home. 'They shook hands with the coastguards as they left and they were not obliged to stay at all by the prosecutors, the only hold up was waiting for new passports as they had been lost in the sinking. 'They have cooperated fully with the prosecutors, and they will do so in the future but this investigation will take a long time. It will take major technical investigations to reconstruct this complex shipwreck. 'Things will move very slowly, the autopsies will happen shortly and then the next step will be the raising of the yacht at some stage but that won't happen for a few months.' British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah both died in the Bayesian tragedy when the superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily Recaldo Thomas, chef on the Bayesian, was the first person to be recovered after the yacht sank on Monday Judy and Jonathan Bloomer died on the Bayesian as it capsized and sank in the ocean The bodies of Neda and Chris Morvillo, pictured in 2018, were also retrieved following the tragedy Mr Parker-Eaton was the ship's engineer while Mr Griffiths is said to have been the night watchman, officials are also said to be considering placing the first officer, Dutchman Tijs Koopmans, 33, under formal investigation. No charges have officially been brought against any of the crew and under Italian law being placed under investigation does not necessarily mean that an indictment will follow as it will be for an examining magistrate to decide once the file is presented if there is enough evidence to go to trial. A defence source told MailOnline:' This investigation will take many, many months and for a start it will have to wait until the Bayesian is raised from the seabed which may not happen until October. 'Even that will be a laborious operation so it will be a long time before we know anything for sure against any of those who have been placed under formal investigation by the prosecutors in Palermo.' The 30 million superyacht Bayesian sank in the early hours of the morning after it was hit by a violent downburst, as it lay anchored off the coast of Porticello. Mr Cutfield (pictured) has been allowed to leave Italy, his lawyer told MailOnline today Search vessels returning to shore on Friday after Hannah Lynch's body was discovered Following the tragedy Giovanni Costantino CEO of Italian Sea Group, which owns the Bayesian's builders Perini Navi, claimed 'human error' had led to the sinking with the crew failing to be 'prepared' for the storm and 'hatches being left open'. There are also reports that the keel of the Bayesian - which helps maintain stability - was not fully deployed and IAS data from the yacht shows that it sank in just 16 minutes after being bit by the violent storm. This will all form part of the official probe which is being led by by the prosecutors and one of the key questions will be why did the crew manage to escape while those who died were all passengers apart from the chef Recaldo Thomas. The others who died were Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International, his wife Judy, Chris Morvillo, a lawyer and Clifford Chance and Neda his wife, while fifteen others, including Mr Lynch's wife Angela, survived. The 56m Bayesian - which was famous for its 76m aluminium mast - is currently lying at a depth of 165ft just off Porticello and there is also a growing concerns for more than 18,000 litres of fuel onboard which could cause an environmental disaster. IAEA eager to deepen cooperation with China on peaceful use of nuclear technology Xinhua) 16:11, August 29, 2024 BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is highly impressed to see China's significant progress in nuclear development and is eager to deepen collaboration with the country on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, according to an IAEA official. The cooperation between the IAEA and China has been multifaceted, covering areas such as nuclear energy, nuclear technology applications, nuclear safety and security, and nonproliferation, said Sophie Boutaud de la Combe, director of the Office of Public Information and Communication of the IAEA, at an event commemorating the 40th anniversary of China's accession to the IAEA. China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA), in cooperation with the IAEA, has promoted many important projects and achieved remarkable results, she said, noting that these achievements are not only crucial for China's development, but also have a far-reaching impact on the peaceful use of nuclear energy globally. "I'm very much looking forward to learning more about China's progress in those areas and exploring how to leverage and promote those successful experiences through the partnership with CAEA news center," she said. According to Sophie Boutaud de la Combe, China has become a key supporter of the IAEA both financially and politically through its extraordinary economic growth and advancements in knowledge, technology and expertise. She also expressed gratitude to the Chinese experts who are sharing their knowledge with other countries at the ongoing event hosted by the CAEA. "China is helping other countries achieve their own energy goals by building quickly and safely their own capability industry on nuclear power development." Since its accession to the IAEA 40 years ago, China has maintained close collaboration with the agency, which has not only significantly enhanced the safety and development of China's nuclear energy, but also made contributions to the sustainable development of nuclear energy worldwide, according to Liu Jing, vice chairman of the CAEA. China is willing to work with the IAEA and all relevant parties to jointly promote the innovation of nuclear energy technology and continuously expand cooperation to ensure that the benefits of nuclear energy reach more countries, Liu said. Sophie Boutaud de la Combe visited the China National Nuclear Corporation, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and the Qinshan nuclear power base. She is also scheduled to visit China General Nuclear Power Group, the Daya Bay nuclear power base, and Sun Yat-sen University in south China's Guangdong Province to learn about the latest nuclear technology applications in China. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Dr. Bridget Hollis Staten ORANGEBURG, S.C. South Carolina State University has been awarded a $1.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) to establish a new certificate program for professionals who counsel children and adolescents with disabilities. This initiative is important to the field of disability and provides SC States Rehabilitation Counseling Program the opportunity to partner with Orangeburg Mental Health and Orangeburg County School District to train graduates to become school-based mental health counselors across the state of South Carolina, said Dr. Bridget Hollis Staten, a professor in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program who serves as the grants project director. SC States certificate program is in direct response to identified needs related to personnel development demands. Staten said the program will address the improvement of services for school-age children with mental and disability-related challenges, especially those from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds, including those who are multilingual. The project will increase the number of qualified personnel from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds, multilingual professionals and people with disabilities credentialed to work with and counsel school-age children and adolescents with mental health and disability related challenges. The expected outcome of this project is to prepare graduate students to provide effective, equitable, evidence-based, and culturally and linguistically responsive, student-focused counseling services. Students will graduate with a masters degree in rehabilitation counseling or counselor education along with a certificate in counseling children and adolescents with disabilities. Scholars also will be qualified to become licensed and/or certified counselors. During the projects first year, grant staff will develop a graduate certificate program in counseling children and adolescents with disabilities. Student scholarships will begin in Fall 2025. The scholarship will pay full tuition and fees and will provide a cost-of-living stipend for 11 months. Graduate students will be recruited and trained to complete simultaneously the graduate certificate program and a masters degree of their choice in rehabilitation counseling or counselor education. Staten said the grant is further evidence of the impact of the continued work in SC States Department of Human Services to prepare graduate students for success in counseling and addressing needs across underserved communities for persons with mental and disability related challenges. This OSERS initiative focuses on personnel preparation of special education, early intervention, and related services personnel at historically Black colleges and universities, tribally controlled colleges and universities, and other minority-serving institutions. For more information about the SCSUs Rehabilitation Counseling Program or Counselor Education Program, call 803-516-4765 or visit the universitys website at www.scsu.edu. Grand Canyon National Park has abruptly closed a host of hotels near the iconic destination just ahead of Labor Day weekend, leaving distraught families in the lurch over their summer vacation plans. Park authorities announced the surprise closures, effective Thursday, citing a 'series of four significant breaks' in the 12.5-mile-long pipe that supplies water to the park - with no end to the disruption in sight. 'Since July 8, the park has faced challenges with water supply, and currently, no water is being pumped to either the South or North Rim,' the National Park Service said. The Arizona beauty spot draws tourists from all over the world - and shocked travelers have no idea when the facilities will be back up and running. 'I understand the need and appreciate the efforts but I had planned the trip of a lifetime with my daughter, flying in from Iowa this Monday and Tuesday,' devastated mother Heidi Zahner Younts wrote on Facebook in response to the notice. Grand Canyon National Park has abruptly closed a host of hotels near the iconic destination, leaving distraught families in the lurch over their summer vacation plans (Pictured: tourists hiking along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in February 2022) Laurie Feazell Richardson said she was saddened at the news after making reservations to celebrate her wedding anniversary. 'So disappointed! On our way now for a week long stay for our 45th anniversary. Been planning this trip for a year,' she wrote on Facebook. The action - which includes the closures of at least six hotels and trailer parks, as well as limitations on camping - 'will be enacted for the South Rim for the foreseeable future,' the park said. Some travelers worried that the closures could persist past the summer and into the fall. 'We have reservations in October,' Heather Stedman Johnson wrote on Facebook. 'I booked a whole trip around this...I hope this isn't an ongoing issue...' Kirsten Heike echoed the same concern about her mid-September reservation. 'Can anyone say how long the closures might last and what "foreseeable future" could mean? Days? Weeks? Months?' she wrote the park's Facebook page. Laurie Feazell Richardson (pictured at left) said she was saddened at the news after making reservations to celebrate her 45th wedding anniversary. 'I understand the need and appreciate the efforts but I had planned the trip of a lifetime with my daughter' devastated mother Heidi Zahner Younts said of the closures Hotel facilities including Xanterra's El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, and Phantom Ranch, as well as Delaware North's Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village, will be closed to overnight guests. Hotel facilities outside the park in the town of Tusayan will not be impacted, park officials said. Within the park, only dry camping will be allowed, with water spigots shut off at campgrounds on the South Rim. Faucets in bathrooms will remain operational, however, and water spigot access will be available at the Mather Campground check-in kiosk. No fires will be allowed on the South Rim or inner canyon areas. All wood burning and charcoal fires, including campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbecues are prohibited. Backcountry hikers will be required to carry all necessary water or water treatment methods. Pictured: Water leaking from a break in an exposed section of the trans-canyon waterline in an undated photo handed out by the National Park Service Pictured: Water spraying from a break in an exposed section of the trans-canyon waterline in an undated photo handed out by the National Park Service The park will remain open for day use, as will South Rim food and beverage services, the Grand Canyon Clinic, and the post office. On the North Rim, the Grand Canyon Lodge and visitor services including the campground will remain open. 'These measures are crucial for ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources. The goal is to restore full operational status for overnight guests on the South Rim as quickly as possible,' park officials said. The park is asking guests to conserve water by limiting showers to five minutes or less, turning off faucets while shaving or brushing teeth, flushing toilets 'selectively,' washing laundry with full loads, and reporting any leaks. The National Park Service said the Transcanyon Waterline, which was originally built in the 1960s, 'has exceeded its expected lifespan and experiences frequent failures, which require expensive and continuous maintenance work to repair leaks.' There have been over 85 'major' breaks since 2010, disrupting water delivery to approximately 2,500 year-round residents along with the park's six million annual visitors. The National Park Service recently began a $208 million rehabilitation of the Transcanyon Waterline, which is expected to be completed in 2027. A driver's dashcam has captured the shocking moment a man pulled a machete out of a pram with a small child inside at a pedestrian crossing. The disturbing video was shared after a motorist spotted the weapon-wielding man approaching to confront another driver at the intersection of Pinjarra and Mandurah Roads in Mandurah, south of Perth, about 12.40pm on Tuesday. The dashcam showed a group of four men with a pram walking across the road at a pedestrian crossing near Mandurah Forum shopping centre. One man paused at the edge of the road and bent down to retrieve what looked like a large knife from the bottom of the pram. As another man watched the child in the man, the armed man began making his way over to a white car parked on the side of the road around the corner. Dashcam captured a dramatic moment a man pulled a machete out of a pram in the middle of pedestrian crossing The armed man threw his hands up in frustration as the motorist drive off The parked vehicle drove away before the man could cause any harm or damage, leaving him to throw his hands up in the air seemingly out of frustration. 'Guns are illegal to carry meanwhile knives arent and easily can be purchased anywhere. Scary!' the dashcam owner posted online. Western Australia Police are yet received a report of the incident. Anyone who witnessed or has information about the incident is urged to to call Crime Stoppers A clever DoorDash user decided to take matters into her own hands after ordering a pizza delivery - picking up the meal herself while earning some cash along the way. Chronicling the hack on TikTok, the woman detailed how she delivered the order to herself after the app took too long to assign a driver to the job. Shalom, a DoorDash delivery driver herself, placed the order as a customer and then logged into her work account to accept the job delivering the food from Papa John's. In the clip, which has garnered more than two million views since being posted earlier this month, she shows confirmations of the order and of her accepting the job. A DoorDash delivery driver placed an order as a customer and then logged into her work account to accept the job delivering her food After picking up her food, she even left herself a $2 tip. Her work account showed she would earn $11.75 per 'active hour' from the time she accepted to the job, plus tips. Shalom also gave herself a 'splendid' five-star rating before showing herself enjoying the meal. While the savvy hack would appear to be a no-no, there is no official company rule prohibiting DoorDash workers from doing it. In the clip, she shows confirmations of the order and of her accepting the job. She gave herself a 'splendid' five-star rating before showing herself enjoying the meal from Papa John's Viewers of the clip revealed that they have pulled the same trick on DoorDash, and at least two claimed they did it on other delivery apps. 'I did this as well on Uber Eats. I tipped $15 since it was the max, and it was five miles out and I'm in San Francisco,' wrote a commenter. Another person added: 'I've been doing it for years now! It's definitely not worth the pennies they pay for what you spend.' Viewers of the clip revealed that they have pulled the same trick on DoorDash, and at least two claimed they did it on other delivery apps One fan of the practice tried to explain the math involved to make the hack worth it. 'The best is when you do hourly, so if you make it take 30-60 minutes you get the food for free in a sense,'the commenter wrote. A DoorDash spokesperson poured cold water on the trick, saying it 'makes no sense.' 'Let's be clear - this isn't a life hack or tip, it's a stunt,' the spokesperson said. 'Consumers can already pick up their own orders. This might make sense as content but it makes no sense in real-life when pickup is right there.' Newly-released bodycam footage revealed an Iowa police officer fatally shot a family dog within seconds of the pet approaching him on a front yard. The under-fire Davenport Police Department released bodycam video from officer Ethan Bock following an August 21 shooting where he killed the dog, named Myst, in front of two young children. In the footage, the black retriever-mix was seen barking at Bock and sprinting towards him with bared fangs as soon as the cop arrived, as the officer said 'hey, hey, hey' to calm the dog down. Within four seconds, Bock pulled out his gun and shot the pet several times, leading to chaotic scenes as the family's two young children screamed in terror. As the children's mother Brandy Hesseltine raced outside and began wailing, Bock is heard in the bodycam admitting on his police radio: 'Shots fired... yeah, I just shot a dog.' Newly released bodycam footage revealed a Davenport, Iowa police officer fatally shot a family dog within seconds of the pet approaching him on a front yard Davenport Police Officer Ethan Bock (pictured) shot the dog within four seconds after being approached by the beloved pet, leaving its owners screaming in terror The fatal dog shooting captured headlines earlier this week after surveillance footage from the family's home showed the moment the beloved bet was gunned down. The video sparked outrage online, with viewers pointing out how quickly Bock fired his weapon with children in the immediate vicinity. It was also revealed that a few weeks before, the same officer struck and killed another man's unleashed dog with his police cruiser. In body-worn camera footage after the smash, Bock told the owner: 'That's why you gotta have your dog on a leash bro.' Following an internal review of the August 21 shooting, Davenport police said that Bock's actions were lawful, explaining that Bock was responding to reports of a pack of dogs attempting to jump a homeowner's fence. The force said Bock told the children to leash their dog due to the reports, and they were leading the pet back inside when he left his vehicle - at which point Myst ran back at the officer. Maverick, 7, who witnessed the fatal shooting of Myst, was said to have been left heartbroken and traumatized by the shocking incident In the press release justifying the shooting, the force included Bock's statement of how the incident unfolded from his perspective. 'The dog charged me at full speed, barking aggressively at me. I overheard the adult woman say, oh no', he wrote. 'I began to back up, holding my left hand out in hopes the dog would catch my scent and back away from me. The pitch of the dogs bark changed to a threatening bark. 'The dog continued barking at me, baring its teeth at me. I observed the dog to be salivating from the mouth. The dog lunged at me multiple times, snapping its teeth at me in an attempt to bite me. 'I dodged the dog multiple times as it lunged at me while snapping his teeth. This put me in fear of being seriously injured. I drew my service handgun and continued to back up. 'The dog lunged at me as I was backing up, trying to bite me. I discharged my firearm twice, striking the dog.' Don Hesseltine, the father of seven-year-old Maverick who witnessed his pet being shot, told TMZ that his son has been left traumatized as he called for Bock to face criminal charges., He said Maverick has been left bereaved and often calls out for his dead dog in their home, and said his son is having trouble sleeping as he recounts the shooting. Bock, seen at his swearing in, was revealed to be a young officer who only joined the force last year, but has several fatal dog encounters on his record already A few weeks before, the same officer stuck and killed another man's unleashed dog with his police cruiser, in an incident not caught on camera. Instead, Bock's body-warn camera began filming seconds after the smash took place 'I needed that dog,' the dog's owner Lacindra Spears said, revealing the police department offered $1,700 as compensation for the killing on July 30 Adding fuel to the furor is another incident involving Bock that occurred the night of July 13, where Lacindra Spears' dog Muneca was struck and killed by the officer's squad car in the alleyway behind her home. 'I needed that dog,' Spears told Our Quad Cities News, revealing the police department offered $1,700 as compensation for the killing on July 30. The offer came shortly after she first spoke to the paper that same day, after a week of the department allegedly giving her and her family differing stories about what happened. Spears was supposedly told her witnesses were 'not credible.' as her brother, C'edward Spears, was taking out the trash at about 10 p.m. to the alleyway behind buildings when he encountered Bock. At the same time, another brother was taking Muneca out to do her business, creating a perfect storm that culminated with Muneca's death. 'He comes speeding down, so I stepped in front of the police car, I say, 'stop' so the dog can come out so he stops,' C'edward Spears told the local paper. 'The dog goes out into the field and a few seconds go by, and another police car, he comes up speeding as well, and by this time the dog has used the bathroom already and is on the way back. 'I step out again. I'm like, 'stop the dog.' So he stops. He acknowledges me. Then he speeds up and he goes.' In Bock's bodycam from the scene, he told the owner: 'That's why you gotta have your dog on a leash bro.' The Hesseltines, meanwhile, have since put Myst to rest with a burial, with Don sharing a Photshopped photo of the two boys who witnessed the dog's death, son Maverick and nephew Ezra, paying their respects The Hesseltines, meanwhile, have since put Myst to rest with a burial, with Don sharing a photo of the two boys who witnessed the dog's death, son Maverick and nephew Ezra, paying their respects. Took Maverick and Ezra to see Myst yesterday. We put up a cross and planted flowers. I told Maverick Myst would always be by his side. He said, 'I know, Dad. I can still feel him.' He added in a separate post to social media, in which he tagged the Davenport Police Department: 'Thanks to the coward murderer cop who shot and killed the family dog in front of the kids. 'I hope the memory that my child will forever have of this moment haunts your punk a**. RIP Myst - you were our best friend dude.' A judge has said an Albanian driving test fraudster can't be jailed because 'His Majesty's prisons are full to bursting.' Speaking at Lincoln Crown Court, Judge James House KC said Albanian national Elidjan Aliaj, 30, should be put behind bars for paying an impersonator to take his driving test. Instead Aliaj has been sentenced to eight months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. The judge told Aliaj he 'deserved to go to jail' but his hands were tied 'because His Majesty's prisons are currently full to bursting'. Aliaj, of Hamilton Street, Mansfield, was granted a full licence in August 2022 after he paid an impersonator pass both his theory and practical driving tests. Judge James House KC (pictured) told Elidjan Aliaj he 'deserved to go to jail' but his hands were tied 'because His Majesty's prisons are currently full to bursting' Speaking at Lincoln Crown Court (pictured), Judge House said Albanian national Aliaj, 30, should be put behind bars for paying an impersonator to take his driving test Your browser does not support iframes. He admitted three charges of fraud. During the first visit to Grantham test centre in May 2022, the court heard the person attending in Aliaj's place was turned away after suspicions were raised. However, Silas Lee, prosecuting, said a second visit on 19 July 2022 resulted in a successful theory test pass. Aliaj was then granted a full driving licence after the impersonator successfully passed a practical test on 1 August 2022. Mr Lee said: 'The potential risk was to other road users ultimately by someone who has not passed the relevant tests.' Aliaj was questioned after suspicions were raised as a result of the registration plate of the car used in the practical test, but he denied any dishonesty. In mitigation, the court heard Aliaj was the lone breadwinner for his pregnant wife who was due to give birth in two weeks. Passing sentence, Judge House told the defendant that his fraud posed a risk to other road users, and provided him with UK identification. But he added 'Sending you to prison will cause more problems than it is worth, despite that you deserve it. His Majesty's prisons are currently full to bursting.' In addition to his sentence, Aliaj was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work in the community. A heartbroken diver who recovered tech billionaire Mike Lynch's daughter Hannah from the doomed yacht Bayesian has described the 'unbearable' search through debris in the wreck as his team battled against time to reach survivors. Giuseppe Petrone, 49, chief of the Italian Firefighters Dive Team, led the operation to find survivors and bodies following the tragedy earlier his month which saw seven people killed when the 180ft superyacht sank. Mr Petrone, who has been involved in numerous underwater rescue operations, led a team of experienced colleagues for almost a week as they searched cabins on the Bayesian some 165ft below the surface of the sea, off Porticello near Palermo, Sicily. He said of Hannah, who was due to start at Oxford University next month: 'That young girl should have been writing important pages of her life but sadly the story ended up very differently.' Hannah was the last of the seven victims to be found on the Bayesian, in a cabin at a far end of the yacht and trapped by debris. Hannah was a pupil at Latymer Upper school in West London and had earned a place at Oxford to study English Literature Giuseppe Petrone (R) of the Italian Firefighters Dive Team led the search for survivors British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah both died in the Bayesian tragedy when the superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily The 'Bayesian' sailing boat, in Palermo, Sicily, undated Conditions underwater were described as 'complex' and 'prohibitive' for the divers who - called in from across Italy to help - searched for the bodies of those who were on the ship Divers could only go down 10 minutes at a time due to the 50m depth which is far deeper than most recreational divers are qualified to reach Mr Petrone said the search was a 'difficult operation' and added: 'It was carried out in total safety with 27 divers, with 11 specialists in underwater cave rescues and eight trained to use an oxygen mixture during the decompression phase. 'They were able to dive for 50 minutes in total, but they could only spend around 13-14 minutes on the yacht. 'The yacht was on its right hand side. All of the cabins had been invaded with floating debris, mattresses, sheets, wardrobes. 'It was due to this large amount of floating debris that the operation progressed with difficulty.' He added that after ensuring there were no passengers or crew in the water they focused on searching the yacht interior safely. When asked if there had been any dangerous moments, he replied: 'None, thanks to the safety team involved. 'We had two diver who focused on searching the yacht, four in the water as a safety team and two on the surface. 'So, for every two divers that went in, there was a team of six looking after their safety, ready to intervene at any sign of danger.' He added: 'The cabins were dark and there was barely any visibility, so as a result the environment was hostile and the situation was getting more difficult.' 'She (Hannah) was the furthest away, we are talking about a situation where to advance just a metre took four or five dives.' When asked which victim he had found the most difficult to recover of the seven, Mr Petrone replied: 'Hannah.' He added: 'It was such a relief to have found her after almost five days. 'The tension had been unbearable until then.' Mr Petrone added: 'I have three children myself and one is just a little older than Hannah was, so it hits you hard. 'She was just starting out and had her whole life ahead of her. But at the same time you have to control your emotions and keep a level head. 'You have to remember this is a dangerous environment and you have to leave the same way you entered, and the fear is that something will have blocked your path when you turn round and head back to the surface.' Mr Petrone explained from what he had seen of the Bayesian she 'was intact' and he added: 'The visible part of the yacht was intact, obviously the right hand side was on the sea bed and the mast from what I could see looked intact. 'But I cannot stress enough the hostility of the environment, there is barely any natural light and what was a real issue was the mattresses floating inside from the cabins. 'They caused us real problems and Hannah was found behind one. The space was also very tight inside the yacht, for such a large vessel the space was limited for us to move. 'What drove us on was the determination to find the seven victims so they could be reunited with their families. 'It was perhaps one of the most difficult and emotional operations my team and I have undertaken but we are well trained and professional but we also have hearts and emotions.' The British-flagged Bayesian sank in the early hours of August 19, during a storm off the coast of Sicily. While the yacht is believed to have been hit a sudden meteorological event, investigators are currently exploring the possibility of crew responsibility for multiple manslaughter and causing a shipwreck through negligence. Maritime law gives a captain full responsibility for the ship and the crew, as well as the safety of all aboard. Seven people, including six passengers and a member of the crew, drowned in the tragedy. Among the passengers were British tech tycoon Mick Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah. Jonathan Bloomer, the chairman of investment bank Morgan Stanley and past chairman of Mike Lynch's software firm Autonomy, was also named among those who perished during the sinking. His wife, psychotherapist Judy Bloomer, also died. Christopher Morvillo, a partner at law firm Clifford Chance and Mike Lynch's lawyer, and his wife, Neda Morvillo, both sadly died during the accident. Recaldo Thomas, a chef working on board the Bayesian yacht, was tragically named among the victims. Mr Petrone said the search was hampered by debris floating in the cabins The 'Bayesian' sailing boat, in Palermo, Sicily, Italy, undated Dr Lynch with his wife Angela, who managed to escape from the disaster No charges have officially been brought against any of the crew and under Italian law being placed under investigation does not necessarily mean that an indictment will follow as it will be for an examining magistrate to decide once the file is presented if there is enough evidence to go to trial. Earlier this week, a former captain of the doomed Bayesian shared his theory on the possible causes of the vessel sinking on August 19. Stephen Edwards, who captained the ship between 2015 to 2020, said he was 'one hundred per cent' sure the hull would not have been left open at night, adding that there are no opening windows or portholes on board. While avoiding 'contributing to the wild speculation' around the incident, he assured that the vessel was 'sound and seaworthy by design, and to my knowledge well maintained as such'. Heeling the vessel to more than 45 degrees could have resulted in flooding 'and subsequent loss if [it] could not be controlled', he suggested, and weather conditions could have created 'extreme circumstances' with little time to react. A message in a bottle thrown into the sea almost 40 years ago that brought joy to the little boy who found it has been tinged with sadness after tracking down the authors. Meg Prideaux took her four-year-old son Leo to the beach in their hometown of Lancelin in Western Australia to hunt for treasure when they came across the bottle with a rolled-up note inside buried in the sand. 'We brought it home and we waited for my daughter and my husband to come home, but we couldn't get it open,' Ms Prideaux told Seven News. The message was hard to get out of the bottle because of corrosion on the wax seal and barnacles growing on it. Ms Prideaux's husband managed to break the seal with a knife, and carefully pulled out the note and unrolled it. It was a bit damp but clearly legible and dated 1985 - 39 years ago. The note had been written by Joanne Hunter and Louise Pocock, who were both aged 15 at the time. The note hadn't travelled very far though - they'd thrown it into the sea off the same beach where it was found almost four decades later. Four-year-old Leo (pictured) found a bottle with a rolled-up note inside while hunting for treasure on Tuesday The teenagers were holidaying at Ms Hunter family's beach home in Lancelin, about two hours north of Perth, when they decided to write a message in a bottle. The note requested that whoever found it send a letter to the girls in Perth. The girls had hoped it would end up thousands of kilometres at a far away exotic land The note only retuned to Lancelin Beach, where it was buried for almost 40 years. Seven news helped put the family in touch with Joanne Evans (nee Hunter), 54,. 'I was like, 'Oh my god. Is that really that?' I haven't thought about that in forever,' Ms Evans said. 'We wrote it at night and sealed it with wax and then we actually swam it out into the water because, at first, we threw it from the beach and it kept washing back in, so we swam out the next morning.' She said her friend Louise 'was always full of excitement and had such a great imagination, it was her idea to do it'. Tragically, Ms Pocock died of leukaemia six years ago. But her sister Sarah said she would have been thrilled that the message had been found. 'Oh, she'd be so happy, she really would especially that a little boy found it as well after 39 years just sitting in the sand,' Sarah said. The two letter writers were aged 15 at the time. Pictured is Joanne Evans (nee Hunter) The message (pictured) was a bit damp but clearly legible and dated 1985 - 39 years ago Tragically, Ms Pocock (pictured) died of leukaemia six years ago but her sister, Sarah Martin, said she would have been thrilled that the message had been found 'She was a really great, fun, happy-go-lucky sort of person and really did well in her life, very artistic and creative, and she met a wonderful man and married him and had a beautiful little girl. 'As time goes on, you feel like they're slipping further away from you and then this message is such a wonderful thing that just came out of the blue.' The Prideaux family now plan to catch up with Ms Evans to give her the bottle and precious note. A forestry worker died when her quadbike flipped over, crushing her underneath the machine. Charlotte Lawrence was killed in the horror incident near Pitlochry, Perthshire, after becoming trapped under the all-terrain vehicle while working on a mountain. Although she managed to raise the alarm herself, she had succumbed to her injuries by the time medics arrived. The health and safety watchdog is now probing the incident, which police have ruled as non-suspicious. Tributes have flooded in for the 33-year-old, also known as Lottie, led by her father William who paid tribute to his darling daughter. Charlotte Lawrence was killed in the horror incident near Pitlochry, Perthshire, after becoming trapped underneath a quad bike Mr Lawrence said: My darling daughter and only child, Charlotte, was killed in a horrible, awful, terrible, tragic quadbike accident in Scotland. She was at work managing trees in a forestry plantation on a mountain near Pitlochry. The quadbike flipped and was on top of her but she managed to find the strength to call the emergency services. By the time the helicopter and medical team got there, our beautiful darling Charlotte had already died. He added that a light had gone out and the days since had been the worst of my entire life. Friends have also paid tribute to her and passed on their sympathies to her father. Christine Bowers said: Charlotte was one-of-a-kind, and I treasure the time we spent together. [Its] hard to believe that such a bright light could have been snuffed out so early. Deep condolences on this unimaginable loss. Ms Lawrence, 33, was described as a 'dynamic, adventurous young woman' by friends Kelsey Harris said: It is unbelievable that Charlotte wont be there to urge everyone on, to liven up every event and everyone around her, to challenge and to incite. She will be greatly missed. Jo-Anne Barker said Ms Lawrence had been a dynamic, adventurous young woman full of energy and love for life and added: She lived her life to the full. I know she will be missed by many. And Leslie Hough described her as a firecracker who lived so big and vividly. A report into Ms Lawrences death has been filed with the Procurator Fiscal and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed. A Police Scotland spokesman said: Around 3.15pm on Wednesday, August 7, we were called to land in Balnaguard, Pitlochry, to an incident involving an all-terrain vehicle. Emergency services attended however a 33-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Inquires are ongoing however there dont appear to be any suspicious circumstances. And a bulletin from the Institute of Chartered Foresters also confirmed: We have received an initial notification from HSE about an incident in Perthshire where a worker was found dead under an all-terrain vehicle. Help is available: Call the Samaritans on 116 123 for 24-hour support Suicide rates registered in England and Wales last year soared to their highest in more than two decades, new data shows. Around three-quarters of deaths by suicide were among males, the Office for National Statistics said, noting this has been the case since the mid-1990s. But while the rate for women was lower, it was at its highest last year since 1994. The ONS said its work monitoring registrations of deaths by suicide is part of an ongoing effort to 'support work to protect vulnerable people at risk', acknowledging the 'devastating impact on individuals, families and communities'. There were 6,069 suicides registered in England and Wales in 2023 - up from 5,642 in 2022. Your browser does not support iframes. In England, the rate was highest in the North West, at 14.7 deaths per 100,000. It was lowest in London where there were 7.3 deaths per 100,000. Figures are based on deaths registered in each calendar year, rather than the date on which the death took place. The ONS said that, due to registration delays, while 39 per cent of deaths registered in 2023 had a date of death in the same year, more than half (51 per cent) occurred in 2022 and the rest happened in 2021 or earlier. Last year's rate of 11.4 deaths per 100,000 people was the highest rate seen since 1999, the ONS said. The 2023 rate in Wales - 14.0 deaths per 100,000 - was higher than England's, which was 11.2 deaths per 100,000 people. Across the two nations, the suicide rate for males rose to the highest since 1999, at 17.4 deaths per 100,000. The rate for females grew from 5.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2022 to 5.7 deaths per 100,000 last year - the highest rate for females in almost 30 years. The rate was highest for men aged 45 to 49, at 25.5 deaths per 100,000, and for women aged 50 to 54 years, at 9.2 deaths per 100,000. Vahe Nafilyan, head of data and analysis for social care and health at the ONS, said: 'Our figures show suicide rates registered in England and Wales in 2023 were the highest in nearly 25 years. Rates increased across all age groups compared to 2022, especially among those aged 45 to 64 years. 'Males continued to account for around three-quarters of deaths by suicide, a trend seen since the mid-1990s. Your browser does not support iframes. Around three-quarters of deaths by suicide were among males, the Office for National Statistics said, noting this has been the case since the mid-1990s (Stock Image) Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. 'Suicide rates either increased or remained unchanged in each of the nine English regions, but the North West saw the largest rise. 'Suicide leaves a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities, and we will continue to monitor suicide registrations, to support work to protect vulnerable people at risk.' Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or at https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/. Amid a bitter public battle over whether microphones will be muted during the first debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, the former president's team now reveals that his Democratic opponent wanted to change other aspects of their showdown. Trump Senior Advisor Corey Lewandowski told reporters on a call Thursday morning that Harris' team tried to pressure ABC News into altering logistics of the debate to benefit her. For one, the vice president wanted to be able to bring notes on stage something very atypical of a presidential debate that comes as Republicans claim the VP won't perform well off script. The 5' 4' candidate also wanted to be seated instead of standing behind respective podiums against the 6' 3' former president, Lewandowski revealed. But the Harris-Walz campaign told DailyMail.com that the latest claims from the Trump camp are false. Kamala Harris didn't just want to unmute the mics she also wanted to be able to have notes and be seated for her first interview with Donald Trump on September 10 Most well-known has been the disagreement over the muting of microphones when it isn't the candidates' turn to answer a question or rebuttal their rival, which many saw as a benefit to the ex-president during his debate with President Joe Biden earlier this summer. But the absence of notes, stage set up and microphone muting will all remain consistent with the June CNN debate between Trump and Biden. With just 12 days until the debate on September 10 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it appears the Harris camp has agreed to the final terms with reports of rules coming out on Thursday. Like the CNN debate, there will be no audience, which denies candidates the chance to try to score prohibited applause with zingers. Props and pre-written notes are not permitted to stage. Candidates will receive a blank paper, pen and a water bottle. The two ABC moderators are David Muir and Linsey Davis. The rules allow for two-minute answers from the candidates. An additional minute is allowed for follow-ups and rebuttals. When Harris was still running for reelection as vice president with Biden leading the ticket, her campaign agreed with Trump's team and ABC News to the rules set forth previously, which included muted microphones. But Lewandowski says Harris wants accommodations now because her team is not 'confident' in her ability to go off script and debate Trump without a crutch. It comes after the vice president went 38 days without sitting for a formal interview or holding a press conference after entering the 2024 race as a presidential candidate. The VP will finally sit Thursday afternoon for an interview with CNN's Dana Bash but her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is joining her for the sit-down. Asked if the microphone debacle was finally to bed, Lewandowski told reporters on a press call Thursday morning: 'Yeah, we've worked that out.' 'When we originally negotiated the rules of the debate, those rules were discussed, negotiated and agreed to by at the time what was the Biden-Harris campaign,' he explained. 'That included the vice presidential debate, which [Harris] was supposed to participate in, until they threw Joe out like a dog and coordinated her to the presidential nomination.' 'Here's what happened, though,' he continued. 'Kamala Harris's team came back and said, 'We want to sit for the debate. We don't want to stand anymore. We'd like to bring notes to the debate because we don't feel confident in our ability to actually answer questions without notes. Oh, and we want to leave the microphones on.' 'None of those things have been agreed to previously, and we're holding them to account for the same criteria that we used when we negotiated with then the Biden-Harris campaign, because that's what she agreed to as the vice presidential nominee and the vice presidential debate process.' Trump's Senior Advisor Corey Lewandowski revealed the requests that Harris' team put forward when trying to renegotiate rules and logistics of the debate after previously agreeing to the terms when she was still running for reelection as vice president Trump wants the rules to remain the same as they were for the CNN debate in Atlanta, Georgia in June when he dominate over President Joe Biden He assured that the 90-minute debate will have the candidates standing without pre-written notes and microphone muting. 'That's what has been agreed to, ABC has agreed. That's where it will be in just over a week.' Trump and his Republican allies claim that Harris is not able to perform well without prepared remarks or notes to guide her. They use her delay of an interview or press conference for over a month as proof of her team's lack of confidence in her ability to go off script and her historic issue with likability. CNN host Dana Bash is sitting down with Harris Thursday afternoon for her first interview as the presidential candidate. It will air later on Thursday night. Lewandowski says Bash has an 'obligation to ask Kamala Harris the tough questions that she's been avoiding since her coronation as a Democratic nominee.' Meanwhile, Harris' campaign has leaned into Trump pressing for microphone muting as a sign his handlers don't think the ex-president can control himself during a debate. 'We have told ABC and other networks seeking to host a possible October debate that we believe both candidates' mics should be live throughout the full broadcast,' Harris' senior advisor for communications Brian Fallon said in a statement this week. 'Our understanding is that Trump's handlers prefer the muted microphone because they don't think their candidate can act presidential for 90 minutes on his own,' he continued. 'The Vice President is ready to deal with Trump's constant lies and interruptions in real time. Trump should stop hiding behind the mute button.' Trump said this week that his campaign 'reached an agreement' with Harris and ABC to keep mics muted. An individual was killed after apparently being struck by a BART train at the Downtown Berkeley Station around 5:46 p.m. on Wednesday, according to the agency. Paul Chinn/The Chronicle 2020 One person was killed after apparently coming into contact with a BART train arriving at the Downtown Berkeley Station Wednesday, according to the transit agency. The station was closed due to the emergency. An individual was apparently struck around 5:46 p.m. as a train approached the station. The individual was on the platform when the incident occurred, the agency said. BART police confirmed that the person was dead and said no foul play was suspected. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Berkeley fire and police personnel responded to the scene. No other information about the emergency was immediately available. A 55-year-old driver was killed by an angry mob of motorcyclists after he allegedly abandoned the scene of an accident in the northern Brazil city of Manaus. Jones Lopes was traveling on a road on the eastern neighborhood of Armando Mendes when he ran over a delivery man on motorcycle early Wednesday morning. Instead of checking on the man's well-being, Lopes sped away, the Amazonas Civil Police said. The delivery man alerted other motorcyclists in the area, who helped him chase Lopes down in the neighborhood of Tancredo Neves. Jones Lopes was beaten to death after fleeing the scene of the accident in Manaus, Brazil on Wednesday A mob of motorcyclists was captured on vide beating Jones Lopes to death after he ran over a delivery man on a motorcycle and fled the scene of the accident Wednesday in Manaus, Brazil Dramatic video footage recorded by a motorist showed the bikers dragging Lopes out of his car and brutally attacked him. Lopes was knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked and punched on the head as he laid motionless. A second video recording captured the moment one of the individuals slammed a brick over his head. The angry mob destroyed Lopes' vehicle, flipping it over and smashing a brick over the windshield before they fled. Ricardo Cunha, who is the chief of the Manaus Civil Police Specialized Homicide and Kidnapping Unit, made a desperate plea for help in identifying and locating the individuals who attacked Lopes. 'Today I am asking the public to bring information about the whereabouts and identification of the motorcyclists who lynched Mr. Jones Mota,' Cunha said. 'Mr. Jones was killed in a cowardly and cruel manner in a traffic dispute here in Manaus, on Autaz Mirim Avenue. We ask that any information pertinent to the case, in order to identify these people and their whereabouts.' Jones Lopes leaves behind a wife, an adult son and a 15-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son Jones Lopes was driving his vehicle (pictured) when he allegedly ran over a delivery man riding a motorcycle Wednesday in Manaus, Brazil. Instead of stopping to help him, he fled the scene and was later stopped by the delivery man and a group of motorcyclists, who beat the 55-year-old father-of-three to death Jones Lopes was thrown to the ground, where the mob punched and kicked him and then was attacked with a brick, which split in half The Amazonas Delivery Workers Union Leadership condemned the attack in a statement. 'The class is mostly made up of hard-working and honest people, and this type of action deserves total repudiation!' it said. Jones leaves behind a wife and three children - a 39-year-old son and a 15-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy. His youngest child learned of the gruesome death after watching the video on the news. 'My brother was a good man, he didn't deserve this,' Jones' brother told the AM Post. 'We ask that anyone who has any clues about these criminals help us. We want justice.' Jones' former daughter-in-law, Carmen Rego, told Cenarium Magazine that he may have fled the scene because he was scared. 'He would never do it out of malice, but he found himself in such a cornered moment, when he saw in the rearview mirror how many people were behind him,' she said. 'It's not that he didn't want to provide help, he was afraid that exactly what happened would happen.' The devastated parents of a nine-month-old baby boy who was scalded by a stranger in a park have detailed the harrowing effect the ordeal has had on his sister- who's frightened that he'll now come after her. Baby Luka was picnicking with his mum and friends at Hanlon Park in Brisbane's Coorparoo when an unknown man approached them and poured a thermos of hot coffee over the little boy about midday on Tuesday. As Luka's frantic mother and Good Samaritan witnesses worked to cover him in cold water, her partner was driving around with their three-year-old daughter 14km away in Chermside. While driving, he realised he had five missed calls from his partner and used his car's bluetooth speaker to call her back. That's how he and the little girl found out about the horrific and unprovoked attack. Hearing of her brother's horrific injuries has struck fear into the heart of the girl, just days out from her fourth birthday. 'I looked at my phone and instantly knew something must be wrong,' the father told The Project on Thursday night. 'I got a hold of her (his partner) over the car speaker and my daughter, who turns four on Monday, was in the car.' Luka (pictured with his mother on Thursday) was badly burnt after a stranger poured hot coffee on him at a Brisbane park Luka's father (pictured with partner) said his three-year-old daughter overheard in the car about what happened to her little brother After hearing about her brother's injuries (pictured), Luka's big sister became afraid the 'bad man' would attack her too 'She heard everything, I heard everything. It was all very frantic. 'She's an incredibly smart girl, so she's very aware of everything. 'She was even asking saying after she saw my son in the emergency room, 'I hope the bad guy doesn't hurt me', things like that.' He and his partner are 'still trying to explain it' to their young daughter but have been unable to see her face to face since the attack as they keep a 24-7 vigil on Luka in hospital. 'I haven't been able to see her since the emergency room because I've not left the hospital yet but, yeah, I imagine it's pretty traumatic for her,' the dad added. His partner admitted that she no longer feels safe in public after the horror incident. The group had been at the park for just 10 minutes before the incident happened. 'I'm not sure how I'm going to feel safe leaving my house with my son in the future and I know that that's going to be a long road for me,' the mum told the program. 'I'm just so grateful for all the community support and my friends and family have rallied us ... and my partner is fantastic, as well, so having all of that support around me, I know we'll get through it together.' Luka will undergo his second surgery on Friday, where his parents will find out the full extent of his burns and whether he needs skin grafts. 'His chin, all down his neck, the bottom of his cheek and his chest and back, are deeper burns, so they're more severe,' his dad told the Courier Mail. He also revealed Luka had been sick recently. 'And then he finally got better a few days before the incident. And then that's when his mum organised to see her friends and their babies in the park so (he) could see his friends,' the dad added. It comes after Luka's mum shared a video of her baby boy walking and laughing for the first time since the attack on Thursday. The baby remains in Queensland Children's Hospital in a stable condition and faces several surgeries to recover from burns to 60 per cent of his body. Luka had taken his first steps hours before he was seriously burnt, so his parents were relieved to see the injuries weren't deterring his development. 'He seems like his happy self again, which is nice to see because the last few days have been really, really hard,' his mother told Seven News. 'He's doing good. He's actually playing.' Queensland Police are working to find a man (pictured) seen fleeing the park shortly after the attack Luka (pictured) remains in in Queensland Children's Hospital suffering from burns to 60 per cent of his body Earlier on Thursday, Queensland Police released new images of the alleged perpetrator and details of his bizarre movements immediately after the attack. After fleeing the park, he went to a church in nearby Tarragindi where he changed his clothes outside. He then caught a rideshare car to Brisbane's CBD and travelled to Caxton Street. The man was wearing a black hat, glasses, a checkered button-up shirt and shorts. He's described as aged 30-40 with a proportionate build, tanned skin and wore a black hat, glasses, a shirt and shorts. Luka's parents are now anxiously waiting for his attacker to be caught. 'I want this man caught and charged. He's out on the loose,' his mother told the Brisbane Times. 'I'm anxious and worried that he's going to hurt someone else again, or hurt us again.' She and her friend were in the park with their babies for just 10 minutes when the unknown man approached. 'If anyone has any footage from around that area or who knows him, or lives next door to him, or something, please just come forward,' the mum said. Luka (pictured at the park shortly before the attack) had taken his first steps just hours before he was burnt by the unknown stranger A GoFundMe for the Luka's medical fees has raised almost $80,000 in just one day. 'It's restored my faith in the community and in the kindness out there,' the grateful mother said. The GoFundMe, created by friend who was at the picnic, described the man's actions as 'callous' and 'random'. 'Luka is currently in hospital and is [expected] to stay for a while, while he is treated for severe burns,' she wrote. 'He has a long recovery ahead of him which will include further doctors', specialists' [and] hospital appointments. '[I] would love to raise some money towards any medical or household costs to help ease the pressure off of my friend and her family while they take the time to be home and help their beautiful boy heal.' In a positive sign of recovery, Luka's mother shared a video of the baby walking (pictured) and laughing for the first time since the attack on Thursday Luka (pictured in hospital) will undergo his second surgery on Friday Luka's mother said he is doing 'well' considering the burns his suffered. 'He has been playing and interacting and smiling and laughing which has been really, really nice to see because the last couple of days, he's been miserable and in discomfort and pain,' she said. 'He's stable at the moment and he's having his second surgery tomorrow, so we'll know more information about his burns tomorrow, once he goes under for his second surgery.' Detective Inspector Paul Dalton described the attack as 'callous and cowardly' as well as 'completely unprovoked'. 'When you look at the circumstances, particularly for us who are parents, going through a park on a beautiful winter's day in Brisbane, enjoying time with your baby... to be approached like this and attacked in this way must be terrifying,' Dalton said. 'In 35 years of being a police officer, I've never come across a job where a child this young, in these circumstances, has been attacked. It shouldn't happen. 'Everyone has a right to feel safe in our community. 'This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated and we've thrown all our resources that we can possibly (spare) to it at this stage to hold this person accountable.' Inspector Dalton also reassured Brisbane parents his officers are 'working around the clock' to find the man they believe is responsible for the attack (pictured) A GoFundMe for the Luka's medical fees has raised almost $80,000 in one day Inspector Dalton also reassured Brisbane parents his officers are 'working around the clock' to find the perpetrator. The Child Protection and Investigation Unit are assisting in the search. Anyone who recognises the man, or who has any information that can assist investigations, is urged to contact Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers. This is the moment a French TGV smashed into a tractor-trailer that was stuck on a level crossing, as its helpless owner could do little more than watch in horror. CCTV footage shows the green vehicle going over the crossing in Beclers, a small Belgian town near the border with France at around 8am on Tuesday. As it crossed over, the trailer appears to get partially unhitched from the tractor, leaving it partially stranded across the train tracks. The farmer can be seen anxiously looking at his vehicle, seemingly trying to figure out how to fix the problem, before going to the middle of the track to see how far the train was. He was then seen running back to his vehicle as the barriers began to close. CCTV footage shows the green vehicle going over the crossing in Beclers, a small Belgian town near the border with France at around 8am on Tuesday As it crossed over, the trailer appears to get partially unhitched from the tractor While one extended the full way down, the other got caught on the trailer The TGV, travelling from Lille, France, to Brussels, Belgium, crashed into the immobile carrier While one extended the full way down, the other got caught on the trailer. The TGV, travelling from Lille, France, to Brussels, Belgium, crashed into the immobile carrier, coming off the rails as the farmer looked on dejectedly. Dutch media reported that two passengers were injured in the smash, with one said to be in a serious condition. The other roughly 120 passengers onboard were evacuated, and transported to nearby Tournai. The crash also severely affected train timetables in the region, with queues forming Brussels' South Station in the hours after the crash. France's TGV, or Train a Grande Vitesse, system is a high-speed rail system goes across all of Paris, but also enters Brussels via the Belgian border and London via the Eurotunnel. Fantastic Four star, Ioan Gruffudd, has delivered another slap in the face to his ex-wife, actress Alice Evans, by calling his new love fiancee Bianca Wallace as a witness against her in court. The former Mrs. Gruffudd, 56, and the soon-to-be Mrs. Gruffudd, 32, will come face-to-face next month in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom where the actor wants Wallace to testify how Evans 'stalked, harassed, and abused' her in violation of a legal restraining order. This is the latest explosive episode in a vicious war between Gruffudd and Evans that has raged since they split in 2021. In new court documents found by DailyMail.com, Gruffudd, 50, also pours scorn on Evans's recent assertions that she was broke, unable to feed the couples two young children, and about to go on food stamps, as he calls his exs claims of poverty 'exaggerated and false.' And he accuses her of once setting up a GoFundMe page, saying she was 'penniless' and begging for 'anything you can spare' when in fact she had more than $86,000 in the bank. Wallace is expected to testify how Evans 'stalked, harassed, and abused' her in violation of a legal restraining order Ioan Gruffudd and ex-wife Alice Evans had some happy times bur they have been warring for years in court over their divorce which was finalized in July last year In the legal papers, the Welsh actor whose latest movie, Bad Boys: Ride or Die has grossed more than $400 million worldwide goes on to complain that a court-ordered scheme to reunite him with his daughters in therapy sessions was sabotaged by Evans, meaning that hes only spent nine hours with Ella, 14 and Elsie, 10, so far in 2024. Gruffudd's new declarations are in response to his exs request to the court for a temporary order, forcing him to pay more temporary support to tide her over till a full spousal and child support trial is held, which could be months. That temporary support hearing is scheduled for September 9 when Wallace will be one of six people on Gruffudd's witness list including himself and Evans. Wallace is expected to testify that Evans has repeatedly violated a three-year domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) which she and Gruffudd took out in August 2022, after enduring a barrage of vitriolic and derogatory text messages, emails and social media posts from her. Evans, he says in the new documents, 'engaged in a pattern of damaging and defamatory conduct against me, aimed at intimidating and harassing me and my fiance, Bianca Wallace, while alienating our two young children from me. Gruffudd says he has only only spent nine hours with Ella, 14 and Elsie, 10, so far in 2024 Evans is accused of interfering in therapy sessions between Gruffudd and his two daughters including one instance when she allegedly threw herself on the floor pretending to have a panic attack 'Evans has been engaged in a long-standing smear campaign against me,' he wrote. 'She has a history of spreading lies about me. I will present evidence of her continued violation of said DVRO.' Earlier this year, Gruffudd reportedly agreed to pay Evans $7,000 a month in spousal support and $3,000 in child support. Evans claimed there were no payments in May and June But Gruffudd takes issue with his exs claims of being broke and, he says in the legal papers that he has 'overpaid spousal support by $400,000 above and beyond what was required' in his prenup with Evans. He lashes out at Evans's 'false narrative that she and the children have been left completely destitute.' 'Alice has misrepresented her income and earnings, filing to account for thousands of dollars in unidentified deposits each month and Alice continues to live with bloated monthly expenditures,' he claims. 'From January 2023 through May 2024, Alice spent roughly $270,000 in excessive expenditure (roughly $15,800 per month).' He says that in March 2022 when Evans posted online that she was homeless, his forensic accountants found that at that time she actually had almost $157,000 in the bank. Evan claimed that her ex had bought his fiancee Wallace a Rolex watch whhile she was struggling to put food on the table for his two daughters Gruffudd says the expensive watch was a friend's and Bianca was just trying it on And, according to the legal documents: 'In June 2022, Alice created a GoFundMe page begging for donations, stating she was penniless, asking the public for "anything they could spare"during this same time, Alice had $86,457.50 available to her from her personal accounts.' Gruffudd tells of when Evans messaged him in November last year saying: 'Your children Ella and Elsie are suffering because of a lack of funds (very little to eat, no extras). As their mother, I'm going to be unable to do Christmas stockings and Santa this year.' In fact, he says, she had an income of $26,000 that November. He takes particular exception to Evans's claim that 'while I am struggling to put food on the table, Ioan is jet-setting around the world' and buying Rolex watches for Bianca Wallace (referring to a published internet photo of Bianca wearing a Rolex).' 'Aside from her claims of poverty being completely exaggerated and false, my traveling was to complete various jobs in differing locations,' he blasts. 'As for me and my fiance's alleged purchase of Rolex watches, that is completely untrue and based solely on an Instagram post by Bianca where she tried on a friend's watch and posed for the camera. I haven't purchased a Rolex watch for Bianca.' In his declaration, Gruffudd who says Wallace could testify at next month's support hearing about the Rolex watch incident blames Evans for wrecking his hopes of re-bonding with his estranged daughters. Last November, LA Superior Court Judge Josh Stinn ordered Evans to take Elsie and Ella to weekly 'reunification therapy' with their father decreeing that the battling former couple could not trash or insult each other in front of their children, or do anything to upset the kids, during the therapy sessions. The hearing is scheduled for September 9 when Wallace will be one of six people on Gruffudd's witness list. She is expected to testify that Evans has repeatedly violated a domestic violence restraining order Evans said she was broke and couldn't afford to feed her children and claims she was homeless at one point. Gruffudd said she actually hads tens of thousands of dollars in her account But Gruffudd laments in his declaration: 'Alice interfered by attempting to enter the [therapist's] premises during my session, in violation of the restraining order and abruptly throwing herself on the floor claiming to be having an alleged panic attack.' He accuses Evans of 'fighting with the therapist in front of the children, claiming that the therapist was favoring me; and creating excuses as to why she could not take the children to sessions. 'I believe that it was Alice's own constant interference and alienation that caused reunification therapy to be unsuccessful.' Gruffudd adds even though he 'went to every session...not one full session was completed. I have spent nine hours with the children this year.' Gruffudd who met Evans when they co-starred in the 2000 Disney movie, 102 Dalmatians filed for divorce in March 2021, shortly after the blonde actress claimed on social media that her husband of 14 years was walking out on her and their two daughters. Their divorce was final last July. Still, the issues of spousal and child support need to be resolved. The girls currently live with their mother and last May she and Gruffudd reached a custody agreement, the details of which the court sealed. But in his new court filing, Gruffud says that Evans has 'threatened to seek to set aside our entire custody agreement, thereby exposing our children to continued conflict, without regard for their best interest.' Fraudsters have used the names and addresses of victims to get their hands on almost 8,000 worth of mobiles A court heard that the stolen identities were used to apply for phone contracts. One of the identity fraudsters attended seven stores across Kent, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, West Sussex, London and Berkshire. Prosecutors told how an innocent man in Swindon had received collection letters from O2 and Vodafone chasing him for payments over the contracts a fraudster took out in his name, prosecutors said. This identity fraud was brought to light in separate cases at Reading Magistrates Court on Wednesday. An iPhone 14 (stock image). A 21-year-old man called Reagan Turpin who had carried out the fraud by false representation at seven different Vodafone stores Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max (stock image). Between October 3 2022 and December 9 2022 Turpin, of Wallace Road in Grays, Thurrock, visited stores in Brent Cross, Gravesend and even as far away as Chichester The first one involved a 21-year-old man called Reagan Turpin who had carried out the fraud by false representation at seven different Vodafone stores. In each case, Turpin had attended a Vodafone store with a driving licence and HSBC card in the name of a man called Jack Johnson, who was a real person with no idea his ID was being used. Between October 3 2022 and December 9 2022 Turpin, of Wallace Road in Grays, Thurrock, visited stores in Brent Cross, Gravesend and even as far away as Chichester. He was finally caught when he attended a Vodafone store on Northbrook Street in Newbury, Berks. on February 10 last year. Emily Hodge, prosecuting, told magistrates: 'The defendant sat down with a member of stage and asked to take out a phone contract. He was asked to provide two types of ID. 'The staff member proceeded to go through the relevant credit checks and became suspicious of the defendant. They alerted the manager and the manager completed checks on a security system.' Turpin came up on the Vodafone security website as someone who had previously taken out contracts fraudulently at different stores, the court heard. The prosecutor added: 'Police attended and spoke with the defendant and completed checks on the driving licence. The name and address did belong to a real person but the licence number and photo had been changed. 'Jack Johnson was spoken to. He had no knowledge of details being used and no knowledge of how details had been obtained.' A search of Turpin's home revealed six empty iPhone boxes. Ms Hodge said the value of the phones the defendant had fraudulently obtained - which included seven Apple iPhone 14s, an iPhone 14 pro, and two other unknown models of phones - totalled 5,323.11. Turpin and Billy Leech both appeared at Reading Magistrates Court (pictured). Leech admitted one count of fraud relating to him attending an O2 store in Newbury on the afternoon of January 20 last year Turpin, who had three previous convictions for three previous offences, admitted the seven frauds but claimed he had been acting under pressure from older men to carry out the offences. His case was adjourned until October 17 for him to receive his sentence. The other fraudster was Billy Leech, a 32-year-old man of Station Road, Crayford, Dartford, who admitted one count of fraud relating to him attending an O2 store in Newbury on the afternoon of January 20 last year. Ms Hodge, who also prosecuted this matter, told magistrates the case of Leech 'involved very similar circumstances as in [Turpin's], rather strangely'. The prosecutor told how Leech had been attempting to buy two iPhone Pro 14 Max phones worth 2,600 with suspected fraudulent documents in the name of James Gould. Leech had two HSBC bank statements, a HSBC debit card in the name of Mr Gould, of Swindon, and a deriving licence in his name, again with the photo changed. 'Officers have attended the scene and have identified the person responsible who fled on foot out of the store and entered a blue Ford Focus, which drove off at speed', Ms Hodge said. Leech's escape was blocked by a passing heavy goods vehicle and he was arrested. The defendant admitted the offence at Reading Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Magistrates decided to punish Leech with a community order after the former company director revealed his business and his relationship had fallen apart during lockdown and he had become addicted to cocaine. Mr Gould was contacted and confirmed the name and address on the documents did belong to him, but the bank account and card numbers did not. 'Credit checks had been made on his profile and he has since received collection letters from both O2 and Vodafone', Ms Hodge said. Simon Miller, Director of Communications at Cifas, said: 'Criminals continually look for new means of defrauding people either through coercion or by stealing their details without their knowledge. This means they can bypass security controls and stay one step ahead. They are tapping into new tools and technologies, including AI as well as fraud toolkits, to create highly convincing documentation that enables them to open accounts. 'Fraudsters understand how attractive the telecoms market is and how quickly they can sell on products like high value handsets, particularly through online marketplaces, on a large scale and with little detection. It's an issue the industry has to tackle and one which needs greater cross-sector data and intelligence sharing if we are to take the fight to the organised criminals that cause so much harm to businesses and their customers.' Beloved chef Shaun Brady was killed outside his own Kansas City business as he tried to stop burglars from breaking into a car, according to officials. Brady, 44, was shot dead on Wednesday night outside his Irish restaurant, Brady & Fox Restaurant & Lounge, in the Brookside neighborhood. He had been taking our the trash when he encountered several people standing around a park. Their interaction escalated into a shooting, officials said. Police responded to the scene following reports of a shooting and found the Irish chef unconscious and with multiple gunshot wounds, as reported by The Kansas City Star. Brady, a married father, was then taken to the hospital, where was pronounced dead. Brady, 44, was shot dead on Wednesday night outside his Irish restaurant, Brady & Fox Restaurant & Lounge, in the Brookside neighborhood Two juveniles have been arrested. Police say they were found with the vehicle involved in the incident. The shooting was reportedly witnessed by many people and caught on surveillance cameras in the area. Brady was a prominent figure in Kansas City's Irish community and a promoter of the Kansas Citys Irish Fest. He regularly appeared on local TV shows, where he shared his expertise with viewers. The festival said in a statement: 'Shaun was not only a large part of the Kansas City Irish Fest Family, his restaurant was a place where many in the Irish community gathered. It was one of Shaun's greatest gifts to bring people together with his culinary creations. 'Shaun was the head chef and creator of the Kansas City Irish Breakfast, a joyful tradition following our Catholic Mass the Sunday of the festival weekend. 'Although Kansas City Irish Fest will take place this weekend, we have decided to cancel the Irish Breakfast to give those who knew and loved Shaun a chance to gather and remember him.' Brady owned and operated his Irish restaurant with fellow friend and chef Graham Farris Two juveniles have been arrested. Police say they were found with the vehicle involved in the incident Brady owned and operated his Irish restaurant with fellow friend and chef Graham Farris. They previously ran Bradys Public House, which closed during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477. Brady's murder was the 102nd homicide reported in Kansas City this year, according to The Kansas City Star. That's down from the same time last year, when 133 homicides were reported. Tattoo-covered Wade Wilson was adopted by loving church-going parents before going off the rails at high school, taking drugs, and stealing until ultimately carrying out a killing spree. The so-called 'Deadpool Killer', 30, was was handed the death sentence in a Lee County courtroom on Tuesday for brutally murdering Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, in 2019. But his committing of the heinous crimes sent shockwaves through Florida, as his former classmates revealed to Newsweek that the 'troubled' man had been adopted by 'super friendly' Steve and Candace Wilson. One of Wilson's ex school friends said: 'He had the world given to him, he had a nice house in the suburbs with his parents who adopted him. 'They had greyhounds and expensive vehicles, but they were not just all about their material stuff. Their mindset was in the right place, too.' Wade Wilson was known for 'looking eerie' and 'passing around drugs' at high school, according to former classmates. Pictured: Wilson in 11th grade pictured in the Chiles High School 2012 yearbook Wilson, known as the 'Deadpool killer' was handed the death sentence on Tuesday after killing two women in October 2019 Wilson was convicted over the murders of Diane Ruiz, 43, and Kristine Melton, 35, who prosecutors said he killed 'for the sake of killing' But for those who watched him grow up, they believed this was all taken for granted. One classmate even recalled Wilson stealing is parents' car before disappearing for three days. Another woman who remained anonymous, claimed she attended Deerlake Middle School and Chiles High School with Wilson and said he and his friends 'looked so eerie'. She said during lunchtime, none of the friendship group would eat, but would instead pass around drugs. The woman said Wilson was also the first person she had ever smoked marijuana with when she was just 14-years-old. 'We would smoke in the woods before school started, and that was almost a daily thing after the first time. 'Sometimes it would just be me and Wade, and sometimes [her boyfriend] would be there. 'But every time I was alone with Wade, he never gave me any vibes that I was unsafe,' she said. Wilson was previously convicted in June of the two first-degree murder counts, whom he strangled within hours of each other on October 6, 2019 in Cape Coral. Prosecutors said Wilson began his murder spree on the afternoon of October 6, 2019, when he met Melton at a live music bar and went home with her. Wilson strangled her to death inside her home in Cape Coral, Florida the next day, where her body was found inside. The same day, Ruiz was reported missing after she was seen being asked for directions by Wilson while on her walk to work. Wilson was previously convicted in June of two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of first-degree meditated murder in the deaths of the two women, whom he strangled within hours of each other on October 6, 2019 in Cape Coral He was driving a car he stole from Melton's home after he murdered her, which Ruiz got into before she was also strangled to death. In chilling testimony from Wilson's father, it was said that he went onto 'run her over until she looked like spaghetti.' Ruiz's body was found three days later in a field behind a Sam's Club. Melton suffered bruising to her face and body, hemorrhages on her neck and contusions to the lungs, liver, bladder and colon, among others. Some of the injuries Ruiz suffered included a nasal bone fracture, a laceration to her left breast, bruising on both sides of her body and multiple rib fractures. The killer also drove to Fort Myers in Melton's car and attacked Melissa Montanez, his ex-girlfriend. Wilson was finally arrested on October 8, and remained behind bars without bail prior to his murder conviction. He has since added a number of tattoos to his face includes several swastikas, menacing Joker-like mouth tattoos, and a neck tattoo reading: 'Bred for war.' Throughout the trial, Wilson's attorneys have tried to argued he was impaired by drugs. His adoptive parents submitted letters saying he was a 'joyful child' who 'loved his parents,' and claimed that he became delusional after his drug addiction began. During his sentencing on August 27, Wilson made a morbid last request to the court. 'I understand he has other cases pending here and elsewhere... but Mr Wilson asked me to ask the court within whatever authority you have to get him to death row as soon as possible,' his lawyer said. Since his arrest, Wilson has had a number of tattoos added to his face including several swastikas, menacing Joker-like mouth tattoos, and a neck tattoo reading: 'Bred for war' Wilson' spate of criminal charges date back four years prior to the murders of Melton and Ruiz, after he was arrested on charges of sexual battery and kidnapping in 2015. A woman told investigators he raped her in his SUV after they met at a party in Tallahassee - but he denied the charges and a six-person jury later acquitted him at trial. Eight months before the Fort Meyers killing spree, in February 2019, Wilson's former girlfriend came forward to accuse him of stealing her laptop and cellphone. Just a month later, she told officers he had kidnapped and raped her but as the pair were under a no-contact court order, investigators decided not to pursue the rape and kidnapping allegations. Wilson's high-school fueled drug habits then followed him into prison following the arrest after his gruesome October 2019 killings. In April 2023, a K9 identified narcotics the Lee County Jail where Wilson was being held. Authorities discovered a grocery bag with two Ziploc bags inside which contained loose cigarettes, suspected narcotics, lighters, and pills. Both bags tested positive for methamphetamine and officials later confirmed Wilson had been working alongside other inmates to plant the narcotics within the prison. Following Tuesday's sentencing, Ruiz's father said he plans to be there when Wilson is on death row, recounting how he 'didn't get to say I love her' to her daughter before her untimely death. Meanwhile, prosecutors stated that Wilson will now be just a number in the Florida Department of Corrections, awaiting death. A mother and daughter took a family day out at an anti-immigration riot, even taking their pet dog with them as they joined in on a destructive rampage. The Chow Chow looked on as Megan Davison, 24, and her mum Amanda Walton, 52, joined forces to smash up a parked car, which was later torched by the mob in Middlesbrough on Sunday, August 4. The pair, who live on benefits, were picked out on police drone footage - with Davison leaping up and down on the car roof while her mum tugged at a wing mirror. To complete the family's day of disgrace, Davison's live-in partner Jake Wray was filmed setting up a racial checkpoint at a road junction. Wray was seen to be asking terrified motorists: 'Are you white? Are you English?' before deciding whether to let them pass. Megan Davison, 24, with her live-in partner Jake Wray, 23, took part in the riot in Middlesbrough on Sunday, August 4 Megan's mother Amanda Walton, 52, also got involved and tugged at a wing mirror of a car which would later be torched by the mob Jake Wray (circled in red) was arrested for stopping vehicles at a road junction and grilling the drivers about their ethnicity, asking them: 'Are you white? Are you English?' Davison and Walton appeared in the dock at Teesside Crown Court today to plead guilty to violent disorder. Davison burst into tears as Judge Francis Laird, KC, explained she would be remanded in custody until her sentencing hearing on September 23. The court was told she is the mother of two children aged five and six who are being looked after by her aunt. At a previous hearing before Teesside magistrates court the pair wept as they sat side by side in the dock while the case against them was outlined. On that occasion Judge Marie Mallon was shown video footage and told that as well as attacking the car, Amanda Walton had hurled a stone in the direction of a property on Parliament Road. The street, which is at the heart of the town's asylum and refugee community, was the worst targeted by the race hate mob, with vehicles, homes and businesses smashed and set ablaze. Jake Wray, 23, is said to have played a 'leading role' in the anti-immigration disorder that day Wray and Davidson appeared together in a number of pictures on social media MIDDLESBROUGH: A car burns on Parliament Road after it was set alight by far-right thugs on August 4 The court were told Davidson (pictured with Wray) is the mother of two children aged five and six who are being looked after by her aunt Wray's 'checkpoint' was set up on Linthorpe road in Middlesbrough amid spiralling violence Videos from the day of the protests on social media showed Wray shouting his questions at a driver when a car was trying to cross an intersection while hundreds marched Their lawyer Lee Goodchild made an unsuccessful bail application on their behalf, telling the court: 'Amanda Walton had concerns about the path the government was taking but what started as a peaceful protest to express her fears and beliefs got hijacked.' He said that Walton 'could not remove herself' from the trouble once it broke out, adding: 'She was walking her dog and it was only her intention to go and make a donation for the three young girls who lost their lives in that dreadful incident in Southport. 'However she felt compelled to stay with her daughter. On the video you can see her remonstrating with her daughter and that prevented her daughter becoming more embroiled in what happened.' Mr Goodchild said she threw the stone which she found on the ground to prevent it being hurled with intent by someone else. And rather than damaging the wing mirror she was attempting to push it back into place. He said of the pair: 'They both live locally, both are on benefits and they rely on each other very much.' Wray, from Middlesbrough, appeared via video link from HMP Nottingham and admitted his guilt He said Walton and Davison were concerned about the care of Davison's given that they and Davison's partner were all remanded in prison. Judge Mallon replied: 'Who was looking after the children on the day in question when their mother, her partner and grandmother were involved in these incidents?' She remanded them in custody, saying: 'You were concerned in what happened, you were not bystanders and you could have surrendered yourselves after the police made their appeal for information.' Gary Wood, representing Walton, of Ashling Way, Middlesbrough, told the court: 'This defendant is someone who strikes me as someone with difficulties and this is a case I think will be greatly assisted by a report. 'This case is very closely linked to the case of Ms Davison, they are mother and daughter. 'I've been speaking with Ms Buck who represents Ms Davison and the instruction was to allow a pre-sentence report in my client's case.' Judge Francis Laird KC agreed and adjourned both sentences to September 23. The judge told Walton: 'You have pleaded guilty to a serious offence, you understand that don't you. 'The court will need to consider what is the appropriate sentence in your case. 'Because of what Mr Wood has told me, I think it is necessary and appropriate to order a short pre-sentence report in your case so I know as much about you as I can before I decide what is the appropriate sentence. 'That will just take a little bit of time so I will adjourn your case to the 23rd of September. 'That is a little under a month away and you will be sentenced on that day. In the meantime you will be remanded in custody.' Tabitha Buck, representing Davison, said: 'Ms Davison is of previous good character. 'I understand the co-defendant who is linked to her and has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report. 'I would ask for a pre-sentence report in this case.' Judge Laird told Davison: 'You have pleaded guilty to a serious offence but having heard what Ms Buck has said about you and your family circumstances and the fact you are still young and you've not been convicted of any criminal offence before, I think it's important there is a pre-sentence report. Appearing via video link from HMP Nottingham, Wray, from Middlesbrough, admitted his guilt and also that he was in contravention of a suspended sentence order imposed on April 12 of this year 'That report will tell me all about your personal circumstances, how it is you came to be involved in this event.' Both women waved and gestured to relatives in the public gallery as they were led out of the dock. Davison's boyfriend Jake Wray, who lives with her at Seaton Street, also appeared at court earlier today. Wray, 23, is said to have played a 'leading role' in the anti-immigration disorder on that day in Middlesbrough. At a previous hearing prosecutors said he was arrested for stopping vehicles at a road junction and grilling the drivers about their ethnicity. Terrified motorists were only allowed to pass Wray's checkpoint on Linthorpe Road if he was satisfied they were white. Videos from the day of the protests on social media showed Wray shouting his questions at a driver when a car was trying to cross an intersection while hundreds marched around him. MIDDLESBROUGH: Cars were set on fire and objects thrown at police in riots Sunday, August 4 'Yes, he is!' someone else was heard shouting back. Two cars narrowly avoided colliding as they sped away from the mob, prompting one of the agitators to whine he had 'nearly been run over' and calling out 'where's your police?' Rows of officers wielding riot shields were seen near the commotion as thugs circled on BMXs and continued stopping cars, standing in the middle of the road. Wray appeared briefly before a judge today to plead guilty to a single charge of violent disorder. He was also accused of setting fire to a wheelie bin which was then pushed into a line of riot police trying to quell the disorder by forming a line across Linthorpe Road, the main route into the town centre. However after reviewing evidence prosecutors decided not to proceed on that charge. Appearing via video link from HMP Nottingham, Wray, from Middlesbrough, admitted his guilt and also that he was in contravention of a suspended sentence order imposed on April 12 of this year. MIDDLESBROUGH: Police raced off with far-right agitators on Parliament Road on August 4 At a previous hearing before magistrates, prosecutor Michael Embleton said: 'He was heavily involved in the disorder and plays a leading role in my view.' Judge Francis Laird, KC, told Wray: 'You have pleaded guilty to violent disorder. I need to know a little more about you and particularly how you have progressed on the current suspended sentence order. 'Obviously as you were told when that order was imposed you are at risk of having that sentence activated as well as any sentence that is appropriate for this offence of violent disorder.' He was remanded in custody to face sentence on September 18. Elsewhere in Middlesbrough on the day of the riot, far-right groups torched cars and hurled bricks. The 'staggering' surge of violence led to 43 people being arrested in Middlesbrough on that day, police said. Buses had to change their schedules to avoid the disorder. MIDDLESBROUGH: Riots devastated a number of towns and cities across the UK beginning on July 30 About 300 people gathered in front of a mosque in Waterloo Road in the town to guard it while police blocked off nearby streets. A person was seen being stretchered into an ambulance after an incident at the Swatters Carr pub. Police in riot gear were forced to retreat to get away from a group dressed in hoods and face coverings at one point. Rioters smashed the windows of houses and cars and hurled objects at officers, with one seen shouting a racial slur and another telling police: 'It's our f****** country.' There was significant damage to the crown court, the university and a number of properties in the Parliament Road area. Meanwhile a grandmother is facing a possible jail sentence after admitting violent disorder outside an asylum seekers' hotel where her daughter was pushing her grandson in a pushchair. Vanessa Smith, 42, admitted the same offence as her daughter, Nevey Smith, 21, during trouble outside the hotel in Newton Heath, Manchester on July 31. Nevey Smith, 21, earlier this month admitted violent disorder after being caught on camera throwing liquid from a bottle towards police officers who were trying to maintain order in Newton Heath, Manchester on July 31 Smith was also seen to be pushing her one-year-old son around in a stroller during the trouble Nevey Smith, of Oldham, earlier this month admitted violent disorder after being caught on camera throwing liquid from a bottle towards police officers who were trying to maintain order. She was also seen to be pushing her one-year-old son around in a stroller during the trouble. Ms Smith, who like her daughter has no previous convictions, appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday for sentence but this was adjourned for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. Both mother and daughter will appear on separate days, September 26 and 23, for sentence. Joshua Bowker told the court Smith had caring responsibilities for a daughter, 11, and son, 16, who both had health issues. Judge Patrick Field KC, granted bail for the defendant, but warned her: 'The judge who sentences you will have all sentencing options open to him or her, that must include a custodial sentence, so there must be no misunderstanding.' Ministers are 'rolling the dice' by releasing thousands of prisoners early in a bid to ease overcrowding in jails, according to the Chief Inspector of Probation. Since taking office, Labour has cut the proportion of a sentence inmates must serve behind bars from 50 per cent to 40 per cent. The temporary move - due to start on 10 September - is expected to result in 5,500 offenders being released in September and October. It does not apply to those convicted of sex offences, terrorism, domestic abuse or some violent offences. And those released early will serve the rest of their sentence under 'strict' licensing conditions in the community. But Martin Jones, who became chief inspector in March, told The Times it was 'inevitable' that 'things will go wrong'. Meanwhile, it has emerged how some prisoners are set to be freed after serving as little as 20 per cent of their sentences under the Government's early release scheme. Sir Keir Starmer is 'rolling the dice' by releasing thousands of prisoners early in a bid to ease overcrowding in jails, according to the Chief Inspector of Probation Since taking office, Labour has cut the proportion of a sentence inmates must serve behind bars from 50 per cent to 40 per cent It has been reported, under an electronic tagging scheme known as Home Detention Curfew, that some prisoners are set to be freed after serving just a fifth of their sentence The prison and probation service has been given eight weeks to plan for the scheme. Mr Jones said the implementation period has given the probation service 'at least a fighting chance of getting this right'. But he warned the volume of offenders being released meant some could reoffend at a time when they would otherwise be in jail. 'I think it's inevitable, being realistic about it, that things will go wrong,' he said. 'I wish we could live in a perfect world where that doesn't happen. 'What I think you should, you should start to see, at least, is that if people have to focus on those, that they start to identify where things go wrong, and they draw lessons from that quite quickly.' He added: 'I also think there's a little bit of a numbers game to some extent, you're rolling the dice all the time in relation to serious further offences. 'You know, ultimately, if you release thousands of people, a number of those cases will ultimately, sadly, there will be things that will go wrong.' Mr Jones said there are 'no risk free options available' although extra strain will be put on the probation service. The Telegraph reported that, under an electronic tagging scheme known as Home Detention Curfew, prisoners are set to be freed after serving just a fifth of their sentence. Those jailed for lower-level offences and judged to be the lowest risk can become eligible for HDC once they reach the halfway point in the custodial part of their sentence. That means half of 50 per cent but, with the early release scheme, it will now be half of 40 per cent. Mark Fairhurst, chairman of the Prison Officers' Association, said: 'The problem I have with all this is: 'Have we engaged with the victims of crime? Are they content that this is only a temporary emergency measure? 'Then are we going to go back to normal? Are we going to provide more prison places? How are we going to reform sentencing? What is the view of the victims? All we have had is the view of politicians.' At least 1,000 new trainee probation officers will be recruited by the end of March 2025, according to the Government. Sir Keir Starmer, speaking in Berlin yesterday, also said more prisons will be built to manage overcrowding once the Government gets its 'hands on the planning laws'. The Prime Minister said the lack of prisons being built is one of the reasons for the current capacity crisis in jails across the UK. Sir Keir previously described the decision to release prisoners early as a difficult one, and 'goes against the grain of everything I've ever done'. There were said to be 100 spaces left in men's prisons in England and Wales on Tuesday, although the system is normally under greater pressure after a bank holiday weekend. A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'The new Government inherited a justice system in crisis and has been forced into taking difficult but necessary action to ensure we can keep locking up dangerous criminals and protect the public. 'Everyone released under these changes will be strictly supervised, face tough licence conditions such as electronic tagging and curfews and could be recalled to prison if they breach conditions.' An 18-year-old American woman has been arrested in Greece after she was accused of raping a 20-year-old drunk man. The victim reportedly told police the woman 'performed genital acts' without his consent after leading him to an abandoned house in Thessaloniki , the second-largest city in Greece. He claimed the woman took advantage of his inebriated state and had sexual intercourse with him, as reported by Greek media this week. The man said he did not want the sexual encounter but the woman persisted until they had intercourse. The suspect has not been identified by authorities. The victim reportedly told police the woman 'performed genital acts' without his consent after leading him to an abandoned house in Thessaloniki , the second-largest city in Greece However, Greek media reports that she has denied the accusations. An investigation is ongoing, with the suspect expected to be interrogated by prosecutors. It comes after a UK woman was arrested on the Greek island of Rhodes after another British woman accused her of rape. The alleged attacker, 35, is said to have followed a younger woman, 20, into the toilets of a bar in the town of Lalysos at around 1.30am on July 14, according to several local media outlets. The 20-year-old woman, who reported the incident to local police that night, claimed that the older woman approached her, before subduing her and trying to force herself onto her. It comes after a UK woman was arrested on the Greek island of Rhodes after another British woman accused her of rape And last year, a 21-year-old British tourist accused a Greek man more than twice her age of raping her in her hotel room. The 21-year-old said she was attacked at around 2am in Pefkos and made a complaint to the local police hours later, prompting a case to be opened. According to Greece's ANT1News, the young woman's lawsuit claimed the older man took her from a 'health care store' in Lindos, found on the south of the island, to a hotel in Pefkos - the main city on the island that sits around 15 miles from Turkey. There, the outlet reports, the woman claims the man forced her to have sex with him through threats of physical violence. Upon making her complaint, the police asked a medical examiner to carry out an assessment, ANT1News said. Elizabeth Wilson is an intern on the breaking news team. She is a rising senior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo majoring in journalism with a minor in political science. She has lived in San Francisco for the past decade and is excited to join the breaking news team. Wilson was most recently a fellow for the CalMatters College Journalism Network, where she covered higher education policy. She previously interned at the San Luis Obispo Tribune. At her campus paper, Wilson is a data and investigations reporter. Her award-winning reporting has focused on student experiences with campus safety. In her free time, she enjoys walking around the city, watching nostalgic TV shows and finding new music. A Royal Navy sailor punched a female colleague in the face five times, split her head open, broke her finger and gave her PTSD during a drunken brawl outside a takeaway, a court martial heard today. Petty Officer James Brown allegedly threw a 'hard punch' at Leading Hand Gemma Brice, causing her to fall to the floor during the late-night brawl involving several navy personnel. LH Brice had been at a colleague's leaving do before the violent incident outside a Subway sandwich shop left her with 'concussion symptoms' and injuries to her eye so severe that she was worried she may have lost her eye. PO Brown, of HMS Clyde, was out celebrating a friend's 30th birthday and did not know LH Brice before the brawl. The 46-year-old denies one count of GBH and an alternative charge of assault occasioning ABH, claiming he was acting in 'self-defence'. Petty Officer James Brown pictured outside Bulford Military Court. He is accused of punching a female colleague five times and dragging her across the floor during a drunken brawl Leading Hand Gemma Brice (pictured) suffered a broken finger and has since developed PTSD, a cout heard Lieutenant Commander Andrew Ramage, prosecuting, told Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, that the incident happened outside the fast food shop in Portsmouth, Hampshire, in the early hours of July 23, 2022. He said: 'At 3.15am outside a Portsmouth Subway Petty Officer Brown punched Leading Hand Gemma Brice five times. 'LH Brice was caused numerous physical injuries and suffered PTSD. 'The melee begins because LH Brice knocks someone else's glasses on the floor, there is clearly tension in the group.' The court was shown CCTV footage of the brawl in which PO Brown allegedly dragged LH Brice 'along the road' as a fracas broke out between a large group of sailors. Lt Cdr Ramage said: 'It shows PO Brown getting involved initially as a peacemaker. 'At 3.18 he pursues another sailor, LH Brice then approaches PO Brown with her arms out and he throws one hard punch. 'This causes her to fall on the floor, the action also pulls PO Brown to the floor. 'He gets up and drags her along the road.' Lt Cdr Ramage revealed that LH Brice was taken to a nearby nightclub for medical treatment before being put in a taxi to attend A&E at nearby Queen Alexandra Hospital. LH Brice suffered a head injury, a swollen left eye which she was initially told was fractured, a wound to the back of her head which required five stitches and her middle right finger was broken in half. Lt Cdr Ramage added: 'The prosecution say the evidence that will be presented will be such we can be sure that PO Brown was not acting in self-defence.' Giving evidence, LH Brice explained that she had been out with friends to mark one of them leaving the Navy and had been to three pubs before not being 'let in' to Popworld nightclub, going to another club and later leaving for Subway, which was closing as they arrived. Having had drinks throughout the night LH Brice said her memory was 'hazy' but she could remember the atmosphere in the Subway being 'tense' between the two groups. Recounting the night she said: 'My last memory was being inside Subway and joking. 'I have got a memory of it being tense, everything was very tense and then I remember sitting up and there was blood on the back of my head and I could not see out of my eye.' The court was shown CCTV footage of the brawl in which PO Brown allegedly dragged LH Brice 'along the road' She said she was 'in and out of consciousness' on the way to the hospital where she was given a CT scan. After the scan, a doctor told her that her eye socket was fractured, although at a follow-up appointment two weeks later she was told this was not the case. LH Brice told the court: 'My eye was swollen shut, they did not know if I still had an eye. 'We had to wait for the swelling to go down. 'I needed five stitches, the hair was really matted with blood.' HMS Clyde was commissioned in 2007 and is an offshore patrol vessel. The two-day trial continues. This is the moment a paedophile who used TikTok to prey on young girls was arrested after the victim's mum alerted police. Stephen Blackwell, 46, posed as a 17-year-old boy on the social networking site to target girls as young as 10. Claiming to live in London, he bombarded one victim with photos and videos and asked her to send him images in return. Blackwell was caught when the girl's mother found the messages on her phone and contacted police. Police bodycam footage shows the moment Blackwell was arrested at his home in Matlock, Derbyshire. Stephen Blackwell, 46, posed as a 17-year-old boy to target young girls, sending them messages and pictures Blackwell is shown with a cigarette in his mouth as he was detained by officers. He was released on bail but carried on targeting young girls on TikTok by messaging accounts he believed belonged to girls aged 14. However, these accounts were all decoy accounts run by an online child activist group who recorded his messages as evidence. Blackwell sent numerous videos showing him performing sex acts on himself, and also asked the girls to carry out acts on themselves. He was charged with five offences, including engaging in sexual communication with a child and causing a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity. He denied the offences but was found guilty after a trial at Derby Crown Court. Blackwell was jailed for 11 years and three months and handed an extended sentence on August 16. He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the sex offenders register. The moment police officers arrested Blackwell at his home in Matlock, Derbyshire. The paedophile was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison Temporary Detective Constable Samantha Bramley and Detective Constable Sarah North, who led the investigation, said: 'Blackwell's behaviour in persistently seeking sexual gratification from children and the fact he continued to offend despite being on bail shows what a dangerous individual he is. 'He has shown no regard for the law and by denying these offences he has also shown that he has no real grasp that what he was doing was wrong. 'There is no doubt that he would have continued to commit offences if he had not been sent to prison. 'It is pleasing therefore that he is now behind bars and the judge acknowledged the threat he poses by imposing an extended sentence of imprisonment.' A controversial new Gail's bakery in a seaside town is going ahead despite concerns it could force independent cafes to shut, after the council confirmed the chain does not need planning permission to open. Concerned residents and businesses fear the planned outlet within a conservation area of Worthing in West Sussex is out of keeping with the historic setting. But Gail's is already pressing on with the refurbishment of the unit, which was previously occupied by Italian restaurant Nonna's Kitchen and then MasterChef winner Kenny Tutt's now-defunct restaurant Pitch until it closed in July last year. And council bosses confirmed to MailOnline today that Gail's does not require planning permission because there will be no change of use to the building. The only issue now to resolve is an 'illuminated hanging sign' on the front, for which Gail's has applied for permission amid criticism from a local preservation group. The Worthing Society has warned the sign could be 'overly dominant' on the narrow street and 'set a precedent', and it is now being concerned by council planners. People walk along Warwick Street in Worthing, West Sussex, where a Gail's is set to open soon Gail's is already pressing on with the refurbishment of the unit in Worthing, West Sussex The temporary Gail's frontage on the street in Worthing says staff will be 'baking here soon' A spokesperson for Worthing Borough Council said today: 'This premises was a restaurant previously and, as there is no change of use with the new occupant, planning permission from the council is not required.' 'We have received a planning application for illuminated signage, which is currently under consideration by our planning team.' It comes after residents of Walthamstow Village in East London campaigned against the chain opening a branch on their high street amid similar concerns for the area. Gail's which has more than 130 branches in England - is also hiring at least five staff for the new outlet, including a kitchen team member and barista each on 12 per hour; and a head barista, team leader and head baker each on 13 per hour. A Gail's sign on the front of the vacant shop on Warwick Street says: 'Hello Worthing. We'll be baking here soon'. Worthing in West Sussex has a high street adorned with pavement cafes and restaurants Gail's has submitted plans for the proposed shopfront elevation for its new Worthing branch Aerial view of the West Sussex seaside town of Worthing where Gail's is planning a new branch A close-up of the Gail's sign in planning documents submitted to Adur and Worthing Councils The outlet is on Warwick Street in Worthing's South Street Conservation Area (file picture) But owners of family-run cafes warned existing local businesses were 'struggling as it is' and could lose custom or even be forced to close for good if Gail's opens. Gail's chairman Luke Johnson who made millions from pizza Gail's chairman Luke Johnson began his career at 18 when he organised parties as an Oxford medical student. The entrepreneur worked at TV-AM as an assistant to former Conservative MP Jonathan Aitken, who was an investor in the broadcaster, and was also an analyst at investment bank Kleinwort Benson. But he made his fortune with Pizza Express after buying it with fellow medic Hugh Osmond for 8million in 1983. It grew from 12 outlets to more than 200 and the pair then floated it on the stock exchange 10 years later. He also co-founded investment firm Intrinsic Value in 1999, and invested in businesses such as Belgo Group, which owned The Ivy and Le Caprice. Mr Johnson set up Risk Capital Partners in 2001 which owns stakes in a range of businesses including Brighton Pier Group and Gail's. He also became the youngest ever chairman of Channel 4 in 2004 and donated money towards the Brexit campaign before the EU referendum. Mr Johnson spoke out against pandemic restrictions, saying in October 2020 that the country could not afford another lockdown. And in a column for The Sunday Times in 2019, he said he worried that 'climate alarmists are unduly pessimistic and anti-business, and that global warming is used by some as a convenient stick with which to beat capitalism for purely political reasons'. Advertisement Tushar Patel, who owns Cafe Traditionale on Chapel Road in Worthing, told the Daily Telegraph: 'Allowing more cafes to open will have a knock-on effect on existing businesses. 'Existing businesses are struggling as it is. Somebody will have to close their doors very soon here. It is frustrating. 'The council should look after the existing businesses by not allowing new cafes to open.' Another local business owner called Baz, who runs Bites Cafe And Kitchen in the town, estimated that he would lose around two tables a day if Gail's opened its doors. He told the newspaper: 'There are already enough cafes. Nobody can make money, nobody can survive, it's just becoming that difficult. Nobody seems to be doing well. The council should be managing this before it gets too late.' The Worthing Society responded to the planning application on the Adur and Worthing Councils website following a discussion with the group's heritage team and specifically criticised plans for 'illuminated signage'. Its chair said in a letter: 'This building is located in Warwick Street, one of the most historic areas in Worthing and set within the South Street Conservation Area. 'Although not included on the Statutory List or included on the Local List, it is a building of same age and scale within the street scene. 'Warwick Street is one of the narrowest shopping streets in Worthing. Whilst we can appreciate the need for a hanging sign we consider it does not need to be illuminated. 'Given the scale of the building, an illuminated sign could be overly dominant and set a precedent.' The group added that it thought the illuminated sign would breach Section 72 (1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 because it would not enhance the conservation area. Gail's started as a single store in Hampstead, North London, and slowly began to spread across the capital before cherry picking new towns and cities to set up in. Gail's has submitted a series of drawings to Adur and Worthing Councils for its new branch The existing front elevation and rear elevation of the building are shown in these drawings But its rise to prominence has not been welcomed with open arms, as some residents look to fight the gentrification of their towns. The chain now is seen by many as the successor to Waitrose, with plans now in place for 35 new sites to be opened. Gail's already has five bakeries in Sussex on Seven Dials and North Road in Brighton; Church Road in Hove; Carfax in Horsham and High Street in Lewes. Earlier this month, Gail's hit the headlines when residents of gentrified Walthamstow Village launched a fight to stop a branch opening on their high street. The petitioners said they wanted to protect 'the unique identity of our community' by 'safeguarding the soul of a beloved neighbourhood'. However, some business owners claimed that local resistance was down to company chairman Luke Johnson, who is said to be pro-Brexit, anti-lockdown and has called climate activists 'alarmists'. The Worthing Society responded to the planning application from Gail's on the Adur and Worthing Councils website following a discussion with the group's heritage team The location where Gail's wants to open its new branch on Warwick Street in Worthing Some residents said they felt Mr Johnson did not align with the politics of the area, which backed Remain in 2016 and has had a Labour MP for more than 30 years. During the General Election campaign earlier this year, the Liberal Democrats targeted constituencies where there are Gail's outlets - believing there were Conservative voters who could be prepared to swing - in a scheme launched by Sir Ed Davey and dubbed 'Operation Cinnamon Bun'. Asked about the Worthing outlet, a Gail's spokeswoman told MailOnline: 'We understand the concern, but our view is that a healthy high street is one with a diversity of quality offers, each delivering their best. 'High streets evolve over time, and we open our small bakeries often in closed banks or stranded restaurants. The row in Worthing comes after residents of Walthamstow Village in East London campaigned against Gail's opening a branch on their high street (pictured on August 19) amid similar fears A sign featuring a bearded tattooed hipster has emerged on the new Gail's in Walthamstow A petition which has been set up to stop Gail's bakery opening a new store in Walthamstow 'All of our bakeries exist in areas where the choices are wide and growing we should be celebrating the improvement in our food landscapes. 'Bringing our bakery to Worthing, with such a dynamic and thriving food scene, is something we've wanted to do for a while. 'We're looking forward to having a small footprint in a place that we love and admire, and are excited to fire up our ovens for the Worthing community.' A 96-year-old woman is facing eviction from her home of 22 years where she says she's invested her entire savings - in a Democrat state where lawmakers want to give migrants $150,000 loans to buy homes. Jean Jacques was given a three-day eviction notice from the Pacific Grove Senior Living facility, located on the picturesque Monterey County coast in California, KSBW reported. The notice demands Jacques pays her outstanding balance of $110,000 or leave her unit, according to the outlet. The notice came as a shock to Jacques, who maxed out her savings on the home and said she signed a contract stipulating that she would be taken care of for life - whether or not she outlived her nest egg. 'I'm not going. They'll have to bury me because I have no place to go,' Jacques told the news outlet. 'They have all my money.' Jean Jacques, 96, is facing eviction from her home of 22 years where she says she's invested her entire savings Illegal migrants could soon be eligible for a tax-funded home-buying program in California Her investments included an initial $250,000 down payment and $5,000 per month in rent until she can no longer afford it. Pacifica Senior Living, which served the eviction notice, acquired the facility in 2022 with an expectation that contracts like Jacques' would be honored, according to KSBW. The president of the Pacific Grove Senior Living's Residents' Association, Bob Sadler, told the outlet that 'lifetime care' contracts were considered unconditional. Evictions were not issued to people who outlived their savings, because some residents die before their contracts end. 'She's devoted all of her savings and money to this place,' Sadler told KSBW. 'I don't care what the legal ramifications are here. This is morally unthinkable.' On Wednesday, state lawmakers approved the California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan program, which would provide no-interest home loans of up to $150,000 to illegal migrants to use on down payments and fees. It now heads to California Governor Gavin Newsom's desk for final approval. The program was launched last year and has already provided thousands of first-time homebuyers with loans of up to 20 percent of a house's purchase price. The bill, which would offer hefty loans to migrants buying homes in California, now only requires final approval from Governor Gavin Newsom (pictured) San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond said the bill was a waste of taxpayers' money. 'Once again, California has chosen to prioritize illegal immigration and fiscal irresponsibility over the needs of its citizens,' the Republican posted on X. 'Expanding this program to include illegal immigrants is not just another handout - it's a massive overreach that shifts the financial burden onto law-abiding taxpayers.' Meanwhile, Golden State residents and others took to social media to brand the plan 'insane,' 'nonsense,' and 'evil.' One critic called for a 'taxpayer revolt,' while another said the funds should flow instead to 'homeless veterans.' California is home to nearly 2 million irregular and illegal migrants, according to Pew Research Center estimates The taxpayer-funded plan is hugely popular in a state where a single-family home costs an eye-popping $904,000 on average. The loans are aimed at people who would otherwise not be able to get on the property ladder, are interest-free and don't require monthly payments. Instead, when the mortgage is refinanced or the property is sold again, the borrower pays back the original sum of the loan plus 20 percent of the increase in the home's value. A striptease contest that saw contestants take their clothes off for the chance to win an iPhone has sparked fury in Russia, with authorities forcing revellers to make a grovelling apology and threatening them with jail. Organisers asked two men and two women to go to the front of the club, understood to be in a bunker in the south-eastern Astrakhan region, and begin taking their clothes off. Video footage from the night showed three of them them nervously getting naked, while a 22-year-old woman was happy to strip off for the chance to win the Apple product. After Russian authorities arrested the four on stage, as well as several others who helped put the event together, and threatened them with 15 days of jail time, the woman was forced to make a an abject apology. She said: 'I am insanely remorseful for what I did. My actions were immoral and nor normal at all. I am deeply ashamed that I did it. While lurid striptease shows are common in Putin's Russia , this contest was seen as breaking the bounds of decency Video footage from the night showed three of them them nervously getting naked, while a 22-year-old woman was happy to strip off for the chance to win the Apple product The organisers and the contestants were all arrested by Russian authorities The unnamed woman said in her grovelling apology: 'I am insanely remorseful for what I did. My actions were immoral and nor normal at all. I am deeply ashamed that I did it' 'What I experienced today, these emotions, I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I sincerely apologise to everyone. I apologise to my family, and to my home city.' Vladimir Putin's governor in Astrakhan region Igor Babushkin expressed outrage at the stunt, while police raided the club. While lurid striptease shows are common in Putin's Russia, this contest was seen as breaking the bounds of decency. 'What happened in the Bunker night club is a disgrace for all of us,' stormed the dictator-loyal governor. 'At a time when thousands of our fellow countrymen, not caring for their lives, defend the Motherland in the [war]some inhuman people, who have lost all shame and conscience, staged an immoral performance that humiliates human dignity.' The contestants were stripping for the chance to win an iPhone The governor of the region accused them of selling themselves out for 'an American phone' He raged in his online post: 'Do they even know what a BUNKER is?' 'Do they realise what is happening in real BUNKERS now, there on the front lines? 'They sold themselves out for an American phone, which the advertising industry and media made a symbol of success and prosperity for an entire generation.' He questioned whether any nudity should be allowed in Russia during the war started by Putin. 'I am sure that the public has the right to know by name all those who organised this brutality, who took part in it, flaunting their shame, who applauded and rejoiced at this outrage.' Two more men who set fire to a double-decker bus during disorder in Leeds which was sparked 'by four Roma children being taken into care my police' are facing jail. Mark Mitchell, 43, and Milan Zamostny, 30, both pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered. During the unrest in Harehills on July 18 - which broke out after children from a local family were allegedly taken away by social services - a patrol car was overturned and a bus set alight, as passengers were forced to flee. Earlier this month, Iustin Dobre, 37, also pleaded guilty to one count of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered over the bus fire. Horrifying footage that has emerged since the incident shows the men using cigarette lighters to set the bus alight. Mark Mitchell, 43, pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered Milan Zamostny, 30, also pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered. He also admitted a charge of violent disorder at an earlier hearing Earlier this month, Iustin Dobre, 37, pleaded guilty to the same charge after he set a bus on fire during a riot in Harehills During the disorder in Leeds last month, a double-decker bus was set on fire (pictured) Caught on camera: Iustin Dobre filmed setting a bus on fire during a riot in Harehills Appearing at Leeds Crown Court today, Zamostny, of Luxor Avenue, also admitted a charge of violent disorder. Mitchell, of Strathmore View, pleaded guilty to the same charge at an earlier hearing. Zamostny and Mitchell were remanded in custody. All three men will be sentenced on October 1. Judge Guy Kearl KC, the Recorder of Leeds, told them it was 'almost inevitable that an immediate custodial sentence will be passed'. The court heard that Zamostny, who followed proceedings with the help of a Romanian interpreter, has learning difficulties and there were 'suggestions' he had been trafficked into the UK as a teenager. Distressing footage which emerged shows police officers hauling a young boy out of a house and bundling him into a van. The incident is believed to have sparked the riot All three men will be sentenced on October 1 Riots in the Harehills area of Leeds allegedly began after social services in the city removed all four children from a family Dobre, who appeared in court earlier this month did not enter a plea for a second charge of violent disorder. On Wednesday, Celan Valentin Palaghia, 21, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and arson after setting fire to furniture during the Harehills disorder. He admitted setting fire to furniture and bins belonging to persons unknown. A top heart surgeon who carried out lifesaving operations on children has been struck off for sexually harassing and groping a colleague. Fabrizio De Rita grabbed a member of staff's breast 'on top of her scrubs and bra' in what could amount to a criminal sexual assault, a disciplinary hearing panel concluded. He was accused of sexually harassing the woman over an eight-month period and is now banned from working in the UK as a doctor after the misconduct case was proved against him. Mr De Rita was a consultant paediatric surgeon at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, where he carried out lifesaving surgery and heart transplants on critically ill infants. He has been found culpable of serious professional misconduct, sexually harassing a colleague and abusing a position of seniority by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service panel. Chair Debi Gould said his 'failure to respect the dignity of another colleague' amounted to 'sexual harassment.' The allegations related to a period between May 2022 and January 2023. Heart surgeon Fabrizio De Rita (pictured) has been struck off for groping and sexually harassing a colleague A disciplinary hearing panel concluded Fabrizio De Rita grabbed a member of staff's breast 'on top of her scrubs and bra' in what could amount to a criminal sexual assault They included that Mr De Rita made inappropriate gestures towards the colleague before telling her she was 'going red', that he pulled her chair towards him in a meeting room, despite her moving it away from him, that he sent her WhatsApp messages, 'pinged her bra strap' and grabbed her left breast. This behaviour was described as sexually motivated and an abuse of his position as a senior surgeon in the prestigious cardiothoracic department. The tribunal panel found the allegations proven with the exception of one of the alleged inappropriate gestures and the sending of messages. It was also found that moving the chair was not proven to be sexually motivated. Mr De Rita, who worked at the hospital for more than 10 years, was suspended by the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust the day after a complaint was made. In deciding the surgeon was not fit to practise medicine in the UK, the tribunal chair Miss Gould said his 'conduct was fundamentally incompatible with his continued registration.' A file image of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service The panel decided being struck off was 'the only necessary, appropriate, and proportionate sanction that it could impose given the seriousness of the misconduct, the lack of insight and remediation shown and the high risk of repetition that remained.' Commenting: 'The Tribunal considered it to be an aggravating factor that the misconduct involved sexual misconduct towards a colleague and an abuse by Mr De Rita of his more senior position. 'The Tribunal noted that professional colleagues have the right to expect that they will be treated with dignity at work. Mr De Rita was in a more senior role, should have led by example, was an experienced and long serving doctor and should have known better.' A damning Care Quality Commission inspection report in January found a 'long-standing history of concerns about the culture' in the cardiothoracic department. The CQC inspectors raised issues including sexism, bullying and sexually inappropriate behaviour. After Mr De Rita's was struck off a spokesman for the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust said: 'All of our staff have the right to feel safe and supported at work and we have a zero-tolerance approach to any unwanted, inappropriate or harmful sexual behaviours towards staff. 'As a signatory of NHS England's Sexual Safety in Healthcare organisational charter, we have committed to take appropriate action in all cases regardless of the seniority or role of the perpetrator.' Mr De Rita is originally from Italy where he trained. The tribunal decision does not stop Mr De Rita working abroad, although international medical regulator will be informed of the decision. A fisherman who saw the decapitated body of a teenager in a horror shark attack off the coast of Jamaica tried to shoot the animal, it has emerged. Jahmari Reid's body was reportedly found with his head missing and his left arm bitten off. His heartbroken father, Michael Reid, was on the beach when divers brought his son's remains back to land. Now, fisherman Christopher Reynolds, who was with Michael on the beach, has claimed to have seen the massive tiger shark in the water near to where Jahmari's body was found, the Jamaica Observer reports. And he even revealed how 'all of the fisherman went out there and, while they were diving to take him up... they shot at him but they didn't get him'. Jahmari Reid, 16, had gone spearfishing near the popular tourist town of Montego Bay The high school student is pictured with his father, taxi driver Michael Reid The 16-year-old had gone spearfishing near the popular tourist town of Montego Bay on Monday, according to local police. The high school student vanished after going out into the water by himself and his mauled body was recovered on Tuesday. 'I can't believe that he went to sea by himself yesterday [Monday] and that was the outcome. Sad to know. I feel so bad,' he told Jamaican media. The taxi driver said he had often tried to discourage his son from his spearfishing hobby, and that they often argued about him going out. Pictures from the scene showed scores of horrified locals gathering at the beach in the town of Falmouth on the island's northern coast. Fisherman Christopher Reynolds added that they hoped to find and kill the shark and recover the boy's missing severed head from inside it. The head of a local fisherman's association said that this was the first time in recent history that someone had been killed by a shark in local waters. Locals in the town of Falmouth gathered on the beach as the body was recovered The attack happened off the beach in the north coast town of Falmouth Fritz Christie suggested that the shark might have followed a cruise ship into Falmouth bay, and warned spearfishers to exercise extreme caution when large vessels come in. 'What we have to do is make certain when the ships come to be careful of the diving. The shark eat off the man head, eat off one of his hand. It's crazy, man,' Christie said. Falmouth police are reported to be investigating the tragedy. Shark attacks are extremely rare in Jamaica, with only three unprovoked attacks reported since 1749, according to the the International Shark Attack File. The most common shark in Jamaica is a nurse shark, which is docile and usually stays near the seabed. Caribbean reef sharks, tiger sharks, hammerheads, and bull sharks have also been seen in Jamaican waters. Wells Fargo employees were horrified to find their coworker dead in her office cubicle after her body had gone unnoticed for four whole days. Denise Prudhomme, 60, a Wells Fargo employee, was found dead at her desk on Tuesday days after she arrived to work on Friday morning - despite 24/7 security at the corporate building. Prudhomme scanned into work at the Wells Fargo corporate office in Tempe, Arizona, on August 16 at 7 am. It wasn't until August 20 that building security made the shocking discovery of her unresponsive body before they alerted Tempe police. Her colleagues now reveal they noticed a foul smell but assumed it was just 'faulty plumbing.' Denise Prudhomme, 60, a Wells Fargo employee, was found dead at her desk after her body had gone unnoticed for four days - despite 24/7 security at the corporate building Now the tragic incident left employees distraught with the unsettling reality that their colleague's passing went unnoticed for so long. 'It's really heartbreaking and I'm thinking, "What if I were just sitting there?"' one distraught employee told 12News. 'No one would check on me?' 'To hear she's been sitting at the desk like that would make me feel sick,' they added. 'And nobody did anything. That's how she spent her last moments.' Many were disturbed that despite the building having 24/7 security, Prudhomme's lifeless body remained undiscovered in her third-floor cubicle, located away from the main aisle. 'That's the scary part. That's the uneasy part,' another anonymous worker told the outlet. 'It's negligence in some part.' While police have stated there's nothing suspicious about the death, they haven't confirmed many details about the exact time or cause of Prudhomme's death. The lack of information from Wells Fargo has only added to employees' frustrations. 'I'm just wondering why they didn't formally address employees about it?' the employee added. Wells Fargo released a statement expressing condolences and offering counseling services to employees. 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague at our Tempe office.' they wrote. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and loved ones during this difficult time. 'Counselors, through our Employee Assistance Consulting service, are available to support our employees. 'We are fully cooperating with the Tempe Police Department in their investigation and will direct all further questions to them.' However, for many, this response falls short. 'I just feel like they aren't being transparent with us and somebody needs to acknowledge this,' the worker said. 'To the family, I'm sorry for their loss. I feel it because I'm thinking about my mom and my mother-in-law and what if that happened to them.' Russia has boasted about killing the first Ukrainian F-16 trained pilot in an airbase attack. The loss of Lt-Col Oleksii Mes, 31, was confirmed in a social media obituary by the mayor of Lutsk. He died 'while performing a combat mission to protect the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine', according to Ihor Polishchuk. It comes after Russia pounded Ukraine with 200 drones and missiles in 'one of the biggest bombardments of the war' earlier this week. The mayor later deleted the post, possibly due to sensitivity over the F-16 programme, but Ukrainian officials have not denied the death. The loss of Lt-Col Oleksii Mes (right), 31, was confirmed in a social media obituary by the mayor of Lutsk Mes, one of the first F-16 pilots, has reportedly been killed in a mass Russian combined missile and drone attack on 26 August Mes pictured preparing for an incentive flight in an F-15D Eagle with the 144th Fighter Wing as part of the State Partnership Program in 2019 Pilots were training in the West for two years to fly the F-16 multi-role fighters which began arriving in Ukraine in recent weeks. Russia has offered 124,000 cash rewards to its armed forces for downing the first elite F-16 Western aircraft. Mes appears to be the first F-16 pilot to die in the war but the circumstances remain unclear, and other Ukrainian officials have not commented. It is unknown if there was any damage to his plane, and if so it was on the ground rather than flying, according to the emerging details. Earlier footage showed Mes abroad in NATO state Denmark when he trained on the F-16s, having previously been a MiG-29 pilot. The mayor described him as deputy commander of a special operations support group, and said: 'Our sincere condolences to the family and friends. Eternal memory, honour and respect to the Heroes!' Russian sources have claimed he perished in an attack on a Ukrainian air base on 26 August. US Air National Guard Lt-Col and former Congressman Adam Kinzinger, centre, with Ukrainian Lt-Col Oleksii Mes, 31, right Details of the Russian combined missile and drone attack pictured Ukrainian Lt-Col Oleksii Mes, 31, left, pictured speaking on US news channel CNN On this day, the Russian defence ministry claimed to have hit airfields in the Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, but there were also reports of strikes on other regions. The Kremlin's official newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported that 'one of the first Ukrainian F-16 pilots, Lt-Col of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksii Mes, has died.. 'This occurred on 26 August, when Russian military forces carried out a series of strikes on Ukrainian Armed Forces infrastructure targets in western Ukraine. 'The exact airfield where the pilot was killed is not specified.' Other reports said it was not known whether a strike came as he was in a command post or at the controls of his plane. Stanford is clearing the ranks of lecturers at its prestigious creative writing program to make way for a new batch, in keeping with the programs original design. Authors and students are crying foul. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Stanford Universitys announcement that 23 creative writing instructors will be pushed out of their jobs and replaced has set off a national backlash in the literary community and among students in the program. Why would senior faculty vote to fire their colleagues who are doing so much of the work of teaching? celebrated author Joyce Carol Oates posted on social media, raising questions about whether Stanfords decision was meant to save money or was inspired by rank sexism. I am puzzled most by the lack of simple collegiality & generosity at one of the most wealthy universities in the world, Oates wrote. Stanfords endowment could support an entire nation. Yet, much-admired (writing instructors) were fired after having requested modest raises which would have brought their salaries to levels far below senior faculty. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Also, she noted, only male senior professors voted to fire. Stanford officials say their decision to replace the instructors, some of whom have taught there for many years, is about none of the above. Instead, the program that allowed the 23 instructors to teach Stanford undergraduates in the first place was intended only to provide them with term-limited appointments of about one year, Stanford explained on Aug. 21. Changes to the program were made based on the programs values and original intent; it was not based on finances, Debra Satz, dean of Stanfords School of Humanities and Sciences told the Chronicle. The act of learning and teaching creative writing can inspire deep bonds between students and instructors, said some of those very students and instructors. Advertisement Article continues below this ad To hear them tell it, students learn to peer inside their souls and convey whats there to readers, while instructors are nothing short of the clergy who guide them to enlightenment. Undergraduate writing workshops are places where students, away from their families and their hometowns for perhaps the first time, are able to tell stories theyve never told before and craft those stories into art, Peter Lessler, a 2017 Stanford graduate who majored in math wrote to the university about the importance of the program. Now, the San Francisco resident is working full-time on a novel. The study of writing is serious and necessary, he wrote, and gets into the spiritual work that John Keats called soul making. The classes of about 15 undergraduates each have waiting lists by the hundreds each quarter, say the instructors, who are not just any writing hacks off the street. Advertisement Article continues below this ad All 23 are graduates of Stanfords selective Wallace Stegner Fellowship, considered the most prestigious creative writing fellowship in the U.S. for emerging writers, university officials wrote in their announcement. Stegner, who established Stanfords creative writing program in 1946, was a literary master whose novels, such as the Pulitzer Prize-winning Angle of Repose, and The Big Rock Candy Mountain, were often set in the American west. Also in the 1940s, a Texas oilman named E.H. Jones, whose brother, Richard Foster Jones was head of Stanfords English department, established the Stegner Fellowship. Its graduates could apply for a Jones Lectureship which were the short-term teaching appointments that continue to this day. Over time, however, the instructors stayed on for years. Im very sad because I love my job so much, said Nina Schloesser, who became a Jones lecturer in 2012 and said she has been told to leave after this year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its been my honor to see many young people grow, she said, adding that instructors and students have formed lasting relationships that are about our love of craft and love of literature. For me, its been very profound. Colleague Sarah Frisch, a former Stegner fellow who became a Jones lecturer in 2009, said, I feel heartbroken. Not just for myself. I feel heartbroken for future generations of students who wont have the benefit of long-term relationships. The instructors said that after they asked the university for a raise last year, Stanford provided it, but also set up a working group to consider changes to the program. This month, the working group decided to restore the intent of the Jones lectureship and give new Stegner Fellows the opportunity to apply to be Jones Lecturers once they have completed their fellowships, Satz said in her letter. It was also signed by Gabriella Safran, a senior dean for the humanities and arts, and Nicholas Jenkins, faculty co-director of the creative writing program. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The new appointments will be one year with the possibility of renewal for up to four more years. Lessler and hundreds of other supporters have signed a petition asking the university to reverse its decision. This is the terrifying moment a deranged man broke into an old woman's home, stripped naked, and set a fire before he was gunned down by police. The heart-stopping footage shows the dramatic course of events that unfolded before Lavell Adams was shot dead by Los Angeles Police Department deputies at a house on Halm Avenue and Beverlywood Street on July 29. At around 3.30am, officials responded to emergency calls made by an old woman in fear of her life after Adams lit a fire in her house and barricaded himself. As officers arrived at the scene, they saw smoke rising from the property and asked for additional help from firefighters. Lavell Adams was shot dead by Los Angeles Police Department deputies during a confrontation at a house on Halm Avenue and Beverlywood Street on July 29 Footage shows responding firefighters standing outside the house and informing deputies that there was a man with a knife locked inside a room. Officers could be seen attempting to convince Adams to come out of the room but to no avail. After they received no response, one of the deputies went outside and tried to convince the man to come outside through a window. During this, Adams could be heard mumbling and yelling inside the room. After a few minutes, officials managed to enter the locked room and began to ask the man to stand up while holding his hands in the air. At around 3.30am, officials responded to emergency calls made by a woman in fear of her life after Adams has lit a fire in her house and barricaded himself Footage shows responding firefighters standing outside the house and informing deputies that there was a man with a knife who had locked himself inside a room But instead a now-naked Adams jumps out of a blanket with a knife in his hand and attempts to stab an officer. In response, one of the cops fires beanbag rounds at him - causing him to lose grip of the weapon and fall to the ground. He attempts to take a stab at one of the officers again after a few minutes but to no avail. The footage then shows deputies surrounding the house at around 7am and demanding that Adams come out of the house without the knife. A naked Adams attempted to stab officers multiple times while he was inside the room - causing them to release beanbag shots at him The footage then shows deputies surrounding the house at around 7am and demanding that Adams come out of the house without the knife But the knife-wielder leaves the property with a blanket over his head, throws the cloth away and begins to run towards the cops - forcing them to open fire. The volley of bullets caused him to fall on the front yard and die at the scene. At the time of the incident, a man who lives next to the home revealed that Adams had initially tried to enter his home through a window but failed to get through. It remains unclear why Adams had barricaded himself inside the house. An appliance expert stirred up a fierce debate on TikTok after sharing a controversial tip for how to properly use a dishwasher. In a video posted to the account of Ontario-based TA Appliances & Barbecues, the employee explained why dishwasher users are better off not fully rinsing their plates before loading them into the machine. 'The detergent needs something to bind to on your dishes, so you'll actually get a cleaner result with just scraping them and leaving a little bit of the food particles on the dishes,' he says in the clip. Several commenters disagreed with the advice, with more than one calling it nothing more than a sales tactic. An appliance expert insisted everyone not completely rinse off their plates before sticking them in a dishwasher Some countered that leaving food on the plate had the opposite effect. 'Tried it, when we got a new dishwasherdidn't work and the high heat made the food particles stick even more,' one commenter said. Another added: 'How do you get your dishwasher to not smell like rotting food? Cus if I don't rinse them my dishwasher smells like it's dying.' Some had fun with the advice by recalling their own dishwasher experiences. 'Tell my mom this 14 years ago,' one wrote. 'Wrong!' another added. 'They have to soak in the sink for 3 days.' TA Appliances & Barbecues was not afraid to clap back at critics who accused the business of trying to juice its sales with the video. Various TikTok users claimed only scraping off plates rather than completing rinsing them made their dishwashers smell terrible 'If we did that, what would happen to our reputation? and then what would happen to our sales? it doesn't help business to lie and con,' the store responded to one commenter. 'you're smart consumers. you'll see right through it.' The business also responded to a commenter who claimed her dishwasher had a 'horrible smell' after trying the expert's advice. 'Regardless of what is done before the dishes enter the machine, the machines themselves still require regular cleaning and maintenance,' the store wrote. Multiple experts have said that scraping food off plates is better than doing a complete rinse before placing them in the dishwasher Other dishwashing experts gave similar explanations as to why scraping food is best, including CompanyClean founder Ronnie Kendrick. 'You won't need to pre-rinse if you're properly removing food beforehand,' Kendrick told The Spruce last year. 'Large food particles can clog the dishwashers filter, so its good practice to scrape off large bits of food.' Morgan Eberhard, senior scientist for Procter &Gamble, also gave a thumbs-up to scraping food, telling Cleaning is Caring that it is best for 'proper loading.' He added that individuals can leave soil and grease on the plate if necessary. A man arrested on suspicion of murder at the scene of a house fire that killed a mother and her three children is 'in a coma' and 'may not recover', a court heard. Bryonie Gawith, 29, Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle died following the blaze at their home in Westbury Road, Bradford, in the early hours of August 21. Mohammed Shabir, 44, and Calum Sunderland, 25, both of Keighley, appeared in court accused of murder and the attempted murder of Antonia Gawith. Prosecutor Matthew Bean told Bradford Crown Court there was a third suspect who was 'in a coma' in hospital after being arrested at the scene of the fire. 'He is, at the moment, very unwell and the expectation is that he may not recover,' Mr Bean said. Bryonie Gawith, 29, Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle died following the blaze at their home on August 21 An aerial view of the scene in Westbury Road after a house fire killed four people on August 21 The house on Westbury Road, Bradford, where Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her three children died in a house fire 'He may, but at the moment there is a degree of uncertainty. 'There is a possibility there will be two further defendants, perhaps three, on different offences but linked.' Shabir and Sunderland, who appeared on a video link from prison, were not asked to enter pleas to the charges. They were remanded in custody until their next appearance at the same court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on September 25. Judge Jonathan Rose, the Recorder of Bradford, set a provisional trial date of March 4. Mr Bean said the trial was expected to last between eight and 10 days, but could be longer if there are other defendants or if the third suspect recovers. Police said Sunderland was arrested following police inquiries in the Keighley area of the city in the early hours of Monday morning. Shabir was arrested when he attended a police station after 10am on the same day. West Yorkshire Police said four other people remain under investigation, including a 39-year-old man who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and remains in hospital in a critical condition. Nine-year-old Denisty, 'cheeky but shy' Oscar, five, and Aubree Birtle, 22 months - were all at home when the building was set alight Court sketch shows Mohammed Shabir, 44, (left) and Calum Sunderland, 25, (right) both of Keighley, as they appeared at Bradford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday A horrific clip showed the moment the fire broke out and flames engulfed the home on Westbury Road in Bradford Emotional tributes were left at the scene on Westbury Road, including balloons and bears Ms Gawith died at the scene and the three children died from their injuries in hospital. In a statement issued via the force last week, the family of the victims said the loss of 'our B' and the children, referred to as 'Chuch, Oggy and Strawberry', had brought 'unimaginable sadness and grief'. The tribute read: 'Our B was the life and soul of the party, music was a big part of her life, she loved music, singing and dancing, she would always be singing and dancing with Chuch (Denisty), Oggy (Oscar) and Strawberry (Aubree). 'B was always a really happy, joyful, bubbly beautiful woman, who cared for everyone and was loved by everyone, her kids were everything to her, her whole life. 'Oggy had the cheekiest smile, he was cheeky but he was a shy boy, Strawbs was shy and bashful with big blue eyes and blonde hair and Chuch was a beautiful, confident, outgoing and creative young girl. 'We are still trying to comprehend what has happened to our beautiful family. 'No words can describe how we are feeling and no words could ever make up for the profound loss we are now faced with.' The small town of Alexandria, Tennessee is up in arms less than a month after a new mayor was elected after she allegedly drove the entire police force to quit. Mayor Beth Tripp, who assumed office on August 1, pleaded for the town to have some 'patience' as she grapples with a number of issues plaguing the area, also including complaints over its filthy water supply. After her election, police chief Travis Bryant accused Tripp of 'micromanaging' the police department and ordering it around despite having 'no experience' in policing, ultimately leading the force's three police officers to quit on Tuesday. 'She tried to reassign our duties to the sheriff's department, and then it was becoming a micromanaging issue,' Bryant told NewsChannel5. Mayor Beth Tripp has been accused of micromanaging hops in Alexandria, Tennessee, prompting tjhe entire department to quit Bryant blamed a fallout with the mayor's office for his force's decision to quit their roles, saying Tripp 'wanted to control the police department, and she has no experience.' In a response interview with the outlet, Tripp said she was left with a mess caused by previous elected officials in the town and denied 'micromanaging' the police force. 'I don't understand that,' she said. 'Because I was asking them to do their jobs, so if I was asking them to do their job, does that sound like I'm going to give it over to county?' Tripp said her early days in office have been consumed by trying to find more police officers, and insists she is 'working on every solution.' The mayor was elected as the only candidate on the ballot, although two others mounted write-in campaigns, and she won with just 88 votes in the small town of roughly 900 people. Police Chief Travis Bryant is also angry about the quality of drinking water in the town Residents of Alexandria, pictured, are disturbed by the ongoing fight Tripp said that her brief time in office has so far been an ordeal, as she says she inherited several issues that she is working to address. 'Every day is something new and something different, but I'm working my hardest to get them all fixed,' she told NewsChannel5. While admitting that facing angry constituents is something that 'you're going to get in politics' and is 'nothing new', she said wasn't expecting such an onslaught so early into her tenure. 'I didn't figure it would be this bad,' she added. 'To keep on attacking me for no reason, when I'm only trying to do my job?' On top of losing her police force, Tripp has also faced residents who are furious over the town's filthy water supply, which she says was an issue past administrations also had but never fixed. 'Things were neglected,' she continued. 'There were 160 complaints (about the water)... on July 18, that's a lot of complaints, that was before my time.' But with some residents saying they have been struggling with the water supply since last year, Tripp admitted she needs time to reverse her town's fortunes. 'I wish people would have patience and give me the chance to correct things that need to be corrected,' she concluded. Former President Donald Trump once again stokes rumors about Justin Trudeau in his new book by claiming that Fidel Castro could be the Canadian prime minister's father. Trump put the rumor in print, weeks after saying in a podcast interview that 'they say he's the son of Fidel Castro, and could be.' Trump has also previously said Trudeau's mother Margaret slept with all of the Rolling Stones, according to a former aide a story Mick Jagger referenced in a tour stop in Canada, that Trump also stirs up in his book. Trump recycles the claims in his forthcoming coffee table tome, 'Save America,' which features pictures of him during and after his time in office, along with captions about particular moments. 'Justin Trudeau and I got along very well, but there were natural differences in that he is very Liberal, and I, to put it mildly, am not,' Trump writes, according to an excerpt obtained by DailyMail.com. 'It will be very interesting to see how we do in the future, but first, I have to get there (back to the White House).' Trump adds: 'His mother was beautiful and wild. In the 1970s, she would go clubbing with the Rolling Stones, but she was also somehow associated with Fidel Castro. She said he was the sexiest man Ive ever met, and a lot of people say that Justin is his son. 'He swears that he isnt, but how the hell would he know! Castro had good hair, the father didnt, Justin has good hair, and has become a Communist just like Castro,' Trump wrote. Former President Donald Trump's new photo book includes an image with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and wild claims about his mother The rumor previously swirled to the extent that the Canadian government denied it in 2018, and the Associated Press published a fact check debunking the idea as false. It noted that Margaret, who was 22 when she married Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, 51, gave birth to Justin nine months after her marriage to Pierre Trudeau in 1971. It also reported that Trudeau was born four years before Margaret made her first trip to Cuba, in a voyage that drew international attention. The story picked up steam after Trudeau praised Castro as a 'larger than life legendary revolutionary' following his death in 2016. Trump's wild claim comes in a book that features a cover shot of him moments after the assassination attempt against him in Butler, Pennsylvania. It also includes a stoic image of Trump on stage at the CNN presidential debate that helped end President Joe Biden's reelection bid. Donald Trump repeated the false rumor that Fidel Castro is the real father of Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. The Canadian leader is pictured as a young man with his mother Margaret Trump is selling the book in the run-up to the November elections The story was widely shared after Trudeau praised Castro, pictured as a young man, as a 'larger than life legendary revolutionary' following his death in 2016 Mick Jagger has stirred up an old sex scandal rumor about Justin Trudeau's mother during a Rolling Stones concert in Vancouver He appeared to poke fun at his mother Margaret Trudeau and the time she spent partying with the Rolling Stones in the 1970s. Pictured: Margaret (center) pictured with Jagger (right) and guitarist Ronnie Wood (left) 'We are thrilled by the demand we have seen for President Trumps new book. We are trying to keep up, and will be reprinting as soon as possible. No other book captures his historic journey in a beautiful coffee table book like SAVE AMERICA,' said Sergio Gor, Publisher of Winning Team books. Former Trump White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham, who turned on him and spoke at the Democratic convention this month, claims in her own book that Trump once told her a crude rumor about Trudeau's mother. 'Once, on Air Force One, I was sitting with him in his cabin, and for whatever reason maybe he had just read something or seen his face on TV Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau popped into the presidents head,' Grisham wrote. Trump then asked, 'Are you OK if I say this?' according to Grisham, before blurting out: 'Trudeau's mom. She f***ed all of the Rolling Stones.' A legal secretary with arthritis accused her employer of 'discrimination, harassment and victimisation' after she was asked to work in the office two days a week. RBG Legal, a listed law firm, told staff in summer 2021 that they would have to work in the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays. But Yolanda Pemberton, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis that is allegedly worsened by mouse clicking, argued she would be 'working from home until at least January 2022' due to a hand injury that 'prohibits travel into the office', The Telegraph reported. Her request was accommodated without questions. Ms Pemberton, following a period of sick leave, started a return-to-work plan in December 2022 but was experiencing wifi connectivity issues at home, which impacted her work output, a tribunal heard. She was requested to 'attend the office' but did not go in and a remote meeting was held to discuss the 'impact her absence was having on her team'. However, no action was taken. Ms Pemberton has since accused RBG Legal of 'discrimination, harassment and victimisation' and alleged her employer did not provide her with 'appropriate support'. A judge has now ruled the firm attempted to accommodate her disability and her claim was thrown out. Yolanda Pemberton accused RBG Legal (London office pictured) of 'discrimination, harassment and victimisation' and alleged her employer did not provide her with 'appropriate support'. A judge has now ruled the firm attempted to accommodate her disability and her claim was thrown out Ms Pemberton's boss 'modified his own working habits' to accommodate her absence and reduced capacity to work, the tribunal heard. It also heard that during the virtual meeting about her absence - which she did not attend - that Ms Pemberton's bosses received a note recommending she continue to work remotely. The tribunal has now ruled that Ms Pemberton was 'never in effect required to work from the office and was only on one occasion reasonably requested to work from the office'. There was also 'no doubt' that had she presented good reasons for why she could not work two days in the office that those 'would have been considered sympathetically'. The tribunal decision also noted it was self-evident that 'it is more convenient for fee-earners if legal secretaries work at least a significant proportion of their time from the office'. A judge ruled 'without hesitation' that RBG attempted to support and accommodate Ms Pemberton over her three years of employment and that expressing a desire that she work from the office some time was not 'intimidating or offensive'. Shocking drone footage has captured the damage caused by a storm in Michigan which left up to 400,000 homes without power. One home was split entirely in two after enormous trees fell straight through it, tearing the roof and walls to shreds. The extraordinary vision shows furniture strewn across the front of the home, a mattress hanging precariously from the second floor and parts of the home's structure dangling within the rubble. 'It was luckily unoccupied,' drone operator Nate, of Nates Dronography, said. Shocking drone footage has captured the damage caused by a storm in Michigan which left up to 400,000 people without power One home was split entirely in two after enormous trees fell straight through it, tearing the roof and walls to shreds The extraordinary vision shows furniture strewn across the front of the home, a mattress hanging precariously from the second floor and parts of the home's structure dangling within the rubble The clip was captured on Wednesday, August 28, a day after intense storms ripped through Michigan, destroying power lines and damaging homes and cars in its path. Shocked locals questioned the quality of the build, given the level of destruction. 'Doesnt look like it was built to withstand anything,' one person said. 'Quality craftsmanship these days... Definitely should not have went down to ground level give how close the tree was to the home.' Shocked locals questioned the quality of the build, given the level of destruction The footage was captured on Wednesday, August 28, a day after intense storms ripped through Michigan, destroying power lines and damaging homes and cars in its path Power went out in homes across two dozen counties on Tuesday night, and according to poweroutage.us, some 340,476 customers were still impacted through Wednesday. The bulk of the homes impacted were connected to DTE Energy, based in Detroit, prompting fierce backlash from customers. Extraordinary videos show the storm destroying power lines and downing trees as heavy winds and intense rain hammers parts of the state. One video captures the moment lightning strikes up a highway, appearing almost directly on top of a motorist, while photos show cars crushed by trees which have fallen across residential streets. Almost 400,000 people have been left without power in Michigan amid extreme heat and severe storms 'Tuesday's storm caused many downed wires in Southeast Michigan,' the company said in a statement to X. 'Nearly 800 additional contract crews are on their way to Michigan to assist with restoration and restoration updates will be added to the DTE outage map once they are available.' Furious customers have raised questions about why it is taking so long to restore power. One said: 'You legitimately can't take 2 f***ing days to repair it, all our groceries are gonna spoil and we won't have air conditioning, you HAVE to get it done quicker.' Others said it was ironic that DTE was still emailing customers their bills, while they were enduring an outage. Extraordinary videos show the storm destroying power lines and downing trees as heavy winds and intense rain hammers parts of the state '200,000+ people have been without power for over 12 hours now. WHY IS THE NUMBER NOT DECREASING????????? Our food is spoiled. People cant work from home. No fans or A/C when its in the mid 80s and humid. Our pets are suffering.' 'They charge every user a fee every month for a "power recovery charge" which is so when outages happens they can fix it, at least that's their explanation, so why am I without power for 5 hours?' DTE acknowledged 'how frustrating power outages can be, especially today, when were all so reliant on electricity to live, work and play' and assured customers crews are working tirelessly to restore power. The region is grappling with an intense heatwave expected to last several more days. Crime boss Jamie Iceman Stevenson has admitted masterminding a worldwide, multi-million pound drug cartel. The Scots gangster, once one of the most wanted men in Britain, dramatically entered guilty pleas on day five of his trial at the High Court in Glasgow. It came two years after he was arrested while out jogging in the Netherlands following a massive manhunt to bring him to justice. The 59-year-old orchestrated a plot to smuggle 76million worth of cocaine, hidden in banana shipments, destined to Glasgow from South America. Prosecutors said the huge trafficking operation spanned the UK, Spain, Ecuador and the luxury Nurai Island Resort in Abu Dhabi. Jamie Stevenson was behind a plot to smuggle tens of millions of pounds worth of cocaine into Scotland hidden in banana shipments Ryan McPhee, 34, also admitted to being involved in serious organised crime Stevenson was also central to a massive pill factory which churned out millions of street valium tablets. Already one of Scotlands most notorious gangland figures, he was charged in 2001 with the murder of his best man Tony McGovern but the case was later dropped. Stevenson was then jailed for more than 12 years in 2007 after laundering more than 1million of dirty money. He was freed in 2014, but soon returned to crime at a worldwide level. The gangster and five of his associates are now behind bars after being snared as part of the joint Police Scotland and National Crime Agency (NCA) probe, Operation Pepperoni. They were snared after officials smashed the encrypted EncroChat phone network revealing scores of messages relating to the smuggling plot. Stevenson yesterday pleaded guilty - via his KC Thomas Ross - to a charge of being involved in the importation and supply of cocaine between January 25 and September 21 2020. He also admitted to being involved in serious organised crime relating to the production and supply of Etizolam, commonly known as street valium. Fruit merchant David Bilsland, 67, also admitted being involved in the cocaine smuggling. The gang conspired to flood Scotland with tens of millions of pounds worth of cocaine from South America Stevenson's stepson Gerard Carbin, 45, pled guilty to a charge of being involved in serious organised crime involving Etizolam between March and June 2020. Ryan McPhee, 34, and Paul Bowes, 53, also pled guilty on identical terms. The charge listed a number of locations in Scotland, England and Abu Dhabi and said they were part of the concealing, transfer and possession of dirty money. Lloyd Cross, 32, pled guilty before the trial started to being involved in serious organised crime involving cocaine. Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC said: The Crown accepts the pleas tendered. All the men were remanded in custody pending sentencing next week before Judge Lord Ericht. Co-accused Garry McIntyre, 43, had his not guilty pleas accepted by the Crown and walked free from court. Prosecutors had initially listed a 14-page document of charges spanning from January to September 2020. The value of the cocaine in relation to the matter was 76 million while the Etizolam seized was 3million. The court heard from NCA senior officer Michael Miller, 56, who was tasked with searching the four pallets of banana boxes destined for Glasgow Fruit Market in the citys Townhead. The haul was seized by Border Force teams in Dover in September 2020. Mr Miller said it took him and his team three days to search 118 foils of cocaine which had a purity of no less than 73 per cent. Stevensen was arrested after cops raided a pill factory in Kent which produced 28 million tablets of street valium in June 2020. However, he was granted bail and fled the country. Mr Prentice told the court yesterday: I understand he was arrested in February 2021 while he was out jogging in the Netherlands. Stevenson had lodged a special defence of incrimination against a number of men, including gangster James White who was jailed for almost a decade in August last year for his involvement in serious organised crime. White headed up a gang run by crime brothers Barry and James Gillespie after they disappeared. The gang operated on an international scale in countries including Italy, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Brazil. Police believe the Gillespies were killed while on the run in South America. Stevenson also tried to incriminate John Gurie who was given a six-year sentence in 2021 for dealing 1.6million of cocaine. The case was adjourned until Monday at the same court. Stevenson had been compared to gangster Tony Soprano from the US television series The Sopranos. Graeme Pearson, former director of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, said: Jamie Stevenson has, for many decades now, been a very senior figure in organised crime and would be counted amongst that very small group of people as being at the top of the pyramid and he ran his business much the way The Sopranos were shown to run their business on television. Following the hearing, Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Police Scotlands Head of Organised Crime, said: The conviction of those men involved in this dangerous organised crime group are testament to the hard work and determination of those who undertook a complex investigation which spanned countries across the world. The multi-agency operation prevented a massive haul of drugs reaching our communities across Scotland and ruining lives. It also underlines the value of working in partnership with our law enforcement colleagues in this country and abroad. Police Scotland officers work tirelessly every day to disrupt the activities of serious organised crime groups who think they are above the law, and in some way untouchable. The guilty pleas tendered today show this not to be the case. NCA Regional Head of Investigations Gerry Mclean added: The drugs trade causes immense damage and devastation, fuelling violence on our streets and the exploitation of young and vulnerable people across the country. Following his arrest in 2020, career criminal Stevenson fled the country but continued to direct the importation of cocaine into the UK from abroad, falsely believing he could evade justice. His plea today, and the earlier admissions of guilt by five of his co-conspirators, are testament to the dedicated work of NCA officers, our Police Scotland partners and our many law enforcement colleagues right across the globe. Together, we are working tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups who supply class A drugs, ensuring that all those involved, wherever they choose to hide, are brought before the courts. A substitute teacher in Massachusetts allegedly sent appalling message to a special-needs student after the tween complained about her, telling the 13-year-old in one message to 'suck on my big toe.' Stephanie Papasedero, a longtime substitute teacher at Hingham Middle School, was fired in late March after parents complained about disturbing messages she allegedly sent classmates - despite being told not to. The disgraced teacher sent messages during and after school hours, and on the weekends, prosecutors said. Investigators said they discovered she also sent videos of other kids similar in age fighting with each other, Boston 25 News reported. Papasadero was charged with solicitation and on Wednesday pleaded not guilty at her arraignment at Hingham District Court. Dressed in a light halter-style summer dress and white sweater, she appeared angry at times. After the hearing, she was seen with a sweater over her head as she walked out of courthouse when a reporter tried to approach her. Stephanie Papasedero, a longtime substitute teacher at Hingham Middle School, was fired in late March after parents complained about disturbing messages she allegedly sent classmates - despite being told not to Classes at Hingham Middle School located in Hingham, Massachusetts, begins September 4 Papasodero's role at the middle school was to assist three students with learning disabilities. During the investigation, parents showed police officers 'videos, Facetimes, text messages, and images from various social media sites,' prosecutors said. Families were alerted to her alleged heinous behavior by an internal email issued by Hingham Middle School Principal Derek informing them that she had broken the school's policy. But, investigators said Papasodero continued to send inappropriate messages to a 13-year-old after she was warned not too. '(redacted) is a snitch,' she allegedly wrote. Another alleged message read, 'Now (redacted) do me a favor and give her stiches' The text messages Papasedero allegedly sent to the student The disgraced teacher was charged with solicitation She's also accused of sending the following message on Snapchat: 'Yes (redacted) suck on my big toe.' According to the prosecutor, the victim's mother believed that Papasodero's intent was to make the student feel 'responsible for her termination out-casted from their peers.' Despite the ordeal, her teaching license is still active. She has been released but not permitted near any of their schools in the district, or allowed to make contact with any students or witnesses. The disgraced teacher had snickered during her arraignment on Wednesday Massachusetts Department of Education told the news outlet it has no comment until the case completed and action has been taken. Meanwhile, Papasoderos defense attorney, Josh Werner, said his client does not believe she did anything wrong, and claims that he doesn't 'see anything that even remotely relates to the charge.' Werner added, 'In this case, it appears a teacher was having a communication with a student.' Papasodero has been released but cant go near any Hingham Schools or contact the victim or any witnesses in the case. Once at the brink of shutting down stores nationwide, this all-American clothing retailer has managed to turn back time and record a huge increase in profits by simply reinventing its classics. GAP, one of the largest casual apparel companies in the country, has made a huge comeback after its fiscal second quarter results showed their profits had more than doubled from last year. Earlier today, the company accidently posted its quarterly earnings and profits on its website well before the stock market closed but quickly rescinded it. The official report was released after market trading ended for the day. GAP has made a huge comeback after its fiscal second quarter results showed more than a double increase in profits from last year The error was confirmed by a spokesperson who revealed that the accident was due to an 'administrative error' and said: 'As soon as the error was caught, we notified the NYSE and trading of our stock was halted temporarily.' According to the Wall Street Journal, the retailer posted a profit of $206 million for this quarter - as compared to the $117 million back in August 2023. Sales also rose to $3.72 billion, which is a little higher than last year's $3.55 billion. Earnings were also recorded at a high 54 cents a share while last year, they were set at 32 cents per share. The parent of Banana Republic and Old Navy has successfully managed to turn around its sales slump and reclaim its cultural relevance after the hiring of its new CEO Richard Dickson last year. The parent company of Banana Republic and Old Navy has successfully managed to turn around its sales slump and reclaim its cultural relevance after the hiring of its new CEO Richard Dickson The company has also successfully collaborated with buzzy brands like Doen and LoveShackFancy in the past year The ex-Mattel COO has spent the year modernizing some of the company's well-known staples such as workwear and preppy designs. In an interview with Yahoo Finance, Dickinson explained: 'We've spent a lot of time driving our strategic priorities, bringing back financial and operational rigor, enabling us to reinvigorate these brands to the extent that we could revitalize them and be part of the cultural conversation. 'Great product, great price, great storytelling, great store experiences. These are all fundamentals that we're working really hard to fix. 'We're building stronger brand identities. They're supported by trend right products. 'We're amplifying those through better storytelling. Our media mix has gotten much more innovative, and generally speaking, I'm proud of the brand's portfolio work in the context of cultural relevance,' he also told CNBC. Apart from this, the brand also hired designer Zac Posen as its new EVP & Creative Director Apart from this, the brand also hired designer Zac Posen as its new Creative Director and EVP earlier this year. His appointment has already shown tremendous results for GAP as his clothes- particularly gowns - have been worn by celebrities on red carpets as well at the MET Gala and generated massive consumer interest. Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway showed off a show-stopping shirt dress with a white corset bodice from the brand at a Bulgari event in Rome on May 20. The Idea of You star's ensemble was designed by Posen and styled by Erin Walsh. According to Gap's Instagram, it was 'a new take on a classic' that 'reimagines Gap's classic white shirt' by 'mimicking the construction of the shirt's collar and placket, but adding a feminine twist with darting at the waist and a coordinating corset.' Anne Hathaway, 41, showed off a shirt dress with a white corset bodice that was designed by Posen after he undertook the new creative role Posen, who's overseeing Banana Republic, Athleta and Old Navy as well, also dressed Da'Vine Joy Randolph, 38, for the MET Gala this year The 'modern look' was inspired by the Audrey Hepburn film Roman Holiday and is currently sold out. Commenters adored the fresh take on a classic and called it 'the future of Gap' on Instagram, with one writing, 'More of this and less of the five different iterations of $80 paper bags y'all sell.' Posen - who is overseeing Banana Republic, Athleta and Old Navy as well - also dressed Da'Vine Joy Randolph, 38, for the MET Gala this year. The New York City-based designer was lavished with praise for the stunning custom-made denim gown, which was absolutely adored on social media. Apart from this, the company has also successfully collaborated with buzzy brands like Doen and LoveShackFancy in the past year. Four people were taken to the hospital after two Muni buses collided on Wednesday afternoon. One bus struck a fire hydrant, and the other hit an electrical box. Getty Images Four people were taken to the hospital after two Muni buses collided at the intersection of Third Street and Palou Avenue on Wednesday afternoon, according to the San Francisco Fire Department. Both bus operators were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries as a result of the collision, which occurred around 3:55 p.m., a fire department spokesperson said. A mother and a juvenile who were at the bus stop were also transported to be evaluated, though they did not appear to be injured. One of the buses struck a fire hydrant, while the other bus hit an electrical box, but no power outages were expected, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Footage from a passerby appeared to show one of the Muni buses on the sidewalk, the spokesperson said. The 15, 23, 24, 44 and T Third Street lines were delayed and rerouted due to the collision, according to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agencys website. Police were on-site directing traffic Wednesday afternoon. The cause of the collision was unclear, and no other details were available Wednesday afternoon. Scottish independence would be put in the freezer for 30 years if the SNP lose the Holyrood election, a former minister has said. Alex Neil said it was now vital that John Swinney get the finger out if the SNP is to avoid a rout. The former health secretary implored the SNP leader to reshuffle his cabinet and bring in fresh faces who could fix failing public services and sell the party to voters. The First Minister should replace his advisers with policy heavyweights such as former Green MSP Andy Wightman on land reform or Professor Lindsay Paterson on education, he said. Mr Swinney opens the SNP conference in Edinburgh today with a closed-door post-mortem of the partys disastrous general election, when it fell from 48 seats to nine. Former SNP minister Alex Neil says independence will be 'off the agenda' for decades if the SNP slumps to defeat at the next Holyrood election He will try to gee up activists with an attack on Labour cuts. But Mr Neil said the Scottish Government was already acting like the post office for Labour austerity, passing it on rather than taking radical action to avoid it. The former economist said Mr Swinney could raise up 1.5 billion with an emergency land tax on the countrys largest estates through the business rates regime. The Government should also stop spending tens of millions on outside consultants and restrict concessionary fares, he said. He told the Mail: Theres 19 months until the start of the six-week election campaign and unless they get the finger out on a range of fronts, I think theyre facing defeat. Theyve got to prove that they can deliver for the people of Scotland. They need to get a grip and end these daily crises that are besetting them, many of which are self-inflicted. First Minister John Swinney, pictured here playing netball during a visit to a school in Edinburgh, is 'facing defeat' at the next Holyrood election, according to his former colleague Theyre announcing a cut a day and seem to be assuming the role of the post office for Labour cuts. They need to take a completely different approach. Mr Neil said if Mr Swinney ducked big changes the SNP was set for defeat in 2026. He said: If we end up in opposition, which is the current trajectory, independence will be in the freezer for 10 to 30 years. Its only now that the independence movement in Quebec is having some kind of electoral revival... 30 years since they last won an election. Scotland could go the same way if the SNP lose the 2026 election. Independence will be off the agenda. So theyre not just fighting for the SNP. More importantly, theyre fighting against a potentially existential threat to the independence cause. In his speech today, Mr Swinney will urge Scotland to unite against Labour cuts, pitching the SNP as a real alternative to Westminster control based on hope and ambition. He said: Our ability to serve the people of Scotland is under real threat by the sweeping spending cuts that the Labour government are introducing - cuts that, only a few months ago, they were denying would take place. The SNP, and indeed Scotland as a whole, must come together to stand up against Labours cuts. Opposition parties said the SNP was exhausted, out of ideas and mired in scandal. Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said the SNPs election thrashing was down to its relentless push for independence at the expense of the publics real priorities. He said: But instead of dropping his bid to break up the UK, John Swinney seems determined to double down on it, to shore up his angry base, while the three-day conference isnt even discussing two of the SNPs biggest failures in office: education and transport. The chickens are coming home to roost for the SNP after years of mismanaging Scotlands finances - but, sadly, its ordinary Scots who are paying the price with savage cuts to essential services, coupled with more tax rises. Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: The SNP is tired, divided and mired in scandal - it cannot deliver for the people of Scotland. They are a party out of ideas. A Florida woman has been arrested on charges of first-degree murder for allegedly siccing a 100-pound Rottweiler on her boyfriend's nine-year-old daughter and striking the girl, who died of her horrific injuries. Tyshael Elise Martin, 34, was seen on the family's security cameras instructing the 103-pound dog to attack Jamaria Sessions on June 15, Fox51 reported. Martin was arrested near her home in Montverde, Florida around 6pm on Wednesday. The Lake County Sheriff's Office said she faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and child neglect. Police launched an investigation on June 17 following a 911 call about Jamaria being unresponsive at the home on Harbar Oaks Drive. Medics responded to the scene to find the girl with abrasions, bruises, burns, and suspected bite marks. Tyshael Elise Martin, 34, was seen on the family's security cameras instructing the dog to attack nine-year-old Jamaria Sessions on June 15, police said Jamaria's autopsy results indicated her cause of death was complications from multiple blunt injuries to the head, torso, and extremities, as well as a heat-related injury to her right foot Detectives searched the family's security cameras and found shocking footage from the night of June 15. The dog was seen viciously attacking Jamaria while Martin held its leash and appeared to direct the assault. Martin also repeatedly kicked the little girl as she lay motionless on the floor, detectives who reviewed the footage said. She also dragged Jamaria's unconscious body across the ground before hitting and shaking her, while possibly saying 'I'm fixin' to kill her,' authorities said. Investigators also uncovered through interviews and text messages that the child was frequently subjected to horrific methods of punishment, including being forced to carry out extended wall sits, running in place with her arms raised, as well as being hit with objects, kicked, and punched. Jamaria's autopsy results indicated her cause of death was complications from multiple blunt injuries to the head, torso, and extremities, as well as a heat-related injury to her right foot. In a fundraiser to cover her funeral costs, Jamaria's maternal family described her as a 'bright and beautiful nine-year-old girl' who leaves behind a five-year-old sister Police launched an investigation on June 17 following a 911 call after Jamaria was found unresponsive Martin is being held without bond at Lake County Jail. In a fundraiser to cover her funeral costs, Jamaria's maternal family described her as a 'bright and beautiful nine-year-old girl' who left behind a five-year-old sister. They said the girls had been living with their father, Lojuan Sessions, since October 2023, after the death of their mother from leukemia at age 24. They had previously been living with their grandmother. 'Despite our efforts to be a part of their lives and provide them with the love and support they need, we have been met with insurmountable barriers,' the family wrote. Lojuan Sessions had served a five-year prison sentence for two counts of child neglect, trafficking in MDMA and fleeing and eluding, until his release in August 2023, the girls' uncle told Inside Lake. Coveted Oasis tickets have already appeared on a reselling website for 1,700 before sales have even begun for the Gallagher brothers' groundbreaking reunion tour. Reselling website Ticombo, based in Berlin, Germany, claimed to have 189 tickets available to buy for the gig at Heaton Park in Manchester on July 12. Tickets were being sold for between 450 and 1,659 and - despite the show occurring in a field - claimed to have options for the 'upper tier' and seating. The i newspaper reported these were being sold along with a 'booking fee' of 149, and the listings were removed after it contacted the website. Ticombo told the newspaper: 'There is no reason to believe that any of the listings created by our users concerning the Oasis concert are not legitimate'. The website said it has 'requested proof from the sellers regarding their source, and are temporarily disabling sales for this event until the official sales begin or proof is provided by a seller'. Coveted Oasis tickets have already appeared on a reselling website for 1,700 before sales have even begun for the Gallagher brothers' groundbreaking reunion tour Tickets for Oasis's upcoming reunion tour have been revealed with the cheapest ticket priced at 72 Your browser does not support iframes. They are the hottest tickets in town, and they've got a price tag to match with it costing a whopping 151 to stand at the Oasis reunion tour. And for older fans who can't handle two hours on their feet, seated tickets start at 73, rising to a hefty 205. There is also a selection of luxury packages available for Oasis devotees with deep pockets, ranging from 216 to 506. These include merchandise items plus access to a pre-show party and a private Oasis exhibition. In comparison, the most expensive standing tickets for recent concerts at Wembley by Taylor Swift cost 172. Meanwhile, standing tickets to Adele's shows in Munich this month cost 350. Consumer groups have repeatedly warned music fans about the dangers of using ticket reselling websites. Buyers may not be able to get a refund and could be turned away at the door. There was an investigation into the industry which led to a series of recommendations to the government in 2021. These included a ban on platforms allowing resellers to sell more tickets for an event than they can legally buy from the primary market. But in a response published last year, the government said it was 'too soon to conclude that the only way forward is further legislation focused on this market'. It comes as ticket prices for Oasis's upcoming reunion tour were revealed today, with the cheapest costing 73. Gigs And Tours has revealed the prices to see them play in London, Manchester's Heaton Park, Cardiff's Principality Stadium and Edinburgh's Murrayfield. Fans lucky enough to bag a ticket for the iconic Britpop band's Wembley shows will end up having to pay more with standing tickets costing 151.25. The same tickets in Cardiff and Edinburgh are priced slightly cheaper at 150 and 151 respectively. The band announced earlier this week that they would be reuniting for the first time since breaking up in 2009. They will go on a 17-gig run in the UK and Ireland before embarking on a world tour with plans underway 'to go to other continents outside of Europe'. Fans heading to Wembley will end up paying more with standing tickets costing 151.25 Liam Gallagher performs on stage at the Reading Festival last week Seated tickets at Wembley start at 74.25 with the most expensive an eye-popping 206.25. But those really want to splash the cash can fork out 506.25 for a pre-show party, exhibition and seated ticket package. In the band's home city of Manchester, tickets start from 148.50, with only standing available alongside a number of hospitality and luxury offerings. Oasis Live 25 tour dates JULY 2025 4th - Cardiff, Principality Stadium 5th - Cardiff, Principality Stadium 11th - Manchester, Heaton Park 12th - Manchester, Heaton Park 16th - Manchester, Heaton Park 19th - Manchester, Heaton Park 20th - Manchester, Heaton Park 25th - London, Wembley Stadium 26th - London, Wembley Stadium 30th - London, Wembley Stadium AUGUST 2025 2nd - London, Wembley Stadium 3rd - London, Wembley Stadium 8th - Edinburgh, Murrayfield 9th - Edinburgh, Murrayfield 12th - Edinburgh, Murrayfield 16th - Dublin, Croke Park 17th - Dublin, Croke Park Advertisement The cheapest seats in Scotland will be priced at 74 while in Cardiff they will cost 73. It comes after the cheapest seated tickets for the band's gigs at Dublin's Croke Park were revealed to start at 86.50 euros (72.75). X users have today been reacting to the prices with one tongue-in-cheek response suggesting Noel and Liam are 'in need of a good pension fund'. Another told the Gallaghers to televise the concerts as he would be 'happy to pay 20 for the privilege'. By comparison, Taylor Swift had three standing areas for her Wembley gigs this month. General admission standing tickets were priced at 110.45, while they cost 172.25 for those who wanted to be at the front. Seated tickets ranged from 58 to 194.75. The cost for Bruce Springsteen tickets when he played in the UK this summer ranged from 75 to 174. Jon Collins, chief executive of LIVE, the trade body representing the UK's live music industry, told Sky News the rise in ticket prices was being driven by a 'massive appetite' from fans for 'bigger spectacles'. 'You've got a couple of different factors - you've got the spectacle of the show and the production cost and everything that goes into the ticket price. But then you've also got the fundamentals,' he said. 'You've got the increase in the cost of people very justifiable costs like increases in minimum wage and living wage. At every stage of the process we've got these cost increases that will all push through the pressure on the ticket price.' Earlier in the day, more shows for the world tour were announced. Noel Gallagher posted on X, formerly Twitter, that 'due to unprecedented demand', shows in Heaton Park, on July 16, Wembley on July 30 and Murrayfield Stadium on August 12 had been added. X users have today been reacting to prices with one tongue-in-cheek response suggesting Noel and Liam are 'in need of a good pension fund' Oasis have today announced three new UK dates to their reunion tour after an 'unprecedented' demand for tickets The extra dates have been added to Oasis' official website this morning which means they will now play five shows at Wembley Gig passes have not yet gone on sale, but the Manchester rockers invited fans to apply for a pre-sale ballot before Saturday's general release. Oasis today extended the deadline for its fans to confirm entries to Friday morning after an 'unprecedented' number signed up for the reunion tour tickets. The band also reassured applicants that the confirmation emails for pre-sale ballot entries were still being sent on Thursday. Oasis wrote on X: 'The deadline to confirm your entry has now been extended to 10am BST tomorrow morning (Friday 30th August). 'If successful in the ballot, you will be contacted tomorrow by 5pm BST with pre-sale access information. Thank you for your patience.' Lucky fans will be notified by email that they have secured the opportunity to get pre-sale tickets. Noel and his brother Liam put their acrimonious split behind them, confirming the band's long-awaited reunion on Tuesday, saying: 'The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised.' The UK and Ireland shows, which are the only European dates, were announced as follows: Principality Stadium July 4 and 5; Heaton Park July 11, 12, 19 and 20; Wembley Stadium July 25 and 26 and August 2 and 3; Murrayfield Stadium August 8 and 9; and Croke Park August 16 and 17. Announcing the Oasis Live 25 tour, the legendary band said: 'The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised.' Group portrait of Oasis at Nomad Studios in Manchester in 1993. Pictured left to right: Paul Arthurs (aka Bonehead), Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Tony McCarroll, Paul McGuigan It has not been announced who will be performing with Liam and Noel as part of Oasis. The UK dates will be sold through Ticketmaster, Gigs and Tours and See Tickets, all of whom will be bracing for a frenzy when tickets go on sale. Those in the music industry say demand is set to rival or even exceed that of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour', which saw the global pop star sell out several concerts across the UK. The Oasis website crashed immediately after their announcement, indicating just how many people will be battling it out for tickets. Fans have been urging the brothers to regroup since they disbanded, a split prompted by a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris. More than 4million fans are expected to be vying for the 1,066,888 tickets available across the 14 gigs, with sources telling The Sun that once they sell out 'extra dates will be added for sure'. Industry insiders have also claimed that Bonehead is 'confirmed' for the tour and 'ecstatic' that the band is back together - with Liam and Noel Gallagher reportedly 'both wanting him in the fold' after he was 'one of the drivers of the reunion'. 'The Oasis family has really come back together. Bonehead is ecstatic,' the source said, adding: 'Noel has brought in some of his band too.' Ahead of the ticket release date, fans have been warned not to wait until Saturday morning to register to ensure you have an account set up with all the correct billing and delivery information. Liam and Noel Gallagher are pictured at the Knebworth Festival in 1996. They will be performing again next summer Industry insiders have also claimed that original guitarist Bonehead - real name Paul Arthurs (pictured in 1996) - is 'confirmed' for the tour and 'ecstatic' that the band is back together Oasis are pictured in Withington, Manchester, in 1993. (L-R) Paul McGuigan, Noel Gallagher, Tony McCarroll, Paul Arthurs and Liam Gallagher Fans have also been urged to make sure their accounts are verified, which can be done by adding your phone number and confirming a one-time passcode. Those hoping to secure a ticket for the comeback tour should also make sure their card details are already saved to avoid last-minute panic. Your devices, such as phones and laptops, should be well charged in advance of the deadline. Meanwhile, ticket success could come down to how strong your internet connection is and what device you are using. Joshua Houston, an appliance expert at Household Quotes said: 'Oasis have been away for 15 years, and in that time a whole new generation of their fans have formed who are yet to see them live. 'So follow these tips to increase your chances, those that can go into the online queue first will get the tickets and part of this is down to how good your internet connection is.' Ticketmaster says that there is usually a waiting room which opens 15 minutes before the sale. Once the queue opens, you will be told exactly where you are in line. Ticketing sites warn that refreshing the page won't move you further up the queue and that the page updates itself automatically. Fans will be able to purchase a maximum of four tickets per transaction and you will not be able to sell them for more than you bought them for. The price of tickets has not been revealed but the Manchester Evening News reports it will exceed 100. Noel, 57, quit the Manchester rock group on August 28 2009, saying he 'simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer', and the brothers have made negative comments about each other for more than a decade. Though fans have been positive about a reunion, concerns have been raised about high ticket prices and accommodation, and the prospect of Liam and Noel having another falling out. Staff comments were blocked on the Scottish Governments in-house website about Holocaust Memorial Day in case they made discriminatory remarks. Amid a UK-wide rise in anti-Semitism, comments were banned on an article on the Saltire intranet system because of the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza. Bosses were worried civil servants might make inappropriate, discriminatory or offensive remarks likely to result in distress and alarm. They were also concerned about breaches of civil service impartiality. The Scottish Tories said it was deeply depressing that SNP ministers couldnt trust their staff when now more than ever Scotlands Jewish community needs reassurance. Holocaust Memorial Day is held in memory of the millions of Jewish people murdered across Europe by the Nazis during the Second World War Officials feared Scottish Government civil servants would leave 'inappropriate' comments on the Holocaust Memorial Day page due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza The Saltire article in January referred to remembering the millions of people killed during the Holocaust and other genocides, noting it was 79 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and 29 years since the genocide in Rwanda. It offered staff a chance to register for an event with Holocaust survivor and author Professor Peter Lantos, who was deported from Hungary to Bergen-Belsen aged five. But it has now emerged that officials also felt obliged to block comments on a blog post on Israel/Gaza by the Governments director-general economy Gregor Irwin last November. The details emerged in a Freedom of Information response. It showed senior staff planned to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, which is on January 27, with an article two days later on Saltire. The staff-only system can be read by around 18,000 workers in the core Scottish Government, its executive agencies and quangos. According to Government guidance, the Saltire comments facility is turned on by default and only turned off before publication in exceptional circumstances. However, with the Israel-Hamas conflict raging in Gaza after the October 7 terror attacks, the normal rules were set aside. A January 25 email between officials said: We are concerned that this article could attract comments or debate linked to the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza which could be deemed as: * inappropriate and could provoke or offend others * discriminatory * likely to result in distress and alarm * not adhering to the value of impartiality set out in the Civil Service Code On that basis, and subject to your agreement, we recommend that the comments facility is switched off for this article. The plan was signed off by the Governments People Director Nicola Richards. Scottish Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw, whose Eastwood constituency is home to Scotlands largest Jewish community, said: Its deeply depressing to think that SNP ministers dont seem able to trust their own Scottish Government staff not to make offensive comments in relation to the Holocaust. The Holocaust was an incredibly dark chapter in human history and the Memorial Day is an important opportunity to remember its victims and try to ensure genocides will become a thing of the past. Surely every right-minded person should be able to agree on that? Events in the Middle East have fuelled a rise in antisemitism here in recent months, and now more than ever Scotlands Jewish community needs reassurance. That means public figures - including some SNP politicians - being careful and even-handed in how they express themselves. A Scottish Government spokesman said: It is standard practice for comments to be switched off in some circumstances. Doing so in this instance mitigated against the low risk of any comments breaching our moderation policy and ensured the focus remained on Holocaust Memorial Day. Germany is planning to deport immigrants who carry out knife attacks, in the wake of the stabbing at the Solingen music festival. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said on Thursday that the government would toughen knife controls and curb benefits for some illegal migrants in response to the suspected Islamist stabbing. Three people were killed and eight others injured at a festival in the western Dutch city of Solingen on Friday, in an attack allegedly carried out by a 26-year-old Syrian man with links to the Islamic State group. A 26-year-old suspect, named as 'Issa Al H' was arrested at a home for refugees in Solingen. He targeted the Fronhof, a market square, where live bands were playing to celebrate Solingen's 650-year history The knife attack has inflamed the debate over immigration in Germany and put pressure on the government to act ahead of key regional elections on Sunday. Germany has said it will deport immigrants who carry out knife crimes following the Solingen stabbing. Pictured: The stabbing suspect being dragged to his arraignment Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in a statement Thursday that the government would tighten knife controls and curb benefits for illegal migrants A sign that reads: 'We just wanted to celebrate, but then the death came' is placed next to flowers and candles A map showing the location of the stabbing at the Fronhof and the refugee shelter where a suspect was arrested At a press conference today, Faeser said the stabbing had 'shocked us deeply'. Outlining the new measures, she said: 'We will introduce a general ban on handling switchblade knives and also clarify with examples of regulations when an individual person is banned from weapons. 'To combat Islamists, we need strong security authorities with additional powers, especially in the digital world. 'In future, investigating authorities will be authorised to carry out biometric comparisons of Internet data, so-called facial recognition, with publicly accessible sources, i.e. on the Internet and in social media.' She continued: 'Anyone who is not entitled to protection in Germany must leave our country more quickly. 'To this end, we will also take further measures with regard to the right of residence and repatriation. We will define a particularly serious interest in deportation for offences committed with a knife that result in a prison sentence of at least six months.' The minister said that migration policy must be 'scrutinised' and 'made more effective' in order to speed up deportations of foreign criminals. She said: 'We are continuing to work at full speed to once again enable the return of dangerous persons and serious offenders to Afghanistan and Syria. 'We will also work together with representatives of the federal states and the biggest opposition party and meet next week to discuss possible further measures." The stabbing was carried out at a festival in the western Dutch city of Solingen An ambulance and police stand on August 24, 2024 near the scene where at least three people were killed and several injured Candles and flowers and the inscription 'Why? You are not alone' are pictured on late August 24, 2024 near the area where three people were killed and several injured 'And that is why we agreed that the entire process of migration policy, in particular the deportation of foreigners who are obliged to leave the country, must be scrutinised, must be made more effective, must be designed more effectively so that we can also deport more quickly, so that we can deport more successfully.' Carrying knives at festivals, like the one in Solingen, as well as "sports events and other similar public events" will be banned, she added. Ms Faeser clarified there would be reasoned exceptions to the ban, including for those working in hospitality and performers. Knives will also be banned on long-distance trains, she said, with police given more powers to search members of the public. The Army on Thursday defended a staff member at Arlington National Cemetery who clashed with Donald Trump campaign officials when they took photos and video of the former president in a restricted area of the cemetery. In a long and unusual statement, the Army noted the Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) staffer acted with 'professionalism' and said she was 'abruptly pushed aside' by Trump officials when she tried to enforce a federal law that forbids campaign activity at the cemetery. However, since the staffer is not going to press charges, the Army said they considered the matter 'closed.' It was a rare rebuke from the military about a former commander in chief. And it comes amid a deepening row between Trump and Gold Star Families about the incident. The families that invited the former president to join them at the cemetery have defended him, but other families who lost loved ones in service to U.S. have criticized Trump for posting photos and video of the visit to his campaign accounts. Donald Trump laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery is considered hallowed ground in the U.S. military and is managed by the Army. Trump, who is running for a second term in the White House, was invited to visit on Monday with family members of the some of the soldiers killed three years ago when U.S. troops exited Afghanistan. He was there to help them mark the annivesary of the suicide bombing at Abbey Gate and honor the soldiers who died. His campaign said they had permission ahead of time to bring a photographer. And officials told Axios they are 'weighing options' about releasing their internal footage backing up their version of the story. They claim a staffer with the cemetery tried to 'physically block' members of Trump's team during the visit and claimed the staffer had a 'mental health episode.' 'The fact is that a private photographer was permitted on the premises and for whatever reason an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trump's team during a very solemn ceremony,' Steven Cheung, a Trump campaign spokesman, said in a statement. While at the cemetery on Monday, Trump laid three separate wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and then went with the families to Section 60. His campaign posted a video of both parts of the visit on its TikTok account. And several staffers posted photos to social media But the Army hit back, noting the campaign, ahead of the visit, was 'made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds.' 'An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside,' an Army spokesperson said in the statement on Thursday. 'Consistent with the decorum expected at ANC, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption. The incident was reported to the JBM-HH police department, but the employee subsequently decided not to press charges. Therefore the Army considers the matter closed,' the spokesperson noted. 'This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked. ANC is a national shrine to the honored dead of the Armed Forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nation's fallen deserve.' Arlington National Cemetery is considered sacred ground and run by the U.S. Army Military officials told the New York Times that the cemetery staffer feared that pursuing the matter with the authorities at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia, which has jurisdiction over the cemetery, could subject her to retaliation from Trump supporters. Pentagon officials were deeply concerned about Trump turning the visit into a campaign stop, but they also didn't want to block him from coming, reported The Washington Post. The officials gave the campaign 'ground rules' in an attempt to keep politics out of visit. Ahead of the former president's visit, Army officials told Trump's team that he could come in his personal capacity and bring personal aides, but not campaign staff. Campaign staff went anyway. 'If the campaign feels the need to defend their team's actions which include bullying and physically pushing out of the way a longtime public servant and member of the team at Arlington working to protect the sanctity of the sacred spaces then that's on them,' a defense official told The Post. 'The rules were made clear to participants, and these two chose to disregard those rules. End of story.' Trump has been heavily critical of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris about the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, calling it 'gross incompetence.' The visit also allowed Trump to counter reports he doesn't respect veterans and has previously referred to slain World War II soldiers as suckers and losers, reports Trump has denied. While at Arlington cemetery, the former president laid three wreaths at the tomb, two honoring Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover and Sgt. Nicole Gee - two Marines killed in the bombing - and another wreath dedicated to all 13 service members who were killed in the attack. He was joined by Marine Cpl. Kelsee Lainhart (Ret.) and Marine Sergeant Tyler Vargas-Andrews, both of whom were injured at the Abbey Gate Bombing. Monday marked three years since the Aug. 26, 2021, suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport, which killed 13 American service members and more than 100 Afghans. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack. After the wreath laying, Trump and the families went to Section 60, the final resting place for those who died fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan - a place regularly visited by spouses and family members of the fallen. Media were not allowed to accompany the former president to that section of the cemetery. Trump posed for photos with the family and laid flowers at the tombs of some soldiers who died, according to images posted on social media by his team. While families often take photos at gravesites of loved ones, federal law prohibits any political activity in the cemetery. Sitting presidents have visited Section 60 but never as part of a political campaign. The families of the fallen said they had invited Trump and gave 'our approval for President Trump's official videographer and photographer to attend the event, ensuring these sacred moments of remembrance were respectfully captured and so we can cherish these memories forever.' President Biden lays flowers at the tomb of SSG Ryan Knauss The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Caisson Platoon, Marines from the "The President's Own" Marine Band, and Marines from the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. (8th and I) conduct military funeral honors with funeral escort for U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Hoover in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery in September 2021 But the family of a Green Beret who served eight combat tours and is buried in Section 60 expressed concern about Trump's campaign filming his gravesite without permission. Relatives of Master Sgt. Andrew Marckesano told the New York Times that Trump's campaign had not followed the rules when it came to visits. Marckesano's gravesite is adjacent to that of Staff Sergeant Darin Taylor Hoover, a Marine who was killed in Abbey Gate bombing. The Hoover family granted Trump's team permission to film and take photographs at the gravesite but the Marckesano family did not. Marckesano's grave was shown in photos from the visit that were published online. Marckesano's sister Michele told the Times: 'We fully support Staff Sergeant Darin Hoover's family and the other families in their quest for answers and accountability regarding the Afghanistan withdrawal and the tragedy at Abbey Gate.' 'However,' she added, 'according to our conversation with Arlington National Cemetery, the Trump campaign staffers did not adhere to the rules that were set in place for this visit to Staff Sergeant Hoover's gravesite in Section 60, which lays directly next to my brother's grave.' She continued, 'We hope that those visiting this sacred site understand that these were real people who sacrificed for our freedom and that they are honored and respected accordingly.' Arlington National Cemetery is the resting place for more than 400,000 service members, veterans and their families. A vigilante pickpocket hunter claims he spotted 16 thieves in just one afternoon operating around popular tourist hotspots in London. Jaime van Gastel, 52, came to the UK for a short weekend in August to hunt down pickpockets stealing from tourists. He says he caught a total of 23 pickpockets in London on August 10 and August 11 - 16 on the Saturday and another seven on the Sunday around sites such as Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. Mr van Gastel, who has been hunting pickpockets since 1995, also revealed that Asian tourists tend to be the group most targeted by the thieves. It comes as the capital is in the midst of a 'pickpocketing crisis' with data released last year showing that thefts on the London Underground more than doubled between 2021 and 2022. A man was filmed in the video trying to open the bag belonging to a tourist outside Westminster Tube Station Jaime van Gastel, 52, confronted alleged pickpockets operating around tourist hotspots in London A woman puts her hand towards at a tourist's bag close to Buckingham Palace Pickpocket vigilante Mr van Gastel, who is from the Netherlands, said he travelled to London after reading about the number of smartphones being stolen in the city. He runs a YouTube channel Boevenspotter where he films himself tracking down pickpockets across Europe. The 52-year-old said he first started spotting pickpockets in 1995 in Amsterdam and has so far tipped off more than 100 to the Dutch police. However he added that spotting is his 'hobby' and that he does not work for the cops. In Mr van Gastel's most recent video filmed in London, he can be seen travelling to some of the most-visited sites in the city such as the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. When he sees someone he suspects of being a pickpocket, he confronts them and warns tourists about thieves operating in the area. The alleged pickpockets can then be seen walking away to avoid the camera or covering their faces. A screengrab from Jaime van Gastel's pickpocketing video in London Pickpocket vigilante Mr van Gastel, who is from the Netherlands, said he travelled to London after reading about the number of smartphones being stolen in the city Mr van Gastel confronted alleged pickpockets outside Westminster Underground Station Mr van Gastel also claimed that he spotted groups of 'scammers' drawing in tourists on Westminster Bridge. In June footage emerged of tourists performing a citizen's arrest on a 'pickpocket' outside the gates of Buckingham Palace. The video, which went viral on social media, shows two people catching a woman and holding her hands behind her back outside of the royal residence. A woman holding a red umbrella is also filmed arguing with the accused pickpocket, telling her to 'stay here' and threatening that she will be put 'on the floor'. It was unclear who the alleged thief tried to steal from. The 'pickpocket'- dressed in a black jacket and white trousers - can be heard shouting 'call police, police, call' before letting out a scream. The female tourist, with a red umbrella and pink coat, then walks up to the alleged pickpocket and says 'don't move', while onlookers were seen gathering around filming the incident. Buckingham Palace is one of London's pickpocketing hotspots and advice on the Changing of the Guard website alerts visitors to the risks of pickpocketing. It warns: 'If you are coming to watch, please do take care of your personal possessions at all times as, like many crowded places, pickpockets have been known to operate in this area. A 'tourist' was filmed grabbing and holding back an alleged pickpocket outside the gates of Buckingham Palace The man threatened that he will put the alleged pickpocket on the floor before telling her to 'shut up' The footage, shared online, shows a woman in smart black clothes while partially wearing a face mask slinking over to a mother with a pram She can be seen using the clothes in one hand to cover up the actions in the other, before unzipping the unsuspecting woman's handbag 'Please report any suspicious behaviour to a Police Officer.' And in May, shocking CCTV footage emerged of a suspected thief in north London trying to pickpocket a woman twice as she shopped in a clothing store. The footage, shared online, shows a woman in smart black clothes and partially wearing a face mask slinking over to a mother with a pram in the Stamford Hill shop. Having eyed up her target, the alleged thief walks over to her with several items of clothing in hand. She can then be seen using the clothes in one hand to cover up the actions in the other, before unzipping the unsuspecting woman's handbag. But before she can swipe the handbag's contents, the mother walks away to the front of the store. The brazen thief then follows her, before dipping her hand in, dropping the clothes she carried on a nearby rack and scarpering out the front door. It is unclear if the thief actually took any items from the woman. A man has been arrested accused of fatally shooting his ex-wife and her new partner in their million-dollar Long Island mansion. Daniel Coppola, 50, allegedly shot dead Kelly Coppola, also 50, and Kenneth Pohlman, 53, while they were sleeping in their St. James home shortly before midnight on Wednesday night. Detective Lt. Kevin Breyer said the couple's teenage daughter was inside the home prior to the incident, but was given a warning by her father. 'The daughter was in the house and he reached out to her and told her to get out of the house,' he said. It is understood the alleged offender and his ex-wife (pictured together) had recently gone through a bitter divorce A man has been arrested accused of fatally shooting his ex-wife and her new partner in their million-dollar Long Island mansion Kenneth Pohlman, 53, (pictured) was shot dead alongside his partner in their home while they were in bed 'He picked the girl up, put her in his car, committed the murders, drove her from there to Harbor Road. As he's driving her, she's communicating with friends via text saying, 'I don't know what my father did. I don't know how my mother is.' 'They try to reach out to the mother, can't get in touch with the mother, they call 911,' he said. Coppola was arrested and is being held under mental evaluation after making suicidal remarks, according to the NY Post. It is understood the alleged offender and his ex-wife had recently gone through a bitter divorce. The victims shared a six-bed, four-bath home worth $1.1million in the affluent Suffolk County in Long Island, New York. Daniel Coppola, 50, allegedly shot dead Kelly Coppola, also 50, and Kenneth Pohlman, 53, while they were sleeping in their St. James home Breyer described it a 'tragic incident.' 'Kenny was a dear friend of my ex husband and he was one of the nicest people you could ever meet,' one friend said following the announcement. It is understood Pohlman has three children of his own who are now orphaned after their mother died from cancer. As a working royal, the Duchess of Sussex was renowned for her love of expensive designer labels such as Givenchy, Dior and Oscar de la Renta. But this week, with, some might say, a certain level of self-importance, she has revealed she wears labels that she wants to put in the global spotlight to boost their sales. 'I support designers that I have really great friendships with and smaller, up-and-coming brands that haven't gotten the attention that they should be getting,' she told the New York Times. When Meghan, 43, became a member of The Firm in 2016, there's no doubt she boosted the fashion industry but the Princess of Wales, 42, had been highlighting British brands long before her. Market analyst Mintel estimated that the 'Kate Effect' was responsible for a 1 billion boost in public spending in the year after her wedding. So, which of the two women the classic working royal or the Californian actress-turned-humanitarian has had the biggest impact on the fashion industry? Strathberry's 17 million turnover can certainly be credited to Meghan, who carried the Scottish brand's 495 Tricolour Midi Tote on her debut walkabout with Prince Harry in 2007 The brands Meghan has boosted Strathberry Strathberry's 17 million turnover can certainly be credited to Meghan, who carried the Scottish brand's 495 Tricolour Midi Tote on her debut walkabout with Prince Harry in Nottingham in 2017. The bag sold out within 24 hours and changed the lives of husband-and-wife team Guy and Leeanne Hundleby overnight, catapulting the fledgling firm into the big league. The Kate Effect was equally potent: the 295 Multrees Chain Wallet also sold out within hours when she stepped off a train in Cardiff carrying one in December 2020. Leeanne Hundleby says diplomatically : 'Any carry from Royals generates interest in the brand and a surge in traffic to the site.' Winner: Meghan The 295 Multrees Chain Wallet also sold out within hours when Kate stepped off a train in Cardiff in 2020 Aquazurra In June 2016, Meghan posted a photograph on her now-defunct lifestyle blog The Tig of 39 pairs of her shoes, neatly arranged side by side and worth an estimated 20,000. Six of them were Aquazurra, designed by Colombian Edgardo Osorio, who said at the time: 'She likes strappy, sophisticated, sexy shoes, which is very much our style. Her look tends to be elegant, simple and sleek, and she always accentuates with a beautiful pair of shoes.' So, it was natural that she would wear his 420 Matilde crossover stilettos when she announced her engagement to Harry on November 27, 2017. Since then, she has inspired a generation of royal women to wear the brand including Kate, who wore Aquazzura's 645 bow-tie 105 suede pumps at the National Portrait Gallery in 2023, as well as Beatrice, Eugenie and Zara. Winner: Meghan Meghan wearing Aquazurra's 420 Matilde crossover stilettos when she announced her engagement to Harry on November 27, 2017 Kate wore Aquazzura's 645 bow-tie 105 suede pumps at the National Portrait Gallery in 2023 Veja It was Meghan who discovered the company Veja, which was set up by two Frenchmen Sebastien Kopp and Francois-Ghislain Mori-llion, who created the world's first environmentally friendly trainer. Meghan wore their 120 white design, with a black V logo, to the Invictus Games in 2018, while Kate wore the same sneaker, with a gold V, out and about in London in 2022. Winner: Meghan Meghan wearing Veja's 120 white design, with a black V logo, to the Invictus Games in 2018 Kate wearing the same sneaker, with a gold V, while out and about in London in 2022 And how Kate has transformed the fortunes of these British designers Emilia Wickstead Kate definitely set the trend when she wore an Emilia Wickstead 1,150 green coat dress at a St Patrick's Day Parade in 2012. A firm favourite with the Princess, she has a wardrobe crammed with Wickstead designs. Other royals have followed in her footsteps, including the Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Beatrice and Meghan, who wore a custom green dress a mix of several styles from the designer to her last official royal engagement at Westminster Abbey in March 2020. Winner: Kate Kate definitely set the trend when she wore an Emilia Wickstead 1,150 green coat dress at a St Patrick's Day Parade in 2012 Meghan wore this custom green dress a mix of several styles from the designer to her last official royal engagement at Westminster Abbey in March 2020 Self-Portrait Malaysian designer Han Chong's label Self-Portrait has become a favourite of the Royal Family, but it was Kate who discovered him first, wearing his 320 white lace dress to the premiere of A Street Cat Named Bob on November 3, 2016. That year Selfridges sold a Self-Portrait garment every six minutes and the brand has continued to grow. Chong found out the Princess had worn his dress when someone tagged a blurry photograph of her on Instagram. 'I couldn't sleep that night,' he said. 'I was too excited. I could always see her wearing Self-Portrait, but I never thought it was going to happen.' Meghan followed suit, wearing his 300 green floral midi dress to the Invictus Games reception in 2018. Winner: Kate Kate first discovered Han Chong's label Self-Portrait, wearing his 320 white lace dress to the premiere of A Street Cat Named Bob on November 3, 2016 Meghan wore his 300 green floral midi dress to the Invictus Games reception in 2018 Reiss When Kate wore a cream Reiss 159 Nanette gown in her official engagement photograph, the brand's website went into meltdown and crashed for two hours. The upmarket High Street brand re-released the dress only for it to sell out again. Ever thrifty, she is pictured wearing it again in Canada in 2011. Fast forward several years, and the black and white 185 Reiss Azzura dress that Meghan wore on International Women's Day in 2019 did not cause the same stir. Winner: Kate Kate wore a cream Reiss 159 Nanette gown in her official engagement photograph, sending the brand's website into meltdown The black and white 185 Reiss Azzura dress that Meghan wore on International Women's Day in 2019 did not cause the same stir Monica Vinader Monica Vinader's bohemian jewellery is catnip to actresses but it was when Kate wore her 745 Riva collection earrings and 2,000 necklace to a gala at the Natural History Museum on October 21, 2014, that the designer hit the jackpot. They sold out in the US straight away. 'I was on holiday in Florence, sitting outside a cafe,' she said at the time. 'The friend I was with suddenly looked over at a man reading a newspaper and said: 'Isn't that the Duchess of Cambridge wearing your earrings on the front page?' 'It was the most surreal moment I was thrilled.' It was not until 2020, that Meghan first wore her 125 Linear Friends bracelet in public. By then, the brand was established. Winner: Kate Former President Donald Trump went back to attacking Kamala Harris as a flip-flopper in battleground Michigan on a night of her big sit-down interview, saying she goes to her room and 'gets sick to her stomach' from changing her positions. Trump railed against polls showing a tight race with the vice president, calling them fake, in an appearance where he repeatedly went off script, mocking his rival's name even while accusing Democrats of an 'economic reign of terror.' Trump spoke days after unloading on his rivals on his Truth Social site, reposting one obscene post about Harris and Hillary Clinton, and others suggesting special counsel Jack Smith should be prosecuted. On Harris, he pegged some of his attacks to her long-awaited sit-down interview shortly before it was set to air on CNN Thursday night. 'Shes the greatest flip flopper,' Trump said. 'She probably goes back to her room and gets sick to her stomach when she says what she has to say, because shes a a Marxist, shes a fascist.' He also resumed his attack on her father. 'Her father was a Marxist. Hes a Marxist professor. Its very nice,' Trump said. 'Its a choice between communism and freedom,' he added, coopting Harris' campaign slogan. Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump mocked Kamala Harris's name and accused polls showing a tight race of being 'fake' He also went after her name, weeks after accusing her of faking her racial identity during an interview with a black journalists association. 'Now, the name Kamala is a little complex, because about 19 different ways of pronouncing it, right?' Trump said. 'At least it's a name you sort of remember. You can't use Harris because nobody knows who the hell Harris is. Who's Harris?' Trump repeatedly went after polls, which now have Harris holding a narrow lead in Michigan, even though polls have him seizing a tie in Pennsylvania. 'They have these fake polls. How the hell can it be tied? Its fake news,' Trump told an audience inside the Alro Steel plant in Potterville, near Lansing. 'They can make those polls sing. They can make them do whatever they want.' Trump repeated the 'Drill Baby Drill!' slogan and called his rival a Marxist Trump said Harris flip flopped so much she He also appeared to try to clean up a controversy where he said the Medal of Freedom he bestowed on a top donor was better than the Medal of Honor. Of Medal of Honor recipients, Trump said, 'Oftentimes theyve died I always say Id rather get the presidential medal. Oftentimes theyve suffered greatly and theyre not around.' Trump complained that windmills 'kill a hell of a lot of birds,' said nice things about Elon Musk but still said electric cars don't go far enough and electric trucks 'dont work well', and brought back his disputed boasts about winning a Michigan 'Man of the Year" award. Trump repeatedly went back to the Harris interview. 'People just want to see if she can get through the interview. Nobody knows whats going on,' he said. 'She did an interview today. She didnt want to go in alone. She went in with this vice president guy that nobodys ever heard of,' he said, referencing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris's running mate. With the GOP getting hammered in some key states over IVF fertilization treatment, Trump rolled out a new plan to subsidize the costs, which can run into the thousands. 'Under the Trump administration, your government will pay for or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for all costs associated with IVF treatment, fertilization for women, IVF treatment,' Trump said. 'Nobody's ever said that before, but the IVF treatments are expensive. It's very hard for many people to do it and to get it, but I've been in favor of IVF right from the beginning ... We're going to pay for it, and it'll help families.' Waymos driverless taxis are planning to expand beyond San Francisco and into the East Bay. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle After a year of commercial driverless ride-hailing in San Francisco under its belt, Waymo says its determined to expand faster, with plans to eventually bring its robotaxis to the East Bay and San Jose, as well as Bay Area freeways. And if the company succeeds in its master plan, the Waymo Driver software powering its driverless robotaxis would be included for other uses such as trucking, deliveries and, eventually, personal vehicles, the company told the Chronicle. The Mountain View company quietly developed and tested its self-driving cars for years in the Bay Area before the California Public Utilities Commission granted its unrestricted expansion in San Francisco last August. The CPUCs decision allowing Waymo to commercialize its driverless technology in California for the first time marked the beginning of a high-stakes robotaxi experiment playing out on San Franciscos public roads in real time. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Since then, the Alphabet-owned company has been allowed to deploy an unlimited number of robotaxis for paid driverless rides in the city at all hours. In March, state regulators allowed the company to expand its commercial ride-hailing to 22 Peninsula cities. Waymo technology may eventually be found in domestic cars that would function as self-driving vehicles. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Now, Waymo officials are declaring victory after a year of commercial driverless service without any serious incidents and say it gives them confidence to speed up their robotaxi expansion. David Margines, Waymos director of product management, said in an interview that the companys one-year track record in San Francisco is a validation that its robotaxis can drive safely and coexist in the communities that we want to operate in. Looking back over the year, Im thrilled to say that its been a big success, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Waymo has scaled its ride-hailing operations deliberately for much of its first year of commercial service. The company, for example, limited access to rides to people approved off a waitlist and for months avoided taking paying riders downtown. But theres some evidence that Waymo has already started to move more quickly to expand its emerging business in the Bay Area. In June, it made its ride-hailing service available to anyone in San Francisco. In August, Waymo expanded its service area beyond city limits to include Daly City, Broadmoor and Colma, and it is testing its robotaxis in other Peninsula cities where its allowed to operate a vast area that stretches to Sunnyvale. Waymo also started testing driverless robotaxi rides on San Francisco freeways earlier this month using company employees as passengers. The company recorded its biggest spike in ride-hailing activity in May, when it reported to state regulators that its robotaxis were logging around 4,300 daily trips in San Francisco. At the time, Waymo said, its robotaxis were completing around 50,000 trips per week in San Francisco, Phoenix (where the company has operated commercially since 2020) and Los Angeles (where it began limited service in April). Advertisement Article continues below this ad Last week, Waymo announced that its robotaxis have eclipsed more than 100,000 weekly paid rides, with San Francisco recording the greatest increase in trips this summer and the most out of Waymos three markets. The company touted the milestone as the first time any fully autonomous ride-hailing service has ever reached this kind of mainstream use. But while its robotaxis have been the most visual presence, Waymo officials say that ride-hailing is only the starting point in the companys push to turn a profit. Alphabet has invested billions of dollars in Waymo, and the company faces pressure to find a profitable business model for its self-driving technology, which the company currently uses to retrofit Jaguars into robotaxis. Waymos artificial intelligence could be retrofitted into long-haul trucks and vehicles for parcel deliveries and personal use. The latter scenario could entail Waymo licensing its technology to car manufacturers, who could have it as a feature included in vehicles for sale meaning consumers could buy self-driving cars that could, theoretically, take them to work or on long road trips. Waymos driverless ride-hailing experience helps give its artificial intelligence software the real-world experience to prepare its technology for trucking or personal cars, which would require further testing and validation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Theres a lot of benefits that come from using ride-hailing as a first use case for the Waymo Driver, Margines said. But our goals dont stop there. If you think about our overall mission of bringing the Waymo Driver to as many vehicle miles traveled as possible, then youve got to branch out from that pretty quickly into some of these other environments. Margines said the company doesnt have a timeline for when it plans to integrate its driverless software with long-haul trucks or commercially sold personal cars. Nor did he say when Waymo planned to push for its ride-hailing expansion to the East Bay and San Jose. Such expansions would require the companys self-driving software to operate on freeways to offer competitive service, and its unclear when Waymo will start bringing paying customers on, say, Interstate 280. Waymo first started testing driverless passenger rides on freeways earlier this year in Phoenix, where the company operates a 315-square-mile service area that includes Sky Harbor International Airport. Waymos robtaxi operation in the Bay Area has not been seamless. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The company attracted much skepticism from local officials who feared the company would flood San Francisco streets with robotaxis, like Uber and Lyft did in their advent, if given the opportunity. Firefighters criticized Waymo and Cruise robotaxis for interfering with emergency responses, though such reported incidents have appeared to become less common. Waymo remains under investigation by federal regulators for a series of incidents that resulted in minor property damage or involved errant driving. The companys robotaxis have attracted several headlines for their clumsy driving and nuisances, such as a recent series of incidents involving Waymos honking at each other and disrupting sleepy residents in South of Market. The company says it patched a fix for the issue, though residents report that the issue persists. As Waymo seeks to expand in the Bay Area, it will likely keep encountering opposition from local officials and state lawmakers who want more control over the regulation of self-driving cars. The autonomous vehicle industry has already attracted stiff opposition from organized labor groups, which have lobbied the Legislature to restrict testing and deployment of driverless long-haul trucks. Next year, lawmakers could revive a failed attempt in Sacramento to give local cities the authority to set the rules over driverless ride-hailing a significant overhaul of Californias autonomous vehicle regulations fiercely opposed by AV companies. Another bill that would require autonomous vehicle companies to publicly report more performance data, including accidents and unplanned stops, passed the Legislature this week and awaits Gov. Gavin Newsoms signature. Yet, the presence of such legislation and the increased proliferation of Waymo robotaxis in San Francisco underscores how self-driving cars have begun to enter the mainstream. A high school teacher who allegedly used the social media app Snapchat to chat to a 14-year-old girl and met up with her twice has been charged with rape and grooming. Jason Lee, 29, a high school teacher in Logan, Brisbane, was arrested on July 11. A report was made to police on July 10, with officers executing a search warrant at an address in Underwood the next day. Lee was granted bail and has now been charged with two counts of rape and one count of grooming a child under 16 years. It will be alleged the teacher met up with the 14-year-old girl twice in June and used Snapchat to send messages to her. Lee has been working full-time as a teacher since 2018. Lee graduated from the Queensland University of Technology in 2017. The 29-year-old is next due in Wynnum Magistrates Court on September 16. Detectives have urged anyone who may have had a similar experience to come forward. Former Strictly Come Dancing star Artem Chigvintsev has been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in California. The professional dancer, who won the BBC competition in 2010 with celebrity partner Kara Tointon, was booked into Napa County Jail on Thursday morning, according to online jail records. Chigvintsev's arrest comes just days after he celebrated his two-year wedding anniversary with his wife - WWE star Nikki Bella. He posted on Instagram on Tuesday: 'Happy anniversary my love, cant see my life without you. You are my everything.' The Russian dancer joined Strictly during series eight in 2010, when he was partnered with ex-EastEnders actress Tointon, a relationship which blossomed into a real-life romance for several years. Artem Chigvintsev pictured with Kara Tointon after winning the 2010 series of Strictly Come Dancing Artem Chigvintsev's mugshot after he was booked into Napa County Jail on Thursday morning Artem Chigvintsev is seen arriving at 'Dancing with the Stars' Rehearsal Studio on October 26 last year The 42-year-old also made it to the semi-final of the show in 2011 with actress Holly Valance, before he was partnered with TV veteran Fern Britton in the 2012 series. He was last partnered with Coronation Street star Natalie Gumede in 2013, with the pair securing the runner-up spot. Chigvintsev later moved to the US version of Strictly, Dancing With The Stars, where in 2017 he was partnered with his future wife - Nikki Bella. The couple have a son, who was born in 2020 just hours before Nikki's twin sister Brie Bella announced the arrival of her second child. The siblings starred in the E! reality show Total Bellas for five years. Nikki Bella and Chigvintsev previously said they found out they were expecting just two-and-a-half weeks after getting engaged in Paris, and they married in 2022. It is not clear what led to the arrest of Chigvintsev, who posted a 25,000 dollar (19,000) bail. Representatives for Chigvintsev have been contacted for comment. Former Strictly Come Dancing star Artem Chigvintsev (pictured) has been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in California Princes William and Harry both attended the funeral for their uncle Robert Fellowes, it has been revealed, amid an ongoing rift between the estranged brothers. Locals in Snettisham, Nortfolk say the pair were both in attendance yesterday at a service for Lord Fellowes, who died last month. This is the first time the royal siblings have been seen together in two years, since the Queen's funeral in 2022. The last time the warring brothers were in the same room as one another was for the King's Coronation - more than a year ago. Earlier reports suggested the Duke of Sussex would not fly to the UK for his uncle's funeral because of security concerns after losing a legal fight to retain his royal protection after leaving the UK. Despite this, new reports say Harry, 39, did in fact make a discreet dash to Britain to attend the service for the 82-year-old who was their mother Diana's brother-in-law. The Duke is believed to have flown from Los Angeles International Airport on August 27. Did YOU see the princes? Email arthur.parashar@mailonline.co.uk Prince William and Harry are reported to have both attended the funeral for their uncle, Robert Fellowes (file photo) This is the first time the royal siblings have been seen together in two years, since the Queen's funeral in 2022. Kate, William, Harry and Meghan are pictured together at Windsor Castle in the days following the Queen's death at Balmoral Castle The Queen's Funeral Procession passes Buckingham Palace, with William, Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex in 2022 Prince William and his brother Harry are pictured in 2017 for a Grenfell Tower memorial Prince Harry and Prince William on a walkabout ahead of the royal wedding of Harry and Meghan Markle on May 18, 2018 The two brothers have barely spoken to each other since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (pictured in 2018) left the UK for the US and abandoned royal duties Locals in Snettisham, Nortfolk say the pair were both in attendance at a service for Lord Fellowes, who died last month, on Wednesday Pictured: Lord Fellowes who died last month at the age of 82 Lord Fellowes (top left) with Princess Diana and her family in 1995. Sitting (from left): Diana, Lady Sarah McCorquodale (sister), Frances Shand Kydd (mother), and Jane Fellowes (sister). Standing (from left): Lord Fellowes, Charles, Earl Spencer (brother) and Neil McCorquodale The rift was exacerbated by the publication of Harry's memoir Spare in January last year that levelled accusations against his family However, witnesses said they didn't see the warring brothers speak. A local in the area told The Sun: 'I didn't know they were there. They arrived very discreetly.' Another said: 'William and Harry were both there but we never saw them speak to each other and they were keeping their distance.' They reportedly sat apart at the back of St Mary's Church in Snettisham where the service for Eton-educated Lord Fellowes took place. Sources spoke of how the pair arrived 'very discreetly' and that you wouldn't have known they were there. The two brothers have barely spoken to each other since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left the UK for the US and abandoned royal duties. The rift was exacerbated by the publication of Harry's memoir Spare in January last year that levelled accusations against his family. Harry claimed that William, 42, branded Meghan 'difficult', 'rude' and 'abrasive', and even accused him of pushing him into a dog bowl. The Duke last visited the UK in May to attend a service at St Paul's Cathedral marking ten years of the Invictus Games, the sports event he helped to launch for injured soldiers. He previously returned to the UK in February to see his father, King Charles III, after he revealed his ongoing battle with an unspecified form of cancer. However, he did not visit his father while back in London - despite being a stone's throw from the royal residences in the capital. Since then, Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have embarked on a pair of pseudo-royal tours, visiting Nigeria in May and Colombia earlier this month. The youngest brother also reached out to William after his wife Kate Middleton's shock cancer diagnosis earlier in the year. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were understood to have made contact with the Prince and Princess of Wales 'privately'. It was also claimed in the United States that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex only learnt about Kate's condition at the same time the world heard the news. Sources told the New York Post that the couple had 'no idea' about Kate's illness. Hours after the news, the couple released a short statement wishing the Princess of Wales and her family 'health and healing'. The couple said they hoped Kate and her family would be 'able to do so privately and in peace'. Today is the first time the warring brothers have been seen together since the funeral of the Queen in 2022 (pictured at Westminster Abbey for the service) Prince William, Kate, Harry and Meghan, attend a ceremony to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace in 2018 Prince William and Catherine, accompanied by Prince Harry and Meghan, proceed to greet well-wishers outside Windsor Castle after the death of the Queen in 2022 Prince Harry attends The Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul's Cathedral on May 8 Robert Fellowes and Lady Jane Fellowes pictured in Woodbridge together in April 2011 Prince Harry pictured with aunt Lady Jane Fellowes and uncle Early Spencer back in July 2021 Although they used to be close, it is believed the royal brothers have not spoken in nearly two years and are 'estranged', which a close friend previously described as 'dreadfully sad'. Harry is due to go on a trip to NYC next month, at the same time as his brother is likely going to host a summit in Manhattan. The Duke of Sussex will 'be in town to advance a number of his patronages and philanthropic initiatives,' a spokesperson confirmed. The trip is set to take place during UN General Assembly High-level Week and Climate Week, the latter of which runs from September 22 until September 29. His older brother may also be in the city at that time for the third annual Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit, which will be held at The Plaza Hotel on September 24. It's unknown if the Prince of Wales will attend for sure, but he was present last year at the same event. Last week, insiders revealed that the heir to the throne has no plans to invite his younger brother to his coronation when the time comes. Friends of the Prince of Wales reported that William does not want Harry to be in attendance when he is crowned King. A source close to William told The Sunday Times: 'This year his focus has very much been on his wife, his children and his father. His brother isn't really something that's discussed.' Sources close to the Duke had previously suggested he would not be attending Lord Fellowes' funeral amid his battle in the British courts with the committee in charge of royal security. RAVEC, the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, opted to discontinue with his security when he quit royal duties to live in California and pursue lucrative business opportunities in 2020. Although he unequivocally lost his High Court challenge in February, he was granted permission to appeal in June. Harry has said he no longer feels it is safe to bring his family to the UK, citing the risks posed by potential acid and knife attackers. He has been told he can be given limited security if he notifies British authorities more than 28 days ahead of travel. Lord Fellowes with the King, then Prince Charles, at Epsom Racecourse in Surrey in 1993 Lord Fellowes had three children - Alexander (left, on his wedding day with Alexandra Finlay in 2013), Laura and Eleanor (both right, at Harry and Meghan's wedding in Windsor in 2018) Queen Elizabeth II and Lord Fellowes aboard the royal yacht Britannia in Florida in May 1991 Lord Fellowes was played by actor Andrew Havill (centre) in Netflix series The Crown The wedding of Lord Fellowes and Diana's sister Lady Jane Spencer in London in 1978 Lord Fellowes is pictured (back right) at the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana in 1981 Lord Fellowes was married to the Duke's aunt, Lady Jane, and was brother-in-law to Diana, Princess of Wales. He was also Queen Elizabeth II's private secretary from 1990 until 1999. News of his death on July 29 had sparked speculation that Harry could be forced to face his estranged brother, for the first time since the publication of the memoir. But People magazine, a US publication with particularly close links to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reported that he would not be attending amid his ongoing battle with the Home Office over the decision to withdraw his family's round-the-clock security. Prince Harry lost a High Court battle in February but he was granted permission to appeal in June. He has previously said that he no longer feels safe bringing his family to the UK due to the security issues. Details of Lord Fellowes's funeral were not made public prior to the event and it is understood to have been a 'very small' and private funeral service for close family. This will be followed by a private memorial service for 'wider' family and friends. Representatives for the Duke of Sussex have been contacted for comment and Kensington Palace declined to give a statement. Donald Trump, in his first public comments on the situation at Arlington National Cemetery, denied it was a campaign event and called the staff at the site 'bad people.' The former president said he went because it was invited by Gold Star Families and that he took photos at gravesites because he was asked to. He also added that he doesn't 'need the publicity.' Trump, who has frequently criticized the Biden administration for its handling of the drawdown in Afghanistan, took it a step further: he accused Joe Biden and Kamala Harris of killing the families' children 'by incompetence.' 'Those families that asked me to be there,' he said during a campaign rally in Michigan on Thursday. 'So I went. And while we were there, they said, Could you take pictures over the grave of my son, my sister, my brother? Would you take pictures with us, sir? I said, Absolutely, I did.' Donald Trump made his first public comments on the situation at Arlington National Cemetery It was while those pictures were taken that a staff member at Arlington National Cemetery tried to stop the Trump campaign's photographer and videographer. The two sides differ on the details. Trump said it was all 'Washington' politics. 'This all comes out of Washington, just like all of these prosecutors come out of Washington,' he said, referring to the legal cases against him. 'These are bad people we're dealing with,' he said of the Arlington National Cemetery staff. The Army defended the staff member at Arlington National Cemetery who clashed with Trump staff during the incident in a restricted area of the cemetery. Trump went on to criticize his Democratic rivals, noting no one was fired by the Biden administration for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, which saw 13 American soldiers killed in a suicide bombing. 'When you think about it, Joe Biden killed their children by incompetence. Should have never happened. Kamala killed their children - just as though they had a gun in their hand - by gross incompetence,' he said. 'Then they accused me of having a picture taken at the tombstone with a family,' he added. 'Because they loved the president. They loved me and I loved them.' He also argued that 'the one thing I get is plenty of publicity. I don't need that. I don't need the publicity. The fallout from Trump's visit is in its fourth day with neither side backing down from their claims of what happened. In a long and unusual statement on Thursday, the Army noted the Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) staffer acted with 'professionalism' and said she was 'abruptly pushed aside' by Trump officials when she tried to enforce a federal law that forbids campaign activity at the cemetery. However, since the staffer is not going to press charges, the Army said they considered the matter 'closed.' It was a rare rebuke from the military about a former commander in chief. And it comes amid a deepening row between Trump and Gold Star Families about the incident. The families that invited the former president to join them at the cemetery have defended him, but other families who lost loved ones in service to U.S. have criticized Trump for posting photos and video of the visit to his campaign accounts. Donald Trump laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery is considered hallowed ground in the U.S. military and is managed by the Army. Trump, who is running for a second term in the White House, was invited to visit on Monday with family members of the some of the soldiers killed three years ago when U.S. troops exited Afghanistan. He was there to help them mark the annivesary of the suicide bombing at Abbey Gate and honor the soldiers who died. His campaign said they had permission ahead of time to bring a photographer. And officials told Axios they are 'weighing options' about releasing their internal footage backing up their version of the story. They claim a staffer with the cemetery tried to 'physically block' members of Trump's team during the visit and claimed the staffer had a 'mental health episode.' 'The fact is that a private photographer was permitted on the premises and for whatever reason an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trump's team during a very solemn ceremony,' Steven Cheung, a Trump campaign spokesman, said in a statement. While at the cemetery on Monday, Trump laid three separate wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and then went with the families to Section 60. His campaign posted a video of both parts of the visit on its TikTok account. And several staffers posted photos to social media But the Army hit back, noting the campaign, ahead of the visit, was 'made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds.' 'An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside,' an Army spokesperson said in the statement on Thursday. 'Consistent with the decorum expected at ANC, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption. The incident was reported to the JBM-HH police department, but the employee subsequently decided not to press charges. Therefore the Army considers the matter closed,' the spokesperson noted. 'This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked. ANC is a national shrine to the honored dead of the Armed Forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nation's fallen deserve.' Arlington National Cemetery is considered sacred ground and run by the U.S. Army Military officials told the New York Times that the cemetery staffer feared that pursuing the matter with the authorities at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia, which has jurisdiction over the cemetery, could subject her to retaliation from Trump supporters. Pentagon officials were deeply concerned about Trump turning the visit into a campaign stop, but they also didn't want to block him from coming, reported The Washington Post. The officials gave the campaign 'ground rules' in an attempt to keep politics out of visit. Ahead of the former president's visit, Army officials told Trump's team that he could come in his personal capacity and bring personal aides, but not campaign staff. Campaign staff went anyway. 'If the campaign feels the need to defend their team's actions which include bullying and physically pushing out of the way a longtime public servant and member of the team at Arlington working to protect the sanctity of the sacred spaces then that's on them,' a defense official told The Post. 'The rules were made clear to participants, and these two chose to disregard those rules. End of story.' Trump has been heavily critical of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris about the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, calling it 'gross incompetence.' The visit also allowed Trump to counter reports he doesn't respect veterans and has previously referred to slain World War II soldiers as suckers and losers, reports Trump has denied. While at Arlington cemetery, the former president laid three wreaths at the tomb, two honoring Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover and Sgt. Nicole Gee - two Marines killed in the bombing - and another wreath dedicated to all 13 service members who were killed in the attack. He was joined by Marine Cpl. Kelsee Lainhart (Ret.) and Marine Sergeant Tyler Vargas-Andrews, both of whom were injured at the Abbey Gate Bombing. Monday marked three years since the Aug. 26, 2021, suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport, which killed 13 American service members and more than 100 Afghans. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack. After the wreath laying, Trump and the families went to Section 60, the final resting place for those who died fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan - a place regularly visited by spouses and family members of the fallen. Media were not allowed to accompany the former president to that section of the cemetery. Trump posed for photos with the family and laid flowers at the tombs of some soldiers who died, according to images posted on social media by his team. While families often take photos at gravesites of loved ones, federal law prohibits any political activity in the cemetery. Sitting presidents have visited Section 60 but never as part of a political campaign. The families of the fallen said they had invited Trump and gave 'our approval for President Trump's official videographer and photographer to attend the event, ensuring these sacred moments of remembrance were respectfully captured and so we can cherish these memories forever.' President Biden lays flowers at the tomb of SSG Ryan Knauss The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Caisson Platoon, Marines from the 'The President's Own' Marine Band, and Marines from the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. (8th and I) conduct military funeral honors with funeral escort for U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Hoover in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery in September 2021 But the family of a Green Beret who served eight combat tours and is buried in Section 60 expressed concern about Trump's campaign filming his gravesite without permission. Relatives of Master Sgt. Andrew Marckesano told the New York Times that Trump's campaign had not followed the rules when it came to visits. Marckesano's gravesite is adjacent to that of Staff Sergeant Darin Taylor Hoover, a Marine who was killed in Abbey Gate bombing. The Hoover family granted Trump's team permission to film and take photographs at the gravesite but the Marckesano family did not. Marckesano's grave was shown in photos from the visit that were published online. Marckesano's sister Michele told the Times: 'We fully support Staff Sergeant Darin Hoover's family and the other families in their quest for answers and accountability regarding the Afghanistan withdrawal and the tragedy at Abbey Gate.' 'However,' she added, 'according to our conversation with Arlington National Cemetery, the Trump campaign staffers did not adhere to the rules that were set in place for this visit to Staff Sergeant Hoover's gravesite in Section 60, which lays directly next to my brother's grave.' She continued, 'We hope that those visiting this sacred site understand that these were real people who sacrificed for our freedom and that they are honored and respected accordingly.' Arlington National Cemetery is the resting place for more than 400,000 service members, veterans and their families. A toddler is in a critical condition after being struck down by a car in South Australia. The 23-month-old girl was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after being hit by the car on Tasman Terrace - the main commercial street of Port Lincoln - at about 5.30pm on Thursday. The little girl was airlifted to Adelaide for further treatment on Thursday night. A crash investigation is currently underway and police say the driver is cooperating. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. More to come Fruit and dessert-flavoured vapes are being dished out by council and NHS stop-smoking services, an investigation has revealed. The British Medical Association this week called on the Government to put tougher restrictions on vapes to protect children. This included restricting vapes to tobacco-flavours only, which are likely to be less attractive to those who have never smoked. But a study by the UK Vaping Industry Association found the health service and local authorities are using fruity flavours to help smokers kick their habit. Thirty-one stop-smoking services responded to Freedom of Information requests, with 95 per cent saying they directly provide vapes or vouchers for vapes. Council and NHS stop-smoking services are dishing out fruit and dessert-flavoured vapes (file photo) The British Medical Association has called on the Government to restrict vapes to tobacco flavours only. Pictured: Vapes on display at a store in London Of these, every one provided flavoured products, including fruit, mint/menthol, tobacco and dessert options. Some 44 per cent recorded fruit options as the most popular among smokers or most often given out. The Royal College of Physicians has previously warned against the wholesale limiting of vape flavours, saying they are an integral part of the effectiveness of vaping as a quit aid. But Dr Penelope Toff, chairman of the BMAs public health medicine committee, said: The fact innocent-sounding fruit and other flavours are currently popular among those using vapes to stop smoking, does not outweigh their harmful impact on those who would never have smoked, especially children. John Dunne, of the UKVIA, said: Banning all non-tobacco flavours is a completely misguided, dangerous and deluded approach which will hurt smokers, vapers and legitimate retailers. Planned strikes by train drivers at LNER were called off last night after successful last-minute discussions between union representatives and company officials. Approximately 450 drivers, who are members of Aslef, had intended to stage walkouts every weekend until mid-November. These strikes could have hit services for more than 20 days, causing significant disruption. Aslef initially cited a 'breakdown in industrial relations and agreements' with LNER as the reason for the strikes. However, following recent meetings between the union and the company, Aslef announced the suspension of the strike action, with drivers set to resume work as normal. LNER, a government-owned operator of the East Coast Mainline, had already reduced its services in anticipation of the strikes starting on Saturday. Planned strikes by train drivers at LNER were called off last night after successful last-minute discussions between union representatives and company officials The company operates trains to and from London King's Cross, as well as through major cities such as Newcastle, York and Durham. The dispute between LNER and Aslef was separate from the ongoing national pay dispute involving drivers and 16 other train companies across England. The broader pay dispute, which began in July 2022, could soon be resolved following a new pay offer. The deal proposed by the Government includes salary increases of 5 per cent for 2022-2023, 4.75 per cent for 2023-2024, and 4.5 per cent for 2024-2025, potentially raising the average train driver's salary from 60,000 to 69,000. Mick Whelan, Aslef's general secretary, said: 'Aslef will continue to campaign for a fully staffed railway that doesn't rely on excessive use of driver overtime. 'We continue to operate in good faith and we are pleased to have finally resolved this long-standing issue with LNER of abuse of our agreements. We look forward to normal working resuming.' Mick Whelan, (centre, pictured on the picket line in April this year) Aslef's general secretary, said: 'Aslef will continue to campaign for a fully staffed railway that doesn't rely on excessive use of driver overtime' Despite the LNER strikes being unrelated to the national pay dispute, some government critics argued that the recent pay deal set a precedent that might encourage further union action. Former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith criticised the Government's approach, telling The Independent that it might lead to higher taxes and borrowing to fund the pay increases. The cancellation of the LNER strikes comes shortly after ministers made a new pay offer to resolve the broader train drivers' dispute, with Transport Secretary Louise Haigh stating her intention to 'move fast and fix things', starting by ending the rail strikes. The federal government has caved in to pressure to include questions in the next census about respondents' gender identity and sexual preference. Initially the government said those questions would not be asked in the 2026 census, but on ABC Radio Melbourne on Friday morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reversed course and said it was a 'commonsense position' to include those questions. 'We've been talking with the Australian Bureau of Statistics and they are going to test for a new question, one on sexuality,' he said. 'Yes, there will [be], as long as the testing goes okay, and a question can be developed in a way that is sensitive, and that gets the information that is required,' he said. The move comes after discontent in Labor ranks, and gay lobby groups, at the initial decision to exlude the question. Labor MP Josh Burns spoke out against the government's decision on Thursday. 'It is not too much to ask for people to be counted,' Mr Burns said in asking the government he is part of to reconsider. The federal government has backflipped on its decision to exclude broader questions about gender and sexuality from the 2026 census, the Prime Minister has said Fellow Melbourne Labor MP Peter Khalil joined Mr Burns in urging the government to include the questions. Other government MPs also spoke privately about their disappointment over the decision. Just hours before the Prime Minister's announcement, Australia's Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody lashed out at Jim Chalmers for defending the decision not to include gender and sexuality questions in the census. The Treasurer said on Thursday that the government was trying to avoid 'nastiness and weaponisation'. He was backed up by deputy PM Richard Marles. But Ms Cody said Mr Chalmers' justification was 'patronising' and exclusivist. 'The national census is about collecting data of all Australians,' she told the ABC on Friday morning. 'It informs the Australian Government when it is making its policy about where to build housing, what schools are needed, what programs should be funded in an area. 'It needs to be a comprehensive, inclusive document and that is what including LGBTQIA+ communities is about, making sure it is an inclusive document rather than excluding a large section of community.' Ms Cody brushed off the Treasurer's concerns about weaponisation, saying 'possible harm' was not a 'sufficient excuse' and that the decision to exclude the questions was actually 'harmful'. Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody said the federal government's decision not to include questions on gender and sexuality in the 2026 census could 'amount to unlawful discrimination'. Picture: Supplied 'The LGBTQIA+ communities are calling to be included,' she said. 'It really is a patronising to then say because of the possible harm to those communities, therefore we won't include them at all.' The commissioner warned it could 'amount to unlawful discrimination to exclude one whole section of the community from a really important document'. Ms Cody earlier this week wrote to Assistant Treasurer Andrew Leigh calling on the government to amend its census questions. She said she had not received a response. Meghan Markle has revealed how she has been building her investment portfolio - telling the New York Times that her latest addition is lavish bag brand Cesta Collective. The Duchess of Sussex, 43, was recently snapped carrying a purse from the company which sells purses handwoven by women in Rwanda and are later finished in Italy. She showed off the $750 (568) accessory during her trip to Colombia with husband Prince Harry, 39. A number of brands Meghan has been spotted wearing before have noted how sales increased substantially following her endorsement. A notable example was in 2017, when a bag from Scottish brand Strathberry sold out online in 11 minutes after Meghan wore it during an engagement during then-fiance Harry. Finding out about the sales boost the brand received as a result of her wearing one of its items 'changed everything in terms of how [Meghan] then looked at putting an outfit together'. She explained to the NYT that when she knows there will be a 'global spotlight' on what she is wearing, she will 'support designers that [she has] really great friendships with, and smaller, up-and-coming brands that havent gotten the attention that they should be getting'. Meghan Markle is pictured with Prince Harry during their recent trip to Colombia. She is seen sporting a handbag from Cesta Collective, a brand she has invested in Meghan has worn a number of bags from Scottish brand Strathberry, which has caused a spike in sales for the company Meghan added: 'That's one of the most powerful things that Im able to do, and thats simply wearing, like, an earring.' Her impact on Strathberry's sales was so significant that the brand was reportedly able to expand its workforce, meaning her endorsement can be of significant financial value. Another brand that experienced the Meghan effect is London-based lab-grown diamond company Kimai. In 2019, the then-royal was photographed wearing its 630 Felicity earrings, which she bought herself. According to Kimai co-founders Jessica Warch and Sidney Neuhau, this sparked sales of $1.2 million (945k). The duo explained their profits over the past few years and how Meghan played a significant part in spiking sales. Jessica said: 'We've launched without investment, and then two months after our launch we got Meghan Markle to wear our pieces, which enabled us to grow the revenue significantly, and from there we raised $1.2 million.' The brand, which only uses stones made in a lab, as well as only using recycled gold, went on to secure a record-breaking investment from Dragon's Den star Steven Bartlett, who injected 250,000 in exchange for a three per cent equity stake - his largest sum to date. According to Jessica and Sidney, when pitching their company on the show, they noted that Meghan had worn the earrings. Meghan was first spotted carrying a bag from Cesta Collective in 2023, while out for dinner with Prince Harry in Santa Barbara They say they used cold emails to get her to sport the accessories, adding that they are 'big believers' in the tactic, telling the Sun: 'It's the same way we got all of our investors because we didn't know anyone in the space.' The outlet reported in January that the company is set to make a profit of 500,000 in 2024, after spending its first four years making a loss. These brands simply appear to have benefitted from Meghan wearing their accessories, and while the former senior royal says she has around five to 10 brands in her investment portfolio, the only confirmed ones are Cesta Collective and Clevr Blends, a vegan powdered latte brand, which can be purchased in the UK for 23 for a bag containing 14 drinks. The Duchess of Sussex - who ran lifestyle brand, The Tig, before meeting Prince Harry - first discovered Cesta when she was online shopping. She told the NYT: 'I spend a lot of time just Googling, looking for brands. When people are online looking for things or reading things, I'm trying to find great new designers, especially in different territories.' According to the brand's Instagram profile: 'We are a mission-based, responsibly-made handbag brand - celebrating the work of talented female artisan. Cesta has an annual revenue of $1million (756,990) and its purses take about four to seven days to complete. Meghan's first investment came in 2020, when she injected an undisclosed amount into powdered latte brand Clevr Meghan was snapped sporting an $800 white purse from the Collective to dinner with Harry in 2023. According to Cesta's founders Erin Ryder and Courtney Weinblatt Fasciano, after the Duchess donned the piece, they had an uptick in sales. Meghan then decided to invest into the brand to help it grow. Although she declined to reveal how much she had forked over, the founders of Cesta revealed that it was a minority stake. Erin and Courtney are planning to grow their business with Meghan's involvement, with a longer term view of expanding into other categories, and working with women in more countries. The Duchess started her investment portfolio during the pandemic, during which time the NYT says there were fewer opportunities to 'turn a paparazzi moment to her own ends' because of the lockdowns. Meghan confirmed in December 2020 that she had invested an undisclosed sum in Clevr Blends, a wellness coffee company which has a range of organic, gluten-free 'SuperLattes' in powder form. And around the time, the former senior royal used her connections to promote the company, which was founded in January 2019 and is run by CEO Hannah Mendoza, by sending a basket of products to her neighbour Oprah Winfrey, who shared the products online. Clevr is based in Santa Barbara, California. Meghan came across it by apparently sampling its superfood coffee in 2017, when the founder was selling it at a pop-up store before creating the at-home blend she now sells. It also happens to be based near Montecito, where Harry and Meghan live. In a statement to Fortune confirming the investment in 2019, Meghan said: 'This investment is in support of a passionate female entrepreneur who prioritizes building community alongside her business. 'Im proud to invest in Hannahs commitment to sourcing ethical ingredients and creating a product that I personally love and has a holistic approach to wellness. I believe in her and I believe in her company.' Mendoza confirmed Meghan's investment, saying: 'Entrepreneurs need funding, but they also need advisers who care deeply about what they are building. I'm grateful to have found both in the Duchess of Sussex. In 2019, Meghan was snapped wearing a pair of 630 earrings from then-new business Kimai, which says her buying and wearing the accessories helped them raise over $1,000,0000 in investment, including 250,000 from Dragon's Den star Steven Bartlett Sidney Neuhaus (left) and Jessica Warch (right), who founded jewelry brand Kimai, secured a $329,000 (250,000) investment from Steven Bartlett on BBC's Dragon's Den after revealing the support received from Meghan 'Her passion for what we're creating is palpable, and I couldn't imagine a more aligned partnership. We're excited for the road ahead.' While she has not revealed all of the brands in her portfolio, Meghan has revealed that the investments all complement her own fledgling lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard. The company has experienced a few set backs: DailyMail.com previously revealed that Meghan's lineup would feature 'edible oils and fats', jellies, jams and spreads made of legumes, garlic, and sesame, as well as nut and fruit butters. However, earlier this month, it was revealed that her business came to a screeching halt due to trademark problems. But records show that in July some four months after requesting to register it there were a number of 'irregularities' which needed to be 'corrected'. The US Patents and Trademarks Office has notified the Sussexes' lawyers of various issues, including incorrect classification of yoga blankets, picnic baskets and recipe books. And the agency said that fees are due to various bodies around the world to register the trademark totalling 8,617 ($11,382). The Duchess of Sussex - who ran lifestyle brand, The Tig, before meeting Prince Harry - first discovered Cesta Collective when she was online shopping. She is seen toting one of its bags during her recent trip to Colombia Meghan wore the 568 ($750) purse from Cesta Collective in the color 'Panna' (pictured). She has invested an undisclosed amount in the company It is believed that Netflix, which has just finished filming a cookery show with the duchess, is taking over the commercial exploitation of the brand, so it would be safe to assume it will pay the fees. A source close to Meghan confirmed that American Riviera Orchard has received several Notices of Irregularity requesting clarifications on goods and services as well as the reclassification of certain items. The source added that such requests are typical and entirely expected when filing international applications due to the differences between international and U.S. standards and classifications. All fees associated with these notices have already been paid, according to the source. In the meantime, Meghan says she has kept a close eye on companies which align with her, saying that investing in her portfolio has 'helped [her] line up for this chapter where [she's] investing in [herself]'. California has many charms, but the year-round sun of the Golden State may be starting to lose its shine for the Duke of Sussex as he sees photographs of the Prince and Princess of Wales enjoying their holiday with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Balmoral. In more harmonious times for the Royal Family, Prince Harry would have been with his brother and sister-in-law at the Highlands retreat at this time of year. To me, Balmoral was always simply Paradise, Harry wrote in his memoir, Spare. A cross between Disney World and some sacred Druid grove. King Charles arrives to take up summer residence at Balmoral earlier this month Instead of shooting grouse with King Charles or stalking deer with Prince William in Scotland, Harry is, however, stuck in Montecito, plotting his next moves with his wife, the Duchess of Sussex. When the royals are on holiday in August, it seems that Harry and Meghan get to work: Last week, on a quasi-royal tour of Colombia at the invitation of a vice-president whod seen them on Netflix. This week, announcing plans to attend Climate Week events in New York next month, and informing the world of the publication date for the paperback edition of Spare. It will come out in October, says the press release from publisher Penguin Random House, which includes a detail that will come as a relief to the Royal Family. This is that the new, cheaper edition will not feature any fresh material. Which is a surprise because most publishers of a record-breaking book like Spare would want an updated chapter with new revelations in order to get a second bite of the cherry and boost sales. In another piece of good news for the King, I revealed today in my social diary, Eden Confidential, that Harry was not planning to give any interviews to publicise the launch. This is significant. It wasnt just the contents of Spare that caused such anguish when the book was published in January last year. It was the succession of interviews that Harry gave to publicise the memoir. With one interviewer, Stephen Colbert, he talked about his frostbitten penis. With another, Tom Bradby, he lamented the Kings failings as a father and how the monarchy had gone to bed with the Devil by collaborating with the dreaded Press. Harry and Meghan have announced plans to attend Climate Week events in New York next month, and told the world of the publication date for the paperback edition of Spare The fact that Harry is not giving interviews this time round is further evidence of what royal sources have been telling me for some time: that he is increasingly desperate for a reconciliation with his father, as well as with the wider Royal Family. There is no doubt that Harry wants to patch things up with the King, one source said. His fathers cancer treatment has given things an added sense of urgency. Its safe to assume this is the main reason Harry wont be updating his tawdry memoir with new comments about his relations. Its also why he wont be trying to sell more copies of Spare with appearances on chat show sofas. But will it work? It may encourage the King to start taking Harrys calls again, but there needs to be an awful lot more water under the bridge before William would even be prepared to consider a reconciliation. Sign up for Richard Edens Royal Newsletter. Click here. The Alameda County District Attorneys Office dropped all charges against Marquise Cooper, left, in the December slaying of Oakland police officer Tuan Le. This photo shows Cooper after he pled not guilty to murder and other charges in Oakland on Jan. 18. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle The Alameda County District Attorneys Office on Wednesday dismissed all charges against one of four men accused in connection with the December killing of Oakland police officer Tuan Le, according to court records. Marquise Cooper, 35, and three others were initially charged with murder, burglary and other crimes tied to the fatal shooting on Dec. 29, which occurred after Le and other officers responded to a burglary at a marijuana business. Prosecutors alleged that one suspect, Mark Sanders, was the shooter. But they charged all four with the killing under the felony murder rule, which holds accomplices liable for fatalities that occur during the commission of a felony. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Following a preliminary hearing this month, an Alameda County judge found that Cooper should not be ordered to stand trial for murder because he, as the lookout during the burglary, was not at the marijuana business when Le and another officer arrived in an unmarked pickup truck. Officials with the District Attorneys Office on Wednesday did not immediately respond to a request for comment on why Coopers remaining charges, which included burglary and other special allegations, were dropped. Coopers attorney, Ernie Castillo, told the Chronicle on Wednesday that he wasnt surprised that the murder charge against his client was tossed, and that prosecutors case for it had been weak. For the remaining commercial burglary charges, Castillo said, nothings really going to happen to anyone on those things. I think they (prosecutors) figured, like, Why waste our time? An attorney for Les family declined to comment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a statement, Oakland Police Officers Association President Huy Nguyen said the union was concerned by District Attorney Pamela Prices decision to dismiss the remaining charges against Cooper. Perpetrators of violent crimes must face consequences, otherwise it sends a dangerous message that undermines public safety and emboldens those who threaten the peace and security of our neighborhoods, Nguyen said. We look forward with anticipation to the DAs next step in the process of seeking justice. Price, a progressive who vowed to reduce mass incarceration, is facing a recall vote in November following criticism that her policies are too lenient. A gathering of Venezuelan migrants spiraled out of control this week as gunshots rang out in the parking lot of a suburban Colorado town. In yet another sign of trouble inside the Venezuelan community living in the US, chaos unleashed by migrants living in Aurora, Colorado has surfaced in a TikTok video. 'Those Venezuelans is taking over,' a man can be heard saying in an online video posted to TikTok by user 100packsavvy. The July 29 footage shows bedlam in a Target parking lot in Aurora where Venezuelans had gathered in a weekend demonstration over the elections in their homeland. While mostly peaceful, South American swarmed the shopping center, completely taking it over, with cars sardined, bumper-to-bumper. A trashed parking lot was left behind after the gathering by Venezuelan migrants in July This forced Target and other retailers in the area to close early, fearing their customers might get caught up in the demonstrations, according to Telemundo Denver. As night fell, the trashed parking lot littered with garbage turned from disgusting to dangerous. Police responded to several incidents, including gun shots being fired, the Spanish-speaking outlet reported. The TikTok users who made recorded the video claimed he and his companions were almost run over. 'We almost just got hit,' one man says. The incident is latest video from the Venezuelan community, which has come under scrutiny, in Aurora. Harrowing new footage appears to capture the moment an armed Venezuelan gang seized control of an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado Then other members of the gang rush up the stairwell, bearing weapons. In the background, the men can be heard speaking in Spanish to one another Just hours ago, security video showed suspected gang members who have allegedly taken over an apartment complex in town. Gun-totting men can be seen storming through the building in the video that emerged on Wednesday. A man in a hoodie lugs a high-powered rifle and pounds on a door in the building, while several others wield pistols. The couple who filmed the footage told local station Fox 31 that it was recorded shortly before a shootout at the complex, which left one person grievously wounded. In the exchange of gunfire, several vehicles were also damaged. 'A GANG HAS TAKEN OVER several apartment complexes in Aurora!' local council member Danielle Jurinsky wrote on Twitter. Local police stopped short of linking the thugs to the infamous Tren de Aragua, (known as TDA) but council member Jurinksy told Fox 31 that the building had been overrun by a Venezuelan gang. Venezuela's most violent gang Tren de Aragua has moved its headquarters to just across the US border in the Mexican town of Ciudad Juarez Tren de Aragua gang tattoos (pictured above) were part of a Department of Homeland Security bulletin that was recently shared with federal agents 'This isnt just Americans. Other Venezuelans are being extorted by this gang, Jurinsky said. The footage comes as the migrant crisis under the Biden Administration has moved away from the US-Mexico border and into America's cities. The Venezuelan mob has established footholds across the country, including New York, Colorado and Texas. The Dallas Police Department has exclusively confirmed the presence of the gang in North Texas to the DailyMail.com In the Denver area, police from across the region have formed a task force to deal with the criminal organization in the Rookies. As DailyMail.com exclusively reported, TDA has set up a new headquarters at the doorstep of the US, in Juarez, Mexico. The city is directly across from El Paso, Texas. Officials in Texas's sixth largest city are working on a confidential plan to combat the gang's threat. Last month, the US government designated Tren de Aragua a transnational criminal organization and announced a $5 million reward for the capture of its leader, Hector 'El Nino' Guerrero Flores In one of the most brutal incidents yet of a brazen phone theft in NYC, a 62-year-old woman was seen being dragged on a Brooklyn street by a thief on a moped Cindy and Edward Romero moved out of the apartment on Wednesday due to safety concerns. 'It's been a nightmare, and I can't wait to get out of here,' Cindy Romero told Fox as she packed up her possessions. In their apartment, the Romeros had an elaborate system of locks running from the top of the door to the bottom. 'Every day when we come home, we have to do this every time we go outside to take out the garbage,' Cindy Romero said, demonstrating how the locks worked. 'Every time we go to bed at night. We have to keep like this so that nobody can kick in the door,' she added. From Storm Agnes to Storm Lilian, several devastating storms have wreaked havoc on Britain over the last year. In fact, the UK has had its greatest number of named storms since the Met Office's naming system was launched in 2015 with 12 named storms from 1 September 2023 through to 31 August 2024. Now, the Met Office has revealed the full list of storm names for 2024/2025. 'Naming storms helps to make communication of severe weather easier and provides clarity when people could be impacted by the weather,' explained Will Lang, Met Office Head of Situational Awareness. So, do you share a name with any upcoming storms? From Storm Agnes (pictured in County Waterford) to Storm Lilian, several devastating storms have wreaked havoc on Britain over the last year Now, the Met Office has revealed the full list of storm names for 2024/2025 UK storm names for 2024/2025 Ashley Bert Conall Darragh Eowyn Floris Gerben Hugo Izzy James Kayleigh Lewis Mavis Naoise Otje Poppy Rafi Sayuri Tilly Vivienne Wren Advertisement The Met Office has been naming storms since 2015, with its annual list running from early September to late August the following year. Storms are named if the Met Office decides they have the potential to cause 'medium' or 'high' impacts in the UK, Ireland or the Netherlands. While wind is the primary consideration for naming a storm, additional impacts from rain or snow are also considered. 'Our key priority is to help protect life and property from extreme weather and ensure the safety of our communities,' said Eoin Sherlock, Head of Forecasting Division in Met Eireann. 'Year after year storm naming proves effective for that. 'Naming each storm increases the level of public safety and preparedness as people are more likely to remember and respond to warnings when storms are named.' In the 2023/24 season, the Met Office named 12 storms, reaching the letter 'L' with Storm Lilian on 22 August 2024. 'Storm seasons are highly variable in the UK, with some seasons seeing a low frequency of named storms, and others more,' Mr Lang explained. 'One reason there were so many storms last year was the position of the jet stream through much of autumn and winter, which brought a succession of low-pressure systems towards the UK which became named storms.' The Met Office, Met Eireann, and KNMI have collated the new list together, with several special names chosen. In the 2023/24 season, the Met Office named 12 storms, reaching the letter 'L' with Storm Lilian on 22 August 2024 Storm Lilian (pictured near Tower Bridge, London), was the final named storm to hit the UK in the 2023/2024 season 'This year, as we celebrate our 170th birthday, it's great to be able to honour those who have had an impact on our long history of pioneering weather and climate science services,' Mr Lang added. Storm James is named after James Martin Stagg, the chief meteorologist responsible for advising General Eisenhower on the weather forecast for the D-Day landings. Meanwhile, Storm Lewis is named after Lewis Fry Richardson, who was the first person to work out how to use computers to predict the weather. And Storm Mavis is named after Mavis Hinds, who worked on all the earliest computers used by the Met Office to develop Numerical Weather Prediction from a theory into an operational process. Looking ahead, the Met Office says that Britain's overall climate is getting wetter, although there's 'no compelling trends in increasing storminess'. Emily Carlisle, a meteorologist with the Met Office, explained: 'The UK has a history of impactful storms stretching back hundreds of years, long before the introduction of named storms in 2015. 'One thing that is clear from observations is that there's big variability year-to-year in the number and intensity of storms that impact the UK. 'In our observational records, it's hard to detect any trend one way or the other in terms of number and intensity of low-pressure systems that cross the UK. 'While our climate overall is getting wetter, there are no compelling trends in increasing storminess in recent decades. 'Recent stormy seasons such as that of 2013-2014, before the storm naming system was introduced clearly illustrate the fundamental problem with drawing conclusions from a simple count of the number of named storms.' From mere fossil fragments, scientists have identified a remarkable underwater battle, frozen in time for millions of years. An unfortunate sea cow a mammal that looks a bit like a seal was torn to shreds by a crocodile in waters of modern-day Venezuela, they say. When the croc was finished with the corpse, what's left of the poor animal was then scavenged by a tiger shark. The bloody episode 11.6 million years ago is detailed in a study by paleontologists who have interpreted telling bite marks on the sea cow's skeleton. An incredible artist's impression shows the sea cow gushing blood as it died - with the shark lurking in the background. In this artist's depiction, the sea cow (top) is attached by a crocodile underwater around 11.6 million years ago. Crocodiles today look very similar to ones as far back as the Jurassic period 200 million years ago Pictured, tooth impact mark over the sea cow snout. The viscous assault started when the crocodile first tried to grasp its prey by the snout in an attempt to suffocate it What are sea cows? Sea cows, better known to scientists as sirenians, are marine mammals that graze on plants - hence the name. This study focused on remains of the dugongine sea cow, belonging to the extinct genus Culebratherium. It was preyed upon by two different carnivores - a crocodilian and a shark - somewhere between 11.6 million and 23 million years ago. Advertisement 'These findings constitute one of the few records documenting multiple predators over a single prey,' say the team, led by experts at the University of Zurich in Switzerland and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. 'Evidence of trophic [feeding] interactions are not scarce in the fossil record, yet these are mostly represented by fragmentary fossils exhibiting marks of ambiguous significance.' The sea cow skeleton, consisting of a partial skull and 18 vertebrae, was found in the Agua Clara Formation of northwestern Venezuela. The scientists say it was the dugongine sea cow, belonging to the extinct genus Culebratherium, which lived during the Early to Middle Miocene epoch (23 million to 11.6 million years ago). The blubbery sea cow was not able to fully submerge itself in water but tended to float on the surface, grazing on kelp and making grunting noises. This made it particularly vulnerable to hunting by the vicious species hiding in the water's depths. The sea cow skeleton, consisting of a partial skull and 18 vertebrae, was found in what is now northwestern Venezuela Pictured, a shark bite mark. The findings mark one of the few examples of a creature being preyed upon by different animals The teams find was made in outcrops of the Early to Middle Miocene Agua Clara Formation, south of the city of Coro, Venezuela According to the researchers, deep tooth marks on this sea cow's snout suggest the crocodile first tried to grasp its prey by the snout in an attempt to suffocate it. Two further large incisions indicate the crocodile then dragged the sea cow, tearing its flesh in the process and turning the water deep red with blood. The cunning crocodile likely then executed a 'death roll' while grasping its prey a behaviour commonly observed in modern crocodiles. A tooth of a tiger shark found in the sea cows neck and shark bite marks observed throughout the skeleton show the remains of the creature were then picked apart by the scavengers. 'Because of the irregular distribution of the shark bite marks, these are interpreted as scavenging,' the authors say. A Dugong - a modern-day relative of the extinct sea cow in question - is pictured here grazing sea grass in shallow waters near Marsa Alam, Egypt, Red Sea The findings mark one of the sole examples of a creature being attacked by two different predators during the Early to Middle Miocene epoch, the team claim. They also add to evidence that suggests the food chain, millions of years ago, behaved in a similar way to the present day. 'Today, often when we observe a predator in the wild, we find the carcass of prey which demonstrates its function as a food source for other animals too,' said lead author Aldo Benites-Palomino at the University of Zurich. 'But fossil records of this are rarer [so] we have been unsure as to which animals would serve this purpose as a food source for multiple predators. 'Our previous research has identified sperm whales scavenged by several shark species, and this new research highlights the importance of sea cows within the food chain.' The new study has been published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. Attorneys have put out an open call for users to join their class action lawsuit against Google for any privacy rights violated by its Chrome browser's 'incognito mode.' Plaintiffs' attorneys announced on X that any user of the Chrome browser who went 'incognito' between 2016 and 2023 'may be entitled to up to $5,000 compensation based on California statutory damages available for privacy violations.' At the heart of the civil action is the claim that Google collected incognito users' personal information without their permission, even after these users chose not to synchronize their browsers with their Google accounts, like Gmail. Although the case was brought to court under California's Invasion of Privacy Act as Google's 'terms of service' specify California law as the governing law for its firm's activities any and all Google Chrome users across America may qualify. Here's what you need to know to join the class action, and how you and any other 'incognito mode' users you know can determine whether or not you qualify. Attorneys and their California-based clients put out an open call for more users to join their class action lawsuit over Google Chrome's 'incognito mode' browser. Above, a Google office One plaintiff's attorney - Don Bivens of Arizona - announced on social media site X that any Chrome users who went 'incognito' between 2016 and 2023 'may be entitled to up to $5,000 compensation based on California statutory damages available for privacy violations' The revived class action follows a US appeals court decision issued last week, Tuesday, Aug 20th, which declared that Chrome users who claim that Google collected their personal information without permission can sue for damages. The suit, which had initially sought at least $5 billion, has been on pause since late in December 2023, following a preliminary settlement. Scottsdale, Arizona-based lawyer Don Bivens, who put out the call for new plaintiffs last week, joins a host of firms suing Google over issues with its ostensibly 'privacy protecting' browser feature, incognito mode. This past April, the law firm behind the original litigation filed in 2020, Boies Schiller Flexner, Susman Godfrey and Morgan & Morgan, demanded $217 million in legal fees just for their own work crafting the aforementioned settlement with Google. According to Bloomberg Law, these lawyers claimed that they had worked a staggering 78,880 cumulative hours on the case. Bivens in Arizona filed his own class action suit on behalf of California resident Katherine Wilson one month later, on May 24, 2024. 'There is no cost to join,' according to the sign-up page hosted by Bevins firm. 'In a contingent fee case, attorneys only receive payment if your claim is successful, with no upfront costs or fees for you to file.' The form on Bivens' site only takes two minutes to fill out, the lawyer said. Last week, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco decided that the lower court judge who had previously dismissed the proposed class action should have assessed whether reasonable Chrome users had actually consented to letting Google collect their data when they browsed online. The new 9th Circuit appeals ruling, a 3-0 decision, came despite Google's agreement last year to destroy billions of records to settle the original lawsuit. Neither Google nor its lawyers responded to requests for comment. The lower court judge had concluded that Google's general privacy policy allowing data collection governed, because the Mountain View, California-based firm have collected the plaintiffs' information regardless of which browsers they used. Above, a 2018 image of fliers handed out at the start of the 35th Chaos Communication Congress (35c3), a hacker convention held in Leipzip, Germany Last December, Google agreed to settle a lawsuit claiming it secretly tracked the internet use of millions of people who thought they were doing their browsing privately using 'incognito' In Tuesday's decision, Circuit Judge Milan Smith called that focus misplaced. 'Here, Google had a general privacy disclosure yet promoted Chrome by suggesting that certain information would not be sent to Google unless a user turned on sync,' Smith wrote. 'A reasonable user would not necessarily understand that they were consenting to the data collection at issue.' Google's settlement related to Incognito let users sue the company individually for damages. Tens of thousands of users in California alone have since done so in that state's courts. Matthew Wessler, another lawyer for the plaintiffs, said he was pleased with the decision and looked forward to a trial. From Zendaya in Challengers to the plays of Shakespeare, love triangles in various arrangements have long been a romantic staple. But scientists now believe that some of these famous throuples may actually be an entirely new form of sexual attraction. A new study from researchers at Seattle University argues that 'symbiosexual' people are attracted to the energy between established couples rather than any of the individuals themselves. A large number of participants in the study reported feeling a sexual and romantic attraction to a 'third force' or 'synergy' between the existing members of a couple. Dr Sally Johnston, an adjunct professor of anthropology and sociology who conducted the study, says: 'We need to rethink the nature of human attraction and desire as only one-to-one experiences.' Researchers say that throuples like those featured in the 2024 film Challengers (pictured) may represent a new and previously unstudied form of sexual attraction It might seem like sexual and romantic attraction is something that happens between two individual people -whoever you are attracted to. However, in research published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, Dr Johnston argues that this is not necessarily the case. She first encountered this phenomenon while researching the treatment of 'unicorns' within polyamorous communities. A 'unicorn' is a term usually used to describe a bisexual woman who is willing to enter into a relationship with a heterosexual couple. While Dr Johnston found that so-called unicorns were frequently poorly treated, objectified, and ostracised, she also noted an interesting feature of their relationships. Researchers say that some people are attracted to the 'energy' or 'third force' between members of an existing couple rather than the individual members themselves (stock image) One of the most famous three-way relationships was that of 'Tiger King' Joseph Allen Maldonado who married John Finlay and Travis Maldonado in a three-way ceremony in 2014 Dr Johnston told PsyPost: 'As part of the polyamorous community, I have heard people talk openly about experiencing attraction to established couples. 'I wanted to learn more about this understudied attraction.' In this study, Dr Johnston used data from The Pleasure Study which surveyed 373 participants about aspects of their sexual and gender identity. Of those participants, 145 reported that they had felt a feeling of attraction to two people and their relationship together. While this figure seems high, it is worth noting that this sample size is small and the survey participants are not representative of the wider population. The sample skews heavily towards white, middle classes, university graduates with more than 90 per cent identifying as queer and 87.5 per cent saying they are polyamorous. The researchers say they first encountered this phenomenon while investigating bisexual individuals who enter into relationships with heterosexual couples like Kate Micucci's (pictured) character in the Netflix show Easy starring Orlando Bloom and Malin Akerman Nevertheless, in interviews with 34 of those participants, Dr Johnston claims to have found consistent evidence of a previously unstudied sexuality. She says: 'There is a diverse population of people who experience symbiosexual attraction, an attraction to the energy, multidimensionality, and power shared between people in relationships.' This is a distinct form of attraction to the person-to-person attraction present in some polyamorous relationships. For example, in the films Challengers or Professor Marston And The Wonder Women, it is the mutual attraction between each of the three individuals which forms the basis of the relationship. However, many of those interviewed reported finding themselves attracted to the energy and dynamics between the members of an established couple, rather than the individuals. Of those surveyed, 35 per cent said they felt this attraction sometimes or often while 51 per cent said they had felt this attraction a few times. Of those 35 per cent said they sometimes or often experienced an attraction to an established couple with more than half saying they had experienced this attraction 'a few times' This is a distinct form of attraction to polyamorous relationships where all the partners are mutually attracted such as that featured in the 2017 film Professor Marston And The Wonder Women One participant, named as Hayden, said in an interview that she was attracted to couples because of 'their cohesiveness.' Haden added: 'You feed off their energy, their attraction to each othertheres an interplay between the couple.' Another participant, only named as Sage, said: 'I also just want to be smack in the middle of that relationship. I would also like to be included in this relationship I really think my ideal dynamic might be myself and a couple'. Asked what traits might explain their attraction, symbiosexual people said they were extroverted, wanted lots of intimacy, care, or attention, and were less likely to experience jealousy. Films like Cabaret (pictured) have popularised the idea of 'throuples', relationships between three people, but Dr Johnston says that symbiosexual attraction has been understudied One participant, named Eden, said: 'I have this desire to be desired and I seek a lot of validation, a lot of validation, and when there are multiple people like that, I feel like oh, yes, yes, Im doing things right.' Additionally, some participants explained their attraction by reference to their 'sexual openness and queerness' and reported being more attracted to queer and non-heterosexual couples. Going forward Dr Johnston says more research is needed to investigate the prevalence of this sexual orientation in the general public. Additionally, further investigation will be needed to explore how symbiosexual attraction affects people's mental health and relationship satisfaction. Dr Johnston says: 'I have a follow-up study under review examining sexual and romantic experiences with couples of people who experience symbiosexual attraction. 'I hope that this work will reduce stigma in both monogamous and non-monogamous communities and expand conceptualizations of desire in sexuality studies.' An ancient stone seal has been discovered in Jerusalem that may be linked to a warrior mentioned in the Bible. The black dime-sized relic was likely worn as an amulet around the neck of a man who held a senior position in the holy city some 2,700 years ago. Stone seals were used as a sort of ancient I.D. card. This one bears an engraving of a winged 'genie' or 'demon' that has never been seen before in Israel. Two names are also inscribed on the seal - 'Yehoezer' and 'Hoshayahu' - which are both mentioned in the bible. 'Yoezer,' the abbreviated form of Yehoezer, was the name of one of the warriors of King David, the king of Israel at the time. Archaeologists discovered an ancient stone seal in Jerusalem And the name Hoshayahu is a parallel form of the name Azariah ben Hoshaya,' which is mentioned in the book of Jeremiah. 'It is not impossible that perhaps it was Yehoezer himself who engraved the names on the object,' said research partner Ronny Reich from the University of Haifa in a press release. This finding also provides new evidence to support a multi-national culture thriving in ancient Jerusalem, as it is described in the bible. During the first temple period, when this seal was made, Jerusalem was subject to the Assyrian Empire. The artistic and cultural influence of this ruling power is reflected in the seal, as it bears an engraving of a winged protective figure. Figures of winged demons are known in the Neo-Assyrian art of the 9th-7th Centuries BCE, according to the press release. The fact that the seal's original owner chose a demon as his personal insignia 'may attest to his feeling that he belonged to the broader cultural context,' said excavation director Yuval Baruch. But the two names inscribed on either side of this figure are written in Hebrew script, suggesting that whoever carved them held tightly onto his local identity, said Baruch. 'This is an extremely rare and unusual discovery,' said IAA Archeologist and Assyriologist Filip Vukosavovic, who studied the seal. This seal 'opens another window for us into the days of the Kingdom of Judah during the First Temple period, and attests to that administrations international connections,' said Israeli Minister of Heritage Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu. The dime-sized seal bears inscriptions that provide evidence multi-national culture thriving in ancient Jerusalem, as it is described in the bible. The seal was discovered near the Southern Wall of Temple Mount in the City of David National Park. 'In doing so, it demonstrates the importance and centrality of Jerusalem already 2,700 years ago.' What's more, it offers a clearer picture of the reading and writing abilities of Jerusalemites during this period. 'Contrary to what may be commonly thought, it seems that literacy in this period was not the realm only of society's elite. 'People knew how to read and write at least at the basic level, for the needs of commerce,' Baruch said. The researchers found the seal near the Southern Wall of Temple Mount in the City of David National Park. They believe that the seal was worn as an amulet by a man named Hoshayahu, who held a senior position in the Kingdom of Judah's administration. They based their conclusion on the presence of a hole drilled through the piece, likely to allow it to be worn on a string, and the high artistic level required to produce the piece. 'The seal, made of black stone, is one of the most beautiful ever discovered in excavations in ancient Jerusalem,' the researchers said. The figure depicted on the seal is striding towards the right and raising one arm forward with an open palm, 'perhaps to suggest some object it is holding,' the press release stated. The researchers believe that the relic was originally owned by a man named Hoshayahu. When he died, his son Yehoezer carved their names into the seal. An inscription in Paleo-Hebrew script is engraved on either side of the figure. It reads, 'LeYehoezer ben Hoshayahu.' The name Yehoezer appears in the bible in its abbreviated form, Yoezer, who was one of King David's fighters. And in the book of Jeremiah, which describes the time period during which the seal was made, the name Hoshayahu appears in a parallel form: Azariah ben Hoshaya. The two parts of the biblical first name are written in reverse order to the seal owners name, the researchers explain. The second name is the same, but it appears in its abbreviated form on the seal. Therefore, the writing form in these biblical texts fits the name inscribed on the newly discovered seal, offering more evidence that it was made during the first temple period. While the winged figure appears to have been carefully engraved, the carving of the names 'was done in a sloppy manner,' said research partner Ronny Reich, a professor at the University of Haifa. This supports the researchers' theory that upon Hoshayahu's death, his son Yehoezer inherited the seal and carved his name and his father's name on either side of the demon. 'This singular find joins the list of countless archeological discoveries in the City of David - the historic site of Biblical Jerusalem - affirming Jerusalem's Biblical heritage,' Ze'ev Orenstein, director of International Affairs for the City of David Foundation, told Fox News Digital. 'It similarly serves as yet another affirmation of the thousands-of-year-old bond rooting the Jewish people in Jerusalem - not simply as a matter of faith, but as a matter of fact.' Researchers have developed a method for diagnosing autism which could spare families years of uncertainty and spur crucial earlier treatments. The new AI analysis can identify the genetic markers of autism via biological activity in the brain, they report, with 89 to 95 percent accuracy. This new method starts out with standard brain-mapping via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before re-analyzing those scans via AI to detect the movements of proteins, nutrients and other processes within the brain that may indicate autism. 'Autism is traditionally diagnosed behaviorally,' via a person's speech, for example, as the medical team behind the process noted. 'But [it] has a strong genetic basis.' A new method of diagnosing autism starts with standard brain-mapping via magnetic resonance imaging or MRI (pictured above) - but re-analyzes those scans via AI to detect the movements of proteins, nutrients and other processes in the brain that indicate the condition Above, brain-scan data comparing a control brain without autism (top row) vs. a brain that contains deletions or duplications of genetic material linked to autism (bottom row). 'Noise' in this scanning data was reduced on a 3D-pixel-by-pixel basis via the 'Z-score mapping' method Today, autism affects one in 36 children, according to the CDC, meaning that more than 90,000 children are born annually with this developmental disorder in the US. But, autism is notoriously hard to spot and the vast majority of children with the condition won't be diagnosed until the age of five and show clear behavioral signs. Worse, that identification process usually involves years of uncertainty, dozens of trips to the hospital and a battery of tests, including speech and language exams, observational interviews and more, which can be stressful for children and families. The new diagnostic technique, the researchers hope, will soon allow doctors to locate more specific genes responsible for autism by first revealing the actual biological pathways through which autism changes how a brain grows and operates. As a spokesperson for a university behind the new method put it, the method 'cracks the autism code,' although there is no word yet on when it may enter common use. Dr Shinjini Kundu, an assistant professor of radiology at Washington University in St. Louis, developed this new machine-learning AI, mathematical brain-modelling technique while she was a grad student-researcher. The method, named 'transport-based morphometry' after the transport of biological matter in the brain, focuses in on identifying patterns linked to key bits of genetic code. Those sequences of genetic code, called 'copy number variations' (CNVs) reveal segments of DNA that have been deleted or duplicated alterations which have been linked to autism in past research. 'Some copy number variations [CNVs] are known to be associated with autism,' according to biomedical engineering professor Dr Gustavo Rohde, who taught Dr Kundu during her PhD studies. 'But their link to brain morphology in other words, how different types of brain tissues such as gray or white matter, are arranged in our brain is not well known,' according to Dr Rohde, who now teaches at the University of Virginia. 'Finding out how CNV relates to brain tissue morphology,' he explained, 'is an important first step in understanding autism's biological basis.' Drs Kundu and Rohde, and their collaborators from the department of neurology at the University of California in San Francisco, published their results developing this new autism identification method in June with the journal Science Advances. Participants in the nonprofit Simons Variation in Individuals Project, a cohort of subjects with known autism-linked genetic variations, contributed key data used in the new study. 'Finding out how CNV [deletion or duplication of genetic code] relates to brain tissue morphology,' study co-author Dr Gustavo Rohde said, 'is an important first step in understanding autism's biological basis.' The new method IDs such brain morphology shifts The researchers recruited their 'control subject' patients from other medical or clinical settings based on their similarities to the Simons group (such as same age, sex, and non-verbal IQ), to reduce variables that could muddy their results. Most machine learning methods that plow through medical data like MRI scans, according to Rohde, do not incorporate a mathematical model for the many biological processes that happen to be contained hidden in that data. Instead, past AI models, were only seeking out patterns to identify abnormalities or statistical anomalies in various patients' health data. Dr Kundu's 'transport-based morphometry,' however, could help researchers distinguish even more tell-tale biological variations within brain structures beyond the deletions or duplications associated with CNVs and autism. Given reports that 90 percent of all medical data comes from similar imaging, the team hopes this method could help draw new helpful information out of old tools. 'Major discoveries from such vast amounts of data may lie ahead if we utilize more appropriate mathematical models to extract such information,' Dr Rohde opined. 'We hope that the findings,' he added, 'could point to brain regions and eventually mechanisms that can be leveraged for therapies.' Scientists have discovered more than 1,700 ancient viruses lurking deep inside a glacier in western China, most of which have never been seen before. It raises concerns that, as the world warms and ice melts, it could unleash pathogens unknown to science and spark a deadly pandemic. Researchers found the viruses in an 1,000-foot-long ice core extracted from the Guliya Glacier on the Tibetan Plateau, located at the intersection of Central, South and East Asia. The viruses date back as far as 41,000 years and have survived three major shifts from cold to warm climates. Just one day after the researchers published their study, rapper-turned-actor Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges posted a video of himself drinking meltwater from an Alaskan glacier. Rapper-turned-actor Chris ' Ludacris ' Bridges sparked health concerns after he posted a video of himself drinking meltwater from an Alaskan glacier. The video got millions of views on TikTok and Instagram, sparking a wave of concern that he was risking his life by drinking untreated glacier water. But a glaciologist has since stated that 'he's totally fine,' and that water from a glacial melt stream is 'about the cleanest water you'll ever get.' The public's concerns aren't totally unfounded, however. Deadly pathogens have emerged from melting permafrost at other locations around the world, stoking fears over a potential outbreak. In 2016, for example, anthrax spores escaped from an animal carcass that had been frozen in Siberian permafrost for 75 years. Dozens were hospitalized and one child died. But luckily, all 1,700 viruses found in this latest study pose no threat to human health, the researchers stated. That's because these viruses can only infect archaea - which are single-celled organisms - and bacteria. They cannot make humans, animals or even plants sick. But studying them is important because they offer a window into Earth's deep climactic history, and could help us understand what future microbial communities could look like. The team of researchers led by The Ohio State University drilled over 1,000 feet into the Guliya Glacier, a massive icecap located in the northwestern Tibetan Plateau. The resulting ice core was separated into nine segments, each one representing a different time horizon and climactic period. The segments ranged from 160 to 41,000 years old. The researchers extracted DNA from each segment and used a process called metagenomic analysis to identify each individual viral strain. The Guliya Glacier is a massive icecap located in the northwestern Tibetan Plateau. Researchers extracted a 1,000-foot-long ice core from this glacier and analyzed viruses inside. They ended up cataloguing about 50 times more viral information than scientists have ever collected from glaciers before. From their analysis, the researchers found that the viral communities looked very different depending on the climactic conditions at the time they were frozen. 'We saw clear shifts in the viruses that existed under colder climates versus warmer climates,' study co-author and The Ohio State University microbiologist Matthew Sullivan told Popular Science. For example, a distinct community of viruses took shape 11,500 years ago, while the climate was shifting from the cold Last Glacial Stage to the warmer Holocene Epoch, which we are currently in. 'This at least indicates the potential connection between viruses and climate change,' said study co-author ZhiPing Zhong, a microbiology research associate at The Ohio State University. Sullivan, Zhong and their colleagues published their findings in the journal Nature Geosciences. As we make our way round Caernarfon Castle, perhaps Wales most famous royal des res, were reminded of the long journey that King Charles has made to become our reigning monarch. For it was in this medieval masterpiece that our then 17-year-old monarch was invested as the Prince of Wales. In 1283, Edward I ordered the construction of this great North Wales stronghold, which stands on the banks of the River Seiont as it flows northward towards the Menai Strait. Angela Epstein visits Caernarfon Castle (pictured), 'perhaps Wales most famous royal des res' Above, a young Charles being invested as the Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle Its hard not to be wowed by the scale of the project, which took 47 years to complete with its rounded towers, soaring walls and detailed masonry. To journey even further into the past, we leave the castle and take a ten-minute trudge up a hill east of the fortress to seek out the remains of a Roman fort, Segontium. It takes imagination, as we pick our way over the stony outlines and remaining walls, to picture the fort, founded in 77AD and designed to hold around a thousand infantrymen. After all the exertion its back to the main square by the castle to enjoy coffee before taking a dawdle around Cei Llechi, the former Harbour Office building, now transformed into an artisan shopping village. Angela explores the remains of Segontium (seen above), a Roman fort founded in 77AD Above, Dinas Dinlle, a 'sweeping sand and pebble beach where dolphins and porpoises are said to loiter', says Angela Angela stays at Plas Dinas Country House hotel (above), the former home of Lord Snowdon and Princess Margaret. There, she 'eats and sleeps like a king' TRAVEL FACTS Doubles from 189 B&B at Plas Dinas Country House Hotel (plasdinas.co.uk). More information: visitwales.com. Advertisement To see more of this part of Wales, you can jump on the Welsh Highland Railway, whose narrow-gauge steam locomotives puff from beneath the castle walls for a 25-mile journey to the charming port of Porthmadog, chugging across the pleasant foothills of Snowdonia (Yr Wydffa). Or, as we do, take a six-mile drive to Dinas Dinlle, a sweeping sand and pebble beach where dolphins and porpoises are said to loiter. And being a history lover, on the cliff overlooking the beach its gratifying to find the remains of an Iron Age hill fort (take good shoes as the path to the top is a little steep). Given the royal theme to our trip, we booked into Plas Dinas Country House hotel for our stay. The ancestral home of the Armstrong-Jones family, Lord Snowdon and Princess Margaret once lived in this historic country house, three miles south of Caernarfon. The footprints of the family are everywhere not least in our plush room named The Lady Armstrong Jones, complete with a super-king four-poster bed and freestanding bath. We eat and sleep like kings. But in Caernarfon of all places, its the least you should expect. Italians, you may not be able to look at the photography in this story. Because we've pictured a pizza that's hugely popular in Sweden - one that's topped with bananas. Swedes' love of banana pizzas has been around for a while, but the Internet only cottoned on to this quirky culinary trend relatively recently, and it's been left baffled. Sweden's popular banana pizza has divided the Internet - would you try it? While there's no official date as to when the bizarre pizza was introduced in Sweden, it's thought to have originated in the 1960s. After WWII, Swedes developed an interest in Polynesian flavours, including banana and pineapple. In 1960s Sweden, it became fairly common to serve banana with ham for dinner. This passion for fruity flavours in savoury dishes led to banana casseroles, curries and the now ubiquitous banana pizza. Professor Tellstrom, a food historian at Stockholm University, told Smithsonian Magazine that the pizza is 'probably related to a search for exoticism that takes place after the war in Europe'. Sweden's 'kebabpizza' is a popular choice that's topped with doner meat, kebab sauce and salad Thought that fruity topping was as crazy as it can get? It gets even more bananas. The Swedish banana pizza is usually flavoured with curry powder and topped with ham and pineapple. Reddit user '0hip' who tried the pizza says: 'Turns out it's really good. The banana loses some of its sweetness and caramelises and with the curry it works out great.' But X user '@bananatkk' says the banana pizza was 'probably top three worst thing I ever tried in my life'. X user '@anastasia_KVL' says: 'Controversial opinion: Swedish banana curry pizza is not that bad! Best part of it is letting go of accepting other people's opinion and trying stuff.' Other unconventional pizzas in Sweden include the 'Kebabpizza', usually topped with doner meat, kebab sauce and salad, and the seafood pizza, topped with shrimp and mussels. Grammy-winning singer/guitarist Carlos Santana has canceled some tour dates to deal with health issues. Constanza Hevia H./Special to The Chronicle Carlos Santana has canceled some of his upcoming tour dates to undergo a corrective procedure for his back. The news coincides with a contentious performance by the Grammy-winning guitarist at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View on Tuesday, Aug. 27, during which the 77-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Fame musician who was an integral part of the San Francisco music scene criticized the hometown crowd for its lack of energy. We go around the world. And around the world, theyre freaking out, they know how to party. They know how to get crazy, Santana told the crowd of 17,000. Right here at home, it feels like were at the home. The old peoples house. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He urged, We aint having it. You got some energy and we want it. Go Santana banana fing crazy, man. Santana, known for classics like Black Magic Woman, Evil Ways and Smooth, delivered a nearly two-hour performance front-loaded with his greatest hits and heavy with solos after co-headliners Counting Crows performed their full set, according to a San Jose Mercury News concert review. He performed seated for much of the show, likely due to his persistent back issues. Musician Carlos Santana Roberto Finizio/Jensen Communications Santana also shared his thoughts on the current political climate during the show. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Were living in times where we have to come together, He told the crowd. Some people say there is a right wing or a left wing. Its still the same bird. Santana added, We have the capacity to dismantle what is happening with Korea, Russia and China. Somehow, these people want nuclear war. And were, like, No, no, no, no. Were too evolved for that s. As a result of his upcoming medical procedure, Santana has canceled shows in Phoenix and Albuquerque as well as a portion of his residency at the House of Blues Las Vegas. Ticketmaster will automatically refund tickets for these dates. Despite these cancellations, Santana still planned to perform in San Diego on Friday, Aug. 30, and at the Fool in Love festival near Los Angeles on Saturday, Aug. 31. Carlos looks forward to seeing everyone post-procedure, said a statement from his representatives posted Tuesday on social media, noting his return to the stage is expected to be at the House of Blues Las Vegas on Oct. 30. Celebrity Race Across the World stars Kola Bokinni and Mary Ellen have revealed how competitive the show really is as the series hots up. The Ted Lasso star and his cousin star in the current series as they battle against three other celebrity teams travelling from Belem, Northern Brazil to Frutillar in Southern Chile to reach their final destination without the help of phones or money. And now Kola has spilled all on the behind the scenes of the show as he exposed the sneaky tactics competitors used to trick each other and Mary Ellen described the experience as 'one big poker game'. Speaking exclusively with virginradio.co.uk she confessed: 'Everyone kept their cards quite close to their chest whenever we had to film as a group.' She explained that during the moments where the teams were reunited at checkpoints or if they bumped into each other during their travels they would try to get information from each other on the sly. Celebrity Race Across The World star Kola Bokinni has revealed the sneaky tactics competitors used to trick each other that bosses hid from cameras The Ted Lasso star and his cousin star in the recent series as they battle against three other celebrity teams travelling from Belem, Northern Brazil to Frutillar in Southern Chile to reach their final destination without the help of phones or money (pictured Jeff and Freddie Brazier) 'It was poker faces galore. Everyone would be throwing curve balls going 'Oh God I'm running out of money!'... it was really, really funny. It became just one big poker game to be honest.' Kola agreed, as he explained: 'No one was being truthful to anyone when we saw each other. "It was always like "Oh, how much is in your wallet?" It was always trying to get information out of each other, just to be like- just to get that edge.' Kola and Mary Ellen have gone head to head with fellow teams Jeff Brazier and his son Freddie, Scott Mills and his husband Sam Vaughan; and Kelly Brook and her husband Jeremy Parisi in the latest series. And revealing who is the most competitive, the actor admitted Jeremy was his most feared opponent. While Kelly and Jeremy have seemed to not quite see eye to eye with their competitive race tactics so far, Kola confirmed the French professional judo fighter was desperate to win everything. Kola noted that while Kelly seems more focused on seeing the sites and exploring the country, Jeremy's sights are on the prize. Aside from the unseen competitive moments, Wednesday's episode proved an emotional one as Jeff left viewers in tears as he revealed how the loss of his father helped him navigate parenting his own grieving sons. The TV personality, 45, was just nine when his father Stephen Faldo died after a pleasure boat he was captain of, The Marchioness, was involved in a horrific collision on the Thames that resulted in 51 people losing their lives. Kola's cousin Mary Ellen confessed: 'Everyone kept their cards quite close to their chest whenever we had to film as a group. It was poker faces galore' Kola agreed, as he explained: 'No one was being truthful to anyone when we saw each other. "It was always like "Oh, how much is in your wallet?"' Revealing who is the most competitive, Kola admitted Kelly Brook's husband Jeremy Parisi was his most feared opponent and had his eyes on the prize Aside from the unseen competitive moments, Wednesday's episode proved an emotional one as Jeff left viewers in tears as he revealed how the loss of his father helped him navigate parenting his own grieving sons Bobby, 21 (L) and Freddie, 19 (R) were even younger when their mum Jade Goody tragically died in 2009 aged 27 after being diagnosed with cervical cancer Meanwhile his sons Bobby, 21, and Freddie, 19, were even younger when their mum Jade Goody tragically died in 2009 aged 27 after being diagnosed with cervical cancer. Jeff never met his biological father, which he deeply regrets, and said as a result wanted to make sure his own sons had the experiences he would have liked with a dad. Saying: 'My experience in childhood probably really lent into how I've parented Bobby and Freddy. My mum, probably against everyone's opinions decided to have me even though she was only 15-years-old so I'm forever grateful for that'. 'I didn't ever have the company of my biological dad, he died when I was nine. I always obviously regret never meeting him, so when it came to me being a dad I was always going to make sure that they had the experience of me that i would have liked to have had from him'. He was speaking after attempting to teach Freddie the value of money as they worked selling lemonade on Copacabana Beach in Brazil. Saying: 'When I struggle with Freddie not taking responsibility sometimes I struggle with that cos i had no choice at a very age but that's not his fault'. This Morning viewers were left terrified after the show 'triggered phobias' with a whole segment dedicated to spiders during Thursday's episode. Hosts Craig Doyle and Sian Welby were left looking rather uncomfortable as they were joined on the show with some eight-legged friends and an incredibly lifelike toy. While spider expert Professor James Logan advised on how to spider proof your home, both Sian and Craig looked to be struggling with the idea that the creatures were in fact 'beautiful'. Holding up the box containing a hairy house spider, Craig tried to remain calm as he said: 'Ok let's look at it, and try to decide what we like about its face, and not see it as the enemy'. Meanwhile James reassured: 'They are not going to harm us at all. They do bite, but they prefer not to.' This Morning fans have blasted the show for a 'triggering' phobia report that 'injected more fear into them' during Thursday's episode Even ITV hosts Craig Doyle and Sian Welby couldn't hide their terror as they were left looking rather uncomfortable during a whole spider segment as they were joined by some eight-legged friends Meanwhile Sian appeared on edge as kept a watchful eye on the spider in the box as she asked: 'Oh its moving, its moving, that lid is on isn't it?' As James explained they use what looks like their fangs, also called pedipalps, to attract a mate, Craig joked: 'Oh so they're fangs are just a tool of love, it isn't aggressive'. Later as they set off an incredibly realistic tarantula toy to move across the room chaos descended as Craig threw a conker at the model while Sian exclaimed: 'I've got PTSD from this, can someone get rid of this spider toy please'? And fans of the show were also freaked out by the segment as they took to Twitter to share their fears. One wrote: 'I already have a spider phobia, didnt need to tune in to see clips of spiders making my phobia even more worse.' A second added: 'How to inject more fear into people who already have a phobia to spiders'. After James suggested we shouldn't free the spiders outside as they will most likely die in the cold but instead we should find them a shed or garage to stay in, one viewer joked: 'No bother mate I'll let them all move in and pay rent'. Another wrote: 'If a spider that big got in our house then Id move out and it could pay the rent #ThisMorning'. Sian appeared on edge as kept a watchful eye on the spider in the box as she asked: 'Oh its moving, its moving, that lid is on isn't it?' Holding up the box containing a hairy house spider, Craig tried to remain calm as he said: 'Ok let's look at it, and try to decide what we like about its face, and not see it as the enemy' And fans of the show were also freaked out by the segment as they took to Twitter to share their fears Another savage tweet read: 'I'm sorry but they need to die, I'm not wasting a cup and paper to save them'. Also upset by the segment another added: 'How many times have they done this segment on how to get rid of spiders etc over the years on #ThisMorning, more rinse & repeat yet again!' Earlier this week This Morning debuted a brand new promo for the show featuring Ben Shephard, Cat Deeley, Alison Hammond and Dermot OLeary. The fun-filled advert was made to mark the four presenters' return to the daytime show next month, and saw them taking to the roof of the Television Centre in West London. Ben and Cat will be back on screens on Monday, while Alison and Dermot are returning next Friday, September 6. The group bravely scaled the 45ft height of the studios in a cherry picker, before arriving on the roof of the iconic building, set up with the famous This Morning blue sofa. This Morning debuted a brand new promo for the show on ITV on Tuesday, featuring Ben Shephard , Cat Deeley , Alison Hammond and Dermot OLeary The feel-good ad saw the foursome clad in glamorous and colourful outfits while they laughed and joked around together. Cat and Alison put on coordinating stylish displays in bold suits over white blouses, with Cat opting for a butter yellow number and Alison sporting a bright red. While Ben also chose red, wearing a polo neck shirt and cream trousers, while Dermot donned a plain blue T-shirt and navy trousers. The promo followed the hosts having fun attempting to control a drone to capture footage of each other whilst on top of the building. An Antiques Roadshow expert was 'left with heart palpitations' over a collection of Indian paintings worth a life-changing sum of money. The BBC show made its way to Caversham Park, in Reading, to meet the residents and hopefully find some belongings of value. Expert Adam Schoon was among those hoping to stumble across a precious artefact - but he was blown away when he discovered a collection of Indian watercolour paintings worth up to a staggering 80,000. 'Well my eyes were out on stalks and indeed my heart had palpitations when I saw the visual feast within these amazing volumes of Indian watercolours,' Adam told a guest as he gazed at the paintings. 'They were in the collection of my great-grandfather, Major General Henry George White,' the guest informed him. An Antiques Roadshow expert was 'left with heart palpitations' over a collection of Indian paintings worth a life-changing sum of money The BBC show made its way to Caversham Park, in Reading, to meet the residents and hopefully find some belongings of value 'After he was commissioned into the Royal Scots in 1854, he went to the Crimean War first of all. 'After that, he was involved in the Indian mutiny just for a couple of months so I dont think he acquired the books then but in 1866 to 1870, he was stationed in the north west part of India and thats where I think he acquired these books.' In the episode filmed in 2017, Adam pointed out a label, known as a book plate, found inside of the first pages of paintings. 'He may have acquired them in the north of India but I think these were done in the south of India, Tangor, and that is really on the southern tip of India itself,' Adam explained, as he analysed the pieces. 'There were schools of painters who, following a certain western style of art, started to do these figurative studies. 'The pictures themselves, which were done in gouache on fairly thick card, were done in around 1810.' Adam proceeded to have a look through the books of paintings, highlighting that his favourite was of a dancer with two musicians. Asked about how he preserved the pieces, the guest said: 'They were certainly packed away for a long time and I think they remained in packing cases, right the way through my grandfathers and in fact my fathers lifetime, because my father spent most of his entire life abroad.' Expert Adam Schoon was among those hoping to stumble across a precious artefact - but he was blown away when he discovered a collection of Indian watercolour paintings worth up to a staggering 80,000 'Well my eyes were out on stalks and indeed my heart had palpitations when I saw the visual feast within these amazing volumes of Indian watercolours,' Adam told a guest as he gazed at the paintings 'So I think they deduced from that, that they spent 74 years in packing cases and it was only in 1988 that we pulled them out of the case,' Adam replied. 'Well my wife pulled them out and said: "Wow!".' Adam asked if the guest had looked into how much the paintings may be worth, to which he said he had 'no idea'. The expert added: 'I think if I were to put these in auction, and let's face it, the condition's good, they're quite large plates. 'So my auction estimate would be between 50,000 and 80,000.' In the episode filmed in 2017, Adam pointed out a label, known as a book plate, found inside of the first pages of paintings The guest was left in total shock at the whopping value, as the audience let out a chorus of gasps. 'Oh good Lord!' he exclaimed. 'Well I said I'd buy the grandchildren an ice cream if they were more than 100.' Adam replied: 'More than 100? I think they had a dead cert there!' The guest said: 'Well thats quite amazing. Thank you very much for all your expertise.' Rating: Verdict: A rolicking romp There's no shortage of screen adaptations of 19th-century literary classic The Count Of Monte Cristo the first being a silent movie from 1908. Yet this thunderous new French-language version imbues Alexandre Dumas' timeless yarn with such terrific dash and panache it feels as fresh and frisky as a young colt. When ridiculously handsome sailor Edmond Dantes (Pierre Niney) saves a mysterious girl (Adele Simphal) from drowning, he little suspects the dark forces of fate that will be unleashed. Back on dry land, Dantes is due to marry his fragrant fiancee Mercedes (Anais Demoustier). But, instead, he is arrested and thrown into prison the fearsome Chateau d'If, France's answer to Alcatraz for a crime he did not commit. After years of confinement, a bearded, emaciated Edmond escapes and, thanks to a treasure trove bequeathed to him by the Knights Templar, is suddenly rich beyond his wildest dreams. Pierre Niney as Edmond Dantes in The Count of Monte-Cristo Anamaria Vartolomei stars as Haydee in the new film The French-language version imbues Alexandre Dumas' timeless yarn with such terrific dash and panache, writes Larushka Ivan-Zadeh Aided by his wealth and variety of Mission: Impossible-type facial disguises, he assumes the title 'Count of Monte-Cristo' and sets out to exact revenge on the trio who betrayed him (Laurent Lafitte, Bastien Bouillon and Patrick Mille). 'Will you do good, or will your heart fill with hate?' asks his patron. That's the do-or-die dilemma upon which this solid script is built. Every element of the action is strongly rooted in conflict: love versus ambition, money versus honour, revenge versus forgiveness. Layered on top is anything you could possibly want from an old-school adventure: romance, prison breaks, sword fights, pistol duels, delicious scenery, galloping steeds And though the ladies are pretty not least, Anamaria Vartolomei as Haydee, the Count's co-conspirator who masquerades as his god-daughter the men are even prettier. The screen is dripping with tousled, Timothee Chalamet-a-likes in billowy white shirts. Pierre Niney as Edmond Dantes in Dumas' The Count of Monte-Cristo Bastien Bouillon as Fernand de Morcef, Anais Demoustier as Mercedes Herrera and Pierre Niney as Edmond Dantes Pierre Niney as Edmond Dantes in The Count of Monte Cristo, released on August 30 Chief among them is the Count himself. Previously best known for portraying fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent in a 2014 French biopic, Pierre Niney initially seems too slight an actor to carry such an epic narrative. Yet gradually, satisfyingly, he fills his swashbuckling boots. Doubtless he'll get nominated for a Cesar (French Oscar), but this movie is not an acting showcase; every element is in service to the story. There are a few subtle contemporary flourishes, yet what's refreshing about this Monte-Cristo is that it doesn't jump on the bandwagon of reinventing a classic by injecting a revisionist historical spin. Instead, it retells a cracking story as faithfully and thrillingly as possible. Such is the power of this tale you could erase the subtitles and still understand it. Like Dickens, Dumas was a bestselling author of his day whose novels, published in instalments, were packed with cliffhangers to keep readers hooked. Even so, screenwriters Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patelliere (the duo behind another Dumas hit, last year's The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan) do a sensational job of turning a 1,300-page doorstop into a propulsively paced movie. I'll admit to bridling at the prospect of a three-hour running time but rest assured: I've endured three-minute trailers that felt longer. Brilliant chaos in this play-within-a-prison Sing Sing (15, 106 mins) Rating: The Oscars arent till March, but Im already tipping Colman Domingo (Rustin) for a second Best Actor nomination after another knockout turn in Sing Sing (15, 106 mins). Set in the titular New York jail, it follows a chaotic production mounted by Rehabilitation Through The Arts (RTA), a real-life prison scheme co-founded by John Divine G Whitfield (Domingo). A kind of Shawshank Redemption goes to drama club, this could easily have been a schmaltz show. But director Greg Kwedar maintains a gritty authenticity. Most of the cast are RTA alumni, including Clarence Divine Eye Maclin (as himself) in a magnificent breakout that threatens to steal Domingos spotlight. Colman Domingo pictured in Sing Sing 2023 (15, 106 mins) Also showing Touch (15, 121 mins) Rating: The film finds widower Kristofer (Egill Olafsson) struggling with memory loss at the start of the pandemic. After his doctor suggests he should wrap up any unfinished business, he goes to London to find his first love, who he met in the 1960s. Gracefully exploring a romantic path not taken, this gently contemplative drama slowly steeps to perfection, like the ideal cup of tea. The Crow (18, 111 mins) Rating: The Crow, on the other hand, is a dismal mess. A blighted remake of the 1994 comic-book movie, it stars Bill Skarsgard as a slain drug addict who returns from the afterlife to hunt down the bad dudes (Danny Huston, phoning it in) who murdered him and his beloved (pop star FKA Twigs, who should definitely not give up her day job). A scary (ish) start in Venice By Brian Viner The 81st Venice Film Festival kicked off on Wednesday evening with the world premiere of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Tim Burtons sequel to his 1988 hit, yes, Beetlejuice. Giving it the same title twice is an in-joke which, along with quite a few of this films jokes, doesnt quite work. The original was a cast-iron horror-comedy classic, but this one despite many of the excellent original cast reprising their roles, including Michael Keaton in the title part too often feels like a muddle of macabre ideas. Winona Ryder, the sullen goth teenager in 1988, is now a middle-aged widow struggling to maintain a relationship with her own daughter, played by Jenna Ortega. Theyre both terrific, and get tip-top support from Keaton, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci and another 1988 original, Catherine OHara. Theres also a wild cameo for Danny DeVito. Michael Keaton pictured in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice 2024 But though there was respectful applause after Wednesdays premiere, I was left with the feeling that despite its abundance of death in Venice, a Beetlejuice sequel wasnt really what anyone wanted from opening night or quite possibly at all. I have higher hopes for some forthcoming Venice films, among them tonights premiere Babygirl, which stars Nicole Kidman as a CEO who falls hard for a lowly (and much younger) intern played by rising British star Harris Dickinson. It is said to be decidedly steamy. So too is Queer, adapted from William S. Burroughs novel by talented Italian director Luca Guadagnino. It stars Daniel Craig as a barfly in 40s Mexico who becomes infatuated with a younger man. Im greatly looking forward to Joker: Folie A Deux, Todd Phillipss sequel to his wonderful 2019 film Joker, and to Harvest, a drama set in Scotland in the Middle Ages starring the ever-splendid Caleb Landry Jones, and adapted from Jim Craces excellent 2013 novel. But sometimes the most anticipated films fall flat, while the least-heralded are superb. Either way, Ill report back next week. He's one of Hollywood's hottest rising stars. But Australian-born Travis Fimmel has confessed that he does not like being in the limelight. The 45-year-old Viking actor has admitted that he could live without performing and being in front of the cameras altogether. 'I've never once enjoyed [acting], not once,' Travis admitted in the latest edition of Esquire. The Boy Swallows Universe star described his work as 'just a job' and added: 'I mean, it's deep work-wise you have to be deep to continue working. But I don't get bogged down in it.' The one-time model, who was born in the small town of Echuca in Victoria, also revealed he would happily return to country life - but he hasn't made enough money to retire. Travis also confessed that he kept focusing on his acting career because he did not know 'what else to do'. 'What keeps a carpenter working all the time? What keeps anyone getting up in the morning and going to work? What keeps us doing it?' he questioned. Famed Aussie actor Travis Fimmel (pictured) has admitted that he has not ever 'enjoyed acting' 'I'm very happy for people who love their job - jealous and happy. But [acting] doesn't do it for me. I'm not driven by it.' Travis also said he would rather be 'at home' in Australia than spending time away but he has kept working overseas because it is a way to build a high profile. Travis hit it big in 2002 as the first male model to land a six figure deal to pose exclusively for Calvin Klein for one year. He went on to appear on dozens of billboards across LA, causing traffic jams in the area due to the raunchy nature of his images. Travis said he would 'retire' but has not made enough money to quit. Pictured: Travis in the Australian made Netflix streaming hit Boy Swallows Universe The character of Jerry 'Smith' Jarrod from Sex and the City is said to have been inspired by Travis, who also appeared in spreads and on the covers of magazines like W. Since then, Travis has turned his attention to acting. He first made waves in the acting world in 2003 after landing the leading role in Warner Bros. series Tarzan. However it wasn't until 2013 when Travis really hit the big time, scoring the iconic role of Ragnar Lothbrok in the hit TV series Vikings, which aired between 2013 and 2017. He went on to appear as Anduin Lothar in Warcraft (2016) and starred in the science fiction series Raised by Wolves (2020). Travis made a name for himself in 2002 as the first male model to land a six figure deal to pose exclusively for Calvin Klein for one year In 2023, he appeared in two Stan Original series - Black Snow and Caught. While Travis is based in LA, he spends plenty of time in Australia and even recently started his own Aussie lager brand Travla with MasterChef judge Andy Allen. Travis also made a huge impact in the Netflix hit streaming series Boy Swallows Universe. Adapted from Trent Dalton's iconic novel, Boy Swallows Universe is an extraordinary tale that explores the trials and tribulations of two brothers - Eli and August - who grow up in 1980s suburban Brisbane. Travis won a legion of fans in 2013 when he scored the iconic role of Ragnar Lothbrok in the hit TV series Vikings. Pictured: Travis in the acclaimed series which ended in 2017 The Vikings actor plays the role of drug dealer Lyle Orlik in the hit show, and is seen wearing an array of daggy 80's-style outfits while sporting a shaggy salt-and-pepper beard and mullet and an earring. The performance earned him a Logie awards nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The Brisbane-filmed show has stormed into the Netflix global Top Five streaming chart, with 3.8 million viewers watching it in the first four days of its release after it dropped in January. The drama also reached the top ten in 47 countries, including America, the UK, Canada, France, Germany and Australia. Travis will soon be seen in season two of Stan's crime drama Black Snow and HBO's sci fi drama Dune: Prophecy. A band of English rock legends have been tipped to be supporting Oasis on their huge UK and Ireland comeback tour. The Britpop group fronted by Liam and Noel Gallagher spun 90s fans into a frenzy this week when they announced their sensational reunion - and now the question on everyone's minds is who will be joining them. And according to the bookies, Kasabian is the most likely contender to be opening the highly-anticipated shows. Experts at William Hill are suggesting odds of 7/4 of the band to support Oasis on any night of their tour. Spokesperson Lee Phelps told The Sun: 'News of Oasis' reunion tour has sent fans into a frenzy of speculation and there's lots that's still unknown about next summer's gigs, including who will be the support acts and the finalised Oasis lineup. A band of English rock legends have been tipped to be supporting Oasis on their huge UK and Ireland comeback tour (Liam and Noel Gallagher seen above in 2008) According to the bookies, Kasabian is the most likely contender to be opening the highly-anticipated shows 'Kasabian have always had a strong relationship with Oasis and, at 7/4, we think the Leicester band are likely to support at some point during the tour.' Kasabian, consisting of Sergio Pizzorno, Chris Edwards, Ian Matthews, and Tim Carter, were formed in Leicester in 1997 and are known for songs Fire and Club Foot. Back in June, they were one of the surprise bands who took to the stage at Glastonbury Festival. Another source told the publication: 'Talks are ongoing with groups like Fontaines DC and Kasabian, as well as Gene Gallagher's band Villanelle who opened for Liam's Definitely Maybe tour.' The speculation comes just after Oasis broke their silence over rumours they will be playing at Glastonbury next summer to confirm they will not be at the festival. Speculation was rife Liam and Noel Gallagher would be returning to Worthy Farm in 2025 ahead of their comeback tour. But in a statement posted on the band's X account just after lunchtime today, they ruled out appearing at Glastonbury or any other festival. Oasis said the only way to see the band in 2025 was by attending one of their shows during their world tour. The Britpop group fronted by Liam and Noel Gallagher spun 90s fans into a frenzy this week when they announced their sensational reunion - and now the question on everyone's minds is who will be joining them (pictured in 2008) Kasabian, consisting of Sergio Pizzorno, Chris Edwards, Ian Matthews, and Tim Carter, were formed in Leicester in 1997 and are known for songs Fire and Club Foot (pictured in March) The speculation comes just after Oasis broke their silence over rumours they will be playing at Glastonbury next summer to confirm they will not be at the festival The statement read: 'Despite media speculation, Oasis will not be playing Glastonbury 2025 or any other festivals next year. 'The only way to see the band perform will be on their Oasis Live '25 World Tour.' The 14-show tour will run from July 4 to August 17, kicking off at Cardiff's Principality Stadium before the brothers pack out Heaton Park in Manchester, Wembley in London , Murrayfield in Edinburgh and Croke Park in Dublin. Noel quit the Manchester rock group on August 28 2009, saying he 'simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer'. Fans have been pleading with the brothers to regroup since they disbanded, prompted by a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris. Confirming the Oasis Live 25 tour, they said: 'The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised.' Gemma Arterton cut a stylish figure as she joined her co-star Alexa Davies and Morwenna Banks for a special screening of Funny Woman in London on Wednesday. The actress, 38, who stars as Barbara Parker in the comedy-drama, is set to appear on television screens once again as the second series is scheduled to premiere on September 6. During the special screening of series two, Gemma looked nothing short of sensational as she put on a leggy display in a mini black dress. She teamed a structured black tailored coat with her chic ensemble and opted for a pair of sheer black stockings. Gemma added inches to her frame with a pair of black court diamante embellished heels. Gemma Arterton cut a stylish figure as she joined her co-star Alexa Davies and Morwenna Banks for a special screening of Funny Woman in London on Wednesday The actress, 38, who stars as Barbara Parker in the comedy-drama, is set to appear on television screens once again as the second series is scheduled to premiere on September 6 During the special screening of series two, Gemma looked nothing short of sensational as she put on a leggy display in a mini black dress To complete the look, the beauty styled her brunette bob into loose waves and wore a flawless palette of makeup. Meanwhile, her co-star Alexa, 29, who is known for her role as young Rosie in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again sported a leopard print skirt. Alexa teamed the skirt with a black crop top and opted for a pair of comfortable Dr Marten boots for the evening. Meanwhile, Morwenna, 62, cut a laidback figure wearing a pair of light blue distressed dungarees. She teamed the dungarees with a hot pink T-shirt and sported a pair of comfortable Ugg boots. The special screening comes after Sky revealed first-look pictures for the second season of the award-winning comedydrama series earlier this month. The British actress has transported back to the swinging sixties once again to reprise her role as Blackpool beauty queen Barbara Parker - and the nation's favourite comedian 'Sophie Straw'. She looks worlds away from her usual brunette self as she transforms into the blonde 1960s beauty in the sneak peek snaps. She teamed a structured black tailored coat with her chic ensemble and opted for a pair of sheer black stockings Gemma added inches to her frame with a pair of black court diamante embellished heels To complete the look, the beauty styled her brunette bob into loose waves and wore a flawless palette of makeup In one preview, the character appears to be backstage at one of her shows, looking glamorous in a flowery top and green trousers as she prepares to wow the crowds. Another shows Gemma's character getting close to Arsher Ali's Dennis Mahindra, who the comedian has a fledgling romance with. Meanwhile, a third highlights Barbara's success as Sophie Straw, as she's seen signing autographs for eager fans. The series, which is coming exclusively to Sky MAX and NOW on September 6, will see Sophie attempt to juggle her career and love life. Season two is also set to explore the themes of love, gender equality, LGBTQ rights, and representation in comedy, all against the backdrop and cultural explosion of the sixties. It opens with Sophie on a high - she is the nation's favourite TV comedy star, she's got a group of good friends and her romance with Dennis is full of promise. Meanwhile, Morwenna, 62, the writer and executive producer on the show cut a laidback figure wearing light blue distressed dungarees and Ugg boots Roisin Conaty cut a stylish figure in a floral milkmaid style ensemble Meanwhile, Game Of Thrones actress Gemma Whelan sported a colourful pink and green abstract shirt dress Arsher Ali also attended and cut a quirky figure in a navy blue checked shirt and trousers British film director Oliver Parker also made an appearance at the event and cut a smart figure in a grey shirt and navy trousers Gemma also joined Doon Mackichan, Leo Bill, Roisin, Olivia Williams, Alexa, Arsher, and Gemma for some sweet snaps during the screening But trouble is just around the corner - Dennis' divorce will take three years, Sophie's new sitcom flops and she uncovers a devastating family secret. New faces starring in season two are Steve Zissis, Marcus Rutherford, Tim Key, Gemma Whelan and Roisin Conaty. Meanwhile, Arsher Ali is returning as Dennis Mohindra, David Threlfall as George Parker, Rosie Cavaliero as Aunt Marie Parker and Alexa as Marjorie Harrison. Funny Woman season one premiered in October 2023 as a six-part series based on Nick Hornby's 2014 smash-hit novel. The series, which is coming exclusively to Sky MAX and NOW on September 6, will see Sophie attempt to juggle her career and love life It followed Barbara's journey as she went from a Blackpool beauty queen to comedy star, named Sophie Straw while dealing with the male-dominated sitcom industry present in 1960s London. Speaking about series two, Morwenna, the writer and executive producer on the show said: 'It's a thrill to dive back into the world of 1960's London - with the extraordinary cast and crew of Funny Woman series two.' 'Thanks to the genius of Gemma Arterton as Nick Hornby's heroine Sophie Straw - a whole host of new guest stars have joined us.' 'We welcome stellar performances from Steve Zissis, Marcus Rutherford, Tim Key, Gemma Whelan, Roisin Conaty and many more Tune in Turn On and don't Drop Out.' Armie Hammer's ex-wife Elizabeth Chambers shared an Instagram recap of her 'birthday week' this Wednesday - the same day he turned 38. Chambers had in fact rung in her 42nd birthday 10 days earlier on August 18, but she waited until Hammer's birthday to post an album about hers. The former couple split in July 2020, months before his career imploded amid sexual assault allegations and claims that he has a cannibalism fetish. Last year, it emerged he would not face sexual assault charges as there was 'insufficient evidence.' Without mentioning Hammer's birthday, Chambers uploaded a cheerful Instagram album this Tuesday of the festive week she enjoyed in the Cayman Islands. She included a picture of a heartwarming card she got from her daughter Harper, nine, whom she shares with Hammer. Armie Hammer 's ex-wife Elizabeth Chambers shared an Instagram recap of her 'birthday week' this Wednesday - the same day he turned 38 The note, which accompanied a breakfast in bed, adorably read: 'to: mommy your the best mommy ever and i hope you enjoy your food [sic]!' In addition to Harper, Harmer and Chambers also share an 11-year-old son called Ford. The proud mother sprinkled a few glimpses of both children throughout the album, including one shot of Harper on a plane and another of Ford bouncing on a bed. Her birthday festivities featured a stop at the Cayman Islands restaurant Tillies, where she was given a bespoke multi-course meal with appetizer options like conch fritters and Caesar salad and entrees such as a steak and lobster burger. Chambers was also pictured beaming at a restaurant table as she was presented with a sumptuous two-tiered cake topped with candles and a sparkler. In her caption, she wrote: '8/18 never ending birthday week and Leo szn complete. Bday red-eye (10/10 recommend) followed by dinner at my beloved @tillies with many of the ones in cayman Ill miss the most, and allll the Hopsey and Ford-made notes and breakfasts in bed.' She concluded her reminiscences of her celebratory week by sharing: 'It was a mindful and meaningful one. Thank you for all the bday love.' Her album came one day after she revealed that she is 'packing and moving' with her two children for the 'fifth time' in nearly five years. Chambers, who said she is 'fiercely protecting' her kids who have 'no idea' about their father's scandals - shared in an Insta Stories video that her family only had a few more nights in the Cayman Islands. Chambers had in fact rung in her 42nd birthday 10 days earlier on August 18, but she waited until Hammer's (pictured) birthday to post about hers on social media She included a picture of a heartwarming card she got from one of the two children she shares with Hammer - daughter Harper, nine, and son Ford, seven The note, which accompanied a breakfast in bed, adorably read: 'to: mommy your the best mommy ever and i hope you enjoy your food [sic]!' In addition to Harper, Harmer and Chambers also share an 11-year-old son called Ford The proud mother sprinkled a few glimpses of both children throughout the album, including one shot of Harper on a plane and another of Ford bouncing on a bed Without mentioning Hammer's birthday, Chambers posted a cheerful Instagram album this Tuesday of the festive week she enjoyed in the Cayman Islands At the Cayman Islands restaurant Tillies, she was given a bespoke multi-course meal with appetizer options like conch fritters and entrees such as a steak and lobster burger Chambers was also presented with a sumptuous two-tiered birthday cake topped with candles and a sparkler, she showed on her Instagram page She concluded her reminiscences of her birthday week by sharing: 'It was a mindful and meaningful one,' adding: 'Thank you for all the bday love' She was married to the disgraced Hollywood star from 2010 until they split in 2020, finalizing their divorce in 2023. The mother-of-two uploaded a black and white clip while preparing for the big move - as the track, Misses, by Dominic Fike played in the background. While her son could be seen sitting at a long table, Elizabeth's daughter also made an appearance as she stepped towards the camera while talking to her mother. In text added towards the bottom, the media personality wrote, 'packing and moving my kids and me for the fifth time in almost 5 years.' Chambers added, 'beyond grateful for my lai, my extraordinary bf, and for these extraordinary people @jojordan10 not pictured bc she's handling business @birdbakery.' She has been dating wellness therapist, Ricardas Kazinec, since September 2022. Later that same year, Elizabeth uploaded a snap of the pair and wrote, 'He's the cutest and makes me very happy...' Also on Tuesday, she shared a picture of Kazinec and gave a special shout out to her partner for helping out with the moving process. Chambers added a heart over the photo and typed out, 'the amount of hours he has spent at fedex. this one getting me through it.' The Bird Bakery founder also uploaded a photo to her Instagram stories that showed her daughter, Harper, standing on a low wall near the ocean. '3 more sleeps,' Elizabeth wrote. A source recently told People that Chambers and her family are moving to Los Angeles, adding that she had always intended to return to California with her kids. Following the move, the insider further expressed that Elizabeth does not have plans to return to the Cayman Islands. Chambers, 42, revealed that she is 'packing and moving' with her two young children for the 'fifth time' in nearly five years The mother-of-two uploaded a black and white clip while preparing for the big move - as the track, Misses, by Dominic Fike played in the background In text added towards the bottom, the media personality wrote, 'packing and moving my kids and me for the fifth time in almost 5 years' Chambers added a heart over the photo and typed out, 'the amount of hours he has spent at fedex. this one getting me through it' The Bird Bakery founder also uploaded a photo to her Instagram stories that showed her daughter, Harper, standing on a low wall near the ocean. '3 more sleeps,' Elizabeth wrote Her ex-husband has also returned to L.A. and opened up about his struggles to afford gas in a video uploaded on Tuesday to his Instagram page - one day before his 38th birthday on August 28. Following accusations that he was a 'cannibal' and sexual abuse controversy - which came to light in 2021 - Hammer's once promising career in Hollywood came to an abrupt end. Last year in May, the Los Angeles County District Attorney announced that the disgraced actor would not face any charges in the sexual assault case due to 'insufficient evidence.' He stated that he has been back in L.A. for 'a couple of weeks now,' and is ready for 'a new car, in a new apartment, in a new life.' Hammer filmed a sleek, black vehicle and explained: 'This is my truck. I bought this for myself in 2017 as a Christmas gift for myself.' 'I have loved this truck intensely and taken it camping and across the country multiple times and on long road trips and I've taken it on one last road trip... to CarMax.' Hammer explained that: 'Since being back in L.A., I have put about $400 or $500 worth of gas in it and I can't afford it. I can't afford the gas anymore.' He has now moved on with a 'tiny' hybrid car and later stated, 'I'm probably going to put about 10 bucks of gas in it a month and this is it. Here's to new beginnings.' Earlier this year in April, Chambers explained that she is 'fiercely protecting' her kids during an episode of Grand Caymans: Secrets In Paradise. Earlier this year in April, Chambers explained that she is 'fiercely protecting' her kids during an episode of Grand Caymans: Secrets In Paradise Chambers discussed her relationship with Hammer following their divorce. 'Things are fabulous. My sister said it best. She said, "Every single day somebody just taps you on the shoulder, reminding you of the most painful time of your life."' 'But also, I am fiercely protecting my children, which is why we're still here, and they have, thank God, no idea about what is going on.' 'My children are blissfully happy. They should think that their dad is a superhero, and to be fair, he has been to them. He's been the best he can be,' she added. In a separate confessional during the episode, Chambers said of Hammer, 'I don't speak negatively about him in the press.' 'I don't speak negatively about him to my children, because nobody wants a daughter with daddy issues and nobody wants a son with daddy issues. They should think their dad is a superhero.' During the divorce proceedings, the former couple agreed to shared custody of their two children. Elizabeth's business partner, Frank Schilling, previously opened up to DailyMail.com in April about her co-parenting relationship with Armie. 'It was evident that they have come to terms where they're able to co-exist in the same area,' Schilling continued 'I've watched them go through that whole process. For Elizabeth, it's always been about the kids,' he stated. At the time, Frank recalled, 'I was playing with my son at the school playground and I saw Armie and Elizabeth together.' 'I almost thought it was a boyfriend or something. Then I realized, "Oh, no that's Armie." They were together but not holding hands or canoodling.' 'It was evident that they have come to terms where they're able to co-exist in the same area,' Schilling continued. Baywatch's disgraced star Jeremy Jackson revealed that his addiction caused him to 'spiral' down. The child actor, now 43, who played played Mitch Buchannon's (David Hasselhoff) son Hobie on the series from ages 10-19, took part in the new Hulu docuseries, After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun. At one point he recalled an interaction with his onscreen father: 'I remember David saying "Are you smoking pot or something?" And I was [thinking] like, "Jesus, they think I'm smoking pot?" I could never tell them the truth. What would they think?' 'When you haven't slept for five days and you've been smoking crystal meth, having somebody look you in the eyes and say "Dude, are you okay?" is like the worst thing that can happen.' 'I was spiraling down for sure,' the actor who also revealed he performed a horrifying act with his female co-stars' swimsuits said, adding, 'My life slipped through my hands like sand.' Baywatch's disgraced star Jeremy Jackson, 43, revealed that his addiction caused him to 'spiral' down in new docuseries, After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun; seen August 26 in LA The child actor played played Mitch Buchannon's (David Hasselhoff) son Hobie on the series from ages 10-19; seen in a still He also said he's in 'remission' today, in an interview with People. '[When people ask] "am I in a good place," they mean am I still sober. It's a huge mistake people make with "good and bad," when drug addiction and alcoholism is a case of mental sickness, not about morality fortitude or personal character and virtue.' 'I am in remission from the chronic, fatal and progressive disease I was once plagued with? "Yes, thank God. Yes, I am."' The actor also stated that addiction had 'tangled me all up in knots.' 'But how satisfying is it when you finally get that tangle out. Thus I am untangled, and that was the past, so today I am satisfied.' When asked about his decision to participate in the documentary, which delved into difficult aspects of his past, he expressed gratitude for the individuals involved in the project. 'My life is an open book anyway. I always say we are only as sick as our secrets.' 'But my "why" was for others. [Producers] Matt Felker and Nicole Eggert had a vision and a passion... There was no question about being involved for me.' Jackson also shared that he and Hasselhoff have remained close. 'Ole DH and I speak lots and hang here and there still,' he told People about his 'homie' Hasselhoff. 'I was spiraling down for sure,' the actor said, adding, 'My life slipped through my hands like sand'; seen in 2012 At one point he recalled an interaction with his onscreen father: 'I remember David saying "Are you smoking pot or something?" And I was [thinking] like, "Jesus, they think I'm smoking pot?" I could never tell them the truth. What would they think?'; seen with Hasselhoff 'When you haven't slept for five days and you've been smoking crystal meth, having somebody look you in the eyes and say "Dude, are you okay?" is like the worst thing that can happen,' he added Jeremy said he's in 'remission' from his addiction today, in an interview with People. 'I am in remission from the chronic, fatal and progressive disease I was once plagued with? Yes, thank God. Yes, I am' In 2014 he split from wife Loni Wilson after they had been married for less than two years. Loni has alleged Jeremy attempted to strangle her in a fight. He later was sentenced to a 270-day jail sentence and five years' probation; Seen with Loni in 2013 In the documentary Hasselhoff also admits their connection was instant, from the moment Jackson auditioned for the part of his son. 'I fought for him,' Hasselhoff recalled, referring to Jackson, who was competing against a rising star, Leonardo DiCaprio, for the role. It comes after Jeremy revealed he performed a horrifying act with his female co-stars' swimsuits in a shock confession. He admitted he would smell his co-stars' dirty swimsuits after a day of filming. Jackson - whose co-stars included Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra and Nicole Eggert said: 'I would usually sneak into [the womens] trailers after they were done and grab their dirty bathing suits. 'Lets just say I smelled every [bleep] on Baywatch. And Nicole [Eggert] was the big one, for sure. We had a very intimate moment, her and I, that she never knew about. Producers then told Summer Quinn star Eggert, 52, who is battling stage 2 breast cancer - who responded: 'I knew Jeremy very well, this surprises me not at all.' Jackson recently made a rare red carpet appearance at the premiere of the Baywatch documentary on Monday in LA. This comes after he began serving time behind bars in 2017 following his agreement to a plea deal for allegedly stabbing a woman in Los Angeles in 2015. That same year the former Baywatch star was booted from Celebrity Big Brother in the UK for exposing fellow housemate Chloe Goodman's breast. It comes after Jeremy admitted he would smell his co-stars' dirty swimsuits after a day of filming in shocking confession; His co-stars Nicole Eggert and Pamela Anderson seen in a still In 2014 he split from wife Loni Wilson who is currently homeless after they had been married for less than two years. Loni has alleged Jeremy attempted to strangle her in a physical altercation when they were drunk. He later was sentenced to a 270-day jail sentence and five years' probation. Upon his release, he became a personal trainer. Four-part series After Baywatch: Moment In The Sun is set to stream on Hulu on August 28. Baywatch, which first aired in 1989, followed the lives of a group of lifeguards patrolling the beaches of Los Angeles County. The hit 90s series came to an end in 2001, after 11 seasons and over 250 episodes. Bristol Palin shared more details about her family's recent heartbreak after her 15-year-old son Tripp moved out of their Texas home. The 33-year-old reality star revealed how her teenager informed her of his decision to relocate to Alaska full-time to live with his father and (Bristol's ex-fiance) Levi Johnston, 34, as well as his stepmother Sunny Johnston, 32, and half-sisters Breeze Beretta, 13, Indy Rae, eight, and Delta Jo, five. 'He just texted me and was like, "Hey Mom. Im not coming back,"' she recalled on Monday's Sex, Lies and Spray Tans podcast. 'Oh, I couldnt even believe it. At first Im like, "Im coming up to Alaska, were not doing this." I was so mad. So mad.' The daughter of former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, who lives with her and ex-husband Dakota Meyers daughters Sailor Grace, eight, and Atlee Bay, seven, added, 'It still is gut wrenching to me because its been just Tripp and I, and then I had my girls, but its always been Tripp and I.' She then confessed: 'Its changed the dynamic of so much.' Bristol Palin, 33, shared more details about her family's recent heartbreak after her 15-year-old son Tripp moved out of their Texas home The 33-year-old reality star revealed how her teenager informed her of his decision to relocate to Alaska full-time to live with his father, Levi Johnston, 34, her ex-fiance; (Levi on left, Tripp on right) The former Dancing with the Stars contestant expressed that, as her son approaches 16, he needs his father and believes moving to live with him is the best option. 'All I can do is just hope and pray that it is whats best,' she explained. Bristol also mentioned that she is contemplating a move back to Alaska, where much of her family still lives. 'Selfishly, Im just like, "I want him with me forever. Hes my best friend. My kids are my whole world,' she explained. 'But I cant be selfish in that.' Sunny on Tuesday shared a clip of Tripp playing in an organized football game on her Instagram Stories, as he was involved in a scoring play. In an Instagram post from August 14, Bristol revealed how profoundly Tripps decision had affected her. 'This has been the hardest "first day of school" yet with one of the biggest pieces of my heart missing,' she wrote at the time. 'Tripp has decided to finish out high school in Alaska to be closer to his dad and our entire family.' Bristol said she was doing her best to cope with the change, added, 'If you know Tripp, you know he lives for hunting/fishing and I honestly cant blame him for wanting to be back home.' Sunny on Tuesday shared a clip of Tripp playing in an organized football game on her Instagram Stories, as he was involved in a scoring play 'He just texted me and was like, "Hey Mom. Im not coming back,"' she recalled on Monday's Sex, Lies and Spray Tans podcast . 'Oh, I couldnt even believe it. At first Im like, "Im coming up to Alaska, were not doing this." I was so mad. So mad.'; Pictured in May of 2022 along with her son Tripp, 15, daughters Sailor Grace, eight, and Atlee Bay, seven, and ex-husband Dakota Meyer, 36 Levi and Sunny posed in 2020 with Tripp and their three daughters Sunny, like Bristol, works in the real estate industry 'As hard as it is has been to come to this decision its truly not about what I want,' Bristol said. 'I cant talk about it yet without crying,' Bristol said, 'but selfishly praying for a quick year and easy transition for us.' Bristol was thrust into the national limelight in 2008 amid her mother's vice presidential campaign alongside then Republican presidential candidate, late Arizona Sen. John McCain. She appeared at the Republican National Convention in September 2008 alongside Johnston, as her pregnancy with Tripp when she was 17 made headlines, amid her mother's swift rise to political prominence as McCain's running mate. Beyond the campaign, her relationship with Johnston remained in the public eye amid a pair of engagements before they eventually split for good. Bristol made headlines in 2009 when she signed on for a $262,500 position to serve as an abstinence ambassador for a teen pregnancy prevention organization called The Candie's Foundation. 'Abstinence is the only way you can effectively 100 percent prevent pregnancy,' Bristol said in a 2009 Good Morning America appearance. 'It's the safest choice and it will prevent teen pregnancy and a lot of heartache.' Bristol in March of 2015 revealed she was engaged to Dakota Meyer, a Medal of Honor winner as a Marine. After calling off their engagement, they wed in 2016, prior to Meyer filing for divorce in 2018. She posted an image of her two daughters on the doorstep of their home to commemorate their first day of school, while detailing the changing dynamic in her family Bristol and her then high school sweetheart Levi were thrust into the public eye after her mother Sarah Palin announced the 17-year-old was pregnant at the 2008 Republican National Convention Bristol and Levi called off their engagement in March 2009, just three months after their son, Tripp, was born on December 27, 2008 In her 2011 book Not Afraid of My Life, Bristol dubbed Levi a 'gnat' who had 'stolen her virginity' after she had been consuming alcohol. Appearing on Good Morning America in June of 2011, Bristol clarified she was 'not accusing Levi of date rape or rape at all. Bristol documented her teen pregnancy in her book Not Afraid of My Life, in which she called Levi a 'gnat' who had 'stolen her virginity' while she was drunk. She later insisted on Good Morning America that she was 'not accusing Levi of date rape or rape at all.' 'I'm looking back with adult eyes and thinking, that was a foolish decision,' she said. 'I should never have been underage drinking, and I should never have gotten myself into a situation like that.' The statements triggered legal activity in which Johnston requested for hearings to be publicized 'as a check against anyone's need to be overly vindictive, aggressive, or malicious.' Johnston said, 'Not that Bristol would be that way, nor would I. But her mother is powerful, politically ambitious, and has a reputation for being extremely vindictiveSo, I think a public case might go a long way in reducing Sarah Palin's instinct to attack.' Johnston in November of 2013 filed court docs to have joint custody of Tripp, saying it had been in the child's best interests, after Bristol previously had been awarded full custody. Bristol said that the court filing had been a move to impact child support payments, as he had been $66,000 behind on his slate at the time. Sunny, 32, posted an image of Tripp, who is headed into 10th grade, alongside his three sisters Breeze, 13, Indy Rae, eight, and Delta Jo Johnston, five, with their respective classes Bristol posed with her daughters as they headed off for their first day of school Bristol would again take Johnston to court saying that he had not demonstrated he was fit to be a parent. Bristol said Johnston hadn't had visits with a young Tripp, and squandered his earnings on vacations, luxury vehicles and hunting trips as opposed to his child support obligations. Bristol used her newfound wealth to buy her first five-bedroom home in Arizona. By 2014, she was claiming she had not earned a penny in 18 months and pushed a judge to increase Levi's child support payments to $1,750 a month. Within weeks of that filing, it was Levi's turn to increase the heat, asking a judge to find Bristol in contempt of court for taking Tripp out of Alaska without his permission. The former couple finally settled their child custody dispute over Tripp in 2016, seven years after their son was born. Levi also has three daughters Breeze Beretta, Indy Rae, and Delta Jo with his wife, Sunny Johnston, nee Oglesby, whom he married in 2012. Bristol and Levi have had an easier time co-parenting in recent years. Bristol is now pursing a career in real estate and has a clothing brand called Boyhart, which she promotes on Instagram. Earlier this week, Bristol said that there was one dance professional on Dancing With the Stars who she didn't get along with very well during her 2010 run on the show. Bristol appeared Sunday on the Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans podcast with one-time DWTS professional Cheryl Burke, where she spoke about her experience on the ABC ballroom competition. The Wasilla, Alaska-born reality star told Burke, 40, that during her time on the show's 11th season in 2010, she felt 'tension' emanating from one of the show's stalwart dance pros. (Bristol would go on to finish third in the competition as she was paired with pro dancer Mark Ballas, 38.) Bristol Palin, 33, said that there was one dance professional on Dancing With the Stars who she didn't get along with very well Bristol - the daughter of former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin - would go on to finish third in the competition as she was paired with pro dancer Mark Ballas, 38 Bristol would go on to return to the ballroom floor two years later for the show's lone Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars season that aired in 2012. Bristol was pictured in September 2010 on the set of the ABC show in LA Bristol said that she had tension with Maksim Chmerkovskiy, 44, who she said would roll his eyes during the segments in which she would get saved from being eliminated despite other pairs getting better scores from the judges. 'Maks? He hated me so much,' Bristol said of Chmerkovskiy, who had been paired up with singer Brandy that season. They finished fourth, while Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough went on to win. Asked by Burke what the issue was between her and Chmerkovskiy, Bristol said, 'I don't know, probably just because we kept going through.' Bristol said Chmerkovskiy had been 'real nice at the beginning,' but things got progressively more pointed the further she advanced through the competition, and that she 'definitely felt the tension from' the Ukraine-born dance pro. She added, 'I forgot about that.' Chmerkovskiy's rep told Entertainment Weekly in a statement: 'Maks doesn't hate anybody. For [Palin] to say that would be a mischaracterization of his feelings. 'I think he and everyone else in America, 14 years ago, thought that he and Brandy were on their way to winning that year, if not coming into the finals.' Chmerkovskiy's rep said that 'there was a bit of disappointment when she leapfrogged him into the finals ... it's a competition. He's very competitive and took it seriously.' Bristol would go on to return to the ballroom floor two years later for the show's lone Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars season that aired in 2012. Again paired with Ballas, the duo finished in ninth place, with The Bachelor alum Melissa Rycroft emerging victorious. Bristol said Chmerkovskiy had been 'real nice at the beginning,' but things got progressively more pointed the further she advanced through the competition, and that she 'definitely felt the tension from' the Ukraine-born dance pro Asked by Burke what the issue was between her and Chmerkovskiy, Bristol said, 'I don't know, probably just because we kept going through' Bristol said that she felt 'tension' from Maksim Chmerkovskiy, 44, pictured in LA in 2022 Bristol said that appearing on the ABC competition buoyed her with confidence that she can 'step out of my comfort zone' and 'put myself out there.' On the podcast with Burke, Bristol said 'it was really hard' having her weight constantly speculated on during her run on the series. 'I mean, my weight fluctuates,' Bristol said. 'It was like everyone was talking about my weight, and then I was stressed out about my weight. 'I felt like I was just eating even more and gaining even more weight. It was just like a vicious cycle and it affected my confidence so much for years to come because it was such a topic.' She cited an instance in which comic Kathy Griffin called her the 'white version of Precious,' referring to Oscar-nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe, 41. Said Bristol: 'It was all over the news for a while. It just bugs me so bad because I would be so upset if somebody was talking about my daughter like that. Obviously I knew I was gaining weight, and just for her to say something like that was, "Oh, OK."' In a caption on Instagram, Burke said she wanted to express her 'gratitude and admiration' for the 'candid conversation' they engaged on on her podcast. Dancing With the Stars 33rd season is set to debut on ABC and Disney+ September 17, landing on Hulu the next day. Festivalgoers gather for Outside Lands 2019. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle It was twilight on the last day of Outside Lands. Soft orange lights illuminated the Panhandle Stage. An intimate crowd danced to artist Roosevelts synth-pop beats. And Bella hit it off with David. It was the perfect music festival meet-cute until Bella left before asking for Davids number. In an earlier era, Bella and Davids interaction would have remained a happy hypothetical. Not so in the age of the internet. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The couple were swapping DMs less than a day later, thanks to an unconventional method: Missed Connections, an Instagram-based matchmaker (of sorts) for the digital age. Run by the popular Instagram account Overheard San Francisco, Missed Connections formula is simple. Someone writes in with what they know about their lost could-be love, and the account broadcasts the query to its wide audience. If all goes well, these followers-turned-detectives all 362,000 of them find the potential paramour, turning a would-have-been-missed connection into a lasting one. I love rom-coms, so to me, its like bringing them into the real world, said Emily Bernstein, 33, a senior editor at Overheard, a media brand that runs Instagram accounts in several cities. The Sausalito native launched Missed Connections as an experiment in 2021, loosely inspired by the Craigslist personal ads section of the same name. Three years later, Overheard receives five to 10 Missed Connections requests a week on each of its accounts and even more after events and festivals like Outside Lands. It really just took off, Bernstein said. We all want joy, and were all rooting for joy. Bella and Davids story was an ideal example. Bella wrote in with what she knew about her-maybe man. Name? David. Neighborhood? North Beach. Occupation? Robotics engineer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bernstein posted screenshots of Bellas description on the accounts Instagram story, prompting dutiful followers to comb through their contact lists and even scour LinkedIn for North Beach-based engineers named David. Within half a day, a friend had seen the post and sent it to the David in question, who messaged the account. Bernstein officially connected the pair in ceremonial fashion: via Instagram group chat. Bella, meet David, David meet Bella, Bernstein wrote. This is the best possible outcome robots could not have engineered a better romance. Its too early to tell whether Bella and David will last, but they certainly have a crowd rooting for them: Over 7,000 people liked the Instagram post chronicling their Missed Connections saga, and hundreds more commented, a mix of well wishes and playful envy. Bella and David declined to be interviewed for this story. Two people embrace during the 2019 Outside Lands festival at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Not every Missed Connections attempt is solved so neatly; Bernstein estimates a success rate of just over 50%. But the uncertainty is a draw, she said. Thats part of the appeal, is that its live and real. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The uncertainty can also be a drawback. Asking hundreds of thousands of followers to track down a romantic prospect raises a bunch of ethical questions, said Jeff Hancock, a professor of communication at Stanford University especially if the object of the search isnt interested or doesnt want to be found. By definition, the person being searched for is a nonconsenting, unaware participant, Hancock said. And if that person is from a vulnerable group, that lack of consent could be dangerous. If the missed connection is a young female, and youre about to unleash a couple hundred thousand people, many of them older men, have they considered the risks of that? Hancock said. After all, Craigslists personal ads page, of which Missed Connections was a subgroup, was shut down in 2018 out of fear the message board could be used for sex trafficking. Missed Connections has led to some misunderstandings in the past on some occasions, a romantic interest has been successfully located but revealed to be in a relationship or even married, Bernstein said. To avoid these miscommunications and minimize risks, Bernstein said she is always one step ahead in the DMs before posting anything publicly. She wont reveal anyones profile picture or full name without their permission, for example. She also screens requests before posting them to make sure the couple had a legitimate romantic interaction I saw this hot person in a blue T-shirt in the park doesnt count, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Were not going to just stalk hot people because thats kind of creepy, Bernstein said. Theres got to be some kind of interaction for there to be consent. But when done thoughtfully, Hancock said Missed Connections can be a force for good. Despite the seeming novelty of its Instagram-based platform, Hancock sees Missed Connections as the latest iteration in a long lineage of using media to bring people together like Craigslist before it and newspaper personal ads sections before that. Its so easy to focus on the technology, Hancock said, but this problem is a human one its that I didnt reach out when I was there with you. At a time when dating apps are ubiquitous and romantic prospects are theoretically just a swipe away, Missed Connections ongoing appeal is evidence of peoples age-old need for spontaneous, in-person connection, Hancock said. Its a reminder that despite having the technology to connect in all those different ways, we still yearn for those moments of physical chemistry, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Missed Connections has already yielded some long-term relationships, Bernstein said. One San Francisco couple that the account connected reached out a year and a half later with pictures of the happy couple at a dog park. If and when Missed Connections yields its first wedding, Bernstein said she intends to officiate the ceremony. Artificial Intelligence is being banked on by scientists to help them in the battle against cancer. However an Australian breakfast radio duo have tested the ChatGPT AI program with a very basic question - only for it to spectacularly bungle the answer. On Thursday morning's The Kyle & Jackie O Show, hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson decided to put the ChatGPT through its paces live on-air - and the results left them shocked. The program, which was created by the company Open AI, was not able to correctly answer the simple question: 'How many Rs are in the word "strawberry"?' When asked the question, the app claimed there are two Rs in the word - rather than the correct answer of three. The program is meant to learn from its interactions with and corrections by users, however the chatbot still made the same error even after being corrected multiple times. Kyle, 53, quipped, 'We're not going to be curing cancer any time soon with this thing are we?' After playing a viral clip of the app making the spelling mistake, the hosts asked their show director Bruno Bouchet to test it while they were broadcasting. 'How many Rs are in strawberry?' asked Bruno, before the chatbot replied, 'there are two Rs.' An Australian breakfast radio duo have tested ChatGPT with a simple question which it repeatedly answers incorrectly. Pictured: radio host Kyle Sandilands The studio then gasped in shock as others began laughing. Bruno then attempted to test the AI's learning capabilities, saying, 'It sounds to me like there are three.' 'I see where you're coming from,' said the robotic voice, before making a wildly inaccurate claim. 'It might feel like there are more R sounds, but in the word "strawberry" there are only two Rs - one after the T and one at the end of the word.' After their attempts to educate the AI failed, the radio stars then complained about the hype around such programs. 'You stupid piece of s**t,' Kyle said, before adding 'I thought this thing would cure cancer.' The test comes just months after Scottish scientists revealed they have developed an Artificial Intelligence system that can interpret cancer samples and predict how a tumour might progress. 'How many Rs are in strawberry?' asked a show producer, before the chatbot replied, 'there are two Rs.' Pictured: host Jackie O Henderson The team hopes the discovery could give doctors an AI 'second opinion' and lead to faster, more accurate diagnosis. An international team of AI specialists and cancer scientists, led by researchers from the University of Glasgow, have developed a new system, which they call histomorphological phenotype learning (HPL). They took thousands of high-resolution images of tissue samples of lung cancer patients and collected data on how the cancers progressed. The test comes just months after Scottish scientists revealed they have developed an Artificial Intelligence system that can interpret cancer samples and predict how a tumour might progress. Pictured: stock Next, they developed an algorithm to analyse the images and spot patterns based solely on the visual data in each slide. The algorithm broke down the slide images into thousands of tiny pieces, each representing a small amount of human tissue. When the team added slides from more cancer patients to the system, it was capable of correctly distinguishing between their features. Once the algorithm had identified patterns in the samples, the researchers used it to analyse links between the samples and the patients outcomes stored in the database, including how long patients lived after having cancer surgery. Another recent study claimed AI was better at detecting prostate cancer than doctors. Resigned Channel Seven weather presenter Liz Cantor has revealed the truth behind that viral 'I was a seven, now I'm a ten' dig. The TV host, 41, confirmed her shock resignation from Seven on Wednesday after 17 years with the network, revealing she is moving over to its rival Network 10. Amid her departure from the embattled network, she was reported to have said 'I was a seven, now I'm a ten' in a savage swipe, but she has now clarified the remark. She took to Instagram on Thursday to insist the famous quip hadn't actually come from her, but said she was still happy to 'own it' as she made light of the situation. Liz confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that the comment actually came from a 'clever Seven colleague', after her ex-co-workers had quipped she had 'always been a 10' on social media. Setting the record straight on the dig, Liz added on social media: 'OK so the ''I was a seven, now I'm a ten'' wasn't technically my line, but I'm happy to own it [crying laughing emoji].' In another post, Liz added that she was 'happy to have a laugh' about it and went on to share her excitement about joining Channel Ten alongside Sharyn Ghidella. After her original post confirming her resignation, her friends at Channel Seven gushed that she had 'always been a 10' in cheeky comments referencing her move. Resigned Channel Seven weather presenter Liz Cantor has revealed the truth behind that viral 'I was a seven, now I'm a ten' dig, insisting it didn't actually come from her Queensland newsreader Samantha Heathwood commented on her post: 'Amazing!! You've always been a 10 but now it's official,' prompting Liz to reply: 'Haha! Thanks so much Sam.' While reporter Amanda Abate added on her own Stories: 'Gosh I'll miss working with this one... Our ray of sunshine. Always was a 10, but yeah, now it's official. Love ya.' Liz is set to take up her new role at Network 10 in a matter of days as she will anchor the 10 News First Queensland bulletin live from Brisbane from Monday. She will be helming the program alongside another former Seven reporter, Sharyn Ghidella, who was axed from the network last month amid a string of media job cuts. On Wednesday, Liz said in a statement: 'I feel honoured to be part of a return of local news to Queensland. I am really excited to take weather out into our community, involving more people and showcasing great places. 'I want 10 to be the home of ''the people's weather'' and I can't wait for that interaction to begin.' 'I began working with Sharyn Ghidella in 2007,' she went on. 'People know her as a calm, composed, intelligent news anchor and she is all these things but I also know her as someone witty and always encouraging and supportive to the females around her. 'I've always called her the crown straightener if it's crooked, she won't let you go without quietly straightening it for you! That's the person she is. The remark may have stemmed from comments left on social media by her former Seven colleagues saying she's 'always been a 10', which Liz re-shared and replied to 'I marvelled at how she managed to juggle motherhood and work, and it definitely was a picture I referenced when coming back to work after having my own children.' While Sharyn said of her new co-host: 'Another wonderful addition to the 10 News First Queensland team 'Accomplished presenter, Liz Cantor is joining us to bring you the very latest on the weather and how it impacts viewers throughout the state. Congrats Liz on the new role.. You'll be terrific.' In an Instagram statement, Liz paid tribute to her former colleagues at Channel Seven as she marked the end of her time at the network after almost two decades. 'I just want to use this space to take a moment and jump in to say thank you to my 7News colleagues,' she gushed. 'I cherish the friendships, experiences, lessons and growth I've experienced while running alongside you all, over the past 17 years. Liz will be helming Network 10's Queensland bulletin with another former Seven reporter, Sharyn Ghidella, who was axed from the network last month amid a string of media job cuts 'You're the most incredible, hard working bunch of inspirational people. I count my lucky stars I got to share such an influential part of my life with you all.' The huge shake-up comes weeks after Sharyn, 57, confirmed her new job at Network 10 after her shock axing from Seven. The Queensland-based news presenter was sacked from 7News last month after 17 years with the network amid a string of media job cuts. She later confirmed she will be joining Network 10 to anchor the 5pm Queensland news bulletin. Sharyn described the new job as a 'full-circle moment' as she returns to Network 10 after beginning her metro news career with the channel back in 1990. There has been a cost-cutting bloodbath at Seven as the network's news division comes under new management. Other major names to go include veterans Robert Ovadia, Andrew Frampton and seasoned Melbourne crime reporter Cameron Baud. She instantly became a pop culture icon after bursting into the public eye as loudmouthed Page 3 girl, Jordan. Having tried her hand at modelling, singing, presenting, campaigning and reality TV, the glamour model quickly became a household name in Britain. Yet while Katie Price's moniker will ring a bell for both young and old, you would be forgiven for not recognising the star on sight alone, with Katie famously undergoing numerous cosmetic procedures over the years. After two decades in the spotlight, Katie is almost unrecognisable from the naturally pretty teenager who burst on to the modelling scene at the age of 16, with her natural curls and fresh-faced beauty winning her an army of fans. Katie, now 46, has undergone an array of procedures over the years, including rhinoplasty, a silhouette facelift, 3D, veneers, lip fillers and Botox, culminating in her first facelift in 2017. Now, after two decades under the surgeon's scalpel, MailOnline takes a look at the many faces of Katie Price. The many faces of Katie Price: MailOnline takes a look at the star's changing look after two decades of boob jobs, Botox and face lifts 1995 - Barefaced beauty At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling. At a friend's suggestion, the teenager had professional photographs taken and was quickly snapped up by a modelling agency who landed her a Page 3 slot in The Sun newspaper the following year, sparking the creation of her glamour model alter ego, Jordan. Speaking last year, Katie revealed she was glad that she wasn't exposed to social media at the time as she had 'no idea what Botox was or fillers', otherwise she may have started her tweaks and enhancements at an even earlier age. 1995: At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling 1998 - First boob job Having just turned 20, the rising glamour model experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C. The procedure cost 4,500 and it's thought her mum Amy and stepdad Paul helped pay for her to have the procedure. Katie has since spoken out about her decision to go under the knife, admitting she was 'too young' and that she feels sorry for young girls growing up these days in a world of social media and filters. 1998: Having just turned 20, Katie experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C 1999 - Second and third boob job Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures the following year at the age of 21. Katie boosted her bust from a C cup to a D cup and just a few months later went up again to a F cup. Katie has previously claimed that she has only paid for two of her boob jobs over the course of her career - it is not known if these were the ones. 1999: Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures at the age of 21 2001 - Lip fillers At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers. While the glamour model did not confirm the rumours at the time, she was seen sporting a noticeably fuller pout while out enjoying the party scene. Her overall look had also started drastically transforming, with the model sporting dramatic false lashes, bright lipstick and pale hair extensions. 2001: At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers 2004 - Botox Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines and wrinkles. She made no secret of her love of the procedure, announcing at the time: 'I get my forehead and around my eyes Botoxed every six months and I love it. You can't beat it. It just freezes all the wrinkles and that's what you want.' At the time, Katie insisted she would never take things further and have a facelift, explaining: 'I'd never have a full facelift. I've seen what they can do to people and I don't want to go through that.' 2004: Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines 2006 - Fourth boob job Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup. The glamour model also played around with her overall look and embraced her dark side with a new brunette hairstyle. She also continued to dabble with fillers and Botox. 2006: Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup 2007 - First nose job and veneers At the age of 29, Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and treating herself to a 25,000 set of new veneers. 'Oh my God, it burned like hell!' she said at the time. 'The next day I had this hideous red rash on my chin but two days later there wasn't a single spot left.' Speaking about her nose job at the time, she admitted to liking her original nose, explaining: 'I liked my nose before and now. If I had a cupboard with both noses, I would alternate between them!' 2007:Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and a 25,000 set of veneers 2008 - Fifth boob job Despite gradually increasingly her bust size over the year, Katie fancied a change on her 30th and brought her bra size back down from an F cup to a C cup. The procedure meant that Katie had returned to the size of her first boob job 10 years prior. Katie's changing shape also coincided with the launch of her first clothing line - an equestrian range. 2008: Despite gradually increasingly her bust size, Katie fancied a change and brought her bra size back down to a C cup 2011 - Sixth boob job Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup. Katie also underwent body-contouring treatment and cheek and lip fillers. The Loose Women panelist admitted that she loved having her cheeks filled to give her a 'plumper, more youthful look'. 2011: Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup 2015 - Seventh and eighth boob job Just before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, the reality star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast and an implant protruding from her flesh. Katie told her shocked housemates: 'Ive got no tits anymore. Theyve gone. Theres not even anything there. If you saw what Im like underneath. The scars gone septic. My whole implant was hanging out on New Years Day.' Shortly after leaving the Big Brother house she underwent corrective surgery and had her implants swapped for a D-cup. 2015: Just before Celebrity Big Brother, the star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast 2016 - Ninth boob job and tattooed makeup Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie was undeterred and flew to a Brussels clinic to go under the knife yet again, this time settling on a 32GG bust. The reality star also had her eyebrows and lips tattooed, also known as 'permanent make-up', explaining that she prefers to go make-up free on a day-to-day basis. Additionally the star has regular facial treatments, last year sharing a bloodied selfie after having a dermal roller micro-needling treatment, which sees a dermaroller with many tiny needles rolled across into the skin - designed to stimulate cells into regeneration. 2016: Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie flew to a Brussels clinic to get another boob job, this time a 32GG cup 2017 - First face lift, new veneers and 10th boob job Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word undergoing a 'Silhouette' face lift. The procedure is designed to lift a sagging cheeks and blurred jawline, using 'sutures' implanted under the skin to sculpt features. However, Katie was soon spotted with puffy features, revealing that she suffered an allergic reaction to anesthetic penicillin after having further work on her veneers. She also had her breast implants reduced from 1000ml implants to 795ml. 2017: Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word 2018 - Second face lift Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40 to correct it. She said at the time 'I need to get my face re-corrected after surgeon has totally f**ked my face up', admitting it had He agent added: 'She had the thread and it really quite distorted her look. She got a lot of backlash, a lot of negative press, a lot of trolling, everyone saying shed taken it too far, when actually it was a job that had not gone to plan.' 2018: Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40 2019 - Third face lift, boob job first Brazilian bum lift and 11th boob job Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her entire look with a full body transformation. The reality star opted for a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck. Just three months later she returned to the clinic and opted for another boob job, going back down to a D cup. 2019: Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her look with a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck 2020 - 12th boob job and another set of veneers Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers and revealed her real teeth had been reduced to stubs as she flashed a smile on her YouTube channel. The mother-of-five then jetted to Belgium to correct botched surgery on her breasts, saying her surgeon was utterly shocked by the 'awful' previous procedure. Katie said: 'They looked deformed, they were absolutely awful. That's the first time I've gone to a different surgeon. I had to go back to Frank with my head down, ashamed that I'd been to another clinic.' 2020: Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers then jetted to Belgium to correct a botched boob job 2021 - Liposuction, eye and lid lifts and 13th boob job Amid the Covid pandemic, Katie jetted off to then red-list Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts, liposuction under her chin, and fat injected into her bum. The reality star also visited Belgium to have her 13th boob job as well as full body liposuction with bum fat removal. The plastic surgery - performed by Dr Frank Plovier - came just five days ahead of the glamour model's sentencing for her shocking drink-drive crash. 2021: Katie jetted to Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts 2022 - Another brow and eye lift Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium at the beginning of 2022 for an eye and brow lift and had been concealing her new look with her head in a bandage. Dr Judy Todd, an aesthetic doctor at Clinica Medica in Glasgow, said: 'It appears like she's had a face lift, temporal brow lift, and possibly an upper blepharoplasty.' It was reported last month that Katie plans to travel to Turkey imminently for yet more plastic surgery, amid claims she wanted to get some tweaks in after being unhappy with her latest work. Sian Dellar, Brow Specialist and Founder of Sian Dellar Permanent Makeup Clinic, added: 'Katie's eyebrows, like the rest of her, have changed lots over the years! 'Back in the 90s she had a very thin over plucked brow which was the fashion at the time, and today she has an extremely thick and unnatural looking brow. 'Currently it seems the face or eye lift that shes had have pulled her brows outward which looks unnatural and makes the brows appear almost stretched. 'Of course, as with any enhancement, its personal preference but we recommend not going too many shades darker, and keeping the shape as natural looking as possible and work to create or enhance brows to frame the face. 'Katies choice to have them so thick and dark and in that unusual positioning means they dominate her face and are the first thing the eye is drawn to. I would love to see Katie take her brows back to 2015/2016 when the fuller brow became a big trend. She got it right then and they framed her face well.' 2022: Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium for an eye and brow lift and is planning to to travel to Turkey for more surgery 2023 - 16th and 'biggest ever' boob job It's not clear if Katie lost track of the number of breast augmentations or opted to keep some of her surgery private but by 2023 it emerged she'd undergone her 16th boob job, two years after claiming to be on her 13th. The star went under the knife in a bid to have the 'biggest in Britain' and was subsequently pictured being wheeled into surgery at the Be Clinic in Belgium. She is said to have wanted even bigger breasts, opting for 2120 CC implants in a bid to boost her already large bust size. Katie told OK! magazine of her boobs: 'I love them. They healed really quickly and they didn't hurt at all. That probably doesn't help. Because I heal quickly, it doesn't put me off and I have more. 'I would go bigger as well and I will eventually. I just love having big boobs and a small body. I've always loved that look. In my eyes, if I'm having a boob job, I want them to look fake, I don't want them to look natural. I don't like the natural look. 'I just like that old-school American Playboy pin-up look. When I have surgery, that is what I'm striving for. If I could look like my airbrushed pictures, that would be amazing. But that's impossible to achieve.' 2023: It's not clear if Katie lost track of the number of breast augmentations or opted to keep some of her surgery private but by 2023 it emerged she'd undergone her 16th boob job, two years after claiming to be on her 13th 2024 - MORE facial surgery In July 2024 Katie confirmed she is travelling to Turkey for facial surgery, to be filmed for a new documentary, after failing to attend a bankruptcy hearing. The former glamour model was absent at a scheduled 760,000 bankruptcy court hearing having flown overseas for her latest cosmetic procedure. A warrant was subsequently issued, with Katie admitting she's 'doing the best she can' to rectify her financial issues after receiving 'very clear warnings' that she needed to attend court. Bhad Bhabie shocked fans this week as she unveiled the matching tattoos she and baby daddy Le Vaughn got of each other's faces. Less than two months ago, the OnlyFans star, 21, accused Le Vaughn of domestic violence as she shared photos of the shocking injuries he allegedly caused her to Instagram. Though she initially shutdown speculation that she planned to 'stay' with Le Vaughn, Bhad Bhabie real name Danielle Peskowitz Bregoli was seen 'kissing' him just over a week later. And on Tuesday, she further committed herself to the Florida-based rapper by debuting their matching tattoos on her Snapchat. The heavily-tatted couple showed off their fresh ink in a photo of Bregoli cozying up to Le Vaughn as he grabbed her rear end. Bhad Bhabie shocked fans this week as she unveiled the matching tattoos she and baby daddy Le Vaughn got of each other's faces The heavily-tatted couple showed off their fresh ink in a photo of Bregoli cozying up to Le Vaughn as he grabbed her rear end Bregoli has a stoic portrait of Le Vaughn tattooed on her right calf. She partially obscured it in the photo by placing an emoji over the eyes of the portrait. Meanwhile, Le Vaughn had a portrait of Bregoli posing seductively with her finger on her lip tattooed of his left calf in black ink. She uploaded a close-up of Le Vaughn's ink in a follow-up Snapchat post. The latest development in Bregoli's relationship with Le Vaughn comes just over a month after their apparent reconciliation despite her abuse claims against him. On July 21, the couple were witnessed 'hugging and smooching' by people on TMZ's Celebrity Tour bus in Los Angeles, as reported by the outlet. Bregoli, who says she has made around $57 million via her efforts on OnlyFans, was back in Southern California after visiting her mother Barbara Bregoli in Florida, according to the outlet. The outing came a few nights after Bregoli shared a video of her and her baby daddy Le Vaughn kissing in passionate makeout session on her stories on July 16. She shared the footage - which had a very close POV of their kissing session - along with the song Coming Clean by Lil Durk. Le Vaughn had a portrait of Bregoli posing seductively with her finger on her lip tattooed of his left calf in black ink Bregoli has a stoic portrait of Le Vaughn tattooed on her right calf, which she partially obscured with an emoji It appeared thought the video may be a throwback, as Bhad Bhabie shared two selfies right before with a different hair length. She also shared two busty snaps of herself, even tagging Le Vaughn in one of the images. Bhad Bhabie had detailed the violence she claims he subjected to her in early July, sharing CCTV footage that allegedly showed him and the physical altercation they had. In the recent selfies she posted, Bhad Bhabie wore a black corset style top with her tattoos in full view, wearing her red dyed locks back. The star tagged Le and wrote: 'Lucky you,' adding a four leaf clover. One week prior, the star had posted two images of her face that showed her eye swollen and shut and bruising and swelling around her eyebrow and cheek. She deleted the images soon after posting them. She shared a clip - which was dated June 30 - that allegedly showed her being thrown to the ground by a man she identified as Le Vaughn. Less than two months ago, the OnlyFans star, 21, accused Le Vaughn of domestic violence as she shared photos of the shocking injuries he allegedly caused her to Instagram She directly addressed the domestic abuse allegations via her Instagram Stories, revealing that she shared the footage and images to show him 'what he does is wrong' Though she initially shutdown speculation that she planned to 'stay' with Le Vaughn, Bhad Bhabie real name Danielle Peskowitz Bregoli was seen 'kissing' him just over a week later (pictured) Bhad Bhabie shares her daughter Kali Love with Le Vaughn, after they welcomed their first child together this past March. She wrote: 'This man think he gonna [sic] take my daughter from me! Say whatever you want, [trying to] take my baby is crazy.' Bhad Bhabie went on to directly address the domestic abuse allegations via her Instagram Stories. She said that she shared the footage and images to show him 'what he does is wrong' and urged him to 'take accountability' for his actions. She noted that she wanted him to 'make a real change' and that she loves him 'more than I love myself and it's honestly really sad,' calling it 'real life.' She added, 'He's going to get the help he needs' and said she that she didn't share it for people to 'attack him,' before deleting the posts soon after. The rapper also shared a poignant quote on Instagram: 'I used to tolerate a lot because I didnt want to lose people, but now I realize that those people arent my people.' The star shutdown speculation they were back together after her domestic abuse allegations, a day later. She and Le Vaughn welcomed their baby daughter Kali on March 15 Bhad Bhabie claims to have made around $57 million via her efforts on OnlyFans In response to one fan's comment urging her to 'leave that man' or risk him abusing her in front of their daughter Kali, four months, Bhad Bhabie shed light on her current situation. 'I wasn't gonna speak on this but who said I was staying?' she wrote back. 'What about that post made y'all think I'm staying? 'Bc I said I love him? Bc I said he's gonna get help? I'm so confused and apparently so are y'all.' Meg Ryan was spotted enjoying a sunny day of shopping with her daughter Daisy True in a rare public outing together on Wednesday in New York. The City of Angels star, 62, and Daisy, 20, looked for books at McNally Jackson Bookstore in the SoHo area, before shopping for clothes in TriBeCa. The actress who was recently honored at the Sarajevo Film Festival showed off her effortless style in a white cotton top, black cargo pants and sneakers. The 90s rom-com queen wore a crossbody bag and a pair of sunglasses shielding her eyes. Meg's blonde shoulder-length tresses were styled in light waves. Daisy looked chic in a button-up top with a butterfly print, tucked into a pair of blue jeans and a black belt. Meg Ryan, 62, was spotted enjoying a sunny day of shopping with her daughter Daisy True, 20, in a rare public outing together on Wednesday in New York The City of Angels star and her daughter looked for books at McNally Jackson Bookstore in the SoHo area, before shopping for clothes in TriBeCa Meg adopted Daisy from China in 2006. She also shares biological son Jack Quaid, 32, with ex-husband actor Dennis Quaid, 70. The former couple welcomed Jack in 1992. They were married for 10 years, before finalizing their divorce in 2001. Five years later Meg went on to adopt Daisy, who was born in 2004. Last year the Sleepless in Seattle star gushed about her kids, telling People, 'I have two of the greatest kids. They are hilarious, they're smart, they are kind, they're interested in other people, they're curious about the world. I feel like both of them make the world a little better, and I just feel so proud of them.' 'It is a joy to me to know both of them,' the doting mom added. Daisy started college last year. At the time Ryan shared she was visiting her daughter 'probably more than I should' and going on hours-long drives just to see Daisy on her college campus, if only just to share a cup of coffee together. She also admitted that she was strict as a parent, and that Daisy didn't have a phone 'until she was 15.' 'She really is somebody who has a lot of different interests and she's a great reader and she, at least, has a memory of the phone not being everything,' she told People. While Daisy is still getting her education, Jack has followed his into his famous parents' footsteps as an actor. The 90s rom-com queen showed off her effortless style in a white cotton top, black cargo pants and sneakers Daisy started college last year. At the time Ryan shared she was visiting her daughter 'probably more than I should'; they are seen in Paris in July 2019 Meg adopted Daisy from China in 2006 She also shares biological son Jack Quaid, 32, with ex-husband actor Dennis Quaid, 70; seen with Jack in 2016 The former couple welcomed Jack in 1992. They were married for 10 years, before finalizing their divorce in 2001; seen in 1995 He made his acting debut in 2012's The Hunger Games. He has also starred on Oppenheimer, Logan Lucky, and TV series The Boys. In July, Jack admitted he has no problem owning up to the 'nepo baby' label, and acknowledged that being a Hollywood offspring has put him in a 'privileged' position. 'I am an immensely privileged person, was able to get representation pretty early on, and that's more than half the battle,' Jack told the Daily Beast. 'I knew the door was open for me in a lot of ways that it's just not for a lot of actors. And I've just tried to work as hard as I possibly can to prove that I deserve to walk through that door.' Jack is also aware of his privilege when he's up for a role in a romantic comedy, considering his mom Meg is the 'undisputed Queen of Rom-Coms.' 'So if that's in the rom-com space, it's got to be different enough, and I need to work my a** off,' he told the outlet. Ironically, it was Ryan who tried to defend her son from the nepo baby moniker by shining a light on how the term discounts the work her son has put in to his career. 'That nepo stuff is so dismissive of his work ethic, his gifts, and how sensitive he is to the idea of his privilege,' Ryan told the outlet at the time. While Jack more than appreciated his mother having is back, he made a point of admitting that he has benefitted from having famous parents. What Happens Later, released in 2023, marked Meg's return to the screen after eight years away. She co-starred with David Duchovny, 63, and she directed and co-wrote the film Meg is best known for her leading roles in romantic comedies during the 1980s and 1990s; seen in a still from City Of Angels (1998) 'My first thought was like, she's being a mom. She's being a loving mom. But I don't think she's trying to say that I'm not a nepo baby. I think she's just trying to say that, in her opinion, it undermines my talent,' he told the Daily Beast. 'I don't think it undermines my talent. I know that I work hard, and I know I've heard 'no' way more than I've heard 'yes.' But I also know that this industry is insanely hard to break into, and I had an easier time doing that than most. Both things can be true.' Aside from being busy as a mom, Meg also recently returned to acting. What Happens Later, released in 2023, marked her comeback to the screen after eight years away. She costarred with The X Files star David Duchovny, 63, and she also directed and co-wrote the film. Meg shot to stardom in the 1980s, playing the female love interest in hit movies like the original Top Gun and When Harry Met Sally. As the years went on, she became inextricably identified with romantic comedies, with her best-known films including Sleepless In Seattle and You've Got Mail. Al Pacino reflects on how his late mother influenced his Oscar-winning career in his new book Sonny Boy: A Memoir. Raised in The Bronx by his mother Rose and his grandparents after his parents divorce, the Godfather star, now 84, believes that her love of movies guided him toward his future path. Although Rose struggled with addiction, including a suicide attempt when Al was six and a fatal overdose when he was 22, the actor said he realized how grateful he was to have had her in his life while preparing an acceptance speech for the 1992 Oscar for Scent of a Woman. 'One day Im 52, looking in the vanity mirror, wondering whom I should thank in an acceptance speech,' he wrote in Sonny Boy, per an excerpt in The New Yorker. 'I realize that Im still here because of my mother. Of course, thats who I have to thank. Shes the one who parried me away from a path that led to delinquency and violence, to heroin. 'I lost three [friends] that way. I was not under strict surveillance but my mother paid attention to where I was. She saved my life.' Al Pacino reflects on how his late mother influenced his Oscar-winning career in his new autobiography Sonny Boy: A Memoir; (pictured 2023) Raised in The Bronx by his mother Rose (pictured) and his grandparents after his parents divorce, the Godfather star, now 84, believes that her love of movies guided him toward his future path He also opened up about Rose's mental health struggles, revealing she would 'occasionally visit a psychiatrist when Grandad had the money to pay.' He continued: 'I wasnt aware that my mother was having problems until one day when I was six years old and getting ready to go out and play. 'I was sitting in a chair in the kitchen while my mother laced up my shoes and put a sweater on me, and I noticed that she was crying. 'I wondered what the matter was but I didnt know how to ask. She was kissing me all over and right before I left she gave me a great big hug. It was unusual but I was eager to meet up with the other kids and I gave it no more thought.' He recalled how he was playing outside near his grandparents' home at the time and suddenly noticed a commotion nearby. He soon learned that his mother was at the center of it. 'There was an ambulance in front of the building and there, coming out the front doors, carried on a stretcher, was my mother. She had attempted suicide.' In the book, Pacino fondly remembers his mother introducing him to cinema, which ignited his passion for acting, though they eventually clashed over his career choice, prompting him to leave home. Despite dropping out of traditional classes, he was accepted into the High School of Performing Arts after a successful audition. Pacino pictured as a baby with Sal and Rose in 1940. His dad abandoned them when he was just two years old In the past, the Scarface actor has cited his father Sal's abandonment at the age of two as a driving factor for his unruly teen years After Rose's overdose, Pacino doubted it was another suicide attempt, noting that she hadnt left a note. 'Some people thought that she had committed suicide, as she had tried to almost 15 years earlier. But she left no note. She was just gone. Thats why I have always kept a question mark next to her death.' In the past, the Scarface actor has cited his father Sal's abandonment at the age of two as a driving factor for his unruly teen years, saying: 'The conclusion of my teachers was that I needed a dad.' Sal left the Hollywood star and his mother after the couple split. Eventually Sal went on to marry five times, with Pacino telling Esquire in 2003: 'What does that tell me? That he liked married life. OK, what does it tell me? It tells me we're creatures of habit.' Sal was an insurance salesman for 30 years before becoming a restaurateur, according to the Los Angeles Times. 'The conclusion of my teachers was that I needed a dad. I wasn't an out-of-control teenager, but I was close,' he said. The actor pictured with Sal in 1997 Pacino famously danced the tango with Gabrielle Anwar in his Academy Award-winning performance in 1992's Scent of a Woman He owned Covina restaurant and bar Pacino's Lounge, just outside of LA, until he retired in 1991. Sal's fifth wife was actress Katherin Kovin-Pacino. he died of a heart attack in 2005. The memoir arrives as Pacino was lauded as an 'amazing' father by his girlfriend Noor Alfallah, 30, who had his baby last year. Al is also a father to three other children with two different women: he shares 22-year-old twins Olivia Pacino and Anton James Pacino with Beverly D'Angelo, as well as daughter Julie Pacino, 33, with Jan Tarrant. Morfydd Clark turned heads as she attended the special screening of Starve Acre at the British Film Institute in London on Wednesday. The Rings Of Power actress, 35, looked incredible as she cut an elegant figure in a cream three-piece suit. The stylish ensemble consisted of a cream single-breasted blazer, a matching waistcoat, and tailored trousers. The beauty, who is best known for playing Galadriel in the Amazon Prime series The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power, styled her locks in loose waves for the evening. She also showed off her natural beauty as she applied minimal makeup and posed up a storm with her co-star Robert Emms, 38. Morfydd Clark turned heads in a cream three-piece suit as she attended the special screening of Starve Acre at the British Film Institute in London on Wednesday The Rings Of Power actress, 35, looked incredible in the stylish ensemble which consisted of a cream single-breasted blazer, a matching waistcoat, and tailored trousers She was also joined by director Daniel Kokotajlo who cut a laidback figure in a black palm tree shirt and brown trousers. The movie was previously announced in January with BAFTA-nominated writer and director Daniel at the helm. The thriller is based on Andrew Michael Hurley's novel of the same name. According to Variety, the film explores 'inherited trauma and loss within a world ruled by supernatural folklore.' Matt Smith, 41, and Morfydd play a disconnected couple worried about their son. Set in their family estate, Starve Acre, in 1970s England, Richard (Smith) and Juliette (Clark) find their family life shattered when their son Ewan starts acting strangely. The couple grow farther apart when Richard buries himself in local folklore including the myth that an ancient tree set on their estate possesses mystical powers while Juliette seeks comfort in their local community. Morfydd's glamorous appearance at the special screening comes after MailOnline revealed The Rings of Power is set to return on August 29, just days after a new Lord of the Rings movie was in the works from Andy Serkis. The beauty, who is best known for playing Galadriel in the Amazon Prime series The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power, styled her locks in loose waves for the evening She also showed off her natural beauty as she applied minimal makeup and posed up a storm with her co-star Robert Emms, 38 She was also joined by director Daniel Kokotajlo who cut a laidback figure in a black palm tree shirt and brown trousers According to Variety, the film Starve Acre explores 'inherited trauma and loss within a world ruled by supernatural folklore' Matt Smith, 41, (seen) and Morfydd play a disconnected couple worried about their son Set in their family estate, Starve Acre, in 1970s England, Richard (Smith) and Juliette (Clark) find their family life shattered when their son Ewan starts acting strangely Morfydd's glamorous appearance at the special screening comes after MailOnline revealed The Rings of Power is set to return on August 29, just days after a new Lord of the Rings movie was in the works from Andy Serkis Amazon's streaming service debuted the first trailer for The Rings of Power Season 2, which shows that the mighty Sauron's (Charlie Vickers) power is rising. During the inaugural season - which debuted in September 2022 - Sauron was disguised as a human named Halbrand to deceive those pursuing him. This new trailer - which was unveiled at Amazon's first-ever upfront presentation in New York City - reveals a taste of Sauron's power, via Prime Video YouTube, debuting August 29. The trailer begins with a prophetic shot of Mount Dune, where the One Ring would be tossed into the flames in The Lord of the Rings book/film trilogy. 'An evil, ancient and powerful, has returned,' proclaims Durin (Owain Arthur), presumably to the other dwarves of Khazad-dum. Bronte Campbell's sister Cate has revealed the one surprising reason she was 'mad' about her sibling's engagement. Aussie swimmer Bronte, 30, got engaged just after her stint at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with her boyfriend Benfield Lainchbury proposing in Venice. Her sister Cate, 32, has now revealed some more details about the proposal but admitted one action of Benfield's left her 'mad' on her sibling's behalf. The freestyle world record holder revealed that Benfield, 35, didn't get down on one knee when he popped the all-important question to Bronte. 'He didn't get down on one knee, which I was a little bit mad about, but I'm glad he popped the question,' she told Ben Fordham on his 2GB morning radio show. 'It's been eight years, so they really rushed into it,' she jokingly added. She went on to concede that the proposal was still 'beautiful' and credited Benfield for proposing to Bronte in a very romantic setting - during a canal ride in Venice. When asked if wedding bells are on the horizon for her, Cate insisted she and her partner Adam Kerr have no plans to get engaged any time soon. Bronte Campbell's sister Cate (pictured) has revealed the one surprising reason she was 'mad' about her sibling's engagement Aussie swimmer Bronte, 30, got engaged just after her stint at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with her boyfriend Benfield Lainchbury proposing in Venice She also admitted that Bronte's proposal had taken the pressure away from her and Adam to get married any time in the near future. 'No definitely not, my partner Adam is like ''the pressure is off'' because he can't steal Bronte and Benfield's thunder for a little bit,' she shared. Cate also revealed she hasn't yet seen Bronte since the engagement because her sister has been enjoying a jet-setting trip around Europe after the Paris Olympics. Bronte and her new fiance Benfield, who live in north Bondi, are set to return to Australia in a matter of days after their romantic holiday. Bronte quietly announced her and Benfield's engagement on Instagram last week, days after she brought home an Olympic gold in the women's 4 x 100m relay final. She shared a carousel of pictures of her and Benfield, including one shot of Bronte wearing a sparkling diamond band with an emerald diamond on her ring finger. Another photograph captured the couple's joy just moments after Benfield popped the question on a canal boat ride in Venice. Her sister Cate (pictured with Brotne in 2018), 32, has now revealed some more details about the proposal but admitted Benfield's decision not to get down on one knee left her 'mad' 'What a week celebrating all that's happened and all the exciting things to come. Love you @ieldbenf. Easiest yes of my life,' Bronte captioned the post. Bronte and her new fiance have known each other since childhood and Benfield has been by the swimmer's side ever since they began dating in 2016. He played a pivotal part in the swimmer's decision to return to the pool after an 18-month break following the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Her incredible win at the 2024 Paris Olympics has turned Bronte into a four-time Olympic gold medalist. She hasn't ruled out a tilt at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, when she will be 34 years old. 'Will I still want to do it by the time LA comes around that's the question,' she told News Corp. Bronte and her new fiance have known each other since childhood and Benfield has been by the swimmer's side ever since they began dating in 2016 'That's what I asked myself after Tokyo, do I still really want to do this? The answer being yes meant that I came back to it. 'I might be at a slightly different phase in my life by then, so we will see.' Bronte's sister Cate is also an Olympic gold medalist swimmer but narrowly missed out on a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics, announcing her retirement shortly after. However, she has instead taken on a commentating role with Channel Nine at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, which is currently underway. Bindi Irwin and her husband Chandler Powell have revealed whether they are planning to expand their family. The couple were answering questions on the Australia Zoo YouTube channel when a fan asked if they planned to give daughter Grace Warrior, three, a sibling. They explained they often get asked about their family plans, with Bindi, 26, also admitting she had 'a lot of feelings' about the question. Chandler, 27, then said: 'Basically we get asked this question a lot and Bindi, a lot of you may already know, she went through a big journey with endometriosis.' 'Basically it was an absolute miracle we had Grace.' 'We love Grace so much and are revelling in every moment we have with her, with our little miracle baby. We are so happy with our little family of three.' Bindi then said she appreciated the good intentions behind the question but told fans to be 'careful' when asking a personal question. 'I really appreciate everyone who is curious to see if we will have another child but I do just want to send it out there that remember to be careful when you ask this question, because you never know whats happening in someone's life,' she said. Bindi Irwin and her husband Chandler Powell have revealed whether they are planning to expand their family 'Everything may seem fine on the outside, and on the inside their own personal journey might have been filled with turmoil and challenges that you can't even fathom.' 'So, while I understand why a lot of people ask us this question, and I appreciate the kindness and good intent behind it, it's also a really tricky question for many, many people who maybe can't have another baby, or can't have a baby at all.' Bindi then admitted that Grace would 'probably' be their only child, but didn't rule out the possibility of more children entirely. 'We feel very lucky to have Grace. she is our beautiful girl,' Bindi said. The couple were answering questions on the Australia Zoo YouTube channel when a fan asked if they planned to give daughter Grace Warrior, three, a sibling 'But she will probably be our one child but you never know. Maybe we will be blessed with another little one down the road. 'That would be incredible, but who knows?' One fan replied in the comments applauding the couple for the way they handled the sensitive subject. 'Thank you for the way you replied to the fertility question,' they wrote. 'As someone who has had to deal with being questioned about having children ever since getting married and dealing with four miscarriages and a long journey with autoimmune disease, this message needs to be shared more to those who don't think about how these questions impact people.' They continued: 'You can't just assume that people can get pregnant without complications or that they haven't already been pregnant but have lost their babies. It's been such a tough journey and I hope people will start to think before they speak.' Bindi said she appreciated the good intentions behind the question but told fans to be 'careful' when asking a personal question It comes after Bindi recently opened up about her battle with severe endometriosis and recalled how difficult it was to get doctors to take her condition seriously. The conservationist said she was living with horrific pain which was initially dismissed by medical professionals. 'I was tested for everything. Every tropical disease, Lyme disease, cancer, you name it. I had every blood test and scan imaginable,' she told People magazine. 'You don't know what's wrong with you, and then when people tell you "It's all in your head" or "you're hormonal" or "just have a cup of tea, lay down," you end up feeling so desperately alone.' She also admitted that Grace would 'probably' be their only child but didn't rule out the possibility of more children entirely The daughter of the late Steve 'the Crocodile Hunter' Irwin said she even began to doubt herself until August last year when she collapsed into a fetal position. The scare finally led to a test for intra-abdominal diseases, which revealed she had endometriosis. Endometriosis is an often painful condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus also grows outside the uterus. There are a wide variety of symptoms: pain can affect areas ranging from the abdomen and lower back to the pelvis and vagina. After finally finding the right doctor who took her condition seriously, Bindi underwent successful surgery last year, during which surgeons found 37 lesions and a cyst on her ovary which were removed, and she emerged with a new lease on life. Justin Theroux fueled engagement speculation with girlfriend Nicole Brydon Bloom, after she was spotted wearing a dazzling diamond ring on her left hand. The 53-year-old ex-husband of Jennifer Aniston and the 30-year-old actress were pictured attending the 81st Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy on Wednesday. The pair both matched in white for what was their second major red carpet appearance, as they promoted his new film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice at the event. Justin and Nicole who enjoyed a sporty outing in June have been dating for over a year. They made their first official appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party back in March. DailyMail.com has reached out to Theroux's representatives for comment. Justin Theroux, 53, fueled engagement speculation with girlfriend Nicole Brydon Bloom, 30, after she was spotted wearing a dazzling diamond ring on her left hand Nicole flashed a massive diamond ring on her ring finger The Leftovers star and the actress were pictured attending the 81st Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy on Wednesday The Leftovers star wore a custom cream Zegna suit jacket with a high-collar shirt. He accessorized with Tiffany & Co. jewelry and rocked a scruffy beard. Meanwhile Nicole dazzled in a sleeveless white Akris dress that showed off her toned arms. The gown featured a high neck and a slit in the back. Her brunette tresses were slicked back in an elegant updo. Justin and Nicole have only infrequently surfaced in public as a couple since they were first spotted together in February 2023. The duo were seen walking down the street together in June, wearing sporty outfits. Nicole and Justin reached a milestone last December when he accompanied her as her date to her twin sister Chrissy's wedding. Nicole snapped a mirror selfie from the festivities that showed her and Justin beaming on a staircase amid a claque of loved ones including his dog Kuma. They were also glimpsed kissing last August after a night out on the town. Just before the lip-lock, they had enjoyed an evening at Ray's, the New York dive bar that Justin owns with some friends including Succession actor Nicholas Braun. The pair both matched in white for what was their second major red carpet appearance, as they promoted his new film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice at the event Nicole dazzled in a sleeveless white Akris dress that showed off her toned arms The gown featured a high neck and a slit in the back. Her brunette tresses were slicked back in an elegant updo Meanwhile the actor wore a custom cream Zegna suit jacket with a high-collar shirt The pair shared a tender look Justin and Nicole have been dating for over a year Justin accessorized with Tiffany & Co. jewelry and rocked a scruffy beard Nicole is best known for playing Caroline Stuyvesant in season two of The Gilded Age They were first romantically linked after hitting the picket line in NYC in support of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. Nicole is best known for playing Caroline Stuyvesant in season two of The Gilded Age. She has also appeared in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, 1BR, and We Were the Lucky Ones. Justin also enjoys a famously amicable relationship with his ex-wife Jennifer, 55, whom he was with for a total of seven years. Justin and ex Jennifer were married from 2015 until 2017 but managed to stay friendly after what Justin has called a 'gentle separation.' They announced their split in February 2018, and a few months later Justin told the New York Times how amicable the process had been. 'The good news is that was probably the most - I'm choosing my words really carefully - it was kind of the most gentle separation, in that there was no animosity.' The Tropic Thunder writer added: 'In a weird way, just sort of navigating the inevitable perception of it is the exhausting part.' Since their first public sighting in February 2023, Justin and Nicole have only been intermittently spotted in public, but they did attend this year's Vanity Fair Oscar Party together Nicole and Justin reached a milestone last December when he accompanied her as her date to her twin sister Chrissy's wedding He also spoke about the end of his relationship with Aniston during an interview with Esquire, where he affirmed that he was still close to his former spouse. 'Like it or not, we didn't have that dramatic split, and we love each other,' he said. The Inland Empire cast member then stated that he wanted to remain in contact with the Friends star well into the future. 'I'm sincere when I say that I cherish our friendship. We can not be together and still bring each other joy,' he said. Justin, who is three years younger than Jennifer, married her in Bel-Air in 2015 and they broke up about two years later. Jennifer and Justin first started dating in 2011, having worked together on the film Wanderlust. He had carried on a 14-year relationship with costume designer Heidi Bivens that collapsed in 2011. At the time, a friend of Heidi's told E! News claimed that Heidi had been 'straight-up dumped,' though the outlet made sure to qualify: 'Not to say it's Aniston's fault, maybe the timing was just terrible?' Justin was previously married to Jennifer Aniston, 55. They were wed from 2015 until 2017; pictured at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2017 A source in Justin's camp insisted to Page Six: 'Things were already over between him and Heidi before he got close to Jen.' Heidi's mother Marilyn spoke to Radar Online in 2016, claiming that Justin initially tried to persuade Heidi he and Jennifer were not an item. Marilyn asserted: 'Heidi told me what Justin had told her, that something was going to be written about him and Jennifer, that something was going on between them and he wanted her to know that it was nothing, there was nothing to it.' In Marilyn's telling, Heidi allegedly ultimately discovered that the rumors were true, '[a]nd my sweet Heidi she calls me and says: "Oh mommy." I was going through cancer at the time. It was a time that hurt our family.' The Cain vineyard, seen before the Glass Fire, is on Spring Mountain in Napa Valley. The flora surrounding the vines tends to have an influence on the flavors of the wines. Gabrielle Lurie/Special to The Chronicle Ill never forget the conversation I had with winemaker Chris Howell four years ago, just hours after the Glass Fire tore across his Napa Valley vineyard and home. At the time, according to Cal Fire, it was the tenth-most destructive wildfire in California history, leveling over 1,500 structures. One of those was Cain Vineyard & Winery, the Spring Mountain producer of some of Napa Valleys most unconventional Cabernet Sauvignon blends where Howell has worked for more than 30 years. The Glass Fire burned not only Cains buildings, but also destroyed a significant number of its grapevines. The conversation with Howell stands out in my memory as uniquely hopeful during a month when nearly everyone I spoke with had lost something dear to them. The winery may be gone, but Cain remains, he said. He meant that a winery could be rebuilt, but that the terroir that informs what the Cain wines taste like the singular, mysterious combination of soil and topography and climate and so much more could not be burned away. Now, Cain is releasing its first wine made in the post-Glass Fire era, the 2021 Cain Five ($150). Howell sees this wine as a kind of test for the Cain vineyard, a proof of concept for the idea of terroir that he discussed with me in the fires immediate aftermath. He had to make this wine in an off-site facility, without many of the typical winemaking controls hes used to. The vineyard itself was changed too, with many of the surrounding flora, like Douglas fir trees, gone. Would Cain still taste like Cain? Advertisement Article continues below this ad After tasting the 2021, I can say that the answer is yes. The extreme, fresh woodsiness that I associate with Cain notes like bay leaf, dried basil, mint is here in spades, along with a grippy, rustic texture that speaks to its origin near the top of this mountainside. Howell said that as the fermentation began, in a new winery where he was working as a guest, he was anxiously awaiting to see what the wine would taste and smell like. As soon as the vat started bubbling up, he felt relieved. It was amazing that we found flavors that we could recognize, he said. It wasnt a miracle, he admitted, but to us it felt like it. To us this is a validation of all that talk about terroir. Making wine in a new facility might not sound like a big deal some winemakers bop around to new places every year but Cain has never been a typical winery. Famously, the wines occasionally betray traces of brettanomyces, a spoilage yeast that can imbue a wine with barnyard-like aromas and flavors. Brett is common in many European wine regions but considered anathema in Napa Valley, and it often lives in the cellars themselves. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Even in vintages where the Cain wines dont taste bretty, Ive wondered whether the ambient microorganisms in the winery may play a role in the flavors of these wines, which are emphatically unlike the archetypal, opulent, fruity Napa Cabernet. Then theres the vineyard, dense with trees like bay laurels, whose unmistakable fragrance is a hallmark of the Cain wines. After 2020, we got to see how the forest responds to fire, said Howell. Some species, like redwoods, were fire-resilient. Others, like Douglas firs, werent. The cover crop, not the vines themselves, was what fueled the wildfire, Howell said. Although the scene looked devastating in its immediate wake, the land soon began to heal itself. In the first year after the fire, the grass was luscious, he said. The ash from a fire can basically return minerals to the earth and so in fact it tends to increase fertility. But that winter, as he and his team began the slow, painstaking work of assessing the health of each individual vine, there was more damage than wed understood, Howell said. Only around 10% of the vines survived, he now estimates. The rest were damaged beyond the point of repair, or in many cases, dead. Little by little, theyre replanting, and taking the opportunity to reassess what they want this vineyard to be. Howell has replanted drought-tolerant rootstock, something that was not on most peoples minds when the vineyard was first planted in the 1980s. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The construction of a new Cain winery, like the completion of the vineyards replanting, is still years away. Howell and his team will remain in this liminal state, making small quantities of wine from the surviving vines in other peoples wineries. But those who love the Cain wines, as I do, should take comfort in the fact that Cain, the place, endures. Mae Whitman announced on Instagram Wednesday that she has welcomed her first child, son Miles. 'Not to be a Bieber about it but I too just gave birth to our son, Miles,' the Los Angeles-born actress, 36, captioned a post on the social media site. She posted an image of the baby's toes next to an adult hand, adding, 'From the moment we heard the first tiny sound out of his tiny piggy mouth we were besotted.' Whitman, who played Amber Holt on Parenthood from 2010-2015, said that her newborn is pretty much exactly like his namesake Uncle Miles @younggoth - her costar on the series, Miles Heizer, 30 - as he's 'the kindest, gentlest, smartest, funniest little beebee' and 'best friend.' Whitman, who has provided multiple voice roles on Family Guy, continued, 'We are infinitely grateful he chose us as his parents.' Mae Whitman, 36, announced on Instagram Wednesday that she has welcomed her first child , son Miles. Pictured in Beverly Hills, California in 2021 Whitman posted an image of the baby's toes next to an adult hand She thanked Bente Kaiser, Caryn Fields, Moxie Birth and Huntington Health 'for guiding our little family through all the unexpected twists and turns safely and with love and grace and to everyone in our circle who has shown us such radical generosity and support.' The one-time child star, who has appeared in movies such as 1996's One Fine Day, 2010's Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and 2012's The Perks of Being a Wallflower, ended the post in saying, 'We love you! Were so happy!' According to a report from E! News, Whitman 'has not spoken out on her relationship status or identity of the babys father.' Whitman played the sister of Heizer's character Andrew 'Drew' Holt on the NBC series, which also featured Lauren Graham, 57, Peter Krause, 59, and Dax Shepard, 49. Whitman received a number of congratulatory responses upon announcing the good news, as well as her naming her child after her longtime friend and costar. One user said, 'Crying over the name miles,' while another remarked, 'Not me immediately crying because you named him after miles ... absolutely beautiful. congrats!!!' A number of celebrities were featured in the comment thread wishing Whitman well. Actress-model Christina Hendricks said, 'Just perfect. So much love,' while harpist Mary Lattimore said, 'Congrats and welcome to Earth, Miles!' Whitman revealed on social media in May that she was expecting a child, with a shot flanked by Heizer and Lauren Graham Whitman played Amber Holt on Parenthood from 2010-2015; pictured with costars Peter Krause and Graham Whitman showed off her baby bump in a post in June The one-time child star, who has appeared in 1996's One Fine Day , 2010's Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and 2012's The Perks of Being a Wallflower, was pictured in LA in 2019 Whitman received a number of congratulatory responses upon announcing the good news, as well as her naming her child after her longtime friend and costar A number of celebrities were featured in the comment thread wishing Whitman well Actress AnnaSophia Robb said, 'Welcome to the world Miles! Congratulations Mama!!!' while a comment from the musical tandem Tegan And Sara read, 'CONGRATULATIONS.' Kristen Bell said, 'Bb Im so proud for you,' Robbie Amell added, Congratulations!!' and Daryl Sabara said, 'Yay! Congrats Mama Mae!!' Whitman revealed on social media in May that she was expecting a child, with a shot flanked by Heizer and Graham. She said on Instagram: 'Not to make a Parenthood episode out of it or anything but!!! Mother's Day looking a little different this year! Can't wait to meet you, huge baby kicking my insides to filth!' Whitman in 2014 told Glamour that she considered her castmates her 'real family;' and that she and Heizer had been roommates at the time. 'This cast is my real family,' Whitman said. 'He's lived with me for two years. He's pretty special. I'll kill him before I let him leave. 'He's the most talented musician and actor. I see him taking off - not to mention he's crazy hot, which is gross 'cause he's like my little brother. She added, 'I envision wanting to live in a house next to him for my whole life and grow old down the street from him. I want our families to always be entwined.' Married At First Sight star Ash Galati has taken a subtle swipe at the reality show while admitting he never watched it before signing up. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, the 33-year-old shared a series of images from his time on season 11 of the popular dating experiment. The photos showed Ash looking stressed ahead of his wedding to his TV bride Madeline Maxwell. Ash captioned the pictures with a long-winded post where he admitted to having 'mixed feelings' about his time on the show. 'One year ago I stepped out of my comfort zone and took a wild and crazy leap of faith like so many before me,' Ash began. 'It's such a weird feeling standing on that alter waiting. It's such a crazy thing to do, but I honestly wouldn't change it. 'It brings back so many memories and mixed feelings. I was so open for whatever was to come. I'm so grateful to all my family who stopped everything and flew to Sydney with 2 days notice.' Continuing, Ash admitted that he hadn't even watched an episode of the show before deciding to sign up. Married at First Sight star Ash Galati has taken a subtle swipe at the reality show while admitting he never watched it before signing up 'I was so f***ing naive about the whole thing, I literally never watched it,' Ash said. 'I'm shopping at Myer for wedding suits and dinner party outfits while some geezers on the show had already signed deals with suit hire companies to wear. I didn't get the memo.' Adding that the show was an 'unforgettable experience' for him, Ash said he didn't 'regret him time on the series. 'I have no ill feelings or any real regrets,' he said. 'Maybe a subtle dig though.' Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, the 33-year-old shared a series of images from his time on the popular dating experiment 'The experiment is well and truly behind me, I took my shot, I crashed and burned and that's life and it's honestly fine. It's time to move on. If you get stuck in the past it jeopardises your future.' Revealing that he was still looking for love, Ash ended the expansive post by saying he aimed to find it away from the cameras. 'I still want love, And I know I'll get it, ' he said. 'I'll guess I'll have to do it the old fashion way....... TINDER.' Ash is making up for lost time after his disastrous pairing with Home and Away star Madeleine Maxwell on the dating experiment. He was spotted putting on a loved-up display with a mystery woman at the Grand Prix after party in Melbourne in March. 'I was so f***ing naive about the whole thing, I literally never watched it,' Ash admitted. Pictured Ash with his TV bride Madeline Maxwell Ash could not wipe the smile off his face as he posed up a storm with the brunette beauty during the exclusive event at the renowned Ms Collins nightclub. His stunning partner was seen with her arm wrapped around him and the pair looked to be having the time of their lives as they mingled with their celebrity friends. At one point, Ash passionately kissed his beautiful partner, confirming he is now dating again after things did not work out on MAFS. Galati told Daily Mail Australia in March he would not return to MAFS in the future, as he is currently off the market. 'I definitely don't think I would. No.' 'I'm happily started dating again and things are going good, it's very early on though,' he said at the time. Erika Jayne looked somber when she surfaced Wednesday, in her first sighting since her estranged husband, disbarred attorney Tom Girardi, was convicted of stealing $15 million from clients. The once-powerful lawyer, 85, was found guilty Tuesday on four charges of swindling the horribly injured or grieving people he represented out of their settlement fees. Girardi stood accused of running a massive 'Ponzi scheme,' lying to clients and using their misappropriated millions to pay for his own lavish lifestyle of private jets, luxury cars, exclusive club memberships, and expensive jewelry for Jayne, plus $20 million to fund her acting career. Jayne, who is best known for starring on The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills, cut a forlorn figure when she was spotted in Los Angeles this week. She appeared to have gone without makeup, opting for a dressed-down ensemble including a loose-fitted shirt, cutoff sweats and slippers. Erika Jayne looked downcast when she surfaced Wednesday, in her first sighting since her estranged husband Tom Girardi was convicted of stealing $15 million from clients Jayne's scruffy appearance this Wednesday was a far cry from the extravagantly dolled-up look she has become famous for on The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills. In 2018, while she was still married to Girardi, she confessed that her beauty routine costs her $40,000 a month, during an interview on The Wendy Williams Show. On a 2022 episode of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills, she defiantly refused to give up her glam squad despite facing financial difficulties amid the raft of allegations leveled against her and Girardi, whom she left in 2020. 'You can downsize and we've downsized, right? Certain things you don't downsize on and that's your glam,' she argued on camera. 'Fashion, hair, makeup - to me, it's art. Living art, and I enjoy that. And it shouldn't be judged any other way. Nobody judges if people wanna have big families. I wanna buy a bunch of clothes.' Her latest sighting came one day after Girardi's conviction, during which he sat stone-faced, showing little emotion as Judge Josephine Staton announced the verdicts, which carry sentences of up to 20 years prison on each count. Dressed in wrinkled khaki pants, an open-neck checked blue-and-white shirt and the same shabby gray jacket with blue lining hanging out that hes worn for most of the three-week trial, Girardi was virtually unrecognizable as the super-lawyer whose $2,000-plus designer suits once put him on best-dressed lists and whose success winning huge settlements in personal injury cases landed him on magazine covers. It took the jury of seven men and five women only four and a half hours of deliberation to reach their guilty verdicts - two hours Tuesday and two-and-a-half hours yesterday. Girardi must return to court for sentencing on December 6. Girardi, who built the prestigious LA law firm Girardi & Keese after his fight against a California utility giant inspired the Oscar-winning movie Erin Brockovich, was charged with four counts of wire fraud, all of which he pleaded not guilty to. His high-rolling career came tumbling down in 2020 when he was accused of stealing millions in settlements hed won for the victims of the 2018 Lion Air plane crash in Indonesia. Claims from that crash - in which 189 people died - are the basis of separate criminal charges against Girardi that are still pending in Chicago. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges as well. During the trial, the jury heard that between 2010 and 2020 the shamed attorney used his clients settlement funds 'like a personal piggy bank.' She appeared to have gone without makeup, opting for a dressed-down ensemble including a loose-fitted shirt, cutoff sweats and slippers Disgraced lawyer Tom Girardi has been found guilty of stealing more than $15million from his clients. He is seen before the verdict on Tuesday The former attorney and estranged husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne was charged with four counts of wire fraud Girardi Keese was a den of thieves and Tom Girardi was the thief-in-chief, Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Paetty told the court Monday. Girardi Keese was a house of cards built on the lies of Tom Girardi. Jayne and Girardi were together for 21 years but their divorce - filed by Jayne soon after the Lion Air allegations - has been held up since Girardi Keese filed bankruptcy in 2021 with more than $100 million in debts. Jayne never showed up at her soon-to-be- ex husbands trial. Girardi - who was disbarred in 2022 following the allegations against him - was portrayed by his defense team as suffering from dementia. He got old, he got sick, he lost his mind, his attorney Charles Snyder told the court. All the lights were on but there was nobody home. He lost touch with reality.' Girady and his legal team also pointed the finger of blame at another man, Christopher Kamon, 49, the chief financial officer of Girard Keese who they say stole between $50 million and $100 million from the company. Kamon is facing an upcoming separate trial in which hes charged with similar counts to Girardis. Girardi's defense team had consistently argued that he is mentally unfit to stand trial due to cognitive decline. However, a federal judge ruled earlier this year that he is competent to proceed with the case During the trial, prosecutors told jurors that Girardi preyed on clients who were in their darkest hours, suffering from terrible injuries or mourning the death of loved ones. Joe Ruigomez - who desperately needed money to pay the giant medical bills for the horrible injuries he suffered in a 2020 gas explosion at his home that killed his girlfriend - was told by Girardi that his settlement from the PG&E utility was $5 million, when it was actually $50 million. Another Girardi client, Judy Selberg, hired the once-acclaimed lawyer to bring an unlawful death lawsuit after her husband Paul was killed in a boating accident in April 2018. Girardi won $500,000 for her but today, more than four years after the settlement, shes still owed a large portion of that. He also held up Erica Saldanas $2.5 million settlement which she needed to pay the medical bills for the devastating injuries her one-yer-old son suffered in a car crash. And Josie Hernandez had to declare bankruptcy because Girardi didnt pay her the money she was owed from a settlement over a medical device injury. In all these cases, when the clients called or emailed Girardi to ask when they were going to get their money, he came up with excuses like there was a lien or holdback on the settlement, that there was an IRS issue or a judge needed to sign off before the money could be paid. All these claims were false. He lied to his clients over and over and over again about why they werent being paid, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali Moghaddas told the court. He lied to them them because he did not want to give them their money because it was gone.it was already spent. Behind the curtain he was pilfering his clients funds. It was just cruel to treat victims in this manner. 'He was buying two private jets while his clients werent getting paid. This this case is a simple and sad story of trust violated and greed. Andra Day was joined by her glamorous co-stars Mo'Nique and Glenn Close at the Los Angeles premiere of their horror film, The Deliverance, on Wednesday. The United States vs. Billie Holiday star, 39, was sheer perfection in a funky see-through gown with a unique pattern at the event, hosted at Netflix's Tudum Theatre. The gown featured a long matching train, and she paired it with a pair of similarly pattered knee-high bots. Meanwhile Mo'Nique, 56, cut an elegant figure in a an off-the-shoulder black velvet gown with a silver trim. Fatal Attraction star Glenn, 77 who said she had 'no clue' how to play a 'white woman who lived her life in the black community' in the film dazzled in a structured gold coat worn over a white button-up and black pants. Andra Day, 39, was joined by her glamorous co-stars Mo'Nique, 56, and Glenn Close, 77, at the Los Angeles premiere of their horror film, The Deliverance, on Wednesday While speaking about the film Glenn confessed earlier this week that she was clueless about how to play a white woman in a black neighborhood. Directed by Lee Daniels, the Netflix horror movie stars Glenn with Andra and Mo'Nique in the story of a family battling a demon in a haunted house. The actress plays Alberta, who has a black daughter played by Andra and 'has only dated black men' throughout her life, said Glenn. She shared that when Lee 'told me that there are white women like this in every black community, I was intrigued and I wanted to do her justice.' Lee dished that 'every black person knows a white woman like this, but not every white person knows a white woman like this!' Glenn recalled to People. She explained that she was delighted to play the part because the 'rule that I've tried to hold myself to' has been 'never to repeat myself' - a challenge she took on 'for my own sake' because she would get 'bored' otherwise. The Deliverance is centered on Andra's character Ebony, an alcoholic who begins to fear that her children are being possessed. Her mother Alberta, a devout Christian, is also an incorrigible tease who enjoys making advances to the nurses when she goes in for chemotherapy, which has caused her to start modeling a string of extravagant wigs. The United States vs. Billie Holiday star was sheer perfection in a funky see-through gown with a unique pattern at the event, hosted at Netflix's Tudum Theatre The gown featured a long matching train She paired it with a pair of similarly pattered knee-high boots She wore delicate glam in a reddish hue to match her hair Directed by Lee Daniels, the Netflix horror movie stars Glenn with Andra and Mo'Nique in the story of a family battling a demon in a haunted house Mo'Nique cut an elegant figure in a an off-the-shoulder black velvet gown with a silver trim She wore her tresses in a glam updo Fatal Attraction star Glenn dazzled in a structured gold coat worn over a white button-up and black pants Her silver tresses were pinned back Earlier this week the star said she had 'no clue' how to play a 'white woman who lived her life in the black community' in the film The talented trio posed together Glenn explained that she was delighted to play the part because the 'rule that I've tried to hold myself to' has been 'never to repeat myself' The movie marks a stunning turnaround for Mo'Nique, who carried on an explosive public feud with Lee (pictured) for over a decade before they reconciled The director also caught up with Glenn on the red carpet Meanwhile Mo'Nique features as Cynthia, the social worker assigned to Ebony's case who could snatch her children from her into foster care. The movie marks a stunning turnaround for Mo'Nique, who carried on an explosive public feud with Lee for over a decade before they reconciled. Glenn described her own character as 'a woman who has been abused and I think she has become an abuser. She has found God in a very real way, and she's hoping that her daughter will be able to clean up as well.' Andra has showered Glenn with praise for her performance, gushing: 'The way she embodied this character and the way - watching her, she's so legendary and she's been doing this to the highest level for such a long time.' She shared that she and Glenn formed a 'deeper kinship' with one another while playing characters who butt heads onscreen. 'We could do what we needed to do for the scenes where we're just beefing and there's so much anger and pain. But we needed that love and we absolutely have it.' Andra explained the dynamic between the characters: 'There's this huge tension between mother-daughter in this film, which basically is based on their ultimate love for each other. But life has been hard for them.' Over her long and storied career, Glenn has been nominated for eight acting Oscars but never won - a record that she holds along with Peter O'Toole. Lee, 64, looked trendy as ever in a sheer brown button-up, black pants and white boots Dominique Toney was still in summer mode, wearing a bright set with a palm leaf pattern Jess Adams, 33, opted for a gothic look in a flowing black dress and chunky platform heels She accessorized with a unique lock and chain necklace Demi Singleton, 17, wowed in a red silk dress Kasia Szarek rocked a frilly mini dress and bright pink hair She teamed her look with matching pink accessories Miss Lawrence, 41, rocked an opulent coat over a cheetah ensemble The look was completed with a black beret Ellis Hobbs IV sported a white short-sleeve button up and black pants. Anthony B. Jenkins suited up in a red look with a black shirt and tie Zechariah Eubanks showed off his casual cool style in a denim shirt, black jeans, and a hat Producers David Coggeshall, 48, and Tucker Tooley, 56, looked dashing in suits The cast all posed together with director Lee Daniels (center) Andra received a best actress Oscar nod for Lee Daniels' 2021 film The United States vs. Billie Holiday, but lost to Frances McDormand for Nomadland. Mo'Nique is the only Oscar winner in the cast of The Deliverance, having taken home best supporting actress in 2010 for Lee's acclaimed drama Precious - the project that launched their blistering feud. Also on Wednesday's premiere was director Lee, 64, who looked trendy as ever in a sheer brown button-up, black pants and white boots. He was pictured catching up with Mo'Nique and Glenn on the red carpet. Meanwhile Dominique Toney looked chic wearing a bright set with a palm leaf pattern. Jess Adams, 33, opted for a gothic look in a flowing black dress and chunky platform heels. Kasia Szarek rocked a frilly mini dress and bright pink hair. Zechariah Eubanks showed off his casual cool style in a denim shirt, black jeans, and a hat. Ellis Hobbs IV sported a white short-sleeve button up and black pants. Anthony B. Jenkins suited up in a red look with a black shirt and tie. The Deliverance is centered on Andra's character Ebony, an alcoholic who begins to fear that her children are being possessed; Glenn, Mo'Nique and Andra seen in a still Glenn stars as her mother Alberta (seen in a still), while Mo'Nique plays Cynthia, a social worker assigned to Ebony's case The Deliverance is set to be released on August 30 Demi Singleton, 17, wowed in a red silk dress. Miss Lawrence, 41, rocked an opulent coat over a cheetah ensemble. The look was completed with a black beret. Producers David Coggeshall, 48, and Tucker Tooley, 56, looked dashing in suits. The Deliverance is set to be released on August 30, 2024. John Stamos opened up about his personal life enough to reveal that he was once took part in an introductory session for the Church Of Scientology. But he would end up making a less-than-impressive first impression with the some of the leaders at the time. Rewind back to 1980 when the aspiring actor was 17, Stamos showed some interest in the organization mainly for two reasons: the first was a beautiful young woman invited him to a meeting in Los Angeles, and the other was John Travolta, a member of Scientology since 1975 who happened to be his acting hero. 'I was in an acting class and there was a hot girl, [who] said to me, "You know we're all meeting at this [place] on Hollywood Boulevard, you should come after [class],"' Stamos, now 61, recalled during an appearance on the Friends In High Places podcast. At that time he was still two years before he made his acting debut in the role of Blackie Parrish on the hit ABC soap General Hospital in 1982. John Stamos, 61, revealed he attended an introductory session of Scientology in Los Angeles for two reasons: he was invited by a 'hot girl' and his acting hero was John Tavolta, who has been a member since 1975; Stamos is pictured in May 2023 In the end, it was the combination of the invitation from a 'hot girl' and his love of all things John Travolta, who inspired him to give it a go and partake one of the meetings. 'I was working at my dad's restaurant at the time and I said, "Dad, I gotta go." So, I went and it was the Scientology building,' he said of the experience 44 years ago. 'Seeing [Grease] was like, "I wanna be that,"' Stamos recalled. 'I wanted to be John Travolta, I still do. Well, minus the whatever it is that they do.' As for his acting hero, the Grease and Saturday Night Fever star is coming up on 50 years as a Scientologist next year, while in comparison Stamos only did last that one introductory session. Stamos says he was brought into the Scientology building and introduced to a machinery known as the 'E-Meter,' which was made out of two cans. The church maintains the so-called electropsychometer device can indicate changes in emotional states to identify stored engrams and 'levels of spiritual distress,' per a website description. The Full House alum wasted little time in playing around with the device, pretending to hold it like he was having a fake phone conversation. 'I was doing a Peabody and Sherman [impression] and they didn't like that,' Stamos explained. 'Then, I was just f***ing around so much, they said, "Get out [and] get going." They just kicked me out.' The podcast's host, Matt Friend, went on to joke how the ER alum was just 'too annoying' to be asked to join up with the controversial organization that has been described by varying people as a religious movement, business, or cult. 'Thats pretty bad, I must have been terrible,' Stamos said of his behavior. Stamos was an aspiring acting, taking lessons, when he was invited to attend a Scientology session in Hollywood, which was two years before he laded his breakthrough role of Blackie Parrish on the hit soap General Hospital; he is pictured around the time he got the role on GH In his memoir If You Would Have Told Me (2023) the actor and author went ino detail about his experience at Scientology, which he called 'creepy as f**k' after the visit Previously, in his memoir If You Would Have Told Me (2023), the Cypress, California native shared a story of how a young lady named Mia handed him a workbook about the Church Of Scientology, along with some others books he had just accidentally left behind. Intrigued enough to at least look into what it was, Stamos went on to reveal more about that experience he had at that introductory session. '[One man] begins to question me about committing crimes, asks if I have negative thoughts about Scientology or [founder] L. Ron Hubbard and probes into some strange sex inquiries,' he wrote. 'The Wayback Machine needle jumps in the corner, and Mia looks disappointed. Apparently, I'm not Scientology material. Darn it.' While the book intrigued Stamos enough to stop by the Church's venue, he soon found himself describing it as 'creepy as f**k.' Stephen 'tWitch' Boss' widow Allison Holker hinted this week that she may have struck up a new romance, 20 months after his tragic suicide. Best known as the DJ on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Boss was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a Los Angeles motel at the age of 40 in 2022. Holker, 36, saw her world thrown into disarray as she found herself attempting to pick up the pieces and raise their children alone. This January, she revealed that she took a 'long time' to learn how to 'love myself again,' but would now not 'shy away' from the prospect of a new relationship. And this week she posted a cryptic Instagram picture of her shadow next to that of a mystery man, the two of them apparently holding hands. Stephen 'tWitch' Boss' widow Allison Holker hinted this week that she may have struck up a new romance, 20 months after his tragic suicide; pictured this month Pouring fuel on the conjecture that she was posting about a new boyfriend, she captioned the post simply with a heart emoji. Holker declined to identify the man standing next to her, nor to provide any further details about the potential new romance in her life. She and Boss began dating in 2010 and married in 2013, one year before he landed his job as the beloved DJ on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He adopted Holker's daughter Weslie, now 16, from a previous relationship, and the couple also had two children of their own - Maddox, eight, and Zaia, four. In December 2022, he checked into to the Oak Tree Inn in the Los Angeles suburb of Encino - 15 minutes' walk from his house - and shot himself. His body was discovered the morning after he arrived at the motel by a horrified maid who came upon him in a pool of blood in the bath. Boss' shock suicide prompted an outpouring of grief from fans around the world, and Holker was showered with sympathy. Just weeks before his death, Boss and Holker had gone on The Jennifer Hudson Show and shared that they hoped to have another baby. This week she posted a cryptic Instagram picture of her shadow next to that of a mystery man, the two of them apparently holding hands Best known as the DJ on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Boss was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a Los Angeles motel at the age of 40 in 2022 He adopted her daughter Weslie, now 16, from a previous relationship, and he and Holker also had two children of their own - Maddox, eight, and Zaia, four Last December, Holker uploaded a touching Instagram post about mourning as she approached two milestones - what would have been her and Boss' 10th wedding anniversary, and three days after that, his first death anniversary. 'Grief never ends .. but every season of challenge has an expiration date. Keep believing and keep dancing through,' she wrote. The following month she revealed that she was open to the possibility of dating again, in an episode of Nick Viall's podcast The Viall Files. 'It was very hard for me to learn to like myself again and to learn to love myself again...it's a very complex situation I found myself in,' she said. 'It took me a long time to accept all of those things and those complexities of everything. But at the end of the day, I love life.' When the subject of a new man came up, she said: 'Would I shy away from it? No. Am I looking for it? I don't know...but I'm definitely not shying away from it.' An Aussie man got a little more than he bargained for when he called into the Kyle and Jackie O show on Thursday. Blake, 23, phoned in to enlist the help of Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson to make his relationship official with a woman he had been casually dating. But things took a turn and he was left shocked to discover that the woman named Ava could possibly be pregnant. Blake then started questioning whether Ava had recently had sex with anyone else, leaving Kyle and Jackie O stunned. After calling into the radio station, Kyle explained: 'It's a nice story because they've known each other since they were kids, their dads are best mates, they've known each other their whole life.' Jackie added: 'They've been hooking up for six months and now he wants to make it official.' Blake then explained his romantic problems, admitting that his lady love Ava, 25, had gone a 'bit quiet' over the last few weeks and he wanted the radio hosts to help find out where he stood in the relationship. He then called Ava and promptly asked: 'Everything over the last few months has been so much fun and I really wanted to ask if you would be my girlfriend, officially.' An Aussie man got a little more than he bargained for when he called into the Kyle and Jackie O show on Thursday and found out his casual fling might be pregnant Ava admitted to being interested in pursuing a relationship with Blake before she then dropped the bombshell. 'I'm excited but I was hoping to have a catch up with Blake later tonight to have a bit of a chat,' she said. 'What kind of chat?,' Kyle asked and, after some awkward silence from Ava he added: 'What kind of chat? Are you pregnant?' Ava then revealed that she wasn't sure and wanted Blake to go to her house that evening so they could take the test together. Clearly thrown for a loop, a previously hopeful Blake replied nervously with: 'What do you mean?,' before Ava told him that her period was three weeks late. After Kyle asked Blake how he felt about possible fatherhood, he shocked Ava and the hosts with his response. After the man named Blake asked Ava over the phone if she would be his official girlfriend, she replied saying that she might be pregnant 'I'm very nervous,' he said, before adding 'I guess you haven't hooked up with anyone else.' Clearly unimpressed, Ava hit back with: 'No I haven't. Why would you ask that?' Blake replied saying that he just wanted to make sure, which prompted Kyle to ask if Jackie's husband Lee Henderson had the same reaction. 'No he never asked that,' she laughed. Kyle added: 'I reckon my wife would have slit my throat on the spot.' Protesting Blake said that he only asked the question as Ava had 'gone quiet' over the last few weeks and thought she could've been 'hooking up' with someone else. Despite the awkward exchange, Jackie urged the couple to call in to the show on Friday to give listeners the results of the test. Kylie Jenner gave fans a rare glimpse at her makeup-free face after recently claiming she dissolved 'half' of her lip filler. The Kylie Cosmetics founder, 27, shared a candid, barefaced photo of herself to Instagram as part of a massive photo dump. In it, Jenner looked incredibly youthful with her dark hair tied back in a bun as she knelt down beside her baby son Aire, two, on set of a project. Her once famously plump pout looked noticeably smaller and, instead of a fake tan, her natural freckles were visible. Kylie's decision to share her raw looks may shock fans as she's built her entire billion-dollar brand on her cosmetically-enhanced appearance. Kylie Jenner shared a barefaced photo of herself to Instagram on Wednesday that displayed her noticeably smaller pout The mogul (left in 2018, right in August 2024) gave fans a rare glimpse at her makeup-free face after recently claiming she dissolved 'half' of her lip filler She has been getting dermal filler in her lips since she was a teenager. Kylie previously admitted that she did so out of 'insecurity' after a boy she liked told her her naturally thin lips were 'unkissable.' Kylie first claimed to have gotten all of her lip filler dissolved in 2018 but she eventually had them injected again. As for plastic surgery, Kylie admitted in 2023 that she got a boob job before the birth of her daughter Stormi, now six, after years of denying it. She stressed that it's a 'big misconception' that she's someone who has had 'lots of surgery.' Kylie's personal style has shifted in a more 'natural' direction since she began dating A-list actor Timothee Chalamet in 2023. But she received major online scrutiny after she decided to wear a 'minimal' makeup look to a Paris Fashion Week event last year with cruel trolls calling her 'old.' She broke down in tears on the most recent season of Hulu's The Kardashians as she recalled seeing the brutal comments about herself online. She also admitted that it's been 'exhausting' having her appearance picked apart by strangers who think she's 'f***ed up her face.' Kylie's decision to share her raw and real looks may shock fans as she's built her entire billion-dollar brand on her cosmetically-enhanced appearance; seen in March 2024 Kylie kicked off the conversation with her sisters by claiming she 'went on a journey the last year dissolving half my lip filler. 'I hate having this same conversation over and over and over again because it feels like a waste of my breath because I think, with me, it's just never going to change.' Kylie began to cry as she wondered 'why' people she doesn't know think it's 'OK to talk about me?' She feels that the Kardashian-Jenner women are often 'dehumanized' by the public. 'They don't think there's any rules with us, whereas if you talked the same way you talk about us about any other woman, people would come to their defense all day long,' Kylie explained. Whether she's makeup-free or full glam, Kylie feels as though she cannot win. 'I wear too much makeup and it's like, "You wear too much makeup," then I go and don't wear a lot of makeup and someone catches me in some weird light,' she said, seemingly referring to the photos of her at Paris Fashion Week. 'You can look at me in pictures since I was 13 I just have these lines [around my mouth]. I've had them since I was a child.' After '10-plus years' of scrutiny surrounding her looks, Kylie told viewers that she's 'numb' to it. Kylie recently claimed on her family's Hulu show that she got 'half' of her lip filler dissolved in 2022 She broke down in tears during the June 2024 episode as she spoke candidly about cruel comments she received about her appearance the year prior She appeared to refer to her appearance at Paris Fashion Week (seen), when trolls claimed she looked 'old' and bashed her for alleged using too much filler Though her fans often come to her defense, Kylie can't help but notice the comments left by those who are convinced she's 'botched' herself with surgery. 'Like, "She did it to herself, she f***ed up her face. She has so much surgery,"' Kylie recalled of the mean comments she's seen over the years. 'People have been talking about my looks since I was 12, 13, before I even got lip filler,' she added. Now as someone in her late 20s, Kylie considers herself a 'confident person' and admires her own strength. 'I think that I'm really strong and I was put in this position for a reason. I do think of myself as a confident person. I'm so grateful, so blessed, that I can wake up and look in the mirror and like what I see and feel beautiful. 'But at the same time, there's only so much one person can take. I just always keep pushing. I can't let the comments get me down. I have to because I have s**t to do!' And Kylie exuded that very strength and confidence in the new photos featured in Wednesday's Instagram photo dump. The slideshow featured photos of the two kids she shared with ex-boyfriend Travis Scott: daughter Stormi, six, and son Aire, two. She also included a video of herself and Aire going down a large blue slide. Others showed Kylie on set of her photo-shoot for the latest issue of British Vogue. She pouted for selfies in the hair and makeup chair before slipping into a couture look. Kylie's makeup-free photo was part of a massive photo dump uploaded to her Instagram Wednesday Many of the photos showed her onset of her British Vogue photo-shoot with her kids She showed off her 'first' copy of the fashion magazine featuring her stunning spread Another shot showed her in between takes as she shot promo videos for Hulu's The Kardashians in a sexy nude-toned look Eagle-eyes fans noticed that one of the photos was a selfie Kylie snapped while attending the 2024 Golden Globes with boyfriend Timothee, who was a nominee She had on the same black beaded lace Hanae Mori gown as she did that night (pictured with Chalamet) She also snapped son Aire, two, and daughter Stormi, six, checking out the Kylie Cosmetics selection at Ulta She held hands with her mini-me daughter She showed off one of her recent summer-themed manicures Another shot caught her in between takes as she shot promo videos for Hulu's The Kardashians in a sexy nude-toned look. Eagle-eyes fans noticed that one of the photos was a selfie Kylie snapped while attending the 2024 Golden Globes with boyfriend Timothee, who was a nominee. She had on the same black beaded lace Hanae Mori gown as she did that night. It marked Kylie and Timothee's first major event appearance as a couple though they did not walk the red carpet together. A source recently told DailyMail.com exclusively that Kylie prefers to spend all her time with Timothee and has slowly started to pull back from her wider social circle. To round out Wednesday's IG post, Kylie also gave fans a look at some of her go-to summer meals. Kylie enjoys tomatoes and cream cheese on a bagel and a classic burger and fries combo from the West Coast fast food chain, In-N-Out Burger. She captioned the Instagram post: 'lost files' Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan's contentious court battle continues more than six years after their split, with their respective legal teams trading sharp accusations in recent filings. Lawyers for Dewan, 43, said in papers filed Tuesday that attorneys for Tatum, 44, had been using 'every trick in the book to stall this case from getting to a trial,' in legal documents obtained by DailyMail.com. Tatum's legal team said in court docs that Dewan's August 16 ask that Tatum's lawyers with Glaser Weil and Blank Rome be dismissed over a purported conflict of interest amounted to a 'just another delay tactic to prolong our divorce case.' The prime focus of the legal proceedings - which have dragged on more than six years - centers around the distribution of money Tatum earns via the Magic Mike movie franchise. The Hartford, Connecticut-born actress, who is mother to daughter Everly, 11, with the Cullman, Alabama-born actor, said in court docs Tatum has been 'attempting to blur the lines' of the intellectual property in the Magic Mike franchise. Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan's contentious court battle continues more than six years after their split, with the actress saying that the actor's lawyers have been stalling ahead of their upcoming trial. The actor, 44, was pictured August 19 in London Dewan said that money used during their marriage had been used to finance the lucrative franchise, while attorneys for Tatum said he's never concealed earnings or deprived Dewan of 'her share of the community assets or income.' Lawyers for Dewan said Tatum's team is 'depriving Jenna of a fair and equal share of the community estate, and he is prejudicing her every day that this case continues.' Tatum's legal team said Tuesday that the latest move from Dewan was done 'solely designed to delay the upcoming trial,' the outlet reported. Tatum's team said in legal docs that the actor 'has made exhaustive efforts to settle all issues in this matter without litigation' since 2018. They added, 'He has made countless settlement proposals, attended multiple mediations, his attorneys have prepared numerous drafts of a proposed judgment, and he has tried to resolve issues directly.' Tatum's attorneys said in a legal response that Dewan's filing earlier this month was 'frivolous' and 'has no basis in law or fact;' and 'a transparent attempt to divert the Court's attention from her willful violation of her Court ordered deposition and discovery deadlines.' Tatum's team suggested to the court Dewan 'should be sanctioned in the sum of $20,000' for the cumbersome request. A filing from Dewan's attorneys on August 28 stated that lawyers for Tatum had been obligated to declare 'Glaser Weil's extensive and ongoing involvement with martial transactions related to the community's Magic Mike intellectual property. The former couple was pictured in 2017 at the Magic Mike Live Las Vegas opening Dewan was pictured at a Barnum & Bailey event in LA August 24 Dewan posed at a signing for ABC's The Rookie at San Diego Convention Center on July 27 Tatum is engaged to actress Zoe Kravitz, 35; the duo was pictured in London this month Dewan's attorneys said it had been 'shocking' after Tatum 'associated in new divorce counsel a mere five months before trial' and 'that very same counsel created an extensive web of LLCs, each of which is at least partially owed by Channing, for the sole purpose of transacting business related to the community's Magic Mike intellectual property.' The Magic Mike franchise has spawned the hit 2012 motion picture and multiple sequels - 2015's Magic Mike XXL and 2023's Magic Mike's Last Dance - as well as the 2021 HBO Max reality series Finding Magic Mike, and a Las Vegas based show. Since their split, both have found new romances - Tatum is engaged to actress Zoe Kravitz, 35, while Dewan has been engaged to actor Steve Kazee, 48, since 2020. Dewan and Kazee are parents to son Callum, four, and daughter Rhiannon, two months. Tatum and Dewan initially met working on the 2006 movie Step Up and got engaged in 2008, exchanging vows July 11, 2009 in Malibu, California. Tatum and Dewan said in a joint statement on April 2, 2018 that they were breaking up, saying, 'We fell deeply in love so many years ago and have had a magical journey together. 'Absolutely nothing has changed about how much we love one another, but love is a beautiful adventure that is taking us on different paths for now. Justin and Hailey Bieber's pal, model Adwoa Aboah, has accidentally revealed the day their newborn son Jack Blues was born. While announcing the arrival of her own baby girl on Wednesday, Adwoa, 32, let slip when then Baby hitmaker, 30, and Hailey, 27, welcomed their bundle of joy. The new mom shared photos from her emergency cesarean birth to Instagram, with the caption: 'Our stunner of a daughter was born at 11:22pm on the 23rd of August by emergency cesarean. Our hearts have literally exploded into a million pieces. Shy Trinity Afua Wheatley. What the f**k'.' Hailey commented, 'baby Shy!!!!' to which Adwoa replied, 'a day apart,' along with a number of broken heart and baby duck emojis. This led fans to conclude that baby Jack was born on Thursday, August 22, a day before Justin announced his arrival on his Instagram. Justin and Hailey Bieber's pal, model Adwoa Aboah, has accidentally revealed the day their newborn son Jack Blues was born; Adwoa seen in June While announcing the arrival of her own baby girl on Instagram, Adwoa, 32, let slip when then Baby hitmaker, 30, and Hailey, 27, welcomed their bundle of joy 'So baby Jack was born on August 22nd,' one fan wrote underneath the comment. The Canadian hitmaker shared the news of his son's birth with his fans on Friday, posting a heartwarming photo of the baby's tiny foot. 'WELCOME HOME,' he wrote in the caption, before revealing that they've named him Jack Blues. At the time, he didn't specify when baby Jack was born. The pair are now adjusting to parenthood seamlessly, after welcoming their 'miracle' son. 'They're both overjoyed. The baby is such a miracle. He's adorable and doing well. Hailey's doing well, too,' a source told People earlier this week. 'The pregnancy was something that they very much wished and prayed for. The day they found out that Hailey was pregnant was the best ever for Justin. He was over the moon with excitement. It was a big celebration for them,' the source added. The musician's proving to be a natural father, with the insider stating, 'Justin's already a great dad.' The new mom shared photos from her emergency cesarean birth to Instagram on Wednesday 'Our stunner of a daughter was born at 11:22pm on the 23rd of August by emergency cesarean. Our hearts have literally exploded into a million pieces. Shy Trinity Afua Wheatley,' she wrote Hailey commented, 'baby Shy!!!!' to which Adwoa replied, 'a day apart,' along with a number of broken heart and baby duck emojis This led fans to conclude that baby Jack was born on Thursday, August 22, a day before Justin announced his arrival on his Instagram with a photo showing his little foot The Canadian hitmaker shared the news of his son's birth with his fans on Friday, writing 'WELCOME HOME,' before revealing that they've named him Jack Blues 'Its total bliss for the two of them,' a source told Us Weekly about the pair, adding that Hailey is 'enjoying and savoring these moments being a new mom. 'She is over the moon and in mom zone, and completely focused on the health of the baby.' 'Justin is overjoyed and very hands-on. A lot of things will change. Hes a dad now and will be a lot more private and protective and focused on the family first,' the insider added. Justin has been very involved with the pregnancy, even going as far as picking out the manicure Hailey wore during the delivery of their first child. His announcement photo on Friday featured Hailey's manicured hand. And it turns out that the 'muted nudish white micro French' design she wore on her almond-shaped nails was chosen by him, according to the star's manicurist Zola Ganzorigt. 'Justin has been choosing Haileys nail design lately and it was his request, ' Ganzorigt told Vogue. The name 'Jack' appears to have personal significance for the lovebirds, as it is the middle name of Justin father Jeremy Bieber. Justin and Hailey's parents have publicly congratulated the couple on their bundle of joy. Jeremy, 49, wrote 'papa' on X on Saturday, perhaps referring to the name he wants his grandson to call him. Justin's mother Pattie Mallette, 49, re-shared the sweet snap from Justin's page to her Instagram Stories and penned an enthusiastic 'OH MY HEART. WELCOME BABY JACK!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!' The pair are said to be 'overjoyed' after welcoming their 'miracle' son. 'The pregnancy was something that they very much wished and prayed for,' a source told People The musician's proving to be a natural father, with the insider stating, 'Justin's already a great dad' Meanwhile Hailey is 'enjoying and savoring these moments being a new mom. She is over the moon and in mom zone,' a source told Us Weekly; they are seen in June Hailey has largely been out of the public spotlight in nearly a month, as she has not been pictured out in public since July 31 Hailey's parents were elated as well. Her dad Stephen Baldwin, re-shared Mallette's tweet, adding his own 'Amen, Congratulations to you and may God continue to bless our family.' Jeremy split from Justin's mother Pattie shortly after his birth in Ontario, Canada, when both were just 18. The hitmaker initially saw little of his father as a child, but the two reconnected and have spent significantly more time together since Justin became an adult, solidifying their fatherson relationship. Hailey has largely been out of the public spotlight in nearly a month, as she has not been pictured out in public since July 31, and doesn't appear to have posted a new photo featuring her baby bump since August 2. She and her husband were prepared for Jack's birth, as a source told People late last month that the two were 'ready to become parents.' 'They're planning for the baby's arrival and it's very cute,' they said. Her pregnancy was only known to the public for a relatively short time, as she managed to keep it hidden for an astounding six months. She finally went public with her pregnancy reveal on May 9, 2024, when she shared photos of herself and Justin renewing their marriage vows in Hawaii. Although the couple looked over the moon when they revealed Hailey's pregnancy, Justin was said to look haggard and stressed when he did a perfunctory performance of some of his hits at the incredibly opulent wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Mumbai, India. Earlier in August, two sources told DailyMail.com that Justin was desperate and stressed over Hailey's alleged over-the-top spending; pictured in June 2024 in New York City Earlier this month, a source exclusively told DailyMail.com that Bieber was desperate for the wedding performance's $10 million payday due to Hailey's extravagant spending in recent months. 'Hailey is a seriously high spender,' they alleged, before adding that the star has spent tens of millions on private jets. They added that Justin was allegedly 'isolated from his friends and family.' Bieber was said to be 'miserable,' and he had allegedly lost 'his identity, creative drive' and was 'uninspired.' Justin and Hailey's first try at love was a brief dating stint over about two months in late 2015 and early 2016, though they later got back together in June 2018 and got engaged in July of that year. The couple were later revealed to have had a secret civil marriage in September 2018. Justin and Hailey subsequently celebrated their love with a much larger ceremony for friends and family in South Carolina in September 2019. Paired-up assistance credited for helping modernize Xizang Xinhua) 08:00, August 29, 2024 LHASA, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- After two failed attempts to apply for work in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, thousands of kilometers away from his hometown, Li Dong finally succeeded in 2022, following his father's footsteps in aiding the construction of the plateau region. Li's persistence stemmed from a summer vacation trip in 1997, when he visited his father, one of the first cadres in Shandong Province assigned to Bainang County in the region to assist local development. "The history and the culture in Xizang that I learned about during that trip and the stories told by my father lingered in my memory, pushing me to come and work here just like my father," said Li, serving as deputy head of the county now, who is among the 10th batch of cadres assigned by Shandong to work for a three-year term in Xizang. Benefiting from the aiding efforts of Shandong, a renowned vegetable production base in China, Bainang has developed into "a vegetable basket" on the plateau. More than 2,200 greenhouses produce over 60,000 tonnes of vegetables and fruits every year, and the sector's annual output reaches nearly 300 million yuan (about 42.1 million U.S. dollars). Thirty years ago, the central government decided to rally national support for Xizang. Under the paired-up assistance policy, some central state organs, provincial-level regions and centrally administered state-owned enterprises were designated to assist in specific areas in the region. Since then, cadres from government and enterprise units in more developed areas have taken turns stationed in Xizang, greatly contributing to its development. A grand gathering is held to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Xizang at the Potala Palace square in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo) The unswerving drive has helped transform a once poor, backward Xizang into a region featuring economic prosperity and the happiness of its people -- a feat that demonstrates the country's political and institutional advantages, which would have been impossible without the leadership of the Communist Party of China. NEW LOOK At an average altitude of over 4,500 meters, Nagqu is paired with the economic hub of Zhejiang Province in east China, which helps with Nagqu's development. Statistics show that over the decades, a total of 645 cadres from Zhejiang have been assigned one batch after another, and more than 6 billion yuan has been poured from the province to Nagqu. Students have meals at the canteen of Baingoin County Sinopec Primary School in Baingoin County, Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida) In a small village in the rural area of Nagqu, a 143-million yuan program supported by the Zhejiang team to aid Xizang's construction started in 2021, turning the village into a community with concrete roads and neatly distributed new Tibetan houses equipped with tap water. "Gone are the days when we had to carry water home from several kilometers away," said local villager Tsogyel Wangmo, 57, adding that they now have a flush toilet in their new house. Also in the city, a smart clothing manufacturing project of a company introduced by officials from Zhejiang began trial operation in mid-June with a total investment of 50 million yuan. Pieces of cloth traverse through several sections when they are automatically made into school uniforms and outdoor jackets. Ye Wanhua, the company's general manager, said it is the first smart factory in Nagqu. The company, which has been settled in Nagqu for four years, has expanded its investment in cold-chain logistics and hotel businesses, creating jobs and securing an output value exceeding 100 million yuan in 2023. IMPROVING LIVELIHOOD On the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, the thin air leads to high hemoglobin concentrations, thick blood and a heavy burden on the heart and lungs in the human body. In 2020, under the assistance of doctors from south China's Guangdong Province, a national chest pain center was inaugurated in the city of Nyingchi -- the first one at the prefecture level in Xizang that meets the national standard. In this center, the doctor team completed the first heart valve surgery in Xizang. Huang Xiaozhong, a cardiologist based in Guangzhou, volunteered to stay in Nyingchi for three years to help establish the center. Huang recalled that before the center was in place, local patients hit by acute myocardial infarction had to be transferred to the regional capital Lhasa or even farther places outside Xizang for treatment with a long time on the way, posing a threat to their lives. "Many of them passed away on the way," said Huang. Now, one to two operations are held in the center daily and doctors also guide hospitals in remote counties in thrombolytic therapies. "The patients hit by myocardial infarction in the remote mountainous areas no longer have to helplessly wait for death," said Purbu Tashi, a local doctor who learned medical skills from Huang. Wang Tongxu, doctor of a medical team from a hospital in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, treats a patient at a village in Mainling City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) Relevant data shows that during the "13th Five-Year Plan" period (2016-2020) alone, 17 provinces and municipalities planned and arranged 1,260 projects with a total investment of 20 billion yuan to support the development of Xizang. Schools, hospitals, and kindergartens built by various units from other parts of China have been established on the plateau. Due to his poor health, Li Jiqian, Li Dong's father in Shandong, cannot visit Bainang County again. His son often video calls him, showing him the latest progress in the county where he used to work. Many greenhouses now have sensors and cameras for smart plantations. "Aiding the construction of Xizang is a continuous project. I hope my son can carry on the deeds that I couldn't finish," said the senior Li, 69. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Q&A on China reforms: What will a unified national market offer? 16:13, August 29, 2024 By Shi Hao ( Xinhua BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Consumers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) might receive their made-in-China thermos flasks earlier than expected this summer, thanks to an endeavor they may know little about but that is poised to invigorate the Chinese economy. Customs clearance time of the 10,000 thermos flasks bound for the UAE was slashed by half and logistics costs were reduced after customs of Shanghai and Nanjing streamlined export procedures through closer coordination. The integration of services across separate customs districts reflects broader supportive policies in China as the country works to build a "unified national market," aiming to fully harness the potential of its vast economy amid economic headwinds. The drive to create a unified national market has gained steam since March 2022, when China's central authorities issued guidelines urging faster progress. According to Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, these efforts have already yielded significant results. The latest data from the State Administration for Market Regulation show that 4,218 specific measures obstructing the establishment of a unified national market and fair competition have been eliminated since June 2023. These measures restricted market access and exit, impeded the free movement of goods and production factors, or improperly affected production costs and business activities. "Meanwhile, there remain problems such as inadequate institutions and rules in some sectors, underdeveloped markets of production factors, and persistent local protectionism and market segmentation," Zhang stated in an article about building a unified national market. The third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) last month passed a package of reform measures, including steps toward building a unified national market as part of the grand blueprint for the coming years. Here are the implications of the unified market initiative for the Chinese economy and for businesses aiming to leverage these reforms. WHY IS CHINA AIMING TO BUILD A UNIFIED NATIONAL MARKET "The market is the scarcest resource globally. China's market of immense scale and tremendous growth potential serves as a great advantage for development and a solid foundation for coping with changes," said Zhang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. The CPC leadership envisions a unified national market where the underlying institutions and rules of the market are unified, market regulation is exercised in an impartial and unified manner, and connectivity between market facilities is built to high standards. Only by building a unified national market can the size of the market be expanded, full competition be promoted, transaction costs be reduced, and the efficiency of the market be enhanced in resources allocation, according to Zhang. "The formation and development of a dynamic domestic market can maintain and enhance China's appeal to global production factors and resources, as well as better connect the domestic and international markets," he said. A well-developed market is also expected to grease the wheels of investment and consumer spending, addressing the acute challenge posed by the current lack of effective demand in the Chinese economy. "The building of a unified national market does not mean a return to a planned economy" and the pursuit of market unity has been a universal trend since the end of World War II, said Zheng Yongnian, a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen). "One of the strengths of a modern state is owning a unified market across the nation. Today's European Union has taken a step further by establishing a supranational single market, which is crucial for the development of Europe," Zheng said. Yang Panpan and Cui Xiaomin, senior research fellows with the Institute of World Economics and Politics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, highlighted the significance of Europe's efforts to promote the free movement of goods, people, services and money. "To leverage the advantage of China's gigantic market, we need to move faster to clear blockages in domestic economic flows," Yang and Cui stated in a co-authored article. According to the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore, building a unified national market will do good to the Chinese economy, although the process might not be easy or quick. A more liberalized and unified production factors market will improve China's productivity, unified infrastructure can boost investment and contribute to growth, and a sound business environment with fair competition is crucial for China's sustainable development, the institute said in a commentary. HOW WILL CHINA MOVE TO BUILD A UNIFIED NATIONAL MARKET When outlining principles of creating a unified national market, the vice premier said it is imperative to "scientifically set boundaries between the government and the market" and promote better interplay between an efficient market and a well-functioning government. Starting this month, China's administrative agencies and organizations legally authorized to manage public affairs must conduct fair competition reviews when formulating laws, rules and policies related to business activities. The new rules came into effect after the CPC plenum in July pledged to review and abolish regulations and practices that impede the development of a unified national market and fair competition. "Under the rules, local policy measures cannot include content that could restrict market access or the free flow of goods, or adversely impact production costs or business activity," said Dezan Shira &Associates, a consulting firm providing advisory to international investors. According to the consulting firm, some foreign companies in China have expressed concerns about equal access to government bidding. They may now find reassurance in China's decision to enhance public bidding processes to ensure transparency and equal treatment for all businesses. "A unified national market will by no means be a market behind closed doors, but one oriented to the whole world and wide open," Zhang said, adding that steps will be taken to expand institutional opening up and promote China's alignment with high-standard international economic and trade rules. Foreign direct investment in the Chinese mainland, in actual use, totaled 539.5 billion yuan (75.7 billion U.S. dollars) in the first seven months of 2024, staying at a high level despite a year-on-year dip. Last week, China's central authorities published guidelines on improving market access regulations, demanding "strengthened alignment" of market access policies regarding domestic and foreign investors. Another key task of Chinese policymakers when building a unified national market is to boost domestic demand. The CPC leadership at the July plenum vowed reform measures to stimulate and facilitate non-governmental investment as well as expand consumption and reduce relevant restrictions. An article in Harvard Business Review this week advised multinational corporations to capitalize on China's vast consumer base and other key strengths to avoid losing global revenue and strategic opportunities. "Despite all the talk about companies 'de-risking' and 'decoupling' from China, the country still offers a market of unmatched scale with sophisticated consumers that push companies to continually improve," the article reads. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo is running for the House seat in the 16th Congressional District. Tony Avelar/Special to the Chronicle 2020 The original plan was a routine extension of BART from its Berryessa Station through downtown San Jose to Diridon and Santa Clara stations. Instead, thanks to the mayor bowing to pressure from a handful of downtown businesses opposed to temporary construction disruptions, Liccardo helped sway the Valley Transportation Authority to replace the workable original twin-bore tunnel plan with a deep, 54-foot diameter single-bore subway that is large enough to include entire subway stations inside the tube. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For this reason, Santa Clara County is now saddled with a less functional $12.7 billion subway, already $1.2 billion over budget, an amount that will undoubtedly rise. Gerald Cauthen, president, Bay Area Transportation Working Group, Oakland Parents need Great Highway Regarding Endorsement: Transforming S.F.s Upper Great Highway into a park is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Prop K is the start (Editorials, SFChronicle.com, Aug. 24): As the president of the Chinese Democratic Club, co-founder of the Chinese Parent Advisory Council of San Francisco and parent of two former Ulloa Elementary School students, I am urging you to vote no on Proposition K in November and keep the Upper Great Highway open to cars. This is a critical issue because the proposed closure would make the commute more difficult for Ulloa Elementarys students and their families, possibly resulting in declining enrollment for the Sunset District school. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ulloa Elementary is near Sloat Boulevard and has nearly 550 students. About half of its families live in the Richmond District. They commute each day on the Upper Great Highway. It takes them seven minutes to drive from Lincoln Avenue to Sloat Boulevard. The alternate route on Sunset Boulevard takes twice as long. If the Upper Great Highway is closed to cars, imagine the traffic jam of vehicles diverted to Sunset Boulevard and how much longer it would take. Our schools and families need support. Making schools less accessible reduces choices for quality education not just for San Franciscos Chinese American families but for all of its families. Josephine Zhao, San Francisco Support journalism Advertisement Article continues below this ad As a result of this investigative reporting, the California attorney general and the U.S. Justice Department filed antitrust lawsuits against the alleged colluding landlords last week. ProPublica is a nonprofit created in 2007 when large internet companies began to post content created by news organizations without compensation. Unfortunately, the internet companies are just too powerful to be held to account. The deal cut between Google and California last week will reimburse news organizations $250 million over 10 years. This may sound like a lot, but it was described by the Media Guild of the West labor union president as a total rout. Legislators respond to political will. Lets let them know how much we value robust journalism. It does not come for free. Large internet companies should pay for the news they feature, or it will disappear. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kaia Eakin, Redwood City Protect S.F. neighborhoods Regarding VC accused of hostile takeover of S.F. neighborhood. New proposal could help legacy businesses (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, Aug. 26): The characteristics of this Fillmore Street commercial strip the small businesses and treasured restaurants, and their intimacy and quirkiness are what attracted these venture capitalists. About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies These are the same businesses that are now being pushed out. Our neighborhoods have seemed to have recovered reasonably well from the pandemic, but they still need support. Advertisement Article continues below this ad These developers and venture capitalists could better serve the city of San Francisco by using their considerable wealth and power to help revitalize downtown rather than destroy our unique, well-loved neighborhoods. Kaos has been hailed 'an absolute triumph' by critics after the 'bonkers' dark-comedy starring Billie Piper and Jeff Goldblum dropped on Netflix on Thursday. The eight-episode series from The End of the F***ing World creator Charlie Covell has left experts impressed with it's modern take on Greek mythology. Starring Jeff Goldblum as a power-hungry, track-suit wearing Zeus, his 'effortless' portrayal and 'zany charisma' has left viewers wanting more. Billie, seen with rotten teeth and messy hair, plays a mysterious woman named Cassandra, who is able to make predictions about the future. The show follows Zeus, who wakes up one day and sees a wrinkle on his forehead and believes it to be a sign that an ancient prophecy foretelling his downfall is coming to fruition. Kaos has been hailed 'an absolute triumph' by critics after the 'bonkers' dark-comedy starring Billie Piper and Jeff Goldblum dropped on Netflix on Thursday Starring Jeff Goldblum as a power-hungry, track-suit wearing Zeus, his 'effortless' portrayal and 'zany charisma' has left viewers wanting more iNews questions why no one has cast Jeff Goldblum as the 'king of the gods before now' because he slip's into the character 'so well.' Awarding the series four stars, TV Editor Emily Baker notes: 'An explosion of colour and detail that at times could be mistaken for a Versace advert, this is a big-budget, no-idea-too-wild romp through ancient Greek mythology no classics degree necessary.' In The Standard's four star review, Vicky Jessop writes 'this is surely the most bonkers show its put out in a long time.' She adds: 'The show is an explosion of creativity that practically seeps off the screen, punctuated by sharp bursts of wit and pathos. 'The story is mad, the energy frenetic and the performances off-the-wall. But it all just about hangs together, and the end result is a glorious burst of firecracker energy. Just the thing to stave off those autumn blues.' The Hollywood Reporter praised the 'impressive cast and cheeky tone' but said it shows 'little investment in substantive follow-through.' They write: 'The series becomes an almost nonstop stream of neat bits and pieces, fused by an over-aggressive soundtrack and intrusive Promethean voiceover instead of by an actual narrative. 'Every Goldblum line-reading is a small treasure. Especially in the current political climate.' The eight-episode series from The End of the F***ing World creator Charlie Covell has left experts impressed with it's modern take on Greek mythology (Suzy Izzard seen as Lachy) iNews questions why no one has cast Jeff Goldblum as the 'king of the gods before now' because he slip's into the character 'so well' The Hollywood Reporter praised the 'impressive cast and cheeky tone' but said it shows 'little investment in substantive follow-through' The Telegraph applauds the dark-comedy as a 'rambunctious reboot of the Greek myths.' Jasper Rees notes: 'It all looks splendidly expensive, even without many special effects. The musical palette travels all over the shop too from Mozart to Bowie via Enya. 'When Zeus takes the form of Jeff Goldblum we are clearly in the realm of neurotic comedy.' In The Guardian's five star review the series is praised as being 'witty, rigorous, hugely intelligent, funny and brutal.' Lucy Mangan writes: 'Hilarious, profound and moving: this fantasy series is an utter triumph. Its tale of Zeus and co living in the modern day is intelligent, twisty and action-packed. 'Its an absolute triumph thank Covell and the gods.' Radio Times says 'Jeff Goldblum provides glorious chaos in Netflix's irreverent tale,' in their four star review, saying 'it's difficult to imagine anyone else in the role.' Louise Griffin continues: 'With its stellar cast and surprisingly dark subject matter, Kaos brings something completely fresh to the table. 'Pulling audiences headfirst through its unsettling, funny and gripping narrative, and blasting us with a soundtrack fit for the gods, KAOS holds up throughout its eight episodes, culminating in an epic and, once again, surprisingly dark final instalment.' Radio Times says 'Jeff Goldblum provides glorious chaos in Netflix's irreverent tale,' in their four star review, saying 'it's difficult to imagine anyone else in the role' Financial Times says Jeff 'brings his usual zany charisma' to his 'effortless' portrayal of Zeus but the series struggles to hold together a story Financial Times says Jeff 'brings his usual zany charisma' to his 'effortless' portrayal of Zeus but the series struggles to hold together a story. Awarding Kaos three stars, they concluded: 'Ultimately, Kaos is too plot-driven and diffuse to work as light diversion, too arch and meta to become sincerely invested in. It may be an imaginative take on ancient tales but its unlikely to go down as one of the classics.' The project was first ordered to series back in June 2018 and also stars David Thewlis as Hades, Rakie Ayola as Persephone, Stephen Dillane as Prometheus, Killian Scott as Orpheus, Misia Butler as Caeneus, Stanley Townsend as Minos, and Leila Farzad as Ari. Elle Macpherson proved she's still got what it takes to be a supermodel on Thursday when she attended her book signing event in show-stopping gold pants. Turning Bondi into her own private runway, the genetically blessed beauty, 60, looked half her age as she strutted her stuff on the way to Gertrude & Alice. The entrepreneur greeted fans inside the bookstore cafe as she signed their copies of her titular memoir at an event hosted by Tracy Grimshaw. Elle stole the show in her glittering gold slacks as she accessorised with a $5,300 Christian Dior tote bag, strapping another designer handbag across her torso. She paired her eye-catching pants with a basic white T-shirt and black leather jacket before slipping on some comfortable slides and hiding her eyes behind dark shades. The supermodel looked half her age as she opted for a very minimal makeup look and let her blonde tresses fall in long thick curls down her back. Inside the venue, Elle posed for photos with former A Current Affair host Tracy, 64, who donned a white shirt and simple navy blazer for the occasion. It comes just a few weeks after Elle announced the release of her very first book, aptly titled Elle, on Instagram. Elle Macpherson, 60, (pictured) proved she's still got what it takes to be a supermodel on Thursday when she attended her book signing event in show-stopping gold pants In her heartfelt post, the Aussie star opened up about the inspiration behind her literary debut. 'The journey from my head to my heart is an ongoing journey to unconditional love - unlimited love, joy, fulfilment, and purpose. My whole life has been a journey looking for that,' she wrote. 'Sharing powerful life lessons, tools, and understandings that I have learned through the highs and lows of my life so you can transform yours.' Turning Bondi into her own private runway, the genetically blessed beauty looked half her age as she strutted her stuff on the way to Gertrude & Alice The entrepreneur greeted fans (right) inside the bookstore cafe as she signed their copies of her titular memoir at an event hosted by Tracy Grimshaw, 64, (centre) Elle stole the show in her glittering gold slacks as she accessorised with a $5,300 Christian Dior tote bag, strapping another designer handbag across her torso She paired her eye-catching pants with a basic white T-shirt and black leather jacket before slipping on some comfortable slides and hiding her eyes behind dark shades Fans can expect an intimate and insightful read, as the book promises to feature 'real life gems from the Aussie icon'. According to the publishing company's official website, Elle's book details her 'extraordinary journey of personal transformation', showcasing how she overcame adversities, illness, and inner conflicts. 'Now, in this book, fashioned with her irrepressible humour and spirit, Elle shares with you her hard-earned, well-learned wisdoms that empower us all to bring our own unique selves to life for the greater benefit of our world,' the description adds. Known for her successful modeling career and entrepreneurial ventures, Elle's move into the literary world marks a significant new chapter in her diverse career. The supermodel looked half her age as she opted for a very minimal makeup look and let her blonde tresses fall in long thick curls down her back Inside the venue, Elle posed for photos with former A Current Affair host Tracy who donned a white shirt and simple navy blazer for the occasion It comes just a few weeks after Elle announced the release of her very first book, aptly titled Elle, on Instagram Jodie Comer appeared in high spirits as she grabbed dinner with her younger brother Charlie in London earlier this week. The actress, 31, cut a stylish figure in a black and white swirly print patterned shirt which she teamed with bootleg jeans and black heeled boots. Charlie, 29, who works for as an analyst Huddersfield FC, rocked a stripy T-shirt and dark jeans for the low-key outing. The pair were in a giggly mood as they chatted away while leaving the restaurant. Jodie described Charlie as her 'best friend' in an interview. Jodie Comer appeared in high spirits as she grabbed dinner with her younger brother Charlie in London earlier this week The pair were in a giggly mood as they chatted away while leaving the restaurant She said: 'He is my best mate,' she explained. 'He is two years younger than me and I care more about what he thinks than anyone else. 'Whatever happens, I cant upset our Charlie.' The catch-up was no doubt a welcome break for Jodie who has been busy filming 28 Years Later in Northumberland. The Killing Eve actress was announced in April to be starring in the second sequel to the 2002 film, with Danny Boyle returning as director. Reprising his role from the first movie, Oscar-winning Cillian Murphy will return as Jim, joined by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, Erin Kellyman and Jack O'Connell. Jodie, who will play a Geordie character in the post-apocalyptic flick, was spotted filming in the Northumberland countryside last month. She recently revealed she had been taking inspiration from Girls Aloud star Cheryl for her Newcastle accent. According to an interview with ELLE UK, Jodie has been looking back at old episodes of Cheryl on The X Factor to master the twang. The actress, 31, cut a stylish figure in a black and white swirly print patterned shirt which she teamed with bootleg jeans and black heeled boots Jodie described Charlie as her 'best friend' in an interview She said: 'He is my best mate,' she explained. 'He is two years younger than me and I care more about what he thinks than anyone else' Charlie, 29, who works for as an analyst Huddersfield FC, rocked a stripy T-shirt and dark jeans for the low-key outing The catch-up was no doubt a welcome break for Jodie who has been busy filming 28 Years Later in Northumberland The Killing Eve actress was announced in April to be starring in the second sequel to the 2002 film, with Danny Boyle returning as director Jodie, who will play a Geordie character in the post-apocalyptic flick, was spotted filming in the Northumberland countryside last month The original zombie apocalyptic film debuted in cinemas 22 years earlier in 2002 - with Cillian taking on a leading role. The sequel is slated to be the third instalment in the franchise and the first in an upcoming trilogy. Danny, who directed 28 Days later, as well as original writer, Alex Garland, are also returning. The pair notably only served as executive producers on the second movie, 28 Weeks Later (2007). Both Danny and Alex are producing the new project alongside Andrew Macdonald, Peter Rice and Bernie Bellew, while Cillian is an executive producer. While talking to The Independent earlier this year in January, Cillian revealed if he would possibly star in the franchise once again. It is Jodie's second apocalyptic film in recent years, after her heartwrenching performance in the climate crisis drama The End We Start From. Jodie starred as Mother in the movie adaptation of Megan Hunter's novel which sees her character navigating motherhood for the first time during a terrifying apocalyptic flood . Winona Ryder has opened up about her difficult experiences after starring in the original Beetlejuice film in 1988. It's been 36 years since the world first experienced the film, and the unforgettable bio exorcist is set to haunt screens once more in the new long-awaited sequel to the cult-classic film. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is set to hit cinemas in a matter of days, with stars Michael Keaton, 72, Winona, 52, and Catherine O'Hara, 70, all returning to their iconic roles - while Tim Burton has also made a comeback to direct the movie. Winona stars in the film as main lead Lydia Deetz and in a new interview for Esquire's autumn issue she reflected on her life after the first film. She told how while she was still at high school and aged just 17 when it first came out. Winona Ryder has opened up about her difficult experiences after starring in the original Beetlejuice film in 1988 (seen with co-star Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice in original film) Winona stars in the film as main lead Lydia Deetz and in a new interview for Esquire 's autumn issue she reflected on her life after the first film Winona remarked: 'I remember thinking that it was going to, like, change my status, and it made it worse. 'They were like, 'You're a witch! You're a freak!' It amplified it. I was like, 'But I'm in a movie!' Winona remarked: 'I remember thinking that it was going to, like, change my status, and it made it worse. 'They were like, 'You're a witch! You're a freak!' It amplified it. I was like, 'But I'm in a movie!' She added of getting to play the part of Lydia in the original Beetlejuice: 'I was very much like Lydia. They didn't have to do much with me. 'My brother found a picture of me taken like a month before that audition. I'd dyed my hair blue-black, I had these crazy short bangs, and I dressed in black.' She also told how the how experiences on set of the new film were wholly positive as she praised her co-star Michael for being 'so gentle with her'. Winona said: 'Michael was so gentle with me. And Catherine O'Hara. They always included me. They were so kind and so thoughtful. It was unique because as a kid actor you don't always get that. 'It's about the adults. It truly was the first time I ever felt like I collaborated on a movie. And I really had a connection with Tim. I remember going on to other movies and it was not like that. People weren't so kind. It was much rougher.' Winona Ryder, 52, got her big break in Beetlejuice and her career flourished in the 1990s. The star is returning as Lydia Deetz for the upcoming sequel, with her character now being a mother to a teenage daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega). She told how while she was still at high school and aged just 17 when it first came out (seen at the Venice Film Festival premiere on Wednesday night) It's been 36 years since the world first experienced the film, and the unforgettable bio exorcist is set to haunt screens once more in the new long-awaited sequel to the cult-classic film Lydia assumed she would never hear from the mischievous entity ever again - until her daughter comes across an advertisement for a 'Bio Exorcist' in their attack. It is Astrid who ends up bringing Beetlejuice back by saying his name three times despite the stern warnings of her mother. After a dramatic breakup with Johnny Depp and a shoplifting incident in the 2000s, she had a recent resurgence due to her role of Joyce Byers in Stranger Things. After Beetlejuice, she starred in the cult classic Heathers (1988) and played Jerry Lee Lewis's cousin child bride Myra in Great Balls Of Fire (1989). Even after having four films under her belt and dating the likes of Rob Lowe in the mid-80s and Christian Slater around the time she filmed Heathers, she still wasn't widely accepted among her peers. 'When I get around people my own age, I'm a wreck. What they think of me is so much more important than what people in the industry think of me,' she told Vogue back in 1994. She also told how the how experiences on set of the new film were wholly positive as she praised her co-star Michael for being 'so gentle with her' Winona got her big break in Beetlejuice (pictured left) and she had a recent resurgence due to her role of Joyce Byers in Stranger Things (pictured right in 2022) Ryder starred as Lydia Deetz when she was just 16 years old while she thought it would boost her popularity at school but it actually did the opposite Beetlejuice Beetlejuice review: Tim Burton's sequel is unable to pull off the same camp, vampy spirit as its predecessor, writes BRIAN VINER Rating: How dispiritingly apt it is in this cinematic universe of sequels and franchises that the picture chosen to open the world's most venerable film festival should be Tim Burton's follow-up to his 1988 hit Beetlejuice, long-awaited by just about nobody. Nobody I know, anyway. The 81st Venice Film Festival opened last night with an impressive cluster of stars on the red carpet, but the movie they were here to celebrate Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - is not quite worthy of the honour. The 1988 original was a comedy-horror classic, which to paraphrase the title of one of the decade's best-known songs, showed that some ghouls just want to have fun. It was a further indication after Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (1985) that Burton, then still in his mid-twenties, had an outsize imagination. And a couple of years later the point was reinforced by the gloriously weird Edward Scissorhands (1990). But the first Beetlejuice was very much of its time: a camp, vampy, Reagan-era mickey-take of yuppies and consumerism. Hard as screenwriters Alfred Gough and Miles Millar strain to imbue this sequel with the same spirit, they don't really pull it off. Advertisement 'I think it's just facing my own insecurity. I was not accepted in high school, not in junior high school, not in elementary school. I was always picked on. I never had friends, except for one, Heather. 'This is going to sound weird, but even after I got famous, kids weren't nicer to me. I mean I stayed in high school until I was a sophomore. I'd done four movies. I'd done Beetlejuice it was a huge movie. But kids still threw food at me,' she concluded. At that point, she left high school and started working on high-profile films with Hollywood's elite. The autumn issue of Esquire UK is on sale now. Lily James has enjoyed a well-deserved break from her busy acting schedule to jet to Ibiza for a sunny getaway. The actress, 35, took to Instagram to share a gallery of snaps from her beachside break, including a daring abseil down a cliff, and hours of sunbathing. In one snap, Lily showed off her incredible figure in a skimpy black crochet bikini, while reclining on a sunbed. Another image offered a glimpse of Lily's toned abs in pastel tie-dye sportswear as she headed to her resort's gym for an exercise session. Having enjoyed a relaxing getaway at the Six Senses resort, Lily captioned her post: 'Island life.' Lily James, 35, has enjoyed a well-deserved break from her busy acting schedule to jet to Ibiza for a sunny getaway The actress took to Instagram to share a gallery of snaps from her beachside break, including a glimpse of her incredible figure in a black bikini During her trip, Lily enjoyed a gruelling hike on the pictursque Ibizan hills, heading to a cliff for an abseil session Lily flew to The Canaries after recently finishing embarking on a trip to Kenya, where she pursued one of her greatest passions by lending herself to a wildlife conservation mission. She shared the work she had been doing alongside her close friend Bart Edwards with her Instagram followers with a post on Monday. The Mamma Mia! actress shared a series of snaps of her exploring the country, driving in a Jeep through parks and looking out across the vast mountain ranges. In one picture, Lily perched on the edge of a green 4x4 which was branded with a Loisaba Conservancy as she took a break. Lily was dressed in cream trousers and a grey vest, her brown hair was half hidden by a cap as she smiled for the camera. In another photo the actress seemed relaxed as she looked out over the mountains while sitting in the shade. The ambassador made sure to sprinkle some pictures and videos of elephants throughout her Instagram post to draw attention to her cause. She has been appointed as the latest Global Supporter of wildlife conservation charity, Space For Giants and was joined by Witcher actor Bart Edwards for the trip. Another image offered a glimpse of Lily's toned abs in pastel tie-dye sportswear as she headed to her resort's gym for an exercise session Having enjoyed a relaxing getaway at the Six Senses resort, Lily captioned her post: 'Island life' The Mamma Mia star enjoyed a daring abseil down a cliffside overlooking the ocean Lily recently wrapped filming on the Bumble biopic Swiped, and has been making the most of her summer break by jetting to Ibiza following her trip to Kenya In her latest post she wrote: 'I am proud to support @spaceforgiants. Protect their Pathways Campaign this World Elephant Day. 'During my time with the SFG team, I learned how many threats elephants face from habitat loss to that forces them to compete for resources and the land they call home. Without urgent protection, we risk losing them forever. 'Your support - no matter how big or small - can make a real difference in protecting these incredible creatures. Link in my bio. Thank you so much x' The actress' social media post comes after she updated her fans last week on her Kenyan travels. Lily gave an insight into her trip as she shared photos enjoying a warm drink at the top of a mountain and wrote in her diary. She looked fresh-faced as she nestled into a Kenya-print chair which overlooked the vast and beautiful landscape. Lily said at the time: 'I am truly honoured to be a Space For Giants Global Supporter and help to achieve their goals to protect Africa's remaining natural ecosystems and populations of large wild animals they contain, and the people who depend on the land.' Lily continued: 'Earlier this year, I had the privilege of visiting some of the critical wild refuges that have been restored and protected by Space for Giants in Kenya. 'With more than 90% of Africa's 8,400 protected landscapes without funding and many natural ecosystems without any protection at all in the face of huge human pressures, wild animals such as elephants, rhinos and big cats are in huge trouble. 'The work that Space for Giants does is, therefore, more important than ever.' Lily has been pursuing one of her greatest passions in recent weeks by lending herself to a wildlife conservation mission in Kenya She showed off her amazing figure in an orange patterned bikini as she posed for a sizzling Instagram mirror selfie during her trip to Africa Space for Giants' CEO and Founder Dr. Max Graham said: 'We are hugely grateful to Lily for taking up this critical role to support us and our frontline teams to preserve Africas last remaining natural ecosystems ad the large wild animals they hold.' 'Space For Giants, with its unwavering commitment to protecting Africa's natural heritage over 10 African countries, welcomes Lily as a valuable addition to its global conservation efforts.' One of the Space For Giants projects Lily encountered during her visit to Kenya was the reintroduction of 21 eastern black rhinos back into Loisaba Conservancy. The rhinos had previously been on the brink of extinction due to poaching for over half a century. Lily reflected: 'Without Space For Giants' tireless work on the ground every day, our children would only see these incredible animals in books.' Eamonn Holmes was given a helping hand and used a walking frame as he left a swanky lunch at Langan's Brasserie in Mayfair, London on Thursday. The TV presenter, 64, is still recovering from back surgery and an injury to his shoulder, which saw him takes four months off work at the end of last year. He wore a smart blue suit as he left the high-end eatery and headed to a nearby car as a friend held onto his arm. He was seen out for first time since whisking his new girlfriend Katie Alexander to Belfast for a week holiday last week. Eamonn was joined by a group of male pals as he headed out for lunch and they were seen leaving with him. Eamonn Holmes was given a helping hand and used a walking frame as he left a swanky lunch at Langan's Brasserie in Mayfair, London on Thursday The TV presenter, 64, is still recovering from back surgery and an injury to his shoulder, which saw him takes four months off work at the end of last year It comes after earlier this week Eamonn took his girlfriend Katie to visit his hometown of Belfast amid claims they are 'in it for the long haul.' Eamonn and his estranged wife Ruth Langsford, also 64, announced their plans to divorce after 14 years of marriage in May and it later emerged that he was dating the blonde relationship therapist, 42. Eamonn is currently on a summer break from his GB News Breakfast show and is set to return next week. During his time off, he was spotted by locals in Carrickfergus, dining at the same budget restaurant, Papa Browns, for four days in a row, The Sun reports. A member of staff at the American diner told the publication: 'He came in four days in a row. I noticed his girlfriend had an English accent. They looked happy.' They continued: 'He appeared quite frail and it took a minute to recognise him, but he was always very polite and friendly. 'Both of them appeared at ease with being seen together. Eamonn really enjoyed it.' He is set to make his comeback on GB News Breakfast next week with co-host Isabel Webster, who has been hosting the show solo during his time off, reports the Express. He wore a smart blue suit as he left the high-end eatery and headed to a nearby car as a friend held onto his arm He was seen out for first time since whisking his new girlfriend Katie Alexander to Belfast for a week holiday last week Eamonn was joined by a group of male pals as he headed out for lunch and they were seen leaving with him It comes after earlier this week Eamonn took his girlfriend Katie to visit his hometown of Belfast amid claims they are 'in it for the long haul' Eamonn and his estranged wife Ruth Langsford, also 64, announced their plans to divorce after 14 years of marriage in May and it later emerged that he was dating the blonde relationship therapist, 42 Eamonn is currently on a summer break from his GB News Breakfast show and is set to return next week During his time off, he was spotted by locals in Carrickfergus, dining at the same budget restaurant, Papa Browns, for four days in a row, The Sun reports Eamonn was using a walking frame as he left the swanky eatery on Thursday He wore a smart blue suit, white shirt and yellow patterned tie Eamonn is said to be smitten with Katie and their relationship has been 'taken to the next level', MailOnline previously revealed. Friends claimed they are now spending most weekends together at his Richmond flat after his marriage to Ruth ended. Eamonn and Katie are mulling over when to take their relationship public and are said to have been offered 'big money' for the official first pictures of them together. The source told us: 'They've been offered some decent money for the first pictures of them together. 'Katie and Eamonn are definitely in it for the long haul. She says she loves him and he loves her.' Eamonn is said to have sent his estranged wife a reassuring message that he wasn't engaged - after it was reported he was set to wed Katie. He was at the centre of rumours he had popped the question to Katie after she was spotted wearing a sparkling diamond ring. In a bid to protect Ruth's feelings, Eamonn is believed to have contacted her to pour cold water over the engagement speculation. A source told MailOnline: 'There are other people in this and I know Eamonn had to message Ruth to say there was nothing in the engagement speculation.' In terms of his health woes a source recently told The Mirror: 'He is doing the best he can under the circumstances but there is not too much to smile about. 'He is not looking to do any interviews and is just keeping his head down and just doing work at GB News and physio sessions to try to improve his mobility.' In 2016, Eamonn underwent a double-hip replacement operation lasting three-and-a-quarter hours after living with acute pain for many years. Speaking about his operation at the time, Eamonn said: ' Was I nervous? No! It was just like being on television. In the build-up I was stressed can I do this? Will I handle it?' Two years later, Eamonn detailed his battle with shingles and how he was struck with the virus on his son Declan's wedding day. During an appearance on Loose Women in September 2021, he spoke about his health battle which left him unable to work on This Morning three years ago. He also shared images of his puffy face covered in marks and scabs during his battle. Ruth and Eamonn pictured in 2018 together before their split Eamonn underwent spinal surgery in 2022 following years of chronic back pain and previously had a double-hip replacement in 2016 Shingles is a viral rash caused by varicella zoster virus, the virus which causes chickenpox, being reactivated. In the UK, 90 per cent of adults have had chickenpox, so will have this virus lying dormant in their nervous systems. His years of chronic back pain started in spring 2021 - which came completely out of nowhere. The pain become so severe that it left Eamonn reliant on a walking stick, but soon found out the root cause. He eventually discovered it was three slipped discs that affected the movement of his right leg. Justin Theroux left Venice with his rumoured fiancee Nicole Brydon Bloom on Thursday the morning after sparking engagement rumours. The 53-year-old ex-husband of Jennifer Aniston and the 30-year-old actress were pictured attending the 81st Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy on Wednesday. The pair both matched in white for what was their second major red carpet appearance, as they promoted his new film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice at the event. And she was spotted wearing a dazzling diamond ring on her left hand on the red carpet as they made a loved-up appearance. They looked in great spirits as they left Venice after the star-studded premiere as they were seen at the airport heading to London for the next part of the movie's press tour. Justin Theroux left Venice with his rumoured fiancee Nicole Brydon Bloom on Thursday the morning after sparking engagement rumours She was spotted wearing a dazzling diamond ring on her left hand on the red carpet as they made a loved-up appearance at the Beetlejuice premiere during Venice Film Festival on Thursday At Marco Polo airport Nicole sported the ring yet again as she sported a casually chic look in all-black. Meanwhile Justin wore a Shakira T-shirt and dark jeans as he made his way through the airport. Justin and Nicole who enjoyed a sporty outing in June have been dating for over a year. They made their first official appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party back in March. DailyMail.com has reached out to Theroux's representatives for comment. At the Beetlejuice premiere The Leftovers star wore a custom cream Zegna suit jacket with a high-collar shirt. He accessorized with Tiffany & Co. jewelry and rocked a scruffy beard. Meanwhile Nicole dazzled in a sleeveless white Akris dress that showed off her toned arms. The gown featured a high neck and a slit in the back. Her brunette tresses were slicked back in an elegant up do. Justin and Nicole have only infrequently surfaced in public as a couple since they were first spotted together in February 2023. The duo were seen walking down the street together in June, wearing sporty outfits. They looked in great spirits as they left Venice after the star-studded premiere as they were seen at the airport heading to London for the next part of the movie's press tour At Marco Polo airport Nicole sported the ring yet again as she sported a casually chic look in all-black Meanwhile Justin wore a Shakira T-shirt and dark jeans as he made his way through the airport in Venice At the Beetlejuice premiere The Leftovers star wore a custom cream Zegna suit jacket with a high-collar shirt. He accessorized with Tiffany & Co. jewelry and rocked a scruffy beard Nicole flashed a massive diamond ring on her ring finger Nicole and Justin reached a milestone last December when he accompanied her as her date to her twin sister Chrissy's wedding. Nicole snapped a mirror selfie from the festivities that showed her and Justin beaming on a staircase amid a claque of loved ones including his dog Kuma. They were also glimpsed kissing last August after a night out on the town. Just before the lip-lock, they had enjoyed an evening at Ray's, the New York dive bar that Justin owns with some friends including Succession actor Nicholas Braun. They were first romantically linked after hitting the picket line in NYC in support of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. Nicole is best known for playing Caroline Stuyvesant in season two of The Gilded Age. She has also appeared in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, 1BR, and We Were the Lucky Ones. Justin also enjoys a famously amicable relationship with his ex-wife Jennifer, 55, whom he was with for a total of seven years. Justin and ex Jennifer were married from 2015 until 2017 but managed to stay friendly after what Justin has called a 'gentle separation.' They announced their split in February 2018, and a few months later Justin told the New York Times how amicable the process had been. 'The good news is that was probably the most - I'm choosing my words really carefully - it was kind of the most gentle separation, in that there was no animosity.' The Tropic Thunder writer added: 'In a weird way, just sort of navigating the inevitable perception of it is the exhausting part.' He also spoke about the end of his relationship with Aniston during an interview with Esquire, where he affirmed that he was still close to his former spouse. 'Like it or not, we didn't have that dramatic split, and we love each other,' he said. The Inland Empire cast member then stated that he wanted to remain in contact with the Friends star well into the future. 'I'm sincere when I say that I cherish our friendship. We can not be together and still bring each other joy,' he said. Justin, who is three years younger than Jennifer, married her in Bel-Air in 2015 and they broke up about two years later. Jennifer and Justin first started dating in 2011, having worked together on the film Wanderlust. He had carried on a 14-year relationship with costume designer Heidi Bivens that collapsed in 2011. At the time, a friend of Heidi's told E! News claimed that Heidi had been 'straight-up dumped,' though the outlet made sure to qualify: 'Not to say it's Aniston's fault, maybe the timing was just terrible?' The star and the actress were pictured attending the 81st Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy on Wednesday The pair both matched in white for what was their second major red carpet appearance, as they promoted his new film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice at the event Since their first public sighting in February 2023, Justin and Nicole have only been intermittently spotted in public, but they did attend this year's Vanity Fair Oscar Party together Justin was previously married to Jennifer Aniston, 55. They were wed from 2015 until 2017; pictured at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2017 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice review: Tim Burton's sequel is unable to pull off the same camp, vampy spirit as its predecessor, writes BRIAN VINER Rating: How dispiritingly apt it is in this cinematic universe of sequels and franchises that the picture chosen to open the world's most venerable film festival should be Tim Burton's follow-up to his 1988 hit Beetlejuice, long-awaited by just about nobody. Nobody I know, anyway. The 81st Venice Film Festival opened last night with an impressive cluster of stars on the red carpet, but the movie they were here to celebrate Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - is not quite worthy of the honour. The 1988 original was a comedy-horror classic, which to paraphrase the title of one of the decade's best-known songs, showed that some ghouls just want to have fun. It was a further indication after Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (1985) that Burton, then still in his mid-twenties, had an outsize imagination. And a couple of years later the point was reinforced by the gloriously weird Edward Scissorhands (1990). But the first Beetlejuice was very much of its time: a camp, vampy, Reagan-era mickey-take of yuppies and consumerism. Hard as screenwriters Alfred Gough and Miles Millar strain to imbue this sequel with the same spirit, they don't really pull it off. Advertisement A source in Justin's camp insisted to Page Six: 'Things were already over between him and Heidi before he got close to Jen.' Heidi's mother Marilyn spoke to Radar Online in 2016, claiming that Justin initially tried to persuade Heidi he and Jennifer were not an item. Marilyn asserted: 'Heidi told me what Justin had told her, that something was going to be written about him and Jennifer, that something was going on between them and he wanted her to know that it was nothing, there was nothing to it.' In Marilyn's telling, Heidi allegedly ultimately discovered that the rumors were true, '[a]nd my sweet Heidi she calls me and says: "Oh mommy." I was going through cancer at the time. It was a time that hurt our family.' The Inbetweeners fans were left rejoicing this week when Joe Thomas revealed that talks of a reboot are in the works. Joe, 40, who portrayed Simon in the hit coming-of-age comedy, said all of the main cast are on board to get back together, a decade after the last film was released. With James Buckley (Jay), Simon Bird (Will) and Blake Harrison (Neil) all on board, Joe suggested that another movie is more likely than a new TV series and would follow the group of lads away from school. However, fans have been left wondering if Emily Atack - who played Charlotte Hinchcliffe on the E4 series - would also be part of the reboot after she was suddenly 'axed' from the last cast reunion. In 2019, the show's leads hosted The Inbetweeners: Fwends Reunited, a chat show style reunion that also featured Jessica Knappett, Lydia Rose Bewley and Lauren O'Rourke who all starred in the first of the two Inbetweeners' films. The Inbetweeners fans fear Emily Atack could miss out on lucrative reboot after 'former fling James Buckley had her axed from last reunion' (pictured on the show with Simon Bird) James is said to have had Emily axed from the 2019 reunion because he was worried his wife, Clair Meek, would find out about the brief relationship they had on the show (pictured in 2010) However, Emily was noticeably absent from the 10th anniversary special, and James was said to have played a part in it. Reports at the time stated that James told producers 'it's her or me' as a result of a past fling they had when they were both single, The Sun suggested that James was afraid his wife Clair would find out about the brief relationship they had during their days in the show during 2008 to 2010. Emily was apparently told the day before she was set to appear on the reunion that she wasn't required. A source told the publication: 'Emily got a call from producers 24 hours before she was due on set. They were deeply embarrassed and apologetic. They had to explain that James had asked she be taken off the show. 'The pair had a couple of cheeky snogs back in the day when they were both single. But James didn't want it to become a major issue on the reunion, or with his wife Clair.' The insider added that the past kisses she shared with James meant nothing and she was shocked and upset to learn that she wasn't needed on the show. James, also apparently took umbrage with Emily being fresh off appearing on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! and claimed it didn't sit well with the Inbetweeners' 'brand'. Emily, who came runner up on the programme, was apparently hurt when she heard James' comments, where he claimed that her reality show stint was 'tacky'. James' representatives refused to comment at the time. Joe Thomas said all of the main cast are on board to get back together, a decade after the last film (L-R) Will [Simon Bird], Simon [Joe], Neil [Blake Harrison], Jay [James Buckley] The bubbly blonde apparently opened up about the information during Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast. A source told The Sun: 'Richard asked about Joe Thomas, saying it couldnt be him as hes a lovely man. 'He then bought up James Buckley, and Emily hesitated and then shouted out "James F***ley!" which got a huge laugh from the audience. 'Emily then said that there was a "lot of snobbery" and then said she didnt want to say anything else.' The comedian previously revealed that she had 'no idea' why she was scrapped from the reunion. She said on Capital Radio: 'I don't really know what happened here. I was booked to do it, very much looking forward to do it. I think it was kind of the day before I was told I was no longer needed for it. Insisting there is no bad blood, Emily continued: 'I wish them all the best and I know it's going to be great. The fans won't be disappointed by it.' MailOnline has contacted Emily's representatives for comment. Emily was apparently told the day before she was set to appear on the 2019 reunion that she wasn't required for filming Emily is currently enjoying a break from work while she adjusts to motherhood. She welcomed her first child - son Barney - in June with her boyfriend Alistair Garner. The actress has known her boyfriend Alistair for almost three decades as her mother is the sister of Alistair's stepmother Jane Garner. They were introduced after Emily's aunt started dating Alistair's father Stephen Garner in the early nighties before they got married in 1994. The Inbetweeners star confirmed she was six months pregnant in March, as she shared a rough idea of her due date with her fans. She shared the news during a BBC Breakfast appearance, where she also confirmed she was expecting a baby boy. During a Loose Women appearance, revealed how pregnancy has changed her priorities before welcoming their little boy. She revealed to the panel how excited she was to welcome her baby and said that she felt 'extremely connected' to her body now more than ever. 'I used to get told off by my friends for not looking after myself enough and staying up too late and all of that and now I'm like, 'No, my body is a vessel''. She later added: 'It's so important that I get an early night and I'm really looking after myself'. Rob Lowe was once pulled over by cops for smoking marijuana with Michael J Fox. The Outsiders star, 60 who recently opened up about acting alongside Tom Cruise recalled getting caught lighting up the drug with the Back to the Future actor back in 1986, Rob shared on the Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast on Wednesday: 'There was a bus tour through California for Prop 65, which was about cleaning up our water system, and everybody on the planet was on it. 'But there were two different buses. We got pulled over for speeding, but also because Michael J. Fox and I were smoking pot out of the top of the Greyhound bus roof,' he admitted. And other A-listers were caught up in the drama. Rob Lowe recalled getting caught smoking pot with Michael Fox back in 1986, while on the Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast on Wednesday; seen in 1986 'We got pulled over for speeding, but also because Michael J. Fox and I were smoking pot out of the top of the Greyhound bus roof,' he admitted; Rob seen in 2024 'The cop pulled us over and it was like a clown car out came Whoopi Goldberg, Cher, Judd Nelson, Michael J. Fox, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Robert Downey Jr., Jane Fonda, Danny Glover,' the former Brat Pack member shared. Lowe said their bus was pulled over because 'we had the top emergency hatch off.' He repeated candidly, 'Michael and I, and we were smoking pot.' Since the incident, the Youngblood star has been vocal about his struggle with addiction in the 80s. He got sober in 1990 with the help of his makeup artist wife Sheryl Berkoff, who he married the following year. In 2021 the Unstable actor told ET, 'Listen, she may have saved my life, really. I mean, she met me when I was at the end of my 80s run of wild boy craziness and she was worth changing my life for. 'So I am really lucky that that happened to me. Maybe I had changed it on my own maybe but its a big maybe. And just when I met her, I knew that if I could not make it with her, I definitely could not make it work with anyone else,' he explained of his now wife's role. And his battle as an alcoholic interfered with family emergencies at the time. Sarah Jessica Parker, seen on Wednesday in NYC, was also on the bus as was Jane Fonda 'I remember like it was yesterday. My mom telling me to "pick up, pick up" because my grandpa had had a heart attack,' he explained, noting that he had a bottle of tequila alongside him. 'I couldnt deal with it in the state I was in, and I needed to go to sleep to wake up so I could deal with it,' he said. The St. Elmos Fire star expressed that in that moment he knew he had gone too far. Lowe said their bus was pulled over because 'We had the top emergency hatch off.' He repeated candidly, 'Michael and I, and we were smoking pot'; seen in 1986 Since the incident, the Youngblood star has been vocal about his struggle with addiction in the 80s; seen in 1985 His battle as an alcoholic interfered with family emergencies at the time; Rob seen in 2024 He got sober in 1990 with the help of his makeup artist wife Sheryl Berkoff, who he married the following year; Rob and Sheryl seen in 2023 In 2021 the Unstable actor said 'Listen, she may have saved my life, really. I mean, she met me when I was at the end of my 80s run of wild boy craziness and she was worth changing my life for'; Rob and Sheryl seen in 2023 'Who doesnt keep a bottle of Cuervo Gold by their bedside table? That was the final wake-up call. Ive been sober ever since,' Rob said. Prior to their bust, he and pal Michael J Fox met on the set of Family Ties in 1982 and lost touch before reconnecting while filming Bright Lights, Big City together in 1988. Now, Rob runs hit podcast Literally! With Rob Lowe while acting on 9-1-1: Lone Star and Unstable which is slated to release season two next month. Noel Gallagher's guitars were brought into his recording studio on Thursday as rehearsals for the Oasis reunion tour gets under way. The guitarist, 57, and brother Liam, 51, announced on Tuesday they are set to come together on stage for the first time in 15 years to perform across the UK and Ireland. Noel was seen heading to his recording studio in north London on Wednesday and it looked like things were in full swing on Thursday. One crew member was pictured lugging two guitars into the studios, with one weathered case bearing the Oasis logo. Photography equipment and lighting was also carried inside, suggesting a photoshoot or filming was about to commence. Noel Gallagher's guitars were brought into his recording studio on Thursday as rehearsals for the Oasis reunion tour gets under way The guitarist, 57, and brother Liam, 51, announced on Tuesday they are set to come together on stage for the first time in 15 years to perform across the UK and Ireland Noel was pictured for the first time on Wednesday since the exciting news as he headed to his studio Oasis is tipped to announce even more dates for their long-awaited reunion tour, which music insiders say will 'sell out in less than three minutes'. The band, rejoined by their original guitarist Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs, will play 14 concerts in Cardiff, Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin next summer. Tickets to the Oasis Live 25 tour will go on sale at 9am on Saturday. A presale will be held on Friday for certain fans that will be selected from a ballot pool. More than four million fans are expected to be vying for the 1,066,888 tickets available across the 14 gigs, with sources telling The Sun that once they sell out 'extra dates will be added for sure'. Industry insiders have also claimed that Bonehead is 'confirmed' for the tour and 'ecstatic' that the band is back together. Liam and Noel Gallagher reportedly 'both wanted him in the fold' after he was 'one of the drivers of the reunion'. Oasis split in 2009 after many years of infighting, with Noel officially leaving the band just before a performance at a festival near Paris, saying at the time he 'simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer '. Even before the dissolution 15 years ago, the brothers had long had an antagonistic relationship and reportedly did not speak to each other for years after the breakup. It looked like things were in full swing on Thursday One crew member was pictured lugging two guitars into the studios, with one weathered case bearing the Oasis logo Photography equipment and lighting was also carried inside, suggesting a photoshoot or filming was about to commence A suitcase was also carried into the studio Another held a digital camera ready to capture any rehearsal footage Liam (R) and Noel (L) reportedly met in secret to plan their rumoured Oasis reunion, with staff present forced to sign non-disclosure agreements (pictured 2008) Fans have been pleading with the brothers to regroup since they disbanded and are now preparing for what they have hailed as the 'ticket bloodbath of the century'. 'These shows will sell out in less than three minutes. Extra dates will be added for sure,' an insider told The Sun. Liam and Noel confirmed Oasis's long-awaited reunion with a tour in 2025 and also alluded to past tensions in the tour announcement on Tuesday. 'The guns have fallen silent,' Oasis said. 'The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised.' A black and white image of the two brothers, both in dark jackets, was also released as part of the announcement. The Britpop band, who split nearly 15 years ago and released their chart-topping album Definitely Maybe around three decades ago, announced the series of dates will kick off at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. The UK and Ireland tour will also visit Manchester's Heaton Park, London 's Wembley Stadium, Edinburgh 's Murrayfield Stadium and Dublin's Croke Park throughout July and August next year. Jane Williams, from South Fulton, Ga., cheers during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 20. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle At the end of his remarks at last weeks Democratic National Convention, former president Bill Clinton said, We need Kamala Harris, the president of joy, to lead us. Let us choose joooooy! echoed Oprah Winfrey later that night, belting that last syllable a mini aria delivered from the stage as the audience erupted in applause. During a convention that officially delivered Vice President Harris the Democratic Partys endorsement for this years presidential race, multiple prominent speakers invoked joy as the partys promised alternative to right-wing MAGA politics. The three-letter word was repeated more than 50 times throughout the convention pumped out with so much exuberance that confetti was practically flying out of my car radio as I listened along. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Joy as political branding is savvy, considering how un-joyful and even apathetic many voters felt in the wake of President Joe Bidens disastrous performance during his June debate with Donald Trump. Joy is also a little bit absurd and spectacular, a fitting follow-up for a campaign thats embraced buzzwords like weird and brat instead of relying on traditionally Dem-flavored policy wonkiness. Harris turn toward joy echoes the pivot in American advertising in the early 20th century: from ads detailing the reasons why Coca-Cola is good for your health to simply, Drink Coke. Its less about what Americans need than what we desire. Joy is the Dems pitch for an alternate reality to the insanity of Project 2025, the fascistic blueprint by former Trump advisers for the next GOP White House. Make America party again, joy tells us. Advertisement Article continues below this ad From left: Emily Treffert, Thavon Her and Cassie Mohr, all of Madison, Wisc., watch the Democratic National Convention roll call on Aug. 20. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle This strategy sounds familiar to people in San Francisco who have heard similar rhetoric from local politicians and political groups. When pitching his idea for a night market in 2023, Sunset District Supervisor Joel Engardio told the Chronicle, We have a lot of joy in San Francisco. We need to celebrate that joy and create more of it. And, true to his word, Engardio has been throwing a lot of parties for the people bread and circuses, perhaps, but theyre real, with the potential to materially help struggling neighborhoods in his district. Harris needs more of that energy: supplementing sugar with substance. Despite the relatively truncated nature of her campaign, Harris still needs to put concrete policy proposals before the public. Sure, Democrats are high on joy for now. But in terms of the long game, its not enough that Harris wont be doing Project 2025. How will her administration address wealth inequality, hunger and child poverty, which the Biden White House has allowed to bounce back with the drawdown of the pandemic-era social safety net? Advertisement Article continues below this ad How will Harris deal with a corrupt Supreme Court, increasing climate disasters, homelessness and drug crises? How is Harris going to depart meaningfully, if at all, from her predecessor? A month after the initial euphoria of Bidens torch-passing, were all eager to find out. The DNC was so frenzied and so overwrought with enthusiasm that those question marks the fissures in that joyful facade really stuck out. So did some key moments that werent so joyful. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After weeks of negotiations, requests to include just one Palestinian American speaker at the convention were rejected by Democratic party leadership. Yet there was plenty of space for multiple Republicans to speak. In an incident that was nauseatingly on the nose, a DNC delegate holding up a Stop Arming Israel sign was struck repeatedly by another delegates We Love Joe sign. About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies Then there was this remark from Harris that landed like a bucket of ice water during the festivities: As commander-in-chief, I will ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world. Im old enough to remember similar sentiments from George W. Bush, a president who doubled defense spending while increasing income inequality during his tenure. Does Harris newfound slogan, Were not going back, not apply to this? If joy is Harris promise to America, its worthwhile to press her on what shell do to bring it to everyone. There needs to be some medicine to go along with this spoonful of sugar. Cate Blanchett covered her cleavage with her hands as she stunned while arriving at the Disclaimer premiere during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on Thursday. The actress, 55, walked the red carpet in an extreme plunging jumpsuit with a low back after joking she would be arriving 'naked' to the premiere of her new project. The elegant one piece featured delicate strings of pearls, shoulder pads and wide leg trousers. When asked what she planned to wear before the event, Cate had said: 'Nothing. I'm going naked.' The Carol star oozed confidence as she posed up a storm in the daring black, velvet ensemble, but ensured she avoided a wardrobe malfunction by covering her modesty with her hands. Cate Blanchett covered her cleavage with her hands as she stunned while arriving at the Disclaimer premiere during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on Thursday The film star was sure to turn heads as she walked the red carpet in the cleavage-baring ensemble The actress walked the red carpet in an extreme plunging jumpsuit with a low back after joking she would be arriving 'naked' to the premiere of her new project On Wednesday she stunned in Armani Prive on the festival's opening night, worn with a long row of diamonds and pearls around her shoulders, an echo of what she wore to the Baftas this spring. Her stylist, Elizabeth Stewart, wrote on Instagram that the gems had been 'repurposed' for Cate by the Louis Vuitton atelier. She is here with her adopted daughter Edith, nine and is promoting Alfonso Cuaron's seven part revenge thriller, Disclaimer, for Apple TV+. The star was joined at the event by chief executive officer of Apple, Tim Cooke, who is also expected to join Amal and George Clooney, and Brad Pitt on the red carpet on Sunday for George's new film Wolfs. The actor welcomed Tim to his $100 million 18th century Lake Como villa on Wednesday before heading out on a boat for dinner at the five-star hotel Villa Passalacqua. Cate was on slightly combative form in her press conference, brushing off enquiries which she felt were nonsense. When asked how she had approached her role as a documentary-maker with a secret 'as a woman' she said: 'Well, I always approach every role as a woman because I am one. I don't really think about that.' In the TV series, her character finds an accusation in a novel written by a lonely old man that she is responsible for the death by drowning of a young man with whom she had an affair many years previously. Her stylist, Elizabeth Stewart, wrote on Instagram that the gems had been 'repurposed' for Cate by the Louis Vuitton atelier The elegant one piece featured delicate strings of pearls, shoulder pads and wide leg trousers When asked what she planned to wear before the event, Cate had said: 'Nothing. I'm going naked' The Carol star oozed confidence as she posed up a storm in the daring black, velvet ensemble Cate wowed as she waved and posed in front of the crowd The star looked sensational as she worked the red carpet on Thursday All eyes were on Cate as she graced the red carpet The series deals with shaming, and families, and secrets and lies, and the delight of the mob in pointing the finger. Catherine Ravenscroft has a doting husband, played by Sacha Baron Cohen, and a son, played by Kodi Smit-McPhee, who seems to hate her. Cate said that she had tried to harness the 'power of judgement' in her portrayal of the journalist, noting: 'Almost as soon as you meet her and you know nothing about her you hear what other people say about her. 'It was a challenge not to reveal too much. It was almost like she was a glass of water into which other characters and the audience projected. 'The people who transposed their judgement onto the character knew nothing about her at all. 'She is a woman who has a very fractured relationship with her son and consequently her husband doesn't understand her view. In families people can live their lives quite independently. You often think you understand your family members but do not. 'When you meet Catherine she has an impeccable reputation for doing the right thing and being on the right side of things but there are secrets and lies which we tell ourselves.' Cate spoke against public shaming and said that sometimes people kept things secret out of a need to process them themselves and through a desire for privacy. 'I don't mean that people should not be held accountable,' she said. 'we are very private people and it doesn't necessarily mean that we are doing something nefarious.' Cate rocked a statement silver and pearl ear cuff for the premiere Photographers clambered to get a shot of the Hollywood star Cate looked as radiant as ever as she continued to promote her latest project Disclaimer will tell the tale of documentary filmmaker Catherine Ravenscroft (Cate) who receives a mysterious novel titled The Perfect Stranger on her nightstand Cate pictured in Disclaimer as Catherine Cate's co-star Kevin Kline, who plays Stephen Brigstocke, walked beside her Her character Catherine Ravenscroft has a doting husband, played by Sacha Baron Cohen (R), and a son, played by Kodi Smit-McPhee (L), who seems to hate her Cate said that she had tried to harness the 'power of judgement' in her portrayal of the journalist, noting: 'Almost as soon as you meet her and you know nothing about her you hear what other people say about her' The star was joined at the event by CEO of Apple, Tim Cooke, who is also expected to join Amal and George Clooney, and Brad Pitt on the red carpet for George's new film Wolfs on Sunday Sacha looked dapper in a white tuxedo Louis Partridge was also in attendance Cate was every inch the leading lady at the premiere The stunner stole the show on Thursday as she kicked off Venice Film Festival in style On Wednesday she stunned in Armani Prive on the festival's opening night, worn with a long row of diamonds and pearls around her shoulders, an echo of what she wore to the Baftas On Thursday morning Cate looked elegant as she arrived at a photocall for Disclaimer wearing a quirky polka dot suit for the event She teamed the black and white oversized blazer with a matching pair of wide leg trousers Earlier in the day, Cate looked elegant as she arrived at a photocall for Disclaimer wearing a quirky polka dot suit for the event. She teamed the black and white oversized blazer with a matching pair of wide leg trousers. Cate layered a white blouse underneath her jacket and elevated her height with stiletto heels. Arriving at the Palazzo del Casino on a boat, she was joined by her co-star Kevin Kline and director and writer Alfonso Cuaron. Kevin opted for a smart dark grey suit, while Alfonso dressed in navy, with a pink shirt. Cate is back at the Venice Film Festival this year to promote her starring role in the new Apple TV+ limited series, based on the 2015 novel by Renee Knight. Making up the cast alongside Cate and Sacha are Enola Holmes star Louis Partridge, South Korean actress HoYeon Jung as well as Liv Hill, Gemma Jones, and Anya Marco Harris. The release date for the hotly-anticipated series has been confirmed, as it is due to hit screens via Apple TV+ on October 11, 2024. Disclaimer will tell the tale of documentary filmmaker Catherine Ravenscroft (Cate) who receives a mysterious novel titled The Perfect Stranger on her nightstand. Catherine is described as 'a successful and respected television documentary journalist' who has built a career out of revealing the transgressions of beloved institutions, before her whole life is upturned by the delivery. Arriving at the Palazzo del Casino on a boat, she was joined by her co-star Kevin Kline and director and writer Alfonso Cuaron The trio chatted and waved to the crowd while making their way to the event Cate layered a white blouse underneath her jacket and elevated her height with stiletto heels Kevin opted for a smart dark grey suit, while Alfonso dressed in navy, with a pink shirt At first intrigued by the novel, Catherine quickly discovers it is not fiction, but rather a recreation of the day Catherine 'became hostage to a dark secret, a secret that only one other person knew - and that person is dead', according to the synopsis. The only other person who knew this secret - or so she thought - is dead, as she finds herself confronting the truth about that awful and fateful day. Forced into a 'living nightmare', Catherine's only hope is to confront what happened on that fateful day, even if 'the truth might destroy her'. It began production in June 2022 and filming across London, Mexico, and Sydney, before wrapping in February last year. Laura Hamilton showed off her jaw-dropping figure in a plunging bikini as she soaked up the sun in Barcelona on Thursday. The A Place In The Sun presenter, 42, was spotted enjoying her Spanish getaway with her children Rocco, 10, and daughter Tahlia, 9. Laura shares her children with her broker ex-husband Alex Goward, who she married in 2012 and divorced in 2022. The TV host gave her 200,000 followers a glimpse into her working holiday as she shared a series of snaps to her Instagram. In one photo Laura wowed in a plunging turquoise patterned bikini. Laura Hamilton showed off her jaw-dropping figure and toned midriff in a plunging bikini as she soaked up the sun in Barcelona on Thursday while sipping on a cocktail The blonde bombshell showed off her ample cleavage in a pair of black denim shorts as she posed with her daughter Tahlia Earlier this week Laura took to Instagram to share a picture of herself in a botanical print dress to which she added sparkly black sandals She showed off her ample cleavage and toned midriff as she sipped on a cocktail on a sun lounger. Laura swept her hair up into a messy bun and wore minimal make up as she smiled for the camera. In another photo, the star donned a pair of black denim shorts and was joined by her daughter Tahlia who was the spitting image of her mother. Earlier this week Laura shared a picture of herself in a botanical print dress. The presenter added sparkly black sandals to her bold look as she revealed she is out in Barcelona filming on the Costa Brava with her two children. Noticeably missing from the social media posts was Laura's new flame - married businessman James Pettigrew, 44. The presenter has reportedly been seeing the CEO since January and the two were pictured smiling together at the Scottish FA Cup Final in May while enjoying corporate tickets to the match between Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers. But the pair's budding romance has 'upset' James' estranged wife, with a friend telling MailOnline Jackie was 'unaware' her husband was dating Laura at the beginning of their relationship, and is now going through a painful divorce. The A Place In The Sun presenter and her son Rocco, 10, (right) and daughter Tahlia, 9, (left) have been making the most of their sunny break Noticeably missing from the social media posts was Laura's new flame - married businessman James Pettigrew, 44 (pictured) who has been seeing the presenter since January In August, Laura told The Sun's Fabulous Magazine: 'I'm dating. I'm having fun. No, I don't have the apps. I've tried those in the past three years. I went on Raya and thought: "This is not for me." I like to meet people organically.' The TV star also admitted that her fame often strikes up a conversation with her potential suitors. She said: 'People do look at me and say: 'I know you from somewhere' and that starts a conversation.' But the television host was taken aback when one man she went on a date with started asking her for property advice and had to tell him that was not what she was there for. The blonde beauty did acknowledge that the idea of dating could be tricky because she is always abroad filming. She then joked that really she should have a 'man in every country' before insisting that monogamy is the only thing she would settle for. Laura said: 'Really, I should have a man in every country. That would be a more interesting story [laughs]. 'Oh, she's got one in Ibiza, one on Mallorca. No, that's not who I am.' Laura has been one of the rotating presenters on Channel 4's lifestyle series A Place In The Sun since 2012. She began her rise to fame in 2003, appearing on popular children's programme Fun Song Factory on CITV - alongside JLS' Aston Merrygold. Barry Keoghan has joined the cast of the Peaky Blinders film, Netflix announced on Thursday. The Saltburn actor, 31, will feature in the upcoming movie but details of his character have not yet been revealed. Barry has had an impressive career over the past few years starring in Saltburn, Top Boy and The Banshees of Inisherin. Netflix announced in June 2024 that the feature film had been greenlit and would go into production later this year. The epic continuation of the multi-award-winning gangster saga, set in the lawless streets of Birmingham in the 1900s, has been written by the show's creator, Steven Knight, who will co-produce alongside Caryn Mandabach, Cillian Murphy and Guy Heeley. Actor Barry Keoghan has joined the cast of the Peaky Blinders film, Netflix announced on Thursday Academy Award winner Cillian Murphy, 48, returns as Tommy Shelby, the role he played over six seasons between 2013 - 2022 The film will be made in association with BBC Film. Tom Harper, who directed episodes in the first season in 2013, returns to helm the film. Academy Award winner Cillian, 48, returns as Tommy Shelby, the role he played over six seasons between 2013 - 2022. The plot and further casting remain tightly under wraps. In June it was confirmed that the Peaky Blinders' original writing and directing team will be returning alongside Cillian for the Netflix film adaptation of the hit British series. Netflix confirmed the news on X with a photograph of the script, while the Oscar winning actor told Deadline: 'It seems like Tommy Shelby wasn't finished with me 'It is very gratifying to be re-collaborating with Steven Knight and Tom Harper on the film version of Peaky Blinders. This is one for the fans.' Tom shared: 'When I first directed Peaky Blinders over 10 years ago, we didn't know what the series would become, but we did know that there was something in the alchemy of the cast and the writing that felt explosive. 'Peaky has always been a story about family - and so it's incredibly exciting to be reuniting with Steve and Cillian to bring the movie to audiences across the world on Netflix.' The Saltburn actor, 31, will feature in the upcoming movie but details of his character have not yet been revealed (seen in Saltburn) In June it was confirmed that the Peaky Blinders' original writing and directing team will be returning alongside Cillian for the Netflix film adaptation of the hit British series The movie is set to begin filming at Digbeth Loc Studios in Birmingham in September, and will be set during the Second World War Writer Steven revealed: 'I'm genuinely thrilled that this movie is about to happen. It will be an explosive chapter in the Peaky Blinders story. No holds barred. Full on Peaky Blinders at war' While Steven added: 'I'm genuinely thrilled that this movie is about to happen. It will be an explosive chapter in the Peaky Blinders story. No holds barred. Full-on Peaky Blinders at war.' In March, Steven thrilled fans after he confirmed Cillian would star in the film during an appearance at BirminghamWorld for the premiere of his BBC show This Town. He said: '[Cillian] is definitely returning for it. We're shooting it in September just down the road in Digbeth.' The film is set to begin filming at Digbeth Loc Studios in Birmingham in September, and will be set during the Second World War. On the prospect of returning to the role of Thomas Shelby, Cillian previously told Rolling Stone last year: 'If there's more story there, I'd love to do it. But it has to be right. 'Steve Knight wrote 36 hours of television, and we left on such a high. I'm really proud of that last series. So, it would have to feel legitimate and justified to do more. Echoing these sentiments on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs in February, Cillian said: 'I have always said that if Knight delivers a script that I know he can deliver, because he is such a phenomenal writer, I'll be there. He hilariously added: 'If we want to watch 50-year-old Tommy Shelby, I will be there. Let's do it.' Cillian did admit he was 'relieved' when the BBC drama ended in 2022 but emphasized he is now 'totally' on board with a movie adaptation. After he won his first Academy Award in March, Cillian said of his character Tommy: 'I loved playing him. He was exhausting and so wildly different for me that each time going back was kind of a journey. 'I'm really not sentimental about work. I feel like the next thing is the most exciting thing. And I mean, it was a ten-year period in my life, so it is significant, but I always feel, like, let's keep moving.' Cillian was awarded with the Oscar for Best Actor at the 96th Academy Awards for his performance as the titular character in Christopher Nolan's biopic Oppenheimer. In his acceptance speech, Cillian told the star-studded room that he was 'a very proud Irishman standing here tonight' before dedicating his win to 'peacemakers everywhere'. The Irish actor has also hinted that Steven has more stories to tell about the Birmingham-based Shelby clan and their criminal activities between the 1880s and 1910s. Peaky Blinders launched in 2013 and garnered huge audiences both in Britain and overseas, attracting roles for silver-screen stars such as Tom Hardy and Anya Taylor-Joy. The programme is loosely based on a real Birmingham gang of the same name operating from the 1880s to the 1920s who did the same illegal activities their fictional counterparts did. Peaky Blinders aired six series over nine years and ended with Tommy, who had been tricked into believing he had a terminal illness, surviving an assassination attempt orchestrated by his own nephew before killing him and moving away for a new life. But the news sparks concerns for the welfare of Paul Anderson who plays Cillian's older brother in the show, Arthur Shelby, after he pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine earlier this year. The 45-year-old was also found to have amphetamines, plus diazepam and pregabalin on him. His continued erratic behaviour in recent months has prompted concern for his welfare. But the news sparks concerns for the welfare of Paul Anderson after he pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine earlier this year (pictured in 2016) The 45-year-old - who plays Cillian's older brother in the show, Arthur Shelby (pictured - has prompted concern for his welfare with his continued erratic behaviour in recent months One local shopkeeper, who counts Paul as a friend, told MailOnline: 'It's heartbreaking. He's a mess. But his erratic behaviour is causing real problems. He often seems dazed and not with it. 'He's had arguments with people locally. He walks around making a lot of noise. We are all apprehensive. He had a big argument in Tesco a few weeks ago. 'He is living like he is on another planet. He's been in public topless. He struggles to walk. It's a great concern. He looks out of control. It's tragic.' But last month it seemed the actor was clearing up his act - quite literally - as he ventured out in London to Tesco and bought various cleaning products, among them shampoo, Dove deodorant, kitchen roll and Vanish stain remover. Katie Holmes was seen in a chic fall outfit in New York City on Thursday. The Rare Objects director had on a black sheer blouse that was unbuttoned to show off her chest. She added khaki slacks that were a bit oversized with a brown leather Khaite purse over her shoulder. The fashion icon also had on black flat strappy Miu Miu shoes with cute bows on top and tortoise-shell framed sunglasses. A white-and-orange book bag was also over her shoulder as she looked at her cell phone. This sighting comes just a day before her daughter Suri Cruise's Labor Day Weekend break from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg. The private college has Monday off from classes as it is a federal holiday. Katie Holmes was seen in a chic fall outfit in New York City on Thursday. The Rare Objects director had on a black sheer blouse that was unbuttoned to show off her chest She added khaki slacks that were a bit oversized with a brown leather Khaite purse over her shoulder The Monday on Labor Day weekend is Suri's first day off from her new school. After that she has Thanksgiving week off from the university then a Christmas break. Mom will visit on Family Weekend at t he school on September 27-28. Holmes told Town & Country magazine last month that her 18-year-old will be studying acting and dance. The estranged child of Tom Cruise - who is paying the $65K a year tuition as part of his divorce settlement from Katie - has over 100 theater arts classes to choose from in the prestigious School Of Drama. Some involve yoga, singing, dance and the Alexander Technique. DailyMail.com has learned there is also a class called Stanley Kubrick And His Films where her father Tom's sex-cult film Eyes Wide Shut with then-wife Nicole Kidman from 1999 will be examined. The Kubrick class looks at many of the director's films. This sighting comes just a day before her daughter Suri Cruise enjoys Labor Day Weekend from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg Holmes attended Columbia University in NYC before dropping out to star on Dawson's Creek with Michelle Williams, James Van Der Beek and Joshua Jackson; seen in 1999 The course description is: 'Stanley Kubrick and His Films Stanley Kubrick and His Films will explore the amazing diversity in this excellent film director's output from 1967-1999. 'The course will emphasize the psychological and moral issues raised in his films. And the course will focus on his camera techniques, his use of sound and music, and other remarkable innovative elements. 'With each film, Kubrick seems to re-invent himself, expanding the dimensions of film art. Films that will be shown in class include: 'Paths of Glory' (1957), 'Lolita' (1962), 'Dr. Strangelove' (1964), '2001: A Space Odyssey' (1968), 'A Clockwork Orange' (1971), 'Barry Lyndon' (1976), 'The Shining' (1980), 'Full Metal Jacket' (1987) and 'Eyes Wide Shut' (1999).' And there are already plays on the schedule that Suri will likely try out for as she was a part of her high school performances. One has to do with Mary-Kate Olsen and another revolves around the passengers on the Titanic. Suri and Tom inside the Waldorf Astoria Ballroom in New York City in 2012 Barry Keoghan has shut down rumors that he and Sabrina Carpenter have called it quits on their relationship with a sweet Instagram comment on Wednesday. The Saltburn actor, 31, made it clear that his romance with the Espresso hitmaker, 25, is still in full swing by adorably supporting her newest project. It comes after Sabrina starred alongside Jenna Ortega in the extravagantly gory new music video for her song Taste. In response to the riotously pulpy video, which is apparently inspired by Quentin Tarantino's movies, the official Bratz Instagram account posted doll versions of the two beauties - and Barry seemed to be a big fan in the comments section. The Irish star, who today revealed he has joined the cast of Peaky Blinders, jokingly quipped: 'Can I have one?,' seemingly confirming to fans that the power couple are still together. Barry Keoghan has shut down rumors that he and Sabrina Carpenter have called it quits on their relationship with a sweet Instagram comment on Wednesday The Saltburn actor, 31, made it clear that his romance with the Espresso hitmaker, 25, is still in full swing by adorably supporting her newest venture In response to the riotously pulpy video, which is apparently inspired by Quentin Tarantino 's movies, the official Bratz Instagram account posted doll versions of the two beauties - and Barry seemed to be a big fan in the comments section In the Taste video, Sabrina and Jenna are locked in a bloody battle of wills that gets more and more gruesome - but find time for a steamy lip-lock in the process. Barry's comment comes amid speculation that the couple had split. Last week, a source informed People that the pair's relationship is 'on and off'. A separate insider also told The Sun of the break up speculation, 'Barry acts like an idiot when he is drunk and Sabrina was getting increasingly frustrated.' 'He has always been a party animal and Sabrina was fed up with his antics. She is soaring in the charts and is putting herself first as she gears up for her tour next month.' Over the past weekend, Barry seemed to subtly shut down split rumors by taking to social media and liking one of Sabrina's recent Instagram posts. Sabrina recently talked about her tendency to fall in love quickly while appearing on Amelia Dimoldenberg's Chicken Shop Date on Friday. At one point, Amelia asked, 'Do you find it easy to fall in love?' to which Sabrina replied with, 'What a question to spring on me in this chicken shop?' 'When I was younger I fell in love very easily and now I fall in love a little bit more....I don't want this to sound sad but I maybe just fall in love with some more knowledge,' the beauty added. Barry's comment comes amid speculation that the couple had split. Last week, a source informed People that the pair's relationship is 'on and off' (pictured in May) In the Taste video, Sabrina and Jenna are locked in a bloody battle of wills that gets more and more gruesome - but find time for a steamy lip-lock in the process Sabrina recently talked about her tendency to fall in love quickly while appearing on Amelia Dimoldenberg's Chicken Shop Date on Friday And Barry's career is also reaching new heights, as it was announced on Thursday that the actor has joined the cast of the Peaky Blinders film. The Saltburn actor will feature in the upcoming movie but details of his character have not yet been revealed. Barry has had an impressive career over the past few years starring in Saltburn, Top Boy and The Banshees of Inisherin. Netflix announced in June 2024 that the feature film had been greenlit and would go into production later this year. The epic continuation of the multi-award-winning gangster saga, set in the lawless streets of Birmingham in the 1900s, has been written by the show's creator, Steven Knight, who will co-produce alongside Caryn Mandabach, Cillian Murphy and Guy Heeley. The film will be made in association with BBC Film. Tom Harper, who directed episodes in the first season in 2013, returns to helm the film. Academy Award winner Cillian, 48, returns as Tommy Shelby, the role he played over six seasons between 2013 - 2022. And Barry's career is also reaching new heights, as it was announced on Thursday that the actor has joined the cast of the Peaky Blinders film (pictured in Sabrina Carpenter's Please Please Please music video) Academy Award winner Cillian Murphy, 48, returns as Tommy Shelby, the role he played over six seasons between 2013 - 2022 The plot and further casting remain tightly under wraps. In June it was confirmed that the Peaky Blinders' original writing and directing team will be returning alongside Cillian for the Netflix film adaptation of the hit British series. Netflix confirmed the news on X with a photograph of the script, while the Oscar winning actor told Deadline: 'It seems like Tommy Shelby wasn't finished with me 'It is very gratifying to be re-collaborating with Steven Knight and Tom Harper on the film version of Peaky Blinders. This is one for the fans.' Tom shared: 'When I first directed Peaky Blinders over 10 years ago, we didn't know what the series would become, but we did know that there was something in the alchemy of the cast and the writing that felt explosive. 'Peaky has always been a story about family - and so it's incredibly exciting to be reuniting with Steve and Cillian to bring the movie to audiences across the world on Netflix.' The Saltburn actor, 31, will feature in the upcoming movie but details of his character have not yet been revealed (seen in Saltburn) In June it was confirmed that the Peaky Blinders' original writing and directing team will be returning alongside Cillian for the Netflix film adaptation of the hit British series The movie is set to begin filming at Digbeth Loc Studios in Birmingham in September, and will be set during the Second World War Writer Steven revealed: 'I'm genuinely thrilled that this movie is about to happen. It will be an explosive chapter in the Peaky Blinders story. No holds barred. Full on Peaky Blinders at war' While Steven added: 'I'm genuinely thrilled that this movie is about to happen. It will be an explosive chapter in the Peaky Blinders story. No holds barred. Full-on Peaky Blinders at war.' In March, Steven thrilled fans after he confirmed Cillian would star in the film during an appearance at BirminghamWorld for the premiere of his BBC show This Town. He said: '[Cillian] is definitely returning for it. We're shooting it in September just down the road in Digbeth.' The film is set to begin filming at Digbeth Loc Studios in Birmingham in September, and will be set during the Second World War. On the prospect of returning to the role of Thomas Shelby, Cillian previously told Rolling Stone last year: 'If there's more story there, I'd love to do it. But it has to be right. 'Steve Knight wrote 36 hours of television, and we left on such a high. I'm really proud of that last series. So, it would have to feel legitimate and justified to do more. Echoing these sentiments on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs in February, Cillian said: 'I have always said that if Knight delivers a script that I know he can deliver, because he is such a phenomenal writer, I'll be there. He hilariously added: 'If we want to watch 50-year-old Tommy Shelby, I will be there. Let's do it.' Cillian did admit he was 'relieved' when the BBC drama ended in 2022 but emphasized he is now 'totally' on board with a movie adaptation. After he won his first Academy Award in March, Cillian said of his character Tommy: 'I loved playing him. He was exhausting and so wildly different for me that each time going back was kind of a journey. 'I'm really not sentimental about work. I feel like the next thing is the most exciting thing. And I mean, it was a ten-year period in my life, so it is significant, but I always feel, like, let's keep moving.' Cillian was awarded with the Oscar for Best Actor at the 96th Academy Awards for his performance as the titular character in Christopher Nolan's biopic Oppenheimer. In his acceptance speech, Cillian told the star-studded room that he was 'a very proud Irishman standing here tonight' before dedicating his win to 'peacemakers everywhere'. The Irish actor has also hinted that Steven has more stories to tell about the Birmingham-based Shelby clan and their criminal activities between the 1880s and 1910s. Peaky Blinders launched in 2013 and garnered huge audiences both in Britain and overseas, attracting roles for silver-screen stars such as Tom Hardy and Anya Taylor-Joy. The programme is loosely based on a real Birmingham gang of the same name operating from the 1880s to the 1920s who did the same illegal activities their fictional counterparts did. Peaky Blinders aired six series over nine years and ended with Tommy, who had been tricked into believing he had a terminal illness, surviving an assassination attempt orchestrated by his own nephew before killing him and moving away for a new life. But the news sparks concerns for the welfare of Paul Anderson who plays Cillian's older brother in the show, Arthur Shelby, after he pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine earlier this year. The 45-year-old was also found to have amphetamines, plus diazepam and pregabalin on him. His continued erratic behaviour in recent months has prompted concern for his welfare. But the news sparks concerns for the welfare of Paul Anderson after he pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine earlier this year (pictured in 2016) The 45-year-old - who plays Cillian's older brother in the show, Arthur Shelby (pictured - has prompted concern for his welfare with his continued erratic behaviour in recent months One local shopkeeper, who counts Paul as a friend, told MailOnline: 'It's heartbreaking. He's a mess. But his erratic behaviour is causing real problems. He often seems dazed and not with it. 'He's had arguments with people locally. He walks around making a lot of noise. We are all apprehensive. He had a big argument in Tesco a few weeks ago. 'He is living like he is on another planet. He's been in public topless. He struggles to walk. It's a great concern. He looks out of control. It's tragic.' But last month it seemed the actor was clearing up his act - quite literally - as he ventured out in London to Tesco and bought various cleaning products, among them shampoo, Dove deodorant, kitchen roll and Vanish stain remover. Joey Lawrence has broken his silence regarding claims he had an affair with co-star, Brazilian actress Melina Alves. The 48-year-old actor, who is divorcing 37-year-old Samantha Cope, released a statement on Thursday to his Instagram page. 'With a deep sense of responsibility, I want to respond to the recent allegations surrounding my personal life, including my divorce and the claims of an affair with Melina Alves,' Lawrence wrote. 'Melina and I became close friends and I did not have a physical relationship with her while filming the movie Socked in for Christmas. These rumors are false.' He then said their 'bond was based on shared experiences and an understanding of the challenges we were both facing' in their personal lives. Joey Lawrence has broken his silence regarding claims he had an affair with co-star Melina Alves; seen with his youngest child The actor released a statement on Thursday to his Instagram page. 'With a deep sense of responsibility, I want to respond to the recent allegations surrounding my personal life, including my divorce and the claims of an affair with Melina Alves,' Lawrence, 48, wrote Lawrence and Cope, who tied the knot in 2022, share daughter Dylan, 19 months. She filed for divorce on August 21 after they separated in June. He also stressed that his marriage was suffering before he even met his co-star. 'I was clinging to the hope that I could save a relationship that, in my heart, I knew was beyond saving,' he wrote. 'My short-lived marriage was fraught with difficulties from the beginning. Our differences became insurmountable.' He also suggested that Cope did not accept his two eldest daughters. 'I cannot and will not compromise on the love and care that my daughters deserve, and this realization played a significant role in the breakdown of my relationship,' added the star. The star shares daughters Charleston and Liberty with ex-wife Chandie Yawn-Nelson, whom he was married to from 2005 to 2020. Joey and Melina were accused of having an affair by her estranged husband Edward Rider in his divorce paperwork, which was filed in late July Melina has worked with Joey on the movie Socked in For Christmas Here the beauty is seen on Instagram He was previously married to Michelle Vella between 2002 and 2005. 'I understand that my life is often in the public eye, and with that comes a level of scrutiny that can be difficult to bear,' Lawrence concluded. 'However, I must emphasize that the well-being of my children is of the utmost importance. Thank you for your understanding and respect as I navigate this difficult chapter in my [family's] life.' Joey and Melina were accused of having an affair by her estranged husband Edward Rider in his divorce paperwork, which was filed in late July. He claims in the documents that he found out about Joey and Melina allegedly sleeping together in late March. Joey and Melina are accused of conducting the alleged affair in California - after starring together in upcoming film, Socked In For Christmas. Melina is also a writer on the film. Joey's estranged wife Cope filed for divorce from him last week on August 13 after two years of marriage Rider claims the affair went on 'at various other times and places.' On Wednesday, Melina denied she had an affair with Lawrence. The 40-year-old actress posted a lengthy statement on her Instagram page on Wednesday denying the affair rumors. Melina was accused of having an affair with Joey by her estranged husband Edward Rider. Melina wrote in her statement: 'It is with deep sadness and heavy heart that I must address the recent allegations about the relationship between myself and Joey Lawrence, which have unfortunately become a private matter.' The actress called the accusations of an affair 'deeply distressing' and said that 'there was no sexual relationship between' her and Joey while on the set of their holiday movie. She explained that her and Joey became friends through their 'common ground in our shared experiences.' Melina also gave a timeline for her own marriage, explaining that her and her ex-husband Edward Rider have been estranged since January 2023 and still live in the same home although they use separate rooms. The actress said that she has had to 'obtain a temporary restraining order' from her husband and that she had to in order to 'protect myself in a time of vulnerability.' She said he 'violated' the restraining order and that she went to the police station to report it, which she said then led him to allegedly 'contacted news outlet.' Samantha broke silence on her divorce from the actor in an emotional Instagram clip uploaded on Saturday. Samantha broke silence on her divorce from the actor in an emotional Instagram clip uploaded on Saturday Lawrence said his wife Cope did not really accept his two older daughters The mother-of-one officially filed for divorce from the Melissa & Joey star on August 13 after two years of marriage, citing 'irreconcilable differences' and listed the date of separation as June 7, 2024. Alongside a video montage, Samantha penned in the caption, 'An amazing friend of mine recently told me 'don't be afraid of the tears. Let them flow.'' She added, ''Because every tear is God gently squeezing the pain and devastation from your heart to make room for new beautiful feelings to come in.'' 'She also reminded me: 'the more you cry, the less you pee.' So let them flow. You got this.' Cope shared a variety of clips in the post as she spent time with her one-year-old daughter, Dylan Rose - whom she shares with Lawrence. The star also shared candid snippets of herself crying while sitting outside and also inside a vehicle with her baby girl. The reel then cut to Samantha flashing a big smile on her face as she twirled around with her daughter in her arms inside a spacious bedroom. Joey, center, with his brothers Andrew, far left, and Matthew, far right, at the Hollywood Darlings premiere in 2017 Cope could be seen standing next to a horse with a scenic landscape surrounding her, as well as other sweet moments shared with her little one. Throughout the course of the video, a voiceover could be heard saying, 'Look at you, look how far you've come.' 'You've faced your trauma, and you came out on the other side. And I'm sorry to get a little emotional. But there were some times there that I was really worried about you, miss girl. But look at you today. I am so proud of you. You're a survivor baby.' Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum's contentious court battle has seemingly had no end in sight following the end of their nearly nine-year marriage back in 2018. Despite the actress' best efforts to come to an agreement on the financial portion of their legal split, Tatum has reportedly delayed the process by refusing to compromise. Jenna has tried repeatedly tried to settle this case behind closed doors, to keep matters private, and outside of the public eye to protect Channing and Magic Mike,' a source told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'Unfortunately, this case has dragged on for six years because Channing has unrealistic expectations of divorce and how marital assets are to be divided in California.' The insider predicted that 'their case will never end until Channing gets reasonable and meets Jenna in the middle. It's unclear if the former couple, who share an 11-year-old daughter named Everly, signed a prenuptial agreement. Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum's contentious court battle has seemingly had no end in sight following the end of their nearly nine-year marriage back in 2018 (pictured in 2015) This comes after lawyers for Dewan, 43, said in papers filed on Tuesday that lawyers for Tatum, 44, had been using 'every trick in the book to stall this case from getting to a trial,' in legal documents obtained by DailyMail.com. Tatum's legal team said in court docs that Dewan's August 16 ask that Tatum's lawyers with Glaser Weil and Blank Rome be dismissed over a purported conflict of interest amounted to a 'just another delay tactic to prolong our divorce case.' The prime focus of the legal proceedings - which have dragged on more than six years - centers around the distribution of money Tatum earns via the Magic Mike movie franchise. The Hartford, Connecticut-born actress said in court docs Tatum has been 'attempting to blur the lines' of the intellectual property in the Magic Mike franchise. Dewan said that money used during their marriage had been used to finance the lucrative franchise, while attorneys for Tatum said he's never concealed earnings or deprived Dewan of 'her share of the community assets or income.' Lawyers for Dewan said Tatum's team is 'depriving Jenna of a fair and equal share of the community estate, and he is prejudicing her every day that this case continues.' Tatum's legal team said Tuesday that the latest move from Dewan was done 'solely designed to delay the upcoming trial,' the outlet reported. Tatum's team said in legal docs that the actor 'has made exhaustive efforts to settle all issues in this matter without litigation' since 2018. Despite the actress' best efforts to come to an agreement on the financial portion of their legal split, Tatum has reportedly delayed the process by refusing to compromise; seen earlier this month Jenna has tried repeatedly tried to settle this case behind closed doors, to keep matters private, and outside of the public eye to protect Channing and Magic Mike,' a source told DailyMail.com exclusively (seen in 2015) They added, 'He has made countless settlement proposals, attended multiple mediations, his attorneys have prepared numerous drafts of a proposed judgment, and he has tried to resolve issues directly.' Tatum's attorneys said in a legal response that Dewan's filing earlier this month was 'frivolous' and 'has no basis in law or fact;' and 'a transparent attempt to divert the Court's attention from her willful violation of her Court ordered deposition and discovery deadlines.' Tatum's team suggested to the court Dewan 'should be sanctioned in the sum of $20,000' for the cumbersome request. A filing from Dewan's attorneys on August 28 stated that lawyers for Tatum had been obligated to declare 'Glaser Weil's extensive and ongoing involvement with martial transactions related to the community's Magic Mike intellectual property. The former couple was pictured in 2017 at the Magic Mike Live Las Vegas opening Dewan's attorneys said it had been 'shocking' after Tatum 'associated in new divorce counsel a mere five months before trial' and 'that very same counsel created an extensive web of LLCs, each of which is at least partially owed by Channing, for the sole purpose of transacting business related to the community's Magic Mike intellectual property.' The Magic Mike franchise has spawned the hit 2012 motion picture and multiple sequels - 2015's Magic Mike XXL and 2023's Magic Mike's Last Dance - as well as the 2021 HBO Max reality series Finding Magic Mike, and a Las Vegas based show. Since their split, both have found new romances - Tatum is engaged to actress Zoe Kravitz, 35, while Dewan has been engaged to actor Steve Kazee, 48, since 2020. Dewan and Kazee are parents to son Callum, four, and daughter Rhiannon, two months. Tatum and Dewan initially met working on the 2006 movie Step Up and got engaged in 2008, exchanging vows July 11, 2009 in Malibu, California. Tatum is engaged to actress Zoe Kravitz, 35; the duo was pictured in London this month Tatum and Dewan said in a joint statement on April 2, 2018 that they were breaking up, saying, 'We fell deeply in love so many years ago and have had a magical journey together. 'Absolutely nothing has changed about how much we love one another, but love is a beautiful adventure that is taking us on different paths for now. Reese Witherspoon was seen heading out alone on a shopping trip in the Santa Monica neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday. The Oscar-winning actress looked ready for autumn weather as she modeled a cozy-looking brown teddy bear cardigan. The Draper James founder stayed with the theme for her ensemble. She added a long brown woven purse with a chain strap and strappy brown sandals with a modest two-inch heel. At one point the 48-year-old producer - who has been dating German private equity financier Olivier Haarmann, 56 - passed a CP Shades store and a pastry shop on Montana Avenue. This sighting comes just two weeks before the Emmy Awards where the beauty will go head-to-head with her The Morning Show co-star Jennifer Aniston as they are both nominated in the same acting category. Reese Witherspoon was seen heading out alone on a shopping trip in the Santa Monica neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday The 76th Emmy Awards will be broadcast live on ABC from the Peacock Theater on September 15. The ladies are in the same category: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series. Jennifer, 55, plays Alex Levy while Reese stars as Bradley Jackson on the show about the culture behind a network broadcast morning news program. Also in the category are Carrie Coon for The Gilded Age, Maya Erskine for Mr & Mrs Smith, Ana Sawai for Shogun and Imelda Staunton for The Crown. It is a fiercely competitive category as all of the nominees are critically acclaimed and are on hit shows. The ladies have been nominated for Emmys many times in the past. Jennifer was nominated in the same category for the same show in 2020. She won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2022 for playing Rachel Green on Friends. Rese was nominated in the same category for The Morning Show in 2022. She won an Emmy for producing Big Little Lies in 2017. The 2024 Emmy nominations for The Morning Show also include Best Drama Series, four women in the Best Supporting Actress category (Nicole Beharie, Greta Lee, Karen Pittman and Holland Taylor), two Best Supporting Actor nods (Billy Crudup, Mark Duplass), a Best Guest Actress nomination (Marcia Gay Harden), and Best Directing (Mimi Leder). The Oscar-winning actress looked ready for autumn weather as she modeled a cozy-looking brown teddy bear cardigan. The Draper James founder stayed with the theme for her ensemble. She added a long brown woven purse and strappy brown sandals The Morning Show is now filming its fourth season in Los Angeles. Reese was quite chic on Thursday. In addition to the brown cardigan, purse and shoes she added a splash of dark blue with her T-shirt and roomy denim jeans. Reese wore her flaxen hair down in a flirty style as she went light on her earth-toned makeup. And she had on a long necklace with a pendant. Next up for Reese is Mrs Claus which she will make with Jennifer Garner as well as Lauren Neustadter. They are producing for Hello Sunshine, and Leah McKendrick is penning the script. Sources told Deadline that Witherspoon provided the original idea for the forthcoming movie. They will be going head-to-head in September. The Hollywood A-list actress were both nominated for Emmy Awards for their Apple TV+ series The Morning Show Jennifer, 55, plays Alex Levy while Reese stars as Bradley Jackson on the show about the characters and culture behind a network broadcast morning news program Aniston is seen filming The Morning Show season 4 in NYC on July 29 Garner is no stranger to teaming up with Netflix for a family film, after starring in and producing Family Switch and Yes Day. The Daredevil actress has also been working with Hello Sunshine on Apple TV+ thriller The Last Thing He Told Me. This comes after Witherspoon thanked her 'amazing' mother for always supporting her as she marked her birthday. The Walk the Line actress posted a snap of her grinning beside her beaming mum Betty on Sunday on her Instagram, alongside a gushing tribute. She said in a caption: 'Happy birthday to the most amazing Mama in the world! 'You bring so much sunshine into my life. (Star emojis.) Thank you for always believing in me and cheering me on. I love you! (Pink heart emoji.)' The actress shared shots of her and Betty taken at restaurants on two different occasions with the star sporting a headband that said 'It's My Birthday' in the first image. The Hollywood veteran with son Deacon and daughter Ava at the premiere of Blink Twice at DGA Theater Complex in LA on August 8 It was from her own celebrations in March when she turned 48, while another photo showed the pair smiling as they posed in a cafe. Reese also shared the post on her Instagram Stories, adding a sparkling purple animation over the top that flashed up the message 'Happy Birthday' along with a hat and cake. The actress also paid tribute to Betty in May in a Mother's Day post. Alongside a set of snaps of her mother with her children and other relatives, Reese said in a caption: 'Every day with you is a gift @grandma_busybetty (pink heart and sunshine emojis.) 'Happy Mother's Day, Mama! (Flower bouquet emoji.)' In August last year, Reese wrote in her traditional online birthday tribute to Betty: 'Happy Birthday to the best mom I could ever dream of Thank you for always believing in my dreams and cheering me on... and making me Laugh everyday. 'I love you, Mama! (pink heart, flower and smiley-face emojis.)' Mom-of-three Reese also regularly updates fans on how her mother is doing, and in a September 2022 post, Betty appeared with one of the actress' kids in another family snap. Yolanda Hadid said 'yes' to her boyfriend of nearly six years, Joseph Jingoli. The couple's engagement was casually revealed in a profile done by Architectural Digest. In the first line of an article done on Hadid's Texas property, the 60-year-old's boyfriend is described as her 'fiance'. No other mention of a proposal was made in the story, but the article did provide a brief glimpse into their relationship. However hours later Yolanda confirmed the happy news to People magazine as she revealed that he Joseph had proposed when they were in Holland two days ago. Yolanda Hadid and her boyfriend Joseph Jingoli are engaged following nearly six years together as she confirmed the news to People on Thursday; pictured in May of this year Hadid's love story with Texas first began early in her relationship with Jingoli, after he took her on a date to a horse show in Fort Worth. 'That trip was really my first introduction to Texas,' she told the publication. 'We went straight to Fort Worth, where there was a huge horse show with hundreds and hundreds of real, authentic cowboys. It was like being dropped right into a Western movie.' Throughout the course of their relationship, the couple frequently traveled to the are. The Texas lifestyle grew on Hadid and she and Jingoli ended up moving to the state and building a home together - which was the subject of their Architectural Digest profile. Hadid and the CEO of the Jingoli construction and development company started dating in 2019. According to People, the two met on Yolanda's farm in Pennsylvania, where the mother of three was recovering from Lyme disease. 'I really started focusing,' she said. 'I made a love spiral and wrote down exactly everything that was important to me in a man and he magically just rang the doorbell at the farm.' Yolanda also revealed the significant similarity they shared: 'When you meet somebody that thought he was going to die, like I felt I was gonna die, you have a whole new appreciation for life and you kind of share that, so thats really already a common bond that we have. The couple's betrothal was casually revealed in a profile done by Architectural Digest 'To live in the moment, enjoy every day, and not wait. Why take it slow? Lets just go for it and have a great time.' Yolanda was previously married to Mohamed Hadid from 1994 to 2000 and to musician David Foster from 2011 to 2017. All three of the children have followed in their mother's footsteps into modelling. Back in 2020, Yolanda said she was 'very much in love' with Jingoli. In an interview with Bravo's The Daily Dish, Yolanda - who often does not 'talk too much about [her] private life' - opened up her connection with Joseph. 'I'm very much in love with my boyfriend. What has connected us is probably horses and the farm life,' explained the RHOBH alum. Hadid and Jingoli have been dating since 2019; pictured 2021 At the time, Yolanda resided on a farm in Pennsylvania where she spent her days raising cattle, chickens, and ponies. '[Yolanda and Joseph] live 10 miles apart. So it's kind of perfect,' she added. Beetlejuice fans have been left in a desperate bid to get tickets for London premiere with just hours to go, after the sequel received an incredible 4-minute standing ovation at Venice Film Festival. Tim Burton's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the long-awaited sequel to his 1988 fantasy comedy horror film Beetlejuice. The film will have its UK premiere at the Leicester Square Odeon on Thursday night and will hit UK cinemas on September 4. Beetlejuice 2 sees Catherine, 70, Winona Ryder, 52, and Michael Keaton, 72, all reprising their roles, 35 years on. It had its global premiere in Venice on Wednesday, and fans flooded X, formerly Twitter, to reveal their plans to attend the London premiere. #BeetlejuiceBeetlejuice lands an enthusiastic 3-minute standing ovation for Michael Keaton and Tim Burton as the opening night movie at #Venezia81. The clapping would have gone on for longer, but the festival programmers cut the lights to let the actors leave. pic.twitter.com/rBa7KWWbp5 Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) August 28, 2024 Beetlejuice fans have been left in a desperate bid to get tickets for London premiere with just hours to go, after the sequel received a 4-minute standing ovation at Venice Film Festival (pictured: Catherine O'Hara and Jenna Ortega) Tim Burton's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the long-awaited sequel to his 1988 fantasy comedy horror film Beetlejuice (pictured: Winona and Michael in Beetlejuice 2) They wrote: 'Anyone have a spare ticket / wristband for a plus one for the beetlejuice 2 London premiere today??'; 'What I could be doing tomorrow: hopping on a 20 minute train into London for the Beetlejuice premiere what Ill actually be doing: working and crying over the fact Im not going'; 'Anyone have a spare ticket/ wristband for a plus one for the beetlejuice 2 London premiere I needdd to be there but I didnt get the email please please'; 'Cant believe I missed out the deadline to apply for tickets to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice premiere in London'; 'Hi guys can I go with someone who have plus one ticket for the beetlejuice beetlejuice london premiere Fan Zone ,please Im begging you .Wanna go so badly!'; '@wbpictures, can I please have two tickets to the Beetlejuice beetlejuice movie premiere'; '@WarnerBrosUK hi there, will you guys be doing a ticket giveaway for the beetlejuice 2 premiere in london?'; 'Praying I get a Beetlejuice premiere ticket today as today's the last day so if I get no email...'; 'SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP I got Beetlejuice premiere tickets.' The film will have its UK premiere at the Leicester Square Odeon on Thursday night and will hit UK cinemas on September 4 (pictured: stars Winona Ryder and Justin Theroux in Venice) Beetlejuice 2's first premiere was at Venice on Wednesday, and fans flooded X, formerly Twitter , to share their desperation to attend the premiere Beetlejuice follows ghosts who hire Beetlejuice (Michael, pictured) to scare away Lydia (Winona, pictured) and family after they buy their old home - but Beetlejuice falls for her The Beetlejuice (1984) plot is as follows: After Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin) die in a car accident, they find themselves stuck haunting their country residence, unable to leave the house. When the unbearable Deetzes family (Catherine O'Hara and Jeffrey Jones) and teen daughter Lydia (Winona) buy the home, the Maitlands attempt to scare them away without success. Their efforts attract Beetlejuice (Michael), a rambunctious spirit whose 'help' quickly becomes dangerous for the Maitlands and innocent Lydia. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice's plot line reads: 'Three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy. 'Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life soon gets turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter discovers a mysterious portal to the afterlife. 'When someone says Beetlejuice's name three times, the mischievous demon gleefully returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.' At Wednesday's premiere, Winona wore a suit-inspired dress and hugged Jenna, who stunned in red. The ovation they would later receive was cut short by the festival organisers turning off the lights so the cast could leave. Jenna previously told The New York Times of working with Winona: 'She was so warm and welcoming and kind and inviting right from the jump, and I couldn't be more grateful. At Wednesday's premiere, Winona, 52, wore a suit-inspired dress and hugged Jenna, 21, who stunned in red. Jenna plays Lydia's daughter Astrid in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice The cast showed up in full force (pictured L-R: Catherine, Willem Dafoe, Michael Keaton, Monica Belluci with director Tim, Monica's boyfriend, Winona, Jenna, Justin, and Arthur Conti) 'It was at a time where my career was taking a different turn, and I didn't realize that I needed that from somebody who could relate, but I did,' she said, adding that she was in a 'transformative' period in her life after shooting to overnight superstardom on Netflix's Wednesday. Previously, Winona admitted to Slash Film that she found it 'hard to imagine' a sequel of the hit film. She said: 'I think certainly, I never pictured Lydia either having children or in any type of relationship. 'I just always thought she was just probably in her own world as she got older. Just sort of in the attic and happy, but alone.' Mary Pelican of Fremont cheers on June 6 at Divisadero Street and Pacific Avenue before former President Donald Trump attends a fundraiser in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Christian leaders in California called former President Donald Trumps claim invoking Jesus Christ in his electoral aspirations ridiculous and appalling. Trump, in an interview Monday with Phil McGraw, popularly known as Dr. Phil, said that if Jesus Christ came down and was the vote counter then Trump would win California in the upcoming presidential election. In other words, if we had an honest vote counter, a really honest vote counter I do great with Hispanics, great, I mean at a level no Republican has ever done, Trump said. But if we had an honest vote counter, I would win California. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 2016, California voters chose Hillary Clinton over Trump by a wide margin, with Clinton winning 61.5 percent and Trump winning 31.5 percent. In 2020, Democrats had a similarly overwhelming victory in the California presidential election, with President Joe Biden winning 63.5 percent and Trump winning 34.3 percent. The Republican nominee also echoed false claims that some Californians were voting multiple times and said that in the state you have people getting seven ballots. Rev. Molly Baskette, co-senior minister at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, said that the claim that Jesus would certify Trumps victory in California was out of the question, in part given the states strong Democratic voting pattern, but also because it runs counter to ideals preached by Jesus. Jesus doesnt pick kings. Jesus doesnt pick despots, Baskette said. He doesnt even pick democratically elected officials. Trump has been supported by national Christian leaders in his campaign. Jerry Falwell Jr., former president of Liberty University, endorsed Trump, as did James Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, a prominent evangelical group. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rev. Jim Burklo, a pastor in the United Church of Christ, expressed concern with Trumps invocation of Jesus as a supporter of a lie. Judeo-Christian tradition in general is very skeptical about kings and autocracy and tyranny, Burklo said. The scripture is clear that a strong part of the tradition is opposition and resistance to earthly rulers who are tyrants. Burklo, who retired two years ago as the senior associate dean of religious and spiritual life at the University of Southern California, said Jesus was more concerned with speaking truth to power. It is tragic that faith has been weaponized in this way in this race, said Bishop Dwayne Royster, executive director of Faith in Action, a social justice nonprofit. Royster said religious language in Trumps campaign is used to make himself look good, rather than to lift others up. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Im deeply disconcerted by the way that he invokes religion in a way that also makes it seem like God is only on his side and not the side of all Gods people, Royster said. Marco Durazo, a professor of political science at the University of San Francisco, said the comments Monday were part and parcel of Trumps mass campaign of misinformation. Durazo said Trumps claim that he does great with Hispanics is part of an attempt to discredit elections before they occur. Data from the Americas Society/Council of the Americas, an organization concerned with issues across the Western Hemisphere, estimates that in the 2020 presidential election 77% of Latino voters in California supported Biden, while 21% voted for Trump. Durazo said Trumps comments did highlight one true aspect of the upcoming election: the voting power of Latinos is growing larger. Durazo said both Republicans and Democrats understand that the voting bloc is a force to contend with, but said he is concerned that Trumps comments serve as disenfranchisement of Latino voices by claiming he has their support ahead of an election Trump says will be dishonest. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What I think is troubling in the way Trump phrases it is that its not a way to genuinely court this electorate and this demographic group, Durazo said. Its a way to be disingenuous and discourage their behavior. The faith leaders also expressed concern with Trumps statement last month that Christians would not have to vote again if the former president won a second term. Christians, get out and vote, just this time, Trump said while addressing evangelicals in West Palm Beach, Fla. You wont have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what, it will be fixed, it will be fine, you wont have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians. Royster said the comments were frightening. That is something we have to take seriously, Burklo said. Thats a very real threat of imposing autocracy on our country. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Burklo also said Trump may have been making an appeal while addressing the conservative Christian crowd to be a King David- or King Cyrus-type figure: immoral people who did good to the people of Israel. Royster said using religion during a political campaign is nothing new. He expressed hope that faith would be used in a positive manner. We evoke as a way to lift people up, to encourage them, to offer them hope, and offer them light into a path, but not to tear down hope, Royster said. Baskette emphasized that she thinks Trumps use of religious language is pandering to a Christian vote, rather than actually engaging with and acting upon Christian ideals. The automaker Ford has become the latest firm to reverse course on its work with an LGBTQ group and other parts of its 'inclusivity' agenda, faced with anger from conservative consumers. Ford on Wednesday said it will alter its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, and end participation in a controversial ranking system for LGBTQ-friendly firms. In recent weeks, Harley-Davidson, Tractor Supply, John Deere, Lowe's and other firms have scrapped their DEI schemes, which have been targeted by conservative activists. Advocates of DEI say it gets more women and minorities into workplaces, but critics say it's a 'woke' box-ticking exercise that ends up denying opportunities to straight, white men. In a memo to employees, Ford CEO Jim Farley said attitudes to DEI were changing fast. Ford famously faced conservative headwinds last year over its 'Very Gay Raptor,' a pickup decked out in rainbow colors Ford CEO Jim Farley said the firm was cutting back on DEI because 'our employees and customers hold a wide range of beliefs.' 'We are mindful that our employees and customers hold a wide range of beliefs,' Farley said. 'The external and legal environment related to political and social issues continues to evolve.' The company would still take care of employees and customers but would steer clear of 'publicly commenting on the polarizing issues of the day,' Farley said. The Dearborn, Michigan-based firm's employee resource groups, which divide staff along racial, ethnic and other identity-based lines, have changed this past year, he added. They now focus on networking, mentorship, professional development and community service. The $273 billion firm will also drop some external culture surveys, including the LGBTQ scorecard of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), and various 'best places to work' lists, he said. Ford famously faced conservative headwinds last year over its 'Very Gay Raptor,' a pickup decked out in rainbow colors that appeared at Pride events. Robby Starbuck, an anti-DEI activist who has confronted companies over their employment policies, said Ford and others were bowing to pressure from conservatives. 'This isn't everything we want, but it's a great start,' the 35-year-old Cuban American posted on X. 'We're now forcing multi-billion dollar organizations to change their policies.' Will Hild, director of Consumers' Research, a conservative campaign group, praised Ford for abandoning a 'bigoted, divisive ideological fad.' 'Still, Ford should go further and end all DEI practices,' Hild told The Mail. But the HRC's president Kelley Robinson said Ford was being 'shortsighted' by not catering for America's growing LGBTQ population. 'Ford Motor Company is abandoning its financial duty to recruit and keep top talent from across the full talent pool,' said Robinson. A production plant for Ford, which has joined a growing list of companies to turn the page on diversity, equity, and inclusion work Ford has not yet pulled down the DEI page on its website, but some sections do appear to have been removed Anti-DEI campaigner Robby Starbuck said Ford's reversal on DEI work was a 'great start.' Many companies that embraced DEI policies in the wake of the cop killing of unarmed black man George Floyd in May 2020 have stepped back from them for fear of irking conservative customers. Some businesses have received public shareholder letters since 2021 saying their DEI schemes amount to illegal discrimination and breach directors' duties to investors. Anti-DEI groups were energized by the US Supreme Court ruling in June 2023 that struck down affirmative action in university admissions, a ruling that does not directly affect employers. Former president Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for US president, has been highly critical of DEI initiatives. Starbuck, a former music-video producer and Republican candidate for Tennessee, claims credit for prompting several companies to change or scrap their DEI programs. Unlike legal activists Edward Blum and Stephen Miller's America First Legal, who've filed lawsuits and regulatory complaints alleging DEI programs are discriminatory, Starbuck relies on X to generate popular outrage. For some, DEI schemes are important and necessary, as they can help to overcome historical racism and sexism and make it easier for people of all backgrounds to get ahead in education and work. Critics say it's a form of reverse discrimination that unfairly blows back on straight, white men. Others say DEI schemes may be well-intentioned, but seldom achieve their desired goals and that mandatory workshops on 'micro-aggressions' and 'white fragility' often make things worse by stirring up divisions in offices and classrooms. An Ipsos poll in April found that 61 percent of voters called DEI a 'good thing.' Still, a Gallup survey from around the same time found that only 38 percent of people wanted businesses to be taking a stance on current events a drop of 10 percentage points from 2022. Discount home goods retailer Big Lots is reportedly on the brink of bankruptcy after years of falling sales. The beleaguered chain may seek Chapter 11 protection within weeks, according to Bloomberg, if it is not able to find investors. The Ohio-based company runs around 1,400 stores across the US, after closing hundreds of locations earlier this year. Big Lots stock plummeted as much as 50 percent Thursday morning, falling to $0.56 a share at time of publication. CEO Bruce Thorn warned during the company's last earnings call that Americans were cutting back spending on big ticket items, especially for furniture, which was hurting sales. Discount home goods retailer Big Lots is reportedly on the brink of bankruptcy after years of falling sales and store closures (Pictured: A store closure in Manassas, Virginia) Big Lots received a loan earlier this year to help navigate its liquidity problems, Bloomberg reported, and it has been seeking additional financing in recent weeks. The chain has seen its takings fall consistently for each of the past ten quarters. It lost an eye-watering $132 million in the first three months of 2024. Representatives from the company did not respond to the outlet's requests for comment on its plans. It comes after Big Lots identified scores of locations across states such as Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire and Vermont which are due to close. Earlier this month, stores that are going out of business displayed a 'closing this location' banner on the chain's website, alongside a 20 percent off promotion. The latest closures were on top of 40 further stores which closed their doors in June. On the closures, a company spokesperson told Retail Dive earlier this month: 'While the majority of our stores are profitable, we have made the difficult decision to close certain underperforming stores.' 'We are confident that the steps we are taking will best position the company for the future as we return to our roots, focus on owning the bargain space, and deliver unmistakable value to our customers.' During Big Lots' last earnings call, CEO Bruce Thorn said it wants to expand its extreme bargain offerings as Americans are cutting back on big ticket items. 'We believe Big Lots is in a tough spot,' Joe Feldman, an analyst at Telsey Advisory Group, said in a note at the time. Big Lots stock plummeted as much as 50 percent Thursday morning, hitting $0.56 a share at time of publication The store sells furniture and homeware alongside toys, beauty products and groceries Big Lots is know for its reduced price items On Reddit, Big Lots store managers have complained that they are getting more and more stock that customers do not buy. 'In the last month we received four of the largest trucks we have seen all year and triple the amount we normally get,' one wrote. 'The warehouse is pretty much full to capacity and none of [it] is selling.' Another posted: 'Isn't that the weirdest thing? So much stuff, but none of it is what people want.' Problems for Big Lots come amidst a widespread 'retail apocalypse' which is seeing stores struggle with consumer pullback and increasingly tight margins. There were almost 2,600 store closures in the first four months of 2024. If that trend continues, almost 8,000 will have been lost by the end of the year. In recent months, Walmart has closed three more of its underperforming locations. Best Buy closed ten in March. Dollar stores have been hit hard too, with 99 Cents Only announcing in April it would shutter all 371 of its locations across California, Texas, Arizona and Nevada. The 1,000 closures of Family Dollar and its sister company Dollar Tree will happen over the next three years. As India rises to become a global superpower, it faces challenges not only from within but also from international entities that aim to disrupt its economic and political stability The prosperity and progress of a nation hinge on the efficiency of its governance, particularly in upholding the rule of law by those in top constitutional, administrative, and judicial positions. This also involves the transparency and accountability of regulatory regimes across various sectors of law and economy. In our modern era, characterized by freedom, equality, and democracy, many developing countries have emerged from the shadows of colonialism. Despite independence, the remnants of colonialism persist in governance and social structures, and former colonial powers often carry a lingering sense of superiority. This is evident in their interventions in other countries, where they create political and economic crises under the guise of promoting cosmopolitan values. These interventions are particularly harmful to independent and dynamic leaders in Third World countries. A recent example is the destabilization of the Hasina Wazed government in Bangladesh, fueled by agitation with foreign backing. In recent years, such external forces have formed an international cartel, often referred to as the "deep state." This group, supported by a segment of religious extremists and a political elite, acts against their own country's interests for selfish reasons. This insidious influence is spreading to stable democracies like India. Direct military intervention is difficult in modern times, so these forces resort to destabilizing social, political, and economic fabrics with the help of internal collaborators. They present themselves as the arbiters of morality, creating narratives to discredit certain groups, undermine social harmony, and ultimately destabilize economies. Their goal is to generate public unrest and overthrow democratically elected governments by eroding the state's capacity to manage public welfare. This is a fallout of globalization and an attempt to reassert hegemonic control. One prominent example is the Hindenburg Research firm, which targeted Adani Enterprises last year, leading to a severe crash in the Indian stock market and a major political storm just before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Congress party seized the opportunity, and the Supreme Court ordered an inquiry, which eventually discredited Hindenburg's report. However, this month, Hindenburg targeted the SEBI Chairperson, accusing her of investing in Adani companies abroad. Both SEBI and Adani Group denied any wrongdoing, explaining that the investments were made before she took on her role at SEBI. Similar uproar was seen when the Rafale aircraft deal was signed in 2015. When Hindenburg first targeted Adani, it made a profit of $4 million, while Adani lost $153 million in market value. However, this time, the public saw through the ruse, dismissing it as the tantrum of a disgruntled entity. It is common for companies to establish subsidiaries abroad, and such activities are always under regulatory surveillance, operating within the law. Historically, India lacked a robust private sector, with Tata being the only notable corporate entity during the era of the "license raj." However, thanks to economic liberalization under the Narsimha Rao government, the private sector has grown significantly and now contributes around 27% of the country's GDP. The Indian private sector is now a crucial engine for employment, service delivery, capital flow, and industrial growth. The public sector, on the other hand, focuses on activities serving the general public, funded by tax revenues. Gautam Adani's conglomerate plays a central role in India's ambition to become the third-largest economy, with its involvement in key sectors like electricity, port management, mining, natural gas, and infrastructure. Among the top taxpayers in 2022-2023, only the State Bank of India (SBI) was a public sector entity, with Reliance Industries leading the list, followed by SBI and HDFC. The GDP at constant prices in May 2024 was tentatively estimated by the Indian Statistical Office at Rs173.82 lakh crore, with real Gross Value Added at Rs158.74 lakh crore for 2023-24, marking an 8% increase over the previous year. Various private sector industries played a pivotal role in this growth. Adani Group dominated the list of top value gainers in 2022, adding Rs 8.42 lakh crore to investor wealth. When any country challenges the supremacy of these foreign powers, they attempt to destroy it by spending vast sums of money. The 'Make in India' initiative is gradually positioning Adani as a global industrial leader, alongside other Indian giants like Ambani, Tata, and Mahindra. India's technological advancements and the so1cietal contributions of companies like Tata are gaining recognition. This is precisely why foreign forces forge alliances with frustrated leaders and anti-national elements, funding them to gain control over governance. The current government must take stronger actions rather than merely offering rhetoric. (The writer is a former civil servant; views are personal) The prosperity and progress of a nation hinge on the efficiency of its governance, particularly in upholding the rule of law by those in top constitutional, administrative, and judicial positions. This also involves the transparency and accountability of regulatory regimes across various sectors of law and economy. In our modern era, characterized by freedom, equality, and democracy, many developing countries have emerged from the shadows of colonialism. Despite independence, the remnants of colonialism persist in governance and social structures, and former colonial powers often carry a lingering sense of superiority. This is evident in their interventions in other countries, where they create political and economic crises under the guise of promoting cosmopolitan values. These interventions are particularly harmful to independent and dynamic leaders in Third World countries. A recent example is the destabilization of the Hasina Wazed government in Bangladesh, fueled by agitation with foreign backing. In recent years, such external forces have formed an international cartel, often referred to as the "deep state." This group, supported by a segment of religious extremists and a political elite, acts against their own country's interests for selfish reasons. This insidious influence is spreading to stable democracies like India. Direct military intervention is difficult in modern times, so these forces resort to destabilizing social, political, and economic fabrics with the help of internal collaborators. They present themselves as the arbiters of morality, creating narratives to discredit certain groups, undermine social harmony, and ultimately destabilize economies. Their goal is to generate public unrest and overthrow democratically elected governments by eroding the state's capacity to manage public welfare. This is a fallout of globalization and an attempt to reassert hegemonic control. One prominent example is the Hindenburg Research firm, which targeted Adani Enterprises last year, leading to a severe crash in the Indian stock market and a major political storm just before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Congress party seized the opportunity, and the Supreme Court ordered an inquiry, which eventually discredited Hindenburg's report. However, this month, Hindenburg targeted the SEBI Chairperson, accusing her of investing in Adani companies abroad. Both SEBI and Adani Group denied any wrongdoing, explaining that the investments were made before she took on her role at SEBI. Similar uproar was seen when the Rafale aircraft deal was signed in 2015. When Hindenburg first targeted Adani, it made a profit of $4 million, while Adani lost $153 million in market value. However, this time, the public saw through the ruse, dismissing it as the tantrum of a disgruntled entity. It is common for companies to establish subsidiaries abroad, and such activities are always under regulatory surveillance, operating within the law. Historically, India lacked a robust private sector, with Tata being the only notable corporate entity during the era of the "license raj." However, thanks to economic liberalization under the Narsimha Rao government, the private sector has grown significantly and now contributes around 27% of the country's GDP. The Indian private sector is now a crucial engine for employment, service delivery, capital flow, and industrial growth. The public sector, on the other hand, focuses on activities serving the general public, funded by tax revenues. Gautam Adani's conglomerate plays a central role in India's ambition to become the third-largest economy, with its involvement in key sectors like electricity, port management, mining, natural gas, and infrastructure. Among the top taxpayers in 2022-2023, only the State Bank of India (SBI) was a public sector entity, with Reliance Industries leading the list, followed by SBI and HDFC. The GDP at constant prices in May 2024 was tentatively estimated by the Indian Statistical Office at Rs173.82 lakh crore, with real Gross Value Added at Rs158.74 lakh crore for 2023-24, marking an 8% increase over the previous year. Various private sector industries played a pivotal role in this growth. Adani Group dominated the list of top value gainers in 2022, adding Rs 8.42 lakh crore to investor wealth. When any country challenges the supremacy of these foreign powers, they attempt to destroy it by spending vast sums of money. The 'Make in India' initiative is gradually positioning Adani as a global industrial leader, alongside other Indian giants like Ambani, Tata, and Mahindra. India's technological advancements and the so1cietal contributions of companies like Tata are gaining recognition. This is precisely why foreign forces forge alliances with frustrated leaders and anti-national elements, funding them to gain control over governance. The current government must take stronger actions rather than merely offering rhetoric. (The writer is a former civil servant; views are personal) PM Modi's historic Ukraine visit signals new foreign policy approach Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Ukraine, last week, comes at an interesting churn of events on the geopolitical landscape. The visit, a first, by any Indian PM since Ukraine was first carved out as an independent sovereign nation, had many layers of interpretations regarding Indias new foreign policy approach. The timing was significant as this trip came barely six weeks after PM Modis state visit to Moscow. The Russia trip was widely criticised by Indias strategic ally US, primarily due to the timing. Even as PM Modi was in Moscow, the NATO leaders were huddled together in Washington, discussing military aid for Ukraine.Meanwhile, Russia bombed a childrens hospital in Ukraine leading to the loss of lives for civilians and children. President Zelenskyy had condemned India's PMs first visit to Russia during his third term and the US State Department had also issued stern statements regarding the trip. Indian PM had also avoided participating in the Peace Summit organised in June, to find a political solution to the Russia-Ukraine crisis. The recent visit by PM Modi to Ukraine, even as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was in Washington DC was a statement regarding Indias fine balance diplomacy in times of war. President Biden, called up the Indian PM soon after his visit to Ukraine to apprise him of the prevailing situation. The readout released from the White House read President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India to discuss the Prime Ministers recent trip to Poland and Ukraine, as well as the United Nations General Assembly meetings in September. The President commended the Prime Minister for his historic visits to Poland and Ukraine, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in decades, and for his message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support for Ukraine, including its energy sector. The Leaders affirmed their continued support for a peaceful resolution of the conflict by international law, on the basis of the UN Charter. Interestingly, the Indian PM also spoke to President Biden regarding the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh and expressed concern regarding the safety of minorities, especially Hindus, which was highlighted in the Indian statement after the telephone conversation. The Bangladesh situation omission from the White House readout did create some murmurs across Delhi corridors.India is now making efforts to have its own Europe policy, which is not curated with a Russia factor in mind. For several decades post-independence, the Cold War era, the block approach mostly guided Indias foreign policy, especially where Russia was involved. Russia has been a long-standing ally of India and is also one of the biggest exporters of defence equipment. While maintaining silence on sensitive Russia-related topics has been Indias long-standing approach, things began to change in the past few years. There is a growing sense of having an independent need-based foreign policy, amongst the top policymakers. PM Modi initiated the concept of not a time for war at multilateral platforms such as G20, which started finding global resonance when vocalising concerns regarding Ukraine and Russia. He upped the narrative with his clear message to Russia during his Moscow visit that permanent solutions could not be found on the battlefield. The joint statement issued post PM Modis meeting with President Zelenskyy read The Indian side reiterated its principled position and focus on peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy. Prime Minister Modi reiterated the need for sincere and practical engagement between all stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that will have broad acceptability and contribute towards early restoration of peace. The message to global leaders, particularly the US and Russia that the recent PM Modi visit highlighted was that India is willing to engage with any nation, even if they may be in opposite camps, to find the best possible outcomes for itself. (The writer is a policy analyst; views are personal) The Madhya Pradesh police on Tuesday arrested Haji Shahzad Ali, the main accused in the stone-pelting incident at a police station during a protest against a Hindu seer in Chhatarpur city, an official said. The police had issued a lookout circular for Ali to ensure he didn't flee the country. The local administration also razed his palatial house, citing that it was built without due permission. Hindu seer Ramgiri Maharaj had allegedly made objectionable remarks against Islam at Shah Panchale village in Sinnar taluka of Maharashtra's Nashik district during a religious event. Following this, around 300-400 people led by religious leaders came to Kotwali police station on August 21 to submit a memorandum demanding a case against Ramgiri Maharaj, who already faces multiple FIRs in Maharashtra over his alleged objectionable remarks against the Prophet. The crowd suddenly became aggressive and started pelting stones, it was stated. Talking to PTI, Chhatarpur's Superintendent of Police (SP) Agam Jain said Ali, the main accused of the August 21 incident, was arrested from Chhatarpur during the day, and further legal steps will be taken after presenting him in the court. Jain said the police had formed 10 teams to apprehend the accused. Ali has a criminal record and has six cases, including murder and offences under the Arms Act to his name, since 1988, the SP said, adding that the administration is also investigating complaints of illegal encroachment lodged against Ali. The police are probing to find out where Ali stayed when he absconded after the incident and who was handling his social media account where he shared his videos during this period, Jain said. Efforts are underway to arrest other absconding accused, he said. Officials had earlier said a case was registered against 46 named and 150 unidentified persons under various provisions of law in connection with the violence. The Congress and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the demolition of Ali's house and termed the actof administration as "bulldozer justice". As electioneering gains momentum across different parts of Jammu and Kashmir in the run-up to the first round of polling on September 18, the terrorist handlers sitting across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan are hell-bent on disturbing the peaceful conduct of Assembly polls, being held after a gap of 10 long years. On Thursday, the troops of the Indian army eliminated at least three terrorists while they were attempting to infiltrate inside the Indian territory along the LoC in the frontier district of Kupwara. These terrorists were gunned down by the alert troops in two separate anti-infiltration operations along the line of control in the Machhal and Tangdhar sectors of Kupwara. This is the second major incident involving terrorists after the announcement of the Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir on August 16. On August 19, a heavily armed group of Pakistani terrorists targeted an area domination patrol party comprising jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Special Operations Group of Jammu Kashmir Police (JKP) in the remote Duddu Basantgarh area of Udhampur in which one Inspector-rank CRPF officer sacrificed his life in the line of duty. Official sources said troops deployed along the LoC in the anti-infiltration grid could pick up the movement of the terrorists and neutralised them before they could breach the Anti-Infiltration Obstacle system (AIOS). Meanwhile, efforts are being made to create a conducive atmosphere for holding of election. The Centre has already rushed additional companies of para-military forces to be deployed on ground zero to instill confidence among the voters. During the recently held Lok Sabha polls the Union Territory witnessed over 58 per cent voter turnout across five Parliamentary constituencies. The Election Commission of India is aiming to further improve the voter percentage turnout during the Assembly polls. In the Jammu region, security forces had also established initial contact with a group of foreign terrorists in the Kheri Mohra Lathi & Danthal areas under the jurisdiction of Budhal police station, Rajouri, past midnight. After a brief exchange of firing as the security forces rushed additional troops to cordon the area the terrorists, taking advantage of the inclement weather, may have fled the area. Residents in the area also claimed heavy firing in the Lathi area of Khwas around midnight. In Srinagar, Chinar Corps while confirming the killing of two terrorists in the Machhal sector of Kupwara posted on X, "Two terrorists have been eliminated in the ongoing anti-infiltration operation in general area Machhal, Kupwara. Two AK-47 Rifles, one Pistol, four Hand Grenades, and other war-like stores were recovered". The troops were still carrying out the searches in the area to rule out the presence of more infiltrators. According to a Chinar Corps spokesman, another terrorist was eliminated in the Tangdhar area of Kupwara. The operation was still in progress till the time of filing the report. In Jammu, Senior Superintendent of Police Joginder Singh visited the border belt of RS Pura-Arnia including Border Police Posts (BPPs) & reviewed the operational preparedness along the border grid. Police have recently deployed more newly trained jawans in various border villages across the Jammu region to bolster the anti-infiltration and anti-terrorism grid. Besides, Village Defence Group committees have been strengthened to further augment the border grid. The Jammu and Kashmir police have established 19 special counterterror units, each headed by a Dy SP, in 8 terror-hit districts of Jammu. These teams will remain stationed and will conduct counterterror operations alongside looking after routine crime in the areas. The units have been set up in the areas that witnessed terror attacks in recent months across the Jammu province. According to official sources, these units will remain stationed at Latti and Panchari of Udhampur district. Malhar, Bani of Kathua district. Pouni/Ransoo, Mahore, Chassana, Gulabgarh, and Passana of Reasi district. Dessa/Kastigarh, Assar of Doda district.Dachhan, Drabshalla of Kishtwar district. Ramsoo, Chanderkote/Batote Sangaldan/Dharamkund of Ramban district. Kalakote of Rajouri district, Baffliaz/Behramgalla, Mandi/Loran, Gursai of Poonch district. The Bihar Governments ambitious plan to construct a grand memorial for Jarasandh, a key figure from the Mahabharata and the ancient king of Magadha with his capital at Girivraja (modern-day Rajgir) at lush green Rajgir wildlife sanctuary, has taken a significant step forward. Recently, the Central Wildlife panel, headed by Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, approved the project, bringing it closer to realisation. Situated in the protected area in Nalanda district, this project includes the installation of an 18-foot tall statue of Jarasandha, various murals depicting his life and achievements, as well as tributes to great freedom fighter and socialist Lok Nayak Jayprakash Narayan also known as JP. Additionally, the project envisions the construction of an art gallery using prefabricated materials and the renovation of existing park facilities. The project is part of the Jay Prakash Udyan Park situated within the sanctuary and officials pin hopes that it is expected to boost tourism given that it is around 100 km from the State capital Patna, and cultural interest by highlighting Bihars rich historical and mythological heritage. Because of the want of approval, many installed structures are in dilapidated condition. Given that the project falls within the Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary, it required extensive consideration for wildlife clearance. The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife, which is the highest decision-making body of the Central Government for projects in protected sanctuaries and reserves, has now endorsed the proposal. This approval signifies that the project has met the necessary environmental and regulatory criteria, as confirmed by an official from the Union Environment Ministry. The State Government had requested the diversion of approximately 1.8436 hectares of forest land within the Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary for the installation of the statue and historic murals, alongside the construction of essential facilities such as toilets, a cafeteria, and an art gallery made of prefabricated structures, said the officials. The proposal has already received recommendations from the State Chief Wildlife Warden, the State Board for Wildlife, and the State Government. According to the minutes of the meeting of the NBWL, the Chief Wildlife Warden noted that the sanctuary was officially notified in 1978, with park development commencing prior to that and opening to the public in 1979. The ongoing renovation and provision of basic amenities are crucial to maintaining and enhancing the park for public use, said the minutes quoting the Bihar Government officials about the project being overseeing by the Divisional Forest Officer of the Nalanda Forest Division. Following deliberations, the Standing Committee recommended the proposal with the stipulation that the region's flora and fauna remain undisturbed. The Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary is home to various species, including wild boar, cheetal, jungle fowl, porcupine, hare, langur, monkey, and jackal. The central wildlife panel emphasised that the legal status of the land will remain as part of the sanctuary and will be dedicated solely to eco-tourism purposes. The project proponent has assured that no trees will be cut down as the area falls within an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) for which the final notification was issued in 2017. The park, established in 1979, has been in use since its opening. However, many of its structures are now in disrepair. The planned upgrades include the installation of essential amenities such as toilets, seating benches, platforms, drinking water facilities, landscaping, and water drainage systems. These improvements are vital to prevent further deterioration of the park. Upgrading the park is aimed at integrating the ecological, cultural, and historical aspects of Rajgir, said officials. This initiative will bring the glory of ancient India to the forefront, providing educational opportunities for park visitors and enhancing their understanding of the region's rich heritage, he said. A low-floor cluster blue bus with around 50 passengers onboard was completely gutted after it caught fire in east Delhis Jagatpuri area near A block bus stand on Thursday. According to the police, no passengers were injured. DCP Shahdara Surendra Choudhary said, On Thursday at 9.48 am, we received a PCR call at Jagatpuri police station about a cluster bus burning at A block bus stand in Jagatpuri. After reaching the spot, it is found that fire broke out in a blue colour cluster bus. He added that as the vehicle is a CNG air-conditioned bus, there was a danger of fire spreading. So the area was cordoned off and about 40 passengers were rescued. Three fire tenders reached at the spot immediately and extinguished the fire, DCP stated, adding that no one was injured and no causality was reported. The bus was plying on route 340, from Central Secretariat to Seemapuri. The probable cause of the fire was short-circuit in the AC system, he added. The Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System Limited (DIMTS) monitors and manages cluster buses. An inquiry has been ordered, transport department officials said and added that the bus will be examined by the manufacturer to determine what caused the fire. Reacting to the news, Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said, This bus was not very old and only four years old. We will conduct an investigation to know the reason for the fire. We will hundred percent get to the root cause of the incident. We stand committed to the safety of passengers. We will surely come down very heavily on those responsible at any level. Another officer added, It is a matter of concern that a relatively new bus caught fire. The fire started from the back portion and despite efforts by the driver and the conductor to extinguish it, it spread. Station officer of Delhi Fire Services (DFS) Anoop Singh said a call was received around 9.40 am about the incident and three fire tenders were sent to the spot. It is suspected that an electrical short-circuit in the vehicles air conditioning system may have caused the fire, Singh said. Eyewitness Surender Bhola said a biker noticed smoke coming out of the bus engine and alerted the driver, who immediately stopped the vehicle and instructed the passengers to get off. The incident caused a massive traffic jam at the Jagatpuri crossing, affecting other commuters. Traffic is affected on New Rohtak Road in the carriageway from Kamal T-Point towards Punjabi Bagh due to a fire in a Cluster Bus on Zakhira Flyover. Commuters are advised to avoid the stretch, it said in a post on X. Amity Foundation for Science Technology & Innovation Alliances (AFSTIA), Amity University Noida organised a Workshop on Pre-Incubation Entrepreneurship (PIE) Development Programme in collaboration with Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, Department of Space (IN-SPACe). The IN-SPACe PIE programme is designed for aspiring space entrepreneurs and individuals with innovative ideas in the space sector who are seeking early-stage support and mentorship to develop their concepts into viable businesses. More than 1000 participants from Delhi/NCR Universities and institutions joined the workshop, including IIT Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi Technological University and National Institute of Technology, to name a few. Delivering the Keynote Address, Dr Vinod Kumar, Director, Promotion Directorate, IN-SPACe , averred On November 20, 1967, Indias first Indigenous Sounding Rocket, Rohini-75 was launched which marked a new beginning for the Indian Space Industry. Under the visionary leadership of our Prime Minister, the Government initiated Space Sector reforms and formed and autonomous body, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre, IN-SPACe on June 24, 2020, which enables private entities to carry out end-to-end space activities. Welcoming the guests, Prof (Dr) Balvinder Shukla, Vice Chancellor, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, said, The workshop serves as a one-stop solution for participants to explore the entire journey from ideation to commercialization in starting a start-up or pursuing entrepreneurship. Space Technology is an important sector for Viksit Bharat@ 2047 and Chandrayaans landing on the South Pole of the moon has proved Indias potential in the Space Sector. Bob Egelko has been a reporter since June 1970. He spent 30 years with the Associated Press, covering news, politics and occasionally sports in Los Angeles, San Diego and Sacramento, and legal affairs in San Francisco from 1984 onward. He worked for the San Francisco Examiner for five months in 2000, then joined The Chronicle in November 2000. His beat includes state and federal courts in California, the Supreme Court and the State Bar. He has a law degree from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento and is a member of the bar. Coverage has included the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, the appointment of Rose Bird to the state Supreme Court and her removal by the voters, the death penalty in California and the battles over gay rights and same-sex marriage. A lawyer has filed a complaint with the Delhi Police on Thursday against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her remarks at a Trinamool Chhatra Parishad event, alleging they were provocative and inciting statements. The complaint, filed by Vineet Jindal, a practising lawyer at the Supreme Court, to the Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora is against Banerjees statement on Wednesday where she reportedly said, Remember, if Bengal burns, then Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi will also burn.It is clear that this statement is instigating, provocative, and antinational in nature. Her words are intended to create hatred and enmity between different groups on the basis of region, which is prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony. As the Chief Minister of a state in the Union of India, she holds significant influence over the public, he said. He added that the seriousness of her statement is amplified by her position as Chief Minister, where she controls the administrative and law enforcement authorities in West Bengal. Her words clearly indicate a willingness to misuse her power to create unstoppable unrest in the state and other parts of the country, Jindal alleged. Given the instigating and provocative nature of her statement, which intends to create disharmony and foster hatred and enmity among the masses of India, as she mentioned the name of Delhi in her statement as one of the states, I being a resident of Delhi respectfully request that an FIR be lodged under Sections 152, 192, 196, and 353 of the BNS against Mamata Banerjee. A man allegedly attacked and killed a 26-year-old woman from West Bengal here after she started avoiding him and later attempted to end his life, police said on Thursday. The victim was stabbed multiple times by the accused, police said, describing the gruesome attack. The accused from Bidar district in Karnataka, went to the woman's room on Wednesday late night and attacked her with a knife and also attacked three of the roommates when they tried to rescue her, a police official at Gachibowli Police Station said. After receiving information, a police team rushed to the spot and shifted the woman and three other injured persons to a hospital where the doctors declared the woman dead, the official said. The accused, who earlier worked in Bengaluru, and the woman, who was a beautician, knew each other and were allegedly in a relationship, police said based on preliminary investigation. The woman had subsequently shifted to Hyderabad and for the past over one month she had been avoiding him and he also suspected that she was "closely" moving with another man, and he bore a grudge and attacked her, the official said. The woman, who was married, was staying away from her husband due to some personal reasons, police said. The accused, who fled after attacking the woman and others later attempted to end his life in the early hours of Thursday after climbing an electric pole and touching the high-tension wire near Moinabad and suffered burns, police said. Police who were trying to catch the accused located him and found him with burns and got him shifted to a state-run hospital, the official said adding they registered a case on charges of murder and attempt to murder. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday asserted that she did not threaten junior doctors at state-run hospitals, who have been continuing cease-work for 21 days now to protest against the alleged rape and murder of a woman medic. Banerjee said accusations that have come from certain quarters of her threatening the agitating junior doctors are "completely false" and part of a malicious disinformation campaign. "Let me most emphatically clarify that I have not uttered a single word against the (medical etc.) students or their movements. I totally support their movement. Their movement is genuine. I never threatened them, as some people are accusing me of doing. This allegation is completely false," she wrote on X. Addressing a rally organised by the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad, Banerjee had on Wednesday urged the agitating junior doctors of Bengal to urgently consider returning to duty and said she doesn't want to lodge FIRs against the striking doctors in consideration of their future careers. Agitating doctors interpreted the chief minister's remark as a "veiled threat" and rejected her appeal to join work. Banerjee also wrote, "I have spoken against BJP. I have spoken against them because, with the support of the Government of India, they are threatening the democracy in our state and trying to create anarchy. With support from the Centre, they are trying to create lawlessness and I have raised my voice against them." The chief minister also issued a clarification with respect to her snap back message to her supporters against the conspirators who need to be unmasked. I also clarify that the phrase ("phonsh kara") that I had used in my speech yesterday is a quote from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. The legendary saint had said that occasionally there is need to raise one's voice. When there are crimes and criminal offences, voice of protest has to be raised. My speech on that point was a direct allusion to the great Ramakrishnite saying, she posted on her social media timeline. The BJP, on Wednesday, accused Banerjee of threatening opposition parties by abandoning her previous slogan of 'badla noy, badal chai' (no revenge, only change) in response to alleged insults from the opposition. At the TMCP rally, Banerjee remarked that the slogan needed to be updated to reflect changing times and situations. "The time has come to resist and protest when you are insulted and maligned with false propaganda. Although I never promote violence, when faced with such ugly attacks, do not take it lying down and snap back. How you respond is up to you," she said, referring to a story around the 19th Century Bengal mystic Ramakrishna Paramhansa. Permian Basin Royalty Trust (NYSE:PBT Get Free Report)s share price was up 3.6% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $11.38 and last traded at $11.31. Approximately 38,448 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 70% from the average daily volume of 126,818 shares. The stock had previously closed at $10.92. Permian Basin Royalty Trust Stock Performance The company has a market capitalization of $522.49 million, a P/E ratio of 18.08 and a beta of 0.57. The firms fifty day moving average is $11.18 and its 200 day moving average is $12.05. Get Permian Basin Royalty Trust alerts: Permian Basin Royalty Trust Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be given a $0.052 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. This represents a $0.62 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.57%. Permian Basin Royalty Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 100.00%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Permian Basin Royalty Trust About Permian Basin Royalty Trust A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Schwartz Investment Counsel Inc. grew its stake in Permian Basin Royalty Trust by 16.1% in the second quarter. Schwartz Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 1,140,169 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $12,793,000 after purchasing an additional 158,500 shares during the last quarter. Foundation Resource Management Inc. boosted its position in Permian Basin Royalty Trust by 0.8% in the first quarter. Foundation Resource Management Inc. now owns 682,634 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $8,260,000 after buying an additional 5,671 shares during the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. increased its holdings in Permian Basin Royalty Trust by 23.3% in the 2nd quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 460,087 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $5,181,000 after buying an additional 87,080 shares during the period. Mad River Investors raised its position in Permian Basin Royalty Trust by 4.6% during the 2nd quarter. Mad River Investors now owns 264,173 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $2,975,000 after buying an additional 11,726 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Permian Basin Royalty Trust by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC now owns 147,246 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $2,061,000 after acquiring an additional 4,023 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 28.86% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Permian Basin Royalty Trust, an express trust, holds royalty interests in various oil and gas properties in the United States. The company holds a 75% net overriding royalty interest in the Waddell Ranch properties, including Dune, Sand Hills (Judkins), Sand Hills (McKnight), Sand Hills (Tubb), University-Waddell (Devonian) and Waddell fields in Crane County, Texas. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Permian Basin Royalty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Permian Basin Royalty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BNCCORP (OTCMKTS:BNCC Get Free Report) and U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, dividends, earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability and valuation. Risk & Volatility BNCCORP has a beta of 0.85, meaning that its stock price is 15% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, U.S. Bancorp has a beta of 1.04, meaning that its stock price is 4% more volatile than the S&P 500. Get BNCCORP alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for BNCCORP and U.S. Bancorp, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score BNCCORP 0 0 0 0 N/A U.S. Bancorp 0 12 7 0 2.37 Insider and Institutional Ownership U.S. Bancorp has a consensus target price of $48.23, suggesting a potential upside of 4.51%. Given U.S. Bancorps higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe U.S. Bancorp is more favorable than BNCCORP. 77.6% of U.S. Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. 28.4% of BNCCORP shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of U.S. Bancorp shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Profitability This table compares BNCCORP and U.S. Bancorps net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets BNCCORP 14.18% 7.00% 0.77% U.S. Bancorp 12.55% 13.34% 0.97% Valuation and Earnings This table compares BNCCORP and U.S. Bancorps revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio BNCCORP $53.28 million 1.71 $5.70 million $1.67 15.41 U.S. Bancorp $27.25 billion 2.64 $5.43 billion $3.02 15.28 U.S. Bancorp has higher revenue and earnings than BNCCORP. U.S. Bancorp is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than BNCCORP, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary U.S. Bancorp beats BNCCORP on 10 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About BNCCORP (Get Free Report) BNCCORP, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for BNC National Bank that provides community banking, retail and mortgage banking, and wealth management services to businesses and consumers. The company offers commercial banking services, including business financing, commercial real estate lending, small business administration loans, business checking, cash management, corporate credit cards, and merchant services to small to middle-market businesses. It also provides retail and mortgage banking services, such as personal checking and savings products, personal loans, and card services; and residential loans through a consumer direct channel, as well as a retail channel. In addition, the company offers wealth management solutions, including 401(k) and other retirement plans, trust services, and personal wealth advisory services. It offers community banking and wealth management services through 11 locations in Arizona and North Dakota; and mortgage banking services through 7 locations in Arizona, North Dakota, Illinois, and Kansas. The company was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in Bismarck, North Dakota. About U.S. Bancorp (Get Free Report) U.S. Bancorp, a financial services holding company, provides various financial services to individuals, businesses, institutional organizations, governmental entities, and other financial institutions in the United States. It operates through Wealth, Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking; Consumer and Business Banking; Payment Services; and Treasury and Corporate Support segments. The company offers depository services, including checking accounts, savings accounts, and time certificate contracts; and lending services, such as traditional credit products and credit card services, lease financing and import/export trade, asset-backed lending, agricultural finance, and other products. It also provides ancillary services comprising capital markets, treasury management, and receivable lock-box collection services to corporate and governmental entity customers. In addition, the company offers asset management and fiduciary services for individuals, estates, foundations, business corporations, and charitable organizations. Further, it provides investment and insurance products to its customers principally within its domestic markets, as well as fund administration services to mutual and other funds. Additionally, the company provides corporate and purchasing card, and corporate trust services. Furthermore, it offers trust and investment management, merchant and ATM processing, mortgage banking, insurance, and brokerage and leasing services. U.S. Bancorp was founded in 1863 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Receive News & Ratings for BNCCORP Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BNCCORP and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zimmermann Investment Management & Planning LLC acquired a new position in Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm acquired 2,621 shares of the medical equipment providers stock, valued at approximately $202,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Boston Scientific by 542.1% during the first quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 366 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 309 shares during the last quarter. First Foundation Advisors bought a new position in Boston Scientific during the first quarter valued at $25,000. Triad Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in Boston Scientific during the second quarter valued at $26,000. RiverPark Advisors LLC bought a new position in Boston Scientific during the first quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Lynx Investment Advisory bought a new position in Boston Scientific during the second quarter valued at $30,000. 89.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Boston Scientific Trading Down 0.4 % Shares of Boston Scientific stock traded down $0.31 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $79.52. 4,155,476 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,098,590. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.66. The company has a market cap of $116.66 billion, a PE ratio of 66.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 0.78. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $76.73 and a 200-day moving average of $72.71. Boston Scientific Co. has a 12 month low of $48.35 and a 12 month high of $80.02. Analyst Ratings Changes Boston Scientific ( NYSE:BSX Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The medical equipment provider reported $0.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $4.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.02 billion. Boston Scientific had a return on equity of 16.80% and a net margin of 12.00%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 14.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.53 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that Boston Scientific Co. will post 2.4 EPS for the current fiscal year. BSX has been the subject of several research reports. Raymond James increased their price objective on Boston Scientific from $85.00 to $91.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. TD Cowen raised their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $77.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 16th. BTIG Research raised their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $80.00 to $84.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, July 15th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $78.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on Boston Scientific from $73.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $85.24. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on BSX Insiders Place Their Bets In other Boston Scientific news, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 6,983 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.30, for a total value of $539,785.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 42,908 shares in the company, valued at $3,316,788.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 20,949 shares of company stock worth $1,583,395. 0.50% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Boston Scientific Profile (Free Report) Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through two segments, MedSurg and Cardiovascular. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions, such as resolution clips, biliary stent systems, stents and electrocautery enhanced delivery systems, direct visualization systems, digital catheters, and single-use duodenoscopes; devices to treat urological conditions, including ureteral stents, catheters, baskets, guidewires, sheaths, balloons, single-use digital flexible ureteroscopes, holmium laser systems, artificial urinary sphincter, laser system, fiber, and hydrogel systems; and devices to treat neurological movement disorders and manage chronic pain, such as spinal cord stimulator system, proprietary programming software, radiofrequency generator, indirect decompression systems, practice optimization tools, and deep brain stimulation system. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BSX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Boston Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boston Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors lifted its position in shares of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report) by 6.0% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,860 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after buying an additional 106 shares during the quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $718,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Motorola Solutions during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Beacon Capital Management LLC grew its position in Motorola Solutions by 71.8% during the second quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 67 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. LRI Investments LLC grew its position in Motorola Solutions by 871.4% during the second quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 68 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC bought a new position in Motorola Solutions during the 1st quarter worth $28,000. Finally, Private Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new position in Motorola Solutions in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Institutional investors own 84.17% of the companys stock. Get Motorola Solutions alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Kenneth D. Denman sold 690 shares of Motorola Solutions stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $373.11, for a total transaction of $257,445.90. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 8,141 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,037,488.51. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, COO John P. Molloy sold 23,985 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $407.50, for a total value of $9,773,887.50. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 46,821 shares in the company, valued at $19,079,557.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Kenneth D. Denman sold 690 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $373.11, for a total transaction of $257,445.90. Following the transaction, the director now owns 8,141 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,037,488.51. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 29,949 shares of company stock valued at $12,002,807 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have recently issued reports on MSI shares. Bank of America increased their target price on Motorola Solutions from $370.00 to $440.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Motorola Solutions from $372.00 to $467.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Motorola Solutions from $436.00 to $440.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on shares of Motorola Solutions from $385.00 to $440.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $437.40. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Motorola Solutions Motorola Solutions Price Performance NYSE MSI traded up $1.94 during trading on Thursday, hitting $437.15. 389,587 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 660,442. The company has a market cap of $72.92 billion, a PE ratio of 54.21, a P/E/G ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a current ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.16. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $269.64 and a fifty-two week high of $439.14. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $400.23 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $367.33. Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The communications equipment provider reported $3.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.01 by $0.23. Motorola Solutions had a net margin of 14.04% and a return on equity of 378.15%. The business had revenue of $2.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.59 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.41 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 12.09 EPS for the current year. Motorola Solutions Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Friday, September 13th will be given a dividend of $0.98 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.90%. Motorola Solutionss dividend payout ratio is currently 48.45%. About Motorola Solutions (Free Report) Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MSI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Motorola Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Motorola Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Hawaii Co. (NYSE:BOH Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Monday, July 22nd, Zacks reports. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th will be paid a dividend of 0.70 per share by the bank on Monday, September 16th. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.17%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. Bank of Hawaii has increased its dividend by an average of 1.5% per year over the last three years. Bank of Hawaii has a dividend payout ratio of 79.1% meaning its dividend is currently covered by earnings, but may not be in the future if the companys earnings decline. Equities research analysts expect Bank of Hawaii to earn $3.56 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $2.80 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 78.7%. Get Bank of Hawaii alerts: Bank of Hawaii Trading Up 0.8 % Shares of Bank of Hawaii stock opened at $67.07 on Thursday. Bank of Hawaii has a fifty-two week low of $45.56 and a fifty-two week high of $75.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 0.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.29 and a beta of 1.06. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $63.17 and a 200 day moving average of $60.65. Insiders Place Their Bets Bank of Hawaii ( NYSE:BOH Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 22nd. The bank reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.85 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $255.62 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $157.12 million. Bank of Hawaii had a net margin of 14.54% and a return on equity of 12.25%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.12 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Bank of Hawaii will post 3.42 earnings per share for the current year. In related news, insider Taryn L. Salmon sold 2,364 shares of Bank of Hawaii stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.80, for a total value of $160,279.20. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 10,785 shares in the company, valued at approximately $731,223. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 2.11% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on BOH shares. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Bank of Hawaii to a sell rating in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. DA Davidson boosted their target price on shares of Bank of Hawaii from $63.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on shares of Bank of Hawaii from $58.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on Bank of Hawaii from $53.00 to $54.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 3rd. Finally, Piper Sandler lowered shares of Bank of Hawaii from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $70.00 to $61.00 in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and two have issued a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average price target of $59.00. View Our Latest Report on Bank of Hawaii About Bank of Hawaii (Get Free Report) Bank of Hawaii Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Bank of Hawaii that provides various financial products and services in Hawaii, Guam, and other Pacific Islands. It operates in three segments: Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, automobile loans and leases, overdraft lines of credit, installment loans, small business loans and leases, and credit cards; private and international client banking, investment, credit, and trust services to individuals and families, as well as high-net-worth individuals; investment management; institutional investment advisory services to corporations, government entities, and foundations; and brokerage offerings, including equities, mutual funds, life insurance, and annuity products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Hawaii Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Hawaii and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Meitav Investment House Ltd. lessened its stake in Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (BATS:CBOE Free Report) by 84.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,290 shares of the companys stock after selling 12,810 shares during the quarter. Meitav Investment House Ltd.s holdings in Cboe Global Markets were worth $390,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Cboe Global Markets by 9.7% during the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 713 shares of the companys stock valued at $121,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Marion Wealth Management lifted its stake in Cboe Global Markets by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. Marion Wealth Management now owns 10,315 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,895,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares during the period. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Cboe Global Markets by 4.3% during the 1st quarter. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC now owns 2,021 shares of the companys stock valued at $371,000 after acquiring an additional 83 shares during the last quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp grew its stake in shares of Cboe Global Markets by 0.3% in the first quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 24,319 shares of the companys stock worth $4,468,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares during the period. Finally, Czech National Bank raised its holdings in shares of Cboe Global Markets by 0.5% during the first quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 18,572 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,412,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.73% of the companys stock. Get Cboe Global Markets alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Cboe Global Markets In other Cboe Global Markets news, EVP Catherine R. Clay sold 600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $203.23, for a total value of $121,938.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 4,328 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $879,579.44. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Cboe Global Markets news, EVP Catherine R. Clay sold 600 shares of Cboe Global Markets stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $203.23, for a total transaction of $121,938.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 4,328 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $879,579.44. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Dave Howson sold 5,073 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, August 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $192.16, for a total value of $974,827.68. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 7,573 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,455,227.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 16,639 shares of company stock worth $3,079,461 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.51% of the companys stock. Cboe Global Markets Stock Performance BATS CBOE traded down $2.33 on Thursday, reaching $209.02. 745,348 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 636,231. The company has a current ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. has a one year low of $103.82 and a one year high of $139.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.17 billion, a PE ratio of 107.73 and a beta of 0.61. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $186.95 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $183.30. Cboe Global Markets (BATS:CBOE Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, August 2nd. The company reported $2.15 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.10 by $0.05. Cboe Global Markets had a return on equity of 20.05% and a net margin of 5.77%. The business had revenue of $513.80 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $514.51 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.78 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Cboe Global Markets, Inc. will post 6.41 EPS for the current fiscal year. Cboe Global Markets declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Friday, August 16th that allows the company to buyback $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to repurchase up to 2.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued. Cboe Global Markets Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be given a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.21%. This is a boost from Cboe Global Marketss previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. Cboe Global Marketss dividend payout ratio is currently 98.97%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Piper Sandler restated an overweight rating and issued a $210.00 target price (up previously from $203.00) on shares of Cboe Global Markets in a report on Monday, August 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on Cboe Global Markets from $186.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. Barclays upped their price objective on Cboe Global Markets from $194.00 to $218.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Rosenblatt Securities raised their target price on Cboe Global Markets from $200.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, May 6th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on shares of Cboe Global Markets from $197.00 to $198.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Cboe Global Markets has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $199.64. View Our Latest Report on Cboe Global Markets About Cboe Global Markets (Free Report) Cboe Global Markets, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as an options exchange worldwide. It operates through six segments: Options, North American Equities, Europe and Asia Pacific, Futures, Global FX, and Digital. The Options segment trades in listed market indices. The North American Equities segment trades in listed U.S. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CBOE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (BATS:CBOE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Cboe Global Markets Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cboe Global Markets and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ORIX Co. (NYSE:IX Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Thursday . The company traded as high as $125.00 and last traded at $125.00, with a volume of 3756 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $122.74. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, StockNews.com cut shares of ORIX from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Get ORIX alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on IX ORIX Price Performance The company has a current ratio of 1.79, a quick ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The company has a market capitalization of $29.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.95 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $114.93 and a 200 day moving average price of $109.35. ORIX (NYSE:IX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 5th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.41 EPS for the quarter. ORIX had a return on equity of 8.88% and a net margin of 12.25%. The firm had revenue of $4.54 billion during the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that ORIX Co. will post 10.71 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On ORIX Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Truist Financial Corp grew its position in shares of ORIX by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 1,915 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $213,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the period. CWM LLC grew its stake in ORIX by 10.8% in the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 956 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $106,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares during the period. Kathmere Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of ORIX by 3.1% during the first quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 4,244 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $468,000 after purchasing an additional 126 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of ORIX by 44.7% during the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 453 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 140 shares in the last quarter. Finally, US Bancorp DE grew its position in shares of ORIX by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 6,530 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $610,000 after purchasing an additional 143 shares during the period. 1.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. ORIX Company Profile (Get Free Report) ORIX Corporation provides diversified financial services in Japan, the United States, Asia, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East. The company's Corporate Financial Services and Maintenance Leasing segment is involved in the finance and fee; leasing and rental of automobiles, electronic measuring instruments, and ICT-related equipment businesses; and provision of life insurance and environment and energy-related products and services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for ORIX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ORIX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Andy Chino Yang, owner of Kung Food, sits inside his San Francisco restaurant on Tuesday. Yang, whose business has been broken into multiple times, says he doesn't have any hope that the mayoral candidates will help reduce crime in the city. Minh Connors/The Chronicle Andy Chino Yangs restaurant near Alamo Square has been broken into nine times in the last four years. Minh Connors/The Chronicle Roozbeh Falahati, owner of Hamburger Haven, sits in his Richmond District restaurant on Tuesday, Aug. 27. The business has suffered four break-ins in two years. Minh Connors/The Chronicle Andy Chino Yang doesnt care that statistics show crime is down in San Francisco: His Chinese restaurant near Alamo Square was recently broken into for the ninth time in four years. Yang is so despondent about property crime in the city that he doesnt want to vote for any mayoral candidate in November. The restaurateur made headlines in December when he released a self-described diss track blasting Mayor London Breed over crime in the city, decrying how his restaurant, Kung Food, had been repeatedly burglarized. But the entrepreneur, 36, doesnt plan to weigh in on the mayors race. He doesnt believe that Breed or any of her four major challengers will turn the tide. I dont have any hope right now, Yang said. If the crime is down, Im glad to hear that but Im not the beneficiary of the decrease. Mayoral debate: On Sept. 19, the Chronicle and KQED are hosting an S.F. mayoral debate with the leading candidates. Click here to register for the livestream. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Like Yang, many voters in San Francisco dont seem reassured by data that shows reported crimes in the city were down 31% from last year through July a sign of progress that Breed often emphasizes while she campaigns for another term. Some business owners, residents and Breeds challengers say break-ins are still far too common and the city isnt doing enough to help. Residents also remain troubled by open-air drug scenes, even after Breeds attempts to crack down with increased law enforcement. Despite the declining crime reports, a recent Chronicle poll found that public safety was still the top concern among likely voters, 34% of whom ranked it as the most important issue influencing their vote for mayor. Breed and her top opponents have sought to bolster their credentials on the issue by chasing coveted endorsements from law enforcement groups and announcing policies to fight property crime and drug dealing. Crime has been top of mind elsewhere in city politics, too: In the Richmond District, where progressive Supervisor Connie Chan is in a tough reelection fight, a pair of mysterious billboards have promoted concerning but misleading statistics about crime in the neighborhood. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One reason for the disconnect between the crime data and the electorates feelings might be the common scenes of disorder marked by public drug use, vending of apparently stolen goods and erratic behavior from people struggling with addiction and mental illness on the streets of the Tenderloin, South of Market and other neighborhoods. I hear this all the time: People are walking down Market Street, and they see activities that trouble them, said Randy Shaw, executive director of the Tenderloin Housing Clinic. No one is trying to rob them. No one is trying to assault them. But seeing people in a very disoriented state who are half-dressed, apparently inebriated or into drugs and behaving in a very difficult way, scares them and they dont want to come to parts of San Francisco because they dont want to confront that kind of activity. Breed has responded to concerns by steering more funding to city police, trying to grow the ranks of law enforcement and pushing to give officers more tools and expanded authority. She has consistently grown the police department budget in recent years and backed a new contract last year that gave San Francisco officers the highest starting salaries among large Bay Area cities. She put a successful measure on the March ballot that gave police more ability to chase fleeing suspects by car, made it easier to use surveillance cameras and drones, and put new restrictions on the policy-setting Police Commission. Supervisor Matt Dorsey, a close Breed ally and former police spokesperson, acknowledged that many of his constituents in SoMa still dont feel safe in their neighborhood. While Dorsey thinks the city is doing better in its response to drug markets and its commitment to hiring police officers, he said a feeling of lawlessness pervades his district due to illegal vending on the sidewalks and the many people still struggling with addiction. The police department remains hundreds of officers below the level recommended by a staffing analysis, though the city says its seeing signs of improvement, with more interest in its Police Academy classes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dorsey said Breed had made the best of a bad deal. San Francisco experienced a perfect storm of problems as COVID-19 and the fentanyl crisis converged less than two years into Breeds mayorship, he said. He credited the mayor with being a steadfast partner in his attempts to bolster police staffing. Dorsey also praised her support of abstinence-based drug treatment programs and her willingness to listen to people like him in recovery. Where I think I connect with Mayor Breed is how personally we both feel about the issue involving drug addiction and what our city is facing. She lost a sister, Dorsey said, referring to the death of Breeds sibling from an overdose. We both lost friends. This is personal to us both and is very much intertwined with a lot of the safety issues that are playing out in San Francisco. Even as Breed touts San Franciscos lower crime statistics as evidence that shes getting the city back on track, she acknowledges that public safety is a dominant issue in her reelection bid. The San Francisco Police Officers Association recently endorsed her, though some officers were unhappy the union didnt back her opponent Mark Farrell. Farrell, a former supervisor and interim mayor, has fiercely criticized the mayors record on crime. Farrell launched his candidacy partly on a promise to replace Police Chief Bill Scott, who has been in the role for more than seven years, and later said he would request that the state send armed National Guard troops to disrupt drug dealing in the Tenderloin. Supervisor Ahsha Safai, another mayoral candidate, also said he would replace Scott. Safai wants to expand police recruitment and retention programs and ensure that officers are conducting foot and bicycle patrols. He authored a November ballot measure, Proposition N, that would create a fund to pay for outstanding student loans and job training for first responders an attempt to help recruit and retain more officers. Those plans were attractive to Larry Mazzola Jr., president of the San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council, which endorsed Farrell and Safai for mayor after backing Breed when she first ran six years ago. Mazzola wrote a scathing social media post about Breed after learning that his local drugstore had been ransacked by thieves and it wasnt the first time the business had suffered. These businesses are just getting murdered, Mazzola said in an interview. Mark and Ahsha have track records to prove that they care about small businesses, and theyre not going to tolerate this kind of thing anymore. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mazzola said he thinks many property crime victims arent filing police reports because they dont think the city will do anything. He also doesnt believe that crime in the city has meaningfully improved under Breed. She can defend it any way she wants, but all you need to do is open your eyes and see its just not true, Mazzola said. The most left-leaning major mayoral candidate, Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, also has vowed to improve policing. Peskin wants to expand police foot patrols with officers who know the languages and cultures of neighborhoods they monitor. He also would speed up hiring of police, and hes promised they will have a presence in drug market hot spots even at night, which has remained an active time in the Tenderloin and SoMa. But Peskin has come out against some of Breeds most aggressive policing strategies. He opposes her decision to arrest some drug users, calling it ineffective and costly and arguing the city should focus on other priorities such as treatment and arresting dealers. Christin Evans, a Haight-Ashbury bookstore owner whos part of a group of progressive business owners endorsing Peskin, said she trusts him to strike a balance between better policing and alternatives such as community ambassadors. She thinks hed more effectively address crime and quality-of-life issues beyond downtown. Peskin has represented North Beach, Chinatown, Union Square and the Financial District on and off since 2001. There is a frustration that a lot of the mayors focus has been on downtown. Theres an expectation that Farrells approach would be very similar, Evans said. Peskin recognizes that San Francisco is an archipelago of many different neighborhoods and that we need to ensure that all of those neighborhoods are thriving. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Supporters of Daniel Lurie, a nonprofit founder whos running for mayor, are largely unimpressed by the other main candidates, all of whom are current or former elected officials. Lurie wants to offer rent subsidies to police officers and to increase policing in commercial corridors to prevent smash-and-grabs. To address the drug crisis, hes proposed making better use of ankle monitors to keep low-level dealers out of the Tenderloin and pairing police with behavioral health specialists who would give people using drugs in public the option of going to treatment or facing arrest. Paul Yep, a retired San Francisco police commander, said hes backing Lurie because of the candidates strong public safety ideas and his experience outside of government. Daniel, of all the candidates, stood out as someone who isnt part of the existing system, and that, to me, means that hes more of an agent of change, Yep said. The other candidates had their chance. They were in leadership positions when all of this started, and thats how we got to where we are. At Hamburger Haven, a decades-old diner in the Richmond, owner Roozbeh Falahati is hoping the citys leaders can work together on public safety regardless of the elections outcome. Falahati, 42, recently endured his restaurants fourth break-in in two years, losing a vintage cash register he called a centerpiece of the diner. Afterward, he wrote a message on a sign in front of Hamburger Haven denouncing the latest break-in and urging a change in the leadership in our city. He said he had heard from Farrell and Lurie and liked both, but he cant vote because he lives in Sausalito. Financial Advocates Investment Management increased its holdings in shares of Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:PLTR Free Report) by 2.0% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 53,910 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,044 shares during the period. Financial Advocates Investment Managements holdings in Palantir Technologies were worth $1,366,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Summit Securities Group LLC acquired a new stake in Palantir Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. West Paces Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Palantir Technologies by 110.7% in the 1st quarter. West Paces Advisors Inc. now owns 1,180 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 620 shares during the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its holdings in Palantir Technologies by 105.3% in the 1st quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 1,347 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 691 shares during the last quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in Palantir Technologies by 332.8% in the 1st quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 1,385 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 1,065 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Halpern Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in Palantir Technologies by 44.0% in the 1st quarter. Halpern Financial Inc. now owns 1,440 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 440 shares during the last quarter. 45.65% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Palantir Technologies alerts: Palantir Technologies Trading Up 4.2 % Shares of PLTR stock traded up $1.28 on Thursday, reaching $31.64. 20,509,896 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 54,615,172. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $27.95 and its 200 day moving average price is $24.79. The company has a market capitalization of $70.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 263.58, a PEG ratio of 5.66 and a beta of 2.71. Palantir Technologies Inc. has a twelve month low of $13.68 and a twelve month high of $33.13. Insider Activity Palantir Technologies ( NYSE:PLTR Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 5th. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.04 by ($0.01). Palantir Technologies had a net margin of 16.32% and a return on equity of 8.88%. The company had revenue of $678.13 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $653.23 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.01 earnings per share. Palantir Technologiess revenue was up 27.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Palantir Technologies Inc. will post 0.19 earnings per share for the current year. In other news, Director Eric H. Woersching sold 26,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.32, for a total value of $606,320.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 38,843 shares of the companys stock, valued at $905,818.76. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, insider Shyam Sankar sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.35, for a total transaction of $1,617,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 752,786 shares of the companys stock, valued at $24,352,627.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Eric H. Woersching sold 26,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.32, for a total transaction of $606,320.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 38,843 shares of the companys stock, valued at $905,818.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 714,648 shares of company stock valued at $21,567,539. Insiders own 12.93% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes PLTR has been the topic of several research analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Palantir Technologies from $14.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Mizuho lowered shares of Palantir Technologies from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and raised their target price for the stock from $21.00 to $22.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Palantir Technologies from $25.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Northland Capmk raised shares of Palantir Technologies to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on shares of Palantir Technologies from $24.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $23.93. Check Out Our Latest Report on PLTR About Palantir Technologies (Free Report) Palantir Technologies Inc builds and deploys software platforms for the intelligence community to assist in counterterrorism investigations and operations in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company provides Palantir Gotham, a software platform which enables users to identify patterns hidden deep within datasets, ranging from signals intelligence sources to reports from confidential informants, as well as facilitates the handoff between analysts and operational users, helping operators plan and execute real-world responses to threats that have been identified within the platform. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Palantir Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Palantir Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. RTX Co. (NYSE:RTX Get Free Report) rose 0.9% on Thursday . The company traded as high as $121.97 and last traded at $121.89. Approximately 638,041 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 91% from the average daily volume of 7,134,223 shares. The stock had previously closed at $120.84. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth RTX has been the topic of a number of research reports. Susquehanna raised their price objective on RTX from $119.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of RTX from $94.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Alembic Global Advisors upgraded shares of RTX from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $134.00 price target on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on RTX from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of RTX from $491.00 to $467.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $153.47. Get RTX alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on RTX RTX Price Performance The company has a market cap of $162.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.80, a PEG ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.82. The firms 50-day moving average is $109.49 and its two-hundred day moving average is $102.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.73. RTX (NYSE:RTX Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $1.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.30 by $0.11. RTX had a net margin of 3.12% and a return on equity of 11.37%. The firm had revenue of $19.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $19.29 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.29 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that RTX Co. will post 5.45 earnings per share for the current year. RTX Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 5th. Investors of record on Friday, August 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 16th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.06%. RTXs payout ratio is presently 98.82%. Insider Activity In other RTX news, EVP Dantaya M. Williams sold 17,570 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.87, for a total transaction of $2,018,265.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 38,855 shares in the company, valued at $4,463,273.85. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other RTX news, CEO Christopher T. Calio sold 4,235 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.00, for a total transaction of $482,790.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 88,509 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,090,026. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Dantaya M. Williams sold 17,570 shares of RTX stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.87, for a total value of $2,018,265.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 38,855 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,463,273.85. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 178,333 shares of company stock valued at $20,861,880. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On RTX Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of RTX. Briaud Financial Planning Inc boosted its stake in RTX by 64.1% during the second quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc now owns 256 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Lynx Investment Advisory acquired a new position in RTX in the second quarter valued at $26,000. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in RTX in the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Fairfield Financial Advisors LTD acquired a new stake in RTX during the 2nd quarter worth $41,000. Finally, Alaska Permanent Fund Corp acquired a new stake in shares of RTX during the first quarter worth about $42,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.50% of the companys stock. About RTX (Get Free Report) RTX Corporation, an aerospace and defense company, provides systems and services for the commercial, military, and government customers in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. The Collins Aerospace Systems segment offers aerospace and defense products, and aftermarket service solutions for civil and military aircraft manufacturers and commercial airlines, as well as regional, business, and general aviation, defense, and commercial space operations. Read More Receive News & Ratings for RTX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for RTX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Strategic Blueprint LLC cut its holdings in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:XONE Free Report) by 50.0% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 5,388 shares of the companys stock after selling 5,388 shares during the quarter. Strategic Blueprint LLCs holdings in BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF were worth $267,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Principal Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF during the 1st quarter valued at about $60,000. Mather Group LLC. raised its stake in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 299.4% in the 2nd quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 1,294 shares of the companys stock valued at $64,000 after acquiring an additional 970 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 17.2% in the 1st quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 3,590 shares of the companys stock valued at $178,000 after acquiring an additional 528 shares in the last quarter. Get BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF alerts: BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF Stock Performance Shares of XONE stock remained flat at $49.83 during trading on Thursday. The company had a trading volume of 1,102 shares, compared to its average volume of 90,145. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $49.59 and a 200 day moving average price of $49.53. BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF has a 1-year low of $49.24 and a 1-year high of $52.43. About BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF The Bondbloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF (XONE) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is passively managed to invest in a portfolio of US Treasury securities with a target duration of one year. XONE was launched on Sep 13, 2022 and is managed by BondBloxx. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding XONE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:XONE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Royal Bank of Canada (TSE:RY Get Free Report) (NYSE:RY) had its price objective lifted by stock analysts at TD Securities from C$171.00 to C$178.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports. TD Securities price objective suggests a potential upside of 10.44% from the stocks previous close. RY has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Desjardins upped their price objective on Royal Bank of Canada from C$156.00 to C$163.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. Barclays upped their price objective on Royal Bank of Canada from C$145.00 to C$150.00 in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price objective on Royal Bank of Canada from C$168.00 to C$165.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Scotiabank dropped their price objective on Royal Bank of Canada from C$157.00 to C$154.00 in a research note on Monday, August 19th. Finally, UBS Group set a C$165.00 price objective on Royal Bank of Canada and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Royal Bank of Canada presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$161.50. Get Royal Bank of Canada alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on RY Royal Bank of Canada Trading Up 0.7 % Shares of RY stock traded up C$1.19 on Thursday, hitting C$161.17. 863,659 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,004,763. The firm has a market capitalization of C$228.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 10.64 and a beta of 0.85. The business has a 50-day moving average of C$150.25 and a 200 day moving average of C$142.14. Royal Bank of Canada has a fifty-two week low of C$107.92 and a fifty-two week high of C$162.73. Royal Bank of Canada (TSE:RY Get Free Report) (NYSE:RY) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 28th. The financial services provider reported C$3.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$2.95 by C$0.31. Royal Bank of Canada had a return on equity of 13.38% and a net margin of 28.37%. The business had revenue of C$14.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$14.27 billion. As a group, research analysts forecast that Royal Bank of Canada will post 12.8601286 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Senior Officer Bruce Washington Ross sold 12,170 shares of Royal Bank of Canada stock in a transaction on Monday, June 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$141.46, for a total value of C$1,721,604.71. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 235 shares in the company, valued at C$33,243.81. In other news, Senior Officer Bruce Washington Ross sold 12,170 shares of Royal Bank of Canada stock in a transaction on Monday, June 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$141.46, for a total value of C$1,721,604.71. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 235 shares in the company, valued at C$33,243.81. Also, Senior Officer Neil Mclaughlin sold 14,778 shares of Royal Bank of Canada stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$146.26, for a total value of C$2,161,474.61. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 101,302 shares of company stock worth $14,592,565. Royal Bank of Canada Company Profile (Get Free Report) Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, including auto financing, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Royal Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Royal Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. cut its holdings in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:LQD Free Report) by 17.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 800 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 173 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF were worth $86,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Thompson Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 95.7% during the first quarter. Thompson Investment Management Inc. now owns 225 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 110 shares in the last quarter. ORG Partners LLC purchased a new stake in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF during the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. PSI Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 81.7% in the 2nd quarter. PSI Advisors LLC now owns 278 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $46,000. Finally, Trust Co. of Vermont purchased a new stake in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $50,000. 89.30% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF alerts: iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF Stock Performance Shares of NYSEARCA:LQD traded down $0.10 on Thursday, hitting $111.61. The companys stock had a trading volume of 11,287,324 shares, compared to its average volume of 27,112,748. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $109.18 and a 200 day simple moving average of $107.88. iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF has a 1 year low of $98.24 and a 1 year high of $112.40. iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF Company Profile iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Investment Grade Index (the Index), which is a rules-based index consisting of liquid, the United States dollar-denominated, investment-grade corporate bonds for sale in the United States. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LQD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:LQD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:WUXIF Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 215,500 shares, a drop of 86.1% from the July 31st total of 1,552,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently days. WuXi AppTec Stock Performance Shares of WuXi AppTec stock remained flat at $4.23 during midday trading on Thursday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $4.18 and its 200 day moving average price is $4.76. WuXi AppTec has a 12 month low of $3.74 and a 12 month high of $12.69. Get WuXi AppTec alerts: WuXi AppTec Company Profile (Get Free Report) See Also WuXi AppTec Co, Ltd., an investment holding company, provides research, development, and manufacturing services to discover, develop, and manufacture small molecule drugs, and cell and gene therapies in the People's Republic of China, the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through six segments: WuXi Chemistry, WuXi Testing, WuXi Biology, WuXi ATU, WuXi DDSU, and Others. Receive News & Ratings for WuXi AppTec Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WuXi AppTec and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A statue of Christopher Columbus is seen next to Coit Tower in San Francisco. Even though the statue was removed in 2020, San Francisco residents voted it as their least favorite statue in the city. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images 2005 The results of a long-awaited survey by a new San Francisco commission are in, showing which historic monuments and memorials are most loved and hated by city residents. San Franciscos Monuments and Memorials Advisory Committee, which was created after protestors toppled three bronze sculptures in Golden Gate Park that had been seen as symbols of oppression, commissioned the survey and plans to present its findings to the citys Arts Commission on Wednesday. The statue voted most hated by San Francisco residents was a 4,000-pound statue of Christopher Columbus that previously lived at Coit Tower but was dramatically removed in 2020 before protesters could knock it down. For decades, critics of Columbus 15th-century exploits including the enslavement and mass killings of Indigenous people in the process have demanded monuments to him be removed from the public eye. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Like many communities across the country, San Francisco is reckoning with the legacy of white supremacy, patriarchy, and colonialism reflected in public spaces, specifically in monuments and memorials that are part of San Franciscos Civic Art Collection, spokespersons for the advisory committee wrote in the report. Robert Tiedeman views Lottas Fountain on the 114th anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. The fountain was voted as the most-liked civic statue in San Francisco, according to the results of a new city-commissioned survey. Paul Chinn/The Chronicle 2020 City residents were asked to share their likes and dislikes about the statues specific to San Franciscos Civic Art Collection, which is made up of more than 4,000 objects including 98 historic monuments and memorials that are under the jurisdiction of the Arts Commission. Only 679 participants responded, but Arts Commission officials say the survey was only the first step in a longer process to reevaluate which individuals or events are memorialized in San Francisco. Our initial objective was to attain a sample size of 500 participants, and we were delighted to surpass that target, commission spokespersons said. The Padre Junipero Serra statue that was pulled to the ground by a crowd in June of 2020 was the second-most-hated, followed closely by Civic Centers 47-foot-tall and 800-ton James Lick Pioneer Monument that survived the 1906 earthquake. The Dewey Monument in Union Square dedicated to Admiral George Dewey, the naval commander of the Spanish-American War came in fourth place. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to the report, the most liked monument within the Civic Art Collection is Lottas Fountain, a 24-foot cast iron sculpture commissioned by actress Lotta Crabtree as a gift to the city. To this day, the public and city leaders gather before dawn at the fountain located at the nexus of Market, Kearny and Geary streets to memorialize the 1906 earthquake and fire that killed thousands of residents and left hundreds of thousands homeless. In second place was the Mechanics Monument, also known as the Mechanics Fountain, located at the intersection of Bush, Market, and Battery streets. Sculptor Douglas Tilden was commissioned to create the monument as part of the Market Street Beautification Project at the beginning of the 20th century. James Mervyn Donahue, the son of San Francisco industrial pioneer Peter Donahue, funded the project to honor his fathers legacy. Residents final favorite memorials were to the Holocaust and Abraham Lincoln, and the Comfort Women memorial that honors the women who were forced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Despite an avalanche of opposition from tech and venture capital interests, as well as from some Democrats at all levels, Scott Wieners landmark AI regulation law cleared both chambers in Sacramento and is moving to the governors desk. Andri Tambunan/Special to The Chronicle Lawmakers passed state Sen. Scott Wieners landmark artificial intelligence regulation bill Thursday over fierce opposition from both the tech industry and members of his own party. The bill passed 41-9 in the Assembly on Wednesday, with all votes against from Republicans except for one Democrat, giving the measure the exact number of votes it needed to pass. It then passed 29-9 in the Senate on a concurrence vote Thursday morning. Assembly Member Avelino Valencia, D, Anaheim, joined the Republicans as the sole Democrat voting against the measure. Advertisement Article continues below this ad SB1047 will now head to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who must decide whether to sign it into law and rankle a tech industry that has said the measure will kneecap a growing driver of the state and national economy. With this vote, the Assembly has taken the truly historic step of working proactively to ensure an exciting new technology protects the public interest as it advances, Wiener said in a statement. Calling SB1047 a light touch, common-sense measure that codifies commitments that the largest AI companies have already voluntarily made, Wiener said, Im extremely grateful to the board coalition of leaders from across industry, academia, and civil society that have called on policymakers to lead. The bill also received some support from Assembly Republicans including Devon Mathis, R-Porterville (Tulare County), who spoke in favor of the measure before the vote. Its time that big tech plays by some kind of a rule. Not a lot, but something, Mathis said. The last thing we need is for a power system to go out or for water systems to go out or something else because of a runaway AI program, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The bill would hold makers of the biggest AI models liable if their technology caused significant injury or carnage, requiring safety testing and a kill switch for programs. It would also empower the attorney generals office to pursue bad actors at its discretion. AI companies and their executives, including OpenAIs Sam Altman, have called for regulation of their industry dating back to last year, saying their programs could soon outstrip human capabilities. But leading makers of AI programs including OpenAI and Facebook parent Meta came out against Wieners bill in the final weeks of the legislative session, saying it would hamstring a growing tech sector vital to the states economy. Venture capitalists including Marc Andreessen of investment firm Andreessen Horowitz also lambasted the bill, saying it would crush little tech companies and discourage innovation. OpenAI has thrown its support instead behind another, narrower measure authored by state Sen. Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park, SB942. That bill would require some AI generated content to be watermarked. Critics have questioned whether that is technically feasible. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tech companies big and small have argued that Wieners bill would hold the makers of big, freely available models, such as Metas Llama family of programs, liable for what a third party might do with them. That open-ended risk, which Wiener attempted to address with amendments, could lead companies to stop investing in that kind of technology and damage innovation, opponents said. The California Legislature is passing laws based on science fiction fantasies of what AI could look like, said Todd OBoyle, the senior tech policy director with tech lobbying group Chamber of Progress, which has opposed the bill. We shouldnt hamstring Californias leading economic sector over a theoretical scenario, OBoyle said. Lawmakers should focus on addressing real-life bad actors and harms while empowering the best minds in California to continue innovating. The drumbeat of opposition increased in the run-up to the vote. Meta hosted an event at the Ferry Buildings Shack 15 space for software developers and startups who use its products to rally them against the bill, an attempt to raise awareness on Wieners home turf. SB1047 would stifle AI development in California, hurt business growth and job creation, and break from the states long tradition of fostering open-source innovation, Meta spokesperson Jamie Radice said in an email after the Senate vote. This bill is well intended but not ready to become law. San Francisco startup accelerator Y Combinator invited Wiener to an event with many of its startup founders in attendance in July. Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan has been critical of the bill and spoke at the gathering, but he did not go as far as challenging Wiener on it publicly. He said after Wiener spoke that his mind remained unchanged. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The bill garnered some support in the tech community, including a roster of prominent AI researchers and tech safety-focused nonprofits. San Franciscos Anthropic, another leading maker of AI programs, was successful in making amendments to the bill. CEO Dario Amodei wrote in a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom in late August that he still considered the bill vague, but that it would probably be acceptable. Amendments included cutting a provision that could have subjected developers to criminal perjury charges, and doing away with the creation of a separate agency to oversee big AI programs. Under the amended version, the state attorney general could still go after companies that cause harm but would have less power to do so preemptively. X and Tesla CEO Elon Musk also spoke out in favor of the measure, while admitting the stance would be controversial among techies. Wiener also faced organized opposition from within his own party. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In August a group of Democratic congressional representatives from the Bay Area and California wrote directly to Newsom in a rare move, urging him to veto the measure should it reach his desk. The group, which included Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Santa Clara, and Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, wrote that they were concerned SB1047 created unnecessary risks for Californias economy with very little public safety benefit. Shortly afterward, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, released a statement calling the bill well-intentioned but ill informed and pointing out that the federal government was already working on AI regulations. Wiener has said he welcomes federal action on AI, but until that time intends to lead the way with his own legislation as he did when passing landmark digital privacy legislation in 2018. San Francisco Mayor London Breed wrote directly to Wiener during the final week of the session in Sacramento, saying she supported the intent of the legislation but felt it would burden AI companies, many of which are based in San Francisco, with unnecessary bureaucracy. Newsom has until Sept. 30 to sign the bill into law or veto it. Woody LaBounty, president of San Francisco Heritage, holds a photo of two Victorian homes that were relocated to Broderick Street in November 1974 in front of the same two homes still standing in San Francisco on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Nov. 8, 1974: House-moving crews transport several Victorians on the 700 block of Turk Street between Gough and Franklin streets. Jerry Telfer/The Chronicle Nov. 5, 1974: Construction crews prepare to move Victorian houses on the 700 block of Turk Street in San Francisco. Greg Peterson/The Chronicle A Victorian on Eddy Street, which was one of the 12 Victorians moved and relocated to a new address in November 1974, is seen on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle San Francisco Heritage President Woody LaBounty holds a photo of and stands next to one of the 12 Victorians moved and relocated to a new address in November 1974. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Twelve Victorian homes were moved in November 1974 to make way for redevelopment in San Francisco, including these two on Broderick Street. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Nov. 8, 1974: Crews move several Victorians on the 700 block of Turk Street between Gough and Franklin streets. Jerry Telfer/The Chronicle Nov. 5, 1974: Construction crews prepare to move Victorian houses on the 700 block of Turk Street in San Francisco. Greg Peterson/The Chronicle Today, Opera Plaza stands where many Victorian homes used to be until they were relocated in November 1974. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Pedestrians walk by Opera Plaza, once home to a dozen Victorian homes that were relocated in November 1974. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle San Francisco houses began moving in caravans on Nov. 8, 1974, with the kind of entourage one would associate with a presidential visit. The procession included 30 tow trucks and 30 motorcycle police officers to clear the curbs, plus hundreds of workers to lift power lines, swivel streetlamps and make sure no small children got caught underneath the rolling three-story homes. The result was one of the greatest street spectacles in San Francisco history: 12 Victorian homes moving through the city like parade floats some for more than a mile from the paths of bulldozers to permanent spaces where they all survive today. And the lessons from that day, the product of an unlikely alliance between preservationists and the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, are still relevant 50 years later. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I feel like saving things that make people excited about San Francisco, that make them fall in love with it, should be a baseline in any sort of future planning, said San Francisco Heritage President Woody LaBounty. And thats really what happened in 1974. San Francisco went through the first phase of redevelopment beginning in 1954, widening Geary Street, razing hundreds of Fillmore District and Japantown structures, and stoking growing rage from citizens. Chronicle aerial photos from the time show blocks reduced to rubble. Stories covered disparate groups including artist collectives, working-class African Americans and returning Japantown residents fighting against more destruction. Nov. 8, 1974: Crews move several Victorians on the 700 block of Turk Street between Gough and Franklin streets. Jerry Telfer/The Chronicle The second phase, executed in the late 1960s and 1970s, had aims to level 60 square blocks, nearly twice the impact of the first phase. The 12 Victorians that stood in that path, many built in the 1870s and 1880s, were in deep disrepair with major plumbing and electrical problems, and widely considered obsolete. But preservationists argued the unique architecture would come back into fashion and found an unexpected ally: the redevelopment agency itself, the original agent of the demolition. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The SFRA appointed a rehabilitation supervisor and began working with San Francisco Heritage, which had formed in 1971 to save historic buildings and had agreed to find new buyers and oversee restoration of the homes. Federal funds paid for the moves on wheeled trailers arranged like reverse tricycles; average cost about $12,500 per building. Most homes were relocated a few blocks north of Alamo Square, on empty lots created during the first phase of redevelopment. (In an ironic touch, some Victorians were placed on the graves of recently destroyed homes of similar design.) Sophia McCrackin, left, stops to ask San Francisco Heritage President Woody LaBounty about a Victorian home that was moved across the city in November 1974. Twelve Victorians were transported to new addresses to make way for development around what is now Opera Plaza. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Seven of the homes that moved had rested on the site of the Opera Plaza movie theater and residential housing complex, which was built in their place. Ten homes ended up in the Beideman Place Historic District, several blocks north near the corner of Ellis and Scott streets. More Information More on moving houses Seats are still available for the San Francisco Heritage Gala. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5. Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave. More information and tickets at www.sfheritage.org. At least one home, the ornately decorated Vollmer House, moved from Turk Street to Japantown. The longest move was 18 blocks, from 736 Franklin St. to 35 Beideman St. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The first group of Turk Street Victorians to be relocated in the Western Addition development area began their journey for survival early last night, the Chronicle reported on Nov. 9, 1974, calling the procession the biggest moving job in the citys history. Most of the movement occurred in the early morning between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., when bus service was closed and trolley lines could be cut. City officials used poles to move power lines 48 feet above ground for the homes to pass under. Cobra-style streetlights, which hung several feet into the roadway, were turned sideways for more clearance. The Vollmer House, a Victorian at 1737 Webster St., is one of the 12 Victorians moved and relocated to a new address in November 1974. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Chronicle photos show a scene much like the 2021 Victorian move that captured the citys attention, except with homes lined up in rows. Even in the early morning, the procession drew crowds. These days you dont have to move away from your neighborhood, one gobsmacked neighbor told the Chronicle. It moves away from you. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While the much larger 1913 Commerce High move took seven months with many complications, most of the Victorians moved in about five hours with little strife. The Vollmer House had the most problems; one side was shaved a few inches upon arrival, then leveraged into its new location by workers using two-by-fours. Fifty years later, a walk through the Beideman Place Historic District reveals the homes have fit right in. Most are restored to pristine condition and well landscaped; without a guide, its impossible in 2024 to tell which buildings moved. Woody LaBounty, president San Francisco Heritage, holds a photo of a Victorian building that was relocated to the corner of Eddy and Scott streets in 1974 in front of the building as it is today. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle San Francisco Heritage on Sept. 5, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the move with a gala at the Herbst Theatre, and a visual presentation featuring the Victorians and their history as the main event. While SFRA leaders are mostly portrayed as villains in city history, LaBounty said the 1974 move represented a shift in thinking for the agency, spurred by its own members who recognized the damage they had done to local communities. And he said the moves still carry relevant lessons; that preservationists can be pro-housing, and that some old things are worth saving, even if they appear worthless in the moment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lough Neagh is a clear demonstration of the impact of Climate Change and a reminder of the need to get the balance right between growing the economy and safeguarding the environment, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has said. Speaking at two separate events on Climate Change and Green Growth, he detailed the opportunities from tackling Climate Change and that environmental and economic sustainability go hand in hand. The blue green algae crisis at Lough Neagh is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of climate change and a clear demonstration that we have not got the balance right between growing our economy whilst safeguarding our natural environment, said Minister Muir. Economic growth and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive but intertwined. A healthy Northern Ireland is a prosperous Northern Ireland and we must act now by implementing the ambitious Climate Change Act passed by the Assembly over two years ago. It is not optional it is a legal obligation that we must deliver to safeguard our planet for future generations. I believe we now have a tremendous opportunity to be a part of something, where the journey from a high emissions to a low emissions society can bring real benefits and opportunities to benefit day to day lives of everyone. Its time to be ambitious and ensure Northern Ireland is not left behind as other economies accelerate investments in decarbonisation stretch ourselves further, he told business leaders at a meeting with the NI Chamber of Commerce. Welcoming the new approach to Climate Change outlined by the UK government, Minister Muir stressed: The solution is not just for government and industry to find. It not just a scientific or a political issue. It demands a collective societal action and we all need to act now. When it came to carbon budgets, he highlighted that challenges of identifying policies and proposals to meet them, especially with a difficult budget position but warned: The cost of inaction will lead to greater budgetary pressures in the future. We cannot afford to kick this can down the road and will have to find an affordable pathway. Decarbonisation is the bedrock of successful and sustainable economy, now and in the future. Minister Muir told the audience that given the cross-cutting nature of the Climate Action Plan, the draft will need to be approved by the Executive, prior to its publication for consultation. The Climate Change Act is clear in placing responsibility for delivering a just transition on all departments. This is an incredibly important principle, a fair and just transition will be at the heart of the pathway. Whilst I am working with my Executive colleagues to deliver climate action and green growth, it is equally essential that we work with others businesses, young people, the voluntary and community sectors. On the Green Growth strategy, which he intends to bring to the Executive for consideration after the summer recess, he said it provided a solid framework for tackling the climate crisis in the right way and helping us on road to net zero. The draft strategy, approved by the previous Executive, has been revised and updated to incorporate feedback from the public consultation exercise in 2022. It has been further updated to ensure its accuracy and relevance since the return of the Executive. Foyle MP Colum Eastwood is to quit as leader of the SDLP. The Derry man is expected to announce the decision when he makes a personal statement about his future on Thursday, a senior SDLP source said. The MP for Foyle became the partys youngest ever leader in 2015, having taken over from Alasdair McDonnell following a leadership contest that he won by fewer than 40 votes. The 41-year-old father of two also previously served as the Mayor of Derry. While Mr Eastwood led the party as it consolidated its position in Westminster, the SDLP has failed to make progress at the Northern Ireland Assembly. In the last Assembly elections in 2022, the party trailed in fifth leaving it without a sufficient number of seats to be eligible for a place in the Northern Ireland Executive. Claire Hanna, the MP for South Belfast and Mid Down, is considered to be among the front runners to be the new leader. Ms Hanna currently acts as the partys deputy leader. Mr Eastwood was returned as the MP for the Foyle constituency at the beginning of July, claiming a majority of just over 4,000 votes. At the time, he said: Im very grateful, mostly to the people of Derry, who have once again said that they want their voice to be heard in Westminster. I will gladly continue to be your voice. I will stand up for the people of our city, of our constituency. We wont be quiet. Following reports of Mr Eastwoods decision, former Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith said on social media: Really sorry to read that Colum Eastwood is stepping down from the SDLP. Whilst many differences on many issues, he is an exceptional communicator and I am certain will remain a key player in the UK and Ireland political fray. Ar aghaidh! [Forward!] SDLP councillor Seamas de Faoite said Mr Eastwood gave leadership and voice to the partys vision and values during the chaotic Brexit years. He added: The foundation of the New Ireland Commission has helped us to chart a path towards a country free from the divisions of sectarianism, poverty and partition. Colum secured the first NI Assembly majority for Equal Marriage. He helped to bring about real progressive change in SDLP policy so we could truly be a party of Civil Rights again. He helped to bring forward more women, young people, LGBT+ and ethnic minority local leaders. Mr Eastwoods decision to step down follows shortly after the announcement that UUP leader Doug Beattie will also be leaving his post. Weather satellite captured an eddy of fog swirling offshore Sonoma County on Wednesday afternoon. Another eddy could form Thursday, leading to a difficult-to-predict cloud and fog pattern in the Bay Area. CSU/CIRA & NOAA A vortex of fog and clouds, known as an eddy, developed just off the Bay Area coastline Wednesday and the pattern may repeat itself Thursday. Weather satellites captured the coastal eddy just west of Sonoma and Marin counties. The vortex of fog developed throughout the morning as south winds along the beaches of San Mateo and Marin counties clashed with northerly winds slightly farther offshore. As the day progressed, the vortex moved northward and a widespread blanket of fog redeveloped in its wake, moving into San Francisco and other coastal cities. Fog tracker: San Francisco and Bay Area weather and visibility map Advertisement Article continues below this ad Weather models indicate the pattern may repeat itself Thursday. If an eddy develops, it could briefly suck fog away from certain parts of the coast, while thickening the clouds in others. By the afternoon, westerly winds are expected to develop along the entire coast, reaching inland areas as a weak sea breeze. You can follow the cloud and fog patterns with the Chronicles San Francisco Bay Area fog tracker. Satellite imagery from Wednesday, Aug. 28 shows a coastal eddy spinning counterclockwise just north of Point Reyes. NOAA/GOES-18 This sea breeze is expected to result in a gradual decline in temperatures across the Bay Area on Thursday. Highs are forecast to drop to the 70s to near 80 along the bay shoreline and upper 70s to low 90s inland, about a 5 to 10 degree drop from Wednesdays temperatures. This cooling trend will continue over the next few days as an area of high pressure weakens and a deeper marine layer develops, with more widespread morning fog. Temperatures are expected to be close to normal for the holiday weekend, with no significant weather impacts anticipated for Labor Day. Thursday breakdown San Francisco: Temperatures will continue to drop in the city Thursday, with highs in the 60s west of Twin Peaks and around 70 in downtown, the Mission District and SoMa. A coastal eddy may keep the fog away from some parts of the city, especially near the bay shoreline. Sunshine should prevail near the Embarcadero until the evening, but fog is likely to return overnight. Gusts up to 20 mph are expected after 3 p.m. Lows will be in the mid- to upper 50s. Advertisement Article continues below this ad North Bay: West-southwest winds should keep the North Bay cooler Thursday, with highs dropping about 5 to 10 degrees from Wednesday. These cool, moist winds off San Pablo Bay may even result in some patchy morning fog around the Napa, Sonoma and Petaluma valleys in the morning, but it should burn off quickly after sunrise. Highs will be in the upper 70s to mid-80s around Wine Country, San Rafael and Vallejo and around 90 in Fairfield and Vacaville. Overnight lows will be in the mid- to upper 50s. East Bay: After several days of hot weather, more typical late-August temperatures will return Thursday. The Lamorinda, Diablo Valley and Tri-Valley should reach the upper 80s to low 90s. A strengthening delta breeze should keep Antioch closer to 90 degrees, cooler than the near-triple digits earlier this week. Marine air is expected to spill toward San Leandro, Hayward and Fremont with highs into the upper 70s to low 80s. Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley and Richmond will top out in the low to mid-70s with patchy morning and evening fog. Lows will be in the mid- to upper 50s. Pacific Coast and Peninsula: Coastal fog and bay shoreline sunshine will continue Thursday. The fog will likely roll over the coastal mountains and toward Hillsborough and Burlingame in the evening, making for a beautiful evening sight. Highs will be in the upper 50s to mid-60s in Half Moon Bay, Pacifica and Daly City. Temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees higher on the east side of the Peninsula, in the upper 60s in South San Francisco, mid- to upper 70s in San Mateo and low 80s in Redwood City. Patchy fog may make it all the way to the bay shoreline overnight with lows in the mid- to upper 50s. South Bay and Santa Cruz: Sunshine and slightly above-normal temperatures will continue in the Santa Clara Valley. Highs will be in the upper 70s to low 80s in Redwood City, Sunnyvale and Milpitas, the mid-80 in San Jose, Morgan Hill and Gilroy. Southerly winds will continue to result in cooler, foggier weather in Santa Cruz. Marine air should intrude on the valleys of the Santa Cruz Mountains, keeping temperatures in Scotts Valley and Boulder Creek in the 70s to low 80s. Lows will be in the mid-50s near the water and upper 50s to low 60s in the mountains and valleys. Stormont ministers need to take urgent action to address a housing and homelessness crisis in Northern Ireland, a report has claimed. The report, titled An Agenda For Change: Tackling The Housing And Homelessness Crisis, urges a number of measures, including the Executive exploring potential reforms that would enable Northern Ireland Water (NI Water) to access the capital to support future housing developments and infrastructure projects. The recommendations in the report from the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) also include calls to accelerate progress towards net zero housing and secure sustainable capital financing for housing development. Justin Cartwright, the national director of CIH Northern Ireland, said: The housing and homelessness crisis requires bold, immediate action, and this manifesto report lays out a clear road map for government to overcome the identified challenges. Accelerating progress towards net zero homes and addressing the budget challenges that threaten our housing ambitions are essential to be able to provide the homes needed. Resolving Northern Irelands housing crisis will require cross-government support and action. CIH NI is committed to working with the Minister for Communities and the Minister for Infrastructure to implement the measures recommended within the report. The report said that the current structure of NI Water, which provides water and sewerage services in the region, is a significant barrier to unlocking essential investment in infrastructure. It said that exploring potential reforms to enable NI Water to access capital is crucial to meeting the growing demand for housing across Northern Ireland. It also highlighted that Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK and Ireland without a dedicated fund for housing decarbonisation. The report calls for the urgent establishment of such a fund to reduce carbon emissions in the housing sector. It said: This is essential not only for meeting environmental targets but also for ensuring that residents benefit from lower energy costs and healthier living environments. The report also calls for a need to increase capital funding dedicated to housing. The CIH NI has written to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons expressing concern over Northern Irelands sluggish progress towards net zero housing. It has also sent a letter to Infrastructure Minister John ODowd requesting information on how the department is prioritising the exploration of reforms to NI Waters financial and operational models. The Department for Communities and Department for Infrastructure have been approached for comment. A man has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with the murder of 65-year-old Montserrat Martorell who was found dead following a fire in a house in Harvey Street. Ciaran Murray (28) of Gortfoyle Place in Derry appeared by Sightlink from Musgrave Street custody suite. He was charged with the murder of Ms Martorell on August 24. He was further charged with the rape of the woman on the same date and a charge of arson with intent to endanger life of a property at 10 Harvey Street in Derry again on the same date. Murray only spoke briefly to confirm his identity and that he understood the charges. A PSNI Detective Inspector said she could connect the accused to the charges. Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that he had no questions for the Inspector and added that there would be no application for bail 'certainly not at this time.' He asked for an adjournment for a period of 4 weeks and said there would be no need for the defendant to appear then. Deputy District Judge Laura Ievers told Murray that he was being remanded in custody and told him to keep in touch with his legal representatives. Murray was remanded in custody to appear again on September 26. J Sainsbury plc (Sainsburys) has reached an agreement to acquire ten leasehold stores from HHGL Limited, trading as Homebase, for conversion into Sainsburys supermarkets. The transaction is expected to complete in early September. A key ambition of our Next Level Sainsburys plan is to offer more food choice to more customers. The acquired stores are in key target locations that will grow Sainsburys supermarket coverage across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, bringing Sainsburys quality and value to new customers and communities. Among the ten stores acquired by Sainsburys is the Homebase store at Crescent Link in Derry's Waterside. Sainsburys already have a superstore located on the cityside at Strand Road. Once they are converted, the shop floor area of the stores will range from approximately 15,000 to 40,000 square feet and will add a total of around 235,000 square feet to our supermarket trading space. The addition of new locations means nearly 400,000 more people will be within a 10-minute drive of a Sainsburys supermarket. The new stores will showcase Sainsburys latest food offer with a refreshed, innovative look and feel and excellent sustainability credentials. We expect the stores to achieve strong returns, with return on capital employed in the low teens, comfortably in excess of Sainsburys cost of capital. We will open the first of these stores next summer and we aim to complete the conversion of all sites by the end of calendar year 2025, with capital expenditure relating to acquisition and fit-out costs incurred across financial years 2024/25 and 2025/26. The gross investment value of the acquisition, being the total capitalised cost of leases, acquisition premium and fit-out costs, is expected to be approximately 130 million. Our free cash flow targets remain unchanged; we continue to target delivery of at least 500 million retail free cash flow in financial year 2024/25 and at least 1.6 billion retail free cash flow over the three years to financial year 2026/27. The conversion of these sites into supermarkets is expected to create approximately 1,000 new Sainsburys roles. Sainsburys will guarantee an interview for any Homebase colleagues who are placed at risk of redundancy as a result of this transaction. Simon Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, J Sainsbury plc said: "Sainsburys food business continues to go from strength to strength as we push ahead with our Next Level Sainsburys plan. "We have the best combination of value and quality in the market and thats winning us customers from all our key competitors and driving consistent growth in volume market share. We want to build on this momentum which is why we are growing our supermarket footprint. Our ambition is to be customers first choice." Latest hospital waiting list figures in Northern Ireland show that the health service in the region remains in a precarious state, surgeons have said. The Department of Healths quarterly waiting list figures show that more than 340,000 people were waiting for a first consultant-led outpatients appointment across four of the five health trust areas on June 30. More than half of those patients have been waiting for more than a year. However, the figures are incomplete due to the rollout of new electronic patient record system Encompass. So far, the South Eastern and Belfast Trusts have rolled out Encompass, while the Northern, Southern and Western trusts have still to adopt it. The 340,000 figure includes the three areas which have not brought in the electronic system and the South Eastern area, but does not include the Belfast Trust. The Northern Ireland director of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Niall McGonigle, said the incomplete figures made direct comparisons difficult. But he added: As surgeons working on the ground, we know that Northern Irelands health service remains in a precarious state, with huge pressures on a depleted and stretched workforce. We are concerned that the surgical workforce, on which much of the elective recovery relies, may reduce further in the coming years. He added: The health service in Northern Ireland is in desperate need of a recurrent budget to help with planning and approval of funds for the ministers (Mike Nesbitt) five-year waiting list plan. There also needs to be greater investment in staff and a drive to improve working conditions without this, patients will continue to languish on waiting lists with little hope of timely care. Dr Alan Stout, chairman of BMAs Northern Ireland Council, said many patients were waiting years for an appointment. He said: There needs to be radical change, with clinicians involved in the process to make sure services are delivered in a way that is timely and efficient, and gives patients access to the best treatment so they have the best health outcomes. A key part of addressing the issues is the health services ability to retain and recruit doctors. We know there are huge budgetary pressures right across Northern Ireland but without the right workforce in place nothing will improve. The Sinn Fein chairwoman of Stormonts Health Committee, Liz Kimmins, said the figures showed the stark reality of long hospital waiting times. She added: Behind each of these numbers is an individual and a family who are in desperate need of healthcare. Long waiting times highlight the immense pressure on the health system and on staff who continue to work professionally and efficiently as ever to treat and care for patients, often in very challenging circumstances. She added: The British government must properly fund the Executive so it can deliver high-quality public services, including health services. Alliance Party MLA Nuala McAllister said: Some patients are waiting more than five years to be seen for an outpatient appointment, and the picture is scarcely better when it comes to diagnostic services or inpatient care, with tens of thousands languishing on waiting lists and praying for the day their number comes up. Behind all of these figures are real people desperately waiting for often life-saving treatment. Entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland are being encouraged to avail of the Back in Business rates support scheme. Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald visited two businesses in Coleraine which have benefited from the scheme which aims to attract new businesses into high streets and town centres. Following its relaunch in May 2024, 17 businesses have now benefited from a 50% rates discount for up to two years, after moving into premises previously used for retail purposes that have been unoccupied for 12 months or more. Ms Archibald said: We all want to see our town centres and shopping areas thrive and thats why Im delighted to visit two new businesses in the heart of Coleraine who are helping to bring vibrancy, footfall and investment back into the high street. The Back in Business scheme will not only provide them with financial support with a reduction on their rates bill for the first two years, it also helps give a new lease of life back into premises that had been vacant for a long time, supporting the regeneration of Coleraines town centre and helping increase footfall for other traders in the area. I would urge anyone starting a business or expanding their existing business to consider setting up in an empty unit and avail of the rate support on offer through the scheme. Further information on how to apply can be found at www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/back-in-business. Tributes have been paid to outgoing SDLP leader Colum Eastwood. The Foyle MP is to formally announce his decision to resign in his native Londonderry later. DUP leader Gavin Robinson wished Mr Eastwood well on Thursday morning as he prepares to pass on the baton of leadership. Hell continue to champion Foyle in Westminster and as before, we will work together on mutually benefitting Northern Ireland, Mr Robinson posted on the social media network X. As @columeastwood prepares to pass on the baton of leadership, I wish him well. Hell continue to champion Foyle in Westminster and as before, we will work together on mutually benefitting Northern Ireland. Gavin Robinson (@GRobinsonDUP) August 29, 2024 Fianna Fail TD Jim OCallaghan praised Mr Eastwood as having led the SDLP with distinction during very challenging times. He added: He was a strong leader of nationalist Ireland, following in the great tradition of Hume and Mallon. I wish him well in the future and hope he remains actively involved in politics. Mr Eastwood became the partys youngest ever leader in 2015, having taken over from Alasdair McDonnell following a leadership contest that he won by fewer than 40 votes. The 41-year-old father-of-two also previously served as the mayor of Londonderry. While Mr Eastwood led the party as it consolidated its position in Westminster, the SDLP has failed to make progress at the Northern Ireland Assembly. In the last Assembly election in 2022, the party trailed in fifth leaving it without a sufficient number of seats to be eligible for a place in the Northern Ireland Executive. Claire Hanna, the MP for South Belfast and Mid Down, is considered to be among the front-runners to be the new leader. Mr Eastwood was returned as the MP for the Foyle constituency at the beginning of July, claiming a majority of just over 4,000 votes. At the time, he said: Im very grateful, mostly to the people of Derry, who have once again said that they want their voice to be heard in Westminster. I will gladly continue to be your voice. I will stand up for the people of our city, of our constituency. We wont be quiet. Following reports of Mr Eastwoods decision on Wednesday night, former Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith said on social media: Really sorry to read that Colum Eastwood is stepping down from the SDLP. Whilst many differences on many issues, he is an exceptional communicator and I am certain will remain a key player in the UK and Ireland political fray. Ar aghaidh! [Forward!] SDLP councillor Seamas de Faoite said Mr Eastwood gave leadership and voice to the partys vision and values during the chaotic Brexit years. He added: The foundation of the New Ireland Commission has helped us to chart a path towards a country free from the divisions of sectarianism, poverty and partition. Colum secured the first NI Assembly majority for equal marriage. He helped to bring about real progressive change in SDLP policy so we could truly be a party of civil rights again. He helped to bring forward more women, young people, LGBT+ and ethnic minority local leaders. Mr Eastwoods decision to step down follows shortly after the announcement that UUP leader Doug Beattie will also be leaving his post. Northern Ireland reported the highest number of race-related incidents on record last year. Some 1,411 such incidents were recorded in the 12 months from July 1 2023 to June 30 2024, according to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra). More faith/religion and transgender identity hate incidents were also recorded over the same period when compared with the previous 12 months. Hate Motivation Statistics Quarterly Update to 30th June 2024 has been published today. The publication is available on the @PoliceServiceNI website: https://t.co/7qkDrFVvgE pic.twitter.com/7aXRkkIU57 NISRA (@NISRA) August 29, 2024 The Nisra figures, compiled from Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) statistics, indicate that crimes with a faith/religion hate motive saw the largest increase, while sectarian crimes saw the largest decrease. It records that the number of race incidents (1,411) is the highest 12-month level recorded since the data series began in 2004/05. Faith/religion incidents rose from 36 to 94 and crimes increased from 25 to 60, while transgender identity incidents increased from 61 to 73 and the number of transgender identity crimes rose from 40 to 41. Meanwhile, there was a decrease of 254 sectarian incidents, while the number of crimes fell by 317, described as the largest fall in sectarian crimes over a 12-month period since autumn 2016. Sexual orientation incidents and crimes fell from 417 to 378 and from 277 to 230 respectively, and disability incidents decreased from 122 to 89 and crimes fell from 83 to 48. The latest figures were recorded before the recent spate of race-related incidents in August which followed anti-immigration protests in Belfast. Unrest in Belfast and attacks on some businesses owned by people from minority ethnic backgrounds came at a time of tension across the UK following misinformation on social media after the murder of three young children in Southport. Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty Internationals Northern Ireland director, has called for political leadership to address the situation. These new figures show that even before the recent orchestrated campaign of racist violence in parts of Northern Ireland, the number of race-hate incidents reported to the police was at an all-time high, he said. The fact that racist crimes represent almost one-in-a-hundred of all recorded crimes in Northern Ireland should be a wake-up call to the scale of the problem now facing us. For too long, those behind these attacks have felt able to act with impunity, emboldened to carry out further attacks. This has been the depressing backdrop to the recent and ongoing spike in racially-motivated attacks which have left minoritised communities living in fear. Tackling racism and race hate crime in Northern Ireland requires not just a consistent response from the police but clear political leadership and effective strategies from the Government. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said it has been a great privilege to lead the party and tipped fellow MP Claire Hanna as his successor. Mr Eastwood is set to resign at the partys conference in October after nine years at the helm of the party he joined as a teenager. Speaking at a press conference in Londonderry on Thursday, Mr Eastwood said he wants to become a voice for change and developing a new Ireland, describing the post-Brexit environment as a moment of opportunity. Ms Hanna has not ruled herself out of the running to be the next SDLP leader. Colum Eastwood has put in a heck of a shift, leading the SDLP through 10 elections in 9 years! As a friend & colleague Ive seen the relentless challenges hes navigated. Hell continue to be a passionate & skilled MP for Derry with a mega role to play in shaping the new Ireland pic.twitter.com/xiiL066Vrz Claire Hanna (@ClaireHanna) August 29, 2024 On Thursday afternoon, she posted on the social media network X that she will have more to say on that in the coming days. Political leadership is a huge privilege and rightly carries huge responsibility. Im grateful for many messages from colleagues, constituents and others about the future leadership of the SDLP, she said. Ill have more to say in the coming days after speaking to my family and team. He insisted it had been his decision to resign as SDLP leader. This is absolutely my decision. I have taken time to make that decision, I have spoken to others about it, Mr Eastwood said. You dont often get to pick your own moment and Ive been glad that Ive been able to do that. You can play different roles in politics. I have been a party activist and, first and foremost, I am committed to the principles of the SDLP. Almost more importantly to the cause of delivering a new Ireland. It just is an awful lot of work over nine years to have to deal with all of the day-to-day issues of running a political party. I feel much freer now to be able to do that work, which is the work of this generation, to deliver a new united Ireland for all of our people. Mr Eastwood also said that South Belfast MP Claire Hanna was far and away the best candidate to replace him as SDLP leader. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that Claire Hanna has what it takes to be the leader of the SDLP, he said. She would be far and away the best option for the members. This is my opportunity to be the first to endorse Claire Hanna. It is up to Claire but I hope she puts her name forward, and I hope the party endorse her. Mr Eastwood became the partys youngest ever leader in 2015, having taken over from Alasdair McDonnell following a leadership contest that he won by fewer than 40 votes. The 41-year-old father of two also previously served as the mayor of Londonderry. While Mr Eastwood led the party as it consolidated its position in Westminster, the SDLP has failed to make progress at the Northern Ireland Assembly. In the last Assembly election in 2022, the party trailed in fifth leaving it without a sufficient number of seats to be eligible for a place in the Northern Ireland Executive. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, Irish premier Simon Harris, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill and DUP leader Gavin Robinson paid tribute to Mr Eastwood. Mr Benn thanked Mr Eastwood for the great contribution you have made over nine years as SDLP leader. The Taoiseach said Mr Eastwood served the entire island of Ireland with distinction at Westminster during Brexit. For that, we all owe Colum a debt of gratitude, he said. I spoke to Colum last night and was glad to hear he still has a lot more to give to politics and will continue to serve as an MP after his successor as leader is appointed. Ms ONeill said: I want to wish Colum Eastwood and his family well as he steps down as leader of the SDLP. We have worked together as leaders for many years now, to restore the political institutions in the north and in protecting the Good Friday Agreement and the all-island economy against efforts to impose the hardest possible Tory Brexit. I look forward to working with his successor as leader of the SDLP in a constructive manner for the good of all our people. Sinn Fein will continue to work with all parties in the Assembly and Executive to deliver for workers, families and public services. Mr Robinson said: I wish him well. Hell continue to champion Foyle in Westminster and as before, we will work together on mutually benefiting Northern Ireland. Former Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith said on social media: Really sorry to read that Colum Eastwood is stepping down from the SDLP. Whilst many differences on many issues, he is an exceptional communicator and I am certain will remain a key player in the UK and Ireland political fray. Ar aghaidh! [Forward!] Fianna Fail TD Jim OCallaghan praised Mr Eastwood as having led the SDLP with distinction during very challenging times. He added: He was a strong leader of nationalist Ireland, following in the great tradition of Hume and Mallon. I wish him well in the future and hope he remains actively involved in politics. Mr Eastwoods decision to step down follows the recent announcement that UUP leader Doug Beattie will also be leaving his post. Fonterra Co-operative Group has confirmed the appointment of Andrew Barlass to the Milk Price Panel (Panel), as an appointee of the Fonterra Co-operative Council. Mr Barlass will join the Panel as a non-voting observer from 1 September 2024. He will be appointed as a member of the Panel from 1 September 2025, when he will succeed Bill Donaldson. Mr Donaldson has been a member of the Milk Price Panel since 2014. Mr Barlass owns and operates two dairy farms in Rakaia, Canterbury. Having grown up on farm, he moved back to farming in 2017 after a career as a finance industry executive in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. In his last role Mr Barlass was Head of Asset Management for Deutsche Bank Australias direct infrastructure investment business. He has extensive asset management, governance, corporate development, and mergers and acquisition expertise across a range of industries. Mr Barlass is the Chair of Electricity Ashburton Limited and a Director of Christchurch International Airport Limited and Ashburton Contracting Limited. Under Fonterras Constitution, the Co-operative Council is entitled to appoint up to two members of the Panel, at least one of whom must be independent. The Fonterra Board has determined that Mr Barlass will not be an independent member of the Panel, as defined in the Fonterra Shareholders' Market Rules. The Panel comprises a majority of independent members. ENDS 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. 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Semicon India 2024: what does the industry expect? As Semicon India 2024 approaches, the Indian semiconductor industry is at a critical juncture. With the initial allocation of the US$10 billion incentive under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) nearing full commitment, industry leaders are keenly anticipating what the future holds. From potential new allocations to the need for more robust policies to nurture the ecosystem, experts are offering insights on what to expect from this year's event. The need for continued government investment Satya Gupta, President of the VLSI Society of India, pointed out some concerns about the future of funding for India's semiconductor industry. He suggests that an additional US$10 to US$15 billion may be required to maintain the momentum in developing the nation's semiconductor capabilities. "For the semiconductor ecosystem to flourish, we need substantial and continuous investment," Gupta stressed. This perspective is shared by Sanjeev Keskar, CEO of Arvind Consultancy, who noted that the initial US$10 billion budget has already been largely committed to a few major projects, including the Tata Fab and Micron ATMP. With only around US$2 billion left unallocated, the industry is eagerly anticipating new government funding announcements. These could be crucial for advancing India's ambitions in semiconductor manufacturing. "Understanding ISM's future plans is critical for the industry's next steps," Keskar added. Fostering a robust fabless ecosystem Another focal point of the upcoming event is expected to be the development of a fabless ecosystem in India. Despite the government's Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme, progress has been slow, with less than 15 proposals approved over two and a half years. Keskar is optimistic that this year will see a "major push" towards creating a vibrant fabless ecosystem, especially with large companies like L&T Semiconductor stepping into the fab spacea significant shift from the domain being dominated by startups. Gupta added that the industry's investment in product ecosystems has been suboptimal. He suggests a reallocation strategy where 20% of manufacturing funds are diverted to product development. "If the next tranche of ISM is US$10 billion, then US$2 billion should be earmarked for products. Ultimately, it's the products that will make the ecosystem successful, not just manufacturing," he said. Talent development and the role of the diaspora The challenge of talent development is another crucial topic expected to be addressed at Semicon India 2024. While the domestic talent pool is still maturing, Keskar and Gupta see the return of experienced Indian professionals from abroad as vital to building a competitive workforce. Gupta pointed out that 80% of the workforce required for new fabs will need to be experienced professionals, not fresh graduates. To this end, Gupta advocates for government incentives aimed at attracting semiconductor professionals from Southeast Asia and the US back to India. "The government needs to create a separate pool of funds, possibly around US$500 million, dedicated to repatriation incentives," Gupta suggested, drawing parallels to Taiwan's successful strategy in the early days of TSMC. Advancing academia-industry collaboration Finally, experts stress the importance of strengthening academia-industry collaboration, particularly in VLSI education. Gupta proposed that every graduating VLSI student should be able to perform a tape-out, a critical process in chip design, before entering the industry. To facilitate this, he recommends that the government support at least 200 tape-outs annually, with subsidies covering 50% of the cost for projects using advanced nodes. As the industry gathers in Greater Noida for Semicon India 2024, the focus will be on how the government and industry can work together to address these critical issues. With expectations high, the event promises to be a pivotal moment for India's semiconductor ambitions, setting the stage for future growth and global competitiveness. Enhanced semiconductor manufacturing capabilities showcased at SEMICON Taiwan 2024 In a significant leap forward for semiconductor manufacturing, ifm, a global leader in sensor technology, exhibited a comprehensive suite of smart sensing solutions at SEMICON Taiwan 2024. These innovations underscore ifm's formidable expertise in enhancing productivity and optimizing quality in semiconductor processes. According to Wan-Rou Ma, Key Industry Sales Manager at ifm, the showcased solutions including a digital chemical supply system, equipment condition monitoring, assembly inspection applications, and cooling solutions, mark a shift from isolated monitoring to holistic smart management. Leveraging IO-Link technology, AI-driven predictive maintenance, and cutting-edge cooling fluid quality monitoring, ifm is enabling semiconductor manufacturers worldwide to realize their smart manufacturing ambitions. The products featured this year are all equipped with IO-Link capabilities, offering enriched system diagnostics that streamline configuration and maintenance while enhancing data transmission reliability and flexibility. One of the highlights includes the Auto Teach feature within the digital chemical systems, enabling batch configuration of capacitive sensors with a single click, significantly reducing human error and enhancing fab efficiency. Moreover, ifm's non-contact continuous level monitoring technology uses capacitive sensing to detect levels through non-metallic container walls, ensuring sensor longevity by avoiding direct contact with corrosive acids or bases. This not only extends sensor life but also preserves the purity of chemicals. In terms of semiconductor back-end packaging and testing, ifm's solutions focus on two main applications: all-in-one vision systems and wafer inspection. For all-in-one vision systems, the O2I series multi-code reader features 1D and 2D barcode reading, character recognition, and font identification. It maintains high recognition stability in complex environments such as metal interference, external light sources, or reflective surfaces, significantly improving production line efficiency and accuracy. For wafer placement inspection, the O2U5 series dual-function vision sensor accurately detects wafer tilt in narrow, low-light environments, effectively preventing wafer misalignment caused by lift pin operation anomalies. ifm application engineer Chien-chung Chen mentioned that this system can simultaneously inspect the surface and contour of the object under test, perform quality checks, and track wafer position in real time, enhancing process stability and yield. This brings multiple values to semiconductor customers, including increased production efficiency, enhanced quality control, and reduced loss rates. Regarding the recent industry-focused server cooling applications, ifm showcased a complete solution including flow, temperature, pressure, and level. Semiconductor industry and Northern Region application engineer Chi-yang Shih stated that the company's solution is optimized for commonly used fluorinated liquids and mineral oils, ensuring high accuracy and stability. Its features include monitoring the basic state of the coolant and detecting water content and impurities in the oil, providing in-depth analysis of coolant quality. All ifm products come with a five-year global warranty, which is particularly important for liquid cooling systems with high maintenance costs and long downtime. Additionally, as a major sensor manufacturer, ifm's global service support can act as a customer backup, providing immediate, local technical support worldwide. SEMICON Taiwan 2024 provided a platform for ifm to not only display these solutions but also to engage with industry professionals through expert-led sessions. These sessions highlighted ifm's innovative IIoT platform features, which facilitate easy monitoring of equipment conditions and predict future trends, further solidifying ifm's role as a key player in pushing the boundaries of semiconductor manufacturing. ifm Managing Director Chien-hung Liu articulated the company's integral role in the semiconductor industry, emphasizing its commitment to energy conservation, carbon reduction, and the implementation of big data solutions. Marketing Specialist Hao-Han Kang invited all interested parties to visit booth S7635 at Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 2, Floor 4, to explore these transformative technologies firsthand. Automation made in Germany. Credit: ifm electronic ltd. 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Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a keynote speech to the conference. Delegates at the forum expressed the belief that media organizations should better tell stories of win-win cooperation in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries and report about both the practices and contributions in jointly building the BRI. Noting that the BRI has experienced flourishing development since it was proposed in 2013, the guests called on media organizations to promote information connectivity, step up efforts to be enabled by digital and smart technologies, and deepen cooperation to showcase the charms of different civilizations. The conference was jointly hosted by the People's Daily and Sichuan provincial authorities. An initiative concerning BRI media cooperation was issued at the forum. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Walking down the Castletown Road in Dundalk a couple of weeks ago, people might have been wondering why the Norwegian flag was flying from the flagpole on the Scouthall. The reason being was that the local scout group, 1st/2nd/5th Louth, St. Patricks, were hosting a contingent weekend for a group of scouts from all over Ireland before they headed to Norway for an International event called Roverway. Local leader, Fintan Sheridan, was leading the contingent of 107 Irish scouts to Roverway, which was an event for 16 to 22 years old from all over the world. The first six days of the camp was spent on Paths which were each made up of about 50 international scouts, with patrols of between five to eight Irish scouts on each Path. This gave participants an opportunity to meet fellow scouts from all over the world while enjoying Norwegian culture, food, customs and fantastic scenery; as well as taking part in workshops on various sustainable development goals. Scouts camped for the duration of the Paths and carried all their gear in their rucksacks. After six days of being on the Path, everyone converged just outside the city of Stavanger for another five days of Basecamp, a jamboree-festival type experience of just over 6,000 people with lots more activities and fun on site. Fintan said he called on his fellow leaders in St. Patricks Scout Group to organise a training weekend for the Scouting Ireland contingent as he knew they possessed the skills and expertise to pull it off. Cub leader, Barry ONeill had a group out in Carlingford Lough kayaking and playing some games out on the Lough while kayaking. This group then had a BBQ on a boat in the lough before heading back into Dundalk to set up camp for the night. Group leader Finbar Gethins said: Over the last number of years we invested in our leadership team by getting them trained in various disciplines so that we would be able to offer our youth members the very best of what scouting has to offer. A number of our leaders are now qualified kayaking instructors and it was great that we could facilitate the Scouting Ireland contingent with their training weekend. Weve also bought a number of canoes and kayaks so that these activities can be put into our programme plans. Scout leader Cormac Sheridan said he used his knowledge of the Cooley Mountains to bring one of the groups hiking over the two days and having visited the Barnavave Famine village, the group set up camp and then peaked Slieve Foye, Eagles Rock, Ravens Rock and Foxes Rock. They returned to their camp where they cooked dinner on some Trangia Stoves. They then got up in the middle of the night to hike Slieve Foye again so that they could catch sunrise from the highest point in Co. Louth with some spectacular views a reward for their efforts. Former Group Leader, Gerry Finnegan, who set up 8th Louth Slieve Foye Scout Group in Omeath/Carlingford organised for one of the groups to participate in SkyPark in Carlingford Adventure Centre. The group of scouts had a great time there overcoming the challenges of the high ropes course and the ziplines. This group then came back into town where they set up camp in the grounds of Buion Setantas Scouthall. They took part in a challenge around the town organised by Beaver leader Michelle Boyle, who was going to Roverway event in Norway as a member of the International Service Team [staff member]. The final group were under the tutelage of Scout leader Paul Bates who is an expert in the area of Backwoods and who is a member of the Most Primitive Scouting Experience (MPSE) Team. This group hiked up Annaloughan were they set up base. Instead of using tents, hammocks and tarps were the choice of bedding. The group did some whittling and learned some knife-skills. They also cooked their dinner on trangias, small portable stoves. Thankfully, the weather was good and some of the group went for a swim in the small lake. Paul was assisted by Cub leader Conor Kearns OKane after he had helped Barry with the kayaking session. Contingent Leader Sheridan said that the training weekend was a great success and the participants found it to be very useful. The scenery witnessed by the participants over the course of their weekend in Louth was every bit as beautiful as the mountains and fjords they encountered in Norway. Whilst in Norway, the Contingent Management Team were invited to visit the Irish Embassy in Oslo where Sheridan presented an Irish Contingent neckerchief to the staff there. St.Patricks Scout Group caters for boys and girls between the ages of six to 18 years. Their numbers have grown steadily over the last number of years and they announced last week that they were going to open up a 3rd Cub Pack in their scout group. This is on top of two Beaver Colonies, two Scout Troops, a Venturer Section and a Rover Crew. If you are interested in getting your child involved in Scouting please visit their FB page St. Patricks Scout Group 1st/2nd/5th Louth and send a message. A medical devices manufacturer in the Midlands will close completely by April 2026, workers were told this morning. Employees at Cardinal Health in Tulamore, County Offaly were called into a meeting by management at the plant at Srah Business Park. One worker revealed that staff will begin leaving in March or April next year as the phasing in of the shutdown begins. Staff were told that cost pressures were the reason for the decision to end production in Tullamore and the US-owned multinational mentioned sister plants in Costa Rica and Mexico as possible alternative locations for manufacturing. Talks on the detail of redundancy packages will begin soon and staff are to return to work on Monday. READ ALSO: Latest list of storm names announced by Met Eireann as autumn and winter approach One employee said she felt management had been "very fair" this morning. "They said we'll get six weeks redundancy (per year of service) and the two weeks statutory. [The plant] will be phased out over 20 months," said the worker. "They're going to go into talks and packages next week, on what we're entitled to, starting from next Monday. They don't exactly know but they're looking at March or April for some staff to be phased out. "Even the people that are getting close to retirement are getting full service redundancy." Some workers are relieved that the job losses are not immediate. One said: "What can you do? I'm just glad that we have until next April to let it sink in." An Irish man has been shot dead outside his restaurant in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri. Shaun Brady, originally from Co Tipperary, was a co-owner and chef of an Irish restaurant called Brady & Fox in Kansas City. Police said they responded to a report of a shooting in a car park next to several businesses on 63rd and Rockhill, where Mr Bradys Irish restaurant was located. Police said that from their initial inquiries, Mr Brady was taking out rubbish when he saw several people beside a vehicle in the car park. After an interaction with them, Mr Brady was shot. Police said they found a man with gunshot wounds in the car park at about 5.18pm local time on Wednesday, who officers tried to help. Emergency medical personnel took him to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Police are investigating the incident as a homicide and are processing the scene for physical evidence. They said they are interviewing several witnesses and reviewing any available surveillance footage of the incident. They have also appealed for information and said there is a reward of up to 25,000 dollars (19,000) for information submitted anonymously to its hotline. The mayor of Kansas City, Quinton Lucas, said in a Facebook post: Like many in our community, I am heartbroken to learn of the death of Shaun Brady. I have met him, laughed with him, heard just a bit of his and his familys story, and was inspired by the business and the community he was building in Kansas City. I grieve for and express my sincerest condolences to his family and all who knew him. The Department of Foreign Affairs has been contacted for comment. August 28, 2024: In July 2024 Germany agreed to purchase another 105 Leopard 2A8 tanks and send them to Ukraine. It will take five more years to manufacture those tanks. Germany has already sent Ukraine 18 Leopard 2 tanks and they have served well against Russian tanks, smaller armored vehicles and troops. As of early 2024, Ukraine has received 70 Leopard 2 tanks and expects to receive at least a hundred more from many NATO nations. These came from Germany, Poland, Norway, Canada, Spain and Sweden. Leopard 2 tanks cost a lot more than American M1s. Used 62-t0n Leopard 2A6 tanks cost six million dollars. New Leopard A7+tanks cost $14 million while the latest Leopard 2A8 costs over $30 million. Equivalent M1s cost about 20 percent less than Leopard 2s. So far 3,600 Leopard 2s have been built compared to three times as many M1s. The first of 31 M1 tanks did not arrive in Ukraine until September 2023. So far Ukraine has lost ten of its M1s in Ukraine compared to 21 of its more numerous Leopard 2s. It was obvious that the Leopard 2s did about as well as the M1. This was the first sustained combat experience for the Leopard 2 and it has done as well as the combat veteran M1s. In early 2024 the United States sent 31 M1 tanks to Ukraine. These tanks began arriving in September 2023 and were put to work, but not in ways that the mass media was able to understand or report on accurately. In the combat zone the Ukrainians quickly figured out how to best use their impressive new tanks. The Ukrainian crews had been trained before the tanks arrived and praised the efficient internal layout of the tanks and the number of useful capabilities of the M1. The battlefield in Ukraine is unlike any the M1 had ever operated in. Within a year at least five Abrams tanks were lost in combat, with another three damaged. The Ukraine War has seen an unprecedented use of drones for reconnaissance, surveillance, and attacks from above. All tanks are more vulnerable to attacks from above. Sending dozens of quadcopter type drones against tanks turned out to be a decisive weapon if the tank was not equipped with signal jammers to cause some or all of the s to lose their control signals and fall to the ground or fly around aimlessly. If a tank was not prepared for drone attack it was soon immobilized as its engine was damaged and disabled. That was because armor is thin or nonexistent over the engine compartment behind the turret. Normally the engine compartment was not vulnerable to attack. The extensive use of drones changed that. To make matters worse there were a lot of anti-vehicle mines used in Ukraine, which could damage or destroy a portion of the tracklaying system that tanks rely on for movement and mobility. Bust a track and the tank is immobilized until the crew or someone else can fix the track. This is a laborious process that can take over an hour and cannot be done while the tank is under attack by drones or just rifle and machine-gun fire. The war in Ukraine has made it easier for the U.S. Army to get all the money wanted for upgrades to the American M1 tank force. The problem was few of those upgrades protected tank from drones. The army had already developed and scrutinized a new SEP System Enhancement Package update called SEPV4 for its M1 tanks. SEPV3, the previous upgrade ,entered service in 2020 after years of testing. The new upgrade contains lots of incremental improvements of features the SEPV3 tanks already have. This includes upgrades to the gunners sight and a meteorological sensor that collects data on weather conditions to improve accuracy of the main gun. The U.S. Army has led the world in tank gun accuracy for decades and the SEPV4 features offer small improvements. In Ukraine the 120mm gun was rarely used because the Russians had few tanks left after they lost so many in the first year of the war. Since the 1980s there have only been these incremental improvements for use against opponents who largely use T-72 upgrades that have not closed the wide effectiveness gap with the M1 and a few other similar tanks like Leopard 2, Challenger, LeClerc and Merkava. A major advantage of the M1 is that it has more combat experience than any other tank, especially its primary opponent: improved T-72/90 models. The most recent combat experience for these tanks has been in Ukraine, when the most modern Russian tank failed in a spectacular fashion against modern Western portable anti-tank weapons. These infantry weapons have a long history of success and to capitalize on that Poland has obtained lots of them and even built its own versions. Noting the similar success of the M1, in 2021 Poland ordered 250 M1A2SEP3 tanks for $6 million each. These will be new tanks, not upgrades of older models, and all will not be delivered until 2026. The M1A2SEP3 is also known as the M1A2C and is currently the most advanced version of the M1. The Poles consider this tank the best option to deal with any new Russian tank developments. The 66-ton M1A2C also includes the Israeli Trophy ADS (active defense system) which has proved itself in combat and is capable of defeating ATGMs (anti-tank guided missiles) and RPGs (rocket propelled grenades). Deliveries began in late 2022 and were completed in about four years. The 250 Polish M1A2s will complement the 240 used German Leopard 2A4s Poland obtained at bargain prices since 2002, along with a license to upgrade them to the 2A6 standard as the 62-ton Leopard 2PL. Poland is also upgrading over a hundred of its 380 older Russian T-72 tanks, most of them built in Poland during the Cold War and 225 PT-91s, a much-improved T-72 variant designed and built locally since 1995. Poland plans to retire its remaining T-72s as the M1A2s arrive and the experience of these tanks in the Ukraine fighting will accelerate the retirement process. Poland has also ordered a thousand modern K-2 tanks from South Korea, most of them to be built in Poland. Currently the most advanced Russian tank in service is the T-72B3, which is considered as good as the T-90, a 48-ton T-72 upgrade introduced in 1993 as the T-72BU but had a marketing name change to T-90. Over 3,200 were built and most were exported to India where they were produced under license. The 45-ton T-72B3 is cheaper and considered by Russian commanders and crews as equal to the more expensive T-90. Russia used to have about 2,000 T-72B3s, with most of its 590 T-90s in storage and T-72B3 used for active-duty units. Russia lost most of those T-72B3s in Ukraine since February 2022 along with many of the T-90s brought out of storage. Poland sees its M1 order as a prudent and successful investment. Russia has a new tank design, the T-14, that improves on the T-72 but has not been in combat and is too expensive to purchase in large quantities. The 48-ton T-14 is a radical new design that appears quite impressive but has so far proved too complex and too expensive to mass produce. Mass production was supposed to have started in 2015 but technical problems and shrinking defense budgets halted that until 2020 when covid19 restrictions again delayed production until 2022. The war in Ukraine meant further delays. Russia has fewer than thirty development and pre-production T-14s which have been undergoing field tests with tank units since 2016. The T-14 has a three-man crew and a fully automated turret with the three crew all in an armored capsule under the turret. The T-14 relies on a lot of new techs, some more advanced than any other Western tank has installed. Getting all that tech to work reliably has been a major problem. Getting all these problems fixed has made the T-14 more expensive, at about $4 million each. Thats twice what the reliable T-72B3 costs and Russian combat commanders and crews will have to be convinced that the T-14 works and is not just as reliable as the T-72B3, but also better at surviving in combat. Mass production to build less than two hundred more T-14s was supposed to begin in 2022. At the moment it looks like the Polish M1A2Cs will be the first American tanks to meet the T-14 in combat if Russia ever tries to make a move on Poland and has any new tanks to do it with. The Russians considered sending some T-14s to Ukraine but the list of known and potential defects made it obvious that T-14s in combat would be an embarrassment. There are major problems with the engine and electronics and now Russia cant afford the money needed to deal with those problems. The M1A2C tank is considered the best combat proven tank in the world. But there are many different models of M1s, which vary considerably in their combat capability. The earliest model is only about half as capable as the 2013 M1A2SEP2 model. The M1 is an old design with the first of 3,273 M1 tanks produced in 1978. This version had a 105mm gun. The first of 4,796 M1A1s with a 120mm gun and depleted uranium armor were produced in 1985. Another 221 were built for the U.S. Marines, 555 co-produced with Egypt and another 200 M1A1s sent to Egypt. Production of the M1A2 with its improved fire control system began in 1986, with 77 for the US Army, 315 for Saudi Arabia, and 218 for Kuwait. Another 600 M1s were upgraded to M1A2 standards. Deliveries of these upgrades began in 1998. In 2001 the army began to upgrade 240 M1A2 tanks as part of an ongoing SEP program with better thermal imaging and fire control equipment as well as communications and computer equipment that would allow tanks to operate a full color battlefield internet with each other, as well as headquarters and warplanes with similar equipment. By 2013 the army had upgraded 700 tanks to the M1A2SEP2 standard and built another 240 new M1A2SEP2 vehicles. The goal was to get at least 2,000 upgraded to M1A2SEP2 or higher in the 2020s. So far over 10,000 American M1 tanks have been produced and most of them subsequently updated at least once, mainly in the 1990s. The army is planning to maintain and upgrade its M1 tank fleet of 7,000 vehicles into the 2030s. The M1 has already been in service since the 1980s and may become the first MBT (main battle tank) design to stay in service for half a century. Technically, some World War II tanks achieved that dubious goal but not in the service of a major power. The SEP3 entered service in 2020 after being introduced for testing in 2017. SEP3 includes more improvements in the previous TUSK armor and RWS remote weapons station machine-gun upgrades, improved electricity generation and distribution for all the electronic gadgets that need recharging (or whatever), upgraded communications and networking and installation of VHMS Vehicle Health Management System and the use of LRMs Line Replaceable Modules to make it easier to upgrade or repair problems. The new communications features include ADL (Ammunition Datalink) to use airburst rounds. There is also an improved counter-IED improvised explosive device armor package, an upgraded FLIR night vision heat sensor and an APU Auxiliary Power Unit under armor to run electronics while stationary instead of using its fuel-thirsty turbine engine. The final addition was the Trophy ADS. The SEPV2/3 upgrades also expanded on MVP Multifunction Vehicle Protection features which includes external cameras that let the crew see what is going on outside at all times, day, or night and in bad weather. The SEP program is continuous, upgrading existing M1A2 tanks to the new SEP3 standard as well as upgrading more M1A2SEPs to the SEP2 level. These upgrades keep the M1, or at least some of them, competitive with more recently designed and built tanks. The U.S., mainly the army, has over a thousand of the SEPV2 upgraded M1A2s and is getting as many of those upgraded to SEP3 as the budget allows. The original M1A2SEP was developed in the late 1990s by upgrading protection and a few other minor fixes. These were followed after 2003s combat experience in Iraq with TUSK Tank Urban Survival Kit and evolved into the SEPV2 upgrade. TUSK was installed on hundreds of tanks headed for Iraq as well as several hundred more M1s that had battle damage repaired and TUSK upgrades installed at the same time. TUSK entered service in 2007 with reactive armor panels for the side and rear of the tank, to provide added protection from RPGs. A slat armor panel protects the engine exhaust outlet of the tank from RPGs. A 1.5-ton belly armor kit, which can be installed in two hours, provides additional protection from mines and large bombs. Enhancements also include night vision for all crew members. There is also a telephone added to the side of the tank, so that infantry can more easily communicate with the crew when the tank is buttoned up with all hatches closed. The complete TUSK kit costs about $500,000 per vehicle and requires about twelve hours to install all the components. Later additions to TUSK included a rear-view camera for the driver and RWS so the commanders' 12.7mm machine-gun can be operated from inside the tank. This is particularly useful if the tank is taking a lot of small arms fire. This led to providing all-round vidcam views of what was going on outside the tank. The M1A2 SEP V2 made most of the TUSK items standard and added more improvements like the RWS for the 12.7mm machine-gun as standard, as well in computer hardware, including color flat screen displays for the crew and software, including a new operating system along with improved TUSK ERA explosive reactive armor, making the external phone standard and upgrading the transmission to make it more reliable. The electronics on the M1 have undergone several upgrades so far, in addition to new ammo types for the main gun. A major enhancement was depleted uranium armor, which made the M1 virtually invulnerable from the front. The one remaining item in need of major improvement is the 1,500-horsepower gas turbine engine. Past improvements here included electronic monitors on many engine components, an electronic logbook to record all pertinent engine activity, and a maintenance program that makes the most of all this data. If the engine is monitored closely and constantly, it's possible to carry out maintenance in a timelier (before something fails) manner. The army would also like to develop an improved (more efficient and less expensive to maintain) engine, but that is also a costly item they can't afford at the moment. MVP can also link to audio sensors that work with video sensors to automatically detect where enemy fire is coming from. The United States tested MVP on their M2 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle). New anti-tank weapons are always being developed and the army wants to at least be able to afford new gear to deal with new threats. One threat that is currently ignored is top attack warheads that put a shaped charge type attack against the thin top armor. There are also new types of mines and electronic threats. If the M1 is to survive for half a century it will have to evolve, as well as endure. The M1A2C is an evolutionary design compared to the T-14 which is a revolutionary design with a lot of new techs introduced at once. M1A2C entered service in 2020 after years of testing. The new upgrade contains lots of incremental improvements of features the SEPV3 tanks already have. This includes upgrades to the gunners sight and a meteorological sensor that collects data on weather conditions to improve accuracy of the main gun. The American Army has led the world in tank gun accuracy for decades and the SEPV4 features offer small improvements. In Ukraine the 120mm gun was rarely used because the Russians had few tanks left after they lost so many in the first year of the war. Since the 1980s there have only been these incremental improvements for use against opponents who largely use T-72 upgrades that have not closed the wide effectiveness gap with the M1 and a few other similar tanks like Leopard 2, Challenger, LeClerc and Merkava. A major advantage of the M1 is that it has more combat experience than any other tank, especially its primary opponent: improved T-72/90 models. The most recent combat experience for these tanks has been in Ukraine, when the most modern Russian tank failed in a spectacular fashion against modern Western portable anti-tank weapons. These infantry weapons have a long history of success and to capitalize on that Poland has obtained lots of them and even built its own versions. Noting the similar success of the M1, in 2021 Poland ordered 250 M1A2SEP3 tanks for $6 million each. These will be new tanks, not upgrades of older models and all will not be delivered until 2026. The M1A2SEP3 is also known as the M1A2C and is currently the most advanced version of the M1. The Poles consider this tank the best option to deal with any new Russian tank developments. The 66-ton M1A2C also includes the Israeli Trophy ADS active defense system which has proved itself in combat and is capable of defeating ATGMs and RPGs. Deliveries began in late 2022 and be completed in about four years. The 250 Polish M1A2s will complement the 240 used German Leopard 2A4s Poland obtained at bargain prices since 2002, along with a license to upgrade them to the 2A6 standard as the 62-ton Leopard 2PL. Poland is also upgrading over a hundred of its 380 older Russian T-72 tanks, most of them built in Poland during the Cold War and 225 PT-91s, a much-improved T-72 variant designed and built locally since 1995. Poland plans to retire its remaining T-72s as the M1A2s arrive and the experience of these tanks in the Ukraine fighting will accelerate the retirement process. Poland has also ordered a thousand modern K-2 tanks from South Korea, most of them to be built in Poland. Currently the most advanced Russian tank in service is the T-72B3, which is considered as good as the T-90, a 48-ton T-72 upgrade introduced in 1993 as the T-72BU but had a marketing name change to T-90. Over 3,200 were built and most were exported to India where they were produced under license. The 45-ton T-72B3 is cheaper and considered by Russian commanders and crews as equal to the more expensive T-90. Russia used to have about 2,000 T-72B3s, with most of its 590 T-90s in storage and T-72B3 used for active-duty units. Russia lost most of those T-72B3s in Ukraine since February 2022 along with many of the T-90s brought out of storage. Poland sees its M1 order as a prudent and successful investment. Russia has a new tank design, the 48-ton T-14, which proved to be an expensive failure and is not going into production because it is not an improvement over the latest T-72 models. The M1A2C tank is considered the best combat proven tank in the world. But there are many different models of M1s, which vary considerably in their combat capability. The earliest model is only about half as capable as the 2013 M1A2SEP2 model. The M1 is an old design with the first of 3,273 M1 tanks produced in 1978. This version had a 105mm gun. The first of 4,796 M1A1s with a 120mm gun and depleted uranium armor were produced in 1985. Another 221 were built for the U.S. Marines, 555 co-produced with Egypt and another 200 M1A1s sent to Egypt. Production of the M1A2 with its improved fire control system began in 1986, with 77 for the US Army, 315 for Saudi Arabia, and 218 for Kuwait. Another 600 M1s were upgraded to M1A2 standards. Deliveries of these upgrades began in 1998. In 2001 the army began to upgrade 240 M1A2 tanks as part of an ongoing SEP program with better thermal imaging and fire control equipment as well as communications and computer equipment that would allow tanks to operate a full color battlefield internet with each other, as well as headquarters and warplanes with similar equipment. By 2013 the army had upgraded 700 tanks to the M1A2SEP2 standard and built another 240 new M1A2SEP2 vehicles. The goal is to get at least 2,000 upgraded to M1A2SEP2 or higher in the 2020s. So far over 10,000 American M1 tanks have been produced and most of them subsequently updated at least once, mainly in the 1990s. The army is planning to maintain and upgrade its M1 tank fleet of 7,000 vehicles into the 2030s. The M1 has already been in service since the 1980s and may become the first MBT (main battle tank) design to stay in service for half a century. Technically, some World War II tanks achieved that dubious goal but not in the service of a major power. The one remaining item in need of major improvement is the 1,500-horsepower gas turbine engine used by the M1. Past improvements here included electronic monitors on many engine components, an electronic logbook to record all pertinent engine activity, and a maintenance program that makes the most of all this data. If the engine is monitored closely and constantly, it's possible to carry out maintenance in a timelier, before something fails, manner. The army would also like to develop an improved, more efficient and less expensive to maintain engine, but that is also a costly item they can't afford at the moment. MVP can also link to audio sensors that work with video sensors to automatically detect where enemy fire is coming from. The United States tested MVP on their M2 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle). New anti-tank weapons are always being developed and the army wants to at least be able to afford new gear to deal with new threats. One threat that is currently ignored is top attack warheads (that put a shaped charge type attack against the thin top armor). There are also new types of mines and electronic threats. If the M1 is to survive for half a century it will have to evolve, as well as endure. The M1A2C is an evolutionary design compared to the T-14 which is a revolutionary design with a lot of new techs introduced at once. August 28, 2024: The war in Ukraine isnt over yet but Russia is already working on needed reforms so, they hope, that the next time Russian troops are in combat they perform better and perhaps even win. There have been several rounds of unsuccessful military reforms since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. One of the major causes of that collapse was their unaffordable and largely ineffective armed forces. In post-Soviet Russia there were far fewer restrictions on criticizing the military. Most Russians had a very negative attitude towards conscription and the reforms underway because of the Ukraine War disaster are typical of several previous efforts to remedy problems that continue to resist any fundamental change. President Vladimir Putin ordered all these reform efforts and is dismayed that they failed. Putin never served in the military but joined the KGB secret police in 1975. Since then Putin did what he could to punish domestic enemies, especially those calling for actions against his corrupt officials. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 the KGB became, after many reforms and dismissal of incompetent or disloyal personnel, the FSB (Federal Security Bureau). By 1998 Putin was head of the FSB. At this point Putin declared that communism was a failed doctrine and proposed that democracy replace it. Putin worked hard to control the voting and the counting of votes so that he and his cronies could stay in power. The FSB reforms were still underway when Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. The losses were heavier than expected and a new plan called for a massive training program to replace all the officers lost in the first few months of the 2022 fighting. The immediate problem was that all the officer instructors were sent to the front in March and April 2022 where they too became casualties. Next was that military and political leaders are still unable to restore one crucial aspect of an improved military: NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers, sergeants in the army, petty officers in the navy). A century ago, Russia abandoned a long tradition of NCOs. Instead, junior officers would try to do everything NCOs handled. That never worked. Providing adequate training for new combat troops is something else that never had a high priority, and still doesnt after 30 months of war with Ukraine. The prewar reforms were supposed to change that. There have been similar efforts in the past and none lasted long. There is another serious problem that few want to discuss, corruption. Even in wartime, and especially during the Ukraine war, corruption was still a staggering problem. Officers and other government officials continued to put their own financial gain above the need to equip the troops with what they needed to survive and win. The difficulty here is that the militarys corruption is rooted in political corruption at the highest levels with Putin and his cronies grabbing whatever they could for almost 20 years. This inevitably drifted downward until even supply sergeants routinely stole back and sold gear issued to new troops when they were outside their barracks just before leaving for the front. Russia is descending into a Third World state known as a resource kleptocracy but run by a for-real gangster confederacy. Only with nuclear and biological weapons from before it fell apart. All this enthusiasm for military reform was thought to have been taken care of in 2022, on the eve to the invasion of Ukraine. As before, it was discovered that previous reforms had not worked, generally from not being implemented at all. Those who had followed the history of failed efforts to reform the Russian army since the 1990s were not surprised at what happened to Russian troops when they encountered their Ukrainian counterparts. Before the invasion, most Russians believed that the Ukrainian troops were no match for Russian soldiers. Russians also found it hard to believe that the Ukrainians, who were part of the Soviet Union until 1991, had managed in less than a decade after Russias first invasion in 2014 to implement many fundamental reforms. Some of these reforms were far more ambitious than any Russia ever attempted. After a few months of fighting in Ukraine it was painfully obvious that Russian troops were no match for their Ukrainian adversaries. Before that, Russians believed that their dismal reform efforts had magically worked as nearly half their combat units assembled on the Ukrainian border. Reports from the Russian capital, which Ukrainian military leaders believed, indicated the decision had been made to invade despite obvious defects in the training, morale and equipment of Russian units. The reality of the differences between Russian and Ukrainian forces was soon made clear as the advance was stopped short of its goals and suffered heavy casualties in the process. Copies of the attack plan, which were only distributed to a few senior commanders leading the attack, showed that the Russians believed they could quickly reach and take the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and replace the government with a pro-Russian one and declare the war over. At that point the rest of Ukraine was supposed to surrender and get used to being Russian once more. Many Russians, especially recent veterans or parents of sons approaching conscription age, knew the truth and were perplexed at the decision to invade when so many soldiers were poorly trained and suffering from low morale. Conscripts supposedly prohibited by law from service in a war zone were sent in anyway. Much of the Russian population continues to cope with the continuing use of conscription, something that has been unpopular since the end of World War II. The post-1991 government goal of having an all-volunteer force failed because it cost more than the government could afford and not enough young Russians were willing to voluntarily serve, even as better paid and treated contract soldiers. Even though over half of Russian military personnel are now volunteers (serving on contracts) or career officers, the ability of the military to hold onto those contract, or contrakti soldiers was always weakened if there are a lot of casualties or too much chance of being sent to a combat zone. Volunteering to be a contract soldier used to be considered a smart move because the Russian economy had been increasingly weak over the last decade. After the fighting began in Ukraine, the contract soldiers suffered as much as the conscripts and junior officers did. The result of this was contract troops refusing to renew contracts. Most of the combat units sent into Ukraine were composed of contract troops who were killed in large numbers. When the survivors got back to Russia, either because of wounds or because many combat battalions returned because of heavy losses, there was a sudden shortage of contract soldiers. That was because most contract troops were near the end of their two-to-three-year contracts and refused to renew. The army had signed up many soldiers for the new, since 2016, short term six to twelve month contracts for former soldiers. Conscripts willing to try it found that there were far fewer veteran soldiers who were willing to sign these short contracts because so few recent short-term contract soldiers had survived service in Ukraine. The government tried to solve this reluctant contract soldier problem by changing the contracts so that contract soldiers had to remain in the army for as long as the fighting continued. Realizing that it was a death sentence if they were sent back to Ukraine, many contract soldiers simply refused to go. There were so many men refusing to go that the government backed off from threats to prosecute the reluctant contrakti. Soldiers with time left on their contracts were a liability because they told anyone who would listen that the Ukraine Special Operation had been a disaster for Russian troops because they were determined and well-armed, especially with modern anti-tank weapons. The Ukrainians constantly ambushed columns of Russian armored vehicles and soon destroyed most of them. While Russian troops were forbidden to take cell phones with them into Ukraine, the Ukrainians still had them to take photos and videos of the aftermath of these battles, and these were getting back to Russia where Russian veterans of the fighting confirmed they had seen the same grisly evidence of Russian losses or even survived one of these battles. Russia played down these losses but the Ukrainian military maintained and published daily updates of Russian losses in terms of soldiers killed, wounded or captured as well as equipment losses. After thirty days of fighting the Ukrainians were claiming that over a third of Russian troops sent into Ukraine had been killed, wounded or captured with even larger quantities of vehicles and weapons lost. After six weeks the Russian military admitted that losses were heavier than previously acknowledged but would not give exact figures. In part that was because an accurate count was not possible until most of the combat units, especially BTGs (Battalion Task Groups), had returned or been confirmed as destroyed. Few BTGs were wiped out but many were reduced to half or a third of their original size of about 800 troops and several hundred vehicles. BTG survivors were assigned to other BTGs. Communications, even for BTG or brigade commanders, were unreliable inside Ukraine because of defective radios. That meant senior commanders of Russian armies, which controlled over a dozen BTGs and many support units, were always using outdated data on unit strengths, capabilities and locations. This was reported back to Russia and declared a state secret. In fact, Russia is making a major effort to keep Ukrainian reports on the fighting from spreading on the Russian Internet. That has been difficult because the Ukrainian after-action reports are all Russians can get as their own government refuses to release much data on casualties. Moreover, the Ukrainian data appears accurate because it often includes pictures and identities of the dead Russian troops and details on the losses individual units suffered. The Ukrainians had better access to where these battles took place and proved it with photos and videos showing destroyed vehicles, some of them identifiable as belonging to a particular Russian unit. Without a lot of contract soldiers Russia could not replace losses. Replacing lost tanks and other vehicles also proved to be more difficult than expected. On paper Russia had thousands of fully armed and equipped tanks and other armored vehicles in reserve for quickly replacing combat losses. Not surprisingly those reserve vehicles were often in bad shape, having been poorly maintained by conscripts and larcenous civilians who made a lot of money by taking key items from these vehicles and selling them on the black market. These missing items were usually not reported missing until troops received these vehicles, which were generally mobile enough to be driven onto a railroad flatcar for transportation to units needing them. Once received these reserve vehicles were found missing equipment and in need of extensive repairs to make them combat-ready. This was nothing new and has been common since the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991 and the mighty Red Army lost 80 percent of its personnel strength but few of its ships, aircraft, vehicles and heavy weapons. Most of these ships and vehicles were placed in reserve although many were found abandoned throughout Russia, and new groups of these resting vehicles are still being found in forests while known concentrations of these vehicles or aircraft have been picked clean of saleable parts. Conscription was in even worse shape, with the number of conscripts available declining each year. In April 2018 the Russian military only ended up with 128,000 conscripts during the semi-annual draft call. This was the lowest since 2006, a year when there were more young men available as well as more deferments and rampant draft dodging. In the years since 2018 the decline was reversed by issuing fewer deferments, punishing more draft dodgers and enforcing laws against conscripts serving in combat zones. The one exception was if the fighting was in Russia, which was the excuse the government used as it claimed they were not invading Ukraine but reuniting Ukraine with Russia. The Ukrainians as well as Russian conscripts and their families disagreed with this interpretation of the invasion. Other reasons for fewer conscripts are that there were fewer young men to conscript because of lower birth rates and more young men who were in poor physical shape, or addicted to drugs, or had a police record and were considered more trouble than they are worth if conscripted. Young men in politically favored areas, generally a zone extending from St. Petersburg to Moscow are generally, but unofficially, exempt from conscription while all those in disfavored areas (generally rural) are scooped up in very disproportionate numbers. All this was expected but since the 1990s Russia has been seeking solutions and finding none that work well enough to keep the military up to strength. As early as 2012 a duma (parliament)-ordered investigation found that the army was short a third of the privates, who were the lowest ranking troops, that they were supposed to have. The Russian military, mainly the Army and Interior Ministry paramilitary units are supposed to have a combined total of million personnel. But officials admitted in 2011, off-the-record, that the real number was closer to 800,000 and slowly but relentlessly declining. A subsequent investigation confirmed this. In 2021 it was still no more than 800,000. Since 2012 the military has come up with a growing list of solutions for the problem but all these efforts do is slow the decline of military manpower numbers, not reverse it. The most recent fix before the 2022 attack on Ukraine involved calling up reservists for a brief period to test the system, but instead of letting the reservists quickly return to civilian life, the military kept many for six months or more. This was one reason for the less than 12 month short-term contract. Doing this too often made reservists refuse to appear when recalled. The economic recession since 2014, because of low oil prices and western sanctions, was supposed to encourage more Russians to volunteer but that did not happen and there was less money for increasing the pay for contract soldiers. Recruiting foreigners had minimal impact and so the Russian military keeps fading away. The military had 220,000 officers, also on contracts, and many veteran contract personnel who provided technical experts and other senior enlisted personnel. These are higher paid contract soldiers, some with a decade or more of service, who often become the long-absent Russian NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer, or sergeants) but there are not enough of these NCOs to make a difference. Conscripts still made up nearly half of the military in late 2021 and after the invasion it got harder and harder to find enough people to conscript or willing to sign a contract. This means there are two classes of Russian military personnel. Most, about 70 percent, are much less capable, with most of them conscripts in for one year of service or new contract soldiers on two or three-year contracts. These are supervised by inexperienced junior officers, a few surviving career NCOs and a splattering of senior contractors. A third of the military are more enthusiastic volunteers and conscripts. These staff the elite special operations, airborne, security and specialist units. In other words, while the government claims to have a million military personnel on duty, the reality is that there are only about 200,000 troops on active duty who are good at what they do and want to be in the military. Conscripts are inducted twice a year, in April and October. In 2011, the April intake was nominally 220,000 but fewer than that actually made it into uniform. In 2018 the April draft was 128,000. In 2011 only about 75 percent of the men who showed up were considered fit to take. In 2018 standards of fitness for military service became much less strict and the military had to cope with a lot more recruits who are of marginal use. By 2012 the military reluctantly accepted the fact that they would not be able to obtain more than 270,000 conscripts a year needed to reach the official strength of a million personnel. In the last six years maintaining anything close to that number meant taking less willing and able men. Senior leaders now accept that they will never command a million-man force. Lowering their standards in order to make their annual quotas just fills the ranks with more troublesome people, who cause more of the good troops to get out. In the last few years, the military has quietly stopped accepting many volunteers or conscripts from Moslem areas, especially the Caucasus area of Chechnya and Dagestan. The wisdom of this was made clear when Russian intelligence reported that the most effective Russian Moslems who joined and fought for Islamic terrorist groups were military veterans. In contrast, Russian Moslems who had not served in the military were less likely to become Islamic terrorists and if they did, they were used as suicide bombers or support staff, not as long-term fighters. Moreover, commanders continued to report that if more than a few percent of their troops were Moslem there would be morale problems or worse. The basic recruiting problem is twofold. First, military service is very unpopular and potential conscripts are increasingly successful at dodging the draft deliberately or otherwise. Second, the area of Russia with the highest per capita income and best educated young men, from St. Petersburg to Moscow, is generally exempt from conscription for political reasons. In other words, Putin is afraid of being overthrown if he antagonizes them. And the corruption of conscription officials has reached staggering levels. But the biggest problem is that the number of 18- year-olds is rapidly declining each year. By 2009 all draftees were born after the Soviet Union dissolved. That was when the birth rate went south year after year. Not so much because the Soviet Union was gone but more because of the economic collapse caused by decades of communist misrule that precipitated the collapse of the communist government. The number of available draftees went from 1.5 million a year in the early 1990s to less than half that by 2023. Less than half those potential conscripts are showing up and many have criminal records or tendencies that help sustain the abuse of new recruits that have made military service so unsavory. With conscripts now in for only a year, rather than two, the military is forced to take a lot of marginal, as in sickly, overweight, bad attitude, and drug user recruits in order to keep the military and Ministry of Interior units up to strength. This worked during the cold war because conscript service was three years for elite units. With one-year conscripts, elite airborne and commando units using some conscripts find that these eager conscripts take a year to master the skills needed to be useful and then they are discharged. Few choose to remain in uniform and become career soldiers. That's primarily because the Russian military is seen as a crippled institution and one not likely to get better any time soon. With so many of the troops now one-year conscripts, an increasing number of the best officers and NCOs get tired of coping with all the alcoholics, drug users, and petty criminals that are taken in just to make quotas. With combat casualties, the exodus of the best leaders and a growing proportion of ill-trained and unreliable conscripts, the Russian military is more of a mirage than an effective combat or even police organization. The peacetime military was unpopular for conscripts mainly because of the brutal treatment they received. This has not been getting better and hazing incidents are still increasing each year. This is a serious issue. There are a lot of reasons for not wanting to be in the Russian Army but the worst of them is the hazing. One year conscription was supposed to solve this but new conscripts are tormented by conscripts who have been in a few months longer. It was thought that this sort of thing would speed the demise of conscription in Russia once the Cold War ended in 1991. That didn't work out. The government found that, even among the contract soldiers, the old abuses lived on and that most of the best contract soldiers left when their contract was up. It was because of the brutality and lack of discipline in the barracks. The hazing is most frequently committed by troops who have been in six months or so against the new recruits. But this extends to a pattern of abuse and brutality by all senior enlisted troops against junior ones. It remains out of control. The abuse continues to exist in part because of the growing animosity against troops who are not ethnic Russians and especially against those who are Moslem. Because of higher birth rates among the Moslem populations, nearly 15 percent of eligible conscripts are Moslems and that is seen as more of a problem than a solution. This hazing originally developed after World War II, when Russia deliberately avoided developing professional NCOs. They preferred to have officers take care of nearly all troop supervision. The Soviets failed to note that good NCOs were the key to effective troops. The Soviets felt that officers were more politically reliable, as they were more carefully selected and monitored. The NCOs that did exist were treated as slightly more reliable enlisted men but given little real authority. Since officers did not live with the men, slack discipline in the barracks gave rise to the vicious hazing and exploitation of junior conscripts by the senior ones. This led to very low morale, and a lot of suicides, theft, sabotage, and desertions. This hazing has been one of the basic causes of crimes in the Russian armed forces, accounting for 20 to 30 percent of all soldier crimes. This caused a military suicide rate that is among the highest in the world. Poor working conditions in general also mean that Russian soldiers are nearly twice as likely to die from accidents, or suicide, then American soldiers. Long recognized as a problem, no solution to the hazing ever worked. Conscription itself, and the prospect of being exposed to hazing, produced a massive increase in draft dodging starting during the Soviet period. Bribes and document fraud were freely used. Few parents, or potential conscripts, consider this a crime. Avoiding the draft is seen as a form of self-preservation. The government has cracked down on parent-backed draft dodging with little effect. Thats because there is still so much corruption in Russia and evading conscription is seen by many as not really criminal, especially when the parents can afford to pay a bribe to keep their only son and often an only child out of the Russian military. The Russian lack of praporshchiki, as they call sergeants, has been difficult to fix. Just promoting more troops to that rank, paying them more, and telling them to take charge, has not done the job. So going back to look at how Western armies do it, the Russians noted that those foreign armies provided a lot of professional training for new NCOs and more of it as the NCOs advanced in rank. But this is a long-term process and takes years before benefits will be felt. By 2022 there were more veteran NCOs available and they probably made a difference. But the losses were so heavy in Ukraine that it may never be known how good Russian professional NCOs had become. All this is in sharp contrast to the old days. When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, it had five million troops in its armed forces. Now it's less than 800,000 in just Russia, which had about half the population of the Soviet Union but most of the territory. Although the Russian armed forces lost over 80 percent of its strength by the end of the 1990s, a disproportionate number of officers remained. This problem was solved after encountering much resistance from officers in general and, after a series of reforms, the number of officers was reduced by over 50 percent. The Russian military has an image problem that just won't go away easily. This resulted in the period of service for conscripts being lowered to one year from two in 2008. That was partly to placate the growing number of parents who were encouraging, and assisting, their kids in avoiding military service. Putin, in part because he never served in the army, and instead served in the elite KGP and post-Soviet FSB, always worked with carefully selected and well trained secret police operatives. He had a hard time appreciating how bad the situation was among army troops. All this came after more than a decade of reforms in the armed forces, particularly the army. Poor discipline, low morale, and incompetent performance are all legacies of the 1921-1991 Soviet-era Russian commanders, envious of the success of all-volunteer Western forces, have long studied their former foes and decided to adopt a lot of Western military customs. For example, one recent reform ordered that Russian troops would not be confined to their barracks most of the time. In the Soviet era, the conscripted troops were treated like convicts and their barracks were more like a prison than the college dormitory atmosphere found in troop housing for Western military personnel. Russian conscripts are now free to leave the base on weekends and work only a five-day week. All barracks have hot showers (a recent achievement) and troop accommodations are the best they have ever had. Things like this help a bit but not enough. Russia tried to change public attitudes towards the armed forces by publicizing all the new changes and programs. But word got around that most of these efforts failed. Blame that on the Internet. Polls consistently show that most military age men do not want to serve in the military and the main reason is the hazing and prison-like conditions in the barracks. As a result of all these factors, prospects of a revival of the traditional large Russian armed forces continues to fade. The casualties and defeats in Ukraine have not helped. Oscar Wilde once claimed he never travelled without his diary because One should always have something sensational to read on the train. If you have forgotten your diary, a good alternative would be an engaging book like the latest offering Dark Streets from Mallow-born author Tadhg Coakley. This is the third in his Irish Noir series featuring Detective Tim Collins, though indeed it could be described as Munster Noir as it is set both in Cork city and the lush countryside of Co. Kerry. Part One of this series, the crime novel Whatever It Takes, was chosen as the 2020 Cork One City One Book, and Detective Collins was welcomed back by enthusiastic readers in a second outing, Before He Kills Again. This third book featuring the Cork detective sees the plot unfolding with a series of horrendous crimes neglected by the Gardai, which has the population of Cork city on edge. Fresh from a harrowing abduction case linked to Kerry drug gangs, Detective Tim Collins returns to Cork city where he uncovers a world of darkness. As he digs deeper, the line between justice and revenge blurs and trust becomes a luxury he cannot afford as allies become adversaries. The streets of Cork emerge as keepers of dark secrets challenging all that he once held certain, and which force him to confront the demons of his haunted past rooted in his formative years at University College Cork. As the story unfolds, Tim has to make a decision about how far he is prepared to forge ahead with his quest to uncover the truth, and will redemption be the glittering prize for his efforts? There are two parallel timelines in the book, one in 1990 where we meet a young Tim, then later in 2015 when he is thrown out of the gardai, and these time-frames weave seamlessly in and out of the narrative. So, just who is the character of Detective Tim Collins, who refuses to leave the imagination of author Tadhg Coakley? Collins is a real Cork character, I made him a former Cork hurler. I wanted to depict him as a flawed human being with all of his drive and his rage. He is his own worst enemy, said his creator. I thought that he would be just in one book, Whatever It Takes, but after that I knew I wasnt finished with him. I realised I wanted to see more of him and what he would do next. I placed him in difficult situations where he would suffer- that might make me look bad, but I think that the point of literature, art or sport is to stir up empathy and emotions. My aim with Collins was to create a character that is both strong and fragile at the same time. Through placing him in a series of books I wanted to develop his character over time as he aged and lived through more experiences. I didnt want to create a James Bond type, who doesnt change at all. Throughout my life, I have been reading crime thrillers set in Sweden, Oslo, Los Angles, Louisiana, Edinburgh, Maine, and all over the world. So I thought, well, what about Cork? In 2015, I started writing Whatever It Takes and set it in Cork city. In this latest book, I wanted to develop his past by depicting young Tim and his back-story to show the reason he is totally obsessed with protecting women against violence. The plot and central characters inform the narrative of any story, but often too it is the settings which imbue the tale with its unique flavour, this is essential to the Noir genre in general. In Dark Streets, the reader gets to traverse both the Kingdom and the Rebel County. I have always loved West Kerry, its ruggedness and its charm, said Coakley. And I knew Tim Collins had to forge a new life for himself without the gardai, so I had to send him to Corca Dhuibhne, but he had unfinished business in Cork city, so I sent him back home to face serious pain and danger and to fulfil his destiny. A vivid location makes the story feel more like reality, and although the reader knows it is not a real location, it helps to make it feel real and therefore aids in relating more to the characters. Use of certain locations in thrillers enables the reader to visit these places in their imagination, and of course everyone wants to visit Cork and Kerry. I also want to reflect modern Ireland in my books and cover specific issues such as gender-based violence (mainly violence against women), immigration, homelessness, dereliction in cities, and corruption in high places, but you have to stitch such issues into the narrative quite tightly - the last thing I want to do is preach to my readers. Although I didnt base my plot twists on any real events, I hope they are credible, tense and engaging and reflect the real Ireland. And will we encounter more of Detective Tim Collins? Im currently planning the next one. Tim has to suffer more, but he can take it, he is vulnerable and tough at the same time. Everyone can make a difference, everyone. The National Bus and Rail Union general secretary Dermot OLeary has implored the Government to legislate for a dedicated public transport policing unit in a bid to tackle what the union has said is a worsening issue of antisocial behaviour on public transport. Mr OLeary said the union has been campaigning for such a unit for years, with politicians in several parties supporting the call. I would now say to the politicians: Why are we waiting, whats the delay here?, Mr OLeary said, speaking to The Echo. I know lots of things now will, I suppose, be stalled as a result of what we all perceive to be the impending general election. Im saying to politicians, ye still have time to legislate in advance of any election. The positive words were getting, its time to turn those words into action and set up that dedicated policing unit on public transport. Weve had many, many incidents on staff: assaults on staff, assaults on customers and the dreaded day that none of us ever want to see is us having conversations about a very serious injury or even worse. Getting worse Mr OLeary said he believes the issue of antisocial behaviour on public transport is getting worse and could deter people from making an important modal shift when it comes to commuting. The union head said that while a dedicated policing unit for public transport services would unlikely eradicate all incidents of antisocial behaviour, it would, he believes, go a long way towards curbing the issue. In Cork, South West ward Sinn Fein city councillor Joe Lynch echoed the call for the establishment of such a unit. Mr Lynch also said a recent Garda Day of Action on board Dublin Bus services should be replicated in Cork. The initiative was described by Dublin Bus as focussing on the prevention and detection of antisocial behaviour on bus services, with gardai patrolling all routes. In a social media post, the bus operator thanked gardai for their work combatting antisocial behaviour. I have written to Bus Eireann and garda management asking them to set out if a similar Day of Action to combat antisocial behaviour on bus services in Cork will be scheduled, Mr Lynch said. Disgraceful incident The recently elected councillor described antisocial behaviour and criminality on public transport services as a growing problem. The utterly disgraceful incident on a 220 bus service in Ballincollig recently, where a driver was threatened, highlights this, he said. Survey results published by Siptu earlier this year indicate that more than 80% of public transport workers say they have been the target of abuse, and more than half say that antisocial behaviour is an issue for them at least once a week. An investigation was launched earlier this month following an incident of anti-social behaviour on a 220 bus where two men allegedly boarded the vehicle when it was stopped at traffic lights and confronted the driver. Commenting at the time, a Bus Eireann spokesperson said the company does not tolerate antisocial or criminal behaviour towards its customers or its staff. Any incident of such behaviour is treated very seriously, the spokesperson said, adding that thankfully anti-social behaviour remains low on Bus Eireann services. An investigation is underway after a firearm was discharged from a vehicle in the direction of a second vehicle on the N20 Cork-Limerick Road last night. The incident happened at around 7.20pm on the N20 between Charleville and O'Rourke's Cross, Co. Limerick. Gardai said two vehicles were travelling in the direction of O'Rourke's Cross from Charleville when a firearm was discharged from one of the vehicles in the direction of the second vehicle. They said they have received no reports of any people who are injured, at this time. "Investigations into all the circumstances of this incident are ongoing at Bruff Garda Station," a spokesperson said. Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to come forward. "Any persons travelling between Charleville and O'Rourke's Cross, Co. Limerick between 7pm and 8pm on Wednesday 28th August 2024 are asked to come forward. "Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in this area at these times are asked to make this footage available to Gardai. "Anyone with any information is asked to contact Bruff Garda Station on 061 382 940, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station," the spokesperson added. Cobh Connect has commenced a host of upgrades to the Cobh to Cork city bus route to facilitate passengers. Upgrades to the service include increased frequency, new early morning services, tap-and-pay, youth discounts, and real-time tracking. Cobh Connect is now operating up to 60 services a day, seven days a week with its fleet of 16 buses Upgrades include 18 additional services daily, a new early morning weekday service starting at 5.45am from Cobh to Cork, a new early morning weekend service starting at 7.45am from both Cobh and Cork, half hourly services Monday to Saturday and additional Nitelink service running every Thursday night. A new stop at Marina Villas in Carrigaloe has also been added to the 200 route. Cobh Connect company director, Wayne Morrison, said the 200 route has connected the people of Cobh to the city since its launch and that the positive feedback from passengers inspired the company to do more. Due to the demand from our regular passengers, we have increased the frequency of this route and made it easier for people to travel and plan their journey with the introduction of tap-and-pay, and our real-time tracking app. Recognising the pressures that back to school and college can be for families, the company is also offering a 50% discount for young adult and student Leap Card holders. Visit www.corkconnect.ie for more. People are being encouraged to get involved in tomorrows demonstration in support of the Palestinian people by donning their GAA colours. Organisers are encouraging people to recognise the parallels between the experiences of the Irish and Palestinian people at this weeks protest. Those who plan on attending the protest tomorrow, organised by Palestine solidarity groups from across Cork, are asked to wear their GAA tops, jerseys, or something alternative that they feel expresses their cultural affinity and solidarity with Palestine. The protest will mark 47 weeks of people taking to the streets of the city centre to show their support for Palestine and demand action from the Government and Irish universities to oppose Israels bombardment of the Gaza Strip. Theme The theme of this weeks protest is Ireland, Palestine: Cultures of Resistance, and aims to pay tribute to the Palestinian peoples inspirational struggle for freedom, their resilience and, in the words of event organisers, their refusal to allow their culture to be destroyed by the Israeli state. An event spokesperson said: Irish songs of struggle and songs dedicated to the Palestinian people will be performed on stage and all protestors will be invited to sing during the first half of the march. The Fields of Palestine a rewritten version of The Fields of Athenry will be sung by protesters from Grand Parade to the end of Oliver Plunkett St with organisers saying they want the street to resound with our passion. We will march on Patricks St in silence, and on our way back into the rally we will sing the chorus from Oro Se do Bheath Abhaile. Please bring instruments if you have them, to play along as we march. Dress up in your local GAA colours or wear something you feel expresses your cultural affinity with Palestine. Last week, hundreds of protesters, led by students from University College Corks Global Justice Society, marched through the streets of Cork City for the 46th protest. Emergency services responded to a fire at a disused coal yard in Cork this evening. The incident, which occurred at a building on the Centre Park Road, was reported to Cork City Fire Brigade at approximately 7.22pm. Three units from the service attended the scene, where waste materials had been set alight. Second officer with Cork City Fire Brigade, Victor Shine, confirmed to The Echo that no material damage, structural damage, or injuries have been reported in relation to the incident. The fire has since been extinguished with all units having returned to the station on Anglesea Street. A man in his 30s has been arrested following the seizure of drugs worth 60,000 in Cork city today. The seizure was part of an ongoing investigation into the sale and distribution of drugs and related crime. Gardai from the Cork City Drugs Unit, in collaboration with the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and Revenue Customs, conducted the joint operation. During the operation, cannabis valued at 60,000 was seized, and is pending further analysis. Following the seizure the man was arrested. A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana said that the man is currently being detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996, at a Garda Station in the Southern Region. The seized drugs will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis, the spokesperson said. Investigations are ongoing. The countdown to the return to school is on, and it is only now that I am starting to open school emails to see what I need to get for the coming academic year. Part and parcel of this annual last-minute rush is a review of my kids uniform items to see if they still fit and replace items as needed. Whether you like or loathe uniforms, they are mandatory at most schools. Proponents believe that uniforms promote equality and inclusion, create a united front and could save time and money overall. Opponents see it as a violation of a students right to freedom of expression, an additional expense and a sensory burden. My two attend the local primary school. Their uniform comprises a crested collared t-shirt, jumper and navy tracksuit pants. One set of this uniform totals 69, but for anyone who has a junior infant, the reality is that you need quite a few full sets. Because if kids are kids, as they should be, things are messy- paint splashes, mud, yoghurt. Clothes tell half the story of how their day was spent in school, and I wouldnt have it any other way because messy play is where the real learning happens. The cumulative cost of uniforms can be a significant financial strain every year, especially for families with multiple children in school. The cost of the local secondary schools crested uniform is even higher, a fact that surprises me given my memories of the cheap, synthetic, scouring pad material of the jumpers they still use. The crested jumper costs 50, and an entire outfit, including a skirt, comes in at 124, a high price point for unsustainable clothing that they will outgrow and most likely lose at least some of over the course of the school year. Recent CSO figures reveal that 188,600 children under the age of 18 are living in poverty in Ireland. A costly crested uniform is a significant financial burden for these families, who may have to make impossible spending decisions between uniforms, food and rent. Barnardos 2024 Back to School survey makes for stark reading, with 85% of primary school parents worried about meeting the cost of uniforms this year and 90% of secondary school parents. Barnardos are calling on the Department of Education to mandate that all schools introduce affordable uniform options. Seven years ago, the 2017 Departmental Circular on Uniforms was released, but of those surveyed, 81% of parents said their childrens school did not offer an affordable uniform option. It is clear that more is needed to push this transition to more affordable options. The most affordable of all is to let them wear what they want. As a concept, all of us looking the same and wearing the same clothing does not reflect a schools values but its ability to dictate rigid uniformity among its learners. It separates the students from the teachers and creates an us and them. There are those who argue that uniforms create a level playing field, but socio-economic indicators are always readily apparent, from shoes to coats, cars to holidays. Uniforms do little to mask these differences. There is no hiding the extremes of either poverty or wealth. Every August, I begrudgingly drag myself to the uniform shop to acquire clothing that my kids hate. I have read many articles on uniforms from both points of view but have never seen one feature: the voice of the child, the very people who have to wear them for most of the year. My 11-year-old, never one to mince her words, says, There should be no uniforms; children have a right to be comfortable. Uniforms can be uncomfortable for lots of reasons, from their tight, highly elasticated waistbands, itchy, scratchy fabrics, fitting button adjuster bands on trousers, and rough and lumpy seams or bands in socks and pants. Studies indicate that between 5% to 16.5% of children exhibit sensory processing issues. I cant help but take a step back and wonder: what are we doing with uniforms in schools in 2024? Schools are asking up to 16.5% of the population to ignore the discomfort. For a whole school day. For most of the year. We have moved on from one size fits all in terms of learning, with a broad variety of supports such as movement breaks. Uniforms seem to be an outlier in this transformation towards greater inclusion, yet one that is very easily remedied. Each choice of clothing is a form of conscious or unconscious self-expression, a reflection of our identity, and a means of communication. For schools with gendered uniforms (boys must wear pants and girls must wear skirts), we are ignoring the rights of students who identify as transgender, gender fluid, or gender nonconforming and subjecting them to unnecessary discomfort. Skirts are also highly impractical, given our windy, rainy winters and can pose an issue for cyclists, too. From a sustainability point of view, there are some decent arguments on both sides about the long-wearing nature of uniforms, the time saving by having fewer choices, and the lower demand for branded clothes. On the flip side of this, there are far greater and greener choices available without uniforms. Instead of the often scratchy, synthetic, mandated uniforms, learners could wear what is already in their wardrobes, saving on unnecessary clothing purchases in a world where we already have enough clothes to dress the whole world for the next 100 years. Without the uniform, parents would have a bigger budget to put towards buying better and more sustainable brand options that are the right fit for their children and their sensory needs. In Sweden, the School Inspectorate determined that uniforms were a human rights violation because dress and appearance should be considered an individual expression, decided by the students themselves. Diversity, in all its forms, is to be celebrated, and that includes choice of clothing. Learners can forge an identity through clothing choices, freedom of expression to be comfortable and, most of all, be themselves. If we do not trust learners with agency over their clothes choices, how can they begin to trust themselves? We dont want future generations to think the same or look the same because they are not, and it is that very diversity that gives us strength. Instead of a blanket of conformity and oppression, we need to move with the times. So, if you catch me with a scowl on my face while queueing for a uniform, you know why! Gordon Deegan An Bord Pleanala has given the green light to plans for a solar farm across 600 acres in Co Kildare despite the concerns of the equine industry. This follows the appeals board upholding a decision by Kildare Co Council to grant a 10 year planning permission to Delamain Solar Farm Ltd across 12 town lands and six parcels of land on sites 3.5km east of Kilcullen. The solar farm is to consist of solar photovoltaic panels with a surface area of 1.13m square metres on mounted frames. In an objection before the Council, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA) contended that the grant of permission would deal a devastating blow to the future of stud farming in Co Kildare and has the potential to wipe out the industry in this part of Co Kildare. The objection stated that of the 25 stud farms close to the application site, four farms represent multi-million investors that have been present in Ireland for a very long time and have been important rural employers in Co Kildare for decades. The ITBA objection was drawn up by its then chief executive, Una Tormey, who died in January of this year after a short illness. Ms Tormey pointed out that one of the stud farms concerned is Gilltown Stud, which she said was visited by Queen Elizabeth in her historic visit to Ireland due to its international importance. Kildare Co Council granted planning permission for the proposal despite 85 objections including eight from local groups. In a planning report on behalf of the applicants, it contended that the solar farm would not detract from the visual or residential amenities in the area. The application came before the appeals board following appeals by Rani Grennell and others and Harristown Coughlanstown Community Group CLG in November 2023. In her 72-page report, appeals board inspector, Karla McBride addressed the concerns of the equine industry in her assessment. On the third party concerns over the equine industry impacts, Ms McBride stated that the proposed development would not result in any loss of lands currently in use for equine activities. Ms McBride stated that the proposed development has the potential to cause disturbance during the construction phase, however I am satisfied that its impact would be temporary and short term. She added: The proposed development has limited potential to cause disturbance during the operational phase. Ms McBride stated that night-time noise impacts on equine receptors would be negligible having regard to the characteristics of solar farm emissions between dusk and dawn. Ms McBride stated that having regard to the nature of the proposed development she was satisfied that there is no likelihood of significant adverse operational noise effects on equine receptors. On the impact of residential amenities, Ms McBride stated that she was satisfied that the proposed development would not seriously injure the residential amenities of houses in the surrounding area to any significant extent, subject to compliance with conditions. The appeals board concluded that the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity or give rise to a traffic hazard. Stephen Maguire A man has appeared in court following a two-car collision in which an 87-year-old woman died from her injuries. Martin Mittmansgruber, with an address in Austria, appeared at Letterkenny District Court in Co Donegal charged with dangerous driving. It follows an incident in which a woman died as a result of a two-car collision which occurred on Sunday morning last. Mittmansgruber is charged that on August 25th, 2024 at Inver Glebe, Inver, Co Donegal did drive a vehicle in a manner (including speed) which having regard to all the circumstances of the case (including the condition of the vehicle, the nature, condition and use of such place in which it is driven and the amount of traffic which then actually was or might reasonably be expected then to be therein) was dangerous to the public, whereby it caused serious bodily harm to another person, namely Elizabeth Cave. The charge is Contrary to Section 53 (1) and 53 (2) of the Road Traffic Act, 2011. The accused man, aged 50 years, did not speak during the brief appearance and was assigned a German interpreter. Garda Sergeant Oliver Devenney told the court he arrested Mittmansgruber on Wednesday, August 28th at 4.20pm and then charged him at 6.23pm. When charged, Mittmansgruber replied "I have nothing to add." Sergeant Devenney added that there was in principle an objection to bail because the accused lives outside the jurisdiction. However, he added that the state could be led if strict conditions were imposed on the accused if granted bail. They include that the accused appear in court in person, be of good behaviour and remain contactable by phone and email with gardai. A sum of 6,000 was also lodged in court on behalf of the accused with an address at 24A Arnberg, Wartberg, Austria. The court was also told that other charges are being considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Solicitor for the accused, Mr Gerry McGovern, asked the court to adjourn the case until November 6th in Donegal Town. Judge Ciaran Liddy agreed to the request and signed off on the bail conditions for the accused. Mittmansgruber's court appearance follows a crash in which a woman was fatally injured. Elizabeth Cave, an 87-year-old woman from St Ernans, Donegal Town, was rushed to Sligo University Hospital for life-saving treatment. However, she passed away on Wednesday afternoon. August 29, 2024: Norway sent six of its remaining F-16s to Ukraine this year. Norway is one of many nations that have contributed F-16s and so far, the total contributions are over a hundred F-16s. Norway was one of the first export customers for the American F-16, receiving its first of 72 F-16s in 1980. In 2001 Norway decided to reduce the size of its military. The Cold War had been over for a decade and there was no threat on the horizon. For the air force, this meant reducing the number of F-16 jet fighters to 48 and preparing to get rid of all its F-16s via sales or donations. So far Norway has sold or donated nearly all its F-16s. The six it donated to Ukraine had to be refurbished and returned to flying condition before they would be flown to Ukraine. Back in 2008 Norway decided to buy the more expensive U.S. F-35 rather than the less expensive Gripen from neighbor Sweden. What changed Norwegian minds was a series of computer simulations, which concluded that the Gripen could not provide much of a fight against the Russian advanced Su-30 fighters or the new Russian Su-57. Norway shares a border with Russia, and Russian warplanes were increasingly active off Norway's northern coast. The decision to go for the F-35 was based largely on the ability of that aircraft to put up some real opposition against the best that Russia has or will have in the next decade or so. U.S. Air Force simulations and studies have shown the F-35 to be four times as effective against any current fighter, especially the fourth generation aircraft. The major advantages of the F-35 are engine power, stealth and the fact that it can fight clean, without any pods or missiles hung from its wings, and interfering with maximum maneuverability. The 27 ton F-35 is armed with an internal 25mm cannon and four internal air-to-air missiles (or two missiles and two smart bombs) plus four external smart bombs and two missiles. All sensors are carried internally, and max weapon load is 6.8 tons. The aircraft is very stealthy when just carrying internal weapons. The first F-35s were delivered in 2016 and by 2024 over 900 were in service. Meanwhile the U.S. F-16 fleet is rapidly aging. The average age of existing F-16s is over 35 years, and the average aircraft has over 7,000 flight hours on it. Most European nations received their F-16s in the 1980s and have upgraded them since, but they are still basically elderly aircraft. Back in 2009 the first Block 40 F-16 passed 7,000 flight hours. In 2008 the first of the earliest Block 25 model F-16s passed 7,000 hours in the air. The F-16C was originally designed for a service life of 4,000 hours. Advances in engineering, materials and maintenance techniques have extended that to over 8,000 hours. Because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, F-16s sent to these areas flew over a thousand hours a year more than what they would fly in peacetime. The U.S. F-16 is one of the most modified jet fighters in service. The most numerous F-16 is the C model. The first version of this, the F-16C Block 25, entered service in 1984. The original F-16, as the F-16A Block 1, entered service in 1978. While most F-16s still in service are the F-16C, there are actually six major mods, identified by block number, as in 32, 40, 42, 50, 52, or 60), plus the Israeli F-16I, which is a major modification of the Block 52. Another special version Block 60, for the UAE (United Arab Emirates) is called the F-16E. The various block mods included a large variety of new components (five engines, four sets of avionics, five generations of electronic warfare gear, five different radars and many other mechanical, software, cockpit and electrical mods.) The F-16 is the most numerous post-Cold War jet fighter, with over 4,600 built, and still in production. During The Cold War, Russia built over 10,000 MiG-21s, and the U.S over 5,000 F-4s, but since then warplane has plummeted about 90 percent. One exception, since the end of the Cold War, has been the F-16, which has been popular enough to keep the production lines going. The F-16 can also function as a bomber and ground attack aircraft, although not as effectively as the air force folks would have you believe. It can carry four tons of bombs and has been very effective using smart bombs. In air-to-air combat, F-16s have shot down 69 aircraft so far without any losses to enemy warplanes. Not bad for an aircraft that was originally designed as a cheaper alternative to the heavier F-15. Anna Groniecka turned her passion into her profession after becoming a mother. Originally from Poland, she moved to Ireland 18 years ago, and Clonakilty has been her home for over 12 years now. I moved here seeking new opportunities and a better quality of life, she said. I came without any expectations, but found that the West Cork peoples approach to life and work aligned perfectly with my values. This sense of community and balance has been a huge part of why Ive made Clonakilty my home. Originally, Anna worked in the corporate sector, in administration and logistics at EMC, before making the switch to photography. My journey into photography began as a passionate hobby over 20 years ago, capturing the world around me in my spare time. However, after the birth of my children, Olivia and Benjamin, I realised I wanted to turn this passion into my profession. After having my children, I found that the corporate world no longer fitted my lifestyle or aspirations. Photography, which had always been a cherished hobby, offered me a way to blend creativity with work. The joy of capturing special moments for others, seeing their reactions, and knowing that I was preserving their memories, gave me immense satisfaction. Additionally, the flexibility of working for myself allowed me to balance my professional and personal life better, which was crucial as a mother, said Anna. The transition wasnt easy, she admits. But it was driven by a desire to have more flexibility and to do something I truly loved. Today, she runs Anna Groniecka Photography, specialising in portrait, commercial, and event photography. And theres more recently she curated an exhibition titled The Road Less Travelled Artists Lives, which showcased the lives and works of 21 talented artists. It was held at Cork County Councils LHQ Gallery and received a wonderful response. The exhibition will be on display again in Green Dot Clonakilty for craft month, where I am also hoping to launch my book. This book will be an extension of The Road Less Travelled project, delving deeper into the lives and creative journeys of these remarkable artists. Additionally, I am preparing another exhibition for November in Bytom, my hometown in Poland. This exhibition will be an ode to Ireland as I celebrate 18 wonderful years in this beautiful country, said Anna. Working for herself, she said, has been an incredibly rewarding journey filled with both highs and lows. On the positive side, I enjoy creative freedom, the ability to set my own schedule, and the chance to build personal connections with my clients. Theres a unique satisfaction in seeing a project through from start to finish, knowing its entirely a product of your vision and hard work. However, it also comes with its challenges. Managing all aspects of the business, from marketing to finances, can be overwhelming. There are times of uncertainty, especially when business slows down. Despite these challenges, the fulfilment I get from my work makes it all worthwhile. The ability to be my own boss and to see the direct impact of my efforts on my success is incredibly empowering. Anna joined Network Ireland West Cork in 2019 and said it was one of the best decisions she made for her business and personal growth. At the time, I was looking for ways to connect with other professionals and grow my business network. I had heard about the supportive community and the numerous opportunities for learning and development that Network Ireland West Cork offered. The experience with the Network has been nothing short of fantastic. Being part of this supportive community has provided me with invaluable resources, friendships, and business opportunities. The network hosts various events and workshops that have helped me hone my skills and stay updated with industry trends. Moreover, the camaraderie within the group is exceptional. Its inspiring to be surrounded by so many talented and driven women who uplift and support each other. I have had the honour of serving on the committee of this volunteer-run organisation for several years now, currently holding the positions of Vice President Designate and Newsletter Officer. These roles have given me a platform to share my experiences, mentor others, and contribute to the growth and success of the network. The sense of community and mutual support within Network Ireland West Cork is truly remarkable and has been incredibly rewarding. Winning the Networker of the Year award at the branchs Businesswoman of the Year Awards was an incredible honour. It was a validation of my genuine efforts to connect and collaborate with others. Having a real interest in people and their stories has always been at the heart of my networking approach, and this recognition truly affirmed the value of that authenticity. The award boosted my confidence and expanded my network, opening up new opportunities for my business. It was also a moment of pride, knowing that my contributions to the network and the community were appreciated. This award has motivated me to continue working hard, stay genuine, and keep contributing to the community in meaningful ways. Anna recently ran for Mayor of Clonakilty. That was driven by a desire to give back to the community that has given me so much. I wanted to contribute to the development and well-being of Clonakilty and ensure that the voices of our vibrant community are heard. Although I didnt win, the experience was incredibly enriching. It gave me a deeper understanding of the communitys needs and the issues that matter most to our residents. The support I received during my campaign was heartwarming and reinforced my commitment to making a positive impact. West Cork feels like home. It has a unique charm and a welcoming community that made me feel at home from the start, said Anna. The sense of community here is strong, and Ive formed many meaningful relationships that make me feel deeply connected to the area. West Cork is not just where I live, its where I belong. All Cork finalists will now head to the Network Ireland Businss-woman of the Year awards this September. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. Before and after image of area where trees were planted along Watterson Expressway/Interstate 264 in Louisville, Kentucky for the Green Heart Louisville Project. Mike Wilkinson for The Nature Conservancy Living in a neighborhood with a high concentration of trees could significantly lower levels of inflammation and, importantly, decrease the risk of heart disease, new research from Green Heart Louisvilles first wave of clinical research from its HEAL study shows. Aruni Bhatnagar, the medical professor and cardiology researcher at the University of Louisville who is spearheading the project, told The Washington Post that he wanted to do something about the air pollution plaguing the city. His solution was to plant thousands of trees in Louisville neighborhoods and methodically study health data from participating residents to see the effect they had on health. We are trying to see if we can decrease the rates of heart disease in a community, Bhatnagar told NBC. The results showed a significant decrease in levels of hs-CRP, an important marker for inflammation, in areas where tree and shrub counts were more than doubled. In excess, inflammation is known to contribute to a laundry list of diseases and illnesses, including cancer, Alzheimers disease, diabetes, obesity, and as the study points out, heart disease. I wouldnt have expected such a strong biomarker response, Peter James, director of the Center for Occupational and Environmental Health at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine, told NBC. And that speaks to maybe something truly is causal here with how trees impact health. Bhatnagar is leading dozens of researchers who are monitoring the health data from more than 750 participants, who range from 25 to 75 years old. The participants are part of a middle-income neighborhood, which tend to have both fewer trees and worse health outcomes compared to affluent neighborhoods. Map of the Green Heart Louisville Project area showing neighborhoods where trees were planted and those where no trees were planted for the project. University of Louisville Some previous research has shown that people living in greener spaces tend to have better health outcomes, but the fact that most of those greener spaces happened to be in wealthy areas raises some questions. Namely, whether living in green areas can truly lead to improved health, or whether there were other factors to consider, like socioeconomic-related differences in levels of elevated stress which has also been shown to lead to inflammation or access to healthcare. We cant just go, Oh, look, this is [a] greener place and people are happier because most places that are greener are richer, etc., Bhatnagar told The Washington Post. He also mentioned his interest in the Bradford Hill criteria of causation, a group of nine scientific principles to determine whether there is a true causal or cause and effect relationship between two correlated things, or if the correlation is merely coincidental. Although several previous studies have found an association between living in areas of high surrounding greenness and health, this is the first study to show that a deliberate increase in greenness in the neighborhood can improve health, Bhatnagar told Medical Xpress. With these results and additional studies that we hope to report soon, we are closer to understanding the impact of local tree cover on residents health. This finding will bolster the push to increase urban greenspaces. (Photo: Paul Jeffrey / WCC)Floating candle lanterns fill a river on August 6, 2015, in Hiroshima, Japan, in front of the city's atomic bomb dome. The lanterns, thousands of which were launched on the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city, bear handmade messages and drawings, conveying each person's prayers for peace and comfort for the victims of the violence. Hiroshima pastor Yoshitaka Tsukishita was a two-year-old boy playing outside, near what became ground zero, when the world's first atomic bomb was dropped in an act of war on the Japanese city of Hiroshima 75-years ago on August 6. Rev. Tsukishita is a pastor at Hiroshima Tobu Church of the United Church of Christ in Japan and leads the Hiroshima Christ Church Convention, a grouping of Protestant churches. He will give a message for peace including testimony of his own experience when he speaks in front of the Atomic Bomb Memorial Tower at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on August 6 along with churches and their leaders worldwide. "On August 6, 1945, I was two years and eight months old and playing outside my evacuation home that was four kilometers away from the ground zero with my brother who was two years older than I. "And then, I was blown off by a strong blast," he writes in a pamphlet for the peace gathering. Japan surrendered after the nuclear bombings that are believed to have led to the deaths of around 150,000 in Hiroshima and 75,000 in Nagasaki, but were preceded by fire-bombings of all Japanese main cities beforehand. By 1950, an estimated 340,000 people had died because of the bombs' effects, including from illnesses caused by exposure to ionizing radiation said the International Committee of the Red Cross. "The ICRC and the Japanese Red Cross Society witnessed the unimaginable suffering and devastation, as medical and humanitarian personnel attempted, in near-impossible conditions, to assist the dying and injured," said the ICRC on July 31. Japan's surrender brought an end to World War II but was followed by a nuclear arms race through the Cold War in the second part of the 20th century and there are fears that race has mutated into another form. 'SIN AGAINST GOD' The World Council of Churches has since its first assembly in 1948 declared that war with atomic weapons is a "sin against God and a degradation of man." The WCC has continued to call for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. During July and in August, the WCC is publishing blog posts highlighting different reflections of those calling for an end to nuclear weapons, from Japan, the Pacific, from nuclear weapons states and those advocating at the global level. Jennifer Philpot-Nissen works for the World Council of Churches as a program executive for human rights on the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs and wrote the first blog. "Despite commitments made over the years, several States have continued to maintain and develop their nuclear arsenals, while other States have worked to acquire them. The U.S. alone spent $35.4 billion on nuclear weapons last year," wrote Philpot-Nissen. She said the impacts of the current global health crisis provide indications of how life would be following a nuclear attack. FROM NUCLEAR EXPLOSION AND COVID-19 ALL SUFFER "Like the COVID-19 pandemic, our health, environment and economies would all suffer, regardless of how far we lived from the site of a nuclear explosion. "Nuclear tests have shown how radiation spreads into the atmosphere, oceans, plants and animals, and into whole populations." A U.S. B-29 bomber called the Enola Gay dropped the uranium bomb, code-named Little Boy, exploding around 600 meters (1,800ft) above the industrial city, at around 08:10 on August 6, 1945. Three days later another industrial city, Nagasaki was bombed with a nuclear weapon. The atomic bomb that fell on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945 detonated in Urakami only 500 m (1,640 ft) from the St Mary's cathedral completely destroying it and worshipers inside it. Due to cloud and smoke cover from an earlier fire-bombing raid, the aircraft had missed its primary target of the nearby city of Kokura. When completed in 1925, until its destruction in 1945, it was the largest Christian structure in the Asia-Pacific region and Nagasaki is the hub of Catholicism in Japan. US BISHOPS' PRAYERS FOR PEACE The Catholic bishops of the United States made a call for prayers of peace for Japan ahead of the upcoming anniversary of the detonation of two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, Vatican News reported July 14. "August 6 and 9 mark the 75th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the first, and one hopes the last, times that atomic weapons are employed in war," said the bishops in a statement issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee for International Justice and Peace. "The 21st century continues to witness geopolitical conflicts with state and non-state actors, increasingly sophisticated weapons, and the erosion of international arms control frameworks. The bishops of the United States steadfastly renew the urgent call to make progress on the disarmament of nuclear weapons." Archbishop Joseph Mitsuaki Takami of Nagasaki, Japan, told Catholic News Service on July 8 that "Americans need to understand and practice the truth of peace that Christ teaches." "I have the impression that most Americans believe that arms are necessary to protect oneself, one's families and the nation. The history, however, demonstrates how arms brought about tragedies. I want the Americans to work for peace without the possession and use of weapons," the archbishop said. (Photo: Courtesy Vatican Press Office) An image by American photographer Joseph Roger O'Donnell that Pope Francis is circulating, under the heading "The fruits of war." He reiterated his long-standing call that the time is long past for the world to abolish nuclear weapons. Takami, 74, is a survivor of the bombing of Nagasaki, his hometown. He was in his mother's womb when the bomb known by the code-names Fat Man detonated over the city, ultimately claiming between 39,000 and 80,000 lives. Historians and analysts estimate overall that between 129,000 and 226,000 people, most of them civilians, died in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The archbishop has been a vocal proponent of nuclear disarmament throughout his 48 years as a priest. He told CNS he views the collapse of arms control treaties between the U.S. and Russia, plans by both countries to spend billions of dollars to upgrade stockpiles and efforts by other nations to acquire such weapons as troubling. His concerns are echoed by international Red Cross associations. "The horror of a nuclear detonation may feel like distant history. But today the risk of nuclear weapons being used again is high. Treaties to reduce nuclear arsenals and risks of proliferation are being abandoned, new types of nuclear weapons are being produced, and serious threats are being made. 'A FRIGHTENING ARMS RACE' "That's an arms race, and it's frightening. We must push all states to ban nuclear weapons and push nuclear weapons states to negotiate, in good faith, steps towards their elimination," said Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Francesco Rocca, president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said, "The international community would not be able to help all those in need after a nuclear blast. "Widespread radiation sickness, a decline in food production, and the tremendous scale of destruction and contamination would make any meaningful humanitarian response insufficient. No nation is prepared to deal with a nuclear confrontation," said Francesco Rocca, president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). (Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC)Since 2019, the World Council of Churches has been in the Stop Killer Robots coalition, which works to ensure human control in using force and calls for new international law on autonomy in weapons systems. The World Council of Churches has joined in the campaign backed by the head of the United Nations to ensure human beings are in control when it comes to the use of lethal autonomous weapons. This week, a group of Governmental Experts on Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems met at the United Nations in Geneva from Aug. 26-30 August 2024/ The World Council of Churches was also playing its part. And since 2019, the WCC has been in the Stop Killer Robots coalition. This group works to ensure human beings control the use of force and calls for new international laws for autonomous weapons systems. The value of human life is priceless, and decisions about life or death cannot be delegated to machines, stated a faith-based dialogue on lethal autonomous weapons at the UN in Geneva on Aug. 27. Rev. Kolade Fadahunsi, from the WCC's Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, a member of the Methodist Church in Nigeria, was there. He spoke at a side event during the meeting of the UN Group of Government Experts on Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems. The event was hosted by the WCC and supported by the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots. Intentional killing of human beings is a violation of human dignity and the 6th commandment in the Bible, "You shall not kill" (Exodus 20:18), reminded Rev. Fadahunsi, who is director of the Institute of Church and Society in Ibadan, Nigeria. 'WHO IS RESPONSBILE FOR THE SIN' "Murderers and those who cooperate voluntarily commit a grave sin which cries out to heaven for vengeance. So, if a machine kills without any human control who is responsible for carrying this sin?" he asked. "We cannot watch and let AI be weaponized into a global threat. It is not to be left to the machines to decide who lives or dies. As people of faith, we must stand beside those who are vulnerable," said Fadahunsi. Speakers representing Christianity, Islam, the Japanese Buddhist movement Soka Gakkai, and the Baha'i faiths, underlined the sanctity of human life as a fundamental value across all religious traditions and a human responsibility to respect and protect. "Since the WCC joined the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots we have issued statements with partners from other faiths," said Jennifer Philpot-Nissen, WCC program executive for Human Rights and Disarmament. She said the church grouping representing more than half a billion Christians worldwide has expressed "a unified concern over the insidious development of weapons systems that lack meaningful human control and reduce people to a set of numbers." Simin Fahandej, a representative of the Baha'i International Community's UN Office in Geneva, asked, "How can we harness a collective wisdom of our diverse traditions to build this framework?" She said, "In the world where technology is rapidly shaping every aspect of our lives, it is more crucial than ever that we stand together to ensure that these developments are aligned with our deepest valuesto protect human dignity, to promote justice, and foster global unity." Raza Shah Khan, chief executive of Sustainable Peace and Development Organization from Pakistan, stated that autonomous weapons systems can't understand the value of life and human dignity especially in a complex conflict environment. "States should work together to build consensus and trust towards a legally binding instrument on autonomous weapons systems," said Shah Khan. According to Human Rights Watch, UN Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' on Aug. 6 called on goverrnment to open negotiations on a new international treaty on lethal autonomous weapons systems. These "killer robots" select and attack targets based on sensor processing rather than human inputs, a dangerous development for humanity. In a report Guterres reiterated his call for states to conclude by 2026 a new international treaty "to prohibit weapons systems that function without human control or oversight and that cannot be used in compliance with international humanitarian law." Such a treaty should regulate all other types of autonomous weapons systems, the secretary-general said. (Photo: International Organization for Migration/ Amanda Nero)A refugee stepping into big shoes on the Greek island of Lesbos in September 2020. Pope Francis has decried indifference in the face of migrants who die crossing deserts and seas in search of a better life and called for a global system of governance based on justice and solidarity. The Pope's plea came when the plight of people on the move seeking asylum was highlighted as DW reported that in Germany, Protestant and Catholic churches, as well as Jewish communities have offered asylum to refugees for decades. At the same time, German authorities have increasingly been intervening Francis spoke at his Wednesday General Audience on Aug 28, drawing attention to the plight faced by migrants who brave daunting odds in search of a place where they can live in peace and security, Vatican News reported. "Sea and desert" were the two words the Pope highlighted, saying they recur often in the words of migrants and those who seek to help them. With these words, he sought to include all the physical barriers and dangers that migrants must cross along their journey. The pontiff noted that he has spoken often about the Mediterranean Sea, because he is the Bishop of Rome and because it serves as a symbol "Mare nostrum," he said, using a Latin phrase used by the ancient Romans to describe the Mediterranean, "a place of communication between peoples and civilizations, has become a cemetery." The Pope noted that most of these deaths could have been prevented, decrying the people "who systematically work, using all means, to push back migrants." "And when this is done consciously and responsibly, it is a grave sin," said the man who heads the Roman Catholic Church. "Let us not forget what the Bible says: 'You shall not wrong or oppress a foreigner'." Pope Francis said the sea and the desert are full of symbolism in the Bible, since they "witness the drama of people fleeing from oppression and slavery." "They are places of suffering, fear, and despair, but at the same time, they are places of passage toward liberation, redemption, and the fulfillment of God's promises," he said. God Himself shares the drama endured by migrants, said the Pope. "He is there with them; He suffers with them; He weeps and hopes with them." Francis said everyone can agree that "migrants should not be in those deadly seas and deserts." Yet, reaching this goal cannot be done through stricter laws or border militarization, he said. "We will achieve it by expanding safe and regular pathways for migrants, facilitating refuge for those fleeing wars, violence, persecution, and various disasters," he said. 'GLOBAL GOVERNANCE OF MIGRATION' "We will achieve it by promoting in every way, a global governance of migration, based on justice, fraternity, and solidarity." Pope Francis praised the work of "so many good Samaritans who dedicate themselves to helping and saving injured and abandoned migrants along these routes of desperate hope on all five continents." He especially mentioned the work of Mediterranea Saving Humans, an Italian civil society organization that seeks to rescue migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea. "These courageous men and women are a sign of a humanity that does not allow itself to be infected by the harmful throwaway culture of indifference," he said. Even if we cannot be on the frontlines, he concluded, each of us can contribute in their own way to this "fight for civilization" with our prayer." An example of imposition of the law was shown by DW in German, where church asylum is not governed by law, but is generally tolerated It cited Pastor Tobias Heyden who said he will never forget the sight of police vehicles blocking his rectory on the evening of May 12, 2024. Around 10 armed police officers surrounded his parish hall in Bienenbuttel, a tranquil community of 7,000 in Lower Saxony. Police arrested a family from Russia who was hiding there a couple with an adult son and a 16-year-old daughter and flew them from the Cologne/Bonn airport to Barcelona that same night. That was the first time in decades that the state of Lower Saxony deployed the police to end a church asylum. "I am in a state of shock," Heyden told DW. The asylum-seekers, in this case, were a Russian family who had been granted a Schengen tourist visa by Spain. They were visiting relatives in Germany when a Russian conscription order for the father and son arrived. The family did not want the men to participate in Russia's war against Ukraine, so they applied for asylum in Germany. Yet according to European law, Spain, not Germany, was responsible for the family, as it was their point of entry to the EU. According to EU law, refugees must apply for asylum in the EU country where they first register. So, Germany deported them to Spain. "We are still in touch through their relatives. And we know the family is not doing well," said Heyden. The mother is severely traumatized, he explained, explaining that she had received medical treatment in Germany. August 29, 2024: The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 did not go at all as planned. In the first few months of the war, Russia lost thousands of tanks, including its most modern models, as well as even more light armored tracked and wheeled vehicles. The Ukrainians sought out and destroyed most of the Russian supply trucks. Russia never has enough of these and could ill-afford to lose the ones the Ukrainians destroyed. Without the supply trucks, especially those carrying munitions, food and fuel, the initial 2022 Russian offensive failed. Subsequent Russian efforts to revive their offensive have also failed. This is mainly because the Russians are having an increasingly difficult time mobilizing men to fight in Ukraine. After the first year of fighting in Ukraine, most Russians were no longer willing to support the war and by early 2024 only ten percent of Russians supported the war. As support for the war declined, efforts by military age men to avoid military service increased. These potential Russian soldiers were not alarmed because of rumors or media reports, but because so many Russians had been wounded in Ukraine and returned to Russia for long term treatment. This made possible word of mouth reports on what was happening in Ukraine. The Russian government kept reporting that everything was fine, proceeding as planned and would be over soon. The reality was that Russian planning for the invasion was haphazard and often counterproductive. The Russian situation never improved. While the Russian media was ordered to ignore reality and report only what the government wanted or else, veterans of the war spoke openly, and risked arrest, or quietly to avoid trouble and spread details of what was happening in Ukraine. Russians are used to this sort of thing and soon figured out what was really going on. As the Russian situation got worse, popular support for or toleration of the war plummeted. Another disturbing factor was the disparity in casualties between Russians and Ukrainians. Nearly 180,000 Russians have died in Ukraine so far and twice as many wounded badly enough to require time, days to months, for recovery. Because the Russians have usually been attacking, their losses are higher than those of the defending Ukrainians. Another factor is that the Ukrainian troops are better trained and led. Another key factor is morale. Ukrainians are defending their homeland, while Russian troops are invading a friendly neighbor and trade partner for reasons that are unclear to Russian soldiers. Ukrainian losses have been about 34,000 Ukrainian soldiers and 11,000 civilians killed and about twice as many wounded. Russian civilian casualties have been minuscule because the Ukrainian dont deliberately attack civilians. So far, the Russians have suffered four times as many casualties as the Ukrainians. Russian soldiers and military age civilians have noticed and that has made it impossible to expand the Russian military or even maintain current numbers. Fewer new recruits and increasing casualties and desertions will do that. Getting Russian troops to attack requires their officers to lie, cheat and threaten to shoot disobedient soldiers. That worked during World War II but not anymore. Russian soldiers will shoot back if their officers shoot at them. That ended the brief, early in the war, period when Russian officers were ordered to use force if their troops disobeyed orders. So far combat deaths on both sides are nearly a quarter of a million, with twice as many wounded and a growing number of Russian deserters. The situation is worse for the Russians because of a long list of reasons. For example, during the current war Russian soldiers discovered shocking differences between how the two adversaries handled casualties and prisoners. Ukraine follows Western practices, including rules specified by international agreements. Russia has a more casual attitude that is opportunistic and very flexible. Ukraine has a Western version of battlefield wound treatment and evacuation. The Russians have none, not even what they had in World War Two. During combat Russian troops will often take no prisoners and kill any enemy wounded they encounter. At other times, when the Russians are seeking to get some of their soldiers and officers out of Ukrainian captivity, Russian troops will be ordered to take prisoners. To make matters worse, on August 6, 2024, Ukraine sent about a thousand troops and over thirty tanks and other combat vehicles into the Russian Kursk region. As of August 13th the Ukrainians had advanced more than 35 kilometers into Russia while surviving, and arriving, Russian forces were only trying to block further advances rather than counterattacking. At first the Russians could believe that the Ukrainians were invading Russia. This should not have been a surprise because the Russian offensive into Ukraine has been stalled for over a year. The Russians were unable to counterattack for a number of reasons, including fear of failure and too many soldiers who did not want to be in Ukraine. There are other reasons for the different Ukrainian and Russian attitudes towards war. Ukrainian troops follow the rules while the Russians are expedient. Russian troops consider themselves as warriors while the Ukrainians strive to send trained soldiers into combat. Russia does have some well-trained and experienced troops in airborne and special operations units. These professionals will still slip into warrior mode when it suits them, or when ordered to do so. For the other ninety percent of Russian troops, warrior mode is often the default mode. By late 2023 there were few of Russian airborne and special operations troops left. These are ancient traditions in the Russian military when deadly force is necessary. Another aspect of this is that Russian officers are expected to use deadly force on their own troops in order to ensure obedience. This was often used during World War 2. During some major offensives NKVD (secret police) personnel would be brought in to operate machine-guns behind the troops who were taking part in a major offensive. The NKVD machine-gunners fired on any Russian troops leaving the front-line forces. Many nations consider desertion in the face of the enemy to be treason, but they dont usually execute the traitorous deserters on sight. There are other manifestations of this ruthlessness. For example, when there is time and medical personnel are available, new recruits will get their health checked to ensure they are physically able to fight. This exam often includes dentists to check for dental problems that can be taken care of before training begins. This often includes extracting problematic teeth that will progressively cause more pain until dealt with. These teeth are promptly extracted without painkillers. Its just another way to remind these civilians that they are now in the mighty Russian army. They are expected to act as warriors, not armed civilians in uniform. Until some overdue reforms are made, these flaws will not go away. The fighting in Ukraine reminded Russian military and political leaders that the long delay is already working on needed reforms so, they hope, that the next time Russian troops are in combat they perform better and perhaps even win. There have been several rounds of unsuccessful military reforms since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. One of the major causes of that collapse was their unaffordable and largely ineffective armed forces. In post-Soviet Russia there are far fewer restrictions on criticizing the military. Most Russians have a very negative attitude towards conscription and the reforms underway because of the Ukraine War disaster are typical of several previous efforts to remedy problems that continue to resist any fundamental change. In the 21st century, new plans call for a massive training program to replace all the officers lost in the first few months of 2022s fighting. The immediate problem with that is all the officer instructors were sent to the front in March and April 2022 where they became casualties. Then there is the problem that military and political leaders are still unable to restore one crucial aspect of an improved military: NCOs, as in Non-Commissioned Officers, sergeants in the army, petty officers in the navy. A century ago, Russia abandoned a long tradition of NCOs. Instead, junior officers would try to do everything NCOs handled. That never worked. Providing adequate training for new combat troops is something else that never had a high priority. The new reforms are supposed to change that. There have been similar efforts in the past and none lasted long. There is another serious problem that few want to discuss, corruption. Even in wartime, especially during the recent fighting, corruption was still a problem. Officers and other government officials continue to put their own financial gain above the need to equip the troops with what they needed to survive and win. The difficulty here is that the militarys corruption is rooted in political corruption at the highest levels (Putin and his cronies) and inevitably drifted downward until even supply sergeants routinely steal back and sell gear issued to new troops when they are outside their barracks just before leaving for the front. Russia is descending into a Third World state known as a resource kleptocracy but run by a for-real gangster confederacy armed with nuclear and biological weapons from before it fell apart. All this enthusiasm for military reform was thought to have been taken care of in 2022, on the eve to the invasion of Ukraine. As before, it was discovered that previous reforms had not worked or even been attempted. Those who had followed the history of failed efforts to reform the Russian army since the 1990s were not surprised at what happened to Russian troops when they encountered their Ukrainian counterparts. Before the invasion, most Russians believed that the Ukrainian troops were no match for Russian soldiers. Russians also found it hard to believe that the Ukrainians, who were part of the Soviet Union until 1991, had managed, in less than a decade since the first Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014, to implement many fundamental reforms. Some of these reforms were far more ambitious than any Russia ever attempted. After a few months of fighting in Ukraine it was painfully obvious that Russian troops were no match for their Ukrainian adversaries. Before that, Russians believed that their dismal reform efforts had magically worked as nearly half their combat units assembled on the Ukrainian border. Reports from the Russian capital, which Ukrainian military leaders believed, indicated the decision had been made to invade despite obvious defects in the training, morale, and equipment of Russian units. The reality of the differences between Russian and Ukrainian forces was soon made clear as the advance was stopped short of its goals and suffered heavy casualties in the process. Copies of the attack plan, which were only distributed to a few senior commanders leading the attack, showed that the Russians believed they could quickly reach and take the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and replace the government with a pro-Russian one and declare the war over. At that point the rest of Ukraine was supposed to surrender and get used to being Russian once more. Many Russians, especially recent veterans or parents of sons approaching conscription age, knew the truth and were perplexed at the decision to invade when so many soldiers were poorly trained and suffering from low morale. Conscripts supposedly prohibited by law from service in a war zone were sent in anyway. Much of the Russian population continues to cope with the continuing use of conscription, something that has been unpopular since the end of World War II. The post-1991 government goal of having an all-volunteer force failed because it cost more than the government could afford and not enough young Russians were willing to voluntarily serve, even as better paid and treated contract soldiers. Even though over half of Russian military personnel are now volunteers serving on contracts, or career officers, the ability of the military to hold onto those contract soldiers is always weakened if there are a lot of casualties or too much chance of being sent to a combat zone. Volunteering to be a contract soldier used to be considered a smart move because the Russian economy had been increasingly weak over the last decade. After the fighting began in Ukraine, the contract soldiers suffered as much as the conscripts and junior officers did. The result of this was contract troops refusing to renew contracts. Most of the combat units sent into Ukraine were composed of contract troops who, once in combat, were killed in large numbers. When the survivors got back to Russia, either because of wounds or because many combat battalions returned because of heavy losses, there was a sudden shortage of contract soldiers. That was because many contract troops were near the end of two-to-three-year contracts and refused to renew. Since 2016 the army has signed up many soldiers for the new six to twelve month contracts for former soldiers, or conscripts willing to try it, and found that there were suddenly far fewer vets willing to sign these short contracts because so few recent short-term contract soldiers had survived service in Ukraine. The government tried to solve this reluctant contract soldier problem by changing the contracts so that contract soldiers had to remain in the army for as long as the fighting continued. Realizing that it was a death sentence if they were sent back to Ukraine, many contract soldiers simply refused to go. There were so many men refusing to go that the government backed off from threats to prosecute the reluctant contrakti. Soldiers with time left on their contracts were a liability because they told anyone who would listen that the Ukraine Special Operation had been a disaster for Russian troops because of determined and well-armed Ukrainians regularly ambushing columns of Russian armored vehicles and quickly destroying most of them. While Russian troops were forbidden to take cell phones with them into Ukraine, the Ukrainians still had them to take photos and videos of the aftermath of these battles, and these were getting back to Russia where Russian veterans of the fighting confirmed they had seen the same grisly evidence of Russian losses or even survived one of these battles. Russia played down these losses, but the Ukrainian military maintained and published daily updates of Russian losses in terms of soldiers killed, wounded, or captured as well as equipment losses. After thirty days of fighting the Ukrainians were claiming that over a third of Russian troops sent into Ukraine had been killed, wounded, or captured with even larger quantities of vehicles and weapons lost. After six weeks the Russian military admitted that losses were heavier than previously acknowledged but would not give exact figures. In part that was because an accurate count was not possible until most of the BTGs, or Battalion Task Groups, had returned or confirmed as destroyed. Few BTGs were wiped out but many were reduced to half or a third of their original size, which was about 800 troops and several hundred vehicles, but in reality, it was usually only about 60-65 percent of that. Communications, even for brigade commanders with several BTGs to deal with, were unreliable inside Ukraine because of defective radios. That meant senior commanders of armies, which controlled several brigades containing over a dozen BTGs and many support units, had major problems. They were always using outdated data on unit strength and capabilities. This was reported back to Russia and was declared a state secret. In fact, Russia is making a major effort to keep Ukrainian reports on the fighting from spreading on the Russian Internet. That has been difficult because the Ukrainian after-action reports are all Russians can get as their own government refuses to release much data on casualties. Moreover, the Ukrainian data appears accurate because it often includes pictures and identities of the dead Russian troops and details on the losses individual BTGs suffered. The Ukrainians had better access to where these battles took place and proved it with photos and videos showing destroyed vehicles, some of them identifiable as belonging to a particular Russian unit. Without a lot of contract soldiers Russia could not replace losses. Replacing lost tanks and other vehicles also proved to be more difficult than expected. On paper Russia had thousands of fully armed and equipped tanks and other armored vehicles in reserve for quickly replacing combat losses. Not surprisingly those reserve vehicles were often in bad shape, having been poorly maintained by conscripts and larcenous civilians who made a lot of money by taking key items from these vehicles and selling them on the black market. These missing items were usually not reported missing until troops received these vehicles, which were generally mobile enough to be driven onto a railroad flatcar for transportation to units needing them. Once received these reserve vehicles were found missing equipment and in need of extensive repairs to make them combat-ready. By 2023, much older tanks from the 1960s were being mobilized. This was nothing new and has been common since the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991 and the mighty Soviet Red Army lost 80 percent of its personnel strength but few of its ships, aircraft, vehicles, and heavy weapons. Most of these were put into reserve. This often led to many of these reserve tanks found abandoned throughout Russia. The military had lost track of where many of these armored vehicles were. Journalists or rural Russians with access to the internet did stumble across these storage sites, some of them in forests and none of them guarded or maintained. Thats where most of 50,000 Cold War era tanks and light armored fighting vehicles ended up. New groups of these reserve vehicles are still being found in forests while known concentrations of these vehicles or aircraft have been picked clean of saleable parts. Conscription was in even worse shape, with the number of conscripts available declining each year. In April 2018 the Russian military only ended up with 128,000 conscripts during the semi-annual draft call. This was the lowest since 2006, a year when there were more young men available as well as more deferments and rampant draft dodging. In the years since 2018 the decline was reversed by issuing fewer deferments, punishing more draft dodgers, and enforcing laws against conscripts serving in combat zones. The one exception was if the fighting was in Russia, which was the excuse the government used as it claimed they were not invading Ukraine but reuniting Ukraine with Russia. The Ukrainians as well as Russian conscripts and their families disagreed with this interpretation of the invasion. Another reason for fewer conscripts is that there were fewer young men to conscript because of lower birth rates and more young men who were in poor physical shape, or addicted to drugs, or had a police record and considered more trouble than they are worth if conscripted. All this was expected but since the 1990s Russia has been seeking solutions and finding none that work well enough to keep the military up to strength. As early as 2012 a parliament-ordered investigation found that the army was short a third of the privates, lowest ranking enlisted troops, they were supposed to have. The Russian military, mainly the Army and Interior Ministry paramilitary units, are supposed to contain a million personnel. But officials admitted in 2011, off-the-record, that the real number was closer to 800,000 and slowly but relentlessly declining. A subsequent investigation confirmed this. In 2021 it was still no more than 800,000. Since 2012 the military has come up with a growing list of solutions for the problem, but all these efforts do is slow the decline of military manpower numbers, not reverse it. The economic recession since 2014, caused by low oil prices and sanctions, was supposed to encourage more Russians to volunteer but that did not happen and there was less money for increasing the pay for contract soldiers. Recruiting foreigners had minimal impact and so the Russian military keeps fading away. The military nominally has 220,000 officers, also on contracts, and many veteran contract personnel who serve as technical experts. These are sometimes senior enlisted personnel. All of these specialists are higher paid contract soldiers, some with a decade or more of service. who often become the long-absent Russian sergeants, but there are not enough of these non-commissioned officers to make a difference. Conscripts still make up nearly half of the army and it is harder and harder to find enough people to conscript or willing to sign a contract. This means there are two classes of Russian military personnel. Most, about 70 percent, are much less capable, with most of them conscripts in for one year of service or new contract soldiers on two or three-year contracts. These are supervised by inexperienced junior officers, a few career sergeants, and a splattering of senior contract personnel. A third of the prewar military were more enthusiastic volunteers and conscripts. These staffed the elite special operations, airborne, security and specialist units. In other words, when the government claimed to have a million military personnel on duty, the reality was that there are only about 200,000 troops on active duty who were good at what they did and wanted to be in the military. There are fewer of those now. By 2012 the military reluctantly accepted the fact that they would not be able to obtain more than 270,000 conscripts a year needed to reach the official strength of a million personnel. In the last six years maintaining anything close to that number meant taking less willing and able men. Senior leaders now accept that they will never command a million-man force. Lowering their standards in order to make their annual quotas just fills the ranks with more troublesome people, who cause more of the good troops to get out. In the last few years, the military has quietly stopped accepting many volunteers or conscripts from Moslem areas, especially the Caucasus regions of Chechnya and Dagestan. The wisdom of this was made clear when Russian intelligence reported that the most effective Russian Moslems who joined and fought for Islamic terrorist groups were military veterans. In contrast, Russian Moslems who had not served in the military were less likely to become Islamic terrorists and if they did, they were used as suicide bombers or support staff, not as long-term fighters. Moreover, commanders continued to report that if more than a few percent of their troops were Moslem, morale problems in the entire unit would be worse. The basic recruiting problem is twofold. First, military service is very unpopular, and potential conscripts are increasingly successful at dodging the draft deliberately or otherwise. The corruption of conscription officials has reached staggering levels. But the biggest problem is that the number of 18-year-olds is rapidly declining each year. By 2009 all draftees were born after the Soviet Union dissolved. That was when the birth rate went south year after year. Not so much because the Soviet Union was gone but more because of the economic collapse caused by decades of communist misrule that precipitated the collapse of the communist government. The number of available draftees went from 1.5 million a year in the early 1990s to less than half that a decade later. Less than half those potential conscripts are showing up and many have criminal records or tendencies that help sustain the abuse of new recruits that have made military service so unsavory. With conscripts now in for only a year, rather than two, the military is forced to take a lot of marginal sickly, overweight, bad attitude and drug-user recruits in order to keep the military and Ministry of Interior units up to strength. This worked during the cold war because conscript service was three years for elite units and two years for everything else. With one-year conscripts, elite airborne and commando units using some conscripts find that these eager conscripts take a year to master the skills needed to be useful and then they are discharged. Few choose to remain in uniform and become career soldiers. That's primarily because the Russian military is seen as a crippled institution and one not likely to get better any time soon. With so many of the troops now one-year conscripts, an increasing number of the best officers and sergeants get tired of coping with all the alcoholics, drug users, and petty criminals that are taken in just to make quotas. With the exodus of the best leaders and a growing proportion of ill-trained and unreliable conscripts, the Russian military is more of a mirage than an effective combat or even paramilitary organization. The military is unpopular for conscripts mainly because of the brutal treatment they receive. This has not been getting better and hazing incidents are still increasing each year. This is serious violence that often causes injuries or even deaths. There are a lot of reasons for not wanting to be in the Russian Army but the worst of them is the hazing. One year conscription was supposed to solve this but new conscripts are tormented by conscripts who have been in a few months longer. It was thought that this sort of thing would speed the demise of conscription in Russia once the Cold War ended in 1991. Didn't work out that way. The government found that, even among the contract soldiers, the old abuses lived on and that most of the best contract soldiers left when their contract was up. It was because of the brutality and lack of discipline in the barracks. The hazing is most frequently committed by troops who have been in six months or so against the new recruits. But this extends to a pattern of abuse and brutality by all senior enlisted troops against junior ones. It remains out of control. The abuse continues to exist in part because of the growing animosity against troops who are not ethnic Russians and especially against those who are Moslem. Because of higher birth rates among the Moslem populations, nearly 15 percent of eligible conscripts are Moslems and that is seen as more of a problem than a solution. This hazing originally developed after World War II when Russia deliberately avoided developing professional NCOs. They preferred to have officers take care of nearly all troop supervision. The Soviets failed to note that good NCOs were the key to effective troops. The Soviets felt that officers were more politically reliable, as they were more carefully selected and monitored. The NCOs that did exist were treated as slightly more reliable enlisted men but given little real authority. Since officers did not live with the men, slack discipline in the barracks gave rise to the vicious hazing and exploitation of junior conscripts by the senior ones. This led to very low morale, and a lot of suicides, theft, sabotage, and desertions. This hazing has been one of the basic causes of crimes in the Russian armed forces, accounting for 20 to 30 percent of all soldier crimes. It also produced a military suicide rate that is among the highest in the world and contributed to brutal behavior by soldiers towards civilians and prisoners of war. Poor working conditions in general also mean that Russian soldiers are nearly twice as likely to die from accidents, or suicide, then American soldiers. Long recognized as a problem, no solution to the hazing ever worked. Conscription itself, and the prospect of being exposed to hazing, produced a massive increase in draft dodging starting during the Soviet period. Bribes and document fraud were and are freely used. Few parents, or potential conscripts, consider this a crime. Avoiding the draft is seen as a form of self-preservation. The government has cracked down on parent-backed draft dodging with little effect. Thats because there is still so much corruption in Russia and evading conscription is seen by many as not really criminal, especially when the parents can afford to pay a bribe to keep their only son, and often an only child, out of the Russian military. The Russian lack of sergeants has been difficult to fix. Just promoting more troops to that rank, paying them more, and telling them to take charge, has not done the job. So going back to look at how Western armies do it, the Russians noted that those foreign armies provided a lot of professional training for new sergeants and more of it as the sergeants advanced in rank. But this is a long-term process and takes years before benefits will be felt. By 2022 there were more veteran NCOs available, and they probably made a difference. But the losses were so heavy in Ukraine that it may never be known how good Russian professional sergeants had become. All this is in sharp contrast to the old days. When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, it had five million troops in its armed forces. Now it's less than 800,000 in just Russia, which had about half the population of the Soviet Union but most of the territory. Although the Russian armed forces lost over 80 percent of its strength by the end of the 1990s, a disproportionate number of officers remained. This problem was solved after encountering much resistance from officers in general and, after a series of reforms, the number of officers was reduced by over 50 percent. The Russian military has an image problem that just won't go away easily. This resulted in the period of service for conscripts being lowered from two to one year in 2008. That was partly to placate the growing number of parents who were encouraging, and assisting, their kids in avoiding military service. All this comes after more than a decade of reforms in the armed forces, particularly the army. Poor discipline, low morale, and incompetent performance are all legacies of the 1921-1991 Soviet era. Russian commanders, envious of the success of all-volunteer Western forces, have long studied their former foes and decided to adopt a lot of Western military customs. For example, one of those reforms decreed that Russian troops would not be confined to their barracks most of the time. In the Soviet era, the conscripted troops were treated like convicts and their barracks were more like a prison than the college dormitory atmosphere found in troop housing for Western military personnel. Russian conscripts are now free to leave the base on weekends and work only a five-day week. All barracks have hot water showers, another recent achievement, and troop accommodations are the best they have ever been. Things like this help a bit but not enough. Russia tried to change public attitudes towards the armed forces by publicizing all the new changes and programs. But word got around that most of these efforts failed. Blame that on the Internet. Polls consistently show that most military age men do not want to serve in the military and the main reason is the hazing and prison-like conditions in the barracks. As a result of all these factors, prospects of a revival of the traditional large Russian armed forces continues to fade. The defeats in Ukraine have not helped. Several thousand of the many Russians captured by or surrendering to Ukrainian forces are learning more about how Western armies operate and being released in prisoner exchanges. This sends back soldiers who know how Western forces operate and wonder why Russia has not learned from this and made changes. The heavy losses in Ukraine and declining morale mean that Russia has less than 500,000 troops in Ukraine while Ukrainian forces are about the same size. Both sides have problems obtaining new recruits. In Ukraine the main problem is the labor shortage needed to keep the economy going. Russia has a similar problem and encourages military age men to remain in critical jobs by forbidding the military to take these men for military service. Russia is still on the offensive and needs more men for attacks and the subsequent high casualties. Russian troops are increasingly reluctant, often violently, to carrying out such attacks. Threats of prosecution and imprisonment have no impact. There is also a problem with more Russian men leaving the country to avoid military service. Many of these dont plan to return because the Russian economy is a mess and the government cant seem to fix the economy or anything else. There is a labor shortage in Europe and that makes it easier to accept these Russian military age male refugees. OpenAI and Anthropic have agreed to share AI models before and after release with the US AI Safety Institute. The agency, established through an executive order by President Biden in 2023, will offer safety feedback to the companies to improve their models. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman hinted at the agreement earlier this month. The US AI Safety Institute didnt mention other companies tackling AI. But in a statement to Engadget, a Google spokesperson told Engadget the company is in discussions with the agency and will share more info when its available. This week, Google began rolling out updated chatbot and image generator models for Gemini. Safety is essential to fueling breakthrough technological innovation. With these agreements in place, we look forward to beginning our technical collaborations with Anthropic and OpenAI to advance the science of AI safety, Elizabeth Kelly, director of the US AI Safety Institute, wrote in a statement. These agreements are just the start, but they are an important milestone as we work to help responsibly steward the future of AI. The US AI Safety Institute is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It creates and publishes guidelines, benchmark tests and best practices for testing and evaluating potentially dangerous AI systems. Just as AI has the potential to do profound good, it also has the potential to cause profound harm, from AI-enabled cyber-attacks at a scale beyond anything we have seen before to AI-formulated bioweapons that could endanger the lives of millions, Vice President Kamala Harris said in late 2023 after the agency was established. The first-of-its-kind agreement is through a (formal but non-binding) Memorandum of Understanding. The agency will receive access to each companys major new models ahead of and following their public release. The agency describes the agreements as collaborative, risk-mitigating research that will evaluate capabilities and safety. The US AI Safety Institute will also collaborate with the UK AI Safety Institute. It comes as federal and state regulators try to establish AI guardrails while the rapidly advancing technology is still nascent. On Wednesday, the California state assembly approved an AI safety bill (SB 10147) that mandates safety testing for AI models that cost more than $100 million to develop or require a set amount of computing power. The bill requires AI companies to have kill switches that can shut down the models if they become unwieldy or uncontrollable. Unlike the non-binding agreement with the federal government, the California bill would have some teeth for enforcement. It gives the states attorney general license to sue if AI developers dont comply, especially during threat-level events. However, it still requires one more process vote and the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom, who will have until September 30 to decide whether to give it the green light. Update, August 29, 2024, 4:53 PM ET: This story has been updated to add a response from a Google spokesperson. Not only is Telegram CEO Pavel Durov facing criminal charges in France, the company he founded could be in hot water with the European Union as well. EU officials are looking into whether the platform lied about its user numbers to avoid being regulated under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The Joint Research Centre a department of the European Commission, the EU's executive branch is conducting a technical investigation in an attempt to determine Telegram's true user numbers in the bloc. Officials are also discussing the matter with Telegram, according to the Financial Times. We have a way through our own systems and calculations to determine how accurate the user data is, said Thomas Regnier, the EC's spokesperson for digital issues, said. Earlier this year, Telegram claimed to have 41 million users in the bloc. While it was supposed to provide an updated figure this month, it said only that it had significantly fewer than 45 million average monthly active recipients in the EU. Officials claim Telegram's failure to disclose the actual number is itself a breach of the DSA, while they believe that the investigation will reveal that more than 45 million residents are using it. That figure is significant because services that have more than 45 million users (10 percent of the EU's population) there are designated as very large online platforms. Those are subject to stricter rules under the DSA, violations of which can lead to a fine of up to six percent of a company's annual revenue. Platforms with the designation have to meet higher compliance and content moderation standards, and share data with the EC. Third-party auditing is also a factor. Telegram is said to be on the cusp of cracking 1 billion users in total. Other than China, the user base is roughly proportionate to the population of each market [or] continent," Durov told the FT earlier this year. "Telegram has recently provided the EU Commission with the number of EU users accessing Telegram's 'online platform' which only accounts for some of the features of Telegram according to the DSA. For example, private messaging is not included under this definition," Telegram spokesperson Remi Vaughn said in a statement sent to Engadget. "What Telegram publishes for general audiences is the same as that shared by other services such as Discord, Deliveroo and some Meta services which, like Telegram, do not meet the threshold of 45 million 'online platform' users in the EU." On Wednesday, French prosecutors formally charged Durov amid an ongoing investigation. Among other things, he has been accused of complicity in distributing child pornography, illegal drugs and hacking software and refusing to cooperate with investigations into illegal activity" on Telegram, which is an encrypted messaging service. Durov, who was arrested at an airport near Paris over the weekend, was released from custody after posting bail of 5 million. The Telegram CEO, who obtained French citizenship a few years ago, is required to stay in France and check in at a police station twice weekly until the investigation is concluded. Update September 3, 2024 2PM ET: Added Telegram's statement. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has been formally charged by French prosecutors and is barred from leaving the country amid their investigation into the Russian billionaire. Durov was officially charged Wednesday with complicity in distributing child pornography, illegal drugs and hacking software on the messaging app he founded, as well as refusing to cooperate with investigations into illegal activity on the Telegram, The Wall Street Journal reported . Durov, who was arrested outside of Paris on Saturday, was released from police custody after paying 5 million in bail. He is required to stay in France under court monitoring and check in at a police station twice a week while the investigation plays out. That could take months or possibly years, as The WSJ points out. by Austin Bay August 28, 2024 As I write this column, the Pentagon says the U.S. has no deployed aircraft carriers -- zero -- in the western Pacific Ocean. Two Pacific carriers have moved to the Middle East. The other carriers "in the region" are in U.S. West Coast ports -- not deployed at sea. Naval News reported Aug. 25 the carrier "gap" will continue for three weeks in the western Pacific "where standoffs and incidents are common." "Incident" and "standoff" are anodyne words for Communist Chinese (People's Republic of China) warships and aircraft violating Filipino, Japanese and Taiwanese air and sea space. Naval News adds: "Between the Middle East, maintenance periods, and the Indo-Pacific, the US Navy's carrier fleet is stretched thin trying to uphold a high-demand presence worldwide." That is a strategic fact and a genuine danger that requires presidential and Pentagon attention. Which makes a new analysis by the Institute for the Study of War and the American Enterprise Institute particularly relevant. Published Aug. 24, the document's title sketches the argument: "Exploring a PRC Short-of-War Coercion Campaign to Seize Taiwan's Kinmen Islands and Possible Responses." Here's my condensed geography primer. During the two 1950s Taiwan Straits crises, Kinmen was better known as Quemoy, a rock island Chiang Kai-shek's Republic of China nationalist soldiers denied Mao Zedong's Communist Chinese in 1949. In 2002, I visited Kinmen. Despite peace, it felt very frontline. Through an unoccupied bunker's observation slit, I saw the PRC's Fujian shoreline perhaps two miles away. West and distant: the mainland port city of Xiamen. Taiwan? The island was 100 miles east, 50 minutes by air to Taipei. Major points in the ISW-AEI study's "Key Takeaways" summary: The PRC "began aggressively challenging Taiwan's jurisdiction over its outlying islands, especially Kinmen, in February 2024. Repeated ... incursions in Taiwan-controlled waters around Kinmen aim to normalize the PRC's 'law enforcement' jurisdiction in the area," with the goal of eroding Taiwan's sovereignty of the islands. The authors believe Beijing could "quarantine" Kinmen by denying "Taiwanese government ships (access)" -- thus economically squeezing Kinmen and its surrounding islets. "The PRC can enhance Kinmen's isolation by imposing a no-fly zone and sabotaging communication infrastructure, before finally coercing Kinmen to demilitarize under PRC oversight." Later in the study: "A similar series of events around Taiwan's Matsu Islands could lead to the PRC capturing those islands ..." Beijing's time frame is right now. Why? Perhaps the biggest factor: "US unpreparedness or unwillingness to intervene amid domestic and international distractions increases the likelihood of this scenario." My read on domestic distractions: a presidential election while a deposed and senile president nominally occupies the office. The authors think Beijing is prepared to take advantage of what I've called "the Biden Moment" -- weak U.S. strategic leadership with the Afghanistan withdrawal debacle as Exhibit 1. Page 17 of the study supports my read: "The crisis around Kinmen coincides with President Joe Biden's 'lame duck' period ... aftermath of a contentious presidential election, and costly wars in Ukraine and the Middle East that occupy US attention and resources." That's why I began this column with the aircraft carrier gap -- it's happening now and exemplifies resources stretched to the max. Another PRC call to action: "Trends in Taiwan's domestic politics that diminish the PRC's confidence in its ability to achieve 'peaceful reunification' also contribute to the likelihood of such a coercion campaign." The trends: Taiwan's president and ruling party reject PRC control. They won an election in January 2024. The Kinmen coercion operation began in February. Hence the dangerous moment. The PRC conducts this "short-of-war coercion campaign" and gains de facto control of the Kinmen archipelago. The big payoff for the PRC: the operation shows Taiwan that the feckless U.S. won't go to war to defend Taiwanese sovereignty. One final historical note. Defending Quemoy (Kinmen) and Matsu were contentious subjects in the October 1960 presidential debates between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. If they have a real debate, a debate on vital issues (not vibes), former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris should debate the islands' defense in September 2024. Yelp has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google. As CNN reports, the move caps off years of animosity between the two companies, with Yelp alleging that Google has leveraged its control over online searching to dominate local queries and prioritize its own reviews. "Google abuses its monopoly power in general search to keep users within Googles owned ecosystem and prevents them from going to rival sites," Yelp Co-founder and CEO Jeremy Stoppelman said in a blog post announcing the suit. "This anticompetitive conduct siphons traffic and advertising revenue from vertical search services, like Yelp, that provide objectively higher quality local business content for consumers." The US lawsuit could carry extra weight following a Department of Justice case where the judge deemed Google a monopolist over search. The August ruling did not place any sanctions on Google, but it's likely that Yelp's case will be the first of many brought by the tech company's competitors. In response to a request for comment, a Google spokesperson told Engadget: Yelps claims are not new. Similar claims were thrown out years ago by the FTC, and recently by the judge in the DOJs case. On the other aspects of the decision to which Yelp refers, we are appealing. Google will vigorously defend against Yelps meritless claims. While this lawsuit centers on the US, Yelp has also been sounding off about Google's practices overseas. The European Digital Markets Act was meant to loosen some of the company's stranglehold over search results with rules to prevent massive tech businesses from favoring their own services. But Yelp argued that Google's attempt at DMA compliance actually made users less likely to leave the Google ecosystem. In a statement regarding the suit, Yelps General Counsel Aaron Schur said: "Yelps antitrust lawsuit against Google addresses how Google abuses its illegal monopoly in general search to engage in anticompetitive conduct, including self-preferencing its own inferior local product, to dominate the local search and local search advertising markets. For years, Google has leveraged its monopoly in general search to pad its own bottom line at the expense of whats best for consumers, innovation, and fair competition. By willfully engaging in exclusionary, anticompetitive conduct, Google has driven traffic and revenue away from competitors, made it harder for them to scale, and increased their costs, while degrading consumer choice, to grow its own market power. Judge Amit Mehtas recent ruling in the governments antitrust case against Google, finding Google illegally maintained its monopoly in general search, is a watershed moment in antitrust law, and provides a strong foundation for Yelps case against Google. In addition to injunctive relief, Yelp seeks a remedy that ensures Google can no longer self-preference in local search. The harms caused by Googles self-preferencing are not unique to Yelp, and we look forward to telling our story in court." Update, August 28, 8:15PM ET: This story was updated after publish to include a comment from a Google spokesperson and an additional comment from Yelp's General Counsel. Two men were spotted by a baggage check-in counter where one man was completely covered in plastic from head to toe at Miami International Airport. He was seen bouncing around with the other man guiding his direction. The person who recorded the video tagged 'Only in Dade' on Instagram, tagging the two men featured in the video, Michael Zuratti and Ethan Manners. Zuratti is the one guiding Manners in the video. It seems like they were doing this for comedy content creation purposes, even though you don't see anything in their social media about this moment. At the end of the video, security is seen surrounding the gentlemen. You can't hear what is being said, but you see Zuratti removing the plastic off of Manners' head little by little. The Duchess of Sussex isn't holding any animosity towards the Duke of Cambridge. According to 'Page Six,' Meghan Markle doesn't have any animosity towards her husband's brother, Prince William or his wife, Kate Middleton, for that matter. A source close to the family told 'US Weekly' that Meghan "just wants peace at this point." The 'Suits' alum reportedly claimed that her husband, Harry, is in agreement. "After 'Spare,' [Harry and Meghan] realized, 'OK, we're ready to move on. We want to focus on our future,' " the family friend stated, referring to Harry's bombshell 2023 memoir. "We can have meaning and importance separate from the lives we had previously," the pal added, reportedly per the Duchess of Sussex. It appears the 43-year-old has no desire to hold any negativity. "Meghan doesn't harbor any negative feelings," the insider claimed. "She just wants peace, and knows you can't find peace if you harbor resentments." Per the media outlet, Meghan also hinted at making amends with the estranged royals amid her trip to Colombia which lasted four days. "So much of how I approach things is less about the fight and more about how do we show up in the space and wash things over with love and kindness and generosity," she stated during a summit which took place August 18. Read more: Meghan Markle Pays Homage To Princess Diana By Wearing Her Butterfly Earrings From 1986 The longtime rift between royals stems from their original divide back in 2020, when the Sussexes shockingly quit their royal duties and moved to California. After the bold move, Harry sat down for a tell-all interview, where he alleged the royal family had been mistreating Meghan who has half Black roots in Nigerian and Congolese ancestry. The mother of two also made claims that Kate Middleton had choice words to say about "how dark" her son Archie's skin would possibly be when he was born, however, per 'Page Six,' it was later reported that it was in fact Middleton, 42, and Harry's father, King Charles III, who allegedly made the comments. In early August, Meghan reportedly experienced "suicidal thoughts" at one time, prompting her and her husband Harry, 39, to launch 'The Parents' Network.' The initiative plans a mission in their philanthropic journey to "provide crucial support to parents whose children have suffered from the harmful effects of social media." Two workers were killed and a third seriously injured after an unexpected explosion at a Delta airline's maintenance facility. The explosion happened while wheel components were being disassembled for maintenance at a wheel and brake shop. The parts were not attached to the plane during the moment of explosion. According to the 'Associated Press,' the body of one of the workers was found Tuesday reportedly unrecognizable. The family had to rely on tattoos and a lanyard in order to fully identify him. Mirko Marweg was one of two employees who died in the harrowing accident. The 58-year-old's son, Andre Coleman, told '11Alive News' that he wanted to see his father because he didn't believe he was dead. According to Coleman, it was his Mississippi State lanyard he wore around his neck that helped to confirm his identity. He also said his father was a loving man who just helped him change the oil in his motorcycle this past Sunday. "That's the kind of dad he was. He was always there," Coleman said of his dad who worked for Delta for more than 20 years and was nearing the brink of retirement. The second victim was identified as Luis Aldarano, 37, of Newnan, Georgia. The second victim, whose identity was confirmed by the Clayton County Medical Examiner's Office, remained under medical care Wednesday, per Delta spokesperson Samantha Moore Facteau. "The Delta family is heartbroken at the loss of two team members and the injury of another following an incident this morning at the Atlanta Technical Operations Maintenance facility," Delta Airlines said in a statement. "We have extended our full support to family members and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time." The Atlanta-based airline reassured that they were working with local authorities and conducting a full investigation on the incident. According to 'WSB TV,' the identity of the third Delta employee who suffered a major injury has not been revealed. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the explosion, per 'Bowling Green Daily News,' which occurred at a Delta TechOps facility. The cause of the explosion has not been released. Prince Harry sees a father figure in Hollywood sensation David Foster. According to the 'New York Post,' Prince Harry has found himself turning to the music legend for advice and guidance. Foster is a music producer and film composer in Hollywood. He has been a mainstay in the music industry for over forty years, so far winning 16 Grammy Awards and has been nominated for 47. The 74-year-old is just one year younger than Prince Harry's father King Charles, who has been estranged from his youngest son in recent years. This tension-filled relationship between Prince Harry, 39, and his father have been increasingly problematic since Harry left life as a working royal in 2020. When he moved to the United States, their problems were reportedly amplified. When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved to the United States, they moved next door to David Foster and his wife in California. Foster is married to 'American Idol' alum Katharine McPhee who went to middle school with Meghan. When the performer went to London to star in the musical 'Waitress,' the two rekindled their friendship. The friendship between the two men has been strong for many years. Back in 2020, Foster and McPhee, 40, helped Prince Harry and Meghan move to Canada. After three months remaining in British Columbia, the retiring royals made the move to California, living near the friendly couple. Foster shared in 2020 that he was happy to be there for the pair in their time of need. "I was just happy through my friend to facilitate what I could for them, and it looked like they had a great rest," he told the 'Daily Mail' at the time, per the 'New York Post.' Now, with everyone living in Montecito, California, the bond between the foursome has become stronger. Foster has reportedly become Prince Harry's main source of guidance. "My husband has a really, really beautiful relationship with Harry," McPhee said. "They're so cute." She went on to say the two are "like father and son." Alfonso Ribeiro has lost weight prior to his return as host for next season of 'Dancing with the Stars,' and fans are impressed. As the dance competition series premiere date looms, Ribeiro is looking forward to the coming year. "It's gonna be great and the dancing will be better than ever," he told 'PEOPLE.' This year he is sporting a new look as he has lost a substantial 20 pounds between the last two seasons. Ribeiro, 52, is aware of the substantial change in his appearance. He laughingly shared that, "So now I'm like, 'Oh, I think I might look a little better when they ask me to do some of the little dances in the opening numbers.' So you know, I am ready to rock." According to 'Atlanta Black Star,' fans of the 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' actor have been swooning at his new transformation. One commenter wrote, "You are getting SKINNY my friend!!" Another shared, "You look very healthy. Very slim and trim," in the comment section of his social media posts. The weight loss comes as a result of intentional work done by the entertainer. Nearly a year ago on an episode of the 'Tamron Hall' show, Ribeiro shared that one of his children was facing a health issue. Therefore, everyone in the family made a lifestyle change. "We live a completely non-toxic life where we don't eat any sugar, gluten-free, corn-free, dairy-free, oats-free, anything that makes you swollen, we typically stay away from," he said. Ribeiro needs his stamina as he works an incredibly demanding hosting schedule. Not only will he be returning as the host for the ABC show's 33rd season, but he will also return to 'America's Funniest Home Videos.' "It is a lot of work to do two shows at once... but I couldn't be more proud to be a part of," he said. "This is going to be special and I am excited to get back to the laughter and the fun." 'Dancing With the Stars' returns live Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 8/7c on ABC. A 'Dancing With the Stars' pro has been arrested for domestic violence. According to 'TMZ,' who first broke the story, Artem Chigvintsev was booked into Napa County Jail Thursday morning for felony domestic violence. The circumstances surrounding what led up to Chigvintsev's arrest are currently unclear, but his wife, WWE star Nikki Garcia, posted online she was also in Napa on her Instagram Story. Whether she was involved in any domestic dispute was not revealed. His bail was posted at $25,000, per 'Page Six.' Garcia and the 42-year-old Russian dancer have been married since August 2022. They celebrated their wedding anniversary on Monday. Garcia, 40, posted lyrics to Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" at the time. "This song is our love story," Garcia, whose real name is Stephanie Nicole Chigvintsev, wrote on Instagram. "I'll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem. Having a conversation with He & God. How my feelings felt too soon. It all felt too fast. And then this song came on." The pair got engaged in November 2019. The 'Total Bellas' star, who was Chigvintsev's celebrity partner on the 25th season of the ABC dancing competition series, announced they were expecting their first baby together in January 2020. The news came just one week and a half after the WWE wrestler's twin sister, Brie, announced she was also pregnant with her second baby. Their first child, Matteo Artemovich Chigvintsev, was born on July 31, 2020. For their wedding anniversary, Garcia shared a heartwarming Instagram Reel on Tuesday with footage from their wedding day, snapshots of the ceremony, and the family underneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. "Happy Anniversary @theartemc I love you! ," Garcia wrote. According to 'Variety,' Garcia is set to co-host 'Chestnut VS. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef,' a live competitive eating contest on Netflix Monday. Chigvintsev won Season 29 of 'DWTS' with Kaitlyn Bristowe. Last season, the Soviet Union native finished fourth with former 'Bachelorette' Charity Lawson. Spanish YouTube chef gets life in prison for murder in Thailand A court in Thailand found Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, a member of a famous Spanish acting family, guilty of premeditated murder on Thursday and sentenced him to life in prison, in a lurid case that involved the victim being dismembered. Thursday, August 29, 2024 Venezuela should be one of the wealthiest countries on the planet. Its 303 billion barrels of oil reserves is by far the largest in the world. Saudi Arabia, with 267 billion barrels of reserves, is the only nation that comes anywhere close to Venezuela in that regard. Despite their countrys abundant natural wealth, millions of Venezuelans struggle to find the most basic of life needs. Out of Venezuelas population of 28.4 million, 20.1 million need humanitarian assistance in essential areas such as food, health, nutrition, and education. An estimated 82 percent of Venezuelans are said to experience food insecurity, with nearly 70 percent suffering from multidimensional poverty. These dire living conditions have led to an exodus, exacerbating an already serious migration crisis in the hemisphere. More than 7.7 million people have left Venezuela since 2015. Venezuelas deep malaise can be attributed to two main factors. The first is the set of ruinous socialist policies pursued by the late Hugo Chavez, and continued by his successor, Nicolas Maduro. The Venezuelan government has heavily subsidized the prices paid by domestic consumers for gasoline and other oil products for years. Throughout that same period, there have been large quantities of oil giveaways to friendly socialist countries such as Cuba. On top of that is the perennial gross mismanagement of the oil sector by government-appointed officials. All that has severely starved the nations oil industry of the funds it needs to invest in new production equipment and maintain existing ones. Those self-inflicted wounds have been compounded by a second set of external factors: U.S. sanctions. Targeted sanctions were first imposed in 2005 on Venezuelan individuals and entities that the U.S. government deemed to have engaged in criminal, anti-democratic, or corrupt actions. The sanctions were later broadened to include entire sectors of the Venezuelan economy. In January 2019, the Trump administration sanctioned PdVSA, the state-owned oil company. The executive order issued by President Trump froze all property and interests in property of PdVSA subject to U.S. jurisdiction, and prohibited U.S. persons from doing business with the company. It meant that U.S. oil majors such as Chevron could no longer operate in Venezuela. That wide range of internal and external negative factors has crippled Venezuelas oil sector, and by extension its national economy. Just before Hugo Chavez entered office as president in 1999, Venezuela produced 3.4 million barrels of oil per day. By 2020, production had dropped by 90 percent to below 350,000 barrels per day. Last year, Maduro promised to hold free and fair presidential elections in exchange for sanctions relief. The Biden administration issued licenses to Chevron and a handful of companies to resume operations in the country. That has helped boost oil production to about 800,000 barrels a day at present. For perspective, Saudi Arabia currently produces 12.4 million barrels of oil per day. Even with the increased daily output of 800,000 barrels, Venezuela will generate nowhere near enough revenues to service its heavy external debt and fund domestic programs. The country is shunned by investors so it cannot borrow to make the much-needed improvements in the sector. And, the Biden administration is threatening to reimpose the sanctions it waived because Maduro reneged on many of the promises he made last year. His apparent stealing of the recently concluded presidential election will only make matters worse. It is nearly impossible for anyone to untangle this mess to determine which of those sets of internal and external negative factors has done more damage to the Venezuelan economy. Those South American leaders who give aid and comfort to Maduro and his autocratic regime should ask themselves whether they can in good conscience justify their actions that end up creating hell for so many millions of Venezuelans. They can blame the U.S. all they want, as they so often do for every problem in Latin America, but 70 percent of Venezuelans just sent a loud a clear message in the recent election that they want to rid themselves of Maduro and his ruinous policies. Shouldnt those ordinary citizens be allowed to speak for themselves? Likewise, legitimate questions must be asked about the efficacy of the types of sanctions that the U.S. applies on Venezuela, Cuba, and other countries. Such measures are appropriate in some cases. The current sanctions on Russia are fully justified because it is a nation that has launched an unprovoked attack on another. All means necessary must be taken to defund that evil war machine. But does it make sense to keep sanctions on Cuba and Venezuela for decades, when they dont bring about any discernible changes in the behaviors of the targeted individuals and groups? Should we just slap on sanctions and go about our normal business while the small numbers of people that are supposed to be the targets can so easily evade them and take millions of their citizens hostage for so long? We dont like to see hundreds of thousands of people crashing our southern border, but some of the policies of our leaders help create that migration crisis. The U.S. should by all means do the best it can to help people who are oppressed in their own countries by despotic rulers. In fact, those suffering masses are always looking up to the democratic world and asking it for help. In an ideal world, that responsibility of assisting the vulnerable in their struggles against tyranny would lie with a global body such as the U.N. But the world we live in today is nothing close to idyllic. So, it falls on our leaders to find more creative ways to bring about the desired changes in places like Venezuela and Cuba where millions of ordinary people are suffocating. Average citizens like me, who have the immense privilege of living in free societies, have a duty to keep asking the types of questions that will force our leaders to rethink some of their policies. Arguably, some of those policies do too much harm rather than good. Helena and East Helena schools may consider stricter cellphone policies after Gov. Greg Gianforte urged schools statewide to go cellphone-free. The governor released the message Thursday, days before Helena and East Helenas start dates. An overwhelming 97% of teen students use their phones during school, he cites from nonprofit Common Sense Media, and the teens receive 50 notifications on average per school day. He links the cellphone usage to rising anxiety and other mental health issues in Montana youth, and he said it was critical action is taken. But as governor, he can only ask. Its up to local superintendents and school leaders how theyll move forward, if they implement the policies at all. Heres the short version: East Helena is open to tightening policies, and Helena doesnt want to be too hasty. Dan Rispens, superintendent of East Helena Public Schools, isnt surprised at the call. East Helena has considered a stricter cellphone policy for a few years, he said. The cellphone policy was last updated around 2020, and since then the world has changed, he said. More studies are showing how cyberbullying is evolving with social media and technology, and young people are becoming more dependent on the constant stimulus. Middle school students cant use their phones without permission and have to be stowed away in a pocket or a designated spot by the teacher, along with a handful of other rules against texting, internet access and the like. High school students are expected to keep their cellphones silenced and away during class but have more freedom in passing periods. In a way, this is already a compromise not too far from what the governor is suggesting, Rispens said. A ban would be too hard to manage, especially when students are starting to buy cheap cellphones their parents don't know about. However, hed consider stricter off and away rules, where students actually shut their phones down instead of just silencing them. But things like this dont work without parent support, he said. Previous attempts to keep phones out of the classroom led to major pushback from parents. Its not hard to see why, he admitted. Mass shootings have been on the rise for years. Parents think of those images on TV frantic texts from students in fear for their lives. Beyond the extremes, parents like being in contact with their kids for the mundane, he said. But Rispens thinks theres a better chance of convincing parents of a phone policy now. I think parents can see the mental health effect better now than before, he said. Rispens plans to bring the issue up at one of the upcoming East Helena Public Schools board meetings, where talks can begin. These things take months to plan and enact, so parents shouldnt expect swift change, he said. Meanwhile, Helena Public Schools doesnt want to be too hasty, superintendent Rex Weltz said. I dont want to rush into a change and come out the other end worse, he said. Helena has more schools to manage than East Helena, and the schools make their own policies, Weltz said. Some classrooms, like at the Project for Alternative Learning, dont allow cellphone use in the building at all and require students to turn their phones into the front office every morning after the third offense. Other schools are more liberal, allowing phones to be used in passing periods or in classrooms for educational purposes. Change is unwelcome and hard to do right even with the smallest issues, Weltz said. With so many people to consult, he'd rather see how other schools do before implementing his own rules. First, hed like to do a survey with students, parents and community members at large. He expects pushback, but he expects to hear about all the reasons phones are unhealthy or distracting for students, too. Im sure there are reasons to keep phones, he said. People just dont think to voice them until theyre threatened. He'd also like to learn from the mistakes of other schools' cellphone policies. Looking at studies from other schools, he knows there is a deep emotional reaction to phones being taken away. Policies can't be enforced if students are too anxious to follow them. He doesnt see any tangible change in policy until at least next school year. Discussions might start this fall, but the governors call came just days before the start of fall 2024. Its just too soon for fast action, Weltz said. ALIQUIPPA, Pa. Theres an excitement of rebirth on the Brunton Dairy farm, in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. It is evident in the pace of construction workers, the raising of new barns and the delivery of new equipment. When completed, the improvements and buildings will total a $3 million investment in the future, spurred on by a community that showed its love to the Brunton family when their world came crashing down around them. Oct. 26, 2023 was a typical day on Brunton Dairy, a farm started in 1839 that stretched back seven generations. The first softening shadows of evening began to be seen on the sides of the barn, when suddenly, electricity to the farm failed. Then the entire milking barn and bottling plant at the back of the farm was engulfed in flames. Cows bellowed as neighbors and family members tried to push them out. Shouts between family members were heard. Emergency fire services were called, with a total of two dozen fire departments responding. When it was over, 12 of the 105 milk cows were killed in the blaze. The others milled about as family members and neighbors rushed to corral them and save whatever they could. Thankfully, no humans were injured and the family took a step back, grateful for the community around them and shocked at what had happened. What was left of the barns was smoke and ash. Family members hugged and cried. It was a heavy emotional toll. That was 10 months ago, and the resilient Brunton family stands strong, rebuilding and improving and moving forward. What to do? Mary Jane Brunton said that it was the strength and coming forward of neighbors, friends and even strangers that convinced them all that they were a staple in the community and that they should, indeed, rebuild. The kindness that they experienced from everyone was both unbelievable and overwhelming. We didnt talk about it for a while. At first, everything just seemed like chaos and we still had work to do, said Mary Jane Brunton. But the Lord provided what we needed at the time. Everything just worked out. Indeed, former dairy farmers Don and Barb Craig offered their dormant milking facility and barns to house 80 of the cows. Another 10 cows were housed at another nearby farm. The Craigs had just restored electricity to their barn and so it was ready to receive the displaced cows. For that, the Bruntons are forever grateful. Herb Brunton has a quick wit and a razor-sharp sense of humor that obviously has gotten him through his many years of work here at the farm. When asked about the decision to rebuild, or even his decision to become a dairy farmer, the corners of his mouth grow into an irresistible grin. We just never went anywhere else. This is our life. I mean, it just proves that stupid is hereditary, he said. I mean, where else are you going to convince someone to work 17 hours a day, every day? Its true that dairy farming is a profession with no time off. No vacations. No holidays. But its also evident that Herb Brunton, his brother Ed, his sister-in-law Mary Jane, his nephews Jim and Jerry and all other members of the Brunton family are far from stupid and are, in fact, savvy business professionals with an eye to serving others by producing high-quality dairy products. We had so much support. People who came to us and asked how they could help us. People we never knew. I had no idea, he said, shaking his head. I never knew we were so popular! The GoFundMe charitable account, which raised $175,185.00, along with the insurance settlement and other community fundraisers, have gone a good ways toward making things affordable, but not so much that it wont continue to be a struggle for a while. Mary Jane Brunton said that it will take them some time even after they open fully to do a full financial turnaround. And Herb doesnt sugar-coat the hard work it has all meant. Here, in the middle of the warmest summer on record in terms of 90-plus degree days, hes been making the trek over to the Craigs barn, which is a 20-minute drive each way, three times per day. I definitely dont like the commute, he said. But just then, Mary Janes granddaughter, Katie, comes around a corner with her 4-H cow in tow. She is sturdy, strong and well-versed in the farm, able to control the animal with a maturity well beyond her years. At 13 years old, she readily admits that she loves the farm, loves the cows and loves the work. She, and others like her, are why the Bruntons see a bright future as they seek to fully reopen by March 2025. The future Jim Brunton seems thoughtful about the changes. You can see the hope reflected in those eyes. He opens the box briefly where the new robotic manure collector resides, checking out the engine and seeking to understand this machine that will be employed in the barn 24 hours a day. He doesnt say much, but he is friendly and smiles, nodding in agreement with other family members as they describe the ordeal theyve all been through these past months. Herb pipes up, eager to share the intricacies of the new equipment. I call it a Pooper Hoover, he said, saying its not unlike a Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner for the home. And its going to run around 24 hours a day taking care of the manure. And we dont have to pay it when it works overtime, he said, obviously delighted with the prospect. Jerry Brunton explains further that the robotic manure collector will have a dumping station as well as an area where it will recharge. Milking computers stand stalwart in various parts of the new barn. Painted a shiny bright red, they hail from a company headquartered in Holland. The units in the Brunton barn were shipped in from Iowa. But its the new free, no-tie stall milking facility that has Jerry and Herb beaming. They are thrilled at the many features. Before the fire, they had a tie-in milking area, and the cows were led to the process a couple of times per day. The new milking barn, with excellent ventilation, will allow the cows to choose their time of milking, and robots will make short work of it. That will definitely be a difference, and the Brunton family looks forward to the much more modern way of dairy farming. It will save them time and energy, but, as Herb and Jerry point out, will certainly be different. Herb points up to the ceiling, where there will be 30-foot fans constantly moving the air. He points to the ventilation of the barn, able to be shut off from extreme weather elements and precipitation by curtains that can be lowered when needed. Hes pleased with the new ridges in the concrete foot bath, where cows will receive weekly copper sulfate treatment to keep hoof lesions and microbes at bay. The cows have always received that kind of treatment, but the area in this new barn will hopefully provide them with a wider and more comfortable, less awkward path to getting this task accomplished. Mary Jane added that the computers will measure the milk and give all kinds of data that will be helpful in terms of monitoring production. The family said they will see how it goes when they first re-open fully. They plan to service all of their current retail selling outlets, and theyll open the farm store, with its delectable chocolate and white milk. Home delivery is still something that is only percolating, but they havent made a decision yet whether to re-institute that branch of the business. Mary Jane, who as a young teen had only just begun to think about her future, married at age 18 and became an integral part of the Brunton Dairy Farm from that time until the present. She is no stranger to challenges, having lost her husband suddenly from a farm accident in 2008, and yet she has a calm and peaceful demeanor and is eager to see what dreams unfold for all the members of the family. Its tough. You have to rely on His strength. You cant do it on your own, she said. CADIZ, Ohio Beyond the entrance of Reclaimed Tree Farm sit acres upon acres of different tree species, from black walnuts and red cedar to even paw paw trees, where wildlife nestles in and calls home. But this beautiful landscape in Harrison County, Ohio, wasnt always the lush, wooded area it is today; it used to be a strip mine that was left behind and considered unusable land. This didnt stop Rob Davis, however, from buying it and reclaiming it as his own. The reason I could afford to buy this land when I did was because it was worthless to so many people and I never saw it that way. I could afford it, and I can afford to buy more of it as it became available, Davis said. The idea that I couldnt do something with it never crossed my mind. Planting trees in the spoiled, rock-hard soil was no small feat, but with the help of others, Davis has planted roughly 150,000 trees since first buying the land. Thats why he was awarded the Ohio Tree Farm Committees 2024 Ohio Tree Farm the Year, and will host a tour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 7 at Reclaimed Tree Farm, 40480 Cadiz-Dennison Road, Cadiz, Ohio. Growing up Davis grew up on five acres of land in Copley, Summit County, Ohio. His first interest in trees was sparked by his dads endeavors, buying and planting tree seed packets from his conservation district. Not long after Davis started planting trees on his childhood land. After moving a few doors down from his childhood home in Copley and planting more trees, Davis began searching for land to bird hunt on. So, in 1995, he bought 128 acres of former strip mine in Cadiz, Ohio, that would eventually become Reclaimed Tree Farm. The first thing he did was construct a driveway and then an outhouse. He and his wife, Pat, lived on the property in a camper while they constructed a house. A lands new life As Davis worked on building the house, he also turned his attention to the trees. In 1996, he planted his first 500 trees on the property. Only a few survived, however, and they are much smaller than most other trees on the strip mine land because the roots cant grow in the soil. He then got help from his local soil and water conservation district and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry and planted 1,000 white oaks. But yet again, not one tree lasted; the deer ate every one. The bigger problem, other than deer, was the soil. Because the strip mine land is made up of spoil bank excavated earth, rock debris or waste materials left behind from operations like strip mining the soil is compacted and almost acts like concrete. The topsoil and organic matter were gone. The bedrock was also limestone, which brought up the soils pH; trees cant grow in high pH zones because it makes essential nutrients unavailable to them. So weve got compacted soil, high soil pH, no fertility and deer, said ODNRs District Supervisory Forester Jeremy Scherf, who joined Davis operations in 2000. Rob had already done a big tree planting that had kinda failed, so alright, this is why it failed, how are we going to get around these issues? Some of these issues werent something Davis and Scherf could change like fertility. Instead, they turned their attention to the compaction problem, breaking up the soil in the fall by using a steel shank, known as a ripper, to loosen up the soil. This crack in the ground would freeze over in winter, preventing any sediment from getting in. Come spring, they would reopen the rift, and plant the tree down inside of it. Every tree had to be planted by hand using a shovel, as the rock-hard soil wasnt suitable for a mechanical tree-planting machine. The trees Davis planted on the strip land include red cedars, burr oak, chinkapin oak, black cherry, black walnut, sweet gum and several varieties of white oak. Every year, leaf litter from the trees builds up topsoil, which over time, will restore the land to its former pre-mining glory. The first year he saw a successful planting on the strip mine land was 2003, and after that he kept going. This was just the start, though; Davis success on the strip mine land only heightened what he calls a tree-planting obsession. More land, more trees Davis began buying more land from his neighbors as it became available. In 2006, he bought land from his neighbor Martha who formerly raised dairy cattle and sheep. He acquired even more of Marthas land in 2012. When we started buying more land in 06, then we had (what I call) real dirt. It was topsoil, so we could expand the varieties, Davis said. Davis was able to start planting trees like sycamores and use a transplanting machine instead of planting trees by hand. On average, Davis estimates hes planted roughly 2,000 trees a year over the past 9 to 10 years. Today, Davis owns 640 acres of land. As hes acquired more of his neighbors land, he has also been fighting and ripping out invasive trees like tree of heaven, autumn olive and bush honeysuckle. Like the tree of heaven, you cut one you get 100. The roots sucker, if you dont give it a big drink of strong herbicide you just change(d) that one big tree into 100, Davis said. Itll take over until theres no native vegetation. Part of his land is also dedicated to a ministry home established in 2014. The Davis family converted Marthas original farmhouse, built in 1890, into the Martha House where families and individuals that are a part of their ministry can stay for free. The first guest stayed in the Martha House in 2016. Davis son is also a pastor at the ministry. Part of the name reclaim (in the Reclaimed Tree Farm LLC) is the fact that it is a lot of reclaimed old strip mine, but were also trying to touch the lives for Christ, Davis said. 1 of 7 Alongside his ministry and tree work, Davis spreads the word on the importance of tree planting. His neighbor convinced him to start hunting deer, and in return, his neighbor agreed to start planting trees. Part of the reason theyve gotten this award is not just all the great work hes done here but his impact on his neighbors has spread even further, Scherf said. I figured it was an impact of another 40,000 trees and probably 2,000 to 3,000 more acres of forest management work that got done just because Rob started doing it here. Ohio Tree Farm of the Year award and tour Every year, the Ohio Tree Farm Committee gives out the Ohio Tree Farm of the Year to a certified Ohio tree farm, nominated by a forester, that has done the most prominent conservation work throughout their lifetime. Scherf nominated Davis and Pat for the award this year for a number of reasons. Its (the) 150,000 trees in the ground, 640 acres of land that the vast majority of has had invasive species controlled multiple times, Scherf said. Its the pond he built down there and also that connection with the neighboring properties, and spreading that knowledge and enthusiasm for doing these things. Alongside the award, the Ohio Tree Farm of the Year is expected to host a farm tour. The farm tour on Sept. 7 event will consist of wagon rides guided by a forestry specialist who will give visitors a tour of the property and discuss different practices used on the farm. Self-guided walking tours will also be an option and visitors will also hear from forestry specialists like Scherf and a solar panel company Davis has solar panels powering his home. The main event, however, will be a clear-cut demonstration. Millwood Lumber Inc. will be cutting roughly 14 to 15 acres of forest to harvest for timber. No RSVP is required for the event. Davis knows that he wont benefit much from trees that take years to grow, but he recognizes that others will, and sometimes thats whats more important. When we plant a tree, we try and plant something thats going to be desirable, not only for the wildlife, but for timber . If you can survive the 60 to 70 to 100 year thing, it is definitely going to pay (but) its not from Pat and I, Davis said. Thats not the purpose. Were not going to see a real payday, thats not our goal. But our kids and grandkids should. For more information on the Ohio Tree Farm of the Year tour, visit ohiodnr.gov/home/news-and-events/all-events/forestry-events/2024ohiotreeframoftheyeartour. (Liz Partsch can be reached at epartsch@farmanddairy.com or 330-337-3419.) Sainsbury's has announced a new 'industry first' development group to support its egg suppliers, which total over 100 farmers. The Sainsburys Egg Group - launching next month - will be in collaboration with the retailers three main egg packers. Through this, the supermarket said it would take 'a leadership position' on pay for farmers by pledging to always pay the cost of production or above for eggs. It also aims to provide financial reassurance in a volatile market, giving farmers the chance to invest in future business advancements. Sainsbury's has worked in a similar way with its Dairy Development Group, which launched 15 years ago. The retailer said the new egg group would also spearhead better communication and alignment on decisions, driving improvement for both farmers and customers. One of the requests for those signing up to the group is a commitment to carbon reduction in their production and an annual carbon footprint assessment. According to Sainsbury's, many farmers involved have already started making progress themselves such as reducing soy in feed and replacing with alternatives like maize. Gavin Hodgson, director of agriculture at the retailer, said the egg group would support farmers, helping them shift to more sustainable and resilient production. He said: We know how important eggs are for our customers but were also aware of the challenges facing egg farmers, such as increased production costs and sustainability targets. Were proud of our history in innovating and supporting the egg industry and our strong relationships with suppliers is the key to making change. "Last year we moved from one year to five year partnerships with our egg supply base to give them confidence in their businesses." It comes after Aldi announced that it had reached its commitment to sell 100% cage-free eggs more than a year ahead of schedule. The retailer said it had been working with its suppliers to move to higher hen welfare, with all its UK stores now only selling cage-free eggs. Police are urging the public to come forward with information after thieves stole nearly 100 sheep from a farm in Warwickshire. The incident happened sometime between 9 August and 21 August, on fields in Kenilworth, according to Warwickshire Police. The unknown offenders stole 69 lambs and 19 ewes in total - white Highlanders of mixed sexes and ages, all were tagged. "If you have livestock please be vigilant and do regular checks reporting anything of concern," Warwickshire Police urged. "If you have seen any vehicles or people acting suspiciously in the area, or have any information that could assist the police with their enquiries please email ruralcrimeteam@warwickshire.police.uk." Just last month, a separate incident saw livestock rustlers stealing 36 lambs from a farm in Perton, Staffordshire. New figures by NFU Mutual show that livestock theft remained high in 2023, at an estimated cost of 2.7 million across the UK. Last year also saw a spate of incidents where animals were butchered in fields. A Derbyshire woman whose dogs killed 15 sheep and injured a further 13 has been ordered to pay out over 700 in costs. Evie Watson was walking her lurcher type dog Beans and Spanish Greyhound Patcho in the fields near her home in Littleover on 17 May. Beans was off the lead but after Watson dropped Patchos lead while she untangled him, both dogs then ran off. The dogs were found over three hours later in a field with a number of injured and dead sheep. In total 15 sheep were killed and a further 13 were injured, with the cost to the farmers being more than 7,400. One of the dogs was found collapsed so Ms Watson picked him up and took him to the vets before reporting the matter to police the following day. In a victim impact statement, the farmer said: I am hopeful that our financial losses will be covered by insurance but this really should not have happened in the first place. "Farmers like us work hard, and our livelihood depends on us producing good quality livestock and is a long term enterprise. A disruption such as this can take years to recover from. Ms Watson, 27, was subsequently charged with being the owner of a dog worrying livestock. She appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court on 28 August when she admitted the offence and was fined 475 and ordered to pay a 190 surcharge and 85 costs. Sergeant Chris Wilkinson, from Derbyshire's Rural Crime Team, said livestock worrying can have a devastating impact on farmers. He said: No-one ever wants to believe that their dog is capable of hurting other animals but as has been seen time and time again they can return to their predator instincts. Thats why it is vital that dogs are always kept on leads around livestock no matter how much control you believe you have over them. Livestock worrying is a crime which could, as has happened in this case, land you in court, so its just not worth the risk. "Dont take the chance and keep your dog under control and on a lead. According to the latest figures from NFU Mutual, livestock theft remained high in 2023, at an estimated cost of 2.7m across the UK. Cannabis smokers are three times as likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. Smoking cannabis raises the danger of a heart attack Experts in France tracked over 1,300 patients in intensive care across the country and found those who took the substance and other recreational drugs alone had three times the risk of suffering a cardiovascular event. Scientists have previously found that THC - the active ingredient in cannabis - triggers the fight-or-flight response in the body, raising both heart rate and blood pressure. Boffins argue that hospitals should screen all intensive care patients for recreational drug use to establish any health problems they could face. Dr. Raphael Mirailles, study author and medic at Hospital Lariboisere in Paris, said: "Recreational drug use was associated with a tripling of the risk of a repeat cardiovascular event within one year. The doctor added: "Despite the high rate of underreporting of recreational drug use, systematic screening is not recommended by the current guidelines. "It might improve risk stratification of patients and personalised care to favour drug withdrawal. Therefore, systematic screening should be considered in intensive care." Dolly Parton is giving away more than three million books to children every month. Dolly Parton is giving away more than three million books to kids each month. The 78-year-old country legend launched her 'Imagination Library' gifting programme back in 1995 and each month, the scheme sends a high quality, age appropriate book to all registered children, addressed to them, at no cost to the childs family. Almost 30 years since its launch, over three million books are sent out each month, and have been sent to more than 240 million children in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, and Australia. At an event in Kentucky, Dolly explained the idea was inspired by her father not going to school and not being able to read and a desire to help improve literacy in children across the US. She said at the event: My dad was a country boy who grew up in the rural areas of east Tennessee and didnt get a chance to go to school. So my daddy couldnt read and write and he was always real embarrassed about that and that always troubled me because he thought he couldnt learn to read after he was grown but daddy was one of the smartest people that you would ever wanna know and he was my hero. I always feel like daddy is just right here with me. My family has always been my greatest inspiration. I can honestly say that the Imagination Library has meant as much, if not more to me than nearly anything that Ive ever done. The 9 to 5 hitmaker also admitted her father was prouder of her for the book programme than her music career. She added: The kids started calling me the book lady. And daddy was more proud of that than he was that I was a star. But daddy got to feeling like he had really done something great as well." John Stamos got rejected by the Church of Scientology two years before making his acting debut in 'General Hospital.' John Stamos got rejected by the Church of Scientology before acting career took off The 'Full House' star attended an introductory session for the controversial faith when he was 17, but his membership didn't last past the first session. Speaking on the 'Friends In High Places' podcast, he explained that he wanted to join the Church of Scientology after being invited to go by a "hot girl" in acting class and wanting to follow in the footsteps of his acting idol, 'Grease' star John Travolta, who has been a member since 1975. He said: "I was in an acting class and there was a hot girl, [who] said to me, 'You know we're all meeting at this [place] on Hollywood Boulevard, you should come after [class].' "I was working at my dad's restaurant at the time and I said, 'Dad, I gotta go.' So, I went and it was the Scientology building. "Seeing ['Grease'] I was like, 'I wanna be that.' I wanted to be John Travolta, I still do. Well, minus the whatever it is that they do." However, in the first session, John was introduced to a device known as the 'E-meter', which is made out of two cans and is used to indicate changes in emotional states and to identify levels of spiritual distress, but after being given it, he started playing with it and used it to pretend he was having a conversation on the phone. He quipped: "I was doing a Peabody and Sherman impression and they didn't like that. Then, I was just f***ing around so much, they said, 'Get out [and] get going.' They just kicked me out." John previously revealed that he wouldnt be here without the help of his celebrity therapist. The 60-year-old actor has gone through traumas including a battle with drinking, and was left devastated when his friend Bob Saget with whom he starred in the classic Full House sitcom died aged 65 in January 2022 after accidentally hitting his head. He told the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column about how he has been seeing Hollywoods go-to therapist Phil Stutz: I probably wouldnt be here (without him.)" Katie Price has vowed to give up vaping and admitted she has been "disrespectful" to her mother - who underwent a lung transplant. Katie Price is quitting vaping after getting addicted to the smoking alternative Like many, the former glamour model has become addicted to the cigarette alternative and has decided to throw out the "horrible thing". Katie is adamant she has the "strength to get rid of them" and is encouraging anyone else using them to join her. Speaking to her followers on her Instagram Story, she said: "I have a big confession to make. If there's anyone out there who wants to join me, do it. "I have been vaping for a year it's no good for you." Referring to her mum Amy's health battle, she continued: "Especially when my mum has had her lung transplant it's disrespectful doing this in front of my mum. I have decided today is the day I am throwing this chemical battery, addictive, horrible thing away. "I am now doing vapes no more from today. I have got the strength to get rid of them, join me!" Showing herself clearing out all her vapes, she added: "That's it in the bin, I have cleared all my vapes out the cars everything." Katie ditching the bad habit comes after her bankruptcy case was adjourned until next month. The 46-year-old star - who was arrested on her return from Turkey to London's Heathrow Airport earlier this month after failing to attend a hearing on 30 July - was due to face questions from barristers in a specialist bankruptcy court on Tuesday (27.08.24) but her lawyer, Bertie Boer-Roberts, requested she be able to attend a "private interview" in September instead. The barrister cited her "mental well-being" as one of the reasons behind having the case heard behind closed doors, noting Katie had "long been subject to extreme media scrutiny" and this would be exacerbated by public examination of her financial affairs. The lawyer said his client would be able to give "more considered answers" in a private interview and felt it would be useful to "take stock of a complex matter with a long history." He also stressed Katie "understands her duties" and had "been compliant" with the case so far. However, Judge Nicholas Briggs admitted he was hesitant to agree and said: "My concern is we've been here before". He then asked lawyers for both sides to discuss details out of the courtroom and on return, both Mr. Boer-Roberts and Darragh Connell, the barrister for the trustee, agreed to Katie attending a private interview on 24 September, before a potential personal examination on 11 February, if deemed necessary. The judge told the former 'Loose Women' star: "If you fail to comply with the undertaking you will be at risk of being arrested." As she left the London court building, Katie - who was previously declared bankrupt in 2019 and then again in March this year over an unpaid tax bill of over 750,000 - blasted assembled media. She raged: I hope you reporters write a good story today, wont you, all the bull**** that you write, scumbags." Katie was previously ordered to pay 40 per cent of her monthly income from OnlyFans until February 2027, and have six of her vehicles delivered to the trustee to help pay off the money she owes. Winona Ryder was branded a "freak" in high school when 'Beetlejuice' was released. Winona Ryder covers Esquire UK/ Photo by Simon Emmett The 52-year-old actress' breakout role came when she played goth teenager Lydia Deetz in the 1988 horror comedy, and while she thought the role would boost her "status" amongst her classmates, it didn't have the positive effect she'd hoped for. She told the new issue of Esquire magazine: I remember thinking that it was going to, like, change my status, and it made it worse. They were like, Youre a witch! Youre a freak! It amplified it. I was like, But Im in a movie! Winona admitted the styling departments on the movie didn't "have to do much" in terms of changing her appearance for the role. She said: "I was very much like Lydia. They didnt have to do much with me. My brother found a picture of me taken like a month before that audition. Id dyed my hair blue-black, I had these crazy short bangs, and I dressed in black. The veteran actress praised her older co-stars, including Michael Keaton and Catherine O'Hara, and director Tim Burton for being so kind and welcoming to her on set, admitting she had much "rougher" experiences later in her career. She said: Michael was so gentle with me. And Catherine. They always included me. They were so kind and so thoughtful. "It was unique because as a kid actor you dont always get that. Its about the adults. "It truly was the first time I ever felt like I collaborated on a movie. And I really had a connection with Tim. "I remember going on to other movies and it was not like that. People werent so kind. It was much rougher. Meanwhile, Winona admitted it is "nuts" to have been part of such a hugely popular show as 'Stranger Things' for so long. She said: Ten years! I never thought. [At first] I was like, I dont want to be doing this when Im in my fifties! Its nuts, and its extra nuts to be my age. But I love the boys and I love [the actors] Sadie [Sink] and Maya [Hawke]. Its been really wonderful. And the actress appreciates how her career has gone full circle. She said: Ive gone from being the youngest person on set to being the oldest. And Im not oblivious in any way about the reason they came to me for it. I know there is an element of nostalgia [to my casting]. The Autumn issue of Esquire UK is on sale now. Read the full interview with Winona at https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/a61825922/winona-ryder-interview-2024/. Chinas home textile exports to Russia declined by nearly 14 per cent to $278.988 million in the first half (H1) of this year. During this period, bedding was the top product in the outbound shipment of home textiles. The value of bed exports from China was $72.677 million, which accounted for 26.05 per cent of the total outbound shipment during the same period. China exported home textiles worth $323.066 million during the same period last year. The total trade amounted to $636.928 million in 2023 and $544.216 million in 2022, according to Fibre2Fashion's market insight tool TexPro. In H1 2024, China's home textile exports to Russia declined by nearly 14 per cent to $278.988 million. Bedding was the top export, accounting for 26.05 per cent of the total. Exports of bathroom and kitchen textiles were $44.228 million and made-ups were $43.078 million. After reaching a peak in 2020, exports dropped in the following years. An analysis of product-wise trade data indicated that bedding became the most exported product, with a share of more than one quarter in H1 this year. The exports of bathroom and kitchen textiles were valued at $44.228 million, which represented 15.85 per cent of the total home textile shipment to Russia. China exported made-ups worth $43.078 million during the same period, which was 15.44 per cent of the total. Among the top ten products, other exports included camping textiles at $32.199 million (11.54 per cent), sacks and bags at $28.595 million (10.25 per cent), window textiles at $27.871 million (9.99 per cent), floor coverings at $16.341 million (5.86 per cent), furnishing articles at $8.678 million (3.11 per cent), table textiles at $4.384 million (1.57 per cent), and used/new rags at $0.798 million (0.29 per cent). According to TexPro, home textile exports to Russia reached a multi-year high in 2020, touching a level of $1,248.006 million, which was around 126.50 per cent higher than the shipment of $551.214 million in 2019. The trade value halved to $650.172 million in 2021 and further declined to $544.216 million in 2022. However, it recovered to $636.928 million in 2023. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) Shabana Azmi has voiced her strong condemnation of the recent Kolkata rape and murder case, calling the incident "extremely dangerous." While attending an event in Pune, the Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani star highlighted the urgency of dismantling deep-rooted patriarchy in society. Azmi lamented the lack of significant progress since the 2012 Nirbhaya case, despite various efforts, including the formation of the Justice Verma Committee. Shabana Azmi emphasized that it is embarrassing and unacceptable that such heinous acts continue to occur. She stated that society must stop treating women as commodities and take concrete steps to eliminate patriarchy. Her comments echo the sentiments of other celebrities who have also expressed their anger and disappointment over the incident. Other Bollywood stars, including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Preity Zinta, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and Hrithik Roshan, have also spoken out, demanding stronger action to ensure women's safety. They stressed the need for harsh punishments for perpetrators and called for a societal shift to prevent such tragedies in the future. Judges included executives from Ulta, Pop Up Grocer and Naturally, Danny Seo. The winner, Daybird, a ground-breaking all-in-one step skincare routine, was awarded a package including a prize of $10,000. New Hope Network's Newtopia Now, the curated connections experience for the conscious consumer-packaged goods (CPG) community, hosted its first ever Conscious Beauty Pitch Event presented by Giannuzzi Lewendon, featuring ten up-and-coming beauty and wellness brands. Innovative and mission-driven founders presented their business models and unique value propositions to a panel of industry experts, retailers and influencers to secure funding, retailer support and strategic partnerships to further develop and scale. The Conscious Beauty Pitch Event Presented by Giannuzzi Lewendon showcased pioneering companies prioritizing diversity, purpose-driven innovation, sustainability and social responsibility. Entrepreneurs and brand leaders pitched from one of the tradeshow floor stages to five esteemed judges, pitch emcee Giannuzzi Lewendon Partner Ryan Lewendon and a room full of CPG industry professionals, press and influencers. The panel of judges included Rick Burian, senior manager of supplier diversity at Ulta Beauty; Karen Farrell, VP of brand services at Prescence, Kara Posner, partner at Giannuzzi Lewendon, Emily Schildt, founder and CEO of Pop Up Grocer and Danny Seo, founder and editor of Naturally, Danny Seo. "The variety of incredible beauty and wellness brands at the first-ever Newtopia Now was truly overwhelming. Narrowing it down to the best of the best was a challenge but also so rewarding to hear how each brand was created by the people closest to it: the founders. Today's winner is well deserving but every runner up deserves a gold medal," says Seo. Daybird was crowned the standout brand among the participating companies, receiving a $10,000 prize, a retail showcase package including a feature on Shop HQ's Clean Beauty Show, a placement on the shelves of Pop Up Grocer, a free consultation from regulatory expert MarketReady Insights and a waived nomination fee for the 2025 NEXTY Awards, which recognizes the most, innovative and inspiring high-integrity brands in the natural products industry. Dubbed the "anti-beauty beauty" movement, Daybird's mission is to redefine the perception of beauty, empowering consumers to eliminate the need for multi-step skincare routines. The company's flagship product seeks to replace traditionally individual serums, moisturizers, skin tints and sunscreens for a combined four-in-one serum with skin tint that is offered in three flexible shades and boasting three key clinical ingredients: niacinamide, bisabolol and zinc oxide. "Newtopia Now is the go-to event for buyers to source cutting-edge brands that are bringing exciting and purposeful products to market" says Jessica Rubino, vice president of Content at New Hope Network. "The vision for Newtopia Now is to serve as the premier destination for meaningful discovery and industry connections. We're honored to celebrate the some of the most innovative early-stage beauty and wellness brands through the Conscious Beauty Pitch Event Presented by Giannuzzi Lewendon." "Being a judge was such an honor. We wish all of the finalists the best of luck and look forward to watching their journeys unfold from here," remarked Posner. The ten brands participating in the Conscious Beauty Pitch Event: Caire Beauty, Daybird, SeaBar, NNABI, Shea Radiance, True Moringa, Spinster Sisters, BEJOU, Tiara Bliss and Pure Mitti. Also announced at the Pitch Slam: One selected brand from each neighborhood show floor at Newtopia Now was awarded as a 2025 NEXTY Awards Finalist. Newtopia Now's four featured neighborhoods included: Thrive, spotlighting the latest innovations in human health; Glow, highlighting natural beauty and holistic wellness; Regenerate, recognizing business models making a positive environmental impact; and Represent, elevating diverse founders and multicultural products. Standout products from each neighborhood that received the 2025 NEXTY Finalist honor included: Funky Mello Vanilla Marshmallow Creme from Thrive, Glow's Oxters Underarm Wash, Pi00a's Eggplant Miso Pizza within Represent and Noons Dark Chocolate Mint Chocolate Crunch from Candid located in Regenerate. These outstanding products from the show floor will be considered for the 2025 NEXTY Awards, with winners to be announced at Natural Products Expo West 2025, March 4-7 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Regular submissions for the 2025 NEXTY Awards consideration process will open September 16, 2024, with deadline to submit by December 2, 2024. To learn more about the brands that participated in the Pitch Slam competition, visit: www.newhope.com. About New Hope Network New Hope Network is a leading authority in the healthy lifestyle products industry, offering solutions for the complete supply chain from manufacturers, retailers/distributors, service providers and ingredient suppliers. Through its comprehensive portfolio of content, events, data, research and consultative services, New Hope Network is dedicated to fostering a prosperous, high-integrity CPG and retail ecosystem that promotes health, joy and justice for all people while regenerating the planet. For more information, visit www.newhope.com. About Informa Markets Informa Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. With a global reach and diverse portfolio of verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure, Informa Markets connects buyers and sellers worldwide through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. For more information, visit www.informamarkets.com. Contact New Hope Network Public Relations pr@newhope.com SOURCE: New Hope Network View the original press release on accesswire.com FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. (TSXV:FLY)(OTCQX:FLYLF) (the "Company" or "FLYHT") today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 ("Q2 2024"). All figures are Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. Financial Summary Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30 2024 2023 Inc./ Dec. 2024 2023 Inc./ Dec. Revenue $ 4,311,999 $ 6,043,543 -29 % $ 9,102,593 $ 10,800,773 -16 % SaaS 2,707,667 2,690,573 1 % 5,471,383 5,103,773 7 % Hardware 627,756 1,172,261 -46 % 1,291,288 2,943,706 -56 % Licensing 931 1,433,264 -100 % 80,090 1,442,001 -94 % Technical Services 975,645 747,445 31 % 2,259,832 1,311,293 72 % Gross Margin 61.9 % 59.6 % 23 bps 63.0 % 58.6 % 44 bps EBITDA (1,380,917 ) 168,045 NM (1,974,922 ) (1,175,869 ) NM Net Loss (1,796,131 ) (168,807 ) NM (2,590,513 ) (1,825,921 ) NM EPS - Basic & Diluted (0.05 ) (0.01 ) (0.04 ) (0.07 ) (0.05 ) (0.02 ) Management Commentary "FLYHT is at an exciting and critical juncture," said Mary McMillan, Interim CEO and Executive Chair of the Board at FLYHT. "With the development of the AFIRS EdgeTM+ functionally complete, we are now focused on sales of the Edge to new and existing customers and on achieving positive EBITDA on a sustainable basis." Continued McMillan, "As announced in the quarter, FLYHT received a Supplemental Type Certificate ("STC") from Transport Canada for the flange version of the 5G AFIRS Edge on Boeing 737 aircraft. We now have two STC's in Canada and have a clear path to obtaining additional aircraft certifications for both the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft. These two aircraft types are the most popular aircraft in key global markets creating a huge pipeline of commercial opportunities for our product. Our weather solutions continue to expand with the receipt of an additional purchase order from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the FLYHT-WVSS-II humidity sensors. Our European division, CrossConsense continues to perform well and recently secured two new contracts, demonstrating the growing demand for its Maintenance Repair Organization (MRO) offering." Added Alana Forbes, CFO, "In recent months we have taken decisive action to strengthen our financial position and reduce costs. This includes a $5 million unsecured debenture arrangement in June that raised significant capital to support our growth plans, and a strategic restructuring in August that will deliver $1.75 million in annual cost savings. As a result of these and other actions, we are now on an accelerated path to profitability and believe that we have the capital on our books today to get us there." Concluded McMillan, "Looking to the second half of the year, we are laser-focused on the conversion of our sizeable pipeline to sales. With a strengthened balance sheet, a world class product that we believe will rapidly penetrate the market, and a lower fixed cost base, we enter the next chapter squarely set on driving revenue growth and realizing positive EBITDA." Operating Results Revenue decreased by 29% to $4,311,999 in Q2 2024 compared to Q2 2023, mainly driven by declines in Licensing and Hardware. SaaS revenue increased by 1% to $2,707,667, driven by an increase in customers' pricing structure. Hardware revenue decreased 46% to $627,756 with a total of 6 installations kits shipped in Q2 2024 compared to 15 kits shipped in Q2 2023, mainly due to installation schedules for our contracted AFIRS 228 product and per kit pricing variances. Licensing revenue decreased by 100% to $931 due to differences in orders from our long-term OEM customer. Technical Services revenue increased by 31% to $975,645 due to an increased amount of AMOS data migration work completed and an increase in certification services provided. Gross margin was 61.9% of revenue in Q2 2024 compared to 59.6% in Q2 2023. The increase in gross margin was due primarily to changes in the mix of revenue sources during the quarter. Operating expenses increased by 17% from Q2 2023, driven by a 66% increase in Research, Development and Certification Engineering expenses, mainly driven by contract labour reflecting the final push required to complete the AFIRS Edge+ development work, moving that product into its new phase of commercialization, including required certifications. An increase of 5% in Distribution expenses was offset by an 8% decrease in Administration expenses. Negative EBITDA1 totaled $1,380,917 in Q2 2024 compared to positive EBITDA of $168,045 in Q2 2023. Net loss was $1,796,131 in Q2 2024 compared to a net loss of $168,807 in Q2 2023. Balance Sheet and Liquidity Cash and short-term investments totaled $2,518,339 at June 30, 2024, compared to $1,542,203 at December 31, 2023. The quarter end cash balance reflects additional capital from the $5,000,000 unsecured debenture arrangement completed in June (click here for press release). Trade and other receivables increased by 6% to $3,075,105 compared to YE 2023, and Trade payables and accrued liabilities increased by 11% to $3,436,504 compared to YE 2023. Conference Call Information FLYHT will host a conference call to discuss its financial results for Q2 2024 on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 7:30 a.m. MT (9:30 a.m. ET). The conference call will include a brief presentation followed by a question-and-answer session. To access the conference call by phone within Canada and the U.S., the toll-free number is 1-844-763-8274. Outside Canada and the U.S., dial 1-647-484-8814. Management will accept questions by telephone and e-mail. Individuals wishing to ask a question during the call can do so by pressing *1. Questions can be emailed in advance or during the conference call to investors@flyht.com. An archive of the conference call will be posted on the Investor Communications section of FLYHT's website following the meeting. Additional Information FLYHT's Q2 2024 Report, which contains more detailed information including the CEO's Letter to Shareholders, Management Discussion and Analysis and Financial Statements, can be accessed on the Company's website. The MD&A and Financial Statements have also been filed with SEDAR and will be accessible at www.sedar.com. About FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. FLYHT provides airlines with Actionable Intelligence to transform operational insight into immediate, quantifiable action, and delivers industry leading solutions to improve aviation safety, efficiency, and profitability. This unique capability is driven by a suite of patented aircraft certified hardware products, AFIRS. Solutions include an aircraft satcom/interface device that enables cockpit voice communications, transmission of aircraft data both while inflight via satellite and post-flight via 5G, real-time aircraft state and fleet status analysis, and preventative maintenance solutions. FLYHT's hardware products can also be interfaced with FLYHT's proprietary relative humidity sensors to deliver airborne weather and humidity data in real-time. FLYHT is headquartered in Calgary, Canada, and is an AS9100 Quality registered company. For more information, visit www.flyht.com. Contact Information: FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. Alana Forbes Chief Financial Officer 403.291.7437 investors@flyht.com FNK IR LLC Matt Chesler, CFA Investor Relations 646.809.2183 mchesler@flyht.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. 1EBITDA: defined as earnings before interest, income tax, depreciation and amortization (a non-GAAP financial measure). EBITDA is provided to aid in analysis and profitability comparisons among companies and industries, by segregating operating results from the effects of financing and capital expenditures. SOURCE: FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. _______________________________________________ View the original press release on accesswire.com LONDON, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tilda is proud to announce its partnership with Ladies of Virtue Outreach CIC (LOVO), a non-profit organisation dedicated to engaging, equipping, and inspiring women and their families. As part of this partnership, Tilda will donate 10,000 to support LOVO's initiatives over the next 12 months. The partnership will involve multiple joint community initiatives aimed at celebrating cultural diversity and empowering women. Ladies of Virtue Outreach CIC (LOVO) is at the forefront of community empowerment, tackling challenges like poverty, unemployment, domestic violence. LOVO nurtures individual potential through its core pillars: Community, Growth, Gratitude, Self-Care, Wisdom. A cornerstone of LOVO's mission is their weekly global lunch in Peckham, where women from diverse cultural backgrounds come together to share traditional dishes. Given that rice is a common ingredient in these meals, Tilda's support aligns perfectly with LOVO's celebration of cultural diversity and unity. The 10,000 donation from Tilda will fund LOVO's English language programmes and the weekly global lunches for 12 months, expanding their ability to reach and support more women in need. "This partnership with Tilda is a significant step forward for our organisation," said Ola Olive Stephen, Founder & Director of LOVO. "The funds will enable us to reach more women and provide them with the tools and support they need to overcome their challenges and lead fulfilling lives." The Tilda x LOVO collaboration will include a series of community events in 2024, engaging local communities. The first joint event in June featured a vibrant community gathering, with activities such as a Zumba class, a nutritionist talk, and a well-being session. The partnership will continue with a second event in September to further amplify this collaboration. "We are honoured to partner with LOVO on its mission to empower women now and in the future," said Jean Phillipe, Managing Director of Tilda. "At Tilda, we are committed to supporting initiatives that align with our belief in the importance of strengthening our community and cultural diversity." Tilda's B Corp certification in 2023 underscores its commitment to meeting high standards of social and environmental responsibility. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Tilda's efforts to contribute to society by supporting organisations championing diversity. Together with LOVO, Tilda looks forward to making a difference in the lives of women and their families, creating a future where life in all its flavours can thrive. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2491856/Tilda.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tilda-and-lovo-unite-to-promote-womens-empowerment-and-celebrate-cultural-diversity-302233375.html Second location in Thessaloniki provides additional high-speed connectivity Hurricane Electric, the world's largest IPv6-native Internet backbone, announced today that it has deployed a Point of Presence (PoP) in Greece at Synapsecom SNC-1, located at 56 Pontou Str. 54628 Thessaloniki, Greece. Synapsecom SNC-1 offers 1,000 m2, with an option to expand up to 3,500 m2, 24x7 security, redundant 2N UPS, 2N+1 cooling, and interconnection with the two largest telecommunication centers in the Balkans and Europe. Thessaloniki is known for its historical and archeological heritage, as well as for its vibrant start-up community and culture of innovation. Large multinational firms like Cisco, Pfizer, and Deloitte are investing in research hubs to take advantage of the city's strategic location in southern Europe and its concentration of students and tech talent. This PoP is Hurricane Electric's second location in Thessaloniki and fourth in Greece. It will provide the region with improved fault tolerance, load balancing, and congestion management in the delivery of next-generation IP connectivity services. "We're excited to deploy our second PoP in Thessaloniki," said Mike Leber, President of Hurricane Electric. "This new location will help meet the demands for global high-speed IP transit from local ISPs and enterprises." Customers of Synapsecom SNC-1 and in and around southern Europe now have a variety of new connectivity options and access to Hurricane Electric's extensive IPv4 and IPv6 network through 100GE (100 Gigabit Ethernet), 10GE (10 Gigabit Ethernet) and GigE (1 Gigabit Ethernet) ports. Additionally, customers at the facility are able to exchange IP traffic with Hurricane Electric's vast global network, which offers over 30,000 BGP sessions with over 10,000 different networks via 310 major exchange points and thousands of customer and private peering ports. About Hurricane Electric Fremont, California-based Hurricane Electric operates its own global IPv4 and IPv6 network and is considered the largest IPv6 backbone in the world. Within its global network, Hurricane Electric is connected to 310 major exchange points and exchanges traffic directly with more than 10,000 different networks. Employing a resilient fiber-optic topology, Hurricane Electric has five redundant 100G paths crossing North America, four separate 100G paths between the U.S. and Europe, and 100G rings in Europe, Australia and Asia. Hurricane also has a ring around Africa, and a PoP in Auckland, NZ. Hurricane Electric offers IPv4 and IPv6 transit solutions over the same connection. Connection speeds available include 100GE (100 gigabits/second), 10GE, and gigabit ethernet. Additional information can be found at http://he.net. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240828737411/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Adam Waitkunas Milldam Public Relations adam.waitkunas@milldampr.com (978) 828-8304 Erinnern Sie sich, als Moderna und BioNTech von unbekannten Unternehmen zu globalen Marktfuhrern wurden und fruhzeitige Investoren reich belohnt haben? Die Branche steht vor einem erneuten Innovationsschub von bahnbrechenden Medikamenten bis hin zu revolutionaren Therapien. Warum sollten Sie dabei sein? Sie sollten jetzt in Biotech-Aktien einsteigen, weil wir am Beginn einer neuen Ara der medizinischen Innovation stehen konnten! Gen- und Zelltherapien, personalisierte Medizin und bahnbrechende Technologien konnten das Gesundheitswesen revolutionieren und die Aktienkurse in die Hohe schieen lassen. Die nachste Erfolgsgeschichte im Biotechbereich warten nur darauf, entdeckt zu werden. Wer jetzt investiert, hat die Chance, von gigantischen Durchbruchen und enormen Renditen zu profitieren. Warten Sie nicht, bis es zu spat ist - der nachste Biotech-Superstar konnte morgen schon durchstarten! Verpassen Sie nicht diese Chance! Fordern Sie sofort unseren brandneuen Biotech-Spezialreport an und erfahren Sie, welche 3 Biotech-Aktien das riesige Potenzial haben, Ihren finanziellen Erfolg zu sichern. Dieser Report ist komplett kostenlos und zeigt Ihnen zukunftstrachtige Investments im Biotech-Sektor. Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report! The man who led the development of the first giga-factory for the world's leading EV supplier, partners with Elinor Batteries. The partnership with Morlus Technology accelerates the development of Elinor's battery manufacturing base in Orkland, Norway. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240828783500/en/ Mr. Xi Shen (front left), CEO of Morlus Technology, and Arne Fredrik Lanke (front right), CEO of Elinor, sign the partnership agreement between the two companies. Behind, from left: Dr. Xi Jiang, G.M. of Cell Development of Morlus, Dr. Rong Hao, Director of Technology Research of Morlus, Huaping Liu, V.P. and Chief Engineer of Morlus, Guanglin Wu, V.P. and CFO of Morlus, Truls Johansen, CSO of Elinor Batteries, Sofi Hildonen, EVP of Business Development, Elinor Batteries, Dr. Fengliu Lou, VP of Technology, Elinor Batteries. Photo: Elinor Batteries Elinor Batteries in Central Norway enters a collaboration with Chinese battery company Morlus Technology. The partnership grants Elinor access to cutting-edge battery technology and world-leading expertise in factory construction and entails that Elinor will have batteries for commercial sale in the European market by the spring of 2025. "We are honored that world-leading battery technologists have chosen to collaborate with us. This level of expertise does not currently exist in Europe, and it is crucial for our plans to establish a battery value chain in the Nordic region," says Arne Fredrik Lanke, CEO of Elinor Batteries. Leading expertise The founder of Morlus, Shen Xi, has been a driving force of innovation and technology in the battery industry for over 20 years. His merits include leading battery design, factory design and construction for BYD, the world's largest electric vehicle supplier and a top tier battery company. At BYD, Mr. Shen led the design and construction of the first battery manufacturing base in China with a capacity above 10 GWh and the design of the first LFP-battery for xEVs. At Morlus, Mr. Shen has built a world class team that sets the company in the very forefront of lithium battery technology development. The agreement between Morlus and Elinor covers product development, production, and factory construction. Investment Decision in 2025 Elinor Batteries aims to launch products for order as early as this fall. Together, Elinor Batteries and Morlus have set a goal of achieving a market-leading position in Europe. The agreement will accelerate the plans for building the gigafactory for battery production in Orkland, with an investment decision targeted for 2025. Exceptional timing Renewable energy investor Lars Helge Helvig owns the investment company Valinor, the majority owner of Elinor. Helvig believes that the timing is exceptional for investing in batteries from Norway. "The battery market is booming, and Europe is striving to become self-sufficient in batteries. According to the IEA, new energy storage is crucial for 60% of the emission reductions needed in the energy sector by 2030. Batteries are now the world's fastest-growing energy technology," Helvig explains. Global footprint For Morlus, the collaboration with Elinor Batteries represents an opportunity to grow its global footprint. "Norway is the country with the highest proportion of renewable energy globally, and it has a strong industrial foundation. Both will enable us to produce a green and low-carbon battery, which is unique," says Shen Xi. "The Elinor team has demonstrated exceptional professionalism, efficiency, and immense passion for the work they will undertake. Coupled with their investor Valinor's rich experience in the renewable energy sector, this gives us strong confidence in our future collaboration." About Elinor Batteries Elinor, founded by Valinor, is a Norwegian battery production company offering competitive and sustainable batteries for the BESS market. The company is headquartered in Trondheim and plans to establish a gigafactory in the Eiktyr giga-site and industrial park in Orkland municipality. About Jiangsu Morlus Technology Company Limited Morlus has developed a range of industry-leading battery products and built significant capacity in battery research, development, and production. Among its largest shareholders, in addition to founders and employees, are Gongniu Electrics/Bull Electrics, Zhengxuan Investment, and China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Development Group. The company holds more than 70 patents, with factories located in Nantong and its development center in Shenzhen. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240828783500/en/ Contacts: Elinor Batteries, CEO Arne Fredrik Lanke Phone: +47 97436562 Mail: afl@elinorbatteries.com Elinor Batteries, Investor Relations Guro Solem Mail: guro@elinorbatteries.com Morlus, Media relations Rong Hao Tel: +86 186 6628 6235 Mail: hao.rong@morlus.com Commerzbank AG (London Branch) - Pre-Stabilisation notice PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, August 29 Pre-Stabilisation notice August 29, 2024 Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. German State of North Rhine-Westfalia EUR Benchmark bond due 2034 Pre-Stabilisation Notice Commerzbank AG (contact: John Gray; telephone:+44-207-7475-1262) hereby announces, as Stabilisation Coordinator, that the Stabilising Managers named below may stabilise the offer of the following securities in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation 596/2014). The security to be stabilised: Issuer: German State of North Rhine-Westfalia Guarantor (if any): none Aggregate nominal amount: EUR benchmark Description: Senior, Unsecured, Reg S, Bearer, Collective Debt Register Claim Offer price: tbc Other offer terms: fixed coupon, maturity 5 Sept 2034, launched under the issuer's EMTN programme, listing Duesseldorf Stabilisation: Stabilisation Coordinator: Stabilising Managers: Commerzbank AG DZ Bank Erste Group Nordea Toronto-Dominion Bank Stabilisation period expected to start on: August 29, 2024 Stabilisation period expected to end on: no later than 30 days after the proposed issue date of the securities Existence, maximum size and conditions of use of over-allotment facility. The Stabilising Managers may over-allot the securities to the extent permitted in accordance with applicable law. Stabilisation trading venue: Duesseldorf, regulated market In connection with the offer of the above securities, the Stabilising Manager(s) may over-allot the securities or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the securities during the stabilisation period at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, stabilisation may not necessarily occur and any stabilisation action, if begun, may cease at any time Any stabilisation action or over-allotment shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction. This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. END Indonesian miner partners with Chinese firm to boost EV battery ecosystem Xinhua) 16:22, August 29, 2024 JAKARTA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian state miner PT Aneka Tambang (PT Antam) was actively advancing its downstreaming programs, particularly focusing on bauxite and nickel minerals, as part of its broader strategy to develop a robust electric vehicle (EV) battery ecosystem in the country, a senior official said. "Antam is currently running an integrated EV battery ecosystem development project in the company's operational area in North Maluku province. We hope it will be a catalyst for future nickel growth for Antam," said Antam's director for finance and risk management Arianto Sabtonugroho Rudjito during an event in Jakarta held recently. He said the project was in collaboration with China's Ningbo Contemporary Brunp Lygend. PT Antam maintains a majority of leadership in the mining with 51 percent and participates as a minority in the midstream phase, namely mineral processing and through its subsidiary PT Industri Baterai Indonesia (PT Indonesia Battery Corporation) on the downstream side of the EV battery ecosystem. Rudjito said that the company also contributed to supplying nickel ore, both saprolite and limonite types, to be processed in the Rotary Kiln Electric Furnace and High-Pressure Acid Leach factories. "The products will be produced and used to supply the value chain of battery materials, battery cells, and modules as well as recycled batteries downstream," he said. The project has reached initial work on-site and regulatory requirements processes, Rudjito said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Information Update on the Company's Situation Following the General Shareholders' Assembly of August 27, 2024 Paris, France - 29.08.2024 - AVENTADOR (formerly ALGREEN) (Euronext Growth Paris, Ticker: ALGRE- ISIN: FR001400IV58), an investment company, takes the opportunity of the shareholders' general assembly held on August 27, 2024, which ratified several changes, to provide the market with information about its new situation and strategic reorientation. New Reference Shareholder : Following a restructuring of its shareholding, AVENTADOR (formerly ALGREEN), now has a new reference shareholder: AMC Uplift High Yield European Growth. The shareholding structure is now as follows: AMC Uplift High Yield European Growth 46,31 % Public 53,69 % Total 100,00% New Management : As a result of this change in shareholding, AVENTADOR (formerly ALGREEN) has overhauled its management board. As a reminder, as of August 27, 2024, the company's management was as follows: Chief Executive Officer : Mr. Tan Ha Members of the Board of Directors : Mr. Patrick Marche, president, Mr. Bernard Voisin, Mr. Michel Masson, Company Novali. Following the resignation of almost all the Board members, a new management team has been appointed. As of the date hereof, the management AVENTADOR (formerly ALGREEN) is as follows: Chief Executive Director Mme Laetitia Maffei Chairman of the Board of Directors M. Gilles-Emmanuel Trutat Director Mme Laetitia Maffei Director M. Patrice Blandin Director M. Ali Kaptanoglu Director M. Patrick Marche Biographies of the New Directors : Mr. Gilles-Emmanuel Trutat : Gilles-Emmanuel Trutat holds a Master's degree in Business Law from the University of Paris II-Pantheon Assas and an MBA from HEC-University of Montreal. Currently, he is the President and Founder of Capital Systeme Investissements S.A, an asset management company specializing in private debt and Private Equity based in Geneva. He has previously served as Head of Private Markets at EFG Bank, CEO of Olympia Capital Gestion in Paris, Founder of PBS Private Bank Switzerland in Zurich, Head of UBS Global Asset Management France & Monaco, Fund Manager at Merrill Lynch in Geneva, and Corporate Finance Analyst at HSBC-Banque du Louvre in Paris. Mrs. Laetitia Maffei : Laetitia Maffei holds a Master's degree in Business Law from the University of Paris II - Pantheon Assas and is a graduate of the Ecole du Louvre. She began her career in the cultural sector at the Centre Pompidou and then at the Centre Photographique d'Ile-de-France. In 2013, she won a tender from the Ile-de-France Region to create a traveling contemporary art museum, the Musee Passager. A digital art specialist, she founded Danae.io, one of the first startups to register artworks on the blockchain, paving the way for NFTs. Laetitia Maffei is a laureate of the Reseau Entreprendre Paris and the Wilco incubator. In 2020, together with artist Kowei Nawa, she won the competition for the Statue of Equality on the Ile Seguin. Predicting that blockchain would revolutionize finance, she joined Capital Systeme Investissements in Geneva, an asset management boutique specializing in private debt, where she put her expertise in project management and innovation to good use. Mr. Patrice Blandin : Patrice Blandin is the president of ACN SERVICE and MAM, companies specializing in industrial maintenance and the retrofitting of CNC machines. Previously, he served as president of STEEL FORM SAS, a French manufacturer of stainless steel dished ends, and ROTH2, the second-largest European manufacturer of high-pressure accumulator bodies and diving cylinders. Throughout his career, he has also been president of the PHYTOCOSMA International Laboratory and managing director of COMAP International. Patrice Blandin has an initial engineering background, complemented by studies in law and management. Since January 2018, he has been a consular judge in bankruptcy and general litigation, and president of the Prevention Detection delegation of the Lyon Commercial Court. Mr. Ali Kaptanoglu : Ali Kaptanoglu is a finance professional with extensive experience in private wealth management, investment banking, and asset management. He has worked at prestigious multinational banks such as UBS, ABN Amro, and Deutsche Bank. He holds a master's degree in economics and business administration from the University of Basel, with a specialization in monetary economics and financial markets. Throughout his career, Ali Kaptanoglu has advised families, entrepreneurs, and institutional investors and has been involved in numerous mergers and acquisitions, financing projects, and corporate finance activities in several countries. He also established the Turkey and Middle East desk at ABN Amro and has held leadership positions in various international branches. Ali Kaptanoglu is a member of several important organizations, including the Grand Orient Circle and the Oxford Philosophy Society. Mr. Patrick Marche : Patrick Marche is an entrepreneur and seasoned business leader with extensive experience in various sectors, including finance, green chemistry, and agribusiness. He is the president and founder of PM Entreprise, a company he established in 2011, and has also founded several other successful businesses, such as The Village, IRDOCA, Groupe Algreen, and Groupe Neolife. His leadership has enabled companies like Groupe Algreen and Groupe Neolife to achieve significant revenue and growth, both listed on Euronext Growth. Previously, Patrick Marche was the general manager of Chocolat Weiss, where he led a team of 120 employees and generated a turnover of 23 million euros. These new appointments were ratified during the general meeting of shareholders held on August 27, 2024. New Development Strategy : The new management has initiated a strategic reorientation of the company by committing to acquire stakes in profitable businesses across various sectors in Europe and to hold them indefinitely, while promoting their development. AVENTADOR actively supports the companies in its portfolio in their growth to increase their value, notably through various optimization processes, including financial, accounting, tax, legal, and IT improvements. New Company Name : To reflect this new strategy, the company has changed its corporate name to AVENTADOR. This name change was decided during the general shareholders' assembly held on August 27, 2024. New Company Headquarters : The Board of Directors changed the company's headquarters from: Wellio Lyon Part-Dieu - 9 rue des Cuirassiers - 69003 Lyon To : 10 rue de la Paix - 75002 Paris Presentation of Resolutions Voted at the General Shareholders' Assembly of August 27, 2024 : For more details, we invite you to visit the company's website under the Investors section: www.aventadorholding.com About AVENTADOR (formerly ALGREEN) : AVENTADOR (formerly ALGREEN) is a holding company specializing in the management, development, and financing of profitable businesses. With a focus on sustainable growth and supporting companies with a clear strategy, AVENTADOR strives to maximize value for its shareholders while contributing positively to the economy. AVENTADOR actively supports the companies in its portfolio in their growth to increase their value, particularly through various optimization processes, including financial, accounting, tax, legal, and IT improvements. Contact: investors@aventadorholding.com AVENTADOR (Euronext Growth Paris, Ticker: ALGRE, ISIN: FR001400IV58) www.aventadorholding.com ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: mp1uYZhsk5eWmHBrZ8lmamlnamhqlmeYbZOWxGRomJ+baJtnmplqapvLZnFomG5t - 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-0-87397-20240829_pr_aventador_ag_en.pdf The MDR CE-mark is an important milestone for Augere Medical, enabling European launch of Augere's PolypAId System for artificial intelligence (AI) assisted detection of polyps during colonoscopy colon cancer screening. OSLO, Norway, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- After more than 10 years of basic research, product and clinical development, the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) CE-mark is a crucial milestone and enables Augere Medical to start commercial launch in geographies accepting the MDR CE-mark. The basic research originated from clinical needs identified by leading Scandinavian clinicians and research organizations which laid the fundament for Augere's platform for AI assisted systems. David Borge Larsen, Augere's interim CEO, commented: "This regulatory approval for PolypAId is a major milestone for Augere and we have been working hard to achieving the MDR CE-mark over the last years. We are excited to start the commercialization of PolypAId, working with clinicians and healthcare providers to augment screening of colorectal cancer and in general to increase prevention of bowel cancer and thereby improving patient care." According to the World Health Organization, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide accounting for approximately 10% of all cancer cases. In 2020, more than 1.9 million new cases of CRC were reported, and more than 930,000 deaths were estimated worldwide. By 2040 the burden of CRC will increase to 3.2 million new cases per year (an increase of 63%) and 1.6 million deaths are expected per year (an increase of 73%). Early detection of CRC and the precursors, polyps, through colonoscopy screening is regarded as the most effective way to decrease incidence rates and deaths, together with life-style changes. AI assisted colonoscopy screening enables healthcare systems to standardize polyp detection methods and optimize polyp detection rates across hospitals. Recent studies document that AI assisted screening improves polyp detection rates and Augere aims to be a trustworthy partner to work towards this goal. For more information, please contact: Jon H. Hoem Executive Chair Mobile: +41 79 606 2 902 jon@augere.md About Augere Medical Augere Medical is a commercial stage Norwegian medical device company founded in 2018 and is developing systems based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve polyp detection rates during screening for colorectal cancer. Augere's first product, the PolypAIdTM System, is being developed in cooperation with leading colonoscopists and in close cooperation with the research group at Simula. The PolypAIdTM System analyses the real-time video stream during colonoscopy screening and supports the physicians in making the right decision during the screening process. The company has received public grants from Innovation Norway and the Research Council of Norway and has now started the European launch of the PolypAIdTM System. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/augere-medical-as/r/augere-medical-secures-mdr-ce-mark-for-its-polypaid--software-and-system,c4029431 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/23303/4029431/2965626.pdf Press release (PDF) View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/augere-medical-secures-mdr-ce-mark-for-its-polypaid-software-and-system-302233847.html Regulatory News: Press Release Paris, 29 August 2024 Pernod Ricard (Paris:RI) today announces the acquisition of a minority stake in Almave, a Super Premium non-alc blue agave-based spirit brand, co-founded by Seven-Time Formula One World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, by Mexico-based innovation incubator Casa Lumbre and by the advisory and investment firm Copper. Almave perfectly satisfies the intersection between three accelerating global trends: tequila, non-alc products and the desire for authenticity. A true passion project for the F1 champion, Almave was first envisioned by Lewis Hamilton who was seeking an authentic and 'rooted-in-the-land' alcohol-free alternative to his drink of choice: tequila. Almave is the first non-alcoholic Blue Agave spirit distilled in Jalisco (Mexico) and blends tradition and innovation to capture the very soul of the best raw materials possible, the Blue Agave, without the fermentation process. Almave is crafted around two expressions: Almave Blanco with its fruity green vegetal aroma, the perfect choice for mixing, and Almave Ambar, ideal for both mixing and sipping, thanks to its rich and complex notes of cooked agave, caramel and vanilla Pernod Ricard will bring their strong experience in brand building and global distribution to help scale this first-of-its-kind product to several markets throughout the world. The partnership will also add a complementary and innovative brand to Pernod Ricard's already comprehensive and premium agave spirits portfolio. For Alexandre Ricard, Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard, "With Almave, Lewis Hamilton and Casa Lumbre have designed something that is truly exceptional in terms of quality, taste, and positioning. Agave is a highly sought-after category across the world. Having a non-alc proposition in our Premium portfolio that pays full tribute to the craft and savoir-faire of its traditional distillation makes it a true gem. I'm very excited to see Pernod Ricard support the development and fulfil the true potential of Almave Lewis Hamilton: "When I decided to embark on this project it was important to me to find partners who could help me realize my vision without compromise. I am proud we were able to do that, not just in quality and taste but also with real ingredients and time-honoured techniques. Casa Lumbre has been best-in-class in the first part of this journey and I'm proud of what we have achieved together in such a small period of time. It's exciting that Pernod Ricard has, today, become an official stakeholder in Almave; allowing us to unleash the potential of the next stage of our journey, and help take Almave to even more people around the world." Ivan Saldana, Co-founder and Master distiller of Casa Lumbre: "Casa Lumbre is proud to continue its record of partnering with individuals and companies who can support our vision of representing Mexico's national spirit and plant in an authentic way beyond proof. Being able to achieve that type of faithful education to people in all corners of the world is a dream. Thanks to Pernod Ricard, it will soon become the global reference of this very innovative category". About Pernod Ricard Pernod Ricard is a worldwide leader in the spirits and wine industry, blending traditional craftsmanship, state-of-the-art brand-building, and global distribution technologies. Our prestigious portfolio of premium to luxury brands includes Absolut vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine's, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur and Mumm and Perrier-Jouet champagnes. Our mission is to ensure the long-term development of our brands with full respect for people and the environment, while empowering our employees around the world to be ambassadors of our purposeful, inclusive, and responsible culture of authentic conviviality. Pernod Ricard's consolidated sales amounted to 11,598 million in fiscal year FY24. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code:FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices. About Casa Lumbre Born and based in Mexico, Casa Lumbre is a global spirits company that develops, produces, and incubates premium, award-winning spirits. Originally known for Mezcals, Liqueurs and Tequilas, Casa Lumbre continues to tap into its global values and perspective to expand beyond Mexican distillates. Almave is the fourth collaboration between Pernod Ricard and Casa Lumbre after successful partnerships around Mexican spirits Abasolo Ancestral Corn Whisky, Ojo De Tigre mezcal and Nocheluna Sotol launched with musician, actor and designer Lenny Kravitz. About Copper Copper is a diversified advisory, ventures and investment firm that sits at the intersection of talent, commerce, and culture. Copper partners with the world's leading entrepreneurs, entertainers and athletes across their most meaningful moments, opportunities and transactions, acting as a catalyst for long-term value creation. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240829736834/en/ Contacts: Pernod Ricard contact Florence Tresarrieu Global SVP Investor Relations and Treasury +33 (0) 1 70 93 17 03 Edward Mayle Investor Relation Director +33 (0) 1 70 93 17 13 Emmanuel Vouin Head of External Engagement +33 (0) 1 70 93 16 34 Casa Lumbre contact Lindsay Prociw President Managing Director l.prociw@casalumbre.com PALO ALTO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Bioz, Inc., a leader in AI-driven research solutions, is excited to announce a dynamic new collaboration with PCR Biosystems, a rising star in the world of PCR technology. This partnership is set to redefine the way researchers discover and evaluate PCR products, bringing unprecedented AI capabilities to the forefront of scientific research. Bioz Prime Badge Bioz Prime Badge on PCR Biosystems' Website Through this alliance, Bioz will enhance PCR Biosystems' product webpages with its integration of Bioz's advanced AI-driven tools, particularly the distinctive Bioz Badges. These interactive widgets provide high-quality data and comprehensive coverage of PCR Biosystems' products, introducing dynamic and exclusive content to their webpages. Bioz Badges are designed to deliver deep insights and quality assessments, while also promoting greater webpage engagement, increasing sales conversion, and enhancing the overall user experience. Additionally, Bioz Badges increase the time researchers spend on each webpage, lower the bounce rate, and boost both SEO and domain authority. Mary Caudron, Marketing and Communications Manager of PCR Biosystems, commented on the partnership, "As a smaller company with a robust citation record, we are thrilled to join forces with Bioz. Their Bioz Badges align perfectly with our commitment to high-quality, impactful PCR solutions. The enhanced imagery and data provided by the Badges will significantly elevate how researchers engage with our products. We are confident that this collaboration will amplify our visibility within the scientific community." Dr. Karin Lachmi, Co-Founder and CRO of Bioz, expressed enthusiasm about the alliance, saying, "PCR Biosystems' dedication to innovation complements Bioz's cutting-edge search solutions. We are excited about how seamlessly we have integrated Bioz Badges with their product webpages. This integration will provide researchers with evidence-based insights to streamline their search for high-quality PCR products." This new partnership promises to benefit the global research community by improving product discovery, enhancing the credibility of PCR Biosystems' offerings through Bioz Badges, and advancing the efficiency of PCR-related scientific endeavors. For more information about this partnership and its exciting implications for research practices, please visit Bioz's or PCR Biosystems' websites. About Bioz Bioz is the world's most advanced AI search engine for life science experimentation, with evidence-based product ratings and recommendations to guide biopharma and academic scientists toward the most-validated products to use in their experiments, which accelerates research toward new discoveries. Bioz solutions for suppliers include Bioz Badges and Content Hubs, web-based widgets, that are placed on product supplier websites to increase user engagement and sales conversion. About PCR Biosystems PCR Biosystems is a forward-thinking company specializing in advanced PCR technologies. Known for their exceptional product quality and high citation volume, PCR Biosystems continues to set benchmarks in the PCR industry with innovative solutions designed to advance scientific research and discovery. Helpful Links Bioz Bioz Badges Bioz Stars PCR Biosystems To learn more about Bioz solutions for suppliers, please reach out to info@bioz.com. Contact Information Daniel Levitt CEO pr@bioz.com SOURCE: Bioz, Inc. View the original press release on newswire.com. Company to demo latest wireless innovations for video, film production and team collaboration News Highlights Hollyland will be at IBC 2024 in Amsterdam New wireless video and intercom products to be demoed Solidcom C1 Pro - Roaming Hub, team voice comms Solidcom SE small team communications system Cosmo C2 wireless video Pyro S, Pyro 7 and VenusLiv V2 Coffee, prizes and workshops at Hollyland booth SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hollyland Technology will be showcasing its comprehensive suite of audio and video production tools at IBC 2024 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with new and upgraded products at the forefront. Hollyland's roster of offerings will include demonstrations of the newest innovations in video transmission devices, intercom systems, wireless microphones, and cameras - such as the Solidcom C1 Pro - Roaming Hub, the Cosmo C2 wireless video transmission system, and the Solidcom SE full-duplex communication system, plus Pyro S, Pyro 7 and VenusLiv V2. Hollyland products are designed for simplicity, efficiency, and seamless team collaboration. The IBC (International Broadcasting Convention) show will take place from September 13th to 16th, 2024 at RAI Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Hollyland will be in Hall 11, Booth C20. The company looks forward to meeting you there. Solidcom C1 Pro Roaming Hub - Team Voice Comms The Solidcom C1 Pro - Roaming Hub supercharges voice communication and collaboration, with support for up to 20 headsets and six groups, seamless roaming, and a big range of 1,600ft (500m). The Solidcom C1 Pro - Roaming Hub is backward compatible with the headsets of the Solidcom C1 or Solidcom C1 Pro. It enables easier and more efficient teamwork, to get filmmaking, video production and other jobs done ahead of time and under budget. Solidcom SE - Small Team Communications System Hollyland's Solidcom SE full-duplex communications system lets small production teams upgrade their communications experience to the next level. With a focus on affordability, without compromising quality, this full-duplex communication system in a lightweight form factor features advanced Environmental Noise Cancellation, auto frequency hopping technology, stable connection at distances of up to 1,100ft (350m), and water and wind resistance. Solidcom SE allows production teams to collaborate effectively in any environment, including commercial video production and waterside operations. Cosmo C2 - Wireless Video Transmission System The Cosmo C2 wireless video transmission system features a powerful two-transmitter, one-receiver design. With Hollyland's new HEVO 2.0 technology, the C2 supports seamless frequency hopping, for a smooth, immersive experience. Combined with other powerful features and functions like NDI support, UVC and RTMP streaming, this innovative kit is a boon for multi-camera livestreaming, broadcasting, and more. Pyro Series - Wireless Video Transmission System Hollyland will also be showing other popular and powerful products at IBC 2024. Pyro S and Pyro 7 are feature-packed wireless video monitoring solutions. Hollyland's self-developed 2.4GHz and 5GHz Auto Dual-band frequency Hopping (ADH) wireless video technology provide enhanced anti-interference capabilities while reducing lag and improving range. Pyro 7 combines TX, RX, plus a seven-inch monitor screen in one compact, lightweight, and robust device. VenusLiv V2 - A Professional Live-streaming Camera For video capture, the VenusLiv V2 live-streaming camera gives aspiring streamers an unprecedented easy-to-use experience that results in professional-level streaming. VenusLiv V2 doesn't require complex cable connections or professional assistance for setup, significantly reducing equipment and labor costs. Event Details - Hollyland at IBC 2024 Hollyland invites journalists, editors, influencers, and all visitors to experience its products at its booth. Hollyland will also have a series of daily workshops, prize-giving, coffer corner, claw challenge, and happy hour celebration events. Visitors can use the following invitation code during registration: IBC6839. The registration link can be found at https://hollyland.info/3MehEOd. About Hollyland Technology Shenzhen Hollyland Technology Co., Ltd. (Hollyland) has been empowering global customers with professional solutions for wireless data, audio and video transmission, and wireless intercom since 2013. Hollyland serves many markets, including filmmaking, television shooting, video production, broadcast, live events, exhibitions, broadcast media, production, theaters, houses of worship, and rental houses. Visit https://www.hollyland.com/, Hollyland Facebook, Hollyland Instagram. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2489128/IBC.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2013148/logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hollylands-audiovisual-production-ecosystem-on-show-at-ibc-2024-302230309.html LONDON, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The credit card ban for gambling in Great Britain has been evaluated in a report by The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). Evaluation of the credit card ban for gambling in Great Britain (opens in new tab) published today, has assessed the impact and effectiveness of the ban. Great Britain was the first country to implement a complete ban on credit card use for online and offline gambling (apart from non-remote lotteries) in April 2020. The ban prohibits licensed gambling operators from accepting payment by credit card, including payments through a money service business. The credit card ban was designed to add friction to the process of gambling with borrowed money, adding a layer of protection for people at increased risk of gambling-related harms. The evaluation intended to: Determine the degree to which the ban was implemented as intended, Examine the extent to which credit card users changed their gambling behaviours as a result of the ban, Understand the impact on gambling-related financial harms experienced by people who gamble with borrowed money, Understand the impact of the credit card ban on friends and family impacted by gambling and people who gamble who are not currently experiencing harm, and Examine how the COVID-19 pandemic interacted with the implementation and outcomes of the credit card ban. The mixed method evaluation included the use of quantitative data drawn from an existing Online Tracker Survey, commissioned by the Gambling Commission, and qualitative data from interviews with organisational stakeholders, people who gamble, and friends and family affected by gambling. Key findings include: The credit card ban was successfully implemented, however, communications about the ban did not reach all people who gamble. Overall, the ban was perceived to be a positive change by people who gamble; friends and family affected by gambling; and gambling treatment/support providers. People experiencing moderate and high levels of problems from gambling were the most likely to be aware of the ban's implementation. The increased friction imposed by the credit card ban did not always result in changed patterns of gambling. People experiencing no reported problems from gambling, and people experiencing low levels of problems from gambling were more likely than people experiencing moderate and high levels of problem gambling to report reduced use of credit cards to gamble and use of borrowed money to gamble post-ban. Most people who gamble reported that their borrowing behaviour did not change post-ban, and nearly all continue to avoid illegal forms of borrowing. There was no change in the likelihood of being aware of tools to minimise the risk associated with gambling products The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic added challenges to implementation, making it difficult to distinguish the impact of the ban from the impacts of the pandemic. Sokratis Dinos, Director of Health Policy, The National Centre for Social Research: "It is vital to understand the impact and effectiveness of any gambling harm prevention/reduction initiative to achieve intended outcomes and reduce gambling harms in practice. In this report we have highlighted the successes of the credit card ban, the confounding timing of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the work that remains." Tim Miller, Gambling Commission Executive Director of Research and Policy, said: "We welcome the publication of this independent evaluation of the credit card ban introduced in April 2020. We are pleased that the evaluation has found that the ban was successfully implemented, increased friction in gambling with credit as intended, and was perceived to be a positive change. "We will closely examine the entire report's recommendations to consider how they may inform discussions for the development and implementation of any future policies." As part of a programme of work to strengthen the evaluation of gambling initiatives that seek to minimise the risk associated with gambling in Great Britain, Greo's evaluation team provided third-party management and commissioned NatCen Social Research to conduct the evaluation. To read the full report and recommendations, you can download a copy of the Evaluation of the credit card ban for gambling in Great Britain (opens in new tab) Note to editors: For all media enquiries, please contact Katie Crabb, Head of Marketing and Communications, NatCen at katie.crabb@natcen.ac.uk View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/evaluating-the-credit-card-ban-for-gambling-in-great-britain-302233285.html Hollywood, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - A&D Mortgage, a leading innovator in the mortgage industry, is proud to announce its recognition as a Gold winner in the 2024 National Mortgage Professional (NMP) Originator Choice Awards. This prestigious accolade highlights A&D Mortgage's excellence in both the Non-QM Loans and Real Estate Investors categories, marking a significant achievement in the company's commitment to delivering unparalleled service and innovative solutions to its clients. A&D Mortgage Wins Gold To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10636/221379_92223cd5446b5adb_001full.jpg The NMP Originator Choice Awards celebrate the top mortgage companies that have consistently demonstrated exceptional performance, customer satisfaction, and innovation. Originators, brokers, and mortgage professionals nationwide voted for the companies they believe represent the pinnacle of the mortgage industry. The awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of A&D Mortgage's team, who strive to provide their clients with the best possible home financing options . Innovative Solutions for a Dynamic Market A&D Mortgage has long been famous for its cutting-edge approach to the mortgage industry, offering a full spectrum of products. Their focus on Non-QM Loans has set them apart in the industry, providing flexible solutions for borrowers who may not fit the conventional lending mold. This includes offering Bank Statement, Jumbo, and Foreign National programs designed to meet the unique needs of each client . Setting Standards for Excellence "We are thrilled to receive these Gold awards in the NMP Originator Choice Awards," said Max Slyusarchuk, CEO of A&D Mortgage. "This recognition reflects our team's unwavering commitment to innovation, customer service, and providing tailored mortgage solutions. We are proud to be acknowledged by our industry peers and look forward to continuing to set the standard for excellence in mortgage." A&D Mortgage: A Leader in Non-QM and Real Estate Investor Lending A&D Mortgage's recognition in the Real Estate Investors category underscores its expertise in providing lending options for real estate professionals. The company's ability to deliver customized solutions for investors showcases its dedication to fostering growth and success . For additional information about A&D Mortgage, please visit https://www.admortgage.com/. About A&D Mortgage As a premier direct mortgage lender, A&D Mortgage offers a full spectrum of conventional, government, and Non-QM loan products. The lender has with 24-hour turnaround times and some of the most competitive rates in the industry. A&D Mortgage offers programs for Prime borrowers, Foreign National borrowers, as well as borrowers with imperfect credit histories. Programs with no income verification are also available for investment property loans. The company offers complimentary concierge services, bank statement reviews, marketing tools and resources, and more. In 2024, A&D Mortgage received several prestigious industry awards. These include the #1 Non-QM Lender and a Top 3 DSCR and Bank Statement Lender by Scotsman Guide. They were also named a Top 10 Wholesale Lender by Forbes, awarded a Stevie for Innovative Mortgage Technologies, and received a Globee for Achievement in Artificial Intelligence. A&D Mortgage LLC is an Equal Housing Lender. NMLS ID #958660. 1040 South Federal Highway, Hollywood, FL 33020. For important disclosures and state licensing information: https://admortgage.com/important-disclosures/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221379 SOURCE: A&D Mortgage LLC ANQING, China, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 10th China (Anqing) Huangmei Opera Art Festival, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China and the Anhui Provincial People's Government, will be held in Anqing City, Anhui Province from late September to October 8, 2024. Huangmei Opera, one of China's five major traditional operas, has undergone over 200 years of inheritance and innovation, growing ever more cherished and revered with time. The China (Anqing) Huangmei Opera Art Festival, first held in 1992, has been celebrated for 32 years, continually bringing joy and cultural enrichment to the public. To further enrich the festival, highlight the theme of "Advancing with the Times, Uniting with the People," and embody the spirit of "A Grand Artistic Event for All," the Anhui Branch of Xinhua News Agency's News and Information Center will join hands with the Organizing Committee Office of the 10th China (Anqing) Huangmei Opera Art Festival to launch a themed essay contest titled "My Experience with Huangmei Opera." The contest warmly invites literature enthusiasts, Huangmei Opera fans, and people from all walks of life to share wonderful stories of Huangmei Opera and help envision a bright future of artistic prosperity for Huangmei Opera. Following is the Call for Submission: I. Theme "My Experience with Huangmei Opera" II. Duration Late August 2024 - Late September 2024 III. Essay Requirements 1. Focus on the Event Theme: Submitted essays should center around the theme "My Experience with Huangmei Opera," while embracing an open and diverse perspective. You are invited to share your touching stories, memorable moments, or heartfelt reflections related to Huangmei Opera. We also welcome your insights and thoughts on the prosperity and development of Huangmei Opera. There are no restrictions on the form of writing, but submissions should not exceed 5,000 words. 2. Originality: All submissions must be original and unpublished. Plagiarism or the use of previously published work will result in disqualification immediately on discovery. 3. Submission Method and Deadline: Please submit your essay in electronic format (Word document) along with the author's basic information (name, contact details, and mailing address). The email should be sent to the designated email address before the deadline which is September 30, 2024, with the subject line "My Experience with Huangmei Opera Submission + Author's Name." 4. Awards: The contest will select winners for first, second, and third prizes, as well as excellence awards. The results will be announced on the Xinhua News Agency's app, the official website of the 10th China (Anqing) Huangmei Opera Art Festival, and other platforms. Outstanding works will be published in related Xinhua News Agency publications. Winners will receive honorary certificates and exquisite prizes from the organizers and will be invited to participate in events related to the 10th China (Anqing) Huangmei Opera Art Festival. The organizers reserve the right to display and promote submitted essays on relevant platforms and media. The final interpretation of this contest rests with the Organizing Committee Office of the 10th China (Anqing) Huangmei Opera Art Festival. Submission Email: wyhmx2024@163.com. Contact person: Wu Hao Tel: 86-556-5346628 Mobile: 86-17755631199 Contact person: Cao Tao Tel: 86-551-63699092 Mobile: 86-18956086888 Source: Anhui Branch of Xinhua News Agency's News and Information Center & The Organizing Committee Office of the 10th China (Anqing) Huangmei Opera Art Festival Gold equivalent production of 16,255 GEO for Q2; On track for Full year guidance of 50,000-60,0000 GEO Adjusted EBITDA of $14.7 million for Q2 Operating results for Q2 highlight stable operating performance which is expected for the remainder of the year Recent 43-101 Mineral Resource Update and Preliminary Economic Assessment Completed for MDN showing an NPV5% of $111MM at $2,100 oz gold price over a 5 year mine life Cerrado Gold Inc. (TSXV:CERT)(OTCQX:CRDOF) announces its operational and financial results for the second quarter ("Q2/24") at its Minera Don Nicolas ("MDN") gold project in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina and at its Mont Sorcier Iron Project in Quebec. Production results for MDN were previously released on July 17, 2024. The Company's financial results are reported and available on SEDAR as well as on the Company's website (www.cerradogold.com). Q2/24 Operating Highlights Q2/24 production of 16,255 Gold Equivalent Ounces ("GEO"). Q2/24 Adjusted EBITDA of $14.7 million AISC of $1,233 during Q2; Focus on cost reduction initiatives underway Focus remains on delivering cashflow and strengthening the balance sheet with significant progress made towards debt reduction during the quarter. Operational results presented for Q2/24 show a marked improvement over the previous quarter as the full exploitation of the Calandrias Norte high-grade open pit was achieved in addition to the continued ramp up of the heap leach operations. Production results for June included a modest decline due to harsh weather conditions where heavy snow impacted the transportation of high-grade ore to the mill and reduced mill throughput. The performance of the Heap leach during the quarter continued to improve despite the harsh weather and bodes well for the ramp-up to full commercial production. Performance of the crushing circuit at the Calandrias Sur Heap Leach continues to improve, allowing the placement of more ore on the heap leach pad during the quarter, which is key to delivering higher sustained production rates. Additional crushing capacity is being added via the addition of a secondary mobile crushing unit that has recently been delivered to the site and is set to double crushing capacity at Calandrias Sur to around 10,000 tpd to support an increase in production in the latter part of the year, doubling capacity to around 4,500 ozs per month. The Company has also made significant progress in improving its working capital position during the quarter, partly due to cashflow generated by higher gold prices and strong production but also from the remaining proceeds received under the sale of an option on the Monte Do Carmo project in Brazil, to a subsidiary of Hochschild, which was approved by shareholders on 27th June 2024. Further improvement in the balance sheet is expected in the coming quarter due to sustained production rates. Mark Brennan, CEO and Chairman commented, "With production levels stabilized, the outlook for the remainder of the year appears robust combined with the added expectation of higher gold prices. This should have a strong impact on our balance sheet. The recently completed PEA at MDN, underscores the value of the MDN operations. We are now positioned to ramp up exploration efforts to extend the mine life to further enhance the value of the project. In addition, if the option to purchase our Monte do Carmo project in Brazil is exercised, it would place Cerrado in a very strong financial position to resume an aggressive growth orientated strategy. " Updated Mineral Resource Estimate and Preliminary Economic Assessment at Minera Don Nicolas Subsequent to quarter end, on August 6th, 2024 the Company released results of a NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") and an updated Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") for its Minera Don Nicolas mine located in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. The work was completed by GeoEstima SpA (Chile). The final report is to be completed and available on SEDAR+ by 20th September 2024. The results show a robust cash generating operation producing approximately 56,000 GEO per annum over an initial five year mine life. Key highlights are presented below: After Tax NPV5% of US$111 Million at US$2,100/oz Au price After Tax NPV5% of US$153 Million at Spot prices 1 Average annual production targeted at approx. 56,000 Gold Equivalent Ounces ("GEO") 2 Life of Mine Average annual EBITDA of US$49 Million and FCF of US$25 Million LOM average EBITDA of US$64 Million and FCF of US$29 Million at Spot prices 1 Mine life of 5 years, from April 2024 based on existing Resources Average Cash Costs of US$863/oz; Avg AISC US$1,144/oz No Material Upfront Capital Expenditures required Updated Mineral Resource Estimate contains 490,000ozs of Measured and Indicated Resources and 121,150 ozs of Inferred Resources with potential upside from continued drilling & resource expansion Notes 1. Spot prices; Au: US$2,400/oz and Ag:US$29/oz 2. GEO calculated by multiplying recovered silver ounces by (25/2100) The PEA is primarily designed to exploit the Calandrias Norte high grade deposit and the Calandrias Sur low grade, heap leach, deposit. In addition, a modest underground mine based solely on currently known resources in the Paloma Trend and the smaller Zorro open pit near Martinetas are planned to add additional material for the CIL processing plant. The mine design is based on using standard open pit mining techniques of drill, blast and haul using a fleet of its own and rented mining equipment mining fleet to reduce capital needs. Mineralized material from Calandrias Norte is trucked to the CIL plant near the historical Martinetas mining operations, while material from the Calandrias Sur pit is crushed and placed on the leach pad in close proximity to the mining operations. The gold loaded carbon from the heap leach operations will be transported to the gold recovery circuit at the Martinetas site. Once processing of Calandrias Norte and additional high-grade material is completed, the CIL plant is to be placed on Care and Maintenance until mineralized material from the proposed underground mine becomes available in 2026, after underground development has been completed. Once this material is processed the CIL plant will once again be placed on Care and Maintenance until sufficient new sources of mineralized material have been upgraded to support ongoing mining operations which are expected from future exploration activities. Future mineralized material potential from exploration is currently excluded from the PEA mine plan. Q2 Financial Performance Table 1. Q2 2024 Operational and Financial Performance The Company produced 16,255 GEO during the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, as compared to 12,453 GEO for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023. Production is higher in the three months ended June 30, 2024, due to 46% higher gold head grade and 9% higher recovery, offset by 29% lower throughput. The Company generated revenue of $34.7 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, from the sale of 15,484 ounces of gold and 23,509 ounces of silver at an average realized price per gold ounce sold of $2,199. For the second quarter ended June 30, 2023, the Company generated revenue of $21.2 million from the sale of 10.907 ounces of gold and 9,242 ounces of silver at an average realized price per gold ounce sold of $1,919. Revenue and sales of gold for the current period are higher than the quarter ended June 30, 2023, due to higher ounces sold and higher average realized gold price. Cost of sales for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, were $23.1 million as compared to $16.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. The Company incurred $6.9 million higher production costs for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 due primarily to due to higher labor costs. All in Sustaining Costs (including royalties) per ounce sold were $1,233 per ounce in the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $1,318 per ounce for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023, an $85 per ounce decrease (refer to reconciliation of Non-IFRS performance metrics). The decrease is a result of higher production rates in the quarter, offset slightly by higher production costs in 2024 as compared to 2023. Net income for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, was $1.0 million as compared to a $0.4 million net loss for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023. The decrease in net loss is primarily a result of higher revenues, offset by higher other expenses and income and mining taxes. The Company incurred general and administrative expenses of $2.5 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $2.3 million of general and administrative expenses incurred during the second quarter ended June 30, 2023. For the three months ended June 30, 2024 there was an increase in office expense of $0.4 million offset by a decrease in professional fees of $0.3 million. Other expense of $7.3 million during the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, included finance expense of $2.6 million, foreign exchange loss of $5.0 million, loss on fair value remeasurement of MDN stream obligation of $0.2 million and loss on fair value remeasurement of MDC secured note and stream obligation of $0.4 million. Cancellation of Stock Options The Company and certain directors and employees of the Company have mutually agreed to cancel certain stock options (the "Cancelled Options") exercisable to acquire an aggregate of 7,521,663 common shares of the Company. These Cancelled Options consist of an aggregate of 1,720,000stock options that were granted on August 9, 2021 (expiring August 9, 2026) at an exercise price of CA$1.41, 150,000 stock options that were granted on October 28, 2021 (expiring October 28, 2026) at an exercise price of CA$1.53, 1,675,000stock options that were granted on September 19, 2022 (expiring September 19, 2027) at an exercise price of CA$1.10, 583,330 stock options that were granted on September 26, 2022 (expiring September 26, 2027) at an exercise price of CA$0.72, 8,333 stock options that were granted on November 25, 2022 (expiring November 25, 2027) at an exercise price of CA$0.72, and 3,385,000 stock options that were granted on August 23, 2023 (expiring August 23, 2028) at an exercise price of CA$0.75. No consideration was paid for the surrender of the Cancelled Options. Following this cancellation of stock options, the Company has a total of 1,190,829 stock options outstanding. Review of Technical Information The scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Sergio Gelcich, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration for Cerrado Gold Inc., who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101. About Cerrado Cerrado Gold is a Toronto-based gold production, development, and exploration company focused on gold projects in South America. The Company is the 100% owner of both the producing Minera Don Nicolas and Las Calandrias mine in Santa Cruz province, Argentina, and the highly prospective Monte Do Carmo development project, located in Tocantins State, Brazil under option to Amarillo Mineracao Do Brasil Ltda., a subsidiary of Hochschild Mining PLC. In Canada, Cerrado Gold is developing it's 100% owned Mont Sorcier Iron Ore and Vanadium project located outside of Chibougamou, Quebec. In Argentina, Cerrado is maximizing asset value at its Minera Don Nicolas operation through continued operational optimization and is growing production through its operations at the Las Calandrias Heap Leach project. An extensive campaign of exploration is ongoing to further unlock potential resources in our highly prospective land package in the heart of the Deseado Masiff. In Canada, Cerrado holds a 100% interest in the Mont Sorcier Iron Ore and Vanadium project, which has the potential to produce a premium iron ore concentrate over a long mine life at low operating costs and low capital intensity. Furthermore, its high grade and high purity product facilitates the migration of steel producers from blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces, contributing to the decarbonization of the industry and the achievement of SDG goals. For more information about Cerrado please visit our website at: www.cerradogold.com. Mark Brennan CEO and Chairman Mike McAllister Vice President, Investor Relations Tel: +1-647-805-5662 mmcallister@cerradogold.com Disclaimer NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the business and operations of Cerrado, anticipated continued improvements in operating results and working capital position, the likelihood of the option to sell the Monte do Carmo project being exercised and assumptions set out in the PEA.. In making the forward- looking statements contained in this press release, Cerrado has made certain assumptions. Although Cerrado believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, Cerrado disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. SOURCE: Cerrado Gold Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 is $325.0 million, growing 15.9% year-over-year and 9.5% on a sequential quarter basis Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 is $18.9 million, growing 870.3% year-over-year and 89.1% on a sequential quarter basis Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure)* for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 is $78.7 million, growing 30.2% year-over-year and 22.5% on a sequential quarter basis Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS) for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 is $0.20, growing 900.0% year-over-year and 100.0% on a sequential quarter basis Operating cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2024, is $112.3 million, improving 55.1% year-over-year Free cash flow (a non-GAAP measure)* for the six months ended June 30, 2024, is $59.6 million, improving 73.2% year-over-year HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / National Energy Services Reunited Corp. ("NESR" or the "Company") (OTC PINK:NESR)(OTC PINK:NESRW), a national, industry-leading provider of integrated energy services in the Middle East and North Africa ("MENA") region, today reported its financial results as of and for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2024. The Company posted the following results for the periods presented: Three Months Ended Variance (in thousands except per share amounts and percentages) June 30, 2024 March 31, 2024 June 30, 2023 Sequential Year- over- year Revenue $ 324,969 $ 296,848 $ 280,311 9.5 % 15.9 % Net income 18,873 9,982 1,945 89.1 % 870.3 % Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)* 27,356 14,046 6,041 94.8 % 352.8 % Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)* 78,655 64,216 60,411 22.5 % 30.2 % Diluted EPS 0.20 0.10 0.02 100.0 % 900.0 % Adjusted Diluted EPS (non-GAAP)* 0.29 0.15 0.07 93.3 % 314.3 % *The Company presents its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"). However, management believes that using additional non-GAAP measures will enhance the evaluation of the profitability of the Company and its ongoing operations. Please see Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4 below for reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Operations, and Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows are derived from the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements present in our Period Report on Form 6-K as of and for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2024. Stefan Angeli, Chief Financial Officer, commented, "NESR achieved exemplary results during the first half of 2024 with outstanding revenue growth and margin expansion coupled with strong cash flow that drove a large reduction in Net Debt. First half 2024 Revenues grew 15.5% year-over-year and Adjusted EBITDA margin improved 218 basis points to 23.0% during the same period. Cash provided by operating activities for the first half of 2024 was $112.3 million. Free cash flow totalling $59.6 million was used to pay down debt. Net Debt to trailing Adjusted EBITDA was 1.13 as of June 30, 2024, a significant reduction from prior periods. Activity has continued to expand throughout 2024 with Revenues for the second quarter of 2024 up 9.5% sequentially to $325.0 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin also improved sequentially, expanding 257 basis points to 24.2% during the second quarter of 2024. Despite macroeconomic volatility and geopolitical conflicts, we believe the MENA landscape remains very favorable with growth across most countries. Operational execution was exceptional in the first half of 2024, and our back office, with new and updated processes and procedures, also contributed significantly. Additionally, as you may have seen with yesterday's press release by the SEC, we have concluded our inquiry with the SEC in a very positive manner. On behalf of management, I would like to thank our entire workforce for their tireless contribution, together with our customers, our directors, shareholders and banking consortium, for their continued support. We look forward to exiting 2024 as a far larger and stronger corporation." Sherif Foda, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "I am extremely proud of the entire NESR organization, for not only achieving exceptional first half 2024 results on the back of solid momentum in 2023, but also for the substantial organizational improvements that position the Company to deliver continued outperformance in the MENA region. The positive macro backdrop has materialized as we had expected, and NESR continues to make progress on the key elements of our strategy, including core business outperformance, new technology expansion, and returns-driven growth punctuated by leading cash flow generation. Looking ahead, a robust activity environment with historically high rig counts in our largest countries, across both oil and gas basins, serves as a foundation for durable success in the next leg of NESR's evolution. We are very excited with our progress across the ROYA drilling portfolio, and we see excellent opportunities to establish ourselves as a main player in the advanced directional drilling arena. I extend my deepest thanks to our valued customers, our shareholders, and our hard-working people for their trust and loyalty during the past several years, and I look forward to a very bright future." Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Results The Company had net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, totaling $18.9 million, an improvement of $16.9 million year-over-year. The change is largely attributable to increased activity in our principal areas and businesses of operations, particularly in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Adjusted net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, was $27.4 million and included adjustments totaling $8.5 million ("Total Charges and Credits"), mainly related to increased costs associated with the restatement of our 2018-2020 financial statements, including the SEC inquiry and remediation, and current expected credit loss provisions. A complete list of the adjusting items and the associated reconciliation from GAAP has been provided in Table 1 below in the section entitled "Reconciliation of Net Income and Adjusted Net Income." The Company reported $0.20 of diluted EPS for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. Adjusted for the impact of Total Charges and Credits, Adjusted Diluted EPS, a non-GAAP measure described in Table 1 below, for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, is $0.29. Adjusted EBITDA Results The Company generated Adjusted EBITDA of $78.7 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2024, improving 30.2% year-over-year and 22.5% sequentially. Adjusted EBITDA includes adjustments for certain Total Charges and Credits (those not related to interest, taxes, and/or depreciation and amortization). The Company posted the following results for the periods presented. Quarter ended Quarter ended Quarter ended (in thousands) June 30, 2024 March 31, 2024 June 30, 2023 Revenue $ 324,969 $ 296,848 $ 280,311 Adjusted EBITDA $ 78,655 $ 64,216 $ 60,411 Balance Sheet Cash and cash equivalents are $75.0 million as of June 30, 2024, compared to $67.8 million as of December 31, 2023. Free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was $59.6 million, as compared to $34.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, due to improved operating results in 2024. Total debt as of June 30, 2024, is $407.1 million with $105.7 million classified as short-term, as compared to $452.2 million and $120.6 million, respectively, on December 31, 2023. Net Debt (a non-GAAP measure), which is the sum of our recorded Current installments of long-term debt, Short-term borrowings, and Long-term debt less Cash and cash equivalents, totaled $332.1 million as of June 30, 2024, as compared to $384.4 million as of December 31, 2023. Net Debt has decreased as compared to the prior period primarily due to long-term debt repayments during 2024. A reconciliation of the comparable GAAP measures to Net Debt is provided in Table 4 below, entitled "Reconciliation to Net Debt." About National Energy Services Reunited Corp. Founded in 2017, NESR is one of the largest national oilfield services providers in the MENA and Asia Pacific regions. With over 6,000 employees, representing more than 60 nationalities in over 15 countries, the Company helps its customers unlock the full potential of their reservoirs by providing Production Services such as Hydraulic Fracturing, Cementing, Coiled Tubing, Filtration, Completions, Stimulation, Pumping and Nitrogen Services. The Company also helps its customers to access their reservoirs in a smarter and faster manner by providing Drilling and Evaluation Services such as Drilling Downhole Tools, Directional Drilling, Fishing Tools, Testing Services, Wireline, Slickline, Drilling Fluids and Rig Services. Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Any and all statements contained in this communication that are not statements of historical fact, may be deemed forward-looking statements. Terms such as "may," "might," "would," "should," "could," "project," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "strategy," "anticipate," "attempt," "develop," "plan," "help," "believe," "continue," "intend," "expect," "future," and terms of similar import (including the negative of any of these terms) may identify forward-looking statements. However, not all forward-looking statements may contain one or more of these identifying terms. Forward-looking statements in this communication may include, without limitation, the plans and objectives of management for future operations, projections of income or loss, earnings or loss per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure or other financial items, the Company's future financial performance, expansion plans and opportunities, completion and integration of acquisitions, and the assumptions underlying or relating to any such statement. The forward-looking statements are not meant to predict or guarantee actual results, performance, events or circumstances and may not be realized because they are based upon the Company's current projections, plans, objectives, beliefs, expectations, estimates and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and other influences, many of which the Company has no control over including the impact of the delayed SEC report filings on our business, the extent of any material weakness or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting and any action taken by the SEC including potential fines or penalties arising out of the SEC inquiry. Actual results and the timing of certain events and circumstances may differ materially from those described by the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties. Factors that may influence or contribute to the accuracy of the forward-looking statements or cause actual results to differ materially from expected or desired results may include, without limitation: estimates of the Company's future revenue, expenses, capital requirements and the Company's need for financing; the risk of legal complaints and proceedings and government investigations; the Company's financial performance; success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, the Company's officers, key employees or directors; current and future government regulations; developments relating to the Company's competitors; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the possibility that the Company may be adversely affected by other economic and market conditions, particularly during extended periods of low oil and gas prices, political disturbances, war, terrorist acts, public health crises and threats, ongoing actions taken by businesses and governments and resulting significant disruption in international economies, international financial and oil markets; international currency fluctuations, business and/or competitive factors; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because of the risks and uncertainties related to them and to the risk factors. The Company disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this communication to reflect any new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law. You should read this communication in conjunction with other documents which the Company may file or furnish from time to time with the SEC. The preliminary financial results for the Company as of and for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2024, included in this press release represent the most current information available to management. The Company's actual results when disclosed in its subsequent Periodic Reports on Form 6-K may differ from these preliminary results as a result of the completion of the Company's financial statement closing procedures, final adjustments, completion of the independent registered public accounting firm's review procedures, and other developments that may arise between now and the disclosure of the final results. NATIONAL ENERGY SERVICES REUNITED CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In US$ thousands, except share data) June 30, 2024 December 31, 2023 Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 74,997 67,821 Accounts receivable, net 155,942 171,269 Unbilled revenue 144,976 95,997 Service inventories 95,866 98,434 Prepaid assets 16,835 9,238 Retention withholdings 30,513 48,419 Other receivables 31,747 39,778 Other current assets 9,894 10,759 Total current assets 560,770 541,715 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment, net 423,251 442,666 Intangible assets, net 75,001 84,304 Goodwill 645,095 645,095 Operating lease right-of-use assets 27,395 31,628 Other assets 57,842 52,332 Total assets $ 1,789,354 $ 1,797,740 Liabilities and equity Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses 373,387 351,240 Current installments of long-term debt 70,945 71,744 Short-term borrowings 34,797 48,889 Income taxes payable 4,219 8,421 Other taxes payable 6,215 14,674 Operating lease liabilities 5,313 7,406 Other current liabilities 29,004 31,073 Total current liabilities 523,880 533,447 Long-term debt (Note 6) 301,331 331,565 Deferred tax liabilities (Note 7) - - Employee benefit liabilities 31,846 28,935 Non-current operating lease liabilities 21,597 25,145 Other liabilities 59,312 57,154 Total liabilities 937,966 976,246 Equity Preferred shares, no par value; unlimited shares authorized; none issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively - - Common stock and additional paid in capital, no par value; unlimited shares authorized; 95,408,453 and 94,996,397 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively 884,904 883,865 Retained (deficit) (33,585 ) (62,440 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income 69 69 Total equity 851,388 821,494 Total liabilities and equity $ 1,789,354 $ 1,797,740 NATIONAL ENERGY SERVICES REUNITED CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In US$ thousands, except share data and per share amounts) For the quarter-to-date period ended For the year-to-date period ended Description June 30, 2024 June 30, 2023 June 30, 2024 June 30, 2023 Revenues $ 324,969 $ 280,311 $ 621,817 $ 538,311 Cost of services (271,830 ) (248,318 ) (525,736 ) (479,199 ) Gross profit 53,139 31,993 96,081 59,112 Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding Amortization) (14,329 ) (10,060 ) (28,020 ) (24,723 ) Amortization (4,694 ) (4,694 ) (9,387 ) (9,388 ) Operating income 34,116 17,239 58,674 25,001 Interest expense, net (9,439 ) (11,067 ) (20,043 ) (21,986 ) Other income, net 184 166 805 864 Income before income tax 24,861 6,338 39,436 3,879 Income tax expense (5,988 ) (4,393 ) (10,581 ) (8,291 ) Net income / (loss) $ 18,873 $ 1,945 $ 28,855 $ (4,412 ) Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 95,437,068 94,875,603 95,250,744 94,521,888 Diluted 95,525,679 94,875,603 95,484,020 94,521,888 Earnings / (loss) per share: Basic $ 0.20 $ 0.02 $ 0.30 $ (0.05 ) Diluted $ 0.20 $ 0.02 $ 0.30 $ (0.05 ) NATIONAL ENERGY SERVICES REUNITED CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In US$ thousands) For the year-to-date period ended June 30, 2024 June 30, 2023 Cash flows from operating activities: Net income / (loss) $ 28,855 $ (4,412 ) Adjustments to reconcile net income / (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 68,819 71,468 Share-based compensation expense 2,026 3,693 Loss / (Gain) on disposal of assets 1,389 (93 ) Non-cash interest (income) expense (2,088 ) 1,111 Deferred tax expense 1,196 1,591 Allowance for (reversal of) doubtful receivables 4,323 506 Charges on obsolete service inventories 1,648 69 Other operating activities, net (59 ) (367 ) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable 10,694 167 (Increase) decrease in unbilled revenue (49,019 ) (14,956 ) (Increase) decrease in retention withholdings 17,906 5,522 (Increase) decrease in inventories 621 (3,737 ) (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses (7,631 ) (11,821 ) (Increase) decrease in other current assets 10,172 (4,987 ) Change in other long-term assets and liabilities (2,858 ) (228 ) Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses 43,218 23,291 Increase (decrease) in other current liabilities (16,931 ) 5,598 Net cash provided by operating activities 112,281 72,415 Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures (52,698 ) (38,009 ) IPM investments (Note 2) - (15,304 ) Proceeds from disposal of assets 156 273 Other investing activities (4,165 ) (1,000 ) Net cash used in investing activities (56,707 ) (54,040 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from long-term debt 4,063 - Repayments of long-term debt (35,872 ) (26,675 ) Proceeds from short-term borrowings 24,276 60,899 Repayments of short-term borrowings (38,513 ) (70,416 ) Payments on capital leases (507 ) (1,201 ) Payments on seller-provided financing for capital expenditures (1,682 ) (4,521 ) Other financing activities, net (163 ) (197 ) Net cash used in financing activities (48,398 ) (42,111 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash - - Net increase (decrease) in cash 7,176 (23,736 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 67,821 78,853 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 74,997 $ 55,117 NATIONAL ENERGY SERVICES REUNITED CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited) (In US$ thousands except per share amounts) The Company uses and presents certain key non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate its business and trends, measure performance, prepare financial projections and make strategic decisions. Included in this release are discussions of earnings before interest, income tax and depreciation and amortization adjusted for certain non-recurring and non-core expenses ("Adjusted EBITDA"), net income and diluted earnings per share ("EPS") adjusted for certain non-recurring and non-core expenses ("Adjusted Net Income" and "Adjusted Diluted EPS," respectively), as well as a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to net income and diluted EPS, respectively, in accordance with GAAP. The Company also discusses the non-GAAP balance sheet measure of the sum of our recorded current installments of long-term debt, short-term borrowings, and long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents ("Net Debt") in this release and provides a reconciliation to the GAAP measures of cash and cash equivalents, current installments of long-term debt, short-term borrowings, and long-term debt to Net Debt. The Company also discusses Free Cash Flow reconciled to Operating Cash Flow. The Company believes that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted Diluted EPS provides useful information to investors in assessing its financial performance and results of operations as the Company's board of directors, management and investors use Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted Diluted EPS to compare the Company's operating performance on a consistent basis across periods by removing the effects of changes in capital structure (such as varying levels of interest expense), asset base (such as depreciation and amortization), items that do not impact the ongoing operations (transaction, integration, and startup costs) and items outside the control of its management team. Similarly, Net Debt is used by management as a liquidity measure used to illustrate the Company's debt level absent variability in cash and cash equivalents, and the Company believes that the presentation of Net Debt provides useful information to investors in assessing its financial leverage. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted Diluted EPS should not be considered as an alternative to operating income, net income, or diluted EPS, respectively, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. Net Debt also should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures of cash and cash equivalents, current installments of long-term debt, short-term borrowings, and long-term debt. Finally, Free Cash Flow is used by management as a liquidity measure to illustrate the Company's ability to produce cash that is available to be distributed in a discretionary manner, after excluding investments in capital assets. Free Cash Flow should not be considered as an alternative to Net cash provided by (used in) operations or Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities, respectively, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP financial measures have important limitations as analytical tools because they exclude some but not all items that affect the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. You should not consider non-GAAP measures in isolation or as a substitute for an analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP. Table 1 - Reconciliation of Net Income and Diluted EPS to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS Quarter ended June 30, 2024 Quarter ended March 31, 2024 Quarter ended June 30, 2023 Net Income Diluted EPS Net Income Diluted EPS Net Income Diluted EPS Net Income $ 18,873 $ 0.20 $ 9,982 $ 0.10 $ 1,945 $ 0.02 Add Charges and Credits: Costs associated with the restatement of our 2018-2020 financial statements, including the SEC inquiry and remediation 5,332 0.06 3,370 0.04 3,540 0.04 Current expected credit loss provisions 2,720 0.03 1,820 0.02 - - Other write-offs (recoveries) and provisions (release of provisions) 431 - (1,126 ) (0.01 ) 556 0.01 Total Charges and Credits(1) 8,483 0.09 4,064 0.05 4,096 0.05 Total Adjusted Net Income $ 27,356 $ 0.29 $ 14,046 $ 0.15 $ 6,041 $ 0.07 (1) In the quarter ended June 30, 2024, Total Charges and Credits included $5.3 million of costs associated with the restatement of our 2018-2020 financial statements, including the SEC inquiry and remediation, $2.7 million of current expected credit loss provisions, and $0.4 million of other write-offs (recoveries) and provisions (release of provisions). In the quarter ended March 31, 2024, Total Charges and Credits included $3.4 million of costs associated with the restatement of our 2018-2020 financial statements, including the SEC inquiry and remediation, $1.8 million of current expected credit loss provisions, and $(1.1) million of other write-offs (recoveries) and provisions (release of provisions). In the quarter ended June 30,2023, Total Charges and Credits included $3.5 million of costs associated with the restatement of our 2018-2020 financial statements, including the SEC inquiry and remediation, and $0.6 million of other write-offs (recoveries) and provisions (release of provisions). Table 2 - Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA Quarter ended June 30, 2024 Quarter ended March 31, 2024 Quarter ended June 30, 2023 Net Income $ 18,873 $ 9,982 $ 1,945 Add: Income Taxes 5,988 4,593 4,393 Interest Expense, net 9,439 10,604 11,067 Depreciation and Amortization 35,872 34,973 38,910 Total Charges and Credits impacting Adjusted EBITDA (2) 8,483 4,064 4,096 Total Adjusted EBITDA $ 78,655 $ 64,216 $ 60,411 (2) Charges and Credits impacting Adjusted EBITDA are described in Table 1 above. Charges and Credits impacting Adjusted EBITDA exclude items related to interest, income tax and depreciation and amortization. Table 3 - Reconciliation of Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities to Free Cash Flow 6 months ended June 30, 2024 6 months ended June 30, 2023 Net cash provided by operating activities $ 112,281 $ 72,415 Less: Capital expenditures (52,698 ) (38,009 ) Free cash flow $ 59,583 $ 34,406 Table 4 - Reconciliation to Net Debt As of June 30, 2024 As of March 31, 2024 As of June 30, 2023 Current installments of long-term debt $ 70,945 $ 71,345 $ 68,557 Short-term borrowings 34,797 34,912 54,807 Long-term debt 301,331 314,418 349,112 Less: Cash and cash equivalents (74,997 ) (62,759 ) (62,303 ) Net Debt $ 332,076 $ 357,916 $ 410,173 For inquiries regarding NESR, please contact: Blake Gendron or Stefan Angeli National Energy Services Reunited Corp. 832-925-3777 investors@nesr.com SOURCE: National Energy Services Reunited Corp View the original press release on accesswire.com Hole V-24-077, along the northeast boundary of Valley's current mineral resource estimate, averaged 1.61 g/t Au over 435.0 m, including 2.39 g/t Au over 150.5 m On Snowline's Jupiter target, Einarson Project, Hole J-24-022 returned 6.88 g/t Au over 6.3 m, including 13.9 g/t Au over 2.0 m downhole, along with other mineralized intersections in 170 m step-back from previous drilling Trace amounts of visible gold seen in regional drilling at Aurelius target, Rogue Project and Sydney target, Cynthia Project Assays pending for >21,000 m across 7 targets, with drilling ongoing. SNOWLINE GOLD CORP (TSX-V:SGD)(OTCQB:SNWGF) (the "Company" or "Snowline") is pleased to announce additional analytical results from its 2024 Valley deposit drilling campaign on the Rogue Project in Canada's Yukon Territory, along with the first drill results from its Jupiter target, Einarson Project, since consolidation of 100% ownership of Einarson earlier this year. Highlight intervals from Valley and Jupiter are summarized in Table 1 below. The results from V-24-077 at Valley are near the northeastern edge of the current resource-limiting pit shell constraint for the initial mineral resource estimate (MRE) at Valley, confirming continuity of strong gold grades to the edge of the current resource, open to further expansion. At the Einarson Project's epizonal orogenic Jupiter target, roughly 32 km north of Valley, multiple zones of gold mineralization were encountered in a 170 m step-back from previous drilling, increasing the known width of the system. Drilling is ongoing at Valley and on other targets, with assays pending for an additional 21,278 m drilled to date. Table 1 -Highlight summary of Snowline's latest assay results; see Tables 2 and 3 for details. *Interval widths reported; true widths of the system at Valley are not yet known. Interval width at Jupiter is estimated to be roughly 50% of true width. "We are pleased to advance our flagship district on multiple fronts," said Scott Berdahl, CEO & Director of Snowline. "At Valley, drilling continues to de-risk and potentially grow our initial mineral resource estimate with holes expanding the footprint of near surface, >1 g/t Au gold mineralization. At Jupiter, our step-outs are hitting encouraging zones of gold mineralization within large areas of alteration and pathfinder minerals. Elsewhere, our regional exploration and drilling is ongoing, with drill results still pending from six regional targets outside of Valley this year." VALLEY DRILLING, ROGUE PROJECT Drilling at the Rogue Project's Valley deposit is ongoing, with three drills currently active on the deposit. To date, roughly 17,400 m have been drilled at Valley in 37 holes in 2024 (Figure 1). Trace instances of visible gold and widespread sheeted quartz vein arrays have been observed both within and beyond the confines of the current, initial MRE for Valley. The Company awaits full assay results from the ongoing drill campaign to assess the significance of these observations and their impact on the MRE. Figure 1 - Plan map of drill results and progress on the Rogue Project's Valley deposit, highlighting current results in drill holes V-24-076 and V-24-077. Past analytical results are faded, while instances of visible gold in holes awaiting assay are marked by yellow spheres. Hole V-24-077 Hole V-24-077 is collared within the Valley intrusion, as a 140 m step back along section from V-23-034 (418.3 m @ 1.88 g/t Au from surface including 216.0 m @ 3.08 g/t Au, see Snowline news release dated July 5, 2023) (Figures 1 & 2). The nearest holes are V-23-045 (517.9 m @ 1.14 g/t Au from surface including 125.5 m @ 1.75 g/t Au, see Snowline news release dated September 11, 2023) at 84 m to the west and V-22-015 (442.0 m @ 0.65 g/t Au including 170.0 m @ 1.18 g/t Au, see Snowline news release dated December 22, 2022) at 72 m to the south. V-24-077 tests material along the edge of the block model used for the initial Valley MRE and along the edge of the current revenue factor 0.72 pit shell used to constrain that MRE. The hole remains primarily in coarse-grained granodiorite, the dominant phase of the intrusion, until roughly 400 m downhole, at which point it transitions into a fine-grained porphyritic phase of the intrusion with zones of igneous breccia. Figure 2 - Cross-section A-A', showing V-24-076 and 077 in the context of the initial Valley MRE block model and MRE-constraining revenue factor 0.72 pit shell. The block model has not been updated to reflect the current results, and blocks shown outside of the current pit shell constraint are not included in the initial MRE for Valley. Instances of visible gold in holes awaiting assay results are marked by yellow spheres. The released holes are projected onto the same plane from a total width of roughly 100 m-relative positions can be seen in the plan map in Figure 1. Hole V-24-077 is collared as a 140 m step-back from V-23-034, to assess strength and continuity at the edge of the current model and to potentially expand it. The hole begins with two intersections of lower grade mineralization (54.0 m averaging 0.37 g/t Au from bedrock surface at 6.0 m downhole and 37.5 m averaging 0.46 g/t Au from 76.5 m downhole) before hitting a sustained run of 435.0 m averaging 1.61 g/t Au from 120 m downhole until the end of the hole at 555.0 m, including a higher-grade interval of 2.39 g/t Au over 150.5 m beginning at 206.5 m downhole. Zones of higher grades include 7.62 g/t Au over 20.0 m (including 35.7 g/t Au over 1.5 m) from 239.0 m downhole (Table 2). The results are expected to expand the limit of the current block model and to expand the extent of above cut-off (>0.4 g/t Au) and higher-grade domains. The ultimate effect of this result will be quantified along with analytical results of all subsequent holes in an updated mineral resource estimate at a later time. Table 2 - Summary of significant mineralization returned from current holes at Valley. The consistency of strong mineralization in the deposit is reinforced by the capped values in the rightmost column, wherein any assay result >10 g/t Au is replaced by 10.0 g/t Au to calculate the average interval grades. *Interval widths reported; true widths of the system are not yet known, with different vein generations, orientations, and grade distributions present within various intervals through the bulk tonnage gold target at Valley. EXPLORATION UPDATES Figure 3 - Visible gold in AU-24-003, Aurelius target, Rogue Project, at 344.0 m downhole.The trace occurrence was noticed after core cutting for sampling, and it is in a vein hosting pyrrhotite, bismuth-lead sulphides, pyrite and chalcopyrite. Assays for AU-24-003 and all holes at Aurelius are pending, with drilling at the target ongoing. Snowline currently has two drill rigs active on regional targets: one active on an expanded Phase I drill program on the Rogue Project's Aurelius target, the other completing the first ever drill testing of the Einarson Project's Avalanche Creek orogenic gold target. Assays are currently pending for more than 8,100 m drilled on regional targets outside of Valley, namely: Aurelius (4 holes), Cujo (3 holes) and Reid (1 hole) on the Rogue Project, Sydney (3 holes) on the Cynthia Project, and Jupiter (6 holes) and Avalanche Creek (2 holes) on the Einarson Project. Jupiter Target, Einarson Project At Jupiter, assays have been received for the first two holes drilled in 2024. Both holes encountered elevated to anomalous (>1 g/t Au, to a high of 13.9 g/t Au over 2.0 m in J-22-024) gold mineralization, expanding the width and depth of the known mineralized system at Jupiter (Table 3). Hole J-24-022 was drilled as a 170 m step-back from J-21-015 (3.6 m @ 13.7 g/t Au, including 0.95 m @ 25.2 g/t Au, see Snowline news release dated November 18, 2021). It encountered 3 primary zones of mineralization. The upper zone, averaging 3.50 g/t Au over 3.7 m, is interpreted as a new mineralized structural corridor subparallel to mineralization encountered in 2021. The lower two zones, including an interval of 6.87 g/t Au over 6.3 m downhole, along with mineralization seen in J-24-023, extend to depth the mineralized corridor encountered in 2021 (Figure 4). Assays for an additional 2,444 m in 6 holes from the Jupiter target are pending. Figure 4 - Simplified schematic geological map (left) and cross section (right) of the Jupiter target, showing the locations of six of the eight holes drilled to date in 2024. Note the multiple structures identified, expanding the breadth of the Jupiter system, and the additional high grade gold values down dip. "Mineralization" denotes areas of patchy, veinlet-hosted and/or disseminated sulphides in vein wall rocks. The system remains open in all directions, with only 1.2 km of strike length partially drill tested to date within a broader 3 km zone of elevated (>10 ppb Au) to anomalous (>50 ppb Au) soil geochemistry. Table 3 - Summary of significant mineralization from current holes at the Jupiter target, Einarson Project. Sydney Target, Cynthia Project A 3-hole, 1,344 m Phase I drilling program has recently been completed at the Sydney target, Cynthia Project, representing the first-ever drill testing of the recently delineated RIRGS target located south of Rogue, near the Plata winter trail. Widespread sheeted quartz veins are present in all three holes, with low to high vein densities (Figure 6) and at least two distinct vein generations. Veins appear to have a higher sulphide content than those at Valley. Six instances of visible gold, from two separate holes, were noted during core logging, which is ongoing. Assays for all holes at Sydney are pending. Figure 5 - Instances of visible gold in SY-24-003, Sydney target, Cynthia Project, at 106.3 m, 152.8 m and 177.8 m downhole.As with mineralization at Valley, gold is present in sheeted quartz veins as native gold. At Cynthia visible gold occurrences are spatially associated with bismuthinite and molybdenite. Three different veins throughout the 458.1 m length of SY-24-003 were observed to host trace visible gold. Assays for SY-24-003 and all holes at Sydney are pending. Figure 6 - Plan map of drill traces from Phase I drilling at the Cynthia Project's Sydney target, showing vein densities and instances of visible gold. Assays for all three holes at Sydney are pending. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING RESULTS The Company held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on August 27, 2024. Shareholders voted in favour of all items of business before the AGM, including the election of all director nominees, the appointment of the auditor, and re-approval of the Omnibus Incentive Plan. QA/QC On receipt from the drill site NQ2-sized drill core was systematically logged for geological attributes, photographed and sampled at Snowline's "Forks" Camp. Sample lengths as small as 0.5 m were used to isolate features of interest, but most samples within moderate to strong mineralization were 1.0 m in length; otherwise, a default 1.5 m downhole sample length was used. Core was cut in half lengthwise along a pre-determined line, with one half (same half, consistently, dictated by orientation line where present or by dominant vein orientation where absent) collected for analysis and one half stored as a record. Field duplicates were collected at regular intervals as core samples by splitting the core sent for sampling, leaving a consistent record of half core material from duplicate and non-duplicate samples alike. Standard reference materials and blanks were inserted by Snowline personnel at regular intervals into the sample stream. Bagged samples were sealed with security tags to ensure integrity during transport. They were delivered by expeditor to Bureau Veritas' preparatory facility in Whitehorse, Yukon. Sample preparation was completed in Whitehorse, with analyses completed in Vancouver. Bureau Veritas is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO9001 for quality management. Samples were crushed by BV to >85% passing below 2 mm and split using a riffle splitter. 250 g splits were pulverized to >85% passing below 75 microns. A four-acid digest with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) finish was used for 59-element analysis on 0.25 g sample pulps (BV code: MA250). All samples were analysed for gold content by fire assay with an atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) finish on 30 g samples (BV code: FA430). Any sample returning >10 g/t Au was reanalysed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish on a 30 g sample (BV code: FA530). For the purposes of this release, contiguous mineralized intervals at Valley are defined as runs of mineralization with no break >5.0 m assaying <0.1 g/t Au, including any subsections thereof. ABOUT ROGUE Snowline Gold's 100%-owned, flagship Rogue Project, in Canada's Yukon Territory, covers a 60 x 30 km cluster of intrusions in the eastern Tombstone Gold Belt known as the Rogue Plutonic Complex. Since its launch in 2021, Snowline has progressed the Rogue Project's Valley target from a greenfield prospecting discovery to a significant bulk tonnage gold resource, with 4.05 Moz gold indicated mineral resource at 1.66 g/t Au and an additional 3.26 Moz inferred mineral resource at 1.25 g/t Au within a pit-shell constraint. The resource estimate numbers are supported by the recent technical report for Rogue, prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 standards, entitled "Rogue Gold Project: NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate," authored by Heather Burrell, P. Geo., Daniel J. Redmond, P. Geo., and Steven C. Haggarty, P. Eng., with an effective date of May 15, 2024. Exploration of the open Valley system is ongoing. Valley is a reduced intrusion-related gold system (RIRGS), geologically similar to multi-million-ounce RIRGS deposits currently in production, like Kinross's Fort Knox Mine in Alaska, but with substantially higher gold grades. Gold is associated with bismuthinite and telluride minerals hosted in sheeted quartz vein arrays within and along the margins of a one-kilometer-scale, mid-Cretaceous aged Mayo-series intrusion. The Rogue Project area hosts multiple intrusions similar to Valley along with widespread gold anomalism in stream sediment, soil and rock samples. Elsewhere, RIRGS deposits are known to occur in clusters. For these reasons, Snowline considers the Rogue Project to have district-scale potential to host additional reduced intrusion-related gold systems. ABOUT SNOWLINE GOLD CORP. Snowline Gold Corp. is a Yukon Territory focused gold exploration company with an eight-project portfolio covering roughly 360,000 ha (3,600 km2). The Company is exploring its flagship 111,000 ha (1,110 km2) Rogue gold project in the highly prospective yet underexplored Selwyn Basin. Snowline's project portfolio sits within the prolific Tintina Gold Province, host to multiple million-ounce-plus gold mines and deposits. The Company's first-mover position and extensive exploration database provide a unique opportunity for investors to be part of multiple discoveries and the creation of a new gold district. Figure 7 - Project location map for Snowline Gold's eastern Selwyn Basin properties: Rogue, Einarson, Ursa, Cynthia and Olympus. The Valley target is one of several prospective reduced intrusion-related gold targets on the broader 30 x 60 km Rogue Project. QUALIFIED PERSON Information in this release has been prepared under supervision of and approved by Thomas K. Branson, M.Sc., P. Geo., VP Exploration of Snowline Gold Corp, as Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Scott Berdahl CEO & Director For further information, please contact: Snowline Gold Corp. +1 778 650 5485 info@snowlinegold.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the significance of analytical results, the significance of visual drill core observations and visible gold, the potential effects of current analytical results on future mineral resource estimates including expansion of the pit shell and de-risking of the current estimate, the discovery potential within the Valley intrusion and on other exploration targets, the potential for investors to participate in multiple future discoveries, the Rogue project having district-scale prospectivity, the creation of a new gold district and the Company's future plans and intentions. Wherever possible, words such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "expect", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof. Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things: risks related to uncertainties inherent in drill results and the estimation of mineral resources; and risks associated with executing the Company's plans and intentions. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. SOURCE: Snowline Gold Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - COELACANTH ENERGY INC. (TSXV: CEI) ("Coelacanth" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024. All dollar figures are Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. FINANCIAL RESULTS Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30 June 30 ($000s, except per share amounts) 2024 2023 % Change 2024 2023 % Change Oil and natural gas sales 3,164 826 283 6,830 1,780 284 Cash flow from (used in) operating activities (480 ) 765 (163 ) 2,776 (1,277 ) (317 ) Per share - basic and diluted (1) (-) - (-) 0.01 (-) 100 Adjusted funds flow (used) (1) 262 (756 ) (135 ) 1,340 (1,310 ) (202 ) Per share - basic and diluted - (-) (-) - (-) (-) Net loss 2,329 2,165 8 3,530 3,954 (11 ) Per share - basic and diluted - 0.01 (100 ) 0.01 0.01 - Capital expenditures (1) 2,522 3,642 (31 ) 3,785 8,781 (57 ) Adjusted working capital (1) 64,386 56,500 14 Common shares outstanding (000s) Weighted average - basic and diluted 529,400 425,447 24 529,298 425,282 24 End of period - basic 530,126 426,389 24 End of period - fully diluted 617,804 469,143 32 (1) See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section. Three Months Ended Six Months Ended OPERATING RESULTS (1) June 30 June 30 2024 2023 % Change 2024 2023 % Change Daily production (2) Oil and condensate (bbls/d) 284 53 436 292 49 496 Other NGLs (bbls/d) 39 14 179 38 14 171 Oil and NGLs (bbls/d) 323 67 382 330 63 424 Natural gas (mcf/d) 3,724 1,321 182 3,829 1,350 184 Oil equivalent (boe/d) 944 287 229 968 288 236 Oil and natural gas sales Oil and condensate ($/bbl) 97.76 88.89 10 91.34 91.61 (-) Other NGLs ($/bbl) 33.26 28.03 19 33.99 35.43 (4 ) Oil and NGLs ($/bbl) 89.86 76.11 18 84.73 79.21 7 Natural gas ($/mcf) 1.55 3.03 (49 ) 2.50 3.58 (30 ) Oil equivalent ($/boe) 36.85 31.63 17 38.76 34.11 14 Royalties Oil and NGLs ($/bbl) 21.97 20.84 5 21.36 23.41 (9 ) Natural gas ($/mcf) 0.09 0.64 (86 ) 0.30 0.83 (64 ) Oil equivalent ($/boe) 7.86 7.77 1 8.48 9.02 (6 ) Operating expenses Oil and NGLs ($/bbl) 10.34 17.49 (41 ) 10.11 17.23 (41 ) Natural gas ($/mcf) 1.72 2.92 (41 ) 1.69 2.87 (41 ) Oil equivalent ($/boe) 10.34 17.53 (41 ) 10.11 17.23 (41 ) Net transportation expenses (3) Oil and NGLs ($/bbl) 2.10 1.85 14 2.28 1.65 38 Natural gas ($/mcf) 0.72 1.39 (48 ) 0.70 1.34 (48 ) Oil equivalent ($/boe) 3.55 6.82 (48 ) 3.54 6.66 (47 ) Operating netback (loss) (3) Oil and NGLs ($/bbl) 55.45 35.93 54 50.98 36.92 38 Natural gas ($/mcf) (0.98 ) (1.92 ) (49 ) (0.19 ) (1.46 ) (87 ) Oil equivalent ($/boe) 15.10 (0.49 ) (3,182 ) 16.63 1.20 1,286 Depletion and depreciation ($/boe) (14.85 ) (18.34 ) (19 ) (14.63 ) (17.14 ) (15 ) General and administrative expenses ($/boe) (15.17 ) (46.77 ) (68 ) (14.50 ) (46.56 ) (69 ) Stock based compensation ($/boe) (14.50 ) (33.31 ) (56 ) (12.25 ) (31.21 ) (61 ) Finance expense ($/boe) (1.53 ) (4.29 ) (64 ) (1.29 ) (3.73 ) (65 ) Finance income ($/boe) 9.89 25.59 (61 ) 10.25 26.40 (61 ) Unutilized transportation ($/boe) (6.07 ) (5.35 ) 13 (4.24 ) (4.76 ) (11 ) Net loss ($/boe) (27.13 ) (82.96 ) (67 ) (20.03 ) (75.80 ) (74 ) (1) See "Oil and Gas Terms" section. (2) See "Product Types" section. (3) See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section. Selected financial and operational information outlined in this news release should be read in conjunction with Coelacanth's unaudited condensed interim financial statements and related Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, which are available for review under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com . OPERATIONS UPDATE In Q2 2024, Coelacanth continued to make strides on its large Two Rivers Montney Project. All licenses have been received for construction of the Two Rivers East infrastructure that includes a battery facility and related pipeline infrastructure. Construction will commence shortly on the pipelines that connect our 5-19 pad to the battery as well as the pipelines that connect ultimately to the McMahon gas plant that will process Coelacanth's raw gas. Components for the facility have been ordered and are in construction off-site with the field construction starting later in the fall for an April 2025 start-up date. Coelacanth has secured all required financing for the project and believes it will be on schedule and on budget. The Two Rivers East facility will ultimately handle up to approximately 16,000 boe/d consisting of 60 mmcf/d of gas plus related oil and natural gas liquids. As previously released, the 5-19 pad currently has 4 completed wells that tested at a combined rate of 4,410 boe/d (55% light oil) that will come on production once the facility is completed. (1) Once on production, Coelacanth plans to drill additional wells on the 5-19 and other pads to fill the facility. Coelacanth has secured 60 mmcf/d of long-term processing and over 60 mmcf/d of gas transportation to accommodate this growth. Coelacanth's current production comes from Two Rivers West and was 944 boe/d for the quarter. Facility restrictions on both water and gas handling will limit production at Two Rivers West until additional pipelines and facilities can be permitted and constructed. Timing of adding any material production will be longer term given the capital focus on Two Rivers East infrastructure for 2024 but Two Rivers West results show great potential for future development. We look forward to reporting updates on the Two Rivers Project in the upcoming quarters. (1) See "Test Results and Initial Production Rates" section for more details. OIL AND GAS TERMS The Company uses the following frequently recurring oil and gas industry terms in the news release: Liquids Bbls Barrels Bbls/d Barrels per day NGLs Natural gas liquids (includes condensate, pentane, butane, propane, and ethane) Condensate Pentane and heavier hydrocarbons Natural Gas Mcf Thousands of cubic feet Mcf/d Thousands of cubic feet per day MMcf/d Millions of cubic feet per day MMbtu Million of British thermal units MMbtu/d Million of British thermal units per day Oil Equivalent Boe Barrels of oil equivalent Boe/d Barrels of oil equivalent per day Disclosure provided herein in respect of a boe may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil equivalent has been used for the calculation of boe amounts in the news release. This boe conversion rate is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. NON-GAAP AND OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES This news release refers to certain measures that are not determined in accordance with IFRS (or "GAAP"). These non-GAAP and other financial measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. The non-GAAP and other financial measures should not be considered alternatives to, or more meaningful than, financial measures that are determined in accordance with IFRS as indicators of the Company's performance. Management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP and other financial measures provides useful information to shareholders and investors in understanding and evaluating the Company's ongoing operating performance, and the measures provide increased transparency to better analyze the Company's performance against prior periods on a comparable basis. Non-GAAP Financial Measures Adjusted funds flow (used) Management uses adjusted funds flow (used) to analyze performance and considers it a key measure as it demonstrates the Company's ability to generate the cash necessary to fund future capital investments and abandonment obligations and to repay debt, if any. Adjusted funds flow (used) is a non-GAAP financial measure and has been defined by the Company as cash flow from (used in) operating activities excluding the change in non-cash working capital related to operating activities, movements in restricted cash deposits and expenditures on decommissioning obligations. Management believes the timing of collection, payment or incurrence of these items involves a high degree of discretion and as such may not be useful for evaluating the Company's cash flows. Adjusted funds flow (used) is reconciled from cash flow from (used in) operating activities as follows: Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30 ($000s) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Cash flow from (used in) operating activities (480 ) 765 2,776 (1,277 ) Add (deduct): Decommissioning expenditures 328 210 476 752 Restricted cash deposits 422 (1,237 ) 846 (784 ) Change in non-cash working capital (8 ) (494 ) (2,758 ) (1 ) Adjusted funds flow (used) (non-GAAP) 262 (756 ) 1,340 (1,310 ) Net transportation expenses Management considers net transportation expenses an important measure as it demonstrates the cost of utilized transportation related to the Company's production. Net transportation expenses is calculated as transportation expenses less unutilized transportation and is calculated as follows: Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30 ($000s) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Transportation expenses 826 318 1,371 596 Unutilized transportation (522 ) (139 ) (747 ) (248 ) Net transportation expenses (non-GAAP) 304 179 624 348 Operating netback Management considers operating netback an important measure as it demonstrates its profitability relative to current commodity prices. Operating netback is calculated as oil and natural gas sales less royalties, operating expenses, and net transportation expenses and is calculated as follows: Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30 ($000s) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Oil and natural gas sales 3,164 826 6,830 1,780 Royalties (674 ) (203 ) (1,495 ) (471 ) Operating expenses (888 ) (458 ) (1,782 ) (899 ) Net transportation expenses (304 ) (179 ) (624 ) (348 ) Operating netback (loss) (non-GAAP) 1,298 (14 ) 2,929 62 Capital expenditures Coelacanth utilizes capital expenditures as a measure of capital investment on property, plant, and equipment, exploration and evaluation assets and property acquisitions compared to its annual budgeted capital expenditures. Capital expenditures are calculated as follows: Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30 ($000s) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Capital expenditures - property, plant, and equipment 184 3,022 577 6,559 Capital expenditures - exploration and evaluation assets 2,338 620 3,208 2,222 Capital expenditures (non-GAAP) 2,522 3,642 3,785 8,781 Capital Management Measures Adjusted working capital Management uses adjusted working capital as a measure to assess the Company's financial position. Adjusted working capital is calculated as current assets and restricted cash deposits less current liabilities, excluding the current portion of decommissioning obligations. ($000s) June 30, 2024 December 31, 2023 Current assets 60,515 87,616 Less: Current liabilities (5,098 ) (28,754 ) Working capital 55,417 58,862 Add: Restricted cash deposits 7,206 6,784 Current portion of decommissioning obligations 1,763 1,943 Adjusted working capital (Capital management measure) 64,386 67,589 Non-GAAP Financial Ratios Adjusted Funds Flow (Used) per Share Adjusted funds flow (used) per share is a non-GAAP financial ratio, calculated using adjusted funds flow (used) and the same weighted average basic and diluted shares used in calculating net loss per share. Net transportation expenses per boe The Company utilizes net transportation expenses per boe to assess the per unit cost of utilized transportation related to the Company's production. Net transportation expenses per boe is calculated as net transportation expenses divided by total production for the applicable period. Operating netback per boe The Company utilizes operating netback per boe to assess the operating performance of its petroleum and natural gas assets on a per unit of production basis. Operating netback per boe is calculated as operating netback divided by total production for the applicable period. Supplementary Financial Measures The supplementary financial measures used in this news release (primarily average sales price per product type and certain per boe and per share figures) are either a per unit disclosure of a corresponding GAAP measure, or a component of a corresponding GAAP measure, presented in the financial statements. Supplementary financial measures that are disclosed on a per unit basis are calculated by dividing the aggregate GAAP measure (or component thereof) by the applicable unit for the period. Supplementary financial measures that are disclosed on a component basis of a corresponding GAAP measure are a granular representation of a financial statement line item and are determined in accordance with GAAP. PRODUCT TYPES The Company uses the following references to sales volumes in the news release: Natural gas refers to shale gas Oil and condensate refers to condensate and tight oil combined Other NGLs refers to butane, propane and ethane combined Oil and NGLs refers to tight oil and NGLs combined Oil equivalent refers to the total oil equivalent of shale gas, tight oil, and NGLs combined, using the conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of shale gas to one barrel of oil equivalent. The following is a complete breakdown of sales volumes for applicable periods by specific product types of shale gas, tight oil, and NGLs: Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30 Sales Volumes by Product Type 2024 2023 2024 2023 Condensate (bbls/d) 56 6 38 7 Other NGLs (bbls/d) 39 14 38 14 NGLs (bbls/d) 95 20 76 21 Tight oil (bbls/d) 228 47 254 42 Condensate (bbls/d) 56 6 38 7 Oil and condensate (bbls/d) 284 53 292 49 Other NGLs (bbls/d) 39 14 38 14 Oil and NGLs (bbls/d) 323 67 330 63 Shale gas (mcf/d) 3,724 1,321 3,829 1,350 Natural gas (mcf/d) 3,724 1,321 3,829 1,350 Oil equivalent (boe/d) 944 287 968 288 TEST RESULTS AND INITIAL PRODUCTION RATES The A5-19 Basal Montney well was production tested for 5.9 days and produced at an average rate of 117 bbl/d oil and 630 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure and production rates were stable. The C5-19 Lower Montney well was production tested for 5.8 days and produced at an average rate of 736 bbl/d oil and 2,660 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure and production rates were stable. The D5-19 Lower Montney well was production tested for 12.6 days and produced at an average rate of 170 bbl/d oil and 580 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure and production rates were stable. The E5-19 Lower Montney well was production tested for 11.4 days and produced at an average rate of 312 bbl/d oil and 890 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure was stable and production was starting to decline. For the short-term production test of the C10-08 Upper Montney well in February 2024, the well was production tested for 2 days and produced at an average rate of 359 bbl/d oil and 5,236 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period. This was an inline test to prove deliverability after four months of production. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure and production rates were stable. A pressure transient analysis or well-test interpretation has not been carried out on these five wells and thus certain of the test results provided herein should be considered to be preliminary until such analysis or interpretation has been completed. Test results and initial production rates disclosed herein, particularly those short in duration, may not necessarily be indicative of long-term performance or of ultimate recovery. Any references to peak rates, test rates, IP30, IP90, IP180 or initial production rates or declines are useful for confirming the presence of hydrocarbons, however, such rates and declines are not determinative of the rates at which such wells will continue production and decline thereafter and are not indicative of long-term performance or ultimate recovery. IP30 is defined as an average production rate over 30 consecutive days, IP90 is defined as an average production rate over 90 consecutive days and IP180 is defined as an average production rate over 180 consecutive days. Readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such rates in calculating aggregate production for the Company. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This document contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "may", "will", "should", "believe", "intends", "forecast", "plans", "guidance" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company's oil and condensate, other NGLs, and natural gas production, capital programs, and adjusted working capital. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including expectations and assumptions relating to prevailing commodity prices and exchange rates, applicable royalty rates and tax laws, future well production rates, the performance of existing wells, the success of drilling new wells, the availability of capital to undertake planned activities, and the availability and cost of labour and services. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general such as operational risks in development, exploration and production, delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures, the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production rates, costs, and expenses, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, marketing and transportation, environmental risks, competition, the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources and changes in tax, royalty, and environmental legislation. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this document are made as of the date hereof for the purpose of providing the readers with the Company's expectations for the coming year. The forward-looking statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Coelacanth is an oil and natural gas company, actively engaged in the acquisition, development, exploration, and production of oil and natural gas reserves in northeastern British Columbia, Canada. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221433 SOURCE: Coelacanth Energy Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - Hybrid Power Solutions Inc. (CSE: HPSS) (OTCQB: HPSIF) (FSE: E092) ("Hybrid" or the "Company"), a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions, is pleased to announce a recurring order for its Batt Pack Energy (BPE) units from a U.S. military customer located in Japan. This order was secured through the Company's strategic distributor, Military Battery Systems, Inc., further solidifying Hybrid's presence in the defense sector. This latest order underscores the growing adoption of Hybrid's innovative power solutions in military applications, particularly in remote and challenging environments. The BPE units offer a significant advantage over traditional diesel generators, providing a highly portable, quiet, and clean energy alternative that aligns with the increasing need for mobility and stealth in military operations. "We are thrilled to receive this recurring order for our Batt Pack Energy units from U.S. military personnel overseas," said Francois Byrne, CEO of Hybrid Power Solutions. "This repeat business, facilitated by our valued distributor Military Battery Systems, not only validates the reliability and effectiveness of our products but also highlights the increasing demand for sustainable, portable power solutions in military operations worldwide." The BPE units are designed to deliver superior power quality, a critical feature for powering sensitive electronics in an era of high-tech drone warfare and advanced military equipment. This capability ensures stable and clean power supply for crucial operations, enhancing the overall effectiveness and reliability of military technology in the field. Key advantages of the BPE units for military applications include: Enhanced Portability: Significantly lighter and more compact than diesel generators, allowing for easier transportation and deployment in various terrains. Superior Power Quality: Provides clean, stable power essential for sensitive electronic equipment used in modern warfare. Reduced Environmental Impact: Offers a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-powered generators, aligning with military initiatives to reduce carbon footprint. Low Noise Operation: Enables quieter operations, crucial for maintaining stealth in sensitive military scenarios. Operational Flexibility: Capable of powering a wide range of equipment, from communication devices to drone control stations. "This recurring order represents a significant vote of confidence in our technology," added Byrne. "Our partnership with Military Battery Systems has been instrumental in reaching key military clients. Together, we are committed to continually innovating and supporting global defense forces with cutting-edge power solutions that enhance their operational capabilities while reducing their environmental footprint." The ongoing relationship with this military customer, strengthened by the expertise of Military Battery Systems, is expected to serve as a springboard for further expansion in the defense sector, including potential applications in drone support and other specialized equipment. Hybrid Power Solutions continues to explore new opportunities to apply its innovative technology across various defense applications, positioning itself as a key player in the evolving landscape of military power solutions. About Hybrid Power Solutions Inc. Hybrid Power Solutions Inc. is a Canadian clean energy innovator listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "HPSS". The company specializes in developing sustainable energy solutions that redefine power access and storage across industries. With a focus on innovation and environmental responsibility, Hybrid continues to lead the charge in providing scalable, cost-effective power solutions for a greener future. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", "expects", "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221450 SOURCE: Hybrid Power Solutions Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - good natured Products Inc. (TSXV: GDNP) (OTC Pink: GDNPF) (the "Company" or "good natured"), a North American leader in eco-friendly food packaging, bio-based plastic extrusion and plant-based products, today announced its financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2024 ("Q2 2024"). Q2 2024 Highlights Revenue of $16.0 million compared to $18.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 ("Q2 2023") and $14.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 ("Q1 2024"). Adjusted EBITDA 1 of $0.5 million compared to $0.1 million in Q2 2023 and $0.2 million in Q1 2024. of $0.5 million compared to $0.1 million in Q2 2023 and $0.2 million in Q1 2024. Variable gross margin 1 of 37% compared to 37% in Q2 2023 and 40% in Q1 2024. of 37% compared to 37% in Q2 2023 and 40% in Q1 2024. SG&A expenses excluding one-time and acquisition related costs of $2.8 million compared to $3.4 million in Q2 2023 and $2.7 million in Q1 2024. Cash used in operating activities of $2.5 million compared to $0.1 million generated in Q2 2023. Ending cash balance of $1.4 million compared to $4.3 million at March 31, 2024. Revenue in Q2 2024 increased by 14% compared to Q1 2024, which was offset by lower variable gross margin and lower SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue to deliver stronger Adjusted EBITDA compared to Q1 2024. The decline in revenue on a year-over-year basis compared to Q2 2023 was primarily due the following factors: 1) a decision to discontinue a legacy petroleum-based Industrial business group product line and its associated revenue (the "Discontinued Product Line Revenue"); and 2) lower revenue from the large US food producer also highlighted in Q1 2024 (the "US Food Producer") that supplies major grocery retailers. Excluding Discontinued Product Line Revenue and the US Food Producer volume, revenue increased 10% in Q2 2024 compared to Q2 2023. On June 28, 2024, the Company obtained an order from the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "Court") under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act ("CCAA"), in order to restructure its financial affairs (the "Initial Order"). The Initial Order provides for, among other things: (i) a stay of proceedings in favor of the Company and (ii) the appointment of Alvarez & Marsal Canada Inc. as monitor of the Company (the "Monitor"). At a follow-up hearing on July 11, 2024, the stay of proceedings associated with the Initial Order was extended up to and including October 25, 2024 (the "Stay Extension"). The Stay Extension is intended to allow the Company to operate in the ordinary course under the protection of the Initial Order and implement a sale and investment solicitation process (a "SISP"). The Company's board of directors selected Capital West Partners (the "Sales Agent") to assist with the SISP, under the oversight of the Monitor, with a view to completing an investment or sale transaction as contemplated by the SISP (a "Transaction") for the benefit of the Company's stakeholders. As part of the overall restructuring and as outlined in the Company's Q1 2024 press release dated May 30, 2024, good natured intends to continue the prioritization of its most growth-oriented and profitable business groups and rigorously review operating capabilities and processes to identify transformative initiatives. "Our Q2 2024 revenue results reflect our team's concentrated efforts to further diversify our customer mix to drive volume and progress on cost savings after one-time charges, and those savings now add up to $2 million for the first half of the year," stated Paul Antoniadis, CEO of good natured. "I would like to personally thank our dedicated team and partners for their incredible support through the business restructuring and SISP, all while continuing to deliver service to our loyal customers and our eleventh consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA1." Q2 2024 Financial Overview Revenue for Q2 2024 decreased by 13% on a year-over-year basis to $15.97 million compared to $18.28 million for Q2 2023. The Company's Packaging business group year-over-year revenue declined by 14% or $1.2 million, driven by organic growth that was more than offset by over 67% lower year-over-year volumes from the US Food Producer, moderately lower blended average selling prices amongst some other national packaging accounts, and to a lesser extent customer churn amongst small business customers who have been greatly impacted by current economic conditions. Packaging business group revenue for Q2 2024, excluding the US Food Producer, increased by 14%, or $0.78 million, compared to Q2 2023. Industrial business group revenue declined by 14% compared to Q2 2023 as Discontinued Product Line Revenue negatively impacted Q2 2024 Industrial business group revenue by $1.7 million. Excluding Discontinued Product Line Revenue, the Industrial business group increased by 6%, or $0.43 million, in comparison to Q2 2023, which was driven by increase in volume offset by industry-wide declines in average selling prices as competitive pressure for commodity petroleum-based products continued to lower average selling prices. Variable gross margin1 for Q2 2024 at 36.6% remained relatively consistent on a year-over year basis compared to 36.5% for Q2 2023. This is a result of tightly managed cost controls and productivity enhancements in the variable cost of products, despite raw material and other input costs experiencing some increases. Gross margin increased to 26.6% for Q2 2024 compared to 25.5% for Q2 2023. Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") in Q2 2024 decreased by 10% compared to Q2 2023. The decrease in SG&A expenses reflects the Company's ongoing efforts to reduce operating costs, which was partially offset by an increase in one-time costs associated with the CCAA proceedings. SG&A excluding acquisition activity and one-time charges declined 18% on a year-over-year basis. The Company's Adjusted EBITDA1 increased to $0.54 million in Q2 2024 from $0.05 in Q2 2023, largely due to gross margin improvements and reductions in SG&A. The Company incurred a net loss of $1.0 million in Q2 2024 compared to a net loss of $3.6 million in Q2 2023. Excluding changes in non-cash expenses such as share-based compensation, depreciation and amortization, one-time charges and gains, and foreign exchange, an increase in financing costs and costs related to the CCAA proceedings were the primary reasons for the net loss in Q2 2024. Cash Flow & Balance Sheet Overview Cash used by operating activities in Q2 2024 was $2.5 million compared to $0.1 million generated by operating activities in Q2 2023. The Company generated positive cash flow from its operations in Q2 2024 excluding financing expenses, which increased 19% compared to Q2 2023. The Company used $3.4 million in net cash from financing activities and $0.2 million in investing activities in Q2 2024. Cash balance as at June 30, 2024 was $1.4 million compared to $7.3 million as at December 31, 2023. As at June 30, 2024, net working capital (deficit) was ($57.8) million compared to ($1.4) million as at December 31, 2023. The large increase in negative working capital deficit is due to all of the Company's debt being classed as current due to the CCAA proceedings. As at June 30, 2024, the Company's total asset to liability ratio was 1.12 compared to 1.10 as at December 31, 2023. The Company's Q2 2024 financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis are available on SEDAR+ at sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at goodnaturedproducts.com/pages/investor. As part of its strict focus on cost containment and during the CCAA proceedings, the Company has made the decision to not hold quarterly conference calls until further notice. Management is available to discuss these results or any general inquiry, with contact information listed below. Additional information regarding the CCAA proceedings - including all of the Court materials filed in the CCAA proceedings - may be found at the Monitor's website: https://www.alvarezandmarsal.com/goodnatured. Since the date of the Company's press release announcing the Initial Order on June 28, 2024, there have been no changes to the Company's transfer agent or to its board of directors, and the Company continues to comply with all of the disclosure requirements under the NEX Policy. The good natured corporate profile can be found at: goodnaturedproducts.com/pages/investor About good natured Products Inc. good natured is at the forefront of North America's shift toward sustainability, showcasing over 90 plant-based packaging designs and an extensive portfolio of more than 400 products and services. These offerings are purposefully designed to reduce environmental impact by using more renewable materials, less fossil fuel, and eliminating chemicals of concern. Manufactured locally in the US and Canada, good natured engineers and distributes a diverse range of bio-based products across various sectors, including grocery, restaurant, electronics, automotive, and pharmaceutical via both wholesale and direct channels. The Company is dedicated to providing an industry-leading customer experience in order to encourage the transition to renewable alternatives. By making it easy and affordable for businesses to adopt bio-based products and packaging, good natured aims to empower them to reach their sustainability objectives. For more information: goodnaturedproducts.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibilities for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Non-GAAP Financial Measures We have included in this press release a discussion of the Company's variable gross profit, variable gross margin, SG&A excluding acquisition activity and one-time charges, and adjusted EBITDA all non-GAAP measures, for Q2 2024, Q2 2023, and Q1 2024 to provide, what management believes, is a meaningful comparison of the Company's performance in Q2 2024. These non-GAAP measures do not have standardized meanings, and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Variable gross profit, variable gross margin, SG&A excluding acquisition activity and one-time charges, and adjusted EBITDA are more fully defined and discussed in the Company's Q2 2024 Management's Discussion and Analysis under the heading "non-IFRS financial measures", which is available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at sedarplus.ca and on the Company's investor website at goodnaturedproducts.com/pages/investor. The following table provides a reconciliation of net loss to adjusted EBITDA for the periods ended: 3 Mon Ended June 30 2024 2023 +/- Net loss for the period $ (966 ) $ (3,582 ) -73% Share-based compensation 390 394 -1% Depreciation 570 613 -7% Depreciation in COGS & SG&A 538 530 2% Financing costs 1,983 1,796 10% Foreign exchange loss (gain) 275 143 92% Loss due to restructuring 1,566 - -% Gain on debenture conversion (4,219 ) - -% Acquisition related expenses & one-time charges 529 278 90% Deferred income taxes recovery (125 ) (125 ) -% Adjusted EBITDA1 541 47 1051% The following table provides a reconciliation of variable gross profit to gross profit and variable gross margin to gross margin for the periods ended: 3 months ended June 30 2024 2023 +/- Revenue 15,970 18,282 -13% Variable cost of product 10,132 11,602 -13% Variable Gross Profit1 5,838 6,680 -13% Variable Gross Margin % 36.6% 36.5% Fixed factory overhead 1,589 2,012 -21% Gross profit 4,249 4,668 -9% Gross margin % 26.6% 25.5% The following table provides a reconciliation of selling, general and administrative expense excluding acquisition activity and one-time charges: 3 Mon Ended June 30 2024 2023 +/- SG&A Wages $ 1,911 $ 2,262 -16% SG&A Other 881 1,038 -15% Product Development expense 37 142 -74% Acquisition related expenses & one-time charges1 529 278 90% SG&A 3,358 3,720 -10% SG&A % of Revenue 21% 20% SG&A Excluding Acquisition Activity & One-Time Charges1 2,829 3,442 -18% SG&A % of Revenue Excluding Acquisition Activity & One-Time Charges1 18% 19% SG&A Wages % of Revenues 12% 12% Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws including statements related to Company plans, focuses and outlook for 2024. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, changes in circumstances and other factors that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the Company's control which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-Looking information contained in this news release is based on our current estimates, expectations and projections regarding, among other things, future plans and strategies, projections, future market and operating conditions, supply conditions, end customer demand conditions, anticipated events and trends, general market conditions, the economy, financial conditions, sales volume and pricing, expenses and costs, and other future conditions which we believe are reasonable as of the current date. Important factors that could cause actual results and financial conditions to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing, risks relating to general economic, market and business conditions and unforeseen delays in the realization of the Company's plans, risks related to the loss of key manufacturing equipment, capability or facilities, the performance of plant-based materials and the ability of the Company's products and packaging to meet significant technical requirements, changes in raw material supply and costs, labour availability and labour costs, fluctuations in operating results, and other related risks as more fully set out in the Annual Information Form of the Company and other documents disclosed under the Company's filings at sedarplus.ca. The reader should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. If relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed that the material factors referred to herein will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. Other than as required under securities laws, we do not undertake to update this information at any particular time. All forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. 1 A non-GAAP financing measure. Please refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for an explanation of these measures and reconciliation to the Company's financial results reported in accordance with GAAP. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221474 SOURCE: good natured Products Inc. Der Goldpreis haussiert und schwingt sich von Hoch zu Hoch. Getrieben von geopolitischen Unsicherheiten sowie der Aussicht auf eine lockere Geldpolitik der FED gehen Experten aktuell von weiter steigenden Notierungen bis sogar in den Bereich von 3.000 US-Dollar je Unze Gold aus. Im Schatten des Basispreises notieren Goldproduzenten aus der zweiten Reihe sowie Explorationsunternehmen noch weit weg von ihren historischen Hochststanden entfernt und bieten dadurch erhebliches Aufholpotential. In diesem kostenlosen Report geben wir Ihnen Favoriten an die Hand, die aufgrund von Sondersituation die Chance auf eine Kursvervielfachung besitzen. Handeln Sie Jetzt! Fordern Sie jetzt den brandneuen Spezialreport an und profitieren Sie von dem weiter steigenden Kurs des Edelmetalls. Sichern Sie sich jetzt Ihren kostenfreien Report. LONDON, Aug 29, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - The UK's pioneering intercity battery train began testing on the national rail network earlier this week. This key milestone will see the battery technology trialled on routes between York to Manchester Airport and Leeds to Liverpool Lime Street over the next eight weeks.The train will be easily recognisable with the distinct due to the new livery which celebrates the collaboration between TransPennine Express (TPE), Angel Trains and Hitachi Rail.A variety of important tests will take place, including the battery's ability to improve performance on hills,regenerative charging via braking, fuel and emission savings, and zero-emission battery mode in train stations.Rail network testing is taking place after the battery train successfully completed low speed tests on the test track at Hitachi Rail's Newton Aycliffe manufacturing facility. During these tests the train was propelled entirely by the battery, producing zero tailpipe emissions.This is the first UK trial where a diesel engine is replaced with a battery on an intercity train. The battery has beensuccessfully retrofitted onto one of TPE's "Nova 1" trains (five-carriage intercity Class 802).The battery, which generates a peak power of more than 700kw, is predicted to reduce emissions and fuel costs by as much as 30% on a Hitachi intercity train. It will also demonstrate how battery technology can reduce costs in the railways by reducing the need for overhead wires in tunnel sections and over complex junctions.The trial also aims to support the UK battery sector and green growth, with Hitachi Rail investing over EUR15 million todevelop this pioneering technology with Turntide Technologies in Sunderland.Paul Staples, Engineering, Safety and Sustainability Director at TransPennine Express, said:"This trial is a huge step towards the rail industry in the UK - and around the world reducing CO2 emissions and we are excited to be part of it."TPE is dedicated to making our journeys greener by reducing our carbon footprint, creating resilience to climate change and improving local air quality."Matthew Prosser, Asset Management Director at Angel Trains, said:"Following the success of one of our Class 802 trains running entirely in battery-mode at Newton Aycliffe, we're excited to see how this technology performs on the national rail network. This project represents a multimillion-poundjoint investment by Angel Trains and Hitachi in one of our newest fleets. It will both support and draw upon the skilled jobs and expertise at Hitachi's Newton Aycliffe facility and enable us to demonstrate how battery retrofit technology can help us decarbonise our railways."Paul Newlove, Head of Green Technologies Programme said:"After seeing the train running entirely in battery-mode at Newton Aycliffe, I can't wait to see how this technology can reduce emissions, reduce fuel costs and improve air quality on the Transpennine route."This part of the trial is going to be really exciting because we start to prove the benefits of this green technology for passengers, operators and policy makers."It has been such a team effort, with colleagues in Japan, Italy and UK working together for years to finally reach this important stage."This important project draws upon Hitachi's global expertise which includes delivering the world's first passenger battery train in Japan, and rolling out the Masaccio, Europe's first battery hybrid train in Italy in 2022. The evolution of the technology continues at pace with Hitachi Rail recently unveiling its new intercity version of the train, and with atarget to roll out a EuroMasaccio in additional European markets, including Germany from 2026.The development of this battery is an important step for the rail industry both home and abroad. Hitachi Rail has an ambition to install this battery on trains around the world, potentially creating a UK export and improving energy efficiency.There are thousands of trains running across the world that are powered by diesel engines, which will need to be decarbonised to meet net zero targets. In Italy, the Masaccio has instantly cut CO2 emissions by 50% compared to thediesel trains it has replaced. The ability to replace diesel engines with a powerful battery, and unlock cheaper partial electrification, can create a low-cost pathway to decarbonise railways around the world.About Hitachi Rail:Hitachi Rail is connecting the future of mobility - helping every passenger, customer and community enjoy the benefits of more seamless, sustainable transport.With innovative technology and world-leading delivery capabilities, Hitachi Rail is a trusted partner to customers andconsortia partners globally. The company is an expert in every part of the railway: from train manufacturing and maintenance to digital signalling and smart mobility. Its pioneering products, such as the iconic high speed bullet train,enable billions of passenger journeys and the transport of millions of tonnes of freight, every year.Drawing on the powerful expertise of the wider Hitachi group companies, Hitachi Rail is uniquely placed to furtherenhance its offer to customers through pioneering new digital solutions and services.In FY22, Hitachi Rail had revenues of over EUR5bn. The company has around 15,000 employees in 38 countries, and it invests in its diverse and talented teams.Hitachi Rail's business is local, but its reach is global. With deep roots in its communities, the company is committed to delivering sustainable progress for all.Find out more by visiting hitachirail.comAbout TransPennine Express:TransPennine Express is an intercity rail provider with a vision to Take the North Further. Following an investment of more than GBP500m including the introduction of new Nova trains, we are continuing to transform rail services through high levels of performance, investment in stations, enhanced accessibility, measures to improve sustainability andmore investment. We are owned by TransPennine Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of the Department for Transport's public sector owning group, "DOHL." DOHL has responsibility for three other rail companies: Northern Trains Ltd (Northern), LNER and SE Trains (Southeastern).Our network is:North TransPennine - including Newcastle to Liverpool Lime Street, Redcar/Middlesbrough to Manchester Airport, Scarborough to York, Edinburgh to Newcastle and Hull to Liverpool Lime StreetSouth TransPennine - including Cleethorpes to Liverpool Lime Street via Doncaster, Sheffield to Liverpool Lime Street, and Manchester Airport to SheffieldAnglo Scottish - including Liverpool to Glasgow, and Manchester Airport to Edinburgh Destinations served by TransPennine Express include Liverpool, Manchester, Manchester Airport, Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Sheffield, Warrington, Birchwood, Irlam, Urmston, Stockport, Dore & Totley, Meadowhall, Doncaster, Scunthorpe, Barnetby, Habrough, Hull, York, Lea Green, Scarborough, Durham, Newton-Le-Willows, Gatley, Stalybridge, Mossley,Greenfield, Marsden, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, Deighton, Mirfield, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, Batley, Morley, Cottingley, Leeds, Cross Gates, Garforth, Selby, Howden, Brough, Malton, Seamer, Thirsk, Northallerton, Darlington, Yarm, Thornaby, Middlesbrough, Redcar Central, Saltburn, Chester-Le-Street, Newcastle, Morpeth, Alnmouth For Alnwick, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Reston, Dunbar, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Carlisle, Bolton, St Helens Central, Wigan, Preston, Lancaster, Oxenholme, Penrith, Lockerbie, Carstairs, Motherwell, Haymarket and East LintonAbout Angel Trains:Angel Trains is the UK's largest rolling stock company. We have invested more than GBP1.5 billion in rolling stock and innovation projects in the last ten years.Helping to modernise and improve UK rail and meet the needs of today's passengers. We collaborate with like-mindedcompanies to make our trains more accessible, comfortable and connected. Together, we are creating an environment where people can enjoy the journey as much as the destination.We invest in small and medium businesses who drive our innovation in new technologies. From battery and hydrogenpower systems to 3D printed parts and high-definition cameras. Our long-term outlook means we can support skilled jobs across the sector, from coast to coast, across the whole country.We will continue to reimagine our investments, to work with the talented people in our industry and to engineer a brighter, greener, more cost-effective future for UK Rail. www.angeltrains.co.ukSource: Hitachi, Ltd.Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. Athena Gold Corporation (OTCQB:AHNR)(CSE:ATHA) ("Athena" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has finalized its previously announced purchase and sale agreement dated June 1, 2024 (the "Purchase Agreement") with Silver Reserve Inc. to acquire a 100% interest in 11 unpatented BLM claims covering approximately 89 hectares (220 acres) known as the Blue Dick Mine and related mineral claims ("BD"), together with certain technical data relating to the mining claims (the "Purchased Assets"). Total consideration paid was US $45,000 in cash and a 3% NSR on the acquired claims. This acquisition expands our flagship Excelsior Springs Project located in the Walker Lane Trend, Nevada. area to 1,675 hectares (4,140 acres). The Blue Dick Mine was discovered in the 1870s and was reported as a high-grade producer of silver along with gold and base metals. According to Jack Quade, who visited the Blue Dick mine in 1982 and collected three samples on behalf of the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, "The (Blue Dick) Mine is located near a thrust intersection of the Campito and Deep Springs Formations of lower Cambrian both of which host ore at the mine." Mineralized material was transported from the adit by rail and then down Palmetto Mountain via a tram for direct shipment or processing on-site. Quade's sample #1125i collected from a highly silicified quartzite along the tram and inside the main Blue Dick adit contained 33 ppm Gold, 1500 ppm (43.75 ounces per ton) silver, .15% Cu, 2% lead and over 1% Zincii. Sampling by Silver Reserve consulting geologist Richard Milne in June 2007iii also confirmed anomalous precious and base metal values. Fourteen of the sixteen rock-chip samplesi collected by Milne (BD/M-1 through BD/M-16) are on the BD claims being acquired or on claims already held by Athena. Highlights are listed below: Sample BD/M-1 contained 6.4 ppm Gold, 2340 ppm Silver (69 ounces per ton),1.175% Copper and 1.34% Lead. Sample BD/M-12 contained 92.6 ppm Silver, 25.5% Copper and 6.92% Lead. Sample BD/M-13 contained 30 ppm Silver, 4.28% Copper and 1.37% Lead. Sample BD/M-15 contained 49 ppm Silver and 2.06% Copper. Sample BD/M-16 contained 7.45 ppm of Gold with .03% Copper. No exploration drilling or geophysical surveys have been completed on the BD claims. Additional rock and soil data acquired with the BD claims will be further analyzed and integrated into our exploration database. John Power, President of Athena, commented "This is an exciting opportunity as it consolidates the heart of the Palmetto Mountain Trend (Figure 1) for the first time as part of our Excelsior Springs Project. It also provides new prospective gold, copper, and silver targets to our expanding land package. Palmetto Peak was once the end of our claim block but is now the 50-yard line with the historic Buster mine and Western Slope to the west of the peak and Lida Belle and Blue Dick to the southeast. "Our immediate focus remains on finalizing our Phase 4 exploration plans at Excelsior Springs as we build upon the success of our Phase 1 - Phase 3 RC drilling programs completed in 2022 and 2023" added Power. Figure 1. Map of Palmetto Mountain Trend depicting the location of historic mines now controlled by Athena as part of its flagship Excelsior Springs Project. This trend connects the historic Palmetto and Lida Mining Districts and was the location of several reported high-grade gold and silver occurrences during the district's discovery boom in the 1870s. Timeline of District Scale Consolidation Upon the successful close of this transaction, Athena will have completed a series of transactions over a multi-year period to consolidate all the important historic mines (Buster, Lida Belle and Blue Dick) on Palmetto Mountain (See Figures 1 and 2). Athena acquired the Excelsior Springs project in 2021 from Nubian Resources Ltd. with its 140 unpatented BLM claims and a lease on two patented claims. This claim group included the historic Buster Mine and Western Slope (aka Upper or Tripod shaft) mines. In 2022, Athena purchased the two patented claims (Fortunatus and Prout) that had been held under an expiring lease. In Q4-2022, Athena staked an additional 51 unpatented BLM claims to cover the southeastern slope of Palmetto Mountain. These claims included the historic Lida Belle high grade gold occurrence and mine. Reconnaissance sampling in the Lida Belle area returned high-grade gold and silver results. (See the Company's news release dated October 5, 2023 here). Also, in Q4-2022, the Company staked claims to the border of the BD claims being acquired (See Figure 2). Figure 2. Map of Athena's Excelsior Springs Project depicting the original claim block and additional claims staked and acquired between 2022 - 2024. Blue Dick Mineralization Mineralization occurs in quartz or calcite veins mostly hosted by limestone (Stewart and Albers 1972). The Deep Spring and Palmetto Formations are the main host rocks for precious and base metal mineralization on the property. Copper, gold, silver and lead mineralization sampled by Milne (2007) is found locally in thrust faults and high-angle northeast-southwest structures. There are several important targets for future exploration including: Sediment hosted bulk Au tonnage targets in the Palmetto formation. Additional high-grade vein mineralization from known veins and undiscovered veins in the carbonates with two targets of Gold, Silver & Copper and Silver, Gold & Base Metals Technical Information The data disclosed in this news release is related to historical exploration sampling results. The reader is cautioned that the historical results are based on prior data and reports prepared by previous property owners and other sources. Athena has not undertaken any independent investigation of the work at Blue Dick, nor has it independently analyzed the results of the historical exploration work to verify the results. The reader is cautioned not to treat them, or any part of them, as current and that a qualified person has not done sufficient work to verify the results and that they may not form a reliable guide to future results. No independent QA/QC protocols are known for these samples and as such analytical results may be unreliable. Athena's current and future exploration work includes verification of the historical data through further exploration. About Our Flagship Excelsior Springs Project The Excelsior Springs Project (the "Project") lies within the prolific Walker Lane tectonic trend, a large region of northwest-trending, strike-slip fault zones that host a significant number of precious metal deposits having very strong structural control for mineralization. The Project contains numerous prospect pits, trenches, roads, surface sampling sites and 113 drill holes to date within a 300m X 3,000m wide (1,000 foot-wide and 10,000-foot-long east-west trending zone of shearing and alteration. Underground workings on the two patented claims within the Project had unverified, historical production of 19,200 troy ounces from 18,000 tons averaging 37.3 grams/ton Au (1.2 oz/ton Au). The Walker Lane trend is experiencing a major resurgence of intense and successful exploration and development. The Walker Lane has had total production of 20+ million ounces ("Moz") of gold, including the following deposits at Goldfields (5 Moz), Bullfrog (2 Moz), Tonopah (2 Moz), Mineral Ridge (1.5 Moz) and Comstock (8 Moz Au, 200 Moz Ag). Readers are cautioned that the Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in any of the above-mentioned properties, other than Excelsior Springs (the "Project"), and that the mineral deposits, and the results of any exploration or mining thereof, on adjacent or similar properties are not indicative of potential mineral deposits on the Project or any potential exploitation thereof. Gold mineralization discovered at the Project to date occurs in quartz veins, stock-works, and silicified zones in hornfels and calc-silicate altered country rock and is generally close to porphyry dykes. The best grades and thicknesses discovered recently were found in oxidized and altered sedimentary rock immediately above porphyry dykes intruded along preexisting east- and east-northeast trending faults. The mineralized stock-work vein zones are shallow and have a relatively flat plunge, making them potentially amenable to open pit mining methods. Based on the results of previous drilling programs, the Project has the potential with to host one or more shallow gold deposits amenable to open pit mining, along with deeper, higher grade feeder zones that may be found and could be mined by underground methods. In the opinion of management and its consultants, the Project is very promising and further exploration has the potential to expand the known mineralization and establish additional mineralized zones. Qualified Person John Hiner, SME Registered Member and Washington State Licensed Geologist is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis of this press release and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Hiner is not independent of the Company. About Athena Gold Corporation Athena is engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets. Its objective is to locate and develop economic precious and base metal properties of merit and to conduct additional exploration drilling and studies on the Project. For further information about Athena Gold Corporation and our Excelsior Springs Gold project, please visit www.athenagoldcorp.com. On Behalf of the Board of Directors John C. Power Chief Executive Officer and President For further information, please contact: Phone: John C. Power, 707-291-6198 Email: info@athenagoldcorp.com Jason Libenson President and CCO Castlewood Capital Corporation (647)-534-9884 Email: jason@castlewoodcapital.ca Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding future exploration plans and the completion of a phase 2 drill program at the Project, future results from exploration, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future 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: "believes", "will", "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 press release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that there will be investor interest in future financings, market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future exploration and development of the Company's projects in a timely manner, QAQC procedures at the Project were followed, the availability of financing on suitable terms for the exploration and development of the Company's projects and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development activities, actual results of exploration activities, the estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the inability of the Company to obtain the necessary financing required to conduct its business and affairs, as currently contemplated, the timing and amount of estimated future production, the costs of production, capital expenditures, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, requirements for additional capital, future prices of precious metals, 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, labor 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 Company's business, financial condition and results of operations, 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 Canadian Securities Exchange, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, and other factors and risks that are discussed in the Company's periodic filings with the SEC and disclosed in the final long form prospectus of the Company dated August 31, 2021. 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 press release or incorporated by reference herein i The historical sampling and information disclosed in this press release is related to historical exploration results. The reader is cautioned that the historical sampling and information are based on prior data and reports previously prepared by third parties without the involvement of the Company. Athena has not undertaken any independent investigation of the historical sampling and information, nor has it independently analyzed the results of the historical sampling and exploration work in order to verify the results ii Semi-Quantitative Spectrographic Analysis by Branch Exploration Research, USGS, Denver, Colorado. Gold analysis through Atomic-Adsorption Analysis. iii ALS Chemex Certificate of Analysis issued to Silver Reserve Corp dated July 13, 2007. SOURCE: Athena Gold Corp View the original press release on accesswire.com 4.68 meters of 1.29 g/t Au including 0.18 meters of 12.5 g/t Au Western Alaska Minerals (the "Company" or "WAM") (TSXV:WAM) is pleased to announce initial gold assay results from their first ever drilling at the Warm Springs target on the Illinois Creek project in western Alaska. Highlights: Two gold zones intercepted in drill hole IC24-0004: 1.29 g/t Au over 4.68 meters within massive pyrite, including: 12.5 g/t Au and 0.9% Cu over 0.18 meters 2.13 g/t Au over 2.96 meters, including: 5.57 g/t Au over 1.01 meters Discovery of a new and separate mineralized structure parallel to the Illinois Creek Fault, opening the potential of a new "spoke" to the system. First significant copper and gold mineralization intercepted since WAM initiated exploration in 2021. The gold bearing zone is located approximately 1.4 km southeast of the Illinois Creek gold-silver resource (Figure 1). "Finding gold at Warm Springs opens up a whole new gold target zone within the eight-kilometer-long trend between the Illinois Creek and Waterpump Creek resources," said Kit Marrs, founder and CEO of Western Alaska Minerals. Mr. Marrs continues, "This is an exciting complement to our high-grade silver-zinc-lead resource at Waterpump Creek." Figure 1. Top: Google Earth view looking down and to the northwest of the Illinois Creek CRD system, encompassing Illinois Creek resource - Warm Springs - LH - Waterpump Creek resource. Bottom: LeapFrog 3D model of the mineralized areas. Warm Springs Target Dr. Peter Megaw, Technical Advisor and world-renowned silver and CRD geologist stated, "The appearance of gold and copper in the multiply brecciated alteration and mineralization zones cut in these latest holes at Warm Springs clearly indicates we're zeroing in on a repeatedly reactivated structure that acted as a major pathway for proximal/near-source mineralizing fluids. The CRD continuum model suggests the next steps are to link this to the distal silver-lead-zinc resource at Waterpump Creek and the more proximal gold-copper resource adjoining the historical Illinois Creek mine. The possibility that this is a separate structure parallel to the Illinois Creek Fault is especially intriguing as it may indicate a whole new "spoke" to the system." Western Alaska Minerals has completed nine drill holes at Warm Springs. Extensive alteration and oxide mineralization along with local base-metal sulfide mineralization has been intercepted in seven of the nine drill holes. Table 1. Table of highlight intercepts from drill hole IC24-0004 Hole From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Pb % Zn % Cu % Sulfide/Oxide IC24-0004 84.17 88.85 4.68 1.29 11.6 0.26 0.05 0.04 Sulfide Including 84.17 84.35 0.18 12.50 167 2.44 0.03 0.91 IC24-0004 244.40 247.36 2.96 2.13 7.0 0.35 0.30 .03 Oxide Including 246.35 247.36 1.01 5.57 12.8 0.38 0.26 .05 All intercepts are core length and are close to true width. Core recovery averaged 90.1% for reported intercepts. Table 2. Coordinate locations and angles for drill holes IC24-0004 Hole Easting Northing Plunge Azimuth TD (m) IC24-0004 555150 7101350 -60 000 451.41 Significance of Warm Springs Drill Results - Technical Discussion The Warm Springs mineralization is a major extension to the Illinois Creek CRD system and shows significant complexly overprinted mineralization stages. Exploration this year followed up on the Warm Springs siliceous breccia outcrop and two Anaconda drill holes from 1982*. The target was thought to be either an extension of the East IC Manto down-dip to the south or possibly a new mineralizing structure parallel to that of the Illinois Creek Mine mineralization. The drill results show numerous stages of mineralization including early-stage recrystallized ankerite with trace base-metal sulfides and cross-cutting late-stage silica and oxide mineralization. The first hole, IC24-0004, was a 310m step-off south of Anaconda drill holes 11 and 12*, and 1.2 km west of the WAM 2022 drill holes. IC24-0004 intercepted four mineralization zones consisting of numerous mineralization stages (Figure 4) including 1) pyrite + hydrothermal quartz breccia with elevated Au, As and Cu values as shown in Table 1, 2) recrystallized ankerite with trace galena 3) pervasive silica + oxide breccia including limonite-dominant and hematite-dominant sub-zones and 4) oxidized elevated Pb + Mn (assay results not shown) manto gossans. These elevated metal zones ranged from 18.7 to 53.65 meters thick with a combined total mineralization thickness of 100 meters. Figure 2. Massive pyrite with breccia texture for the intercept reported in Table 1. Figure 3. Breccias in various stages of mineralization LH Target Zone Update The 2024 drill program also included drill testing of the LH target zone, located on the west side of the airstrip. The LH Target has generated significant interest as a potential high-grade extension of the Waterpump Creek zone. It was first drilled by NovaGold in 2005/2006*. WAM drilled four holes in 2024 which cut a few gossans, but no significant sulfide manto mineralization. In addition, four surface trenches were cut to better understand the LH target. Assays for the drilling and trenching are pending. The drill holes this year plus the trenching have refined our exploration model and target for the LH zone. It is now interpreted to be a vertically oriented feature and likely higher in the CRD system than Waterpump Creek and mineralization is thought to be deeper than originally anticipated. The LH target remains a priority target. Drilling Statistics Drill program was completed on August 24th, totalling 4,230 meters LH Zone: four drill holes totalling 1,347 meters Warm Springs Zone: nine drill holes totalling 2,883 meters Assay results pending for all holes except IC24-0004 Quality Assurance and Quality Control Quality Assurance/Quality Control of drill sample assay results are monitored by WAM staff through a quality assurance/quality control ("QA/QC") protocol which includes the insertion of blind standard reference materials, blanks, and duplicates samples at regular intervals. Core logging and sampling is completed at the Illinois Creek mine camp in Alaska. Drill core is logged under an established procedure using GeoSpark commercial logging software. Core intervals selected for assay are sawn lengthwise in half. One half of the core interval is bagged and labeled for assay. The remainder is stored on site for reference. The bagged core samples are transported to the ALS Minerals laboratory in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, for sample submission. ALS Minerals Fairbanks is a satellite sample preparation facility accredited under ALS Minerals. The ALS Minerals Fairbanks laboratory then shipped the samples to ALS Minerals in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada, for sample preparation and analysis. ALS Minerals North Vancouver is an independent laboratory certified under ISO 9001:2008 and accredited under ISO/IEC 7025:2005 by the Standards Council of Canada. ALS Minerals includes its own internal quality control samples comprising certified reference materials, blanks, and pulp duplicates. At ALS the half-core samples were weighed (WEI-21), dried if excessively wet (DRY-21), coarse jaw crushed to 70% passing 6 mm (CRU-21), fine jaw crushed to 70% passing 2 mm (CRU-31), riffle split to 250 g subsamples (SPL-21) and pulverized to 85% passing 75 m (PUL-31). Crushed duplicates were created by riffle splitting crushed samples into two parts. The gold content is determined by fire assay of a 30-gram charge with an AA finish (Au-AA23). Silver, lead, copper, and zinc along with other elements are analyzed by ICP utilizing a four-acid digestion (ME-ICP61). Over-limit samples for silver, lead, copper, and zinc are determined by using either an ore grade four-acid digestion and ICP-ES finish (ME-OG62) or ore-grade titration analysis (VOL50 or VOL70) for very high-grade samples. Au from the high-grade interval from 84.17 to 84.35 was analyzed a 30 gram fire assay charge and gravimetric finish. ALS Minerals' laboratory also performs its own internal QA/QC procedures to assure the accuracy and integrity of results. Parameters for ALS' internal and WAM' external blind quality control samples are acceptable for the elements analyzed. WAM is unaware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein. Qualified Person The Qualified Person who reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this release is Andrew West, Certified Professional Geologist, a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. West is the Vice President for Western Alaska Minerals with a MS in Geology and 30 years of experience in mineral resources, mine, and exploration. He is a Certified Professional Geologist with the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG CP-11759). His review verified the technical data disclosed, including geology, sampling, analytical and QA/QC data underlying this news release, including reviewing the reports of ALS, methodologies, results, and all procedures undertaken for quality assurance and quality control in a manner consistent with industry practice. About WAM Our mission is to advance a mineable and scalable CRD, ultimately reshaping the mineral landscape of western Alaska and establishing a new CRD district. WAM's CRD system encompasses a 373K oz AuEq NI 43-101-compliant indicated and 152K oz AuEq Inferred resource* at the past producing Illinois Creek gold-silver mine*, and the Waterpump Creek high-grade silver-lead-zinc deposit with an inferred resource estimate of 74.9Moz at 980 G/T AgEq*, open to the north. Within the same CRD system sits the Honker gold vein prospect. Twenty-five kilometers northeast of the Illinois Creek CRD lies the Round Top copper and the TG North CRD prospects. All prospects were originally discovered by Anaconda Minerals Co. in the early 1980's*. WAM's 100% owned claims and uplands mining lease cover 73,120 acres (114.25 square miles or 29,591 hectares), approximately 45 km east of an ocean barge-compatible section of the Yukon River. Since 2010, WAM, along with its precursor company, Western Alaska Copper & Gold, reassembled the Anaconda land package and has been engaged in exploring the district. Headquartered in both Alaska and Arizona, WAM brings together a team of seasoned professionals with a shared vision of pioneering new frontiers in mineral exploration. Our strategic approach is underpinned by cutting-edge technology, innovative techniques, and a deep understanding of the geological intricacies of the region. *Information on our historical gold and Waterpump Creek resources, as well as historical work performed by Anaconda Minerals Co. and NovaGold (2005/2006) can be found on our NI 43-101 report, dated April 2, 2024, authored by Bruce Davis, PhD, FAusIMM, titled "Western Alaska Minerals Corp. ILLINOIS CREEK PROJECT UPDATE Illinois Creek Mining District, Western Alaska, USA" on our website: https://www.westernalaskaminerals.com/_resources/pdfs/Illinois-Creek-NI43101-Technical-Report.pdf?v=0.317 On behalf of the Company "Kit Marrs" Kit Marrs President & CEO Phone: 520-200-1667 For further information please contact: Vanessa Bogaert, Director of Corporate Communications/IR at vanessa@westernalaskaminerals.com Or visit our website at: www.westernalaskaminerals.com Forward Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof 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" or the negative connation thereof. Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include risks relating to market conditions, metal prices, and risks relating to general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials, and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by 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 forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Western Alaska Minerals Corp View the original press release on accesswire.com News Release Highlights: Alset AI is poised to receive CAD$3.7 million plus interest from its portfolio company, Cedarcross, in repayment of a secured loan, strengthening Alset's balance sheet and enhancing its capacity to pursue additional artificial intelligence investments. Alset AI's portfolio company Cedarcross secures an agreement to sell thirteen (13) Nvidia H100 HGX 8GPU servers to Ceti AI for an aggregate purchase price of approximately CAD$5,828,665. Alset AI's portfolio company, Cedarcross, finalizes an amended two-year AI compute leasing agreement. Alset AI Ventures Inc.(TSXV:KSUM)(OTC:ALSCF)(FSE:1R60, WKN:A3ESVQ)("Alset AI" or the "Company") is pleased to provide its shareholders with a corporate and operational update. Portfolio Company Business Updates AI Server Sale and Partial Exercise of Previously Announced Option The Company is pleased to announce that its portfolio company, Cedarcross International Technologies Inc. ("Cedarcross"), has entered into an agreement with an arm's length counterparty, Big Energy Investments Inc., DBA Ceti AI ("Ceti AI"), dated August 15, 2024, to sell thirteen (13) Nvidia H100 HGX 8GPU servers (the "Devices")for an aggregate purchase price of USD$4,254,500 (approximately CAD$5,828,665)(the "Purchase Agreement"). Eight (8) of the thirteen (13) Devices being sold are derived from Cedarcross' existing inventory of 10 Devices. The purchase price allocated to the sale of these existing Devices is USD$2,579,500 (approximately CAD$3,533,915) plus applicable taxes. Payments for these Devices will be made in various installments between August 15, 2024 and November 15, 2024. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, Ceti AI will acquire five (5) additional Devices, all of which will be sourced from the original equipment manufacturer and subsequently sold to Ceti AI (the "Sourced Servers"). Further to the Company's news release dated June 13, 2024, the Sourced Servers constitute partial exercise of Ceti AI's option to acquire up to 200 Nvidia H100 HGX 8GPU servers. The purchase price allocated to the same of the Sourced Servers is USD$1,675,000 (approximately CAD$2,294,750). On August 17, 2024, Cedarcross and Ceti AI entered into an addendum agreement (the "Addendum Agreement") pursuant to which Ceti AI shall have the option to substitute five (5) of the currently contemplated Nvidia H100 model HPC devices with five (5) Nvidia H200 model HPC devices, provided that Nvidia H200 model HPC devices are readily available to Cedarcross in the quantity required by Ceti AI on or prior to the date of the Fifth Payment (as defined in the Purchase Agreement). Pursuant to the terms of the Addendum Agreement, the purchase price for the Nvidia H200 model HPC devices thereunder, shall be mutually agreed upon by the Cedarcross and Ceti AI, subject to a minimum price equal to the total payment for the five (5) Sourced Servers, as stipulated in the Purchase Agreement. Amended AI Compute Leasing Agreement The Company also announces that further to its news release on April 25, 2024, Cedarcross has entered into an amending agreement to the high-performance computer ("HPC") leasing agreement dated November 28, 2023, with the arm's length counterparty, Infocube HK Company ("Infocube"), dated August 23, 2024 (the "HPC Amending Agreement"). Pursuant to the terms of the HPC Amending Agreement, Cedarcross agreed to lease to Infocube, two (2) HPCs in exchange for an aggregate leasing fee of USD$25,344 (approximately CAD$34,721), plus applicable taxes, per month (the "Lease"). The Lease will commence on September 1, 2024 and continue for a period ending on August 31, 2026. Additionally, Infocube shall pay to Cedarcross a one-time disruption fee of USD$257,942.94 (approximately CAD$353,381) plus applicable taxes, on or before December 31, 2024, as stipulated in the terms of the HPC Amending Agreement. All revenue recognized in connection herewith will be relative to the requirements of the Company's accounting policies and the International Financial Reporting Standards. Amended Secured Loan Agreement and Repayment and Release Agreement Further to the Company's news release dated April 2, 2024, the Company has entered into an amending agreement dated August 15, 2024, (the "Amending Agreement") to the loan agreement dated April 2, 2024 (the "Loan Agreement"), by and between the Company and Cedarcross. Pursuant to the terms of the Amending Agreement, the Loan Agreement will be amended as follows: (i) interest on the loan advanced under the Loan Agreement (the "Loan") will be decreased from fifteen percent (15%) to seven and a half percent (7.5%) per annum, commencing on September 1, 2024; (ii) interest on the outstanding principal amount of the Loan shall be paid by Cedarcross to Alset AI on the maturity date stipulated in the Loan Agreement. In connection with the Purchase Agreement described above, the Company also announces that it has entered into a repayment and release agreement dated August 15, 2024, between the Company and Cedarcross (the "Repayment and Release Agreement") in relation to the Loan Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Repayment and Release Agreement, the Company and Cedarcross: (i) acknowledged that on August 2, 2024, the Company received a cash prepayment in the amount of CAD$203,516.55 towards the principal amount of the Loan; (ii) acknowledged that on August 19, 2024, the Company received a cash prepayment in the amount of CAD$1,296,470 (USD$949,725) towards the principal amount of the Loan; (iii) agreed that Cedarcross shall cause all funds payable by Ceti AI pursuant to the Purchase Agreement to be redirected to Alset AI as repayment against the Loan and all accrued and unpaid interests (the "Indebtedness") until the Indebtedness is paid in full; and (iv) immediately upon receipt by Alset AI of all outstanding Indebtedness, Alset AI will make necessary arrangements to discharge the Personal Property Security Act(British Columbia) registrations and any other registrations, liens or security interests made in connection with the Loan Agreement and the corresponding general security agreement. Alset AI Management Changes The Company also announces the resignation of Anu Thomas as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective August 23, 2024. The Company extends its appreciation to Ms. Thomas for her contributions and service. The Company remains engaged with its accounting firm, Red Fern Consulting Ltd., through the end of the third quarter, leveraging their accounting and bookkeeping expertise to ensure compliance with financial reporting timelines. Additionally, the Company anticipates appointing a new Chief Financial Officer in September, 2024. Alset AI Audit Committee Changes The Company is also pleased to announce that it has changed the composition of its audit committee (the "Audit Committee"). Messrs. Morgan Good and Vikas Ranjan have resigned from the Audit Committee and the Company has appointed Messrs. Zelong (Roger) He, CFA, and Jeremy Hanson to fill the vacancies thereon. Mr. Zelong (Roger) He, CFA, will serve as the Chair of the Audit Committee. All amounts in Canadian Dollars unless otherwise specified. These figures are converted from US dollars at an exchange rate of 1.37 (USD to CAD). On behalf of Alset AI Ventures Inc. "Morgan Good" Morgan Good Chief Executive Officer About Alset AI Ventures Inc. Alset AI Ventures Inc. is an investment issuer that is focused on investments in the technology industry, including but not limited to artificial intelligence.. The Company is led by an experienced, entrepreneurial group of executives having a diverse industry and capital markets background. Alset AI Ventures Inc.'s investment portfolio is currently comprised of 49% ownership of Cedarcross International Technologies Inc. and 49% ownership of Vertex AI Ventures Inc. About Cedarcross International Technologies Inc. Cedarcross Technologies is an Artificial Intelligence cloud computing provider, with a vision of becoming one of Canada's leading AI compute providers. Cedarcross is dedicated to democratizing access to cutting-edge AI computing, offering access to AI servers powered by Nvidia's H100 HGX GPUs. For further information about Alset AI Ventures Inc., please contact: Morgan Good, CEO and Director T: 604.715.4751 E: morgan@alsetai.com Cautionary Note regarding Forward Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, without limitation, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, including but not limited to the sale of the Devices, the payments made therefor and the acquisition of the Sourced Servers, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Addendum Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the HPC Amending Agreement, including, but not limited to, the payment of the one-time disruption fee, the consummation of the transactions contemplated in each of the Amending Agreement and the Repayment and Release Agreement, the repayment of the Indebtedness and the corresponding discharge of the Personal Property Security Act (British Columbia) registrations and the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer in September 2024. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Alset Capital Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com HIGHLIGHTS Property-wide 8,105 line-kilometre (line-km) helicopter-borne MobileMT electromagnetic ("EM") geophysical survey is underway to identify copper exploration targets and delineate regional and property-scale structures 9 claims added for an additional 11,900 hectares ("ha") (119 square kilometers ("km 2 ")) to claims package now totaling 89,000 ha (890 km 2 ) Prospecting, sampling and mapping program now complete Nearly 400 grab rock samples and 44 lake sediment samples collected for assay, 50 samples for petrological study TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. (TSXV:BAY)(OTCQB:ATBHF) ("Aston Bay" or the "Company") is pleased to report on sampling, mapping and geophysical programs underway at the Epworth Project ("Epworth" or the "Project") in Nunavut. Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Bay,commented: "We are excited to be working on our second high-grade copper project in Nunavut. Epworth has proven high-grade copper-silver-zinc mineralization at the surface, like our Storm Project, along with intriguing kicks of cobalt and gold. "The prospecting team from Emerald Geological Services has just wrapped up their sampling program and Dr. Elizabeth Turner has completed her initial mapping program. Encouraged by the preliminary results, we have staked an additional 119 km2; our claims package now exceeds 890 km2. "The MobileMT geophysical survey is now underway property-wide. This innovative method utilizes the natural energy of lightning strikes across the globe to produce electromagnetic fields to detect anomalies in the subsurface. The method has been proven effective in delineating both primary targets and structures in similar mineralization elsewhere and has recently been deployed at other projects in Nunavut. In addition to these new surveys, our consultants are digitizing and reinterpreting several historical geophysical surveys to assist in our understanding of the geological environment. "We are eager to begin compilation of the new and historical data to assist in targeting for anticipated drilling next year." Bruce MacLachlan from Emerald Geological Services, vendor of the Epworth Property, added: "The recent prospecting and mapping program was highly successful, having discovered significant new copper mineralization and having gained a better understanding of historical showings. The results of the program, in conjunction with the ongoing geophysical survey and studies carried out by Dr. Elizabeth Turner, will guide the next phase of exploration as we hone in on the best target areas for future groundwork and drilling." Prospecting, Mapping and New Claims Geologists from Emerald Geological Sciences have recently completed a 35-day prospecting and rock and lake sediment sampling program at four critical areas on the property: Metallic South/Payback, Northwest Claims, Southwest Claims and the historical CBC Showing areas (Figures 1 and 2.) Nearly 400 grab rock samples and 44 lake sediment samples were collected for assay. Figure 1: Location of the Epworth Project, Nunavut, Canada. Figure 2. Expanded claim block and location of 2024 field season sampled areas, Epworth Project, Nunavut. Dr. Elizabeth Turner, Technical Advisor to Aston Bay, conducted a seven-day helicopter-supported mapping program beginning in early August as well as a literature review. Dr. Turner collected 50 samples for petrological study in addition to conducting regional mapping and stratigraphic studies to better define the Epworth mineralization and place it in a regional geological context. Encouraged by the initial feedback from the mapping crew, the Company has staked an additional 119 km2 in the north-west area of the project bringing the total claims package to over 890 km2 (Figure 1). MobileMT Geophysical Survey Expert Geophysical Systems has initiated an 8,105 line-km MobileMT EM geophysical survey spanning the entire expanded claim block. The survey will be conducted with 100-metre ("m") line spacing in the northern half of the claim block and 200m spacing in the southern half. MobileMT uses naturally occurring electromagnetic fields generated by lighting discharges over the planet. The electromagnetic fields and the currents induced by these fields are used in MobileMT to understand the variations in the electrical resistivity of the subsurface. MobileMT is capable of delivering geoelectrical information from shallow to > 1 km depth range with high spatial and resistivity resolution. MobileMT system detects resistivity contrasts of geology structures and boundaries of any shape and in any direction due to total field (three-component) measurements. The Company believes the results of the geophysical survey will greatly improve the understanding of the geological environment and, in conjunction with newly digitized historical geophysical data and new geological interpretations, will assist in developing targets for further work, including anticipated drilling, in 2025. Qualified Person Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release. About Aston Bay Holdings Aston Bay is a publicly traded mineral exploration company exploring for high-grade critical and precious metal deposits in Nunavut, Canada and Virginia, USA. The Company is currently exploring the Storm Copper Property and Cu-Ag-Zn-Co Epworth Property in Nunavut, and the high-grade Buckingham Gold Vein in central Virginia. The company is also in advanced stages of negotiation on other lands with high-grade critical metals potential in North America The Company and its joint venture partners, American West Metals Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tornado Metals Ltd. (collectively, "American West") have formed a 20/80 unincorporated joint venture in respect of the Storm Project property, which hosts the Storm Copper Project and the Seal Zinc Deposit. Under the unincorporated joint venture, 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%. 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 more information contact: Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer thomas.ullrich@astonbayholdings.com (416) 456-3516 SOURCE: Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. View the original press release on accesswire.com Highlights: High-grade near-surface silver mineralization intersected at La Joya with 1,005 gpt Ag and 0.45 gpt Au over 0.75 m within 4.5 m of 323.6 gpt Ag and 0.25 gpt Au from 58.0 m. A 700 m-long alteration system confirmed at La Joya with advanced argillic alteration and vuggy silica. Additional results from the remaining five scout drill holes at Mega-Gold confirm a very large, zoned alteration system with anomalous geochemistry indicative of a prospective porphyry environment. Hyperspectral core scanning results confirm high-level alteration environments at La Joya and Mega-Gold with potential for discovery at depth. The 2024 drill program produced high-grade results from the Estremadoyro breccia pipe and the La Joya high sulfidation epithermal system, and confirmed a large prospective mineral system at Mega-Gold across the broader Soledad project. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - Chakana Copper Corp. (TSXV: PERU) (OTCQB: CHKKF) (FSE: 1ZX) (the "Company" or "Chakana"), is pleased to report the final drill results from its 2024 drill program at the expanded Soledad project in Ancash, Peru. Favorable assay results were received for the La Joya prospect, reported below. Additional holes drilled at Mega-Gold returned similar elevated values to those previously reported within well-developed zoned alteration, confirming two discrete porphyry targets. Our team has undertaken an in-house review of the results of all exploration activities completed to date and strongly recommends additional drilling at La Joya and Mega-Gold. All results reported here are located within concessions under option from Minera Barrick Peru S.A. (see news release dated July 16, 2018). "La Joya has great potential to become a significant precious metals discovery. We had limited metres to work with in the initial drill test, but it confirmed exceptional silver grades in near-surface, structurally-controlled mineralization. The alteration trend at La Joya has a strike length of 700 metres and the stratigraphy at depth has the potential to host broader bulk-tonnage mineralization. At Mega-Gold, we confirmed zoned alteration and anomalous geochemistry consistent with a high-level porphyry environment. Importantly, integration of the drill results with geophysics and our current understanding of the geology highlights two intrusive centers on the margin of a large precursor intrusion with porphyry potential at depth. Additional drilling in these two key target areas is being planned," stated President and CEO David Kelley. La Joya Drill Results Three shallow holes were completed at La Joya for a total of 465.5 m. The holes were planned to drill beneath strongly silicified volcanic rocks where zones of vuggy silica alteration returned strongly anomalous values in silver and gold. The strongest mineralization was observed in hole LJDH24-002 with 323.6 gpt Ag and 0.25 gpt Au over 4.5 m from 58.0 m depth. Within this interval massive pyrite with subordinate galena and sphalerite is present over a 0.75m interval with 1,005.0 gpt Ag, 0.45 gpt Au, and 0.42% Pb. The mineralized interval is hosted within andesite tuff that shows evidence of advanced argillic alteration. A second mineralized interval was encountered in hole LJDH24-003 with 20.5 gpt Ag and 0.18 gpt Au over 5.0 m from 48.0 m depth. This intercept is associated with similar alteration but with lower pyrite content and corresponding lower grades. Hole LJDH24-001 was not mineralized. La Joya Drill Results DDH # From - To (m) Core Length (m)* Ag g/t Au g/t Pb % LJDH24-002 58.00 62.50 4.50 323.6 0.25 0.19 including 60.50 61.25 0.75 1,005.0 0.45 0.42 LJDH24-003 48.00 53.00 5.00 20.5 0.18 0.06 *Reported intervals are not true widths given the uncertain geometry of the mineralization. Mega-Gold Scout Drill Results A total of eight scout drill holes were completed in the Mega-Gold target area for a total of 2,425.20 m. These holes display a variety of vein types, elevated gold, copper and molybdenum, and hydrothermal alteration zoning consistent with a high-level porphyry environment. Higher temperature alteration minerals suggesting proximity to a porphyry is most strongly developed in the first three Mega-Gold holes reported July 2, 2024. These holes also exhibited narrow zones of strong mineralization in MGDH24-002 with 2.0 m of 1.8 gpt gold and 0.35% copper from 89.0 m depth, and 1.5 m of 11.05 gpt gold from 127.5 m depth in MGDH24-003, confirming a mineralized fluid source at depth. Holes MGDH24-004 to MGDH24-006 exhibit alteration assemblages transitional between phyllic and propylitic alteration domains whereas holes MGDH24-007 and MGDH24-008 are dominantly propylitic alteration. Integrating results from these initial eight scout holes with ground magnetics and 3D induced polarization (IP) surveys clarifies the geologic controls on mineralization in the broader Soledad project and further refines the porphyry potential within the Mega-Gold target area. A large, north-trending precursor (pre-mineral) intrusion is evident from the ground magnetics survey (Figure 2). Most of the important strongly mineralized tourmaline breccia pipes and breccia complexes in the district occur along the margin of this intrusion or near satellite precursor intrusions. Within the Mega-Gold target area, strong IP chargeability and conductivity responses occur within an embayment in the precursor intrusion. Mega-Gold drill holes MGDH24-001 to MGDH24-006 were drilled in the area dominated by strong pyrite mineralization. These are interpreted to be two separate pyrite shells related to underlying porphyry intrusions. Strongly conductive rock beneath the pyrite shells are potential zones of porphyry mineralization (PT-1 and PT-2, Figure 3) and warrant additional drilling. Resource Expansion Potential The expanded Soledad project covers all of the prospective area of known outcropping mineralized intrusion-related tourmaline breccias and related distal epithermal precious metals mineralization. Multidisciplinary exploration has defined 154 targets to date, with 35 (23%) of those targets tested by drilling. Several opportunities exist to expand the initial inferred resource, including 52 untested breccia targets. About Chakana Copper Chakana Copper Corp is a Canadian-based minerals exploration Company that is currently advancing the expanded Soledad project located in the Ancash region of Peru, a highly favorable mining jurisdiction with supportive communities. The Soledad project is notable for the high-grade copper-gold-silver mineralization that is hosted in tourmaline breccia pipes (see initial inferred mineral resource estimate for seven breccia pipes in news release dated February 23, 2022). Exploration drilling in 2024 targeted 1) high-grade breccia-hosted mineralization at Estremadoyro; 2) precious metal mineralization at the La Joya high-sulfidation epithermal zone; and 3) mineralization related to a causative intrusion in the Mega-Gold target area. For more information on the Soledad project, please visit the website at www.chakanacopper.com or Chakana's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Sampling and Analytical Procedures Chakana follows rigorous sampling and analytical protocols that meet or exceed industry standards. Core samples are stored in a secured area until transport in batches to the ALS facility in Callao, Lima, Peru. Sample batches include certified reference materials, blanks, and duplicate samples that are then processed under the control of ALS. All samples are analyzed using the ME-MS61 method following a 4-acid digestion (ICP technique that provides a comprehensive multi-element overview of the rock geochemistry), while gold is analyzed by fire assay (AA24) on a 50g sample and GRA22 when values exceed 10 g/t by AA24. Over-limit silver, copper, lead and zinc are analyzed using the OG-46 procedure. Qualified Person David Kelley, an officer and a director of Chakana, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD (signed) "David Kelley" David Kelley President and CEO Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking Statement Advisory: This release may contain 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 Chakana to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements or information relates to, among other things, the interpretation of the nature of the mineralization at the Soledad copper-gold-silver project (the "Project"), the potential to expand the mineralization, and to develop and grow a resource within the Project, the planning for further exploration work, the ability to de-risk the potential exploration targets, and our belief in the potential for mineralization within unexplored parts of the Project. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs but given the uncertainties, assumptions and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward- looking statements or information. The Company disclaims any obligation to update, or to publicly announce, any such statements, events or developments except as required by law. Figure 1 - Map showing the southern half of the expanded Soledad project with image for soil gold. Drill holes completed in the 2024 drill program shown for Estremadoyro (breccia pipe), Mega-Gold (porphyry targets), and La Joya (HSE). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2172/221472_dfaa791c546af9a0_001full.jpg Figure 2 - Maps showing central part of the Soledad project. Color image shows total magnetic intensity from 3D model highlighting the precursor granodiorite intrusion with satellite intrusions. Red 3D shapes show induced polarization chargeability outlining pyrite shells. Green 3D shapes show underlying conductive features from the induced polarization resistivity model. Discrete porphyry targets PT-1 and PT-2 labeled. Significant mineralized tourmaline breccias surrounding precursor intrusion and the La Joya high sulfidation epithermal zone labeled in blue (Pa-Paloma East and West, Hua-Huancarama, Est-Estremadoyro). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2172/221472_dfaa791c546af9a0_002full.jpg Figure 3 - Map showing high-priority discrete porphyry targets PT-1 and PT-2 with drill holes from recent drilling. Disc shapes on drill holes are >80 ppb gold. Section on right shows relation between induced polarization chargeability outlining pyrite shells (red) and underlying conductive features from the induced polarization resistivity model (blue). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2172/221472_dfaa791c546af9a0_003full.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221472 SOURCE: Chakana Copper Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - American Pacific Mining Corp (CSE: USGD) (OTCQX: USGDF) (FSE: 1QC) ("American Pacific" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the completion of a drill program at its Palmer Copper-Zinc VMS Project ("Palmer") in Southeast Alaska. The 2024 program was part of a planned CAD $17.5 million (USD $12.8 million) exploration and development budget funded by a joint venture partnership between Dowa Metals & Mining Alaska Ltd. ("Dowa") and American Pacific (see March 25, 2024 news release). Palmer Project Update The 2024 drill program included a total of 6,035.9 meters ("m") (19,650 feet) in nineteen (19) drill holes including three (3) drill holes (125.8 meters; 410 feet) that were recollared. The program was expanded from an originally planned fourteen (14) drill holes based on positive visual observations and real-time modeling updates. This year's drilling program focused on building upon the results of last year's campaign where the four most significant copper intercepts ever drilled at Palmer were reported earlier this year, including 43.8 m of 6.54% copper ("Cu"), 3.15% zinc ("Zn"), 0.42 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold ("Au") and 27.97 g/t silver ("Ag") (8.22% copper equivalent ("CuEq")) (see January 10, 2024 news release for full details). The drill program was designed to continue expanding the known extent of the high-grade copper mineralization of the South Wall Zone 1 and Zone 2 and testing prospective alteration areas. Thirteen (13) drill holes (4,876.8 meters; 16,000 feet) tested the structural controls and extensions to the high-grade copper and zinc mineralized trends. The program also included a series of exploration drillholes to test the nearby North Wall Target. The North Wall Target represents a potential fault offset extension of the South Wall mineralization. Three (3) drill holes were completed for 1,033.3 meters (3,390 feet). A total of 1,353 samples have been submitted for multi-element analysis with all assay results pending. "We are delighted to have completed another successful exploration program with zero incidents or injuries throughout the summer. We look forward to publishing results in the coming weeks and months," commented Peter Mercer, Senior VP of Advanced Projects. "We'd like to thank our staff and contractors for their outstanding efforts in delivering a safe and efficient field program, ahead of schedule. We have seen significant improvements in diamond drilling productivity year over year, which will have a significant impact on the planning and implementation of future programs." Figure 1: Tamarack Geological Services logging core at the newly constructed logging facility To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10322/221419_eeeeca0d74bc39b8_001full.jpg Figure 2: The Northern Lights providing a spectacular show above Canada Pad To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10322/221419_eeeeca0d74bc39b8_002full.jpg Qualified Person Statement The technical information in this news release regarding the Palmer Project has been reviewed and approved by Michael Vande Guchte, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration for the Palmer Project and a Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About American Pacific Mining Corp. American Pacific Mining Corp. is a precious and base metals explorer and developer focused on opportunities in the Western United States. The Company has two flagship assets: the Palmer Project, a Volcanic Massive Sulphide-Sulphate (VMS) project in Alaska, under joint-venture partnership with Dowa Metals & Mining, owner of Japan's largest zinc smelter; and the Madison Project, a past-producing copper-gold project in Montana. For the Madison transaction, American Pacific was selected as a finalist in both 2021 and 2022 for 'Deal of the Year' at the S&P Global Platts Metals Awards, an annual program that recognizes exemplary accomplishments in 16 performance categories. Also, in American Pacific's asset portfolio are high-grade, precious metals projects located in key mining districts in Nevada, USA, including the Ziggurat Gold Project and the Tuscarora Gold-Silver District. The Company's mission is to grow by the drill bit, strategic partnerships, and M&A. Full disclosure can be found in our NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Palmer Project at www.americanpacificmining.com. The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221419 SOURCE: American Pacific Mining Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - East West Petroleum Corp. (TSXV: EW) ("East West" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news release of August 16, 2024, it will distribute to holders of common shares of the Company ("Shareholders") by way of a return of capital, $0.03 per common share of the Company, for an aggregate distribution amount, based on today's issued and outstanding shares, of $2,714,569.95 (the "Distribution"). At the special meeting of Shareholders held on August 16, 2024 (the "Meeting"), Shareholders approved the reduction of the stated capital of the Company (the "Capital Reduction") for the purposes of the Distribution. The stated capital of the Company will be reduced by $2,714,569.95 in connection with the Distribution. Each registered Shareholder of record on September 5, 2024 (the "Effective Date") will receive a cheque from the Company's paying agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc., representing their pro rata share of the Distribution. Beneficial Shareholders can expect to receive payment from their intermediaries, each of whom has its own payment process. The Capital Reduction will involve a series of deemed sequential steps, including a reclassification of the previously existing common shares of the Company into Class A common shares (the "Class A Common Shares"), the creation of a new class of common shares of the Company (the "New Common Shares") and the exchange of Class A Common Shares for New Common Shares. As described in the management information circular of the Company in respect of the Meeting (the "Circular"), these deemed steps will be effected without any further action or formality being required on the part of Shareholders. A copy of the Circular is available free of charge under the Company's profile at the Canadian Securities Administrators' website at www.sedarplus.ca. On Behalf of the Board "Nick DeMare" Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to the Company's current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans", "forecast", "projection", "strategy", "objective" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. In particular and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the proposed Capital Reduction and the Distribution and the anticipated timing of the completion of the Capital Reduction and the Distribution. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. In respect of the forward-looking statements and information concerning the anticipated payout of the Distribution, the Company has made certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable at this time. These dates may change for a number of reasons and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these times. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221460 SOURCE: East West Petroleum Corp. COQUITLAM, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Grid Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Grid Battery") (TSXV:CELL)(OTCQB:EVKRF)(FRA:NMK2) is pleased to announce the expansion of our exploration land holdings with the inclusion of a new Copper Property, located in Northern British Columbia. The Company has entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement dated August 26, 2024 (the "Agreement"), with AC/DC Battery Metals Inc. ("AC/DC"), to a acquire a 100% interest in 17 mineral claims comprising 27,525.24 hectares located in North Central British Columbia. The region is host to numerous operating mines, good infrastructure including experienced exploration and supporting services (the "Transaction"). The Transaction is a "related party" transaction and is subject to TSX Venture Exchange ("Exchange") approval. Terms of the Transaction: The Company will purchase the Property as follows: making a cash payment to AC/DC in the amount of $48,172.15 for reimbursement of staking costs, upon Exchange Approval; and issuing to AC/DC 5,000,000 fully paid and non-assessable common shares at a deemed value of $0.05 per share in the capital of the Company upon Exchange approval of the Transaction. All securities issued in connection with the Transaction are subject to a four month and a day hold period in accordance with Canadian Securities Laws. Pursuant to TSXV Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 -- Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), the Agreement constitutes a "related party transaction" due to the fact that there are common officers and directors of the Company and AC/DC. The Company relied on Section 5.5(a) of MI 61-101 for an exemption from the formal valuation requirement and Section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 for an exemption from the minority shareholder approval requirement of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the transaction did not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. No new insiders will be created, nor will any change of control occur, as a result of the Transaction. About the Copper Property "We're excited to acquire approximately 275 km2 of tenures in such a favourable mining region within BC." commented the Tim Fernback, President and CEO. "This area of the Province has already generated several promising projects, and our land package is strategically situated to exploit the high copper-gold values of the region. NorthWest Copper Corp. (TSXV:NWST) on the nearby Kwanika project intercepted 400 metres of 1.01 Copper equivalent (News Release January 16, 2023 Northwest Copper Corp). BC is a mining-friendly jurisdiction with reasonable processes, good infrastructure and potential First Nation partners." B.C. Minfile assessment report data indicates that most of the area covered by the Copper Property was at one time or another covered by staking during surges of exploration in B.C. dating from the 1940's to present day. Largely the claims appear to have been minimally explored with little follow-up. However, some work was recorded on several claims with results for stream sediment sampling showing anomalous to highly anomalous results for gold in a few areas. These areas were recommended for detailed follow-up, however due to a downturn no further work was recorded Prominent among early discoveries in the Omineca region were the nearby Lustdust/Stardust property (a property developed by Lorraine Copper that was sold to Sun Metals Corp. which eventually merged with Serengeti Resources to become NorthWest Copper Corp.) covering a large, coherent integrated porphyry-skarn, epithermal system; the Kwanika property (a Serengeti/POSCO Daewoo property also became a NorthWest Copper Corp. property upon the merger with Serengeti Resources) a promising advanced stage copper-gold project; the Lorraine property (originally discovered by Lorraine Copper and now a NorthWest Copper Corp. property)an alkalic copper-gold porphyryr. The tenures are located between the Kemess North project being developed by Centerra Gold Inc. (TSX:CG)(NYSE:CGAU) and its operating Mt Milligan mine, which is reported to 1.8 million ounces of gold and 742 million pounds of copper (Technical Report on the Mount Milligan Mine, November 7, 2022, Borntrager. B, et al.) The Omineca Group claim areas are within the northern Quesnel Trough underlain by Cache Creek Terrane and lies close to the Pinchi Fault. The Quesnel Trough hosts numerous porphyry copper-gold deposits. The Pinchi Fault can be traced for 600 km through north-central B.C and separates Cache Creek rocks from the Jurassic Hogem Batholith and Triassic-Jurassic Takla rocks to the west. Rocks have a north-northwest strike trend typical of the entire Intermontane Belt in which the Cache Creek Terrane lies (Gabrielse and Yorath, 1992). A wide range of Jurassic to Tertiary intrusions cuts the Cache Creek Assemblage and many of these are emplaced along the prominent NW-trending structures and stratigraphic breaks. Numerous mercury occurrences are present along the length of the Pinchi fault (Albino, 1987) and a few gold and base metal occurrences are present near the Pinchi fault including the Lustdust, Lorraine, Indata and Axelgold properties. There are at least two alkalic gold-copper Porphyry systems in the immediate Lustdust (now known as Stardust) area: J49 and Axel Properties (Schiarrizza, 2000). Readers are cautioned that the information in this press release regarding the adjacent properties are not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the property of interest. Qualified Person Jeremy Hanson, P.Geo., an independent qualified person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 has reviewed and approved the technical content in this news release. About Grid Battery Metals Inc. www.gridbatterymetals.com . Grid Battery Metals Inc. is a Canadian based exploration company whose primary listing is on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company's maintains a focus on exploration for high value battery metals required for the electric vehicle (EV) market. About Texas Springs Property The Company owns a 100% interest in the Texas Spring Property which consists of mineral lode claims located in Elko County, Nevada. The Property is in the Granite Range southeast of Jackpot, Nevada, about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Nevada. The target is a lithium clay deposit in volcanic tuff and tuffaceous sediments of the Humbolt Formation. A Phase 1 exploration program at the Texas Springs Property (Fall 2023) yielded average lithium grades of 2010 ppm, applying a 1,000 ppm cut-off, and up to 5,610 ppm Lithium. The Texas Spring property adjoins the southern border of the Nevada North Lithium Project - owned by Surge Battery Metals Inc. ("Surge") (TSXV:NILI)(OTCQX:NILIF) and comprised of 725 mineral claims. Surge's first round of drilling identified strongly mineralized lithium bearing clays. The average lithium content within all near surface clay zones intersected in the 2022 drilling program, applying a 1000 ppm cut-off, was 3254 ppm. (Press release March 29, 2023). More recent results have shown higher grade lithium up to 8070 ppm on this property after initial drilling (Press release September 12, 2023). Our exploration results are on-trend with these results. About Clayton Valley Lithium Project The Company owns a 100% interest in 113 lithium lode and placer claims covering over 640 hectares in Clayton Valley. Clayton Valley is a down-dropped closed basin formed by the Miocene age Great Basin extension and is still active due to movement along the Walker Lane structural zone. As a result, the basin has preserved multiple layers of lithium bearing volcanic ash, resulting from multiple eruptive events over the past 6 million years including eruptions from the 700,000-year-old Long Valley Caldera system and related events. These ash layers are thought to contribute to the lithium brines extracted by Albemarle and are also likely involved in the formation of the exposed lithium rich clay deposits on the east side of Clayton Valley. Volt Canyon Lithium Property The Company owns a 100% interest in 80 placer claims covering approximately 635 hectares of alluvial sediments and clays located 122 km northeast of Tonopah, Nevada. On Behalf of the Board of Directors "Tim Fernback" Tim Fernback, President & CEO Contact Information: Email: info@gridbatterymetals.com Phone: 604- 428-5690 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to, comments that involve future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Except for statements of historical facts, comments that address resource potential, upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt and security of mineral property titles, availability of funds, and others are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may vary materially from those statements. General business conditions are factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from forward-looking statements. It should be noted that results from any adjacent property(s) are not an indication of what may be found on the Company's property(s). SOURCE: Grid Battery Metals Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Key Highlights: Cash Balance: $14.13 million as at June 30, 2024, including restricted cash (similar to cash balance position of $14.37 million as at March 31, 2024) $14.13 million as at June 30, 2024, including restricted cash (similar to cash balance position of $14.37 million as at March 31, 2024) Revenue: $1.6 million (up 29.7% from $1.2 million in 2023) $1.6 million (up 29.7% from $1.2 million in 2023) Gross Profit: 40.1% (vs. 2023: 43.5%, with a 19.4% increase in gross profit dollars) 40.1% (vs. 2023: 43.5%, with a 19.4% increase in gross profit dollars) Cash Burn: $562k (vs. 2023: $765k, down 26.5%) $562k (vs. 2023: $765k, down 26.5%) Total Assets: $24.0 million Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (FSE: 4YX) (OTCQB: TRUFF) ("Red Light Holland" or the "Company"), an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth, and sale of functional mushrooms and mushroom home grow kits in North America and Europe, and a premium brand of psilocybin truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, in compliance with all applicable laws, announces its financial and operational results for the three months ended June 30, 2024, the highlights of which are included in this news release. All figures are reported in Canadian dollars. Todd Shapiro, CEO and Director of Red Light Holland, commented: "Our financial performance in the first quarter of 2025 reflects our strategic commitment to growth while maintaining strong cash management. We've increased revenues by 29.7% year-over-year, a clear indicator of our market strength and operational efficiency. Unlike many companies in our sector facing severe financial challenges, Red Light Holland continues to move forward with positive momentum, driven by our diversified revenue streams and prudent cash use. We look forward to continued, patient growth and we are excited to discuss our updated strategy in mid-to-late September 2024, as we'll host a live Q&A for our loyal shareholders." Key Achievements: Strategic Revenue Growth: Achieved approximately 30% revenue growth year-over-year, not including the latest impactful Costco Canada reorder/partnership with Happy Caps Achieved approximately 30% revenue growth year-over-year, not including the latest impactful Costco Canada reorder/partnership with Happy Caps Diversified Portfolio: Continued focus on expanding our brand recognition and overall retail distribution channels across Europe and North America, with current sales surpassing $12.5 million since going public in 2020 Continued focus on expanding our brand recognition and overall retail distribution channels across Europe and North America, with current sales surpassing $12.5 million since going public in 2020 Prudent Cash Management: Significantly reduced the Company's cash burn, reinforcing our focus on financial stability and long-term profitability Forward Outlook: Red Light Holland remains committed to focusing on a strategic path aimed at profitability and continued advocacy for responsible adult access and the 'right to try' psilocybin to help those in need. As we expand our product offerings and distribution, we are positioned to capitalize on emerging market opportunities while building long-term shareholder value as an "everything" mushroom company. Upcoming Event: Todd Shapiro, CEO, and Jon Szczur, CFO, will host a live Q&A session in mid-to-late September 2024 to update shareholders on the Company's progress, recent strategy updates, and future plans. The Company's full set of unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and accompanying management's discussion and analysis can be accessed by visiting the Company's profile page on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. About Red Light Holland The Company is an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale of functional mushrooms and mushroom home grow kits in North America and Europe, and a premium brand of psilocybin truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, in compliance with all applicable laws. For additional information: Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "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 information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or its respective subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained in this news release. Examples of such information include statements with respect to: the Company's strategic commitment to growth while maintaining strong cash management; the Company discussing their updated strategy at a future Q&A on the timelines indicated herein; the Company focusing on expanding brand recognition and overall retail distribution channels; the Company focusing on financial stability and long-term profitability; the Company focusing on continued advocacy for the legalization of, and adult access to, psilocybin; and the Company capitalizing on emerging market opportunities while building long-term shareholder value as an "everything" mushroom company. Forward-Looking information in this news release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: continued approval of the Company's activities by the relevant governmental and/or regulatory authorities; the Company's ability to maintain its prudent cash use; the Company ability to explore potential mergers and acquisitions; the Company's ability to advance its research and development efforts; the Company's ability to maintain its strategic commitment to growth while maintaining strong cash management; the Company discussing their updated strategy at a future Q&A on the timelines indicated herein; the Company's continued focus on expanding brand recognition and overall retail distribution channels; the Company's continued focus on financial stability and long-term profitability; the Company's continued focus on advocacy for the legalization of, and adult access to, psilocybin; and the Company capitalizing on emerging market opportunities while building long-term shareholder value as an "everything" mushroom company. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, namely: the Company's inability to obtain continued approval of the Company's activities by the relevant governmental and/or regulatory authorities; the Company's inability to continue advocating for the legalization of, and adult access to, psilocybin; the Company's inability to increase its brand recognition and overall retail distribution channels; the Company's inability to focus on creating long term value for shareholders, including its inability to execute its overall strategy as an "everything" mushroom company; the Company's inability to capitalize on emerging market opportunities; the Company's inability to maintain its prudent cash use; the Company inability to explore potential mergers and acquisitions; the Company's inability to advance its research and development; the Company's inability to maintain its strategic commitment to growth while maintaining strong cash management; the Company not holding future Q&A and/or discussing an updated strategy on the timelines indicated herein or at all; and the Company no longer focusing on financial stability and/or long-term profitability. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221479 SOURCE: Red Light Holland Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - Cosa Resources Corp. (TSXV: COSA) (OTCQB: COSAF) (FSE: SSKU) ("Cosa" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that personnel have mobilized to the Company's 100% owned Ursa uranium Project in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan ("Ursa" or the "Property"). Highlights Up to 4,000 metres of drilling planned for the second diamond drilling campaign at Ursa Targets include follow-up on sandstone-hosted alteration and structure with associated anomalous uranium geochemistry Additional guidance on drill targets and status of geophysical programs to be released in the coming days Keith Bodnarchuk, President and CEO, commented: "We are thrilled to begin mobilization to the 100% owned Ursa uranium Project for our second drill campaign and are eager to resume drilling as soon as possible. In addition to the anticipated receipt of preliminary geophysical models across multiple projects, we have an exciting pipeline of drill targets at Ursa, and we look forward to updating our stakeholders with detailed plans in the coming days. I want to thank Andy Carmichael, VP Exploration and the rest of the technical team for remaining committed to advancing Ursa toward the next stage of drill testing as effectively and efficiently as possible. Cosa would like to wish all our staff and contractors a safe and successful exploration season." Mobilization and Geophysics Cosa's technical team, support contractors, and diamond drilling crews have mobilized and are expected to reach the Ursa camp in the coming days. Drilling is expected to commence shortly thereafter and continue into October. The Company remains dedicated to the effective pursuit of the Athabasca Basin's next tier-1 uranium discovery and aims to update the market with details on drill targets once drilling has commenced. Results of the Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT) surveys completed at the Ursa and Orion projects are expected in early September and will be used to aid additional drill targeting at Ursa. Recent drilling targeting ANT anomalies proximal to at least one eastern Athabasca uranium deposit has intersected favourable hydrothermal alteration and structure in the Athabasca sandstone, validating the method's potential to prioritize target areas. The technology has also been used to identify previously unknown drill targets within proven exploration corridors. Additionally, geophysical interpretations from recently completed airborne VTEM and gravity surveys at Aurora and Orbit are expected in the coming weeks. The results of these surveys will guide first-pass drilling currently scheduled in 2025. About Cosa Resources Corp. Cosa Resources is a Canadian uranium exploration company operating in northern Saskatchewan. The portfolio comprises roughly 216,000 ha across multiple projects in the Athabasca Basin region, all of which are underexplored, and the majority reside within or adjacent to established uranium corridors. Cosa's award-winning management team has a long track record of success in Saskatchewan. In 2022, members of the Cosa team were awarded the AME Colin Spence Award for their previous involvement in discovering IsoEnergy's Hurricane deposit. Prior to Hurricane, Cosa personnel led teams or had integral roles in the discovery of Denison Mines' Gryphon deposit and 92 Energy's Gemini Zone and held key roles in the founding of both NexGen and IsoEnergy. Cosa's primary focus through 2024 is initial drilling at our Ursa Project, which captures over 60-kilometres of strike length of the Cable Bay Shear Zone, a regional structural corridor with known mineralization and limited historical drilling. It potentially represents the last remaining eastern Athabasca corridor to not yet yield a major discovery. Modern geophysics completed by Cosa in 2023 identified multiple high-priority target areas characterized by conductive basement stratigraphy beneath or adjacent to broad zones of inferred sandstone alteration - a setting that is typical of most eastern Athabasca uranium deposits. Initial drilling results from Ursa in winter 2024 are positive and include the intersection of a broad zone of alteration with associated structure in the Athabasca sandstone located 250 to 460 metres above the sub-Athabasca unconformity. Follow-up is planned for the second half of 2024. Qualified Person The Company's disclosure of technical or scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Andy Carmichael, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration for Cosa. Mr. Carmichael is a Qualified Person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101. This news release refers to properties in which the Company has no interest. Mineralization on those neighbouring properties does not necessarily indicate mineralization on the Company's properties. Cautionary Statements Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, plans, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include but are not limited to statements regarding, the Company's exploration and development plans. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, including those risks set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis as filed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including the price of uranium and other commodities; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; the Company's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221469 SOURCE: Cosa Resources Corp. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - SBD Capital Corp. (CSE: SBD) (the "Company") announces that, further to its press release of August 21, 2024, it has settled an aggregate of $158,324.92 of indebtedness to certain creditors of the Company through the issuance of 3,166,498 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.05 per Common Share (the "Debt Settlement"). The Common Shares issued pursuant to the Debt Settlement are subject to a four-month hold period. The Debt Settlement is considered a "related party transactions" as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), as an insider of the Company received 788,227 Common Shares. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(g) and 5.7(1)(e) of MI 61-101, as the Company is in financial difficulty and the transaction is designed to improve the financial position of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the Debt Settlement, which the Company deems reasonable. The Debt Settlement was approved by the members of the board of directors of the Company who are independent for the purposes of the Debt Settlement, being all directors other than Mr. Chris Irwin. No special committee was established in connection with the Debt Settlement, and no materially contrary view or abstention was expressed or made by any director of the Company in relation thereto. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221470 SOURCE: SBD Capital Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - Los Andes Copper Ltd. (TSXV: LA) (OTCQX: LSANF) ("Los Andes" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a corporate update. Desala Petorca SPA ("Desala Petorca") announced on August 23, 2024 a strategic alliance and investment with Colbun S.A. ("Colbun"). Desala Petorca is a desalination project located on the coast of the Petorca Province, V Region ("Desalination Project"), designed to be a multi-client supplier of desalinated water. Desala Petorca is key to guaranteeing water security in the Petorca Province, one of the areas in Chile most affected by decade-long droughts. Los Andes signed an LOI with Desala Petorca in September 2022 to ensure a sustainable water supply for the Vizcachitas Project, becoming the anchor client for the development of the Desalination Project. Colbun is one of the largest power generation companies in Chile. Colbun has committed investment to continue with the development phase and has taken control of the project's investment vehicle, providing further validation of the Desalination Project. In addition to Colbun, Icafal, one of the largest construction companies in Chile, has joined as a minority partner. Additionally, Los Andes is pleased to confirm that, as part of the Company's continued progression of the Vizcachitas Project and in anticipation of commencement of commercial operations, the current royalty agreement with Franco Nevada Corporation ("Franco Nevada") has been streamlined, simplifying its execution once the Vizcachitas Project begins production. As part of the streamlining, Los Andes received an interest free prepayment of US$1,020,000 from future royalties. Franco Nevada holds a 51% interest of a 2% open pit Net Smelter Royalty ("NSR") and 1% underground NSR covering the San Jose core claim of the Vizcachitas Project. It also holds a 2% NSR over the sale of all minerals produced from open pit operations and a 1% NSR on underground operations on certain concessions that form part of the extended Vizcachitas Project and the Company's mining concessions in the area. Santiago Montt, CEO of Los Andes, commented: "We are very pleased that the Desala Petorca project has attracted partners with such a strong track record and expertise in the development of large engineering projects. This marks a significant milestone, further de-risking the Desala Petorca project and, by extension, the Vizcachitas Project, ensuring a sustainable water supply for Vizcachitas going forwards. "Separately, we are very pleased to have concluded the streamlining of the Franco Nevada royalty, further strengthening our balance sheet without any dilution to shareholders. "We continue to review additional optimizations and upside opportunities for the Project, both at a corporate and project level, and look forward to providing further updates as we progress." About Los Andes Copper Ltd. Los Andes Copper Ltd. is an exploration and development company with an 100% interest in the Vizcachitas Project in Chile. The Company is focused on progressing the Project, which is located along Chile's most prolific copper belt, into production. Vizcachitas is one of the largest copper deposits in the Americas not controlled by the majors and the Company believes it will be Chile's next major copper mine. The Project is a copper-molybdenum porphyry deposit, located 150 kilometers north of Santiago, in an area of very good infrastructure. An independent technical report for the PFS, prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, is available on the Company's SEDAR profile. Los Andes Copper Ltd. is listed on the TSX-V under the ticker: LA. Qualified Persons Antony Amberg CGeol FGS, the Company's Chief Geologist, is the qualified person who has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Certain of the information and statements contained herein that are not historical facts, constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the Securities Act (British Columbia), Securities Act (Ontario) and the Securities Act (Alberta) ("Forward-Looking Information"). Forward-Looking Information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend"; statements that an event or result is "due" on or "may", "will", "should", "could", or might" occur or be achieved; and, other similar expressions. More specifically, Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such Forward-Looking Information. Such Forward Looking Information includes, without limitation, the timing of and ability to obtain TSX-V and other regulatory approvals and the prospects, details related to and timing of the Vizcachitas Project. Such Forward-Looking Information is based upon the Company's assumptions regarding global and Chilean economic, political and market conditions and the price of metals and energy and the Company's production. Among the factors that have a direct bearing on the Company's future results of operations and financial conditions are changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, a change in government policies, competition, currency fluctuations and restrictions and technological changes, among other things. Should one or more of any of the aforementioned risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from any conclusions, forecasts or projections described in the Forward-Looking Information. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise Forward-Looking Information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221487 SOURCE: Los Andes Copper Ltd. EQS Newswire / 29/08/2024 / 15:38 UTC+4 Kaspi.kz (KSPI), the fintech giant from Kazakhstan, has announced its intention to participate in the privatization of Humo, one of Uzbekistan's leading payment systems. This move is seen as a significant step in the company's broader strategy to expand its footprint across Central Asia, further solidifying its position as a regional financial leader. The proposed acquisition of Humo would mark Kaspi.kz's first major venture into the Uzbek market, a region that has been attracting increasing attention from global investors due to its rapid economic reforms and growing consumer base. With a robust digital ecosystem already in place in Kazakhstan, Kaspi.kz is well-positioned to leverage its technological expertise and customer-centric approach to drive growth in Uzbekistan. According to Paulius Stankevicius , CEO of Stankevicius Alternative Investment Banking , a leading global investment advisory firm, Kaspi.kz's interest in Humo is a strong signal for the banking industry in Central Asia. Stankevicius, whose firm advises some of the world's top financial institutions, remarked, "Kaspi.kz has consistently demonstrated its ability to innovate and capture market share through its integrated platform that combines payments, marketplace services, and financial products. Their move into Uzbekistan signals a growing confidence in the region's economic potential and will likely spur further investments in the fintech sector." Sean Chin MQ , investment manager of Olritz Financial Group , with over 10 years of experience in hedge fund management, shared this perspective. His firms, specializing in asset management and financial licensing across Asia and Australia, manage $149 million USD in assets. "The entry of a fintech leader like Kaspi.kz into the Uzbek market is a significant milestone. Uzbekistan presents a unique opportunity for growth, and Kaspi.kz's strategic move will likely encourage further investments and innovations in the region's financial services," said Sean Chin MQ. This view is reinforced by Mikhail Lomtadze, CEO and co-founder of Kaspi.kz, who in a recent statement emphasized the strategic importance of entering the Uzbek market. "Uzbekistan represents a significant growth opportunity for us. The privatization of Humo presents a unique chance to replicate our success in Kazakhstan by offering a comprehensive ecosystem of financial services that cater to the evolving needs of Uzbek consumers," Lomtadze noted. Industry analysts believe that Kaspi.kz's expansion into Uzbekistan could serve as a catalyst for further consolidation in the region's financial sector. By acquiring Humo, Kaspi.kz would gain access to a well-established payment infrastructure and a growing customer base, positioning itself as a key player in the Uzbek financial market. Moreover, this move could also set the stage for increased competition among regional and global fintech companies looking to capitalize on Uzbekistan's ongoing digital transformation. As Uzbekistan continues to open its doors to foreign investment, the entry of a major player like Kaspi.kz could accelerate the development of the country's financial ecosystem, providing consumers with greater access to innovative financial services. In conclusion, Kaspi.kz's strategic interest in Humo is not only a testament to the company's ambition but also a positive sign for the broader banking industry in Central Asia. As regional economies continue to grow and modernize, the involvement of established players like Kaspi.kz will be crucial in driving the next phase of financial innovation and inclusion. Media Contact Stankevicius MGM pr@stankeviciusmgm.com 29/08/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com TORONTO and BRENTWOOD, England, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Onex Corporation ("Onex") (TSX: ONEX) today announced that the Onex Partners Opportunities Fund has agreed to acquire Farsound, a leading global supply chain solutions provider for the aerospace engine maintenance, repair and overhaul ("MRO") market. The investment has been made in partnership with Farsound's management team, led by Chief Executive Officer Chris Knott. Financial terms were not disclosed. Headquartered in Brentwood, England, Farsound is focused on the procurement, supply, and inventory management of high-volume consumable hardware components for aerospace engine overhauls. The Company acts as a strategic partner to leading engine MRO providers, supporting key commercial engine platforms. Farsound enhances operational efficiency and engine turnaround times for its customers with its market-leading supply chain management and value-added services. Farsound operates out of four facilities in the UK, U.S., Canada, and Spain. "We are excited to partner with Onex for Farsound's next phase of growth. Onex shares our vision for growth of the business, and we have been impressed by both Onex' experience and track record of helping businesses realize their growth ambitions. We look forward to working together and amplifying Farsound's growth opportunity through our partnership," stated Chris Knott, Chief Executive Officer of Farsound. Faiz Hemani, a Managing Director at Onex Partners, said "We are delighted to invest in Farsound and partner with Chris Knott and the management team to deliver on the next phase of its growth. We look forward to applying our aviation and aerospace networks for the company's benefit across its customer landscape." This investment builds on Onex Partners' successful long-term track record in the aviation and aerospace sectors and investing in businesses with differentiated value propositions in structurally growing end-markets. The transaction is expected to close later this year, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Onex was advised by Barclays and Solomon Partners as financial advisors and Latham & Watkins LLP as legal counsel. About Onex Onex invests and manages capital on behalf of its shareholders and clients across the globe. Formed in 1984, we have a long track record of creating value for our clients and shareholders. Our investors include a broad range of global clients, including public and private pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, family offices and high-net-worth individuals. In total, Onex has $49 billion in assets under management, of which $8.5 billion is Onex' own investing capital. With offices in Toronto, New York, New Jersey and London, Onex and its experienced management teams are collectively the largest investors across Onex' platforms. Onex is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ONEX. For more information on Onex, visit www.onex.com. Onex' security filings can also be accessed at www.sedarplus.ca. About Farsound Aviation Limited Farsound Aviation Limited a leading global supply chain solutions provider, focused on the procurement, supply, and inventory management of high-volume consumable hardware components for aerospace engine overhauls. Farsound is headquarted in Brentwood, UK, with additional facilities in Ontario (Canada), San Antonio (U.S.) and Madrid (Spain). Disclaimers This press release may contain, without limitation, statements concerning possible or assumed future operations, performance or results preceded by, followed by or that include words such as "believes", "expects", "potential", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans" and words of similar connotation, which would constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees. The reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information because they involve significant and diverse risks and uncertainties that may cause actual operations, performance, or results to be materially different from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by Canadian securities law, Onex is under no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein should material facts change due to new information, future events or other factors. These cautionary statements expressly qualify all forward-looking statements in this press release. For Further Information: Onex Jill Homenuk Managing Director - Shareholder Relations and Communications JHomenuk@onex.com +1 416.362.7711 Showcasing at ESCRS from Sept. 6 to 10, in Barcelona, Spain: REFRACTIVE INDUSTRY MILESTONES: ZEISS extends its global refractive industry momentum with more than 10 million eyes treated with ZEISS SMILE and ZEISS SMILE pro; ZEISS announces first treatment in the CE market for hyperopia with lenticule extraction using ZEISS SMILE pro technology. NEW DIGITAL & SURGICAL ENHANCEMENTS IN THE OR: Expanded portfolio of advanced optical and digital ophthalmic microscopes introduced in CE markets with ZEISS ARTEVO 750 and ZEISS ARTEVO 850. EXCELLENT IOL CLINICAL RESULTS: ZEISS showcases its advanced ZEISS IOL portfolio, including new clinical results with the AT ELANA 841P trifocal IOL and its innovative ZEISS trifocal technology, highlighting excellent visual outcomes. AI ADVANCEMENTS FOR CATARACT PATIENTS: ZEISS brings data-driven IOL power calculations to European cataract market with CE mark for the ZEISS AI IOL Calculator; ZEISS CIRRUS PathFinder provides fully integrated AI decision support through automated OCT assessment for pre-operative cataract patients (pending CE mark); ZEISS Surgery Optimizer features AI-based video segmentation to review, analyze, and share surgery videos post-surgery. JENA, Germany, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ZEISS Medical Technology will showcase its latest cataract and corneal refractive workflow innovations at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) conference. ZEISS leads the industry as the first medical device manufacturer to offer treatment for hyperopia with lenticule extraction using SMILE pro in the CE markets. ZEISS is also celebrating its latest refractive milestone of surpassing the 10 million mark for lenticule extraction procedures performed with ZEISS SMILE and ZEISS SMILE pro. Building on its surgical technology, ZEISS will introduce its advanced optical and digital ophthalmic microscopes to the CE markets, as well as showcase its enhanced IOL portfolio including new clinical results with the AT ELANA 841P trifocal IOL. Additionally, the company will show its latest AI technology within the ZEISS Cataract Workflow, including the CE-marked ZEISS AI IOL Calculator and the pending-CE-mark CIRRUS PathFinder AI tool for improved pre-operative patient care. Both solutions highlight how digital technologies within the ZEISS Medical Ecosystem are continuing to set the pace for clinical workflow innovation and foretelling how AI technology will support more personalized patient care in the future. "ZEISS continues to pave the way toward a future of truly personalized care through the development of some of the most advanced digital technologies and medical devices to meet the expanding needs of Europe's leading refractive and cataract surgeons," says Euan S. Thomson, Ph.D., President of the Ophthalmology Strategic Business Unit and Head of the Digital Business Unit at ZEISS Medical Technology. "Using our latest offerings - including our VISUMAX 800 with SMILE pro, CIRRUS PathFinder and other data-driven AI tools - we're helping surgeons improve their workflow efficiencies and patient outcomes." Leading the next era in laser vision correction After more than 13 years of offering laser vision correction (LVC) solutions, including treatment options for myopia and presbyopia, ZEISS is once again reshaping the market with the introduction of lenticule extraction for hyperopic patients, with or without astigmatism, using the VISUMAX 800. ZEISS is thefirst medical device manufacturer to introduce treatment of hyperopia using lenticule extraction in the CE market. At ESCRS, ZEISS is also showcasing its complete ZEISS Corneal Refractive Workflow, now further enhanced by including computer-assisted cyclotorsion adjustment for the ZEISS VISUMAX 800, remote planning with the ZEISS Refractive Workplace, and the VISULYZE clinical nomogram and data analysis tool, all further enhancing the ZEISS digital portfolio and workflow solutions for corneal refractive. A recent study found that lenticule extraction using a ZEISS femtosecond laser provides an effective treatment method for the correction of compound hyperopic astigmatism, demonstrating a high level of efficacy, predictability, safety, and stability.1 "ZEISS SMILE has become a benchmark for refractive surgery because of its quality and the results. In maybe 20 to 30 seconds, you change peoples' lives," says Dr. Andrea Russo, MD, Ph.D. Bio, Centro Oculistico Bresciano in Brescia, Italy. Demonstrating its continued momentum in the LVC market, ZEISS announced that more than 10 million eyes have now been successfully treated with lenticule extraction solutions utilizing ZEISS SMILE and ZEISS SMILE pro, marking a significant milestone for the company and proof of the growing international adoption of safe and effective lenticule extraction solutions. In 2011, ZEISS was the first medical device manufacturer to make lenticule extraction for laser vision correction commercially available, and ZEISS SMILE and ZEISS SMILE pro continue to be leading solutions trusted by surgeons for the technology's proven reliability and effective treatment with the VisuMax and VISUMAX 800 from ZEISS. At ESCRS, three new research abstracts will be presented that highlight the findings of a recent post-market clinical follow-up study conducted by ZEISS, which examined 237 patients who were treated with ZEISS SMILE pro using the ZEISS VISUMAX 800 femtosecond laser. Key findings will be highlighted in the following three abstracts being presented: "Mesopic Contrast Sensitivity Evaluation after Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction using the VISUMAX 800 in a Post-Market Clinical Follow Up Study" - presented by Prof. Jesper Hjortdal "Incidence of Suction Loss and Speed of Lenticule Creation with Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction using the VISUMAX 800 in a Post-Market Clinical Follow Up Study" - presented by Dr. Rainer Wiltfang "Early Visual Recovery and Energy Settings After Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction Using the VISUMAX 800 In A Post-Market Clinical" - presented by Dr. Walter Sekundo Digital visualization enhancements elevate the surgical workflow ZEISS is continuing to roll-out its expanded portfolio of high-end microscopes with the ZEISSARTEVO 850 3D heads-up ophthalmic microscope setting the pace in digital visualization with true color imaging and increased depth of field by nearly 60 percent.2 Additionally, the ZEISS ARTEVO 850 with CALLISTO eye features a redesigned intuitive user interface that centralizes all controls on a single touchscreen. The second latest addition to ZEISS's portfolio of optical surgical microscopes, the new ARTEVO 750, elevates the surgical workflow by introducing advanced optical visualization technology, including new RGB LED illumination with adjustable light color temperature, as well as a 40 percent increase3 in resolution of data overlays provided in the eyepiece. The two devices are CE and FDA cleared and commercially available in all major markets. Excellent clinical results with the new AT ELANA 841P trifocal IOL Within the ZEISS Premium Cataract Workflow, the novel trifocal intraocular lens (IOL), AT ELANA 841P, represents the best of ZEISS trifocal technology on a glistening-free hydrophobic c-loop platform. At ESCRS, new clinical results with the ZEISS AT ELANA 841P will be presented, highlighting excellent visual outcomes: "First Clinical Results of a Multicentric Prospective Study on the Visual Performance of Patients Implanted with the Hydrophobic Trifocal AT ELANA 841P Intraocular Lens" - presented by Dr. Florian Kretz "First Clinical Results of a Multicentric Prospective Study on The Visual Performance of Patients Implanted with a Hydrophobic Trifocal IOL" - presented by Dr. Ramin Khoramnia The power of AI supports surgeons with integrated tools for their cataract workflow ZEISS continues to offer new digital tools to assist surgeons throughout their cataract workflow. The ZEISS AI IOL Calculator recently received its CE mark and will be available on the digital surgery planner ZEISS EQ Workplace. It is also compatible with the ZEISS IOLMaster 700 Total Keratometry (TK). The ZEISS AI IOL Calculator is a data driven IOL power calculation algorithm and is a core feature of the ZEISS Cataract Workflow. It is optimized with a large amount of data for each IOL model it supports and therefore does not require IOL constants. It has shown great performance when applied to short eyes and outperformed most state-of-the-art formulas in short eyes.4 "What's so unique about ZEISS AI IOL Calculator is that it is IOL specific but does not require IOL constants. We rely on the ZEISS AI IOL Calculator for the entire spectrum of axial lengths, and it especially shines in short eyes," said Dr. Douglas D. Koch, M.D., Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. As an example of the company's digital diagnostic OCT leadership, ZEISS will also show ZEISS CIRRUS PathFinder, a fully integrated AI decision support tool that uses proprietary deep learning algorithms, trained by retina specialists, to automatically identify abnormal macular OCT B-scans assisting with pre-surgical assessment of the retina and optimizing outcomes. ZEISS CIRRUS PathFinder will be available in select markets subject to local regulatory clearances and is currently pending CE mark.5 In addition, ZEISS will demonstrate how post-surgery review, analysis and sharing of surgery videos is now made possible with a new spatial computing app for reviewing 3D videos, based on the ZEISS Surgery Optimizer. This exclusive experience on Apple Vision Pro represents an entirely new way for ophthalmologists to review 3D videos pre-recorded with ZEISS digital surgical microscopes. Using an Apple Vision Pro, surgeons can review 2D or 3D surgery videos, scans of the eye, patient information and much more simultaneously; a comprehensive spatial computing experience easily controlled by the user's eyes, hands, and voice. ZEISS will showcase its latest innovations across the cataract and corneal refractive workflows at ESCRS in Hall 7 at booth D23 from Sept. 6-10, in Barcelona, Spain. 1 Based on data generated within a designated clinical investigation conducted with predecessor ZEISS VisuMax: Reinstein DZ, Sekundo W, Archer TJ, Stodulka P, Ganesh S, Cochener B, Blum M, Wang Y, Zhou X. SMILE for Hyperopia With and Without Astigmatism: Results of a Prospective Multicenter 12-Month Study. J Refract Surg. 2022 Dec;38(12):760-769. doi: 10.3928/1081597X-20221102-02. Epub 2022 Dec 1. PMID: 36476297. 2 Compared to ZEISS ARTEVO 800. 3 Compared to previous generation ZEISS LUMERA 700. Data on file. Compared to previous generation of ZEISS Integrated Data Injection Systems. Data on file. Compared to previous generation of ZEISS Integrated Data Injection Systems. 4 Kenny et al. Efficacy of segmented axial length and artificial intelligence approaches to intraocular lens power calculation in short eyes. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2023 Jul. 5 PathFinder is compatible with all current CIRRUS devices from ZEISS: 500, 5000, 6000, pending local regulatory clearances. Not all products, services or offers are approved or offered in every market and approved labeling and instructions may vary from one country to another. For country-specific product information, see the appropriate country website. Product specifications are subject to change in design and scope of delivery as a result of ongoing technical development. Contact for investors Sebastian Frericks Director Investor Relations Carl Zeiss Meditec AG Phone: +49 3641 220 116 Mail: investors.meditec@zeiss.com Brief Profile Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (ISIN: DE0005313704), which is listed on the MDAX and TecDAX of the German stock exchange, is one of the world's leading medical technology companies. The Company supplies innovative technologies and application-oriented solutions designed to help doctors improve the quality of life of their patients. The Company offers complete solutions, including implants and consumables, to diagnose and treat eye diseases. The Company creates innovative visualization solutions in the field of microsurgery. With approximately 4,823 employees worldwide, the Group generated revenue of 2,089.3m in fiscal year 2022/23 (to 30 September). The Group's head office is located in Jena, Germany, and it has subsidiaries in Germany and abroad; more than 50 percent of its employees are based in the USA, Japan, Spain and France. The Center for Application and Research (CARIn) in Bangalore, India and the Carl Zeiss Innovations Center for Research and Development in Shanghai, China, strengthen the Company's presence in these rapidly developing economies. Around 41 percent of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG's shares are in free float. The remaining approx. 59 percent are held by Carl Zeiss AG, one of the world's leading groups in the optical and optoelectronic industries. For further information visit: www.zeiss.com/med Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/546786/ZEISS_v1_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/zeiss-innovation-paves-way-to-more-personalized-patient-care-with-cutting-edge-ai-technology-and-industry-leading-surgical-solutions-302233672.html SouthGobi Resources Ltd. (TSX-V:SGQ)(HK:1878) ("SouthGobi" or the "Company") Reference is made to the Management Proxy Circular of the Company dated July 25, 2024 (Vancouver time) (the "Circular"). Unless the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms used herein shall have the same meanings as those defined in the Circular. The Company is pleased to announce that the Special Meeting of the shareholders of the Company was held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024at 6:00 p.m. (Vancouver time), which is Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. (Hong Kong time) (the "Meeting") at PwC Place Meeting Room, Mezzanine Level, 250 Howe St., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The following sets forth a brief description of the matter which was voted upon at the Meeting and the outcome of the vote: The following ordinary resolutions were passed by a majority of the votes cast by ballot. The result of the vote by ballot with respect to the above matter is shown below: ORDINARY RESOLUTION FOR AGAINST 1. Approval of March 2024 Deferral Agreement and April 2024 Deferral Agreement The disinterested Shareholders passed an ordinary resolution authorizing and approving the deferral agreement dated March 19, 2024 (the "March 2024 Deferral Agreement") and the deferral agreement dated April 30, 2024 (the "April 2024 Deferral Agreement"), in each case between JD Zhixing Fund L.P. ("JDZF"), the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, all as more fully described in the Circular. 50,011,613 (97.65%) 1,203,150 (2.35%) 2. Approval of Convertible Debenture Amendment The disinterested Shareholders passed an ordinary resolution authorizing and approving the amendment agreement dated May 9, 2024 between the Company and JDZF. (the "Convertible Debenture Amendment") approving certain amendments to the Company's convertible debenture issued on October 26, 2009, all as more fully described in the Circular. 50,011,613 (97.65%) 1,203,150 (2.35%) Notes: As more than 50% of votes cast were in favor of resolution number 1 and 2, the resolutions were duly passed as ordinary resolutions at the Meeting. As at the Record Date of the Meeting, the total number of issued shares of the Company was 296,274,666 Common Shares, being the total number of shares entitling the holders to attend and vote on the resolutions proposed at the Meeting. The full text of the aforesaid resolutions is set out in the Circular. Given that JDZF is involved in and interested in the March 2024 Deferral Agreement, the April 2024 Deferral Agreement, the Convertible Debenture Amendments, and the transactions contemplated thereunder, JDZF has abstained from voting at the Meeting on the resolutions approving them. Accordingly, the 85,714,194 votes attached to the Common Shares beneficially owned, or over which control or direction is exercised, by JDZF were excluded from the vote to approve the March 2024 Deferral Agreement, the April 2024 Deferral Agreement, and the Convertible Debenture Amendments. Save as disclosed herein, (i) there were no Common Shares entitling the holders to attend and abstain from voting in favor of any resolution at the Meeting as set out in Rule 13.40 of the Hong Kong Listing Rules at the Meeting; and (ii) no other Shareholder was required under the Hong Kong Listing Rules to abstain from voting on the resolutions at the Meeting and there was no restriction on any Shareholder casting votes on the resolutions proposed at the Meeting. None of the disinterested Shareholders have stated their intention in the Circular to vote against or to abstain from voting on any of the resolutions proposed at the Meeting. The Company's share registrar, TSX Trust Company, acted as the scrutineer for the vote-taking at the Meeting. All the Directors, other than Mr. Chen Shen and Ms. Chonglin Zhu, attended the Meeting through telecommunication facilities, Messrs. Ruibin Xu, Yingbin Ian He, Fan Keung Vic Choi, Zhu Gao and Zaixiang Wen, and Ms. Jin Lan Quan. Mr. Chen Shen and Ms. Chonglin Zhu were unable to attend the Meeting due to prior business commitments. There were no further items brought before the Meeting and no amendments or variations were proposed at the Meeting. About SouthGobi SouthGobi, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange, owns and operates its flagship Ovoot Tolgoi coal mine in Mongolia. It also holds the mining licences of its other metallurgical and thermal coal deposits in South Gobi region of Mongolia. SouthGobi produces and sells coal to customers in China. Contact: Investor Relations Email: info@southgobi.com Mr. Ruibin Xu Chief Executive Officer Office: +1 604 762 6783 (Canada) +852 2156 1438 (Hong Kong) Website: www.southgobi.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. SOURCE: SouthGobi Resources Ltd. View the original press release on accesswire.com To ensure safe operation with this highly flammable refrigerant, Senseair, a Swedish subsidiary of Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM), has developed "Sunlight R290," a gas sensor featuring high measurement accuracy and operating range, while minimizing heat generation, packaging space, and power consumption. High-volume shipments of Sunlight R290 are scheduled to begin in September 2024. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240829132793/en/ Sunlight R290 by Senseair (Photo: Business Wire) Existing and upcoming regulations in regard to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also called "forever chemicals") and F-gases (fluorinated greenhouse gases) are severely restricting the use of conventional synthetic refrigerants in air conditioning, heat pumps, and other HVAC systems. The natural refrigerant R290 is propane gas, which is considered to be a more sustainable alternative to conventional solutions. However, due to its high flammability, reliable and highly accurate leakage detection measures are required to ensure safe operation. Senseair's newly developed gas sensor Sunlight R290 employs the latest NDIR (non-dispersive infrared) technology, utilizing LED light sources and photodiode sensors. Due to its minimal heat generation, the sensor can be safely operated with R290. Additionally, due to the characteristics of the NDIR method, the detection is less affected by vibrations or interfering gases, enabling robust and reliable measurements that meet the stringent leak detection requirements of the IEC 60335-2-40 safety standard for electric heat pumps, sanitary hot water heat pumps, and air conditioners. With a measurement range of 0-100% LFL (lower flammable limit) the concentration of a combustible material in air below which ignition will not occur the sensor features a high measurement accuracy of +/- 2.5% LFL. Low power consumption and superior service life With an operating temperature range of -40C to 70C, and a relative humidity (RH) range from 0 to 95%, Sunlight R290 can stably operate in challenging environments and covers a broad range of applications, including air conditioning units, heat pumps, dehumidifiers, and control panel coolers. Operated under normal environmental conditions, a service life of over 15 years can be expected. In addition, the sensor features an automatic baseline correction (ABC) algorithm, enabling maintenance-free use over extended periods. All of this is achieved within a small packaging size of 34 mm 21 mm 12 mm and a power consumption of 94 A. Sunlight R290 is also available in a standalone refrigerant detection system, the RDS R290, which allows for leak detection without the need for integration into equipment. For more information on the trend of natural refrigerants, please refer to the article at the following link. https://www.akm.com/global/en/products/flammable-gas-sensor/tutorial/natural-refrigerant About Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) AKM, a Japan-based company, operates an electronic components business as a member of the Asahi Kasei Group's Material sector. AKM provides customers with unique products by combining the compound semiconductor technology used in magnetic sensors with the ASIC/analog circuit technology used in silicon semiconductors. AKM's unique products and solutions are featured across a wide range of markets, including mobile communication devices and consumer products, as well as automotive electronics devices, household equipment, and industrial equipment. Additional information is available on https://www.akm.com/global/en/. About Asahi Kasei The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its foundation in 1922 with ammonia and cellulose fiber business, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through the proactive transformation of its business portfolio to meet the evolving needs of every age. With more than 49,000 employees worldwide, the company contributes to sustainable society by providing solutions to the world's challenges through its three business sectors of Material, Homes, and Health Care. For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.com. Asahi Kasei is also dedicated to sustainability initiatives and is contributing to reaching a carbon neutral society by 2050. To learn more, visit https://www.asahi-kasei.com/sustainability/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240829132793/en/ Contacts: North America Contact: Asahi Kasei America Inc. Christian OKeefe christian.okeefe@ak-america.com Europe Contact: Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH Sebastian Schmidt sebastian.schmidt@asahi-kasei.eu MyClad is a global Phase III study evaluating the efficacy and safety of cladribine capsules for the treatment of generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG) Cladribine capsules have the potential to be the first oral treatment for gMG patients gMG is a rare, chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that results in muscle weakness in the eyes, mouth, throat, and limbs Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced the first patient has been dosed in the Phase III MyClad trial (NCT06463587) evaluating the efficacy and safety of oral cladribine for the treatment of generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG). Cladribine capsules have the potential to be the first oral treatment for gMG patients. gMG is a rare, neuromuscular disorder causing muscle weakness that can be severe and have a significant impact on patients' lives. Cladribine is expected to selectively target B and T lymphocytes. These cells are thought to be the root cause of gMG through the production of the harmful autoantibodies that drive inflammation at the connection points between nerves and muscles. This mechanism of action coupled with a short course oral dosing taken at home may ultimately slow the progression of the disease by targeting its underlying cause while diminishing treatment burden. "Given our extensive experience in addressing patients' needs in immune-driven neurological conditions, we believe that cladribine capsules represent a highly differentiated potential therapeutic option for gMG," said Jan Klatt, Head of Development Unit Neurology Immunology for the Healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. "This treatment approach holds the promise of achieving a high degree of disease activity control, offering greatly improved convenience, and ultimately enabling patients to live their lives as normally as possible." MyClad is a global Phase III, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study designed to assess the efficacy and safety of cladribine capsules in 240 patients with gMG. About generalized Myasthenia Gravis Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG) is a rare, chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue, impacting an estimated 700,000 people worldwide. The disease can strike anyone at any age but is more frequently seen in young women (age 20 to 30) and men aged 50 and older. In gMG, the communication between the nerves and the muscles, particularly at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), is disrupted causing muscle weakness. This can result in the loss of control in the eye muscles and a variable combination of the arms, legs, and respiratory muscles. The unpredictable severity and frequency of symptoms in gMG patients can be debilitating, significantly impacting various aspects of day-to-day life. All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the EMD Group website. In case you are a resident of the USA or Canada, please go to www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in Neurology and Immunology Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany has a long-standing legacy in neurology and immunology, with significant R&D and commercial experience in multiple sclerosis (MS). The company's current MS portfolio includes two products for the treatment of relapsing MS Rebif (interferon beta-1a) and MAVENCLAD (cladribine) tablets. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany aims to improve the lives of patients by addressing areas of unmet medical needs. In addition to Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany's commitment to MS, the company also has a pipeline focusing on discovering new therapies that have potential in other neuroinflammatory and immune-mediated diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) and generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). About Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, 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 people's 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 2023, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of 21 billion in 65 countries. The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark "Merck" internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare and EMD Electronics in electronics. Since its founding in 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company's technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240829885323/en/ Contacts: flavia.felix@emdserono.com Phone: +1 781 427-1982 Join Global Innovators in Austin, TX this October for the SustainableIT Impact Awards & Symposium - Celebrating Pioneering Achievements in Environmental, Social, and Governance Initiatives SustainableIT.org , the CIO-led nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing global sustainability through technology leadership, proudly announces the honorees of the 2024 SustainableIT Impact Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to technology-driven sustainability across Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) categories. As the rise of AI and digital transformation continue to reshape business landscapes, sustainability has emerged as a critical outcome alongside growth, customer experience, and agility. Yet, the sustainable practices and achievements of IT leaders are often not visible and rarely recognized. The 2024 SustainableIT Impact Awards are dedicated to shining a spotlight on the exceptional leaders and organizations that are advancing IT sustainability and driving significant impact through their environmental, social, and governance programs. This year's honorees, selected by SustainableIT.org's emeritus board members , exemplify passion, excellence, and determination in shaping a sustainable future through technology leadership. Supported by their executive teams, these leaders are setting new standards in IT sustainability. Honorees will be celebrated at the SustainableIT Impact Awards & Symposium in Austin, Texas from October 15-16, 2024. "The 2024 SustainableIT Impact Award winning organizations have raised the bar with their pioneering initiatives in Responsible AI, Sustainability Benchmarking and Analytics, Data Governance and Compliance, and Fostering Diversity and Inclusion," said Dave Best, Vice President of SustainableIT.org. "Their innovations are enhancing customer and employee experiences, advancing global corporate sustainability, and mitigating risks across diverse sectors, including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and technology. We are excited to celebrate their remarkable achievements at the SustainableIT Impact Awards & Symposium this October." 2024 SustainableIT Impact Award Honorees: Environmental PepsiCo Mastercard Cisco Dow Egiss San Diego Gas & Electric (SDGE) IT Organization Gates Corporation Pfizer PopUp Mainframe Posetiv Cloud Social Arizona State University's Enterprise Technology City of Glendale, Arizona Cognizant Technology Solutions Denominator Edifecs, Inc. Mattel, Inc. Mission Impact Academy Netza&Co Rackspace Technology UCLA Health Governance BNP Paribas CalOptima ERI HSBC Morgan Stanley National Grid NatWest NTT Data Group Corporation Stanford Health Care This year's awards night and symposium will focus on the theme "Shaping the Future of IT Sustainability". Register here: https://events.sustainableit.org/impact-awards-and-symposium About SustainableIT.org: SustainableIT.org is a nonprofit organization focused on advancing global sustainability through technology leadership. Our mission is to define sustainable transformation programs by industry, author best practices and frameworks, set standards and certifications, provide education and training, and raise awareness for environmental and societal programs that make our organizations and the world sustainable for generations to come. Perforce Software is the founding member, technical advisor, and primary underwriter of SustainableIT.org. Media Contact: Nina Pfister, MAG PR at nina@mooringadvisorygroup.com . SOURCE: SustainableIT.org View the original press release on accesswire.com Industry Pioneer Receives Iron Paw Award for Outstanding Leadership. PARKER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / The Animal Health Corridor recently announced that Craig S. Wallace has been named the 2024 Iron Paw Award Recipient. Wallace, the owner and founder of C.S. Wallace Investments + Strategy, and a member of the Board of Directors at 1C-a collaboration between Chuck Latham Associates and H&C Animal Health-has been recognized for his significant contributions to the pet care industry. His leadership and commitment to advancing animal health and welfare have earned him this prestigious honor, solidifying his impact on the industry and the communities it serves. Craig Wallace 1C BOARD MEMBER, CRAIG WALLACE, HONORED AS THE 2024 PAW AWARD RECIPIENT Wallace's journey in the animal health industry is marked by an impressive track record of leadership and innovation. At C.S. Wallace Investments + Strategy, he evaluates, invests in, and advises early to mid-stage companies in animal health. Since founding the company in 2019, his investment portfolio has grown to include 12 companies spanning human diagnostics, women's healthcare, novel veterinary healthcare technologies, and virtual veterinary medicine. Wallace also serves as an advisor to a diverse range of clients, including multi-national corporations, venture capital firms, and startup organizations. Before establishing his own firm, Wallace served as the Chief Executive Officer for the North America and Pacific regions of Ceva Sante Animale, the fifth largest animal health company worldwide. His extensive experience also includes leadership roles at Trupanion, Inc., a leading pet insurance provider, and Fort Dodge Animal Health, a global manufacturer of animal health products for the livestock, companion animal, equine, swine, and poultry industries. In addition to his role at 1C, Wallace joined the Elanco Board of Directors in March 2024 and serves on the Board of Directors of KeraVet Bio, a veterinary wound care company. His dedication to the animal health industry is further demonstrated by his service on various boards, including the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues (NCVEI), the Kansas State University Advisory Board, the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor Advisory Board (where he also served as Chairman), and the Kansas City-based humane society Wayside Waifs. "We are incredibly proud of Craig Wallace for receiving the 2024 Iron Paw Award," said Chuck Latham, Founder and CEO of 1C. "Craig's unwavering commitment to advancing the animal health industry and his visionary leadership at 1C truly make him deserving of this honor. His work has profoundly improved the lives of pets and the people who care for them." The Iron Paw Award is presented annually to an individual from research, academia, industry, or government who has significantly impacted the global animal health industry. The award recognizes achievements such as early-career impact, lifetime achievement, novel innovations, entrepreneurship, or other contributions that have positively influenced the industry. The recipient is selected by the Animal Health Corridor (AHC) Board or a designated subcommittee. Contact Information Martha Janeski Senior Marketing Specialist martha.janeski@hcanimalhealth.com (412) 996-9124 SOURCE: H&C Animal Health View the original press release on newswire.com. VIRGINIA BEACH, VA / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Virginia-based family law firm Melone Hatley, P.C. is honored to announce that it has again made the prestigious 2024 Inc. 5000 list of the country's fastest-growing companies. The firm joins the ranks of some of the most elite companies in the nation that got their start as small private companies recognized by Inc. 5000, including Microsoft, Facebook, Intuit, and Oracle. Melone Hatley was selected for the second year in a row because of the firm's remarkable revenue growth under the guidance of managing partner Rebecca Melone and her dedicated team of attorneys and staff. The Inc. 5000, an annual ranking recognizing the country's 5,000 fastest-growing companies in the United States, calls itself "a celebration of best-in-class entrepreneurship." Making the list is one of the greatest achievements possible for private companies and entrepreneurs. To qualify, companies must demonstrate three years of revenue growth while remaining independent and privately owned. Founded in 2014 by Rebecca Melone, her mission was to help good people protect their families, finances, and future by focusing specifically on family and estate law. Since then, the firm has expanded into six markets throughout Virginia and has opened offices in Charlotte, North Carolina and Tampa, Florida. "I feel so honored that we have once again been recognized by Inc. 5000 for the phenomenal results we've achieved for our clients and their families," said Ms. Melone. "As a woman-owned business, we understand the team effort it takes to create a successful company while maintaining a warm and friendly work environment. When we founded the firm 10 years ago, we could never have imagined the remarkable team we would build or the incredible clients we would have the honor of working with. We are so proud of the hard work and talent each of our dedicated team members brings to the table, allowing us the chance to do the best work possible for our clients and earn this award for the second year in a row. We are passionate about the work we do and the value we bring to our clients. Getting recognized for that is just further affirmation we are headed in the right direction." Over the past 10 years, Melone Hatley has represented themselves as dedicated partners to their clients, helping them navigate the often rocky terrain of divorce and other family law matters. While understanding and empathizing with their clients during these emotionally fraught times is essential, the staff at Melone Hatley must also maintain a sense of calm, common sense, and exceptional legal and financial knowledge when clients are making such life-altering decisions. When the dust settles, they want to know they have guided their clients in making decisions that will only enhance and support their new future. "The last few years have resulted in incredible growth for us here at Melone Hatley," said Charles Hatley, Vice President of Business Development. "This honor validates our team's hard work and commitment to our clients. We believe offering an unparalleled client experience that honors what they are going through allows them to place confidence and trust in us so we can do the best job possible representing them. We arm them with everything they need to make these important decisions and avoid litigation if it does not serve them. Because of this, we have been able to build lasting relationships with our clients so they can have continued confidence and faith in our firm and in our mission." About Melone Hatley, P.C. Melone Hatley, P.C. is a woman-owned law firm that is now recognized as the fastest-growing law firm in Virginia, the third fastest-growing law firm in the United States, and the 202nd fastest-growing private company in the nation. Inclusion in the Inc. 5000 list for the second year in a row is not only an honor for Melone Hatley but a recognition that investment in its people and processes ensures the highest quality legal representation for its clients and exceptional work-life balance for its staff. The firm is dedicated to investing in its people to ensure professional and forward-thinking legal representation and a dedication to continued growth for the future. Learn more about them at melonelawpc.com. Contact Information Nikolas Garrison Marketing Specialist media@melonehatley.com (757) 296 -0580 SOURCE: Melone Hatley, P.C. View the original press release on newswire.com. Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - BluMetric Environmental Inc. (TSXV: BLM) ("BluMetric" or "the Company"), a full-service environmental consulting and engineering cleantech firm, announced today that it has signed an agreement to supply a permanent installation for a turnkey water pre-treatment and purification system to a remote First Nations community in British Columbia. The contract, valued at $830,000, is BluMetric's first fixed system in a remote community, addressing the essential need for clean drinking water consumption. BluMetric will provide a complete Mission Ready Water solution including a potable drinking water pre-treatment and purification system with a capacity of 199 m3 per day, system commissioning, and operator training. "We are excited to play our part in ensuring First Nations communities have access to safe and reliable drinking water," said Scott MacFabe, CEO of BluMetric. "Historically, we have had great success deploying agile units with the Canadian military and this will be our first foray into a fixed installation for a remote population. We look forward to helping other remote communities without access to this essential resource. Our belief is that decentralized water treatment will continue to be a growing trend as we build more resilient infrastructure." BluMetric has leveraged its proven capabilities delivering over 50 similar systems to the Canadian Armed Forces that have been deployed worldwide in demanding land and sea applications. The Mission Ready Water solution also stands out by minimizing the operator's hands-on time for the system, ability to remotely support the unit, design elements such as a self-cleaning filtration system allowing for decreased consumables, and modularity resulting in cost-effective capacity expansion. All these features contribute to higher uptime which avoids the water boil bans experienced by remote communities today. The system is expected to be delivered and commissioned in fiscal year 2025. About BluMetric Environmental Inc. BluMetric Environmental Inc. is a publicly traded environmental consulting and engineering company with expertise across professional and trade disciplines and technologies that allow for the design, fabrication and delivery of sustainable solutions to environmental and water challenges. BluMetric has more than 200 employees operating in ten offices and over 45 years of expertise. Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, BluMetric's team of industry experts serves Commercial and Industrial, Military, Mining and Government clients. Forward-Looking Statements Some of the statements in this press release, including those relating to the Company's quarterly and annual results, future products, opportunities and cost initiatives, strategies, and other statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company's expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution readers of this news release not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as a number of factors could cause actual results or conditions to differ materially from current expectations. Please refer to the risks set forth in the Company's most recent annual MD&A and the Company's continuous disclosure documents that can be found on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not intend, and disclaims any obligation, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221492 SOURCE: BluMetric Environmental Inc. Global IoT leaders to convene in Silicon Valley at IoT Community's twenty-ninth IoT Slam Conference at the Oracle Conference Center in Redwood Shores, to showcase real-world use cases and insights that improve business and societal outcomes leveraging the Internet of Things Winners of the second annual IoT Slammys Awards to be announced December 11-12 at live event The Internet of Things Community (IoT Community), the world's first to market, longest standing and largest community of IoT thought leaders and practitioners, announces the IoT Grand Slam Live 2024 conference will be hosted at the Oracle Conference Center in Redwood Shores, California and broadcast online on December 11-12. The IoT Grand Slam Live 2024 conference features expert contributions from elite IoT practitioners at leading-edge organizations including Oracle, SAS, ClearBlade Inc., Trilliant, SoftServe, Intellias, Link Labs, Phoenix Contact, Arete, Atomation, among other leading industry players, and IoT Practitioners from the IoT ecosystem and members of the IoT Community. They will be discussing and demonstrating business applications and thought leadership around the deployment of IoT in corporate, enterprise and industrial ecosystems at this marquee in-person IoT conference. There will also be an exhibit showcase featuring IoT Community corporate members for attendees to see real-world IoT offerings. The full list of speakers can be viewed post October 15th 2024 at: https://iotslam.com IoT Grand Slam Live 2024, features an exclusive end-user focused program, luminary thought leaders and practitioners from the IoT ecosystem as well as corporate members of the IoT Community. The event will present crucial learnings and inspirational ideas around future trends and challenges across industrial, enterprise IoT, exploring the opportunities 5G, Edge, AI, enable in smart buildings, cities, societies and the connected home and office, healthcare and life sciences, autonomous vehicles and omni-channel retail. "On behalf of everyone at the IoT community we are thrilled to bring the IoT Grand Slam Live 2024 our twenty-ninth IoT Slam event to the West Coast for the first time," said Kevin Grant, Chief Marketing Officer of the IoT Community. "The event will deliver an exceptional agenda, filled with expertise, diverse perspectives, and fascinating insights you can apply to your business or organization. We thank Oracle for hosting the IoT Community and our many members. We look forward to another great event that will culminate with the crowning of the second annual IoT Slammys Awards winners." "We are delighted to debut the IoT Grand Slam Live event, the twenty-ninth in the series of exclusive IoT Slam conferences in California," said Dr Tom Bradicich, IoT Community Advisory Board Chairman. "As a leading global IoT thought leadership community, we're now engaging over 50,000+ business leaders, addressing diverse challenges and advancing the IoT and edge industries. You will see many real-world use cases and keen insights from industry leaders, which will inspire ways to improve your business and societal outcomes. Join us at the IoT Slam Live and immerse yourself in what is sure to be a wonderful event." Also at the IoT Grand Slam 2024 event, the IoT Community will announce the winners of the second annual IoT Slammys Awards and host a gala reception to celebrate the winners and finalists. Building on the back of the hugely successful inaugural IoT Slammys last year, which crowned winners across Artificial Intelligence, Security, Privacy Trust, Mobility Connectivity, Healthcare, and Precision Agriculture IoT Solution categories, in 2024 there will be an open submission process enabling a wider selection of nominations to be considered. Full details about the IoT Slammys and nomination process can be found here: https://iotslam.com/iot-slammys/. Registration Details To register now please visit: https://iotslam.com/iot-slam-virtual-access-registration/ Collaboration Membership Media Opportunities To explore accession to the IoT Community please email info@iotcommunity.net. About IoT Grand Slam Live 2024 IoT Grand Slam Live 2024 is the Internet of Things Community's twenty-ninth international IoT Slam conference, covering a horizontal industry perspective, across the entire spectrum of IoT. IoT Grand Slam Live 2024 takes place December 11-12, 2024, in Redwood Shores, California, and broadcast live Online. For more information, visit https://iotslam.com IoT Slam Live delivers the best in class IoT Strategy, Leadership, Advisory and Methodology (SLAM) IoT Slam. About the IoT Slammys The IoT Slammys is the first of its kind awards and recognition program by leaders from the IoT Industry for the IoT Industry. Building on the inaugural awards in 2023, the aim of the IoT Slammys is to cultivate and promote leading IoT organizations who are helping to demonstrate leadership and industry influence. This will be demonstrated across impact, technology, business value, standardization of IoT applications. Join the IoT Community at the Oracle Conference Center, Redwood Shores, CA, USA, December 11-12, 2024. About IoT Community (Internet of Things Community) The IoT Community is the world's largest CxO community of senior business leaders and IoT practitioners consisting of 50,000+ members. The function is to focus on adoption and application of IoT in commercial environments, seeking to contribute to applying technology or overcoming the variety of barriers, inhibitors, and technical and operational issues. For more information about the IoT Community, visit www.iotcommunity.net. Trademarks Oracle, Java, MySQL and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud company-ushering in the new era of cloud computing. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240829337889/en/ Contacts: IoT Community David Hill david.hill@iotcommunity.net NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Duke Energy: From our power plant sites to across the whole community, Duke Energy's commitment to land, water and habitat preservation runs deep Trudging up an isolated dirt path at Conestee Nature Preserve in Greenville, S.C., a vast meadow comes into view. It's a uniquely special place, surrounded by hundreds of acres of natural habitats. Piedmont Natural Gas volunteers gathered here on a sticky summer morning - not to hike, bike or escape into nature - but to plant milkweed, a critical food source for important pollinators like bees and butterflies. "This is our home, this is where we live, so anything that I can do to help out to make it better, I'm all for it," said volunteer Brent Laney of Piedmont Natural Gas, a business unit of Duke Energy, and trusted natural gas provider for more than 1.1 million residential and business customers in the Carolinas and Tennessee. But Duke Energy's efforts to protect the beauty and diversity of our natural resources is so much more than just sweat equity. That commitment is exemplified through its proactive initiatives headed by the Natural Resources Group. By promoting conservation projects, habitat enhancement, biodiversity and other environmental initiatives, they strive to preserve our planet and create a better future for all. This vision is carried out all while ensuring utility infrastructure can be maintained and improved without harming the environment. Lead Environmental Scientist James McRacken has spent nearly eight years protecting wildlife and habitat areas where the company operates. And he understands the importance of milkweed, a flowering plant that attracts pollinators such as butterflies, birds and bees that transfer pollen from plant to plant. This transfer of pollen contributes to a thriving ecosystem and the fruit and vegetables we consume. Many are surprised to learn about McRacken's job with the electric utility. When doing field work, sightseers often approach him to ask what he is doing. "I'm a wildlife biologist for Duke Energy," he'll say. "And they're so surprised that we do that. They also seem thankful to learn we're out there doing these types of studies and caring for the many plants and animals that call this home." The Natural Resources Group also preserves habitats in transmission and distribution rights of ways, corridors with vital infrastructure that delivers electricity from power plants to homes and businesses. And McRacken oversees the bird hotline, ensuring nests are safely relocated when people notice a bird nesting in a meter box or other Duke Energy infrastructure. They're not just doing the bare minimum. "It's about more than compliancy," he said. "Duke Energy wants to be a good steward of the environment." Hank McCullough, a veteran community relations manager at Piedmont Natural Gas in South Carolina, organized the milkweed planting event at the nature preserve. Knowing these events positively and directly influence surrounding communities, McCullough is in the process of setting up more volunteering opportunities, including a sustainable tree planting event in some of the neighborhoods located in Greenville and Spartanburg counties. "We want to be able to do things that keep the communities we serve vibrant and a place for all people, a place where families can do interesting things, where they can engage young people to understand the value of nature in the outdoors," McCullough said. Land, water and habitat protection Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas employees focus on all aspects of natural resource conservation and the environment, including forest management and aquatic protection among other things, such as: The Island Habitat Program, sponsored by the N.C. Wildlife Federation and Duke Energy, encourages homeowners associations, boating groups and more to "adopt" an island. Participating groups agree to clean up litter and debris from their island, while providing data on wildlife species that occupy the land. Another initiative, the Catawba-Wateree Habitat Enhancement Program, created a Habitat Enhancement Fund to help sustain the Catawba-Wateree reservoirs and surrounding area's ecosystem. It's funded by fees charged to property owners and developers applying for lake use permits. Through a voluntary conservation agreement to save the monarch butterfly, Duke Energy helps the energy and transportation sectors evaluate population trends for monarchs nationwide. These insights help experts develop conservation strategies, like adjusting vegetation management practices or planting more milkweed, vital to the monarch's survival. Duke Energy also works with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to address a decline in protected bat species. Learn more about the bat Habitat Conversation Plan. 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 the original press release on accesswire.com Grant dollars will support The Well CDC's mission of addressing systemic issues impacting residents to improve quality of life by fostering choice in housing, job creation and community pride. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / KeyBank and the KeyBank Foundation announced an investment of $300,000 in Akron's The Well CDC aimed at bolstering its Career Development Program. Women enrolled in The Well CDC's Career Development Program go through a 5-week cohort where they earn a customer service certification, write resumes, practice interviewing, discuss soft skills and engage in a variety of workshops (20+ hours) on mental health and emotional wellness. Before graduating from the program, participants have opportunities to meet 25+ community partners and address barriers to employment like childcare, legal backgrounds and the benefits cliff. Grant dollars given by the KeyBank Foundation will allow The Well CDC to add a much-needed case management dimension to the program to better support students' transition from training to job placement and long-term employment stability. The organization said they believe participants would achieve more sustainable success with seamless support - from the time they enroll until they develop the skills and habits to maintain employment stability on their own. "At Key, we are dedicated to supporting local organizations and programs that help prepare individuals for thriving futures," said Joe Daleiden, KeyBank East Ohio Market President. "The Well CDC has created a robust career program that is helping to meet the needs of some of our most vulnerable community members, and we're so proud to support the expansion of the program. We value their work and are looking forward to the continued success of the Career Development Program in the years ahead." "We are really excited to work with the KeyBank Foundation to creatively develop workforce solutions alongside our neighbors and residents," said Zac Kohl, Executive Director of The Well CDC. "The Well CDC is focused on building individual and family stability within a home and recognizes that also includes taking a holistic approach to Career Development. This generous grant from KeyBank will allow our team to continue to develop programming with a trauma informed lens and continue to remove barriers to support the whole person. We are grateful for KeyBank Foundation's belief and investment into this work that will propel our programming to the next level of supporting women in finding stable, livable waged careers." Target outcomes from the program include: Expansion of clients the program serves with post-graduation follow up, case management and resource coordination from 54 to 125 annually. Create and implement an Alumni Peer Support Group that would meet six times a year. Increase client placement at employer partners from 20% to 50%. Create data collection processes to collect retention and engagement information from employer partners and education providers. ABOUT KEYCORP KeyCorp's roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at June 30, 2024. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit? https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC. ABOUT THE WELL CDC The Well CDC invests in people through the built environment while seeking a holistic approach to address systemic issues in order to improve the quality of life within the Middlebury neighborhood by fostering choice in housing, job creation and community pride. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: KeyBank Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: KeyBank View the original press release on accesswire.com AMRA Medical continues to set the standard in MRI-based body composition analysis with their recently obtained EU MDR certificate for the next-generation AMRA Profiler 4 AMRA Medical, a leading force in the development of MRI-based body composition analyses and biomarkers, is pleased to announce their EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) certificate for the cutting-edge AMRAProfiler 4 body composition analysis device. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240829196647/en/ AMRA Profiler 4 provides rapid and precise body composition measurements in relation to normative data, contextualizing insights at the individual patient level, with high accuracy. (Graphic: Business Wire) The 2017/745 (EU) MDR outlines the European regulations for medical devices and contains requirements, e.g., on the production, distribution, evaluation, and surveillance of medical devices. Manufacturers of medical devices must ensure compliance to MDR prior to bringing a medical device to the EU market. These requirements ensure that a medical device placed on the European market is both safe and effective for use by patients and providers. The certificate comes as a successor to AMRA Profiler 4's 510(k) clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), comfortably meeting the high standards for both EU and US markets in the push for increased use of AMRA's cutting-edge body composition analysis methodologies in the clinic. Now that AMRA Profiler 4 is CE marked, the device's conformity with European MDR General Safety and Performance Requirements is clear. AMRA consistently demonstrates robust scientific methods and maturity in product development as they continue to take key steps in clinically translating their exciting MRI-based technologies. AMRA Profiler 4 provides clinicians with fat distribution, e.g., liver fat, and muscle composition biomarkers that comprise a detailed body composition profile to assist in diagnosis. Implemented right at the clinic, AMRA Profiler 4 provides rapid and precise body composition measurements in relation to normative data, contextualizing insights at the individual patient level, with high accuracy. The AMRA biomarkers underlying this technology have proven to be useful in metabolic disease research efforts using the AMRA Researcher service, and AMRA Profiler 4's recent MDR certification brings these powerful and unique biomarkers one step closer to patients everywhere. Currently, AMRA Profiler 4 is fully available through AMRA's service provision in the UK, US, and Canada with plans to roll out the product in the EU in the future following this MDR certificate milestone. If you or your organization are based in the currently cleared markets and would like to know more about bringing AMRAProfiler 4 to your clinic, please contact info@amramedical.com. You can learn how AMRA is using MRI-based fat distribution and muscle composition assessments to advance both research and clinical care by visiting our website, or get in touch with our knowledgeable scientists at info@amramedical.com to learn more about what AMRA can do for your trials, or for your patients. About AMRA Medical AMRA Medical is a health informatics and precision medicine company that is pioneering body composition analysis, providing cutting-edge solutions to advance both clinical research and patient care initiatives. AMRA's gold-standard technology delivers multiple fat and muscle biomarkers derived simply from rapid whole-body MRI scans. AMRA is committed to driving transformative care and simplifying vital decision-making in both research and clinical care settings by offering services via their innovative platform. Learn more about AMRA Medical's MRI-based solutions at https://amramedical.com/solutions, or connect with our team of experts for a detailed discussion at info@amramedical.com. Follow AMRA on LinkedIn for the latest updates in fat distribution and muscle composition assessments in disease research and precision medicine. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240829196647/en/ Contacts: Marie Borjesson VP Brand Marketing marie.borjesson@amramedical.com MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / In the wake of the devastating impact of Category 4 Hurricane Beryl on Grenada, Arton Capital is proud to announce the launch of the Grenada Disaster Relief Fund Pledge. As part of this commitment, the fund will benefit from Arton Capital contributing 5% of all due and unpaid receivables from approved applicants to Grenada's Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) for files deposited before July 1st, 2024. Arton Capital calls for all licensed marketing agents of Grenada's CIP to match its commitment by signing up for this pledge. If every licensed agent in Grenada made the same pledge made by Arton Capital, they would raise up to US $5,000,000 for the relief fund. The launch of Arton Capital's relief fund underscores the firm's commitment to its core value of global stewardship. Arton Capital urges the rest of the CIP industry to join in supporting the rebuilding of Grenada for all its people. "We believe in the power of collective action and the positive impact it can have on those in need," said Armand Arton, CEO and President of Arton Capital. "I do not accept that there is nothing we can do- we can demonstrate the transformative power of our industry here and now, by helping the people of Grenada reclaim their future and build back better." Arton Capital strongly believes that the investor immigration industry can play a critical role in helping build a new era of equity and innovation. By participating in the Grenada Disaster Relief Fund Pledge, the industry can play a pivotal role in the recovery and rebuilding efforts in Grenada. Grenada Disaster Relief Fund Pledge Commitments: Renounce 5% of all due and unpaid receivables from approved applications of immigrant investors in Grenada's Citizenship by Investment Program for files deposited before July 1, 2024, in favour of the Grenada Disaster Relief Fund. Actively share this pledge to engage a broader community in supporting Grenada's rebuilding efforts. ENDS About Arton Capital: Arton Capital is a leading global advisory guiding private clients, certified partners and governments to realize the potential of residency and citizenship by investment programs through a bespoke service experience which simplifies complexity and is built on confidentiality and trust. www.artoncapital.com Contact Information Blair Metcalfe media@globalcitizenforum.org SOURCE: Arton Capital View the original press release on newswire.com. CHICAGO, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Digital Radiography Market is valued at an estimated USD 1.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1.9 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period. The digital radiography market is driven by the rising prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, sports-related injuries, and the increasing geriatric population. Technological advancements, the demand for early diagnosis, and a shift toward non-invasive procedures are boosting growth, with hospitals in emerging economies benefiting from increased healthcare investments and government initiatives. However, high system costs and a shortage of skilled radiologists pose challenges. Opportunities lie in AI-based systems that improve diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency. The market is dominated by fixed digital radiography systems, with new digital systems and chest imaging expected to grow significantly. The Asia Pacific region, driven by a rising elderly population and chronic disease rates, leads the market, with key players including GE HealthCare, Siemens Healthineers, Philips Healthcare, Canon, and FUJIFILM. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=51436065 Browse in-depth TOC on "Digital Radiography Market" 204 - Tables 54 - Figures 222 - Pages Siemens Healthineers: Leader in Digital Radiography Innovation Siemens Healthineers (Germany) is a global leader in medical technologies, particularly in digital radiography systems. These systems combine cutting-edge technology with advanced imaging capabilities to deliver high-quality diagnostic images while prioritizing patient safety and comfort. Siemens Healthineers offers diverse system configurations to cater to a wide range of clinical needs, from routine diagnostic imaging to specialized procedures. Their user-friendly interfaces and workflow optimization tools streamline the imaging process, enabling healthcare professionals to efficiently capture and interpret images. The company's focus on continuous innovation ensures that Siemens Healthineers remains at the forefront of digital radiography technology. Philips Healthcare: Innovator in Digital Radiography Philips Healthcare (Netherlands) is one of the top players in the digital radiography market, driven by substantial investments in research and development, which account for over 10% of its annual revenue. Philips has introduced innovative products like the CombiDiagnost R90, Digital Diagnost C90, and ProxiDiagnost N90 in recent years. The company also emphasizes teleradiology services, exemplified by the launch of SHINEFLY in collaboration with Digital China Health for the Chinese market. In addition to frequent product launches, Philips engages in strategic partnerships, collaborations, and acquisitions, which have further strengthened its market presence globally. GE Healthcare: Innovating in Digital Radiography GE Healthcare (US) is a major player in the digital radiography market, offering a comprehensive portfolio of reliable and high-performance systems. These systems feature advanced technologies that ensure superior image quality, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and patient care across diverse healthcare settings, from small clinics to large hospitals. GE Healthcare's digital radiography systems are designed for versatility and flexibility, incorporating sophisticated image processing algorithms, intuitive user interfaces, and ergonomic designs. With a strong commitment to research and development, GE Healthcare continually upgrades its systems to address emerging challenges in clinical care, ensuring it remains a leader in the field. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=51436065 Product Segment: Fixed Digital Radiography Systems Lead the Market The digital radiography market is segmented by product into fixed digital radiography systems (floor-to-ceiling-mounted and ceiling-mounted systems) and portable digital radiography systems (mobile and handheld systems). In 2023, the fixed digital radiography systems segment is expected to hold the largest market share. These systems offer immediate image acquisition and processing, reducing patient wait times and enhancing workflow efficiency in clinical settings. Additionally, digital radiography systems enable seamless storage, retrieval, and sharing of images in electronic formats, facilitating integration with electronic health records for remote consultations and collaboration among healthcare professionals. Type Segment: Retrofit Digital Systems Gain Ground By type, the digital radiography market is divided into retrofit digital systems and new digital systems. The retrofit digital systems segment is projected to dominate the market in 2023. Retrofitting existing analog or CR systems is more cost-effective than purchasing entirely new digital radiography systems, making it an attractive option for institutions with budget constraints. This affordability has driven the adoption of retrofit digital systems in the market. Application Segment: Chest Imaging Dominates The digital radiography market is segmented by application into chest imaging, pediatric imaging, cardiovascular imaging, orthopedic imaging, and other applications. The chest imaging segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period, growing at a CAGR of 4.4%. The segment's growth is driven by the high image resolution, rapid image acquisition, and easy sharing capabilities of digital radiography systems, making them ideal for diagnosing chest conditions efficiently and effectively. End-User Segment: Hospitals Lead the Market The digital radiography market is segmented by end user into hospitals, diagnostic imaging centers, orthopedic clinics, and others. Hospitals are expected to dominate the market throughout the forecast period. The growing demand for advanced diagnostic imaging technologies has led hospitals and imaging centers to invest in digital radiography systems to enhance their capabilities in diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient monitoring. Regional Insights: North America Leads the Market The digital radiography market is segmented by region into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to hold the largest share of the digital radiography market in 2023. The region's well-established healthcare infrastructure, high adoption of advanced technologies, and the growing burden of chronic diseases and aging population drive demand for diagnostic imaging. The Asia Pacific region is also expected to experience significant growth, driven by rising healthcare spending, increasing prevalence of target diseases, and advancements in medical technology. For more information, inquire now! Inquire Now Related Reports: Medical Equipment Maintenance Market Ultrasound Market Diagnostic Imaging Market Diagnostic Imaging Services Market Nuclear Imaging Equipment Market Get access to the latest updates on Digital Radiography Companies and Digital Radiography Market Share About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1951202/4609423/MarketsandMarkets.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/digital-radiography-market-worth-1-9-billion-by-2029-driven-by-emerging-tech-innovations--marketsandmarkets-302233824.html Philadelphia, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., a distinguished law firm with decades of experience in personal injury and medical malpractice law, is now offering specialized legal services for victims of cancer and stroke misdiagnosis and other medical treatment errors in Erie, PA. With a commitment to securing justice for those affected by medical negligence, the firm's attorneys bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to these complex and often devastating cases. Lowenthal & Abrams Injury Attorneys advocate for victims of cancer and stroke misdiagnosis, striving to rectify medical treatment errors and secure rightful compensation for affected families in Erie. Misdiagnosis of cancer and stroke are among the most critical medical errors, leading to delayed treatment, worsened health outcomes, and even fatal consequences. Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. understands the severe impact these errors can have on patients and their families. The firm's experienced medical malpractice attorneys are adept at navigating the intricacies of medical records, healthcare protocols, and the standard of care required in such cases. By holding negligent healthcare providers accountable, the firm strives to secure compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial suffering endured by victims. Individuals in Erie facing the consequences of a cancer misdiagnosis, stroke misdiagnosis, or other medical treatment errors are encouraged to seek legal counsel. Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. offers a complimentary initial consultation to discuss potential claims and legal options. To schedule a consultation, visit the firm's website at Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. or call (610) 667-7511. The firm's attorneys are dedicated to providing compassionate and thorough legal support to ensure that justice is served. The legal team at Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. has a proven track record of success in handling medical malpractice claims, including those involving delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and improper medical treatment. Their extensive experience includes cases where healthcare providers failed to meet the standard of care, leading to severe consequences for patients. The firm is committed to pursuing compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages. This dedication to achieving justice underscores the firm's reputation as a leader in medical malpractice law. The personal injury attorneys at Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. are dedicated to advocating for injury victims who have suffered due to the negligence of healthcare professionals. In cases where a diagnostic error or the administration of the wrong drug has occurred, the firm's experienced personal injury lawyers meticulously investigate each legal claim to ensure that the responsible health care provider is held accountable. Whether it involves inappropriate medication, administering the wrong dose, or even a situation where the wrong patient received treatment, Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. is committed to pursuing justice and securing rightful compensation for those who have experienced preventable harm. The risk of medication errors is a significant concern in today's health care systems, where human error can result in catastrophic injury or, in the most tragic cases, patient death. The personal injury law firm of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. works closely with medical professionals in the field to thoroughly evaluate claims involving various types of medication errors. From wrong doses to the administration of the wrong drug, the firm's attorneys are skilled in navigating the complex legal process to ensure that injury victims receive the support and financial compensation they deserve. Understanding the intricacies of patient care and medication safety, the accident lawyers at Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. are well-versed in the claims process, advocating for the rights of accident victims who have suffered due to the shortcomings of health care professionals. Their comprehensive approach to handling personal injury claims ensures that each case is treated with the utmost care, addressing the adverse effects and patient harm caused by errors in medical practice. By holding health care systems and professionals to the highest standards, the firm helps to promote safer treatment processes and reduce the likelihood of similar errors occurring in the future. Addressing adverse events related to incorrect medication administration, Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. is committed to ensuring patient safety in every health care facility. When a healthcare facility fails to administer the correct dose or otherwise compromises patient safety, the resulting financial burden on victims can be overwhelming. The firm's experienced attorneys work tirelessly to alleviate this burden by pursuing just compensation for those affected by such negligent actions. Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. also handles a wide range of other personal injury cases, including those involving automobile accidents, slip and fall incidents, nursing home abuse, and wrongful death claims. The firm's attorneys are skilled in dealing with insurance companies, negotiating settlements, and, when necessary, litigating in court to secure the best possible outcomes for their clients. Their comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of a client's case are addressed with the highest level of professionalism and care. As one of Pennsylvania's leading personal injury and medical malpractice law firms, Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. remains dedicated to upholding the rights of victims and ensuring that negligent parties are held accountable. By offering personalized legal services and maintaining a client-focused approach, the firm continues to be a trusted advocate for those affected by medical negligence and other forms of personal injury. About Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C.: Founded in 1975, Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. is a premier law firm based in Philadelphia, PA, with additional offices in Bala Cynwyd, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Erie, Lancaster, and Reading. The firm specializes in personal injury, medical malpractice, workers' compensation, and wrongful death cases, providing exceptional legal services to clients across Pennsylvania. The attorneys at Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. are committed to delivering justice and achieving favorable outcomes for their clients. Championing justice in Erie, Lowenthal & Abrams Injury Attorneys tackle cases of cancer and stroke misdiagnosis, focusing on holding medical professionals accountable for critical treatment errors. About Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. Lowenthal & Abrams, Injury Attorneys, has been a leading personal injury law firm in Philadelphia since 1975, serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Specializing in personal injury, medical malpractice, and workers' compensation cases, the firm is committed to achieving justice and obtaining the compensation clients deserve. With a dedicated team that includes a medical doctor and nurse on staff, and strong partnerships with medical professionals, Lowenthal & Abrams operates on a contingency basis, ensuring no upfront costs for clients. Listen to Lowenthal & Abrams, Injury Attorneys, discuss medical malpractice and personal injury on the Local Leader TV Podcast. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221308 SOURCE: Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. Dallas, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - Teakell Law, along with John R. Teakell, Criminal Defense Attorney, a premier law firm specializing in federal criminal defense, announces an expansion of its practice areas to include defense against gun crime violations in Dallas, Texas. With a proven track record in navigating complex tax law cases, the firm now brings its extensive expertise to tackle the challenges associated with firearm offenses under federal law. John Teakell, Dallas-based federal criminal defense lawyer, addresses gun crime violations linked to medical misdiagnosis cases in Montgomery County, focusing on securing justice for affected individuals. Teakell Law is renowned for its strategic and thorough approach to federal criminal cases, particularly those involving intricate tax laws. The expansion into gun crime violations aligns with the firm's commitment to providing comprehensive legal services across a broader spectrum of federal offenses. The firm's legal team, equipped with a deep understanding of federal statutes and regulations, is prepared to defend clients against accusations of firearm- related crimes, ensuring diligent and effective representation in federal courts. Clients facing federal charges for gun crimes, in addition to those dealing with complex tax- related offenses, are encouraged to seek the robust defense strategies offered by Teakell Law. The firm's expansion into gun crime defense not only enhances its portfolio of criminal law services but also strengthens its ability to protect clients' rights under the challenging dynamics of federal prosecution. For further information or to arrange a consultation, interested parties are urged to visit the Teakell Law Criminal Defense Attorney's website or contact the firm directly at 214-523-9076. Teakell Law provides unrivaled expertise in handling criminal tax charges, including the nuanced areas of tax fraud charges and willful violations of federal tax laws. The firm's seasoned criminal tax attorneys are skilled in navigating the complexities of criminal tax investigations initiated by federal agencies. Each criminal defense lawyer in the firm brings a depth of experience and a complete defense strategy, focusing on disproving allegations of criminal intent and fraudulent statements made to financial institutions. During initial consultations, the firm evaluates the specifics of each client's tax liability and potential penalties, crafting a legal defense aimed at minimizing both criminal and civil penalties. The legal team at Teakell Law is proficient in managing all stages of criminal prosecution, from the initial criminal investigations to trial. Known for defending against a wide array of federal tax crimes, the firm's criminal attorneys are particularly adept at addressing charges that involve a willful attempt to evade tax obligations or make false statements. With their comprehensive understanding of criminal defense law, they provide vigorous representation to criminal defendants, ensuring their rights are protected throughout the process. Their approach often involves challenging the prosecution's assertions of criminal liability and the affirmative attempt to commit tax fraud, thereby safeguarding clients from severe criminal penalties. Founder of Teakell Law, John R. Teakell, an attorney with experience in a variety of legal practices, provides defense for individuals charged with a criminal offense. Understanding the gravity of potential sentences, the firm meticulously navigates the legal system to ensure that each client receives informed and effective representation. https://maps.app.goo.gl/VSUTjwEwgiTNNaso7 Moreover, the firm's criminal lawyers routinely work with clients to address any misunderstandings or misinterpretations that may arise during criminal tax investigations. Their goal is not only to defend against existing criminal charges but also to prevent future legal issues for their clients. By employing a proactive defense strategy and engaging in thorough preparation for each case, Teakell Law ensures that each client receives a robust defense tailored to the specifics of their case, which is critical in achieving favorable outcomes in the complex realm of criminal tax law. Teakell Law, equipped with an experienced team of attorneys, continues to safeguard the constitutional and legal rights of individuals accused of federal crimes, including wire fraud and drug charges. The firm's extensive experience in federal district courts and appellate courts allows them to formulate sophisticated legal strategies that encompass a wide range of criminal and civil proceedings. Whether navigating the complexities of a jury trial or negotiating plea agreements, the firm's approach is tailored to protect individual liberties while promoting informed decisions by their clients. Furthermore, the firm's seasoned attorneys have a deep understanding of the dynamics between law enforcement agencies and the federal government, ensuring that all judicial decisions consider any exculpatory evidence that may impact the outcome of criminal trials. This meticulous attention to detail underscores the firm's commitment to defending civil rights laws and ensuring fair employment opportunities within the legal profession. By actively challenging the prosecution's assertions in both district courts and higher appellate levels, Teakell Law solidifies its reputation as a leading defense practice dedicated to upholding the highest standards of justice and equity. At Teakell Law, each experienced attorney is committed to navigating the complex landscape of the criminal justice system, emphasizing fair treatment and the proper administration of law throughout the legal process. This criminal defense law firm specializes in a range of criminal activities including drug crimes, violent crimes, and domestic violence cases. Through rigorous plea negotiations and the strategic use of affirmative defense, the legal team ensures that each client's constitutional rights are vigorously defended. The firm's comprehensive criminal defense practice focuses on creating reasonable doubt to secure the best possible outcomes for clients. Furthermore, the attorneys at Teakell Law bring extensive criminal trial experience to bear in defending felony charges. With access to vast legal resources and a network of seasoned legal professionals, the firm is well-equipped to provide potential clients with the highest caliber of legal counsel. This includes exploring all potential defenses and ensuring the rights of defendants are upheld throughout the criminal process. The firm's dedication to the fair administration of justice is evident in its proactive approach to public defense and its commitment to achieving just results in every case. With an unwavering dedication to achieving favorable outcomes, Teakell Law remains at the forefront of federal criminal defense , addressing both the legal and procedural aspects of each case. The firm's commitment extends beyond mere representation; it aims to ensure that each client is provided with a defense that meticulously addresses the specifics of their charges, from illegal possession and use of firearms to violations of federal tax regulations. Listen to John R. Teakell, Criminal Defense Attorney, on the Attorney Post podcast here. Dallas attorney John Teakell brings his expertise in federal criminal tax law to tackle gun crime violations arising from medical misdiagnosis cases in Montgomery County, advocating for clients' rights. About John R. Teakell Criminal Defense Attorney John R. Teakell brings over 20 years of courtroom experience with a focused background in criminal law and securities. His comprehensive understanding of both federal and state crimes, along with his expertise in navigating the complexities of federal and state court systems, allows him to adeptly handle cases ranging from misdemeanors to federal death penalty cases. Specializing in white collar crimes, drug offenses, violent crimes, sex crimes, and SEC litigation, Mr. Teakell has earned a reputation for meticulous attention to detail and effective defense strategies. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221237 SOURCE: Teakell Law Kunstliche Intelligenz hat spatestens nach dem Raketenstart von Chat GPT das Leben aller verandert. Doch der Superzyklus steht nach Meinungen von Experten erst am Anfang. Wahrend Aktien wie Nvidia von der ersten Aufwartsentwicklung stark profitieren konnten, versprechen aussichtsreiche Player aus der zweiten Reihe noch enormes Aufwartspotenzial. Im kostenlosen, exklusiven Spezialreport prasentieren wir ihnen 5 innovative KI-Unternehmen, die bahnbrechende Entwicklungen in diesem Sektor pragen konnten. Warum sollten Sie dabei sein? Trotz der jungsten Erfolge steht die Entwicklung der kunstlichen Intelligenz noch am Beginn eines neuen Superzyklus. Experten gehen davon aus, dass der Sektor bis 2032 global auf 1,3 Billionen US-Dollar explodieren wird, wobei ein groer Teil auf Hardware und Infrastruktur entfallen wird. Nutzen Sie die Chance! Fordern Sie sofort unseren brandneuen Spezialreport an und erfahren Sie, welche 5 KI-Aktien das grote Potenzial zur Vervielfachung besitzen. Dieser Report ist komplett kostenlos und zeigt Ihnen die aussichtsreichsten Investments im KI-Sektor. Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report! LONDON, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Education Software Solutions ("ESS") believes that complaints from third parties, including two of its competitors, which sparked a Competition and Markets Authority ("CMA") investigation into the process used to transfer data from ESS' School Information Management System ("SIMS"), were vexatious and a smokescreen for the continued unlawful use of ESS' intellectual property by these competitors. The investigation, closed by the CMA without action against ESS, was prompted by competitors who claimed that there was no viable alternative to copying SIMS databases, containing over 1.5 million lines of ESS program code, when transferring school data from SIMS to their own systems. For more than a decade ESS has provided a safe and authorised method to transfer data from SIMS through the SIMS Application Programming Interfaces ("APIs"). The APIs preserve the integrity of data extracted from SIMS and are widely used with over 5 billion API calls being made in an average month. Given the availability of these APIs there is no justification for ESS' competitors copying SIMS databases or inducing ESS' customers to do so on their behalf. ESS was and is entitled to object to the unlawful use of its intellectual property and to take action against anyone infringing its intellectual property rights. ESS wrote to certain competitors and schools in December 2023 objecting to the unsafe and unlawful use of SIMS databases to undertake data transfers, reminding them that the APIs and the SIMS Report Generator are the only safe and ESS authorised means for extracting data from SIMS. In response a number of these competitor complained to the CMA, which began its investigation. Six months on, that investigation has been closed, with the CMA acknowledging that (as ESS had said all along) the APIs provide an entirely proper, and in the CMA's words, 'less burdensome' and 'less error prone' method of data extraction than the use of copies of the SIMS database. Commenting on this decision, Lewis Alcraft, Group Chief Executive of ESS said: "Certain of our competitors complained to the CMA that the SIMS APIs were too 'complex, time consuming and error prone' to be usable. That this was untrue is now evident from the fact that these same competitors are now using, or proposing to use, these APIs to undertake migrations, a method which in the words of the CMA is 'less burdensome' and 'less error prone' than using copies of the SIMS database. We hope that everyone now sees that these complaints were a smokescreen for the continued unlawful use of ESS' intellectual property." ESS is considering what action should be taken regarding any misuse of its intellectual property now that the CMA's investigation has been closed. ESS has no wish to impede schools from switching to alternative suppliers provided this is done lawfully. To that end, ESS calls upon any school that intends to transfer data to a new supplier not to be persuaded into handing over backup copies of the SIMS database as part of this exercise, noting that to do so would be a breach of the school's licensing agreement with ESS. Schools should instead insist that any new supplier uses the SIMS APIs. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/software-companies-smokescreen-complaint-investigation-against-education-software-solutions-dropped-by-cma-302234159.html Regulatory News: Remy Cointreau (Paris:RCO) has taken note of the announcement by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (MOFCOM) which evaluates, on a preliminary basis and with no immediate effect, the dumping margin applied on imports into China by Remy Cointreau's Cognac division at 38.1%. This could imply an additional tariff in the same proportion on the future exports to China. This decision comes despite the Group's full cooperation with the Chinese authorities since the investigation began on January 5, 2024, and notwithstanding Remy Cointreau's demonstration throughout the process of full compliance of its products and business practices with both Chinese and international regulations as well as the absence of dumping. This decision is described as "preliminary" and is not accompanied by "provisional measures", which means that the final tariffs to be announced at the end of the investigation may differ from those just announced, or may not be applied. At this stage, Remy Cointreau is obliged to await MOFCOM's final decision to be able to assess any potential future impact. Remy Cointreau intends to continue cooperating fully with the Chinese authorities until the investigation has been completed. At the same time, the Group is continuing to assess all options and growth opportunities that will enable it to mitigate any negative fallout from MOFCOM's final decision. China is a long-standing trading partner for the LOUIS XIII and Remy Martin brands, which have enjoyed a strong presence and strong desirability in the country for many decades. The Group will thus continue to invest there to prepare for tomorrow's growth. About Remy Cointreau All around the world, there are clients seeking exceptional experiences; clients for whom a wide range of terroirs means a variety of flavors. Their exacting standards are proportional to our expertise the finely-honed skills that we pass down from generation to generation. The time these clients devote to drinking our products is a tribute to all those who have worked to develop them. It is for these men and women that Remy Cointreau, a family-owned French Group, protects its terroirs, cultivates exceptional multi-centenary spirits and undertakes to preserve their eternal modernity. The Group's portfolio includes 14 singular brands, such as the Remy Martin and LOUIS XIII cognacs, and Cointreau liqueur. Remy Cointreau has a single ambition: becoming the world leader in exceptional spirits. To this end, it relies on the commitment and creativity of its 1,943 employees and on its distribution subsidiaries established in the Group's strategic markets. Remy Cointreau is listed on Euronext Paris. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240829335515/en/ Contacts: Investor relations: Celia d'Everlange investor-relations@remy-cointreau.com Media relations: Melissa Levine press@remy-cointreau.com WOSCU conference endorses Samarkand declaration for a 'humane Islam' SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- International scientists and scholars have adopted a resolution supporting Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's call for "enlightenment against ignorance" and for an end to Islamophobia. They agreed that education on Islam should be the main objective for its forthcoming heritage project, agreeing that improved understanding is vital for addressing the irrational fear or hostility towards the religion of Islam and Muslims in general. Participants from 35 countries were attending the eighth annual Congress of the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan (WOSCU), with representatives of the International Organization of Turkic Culture, Muslim World Islamic League, the Al-Furqan Foundation, the International Turkic Academy, the Arab World Institute and others. "On behalf of more than 300 participants from 35 countries, including 15 academicians, 40 professors, 103 doctors of science, 54 directors of museums and libraries and others, we are firmly convinced that the work on studying and preserving cultural legacy is of paramount importance for the sustainable development and prosperity of not only Uzbekistan, but also the entire world community," their declaration states. In a letter to President Mirziyoyev, conference participants noted his broad support for the idea of a humane Islam that he expressed in an address to the United Nations and his emphasis on the importance of spiritual enrichment. "We fully support your initiatives and are ready to become the most active participants in large-scale projects to preserve the cultural legacy of Uzbekistan for world civilization," the letter said. The Congress, held partly in Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent and partly in ancient Samarkand, approved some 150 new WOSCU projects around the world 'aimed at revealing the great contribution of Oriental scholars who have made a significant contribution to world civilization'. Participants praised Uzbekistan's investment in Tashkent's Center of Islamic Civilization and the Imam al Bukhari Spiritual Center near Samarkand, both of which are currently under construction. "We consider it our most important task not only to join the activities of the Center of Islamic Civilization, but also to create a powerful and rapidly developing scientific and cultural platform that will become a bright beacon of enlightenment and knowledge in the East," the scholars concluded. The Declaration, adopted at the congress's plenary session, stated: "We recognize the importance of the initiatives of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to establish the Center of Islamic Civilization. This cultural and humanistic mega-project will give a powerful impetus to fundamental research dedicated to the worthy contribution of great scholars and thinkers of the East to the development of world science and civilization, including Islamic. We are concerned about the situation in the world and believe that the ideas of the President of Uzbekistan on the truly humanistic and educational essence of the religion of Islam, voiced from the high rostrum of the UN, are worthy of the closest attention." About WOSCU The World Scientific Society on Preservation and Popularisation of the Uzbek Heritage (WOSCU) works to highlight Uzbek cultural heritage around the world. Created in May 2017 in Tashkent and Samarkand, the organisation brings together scientists from more than 20 countries, and in August 2019 was registered with a headquarters in Paris. It is sponsored by Eriell Group and Enter Engineering. The organisation project is unique in terms of geographical coverage, research fields and organisation, and has created a global database that lists the historical and cultural objects of the peoples of Uzbekistan, that are currently housed in many countries worldwide. To date, many research trips have been organised to collect information on international collections of art objects that were originally created in Uzbekistan, and are now stored in various museums and private collections. Several books and albums devoted to Uzbek works that are held in museums globally have already been published, with contributions from more than 50 academics from different countries. WOSCU website: https://society.uz/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2492713/Participants_WOSCU.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/international-scientists-and-scholars-call-for-global-education-to-fight-islamophobia-302234213.html MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / The City of North Miami Beach has unanimously passed a resolution taking a firm stance in opposition to the proposed Oleta River State Park Unit Management Plan Amendment by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The City Commission has commented and expressed strong concerns over the potential environmental impacts and loss of public access resulting from the proposed changes. "As a father of two young kids who enjoy this park, I stand with my residents in stating that this proposal would harm our environment and park access for generations to come," said Commissioner Michael Joseph. The Oleta River State Park is a cherished natural resource for the residents of North Miami Beach and surrounding communities, offering significant ecological, recreational, and economic benefits. The proposed amendment to the park's management plan, part of the 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative, seeks to introduce overnight and recreational facilities. However, the City Commission, reflecting the sentiments of its citizens, believes that such changes could lead to environmental degradation, harm wildlife, and limit public access to this vital green space. "The Oleta River State Park is more than just a park; it is a critical part of our community's natural heritage," said Mayor Evan S. Piper, who has been attending the park since its inception. "We stand with our residents in opposing any actions that could diminish its beauty, accessibility, and environmental integrity." The sponsored resolution by Michael Joseph, Esq., calls on Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to halt the proposed amendment and explore alternative approaches that align with the long-term preservation of the park's natural resources. The City of North Miami Beach is committed to ensuring that any future developments within the park prioritize environmental sustainability and respect the wishes of the community. ### About the City of North Miami Beach Strategically positioned at the 'Crossroads of South Florida,' North Miami Beach lies midway between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, adjacent to the Golden Glades Interchange where I-95, Florida's Turnpike, and the Palmetto Expressway converge. The City is supported by a dedicated team of 460 full-time employees across 13 departments. For more information, please visit www.CityNMB.com. Contact Information Jennifer Torna Communications Manager communications@citynmb.com 3059482900 SOURCE: City of North Miami Beach View the original press release on newswire.com. SINGAPORE, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a significant legal development, the High Court of Singapore has dismissed an application by BSI Bank Limited (now in liquidation) (BSI) to strike out the US$394 million claim brought against it by 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and its subsidiary, Brazen Sky Limited. The case, which commenced on 2 May 2024, sees 1MDB and Brazen Sky seeking redress for large-scale financial losses said to be suffered as a result of unauthorised fund transfers and money laundering schemes orchestrated through accounts at BSI. The claim alleges that BSI and several of its former officers facilitated these transfers, assisting in the misappropriation of 1MDB's assets. The action forms part of 1MDB's ongoing global asset recovery efforts to reclaim billions of dollars of misappropriated funds. The dismissal of the strike-out application (which is subject to appeal) allows the case against BSI to proceed. BSI was placed into members' voluntary liquidation in 2017, with Bob Yap Cheng Ghee and Toh Ai Ling of KPMG Singapore appointed its joint and several liquidators. BSI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BSI AG of Switzerland (BSI AG) which is, in turn, previously owned by Brazil's BTG Pactual (known as Latin America's equivalent to Goldman Sachs). BSI AG was sold in 2017 to the Zurich-based banking group, EFG International. Based on a media release issued by EFG International on 1 November 2016, BTG Pactual agreed to indemnify EFG International against "certain known liabilities and damages" to "de-risk[] the acquisition". BTG Pactual also owns almost a third of EFG. A spokesperson for the 1MDB Board commented: "We are pleased this application has been denied and are committed to holding accountable the institutions and individuals involved in misappropriating money from Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund, while ensuring the recovery and restitution of these assets back to the Malaysian people." This commitment was further evidenced by a verdict given in Switzerland yesterday, where the highest criminal court convicted businessmen Tarek Obaid and Patrick Mahony of fraud and money laundering, sentencing them to seven- and six-years' imprisonment, respectively. This judgment also permitted the recovery of $1.748 billion to Malaysia and the court ordered that Obaid and Mahony's assets, totalling approximately $240 million, be confiscated and restored to 1MDB. Notes to editors 1MDB is represented by Jern-Fei Ng KC, Colin Liew and Tan Jun Hong of Duxton Hill Chambers (Singapore Group Practice) and a team from LVM Law Chambers. Lim Chee Wee Partnership of Kuala Lumpur acts as global co-ordinating counsel for all 1MDB-related asset recovery efforts in Malaysia and abroad. The liquidators for 1MDB subsidiary Brazen Sky are Angela Barkhouse and Toni Shukla, both of Kroll. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bsi-bank-owners-fail-to-strike-out-1mdbs-us394-million-claim-in-singapore-court-302234225.html Last week's meeting marked a prelude to GVN's international meeting in Durban, South Africa, September 16-18, 2024 TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To mitigate the mpox outbreak, the Global Virus Networkis leading a panel of experts to develop guidelines and streamline testing standards, including strengthening infrastructure to sequencing and early detection. On August 22, 2024, the GVN, headquartered at the University of South Florida, USA, convened a critical mpox discussion online with leaders from the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), major industry partners, renowned virologists, and public health experts at the forefront of the mpox outbreak response. Lorenzo Subissi, PhD, WHO's Mpox Task Force lead, advised the group that the current mpox epidemic was escalated to a grade 3 emergency, requiring a major to maximal WHO response. He reported that 38% of children infected are under age 10 and noted sustained human-to-human transmission of clade 1b in Africa. Mpox is a viral infection that spreads through close contact, including sexual relations, and causes flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, muscle aches, and pus-filled lesions. Mpox is usually mild but sometimes fatal, mostly in children. The new clade 1b variant is responsible for the rising infections, primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and identified in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Thailand, as well as reported in the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, and Sweden. The discussion highlighted the urgent need to enhance diagnostic capabilities, vaccine development, and global collaboration to mitigate the impact of the mpox outbreak, particularly in regions most at risk. To facilitate recommendations catalyzed by the discussion, the GVN assembled a subcommittee on point-of-care diagnostics chaired by Rachel Roper, PhD, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at East Carolina University, USA and Co-chair of GVN's Mpox Action Committee, Marion Koopmans, DVM, PhD, Erasmus Medical Center, Netherlands, a GVN Center of Excellence, and Deborah Williamson, PhD, Professor of Public Health Microbiology, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom, a GVN Center of Excellence, and Director of the UK Health Security Agency. The subcommittee is meeting weekly to develop global testing and diagnostic standards and generate suggestions through a collaborative whitepaper addressing issues such as sample collection, assays, and clinical triage procedures for frontline workers. "It's not just how a sample is transported," Dr. Roper said, "but what type of sample is collected. For mpox, each lesion can have unique viral populations, and we need to have a universal sample type defined and well documented to aid surveillance." During the meeting, Emmanuel Agogo, PhD, Director of Pandemic Threats at FIND, Switzerland, emphasized the need for local capacity building: "To effectively combat mpox, we must empower local health systems and researchers. This will not only help contain the current outbreaks but also build long-term resilience against future threats. In particular, the need for decentralized diagnostic options is critical for surveillance, access to therapeutics and effective vaccine roll out." Maggie L. Bartlett, PhD, Program Director at the GVN and faculty member at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA, a GVN Center of Excellence, emphasized the importance of inclusive and equitable strategies: "Our efforts must reach those in the most affected regions, and we must prioritize health equity in our response to ensure that no one is left behind." Laurens Liesenborghs, MD, PhD, Assistant professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), Belgium, member of ITM's multidisciplinary Outbreak Research Team, and member of the GVN Mpox Action Committee, echoed the call for an innovative approach: "We cannot be content with the status quo. Our goal is to develop tools and strategies that are not only effective but also scalable and sustainable. This is a global challenge that demands a global response." Michael Mina, MD, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of eMed, USA, said "Rapid tests and PCR tests are not mutually exclusive. In fact, we learned during COVID how useful a dual strategy can be and how these can be incredibly powerful additive tools in our public health toolbox. We need the big companies to step it up and develop rapid diagnostics and research funding incentives from governments to ensure we don't face the same fallout with the crash of small companies after the surge." Yenew Kebede Tebeje, MD, Head of Division of Laboratory Systems at Africa CDC advised, "Mpox poses a significant threat to public health, particularly in regions where health systems are already stretched thin. To effectively combat this virus, we must strengthen our surveillance, diagnostic, and response capabilities across Africa. Our collective efforts must ensure that we are not only containing the current outbreaks but also building the resilience needed to face future health challenges." In addition to addressing the immediate response, the meeting also focused on long-term strategies for pandemic preparedness and response. The participants discussed the critical role of partnerships between global organizations like WHO, GVN, Africa CDC, CEPI and FIND in driving innovation and ensuring that resources are directed where they are most needed. Sten Vermund, MD, PhD, GVN President and Professor of Yale University, USA, said, "The initiatives originating from the meeting represent part of the GVN effort to assist in the global effort to combat mpox and other emerging viral threats. Collaboration is imperative and we are keen that the GVN help leverage and focus resources and expertise helping to mitigate the mpox outbreak and plan for future threats." GVN's coalition of the world's leading virology researchers, who work together to prevent illness and death from viral disease, will continue these discussions about the mpox outbreak amid high-level scientific sessions examining pandemic preparedness and current threats, including at GVN's International Annual Scientific Meeting, "Navigating Virology's Frontiers in Africa,"co-hosted by the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), a GVN Center of Excellence, September 16-18, 2024. Salim Abdool Karim, MB, ChB, director of CAPRISA and CAPRISA Professor of Global Health at Columbia University, USA, is chair of the Africa CDC Emergency Consultative Group and warned that mpox spread is eminent, but with a global response it can be controlled and stopped. Dr. Karim also said the outbreak is particularly concerning as it disproportionately affects young people. He continued, "I look forward to continuing these discussions at the GVN international meeting in Durban as we tackle this rising threat, among other pressing global issues, including COVID-19, scientific misinformation, and pandemic preparedness." During GVN's international meeting, experts will exchange ideas on themes including: evading viral evasion; translational virology and complex co-infections; training the next generation; post-viral diseases; bats, rats, and other vectors; genetic sequences and epidemiological insights; cutting-edge diagnostics and therapeutics; regional responses to disease; perspectives from agencies; pandemic preparedness; and combating scientific misinformation. Smurfit Westrock plc (NYSE: SW, LSE: SWR)("Smurfit Westrock") announces that the arbitral tribunal (the "Tribunal") constituted under the auspices of the World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ("ICSID") issued an award on August 28, 2024 granting Smurfit Holdings BV ("Smurfit"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Smurfit Westrock, compensation in excess of US$468.7 million, plus legal costs of US$4.5 million, plus interest from May 31, 2024 until the date of payment (the 'Award'). The Award was issued in relation to Smurfit's arbitration claims against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ("Venezuela") pursuant to the Agreement on encouragement and reciprocal protection of investments between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Venezuela (the "Treaty"), initially filed in December 2018. As previously reported, following the August 2018 government occupation, Smurfit Kappa Group's Venezuelan operations were deconsolidated. By majority, the Tribunal dismissed Venezuela's objections to its jurisdiction, and held that Venezuela breached the Treaty's protection against unlawful expropriation (Article 6), the Treaty's protection against unfair and inequitable treatment and arbitrary and discriminatory measures (Article 3), and the Treaty obligation to guarantee the repatriation of dividends without undue restriction or delay (Article 5). These breaches arose from Venezuela's seizure of Smurfit's Venezuelan subsidiaries' landholdings, Venezuela's failure to issue VAT refunds to Smurfit's subsidiaries, Venezuela's failure to permit the transfer of Smurfit's subsidiaries' dividends without undue restriction and delay, and finally, Venezuela's seizure of Smurfit's Venezuelan business in 2018. The Tribunal majority concluded that Venezuela's occupation of Smurfit's Venezuelan subsidiaries in 2018 "constitute[s] an expropriation that was not taken in the public interest and was not compliant with due process of law". Smurfit Westrock will now pursue the full value of the Award from Venezuela. Tony Smurfit, Smurfit Westrock CEO, commented: "We are pleased with the award of the ICSID tribunal. It validates our assertion that our Venezuelan business was unlawfully expropriated in 2018. While the award cannot compensate us for the full loss in relation to our operations in Venezuela, including the significant impact it had on our people and the wider community there, we will now pursue the full value of this award from the Venezuelan government". Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties, including relating to the pursuit of the Award from Venezuela by Smurfit Westrock. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the beliefs and expectations of the management of Smurfit Westrock, are forward-looking statements. Words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "project", "plan", "believe", "expect", "target", "prospects", "potential", "commit", "forecasts", "aims", "considered", "likely", "estimate" and variations of these words and similar future or conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Actual future results, including whether the Award will be recovered in part or in full, could vary from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information in this press release. This forward-looking information is given as of the date of this press release. Neither Smurfit Westrock nor any of its associates or directors, officers or advisers provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements will actually occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Other than in accordance with its legal or regulatory obligations (including under the UK Listing Rules, the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, the UK Market Abuse Regulation and other applicable regulations), Smurfit Westrock is under no obligation, and Smurfit Westrock expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Smurfit Westrock Smurfit Westrock is a leading provider of paper-based packaging solutions in the world, with approximately 100,000 employees across 40 countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240829024937/en/ Contacts: Ciaran Potts Smurfit Westrock T: +353 1 202 71 27 E: ir@smurfitwestrock.com FTI Consulting T: +353 1 765 0800 E: smurfitwestrock@fticonsulting.com Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources Ltd. (TSXV: WHY) (the "Company" or "West High Yield") announces that, further to the Company's news release dated August 15, 2024, it met with Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (the "EMLI") on August 26, 2024 (the "EMLI Meeting") to continue discussions regarding the permit process for carrying out the extraction and production of critical minerals (the "RRIMM Project") at its Record Ridge Industrial Mineral Mine (the "RRIMM") at a reduced throughput. The Company also confirms the commencement of a private placement offering (the "Offering"). Mine Permit Update The EMLI Meeting focused on exploring the available options for the Company following the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (the "EAO") decision as detailed in the Company's news release dated August 15, 2024. During the EMLI Meeting, West High Yield reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing a reduced volume mining permit at this stage. The EMLI Meeting participants provided valuable insights into the options available to the Company, and outlined the next steps necessary for the Company to move forward with the RRIMM Project. The EMLI has scheduled a follow-up meeting on September 4, 2024 for the British Columbia Mine Development Review Committee to review the comments that have been closed off to date and to determine the next steps in the RRIMM permit process. The Company is confidently advancing towards the finalization of its British Columbia Mines Act permit application to receive the requisite permit for the RRIMM Project (the "Permit"). As detailed to EMLI at the EMLI Meeting, the Company's commitment to transparency remains unwavering as it prepares the RRIMM Project in compliance with the environmental thresholds set by the EAO. With the Permit process at its advanced stage, the Company is confident it will secure the Permit soon. Once the Permit is received, the Company plans to initiate the RRIMM Project development and operation, while also evaluating options for expansion beyond current thresholds, amending the Permit as applicable, and reassessing EAO requirements accordingly. While West High Yield has identified several concerns regarding the EAO's decisions and management of this process, as noted in the Company's news release dated August 15, 2024, its legal team is actively reviewing its options. Notwithstanding this, West High Yield's primary objective remains clear: securing this Permit and launching the RRIMM Project, and the Company's board, management and consultants are fully committed and resolute in achieving these critical milestones. Corporate Updates The Company has ongoing communication with its interested customers who are anxious to see the Permit be awarded. This includes but is not limited to, APG Galaxy Trade and Technology LLC, a Hawaii limited liability company, whom the Company signed a letter of intent with on December 6, 2021 (see the Company's news release dated December 7, 2021), which was subsequently amended on August 17, 2022, to process and extract from the RRIMM the critical minerals available using a commercially green process enhanced by the Company. In addition, the Company's engagement with ACS Moschner & Co GmbH ("ACS") (see the Company's news release dated October 26, 2023) is also progressing in a positive manner. The Company is in discussion with potential value-added strategic partners and investors introduced by ACS and pursuant to the Company's engagement of ACS to consult on its behalf. Offering As also announced, the Company has initiated the Offering, which will be a non-brokered private placement offering for the sale of up to 3,750,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of CAD$0.20 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to CAD$750,000.00. Each Unit issued under the Offering will consist of one (1) common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one (1) Common Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant, together with CAD$0.30, will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one (1) additional Common Share for a period of twelve (12) months from each full Warrant's date of issuance. The Warrants will not be listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("Exchange"). The Company may pay a finder's fee in connection with the Offering to eligible finders in accordance with the policies of the TSXV and applicable Canadian securities laws consisting of: (i) a cash commission of up to 6% of the gross proceeds of the Offering and (ii) common share purchase warrants (the "Finder's Warrants") of up to 6% of the number of full Warrants issued under the Offering. The Finder's Warrant will have identical terms to the Warrants. The Offering will be completed pursuant to certain exemptions from the prospectus requirements under applicable Canadian securities laws. All securities issued under the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period from their date of issue in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. None of the Units will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and none may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. The proceeds from the Offering will be used to conclude its permitting process, covering essential operations, general working capital purposes and expenses, and for supporting the Company's planned drilling program for the water monitoring holes at its Record Ridge magnesium deposit, as required by the EMLI. The Offering is subject to certain closing conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the acceptance and approval of the TSXV. About West High Yield West High Yield is a publicly traded junior mining exploration and development company focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing mineral resource properties in Canada. Its primary objective is to develop its Record Ridge critical mineral (magnesium, silica, and nickel) deposit using green processing techniques to minimize waste and CO2 emissions. The Company's Record Ridge critical mineral deposit located 10 kilometers southwest of Rossland, British Columbia has approximately 10.6 million tonnes of contained magnesium based on an independently produced National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") Preliminary Economic Assessment technical report (titled "Revised NI 43-101 Technical Report Preliminary Economic Assessment Record Ridge Project, British Columbia, Canada") prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. on April 18, 2013 in accordance with NI 43-101 and which can be found on the Company's profile at https://www.sedarplus.ca. Qualified Person Rick Walker, B.Sc., M.Sc., P.Geo., the Company Geologist is a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Canada and globally; industry conditions, including governmental regulation; failure to obtain industry partner and other third party consents and approvals, if and when required; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; and other factors. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date hereof, and to not use such forward-looking information for anything other than its intended purpose. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities of the Company will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons except in certain transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221503 SOURCE: West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources Ltd. Regulatory News: Adocia (Euronext Paris: FR0011184241 ADOC, the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of innovative therapeutic solutions for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, today announced oral presentations at EASD 2024, unveiling the latest results obtained on AdoShell Islets, an immunoprotective hydrogel containing islets of Langerhans for the treatment of diabetes by cell therapy, and on AdoGelSema, a technology enabling the sustained release of semaglutide. The 60th annual congress of the EASD (European Association for the Study of Diabetes) will be held from September 9 to 13, in Madrid, Spain. AdoShell Islets Title: ADO12, a non-fibrotic immunoprotective hydrogel containing human islets shows efficient and sustained in vivo functionality for clinical use Day and Time : Friday, September 13, 2024 11:00 -11:15 a.m. : Friday, September 13, 2024 11:00 -11:15 a.m. Session : Protection in Islet Transplantation (OP-37; 219) : Protection in Islet Transplantation (OP-37; 219) Room : Madrid Hall : Madrid Hall Authors : Anne-Lise Gaffuri, Xavier Gaume, Romain Besnard, Julie Brun, Camille Gautier, Ouardane Jouannot, Nicolas Laurent, Rosy Eloy, Karim Bouzakri, Francois Pattou, Olivier Soula : Anne-Lise Gaffuri, Xavier Gaume, Romain Besnard, Julie Brun, Camille Gautier, Ouardane Jouannot, Nicolas Laurent, Rosy Eloy, Karim Bouzakri, Francois Pattou, Olivier Soula Links: More details, including the abstract, are available on the EASD website. About AdoShell Islets: AdoShell Islets is a new immunoprotective hydrogel encapsulating islets of Langerhans. This permeable hydrogel allows the diffusion of insulin and glucose while preventing the invasion of antibodies and immune cells. This implantable device, which is fully retrievable by laparoscopy, has the potential to enable islet transplantation without the need for immunosuppression, offering an unprecedented solution for curing people with diabetes. AdoShell Islets have shown sustained survival and functionality of human islets in vitro for over 4 months. This long-term survival has been confirmed in vivo in immunodeficient mice, with a stable insulin or C-peptide secretion over 3 months, absence of fibrotic encapsulation and survival of functional islets. Adocia is currently working with regulatory authorities to validate a first clinical trial, which could take place as early as 2025. AdoGelSema Title: Development of a once-a-month formulation of semaglutide from an innovative injectable and biodegradable hydrogel Development of a once-a-month formulation of semaglutide from an innovative injectable and biodegradable hydrogel Day and time: Tuesday, September 10, 2024 14:00 -14:15 Tuesday, September 10, 2024 14:00 -14:15 Session: Hot of the press novel incretins (B. SO 062 oral 746) Hot of the press novel incretins (B. SO 062 oral 746) Room: station 11 station 11 Authors: Romain Besnard, Audrey Marechal, Claire Megret, Sana Hakim, Jenny Erales, Ulysse Naessens, Maud Fumex, Martin Gaudier, Olivier Soula, You-Ping Chan, Emmanuel Dauty Romain Besnard, Audrey Marechal, Claire Megret, Sana Hakim, Jenny Erales, Ulysse Naessens, Maud Fumex, Martin Gaudier, Olivier Soula, You-Ping Chan, Emmanuel Dauty Links: More details, including the abstract, are available on the EASD website. About AdoGel Designed to enable the long-acting delivery of peptides, AdoGel is currently being studied for semaglutide (GLP-1). The unique AdoGel technology aims to offer monthly or even quarterly peptide injections, replacing the weekly injections currently on the market. The results showed that a regular release of semaglutide over one month associated with limited early release is achievable. This could be a real benefit for treatment efficacy and safety as well as patient compliance by limiting the injection frequencies and reducing side effects About EASD EASD 2024 is the 60th annual congress of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), a non-profit medical scientific association that supports and promotes the application of diabetes research. The association was founded in 1965 and is one of the world's largest networks of diabetologists. The congress brings together key opinion leaders, corporate executives, scientists, physicians, researchers, caregivers and students interested in diabetes and related topics. The aim of the EASD Annual Congress is to encourage excellence in diabetes management through research and education. About Adocia Adocia is a biotechnology company specializing in the discovery and development of therapeutic solutions in the field of metabolic diseases, primarily diabetes and obesity. The Company has a broad portfolio of drug candidates based on four proprietary technology platforms: 1) The BioChaperone technology for the development of new generation insulins and products combining different hormones; 2) AdOral, an oral peptide delivery technology; 3) AdoShell, an immunoprotective biomaterial for cell transplantation, with an initial application in pancreatic cells transplantation; and 4) AdoGel, a long-acting drug delivery platform. Adocia holds more than 25 patent families. Based in Lyon, the company has about 80 employees. Adocia is listed on the regulated market of Euronext Paris (Euronext: ADOC; ISIN: FR0011184241). Disclaimer This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Adocia and its business. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Adocia considers as being reasonable. However, there can be no guarantee that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be achieved, as such estimates are subject to numerous risks including those set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of the universal registration document that was filed with the French Autorite des marches financiers on April 29, 2024, available at www.adocia.com Those risks include uncertainties inherent in Adocia's short- or medium-term working capital requirements, in research and development, future clinical data, analyses and the evolution of economic conditions, the financial markets and the markets in which Adocia operates, which could impact the Company's short-term financing requirements and its ability to raise additional funds. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Adocia or not considered as material by Adocia at this time. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause the actual results, financial conditions, performances, or achievements of Adocia be materially different from those mentioned in the forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240829633824/en/ Contacts: Adocia Olivier Soula CEO contactinvestisseurs@adocia.com +33 (0)4 72 610 610 www.adocia.com Ulysse Communication Adocia Press Investor Relations Bruno Arabian Nicolas Entz adocia@ulysse-communication.com + 33 (0)6 87 88 47 26 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - Torex Gold Resources Inc. (the "Company" or "Torex") (TSX: TXG) announces that on the morning of August 29th, a fatal injury occurred involving a contract worker within the Guajes Tunnel. Jody Kuzenko, President & CEO of Torex, stated: "We are deeply saddened by the death of a 40-year-old male contractor who suffered fatal injuries while working in the Guajes Tunnel and our thoughts are with his family and friends. Our full support is being provided to his family as we start the work to investigate the incident to understand how we can prevent this from ever happening again." The appropriate authorities have been notified. Media Luna construction activities in the Guajes Tunnel have been temporarily suspended. An investigation to determine the cause of the accident is expected to commence shortly. ABOUT TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC. Torex is an intermediate gold producer based in Canada, engaged in the exploration, development, and operation of its 100% owned Morelos Property, an area of 29,000 hectares in the highly prospective Guerrero Gold Belt located 180 kilometres southwest of Mexico City. The Company's principal asset is the Morelos Complex, which includes the El Limon Guajes ("ELG") Mine Complex, the Media Luna Project, a processing plant, and related infrastructure. Commercial production from the Morelos Complex commenced on April 1, 2016 and an updated Technical Report for the Morelos Complex was released in March 2022. Torex's key strategic objectives are: integrate and optimize the Morelos Property; deliver Media Luna to full production; grow reserves and resources; disciplined growth and capital allocation; retain and attract best industry talent; and build on ESG excellence. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221502 SOURCE: Torex Gold Resources Inc. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - ICEsoft Technologies Canada Corp. (CSE: ISFT) (the "Company" or "ICEsoft") is pleased to announce it has closed its secured convertible financing (the "Debt Financing") round raising gross cash proceeds of CAD $100,000 and the conversion of CAD $120,000 of pre-existing debt. The issued secured convertible promissory notes (the "Notes") shall bear simple interest at a rate of 15% per annum. The term of the Notes is 36 months, and the Notes bear a conversion feature allowing the note holder to convert all or part of the principal balance and accrued interest into common shares in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") at an exchange rate of CAD $0.05 / share. Full conversion of issued Note principal and all accrued interest through the end of term of the note would result in the issuance of 6,380,000 Common Shares. No finder's fees were paid with respect to the completion of the Debt Financing. The proceeds, net of transaction costs, of the Debt Financing are expected to be used for general working capital and to accelerate sales and fund new market expansion efforts. Participating as part of the financing was company director and CEO Brian McKinney and company director Francis Shen. On the basis that each of Brian McKinney and Francis Shen are directors, and both are beneficial owners of, and/or has control or direction over, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the Common Shares, and have each participated in the Debt Financing directly or indirectly, through the sale and issuance of CAD $100,000 worth of Notes to Mr. Shen in return for cash payment, and CAD $150,000 worth of Notes to Mr. McKinney by way of converted, pre-existing debt, are "related party transactions" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61 101 ("MI 61 101"). In conducting their review and approval process of the Debt Financing, the board of directors of the Company determined that the preparation and distribution of a formal valuation and the seeking of shareholder approval for, and in connection with, the Debt Financing was not necessary under MI 61 101 because: (a) for the purposes of Sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61 101, the issuer is not listed on Specified Markets, (b) at the time the related party transactions were agreed to, neither the fair market value of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the related party transactions, exceeded 25 per cent of the Company's market capitalization; and (c) the disinterested directors of the Company (i.e., those other than Mr. McKinney and Mr. Shen) have approved the Debt Financing. The material change report in relation to the related party transactions was not filed less than 21 days before the closing date of the Debt Financing as the Company wished to complete the Debt Financing expediently. Following the Debt Financing Mr. McKinney owns or controls 10,088,821 Common Shares, Warrants to purchase 2,000,000 Common Shares, and $370,000 worth of Secured Convertible Notes bearing simple interest of 15% per annum for a 3 year term, which would be convertible into a maximum of 10,730,000 Common Shares at the maturity date of the note and assuming all accrued interest through term of the note are converted, being 9.0% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares prior to the Debt Financing and 18.3% assuming conversion or exercise of all securities owned or controlled by Mr. McKinney. Prior to the Debt Financing, Mr. McKinney owned or controlled 10,088,821 Common Shares, Warrants to purchase 2,000,000 Common Shares, and $250,000 worth of Secured Convertible Notes bearing simple interest of 15% per annum for a 3 year term, which would be convertible into a maximum of 7,250,000 Common Shares at the maturity date of the note and assuming all accrued interest through term of the note are converted, being 9.0% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares prior to the Debt Financing and 15.9% assuming conversion or exercise of all securities owned or controlled by Mr. McKinney at that time. Following the Debt Financing Mr. Shen owns or controls 26,000,000 Common Shares, Warrants to purchase 26,000,000 Common Shares, and CAD $ 450,000.00 worth of Notes bearing simple interest of 15% per annum for a three year term which would be convertible into a maximum of 13,050,000 Common Shares at the maturity date of the Notes assuming all Note interest is accrued, carried and converted, being 23.2% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares and 43% assuming conversion or exercise of all securities owned or controlled by Mr. Shen. Prior to the Debt Financing, Mr. Shen owned or controlled 26,000,000 Common Shares, Warrants to purchase 26,000,000 Common Shares, and CAD $ 350,000.00 worth of Notes bearing simple interest of 15% per annum for a three year term which would be convertible into a maximum of 10,150,000 Common Shares at the maturity date of the Notes assuming all Note interest is accrued, carried and converted, being 23.2% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares prior to the Debt Financing and 37.6% assuming conversion or exercise of all securities owned or controlled by Mr. Shen at that time. Each of Mr. McKinney, with an address of 2526 Bevan Avenue, Sidney, British Columbia, and Mr. Shen, with an address of 905-130 Bloor St. West, Toronto Ontario, advises that the securities have been acquired for investment purposes. Each of Mr. McKinney and Mr. Shen advises that each may, depending on the market and other conditions, increase or decrease his beneficial ownership of the Company's securities, whether in the open market, by privately negotiated agreements or otherwise, subject to a number of factors, including general market conditions and other available investment and business opportunities. To obtain a copy of the report filed by Mr. McKinney or Mr. Shen please contact ICEsoft Investor Relations at 403-993-3322. The securities issued pursuant to the Debt Financing will be subject to a hold period under applicable securities laws, which will expire four months plus one day from the date of the applicable closing of the Debt Financing. Closing of the Debt Financing is subject to receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. About ICEsoft Technologies Canada Corp. ICEsoft Technologies Canada Corp. is a software-as-a-service ("SaaS") company. ICEsoft's current software, which is available as freeware with a pay to use version, is used by some 150,000 developers, 20,000 companies, and some 400 paying customers. ICEsoft's newest product Voyent Alert! is an affordable Community Alerting Service specifically designed to meet the needs of small to medium sized municipalities, regional governments and enterprise. The flexible platform serves the dual purpose of alerting and advising residents and employees during a critical incident as well as providing targeted day-to-day communication services. The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS MARKET REGULATOR (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE THIS NEWS RELEASE, REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE CANADIAN LAWS, IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL SECURITIES AND THE COMPANY IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS UNLESS REGISTERED OR EXEMPT THEREFROM. Forward-Looking Information Advisory Certain statements made herein may contain forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities laws. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information herein include, but are not limited, to statements or information with respect to the completion of the Debt Financing, and the use of proceeds of the Debt Financing. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information by their nature are based on assumptions and 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 such forward-looking statements or information. We have made certain assumptions about the forward-looking statements and information, including receipt of all approvals required for the Debt Financing and the use of proceeds of the Debt Financing. Although our management believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate. Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include the ability to receive the approvals necessary to complete the Debt Financing, and those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Listing Statement dated May 27, 2019 and in the Company's most recent Management Discussion and Analysis filed on SEDAR. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements or information contained herein. Except as required by law, we do not expect to update forward-looking statements and information continually as conditions change and you are referred to the full discussion of the Company's business contained in the Company's reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada. All forward looking statements and information contained in this News Release are qualified by this cautionary statement. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221509 SOURCE: ICEsoft Technologies Canada Corp. Accountant Partners' new location in Rancho Cucamonga provides expert tax planning, cloud accounting integration, and a fixed-fee pricing model for small businesses. RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Accountant Partners, a distinguished firm specializing in small business accounting and tax planning, is thrilled to announce the opening of its newest location in Rancho Cucamonga, California. This strategic expansion aims to deliver personalized financial services to the diverse and thriving small business community in Rancho Cucamonga, known for its vibrant economic landscape. Rancho Cucamonga Small Business Accountant Rancho Cucamonga is a hub of economic activity, home to various industries, from retail to professional services. As per its Economic Development Strategic Plan, a wide range of industries operate in the city. However, this wasn't always the case. Only recently was Rancho Cucamonga recognized as the new industry hub of Southern California, which poses new competition and a changing landscape that would make it difficult for small businesses to thrive and grow. Accountant Partners' new office is poised to serve this dynamic market, offering tailored solutions that include tax planning, business growth strategies, and seamless integration with cloud accounting software. The firm's approach is designed to significantly minimize tax burdens, potentially saving local businesses from $10,000 to $1 million, thus helping them grow and compete. "As a Rancho Cucamonga small business accountant, we recognize the unique financial challenges and opportunities that local businesses face," said Allan Bayer, Managing Partner at Accountant Partners. "Our goal is to provide the financial insights and support business owners need to thrive, from Victoria to Alta Loma and beyond. We are excited to bring our expertise to this community and help local businesses reach their full potential." Accountant Partners is the only CPA firm in Rancho Cucamonga to offer a fixed-fee pricing model. This ensures that clients receive upfront quotes with no hidden costs or unexpected charges. This transparency and commitment to client success set Accountant Partners apart from other firms in the area. As Accountant Partners opens its doors in Rancho Cucamonga, the firm encourages small business owners to experience the difference that expert, personalized accounting can make. With a focus on integrity, efficiency, and client satisfaction, Accountant Partners is ready to support Rancho Cucamonga businesses in achieving lasting success. For more details on working with a Rancho Cucamonga small business accountant, visit Accountant Partners at https://accountantpartners.com/small-business-accountant-rancho-cucamonga or call (657) 300-6966. About Accountant Partners: Accountant Partners is a leading small business accounting firm helping business owners in Rancho Cucamonga, CA save up to $1M per year in taxes through partner-level accounting, reporting, and strategic advisory. With 27 years of experience, Accountant Partners specializes in best-in-class tax minimization strategies, personalized advisory, and technology-driven efficiency. Contact Information JP Richards Director of Communications releases@drakedigital.com 844-703-0880 SOURCE: Accountant Partners View the original press release on newswire.com. When Utilizing CFO Services, Companies Average $10.7M in Revenue and $1.1M in Profits Annually and Business Owners Work Fewer Hours by Leveraging Their Teams More Effectively PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / NB Advisors, a premier firm specializing in small business accounting, tax planning, and financial advisory services, is proud to announce the opening of its newest location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This expansion reflects the firm's dedication to supporting the thriving Philadelphia business community by offering expert guidance on tax minimization and profitability strategies through its Philadelphia CFO services. Philadelphia CFO Services Philadelphia businesses aren't without their challenges, including growing costs in the city, difficulty attracting talent, evolving technology, and struggles with visibility, as reported by Philadelphia Mag. Furthermore, labor costs and limited access to financing are adding to the financial woes of Philadelphia small business owners. For over 35 years, NB Advisors has been the go-to on-demand CFO for business owners, consistently driving impressive results. On average, businesses working with NB Advisors see a 40.1% increase in revenue, equating to an additional $2.3 million, and a remarkable 954.9% boost in profits, translating to an additional $1.8 million over three years. According to NB Advisors' analysis of financial data of the clients the firm has worked with, businesses that engage with CFO services outperform their peers significantly. Companies without a CFO report average annual revenues of $1.2 million and profits of $310,000, often requiring business owners to work over 60 hours weekly. In contrast, companies utilizing CFO services average $10.7 million in revenue and $1.1 million in profits annually, with business owners working fewer hours by leveraging their teams more effectively. "Many business owners don't fully understand the strategic value of a CFO," said Ryan Niedoba, Managing Partner at NB Advisors. "A CFO is not just another accountant; they are a vital partner who helps navigate the financial complexities of a business. Through our Philadelphia CFO services, we provide the high-level strategic advisory necessary to reach growth goals without the hefty price tag of a full-time CFO." NB Advisors' comprehensive suite of services in Philadelphia includes: Profitability Benchmarking - Evaluating and comparing a business' performance against industry standards to uncover potential for higher profitability. Financial Game Plan - Utilizing proprietary tools like the "Game Plan" to analyze financial data, predict business health, and optimize capital allocation for revenue growth. Annual "Awesome 8" Review - A thorough evaluation focused on improving growth, profitability, cash flow, and asset protection. Philadelphia business owners are invited to book a free consultation with NB Advisors to explore how the firm's Philadelphia CFO services can help save between $100,000 and $1 million in taxes annually and significantly enhance profitability. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please visit NB Advisors at https://nbcfo.us/ or contact 1 (215) 555-1234. About NB Advisors: NB Advisors is a fourth-generation family-owned accounting firm headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dedicated to helping small businesses minimize their tax burden and maximize profitability. With decades of experience, the firm offers personalized and innovative strategies to save clients $100,000 to $1 million in taxes while ensuring sustainable business growth. Led by Ryan and Kevin Niedoba, NB Advisors takes pride in treating each client's business as their own, offering proactive, world-class service with a commitment to transparency and excellence. Contact Information JP Richards Director of Communications releases@drakedigital.com (877) 393-7030 SOURCE: NB Advisors View the original press release on newswire.com. The CDC reports an estimated 385,000 needlestick and sharps-related injuries among U.S. healthcare workers every year. DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / In light of the increasing frequency of needlestick injuries, BioMedical Waste Solutions, a prominent provider of medical waste disposal services with locations in Dallas, TX, is actively working to inform the public about the dangers associated with improper disposal of medical waste, including needles. Dallas Medical Waste Disposal Dallas Medical Waste Disposal A CDC report shows approximately 385,000 incidents of needlestick and sharps-related injuries annually among U.S. healthcare workers. This figure is likely an underestimate due to underreporting, especially in private residences where the elderly and 38.4 million Americans (11.6% of the population) with diabetes rely on daily needle use. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stressed the risks of sharps injuries in transmitting diseases, with global annual infection rates among healthcare professionals as follows: 2,005,000 cases of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) 66,000 cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV) 16,000 cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) These infections put infected individuals at risk of fatal or long-term health problems, including disabilities. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified that one-third of all sharps injuries occur at the disposal stage, underscoring the importance of rigorous medical waste disposal practices to protect healthcare professionals and the public. To address this issue, the Dallas medical waste disposal company, BioMedical Waste Solutions, introduced The Definitive Guide to Medical Waste Disposal in 2024. This guide provides practical advice on the safe disposal of needles, syringes, and other sharps items, highlighting the company's commitment to improving safety and preventing infections through proper waste management. The guide features five essential recommendations for preventing needlestick injuries: Employ FDA-approved sharps disposal containers Prevent overfilling of disposal containers Avoid reaching into disposal containers Eliminate the practice of recapping needles Keep sharp objects and disposal containers far from children JP Richards, Director of Communications at BioMedical Waste Solutions, remarked, "The rise in needlestick injuries and their serious impacts on healthcare workers and the broader community are pressing concerns. Our guide is vital for preventing these injuries and ensuring the health and safety of healthcare providers and individuals using needles at home. We are here to provide dependable Dallas medical waste disposal solutions. Together, we can mitigate the risks associated with needlestick injuries." BioMedical Waste Solutions calls on healthcare facilities, professionals, and individuals managing needles to review its comprehensive guide on properly disposing sharps and medical waste. Their expert knowledge reassures the public that it is a reliable resource for safely handling, transporting, and disposing of medical waste, complying with the most stringent national, state, and local regulations. For further details on safe medical waste disposal or to view the guide from BioMedical Waste Solutions, please visit their website at https://www.biomedicalwastesolutions.com/medical-waste-disposal or reach out directly at 346-660-4994 or JPRichards@BioMedicalWasteSolutions.com. More information about this Dallas medical waste disposal company can be found at: https://www.biomedicalwastesolutions.com/locations/texas/dallas-medical-waste-disposal. About BioMedical Waste Solutions: BioMedical Waste Solutions is a leading medical waste disposal company dedicated to providing safe and reliable solutions for the management and disposal of medical waste. With a commitment to environmental responsibility and public health, the company serves healthcare facilities, private practices, dental offices, veterinarians and laboratories across America. BioMedical Waste Solutions offers comprehensive services to ensure the proper collection, transportation, and disposal of medical waste, including sharps, in compliance with all regulatory requirements. Contact Information JP Richards Director of Communications releases@drakedigital.com (346) 660-4994 SOURCE: Biomedical Waste Solutions View the original press release on newswire.com. Beijing's "Third Plenum Meeting" announced technology centered approach At its recent Third Plenum, China mapped out the direction of the country's economic policies: Beijing wants to adapt to the new round of industrial transformation by using robots as an engine for growth. China's success story with industrial robots is unique: the country is by far the largest robot market in the world. "China's rapid development in industrial robot automation is extraordinary," says Marina Bill, President of the International Federation of Robotics. "The operational stock surpassed the 1.5-million-unit mark two years ago, making China the first and only country with such a large industrial robot stock." The installation of 290,258 units in 2022 alone represents 52% of the global market. Demand across various industries To serve this demand, domestic and international robot suppliers have established production plants in China and continuously increased capacity. Massive investment in the automotive industry has boosted demand since 2010. China has become both the world's largest car market and also a major producer of electronic devices, batteries, semiconductors and microchips. Robots as a new engine for growth Today, China's home market still is the biggest single market for Chinese robot manufacturers: "So far the number of exported robots from China is very limited," says Xiaogang Song, Executive Director and Secretary-General of the China Robot Industry Alliance (CRIA). "Chinese robots going abroad started only a few years ago. According to our statistics, the total number of exported robots is less than 5%". "Like any business looking for a new market, Chinese robot companies go where there is demand for their products", says Song. Usually, Chinese robot companies set up their branches by cooperating with local partners and hiring local staff. It will take time to build brand credibility by raising technology levels and providing better services to meet the needs of foreign markets. In some areas, such as vision systems or AI applications, Chinese companies have advantages based on meeting the needs of accelerating automation in China's manufacturing sectors. Lower production cost or low cost is also one of the main advantages of Chinese robots. New World Robotics data will be released by IFR on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. FULL TEXT press release: https://ifr.org/ifr-press-releases/news/chinas-new-growth-strategy-backed-by-robots About IFR www.ifr.org View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240829390139/en/ Contacts: International Federation of Robotics PRESS OFFICER Carsten Heer phone +49 (0) 40 822 44 284 E-Mail: press@ifr.org JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / TCL, the world's top two TV brand and top one 98-inch TV brand, today announces exceptional honours obtained at the EISA Awards. Renowned as Europe's premier authority on audio-visual innovation, the Expert Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) has bestowed three prestigious awards on TCL, underscoring the brand's relentless commitment to pushing the boundaries of display technology. 115"X955 Max The ground-breaking TCL 115X955 Max TV has earned the title of "EISA STATEMENT TV 2024-2025" in the XL screen category, highlighting its superior performance and innovative design. Additionally, TCL's QD-Mini LED 4K TV 75C855 has been recognized as the "EISA HOME THEATER MINI LED TV 2024-2025", further cementing TCL's reputation for delivering unparalleled home cinema experiences. TCL 115X955 Max - EISA "STATEMENT TV 2024-2025" Setting the industry benchmark for Mini LED, TCL 115X955 Max, a 4K giant QD-Mini LED TV, was awarded the EISA "STATEMENT TV 2024-2025". With Full Array 6th generation Mini LED of 20,000+ zones, QLED PRO, 4K HDR Premium 5000, and 144Hz Motion Clarity Pro - this monumental TV delivers exceptional contrasts and vibrant HDR picture quality on a scale never seen before. Perfect for a grand living room or a dedicated home theatre, the 115X955 Max supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision IQ technologies. The integrated 6.2.2 Onkyo Sound System completes the cinematic experience with its immersive audio quality, perfectly matching the stunning visuals. TCL 75C855 - "EISA HOME THEATER MINI LED TV 2024-2025" TCL's 75C855 combines cutting-edge display technology with a sleek design, making it the centre piece of any home theatre setup. EISA's image and sound experts awarded the TCL 75C855 "HOME THEATRE MINI LED TV 2024-2025", consolidating TCL's position as a pioneer of display technology. At the heart of the 75C855 is TCL's Full Array Mini LED technology, combined with QLED, which delivers vibrant and precise colour reproduction. The 4K HDR Premium 3500 and 144Hz Motion Clarity Pro for powerfully precise contrasts and sharp and colourful HDR picture quality. Complementing its visual prowess, the built-in 2.2.2 Onkyo Dolby Atmos sound system rounds out the experience, providing rich and enveloping audio. These award-winning models and more are now available across the Middle East & Africa markets. Stay tuned for upcoming innovations from TCL that continue to set new benchmarks in the industry. Contact Information Odette Bagley Swart Chief Marketing and Communications Officer media.sadc@tcl.com 083 358 3356 SOURCE: TCL Electronics View the original press release on newswire.com. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / American Airlines On National Aviation Day, American Airlines honors the incredible achievements of the aviation industry and reflects on the boundless potential it holds for the future. In a field where innovation and exploration are fundamental processes, American is committed to building a diverse pipeline of future aviation professionals. Empowering the next generation is crucial to the continued progress and advancement of modern flight. American supports several endeavors that offer hands-on instruction and interactive learning for young minds, including the American Airlines CR Smith Museum's award-winning Aviation STEM Summer Camp. With a focus on STEM, the week-long summer camp provides a robust, in-depth curriculum and exposure to inspiring industry professionals. This summer, American sponsored 56 students from Clinton P. Russell Elementary School and Girls Inc. of Tarrant County for a fully funded summer camp opportunity. Students were immersed in STEM concepts and aviation with the goal of helping them build confidence and recognize that career opportunities in these industries are within reach. By providing impactful educational programming to children of all backgrounds, American and the CR Smith Museum are broadening the aviation community. "The camp provided our students with invaluable exposure to aviation. It was truly the experience of a lifetime, opening doors and kindling dreams that will shape their futures," said Chara Pace, Principal of Clinton P. Russell Elementary. "Our students returned with a clear vision of their potential future in the aviation industry by exploring careers from aircraft mechanics and engineers to pilots and flight attendants." American celebrates the past and continues to build a strong foundation for the future through the diverse talents of tomorrow's leaders and is proud to provide a framework that equips young aviators with the skills and confidence to reach new heights. Enrollment in the 2025 summer camp begins in March 2025. Visit the CR Smith Museum website to learn more about the enriching educational programming available for students in the Dallas-Fort Worth community year-round. These development initiatives are made possible through the generous support of museum donors and members. For more information on giving opportunities, visit crsmithmuseum.org/donate. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from American Airlines on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: American Airlines Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/american-airlines Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: American Airlines View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. (CSE: NOP) ("NOP" or the "Company), a B.C. based company engaged in the exploration for organic sedimentary raw rock phosphate in Nevada, is pleased to announce that, NOP's wholly owned subsidiary, Nevagro, has been informed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that the Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals for the Department of the Interior is currently reviewing the BLM's press release for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) decision. Once the official NEPA decision is received, NOP's next step will be to submit the habitat reclamation bond to the Bonding Specialist at the BLM Nevada State Office. They will then forward the Prospecting Permit Application to the Deputy State Director (DSD) for Energy and Minerals at the BLM Nevada State Office for signature to issue the Prospecting Permit. NOP is excited that the Prospecting Permit could be signed by the Deputy State Director (DSD) for Energy and Minerals at the BLM Nevada State Office in the weeks ahead. Meanwhile, the exploration team is evaluating the lands under the 3 new Applications to Prospect while lining up the necessary drilling and site preparation contractors for the planned drill program. Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. NOP is a junior exploration company with a sedimentary rock phosphate property (the "Murdock Property") hosting a nearly flat lying sedimentary bed of known phosphate mineralization in NE Nevada. The increasing interest in organic and sustainable agriculture practices has contributed to the demand for organic fertilizers, including those derived from rock phosphate. Organic rock phosphate is often marketed as a fertilizer that not only provides phosphorus but also contributes to overall soil health. The Issuer aims to be one of the only certified organic rock phosphate producers with large scale potential in North America. The Murdock Property is situated adjacent to a main highway and the rail head to California. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulations services providers have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information ("FLSI") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. FLSI may include expectations, anticipations, beliefs, opinions, plans, intentions, estimates, forecasts, projections, guidance or other similar statements and information that are not historical facts. All statements which are not historical statements are considered FLSI. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated Prospecting Permit and the anticipated timing of its receipt. All FLSI is based on assumptions, which may prove inaccurate, and subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those risks and uncertainties identified in the Company's public securities filings, which may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated or implied in FLSI. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance or value on FLSI. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in any FLSI in this news release are reasonable at the present time, it can give no assurance that such FLSI will prove to be correct. Any FLSI in this news release is made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to publicly update or revise any FLSI, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. Any FLSI in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221517 SOURCE: Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. Transaction will support HSN's next phase of growth as a global provider of infant nutrition and special food solutions. AS Equity Partners, a private equity firm specializing in partnering with technology-enabled businesses and tech-enabled manufacturing, signed a definitive agreement with HOCHDORF HOLDING Ltd to acquire HOCHDORF Swiss Nutrition Ltd (HSN). Established in 1895, HOCHDORF (HSN) is a leading milk processor in Switzerland with annual revenues of CHF 300+ million. The company is a global provider of high-quality, highly complex baby nutrients and specialized foods for all age groups. It is the Swiss center of excellence for milk processing, specializing in powder drying and mixing technology for milk-based ingredients and alternative proteins. With 350+ employees, HOCHDORF utilizes advanced technology, process excellence, Swiss quality, and extensive industry expertise to serve industrial and consumer markets globally. Completing the transaction requires, among others, the approval of a qualified majority of the shareholders of HOCHDORF Holding at an Extraordinary General Meeting to be held on18 September 2024. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Ralph Siegl, CEO and Delegate of the Board of Directors of the HOCHDORF Group stated, "During the intensive exploratory talks, AS Equity Partners expressed great interest in HSN's potential and acknowledged the strategic direction of our transformation process in recent years. HSN's business activities will be further expanded, and its reliable role in the Swiss dairy industry is secured." Andreas Schulte, Founder and Managing Partner of AS Equity Partners, stated, "The technological expertise of HOCHDORF Swiss Nutrition, its relevance in modern nutrition, and the encouraging trend in operational recovery is a compelling basis for us to tap into this interesting international potential. As active investors with extensive expertise and operational capabilities in tech-enabled manufacturing and international market expansion, we aim to expand HNS' business and enhance its strategy and performance to become a dominant market leader." About AS Equity Partners: AS Equity Partners is a highly experienced London and Zurich-based special situations investor. It focuses on underperforming firms or complex carve-outs with attractive deal dynamics in the mid-market, with a strong "nexus" in Europe. With deep sector expertise and operational capability in Tech-Enabled Businesses and Tech-Enabled manufacturing, it consistently delivers predictable value creation. As a leading "Independent Sponsor" with initial equity tickets up to CHF 150m, it today manages a substantial c. 400m in capital and over 8,500 employees internationally. About HOCHDORF: Founded in 1895, HOCHDORF is the Swiss center of excellence for milk processing, specializing in powder drying and mixing technology for milk-based and alternative proteins. The technology company based in Hochdorf (LU) and Sulgen (TG) in Switzerland develops functional foods and ingredients for industrial customers and consumers worldwide. As "food for life," these products help shape the changing eating habits of society today and tomorrow. The HOCHDORF Group achieved a consolidated net sales revenue of CHF 307.8 million in 2023 and employs 361 staff. Contact: Maitri O'Brien, AS Equity Partners Media: maitri.obrien@as-equitypartners.com Marle`ne Betschart, HOCHDORF Holding Ltd: marlene.betschart@hochdorf.com SOURCE: AS Equity Partners View the original press release on accesswire.com Scottsdale, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - TriStar Gold Inc. (TSXV: TSG) (OTCQB: TSGZF) (the Company or TriStar) is pleased to announce that the Para Secretariat for the Environment and Sustainability (SEMAS) has issued the Licenca Previa (Preliminary License or LP) for the Castelo de Sonhos gold project in Brazil. "Following the previously announced approval by Para State Environmental Council (COEMA) we have now received the LP, a true milestone for TriStar that derisks and sets us apart from many other mine developers. We are now ready to move forward, having the necessary permits in hand to advance the feasibility study, including the operating license for drilling and vegetation clearing authorization amongst others," says Nick Appleyard, TriStar's President and CEO. "We can all see that Brazil has become a major mine development hub, with more mines built recently than any other comparable jurisdiction. Given the success of G Mining, Hochschild Mining, Ero Copper and Aura Minerals, all of whom have permitted, built and are now operating fantastic mines in Brazil, I see Castelo de Sonhos as the next plus 100,000 ounce per year gold mine for Brazil, with all the benefits that will stream to the regional economy." The Preliminary License (Licenca Previa in Portuguese) represents the first of a three-stage environmental licencing process required for mining projects in Brazil. The LP is the most critical stage of permitting as it involves input and approval from several government agencies as well as local stakeholders, communities and details the environmental, social, and economic impacts and benefits of the project. Next steps for the Castelo de Sonhos project involve further de-risking studies including feasibility and advanced engineering, leading to an ultimate construction development decision. Webinar Nick Appleyard, TriStar's President and CEO, will participate in a webinar hosted by Adelaide Capital at 3:00pm ET on Thursday, September 5th. Participants can register here: https://streamyard.com/watch/aKrp2FSBjSaJ. The webinar livestream will also be available to watch on the Adelaide Capital YouTube Channel, where a replay will be posted after the event: https://bit.ly/adcap-youtube. Employee Incentive Stock Options TriStar has also granted incentive stock options exercisable to purchase a total of 3,250,000 of its shares at a price of $0.195 per share to directors, officers, employees and consultants, subject to the terms of its current stock option plan. These options will expire August 28, 2029. About TriStar TriStar Gold is an exploration and development company focused on precious metals properties in the Americas that have the potential to become significant producing mines. The Company's current flagship property is the Castelo de Sonhos gold project in Para State, Brazil. TriStar has completed a pre-feasibility study and is now working to advance the project towards a feasibility study while evaluating optimization options. The Company's shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol TSG and on the OTCQB under the symbol TSGZF. Further information is available at www.tristargold.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY: 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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements under Canadian securities legislation which are not historical facts and are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects" or "it is expected", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements about the Company's development of the Castelo de Sonhos gold property. Such forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's reasonable expectations and business plan at the date hereof, which are subject to change depending on economic, political and competitive circumstances and contingencies. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause a change in such assumptions and the actual outcomes and estimates to be materially different from those estimated or anticipated future results, achievements or position expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's plans to change include changes in demand for and price of gold and other commodities (such as fuel and electricity) and currencies; changes or disruptions in the securities markets; legislative, political or economic developments in Brazil; effects of the COVID-19 virus on all aspects of the Company's business, the need to obtain permits and comply with laws and regulations and other regulatory requirements; the possibility that actual results of work may differ from projections/expectations or may not realize the perceived potential of the Company's projects; risks of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in development programs; operating or technical difficulties in connection with exploration, mining or development activities; the speculative nature of gold exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities of grades of reserves and resources; and the risks involved in the exploration, development and mining business. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221501 SOURCE: TriStar Gold Inc. EQS-News: CPI PROPERTY GROUP / Key word(s): AGM/EGM CPI PROPERTY GROUP - Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders 29.08.2024 / 21:19 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. CPI Property Group (societe anonyme) 40, rue de la Vallee L-2661 Luxembourg R.C.S. Luxembourg: B 102 254 Press Release - Corporate News Luxembourg, 29 August 2024 CPI PROPERTY GROUP - Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders The extraordinary general meeting (the "EGM") of the shareholders of CPI PROPERTY GROUP (the "Company") was held today in Luxembourg. At the meeting, approximately 94.56 % of the voting rights were present or presented. The EGM resolved to decrease the corporate capital of the Company from the amount of EUR 861,952,279.10 to EUR 86,195,227.91 without cancellation of shares, by decreasing the par value of the existing shares from ten eurocents (EUR 0.10) to one eurocent (EUR 0.01) per share. The purpose of the capital decrease is to adapt the share capital and the par value of the shares of the Company to future potential group simplification measures. The reduction proceeds were allocated to a reserve. The EGM also approved the modifications of the Company's articles of association reflecting the above capital decrease approved during the EGM. All resolutions were adopted by 100% of the votes cast. For further information, please contact: Investor Relations David GreenbaumMoritz Mayer Chief Executive Officer Manager, Capital Markets d.greenbaum@cpipg.com m.mayer@cpipg.com For more on CPI Property Group, visit our website: www.cpipg.com 29.08.2024 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com Atlantis Gaming Corporation (AGC/ATLANTIS)(OTC PINK:ATIG) is shaking up the gaming industry with a unique "Real-Life Monopoly" acquisition strategy, spearheaded by real estate veteran Herb Strather. Strather, whose impressive career boasts over $2 billion in closed real estate transactions, is leading AGC's aggressive expansion into real estate. The company is proud to announce the acquisition of the Lahser 6 Apartments, a 54-unit building in Detroit, and has secured a deal to acquire a 55,000 SF modern office building on W. McNichols Rd., also in Detroit. Both transactions, valued at $2.2 million and $1.8 million respectively, are being executed through a 100% stock swap for equity, showcasing AGC's innovative approach to asset acquisition. These acquisitions mark a pivotal moment under the leadership of Acting CEO Linda I. Bailey, who is committed to driving AGC's growth following the passing of her husband and former chairman, Donald L. Bailey. "With over two decades of executive experience with the Atlantis Companies, I am dedicated to realizing the AGC Board's vision through strategic resource allocation and financial growth," said Mrs. Bailey. "This real estate acquisition perfectly aligns with our diversification and asset portfolio enhancement strategy." The initial transaction involved a stock-for-assets swap with the Grenadier Family, prominent real estate holders in southeast Michigan, and their brokerage firm, Strather Associates. Detroit's Resurgence Fuels Investment Detroit's remarkable recovery from its historic bankruptcy has positioned the city as a prime investment hub, attracting global attention. The city's investment-grade credit rating and renewed investor confidence create a fertile ground for AGC's expansion. Gaming Expertise Meets Real Estate Prowess AGC's leadership team brings a proven track record in gaming and real estate development. The developers previously created and sold the Motor City Casino for $160 million in profit and have been involved in providing games for state lotteries. Leveraging this expertise, Atlantis plans to use scratch-off tickets and promotions with state and provincial lotteries, featuring retired athletes, musicians, and celebrities in strategic marketing campaigns. Additionally, the company is preparing to launch a skill-gaming operator within the next six months, capitalizing on the growing trend of competitive gaming. Ambitious Growth Plans This partnership aims to complete $100 million in real estate transactions over the next 60 months, with a robust pipeline of deals and new gaming initiatives already underway. AGC intends to significantly expand its asset base through acquisitions and financing, targeting a profit of over $2 million and more than $4 million in assets from the two announced transactions alone. This focus on real estate acquisitions will ensure stability and cash flow while AGC explores new gaming opportunities, marking an exciting new chapter for the company. About Atlantis Gaming Corporation Atlantis Gaming Corporation is a dynamic gaming company embracing a "Real-Life Monopoly" strategy to acquire and grow its asset portfolio. With a focus on real estate and innovative gaming ventures, AGC is poised for significant expansion in the coming years. Contact: Herb Strather herberts@atlantisgamingcorporation.com PH: 313.444.9691 Linda I. Bailey lindab@atlantisgamingcorporation.com PH: 702.818.1052 ### SOURCE: Atlantis Internet Group Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com Business Owners Who Meet With Their Accountants to Review Their Finances on a Quarterly Basis are More Successful in Meeting Their Financial Goals PORTLAND, OR / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / When their CPA only shows up from January through April, businesses end up leaving a lot of money on the table. To avoid paying more taxes than they should, planning needs to occur all year long. Downing & Co., a prominent CPA firm headquartered in Portland, Oregon, helps its clients save $10,000 to $1 million a year in taxes while ensuring their legacy for the future. Portland Small Business Accountant According to Xero's Make or Break Report, 65% of business owners who failed blamed it on financial mismanagement. A common denominator among the businesses that closed were the regret of not investing in financial services, such as hiring an accounting firm or investing in accounting or financial technologies. To address this issue, Portland CPA firm Downing & Co. takes a completely different approach to tax planning. The company partners with its clients on an ongoing basis to deploy advanced tax planning strategies that are holistic and proactive, helping them minimize their taxes and grow their bottom line while building and preserving their legacy. Tim Downing, Managing Principal at Downing & Co., expressed, "We show up for our clients, not just from January through April, but ALL year long. I've seen the disaster that is created as a result of poor tax planning, and I want better for my clients. We build relationships with our clients so we can understand what's most important to them and help them make their dreams a reality, in this life and for the legacy they leave behind." As the leading Portland small business accountant, Downing & Co. invites small business owners and high-net-worth individuals to book a free consultation to review their unique situation and receive actionable recommendations for saving $10,000 to $1 million a year in taxes. For further details on tax planning, please visit our website at https://downingpdx.com/services/portland-small-business-accountant/ or reach out directly at (503) 445-3578 or info@downingpdx.com. About Downing & Co: Downing & Co. is a leading estate planning CPA firm dedicated to helping high-net-worth individuals and small businesses in Portland, Oregon, to save up to 40% in taxes now and for the legacy they leave behind. Established in 1964, Downing & Co. offers comprehensive services, including tax planning, accounting and bookkeeping services, estate planning, and wealth management. Contact Information JP Richards Director of Communications releases@drakedigital.com (346) 660-4994 SOURCE: Downing & Co. View the original press release on newswire.com. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - US Copper Corp (TSXV: USCU) (OTCQB: USCUF) (FSE: C730) ("US Copper" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") for aggregate gross proceeds of $200,000. The Private Placement involved the issuance of 6,666,667 units ("Units") at a price of $0.03 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital stock of the Company (a "Common Share") and one warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share for $0.06 at any time within 2 years after closing. All securities issued pursuant to this Private Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period. The Private Placement remains subject to final acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. Insiders of the Company acquired directly and indirectly a total of $18,800 worth of Units or 626,667 Units in the Private Placement on the same basis as other participants. The direct and indirect participation in the Private Placement by an insider of the Company constitutes a "related party transaction" as such term is defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on the exemptions from the formal valuation (section 5.5(b)) and minority approval requirements (section 5.7(1)(b)) under MI 61-101. A material change report in connection with the Private Placement will be filed less than 21 days before the closing of the Private Placement. The Company believes this shorter period is reasonable and necessary in the circumstances as the Company wished to complete the Private Placement in a timely manner. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Private Placement for general working capital purposes. 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. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws and regulations, including statements regarding the future activities of the Company. Forward-looking statements reflect the current beliefs and expectations of management and are identified by the use of words including "will", "hopes", "anticipates", "expected to", "plans", "planned", "intends" and other similar words. Actual results may differ significantly. The achievement of the results expressed in forward-looking statements is subject to a number of risks, including those described in the Company's management discussion and analysis as filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities which are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221562 SOURCE: US Copper Corp. ROCHESTER, N.Y., Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ), a leading beverage alcohol company, announced today it will report financial results for its second quarter ending August 31, 2024, on Thursday, October 3, 2024, before the open of the U.S. markets. A conference call to discuss the financial results and outlook will be hosted by President and Chief Executive Officer, Bill Newlands, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Garth Hankinson, at 10:30 a.m. EDT, October 3, 2024. The conference call can be accessed by dialing +1-877-407-9121 and entering conference identification number 13747784, beginning at 10:20 a.m. EDT. A live, listen-only webcast of the conference call will be available on the company's investor relations website at ir.cbrands.comunder the News & Eventssection. When the call begins, financial information discussed on the conference call, and reconciliations of reported GAAP financial measures with comparable and other non-GAAP financial measures, will also be available on the company's investor relations website under the Financial Historysection. For anyone unable to participate in the conference call, a replay will be available on the company's investor relations website. ABOUT CONSTELLATION BRANDS Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) is a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits with operations in the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. Our mission is to build brands that people love because we believe elevating human connections is Worth Reaching For. It's worth our dedication, hard work, and calculated risks to anticipate market trends and deliver more for our consumers, shareholders, employees, and industry. This dedication is what has driven us to become one of the fastest-growing, large CPG companies in the U.S. at retail, and it drives our pursuit to deliver what's next. Every day, people reach for our high-end, iconic imported beer brands such as those in the Corona brand family like the flagship Corona Extra, Modelo Especial and the flavorful lineup of Modelo Cheladas, Pacifico, and Victoria; our fine wine and craft spirits brands including The Prisoner Wine Company, Robert Mondavi Winery, Casa Noble Tequila, and High West Whiskey; and our premium wine brands such as Kim Crawford and Meiomi. As an agriculture-based company, we have a long history of operating sustainably and responsibly. Our ESG strategy is embedded into our business and our work focuses on serving as good stewards of the environment, enhancing social equity within our industry and communities, and promoting responsible beverage alcohol consumption. These commitments ground our aspirations beyond driving the bottom line as we work to create a future that is truly Worth Reaching For. To learn more, visit www.cbrands.comand follow us on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn. MEDIA CONTACTS INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS Amy Martin 585-678-7141 / amy.martin@cbrands.com (mailto:amy.martin@cbrands.com) Carissa Guzski 315-525-7362 / carissa.guzski@cbrands.com (mailto:carissa.guzski@cbrands.com) Joseph Suarez 773-551-4397 / joseph.suarez@cbrands.com (mailto:joseph.suarez@cbrands.com) Snehal Shah 847-385-4940 / snehal.shah@cbrands.com (mailto:snehal.shah@cbrands.com) A downloadable PDF copy of this news release can be found here: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/59783814-8550-423c-a965-187416c33926 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - Quetzal Copper Corp. (TSXV: Q) ("Quetzal" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on exploration at the Cristinas Project in Chihuahua, Mexico. The company completed the two drill holes utilized to complete the InfiniTEM XL downhole geophysical survey. This deep penetrating survey better resolves known EM anomalies at depth. The company will recommence drilling this week. Our team will use results of the geophysical survey to plan its next drill holes and aims to complete the drill program in September 2024. Figure 1: Location of Drill Target and Historical Drilling at Cristinas To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10393/221567_5cd253edb442ebe9_001full.jpg CEO Matt Badiali said, "We can't wait to resume drilling at Cristinas. Now we have completed the geophysical survey and are modelling the results. The geophysical model is needed to plan the next phase of drilling. We plan to announce the results of the drill program at Cristinas in September." Figure 2: Location of Initial 2024 Drill Holes and Geophysical Survey at Cristinas To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10393/221567_5cd253edb442ebe9_002full.jpg About the Cristinas Project The 685-hectare Cristinas Project is in northeastern Chihuahua state, Mexico, approximately 2 hours by car from Chihuahua City in a prolific belt of carbonate-hosted deposits that extends from south-central Mexico north through the United States (Figure 3). The Cristinas Project includes a historic copper mine that operated in the 1950's on shallow copper oxide mineralization. The project features a >1,250 m long zone of copper mineralization traced through rock chips on surface and 12 historical (2014) drill holes. The copper mineralization is open along strike and at depth with significant expansion potential highlighted by geophysical surveys. Figure 3: Major Carbonate-Hosted Deposits in the Southwestern US & Mexico To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10393/221567_5cd253edb442ebe9_003full.jpg QP Statement Dr. Roy Greig, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content in this release. Dr. Greig is a Technical Advisor to Quetzal and is not independent of the Company. Market Maker Quetzal is pleased to announce, subject to regulatory approval, it has engaged the services of DS Market Solutions Inc. (DSMS) to provide equity trading advisory and liquidity provider services. DS Market Solutions will replace the previous market maker service provider, Independent Trading Group, Inc. which provided services from March 2024 through August 2024. Under the agreement, DSMS will receive compensation of CAD $3,200 per month, payable monthly in advance. The agreement is for an initial term of one month and will renew for additional one-month terms unless terminated. There are no performance factors contained in the agreement and DSMS will not receive shares or options as compensation. DSMS and the Company are unrelated and unaffiliated entities and at the time of the agreement, neither DSMS nor its principals have an interest, directly or indirectly, in the securities of the Company. About DS Marketing Solutions DS Marketing Solutions is a Mississauga, Ontario based equity trading advisor to issuers looking to enhance liquidity in their publicly traded securities. DS Market Solution's contact is its President, David Sears. About Quetzal Copper Quetzal is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in British Columbia and Mexico. Quetzal currently has a portfolio of three properties located in British Columbia, Canada and one in Mexico. The Company's principal project, Princeton Copper, is located adjacent to Hudbay's Copper Mountain mine in southern British Columbia. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events, or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, planned exploration activities. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof 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" or the negative connotation thereof. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to exploration and development of the Company's properties. Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated, the anticipated cost of planned exploration activities, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct the Company's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual events or results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others: negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of additional financing, no known mineral reserves or resources, the limited operating history of the Company, aboriginal title and consultation issues, reliance on key management and other personnel, actual results of exploration activities being different than anticipated, changes in exploration programs based upon results, availability of third party contractors, availability of equipment and supplies, failure of equipment to operate as anticipated, accidents, effects of weather and other natural phenomena and other risks associated with the mineral exploration industry, environmental risks, changes in laws and regulations, community relations and delays in obtaining governmental or other approvals. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by 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 forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221567 SOURCE: Quetzal Copper Limited Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - (Block Height: 858,990) - Cathedra Bitcoin Inc. (TSXV: CBIT) (OTC Pink: CBTTF) ("Cathedra," the "Company," or "we"), a developer and operator of high-density compute infrastructure across North America, today announces our second quarter ("Q2") financial results for 2024: Q2 2024 Highlights Revenue from bitcoin mining operations increased by 5% year-over-year to C$3.0 million, compared to C$2.9 million in Q2 2023. In response to weakened mining conditions following the fourth halving of Bitcoin's issuance rate (the " Halving "), we resumed "underclocking" certain machines to maximize mining cash flow. Following these adjustments, our fleetwide active hash rate has reduced to approximately 355 PH/s. These adjustments improved fleet efficiency to approximately 26 joules per terahash (" J/TH ") from 29 J/TH pre-Halving. On March 6, 2024, we entered into a binding share exchange agreement providing for a business combination with Kungsleden Inc. (" Kungsleden "), a privately held developer and operator of bitcoin mining data centers. After amending the terms of the original agreement on June 18, 2024, and thereafter receiving the requisite approvals from Cathedra shareholders and the TSX Venture Exchange (the " TSX-V "), we completed the business combination on July 23, 2024, and our shares resumed trading on the TSX-V on August 6, 2024. Subsequent to quarter end, we concluded a hosting arrangement with a third-party operator in Tennessee pursuant to the terms of the hosting agreement and consequently relocated approximately 1,129 Bitmain S19J Pro machines from that site to a data center we own and operate in Tennessee. The relocation of these machines was completed on August 28, 2024, and has reduced the effective cash operating cost for these machines by approximately 31%, from US$72.50 per megawatt hour to approximately US$50.00 per megawatt hour. We hold approximately C$1.5 million of cash and C$3.4 million of bitcoin (41.1 bitcoin) for total liquidity of C$4.9 million as of August 29, 2024. Management Commentary "Despite underwhelming price performance from bitcoin, Q2 was a milestone quarter for Cathedra," remarked AJ Scalia, CEO of Cathedra. "We announced a strategic business combination with Kungsleden Inc., repositioning our company as a developer and operator of high-density compute infrastructure for bitcoin mining-and potentially other end markets, like artificial intelligence-rather than a pure-play bitcoin miner. By continuing our "underclocking" strategy and relocating machines to lower-cost data centers we own and operate via Kungsleden, we have weathered all-time-low bitcoin mining conditions since the fourth Bitcoin Halving in April. Now that the business combination is completed, we are eager to begin generating cash flow and exploring accretive growth together with the Kungsleden team." About Cathedra Bitcoin Cathedra Bitcoin Inc. develops and operates high-density compute infrastructure across North America. The Company hosts bitcoin mining clients across its portfolio of three data centers (30 megawatts total) in Tennessee and Kentucky. Additionally, Cathedra is a 25% partner in a joint venture that is developing a 60-megawatt data center in North Dakota which will also host bitcoin miners upon its expected completion in Q3 2024. Cathedra also operates a fleet of proprietary bitcoin mining machines at its own and third-party data centers, producing approximately 400 PH/s of hash rate. The Company is focused on expanding its portfolio of data center infrastructure for high-density compute applications including bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence. Cathedra is headquartered in Vancouver and its shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol CBIT. For more information about Cathedra, visit cathedra.com or follow Company news on Twitter at @CathedraBitcoin or on Telegram at @CathedraBitcoin. Media and Investor Relations Inquiries Please contact: Cautionary Statement Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws that are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. The information in this release about future plans and objectives of the Company, are forward-looking information. Forward-looking information contained in this news release includes but is not limited to information concerning: the potential for and merits of the Kungsleden acquisition; the benefits of the strategy to become a developer and operator of high-density compute infrastructure for bitcoin mining and/or other potential end markets; and other statements regarding future plans and objectives of the Company. Any statements that involve 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 information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. This forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time it was made. The Company has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of its normal course of business. Additionally, these forward-looking statements may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of Cathedra and general market conditions. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead reflect Cathedra's management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although Cathedra believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed thereon, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the Company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements are the following: an inability successfully integrate the Kungsleden business on terms which are economic or at all; a failure to realize the expected benefits of the business plan to develop and operate high-density compute infrastructure for bitcoin mining and/or other potential end markets; the risks of an increase in the Company's electricity costs, cost of natural gas, changes in currency exchange rates, energy curtailment or regulatory changes in the energy regimes in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates and the potential adverse impact on the Company's profitability; revenue may not increase as currently anticipated, or at all; it may not be possible to profitably liquidate the current digital currency inventory, or at all; a decline in digital currency prices may have a significant negative impact on operations; an increase in network difficulty may have a significant negative impact on operations; the volatility of digital currency prices; future capital needs and the ability to complete current and future financings, as well as capital market conditions in general; volatile securities markets impacting security pricing unrelated to operating performance; historical prices of digital currencies and the ability to mine digital currencies that will be consistent with historical prices; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; changes in applicable laws and regulations both locally and in foreign jurisdictions; compliance with extensive government regulation and the costs associated with compliance; unanticipated costs; changes in market conditions impacting the average revenue per MWh; and the risks and uncertainties associated with foreign markets. Additionally, the forward-looking statements contained herein may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of Cathedra and general market conditions. Please see the Company's management information circular dated June 18, 2024 which is available for view the Company's SEDAR+ profile on www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended and such changes could be material. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking information other than as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221559 SOURCE: Cathedra Bitcoin Inc. Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - Bri-Chem Corp. (TSX: BRY) (OTCQB: BRYFF) ("Bri-Chem" or "Company"), a leading North American oilfield chemical distribution and blending company, announces that its common shares have been accepted for listing on the U.S. OTCQB. The Company's common shares have begun trading on the OTCQB Venture Market ("OTCQB") under the ticker symbol BRYFF. The Company's common shares will continue to trade on the TSX under the symbol BRY. Don Caron, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, comments, "We are very excited to announce our recent OTCQB listing. As the Company continues to advance its market presence in the United States and Canada, the OTCQB listing will help increase Bri-Chem's visibility and will allow for greater engagement with our U.S. investor base." About the OTCQB The OTCQB offers Canadian companies the benefits of being publicly traded in the U.S. without the complexity and cost of a U.S. exchange listing. Streamlined market standards enable Canadian companies to provide a strong baseline of transparency to inform and engage U.S. investors. Canadian companies must be current in their reporting and undergo an annual verification and management certification process to be eligible. As a verified market with efficient access to U.S. investors, the OTCQB helps Canadian companies build shareholder value to enhance liquidity and achieve fair valuations. These standards provide a strong baseline of transparency, as well as the technology and regulations to improve the trading experience for investors. The key benefits of trading on the OTC Markets include efficient market standards, transparency, and visibility. The OTCQB is recognized by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an established public market providing public information for analysis and valuation of securities. Companies engage a far greater network of U.S. investors, data distributors and media partners, ensuring U.S. investors have access to the same high-quality information available to investors in Canada but through U.S. platforms and portals to conduct research. Investors can find real-time quotes and market information for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com. About Bri-Chem Bri-Chem has established itself, through a combination of strategic acquisitions and organic growth, as the North American industry leader for wholesale distribution and blending of oilfield drilling, completion, stimulation and production chemical fluids. We sell, blend, package and distribute a full range of drilling fluid products from 25 strategically located warehouses throughout Canada and the United States. Additional information about Bri-Chem is available at www.sedarplus.ca or at Bri-Chem's website at www.brichem.com. To receive Bri-Chem news updates send your email to ir@brichem.com. For further information, please contact: Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or future performance and include statements regarding our intent, or the beliefs or current expectations of our officers and directors, including the results of listing on the OTCQB. The use of any of the words "could", "should", "anticipates", "plans", "intends", "expects", "believes", "continue", "forecasts", "will", "estimated", "projected" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking statements and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. By their nature, such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed herein. These risks and uncertainties, include, but are not limited to general economic conditions, prevailing and anticipated industry conditions, access to debt and equity financing on acceptable terms, levels and volatility of commodity prices, maintained demand for drilling fluids, market forces, ability to achieve geographic expansion through new warehouse locations, anticipated impact of new warehouse locations, ability to obtain equipment from suppliers, ability to maintain negotiating power with suppliers and customers, ability to obtain and retain skilled personnel, competition from other industry participants and regulatory conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date it is expressed in this press release or otherwise. Except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221575 SOURCE: Bri-Chem Corp. LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Cloud9, a leading esports organization, and Toei Animation, the legendary anime studio, are collaborating again to release a second Cloud9 x One Piece collectionfollowing phenomenal success with the first Cloud9 x One Piece launch in 2023. Cloud9 x One Piece Teaser image for the second Cloud9 x One Piece collection The second Cloud9 x One Piece collection showcases an assortment of clothing staples and gaming accessories inspired by the beloved characters in the current Egghead Arc of the "One Piece" anime series. Meticulously designed to integrate the series' artistry with the roots of esports aesthetics, each product in the collection aims to empower gamers and anime fans worldwide, providing top-tier breathability and ergonomics for every competitive environment. "After seeing the overwhelming positive sentiment towards our first 'One Piece' collection, we were beyond grateful for another opportunity to collaborate with Toei Animation," said Jack Etienne, Co-Founder and CEO of Cloud9. "This second collection aims to provide our fans and followers with exclusive products tailored to every gamer's unique taste and everyday needs." An event-exclusive Cloud9 x One Piece jersey and selected items from the collection will be available in-person at the LCS Summer Finals in Los Angeles on September 6-7. The full collection will be available for purchase on the Cloud9 website starting September 12. Produced with high-quality materials, the collection presents both esports enthusiasts and anime fans with timeless style and unbeatable comfort. One Piece has been entertaining anime fans of every age around the world for decades and 2024 marks the franchise's 25th anniversary. Produced by Toei Animation and based on the top-selling manga title of all time by creator Eiichiro Oda, the "One Piece" anime series spans more than 1116 episodes to date since it first debuted on Japanese TV in October 1999. This iconic series features pirate Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat crew on their epic quest to find "One Piece," the legendary treasure of the former King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger. One Piece's global pop culture status is the crowning achievement for this anime franchise, which encompasses theatrical films, home videos, video games, and an ever-expanding catalog of licensed merchandise that includes accessories, toys, novelties, furniture, housewares, and apparel. For more information about the Cloud9 x One Piece collection and to purchase, visit the Cloud9 website at store.cloud9.gg. About Cloud9: Cloud9 Esports Inc. is a leading esports organization based in Los Angeles, California. The organization was founded in 2013 and has since become one of the most successful and recognizable esports teams in the world. Cloud9 has teams competing in various esports titles, including League of Legends, VALORANT, and Counter-Strike. About Toei Animation Inc.: Based in Los Angeles, Toei Animation Inc. manages the distribution of Toei Animation's top properties, including franchise series Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, One Piece, Digimon, Saint Seiya and many others, to North America, Latin America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Toei Animation's Los Angeles office also oversees all categories of consumer product licensing based on its film and television brands within these territories. For more information, please visit toei-animation-usa.com. Contact Information Yangsin Lau Vazquez Senior Marketing Manager press@cloud9.gg Scott Barretto scottbarretto@publicity-partners.com SOURCE: Cloud9 View the original press release on newswire.com. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - Wellfield Technologies Inc. (TSXV: WFLD) (the "Company" or "Wellfield") is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated June 3, 2024, it has entered into an agreement with a private lender (the "Lender") to consolidate the Company's debt in the aggregate amount of US$205,079 (the "Remaining Convertible Debt") owing to the Lender pursuant to an existing unsecured convertible debenture (the "Convertible Debenture") following the partial cancellation of the Convertible Debenture, with an aggregate of US$1,331,733 (the "Remaining Non-Convertible Debt") representing the principal amount owing to the Lender pursuant to an unsecured non-convertible debenture (the "Non-Convertible Debenture"). The Non-Convertible Debenture has been amended and restated (as amended and restated, the "A&R Debenture") such that the Remaining Convertible Debt will be added to the Remaining Non-Convertible Debt, together with the amount of legal fees incurred by the Lender and a deferment fee in the amount of US$156,823 as consideration for the deferment of amounts due under the Convertible and/or Non-Convertible Debenture, and the Convertible Debenture has been redeemed and cancelled entirely (the "Debenture Amendment"). The principal amount of the A&R Debenture is US$1,725,058 which principal amount together with all accrued and outstanding interest thereon is payable to the Lender in three installments: (i) US$675,000 payable on February 28, 2025; (ii) US$675,000 payable on July 28, 2025; and (iii) US$676,592 upon maturity of the A&R Debenture on August 28, 2025. Interest accrues at 16.4% per annum from the issue date to December 31, 2024, at 18% per annum from January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025 and at 21% per annum from July 1, 2025 to maturity. The Company has also entered into a general security agreement between the Company and the Lender, providing security over all of the Company's present and after-acquired personal property as security for the A&R Debenture. About Wellfield Technologies Wellfield Technologies, Inc. (TSXV: WFLD) is a leading fintech company specializing in innovative solutions leveraging blockchain technology. Our platform Coinmama (web and Mobile app), provides seamless access to the cryptocurrency market for over 3.5 million registered users across 180 countries. We offer disruptive on-chain and web3 secure and friendly self-custody solutions through Coinmama. Additionally, Wellfield operates Tradewind Markets platform to digitize and trade real-world assets, including our flagship VaultChain Gold and VaultChain Silver products. Expanding our offerings for institutional clients, we present Brane Trust aiming to operate Alberta Canada's second qualified digital asset custodian. Join Wellfield's digital community on LinkedIn and Twitter, and for more details, visit wellfield.io Cautionary Notice on Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" ("forward-looking information") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release are based on the Company's current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs, which may prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward- looking information necessarily involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual performance and results in to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to general business, financial market, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive and readers are encouraged to review the disclosure documents accessible on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) has approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release, nor do they accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221583 SOURCE: Wellfield Technologies Inc. When it comes to choosing a forex broker, its essential to conduct thorough research to ensure the legitimacy and reliability of the broker. FBS is a well-known name in the forex trading industry, and this article aims to provide a comprehensive FBS review. Well cover what is FBS, the trading platforms and accounts it offers, its demo account, and why FBS is legit. Well also highlight some of the awards that FBS has received over the years. What is FBS? FBS is a globally recognized forex broker that has been operating since 2009. Over the years, it has built a reputation for providing excellent trading services, educational resources, and a user-friendly trading environment. FBS serves millions of traders worldwide, offering access to various financial markets, including forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies. FBS Trading Platforms and Accounts FBS trading is supported by two of the most popular trading platforms in the industry: MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). These platforms are known for their advanced charting tools, technical analysis features, and automated trading capabilities. MetaTrader 4 (MT4) User-Friendly Interface: MT4 is known for its intuitive interface, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced traders. Advanced Charting Tools: The platform offers a wide range of charting tools and indicators to help traders analyze the market effectively. Automated Trading: MT4 supports Expert Advisors (EAs), allowing traders to automate their trading strategies. MetaTrader 5 (MT5) Enhanced Features: MT5 offers additional features compared to MT4, such as more timeframes, order types, and analytical tools. Economic Calendar: The platform includes an integrated economic calendar to keep traders updated on important economic events. Improved Order Management: MT5 provides more advanced order management options, enhancing trading efficiency. Overview of FBS Trading Accounts Flexible trading conditions under a single trading account. Demo account and Spa-free features are available. FBS Demo Account For those new to forex trading or looking to test their strategies, FBS offers a demo account. This account allows traders to practice trading in a risk-free environment using virtual funds. The demo account replicates real market conditions, making it an excellent tool for learning and refining trading strategies. Is FBS Broker Legit? This is a common question among traders. The answer is yes. FBS is a legitimate and regulated broker. It operates under the regulatory oversight of several financial authorities, ensuring compliance with industry standards and providing a secure trading environment for its clients. Regulatory Compliance FBS is regulated by the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). These regulatory bodies ensure that FBS adheres to strict financial and operational standards, protecting traders interests and maintaining the integrity of the financial markets. These regulatory bodies enforce strict rules that brokers must adhere to, including segregating client funds, which protects traders money in insolvency cases. Such oversight strongly indicates FBSs legitimacy and tells you it is not a scam. Transparency and Security FBS is committed to transparency and security. The broker uses advanced encryption technologies to protect clients personal and financial information. Additionally, FBS provides transparent information about its services, fees, and trading conditions on its website. FBS Awards FBS has received numerous awards over the years, recognizing its excellence in the forex trading industry. Some of the notable awards include: Best Forex Broker Asia: FBS has been recognized as the best forex broker in Asia multiple times, highlighting its strong presence and reputation in the region. Best Customer Service Broker: This award acknowledges FBSs commitment to providing exceptional customer support and services to its clients. Best Forex Trading Platform: FBSs trading platforms have been praised for their reliability, functionality, and user-friendly interfaces. Best Forex Education Provider: FBS offers a wealth of educational resources, including webinars, tutorials, and market analysis, making it a top choice for traders seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills. Why Choose FBS Broker FBS is generally regarded as a legitimate forex broker. FBS offers features and advantages that are appealing to both novice and experienced traders. Here are the key reasons to choose FBS: 1. Regulatory Compliance This regulatory oversight ensures that FBS adheres to strict financial standards, providing a level of security and trust for traders. 2. Competitive Trading Conditions FBS offers attractive trading conditions, including: Low Minimum Deposit: Traders can start with a minimum deposit of just $5. Leverage: Up to 1:3000, allowing traders to maximize their potential returns. Spreads: Competitive spreads starting from 0 pips, which can be beneficial for cost-conscious traders. 3. User-Friendly Trading Platforms FBS provides access to popular trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). These platforms are known for their user-friendly interfaces and powerful tools, making them suitable for traders of all experience levels. 4. Extensive Educational Resources FBS emphasizes trader education, offering a wealth of resources including: Webinars and Trading Courses: Available for both registered clients and the general public. Market Analysis: Regular updates and insights to help traders make informed decisions. 5. Strong Customer Support FBS offers 24/7 customer support through various channels, including live chat, email, and phone. Their support team is known for being responsive and helpful, which is crucial for traders needing assistance. 6. Diverse Trading Instruments FBS allows trading in a wide range of financial instruments, including: Forex CFDs on stocks, commodities, and indices Cryptocurrencies This diversity enables traders to explore various markets and strategies. 7. Loyalty Programs and Bonuses FBS has several promotional offers, including: 100% Deposit Bonus: Available for new clients. Loyalty Programs: Rewarding regular traders with additional benefits. 8. Large Community and Trust With over 27 million registered users and a strong presence in over 150 countries, FBS has built a reputable community. The brokers commitment to customer satisfaction is reflected in its high retention rate, with around 80% of clients choosing to stay with FBS. FBS Broker Reviews FBS has garnered positive reviews from traders and industry experts alike. On platforms like Trustpilot, FBS has received high ratings for its excellent customer service, reliable trading platforms, and competitive trading conditions. Many traders appreciate the brokers commitment to providing a supportive trading environment and valuable educational resources. Words From Traders The experience is good Tight spreads No commissions Fast deposit and withdrawal Fast customer support services Omo FBS is currently my only broker. Theyve made me leave others because of how good they are. Practice makes my experience better in trading, but I got so with the support of the FBS broker. And the other enjoyable thing about this broker is the way they keep me updated on any motions in my account. They sent a notification via email on my MT5 platform. Im really comfortable with the broker. TRUSTED!! First time experiencing real forex trading here, so much benefit and I love it! keep up the good work team Conclusion Choosing the right trading account is a critical step in your forex trading journey. FBS (known as FBS Trading Broker on GooglePlay and AppStore) offers a diverse range of trading accounts to meet the needs of traders at all levels. By understanding the features and benefits of each account type, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your trading goals and risk tolerance. For more detailed information and to open an account, visit the official FBS website. With FBS, you can embark on a rewarding trading journey, backed by a broker that prioritizes your success. Pluralsight, a Draper, Utah-based technology workforce development company, announced an agreement to recapitalize its business with a group of existing lenders led by funds managed by Blue Owl Capital Inc. and including funds managed by Ares Management Corp., Goldman Sachs Asset Management and by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., among others. Under the terms of the agreement, the investor group will own 100% of the company. The recapitalization will strengthen Pluralsights balance sheet, reduce outstanding debt, and provide over $200m of capital to accelerate growth initiatives and support long-term strategic goals. The completion of the recapitalization and additional investment provides the resources needed to deliver for customers and execute the companys updated customer centric strategy to accelerate growth. Pluralsight provides a learning platform dedicated to accelerating the technology skills and capabilities of todays tech workforce. Thousands of companies, government organizations, and individuals around the world use Pluralsight Skills to support critical technology skill development in areas that are crucial to innovation including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, software development, and machine learning. Pluralsight Skills provides curated content developed by vetted technology experts, industry skill assessments, and hands on, immersive learning experiences designed to help individuals skill-up faster. The company has worldwide offices in India, Ireland, and Australia. FinSMEs 29/08/2024 Gibraltar, Gibraltar, August 29th, 2024, Chainwire ReformDAO, a decentralized market maker pioneering the path towards more accessible, transparent, and equitable market-making practices, has announced the listing of its native token, $RFRM, on leading cryptocurrency exchanges Gate.io, Mexc.com and Bitget.com. Signaling a major milestone in ReformDAOs journey to reshape the market-making landscape in the cryptocurrency industry. This strategic move follows the successful launch of ReformDAOs innovative market-making platform, which has garnered significant attention from both the cryptocurrency community and institutional investors. The listing of $RFRM on these top-tier exchanges provides a robust foundation for the tokens liquidity and opens up broader access for traders and investors eager to participate in ReformDAOs decentralized and community-driven approach to market making. Key Project Highlights: Community-Driven Market Making: ReformDAO offers a unique, community-centric approach to market making. By leveraging its Bonding Treasury, the platform boosts liquidity while generating realized profits for the DAO and its participants. ReformDAO offers a unique, community-centric approach to market making. By leveraging its Bonding Treasury, the platform boosts liquidity while generating realized profits for the DAO and its participants. Equitable Market Making: Unlike traditional methods, ReformDAO partners with projects to manage market making for their tokens, ensuring that profits and benefits are shared among all stakeholders. Unlike traditional methods, ReformDAO partners with projects to manage market making for their tokens, ensuring that profits and benefits are shared among all stakeholders. Innovative Treasury System: The platforms multi-layered treasury structure, including the Bonding, Trading, Staking, and Operations Treasuries, supports sustainable growth and equitable distribution of resources within the ecosystem. The platforms multi-layered treasury structure, including the Bonding, Trading, Staking, and Operations Treasuries, supports sustainable growth and equitable distribution of resources within the ecosystem. Advanced Algorithmic Trading: ReformDAO employs high-frequency trading algorithms that ensure steady returns while providing liquidity to the market. The Reform Money flow Reforms money flow operates as a circular ecosystem, enhancing Total Value Locked (TVL) and thereby generating increased revenue. Users can learn more in this video $RFRM Token Utility The $RFRM token is the lifeblood of the ReformDAO ecosystem, providing utility and governance capabilities that are integral to the platforms operation. Token holders are granted the ability to participate in the DAOs governance, influencing key decisions that shape the future of ReformDAO. Additionally, $RFRM tokens can be staked to unlock various benefits, including discounts on platform services, enhanced voting power, and access to exclusive features. The DAOs commitment to decentralization is further exemplified by its tokenomics, which are designed to incentivize long-term participation and align the interests of all ecosystem participants. Staking and rewards: The staking mechanism in Reform is designed for dedicated holders who are invested in the ecosystems success. To reward their commitment, greater returns are provided for those staking their tokens over extended periods. Stakers are also eligible for rewards such as higher staking yields. Governance Participation: $RFRM token holders play a crucial role in the governance of ReformDAO, with the power to vote on proposals that determine the platforms strategic direction. This decentralized governance model ensures that the community has a voice in shaping the future of ReformDAO, fostering a more inclusive and democratic ecosystem. Buyback Mechanism: To promote long-term value, ReformDAO has implemented a buyback mechanism, where a portion of the realized profits generated from market-making activities is used to repurchase $RFRM tokens from the open market and added to the bonding treasury which are locked ranging from 1 to 5 years. $RFRM Listing Details Date: 29-08-2024 Time: 2 PM UTC Exchanges: Gate.io, Mexc.com and Bitget.com Pair: RFRM/USDT The listing of $RFRM on these prominent exchanges is a testament to ReformDAOs growing influence in the cryptocurrency space. It represents a significant step forward in the projects mission to democratize market making and provide fair access to liquidity for projects of all sizes. Current ReformDAO Partnerships: Exchange Listing Partners: Bitget, Gate.io, MEXC. Crypto Exchange Partners: Bybit Launchpad Partners: SingularityDAO, Decubate, MagicSquare. Ecosystem Partners: Venom Foundation. AI Partners: PrivateAI. NFT Partners: Galaxis. Business Partners: Certik, Dyor, Hacken. About ReformDAO ReformDAO is redefining the landscape of market making by offering a decentralized, transparent, and equitable platform that empowers projects and traders alike. With a focus on community-driven market making and advanced algorithmic trading, ReformDAO provides a robust ecosystem where all participants can benefit from fair and transparent market practices. The platforms multi-layered treasury system, comprising the Bonding, Trading, Staking, and Operations Treasuries, ensures that liquidity is efficiently managed and profits are equitably distributed. ReformDAOs commitment to transparency is further demonstrated by its live trading dashboard, which provides real-time insights into the platforms market-making activities. Looking ahead, ReformDAO plans to expand its ecosystem by onboarding more projects and enhancing its algorithmic trading capabilities. The DAO is also exploring partnerships with other blockchain networks to further decentralize its operations and increase its impact on the global cryptocurrency market. For more information about ReformDAO and the $RFRM token, visit the official website or join the community on Discord and Twitter. Contact Pauluz [email protected] Mukesh Ambani detailed Reliance Industries record-breaking contributions and CSR spending showcasing the companys significant impact on Indias economy and social development at the 47th AGM read more Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani emphasised the companys unwavering commitment to driving economic growth in India while speaking at the 47th Annual General Meeting (Post-IPO) of the company on Thursday. Reliance has invested cumulatively over Rs 5.28 lakh crore (US$ 66.0 billion) in the last three years. Reliance remained the single largest contributor to the national exchequer, contributing Rs 1,86,440 crore (US$ 22.4 billion) through various taxes and duties in FY 2023-24, Ambani said. Advertisement In the last three years, Reliances contribution to the exchequer crossed Rs 5.5 lakh crore (US$ 68.7 billion), the highest by any Indian corporate. Reliance also expanded its social impact with a 25 per cent increase in its annual CSR spending to Rs 1,592 crore (US$ 191 million). With this, Reliances total CSR spend for the last three years crossed Rs 4,000 crore (US$ 502 million), the largest among all Indian corporates, he said. Moreover, Reliance Industries continues to be recognised as Indias best employer by multiple external agencies. Ambani highlighted the conglomerates commitment to employment creation, noting that Reliance remains one of the largest employers in the country. The nature of employment creation is changing globally, primarily due to technological interventions and flexible business models, Ambani saidd. Therefore, rather than just the traditional direct employment model, Reliance is embracing newer incentive-based engagement models. This helps the employees earn better and instills the spirit of enterprise in them. That is why the direct employment numbers show a slight dip in the annual figures, although the total employment created by Reliance has gone up. Despite this slight dip in direct employment figures, Reliances overall workforce has expanded significantly. Last year alone, the company added over 1.7 lakh new jobs, bringing its total headcount to nearly 6.5 lakh, when considering both traditional and newer engagement models. Ambani underscored the significance of this achievement, stating, Among all of Reliances record achievements so far, this one will always hold a special place in my heart because employment creation for Indias talented youth has to be our top national priority. Advertisement Reliances focus on innovative employment models reflects the companys forward-thinking approach in an era where technological advancements are rapidly transforming the job market. By adapting to these changes, Reliance is not only providing jobs but also fostering a culture of entrepreneurship among its workforce. As Indias top employer, Reliances ongoing efforts in job creation and employee welfare continue to set the benchmark for businesses across the nation. Disclaimer: Firstpost is part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary. Netflixs IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack series will make you shiver with fear. The longest hijack in Indian aviation history, Anubhav Sinhas directorial, Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur-starrer is true to the core. read more Language: Hindi Director: Anubhav Sinha Cast: Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Arvind Swami, Dia Mirza and Amrita Puri, There are many unanswered questions which will probably be answered in Netflixs IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, as to why Katmandu was chosen, who did the hijack and why? Why did Kandahar happen? Who was Rupin Katyal? Was it a diplomatic failure? And for this you need to watch this most engaging show on the digital platform. Advertisement Most importantly, Netflixs IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is a tightly made series with minor cinematic liberties that doesnt mislead. Its a well-made and well researched show done in a responsible manner. I would say its another masterpiece like Netflixs Kaala Paani and Kohrra. With no beating around the bush, when the storytelling is brilliant, then half the battle is won. Its a beautifully weaved hostage drama made in the most responsible and sensible manner. With a string of veteran actors including Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, and Arvind Swami. But the main lead of the series was definitely the brilliant Vijay Varma, who played the role of Captain Devi Sharan, the man who saved the lives of 187 out of 188 passengers in the aircraft. With so many veteran craftsmen with little screen time did justice to the time given to them on the show and most importantly every character was important. The most challenging bit for filmmaker was showing the series from different perspectives whether it were the hijackers, captain, cabin crew, the passengers, the ministers, diplomats and the journalists. Vijay Varma is known for his brilliant craft has shown how a hero doesnt need to flex his muscles to connect with his audience. Captain Devi Sharan (Vijay Varma) understood that to maintain his cool was the need of the hour. A still from Netflixs IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack Netflixs IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is a high-stakes drama that begs the question: Do we truly know all that transpired in those seven days? Produced by Matchbox Shots in association with Benaras Mediaworks, Anubhav Sinhas directorial streaming debut is inspired by real events. The hijackers had just one single aim and that was to free one of the most dangerous terrorists, Maulana Masood Azhar. Masood was jailed in India for more than four years. Netflixs show mentions that Masood was sure that he will be freed and that was the entire reason that IC 814 was hijacked. Going back to the story which filmmaker Sinha has shown with every minute details tells what lead to this fateful day of December 24, 1999. The Netflixs show starts with images and backstories when Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 embarked on its journey from Kathmandu to New Delhi, unaware that it was on the brink of plunging into the heart of a dramatic seven-day odyssey of terror and intrigue. Advertisement Adapted from the book Flight Into Fear by Captain Devi Sharan, the pilot on board the hijacked flight, IC814: The Kandahar Hijack delves into the crisis from various perspectives the politicians and bureaucrats in Delhis War Room to the terrified hostages on board. Five masked men hijacked the aircraft on 24 December 1999, 40 minutes after it took off from the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, bound for New Delhi. The hijackers forced the aircraft to land in multiple locations across South Asia and the Middle East before the crisis was resolved in Kandahar, Afghanistan, seven days later. Netflixs IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack makes us realise how Afghanistan actually helped us in rescuing the passengers. Through the show we get an idea of the classic Stockholm syndrome, where the captive and the captor develop a fondness and liking for each other. The show captures minute details when we see the passengers playing Antakshari with the hijackers. They start empathising with the victims. Advertisement Hats off to the directors eye for details. Every passenger shown in Netflixs IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack has done his/her role to perfection whether it is the elderly gentleman or the special kid trapped in the aircraft. The show again very clearly says how television is always in a hurry and in this process gives quickly cooked up news which arent really true. Dia Mirza who plays the role of an editor handles this sensitive issue in very responsible manner along with another senior journalist played by Amrita Puri. There was diplomatic failure and many soldiers and their families still believe that to save the passengers, they left the militants. History will not see this very kindly, but what options did they have. But what option did they have, not much I guess. We all know that such an event shouldnt happen and 25 years later when the airport security check has become extremely strict, we will find ourselves questioning why did we let this happen? Advertisement Rating: 4 out of 5 WATCH the trailer of Netflix IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack here: The Red Sea Film Foundation (Red Sea FF) has a raft of activity at this years Venice Film Festival, with six Red Sea Fund-supported films selected to screen - Aicha and Seeking Haven for Mr Rambo in Orrizonti and Orrizonte Extra respectively alongside two titles in the Venice Production Bridges Final Cut initiative supported by Red Sea FF: Aisha Cant Fly Away Anymore, and In This Darkness I See You. Also selected are two films in the festivals Giornate delgli Autori competition: Sudan, Remember Us and To Kill A Mongolian Horse. Advertisement Mehdi Barsaouis Aicha is a Tunisian drama feature which won a Red Sea Souk development prize at the 2021 edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival and will now screen in the prestigious Orizzonti section; while Seeking Haven for Mr Rambo, a drama feature by Egyptian director Khaled Mansour that was selected for the Red Sea Lodge development programme in 2021 and gained support from the Red Sea Fund in 2023, premieres in Orrizonti Extra marking the return of Egyptian cinema to the festival after a decade long hiatus. Also screening in Venices Giornate delgli Autori sidebar are two films supported by the Red Sea Fund; Hind Meddebs documentary Sudan, Remember Us, and from Northeast Asia, To Kill a Mongolian Horse by Chinese director Xiaoxuan Jiang, competing in the Giornate degli Autori section. For the third consecutive year, Red Sea FF is partnering with the Final Cut programme in Venice, offering a 5,000 prize for a winning film in its post-production phase. The projects supported through the Final Cut programme are Egyptian director Morad Mostafas Aisha Cant Fly Away Anymore, which won a Red Sea Souk Production Award in 2022 at the Red Sea International Film Festival, and the Fund-supported Lebanese thriller In This Darkness I See You, directed by Nadim Tabet. Red Sea FF will also be continuing its support of the Venice Film Festival amfAR Gala as the presenting sponsor for the event for the fourth consecutive year, with Jomana Al-Rashid; Chairwoman of the Red Sea Foundation, chairing the gala amongst other industry leaders including Achille Borolii, Willem Dafoe, Matteo Fantacchiotti, Alejandra Gere, Andrei Gillott, Harry Goodwins, T. Ryan Greenawalt, Lucien Laviscount, Julian Lennon, Tony Mancilla, Kevin Mcclatchy, Catherine OHara, Vin Roberti, Caroline Scheufele, David Tait, Emir Uryar and Jon Watts. Advertisement Jomana Al-Rashid; Chairwoman of the Red Sea Foundation said: This year in Venice, the Foundation is supporting six films that demonstrate the importance and power of Arab, Asian and African cinema and encapsulate the pillars of the Foundation creativity, diversity and cultural exchange. Were honoured to have played a part in their journey to the festival, as well as to be continuing our partnership with the influential Final Cut programme with two incredible projects from talented filmmakers from across the region. At this years festival we are also notably underscoring our expansion to Asia with our support of Chinese director Xiaoxuan Jiang, which marks our first project from the country. Advertisement Final Cut in Venice is the industry program that has been providing concrete support since 2013 in the completion of films from all African countries and five countries of the Middle East: Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria. Final Cut in Venice is one of the projects launched by the Venice Production Bridge of the 81st Venice International Film Festival (August 28th - September 7th 2024), directed by Alberto Barbera and organised by La Biennale di Venezia. The program offers the opportunity to present films still in the production phase to international film professionals, in order to facilitate post-production and film market access. Advertisement The program consists of three days of activities (September 1st - 3rd 2024) on the Venice Lido during the 81st Venice Film Festival, in which the working copies of a maximum of six selected films are presented to producers, buyers, distributors and film festival programmers. The Red Sea Film Foundation is a contributing partner in the initiative. Since its inception in 2021, the Red Sea fund has backed more than 250 film projects across the Arab world, Africa, and Asia, while also spearheading numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing storytelling and filmmaking in the region. The third edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival will run in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from December 5th - 14th Rupin Katyal was the youngster who was the only person who was killed by hijackers in IC 814. But why was he only targeted is the big question. read more Netflixs IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack show how this newlywed couple Rupin Katyal and his was travelling in IC 814 after their honeymoon. The plane got hijacked and Katyal was killed. He along with his wife were returning to Delhi after honeymoon in Kathmandu on that fateful day. But who was Rupin Katyal and what actually happened? Anubhav Sinhas directorial Netflixs IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack shows how this young man was killed. Among those 188 people plus the crew members, he was the only man who didnt survive in the plane that was hijacked by five terrorists. More than two decades after the infamous hijacking, the incident still remains fresh in our mind. The longest hijack in Indian aviation history, Anubhav Sinhas directorial is true to the core. Advertisement How was Rupin Katyal killed? The film shows that Rupin Katyal along with other few passengers were moved to the business class. Ten passengers were told to move to the business class and he was one among them. He was the only casualty in the 1999 hijack. The flight was enroute from Kathmandu to Delhi. But why was he targeted? Many had to say that before the release of the show on Netflix, that he was filled because he didnt obey the orders of the terrorists. But actually he was killed with a sharp instrument on the chest by Kahoor Mistry to teach the Indian government a lesson. It was his bad luck. He was travelling back to Delhi with his wife Rachna after their honeymoon. About Netflixs IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack Netflixs IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is a high-stakes drama that begs the question: Do we truly know all that transpired in those seven days? Produced by Matchbox Shots in association with Benaras Mediaworks, Anubhav Sinhas directorial streaming debut is inspired by real events. The hijackers had just one single aim and that was to free one of the most dangerous terrorists, Maulana Masood Azhar. Masood was jailed in India for more than four years. Netflixs show mentions that Masood was sure that he will be freed and that was the entire reason that IC 814 was hijacked. WATCH the trailer of Netflixs IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack here: Online deepfake sex crimes in South Korea have surged. Media reports have recently unearthed a flood of manipulated, sexually explicit images and videos of female students, teachers and military personnel. Heres how Telegram features in the scandal read more Telegram chatrooms are being used in South Korea to share deepfake pornographic content targeting young women. Representational Image/Reuters South Korea is witnessing a public uproar after media reports of deepfake pornography targeting young women came to light. President Yoon Suk Yeol has as called on the authorities to eradicate the digital sex crime epidemic plaguing the country. Local media reports have highlighted the use of the Telegram messaging app to create fake, sexually explicit images and videos of female students and teachers. The revelations come in the wake of the arrest of Pavel Durov, Russian-born founder of Telegram, in France on allegations that the encrypted messaging app failed to effectively combat child pornography, drug trafficking and fraud on the platform. Advertisement Lets take a closer look. South Koreas deepfake porn crisis South Korea is battling a flood of deepfake pornography targeting hundreds of women and girls many of whom are minors. Last week, a South Korean broadcaster reported students at a university were operating an illegal Telegram chatroom where they shared sexually explicit deepfake material of female colleagues, according to the AFP news agency. Deepfake uses a type of artificial intelligence (AI) called deep learning to generate manipulated media video, audio and photos. It usually combines the face of a person with the body of someone else. One of the Telegram chatrooms was found to have 220,000 members who create and share deepfake images of women and girls, reported The Guardian. South Korean media reports that the victims include university students, teachers and military personnel. As per Yonhap, the Centre for Military Human Rights Korea, a counselling organisation, said, The perpetrators have used photos of female soldiers in uniform to treat them solely as sexual objects. South Koreas Hankyoreh newspaper revealed that Telegram channels were being used to make deepfake content targeting female university and high and middle school students. Reports say perpetrators took pictures of the victims from social media platforms such as Instagram. As per BBC, anonymous users, mainly teenage students, submitted photos of teachers or their classmates on Telegram group chats, which were then converted by others into sexually explicit deepfake images. Advertisement Several of these groups were created using school names or regions to make it easier for users to discern mutual acquaintances and generate fake nudes to share, reported The Wall Street Journal. As per an online tally compiled by volunteers who analysed the group chats, nearly 500 schools, including universities and elementary schools, may have been affected. Reactions to the crime South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday ordered authorities to thoroughly investigate and address these digital sex crimes to eradicate them. Recently, deepfake videos targeting an unspecified number of people have been circulating rapidly on social media, he reportedly told a cabinet meeting. Advertisement Many victims are minors, and most perpetrators have also been identified as teenagers, the president added. Yoon said that to create a healthy media culture, young men needed to be better educated. Although it is often dismissed as just a prank, it is clearly a criminal act that exploits technology to hide behind the shield of anonymity," he said. Anyone can be a victim." Chairperson of the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) Ryu Hee-Lim presides over an urgent meeting on digital sex crimes after media reported that sexually explicit deepfake images and videos of South Korean women were often found in Telegram chatrooms, in Seoul, South Korea, August 28, 2024. Reuters President Yoons government is facing heat over the unearthing of a slew of deepfake porn. I dont believe this government, which dismisses structural gender discrimination as mere personal disputes, can effectively address these issues, Bae Bok-joo, a womens rights activist and a former member of the minor Justice Party, told AFP. Advertisement Park Ji-hyun, a womens rights activist and former interim leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, called on the government to declare a national emergency over South Koreas deepfake porn crisis. Deepfake sexual abuse materials can be created in just one minute, and anyone can enter the chatroom without any verification process, she wrote on Elon Musk-owned X. Such incidents are occurring in middle schools, high schools, and universities across the country. The Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union said it had learned of sexual deepfakes involving school students and had urged the education ministry to investigate the matter, reported Reuters. ALSO READ: How Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other women politicians are becoming easy targets of deepfake porn Advertisement What is the govt doing? South Korean authorities have launched a probe into the digital sex crimes. They have asked Telegram and other social media platforms to delete and block sexually explicit deepfake content. The Korea Communications Standards Commission said it will set up a 24-hour hotline for victims. It also plans to work with Telegram for direct and constant consultations to tackle the spread of faked pornographic images and videos. As per Bloomberg, the regulator identified Telegram as the main source of distribution for deepfake content. The commission said it would also seek cooperation from X, Metas Facebook and Instagram and Googles YouTube. In a statement to Reuters, Telegram said it regularly moderates harmful content on its platform including illegal pornography. Moderators use a combination of proactive monitoring of public parts of the platform, sophisticated AI tools and user reports in order to remove millions of pieces of harmful content each day, the messaging app said. The Korean National Police Agency has announced a seven-month campaign to crack down on online sex crimes. South Koreas dark past Digital sex crimes have haunted South Korea for long. According to activists, the country is scourged by digital sex crimes, including spycams and revenge porn, reported AFP. In 2019, it was discovered that Telegram was being used to blackmail dozens of young women, including teenagers, into performing sexual acts. In 2020, the leader of the notorious online sex abuse ring, Cho Ju-bin, was sentenced to 42 years in jail. South Korean police say that online deepfake sex crimes have increased in the country. As many as 297 cases were reported in the first seven months of this year, a surge from 180 in the whole of 2023 and 160 in 2021. As per the countrys police agency, of the 300 individuals accused of creating and sharing fake nudes since the beginning of 2023, roughly 70 per cent were teenagers. Earlier, cases of women being filmed by spycams, or hidden cameras, in washrooms and changing rooms have also surfaced. The Korea Communications Standards Commission have received over 6,400 requests for the removal of online sexually explicit deepfake content this year. South Korean law punishes making sexually explicit deepfakes with the intent to distribute them by five years imprisonment or a fine of 50 million won (Rs 31,41,758). With inputs from agencies The Indian Navy will commission its second nuclear submarine, INS Arighat, in Visakhapatnam today. Chiles Foreign Minister Alberto Van Klaveren is set to hold meetings with business leaders in Mumbai as part of his five-day visit to India. Heres what else will happen today read more Chile Foreign Minister is set to embark on a two-day visit to Mumbai today. He will meet with business leaders and regional officials. Reuters Its going to be a busy Thursday. The Indian Navy will commission its second nuclear submarine, INS Arighat in Visakhapatnam. Chiles Foreign Minister Alberto Van Klaveren is set to hold meetings with business leaders in Mumbai. BJPs central election committee will meet to discuss candidates for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. Karnataka High Court to hear complaints against CM Siddaramaiah in the alleged MUDA site allotment scam. Delhi High Court will hear the anticipatory bail plea of suspended IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar. Advertisement Heres a glimpse of what will happen today Indian Navy to commission its second nuclear submarine The Indian Navy is set to commission its second nuclear submarine, INS Arighat, today. The ceremony is expected to take place in the presence of top defence, national security, and military officials, according to sources from ANI. INS Arighat, is a powerful addition to the Indian Navy and has a displacement of 6,000 tonnes. This submarine plays a vital role in the nations nuclear triad, enabling the launch of nuclear missiles from land, air, and sea. Indias second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Arighat. ANI As the second submarine of the Arihant-class indigenous nuclear submarines, INS Arighat will complement the existing INS Arihant, which was inducted in 2009. The Indian Navy has successfully developed and tested long-range nuclear missiles from these submarines and is preparing to induct a third submarine in the coming years, with plans for two more by 2035-36. Chiles Foreign Minister to visit Mumbai Chiles Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alberto Klaveren, is set to embark on a two-day visit to Mumbai today. As a major economic hub, Mumbai will be the focal point of the visit, where Minister Klaveren will meet with business leaders and regional officials. These engagements are expected to highlight the economic importance of the Chile-India partnership and explore new opportunities in technology, energy, and trade. Advertisement Indias Foreign Minister S Jaishankar met his Chilean counterpart Alberto van Klaveren in New Delhi on Wednesday (August 28). Image source: Screengrab from DD Yesterday, Klaveren met with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in New Delhi. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in various sectors such as trade, investment, and cultural exchange, reflecting the shared commitment of both nations to strengthen their collaboration and achieve common objectives. During his stay, Klaveren, accompanied by Chiles Agriculture Minister Esteban Valenzuela also took part in the Chile-India Business (Agriculture) Summit on Wednesday. BJP Central Election Committees meeting The BJPs central election committee is set to meet today in the national capital to discuss candidates for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. The meeting will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president JP Nadda. Key leaders such as Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Organisation General Secretary BL Santosh, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and state unit president Mohanlal Badoli will also be in attendance. Advertisement BJPs central election committee is set to meet today in the national capital to discuss candidates for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections Voting for the 90 seats in the Haryana Assembly is scheduled for October 1, with results to be declared on October 4. According to sources, the committee is considering both new faces and strong contenders from previous elections, with a focus on candidates with a clean image. The names will be finalised in this meeting and will undergo further review by the central election committee before being officially announced, ANI reported. Karnataka HC hearing on MUDA site allotment scam The Karnataka High Court is scheduled to resume hearing regarding Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs petition challenging the Governors sanction for his prosecution in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment scam. Advertisement The controversy stems from Governor Thaawarchand Gehlots decision on August 16 to grant sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. In response, Siddaramaiah moved the High Court on August 19, challenging the legality of the Governors order. The High Court had earlier directed the special court for peoples representatives, which was set to hear complaints against Siddaramaiah, to defer its proceedings until the next hearing. Delhi HC to hear anticipatory bail plea of former trainee IAS Puja Khedkar The Delhi High Court is set to hear the anticipatory bail plea of suspended trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, after an earlier hearing was deferred by Justice Subramonium Prasad. The postponement occurred because the Delhi Police had not filed their reply on record. Advertisement Puja Khedkar, a former trainee IAS officer, is facing accusations of falsifying and misrepresenting facts in her application to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Pooja Khedkar, a former trainee IAS officer, is facing accusations of falsifying and misrepresenting facts in her application to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Image courtesy: dr_pujamdk_ias/Instagram During the previous hearing, the court directed the investigating agency not to arrest Khedkar while the matter was under review, stating that an immediate arrest was not necessary. The upcoming hearing will further address her plea for anticipatory bail. A pack of man-eating wolves has unleashed terror across 25 to 30 villages in the Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh. More than 50,000 residents in the region are gripped with fear as rogue animals have reportedly claimed the lives of nine people, including eight children in just 45 days read more These rogue man-eater wolves have reportedly claimed the lives of nine people, including eight children and one woman while injuring over 25 others. Image for Representation. Pixabay For the past 45 days, the villages in Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh, have been living a nightmare. A pack of man-eating wolves has unleashed terror across the region, taking lives under the cover of darkness and leaving more than 50,000 residents across 25 to 30 villages in the Hardi area of Mahsi Tehsil gripped with fear. These rogue man-eater wolves have reportedly claimed the lives of nine people, including eight children and one woman while injuring over 25 others. Advertisement The relentless attacks have shattered the peace of once tranquil communities, turning them into zones of dread where villagers are living in constant fear for their safety. Heres what we know so far about the situation. How did it all begin? The routine lives of the villagers, mostly daily wage earners, have been upended by a series of brutal wolf attacks in the Hardi area that have turned their peaceful existence into a nightmare. The terror began in mid-July when a one-year-old child from Sikandarpur village was killed in a wolf attack, marking the first of many such tragedies. Less than a week later, a three-year-old girl was snatched from her courtyard while she slept beside her mother. Her half-eaten body was discovered in a nearby field the next day, sending shockwaves through the community. The attacks continued with frightening regularity. On August 3, an eight-year-old boy was taken from his home, only for his body to be found, partially consumed, the following day. Another incident occurred on August 17, when a four-year-old girl named Sandhya fell victim to the same fate. Having green cover in abundance and located nearby the Dudhwa Forest area, spotting wild animals was not a new thing for us. But, the villagers had never experienced anything like this, said Kishan Kumar, father of one of the victims, speaking to News18. This was for the first time when a wild animal had attacked the villagers and back to back killings instilled fear among the villagers. The terror began in mid-July when a one-year-old child from Sikandarpur village was killed in a wolf attack, marking the first of many such tragedies. News18 Survivors are left traumatised by their experiences. Firoz, another young boy who was attacked, was dragged over 200 metres by a wolf before villagers could intervene to save his life. His mother described the horror: I desperately tried to save him by pulling the wolfs legs, but didnt succeedWhen I raised an alarm, the villagers gathered, and the wolf eventually left him in the field in an injured condition. He was later taken to a hospital, where he was treated for 13 days and survived, she told India Today. For daily wage laborers, the situation is dire. We have to work everyday to arrange our meals. We are poor people and most of us are agricultural laborers, we work throughout the day to earn our livelihood. How can we stay indoors? Who will feed out family members? Who will take care of our financial needs, Pehalwan Yadav from Pure Basti was quoted as saying in a News18 report. Another local Kanhaiya Lal told the news outlet that they are now forced to stay indoors, however, it is not feasible all the time." Advertisement There are many houses that do not have toilets, people have to go out in the open to relieve themselves. Also, there were cases in which a wolf attacked the children while they were sleeping in their houses. We are not safe anywhere, he further said. The villagers of Bahraich are caught between the terror of the wolves and the struggle to survive, as the authorities continue their efforts to capture the rogue animals and restore peace. Operation Bhediya In response to the wolf attacks, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched Operation Bhediya, to capture the wild wolves terrorising the villages of Bahraich. Advertisement This coordinated operation involves over 250 personnel, including 150 forest officials, working around the clock. The team has set up four traps and deployed three sets of thermal drone cameras to locate and track the elusive predators. According to an official statement by the government, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is also closely monitoring the operation. On the basis of pugmarks, drone footage, we came to know that there were around 6 stray wolves and hence we installed the traps accordingly. On August 19, we managed to trap one male wolf. Other than this, we also trapped three more wolves from the area in the past, Vineet Singh, divisional forest officer, Bahraich, who has been supervising the operation told News18. #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Bahraich Forest Department catches the wolf that killed 8 people in Bahraich. (Video Source: Bahraich Forest Department) pic.twitter.com/qaGAkblyE4 ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2024 Advertisement However, two of the remaining wolves are yet to be trapped, he added. An official told NDTV, that they are using elephant dung and urine are used to divert the wolves route. The dung is set afire to create a scent that simulates the presence of elephants. Wolves, which are pack hunters, tend to avoid large animals like elephants. By creating this illusion, we aim to push them away from inhabited areas. We have also set up traps with bait in remote areas. Advertisement Authorities are also installing doors and building toilets in the houses of villagers who dont have one. With input from agencies The trial of Stand News former editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen and former acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam began almost two years ago. Its Hong Kongs first sedition case involving media since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The journalists were charged with conspiracy to publish seditious materials under a colonial-era law thats been increasingly used to target dissent as part of a crackdown that followed huge anti-government protests in 2019 read more Former chief editor Chung Pui-kuen, right, and former acting editor Patrick Lam, left, of the now-defunct independent media outlet Stand News leave the court on the last day of the publication's sedition trial closing statements in Hong Kong. AP How free is Hong Kong? Two journalists who led a now-defunct outlet will find out tomorrow as the semi-autonomous city prepares for the results of its first sedition case since return to Chinese rule in 1997. Stand News ex-editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen and former acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam have been on trial for two years. They have been charged with conspiracy to publish seditious materials under a colonial-era law thats been increasingly used to target dissent as part of a crackdown that followed huge anti-government protests in 2019. Advertisement Here is what you need to know: What happened to Stand News? Stand News was one of the last remaining openly critical media outlets in Hong Kong following the closing of the Apple Daily newspaper in June 2021. It was founded as a nonprofit by businessman Tony Tsoi and media veterans Yee Ka-fai and Chung in December 2014, promising to uphold independent editorial standards and writing in a founding message that the responsibility of media is to keep power in check. During the 2019 anti-government protests, Stand News gained prominence for its live-streaming coverage from the front lines and attracted many democracy supporters for its critical reporting of the authorities. The citys secretary for security Chris Tang and its police criticised the outlet, saying some of its reports were misleading, while Hong Kong residents surveyed by the researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong rated it among the most credible outlets in the city in 2019. How did they end up on trial? In 2021, Hong Kong witnessed the shutdown of dozens of civil society groups under the shadow of a Beijing-imposed national security law, with many prominent activists arrested. In June that year, authorities arrested members of Apple Dailys top management and froze its assets. The newspapers founder Jimmy Lai is now fighting collusion charges and faces up to life in prison if convicted. Advertisement On December 29, 2021, police raided the Stand News office. The same day, they arrested Chung and Lam along with four former board members and Chungs wife Chan Pui-Man, a former Apple Daily editor. Assets worth around $7.8 million were frozen, forcing Stand News to close. Of the seven people arrested, only Chung and Lam were later charged in connection to Stand News. Chan was charged in the Apple Daily case and later pleaded guilty. What happened next? Days after Stand News shut down, independent news outlet Citizen News announced it would cease operations, citing the deteriorating media environment and the potential risks to its staff. The closing of Apple Daily, Stand News and Citizen News within months dealt a blow to the citys once vibrant press scene. Advertisement A worker carrying some containers walks past police officers during a raid on the office of Stand News during a raid in Hong Kong. AP The shutdowns were widely seen as casualties during the political crackdown on civil society. Many activists were prosecuted, silenced or forced into self-exile after the 2020 security law took effect. The Hong Kong government in March enacted a new, homegrown security law that critics fear will further curtail civil liberties. The delivery of the verdict for the Stand News editors has been delayed several times, including once while awaiting the appeal outcome of another landmark sedition case. Eric Lai, a research fellow at Georgetown Center for Asian Law, said the case is significant because it was the first sedition case the Hong Kong government brought against news editors and a media outlet since the 1997 handover. Lai said the British colonial government had stopped using the sedition law in its final decades. Advertisement The Hong Kong government insists the city still enjoys civil liberties, as guaranteed by its mini-constitution, and the exercise of them may be subject to restrictions that are provided by law. What are they charged with? The sedition law outlaws the promulgation of seditious publications, among other acts, and defines seditious intent including aiming to incite hatred or contempt against the Chinese central government, the Hong Kong government or the judiciary. The prosecution accused Chung and Lam of conspiring to publish and reproduce seditious articles, calling Stand News a political platform. The prosecutions case is based on 17 articles published between July 2020 and December 2021, including stories featuring pro-democracy ex-lawmakers Nathan Law and Ted Hui, who are among a group of overseas-based activists targeted by Hong Kong police bounties and interviews with three participants in a primary election organised by the pro-democracy camp in 2020. Advertisement The trio were convicted in a separate national security case. If convicted, the defendants could face up to two years in prison and a fine of around $640 for a first offense. They have the right to appeal against the ruling. A brief recap of the trial The trial was initially expected to last 20 days but ran over to some 50 days. The government lawyers said some of the articles helped promote illegal ideologies, as well as smearing the security law and law enforcement officers. During the trial, Chung, who pleaded not guilty, denied that Stand News was a political platform, and stressed the importance of freedom of speech. Freedom of speech should not be restricted on the grounds of eradicating dangerous ideas, but rather it should be used to eradicate dangerous ideas, he said. Lam, who also pleaded not guilty, chose not to give testimony. Best Pencil (Hong Kong) Ltd., the holding company for Stand News, faces the same charge but had no representatives as the trial began in October 2022. With inputs from AP Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will commission Indias second nuclear-powered submarine, the INS Arighat today. With a displacement of 6,000 tonnes and armed with ballistic missiles and torpedoes, this vessel will serve as a huge deterrent to any power that aims to flex its muscles in the Indo-Pacific region read more INS Arighat is India's second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. It has been under construction since its launch in 2017 at the Ship Building Centre (SBC) in Visakhapatnam. Image Courtesy: @IndoPac_Info/X Indias naval prowess will receive a huge boost today (August 29) as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will commission the countrys second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Arighat or S-3 at an event in Visakhapatnam. Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, head of Indian strategic command Vice Admiral Suraj Berry and top DRDO officials are expected to be present at the event. With the commissioning of INS Arighat, India will have two operational SSBNs; the country already has INS Arihant in its arsenal, which was commissioned in August 2016. Advertisement As we gear up for this milestone, lets take a closer look at the INS Arighats specifications and why it will be a game-changer for the Indian Navy. All about INS Arighat The new submarine has been named after the ancient Sanskrit term Arighat, meaning destroyer of enemies. This submarine epitomises Indias commitment to safeguarding its maritime interests with unmatched deterrence. It is the second submarine of the Arihant-class, succeeding its predecessor INS Arihant. According to a Moneycontrol report, the submarine has been under construction since its launch in 2017 at the Ship Building Centre (SBC) in Visakhapatnam. The INS Arighat is powered by 83 MW pressurised light-water reactors and can stay submerged for months on end, giving it an edge over conventional submarines. The submarine has a displacement of 6,000 tonnes and is 112 metres long. The INS Arighat can reach a maximum speed of 1215 knots (2228 km/h) on the surface and up to 24 knots (44 km/h) when submerged. The INS Arighat, like the INS Arihant, will also carry up to four nuclear-capable -4 SLBMs (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles) with a range exceeding 3,500 kilometres, or 12 K-15 SLBMs with a range of around 750 kilometres. File image/PTI Arighat also features a double hull, encompassing ballast tanks, two standby auxiliary engines, and a retractable thruster for emergency power and mobility. The INS Arighat, like the INS Arihant, will also carry up to four nuclear-capable -4 SLBMs (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles) with a range exceeding 3,500 kilometres, or 12 K-15 SLBMs with a range of around 750 kilometres. Notably, the K-15 missiles can be fitted with a strategic nuclear warhead. Additionally, INS Arighat will also be armed with torpedoes. As one source told the Times of India, While INS Arighat is of the same size, length and displacement as INS Arihant, she can carry more K-15 missiles. The new boat is much more capable, efficient and stealthy. Advertisement Many experts note that what makes INS Arighat a game-changer is its stealth capabilities. Equipped with advanced sonar systems, quiet propulsion, and state-of-the-art stealth technology, INS Arighat can operate undetected, lurking beneath the oceans surface, ready to respond to any threat swiftly and decisively. This stealthy demeanor not only enhances its survivability but also ensures that it can carry out its missions with precision and secrecy, a vital aspect of modern naval operations. Indias submarine plan INS Arighat is part of Indias Arihant submarine plan, being developed and built at a cost of Rs 900 billion ($12 billion). Advertisement In addition to INS Arihant and INS Arighat, India is planning on two other SSBNs, with a larger size having 7,000 tonnes displacement. Sources told Hindustan Times that the third, INS Aridaman or S4, is also set to be commissioned next year, followed shortly after by a fourth SSBN codenamed S-4*. India is planning on two other SSBNs. The third, INS Aridaman or S4, is set to be commissioned next year, followed shortly after by a fourth SSBN codenamed S-4*. File image/@IndoPac_Info/X According to a report in The Print, the two larger vessels will have eight missile tubes instead of four. Notably, with the development of the Arihant-class submarines, India is part of a small group of countries that have nuclear-powered submarines. As of now, only six countries the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China and India are a part of this elite club. Moreover, India is also one of the few countries that has completed its nuclear triad it has the capability to launch a nuclear weapon from land, air and underwater. The only other countries capable of this are the US, Russia, China and France. Advertisement Boost to Indias naval power With the commissioning of INS Arighat, India will have two nuclear-powered submarines in the Indo-Pacific region. Experts note that INS Arighat will offer huge strategic leverage and act as a deterrent to any navy trying to flex its muscles in the region. This is crucial as China is seeking to expand its footprint in the region by setting up military bases, bullying countries to advance its unlawful maritime claims, and ensnaring vulnerable states in unsustainable debts to force strategic concessions. The INS Arighat also serves beyond its deterrent role. It possesses the capability to conduct a wide range of missions, from anti-submarine warfare to intelligence gathering and special operations. This operational flexibility enhances Indias maritime domain awareness and its ability to respond swiftly to emerging threats, thereby contributing to regional stability and security. Advertisement As the adage goes, He who controls the sea controls the destiny of nations. And with INS Arighat, India hopes to be a silent sentinel over the ocean, ensuring peace, security, and prosperity for generations to come. With inputs from agencies Netflixs new series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack on the hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight on Christmas Eve in 1999 is streaming from today. Five masked terrorists took over the IC 814 plane, with the hostages ordeal lasting for seven days. Heres what happened read more Taliban Islamic militia commandos head towards the hijacked Indian Airlines plane at Kandahar airport in Afghanistan, December 30, 1999. File Photo/AFP Netflixs series on the alarming hijacking of an Indian flight has released today (August 29). IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack delves into the hijacking of the Indian Airlines flight IC 814 in December 1999. The show focuses on one of the worst crises in Indias aviation history. While the Indian government faced flak over its decision to free terrorists in exchange for hostages, the incident brought out the countrys diplomatic prowess. Lets turn the pages of history to know what happened in December 1999. Advertisement The hijacking of IC-814 On December 24, 1999, five masked terrorists hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC 814, about 40 minutes after it took off from the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, en route to Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport. Captain Devi Sharan, the pilot on board, was forced to fly the hijacked plane to Lahore. However, Pakistan denied permission for the flight, which was carrying 180 passengers including the crew, to land. The plane, running low on fuel, was then diverted to Amritsar for refuelling. The hijacked flight landed in Amritsar and there are claims that the Indian government did not act fast to stop it from leaving Indian soil. The Indian authorities tried to delay the flight while the National Security Guard (NSG) commandos were flown in from Delhi. However, the hijackers grew suspicious of the time it was taking for refuelling and threatened to kill hostages if the pilot did not take off. As per ThePrint, the NSG commandos reached Amritsar an hour after the hijacked flight had left. The aircraft flew to Lahore, Pakistan authorities initially tried to prevent its landing but gave the nod later. Pakistan had agreed to refuel the flight on the condition that it would leave its airspace immediately. After refuelling, the plane was taken to Dubai. India got in touch with the United States, which pressured the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government to allow the aircraft to land in Dubai, reported ThePrint. Advertisement At the Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE, the terrorists released 27 passengers, including the body of 25-year-old Rupin Katyal, who was fatally stabbed by Zahoor Mistry, one of the hijackers on the plane. The hijacked flight was then taken to Kandahar in Afghanistan, which was ruled by the Taliban. Afghanistans ruling Taliban militia soldiers besides an Indian hijacked plane reading newspaper carrying hijackers news at Kandahar airport 29 December 1999. File Photo/AFP The diplomatic challenge The then-Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was in a fix. India had to engage with the Taliban government, which it did not recognise. A senior Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official told India Today in 2000, For us, it was one of the most difficult assignments in recent times. We were expected to develop a rapport with the Taliban with whom we hardly had any communication, leave alone relationship. Advertisement The five hijackers, who belonged to the Pakistan-based terror group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM), demanded the release of 36 terrorists in exchange for the hostages. They also wanted a ransom of $200 million. But India was ready to release five terrorists, none of whom would be an Indian national, as per the India Today report. The hijackers did not budge. On 26 December, PM Vajpayee had told reporters: My government will not bend before such a terror. However, pressure was increasing on the government from the families of the hostages as each day passed. The Taliban, hungry for international recognition, agreed to mediate between the hijackers and the Indian government. Advertisement The Islamic fundamentalist militia regime has been accused of replenishing the arsenal of the hijackers when the flight was in Kandahar, reported India Today. According to ThePrint, the Taliban convinced the hijackers to drop the ransom demand and agree to the release of three militants. The hijackers called for the release of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and Maulana Masood Azhar, both members of HuM, and Kashmiri terrorist Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar. Azhars brothers Rauf Asghar and Ibrahim Azhar were among those who hijacked the flight. Amid intense pressure and internal wrangling, the Vajpayee government concurred to release these three terrorists from Indian prisons. The then foreign minister Jaswant Singh took a flight to Afghanistan on the evening of December 30, with these militants on board to barter them for the hostages. Advertisement Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh gestures from his car at New Delhi airport before leaving for Kandahar in Afghanistan on December 31, 1999. File Photo/Reuters I must have slept around 3 am. I woke up at 8 am. The usual Afghan bread was served for breakfast. I did not feel like eating. I was worried that the millennium would end in hours and I would be missing the celebrations. I was thinking of many things, merchant navy captain Kollattu Ravikumar, who was one of the hostages, recalled. India has faced flak for releasing the three terrorists as part of the Kandahar deal. The BJP government has been criticised for not resolving the crisis sooner, especially allowing the hijacked flight to leave the Indian airspace. National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, the then Intelligence Bureau chief who oversaw the handover and release of passengers, had reportedly called it a diplomatic failure and a bloody disgrace for India. ALSO READ: Where is MH370? Has an Australian scientist solved the mystery of the Malaysian Airlines plane? What happened to the terrorists? As per Independent, India assumed the Taliban officials would arrest the hijackers and detain the released terrorists. However, the Taliban provided them a safe passage to Pakistan. Masood Azhar, under the protection of Pakistans spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), went on to lay the foundation of the notorious terror outfit, the Jaish-e-Mohammed. Jaish has carried out several attacks on Indian soil killing hundreds, including the dastardly Parliament attacks in 2001, the 2016 attacks on the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, and the 2019 Pulwama attack. The released terrorists have also been implicated in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and the kidnapping and murder of The Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in 2002. With inputs from agencies For years, India has been seeking the extradition of Niels Holck, a Danish national, involved in the 1995 weapons smuggling case in West Bengals Purulia. Once again, a court in Denmark has rejected the request to send him to the South Asian nation. But why? read more Niels Holck, the 'mastermind' of the 1995 Purulia arms drop case, continues to evade extradition to India from Denmark. File Photo/AP Niels Holck, a Danish national involved in the 1995 weapons smuggling case in West Bengal, will not be extradited to India, a court in Denmark has ruled. New Delhi has been seeking his extradition for years, only for the European nation to drag its feet over the matter. Rejecting Indias request for extradition, the Danish court said on Thursday (August 29) that sending Holck to the South Asian country would violate Denmarks extradition act as he would not be treated as per the European Convention on Human Rights, reported Reuters. The judgement comes over a year after Denmarks top prosecuting authority gave a nod to the extradition but said a court of law must take the final call. Advertisement What is the Purulia arms drop case? Who is Niels Holck, alias Kim Davy, and why does his extradition to India remain elusive? 1995 Purulia weapons smuggling On December 17, 1995, a Russian cargo plane took off from Pakistans Karachi purportedly for Dhaka in Bangladesh. After the AN 26 transport aircraft stopped in Varanasi for refuelling and was on its way to Kolkata, it diverted from its path over Bihars Gaya. As per a Hindustan Times (HT) report, the plane flew dangerously low over Bengals Purulia, where it dropped four tonnes of deadly arms and ammunition. The weapons included hundreds of AK-47 rifles, pistols, anti-tank grenades, rocket launchers, two night vision binoculars, and thousands of rounds of ammunition. These were reportedly meant for the Ananda Marg, a socio-spiritual cult, whose headquarters were in Purulia. After dropping the weapons, the plane headed to its original flight corridor, touching down at Kolkatas Dum Dum airport. After refuelling, it took off for Phuket in Thailand. Villagers in Purulia discovered the large cache of weapons the next day, strewn over their fields and ground, reported HT. The arms were confiscated by Indian authorities who acknowledged the enormous security breach, according to Vivek Katju, a former diplomat. A few days later, the plane, bound for Karachi, re-entered India and re-fuelled in Chennai. It was intercepted by authorities and forced to land in Mumbai. Chandan Nandy, the author of The Night it Rained Guns: Unravelling the Purulia Arms Drop Conspiracy, has described the incident as one of the most bizarre and, admittedly, a spectacular operation to breach Indias security". Advertisement Who is Niels Holck? Holck, alias Kim Davy, was on the plane, along with Peter Bleach, a British arms dealer, Deepak Manikan, a Singaporean of Indian descent, and five Russian-speaking Latvians. As per the HT report, there were no security personnel at the airport to nab the perpetrators. Eventually, others were arrested but Holck managed to flee to Nepal. British arms dealer Peter Bleach was arrested for the Purulia arms drop. File Photo/Reuters He surfaced in his home country Denmark in 1996. Holck lived an almost normal life near Copenhagen with his wife and two kids and ran a solar energy firm until the 2010 extradition trial, according to the newspaper. The Dane, currently in his early 60s, has publicly admitted his role in the Purulia arms drop. In his autobiography titled They Call Me a Terrorist, he recounted delivering the arms. Advertisement Holck, who was an Ananda Margi, reportedly said in an interview about the book, All my friends call me the Indian and in India, Im seen as a terrorist. I feel like I cannot silence this to death, I have to go right in the middle of it. India believes Holck, previously known as Niels Christian Nielsen, to be the mastermind of the 1995 arms drop. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) charged Davy and others. Bleach spent eight years in jail before being released in 2004 and others were also freed. Holck remains free India first approached Denmark in 2002 to extradite Holck so he could be tried in the South Asian country. While the Danish government did not rule out extradition, they sought assurances from New Delhi. Advertisement India guaranteed the Danish national would not face the death penalty and assured of his safety in jail during the trial. The government also assured that he would be sent to Denmark to carry out his sentence, if convicted, as per the Indian Express report. The Danish government passed an extradition order only in 2010. But Holck appealed to a court against the order. The court overturned the extradition decision in early 2011, saying he could face torture or other inhumane treatment in India. Amid pressure from New Delhi, Denmark filed an appeal but it was rejected. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) slammed the Danish courts judgement, saying it would encourage terrorists and criminals. Advertisement The Danish government did not ask for a review of the decision in the countrys Supreme Court. The case sparked tensions between India and Denmark. Between July 2010 and 2016, Indias relations with Denmark were affected by the extradition case of Kim Davy and there was minimal official contact between the two sides, which adversely affected trade and economic relations and cooperation in multilateral forumsit was decided to review our relations and allow ministerial visits and official contacts between India and Denmark in end-2016 a note on India-Denmark relations on the official website of the Indian embassy in Copenhagen states. While the ties have improved, the delay in the extradition of Holck continues to be a thorn in the sides of the two nations. With input from agencies Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway has become the first US company outside the tech sector to hit a $1 trillion market cap. With this feat, the Omaha-based conglomerate joins the likes of Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta and Nvidia with a 13-figure market value read more Birthday celebrations have come early for American businessman, investor, and philanthropist, Warren Buffett he turns 94 on August 30 as his company, Berkshire Hathaway, reached a market capitalisation of $1 trillion on Wednesday. On Wednesday (August 28), shares of the Omaha-based conglomerate rose as much as 0.8 per cent, pushing its market capitalisation above the trillion-dollar mark for the first time. For those who arent familiar with economic lingo, market capitalisation shows how much a company is worth as determined by the total market value of all outstanding shares. Advertisement Its a tribute to Mr Buffett and his management team, as old economy businesses are what built Berkshire. Yet, these businesses trade at relatively much lower valuations, versus tech companies which are not a major part of Berkshires business mix, Andrew Kligerman, TD Cowens Berkshire analyst was quoted as saying to CNBC. Moreover, Berkshire has achieved this through a conglomerate structure, a model that many view as archaic, as corporations have increasingly moved to specialisation over the decades. With this, Buffett has not only got an early birthday gift, but his company also joins the small elite club of companies that have cracked the $1 trillion threshold. Heres what we know. Rise and rise of Berkshire Hathaway Berkshire Hathaway, an American holding company based in Omaha, traces its history back to two Massachusetts textile firms: Hathaway Manufacturing Company (incorporated in 1888) and Berkshire Cotton Manufacturing Company (incorporated in 1889). Berkshire Cotton became Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates in 1929 and merged with Hathaway to form Berkshire Hathaway, Inc, in 1955. It was in 1965 that Warren Buffett and his investment firm bought enough shares to take full control of the textile company. In the following two years, Buffett took the company on a different path, into the insurance and investment sector. Along with his partner, Charlie Munger, who came aboard with Berkshire Hathaway in the 1970s, Buffett continued to focus on companies with stable, almost predictable long-term growth. As years rolled on, Berkshire continued making new investments in companies familiar and unfamiliar. Advertisement Since 1965, Warren Buffett has spent his life turning Berkshire Hathaway from a struggling textile maker into a sprawling business empire. File image/Reuters And today, the company owns sizable pieces of landmark companies such as American Express, The Coca-Cola Company, Bank of America and Apple, among many others. Other businesses include Geico car insurance, BNSF Railway, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Brooks running shoes, Dairy Queen ice cream, Ginsu knives and the World Book encyclopaedia, among others. On the day when it broke the $1 trillion barrier, the shares were up 0.8 per cent to $696,502.02 and according to reports, shares of the conglomerate have rallied more than 28 per cent in 2024. Its multiple businesses have generated $22.8 billion of profit in the years first half, up 26 per cent from a year earlier. Advertisement Kevin Heal, an analyst who covers the company for Argus Research, told New York Times that reaching a $1 trillion market valuation is a big deal and goes to show the long-term performance of Berkshire and Buffett. Joining the $1 trillion club With achieving the milestone on Wednesday, Buffetts conglomerate joins the likes of Apple, Nvidia, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta with its 13-figure market value. Elon Musks Tesla had previously crossed the $1 trillion threshold, but lost ground after a series of sales misses and other missteps. This is significant as Berkshire Hathaway is the first nontechnology company in the US to score the coveted milestone. Advertisement Apple became the worlds first trillion-dollar public firm in 2018. This milestone was reached 42 years after Apple was founded. File image/Reuters It was in 2018 that Apple, the company behind devices such as the iMac and the iPhone, became the worlds first trillion-dollar public firm. This milestone was reached 42 years after Apple was founded and 117 years after US Steel became the first company to be valued at $1 billion in 1901. In 2018, Amazon also joined the $1 trillion club. Three years later, in 2021, it joined Google-parent Alphabet, in reaching a $2 trillion valuation. Interestingly, energy company PetroChina was cited as the worlds first trillion-dollar company in 2007, but the valuation was considered unreliable because only two per cent of the company was released for public trading. Advertisement Two years after Apple cracked the threshold, Googles parent company, Alphabet, also hit the eye-popping number in January 2020. In October 2021, Elon Musks Tesla became one of the few companies to crack the club. It was only the second fastest company to hit the $1 trillion mark, reaching it just more than 12 years after its 2010 initial public offering. However, the company dropped out of that elite club. Nvidia became a $1 trillion company thanks to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) boom in 2023. File image/Reuters Just last year, Nvidia became a $1 trillion company thanks to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) boom. The chipmaker was founded in 1993 by Jensen Huang and two like-minded engineers at a Dennys in the San Jose, California, area, initially focused on making computer graphics better. And 16 years after it was founded, Nvidia took a turn when Huang opened up the companys chips for purposes beyond computer graphics. Future of Berkshire Hathaway While it is a big moment for Buffett and his company, its also pertinent to understand the companys future. Buffett has named his Berkshire vice chairman Greg Abel (61), to takes over as chief executive after him. Buffett was quoted as saying, Berkshire will function largely as it does today, regardless of who leads it. We have the right people in place the right directors, managers and prospective successors to those managers. With inputs from agencies Hundreds of Israeli troops stormed the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, carrying out a sweeping military operation, in which 15 Palestinians were killed. This offensive is the largest ever in 20 years, said the IDF. But what is the reason for the raids? read more Palestinian children line up on the stairway of a house, standing amid the destruction caused by an Israeli raid in the Nur Shams camp near the city of Tulkarem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. AFP After Gaza, is it now the West Bank? Thats the question many are asking after hundreds of Israeli troops backed by drones and armoured vehicles carried out massive raids in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday (August 28). While Israel has conducted near-daily raids in the West Bank in the months since Hamas attack last October, the Wednesday operation is the largest in more than 20 years when Israeli soldiers carried out Operation Defensive Shield during the Second Intifada. Advertisement At last count, at least 10 people have been killed and almost two dozen have been injured, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, an emergency service. This number increased to 15 on Thursday with Israeli officials confirmed the death of five other Palestinian fighters. As the operations continue in the West Bank, we take a closer look at this area and why it matters. What is the West Bank? The West Bank is land to Israels east. As its name suggests, it lies on the West Bank of the River Jordan and is bordered by Israel to its north, west and south. It borders Jerusalem which houses sites sacred to Muslims, Christians and Jews and is a flashpoint for internal violence. As per varying records, between two and three million Palestinians live in the West Bank. Moreover, it is also home to some 430,000 Israeli Jews who live in 132 settlements (and 124 smaller outposts) built under Israels occupation. These settlements and outposts are a result of Israels occupation of the West Bank which resulted from the 1967 Six-Day War. Israel captured the West Bank, which measures 5,628 square kilometres when it fought and defeated Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. Since then, it has controlled the area, which many Jews consider to be the heartland of the ancient Jewish state. Its home to many Jewish holy sites, like the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, that Jews were previously cut off from. Advertisement Palestinians assess the damage of a car during a military operation by Israeli forces near Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Reuters Whats the status of these settlements? In recent times, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, has made the construction of settlements in the West Bank a top priority. In June, Netanyahus office announced plans to build 1,000 new homes for the Eli settlement in West Bank. However, in July, the United Nations top court the International Court of Justice held that Israels occupation of Palestinian territories is against international law. The top court said that the Jewish nation should stop settlement activity in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem and end its illegal occupation of those areas and the Gaza Strip as soon as possible. Interestingly, while the courts advisory opinion is not legally binding, it still carries significant political weight. It marks the first time the ICJ has delivered a position on the legality of the 57-year occupation. Advertisement A bulldozer from the Israeli forces moves on a street during a military operation in the West Bank refugee camp of Al-Faraa. AP What raids now? On Wednesday, the Israeli military launched raids in several areas of the West Bank, carrying out mass arrests, engaging in gun battles and killing at least 10 Palestinians. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the actions in West Bank were part of a large counter-terror operation in the areas of Jenin and Tulkarem in the north of the West Bank. It said that the operation was carried out in coordination with Israel Border Police forces and the internal security service and that its in the first phases, IDF spokesman Lt Col Nadav Shoshani said Wednesday. Israeli soldiers arrest two Palestinian men during a raid in the Nur Shams camp near the city of Tulkarem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. AFP News agency AFP reported that armoured columns entered two refugee camps, in Tulkarem and Tubas, as well as Jenin and gunfire and explosions were heard into the evening. People from within these regions were quoted as saying that all they could hear during the day was the sound of gunfire and bulldozers. Advertisement Tulkarem municipal worker Hakim Abu Safiyeh said Israeli forces attacked the infrastructure, in particular in the city of Tulkarem and the Nur Shams camp and destroyed water and sewage systems. In many areas, Israeli bulldozers could be seen digging up asphalt from the streets, with the army saying it was looking for roadside bombs. Israeli authorities said their forces also launched air raids in the area of Al-Faraa refugee camp, a short distance away from Jenin, in which Israeli authorities said four other armed militants were killed. Palestinians assess damage at the site of a drone strike in Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarm in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. At least 10 people died in Wednesdays raid. Reuters Kamal Abu al-Rub, the governor of Jenin, said on Palestinian radio that Israeli forces had surrounded the area and blocked off exit and entry points, as well as access to hospitals, The Associated Press reported. The staff at the hospital was later allowed to move freely after having faced severe restrictions by Israeli forces, according to Medical Aid for Palestinians. Advertisement The governor of Jenin was quoted as saying that these raids were unusually fierce, resulting in people living in a state of terror and anxiety. People huddled inside their homes, fearing sniper action, with one of them being quoted as telling the New York Times, No one knows what is happening. Will it last days or hours? The operation has entered its second day on Thursday, with IDF saying that it has killed five Palestinians in Tulkarm. The IDF added that one of those killed was involved in a shooting attack on an Israeli civilian in June. The military described the four others who reportedly hid inside a mosque as terrorists. Why the raids now though? But what prompted the IDF to carry out such massive raids on Wednesday? According to Israels Foreign Minister Israel Katz, the operation was aimed at thwarting Islamic-Iranian terrorist infrastructure, claiming that Iran was working to establish an eastern front against Israel. We must deal with the threat just as we deal with the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza, including the temporary evacuation of Palestinian residents and whatever steps are required, he wrote on social media. This is a war for all terms and purposes and we must win it. Later, IDF spokesperson Lt Col Nadav Shoshani said that Israel had identified a systematic strategy in Iran of smuggling weapons and explosives into the West Bank. Specifically, about Jenin and Tulkarm, weve seen over 150 shooting and explosive attacks originated from these areas alone over the past year. Justifying its raids, the IDF said that there was an uptick in Palestinian violence against Israelis, citing the deaths of 30 Israelis in 2023. It added that there has also been an increase in attacks by Jewish settlers on Palestinians, including one this month, when a 23-year-old Palestinian was killed by a group of settlers in the northern West Bank town of Jit. A Palestinian man inspects the damage, following an Israeli military raid, in Tulkarm, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Wednesdays operation is the largest in 20 years in West Bank. Reuters How the world has reacted to the raids? Israels raids in the West Bank and the consequent killing of 10 people has led to outrage and condemnation. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the raids as a serious escalation and called on the US to intervene. Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the Israeli operations took place in close proximity to four hospitals and at least some have been surrounded, affecting the movement of medical teams. Guterres calls for an immediate cessation of these operations, a later statement from his office said. The EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also noted that Israels major military incursion into the occupied West Bank must not be the premises of a war extension from Gaza and a repeat of the full-scale destruction seen in the Palestinian enclave. With inputs from agencies Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has stepped in to address an unusual standoff between two Supreme Court benches who were hearing a matter on a similar case. The case, which has drawn considerable attention, involves allegations of unauthorised tree-cutting in Delhis Ridge area, one of most ecologically sensitive zones in the national capital read more Justice Chandrachud has taken the matter under his own bench to prevent future disputes between benches and to maintain a unified stance of the country's top court. File Photo Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud has stepped in to address an unusual standoff between two Supreme Court benches involving a case regarding illegal tree-felling in Delhis Ridge area. The conflict emerged last month when two Supreme Court benches began handling different aspects of the same contempt case against the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), creating a potential judicial showdown. To prevent further conflict, the CJI, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, formed a new bench that will take over the case, with the CJI himself set to preside over the hearing on Thursday. Advertisement This case, which has drawn considerable attention, involves allegations of unauthorised tree-cutting in one of Delhis most ecologically sensitive zones. What is the case and how did this issue escalate in the apex court? Lets take a closer look. The dual proceedings The conflict between the two Supreme Court benches began when a panel led by Justices Bhushan R. Gavai and Sandeep Mehta, known as the forest bench, was hearing a case against the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) as part of the ongoing TN Godavarman forest conservation proceedings. On April 24, the Gavai-led bench issued a contempt notice to DDA Vice-Chairman Subhasish Panda, for allegedly felling trees in Delhis Ridge area without proper permissions. Tensions heightened in May when another Supreme Court bench, led by Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, took up a separate contempt petition against the DDA. This petition was filed by concerned citizen Bindu Kapurea, who sought action against the statutory body for tree felling in the ridge forest area to construct a road from Chhattarpur to South Asian University. During these hearings, Justice Okas bench questioned the involvement of Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, who also chairs the DDA, in ordering the tree felling. The court strongly criticised the DDA for allegedly covering up the extent of the tree felling, Live Law reported. Advertisement The SC bench also scrutinised the failures of the Delhi government and the Tree Authority in preventing the chopping of over 800 trees, despite the DDA having permission for only 422. ANI Earlier in March, The apex court had refused permission to DDA to fell 1,051 trees saying that their application is very vague, Economic Times reported. It had added that the DDA being an instrumentality of the State, it is their duty to first make an attempt to protect the environment by requesting for the felling of only those trees that are absolutely necessary. Further on July 12, Justice Okas bench warned that it would issue a contempt notice to the Lieutenant Governor for ordering the tree chopping and scheduled the next hearing for July 31. However, on July 24, Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, representing Panda, informed Justice Gavais bench that the road needed to be widened to 24 metres to facilitate the inauguration of the Central Armed Police Forces Institute of Medical Sciences (CAPFIMS) Hospital, which had been delayed due to this issue. Advertisement Singh also highlighted the earlier contempt notice issued by Justice Okas bench, prompting Justice Gavai to question how another bench could proceed with the contempt plea when his bench had already issued a notice on the matter in April. Other bench didnt adhere to judicial propriety Justice Gavais bench questioned the decision of Justice Okas bench to entertain a contempt plea and run parallel proceedings when the forest bench was already dealing with a similar issue. On the question of propriety when one bench is seized of the contempt proceedings, should the other bench have proceeded in contempt? The other bench has not adhered to judicial propriety, remarked the forest bench. Justice Gavai expressed concern that having two benches simultaneously address the same issue could lead to contradictory judgments, thereby jeopardising the courts authority and coherence. The bench noted, It would have been more appropriate for the other bench to seek clarification from the CJI before initiating contempt proceedings for the same course of action to ascertain which bench should continue hearing the contempt proceedings." Advertisement To address the potential for conflicting orders and ensure judicial propriety, Justice Gavai referred the matter to the CJI to determine which bench should take over the case. As the head of the Supreme Court, the CJI is responsible for assigning cases to different benches. In a decisive move, Justice Chandrachud has taken the matter under his own bench to prevent future disputes between benches and to maintain a unified stance of the countrys top court. With input from agencies Heavy rains lashed Gujarat this week, triggering a flood-like situation and killing as many as 26 people in rain-related incidents. Several rivers and reservoirs in the state are overflowing, causing inundation and waterlogging of several low-lying areas read more As Gujarat continues to be battered by heavy rainfall, 26 people have died in rain-related events in the last three days. Image Courtesy: @merampravesh/X Rain fury continues in Gujarat this week. Heavy rains lashed the western state, triggering a flood-like situation and killing as many as 26 people in rain-related incidents. Several rivers and reservoirs in the state are overflowing, causing inundation and waterlogging of several low-lying areas. Heres a look at how bad the Gujarat floods are. Rising death toll As Gujarat continues to be battered by heavy rainfall, 26 people have died in rain-related events in the last three days. Advertisement Reports of these deaths came from the districts of Rajkot, Anand, Mahisagar, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Morbi, Junagadh, and Bharuch, according to News18. Seven people who went missing on Sunday when the tractor-trolley they were riding in near Dhavana village in the Halvad taluka of the Morbi district washed away while crossing an overflowing causeway are among the dead. Their bodies have since been recovered. In multiple parts of the state on Tuesday, at least nine people lost their lives due to rain-related tragedies, including wall collapses and drownings, according to an official release. Seven people lost their lives in similar situations across the state on Monday. Three family members died in Rajkot on Wednesday after their car was washed away by floodwaters, according to the police. Waterlogging, overflowing dams Due to the intense rains, the states infrastructure has been seriously damaged, with 24 rivers and 140 reservoirs and dams overflowing. According to the release, 122 of the 206 dams were placed on high alert because of a significant rise in their water levels. VIDEO | Gujarat Rains: Crocodile spotted at roof of a house as heavy rainfall inundate Akota Stadium area of Vadodara. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz)#GujaratRains #GujaratFlood pic.twitter.com/FYQitH7eBK Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 29, 2024 Advertisement Jamnagar District Collector Bahvik Pandya was quoted by the news channel, A red alert has been issued in Jamnagar for two days, in the last 24 hours, approximately 400 mm rain was received. 25 dams are overflowing. Those who dont have a proper house must shift to shelters organised by us, meals will be available there. NDRF and SDRF have rescued many people. Army, Air Force, NDRF and SDRF are working together. Many residential neighbourhoods have experienced waterlogging as a result of the rivers overflow. Residents were seen struggling to complete routine duties and wading through knee-deep water. There have also been reports of congestion from different parts of the city. Advertisement The persistent rainfall prompted the authorities to release water into the Vishwamitri River from the Ajwa and Pratappura reservoirs, increasing the level of waterlogging. Low-lying residents told ANI that since Monday, water has been entering their homes. At Rajkot International Airport, a runway side wall collapsed, according to The Indian Express. This comes months after the airport canopy partially collapsed in June due to excessive rain. There are growing numbers of crocodile encounters in Vadodara that threaten human life as they emerge and venture into different human areas. This wasnt an isolated incident. According to the Free Press Journal, the overflowing Vishwamitri River has allowed groups of crocodiles to invade numerous areas of the city. Advertisement #WATCH | Vadodara, Gujarat: Forest Department rescues the crocodile seen on the campus of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda pic.twitter.com/joBQjJfAHW ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2024 Disrupted train and electricity services Numerous trains have been cancelled or redirected due to waterlogging. Six trains were short-terminated, 14 were partially cancelled, and up to 48 trains were cancelled. Advertisement The Ahmedabad division of the Western Railway reported that 23 more trains were diverted. As of Tuesday, 636 roads including 34 state highways and 1,018 villages were without power. There are up to 419 villages in the Saurashtra and Kutch regions without access to electricity, according to The Indian Express. #HeavyRainfall Heavy Rains in Gujarat:Over 600 peoples shifted to safe places. Red Alert In GujaratAs heavy Rain pounds state, Schools shut, Train Affected. pic.twitter.com/4HQ97NYh2Q Kamal sharma (@kamalsh62624609) August 28, 2024 Out of these, 196 are in the district of Jamnagar; 51 are in Surendranagar; 44 are in Porbandar; 41 are in Rajkot; 39 are in Kutch; 32 are in Rajkot; nine are in Amreli; six are in Junagadh; and one is in Bhavnagar. Ongoing rescue operations Officials added that people who were left stranded in Vadodara citys homes and rooftops were rescued and taken to safer locations. Along with the NDRF and SDRF, the Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard have also been active in the ongoing rescue and relief efforts. Six columns of the Indian Army are conducting rescue operations in the most affected districts in response to a request from the Gujarat State Government to give prompt Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), according to News18 which cited Indian Army sources. As per Moneycontrol, officials say about 17,800 people have been evacuated from flood-affected areas as a result of Wednesdays severe rains, which hit certain sections of the state for the fourth straight day. Even though the rains stopped in Vadodara, the city still had to deal with flooding in a number of low-lying regions as the Vishwamitri River breached its banks and flooded residential neighbourhoods, submerging houses, roads, and cars. In Vadodara alone, more than 5,000 people have been evacuated, and more rescue teams and supplies are being sent to the impacted districts. Chief Minister Patel instructed officials to use disinfectants and cleaning supplies throughout the city as soon as the floodwaters begin to recede. He gave the order to send teams to Vadodara from the municipalities of Bharuch, Anand, and Ahmedabad as well as the municipal corporations of Surat and Ahmedabad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to assess the situation and has assured the Centres full support in managing the disaster, according to Mint. More rain on the card The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that all districts in the Saurashtra and Kutch areas would experience severe rainfall, with red and yellow alerts issued over the next few days. The weather agency anticipated extremely heavy rains in isolated parts of Saurashtra on Thursday. Gujarat has already received 105 per cent of its yearly average rainfall due to the current monsoon season. Throughout a 12-hour period on Wednesday, regions of Saurashtra like Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Rajkot, and Porbandar saw between 50 and 200 millimetres of rain. With 185 millimetres of rain, Bhanvad Taluka in Devbhumi Dwarka had the most rainfall. During this time, the Devbhumi Dwarka districts Khambhalia taluka received 454 millimetres of rain, while Jamnagar city received 387 millimetres and Jamjodhpur taluka received 329 millimetres. During the period, rainfall in up to 13 of the 251 talukas in the state exceeded 200 mm, while 39 additional talukas received more than 100 mm of rain. The reason behind heavy rains An intense land-based deep depression is currently causing floods in Gujarat. According to Down To Earth, the depression was made worse by moisture inflow from nearby soils, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal. Deep depressions are cyclonic systems that typically form over the sea as a precursor to tropical cyclones, with wind speeds ranging from 51 to 62 kilometres per hour. On land, it rarely forms and intensifies, though. Its wind speed is 62-88 kilometres per hour, one notch below that of a tropical cyclone. IMD data indicates that on August 16, a low-pressure area formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal, which gave rise to the current system. It moved into Bangladesh from the north at first, and then into West Bengal from the west. By August 23, it had approached northeast Jharkhand and quickly advanced to northeast Madhya Pradesh and southeast Uttar Pradesh before strengthening into a distinct low-pressure area on land. Early on August 25, the system intensified further, resulting in a depression with wind speeds of 3150 kilometres per hour over the normally dry regions of east Rajasthan and northwest Madhya Pradesh. By August 26, the system had become a deep depression over east Rajasthan and west Madhya Pradesh, bringing with it heavy rainfall and scattered flooding in numerous areas. According to IMD, as of August 27s evening, the deep depression was located over north Gujarat, about 100 kilometres northeast of Kandla. IMD Scientist Ramashray Yadav said, The deep depression lies 50 kilometres away from Bhuj, 100 kilometres away from Naliya. It is moving at the speed of 12 kilometres per hour. It is 100 kilometres away from Naliya. It is moving in the west-southward district. On August 29 morning, it is expected to northeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Saurashtra and Kutch. In view of this system, Saurashtra and Kutch are likely to receive extremely heavy to exceptionally heavy rainfall. This is expected to cover all districts of Saurashtra and Kutch regions. A red alert has been issued. Tomorrow too, all districts of Saurashtra and Kutch regions are covered and an extremely heavy rainfall warning and Red Alert have been issued. The day after tomorrow, a heavy rainfall warning has been issued for all districts of Saurashtra and Kutch regions. On Day 4, Saurashtra and Kutch regions are expected to receive heavy rainfall; a yellow alert has been issued, he added. With inputs from agencies Japan will soon introduce an initiative to support single women ready to relocate to rural areas while looking for a partner. The government believes the move will buck the trend of young women staying in Tokyo to pursue jobs or further their education, instead of returning to their hometowns read more In recent times, the greater Tokyo area has witnessed a higher influx of women compared to men. Representational Image/Reuters The population of Japan is already declining. Amid this serious crisis, more women than men are moving into Tokyo, the nations capital. To curb this demographic crisis, the government will soon introduce an initiative to support single women who are ready to relocate to rural areas while looking for a partner. Lets take a closer look. Financial aid to single women in Tokyo As part of the initiative, the government will cover travel expenses for women who travel from Tokyo to rural areas to attend matchmaking events and provide additional financial incentives for those who relocate, according to The Japan Times. Advertisement The report claimed that specifics like the sums to be paid will be taken into account when compiling the budget. The new initiative would expand an already-existing subsidy scheme, offering women who move from Tokyos 23 wards to rural areas up to $7,000. The move is expected to buck the trend of young women staying in Tokyo to pursue jobs or further their education, according to the government. More women than men Tokyo has seen a greater influx of women than men in recent times. A government official told the Japan Times that women from rural areas who moved to Tokyo for work or study typically make the capital their permanent home instead of going back to their hometowns or other areas. The number of single women and men in rural areas has differed as a result of this tendency. In 46 of Japans 47 prefectures, excluding Tokyo, there were an estimated 9.1 million single women between the ages of 15 and 49, according to data from the 2020 national census. This is roughly 20 per cent lower than the 11.1 million single men in the same age group, with the gap reaching as high as 30 per cent in some areas. The decreasing number of younger women in rural areas poses a significant challenge to preventing depopulation in the future. Realising this, the government has decided that it is critical to offer focused support to unmarried women who wish to move to a rural area. Advertisement The dwindling population of Japan Japan is confronting a severe demographic crisis, with the birth rate reaching a record low last year. The country of 123.9 million people recorded only 727,277 births in 2023, according to government data by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The fertility rate, defined as the total number of times a woman gives birth in her lifetime, fell from 1.26 to 1.20. For a population to remain stable, it needs a fertility rate of 2.1. Earlier this year, the government said that the population of children under the age of 15 was 14 million as of April 2024, 3.3 lakh less than the previous year. There were 7.2 million boys and 6.8 million girls born this year. Advertisement The population of children has been falling in Japan for the forty-third straight year since 1982. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has called the issue the gravest crisis our country faces. The downward trend has accelerated in recent years, with the number of deaths exceeding the number of births each year and causing the total population to shrink, with far-reaching consequences for Japans workforce, economy, welfare system and social fabric. And Japan is not having much luck with marriage either: the number of marriages fell by 30,000 last year, while the number of divorces rose. Population to fall further Japans already dwindling population in 2070 is expected to fall to 87 million, shrinking 30 per cent from its level in 2020. Advertisement Citing an estimate by the National Institute of Population and Security Research, the local Kyodo news agency reported that foreign residents, including students and workers residing in Japan for over three months, may comprise 10.8 per cent of the population at 9.39 million in 2070, expanding from 2.2 per cent in 2020. The countrys population aged 65 or above is projected to hit 33.67 million in 2070 after peaking at 39.53 million in 2043. In 2070, they will comprise 38.7 per cent of the population, resulting in a high rise in social security costs, the report said. People aged 15-64, the working-age population that supports the countrys social security systems by paying premiums, are forecast to decline sharply to 45.35 million in 2070 from 75.09 million in 2020. Advertisement Actions taken Still, the government is rushing to soften the impact. It has launched initiatives such as expanding childcare facilities, offering housing subsidies to parents and, in some cities, even paying couples to have children. It also introduced a dating app in Tokyo that uses AI to match singles. If there are many individuals interested in marriage but unable to find a partner, we want to provide support, a Tokyo official told The Asahi Shimbun. We hope that this app, with its government association, will provide a sense of security and encourage those who have been hesitant to use traditional apps to take the first step in their search for a partner. With inputs from agencies A mosquito-borne virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), has been on the rise in the US. The disease has caused one death in New Hampshire and has also been identified in humans in four other states. The CDC reports that while Triple E is extremely rare, about 30 per cent of those infected with it die read more The CDC reports that about 30 percent of those infected with EEE die, with death typically occurring 2 to 10 days after the onset of symptoms, or even later. Image for Representation. Reuters A rare mosquito-borne virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), has become a cause of worry for health authorities across the United States. On Tuesday, officials in New Hampshire announced the death of a healthy, 41-year-old man after he was infected with EEE, marking the states first human case in a decade and the fifth case of the virus in the US this year. The incident has raised alarms, as mosquitoes in several areas of the northeast state are suspected to be carrying the virus, while surrounding areas, including neighbour Massachusetts, are now on high alert. Lets take a closer look at what makes this virus so dangerous and how it might continue to spread. What is EEE? According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is an extremely rare but potentially deadly infection transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Advertisement The deadly virus can infect various animals, including horses, which are believed to be a primary host for the virus. Dr. Celine Gounder, editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, explained to CBS News, This is something that we see with many infectious diseases that the host might be another animal, maybe a bat, which is what we suspect with COVID, for example, or with Ebola. But in this case, what we think is happening is horses, perhaps other animals are the host. Mosquitoes are biting them and then transmitting that infection to humans. While human-to-human transmission of EEE is extremely rare, those who do contract the virus face serious risks. The CDC reports that about 30 percent of those infected with EEE die, with death typically occurring 2 to 10 days after the onset of symptoms, or even later. What are the symptoms? Most people infected with eastern equine encephalitis dont develop symptoms, but some can come down with fever or swelling of the brain. According to the CDC, symptoms can also include, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, behavioural changes an drowsiness. About 95 percent of people who get the virus wont have any symptoms, Dr. Rich, who is also the director of the New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases told The New York Times. Among the 4 to 5 percent that get infected and get the disease, only about a third of those people will get the most severe and awful version of the disease, which is the encephalitis, he said. Most people infected with eastern equine encephalitis dont develop symptoms, but some can come down with fever or swelling of the brain. Image for Representation. AP EEE is diagnosed by observing symptoms and testing spinal fluid or blood, which can show if the virus or viral antibodies are present. Advertisement The EEE outbreak in the US This year, at least five states in the US have reported cases of EEE. The majority of these cases are concentrated in Gulf Coast states, particularly in regions near freshwater bodies such as swamps and coastal areas. In New Hampshire, the Department of Public Health announced earlier this week that an adult in Hampstead who tested positive for the virus has died. This marks the states first reported case since 2014, when three human cases, including two deaths, were identified. The CDC has confirmed three additional cases of EEE this year, with reports coming from New Jersey, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Massachusetts is particularly active in its response to the outbreak. Advertisement Dr. Robbie Goldstein, the states health department commissioner, said in a press release, We have not seen an outbreak of EEE for four years in Massachusetts. This years outbreak and activity raise the risk for communities in parts of the state. We need to use all our available tools to reduce risk and protect our communities. We are asking everyone to do their part. So far in 2024, the US has reported three cases of EEE, one each in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont, according to the CDC. AP There have been around 115 cases of the virus in Massachusetts since 1938, when the virus was first identified, according to the states public health department. There was an outbreak in 2019 and 2020 that included 17 cases with seven fatalities. Advertisement According to the CDC, there are typically only a handful of human cases of the disease in the US each year, but the annual case count can vary. Most cases are reported from July through October when infections peak during the summer months during mosquito season, but cases can continue into the fall depending on the region and climate, per the Cleveland Clinic. How can it be treated? Public health authorities stress that prevention is key when it comes to EEE since there is currently no specific treatment or vaccine available for humans. Since there is no direct treatment for the disease, medical care focuses on managing symptoms and providing supportive care, such as administering painkillers to alleviate discomfort. Advertisement What are authorities doing? To combat the spread of the virus, states are taking various measures. In Massachusetts, for example, the town of Plymouth has closed public outdoor facilities from dusk to dawn to minimise the risk. The state has also urged residents to avoid outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours. Additionally, aerial and truck-mounted insecticide spraying is being conducted in several areas to control mosquito populations and reduce the risk of infection. With input from agencies Among other things, India and Russia have agreed to use space-monitoring technologies for risk forecasting and emergency response and exchange best practices in training of rescue specialists and firefighters read more India and Russia have signed the Working Plan of Joint Russian-Indian Commission on the Cooperation in the Field of Emergency Management for 2025-26. (Photo: X/Nityanand Rai) India and Russia have come to an agreement regarding jointly handling emergencies of various kinds. The agreement is formally called the Working Plan of Joint Russian-Indian Commission on the Cooperation in the Field of Emergency Management for 2025-26. It was signed in Russian capital Moscow on Wednesday by Union Minister of Home for State Nityanand Rai and Russias Minister for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters Kurenkov Aleksandr Vyacheslavovich. Advertisement Here are the five things about the latest India-Russia deal. 1. In the meeting before the signing of the deal, the Indian and Russian delegations deliberated on three issues: Use of space-monitoring technologies for risk forecasting and emergency response. Exchange of experiences of responding to large-scale disasters. Cooperation in the field of training of fire and rescue specialists. 2. The two sides decided to intensify joint efforts to develop further cooperation in the field of emergency management 3. India and Russia decided to exchange best practices in emergency management, including in disaster monitoring and forecasting and training of rescue specialists and firefighters. 4. The two sides decided to further develop cooperation between the eminent educational and research institutions of India and Russia. They also agreed for the training of specialists in the field of emergency management in both the countries. 5. The working plan is a step towards boosting cooperation in the areas of upgradation, mutual assistance in enhancing early warning systems, and capacity-building of both the countries in emergency preparedness, prevention, response, and planning. Three terrorists were neutralised by Jammu and Kashmir security forces in a single night of operations, with successful engagements in Rajouri and Kupwara against terror threats and infiltration attempts read more On the intervening night of August 28-29, security forces in Jammu and Kashmir engaged in an encounter with terrorists in Rajouri district, following a targeted cordon and search operation. This operation was initiated around 9:30 pm in response to intelligence reports indicating suspicious militant movement in the general area of village Kheri Mohra Lathi and Danthal in Rajouri district. According to a police spokesperson, the search operation was underway when contact with the terrorists was established at approximately 11:45 PM. This led to a fierce exchange of gunfire between the terrorists and the security forces near the Kheri Mohra area. To enhance visibility and support the operation, security forces fired tracer rounds to illuminate the surroundings. Advertisement The spokesperson noted that two to three militants are currently believed to be holed up in the cordoned-off area and additional forces have been deployed to strengthen the security cordon and assist in the ongoing operation. Simultaneously, in Kupwara district, the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched joint anti-infiltration operations based on reliable intelligence inputs about infiltration attempts. These operations took place in the Machil and Tangdhar areas on the intervening night of August 28-29. In Machil, despite adverse weather conditions including heavy rainfall and dense fog, security forces detected suspicious movements. They engaged the suspected infiltrators with effective firing, which led to the likely neutralisation of two terrorists. The challenging weather conditions have, however, delayed the retrieval of the bodies. Similarly, in Tangdhar, another joint operation resulted in the probable neutralisation of one terrorist. Both operations are still ongoing as security forces continue to secure and clear the areas. Offering of bases to the US military amid frequent confrontations with China in the South China Sea will make the Philippines the playground of rising global confrontation in the Indo-Pacific read more The most important issue remains the disputes over the sovereignty of some islands and shoals in the Spratly Islands in South China Sea. Image: AP Speaking at a conference of the US Indo-Pacific Command, Philippine Defence Chief Gilberto Teodoro said this Tuesday that China is the biggest disruptor of peace in Southeast Asia. Tensions between Manila and Beijing over disputed reefs and waters in the South China Sea (SCS) have been on the rise in the last 12 months. Philippine and Chinese vessels have had showdowns. On Monday, China claimed taking control measures over two Philippine Coast Guard ships that had entered waters near Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands to provide logistics relief to one of its ships at the reef. Interestingly, the Sabina Shoal is just 140 kilometres west of the Philippine island of Palawan. Hainan Island, Chinas nearest major landmass, is nearly 1,200 kilometres away. Coast guard ships of both sides ply near the shoal. Manila fears Beijing is about to build an artificial island. Advertisement Beijing has tried to usurp nearly 3 million sq km of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by claiming or creating artificial islands in the SCS, much to the anger of many affected ASEAN countries that lost their rights. China built military infrastructure and continuously patrols to defend them. Most countries could at best protest in international forums against the much more powerful neighbour. ChinaPhilippines Relations Bilateral relations between China and the Philippines were fairly close till the 1990s, peaking during the Philippine presidencies of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Rodrigo Duterte. Relations deteriorated due to territorial disputes in the SCS, particularly since the 2012 Scarborough Shoal standoff, and Chinas expansive maritime claims. The policy of current Philippine President Bongbong Marcos aims to distance its relations with China in favour of the United States. The Xi Jinping-led Chinese Communist Party is working towards greater influence over the Philippines and the region in general while combating American influence. China continues to be the Philippines top trading partner. However, the average trust view of Filipinos towards China is negative. Permanent Court of Arbitration Ruling Philippines, one of the worst-affected countries of Chinese SCS aggression, had moved the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) against China under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. On July 12, 2016, the arbitral tribunal ruled in favour of the Philippines on most of its submissions. China refused to participate or accept the tribunal ruling. The Philippines has been seeking international support, especially from the US, to pressurise China to allow freedom of seas. Recent Incidents with China In recent years, the Philippines has complained of Chinas use of so-called grayzone tactics, or coercive actions that are just shy of armed conflict. But China has maintained its actions were professional and lawful. In June, the Philippine military said one of its sailors lost a thumb in a confrontation off the Second Thomas Shoal (also in the Spratlys) when the Chinese coast guard, welding sticks, knives, and an axe, also confiscated or destroyed Philippine equipment, including guns. This was typically akin to what the Chinese tried doing in Galwan on the India-China Line of Actual Control (LAC). Advertisement A video taken on August 19, 2024, and released on August 24, 2024, shows a Chinese air force fighter jet deploying flares near a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), a civilian Cessna aircraft, as it flew a maritime domain awareness flight near Scarborough Shoal in the SCS. The Chinese fighter jet reportedly engaged in irresponsible and dangerous manoeuvres. Chinas foreign ministry later said that two Philippine military aircraft flew into its airspace over Subi Reef (the island, which Manila also claims) on August 22. The Chinese statement did not mention any August 19 incident over Scarborough Shoal, which China seized from the Philippines during the 2012 standoff. The Scarborough Shoal incident occurred hours after Philippine and Chinese coast guard vessels collided near Sabina Shoal, with the Filipino side reporting structural damage on both of its patrol ships. Advertisement Over the weekend, Manila urged Beijing to immediately cease all provocative and dangerous actions that threaten the safety of Philippine vessels and aircraft engaged in legitimate and regular activities within Philippine territory and the Exclusive Economic Zone", as well as freedom of navigation and overflights. Creating sufficient deterrence militarily was critical for the Philippines to show China it was serious about protecting its sovereignty and which it would fight for. President Marcos Foreign Policy Ferdinand Marcos Jr took over as the 17th President of the Philippines on June 30, 2022. Marcos initially sought closer ties with China so as not to be seen as pro-American and to balance between the two superpowers. Yet he publicly promised to not preside over any process that will abandon even one square inch of territory of the Republic of the Philippines to any foreign power. Advertisement Marcos intensified the Philippines economic and defence relations with Western countries, such as the United States, Japan, Australia, and the European Union, and strengthened defence posture within the region. Marcos approved the designation of four additional bases to be used by the United States military under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement. Marcos openly called on all involved parties on the SCS to abide by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in order to diffuse potential conflicts in the future. Marcos transparency thrust also includes dealing squarely with the aggressive actions of the Chinese Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia. China-Philippines relations have significantly deteriorated during Marcoss tenure, with increasing tensions over territorial disputes in the SCS and the Philippines withdrawing from the Belt and Road initiative (BRI). Advertisement The New Defence Policy Marcos fully backs the military modernisation program and stated that the countrys external security situation is becoming more complex and unpredictable. Marcos has approved the Re-Horizon 3 modernisation program. The $35 billion revised modernisation program will be spread out over 10 years and aims to modernise the Armed Forces of the Philippines based on the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defence Concept (CADC). The aim is to strengthen the countrys external defence deterrence by projecting power within the Philippines 200-nautical-mile EEZ, especially in the Benham Rise, the Luzon Strait, and the Sulu Sea through inter-island defences and multi-layered domain and long-range strike capabilities. The concept also aims to strengthen the countrys aerial and maritime domain awareness, connectivity, and intelligence capabilities. Due to the lower risks in the countrys insurgencies, lessons from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and keeping in mind the potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, training focus has been shifted to operations against external threats. Manila plans to strengthen Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare capabilities, and position air defence systems with enough munitions. Recently, Marcos announced plans to acquire the Philippines first submarine. The French-based Naval Group, along with other contenders, has offered its Scorpene-class submarines to strengthen the Navy. Philippines-US Relations The Philippines strategic location and deep military ties to the US make it very important for US regional presence and strategy. Since taking office in 2022, Marcos has embraced a US-centric foreign policy, granting Washington access to nine military sites under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement and to deploy a new missile system. In May 2024, the Philippines and the United States held their largest Balikatan military exercises. The deployment of the United States Strategic Mid-range Typhon Weapons System in an undisclosed location in northern Luzon also caught the attention of both Russia and China. The Typhon is capable of firing SM-6 anti-aircraft and Tomahawk Land Attack missiles, with operational ranges of more than 240 km and 2,500 km, respectively. The deployment of the powerful US Typhon missile system would be a critical deterrent against Chinese aggression. US Navy ships could escort Filipino vessels on resupply missions in the SCS, said American Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, after the series of recent maritime and air confrontations between the Philippines and China in the SCS. Escort of vessels is within the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty that binds Washington to defend the Philippines in case of armed attacks on its forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the SCS. That treaty has already proved a great deterrent, and Washington has repeatedly reaffirmed its ironclad commitment to it. The Philippine military chief clarified that they preferred to run those missions on their own, despite what Manila calls Chinas dangerous and coercive actions. But the Philippines would seek alternatives if it found itself constrained from doing so, not just from the United States but also with other like-minded nations, he added. Some pro-China analysts, though, warn that the Philippines faces becoming collateral damage in a potential nuclear showdown between the US and China-Russia-North Korea combined. I feel that is too far-fetched. More realistically, China could target sites across the Philippines with hypersonic missile strikes. China-ASEAN Relations Chinas relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has seen its ebbs and flows. Historically, China considered ASEAN as an instrument designed to encircle China and therefore kept a safe distance from the regional body. But in recent years, China has actively engaged with ASEAN-led institutions, including the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN plus One (China), ASEAN plus Three (China, Japan, South Korea), and the East Asia Summit. It is the major trading partner with all. China claims sovereignty over nearly all of the SCS, but its territorial dispute over islands and maritime claims involves Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Despite SCS territorial issues, Indonesia has strategic partnerships with both the US and China and is close to China. Despite Chinas regular intrusions in Malaysias maritime economic zone, Malaysia has avoided a confrontational posturing. Vietnam and China fought a war in 1979, and they have territorial disputes in SCS over Spratly and Paracel Islands, yet Vietnam prefers to manage relations using diplomacy. Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Vietnam in December 2023, just months after Hanoi strengthened ties with the US. Just a few days ago, Vietnams President Lam went to Beijing on his first state visit since becoming his countrys top leader. The ASEAN country closest to China is Cambodia, often accused of kowtowing to China. Thailand maintains good relations with China and remains equidistant with the US. This is despite Chinas damming of Mekong that affects its agriculture. Laos depends greatly on Chinese loans. They are committed to building a community of shared future. Myanmar and China are close to each other economically and on BRI projects but have differences between border tribes. Brunei is the only ASEAN country that has reached a consensus with China on how to address the SCS dispute. Singapore navigates its close relations with both China and the US very deftly. Way Ahead Before Spain colonised the Philippines, Imperial China acknowledged the existence of several precolonial Philippine kingdoms. During the Cold War, Taiwan and the Philippines were part of the anti-communist camp that viewed the Chinese Communists as a security threat. The Philippines recognised the Chinese communist government only in 1975. Only in 2009, the Philippines and China signed the Joint Action Plan for Strategic Cooperation, a five-year agreement to increase cooperation in all areas. In 2016, the two created the biannual Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the SCS, a process that allowed the two nations to peacefully manage disputes and strengthen their relations. The Philippines was one of the few countries that defended Chinas policies in Xinjiang till 2019. Initially a mild supporter of Chinas BRI, in 2023, the Philippines withdrew from the initiative. In 2023, the Philippines imported $30.93 billion from China, and China exported $52.4 billion to the Philippines. A significant part of the Philippine economy is owned by Chinese Filipinos, who prefer peaceful resolution of the SCS dispute. There are 24 pairs of sister cities or sister provinces between China and the Philippines. The most important issue remains the disputes over the sovereignty of some islands and shoals in the Spratly Islands in SCS. China conducts grey-zone operations in these waters. Rising tensions have led the Philippines to invest further in its military forces and to deepen cooperation with the United States and Japan. Since the 2012 Scarborough Shoal standoff, relations between the two countries have soured greatly after China pursued to occupy Scarborough Shoal, which has been in Philippine possession until the standoff. In 2016, the dash-line created by China was declared invalid by the South China Sea Arbitration ruling. Since 2019, Chinese ships have been swarming Philippine-controlled areas in the SCS through a cabbage strategy. In 2023, the Philippines accused China of parking its navy and coast guard vessels near Scarborough Shoal. As a result, Philippine vessels cannot pass through this area. The Philippines called this a floating barrier. Finally, August 2024 saw further incidents. Since 2022, thousands of Chinese students have enrolled in private universities in Cagayan, a Philippine province facing Taiwan, most of whom were not attending classes. The Chinese government has invested heavily in Cagayan and attempted to woo local political elites as part of their grayzone operations. It is an area of serious concern. It can be seen that the Philippines is being pressed hard by Xi Jinpings aggressive China. Manila has no choice but to look to the US and its allies for security concerns. Offering of bases to the US military will make the Philippines the playground of rising global confrontation in the Indo-Pacific. One can expect rising tensions as the US positions more missiles, aircraft, and ships in the archipelago. The writer is former Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. China's energy transition contributes to global green development Xinhua) 16:36, August 29, 2024 BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- China has made remarkable contributions to global green transformation over the past decade, according to a white paper issued on Thursday. The white paper, titled "China's Energy Transition," was released by China's State Council Information Office to document the country's successful actions and historic achievements in energy transition over the past ten years. Besides the preface and conclusion, the white paper consists of six parts: "China's Path of Energy Transition in the New Era," "Promoting Green Energy Consumption," "Moving Faster to Build a New Energy Supply System," "Developing New Quality Productive Forces in the Energy Sector," "Modernizing Energy Governance," and "Contributing to a Global Community of Shared Future." "Based on high-quality development, China's energy transition aims to build a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system. This initiative will provide a strong guarantee for the country's economic and social development and meet the people's growing desire for a better life," said the white paper. Over the past ten years, China has furthered reform of its energy production and consumption methods, upgraded its energy supply capacity under the guidance of its new energy security strategy, and achieved historic breakthroughs in green and low-carbon energy development, according to the white paper. By the end of last month, China's installed capacity of renewable energy had reached 1.68 billion kilowatts, accounting for over 54 percent of the country's total installed capacity, Song Wen, an official with the National Energy Administration, told a press conference on Thursday. Over the past decade, annual power generation from non-fossil fuels has increased by 2.2 trillion kilowatt-hours, which is equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 2 billion tonnes, Song added. China has announced that it will peak its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. However, it still requires "arduous efforts to achieve the dual carbon goals" as people's energy demand continues to grow, while uncertainties and unpredictable factors are also on the rise, Song noted. Since 2013, China has been responsible for over 40 percent of annual additions to global renewable energy capacity. In 2023, newly installed such capacity in China accounted for more than half of the world's total, according to the white paper. Zhang Jianhua, head of the administration, attributed the country's rapid development of its renewable energy industry to continuous technological advancements, complete industrial supply chains and a favorable market environment. When asked about whether China will set more ambitious carbon reduction targets, Li Chuangjun, an official with the administration, said that China has remained committed to its carbon emissions peaking and carbon neutrality goals, and will determine its own path, approach and pace of achieving these goals, which should not be influenced by others. "China will stick to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, and set well-conceived new goals and measures in light of the country's national realities," Li said. Apart from accelerating its own development of new energy, China has been sharing high-quality and affordable clean energy products with other countries, injecting green impetus for global energy transformation. For instance, China's exports of wind power and photovoltaic products helped other countries reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 810 million tonnes in 2023, according to the white paper. As a strong advocate of global energy transition, China will work with other members of the international community to plan energy cooperation together, address global climate change, promote harmony between humanity and nature, and create a clean and beautiful world for all, the white paper said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) The high-handedness of Pakistani forces at the behest of their Chinese iron brothers caused humiliation and torture of Baloch people. Things are likely to get a lot more violent and complicated very soon read more Baloch insurgency had seen a steady rise post-2021 after Pakistan launched its usual round of counterterrorism operations, including enforced disappearances' of young men and women; it further agarravated after Azm e Istekam' was launched last month. File Photo Even as Pakistan is scrambling for a desperately needed loan from the International Monetary Fund, a more than 70-year-old insurgency has raised its head with a vengeance. The Baloch resistance groups hit across the state against multiple targets, leaving a claimed 132 security forces dead. It couldnt get worse, except that an already uneasy Army Chief is likely to launch a counterterrorism operation worse than what the Baloch have ever seen before, even as he sees Indian shadows behind every bush. Advertisement The backdrop to mayhem Baloch insurgency had seen a steady rise post-2021 after Pakistan launched its usual round of counterterrorism operations, including enforced disappearances of young men and women, some found bloodied and tortured later, and late-night knocks on the door which the Baloch have learnt to dread. In other parts of Balochistan, however, Pakistani-backed militant groups like the Jaish ul Adl and the Islamic State of Khorasan lurked, operating into Iran and hitting the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) where it hurt. That led to highly unusual drone and missile attacks by Iran into Panjgur in January and retaliatory attacks by Pakistan into Saravan, a border village in Iran. The mayhem The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the key insurgent group fighting for independence for decades, launched Operation Herof hitting targets across the state, picking out Punjabis in some 22 vehicles coming into the state, setting fire to 23, claimed to have captured a military camp for some 20 hours or longer, and dominated key parts of the coastal highway, as well as major roads, and blew up the main railway line to Quetta and the rail link to Iran. The group claimed that some 800 fighters, together with Fedayeen squads, had participated in the operations. Given the breadth and ferocity, this is war. As the group spokesperson, Jeeyand Baloch, says, this is only the first phase. The objective? Resistance against the occupation of Baloch land by the Pakistani army and its hated operations. Advertisement Backdrop to Pakistan reaction Last month, Pakistan launched its 12th military operation, Azm e Istekam, which, according to the military spokesperson, was not a military one at all (like the 11 others), but a counterterrorism operation. He rather spoiled it all by observing that the whole issue had been politicised presumably by those few opposing strong action against their own people. Whatever the nomenclature, the operation began in mid-June, less than two weeks after PM Shabaz Sharif was seen introducing an obviously dazzled Gen Asim Munir to no less than Xi Jinping himself. That was not a felicitous visit. The Chinese were furious at the attacks on Chinese engineers (yet again) at Dasu months earlier and had no hesitation in saying so. The operation began fitfully and seems to have been going in earnest somewhere in mid-July. That may have had multiple reasons, but that was also when the Chinese refused to reschedule some Rs 401 billion in energy debt, as well as probably an advance rollover of debt owed to Chinese banks. It seems the Chinese found their iron brother rusty at the seams. The operation thereafter started in full earnest. And in retaliation came Herof. Advertisement Pakistan reacts Almost the first reaction of the PM Shahbaz Sharif was to point out that the attacks were aimed at derailing Pakistan-China friendship. On a more practical note, the cabinet approved the allocation of PKR 60 billion for operations, of which some Rs 20 billion was for immediate release. Significantly, Shabaz blamed the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan rather than the Baloch, though there is enough evidence that locals were involved. The group has released photographs of slain militants, including Mahal Baloch, a 22-year-old, and a law student at Law College Turbat before joining the BLA in 2022. She hit the Pak army base at Bela headquarters, ramming an explosive-laden vehicle into the main gate to allow other fighters to enter the camp. The details are tragic. All those killed are in their 20s, mostly students from middle-class backgrounds. Another issue also points to local insurgents. Advertisement In a detailed press statement, the BLA notes that it did not attack local police and the Levies, in one case detaining some and releasing them later unharmed. Thats hardly TTP policy, which kills anyone whom it finds in its path. Then theres the fact that, in the inevitable retaliation, Turbat University was surrounded by Pakistani forces in a bid to search the womens hostel. As a local group, the BLA would hardly want to alienate those who support its cause. But every attempt is being made to show this as an attack against innocent civilians and that foreigners are involved. The PM also offered dialogue for those willing to abide by the constitution. But the extent of the domination of the Baloch is evident by the simple fact that their Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti once advocated genocide as a solution to solve the Baloch problem and was elected unopposed this year. Advertisement Thats hardly the stuff of confidence. Meanwhile, Pakistan continues with its bloody counter terrorism operations, including launching its own groups of terrorists to betray and kill the Baloch. Down the road, expect that everything possible will be done to prevent round two of Operation Herof, which means unbearable harassment of the local people. But their plight has received some attention with the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination having taken note of the Balochistan question, though its final report makes no specific mention of the issue. But while there is awareness of the serious discrimination practiced in the country, interest in the Baloch issue is marginal even within India, where the issue has gotten marginal attention in mainstream media. Baloch have held protests outside the country, for instance in Germany. But these are miniscule, while big actors like the United States have condemned the attacks, putting it on the same page as China, which has also offered increased counterterrorism cooperation. That means more Chinese intrusion in the intelligence sphere, especially technical intelligence. Sadly, the US has also designated the BLA as a terrorist group in 2017, a move that was met with dismay by locals. Since the Baloch separatism also bothers Iran, expect no change from Washington. Meanwhile, expect that Pakistan will increase pressure on the Taliban to eject Baloch from their (ungoverned) areas. The Taliban will probably turn a deaf ear to that. Trouble will come if the Chinese weigh in. Thats something for the Baloch to worry about. Theres always Iran for shelter. Teheran has little sympathy for Pakistans antics, particularly when it involves the US and even the Israelis in derailing Iranian plans. Between these multiple agendas, the Baloch people may find the space to launch their next operation. At least some part of the Pakistan establishment would believe that India had a hand in this latest violence and will burn for revenge. It is useless to say that insurgencies cannot be created; they rise out of tragedy and torture. Media should get read. Things are likely to get a lot more violent and complicated very soon. The writer is a Distinguished Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, New Delhi. She tweets @kartha_tara. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Jio True 5G has seen the fastest adoption rate globally, with over 130 million customers embracing the network in just two years. RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani proudly stated that Jio has transformed India from a 5G-dark to a 5G-bright nation read more Jio has successfully completed the nationwide rollout of its 5G network, making it the largest 5G operator in India. Currently, over 85% of the 5G radio cells operating in the country belong to Jio. Image Credit: RIL During Reliance Industries Limiteds 47th annual general meeting, Chairman Mukesh Ambani outlined Jios ambitious plans to lead Indias 5G revolution. With the increasing availability of affordable 5G smartphones in the market, Ambani emphasized that Reliance Jio is poised to capture the majority of the rapidly growing 5G adoption across the country. He noted that nearly all smartphones priced above Rs 8,000 (approximately $96) sold in India are now 5G-ready, signalling a significant shift towards the new generation of mobile technology. Advertisement Jio stands as a true deep-tech innovator. At the core of our success is our fully homegrown 5G stack, developed by Jios talented engineers. This end-to-end solution, tailored for Indias unique needs, has proven itself on a national scale, says Mukesh Ambani Ambani highlighted that as these 5G devices become more affordable, the adoption rate on Jios network will accelerate, driving further increases in data consumption. With Jios established leadership in 5G coverage, capacity, and quality, the company is well-positioned to dominate the 5G market in India. Completion of Pan-India 5G Rollout Jio has successfully completed the nationwide rollout of its 5G network, making it the largest 5G operator in India. Currently, over 85% of the 5G radio cells operating in the country belong to Jio, a testament to the companys rapid expansion and technological capabilities. Jio has transformed India from 5G-dark to 5G-bright, creating one of the worlds most advanced 5G networks. Jio True 5G has also achieved the worlds fastest 5G adoption. In just two years, over 130 million customers have embraced Jio True 5G, says Mukesh Ambani Ambani proudly stated that Jio has transformed India from a 5G-dark to a 5G-bright nation, creating one of the worlds most advanced 5G networks. Jios technological infrastructure leverages its vast 5G spectrum holdings, standalone (SA) architecture, and advanced technologies like carrier aggregation and network slicing. Ambani emphasized that Jio is the only operator in India, and among the first globally, to fully harness the potential of 5G technology. Advertisement Impact on Indias Mobile Landscape Jio True 5G has seen the fastest adoption rate globally, with over 130 million customers embracing the network in just two years. As the nationwide deployment of 5G by Jio and rival Bharti Airtel nears completion, both companies have begun offering 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) services to consumers and enterprises alike. As more users migrate to 5G, the freed-up 4G capacity presents a unique opportunity for Jio to onboard over 200 million 2G users onto its 4G network. The companys JioBharat initiative, which offers entry-level 4G phones at prices lower than traditional 2G devices, underscores its commitment to a 2G-mukt (2G-free) India. Ambani noted that nearly half of the 2G customers upgrading their devices now choose JioBharat, highlighting the unmatched value and appeal of Jios offerings. Advertisement This strategic push into 5G and the ongoing effort to transition Indias vast 2G user base to more advanced networks are set to further consolidate Jios dominance in the countrys telecommunications landscape. Firstpost is part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary. Ambani noted that Jios commitment to affordability has been a key factor in its success. The telecom giant offers data services at prices that are one-fourth of the global average and just 10 per cent of those in developed countries, making its services accessible to all read more Jios mobile subscriber base has grown to 490 million, with each customer using over 30GB of data per month, driving a 33 per cent increase in data traffic over the past year. Image Credit: Reuters During the 47th annual general meeting of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) on August 29, 2024, Chairman Mukesh Ambani highlighted Jios remarkable achievements over the past eight years. In eight short years, Jio has transformed India into an inclusive premium digital society. We have democratised digital services, making them accessible to every citizen, and business across our nation," he said. Ambani emphasised how Jio has played a pivotal role in transforming India into a premium digital society, making digital services accessible to every citizen and business across the nation. This transformation has positioned India as the worlds largest data market, with Jio now handling nearly 8 per cent of global mobile traffic, surpassing many global operators. Advertisement Jios Commitment to Affordability and Service Quality Ambani noted that Jios commitment to affordability has been a key factor in its success. The telecom giant offers data services at prices that are one-fourth of the global average and just 10 per cent of those in developed countries, making its services accessible to all. This approach has not only democratised digital access in India but also set new benchmarks for service quality on the global stage. Jios mobile subscriber base has grown to 490 million, with each customer using over 30GB of data per month, driving a 33 per cent increase in data traffic over the past year. In addition to its mobile services, Jio has made significant strides in home services, now serving nearly 30 million customers across its digital broadband and television services. This expansion has made Jio one of the largest digital service providers in the country. We have also made significant strides in home services, with nearly 30 million home customers across our digital broadband services and digital television services. This makes us one of the largest digital service providers, he said. Jios Technological Advancements and Financial Strength Jio has also become a trusted partner for over a million small and medium businesses in India and 80 per cent of the top 5,000 large enterprises in the country. At the core of Jios success is its fully homegrown 5G technology stack, developed by the companys engineers to meet Indias unique needs. Advertisement This end-to-end solution has proven itself on a national scale, further establishing Jio as a deep-tech innovator. Over the past year, Jio welcomed more than 43 million new subscribers to its broadband services, contributing to revenue that surpassed the Rs 1,00,000 crore mark. The companys profits exceeded Rs 20,000 crore, and its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) reached 50.1 per cent. These achievements have placed Jio Platforms among the top 12 companies in India in terms of net profits, underscoring the companys financial strength and operational excellence. Additionally, Jio is now one of Indias largest patent holders in mobile connectivity technology, with over 350 patents in 5G and 6G technologies. The companys workforce of nearly 18,000 professionals has mastered cutting-edge technologies, building and operating industry-leading solutions that continue to drive Jios success. Advertisement Firstpost is part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary. According to a statement released by the Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, Durov, who also has French citizenship, was granted the release on the condition that he would report to the police station twice a week and remain in France read more Durov maintains that his mission with Telegram is not driven by financial gain. He has repeatedly emphasised that his primary goal is to promote freedom and provide a platform where users can express themselves without interference. Image Credit: Reuters, Pexels Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov has been placed under formal investigation in France as part of a probe into organised crime on the messaging app. The French Judiciary charged the 39-year-old billionaire for allegedly allowing criminal activity on the messaging app. However, the Russian-born tech entrepreneur has managed to evade jail time with a whopping 5 million bail. According to a statement released by the Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, Durov, who also has French citizenship, was granted the release on the condition that he would report to the police station twice a week and remain in France. Advertisement The tech mogul was detained on Saturday at the Le Bourget airport, just outside Paris and was accused of failing to act against illicit content on the service, including the exchange of child sexual imagery, drug trafficking and fraud. The controversial case has now put a spotlight on the criminal liability of Telegram, the popular app which has around 1 billion users. The arrest also sparked debate over the concepts of free speech and government censorship. What are the charges? In the statement released by the Paris prosecutor on Wednesday, the charged placed by the French authorities against Durov are as follows: Complicity in the administration of an online platform to enable illicit transactions by an organised gang Refusal to communicate with authorities Complicity in organised criminal distribution of sexual images of children It is pertinent to note that in France if a person is put under investigation that does not necessarily mean that he is guilty of the crime he has been charged with. It also does not result in trials always. It just means that the judge who is overseeing the case believes that there is enough of a case to proceed with an investigation. While Durov is yet to make a public statement on the matter, his lawyer, David-Olivier Kaminski, reiterated that Telegram complied in every respect with European digital regulations and was moderated to the same standards as other social networks. He went on to call it absurd to suggest that his client could be involved in criminal acts that dont concern him either directly or indirectly. Durovs case is unprecedented when it comes to the owner of a social media platform being arrested because of the way the platform is being used. In the past, tech bosses have been lectured by lawmakers about their practices and failings, but they have never been detained in such a manner. Russias Mark Zuckerberg Durov who is touted as Russias Mark Zuckerberg, lives in Dubai, where Telegram is based, and holds citizenship of France and the United Arab Emirates. Telegram has been long under the radar of the authorities due to its alleged use by terrorist organisations, drug traffickers, arms dealers and far-right extremist groups for communication, recruitment, and coordination. Advertisement Meanwhile, Durov has repeatedly boasted about the minimal moderation on his platform and has often pledged to ensure free speech. Durov left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with the Kremlins order to shut down opposition groups on the VK social network that he founded when he was 22. Russia eventually attempted to ban Telegram in 2018, which Durov co-founded with his brother Nikolai in 2013. However, the Russian authorities lifted all restrictions on the platform in 2021. With inputs from agencies. The Purulia case refers to the dropping of a large consignment of rifles, rocket launchers, and missiles from an aircraft in West Bengals Purulia district in 1995 read more A court in Denmark ruled on Thursday that Niels Holck, the main accused in the 1995 Purulia arms drop case, will not be extradited to India. The Purulia case refers to the dropping of a large consignment of rifles, rocket launchers, and missiles from an aircraft in West Bengals Purulia district in 1995. Holck is considered to be the leader of the operation. Previously, he has admitted that he was aboard the aircraft and was smuggling arms into West Bengal. Advertisement Last year, a Danish public prosecutor had sought Holcks extradition to India. Now, the court rejected the extradition request and said that sending Holck to India would violate Denmarks extradition act due to a risk that he would be subjected to treatment in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights, according to Reuters. India has sought Holcks extradition for years. The Associated Press reported that India first sought his extradition in 2002 and even though the Danish government approved it, two Danish courts overturned the extradition over the risk of torture or other inhumane treatment in India. Last year, when the Danish prosecutor cleared his extradition, Holcks lawyer said the same risks remained and nothing had changed. We have full confidence that the courts this time will also come to the conclusion that he cannot be extradited. The risk of him suffering harm in India is no less now. Nothing fundamentally has changed, said Holcks lawyer Jonas Christoffersen to Danish broadcaster DR. After the drop, it was reported that the arms were dropped for rebels who would have used them in an armed movement against the Communist government of West Bengal of the day. In a 2011 interview with Times Now, Holck acknowledged that the weapons were meant to be used against the state government. He said the weapons were meant to be used by the people to defend themselves from the state government that had ruled the state for decades. Advertisement He told Times Now, The arms were meant for self-protection. It is my complete conviction that if I was tried in a court of law about the legality of dropping arms to protect people against state sponsored Communist terror, I would clear my name because it was legal defence against decades of murder, torture, rape by the CPI(M) in West Bengal. I have seen friends being butchered in front of my eyes for so many years and all I did was to work for the betterment of the rural people of West Bengal. For 15 years, I worked to better the circumstances of the poorest of the poor in West Bengal, but the atrocities committed by the Communist simply became too much when too many friends were tortured to death so we had to defend ourselves against these attacks and that was the whole background of the Purulia arms drop. For decades, India has been trying to extradite Holck for prosecution over the case. In 1995, the Niels Holck was accused of having dropped around four tons of weapons to a rebel movement in West Bengal read more A court in Denmark is likely to give a verdict on whether 62-year-old Niels Holck should be extradited to India in the infamous 1995 Purulia arms case. According to the Danish news outlet Politiken, a judge in the Court in Hillerd is likely to deliver the verdict on August 29 at 1 pm (local time). The date was set after the court heard the last words at a trial which took place on June 18. Advertisement For decades, India has been trying to extradite Holck for prosecution over the case. In 1995, the Danish author was accused of having dropped around four tons of weapons to a rebel movement in West Bengal. Unlike others involved in the case, Holck managed to leave the country and has been living in Denmark since 1996. In 2011, the Eastern High Court rejected his extradition plea and stated that there was a risk of torture if Holck was sent back to India. However, in 2016, India issued a fresh extradition request, and in June 2023 the Attorney General suggested that Niels Holck may be extradited now. Since then, the matter has been in court. I dont want to go down and be killed: Holck to court While delivering his final arguments at Court in Hillerd in June, the Danish author insisted that he would rather take a prison sentence than go back to India. He insisted that there are chances that he will be killed if he is extradited to the country, Politiken reported. Id like to take my punishment, but I dont want to go down and be killed, Holck told the court on June 18. This whole thing that we are now sitting in again, its not nice. I would have rather had a few years in prison, he furthered. Advertisement Holck recalled delivering weapons to Ananda Marga, which got several tons of ammunition, dropped with parachutes from the plane that Niels Holck was on board. He insisted that the group needed the weapons to defend itself against the communist soldiers in West Bengal. I never met anyone who believed in creating change through violence, he claimed. India eventually arrested everyone on board the plane, except Holck. While the court is likely to give a verdict on the matter today, it is important to note that both parties have the opportunity to appeal the decision to the High Court. With inputs from agencies. The leak took place on Wednesday night at a workshop belonging to the Guard in Isfahan province, and the injured people were transferred to a hospital for treatment, Iranian state television reported Thursday read more A gas leak caused the death of two people and injured 10 others at an Iranian Revolutionary Guard center, Iranian state television reported Thursday. The leak occurred Wednesday night at a workshop belonging to the Guard in Isfahan province, and the injured people were transferred to a hospital for treatment, it said. The Isfahan Provincial Guard identified the dead as Capt. Mojtaba Nazari and Lt. Col. Mokhtar Morshedi, the report said. The Guards statement did not say if the two senior officers died from being asphyxiated by gas or if the gas leak caused an explosion. It did not say how the people were injured or give other details. Advertisement A number of deadly explosions at Revolutionary Guard facilities have in recent years. The most notable came in 2011, when a blast at a missile base near Tehran killed 17 people including Commander Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, who led the paramilitary forces missile program. Initially, authorities described the blast as an accident, though a former prisoner later said the Guard interrogated him on suspicion that Israel caused the explosion. Tensions have remained high since Hamas top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed on July 31 in the Iranian capital. Iran accused Israel of killing Haniyeh, but Israel has not taken responsibility. Iranian top officials vowed to retaliate against Israel for the death of Haniyeh. Israeli officials rarely acknowledge operations carried out by the countrys secret military units or its Mossad intelligence agency. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long considered Iran to be the biggest threat his nation faces. In April, Iranian air defenses at a major air base and at a nuclear site near the central city of Isfahan were employed against an assault in retaliation for Tehrans unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on Israel. In January 2023, bomb-carrying drones struck a defense factory in the central city of Isfahan, while in April 2023, the countrys air defense systems shot down a drone strike on an Isfahan defense factory. Advertisement Tehran faces challenges as its nuclear program rapidly enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels since the collapse of its atomic accord with world powers. Irans central Isfahan province has been of interest to Israel because many of Irans nuclear facilities are located there. The underground Natanz nuclear facility, located in the province, is the countrys main uranium enrichment facility. There, centrifuges rapidly spin uranium hexafluoride gas to enrich uranium. Iran sees Israel as a prime suspect in launching a series of attacks on Iran, including an April 2021 assault on its underground Natanz nuclear facility that damaged its centrifuges. In 2020, Iran blamed Israel for a sophisticated attack that killed its top military nuclear scientist. The attack outside the town of Barsalogho was one of the deadliest in nearly a decade of Islamist violence in the West African country. Al Qaeda affiliate Jamaa Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin said soldiers and militia members were excavating the trenches when it attacked. read more An al Qaeda-linked armed group said it killed nearly 300 people but not civilians in Saturdays devastating attack in north-central Burkina Faso, the U.S. consultancy Site Intelligence Group reported. However, a group of victims relatives said at least 400 were killed when jihadists opened fire on civilians digging defensive trenches on orders of the military. Several videos apparently filmed by the terrorists and released on social media showed dozens of bodies in trenches, most of them in civilian clothing. Advertisement A former French colony, Burkina Faso is a majority Muslim country that was initially spared jihadi violence that began in neighboring Mali 10 years ago. France sent troops into the region to drive back the Islamic militants in 2013. The violence has since swept across the vast semi-arid area of Africa south of the Sahara. Frustrations over worsening violence led to two coups in Burkina Faso in 2022, but the new authorities have failed to stem the bloodshed. Over 6,500 civilians have been killed since the start of 2020, the nongovernmental organisation Armed Conflict Location and Event Data showed in July. More than half died under the current government. Despite the jihadi violence, some civilians say they are more afraid of Burkina Fasos security forces, who they accuse of extrajudicial killings and the disappearance of untold numbers of others accused of supporting the militants. The killings have only grown under the junta led by Capt. Ibrahim Traore, who seized power in September. Part of the juntas strategy has been to recruit some 50,000 volunteer fighters to serve alongside the military, but residents say this has only contributed to civilian killings as the volunteers round up anyone they suspect of ties to the extremists. Often those swept up are members of the minority ethnic Fulani, a largely Muslim group who mostly live in the north where fighting has been most intense. Sullivan, the first US national security advisor to visit China since 2016, met Xi as he wrapped up three days of talks in Beijing which also saw him sit down with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other high-ranking officials read more US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday. AFP US President Joe Biden is looking forward to talks with Xi Jinping in the coming weeks, top White House aide Jake Sullivan told the Chinese leader Thursday as they met for rare talks in Beijing. Sullivan, the first US national security advisor to visit China since 2016, met Xi as he wrapped up three days of talks in Beijing which also saw him sit down with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other high-ranking officials. Advertisement His visit came as China was embroiled in security rows with US allies Japan and the Philippines. At a meeting with Xi in Beijings ornate Great Hall of the People Thursday, he said President Biden looks forward to engaging with you again in the coming weeks. President Biden is committed to responsibly managing this consequential relationship to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict or confrontation, and to work together where our interests align, he said. Chinese state media said Xi told Sullivan that in spite of great changes, China and the US could still enjoy good ties. Chinas commitment to the goal of stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-US relations hasnt changed, Xi said. We hope that the US will work with China to meet each other halfway, he added, according to CCTV. On Wednesday, Sullivan and top diplomat Wang discussed plans for their leaders to talk in the coming weeks. They also clashed over Chinas increasingly assertive approach in disputed maritime regions. Taiwan red line On Thursday morning, Sullivan met with senior Chinese army official Zhang Youxia at the Beijing headquarters of the Central Military Commission, where the two discussed Taiwan and other flashpoint issues. Its rare that we have the opportunity to have this kind of exchange, Sullivan told Zhang in opening remarks. The officials agreed to hold a call between the two sides theatre commanders in the near future, a readout from the White House said. Advertisement Sullivan also raised the importance of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, where China and the Philippines have clashed in recent months, and stability in the Taiwan Strait, Washington said. Zhang, in turn, warned that the status of the self-ruled island was the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations. China has always been committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, he said, according to a readout by Beijings defence ministry. But Taiwan independence and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are incompatible, he said. China demands that the US halts military collusion with Taiwan, ceases arming Taiwan, and stops spreading false narratives related to Taiwan, Zhang added. Advertisement He also asked Washington to work with China to promote communication and exchanges between the two militaries and jointly shoulder the responsibilities of major powers. Avoid miscalculation China has kept up its sabre-rattling since the inauguration this year of President Lai Ching-te, whose party emphasises Taiwans separate identity. Thursdays talks also saw Sullivan express concerns about (Chinese) support for Russias defence industrial base, the readout added echoing longstanding US claims that Beijing has rejected. He also raised the need to avoid miscalculation and escalation in cyber space, and ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza, the White House said. Sullivans visit comes months ahead of US elections in November. Advertisement The Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, would be expected, if she wins, to continue Bidens approach of seeking dialogue with China while also maintaining pressure. Her Republican rival Donald Trump has vowed, at least rhetorically, to take a harder line, with some of his aides seeing a far-reaching global showdown with China. The Trump-authored coffee table book which is set to be published on September 3, featured a picture of him with the Facebook founder in the White House read more In his soon-to-be-published book, Former US President Donald Trump wrote that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg plotted against him during the 2020 US Presidential Elections. In the book, Save America, Trump claimed that the Meta chief executive would spend the rest of his life in prison if he did it again. In the past, the business-mogul-turned-politician has repeatedly accused Zuckerberg of interfering in the 2020 presidential elections, which he lost to US President Joe Biden. Interestingly, comments from Trump also came at a time when Meta has taken steps to assure conservatives that it will not influence this years campaign. Advertisement The Trump-authored coffee table book which is set to be published on September 3, featured a picture of him with the Facebook founder in the White House. Under the picture, the former President wrote that Zuckerberg would come to the Oval Office to see me. He would bring his very nice wife to dinners, be as nice as anyone could be, while always plotting to install shameful Lock Boxes in a true PLOT AGAINST THE PRESIDENT. Trumps jab came with a scathing warning While hurling accusations against Zuckerberg, the former President referred to the $420 million contribution he and his wife, Priscilla Chan, made during the 2020 election to fund election infrastructure. He told me there was nobody like Trump on Facebook. But at the same time, and for whatever reason, steered it against me, Trump continued. We are watching him closely, and if he does anything illegal this time he will spend the rest of his life in prison as will others who cheat in the 2024 Presidential Election, the former reality TV star warned, according to the excerpt obtained by Politico. This is not the first time Trump hurled such allegations against the Meta chief. Trump wrote in a July post on Truth Social that if elected he would pursue ELECTION FRAUDSTERS at levels never seen before, and they will be sent to prison for long periods of time. We already know who you are. DONT DO IT! ZUCKERBUCKS, be careful! Advertisement In the past, Republicans have criticized Meta for suppressing content that would have negatively affected President Joe Bidens campaign during the 2020 presidential race. Meanwhile, Zuckerberg on Monday sent a letter to the Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee acknowledging it was a mistake to have suppressed stories regarding Bidens son Hunter Biden. He insisted that Meta has since been made clear that the reporting was not Russian disinformation, and in retrospect, we shouldnt have demoted the story." In the same letter, Zuckerberg also wrote that the Biden administration had tried to pressure Meta to downplay certain content about COVID-19, which he said was wrong for the White House to have done, Politico reported. Advertisement Trumps Save America is being released by Winning Team Publishing, which was co-founded by his son Donald Trump Jr. and Sergio Gor, a Trump ally. The Israeli military killed five more militants, including a local commander, early Thursday in what they called an effort to tamp down rising terrorism in the northern West Bank. read more United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Israel to stop its ongoing operation in the West Bank, saying that it is fuelling an already explosive situation. Israel started the operation on Wednesday, describing it as a counter-terrorism operation with hundreds of Israeli troops backed by helicopters, drones and armoured personnel carriers raiding the flashpoint cities of Tulkarm, Jenin and areas in the Jordan Valley. Israel said one of the five fighters killed in the Tulkarm mosque was Muhhamad Jabber, known as Abu Shujaa, the head of a network of fighters in the Nur Shams refugee camp next to the city. Advertisement The Tulkarm division of Islamic Jihads armed wing said: As part of the response to the assassination of our leader, our fighters were able to ambush an infantry force in the Manshiyya axis behind Abu Ubaida Mosque. Israel says the simultaneous raids across the northern West Bank which have killed a total of 16 people, nearly all militants, since late Tuesday are aimed at preventing attacks. The Palestinians see them as a widening of the Israel-Hamas war aimed at perpetuating Israels decades-long military rule over the territory. The Islamic Jihad militant group confirmed that Mohammed Jaber, known as Abu Shujaa, was killed during a raid in the city of Tulkarem. He became a hero for many Palestinians earlier in the year when he was reported killed in an Israeli operation, only to make a surprise appearance at the funeral of other militants, where he was hoisted onto the shoulders of a cheering crowd. The military said he was killed early Thursday along with four other militants in a shootout with Israeli forces after the five had hidden inside a mosque. It said Abu Shujaa was linked to numerous attacks on Israelis, including a deadly shooting in June, and was planning more. The military said another militant was arrested in the operation in Tulkarem, and that a member of Israels paramilitary Border Police was lightly wounded. Israel launched a large-scale operation in the West Bank overnight into Wednesday. Hamas said 10 of its fighters were killed in different locations, and the Palestinian Health Ministry reported an 11th death, without saying whether he was a fighter or a civilian. Advertisement The overall toll of 16 killed in less than two days would make it the deadliest Israeli operation in the West Bank since Hamas Oct. 7 attack out of Gaza ignited the war there. The Palestinian Health Ministry says over 650 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the start of the war. Most appear to have been militants killed in gunbattles during Israeli operations like the one this week, but civilian bystanders and rock-throwing protesters have also been killed, and the territory saw a surge of settler violence. Israel says the operations are required to prevent attacks on its citizens, which have also risen since the start of the war. Advertisement Israel captured the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war, and the Palestinians want all three territories for their future state. With inputs from agencies. Ankara saw the EUs invitation to Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as an effort to seek dialogue, the foreign ministry source said. Deeper ties with the understanding that Turkey is a candidate country would benefit both sides, the source added. read more Turkeys foreign minister hopes to make progress on improving Ankaras rocky ties with the European Union on Thursday as he attends a meeting of EU ministers in Brussels for the first time in five years, a source from his ministry said. Turkeys two-decades-old bid to join the bloc has been frozen due to EU concerns over its human rights record alongside policy disputes in the eastern Mediterranean and over Cyprus. At the same time, the bloc depends on NATO member Turkeys help, particularly on migration issues. Tensions in 2019 between EU-member Greece and Turkey led to Brussels threatening sanctions against Ankara and cutting off some dialogue channels. Ties have improved since 2021, with high-level talks restarting. Advertisement Fidan will convey Turkeys expectation that the necessary will must be shown and concrete steps must be taken to strengthen ties, the source said. The meeting will include discussions on visas and modernising the EU-Turkey Customs Union, the source added. Ankara has been calling for these talks to start for months, but little progress had been made. Fidan will meet EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and enlargement commissioner Oliver Varhely, the source said, adding that Fidan would reiterate Turkeys position on Cyprus. Ankara and its breakaway Turkish Cypriot allies on the island seek a two-state solution to the decades-old problem, but the EU, Greece and the internationally-recognised Greek Cypriot administration, an EU member, dismiss that proposal. Ahead of the meetings, Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said he looked forward to frank and open talks with Ankara on contentious issues and ways to move forward. Greeces Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis told Fidan in Brussels of the need to restart dialogue on Cyprus within the framework of U.N. Security Council resolutions, making use of the opportunity created by improving Turkish-Greek ties, a Greek foreign ministry official said. The official cited Gerapetritis as saying that while Athens supports Turkeys European prospects, the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all member states, and the EUs Common Foreign and Security Policy should be respected. Egypt delivered its first military aid to Somalia in more than four decades on Tuesday, three diplomatic and Somali government sources said, a move likely to deepen strains between the two countries and Ethiopia. read more A Somali police officers stands guard during a march against the Ethiopia-Somaliland port deal along KM4 street in Mogadishu, Somalia. Image courtesy: Reuters Egypt delivered its first military aid to Somalia in more than four decades on Tuesday, three diplomatic and Somali government sources said, a move likely to deepen strains between the two countries and Ethiopia. Egypt and Somalia have drawn closer together this year after Ethiopia signed a preliminary deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland to lease coastal land in exchange for possible recognition of its independence from Somalia. The Mogadishu government has called the deal an assault on its sovereignty and said it will block it by all means necessary. Advertisement Egypt, at odds with Ethiopia for years over Addis Ababas construction of a vast hydro dam on the headwaters of the Nile River, has condemned the Somaliland deal. It signed a security pact with Mogadishu earlier this month and has offered to send troops to a new peacekeeping mission in Somalia. Somalia has previously threatened to kick out Ethiopias up to 10,000 troops, who are there as part of the peacekeeping mission and under bilateral agreements to fight al Shabaab militants, if the deal is not cancelled. Two Egyptian military planes arrived at Mogadishu airport on Tuesday morning with weapons and ammunition, two diplomats and a senior Somali official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. A video shared on social media and verified by Reuters showed the planes on the airport tarmac. One of the diplomats said that Somalia was playing with fire by importing the Egyptian arms and antagonising Ethiopia. Somalia and Egypts foreign ministries did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Egypts offer to contribute troops to a new peacekeeping mission to be launched next year in Somalia was announced in an African Union communique earlier this month. Cairo has not commented on the matter publicly. If the Egyptians put boots on the ground and deploy troops along the border with Ethiopia, it could bring the two into direct confrontation, said Rashid Abdi, an analyst with the Sahan Research think-tank. Advertisement The threat of a direct shooting war is low, but a proxy conflict is possible. Ethiopias foreign affairs ministry said in a statement that the country cannot stand idle while other actors are taking measures to destabilise the region, saying it had worked to promote peace and security for Somalia and the region, including discussions to resolve differences with Somalia. Instead of pursuing these efforts for peace, the Government of Somalia is colluding with external actors aiming to destabilise the region, the ministry said. Ethiopias statement did not mention Egypt or its arms delivery to Somalia. Turkey has hosted two rounds of indirect talks since July between Somalia and Ethiopia over the Somaliland deal, which is yet to be finalised. A third round is expected next month. Advertisement Landlocked Ethiopia says it needs access to the sea. Mogadishu insists that Somaliland, which has not obtained international recognition despite enjoying practical autonomy for more than 30 years, is part of Somalia. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday assured China that Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is committed to responsibly managing the ties between Washington and Beijing if she is voted to power in November read more In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, meets with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on Thursday. AP US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who winded up his three-day trip to China on Thursday, assured China that Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is committed to responsibly managing the ties between Washington and Beijing if she is voted to power in November. According to a Financial Times report, Sullivans comments, following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, are meant to reassure Chinese policymakers that Harris would maintain a relationship with China similar to that of President Joe Biden, rather than adopting a more hostile stance. Advertisement After meeting Xi, Sullivan said that Harris shares President Bidens view that responsibly managing this competition so that it doesnt veer into conflict or confrontation is essential, added the report. She also shares the view that maintaining high-level, open lines of communication is the way to achieve that responsible management, Financial Times quoted Sullivan as saying. Beijing has grown increasingly concerned about how the Harris administration might manage relations with China and who her key advisers would be. Although Harris has had brief interactions with President Xi and Premier Li Qiang, her views on China are largely unclear. She addressed the topic only once in her speech at last weeks Democratic convention, where she pledged to ensure that America not China wins the competition for the 21st century. Vice-president Harris has been a central member of the Biden foreign policy team, a leading member, Sullivan was quoted as saying, adding, And has been part of the design and execution of the overall strategy in the Indo-Pacific." Sullivan said he had shared his experience of the vice-president in his meetings with Chinese leaders this week. Apart from meeting Xi, Sullivan also had a rare discussion with a top Chinese military official and two days of talks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Sullivan said as part of his trip, he discussed various issues with the Chinese top brass including Taiwan, the South China Sea, Beijings support for Russia, and drug trafficking. Advertisement These were constructive, candid, substantive conversations. We believe that keeping lines of communication open is critical, FT quoted Sullivan as saying. According to FT, citing Xinhua, Xi told Sullivan that Beijing and Washington must be a stable source of world peace. Chinas commitment to the goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-US relationship remains unchanged, Xi was quoted as saying. On Wednesday, Sullivan emphasised the importance of peace across the Taiwan Strait and reaffirmed the US commitment to Indo-Pacific allies, including the Philippines, amid South China Sea disputes. Sullivans talks with Wang Yi in Beijing were part of a strategic channel to stabilise relations and discuss sensitive issues. Advertisement The White House has announced that President Biden and Xi plan to talk by phone soon and might meet in person before Bidens term ends if they attend upcoming Apec or G20 meetings. On Thursday, Sullivan also had an unusual meeting with General Zhang Youxia, who warned the US to cease military collusion with Taiwan and arms sales, and to stop spreading false narratives about Taiwan, reported FT, citing Xinhua. With inputs from agencies It was the eighth time Blue Origins New Shepard rocket took humans to space read more In the first human spaceflight in nearly two years, Blue Origin took six tourists to space on Thursday. The New Shepard rocket lifted off the launch site in the Blue Origins spaceport in Texas around 8:08 am local time (6:38 am IST). The mission was dubbed N-26 as it was the 26th flight of the New Shepard. It was the eighth time the New Shepard took humans to space. Three minutes after the launch, the RSS First Step capsule separated from the New Shepard rocket booster. Three minutes after the separation, the rocket landed safely on Earth and then three minutes later the capsule also touched down on Earth after a spaceflight of around six minutes. Advertisement The Space.com reported that the N-26 space tourists were expected to experience moments of weightlessness as they crossed over into space briefly before returning to the Earth. Unlike NASA missions to the Internatinal Space Stations (ISS) or the upcoming Polaris Dawn of SpaceX in which astronauts will stay in space for five days, this mission carried space tourists to the edge of Earth and lasted just 10 minutes from launch to return. The N-26 was the first Blue Origin human spaceflight in two years after the company suspended flights in 2022 after a failure of an uncrewed New Shepard mission. The Chinese consulate maintained that the note was sent as a protest to Japans irresponsible remarks over the South China Seas Sabina Shoal read more China Coast Guard ships are seen from the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra during a supply mission to Sabina Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea on Aug 26, 2024. File Image / AFP Amid the brewing tensions in the South China Sea, Chinas embassy in the Philippines on Thursday announced that it has sent a diplomatic note to the Japanese embassy in Manila. The Chinese consulate maintained that the note was sent as a protest to Japans irresponsible remarks over the South China Seas Sabina Shoal. In the statement regarding the matter, the Chinese embassy emphasised that the comments displayed ignorance of the facts and contained unwarranted accusations against China. The remarks from Beijing came after Japans ambassador on Monday tweeted a video of a Chinese coastguard vessel under the words another unacceptable development around Sabina Shoal. Advertisement What is Japan saying? On Monday, the Japanese Ambassador to the Phillippines released a video of a Chinese coastguard vessel operating in the South China Sea. Another unacceptable development around Sabina Shoal. Any harassment & actions which increase tensions or obstruct freedom of navigation are not tolerated, the Japanese envoy said in a statement shared by the official page of the embassy on X, formerly known as Twitter. Another unacceptable development around Sabina Shoal. Any harassment & actions which increase tensions or obstruct freedom of navigation are not tolerated. Upholding a rules-based intl order and adhering to commitments must prevail. https://t.co/R33CJdr2Ni Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines (@AmbJPNinPH) August 25, 2024 Upholding a rules-based intl order and adhering to commitments must prevail, the statement further reads. A day after the post, Japans Ministry of External Affairs released a statement, raising similar concerns. Japan expresses serious concern over repeated actions in recent days that increase regional tensions in the South China Sea and urges de-escalation of the tensions, The Japanese MFA stated in the statement released on Tuesday. On August 27, Press Release regarding recent surge in tensions in the South China Sea was issued.https://t.co/8AMFXjgavt pic.twitter.com/y18aSbfIMi MOFA of Japan (@MofaJapan_en) August 27, 2024 Advertisement The issue concerning the South China Sea is directly related to the peace and stability of the region and is a legitimate concern of the international community, and therefore Japan opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea, including obstruction of freedom of navigation and overflight, the ministry added. The ministry emphasised that Tokyo has been a consistent advocate when it comes to upholding the rule of law at sea and will continue to cooperate with the international community including ASEAN Member States and the United States to protect the free and open international order based on the rule of law. Advertisement With inputs from Reuters. The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had provided information about four people connected to the ISIS who were planning to attack Taylor Swifts concerts in Vienna, said Deputy Director David S Cohen read more The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has said the ISIS-inspired terrorist plot foiled this month planned to kill tens of thousands at Taylor Swifts concerts in Austrian capital Vienna. Earlier this month, the organisers announced that Swifts three concerts at Vienna were cancelled due to terrorist threats. Around the same time, the authorities announced that two people suspects were arrested in connection with the threats. Later, a third person was also arrested. Advertisement Speaking at the Intelligence and National Security Summit, CIA Deputy Director David S Cohen said that the agency had provided information about four people connected to the ISIS who were planning to attack Swifts concert. He further said they planned to kill tens of thousands of people. They were plotting to kill a huge number, tens of thousands of people at this concert, I am sure many Americans. The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our partners in the intelligence community provided them information about what this ISIS-connected group was planning to do, said Cohen, according to The New York Times. Around 200,000 people were expected to attend Swifts concerts in Vienna, as per the newspaper. While Cohen did not say how the CIA learnt about the plot, he said there was no doubt that attacking Swifts Eras Tour concerts and killing a large number of people at the concerts was the goal of the plot. Suspects had detailed plans for attack Following the initial arrest of two suspects in the case, the Austrian government said they had access to the venue and had very detailed plans for the attack. The suspects actually had very specific and detailed plans to cause a tragedy on the scale of Paris, Manchester or Moscow, said Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, adding that they wanted to leave a trail of blood. Advertisement Separately, The Times reported that some of those arrested in the case were found with bomb-making material and had access to the concert venue. The newspaper reported the police as saying that the main suspect is a 19-year-old Austrian citizen of North Macedonian descent who had radicalised himself online and sworn allegiance to the terrorist group ISIS. Lapid said he attended a security briefing with PM Netanyahu and military adviser Major General Avi Gil on August 21, 2023, who warned about Irans so-called axis of resistance - proxy fronts in Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank. read more Brigadier General Avi Gil, military secretary to the Israeli Prime Minister briefed Benjamin Netanyahu and Opposition leader Yair Lapid on August 21, 2023 over security concerns, warning that Israels enemies, including Iran, Hezbollah and terrorist groups in Gaza and the West Bank had identified weakness on the Israeli side, Lapid told to an independent inquiry commission, probing the governments failure on October 7 on Thursday. However, the Prime Ministers Office denied Lapids claims, accusing him of lying for claiming that Netanyahu disregarded these warning signs before October 7. Advertisement Yair Lapid is lying again. Prime Minister Netanyahu did not receive any warning about the war in Gaza not a month before and not even an hour before October 7. The opposite is true and the protocols prove it, the PMO said in a statement as per Times of Israel. In his testimony before an independent civilian commission of inquiry, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid said that IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi had attempted to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss the national security implications of the deepening divide in Israel over the judicial overhaul but was refused. According to Lapid, the IDF Chief resorted to writing a letter to the PM, outlining the potential dangers to make it clear that he had issued warnings that were subsequently ignored. The war between Israel and Hamas erupted when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel and rampaged through army bases and farming communities, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. The militants are still holding 107 hostages, about a third of whom are believed to be dead, after most of the rest were released during a November cease-fire. The meteorological agency issued an emergency warning saying the typhoon could bring flooding, landslides and wind strong enough to knock down some houses read more High waves are observed along the shore as Typhoon Shanshan approaches southwestern Japan in Miyazaki, on August 27, 2024. Reuters Southwestern Japan braced on Wednesday for what officials say could be one of the strongest storms to ever hit the region, as some residents in the path of Typhoon Shanshan were ordered to evacuate and major firms like Toyota closed factories. Airlines and rail operators cancelled some services for the coming days as the typhoon, categorised as very strong, barrelled towards the main southwestern island of Kyushu with gusts of up to 70 metres per second (252 km per hour/157 mph). Advertisement The meteorological agency issued an emergency warning saying the typhoon could bring flooding, landslides and wind strong enough to knock down some houses. Maximum caution is required given that forecasts are for strong winds, high waves and high tides that have not been seen thus far, Satoshi Sugimoto, the agencys chief forecaster, told a news conference. After striking Kyushu over the next few days the storm is expected to approach central and eastern regions, including the capital Tokyo, around the weekend, the agency said. Authorities issued evacuation orders for more than 800,000 residents in Kagoshima prefecture in southern Kyushu and central Japans Aichi and Shizuoka prefectures. In Aichi, home to Toyotas headquarters, two people believed to be residents of a house that collapsed in a landslide during heavy rains were unaccounted for. Three residents of the house had been pulled out, according to public broadcaster NHK. Toyota will suspend operations at all 14 of its plants in Japan from Wednesday evening through Thursday morning, it said. Nissan said it would suspend operations at its Kyushu plant on Thursday and Friday morning, while Honda will also temporarily close its factory in Kumamoto in southwestern Kyushu. Also, Mazda Motor plans to suspend operations at its Hiroshima and Hofu plants, both in western Japan, from Thursday evening through Friday, the automaker said. Advertisement Shanshan is the latest harsh weather system to hit Japan following last weeks Typhoon Ampil, which also led to blackouts and evacuations. ANA Holdings said it would cancel more than 210 domestic flights in total between Wednesday and Friday slated to leave or arrive in southwestern Japan, affecting about 18,400 passengers. Japan Airlines said it would cancel 402 domestic flights over the same three-day period. A total of 10 international flights operated by both airlines will also be suspended. The Indian and Chinese militaries have been locked in a standoff since May 2020 and a full resolution of the border row has not yet been achieved though the two sides have disengaged from several friction points. read more India and China on Thursday held frank, constructive and forward-looking diplomatic talks on the situation along the Line of Actual Control to narrow down differences and find an early resolution to outstanding issues, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), adding restoration of peace and tranquillity, and respect for the LAC are the essential basis for the restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations. The 31st meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs was held in Beijing, the MEA said in a statement. Advertisement Gourangalal Das, joint secretary (east Asia), from the MEA, led the Indian delegation. The Chinese delegation was led by Hong Liang, director general of the Boundary and Ocean Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides decided to jointly uphold peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas, in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two governments, the MEA statement said. The leader of the Indian delegation also called on the vice-minister in the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The 30th meeting of the WMCC was held in New Delhi on July 31. The ties took a nosedive following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. Meanwhile, Chinas foreign ministry on Thursday also issued a readout in Beijing after the talks. The readout is in Chinese language. The meeting was held in a positive, friendly and frank atmosphere and the two sides exchanged in-depth views on the situation along the LAC to narrow down the differences and expand consensus, it said. They agreed to strengthen dialogue and consultation, take care of each others reasonable concerns, and reach a solution acceptable to both sides as soon as possible, a rough English translation of the readout said. Advertisement Both the sides agreed to consolidate the results of the consultations, strictly abide by border-related agreements and confidence-building measures, and continue to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas, the Chinese foreign ministry readout added. The two sides agreed to jointly promote an early resolution of the border situation in accordance with the important consensus reached recently by the foreign ministers of the two countries, it said. Chinas coast guard urged the Philippines on Thursday to stop sending missions to resupply a vessel near a contested shoal in the South China Sea, warning that such adventurous actions could trigger unspecified incidents read more Chinese Coast Guard personnel are seen onboard its vessel while sailing in the South China Sea, October 4, 2023. Reuters Chinas coast guard urged the Philippines on Thursday to stop sending missions to resupply a vessel near a contested shoal in the South China Sea, warning that such adventurous actions could trigger unspecified incidents. The statement followed a series of confrontations and clashes near the atoll, which has become a flashpoint in a stand-off over territorial and maritime claims in the sea where $3 trillion worth of trade passes annually. The Chinese authority said the Philippines had carried out an airdrop for a vessel there on Wednesday, and that its actions were very likely to cause unforeseen incidents at sea and in the air, without going into further detail. Advertisement The Philippine vessel can manoeuvre and evacuate on its own, and the relevant problem can be easily solved, but the Philippine side gambles on the health and lives of the officers and personnel, Chinese coast guard spokesperson Gan Yu said. There was no immediate comment from the Philippine coast guard or the National Security Council on the reported airdrop or the Chinese comments outside office hours on Thursday. The Philippines has said in the past it is mounting missions to resupply fishermen. The Sabina Shoal is an atoll about 150 km (90 miles) from the western Philippine island of Palawan. The Philippine coast guard has accused China of building an artificial island there, a charge dismissed by China. On Sunday, the Philippines accused China of using aggressive and dangerous manoeuvres to block a sea mission to resupply the ship. Chinas coast guard said at the time it had taken control measures against a vessel that had illegally entered the waters and repeatedly approached Chinese ships in a dangerous manner. Last week, both countries accused each other of ramming vessels and performing dangerous manoeuvres around the same atoll during a Philippine mission to resupply personnel stationed on Flat Island. Earlier this month, Manilas military said two Chinese aircraft executed a dangerous manoeuvre and dropped flares in the path of Manilas air force aircraft conducting a routine patrol over Scarborough Shoal. China disputed that saying it acted in a professional and legal manner. Pakistan on Thursday confirmed that it has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting to be held in Islamabad in October. read more Pakistan on Thursday confirmed that it has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting to be held in Islamabad in October. According to a Dawn report, during a weekly press briefing, the Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch confirmed on Thursday that Pakistan had sent invitations to the heads of countries to participate in the meeting on October 15-16. An invitation has also been sent to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, she said, adding that some countries had already confirmed their participation in the meeting. Advertisement It will be informed in due course which country has confirmed, she said. Baloch said the event will be preceded by a ministerial meeting and several rounds of senior officials discussions, which will address financial, economic, socio-cultural, and humanitarian cooperation among the SCO member states. When asked about ties with India, the spokesperson said, Pakistan does not have direct bilateral trade with India. Talking about the 50th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) being held in Cameroons Yaounde from August 29 to 30, she said foreign secretary will represent Pakistan at the meeting. The foreign secretary will present Pakistans perspective on Gaza and Jammu and Kashmir there, she said, adding that he will also discuss terrorism and other global issues during the session. In May last year, then-Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari traveled to India to attend the two-day meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organizations (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers. He was the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India in nearly 12 years. Later that month, Bhutto-Zardari described his participation in the event as a productive and positive decision during a Senate panel discussion. As far as the Kashmir issue, bilateral issues between Pakistan and India, and the responsibilities of multilateralism are concerned, my conclusion after the trip is that it is a productive and positive decision to participate in the event, he said. With inputs from agencies Families of Israeli hostages being held in the Gaza Strip protested near the border, demanding a deal to secure their release and at one point made a dash to try to cross into the coastal enclave. read more Family members and supporters of hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack, walk towards the border on the day they use giant loudspeakers to call their captive loved ones over the border from Israel to Gaza, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, at Kibbutz Nirim in southern Israel. Image- Reuters Relatives and family members of 107 hostages still held by Palestinian terrorists in Gaza staged a protest near the Gaza border, symbolically breaking through the perimeter fence of Kibbutz Nirim and attempting to approach the Gaza border barrier on Thursday. The group of around two dozen relatives, wearing t-shirts with bloody handprints and carrying signs and posters with images of their family members, marched towards the barrier, approximately two kilometers away. However, they eventually returned to Nirim after being persuaded by security forces. The protest signs read Their blood is on the hands of the government, expressing the families anguish and frustration. Advertisement They began by shouting messages of love and support through a stack of speakers pointed towards the Gaza frontier. Hersh, its dada, yelled Jon Polin, whose son Hersh Goldberg-Polin was taken hostage from a music festival. What you need to know, and all 107 of you need to know, is not only are the families here today and 9 million people of this country, but people all over the world are fighting for you, he said. His mother, Rachel Goldberg, raised her hand to the sky as she spoke into the microphone: We love you. Stay strong. Survive. Nirim was one of a string of Israeli communities around the Gaza Strip targeted in a cross-border rampage by Islamist group Hamas on Oct. 7 that sparked the war in Gaza. Hamas-led gunmen killed some 1,200 Israelis and foreigners and abducted around 250 hostages on Oct. 7, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israels military has levelled Gaza, driving nearly all of its inhabitants from their homes and killing at least 40,000, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel says it has killed some 17,000 militants. International efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal have failed to end the fighting. At one point a few dozen protesters broke off and rushed towards the Gaza border in the distance. We are coming to get them back to Israel where they belong, where they are supposed to be, said Eyal Kalderon, short of breath during the dash, whose cousin Ofer is a hostage. Advertisement They were stopped before reaching the border by Israeli police, who warned that standing in the open field made them easy targets for Palestinian militants. We were trying to get into Gaza to get the hostages back. Our family members. Our military stopped us, they are trying to defend and protect us. But the hostages arent protected there, said Gil Dickmann. His cousin Carmel Gat is also in captivity. We have to sign a deal now and get all the hostages back. And were calling our prime minister if you cant do this, well get inside and well bring them back ourselves. Bring them home now. Advertisement With inputs from Reuters. Spain signed bilateral memorandums of understanding on circular migration with Mauritania on Tuesday evening and The Gambia on Wednesday read more Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez talks next to members of Spain's Guardia Civil based in The Gambia upon his visit at the port of Banjul. AFP / La Moncloa Spain has signed agreements with Mauritania and The Gambia to strengthen cooperation to combat people smuggling and promote legal migration, as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visits West Africa in the face of surging migrant arrivals. Spain signed bilateral memorandums of understanding on circular migration with Mauritania on Tuesday evening and The Gambia on Wednesday. The texts establish a framework for regular entry into Spain based on labour needs, with an emphasis on young people and women. Advertisement Sanchez arrived in Senegals capital Dakar on Wednesday evening for the third and final leg of his three-day tour, attending an event showcasing collaboration projects at Spains Cervantes Institute. We want to be close like friends and partners, working alongside each other in areas that are very important for both our societies, Sanchez said during the event. In peace, security, sustainable development, in inclusive and resilient growth to achieve orderly, safe and regular mobility, which is one of the shared challenges that our societies face, he said. The Spanish leader is due to meet with Senegals President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Thursday. Earlier in the tour, Spain signed agreements with both Mauritania and The Gambia to strengthen cooperation against organised crime. During a meeting with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, Sanchez said the main aim was to combat human trafficking, Mauritanias national news agency reported. Nearly every day, Spains coastguard rescues a boat carrying dozens of African migrants towards the Canary Islands off the northwest coast of Africa. The Atlantic route is perilous due to the strong currents, with thousands of deaths and disappearances every year on overloaded, often unseaworthy boats. Mauritania, The Gambia and Senegal are key departure points for a large proportion of the boats. Madrid estimates there are some 200,000 people in Mauritania waiting to make the crossing to the Canaries. Advertisement Immigration is not a problem Between January 1 and August 15 this year, 22,304 migrants reached the islands, compared with 9,864 in the same period in 2023 an increase of 126 percent, according to interior ministry figures. Across all of Spain, there were 31,155 arrivals up to mid-August, a 66.2-percent increase on the 18,745 a year earlier. Spain has signed joint declarations with Mauritania and The Gambia expressing their commitment to promote safe, orderly and regular migration. On Tuesday evening, Sanchez stressed the importance of fighting against illegal people smugglers and managing migration in a humane, safe and orderly way. Not so long ago, Spain was also a country of migrants, he said, adding that immigration is not a problem, but a necessity that comes with certain problems. Advertisement We must fight against the mafias that trade in human beings and play with human lives, and those who take advantage of the terrible conditions and desperation of those who resort to irregular migration, Sanchez said, as reported by Mauritanias news agency. Since 2014 at least 4,857 people have died or disappeared while trying to reach the Canary Islands, according to the UNs International Organization for Migration (IOM). Priority regions Spains circular migration pilot project with Mauritania will initially last one year, with the European country communicating job offers to Mauritania, which will select candidates for work. Candidates will undergo interviews and, if necessary, tests, obtain a visa, sign a contract and agree to return to their country at the end of the contract. Advertisement The memorandum does not provide a figure for potential offers. Spain has already applied the approach successfully with other countries, Sanchez said. The Spanish prime minister also pledged half a million euros to a defence and security training initiative in Mauritania and the launching of a Cervantes Institute to promote the Spanish language and culture. Sanchez said he wanted to give new impetus to Spains relations with Africa during his trip to the Gambian capital Banjul, where he was making the first official visit by a Spanish head of government since the establishment of bilateral relations. He visited Spanish Guardia Civil and police officers deployed at the port of Banjul in the name of cooperation on migration and anti-trafficking. Advertisement Sanchez vowed that Spain would launch a new strategy for relations with Africa in the coming weeks, indicating that West Africa and the Sahel would be considered priority regions. While both sides disagreed on core issues, a possible call between US President Joe Biden and his counterpart Xi Jinping is likely to happen in the coming weeks read more In a rare bilateral talks, the United States and China have agreed to expand military-to-military contact and pledged to hold the second round of talks on artificial intelligence (AI) cooperation. The agreements were made between US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinas top diplomat Wang Yi at their two-day talks in Beijing which ended on Aug 28. While both sides disagreed on core issues, a possible call between US President Joe Biden and his counterpart Xi Jinping is likely to happen in the coming weeks. During the meeting, both sides agreed to maintain high-level exchanges and pledged to cooperate in areas such as drug control, law enforcement, climate change and the repatriation of illegal immigrants, The Straits Times reported. Advertisement It is pertinent to note that Sullivans visit was the fourth of such strategic talks held between the two leaders since May 2023. The first time they met in Vienna to lay the groundwork for the first of a series of top-level bilateral meetings that helped restore a certain measure of stability to the bilateral relationships. However, the brewing tensions between the two nations over a plethora of matters have obstructed fruitful outcomes of such negotiation. No resolution on certain issues Both countries have been engaged in a competitive relationship over issues including technological sanctions, Taiwan, brewing tensions in the South China Sea and Chinas support for Russia in the Ukraine war. While Sullivan and Wang held a long discussion over these issues, the meeting ended with no immediate resolutions on the matter. Before Sullivan met Wang, a senior US official said in a briefing that the aim of the meeting was not to come up with a specific deliverable, but the meeting is more about clearing up misperceptions and preventing competition from veering into conflict, The Straits Times reported. The readouts released by both the nations on Wednesday described the meeting as a candid, substantive and constructive discussion over the two days. Following the meeting, Beijing released a statement in which they maintained that a second round of China-US intergovernmental dialogue on AI would be held at an appropriate time. It is important to note that the last time Biden and Xi came face-to-face was during the November 2023 summit in California. Washington maintained that both sides welcomed further discussion during US senior adviser to the president for international climate policy John Podestas upcoming travel to China. Advertisement While addressing the reporters, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasised that the key to a successful US-Sino relationship is that both nations interact with each other as equals. Starting from a position of strength is not the right way for countries to interact, he said. South China Sea and Taiwan: Key areas of contention Both sides butt heads over the recent clashes between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. China is firmly committed to safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights over the South China Sea islands," Wang said after the meeting. Meanwhile, Sullivan mentioned in the US statement that he expressed concerns about the PRCs destabilising actions against lawful Philippine maritime operations, referring to the Peoples Republic of China. Wang also maintained that the US should stop suppressing China in the economic, trade and technological fields and stop harming Chinas legitimate interests." Advertisement When it comes to Taiwan, Wang maintained that the island regions independence is the biggest risk to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and the US should put its commitment not to support Taiwan independence into practice. He also urged Washington to halt its arms sales to the self-governing island. In response to this, Sullivan underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, said the US statement. While the meeting helped in getting breakthroughs in several areas, US and China continue to disagree on key issues. The sanction targeted one organisation and one individual which Washington claimed had long involvement in the intimidation of Palestinians read more According to IDF, there was a twelve-hour gun battle in the Tulkarem area of the West Bank between its forces and Hamas terrorists. Image Courtesy: Reuters Amid the brewing tensions, the United States announced fresh sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank. The US is considering it as an attempt to curb the worsening settler violence in the Palestinian region by reprimanding the extremist groups which are funded by the government of Israel. According to The Guardian, the sanction targeted one organisation and one individual which Washington claimed had long involvement in the intimidation of Palestinians. The US Treasury made them specially designated nationals, which means their assets are blocked and US citizens and companies are prohibited from dealing with them. While announcing the sanctions Washington accused the Israeli settlers of using intimidation against Palestinians to seize their land. Advertisement The Israeli group in question was Hashomer Yosh, which was known for providing security for illegal settler outposts. Some of these outposts were already sanctioned by the US in the past. According to The Guardian, the controversial group has been active in south Hebron hills, at the southern end of the West Bank, which has been a focus of Israeli settler violence against local Bedouin inhabitants. After all 250 Palestinian residents of Khirbet Zanuta [a village at the centre of the struggle for land] were forced to leave in late January, Hashomer Yosh volunteers fenced off the village to prevent the residents from returning, the US State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, said in a statement. Netanyahu slammed the sanctions Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the decision and his office said that it viewed them with utmost severity and that the issue was under pointed discussion with Washington. It is pertinent to note that Hashomer Yosh is officially a non-government organisation, but it has been funded and supported in recent years by Benjamin Netanyahus right-wing coalition. The Israeli premiers office issued a harsh response to the sanctions. Israel views with utmost severity the imposition of sanctions on citizens of Israel. The issue is in a pointed discussion with the US," the office averred. When it comes to the individual, Washington imposed sanctions against Yitzhak Levi Filant, the security coordinator at Yitzhar settlement, which is located just south of Nablus. Filant, just like other settler security coordinators draws a salary directly from the Israeli Defence Minister. Advertisement Although Filants role is akin to a security or law enforcement officer, he has engaged in malign activities outside the scope of his authority, Miller said. In February 2024, he led a group of armed settlers to set up roadblocks and conduct patrols to pursue and attack Palestinians in their lands and forcefully expel them from their lands," he added. In the statement, Washington concluded that the United States will continue to take action to promote accountability for those who commit and support extremist violence affecting the West Bank. With inputs as agencies. The pilot, identified as Oleksiy Mes, popularly known as Moonfish, was killed in the crash while repelling the biggest ever aerial attack by Russia against Ukraine, according to a report read more The Ukrainian Air Force's F-16 fighter jet flies in an undisclosed location in Ukraine. AP File Weeks after the long-awaited F-16 fighter jets arrived in Ukraine, a US-made plane crashed during Russian aerial assault on Monday killing a top Ukrainian pilot. According to a CNN report, citing Ukrainian military source, the Ukrainian Defence Forces do not believe pilot error was behind the incident. The pilot, identified as Oleksiy Mes, popularly known as Moonfish, was killed in the crash while repelling the biggest ever aerial attack by Russia against Ukraine, CNN reported, citing the source, adding that the pilot was buried on Thursday. Advertisement The crash is under investigation, and international experts will be brought in to assist with the probe, CNN quoted the source as saying. The death of the pilot is a significant loss for Ukraine as Moonfish was among the few pilots trained to operate them. On Tuesday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Ukrainian Air Force had used F-16s to intercept Russian missiles and drones on Monday, marking the first official confirmation of the jets combat deployment. Kyiv had long awaited the arrival of the F-16s, with President Zelenskyy appealing to Western allies for the jets since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Like other military equipment, the provision of F-16s faced delays as Western countries initially hesitated. The Netherlands and Denmark pledged to supply the jets in early summer of 2023, but the US only approved the transfer a few weeks later. Upon their arrival earlier this summer, Zelenskyy said he and his government conducted hundreds of meetings and negotiations to secure the jets. Ukrainian pilots began their training in the US in the fall, with Moonfish and others completing the program in just six months, despite a typical training duration of one year. With inputs from agencies The Biden administration is restarting an immigration program that allows migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to come to the US, and it is including additional vetting of their US-based financial sponsors following fraud concerns read more The Biden administration is restarting an immigration program that allows migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to come to the United States, and it is including additional vetting of their US-based financial sponsors following fraud concerns. The Department of Homeland Security had suspended the program earlier this month to investigate the concerns but indicated that an internal review found no widespread fraud among sponsors. Together with our existing rigorous vetting of potential beneficiaries seeking to travel to the United States, these new procedures for supporters have strengthened the integrity of these processes and will help protect against exploitation of beneficiaries, the agency said. Advertisement The program launched in January 2023 and is a major piece of the Biden administrations immigration policies that create or expand pathways for legal entry while restricting asylum for those who cross the border illegally. The policy is aimed at countries that send large numbers of people to the United States and generally refuse to accept those who are deported. It is paired with commitments from Mexico to take back people from those countries who cross the U.S. border illegally. Under the program, the US accepts up to 30,000 people a month from the four countries for two years and offers eligibility for work authorization. To qualify, migrants must have a financial sponsor in the US who vouches for them and fly into an American airport at their own expense, rather than crossing at the southern border. Those acting as sponsors and the migrants hoping to come to America undergo vetting by Homeland Security. Republicans have repeatedly criticized the program as an end-run around immigration laws. They immediately attacked the administration when the program was suspended early this month, pointing to it as further validation of their concerns about whether migrants were properly vetted. The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement Thursday that the additional vetting would include more scrutiny of the financial records that U.S.-based sponsors are required to submit as well as their criminal backgrounds. Sponsors will be required to submit fingerprints, and the agency will bolster steps to identify sponsors who are fraudulent and when one files numerous applications. DHS said an internal review found some cases of fraud, such as sponsors using fake Social Security numbers, but that the majority of cases it investigated had a reasonable explanation, such as a typo when a sponsor was submitting information online. Advertisement Since the inception of the process, a very small number of supporters were found to have fraud or criminal issues warranting referral to law enforcement for investigation and/or appropriate action, the agency said. Homeland Security also said it had not found issues in vetting the migrants themselves, saying those who come to the US under the program have been thoroughly screened and vetted. When it announced the programs suspension, Homeland Security didnt say when processing stopped. But the news broke after the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a group that favors immigration restrictions, cited an internal agency report that raised questions about fraud. Advertisement Neither Homeland Security nor FAIR have provided that report. FAIR asserted that the report showed that 3,218 sponsors were responsible for more than 100,000 filings and that 24 of the top 1,000 Social Security numbers used by sponsors corresponded to dead people. Concerns about sponsors seeking a quick profit surfaced almost from the start. Facebook groups with names like Sponsors US carried dozens of posts offering and seeking financial supporters. Since the program was launched, more than 520,000 people from the four countries have arrived in the U.S. Arrests for illegal crossings have plummeted among the four nationalities. Cubans were arrested 5,065 times during the first half of the year, compared with more than 42,000 arrests in November 2022 alone. Haitians were arrested 304 times during the first six months of the year, compared with a peak of nearly 18,000 in September 2021. Several Afghan women have now launched an online protest by uploading videos of themselves singing in defiance of the Talibans latest laws read more Days after the Taliban regime in Afghanistan introduced a new set of vice and virtue laws that banned the sound of womens voices singing or reading in public, Afghan women took to social media to express anger over the draconian law. The best way to do so was to sing their hearts out. Several Afghan women have now launched online protests by uploading videos of themselves singing in defiance of the Talibans latest laws. Women from both Afghanistan and abroad challenged these rules by singing about their struggle for freedom. Advertisement The videos of the women singing and raising their voices of discontent flooded the social media. Most of the women sang in their burkhas keeping their identities hidden, yet expressing their anger over the matter. Raise Your Voice for Freedom Of Women! This is the answer of brave Afghan womens on the Taliban's new laws. Afghan women are boldly countering Talibans New Draconian law by singing out louder than ever.#MyVoiceIsNotForbiden #WomenRights #UN pic.twitter.com/xszvCV0Rvp Jahanzeb Wesa (@JahanzebWesa) August 27, 2024 The songs of defiance In one video, a woman was seen singing with her face and her body fully covered, lamenting the restrictions imposed by the Taliban. The lyrics of most of these songs referenced the harsh realities faced by Afghan women since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, including bans on education and public speech. You placed the stamp of silence on my mouth until further notice, the woman sang in the viral video. You will [not] provide me with bread and food until further notice, youve imprisoned me inside the house for the crime of being a woman," she added. Advertisement Once again, Afghan women are raising their voices to oppose the ban. "You have silenced my voice until further notice, but my voice is not 'Awra,'" sings an Afghan woman. pic.twitter.com/cU7JhSpZ9D Zubaida Akbar (@ZubaidaAKBR) August 26, 2024 Afghan women from South Asia and Europe are using their voices to resist the Talibans oppressive regime. In another clip, a woman who left Afghanistan for Germany after the Taliban returned to Afghanistan, sang about the role of women in shaping the countrys history. Advertisement If I dont exist, who are you? Where are the true men among you? Without Ameneh and Rudabeh, where would Mohammad, Rostam, and Sohrab be? she sang, referring to the mothers of the Prophet of Islam and other famous male figures from Persian literature. The draconian law On Wednesday, the Taliban issued the countrys first vice and virtue restrictions, requiring a woman to conceal her face, body and voice outside the home. This meant that women could not sing or recite the Quran in public, and their clothing must not be thin, tight, or short. The law also forbade women to speak loudly inside their homes in case their voices were heard outside. Earlier this week, Volker Turk, the United Nations human rights chief, called on the Taliban to immediately repeal the egregious laws. The UN official insisted that the law is attempting to turn women into shadows. Advertisement Afghan Women Voices Afghan women have joined the protests rallying behind the phrase "My voice is not private." They sing as a powerful act of defiance using their voices as a symbol of resistance against the oppressive rule of the Taliban. pic.twitter.com/gTB88LEo9B Jahanzeb Wesa (@JahanzebWesa) August 28, 2024 Meanwhile, Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the UNs Afghanistan mission, said the restrictions indicated a distressing vision for Afghanistans future. With input from agencies. The Shanshan is referred to as Typhoon No. 10 by the weather agency and has a central pressure reading of 970 hectopascals maximum sustained wind speeds of 126 kph and gusts reaching up to 180 kph read more The powerful Typhoon Shanshan made landfall in Japans Kyushu on Thursday morning at 8 am (local time). According to The Japan Times, the Typhoon initially created chaos near the city of Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture. As of 1 pm (local time), Shanshan was moving 15 kph near the city of Minamishimabara in Nagasaki Prefecture. The Shanshan is referred to as Typhoon No. 10 by the weather agency and has a central pressure reading of 970 hectopascals maximum sustained wind speeds of 126 kph and gusts reaching up to 180 kph, The Japan Times reported. Advertisement The Japanese meteorological agency noted that when the typhoon made landfall, it was packing a windspeed of 144 kph and gusts reaching up to 216 kph. Eyewall of #typhoon #shanshan moving over Makurazaki now - fierce winds and sheets of rain flying every. Sporadic lightning too - with @iCyclone pic.twitter.com/QqDsNsj8TI James Reynolds (@EarthUncutTV) August 28, 2024 54 people injured Typhoon Shanshan has managed to wreak major havoc across the country by Thursday afternoon. At least 54 people 30 in Miyazaki, 15 in Kagoshima, three in Nagasaki, two in Kumamoto and Oita and one in Fukuoka and Saga were injured by the mayhem that was unleashed after the Typhoon made landfall. According to NHK, one person is missing due to the storm as well. The authorities noted that the man was in his 60s and went missing in Kagoshima Bay on Wednesday night when he fell into the ocean from the small boat he was on. In light of this, the Japanese authorities have issued a Level 5 emergency warning at around 8 am (local time) in the city of Yufu in Oita Prefecture. The rarely issued highest-level emergency came into play due to flooding from the Miyakawa River, which overflowed its banks amid the heavy rain. Advertisement The alert covers 2,311 people in 1,256 households. Not only this, same alert was also issued in the morning for the city of Usa, in Oita Prefecture, due to possible flooding from the Yakkan River. It is pertinent to note that in Japan, a level 5 alert warns of a life-threatening situation and urges residents to take action to protect themselves immediately if they can no longer evacuate safely. Thousands of households face power outages Meanwhile, in the Kagoshima Prefecture, emergency storm, high tide and storm surge warnings were lifted late Thursday morning. However, a total of over 250,000 households in Kyushu are experiencing power outages. Nearly 220,000 are in Kagoshima while around 16,000 are in Miyazaki. Advertisement The Japanese weather agency warned that heavy rains are expected to continue across the nation, even in areas far from the storm. Southern Kyushu is expected to witness 600 mm of rain over the next 24 hours, while parts of north Kyushu and the Shikoku region are expected to see 400 mm of rain. Level 4 evacuation orders are still in place in parts of Kagoshima, Miyazaki, Oita, Kumamoto, Ehime, Aichi and Shizuoka, either due to the risk of heavy rainfall, flooding or landslides. To protect your life and the lives of your loved ones, please flee to evacuation areas specified by local authorities and secure your safety, Satoshi Sugimoto, an official at the weather agency, said at a news conference on Wednesday afternoon. Advertisement Storms, tidal waves and storm surges like never experienced before are to be expected and will require the utmost caution, Sugimoto said at an earlier news conference, The Japan Times reported. India has suffered a setback in Denmark where a court has ruled that the 1995 arms drop case accused will not be extradited to New Delhi for trial. Accused Niels Holck aka Kim Davy had dropped arms in West Bengals Purulia. read more Almost 30 years after Denmarks Niels Holck, also known as Kim Davy, dropped four tonnes of arms and ammunitions in West Bengals Purulia, a Danish court on Thursday ruled against his extradition to India. The ruling does not mean a clean chit to Holck as the judge invoked Denmarks extradition law saying that there is a risk that if extradited to India, he would be subjected to treatment in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights. Advertisement The Purulia story began with the shock and surprise that consumed West Bengal villagers in the morning of December 18, 1995, and unravelling of a conspiracy bordered on threatening national security. The locals of Jhalda, Khatanga, Belamu, Maramu villages of West Bengals Purulia district found sophisticated weapons spread all over their fields when they woke up on that wintry morning. The news soon spread and security agencies reacted in panic with no clue about the source and intended destination of such a huge cache of weapons. The weapons had been dropped the previous night by an ageing Russian AN 26 transport plane that had taken off from Pakistans Karachi on December 17 for Dhaka in Bangladesh. It stopped in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to refuel, and made a course diversion in the neighbouring Bihars Gaya to Purulia. The plane delivering the arms and ammunition had eight people on board Niels Holck also known as Kim Davy from Denmark, British arms dealer and the operational mastermind Peter Bleach, Singaporean of Indian descent Deepak Manikan and and five Russian-speaking Latvian crew. In Purulia, it flew dangerously low and dropped tonnes of deadly arms and ammunition in the dark night. They then took the plane back to its original flight corridor to land at Kolkatas Dum Dum airport, where they refuelled it before taking off for Phuket, Thailand. The weapons were meant for Anand Marg, a social-spiritual sect that had allegedly turned militant. In a 2015 book The Night It Rained Guns: Unravelling the Purulia Arms Drop Conspiracy journalist-author Chandan Nandy calls it a spectacular operation to breach Indias security. Advertisement The weapons The dark night had possibly confused Holck and others. The morning scene that villagers described to journalists thronging Purulia was startling. Weapons, strange for villagers, were spread over a wide area and in open fields. Purulia, the headquarters of the Ananda Marg, had never witnessed such a sight before. Security personnel rushed and started collecting weapons 10 RPG-7 rocket launchers, 300 AK-47s, 25 9-mm pistols, two 7.62 sniper rifles, two night vision binoculars, 100 grenades, 23,800 rounds of 7.62 ammunition, 6,000 rounds of 9-mm ammunition, 100 anti-tank grenades as well as 10 telescopic sights for rocket launchers. The cargo weighed 4,375 kg. Advertisement Did India have intelligence? Information now available in the public domain points to glaring negligence on part of the security agencies. British intelligence MI5 had reportedly tipped off the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Indias external intelligence agency, which on November 25, 1995 22 days before the arms were dropped alerted the Intelligence Bureau and top secretaries of the Union government then headed by PV Narasimha Rao. However, three weeks later, none of the agencies was found to be tailing the lead and the plane. They got a second to catch the conspirators as they decided to return to Karachi via India. They landed in Chennai, refuelled and took off. Now, the agencies showed some action. The plane was force-landed in Mumbai. Advertisement While others were arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment, Holck and Manikan somehow escaped. In the dossier that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) gave to the Interpol and Denmark, it said that it was Deepak who bought the parachutes from South Africa that were used to unload the cache. Later, the Latvian crew were released on Russias request in 2000 and Bleach was set free in 2004 by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. Holck and Denmark connection Years later, Holck wrote a book and featured in a documentary having settled down comfortably in his native country Denmark. In his book De Kalder Mig Terrorist ( They Call Me Terrorist) Holck procured weapons for the protection of the Ananda Marga sect, which was allegedly facing threats from the then Jyoti Basu-led communist government of West Bengal. Advertisement Holck also claims that he had been given assurance by the Rao-led Congress government at the Centre that he would be allowed to return to Denmark safely. In 2011, in an interview with Indian TV news channel Times Now, Holck repeated his claim. He also said that he was an Ananda Margi. The Indian authorities knew the flight plan, the people on board, the cargo, the drop zone everything was known well in advance and approved well in advance, Davy claimed, adding there was communication between the British intelligence MI5 and RAW. The extradition case After remaining off radar for several years, he was traced by Denmark authorities in 2007. As the successive Indian governments pursued its extradition request for Holck with the Denmark government, the latter agreed in 2010 to send the prime accused to face the law in India. But Holck challenged the decision citing Denmarks extradition law and the Danish government could not defend its decision in the court. Since then, the governments have been in talks about his extradition and Holck has depended on the Danish courts to keep himself off the hook. During every high-profile bilateral visit, Holcks extradition creates chatter in diplomacy and media. In 2021, when Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen visited India, the question of Holcks extradition was put to spokespersons of both the countries. Indias external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, We are focused on that. It has been on the agenda. We have raised it in the past and we remain engaged with Denmark on this issue and our discussions are ongoing on the issue. Danish Ambassador Freddy Svane said, Judiciaries on both sides are looking into it. We will leave it to them. They are extremely competent and know how to handle these kinds of things. In 2023, when Danish Foreign Affairs Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen visited India, he said it is a work in progress and that it is not a political topic. Now, a year later, the Denmark court has held that the guarantees India has provided [for securing Holcks extradition] are not valid. The two sides have been negotiating the conditions for several years, during which Holck has told the same court that he was on board the plane that dropped arms in Purulia for a rebel group but the judge viewed that his safety cant be guaranteed in India. Balochistan is in news for its terrorism and the counter-offensive by the Pakistani government. But who are the Baloch people and why are they protesting against the Pakistani establishment? read more Ten districts of the Balochistan province of Pakistan came under terrorist attacks on the night of August 25-26, according to the local counter-terrorism department. More than 70 people were killed in terror attacks. The Pakistan government vowed retaliatory actions, which have seen the killing of multiple suspected Baloch militants. Baloch is an ethnic group in Pakistan which has been fighting for its independence for decades through various outfits political and armed. As an ethnic group, Baloch are not limited to Pakistan only. They have a contiguous habitation in the adjoining areas of Iran and Afghanistan. Advertisement While some 15 million live in Pakistan, the correct estimation of their number is not available for Iran and Afghanistan, where they are said to be somewhere between 2 million to 5 million. Who are the Baloch people? Their history and source of origin are up for historical debate. Some experts trace their origin to Persia, others to Syrias Aleppo and some others identify them as inhabitants of the same locality for over 3,000 years. Sources tracing them to Syria also link them to the family of Prophet Muhammad, identifying them as descendants of Hazrat Ameer Hamza, uncle of the founder of Islam who had settled in Halab (present day Aleppo). The stock later migrated to the Sistan region of Iran and spread over neighbouring modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, a paper published by the Balochistan Study Centre, University of Balochistan, Quetta (the capital of Balochistan), says, Baloch is an ancient nation who have been living in middle-east India and Iran since the attacks by Aryans, by different names and forms they lived in small tribes, almost always attacked by foreigners and ruined because of no united power. The researcher clearly identifies Baloch as locals since the days when historians theorise the arrival of Aryans around 1500 BC in India. The paper says that the Baloch people have fought bravely against Cyrus of Persia, Alexander of Macedonia, Genghis Khan of Mongolia and that no foreign ruler ever reigned in Balochistan for long. Advertisement After the advent of Islam in the early seventh century, Iran and then western parts of India-Afghanistan faced Arab invasions. The Baloch people converted to Islam through invasions and social-trade contacts over the next few centuries. Despite differences over the origins and migrations of the Baloch people, all sources agree that they have been living north of the Arabian Sea over an area that is now divided between Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan for the past five to seven centuries. The Baloch way of life The Baloch people are mostly followers of the Sunni sect of Islam. However, a small percentage of those living in Pakistan are Shia Muslims. The culture that they so strongly strive to protect against what they see as invasion by the Pakistani government and armed forces follows a traditional code of conduct, called Baluchmayar, literally meaning the Baluchi way. Advertisement Baluchmayar serves as the guiding principle of proper conduct for the Baloch people. It has prescription for almost every aspect of social life and is loosely based on five ethical values of the Baloch society Laj (modesty), Ghairat (self-honour), Izzat (social respect or reputation), and Nang o Namoos (prestige or honour). The conventional way of life has been nomadic and semi-nomadic that banks on oral tradition for imparting knowledge from one generation to another. Formal education is still low among Baloch people, with school drop-out rates very high. According to the Provincial Census Report Balochistan, 2017, only 43 of 100 people could read and write in Balochistan lagging over 15 percentage points below Pakistans national average. Less than a third of Baloch women can read and write. Advertisement Their clothing is quite colourful and varies little from Pakistan to Iran and Afghanistan due to stricter dressing code enforced by Irans Khameini rule and Afghan Taliban diktat. The Baloch men traditionally wear loose pants (pyjama) with long shirts and turbans or sometimes hats. Baloch women wear loose pants (salwar) and shirts that have colourful needlework, often varying to symbolise their class. They cover their hair with a scarf, locally called sarig. In Iran, Baloch women also cover their faces with a thick red burqa. They speak Balochi, which is a language of the Indo-Iranian family, with some connection with the Kurdish of the Turkish region. Interestingly, until the 19th century, the Balochi language had no written form and the rulers used Persian as the official language of communication. Advertisement The Baloch politics Traditionally, the Baloch followed a tribal polity, with tribal heads formed an assembly to choose their leader. Of the many tribes, Bugti, Marri and Mingal are the dominant three in Pakistans Balochistan province. The earlier tribal structure of Sardarkel (hereditary tribal chief) gave to bigger lords in due course. By the 17th century, a tribal chief Mir Hasan established himself as the first Khan of the Baloch. He was followed by Mir Ahmad Khan Qambarani, who established the Balochi Khanate of Kalat, laying the foundation of the Ahmadzai dynasty. The Kalat rule continued till 1947 through the two centuries of British rule. The Khan of Kalat had signed an agreement with the British in the 1830s, securing autonomy in exchange for peace and other concessions. Kalat, which represented Balochistan became an independent country a few days before India was granted Independence and partitioned to carve out Pakistan in August 1947. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, was Kalats counsel presenting its case for independence before the British. However, once Pakistan came into being, Jinnah pressured the Khan of Kalat to accede to his country. With some help from the British, Pakistan acquired Balochistan, whose legislature had emphatically rejected the proposal to merge with Jinnahs nation. Why Baloch are angry with Pakistan Depending on how a Pakistani official calculates its territorial expanse, Balochistan makes up 44 per cent to 48 per cent of its geographical area. It is the most resource rich province and the most coveted land for China in Pakistan. Sadly, the land and its people have remained underdeveloped for decades, and have faced several rounds of repression from the Pakistani government and armed forces. On their part, the Baloch people have kept organising themselves and revolting against Pakistan since its merger itself in 1948. They rebelled in the 1950s, the 1960s and the 1970s. Each time, the Pakistani military came harder on them. The current phase of armed insurgency began in the early 2000s. Several groups the Balochistan Liberation Army and the Balochistan Liberation Front being the most prominent have taken up arms and target Pakistani establishment or non-Baloch ethnic groups in the province. They also target Chinese nationals who are working on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects and mines of gold, copper and oil that China has acquired. The Baloch people are poor in a rich land and lack basic civic amenities in a geographical set up that Pakistan showcases as its development achievements. They blame the Pakistani government and military establishment for their poor plight, corrupt leadership, bad governance, incompetent authorities, and unfair distribution of opportunities and resources. There is a deep feeling among the Baloch that they have been kept backward intentionally by the Pakistani government and the military establishment dominated by Punjabis. They also resent a disregard for their code of conduct Balochmayar. The assassination of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti in 2006 started a violent struggle that continues till date in Balochistan. A civil movement is also going on and has intensified in the past one month with activists such as Sadia Baloch seeking answers from the Pakistani government and its powerful military about the hundreds of Baloch people who have vanished during counter-offensive operations in Balochistan. The figure for girls who said a condom had been used the last time they had sex fell from 63 to 57 per cent read more Condom use among sexually active teens has declined significantly in Europe over the past decade, with rates of unprotected sex worryingly high, the World Health Organization said Thursday. This is putting young people at significant risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies, WHO Europe said in a statement. Data from a survey of more than 242,000 15-year-olds across 42 of the 53 countries that make up the WHO European region, which includes Central Asia, showed that the proportion of sexually active teenage boys who used a condom the last time they had sex fell from 70 per cent in 2014 to 61 per cent in 2022. Advertisement The figure for girls who said a condom had been used the last time they had sex fell from 63 to 57 per cent. Almost a third of adolescents said they used neither a condom nor a contraceptive pill the last time they had intercourse, largely unchanged from 2018. Use of contraceptive pills also remained relatively stable between 2014 and 2022, with 26 per cent of 15-year-olds reporting that they or their partner had used it the last time they had sex. The report also showed that teens from low-income families were more likely to not use a condom or a pill, with 33 per cent reporting using neither during their last intercourse, compared to 25 per cent from more affluent families. Age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education remains neglected in many countries, and where it is available, it has increasingly come under attack in recent years on the false premise that it encourages sexual behaviour, WHO Europe director Hans Kluge said in a statement. The truth is that equipping young persons with the right knowledge at the right time leads to optimal health outcomes linked to responsible behaviour and choices, he said. The WHO said that in addition to higher rates of STIs and unplanned pregnancies, inadequate sexuality education also leads to increased healthcare costs and disrupted education and career paths for young people. We are reaping the bitter fruit of these reactionary efforts, with worse to come unless governments, health authorities, the education sector and other essential stakeholders truly recognise the root causes of the current situation and take steps to rectify it, it said. Advertisement The agency urged policymakers, educators and healthcare providers to invest in comprehensive sexuality education, improve access to sexual health services, promote dialogue and better train educators. realme has expanded its TWS lineup in India by launching the realme Buds T01, alongside the realme 13 Series. The realme Buds T01 comes with a lightweight half in-ear design, weighing approximately 4 grams, and is engineered to fit comfortably across various ear shapes and sizes. It is equipped with 12mm dynamic bass drivers and PET diaphragms, complemented by AI Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) for enhanced call quality. Each earbud is powered by a 40mAh battery, while the charging case holds a 400mAh capacity. This configuration delivers up to 6 hours of playback on a single charge, and up to 28 hours of total playback with the charging case. A quick 10-minute charge provides around 120 minutes of listening time. The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.4 for stable connections and offer a low latency gaming mode via the realme Link app, achieving as low as 88ms latency for synced audio. Other notable features include Google Fast Pair support, smart touch controls, gesture commands, customization options through the realme Link app, and IPX4 water resistance for added durability. Quick Specifications: realme Buds T01 Lightweight in-ear design (4g per earbud) 12mm dynamic bass drivers and PET diaphragms AI ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) for calls Supports Google Fast Pair, touch controls, tap gestures Bluetooth v5.4 Game mode: Ultra-low latency of 88ms Battery: 40mAh (each earbud); 400mAh (case) Battery life (buds + case): 28 hours total playback Fast charging: 10 minutes charge for 2 hours playback IPX4 water resistance Compatible with realme Link app Colors: Black and White 1-year warranty Pricing and Availability The realme Buds T01 is priced at Rs. 1,299 and is available in two color options: White and Black. The earbuds are currently available for purchase on realme.com, the realme Store App, Flipkart, Amazon.in, and select retail stores across India. Instagram has announced the launch of a new educational resource called Creator Lab, targeting aspiring creators. In addition to this, Instagram has introduced several new features aimed at enhancing user engagement and creativity. New Features on Instagram Meta, Instagrams parent company, has identified key trends for 2024, particularly how GenZ is shifting towards less me-centered content, such as photo dumps. To support this trend, Instagram has introduced several new features: Creative Text Tools: New options designed to make Posts, Reels, and Stories more engaging. Expanded Carousel Size: The ability to include up to 20 pieces of content in a single carousel. Music in Mixed Media Carousels: An option to add music to carousels that combine photos and videos. GenZs strong engagement with interactive content has also led Instagram to launch: Add Yours Music, Frames, and Reveal Stickers: Features that encourage viewers to interact, increasing overall engagement. Understanding the crucial role of music in fostering creativity on the platform, Instagram has rolled out: Music on Profile: A new feature allowing users to add music to their profiles. Music in Content Notes: A feature enabling the integration of music into notes. Multitrack Audio on Reels: This feature allows users to add up to 20 audio tracks to a single reel, broadening creative opportunities. Launch of Creator Lab Since 2019, Instagram has been committed to supporting creator education through its Born on Instagram program. Building on this foundation, Instagram is now launching Creator Lab, a new resource designed specifically for aspiring creators. Creator Lab will feature insights from 14 creators across various regions and genres, including Aabir Vyas, Govind Kaushal, Meethika Dwivedi, Raghav Sachhar, and The Vixens Crew. These creators will offer guidance on three essential themes: Expressing Yourself: Practical tips on using Instagrams tools and features for creative expression. Building Community: Strategies for creating meaningful connections and growing a loyal following. Growing Long-Term: Advice on monetizing content and establishing a sustainable career. The content will be available in both English and Hindi, with plans to add captions in six additional Indian languages: Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, and Hindi. More content will be continuously added to Creator Lab. For further details, users can visit the Creator Lab website. Speaking about the launch, Paras Sharma, Director of Global Partnerships at Meta India, said, MBABANE Mollis Group has donated E20 000 towards the National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA).This was revealed in a press statement shared with this publication by the organisers of the awards. According to the statement, the E20 000 sponsorship will support two categories listed as part of the awards. Were thrilled to announce that Mollis Group SA has generously donated E20 000 to support two exciting categories at the NACA Awards, which are Best Lutsango and Best Model, reads the statement. This means E70 000 has now been injected into the awards as Dot Media recently announced their sponsorship amounting to E50 000. Talent Mollis Group is a dynamic, mission-driven company that specialises in marketing South African-made products on the global stage. Lebo Radebe, Chairman of Mollis Group Africa, shared that they are honoured to have partnered with NACA Awards and support local talent. Our mission is to showcase the incredible talent and resources that our nation harbours, contributing to its economic prosperity. Were honoured to partner with the NACAs and support the incredible talent within Eswatini. We hope this donation inspires other sponsors to get on board and show their support for the arts and culture industry, Radebe said.NACA Awards Chairperson, Sipho Big Fish Makhabane, expressed his gratitude for the sponsorship, citing they are grateful for the kind gesture. Were incredibly grateful for this generous donation. Artists must get the recognition they deserve and with this funding, we can truly celebrate their excellence, Makhabane said.He went on to share the main objectives of the awards, saying they are aimed at celebrating the work of creatives. They honour the artistic achievements of our countrys artists, which not only boosts morale, but also encourages others to strive for excellence. Secondly, the awards help to increase public awareness and appreciation of the arts and culture industry, leading to greater support and investment. Finally, the awards create a platform for networking and collaboration among artists, which can lead to new opportunities and growth within the industry. The most important thing to execute is to ensure that the awards are organised in a fair, transparent and inclusive manner. The enthusiasm for the NACA Awards has been overwhelming, and were delighted to see the incredible talent emerging from Eswatini. With time running out, we urge all artists to act now and register for the awards before the deadline, he said. Development Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) CEO Stanley Dlamini echoed these sentiments, citing the sponsorship as reflecting the value of local arts. This donation is a testament to the value placed on our artists and the importance of supporting their work. We hope this inspires other companies to follow in Mollis Groups footsteps and support the development of the arts and culture industry. The NACA Awards are still open for nominations, with the Best Lutsango and Best Model categories sure to be highlights of the event. With the support of sponsors like Mollis Group, these categories will undoubtedly be exciting and rewarding for the talented artists who participate, Dlamini said. Explore the rich history and architectural beauty of Trinity Episcopal Church in this captivating tour given by Reverend Jimmy Abbott. Join J.R., Lisa, Erika, and Reverend Jimmy in uncovering the layers of history, from its founding in 1841 to its role in wartime and natural disasters. 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, 2006-2024. More than 1,800 purple and white flags representing Coloradans who died from overdose last year covered a portion of Lincoln Park for a display to commemorate National Overdose Awareness Day and offer those impacted by overdose the opportunity to remember and honor those lives with a candlelight vigil on Wednesday. LOBAMBA The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is divided over the visibility and effectiveness of the Financial Inclusion and Cluster Development (FINCLUDE) Project. FINCLUDE is a government unit that aims to improve the prosperity and resilience of local smallholders and micro-entrepreneurs through increasingly profitable and resilient links to markets.The division came after a query that was raised by Matsanjeni South Member of Parliament (MP), Sabelo Ndlangamandla, who questioned the input of FINCLUDE in the country and why it is under the Ministry of Finance. The MP said he strongly felt that FINCLUDE should be under the Ministry of Agriculture. The MPs question was brought about by an audit query that was raised by the auditor general, in his audits of the financial year that ended March 31, 2022. The audit showed that an over E11 million unappropriated budget was utilised by the entity in one of its projects.Why is FINCLUDE under the Ministry of Finance because it is a big player in the agriculture sector? How many emaSwati are assisted through FINCLUDE? he wondered. access FINCLUDE Senior Finance Officer Nakekelo Ginindza explained that the entity was big on access to finance and access to markets, hence it was under the Ministry of Finance. FINCLUDE works closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, she said.Despite the explanation by the officer, Ndlangamandla, among other MPs who are members of the PAC, said they had stated that FINCLUDE was not visible on the ground, but in hotels. The MP added that FINCLUDE was also big on feeding farmers with delicious meals, but not big on capacitating and assisting small farmers.The PAC Vice Chairperson and Nhlambeni MP, Manzi Zwane, also shared the same sentiments as Ndlangamandla and raised concerns about the constant absenteeism of the FINCLUDE chief executive officer (CEO). Zwane added that when the Ministry of Finance was before the PAC before yesterdays session, the CEO left in the middle of the session. We need the CEO to respond to the questions we have about FINCLUDE, he said. The PAC chairperson urged Ginindza to pick one of FINCLUDEs success stories. However, the officer said she would need to compile a report. Most of the MPs seemed to agree with each other about FINCLUDEs visibility and effectiveness until Kubuta MP Masiphula Mamba differed from the other MPs. visit Mamba told the PAC that if they wanted to see FINCLUDEs success stories they should visit his constituency to see how the entity assisted farmers.Dvokodvweni MP Sifiso Shabalala also stated that FINCLUDE also assisted some farmers in his constituency.The other MPs stated that these two MPs were the only ones who could share some success stories about FINCLUDE, but maintained that they needed more convincing. Ranching interests are welcoming Colorado Parks and Wildlifes plans to relocate a wolf pack that has been attacking livestock in Middle Park while wolf reintroduction advocates say more efforts should have been made to deter such attacks while leaving the wolves in the area. Were glad to hear theyre going to remove the pack, Tim Ritschard, president of the Middle Park Stockgrowers Association, said Wednesday. If a wolf wanders in and kills a cow or a calf, thats tolerable. When they set up camp and repeatedly depredate on livestock, thats where the problem is. Mike Senatore with Defenders of Wildlife said in a news release, This risky, short-term solution is a major setback for human-wolf coexistence in Colorado; several more approaches to nonlethal measures were available and should have been exhausted before coming to this decision. This action raises serious questions about CPWs commitment to a successful, science-based reintroduction. Parks and Wildlife announced the relocation plans in a news release Tuesday evening. It involves what the agency calls the Copper Creek pack. It includes two wolves relocated from Oregon in December who paired up and have produced at least three wolves, as verified by video recently taken by a member of the public. One or both parents have been involved in multiple attacks on livestock in Grand County. Most recently, Parks and Wildlife confirmed an attack involving eight sheep in the county on July 28. Ranchers have been calling for the problem wolves to be killed or otherwise removed from the area but Parks and Wildlife had declined to do so up until now, not wanting to disrupt the parents efforts to raise young and instead encouraging the use of nonlethal measures to try to prevent more attacks on livestock. Parks and Wildlife said in its news release that it now has begun an effort to capture and relocate wolves from the depredating pack, with technical support from federal partners and as provided for in a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule governing the establishment of an experimental population of the federally protected gray wolf in the state. The decision to capture and relocate the Copper Creek pack was made with the careful consideration of multiple factors and feedback from many different stakeholders, agency Director Jeff Davis said in the news release. Our options in this unique case were very limited, and this action is by no means a precedent for how CPW will resolve wolf-livestock conflict moving forward. The ultimate goal of the operation is to relocate the pack to another location while we assess our best options for them to continue to contribute to the successful restoration of wolves in Colorado. Parks and Wildlife said that for the safety of the animals and staff, it wont be sharing the location of the pack members or operation, but will provide more information once it is done. Voters in 2020 approved a ballot measure requiring gray wolf restoration in the state. Parks and Wildlife released 10 wolves from Oregon into Grand and Summit counties in December. One has died of an apparent mountain lion attack. Two other wolves that already were in the state before the release remain alive and in Colorado. The agency on Wednesday released its monthly updated map of the general range of reintroduced and other wolves in Colorado, based on collar data, and it shows them generally remaining in the same region they have been in recent months in northern and northwest Colorado, all north of Interstate 70. It said one of the reintroduced wolves spent some time this month inside Rocky Mountain National Park, where management of the wolves lies with the National Park Service, working with Parks and Wildlife. The wolves general range extends westward to far-eastern Rio Blanco and Garfield counties. In July, Travis Black Northwest Region manager for Parks and Wildlife issued a written response denying a request for a chronic depredation permit in relation to wolf attacks in Grand County. Such a permit would allow for killing of wolves that continue to kill livestock. In his letter, Black cited delays in using some nonlethal deterrents such as cracker shells and fox lights, and refusal to use fladry, a wolf-deterrent fencing. He also pointed to a weeks-long delay in burying dead animals that were in what had been an open pit that could have been attracting wolves. Names are redacted in a version of the letter that has been made public, but Grand County rancher Conway Farrell has previously said he has been dealing with chronic depredation by wolves despite using nonlethal deterrents to try to keep them away. Ritschard said Middle Park livestock producers dont want to use fladry because of concerns about liability, such as in cases when horses run into it and become injured or when a child might get shocked by electrified fladry. He said he hopes the pack is moved out of state, or to somewhere such as a sanctuary, and isnt released somewhere else in Colorado. Being released again, thats something we dont want to put on another producer somewhere else, he said. Defenders of Wildlife said in its news release that the Technical Working Group of biologists and wolf experts that developed recommendations for Parks and Wildlifes wolf restoration and management plan suggested that relocation does not have technical merit, may destabilize packs, runs the risk of relocating conflict to another area, and may not address the underlying cause of conflict. It said there is a risk that relocated wolves wont survive, particularly in the case of pups less than 6 months old. Alli Henderson with the Center for Biological Diversity released a statement saying, Im really worried that moving the Copper Creek wolves into unfamiliar territory is a death sentence for the pups, especially if the wolf family isnt kept together. She added, Many livestock operations take advantage of tools and funding to learn and deploy effective nonlethal coexistence measures. Theyre keeping livestock and wolves alive and saving taxpayer money. Its a no brainer win-win-win. Those ranchers who fail to clean up their act are the real problem, and theyre setting us up for repeated conflict. Relocating wolves to placate them only rewards the uncooperative and poor practices that contributed to conflicts. U.S. plans expansion at NATO's premiere sustainment command By Troy Darr, U.S. Army NATO August 28, 2024 ULM, Germany -- The United States recently began planning to significantly expand its presence at the NATO Joint Support and Enabling Command here, a move intended to improve the alliance's ability to rapidly deploy forces. Currently a NATO force structure organization, JSEC is set to become a full-fledged NATO command structure organization following the Washington Summit Declaration on July 10, according to Col. Phillip Borders, the U.S. senior national representative at JSEC. This change gives JSEC greater authority and access to NATO's common funding, allowing for increased staffing and resources. The expansion is driven by NATO's need to bolster deterrence capabilities in the face of growing tensions along the alliance's eastern flank. JSEC plays a crucial role in developing the Reinforcement and Sustainment Network, a critical component of the alliance's ability to rapidly deploy forces and equipment in the alliance's area of operations. "JSEC's role at the operational level is to basically serve as the middleman to enable force projection and setting the theater," said Borders. "JSEC's main tool right now is the series of roads, rails and interconnected waterways - the air, ground and sea lines of communication connecting from North America all the way to the eastern border of NATO." The increased U.S. presence at JSEC will see the number of American personnel grow from the current approximately 20 to between 50 and 70 over the next three to five years. This expansion will allow the United States to better align its efforts with NATO's overall strategy and contribute more effectively to the Reinforcement and Sustainment Network. While the expansion of JSEC is seen as a critical step in enhancing NATO's capabilities, it presents some challenges. According to Borders, one of the primary hurdles is the need to establish a more robust support structure for the incoming personnel. "We don't have a National Support Element here in Ulm," he said. "Unlike other U.S. units stationed in Germany, we don't have access to some important quality of life facilities." "Establishing essential services, along with adequate housing and schooling options for military families, will be crucial for the successful implementation of the expansion. "Additionally, the command will need to invest in training and equipment to ensure that personnel are prepared to handle their new responsibilities," he said. The timeline for the expansion is ambitious. While the official decision to make JSEC a NATO command structure organization was announced in June, the full implementation of the expansion is projected to take several years. "A normal build takes five years for any organization," Borders said. "But we believe we're at least a year into that." The command is currently in the process of identifying required personnel and developing a plan to implement the expansion. A personnel allocation conference is scheduled for November to determine the specific staffing levels necessary for the planned expansion. "Ulm is an absolutely great place," said Borders. "This is one of the best work-life balances I've ever had in my life." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Leaders' Statement - Pacific Islands Forum, Tonga Transcript Wednesday 28 August 2024 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese The Hon Anthony Albanese MP Prime Minister of Australia The Hon Hu'akavameiliku Prime Minister of Tonga The Hon Sitiveni Rabuka CF OBE MSD Prime Minister of Fiji The Honourable James Marape MP Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea HE Surangel Wipps, Jr President of Palau HU'AKAVAMEILIKU, PRIME MINISTER OF TONGA: Honourable Prime Minister's, Excellencies, media, it is my pleasure to speak of this initiative. Tonga has been fully supportive of the Pacific Policing Initiative. Tonga has, through its Police Commissioner, been involved since its inception, through the Pacific Islands Chief of Police. The Pacific Island Chief of Police is now leading on the design of the Pacific Policing Initiative as a new integrated regional policing capability to support foreign members. It is designed around three pillars. First, regional policing centers of excellence. The second one is Pacific policing support group. And thirdly, Pacific policing development and coordination hub. As you would know, Tonga, like many other countries, are facing a number of transnational security challenges, including seeing an increase in drug trafficking within the Pacific in recent years. Tonga, like many foreign members, therefore, think that it's really important to have a Pacific led, Pacific owned initiative that reinforces the existing regional security architecture. In considering this initiative this morning, leaders have recognised the importance of ensuring fit for purpose, contextualised design that recognises the unique policy needs of our members. The central tenet of this initiative is that forum members would have the discretion to choose how they would contribute to and benefit from the three pillars identified in respect of national sovereignty and in line with national priorities. Tonga sincerely thanks Australia for funding this critical initiative. Tonga looks forward to continuing to work with Australia and foreign members to bring this initiative to fruition. I thank you, Malo 'Aupito. SITIVENI RABUKA, PRIME MINISTER OF FIJI: Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen of the press corps, media corps. Great to be here in support of this initiative that was agreed on this morning. Fiji has always been very, very interested in this. We are a major beneficiary of the cooperation's of the past. Most of our senior police officers had been trained in the region and some further abroad, and this, bringing this to the region has been a godsend for us. Most of the problems we face are regional problems and the rest of the world, we believe, targeting our region. So it's our responsibility to develop our own policing initiative, and this case, we've come together to establish this concept and cooperate towards it. I'm sure it will succeed for our benefit and our level. JAMES MARAPE, PRIME MINISTER OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA: All right, thank you. Thank you. I joined my fellow Pacific leaders in announcing to the Pacific that we have the Pacific Police Initiative being formally endorsed by the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. It is a concept that is born from within. Security challenges are always present and emerging. New security risk emerges also as we go forward into the future, whether it's cyber security, high sea security or domestic security, we live in a world now where what happens in one country affects the other country. The Pacific needs to build its security apparatus so we could lend a hand to each other or within. I want to announce that Papua New Guinea, in partnership with our traditional security partner, Australia, our security partner of choice. We are embarking upon a Center of Excellence that in the first instance, in the absence of similar center of excellences around the region, it's a regional center of excellence we putting up in Western Pacific for all in Pacific to use in the first instance, as we embark upon extending similar programs in Central Pacific and elsewhere in our Pacific. Security abounds, we see in western parts high sea crime, whether it's drug related or economic related, illegal fishing abound in our big space. The entire Pacific is the biggest unpoliced space in planet earth. Considering our airspace and sea space, it is a bigger space, and this, it is really important that we come together in this manner. And I think one of the historical and key outcomes of this 53rd PIF is the establishment of the Pacific College Initiative. And we just want to commend our big partners in our own region, especially Australia and New Zealand, for always being cognizant and conscious of the needs in the region. And I want to appreciate this initiative. PNG stands ready to support Commissioner Manning, is the first Commissioner now in terms of the current mobilisation of police commissioners in the region. We're looking forward to whatever capacity we step up we expand elsewhere. The need is very obvious and needless to point out, but our combined participation in entering the Solomon Islands games and Solomon Islands elections completed safely. We saw resources from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and PNG mobilized. Today I arrived in Tonga, and I saw good policemen and policewoman here in Tonga. My heart is happy. And so it's important that the entire Pacific builds up its own inter regional capacities. So we lend a hand to each other keeping our region safe from crimes and criminals operating in Pacific. Thank you very much. SURANGEL WHIPPS, JR, PRESIDENT OF PALAU: As Prime Minister Marape said, and Prime Minister of Tonga, this is Pacific led initiative, Pacific focused initiative, and it really is an effort for all of us to work together to solve the security, I would say, challenges that we have. We have IUU, we have now drugs, human trafficking. Palau, in the last year, got hit with three major cybersecurity incidents. It is so important that we develop our local police forces and be able to collaborate and work together to meet the challenges. Without peace and security, we cannot prosper as Pacific Islands. And I was just, I arrived last night, but I, you know, I'm flying across the vast Pacific, realise how big the blue continent is and how we are being challenged at every angle. But you know one of the, I think, great programs that, and we're so grateful for Australia for leading and supporting this initiative is the Patrol Boat Program. I think one of the reasons why IUU, at least in Palau, has dropped, is that presence is deterrence. And so we need to continue to focus and build those internal capacities that we can combat crime and the challenges we face. So really, thank you. And it's a great day to celebrate and support this important initiative. So thank you. ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: Well, thank you so much. And it's a great honour for me to share this press conference here with the leaders of Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Palau. And this is a Pacific led initiative, very importantly. This is something that has arisen from the Pacific family to look after the Pacific family, ourselves. Our Pacific neighbours stand with each other, and we help each other in times of need. And it is good that this morning we endorsed the Pacific Policing Initiative. It was a major objective that we had from this Pacific Islands Forum meeting. This demonstrates how Pacific leaders are working together to shape the future that we want to see. The first task of any national leader is to look after the security and safety of our residents, and that is what this is about. Making sure that by working together, the security of the entire region will be much stronger and will be looked after by ourselves. There are three pillars to this initiative. The first is regional police training Centres of Excellence, where there will be up to four, to be located in Pacific countries to undertake specialist police training and support. Secondly, the Police Support Group, a trained pool of officers from multiple Pacific countries ready to deploy in response to requests for assistance to major events or to provide support in times of crisis. We've seen police forces provide assistance for everything from the Pacific Games to elections that are held. What this will do, though, is to make that a more stable commitment that is ready to go upon requests which are made. And thirdly, the Pacific Policing Initiative Policing Development and Coordination Hub, which we are proud to host in Brisbane, in Australia, for training and deployment preparation. This will improve capability, cooperation and importantly, interoperability between Pacific police forces. This will benefit all Forum Members and security of our communities and our region. And of course, sovereign nation states will determine how they participate in this. But this is an ongoing process led by the Pacific police and police chiefs for the Pacific, with backing, substantial financial backing, from Australia. We'll provide substantial long-term support to ensure that this initiative succeeds and delivers on the aspirations for our region. This includes financial support for establishment and infrastructure costs, as well as supporting Pacific police to receive training which contributes to each country's unique internal security needs. This is a great outcome and it was very positive, the response from the many leaders who spoke in support of this initiative today to make sure that this endorsement means it can go forward. Our Pacific police chiefs have been meeting regularly. What this does is build on that and make sure that they can go forward with the confidence that the leaders of the Pacific are supporting this initiative. And hence that endorsement was very important today. And I thank particularly our hosts, the Kingdom of Tonga, for their support in hosting today and in providing the leadership that we've seen in today's plenary session. Thanks a lot. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint press conference - Pacific Islands Forum Transcript Wednesday 28 August 2024 Tonga Prime Minister Anthony Albanese The Hon Anthony Albanese MP Prime Minister of Australia The Hon Feleti Teo OBE Prime Minister of Tuvalu FELETI TEO, PRIME MINISTER OF TUVALU: Good afternoon to you all. Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, invited guests, I acknowledge the presence of my fellow Tuvaluans who have made Tonga their home. Welcome to this momentous occasion. Today marks the entry into force of the ground-breaking Falepili Union Treaty between Tuvalu and Australia. The Treaty signifies a new, elevated, advanced, integrated and a more comprehensive relationship between Tuvalu and Australia. The Treaty carries the title of a noble and a treasured Tuvalu value of the Falepili, which embodies good neighbourliness, care and mutual respect. It is the extension of the Christian value of do to others what you want others to do to you. So it is my enormous pleasure on this occasion, on behalf of the government and people of Tuvalu to publicly announce the entry into force of the Falepili Union Treaty after confirmation of ratification by both countries. This new elevated relationship between Tuvalu and Australia is firmly grounded on mutual respect of each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence. The Treaty prioritises three key areas, namely, climate cooperation, mobility with dignity and shared security. For Tuvalu, building its resilience and adaptability to the impact of climate change, in particular climate change in new sea level rise and future proofing Tuvalu statehood and sovereignty remain our top priorities. This treaty is ground-breaking and unprecedented and the first of its kind in the Pacific region. For the first time there is a country, Australia, that has committed legally to come to the aid of Tuvalu upon request when Tuvalu encounters a major natural disasters, when Tuvalu is experiencing a major public health, a pandemic, or when Tuvalu is subjected to some form of military aggression. I know the Pacific Forum has regional frameworks that guide the mobilisation of assistance to foreign members under those circumstances. But unlike the Falepili Treaty, those regional frameworks are not legally grounded. For the first time also, another country, Australia, is legally committed to recognise the permanency of the future statehood and sovereignty of Tuvalu, despite the impact of climate change. Tuvalu is prepared to implement the Treaty after extensive public consultation and endorsement by the Parliament of Tuvalu. So today, Tuvalu and Australia have just exchanged diplomatic notes that carry confirmation of the ratification of the Treaty by each party. Prior to the treaty, Australia and Tuvalu have enjoyed a very warm and cordial relationship over the last 46 or so years since Tuvalu gained independence in 1978. Australia was one of the inaugural partners that contributed, and still contributing, to the Tuvalu Trust Fund that was established in 1987. Australia is also one of only two countries that have established resident diplomatic mission in Tuvalu. Australia is one of Tuvalu's major development partner, if not the largest. Tuvalu has also benefited from various regional labour mobility schemes sponsored by Australia, like the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme, PALM, and the Pacific Engagement Visa. So Tuvalu and Australia have had a long, healthy, durable and robust relationship. The treaty that we bear witness to it being brought into operation this afternoon is simply a progressive advancement of our mature and respectful partnership. As members of the Pacific Islands Forum, both Tuvalu and Australia are committed to the vision and values of the 2050 strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and its vision for a resilient Pacific region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity that ensures all Pacific people can lead free, healthy and productive lives. Prime Minister Albanese, let me propose a toast. Let me propose a toast to the Falepili Union Treaty between Australia and Tuvalu and to the future prosperity of Tuvalu and Australia. ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: Thank you very much. And to Prime Minister Teo, it is indeed a great day together to celebrate the Falepili Union coming into force. Something that we began this process one year ago at the Pacific Islands Forum. The Pacific is our home, and by working together we can keep our region peaceful, stable, resilient and prosperous. And to announce the entry into force of the Falepili Union between Australia and Tuvalu is indeed a very significant day. This is a ground-breaking agreement that was agreed to by the Australian Parliament just on August the 21st, to ensure after we went through our process of our Treaties Committee. We are making history here today. Together, Prime Minister Teo and I are demonstrating our two countries shared commitment to an enduring and elevated partnership. I had the pleasure of signing this new partnership with then Prime Minister Natano in the margins of last year's PIF Leaders Meeting. And today we've exchanged diplomatic notes with Prime Minister Feleti Teo to confirm the treaty's entry into force. Our historic partnership is called the Falepili Union, reflecting our commitment to the values of good neighbourliness, care and mutual respect. And today, we demonstrate our determination to honour that commitment. This is the Pacific way. We are genuinely looking out for each other's interests with great respect for each other and a commitment to putting our people first. And we both believe in our responsibility to the collective stewardship of our region, including through the Pacific Islands Forum. This exchange of diplomatic notes marks the entry into force of our Treaty. From today, Australia and Tuvalu will work together to open the Special Mobility Pathway in 2025. This will allow up to 280 people from Tuvalu every year the choice to come to Australia to visit, live, work and study. Australia is committed to respond when Tuvalu calls for assistance, responding to a major natural disaster or a health pandemic or military aggression. And Australia and Tuvalu will mutually consider and agree any third party engagement in Tuvalu's security and defence related matters. I had the honour of welcoming the Prime Minister in Brisbane just a month ago. He has a deep understanding that creating enduring bonds between our people will benefit both of our nations. He is one of the architects of this landmark agreement, and I thank him again for his leadership. I have made it a personal priority for Australia to take a seat at the table at PIF. Engaging consistently and deliberately, because being part of the conversation means that Australia gets to shape the solutions in our national interest and in the interests of our region. This is a clear illustration of the commitment that my government has to be a trusted partner in the Pacific, to secure our region and build a stronger Pacific to help face our shared challenges and achieve our shared goals. Importantly, climate change action is, of course, front and center of that. Important also that we listen to our Pacific partners and act on their priorities. Entry into force of the Falepili Union marks a momentous development in Australia's relations with the Pacific, setting the groundwork for an enduring partnership for generations to come. And I want to thank the generations of people from Tuvalu who are based here in Tonga, who welcomed us with that beautiful scene. It was a wonderful way to walk into this beautiful location. What happens in the Pacific matters in Australia, because Australia is part of the Pacific family. And today, that family is even closer than it's ever been before. Happy to take questions. JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, on the policing deal, how can you ensure that that is Pacific led when it's coordinated from Brisbane with AFP training resources and not designed to counter Chinese influence, like the European nations have suggested. And did those concerns come up in your discussions? PRIME MINISTER ALBANESE: No, it was very positive today, and everyone who spoke in the plenary session spoke in favour of the agreement, not just those people who were at the press conference, but there were other contributions as well, from the Solomon's, from Nauru, from other nations, from the Marshall Islands and more. Everyone spoke in favour of it, because this is something that has come, not Australia come out with an idea and then seeking to get everyone on board. This is something that has come from the Pacific itself. Australia is in a position to provide some leadership, and the logical place for training to occur is, in fact, in Brisbane. The AFP already, of course, play a critical role, and many of the police officers that you will see around the region, people who have had experience being trained with the Australian police force - either one of the state police forces, or with the AFP. So already, some of those processes have begun. Just a month ago we had essentially a trial training of bringing people together for the three pillars that are part of the relationship, and it's been extremely well supported right across the region. JOURNALIST: PM Albanese, you mentioned climate change. What have you been telling the region's leaders about Australia's future gas plan and plan to rely on gas for at least another three decades? And if I could ask Prime Minister Teo, what is Tuvalu's view on Australia's ongoing reliance on fossil fuels? Is it disappointed that Australia plans to build new gas fields? PRIME MINISTER ALBANESE: Australia has, and our Pacific neighbours are fully aware, of the commitment that we have to climate action. That includes having renewables as more than 80 per cent of our energy grid by 2030 as part of our target of achieving a 43 per cent reduction by 2030 and net-zero by 2050. People are aware - it actually hasn't been raised today at all, people are aware of Australia's commitment. And they're also aware that for some of the major projects, in order to secure supply - and I had this discussion with the New Zealand Prime Minister - that in order to secure stability of the energy grid and to enable investment in renewables, what companies like Rio Tinto, with the transition that's happening around Gladstone require, is that security of having gas there in order to invest in renewables. They know that that is the case. So we have had - with Australia's commitment to climate change - they're very aware that in order to get the stability going forward, we need to make sure there's a security of energy in Australia. We see the transition as being very much underway. People are aware of our commitment, and I have had nothing but support for that, including today, we reaffirmed our support for the Pacific Resilience Facility that will be based here in Tonga. Australia will contribute $100 million to that facility. PRIME MINISTER TEO: I can reconfirm the commitment that Prime Minister Albanese conveyed to the Forum leaders this morning. As far as Tuvalu is concerned, the Falepili Treaty that we've just witnessed becoming operational, the commitments that Australia made in the Treaty itself to assist Tuvalu addressed issues in terms of its ability to adapt and to build its resilience against the impact of climate change. I'm quite comforted, and I'm hoping that, given our elevated relationship with Australia, Australia will do what it has promised to the region in terms of its commitment to combat climate change. JOURNALIST: Prime Minister Teo, does Australia's commitment - does doing what is needed - include stopping any new coal and gas projects? PRIME MINISTER TEO: Well, the Treaty doesn't specify that, but the spirit of the Treaty does give us comfort that Australia will do whatever is within Australia's capacity to assist Tuvalu and the region's efforts to combat climate change. JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, just back on the policing initiative, can you clarify in what circumstances do you anticipate that this new Pacific police support group might be sent overseas? What would the threshold be in terms of the severity of the natural disaster, for example, or civil unrest that would actually necessitate that. And I know you've got this before, but just briefly, how do you assuage any residual concerns that there might be within the Melanesian sphere, group or elsewhere, that this has an overwhelmingly strategic agenda and purpose and that it serves Australian strategic interests ahead of regional security? PRIME MINISTER ALBANESE: This is something that came from the Pacific itself. It's something that Pacific police officials have had discussion over going back as far as August of last year, of 2023. It's something that, as well, has three parts to it, to be clear. One is, the central component if you like, of the training facility there at Brisbane. The second is up to four Centers of Excellence that will be around the region. Now, all of those locations haven't been finalized yet, but one of those is a facility that is currently in Papua New Guinea that we're assisting with to provide training there. And the third element is the one that you referred to at the beginning of your question is, what would the deployment be? And I guess, could I say this, that your assumption that they'll be deployed overseas misses some of the point, which is that this will be a multi-Pacific operation. This isn't the AFP currently provide support, for example, at the Pacific Games in The Solomons. We provide support when there are elections on. What this is, is the idea that when there's a need for the Pacific family to provide support that might be in emergency circumstances, it might be for specific events, CHOGM for example, or major conference or major sporting event in the region, that you will have a better capacity to deliver, because you'll have better coordination. You will have better interoperability, as well, between the different police forces. And this is one of the occasions where the Pacific family essentially believe that one plus one plus one equals more than three. That if you have more effective engagement, coordination and interoperability, you'll get better outcomes. So a common sense approach tells you that that's right, and it's something that has the support, not just of the leaders in the Pacific Island Forum, but has the support as well of the police, the respective police agencies themselves. JOURNALIST: Prime Minister Albanese, just on that, it was reiterated a few times in the press conference that sovereign nations will decide how they wish to contribute. Does that mean that not all PIF members need to be part of the PPI, and does that allow people to pursue policing initiatives with other countries, for example, China? PRIME MINISTER ALBANESE: No, it just means that we're at a conference where nations are sovereign, and we're not going to say to country X "you must have this imposed on you." This is something that's come from the bottom up, and that is a common sense approach. So one size doesn't fit all, as well. There are some countries that are more susceptible to, I understand if you - no, you weren't here earlier this week. There were earthquakes here in Tonga earlier this week. When I had the bilateral with the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, he spoke about the impact of the cyclone. There are other events like not everyone had the Pacific Games. The Solomon Islands hosted the Pacific Games, and therefore there was a presence there, as there was during the election campaign, as there have been during various elections as well. So sovereign nations will, of course, decide whether they require support at this time, but it will be available. JOURNALIST: Do you believe that this will mean that no Pacific nation has to turn to China for their security needs? PRIME MINISTER ALBANESE: This is about the Pacific family looking after Pacific security. This isn't about any other country. This is about making sure that the Pacific family are in the best position possible to maximize, in the most efficient way possible, the security and safety of their citizens, or the response to events that have - in the past - are required and have resulted in a request for assistance. Now Australia, be it through the ADF or through the AFP or other security agencies, has often been called upon to provide support in the region. What this will do is put that in a really structured way, because you will have engagement between the different police from the region, all learning off each other, all building relationships with each other, all talking about interoperability, so there's a clear understanding there. You'll get better outcomes. JOURNALIST: Thanks, Prime Minister. An alleged Comancheros gang member, reported from Australia, was recently founded to be trying to set up an outlaw motorcycle gang in the Pacific. How will initiatives such as the new policing agreement help address that, and did Australia essentially let down its neighbours by not managing to stop it? PRIME MINISTER ALBANESE: Well, on the former, Australia will continue to implement its policies to ensure that safety is the prime consideration in these matters. That's what we do. And, secondly, by having increased coordination and engagement between police and on security matters, then you will get a greater understanding, and you can have as well intelligence learnings from the experience - not just from Australia to other countries - Australia will learn from what other countries are doing as well. JOURNALIST: Prime Minister Teo, after the union was originally announced last year, there was some concern in Tuvalu about the security aspect of the agreement and the implications for Tuvalu sovereignty, the idea that Australia would have a veto essentially, over any security agreement. How do you address those concerns? PRIME MINISTER TEO: Well, apart from the Treaty text itself, we did develop an Explanatory Memorandum which is supplementary to the to the Treaty text itself, and under the Explanatory Memorandum, it explained the joint understanding of Tuvalu and Australia as to how each provision of the Treaty will be interpreted and applied. As far as the particular provision of the Treaty that you are referring to in terms of, I think it's article 4.4 which requires Australia and Tuvalu to mutually agree before Tuvalu engaged in third parties. We did spend a lot of time with the Australian officials. The rationale behind that provision is that, because Australia - another treaty is committed to provide security guarantee - it will be in Australia's interest to have an idea of these other third parties. Because if those third party arrangements do compromise Australia's ability to provide those services, then Australia will not be able to live up to the guarantees that it provides. So that explanation and the many discussions we have, and also, if you read the entirety of the Treaty, rather than just focusing on that provision, there are a lot of safety valves for Tuvalu. If Tuvalu, under this treaty arrangement, feels that Australia is not living up to the spirit of the Treaty, then there are provisions like the ability of one party to suspend obligations, the ability of one party to even terminate the entire Treaty, they are there. So we've taken comfort from the discussions that we had with the officials of Australia that are enshrined in the explanatory memorandum, and that's given us comfort to proceed and go ahead ratifying the Treaty without any adjustment to it. JOURNALIST: Prime Minister Teo, I'm just interested in your thoughts on the power struggle in the Pacific between the United States and China. Do you see that as dangerous for this region, or could it be advantageous? PRIME MINISTER TEO: Well, I think all the Forum members feel that pressure. Our preference, of course, is not for that kind of competition to happen in the region. I think the region has far more serious development challenges to focus on, rather than being disturbed by this perceived competitions between the two major powers. PRIME MINISTER ALBANESE: Thanks very much, everyone. There is a ceremonial bit to come. Can I just add to that question. I thought an interesting moment this morning was Prime Minister Rabuka of Fiji reminding us that 'Pacific' means peace. That that is what it was about. And in his talking in the context of the Pacific Policing Initiative, which is there as well, the oceans of peace was very much a theme of this morning. That was in keeping with Prime Minister Rabuka, can be quite the philosopher about the region and he gave, I think, a really outstanding contribution this morning. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU foreign ministers to discuss Russia's aggression against Ukraine and situation in Middle East Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland Press releases, 28.8.2024 The EU foreign ministers will convene for an informal meeting in Brussels on 29 August. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting. Ukraine's Minister for Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba will participate in the discussion on Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The topics on the agenda include the EU's military support to Ukraine, initiatives under the European Peace Facility, sanctions against Russia, EU advocacy activities and the EU's support to Ukraine's energy sector. "Russia is waging an illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, which under the UN Charter, has the right to self-defence and to carry out necessary operations also in the land area of the attacker. Finland has not imposed geographical restrictions on the weaponry it provides to Ukraine," says Minister Valtonen. "The EU's united support for Ukraine has remained unwavering throughout the war of aggression, but we must continue to take further action to increase the support. Ukraine is defending the entire continent, European values and liberty, which is why it is the responsibility of Finland and the European Union to make sure Ukraine has the resources it needs to defend itself," says Minister Valtonen. Sigrid Kaag, UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza will participate in the discussion on the situation in the Middle East. Participants will continue the discussion on the EU's role in managing the increased tensions and on concrete actions to promote the peace process. "Tension in the Middle East has continued to grow. Reaching an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza is essential not only to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza but also to calm the situation in the region. The international community as a whole must strive to promote a two-state solution as a resolution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The EU plays a central role in working towards this goal, and it is essential to keep strengthening this position. The work of the EU-Israel Association Council, convened previously by the EU, must be launched," says Minister Valtonen. In connection with the meeting, the ministers will hold an informal discussion with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan on topical foreign policy issues between the EU and Turkiye. The ministers will also discuss the situation in Venezuela. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Strong, safe and predictable Europe Republic of Poland 28.06.2024 During a European Council meeting on 27 June in Brussels, heads of states chose the representatives for the most important posts in the Community. Ursula von der Leyen will remain President of the European Commission. Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia, will be in charge of diplomacy, while Antonio Costa, former Prime Minister of Portugal, will lead the European Council. This is the outcome of negotiations involving Prime Minister Donald Tusk and other politicians, which took place over the course of the past several weeks. During the summit, Poland managed to achieve its key objectives concerning defence and convinced its partners to support Polish initiatives on the joint defence of the European skies and eastern border of the European Union as part of the Shield East project. In a statement issued shortly after the reaching the consensus, the Prime Minister stated that he was satisfied after the European leaders chose the right people for key positions, as these candidates are good from the point of view of Polish interests. Kaja Kallas, the candidate from our region, will serve as the EU Minister for Foreign Affairs. The nomination for Kaja Kallas was crucial for me. Her views on Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, as well as enlargement of the European Union reflect Poland's stance on these matters," said Donald Tusk. The appointment of these officials concludes an important phase concerning the organisation of EU leadership, and the Polish Prime Minister was keen to finish this task as quickly as possible, seeing how Europe faces the challenge of bolstering its defence capabilities against the emerging threats. Poland's demands concerning defence in the Union's 5-year strategic agenda Prime Minister Tusk, together with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, announced their plans to establish the European air defence shield back in May. Today, this initiative is undertaken by the entire Union. Thanks to Poland's proactive stance, the European Union has understood that Russia threatens more than just the neighbouring states and that protecting the European sky is crucial for the entire Community. "For many years, Poland was alone in the matters of defence, in its assessment of Ukraine, as well as its perception of Russia. In a way, Poland was a pioneer in Brussels. And that can be difficult, to stand alone among twenty-seven countries. Today, we are leading the vast majority," the Polish Prime Minister pointed out. Mr. Tusk convinced all countries - including the initially sceptical Germany and France - to take responsibility for the safety of the skies over Europe as one. This is not going to be the an uncoordinated and fragmented effort of a single country. Instead, it will be a joint measure. The European Union will co-finance these initiatives, mobilising public and private resources for defence and security. "Polish defence demands are now a part of the overall EU strategy. They are included not only in the conclusions of the European Council, but also in the strategic agenda for the next five years," Mr. Tusk pointed out. The same applies to the issue of the Russian and Belarusian border. We have combined the Polish Shield East plan with Baltic States' initiative concerning the construction of the so-called Baltic Defence Line, and presented this as a joint project. We faced some disagreements among the Member States, but eventually the initiative was passed," Prime Minister Tusk revealed. He pointed out that the overwhelming majority of leaders in Brussels are now supporting Poland's position, which they see as an important point of reference in the matters regarding border security. Agreement with Ukraine Following the outbreak of full-scale war in February 2022, the matter of Ukraine is debated at virtually every European Council summit. During the meeting between Prime Minister Tusk and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, both politicians raised the issue of a bilateral security agreement between our countries. "I can say with 99% certainty that we are going to sign this agreement with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Warsaw before the NATO summit," he claimed. The matter of Ukrainian security weighs heavily on Polish security; however, the government will not undermine Poland's defence capabilities in any way while offering support to Ukraine. The European Union has also concluded a security agreement with Ukraine, pledging to provide the necessary political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it is necessary. Defence expenditure Poland stands out in terms of its defence spending in relation to GDP. While in Brussels, Prime Minister Tusk raised the issue of the excessive deficit procedure launched against Poland by the European Commission. "The excessive deficit procedure is a consequence of Poland taking on the financial burden of defending not only our country, but the entire European Union," Donald Tusk pointed out. The Polish Prime Minister mentioned hoping that the European Commission would take into account the fact that Poland has to spend considerable sums on its defence in connection with the Russian threat when preparing its recommendations concerning the excessive deficit procedure. *** The changes on the top positions in the European Union are the direct result of the European Parliament elections in June, which saw the European People's Party (EPP) winning the most seats with more than 26% of the vote. Prime Minister Donald Tusk was one of the key negotiators in the appointment process, working hand in hand with the President of France, the Prime Ministers of Spain, Greece, the Netherlands and the German Chancellor. Following the European Council's decision, the candidate for the President of the European Commission has to be supported by the European Parliament. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran warns Zionist regime against desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 28, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Nasser Kanaani, has warned about the Israeli regime's plots to desecrate the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The cabinet of the criminal Zionist regime is seeking to implement its sacrilegious plots against the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Kanaani said on Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter. He noted that the Israeli regime continues to express its intention to construct a synagogue in place of Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Islamic Republic of Iran categorically condemns the recent statements and schemes, warning against any violation of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Zionists' crossing of the Islamic Ummah's red lines. Due to the awakening of human conscience and global outrage over Zionist crimes, Muslims and freedom seekers worldwide now support Palestine, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the prosecution of Zionist criminals. 7129**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Al-Quds Brigades shoots down Israeli drone in West Bank IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 28, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), says it has shot down an Israeli army drone during a confrontation with the occupying forces in the West Bank. According to Al-Jazeera TV network's Wednesday report, the Tulkarm Battalion affiliated with Al-Quds Brigades said it shot down the drone on the Al-Manshiyya area in the West Bank governorate of Jenin. The battalion also announced that it had demolished a military bulldozer of the occupying regime in the Nur Shams camp in the West Bank. The Tulkarm Battalion also reported that their fighters shot at several Zionist snipers in a house in the Nur Shams camp and wounded several Israeli troopers. Moreover, the battalion's fighters fought the occupation forces in the Wadi al-Far'a camp near the city of Tubas. News outlets also reported on Wednesday morning that the regime's military forces started a large-scale offensive in the northern West Bank, which led to the martyrdom of 10 Palestinians in the city of Jenin and the al-Far'a refugee camp in the northern West Bank. The Zionist newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the offensive will last for several days and that the regime's helicopters and fighter jets will also take part in it. The regime's radio also reported that the assault would be the largest in the area since 2002. 4208**4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ten Palestinians killed after Israel's attack on northern West Bank IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 28, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- News outlets reported early on Wednesday that 10 Palestinians have been killed during the Zionist regime's attack on the northern West Bank. Those Palestinians were found shot to death in Jenin and Fara'a camps in Tubas in northern West Bank, Shehab news agency said. The news outlets also reported the start of Israel's broad offensive in the western part of the Jordan River. Also, the Hebrew-language newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth has published that the offensive with Israeli helicopters and fighter jets will last for several days. In a related development, Israel Radio said the offensive is the biggest one performed in the West Bank since 2002. On the same day, news outlets reported that the Israeli regime, through airstrikes, targeted two houses in Khan Yunis and killed nine Palestinians in southern Gaza. The health ministry of Palestine has already reported the number of those killed in the West Bank since the outset of the war in Gaza last October as 651. Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, over 40,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in the enclave. 1483**4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zionist regime kicks off massive military operation in West Bank IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 28, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The military of the occupying Zionist regime has launched a large-scale operation in the north of the West Bank in the early hours of Wednesday, media sources reported. The Palestinian media cited the Zionist army radio about the Israeli incursion into Jenin and Tulkarem, the two West Bank cities that have witnessed several deadly crackdowns over the past couple of weeks. The Hebrew-language newspaper Yediot Aharonot wrote that the Israeli military operation will last for several days and will be backed by the regime's warplanes and helicopters. Zionist Radio reported that the operation in the north of the occupied West Bank will be the biggest one since 2002. The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that 2 Palestinians were martyred and three others wounded by Israeli soldiers in the city of Jenin. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance movement in a statement on Wednesday morning condemned the massive attack of the Zionist forces on the West Bank. Israel is seeking to transfer the weight of the conflict to the occupied West Bank by attacking the cities and camps, the group said, adding that the Zionist enemy is trying to impose new field realities with the aim of occupying and annexing more Palestinian land. In the continuation of this statement, it is stated that the military campaign in the occupied West Bank is being carried out in the framework of the enemy's plans to have control over the city of al-Quds and Al-Aqsa Mosque. The enemy is seeking to implement its sinister plans of Judaization, including the construction of a synagogue in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is a clear violation of all international laws and conventions, it added. Since the onset of the genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, the Zionist regime has also intensified its deadly crackdown across the occupied territories. On Monday, five young Palestinians were killed by regime forces during a raid on a refugee camp in the city of Tulkarm while another civilian was killed by Israeli settlers in the city of Bethlehem. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 651 people have been killed in attacks by Israeli forces and settlers across the occupied West Bank since October 7, 2023. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Palestinians determined to continue resistance, says Hamas official IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 28, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- A senior member of Palestinian resistance movement Hamas who is based in the occupied West Bank has emphasized the Palestinian nation's steadfastness to continue their resistance against the Zionist occupation of their land. Zaher Jabarin said on Tuesday night that the Palestinian nation has proven that it has no fear or hesitation from the threats of the Zionist regime, according to IRNA citing media sources. The head of the Hamas movement in the West Bank however called for unity among Palestinians at this critical juncture to accomplish their goals. The Palestinian nation will not surrender despite all the crimes of the Zionist enemy, he said referring to the ongoing genocide in Gaza by the occupying regime and deadly crackdowns across the West Bank almost on a daily basis. Jabarin further said that he considers resistance against the occupying regime with all available means as the inalienable right of the Palestinian nation. He also warned the extremist Israeli authorities against opening a complete religious war with outrageous plans against al-Aqsa Mosque. Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir should know that he will also suffer the fate of other extremists who attacked our sanctuaries, Jabarin said with reference to a recent remark that he plans to built a synagogue in al-Aqsa Mosque. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas warns Zionist regime against 'playing with fire' IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 28, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas has issued a stern warning to the Zionist regime against an attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque or any attempt to change the current status quo of Islam's third holiest site. Hamas in a statement on Tuesday night said that the decision of the regime's cabinet to attack Al-Aqsa Mosque is a dangerous act and playing with fire, which will lead to a religious war in the region, according to IRNA citing the Palestinian Shihab News Agency. The responsibility for all the consequences of these sinister and dangerous plans against the first Qiblah of Muslims rests with the occupying regime and its backers, the statement said. Palestinians in the West Bank, al-Quds and the rest of the occupied territories need to mobilize and attend Al-Aqsa in order to confront any attempt by radical Zionists to desecrate the mosque and violate its sanctity. This statement also stated that efforts to change the reality of Al-Aqsa Mosque will never erase the historical facts that this is an Islamic site and will always remain Islamic. Anger is boiling among Palestinians and Muslims around the world after Israeli extremist minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said in a recent statement that the regime's policy allows Zionist to pray in Al-Aqsa Mosque and that he plans to build a synagogue there. Under the 1967 agreement, non-Muslims, including Jews are not allowed to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform any rituals. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel conducts drone strike on northeastern Lebanon IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 28, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- In a marked escalation of the tit-for-tat engagement, Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israel keep exchanging fire. News sources report about a new drone attack by the Zionist regime on the northeast of Lebanon. Al-Mayadeen reported on the early Wednesday morning that an Israeli drone targeted a pickup truck with three missiles in Bakaa, located in the northeast of Lebanon. More details have not been reported so far. Earlier, the Lebanese resistance movement announced a drone attack on Zionist military positions in the northern occupied Palestinian territory. The group said it targeted the command headquarters of the Sahel Battalion and the Beit Hillel barracks of the Zionist soldiers with explosive drones in response to Israeli attacks on al-Majadal town in southern Lebanon. Since the onset of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, Hezbollah and the Zionist regime are engaged in exchange of fire almost on a daily basis. Hezbollah largely targets military bases and equipment such as tanks, personnel carriers and armored vehicles as well as espionage installation of the Zionists. A large number of Zionist soldiers have been killed or injured in such operations over the past 10 months. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM Netanyahu toured the northern border Israel - Prime Minister's Office Events and Speeches The 37th Government 28.08.2024 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Golani Brigade Fighters on the Northern Border: "I said the simple truth: It is not the end of the story. When will that be? Only when we are able to restore security and the residents to their homes. This is a national goal of the highest order." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today toured the northern border. At the start of the visit, the Prime Minister went to IDF Northern Command headquarters where he received an operational briefing by the Head of Northern Command, Maj.-Gen. Ori Gordin on the significant strike against Hezbollah as part of a pre-emptive attack to lift the threat from the terrorist organization, which was carried out early last Sunday morning. Prime Minister Netanyahu then visited a kibbutz in the Upper Galilee together with the Head of Northern Command and 92st Division commander Brig.-Gen. Shai Klefer, where he spoke with Golani Brigade 13th Battalion fighters and commanders, and representatives from the kibbutz emergency squad. Prime Minister Netanyahu [translated from Hebrew]: "I am here on the Lebanese border with the Head of Northern Command, commanders and our soldiers, who are doing amazing work. A few days ago, we foiled a surprise attack by Hezbollah against the State of Israel. We destroyed thousands of intermediate-range rockets that were aimed at the Galilee and the Golan Heights. I repeat - thousands of rockets. We thwarted all of the drones that were directed against the State of Israel, at the Galilee and the center of the country, and they were destroyed. This was a great success but I will not tell you that it was enough. On the contrary. I said the simple truth: It is not the end of the story. When will that be? Only when we are able to restore security and the residents safely to their homes. This is neither mere words nor a slogan - this is a national goal of the highest order. We are committed to achieving it and we will achieve it, with your help and with G-d's. Thank you." The Prime Minister was accompanied by his Chief-of-Staff, Tzachi Braverman, his Military Secretary, Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman and his Spokesperson, Dr. Omer Dostri. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan's hospitality industry sees decline in occupancy, nightly rates in first six months Xinhua) 17:00, August 29, 2024 TAIPEI, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The occupancy rates for hotel and guesthouse rooms in Taiwan decreased by 2.9 and 3.84 percentage points, respectively, in the first half of 2024 year on year, according to the latest statistics released by an official booking website taiwanstay.net.tw. The occupancy rates for hotels and guesthouses in the first half of the year were 47.3 percent and 22.69 percent, respectively, down from 50.2 percent and 26.53 percent in the same period last year, the website announced on Wednesday in a press release. In particular, Hualien in the eastern part of the island saw a significant decline in occupancy rates, with only about 10 to 20 percent of rooms occupied, compared to 40 to 60 percent in the same period last year, due to the impact of a serious earthquake in April and low travel confidence. Meanwhile, the average nightly rates for hotels and guesthouses in the first six months were 2,885 and 2,488 New Taiwan dollars (about 90 and 78 U.S. dollars), down 2.4 and 1.78 percent year on year, respectively. Among the 3,438 hotels surveyed, approximately 78 percent had room rates below the average. According to the island's regulations, a legally-registered guesthouse normally has a maximum eight rooms with a total area of no more than 240 square meters. During the summer vacation, many tourist spots in Taiwan did not experience the usual peak season boom. The beaches in Kenting of southern Taiwan, which saw monthly visitors exceed 20,000 before the COVID-19 pandemic, only had slightly over 10,000 visitors per month from January to June this year. Local hotels reported that summer occupancy rates were below 50 percent. Additionally, the annual Taiwan International Balloon Festival, held in Taitung from July 6 to Aug. 19, attracted 660,000 visitors this summer, down nearly half from last year's 1.16 million. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) PIGGS PEAK Three Build it employees have been arrested for allegedly defrauding the retail chain store about E2 million.The trio were apprehended on Tuesday, on different occasions. Witnesses said the arresting officers did not encounter any resistance when they confronted the three employees over their alleged offences. They were detained at Piggs Peak Police Station and subsequently charged for the offences.Sources disclosed that the three female employees had allegedly exploited systems within the hardware and building material outlet to steal various amounts, which were all calculated to be close to E2 million. Female The female employees allegedly carried out the thefts over a prolonged period of time, without being detected. Their clandestine moves, however, were reportedly uncovered when management launched an investigation sometime last year.The stock haemorrhage was immediately reported to the police commercial fraud unit. This came to light around November last year when accountants at the shops head office noted the irregularity.The employees apparently carried on with their alleged systematic thieving, while detectives were conducting their investigation. It worked out because management had regarded the trio as their trusted servants, and each time they enquired about the shortage, they would not get satisfactory responses. Police investigations ultimately discovered that the employees had defrauded the retail chain different amounts. One of the employees was investigated for allegedly pocketing over E1 million, while her other workmate was suspected to have siphoned about E400 000 into her own pockets. The other one was eventually charged for the theft of about E350 000.Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the arrests when contacted earlier on.The three employees have already been indicted. They made their first appearance before a judicial officer at the Piggs Peak Magistrates Court yesterday, facing different charges of theft. This is not an isolated incident as different business establishments have previously reported incidents where they had incurred losses at the hands of their employees. Stealing from an employer is regarded as a serious offence, and courts usually frown upon such criminal behaviour.Criminal behave has the potential to increase the cost of doing business. It has also been discovered to have a significant negative effect on foreign direct investment inflows. Investors usually shun destinations, where there is the potential to lose money from thieving employees or violent criminal activities. This was further confirmed by an economist who was contacted by this publication yesterday. A look at the Defence news 19 - 25 August Government of the Netherlands - Ministry of Foreign Affairs News item | 28-08-2024 Last week, the Netherlands Defence organisation signed a contract with Robin Radar Systems in The Hague for the purchase of 51 mobile drone detection radars. The systems are able to detect small drones and distinguish them from birds, for example. A unique feature of the radars is that they operate from a moving platform. Defence will donate the systems to Ukraine later this year. HNLMS Karel Doorman returns from mission in the Red Sea The logistics and supply ship HNLMS Karel Doorman has returned from EU operation Aspides in the Red Sea. The ship helped to protect international shipping from the threat of the Houthis. With a crew of over 250, the RNLN vessel provided logistical support and medical capacity in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden during the past four months. Ukrainian veterans build drones for their country Ukrainian military personnel are assembling new drones at a Defence location in the Netherlands, where the fighters are recovering after being injured in the war. The small aerial vehicles are deployed at the front for surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence missions. Netherlands Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans met the veterans and lent the Ukrainians a helping hand. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Review of PH-US defense treaty urged amid 'new security challenges' Philippine News Agency By Darryl John Esguerra August 28, 2024, 3:37 pm MANILA -- The National Maritime Council (NMC) believes it is about time the Philippines and the United States (US) review their over seven-decades-old Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) to make it more responsive to the modern security landscape. The MDT, signed in 1951, dictates that the Philippines and the US would support each other if attacked by an external party. According to NMC spokesperson Alexander Lopez, the defense pact may be revisited to make it "relevant to the new security challenges." "Sa atin lang, 1951 pa 'yung Mutual Defense Treaty. Since then, the strategic landscape has changed so much. So, maybe it's high time now to make the review," Lopez, a retired military official, told reporters in a media interview in Malacanang on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the interpretation of the MDT, especially the provision regarding an armed attack, must be tailored and broadened for it to become more responsive to China's illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 'Nobody buying China's narrative' Meanwhile, Lopez also belied China's claims that Filipino personnel fell overboard and were rescued by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) following an incident at Escoda Shoal over the weekend. According to Lopez, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has evidence that the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, the BRP Datu Sanday, encountered aggressive and dangerous maneuvers from multiple CCG vessels while en route to Escoda Shoal, a coral reef formation just some 70 nautical miles off mainland Palawan and is deep within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ). He also denied that it was BRP Datu Sanday that intentionally rammed the CCG vessels as claimed by China. "Nobody is buying that narrative. Kasi ang kanilang audience is basically domestic, samantalang tayo ay factual (Their audience are just their people while us, our basis are factual accounts) and we are even appreciative of the response of the international community condemning the harsh actions, aggressive actions, life threatening actions perpetrated by the Coast Guard vessels," Lopez said. The NMC mouthpiece also said that it is not sensible that BRP Datu Sanday, a smaller vessel compared with those deployed by the CCG, initiated the skirmish. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japan calls for de-escalation amid China's dangerous acts in WPS Philippine News Agency By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora August 28, 2024, 7:38 am Updated on August 28, 2024, 10:16 am MANILA -- The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called for de-escalation in tensions amid China's latest acts in the West Philippine Sea over the past two weeks, including the deployment of flares and ramming of a Filipino vessel. Without directly naming any country, the ministry on Tuesday said Japan "steadfastly opposes" the dangerous and coercive use of Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels as well as aircraft. "Japan expresses serious concern over repeated actions in recent days that increase regional tensions in the South China Sea and urges de-escalation of the tensions," it said in a statement. In two separate incidents last week, China fired flares multiple times while a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) plane was conducting an air patrol near Scarborough Shoal and the Zamora Reef. Last Sunday, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel rammed BFAR ship BRP Datu Sanday while it was en route to Sabina Shoal to resupply Filipino fishers with diesel, food, and medical necessities. Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya earlier said this development around Sabina Shoal, which is situated well within the country's exclusive economic zone, is "unacceptable" and that any action that increases tensions or obstructs the freedom of navigation is "not tolerated". In its statement, the Japanese foreign ministry said the issue of the South China Sea is directly related to the region and is a legitimate concern of the international community. "[T]herefore Japan opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea, including obstruction of freedom of navigation and over flight," it said. The ministry lauded the Philippines "for having consistently complied with the Arbitral Tribunal's award" and for showing its commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea. "The arbitral award is final and legally binding on the parties to the dispute under the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and Japan strongly hopes that the parties' compliance with the award will lead to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea," it said. "Japan has consistently advocated upholding the rule of law at sea and will continue to cooperate with the international community including ASEAN Member States and the United States to protect the free and open international order based on the rule of law," it added. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Namibia denies stopover to ship carrying military cargo for Israel amid war on Gaza Iran Press TV Wednesday, 28 August 2024 9:14 PM Namibia has refused to allow an explosive-laden ship destined for the occupied Palestinian territories to dock at its ports after suspecting that the vessel's consignments were to be used in the Israeli regime's ongoing genocidal war on the Gaza Strip. Portuguese-flagged MV Kathrin had requested permission to dock at the country's Walvis Bay port on Monday. Namibian authorities, however, intervened and prevented the vessel from entering the country's waters. Commenting on the matter, Justice Minister Yvonne Dausab said, "Upon receiving reports that a vessel may be carrying weapons intended" for the occupied territories, she had reminded the relevant authorities "of our international obligations," including under the Genocide Convention. She said a subsequent police investigation had revealed that the ship was "indeed carrying explosive material" destined for the territories. "Namibia complies with our obligation not to support or be complicit in Israeli war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, as well as its unlawful occupation of Palestine," the minister noted. At least 40,534 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed since October last year, when the Israeli regime launched the war on Gaza in response to a retaliatory operation staged by the territory's resistance groups. The brutal military onslaught has also wounded another 93,778 people. Namibia's neighbor, South Africa, filed a genocide case against the regime at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), otherwise known as the World Court, in December. The lawsuit prompted the tribunal to issue an initial ruling ordering Tel Aviv to refrain from acts that could fall under the Genocide Convention. Windhoek expressed its support for the lawsuit during a United Nations General Assembly session in January. Also in January, it criticized Germany for its support for the regime in the ongoing ICJ case after Berlin became the first country to legally intervene on Tel Aviv's behalf at the Hague-based court and defend the war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli raids risk worsening 'catastrophic' West Bank situation: UN Iran Press TV Wednesday, 28 August 2024 6:48 PM The United Nations says Israel's raids and assaults on the occupied West Bank risk "seriously deepening" an already "catastrophic situation" there. In a statement released on Wednesday, spokeswoman for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Ravina Shamdasani, said the 637 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank since October 7 was the highest death toll over a comparable period in two decades. Violence by settlers and raids by Israeli forces have surged in the West Bank since Israel launched its barbaric military campaign in the besieged Gaza Strip in early October 2023. "Thousands of Palestinians have been arbitrarily arrested and tortured, subjected to unrelenting settler violence, severe restrictions on movement and expression, their homes and property destroyed or seized, and forcibly displaced," the statement read. She slammed the regime for unnecessary use of force, saying many Palestinians including children have been killed while posing no imminent threat. "Such unnecessary or disproportionate use of force and the increase in apparent targeted and other summary killings are alarming." "Many children have been killed while throwing stones at highly protected Israeli security forces, as have other Palestinians posing no imminent threat to life or serious injury," Shamdasani said. The spokeswoman said the Israeli regime is violating human rights norms and demanded it abide by its obligations under international law. "The Israeli security forces' use of airstrikes and other military weapons and tactics violates human rights norms and standards applicable to law enforcement operations." Shamdasani said unlawful killings needed to be thoroughly and independently investigated, and those responsible held to account. "Israel, as the occupying power, must abide by its obligations under international law." In the most recent aggression, at least 10 Palestinians were reported killed as Israel launched its largest assault on the occupied West Bank in years. The Arab league has also denounced the Israeli incursion. It said the regime is waging its genocidal war against Palestinians everywhere to make living impossible on their own land. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Palestinian factions urge mobilization against Israeli aggression in West Bank Iran Press TV Wednesday, 28 August 2024 6:45 PM The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and other Palestinian factions in the besieged Gaza Strip have jointly called for mobilization in defense of the occupied West Bank against Israel's largest assault on the territory in years. In a statement on Wednesday, the Committee of National and Islamic Forces in Gaza, consisting of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement, and several other factions, has called on all Palestinians to confront the ongoing Israeli deadly raids on the occupied West Bank. "This aggression is an extension of the war of extermination and displacement against the Palestinian people and their land," the committee said in a statement, adding that the "resistance is steadfast and will thwart the occupation's goals." Earlier in the day, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority (PA), shortened his trip to Saudi Arabia and returned to the West Bank over Israel's relentless aggression in northern parts of the territory. The committee strongly called on the PA its affiliated security services to "carry out its duties to protect the Palestinian people" and "take the initiative to the field of honor and dignity and confront the Zionists and their settler gangs." The resistance groups also urged all Palestinians to "mobilize for a general confrontation and open engagement with the enemy to defend the land and identity and support our people in the northern West Bank." According to initial figures by the Red Crescent, at least ten Palestinians were killed in Israeli raids and strikes in several towns. Ahmed Jibril, a Red Crescent spokesman, said two Palestinians were killed in the city of Jenin, four others in a nearby village, and four more in a refugee camp near the town of Tubas. In the early hours of Wednesday, the Israeli army conducted its biggest operation - dubbed "Camps of Summer" - in the West Bank in over 20 years, deploying hundreds of troops and airstrikes on Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas, which are major centers of resistance. In a separate statement, Hamas called on every Palestinian "in every place in our occupied land" to boost resistance against Israel. Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz has called for the forced evacuation of Palestinians throughout the West Bank, similar to actions taken in Gaza. Since the onset of the current Israeli aggression, West Bank branches of Hamas' Qassam Brigades, PIJ's Quds Brigades, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, and other groups have been confronting the Israeli army in Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas camps. "Our fighters, in coordination with other resistance factions, are engaged in fierce clashes to repel the ongoing occupation aggression in the Faraa camp (near Tubas), Tulkarem, and Jenin. They are targeting enemy forces and their vehicles with machine guns and explosive devices, achieving direct hits," the Qassam Brigades' West Bank branch said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon. Separately, the Quds Brigades Jenin branch, known as the Jenin Brigade, said in a statement, saying that it "targeted enemy forces and military reinforcements with a high-explosive device, and our heroes continue to target enemy forces with heavy barrages of bullets, achieving direct hits." Since October 2023, the West Bank has seen a rise in violence by Israeli forces and settlers that has claimed the lives of hundreds of Palestinians. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN says vaccinating Gaza children against polio impossible 'under a sky full of bombs' Iran Press TV Wednesday, 28 August 2024 4:19 PM The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has once again pleaded for a humanitarian pause in the besieged Gaza Strip for a mass polio vaccination campaign. In a Wednesday post on X, UNRWA said it cannot do its job "under a sky full of bombs and strikes." The World Health Organization (WHO) recently warned of a high risk of the polio virus spreading across the Israeli-bombarded Palestinian region due to the poor sanitary conditions. The WHO has said if the outbreak happens in Gaza, it may spill over internationally at a very high rate. Some 1.2 million vaccines have arrived in Gaza. The UN has said it needs a weeklong pause to vaccinate all children. WHO is joined in the vaccination effort by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the UNRWA Relief and other partners. The aim is to vaccinate virtually 640,000 children under the age of 10 with two doses each. The organizations have emphasized that a ceasefire what they are calling a "polio pause" is crucial. On Tuesday, the foreign policy chief of the European Union Josep Borrell called for an immediate three-day ceasefire in Gaza to allow children to be vaccinated against poliovirus. He said in a message on X that the disease, which can cause deformities and paralysis, "threatens all children in Gaza, already weakened by displacement, deprivation & malnourished." The UN agencies have warned that without a ceasefire, children in Gaza will continue to become paralyzed, and the deadly disease will spread to the broader region and beyond. The Gaza Health Ministry has urged "international organizations to work and pressure the occupying authorities to stop the continuous aggression against our people in the Gaza Strip so that medical teams can vaccinate children and prevent the spread of the polio virus." Aid groups have called for seven days to safely administer the vaccines. The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas said in a statement on August 16 that it supports a ceasefire for a polio vaccination. Vicious Israeli propaganda against vaccination campaign Some media outlets affiliated with the Israeli regime have launched a vicious propaganda against the UN vaccination campaign in Gaza. Several news stories have appeared online in the Israeli-occupied territories and the United States, quoting some Israeli scientists falsely asserting that the polio vaccine due to be used in Gaza is "experimental". During his daily media briefing from New York on Tuesday, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric noted that there had been misinformation surrounding the vaccine. "I want to make the following clear: the safest and most effective way to protect children against the polio virus, regardless of the variant, is to vaccinate them," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Abbas shortens Saudi trip amid Israel's largest assault on West Bank in years Iran Press TV Wednesday, 28 August 2024 3:33 PM Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has shortened his visit to Saudi Arabia and returned to Palestinian territories over Israel's deadly military raids in the occupied West Bank. Abbas returned from the Arab kingdom on Wednesday, after Israel escalated violence in the northern parts of the occupied Palestinian region by launching new military offensives, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. "Abbas cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia and returned to his homeland on Wednesday to follow up on the latest developments in light of the Israeli aggression on the northern West Bank," it said. According to figures by the Red Crescent, at least ten Palestinians were killed in Israeli raids and strikes in several towns. Ahmed Jibril, a Red Crescent spokesman, said two Palestinians were killed in the city of Jenin, four others in a nearby village, and four more in a refugee camp near the town of Tubas. Earlier in the day, the Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee said the regime forces launched an operation in Jenin and Tulkarm. On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia denounced the "extremist and provocative statements" made by the Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir regarding a plan to construct a synagogue inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied East al-Quds. "The Kingdom affirms its categorical rejection of these extremists and provocative statements and its rejection of the ongoing provocations [of] Muslims' feelings around the world," Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. "The Kingdom stresses the need to respect the historical and legal status of Al-Aqsa Mosque," it added. In an interview with Israel's Army Radio on Monday, Ben-Gvir confirmed that he had a plan to build a synagogue inside the complex. Various countries and international organizations also reacted to the remarks by the Israeli minister. The United Nations cautioned that his statement risks escalating the already tense situation. It was the first time for the Israeli minister to openly speak about building a synagogue inside the complex, strengthening the narrative that the Muslim holy site and Palestinian national symbol is under threat from the occupying regime. Ben-Gvir has repeatedly visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex, despite a longstanding ban on Jews praying at the site. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Dire and dangerous': Hamas, PA condemn deadly Israeli escalation in West Bank Iran Press TV Wednesday, 28 August 2024 11:16 AM The Gaza Strip-based Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and the West Bank-headquartered Palestinian Authority have vehemently condemned escalation of the Israeli regime's deadly aggression across the occupied territory. At least 11 Palestinians were killed on Wednesday after the regime began taking various areas throughout the territory, especially those lying in its northern parts, under intensified airstrikes and ground attacks. The regime's forces also engaged in a widespread campaign of arrests and systematic destruction of infrastructure across the targeted areas. Hamas called the escalation a "practical attempt by the terrorist occupation army to implement the plans of the extremist Zionist cabinet," adding that the Israeli forces were acting on the ideas "expressed by its (the regime's) fascist ministers." Notorious figures within the regime, including so-called security minister Itamar Ben Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, have called for the 1967-occupied territory's annexation by Tel Aviv. The latter has even set out plans to prevent the territory's inclusion as part of a Palestinian state. Hamas, meanwhile, warned that the regime was seeking to expand its October-present genocidal war on Gaza, which has so far claimed the lives of at least 40,534 Palestinians, to the West Bank. It considered the regime's aggression against both the territories to be a product of "the suspicious international silence" and "the absolute political and military support from the American administration and some Western capitals." The movement, however, expressed certainty that the regime's campaign in the West Bank "will undoubtedly be broken by the steadfastness of our people." Concluding its statement, it called on the Palestinians there to engage in a general mobilization and escalate all forms of resistance. Also on Wednesday, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for the Palestinian Authority's presidency, denounced the Israeli aggression, saying it continued a "comprehensive war" on the Palestinian people, their land, and their holy sites. The policy would lead to "dire and dangerous" results, he warned, adding, however, that the escalation would not reward the regime with security and stability. The world must take "immediate and urgent action" to curb this extremist regime that "poses a threat to the stability of the region and the world as a whole," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad members killed in Israeli drone strike in Syria near Lebanese border Iran Press TV Wednesday, 28 August 2024 11:07 AM Four people have been killed in an Israeli drone strike on their vehicle on the Syrian-Lebanese border, amid heightened escalation between Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement and the occupation forces. Lebanese news portal Naharnet cited Syrian media and an official with Hezbollah as saying on Wednesday that the deadly strike targeted the car in Syria near the border with Lebanon. The Lebanese official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the strike killed one member of the Lebanese resistance group and three members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement. There was no immediate comment from Syrian officials on the drone attack. Hezbollah on Tuesday targeted the positions of the Israeli regime in the northern part of the occupied territories, striking several Israeli military sites as well as the Kiryat Shmona settlement, with Israeli media reports saying several people were killed and 30 others injured. On Sunday, Hezbollah launched a large number of rockets and drones deep into the occupied territories, as part of an "initial response" to the Israeli assassination of senior commander Fuad Shukr in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahieh. The Lebanese resistance group said it fired more than 320 rockets along with several explosive-laden drones that targeted 11 military bases in the northern Israeli occupied territories. The Lebanese resistance movement and Israel have been exchanging deadly fire since early October last year, shortly after the regime launched a genocidal war against the Gaza Strip following a surprise operation by its resistance groups. Hezbollah has vowed to keep up its retaliatory attacks as long as the Israeli regime continues its Gaza war, which has so far killed 40,534 Palestinians, mostly women and children, in Gaza. Hezbollah officials have repeatedly said they do not want a war with Israel while stressing that they are prepared in case it occurs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MANZINI The Chief Justice (CJ), Bheki Maphalala, has issued warrants against eight employees of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The arrest warrants, as well as those of search and seizure against the employees, were issued by the CJ yesterday, after the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) moved an urgent application.The warrants were issued in terms of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2008. In the warrants, the ACC officers were authorised to search the homesteads of the implicated employees and further confiscate any material they believe to have been used in the commission of fraudulent activities.The other warrant was authorising the ACC officers to arrest them (employees).Five of the implicated employees are female and they hold senior positions. The eight employees are suspected to have been part of a syndicate dealing in the sale of refugee status and passports to foreign nationals. Implicated According to sources, by yesterday afternoon, a contingent of officers from the ACC, were rounding up some of the implicated employees with the intention to detain them. The names of the implicated officers will not be mentioned, pending their court appearance.The application for the warrants followed parallel investigations on the same issue that were being conducted by the ACC and the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS). The investigations into this matter started in 2022, when the Ministry of Home Affairs had instituted an internal probe into the sale of refugee status and passports to foreign nationals.The investigations by the ACC and the police reportedly found that there was a syndicate dealing in documentation status and refugee passports. It was revealed that the syndicate charged between E30 000 and E50 000 for fresh and legal documents for any undocumented citizen, who wanted to be treated as an official refugee in the Kingdom of Eswatini. The internal investigations saw over 100 immigration officers being transferred last year. Also, the theft of security documents, such as passports and travel documents, as revealed in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development 2023/2024 Annual Performance Report, was so rife that government intended to instal a E3.9 million security surveillance system in the Immigration Office in the Ministry of Home Affairs. At the time, the immigration office was faced with the challenge of the disappearance and theft of security documents, such as passports and travel documents. Surveillance The report stated that government would spend at least E3.99 million on the procurement and installation of a security surveillance system (digital surveillance cameras, control equipment and other accessories) in selected immigration offices in the ministry, which stored security documents.In the event the warrants are executed, this will bring the number of those arrested in connection with the fraudulent activities in the Ministry of Homes Affairs to 11. The ACC recently reported that it was investigating 250 cases, with the Home Affairs case being one of them.First to be arrested in the fraudulent activities in the Ministry of Home Affairs, was a Zimbabwean national, Delight Moyo, who is facing charges of bribery, corruption and fraud. It is suspected that Moyo was the middleman between some of the immigration officers and customers who needed passports. When Moyo was arrested, it is alleged that he was found in possession of five Eswatini passports, suspected to have been stolen from the Ministry of Home Affairs.Assistant Immigration Officer Mboneni Nkosinathi Zwane was the second to be arrested and was slapped with 26 charges, including fraud, theft and money laundering. He is currently out on E100 000 bail, which he was ordered to pay in cash.Benjamin Mensah Larbi, from Ghana, was the last to be arrested and is facing three charges. During his court appearance, Larbi undertook to assist the investigators with information to uncover the rot in the ministry.Meanwhile, the investigations uncovered that most government services were offered in the backyard of some civil servants places of abode. The investigators followed tips on allegations that there was a syndicate milking the State of thousands of Emalangeni, as they rendered services of the ministry from their backyards. The investigators reportedly found that some civil servants were selling government documents, such as birth certificates, national identity documents (IDs), marriage certificates, travel documents, international passports, visas and work permits. According to the sources, the modus operandi of the decadent civil servants was that they dealt with agents who informed them of people in need of these documents. Thereon, it was said the civil servants would in turn bring the documents to their residences, where they were picked up by the clients. It was said that some of the civil servants were also found with blank documents, which were said to be filled per order.The clients were alleged to have been paying the civil servants in cash as this was discovered during a raid of residences of some of the civil servants fingered in the fraudulent act of releasing government documents in the black market. Syndicate It was gathered that some civil servants were found with hard cash in their houses, while others hid it in their vehicles. It was also recently reported that there was a South African syndicate that was allegedly manufacturing government documents like passports and others.It was found that the syndicate sold the documents to foreign nationals, who in turn became recognised as Eswatini nationals by birth.During the investigation, it was discovered that some of the recipients of the fraudulently issued documents were fugitives in their respective home countries. These people used the fraudulently obtained documents to seek asylum, when they were, in fact, fugitives of justice.The investigations showed that in one instance, a sum of E195 000 was paid into the bank account of one of the implicated government officials based in the Ministry of Home Affairs, presumably by the members of the syndicate from neighbouring South Africa. According to the investigation, one of the officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs was found with material used in the manufacturing of passports and it was highly suspected that it was due to be delivered to the syndicate in the Republic of South Africa. The investigation further revealed that between the months of October 2023 and January 2024, through his First National Bank account, one of the employees from the Ministry of Home Affairs allegedly received money totalling E195 000 from people who made transfers in the Republic of South Africa. The presence of the South African syndicate came to light during the investigation against one of the Home Affairs employees, Zwane, who is facing 26 charges. In their report, the investigators stated that during the month of February 2024, they received information about a suspected syndicate that was issuing Eswatini passports to foreign nationals, who were in turn given the status of Eswatini by birth. The police highlighted that they were informed that some of the officials in the Ministry of Home Affairs were involved in these unlawful activities. Israel says will evacuate Palestinians from parts of West Bank as bloody raids continue Iran Press TV Wednesday, 28 August 2024 11:06 AM Israel's foreign minister says Palestinians will be ordered to evacuate parts of the northern occupied West Bank, amid unprecedented bloody raids in the area as similar measures have been taken by the regime's military in the Gaza Strip, which is subjected to a genocidal war since October. In a post on social media platform X on Wednesday, Israel Katz said the Israeli military is working "intensively" to thwart what he alleged to be "terrorist infrastructures" in the Jenin and Tulkarm refugee camps, claiming that "an eastern terrorist front" is being established against Israel in the West Bank. Katz noted that the raids see "temporary evacuation of Palestinian residents" in areas in the northern West Bank in measures akin to those imposed in Gaza. Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli army launched raids in the cities of Jenin, Tulkarem and Tubas in the northern West Bank, killing at least 11 Palestinians. Since the start of Israel's aggression on the besieged Gaza Strip in October, the West Bank has also seen a rise in violence from Israeli forces and settlers that has claimed the lives of hundreds of Palestinians. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 662 Palestinians were killed and about 5,400 others injured by Israeli fire since October 7, considering the new deaths. Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians. The regime's bloody onslaught on Gaza has so far killed at least 40,534 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 93,778 others. Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under rubble. In a landmark ruling, the United Nations' top court said last month Israel's presence in the 1967- occupied Palestinian territories is "unlawful" and must end. In a 1967 war, Israel occupied the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East al-Quds, which it subsequently annexed. The 83-page advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice also outlined a wide list of policies that it said violated international law, including the building and expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east al-Quds. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas head in West Bank: Palestinian nation 'resolved' to continue path of resistance Iran Press TV Wednesday, 28 August 2024 8:02 AM The head of Hamas resistance movement in the occupied West Bank says Palestinians have the right to resist the occupying Israeli regime, and are resolved to continue the path of resistance despite hardships. "The Palestinian people have no other option" but to resist, Zaher Jabarin told al Jazeera on Tuesday. He added that the Palestinian people have proven that they don't care about Israeli threats, stressing that they won't surrender, despite all the Israeli crimes. The Hamas official reiterated the Palestinians' right to resist the Israeli occupation by all means. Referring to the incursions into the al-Aqsa mosque compound by extremist Israeli officials, Jabarin described the situation as "a religious war." He stressed that the major battle will be over al-Aqsa Mosque and al-Quds, noting that the Israeli plots against the holy site will fail. "Let [Israel's minister Itamar] Ben-Gvir know that his fate will be like that of all the extremists who attacked our sanctities. Ben-Gvir's fate will be like that of Ze'evi," he said, in an apparent reference to Rehavam Ze'evi, an Israeli minister who was killed in 2001. On August 13, Ben-Gvir joined hundreds of settlers who intruded into the mosque compound in the occupied East al-Quds. During his recent provocative visit, Ben-Gvir said that it was his "policy" to allow Jewish prayers on the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam's third-holiest site where only Muslims are allowed to pray under a status quo arrangement originally reached more than a century ago. This week, Ben-Gvir also revealed his intention to build a Jewish synagogue inside the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. He said that if he could, he would build a synagogue on the al-Asqa Mosque complex. Jabarin urged Muslim scholars across the world to perform their duty to defend al-Aqsa and Islamic holy sites. He also stressed the importance of unity among Palestinians to resist the occupation, amid the current difficult circumstances. Regarding the talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, Jabarin blamed Israel's prime minister for the lack of an agreement, saying Benjamin Netanyahu wants to prolong the war in order to achieve his personal interests. Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three cases filed in 2019. Jabarin's remarks come as negotiations are underway in Egypt to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. Months of on-off talks have failed to yield an agreement to end Israel's genocidal war on the besieged strip. Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians. The regime's bloody onslaught on Gaza has so far killed at least 40,476 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 93,647 others. Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under rubble. Since the start of Israel's aggression on the besieged Gaza Strip in October, the West Bank has also seen a rise in violence from Israeli forces and settlers that claimed the lives of hundreds of Palestinians. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At least 11 Palestinians killed in Israeli raids, strikes across occupied West Bank Iran Press TV Wednesday, 28 August 2024 6:40 AM The Israeli military has carried out airstrikes against several towns across the occupied West Bank, leaving at least 11 Palestinians dead and 15 others wounded, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) says. Ahmed Jibril, spokesman of the PRCS said on Wednesday that two Palestinians were killed after Israeli forces launched a drone strike on the city of Jenin, adding that four others lost their lives in a drone assault on their vehicle in a nearby village. Five others were also killed in an Israeli strike on the al-Fara refugee camp located south of the West Bank city of Tubas, he said. Israeli tanks also besieged the camp, preventing medical teams from reaching the wounded. Israel deployed hundreds of troops to the cities of Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas to carry out large-scale military operations in those areas. The raids were met with strong resistance from Palestinian fighters, who destroyed Israeli bulldozers. Meanwhile, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa said the operation is part of a wide-scale military offensive launched by the Israeli occupation authorities in several areas of the West Bank. Israeli forces were carrying out a "major offensive in the city of Tulkarm," besieging hospitals and preventing Palestinians from moving in and out of the city, according to Wafa. The bloody attacks came two days after seven Palestinians were killed in an Israeli drone strike on a house in al-Manshiya neighborhood at the Nour Shams refugee camp near the city of Tulkarm in northwestern West Bank. A number of others were also wounded during the raid on Monday, which saw the Israeli aircraft releasing several missiles against the targeted residence. Israel has ramped up attacks on Palestinian towns and cities throughout the occupied territories since the beginning of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza. More than 640 Palestinians have been killed in the assaults and in attacks by Israeli settlers, including more than 100 children. Israel launched the barbaric campaign of death, destruction and genocide in Gaza on October 7, 2023 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians. Israel has so far massacred 40,476 Palestinians, mostly women and children. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Aug 27: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Iran Press TV Wednesday, 28 August 2024 6:03 AM By Press TV Website Staff Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 40,500 Palestinians so far, the majority of them children, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers. The major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Tuesday, August 27, are as follows: Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on Aug 27: Targeted Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles that had penetrated east of Deir Al-Balah with regular 60-caliber mortar shells. Targeted Israeli military forces with a barrage of 107mm rockets at the "Kissufim" site. Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces using machine guns and explosive devices in the vicinity of Al-Fara'a camp, south of Tubas city, occupied West Bank. Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces storming the vicinity of Tulkarem camp, occupied West Bank, using machine guns. In a joint operation with the Ansar Brigades, targeted the Israeli military's supply line in the "Netzarim" axis with 100mm mortar shells. Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Aug 27: Seized two Israeli military drones while they were carrying out spying operations in the skies of Khan Yunis city, southern Gaza Strip. Detonated a barrel bomb that was previously planted, on an Israeli military vehicle near Al-Dahdouh roundabout, south of Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood in Gaza City. Al-Nasser Salah Al-Din Brigades' operations on Aug 27: Targeted Israeli military vehicles and soldiers in the invading axis east of Deir al-Balah with mortar shells. Targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles east of Deir Al-Balah with mortar shells. Martyr Omar Al-Qasim Forces' operations on Aug 27: Targeted Israeli forces in the vicinity of Al-Qastal Towers, east of Deir Al-Balah city, in the central Gaza Strip, with mortar shells. Al-Asifah Forces' operations on Aug 27: Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and military vehicles that had advanced in the vicinity of the Al-Jiyah neighborhood in the Al-Matahin area of Khan Yunis city, southern Gaza Strip, with a barrage of mortar shells. Hezbollah's operations on Aug 27: Targeted newly installed surveillance equipment mounted on a crane near the "Doviv" barracks with an [FPV] attack drone. Targeted buildings used by Israeli soldiers in the "Netua" settlement with appropriate weapons. Targeted surveillance equipment at the Al-Abad site with [FPV] attack drones. Launched an aerial assault with a squadron of attack drones on the headquarters of the "Sahel" Battalion in the "Beit Hillel" barracks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Islamic Jihad: Israeli 'regime seeks judaization of al-Aqsa mosque' Iran Press TV Wednesday, 28 August 2024 2:28 AM The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement has strongly condemned Israel's extensive aggression against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank as "an open and undeclared war." Islamic Jihad said in a statement on Tuesday that Israel's wide-scale military campaign is part of the regime's plans to tighten control over the occupied al-Quds and the holy al-Aqsa Mosque. "The criminal occupation is launching a comprehensive assault on the cities and camps of the northern occupied West Bank in an open and undeclared war, one we had previously warned about," it said. "This aggression seeks to shift the focus of the conflict to the occupied West Bank in an attempt by the entity to impose new facts on the ground aimed at subjugating the occupied West Bank, annexing it, and asserting its control over our sanctities in an existential war against the Palestinian people," it added. The Palestinian movement warned that the Israeli regime seeks "judaization of al-Aqsa," citing an earlier provocative proposal by Israeli security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, to construct a synagogue in the holy site. The group further censured the international inaction in the face of Israeli crimes against the Palestinian nation and sanctities. Elsewhere in its statement, Islamic Jihad urged the world community to hold the regime in Tel Aviv fully responsible for the repercussions of its aggressive policies against the Palestinians. Israeli politicians have long violated the delicate arrangement and facilitated raids on the holy site and performed rituals. During his recent provocative visit, Israeli extremist minister Ben-Gvir said that it was his "policy" to allow Jewish prayers on the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam's third-holiest site where only Muslims are allowed to pray under a status quo arrangement originally reached more than a century ago. This week Ben-Gvir revealed his intention to build a Jewish synagogue inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied East al-Quds is a dangerous declaration. He said that if he could, he would build a synagogue on the al-Asqa Mosque complex. Hamas called on Palestinian youth to mobilize at the al-Aqsa compound to maintain a presence in its courtyards and to confront the plans of the occupying regime. The recent violation of the al-Aqsa Mosque's sanctity came at a time when nearly 11 months of a genocidal Israeli war on the besieged Gaza Strip has exposed the terrorist nature of the occupying regime to the world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas condemns Israel's plans to fund incursions into Al-Aqsa mosque Iran Press TV Wednesday, 28 August 2024 1:37 AM The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has slammed as a "dangerous escalation" Israel's stated plans to fund further incursions into the Al-Aqsa mosque. In a statement on Tuesday, Hamas said Israel is "playing with fire" and that any such move would ignite a widespread religious war. Hamas said the regime's "decision to fund Zionist tours of Al-Aqsa Mosque is a dangerous escalation and playing with fire, leading the region towards a religious war for which the occupation and its supporters will bear responsibility." "We call on our people and our nation to mobilize, rally, and stand in solidarity in defense of our people and our sanctities," it added. The group said the regime would not succeed in erasing historical facts, and that the holy mosque will remain purely an Islamic site. It called on Palestinians across the occupied territories to make frequent visits to the Al-Aqsa mosque and resist Israel's violations there. Hamas also called for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)'s serious action to foil such Israeli plots. The group encouraged the Arab and Islamic nations to protest the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and their lands. Israeli politicians have long violated the delicate arrangement and facilitated raids on the holy site and performed rituals. During his recent provocative visit, Israeli extremist minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that it was his "policy" to allow Jewish prayers on the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam's third-holiest site where only Muslims are allowed to pray under a status quo arrangement originally reached more than a century ago. The OIC said it was a "provocation to the feelings of Muslims all over the world." This week Ben-Gvir revealed his intention to build a Jewish synagogue inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied East al-Quds is a dangerous declaration. He said that if he could, he would build a synagogue on the al-Asqa Mosque complex. "If I could do what I wanted, a synagogue would also be established on the Temple Mount," Ben Gvir, who has a long record of making inflammatory statements, told Israel's Army Radio on Monday morning. Hamas called on Palestinian youth to mobilize at the al-Aqsa compound to maintain a presence in its courtyards and to confront the plans of the occupying regime. "We also call on our valiant resistance and our revolutionary youth in the occupied West Bank to escalate their clashes with the criminal enemy and its settler herds," the statement read. The recent violation of the al-Aqsa Mosque's sanctity came at a time when nearly 11 months of a genocidal Israeli war on the besieged Gaza Strip has exposed the terrorist nature of the occupying regime to the world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pacific leaders back regional police force amid China concerns The deal's endorsement comes a day after Melanesian nations warned against misuse for geostrategic aims. By Harry Pearl and Stefan Armbruster for BenarNews 2024.08.28 -- Pacific leaders on Wednesday endorsed a sweeping regional policing initiative despite a warning from a bloc of Melanesian countries that it should not be used for geostrategic advantage by Australia and New Zealand. The Australian-backed Pacific Policing Initiative, or PPI, is seen as a counterweight to growing Chinese influence in the region that in recent years has become a focal point for competition between major powers. Leaders from Australia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga and Palau fronted the media in the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa to announce the police initiative had received backing from the Pacific Islands Forum. The announcement came just a day after the five-member Melanesian Spearhead Group, or MSG, issued a statement saying parts of the PPI were "cryptic" and needed to be calibrated for Pacific needs. On Wednesday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said endorsement of the law enforcement program was a major objective for this year's forum. "By working together, the security of the region will be much stronger and will be looked after by ourselves," Albanese said. "Of course sovereign nation states will determine how they participate in this." Australia has proposed pouring about $400 million (US$272 million) into training facilities to improve regional policing capabilities under the PPI, including for the establishment of a regional hub in Brisbane. Though the Australian government is adamant the initiative is Pacific-led, some analysts say it is also a way for Canberra to retain its position as the Pacific island's preeminent security partner as China looks to strike bilateral policing agreements. China signed a secretive security pact with the Solomon Islands in 2022 and unsuccessfully sought to strike a region-wide security deal with nearly a dozen Pacific countries that same year. Fiji earlier this year amended a police cooperation agreement with Beijing, scrapping a provision that allowed Chinese officers to be deployed in Fiji. On Tuesday, the MSG - which includes Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the pro-independence Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front, or FLNKS - said the PPI must fit the needs of Pacific nations. "We need to make sure that this PPI is framed to fit our purposes and not developed to suit the geo-strategic interests and geo-strategic denial security postures of our big partners," said Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, the current chair of the MSG in his opening remarks to a caucus meeting in Tonga. At the same meeting, MSG Director General Leonard Louma said the police deal was a "worthy initiative" but many aspects were still "cryptic." Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and the FLNKS were absent from Wednesday's announcement but two MSG leaders were on hand to praise the deal. PNG Prime Minister James Marape said the Pacific needed to build up its security apparatus so it could lend a hand from within the region. He also thanked "big partners" Australia and New Zealand for their contributions to the Pacific's needs, adding that one police training center would be in PNG. Fijian leader Sitiveni Rabuka said his country's police force had benefited from regional cooperation and training in the past. "Most of the problems we face are regional problems ... so it's our responsibility to develop our own policing initiative," the prime minister said. The PPI contains three pillars, according to Albanese, the first of which was the establishment of up to four regional police training centers to be located in Pacific countries. It will also include a pool of officers ready to be deployed during regional crises and a development and coordination hub to be based in Brisbane. Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni said a central tenet of this initiative was that forum members would have the discretion to choose how they would contribute to and benefit from the three pillars. "Tonga, like many other countries, is facing a number of transnational security challenges, including an increase in drug trafficking within the Pacific in recent years," he said. "Therefore I think it is really important to have a Pacific-led, Pacific-owned initiative that reinforces the existing regional security architecture." After the deal was announced, the leaders left without taking questions from the media. Mihai Sora, director of the Pacific islands program at the Lowy Institute, said the deal was a massive achievement for Pacific countries, at a time when regional unity was under pressure and when Pacific countries were facing mounting threats. "Pacific countries are still free to pursue individual policing activities with other partners, of course. Sovereignty is paramount," he told RFA affiliate BenarNews. "But this initiative aims to fill those gaps in policing to which China purports to be responding." Pacific civil society groups, speaking on the sidelines of the forum, said engagement with community organizations about the policing initiative had been disappointing. "There's a lot of reaction taking place rather than deep thinking and analysis and actually listening," said Sharon Bagwan Rolls of the Pacific Women Mediators Network. "Traditional security measures are still connected to people, so it does need to come back through the forum process, back into civil society to have those conversations." BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. Copyright 1998-2024, 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 August 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 Kiribati defends travel ban during government formation fearing 'checkbook diplomacy' International observers were not invited to oversee the Pacific island nation's general election. By Rimon Rimon and Stefan Armbruster for BenarNews 2024.08.28 -- A ban on diplomatic visits to Kiribati during elections will safeguard against undue foreign influence during the formation of government, the head of its delegation at the Pacific Island Forum leaders meeting said. Two weeks ago Kiribati sparked controversy after suspending foreign diplomats until 2025 due to national elections and appealed for understanding from diplomatic and development partners. The move came as incumbent President Taneti Maamau - who oversaw Kiribati's diplomatic switch from Taiwan to China in 2019 - tries to secure a third and final term in office. The Pacific Islands Forum, or PIF, said it had not been invited to monitor the poll and the Kiribati Elections Commission did not respond to inquiries by RFA affiliate BenarNews about international observers. Incumbent Minister for Education Alexander Teabo, representing Kiribati at the PIF meeting in Tonga, told BenarNews the government did not want to repeat mistakes made in the past. "The thing is we have to be fair because we are under the caretaker mode now and we don't want to accept new things right now and we have to wait for the new government," Teabo said on the sidelines of the meeting. "We say, 'Well you can come but not today', it's time for us to concentrate on our election. That's our sovereign right." Kiribati consists of three low-lying coral atoll chains about half-way between Hawaii and Australia. Half the population of 116,000 lives in the capital, considered one of the most densely populated places on earth. The island country controls a vast exclusive economic zone in the Pacific Ocean including a 408,250 square kilometer (approximately 157,600 square miles) marine reserve known as the Phoenix Islands Protected Area. Kiribati withdrew from PIF in mid-2022 over an internal leadership dispute, sparking fears it would lead to even closer ties with Beijing. It rejoined last year amid the geostrategic struggle between the U.S. and its allies with the global superpower for influence in the Pacific region. Former Kiribati President Anote Tong told BenarNews that excessive foreign influence prompted the government's travel restrictions, as pressures now are far more intense compared to the last election in 2020 when the borders remained open. "This has never happened before," Tong said but suggested it may already be too late. "The question is, are there already foreign governments participating in the [election] process and that they [Kiribati government] don't want anyone else coming in." Taebo disputed Tong's claim. "That's over exaggerating, but in the past there was this checkbook diplomacy in the country. That's a habit in the past administrations, but not with us," Taebo said without providing examples. "Even the Chinese embassy, they know that we suspend everything. Everything." "We switched to China, because the world is following China, and the U.N. is where we follow," he said. Maamau is facing a challenge for the presidency from former opposition leader Tessie Lambourne, who narrowly won her seat in Abemama. She is the wife of Australian High Court judge David Lambourne, who was sacked and deported from Kiribati earlier this year. In the first election cycle, Maamau's Tobwan Kiribati Party (TKP) lost nine seats reducing its number to 18 seats in the Maneaba ni Maungatabu, Kiribati's parliament. The Opposition was reduced to eight MPs from 13. The balance of power rests with the 17 newcomers, whose political affiliations are yet unknown. The elections saw a record high of five women elected, surpassing the four from 2020. The Pacific islands region has the lowest levels of women's parliamentary representation in the world. "It's good that now we are having five women in Parliament but we have to encourage them to be more, if they want to change," said Taebo. "They have to be more bold and more like men. We have a culture, in our culture it'll take time." The parliamentary elections earlier this month will now be followed by a poll to elect a new president in October. The presidential candidates will be decided on Sept.13. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. Copyright 1998-2024, 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 August 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 Romania Gives Green Light To Start Talks On Stake In Moldovan Danube River Port By RFE/RL's Romanian Service August 28, 2024 The Romanian government on August 28 approved the start of negotiations with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for the purchase of a major stake in Moldova's Danube River port of Giurgiulesti. The port, located near Moldova's borders with Romania and Ukraine, is 134 kilometers from the Black Sea and can be accessed by river and sea vessels. Two different port infrastructure entities operate in Giurgiulesti -- Giurgiulesti State Port and Giurgiulesti International Free Port. The Moldovan government said on August 28 that it does not intend to sell the state port. The negotiations will take place with the operator of the Giurgiulesti International Free Port, Danube Logistics SRL, which was acquired by the EBRD in 2021. The Romanian government approved a memorandum to form a negotiation commission and begin talks with the EBRD to acquire Danube Logistics SRL. The purchase would be made through a company controlled by the Romanian state through the Transport Ministry. "The Romanian state has expressed interest to buy the shares given competition between Constanta port and the other Black Sea ports and those of other EU states, as well as the expansion of Constanta port and its transformation into a market leader for central and southeast Europe," the memorandum said. A Moldovan government spokesperson said EBRD is negotiating with several potential investors, including from Romania, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Denmark. The Romanian government did not specify when it expected negotiations to take place or how much it was willing to pay, but it appears to be under pressure to start negotiations because the Bulgarian company MBF Port Burgas has already shown interest in Giurgiulesti. MBF Port Burgas operates two terminals in the Port of Burgas in southern Bulgaria and is part of Navigation Maritime Bulgare (Navibulgar). Until 2008, Navibulgar was the largest shipping company owned by the government in Sofia. After the privatization, Navibulgar ended up in the portfolio of billionaire brothers Kiril Domuschiev and Georgi Petrov Domuschiev, who are close to former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov. RFE/RL contacted MBF Port Burgas for comment but didn't receive a response. An EBRD official confirmed to RFE/RL that the bank wants to sell its stake in the port of Giurgiulesti and is interested in making the process transparent. "EBRD wants to find a reputable buyer for the port. We are often approached by various interested buyers, but we are currently focusing on working with the government of the Republic of Moldova to pave the way for a transparent sale process," the EBRD official said. Romania's main Black Sea port of Constanta has seen an influx of investment, including EU funds to increase its capacity, since becoming Ukraine's biggest alternative grain export route following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. According to the memorandum, taking into account the competition between the Port of Constanta and the other ports of the Black Sea basin and of the EU member states, the purchase of Giurgiulesti International Free Port would help to expand the port of Constanta and transform it into a market leader for Central and Southeastern Europe. The Romanian state's interest in the port was announced last year by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. Through this investment, Romania will become one of the most important international hubs for the reconstruction of Ukraine after the end of the war, he said at the time. With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/romania-bulgaria-giurgiulesti- port-ukraine-grain-reconstruction-ebrd/33097186.html Copyright (c) 2024. 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 Macron's Visit To Serbia Important For Its European Journey, Head Of EU Delegation Says By RFE/RL's Balkan Service August 28, 2024 It is "positive news" that French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Serbia, said the head of the Delegation of the European Union, Emanuele Giaufret, in Belgrade on August 28, assessing the visit as an important step in Serbia's path to the European Union. The two-day visit, set to begin on August 29, will include a meeting between Macron and President Aleksandar Vucic and is also expected to see the signing of an armament deal to sell French fighter jets to Serbia. Along with the signing, Macron will unveil a plaque marking the completion of modernization works at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport, visit the Matica Srpska Gallery in Novi Sad, and give a speech at the Forum on Youth and Artificial Intelligence. "It is part of the engagement of the member countries working to strengthen bilateral relations with Serbia, and it is also important in the context of Serbia's European path," Giaufret told reporters at a school exchange program event in Belgrade, Beta agency reported. The Elysee Palace previously announced that Macron will confirm his support for Serbia's European integration and that his visit will be an opportunity to talk with Vucic about the economy, health care, energy, culture, and artificial intelligence. Macron's visit comes less than five months after he hosted the Serbian president in Paris. It will be the second visit of the French president to Serbia in the last five years, following the strengthening of relations between the two countries. Serbia, which has been a candidate for membership in the European Union since 2012, has irritated the European Union by maintaining ties with Russia during its war of aggression against Ukraine and by refusing to impose sanctions on Moscow over its war. The European Union told Serbia on August 15 that this behavior is not compatible with EU values and the accession process. Brussels also said the EU "wants to count on all candidate countries as reliable European partners for common principles, values, security, and prosperity." The reaction followed meetings between Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin and Kremlin officials in Moscow along with claims of intelligence cooperation with Russia. While in Moscow, Vulin repeated that he is proud that Serbia is "not part of the anti-Russian hysteria" and has not joined the Western sanctions imposed in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/serbia-france-eu-macron-vucic- giaufret/33097077.html Copyright (c) 2024. 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 Jordan Urges UN to Take Action Over Israeli Minister's Temple Mount Statement Sputnik News 20240828 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi called on the United Nations Security Council to take action against Israel over Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's call to build a synagogue on the Temple Mount (also known as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound) in Jerusalem. Ben-Gvir recently stated that he would build a synagogue on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem to ensure equal rights for Jews and Muslims. "We urge the Security Council and all members of the Int'l community to take immediate effective action to stop the illegal Israeli measures that violate the historical and legal status quo at occupied Jerusalem's Holy Sites. As the occupying power, Israel is legally responsible for protecting the historical and legal Status quo," Safadi said on X on Tuesday. The UN Security Council must adopt a binding resolution to prevent further violations and escalation by Israel around the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount, he added. "The situation is already explosive. The hate-driven ideology enabling the designs to change the identity of the Mosque will provide the spark. The consequences will be dangerous," the foreign minister noted. The Temple Mount, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif, is the third holiest site in Islam and is overseen by the Islamic Waqf religious trust. Although Jews are now allowed to visit the site, they are prohibited from praying there to avoid tensions between Jews and Muslims. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Latvia Mulls Introducing Mandatory Military Service for Women Sputnik News Svetlana Ekimenko 20240828 Latvia scrapped its decades-old military conscription policy in 2006 after joining NATO. However, amid the West's proxy war in Ukraine and the concocted "Russia threat" narrative, there has been a massive ramping up of Europe's defense spending, with Latvia also moving to beef up its military. Latvia is considering introducing mandatory military service for women, the country's defense minister has revealed. Andris Spruds voiced his support for drafting women into national defense service sometime by 2028 in a post on X. The minister conceded, however, that there was "homework to be done: a public debate, the improvement of the infrastructure of the service, and the provision of materiel and equipment tailored specifically to women." Mandatory conscription for women "won't happen today or tomorrow," he reiterated in an interview on local television. Readily embracing the US and NATO-driven "Russia threat" narrative, the Baltic nation, with a population of less than two million, has been beefing up its military. NATO's proxy war against Russia in Ukraine made it even more eager to toe the hawkish Western stance, and reintroduce conscription last year. The National Defense Service Act was signed into law in April 2023. The Baltic country currently has 11-month-long mandatory military service for men aged 18 to 27. By 2028, the country aims to have 4,000 soldiers. When Latvia accepted its first conscripts in 2023, there was a heated debate about a call-up of both men and women. In the end, Latvia decided on mandatory conscription for men alone, although women aged 18 to 27 can apply voluntarily. Earlier this year, Denmark announced plans to become the third country in Europe to introduce female conscription. Norway and Sweden did so in 2015 and in 2017, respectively. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Middle East Crisis Caused by US Desire to Maintain Regional Dominance - Moscow Sputnik News 20240828 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The current situation in the Middle East has become a consequence of the United States' desire to maintain its dominant regional influence, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik. "In many ways, the current dramatic situation has become a consequence of the desire of the United States to maintain its dominant influence in the Middle East," Zakharova said. The spokeswoman noted that Washington's desire to "monopolize the mediation role" in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian movement Hamas, preserve the status quo and promote "economic peace," leaving aside a long-term settlement based on the existing decisions of the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council, has contributed to the accumulation of conflict potential in the Middle East. Moreover, Zakharova said that the strengthening of the US military presence in the region could lead to further escalation and that Russia advocated avoiding actions that could lead to aggravation of the situation in the Middle East. On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. Following this, Hamas fighters infiltrated border areas, opening fire on military and civilian targets, and captured more than 250 hostages. According to Israeli authorities, approximately 1,200 people were killed. In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords in the Gaza Strip. Israel declared a total blockade of the enclave, halting the supply of water, electricity, fuel, food, and medicine. According to the health authorities in Gaza, the death toll from Israeli strikes in the enclave since October 7 has exceeded 40,400, with more than 93,500 people injured. Additionally, the situation on the Israeli-Lebanese border escalated after the start of Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip in October 2023. The IDF and Hezbollah have been repeatedly conducting attacks on each other's positions in areas along the border. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNIFIL is vital for calming the situation on the Blue Line: UK explanation of vote at the UN Security Council UK explanation of vote delivered by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, following the Security Council vote to renew the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). 28 August 2024 With the situation on the Blue Line the most precarious it has been for years, we cannot overstate the importance of UNIFIL for calming the situation on the border. That's why we voted in favour today. We commend the UN troops and staff of the Mission who are working in such difficult circumstances - risking their lives - to fulfil the mandate. Near daily exchanges of fire across the Blue Line have killed and injured civilians. UN peacekeepers have been wounded too. This is deeply concerning and we welcome the mandate's call for all parties to protect civilians in accordance with international law and to take all measures to respect the safety and security of UN Peacekeepers. Over the weekend, my Foreign Minister spoke with Lebanon's PM Mikati and Israel's Strategic Affairs Minister Dermer to reassure them of our support for security on both sides of the Blue Line. But while the UK is supporting Lebanon's security and stability through its government and Armed Forces, Iran is sowing further conflict and chaos by supplying advanced weaponry to Hizballah. We urge Iran to stand down their proxy and we call on Hizballah to deescalate immediately. Only a political solution can deliver the peace we so desperately need. As my Foreign Minister said earlier this month: a widening of this conflict is in nobody's interest - the consequences could be catastrophic. One miscalculation is all it takes. All parties need to engage immediately with diplomatic efforts based on the principles set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1701. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN food agency halts operations in Gaza after team attacked 28 August 2024 - The World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Wednesday a pause in the movement of its employees in Gaza until further notice following an attack on a team returning from an aid delivery mission on Tuesday evening, just metres from an Israeli-controlled checkpoint. "This is totally unacceptable and the latest in a series of unnecessary security incidents that have endangered the lives of WFP's team in Gaza," said the UN agency's Executive Director Cindy McCain, calling on the Israeli authorities and all parties to the conflict to act immediately to ensure the safety and security of all aid workers in Gaza. Thankfully, no one was injured in the attack, WFP said. "As last night's events show, the current deconfliction system is failing and this cannot go on any longer," Ms. McCain added. Coordination 'not working' A "clearly marked UN humanitarian vehicle - part of a convoy that had been fully coordinated with the [Israeli Defense Forces] IDF - was struck 10 times by IDF gunfire, including with bullets targeting front windows," UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters at a briefing at UN Headquarters on Wednesday. "This is the latest incident to underscore that systems in place for coordination are not working," he said, adding that "we will continue to work with the IDF to ensure that incidents like that do not happen again." Reiterating that parties must respect international humanitarian law at all times, the UN Spokesperson said civilians must be protected, and their essential needs, including food, water, shelter and health, must be met wherever they may be in Gaza. "This applies to those under evacuation orders regardless of whether they move or not, and those who leave must have enough time to do so as well as a safe route and safe places," he said. Under fire after aid mission The team had been returning from a mission on Tuesday night to Kerem Shalom with two WFP armoured vehicles after escorting a convoy of trucks carrying humanitarian cargo routed to Gaza's central area. "Despite being clearly marked and receiving multiple clearances by Israeli authorities to approach, the vehicle was directly struck by gunfire as it was moving towards an IDF checkpoint," WFP said. Just a few metres from that checkpoint at the Wadi Gaza Bridge, WFP reported that the vehicle sustained at least 10 bullets - five on the driver's side, two on the passenger side and three on other parts of it. Stark reminder Though this is not the first security incident to occur during the 10-month-long war, the agency said it is the first time that a WFP vehicle has been directly shot at near a checkpoint, despite securing the necessary clearances, as per standard protocol. "The incident is a stark reminder of the rapidly and ever shrinking humanitarian space in the Gaza Strip, where increasing violence compromises our ability to deliver lifesaving assistance," WFP said. The already critical situation is exacerbated by restricted access and heightened risks, leading to decreased food supplies reaching those in desperate need, the UN food agency stated. Increasingly under fire Humanitarians are increasingly coming under fire and face a multitude of challenges to deliver lifesaving aid in Gaza, according to WFP. Frequent and ongoing evacuation orders continue to uproot both families and food relief operations intended to support them, the agency reported. Last week, WFP lost access to its third and last operational warehouse in Gaza's middle area, while five of WFP's operated community kitchens had to be evacuated. "This week, on Sunday 25 August, the evacuation orders impacted the main WFP operating hub in Deir Al-Balah, forcing our team to relocate for the third time since the war started," the agency said, calling on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, ensure the protection of humanitarian workers, and uphold their commitment to facilitating the delivery of vital and lifesaving aid. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address West Bank strikes: UN rights office condemns Israeli military escalation By Daniel Johnson 28 August 2024 - Amid further raids, airstrikes and settler attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, warned that the Israeli military's actions risked further enflaming an "already explosive situation". The development follows "at least four" airstrikes by the Israeli Security Forces (ISF) in the Nur Shams Refugee Camp in Tulkarem on Monday night that left five dead - three Palestinian men and two boys aged 13 and 15. "Three of the fatalities, including the two boys, were killed while they were passing by the targeted house, which was located in one of the small and crammed alleyways in the camp," OHCHR said in a statement, citing multiple sources. The UN office warned that situation in the Occupied West Bank "could worsen dramatically if ISF continue to systematically use unlawful lethal force and ignore violence perpetrated by settlers". The latest confirmed toll from the UN rights office indicates that 628 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank between 7 October - the date of the Hamas-led terror attacks in Israel that sparked the war - and 27 August. "Of these, 609 Palestinians were killed by ISF, 11 killed by settlers and eight either by ISF or settlers in joint attacks. However, 159 of those killed, including 29 boys and three women, died as a result of airstrikes," OHCHR said in an update. Condemning the Israeli forces' "increasingly military response" in the West Bank, OHCHR maintained that its operations violated international humanitarian law. "The ISF use of airstrikes and other military weapons and tactics violates these standards and is resulting in extrajudicial executions and other unlawful killings and destruction of Palestinian homes and infrastructure," it said in a statement. Multiple raids, settler violence Palestinians have also been targeted elsewhere in the West Bank including late on Monday evening when dozens of armed Israeli settlers attacked Wadi Rahal village in Bethlehem. One victim of the violence, 37-year-old Khalil Salem Khlawi, was "shot in the back and killed" - allegedly by armed settlers or army reservists. Settlers also reportedly shot and injured three other Palestinian men and prevented Palestinian ambulances from reaching the injured, OHCHR said. It cited sources who asserted that the ISF "stood by observing until the man was killed, and only later dispersed the settlers, without arresting any of them". According to Israeli media, ISF stated that their reservists opened fire and hit several Palestinians. Mr. Khlawi's killing "is not an isolated incident and is a direct consequence of Israel's policy of settlement of the Occupied West Bank, in violation of international law, accompanied by ISF complicity and the prevailing environment of impunity", OHCHR insisted. Setting fires, physical assault and theft As part of its work in the OPT, the UN human rights office documents daily settler attacks on Palestinians, "including settlers physically assaulting Palestinians, setting fire or damaging their property and crops, stealing sheep, blocking them from accessing their land, water and grazing areas and forcing them to leave their homes and lands". OHCHR noted that the longstanding trend of settler attacks on Palestinians has "dramatically escalated" since 7 October with the support of "the highest levels" of government. "Despite the announcement of investigations, following some instances of settler violence, and the sporadic arrests of alleged perpetrators, no settler has been indicted since 7 October on charges related to settler violence," the UN rights office noted. According to the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, since 7 October 2023, 259 Palestinians households (1,547 people), including 753 children, have been forcibly displaced amid incidents involving Israeli settlers. 'People live in fear' Ajith Sunghay, Head of OHCHR in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, told UN News the situation is growing more and more serious. "People live in fear," he said. "You have one side where you have a government that has armed people, but they've also been empowered. You have very strong backing by people in government powers, which have emboldened settlers." He explained that one big difference seen in settler violence compared to a few years ago is that they are getting more and more organized, including by using WhatsApp groups and other ways of communication. "It's not single incidents anymore," he continued. "There are a big number of settlers who go into these Palestinian communities, whether it's villages, towns or farms', and attack these Palestinian herders or farmers." The other aspect, he warned, is "we're seeing more and more backing of the [Israeli Defense Forces] IDF of settlers." "There is a constant fear," he said. "You've only seen in the last week or 10 days where settlers went in groups and attacked Jit village, where someone was killed as well," he said. "Unfortunately, this has continued, but also deteriorated." East Jerusalem not sacred OHCHR said that in East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities continue to apply discriminatory zoning laws and to demolish Palestinian homes, in violation of international law. In Silwan, "thousands of Palestinians are at risk of forcible eviction," the UN office said, citing the case of the Odeh family in Al Bustan, whose home was bulldozed by Israeli forces on 27 August, displacing 10 Palestinians including two children. Six other Palestinian homes have been demolished in the same area since 7 October, OHCHR said, noting that the Israeli authorities have threatened to destroy the neighbourhood, home to 1,550 Palestinians, to make space for a "green area". In Gaza, 'people don't know where to go' Meanwhile in Gaza, UN aid teams confirmed that they were continuing to deliver humanitarian assistance "wherever possible and in the most difficult circumstances", despite the upheaval to civilians and aid teams caused by repeated Israeli evacuation orders and military manoeuvres. "It's just catastrophic," said Louise Wateridge, senior spokesperson for UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestine refugees, reporting from the central Gaza Strip. Indicating a significant intensification in the level of disruption and violence in recent weeks, Ms. Wateridge said on X that "hundreds of thousands of people [are] forced to move a daily basis....What we're seeing now is families, mothers, children dragging their belongings. Most people are moving by foot. There's very limited access to any kind of vehicles for this kind of displacement now, and people just don't know where to go." After a flurry of recent Israeli evacuation orders and only 11 per cent of the Gaza Strip not impacted by these measures, the UNRWA officer insisted that Gazans only had "minimal" space left to shelter. "There are tanks in areas that used to be designated as safe areas, and this is just another testament to there being nowhere safe in the Gaza Strip." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address World News in Brief: IMO tanker attack alert, UN Women on new Afghan law, counter-terrorism in Viet Nam, Paralympics tech 28 August 2024 - The head of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) raised serious concerns on Wednesday about a tanker carrying one million barrels of crude oil that was attacked in the Red Sea. "The risk of an oil spill, posing an extremely serious environmental hazard, remains high," said IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, emphasising that the tanker is carrying some 150,000 tonnes of oil on board. "There is widespread concern about the damage such a spill would cause within the region," he added. 'Unacceptable attack' Referring to the situation regarding the tanker MV Sounion which was targeted while transiting the southern Red Sea, he said "this is yet another unacceptable attack on international shipping, putting the lives of innocent seafarers at risk." Since the war in Gaza erupted in October 2023 following Hamas-led attacks on Israel, the Houthis in Yemen have launched attacks in solidarity with the Palestinians in the besieged enclave against ships with ties to Israel. "Merchant ships trading essential supplies and the seafarers serving on them should be free to navigate worldwide unhindered by geopolitical tensions," he said, reiterating a call for "an immediate end to the illegal, cowardly and unjustifiable attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea area". Mr. Dominguez expressed gratitude to all those involved in the rescue efforts for ensuring the seafarers have now all been safely evacuated, noting that IMO is in communication with national, regional and UN entities as well as other stakeholders regarding the ongoing incident and will monitor the situation closely. UN Women deeply concerned by new Afghanistan morality law UN Women issued a statement on Wednesday expressing deep concern over a new morality law by the Taliban targeting women, which imposes extensive restrictions on personal behaviour, "effectively erasing women from public life". The law on the "promotion of virtue and the prevention of vice" significantly deepens the already severe curtailment of the rights of Afghan women and girls, including requirements for women to cover their entire bodies and faces, and it forbids women's voices in public, the gender equality agency said. Women are also prohibited from interacting with non-Muslims, using public transport alone and looking at men to whom they are not related by blood or marriage. Over 70 laws erode women's rights Over the past three years since regaining power, the Taliban have subjected Afghan women and girls to over 70 edicts, directives and decrees, stripping them of fundamental rights. According to a new UN Women survey, only one per cent of women surveyed feel like they have influence over decision making in their communities, 64 per cent said they do not feel safe leaving their homes by themselves, compared to two per cent of men, and eight per cent indicated knowing at least one woman or girl who has attempted suicide since August 2021. "UN Women stands in unwavering solidarity with every Afghan woman and girl subjected to these measures and we will continue to work with our partners to support the full realisation of their rights," the statement concluded. Viet Nam in spotlight over alleged misuse of counter-terrorism law To Viet Nam, where the authorities' alleged misuse of counter-terrorism laws has prompted alarm from top independent rights experts. In an alert over the treatment of the Montagnard Indigenous group and Christian religious minorities in the southeast Asian nation, the rights experts highlighted the mass trial by a mobile court that convicted 100 people on charges linked to terrorism. The hearing was in response to attacks on two police stations in Dak Lak province in June last year, which led to nine deaths. The independent rights experts, who include Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, maintained that the authorities had incited civilian vigilantes from a majority ethnic group to "hunt down" suspects believed to be from the Montagnard community. Torture, forced confessions "Some detainees were subjected to torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in detention, including forced confessions. One detainee, also died in custody...after being tortured," said the experts, who report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva and are not UN staff. They explained that the 100 convicted defendants were "mainly charged with vague and over-broad terrorism offences" during the mass trial. They maintained that the mobile court "lacked a clear legal basis and was not independent of political influence". As Paralympics begin, WHO's Tedros urges support for crucial assistive technology As the 2024 Paralympic Games get underway in Paris, the head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has urged greater access to the so-called "assistive technology" aides that many people with disabilities rely on. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the devices, which include running blades, wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs, were hugely important for today's Paralympians, "but around the world, many people still do not have access to crucial assistive technology due to its high cost and low availability". Integration with primary care Tedros called on governments, donors and civil society "to prioritise these neglected but critical products by integrating them in primary care programmes" in the name of universal health coverage, which is a key Sustainable Development Goal. WHO estimates that more than 2.5 billion people do not have access to assistive technology today. Only five to 35 per cent of the 80 million people who need a wheelchair actually have access to one, depending on where they live, and only one in 10 people who need hearing aids have them. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNRWA Situation Report #131 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. All information from 22-26 August 2024, valid as of 26 August 2024 at 22:30 (local time) UNRWA 28 Aug 2024 Day 322-326 of Hostilities Key Points The Gaza Strip Ongoing strikes by Israeli Security Forces (ISF) continue, with aerial, land and maritime bombardments across the Gaza Strip, resulting in civilian casualties, displacement and the destruction of residential structures and public infrastructure. According to OCHA, Israeli Security Forces (ISF) have issued 16 evacuation orders in August so far, impacting approximately 12 per cent of Gaza's population (258,000 people). The latest orders in Deir al Balah have also displaced humanitarian staff from different UN agencies, NGOs, and service providers, along with their families, severely hindering their ability to deliver essential support and services. Specifically, the order issued on 25 August, impacted 15 UN and NGO premises, as well as four UN warehouses. Since October 2023, only about 11 per cent of the Gaza Strip has not been placed under evacuation orders. According to UNFPA, the continued displacement due to fighting and frequent evacuation orders have had a devasting impact on maternal health and protection services in Gaza, with at least 17 health facilities facing operational disruptions in August. One safe space for women and girl, that provided support to those at risk of gender-based violence, has been forced closed. According to WHO, the health system continues to be dismantled, with reduced health service availability. Only 16 out of 36 hospitals (or 44 per cent) are partially functional and 58 out of the 132 (44 per cent) primary health care facilities are functional as of 20 August. UNRWA remains a major actor in the health sector, providing health services across 10 primary health centres and up to 100 medical points across the Gaza Strip. According to the UN, at least 1.9 million people (or nine in ten people) across the Gaza Strip are internally displaced, including people who have been repeatedly displaced (some up to 10 times). As of 26 August, the total number of UNRWA team members killed since 7 October is 212 . . Several challenges stand in the way of collecting much needed humanitarian supplies from the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing point in southern Gaza. These include deteriorating law and order, the war and insecurity, damaged infrastructure, fuel shortages and access restrictions. According to OCHA, between 1 and 12 August 2024, an average of only 76 humanitarian trucks entered the Gaza Strip per day. This is well below the pre-crisis average of 500 trucks per working day. The latest information on supplies entering Gaza can be accessed through the below link: Gaza Supplies and Dispatch Tracking | UNRWA The West Bank, including East Jerusalem The West Bank, including East Jerusalem update is now once a week. According to OCHA, between 7 October 2023 and 21 August 2024, more than 600 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. This includes a total of 128 Palestinians, including 26 children, have been killed in airstrikes in the West Bank from 1 to 21 August alone. Separately, UNICEF[1] reported that 143 children have been killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since 7 October 2023 until 22 July 2024. Between 19 and 25 August, there were 183 recorded ISF search and arrest operations across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. At least 113 Palestinians, including Palestine Refugees, were detained by the ISF during this period. During the same period, there were 10 recorded Palestinians killed, including two Palestinians who were killed in an ISF drone strike on Tulkarm Camp in northern West Bank on 22 August, during an ISF operation. Another Palestinian was killed and at least four camp residents were injured during the operation, which also caused extensive damage to camp infrastructure and rendered an estimated 21 houses uninhabitable. Numerous instances of Israeli settler violence were recorded during the reporting period, with two Palestinians reportedly kidnapped by armed settlers near Nab' Al'Auja in central West Bank on 23 August. On 25 August, clashes took place between settlers and Palestinians near Al Buweib in southern West Bank, after settlers reportedly threw stones and physically assaulted residents. Six Palestinians and three settlers were injured, with nine Palestinians detained by the ISF. On the same day, armed settlers reportedly attacked residents and property in Beit Furik in the northern West Bank, injuring at least one Palestinian. New Israeli settlement outposts were recorded across the West Bank, near Beit Furik, Deir Quruntul, and al Maniya. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Security Council Extends Mandate of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2749 (2024) Meetings Coverage Security Council 9712th Meeting (AM) SC/12801 28 August 2024 The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) until 31 August 2025, stressing the importance of and the need to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Unanimously adopting resolution 2749 (2024) (to be issued as document S/RES/2749(2024)), the Council also demanded the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) and urged all relevant actors to implement immediate measures towards de-escalation including those aimed at restoring calm, restraint and stability across the Blue Line. Further, the 15-member organ encouraged the Secretary-General to ensure that the Force remains ready to adapt its activities to support de-escalation and requested continued reporting on the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) every four months. Speaking before the vote, the representative of France noting tensions along the Blue Line and the "real" risk of open warfare called on Iran and groups it supports to refrain from carrying out attacks. As the Council has two tools with which to address the situation UNIFIL and the framework established by resolution 1701 (2006) France proposed a 12-month renewal of the Force's mandate. And calling for full implementation of the aforementioned framework "recognized by all" she urged a return to a complete cessation of hostilities and called on all actors to take steps towards de-escalation. After the vote, the representative of the United States said that, on the morning of 8 October 2023, Hizbullah made the escalatory decision to bombard communities in northern Israel, and, for the past 11 months, has done so "on nearly a daily basis". Expressing regret that several Council members blocked the organ from condemning Hizbullah for these repeated destabilizing actions in today's text, he underscored that Lebanon should neither be "a haven for terrorist organizations" nor "a launchpad for attacks against Israel". He also pointed out that Iran provides Hizbullah with advanced weaponry a point echoed by the United Kingdom's representative and said, in that context, that extending UNIFIL's mandate supports the goal of regional de-escalation. Malta's representative joined many Council members in expressing concern over intensifying exchanges of fire across and beyond the Blue Line, noting support for UNIFIL and urging restraint and de-escalation. Events since October 2023 have only underscored the importance of UNIFIL's mission, observed the representative of Sierra Leone Council President for August as he stressed that, while concerns exist regarding the Force's mandate, "protecting the mandate's integrity against a backdrop of escalating violence and uncertainty is a more important issue for the Security Council". As such, the text is balanced and provides and appropriate response to the situation on the ground, he said. Welcoming France's efforts to promote consensus towards that end, the representative of China stated that the text reaffirms the Council's clear political commitment to support a complete cessation of hostilities and a permanent ceasefire. Further, it sends a clear signal to stop the cycle of violence and against a backdrop of continued escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon he urged both to implement the resolution and make efforts towards a lasting peace. "Only diplomacy can lead to a lasting solution," emphasized Switzerland's representative. On the Force itself, the representative of the Republic of Korea said that "UNIFIL's extension is crucial at this volatile juncture", as the Force is vital for monitoring the cessation of hostilities and helping ensure humanitarian access to the civilian population. "Our vote in favour is a recognition of UNIFIL's indispensable role in providing some level of security and stability to the people of Lebanon," stated Guyana's delegate. She also observed that Lebanon is a critical partner in de-escalating tensions along the Blue Line, which have significantly increased due to the war in Gaza. For his part, Ecuador's representative said that his delegation voted in favour of the text to recognize the devoted work that UNIFIL performs "against a backdrop of conflict, escalation and incredibly delicate security conditions". Japan's representative, similarly, underlined the need for measures to ensure the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel, who operate in "an especially difficult environment". UNIFIL's presence "serves as a vital stabilizing factor", said Slovenia's representative, also urging continued diplomatic efforts to address both this crisis, "as well as the one in Gaza". Expressing concern over daily intensive mutual fire along the Blue Line and the recent practice of political assassinations, the representative of the Russian Federation stressed that the current military escalation is linked to the unresolved Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Calling for a ceasefire and an end to "the brutal assault on the Palestinian people", Algeria's representative cited Israel's occupation as "the leading reason for instability in the region". Developments along the Blue Line and systemic attacks against Lebanese sovereignty underline the need to implement resolution 1701 (2006), he added. "Today's unanimous vote is proof of the international community's interest in Lebanon," said that country's representative, adding that it is "a gesture of hope for all Lebanese who reject war, violence and destruction". Spotlighting the sacrifices made by UNIFIL's command leadership and personnel, he affirmed Lebanon's commitment to ensuring the Force's security and safety. He urged those present to work together towards de-escalation, ceasefire and the implementation of relevant resolutions. "Only then will Lebanon have a secure border, which will create stability for border villages and their inhabitants," he stressed. Meanwhile, Israel's representative recalled that, on 8 October 2023, Lebanon launched an unprovoked attack against his country across the Blue Line in a flagrant breach of resolution 1701 (2006) and in service of Iran's regime. Hizbullah has built a vast arsenal of rockets in southern Lebanon "under the nose of UNIFIL", he said, adding that 90 per cent of the missiles fired at Israel this week were launched from civilian areas in that location. Despite that, the word "Hizbullah" does not appear in the text, he pointed out, underscoring that while "we do not expect UNIFIL to fight Hizbullah" his delegation expects the Force to "report the reality on the ground". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Cowpens Decommissioned After 33 Years of Service US Navy 28 August 2024 From Chief Petty Officer Mark Faram SAN DIEGO -- Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) was recognized for more than 33 years of naval service during the decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego on August 27. Hundreds gathered to celebrate the ship's distinguished history of naval service. Cowpens's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jac O. Ullman III spoke of the ship's legacy and its crew. "A guiding principle in the last chapter onboard, has been to honor the legacy of Cowpens", said Ullman. "To honor the grit, determination, and creativity of the Continental Army and Militiamen from that cold battlefield. To honor the service of those on the first USS Cowpens - CVL 25 - and to honor the legacy of those who served before us during Mighty Moo's 33 year career... We have done just that." USS Cowpens participated in many operations and exercises, contributing significantly to U.S. naval power projection and security. From enforcing no-fly zones to conducting maritime security operations, the ship demonstrated versatility and capability across a range of mission profiles. One of the notable milestones in Cowpens's history was its participation in Operation Enduring Freedom. Tasked with providing air defense and maritime security. The ship played a vital role in the early stages of the global war on terror, showcasing the Navy's ability to respond swiftly to emerging threats. The ship's prowess was further demonstrated during Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing crucial support for coalition forces in the Persian Gulf region. From conducting surveillance to launching precision strikes, USS Cowpens contributed to the success of coalition efforts to stabilize Iraq. "From 1983 onward, these ships [Cowpens] defended our nation's interests, supported critical combat operations, and ensured freedom of the seas; more than that, they brought AEGIS and VLS, revolutionary technologies into the hands of our warfighters", said Rear Adm. Ted LeClair, Deputy Commander of Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. "Cowpens, the seventeenth AEGIS ship built, provided the value of these advancements. As AEGIS and VLS have evolved in both the Cruiser and Destroyer variants, Cowpens continuously demonstrated their effectiveness and lethality." Also in attendance was Cowpens sponsor, Mrs. Lucy Mustin and the first commanding officer of Cowpens, Vice Adm. Edward Moore (Ret.). "At the end of this day, no matter when we were crewmembers, we can all agree we served on the best ship, the most formidable warship, in the best Navy, and in the best country in the world", said Moore. "I know in my heart that long after we leave this pier today, we will, from time to time, continue to reflect on our service to country, ship, and each other." Additionally, the ship played a key role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, providing aid to regions devastated by natural disasters such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. These operations underscored the Navy's commitment to global stability and humanitarian values. The second ship to bear the name, Cowpens was built in Bath, Maine, and commissioned March 9, 1991, in Charleston, South Carolina. Named after the pivotal Battle of Cowpens during the American Revolutionary War, the ship has faithfully served the nation for more than three decades, embodying the valor and resilience of its namesake. After the decommissioning and inactivation, the ship will be towed to the Navy's Inactive Ship facility in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where it will be in a Logistic Support Asset (LSA) status. The mission of CNSP is to man, train, and equip the Surface Force to provide fleet commanders with credible naval power to control the sea and project power ashore. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli forces kill at least 9 Palestinian militants in West Bank By VOA News August 28, 2024 Israeli forces launched raids and airstrikes Wednesday in the occupied West Bank, killing at least nine Palestinian militants and surrounding the volatile city of Jenin. The Israeli military said "large forces" had entered Jenin, long a militant stronghold, as well as Tulkarem and the Al-Faraa refugee camps, which date back to the 1948 Mideast war, all in the northern West Bank. Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, a military spokesman, said Israeli forces killed nine militants, including three in an airstrike in Tulkarem and four in an airstrike in Al-Faraa. He said that another five suspected militants were arrested, and that the raids were the first stage of an even larger operation. Hamas said 10 of its fighters had been killed in the West Bank fighting, while Palestinian militant groups said they were exchanging fire with Israeli troops. Israeli forces surrounded Jenin, blocked exit and entry points and access to hospitals, and ripped up infrastructure in the camp, Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rub told Palestinian radio. The Palestinian Health Ministry in the West Bank said Israeli forces blocked roads leading to a hospital with dirt barriers and surrounded other medical facilities in Jenin. Shoshani said the military was trying to prevent militants from taking shelter in hospitals. 'Complex and combustible' "This is as complex and combustible a situation as we have seen in many, many years," CIA Deputy Director David Cohen said Wednesday, speaking at a national security and intelligence conference just outside Washington. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday on the X social media platform, "We must deal with the threat just as we deal with the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza, including the temporary evacuation of Palestinian residents and whatever steps might be required. This is a war in every respect, and we must win it." Katz also accused Iran of financing and arming militants in the West Bank. "Iran's is playing a very dangerous game" Cohen said. "I think [it wants] to avoid having this war sort of descend upon Iran. But they are all the while stoking tensions through their proxies in the region." West Bank raids Throughout Israel's 10-month war against Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza, Israeli forces have repeatedly conducted raids in the West Bank. Israeli troops and settlers have killed more than 640 Palestinians in the West Bank since the Gaza war began last October, while Palestinian attacks have killed at least 19 Israelis. Hamas urged Palestinians in the West Bank to rise up, calling the raids part of a larger plan to expand the war in Gaza and blaming the escalation on U.S. support for Israel. The militant group called on security forces loyal to the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which cooperates with Israel, to "join the sacred battle of our people." Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesperson for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the raids as a "serious escalation" and called on the United States to intervene. Abbas later announced he was cutting short a visit to Saudi Arabia and returning to the West Bank, where his government is based. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department on Wednesday condemned what it characterized as "extremist [Jewish] settler violence in the West Bank." It "causes intense human suffering, harms Israel's security, and undermines the prospect for peace and stability in the region," the statement said. "It is critical that the government of Israel hold accountable any individuals and entities responsible for violence against civilians in the West Bank." The U.S. sanctioned Israeli nongovernmental organization Hashomer Yosh, which, according to State Department officials, had thwarted the return of Palestinian residents to their West Bank settlement earlier this year. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said, "Israel views with utmost severity the imposition of sanctions on citizens of Israel. The issue is in a pointed discussion with the U.S." Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want all three for a future state. Israeli citizens have built scores of settlements across the West Bank, now home to more than 500,000 Jewish settlers. They have Israeli citizenship, while the 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank live under Israeli military rule, with the Palestinian Authority exercising limited control over population centers. Lebanon front The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Wednesday to extend for another year the U.N. peacekeeping force in south Lebanon and called for the restoration of calm along the Israel-Lebanon border region known as the Blue Line. Clashes between Lebanese Hezbollah and Israel's military along the Blue Line have been frequent throughout the Gaza war, raising fears of a wider regional conflict. The two sides engaged in their largest exchanges in 10 months on Sunday. Speaking ahead of the meeting, Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon urged Lebanon's government and people not to let Hezbollah and its patron, Iran, dictate its future. "Confront Hezbollah today or watch as your country is dragged into chaos and destruction. The time for action is now," Dannon told reporters. "If you fail to act, the devastation that follows will be on your hands," he added. "Israel does not seek war. But as we demonstrated this week, we will not hesitate to defend our people." Council members urged the full implementation of the resolution and urged immediate measures toward de-escalation and restoration of calm along the Blue Line. Gaza peace talks Top White House Middle East adviser Brett McGurk met with senior Qatari leaders Tuesday in Doha as part of the ongoing push to achieve a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, which U.S. officials have said is key to quieting overall tensions in the region. McGurk met with Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who held his own talks Monday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Officials from Egypt, Qatar and the United States have led efforts to broker a cease-fire that would include a halt in fighting, the release of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, the return of Palestinian prisoners from Israel, and a surge of humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza. VOA U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer and National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN: Aid convoy in Gaza struck by Israeli gunfire By Margaret Besheer August 28, 2024 The head of the World Food Program said Wednesday that the agency is indefinitely suspending the movement of its staff in Gaza, after one of its teams came under repeated Israeli gunfire near a military checkpoint the previous day. "This is totally unacceptable and the latest in a series of unnecessary security incidents that have endangered the lives of WFP's team in Gaza," Cindy McCain, WFP executive director, said in a statement. "As last night's events show, the current de-confliction system is failing, and this cannot go on any longer. I call on the Israeli authorities and all parties to the conflict to act immediately to ensure the safety and security of all aid workers in Gaza." The two WFP personnel inside the vehicle were unharmed. There was no immediate explanation from the Israel Defense Forces about the incident. A request for more information from VOA to the Israeli mission to the United Nations did not receive an immediate response. WFP said a convoy of two clearly marked armored vehicles was returning from escorting a convoy of aid trucks when the incident occurred. The vehicle sustained the gunfire a few meters from an Israeli checkpoint at the Wadi Gaza bridge, between central and northern Gaza. The agency said the armored vehicle sustained at least 10 bullets five on the driver's side, two on the passenger side and three to other parts of the vehicle. Asked if the United Nations believed the IDF intentionally targeted the convoy, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters that "we have no way to assess the mindset of those who are shooting at us." But he said the movement of the convoy had been coordinated with the Israeli military. "Whether the information was not passed down, whether it was deliberate, whether there was another reason those are explanations we would like to get," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US fans flames as Philippines keeps provoking China in South China Sea Global Times Washington's escort promise 'to encourage more provocations' By Liu Xuanzun Published: Aug 28, 2024 11:44 PM Updated: Aug 29, 2024 12:51 AM Amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea caused by the Philippines' repeated provocations over Chinese islands and reefs, a high-ranking US military officer has announced the US' willingness to hold consultations on escorting Philippine ships in the region, a move Chinese experts said on Wednesday will only fan the flames and encourage Manila to make more infringing provocations. Citing the Mutual Defense Treaty between the US and the Philippines, Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of the US Indo-Pacific Command, said at an international military conference in Manila on Tuesday that the US military is open to consultations about escorting Philippine ships in the South China Sea, the AP reported on Wednesday. Attending the conference together with Paparo, General Romeo Brawner Jr, chief of Philippine Armed Forces, responded cautiously to the suggestion, reported the AP, which quoted a previous remark by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr as saying that there has been no situation so far that would warrant activating the treaty. The military conference in Manila, organized by the US Indo-Pacific Command, comes at a time when the Philippines has been continuously making infringing provocations on Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea including Ren'ai Jiao, Huangyan Dao and Xianbin Jiao, each time finding their trespasses restricted by legitimate, professional, restrained but forceful measures from the Chinese side. Paparo's remarks show that the US is not satisfied to see China's effective management and control measures against the Philippine provocations, nor does it want to see tensions in the South China Sea settle down, because it needs the Philippines to remain at the frontline of its plan to contain China, a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Wednesday. But even the Philippines understands that it would be far too risky for the US military to provide escorts for Philippine trespassing attempts into waters off Chinese islands, the above-quoted expert said. "If the US really sends warships to escort Philippine provocations, what will happen when they encounter Chinese restrictions? Will this lead to a direct confrontation between China and the US, a situation neither side wants to see? If the US backs down, not only will the US lose influence, the Philippines will also lose its biggest support for its claims in the South China Sea," the expert noted. The US is just claiming it can provide escorts, which is lip service to encourage more Philippine provocations, while the Philippines does not dare accept the suggestion, the expert said. CNN on Tuesday hyped China's Xianbin Jiao as "a dangerous new flashpoint," citing multiple Philippine intrusions in attempts to send supplies to a Philippine quasi-grounded coast guard ship. Those attempts were met with restrictive measures by the China Coast Guard. Xianbin situation Li Kaisheng, vice president of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the Philippine ship anchored on Xianbin Jiao is a provocation to China's sovereignty, and China's countermeasures were necessary and legitimate. Out of political calculations, the Philippine government is putting its coast guard personnel on the quasi-grounded ship at risk. If the Philippines wants to avoid a humanitarian crisis and still cares about the safety of its personnel, it should withdraw its ship from Xianbin Jiao, Li said. Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the essence of the Philippines' "supply missions" is a political show with the real goal being expanding "territories" in the South China Sea. Such provocations have maintained high tensions at sea, and this harms the interests of Philippine fisherfolks too, Chen said. Also at the military conference in Manila, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr said that China is "the biggest disrupter" of peace in Southeast Asia and called for stronger international censure over its aggression in the South China Sea, the AP reported. Manila the true disrupter of peace In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a routine press conference on Tuesday that China urges certain people on the Philippine side to face up to the root cause of the issue, stop going down the wrong path of disrupting regional peace by stirring up troubles and making provocations, and stop the clumsy stunts of calling white black and falsely accusing China. Ding Duo, deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said that the Philippines, the one that has provoked in the first place, ignores its provocative behaviors and uses a narrative to hype "China threats" to mislead international audiences and justify its provocative actions. Experts pointed out that the Philippines is the true disrupter of peace, as it is the Philippines that has intentionally created collision incidents, intentionally quasi-grounded a coast guard vessel at China's Xianbin Jiao for more than four months and caused humanitarian issues with its sailors, and intentionally escalated tensions in the South China Sea that impacted the livelihood of local fishermen, not to mention its bringing of forces outside the region to disrupt regional peace and stability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 29 August 2024 - Day 918 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 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Russia continues his active offensive actions, attempting to breach the defenses of Ukrainian troops. Ukrainian defenders are steadily holding the pressure of the occupiers, causing Russian forces maximum losses. Since the beginning of the day, there have been 156 combat clashes, Russian forces launched three missile strikes using three missiles, 43 aerial strikes, dropping 60 KABs, more than 500 kamikaze drones strikes and about three thousand shelling the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements using different types of weapons. Four combat clashes with Russian zagarbnikami took place in the Kharkiv direction. Two attacks in the areas of Lipciv and Vovchanska were repelled. Two more clashes are underway. The situation is under control. Estimated losses of Russian troops so far have been 56 soldiers killed and wounded, a combat armored vehicle, ten car units and a special equipment unit have been destroyed, and 34 BPLAs have also been destroyed. Two tanks, an armored vehicle and two artillery systems were damaged. In the Kupyans komu direction, Russian forces 24 times tried to push Ukrainian units out of occupied positions near Sinkivka, Maasozarivka, Stepovoi Novoselivka, Kolisnikivka and Lozovoi. There are currently five enemy attacks. Twenty times, Russian forces attacked in the Lyman direction, tried to advance in the direction of settlements Tverdohlibove, Cherneshina, Druzhelyubivka, Nevske, Torske and in the Serebryansky Forest. The battle near Nevsky is currently being sharpened. In the Sivers komu direction throughout the day, Ukrainian defenders repelled seven Russian assault actions in the areas of Verkhnyokamiansky and Viimka. There are still three clashes in progress, the Russian opponent is trying to break through towards Zvanivka. Eight combat clashes took place in the Kramatorsky direction. Activity of the Russian occupiers showed in the area of Klishchievka, Andriyivka and Chasovoye Yar, however, attempts to attack Russian forces on the position of the Defense Forces of Ukraine were repelled by Ukrainian defenders. The enemy tried to infiltrate Ukrainian defense 13 times in the Toretsky direction. Since the beginning of the day, the Russian occupiers have been carrying out assault actions near Toretsk, Zaliznogo, Nelipivka and Sukhoi Balka. The fights near Toretsk and Dachny are still ongoing. Intense Russian attacks of Ukrainian defenders in the Pokrovsky direction. Here, during the day, Russian forces carried out 40 assault and offensive actions. The largest activity of the Russian occupiers is kept in the area of Vozdvizhenko, Green Field, Mirolyubivka, Hrodivka, Novogrodivka, Karlivka, Marinivka and Mykhailivka. In total, 32 attacks in the direction of Ukrainian defenders have already repelled, eight more boezitknen - continue. The situation is difficult, but Ukrainian soldiers are doing everything to prevent the advancement of Russian forces into the depths of Ukrainian territory. According to the information available at this time, 225 people have been killed and injured as of today's death of the Russian aggressor in this direction. Destroyed two artillery systems, the RSV, five cars and a special equipment unit. In addition, the car and one enemy cannon were damaged. In the Kurakhiv direction at this time of the day there are 30 combat clashes. Zagarbniks maintain high activity, trying to advance in the areas of settlements of Krasnogorivka, Konstantinivka and Georgiyivka. Defense Forces units repelled 26 Russian attacks, four attacks are still ongoing. There were 14 boezitknen in the vremivs 14komu direction. Fights are ongoing near Vugledar, Konstantinivka and Vodanogo. The situation is controlled by the Defense Forces of Ukraine. In the Orikhivsky direction, three Russian attacks were repelled by Ukrainian defenders during the day near Mala Tokmachka and Robotiny. In the pridniprovs komu direction, Ukrainian warriors once gave a hard vidsickim Russian zagarbnikam. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the units of the Sever Group of Forces in Volchansk, Bryansk, and Liptsy directions have defeated units of the AFU 22nd Mechanised Brigade, the 36th Marine Brigade, and the 118th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Pustogorod (Sumy region), Volchansk, and Liptsy (Kharkov region). Two counter-attack launched by assault detachments of the AFU 22nd Mechanised Brigade have been repelled. The AFU losses were up to 185 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one 152-mm D-20 gun, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. The units of the Zapad Group of Forces have liberated Stelmakhovka (Lugansk People's Republic). Russian troops have defeated manpower and hardware of 14th mechanised and 4th tank brigades of the AFU near Petropavlovka, Kupyansk (Kharkov region), Torskoye, and Serebryanka (Donetsk People's Republic). Six counter-attacks have been repelled by units of the 1st National Guard Brigade, 110th, 117th territorial defence brigades, and the 12th Azov Special Operations Brigade. The AFU losses were up to 520 Ukrainian troops, six motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzer, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, two 122-mm D-30 guns, two Anklav-N and Kvertus electronic warfare stations. Three AFU ammunition depots have been destroyed. The units of the Yug Group of Forces have taken more advantageous positions and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of 24th, 54th, 93rd mechanised, 56th motorised infantry, 4th tank brigades of the AFU near Chasov Yar, Krasnogorovka, Karpovka, Stupochki, and Konstantinovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses were up to 740 Ukrainian troops, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, two motor vehicles, one UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 gun, four 122-mm D-30 howitzers, two 105-mm U.S.-made M119 guns, and three electronic warfare stations. The units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have liberated Nikolayevka (Donetsk People's Republic). Russian troops continue to advance to the depths of enemy defences. In addition, AFU 44th, 53rd mechanised, 95th air assault brigades, and the 15th National Guard Brigade have been hit close to Rozovka, Grodovka, Karlovka, and Mikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Seven counter-attacks of AFU 32nd, 100th mechanised, 68th jaeger, 25th airborne brigades, and the 15th National Guard Brigade have been repelled. The AFU losses were up to 530 Ukrainian troops, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, six motor vehicles, two 152-mm D-20 guns, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and one 100-mm Rapira anti-tank gun. The units of the Vostok Group of Forces have improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 58th Motorised Infantry Brigade of the AFU, the 128th Territorial Defence Brigade near Velikaya Novosyolka and Novoukrainka (Donetsk People's Republic). Three AFU counter-attacks have been repelled. The AFU losses were up to 105 Ukrainian troops, one infantry fighting vehicle, six motor vehicles, one 155-mm U.S.-made M777 howitzer, and one electronic warfare station. The units of the Dnepr Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade and the 44th Artillery Brigade of the AFU near Pavlovka and Stepovoye (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses were up to 45 Ukrainian troops, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, one U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system, and two electronic warfare stations. One ammunition depot has been destroyed. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have eliminated one UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missile depot, one oil base, which supplied fuel for AFU military hardware, as well as clusters of enemy manpower and military hardware in 135 areas. Air defence facilities have shot down three French-made Hammer guided aerial bombs, one U.S.-made HIMARS projectile, and 36 unmanned aerial vehicles. The units of the Black Sea Fleet destroyed three uncrewed surface vehicles in the Black Sea waters. In total, 640 airplanes and 283 helicopters, 30,649 unmanned aerial vehicles, 575 air defence missile systems, 17,593 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,426 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 13,741 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 25,335 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Sever Group of Forces supported by Army Aviation and artillery have thwarted four attacks launched by enemy assault detachments towards Korenevo, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye. In addition, Russian troops have thwarted attacks launched by AFU units in the direction of Borki, Kremyanoye, Spalnoye, Martynovka, and Cherkasskaya Konopelka. As a result, the enemy losses were up to 70 people killed and wounded and four armoured fighting vehicles. Five AFU servicemen surrendered. Aviation and artillery together with troops have engaged clusters of manpower and hardware of 22nd, 61st, and 115th mechanised, 17th tank, 80th, and 82nd air assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as well as the 1st National Guard Brigade, and the 1004th Security and Service Brigade close to Apanasovka, Borki, Byakhovo, Vishnyovka, Zaoleshinka, Kubatkin, Kolmakov, Krasnooktyabrsky, Lyubimovka, Mikhailovka, Novaya Sorochina, Obukhovka, Plekhovo, Rubanshchina, Russkoye Porechnoye, Snagost, Cherkasskaya Konopelka. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue reconnaissance and search operations in forestry areas to locate and eliminate enemy small sabotage groups attempting to get to the depth of the Russian territory. Operational-Tactical Aviation carried out air strikes in Sumy region, launching attacks on clusters of manpower and military hardware reserves of 22nd, 61st, 41st mechanised, and 82nd air assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the 1st Brigade of National Guard as well as 101st, 103rd, and 129th territorial defence brigades close to Belopolye, Basovka, Vodolagi, Glukhov, Iskriskovshchina, Mikhailovskoye, Pervomayskoye, Pustogorod, Sumy, Shalygino, and Esman. The AFU losses were more than 400 Ukrainian troops and 29 armoured vehicles, including one infantry fighting vehicle, one armoured personnel carrier, 27 armoured fighting vehicles as well as one artillery gun, one MLRS launcher, one mortar, and 17 motor vehicles. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU have lost up to 7,450 troops, 74 tanks, 36 infantry fighting vehicles, 64 armoured personnel carriers, 486 armoured fighting vehicles, 227 motor vehicles, 52 artillery guns, 15 multiple-launch rocket system launchers, including four of HIMARS MLRS and one of MLRS, five SAM launchers, 10 electronic warfare stations, two counter-battery radars, one air defence radar, five engineering vehicles as well as two counterobstacle vehicles and one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle. The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vaccine shortage hinders mpox inoculation in Africa By Juma Majanga August 27, 2024 The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the continent needs 10 million doses of mpox vaccines to stop the spread of the disease, which it recently declared a public health emergency. However, experts say the global shortage of mpox vaccines will affect any inoculation drives in Africa. Professor Salim Abdool Karim, a virologist at the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine in Durban, South Africa, said there are currently three types of vaccines for mpox, but they are hard to obtain. "They aren't available, and if people are to start manufacturing them now, it will take quite a while before doses will become available," he said, adding that price is also an obstacle. "They sell for between $100 to $200 a dose, and you need to give everybody two doses. So that's a very expensive vaccine." The mpox ailment, formally known as monkeypox due to its original discovery in monkeys in Denmark, was first detected in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been the epicenter of the current outbreak. Karim said mpox, which previously did not pose serious health concerns, has been mutating and the current strain is worrying, especially for Africa's younger population, which is more susceptible. "If left unchecked, we will see mpox spread quite rapidly. And the reason it will spread rapidly is because it is now sexually transmitted. And we've seen from other sexually transmitted infections like HIV ... that sexually transmitted infections can spread quite widely in Africa," he said. Since July, mpox cases have been detected in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, as well as the DRC. Kenya has recorded two cases, and hopes to receive vaccine doses as part of the international effort to stop transmission of the disease. Kenyan Ministry of Health officials, however, say they are worried about the global vaccine shortage. "Africa requires 10 million doses," said Dr. Patrick Amoth, director general for health in Kenya. "What could be available up to the end of the year is two million doses, if the ... manufacturer of the vaccine repurposes its manufacturing capacity to stop manufacturing a or scale down the manufacture of a other vaccines and prioritizes manufacture of the mpox vaccine. "So, in terms of priority, of course it will be pegged on the number of cases that each and every country gets. So, for now, we cannot even ... start talking about vaccination if we have only recorded two cases of the disease." Amoth said there is no cause for alarm as the country has put in place measures to deal with the outbreak of the disease. "We have formed rapid response teams to be able to support counties in terms of contact tracing and other logistics required, including case management," he said. Karim is challenging African countries to move toward developing their own vaccines locally, saying he worries wealthy countries could be hoarding the available vaccines for their own citizens. "I'm pretty convinced that if African scientists put their heads together, we can make an mpox vaccine and we can manufacture it right here in Africa," he said. "It's not rocket science. It just needs the investments to be made to do that." As the wait for vaccines continues, health experts say testing, contact tracing, and public education are the best strategies in dealing with the outbreak in Africa, at least for now. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian hacker attacks target former US ambassadors, reveal prior penetration By Alexey Gorbachev August 28, 2024 Russian opposition politician Ilya Ponomarev says he saw no reason to be suspicious when he received what appeared to be an email from former U.S. ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, a trusted contact with whom he communicates periodically. "This letter was visually no different from his other letters. I believed that it was his letter because it was visually no different from his other letters," Ponomarev told VOA Russian in a Zoom interview. But this email from several months ago turned out to be one of numerous "phishing attacks" targeting U.S. diplomats and others that have been identified as the work of two cyber-espionage outfits linked to the Russian government. And the fact that it accurately mimicked McFaul's previous messages indicated the attackers had already seen those earlier messages. "The letter contained a reference to a report on Ukraine that McFaul supposedly intended to deliver in China, and also a request to check whether he had mixed something up," Ponomarev said. McFaul did in fact deliver a lecture to Chinese students in April. McFaul has confirmed to VOA that he was the target of a hacker attack but did not elaborate. The details of the attack were revealed in a recent joint report from the digital rights group Access Now and the Canadian research nonprofit Citizen Lab. The report says the attacks were conducted between October 2022 and August 2024 by two "threat actors close to the Russian regime" known as ColdRiver and ColdWastrel. According to The Washington Post, "multiple governments" have said that ColdRiver works for the Federal Security Service, or FSB, the successor agency to the Soviet KGB, while ColdWastrel is believed to be "working for another Russian agency." Among their targets were exiled Russian opposition figures, employees of U.S. think tanks, former U.S. ambassadors to Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, political figures and academics, employees of American and European non-profit organizations, and media organizations. VOA has spoken with several of those named as victims, including former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst, a Russian journalist and a Russian human rights activist, as well as Ponomarev and McFaul. The goal of phishing attacks is to try to get a user to click on a malicious link or enter their data - login and password - on a fake website. If the attack is successful, hackers gain access to the victim's confidential information, including correspondence, contact lists and, in some cases, financial information. Hackers conducting phishing campaigns employ a technique called "social engineering," which a leading American cyber security software and services company described as using "psychological manipulation" designed to trick users into divulging sensitive information. Herbst, who is currently director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center, told VOA that he has been facing attacks from Russian hackers for the past 10 years. The Kremlin "didn't like from the beginning what I was doing because I was pointing out that they're conducting an illegal invasion of Ukraine, I guess going back to 2014," he said. Herbst said that Russian hackers target people who take a public position aimed at countering Moscow's aggressive foreign policy: "So, it's not surprising that people like Steve Pifer or Michael McFaul, or myself have received attention from the FSB, the GRU [Russian military intelligence] and others." Herbst added: "I don't want to overstate the attention they give to us. You know, we are pretty much tertiary or even less than tertiary players on the international political scene, but they know they have such a massive security apparatus that they give some low-level guy the job of following people like me." "The stuff that linked me with Mike McFaul or Steve Pifer ... was a fishing expedition, right? [To] see if they could get one of them to say something in confidence to me, which would be embarrassing." Steven Pifer did not respond to a VOA request for comment on the details of the hacker attack. Ponomarev said that he responded to the fake McFaul email, but did not have time to download the malicious file attached to it since he was on a plane when he opened the email, and it was inconvenient to download the file from a phone. "When I opened it on my computer, I noticed that the address he sent it to me from was not his usual Stanford University address, it was something completely different," Ponomarev told VOA. "Being an IT guy, I looked at the IP address of the file in the email and was convinced that it was phishing. After that, I passed the information on to the competent authorities so that they could look into the matter further." Ponomarev added that the fact the email ostensibly sent by McFaul came from a Proton service mailbox did not initially arouse any particular suspicions. "I also have an address on Proton, for some kind of confidential correspondence," he said, noting that attackers can forge addresses on Proton by changing one letter, so that visually it still looks like a regular mailing address. "They use it because it's completely anonymous," Ponomarev added. "You can't trace an IP address to Proton, so when you use Proton, it's a dead end, you can't excavate it any further." Polina Machold, publisher of Proekt, an independent Russian media outlet specializing in investigative journalism, told VOA that in the phishing attack targeting her, which took place last November, the hackers also employed social engineering and the Proton mail service. "I received a letter from a 'colleague' from another media outlet, with whom we had previously done a joint project, asking to look at a new potential project or something like that," Machold told VOA. "We corresponded for some time, and when it came to opening the file, I discovered that something very suspicious was going on, because the link in the file supposedly led to Proton Drive, but the domain was something completely different." Machold said she called a colleague who confirmed that the attacker was pretending to be him. The information was passed on to Citizen Lab, which determined that hackers likely associated with the FSB were behind the attack. Dmitry Zair-Bek, who heads First Department, a Russian rights group, said that a member of his group was among the first targets of a hacker attack "because we defend people in cases of treason and espionage." "One of our employees received an email from an address that mimicked the address of one of our partners," he said. "The email contained a link that led to a phishing site." Zair-Bek added that the ColdWastrel group carried out the attack targeting First Department. "They are the 'C' students of the hacker world," Zair-Bek said of ColdWastrel. "The idea is the same as the ColdRiver group, they just paid less attention to some small details. "The fact that they are 'C' students does not mean that they are less effective. They choose a person who from their point of view, on the one hand, has the largest amount of information that interests them and, on the other hand, is the most vulnerable." Even someone well-versed in digital security issues can fall for the bait of hackers, says Natalia Krapiva, an expert at Access Now, which co-authored the report on the Russian hacker attacks. "The ColdRiver and ColdWastrel groups use quite sophisticated social engineering, a very good understanding of the context," she told VOA. "They know how the organization is structured in general, which people are responsible for finance, HR, politics, and so on. That is, they know which employee to send this [phishing] email to. They also understand with whom these organizations interact and on what issues." "We have seen examples of exploiting existing relationships between a Russian and an American human rights organization," Krapiva added, noting that hackers knew that one of the organizations was waiting for a grant application and sent a malicious PDF file to the employee who was waiting for it. This suggests that hackers already have a certain amount of information at the time they attempt to attack their victims, she said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nigeria receives 10,000 mpox vaccine doses from USAID By Gibson Emeka August 28, 2024 Nigeria has received its first shipment of mpox vaccines, donated by the United States, to combat the ongoing outbreak of the disease. This comes amid a sharp rise in cases across Africa with the Democratic Republic of Congo and East African nations reporting the majority of infections. The first batch of 10,000 Jynneos vaccine doses aims to strengthen the nation's fight against mpox. Nigeria has already seen more than 40 confirmed and 830 suspected cases in 13 of its states. The delivery follows the World Health Organization's recent declaration of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, as a global health threat. U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills says Nigeria is well prepared to use the vaccines. "And as I mentioned, Nigeria's government has put together a vaccination plan," he said. "There's a plan how to use these vaccines effectively, how to make sure we get the most effect out of this 10,000 vaccine donation. So that's very much why Nigeria was chosen to receive this first batch." Mpox, a rare zoonotic ailment transmitted from animals to humans, has spread across African countries in recent months. As of Monday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported 22,863 mpox cases, with 3,641 confirmed and 19,222 suspected. More than 620 deaths were reported across 13 AU member states. Nigeria's primary health care director, Muyi Aina, says health authorities will prioritize states with the most cases for the vaccine rollout. "We are also going to prioritize states that have had the highest number of cases, many of them are in the south," he said. "But of course, we are going to have to work with the states to develop state specific plans ... to make sure that the vaccine is appropriately deployed." Inoculations should begin soon, although vaccine hesitancy among the public remains a challenge, said WHO's Nigeria representative, Walter Mulombo. "It has been used for smallpox and then shown some efficacy with the mpox. We believe we should be informed by science and not amplify misinformation." As mpox spreads across Central and West Africa, international partners are increasing support. Germany is looking to donate 100,000 vaccine doses to East Africa, where the outbreak has hit Burundi and Kenya hardest. Nigeria aims to secure more vaccines despite shortages and delivery delays. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vice Chief of the Defence Force - Defence Digital Industry Forum, Australian Defence College Issued by Defence Media 28 August 2024 Thank you Maureen. Good morning. Let me start by acknowledging the Ngunnawal people, the traditional custodians of the lands on which we meet, and recognise any other families with connections to the ACT region. I also extend my respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here with us today and who commit themselves to the vital business of National Defence. To our host, Chief Information Officer, Chris Crozier; Distinguished guests, industry leaders, members of the Australian Defence Force, thank you for the opportunity to speak at the Defence Digital Industry Forum. I admit to feeling a little daunted following Chris on the stage. Chris brings extraordinary energy and intellect to our organisation - we are so much stronger for having you on the team. I would like to congratulate you and the Defence Digital Group on the launch of the Defence Digital Strategy and Roadmap by the Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans' Affairs, the Hon Matt Keogh, this morning. It is a significant body of work. As the new Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force, my mission is clear. In a strategic landscape that is deteriorating rapidly, we must continue to adapt and innovate; to ready our forces for conflict today; and to make sure we lay the foundations for our sailors, soldiers and aviators to overcome whatever challenges they may face in the future. Within each of the five warfighting domains, and integrated across them, working alongside science and academia, industry and of course our allies and partners, we must focus on emerging technologies and merging technologies that will keep our Defence capability on the leading edge. I therefore don't see this forum today, as a gathering of participants from the defence sector. I see it as a meeting of partners, committed to the security and prosperity of our nation. Which is to say, our shared objective is clear: It is not simply upgrading equipment or integrating new systems; it is about fundamentally transforming the way we approach defence in the digital age. Our ability to operate effectively within and across all domainsaland, sea, air, space, and cyberadepends on our collective ability to innovate, adapt and deliver technological advantage. The National Defence Strategy provides a blueprint for all of us. Implementing a strategy of denial to deter conflict, through focus and integration. And it is crystal clear on the importance and the urgency of digitisation and information and communication technology. The strategy notes that "The Government is undertaking ICT systems reform to urgently deliver timely and effective ICT outcomes to support the ADF." And it identifies digitisation as one of the three foundational principles, alongside simplification and workforce optimisation, that are guiding the transformation of the Defence enterprise. The Defence Digital Strategy and Roadmap charts the path we will take to deliver these outcomes. It is encouraging for me to see the emphasis it places on both warfighting and enterprise reform. But let me start with warfighting. The Indo-Pacific region is increasingly shaped by strategic competition - a struggle for pre-eminence between two great powers, the United States and China. This competition is manifest in rapid and opaque military build-up, economic coercion and cyber espionage. As a middle power, Australia's interest lie in maintaining strategic equilibrium in our region, one that preserves our way of life. This has narrowed the focus of our Defence planning and preparation. The National Defence Strategy emphasises the need to integrate across the five operational domains. Integration across domains, and with our allies and partners, depends on interoperable and secure communication networks. Defence has recently recognised data as a fundamental input to capability. From ISR to logistics, the ability to collect, process and analyse vast amounts of data in real-time is a game-changer. AI and machine learning have the potential to enhance decision-making, optimise resource allocation and predict emerging threats. Defence must continue to develop and maintain secure, resilient and flexible communication networks that can support our military operations. This includes the integration of new technologies such as 5G, software-defined networking (SDN) and quantum communications. These networks must be capable of withstanding cyberattack, electronic warfare and other forms of interference, ensuring that Defence can command and control our forces in contested environments. Technology therefore is a double edged sword in this context. The rapid development of new technologies has the potential to deliver a step-change in Australia's defence capabilities, but they also present new vulnerabilities. The digital battlespace has become as critical to our operations as the physical domains. Cyber threatsaranging from espionage and sabotage to full-scale cyber warfareapose a clear threat to national security. Defence must develop and maintain resilient cyber defences capable of detecting, mitigating and responding to cyberattacks in real-time. To achieve this, Australia requires a cybersecurity infrastructure that is both robust and flexible. This includes the development of advanced threat detection systems powered by AI and machine learning, capable of identifying and neutralizing threats before they can cause harm. These capabilities must be integrated into broader military operations, allowing for coordinated responses across all domains. Collaboration with industry is crucial in this area. Technology is developing inside our OODA loop. Industry can offer innovative solutions, rapid development cycles and specialised expertise that are essential to maintaining Australia's cyber resilience. Autonomous systems, including un-crewed aerial vehicles, ground vehicles, and maritime platforms, are increasingly integral to modern military operations. Defence must continue to invest in the development and deployment of autonomous systems across all domains. This includes not only the platforms themselves but also the underlying technologies that enable autonomy, such as AI and sensor fusion. Interoperability between crewed and un-crewed systems is also crucial, to bridge the gap between existing and future force structures. One of the key challenges in this area is ensuring that autonomous systems can operate effectively in contested and degraded environments, where GPS and communications may be disrupted. Australian industry has that expertise and can deliver the resilient navigation and communication solutions we need to protect autonomous systems. Of course the integration of AI and autonomy into military operations raises important ethical and practical considerations. Defence and its industry partners must ensure these systems are trustworthy, reliable and secure. This includes developing safeguards against unintended consequences, such as the misidentification of targets or the escalation of conflict due to autonomous decision-making. Transparent guidelines and rigorous testing protocols are essential to building trust in AI-driven systems. You are all essential to this endeavour. To strengthening and modernising the warfighting capability of the Australian Defence Force. However, we won't have an ADF that is fully fit to fight and win in the digital age if we don't build a Defence enterprise that exploits the full capacities of digitisation. Digitisation allows for the automation of routine tasks, reducing manual labour, minimising errors, and speeding up processes. This leads to cost savings and improved productivity. Processes can be redesigned to eliminate bottlenecks, reduce redundancies and improve overall efficiency. We have commenced this transformation in Defence with the rollout of the Enterprise Resource Planning software applications. We are adopting this technology and using it to drive business reform. The impact on our enterprise performance will be substantial. With digitisation, enterprises can leverage big data analytics to make informed decisions. Real-time data collection and analysis can help in identifying trends, forecasting demand and optimising resources. In our near future, AI will play a critical role in optimising logistics, from supply chain management to battlefield resupply, ensuring that Defence can sustain operations in challenging environments. Digital tools and platforms support agile methodologies, leading to faster innovation cycles. Accelerating the pace of innovation by enabling rapid prototyping, testing and deployment of new capabilities. The adoption of cloud technologies provides scalable infrastructure that supports innovation. It will allow Defence to experiment with new technologies without significant upfront investment. We are already seeing cloud technologies being prioritised. The Australian Government will invest over $2 billion over the next decade to bolster Australia's cyber capabilities, announcing in July a strategic partnership between ASD and Amazon Web Services to deliver a Top Secret Cloud for the Australian Government. Digitisation can also enhance employee engagement by providing tools that streamline work, reduce administrative burdens and foster a more collaborative and innovative work environment. We've got great people. They are passionate and committed to our mission. But we can do more to take advantage of their skills, to reduce friction as they carry out their tasks. I am pleased to see an emphasis on workforce in the Defence Digital Strategy and Roadmap. As we strive to overcome workforce challenges in Defence, we recognise the growing need for digitally literate professionals. Cyber workforce development is a critical component of Australia's defence strategy. We need a highly skilled workforce capable of defending against cyber threats, operating advanced digital systems and leveraging new technologies to enhance military capabilities. This requires not only technical expertise but also a deep understanding of the strategic and operational context in which these capabilities are employed. Industry can once again play a key role in cyber workforce development, by partnering with educational institutions to provide training and certification programs for cyber professionals. Additionally, industry can offer internships, apprenticeships and other hands-on learning opportunities that give students and early-career professionals the experience they need to succeed in the field. Equally important, is to recognise that digitisation requires a shift in organisational culture towards a digital mindset. One that embraces change, fosters innovation and encourages a culture of continuous learning and improvement. If you're engaged in enterprise digitisation, then this is what you're helping us to do. Leaders play a critical role in driving digitisation, ensuring that the organisation is aligned with the digital transformation strategy and that employees are supported throughout the transition. I want to be clear about this: Chris as CIO is essential to driving digitisation across Defence. But responsibility lies with all leaders in Defence at all levels, including me. We are backing Chris, and we are working with him to deliver these reforms at pace. And we know we must work closely with you. The pace of technological change, the complexity of modern threats and the need for rapid adaptation all necessitate a much stronger partnership between defence and the digital sector. I acknowledge our traditional defence procurement process are cumbersome, impeding our ability to keep pace with the rapid advancements in technology. We recognise the need to adopt more agile procurement processes that allow for faster development and deployment of new capabilities. Defence has already improved our contracting and project approval processes. We continue to refine the One Defence Capability System to ensure Defence capability decisions optimise capability outcomes and make best use of available resources. These measures will support our implementation of the Defence Industry Development Strategy, which recognises the importance of a sovereign defence industrial base and outlines how we will work with Industry to achieve the National Defence Strategy and deliver the Integrated Investment Program. It outlines Defence's effort to become a better customer, how we are responding to our innovation challenges and how we are integrating with Australia's broader innovation ecosystem. It prioritises partnerships with best-in-class sovereign capabilities, to make Australia stronger and more self-reliant. Our sovereign defence industrial base is essential for developing and maintaining Defence's supply chain resilience. In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, Defence must ensure that our supply chains are secure and can withstand disruption. Industry partners can help by providing robust supply chain management solutions, as well as by working with Defence to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities. It has become somewhat clichA, but no less true to say, the challenges facing Australia's Defence Force are significant, but so are the opportunities. By fostering a strong partnership between Defence and the digital industry, we can ensure that Australia is not only prepared to meet current threats but is also positioned to lead in the face of future challenges. Defence must continue to evolve, leveraging the latest technologies and innovations to enhance our capabilities. This requires a collaborative approach, where Defence and industry work together to develop and deploy the systems and solutions needed to defend our nation. Digitisation is not just about implementing new technologies; it's about fundamentally reshaping how our enterprise operates. By leveraging the power of digital technologies, Defence can achieve greater efficiency, enhance employee experience, drive innovation and strengthen the readiness and resilience of our warfighting capabilities. We have the National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program - and now we have the Defence Digital Strategy and Roadmap - it is our task now to implement them. I am confident of our success and I look forward to working with you in the years ahead. Thank you NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address August 28, 2024 Release Trilateral Maritime Capabilities Test a Stepping-Stone Toward Future AUKUS Successes The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) hosted an event to demonstrate next-generation autonomous systems designed to enhance naval operations, improve situational awareness, and bolster defense capabilities in an increasingly complex maritime environment. The event, hosted by R&E's Prototypes and Experiments Office from 15-19 July, was conducted in support of the AUKUS Advanced Capabilities line-of-effort a known as Pillar II a and featured new and emerging technologies in preparation for future collaboration between the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Next-Generation Autonomy for Small Uncrewed Surface Vessel (sUSV) One of the objectives of this event was to test the Autonomy Baseline (ABL), a suite of government owned software that uses the Navy's Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture (UMAA) standard interfaces. Adaptability and ease of integration on multiple vessels proved the capability for future warfighter plug and play behavior integration. The combined government and industry team successfully integrated next-generation ABL software onto sUSV platforms. The rapid integration of ABL technology onto these platforms demonstrated simultaneous command of more than 80 percent of the sUSV platforms tested. This accomplishment advances a capability that could become an effective combat multiplier for maritime forces. Multi-domain Uncrewed Secure Integrated Communications R&E personnel also tested solutions that enable seamless communication between autonomous systems, traditional naval assets, and command centers. Tested technologies included Multi-domain Uncrewed Secure Integrated Communications (MUSIC), a software-defined mesh network that uses different communication links simultaneously to orchestrate secure information sharing across platform and sensor nodes. Resilient communications solutions like MUSIC seek to enhance capabilities across domains, improving AUKUS partners' operational efficiency, decision-making speed, and overall mission effectiveness. Command and Control (C2) Interoperability Building on several years of groundwork between the three nations to align technologies, standards, and protocols, the MBP event tested the Common Control System (CCS), the U.S. Navy's government-owned operator software for planning and execution of uncrewed system missions. During the event, USV data was transmitted from the platforms through the MUSIC tactical communications network into CCS. From CCS, the data was then shared in real-time with AUKUS partners across the trilaterally developed Interoperability to Interchangeability (I2I) C2 network. The seamless integration of autonomous systems with existing command-and-control structures aims to pave the way for greater coordination and synergy among the three nations' navies. Opportunities for Cooperative Development Following last month's testing, the DoD will ship select platforms and technologies to Australia to conduct follow-on experiments under the AUKUS Maritime Big Play initiative. Announced by U.S., U.K., and Australian Defense chiefs in December 2023, Maritime Big Play is a series of integrated trilateral experiments and exercises aimed at enhancing capability development, improving interoperability, and increasing the sophistication and scale of autonomous systems in the maritime domain. The MBP initiative provides a unique platform for the discovery of opportunities for cooperative development among AUKUS partners. By fostering a spirit of innovation and collaboration, participants are identifying areas where joint research, development, assessment, and experimentation can advance combat capability in the maritime domain. About OUSD(R&E) The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) champions research, science, technology, engineering, and innovation to maintain the United States military's technological superiority. Learn more at http://www.cto.mil or visit on LinkedIn at OUSD(R&E) LinkedIn. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3887793/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China calls on OHCHR to fulfill mandate in a just, objective manner Global Times By Liu Xin and Zhang Yuying Published: Aug 29, 2024 12:41 AM Updated: Aug 28, 2024 09:00 PM The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday called on the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to fulfill its mandate in a just and objective manner, respect countries' sovereignty, respect facts, conduct constructive dialogue and cooperation with countries, after the office released an updated report on Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. On Tuesday, the OHCHR released an update to its previous "report" on Xinjiang two years ago, claiming that China still has "many problematic laws and policies" regarding the Xinjiang region. On August 31, 2022, the OHCHR released a so-called report on the human rights situation in China's Xinjiang region, which China denounced, saying it was completely invalid and was a political tool serving the US and some Western forces to contain China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press conference on Wednesday that the OHCHR should reject acts that politicize human rights or stoke division and confrontation, and refrain from being used by political forces aiming at containing and vilifying China. The release of the OHCHR update was quickly picked up by Western media, with some anti-China forces seizing the opportunity to again sensationalize accusations of "crimes against humanity" against China. Analysts said that the "report," which was released by former High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet on her last day in office in 2022, was issued under significant pressure from Western countries and the US. Now, anti-China forces are employing the same tactics, using the so-called two-year anniversary to criticize China's human rights record, aiming to reinforce stereotypes and deepen negative perceptions of China. Wang Jiang, deputy dean of the Institute of China's Borderland Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, said that in recent years, counter-terrorism efforts in Xinjiang region have yielded significant achievements. One of the most notable changes is in the mindset of local residents - they are no longer burdened by the anxiety of terrorism and are fully enjoying the benefits of social stability. The happiness and relaxation on local residents' faces are evident to every visitor to the region, Wang said, noting that with the increasing number of foreign diplomats, media representatives and tourists visiting Xinjiang, the truth about the region is becoming more widely known to the outside world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Paris, Aug 29 (UNI) Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the encrypted messaging service Telegram, was released on Wednesday after paying a 5-million-euro (about 5.6 million U.S. dollars) bail, but he is required to report to the police twice a week, Paris Public Prosecutor Laure Beccuau announced Wednesday night. Durov is officially placed under investigation on six charges and he was prohibited from leaving France during the investigation, Beccuau added. Durov was arrested by French police at an airport outside Paris on Saturday night. Beccuau said on Monday that the Telegram founder is accused of 12 criminal offenses, including failing to act against Telegram users involved in cyberbullying, sharing pedophilic content and glorifying terrorism. Beccuau said the arrest "comes in the context of a judicial investigation opened on July 8, 2024." It also concerns "refusal to communicate, at the request of competent authorities, information or documents necessary for carrying out and operating interceptions allowed by law," the Paris prosecutor added. In response to the arrest, the Telegram group said on its X account that the company "abides by European Union (EU) laws, including the Digital Services Act." "It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for abuse of that platform," it added. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that the arrest of Durov is "in no way a political decision." Durov's arrest in France "took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation," Macron said on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. After the arrest, Russia's embassy in Paris has referred a note to the French foreign ministry demanding consular access to Durov, the TASS news agency quoted Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying. Meanwhile, Elon Musk, owner of the U.S. social media platform X, and Edward Snowden, former U.S. National Security Agency contractor, condemned on Sunday Durov's arrest. UNI XINHUA GNK Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on August 28, 2024 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: August 28, 2024 16:43 Xinhua News Agency: Former Deputy Country Director of the United Nations Development Programme and Kenyan economist Hannah Ryder in a recent interview said that in cooperation with China, African countries are not forced to change their own policies and that a defining feature of such cooperation is that it is driven by Africa's need. She also noted that this has influenced Western countries and other partners outside the continent to consider more about Africa's need and establish equal-footed partnerships with Africa. The National Interest, an American magazine, published an article saying that China is winning the Global South as a provider of a large amount of public goods for developing countries, including African ones. What's your response? Lin Jian: In its cooperation with Africa, China always follows the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests, and always bears in mind the fundamental interest of both Chinese and African people. The underlying feature of China-Africa cooperation has always been sincerity and equality, mutual benefit, fairness and justice, and openness and inclusiveness. We are committed to advancing Africa's development through our development and promoting Africa's modernization through our own modernization. In our effort to grow ties with Africa, there's no selfish agenda, but only profound friendship; there's no zero-sum game, but only solid steps; there's no empty promise, but only sincerity and tangible result. We always bear in mind the welfare and the need of the African people, treat Africa with respect and as equals, and never impose our will onto others, still less seeking selfish gains. It is the common responsibility of the international community to support Africa's development. As a natural member of the Global South, China never seeks to "win the Global South," but is committed to helping Global South partners, including African countries, truly realize development and prosperity. China never engages in geopolitical games in Africa either, but is glad to see concrete contribution from all countries to Africa's development. We would be happy to see other countries pay greater attention to Africa and increase investment there just like China, and we hope they will view China-Africa relations and cooperation with an open mind. We stand ready to engage in tri-party and multi-party cooperation on the basis of respecting Africa's will to jointly contribute to Africa's development and prosperity and bring benefit to the African people. AFP: The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Tuesday that on Xinjiang, "many problematic laws and policies remain in place." What is China's comment? Lin Jian: China always puts the people front and center in all our work, views respecting and protecting human rights as an important part of governance, and has made historic achievements in this aspect. The Chinese people now enjoy a growing sense of fulfillment, happiness and security. This is a simple fact that anyone without bias can see. People of all ethnic groups in China are equal and their legitimate rights and interests are fully protected. Xinjiang today enjoys social stability and economic growth and the people there live a happy life. It is at its best in history where people of all ethnic groups are working together for a better life. China stands ready to have constructive exchange and cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the basis of mutual respect. We believe that the OHCHR needs to fulfill its mandate in a just and objective manner, respect countries' sovereignty, respect facts, conduct constructive dialogue and cooperation with countries, reject acts that politicize human rights or stoke division and confrontation, and refrain from being used by political forces aiming at containing and vilifying China.a Shenzhen TV: We noted that recently Western media and organizations such as The New York Times and Human Rights Watch issued disinformation about Xizang to bring up again so-called human rights issues in the region, claiming that China's measures aimed at economic growth harm the way of life and ecoculture of people in Xizang. Some politicians of other countries are using this as a pretext to interfere in China's internal affairs. However, many foreign scholars and media workers who have actually visited Xizang noted that the large number of supporting measures by China's central government have enabled sound political, economic and social development in Xizang, which is completely different from the narrative in some Western media. What is your comment? Lin Jian: We strongly oppose relevant politicians, media and organizations distorting facts and spreading lies. China's position on Xizang-related issues is consistent and clear. Xizang affairs are China's internal affairs which brook no interference by any external forces. Over the years, Xizang has seen continued and sound economic growth, social harmony and stability, sound preservation of its cultural heritage, and significantly better life for its people. This is a fact that has the wholehearted recognition of people of all ethnic groups in Xizang and is seen by many in the international community. The development and progress in Xizang would not have been possible without the care from the central government and the support and assistance from people across the country. Thanks to effort under the guidelines of the CPC for governing Xizang in the new era, Xizang has entered a historical era in which greater development and bigger changes have been made and more benefits delivered to the people than in the past. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the program of national pairing assistance to Xizang. The Xizang Autonomous Region held the Achievement Exhibition for the 30th Anniversary of National Pairing Assistance to Xizang. We welcome more foreigners to visit Xizang to gain first-hand experience of the region and its development.a AFP: Australia said today that leaders of Pacific Island countries have agreed to set up a multinational Pacific police force. What is China's comment? Lin Jian: China believesathatavariousaparties shouldamakeajointaeffortato promote the development and prosperity of Pacific Island countries.a CCTV: It's reported that head of the water authority for Red Sea state in eastern Sudan said in a message on August 26 that the collapse of Arbaat Dam in the state on August 25 left 60 dead and hundreds missing. What's your comment? Lin Jian: We noted the reports. We express deep condolences over the lives lost, and heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured. AFP: It's said that a Chinese military plane intruded into Japan's territorial airspace on Monday. Has the Chinese side confirmed it? What's China's response to this incident? Lin Jian: There is ongoing communication between China and Japan on this incident. Let me reiterate that China's military airplane has no intention to intrude into any country's airspace. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese rights attorney Yu Wensheng and his wife stand trial Another prominent rights lawyer is incommunicado, while 'key personnel' are targeted ahead of a forum. By Qian Lang for RFA Mandarin 2024.08.28 -- Prominent Chinese rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife Xu Yan stood trial on Wednesday in the eastern city of Suzhou for "subversion" amid tight security that saw another prominent attorney taken away by police ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing. Yu and Xu were initially detained in April 2023 on suspicion of "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble" - a charge frequently used to target peaceful critics of the Communist Party - en route to a meeting with European Union officials in Beijing. Brussels has lodging a formal complaint over the incident. But the pair are now being put on trial for the more serious charge of "incitement to subvert state power" at the Suzhou Intermediate People's Court. Court proceedings were observed by diplomats from 10 countries, the rights website Weiquanwang reported, without giving details. The trial comes amid tight security across China ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation which runs Sept. 4-6 in Beijing. A prominent rights attorney, Wang Yu, was detained by police in Suzhou shortly after arriving in the city on the first day of Yu's trial, her husband Bao Longjun told RFA Mandarin. "Wang Yu called me around 7 o'clock this morning," Bao said. "She said she had just left Suzhou station [to meet with a client who is a rights activist], but police blocked him from leaving home." "I called her again at 10 a.m. but nobody picked up, and I haven't been able to get in touch with her since," he said. In a later phone call with RFA Mandarin, Bao said police had escorted Wang to meet up with him in the northern city of Handan, where she was released from custody. 'Key personnel' President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote address at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation next week, setting out proposals for "building a high-level community with a shared future for China and Africa," Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong told a news conference last week. The security measures target critics of the ruling Chinese Communist Party known as "key personnel," according to a Beijing resident who gave only the surname Guo for fear of reprisals. "Security has been very strict in our residential community lately, and they're saying they have to guard against key personnel," Guo said. "I know something big is happening in Beijing." According to state media and official websites, the term "key personnel" applies to anyone posing a potential threat to public order, national security or disease control and prevention policies, and means an individual is targeted for "monitoring, prevention measures and management by police." Represented Falun Gong Yu is a prominent rights attorney who has represented members of the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement, as well as many fellow rights attorneys in the wake of a July 2015 crackdown on public interest law firms and associated rights activists. He served an earlier four-year sentence for "subversion" that ended in 2021. Xu has repeatedly spoken out on her husband's behalf, and was threatened with prosecution after meeting with French officials in 2018 about her husband's case. Rights groups have warned that both were at risk of torture to elicit a "confession" during detention. Yu and Xu are being represented by defense attorneys Ge Wenxiu and He Wei at the two-day trial, Weiquanwang reported. 24-hour surveillance Meanwhile, authorities in Beijing are holding Zhou Shifeng, the former director of the Beijing Fengrui law firm that was shuttered following the July 2015 crackdown, under close surveillance, prompting him to flee the capital for his hometown in Henan province. "They're about to hold the China-Africa Forum in Beijing, and security guards were put on duty downstairs from Zhou Shifeng's home," his friend Zhang Ning told RFA Mandarin on Wednesday. "There were private security guards, state security police, and officers from the local police station, five people on each eight-hour shift," Zhang said. "Shifeng had to tell them where he was going, and the state security police would drive him there and escort him." Zhang said Zhou had eventually chosen to leave the capital and return to his hometown in Anyang city, Henan, in the hope of evading further official attention. Police have also been closely watching independent political commentator Wu Qiang since late July, according to a friend of his who gave only the surname Li for fear of reprisals. "There are two police vehicles stationed in the residential community where Wu Qiang lives, 24 hours a day," Li said. "They follow him whenever he goes out." Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, 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 August not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China In Eurasia Briefing: Russia, Taiwan, And More For Sullivan's Beijing Trip By Reid Standish August 28, 2024 Shuttle Diplomacy, Sullivan, And Sanctions Beijing called recent U.S. sanctions on its companies over the Ukraine war "illegal and unilateral" and "not based on facts," as White House national-security adviser Jake Sullivan arrived in China for several days of high-level talks. Here's what's going on. Finding Perspective: Washington has repeatedly warned Beijing over its support for Russia's defense industrial base and has already issued hundreds of sanctions aimed at curbing Moscow's ability to exploit certain technologies for military purposes. The United States imposed sanctions on more than 400 entities and individuals for supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine on August 23, including Chinese firms that U.S. officials believe are helping Moscow skirt Western sanctions and build up its military. One hundred and twenty-three entities were also added to the U.S. export control list known as the Entity List, which forces suppliers to obtain licenses before shipping to targeted companies. Among those added in this most recent batch, 63 entities were based in Russia and 42 in China. On August 27, ahead of Sullivan's arrival that same day, Li Hui, China's special envoy for Eurasian affairs, who has done four rounds of shuttle diplomacy, criticized the sanctions at a briefing for diplomats in Beijing after the latest round of meetings with officials from Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa. China has been striving to present itself as a party that is actively looking for a solution to the war in Ukraine, despite skipping a key peace conference in Switzerland this June. After past rounds of talks led by Li in the spring, Beijing put forward proposals on supporting the exchange of prisoners of war, opposing the use of nuclear and biological weapons, and opposing armed attacks on civilian nuclear facilities, as well as an outline for principles to end the war in February 2023. Sullivan In China: Sullivan's trip comes at a time of high tensions in the U.S.-China relationship, with issues like Taiwan, the war in Ukraine, and tensionsin the South China Sea flaring up. The trip is Sullivan's fifth meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also the director of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee Foreign Affairs Commission Office. As the Financial Times recently reported, both officials have been engaged in secret backchannel talks since 2023 following a low point in ties after an incident with a Chinese spy balloon flying over the United States. The two officials are expected to discuss a litany of issues in Beijing, including tensions in the South China Sea, China's growing cooperation with Russia, and conflict in the Middle East. Why It Matters: Talks between Washington and Beijing are never easy and both sides have lots to talk about, but Russia and the war in Ukraine are high on the agenda. When U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing in April, he warned that Washington would act if China did not stop supplying Russia with microchips and machine parts to build weapons used in Ukraine. He also accused his Chinese counterparts of "helping to fuel the biggest threat" to European security since the Cold War. Since then, Chinese companies have been hit with a raft of measures and the threat of further secondary sanctions on other Chinese entities have led to Chinese banks tightening their restrictions on payments from Russia. Both Sullivan and Wang are hoping to set up a framework for stable relations between their two governments despite their laundry list of issues. During comments about U.S.-China relations in January at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, Sullivan said that he and Wang continued to have "direct" conversations on leading issues, including Ukraine and Russia. ""Both of us left feeling that we didn't agree or see eye-to-eye on everything but that there was a lot of work to carry forward," Sullivan said. Three More Stories From Eurasia 1. China And Belarus Sign Free Trade Deal Belarus announced that it will sign a free trade deal with China for services and investment, as well as a host of other agreements to strengthen cooperation in security, energy, and finance. The Details: The new agreements come after a visit from Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Minsk. A signing ceremony took place on August 22, but the free trade deal was announced on August 23 when both sides released a joint statement from the visit. Li's trip, which came after a multiday visit to Moscow, centered heavily on trade and the economy. Sanctions-hit Belarus still relies heavily on Moscow for political and financial support, but has also looked to balance that dependence with closer ties with Beijing. China was once an active investor in Belarus for infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology ventures, Beijing had not offered a new project or loan to Minsk since 2019 and seemed to have stepped back from the country amid its domestic crisis, which cut Lukashenka off politically from the European Union and made him a less appealing economic partner for Beijing. The new agreements set the stage to provide something of a financial lifeline for Belarus as it grapples with a sluggish economy, but details also remain light so far and may face roadblocks in their implementation. 2. Azerbaijan's New Balancing Act With China Azerbaijan is laying the groundwork to boost its ambitions in the South Caucasus and is looking to China for help, as I reported here for RFE/RL. What It Means: In just two months, Baku's ties with Beijing have quickly moved forward as the oil-rich country has inched closer politically and economically through a series of agreements that could boost China's presence in the region and open the door to newfound Chinese investment into Azerbaijan. This began in July when they upgraded bilateral ties through a new strategic partnership and again a few weeks later when Baku applied to upgrade its status within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) from dialogue partner to observer, setting the stage to potentially become a full member. Then on August 20, Azerbaijan said it had applied to join the BRICS group of emerging economies led by China and Russia that also includes Brazil, India, and South Africa as founding members. For Azerbaijan, these moves should be seen within the context of Baku looking to capitalize on newfound interest in trade across Eurasia, where it sits at the center, and also its desire to hedge its foreign affairs by diversifying its ties with a variety of other countries. Russia and Turkey have been the traditional external players, along with the European Union, but China adds more room for Baku to use for balance. The so-called Middle Corridor, the alternative trade route that bypasses Russia by cutting through Central Asia and the South Caucasus to connect China to the European Union, has seen billions of dollars worth in investments and Azerbaijan is looking to attract more from China. Baku is also looking to expand its ties with China in other areas, from further deals in green energy as Azerbaijan tries to plan for a future where it is less dependent on fossil-fuel exports to advanced technology and military purchases. In addition to the Middle Corridor, Baku is also at the intersection of the International North-South Transport Corridor that flows south from Russia to Azerbaijan and then aims to connect to Iran and India. "If Baku previously was able to use its energy resources [as leverage] in its relations with the West, international trade corridors are also now tools with strategic importance in Azerbaijan's foreign policy," Nurlan Aliyev, a lecturer at the University of Economics and Human Sciences in Warsaw, told me. 3. 'I Never Saw Any Of Them Speak Out' Public discussion around the experiences of ethnic Kazakhs in neighboring Xinjiang has become muted inside Kazakhstan after years of pressure on activists that has also led to relatives and survivors of the internment system afraid to share their stories. My colleagues Asemgul Mukhitqyzy and Chris Rickleton spoke with a Kazakh journalist who recently tried to investigate the plight of ethnic Kazakhs in China. What You Need To Know: Zhaqsylyq Qazymuratuly, the Kazakh journalist who works for the newspaper Zhas Alash, published an article in late July on what the outlet said were 22 members of the ethnic Kazakh intelligentsia currently languishing behind bars in China. While Kazakhstan was once a hotbed of activism and public awareness when arrests first started taking place in Xinjiang, that largely tapered off following a crackdown on activist leaders. In this respect, the recent article marks a noteworthy effort to restart the conversation in the country, but as Qazymuratuly told RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, those who have been reunited with relatives in Kazakhstan in the past couple of years -- sometimes after a long separation -- are in no hurry to talk about their experiences. Adding to that, the Kazakh-based relatives of the detainees that the article focused on are also increasingly reluctant to say anything about their cases. "All of them refused to comment. The reason is obvious. Advocacy could worsen the situation for their relatives in detention," Qazymuratuly said. Across The Supercontinent Lending Evolution: Amid accusations of "debt-trap diplomacy," Chinese lending practices are often under the microscope. In Central Asia, however, Chinese financial players are adapting to use different lending models, Nargiza Muratalieva writes for the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. Scientists Targeted: The Uyghur rights organization Uyghur Hjelp has documented more than 200 cases of Uyghur scientists and other science professionals being imprisoned in China. New Strategy: U.S. President Joe Biden has approved a new nuclear strategy to prepare for possible coordinated nuclear confrontations with Russia, China, and North Korea, according to reporting by The New York Times. Coal In Kyrgyzstan: The Kyrgyz government will introduce new regulations meant to prevent coal prices from rising in the country, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports. The price controls will take effect for 90 days starting on September 15 and come amid a coal shortage that could spike prices. Kyrgyz authorities have said that they plan to increase coal mining in the country and also increase imports from neighboring China. One Thing To Watch Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said that 48,000 Chinese students are studying in Russia in the 2023-2024 academic year, an increase of almost 10,000 students compared to the previous year. Golikova also said that more than 16,000 Russian students were studying in Chinese universities. The rising figures are the fruits of multiple new agreements in recent years between Beijing and Moscow to increase the number of their students at each other's universities at a time when the numbers of Chinese and Russian students studying in the United States is declining. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/china-sullivan-russia- ukraine-taiwan-li-hui/33096318.html Copyright (c) 2024. 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, China discuss possible Biden-Xi meeting, South China Sea tensions By Michael Baturin August 28, 2024 White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met for a second day in Beijing Wednesday, holding talks that touched on topics that included a potential meeting between the two countries' heads of state and tensions in the South China Sea. Both sides said the talks were candid, substantive and constructive, with state-run Xinhua news agency quoting Wang as saying the key to keeping China-U.S. relations on the right track lies in the guidance of the two heads of state. The two discussed planning for a leader-level call in the coming weeks, according to a statement from the White House. Xinhua said the two also discussed a potential meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and China's Xi Jinping. Sullivan and Wang also discussed the importance of military-to-military communications and holding video calls between their military theater commanders "at an appropriate time," according to the Chinese readout of the meeting. "The key to the smooth development of China-U.S. interaction lies in treating each other as equals," Wang said, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. In addition to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, Wang and Sullivan also discussed disputes in the South China Sea, with Wang warning Washington over supporting the Philippines. "The United States must not use bilateral treaties as an excuse to undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, nor should it support or condone the Philippines' actions of infringement," according to CCTV. A White House statement said Sullivan expressed "concern about the PRC's destabilizing actions against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea." China's vessels have clashed with several Philippine ships in the South China Sea, unsettling Washington, which has a mutual defense treaty with Manila. On Tuesday, the head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel Paparo, said the U.S. military is open to consultations about escorting Philippine ships in the South China Sea. Other topics discussed at the meeting between the top officials included China's territorial claims to Taiwan and recent U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. Wang told Sullivan the United States should stop arming Taiwan and support "peaceful reunification." "Taiwan belongs to China," Wang said, adding that "Taiwan's independence is the biggest risk to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait." China claims democratically ruled Taiwan is part of its territory and says unification is the only option for the island, by force if necessary. Public opinion polling in Taiwan, however, shows little support for unification with its neighbor. According to the Chinese readout, Beijing also voiced its disapproval of tariffs the U.S. has placed on goods, saying Washington should "stop jeopardizing China's legitimate interests." In addition to raising concerns about China's unfair trade practices and nonmarket economic practices, the White House said, Sullivan stressed that the "United States will continue to take necessary actions to prevent advanced U.S. technologies from being used to undermine our national security, without unduly limiting trade or investment." The talks between the top-level officials continue into Thursday and are expected to cover topics on which the countries butt heads, such as trade, the Middle East, Ukraine and the development of chemicals that are potentially used as components of fentanyl. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China-Russia cooperation in Arctic raises concerns By William Yang August 28, 2024 As China and Russia look to deepen cooperation in the Arctic, analysts cite concern about increasing geopolitical competition in the region, forcing countries to think more about how to respond to potential threats. Following a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow on August 21, China released an expansive communique outlining ways the two countries are boosting cooperation. On the Arctic, Beijing and Moscow pledged to strengthen cooperation in areas including shipping development, navigation safety, polar ship technology and construction. "Both countries will encourage their enterprises to actively engage in Arctic shipping routes cooperation based on market principles and pay special attention to the protection of the Arctic ecosystem," according to the communique. Analysts say the latest announcement is part of Beijing and Moscow's efforts to deepen collaboration in areas such as shipping, energy exploration and Arctic security. "China has invested in Russia's energy projects in the Arctic, cooperated with Russia in shipping and infrastructure development, and conducted military exercises in the strategically important region," said Patrik Andersson, an analyst at the Swedish National China Center. In July, the U.S. Canada North American Aerospace Defense Command revealed that it had tracked two Russian and two Chinese long-range strategic bombers that appeared in the skies off coastal Alaska. Since 2023, Beijing and Moscow have worked jointly to develop the Northern Sea Route across Russia's Arctic coastline, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has said is "absolutely fundamental." The two also signed a memorandum of understanding aiming to deepen maritime security cooperation between their coast guards. Despite attempts to deepen cooperation in the Arctic, Andersson said there are still several friction points between Beijing and Moscow. "Russia has historically been wary of inviting China into the Arctic because Moscow views the region as its backyard," he told VOA in an interview in Stockholm. "As the bilateral power balance increasingly shifts in China's favor since the start of the Ukraine War, Russia is becoming more economically and politically dependent on China, which may force Moscow to consider strengthening cooperation with Beijing in some areas where it was previously reluctant to do so," Andersson said. And while the recent joint aerial patrol near Alaska has attracted a lot of attention, Andersson said the scope of their bilateral military cooperation in the Arctic remains unclear. "It's difficult to determine how much these exercises mean that they are really ready to establish a closer military cooperation in the region or whether they are mainly about posturing and deterring the U.S. and its allies in the Arctic," he told VOA. Growing Arctic awareness Even so, analysts say some Nordic countries are becoming more aware of the potential threat China may bring to the region through its cooperation with Moscow. "[While] officials in Finland are currently observing the developments in the Arctic, there's definitely a growing awareness about the potential threats or challenges that come with the growing Chinese presence in the region," said Minna Alander, an expert on Arctic security at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs. She said Russia remains the main driver of the militarization of the Arctic but China could pose challenges to Finland and other Arctic states because of more opaque strategies. "There's always this suspicion that most of the research that China is conducting at its research station in Norway's Svalbard is not purely for 'the advancement of human civilization,'" she told VOA by phone. Regional experts note that Nordic countries have yet to come up with a set of strategies to cope with the potential challenges. "I think we are realizing the complexity of hybrid threats that could be posed by China and Russia [in the Arctic] but we haven't developed a toolbox to cope with those challenges," Patrik Oksanen, a senior fellow at the Stockholm Free World Forum, told VOA by phone. He said economic ties with China complicate Sweden's attempt to produce a strategic plan to cope with the new challenges. "There is an unwillingness to do something that could be interpreted as escalating the situation with China, but we will need to address the potential threats that China and Russia pose in the Arctic in a very short time," Oksanen said. Ice pact Alander in Finland said she expects countries like Finland and Sweden, which became NATO members in 2023, to increase cooperation in the Arctic with other NATO allies. "Finland has an interest in developing relations with [other NATO members] in sectors such as security, economy, and trade, and Finland has gone all in on this transatlantic link," she told VOA. In July, the U.S., Canada, and Finland announced a trilateral initiative, called the "Ice Pact," to collaborate on the production of polar icebreakers. The Canadian government said the initiative recognizes the "joint priority of upholding safety and security in the Arctic, including the continued protection of long-standing international rules and norms." In addition to increasing cooperation with NATO allies, Joar Forssell, a Swedish MP from the Liberal Party, told VOA that lawmakers from Nordic countries also are looking to deepen coordination on issues related to the Arctic. As NATO countries, along with Russia and China, look to increase cooperation with partners in the Arctic, Alander said the trend likely will lead to greater geopolitical tension in a region that's long been free from global power struggle. "There used to be a slogan 'High north, low tension' [to describe the state in the Arctic] but unfortunately, it might be more like 'high north, high tension' in the future," she told VOA. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China willing to engage with UN rights body on Xinjiang By Kasim Kashgar August 28, 2024 China says it is ready to engage with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, or OHCHR, after the U.N. body called this week for a comprehensive review of Beijing's laws and policies in Xinjiang. Speaking at a regular briefing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, "China is willing to engage in constructive exchanges and cooperation" with OHCHR but added that a review should be conducted "on the basis of mutual respect." China and its policies in Xinjiang have been a persistent point of tension in recent years for the international community and Beijing. The Chinese government has been blamed for incarcerating more than 1 million Uyghurs in Xinjiang, with some accusing it of genocide, a charge that Beijing strongly denies. In a 2022 report, Michelle Bachelet, then-U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, detailed alleged abuses in Xinjiang. The report cited abuses such as mass arbitrary detentions and forced labor and concluded that these practices might amount to crimes against humanity. The report also urged the Chinese government to address these violations and implement meaningful reforms. On Tuesday, just days ahead of the anniversary, OHCHR released an update to the report and renewed its call for a thorough review of China's laws, especially those impacting ethnic and religious minorities in Xinjiang. Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker TArk, urged Beijing to conduct a "full review, from the human rights perspective, of the legal framework governing national security and counterterrorism," and called for enhanced protections against discrimination for minorities, including in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong. "We understand that many problematic laws and policies remain in place in Xinjiang," Shamdasani said. China says the measures are necessary to combat extremism, terrorism and separatism. While Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China was willing to engage, he also warned against the "politicization of human rights and divisive confrontational actions." "We believe that the OHCHR needs to fulfill its mandate in a just and objective manner, respect countries' sovereignty, respect facts, conduct constructive dialogue and cooperation with countries," Lin said. He also highlighted China's historical achievements in human rights in Xinjiang. "Xinjiang today enjoys social stability and economic growth, and the people there live a happy life," he said. "It is at its best in history, where people of all ethnic groups are working together for a better life." Persistent concerns The U.N. Human Rights Office's latest call for reform follows a June visit by a U.N. human rights team to China, where they engaged with authorities on counterterrorism policies and the criminal justice system. Despite those discussions, concerns persist. "Allegations of human rights violations, including torture, need to be fully investigated," the update stated. The OHCHR still faces challenges related to limited access to information in Xinjiang and risks of reprisals against those engaging with the United Nations. "We continue to follow the current human rights situation closely, despite these challenges," Shamdasani noted. The U.N. has been actively raising individual cases of concern with the Chinese government, urging the release of arbitrarily detained individuals and seeking clarity on the status of those whose families are inquiring about them. Shamdasani emphasized the high commissioner's commitment to continuing engagement with China and advocacy on behalf of victims. \"Our goal remains to improve human rights protections for all individuals on the ground," she added. Calls for accountability Rayhan Asat, a human rights lawyer and nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, described the high commissioner's update as a crucial acknowledgment of China's failure to implement U.N. recommendations or halt its repressive policies against Uyghurs. "Despite the high commissioner's years of engagement, progress remains absent as the laws underpinning mass imprisonment remain in place," Asat told VOA. "The need for a renewed approach, combining public and private pressure, is evident." Asat is a co-author of a study released earlier this month by the Genocide Studies Program at Yale University. The report says China's mass imprisonment of Uyghurs constitutes both a crime against humanity and a crime of genocide. The Yale report estimates that if this mass incarceration in Xinjiang continues, Uyghurs could suffer a cumulative 4.4 million years of incarceration. Asat's brother, Ekpar Asat, who has been arbitrarily imprisoned by Chinese authorities in Xinjiang, is among the many cases studied in the report. Ekpar, a Uyghur media tech entrepreneur, was detained in 2016 after returning to China from a U.S. State Department exchange program. He was later sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges of "inciting ethnic discrimination and ethnic hatred." In a statement on Tuesday, Human Rights Watch urged the U.N. and its member states to intensify their efforts to pressure the Chinese government to end its abuses in Xinjiang. "Beijing's brazen refusal to meaningfully address well-documented crimes in Xinjiang is no surprise but shows the need for a robust follow-up by the U.N. human rights chief and U.N. member states," Maya Wang, associate China director at Human Rights Watch, said in the statement. "Contrary to the Chinese government's claims, its punitive campaign against millions of Uyghurs in Xinjiang continues to inflict great pain," she said. RaphAel Viana David, China program manager at the International Service for Human Rights, welcomed the high commissioner's commitment to working with civil society and advocating for the implementation of all U.N. recommendations to China. "Beijing does not get to cherry-pick: U.N. human rights findings are indivisible and, altogether, chart the only genuine path forward for China to achieve meaningful human rights change," he said in a statement on the ISHR website. David added that any deviation from adhering to U.N. recommendations is deceitful and demonstrates a lack of commitment to being a responsible global actor. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Facing barriers in West, China to push green products at Africa summit By Kate Bartlett August 28, 2024 As the West clamps down on imports of green technology products from China, the world's biggest manufacturer is looking for new markets, and that is a topic analysts say will dominate the agenda next month at a Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, or FOCAC, in Beijing. The high-level meeting, held every three years, will be the first since the world emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic and China suffered its own economic slowdown. It also comes amid growing geopolitical rivalry and as China shifts the priorities of its global infrastructure-building project, the Belt and Road Initiative, or BRI, to what it has dubbed "the green BRI" and "small is beautiful" projects. The theme of the meeting, which takes place from September 4-6, is "Joining hands to promote modernization," and Lin Jian, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said it will "open up new vistas for China-Africa relations." One of these areas, according to China's ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, will be "to support Africa's green development." While many African countries a some of which are facing energy crises a will welcome help with their transition to renewables, Paul Nantulya, a research associate for the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in Washington, explained that China also "benefits greatly." "If you look at green growth for instance, the technology which is marketed to African countries, which African countries have to buy, either through loan finance or directly through commercial entities, that's one way in which China benefits," he told VOA. And China needs new buyers. China's overproduction woes China is the largest producer of solar batteries in the world and in 2023 accounted for three quarters of global investment in overall green technology manufacturing, according to data from the International Energy Agency. It also produced more than half of the electric vehicles sold worldwide last year. Its lead in these industries has resulted in rising competition with the West. The United States and European Union have enacted protectionist policies, increasing tariffs on products from China including electric vehicles, batteries, solar panels and critical minerals. Europe and the U.S. want to boost their own manufacturing and create jobs. "We see China's products are increasingly facing restrictions in the U.S. and Europe, and I believe China will be looking for alternative markets in Africa," Cliff Mboya, an analyst with the Pretoria-based China Global South Project, told VOA. However, he said African governments could use China's woes on that front as a bargaining chip. While China is the continent's biggest trade partner, it exports a lot more to Africa than it imports. "We know that China previously promised more market access for African products, so as China looks for the African market for some of its products that are facing high tariffs and limitations in the West...it presents an opportunity to negotiate for more access of African products into the Chinese market," Mboya said. The West is concerned about possible "dumping" by China, in which it floods foreign markets with cheap exports to get rid of its global trade surplus. Mboya said that should also be a concern for African governments. "We should also be able to negotiate and ensure it doesn't lead to dumping of these products into the continent because we also need to create employment for our youth and also ensure that we are also able to produce some basic goods in the continent," he said. In sub-Saharan Africa, 70% of the population is under the age of 30, according to data from the United Nations. Ambassador Wu didn't mince his words when talking about the "sensitive issue" at an event in South Africa earlier in August. "In 2023, China also produced nearly 9.5 million electricity vehicles, EVs, and exported nearly 1.8 million EVs to the world," he said. "Some people blame China for so-called overcapacity." "Europeans or the U.S. already a or will a levy high tariff rates against these EVs." "Let's wait and see alright? If they can catch up to produce more EVs, affordable for the customers in a very quick way...no problem. But if they don't, I think it's a little bit unreasonable," he continued. China, however, is facing a mismatch in supply and demand for its products. Last year, its solar cell production doubled global demand and in July, major solar panel company Longi Green Energy Technology logged a net loss of some $750 million. "There's significant parallels between the excess capacity China faces now in its clean technology sectors, as with the excess capacity a decade ago in heavy industry and infrastructure, which was when the BRI was initially launched," Yunnan Chen, a researcher at London-based research group ODI, told VOA. China used the BRI to "offshore" its domestic industries and build markets for its infrastructure in developing countries, and it is now doing the same with renewable energy, she added. "Tariffs from Western markets is another accentuating pressure that will make middle-income emerging markets even more important for Chinese goods, and even for the offshoring of production lines and supply chains to be able to access EU and Western markets via third countries - as we're already seeing in Vietnam and Mexico," she said. Pivot to Africa Chinese Ambassador Wu said the FOCAC will focus the needs of African countries in the energy transition and that "China will encourage Chinese enterprises to invest." He said that new energy cooperation could become a growth driver and a highlight in economic and trade cooperation between China and South Africa specifically. But Yun Sun, director of the China Program at the Stimson Center in Washington, said FOCAC's focus on green technology and energy wouldn't necessarily be a boon for Africa. "It does not necessarily put Africa in an advantaged position in the global supply chain. For example, China has a number of lithium assets (mines) in Africa and that technically could be called green energy and technology cooperation between China and Africa," she said. "Traditionally, Africa had been a source of raw materials for China, such as oil and minerals. If now it is lithium and other critical minerals used for green energy, how is it different from before?" she added. "Mining and processing whose benefit for locals are debatable." Besides green technology, the analysts expect FOCAC will also focus on areas including agricultural modernization and trade, information technology and connectivity, and education and training. African leaders will also be looking to get a one-on-one with China's leader, Xi Jinping. Some African countries, which borrowed heavily from China and are saddled with debt, are facing pressure at home. Kenya, for example, has been rocked by anti-government protests. But experts say they doubt African leaders will push for debt restructuring publicly, to avoid embarrassing China. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's meeting with Chinese Communist Party Politburo Member, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi August 28, 2024 National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met on August 27-28 with Chinese Communist Party Politburo Member, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi outside Beijing, China. This meeting was part of ongoing efforts to maintain channels of communication and responsibly manage the relationship between the United States and the People's Republic of China (PRC), as discussed by President Biden and President Xi at the November 2023 Woodside Summit. The two sides held candid, substantive, and constructive discussions on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues. They discussed progress and next steps on implementation of the Woodside Summit commitments, including counternarcotics, military-to-military communications, and AI safety and risk. Both sides welcomed ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication, including planning for a leader-level call in the coming weeks. They noted the importance of regular, ongoing military-to-military communications and planned to hold a theater commander telephone call in the near future. Mr. Sullivan and Director Wang discussed next steps to reduce the flow of illicit synthetic drugs, continue repatriation of undocumented migrants, and law enforcement cooperation. They underscored the importance of concrete steps to tackle the climate crisis and welcomed further discussions during Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta's upcoming travel to China. Mr. Sullivan emphasized that the United States will continue to take necessary actions to prevent advanced U.S. technologies from being used to undermine our national security, without unduly limiting trade or investment. He also raised continued concerns about the PRC's unfair trade policies and non-market economic practices. Mr. Sullivan reiterated that it remains a top priority to resolve the cases of American citizens who are wrongfully detained or subject to exit bans in China. He also underscored the long-standing U.S. commitment to universal human rights and fundamental freedoms. Mr. Sullivan underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. He emphasized concerns about the PRC's support for Russia's defense industrial base and its impact on European and transatlantic security. Mr. Sullivan reaffirmed the United States' commitment to defending its Indo-Pacific allies and expressed concern about the PRC's destabilizing actions against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea. The two sides also discussed shared concerns about the DPRK, Burma, and the Middle East. Mr. Sullivan and Director Wang noted the importance of this strategic channel of communication over the past eighteen months and committed to maintaining high-level diplomacy and working level consultations on an ongoing basis. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea test-fires multiple rocket launcher with new guidance system The test came after reports the North sent over 13,000 containers suspected of carrying arms to Russia. By Taejun Kang for RFA 2024.08.27 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test-firing of a 240mm multiple rocket launcher with a new guidance system, a weapon capable of striking the South Korean capital with what the North's state media said was new destructive power. Separately, a South Korean security agency estimates that the North has shipped more than 13,000 containers of weapons to Russia since mid-2022, which could mean 6 million North Korean artillery shells for Russian forces in Ukraine, a South Korean politician said. Kim attended Tuesday's test of the multiple rocket launch system, or MRLS, that is produced at defense industrial enterprises under the Second Economic Commission, the Korean Central News Agency, or KCNA, reported. "The MRLS, technically updated in its maneuverability and concentrated firing capability, was proved to be advantageous in all indices, including newly applied guiding system, controllability and destructive power," KCNA said. The weapon could put the South Korean capital Seoul and surrounding areas in range. Kim "set forth an important policy to be pursued in producing new artillery pieces and equipping army units with them," the news agency added, without elaborating. In February, the North said it had newly developed "controllable" 240mm rocket launcher ammunition with improvements in range and precision. North Korea said in May, it would deploy the weapon system to army units over the next two years. The test-firing came after reports that North Korea has sent more than 13,000 shipping containers suspected of carrying arms to Russia since mid-2022. The North delivered the shipments that could carry more than 6 million 152-millimeter artillery shells through its eastern port of Najin over the period, according to a South Korea Defense Intelligence Agency report submitted to a lawmaker. Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, the South Korean military has been tracking North Korean transfers of arms to Russia. The most recent figure represents a twofold increase from February's estimate. The South's military suspected North Korea could have supplied Russia with 122-mm artillery rounds, mobile anti-air missiles and anti-tank missiles, among other weapons. In return, Russia is suspected of providing technological assistance to North Korea's missile and spy satellite programs, the South Korean agency said, citing Kim's visit to a Russian space port in September where he held a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "To prepare for a prolonged war in Ukraine, Russia has moved to formalize North Korea as a supply base for weapons and ammunition," the agency said. This month, Kim hailed deepening relations with Russia in a message to Putin, telling the Russian leader victory was assured in his "sacred war." "I express the firm belief that the strong and brave Russian people will firmly defend the sovereign right and security interests of the state and surely win victory in the sacred war for regional peace and international justice under your energetic leadership," Kim told Putin in the message, though he did not mention Ukraine. Russia has been seeking closer relations with North Korea since Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine. The United States says North Korea has supplied Russia with large amounts of weapons for the war, in particular artillery rounds and ballistic missiles, although both Russia and North Korea deny that. Edited by Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content August 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 North Korean leader oversees test-firing of multiple rocket launcher amid war games by US, South Korea Iran Press TV Wednesday, 28 August 2024 8:32 AM North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen the test-firing of an upgraded multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS) amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula as South Korea and the United States hold joint war games in the strategic region. The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced on Wednesday that Kim had attended the test of a 240mm rocket launcher equipped with a new "guiding system." "The MRLS, technically updated in its maneuverability and concentrated firing capability, was proved to be advantageous in all indices, including newly applied guiding system, controllability and destructive power," KCNA said. Kim "set forth an important policy to be pursued in producing new artillery pieces and equipping army units with them," the news agency added, without elaborating. Pyongyang said in February that it had developed a new control system for a multiple rocket launcher that would lead to a "qualitative change" in its defense capabilities. In May, it said the updated launcher would be "deployed to units of the Korean People's Army as replacement equipment from 2024 to 2026." The Wednesday announcement was made just two days after the North unveiled a "suicide drone" designed to be deliberately crashed into enemy targets, effectively acting as guided missiles. The test-firing came as South Korea and the United States have been carrying out their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military drills with new exercises aimed at containing Pyongyang. The Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, which continue for 11 days through August 29, include both computer-simulated war games and more than 40 kinds of field exercises, including live-fire drills. Seoul and Washington claimed that this year's program is focused on enhancing their readiness against "various North Korean threats," including missiles, GPS jamming and cyberattacks. In recent months, the United States has increased its regional deployment of long-range bombers, submarines and aircraft carrier strike groups to train with South Korean and Japanese forces. The drills have been carried out to trigger a belligerent response from North Korea to justify the presence of extra-regional forces amid Pyongyang's verbal threats of nuclear conflicts against Washington and Seoul. The North Korean leader has repeatedly warned Washington's regional allies against expanding military ties with the US which could cause war to "break out at any time." Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo conducted their first-ever joint drills after US President Joe Biden and his Japanese and South Korean counterparts signed a trilateral security pact at Camp David on August 18, 2023. China, Russia, and North Korea all voiced concern about the US attempts to militarize the Asia-Pacific through an expanding web of security agreements. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The University of Colorado Boulder is mourning the death of junior Jeremiah Park, who was found off campus in the University Hill neighborhood on Friday afternoon. Boulder police responded to an apartment complex on Pleasant Street, less than a mile from campus, around 4:42 p.m. on Aug. 23. The Boulder County Coroner's Office, which will determine the cause and manner of death, said they do not suspect foul play at this time, police said. The university expressed its condolences over Park's death and is offering support through its Office of Counseling and Psychiatric Services, as well as other campus resources. "The CU Boulder community is deeply saddened to confirm the death of CU Boulder student, Jeremiah Park, a rising junior who was found deceased off campus late Friday afternoon," the university released in a statement. The Sigma Nu fraternity, where Park was a member, also mourned his loss, with Executive Director Brad Beacham telling CBS News: "We extend our deepest condolences to the family, the members of Gamma Kappa chapter and all of those affected by this sudden loss. We appreciate the immediate support and care of the university administration and the greater CU Boulder community during this very difficult time. We will continue working with local leaders to provide ongoing support." North Korea orders all students abroad to return home for ideological education The government is worried that the students have been exposed to freedom too long, observers say. By Chin Min Jai for RFA Korean 2024.08.28 -- North Korea has ordered all its students abroad to return home for ideological training - to reverse the outside influence the students have been exposed to while overseas, a North Korean escapee who resettled in South Korea told Radio Free Asia. The escapee, who requested to be identified only by the pseudonym Kim for personal safety, told RFA Korean that he learned of the order from another escapee who recently arrived in South Korea. "He said that he had been studying abroad in Russia. Then the authorities ordered him to return," Kim said. The order came from supreme leader Kim Jong Un in July, his friend said. That prompted Kim's friend to flee Russia for South Korea, he said. It isn't known exactly how many North Korean students are studying in China and Russia, but probably several hundred, according to South Korean media outlet KBS. Many were there since before the pandemic hit in 2020. Apparently officials in Pyongyang are afraid that because they've been out of the country for so long, they may have been influenced by the outside world - that is, they have become used to living in situations where their government is not in complete control of their lives. It had been common practice for students to be ordered to periodically return in small numbers for loyalty classes, but these did not occur during the pandemic, so Pyongyang now wants to send them all for intensive ideological inspections en masse, according to South Korean media. North Korean students in China and Russia experience more freedom than in North Korea, and this has caused many to go into hiding to avoid coming home, said Cho Han-Bum, a researcher at the Seoul-based Korea Institute for National Unification. "These people experienced freedom abroad for a longer period, and because they stayed abroad for a long time, there were many cases in which they violated the rules of the North Korean authorities, whether voluntarily or not," he said. "So, if they return home, there is a greater chance of being punished." The North Korean government is very worried about losing control over the students who have been abroad for many years, Kim Geumhyuk, a former North Korean student in China who fled to South Korea in 2012, told RFA. "Five years is a very long time," he said. "I believe that the North Korean authorities must have a greater fear (of the students) than the students (have of them,) considering that these students have been outside the scope of North Korea's control for five years. So, most of them will have antipathy toward the North Korean system." The authorities are worried that these students could influence society in a way that is detrimental to the current ruling structure, or could share information and facts that the government has tried to keep hidden, he said. Cho predicted that the student recall order could lead to a series of escapes. "Those people who are in China and Russia, such as diplomats, elite students, and workers are more likely to escape from North Korea," he said. "If students who were hiding in Russia receive help, it is likely that they will come to South Korea. Translated by Claire S. Lee. Edited by Eugene Whong. Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content August 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 17th India-Israel Foreign Office Consultations India - Ministry of External Affairs August 28, 2024 The 17th India-Israel Foreign Office Consultations were held in New Delhi on August 28, 2024. The Indian side was led by the Foreign Secretary, Shri Vikram Misri, and the Israeli side was led by the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Yaakov Blitshtein. 2. Reflecting on the strength of the India-Israel Strategic Partnership, both sides discussed various issues of bilateral interest in depth and reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral endeavours. The two sides also shared views on the prevailing situation in West Asia and the Indo-Pacific. 3. Reiterating India's strong and unequivocal condemnation of the October 7 terror attacks on Israel, the Foreign Secretary called for the unconditional and immediate release of all hostages, ceasefire, the need for continued humanitarian assistance, and adherence to international humanitarian law. At the same time, he also shared India's concern at the escalating situation in West Asia and emphasized restraint, dialogue, and diplomacy. New Delhi August 28, 2024 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran will deliver calculated response to Zionist regime: Chief of Staff IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 28, 2024 New York, IRNA -- Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran Major General Mohammad Bagheri has said that Iran will deliver a calculated response to the Israeli regime's assassination last month of a top Palestinian resistance leader in Tehran. Bagheri said on Wednesday that Iran had revived the resistance against occupation in the Muslim world as he was speaking about the ongoing war in Palestine where the Israeli regime has killed more than 40,000 people in Gaza. He said Israel's assassination of former head of the political office of the Hamas resistance movement Ismail Haniyeh was an attempt by the regime to save itself from an existential crisis caused by the war in Gaza. The general said that Israel's dangerous situation has even caused the United States to reconsider its support for the regime. "However, Zionist leaders insist on continuing their crimes because they find themselves in a state of collapse," said Bagheri. 2050**4261 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's top general vows 'calculated' response to Israel's assassination of Hamas leader Iran Press TV Wednesday, 28 August 2024 4:35 PM The chief of staff of Iran's armed forces has reiterated the country's intention to give a "calculated" response to the Israeli assassination of late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Major General Mohammad Baqeri made the remarks on Wednesday in reference to the much-anticipated retaliation for the Israeli assassination of Haniyeh, which occurred in Tehran in late July. Iran and resistance factions in region have vowed to respond to the Israeli attacks after the failure of the UN Security Council to take any action to punish the regime. General Baqeri said the Israeli regime is now in a precarious situation and is ready to commit any act of atrocity following the October 7 attacks by the Hamas resistance movement, as it sees itself on the verge of collapse. "Today we witness the crisis situation in the region following the Al-Aqsa storm and the Zionist regime is worried over its existence and is in dangerous conditions, so it won't spare any criminal move to continue its shameful life." On the US role in the region, General Baqeri said the US power is certainly not comparable to five years ago, as the regime is on the decline and is struggling to restore its power. In his remarks, the general also said Iran's armed forces have a very crucial responsibility to boost military preparedness and they should not waste a second in improving rapid response capabilities, strengthening infrastructures, and increasing the quality of products. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EXPLAINED: Why does Myanmar's junta want to hold elections? The government-in-exile says the vote would be a sham and has vowed to accelerate its offensive. By Joshua Lipes and RFA Burmese 2024.08.28 -- Myanmar's military junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup d'etat from a civilian government, has declared it intends to hold a general election in November 2025. But armed rebel groups and members of the shadow National Unity Government, or NUG - made up of former civilian leaders - are opposed to the vote, which they say would be a sham, allowing the military to legitimize its control over the country. Ever since the coup, the country has been wracked by a civil war, with ethnic armies and rebel groups gaining the upper hand over the past year, pushing the military back on its heels. On Tuesday, the NUG said it would try to speed up its offensive against the military to gain even more territory - where they would boycott elections - and double international outreach efforts. Why does the junta want to hold elections? Facing a series of battlefield defeats and troop surrenders, military leaders are searching for an exit strategy to a civil war that will drag on and that increasingly appears they will not win. Holding elections may be a bid by the junta to create a sense of normalcy and political stability in the country. The military leaders probably are hoping to legitimize their control of Myanmar's government by manipulating the electoral process to ensure that their preferred candidates win, experts say. Doing so would allow them to retain power under the guise of a democratic system. The junta is also hoping that plans to hold an election will ease international pressure and sanctions, and even give the regime international recognition by showing a commitment to the democratic process - regardless of whether the polls are manipulated. Meanwhile, on the ground, the junta's recent enactment of a military draft to shore up troop shortages and formation of a committee to arm communities at the village level appear to be aimed in part at providing security for the would-be polls. Why are Myanmar's armed opposition groups so opposed to such an election? Junta opponents say a history of election fraud under military rule - and the junta's crackdown on any form of dissent - means it is highly unlikely any such election will be free and fair. It would be illegitimate and aimed at securing power for the junta, rather than ushering in a democratic transition, they say. These doubts are bolstered by the junta's exclusionary electoral process that would deny many groups a stake in the country's future. Instead, the rebel groups say they will ratchet up their attacks on junta positions to increase their territory and block elections in areas under their control. Furthermore, the armed opposition says the junta is using the election as a distraction from the ongoing civil war and its human rights abuses. Many groups say they will focus on resisting the junta militarily while advocating for democratic reforms without a ballot. "The military council has planned to hold a fake election as their last resort next year," NUG Prime Minister Mahn Win Khaing Than said Tuesday. "Some countries will support the elections, encouraging the junta to continue the plan by all possible means. With thorough consideration, we need to speed up our offensives and political measures." Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, 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 August not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar junta collecting workers' data for census Shadow government expects junta to try to re-capture lost ground before 2025 election By RFA Burmese 2024.08.28 -- Myanmar junta officials have begun collecting the personal information of workers in industrial zones in preparation for a census and a general election next year, an industry management official said on Wednesday. The military has promised to hold elections since shortly after it ousted an elected government in early 2021, triggering a civil war in which its troops are under growing pressure from pro-democracy fighters and ethnic minority guerrillas. The collection of data at industrial zones in the city of Yangon has raised fears the information could also be used by officials enforcing a hugely unpopular conscription law. "It's so worrying to give out our information at a time like this," said one worker in Yangon's Hlaingtharya township who declined to be identified for safety reasons. "They don't care if you're a woman or man, or your age, to recruit you for the military," said the worker. He said he had given information in 2023 for a smart identification card and workers were now being told they risked losing their jobs if they didn't give personal data. "If we don't want to, they said we can quit," he said. Radio Free Asia tried to call Kyaw Kyaw Lwin, director general of the junta's Workshop and Labor Law Inspection Department, to ask about the data collection but he did not respond. The generals who ousted a government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021 aims to hold a staggered elections by November 2025, with voting likely to be impossible in large areas controlled by insurgents. A census is planned for this October. Those fighting to end military rule including a shadow National Unity Government, or NUG, say an election will be a sham with Suu Kyi, by far Myanmar's most popular politician, locked up along with hundreds of politicians and activists. 'Increase attacks' The NUG prime minister, Mahn Win Khaing Than, told a meeting on Tuesday, the junta was likely to launch new offensives before the election and pro-democracy forces had to go on the attack. "The junta will do whatever they can," he told a meeting of his cabinet."We need to also increase our own attacks as much as possible while preparing politically." The data collection follows a recent junta announcement it was forming neighborhood and village-level supervision groups for "public security" and "anti-terrorist operations" to crack down on insurgent forces. China, India and Thailand have offered to help with the election, hoping it can help end the war in their resource-rich neighbor. An official with a junta industrial zone management committee said workers' personal information must be submitted by Friday. "It's necessary to count the workers and send the lists to our committee, the council told us it was necessary for the census," said the official at the management committee in Hlaingtharya, Yangon's biggest industrial zone. Some 80,000 workers from more than 700 factories in six industrial zones of Hlaingtharya have given their information, a labor activist estimated. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn Copyright 1998-2024, 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 August 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 Pakistan urges Afghan Taliban to address perception as 'ideological cousins of TTP' By Ayaz Gul August 28, 2024 Pakistan urged Afghanistan's Taliban leaders Wednesday to explain their relationship with a globally designated terrorist group waging cross-border bloodshed and address concerns about sweeping restrictions they have imposed on Afghan women. The remarks by Islamabad's special representative to Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, came as the militant group in question a Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP a has intensified deadly attacks on Pakistani soil from its alleged sanctuaries on the Afghan side of the border. The violence has claimed the lives of hundreds of security forces and civilians in recent months, with TTP formally claiming credit for most of them. "The TTP-led terrorism is linked with the Afghanistan problem. Therefore, both countries will need to address the menace of TTP together," Durrani told a seminar in the Pakistani capital. The Taliban "will have to come clean about their image as ideological cousins of TTP. This is the minimum for a durable [bilateral] relationship that [they] can do," he stressed. The Pakistani envoy spoke just hours after the Taliban army chief, Qari Fasihuddin Fitrat, rejected previous allegations that TTP was based on and orchestrating attacks from Afghan soil. "There is no evidence, nor anyone can prove, that TTP is present in Afghanistan," Fitrat told a news conference in the Afghan capital, Kabul. "TTP has bases in Pakistan and controls some areas from which it launches attacks inside Pakistan," Fitrat said without elaborating further. TTP has publicly pledged allegiance to the Taliban leadership. The militant group sheltered Taliban commanders on Pakistani soil and provided recruits to support their insurgent attacks against U.S.-led international forces in Afghanistan for years until their withdrawal three years ago when the Taliban swept back to power. Durrani highlighted on Wednesday that despite the mutual tensions resulting from TTP attacks, his government is assisting landlocked Afghanistan in conducting international trade through Pakistani land routes and seaports to help Kabul address national economic and humanitarian challenges. The United Nations has, in a recent report, described TTP as "the largest terrorist group in Afghanistan." It noted that Taliban authorities are supporting stepped-up TTP attacks against Pakistan, and the militants are being trained, as well as equipped, in al-Qaida-run terror training camps on the Afghan territory, charges Kabul rejected. On Tuesday, the United States reiterated its worries about the growing threat of terrorism in Afghanistan. "We know that we can't turn a blind eye to the threats from organizations such as ISIS-K and that we must keep a relentless focus on counterterrorism," Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder told reporters in Washington, referring to the Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State. "But there are many other terror groups that are resident right now in Afghanistan," Ryder added without elaborating. Curbs on Afghan women Durrani on Wednesday praised the Taliban for establishing national security since their takeover but reiterated concerns about restrictions on Afghan women's access to public life and supported international demands for their reversal. "Many have acknowledged the positive aspects of the changed Afghanistan, including less corruption, a drastic reduction in poppy cultivation, and an improvement in the overall security situation," Durrani said. "[However], there are concerns for girls' education and women's right to work, which no society, whether Islamic or otherwise, should allow to happen." Durrani also noted the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, comprising 57 Muslim-majority countries, had "unequivocally" called on the Taliban to lift the ban on girls' education and their right to work. De facto Afghan leaders have persistently denounced the U.N.-led global criticism of their policies, saying they are governing the country strictly in line with Islamic law, or Shariah, and local customs. The Taliban have barred girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade and women from most public and private sector employment, as well as prohibiting them from making road trips without a male guardian. Last week, the radical rulers enacted new regulations prohibiting women from speaking aloud or showing their faces in public at any time, drawing international outrage. On Monday, Taliban chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid lambasted the U.N. and Western critics of their governance, claiming that the objections of "non-Muslims" stemmed from their "lack of understanding" of Islam. "We view this as disrespect to our Islamic Shariah," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan's internet to remain slow into October, regulator says By Sarah Zaman August 28, 2024 Slow internet speeds that have frustrated Pakistanis for several weeks may persist more than a month while repairs to a faulty submarine internet cable continue, the country's telecom regulator announced Wednesday. Internet speed and connectivity have been spotty across much of Pakistan since at least July, with users increasingly struggling to access popular messaging and social media apps. On Wednesday, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, or PTA, announced that repairs to the faulty cable will likely be completed by early October. The cable in question, SMW-4, is one of two that authorities say needed repairs. "The fault in SMW-4 submarine cable is likely to be repaired by early October 2024. Whereas submarine cable AAE-1 has been repaired which may improve internet experience," the brief statement said. Pakistan relies on seven undersea cables for internet service. The regulator reported problems with the SMW-4 cable in mid-June. Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation Ltd., or PTCL, is the landing party for most of the seven international internet cables, including the two that have experienced technical issues. The Pakistani government holds a majority share in the national telecom carrier. Conflicting statements With public anger mounting, officials have issued a variety of statements to explain the slump in services. Earlier in August, the state minister for information technology, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, blamed increased use of VPNs by Pakistanis for the slowdown nationwide. She rejected the notion that the government was deliberately throttling internet speed. "I can say it under oath that the government of Pakistan did not block the internet or slow it down," Khawaja said at a press briefing in Islamabad on August 18. Later in the month, the PTA chief told lawmakers the faulty submarine cable was to blame, saying it would be repaired by August 28. Meanwhile, the secretary for the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication told a Seate committee hearing the problem with accessing certain app functions was on the end of mobile data providers. Although Wednesday's statement by the PTA referenced two damaged cables, a PTA lawyer told the Islamabad high court this week that a third cable may also be damaged. 'Firewall' Business community and internet service providers blamed the slump in services on the government's efforts to implement a "firewall." Speaking to VOA in late July, Khawaja confirmed that a firewall was being installed. However, the IT minister claimed the tool was meant to strengthen cybersecurity and not to control free speech. Still, after a Senate committee hearing in mid-August, Khawaja told the news media the government was simply upgrading an older "web management system." The junior minister, currently the top IT official, has repeatedly accused the media of blowing the "firewall" issue "out of proportion." According to a source familiar with the implementation of the "firewall," the tool, acquired from China and under installation by the Ministry of Defense since May, is deployed at cable landing stations in Pakistan, the place where the undersea internet data cable meets a country's internet system. The "firewall," also being installed on the servers of major internet providers, has the capability to detect and slow digital communication between individual users. In a statement condemning the "grave consequences of the hastily implemented firewall," the Pakistan Software Houses Association, an industry group of software developers, gaming and IT companies, said slow internet speed has cost the country's fledgling IT industry more than $300 million in losses. "These disruptions are not mere inconveniences but a direct and aggressive assault on the industry viability," the statement released earlier in August said. Another organization, Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan, said users are leaving smaller internet service providers because of poor internet speed. Internet disruptions and implementation of the firewall have been challenged in high courts in Lahore and Islamabad. Prominent Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir filed a petition requesting that the Islamabad High Court seek details of the firewall's scope and purpose. He said access to the internet is a fundamental right for the purpose of livelihood. Expressing frustration with authorities' "conflicting responses" this week, the court's top judge demanded a detailed report on the reasons for connectivity disruptions. The next hearing is scheduled for September 3. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China vows to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan By Iftikhar Hussain August 28, 2024 China pledged support for Pakistan's anti-terrorism campaign after Baloch insurgents, with a history of opposing Chinese investments in the region, carried out a series of attacks in the southwestern Baluchistan province Monday. More than 40 civilians and military personnel were killed. The military reported killing more than 20 attackers. The province is home to China-funded mega projects, including the strategic deep-water port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea. Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, condemned the latest attacks. "China stands prepared to strengthen counterterrorism and security cooperation with Pakistan in order to maintain peace and security in the region," Lin said during a Tuesday briefing in Beijing. The insurgent group, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), claimed responsibility for the attacks. The multiple attacks in the resource-rich but impoverished Baluchistan province coincided with a trip to Pakistan by Li Qiaoming, the Chinese commander of the People's Liberation Army ground forces, who met with Pakistan's army chief General Syed Asim Munir. "The meeting afforded an opportunity for in-depth discussions on matters of mutual interest, regional security, military training, and measures to further augment bilateral defense cooperation," said a press release issued by the Pakistani army. Baloch separatist groups have strongly opposed the China-Pakistan alliance in Baluchistan, launching their third major secession campaign since 2006. They have targeted Chinese interests within and beyond the province. No Chinese were targeted in the latest attacks. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told his Cabinet the attacks aimed to disrupt a multibillion-dollar set of projects in the province known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said in a statement, "these attacks are a well-thought-out plan to create anarchy in Pakistan." Growing violence in cash-strapped Pakistan, especially attacks targeting Chinese nationals and interests, have been a concern for Beijing. Pakistan has been facing a prolonged debt crisis and has put all its eggs in China's basket. Beijing had invested around $26 billion in Pakistan under CPEC, said Donald Lu, the U.S. State Department's assistant secretary for South and Central Asian affairs, during a congressional hearing last month "The recent attacks have apparently worried China, but what we see is that China kept pressuring Pakistan in the wake of [a past] attack, instead of helping it out in its fight against militancy," Pakistani analyst Murad Ali told VOA. He was referring to an attack by an Afghan citizen in March that killed five Chinese engineers. "These attacks are particularly troubling for China, which has invested heavily in CPEC. The government is not doing enough to stop the violence," Abdullah Khan, an Islamabad-based security expert, told VOA. Last month, weeks-long violent demonstrations in Pakistan's Gwadar port city aggravated concerns about the country's security situation and its impact on the Chinese projects in the province. China called on Pakistan in March to eliminate security risks to its nationals following the suicide attack that killed five Chinese engineers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan's northwestern volatile province. Following that attack, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian asked Pakistan at a news conference "to conduct speedy and thorough investigations into the attack, step up security with concrete measures, completely eliminate security risks, and do everything possible to ensure the utmost safety of Chinese personnel, institutions, and projects in Pakistan." Speaking in Islamabad in October Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong said CPEC had brought more than $25 billion in direct investments to Pakistan, created 155,000 jobs, and built 510 kilometers (316.8 miles) of expressways, 8,000 megawatts of electricity, and 886 kilometers (550.5 miles) of core transmission grids in Pakistan. This story originated in VOA's Deewa Service. Ihsan Muhammad Khan and Malik Waqar Ahmed contributed to the story from Pakistan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Why Did Telegram's CEO Durov Have a Target on His Back? Sputnik News Svetlana Ekimenko 20240826 Pavel Durov, the Russian-born co-founder of the Telegram encrypted messaging app, was arrested at Paris's Bourget airport where his private jet touched down on Saturday. The tycoon is accused of ostensibly enabling criminal activities through insufficient moderation of the platform, and is to appear in court as a French citizen. Pavel Durov faces multiple charges relating to the encrypted platform's lack of moderation, according to French media reports. Authorities claim this implicates the Russian-born IT entrepreneur and co-founder of the Telegram social network in the sharing of content related to terrorism, drug trafficking, fraud, and money laundering. Accused of failing to cooperate with French police, the billionaire who has French and United Arab Emirates citizenship is believed to be facing a 20-year jail term. The US government wanted to get its hands on Telegram's code to infiltrate the system and spy on its users, Durov speculated back in an April interview with ex-Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson. The entrepreneur claimed that he had been pressured to allow a "backdoor" in the app for Western intelligence, but he refused, maintaining that Telegram should not be a "player in geopolitics." Why did Durov have a target on his back? The West wanted to hack Telegram's encrypted messaging platform to surveil online activity and censor free speech, former CIA analyst Larry Johnson told Sputnik. Snooping on dissident views voiced on the platform would enable the West to shut down criticism of its foreign policy in NATO's ongoing proxy war in Ukraine and Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza, Johnson stated. Excessive charges were drummed up against Durov to strike fear in social networks that fail to cave to censorship pressure, Jacques Sapir, director of studies at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS) in Paris, told Sputnik. Durov's arrest is part of a broader crackdown on truth-seekers and freedom of speech in the West, Hong Kong-based political analyst Angelo Giuliano told Sputnik. He suggested that a deal might be sought with Telegram by French authorities, using Durov as "leverage". Durov's arrest was part of an attempt by WhatsApp's to elbow out a competitor, Valentin Makarov, president of the Russoft association told Sputnik. People have been switching from the American-owned messaging app to Telegram, he noted, which hosts chat groups of up to 200,000 people, and uses end-to-end encryption to protect users' messages. The real purpose of Durov's arrest is to blackmail him "into opening a backdoor to Telegram in exchange for his freedom," investigative journalist Lucy Komisar pointed out to Sputnik. Durov's arrest spells broader implications amid "an attempt to tighten control of the platforms of the Internet that allow views that challenge the collective West," she added. Days after he endorsed former President Donald Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr went on X to slam Durov's arrest as an attack on free speech on social media ahead of the November US presidential elections. US whistleblower Edward Snowden condemned Durov's arrest as "an assault on the basic human rights of speech and association." He said in a post on X that French President Emmanuel Macron had "descended to the level of taking hostages as a means for gaining access to private communications." Italy's right-wing Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini went on social media to post that Europe was "now under censorship," and wondered who would be next in line to be gagged, speculating that it might be Elon Musk. Arrest of Pavel Durov was a "test run" to set a precedent and then target Elon Musk, Naomi Seibt, a German conservative political activist, alleged on X. Durov is to serve as a warning to any platform owner "who refuses to censor the truth at the behest of governments and intel agencies," according to Tucker Carlson. Durov has been arrested because the West is losing control over its ability "to justify war in a faraway land," Candace Owens, an African American conservative television presenter, tweeted. Durov is facing up to 20 years in jail "for refusing to censor content on behalf of the globalist oligarchy and their war machine," Italian film producer, Robin Monotti, remarked on X. Kim Dotcom, an X conservative influencer, warned that "the crackdown against free speech escalates." Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski wrote that "France has threatened Rumble, and now they have crossed a red line by arresting Telegram's CEO, Pavel Durov, reportedly for not censoring speech." The Telegram team issued a statement on Sunday that it was unjustified to blame the platform or its owners for any abuses that may have taken place on it. "It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform," the statement published on the official Telegram channel said. It added that Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act a its moderation is within industry standards. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during his meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Republic of Yemen Shaya Mohsin Zindani, Moscow, August 27, 2024 27 August 2024 13:15 1577-27-08-2024 Friends, welcome to Moscow. Following up on the message I sent you, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you in person on your appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates in March 2024. I am certain that your extensive experience and expertise in diplomacy and international politics will help us overcome present-day challenges and strengthen your country's international standing in the interests of the people of Yemen. In November 2023, we marked 95 years since our two countries established diplomatic ties. Throughout this time, a strong friendship and mutual sympathy between the people of our two countries have provided a solid foundation for our bilateral ties. The Soviet Union went to great lengths to offer socioeconomic, technical and humanitarian assistance, especially to the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, even calling it sometimes the USSR's 16th republic. Since the early 1990s, modern-day Russia has continued this tradition of friendship, staying on course and seeking to further strengthen our cooperation with the united Republic of Yemen. Today, we will discuss the bilateral agenda. Despite the crisis, which has been going on for ten years now, we have been able to move forward and achieve progress on trade and economic matters. Of course, we will also discuss the situation in your region. We will talk about continuing, doubling or even tripling our efforts to overcome the ongoing crisis in the Republic of Yemen, restore the country's unity and create a sound environment for its development in the interests of the people of Yemen. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions following talks with Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Shaya al-Zindani, Moscow, August 27, 2024 27 August 2024 18:00 1579-27-08-2024 Ladies and gentlemen, Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr Shaya al-Zindani and I have held substantive and useful talks. We covered nearly all key areas of focus, as well as current and future promising aspects of the traditionally friendly Russia-Yemen relations. We reiterated the fact that these relations are grounded in principles of equality, mutual respect, and a balanced approach to each other's interests. In November 2023, we marked the 95th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries when we signed a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. Despite the many challenges currently facing both Russia and Yemen, the principles laid out in that foundational document have so far allowed us to expand broad-based and multifaceted cooperation, which makes strides across various areas. We highlighted steady progress in mutual trade. Following the visit to Moscow by Prime Minister of Yemen Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak in February 2024, steps were taken to reinforce the upward trend in bilateral trade. In 2023, our trade almost doubled, and this momentum has remained unchanged in the first half of 2024. This reflects the strong interest of both nations' business communities in expanding trade and investment ties, especially in the context of the ongoing stabilisation of the socioeconomic situation in Yemen. We agreed to resume the activities of the bilateral intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, and scientific and technical cooperation. The commission's co-chairs will meet in Moscow in the latter half of September. We anticipate a full-on plenary session of this important intergovernmental body to take place before the year runs out. We also discussed maintaining contacts between our respective military departments, which have a long and positive track record. Most of the officers currently serving in Yemen's armed forces and other security agencies received training in the Soviet Union or the Russian Federation. Tens of thousands of specialists in civilian fields were trained in our country as well, and are now working for the benefit of Yemen's economy and various industries. In response to a widespread interest shown by Yemenis in studying in Russia, we have decided to increase the number of scholarships awarded annually. Currently, 140 scholarships are available. Starting with the 2024-2025 academic year, an additional 30 scholarships will be provided. We plan to continue increasing the number of scholarships for our Yemeni friends in the coming years. We addressed the military-political situation in and around the Republic of Yemen. The devastating conflict has been ongoing for nearly a decade now, leaving Yemen divided. Today, we reaffirmed our commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at achieving national reconciliation. We had high hopes for the mediation efforts by Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman. Regrettably, these efforts were interrupted by a series of events that followed October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israeli civilians. Back then, we all denounced this terrorist attack and unanimously rejected the legitimacy of the subsequent response, which amounted to collective punishment of the Palestinian people, regardless of gender or age which constitutes a flagrant violation, just like any act of terror. Collective punishment is a breach of international humanitarian law. The ongoing situation in the Gaza Strip continues to provoke widespread outrage globally and has triggered retaliatory actions from various groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and several groups in Iraq, including Ansar Allah, which controls Sana'a and a significant portion of the Yemeni territory. Ansar Allah has announced that in response to Israel's actions in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, a special regime will be imposed to prevent ships carrying goods for Israel from passing through. We believe such actions pose serious threats to maritime security. While we support efforts to ensure maritime safety, we cannot agree with what the United States and the United Kingdom are doing as they grossly distort the UN Security Council resolution. Under the guise of ensuring maritime safety, they have launched a military operation against Yemen and launched missile and bomb strikes on Yemeni territory, further aggravating the situation. We want everyone to sit down and talk and would welcome the resumption of mediation efforts by Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Yemen, Mr Hans Grundberg, in order to steer the situation back to a political and diplomatic course. I mentioned the Gaza Strip crisis earlier. Our approaches overlap in this regard. The violence must stop immediately, and efforts to address pressing humanitarian issues must be doubled, tripled, or even decupled. Meanwhile, while addressing the current matters of restoring normalcy, we must not forget about the deep-running issues in the region, particularly the unresolved issue of establishing a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, which would coexist in peace and security with Israel, as mandated by numerous UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. We are grateful to Yemen for understanding what's going on in Ukraine and for its balanced and measured stance on this matter. We, in turn, remain committed to our well-known approaches that President Putin consistently reaffirms. These approaches stress the importance of restoring justice and ensuring the rights enshrined in the UN Charter for all residents of these territories regardless of race, gender, language, or religion. This is the root of all problems. The junta that came to power in Ukraine in February 2014 with the direct support from Western countries declared an outright war on the Russian language and everything that is Russian. If there are people out there who do not understand what the Russian people, Orthodox believers who practice their faith in canonical churches, think about this, it will be difficult for them to understand what's going on and to resist the temptation to say the same thing over and over again: there's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and nothing else matters. The UN Charter includes many other obligations that have been torn up by the Kiev regime and its handlers. One such obligation is to protect human rights, and another is to respect the right of nations to self-determination. Overall, we had a productive discussion. We agreed to continue coordinating our steps at the UN, and we will do so. I appreciate the Minister's visit. Question: How would you comment Ukraine's demands as set forth in The Guardian? They seek the green light to use the Storm Shadow missiles to target Moscow and St Petersburg as a way to force Moscow to negotiate. Sergey Lavrov: This is blackmail, an attempt to pretend that the West seeks to avoid any excessive escalation. In reality, they are full of mischief. Avoiding escalation is not what the West is after. To put it into plain language, they are simply picking a fight. I think that this has become obvious to everyone. I have recently cited John Kirby, who is the White House National Security Communications Advisor. A couple of months ago, he said that escalation would be dangerous, since it would be extremely ill-advised to let the situation slide into a world war and that Europe would be the one to suffer in the process. Recently, John Kirby said this again. For Americans, any talk about the third world war comes down to something that would affect Europe alone, and God forbid if it ever happened. This is quite telling, since this idea reflects the mindset of the American planners and geostrategy experts who believe that they can simply sit the whole thing out. I think that it is important to understand in this situation that we have our own doctrine, including the one governing the use of nuclear weapons. An effort to update it is underway. Moreover, these Americans are well aware of the provisions it sets forth. This fact transpires from the Freudian slips they make when they say that having a third world war would be a bad thing because they do not want Europe to suffer. This is what this American mindset comes down to. They have a mindset of a master sitting somewhere out there overseas and believing to be totally safe and secure, thinking that not only Ukrainians, but also, as it turns out, Europeans would be willing to do the dirty work and die for them. We have long been hearing speculation about authorising Ukraine to use not only the Storm Shadow missiles, but also US-made long-range missiles. There was an anonymous source in Washington who said that they were working on it. This source purported that their overall view of Ukraine's request is quite positive. I will stop at that. President Vladimir Putin said all about it quite a while ago. Now, all we can do is confirm once again that playing with fire is a dangerous thing for the men and women in charge of nuclear weapons across the Western world, but they are playing with matches as if they never grew up. Question: What is your assessment of the situation surrounding the detention in France of Pavel Durov, the Telegram founder? Has Paris responded to the Russian note in any way? Could an eventual agreement by Pavel Durov to cooperate with the French investigative authorities prompt the Foreign Ministry to stop using this social media platform? How would this affect Moscow's relations with Paris? Sergey Lavrov: Let me begin with the last part of your question. The relations between Moscow and Paris are at their all-time low, which is attributable, among other things, to France's position on the freedom of speech and spreading information in general, as well as respecting journalisms as a profession. Long before the current events, I mean many years ago when the Ukraine crisis had yet to break out in the open, we took issue with the fact that the French authorities denied accreditation to RT and Sputnik. We reached out to the corresponding services within the Elysee Palace on multiple occasions and made sure that Emmanuel Macron's aides hear our concerns. However, they remained inflexible on this matter and kept saying that RT and Sputnik were state-run propaganda mouthpieces rather than media outlets. This is only one of the things defining the way our French colleagues treat the freedom of speech and the media. Moreover, in 1990, when the so-called end of history, to use Francis Fukuyama's expression, happened, it was France which initiated the adoption by the OSCE of a special declaration containing a solemn promise to ensure and totally guarantee free access to any information for the media on their territory, as well as in other OSCE member states. This was set forth in the Charter of Paris for a New Europe. As long as the USSR was breaking apart, while the Russian Federation found itself in a state in which is existed in the early and mid-1990s, the West insisted that what they presented as a sacrosanct commitment be honoured, primarily by our country. As time passed, we came back to our roots and restored our national identity, came back to where we came from and started to assert our own interests on the international stage. This is when the West started diverting from this very commitment. Today, we are the only ones within the OSCE to remind others about our shared commitment to ensure access to information both within and outside our countries. All the others have adopted all these laws and guidelines and now accuse Pavel Durov of failing to comply with one of them. Meanwhile, a Belgian company tasked with overseeing compliance with this law within the European Union has been saying that it has not voiced any complaints in this regard. This goes to say that there are a lot of weird things here. We have known the way France treats the freedom of speech for quite a while now. As I have already said, our relations have hit rock bottom, and this was not our fault. Emmanuel Macron has been the leading voice both within NATO and the European Union when it comes to calling for tightening their policies regarding Russia, delivering more military aid to Ukraine and ensuring that Vladimir Zelensky's Nazi regime wins on the battlefield. You can see that. There is nothing to add here. As for specific actions on our behalf. They are reviewing our diplomatic note and we are waiting for their answer. You probably know that the United Arab Emirates are also working along the same lines. They also have a group of lawyers who have requested immediate access to Pavel Durov. Now to your question about using this platform. It offers a solution that is both convenient and secure. If anyone had any doubts, at least now that they have clearly taken a cue from someone to detain Pavel Durov and are threatening to severely punish him in the hope of getting the encryption keys, by acting this way the French have proven that Telegram is actually a reliable and popular social media platform. There was a time when we had our own grievances with Telegram. But this was a strictly legal matter. The law guided us in our efforts and we were able to resolve these issues. This was never a matter of infringing upon Pavel Durov's freedom or the freedom of his team. Moreover, he said many times that he would not compromise the principles that underlie Telegram's operation. Question: Regarding the situation in the Middle East, could you please share your thoughts on it? Is there a chance that the parties will agree on a ceasefire any time soon? Sergey Lavrov: The minister and I have provided our assessments and comments on this issue. One gets a strong impression that not everyone needs a ceasefire. Moreover, some participants of this process badly need to keep hostilities going and forcefully maintain the situation as it is in anticipation of changes in the global political landscape. They outright mention the US elections, meaning that the Israeli leaders are waiting for news from Washington to come in early November in hope that this news will alleviate international pressure on Israel in favour of ending the harrowing operation in Gaza, which violates international humanitarian law and has claimed over 40,000 civilian lives, more than half of whom are women, children, and the elderly. I have cited the statistics earlier, and I wouldn't want them to be forgotten. This happened within 10 months - 40,000 people died. In ten years of the Ukraine crisis that followed the coup, half as many civilians were impacted on both sides in Donbass. Compare 10 years to 10 months. To reiterate, like all other countries, we condemned the terrorist attack of October 7, 2023. However, using collective punishment as retribution is an illegal thing to do. It violates every principle of international humanitarian law. Statements made by Israeli military leaders after the start of this operation to the effect that "there are no civilians there" are particularly distressing and outrageous. Allegedly, everyone in Gaza aged three and up is a terrorist. This is a dangerous line of thinking. More than anyone, our Israeli partners should know better than to make statements of that kind, which smack of a completely different ideology, one that causes suffering to Jews themselves. Question: On an earlier occasion, President Zelensky stated in an interview with Indian media that he would like to hold the second summit on peaceful settlement in Ukraine in a country from the Global South. Would Russia participate in it if it were indeed held in a Global South country? Sergey Lavrov: The next summit implies continuing an initiative of sorts, but there is only one "initiative" there. It started out as the "Copenhagen format" and morphed into the "Burgenstock conference." However, all these processes rely on an absolutely bleak non-starter "peace formula" proposed by Zelensky. Only dreamers in Kiev and the West can expect Russia to fall for any of the functions promoting this "formula" as the only viable solution. It is about a game, nothing else. They want to put us in a situation where we jump at something that Zelensky finds suitable. President Putin has repeatedly said that negotiations where no one imposes ultimatums on anyone are the way forward. It was the case in February 2014, when Viktor Yanukovich, then President of Ukraine, came to terms with the opposition (under the guarantees provided by France, Germany, and Poland) to create a government of national unity and hold nationwide elections. The next day, this honest deal was shattered by the opposition incited by the United States and other Western countries, which instantly recognised the results of the bloody unconstitutional coup. Had they fulfilled this agreement, Ukraine would now be within the 1991 borders, including Crimea. That was followed by an agreement in Minsk in February 2015 that was approved by the UN Security Council. You know how the President of Ukraine Petr Poroshenko, former Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel and then French President Francois Hollande admitted that none of them intended to comply with the UN Security Council resolution. They needed to gain some time. Honest talks were held in Minsk, where presidents and the chancellor discussed and negotiated things for long 17 hours. It was a balance of interests, but they chose not to act on it. Now it's clear why. By the same token, in Istanbul, they refused to fulfill the initialed agreement, because neither putschists in February 2014, nor Petr Poroshenko in February 2015, nor Vladimir Zelensky in April 2022 needed an honest agreement. All they needed was a piece of paper with an ultimatum on it. Not all Ukrainians are naive. They were fully aware of the fact that an ultimatum these days, especially with Russia, is an utterly senseless proposition. However, the calculus relied on the Anglo-Saxons and all kinds of Borrells in Brussels, Ursula von der Leyens and Macrons from Paris telling them in unison that Ukraine must defeat Russia on the battlefield, and they were doing their best to make it happen. That is, the West is deterring Ukraine from engaging in regular talks based on the universally accepted principles and is doing everything to have Ukraine continue the escalation (as they call it) in hopes, we are getting increasingly suspicious of that, that we will lose our cool and do something that will allow the West to "change the chessboard." It won't work. We will fulfil our goals and do so just like President Putin said, in a way that will meet our interests in the best way: first, save our people and, second, protect the people whom the Nazi regime in Kiev declared terrorists and deprived them of basic rights, including the right to their own religion, faith, language, and much more. They will not be able to provoke us. All these "burgenstocks" and "peace formulas" are the work of the devil. If the West (this is not about Zelensky) is truly interested in normalising the situation in Europe, which is making the Europeans themselves groan and suffer, we should sit down for talks without clutching pieces of paper that read "Zelensky's formula" and start having candid talks. The President of Russia confirmed that we were ready for this. I just cited three examples of us supporting such talks. Now that they have lied three times, who will trust them? But let's see. They must draw their own conclusions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's talks with Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Shaya Mohsen Al-Zindani 27 August 2024 18:15 1580-27-08-2024 On August 27, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs of the Republic of Yemen Shaya Mohsen Al-Zindani, who is in Moscow on a working visit. The heads of the foreign ministries confirmed their mutual commitment to further strengthening of traditionally friendly Russian-Yemeni relations. They stressed the importance of efforts to maintain regular political dialogue, as well as to continue close coordination of their positions at the United Nations and other international platforms. In a positive vein, they noted the persistence of a steady positive dynamics of bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Sergey Lavrov and Shaya Mohsen Al-Zindani had an in-depth exchange of views on the situation in and around Yemen. They emphasised that the Yemeni crisis can only be settled by political and diplomatic means through creating favourable conditions for an early launch of a full-fledged inter-Yemeni national dialogue under the auspices of the United Nations. The ministers paid special attention to the situation unfolding in the area of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, as well as its negative impact on the situation in and around Yemen. They reaffirmed their mutual commitment to ensuring the safety of international navigation, with the Russian side pointing out that this task should be addressed through diplomacy alongside the intensification of collective efforts aimed at early de-escalation of the situation in the area of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In this context, Russia and Yemen strongly advocate the adoption of urgent measures for a sustainable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the delivery of required humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, as well as the efforts to provide necessary practical conditions for a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian problem on the available international legal basis. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Comment by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28.08.2024 We have received a response from Russia but it does not provide a constructive answer to our proposal for a joint survey of the fairway. I would like to recall that Estonia proposed a joint survey of the fairway on the Narva River because the borderline between Estonia and Russia runs along the fairway. In its reply, Russia set the ratification of the border treaty as a precondition for a discussion over the survey of the fairway, which is not relevant or in any way related to the incident organised by Russia on the Narva River in May. Russia must not cross the borderline and arbitrarily remove Estonia's border buoys from Estonian waters regardless of the state of the ratification of the border treaty. We would like to recall that with its aggression in Ukraine, Russia is violating all its international commitments, including the UN charter; therefore, signing or ratifying any agreements with Russia in light of the ongoing aggression is not appropriate. Nevertheless, we consider it important to have a balanced and constructive resolution to the situation arising from the removal of the border buoys, and we consider Estonia's initial proposal for a joint survey on the Narva River justified, in order to determine the precise route of the fairway, which may have changed over decades due to natural conditions. Estonia remains in close contacts with its Allies and partners and is considering how to proceed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Telephone conversation with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. August 28, 2024 12:22 The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the successful outcome of the recent state visit that the President of Russia made to Azerbaijan. They noted that consistent implementation of the agreements reached during the visit would further promote the alliance and partnership between Russia and Azerbaijan. They continued to discuss various aspects of the current situation in the South Caucasus, including the drafting of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia, border delimitation and demarcation, and the unblocking of transport lines between the two states. In this connection, the Russian side reaffirmed its readiness to provide all possible assistance to Baku and Yerevan in working out mutually acceptable solutions. The presidents agreed to maintain personal contacts. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia-French ties hit rock bottom following Telegram CEO's arrest: Moscow Iran Press TV Wednesday, 28 August 2024 8:31 AM Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the country's relations with France have reached their lowest level since Paris's arrest without charge of the Telegram messaging application's CEO. Lavrov made the remarks on Tuesday concerning Pavel Durov's apprehension that took place near the French capital over the weekend as part of what was described as an "investigation." He denounced Paris for its stance "on the issues of freedom of speech, freedom of dissemination of information and, in general, on the issues of respect for the profession of journalists." The top diplomat also revealed that Durov had been "threatened with terrible punishment, apparently with the aim of gaining access to the [application's] encryption codes." The detention took place "on someone's advice," Lavrov, meanwhile, noted, echoing remarks made by other Russian officials. Earlier, Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of Russia's State Duma, the lower house of parliament, said the United States was attempting to exert control over Telegram through France. "Telegram is one of the few and at the same time the largest Internet platforms over which the United States has no influence," Volodin said in a post. "On the eve of the US presidential election, it is important for [President Joe] Biden to take Telegram under control," he added. Also on Tuesday, the Kremlin said Durov's arrest "will be a direct attempt to limit freedom of communication" unless Paris provided serious evidence against him. Telegram enjoys close to one billion users across the world, priding itself on the well-protected communion and free speech platform that it provides. Durov's detention has sparked controversy regarding double standards exercised towards the issue of free speech by Western countries, which have failed to subject Telegram to the same surveillance that they have imposed on other platforms. Speculation is also rife that the action taken against the tech mogul may be linked to the platform's coverage of alternative perspectives and the Israeli regime's ongoing war of genocide against the Gaza Strip. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Head Of Telegram Messaging App Indicted In France, Barred From Leaving Country By RFE/RL August 28, 2024 Telegram chief Pavel Durov has been indicted on charges of failing to curb extremist and illegal content on the popular messaging app and placed under judicial supervision, the Paris prosecutor's office said on August 28. Durov is required to report to the police station twice a week and is prohibited from leaving France, the prosecutor's office said in a statement posted on X. Investigative judges in Paris also ordered the Russian-born co-founder and CEO of Telegram to pay 5 million euros bail. Durov was detained at Le Bourget airport outside Paris on August 24 and held for questioning. According to French media reports, this was done at the request of a special unit within France's Interior Ministry in charge of investigating crimes against minors. The allegations against Durov include that his platform is being used for child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking, and that Telegram refused to share information or documents with investigators as required by law. The first preliminary charge against him is for "complicity in managing an online platform to allow illicit transactions by an organized group,'' a crime that can lead to sentences of up to 10 years in prison and a 500,000 euro fine, the prosecutor's office said. Preliminary charges under French law mean magistrates have strong reason to believe a crime was committed but allow more time for further investigation. Telegram said in a statement on August 25 that Durov had nothing to hide, adding it was absurd to hold an owner responsible for the abuse of the messaging and social media platform. His lawyer, David-Olivier Kaminski, echoed that statement after the preliminary charges were announced on August 28. "It is totally absurd to think that the head of a social network...could be involved in criminal acts" that could be committed on the messaging service, Kaminski said, adding that Telegram "complies in all respects with European rules concerning digital technology." In addition to Russian and French citizenships, Durov holds passports from the United Arab Emirates and the Caribbean island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis. The U.A.E. Foreign Ministry said it was "closely following the case" and had asked France to provide Durov "with all the necessary consular services in an urgent manner." In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on August 27 that the allegations against Durov were "very serious" and that "they require evidence that is just as serious" to erase the suspicions of many that the billionaire's arrest was politically motivated. Without substantial evidence, "we are witnessing a direct attempt to restrict freedom of communication and, one might even say, direct intimidation of the head of a large company," Peskov said. French President Emmanuel Macron has tried to allay such suspicion, saying on August 26 that Durov's arrest was solely part of an independent investigation. In a post on X, Macron said France is "deeply committed" to freedom of expression but that "freedoms are upheld within a legal framework, both on social media and in real life, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights." Telegram was founded by Durov and his brother in 2013 in the wake of the Russian government's crackdown after mass pro-democracy protests that rocked Moscow in 2011 and 2012. One of its main advantages is the encryption of communications and the anonymity of users. In groups, the user's phone number is not visible. In his first major interview in seven years, which he gave to U.S. conservative media figure Tucker Carlson on April 17, Durov vowed that Telegram aims to be a "neutral platform" and not a "player in geopolitics." Critics in Ukraine, however, say it spreads misinformation and facilitates illegal actions. Some accuse Telegram of having ties to the Russian state and of contributing to its war effort. Telegram, based in Dubai, boasts more than 900 million users, the majority of them in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet republics, and is the third-largest communication platform worldwide after WhatsApp and Messenger. But Telegram has proved to be a powerful tool in spreading disinformation. A 2023 investigative journalism report found it to be the largest platform for disinformation in Central and Eastern Europe. In 2022 it ran it afoul of authorities in Germany, who issued fines of 5.1 million euros ($5 million) against the operators of Telegram for failing to comply with German law. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/french-prosecutors- face-deadline-on-next-move-in-durov-case/33096636.html Copyright (c) 2024. 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 Selenga 2024 joint Russian-Mongolian military exercise concludes in Mongolia 28.08.2024 The Selenga 2024 joint Russian-Mongolian military exercise was concluded in Mongolia. The closing ceremony of the exercise took place at a field camp near the town of Choibalsan. Acting Commander of the Eastern Military District Lieutenant General Mikhail Nosulev and Chief of General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces Major General Sunreviin Ganbyamba took part in the ceremonial events and awarded military personnel who distinguished themselves during the exercise with departmental insignia of the two countries' defence ministries and valuable gifts. The commanders of the units participating in the joint exercise lowered the flag with the Selenga 2024 emblem to signify its completion. I would like to point out the coordinated work of the officers of the Mongolian and Russian staffs. The units of our countries showed high professional training and combat coherence of the personnel,' Acting Commander of the Eastern Military District Lieutenant General Mikhail Nosulev said in his welcoming address to the participants of the exercise. Then units of the Eastern Military District and the Armed Forces of Mongolia taking part in the manoeuvres marched solemnly in front of the exercise leadership podium. The event ended with a concert performance on the stage of the field camp by Russian artists from the Republic of Buryatia. The Selenga joint Russian-Mongol military exercise is aimed at fighting international terrorism. Every year, various episodes of tactical actions are trained and new techniques of modern warfare are practised. This year, units of the Ground Forces, Aerospace Forces, and Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation as well as units of the Armed Forces of Mongolia consisting of up to 700 men and about 200 units of special military equipment were involved in the exercise. Press Service of the Eastern Military District NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Assad regime must end its subjugation of the Syrian people: UK statement at the UN Security Council Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria. 28 August 2024 First, this month we have seen yet another series of attacks by Iranian-backed militia groups against Coalition forces in Syria. Malign actors continue to seek to capitalise on the instability to secure their influence and in turn destabilise the region. Violence by regime forces, backed by Iran, against the Syrian Democratic Forces along the Euphrates River risks further destabilising a country already marred by conflict. This instability will continue to play out across the borders in Lebanon and in Iraq. Second, a number of anniversaries this month have been a stark reminder of the devastating impact of the conflict on the lives of Syrians. It is 11 years since the Assad regime used chemical weapons to kill over 1,400 people in Ghouta. A decade has passed since Daesh began committing genocide against the Yazidis. I want to highlight the plight of missing Yazidi women and of the families that have been torn apart by these horrendous acts. As we mark the International Day of the Disappeared, we recall that forcibly disappeared persons account for around five percent of the total Syrian population. All parties must engage in good faith as the Independent Institution on Missing Persons is established to clarify the fate of the missing. Third, President, despite the deep trauma of these horrific crimes, the Syrian people have continued to demonstrate bravery and resolve in demanding freedom and democratic rights. There has now been a year of protests in Sweida standing up to and demanding change from the Assad regime. The demonstrations serve as a dramatic testimony to the unresolved issues that first drove people to the streets in 2011. We continue to call on the Assad regime to realise the protestors' demands for political, civil, and human rights. And to end the systematic subjugation of Syrians fairly seeking freedom, democracy and change. President, ultimately it is within the Assad regime's gift to implement UNSCR 2254. This offers a pathway out of conflict that would protect the rights of all Syrians. The United Kingdom honours the perseverance of those bravely seeking truth, justice, freedom and stability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Security Council: A sustainable future for Syria depends on ending the war By Vibhu Mishra 28 August 2024 - Senior UN officials warned the Security Council on Wednesday that the world cannot afford to lose focus on Syria, as the humanitarian and political crisis continues to wreak havoc on the country more than a decade after civil war erupted. Displacement remains staggeringly high, with over six million Syrians languishing as refugees or asylum-seekers outside the country's borders and more than seven million displaced internally. Across the country, nearly 17 million people - more than 70 percent of the population - now require humanitarian assistance and protection, with women and children particularly affected. Adding to the suffering, Syria is still grappling with the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquakes in February 2023, which inflicted severe human and material damage. Record levels of need Joyce Msuya, acting UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, told ambassadors there was an urgent need for increased resources, with the scale of humanitarian suffering reaching unprecedented levels. She called for a surge in investment to aid early recovery projects and help rebuild livelihoods, reduce dependency on aid, and address the displacement crisis. "The key to a sustainable solution is a definitive end to the conflict," she stressed, highlighting the need of addressing regional insecurity against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza. Gaza fallout Geir Pedersen, UN Special Envoy for Syria, noted the escalating tensions across the Middle East, citing recent violence in the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan, Beirut, Tehran, and strikes between Hezbollah and Israel across the Lebanon border. He pointed out that Syria has not been spared from this escalation, referencing Israeli airstrikes in Homs, Hama, and Deraa that resulted in civilian casualties, including children. US military positions in northeast Syria were also targeted in attacks that the US attributed to Iran-backed groups. "We must redouble our efforts towards regional de-escalation in the interest of long-term peace and stability for all - including with an urgent ceasefire in Gaza, a return to calm in Lebanon and across the Blue Line, and wider regional de-escalation," Mr. Pedersen stressed. Resolution is key "That same de-escalation is needed in the Syrian conflict itself," he continued, noting concerns over flareups of fighting in the country. For his part, he remained focused on advancing a UN-facilitated intra-Syrian political process that adheres to Security Council resolution 2254, he said. It included engaging with various Syrian groups, such as the Syrian Negotiations Commission, the Syrian Government, women, youth and civil society. "My message on the immediate priorities remains consistent," Mr. Pedersen added, outlining the urgent need for de-escalation in the region and in Syria, confidence-building measures, and helping prepare the ground for a new and comprehensive approach to resolving the conflict. Tough challenge Mr. Pedersen acknowledged that resolving the conflict will be complex and challenging, emphasizing that it is vital not to view it as insurmountable. "It would be a mistake to conclude that it is impossible, that the conflict can only be managed and not resolved." He stressed the need for unified political will inside Syria and more international cooperation to resolve the crisis. "I of course realize that geopolitical alignments on Syria remain challenging," he said, "but there is a way forward. I hope I can count on your collective support for that approach in the period ahead." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MND defends maintenance spending over 'arms procurement bubble' concern ROC Central News Agency 08/28/2024 08:23 PM Taipei, Aug. 28 (CNA) Taiwan's defense ministry on Wednesday defended its operational maintenance spending for next year, in response to concerns raised by an expert that an "arms procurement bubble" could make the country's defense capabilities "far less potent" than its defense spending would otherwise suggest. Chieh Chung (), a research fellow at the Association of Strategic Foresight, said in an interview with Chinese-language Storm Media on Aug. 22 that Taiwan's armed forces could be looking at an "arms procurement bubble." In an ideal situation, the arms procurement cost-to-operational maintenance cost ratio of any military should be approximately 1-to-1, Chieh noted. However, with only NT$148.7 billion (US$4.65 billion) earmarked for operational maintenance over the next year, that ratio for Taiwan military is now 1.59-to-1, which creates an imbalance, he argued, warning about the dangers if this disparity widens. In response, Major General Hsin Yi-tsung () from the Ministry of National Defense's (MND) Comptroller Bureau said at an MND news conference that the operational maintenance spending earmarked for Fiscal Year 2025 has increased nearly 70% since 2018. The perceived high spending proposal under the budgets for FY2025 is due to the need to purchase spare parts for newly approved arms procurement packages, Hsin added. When the warranty of weapons nears its expiration date, the MND will then budget operational maintenance costs, he explained. At the same time, the MND is expediting work to phase out outmoded equipment to cut spending, he said. The ministry will continue reviewing and adjusting the allocation of funds to maximize the efficacy of weapons systems, Hsin said. According to the defense spending plan unveiled on Aug. 22 by the Cabinet, the government has earmarked NT$236.2 billion for weapons procurement and development, including NT$145.8 billion for military investment and NT$90.4 billion in two special budgets for purchasing F-16V fighter jets and various missile systems and unmanned aerial vehicles. Despite the combined amount of two special budgets being lower than the NT$94.3 billion budget proposed for the current fiscal year, Chieh warned that if all NT$90.4 billion earmarked for next year is sourced by borrowing, the government would borrow as much as 38 percent of funding for the special budgets. While Hsin did not disclose how much of the special budgets would be funded by borrowing, he said that the spending plan was drafted in accordance with the Public Debt Act and other relevant laws. The special budgets are funded by unused portions of the general budget rolled over from the previous fiscal year or by borrowing, pursuant to the Budget Act, according to the spending plans for the special budgets delivered to the Legislature by the Cabinet. (By Sean Lin) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint declaration on deepening and enhancing UK-Germany relations Joint declaration between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Scholz on deepening and enhancing UK-Germany relations. 28 August 2024 Germany and the United Kingdom share a strong friendship, common values and mutual interests. We are close partners in Europe and internationally as well as long-standing Allies in NATO. Today, given the common challenges our two countries face, we are convinced that the time has come to take our bilateral relations to the next level. To this end, we are launching work on a bilateral cooperation treaty and will hold government-to-government consultations to sign it by early next year. This treaty will reflect our status as the closest of partners in Europe, with the strongest possible bilateral cooperation on the issues that matter most to our populations. It shall reflect the rich ties between our two countries, peoples and governments across the breadth of our bilateral relationship, in full accordance with Germany's membership of the EU, and the UK's relationship with the EU. Our joint priorities include foreign policy cooperation in peace and security, growing our economies, industrial transformation, law enforcement cooperation and action to tackle irregular migration, increased people-to-people contacts, youth and education, energy security, climate and nature policy, development policy, transport and infrastructure as well as technology, research and innovation. Germany and the UK are determined to defend and promote peace and security in Europe. As leading European Allies in NATO, we will work together with our Allies and partners to ensure that our ability to deter and defend in the Euro-Atlantic area remains credible at all times and against any possible threats or adversaries. We are committed to deterring a more aggressive Russia, sustaining our support to Ukraine and boosting European defence. Our Foreign Ministries will coordinate work to negotiate the bilateral treaty, in close consultation with the German Federal Chancellery and the Prime Minister's Office/Cabinet Office and the respective ministries. In this context we welcome the work that is already being conducted at pace between by our Defence Ministers on a new agreement on defence to strengthen the links between our defence communities, industries and armed forces, and which act as a key pillar of the forthcoming bilateral cooperation treaty. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Tsahkna: We are closely following the reports about an object entering Polish airspace from Russia Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28.08.2024 Foreign Minister Tsahkna: We are closely following the reports about an object entering Polish airspace from Russia We are in close communication with the authorities of Poland and Allies in NATO. This case is another reminder of the threat Russia poses with its military action primarily to Ukraine, but also NATO. Our position is clear: NATO airspace must be defended and Allies should use all necessary measures to ensure their security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Allies reaffirm pledge to strengthen Ukraine's defences at NATO-Ukraine Council meeting NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 28 Aug. 2024 The NATO-Ukraine Council met on Wednesday (28 August 2024) following recent heavy Russian airstrikes against Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure. Allies strongly condemned Russia's indiscriminate strikes and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen Ukraine's defences. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who chaired the meeting, said: "Ukraine continues to intercept Russian missiles on a daily basis, saving countless lives. But Ukraine's ability to maintain their defences requires increased supply and more support. In the wake of the latest Russian assault, Allies today reaffirmed they are stepping up their military aid to Ukraine. We must continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment and munitions it needs to defend itself against Russia's invasion. This is vital for Ukraine's ability to stay in the fight." Since the start of Russia's full-fledged invasion, Allies have made unprecedented contributions to Ukraine's defences. At the NATO Summit in July, numerous Allies announced they will send Ukraine additional strategic air defence systems, including more Patriot batteries, and Allies agreed that together they would provide a minimum of 40 billion euros of security assistance in the next year. Allies also agreed to coordinate security assistance and training for Ukraine, with a new NATO command taking on these tasks that will become operational in September. Wednesday's meeting was held at ambassadorial level and was convened at Ukraine's request. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov briefed Allies via video-link on the current security situation and priority capability needs. The NATO-Ukraine Council was created at the NATO Summit in July 2023 and serves as a forum for joint consultations, decision-making and activities between NATO and Ukraine. Ambassadors from NATO's member countries and Ukrainian officials normally attend meetings of the council. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia dismisses Zelensky's talk of plan to end war in Ukraine Iran Press TV Wednesday, 28 August 2024 2:53 PM Russia says it will continue its "special military operation" in Ukraine until all of its goals are achieved, dismissing Volodymyr Zelensky's remarks about a plan to end the war in his country. The Ukrainian president, Zelensky, said Tuesday that his forces invasion of the Russian Kursk region is part of a larger plan to end the war in his country. Speaking at a news conference of top officials, Zelensky said he had no intent to permanently annex the region and will present his plan to US President Joe Biden a along with presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump a this fall. "The main point ... is forcing Russia to end the war," Zelensky said. The Ukrainian leader however declined to provide details of his plan. On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed Zelensky's remarks, saying, "This is not the first time that we have heard such statements from representatives of the Kiev regime." "We are continuing our special military operation and will achieve all of our goals," Peskov said. Russian Defense Ministry also issued a statement on Wednesday, saying that the country's forces took control of another settlement in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region. It said that they have also improved their positions along the frontline. Moscow had promised to continue its "special military operation" in Ukraine until the "original Russian territories" are free. President Vladimir Putin signed last year a decree for the formal accession of four regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia to the Russian Federation after votes were held there on falling under Russian rule. Kiev and its Western allies however have decried the move as illegal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At Least 9 Killed In Fresh Round Of Russian Attacks On Ukraine By Current Time, RFE/RL's Russian Service and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service August 28, 2024 At least nine people were killed by fresh Russian attacks on two Ukrainian regions on August 28 as Kyiv's drones struck three Russian regions, setting an oil depot on fire in Russia's Rostov region. Several of those killed were in Ukraine's eastern region of Donetsk, where fighting has been going on for several months as Russian troops press their offensive toward the regional hub of Pokrovsk. "This morning, Russians killed four people and destroyed a house in Izmaylivka in the Kurakhove community," Donetsk Governor Vadym Filashkin said on Telegram. Filashkin said that two more people were killed by Russian shelling in Chasiv Yar, in the region's Bakhmut district, which was the scene last year of a monthslong clash between Ukrainian forces and attacking mercenaries from the notorious Wagner Group. A total of 16 houses and two high-rise buildings were also damaged in the shelling, Filashkin said. In the Kharkiv region, Russian forces launched a guided aerial bomb on the center of Kupyansk, injuring 14 people, including three police officers, the Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office said. The head of the regional military administration, Oleh Synyehubov, said hundreds of windows in residential and municipal buildings were damaged as a result of the shelling. Other administrative buildings, shops, and civil infrastructure were also damaged, Synyehubov said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the air strike on Kupyansk had resulted in several deaths but didn't say how many. He also again urged Western leaders to allow Ukraine to use the weapons their countries have provided for long-range strikes against Russian targets. Zelenskiy in his evening video message said the situation in Pokrovsk and other areas in Donetsk region was "extremely difficult." "The key Russian efforts and the largest forces are concentrated there, and the stability of each of our units, our ability to destroy the occupier, is very important now," Zelenskiy said. In Ukraine's southern region of Zaporizhzhya, a Russian drone attack killed three people -- two women and a man -- the region's Governor Ivan Fedorov said. "Two women aged 83 and 86 and a 61-year-old man died, three more women aged 19, 30, 56, and a 59-year-old man were wounded as a result of a Russian drone attack," Fedorov said. Kryviy Rih, in the southern region Dnipropetrovsk region, was again targeted on August 28 by a Russian missile strike that wounded three people, regional Governor Serhiy Lysak reported, a day after another Russian Iskander missile hit a hotel in the city, killing four people. Lysak said infrastructure and cars also sustained damage in the city. Meanwhile, Russian officials and Telegram channels reported Ukrainian drone strikes on three regions of Russia, including a first attack on a remote Russian region. Ukraine, whose civilian and energy infrastructure has been battered by relentless Russian strikes since the start of Moscow's unprovoked invasion in February 2022, has in turn resorted in recent months to targeting oil and fuel installations inside Russia that mainly work for the military. The governor of the southern Russian region of Rostov, Vasily Golubev, confirmed reports on Russian Telegram channels of a fire at an oil depot in the Kamensky district. A strong explosion occurred before the fire broke out at the depot located close to the village of Molodezhny, reports on Telegram said. "In the Kamensky district, as a result of a drone attack, a fire broke out at a fuel depot. There are no casualties. Emergency response forces are involved in the extinguishing the blaze. There is no threat of fire spreading to residential buildings," Golubev wrote on Telegram. Golubev said earlier that four drones had been shot down by Russian air defense systems above his region. Baza, a Telegram channel with close ties to Russia's security services, said debris from two drones ignited a fire at three storage tanks in the Kamensky district. Videos posted on Telegram purported to show what appeared to be large fuel tanks burning in the dark. Ukraine has not commented on the information, which could not be independently confirmed immediately. In another Rostov district, Proletarsk, fuel tanks were reportedly still on fire some 10 days after they were hit by Ukrainian drones. In the southwestern Voronezh region, Governor Aleksandr Gusev reported a fire "near explosive objects," likely an ammunition depot. He said there were no casualties among civilians, but the residents of two nearby villages had been temporarily evacuated by bus as a precaution before being returned to their homes. Suspected Ukrainian drones also attacked the Kirov region, some 1,500 kilometers northeast of Ukraine's border. The drones targeted an oil storage facility in the regional city of Kotelnich. Kirov Governor Aleksandr Sokolov reported that there were no casualties as a result of the attack and no fire ensued. According to him, "the situation is under control." The government in Russia's Kursk region said on August 28 that it would introduce additional security measures in the Kurchatov district and at the Kursk nuclear plant from August 29. Aleksei Smirnov, governor of the Kursk region, said entry to the town of Kurchatov, where the plant is located, would be temporarily restricted. Ukrainian forces began an incursion into the Kursk region on August 6, and fighting has taken place within about 40 kilometers of the nuclear facility. The Ukrainian military said it had shot down a Russian Su-25 plane in Kramatorsk, in the eastern region of Donetsk. "In the direction of Kramatorsk, our military shot down a Russian Su-25 aircraft that was trying to fire at the positions of units of the Defense Forces. Antiaircraft forces employed "a well-aimed shot from a MANPADS system," to destroy the plane, the military said in a statement. MANPADS (Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems) are lightweight and highly mobile antiaircraft weapons. NATO members meeting in Brussels on August 28 reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen Ukraine's defenses. "Ukraine continues to intercept Russian missiles on a daily basis, saving countless lives. But Ukraine's ability to maintain their defenses requires increased supply and more support," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement. "In the wake of the latest Russian assault, Allies today reaffirmed they are stepping up their military aid to Ukraine," Stoltenberg said. "We must continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment and munitions it needs to defend itself against Russia's invasion. This is vital for Ukraine's ability to stay in the fight." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/rostov-voronezh-oil-fire- russia-ukraine-war/33096261.html Copyright (c) 2024. 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 Defence Minister Andrei Belousov sends telegrams to military units involved in special military operation 28.08.2024 The Russian Defence Minister congratulated command and personnel of the 589th Guards Motorised Rifle Berlin Red Banner Order of Kutuzov Regiment on liberation of Orlovka (Donetsk People's Republic). As a result of the resolute action of the regiment, the enemy suffered losses and retreated to the west. 'In the course of the special military operation, in breaching the enemy's impregnable defence, you consistently liberate the Donetsk land from neo-Nazis. In the battles for Berdychi, Novoaleksandrovka and Yevgenovka, the Regiment's personnel demonstrated courage and bravery,' the Defence Minister's telegram says. Today, with courage and resilience, the soldiers are advancing confidently, pushing the enemy in Krasnoarmeysk direction and liberating our land from Ukrainian armed formations. Bringing us closer to victory, the servicemen of the regiment bravely fulfil their military duty and complete all the tasks assigned to them. The Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation conveyed his congratulations to the command and personnel of the 433rd Don Cossacks Red Banner Motorised Rifle Regiment. They successfully carry out combat missions in the most difficult directions during the special military operation. The Regiment showed bravery and selflessness in liberating Berdychi, Ocheretino, and Yevgenovka (Donetsk People's Republic) from neo-Nazis. Today, they are advancing confidently in Krasnoarmeysk direction. The Regiment's professional and decisive actions made the enemy suffer heavy losses and retreat. In fighting against the enemy to liberate Orlovka, the Russian servicemen set an example of resilience and perseverance. For heroism, bravery, and courage shown in combat missions, more than 2,500 servicemen have been presented with state awards and departmental honours. The Russian Defence Minister thanked the soldiers for their loyalty to the Fatherland and their oath, and expressed his confidence that they would continue to carry out their military duties honourably bringing our victory closer. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Spain strengthens its support for Ukraine by donating seven electricity generators to help meet winter needs Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs PRESS RELEASE 052 Minister Albares visits these devices, to be transported to Ukraine in the coming weeks through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. August 28, 2024 Ukrainian Ambassador Sergy Pogoreltsev joined the minister on the visit and thanked him for the delivery of the electrical units. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, JosA Manuel Albares, today visited the warehouses in Arganda del Rey (Madrid) where the seven generators that Spain is donating to Ukraine through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) are located. Talking to the media, Albares underscored Spain's strong commitment and solidarity with the Ukrainian civilian population. This donation is in addition to the 14 electric generators already delivered in November 2022 and the two ambulances delivered in January this year. These shipments concern three 200KVa and four 220KVa generators, worth a total of 360,000 euros. The donation of this equipment responds to one of the Ukrainian authorities' top priorities to protect their population in the face of what is expected to be a grim winter. The Spanish Government, in its continued commitment to the Ukrainian people, has financed and overseen the donation of these seven generators that will be sent to Ukraine to help mitigate the severe energy shortages caused by the recent attacks on the country's infrastructure. This donation is part of Spain's ongoing support to Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict in February 2022. The devices will travel to Ukraine via Poland in the coming days, transported through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, which will cover part of the cost of transport to Poland, from where the European Union will arrange for their transport to Ukraine. The main objective of the donation is to prepare the Ukrainian population, institutions and businesses for winter, which this year will be particularly difficult due to recent Russian attacks on key energy facilities. These attacks have severely damaged Ukraine's ability to generate and distribute power, causing prolonged outages affecting millions of people. It is estimated that these seven generators, with total power of 1,200,000W, could supply electricity to approximately 240 families under normal conditions. The specific distribution of the generators in Ukraine will be determined upon arrival in Poland, following the priorities set by the Ukrainian Government, which has developed an energy and winter preparedness plan. a -NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelensky Says Ukraine Does Not Have Money to Produce Its Own Weapons Sputnik News 20240828 MOSCOW, August 28 (Sputnik) - Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine does not have the money to produce its own weapons, and also noted the slow flow of aid from Western countries. "There is, in my opinion, an important point where we have begun to move forward - the domestic production. Drones, artillery, I mean systems and ammunition separately, missiles. An expensive program and we need to invest money in this. There is no money in our budget to date," Zelensky said at a press conference on Tuesday. The Ukrainian leader noted that he would also like to increase the supply of Western military aid, as well as accelerate its flow to Ukraine. "For example, voting in Congress and agreements. They have enough money to deliver these packages, but it [the process] is slowed down," Zelensky added. Western countries have ramped up their military and financial aid to Ukraine since the start of Russia's military operation in 2022. The Kremlin has warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev, saying this would lead to further escalation of the conflict. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian Military Depots, Railroad Terminal Struck in Sumy - Underground Network Sputnik News 20240828 DONETSK (Sputnik) - Ukrainian military depots and a railroad terminal where ammunition of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is sorted out were struck in Sumy, Sergey Lebedev, the coordinator of the pro-Russian underground network in Nikolayev (Mykolaiv), told Sputnik. "In the city of Sumy, sofas and tables jumped up at 22:25. There was a strike in the direction of the sorting section of the railway station. There are depots there. That is where the distribution of ammunition to units takes place," Lebedev said. Earlier on Wednesday, Ukrainian media reported explosions in Sumy amid an air raid alarm. Ukraine's Sumy Region borders Russia's Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk regions. The regional center is located approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the state border. A highway connecting the city with Russia's Sudzha passes through Sumy. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelensky's 'New Ballistic Missile' Likely Just a Dusted Off Soviet-Era Design - Missile Expert Sputnik News Ilya Tsukanov 20240828 Ukraine has announced the successful testing of a mystery new ballistic missile. Sputnik asked a veteran Russian military observer and missile expert to comment on the development. Volodymyr Zelensky teased media in Kiev on Tuesday by revealing that Ukraine had tested its first-ever ballistic missile. Zelensky did not elaborate on the nature or characteristics of the new weapon, sparking speculation that the 'new' missile may have been the Hrim-2 (Russian 'Grom-2', lit. 'Thunder-2') a prospective tactical missile system announced in 2014, and which got financial backing from a Middle Eastern buyer, but was thought to have been canceled after the US approved the sale of its own missiles to its Mideast allies. "Zelensky says a lot of things," Vasily Dandykin, a veteran Russian military analyst, missile expert and retired Navy Captain 1st rank told Sputnik, not ruling out that Zelensky's new missile claims are just "propaganda" meant to energize Kiev's backers. Dandykin pointed out that going back to Soviet times, the development of tactical ballistic missiles was left to design bureaus in Russia, with Soviet Ukraine focused on ICBMs, space rockets, anti-aircraft missiles, etc. Ukraine lost even many of these competencies in recent decades. The analyst doesn't rule out that Zelensky's "new" missile could actually be an upgraded Tochka-U - a "serious" Soviet tactical missile design with a 120 km firing range and a highly destructive 420 kg warhead. Alternatively, Dandykin suggested, it could be an upgraded Oka - a Soviet theater ballistic missile with a 400 km range that was liquidated from Soviet stocks in the late 1980s by Mikhail Gorbachev in a short-sighted gesture of goodwill toward Washington. The Oka was possessed by three of the USSR's allies in Eastern Europe, including Bulgaria, and Dandykin doesn't rule out that Sofia may have transferred the missile tech to Kiev as military aid. It's also possible that Ukraine's defense engineers may try to recreate Russia's Iskander missile based on whatever remains of it after use. "But this is also a question. This is a fairly long-term process, even in peacetime. But let us not forget that unlike Russia, which has many other concerns besides the special military operation, all of Ukraine's efforts are aimed at fighting us, at destroying us," Dandykin said. Whatever the case, Zelensky's constant requests for NATO long-range weapons - Taurus from Germany, ATACMS from the US, etc., points to limitations in Kiev's own defense sector, especially amid regular Russian strikes on Ukraine's defense enterprises, but also due to costs and the advanced technologies involved, Dandykin stressed. "I think that large-scale production [in Ukraine] is impossible, because it is very expensive, very technologically-intensive, and I do not believe that they have such opportunities, they do not have the production capabilities. Not everyone can afford it - even more developed and richer countries. The Americans, for example, are big shots, but even for them not everything always works out. So this is a very serious thing," the observer noted. Ukraine's experience with the Neptune subsonic anti-ship cruise missile, which is also based on a Soviet design - the Kh-35, shows perfectly the limitations of the country's defense sector, with an estimated 10-15 Neptunes produced annually "in the best case scenario," and "used rarely," Dandykin said. Whatever missiles Ukraine manages to produce, Russia's air defenses will be ready to intercept them, Dandykin believes. "We intercept the Tochka-U...Our air defenses, as even Westerners admit, are the best in the world in all areas, from short-to-long range complexes," he said. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's attacks on Ukraine are becoming more cowardly: UK statement at the UN Security Council Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure. 28 August 2024 Colleagues, as we discuss the situation in Ukraine today, we are once again compelled to highlight the continued barbarity of President Putin's tactics against the Ukrainian people. Last weekend, Ukraine marked its third Independence Day since Russia's illegal invasion. Instead of celebrating, Ukrainians were fighting for their country, their land and their families. They are also fighting on behalf of all our countries, in defence of the principles that this institution, the United Nations, was founded: that every Member State has the right to sovereignty and territorial integrity, and borders cannot be redrawn by force. Let us be clear: under Article 51 Ukraine has a right of self-defence. The UK and other allies fully support Ukraine in exercising that right. President Putin thought Kyiv would fall within days. He was wrong. And Ukrainian courage continues to prove him wrong every day. Russia is getting increasingly desperate as we heard again today. And as it does, the attacks become more cowardly. On Monday, Russia launched a wave of missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, striking numerous civilian areas. Further attacks took place on Monday night and Tuesday morning. At least 7 people were killed and many more injured. We were deeply saddened to learn that a British national, Ryan Evans, was also killed in recent attacks. Over 35,000 civilians in Ukraine have been confirmed killed or injured since Russia's invasion began. These most recent attacks represent continued evidence that Russia is intentionally targeting civilian energy infrastructure, risking further humanitarian crisis this coming winter. To be clear: intentionally directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects constitute a war crime. At the same time, the consequence of Putin's miscalculation for the Russian people is increasingly evident. This week's attack alone cost Russia almost $1.3 billion. It is estimated that more than 1,000 Russian troops were either killed or wounded on Monday alone. So once again, we call on Russia to end its illegal invasion and immediately withdraw its forces. The UK, along with our international partners, will not falter in our support for Ukraine. We will stand with the Ukrainian people for as long as it takes to secure a just and sustainable peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We Are Working with Partners to Supply the Frontline Not Only with Weapons and Shells but Also with the Power of Our Unity - Address by the President President of Ukraine 28 August 2024 - 20:06 I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians! The most important. The front. There was a report from the Commander-in-Chief. The Pokrovsk and other directions in the Donetsk region. The situation is extremely difficult, the key Russian efforts and their largest forces are concentrated there, and the resilience of each of our units, our ability to destroy the occupier, are now very important. I want to thank every soldier, every commander who is holding their positions. The Commander-in-Chief also reported on our operation in the Kursk region. We continue to expand the territory under our control in the designated areas near the border of Ukraine. Today, as every day, our exchange fund has also been replenished. Thank you, warriors! This is something that will help bring home many of our people from Russian captivity. We must also understand now that all the pressure we have transferred to Russia means that they cannot put any more pressure on our Donetsk region. Today, the reports were also made by the Minister of Energy. On the recovery after the Russian strikes. Repair crews, the relevant municipal services and state agencies are working as hard as they can. We must achieve deficit reduction. And I thank everyone who is working for this cause. Today I also held a long meeting with Government officials on preparations for the new school year. The priority is obvious. Wherever possible, children should go to school offline this year. The Government, regional authorities and communities must ensure all the conditions for this. And this is an absolute strategic priority, it is about preserving normalcy in Ukraine, preserving opportunities for children to receive a proper education. All Government officials have absolutely clear tasks. The maximum number of schools should be opened, and the necessary decisions for this are clear to the Government. Today I met with the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. I thanked them for supporting our society and our state. And we will continue to do everything to ensure that Ukraine increases its potential in everything and strengthens its independence. A meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council was also held. The Minister of Defense of Ukraine informed our partners about our most urgent needs at the moment. And in particular, in air defense, in the protection of critical infrastructure. Today, throughout the day, the consequences of the Russian strike on Kryvyi Rih are being eliminated - it was ballistics again. There was a strike of the guided aerial bomb on Kupyansk - right in the center of the city, people were under the rubble. Unfortunately, some people died. My condolences to their families and friends. All our partners should be more active - much more active - in countering Russian terror. This terror must never become some kind of new alleged "normalcy" for Europe. In addition, we are working with partners to supply the frontline - supply it not only with weapons, and not only with shells, but also with the power of our unity with partners. Truly effective unity - long-ranged. We continue to insist that their determination now - lifting the restrictions on long-range strikes for Ukraine now - will help us to end the war as soon as possible in a fair way for Ukraine and the world as a whole. The defense of life has the same meaning everywhere. I thank everyone in the world who is helping us! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy Met with Representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate President of Ukraine 28 August 2024 - 16:55 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with a delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate: Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, Archbishop Ilarion of Winnipeg, Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, Patriarchal Deacon Epiphanius and the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Ukraine, Bishop Michael. The Head of State thanked the representatives of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople and His All-Holiness Bartholomew for their prayers for Ukraine and Ukrainians. The President noted that the state is doing everything possible to overcome the challenges facing the Church in Ukraine. "It is clear that these are not overnight challenges, and they have not appeared today. For our part, we will do everything to ensure that there is true stability and peace in this area as well. This is extremely important for us," Volodymyr Zelenskyy added. Representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate assured that the Church and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will continue praying for Ukraine and supporting it. "For just peace to prevail in the Ukrainian land. And for peace to prevail also in Ukrainian Orthodoxy. Our mission here is to reaffirm our love and support. And that we are together with you, that we will cooperate in all these issues for the benefit of the Ukrainian people," Archbishop Ilarion said. The President recalled that Ukraine is looking forward to the visit of His All-Holiness and stressed that it is of great importance for our country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine and the United Kingdom Made Significant Progress in Preparing for the Signing of the Agreement on Transition to Stronger and Deeper Partnership President of Ukraine 28 August 2024 - 16:11 Ukraine and the United Kingdom held the second round of negotiations on a bilateral agreement on transition to a stronger and deeper partnership. The Ukrainian delegation is headed by the Head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak. Today's round was led by Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva. The parties thoroughly analyzed the changes to the draft document, agreed on the structure and concept of the future agreement, and noted the significant progress made. "Today's round of talks has clearly shown how close we are in understanding the priorities of cooperation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Not only do we face the same challenges, but we also share common values, support similar approaches and work together to ensure that Ukraine gains victory in its fight against Russia's illegal invasion," Ihor Zhovkva said. The delegations of Ukraine and the United Kingdom discussed further steps and approved the schedule of negotiations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin faces 'reverberations' from surprise Ukrainian offensive By Jeff Seldin August 28, 2024 Ukraine's surprise offensive into Russia's Kursk region has left the Kremlin reeling, although the ultimate impact of the risky military maneuver remains to be seen, according to a top U.S. intelligence official. CIA Deputy Director David Cohen told a security conference just outside of Washington on Wednesday that Kyiv's ongoing incursion into Russia, launched earlier this month, shows no sign of letting up, forcing Russian President Vladimir Putin to face potential domestic consequences. "They are remaining in Russia. They are building defenses," Cohen said of Ukraine's forces in Kursk. "They seem to be intent on retaining some of that territory for some period of time. "Putin is going to have to face not only the fact that there's a front line now within Russian territory that he's going to have to deal with; he has to deal with the reverberations back in his own society," Cohen said. "That has the potential to change the dynamic a little bit going forward." Ukrainian forces first entered Russian territory on August 6, mounting what has been the largest incursion into Russia since World War II. Some 130,000 residents have been forced to flee the fighting in Kursk, waiting for Russian reinforcements. Ukraine's army chief said Tuesday Kyiv's forces had captured almost 600 Russian troops and take control of some 1,300 square kilometers of land (500 square miles). The CIA's Cohen Wednesday said the U.S. estimates Ukraine has hold of some 777 square kilometers (300 square miles) of territory in Kursk, although he refused to downplay the impact. "We can be certain that Putin will mount a counteroffensive to try to reclaim that territory. But that has not yet begun," Cohen said. "And when it does begin, I think our expectation is that that will be a difficult fight for the Russians." For now, Russia's forces appear to remain focused on taking Pokrovsk, a key transportation and logistics hub in eastern Ukraine. "The Russians are making some progress there," Cohen said, noting the Russian advance is coming "at extraordinary cost." But even if the Russian offensive to take Pokrovsk is successful, Cohen warned the payoff for Moscow would be minimal. "At the end of the day, none of it is game changing in a strategic sense," he said. Ukrainian strikes in Russia Meanwhile, Ukraine sought to again put Russia on the defensive. Ukrainian forces used drones Wednesday to target multiple areas of southwestern Russia, including one that caused a fire at a fuel depot in Rostov. Vasily Golubev, governor of the Rostov region, said on Telegram that firefighters were working to put out the blaze and that there were no casualties. Russia's Defense Ministry said it shot down four Ukrainian drones over the Rostov region, along with eight drones over Voronezh. Officials in Voronezh reported no damage or casualties. In the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said a Ukrainian drone attack damaged three houses but caused no injuries. Russian air defenses also shot down a Ukrainian drone over the neighboring Kursk region, officials said. Russian strikes in Ukraine In Ukraine, Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysak said a Russian attack killed at least three people and damaged infrastructure in the city of Kryvyi Rih. Lysak said the attack came as the city was in mourning, following a deadly Tuesday missile strike on a hotel. Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov said a Russian missile damaged houses and injured 12 people. Some information for this story was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We had another outstanding quarter with record revenue and positive Adjusted EBITDA...Our focus in 2024 is to continue growing revenue, being a profitable company and introducing our story to more potential shareholders - Shane Madden, CEO of Hydreight VANCOUVER, British Columbia and LAS VEGAS, Aug. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hydreight Technologies Inc. (Hydreight or the Company) ( TSXV: NURS )( OTCQB: HYDTF )( FSE: SO6 ), a fast-growing mobile clinical network and medical platform which enables flexible at-home medical services across 50 states in the United States, is pleased to announce its financial results for the first quarter ended June 30, 2024. All financial information is presented in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. Summary of Q2, 2024 Financial Highlights: Q2, 2024 GAAP revenue was $4.10 million an increase of 52% compared to Q2, 2023. Q2, 2024 topline record revenue of $5.59 million, an increase of 27% compared to Q2, 2023. Q2, 2024 Adjusted EBITDA was $218K compared to ($456K) in the comparative quarter. Q2, 2024 gross margin of $1.56 million compared to $1.08 million in Q2, 2023. Hydreight has secured national medical spa partners with collectively almost 700 locations sold and 140 opened across the United States. The total number of pharmacy orders through Hydreight platform year to date has increased by about 74% in comparison to the same period last year. The company has never raised or borrowed any additional capital since the original going public transaction in December 2022. The Companys cash position at June 30, 2024 is $1.40 million. Hydreight announced a partnership with DSV Global and VS Digital Health called VSDHOne, a telemedicine solution that helps companies launch a direct to consumer (D2C) healthcare brand in all 50 States. The purpose of launching VSDHOne is to make it easy for any existing brick and mortar or individual to launch a D2C healthcare brand in a few days without worrying about compliance, doctor network, telemedicine and ecommerce technology, medical direction and oversight, pharmacy network, and medical legal framework covering all 50 States. With the marriage of virtual and at facility healthcare features, companies can expand beyond their current Brick and Mortar solution. Investor webinar, Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 11:00am PT/ 2:00pm ET Shane Madden, CEO of Hydreight commented, We had an outstanding quarter with record revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Revenue. Our investment in our technology and infrastructure in 2023 helped us to become the mobile medicine solutions for nurses, bricks and mortar and D2C businesses. We are very excited for our VSDHONE products expansion and cashflow in the next 12 months. The Company believes the following Non-GAAP1 financial measures provide meaningful insight to aid in the understanding of the Companys performance and may assist in the evaluation of the Companys business relative to that of its peers: Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2024 2023 % change 2024 2023 % change Adjusted Revenue $ 5,589,481 $ 4,416,103 27% $ 10,456,485 $ 8,083,524 29% Deduct - deferred business partner contract revenue (186,935) 190,934 (303,913) 171,886 Deduct - business partner payouts on app service gross revenue 1,676,204 1,525,501 3,282,580 2,863,554 GAAP Revenue $ 4,100,212 $ 2,699,668 52% $ 7,477,818 $ 5,048,084 48% Adjusted Gross Margin $ 1,372,862 $ 1,270,762 8% $ 2,487,218 $ 2,294,147 8% Deduct - deferred business partner contract revenue (186,935) 190,934 (303,913) 171,886 GAAP Gross Margin $ 1,559,797 $ 1,079,828 44% $ 2,791,131 $ 2,122,261 32% Adjusted EBITDA $ 217,708 $ (455,580) 148% $ 171,835 $ (561,936) 131% Deduct - amortization and depreciation 24,636 $ 16,310 71,189 32,258 Deduct - share-based payments 220,159 $ - 436,454 - GAAP Net Loss $ (27,087) $ (471,890) 94% $ (335,808) $ (594,194) 43% 1 Refer to Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures The table below sets out a summary of certain financial results of the Company over the past eight quarters and is derived from the audited annual consolidated financial statements and unaudited quarterly consolidated financial statements of the Company. Net Loss After Taxes Comprehensive Loss Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share Fiscal Quarter Ended Revenue June 30, 2024 4,100,212 (27,087) (48,184) (0.00) March 31, 2024 3,377,606 (308,721) (370,559) (0.01) December 31, 2023 3,373,193 (898,561) (865,068) (0.02) September 30, 2023 3,088,219 (466,973) (548,954) (0.01) June 30, 2023 2,699,668 (471,890) (405,638) (0.01) March 31, 2023 2,348,416 (122,304) (121,502) (0.00) December 31, 2022 1,695,134 (5,060,755) (5,062,144) (1.44) September 30, 2022 1,136,510 (240,360) (298,367) (0.07) The Company has experienced dramatic user growth over the past two years as can be seen by the consistent revenue growth over the past eight quarters. The Company continues to deliver on its mission of building the largest mobile clinical network in the United States. Through its medical network, pharmacy network and proprietary technology platform that adheres to the complex healthcare legislation across 50 states, Hydreight has provided a fully integrated solution for healthcare providers to become independent contractors. Hydreight remains focused on its strategic priorities of (1) Profitability (2) adding more product and service offerings for its customers, (3) introducing Hydreight story with more potential shareholders (4) driving white label partnerships and Nurses to the platform and (5) looking for strategic tuck in M&A opportunities to scale and grow the business quickly and efficiently. Hydreight will continue to invest into its technology to ensure continuous improvements, advancements and updates adhering to changes within the healthcare industry. Please see SEDAR+ for the Company's condensed interim consolidated unaudited financial statements and MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 and for the Companys audited annual consolidated financial statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Investor Webinar: The Companys management team will be hosting a webinar to discuss the financials and provide corporate updates: Date/Time: Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, at 11am PT / 2pm ET Registration link: https://hydreight.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6V91HNW2QlCJ0x-UUIo-rA About Hydreight Technologies Inc. Hydreight Technologies Inc. is building the largest mobile clinic network in the United States. Its proprietary, fully integrated platform hosts a network of over 2500 nurses, over 100 doctors and a pharmacy network across 50 states. The platform includes a built-in, easy-to-use suite of fully integrated tools for accounting, documentation, sales, inventory, booking, and managing patient data, which enables licensed healthcare professionals to provide services directly to patients at home, office or hotel. Hydreight is bridging the gap between provider compliance and patient convenience, empowering nurses, med spa technicians, and other licensed healthcare professionals. The Hydreight platform allows healthcare professionals to deliver services independently, on their own terms, or to add mobile services to existing location-based operations. Hydreight has a 503B pharmacy network servicing all 50 states and is closely affiliated with a U.S. certified e-script and telemedicine provider network. On behalf of the Board of Directors Shane Madden Director and Chief Executive Officer Hydreight Technologies Inc. Contact Email: ir@hydreight.com; Telephone: (480) 790 6886 This press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures: This release contains references to non-GAAP financial measures Adjusted Revenue, Adjusted Gross Margin, and Adjusted EBITDA. The Company defines Adjusted Revenue as gross cash income before adjustment for the deferred portion of business partner contract revenue and gross receipts from Hydreight App service sales. The Company defines Adjusted Gross Margin as GAAP gross margin plus inventory impairment plus the deferred portion of business partner contract revenue. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and before (i) transaction, restructuring, and integration costs and share-based payments expense, and (iii) gains/losses that are not reflective of ongoing operating performance. The Company believes that the measures provide information useful to its shareholders and investors in understanding the Companys operating cash flow growth, user growth, and cash generating potential for funding working capital requirements, service future interest and principal debt repayments and fund future growth initiatives. These non-GAAP measures may assist in the evaluation of the Companys business relative to that of its peers more accurately than GAAP financial measures alone. This data is furnished to provide additional information and does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. Accordingly, it should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP and is not necessarily indicative of other metrics presented in accordance with GAAP. Neither TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains statements which constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, path to profitability, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words may, would, could, should, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect or similar expressions and includes information regarding expectations for the Company's growth and profitability in 2024. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects the Companys managements expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the Company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: the ability to obtain requisite regulatory and other approvals with respect to the business operated by the Company and/or the potential impact of the listing of the Companys shares on the TSXV on relationships, including with regulatory bodies, employees, suppliers, customers and competitors; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; changes in applicable laws; compliance with extensive government regulation; and the diversion of management time as a result of being a publicly listed entity. This forward-looking information may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of the Company and market conditions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law. See Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures NEW YORK, Aug. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces that a shareholder filed a class action on behalf of all purchasers of securities of Endava plc (NYSE: DAVA) between May 23, 2023 and February 28, 2024, both dates inclusive (the Class Period). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 25, 2024. SO WHAT: If you purchased Endava securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Endava class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=28251, or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 25, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) demand for Endavas services was declining; (2) Endavas clients delayed or canceled projects; (3) as a result, Endavas fiscal 2023 and 2024 revenue and earnings would be adversely affected; and (4) as a result, defendants positive statements about Endavas business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Endava class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=28251 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com New York, United States , Aug. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles Market Size to Grow from USD 51.2 Billion in 2023 to USD 79.9 Billion by 2033, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.55% during the forecast period. Get a Sample PDF Brochure: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/request-sample/5744 The market for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles is growing steadily, owing to rising air traffic, stringent safety standards, and expanding airport infrastructure around the world. These specialised trucks are critical for providing rapid reaction and effective firefighting during aeroplane emergencies. The market is driven by a growing demand for advanced, high-performance ARFF vehicles outfitted with cutting-edge technology such as thermal imaging, remote control systems, and large water and foam tanks. Additionally, the expansion of smart airports and expenditures in aviation safety are driving demand. To satisfy changing environmental demands, key players are prioritising innovation and manufacturing eco-friendly and efficient automobiles. The ARFF market is positioned for additional growth, particularly in emerging markets, as airport modernisation and development projects gather traction. Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles Market Value Chain Analysis Beginning with the purchase of raw materials such as steel, aluminium, and advanced firefighting supplies, the global value chain for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles consists of numerous important phases. These materials are obtained from vendors and used in the production of ARFF vehicles. The manufacturing process includes design, assembly, and quality control, with OEMs and specialised manufacturers producing high-performance vehicles. Following manufacture, vehicles are distributed to airports and firefighting departments via a dealer network and sales channels. Post-sale services, such as maintenance, training, and support, are critical for maintaining vehicle efficiency and lifetime. End-users rely on these vehicles for emergency response and safety, bringing the value chain full circle. Innovation and technological developments throughout the supply chain foster industry growth and competitiveness. Browse key industry insights spread across 209 pages with 105 Market data tables and figures & charts from the report on the Global Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Drive 6x6, Drive 4x4), By Application (Civil Airport, Military Airport), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023 - 2033." Buy Now Full Report: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/checkout/5744 Insights by Type The Drive 6x6 segment accounted for the largest market share over the forecast period 2023 to 2033. The demand for sturdy, high-performance vehicles capable of functioning in harsh airport conditions is driving the growth. These vehicles have higher off-road capabilities, improved stability, and increased payload capacity, making them perfect for major airports with long runways and tough terrain. The 6x6 design improves manoeuvrability and emergency response, especially in inclement weather or rough terrain. Furthermore, the increasing demand for modern firefighting equipment, such as larger water and foam tanks, is compatible with the capabilities of 6x6 ARFF trucks. Insights by Application The military airport segment accounted for the largest market share over the forecast period 2023 to 2033. Military airbases require specialised ARFF vehicles that can handle unique problems such as high-risk settings, a wide range of aircraft types, and rapid reaction requirements. The growing modernisation of military infrastructure, combined with the growth of airbases around the world, is boosting demand for advanced firefighting vehicles. These vehicles are outfitted with cutting-edge technologies such as increased thermal imaging, remote control systems, and high-capacity extinguishing agents to meet demanding military specifications. Furthermore, increased defence budgets and a focus on boosting operational readiness at military airports exacerbate the demand for dependable, high-performance ARFF vehicles. Inquire Before Buying This Research Report: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/5744 Insights by Region North America is anticipated to dominate the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles Market from 2023 to 2033. The United States and Canada, which have some of the world's busiest airports, prioritise modern firefighting capabilities, resulting in a continual demand for high-performance ARFF vehicles. Airport modernisation initiatives and expansions throughout the area drive market growth, as upgraded facilities necessitate cutting-edge rescue and firefighting technology. Furthermore, the emphasis on technical breakthroughs, such as self-driving cars and environmentally friendly vehicles, is consistent with North America's overall emphasis on innovation and sustainability. The presence of major ARFF vehicle manufacturers in the region boosts market competitiveness and allows for the rapid adoption of cutting-edge technologies, assuring the sector's long-term growth. Asia Pacific is witnessing the fastest market growth between 2023 to 2033. Countries such as China, India, and Southeast Asia are spending extensively in new airports and improving old ones to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and larger planes. This increase drives up demand for modern ARFF vehicles that meet high safety criteria. Furthermore, the region's emphasis on modernising aviation infrastructure includes the use of technologically superior and ecologically friendly firefighting vehicles. The growing emphasis on safety, combined with increased government investment in airport construction, places Asia-Pacific as a crucial growth market for ARFF vehicles. As a result, the market is projected to grow significantly in the future years. Competitive Analysis: The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the global market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market. Major key Vendors in the Rosenbauer, Oshkosh, E-ONE, Morita Group, Naffco, Carrozzeria Chinetti, Magirus Group, Kronenburg, and Simon Carmichael International Get Discount At @ https://www.sphericalinsights.com/request-discount/5744 Recent Market Developments In June 2020, Oshkosh Corporation purchased Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a leading manufacturer of fire and rescue vehicles. Major players in the market Rosenbauer Oshkosh E-ONE Morita Group Naffco Carrozzeria Chinetti Magirus Group Kronenburg Simon Carmichael International Market Segmentation This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2023 to 2033. Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles Market, Type Analysis Drive 6x6 Drive 4x4 Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles Market, Application Analysis Civil Airport Military Airport Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles Market, Regional Analysis North America US Canada Mexico Europe Germany Uk France Italy Spain Russia Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea Australia Rest of Asia Pacific South America Brazil Argentina Rest of South America Middle East & Africa UAE Saudi Arabia Qatar South Africa Rest of the Middle East & Africa Browse Related Reports Global Scramjet Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Around Mach 3, Around Mach 6, Others), By Application (Supersonic or Hypersonic Transportation, Military Applications, Others), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023 2033 Global Airport Visual Docking Guidance System Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Fixed Control Panel, Movable Control Panel), By Application (Military and Civil), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023 2033 Global Flight Tracking System Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By System Type (ADS-B, FANS, Portable FTS), By Application (Fixed-Wing, and Rotary-Wing), By End-User (General Aviation, Civil Aviation, Military Aircraft), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023 - 2033. Global Asteroid Mining Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Phase (Launch, Operation, Space-Craft Design), By Type (Type C, Type M, Type S), By Application (Construction, Resource Harvesting, 3D Printing, Others), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023 - 2033 About the Spherical Insights & Consulting Spherical Insights & Consulting is a market research and consulting firm which provides actionable market research study, quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight especially designed for decision makers and aids ROI. Which is catering to different industry such as financial sectors, industrial sectors, government organizations, universities, non-profits and corporations. The company's mission is to work with businesses to achieve business objectives and maintain strategic improvements. CONTACT US: For More Information on Your Target Market, Please Contact Us Below: Phone: +1 303 800 4326 (the U.S.) Phone: +91 90289 24100 (APAC) Email: inquiry@sphericalinsights.com, sales@sphericalinsights.com Contact Us: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/contact-us Follow Us: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter Wilmington, Delaware, United States, Transparency Market Research Inc. -, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A global AI in pharma and biotech industry ( AI) valuation of US$ 1.8 billion was estimated for 2023. The market will reach US$ 13.1 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 18.8% between 2024 and 2034. Healthcare could be transformed entirely by artificial intelligence in the field of medication creation. New medicines for illnesses are expensive, time-consuming, and often fraught with failure. It can take up to ten years to develop a new medicine. Drugstore shelves rarely contain the majority of promising medications developed in laboratories. The use of deep learning algorithms, generative models, and advanced data analytics will further revolutionize the process of drug discovery by identifying novel drug candidates, forecasting their safety and efficacy profiles, and improving their properties. With the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and techniques such as virtual screening, high-throughput screening, and molecular modeling, the identification and optimization of lead compounds can be accelerated while saving money and time compared with traditional approaches. For More Details, Request for a Sample of this Research Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ai-in-pharma-and-biotech-market.html Artificial intelligence (AI) will continue to advance precision medicine, allowing individualized treatment plans to be developed based on the unique genetic makeup, molecular fingerprints, and clinical characteristics of each patient. Using multi-omics data, electronic health records, and empirical evidence, machine learning algorithms can forecast the course of a disease and determine the best treatment course for a patient. Key Findings of the Market Report The pharmaceutical & biotech segment held the largest share in 2023 AI-driven biotechnology was most prevalent in North America in 2023. Increasing adoption of AI-based drug discovery tools in Canada to promote precision medicine. Based on applications, drug discovery and development will dominate the market over the next few years. Global AI in Pharma and Biotech Market: Growth Drivers Using massive amounts of biological data to predict the safety and efficacy profiles of promising drug candidates, artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates drug discovery. As an alternative to conventional methods, it saves time and money by expediting the discovery of drug targets, optimizing leads, and predicting toxicity. With AI, tailored treatment plans can be developed by evaluating patient data, such as genetic information, medical imaging data, and electronic health records, to determine the best drugs for each patient's condition. Through this method, medical resources are allocated efficiently, side effects are minimized, and treatment results are enhanced. Analyzing patient data with artificial intelligence (AI) helps predict adverse events, treatment outcomes, and disease progression. Clinical trials are designed, patients are recruited, and monitored better, which speeds them up, lowers costs and increases success rates. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can uncover new therapeutic uses for drugs based on their molecular structure, biological target and clinical data. Through this method, new treatments for new indications can be developed more quickly and with lower risks and costs. Global AI in Pharma and Biotech Market: Regional Landscape North America is expected to lead the market for AI in pharma and biotech market ( ). Leading research centers, academic institutions, and tech companies in North America are driving artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data analytics. is expected to lead the market for AI in pharma and biotech market ( ). Leading research centers, academic institutions, and tech companies in North America are driving artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data analytics. Advanced AI platforms and solutions that are appropriate for clinical research, drug discovery, and healthcare delivery can be developed based on this technological expertise. Biotech and pharmaceutical industries are thriving in North America with many well-established businesses and start-ups involved in drug discovery, development, and commercialization. As these industry leaders promote AI technology adoption, productivity is improved, innovation is stimulated, and international competition is maintained. Health Canada, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the United States provide substantial funding and support for AI-driven research programs in healthcare and life sciences. Regulatory measures, grant programs, and research collaborations promote the integration of AI into biotech and pharmaceutical operations while guaranteeing adherence to safety and ethical norms. Global AI in Pharma and Biotech Market: Competitive Landscape As manufacturers seek to strengthen their position in the AI market, they are pursuing both organic and inorganic strategies. Clinical trial simulation platforms are being explored by the key players in AI in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology market as a means of fast-tracking clinical trials and improving patient care. Key Players Profiled BenevolentAI SA Insilico Medicine Recursion Pharmaceuticals Atomwise Inc. Berg LLC Cloud Pharmaceuticals Deep Genomics Exscientia Schrodinger twoXar Inc. Insitro Key Developments In March 2024 , Nvidia introduced 21 generative AI microservices designed to promote healthcare innovation. It is expected that the 25 genAI microservices will enhance healthcare organizations' ability to discover drugs, conduct medical imaging, analyze genomic data, communicate with people, and develop digital human initiatives. , Nvidia introduced 21 generative AI microservices designed to promote healthcare innovation. It is expected that the 25 genAI microservices will enhance healthcare organizations' ability to discover drugs, conduct medical imaging, analyze genomic data, communicate with people, and develop digital human initiatives. In July 2023, Recursion partnered with Nvidia for $50 million in AI-powered drug discovery. Nvidia has funded and teamed up with Recursion to develop "AI-training-as-a-service" software for drug discovery on the Nvidia DGX Cloud. For Complete Report Details, Request Sample Copy from Here- https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ai-in-pharma-and-biotech-market.html Global AI in Pharma and Biotech Market: Segmentation Application Drug Discovery and Development Clinical Trials and Optimization Predictive Maintenance and Quality Control Drug Target Identification Disease Diagnosis & Prognosis Others End User Pharmaceutical & Biotech Companies Academic & Contract Research Organizations Others Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa Explore TMRs related ongoing Coverage on Healthcare Market Insights Domain: Drug Discovery Informatics Market ( ) - The global drug discovery informatics market is estimated to flourish at a CAGR of 10.9% from 2023 to 2031. Transparency Market Research projects that the overall sales revenue for drug discovery informatics is estimated to reach US$ 6.8 billion by the end of 2031. Medical Aesthetic Devices Market (Markt fur medizinische asthetische Gerate)- The global medical aesthetic devices market is estimated to flourish at a CAGR of 7.1% from 2023 to 2031. Transparency Market Research projects that the overall sales revenue for medical aesthetic devices is estimated to reach US$ 25.1 billion by the end of 2031. About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research, a global market research company registered at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, provides custom research and consulting services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insights for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools & techniques to gather and analyses information. Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports. Contact: Viridien wins contract to supply 30,000 Sercel WiNG land nodes to DMT Paris, France August 29, 2024 Viridien announced today that its Sensing & Monitoring business line, marketed under the Sercel brand, has sold and delivered a total of 30,000 Sercel WiNG land seismic nodes to DMT GmbH & Co. KG, a global engineering services and consultancy group headquartered in Essen, Germany. DMT will deploy the innovative and highly efficient WiNG nodes on a campaign of large-scale seismic surveys planned in urban areas to target energy resources, including geothermal. Featuring the ultra-sensitive broadband digital MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) QuietSeis sensor, the Sercel WiNG node delivers optimal data quality for outstanding subsurface imaging. With its field-proven Pathfinder transmission management technology, the crew can view and monitor the entire acquisition spread in real time, ensuring the most comprehensive and efficient quality control of operations. Jerome Denigot, Executive Vice President, Sensing & Monitoring, said: "We are delighted that DMT has selected our next-generation Sercel WiNG solution to ensure delivery of the most accurate seismic data to help meet the energy challenges of today and tomorrow. By selecting our WiNG nodes, DMT is partnering with an advanced technology company that is committed to providing its customers with the most innovative, reliable and sustainable solutions for use in all survey conditions. About Viridien: Viridien (www.viridiengroup.com) is an advanced technology, digital and Earth data company that pushes the boundaries of science for a more prosperous and sustainable future. With our ingenuity, drive and deep curiosity we discover new insights, innovations, and solutions that efficiently and responsibly resolve complex natural resource, digital, energy transition and infrastructure challenges. Viridien employs around 3,500 people worldwide and is listed as VIRI on the Euronext Paris SA (ISIN: FR001400PVN6). Contacts Investor Relations Jean Baptiste Roussille Tel: + 33 06 14 51 09 88 E-Mail: jean-baptiste.roussille@viridiengroup.com Attachment VICTORIA, Seychelles, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitget Wallet, a global leader in the Web3 wallet space, now supports USDT on the TON chain, allowing users to manage, transfer, deposit, and swap USDT on the TON chain. With this enhanced token swap feature, users can trade any tokens with USDT on the TON chain, and the cross-chain swaps enable trading of USDT between the TON chain and 14 other chains, including Ethereum, Solana and Base. This enhancement significantly strengthens Bitget Wallet's trading capabilities within the TON ecosystem, meeting the growing demands of the community. The TON ecosystem has seen rapid development, with a growing number of projects and DApps leveraging its secure and scalable infrastructure. The transfer volume of USDT on the TON mainnet has surged consistently, with daily transfer volume exceeding 700 million USD in early August 2024, indicating strong user adoption and expanding liquidity within the network. Alvin Kan, Chief Operating Officer of Bitget Wallet, highlighted, "The integration of USDT on the TON mainnet marks a significant milestone in our commitment to providing users with comprehensive and seamless trading solutions. We are dedicated to continually enhancing our platform to meet the evolving needs of our users and support the growth of the TON ecosystem." As the preferred wallet in the TON ecosystem, Bitget Wallet provides comprehensive support for its users, allowing effortless creation of TON wallets to manage on-chain assets securely and conveniently. Bitget Wallet has deeply engaged with the TON community, expanding across multi-wallet protocols like keyless wallet solutions, DApp connections, token trading, ecosystem events, and project incubation. Recently, the TON mainnet has become the most transacted network on Bitget Wallet, surpassing Polygon, Arbitrum, BNB Chain, and Base. Bitget Wallet aggregates hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges, supporting fast token swaps, limit orders, and cross-chain swaps across more than 50 blockchains including the TON chain. The platform's advanced trading features include gas-free trading, automatic slippage, smart money tracking, and instant trading mode, all aimed at enhancing the trading experience. Additionally, users benefit from comprehensive market trends and popular currency lists within Bitget Wallet to stay tuned with the latest market movements. About Bitget Wallet Bitget Wallet stands as one of the world's leading non-custodial Web3 wallets and decentralized ecosystem platform. With the Bitget Onchain Layer, the wallet is well-poised to develop a burgeoning DeFi ecosystem through co-creation and strategic incubation. Aside from a powerful Swap function, Bitget Wallet also offers multi-chain asset management, smart money insights, a native Launchpad, Inscriptions Center, and an Earning Center. Supporting over 100 major blockchains, 250,000+ tokens, and a wide array of DApps, Bitget Wallet is your top wallet for asset discovery and Web3 exploration. For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | Discord For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9553b692-dda4-4fdd-a2e6-453a15e8058f Dublin, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Europe Procure-to-Pay Solutions Market Size and Forecast, Regional Share, Trend, and Growth Opportunity Analysis Report Coverage: By Component, Industry, Organization Size, Deployment, and Country" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The European Procure-to-Pay (P2P) Solutions market has demonstrated a robust valuation of US$ 2.16 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to continue its upward trajectory, with expectations to ascend to a remarkable US$ 4.16 billion by the year 2031. This growth is projected to occur at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% over the forecast period from 2023 to 2031. Key factors propelling this market advancement include a significant rise in demand for e-invoicing, regulatory developments, the proliferation of mobile procurement options, and an increasing inclination towards cloud-based solutions. In recent years, Europe has observed a surge in technological innovation, which, alongside automation and seamless integration with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, has opened up substantial growth avenues for the P2P Solutions market. Mobile procurement solutions have especially garnered extensive industry attention due to their ability to offer heightened flexibility and enhanced user experiences, invariably boosting the efficacy of procurement operations within modern-day businesses. Segmentation Insights The European P2P Solutions landscape can be dissected into a variety of segments including components, deployment, organizational size, and industry verticals. Solutions and services represent the core components, whereas by deployment, cloud and on-premises solutions make up the bifurcation. Furthermore, based on organizational size, the market is categorized into large enterprises and SMEs. Diverse industries such as manufacturing, IT & telecom, healthcare, and retail are at the forefront in adopting these solutions. Services and Industry Adoption The services spectrum encompasses software implementation, training, support, and consulting services all integral to facilitating end-users in integrating P2P with existing systems and extracting the full potential of said solutions. Industries including IT & telecom are increasingly leveraging P2P solutions to induce cost savings and enhance efficiencies within their supply chains and procurement processes. A key part of this effort is the digital transformation initiatives aimed at fostering innovation, slashing operational costs, and amplifying customer satisfaction, all while maintaining an unwavering focus on cybersecurity. Competitive Landscape The European market for Procure-to-Pay Solutions features a dynamic competitive framework with prominent players offering comprehensive solutions to cater to diverse industry requisites. These market players are innovatively crafting strategies to meet demands, thereby propelling market growth. Through intensive primary research and extensive secondary research, this analysis delivers a rigorous overview and forecast of the P2P Solutions market and its multifaceted market segments. The unveiling of the Europe Procure-to-Pay Solutions market forecast is built on the foundation of a meticulous amalgamation of research findings, including substantive data from key company publications, association data, and verified databases. The insights derived from this market analysis are essential for industry participants seeking to navigate the evolving market landscape and harness growth opportunities in the burgeoning European P2P Solutions domain. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 170 Forecast Period 2023 - 2031 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $2.16 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2031 $4.16 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 8.5% Regions Covered Europe Companies Featured Oracle SAP SE GEP Coupa Software Inc. Docaposte Group Invalua Inc B2BE Jaggaer Zycus Inc Tradeshift Holdings, Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/5ihsn7 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Dublin, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Europe Medical Cannabis Oil Market Size, Industry Dynamics, Opportunity Analysis and Forecast 2024-2032." report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Europe Medical Cannabis Oil market is poised for significant growth, projected to escalate from US$ 0.91 billion in 2023 to US$ 2.40 billion by 2032, advancing at a CAGR of 12.08%. In this comprehensive research report, the market is analyzed by: Derivatives; Source; Application; Route of Administration; End-user; Distribution Channel; and Country. Market Highlights Identified in the Report Progressive legalization across Europe is creating a favorable regulatory environment, enhancing market expansion for medical cannabis oil products. Germany leads the market with a robust infrastructure and supportive regulations, while other countries like the UK, Italy, and Spain show significant growth potential based on evolving regulatory landscapes and market dynamics. Key players such as Tilray, Aurora Cannabis Inc., and GW Pharmaceuticals dominate the market, emphasizing research, strategic partnerships, and innovation to maintain competitive edge amidst evolving industry dynamics. The medical cannabis oil market has experienced substantial growth as legalization and acceptance of cannabis-based treatments expand globally. Cannabis oil, derived from the cannabis plant through extraction methods, contains cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, known for their therapeutic properties. Increasing recognition of cannabis oil's potential in alleviating symptoms of various medical conditions, including chronic pain, epilepsy, and anxiety disorders, has driven its adoption in medical settings. Governments in several countries are progressively legalizing medical cannabis, creating a conducive regulatory environment for market expansion. Additionally, growing consumer awareness about alternative and natural therapies has fueled the demand for cannabis oil products. The market is characterized by diverse product offerings, including full-spectrum and CBD-isolate oils, catering to different therapeutic needs and preferences. Despite regulatory challenges and stigma associated with cannabis, the medical cannabis oil market continues to evolve, driven by ongoing research, favorable legislative changes, and shifting attitudes toward cannabis-based therapies in healthcare. Regional Insights Germany is likely to maintain its leadership position in the European medical cannabis oil market due to its established infrastructure, supportive regulations, and strong healthcare system. Germany legalized medical cannabis in 2017, giving the market a head start compared to many other European countries. This established infrastructure and experience position Germany as a leader in the field. As awareness and acceptance of medical cannabis increase, the number of patients seeking treatment in Germany is steadily rising. This fuels market growth and incentivizes further investment in research and development. Germany's regulatory framework for medical cannabis is considered relatively patient-friendly compared to some other European countries. This facilitates access for patients with qualifying conditions. The UK legalized medical cannabis in 2018 and is experiencing an increase in patient access programs. This, coupled with ongoing research, could lead to significant market growth. Italy legalized medical cannabis in 2006 but has faced challenges with availability. As regulations become more streamlined and patient access expands, the Italian market holds significant growth potential. Spain has a well-established medical cannabis industry with a focus on domestic production. As regulations evolve and export opportunities increase, the Spanish market could see a boost. Competitive Landscape The Medical Cannabis Oil market is characterized by a vigorous competitive landscape, with prominent entities like Tilray, Aurora Cannabis Inc., GW Pharmaceuticals, Almiral, Bedrocan, and others at the forefront, collectively accounting for approximately 41 % of the overall market share. This competitive milieu is fueled by their intensive efforts in research and development as well as strategic partnerships and collaborations, underscoring their commitment to solidifying market presence and diversifying their offerings. The primary competitive factors include pricing, product caliber, and technological innovation. As the Medical Cannabis Oil industry continues to expand, the competitive fervor among these key players is anticipated to intensify. The impetus for ongoing innovation and alignment with evolving customer preferences and stringent regulations is high. The industry's fluidity anticipates an uptick in novel innovations and strategic growth tactics from these leading corporations, which in turn propels the sector's comprehensive growth and transformation. Key Topics Covered Chapter 1. Research Framework Chapter 2. Research Methodology Chapter 3. Executive Summary: Europe Medical Cannabis Oil Market Chapter 4. Europe Medical Cannabis Oil Market Overview Chapter 5. Europe Medical Cannabis Oil Market Analysis, by Derivatives Chapter 6. Europe Medical Cannabis Oil Market Analysis, by Source Chapter 7. Europe Medical Cannabis Oil Market Analysis, by Application Chapter 8. Europe Medical Cannabis Oil Market Analysis, by Route of Administration Chapter 9. Europe Medical Cannabis Oil Market Analysis, by End-user Chapter 10. Europe Medical Cannabis Oil Market Analysis, by Distribution Channel Chapter 11. Europe Medical Cannabis Oil Market Analysis, by Country Chapter 12. The UK Medical Cannabis Oil Market Analysis Chapter 13. Germany Medical Cannabis Oil Market Analysis Chapter 14. The Netherlands Medical Cannabis Oil Market Analysis Chapter 15. Italy Medical Cannabis Oil Market Analysis Chapter 16. Spain Medical Cannabis Oil Market Analysis Chapter 17. Poland Medical Cannabis Oil Market Analysis Chapter 18. Rest of Europe Medical Cannabis Oil Market Analysis Chapter 19. Company Profiles (Company Overview, Financial Matrix, Key Product Landscape, Key Personnel, Key Competitors, Contact Address, and Business Strategy Outlook) A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to: Aurora Cannabis Inc. Bedrocan Biocann BIOTA Biosciences LLC Cannamedical Mary Jane CBD Sanity Group GmbH Tilray Valcon Medical For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dh7q46 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. TIANJIN, China, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Aug. 28, the Ganghangping 5, a self-propelled and jack-up offshore wind turbine installation platform with Chinas highest elevation height, strongest comprehensive lifting capacity and the longest pile leg, was successfully delivered in east Chinas port city Qingdao. With a length of 135 meters and a width of 50 meters, the ship weighs approximately 29,000 tonnes when empty. It has a maximum lifting capacity of 1,800 tonnes and can operate in water depths of over 70 meters. The elevating height above the deck is 168 meters. As the fourth-generation jack-up and self-propelled offshore wind turbine installation platform in China, it has a 135-meter-long pile leg with its jack-up system. The elevating height above the water surface of its crane exceeds 200 meters, once again breaking the record for elevating height among similar platforms. The vessel is also the first wind turbine installation platform in China equipped with an intelligent ship system, enabling route and speed design and optimization, intelligent energy efficiency management, and intelligent integration platform. It's also capable of comprehensive monitoring and intelligent management of the vessel, resulting in an approximately 20-percent increase in wind turbine installation efficiency. Additionally, the platform is equipped with a wind-solar complementary green energy system, providing ample power supply for daily use. Manufactured by Tianjin Changer Engineering Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Tianjin Port (Group) Co., Ltd., the vessel can meet the operation requirements of the world's largest 26MW wind turbines. It's capable of carrying two sets of 20MW wind turbines simultaneously and has integrated operations for wind turbine transportation, storage, and installation. It also possesses navigation capabilities in open waters. Once delivered, it will be able to carry out operations in deep-sea areas. As a leading enterprise that was among the first to enter the field of offshore wind power construction in China, the manufacturer actively practices the concept of innovative and green development. In total, Tianjin Changer Engineering Co., Ltd. has undertaken 56 offshore wind power projects along the Chinese coast such as Chinas first large-diameter monopile foundation offshore wind power project in Rudong County, Jiangsu Province. These projects involve installing over 700 wind turbines and their cumulative installed capacity exceeds 6GW, accounting for more than one-sixth of China's domestically connected offshore wind power capacity. The company has achieved over 150 leading international and domestic accomplishments, methodologies, and patents in this field, which are widely applied in the industry. In addition, it has been honored with multiple national quality engineering awards as well as provincial and ministerial-level quality engineering awards. Source: Tianjin Port Group Co., Ltd. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Travelers are gearing up for what could be one of the most expensive fall travel seasons to-date, with average trip costs up over 30% compared to last fall. Analyzing traveler spending and survey data from thousands of travel insurance policies purchased for trips this fall, leading travel insurance marketplace, Squaremouth.com, reveals how rising trip costs are affecting traveler behavior. High Trip Costs Spark Traveler Concerns More than half of surveyed travelers are spending more on travel this fall, with an average trip cost of $7,600. The average cost of international travel, specifically, has risen to $8,100, up 38% from last year. Higher trip costs can also mean bigger financial losses, leading to increasing traveler's concerns over protecting their fall trips with travel insurance. 77% of surveyed travelers said that they were more or equally concerned about protecting their trip costs this fall compared to previous years. Affordable Fall Destinations on the Rise As the cost of travel continues to rise, Squaremouths data reveals that travelers are actively seeking out more affordable destinations this fall. This year, 8 out of the top 10 popular fall destinations have trip costs below the overall season average. Below are the most popular affordable fall destinations this year based on insured trip costs. Top 10 Affordable Fall Destinations: Destination Average Trip Cost Bahamas $3,012 Dominican Republic $3,315 Mexico $3,331 Philippines $3,362 Bermuda $3,859 Aruba $3,880 Jamaica $3,946 Puerto Rico $4,407 Belize $4,496 Costa Rica $4,523 Methodology: Squaremouth analytics compared travel insurance policy sales for trips purchased prior to August 29 with travel dates between September 1 and December 20. Dallas, TX, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) will join Feeding America and other member food banks for Hunger Action Month this September to inspire people to join the fight to end hunger and raise awareness of people experiencing food insecurity across the United States. A recent study revealed that Texas now leads the nation in food insecurity, surpassing California. Texas grapples with a food insecurity rate of 16.4%, equating to nearly 5 million individuals facing hunger, and an alarming one-third of those affected are children. Moreover, the study highlights the ongoing challenges within NTFBs 13-county service area, ranking it as the nations fourth-largest area of food insecurity. Approximately 778,000 individuals, or 1 in 7 people, confront food insecurity within NTFBs service area, and tragically, nearly 40%, or 286,860, are children. In the heart of North Texas, where the number of people facing hunger is greater than the populations of cities like Seattle or San Francisco, the statistic that strikes hardest is nearly 40% of those in need are children, and that is unacceptable, said Trisha Cunningham, President and CEO for the North Texas Food Bank. Hunger Action Month is a great reminder that when members of our community step up, lend a hand, and share their voice, they are part of a powerful movement that can change the lives of our neighbors for good. Hunger Action Month is the Feeding America networks annual awareness campaign, held each September, to encourage the publics engagement in the movement to end hunger. Feeding America is the nations largest domestic hunger-relief organization, with a nationwide network of 200 food banks, including the North Texas Food Bank, and 60,000 partner food pantries and meal programs. September marks the 17th year the organization has organized the annual call to action. We can end hunger in the U.S. when we decide to work together with coordinated action and a shared belief that everyone deserves fresh, nutritious food, said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. This year during Hunger Action Month, we are encouraging everyone to take action. Raise your voice. Volunteer. Donate. Our individual actions may seem small, but together they become a powerful movement that can change history. The North Texas Food Bank is dedicated to easing this burden for North Texas neighbors by providing food for today and hope for tomorrow by addressing the underlying barriers to food security. Hunger Action Month is a great opportunity for the community to get involved in the fight against hunger. You can find a full calendar of Hunger Action Month events and engagement opportunities at www.ntfb.org/ham. Below are a few highlights of ways to take action this September. Peanut Butter Drive runs throughout September. Cities, neighborhoods, corporations and organizations will collect jars of peanut butter to be distributed through the NTFBs Food 4 Kids backpack program and feeding network of 500 partner agencies and organizations. North Texas residents and businesses can support the food drive by collecting physical jars of peanut butter or through a virtual food drive. More information can be found at www.ntfb.org/peanutbutterdrive. Register campaigns benefiting the NTFB will run throughout September for Hunger Action Month. Contribute to the NTFB at the checkout register when shopping at Kroger, CVS, Albertsons/Tom Thumb or H-E-B/Central Market stores. CANstruction Dallas will be on display September 14-October 6 at NorthPark Center. View the art-themed structures built entirely out of canned foods and other non-perishable food items by teams consisting of architecture, design, engineering and construction companies. NorthPark Center visitors can vote on their favorite structure by donating to that teams fundraising page at www.ntfb.org/canstruction. Every $5 donated equals one vote and helps the NTFB provide access to 15 nutritious meals. North Texas Giving Day is on September 19. Celebrate community-wide philanthropy and donate to NTFB on North Texas Giving Day. You can schedule your donation or set up your own fundraising page and encourage your family and friends to contribute. It is unnecessary to make a large donation to have a significant impact every $1 donated provides access to three nutritious meals and match opportunities throughout the day will further the impact of your gift! Go to www.ntfb.org/ntgd for more information. North Texas Giving Day Volunteer-a-thon on September 19. Join hundreds of volunteers on North Texas Giving Day for a 24-hour Volunteer-a-thon at NTFBs Perot Family Campus. NTFB will host six volunteer shifts from midnight on September 19 through midnight on September 20. Volunteers will sort and box food for neighbors facing hunger during six themed shifts. For more information, visit https://ntfb.org/event/volunteer-a-thon-2024/. Advocate for hunger relief. Call or email your elected officials. Tell them why hunger matters. Contact your members of Congress and encourage them to strengthen critical nutrition programs in the Farm Billthe nations centerpiece federal legislation for food and farmingthat impacts access to nutritious food for people facing hunger, including seniors, children, and active military members. You can find your representatives at https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative. Visit www.ntfb.org/advocacy to stay informed of how government programs can help bridge the hunger gap locally and nationally and how you can help. The State Fair of Texas Feed the Need Food Drive begins on September 27. The North Texas Food Bank is partnering with the State Fair of Texas again this year to collect food donations to help feed a growing population of residents in need. On opening day, visitors can bring two 16-ounce jars of peanut butter for a discounted ticket and each Wednesday, patrons who bring five cans of food will get a $5 admission. Learn more at bigtex.com/buy-tickets/discounts. Donate our most needed food. Its easy to send a few of our most-needed items by visiting our Amazon Wishlist at www.ntfb.org/amazon Host your own fundraising event. Learn how to host a virtual fundraiser, a virtual food drive, or a Facebook fundraiser. There are many ways to give and engage your network. Hunger Action Month is a time for everyone nationwide to fight hunger. Every actionbig or smallis one step closer to a North Texas where no one faces hunger. Learn more about how you can join the fight to end hunger by visiting www.ntfb.org. ### About the North Texas Food Bank The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a leading nonprofit organization that fights hunger and provides children, seniors and families in North Texas access to nutritious food. For over 40 years, we have been at the forefront of hunger relief, committed to ensuring that no one in our community lacks access to healthy food. Our extensive network of 500 food pantries and organizations, volunteers, and donors enables us to deliver more than 100 million nutritious meals annually to those in need. Beyond just addressing hunger, we focus on nourishing lives by offering nutrition education, investing in our network partners, innovating solutions to eliminate hunger and advocating for policies that tackle the root causes of food insecurity. Our dedication to excellence is reflected in our 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, highlighting our strong governance, integrity, and financial stability. Additionally, we are honored to be ranked 89th on Forbes' 2023 Top 100 Charities in America. As a proud member of Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger relief network, we are committed to ensuring everyone in North Texas has the nourishment needed to lead a healthy and fulfilling life. For more information, visit www.ntfb.org or connect with us on social media @NorthTexasFoodBank. About Feeding America Feeding America is committed to an America where no one is hungry. We support tens of millions of people who experience food insecurity to get the food and resources they say they need to thrive as part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs. We also invest in innovative solutions to increase equitable access to nutritious food, advocate for legislation that improves food security and work to address factors that impact food security, such as health, cost of living and employment. We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations, and supporters, united with them in a movement to end hunger. Visit www.FeedingAmerica.org to learn more. Attachments EL CENTRO, Calif., Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Premier Graphene Inc. (OTC: BIEI), formerly Premier Biomedical Inc., announced today a groundbreaking technical report with significant implications for the road and highway construction industries. Building on our successful integration of our high-grade, efficacious graphene in cement, the testing conducted by Baja California Test S.A. de R.L. de C.V., highlights that the integration of graphene into asphalt mixtures, demonstrates again substantial enhancement of stability and performance of the material. Detailed in Technical Report 238-2024, the study reveals that graphene-modified asphalt could lead to more durable roads and infrastructure, offering the potential to revolutionize road construction globally higher-quality and much greater longevity. Using conventional AC20 asphalt cement as the base binder, as directed by Pete Mendez, President of Premier, researchers added graphene at a 0.5% mass ratio, resulting in a significant increase in material viscosity and a remarkable 70% improvement in stability compared to traditional mixtures! Premier Graphene employed the industry standard, Marshall Test, to best demonstrate the graphene-enhanced asphalt efficacy outcomes and the demonstrably impressive stability values rising from an average of 1,123 kg to 1,864 kg. The President of Baja California Test S.A. de R.L. de C.V., Engineer Ramiro Romero stated, "The earlier concrete additive results were impressive, but the outcomes with the asphalt application are simply astounding." He emphasized that this breakthrough could revolutionize road construction by producing longer-lasting pavements, reducing maintenance costs, and promoting sustainable practices. The research was conducted with efficient use of resources, utilizing local stone aggregates and showcasing the practical application of recent advancements in material science. The encouraging results indicate that further exploration of graphene-modified mixtures is warranted. The next step could involve applying the asphalt mixture to a selected stretch of road in a major North American city for testing under both hot and cold conditions. By testing under the AMAAC Protocol Level II, researchers will gain deeper insights into the material's resistance to permanent deformation and environmental stresses, potentially paving the way for broader infrastructure applications across diverse climates and conditions. Separately, we await yet further confirmation of these results from the testing by the two very large materials companies with whom we have discussed and tested our unique asphalt additive, stated Pedro Mendez. He continued, We also anticipate further discussions with a major city government in North America to determine how the graphene-enhanced asphalt performs in a high traffic environment. If these tests match what we have seen in these independent laboratories, the results will revolutionize the asphalt industry, commencing with roads. As a result of the global interest in our graphene products, we are happy to share the test results with all interested parties, To request a copy of the test results, please email a request including your name and contact information to testresults@premiergrapheneinc.com . We will respond to all inquiries within 48 hours of receipt. Graphene's integration into asphalt marks a significant leap forward in road construction technology. This innovation promises to deliver not only better roads but also a more durable and sustainable infrastructure for communities worldwide. To get the latest news on the exciting developments from Premier Biomedical Inc. (OTC: BIEI), now known as Premier Graphene, Inc., subscribe by submitting to: https://premiergrapheneinc.com/contact/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedro-mendez-a504741ba https://www.linkedin.com/in/gustavocarreno?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app For more information, please contact us at info@premiergrapheneinc.com Website (upgrading in process): https://premiergrapheneinc.com/ X: @PREMIERGRAPHENE About Premier Graphene, Inc. (OTC: BIEI), Premier Graphene and its Mexican affiliate HGI Industrial Technologies LLC created a proprietary, scalable method to create high-quality, low-cost graphene out of industrial hemp. The Company plans on creating proprietary graphene colloids that can address billion-dollar markets such as the cement industry. The Company also enjoys the capacity to create proprietary best-in-class graphene-enhanced lubricants and epoxies. The Companys initial roll out will focus on markets that will require small capital expenditures. For example, and in the case of the cement industry, the Company will sell its graphene suspensions to existing multi-national cement manufacturers. Premier engaged in a holding company reorganization so that the parent company, renamed from Premier Biomedical Inc., has almost no convertible debentures (less than $20,000) outstanding. As a result, the successor issuer public company, Premier Graphene, Inc., has nearly no debt. The predecessor issuers debt remains in the original company, now a subsidiary of the publicly traded company. The Company is traded on the OTC Market, in full compliance with OTC Market reporting requirements. Premier Graphene, Inc. is in the process of a single corporate action changing its name with FINRA and thus OTC Markets. Its articles of incorporation prohibit a reverse split. It is involved in the development of sophisticated products utilizing the unique characteristics of graphene, partnering with various related corporations and unrelated corporations. Safe Harbor Notice Certain statements contained herein are forward-looking statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). The Company cautions its readers that the statements and assumptions made in this news release constitute forward-looking statements and makes no guarantee of future performance. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the time the statements are made. These statements may address issues that involve significant risks, uncertainties and associated estimates made by management. Actual results could differ materially from current projections or implied results. Premier Graphene, Inc. (OTC: BIEI ), whose name is being changed from Premier Biomedical Inc., undertakes no obligation to revise these statements following the date of this news release. Contact: Pedro Mendez p.mendez@premiergrapheneinc.com info@premiergrapheneinc.com Boston, MA, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beacon Hill Solutions, a leading provider of integrated workforce solutions, is thrilled to announce its rebranding as OneBeacon. This strategic decision reflects the companys unwavering dedication to evolution and continuous improvement in delivering exceptional services that mitigate risk, reduce administrative burdens and enhance client delivery. The unveiling of the new OneBeacon brand marks a significant milestone in Beacon Hill's history. Kathleen Keliher, Managing Director at OneBeacon, expressed her excitement, stating, "This rebranding further solidifies our commitment to leading the industry with clarity, innovation, strategic guidance, and unparalleled service. OneBeacon represents our dedication to providing our clients with transformative solutions that enhance their operational agility and strategic capabilities. Together, we are on a journey to continually exceed expectations and lead the industry forward." Clients and partners can rest assured that OneBeacon will continue to provide the same high level of service and dedication they have come to expect. The company remains focused on maintaining strong relationships while introducing new approaches to meet the evolving needs of its clients. During this transition, OneBeacon's expert team is available to address any inquiries or provide assistance. Clients and partners can reach out to them at OneBeacon@bhsg.com. About OneBeacon OneBeacon is dedicated to delivering workforce solutions that align with the ever-changing landscape of HR technologies and diverse workforce compositions. With a foundation built on creating synergy between human capital and technology, the company offers targeted and integrated talent solutions tailored to meet specific needs. Whether an emerging-growth company, a mid-sized business, or a Fortune 500 organization, OneBeacon is committed to helping streamline workforce management. With over 20 years of industry experience, the company possesses the expertise to enhance human capital strategies, ensuring organizations are equipped to thrive in today's dynamic environment. Let OneBeacon leverage its extensive experience to drive your success. Attachment BALTIMORE, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Urology Care Foundation, the world's leading nonprofit urological health foundation and the official foundation of the American Urological Association, is pleased to announce the 2024 Urology Care Foundation Humanitarian Grant recipients. As one of the world's largest urology-specific humanitarian-focused grant programs, the Urology Care Foundation Humanitarian Grants aid the efforts of urologists and projects providing patient care and education in underserved areas, either within the United States or worldwide. Congratulations to this year's grant recipients: Laura Bukavina, MD, MPH, MSc Dr. Bukavina is an assistant professor of urologic oncology at Cleveland Clinic Glickman Urologic Institute. Her upcoming mission to Ukraine with the Cleveland Maiden Association will mark her fifth trip to the area to provide focused surgical interventions and education sessions. Timothy Bukowski, MD, FACS, FAAP - Dr. Bukowski is a clinical professor of urology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, with board certification in Pediatric Urology. For 25 years, he has served as a medical volunteer with the World Pediatric Project , a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting children in developing countries with access to diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical care. Each Spring, he travels to Belize with WakeMed urology nursing team members to provide surgical care to children with congenital and chronic urological conditions. Michael Gross, MD Dr. Gross is a urology resident with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Through a partnership with urologists at the Hospital de Gran Grand Yoff in Dakar, Senegal, Dr. Gross has planned for a host of surgeries for their most complex and refractory cases. Kavita Gupta, MD Dr. Gupta is an endourology fellow at the Mount Sinai Kidney Stone Center in New York City. In partnership with the Jeev Sewa Sansthan organization, Dr. Gupta will travel to India to deliver surgical and medical care for complex kidney stone disease. Alex Hwang, MD Dr. Hwang is a urology resident at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. Through his work with the Jeev Sewa Sansthan organization, he will travel to India to provide urologic health care to impoverished patients residing in rural areas. Amir Khan, MD Dr. Khan is a research fellow with the University of Maryland, Department of Surgery. Through partnership with the Pakistan Kidney Institute, their project will deliver an introductory course on clinical research methods and clinical trials followed by a research mentoring program. Juan Martinez-Salamanca, MD, PhD - Dr. Martinez-Salamanca is the president of the Lyx Foundation, founded in 2019 to actively stimulate the creation of deep-rooted and self-sustaining projects through local leadership training. Dr. Martinez-Salamanca is currently championing a screening project for prostate cancer in Cameroon, where his efforts could potentially provide invaluable support to individuals who remain undiagnosed. Glen McWilliams, MD Dr. McWilliams serves as vice president of the R. Frank Jones Urologic Society (RFJUS) and holds several other prominent positions within the urologic field. With RFJUS, Dr. McWilliams will provide prostate cancer education and screenings to underserved populations in New York City. Alberto Ramirez-Lopez, MD, FACSDr. Ramirez-Lopez is a urologist based in Puerto Rico and has been an integral part of the University of Puerto Rico Department of Urologic Surgery. With support from the universitys Urology Program, he will bring services to underserved areas in the outer Islands of Puerto Rico, which have limited availability due to a lack of infrastructure connecting them to the main Island. Michael Sourial, MD, FRCSCDr. Sourial is an assistant professor of urology at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He will travel to Hospital San Hermano Pedro, Catacamas, Honduras, along with two other U.S.-based urologists, to provide urologic services to a small rural village with little access to medical care. "We were, once again, incredibly impressed by the exceptional quality of the grant applicants. The ongoing and increasing interest in these opportunities highlights the importance of humanitarian work to our members," said Harris M. Nagler, MD, president of the Urology Care Foundation. "The proposed projects will positively impact the communities they serve and inspire others to carry on these vital efforts." Grants were made possible through funds from the American Urological Association Humanitarian Endowment, the Amerson Family Humanitarian Endowment, the Richard J. Fox Foundation Humanitarian Endowment, the Nathirmal N. Lalchandani Humanitarian Endowment, the Endourological Society Raju and Ginny Thomas Humanitarian Endowment, the Indian American Urological Association Humanitarian Endowment, the Nawazish Ali Mian Family Endowment, the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction, the Southeastern Section of American Urological Association & Puerto Rico Urological Association, and other contributors. Learn more about the Urology Care Foundation Humanitarian Grant Program and the work of the 2024 grant recipients: urologyhealth.org/2024humanitarians About the Urology Care Foundation: The Urology Care Foundation is the world's leading nonprofit urological health foundation, and the official foundation of the American Urological Association. Collaborating with physicians, researchers, patients and the public, the Foundation supports and improves urologic clinical care by funding research, developing patient education and pursuing philanthropic support. To learn more about the Urology Care Foundation and its programs visit: www.urologyhealth.org. About the American Urological Association: Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 25,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health care policy. Attachment US & Canada, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Electronic Signature Software Market Size, Growth, Demand, Scope, Trends, Analysis to 2030 is expected to register a high CAGR during the forecast period. The primary driving factors include the positive economic outlook and growing cloud technology. However, the lack of awareness, security concerns, and frequently changing regulations regarding digital signatures hinder the market growth. Nevertheless, increased spending on electronic signature software in both developed and developing countries is expected to fuel the growth of the electronic signature software market in the coming years. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000939/ Market Overview: Source: The Insight Partners Analysis An e-signature or electronic signature is an effective and legal way to attest electronic documents. It is a secure and trusted system that provides several advantages for businesses to streamline workflow. It helps improve business production speed and accuracy, optimize cost and time, and enhance customer service. Electronically signed documents have a greater potential in the legal sector than handwritten signatures, as these documents are not susceptible to forgery. Types of Electronic Signatures: Source: The Insight Partners Analysis Regional Overview: Geographically, the global electronic signature software market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and South & Central America. Source: The Insight Partners Analysis Identify The Key Trends Affecting This Market - Download PDF In 2022, North America held the leading position in the electronic signature software market. The presence of large electronic signature software providers and increasing government initiatives are boosting the regional market. Moreover, the growing adoption of the electronic signature process by several government agencies is expected to further fuel the market in North America. For instance, in October 2021, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the development of a new electronic signature process, streamlining the secured signing and document management process. The use of electronic signatures eliminates the need for printing, physical signing, and scanning in a secure environment. The electronic signature is expanded for all partners conducting business with USAID's Management Bureau Office of Acquisition and Assistance. Europe is the second-largest contributor to the global electronic signature software market, followed by Asia Pacific. The increasing partnerships among key players in Europe are enhancing the capabilities and seamless integration of electronic signature software. For instance, in May 2023, ZealiD, an EU-qualified digital identity and electronic signature provider, expanded its two-year partnership with DocuSign due to positive co-selling and high customer demand. The app will now include the reselling of the ZealiD by Docusign to its incumbent and new customers. This partnership has led to enhanced capabilities and uniform integration of the ZealiD Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) within the DocuSign platform, providing a complete and secure solution for remote signing and identity verification. As governments of various countries in APAC spend an enormous time to get approvals and signatures, the adoption of digital technologies, such as electronic signature software, is gaining traction to ease the process and avoid delays across various organizational operations. For instance, several associations, such as the Western Australian Local Government Association (WLGA) and the State of Hawaii, use electronic signatures for fast, secure, and legal signatures. Key Market Dynamics: Source: The Insight Partners Analysis Obtain Analysis of Key Geographic Markets - Download PDF Increasing Use of Electronic Signatures in E-commerce Industry: The documents in the e-commerce industry are majorly processed electronically. Online businesses and remote workers are driving the need for fast, secure, and legally binding methods of signing documents. Digital signatures streamline processes, decrease paper-related expenditures, improve security, and ensure compliance with regulations and global legal standards. Companies can improve overall efficiency and customer experience by integrating digital signatures into procedures ranging from contract signing to staff onboarding. The use of electronic signatures in the e-commerce industry provides several benefits, such as ease of use by adding e-signatures with a click of a button. With electronic signatures, once the document details are confirmed and validated, signing the documents becomes a simple task. The originating party is capable of receiving signed documents over the Internet within minutes of being signed. It helps the e-commerce players in maintaining document accuracy, reducing time, facilitating easy storage and retrieval of documents, and offering enhanced customer services. Integration of AI, Blockchain, and Advanced Technologies: The integration of AI and blockchain technology in electronic signatures provides tamper-proof security. Blockchain technology ensures the originality and authentication of the e-sign. Each block in a blockchain is given a cryptographic hash that uniquely identifies it and every subsequent block in the chain. eSignatures might be recorded on each of these blocks to verify their authenticity, and always know the source in an e-contract or e-document. Moreover, AI can detect and rectify any flaws in a signature that could lead to a forgery claim, reducing the possibility of deception. Further, AI algorithms assist in the matching of handwritten signatures with the previous signatures for verification. Therefore, it can find the difference between authentic and false signatures. AI can also detect fake signatures created using copy-and-paste or complex forgeries, lowering the danger of signature fraud. Various players, such as Lightico and Inkpaper.ai, provide AI and blockchain integration in electronic signatures. Thus, the integration of AI, blockchain, and other advanced technologies is expected to propel the electronic signature software market during the forecast period. Directly Purchase a Copy of this Report at: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPTE100000939/ 1.1 Impact of Drivers: The figure below depicts the impact of driving factors of the electronic signature software: Impact Analysis of Drivers Source: The Insight Partners Analysis Competitive Landscape: The electronic signature software market is highly fragmented owing to the presence of several local and international players such as DocuSign, Inc.; Adobe; PandaDoc Inc; airSlate Inc.; and Thales. Source: The Insight Partners Analysis Want More Information about Competitors and Market Players? Get PDF Regulatory Framework: Electronic signatures, or eSignatures, are becoming widely used in a society that is becoming more digital. However, the legal framework pertaining to eSignatures differs greatly between jurisdictions; thus, both individuals and organizations need to be aware of international rules. Source: The Insight Partners Analysis Recent Market Developments: In December 2023, OneSpan Inc. launched a new partner network program for partners to deliver seamless and secure customer experiences. The program also helps OneSpan Inc. to expand its portfolio with high-assurance identity proofing, secure e-signature solutions, and strong authentication. In November 2023, DocuSign Inc. launched WhatsApp integration to expand businesses across the globe. The expansion support company to provide its customers with eSignature integrated with WhatsApp. This helps users get real-time WhatsApp notifications and enables quick and secure signing. In April 2023, Adobe Inc. integrated its Acrobat Sign with Salesforce to help organizations operate faster with trusted e-signatures. Acrobat Sign benefits its customers by allowing them to sign in seconds from any device, increasing productivity and speeding the approval process. Require A Diverse Region or Sector? Customize Research to Suit Your Requirement Related Report Titles: About Us: The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Device, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials. Contact Us: If you have any queries about this report or if you would like further information, please contact us: Covina, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Prophecy Market Insights, the global animal biotechnology market size and share value is projected to grow from USD 28.36 Billion in 2024. It is forecasted to reach USD 64.75 Billion by 2034, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5% during the forecast period (2024 - 2034). Animal Biotechnology Market Report Overview Animal Biotechnology refers to using scientific techniques and technologies to modify, enhance, and utilize animals for various purposes, including research, agriculture, and medicine. This field encompasses a wide range of applications, from genetic modification and cloning to the development of animal-derived products and vaccines. Creating genetically modified animals to enhance desirable traits such as disease resistance, improved growth rates, or better nutritional profiles. Producing genetically identical animals for research or agricultural purposes. Download a Free Sample Research Report with Latest Industry Insights: https://www.prophecymarketinsights.com/market_insight/Insight/request-sample/5588 Our Free Sample Report includes: Overview & introduction of market study Revenue and CAGR of the market Drivers & Restrains factors of the market Major key players in the market Regional analysis of the market with a detailed graph Detailed segmentation in tabular form of market Recent developments/news of the market Opportunities & Challenges of the Market Competitive Landscape: The Animal Biotechnology Market is characterized by rapid growth, technological innovation, and fierce competition. Companies are expanding their global presence, focusing on sustainability, and diversifying their service offerings to stay competitive. Some of the Key Market Players: Zoetis, Inc. Merck Animal Health Elanco Animal Health Incorporated Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Cargill Animal Nutrition BASF SE Syngenta AG Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Genus PLC Neogen Corporation Alltech Inc. IDEXX Laboratories Inc. Aratana Therapeutics Inc. Animal Genetics Inc. Kemin Industries Inc. To Know More on Additional Market Players, Download a Free Sample Report Here: https://www.prophecymarketinsights.com/market_insight/Insight/request-pdf/5588 Analyst View: The growth of animal biotechnology is driven by the need for more efficient agricultural practices, advancements in medical research, and the development of new biotechnological innovations that can benefit both humans and animals. Market Dynamics: Drivers: Growing Demand for Sustainable Agriculture The need for sustainable agricultural practices is another major driver of the animal biotechnology market. As the global population continues to grow there is an increasing demand for more efficient and productive agricultural systems. Animal biotechnology offers solutions to address these challenges by enhancing the productivity and resilience of livestock. Request for FLAT 30% Discount on this Report @ https://www.prophecymarketinsights.com/market_insight/Insight/request-discount/5588 Market Trends: Focus on Animal Health and Welfare Improving animal health and welfare is a key driver in the target market. Advances in biotechnology are being used to develop new vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments for animal diseases. This not only helps improve the health and well-being of animals but also contributes to food safety and public health. Segmentation: Animal Biotechnology Market is segmented based on Product Type, Application, Animal Type, End-User, and Region. Product Type Insights This industry includes the following: Diagnostics Tests, Vaccines, Drugs, Reproductive and Genetic, and Feed Additives. The market growth for diagnostics tests is anticipated to be dominant as Diagnostics tests are crucial for early disease detection, which allows for timely intervention and prevention measures. Application Insights Diagnosis of animal diseases is anticipated to boost the growth of the target market as the growing prevalence of animal diseases, including infectious diseases, zoonotic diseases, and chronic conditions, drives the demand for advanced diagnostic solutions. Animal Type Insights Livestock is anticipated to boost the growth for the target market as the livestock segment benefits from substantial research funding and supportive regulatory environments aimed at advancing agricultural biotechnologies. Both public and private sectors make significant investments in research to create cutting-edge livestock management techniques. By accelerating the development and use of biotechnology applications, this support elevates the livestock industry to a leadership position in the target market. End-User Insights Veterinary hospitals & clinics is anticipated to boost the growth of the target market as the emphasis on preventive healthcare in veterinary medicine is also contributing to the dominance of this segment. Veterinary hospitals and clinics are increasingly adopting biotechnological approaches to prevent disease outbreaks, monitor animal health proactively, and implement early intervention strategies. Request FREE Unlimited Customization on this Report @ https://www.prophecymarketinsights.com/market_insight/Insight/request-customization/5588 Recent Development: In June 2023, ISAAA, in partnership with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), released the Animal Biotechnology Resource. It serves as a public repository of information materials on animal biotechnology sourced from international workshops organized by ISAAA, USDA, Virginia Tech, and partners. The animal biotech resources include workshop proceedings, videos, podcasts, and presentation slides tackling the latest developments in the field as well as the regulatory approaches for consideration. Regional Insights North America: The market in North America is characterized by a high adoption rate of advanced biotechnological solutions, including genetic engineering, molecular diagnostics, and biopharmaceuticals. The market in North America is characterized by a high adoption rate of advanced biotechnological solutions, including genetic engineering, molecular diagnostics, and biopharmaceuticals. Asia Pacific: A growing trend in veterinary care is the application of biotechnological breakthroughs, including as genetic testing, vaccinations, and diagnostics, throughout this region. The region's expanding veterinary infrastructure and increasing awareness of advanced animal health solutions are key factors driving market growth. Browse Detail Report on "Animal Biotechnology Market Size, Share, By Product Type (Diagnostics Tests, Vaccines, Drugs, Reproductive and Genetic, Feed Additives), By Application (Diagnosis of Animal Diseases, Treatment of Animal Diseases, Preventive Care of Animals, Drug Development, Others), By Animal Type (Companion, Livestock), By End-user (Laboratories, Point-of-Care Testing/In-house Testing, Veterinary Hospitals & Clinics, Others), and By Region - Trends, Analysis, and Forecast till 2034" with complete TOC @ https://www.prophecymarketinsights.com/market_insight/animal-biotechnology-market-5588 Browse More Research Reports: About Us: Prophecy Market Insights is a specialized market research, analytics, marketing and business strategy, and solutions company that offer strategic and tactical support to clients for making well-informed business decisions and to identify and achieve high value opportunities in the target business area. Also, we help our client to address business challenges and provide best possible solutions to overcome them and transform their business. Prophecys expertize area covers products, services, latest trends, developments, market growth factors, and challenges along with market forecast in various business areas such as Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Information Technology (IT), Automotive, Industrial, Chemical, Agriculture, Food and Beverage, Energy, and Oil and Gas. We also offer various other services such as, data mining, information management, and revenue enhancement suggestions. Contact Us: Prophecy Market Insights US: 964 E. Badillo Street #2042 Covina, CA 91724 US toll-free: +1 860 531 2574 Rest of World: + 91 7775049802 AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pano AI (Pano), the leading developer of artificial intelligence-driven wildfire detection, and Austin Energy , today announced the full deployment of an advanced AI-driven wildfire camera detection system, marking a significant step forward in enhancing wildfire response capabilities across Central Texas. The Pano AI system integrates ultra-high-definition, 360-degree cameras, artificial intelligence, and real-time data monitoring to swiftly detect and verify potential wildfires. Once a fire is identified, the system automatically alerts Austin Energy and local fire departments, providing precise location data and real-time imagery to aid first responders in their efforts to quickly address and contain the threat. "This is an important step for the safety of our community and the reliability of our electric system," said Chris Vetromile, Austin Energys wildfire program manager. "With climate change driving hotter, drier summers, this AI-powered detection system allows us to respond faster and more effectively to wildfires, safeguarding our community and supporting more reliable service." The AI-driven system continuously scans for smoke, triangulates the fire's location, and delivers actionable intelligence to local authorities and fire departments. This early detection capability supports Austin Energy in making critical decisions, such as initiating necessary power shut-offs during active fire conditions. The Pano deployment spans beyond the Austin city limits, covering most of Travis County and extends into parts of Hays, Bastrop, Williamson and Burnet counties, ensuring all of Austin Energys 437-square-mile service area is monitored. In collaboration with the Austin Fire Department (AFD) and surrounding County Emergency Service District Fire Departments, the 13 camera stations are strategically placed to maximize coverage of critical regions, providing a proactive layer of defense against emerging wildfire threats. "This technology gives us real-time situational awareness, allowing us to identify and respond to fires before they spread," said Justice Jones, wildfire mitigation officer for the Austin Fire Department. "The collaboration between Pano AI, Austin Energy, and local fire departments marks a new chapter in our ability to safeguard our communities from the growing threat of wildfires." The system is the result of collaborative efforts between Austin Energy, the Austin Fire Department and the Texas Public Power Corridor Committee, a coalition of public utilities along the I-35 corridor. The deployment highlights Austin Energys commitment to innovation and safety while providing critical support to first responders throughout the region. "Our partnership with Austin Energy demonstrates the transformative power of AI in wildfire management," said Arvind Satyam, co-founder and chief commercial officer of Pano AI. "By delivering up-to-the-minute information to first responders, we are helping to protect both people and infrastructure in Texas." About Austin Energy: Austin Energy, the City of Austins electric utility, serves more than 550,000 customer accounts and more than one million residents in Greater Austin. The utilitys mission to safely deliver clean, affordable, reliable energy and excellent customer service has guided Austin Energy in powering the community and supporting the regions growth since 1895. For more information about Austin Energy, visit austinenergy.com . About Pano AI: Pano AI is the leading AI-driven solution for active wildfire detection. The fully integrated solution combines ultra-high-definition cameras, wireless connectivity, satellite feeds, artificial intelligence, and cloud-based software to provide its customers and partners with real-time actionable intelligence and situational awareness to coordinate an informed rapid response to wildfires before they escalate. Pano's technology and services are used by governments, utilities, private landowners, and fire agencies in 15 states or provinces throughout the U.S., Australia and British Columbia, Canada. It covers more than 20 million acres of land, helping to better safeguard infrastructure, communities, and lives against catastrophic fire incidents. To learn more, visit www.pano.ai or follow the company on LinkedIn . AUSTIN ENERGY CONTACT: Matt Mitchell Public Information Officer Communications@austinenergy.com 512-322-6514 PANO AI CONTACT: Jocelyn Johnson Director of Communications press@pano.ai 917-406-5886 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e62dc1e8-ec4e-4e00-951f-236cf25a787a THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blender Bites Limited (the Company, Blender Bites or Blender) (CSE: BITE, FWB: JL4, WKN: A3DMEJ) announces that it has closed its previously announced private placement financing, as described in its press releases of August 22, 2024 and August 16, 2024 (the Offering), resulting in the issuance of 1,875,000 units of the Company (Units) at a price of $0.64 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,200,000.00. Each Unit consist of one common share of the Company and one-quarter-of-one common share purchase warrant (each, a Warrant). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.80 at any time on or before that date which is thirty-six months after the closing date of the Offering. Units in the Offering were offered for sale to purchasers resident in Canada (except Quebec) pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions, and will not be subject to any statutory hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for operational expenses, including raw material purchases, retailer listing fees, marketing related expenses and for general working capital purposes. In connection with the closing of the Offering, Canaccord Genuity Corp., as finder, received a cash commission of $80,500.00, as well as 125,781 broker warrants (Agent Warrants). Each Agent Warrant is exercisable to acquire one common shares of the Company for $0.80 and exercisable at any time prior to the date that is thirty-six months from the closing date of the Offering. The Company also issued 37,500 Common Shares (the Admin Fee Shares) to Amalfi Corporate Services Ltd. (Amalfi) for its assistance with the Offering. The Agent Warrants (and underlying securities thereof) and the Admin Fee Shares are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day. MI 61-101 Disclosure Amalfi, a private company controlled by Geoff Balderson, CFO the Company, will receive an aggregate total of 37,500 Admin Fee Shares in consideration for administrative services rendered in connection with the Offering. The issuance of the Admin Fee Shares to Amalfi is considered to be a related party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 (MI 61-101). The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the issuance of the Admin Fee Shares issued to Amalfi do not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before the expected closing of the Offering as closing occurred on an expedited basis. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. 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. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or U.S. Persons nor shall there by any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. ABOUT BLENDER BITES Blender Bites is a multi-award-winning Canadian company involved in the development and marketing of a line of premium frozen beverage products with a focus on functionality. Blender Bites was founded in 2017 and quickly became a leader in the easy smoothie category in North America. With a focus on better-for-you ingredients and convenience, the Company is proud to be pre-portioned without the use of any inner plastic packaging. Blender Bites products are certified organic, non-GMO, gluten free, dairy free and soy free and contain functional ingredients such as whole food vitamins, collagen, and probiotics. Blender Bites 1-Step Smoothies and 1-Step Frappes are distributed across Canada and the US, and are currently sold in over 5000 stores, including Walmart, Albertsons, HEB, Whole Foods and Publix. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Blender Bites Limited Chelsie Hodge, Chief Executive Officer Email chelsie@blenderbites.com Telephone 236-521-0626 For further information, contact Blender IR Team at: Email investors@blenderbites.com Telephone 1-888-997-2055 Media Contact teamblenderbites@jonesworks.com CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER STATEMENT This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including with respect to the intended use of funds of the Offering. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon several estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political, and social uncertainties, and uncertain capital markets. Readers are cautioned that actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release, and the CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. August 29, 2024 Highlights in the period Interoils net production in the first six months of 2024 was 100 334 barrels of oil equivalents (boe), as compared to 54,310 boe in the same period in 2023. Revenues were USD 7.9 million compared with USD 3.4 million in the corresponding period the previous year. This increases come mostly from the acquisition of an additional 43% stake in the Santa Cruz (Argentina) assets in June 2023. EBITDA in the first half of 2024 was USD 4.3 million, compared with USD -0.1 million in the same period of 2023. In 2024 Interoil Argentina entered into a new commercial agreement with Compania General de Combustibles (CGC), one of the biggest O&G companies in Argentina, which operates the Loyola Port facilities, nearby Interoil O&G fields. This new commercial contract provides Interoil an alternative and profitable spot to deliver crude oil minimizing freight and increasing prices by up to USD 10/bbl compared to previous destinations. In Argentina, the decrease in operated production stems mainly from the Santa Cruz fields, where harsh winter conditions impacted the Patagonian region with temperatures reaching 20C below zero. These events blocked national routes and oilfield paths, and the local authorities issued roadblocks as a safety measure, making it difficult to access services and materials to the operations. The pulling rig in some oilfields had to be postponed, due to road access impediments and safety considerations. Subsequent events In Colombia, the Company is working with local communities in the Puli C surroundings aiming to grant their approval to initiate a pulling campaign to recover at least 100 bpd of oil and 500 Kscfpd of gas outflows. In Argentina, extreme weather conditions continued during July and August, postponing the recovery of production to previous levels. Currently, two out of three gas plants have resumed operations, while evacuation of crude stored in oil tanks begins to accelerate to make room for production increase. As occurred in the latest two prior Bond interest payment instances, in July, and on the Companys request, bondholders approved amendments to the bond terms to settle the full July 2024 interest payment in kind by issuing and delivering additional bonds. This enables the Company to focus funds in necessary investments in its operations both in Colombia and Argentina to recover production levels. Interoil Colombia has reached an agreement with the ANH to terminate the LLA-47 Contract, subject to ANH Committee, corporate and Bondholders approval. This termination is partial as it only concerns the exploration activities, commitments and area, retaining Interoil Colombia the production well Vikingo until the end of its economic life. The termination is based upon the impossibility for Interoil to carry out exploration activities in the block due to community opposition and shall be made without penalties or compensation to be paid by Interoil. The Company has summoned the Bondholders of the Company bonds for a written resolution approving the transaction, which is at present pending. Please see the attached Report for the second quarter and first half of 2024 for more details and the financial statements. Please direct any further questions to: ir@interoil.no (mailto:ir@interoil.no) *** Interoil Exploration and Production ASA is a Norwegian based exploration and production company - listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange with focus on Latin America. The Company is operator and license holder of several production and exploration assets in Colombia and Argentina with headquarter in Oslo. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. Attachment LOS ANGELES, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Melmed Law Group is proud to announce Michiko Vartanian as an attorney at the firm. Michiko Vartanian is dedicated to advocating for employees in both state and federal court, bringing her extensive experience in litigating wage and hour, harassment, and discrimination claims to the team at Melmed Law Group. Michiko began her legal career representing both plaintiffs and defendants, but she soon found her true passion in seeking justice for employees. Her dedication to employee rights and her comprehensive understanding of employment law make her an invaluable asset to Melmed Law Group and its clients. Court Admissions: All California state courts United States District Court for the Central District of California Education: Bachelor of Arts in German and Spanish from Occidental College Masters Degree in Linguistics from California State University, Long Beach In addition to her legal work, Michiko taught English to adult second-language learners at the American Language Institute at CSULB, where she developed a deep interest in labor and employment law. Her background in education and her commitment to justice drive her approach to legal advocacy. Michiko is also an active member of her community, volunteering with a local guinea pig rescue and caring for her own herd of guinea pigs. She is an avid chess player, applying her strategic thinking in both her legal practice and her personal life. For more information about Michiko Vartanian and Melmed Law Group, please visit www.melmedlaw.com. About Melmed Law Group: Melmed Law Group is a leading employment law firm based in Los Angeles, California. The firm specializes in representing employees in cases involving workplace harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, wage theft, and other employment-related matters. Founded by Jonathan Melmed, the firm is committed to protecting the rights of workers and achieving justice for those who have been wronged by their employers. Media Contact: Paniz Rad Phone: (310) 824-3828 Email: paniz@melmedlaw.com Website: www.melmedlaw.com NOT TO BE RELEASED, PUBLISHED OR DISTRIBUTED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO RELEASE, PUBLISH OR DISTRIBUTE THIS PRESS RELEASE This press release does not constitute a solicitation nor an offer to purchase the Bonds (as such term is defined below) in the United States of America or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act)). The Bonds may not be offered or sold in the United States of America or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons unless they are registered or exempt from registration under the Securities Act. EssilorLuxottica does not intend to register any portion of the offering of the Bonds in the United States or to conduct a public offering of the Bonds in the United States. The Bonds were offered only to qualified investors as defined by Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, MiFID II). The Bonds may not be offered or sold to retail investors. No Key Information Document under Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, PRIIPS Regulation) has been nor will be prepared. For the purposes of this provision the expression "retail investor" means a person who is one (or both) of the following: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) MiFID II; or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II. EssilorLuxottica: successful Euro 2 billion bond issuance at 2.99%1 Paris, France (August 29, 2024 7:45 pm CEST) EssilorLuxottica (rated A2 stable by Moodys and A stable by S&P) successfully launched today a bond issuance for a total amount of Euro 2 billion with tenors of 4.5 and 7.5 years, carrying respectively a coupon of 2.875% and 3.00% (the "Bonds") with an average rate after hedging of 2.99%. The order book peaked close to Euro 5 billion, attracting quality institutional investors, demonstrating high confidence in EssilorLuxotticas business model and credit profile. The proceeds of this issuance will be used for general corporate purposes. Admission of the bonds to trading on Euronext Paris will be effective on the settlement date, which is expected to take place on September 5, 2024. Notes 1 Average rate after hedging. Attachment OAKLAND, CA, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Altais, a healthcare services company committed to supporting independent physicians, has announced the appointment of Dr. Kumar Murukurthy as Chief Information and Digital Officer (CIDO), effective July 29, 2024. Dr. Murukurthy will join the Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to President and CEO Dr. Nishant Anand. Dr. Murukurthy brings a wealth of experience as a physician, former Chief Medical Informatics Officer, and healthcare technology innovation leader. He joins Altais from Walmart Health and Wellness, where he most recently held the position of Chief Information Officer. His previous roles include Vice President of IT/Chief Information Officer at CommonSpirit, where he led the merger of Dignity and Catholic Health Initiative technologies, and leadership positions at Accenture, McKesson, and several hospitals. Dr. Nishant Anand, President and CEO of Altais, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment: "Dr. Murukurthy's unique blend of medical expertise and technology enablement innovation makes him an ideal fit for Altais. His leadership will be crucial as we accelerate our technology and digital strategy, creating a unified technology organization that supports our growth initiatives and operational excellence." In his new role, Dr. Murukurthy will lead innovation, development, deployment, and efficient operation of technology across Altais. He will be instrumental in enabling the company's strategic growth initiatives and vision for operational excellence. Dr. Murukurthy shared his excitement about joining Altais: "I am thrilled to join an organization that is at the forefront of transforming healthcare delivery. By leveraging innovative technology and digital solutions, we have a unique opportunity to empower clinicians and improve patient care. I look forward to contributing to Altais' mission of championing value-based care and creating innovative solutions that truly make a difference." This appointment comes at a pivotal time for Altais as it continues to expand its services and support for independent physicians. The company remains committed to optimizing operations, workflows, and technology to enable the delivery of high-quality, affordable care. About Altais Altais is a healthcare services company dedicated to addressing key challenges physicians face in delivering high-quality and sustainably affordable care to their patients. Led by physicians and industry experts, we are devoted champions of value-based care. We offer advisory and consulting services, clinical and operational solutions, and managed services that help reduce administrative burden, streamline workflows, and lower costs. Ultimately, we empower providers to manage healthcare delivery instead of managing a healthcare business. In addition to operating a leading managed services organization, Altais maintains high-performing physician networks and employed clinics throughout California. Our statewide care delivery network includes more than 3,500 MDs and advanced-practice clinicians who serve more than 500,000 patients. And were growing. Organizations within the Altais family of companies include Brown & Toland Physicians, Altais Medical Group Riverside, Altais Medical Group Salinas, and Family Care Specialists Medical Group. Attachment Toronto, ON, Canada, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Autism Speaks Canada is calling on companies to join forces in a mission that impacts lives on a national scale. Through cause marketing partnerships, your business can align with a meaningful cause while gaining national exposure and connection to an audience that values corporate responsibility. This isn't just about branding its about making a tangible difference in the lives of the 1 in 50 children and youth in Canada living with autism1. What is Cause Marketing? Cause marketing is a collaborative effort between a business and a nonprofit organization to promote social good. By associating your brand with Autism Speaks Canada, youre not only supporting our vital programs, but youre also enhancing your corporate identity in the eyes of consumers. Research shows that consumers prefer to support brands that have a strong social impact and purpose2. When you partner with Autism Speaks Canada, youre signaling to your audience that you actively support the vital programs, advocacy efforts, and research initiatives that improve the lives of individuals and families living with autism. Why Cause Marketing Matters One of the largest barriers faced by 74% of autistic individuals is the lack of necessary services3. Autism Speaks Canada is committed to addressing these underserved populations by working alongside community partners on projects that emphasize IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and acceptance). Your partnership can help eliminate these barriers, paving the way for a future where every autistic child and youth has access to the resources and support that they need to thrive. Why Partner with Autism Speaks Canada? Make a difference: Your partnership will directly support programs and services that benefit underserved autistic individuals and their families. Elevate your brand: Aligning with a respected national charity like Autism Speaks Canada can enhance your brands image, demonstrating your commitment to social responsibility. Engage your customers: Cause marketing can boost your customer loyalty and deepen emotional connections through shared values and purpose. Engage your employees: Engaging your employees in charitable activities that resonate with them can improve morale and foster a sense of pride in their workplace. Partnering with Autism Speaks Canada is simple and rewarding. We offer customized partnership opportunities to align with your business goals and values. Join us in making a national impact on the autism community. Partner with Autism Speaks Canada and help create an inclusive Canada where autistic individuals can thrive and reach their full potential. Together, we can foster a world of understanding and acceptance. About Autism Speaks Canada For nearly two decades, Autism Speaks Canada has been a leading source of information for the autism community. We advocate, support, and stand with autistic people at every stage of life. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.autismspeaks.ca/workplace-giving/#cause-marketing Follow @AutismSpeaksCanada on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn . For Further Information Tracy Culleton (she/her/hers) Executive Director (416) 362-6227 Toronto, ON, Canada, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Autism Speaks Canada invites individuals, corporations, and foundations to join us in shaping a more positive future for the 1 in 50 children and youth across Canada living with autism1. Major giving offers you the opportunity to be more than just a donoryou become a driving force in the transformative support that will foster understanding and acceptance for the 740,000 Canadians within the autism community. What Is Major Giving? Major giving refers to significant financial contributions that fuel the core of our work at Autism Speaks Canada. These gifts play a pivotal role in expanding critical programs, advancing groundbreaking research, and ensuring advocacy efforts that make lasting changes in policies and communities. Your major gift helps address the unique challenges of autistic individuals and their families across Canada, including the 21% living in underserved rural and remote areas2, ensuring they have access to much-needed services and resources. Why Your Major Gifts Matters Your major gift does more than provide financial support it empowers transformative change. Autism Speaks Canada is committed to supporting the autism community from coast to coast, especially in areas where services are scarce. With your contribution, you will be at the forefront of a nationwide movement, driving initiatives that directly improve lives and foster a more inclusive Canada. Your support is crucial in ensuring that every autistic individual and their families can reach their full potential. Why Partner with Autism Speaks Canada? Build lasting relationships: At Autism Speaks Canada, every donor is an integral partner in our cause. Through personalized engagement and stewardship, we ensure your involvement leaves a meaningful, lasting imprint on the future of care and advocacy. Make a national impact: Your major gift directly fuels programs, research, and advocacy efforts across the country, from urban centres to underserved rural and remote areas. By contributing, you create a substantial, positive change across the autism community, showcasing your commitment to social responsibility. Create a legacy of compassion: Your ongoing commitment leaves a legacy of empathy and transformative care. You will be remembered as a key player in building a future where autism is understood and accepted, making a profound difference in countless lives. Partnering with Autism Speaks Canada is simple and rewarding. Whether as an individual or as part of a corporation, we offer full support and recognition throughout your involvement. Join us in making a national impact on the autism community in the country and beyond. Together, we can foster a world of understanding and acceptance. Make your mark today. About Autism Speaks Canada For nearly two decades, Autism Speaks Canada has been a leading source of information for the autism community. We advocate, support, and stand with autistic people at every stage of life. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.autismspeaks.ca/donate-donors/ Follow @AutismSpeaksCanada on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn . For Further Information Tracy Culleton (she/her/hers) Executive Director (416) 362-6227 by Steve Szilagyi Body and spirit are twins. God only knows which is which Algernon Swinburne When I was ten or eleven, the Great Geauga County Fair still displayed what it called human oddities (the term Freak Show had fallen from use by that time). These included the Lizard Man, the Human Pincushion, and the Fat Lady. All were pictured in large paintings outside their tents. The Fat Ladys picture might have come from the brush of Fernando Botero, the Colombian painter and sculptor who made a career out of depicting round and puffy men, women, and animals. But the real Fat Lady did not look like that at all. Ask me anything, she said, as my brother and I stood before her, staring. An electric fan rippled the hem of her simple cotton dress in the late August heat. She must have been in her 30s, pink-cheeked, with massive calves. Her eyes stared past us, and her voice was flat. My brother and I could think of nothing to ask. Even as ten and eleven-year-olds, we felt nothing but pity for this woman. She was not one of those people who are big-boned but a slight person who was carrying too much weight. There were romance magazines (so many!) piled at her feet, suggesting that she had a rich imaginative life. We also felt kind of cheated. The Fat Lady was not a legitimate other like the Lizard Man, her neighbor in the tent next door. The Lizard Man had black, cracked skin, and stumps for arms and legs. He wore a porkpie hat, sunglasses, and satin shorts. Hit the Road Jack trilled from the transistor radio by his head. We thought he was cool. The Fat Lady might have been one of our country aunts if shed eaten too many of her own apple and pumpkin pies. The Lizard Man couldnt help what he was. But all the Fat Lady had to do was lose some weight, and shed be outside the tent with usa regular person. Of course, its not that easy. We all know that the extent to which the obese are responsible for their condition is a topic of hot controversy. We are all Boteros now. The Great Geauga County Fair (the Great is an official part of its name) is the oldest county fair in Ohio. The human oddities are long gone. But while the Fat Lady has disappeared, there are plenty of obese people visible in the crowds that throng the Fairs midway, barns, and agricultural buildings. They haul their heavy selves along, sniffing the air, drawn deeper into the fair by the sights and smells arising from the scores of food tents, trucks, and sheds up ahead of them. In todays Fair crowd, the Fat Lady of the early 1960s would not stand out. Last year, I stood on the midway taking pictures, trying not to include any Amish (they dont like getting their picture taken) or any obese individuals (so as not to embarrass them). It was easy enough to keep the Amish out of the frame. But it was almost impossible to exclude the big people. We are all Boteros now. No irony here. The Great Geauga County Fair is one of the worlds great irony-free zones. The 4-H kids showing their cattle, the farm women competing for ribbons in the pie, cake, jam, and flower-arranging competitions, the dressage girls, VFW men, tractor fanciers, and horseshoe-throwing Amish are all in earnest. There is no pretend Americana or Hee-Haw hokeyness. For all that the fair encourages the fatal habits of food addicts, no alcohol is allowed inside the gate. And although Geauga County is highly churched, there is no search for the transcendent here. The Fair is all about the physicalbodies, human and animalmoving them, feeding them, displaying them, and hurling them furiously around. Even the Fairs long-favorite spectacles of tractor pulls and demolition derby are celebrations of bodies colliding or trying to pull away from one another. Big John and Disney rash. Visitors are transported from their cars in the parking lots to the Fair entrance on enormous hay wagons. Once inside, they must walk a quarter mile down a midway filled with rides, carnival games, and the promotional tents of local businesses to get to where the food vendors are thickest. Many visitors can be seen struggling with their own weight long before they get there. They stop to catch their breath and mop the sweat from their brows. I have often noticed that by this point, some of the strugglers had patches of red, inflamed skin that did not look like sunburn. Recently, I learned that this condition has a nickname: Disney rash. Its exercise-induced vasculitis, so named because of its association with visitors to Disney parks whoaside from their annual trip to the Magic Kingdomnever get off the sofa. The shock of having to walk throws their skin and the systems that support it into confusion. I worked in a hospital for 30 years in a non-medical capacity. In the late 1990s, the hospital saw that bariatric surgery was going to be the fastest-growing service line in the new century. They replaced the obstetrics unit with bariatric surgery rooms and beds with block-and-tackle lifts overhead. Chairs in waiting rooms and examination rooms hospital-wide were quietly replaced with broad, benchlike seating. Regular-sized restroom toilets were replaced with enormous basins on reinforced pedestals, whose seats were the size of old-fashioned horse collars (brand name: Big John). In the 1990s, a visit from a 600-pound patient was something that was talked about. By the 2020s, you saw 900-pounders being wheeled around. One 900-pound patient I knew of had bariatric surgery, got down to a normal weight range, then gained it all back. Whenever I come home from Costco and have to carry a 50-pound bag of cat litter from the car into my house, I think, If I weighed 50 pounds more, it would be like carrying this thing around all day. Into the Swine Barn. Livestock barns take up a large portion of the Great Geauga County Fairs 75 acres. Here, breeders of cattle, goats, pigs, sheep, and turkeys display their finest specimens, and some of the 4-H kids sleep side by side in the hay with the animals theyve raised. My brother and I enjoyed the Fairs human oddities, thrill rides, and shooting galleries when we were kids. But the livestock barns are where we got an education. We found out, for instance, that farm animals are nothing like their stylized counterparts in childrens books. They are gross, grunting, and dripping ropes of saliva. We learned about the randiness of goats, the ugliness of turkey wattles, and why you dont want to be standing behind a horse when it lifts its tail. We enjoyed the sheep and goat barns, poultry shed, and rabbit cages. But there was one barn we approached with a kind of solemn trepidation: the Swine Barn. The Swine Barn looked like the other barns at the fair. It was built of plain wooden planks, whitewashed, with large doors at either end. But there was something about it that was darker, almost gothicbeginning with the smell that struck you well before you entered its shadowed interior. You involuntarily held your breath before going inside. The greatest of insults. The barn was filled with dozens of pens. But unlike the sheep and cattle barns, you didnt see any animals at first. You had to go right over to the pens and look over the wooden slats. There, youd see the swine, lying on their sides, frighteningly large and covered with sheets of flies. On my first visit to the Swine Barn, I recall understanding why it was that to call another person a pig was the greatest of insults. The size, the smell, and the grotesque ugliness of their mouths and prehensile snouts were appalling. And disturbingly, most had skin as pink and Caucasian as my own. The pigs in the Swine Barn didnt appear to be resting. They looked dead, like bodies in the Civil War photographs of Matthew Brady. They seemed to have collapsed under the weight of their own piggish bodies and had no ambition to rise again from their filthy straw beds. Their indolence was so total as to deflect any possible rebuke: What do you expect from us? Were pigs. Pigs have gotten slimmer. Today, the Swine Barn has enormous industrial fans at either entrance. The pens are cleaner, and if a 2020 article in The Guardian is to be believed, the pigs may be less fat. In an article titled What a Porker! Why Pigs Have Gotten Slimmer and Humans Have Got Fatter, a journalist has fun with the fact that modern taste for less-fatty meat has compelled swine breeders to develop leaner strains of pigs. So the average UK pig now has only 16% body fat, in contrast to the people of America, say, whose body fat averages 22-24% (men) and 35-40% (women). I have no doubt that the 4-H kids who raise these pigs grow fond of them. Babe is one of my favorite movies. My mother raised a pig from infancy to maturity back in the 1940s. One day she came home from school to find it gone, and a few days later, was told that the bacon shed eaten that morning was her own little Chubs. (One of the many tales she told to prepare her children for the cold-heartedness of the world.) As a lifelong vegetarian, I can look a pig in the eye with a good conscience. But I do not love them. Pig butchery is a term that has arisen in the cyberworld to describe a common online scam. Internet pig butchers fatten you up through friendly online chats, the promise of romance, deceptive photographs, and casual mentions of their own personal wealth. Once the butchers have emotionally bonded with you, they persuade you to deposit money into phony investment accounts. Thensurpriseyoure tomorrows breakfast. Real-life pig butchery is a billion-dollar business that processes tens of millions of tons of animals every year. The Chinese eat more pork than any people on earth, and there are videos online showing how thoroughly they have automated the killing and systematic butchery of pig bodies. You can see thousands of pink carcasses racing down disassembly lines being systematically sawn into uniform parts by one-after-another clever machine. It is an antiseptic spectacle far from the still, brooding animal carcasses painted by Rembrandt van Rijn, Claude Soutine, or Francis Bacon, or the grand immobility of the pigs in the Swine Barn at the Great Geauga County Fair. Pigs, turkeys and black swans. The pigs in the Swine Barn do not brood. One of the piggish things about them is their spectacular complacency. Theyre like the turkey described in Nicholas Talebs book, The Black Swan, who thinks that the farmer who feeds him every day is his friend right up until Thanksgiving. The swine at the Great Geauga County Fair recline in their dreamy bulk, not knowing how close they are to the pneumatic hammer, the clashing knives, and busy saws. Pigs are, of course, one of the most underestimated animals in terms of intelligence. They are said to be smarter than dogs and as smart as dolphins. Their cousins, the wild boars, are known for their ferocious activitymaking themselves a threat to human life and property wherever they proliferate. Will these domestic pigs yield up anything like Swinburnes spirit after their fatal meeting with the bolt pistol or stun gun? We cant say for sure, but we can be fairly certain that they will yield up a generous freezer-full of pork jowls, chops, trotters, and fatback. In the end, whether a pig can transcend its fate or whether its simply destined for the freezer remains a mystery. What is clear, however, is the troubling contrast between the pigs lack of awareness and the human conditionwhere body and spirit are intertwined, often to our detriment. Like Swinburnes twins, perhaps the essence of our existence lies in this very confusion, where body and spirit live together like irascible conjoined twins the freaks of the animal world. OTTAWA, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Berkley Lawrence of Newfoundland and Labrador, was named The Royal Canadian Legions new Dominion President during the organizations 49th Dominion Convention held in Saint John, New Brunswick from August 25-28. Im proud of the work our organization has achieved to date, and I look forward to more positive growth as we continue to focus on the needs of our Veterans, said Lawrence, upon his installation as the new leader. Im honoured to be elected. It takes years of dedicated service, he added, in thanking those presidents who came before him. Among others elected to the executive team included First Vice-President John Mahon, and three vice presidents including Valerie Macgregor, Sharon McKeown, and Garry Pond. Bruce Julian becomes the Immediate Past President, and Vice-Admiral (Retd) Larry Murray remains the Legions Grand President, an appointed advisory position. Close to one thousand delegates heard national updates from across the country such as news about the organizations growing membership, and how it is battling trademark violations related to the Poppy image. Delegates also voted on submitted resolutions from across the country, pertaining to operations and advocacy. Twenty guest speakers discussed topics and issues of importance to Legion members from pain management to service dogs for Veterans. In many instances, delegates had an opportunity to ask questions and learn more. For example, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann was asked about sharing information about the support the Legion can provide to CAF members, earlier in their enlistment process, and he committed to this idea in principle. Canadas Veterans Obmud Col. (Retd) Nishika Jardine relayed how her department is pushing Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) to simplify its communications with Veterans. And an Army Veteran of Canadas mission in Afghanistan, Mike Trauner, shared his emotional story about how he lost both legs while serving, detailing the difficult things that CAF members are required to do. He also met many Veteran delegates. To share my story and hear their story, and to relate to that is near and dear to my heart, he says. Minister of Veterans Affairs the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, was the final keynote speaker and relayed updates on her departments work, pledging to continue working together with the Legion to support Veterans and their families. The Legions Dominion Convention is held every two years at varying locations across the country. The next Dominion Convention will be held from August 22-26, 2026, during the organizations centennial year in Winnipeg, Manitoba the Legions birthplace. About The Royal Canadian Legion Founded in 1925, the Legion is Canadas largest Veteran support and community service organization. We are a non-profit organization with a national reach across Canada as well as branches in the U.S. and Europe. With 250,000 members, many of whom volunteer an extraordinary amount of time to their branches, our strength is in our numbers. Legion.ca Facebook.com/CanadianLegion X.com/RoyalCdnLegion Instagram.com/royalcanadianlegion youtube.com/user/RCLDominionCommand Linkedin.com/company/royalcanadianlegion Public Relations / Media Inquiries: Nujma Bond 343-540-7604 or PublicRelations@Legion.ca Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ed354f99-7893-4bb5-a19f-fd781c785226 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/54525512-68f0-4004-81ff-a9533940fc29 SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meritage Homes (NYSE: MTH), the fifth largest homebuilder in the U.S., today published its fourth annual environmental, social, and governance report (the 2023 ESG Report), which outlines the Companys efforts and progress related to sustainability and social initiatives. Given its longstanding legacy of transparency, Meritage continued to provide its ESG disclosures under the shareholder-endorsed reporting frameworks of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, the Global Reporting Initiative, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures. Our evergreen ESG efforts are central to our purpose and a driving force behind every affordable, energy-efficient and quality home we build, said Hilla Sferruzza, chief financial officer at Meritage Homes. Through our engagement with customers, employees, vendors, peers, shareholders and other stakeholders, we continue to focus on the themes of affordability, sustainability, belonging and community, and to deliver a Life. Built. Better. everyday. Key highlights from Meritages 2023 ESG Report include: Environmental: Delivered 13,308 ENERGY STAR certified homes. Reported an average HERS Index energy efficiency score of 52. Recognized as an eleven-time recipient of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year. Social: Achieved Great Place to Work Certified status for the first time. Launched the Companys inaugural employee resource groups. Received the prestigious Avid Cup Production award, the highest customer satisfaction honor for any builder, for the third year in a row. Earned the highly coveted Hearthstone BUILDER Humanitarian Award for the Companys long-time philanthropic efforts. Meritages 2023 ESG Report and the related statistics in excel format can be found in full here. About Meritage Homes Meritage is the fifth-largest public homebuilder in the United States, based on homes closed in 2023. The Company offers energy-efficient and affordable entry-level and first move-up homes. Operations span across Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Meritage has delivered over 185,000 homes in its 38-year history, and has a reputation for its distinctive style, quality construction, and award-winning customer experience. The Company is an industry leader in energy-efficient homebuilding, an eleven-time recipient of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence Award and Residential New Construction Market Leader Award, as well as a three-time recipient of the EPA's Indoor airPLUS Leader Award. For more information, visit www.meritagehomes.com. London, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pixalate, the global market-leading ad fraud protection, privacy, and compliance analytics platform, today released the Website Publisher Trust Index, a global approach to quality measurement and monthly rankings of the worlds websites, designed to bring unprecedented transparency to the open programmatic advertising ecosystem. Pixalate uses its proprietary algorithms to measure a range of quality metrics, including invalid traffic (IVT, or ad fraud), Made For Advertising (MFA) risk, brand safety, ad density, viewability, reach, and more. The Website Publisher Trust Index spans rankings for 235+ countries across all four global regions: North America , EMEA , APAC , and LATAM , and includes breakdowns by 20+ different IAB taxonomy website categories. The Website Publisher Trust Index joins Pixalates other Publisher Trust Indexes, including the Mobile Publisher Trust Index and CTV Publisher Trust Index. The top 3 rated websites for open programmatic ad inventory quality in July 2024 North America Download the North America Website Publisher Trust Index report here . Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Download the EMEA Website Publisher Trust Index report here . Asia-Pacific (APAC) Download the APAC Website Publisher Trust Index report here . Latin America (LATAM) Download the LATAM Website Publisher Trust Index report here . Visit pixalate.com/rankings to see the latest ratings for the top websites, CTV apps, and mobile apps for free. About Pixalate Pixalate is a global platform for privacy compliance, ad fraud prevention, and data intelligence in the digital ad supply chain. Founded in 2012, Pixalates platform is trusted by regulators, data researchers, advertisers, publishers, ad tech platforms, and financial analysts across the Connected TV (CTV), mobile app, and website ecosystems. Pixalate is MRC-accredited for the detection and filtration of Sophisticated Invalid Traffic (SIVT). www.pixalate.com Disclaimer Greenville, South Carolina, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ARCpoint Inc. (TSXV: ARC) (the Company or ARCpoint) will host a conference call at 4:45pm Eastern time, Wednesday, September 4, 2024 to review the Companys Q2 financial results for the period ending June 30, 2024. The Company will also discuss new opportunities as a result of the transaction with Any Lab Tests Now and creation of CRESSO Brands, LLC., as announced August 20, 2024. The dial-in number for the conference call is as follows: Canada / USA Toll Free 1-844-763-8274 International Toll +1-647-484-8814 Callers should dial in 5 10 min prior to the scheduled start time and ask to join the ARCpoint call: ARCpoint President and CEO, John Constantine commented Over the past year and a half, we have made tremendous progress in broadening our business and expanding our distribution footprint with the deployment of our MyARCpointLabs technology platform. This has transformed our business and outlook, as exemplified by the recently announced transaction with Any Lab Test Now and the creation of CRESSO Brands. On August 20, 2024, the Company announced that it had entered into a transaction with Any Lab Test Now (ALTN) to bring together the franchise operations of both ALTN and ARCpoint into a new joint venture company, CRESSO Brands, LLC. (CRESSO). By combining the two franchise operations, the companies created the largest franchise network of its kind in the United States. Any Lab Test Now, based in Atlanta, Georgia, was founded in 1992 and at the time of the August 20, 2024 transaction, had more than 235 U.S. franchise locations providing direct access to clinical, DNA, and drug and alcohol lab testing services, as well as phlebotomy and other specimen collection services, through its retail storefront business model. Mr. Constantine concluded, As our relationship with Any Lab Test Now and CRESSO Brands evolves, we look forward to reporting how we are able to leverage MyARCPointLabs to create a healthcare ecosystem that will drive more business to the CRESSO franchisees and expand our distribution network even further through new partnerships. On July 10, 2023 the Company reported that it had launched its new consumer e-commerce platform, MyARCpointLabs. (MAPL) MAPL was developed to make it easier for the Companys franchisees to attract and better serve individual healthcare consumers and for a greater number of consumers to purchase the Companys products and services more easily. By year end of 2023, every ARCpoint franchised location had MAPL integrated into their location and interfaced with their local website. MAPL provides interface support with various other healthcare organizations and acts as the operations tool within the franchise system. The technology virtualizes the Companys consumer business model allowing for the expansion of the Companys footprint to other entities beyond its traditional franchisee facilities and enabling franchisees to generate revenue prior to having a brick and mortar facility. MAPL also allows for the linking of diagnostic testing services and information with virtual physicians, telehealth organizations and other healthcare system constituents, such as independent pharmacies. On November 21, 2023, the Company further announced that it had implemented a new application programming interface (API) with MD Care Group LLC, (MD Care Group) a telehealth company, which provides consumers with cost-effective, virtual access to health care through a national network of thousands of board-certified physicians and health care providers. This allows ARCpoint customers to connect with MD Care Group's doctors, through MAPL, to discuss results from ARCpoint diagnostic tests or other medical concerns they may have. This opens the door for future opportunities for the creation of virtual primary care and urgent care centers anywhere CRESSO Brand services can be accessed. All results below are reported under International Financial Reporting Standards and in US dollars. As at June 30, 2024, the Company had total cash on hand of approximately US$0.2 million, comprised of US$0.19 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and US$3,668 in Brand Fund restricted cash. Use of Brand Fund restricted cash is at the Companys discretion and is used to increase sales and the brand presence of the Companys entities and franchisees. Summary of 2024 Q2 Financial Results The Company notes that as of Q2, 2024, it has substantially reduced costs on a year over year (YoY) basis, as demonstrated in the reductions YoY reductions in net loss, negative operating cash flow, negative EBITDA and negative adjusted EBITDA of approximately 42%, 68%, 41% and 45%, respectively and as summarized below. Total revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2024, were $1.6 million compared to $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase in revenue for Q2 2024 versus Q2 2023 was primarily due to increased royalty and franchising revenues. Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was $1.4 million compared to a net loss of $2.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease in loss for Q1 2024 versus Q1 2023 was primarily due to a decrease in cost of revenue of $0.33 million, a decrease in salary and wages of $0.11 million, a decrease in software development expenses of $0.17 million and a decrease in sales and marketing costs of $0.12 million. Operating cash flow for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was negative $0.6 million compared to negative $1.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was negative $1.1 million compared to negative $2.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was negative $1.0 million compared to negative $1.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. Summary of 2024 Year to Date Financial Results Total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2024, were $3.3 million compared to $3.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase in revenue for Q1 and Q2 2024 versus Q1 and Q2 2023 was primarily due to an increase in support service revenues provided to franchisees and lab services. Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was $2.9 million compared to a net loss of $4.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease in loss for the six months ended June 30, 2024 versus the comparative period was primarily due to a decrease in cost of revenue of $0.35 million, a decrease in salary and wages of $0.89 million, a decrease in software development expenses of $0.17 million and a decrease in sales and marketing costs of $0.16 million. Operating cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was negative $1.9 million compared to negative $3.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was negative $2.2 million compared to negative $3.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was negative $2.0 million compared to negative $2.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. DEFINITION AND RECONCILIATION OF NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES The Company reports certain non-IFRS measures that are used to evaluate the performance of its businesses and the performance of their respective segments. Securities regulators require such measures to be clearly defined and reconciled with their most comparable IFRS measures. As non-IFRS measures generally do not have a standardized meaning, they may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Rather, these are provided as additional information to complement those IFRS measures by providing further understanding of the results of the operations of the Company from managements perspective. Accordingly, these measures should not be considered in isolation, nor as a substitute for analysis of the Companys financial information reported under IFRS. Non-IFRS measures used to analyze the performance of the Companys businesses include EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. The Company believes that these non-IFRS financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Companys performances and may be useful to investors because they allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision-making. These financial measures are intended to provide investors with supplemental measures of the Companys operating performances and thus highlight trends in the Companys core businesses that may not otherwise be apparent when solely relying on the IFRS measures. These non-IFRS measures are calculated as follows: EBITDA is comprised as income (loss) less interest, income tax and depreciation and amortization. Management believes that EBITDA is a useful indicator for investors, and is used by management, in evaluating the operating performance of the Company. See Consolidated EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation appended to this press release for a quantitative reconciliation of EBITDA to the most directly comparable financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA is comprised as income (loss) less interest, income tax, depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation, Brand Fund revenue and expense timing difference, change in fair value of warrant liability, foreign exchange gain (loss) and other income / expenses not attributable to the operations of the Company. Management believes that EBITDA is a useful indicator for investors, and is used by management, in evaluating the operating performance of the Company. See Consolidated EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation appended to this press release for a quantitative reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable financial measure. A reconciliation of how the Company calculates EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is provide in the table appended to this press release. For more information, please see the unaudited interim Financial Statements (the Financial Statements) and the interim Management Discussion & Analysis of the Company (MD&A) under the Companys profile at www.sedarplus.ca. About ARCpoint Inc. ARCpoint is a leading US-based franchise system that leverages technology along with brick-and-mortar locations to give businesses and individual consumers access to convenient, cost-effective healthcare information and solutions with transparent, up-front pricing, so that they can be proactive and preventative with their health and well-being. ARCpoint is based in Greenville, South Carolina, USA. ARCpoint Franchise Group LLC, formed under the laws of the state of South Carolina in February 2005, is the franchisor of ARCpoint Labs and supports over 130 independently owned locations. ARCpoint sells franchises to individuals throughout the United States and provides support in the form of marketing, technology and training to new franchisees. ARCpoint Corporate Labs LLC develops corporate-owned labs committed to providing accurate, cost-effective solutions for customers, businesses and physicians. AFG Services LLC serves as the innovation center of the ARCpoint group of companies as it builds a proprietary technology platform and a physician network to equip all ARCpoint labs with best-in-class tools and solutions to better serve their customers. The platform also digitalizes and streamlines administrative functions such as materials purchasing, compliance, billing and physician services for ARCpoint franchise labs and other clients. For more information, please contact: ARCpoint Inc. Jason Tong, Chief Financial Officer Phone : (604) 889-7827 E-mail : invest@arcpointlabs.com CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION : Forward-Looking Information this news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws which are based on ARCpoints current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs and views of future events. Forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as expect, likely, may, will, should, intend, anticipate, potential, proposed, estimate and other similar words, including negative and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions may, would or will happen, or by discussions of strategy. The forward-looking information in this news release is based upon the expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and views of future events which management believes to be reasonable in the circumstances. Forward-looking information includes estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, targets, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Froward-looking information necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; loss of markets; future legislative and regulatory developments; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; the ability of the Company to implement its business strategies, the COVID-19 pandemic; competition and other risks. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all such factors. When considering the forward-looking information contained herein, readers should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in the Companys disclosure documents filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The risk factors and other factors noted in the disclosure documents could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking information. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Press release. ARCpoint Inc. Consolidated EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation (Expressed in United States Dollars) (a) Finance expense comprised of interest on bank loans, notes payable and lease liabilities (see Financial Statements). (b) Share-based compensation expense comprised of non-cash compensation (see Financial Statements). (c) Other income comprised of government assistance benefit received pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. (d) The Group operates a Brand Fund established to collect and administer funds contributed for use in advertising and promotional programs designed to increase sales and enhance the reputation of the Group and its franchisees. The Group reports contributions and expenditures on a gross basis on the Groups statement of profit and loss. Brand Fund contributions are recognized as revenue when invoiced, as the Group has full discretion on how and when the Brand Fund revenues are spent. Brand Fund revenue received may not equal advertising expenditures for the period due to timing of promotions and this difference is recognized to earnings. This adjustment is made to normalize for the timing difference of the Brand Fund revenues and Brand Fund expenditures. TORONTO, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hudbay Minerals Inc. (Hudbay or the Company) (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is pleased to announce that it has received an Aquifer Protection Permit for the Copper World project (Copper World) from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The company proactively engaged with the ADEQ, ensuring a transparent and thorough permitting process by providing comprehensive and detailed information. The issuance of this permit is a key milestone in the advancement of Copper World, which is a standalone operation requiring state and local permits and is expected to produce 85,000 tonnes of copper per year over a 20-year mine life. Receiving the Aquifer Protection Permit is a significant de-risking event for Copper World as it brings us one step closer to being fully permitted, said Peter Kukielski, President and Chief Executive Officer. The last key state-level permit, the Air Quality Permit, continues to progress as planned and will mark the completion of one of the three key prerequisites in the companys prudent sanctioning plan for the project. Copper World represents Hudbays next significant copper growth project and is expected to increase consolidated annual copper production by more than 50% from current levels. Copper World will also be a key contributor to the domestic U.S. supply chain with our plans to produce Made-in-America copper. Once in production, Copper World is expected to be a meaningful copper producer in the U.S. domestic copper supply chain, which will be required to help secure growing U.S. metal demand related to increased manufacturing capacity, infrastructure development, increased energy independence and domestic battery supply chain and production needs. The Made-in-America copper cathode anticipated to be produced at Copper World is expected to be sold entirely to domestic U.S. customers and would make Copper World the third largest cathode producer in the U.S.i Copper World Permitting on Track There are three key state permits required for Copper World sanctioning: Mined Land Reclamation Plan Completed the Mined Land Reclamation Plan was initially approved by the Arizona State Mine Inspector in October 2021 and was subsequently amended and approved to reflect a larger private land project footprint. This approval was challenged in state court, but the challenge was dismissed in May 2023. the Mined Land Reclamation Plan was initially approved by the Arizona State Mine Inspector in October 2021 and was subsequently amended and approved to reflect a larger private land project footprint. This approval was challenged in state court, but the challenge was dismissed in May 2023. Aquifer Protection Permit Completed the Aquifer Protection Permit was received on August 29, 2024 from the ADEQ following a robust process that included detailed analysis by the agency and Hudbay, along with a public comment period that was completed in the second quarter of 2024. the Aquifer Protection Permit was received on August 29, 2024 from the ADEQ following a robust process that included detailed analysis by the agency and Hudbay, along with a public comment period that was completed in the second quarter of 2024. Air Quality Permit On Track the Air Quality Permit application was submitted to the ADEQ in late 2022 and follows a similar robust process, including a public comment period that commenced in July and is scheduled to conclude in September 2024. Hudbay is pleased with the level of local support received at the public comment meetings and looks forward to providing significant social and environmental benefits for the community and local economy in Arizona. Over the proposed initial 20-year mine life, the company expects to contribute more than $850 million in U.S. taxes, including approximately $170 million in taxes to the state of Arizona. Hudbay also expects Copper World to create more than 400 direct jobs and up to 3,000 indirect jobs in Arizona. Copper World will offer competitive wages and benefits, and the company intends to engage in partnerships with local apprenticeship readiness programs and community-based workforce training programs across the skilled and technical levels to fill and maintain all positions. The company has received support from several local unions, with the signing of a letter of intent for the project execution phase in May 2024, including The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Forgers and Helpers Local 627, The Laborers International Union of North America Local 1184, and The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 1912. Advancing Prudent Financing Plan with Disciplined Capital Allocation As part of Hudbays disciplined financial planning approach to Copper World, in October 2022, the company introduced a three prerequisites plan (3-P), as shown in Figure 1, including specific leverage targets and other criteria that would need to be achieved prior to making a project sanctioning decision for Copper World. The 3-P plan has the following components: Permits receipt of all required state level permits Plan completion of a definitive feasibility study with an internal rate of return of greater than 15% Prudent Financing Strategy multi-faceted financing strategy, including a committed minority joint venture partner, a renegotiated precious metals stream agreement optimized for the current project, net debt to EBITDA ratio of less than 1.2 times, a minimum cash balance of $600 million, and limited non-recourse project level debt. Since the release of the 3-P plan, Hudbay has taken prudent measures to transform its balance sheet in preparation for a sanctioning decision, through strong cash flow generation, deleveraging initiatives and the completion of a successful equity offering. Hudbay has generated $824 million in Adjusted EBITDAii and substantially reduced net debtii by $559 million for the twelve months ending June 30, 2024. The net debt reduction, together with higher levels of adjusted EBITDAii, have improved the companys net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratioii to 0.8x. This improved balance sheet flexibility and accelerated debt reduction significantly advances the companys progress towards its 3-P plan for sanctioning Copper World and has resulted in the successful achievement of the targeted 1.2x net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio well ahead of schedule. With the receipt of the Aquifer Protection Permit, the company expects to commence activities related to the preparation of feasibility studies for Copper World. As a result, 2024 growth capital spending in Arizona is expected to increase by an additional $25 million, compared to the companys original 2024 guidance of $20 million. Hudbay intends to commence a minority joint venture partner process after receiving the last outstanding permit. The company expects the potential joint venture partner to participate in the funding of definitive feasibility study activities in 2025 as well as in the final project design and construction for Copper World. The opportunity to sanction Copper World is not expected until early 2026 based on current estimated timelines. The decision to sanction Copper World will ultimately be evaluated against other competing investment opportunities as part of Hudbays capital allocation process. Bolstering the Arizona Team With the significant progress achieved to-date and the continued advancement of Copper World towards a project sanctioning decision, Hudbay has been actively expanding its local team in Arizona to build project bench strength and establish key leadership roles. Hudbays Senior Vice President of the U.S. Business Unit, Javier Del Rio, has been focusing his time solely on leading the Copper World project, leveraging his project development and operational expertise as the former head of Hudbays South America Business Unit where he oversaw the development and operation of the companys flagship Constancia mine in Peru. In addition, Warren Flannery, Hudbays Vice President of Business Planning and Reclamation, will relocate to Arizona to take on the role of Vice President of Copper World. In his new role, Mr. Flannery will lead the operational readiness of Copper World as the company commences early feasibility work and plans to complete a definitive feasibility study in 2025. Adding to the teams U.S. expertise, Hudbay has hired Robert Comer as Executive Director, External Affairs & Legal in Arizona. Mr. Comer brings more than 30 years of U.S. permitting and mining law experience. During his career, Mr. Comer has held senior leadership positions with businesses and the federal government and has successfully advanced numerous resource projects, including through environmental and land use compliance, defending permits through litigation, NEPA permitting and government relations. He will be a significant asset to Copper World as Hudbay continues to advance towards a sanctioning decision. About Copper World The 100% owned Copper World project is located in Pima County, Arizona, approximately 50 kilometres southeast of Tucson. The Copper World project includes seven deposits discovered in 2021, together with the East deposit (formerly known as the Rosemont deposit). A new resource model was completed for the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) of Copper World in 2022, which contemplated a two-phased mine plan with Phase I as a standalone operation requiring state and local permits only and Phase II expanding onto federal lands requiring federal permits. In September 2023, Hudbay released its enhanced pre-feasibility study (PFS) for Copper World reflecting the results of further technical work on Phase I of the project. Phase I has a mine life of 20 years, which is four years longer than the Phase I mine life that was presented in the PEA, largely due to an increase in the capacity for tailings and waste deposition as a result of optimizing the site layout. Phase II is expected to involve an expansion onto federal lands with a significantly longer mine life and enhanced project economics. Phase II would be subject to the federal permitting process and was not included in the PFS results. Based on the PFS, Phase I contemplates average annual copper production of 85,000 tonnes over a 20-year mine life, at average cash costs and sustaining cash costs of $1.47 and $1.81 per pound of copperiii, respectively. A variable cut-off grade strategy allows for higher mill head grades in the first ten years, which increases annual production to approximately 92,000 tonnes of copper at average cash costs and sustaining cash costs of $1.53 and $1.95 per pound of copperiii, respectively. The estimated total initial funding requirement for Phase I of Copper World, net of the stream agreement, amounts to approximately $1.1 billion. At a copper price of $3.75 per pound, the after-tax net present value (NPV) of Phase I using an 8% discount rate is $1.1 billion and the internal rate of return (IRR) is 19%. The valuation metrics are leveraged to higher copper prices and at a price of $4.25 per pound, the after-tax NPV (8%) of Phase I increases to $1.7 billion, and the IRR increases to 25.5%. Copper World is one of the highest-grade open pit copper projects in the Americasiv with proven and probable mineral reserves of 385 million tonnes at 0.54% copper. There remains approximately 60% of the total copper contained in measured and indicated mineral resources (exclusive of mineral reserves), providing significant potential for Phase II expansion and mine life extension. In addition, the inferred mineral resource estimates are at a comparable copper grade and also provide significant upside potential. Qualified Person and NI 43-101 The technical and scientific information in this news release related to the companys Copper World project has been approved by Olivier Tavchandjian, P. Geo, Hudbays Senior Vice President, Exploration and Technical Services. Mr. Tavchandjian is a qualified person pursuant to Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101). A copy of the Copper World PFS is available on Hudbays SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on Hudbays EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov. Cautionary Note to United States Investors This news release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of United States securities laws. Canadian reporting requirements for disclosure of mineral properties are governed NI 43-101. For this reason, information contained in this news release in respect of the Copper World project may not be comparable to similar information made public by United States companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. For further information on the differences between the disclosure requirements for mineral properties under the United States federal securities laws and NI 43-101, please refer to the companys annual information form, a copy of which has been filed under Hudbays profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and the companys Form 40-F, a copy of which has been filed under Hudbays profile on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, Hudbays expectations regarding the remaining permits for Copper World, expectations around the timing and amount of future spending at Copper World, intentions with respect to Hudbays 3-P plan for sanctioning Copper World and expectations regarding the economics for the Copper World project. Forward-looking information is not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events. Forward-looking information is based on, among other things, opinions, assumptions, estimates and analyses that, while considered reasonable by the company at the date the forward-looking information is provided, inherently are subject to significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results and events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. The material factors or assumptions that Hudbay identified and were applied by the company in drawing conclusions or making forecasts or projections set out in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, obtaining the final permits for Copper World Phase I, no significant unanticipated litigation or delays to the advancement of Copper World, maintaining the companys 3-P plan for sanctioning Copper World, no change in laws, renegotiating the precious metals stream agreement for Copper World and the availability of a minority partner and financing to develop Copper World. The risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information may include, but are not limited to, risks generally associated with the mining industry, such as economic factors (including future commodity prices, currency fluctuations, energy prices and general cost escalation), litigation, regulatory and landholding risks associated with the development and operation of Copper World as well as the risks discussed under the heading Risk Factors in Hudbays most recent Annual Information Form. Should one or more risk, uncertainty, contingency or other factor materialize or should any factor or assumption prove incorrect, actual results could vary materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Hudbay does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this news release or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law. About Hudbay Hudbay (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is a copper-focused mining company with three long-life operations and a world-class pipeline of copper growth projects in tier-one mining-friendly jurisdictions of Canada, Peru and the United States. Hudbays operating portfolio includes the Constancia mine in Cusco (Peru), the Snow Lake operations in Manitoba (Canada) and the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia (Canada). Copper is the primary metal produced by the company, which is complemented by meaningful gold production. Hudbays growth pipeline includes the Copper World project in Arizona (United States), the Mason project in Nevada (United States), the Llaguen project in La Libertad (Peru) and several expansion and exploration opportunities near its existing operations. The value Hudbay creates and the impact it has is embodied in its purpose statement: We care about our people, our communities and our planet. Hudbay provides the metals the world needs. We work sustainably, transform lives and create better futures for communities. Hudbays mission is to create sustainable value and strong returns by leveraging its core strengths in community relations, focused exploration, mine development and efficient operations. For further information, please contact: Candace Brule Vice President, Investor Relations (416) 814-4387 investor.relations@hudbay.com Figure 1: Prudently Advancing Copper World with Disciplined 3-P Plan for Project Sanctioning In late 2022, Hudbay unveiled a prudent financial plan with three key prerequisites to be achieved prior to a potential project sanctioning decision, including a P lan with robust economics from a definitive feasibility study, P ermits from the state issuing agencies and a P rudent financing strategy. ______________________________ i Sourced from Wood Mackenzie (Q2 2024 dataset). ii Adjusted EBITDA, net debt, and net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS. For further information and detailed reconciliation, please see the Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures in the latest earnings news release or management's discussion and analysis for each reporting period. iii Cash costs and sustaining cash costs are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS. For further details on why Hudbay believes cash costs are a useful performance indicator, please refer to the company's most recent management's discussion and analysis for the period ended June 30, 2024. iv Sourced from S&P Global, August 2024. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a87f0b74-63c0-46b1-be89-e739c3d4f7b7 Key Highlights: 2 nd Quarter operating netbacks of $5.08/Mcf natural gas and $51.58/bbl condensate ($29.74/boe). Quarter operating netbacks of $5.08/Mcf natural gas and $51.58/bbl condensate ($29.74/boe). Conditionally awarded two Productive Participation Contracts to develop and produce hydrocarbons in Venezuela. Creation of new Oilfield Services Division to capitalize on LNG Energy Groups unique vertical integration. Repayment of $11.8 million in senior secured bank indebtedness to date. TORONTO, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LNG Energy Group Corp. (TSXV: LNGE) (TSXV: LNGE.WT) (OTCQB: LNGNF) (FWB: E26) (the Corporation or LNG Energy Group) is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the quarter ended on June 30, 2024. All dollar amounts are expressed in United States dollars, except where otherwise indicated. In Q2 2024, we continued our work on growing the production of our Colombian portfolio in a capital efficient manner through workovers and field optimizations, commented Pablo Navarro, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Corporation. The two CPPs in Venezuela, have the potential to provide LNG Energy Group with a material opportunity in one of the most prolific hydrocarbon provinces in the world. 2024 Second Quarter Financial and Operating Results For the second quarter of 2024 Adjusted EBITDAX (1) was $5.7 million, 5% lower than 1Q24. For the first half of 2024 EBITDAX (1) was $11.4 million. was $5.7 million, 5% lower than 1Q24. For the first half of 2024 EBITDAX was $11.4 million. The Corporation has gross daily gas volumes of approximately 34 MMcf/d for 2Q24 and 35 MMcf/d for the first half of 2024. In boe terms, the Corporation had a production decline of 6% in 2Q24 versus 1Q24, driven by client maintenance program and workovers. In 2Q24, the Corporation had revenues, net of royalties of $9.1 million with natural gas revenues accounting for $8.6 million. For the first half of 2024, total sales, net of royalties, was $19 million, with natural gas accounting for $17.7 million. Compared to 1Q24, the 2Q24 revenues largely followed production volumes. In 2Q24, the natural gas operating netback was $5.08/Mcf. Condensate operating netback was $51.58/bbl. Netback for total production was $29.74/boe. For the first half of 2024, the natural gas operating netback was $5.18/Mcf. Condensate operating netback was $54.50/bbl. Netback for total production was $30.40/boe. In 2Q24, the Corporation finalized the compressor project in the producing Bullerengue field as scheduled. The project will increase the ability to respond to regulatory requirements and improve general operational efficiencies. Continue workover campaign started in 2Q24, seeking to extend the present production profile The Corporation expects to drill at least two more new wells in the second half of 2024 focusing on production and lower risk exploration. On April 17, 2024, LNG Energy Groups wholly own subsidiary, LNGEG Growth I Corp. ( LNG Venezuela ) was conditionally entered into a binding agreement with PDVSA Petroleo S.A. ( PPSA ), a subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. ( PDVSA ), the Venezuelan national oil company, for the operation of the Nipa-Nardo-Niebla and the Budare-Elotes CPPs in onshore Venezuela (collectively, the Venezuela Blocks ). ) was conditionally entered into a binding agreement with PDVSA Petroleo S.A. ( ), a subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. ( ), the Venezuelan national oil company, for the operation of the Nipa-Nardo-Niebla and the Budare-Elotes CPPs in onshore Venezuela (collectively, the ). On August 22, 2024, the Corporation announced the creation of a new Oilfield Services Division where it will capitalize on its unique vertical integration model to access new revenue streams. (1) Non-IFRS measures see Non-IFRS Measures section within this news release for further details. FINANCIAL & OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS- SECOND QUARTER 2024 (In United States dollars (tabular amounts in thousands) except as otherwise noted) Financial Three months ended June 30, 2024 Six months ended June 30, 2024 Total sales, net of royalties 9,078 19,036 Net income (Loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) (2,509) (8,004) Cash Flow provided by operating activities 3,274 6,087 Adjusted EBITDAX(1) 5,657 11,419 Capital expenditures 2,205 3,498 Cash and cash equivalent + restricted cash 2,367 2,367 Total debt 55,368 55,368 Total assets 207,852 207,852 Operating Three months ended June 30, 2024 Six months ended June 30, 2024 Production Gas (Mcf/d) 17,043 17,430 Condensate (bbl/d) 99 122 Total (boe/d) 3,089 3,180 Realized Contract Sales Gas (Mcf/d) 16,852 17,276 Condensate (bbls/d) 102 122 Total (boe/d) 3,058 3,153 Operating Netback(1) Gas ($/Mcf) 5.08 5.18 Condensate ($/bbl) 51.58 54.50 Total ($/boe) 29.74 30.40 (1) Non-IFRS measures see Non-IFRS Measures section within this news release for further details. 2024 Outlook For the remainder of 2024, LNG Energy Group is focused on the following objectives: Colombia In Colombia, the Corporation expects to complete the following: (1) a workover and optimization program targeting four to six wells; (2) drill two development wells in the producing Bullerengue field in the Sinu-San Jacinto-1 (SSJN-1) Block; (3) continuing to evaluate and strengthen the Corporations commitment to environmental, social and governance initiatives; and (4) the repayment of its indebtedness and strengthening of its capital and liquidity resources. For more information, please see the Corporations news release dated March 5, 2024. Venezuela On April 17, 2024, LNG Energy Groups wholly own subsidiary, LNG Venezuela was conditionally entered into a binding agreement with PPSA, a subsidiary of PDVSA, the Venezuelan national oil company, for the operation of the Nipa-Nardo-Niebla and the Budare-Elotes CPPs in onshore Venezuela. These Blocks are currently producing 3,000 bbl/d of light and medium oil. The CPPs were executed within the term of General License 44 issued by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). License 44 has been replaced by License 44A requiring US persons to wind down oil operations in Venezuela before May 31, 2024. The Corporation continues to assess the applicability of License 44A to its intended operations in Venezuela and determine the most appropriate course of action. The Corporation intends to operate in full compliance with the applicable sanction regimes. For more information, please see the Corporations news release dated April 24, 2024. This news release should be read in conjunction with the Corporations interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related Managements Discussion and Analysis (MD&A). The Corporation has filed its condensed consolidated financial statements and related MD&A as at and for the three months ended June 30, 2024, with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. These filings are available for review on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. About LNG Energy Group Corp. The Corporation is focused on the acquisition and development of oil and gas exploration and production assets in Latin America. For more information, please see below: Website: www.lngenergygroup.com Investor Relations: James Morris, Vice-President, Business Development and Investor Relations Email: investor.relations@lngenergygroup.com Telephone: 205-835-0676 Find us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lng-energy-group-inc/ Instagram: @lngenergygroup X: @LNGEnergyCorp 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 applicable Canadian securities laws. 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 using phrases such as expects, anticipates, 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 are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive any necessary board, shareholder or regulatory approvals, factors may occur which impede or prevent LNG Energy Groups future business plans; and other factors beyond the control of LNG Energy Group. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, LNG Energy Group assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, whether they change as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no guarantee that the Corporation or LNG Venezuela shall be able to complete the acquisition terms required by PPSA. Non-IFRS Measures Two of the benchmarks the Corporation uses to evaluate its performance are adjusted funds from operations and adjusted EBITDAX, which are measures not defined in IFRS. Adjusted funds from operations represent cash flow provided by operating activities before the settlement of decommissioning obligations and changes in non-cash working capital, adjusted for non-recurring charges. Adjusted EBITDAX is defined as net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) adjusted for interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, pre-license costs and other similar non-recurring or non-cash charges. LNG Energy Group considers these measures as key measures to demonstrate its ability to generate the cash flow necessary to fund future growth through capital investment, pay dividends and repay its debt. These measures should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, cash provided by operating activities or net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) as determined in accordance with IFRS as an indicator of the Corporations performance. The Corporation determination to take these measures may not be comparable to that reported by other companies. Operating Netbacks In addition to the above, management uses the Operating Netback measure. Operating Netback is a benchmark common in the oil and gas industry and is calculated as revenue, less royalties, less operating expenses, calculated on a per unit basis of sales volumes. Operating netback is an important measure in evaluating operational performance as it demonstrates profitability relative to current commodity prices. Operating netback as presented does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable with the calculation of similar measures for other entities. The term boe is used in this news release. Boe may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of cubic feet of natural gas to barrels of oil equivalent is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. In this news release, boe is expressed using the Colombian conversion standard of 5.7 Mcf: 1 bbl required by the Ministry of Mines and Energy of Colombia. Natural gas and liquified natural gas volumes per day are expressed in thousand cubic feet per day (Mcf/d) or million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) throughout this news release. Please see the Corporations interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related MD&A for additional disclaimers. MIAMI and DUBLIN, Ireland and SINGAPORE, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fly Leasing Limited (Fly Leasing), a subsidiary of SASOF V which is managed by an affiliate of Carlyle Aviation Partners Ltd., today announced that it has released financial results for the second quarter of 2024, and will host a conference call on September 10, at 9:00 a.m EDT. The conference call will be posted on the reporting site hosted by iDeals and a replay will be available on the platform for two weeks following the calls completion. To view the full call notification, review the quarterly financial results and participate in the conference call, please log onto the iDeals reporting site at: https://www4.idealsvdr.com/v3/Fly_Financials_Reporting. Instructions for new iDeals users are below. Using the iDeals Reporting Site: If you are a current or potential investor, or research analyst, please follow the below instructions to receive access to the reporting site and view the most recent notification: 1) Please send an email to FLYinquiries@carlyle.aero to request data room access. Once your request has been processed, you will receive an email from the iDeals platform with a link to Enter Data Room. 2) Click on the Enter Data Room link and follow the prompts to set up your profile and establish security preferences. 3) Upon completing set-up, you will be directed to the data room located at the following link: https://www4.idealsvdr.com/v3/Fly_Financials_Reporting For technical assistance, please email FLYinquiries@carlyle.aero. About Fly Leasing Limited Fly Leasing Limited is a global aircraft leasing company with a fleet of modern and fuel-efficient commercial jet aircraft. Fly Leasing Limited leases its aircraft under multi-year operating lease contracts to a diverse group of airlines throughout the world. About Carlyle Aviation Partners Carlyle Aviation Partners is the commercial aviation investment and servicing arm of Carlyle's Global Credit platform, with $190 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2024. It is a multi-strategy aviation investment manager that seeks to capitalize on its extensive technical knowledge, in-depth industry expertise and long-standing presence in the aviation sector. As of June 30, 2024, it has a team of more than 120 employees and offices in the US, Ireland and Singapore. For more information, visit www.carlyle.aero. Contacts: Investors Cillian Bellew (786) 740-4788 cillianb@carlyle.aero Carlyle Aviation Partners Calgary, August 28, 2024 - TVI Pacific Inc. (TSXV: TVI) (OTC Pink: TVIPF) ("TVI" or the "Company") announces that the Company has received the principal amount of $196,416.00 (the "Loan") under the Company's previously announced funding commitment agreement (the "Funding Commitment Agreement") with Prime Resources Holdings, Inc. (the "Lender"). In accordance with the terms of the Funding Commitment Agreement, the Lender advanced the Loan to TVI and evidenced by an unsecured interest-bearing promissory note (the "Note"). The Note accrues interest at a rate of prime plus 2.0% per annum and, subject to certain acceleration events, matures in February 2026. To date, $1,181,348.45 has been borrowed by the Company from the Lender and evidenced by unsecured interest-bearing promissory notes, including the Note. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Loan to fund certain accrued expenses and for working capital and general corporate purposes. Related Party Transactions The Lender is a "related party" of the Company, and the Loan, the entering into the Note and matters relating thereto (the "Transactions") are considered to be "related party transactions" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") requiring the Company, in the absence of exemptions, to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval, of the related party transactions. Pursuant to Sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(f) of MI 61-101, the Company relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder requirements, respectively, as, in addition to no securities of the Company being listed or quoted on certain specified exchanges, the Loan is a non-convertible loan obtained on reasonable commercial terms that is not less advantageous to the Company than if the Loan were obtained from a person dealing at arm's length and not repayable, directly or indirectly, in equity or voting securities of the Company or a subsidiary. The Transactions were approved by the then board of directors of the Company (the "Board"), who were independent for the purposes of the Note, being Messrs. Jan Horejsi, Brian Cramm, and Robert Armstrong. Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company after reasonable inquiry, the Lender, had or has knowledge of any material information concerning the Company or its securities that has not been generally disclosed. No special committee of the Board was established in connection with the Transactions as the entire Board was engaged in respect thereof, and, other than Messrs. Clifford James, Manuel Paolo Villar and Michael Regino, who abstained from voting on the Transactions, no materially contrary view or abstention was expressed or made by any director of the Company in relation thereto. Neither the Company nor any director or senior officer of the Company has knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, of any prior valuation in respect of the Company that relates to the subject matter of or is otherwise relevant to the Transactions, which has been made in the 24 months prior to the date of this News Release. The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before the expected closing as the details of the Transactions were not finalized until immediately prior to its issuance, and the Company wished to close the Transactions as soon as practicable for sound business reasons. About TVI Pacific Inc. TVI is a Canadian resource company focused on mining projects in the Philippines, one of the most prolifically mineralized countries in the world. TVI maintains a strong presence in the Philippines through its 30.66% equity interest in TVIRD, a Philippines corporation. Through TVIRD, TVI has ownership in TVIRD's 100%-owned Balabag gold/silver mine, a currently producing mine, and is focused on ramping up to commercial production at TVIRD's recently restarted 100%-owned Siana gold mine. TVIRD also has in its portfolio of projects its 100%-owned Mapawa project (gold), a 60% indirect interest in the Mabilo project (a copper-gold-iron skarn deposit that offers potential for multi-metal products, namely copper, gold and silver, with by-products magnetite and pyrite), and a 60% interest in Agata Mining Ventures Inc. (nickel/iron DSO mine). IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain information set out in this News Release constitutes forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe", "scheduled", "to be", "will be" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this News Release include, but are not limited to: statements and information concerning the Company's intended use of the proceeds from the Note; the Company's future activities and operations; and the terms of the Note, including acceleration thereof. Forward-looking statements in this News Release are based upon the opinions and expectations of management of the Company and, in certain cases, information supplied by third parties as at the effective date of such statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions and that information received from third parties is reliable, it can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties (known and unknown) that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company being unable to use the proceeds of the Note as described; legal or regulatory impediments regarding the Note, accrued and unpaid interest thereon; the Company defaulting on the Note or the Funding Commitment Agreement and consequences thereof; the proceeds being insufficient for the Company's purposes; the acceleration of maturity of the Note in accordance with the terms thereof upon the occurrence of certain events; the Company's inability to repay the Note on its maturity date or at all; the Company being unable to raise additional funds on terms acceptable to the Company or at all; the availability of future drawdowns under the Funding Commitment Agreement; the value of the Company's assets; the availability of distributions to the Company from its joint venture interest in TVIRD and results of operations thereof; liquidity and results of operations; and general risks such as changes in commodities and base metal prices general economic conditions in the Philippines and elsewhere, litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments, geopolitical risk, delays or failures to receive Board, shareholder or regulatory approvals, operational risks, risks related to meeting the continued listing requirements of the TSX Venture Exchange, those additional risks described in detail in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed on SEDAR+ on April 29, 2024, and is available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and other matters discussed in News Release. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance upon the forward-looking statements contained in this News Release and such forward-looking statements should not be interpreted or regarded as guarantees of future outcomes. The forward-looking statements contained in this News Release are made as of the date hereof, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any of the included forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws in force in Canada. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this News Release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221451 /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 28, 2024 /CNW/ - Defense Metals Corp. ("Defense Metals" or the "Company";(TSXV: DEFN) (OTCQB: DFMTF) (FSE: 35D) is pleased to announce a proposed non-brokered bridge financing of secured convertible notes (the "Notes") for minimum gross proceeds of CAD$2,500,000 and maximum gross proceeds of up to CAD$4,000,000 (the "Offering"). The Company will not proceed with its previously announced private placement of units most recently disclosed in the Company's news release dated August 6, 2024. The Notes will bear interest from the date of issuance at the rate of ten percent (10%) per annum, payable quarterly in common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") at a price per share equal to the applicable 20-day volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), or such other price determined in accordance with the policies of the TSXV. The Notes will mature on the date that is 12 months after the date of issuance. At any time up to seven days prior to a Mandatory Conversion Event (as defined below), investors may elect to convert the principal amount of the Notes into Common Shares at a deemed price per share of $0.125 (the "Conversion Price"). The Notes will automatically convert into Common Shares upon the occurrence of certain events (each, a "Mandatory Conversion Event"), including the completion by the Company of a new issuance of equity as part of a minimum CAD$4,000,000 financing from third party sources (excluding conversion of the Notes), completion of a sale of all or substantially all of the Common Shares or assets of the Company, or completion of a merger or other corporate transaction coincident with a minimum CAD$4,000,000 fundraise from third party capital (excluding conversion of the Notes). Upon the occurrence of a Mandatory Conversion Event, the principal amount of the Notes will automatically convert into Common Shares at a fifteen percent (15%) discount to the applicable price of the offering implied by the Mandatory Conversion Event, provided that if such conversion price would be less than the Conversion Price there will be no mandatory conversion. The Notes will be issued on a private placement basis to eligible accredited investors. , including lead orders from RCF Opportunities Fund II L.P. ("RCF") and Guy de Selliers, Defense Metals' Executive Chairman. RCF has indicated that it intends to subscribe for Notes in the principal amount of CAD$500,000, and Guy de Selliers has indicated that he intends to subscribe for Notes in the principal amount of CAD$1,000,000. In connection with their investments, each of RCF and Mr. de Selliers are expected to enter into a separate investor rights agreements, pursuant to which each will receive certain board observer rights, cashflow reporting rights and rights to participate in future financings of the Company. The Notes will be secured against all personal property of the Company and a first ranking security interest against the Company's mining claims in respect of the Wicheeda REE Project. All note holders will rank pari passu among themselves. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering for completion of the pre-feasibility study for the Wicheeda REE Project and general corporate and working capital purposes. The Notes and any underlying Common Shares will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance of the Notes as set out in National Instrument 45-102 - Resale of Securities. The Offering is expected to complete in September 2024. Closing of the Offering is subject to a number of conditions, including receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the TSXV. The Offering is subject to minimum subscriptions in the amount of CAD$2,500,000. As described above, Mr. Guy de Selliers, the Company's Executive Chair, intends to subscribe for CAD$1,000,000 of Notes in the Offering. Other members of the Company's Board or management team may participate in the Offering including subscriptions from related parties of the Company as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The participation of management in the Offering is exempt from formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements pursuant to exemptions contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101. Investors that are interested in participating in the Offering should contact the Company's Senior Vice President, Corporate Development & Interim CFO, Alex Heath at alex@defensemetals.com. Participation in the Offering is limited to "accredited investors" (as defined under applicable securities laws) and may be subject to a minimum subscription amount and total investments not to exceed CAD$4,000,000. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Notes and the Common Shares which may be issued on exercise thereof 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 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 any U.S. person or any person in the United States, absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. "U.S. person" and "United States" have the respective meanings ascribed to them in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act. About Defense Metals Corp. and its Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project Defense Metals Corp. is focused on the development of its 100% owned, 8,301-hectare (~20,534-acre) Wicheeda REE Project that is located on the traditional territory of the McLeod Lake Indian Band in British Columbia, Canada. The Wicheeda REE Project, approximately 80 kilometres (~50 miles) northeast of the city of Prince George, is readily accessible by a paved highway and all-weather gravel roads and is close to infrastructure, including hydro power transmission lines and gas pipelines. The nearby Canadian National Railway and major highways allow easy access to the port facilities at Prince Rupert, the closest major North American port to Asia. Defense Metals is a proud member of Discovery Group. For more information please visit: www.discoverygroup.ca. For further information, please visit www.defensemetals.com or contact: Alex Heath Senior Vice President, Corporate Development & Interim CFO Tel: +1 604-354-2491 Email: alex@defensemetals.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information This news release contains "forward-looking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, statements relating to the Offering, completion thereof, receipt of TSXV and other regulatory approvals for the Offering and the use of proceeds therefrom. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of rare earth elements, the anticipated costs and expenditures, the ability to achieve its goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration and metallurgical results, risks related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration and development and cost estimates, the potential for unexpected costs and expenses and those other risks filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of the Company, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, adverse weather and climate conditions, failure to maintain or obtain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to maintain or obtain community acceptance (including First Nations), risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of personnel, materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters), risks relating to inaccurate geological, metallurgical, engineering and pricing assumptions, decrease in the price of rare earth elements, the impact of viruses and diseases on the Company's ability to operate, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains, loss of key employees, consultants, officers or directors, increase in costs, delayed results, litigation, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, except as required by law. SOURCE Defense Metals Corp. PERTH, Aug. 29, 2024 Westgold Resources Limited (ASX: WGX) (TSX: WGX) (OTCQX: WGXRF) - Westgold or the Company) announces that its Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday, 28 November 2024 at 12.00pm (WST) at the Conference Centre, Exchange Tower, Level 8, 2 The Esplanade, Perth, Western Australia. In accordance with ASX Listing Rule 14.3 and clause 6.1(p) of the Company's Constitution, a valid nomination for the position of Director may be received by the Company not less than 35 business days before the date of the annual general meeting (being Thursday, 10 October 2024). Further information on the Annual General Meeting will be provided in the Notice of Annual General Meeting which will be released to ASX on or around Friday, 25 October 2024. This announcement is authorised for release to the ASX and TSX by the Board. SOURCE Westgold Resources Limited Contact Investor and media relations enquiries: Investor Relations, Kasun Liyanaarachchi | Investor Relations Manager, investor.relations@westgold.com.au, +61 458 564 483; Media, Peter Knight | Communications Manager, peter.knight@westgold.com.au, +61 459 980 481 MONTREAL, Aug. 28, 2024 /CNW/ - (Sydney, August 29, 2024) - Champion Iron Ltd. (TSX: CIA) (ASX: CIA) (OTCQX: CIAFF) ("Champion" or the "Company") announces that at the Annual General Meeting of the Company's shareholders (the "Meeting"), held in person on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at 5:00 PM (Montreal time) / Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 7:00 AM (Sydney time), all resolutions received the requisite majorities, by a vote by poll as set out below. The number of votes cast against Resolution 1 however, constitutes a "second strike" under Australian law. Resolution 2 (Conditional Spill Resolution) was not carried, as recommended by the board of directors. Resolution Votes For Votes Against Votes Abstain/Exclude 1. Approval of the Remuneration Report 257,995,644 (67.87 %) 122,160,822 (32.13 %) 50,329,309 (1) 2. Conditional Spill Resolution 1,244,214 (0.33 %) 379,117,063 (99.67 %) 50,124,498 (1) 3. Appointment of Director - Michael O'Keeffe 399,998,619 (93.00 %) 30,116,995 (7.00 %) 370,161 (2) 4. Appointment of Director - David Cataford 428,219,538 (99.56 %) 1,896,076 (0.44 %) 370,161 (2) 5. Appointment of Director - Gary Lawler 377,272,547 (87.71 %) 52,843,095 (12.29 %) 369,773 (3) 6. Appointment of Director - Michelle Cormier 395,608,990 (91.98 %) 34,507,012 (8.02 %) 369,773 (2) 7. Appointment of Director -Louise Grondin 414,089,768 (96.27 %) 16,026,234 (3.73 %) 369,773 (2) 8. Appointment of Director - Jessica McDonald 428,922,452 (99.72 %) 1,193,550 (0.28 %) 369,773 (2) 9. Appointment of Director - Jyothish George 428,998,228 (99.74 %) 1,117,774 (0.26 %) 369,773 (2) 10. Appointment of Director - Ronnie Beevor 417,197,358 (97.00 %) 12,893,324 (3.00 %) 395,093 (2) 11. Re-approval of Omnibus Incentive Plan 306,345,835 (72.66 %) 115,295,263 (27.34 %) 8,844,677 (4) 12. Appointment of additional auditor of the Company 430,202,032 (99.57 %) 1,869,182 (0.43 %) 364,846 Notes: (1) Represents votes held, directly or indirectly, by Champion's Key Management Personnel ("KMP") (as defined by the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)) and their closely related parties, whether as a shareholder or as a proxy, all of which were excluded from voting (other than if they acted as a proxy casting a directed vote), plus 1,950,285 ordinary shares of the Company which were not voted. This does not include votes exercised by the Chair of the Meeting on the basis of an undirected proxy, where the proxy did not expressly direct the Chair how to vote on the resolution. (2) Represents ordinary shares of the Company which abstained from voting plus 1,950,285 ordinary shares of the Company which were not voted. This does not include votes exercised by the Chair of the Meeting on the basis of an undirected proxy, where the proxy did not expressly direct the Chair how to vote on the resolution. (3) Represents ordinary shares of the Company which abstained from voting plus 1,950,645 ordinary shares of the Company which were not voted. This does not include votes exercised by the Chair of the Meeting on the basis of an undirected proxy, where the proxy did not expressly direct the Chair how to vote on the resolution. (4) Represents votes held, directly or indirectly, by persons who are eligible to participate in the Company's employment incentive scheme, being the Omnibus Incentive Plan or associates of those persons and Champion's KMPs and their closely related parties, all of which were excluded from voting (other than if they acted as a proxy casting a directed vote), plus 1,950,285 ordinary shares of the Company which were not voted. This does not include votes exercised by the Chair of the Meeting on the basis of an undirected proxy, where the proxy did not expressly direct the Chair how to vote on the resolution. At the Meeting, the total number of ordinary shares of the Company represented in person or by proxy was 432,436,060 representing approximately 83.47% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of the Company. A live audio webcast was also available during the meeting and the webcast recording will be accessible shortly through Champion's website at www.championiron.com/investors/events-presentations. For further details, visit the Company's filings on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. About Champion Iron Limited Champion, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Quebec Iron Ore Inc., owns and operates the Bloom Lake Mining Complex, located on the south end of the Labrador Trough, approximately 13 km north of Fermont, Quebec. Bloom Lake is an open-pit operation with two concentrators that primarily source energy from renewable hydroelectric power. The two concentrators have a combined nameplate capacity of 15 Mtpa and produce low contaminant high-grade 66.2% Fe iron ore concentrate with a proven ability to produce a 67.5% Fe direct reduction quality iron ore concentrate. Benefiting from one of the highest purity resources globally, the Company is investing to upgrade half of the Bloom Lake mine capacity to a direct reduction quality pellet feed iron ore with up to 69% Fe. Bloom Lake's high-grade and low contaminant iron ore products have attracted a premium to the Platts IODEX 62% Fe iron ore benchmark. The Company ships iron ore concentrate from Bloom Lake by rail, to a ship loading port in Sept-Iles, Quebec, and has delivered its iron ore concentrate globally, including in China, Japan, the Middle East, Europe, South Korea, India and Canada. In addition to Bloom Lake, Champion owns a portfolio of exploration and development projects in the Labrador Trough, including the Kamistiatusset Project, located a few kilometres south-east of Bloom Lake, and the Cluster II portfolio of properties, located within 60 km south of Bloom Lake. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes certain information and statements that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "continues", "forecasts", "projects", "predicts", "intends", "anticipates", "aims", "targets" or "believes", or variations of, or the negatives of, such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Inherent in forward-looking statements are risks, uncertainties and other factors beyond the Company's ability to predict or control. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release that address future events, developments or performance that Champion expects to occur are forward-looking statements. Although Champion believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, most of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" of the Company's 2024 Annual Report, Annual Information Form and Management Discussion and Analysis for the financial year ended March 31, 2024, which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, the ASX at www.asx.com.au and the Company's website at www.championiron.com. 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 forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All of Champion's forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof or such other date or dates specified in forward-looking statements and is based upon the opinions and estimates of Champion's management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Champion disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Champion cautions that the foregoing list of risks and uncertainties is not exhaustive. Readers should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risks they entail. All dollar figures stated herein are expressed in Canadian dollars. For additional information on Champion Iron Limited, please visit our website at: www.championiron.com. This press release has been authorized for release to the market by the CEO of Champion Iron Limited, David Cataford. SOURCE Champion Iron Limited VANCOUVER, Aug. 29, 2024 - Luca Mining Corp. ("Luca" or the "Company") (TSXV: LUCA) (OTCQX: LUCMF) (Frankfurt: Z68) is pleased to announce its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Highlights Record Net Quarterly Revenue for Q2 2024 of US$18.2 million, up 49% from Q2 2023. Total Net Revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2024, of US$34.5 million, an increase of 33% over the same 2023 period. Positive Net Earnings of US$4.7 million for Q2 2024, an increase of 217% over Q2 2023. Q2 Earnings per share ("EPS") increased 130% over the same 2023 period at US$0.03 per share. Total Net Earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2024, were US$10.0 million, a 303% increase over the same 2023 period with EPS increasing 175% to US$0.06. Cash flow from Operations: US$739,000 in positive cash flow from operations, with cash flow from operations before working capital changes at US$3.4 million. Positive EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA: US$6.1 million in positive EBITDA and US$4.1 million in positive Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 Production of 13,947 troy oz of gold equivalent: being comprised of 4,278 ounces of gold, 188,267 ounces of silver, 3,125 tonnes of zinc, 706 tons of copper and 667 tonnes of lead. Operating Costs: All-in Sustaining costs per AuEq oz produced ("AISC") was US$1,714 at Campo Morado and US$1,677 at Tahuehueto resulting in a consolidated AISC of US$1,766. AISC increased in Q2 due to a reduction in tonnes milled over Q1, offset by reduced overall sustaining capital expenditure as Tahuehueto construction completed. AISC is expected to decrease at both Tahuehueto and at Campo Morado as production ramps up in the second half of 2024. Tahuehueto Construction Completed: The installation of the third filter press in August 2024 marked the completion of major construction at Tahuehueto. The Company is now commissioning the plant and anticipates ramping up to full production by Q4 2024. Campo Morado Improvement Project ("CMIP"): Progress continues on refurbishment of float cells, thickeners and filters to ensure reliable plant operation. The focus remains on two key objectives: increasing mill throughput, and sustaining plant performance. The copper-lead separation stage of the project is advancing and is expected to be completed by Q4 2024. Dan Barnholden, CEO stated, "I am very pleased with our Q2 2024 results. We have achieved positive net income, positive EBITDA and positive Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter in a row, as well as positive cash flow from operations. I fully expect this trend to continue as Campo Morado and Tahuehueto continue to ramp up to full capacity. We have engaged a leading mine contractor, Cominvi, S.A. de C.V., for our Campo Morado operations which will improve our mobile equipment availability as well as provide enhanced efficiencies going forward. These improvements, along with the ongoing Campo Morado Improvement Project and Tahuehueto achieving commercial production in the near future, sets the stage for exciting growth in the second half and substantial cash flows in 2025." "Lisa Dea, CFO, commented, "It has been gratifying to witness the transformation of the Company over the past several months. The numbers show that the Company has truly turned a corner, and I look forward to further growth ahead." Production and Financial Overview 1. Gold equivalents are calculated using an 81.00:1 (Ag/Au), 0.0005:1 (Au/Zn), 0.0019:1 (Au/Cu) and 0.0004:1 (Au/Pb) ratio for Q2 2024; 81.80:1 (Ag/Au), 0.0006:1 (Au/Zn), 0.0019:1 (Au/Cu) and 0.0005:1 (Au/Pb) ratio for Q2 2023, an 84.46:1 (Ag/Au), 0.0005:1 (Au/Zn), 0.0019:1 (Au/Cu) and 0.0004:1 (Au/Pb) ratio for YTD 2024; and an 83.02:1 (Ag/Au), 0.0006:1 (Au/Zn), 0.0020:1 (Au/Cu) and 0.0005:1 (Au/Pb) ratio for YTD 2023, respectively. 2. Cash cost per gold equivalent ounce includes mining, processing, and direct overhead costs. See Reconciliation to IFRS on page 29 of the June 30, 2024 MD&A. 3. AISC per AuEq oz includes mining, processing, direct overhead, corporate general and administration expenses, reclamation, and sustaining capital on page 29 of the June 30, 2024 MD&A. 4. See Reconciliation of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization on page 26 of the June 30, 2024 MD&A. 5. See "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" on page 25 of the June 30, 2024 MD&A. 6. Based on provisional sales before final price adjustments, treatment, and refining charges. 7. Mine operating cash flow before taxes is calculated by adding back royalties, changes in inventory and depreciation and depletion to mine operating loss. See Reconciliation to IFRS on page 25 of the June 30, 2024 MD&A. 8. All-in cost per AuEq oz includes AISC plus interest paid and loan payments. See page 29 of the June 30, 2024 MD&A. 9. Production costs include mining, milling, and direct overhead cost at the operation sites. See reconciliation on page 29 of the June 30, 2024 MD&A. About Luca Mining Corp. Luca Mining (TSX-V: LUCA, OTCQX: LUCMF, Frankfurt: Z68) is a diversified Canadian mining company with two 100%-owned producing mines in Mexico. The Company produces gold, silver, zinc, copper and lead from these mines that each have considerable development and resource upside. The Campo Morado mine, is an underground operation located in Guerrero State, a prolific mining region in Mexico. It produces copper-zinc-lead concentrates with precious metals credits. It is currently undergoing an optimisation program which is already generating significant improvements in recoveries and grades, efficiencies, and cashflows. The Tahuehueto Gold, Silver Mine is a new underground operation in Durango State, Mexico, within the Sierra Madre Mineral Belt which hosts numerous producing and historic mines along its trend. The Company has completed the installation of major equipment and is commissioning its mill capacity to 1,000 tonnes per day, with key test work and production ramp-up underway, to achieve full production by Q4 2024. The Company expects its operations to start generating positive cash flows in 2024. Luca Mining is focused on growth with the aim of maximizing shareholder returns. For more information, please visit: www.lucamining.com. On Behalf of the Board of Directors (signed) "Dan Barnholden" Dan Barnholden, CEO Qualified Persons The technical information contained in this News Release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Chris Richings, Vice-President Technical at Luca Mining as the Qualified Person for the Company as defined in National Instrument 43-101. Cautionary Note Regarding Production Decisions and Forward-Looking Statements It should be noted that Luca declared commercial production at Campo Morado prior to completing a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly, readers should be cautioned that Luca's production decision has been made without a comprehensive feasibility study of established reserves such that there is greater risk and uncertainty as to future economic results from the Campo Morado mine and a higher technical risk of failure than would be the case if a feasibility study were completed and relied upon to make a production decision. Luca has completed a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") mining study on the Campo Morado mine that provides a conceptual life of mine plan and a preliminary economic analysis based on the previously identified mineral resources (see news releases dated November 8, 2017, and April 4, 2018). Positive operating cash flow is defined as excluding capital, debt repayment and Trafigura financing. Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding the planned program to improve mining operations at Campo Morado; and other possible events, conditions or financial performance that are based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; the timing and costs of future activities on the Company's properties, such as production rates and increases; success of exploration, development and bulk sample processing activities, and timing for processing at its own mineral processing facility on the Tahuehueto project site. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified using words and phrases such as "plans," "expects," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, that the current exploration, development, environmental and other objectives concerning the Campo Morado Mine and the Tahuehueto Project can be achieved; that the program to improve mining operations at Campo Morado will proceed as planned; the continuity of the price of gold and other metals, economic and political conditions, and operations. Forward-Looking Information involves 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 Information. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES The Company has disclosed certain non-IFRS financial measures and ratios in this MD&A, as discussed below. These non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios are widely reported in the mining industry as benchmarks for performance and are used by Management to monitor and evaluate the Company's operating performance and ability to generate cash. The Company believes that, in addition to financial measures and ratios prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use these non-IFRS financial measures and ratios to evaluate the Company's performance. However, the measures do not have a standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other companies. Accordingly, non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures and ratios of the Company's performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Non-IFRS financial measures are defined in National Instrument 52-112 - Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure ("NI 52-122") as a financial measure disclosed that (a) depicts the historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of an entity, (b) with respect to its composition, excludes an amount that is included in, or includes an amount that is excluded from, the composition of the most directly comparable financial measure disclosed in the primary financial statements of the entity, (c) is not disclosed in the financial statements of the entity, and (d) is not a ration, fraction, percentage or similar representation. A non-IFRS ratio is defined by 52-112 as a financial measure disclosed that (a) is in the form of a ration, fraction, percentage or similar representation, (b) has a non-IFRS financial measure as one or more of its components, and (c) is not disclosed in the financial statements. Working Capital Working capital is a non-IFRS measure that is a common measure of liquidity but does not have any standardized meaning. The most directly comparable measure prepared in accordance with IFRS is current assets and net of current liabilities. Working capital is calculated by deducting current liabilities from current assets. Working capital should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute from measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. The measure is intended to assist readers in evaluating our liquidity. Mine Operating Cash Flow before Taxes Mine operating cash flow before taxes is a non-IFRS measure that does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Mine operating cash flow is calculated as revenue minus production costs, transportation and selling costs and inventory changes. Mine operating cash flow is used by management to assess the performance of the mine operations, excluding corporate and exploration activities, and is provided to investors as a measure of the Company's operating performance. EBITDA EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure, which excludes the following from net earnings: Income tax expense; Finance costs; Amortization and depletion. Adjusted EBITDA excludes the following additional items from EBITDA: Share based compensation; Non-recurring impairments (reversals); Loss (gain) on Settlement of debt; Significant other non-routine finance items. Adjusted EBITDA per share is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by the basic weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. Management believes EBITDA is a valuable indicator of the Company's ability to generate liquidity by producing operating cash flow to fund working capital needs, service debt obligations, and fund capital expenditures. Management uses EBITDA for this purpose. EBITDA is also frequently used by investors and analysts for valuation purposes whereby EBITDA is multiplied by a factor or "EBITDA multiple" based on an observed or inferred relationship between EBITDA and market values to determine the approximate total enterprise value of a Company. EBITDA is intended to provide additional information to investors and analysts. It does not have any standardized definition under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of operating performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. EBITDA excludes the impact of cash costs of financing activities and taxes, and the effects of changes in operating working capital balances, and therefore is not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined by IFRS. Other companies may calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA differently. Realized Price per Ounce and Realized Price per Tonne Realized price per ounce or per tonne are based on provisional prices received from the sales of gold, silver, zinc, copper and lead before price adjustments and treatment and refining charges. It also excludes income from streaming. Operating Cash Flow before Working Capital Changes Operating cash flow before working capital changes per share is a non-IFRS measure that does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Operating cash flow per share is calculated by dividing cash from operating activities by the basic weighted average shares outstanding. Operating cash flow per share is used by management to assess operating performance on a per share basis, irrespective of working capital changes and is provided to investors as a measure of the Company's operating performance. Cash Cost per AuEq Ounce, All-In Sustaining Cost per AuEq Ounce, All-In Cost per AuEq Ounce and Production Cost per Tonne Cash costs per gold equivalent oz and production costs per tonne are measures developed by precious metals companies in an effort to provide a comparable standard; however, there can be no assurance that the Company's reporting of these non-IFRS measures and ratios are similar to those reported by other mining companies. Cash costs per gold equivalent ounce and total production cost per tonne are non-IFRS performance measures used by the Company to manage and evaluate operating performance at its operating mining unit, in conjunction with the related IFRS amounts. They are widely reported in the silver mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and are disclosed in addition to IFRS measures. Production costs include mining, milling, and direct overhead at the operation sites. Cash costs include all direct costs plus royalties and special mining duty. Total production costs include all cash costs plus amortization and depletion, changes in amortization and depletion in finished goods inventory and site share-based compensation. Cash costs per gold equivalent ounce is calculated by dividing cash costs and total production costs by the payable gold equivalent ounces produced. Production costs per tonne are calculated by dividing production costs by the number of processed tonnes. The following tables provide a detailed reconciliation of these measures to the Company's direct production costs, as reported in its consolidated financial statements. All-in Sustaining Costs ("AISC") is a non-IFRS performance measure and was calculated based on guidance provided by the World Gold Council ("WGC"). WGC is not a regulatory industry organization and does not have the authority to develop accounting standards for disclosure requirements. Other mining companies may calculate AISC differently as a result of differences in underlying accounting principles and policies applied, as well as differences in definitions of sustaining capital expenditures. AISC is a more comprehensive measure than cash cost per ounce and is useful for investors and management to assess the Company's operating performance by providing greater visibility, comparability and representation of the total costs associated with producing gold equivalent ounces from its current operations, in conjunction with related IFRS amounts. AISC helps investors to assess costs against peers in the industry and helps management assess the performance of its mine. AISC includes total production costs (IFRS measure) incurred at the Company's mining operation, which forms the basis of the Company's total cash costs. Additionally, the Company includes sustaining capital expenditures, corporate general and administrative expenses, operating lease payments and reclamation cost accretion. The Company believes this measure represents the total sustainable costs of producing silver and gold concentrate from current operations and provides additional information of the Company's operational performance and ability to generate cash flows. As the measure seeks to reflect the full cost of gold equivalent ounces from the zinc and lead concentrate production from current operations, new projects capital at current operation is not included. Certain other cash expenditures, including share-based payments, tax payments, dividends and financing costs are also not included. The following tables provide detailed reconciliations of these measures to cost of sales, as reported in notes to our consolidated financial statements. 1. Gold equivalents are calculated using an 81.00:1 (Ag/Au), 0.0005:1 (Au/Zn), 0.0019:1 (Au/Cu) and 0.0004:1 (Au/Pb) ratio for Q2 2024; 81.80:1 (Ag/Au), 0.0006:1 (Au/Zn), 0.0019:1 (Au/Cu) and 0.0005:1 (Au/Pb) ratio for Q2 2023. 2. Cash cost per gold equivalent ounce includes mining, processing, and direct overhead costs. 3. AISC per AuEq oz includes mining, processing, direct overhead, corporate general and administration expenses, reclamation and sustaining capital. 4. Production costs include mining, milling, and direct overhead at the operation sites. 5. Tahuehueto is currently pre-production as construction of the plant to 1,000 tonnes per day is near completion. 1. Gold equivalents are calculated using an 84.46:1 (Ag/Au), 0.0005:1 (Au/Zn), 0.0019:1 (Au/Cu) and 0.0004:1 (Au/Pb) ratio for YTD 2024; and an 83.02:1 (Ag/Au), 0.0006:1 (Au/Zn), 0.0020:1 (Au/Cu) and 0.0005:1 (Au/Pb) ratio for YTD 2023, respectively. 2. Cash cost per gold equivalent ounce includes mining, processing, and direct overhead costs. 3. AISC per AuEq oz includes mining, processing, direct overhead, corporate general and administration expenses, reclamation and sustaining capital. 4. Production costs include mining, milling, and direct overhead at the operation sites. 5. Tahuehueto is currently pre-production as construction of the plant to 1,000 tonnes per day is near completion. The following table is a summary of these measures to cost of sales by quarter and year to date. 1. Gold equivalents are calculated using an 81.00:1 (Ag/Au), 0.0005:1 (Au/Zn), 0.0019:1 (Au/Cu) and 0.0004:1 (Au/Pb) ratio for Q2 2024, an 88.72:1 (Ag/Au), 0.0005:1 (Au/Zn), 0.0018:1 (Au/Cu) and 0.0005:1 (Au/Pb) ratio for Q1 2024; 85.07:1 (Ag/Au), 0.0006:1 (Au/Zn), 0.002:1 (Au/Cu) and 0.0005:1 (Au/Pb) ratio for Q4, 2023; 81.84:1 (Ag/Au), 0.0006:1 (Au/Zn), 0.002:1 (Au/Cu) and 0.0005:1 (Au/Pb) ratio for Q3 2023; 81.80:1 (Ag/Au), 0.0006:1 (Au/Zn), 0.002:1 (Au/Cu) and 0.0005:1 (Au/Pb) ratio for Q2 2023; 83.71:1 (Ag/Au), 0.0008:1 (Au/Zn), 0.002:1 (Au/Cu) and 0.0005:1 (Au/Pb) ratio for Q1 2023, an 84.46:1 (Ag/Au), 0.0005:1 (Au/Zn), 0.0019:1 (Au/Cu) and 0.0004:1 (Au/Pb) ratio for YTD 2024; and an 83.02:1 (Ag/Au), 0.0006:1 (Au/Zn), 0.0020:1 (Au/Cu) and 0.0005:1 (Au/Pb) ratio for YTD 2023 2. Cash cost per gold equivalent ounce includes mining, processing, and direct overhead costs. 3. AISC per AuEq oz includes mining, processing, direct overhead, corporate general and administration expenses, reclamation, and sustaining capital. 4. Production costs include mining, milling, and direct overhead at the operation sites. 5. 1.3488, 1.3617, 1.3412, 1.3433 and 1.3520 average FX rate for Q1 2024, Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 2023, respectively, used to translate CAD$ to USD$. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/luca-reports-record-net-quarterly-revenue-in-q2-2024-of-us18-2-million-up-49-year-over-year-302233729.html SOURCE Luca Mining Corp. Pastor Rou-Her Yuan was born and raised in Taiwan. She became a Christian and was baptized during her sophomore year in college, desiring to dedicate her life to the Lord. After graduating from university, she served in a Christian publishing organization and later engaged in evangelistic work for mainland China in Hong Kong for ten years. After returning to Taiwan, she joined a Christian university as a faculty member. Her husband, who was a university professor, also felt called to serve the church full-time while continuing to teach part-time, focusing on student ministry. At the end of 2021, Pastor Yuan received her Doctor of Ministry degree from the Evangelical Formosan Seminary in the United States. In June 2022, she became the minister of the Mandarin congregation at Phoenix Taiwanese Evangelical Church and was ordained as a pastor in 2023. Recently, Pastor Yuan shared her life story in an interview with The Gospel Herald. Growing Up in a Multicultural Environment and Seeking Faith Pastor Rou-Her Yuan was born in a small town in Pingtung, southern Taiwan. Her parents were originally from Fuzhou, Fujian, China, and moved to Taiwan in the late 1940s, where they met and married. Her father initially worked in Taipei and later transferred to a malaria research institute in Pingtung as an administrative supervisor. Pastor Yuan spent her childhood in this rural town, surrounded by a peaceful yet culturally diverse environment. At home, her parents communicated with her grandmother in Fuzhou dialect, spoke Mandarin to her, while the neighbors primarily spoke Taiwanese or Japanese. There was also an Air Force village nearby where people spoke Sichuan dialect. This mix of languages exposed Pastor Yuan to different cultures from an early age, cultivating her ability to adapt to various environments. As a child, Rou-Her Yuan was a thoughtful girl who often asked herself, "Why am I living in this world?" and "Where am I going in the future?" These questions lingered in her mind. At that time, the academic pressure in Taiwan was intense, with each stage of exams determining one's future path, which led her to question the meaning of life even more. Her sister encountered a Christian teacher during high school, who influenced her to accept Christ. Later, her sister brought young Rou-Her to participate in the school's Christian fellowship, which was her first exposure to Christianity. She remembers that the teacher's home was always filled with warmth and laughter. Although she knew little about the faith at that time, the atmosphere of peace and love left a deep impression on her heart. Later, young Rou-Her left her hometown and went to Taipei to study. During that period, she felt lonely and fearful, especially since it was her first time leaving home, living in someone else's house. Fear often overwhelmed her. Her sister gave her a New Testament Bible with a verse written on the front page: "Do not be afraid; just believe." Whenever she felt lonely and anxious, she would open that page and find comfort in it. As she grew older, her questions about life deepened. She began to read widely, exploring world literature classics and various religious texts in an attempt to find the meaning of life. However, these books did not provide her with the answers she sought. Her heart longed for a truth, a faith worth living and dying for. In her sophomore year of university, Pastor Yuan reached a critical point in her spiritual journey. After much thought and prayer, she decided to personally experience the power of faith. She began to read the Bible earnestly and actively participated in church activities. In a conversation with a pastor, she asked the questions that had been weighing on her mind. Although the pastor's answers didn't resolve all her doubts, he helped her realize that some questions might never be fully answered in this life. That night, Pastor Yuan lay awake, with one question echoing in her mind: "Do I need Jesus?" That very night, Pastor Yuan reflected on her life, which was short but full of challenges. She realized that, despite outward success, the emptiness and restlessness deep within could not be ignored. She understood that she was a limited being, and Jesus Christ was exactly who she needed. He could give her strength, wisdom, and love, connecting her life with eternal truth. Pastor Yuan was eventually baptized on Easter, dedicating her life to Christ. After her baptism, she felt a peace and clarity of purpose she had never known before. She had found the meaning of life and was determined to dedicate her life to God, using her story to impact others. This is Pastor Rou-Her Yuan's journey of faith-from growing up in a multicultural environment, through deep contemplation and struggle, to ultimately finding the answers to life in Jesus Christ. Serving in Christian Publishing and Evangelistic Work in Mainland China As a young woman, Rou-Her Yuan displayed a talent for writing during her university years and eventually served at Cosmos Books for nearly three years. During this time, she laid the foundation for her work in writing through editing magazines and books. Furthermore, the diverse development at Cosmos Books helped her learn how to spread the gospel through various media, especially by communicating the message of Christ to non-Christians in their language. Later, she was led to Hong Kong to engage in evangelistic work for mainland China. During her ten years in Hong Kong, she was responsible for Chinese writing at the Chinese Church Research Center and developed her critical thinking skills through extensive reading and research on the social, political, and religious conditions in mainland China. She also actively participated in discipling Christians from mainland China, witnessing their steadfast faith and transformed lives. This experience not only broadened her horizons but also deepened her understanding of missions. In her sharing, Pastor Yuan mentioned several stories that particularly moved her. For example, a brother who suffered a head injury during the Cultural Revolution and had been enduring chronic headaches experienced miraculous healing after receiving prayer and choosing to forgive those who had harmed him. Additionally, she shared a story of a marriage restored through prayer and faith. These experiences deeply impressed upon her the grace and power of God. Pastoral Ministry Focus and Practice in the United States After arriving in Phoenix in June 2022, Pastor Yuan began her ministry work at the church. During her Doctor of Ministry studies, she focused on Spirit-led discipleship training and has been applying her research and experiences to the pastoral work at the Taiwanese Evangelical Church. She mentioned that her ministry focuses on two main areas: building ministry teams and pastoral teams to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. The pastoral team's work focuses on training small group leaders so they can effectively lead and take on pastoral responsibilities. Through her efforts, by January 2024, the church successfully achieved small group multiplication, for which she gives thanks to the Lord. Additionally, Pastor Yuan mentioned that she has implemented a series of healing and family-building events within the church, such as holistic healing conferences and family faith legacy seminars, aimed at helping the congregation deal with life's wounds, strengthen family relationships, and promote the church as a loving community. When discussing the role of Chinese churches in American society, Pastor Yuan emphasized that while Chinese churches are primarily composed of immigrants, they should strive to be a blessing to the communities they are in. She believes that the responsibility of Chinese churches is not only to renew and rebuild internally but also to help brothers and sisters hold onto their faith and positively impact society despite cultural and language differences. She specifically pointed out that Chinese churches need to strengthen their connection with American churches, particularly in bridging generational cultural gaps, and utilize the family values inherent in Chinese culture to influence American society. Pastor Yuan also mentioned that one of the biggest challenges facing Chinese churches in America is their tendency to be overly conservative and self-protective, which makes it difficult for them to integrate into American society. She hopes that in the future, Chinese churches will become more involved in social affairs and exert the influence of Christ. She also noted that American society's individualism leads to a sense of isolation, and the family-oriented values in Chinese culture can contribute to addressing this issue. The Global Chinese Prayer Conference held by the Chinese Strategy Alliance (CSA) has successfully concluded. As Rev. Lambert Lee, CSA general secretary, talked about the harvest, he brought up "universal needs" and "critical needs", emphasizing that the workers of the field must take effective action, have a heart for cooperation, and must be people of prayer. Critical Needs: Characteristics of the Workers In the first lecture, CSA general secretary Rev. Lambert introduced two concepts: "universal needs" and "critical needs". He explained: "The universal needs are very important, because men are in a pitiful condition. Presently, there are all kinds of afflictions and sufferings that trap people in darkness. They are people who need mercy, who need healers, teachers, and preachers." However, the Bible also brings up critical needs. Critical needs are different from universal needs, in that critical needs are about special times and opportunities, the calling of a specially equipped person. This kind of worker is special, with special characteristics. They have the characteristics of universal needs, but they also have something else on top of that. Rev. Lambert additionally called for dicussion on how to ask for these special gifts, and seize the golden opportunities. Collaboration and Prayer Rev. Lambert believes: "The first important characteristic is to have calling and take effective action. This is the bare minimum, but at the same time it is the most important requirement." There are two key points here: the worker must hear, and then act immediately. About collaboration, the field workers must be organized. You are not working alone. The harvest is not a one man job, but it needs the collaboration of two or three epeople, even of an entire church. Jesus teaches us to love one another, this love should show in the unity of our work, and we also need to organize and train new people. Lastly, about prayer. Jesus said: "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. (Matthew 9:28)" This means we must pray. How then are the people of prayer? Rev. Lambert turns to Acts, which gives us a great example. In Acts 13, as the Anitoch Church was worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them: "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. (verse 2)" This was an organized action, not initiated from a single person, rather, Barnabas and Saul were sent through the collective effort of the entire Antioch Church. And although it was just the two of them, did they not have calling and action? The church fasted and prayed, and they placed their hands of them and sent them off. They did not stop to say: "Let us pray to see if we have the funds or not" or "the current situation is not great, let us wait for when things get a little better and continue." They did not have any such thought, but went immediately. You can see the important characteristic of the workers here. The Chinese Strategy Alliance's Global Chinese Prayer Conference was held in the Bay Area, California, from July 13-15, and streamed live worldwide. The theme was "Ask the Lord of the Harvest, Hear the Cry of the Harvest", taken from Matthew 9:35-38. Everything is still under wraps at Manuela, which is moving into Soho. Photo: Jeremy Liebman Welcome to Grub Streets 2024 Fall Restaurant Preview. All week, were diving into the upcoming openings were most excited about. Weve spent this week highlighting the upcoming restaurants (and a bakery!) were most excited about: a Marlow trattoria, the ultimate West Village neighborhood spot, Kelloggs Diner 2.0, and more. This is, however, an unusually busy opening season, and there are so many spots to mention. Here is a lightning-round edition of even more places presented in no particular order that were also very much looking forward to this fall. Weve linked to websites where available but opted not to include any kind of opening timelines here since, with delays being what they are in the world of New York hospitality (inevitable), the projections tend to be, at best, moving targets. Cafe Zaffri will be a Levantine spot from the Rafs team inside the new Twenty Two hotel (16 E. 16th St.). Clemente Bar is Daniel Humms cocktail-bar collab with painter Francesco Clemente above Eleven Madison Park. What do plant-based bar bites look like? (11 Madison Ave.). The excellently named Bananas will specialize in Asian American cooking from vets of Blue Ribbon and BondSt, with sake flights and miso Caesars (174 First Ave.). The also-excellently named Pasta Night is a fine casual, full-in Italian expansion from Ciao, Gloria owner Renato Poliafito (575 Vanderbilt Ave., Prospect Heights). Salt & Straw, the West Coast ice-cream favorite, should also open its East Coast expansion, at last, with not one but two outposts. (540 Hudson St. and 360 Amsterdam Ave.). Manuela will mark the return of an art-scene restaurant to Soho (130 Prince St., at Wooster St.), while the chef Michael White will return to the world of midtown power dining at Santi, a seafood-heavy Italian ristorante (520 Madison Ave.). Speaking of empire-building chefs, Sal Tangs is the latest edition to Sal Lamboglias quickly growing collection of spots in Brooklyn. For this one, he and Wilson Tang have linked up to build a Cantonese American neighborhood joint (521 Hicks St., Cobble Hill). What else? At Cactus Wren, the wine bar genre gets a southwestern slant, care of the folks from 63 Clinton (98 Rivington St.). At the Otter, Alex Stupak will do seafood in a new Soho hotel called the Manner, with the cocktail bar Sloanes upstairs (58 Thompson St.). Brass is the Contra guys latest project. Were having trouble keeping track of everything theyre opening these days, but this will be a French fine-dining sister to their Tusk Bar inside the Evelyn Hotel (7 E. 27th St.). Remember a few entries ago, when we were talking about great names? Heres one more: Smithereens will be elevated New England seafood from the former chef de cuisine of Claud (414 E. 9th St.). Crane Club is the long-anticipated Tao team-up with Jeff Katz and chef Melissa Rodriguez a live-fire megarestaurant in the old Del Posto space (85 Tenth Ave.). Pitts will be where Agis Counter owner Jeremy Salamon evokes eclectic early-aughts New York dining in the onetime home of the Fort Defiance relocation (347 Van Brunt St., Red Hook). And finally, Daniel Boulud, arguably the citys most prolific restaurateur of late, will keep tending to his own empire with La Tete dOr, a French steakhouse in the One Madison development (23 E. 22nd St.). George Washington High School has passed its health inspection and students are headed back to in-person class this Friday, Guam Department of Education officials announced. Word about GWs passing health grade came during a Thursday media brief with GDOE, exactly three weeks after the school was supposed to start regular in-person classes. GW students started online classes last week, pending a passing health grade. With 29 demerits, the school received a grade of C. Getting the aging campus to pass an official inspection is a major milestone in the ongoing GDOE health inspection crisis, as GW had some of the highest demerits of any school when GDOE ran a self-administered inspection earlier this year. It has been a challenging situation but we were able to tackle with the patience and dedication of our team, GW Principal Dexter Fullo said in a statement issued by GDOE. A thank you note in the release acknowledged 35 different organizations that helped GW get ready for its inspection, ranging from the Guam Army National Guard to Dominos Pizza. Three more schools, Finegayan Elementary, Jose Rios Middle School, and P. C. Lujan have also completed health inspections needed to reopen. But GDOE is still waiting for word on whether those schools have passed or failed, according to Guam Education Board vice chair Angel Sablan. Those three schools could potentially open up by Tuesday at the earliest, if they pass inspection, and parents will get 24-hours notice. Besides Finegayan, Jose Rios and P. C. Lujan, another eight are waiting to be inspected, according to Education Superintendent Erik Swanson. Inspectors from the Department of Public Health and Social Services will now head to Benavente Middle School, D. L. Perez Elementary School, Upi Elementary School, and Price Elementary. Getting GW to pass was a large concerted effort on the part of multiple community groups and the staff and students as well, according to Superintendent Swanson. Its been a pretty complex and a really busy campus for the ... last week and a half. But the work has paid off, he said. With a health inspection completed, construction company Core Tech International will be proceeding with major refurbishment work at the high school campus. Swanson said that GDOEs maintenance teams are getting good at fixing issues that would otherwise result in demerits, as they prep more and more schools up for inspection. They have a correct on the spot cart, he said, a container filled with materials and tools needed to fix common issues at different campuses. However issues still vary from school to school, Swanson said. Notably, Southern High School is still waiting for its health inspection to be completed, despite inspectors starting at the campus around the same time GW began inspection. Southern High scored more demerits than any school in the district when GDOE ran self-inspection. Theres a lot more of everything on the southern campus, Swanson said of the delay. He said that the high school is more like a college campus, and has the capacity to house 2.5 times more students than it currently does. That leaves much of the school unused, and the major problem is that, yeah, if youre not using it, it deteriorates quickly in this climate, the superintendent said. Despite just opening in 1997, Southern was built on a swamp ground, and there were design flaws when the building was first constructed, which led to further issues, according to Swanson. Some sections of the school will be cordoned and not used at all, as inspections move forward. We moved a lot of material down there today, and that work is going to start. Weve always had a team of a small team there, but now its going to be much larger, he said. Price Elementary, which has earned the second-most demerits in the district, is also due for an installation of large-capacity air conditioning units, as well as a project to patch up concrete spalling around the campus. Laptop chargers not returned There are over 100 laptops issued by school district that were returned without laptop chargers, according to Joe Sanchez, GDOE deputy superintendent for curriculum and instruction. Most of the missing chargers are fast chargers that can also be used for cellphones, according to Sanchez. Theyre very functional, so they tend not to be returned. At schools still attending online classes this week, some have had to reach out to other schools to ask them to provide chargers for students. Were just asking families that when laptops are distributed to students and you receive a charger, please return the whole set, Sanchez said. Robby Leon Guerrero was acquitted of both of his felony drug charges following a short trial on Wednesday in Superior Court of Guam Judge Alberto E. Tolentinos courtroom. Leon Guerrero was arrested on June 14, following a routine traffic stop after a violation. According to his magistrates complaint, Leon Guerrero volunteered to police that he had drugs in the car and it could be found in the center console. Police allowed Leon Guerrero to retrieve it and upon giving them a clear bag with suspected drugs, police advised him of his rights. In searching the vehicle, police found four more baggies with a crystal substance within, which later tested positive for methamphetamine. The total weight was 14.6 grams, according to the complaint, and police also confiscated $1.264 found in a black wallet. Leon Guerrero asserted his right to a speedy trial, and Tolentino, along with acting Chief Prosecutor Gloria Rudolph for the government, and assistant Alternate Public Defender Peter J. Santos for the defendant, completed jury selection in less than a day. In opening arguments, Rudolph said the government intended to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt for both charges. In his opening, Santos conceded that the jury would find Leon Guerrero guilty of simple possession as a third-degree felony, but he intended to show that the government had circumstantial evidence at best to prove the charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture, deliver or dispense, as a first-degree felony. The cash, said Santos was there because Leon Guerrero had just gotten paid from his job. Rudolph called Guam Police Department officer Roque Pangelinan, the officer who pulled Leon Guerrero over following the alleged traffic violation. He corroborated what was in the magistrates complaint before the government rested its case. Santos then told Tolentino not only did the government have a weak circumstantial case, the government had no case at all. He cited a similar case from 2020, in which the government failed to ask if the defendant in the courtroom was the same man the officer pulled over the night the suspect was arrested. That question was also unasked on Wednesday, he said. They are lacking an element of identifying the defendant, your honor. And so, we ask the court for an acquittal on all charges, Santos said. Rudolph said proof of identification was already in evidence. Pangelinan testified that the operator of the vehicle handed over his ID card, which identified him as Leon Guerrero. That card was admitted into evidence, she said, and the jury could have viewed it to see the person on it and the one in court were the same, had the same birthday and the names matched. She said that the AG's office will assess options once it receives a written ruling from Tolentino. Tolentino took about 15 minutes to grant the motion. Leon Guerrero needed to go back to the Department of Corrections to check out, but when he did, he was a free man. Santos said that the government can appeal the decision of Judge Tolentino, but they cannot refile those same charges. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Haiti - FLASH : Conditional Stay Program imminent reactivation The issuance of advance travel authorization (ATA) for the Conditional Stay Program in the USA (Humanitarian Parole) temporarily suspended since August 2n d, following an internal report from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), revealing a significant level of fraud https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42901-haiti-flash-massive-fraud-conditional-stay-program-temporarily-suspended.html , would be about to be reactivated, according to sources close to the American Government. Employees of the USCIS Directorate of Homeland Security and Fraud Detection have already reviewed more than two-thirds of the 101,000 suspicious applications. "The program could be relaunched by the Biden administration as early as this week, even if thousands of suspicious applications ( 30,000) still need to be reviewed," two sources told NBC News. A U.S. government official told NBC that when the program resumes, sponsorship applications will be manually reviewed in small batches, with enhanced review procedures. Any sponsor suspected of fraud will now be immediately referred for further investigation. More than 2.6 million migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela have applied to participate in the program. As of July, more than 530,000 immigrants had been approved to travel to the United States under the program, according to Department of Homeland Security data. It is unclear how many of those approved applicants were allowed to enter the U.S. fraudulently with the help of the 3,200 illegal "serial sponsors" cited in the DHS internal report that exposed the massive fraud. US Entry Program for Haitian Migrants, Conditions and Steps to Follow https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38566-haiti-flash-new-us-entry-program-for-haitian-migrants-conditions-and-steps-to-follow.html See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42922-haiti-flash-the-temporary-suspension-of-the-conditional-stay-program-is-not-total.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42901-haiti-flash-massive-fraud-conditional-stay-program-temporarily-suspended.html SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : At least 1 rape every hour in displaced persons camps "The risk of sexual violence for women and girls living in displacement sites in the capital Port-au-Prince is increasing rapidly, in part because of their deplorable living conditions," warns the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which visited the camps where many people who have had to flee their homes in Port-au-Prince live. In 14 of these camps reviewed, more than half of the toilets and many of the showers are not separated between men and women, many do not lock, and many sites have no lighting at night. Many women and girls risk being sexually assaulted every time they go to the toilet or take a shower, denounces UNFPA. 3,949 cases of violence between January and May 2024. "Between March and May 2024, the number of cases of sexual and gender-based violence recorded by UNFPA and its partners increased by more than 40%, but reported cases are only a small part of the total." According to UN figures, this violence increased from "250 in January-February to more than 1,500 in March, reaching more than 2,000 in April-May. In total, from January to May, 3,949 cases of gender-based violence were reported, including 65% rape (2,566 including 20% of minor girls)." UNFPA had launched an appeal for donations of 28 million dollars to strengthen reproductive health and services for victims of sexual violence in 2024. An appeal funded to date at only 19%. HL/ HaitiLibre The Association of Alcoholic Beverage Suppliers in Finland (SAJK) and Spirits Europe have submitted complaints about the change to the European Commission. The Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry, meanwhile, is expected to submit its complaint by late September. THE FINNISH alcohol industry is broadly displeased with a legislative change that has brought stronger alcoholic beverages to supermarkets, reports YLE. The amendment has come under criticism primarily for drawing a distinction between alcoholic beverages produced by fermentation and beverages produced by other methods. It raised the alcohol content limit for beverages sold in grocery shops was raised from 5.5 to 8.0 per cent for beverages produced by fermentation but upheld at 5.5 per cent for other beverages. The change makes no sense, Katriina Jaakkola, the acting managing director at the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry, stated to YLE on 20 August. Alcohol sales shouldnt be regulated based on production method but based on alcohol content. A consumer cannot tell how a particular drink was produced. Jaakkola argued that alcohol producers are treated unequally as the amendment is effectively advantageous for beverages produced by fermentation and their producers while discriminating against other beverages and their producers. This distinction, she added, runs afoul of EU regulations. Beverages produced by fermentation are by no indicator, including health and well-being, better than [mixed beverages], meaning that theres no public health-based argument to be made for favouring them, she stated. The Finnish government argued contrastively that the amendment is justified due to its health benefits, particularly for young people, as raising the alcohol content limit for all beverages would have also brought mixed drinks typically popular among young people to the shelves of grocery shops. The European Commission expressed its disapproval with the rationale in a reprimand submitted to the Finnish government last December. Yet the government enacted the bill according to plan. When it comes to alcoholic beverages, only beverage strength is of significance for public health. We demand that equally strong beverages be treated equally, Jaakkola emphasised to YLE. Beverages produced by fermentation are in an advantageous position in the market also due to a lower alcohol tax rate. Susanna Heikkinen, the managing director at SAJK, agreed, highlighting in an interview with the public broadcaster that the production method has been shown to have no correlation with the social harm associated with alcohol consumption. According to Heikkinen, Spirits Europe, a Belgium-based advocacy for spirits at the EU level, is alarmed by the legislative change because its consequences extend beyond the country and affect the ability of foreign producers and suppliers to operate in Finland. Aleksi Teivainen HT The suspension applies to all sites subjected to operational restrictions under the water, forest or nature conservation acts, and will last until the paper and pulp manufacturer has re-evaluated the operational instructions, harvesting plans and risks related to the sites. STORA ENSO on Monday communicated that it has suspended wood harvesting at a number of sites in Finland. Ingrid Peura, the director of public affairs at Stora Enso, told YLE that the suspensions apply to a few dozen sites, representing a small proportion of the roughly 20,000 sites the company harvests annually. Stora Enso also said it has started providing additional training on environmental policy and guidelines to its employees, contractors and subcontractors, in an attempt to enhance compliance with environmental guidelines. A third party will additionally conduct a comprehensive audit of its processes for planning, implementing and controlling wood procurement. The announcement came after widespread reporting about environmental damage caused by a forest machine serving a logging site in Suomussalmi, Kainuu. The machine was driven across a river hundreds of times, in violation of instructions provided by authorities, causing the river to silt up and killing thousands of endangered freshwater pearl mussels. The incident is being investigated as aggravated environmental protection offence. Metsahallitus, the special-purpose company managing state-owned forests in Finland, has led an effort to carry thousands of suffocating mussels upstream and rehabilitate the habitat. Stora Enso bears its responsibility both financially and environmentally. It is clear that we will pay the costs of the ongoing restoration. We want to thank Metsahallitus and the researchers for the work that has been done on the river so far, Hans Sohlstrom, CEO of Stora Enso, said in a press release on Monday. Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkanen (NCP) stated to YLE on Monday revealed that he will initiate an effort to explore measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in future. The possibilities, he added, could include ramping up criminal penalties or expanding the definition of environmental harm. He described the incident as exceptionally egregious. Anyone can tell from the photos that the creek cant handle an incident like that, he commented on YLE A-studio. Jani Makela, the chairperson of the Finns Party Parliamentary Group, viewed on Sunday that Finnish media has gone too far in reporting about the deaths of the freshwater pearl mussels in Suomussalmi. Although the unfortunate and regrettable incident warrants an investigation, he said, it does not warrant days-long comprehensive media coverage. Of course you have to report on it, but is it the number-one topic for several days? he asked in an interview with Helsingin Sanomat. Makela claimed that the incident has been hijacked by people who were already critical of the forest industry in order to cast the entire industry in a bad light with the help of the media reporting. Now were starting to uncover the motives for fomenting the overblown outrage. In reality theres a desire to criticise the forest industry. The mussels are only a tool to reach the goal, he wrote in a social media post that referred to a story by YLE. Aleksi Teivainen HT Sauna diplomacy practiced by the Finnish Embassy in Washington, D.C was covered in an article by The New York Times on August 25. Whatever Happens in the Sauna Stays in the Sauna: Diplomacy, Conducted in the Nude Here is a selection of what the international press has published about Finland in the last week: The article explores a unique form of diplomacy, where networking and serious discussions are conducted in a sauna, often in the nude. This practice, deeply rooted in Finnish culture, is seen as fostering deeper, more open conversations by removing the formalities and barriers typically present in traditional meetings. Finns consider the sauna an integral part of life, with nearly one sauna for every two citizens in Finland. The Finnish Embassy in Washington capitalizes on this tradition by hosting Diplomatic Sauna Society events, which have become highly sought after among Washingtons elite. These events, attended by politicians, diplomats, journalists, and other influential figures, involve a ritual of alternating between extreme heat in the sauna and cold water immersion, followed by socializing over Finnish snacks and drinks. Participants often receive a Sauna Diploma as a token of their participation, which has become a badge of honor in diplomatic circles. Original story was published by The New York Times on 25.08.2024 and can be found here. Defiant Finnish PM says hed skip European summit again The controversy around Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, who chose to prioritize his family over attending the European Political Community, was covered in an article by Politico on August 20. The article highlights the tension between Orpos personal priorities and the expectations of his political role, as well as the scrutiny public figures face regarding their professional responsibilities. Orpo, a member of the center-right National Coalition Party, opted to skip the summit held in UK on July 18, a gathering that brought together leaders from across Europe to discuss pressing issues related to foreign and security policy. Instead of attending, Orpo sent Finnish president, Alexander Stubb, to represent the country at the summit. This move was seen as unconventional, as prime ministers typically represent Finland at such high-level European meetings. Orpo defended his decision at a press conference, stating that he also prioritizes his family. This work is demanding. It is also challenging for my family and loved ones. The fact that we got to be together was worth it. I would make that decision again. Orpo said. He explained that Stubbs attendance was appropriate given the summits focus on foreign and security policy, and that the arrangement had been agreed upon in advance. Orpo also faced backlash for not immediately disclosing the reasons for his absence, to which he responded that citing family reasons should have sufficed. The opposition, particularly members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), criticized Orpos decision on multiple fronts. They argued that sending the President instead of the Prime Minister was an unusual and potentially unconstitutional deviation from past practices. Original story was published by Politico on 20.08.2024 and can be found here. A Look Into Finlands Housing First Initiative Finlands Housing First initiative was covered in an article by Pulitzer Center on August 23. The article provides an in-depth analysis of the housing initiative, which is hailed as a pioneering approach to eradicating homelessness by prioritizing stable housing as the first step in addressing related issues like substance abuse, mental illness, and unemployment. Launched in the early 2000s this initiative has garnered global attention and reflects a significant shift in how Finland approaches homelessness, focusing on providing safe and secure housing as a basic human right before requiring individuals to address other life challenges. The Finnish government, NGOs, and municipalities have collaborated to transform hostels into permanent housing and invest in scattered-site housing to integrate formerly homeless individuals into communities. Key examples include the Silta complex in Helsinki, which offers affordable housing and supportive services, and Y-Saatio (Y-Foundation), which plays a central role in providing housing and promoting this model internationally. The lease would be approximately, like, 750 euros, but all of our tenants basically get support from the government in the form of those social supports, for example, housing support and labor market support, Marko Lahtela, who runs the Silta complex, said. Those types of things make it so they are able to afford to rent. None of our tenants are in our normal working life, so to speak, Lahtela added. However, the initiative faces challenges, such as reduced government funding and shifting priorities, raising concerns about Finlands ability to achieve its goal of eradicating homelessness by 2025. Despite these obstacles, the initiative remains a global model for addressing homelessness through a holistic, housing-first approach. Original story was published by Pulitzer Center on 23.08.2024 and can be found here. Finland demands to name the exact criteria for opening the border with Russia The demand by the Alexander Society (Aleksanterinliitto) in Finland for the Finnish government to clarify the criteria for reopening the border with Russia was covered in an article by EADaily News Agency on August 23. The article concerns raised by the society - that advocates for the rights of Russians and Russian speaking Finns about the lack of transparency regarding closure of Russian border. In a letter addressed to the Finnish Foreign Ministry, the society demanded information about conditions under which the border would be reopened and requested details on how the criteria will be established. Nevertheless, the government and The Ministry of Internal Affairs does not give any exact answer on the timing of the opening of the checkpoint. At the same time, neither the information on the basis of which conclusions are drawn that it is not yet time nor the criteria by which the right time will be determined, is also not published, the organization stated. The society also raised apprehension about the new law on the expulsion of refugees, which came into effect on July 22, 2024. This law allows the Finnish government, in coordination with the President, to limit the acceptance of refugees along specific parts of the border with Russia. Despite its enactment, the law has not yet been implemented. The Finnish government has cited directed migration as the reason for keeping the border closed, suggesting that the new expulsion law might facilitate reopening for legitimate travelers. However, the Alexander Society criticized the lack of clear communication from the government regarding the timing of reopening and the data informing these decisions. Currently, the border remains closed, with no indication from Finnish authorities on when it might reopen. Original story was published by EADaily News Agency on 23.08.2024 and can be found here. Finland: Government failing to meet the targets set by environmental legislation Finnish environmental organizations legal actions against the Finnish government over its climate policies was covered in an article by Famagusta Gazette on August 24. The article highlights the concerns raised by environment groups, including Greenpeace Finland, over the governments failure to meet its own climate targets. Specifically, the complaint targets the 2022 climate laws, which committed Finland to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035 and adhere to European Union climate objectives. In June, the Finnish government, through its annual climate report, acknowledged that the country is unlikely to meet its climate targets, particularly due to a decrease in the carbon sink capacity of Finnish forests. The report also highlighted an increase in transport emissions, which contradicts EU obligations for significant reductions. The environmental organizations cite a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) against Switzerland, which found that insufficient climate action could constitute a human rights violation. The Finnish groups believe this ruling could set a precedent, as Finland is also bound by European human rights agreements. If the Finnish Supreme Administrative Court accepts the case, it would be the first in Finland to invoke the ECHRs decision as a legal basis. Greenpeace expert Kaisa Kosonen suggested that the court might direct Finnish officials to take corrective actions. If the court agrees to hear the case, the legal process could take about a year to complete. Previously, a similar complaint was filed in 2022 during Sanna Marins administration, but it was rejected by the Finnish Supreme Administrative Court. The court at that time noted that the legislation had not been in place long enough for a judicial review but left open the possibility of reconsideration if Finland failed to meet its goals. Original story was published by Famagusta Gazette on 24.08.2024 and can be found here. HT City's listening sessions to focus on affordable housing The city hosted workshops as part of the its Affordable Housing Summit in May 2024. The upcoming Council Conversations focused on affordable housing are designed to gather additional community input in the development of the City of Hendersonvilles Strategic Housing Plan. [CONTRIBUTED] The city of Hendersonville is inviting the public to participate in a series of Affordable Housing listening sessions in September and October. Sessions are designed to gather feedback directly from residents and those facing housing challenges, helping to identify the communitys housing needs. The insights collected will contribute to the development of the Citys Strategic Housing Plan. The meetings are part of the citys annual Council Conversation series, where elected officials engage with residents to better understand their concerns and help inform the city's governing and policy decisions. Attendees at the Sept. 24 and 30 and Oct. 1 and 10 sessions will have the chance to win $50 Ingles gift cards to help offset travel costs and encourage participation from all segments of the community. Listening session times and dates are: 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Sep. 23, Trailside Brewing Co., 873 Lenox Park Drive; hosted by Council Member Jennifer Hensley. Intended audience: business community, real estate, developers. 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sep. 24, Veterans Services Center, 900 N. Main St., hosted by Council Member Jeff Miller. Intended audience: Aging community, veterans. 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Sep. 30, Star of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 105 N. Whitted St., hosted by Council Member Melinda Lowrance. Intended audience: Black community, faith community. 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, Blue Ridge Health, 2579 Chimney Rock Road, hosted by Mayor Pro Tem Lyndsey Simpson. Intended audience: Non-profits, service providers, health care, faith community. 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church St. Francis Hall, 208 7th Ave. W., hosted by Mayor Barbara Volk. Intended audience: Latino/Latina community, faith community. (Spanish interpretation services provided by True Ridge at the Oct. 10 session.) All community members are invited to join any meeting, though facilitation will be tailored to the topics relevant to the intended audience groups. The City Council has directed city staff and a volunteer steering committee to develop a Strategic Housing Plan. Following the adoption of the Gen H Comprehensive Plan, the Strategic Housing Plan will offer recommendations and strategies aimed at increasing housing supply, improving stability for renters and homeowners and developing policies that provide funding and subsidies to prevent homelessness. The creation of the housing plan began with the formation of the steering committee in March 2024 and led to the Affordable Housing Summit in May, which featured renowned policy expert Shane Phillips. Over the summer, city contracted with the Development Finance Initiative of the UNC School of Government, which is conducting a needs assessment that help the city identify potential sites for affordable housing. The housing plans creation is funded through a grant from Dogwood Health Trust. An online survey will be available during the meeting series to gather additional input from those unable to attend a listening session. To learn more visit www.hvlnc.gov/housingplan. Julie Lee won the cake competition at the 75th anniversary of the Binfield Heath Flower show. Special guest judge Dame Mary, who lives in Henley, spent about half an hour deliberating over the six cakes entered into the competition in the produce tent and described Julies cake as sheer perfection. Entrants brief was to bake and decorate a cake with a diamond theme. Dr Lee, from Binfield Heath, said: Im absolutely delighted. I didnt think I was going to get first place. There was some really strong competition. I am a member of Binfield Heath village and for me, having come to the show for 10 years, its all about the dogs and the flowers and the community and I hope my cake with dogs on it reflected that. The first thing Mary said was, do you like dogs? and I said foolishly, no not really but the little boxer dog in the centre of the cake is similar to my sons dog, who is a boxer who lives in Perth. Ive been retired for a few years now so I make cakes every once in a while and that makes it even more special because it took me 48 hours and I was up all night on Thursday. Food writer and chef Dame Mary told the Henley Standard Julies cake had a beautifully flavoured sponge. She said: The showstopper that I picked was sheer perfection. Not only was the cake a beautifully flavoured sponge, theyve shown a lot of skill in the actual finish. The icing tasted good. It was beautifully smooth and theyve got a theme of animals. It tasted really delicious. Mary wrote a handwritten note, which Mrs Lee said she would frame in her downstairs toilet. It read: A great celebration of 75 years of the Binfield Heath Flower Show. Congratulations. Very professional, showing different skills. The moulded animals are delightful. Dr Lee said: It was very lovely to shake her hand and say, thank you very much and thank you for taking the time to judge the cakes. You really feel as though you have been judged very thoroughly and Im delighted. The show was attended by more than 1,000 despite heavy rain at the start of the afternoon. American model and actress, Jerry Hall, handed out prizes and cups to winning entrants to close the show. The Supreme Court on August 27 stayed the Union government notification dated July 1 whereby Rule 170 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, was omitted. In a heated courtroom exchange, the Supreme Court refused to hear any explanations and Justice Hima Kohli noted: We are quashing your notification here and now. How could you file this with an affidavit explaining it? We are really surprised. You are violating your own order. The Supreme Court has been hearing the pleas on allegations of misleading advertisements since early this year. The contempt proceedings against Patanjali and Baba Ramdev were part of the same set of petitions, wherein the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had highlighted that Patanjali had been advertising its product as cures and remedies which is in violation of the law. It was during these hearings that the Supreme Court came across the issues pertaining to Rule 170. To understand the issue, it is necessary to go into the history. On March 15, 2018, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, presented its 108th Report wherein, among other concerns, it had raised the issues pertaining to misleading advertisements. Critiquing the laid back approach of the health and family welfare and Ayush ministries the Committee stated, the Ministry of Ayush should aggressively pursue the matter with the ministry of health and family welfare so that relevant provisions are incorporated in the legislation and enacted so as to prohibit misleading advertisements and strengthen the effective regulation of ASU&H drugs. Subsequently, on December 21, 2018, the Ayush ministry issued a notification introducing Rule 170 under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945. The new Rule mandated that no manufacturer or their agent could advertise Ayurveda, Siddha or Unani (ASU) drugs for the use of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of any disease, disorder, syndrome or condition. It also mandated that for advertisements not disallowed, manufacturers must secure a Unique Identification number from the State Licensing Authority or Drug Controller. Different manufacturers immediately approached the different high courts challenging the validity of the new Rule. The Delhi High Court was the first to stay the rule on January 15, 2019. Similarly, the Bombay High Court granted a stay on February 11, 2019, and the Kerala High Court granted a stay on April 29, 2019. Subsequently, the ministry appears to have constituted an expert committee under the Chairmanship of S.S. Savrikar, chairman, Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homeopathy, to consider the amendment pertaining to ASU drugs. This committee recommended the omission of Rule 170 and the recommendation was placed before the Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani Drugs Technical Advisory Board (ASUDTAB), a statutory body under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, on 15th March 2021. The ASUDTAB endorsed the omission of Rule 170. The Board also noted that amendments in the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, 1954 were also under consideration and suggestions had been provided with regard to the prevention of misleading advertisements. The Ayush ministry then circulated the amended draft rules of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, in 2021 wherein Rule 170 was omitted. However, in a subsequent meeting of the ASUDTAB on June 27, 2022, it was decided that it may not be appropriate to omit Rule 170 in anticipation of its inclusion in the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. Thus, the Board concluded that the Omission of Rule 170 is not required. On May 1, 2023, the Delhi High Court disposed of the challenge to Rule 170 on the statements of the counsels for the parties that the Rule as well as the connected Form 26E4 shall be re-examined and reconsidered by the ASUDTAB. Subsequently, the Technical Board met on May 25, 2023. In this meeting, it was noted that the recommendation not to omit Rule 170 was not correct as it amounted to negating the board's previous decision taken on March 15, 2021, based on the report of an expert committee. Based on the recommendations in this meeting, the Ayush ministry, issued a formal letter on August 23, 2023, directing the different State/UTs licensing authorities not to initiate/take any action under Rule 170 of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945. The letter mentioned that a formal notification omitting Rule 170 would take time. In October 2023, in response to an RTI query asking for the reason for the omission of Rule 170, the Ayush ministry is said to have replied by stating, decision for the omission of Rule 170 was a conscious decision, considering a policy of the government to promote ease of doing business. The reply also stated that the Pharmacovigilance programme of Ayush had been strengthened to curb misleading advertisements. Despite the assurances, the Patanjali contempt case revealed the complete lack of action with regard to misleading advertisements. One of the reasons for inaction was the stay on Rule 170. On April 23, 2024, the Supreme Court decided to examine misleading advertisements closely and said the issue was not limited to just ASU drugs but also FMCGs/Pharmaceutical Companies. During this hearing, the Court also asked the Union government to explain how it issued a letter staying the implementation of Rule 170 on mere recommendations of a body when the Rule was not legally deleted or omitted. The Union government tried to defend the letter by stating that the final gazette notification would take time, and with an intent to avoid confusion and prevent litigations, the letter had been issued for the time being. The apex Court rejected the explanation and noted that an administrative instruction cannot put on hold a rule which is enforceable in law. The Additional Solicitor General assured the Court that the letter dated August 29, 2023, would be withdrawn. However, on July 1 this year, the Ayush ministry published a notification officially omitting Rule 170. This notification has been stayed by the Supreme Court. The Court is presently, looking into the issue of misleading advertisements as a whole and has impleaded the Advertising Standards Council of India, Central Consumer Protection Authority, the consumer affairs ministry, ministry of electronics and information technology, ministry of information and broadcasting among others. Internet and smartphones have expanded the reach of advertisements. In a country like India where most medicines are available without a prescription, the need for greater regulation in the advertising, distribution and sale of drugs is essential. Ease of business cannot be at the cost of public health. Parijata Bharadwaj, a lawyer and researcher based in New Delhi, co-founded the Jagdalpur Legal Aid Group that offered legal services to adivasis in Chhattisgarh. The views expressed are personal. In recent weeks, Assam has seen a sharp spike in sectarian rhetoric against Bengali-speaking Muslims, also known as Miya Muslims (the term Miya was originally pejorative, but has now been adopted in colloquial use by large sections of the community). It all began when a minor girl was allegedly gang-raped in Dhing, located in Assams Nagaon district, on 22 August. Local organisations immediately blamed the Miya community for the crime, which was further aided by subtle insinuations made by the states chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, against what he called a section of society. Worryingly, Assam seems to be sleepwalking into a dangerous zone of sectarian inflammation that has led to full-blown anti-minority violence in the past. The ghosts of Nellie Amid the turmoil of the Assam Movement (1979-85), which created a collective paranoia over bidexis (foreigners) inundating the states electoral rolls, one single place witnessed a massacre that has no parallels in the history of modern India. On February 18, 1983, a large mob of Tiwa, Koch and caste Assamese people slaughtered around 2000 Bengali Muslims within just six hours in the village of Nellie coincidentally, also located in Nagaon district, some 70 kms from Dhing where the ongoing tensions have surfaced. Unofficial estimates claim an even higher body count. According to some accounts, the mass killings were triggered by a rumour of an alleged rape of four young Tiwa women by Bengali Muslim men. Japanese academic, Makiko Kimura, in her fieldwork-based book, The Nellie Massacre of 1983: Agency of Rioters (2013), notes that unverified allegations of Miya men kidnapping girls from the perpetrator community (and thus, sullying their communitys honour) played a key role in justifying the violence. Backed by other rumours of an impending attack on indigenous communities by the foreigners, the kidnapping rumours convinced the Tiwa and Koch that they needed to launch a retaliatory attack against the Bengali Muslims. One could see it as a preemptive attack against a non-existent offensive. Nellie politics redux? We will not allow Assam to become Miyaland, Sarma announced in the state assembly on Tuesday while claiming that the Bengali Muslim community wanted to take over all of Assam by moving from its lower to upper parts. Meanwhile, media reports suggest that some local organisations in Upper Assam have issued threats to Miya Muslims, whom they accuse of being doubtful citizens, to leave the administrative division. These sectarian provocations follow the arrest of a person named Tafazul Islam in the Dhing rape case. Islam, who belongs to the Miya community, mysteriously drowned in a pond in police custody. The police claim that he jumped into the water in a bid to escape. Islams arrest seems to have sparked widespread indignation against the Miya community in Assam. Notably, the anger is tied to a set of 'us-versus-them' narratives that were also deployed right before the Nellie Massacre to incite the local population and justify the violence post-facto. Among them, the belief that Bengali Muslims are taking over land in Assam by displacing native communities has become the most prominent. As Kimura highlighted, the perception of land alienation played a key role in shaping the fear psychosis of the perpetrators (although it was not the only reason behind the violence). The key difference, however, between 1983 and today is the aiding role of the state government. As a constitutionally mandated guarantor of security and neutral arbiter between communities, the state is supposed to intervene to ease intergroup tensions and not inflame them. The Sarma-led government, however, seems to be doing the opposite by amplifying unverified narratives of land takeover and indirectly flagging the entire Miya community as outsiders. In the process, it is offering a sense of impunity for vigilantes on the ground. There is another key difference between 1983 and 2024: Social media. Because misinformation tends to go around much faster today, the time gap between verbal provocations and actual violence has shrunk. More people are also likely to consume unverified information today than in the past, creating conditions for wider mass violence. A new context The communal provocations around the Dhing incident should not be seen in isolation. They are part of a broader political and social framework that continues to frame the Miya Muslims as infiltrators who should be expelled from the Assamese homeland. Some key elements of this regime of otherisation operate in legitimate spaces between politics and law, such as the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Foreigners Tribunals. In fact, the NRC updation exercise popularised terms such as doubtful citizens that ethnonationalist groups in Assam are now liberally using to not just question the relationship of Miya Muslims to Assam, but also give a whole new tinge to crimes committed by individual members of the community. In doing so, they are able to conflate the very Miya identity with a whole range of criminal behaviour, from sexual aggression and territorial invasion. This creates a fertile ground for new waves of violence against them. The state government must immediately step in to suppress these blanket provocations and also stop giving credence to incendiary misinformation. More importantly, the higher judiciary needs to take note of the disturbing events and intervene to prevent a completely avoidable repeat of 1983. Angshuman Choudhury is a researcher and writer from Assam, and is currently a joint PhD candidate in Comparative Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore and Kings College London. The West, often lauded for its generosity, had largely turned a blind eye to the plight of refugees until the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 made it impossible to ignore. Yet, even as some Westerners lament their supposedly overburdened states, author Viet Tanh Nguyen peels back the layers of this so-called magnanimity through his latest memoir A Man of Two Faces. Taking the invaluable advice of writer Bharti Mukherjee, Nguyen has once again go(ne) where it hurts. After his 2016 Pulitzer winning book The Sympathizer, he writes a personal history that presents a much more complicated and often hypocritical reality. Images from the Vietnam War at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (Shutterstock) The memoir is unusually written in second person (for most part) and is very much grounded in external reality having repercussions on the internal psyche. One might wonder if the use of you in this book is a result of war and its visible-to-the-eye consequences. The language feels like a director explaining the scene to his cast. These characters, all of whom make a part of who he has become, are equal parts archetypal. Is it a crucial distance then? For it is only towards the end that Nguyen assumes an I, as if gradually inching towards it. The tangible prose embodies his mental state, with emboldened letters, blotted out words, changing alignment and the paper mimicking his tone. 400pp, 639; Grove Press A Man of Two Faces lands in our hands at a moment when borders are tightening and debates over who belongs stir fear and suspicion across the globe. In DW Newss coverage of recent elections in France, a young voter casually mentioned that she preferred the far right to ensure her security against a certain kind of person, and that Sometimes they can be French, but often they are not. Its really about uncontrolled immigration. Nguyen compares the Wests self-congratulatory narratives with its darker legacies legacies that include not just the invention of the fork and other hallmarks of civilization but also the horrors of napalm, as immortalized by the haunting image of Phan Thi Kim Phuc. That iconic photograph, etched into global memory through the very tools of mechanical reproduction that the West perfected, is a reminder of how the same societies that claim to be overwhelmed by refugees are often the architects of the devastation that creates them. The West may pity Vietnam as a country of war, country of victims, but Nguyen is here to remind us that this pity is laced with the very arrogance and detachment that fuelled the violence in the first place. The book, described aptly as a memoir, a history, and a memorial, defies the conventional expectations of the genre. It is more than a recounting of personal experiences. Nguyens life is intertwined with the broader Vietnamese-American experience. The narrative oscillates between past and present as Viet Tanh Nguyen juggles with the act of remembering itself on how memories can be elusive and deceptive. He starts with recounting a particularly harrowing episode from his youth involving a home invasion, a moment that has haunted his family and shaped their understanding of fear and survival. One can sense Nguyens reluctance to write a memoir, due to the expectation that it focus solely on personal trauma. A Man of Two Faces, therefore, confronts the limitations imposed on writers of colour who are often pigeonholed into certain genres or topics. Throughout, Nguyen introduces the idea of caring for memories. This concept is explored both as a personal endeavour and a literary one. The memoir is not just a retelling of events but an exploration of how memories are processed, altered, and sometimes repressed. In a recent interview, he admits to a long-standing resistance to writing a memoir, initially dismissing his life as unremarkable compared to their parents more dramatic histories. However, the pandemic catalysed a period of introspection and writing, resulting in this book. It unintentionally highlights how lockdown has influenced literature, making it increasingly introspective and autofictional, with lived experience now often prioritized over imaginative storytelling. Nguyens dark humour comes to the fore as he calls writing this novel a minor revenge on Hollywood about the Vietnam War. Its a revenge that, despite his cackling, comes with a bitter edge, for Nguyen knows that no matter how sharp his words, they will never reach the millions who consume Hollywoods distorted fantasies of that war. The joke, as he dryly notes, is on him, and by extension, on all those who dare to challenge dominant narratives. While his novel might be a masterpiece read by a discerning few, it will never compete with the mass appeal of a poorly made Hollywood film. The real victims of this disparity? The Vietnamese, and every Other who exists only as a ghost in the American imagination, their stories overshadowed by the bright lights of the silver screen. The authors use of cinema as a metaphor for memory is particularly powerful. He imagines his parents lives as a film, complete with a soundtrack by Trinh Cong Son and direction by Wong Kar-wai. A Man of Two Faces continues its sharp critique of political and cultural landscapes, moving from the Wests complicated relationship with refugees to the suffocating control of artistic expression in his native Vietnam. Nguyens true home, as he reveals, is not a physical place but the realm of language and writing a space where freedom is paramount. Yet, how can one consider a country home when its government censors the very thing that defines that home? For Nguyen, the Vietnamese governments rigid control over literature and history makes it impossible to feel at home in a land that stifles creative freedom. This fundamentalism, as he calls it, is not just political; its an assault on the human spirit, on the ability to express the complex, often conflicting truths of the past and present. In a rare, fleeting moment of openness during the 1980s, the Vietnamese government briefly allowed writers to publish works that dared to tell these truths. Nguyen Huy Thiep, celebrated as the best short story writer of his generation, broke the silence with The General Retires and Other Stories. Duong Thu Huong, a war veteran and former party member, followed suit with Paradise of the Blind and Novel Without a Name. Her works confronted the disastrous land reforms of the 1950s and the disillusionment of Vietnamese sent as guest workers to Eastern Europe. READ MORE: Viet Thanh Nguyen We choose to remember and forget things For Nguyen, the pinnacle of Vietnamese war literature is Bao Ninhs The Sorrow of War. Written by a northern veteran who barely survived the conflict, it captures the essence of wars true horrors. Nguyen acknowledges the profound influence of Ninhs work on his own writing, to tell a story that refuses to conform to a single, sanitised version of history. The author also reflects on his career as a writer. He recounts his early days at UC Berkeley, his struggles with self-perception, and the influence of authors like Maxine Hong Kingston. He wanted to explore the self as both reader and text. Nguyen confronts his vulnerabilities and history, and describes growing up with a dual identity, just like he did in The Sympathizer. He felt like an American spy in his Vietnamese household and a Vietnamese spy in the American world. This sense of duality is a common experience for many immigrants, refugees, and marginalized individuals a feeling of being both insider and outsider. Author Viet Thanh Nguyen (Courtesy https://vietnguyen.info/) He points out that refugees often do not choose to come to the United States but are driven there by circumstances, often as a result of American policies. In contrast, the immigrant experience is more closely tied to the American mythology of the land of opportunity. Nguyens exploration of his own memories of his parents, of the house by the freeway in San Jose, of the disorienting transition from a Vietnamese homeland to an American existence feels like a counterpoint to the anger and fear that fuel todays anti-immigrant rhetoric. In a world where Trumps promises of mass deportations and travel bans are met with cheers from some quarters and UK burns in anti-immigration riots over misinformation, Nguyens reflections on the refugee experience serve as a timely reminder of whats at stake. His parents, refugees who bought their home in cash, defied the stereotype of the immigrant as a drain on society. In one particularly striking moment, Nguyen reflects on how his family bought their house in cashan immigrant dream fulfilled, but one tinged with the bittersweet reality of being outsiders in a place that never truly felt like home. Nguyens memoir reminds us that behind every headline, every statistic, there are real people with real stories stories that, like his parents, deserve to be told in all their complexity and humanity. Pranavi Sharma writes on books and culture. She lives in New Delhi. After many years of unfettered dominance, Google Docs may have a genuine competition to worry about. For writers able to get work done on a document editor within a web browser, Googles Docs, Sheets and Slides represented the benchmark tool, even though Microsoft tried, with a similar digital paper proposition with Microsoft 365 (formerly Office). In the past few weeks, a more meaningful challenge has been mounted by tech companies you wouldnt have immediately known. Zoom Docs and Proton Docs may prove significant since theyre an extension of platforms that already have a large user base. Proton Docs and Zoom Docs. (Official photos) Popular video conferencing platform Zoom, not content with being known for just that, has rolled out Zoom Docs. The privacy focused software company Proton, that already has Mail, Pass password manager and Drive cloud storage, is adding Proton Docs to that proposition. HT has earlier detailed Protons efforts to build an ecosystem of apps and services that becomes a viable alternative for Google or Microsofts services. From our experience with Proton Docs and Zoom Docs, the checklist is being ticked off successfully more often than not, but there is still some way to go before either is able to add all functionality youd expect. Protons expected privacy focused approach extends from Drive to Docs as well, within which the latter resides. Online document editors have become a core productivity tool, used for everything from private journals to sensitive business strategies. The problem is that most companies offering document editors today are the same Big Tech companies that collect and monetize your private information, Anant Vijay, the Product Lead for Proton Mail and Drive, said in a statement. Its integration follows a template that works, for storage and editing in one place. The first iteration of Proton Docs has most basics youd expect rich text formatting options, document collaboration and multiple format support. The main toolbar placed atop the document has a clutter free layout, and unless you are used to the Microsoft Word desktop app, the limited font style support wouldnt be much of a problem. A word count meter anywhere in sight, which may be a problem if youve to keep tabs on how much youve written. For now, Proton Docs is available within Proton Drive on the desktop web browser, and not via the Proton Drive app for Android, Apple iPhone or the iPad. That must change, if there has to be parity with Google Drive. Secondly, though Proton Docs is available from the free subscription tier much like Google Docs, the latters free plan includes 15GB storage space across email, photos and cloud storage. Protons free plan includes only 1GB space, and chances are thatll fill up soon. Your paid subscription choices include the Mail Plus (this bundles 15GB storage) for 280 per month, or Unlimited 719 per month with 500GB storage. Zoom would hope for a large chunk of its video meetings app users (as of the latest numbers by research firm Statista, Zoom has 55.91% videoconferencing share globally; Microsoft Teams is second, with 32.29% share) begin to use Zoom Docs. Much like Protons pitch, the idea is a singular workplace for different tasks. And since its available from the free tier upwards, users will get a fair idea of whether this works for them or not. Its a rather clean interface that greets you, with two distinct elements for accessing most features theres the main toolbar at the top, and three tabs below that can invoke an AI assistant, quickly insert a data table, or choose from templates. The latter is important if Zoom Docs, assuming theyll be eyeing a significant uptake among workplace teams, have classified templates according to different functions some examples are project and product, human resources, task tracking, research and analysis as well as planning and strategy. The other big pitch is, integrating Zoom Docs files within Zoom calls. Zoom Docs can be used for documentation, wikis, project planning, and more. Its easy-to-use design adapts to your needs, incorporating information from meetings and allowing you to embed content from third-party apps like Google Drive, YouTube, Figma, and X to help you easily create, collaborate, manage projects, and stay organized, Zooms chief product officer Smita Hashim said in a statement. There may be a case for subscribing to a Zoom Pro plan, if you may be able to draw value from the integrated AI Companion. Some of its areas of strength include translations, summarising a document, converting something into a cogent list and change the tone of what youve written. This is something Google Docs is also layering up with, if youve subscribed to the Google One AI Advanced plan (that costs 1,950 per month). Zooms Workplace Pro plans that unlock the AI Companion are priced upwards of 1,100 per month per user. As online document editors, Proton Docs and Zoom Docs do still have some catching up to do. Proton doesnt have any AI intervention for now, and for some users, that may be a shortcoming. Both Zoom and Proton have overlooked word count as a visible element when youre working on a document. Your mileage with document version comparisons may vary too, while there doesnt seem to be a way to work on these offline (thats a limitation, for the duration you may be without a Wi-Fi or mobile data connectivity). And unlike Google Docs, both platforms are still to tick off the smartphone compatibility, with apps for Android and iPhone, as well as mobile browser optimised versions. Not just for smartphones, but tablets too, because a lot of users are finding those within their workflows as second computing devices. Google Docs has been around long enough to have become a habit. Microsoft couldnt break that habit, despite Office. Proton and Zoom may need to persist longer, to convince users to switch lock, stock and barrel. By Bharath Rajeswaran Reliance boosts Indian shares to record, Nifty logs longest gaining streak in 17 years BENGALURU, - India's equity benchmarks hit record highs on Thursday, boosted by heavyweight conglomerate Reliance Industries, which plans to step up the adoption of AI and issue bonus shares. The NSE Nifty 50 and the S&P BSE Sensex both rose about 0.6% to hit all-time highs, before trimming some gains to settle up 0.4% at record closing levels. The Nifty 50 has risen for 11 consecutive sessions, adding about 4% to post its longest winning streak since October 2007. Indian markets are among the top performers globally this year, helped by hefty domestic inflows amid a robust economic and earnings outlook. "The party will continue in Indian markets as long as liquidity continues to be supportive. Investors are resorting to buying every dip, to benefit from the upward momentum," Samrat Dasgupta, chief executive at Esquire Capital Investment Advisors said. Reliance Industries, Nifty 50's second heaviest stock, rose 1.51% after the company said it will consider a bonus share issue at its board meeting on Sept. 5. Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani said the company will launch a suite of AI tools and platforms and boost its green energy manufacturing ecosystem. Non-bank lender Bajaj Finance and its holding company Bajaj Finserv both rose about 2.5% after media reports the mortgage lending arm of Bajaj Finance is likely to list in the first half of September. Eight of the 13 major sectors logged gains. Financial services and IT, the heaviest sectors in the Nifty 50, rose about 0.25% and 0.5%, respectively. The broader, more domestically focussed small- and mid-caps fell about 0.5% each, underperforming the benchmarks. "Investors should exercise caution in small- and mid-caps, where valuations are out-of-sync with fundamentals," Esquire Capital's Dasgupta said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. In a gruesome murder at Bengalurus Kempegowda International Airport, a man slashed the throat of another man at a parking area of terminal 1 parking space on Wednesday. Bengaluru police arrested the accused, Ramesh, and an investigation is going on. Bengaluru airport sees brutal murder after man slashes another man's throat with machete: Report According to reports, the deceased is identified as Ramakrishna, a trolley operator in Kempegowda International Airport. The preliminary investigation revealed that the motive of the crime is personal revenge. Also Read - Stepfather suspected in murder of two schoolgirls in Bengaluru; Manhunt underway: Report Ramakrishna reportedly had an illicit affair with the wife of Ramesh, and latter decided to end the life of the victim. He bought a machete and placed it in a backpack to kill Ramakrishna. After doing a recce, the accused learned the time of Ramakrishnas arrival at the airport. He waited at the parking area of Bengaluru airport terminal1 and followed Ramakrishna to a nearby washroom. He then attacked the victim, slashed his throat with a machete and killed him. Bengaluru police revealed that Ramesh was able to carry a machete to the airport as he travelled in a BMTC bus, as he travelled in a BMTC bus where he went unchecked. They also revealed that Ramesh had earlier planned to kill Ramakrishna in his village, but the plan failed. Also Read - 'Yamaraja' and 'Chitragupta' conduct long-jump in Udupi? Viral video of unique protest against potholed roads In a similar incident, two school girls were murdered with a machete at Bengalurus Amrutahalli recently. Stepfather of two victims was suspected of committing the horrific murder. A top cop who is investigating the matter said, We have collected samples from the crime scene and have recovered the murder weapon. Though the stepfather is the prime suspect, we havent ruled out any other possibilities, In a chilling incident early Wednesday morning, a 28-year-old woman was found dead with a slit throat in her home at Vishweshwaraiah Layout near Kengeri, West Bengaluru. The victim, identified as Navyashree, a dance instructor, was discovered by her friend Aishwarya, who woke up to find the mattress soaked in blood and Navyashree's lifeless body beside her, The Indian Express reported. The murder follows a series of domestic disputes and suspicions of infidelity. The police have arrested Kiran, age 31, the victim's husband, in connection with the murder. Kiran, a cab driver, had been married to Navyashree for three years following a relationship prior to their marriage. According to the police, Kiran had been embroiled in domestic disputes with Navyashree, fueled by suspicions of an extramarital affair. On the morning of the murder, Navyashree had sought refuge at Aishwaryas home, expressing fears for her safety. The two friends, originally from Bhadravathi in Karnataka's Shivamogga district, spent the evening together with a mutual friend, Anil, discussing Navyashrees troubled situation, the report noted. Anil had suggested that Navyashree file a police complaint about her issues with Kiran. ALSO READ | Bengaluru senior citizen dies after a pack of dogs attack her during morning walk After dropping Anil off at his residence, Aishwarya and Navyashree returned home around 11:30 pm and went to bed. The horrifying discovery was made by Aishwarya around 6 am, leading to a frantic scream that alerted neighbours, the publication added. One of the neighbours contacted the police control room, leading to the arrival of law enforcement officials. Preliminary investigations reveal that Kiran had a spare key to the house and is suspected of entering while Aishwarya and Navyashree were asleep. He allegedly committed the murder before fleeing the scene. The police are continuing their investigation into the motive and circumstances surrounding the case, the report further stated. More details are awaited shortly and will be updated as investigation progresses. Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is currently in judicial custody in the Renukaswamy murder case, was on Thursday shifted from Parappana Agrahara Central prison here to a jail in Ballari, amid tight security. The 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court here on Tuesday granted permission to move Darshan to a jail in Ballari, after a photograph of him hanging out with three others, including a rowdy-sheeter, on the lawns of the Bengaluru jail had gone viral on Sunday, sparking an uproar. Actor Darshan, currently in police custody, is an accused in the murder of S Renukaswamy.(ANI) The court has also permitted shifting of other co-accused in the murder case to various prisons in the state, and a few of them were relocated today. In the picture, the actor is seen in a relaxed mood, sitting on a chair and holding a cigarette and a coffee mug. Also, a purported video of Darshan speaking to a person over a video call from the prison too had surfaced on social media. According to police sources, Darshan was escorted to Ballari jail via the Andhra Pradesh route for security reasons and to avoid crowding of fans. They said he was taken out of Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in a police SUV and then moved into a police van near Chikkaballapur on the way to the district headquarters town of Ballari. Escorted by police officials, Darshan was seen wearing a black t-shirt with a sun glass hung to its neckline and blue jeans, and carrying a water bottle and some clothes on reaching Ballari jail. A few scenes of the 2017 Kannada movie 'Chowka', in which Darshan had appeared in a cameo role, was shot in the Ballari jail. A Bengaluru court on Wednesday extended till September nine the judicial custody of Darshan along with his friend Pavithra Gowda and 15 others, who are accused in the Renukaswamy murder case. Nine prison officials, including the Chief Superintendent of the Parappana Agrahara jail, were suspended on Monday over their "lapses" after a preliminary probe into "special treatment" to Darshan. Also, three FIRs were registered, including against Darshan, under sections of the Prisons Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to police sources, 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor, had sent obscene messages to Gowda, which enraged Darshan, allegedly leading to his murder. His body was found near a stormwater drain next to an apartment in Sumanahalli here on June nine. Raghavendra, one of the accused who is part of Darshan's fan club in Chitradurga, had brought Renukaswamy to a shed in R R Nagar here, on the pretext that the actor wanted to meet him. It was in this shed that he was allegedly tortured and murdered. According to the post-mortem report, Renukaswamy, a native of Chitradurga, died due to shock and haemorrhage as a result of multiple blunt injuries. Police sources said Pavithra, who is accused number one, was the "major cause" for Renukaswamys murder, claiming that it has been proved from the probe that she instigated other accused, conspired with them, and took part in the crime. Popular actor and director Prakash Belawadi said Bengaluru has been a great city and nobody from outside contributed for it. His response came while localsvs non-local debate is at its peak in the tech capital. Pathaan actor Prakash Belawadi takes aim at North Indians, Keralites in Bengaluru: 'Why they left Gods own country(Twitter/@politicalbaaba) Also Read - Bengaluru senior citizen dies after a pack of dogs attack her during morning walk Speaking at podcast in YouTube channel Skandyyman, Belawadi said that he does not understand how the non-Bengaluru people say that they are the reason for citys development. He said, I see a lot of outsiders in the city say Bengaluru became great after they migrated here for work. But the fact is that Bengaluru was a great city even before they arrived here. They live in a delusional world, thinking that they made Bengaluru what it is today. They can leave the city and Bengaluru will still stand developed He also said that those North Indians who think they are the reason for Bengalurus development must leave the city. When I ask the North Indians why they came to Bengaluru, they say they are here for better opportunities. Who gave them these better opportunities? They must question themselves before giving themselves the unnecessary entitlement. Also Read - Stepfather suspected in murder of two schoolgirls in Bengaluru; Manhunt underway: Report Belawadi also clarified that he is not going to leave Bengaluru at all and he will be settling down in the city. I travel a lot for my shows and infact I stayed longest in Australia. So many people ask me if I want to settle down in some other country. Forget other country, I will not leave Bengaluru. I was grown up here and I cannot leave this city, he added. The actor also commented on Keralites living in Bengaluru. He said, I come across a lot of Malayali people in Bengaluru. They call Kerala as Gods own country. I doubt why they left Gods own country and came to Bengaluru. Belawadis comments of regional row sparked a new debate on social media while many appreciate the actors views, a few differed with them. A user said, Prakash Belawadi sir podcast is awesome, has a very interesting/fun take on various topics. In a bold move, burglars in Bengalurus Indiranagar targeted parked cars on a busy street, using a specialized tool to steal laptops and other valuables in broad daylight. The incident occurred on August 22. One of the victims affected in the incident, Surya, narrated the ordeal on social media to alert residents and call for immediate police action. The incident, captured on CCTV, highlights rising safety concerns in the area and prompts calls for urgent police action.(X) As many as four cars were targeted by thieves on the bustling Indira Nagar Main 100ft Road near the Global Desi store and Westside at around 7:30 pm, according to the post. The thieves smashed the windows of all four vehicles, stealing three bags containing laptops and other valuables. Surya also wrote that the thefts were captured on CCTV footage. CCTV footage shows it all. One guy uses a special device to silently break windows (cops say this is common). Another dude distracts the security guard. They grab bags and dash off - all in plain sight on a crowded street! Surya posted. The videos are being shared widely on social media sites. Surya also warned that this incident is not isolated; similar thefts have reportedly occurred in the same area previously, heightening concerns about safety in Bengaluru. This is not the first time. Apparently, similar thefts have happened in this same lane before. Bengaluru streets are feeling less safe by the day, he wrote. He also urged the Bengaluru City Police to take immediate action to address the issue and prevent further incidents. "@blrcitypolice need your swift action! Please investigate and take action to stop these thieves before they strike again," he said. He further advised residents to remain vigilant and avoid leaving valuables visible in their vehicles. The social media post has called for greater awareness and police intervention to combat the rising crime rate on Bengalurus streets. It garnered more than 1.2 million views and over 5,500 likes at the time this article was being written. A local court on Thursday awarded capital punishment to a 36-year-old man for raping and murdering his six-year-old daughter four years ago. Convict Partap Singh of Lakhuwal village in Baba Bakala subdivision was also fined 1.5 lakh by the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) fast-track court. The crime was committed in January 2020. Additional district and sessions judge Triptjot Kaur disagreed with the arguments of defence counsel Amandeep Singh Bajwa while awarding the punishment. The convict committed the crime on the intervening night of January 4 and 5, 2020. He was booked under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code and 6 of the POCSO Act on January 5 on the complaint of his wife. The victim was the eldest among three siblings. Owing to some dispute with him, his wife had been living at her parental house along with her children. The convict routinely used to take the victim along with him and drop her to his wife. On January 4, he again brought her along with him forcibly, but did not take her back in the evening. That night, he raped and murdered her and then hung the body on a tree on the bank of the canal in the vicinity of Rayya town. Under the influence of drugs, he kept on roaming around. In the morning, he informed his wife about his act and dared her to take action against him. On the complaint of his wife Ramanjit Kaur, a case was registered on January 5, 2020 at the Khilchian police station. The medical report had made it clear that the victim had been raped. Advocate Bajwa said, Under Section 302 of the IPC, the guilty has been awarded death sentence and fined of 1 lakh while he got life sentence and 50,000 under Section 6 of the POCSO Act. Both the punishments will go simultaneously, according to information. Former chief minister and National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah on Thursday defended his decision to contest assembly elections in the UT, citing the need to form a united front against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Kashmir, India - August. 19, 2024: National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah addresses a press conference in Srinagar,on 19 August 2024.(Photo By Waseem Andrabi /Hindustan Times)-- Omar had earlier maintained the stance on not contesting assembly polls till Jammu and Kashmirs statehood was restored. After this name was finalised as the candidate from the Ganderbal assembly segment, the former CM has visited the constituency to interact with party workers to formulate strategy on multiple occasions. During his visit on Thursday, he was welcomed by enthusiastic party workers. Speaking on the occasion, the former CM said they have formed a united front against the BJP, adding, Our effort will be to ensure the BJP wins less number of seats in the assembly polls. Also Read | Multi-cornered contests in offing on most J&K assembly seats We are fighting a new fight and assembly has its own role. Should I tell my people to vote for an assembly that I myself dont accept?, Omar said while addressing party workers at Ganderbal, adding that while he agreed that the assembly isnt as powerful as it used to be, it can be made stronger. Omar said that no election was easy, saying, I have never taken any election for granted. After the results of the Baramulla parliamentary elections I now take things seriously. The former CM, who was trounced by Engineer Rashid in the Baramulla Lok Sabha election, said he was hopeful that the people of Ganderbal will again give him a chance to represent them as they did in 2008. Also Read | Mehbooba not to contest J&K elections, says cant fulfil PDPs agenda He also spoke about the National Investigation Agency (NIA) raising objections over Rashids bail plea, saying choosing to grant bail was the courts decision. No voter can make a decision about bail but the decision will be taken by court, he said. Responding to Peoples Democratic Party chief and former CM Mehbooba Muftis dig at him taking a U-turn, he said those making such comments have themselves given mandates to their relatives to contest, adding, If they are blaming me for changing my principles, they should have themselves stayed away from the election process. Notably, Muftis daughter Iltija is set to make her electoral debut in the assembly polls from the family bastion of Bijbehara. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has requested chief minister Yogi Adityanath for the arrest of the main accused in the Arjun Pasi murder case in Rae Bareli to ensure justice to the victims family. New Delhi, India - Aug. 23, 2024: Congress Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi arrives at the party office for a meeting regarding the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections Meeting at AICC Headquarter in New Delhi, India, on Friday, August 23, 2024. (Photo by RAJ K RAJ / Hindustan Times)(RAJ K RAJ /HT PHOTO) The Congress leader, who represents Rae Bareli in the Lok Sabha, has sent a letter dated August 26, 2024 in this regard to Yogi with a request that he be informed about the action in the case. Arjun Pasi was murdered on August 11. Rahul Gandhi, in his letter, has referred to his visit to Pichhwaria village under the Nasirabad police station of Rae Bareli on August 20. The Congress leader said the victims family spoke to him in detail about the case and informed that only six of the seven accused named in the case have been arrested while the main accused was absconding. He said the villagers informed him that the main accused Vishal Singh was getting political patronage and hence has not been arrested. He said he spoke to the district magistrate and the district police chief of Rae Bareli after meeting the victims family and informed them about the seriousness of the situation. He said the victims family and the Dalit community of the area are living in an atmosphere of insecurity and fear. The Congress also said the victims family was being deprived of justice. Meanwhile, a Congress delegation led by Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari, Amethi MP KL Sharma, former MP PL Punia, Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra Mona and UPCC organisation general secretary Anil Yadav met the additional chief secretary Home on Thursday and handed over Rahul Gandhis letter to the officer with a request that the leader of opposition should be informed about the action taken in the case. MUMBAI: Chief minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday announced that he was ready to apologise one lakh times for the collapse of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivajis statue at Rajkot Fort. He also said that the protest by the BJPs Narayan Rane at the site was avoidable. Party workers of Ajit Pawars NCP organized a silent protest near the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji at Juhu beach on Thursday. (Satish Bate/ Hindustan Times) Speaking at a function, Shinde said, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is our deity and we govern in his name. Such incidents pain me. As a CM, I am ready to apologise one lakh times. We dont want to politicise the issue and will erect another statue at the earliest. Shinde said that he was on the Mumbai-Goa highway on Monday when the statue collapsed. Pointing out how he took immediate cognisance of the mishap, he said that he instructed PWD minister Ravindra Chavan to visit the spot and asked police officials to register an FIR. Also Read | Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse: Indian Navy issues statement after engineer's claim The CM, who had earlier sought to deflect blame by saying that the statue was designed and built by the Navy, on Thursday changed his stance. The incident was unfortunate but I dont want to blame the Navy, he said. Shivaji is our asmita (identity) and should not be used to play politics. The western naval command had erected the Shivaji statue for the Indian Navy Day programme on December 4, 2023. Meanwhile, the place where the statue stood is in the process of being cordoned off. The Navy made this request, said Sindhudurg collector Kishor Tawade. We have stationed the State Reserve Police Force there on Thursday and completely cordoned it off. No one will be allowed to visit or stage a protest. We have also begun barricading Rajkot Fort. Shinde, who held a meeting on the statue issue late on Wednesday, has announced two committees. The first is a five-member committee under Commodore Pawan Dhingra to investigate the cause of the collapse and fix responsibility. The committee will have specialists from IIT and metallurgy experts. Sindhudurg superintendent of police Saurabh Agrawal has already taken metal samples to send for a forensic analysis. Also Read | Ugly clash over Shivaji statue; Navy was in great hurry to complete job: PWD A naval spokesperson said that this joint technical committee headed by the Indian navy, with representatives from the Maharashtra government and technical experts, would investigate the damage done to the statue subsequent to the exceptional weather conditions in the region. The second committee has been appointed under additional chief secretary (PWD) Manisha Mhaiskar to study on how a new statue can be erected at the same spot. Shinde said the government would bear the entire cost of the statue. Sources said that the public works department (PWD) had offered to make the pedestal and get the statue sculpted at its cost. PWD sources said that the tender would be finalised in a months time. The CM met several renowned sculptors like Vinay Wagh, Shashikant Wadke and Anil Sutar at his residence on Wednesday and Thursday. I have got in touch with sculptors, and we are working towards erecting another statue at the earliest, he said. I appeal to our opponents to support us. Shinde termed the violent stand-off between the BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT) at Rajkot Fort avoidable. Such a thing should not happen again, he said. One cant play politics over such an issue. Mumbai: Public Works Department (PWD) officials said that the contract to build Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivajis statue was given to sculptor Jaideep Apte by the Navy, and he had apparently done projects for the central government earlier. The Navy was in a great hurry to complete the statue before the December 4 Indian Navy Day function at Malvan, said an official. We were also told that the sculptor and structural consultant had guaranteed a 200-year life for the statue. A statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, erected by the Navy and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, collapses at Rajkot Fort, in Malvan, Monday. (PTI) PWD executive engineer Ajaykumar Sarvagod said that the Navy hastened to complete the statue before the inauguration by PM Narendra Modi . It was made in parts and brought to the spot and welded, he said. The sculptor and foundation expert were welding the statue at the spot for nearly two months. In the last eight days, naval officials took over the welding work and kept others out of the site. This will all come out in the investigation. The police have launched their investigation and naval officers are also in Sindhudurg to investigate. When contacted by HT, the naval spokesperson did not comment. Naval sources, however, said that the site was handed over to the PWD in April this year and the PWD should have maintained it. Also Read: Did collapsed Shivaji statue bypass approval from Maharashtra art directorate? Sarvagod said the state PWD had paid 2.40 crore for the statue and pedestal, and this was accounted for by the PWDs Ratnagiri division. The PWD assistant engineer of the Malvan area, Ajit Patil, and I had inspected the statue, and in the first fortnight of August found that the nuts and bolts had rusted, he said. Patil wrote to various authorities and also sent a letter to the Indian Navy by post. Meanwhile, the Sindhudurg district police chief Saurabh Agrawal said that a case of attempt to murder and culpable homicide had been filed against the sculptor and civil contractor. We have begun a search for them, he said. I have also collected samples of metal from the site and am sending them to the forensic laboratory to check what went wrong. Also Read: Tensions flare as political rivals clash at site of collapsed Shivaji statue in Malvan Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut alleged that there was a Thane connection behind awarding the contract to Jaideep Apte. There is corruption worth crores of rupees in the Shivaji Maharaj statue, he said. MP Shrikant Shinde should be asked where Apte and his other colleagues are now. They are absconding. Jaideep Apte is around 39 years old and studied at the J J School of Art and L S Raheja School of Art. In 2012, he began his own studio at Kalyan. Apte has sculpted several statues before, among them two statues of Sikh soldiers. One was installed at Glenwood Park in Sydney in 2023 and the other in Englands Yorkshire in 2019. Apte also built the statue of Appasaheb Patwardhan, known as Kokan Gandhi in 2019. A news report on the internet said that the Kankavli Nagar Panchayat assigned the project to Apte and the then Congress MLA Nitesh Rane had helped the Kankavli Nagarparishad install the statue. In yet another setback to the YSR Congress party in Andhra Pradesh, two of its Rajya Sabha members resigned from the party and their membership in the Upper House of Parliament on Thursday. Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and YSRCP president Jagan Mohan Reddy. (ANI Photo) The two MPs Mopidevi Venkataramana and Beeda Mastan Rao wrote separate letters to party president and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, citing personal reasons for their resignations. Venkataramana and Mastan Rao met Vice-President and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and submitted separate resignation letters. Dhankhar later accepted their resignations with immediate effect, people familiar with the matter said. Venkataramanas term in Rajya Sabha was set to expire in June 2026, while Mastan Raos term was scheduled to end in June 2028. Following their resignations, YSRCPs strength in the Rajya Sabha has come down from 11 to nine. There are indications that a few more Rajya Sabha MPs will also quit the party and their membership, a party leader said on condition of anonymity. The resignations come a day after YSRCP womens wing president and MLC Pothula Sunitha resigned from the party. Speaking to reporters, Venkataramana said he will soon join the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). I shall accept whatever responsibility I am given by the party president and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is making sincere efforts to develop the state, he said. Stating that there were various reasons for quitting the YSRCP, Venkataramana said he had taken the decision after a lot of contemplation. I was never interested in becoming a Rajya Sabha member, but always wanted to serve the people of my constituency Repalle in Bapatla district, he said. I was very much disturbed with the developments in the YSRCP in the last one year, he added. Venkataramana, who entered politics through the Congress in 1989, lost the elections from Kuchinapudi assembly constituency in 1989 and 1994. However, he turned around his fortunes and got elected from the same constituency in 1999 and 2004. In 2009, he got elected from Repalle constituency. He served as a minister in the cabinets of late YS Rajasekhara Reddy and later N Kiran Kumar Reddy. After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Venkataramana joined the YSR Congress party, but lost the assembly elections twice in 2014 and 2019. He was later nominated to the state legislative council and was inducted into the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy cabinet. In 2020, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha. Meanwhile, Mastan Rao thanked Jagan for giving him an opportunity to serve the party and the people. I have not yet taken a decision on my future course of action. I shall discuss with my followers and supporters on which party I should join, he said. Masthan Rao, better known as BM Rao, is the chairman of the BMR Group, a shrimp farming and exports firm with facilities in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. A backward class leader belonging to the Yadava community, his political journey began with the TDP in 1983 and was elected as MLA from Kavali assembly seat in 2004 and 2009. He lost to the YSRCP candidate from Kavali in 2014. In the 2019 general elections, he contested from the Nellore Lok Sabha seat but lost to the YSRCP candidate. He was also a member of the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority. In December 2019, Mastan Rao joined the YSRCP after quitting TDP over personal reasons, and became a Rajya Sabha MP in 2022. YSRCP strongly reacted to the resignations of the two MPs, with former minister and party spokesman Ambati Rambabu saying its unfortunate some leaders were defecting to the TDP just because YSRCP lost power. They have lost their dignity and image. Such leaders wont get the support of the people, he said. Another senior YSRCP leader and former minister Kakani Goverdhan Reddy alleged that chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu was poaching YSRCP leaders by promising them attractive positions. During his earlier stint, Naidu lured 23 YSRCP MLAs and in the subsequent elections, his party ended up with 23 seats in the assembly, he said. Several Delhi University (DU) colleges conducted orientation programmes on Wednesday for students who are set to attend their first day of college. Classes for the fresh batch of undergraduate students at Delhi University colleges to begin today (File Photo) The new batch of undergraduate students will begin their classes for the academic year 2024-25 on Thursday. To help students acclimatise to their new environment, colleges held orientation programmes and provided an introduction to campus life and an opportunity to meet college officials. Also read: Students day out: DUs new session gets underway today So far, DU has enrolled nearly 68,000 students across 1,559 undergraduate programmes offered by 69 colleges and departments, following two rounds of admissions. This year, the university offered admission to 90,644 candidatesnearly 19,000 more than its sanctioned capacity of 71,600 seatsto ensure all seats are optimally filled. The admission process is ongoing, with a third round scheduled to admit students through performance-based programmes and supernumerary quotas, including those for children/widows of armed forces personnel (CW), extra-curricular activities (ECA) and sports. Also read: DUs newest crop gears up to start UG courses The schedule for this round will be announced soon. Additionally, around 27,554 candidates were able to secure their preferred college and course combination this year, aligning with their higher preferences. There was an air of uncertainty in the admission process this year due to a delay in the announcement of the CUET results which were deferred amid allegations of irregularities. The session was originally slated to begin on August 1. Several student organisations and teacher associations have raised concerns over the delay in beginning the academic calendar. They said it would shorten the students' vacation time and put an extra burden on teachers to finish the syllabus in less time. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has instructed all schools affiliated with the Board to establish a Composite Skill Lab along with all necessary equipments and machinery to effectively implement the recommendations of NEP and NCF-SE. Schools already affiliated with CBSE are required to establish a Composite Skill Lab with all necessary equipment and machinery, within a period of three years(PTI Photo) In an official notification, CBSE emphasised the need to set up Composite Skill Lab as the board believes that establishing the lab would help in providing training on practical skills aligned with industry needs, enhance employment prospects for students in various trades and vocations, enable exploration of diverse career pathways beyond traditional options, and foster entrepreneurial capabilities among students. It has been noticed that many schools currently lack the necessary facilities and equipments to provide effective hands-on training. The matter was discussed in the 139th meeting of the Governing Body of the Board and it was been mandated that all schools affiliated with the Board must establish a Composite Skill Lab along with all necessary equipments and machinery to effectively implement the recommendations of NEP and NCF-SE, mentioned the official notification by the Board. Also Read: CBSE, ISTM join forces to launch 2-day Training of Trainers certification course for teachers and heads The Board has advised schools to set up either one Composite Skill Lab of 600 sq. ft. area for classes VI-XII, or two separate labs of 400 sq. ft. area each, one for classes VIX and the other for classes XI-XII. Implementation Timeline: For the schools seeking fresh affiliation with CBSE, a Composite Skill Lab with all necessary equipment and machinery is a mandatory requirement Schools already affiliated with CBSE are required to establish a Composite Skill Lab with all necessary equipment and machinery, within a period of three years CBSE also advised the schools already offering Skill subjects to provide more choices to students by offering more Skill subjects. The schools that are still not offering any Skill subjects are advised to provide at least one Skill subject to the students. Also Read: CBSE & NCB together organise "Say No to Drugs and Yes to Life" campaign in Delhi St Stephens College, which is affiliated with Delhi University, and one of the premier educational institutions in the country, in an official notification, informed students that the orientation program had been cancelled and regular classes would commence from August 29, 2024. The 12 applications were submitted under a supernumerary quota created by Delhi University (DU) as a special provision implemented this year.(RIshi Ballabh/HT Photo) Please be informed that the orientation program scheduled for 10 am on August 28, 2024, now stands cancelled. Regular classes will begin on August 29. Please be seated in the college hall at 9 am for the morning assembly," mentioned the notification from the college principal. Also Read: DU colleges set to welcome new batch of students on Thursday The cancellation of the orientation program comes amid the controversy the college is facing regarding the rejection of 12 applications for UG courses under the newly introduced Single Girl Child quota. The 12 applications were submitted under a supernumerary quota created by Delhi University (DU) as a special provision implemented this year. However, the college did not accept these applications, according to Dean of Academics Haneet Gandhi to PTI. "Around 19 single girl child students applied for admission to the BA Programme course at St. Stephen's. The college accepted the applications of seven students but rejected those of the remaining 12," Gandhi stated. Prof John Varghese, Principal of St Stephen's College in a notice on the official website released a statement regarding the ongoing controversy. For the information of all concerned, St Stephens College has admitted this year, the sanctioned number of candidates, 5% over that number and special categories including that of the Single Girl Child in every programme of study offered in the College. The College has a sanctioned number of seats every year. Despite a request that additional seats should not be allotted to the College this year (as in the previous two years the College had been allotted 20% and 10% respectively in excess to the sanctioned seats), it was finally agreed upon that only 5% extra seats will be allotted to College. In addition to this 5% the College also accepted allocations in the three special categories which includes that of the Single Girl Child as well. St Stephen's has honoured its word by admitting 5% over the sanctioned number of seats, admitting candidates to the newly created categories including that of the Single Girl Child in every one of its programmes. The College wishes to and will continue to uphold its 143-year-old legacy of commitment to quality education and social justice, mentioned the notice. Meanwhile, the college approached the Delhi HC against its August 23 order granting admission to 6 students in undergraduate courses, asserting that the same was passed in undue haste and on proceedings on a misplaced sense of urgency. The Delhi High Court in response to a plea filed by the students, had directed the college to grant provisional admission to six students who despite securing a seat could not get admission, due to policy-related disputes between the college and Delhi University. Also Read: DU leads the way Miranda House, St Stephens alumni in top 5 of UPSC Earlier, Delhi University announced that starting from the academic session 2024-25, one seat in all undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across its colleges would be reserved under the supernumerary quota for single girl child students. This initiative aims to promote higher education for single girls by providing them with additional support and admission opportunities. (With PTI inputs) Back in June, Miley Na Miley Hum co-stars and now MPs Kangana Ranaut and Chirag Paswan were spotted sharing a warm and candid moment as they crossed paths near the entrance of the Parliament in Delhi. The brief encounter captured the attention of onlookers and sparked interest among fans. Now, in an interview with AajTak, Kangana has reflected on the moment, saying now Chirag changes his path after spotting her from a distance. Also read: Chirag Paswan on viral pic of him and Kangana Ranaut: Was looking forward to meeting her Chirag and Kangana starred in the 2014 film Mile Na Mile Hum. (PTI) Kangana speaks up In the interview, Kangana was asked about the viral moment, and she had a humourous response to it. Leave Parliament out of it, Kangana said in Hindi, before breaking into a laugh. The actor is looking forward to the release of her film, Emergency. She continued, It is the temple of our Constitution. I represent my constituency there. Chirag ko main bohat pehle sey jaanti hun, wo mera accha dost hai, bechare ney ek do baar hansa diye mujhe lekin aap log to peeche hi pad gaye, ab wo bhi rasta badalkar chala jaata hai. (Chirag and I have known each other for a long time. He is a very good friend of mine. But you guys are after me for the same. Now even Chirag changes his path when he sees me)." Chirag reacts Sometime back, while giving a response to the question in a podcast by Smita Prakash, Chirag said, I was really looking forward to meeting her in Parliament. Because past 2-3 years I was so busy in my life toh connect toot gaya tha." The host went on to ask if he gave any tips to her regarding speeches. To which Chirag replied, Hahaha, no no. She doesnt need any tip. Chirag and Kangana starred in the 2014 film Mile Na Mile Hum. About the candid meeting In June, a new video of the two emerged on social media, as news agency ANI captured a glimpse of the two of them having a candid moment just outside the Parliament. Both of them greeted each other exchanged a low five. In the video, Kangana was seen in a yellow cotton sari, as she made her way up the stairs, along with Chirag beside her. She greeted Chirag, who opted for a white kurta and blue jeans, with a smile and they were seen giggling for a few seconds. Kangana is a member of the Bhartiya Janta Party while Chirag is Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief. In June, Kangana and Chirag had also met at NDA's Parliamentary meet in New Delhi. They shook hands and shared some laughs together. Earlier, Chirag said he was eager to meet Kangana again. I am looking forward to meet her. We shared a good relationship, worked in a film. We will be meeting in Parliament. I think she is a strong lady; she voices herself very articulately and I am looking forward listening to her in Parliament, he told PTI. Actor Salman Khan on Wednesday attended an event in Mumbai and met several dignitaries, other celebrities and fans. In a video shared by a paparazzo, Salman was seen hugging a young boy. (Also Read | Salman Khan leaves fans impressed with groovy moves on Jalwa) Salman Khan with a young fan at Mumbai event. Salman's fan touches his feet As he stood on the stage, the boy went up to him and showed him a sketch of the actor. Salman shared a brief conversation and signed the sketch. The young fan then touched Salman's feet, who quickly lifted him up and hugged him. Fans react after Salman hugs the fan The duo also posed together for pictures. For the event, Salman was dressed in a blue T-shirt, denims and shoes. Reacting to the clip, a fan said, " Aww, such a sweet gesture." A person wrote, "True inspiration." An Instagram user commented, "Salma loves kids. It was so nice of him." A comment read, "Salman being the most amazing person ever." Salman attended an event in Mumbai Salman joined hands with Divjay Foundation along with Municipal Corporation of Mumbai, Mumbai Police and Chattra Sansad for the initiative Bacche Bole Morya. He attended the event to advocate the need of cleanliness and eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi festival this season. "Eco-friendly Ganesha has been coming to our house for a very long time. Until there is a purity in the festival, you can't celebrate (the festival)...After the visarjan, some idols' head, trunk, leg are scattered everywhere and some people step on other scattered idols of Lord Ganesha. It's not nice. Basically, I want to say I won't throw garbage and won't let others throw garbage," Salman Khan told reporters, as quoted by news agency PTI. Who all attended event The event was also attended by Salman's sister Alvira Agnihotri, Amruta Fadnavis, Sonali Bendre, Sonu Nigam, Kailash Kher, Police commissioner Vivek Phalsankar and BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. In another video, Salman was seen hugging Sonali. he also danced to his song Jalwa from the 2009 film Wanted. Salman's next film Fans will see Salman next in Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss. The film is set to release next Eid. Rashmika Mandanna is also part of the film. Embattled exes Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's messy divorce recently pushed the latter's Oscar-winning father, Jon Voight, to urge them to End this nonsense. However, programmers at the Venice International Film Festival knew better than to meddle in their estranged ties, ruling out any awkward and presumably unwanted reunions between them. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in happier times. The former couple will attend the glorious event, which will take place from August 28 to September 7, at Venice Lido in Italy to promote their respective projects. While their contentious family situation would make them want to avoid any run-ins, they weren't the ones who pushed the film festival officials to put in the extra effort to crack the code in spacing out their schedules. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie didn't have to push the Venice International Film Festival staffers to keep their appearances spaced apart According to a new Page Six report, the Biennale Cinema 2024 staffers were wise enough to realise what the circumstances needed without being nudged by either side of the warring exes. Also read | Ryan Gosling-Eva Mendes' relationship on the rocks? Kids keeping them together amid rumoured friction over LA exit Venice Film Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera told Vanity Fair about two weeks ago that special measures were in place to keep the Mr and Mrs Smith costars apart at the event. While Angelina Jolie is listed to be there on the first day on Thursday, August 29, she will swiftly leave for the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado. So Brad will arrive only on Saturday, to Venice. There is no way that they can cross each other at the Lido, Barbera added. The Salt actress touched down in Italy on Tuesday, August 27, ultimately flaunting her style at the festival on Thursday. Also read | Jennifer Lopez hit hard by divorce from Ben Affleck: Shes very upset and People Magazine reported Jolie channelled a Greek Goddess in a brown Tom Ford jersey kaftan dress at the Hotel Excelsior pier ahead of the premiere of her biographical drama Maria. Once Jolie exits the 81st Venice International Film Festival with Maria director Pablo Larrain, Brad will join the event for the September 1 premiere of his movie Wolfs. Trouble in paradise for Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes? The Hollywood couple is reportedly dealing with growing friction after moving to a quieter life in Montecito, California, earlier this year. US actress Eva Mendes (L) and her partner Canadian actor Ryan Gosling (R) attend the artistic gymnastics women's uneven bars final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on August 4, 2024. (AFP) A previous report suggested that in a step that shows them prioritising their family, The Place Beyond the Pines costars left Hollywood to give their daughters, Esmeralda Amada (9) and Amada Lee (7), all the comfort over anything else. Contrary to the March news, a new report points in the other direction, insinuating that the same move out of Los Angeles is now supposedly costing the couple's connection while kids are the thing keeping them together. (These words also popped up a few years ago.) According to a source, Eva pushed for the move as she wanted to raise their kids outside of Los Angeles. As the insider told Life&Style, Ryan eventually agreed to the plan, but theproblem is, he's restless and needs the action of a big city. Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes are reportedly opposites in almost every way" Privacy has always been a big player in the couple's relationship. Their elusive romance has barely made it to red-carpet sightings but has seemingly maintained the vision of a happy family situation. Also read | Jennifer Lopez hit hard by divorce from Ben Affleck: Shes very upset and The latest purported bombshell goes against everything previously envisioned, as the source repeatedly cited the Hollywood exit as the reason for their deepening differences. Ryan loves adventure and Eva has become an extremely private paranoid person, the source added, emphasising they really are opposites in almost every way. If these claims hold any truth, the Canadian actor seems to have found the perfect getaway from Montecito due to his ongoing filming schedule in London for the upcoming sci-fi film Project Hail Mary. With the family barely having spent any time at their new abode this summer, the situation appears to be working well for Ryan, but it hasn't been great for putting down roots. The source even pushed the idea that Eva has more control in the relationship." Although these bold proclamations seem to insist that Gosling isn't enjoying the time away from his Hollywood friend circle and Mendes was the one who particularly pushed for the shift, a report published by People Magazine in March says otherwise. Another report contradicts new claims about friction between Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes At the time of their big move away from LA, an insider told the outlet that it was a joint decision, fuelled by the couple's motivation of not wanting their girls to grow up around other celebrity kids." The anonymous source highlighted, Eva and Ryan love their life. Having maintained healthy balance and boundaries, the couple cares so much about their marriage and just want their girls to live a happy life. The insider added that when they were not working, they are all about their girls. Also read | Comedian delivers 'brutal' take on Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt's soured relationship with their kids In addition to their love for the kids, the person painted a healthy picture of Ryan and Eva's romance. They are a very active family. Eva and Ryan seem happy. They tend to be flirty and hold hands. It's cute. However, as is always the case in such stories delivered by numerous sources, they all sing a different tune to the same song. Eva Mendes' absence at the 96th Academy Awards: Another sign of the couple's differences? Yet another March report shared by InTouch Weekly said that Eva Mendes' absence at the Oscars, despite Ryan's spectacular I'm Just Ken performance, was another hint at how separate their lives are. These differences have seemingly blown up over the years due to their professional divide. Mendes hung up her acting cape in 2012 and took on the role of a hands-on mother. The Hollywood insider asserted that while she loves supporting Gosling and being a mom, things have been difficult at times and created a lot of jealousy" behind the scenes. Gosling, a Kenough legend since his association with Greta Gerwig's directorial Barbie, was depicted as a moody person by the source, who supposedly insists on their ultra-private image and was the one who decided that they would not step out together." Ryan and Eva first sparked romance rumours in 2011 after starring in The Place Beyond the Pines. Shedding more light on their connection in April 2023, Mendes clarified in an Instagram post that they actually did not meet on set and the magic started way before. On August 4, they made a rare public outing, catching the Olympic action. The couple was spotted spectating gymnastics and equestrian events at Chateau de Versailles and the Bercy Arena in Paris. American actor Sigourney Weaver got emotional as she received the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award at the opening ceremony of the 81st Venice Film Festival, which marked a return on Wednesday night. Also read: When Sigourney Weaver was tricked into signing Aliens sequel by James Cameron Sigourney Weaver has starred in four Alien movies. (AP) The legendary star of films such as Alien, Avatar and Gorillas in the Mist was awarded the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement in honour of her work spanning 45 years ahead of the world premiere of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Huge honour In award receiving speech, Sigourney said, "I'm sure I'm dreaming. I want to roar,' reported Deadline. The three-time Oscar nominee thanked the festival for what she called a "jet-fuel of encouragement," adding, "I can't believe I'm here." She also stated that her Golden Lion was "the most astonishing honour I can imagine," jokingly adding that the statue would be "sitting next to me on the plane, it will be next to be in the gondola and my husband will have to get used to having it in bed with us." During the Sigourney tribute, in a surprise video message from her Avatar director James Cameron, wished her "massive congratulations." In the message, he said, "I am blessed to know her as a friend ... our working bond of trust and respect has only gotten stronger with every new project." He also shared that Weaver received her first Academy Award nomination for their first collaboration, 1986's Aliens, and said she is "way overdue for that Oscar," as reported by Deadline. Emotional moment French actress Camille Cottin, who appeared with Weaver on hit satire series Call my Agent, lauded her. "She's faced everything from aliens to ghosts to gorillas to extra-large soldier pads, to glass ceilings to gender stereotypes," said Cottin. Cottin revealed when she first met Weaver, she was surprised to find her "so soft spoken, so gentle. I was struck that you weren't an oddly powerful woman but just a woman who doesn't give a fuck about the male gaze." On August 28, Sigourney got emotional during the festival press conference when a reporter linked her role as Ripley in Alien to U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. In response, holding up her tears, Sigourney said "We're all so excited about Kamala and to think for one moment that my work would have anything to do with her rise makes me very happy, actually, because it's true. I have so many women who come and thank me." She then joked, "Sorry, I need my vodka," as quoted by Variety. Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi, Well-known names of Malayalam cinema, including CPI MLA K Mukesh and Jayasurya have been booked by the police for rape and sexual assault of a woman colleague, prompting voices from the ruling coalition on Thursday for the former to step down as a legislator amid an intensifying political slugfest involving the LDF and the opposition. More Malayalam actors face police heat over sexual abuse charges Senior CPI leader Annie Raja urged Mukesh to step down as an MLA, after he was booked for rape on Wednesday night based on the complaint of a female actor. Amid Congress' attack, the CPI -led LDF threw its weight behind Mukesh. The ripple effect caused by the Justice K Hema Committee report findings saw other actors Jayasurya and Maniyanpilla Raju, being booked for sexual assault. The complainant, who has appeared in a handful of movies, levelled allegations against prominent actors Mukesh, Jayasurya and Raju, as well as small-time actor Idavela Babu who held a prominent role in the actors' association. In a Facebook post, the woman actor had said, "I am writing to report a series of incidents of physical and verbal abuse I suffered at the hands of 1 Mukesh 2 Maniyan Pilla Raju, 3 Idavela Babu, 4 Jayasoorya , 5 adv Chandrasekaran, 6 production controller Noble and Vichu, in the Malayalam film industry." "In 2013, I was subjected to physical and verbal abuse by these individuals while working on a project. I tried to cooperate and continue working, but the abuse became unbearable," the actress alleged. A rape case was registered last night against prominent Malayalam actor and ruling CPI MLA Mukesh following the female actor's allegation that he sexually assaulted her years ago. CPI legislator K K Shailaja on Thursday said if it is proved Mukesh committed the crimes he has been accused of, then he has no right to continue as a legislator. She said currently a special investigation team was probing all the allegations that have surfaced, including against Mukesh. Once the SIT gives its report, the government will take an appropriate decision based on that, she said. "If he has committed a crime, then he is not eligible to continue in that position. But, right now we are in the initial stages of the investigation and we cannot say whether he should resign or not," she said. Annie Raja insisted Mukesh no longer had the legal or moral standing to continue in his post. "Now with a case being registered against him, he no longer has the moral or legal standing to continue in that post. He should resign from his post as MLA." "It will also support the state government's efforts to ensure a safe and secure working environment for women in the film industry in the wake of the Hema Committee's findings and recommendations," she said. The CPI leader further said if Mukesh does not resign as MLA, the state government's "sincere and honest" efforts would be hampered. "It will also affect the image of the state government. The Left front is pro-women," she added. With its MLA coming under intense opposition attack, the LDF pointed out that Congress MLAs who faced rape charges had not resigned. LDF convener E P Jayarajan also said that neither the CPI nor the Left government will protect any wrongdoers. Jayarajan was responding to reporters' queries on whether Mukesh will resign or not. He said that earlier, much bigger sexual assault cases were lodged against two other MLAs who had not resigned, referring to Congress MLAs M Vincent and Eldhose Kunnappilly. "Had they resigned, then the third MLA too would have to resign. The law is applicable equally to all legislators. By asking for Mukesh' resignation, you are protecting the other two," he said. On being told that some CPI leaders, including Annie Raja, have sought Mukesh's resignation, Jayarajan said "anyone can demand anything." He further said the Left government in the state has taken effective and strong measures, in the wake of the Justice Hema Committee report, to ensure women safety and protection of the film industry. He said that the government was on sound moral footing as a case under non-bailable provisions was lodged against Mukesh. "The government will not protect or show any leniency towards any wrongdoer. Strict action will be taken against them, whosoever they are. The government always takes the correct stand. You just wait and watch," he said. An FIR under IPC 376 was registered against Mukesh at Maradu police station in Kochi city on Wednesday night. The case was registered under the IPC as the offence allegedly occurred before the new Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita came into force, a police officer said. Earlier, actor Sidhique was booked for allegedly raping an actress in a hotel eight years ago. Prior to that, a case under IPC Section 354 was registered against director Ranjith on a complaint by a female actor from West Bengal regarding an incident which occurred in 2009. The Justice Hema Committee was constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case and its report revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. BTS Suga continues to find himself at the centre of controversy following a DUI scandal that made him the talk of Korea on August 6th. The BTS rapper, who serves as a brand ambassador for one of the worlds leading mobile phone brands, Samsung, is rumoured to be at risk of losing his endorsement deal amid the ongoing investigation. Although no official announcements have been made yet, the speculation is already causing a stir. Suga has been doing his mandatory military service since September 2023. (AP) BTS to lose Samsungs brand ambassadorship? BTS, as a seven-member boy band, has been the face of the South Korean company for years, boosting Samsung's global presence among their massive fan base. However, on August 28, 2024 (KST), the Korea Herald reported that a Samsung insider hinted at a possible change in brand ambassadors. There is a risk in promoting someone as a brand ambassador who has caused a social controversy, regardless of the person's fandom, an unnamed source told the outlet. The insider mentioned that Samsung might be thinking about breaking its deal with the K-pop star because the situation is really serious and they need to think it over carefully. Also read: NCT fans burn Taeil's photocards, destroy merch as alleged nightclub photos surface amid sexual crime However, we are still waiting for an official word from the company itself. BTS has long been associated with the mobile phone company, and their partnership includes not just Suga but the entire septetJin, Jimin, RM, Taehyung (V), J-Hope, and Jungkook. As of now, BTS remains Samsung's top-tier brand ambassador, a role they have held for a long time. The company will likely not take any immediate action The report highlights that Samsung is unlikely to take any immediate action that could lead to consequences. It further clarifies that the company has an exclusive contract with BTS as a whole. Therefore, unless Suga separates from the K-pop group (which is not going to happen as BigHit has already clarified), Samsung cannot remove him from their promotional activities at this time. Also read: BTS Jin set to star in Netflix's new variety show alongside actress Ji Ye Eun: Release window unveiled With this said, it doesnt mean that Samsung will exclude him from campaigns right away. They have contracts with all BTS members. Unless Suga leaves the group, it is hard for them to do anything. Theyll need to see how this plays out, the insider added. Samsung deletes photos featuring Suga In yet another sensational move, the companys social media activity has raised eyebrows. On August 17, Samsung Germany removed advertisement photos featuring Suga that had been posted on their X account on August 15 and 16. Fans speculate that this might be a temporary reaction in the DUI aftermath and that the posts could be reinstated once the situation is resolved. The company has yet to comment on the matter. The inner turmoil among the Indian Ocean is hitting the surface now. Susmit Sen, the former guitarist of the iconic fusion band, has filed a police complaint against his erstwhile bandmates, Rahul Ram and Amit Kilam. Also read: Our next stop is the Metaverse: Indian Ocean Indian Ocean is considered to be one of the oldest fusion bands in India. The complaint levies allegations against the duo, including criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, cheating, and misappropriation, among others. Furthermore, he has also accused Rahul and Amit of financial irregularities within the band. Police complaint against bandmates According to India Today, Susmit filed a police complaint against Rahul and Amit on August 16 in Delhi. Susmit took the legal action along with Sunita Chakravarty, wife of deceased Indian Ocean co-founder Ashim Chakravarty. They have also named Kandisa Music Productions Pvt Ltd, the company that runs the Indian Ocean band, in the complaint. In a statement Susmit addressed the dispute, stating, Having founded the band with Ashim (Chakravarty), it gives me no pleasure to take police action against it today. In fact, it was my father (Ajit Kumar Sen) who had named the band that I formed with Ashim in 1990, and I am still a shareholder at the company (Kandisa Music Productions Pvt Ltd) that runs the band. I had handpicked the two members of this band back then, against whom I have been compelled by circumstances to take police action. What I have had to go through is really unfortunate, given that me and Ashim had founded the band, and I was its composer and lead guitarist. It is needless to say I was an integral member of the Indian Ocean. The statement added, As we have stated in the police complaint, we believe they have committed criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, fraud against the Registrar of Companies (RoC), fraud against the authorities, and mismanagement, among other offences. I havent been paid my royalties at all since 2020. I also discovered that I was being underpaid since a couple of years after leaving the band in 2013. The police complaint has been filed, but an FIR is yet to be registered. The unpaid dues are said to be more than 50 lakhs each. As per India Today, Amit Kilan denied that a complaint had been filed, stressing that it is an 'internal matter' which they aim to settle cordially. About the band Indian Ocean was founded by Susmit in 1990. In its first year, the band included Shaleen Sharma on the drums, and tried out three bass players: Indrajit Dutta, Anirban Roy and RC Arya. It was in 1991 that Susmit met Rahul Ram, a former classmate of his at St Xavier's School, and persuaded him to join. In 1994, Amit Kilam signed up. And it formed the band that everyone knows now. The Delhi-based band is one of the most iconic ones to have emerged from Indias independent music scene back in the 1990s. In 2009, Asheem passed away unexpectedly, leaving his bandmates as well as his fans in shock. They are credited for albums such as Indian Ocean (1993), Desert Rain (1997), Kandisa (2000), Jhini (2003) and 16/330 Khajoor Road (2010). The band went on to sing two songs for actor and filmmaker Aamir Khan's Peepli Live! They also have a documentary tracing their journey. Leaving Home - the Life and Music of Indian Ocean, charts the journey of the band in its first 20 years. In 2013, Susmit decided he wanted to go solo. Current members include Himanshu Joshi, Tuheen Chakravorty, Amit Kilam, Nikhil Rao and Rahul Ram. Saripodhaa Sanivaaram review: Vivek Athreya, whos known for making Mental Madhilo, Brochevarevarura and Ante Sundaraniki, tries his hand at the classic tale of good vs evil with Saripodhaa Sanivaaram. While the films basic premise makes it seem like any old commercial movie, the director makes the genre his own particularly the humour and the visual grammar. (Also Read: Nani opens up about the influence of Kamal Haasan, calls him a gift to cinema') Saripodhaa Sanivaaram review: SJ Suryah, Nani face-off in this commercial drama. Saripodhaa Sanivaaram story Surya (Nani) has always been hot-headed and quick with his fists whenever someone ticks him off. His mother Chayadevi (Abhirami) worries itll do him more harm than good to carry on this way, giving him a solution to keep his temper in check. So, while hes your regular ol man-next-door 6 days a week with carefully combed hair and tucked in shirt, he also maintains a careful ledger of everyone who has made him angry, taking action on Saturdays only if he believes it's justified. Surya meets his arch-nemesis in Dayanand (SJ Suryah), an equally hot-headed, borderline-manic police officer. Daya's beef with his brother Koormanand (Murli Sharma) has some very real consequences for Sokulapalem a Stuartpuram-style colony with people whose ancestors were thieves. Unlike Surya, he channels his anger on whoever is at the wrong place at the wrong time. Newly appointed constable Charulatha (Priyanka Mohan) is the only one who initially shows his victims any compassion. PS: Suryah truly did not hold back while leaking this story beforehand. How does the film fare? Given Viveks affinity for rom-coms and crime comedy, one might wonder how he would handle something massy. The answer is quite well! Saripodhaa Sanivaaram gives Nani ample whistle-worthy moments while being surprisingly funny and respectful towards the subject at hand a rare combination in commercial cinema. For example, there are moments when women suffer physical abuse on-screen, but its never shown to us, let alone glamourised. Its also refreshing to see a massy movie give the antagonist more to do than leech over women. Some key moments, however, are let down by convenient writing, and the lengthy runtime could be a gripe, but the film manages to keep you engaged overall. There are no random dance numbers to cut the flow, either. The background score by Jakes Bejoy, in particular, ebbs and flows with Suryas mood, making for an immersive experience and adding depth to a story that might otherwise come across as run-of-the-mill. Viveks strong points Saripodhaa Sanivaaram deals with a lot of issues without in-your-face social messaging. Beneath all the well-shot fight scenes, there are warm moments, like when a mother teaches a daughter that her place is not in the kitchen, but cooking is a good skill to learn. Or when a little girl is taught that at some point, humans must evolve to look after one another instead of relying on the hope of divine intervention. In some moments, when it feels like Vivek is relying on cliches, he breaks them, including one that draws parallels between Surya and Charu with Krishna and Satyabhama. Vivek has always excelled at humour and staying true to his style, Saripodhaa Sanivaaram has some delightfully laugh-out-loud moments, particularly between Daya and Koorma or Surya and his father Sankaram (Sai Kumar). Amid some highly tense moments, Vivek breaks the monotony with well-placed lines that leave you chuckling. The director also brings out the best in the diverse cast, who shine in their roles big or small. Nani and Suryah, in particular, seem to revel in their characters. Nani gets to play a true-blue angry young man who is furious at how the world is, but with a new-age twist. Suryah is particularly good in the moments his character lets loose and grows deranged to adapt to the situations. The visual grammar Its almost like when Vivek decided to shake things up in his filmography; he decided to go all out. Murali Gs heady cinematography brings Hyderabad's gritty, grimier side to life. Gone are brightly lit pastel-hued homes, reminiscent of Mental Madhilo. Instead, the film plays out in earthy tones, with the cool blues and browns peppered with pops of red, much like Suryas anger. Only when he falls for Charu do more colours slowly seep in. A particular shot of Surya at a pub during a fight scene backlit by neon stays with you. Of course, as the film progresses, the colour tones evolve as his character grows and he understands how to use his anger. Golden or green light is used quite well in moments of self reflection. The penultimate scene, which shows his anger finally finding purpose, glows in shades of gold and red, much like the coal that provides warmth. The drawbacks The only drawback in this close-to-3-hour film is when Vivek forgets to subvert the cliches. The writing isnt as sharp or clever as it should be when it comes to explaining away conveniences. The rift between Daya and Koorma escalates due to happenstance at the fag end of the film. Suryas sister Bhadra (Aditi Balan) and Charu return to his life in ways that are explained away half-heartedly. Theres also a supporting character who randomly waltzes in the first time Surya faces off with Daya. In a film that otherwise ties up knots cleanly, scenes like these stand out like a sore thumb, feeling like an easy way out. Its disappointing to see Charu and Bhadra not well-fleshed out, unlike Viveks female characters in previous films. In conclusion On paper, Saripodhaa Sanivaaram reads like your cookie-cutter commercial cinema, in which the emotional portions rely on the amma (mother) and akka (elder sister) sentiment, or the hero becomes the saviour of the masses. But Vivek smartly depends not just on his casts performances, but also on his strong technical team and mostly good writing to set his film apart. He also turns the vigilante trope on its head. Much like Surya, the film struggles to find its purpose for a while. But eventually, it does. IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack review: In Anubhav Sinha's last directorial, Bheed (2023), he came the closest to chronicling an untold true story the migrant crisis fuelled by the coronavirus lockdown in 2020. Despite documenting real-life events, he still enjoyed the liberty and luxury to piece together stories with his imagination. But in his debut web series, he pulls off the Herculean task of telling a historical hijack story through a holistic, accurate, and non-judgemental lens. IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack review Anubhav Sinha milks a seasoned ensemble to tell a true story (Also Read Netflixs India content VP Monika Shergill: 'Binge is the core of Netflix and it will always remain') Skimming the cheese IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack revolves around the hijack of Indian Airlines Flight 814 by five armed men in 1999 when it took off from Kathamandu, Nepal en route New Delhi. The flight was then taken to multiple locations across countries before finally landing in Kandahar, Afghanistan, then-run by the Taliban and the then-refuge of Osama bin Laden. In itself, the hijack proves to be an unprecedented, fascinating case study. At a time when the rest of the world was celebrating the onset of a new millennium (hijack took place in the last week of December), Indian bureaucracy was struggling to rescue the 180 passengers onboard. As it turns out, the hijack in the last week of the past millennium would set the tone of terrorism in the new one. Truth may be stranger than fiction, but it's not always as appetizing, fast-paced, and well-rounded like a thriller. Anubhav has previously pleaded guilty to adding cheese a layer of narrative exigencies to spruce up the proceedings of a hard-hitting socio-political drama. But in the case of IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, the scope to deviate from the truth is extremely limited, and Anubhav chooses to honour that. Instead of getting weighed down by the burden of accuracy, Anubhav decides to embrace it. It's a rewarding narrative choice, given he makes up for it with another far more compelling narrative choice to cover all fronts, whether left or right, micro or macro, past or present, and war or peace. Pankaj Kapur as the External Affairs Minister No hijinks in hijack Evidently then, Anubhav's focus is not on crafting an immersive hijack thriller. While that genre isn't much dabbled in within India, Ram Madhvani's 2016 film Neerja remains the gold standard. Like that real-life story, the airline staff wear their official responsibility like a badge of honour. Patralekhaa (as air hostess Indrani) brings deep empathy to her character, looking after the passengers like she'd have taken care of her ailing father waiting for her back home. Aditi Gupta (as air hostess Chhaya) also makes us look beyond her uniform and wonder if she'd have struck a chord with a hijacker in another world. Vijay Varma as Captain Sharan Dev emotes as organically around machines as he does around humans. He's efficient, shrewd, soft, and generous in equal parts. Like every hijack or hostage story ever, some passengers have a back story. Anubhav doesn't explore them in depth, but gives enough titbits on each to chew on as we stay with the larger picture. An orthopedician shirking off responsibility of saving a heavily wounded passenger by flagging his specialisation later mirrors him struggling with shrugging off his duty as a father when he's stranded alone on flight with his specially abled son. That further reflects the macro scenario of politicians and bureaucrats overlooking their fundamental responsibility to the nation and blaming the lacunae on incompetence of other intelligence agencies and political parties. Patralekhaa as air hostless Indrani Since Anubhav's eye is firmly cast on the bigger picture, the thrills of his hijack saga don't match the intensity, urgency, and frequency of the best ones out there. Hijackers glide into the aircraft with guns and bombs very conveniently, which is telling of the everyday security lapse at international airports. Even when they take charge, an air of predictability permeates the aircraft as if everyone was prepared for it. However, the most exhilarating moments come from the times when it's being forced to land. Vijay Varma is terrific in the scene in which he steers the aircraft in the eleventh hour to return to the Lahore runway after being denied permission to land initially. The subversion of the genre, by having the passengers and hijackers play antakshari together and exchange cigarettes on the sixth day of hijacking, lends an oddly relatable touch. And in the very next moment, the airline crew conspires to outnumber the armed hijackers by force. It only shows how the passengers, a sample space of the larger population, often get complacent by gross injustices, only to spring back into coercive action in the very next instance. Vijay Varma as Captain Sharan Dev Soars on the ground If one eye is on the hijacked airplane, the other is on what's happening behind closed doors of Indian intelligence offices. Anubhav assembles an Avengers-like ensemble of Indian actors Pankaj Kapur as Minister of External Affairs, Naseeruddin Shah as National Security Advisor, Aditya Srivastava as RAW Secretary, Kumud Mishra as RAW Joint Secretary, Kanwaljit Singh as Director, Intelligence Bureau, Manoj Pahwa as Additional Director, IB, and Aravind Swamy and Dibyendu Bhattacharya as MEA officers. There's a scene early on when all nine of these powerhouses share the room not all of them get a lot to do, but a lesser actor in that frame could've singlehandedly brought the scene down. They're all masters in reacting and doing, instead of acting and speaking. But if Anubhav had access to such great talent, he could've hired better ones for the hijackers. Rajiv Thakur, most popularly known for his comedic stint on The Great Indian Kapil Show, is mildly effective as the menacing, uncompromising hijacker with a borrowed British accent. But a more seasoned actor could've brought more heft and focus to the crucial character. His negotiations with Manoj Pahwa's tough-as-nails IB officer comes across as severely skewed towards the latter's side. Remember what Jim Sarbh did to Neerja? A young, but a more equipped actor, could've done wonders to the chief hijacker's role in this show. In fact, Anubhav didn't have to look too far: Squid Game-fame Anupam Tripathi, who makes his Indian screen debut with this one as a gritty RAW agent, could've added more meat and ritz to the hijacker's role. Rajiv Thakur as "Burger," the chief hijacker Though all nine actors in the special task force have to share a piece of cake, and most get precious little to do, some of them give us great moments to remember. It's a sight to see the stalwarts (and brothers-in-law) Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Kapur share the screen space after cult films like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983) and Maqbool (2003). Their interactions, laced with conflicting stances and mutual respect, are gifts that keep giving. It's also nice to see Tamil actor Aravind Swamy back in a Hindi project cast as a soft-spoken, smooth-talking officer from South India, he's remarkable as the outcast who thinks and acts differently without undermining his colleagues. His diplomacy is what India needed the most to evade tricky situations like those. Interestingly, Naseeruddin, Pankaj, and Aravnid have headlined two watershed Indian films on terrorism A Wednesday (2008) and Roja (1991). Anubhav also gets his usual suspects Kumud Mishra and Manoj Pahwa in action. He's given Manoj some of his most different, chunkiest parts in Mulk (2018) and Article 15 (2019). In his debut show, Anubhav lets Manoj's signature comic strokes mingle with a serious role, and that turns out to be a delectable amalgamation. He makes us chuckle in the gravest of situations, and his hardline take on combating terrorism gives more laughs than cringe. Kumud has more screen presence, but his contribution is as cursory as other fine actors like Dibyendu, Kanwaljit, Sushant (who just strikes a pose in his uniform), and even Aditya Srivastava, who does get a memorable scene in which he convinces the Jammu & Kashmir chief minister to sign on an agreement without any speaking part because the CM keeps cutting him off. Manoj Pahwa and Aravind Swamy in IC 184: The Kandahar Hijack Holistic picture There's a delicious exchange between Manoj and Aravind's characters, who have completely contrasting political viewpoints, equating coffee and tea to religion and blind faith, respectively. This encapsulates the diversity embedded in the entire show. In fact, its holistic gaze is the lifeforce of IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. Who needs the cheese when you can showcase India in all its diverse, iridescent glory? Anubhav doesn't let the women lag behind either. Pooja Gaur's character is symbolic of the resilience and patience of soldiers' wives who wait endlessly in hope, even though she never signed up to be a soldier's wife. The conflict between newspapers and television (print media in a hurry) in the India of late 1990s is also brought into spotlight by a radiant Dia Mirza and a charged Amrita Puri's characters. But just like how he can't give each actor something worth their calibre, Anubhav is unable to tie all loose ends of the expansive screenplay either. Who was the RAW officer in the airplane whose name was removed by the press and by the intelligence agencies? Did he have an indirect role to play in the stalling of rescue operation at Amritsar airport? The story by Adrian Levy (The Siege: The Attack on the Taj) and the screenplay by Trishant Srivastava (Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga) and Anubhav is sometimes stretched too much, yet is impressively tight in some portions. A voiceover that pops in to spell out political context also discounts the audience's intelligence. In its effort to be holistic, the show ends up having enough for everyone to admire and something for everyone to crib about. But at its heart, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack keenly asks more questions than it conveniently offers answers for. Given the wide-ranging consequences that still haunt our nation today, did we do the right thing back then? Should civilians be treated as casualties in a war they never signed up for? Is there any fundamental responsibility of a civilian besides demanding accountability from those elected? Should display of brute power trump diplomacy? The show may not have included what the politicians back then were up to, but the bureaucracy represents the then-coalition government quite tellingly conflicting viewpoints, passing of blame, yet eventually trying to do their best by their people, successfully or not. IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is now streaming on Netflix India. There is a growing recognition that mental health is intrinsically linked to economic prosperity. A mentally healthy workforce is more productive, creative, and resilient, leading to higher levels of innovation and efficiency, and every dollar invested in mental health interventions returns with four dollars in improved health and productivity, emphasising the importance of prioritising mental health within corporate strategies to transform India into Viksit Bharat by 2047. Mental health(Image by Freepik) From a mere two mentions in the Economic Survey 2022-23 to initiating policy recommendations for mental health issues this year is a momentous step for two reasons firstly, it validates the government recognising mental health as a critical element for economic growth that supersedes its status only as a disease or disorder. Secondly, with the survey reposing faith in the private sector to steer the future growth, the reality of poor mental health status of its employees, as reported in several media, hits harder. A report by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and digital healthcare platform MediBuddy states that a whopping 62% of the employees from the 1,000 surveyed companies experience work-related stress and burnout, three times of the global average. As India positions itself for robust economic growth, the mental health of its private sector workforce will play a pivotal role in determining the trajectory of this progress. A strategic focus understanding the current state of mental health among corporate employees, the intrinsic connection between mental well-being and economic prosperity, and the practical measures companies can adopt to foster a healthier work environment is crucial to transform India into Viksit Bharat by 2047. There is a growing recognition that mental health is intrinsically linked to economic prosperity. A mentally healthy workforce is more productive, creative, and resilient, leading to higher levels of innovation and efficiency. On the other hand, mental health issues can lead to absenteeism, reduced productivity, and increased turnover rates, ultimately impacting a companys bottom line and the broader economy. Long working hours, high stress, job insecurity, and the pressure to perform are contributing to burnout, anxiety, and depression. A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that poor mental health costs the global economy approximately $1 trillion annually in lost productivity the estimated cost to the world economy in poor health and reduced productivity is projected to rise to $6 trillion by 2030. In India, the situation is no different, with the National Mental Health Survey indicating that nearly 15% of adults in the country experience mental health challenges and are in need of support. Underscoring the importance of investing in better mental health, the WHO states that for every dollar invested in mental health interventions, there is a return of four dollars in improved health and productivity. This significant return on investment emphasises the importance of prioritising mental health within corporate strategies including the following proactive steps: Promote work-life balance: In addition to a pay commensurate with their skills and experience, encourage employees to take regular breaks, use their vacation days, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Consider implementing flexible working hours and remote work options to reduce stress and burnout. Training and awareness: Conduct regular training sessions for managers and employees on mental health awareness, stress management, and recognising the signs of mental health issues. This will equip managers with the skills to support their teams effectively. Healthy work environment: Ensure that the physical work environment is conducive to mental well-being. Consider incorporating access to natural light in work areas and designated areas for relaxation and mindfulness practices for employees. Foster an inclusive culture: Create a workplace culture that promotes open communication and reduces the stigma associated with mental health issues. This will encourage employees to speak openly about their mental health and provide support through peer networks and mental health champions. Access to mental health resources: Constitute in-house resources on mental health such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), counseling services, and stress management workshops while ensuring these resources are easily accessible and confidential. Companies championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with a robust policy may find it essential to address the unique mental health needs of differently-abled or LGBTQIA employees with some extra efforts. Besides inclusive and supportive policies involving anti-discrimination culture, gender-neutral restrooms, and accessible facilities, tailored support programmes according to the needs of such employees will be important enablers, including but not limited to specialised counseling services, support groups, and mentorship programmes. Conduct regular awareness and training sessions on diversity, inclusion, and sensitivity to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture to educate employees about the unique challenges faced by differently abled and LGBTQIA colleagues. Most importantly, promote allyship encourage employees to become allies for their differently abled and LGBTQIA colleagues by standing up against discrimination, providing support, and promoting inclusivity within the workplace. The mental health of private sector employees is not just a matter of individual well-being; it is a critical factor that will steer the direction of Indias growth trajectory. Addressing mental health issues in the workplace is essential for fostering a productive and resilient workforce that will drive the economic progress India aims for. By implementing practical measures to support the mental health of all employees, including those who are differently abled or LGBTQIA, companies can contribute to a healthier, more inclusive, and economically prosperous India. This article is authored by Diganta Biswas, founding partner, Peak IX Consulting. Sanya Malhotra was recently in Australia to attend the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), where her upcoming film Mrs got screened and was met with a roaring response. The film got a standing ovation by the audience at the IFFM. While initially such big moments would rile her up, the actor has learned to enjoy them now. I used to get worked up around the releases initially, but I have learnt to let go of any expectations. I have become quite neutral. A very close friend of mine, (actor) Radhikka Madan noted the change in me when I invited her to a film premiere of mine, she says. Sanya Malhotra on international acceptance for Mrs Sanya has made a mark for herself playing characters from small town, be it in Pataakha (2018), Pagglait (2021) or Kathal (2023). All these roles brought her appreciation as well as laurels. But what is it about her that filmmakers find her well-suited for such rooted parts in the hinterlands? People in small towns can relate to me, even though I am from a metro city like Delhi. And I like shooting in small cities, thats where you find colour and culture. I get attracted to such stories and I am glad that even filmmakers see me fitting in those, she responds. Even with many acclaimed performances to her name, the 32-year-old shares, I was too harsh on myself initially that I wouldnt celebrate any of the great films I had been a part of. But now, I enjoy each and every aspect of my films, be it interviews or promotions. That is the only time I can put positive energy into so many peoples hard work. She adds, I love myself, but I am very critical about my work. However, when I watched Mrs, I looked at my team and said I am very proud of myself. My team was shocked as I have never said this for any of my work before. And the kind of validation we are getting internationally, I am sure people will love it. Age is just a number Unique skydivers who made a mark in the air(Photo: Instagram, Youtube) Manette Baillie became the oldest person to skydive in Britain (Photo: Instagram) On her 102nd birthday, Manette Baillie became the oldest person to skydive in Britain as she jumped from a plane at an altitude of over 2,100 meters (6,900 ft) at Beccles Airfield, United Kingdom. With an assistant strapped to her harness, she leaped into the sky, experiencing both excitement and fear. Baillie hopes to show people in their 80s and 90s that they can continue to pursue their passions and dreams. The groom skydives to the venue Amputee war veteran Chris Parkes skydived to the venue in UK(Photo: Instagram) Amputee war veteran Chris Parkes and his groomsmen skydived to the venue in UK(Photo: Instagram) Making quite an entrance at his wedding last year, amputee war veteran Chris Parkes and his groomsmen skydived to the venue in Langley Castle, UK. Creating a Guinness World Record for the largest wedding party to skydive to a wedding venue, they trained for six months to ace their landing in front of 200 guests in the field near the castle entrance. A leap of faith like no other Luke Aikins is the first person to dive from mid-tropospheric altitude without a parachute or a wingsuit (Photo: Youtube) In 2016, Luke Aikins became the first person to dive from mid-tropospheric altitude and land safely without a parachute or a wingsuit and the second skydiver to jump and land without using a parachute. After preparing for a year-and-a-half, he leaped 25,000 ft (7,600m) from a plane and landed safely in a 100ft by 100ft net in Simi Valley, California, USA. He used a GPS unit to guide him to the net. Disability no bar Lloyd Martin successfully completed a jump at Hinton skydiving centre in the UK after he was previously rejected due to his Down's Syndrome(Photo: Instagram) After he was told that he couldnt take part in a charity skydive due to his Downs syndrome, 19-year-old Lloyd Martin finally realised his wish. He successfully completed a jump at Hinton skydiving centre in the UK this month, proving that no disability can come between his dreams. A rebellious move Jithin Vijayan skydived from 23 different locations across the world and set three Guinness World Records (Photo: Instagram) When his parents refused him for a Mount Everest hike, Jithin Vijayan, an IT professional from Kerala, procured his skydiving license and jumped off 200 planes in 2022. Along the way, he jumped from 23 different locations across the world and set three Guinness World Records, out of which, one included jumping from the highest altitude with a flag at 42,431 ft in Whiteville, West Tennessee, US. A genius glide Sam Sieracki created a new Guinness World Record record for solving the Rubiks cube in 28.25 seconds after skydiving(Photo: Instagram) Proving his brain power in the air, 17-year-old Sam Sieracki created a new Guinness World Record record for solving the Rubiks cube in 28.25 seconds in his freefall. After previous five attempts of breaking the old records, he jumped out of an aeroplane at around 200 kilometres/hour at 14,000 feet over Jurien Bay, Australia. Beating the record was a culmination of his two passions: speed-cubing and skydiving. A dive, but not from the plane! Tom Cruise made a jaw-dropping entrance from the sky to the Stade de France at the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony recently(Photo: Instagram) Amazing everyone at the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony recently, actor Tom Cruise made a jaw-dropping entrance from the sky to the Stade de France. In a nod to his iconic role in Mission: Impossible, he did to signify the official handover of the Olympic flag to the Los Angeles committee. Once he reached the ground and received the Olympic flag, he hopped onto a waiting motorcycle, flag in tow, and sped out of the stadium. A 52-year-old man raped a 12-year-old in a graveyard in outer Delhi, where he lured the girl on the pretext of performing occult rituals to cure her terminally ill father, and then handed her 51 to keep the incident to herself, police said on Wednesday after arresting the suspect. The accused was arrested from a place in Kanjhawala. (Representational image) The girl lives with her father, a fruit vendor who has been diagnosed with a chronic lung disease, and three siblings a five-year-old sister and a four-year-old brother. The suspect, who worked at the graveyard for years and lived in the neighbourhood, used to help the family with minor household chores. It is unclear if he performed occult practices earlier. Investigators said the man raped the girl on Monday evening and was arrested on Tuesday. Officers said the police control room received a call reporting the crime on Tuesday afternoon. Police then filed a case under Section 64 (rape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act at the Kanjhawala police station based on the girls statement. The girl, in her statement, said the man visited their house on Monday morning and asked the girls father to send her to pick up groceries from a nearby store for an occult ritual. He also asked the father to send the girl to the graveyard later to perform some rituals that would improve his health, said an investigator. The girl first went to a store and then headed to the graveyard near her home in a slum cluster. At the graveyard, the accused first took a few cloves and circled them around the girl. He then asked her to light some incense sticks at a grave. The man then took the girl to the back of the graveyard and raped her, the officer said. The suspect allegedly threatened the girl to not inform anyone and threatened that her father would die. He also gave her 51 to conceal the incident, said the officer. She went home that evening and kept the incident to herself, despite feeling unwell and bleeding from her genitalia, fearing for her fathers life. However, on Tuesday morning, her health worsened and the bleeding worsened, after which she told her sister about the incident. She then informed her father and police. Police said that the girl was taken to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital where she was examined. Doctors told police that the girl was stable. Later in the day, the victim was counselled by members of the Delhi Commission for Women and a non-governmental organisation. After the matter came to light, the accused was arrested from a place in Kanjhawala. Security forces shot dead three terrorists as three parallel gunfights broke out in Jammu & Kashmir, officials familiar with the matter said on Thursday the latest in a raft of encounters that have roiled the Union territory as it gears up to hold its first assembly elections in 10 years. Army patrols the encounter site, in Lathi village, Rajouri, on Thursday. (PTI) Two terrorists were killed in Machhal and another in Tangdhar sectors, roughly 50km apart, after security forces foiled separate infiltration bids in the Kupwara district of Kashmir, the officials said. In neighbouring Jammu, an encounter broke out in Rajouri district after forces launched a search operation to locate the terrorists hiding in the Lathi area, they added. The first encounter broke out in Machhal at around 8pm on Wednesday after a joint team of the Indian Army, Border Security Force (BSF), and J&K Police noticed suspicious movement along the Line of Control (LoC). As the gunbattle raged, the forces thwarted a separate infiltration attempt along the border in Tangdhar at around 9pm. The two anti-infiltration operations continued till Thursday morning. Also Read | Kupwara encounters: 3 infiltrators likely killed in Machhal, Tangdhar, says Army On Wednesday, we received information that infiltrators will try to cross the LoC in Tangdhar and Machhal. The intel was confirmed by the J&K Police. After the confirmation, the army, J&K Police, and BSF together laid ambushes, Brigadier HK Dhankhar said. He added: During the operations, two terrorists were killed in Machhal. One terrorist was killed in Tangdhar and another seriously injured. Security personnel continue to maintain a heightened vigil in the north Kashmir district as it remains a key point through which terrorists attempt to infiltrate into India, officers aware of the matter said. The forces have foiled seven infiltration attempts in Kupwara this year. A close vigil is being maintained, and more focus has been given on developing human intelligence in order to foil infiltration attempts from the LoC at Kupwara, J&K police spokesperson Manoj Kumar said. While the gunbattles raged in the north Kashmir district, security personnel separately launched a search operation in Rajouri at around 9.30pm after receiving information about the presence of terrorists in the Lathi area. Also Read | Indian Army captain killed in encounter with terrorists in J-K's Doda district During the search operation, a contact was established with terrorists at around 11.45pm and an exchange of fire took place near the Kheri Mohra area, a police officer said on condition of anonymity. Additional reinforcements were rushed to the area as forces stepped up efforts to flush out three to four terrorists. A spate of encounters have put J&K on the edge, prompting the countrys administrative and defence brass to take stock of the security situation in the region. This year, five personnel and seven civilians have died in terror attacks in Kashmir. Security forces have killed 24 terrorists in the Valley, 10 of them in Kupwara, in the same period. In Jammu, 14 security personnel and 11 civilians have died in separate extremist attacks, with security forces gunning down six terrorists in the region. The increase in terror activities comes in the midst of heightened political activity in the restive UT, which is set to hold elections on September 18 and 25, and October 1. Close to 300 additional companies of paramilitary forces will be deployed across the UT in the run-up to the polls to maintain law and order, officials aware of the matter said, adding that they have stepped up vigil in the region. The enemy has been attempting these things [terror strikes] in the past as well, so we are taking no chances and keeping a close watch, a senior police office in north Kashmir said on condition of anonymity. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and party candidate from Kalakote-Sunderbani seat, Thakur Randhir Singh, said Pakistan and terror outfits sponsored by it intended to obstruct the conduct of upcoming polls. During militancy, there used to be frequent calls for shutdowns followed by stone-pelting in Kashmir. Today, there is peace in Kashmir, and everyone is doing their work. Everyone talks about development, and not militancy, today. But Pakistan has continued with its actions. This is an attempt to disturb the upcoming elections, he said. (With inputs from Jammu) Jaipur: Rajasthan is soon expected to receive five tigers from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra to improve the tigers gene pool in the state and prevent inbreeding, officials said. As of now, all tigers in five tiger reserves in Rajasthan are from Ranthambore. (Representative Photo) After approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a senior forest official familiar with the development said, The NTCA has given in principle approval for relocating five tigers to Rajasthan from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. This initiative will not only help populate tiger reserves but also prevent inbreeding and establish a fresh gene pool. The official said that Rajasthan currently does not have enough tigers in Ranthambore or Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) that could be relocated to other reserves within the state. Thus, tigers from other states can be moved to reserves such as Ramgarh Vishdhari (Bundi) and Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve in Kota (MHTR). MHTR has two adult tigersa male and a femaleand Ramgarh Vishdhari has five, including two cubs. The official added that tiger habitats in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have landscapes similar to those in Rajasthan, so the relocated tigers are unlikely to face any problems in adjusting to a new habitat. If the proposal is approved by respective state governments, it will mark the first time in Rajasthans history that tigers are being relocated from other states. To avoid inbreeding and create a fresh gene pool of tigers in Rajasthan, the forest department has been asking the central government to permit the translocation of around nine tigers from other states to tigers reserves in the state. A study by the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) revealed that Rajasthan has more inbred tigers than anywhere in India. Earlier this year, in a letter to the Union environment and forest minister Bhupendra Yadav, Rajasthan forest minister Sanjay Sharma had urged for the translocation of big cats to Rajasthan from other states. Apart from ensuring the safety of the tigers, their monitoring, and habitat improvement, maintaining the male-female ratio is also an important task of the management, Sharma stated in the letter. He said the NTCA permitted translocation of one male and two females to MHTR in August 2023, and the translocation is pending. Similarly, permission for a male and two female tigers to STR from RTR was given in August 2023, where a tigress is pending to be translocated. The RTR does not have a suitable tigress to be translocated. Hence, it is urged to permit translocation of big cats from other states, the official stated. Rajasthan has five tiger reservesRanthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR), Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR), Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR), Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR), and Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve (DKTR). The RVTR and DKTR were announced reserves in the last two years. From 59 tigers in 2014, the current population of tigers in the state has reached around 121, of which over 75% are in RTR. A senior official familiar with the development said three tigers, one male and two female, have been asked to be translocated from Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Sharma on the development said, The tigers from other states will not only help in breeding but also avoid inbreeding and help in creating a fresh gene pool. He added that diseases and infertility are indicative of inbreeding. In July 2020, a team of researchers from NCBS used the hair shed of tigers, blood, tissue, and muscle samples to create a genetic database and pedigree of big cats in Rajasthan. The researchers studied the gene pool using the blood, tissue, and muscle of 18 tigers and the hair shed of 34 tigers in Rajasthan. The study done for over six years included over 60 tigers from the states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Abu Dhabis Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is effectively effectively next in line for the leadership of the United Arab Emirates, is set to visit India early next month to bolster trade and strategic ties, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. The two sides are expected to reaffirm their commitment to building even closer and stronger ties (@EUintheUAE) Sheikh Khaled, who is expected to be in India on September 8, will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the countrys top leadership during the visit, which the people cited above said would focus on building futuristic ties over the coming decades. Though it is unlikely that any agreements will be signed during the visit, the two sides are expected to reaffirm their commitment to building even closer and stronger ties in areas ranging from trade to security, the people said on condition of anonymity. The visit, which is yet to be announced by both sides, will follow a string of high-profile visits from both sides in recent years. Modi has visited the UAE seven times since 2015 as his government worked assiduously to forge closer partnerships with key West Asian powers. UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, popularly known as MBZ, last visited India in September 2023. MBZ named his son Sheikh Khaled, 42, as crown prince of Abu Dhabi in March 2023, effectively making him his likely successor as president of the second largest Arab economy. Since then, Sheikh Khaled has rarely travelled abroad, visiting Malaysia in May last year. The visit is about looking at the future of this strategic relationship. Ties between India and the UAE are on a very strong footing now and it will be more about building on that base, looking towards the coming decades and forging closer ties with the future leadership of the Emirates, one of the people cited above said. Also Read:Who is Sheikh Khaled? UAEs jujitsu-loving new crown prince Abu Dhabi has held the presidency of the UAE since the founding of the federation by Sheikh Mohammeds father in 1971. Abu Dhabi is the political capital of the federation of seven emirates because of its immense oil reserves. Since the India-UAE comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) came into force in 2022, two-way trade has grown to almost $85 billion in FY23. The UAE is Indias third largest trade partner after the US and China and Indias second-largest export destination. India is also the UAEs second-largest trade partner, accounting for 9% of its total foreign trade and 14% of non-oil exports. According to official estimates, the value of UAEs non-oil trade with India is expected to increase to more than $100 billion over the next five years. The UAE is the seventh largest investor in India, with cumulative foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows of $16.67 billion from April 2000 to September 2023. Another crucial factor in bilateral ties is the presence in the UAE of 3.5 million Indian nationals, or 30% of the population. Indians make up the largest expatriate community in the UAE, and their remittances are a significant source of foreign earnings. The visit also comes at a time of some strain in ties between the top leadership of the UAE and Saudi Arabia, another West Asian power with which India has forged strong trade and strategic ties over the past decade. MBZ played a crucial role in realignment of power in West Asia when the UAE, along with Bahrain, forged ties with Israel in 2020. At the same time, the UAE has engaged with Iran and deepened relations with China and Russia. The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA), the exclusive agency created by the Telangana government to remove encroachments of water bodies, on Wednesday inspected the farmhouse of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao on the outskirts of Hyderabad, people familiar with the matter said. The authorities took measurements of KTRs farmhouse and that of the canal to ascertain to what extent it had encroached upon the lake and the buffer zone. (HT Photo) The HYDRAA authorities also served notices to the educational institutions of BRS lawmaker Ch Malla Reddy at Dundigal and that of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Bandlaguda, which also allegedly came up by encroaching water bodies. The development comes days after the demolition of the N Convention Centre belonging to popular Telugu film actor Akkineni Nagarjuna at Madhapur in Hyderabad on August 24. Also Read: Actor Nagarjunas convention hall on encroached land razed A team of officials from HYDRAA, along with officials from revenue and irrigation departments, conducted a joint inspection of the farmhouse of KTR at Janwada village of Shankarpally block on the outskirts of Hyderabad on Tuesday evening and again on Wednesday afternoon, on a specific information that the farmhouse was built in the buffer zone of Firangi Nala, also known as Bulkapur Nala, a canal that connects Osman Sagar reservoir and a part of it has encroached the lake. The authorities took measurements of the farmhouse and that of the canal to ascertain to what extent it had encroached upon the lake and the buffer zone. The authorities are inspecting whether there was any violation of norms. After inspection, we shall submit a report based on which further action would be taken, an official of the irrigation department familiar with the development said. On August 21, the state high court refused to stay demolition of the farm house at Janwada, which KTR said he did not own but had taken on lease from his friend B Pradeep Reddy. The high court, however, asked the HYDRAA to take action following due procedures and issue notices before taking up any action. Also Read: HC refuses to stay proposed demolition of KTR farmhouse, but says 'follow the rules' The HYDRAA authorities also served notices on Marri Lakshman Reddy, son-in-law of BRS lawmaker Malla Reddy, for the construction of Marri Lakshman Reddy Institute of Technology (MLRIT) and Institute of Aeronautical Engineering in the full tank level and buffer zone of Chinna Damera tank at Dundigal on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The authorities gave him a weeks time to remove the constructions built in violation of the norms, failing which action would be taken. We have filed a petition in the state high court on Wednesday seeking a stay on the demolitions. We are awaiting a court order, Lakshman Reddy said. Similar notices were issued to AIMIM a couple of days ago seeking to demolish the Fatima Owaisi College at Bandlaguda in the old city of Hyderabad, which allegedly came up after encroaching part of the Salkam Cheruvu. AIMIM floor leader in the assembly Akbaruddin Owaisi strongly resisted the notice to demolish the Fatima Owaisi College. In a statement, he said the officials could shoot him dead but not destroy his college. He claimed that the institution nurtured by him was providing free education to thousands of students. If you want, rain bullets on me again, but dont demolish that institution, he declared, adding that those behind the demolition plans are jealous over the success of the institution. HYDRAA commissioner and IPS officer A V Ranganath, however, said he had received representations from students and parents of the educational institutions that came up on lakes. We shall not take hasty decisions on demolition of educational institutions that were built illegally, he clarified, in a statement on Tuesday. Stating that since the institutions are in the middle of the academic year and any demolition will affect the students, Ranganath said HYDRAA will first issue notices to such institutions. The management must shift the students elsewhere and demolish the structure. If that does not happen, we will initiate action, he said. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy said there was no question of going back on the demolition of illegal structures that came up on lake beds. We have nothing to do with politics. In fact, the first structure demolished by HYDRAA was that of senior Congress leader M M Pallam Raju. So, the organisation will take its own course of action and we dont interfere, he said. The chief minister said if there were any illegal structures belonging to him or his family members, he would definitely get them demolished. We are strictly following the Supreme Court guidelines on protection of water bodies, he added. New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday imposed a fine of 10 lakh on Air India Express for non-compliance of rules. (Representative Photo) The civil aviation regulator said it had carried out a surveillance inspection of all the scheduled domestic airlines in June when it observed that Air India Express was not complying with the rules. The airline did not comment on the matter. However, officials close to the development said that the fine to the airline was for not compensating passengers (as per rules) during their massive flight cancellations due to the crew strike in the second week of May. Air India Express did not confirm the same. To ensure appropriate protection for the air travelers, the DGCA has issued passenger-centric regulations to safeguard the interests of the travellers. To secure compliance of passenger-centric CARs, it carries out inspections of domestic airlines at various major airports on a continuing basis with an aim to ensure the compliance of passenger-centric rules. Similarly, after finding faults in the inspection, the DGCA said that it issued a show cause notice to Air India Express seeking their response for non-compliance to the provisions of the relevant regulations. The reply submitted by M/s Air India Express revealed that the airline had not complied with the provisions of the aforementioned CAR for providing compensation to passengers affected due to cancellation of flights. Accordingly, DGCA has imposed a financial penalty of 10 lakh on M/s Air India Express for non- compliance of DGCA regulations, the statement read. This comes days after the regulator imposed a fine of Rs.99 lakhs on Air India and two of its directors for operating a flight with non-qualified pilots in July this year. The Tata-owned airline has been fined 90 lakh while its director of operations Pankul Mathur and director of training Manish Vasavada have been fined 6 lakh and 3 lakh, respectively, for the lapse, the civil aviation regulator said in a statement. Referring to the incident on a Mumbai to Riyadh Air India flight on July 9, the DGCA said, Air India Ltd. operated a flight commanded by a non-trainer line captain paired with a non-line-released first officer, which has been viewed by the regulator as a serious scheduling incident having significant safety ramifications. Before this, the DGCA, in May, had issued a show cause notice to Air India for time and again failing to take care of its passengers. This came after passengers complained of insufficient cabin cooling on two of its flights that were delayed for more than 30 hours. Prior to that, in March, it imposed a fine of 80 lakh on the airline for violating rules pertaining to flight duty time limitation (FDTL). In February, the airline was fined 30 lakh after an 80-year-old passenger collapsed and died after walking from a plane to the terminal at Mumbai airport, as he reportedly did not get a wheelchair. Recently, I was at the 14th edition of the Bengaluru Queer Film Festival (BQFF), a three-day community-funded event where 50 films were screened. The event took place at Medai: a performing arts space that, happily, has become part of the performing arts renaissance in Bengaluru, where intimate space showcase interesting programmmes. In cities like Bengaluru queer is accepted these days by families and societies, partly because queer-ness has become part of collective conversation, and partly because many of us know folks who are gay (REUTERS) The films at BQFF reframed the narrative and gave voice to the unheard, according to the well-produced brochure handed out to visitors. I arrived on Day One, halfway through a Punjabi film. Following that was a Kannada feature film, Dvamdva (Duality) about a young Yakshagana performer, Chukki, who plays female characters and says that he feels like a female trapped in a male body. Directed by Kling Johnson, I found the film eye-opening for many reasons. Set in Udupi, the film shows that queerness exists (and perhaps has always existed) in the broader swathe of society all over India with distinct vernacular names. My friend who comes from Sakleshpura says that while queer folks are nowadays called gay in Kannada, they used to be called Shikandi. In Tamil, there are different names depending on who lies on top or the bottom during the sexual act, according to queer folks I interviewed in Shivaji Nagar. You would think that a society like ours, used to such variations that existed, arguably from the time of the Puranas (where Shikandi was immortalised), would be just fine with diverse sexual orientations. The films at BQFF showed that this is both true and false. Sure, there is a feeling, at least in cities like Bengaluru that being queer is accepted these days by families and societies, partly because queer-ness has become part of collective conversation, and partly because many of us know folks who are gay. What I understood from the films I watched is that straight folks fear queer-ness for a couple of reasons. In Dvamdva, the parents of the title character love their son but are worried about societal ridicule. The other reason is that parents worry that their gay children will have loose unhappy relationships. Being married to a normal person is hard enough, is a frequently heard heteronormative comment. How to change this? My own trajectory is perhaps an example of this process. Growing up in a conservative family in Chennai in the 80s, I had no idea about queer-ness till I went to a womens college, Mount Holyoke in Massachusetts, as a undergraduate. There, I encountered lesbians who educated me. Said my dormmate, Debbie, who shared the common showers down the hall What are you afraid of? That I will jump you in the shower? Actually I was. In art school, my closest friend, Jennifer, happened to be gay and I learned about her life and love first-hand. We still remain friends. As a journalist in New York, my editor, Ted, was gay and in a relationship for decades. I visited his stylish spotless home in Brooklyn and knew his adopted son now in college. Today, I know friends of my children who happen to be gay and are thriving. The point is that my route to overcoming my bias was through friendships. For me, the best way to understand and accept variations of any kind is by becoming part (at least peripherally) of that community. I am still learning. My kids constantly correct me for my incorrect heteronormative statements, and in fact, while writing this article, one of my fears is that I will say something that is not correct and will come across as close-minded. The acid-test, at least in my mind in terms of realising whether you truly accept variations is the question: What if your child... and then fill in the blanks according to your bias. What if your child is queer? What if your child marries a Muslim/Hindu/Christian (depending on your religion)? What if your child marries a foreigner? As far as the first question, I would like to think that I would accept it if my children were gay, although one can never be sure till it happens. My path to acceptance came because I have seen queer folks succeed and thrive in relationships and careers. Many of the writers I admire, or the fashion designers I follow are at the pinnacle of their fields and happen to be gay. Thanks to the two friends I mentioned, I also know that relationships are not harder if you are gay, that relationships can last, that two queer folks can have a marriage that is no different than others in countries where they can marry. Being human is a gloriously varied, joyous and painful experience. The fact that identity these daysgender or sexualis fluid is something that should be celebrated, not feared. Inside each of us lies a male aspect and a female aspect we are all ardhanaris. Embracing both our male and female selves expands our life and thinking. In India, I have many acquaintances who happen to be gay but just a few queer folks who I can call my friends. I define friendship as those who have visited my home more than one time, and those who I am regularly in touch with. By that metric, at least in Bengaluru, I have very few queer friends. I would like to change that, which I perhaps why I attended BQFF in the first place. (Shoba Narayan is Bengaluru-based award-winning author. She is also a freelance contributor who writes about art, food, fashion and travel for a number of publications) A former Punjab MP made a derogatory remark against BJP MP Kangana Ranaut over the latter's comment that the farmers' agitation could have spiraled into a Bangladesh-like law and order situation. Simranjit Singh Mann (C), the president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) (SADA) party.(AFP file photo) In a highly objectionable comment, former Punjab MP Simranjit Singh Mann, the chief of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), said Kangana Ranaut has a "lot of experience of rape". "You can ask her (Kangana Ranaut) how rape happens so that people can be explained how rape happens. She has a lot of experience of rape," he said, according to India Today. HT can't independently verify the report. Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut claimed in a recent interview that the agitation would have led to a Bangladesh-like situation if India's leadership wasn't strong enough. In a video shared by the actor on social media platform X, she alleged that bodies were seen hanging and rapes were taking place during farmers' protest against the now-repealed three farm laws. She alleged that foreign powers like China and the United States were behind the conspiracy. However, on Wednesday, she told the channel that she was reprimanded by the BJP leadership over her remarks. "I do not think I am the final voice of the party. I am not that crazy or stupid to believe that," she said. In Bangladesh, a student protest against reservations in jobs turned violent, leading to the ouster of the country's prime minister, Sheikh Hasina. Fearing for her safety, she was forced to flee Dhaka in a military chopper and landed in India. She is reportedly seeking asylum in other countries. Kangana Ranaut, a National Award-winning actor, won the recent Lok Sabha elections from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday attacked the opposition, alleging a growing trend of not allowing "indigenous Hindu MLAs" to speak in the Assembly. Assam CM Sarma accuses Opposition of silencing indigenous Hindu MLAs in Assembly.(PTI) During the discussion on The Assam Land and Revenue Regulation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2024, Sarma remarked after opposition members interrupted a speech by his party MLA Bhuban Pegu. "There is a new tendency in the House not to allow indigenous Hindu MLAs to speak. It's a dangerous trend. Please do not be so aggressive. After our land, now don't try to capture the Assembly," Sarma said. ALSO READ- Assam passes bill mandating registration of Muslim marriages, divorces. What it means Discussions about Hindu-Muslim issues are inevitable: CM Himanta MLA Pegu was speaking on old Assembly records over alleged migration and aggression from the then East Bengal into Assam. Sarma defended Pegu, saying that discussions about Hindu-Muslim issues are inevitable, as "these are hard realities of life." He said that even the census requires people to declare their religion. The bill was eventually passed by the Assembly. Sarma said it represents the struggle of the Assamese community, which he claimed is "about to be extinct," for its survival. He said there is a loss of land in districts like Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Darrang, Nagaon, and Morigaon. "Now, we are struggling to survive," the chief minister added. In protest against Sarma's statements, Congress MLAs staged a walkout from the House. ALSO READ- BJP's Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi wants Muslims to abandon their decades-old fashion Oppn demands President to dismiss Sarma for inciting divison A delegation from the United Opposition Forum, Assam (UOFA) submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday, demanding the dismissal of CM Himanta. They accused Sarma of failing to maintain law and order and of inciting division among communities through his statements. Led by Congress Lok Sabha MP Pardyut Bordoloi and UOFA general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi, the delegation delivered the memorandum to the President via Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at Raj Bhavan. ALSO READ- Kangana Ranaut reacts to Punjab leader's shocking rape experience remark: India will never stop trivialising' The opposition parties alleged that Sarma has made a series of provocative statements over the past two years, including remarks targeting the Muslim community. They also claimed that about a year ago, Sarma incited certain youths to expel religious minorities from Guwahati who were working as vegetable vendors, rickshaw pullers, private drivers, and construction labourers. (Inputs from PTI) Guwahati: The Assam assembly on Thursday passed a Bill making registration of all Muslim marriages and divorces in the state mandatory. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma (File Photo) The Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriage and Divorce Bill, 2024, which aims to curb child marriages, will make it mandatory to register all marriages and divorces with government-appointed marriage and divorce registrars. The new legislation does not interfere in any way in which Muslim marriages and divorces take place. They will be conducted as per existing Muslim laws. But it only makes it compulsory to register such marriages and divorces with the government, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told the assembly on Thursday. The new legislation replaces the earlier law, the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act, 1935, which had the provision of registering marriages and divorces through Kazis (Muslim scholars authorized by state government) but it was not mandatory. The old law also allowed registration of marriages and divorces of minors if their guardians applied. The old Bill was repealed earlier on Thursday through the Assam Repealing Bill 2024. We could have amended the 1935 law, but we wanted to do away with the provision of registering Muslim marriages and divorces through Kazis, Sarma said. As per the new law, registration of the marriage should take place within 30 days of the marriage. Couples who are planning to get married as per Muslim personal laws can also get themselves registered through the new law. Similarly, divorces should also get registered within one month. As per the new law, if anyone is found to produce fake or forged certificates (to register a marriage or divorce) they can be imprisoned for up to two years or imposed a fine of up to Rs.10,000 or both. They would also be tried for forgery under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023. And if anyone is found registering a marriage in violation of provisions of the new law, they can be imprisoned for up to one year and imposed a fine of up to Rs.50,000. Earlier, Congress MLA Abdul Rashid Mandal expressed apprehensions on whether the new law will interfere with the provisions of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act 1937, through which Muslim marriages and divorces are conducted in India. Also Read: Assam to enact new laws on Muslim marriages and protection of heritage sites, tribal lands All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) legislator Aminul Islam questioned the technicality of tabling the new Bill . He also suggested that the government could have amended the old law instead of bringing a new one. The move of bringing in the new legislation was to remove the role of Kazis in Muslim marriages and divorces. But the role of Kazis is governed by the Kazis Act 1880. Its an old colonial law. How can a state government stop this provision? Islam said in assembly. Sarma said that there is no provision that a new Bill cannot be tabled before repealing an existing one. He also mentioned that the state government can make laws registering marriages and divorces as the issue falls in the concurrent list. The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that the principle bail is the rule, and jail is the exception applies even in cases under the stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), in a decision that seeks to safeguard against the erosion of liberty by overly restrictive interpretations of bail provisions under the harsh law that requires the proof of innocence, and not that of guilt. The court on Wednesday held that Section 45 needs to be understood and applied considering the basic tenet that liberty is the norm, and incarceration is the exception. (HT Photo) By requiring the opposition of the bail to be based on establishing the commission of a PMLA offence, the existence of proceeds of the crime, and the involvement of the accused, the court has shifted the onus of proof back to the prosecution. The court also ruled that the prosecutions case cannot be based either on a statement made by the accused but in connection with another case, or a confessional statement by a co-accused. A bench of justices Bhushan R Gavai and KV Viswanathan held that Section 45 of PMLA, which requires the accused to prove their innocence for securing bail, does not override the fundamental principle rooted in Article 21 of the Constitution -- that personal liberty is the rule, and its deprivation, the exception. The principle that, bail is the rule, and jail is the exception is only a paraphrasing of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which states that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to the procedure established by law. Liberty of the individual is always the rule and deprivation is an exception. Deprivation can only be by the procedure established by law, which has to be a valid and reasonable procedure, said the bench. Drawing upon its August 9 judgment that granted bail to former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in a distinct PMLA case, the court clarified that Section 45 of the PMLA by imposing twin conditions does not rewrite this principle to mean that deprivation is the norm and liberty is the exception. All that is required is that in cases where bail is subject to the satisfaction of twin conditions, those conditions must be satisfied...keeping persons behind the bars for unlimited periods of time in the hope of speedy completion of trial would deprive the fundamental right of persons under Article 21 of the Constitution and that prolonged incarceration before being pronounced guilty ought not to be permitted to become the punishment without trial, held the bench. Section 45 of PMLA stipulates that the public prosecutor must be given an opportunity to oppose the bail application of the accused. Furthermore, it requires the court to be convinced that there are reasonable grounds to believe the accused is not guilty and is not likely to commit any offence while on bail. These conditions generally make it challenging for an accused in a money laundering case to secure bail. The court on Wednesday held that Section 45 needs to be understood and applied considering the basic tenet that liberty is the norm, and incarceration is the exception. Article 21 being a higher constitutional right, statutory provisions should align themselves to the said higher constitutional edict, declared the court as it granted bail to Prem Prakash, an aide of Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, in a money-laundering case arising out of alleged sham land deals. To be sure, Soren also faces money laundering charges separately in a similar alleged land scam, and some of the accused in the two cases are common. The 44-page judgment also added another significant procedural safeguard during the bail proceedings in PMLA cases. Emphasising the critical role of the prosecutions response to bail applications, the bench said that the Enforcement Directorates counter affidavit must effectively demonstrate the foundational facts necessary to oppose bail. The court made it clear that when the public prosecutor decides to oppose a bail application, the counter affidavit must present a cogent and well-substantiated case showing how the three foundational facts -- the commission of a PMLA offence, existence of proceeds of crime and the involvement of the accused -- are prima facie established. Only after these facts are clearly laid out does the presumption under Section 24 of the PMLA arise, shifting the burden to the accused to prove their innocence, held the bench. It is after the foundational facts are set out that the accused will assume the burden to convince the court within the parameters of the enquiry at the Section 45 stage that for the reasons adduced by him there are reasonable grounds to believing that he is not guilty of such offence, it said. The Supreme Courts affirmation of the principle that bail is the rule, and jail is the exception assumes paramount importance in upholding the constitutional right to personal liberty in a legal landscape where stringent laws such as PMLA and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) operate, enhancing the risk of prolonged and unjust incarceration. This affirmation serves as a critical reminder that the justice system must always err on the side of liberty, ensuring that the denial of bail is a measured and justified decision, rather than a default stance. Equally crucial is the courts insistence on the importance of a well-substantiated counter affidavit in PMLA bail matters. By highlighting the need for the prosecution to clearly establish the foundational facts required to oppose bail, the court is seeking to ascertain that the decision to deny bail is rooted in solid evidence and legal reasoning, rather than a default stance. The verdict on Wednesday is in line with some other recent court rulings that have underlined the value of personal liberty, the right to speedy justice and the prosecutions duty to be fair even under severe statutory restrictions imposed by laws such as PMLA and UAPA. The Supreme Courts judgments granting bail to Aam Aadmi Party leaders Sanjay Singh and Sisodia in recent orders, and to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha on Tuesday, in the Delhi excise policy case, upheld the constitutional right to personal liberty in cases where the investigation was complete, and the trial was likely to be delayed. The bail orders for Sisodia and Kavitha were also passed by the bench comprising justices Gavai and Viswanathan. On August 13, the Supreme Court held that bail should be the rule and jail an exception even under the UAPA as it granted bail to a man accused of renting his premises to members of a banned outfit. The verdict came while granting bail to Prakash, a Ranchi-based businessman who was arrested in the present case in August 2023 while he was already jailed in connection with another money laundering case linked to illegal mining and arms. The top court noted that Prakash was arrested in the present case based on certain incriminating statements he made during his custody in the other case, and it ruled that such statements cannot be held admissible as evidence against him under PMLA. Taken as he was from the judicial custody to record the statement, it will be a travesty of justice to render the statement admissible against the appellant...We have no hesitation in holding that when an accused is in custody under PMLA, irrespective of the case for which he is under custody, any statement under Section 50 PMLA to the same investigating agency is inadmissible against the maker, held the bench. With a man already under arrest by the same agency in another case, the court said, it would be extremely unsafe to render such statements admissible against the maker and that such a course of action would be contrary to all canons of fair play and justice. A person in judicial custody, not being a free person, cannot be summoned and any statement to be recorded will be after obtaining the permission of the Court which has remanded him to judicial custody in the other case, said the bench. It also examined the statements of the co-accused recorded by the ED to hold that there was nothing on record to show Prakashs complicity in the offences relating to money laundering. The court further held that a confessional statement by a co-accused will not have the character of substantive evidence, and that the prosecution cannot start with such a statement to establish its case. It noted that the prosecution is required to first marshal the other evidence and can at best look at the confessional statement for lending assurance to prove the guilt. Hitting out at the Opposition, senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Thursday accused what he termed the "feudal sultans of the so-called secular syndicate" of fostering fear among Muslims, which he claims has led to their resistance against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He said the minorities, especially the Muslims, should replace their "fashion" of "blocking the BJP" with the "passion" for following the party. Voters show their ink-marked fingers after casting their vote for the Lok Sabha elections.(CEOBihar - X) Naqvi was addressing the BJP Minority Morcha Membership Drive Workshop in Lucknow. Also Read | 'Won't let Miya Muslims take over Assam': CM Himanta Sarma days after 14-year-old girl gangraped He claimed that the BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, does not discriminate in its developmental policies and that this inclusivity should translate into electoral support from all communities. "We have to work hard so that the minorities and the Muslims can replace their decades-old fashion to defeat the BJP with the passion to support it. When the BJP doesnt discriminate against any section in terms of development then there should also not be any hesitation in voting for the BJP," he said. Also Read | 'Not a single Hindu...35 Muslims infiltrated from Bangladesh': Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Converting their distrust into trust is the need of the hour, Naqvi added. The former minority affairs minister also dismissed the opposition's labelling of the BJP as anti-Constitution, claiming it was nothing but the feudal attempt to hide the mountain of truth under the bushes of lies. "Prime Minister Modi is the person who bows his head at the temple of democracy and holds the Constitution close to his heart and is taking forward the inclusive journey of good governance," he asserted. Naqvi defends Waqf (Amendment) Bill Naqvi also defended the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill saying the proposed legislation will pave the way for "constitutional hierarchy over unconstitutional anarchy". The Waqf amendment Bill seeks to give a bigger say to the government in regulating Waqf properties and seeks to change the composition of Waqf Boards proposing to include non-Muslim members too. The Opposition strongly opposed the Bill and BJP allies also privately conveyed their unease over the legislation, prompting the government to send it to the Joint Parliamentary Committee. The JPC will submit its report by the next session of parliament. With PTI inputs Kolkata Police issued a strong denial on Thursday regarding claims circulating on social media and television channels that the colour of the bed sheet used to cover the body of the trainee doctor, who was allegedly raped and murdered, had been changed during the investigation. The case of the trainee doctor's alleged rape and murder has sparked nationwide protests and intense scrutiny of the investigation.(Samir Jana / HT) Addressing the media, Indira Mukherjee, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the Central Division, Kolkata Police, dismissed the claims as baseless. "Today, we have seen that there are few video clips which are viral on social media as well as in some television channels wherein there is a discussion that probably the colour of the curtain bed sheet which was used to cover the body was of a different colour than the previously declared color that was blue," she said. Also Read | Kolkata rape-murder: Audio clip of first calls between parents, hospital surface Mukherjee asserted that the police had meticulously documented the crime scene, starting their photography and videography session at around 12:25pm on the day of the incident. The photography and videography were done in phases, not only during the seizure process but during the inquest, as well as when the forensic team arrived. During this time, whatever records are available with us, I can unequivocally say that the colour of the bed sheet that was used to cover the body was blue in colour," she said. The controversy was sparked by some news channel reports, which claimed that the colour of the bed sheet covering the victim's body had mysteriously changed. Also Read | Call CM Didi: BJP attacks TMC over viral muscleman video at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital According to the reports, junior doctors and the victim's parents provided conflicting accounts of the sheet's colour. The junior doctors stated that the body was covered with a blue sheet, but the parents claimed they saw a green sheet when they viewed their daughter's body hours later. "We have no evidence of any green sheet in our photo and video records. It was always blue," the officer said. Mukherjee, however, confirmed that the police had also seized a red coloured cloth from the crime scene which belonged to the victim and with which she covered herself before dozing off inside the hospital's chest department seminar room that fateful night. The victim's father accused the police and hospital authorities of tampering with evidence, alleging that the position of his daughter's body and the colour of the sheet had been altered. "Indira Mukherjee does not know anything. She was not there," TV9 Bharatvarsh quoted him as saying. Also Read | RG Kar case: Every suspect has the right to a lawyer irrespective of the crime The tragic case of the trainee doctor's alleged rape and murder has sparked nationwide protests and intense scrutiny of the investigation. The doctor was found dead with severe injury marks in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College on August 9, where she had gone to rest during her night shift. The case was transferred from Kolkata Police to the CBI following an order from the Calcutta High Court. Adding to the controversy, three audio recordings of phone calls made by RG Kar Medical College authorities to the victim's parents on the morning of August 9 have surfaced, raising questions about the hospital's handling of the situation. In these calls, the hospital's assistant superintendent is heard giving conflicting statements about the victim's condition, initially stating that she was "a little ill" and later suggesting she "may have died by suicide." DC (Central) Indira Mukherjee said the purported clips only vindicated police's claim on who passed the "suicide" information to the parents. "We have been saying all thorough that Kolkata Police never informed the parents that the victim died by suicide. These audio clips only confirm what we have been maintaining so far," she said. Uncertainty surrounds the next meeting of Indias Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), a crucial mechanism for border management and countering trans-national crimes, following the political developments in the neighbouring country. Border Security Force and Border Guard of Bangladesh officials exchange greetings on India's Independence Day in Dakshin Dinajpur district. (PTI Photo) The heads of the BSF and BGB meet every six months, and the Indian side is set to host the next meeting. Although there hasnt been any message from the government about the biannual meeting, the BSF has prepared agenda points in case there is a last-minute decision. Officials who didnt want to be named said there was still no indication regarding the scheduling of the meeting, and things would become clearer once the security situation on the Bangladeshi side improves. The officials said the Indian side intends to raise with the BGB the issue of increased unauthorised infiltration into India, recent instances of some units of BGB stopping BSF troops from building a cattle fence in Cooch Behar area and instances of attack, assault and abuse on BSF personnel and Indian civilians by Bangladesh based criminals and miscreants. Joint efforts to prevent trans-border crimes, action against Indian insurgent groups and issues related to border infrastructure within 150 yards of the international border are also expected to be raised by the Indian side, the officials said. During regular meetings at the border, we continue to raise these issues anyway with local BGB commanders. The border coordination conference at the level of directors general, however, holds detailed discussions on all larger issues for a mutually beneficial relationship, said one of the officials cited above. The next meeting was originally scheduled to be held in New Delhi at the end of September or the first week of October and we are ready. But we have no confirmation as of now whether the BGB team will come. People familiar with developments on the Bangladeshi side said Dhaka had recommended the continuation of meetings and interactions under established mechanisms despite the recent change of government. Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down on August 5 following countrywide protests led by students and fled to India. An interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was formed days later. The Bangladeshi side is also keen for work to resume on India-funded projects. Work on these projects stopped as several Indian firms pulled out their personnel from sites in Bangladesh because of the violence that followed the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime. BSF officials admitted that after the change of regime in Dhaka, they have been dealing with an increasing number of illegal intrusions, aggressive posturing by BGB personnel at some places and smugglers trying to take advantage of the situation on the Bangladeshi side. We have heightened alertness on the entire 4,096-km border and we have been directed to ensure that no unauthorised person enters India from Bangladesh, a BSF official said on condition of anonymity. The last round of talks in Dhaka was attended by former BSF chief Nitin Agrawal and his then BGB counterpart, Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, and the two sides discussed incidents of assault and attack on BSF personnel by Bangladesh based trans-border criminals. They agreed on combined efforts to reduce such incidents to an absolute minimum by increasing coordinated patrols, especially late at night and early in the morning, in vulnerable areas. The two sides also discussed sharing of real-time information to ensure that deaths at the border would be brought down to zero and access to investigation reports on traffickers. For now, trade activities are going on normally at the India-Bangladesh border, said a second BSF officer, who too didnt want to be named. India, officials in North Block said, has a three-tier institutional mechanism with Bangladesh since 1994 to resolve security and border management issues. These are talks between the heads of border guarding forces, a joint working group at the level of joint secretaries of both countries and home secretary-level talks. The Union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved 28,602 crore greenfield industrial smart city projects in 12 locations across states with a combined potential to attract over 1.52 lakh crore investments that will create 4 million direct and indirect jobs in the next three years, two ministers said after the cabinet meeting. Ashwini Vaishnaw during a cabinet briefing at the National Media Centre, in Delhi. (ANI) Briefing the media, minister of railways, information and broadcasting, electronics & information technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project is part of the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) and will have a major positive impact on domestic manufacturing and employment generation. The decision is in line with the governments infrastructure push in the last three months during which it has committed over 2 lakh crore investments, providing 1.2 million jobs and creating 106.9 million days of employment. While explaining the spread of the industrial areas on a map of India, he said: If you see, in a way, there is a grand necklace around the entire country covering the north, east, south, west and centre as these projects cover all regions. Vaishnaw said global manufacturing is shifting to India and these industrial area projects with environment-friendly plug-and-play infrastructure will accelerate this shift. Strategically planned along six major corridors, these industrial areas will be located in Uttarakhand, Punjab, Maharashtra, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. UP has projects in two locations. I have shown you 11 projects [in nine states]. Total 12 projects have been sanctioned. Im not naming one because of the Model Code of Conduct, he said. The decision is in line with budget announcements. While presenting the Union budget for 2024-25, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said: Our government will facilitate development of investment-ready plug and play industrial parks with complete infrastructure in or near 100 cities, in partnership with the states and private sector, by better using town planning schemes. Twelve industrial parks under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme also will be sanctioned, she said in her budget speech on July 23. Later, speaking to reporters, Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said that eight such industrial cities are already under different stages of implementation, thus taking the total number to 20. As land is already acquired for these projects, we expect them to start functioning in the next three years, he said. Much would depend on the states, as some of them, such as Maharashtra, are making efforts to complete the industrial city project even before three years. The four earlier projects where trunk infrastructure has been created are Dholera (in Gujarat), Auric (in Maharashtra), Vikram Udyogpuri (in Madhya Pradesh) and Krishnapatnam (in Andhra Pradesh). Four other projects under implementation are Tumakuru (in Karnataka), Krishnapatnam (in Andhra Pradesh), Nangal Chaudhary (in Haryana), and Dadri-Greater Noida (in Uttar Pradesh). Goyal said the initial inhibitions of the Karnataka government delayed the Tumakuru project, but now all states are cooperating. On a specific question on West Bengal, he said: Initially, West Bengal had also proposed a project, but later they [state government] themselves withdrew the proposal. Goyal said the Centre will not discriminate against states on the basis of their political affiliations as the purpose is to accelerate growth and development of the entire country. According to officials associated with the projects, the states and the Centre have equity stakes in each project in the proportion of 51:49. While land value is the equity component of the state in the respective special purpose vehicle (SPV), the Centre provides equity contribution in terms of creating infrastructure. Beyond its equity component, the Centre also gives long-term loans to meet any shortfall and the same is to be repaid by the SPV in 10 years, one official said. According to Goyal, these industrial cities have minimum contiguous area of 1,000 acres (with some exceptions) and they are to be developed as greenfield smart cities of global standards, built on the plug-and-play and walk-to-work concepts. These cities are equipped with advanced infrastructure that supports sustainable and efficient industrial operations with multi-modal connectivity, ensuring seamless movement of people, goods, and services, he said. Kolkata: The Calcutta high court on Thursday allowed the release of the movie The Diary of West Bengal, setting aside a petition that claimed that the contents in the film were communal, lawyers present at the hearing said. Movie poster of the movie The Diary of West Bengal (Representative Photo) The division bench of chief justice TS Sivagnanam and justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya declined to order a stay on the Friday (August 30) release of the movie directed by Mumbai-based filmmaker Sanoj Mishra on the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Courts have repeatedly held that if you want to watch the movie, watch it. If you dont, then dont. We are in a democratic setup. Any healthy criticism is welcome. Those who are aggrieved, let them approach us. West Bengal is a tolerant society, the chief justice observed during the hearing. The petitioners argued that the contents of the movie are communal in nature and its release could have an adverse effect on society. However, allowing the release, the court said the matter will be heard again after three weeks. In May 2023, when the movies trailer was released on YouTube, the Kolkata police served a legal notice to the director for the alleged communal content. He was asked to appear at the citys Amherst Street police station, based on a complaint filed by a citizen. The notice was routed through Mumbais Oshiwara police station. Mishras lawyers moved court. The development came weeks after the Trinamool Congress government banned the screening of The Kerala Story directed by Sudipto Sen, saying its release could trigger communal unrest in some parts of the state. The ban order was set aside by the Supreme Court on May 18, 2023, but only one theater in Bongaon town in the North 24 Parganas district screened The Kerala Story. Tamil Nadu school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on Wednesday criticised the Centre for penalising the state by forcing it to adopt central schemes by withholding funds. He said that the Union governments stance that they will not release funds unless Tamil Nadu accepts the National Education Policy (NEP, 2020) linked to the scheme is not justified. Tamil Nadu school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on Wednesday criticised the Centre for penalising the state by forcing it to adopt central schemes by withholding funds. (HT Photo) His statement came a day after chief minister M K Stalin wrote to the Prime Minister on the matter. Under the Samagra Shiksha (SS) scheme, the state is yet to receive the first instalment of 573 crore allocated for this year and 249 crore from the previous year. Under the scheme, an allocation of 3,586 crore was made for Tamil Nadu, with Centres share amounting to 60% which is 2,152 crore, for 2024-25. Poyyamozhi said: We have taken education to every nook and corner in Tamil Nadu. Suddenly, this year the Union government asked us to accept PM SHRI Schools and to adopt NEP. We clearly told them that we are ready for PM SHRI Schools but we will never adopt NEP. So they have not released funds and told us they wont unless we adopt NEP, he said. In June, the Centre was to release 572 crore to the state, the school education minister said. Since we have not received it, we will be in a situation to stop our initiatives that we have been doing to address school dropouts, increase attendance. It affects our schemes for school children. We will not be able to pay salaries to 10,000 to 15,000 teachers, Poyyamozhi said. We have not received a reply for the chief ministers letter. Education is not a place to play politics. I urge the Union government to consider our request. Stalin had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite the release of pending funds for Tamil Nadu. He said that the Centre appears to be linking the full implementation of the NEP in PM SHRI Schools as a prerequisite for releasing funds under the SS Scheme. He pointed out that while funds have been released to states that have signed MoUs, the states request to make minor modifications to MoU has not yet been accepted. There has been an increasing political chorus over the issue for the Union government to release the funds for school education and assertion that Tamil Nadu will oppose the three language policy prescribed under NEP and follow the two-language policy of English and Tamil which has been in practice since 1968. The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) on Tuesday announced that they will carry out a series of protests demanding for the funds to be released immediately. This is an attempt to destroy the education system of Tamil Nadu, which is a pioneer in the country, TNCC chairman K Selvaperunthagai said. Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), the NDA ally in Tamil Nadu, criticised the BJP-led Union government for withholding funds over differences in policies. The DMK should have fought for the funds much earlier, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss said. New Delhi: Union minister of state for labour, Shobha Karandlaje, will chair a consultative meeting on Friday with representatives of all southern states to quicken the implementation of the labour codes, an official said. Union minister of state for labour, Shobha Karandlaje with Union labour minister Mansukh Mandaviya (X/@ShobhaBJP) This will be the first meeting to be chaired by a minister with state governments on the labour codes since the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government assumed office for the third time. The codes have been passed by Parliament but are yet to take effect. Fridays meeting, to be held in Bangalore, will kick off a series of discussions with all states on a regional basis. The Union government in its previous term, had enacted four labour codes by revamping and amalgamating a complex set of 29 federal laws to ramp up hiring and social security for the countrys labour force. The reforms have not been implemented because all states and Union territories are yet to frame subordinate laws under the code, which is necessary to make them operational. Under the Constitution, labour figures on the concurrent list, which means states also have a say in matters related to labour-market regulations. According to a latest update, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the National Capital Territory of Delhi have not framed or pre-published all the required number of rules. While West Bengal has not framed rules under any of the codes, Tamil Nadu and Delhi are yet to frame rules under one or more codes. A key issue for discussion is the harmonisation of rules made by various states under the labour codes, the official mentioned above said. Aside from a delay in framing rules, or subordinate legislation, by a few states, differing provisions by states go against the spirit of uniformity of labour laws, the official added. Therefore, states need handholding to harmonise their rules. The four pieces of legislation are the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code, 2020; the Code on Social Security, 2020; the Industrial Relations Code, 2029; and the Code on Wages, 2019. The codes provide for new hiring and firing rules by raising the threshold number of workers employed by a factory for terminating jobs without the governments permission. They also stipulate a mandatory national minimum wage and social security benefits for informal workers, among other changes. A lawyer has filed a complaint with the Delhi Police against West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for her Wednesday remarks, alleging they were provocative and aimed at inciting unrest. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addresses the gathering during the 27th foundation day of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), at Mayor Road, in Kolkata on Wednesday. (ANI Photo) The complaint, filed by Vineet Jindal, a practising lawyer at the Supreme Court, centres on a statement Banerjee made during a Trinamool Chhatra Parishad event, where she reportedly said, "Remember, if Bengal burns, then Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi will also burn." Jindal argued that Banerjee's statement was inflammatory, potentially inciting regional hatred and enmity, and thus posed a threat to national harmony and public order. He contended that as chief minister, Banerjee's words carry significant weight, making the alleged remarks particularly dangerous. "Given the instigating and provocative nature of her statement, which intends to create disharmony and foster hatred and enmity among the masses of India, as she mentioned the name of Delhi in her statement as one of the states, I being a resident of Delhi respectfully request that an FIR be lodged under Sections 152, 192, 196, and 353 of the BNS against Mamata Banerjee. These offences are cognizable and serious in nature," stated the complainant. Also Read | Mamata Banerjee's clarification amid BJP flak: 'Never threatened doctors' What Mamata Banerjee said On Wednesday, Banerjee condemned BJP's 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' and called it an attempt to "defame" Bengal. She also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using his party to create unrest in the state. Some people think this (agitation) is similar to the protests in Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh, they speak like us (Bengal). Our culture is also the same. However, Bangladesh is a different country, Mamata Banerjee said, referring to the student-led uprising in the neighbouring country that saw the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Modi babu, you are trying to create unrest in Bengal through your people. But remember, if you burn Bengal, Assam, the North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi will also burn, Banerjee added. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma blasted Banerjee over her remarks, accusing her of spreading unrest and divisive politics across India. Didi, how dare you threaten Assam? Sarma posted on X. Don't show us red eyes. Don't try to set India on fire with your politics of failure. It does not suit you to speak divisive language, he added. Also Read | Kolkata rape-murder: BJP intensifies attack on Mamata Banerjee, compares her with Kim Jong Un BJP state president and Union minister of state (MoS) Sukanta Majumdar shot off a letter to Union home minister Amit Shah, condemning Banerjees reported comments as a blatant endorsement of revenge politics from the highest office in the state. Majumdar accused Banerjee of making anti-national remarks by suggesting that if Bengal were to burn, other states would also be affected. "It is unthinkable and unprecedented for a chief minister, who is constitutionally bound to rise above partisan attitudes, to make such intimidating statements that pose a threat to democracy," Majumdar told reporters. A section of the Delhi BJP is advocating for the party to declare a CM face for the upcoming assembly elections in the national capital to challenge the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. The Delhi BJP leaders also proposed that the CM face should be picked from notable leaders like Manor Tiwari, Bansuri Swaraj and others. Newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Manoj Tiwari, Kamaljeet Sehrawat and Harsh Malhotra In the 2020 assembly election, the BJP contested against AAP without a leader as the CM face of the party. The Bharatiya Janata Party lost to AAP, which won 62 out of the total 70 seats. "The debate over the issue has already begun with several senior leaders thinking that the BJP will benefit if it goes to poll with a face to challenge Kejriwal and AAP. They have already conveyed their sentiments to the national leaders in this regard," a top Delhi BJP leader told PTI. "It could be anyone of the prominent leaders of the party like the MPs Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Bansuri Swaraj or Manoj Tiwari, or state president Virendra Sachdeva, former MP Parvesh Verma or Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Vijender Gupta," said another senior Delhi BJP leader. A faction of the Delhi BJP believes that the party rallying behind one leader can give a message of unity and streamline the campaigning process for the polls. The BJP fought the 2015 Delhi Assembly polls with Kiran Bedi as its chief ministerial candidate but failed miserably, a Delhi BJP leader opposed to the idea pointed out. In the 2015 elections, BJP lost out to AAP, which won 67 out of the total 70 seats. The debate to pick a CM face for the 2025 Delhi election is still open and the national leadership will take a decision later on, a BJP leader told PTI. Meanwhile, AAP chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, currently lodged in Tihar jail in the Delhi excise policy case, is set to be the face of the party's campaign for the polls as the Aam Aadmi Party expresses confidence that Kejriwal will become the CM of the capital for the fourth consecutive time. The Delhi high court on Thursday admonished former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and Bharatiya Janata Party leader, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, for filing a plea to quash the trial court's proceedings in a sexual harassment case after the charges were framed. Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh arrives to appear before the Rouse Avenue Court. (PTI file photo) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has approached the Delhi high court seeking a quashing of the FIR and charges framed against him in the sexual harassment case lodged by six women wrestlers. The court took exception to the plea, saying if he wanted to challenge the proceedings, he should have done so before the trial had commenced. A bench of Justice Neena Bansal described the plea as an "oblique way". There cant be an omnibus order on everything. If you wanted to challenge everything, you should have done. (before the trial had commenced) Once the trial has commenced and charges have been framedthis is nothing but an oblique way," the judge observed. Justice Bansal posted the matter for the next hearing on September 26. She asked Singh's counsel to prepare a short note raising all the contentions. Singh had been removed as the president of the wrestling federation last year after several renowned wrestlers protested for months against him for allegedly sexually harassing women wrestlers. Filing the plea, Singh contended that the investigation was done in a biased manner as only the version of the victims, who were interested in taking revenge against him, was considered. He claimed in his plea that he had been falsely implicated in the case. On May 21, the trial court framed charges of sexual harassment, intimidation and outraging the modesty of women against Singh, an influential politician in Uttar Pradesh. The Delhi Police filed an FIR against Singh after the intervention of the Supreme Court in May 2023. In the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP denied a ticket to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. However, his son now represents his father's seat as a BJP MP. With inputs from PTI, ANI The Delhi high court on Thursday dismissed Congress MP Shashi Tharoors plea challenging the defamation proceedings initiated against him by a BJP leader over his alleged "scorpion on Shivling" remark targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor during the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.(PTI) The high court, which had on October 16, 2020, stayed the criminal proceedings, vacated the interim order and directed the parties to appear before the trial court on September 10. No grounds are made out for quashing the proceedings, Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta said while pronouncing the order. Speaking at the Bangalore Literature Festival in 2018, the Congress MP reportedly quoted an unnamed RSS source who allegedly described Modi as "a scorpion sitting on a Shivling." He termed it an "extraordinarily striking metaphor". Also Read | Bailable warrant against Shashi Tharoor over scorpion comment The defamation case was filed by BJP leader Rajiv Babbar, who took issue with Tharoors remarks, claiming his religious sentiments were hurt by the Congress leaders statement. The complainant had said, "I am a devotee of Lord Shiva... However, the accused (Tharoor) completely disregarded the sentiments of crores of Shiva devotees, (and) made the statement which hurt the sentiments of all Lord Shiva devotees, both in India and outside the country." The complaint was filed under sections 499 (defamation) and 500 (punishment for defamation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Tharoor had sought to set aside the trial courts 2019 order by which he was summoned as an accused and the quashing of the complaint of November 2, 2018. Also Read | Shashi Tharoors scorpion metaphor triggers BJP attack on Rahul Gandhi Following the trial court's summons, Shashi Tharoor had asked if the BJP would like to file a complaint against Gordhan Zadaphia, who, according to the Congress leader, made the remark for which he is being prosecuted. Wonder if BJP would like to ask a judge to summon their own UP-in-charge, Gordhan Zadaphia, for the remark I am now being prosecuted for quoting? Absurd to be pursued by the BJP for quoting words that have been in the public domain for over 7yrs, without any previous legal action, Tharoor had posted on X. The Delhi high court on Wednesday suggested that the Union government promulgate an ordinance penalising the offence of forced unnatural sex and sodomy, even as it granted the Centre six months to take a holistic view regarding the exclusion of these offences from the newly enforced penal code, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The Delhi High Court granted the Centre six months to take a holistic view regarding the exclusion of these offences from the newly enforced penal code, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). (HT Archive) A bench of acting chief justice Manmohan and justice Tushar Rao Gedela emphasised that there could not be a vacuum in the law, while the Centre was deliberating on the amendments in the BNS. The bench suggested the way out after Centres counsel Anurag Ahluwalia submitted that the court may consider asking the government to treat the petition challenging the exclusion of penalties for unnatural sex and sodomy from the BNS, as a representation, to enable the government to take a holistic view. Ahluwalia submitted that the decision-making process would involve consultation from various stakeholders, including parliamentarians as the issue not only dealt with the state but also the public at large. The counsel further added that the legal provision to penalise non-consensual unnatural sex between adults akin to the the now-altered Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) would have to be introduced in the BNS in a new form and the same has to be done with consensus from all parties. Section 377 of the IPC previously imposed life imprisonment or a ten-year sentence for engaging in carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman, or animal. However, in 2018, the Supreme Court, in the landmark case of Navtej Singh Johar Vs Union of India, decriminalised consensual same-sex relations, though the provision continued to criminalize non-consensual acts. The question would be this, what happens in the meanwhile? Can the statue or the legislation countenance such a situation? What they were asking for was with regards to consensual sex. You have made it even non-consensual.. There cannot be a vacuum. Suppose something happens today outside the court, are we to shut our eyes because it is not in statute book? We are just saying expedite it. There is some urgency in the matter, you must understand, the bench said to Ahluwalia. The bench added, You can always apply your mind. If it requires an ordinance, in the meanwhile, it can come. It depends. We are also thinking aloud. The court also opined that a holistic view was also required with regards to the BNS only specifying the gender of the victim as a woman, while making the perpetrator , gender neutral. The whole problem is, there is a slight difference with approach. Victim is only regarded as a woman under the IPC now. We require not just this change but other changes also. They (Centre) are right to a certain extent that a holistic approach may be required. The term perpetrator is gender neutral but not the victim. Victim remains the lady. Holistic approach may be required and thus let them examine it, the bench said. The plea, filed by advocate Gantavya Gulati, stated that the omission of a provision penalizing unnatural sex poses a significant risk, particularly to the LGBTQ community. Gulati asserted that the absence of such a law in the BNS creates a legal void, leaving vulnerable communities without adequate protection. In his petition, Gulati urged the court to either restore the criminalisation of non-consensual sexual acts under a provision like Section 377 or adopt a gender-neutral interpretation of the laws dealing with rape. He highlighted that the current draft of the BNS offers no remedy for a man sexually assaulted by another man, leaving victims without the ability to file a first information report (FIR). On August 13, the court sought a clarification from the Centre on whether non-consensual unnatural sex would still be considered an offence under the newly enforced penal code, the BNS, as the law currently lacks a provision addressing this issue. A crocodile was spotted on the roof of a house in Gujarat's Vadodara as the state continued to reel under floods after extremely heavy rainfall. The video of the incident has gone viral. A Crocodile was spotted on the roof of a house as heavy rainfall inundated Akota Stadium area of Vadodara in Gujarat.(PTI) At least 28 people have died and thousands displaced in the floods. Several low-lying areas in parts of Vadodara grappled under heavy flooding after the Vishwamitri River breached its banks and entered residential. A rescue team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state teams rescued people stranded in their homes and rooftops around Vadodara city, officials told news agency PTI. Three columns from the Indian army were also deployed for the purpose. State minister Rushikesh Patel said that over 5,000 people were evacuated and another 1,200 were rescued from the city on Wednesday. Chief minister Bhupendra Patel has instructed the officials to deploy cleaning equipment and spray disinfectants in Vadodara city, as soon as the flood waters begin receding. Additional teams from municipal corporations of Ahmedabad and Surat, and municipalities of Bharuch and Anand have also been approached for deployment in the city. Rains in Gujarat According to the IMD, extremely heavy showers are expected in 12 districts - Kachchh, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Morbi, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Junagarh, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar, and Botad. In the latest spell of rain, the state has received 105 percent of its average annual rainfall within a few days. State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) said several districts in the Saurashtra region, especially Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Porbandar, and Rajkot, experienced very heavy rainfall. Khambhalia taluka of Devbhumi Dwarka district got 454 mm rainfall, followed by Jamnagar city (387 mm), and Jamjodhpur taluka in Jamnagar (329 mm) in the 24 hours till 6 am on Wednesday. 251 taluks in the state recorded more than 200 mm of rainfall, while another 39 taluks received over 100 mm during the same period. According to an official release, 140 reservoirs and dams, and 24 rivers in the state are flowing above the danger marks, while 122 out of 206 dams are under high alert. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Bhupendra Patel and assured him of all possible support and assistance from the Central government. The Prime Minister provided guidance on the protection of lives and livestock of citizens. Also, Gujarat was assured of providing all necessary support and assistance from the Central Government, the CM said. (With inputs from PTI) New Delhi: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set for a change of the guard at a time when the state-run plane maker is at a critical juncture it is grappling with a delay in the Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A) programme, working towards finalising a deal for joint production of jet engines in the country, awaiting orders worth tens of thousands of crores for new fighter planes and helicopters, and taking steps to boost exports, officials aware of the matter said on Wednesday. (Representative Photo) The current HAL chief, CB Ananthakrishnan, is set to retire on August 31 and DK Sunil, director (engineering and R&D), HAL, is widely seen as the frontrunner for the top job, the officials said. Accelerating the LCA Mk-1A programme will be one of the top priorities for the new HAL chief. The aircraft is an important element of the Indian Air Forces modernisation plans, said one of the officials cited above, asking not to be named. The new HAL chief will also take over at a time when HAL is negotiating a deal with GE Aerospace for the joint production of F414 engines in India. A combination of the monsoon trough in the vicinity and moisture due to active weather systems triggered heavy rainfall across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NGR) in the early hours of Thursday and inundated parts of the Capital, prompting advisories asking people to avoid key stretches. The rain led to waterlogging and traffic snarls. (ANI) The rain led to waterlogging and traffic snarls. The Delhi Traffic Police issued advisories asking people to avoid GT Karnal Road (from Mukarba Chowk towards Azadpur Chowk), Mehrauli Badarpur Road (from Khanpur towards shooting range T-point), Rohtak Road near APS Colony under GGR flyover towards Vasant Vihar and Dhaula Kuan, GGR-PDR underpass, Dhaula Kuan flyover, Outer ring Road (from Bhera roundabout towards Peeragarhi) and underneath the railway bridge at Pul Prahladpur. Waterlogging was reported from areas such as Sarita Vihar, Qutub Minar Metro Station, Saket, Mukarba Chowk, Azadpur, Mahipalpur, and Mehrauli-Badarpur Road. The entire section of Rohtak Road starting from Nangloi towards Tikri Border was waterlogged. The road has suffered considerable damage with a series of potholes after repeated waterlogging. The authorities advised the commuters to take alternative routes. GGR Underpass and Ring Road section under the Dhaula Kuan flyover was inundated along the key airport route. The site was waterlogged also on last Friday, prompting authorities to issue directions for increasing the pumping capacity. The overnight rain led to a series of bus breakdowns and the uprooting of trees including on MB Road near Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range. Trees were damaged at places such as Vasant Vihar, RK Puram, Greater Kailash, Rohini Sector 15, and Aya Nagar. Safdarjung, which is representative of Delhis weather, recorded 77.1mm in the 24 hours until 8:30 am. Much of it (63mm) was recorded between 2:30 and 5:30 am. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) classifies over 64.4mm rainfall recorded in 24 hours as heavy. Lodhi Road recorded 92.2mm of rain until 8:30 am with 89.6mm overnight. Southwest Delhis Palam recorded 54.5mm and Ayanagar 62.4mm. In north, east, and west Delhi, mostly moderate rainfall was recorded. Delhi University logged 17mm of rain until 8:30 am, Mayur Vihar 30.5mm, and Pitampura 26.5mm. An IMD official said that a western disturbance, a cyclonic circulation over Uttar Pradesh, and a deep depression over Saurashtra in Gujarat were leading to moisture incursion The IMD this week issued a yellow alert for Wednesday and Thursday, indicating worsening conditions could disrupt daily life. It said light to moderate spells of rain were expected. Only scattered light rain was likely on Friday and Saturday, with no alert. Delhi has logged 378.5mm of rain this month, which is short of the monthly total of 378.8mm recorded in August 2012. In 2010, 455.1 mm of rainfall was recorded in August. New Delhi: India on Thursday commissioned its second indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Arighaat, at Visakhapatnam, with defence minister Rajnath Singh asserting that it will further strengthen Indias nuclear triad, enhance nuclear deterrence, help in establishing strategic balance and peace in the region, and play a decisive role in the security of the country. Union defence minister Rajnath Singh (X/@DefenceMinIndia) Arighaat or S-3, is the second Arihant-class submarine and more advanced than INS Arihant (S-2). The presence of both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat will enhance Indias capability to deter potential adversaries and safeguard its national interests, the defence ministry said in a statement. The ministry did not release pictures of the new submarine. The United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China are the only other countries that can deliver nuclear warheads from a submarine. Singh described the Arighaats commissioning as an achievement for the nation and a testament to the governments unwavering resolve to achieve Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence. The commissioning ceremony was attended by top officials, including chief of defence staff General Anil Chauhan, navy chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Samir V Kamat. The construction of INS Arighaat involved the use of advanced design and manufacturing technology, detailed research and development, utilisation of special materials, complex engineering and highly skilled workmanship, the defence ministry said. It has the distinction of having indigenous systems and equipment that were conceptualised, designed, manufactured and integrated by the Indian scientists, industry and naval personnel. The technological advancements undertaken indigenously on this submarine make it significantly more advanced than INS Arihant, the statement added. Indias first indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, the 6,000-tonne INS Arihant, successfully completed its first deterrence patrol in 2018, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi then triumphantly announcing that the success of the submarine gives a fitting response to those who indulge in nuclear blackmail. The fully operational submarine then completed the sea leg of Indias nuclear triad (or the ability to launch strategic weapons from land, air and sea), giving it enduring nuclear strike and counterstrike capabilities. INS Arihant was commissioned into the navy eight years ago. INS Arighaat is now set to embark on a long-range deterrence patrol. Both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat will stay on continuous deterrence patrols and when the signal goes out from New Delhi, the platforms will be capable of launching nuclear missiles. Singh commended the navy, Defence Research & Development Organisation and the industry for their hard work and synergy. Recalling former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayees political will that put India in the league of nuclear weapon states, Singh said, Today, India is surging ahead to become a developed country. It is essential for us to develop rapidly in every field, including defence, especially in todays geopolitical scenario. Along with economic prosperity, we need a strong military. Our government is working on mission mode to ensure that our soldiers possess top-quality weapons and platforms made on Indian soil. Just like INS Arihant, the new submarine is armed with 12 B-05 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) capable of delivering nuclear warheads up to 750 km away. India needs to deploy more such SSBNs (ship submersible ballistic nuclear) to reinforce its strategic deterrence force at sea. The countrys third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, Aridaman, or S-4, is also set to be commissioned next year, followed by a fourth SSBN codenamed S-4*, as reported by Hindustan Times on Thursday. The last two Arihant-class submarines are expected to be bigger and capable of launching longer-range missiles. These SSBNs could be armed with K-4 SLBMs capable of striking targets up to 3,500 km away. In October 2022, in a rare announcement concerning a strategic platform, the government said that the navy successfully test fired an SLBM in the Bay of Bengal from INS Arihant and demonstrated Indias nuclear deterrence capability. The missile was tested to a predetermined range and impacted the target area in the Bay of Bengal with very high accuracy. All operational and technological parameters of the weapon system have been validated, the defence ministry then said in a statement. The successful user training launch of the SLBM by INS Arihant is significant to prove crew competency and validate the SSBN programme, a key element of Indias nuclear deterrence capability, it said. A robust, survivable and assured retaliatory capability is in keeping with Indias policy to have Credible Minimum Deterrence that underpins its No First Use commitment, the ministry then said. India already has the capability to carry out nuclear strikes with fighter planes and land-launched missiles. The Agni series of ballistic missiles and warplanes, such as Rafales, Sukhoi-30s, and French-origin Mirage-2000s, can deliver nuclear warheads. It is critical to have SLBMs that have a range of 3,000 km to 4,000 km. The current range is not good enough. But yes, it is a deterrent. Its a message to our adversaries, dont even think about launching a pre-emptive nuclear strike against India because we are fully ready to hit you back instantly, former navy chief Admiral Arun Prakash had earlier told HT. The second Arihant-class submarine, INS Arighaat, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Thursday at Visakhapatnam. In his address, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed confidence that Arighaat will further strengthen Indias nuclear triad, enhance nuclear deterrence, establish strategic balance and peace in the region, and play a decisive role in the country's security. Second Arihant-class submarine INS Arighaat commissioned to boost India's security.(Representative Image) ALSO READ- At 1.27 lakh crore, Indias defence production hits a new high Key points about INS Arighaat: 1. INS Arighaat is a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) and is part of India's closely guarded programme, which began with the launch of INS Arihant in 2009. 2. The construction of INS Arighaat involved advanced design, manufacturing technology, and extensive research and development. The submarine features indigenous systems and equipment developed by Indian scientists, industry, and naval personnel. 3. INS Arighaat is more technologically advanced than its predecessor, INS Arihant, and will significantly boost Indias strategic deterrence capabilities. 4. The 6,000-tonne submarine is equipped with K-15 nuclear ballistic missiles, which have a range of 750 km, and is set to embark on long-range patrols in the Indo-Pacific region, HT has learnt. 5. INS Arighaat will soon be joined by India's third SSBN, INS Aridaman (S4), which is expected to be commissioned next year, followed by a fourth SSBN, codenamed S-4*, sources said. ALSO READ- Torchbearer of the armed forces, Indias military cradle turns 75 Why nuclear-powered submarine over conventional diesel-electric? The SSBN can remain under water for months, and their range limitation is only due to logistics, supplies and crew changes. Diesel-electric attack submarines, or SSKs, on the other hand, need to surface almost every other day to charge their batteries. Along with economic prosperity, we need strong military: Rajnath Singh Rajnath Singh praised the Indian Navy, DRDO, and the industry for their hard work and collaboration in achieving this milestone. He stressed on the importance of military strength alongside economic prosperity. ALSO READ- Rajnath Singh meets US defence industry captains, pushes India as export hub "Our government is working on a mission mode to ensure that our soldiers possess top-quality weapons and platforms made on Indian soil, the defence minister said. Three infiltrators were likely killed in two operations along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district on Thursday, the Indian Army said. While one terrorist was likely to be killed in the Tangdhar area, the other two were believe to be gunned down in the Machhal district. J&K: 3 infiltrators likely killed in Kupwara encounter, two operations underway According to the Indian Army, two operations were launched in the Machhal and Tangdhar sectors on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. Based on intelligence inputs regarding likely infiltration bids, a Joint anti-infiltration Operation was launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice on the intervening night of 28-29 Aug 24 in general area Tangdhar, Kupwara. One terrorist is likely to have been neutralised.The operation is in progress, the army wrote in a post on X. It added, In Machil, it said that based on intelligence inputs with respect to likely infiltration bids, a Joint Operation was launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice on the intervening night of 28-29 Aug 24 in general area Machhal, Kupwara. Local reports claimed two terrorists were likely to have been neutralised in Machhal as the security forces opened fire after observing suspicious movement in bad weather conditions. The infiltration attempts come as Jammu and Kashmir is set to go to the assembly polls, and nominations for the first phase have already been filed. According to the Election Commission of India, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections will be held in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1. The results will be declared on October 4. Search operation in Rajouri Meanwhile, a search operation launched on Wednesday night is also underway in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir after an exchange of fire took place between terrorists and security forces. The operation was launched d in the general area of the village Kheri Mohra Lathi and Danthal area at 9:30 pm. During the search operation, contact was established with terrorists at about 11:45 pm on August 28, and an exchange of fire took place between terrorists and security forces near the Kheri Mohra area, the police said. BJP MP Kangana Ranaut blasted former Punjab MP Simranjit Singh Mann for trivialising rape while attacking the actor-politician. Kangana Ranaut, the BJPs MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. (HT File) In a social media post, Ranaut expressed her outrage, saying, It seems this country will never stop trivialising rape, today this senior politician compared getting raped to riding a bicycle. "No wonder rapes and violence against women for fun, is so deep rooted in the psyche of this patriarchal nation that it is casually used to tease or mock a woman even if she is a high profile filmmaker or politician," the Mandi MP said. Punjab leader sparks controversy Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Mann, 79, made objectionable remarks about the actor-turned-politician. "You can ask her (Kangana Ranaut) how rape happens so that people can be explained how rape happens. She has a lot of experience of rape," he said, according to India Today. HT couldn't independently verify the report. ALSO READ- 'Ask Kangana Ranaut how rape happens': Ex-Punjab MP's shocker over farmer agitation remark The former IPS officer and Khalistan proponent was in Karnal for a party event ahead of the Haryana Assembly polls on October 1. Mann's comments were in response to a clip posted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP in which she criticised the farmers' protest against the now-repealed agricultural laws. In the interview, Ranaut suggested that a "Bangladesh-like situation" could have occurred in India if not for the country's strong leadership. She claimed that during the farmers' protest, there were incidents of "bodies hanging and rapes taking place." ALSO READ- Kangana Ranaut throws fresh barbs at Rahul Gandhi: He is a mess in his Ranaut's remarks, which also alleged the involvement of China and the US in the protest as part of a "conspiracy," drew sharp criticism from opposition parties. Acting swiftly, the BJP distanced itself from her statement. ALSO READ- Kangana Ranaut faces more heat as Himachal Pradesh assembly adopts resolution against her "The Bharatiya Janata Party has directed Kangana Ranaut to not make any statement of this kind in future," the ruling party said in a statement The delay in the release of the justice Hema commission report, key pages being redacted from it contrary to the information commissions orders and sexual abuse allegations against its prominent members have all contributed to a loss of face for the CPI(M)-led government in Kerala, political analysts and social critics said. Thiruvananthapuram: Mahila Congress activists stage a protest demanding a case against the perpetrators named in the Hema Committee report, Thiruvananthapuram, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (PTI Photo)(PTI08_21_2024_000138B) (PTI) The Pinarayi Vijayan-led government approved the publication of the Hema commission report, which documented systemic sexual abuse of women in the Malayalam film industry, on August 19 after four-and-a-half years when it was submitted by the three-member panel elicited criticism from both opposition parties and activists. While the report has been redacted to protect the privacy of those who spoke to the commission, the available documents pointed to alleged sexual harassment as the number one issue faced by women in the industry, the presence of a casting couch and an all-male power group that kept a vice-like grip apart from glaring issues of remuneration and treatment of junior artists. Activists later pointed out that pages 49-53 containing 11 paragraphs, which were to be published as per the orders of the state public information officer (SPIO), were held back by the government, pointing to suspicions of names of key accused being protected. However, Vijayan denied allegations of both delays on the report as well as pages being redacted. Some women in the industry made confidential revelations before the Hema committee. Therefore Justice Hema repeatedly requested in the letter that the report should not be released under any circumstances, he claimed on August 22. Following the reports release, there has been a flurry of sexual abuse allegations raised by women actors against male figures, leading to the reigniting of the hashtag MeToo movement. Two of such male figures are associated with the CPI(M) filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan and actor Mukesh. While Ranjith stepped down as the chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy, Mukesh continues to hold on to his post of MLA in the wake of the allegations. Both men have denied the charges and vowed to take legal action. J Prabhash, former professor of political science at Kerala University, said the problem began when the government decided not to act on the report when it was submitted in December 2019. Except the courts, the government does not listen to anybody including the Hema panel or the information commission on the question of releasing the report. The state has no right to deny the publication of the report or the accounts in it. The law states that names of survivors and other identifiable details must be withheld. Everything else can be publicised. The entire society must know what the committee said, Prabhash told HT. When the LDF government sat on the report for over four years, it became clear that it was not sincere on the gender issues in cinema. Between the big names in the industry, it is sad that the government chose to side with the big names, he added. The Left government, he underlined, lost the moral responsibility of standing with the women and survivors when it dilly-dallied on action against its members like Ranjith and Mukesh. J Devika, professor at the Centre for Development Studies and a social critic who writes about gender issues in Kerala, termed the LDF governments handling of the issue disastrous. I think the government has a lot of fears about the kind of names mentioned in the report. The people at the top of the Malayalam cinema industry are not just actors, they are power brokers. They have a great deal of money. In contrast, when I read the report, the workers especially women in the lower rungs of the film industry are worse than those in informal sectors when it comes to remuneration. In many ways, the Hema report corroborates a lot of information which was present in society in the form of whispers and speculation, she said. She also questioned the government as to why it chose not to implement changes in the film industry to improve labour conditions, especially for women, for over four years. There were recommendations in the report that were never implemented when it came to remuneration and other aspects, she said. A team led by Devika at CDS in fact is preparing a labour policy framework to be submitted to the government, pushing for minimum wages and contractual appointments. Sunnykutty Abraham, a writer and political analyst, agreed that the whole saga over the report and its repercussions have resulted in a loss of face for the government. The report was about the working conditions of women in cinema. Why did the government need to hide it for over four years? Its a committee that the Vijayan government itself appointed. Did they not think when the report is submitted, it has to come out before the public? he asked. He also censured the CPI(M) for continuing to give political patronage to actor-MLA M Mukesh despite the sexual charges against him. The government has still not removed him from the committee to draft a policy for films. Its wrong, he said. Days after the Kerala police booked Malayalam filmmaker-screenwriter Ranjith on charges of misbehaviour with a Bengali actress, a Kozhikode-based man has filed a complaint alleging that the director forced him to strip naked and also sexually assaulted him in 2012. The complainant alleged that he came in contact with Ranjith during the shooting of the film Bavuttiyude Namathil in Kozhikode in December 2012 (File photo) The 33-year-old survivor told HT that he has spoken to women officers of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kerala police over the phone and sent an official complaint via email to state director general of police Shaik Darvesh Saheb informing them about the assault. The man alleged that he came in contact with Ranjith during the shooting of the film Bavuttiyude Namathil in Kozhikode in December 2012. When asked for a role in a film, Ranjith wrote his mobile number on a tissue paper and asked him to text him in a few days. Also Read | Mollywood film industry rocked by sexual assault allegations, 17 cases filed When I texted him after a few days, he asked me to come to a five-star hotel in Bengaluru where he was staying at the time. When I entered the fourth-floor room, he was alone and drinking alcohol. He offered me some alcohol which I initially refused as I had never had a drink before. But he insisted and I couldnt say no. I was very excited and nervous at the same time, the survivor said. Afterward, his approach changed. He forced me to strip naked saying that he wanted to see my body. And then he took some photos of me. Then, he went on to sexually assault me. The things he did to me were extremely terrible and I cannot describe them, he added. After the incident, the man claimed, he tried to contact Ranjith a couple of times to question him, but his calls and messages were ignored. Also Read | 'Me Too is a fad': Mohanlal's old interview adds fuel to fire amid AMMA fiasco Once, I got a message from someone claiming to be Ranjiths wife asking not to call or text anymore. But I am sure that was Ranjith itself. he added. For several months following the alleged assault, the man said he was in a lot of trauma and that he couldnt gather the courage to speak about it to anyone. Back then, I was just 21 with a normal family background. Ranjith, on the other hand, was an extremely influential figure. Even if I had spoken about it, no one would have believed me. Moreover, I had no guts to speak out, he said. The Kozhikode-based man claimed that he decided to come out against Ranjith in the wake of the release of the Hema committee report and the allegations of misbehaviour raised by the Bengali actress against him. The Hema committee report has shone light on deep injustices against women in the Malayalam film industry, particularly sexual harassment, and an all-male power group that allegedly called the shots. Even today, as I have filed the complaint against him, I am scared of the consequences against me. I am not a celebrity. I am a normal person. But I want the truth to come out. There must be action against Ranjith, he told HT. The SIT, he said, is expected to record his statement on Friday. The Kerala Police on Wednesday registered a rape case against Malayalam actor Siddique on a complaint by a woman artiste, as part of a wider probe into allegations of sexual abuse against male professionals that have rocked the Kerala film industry following the Justice Hema Committee report last week, an officer aware of the developments said. This is the second first information report (FIR) registered by the police following allegations of sexual abuse against prominent figures in the Kerala film industry. (PTI) The Museum Police in Thiruvananthapuram registered the case against Siddique under sections of the erstwhile Indian Penal Code (IPC), and not under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, since the alleged sexual assault took place in 2016 and the new criminal laws only came into effect in July this year, the officer said. Siddique last week had refuted the allegations. This is the second first information report (FIR) registered by the police following allegations of sexual abuse against prominent figures in the Kerala film industry. On Monday, a case of misbehaviour was filed against filmmaker Ranjith at Ernakulam North police station on a complaint by a Bengali female actor. Providing details on the second FIR, the officer cited above, who did not wish to be identified, said: The actor filed her complaint with a Special Investigation Team (SIT) that was formed to probe the claims of sexual harassment against male professions in the industry. The FIR has been registered under sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. Since the alleged assault took place in 2016, sections of the IPC have been invoked instead of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). Both are non-bailable sections. The probe will be led by SIT. There was no immediate reaction from Siddique. Following the female actors allegations last week, the actor, who has done over 350 films mostly in Malayalam, said he was innocent and also filed a complaint with the state director general of police (DGP) Sheik Darvesh Sahib, alleging an agenda behind the complaint. The actor accused Siddique of raping her at a hotel in Thiruvananthapuram in January 2016, after he called her at the premises on the pretext of discussing a non-existent film project. She also accused the senior actor of threatening her if she disclosed the incident to anyone. I was a young entrant in the industry at the time. He (Siddique) invited me to a hotel on the pretext of discussing a film project. The movie did not exist. It was a trap. He sexually abused and raped me. He also physically assaulted me. I had to give up on my dreams, my time and I went through a lot of mental trauma, she alleged last week. In the wake of the allegations, Siddique on August 25 resigned as general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), an influential film body. On Tuesday, top actor and AMMA president Mohanlal and the 17-member executive committee of the organisation quit en masse, taking moral responsibility, after the allegations against male professionals were sparked by the Justice Hema Committee report. In its landmark report on the working conditions of women movie professionals in Kerala, which was released on August 19, the Hema Committee said that women artistes and actors were routinely asked for sexual favours in exchange for opportunities, told to compromise, dealt with force exhibited by their male colleagues and threatened with bans if they attempted to sue. The report was released roughly four-and-a-half years after it was submitted to the Kerala government, and recounted stark revelations about sexual harassment and abuse women faced within the industry, a powerful all-male lobby, unauthorised banning of artistes, poor treatment of junior artistes, and absence of legal remedies to address grievances. After the report was released, several women actors, including a Bengali actress, went public with allegations of sexual harassment against some of the well-known faces of Malayalam cinema, including director Ranjith and actors Siddique and Mukesh, who is also an MLA. On Sunday, the Kerala government constituted an SIT, comprising top IPS officers, to probe the claims. On demands by BJP and Congress workers seeking Mukeshs resignation as legislator, state finance minister KN Balagopal said: These protests are political in nature. They must be seen that way. The party is not under any kind of duress over this issue. There is a clear procedure being followed and we dont need to make any pre-conceived judgment. Meanwhile, the directors union of Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), in its first public statement, described the Hema panel report as a blueprint for the film industry and demanded that the names of the perpetrators in the document be made public. Kolkata doctor rape-murder case live updates: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addresses the gathering during the 27th foundation day of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), at Mayor Road, in Kolkata on Wednesday. (ANI Photo) (Sudipta Banerjee) Kolkata doctor rape-murder case highlights: Normal life was partially disrupted across West Bengal on Wednesday due to a 12-hour Bangla Bandh called by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Police detained 64 people across the state, including several BJP leaders and workers for trying to enforce the bandh on the road, as the ruling Trinamool Congress had asked people and establishments to refrain from it....Read More State BJP leadership claimed the bandh was a success and wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The TMC claimed the strike did not have much impact. On Wednesday, President Droupadi Murmu reacted to the rape and murder of a female doctor for the first time. Writing that enough is enough, she asked the country to counter the mindset that sees women as less capable and also noted the incident was part of a long list of crimes against women in the country. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee's cabinet approved a proposal to introduce a new Bill in the state assembly next week, aimed at preventing rape and ensuring stricter punishments for such crimes. The West Bengal Junior Doctors Forum rejected her call to resume their duties. The agitating junior doctors in West Bengal, who have been continuing ceasework for 20 days to protest against the alleged rape and murder of a medic, rejected Banerjee's appeal to join duty. A member of the West Bengal Junior Doctors Forum said they would not withdraw the agitation unless their demands, such as justice for the deceased postgraduate trainee of the RG Kar hospital, were met. They also demanded the suspension of Dr Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, from the health services and the same action against the Kolkata police commissioner. Meanwhile, the CBI started polygraph tests on assistant sub-inspector of Kolkata police Anup Dutta, believed to be a close associate of former medical college principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh. The agency will resume its investigation into the rape and murder and also enquire corruption charges against Dr. Ghosh. The ED will also continue its probe into the possibility of money laundering against the former principal. Follow all live updates here Elaborating on why the Indian Medical Association suspended the ex-principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Dr Sandip Ghosh, IMA president Dr RV Ashokan said the disciplinary panel took cognisance of the grievances of the victim's parents. Former RG Kar Medical College principal Sandip Ghosh.(ANI file photo) The IMA chief said the panel took into account the Kolkata rape-murder victim's family's allegation that Ghosh had told them the woman died of a suicide. "Indian Medical Association (IMA) headquarters has suspended the membership of Dr Sandip Ghosh, former Principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and the vice president of the Calcutta IMA branch. A disciplinary committee was formed in the IMA Headquarters which took into cognisance the grievances as expressed by the parents of the victim where they were not able to meet the Head of the institution and were also appalled by the information given to them that their daughter had committed suicide," he said on Thursday. He said several senior members of the doctors' body had written to them saying Dr Ghosh brought disrepute to the whole profession. "These grievances were expressed to the IMA national president and secretary general. Bengal branch of IMA and other associations of doctors had written that the member in question had brought disrepute to the whole profession, taking into cognisance, his membership has been suspended by the disciplinary committee of IMA," Dr Ashokan said. The Supreme Court had also rapped Dr Sandip Ghosh for trying to pass off the rape and murder as a suicide. The CBI has subjected Dr Sandip Ghosh to two rounds of the polygraph test. On Thursday, Sandip Ghosh was again called for questioning by the CBI. "Ghosh appeared before our sleuths for questioning," an official at the central agency said. According to PTI's sources, the former principal of the state-run hospital, where the body of the trainee doctor was recovered on August 9, has already been questioned by the CBI for over 130 hours. A man named Sanjay Roy had been arrested by the Kolkata police for the grisly rape and murder inside the seminar hall of the hospital. The woman had gone there to rest amid her 36-hour-long shift. Roy was also subjected to the test. The Enforcement Directorate has filed a money laundering case to probe alleged financial irregularities at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital during his tenure. With inputs from PTI, ANI The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday intensified its attack on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over her recent remarks against the former's 'Bengal Bandh', comparing her with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee addresses the gathering during the 27th foundation day of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP). The BJP has been protesting against Banerjee and her Bengal government over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Earlier this week, the party launched a massive agitation against Banerjee. The police used tear gas, water cannons and lathi-charge to quell the protest. Later, in her first speech on the rape-murder and the BJP's agitation, Banerjee said, "If you burn Bengal, Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn". Reacting to the remark, Union minister Giriraj Singh said she had not been speaking like a democratic person. "This can't be the language of a democratic person, of a Chief Minister. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un doesn't tolerate his Opposition. Similarly, Mamata Banerjee doesn't tolerate the words of her Opposition," he said. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said that she was insulting protestors and doctors when she had said demanding justice was like causing unrest. Poonawala further said that nobody was safe in West Bengal except criminals. What did Mamata Banerjee say? On Wednesday, in response to BJP's 12-hour long 'Bengal Bandh' call, Mamata Banerjee claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was using his party to cause a fire in Bengal over the Kolkata doctor rape and murder. "Some people think this is Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh; they speak like us and share our culture. But remember, Bangladesh is a separate country, and India is a separate country. Modi Babu is using his party to cause fire here. If you burn Bengal, Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn! We will topple your chair," she said. With inputs from PTI, ANI Kolkata rape case: The Bharatiya Janata Party has hit out at West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly threatening protesting doctors and northeastern states during a public rally at Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) foundation day on Wednesday. From left: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and her Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma. West Bengal BJP state president and Union minister of state Sukanta Majumdar condemned Mamata Banerjees remarks as unprecedented and threatening and shot off a letter to Union home minister Amit Shah stating that she no longer deserves to hold such an important position. It is unthinkable and unprecedented for a chief minister, who is constitutionally bound to rise above partisan attitudes, to make such intimidating statements that pose a threat to democracy, Sukanta Majumdar told reporters. Speaking at the public rally in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee had claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was using the BJP to cause a fire in Bengal over the rape and murder of a 31-year-old woman trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and warned that if you burn Bengal, other states including Assam, northeast, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Delhi too shall burn and your chair will be toppled. Some people think this is Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh; they speak like us and share our culture. But remember, Bangladesh is a separate country, and India is a separate country. Modi Babu is using his party to cause fire here. If you burn Bengal, Assam, northeast, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn! We will topple your chair, Mamata Banerjee said. The rape and murder of the Kolkata trainee doctor on August 9 has sparked outrage all over the country. The incident shook the entire nation, and since then several protests have been staged demanding justice for the victim. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi on Wednesday alleged that Mamata Banerjee straight away threatened doctors with her statement of not regsitering FIRs against protesting doctors. The BJP MP also criticised the police action on the protestors as he dubbed the the Trinamool Congress chief's statement as a new strategy to threaten doctors. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, the BJP leader hit out at the Bengal chief minister saying the issue of justice for this victim is not an election issue. How dare you threaten Assam: Himanta to Mamata Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also hit out at his West Bengal counterpart for allegedly threatening the northeastern state with unrest. He claimed that Mamata Banerjee was trying to provoke the public to hide her own failures. Didi, how dare you threaten Assam? Dont show your anger to us, Himanta Sarma wrote on X, sharing a 46-second video clip of a speech by the West Bengal CM. Dont even try to incite India with your politics of failure. It does not suit you to speak divisive language, Sarma added. Assam minister Pijush Hazarika strongly condemned the Bengal chief minister for her comments. She can't bully, she can't threaten us. She can't control law and order in her state and is threatening us. It will not happen in Assam, I am assuring you, Hazarika said. Hazarika further expressed his disapproval of Banerjee's approach, urging her to adhere to decorum befitting her long tenure as a chief minister. I would like to request Mamata Banerjee, she is a very senior leader and a long-time CM, she should know how to speak in public. I seriously condemn it, news agency ANI quoted Hazarika as saying. Manipur CM reacts Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh also lashed out at the Bengal CM. How dare Didi threaten the Northeast? I condemn such irresponsible remarks in the strongest terms. She must publicly apologize to the Northeast and the rest of the nation, Biren Singh wrote on X. @MamataOfficial Ji must immediately stop inciting violence and hatred with divisive politics. It is highly unbecoming of a political leader to issue threats of violence on a public platform, he added. 12-hour Bangla Bandh call Banerjee's rally coincides with the BJP's call for a 12-hour Bangla Bandh on Wednesday, August 28, across West Bengal that aims to highlight the growing frustration within the medical community over the need for improved safety measures and swift justice. On August 27, chaos broke out in the streets of Kolkata with security personnel lobbing tear gas shells, used water cannons and resorted to lathi-charge to disperse protestors on the Howrah Bridge marching towards the West Bengal state secretariat Nabanna, amid the growing protests over the rape-murder incident. (With inputs from PTI, ANI) The parents of the Kolkata doctor who was raped and murdered inside the seminar hall of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 received three calls on the night of the crime from an employee of the hospital, a report said on Thursday. In all three calls, the man refused to divulge what had happened to the 31-year-old woman. Junior doctors take part in a protest rally over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata. (Photo by Samir Jana/ Hindustan Times) In the first call, the assistant superintendent of RG Kar Hospital frantically asked the parents of the woman to come to the hospital. Your daughter is not well. Can you please come to the hospital immediately? he said, per India Today. HT can't independently verify the veracity of the report. When the victim's father asked for more details, the man said she wasn't well and the hospital was admitting her. After the father further pressed the man for information, he said doctors would tell them what happened. He kept insisting that they come to the hospital. The channel reported that in the second call, the caller said her condition was very critical. In the third call, the staff member anxiously told them, "She might have committed suicide or died. The police are here. We are at the hospital, in front of everyone, making this call". The doctor, who was on her 36-hour-long shift, had gone to the seminar hall of the hospital to rest when a man named Sanjay Roy allegedly attacked her. Her autopsy confirmed she was raped and murdered. The police arrested Sanjay Roy on the basis of CCTV footage, which showed him entering the seminar hall at 4.03 am on August 9. Per autopsy, there were 25 internal and external injuries on her body. The Supreme Court had criticised the ex-principal of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, for trying to pass off the murder and rape as a suicide. Residents of Uttarkashi have flagged concerns with the Border Roads Organisations forest clearance application submitted to Union Environment Ministry, for the widening of the Char Dham road through the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone. Residents said conditions recommended by the high powered committee appointed by Supreme Court have been ignored. Residents are particularly concerned that conditions recommended by the Supreme Court appointed high powered committee on the Char Dham project which were referred to in SCs order dated December 14, 2021 in respect of the stretch of around 100 km connecting Uttarkashi to Gangotri and passing through the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone, have been ignored. Also Read: SC allows Centre to widen Char Dham roads in view of security concerns at Indo-China border The SC order referred to the Ravi Chopra headed high powered committees recommendations: that BRO must obtain all requisite clearances from the environment ministry; that road widening should be taken up only after detailed environment impact assessment and application of mitigation measures; that the felling of Deodar trees should be avoided; and that vulnerability evaluations and terrain assessments should be conducted . One of BROs forest clearance applications for the widening of NH-34 between KM 8 (Bhaironghati) to KM 29.300 (Jhalla) under the project , available on the ministrys Parivesh website shows some these discrepancies. The application states that the stretch is not located within a Protected Area or Eco sensitive zone, although the stretch in fact falls within the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone. The application seeks diversion of 41.92 ha of forest land and the details of trees to be felled shows that hundreds of Deodar trees will have to be cleared. Himalayi Nagrik Drishti Manch, a civil society organisation of residents from Uttarkashi and neighbouring areas wrote to the environment ministry on Tuesday raising an alarm over the environmental impact of road widening in the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone. They demanded an immediate cancellation of two forest clearance proposals in violation of the Supreme Courts order and the committees recommendations. Suspend the present Uttarkashi BRO Commanding Officer and Divisional Forest Officer, who are prima facie responsible for misleading the Government of Uttarakhand and the Government of India by giving the above mentioned wrong and misleading information..., the letter said. Details available on Parivesh website suggests that ministry has not yet cleared the application for forest clearance. The ministry did not immediately respond to HTs queries. We have come across the forest clearance aplications that the BRO has made. Firstly, the entire road widening project in the eco-sensitive zone is in violation of the Ravi Chopra committees findings and warnings. Secondly, BRO has claimed these stretches are not in eco-sensitive zone. How is that possible? We also want our road to be in good condition but we do not want further loss of precious forests. This area is extremely prone to landslides. Locals are already suffering. We have met the district magistrate also regarding our concerns, said Pushpa Chauhan, former gram pradhan, Bhatwari and entrepreneur. I have been surveying the stretch from Bhaironghati to Jhala and found many deodar trees have been marked for felling. Other trees have also been marked and these go in the interiors from the roadside. Do we really need to lose so many trees? There will be widespread impact of this on the sensitive ecology of this region, said Deepak Ramola, also resident of Uttarkashi. The last 100 km-long stretch of Char Dham road, which will pass through the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone, will have to adhere to a minimum width of 10m, Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari said on August 7 in Parliament. Also Read: Final stretch of Char Dham near China border to be 10m wide, says Nitin Gadkari Considering the strategic nature of the stretch, since it connects with the India-China border, the road needs to be wide enough to move defence equipment, the minister added, admitting that the stretch is prone to landslides . On compensating for tree loss, Gadkari said, There will be no loss of trees. It is important to understand that this is at the China border. Machinery, trucks need to be able to move on it. This is a very sensitive matter. We will protect the environment, national security and provide ease for pilgrims. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday alleged that a malicious disinformation campaign was unleashed against her over her speech yesterday. She claimed she didn't utter a single word against medical students or their movement against the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. TMC supremo and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee shouts slogans during TMC Chhatra Parishad foundation day celebrations, in Kolkata.(PTI file photo) "I detect a malicious disinformation campaign in some print, electronic and digital media which has been unleashed with reference to a speech that I made in our students' programme yesterday," she said in a long post on X. "Let me most emphatically clarify that I have not uttered a single word against the (medical etc.) students or their movements. I totally support their movement. Their movement is genuine. I never threatened them, as some people are accusing me of doing. This allegation is completely false," she added. She said she spoke against the BJP in her speech because they had been threatening democracy in West Bengal. "I have spoken against the BJP. I have spoken against them because, with the support of the Government of India, they are threatening the democracy in our State and trying to create anarchy. With support from the Centre, they are trying to create lawlessness and I have raised my voice against them," she added. During her speech, Banerjee said she had been very patient during the entire episode. She urged the protesting doctors to return to work. The BJP claimed she had threatened the doctors. "I also clarify that the phrase ("phonsh kara") that I had used in my speech yesterday is a quote from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Deva. The legendary saint had said that occasionally there is need to raise one's voice. When there are crimes and criminal offences, voice of protest has to be raised. My speech on that point was a direct allusion to the great Ramakrishnite saying," she said. On Wednesday, in response to BJP's 12-hour long 'Bengal Bandh' call, Mamata Banerjee claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was using his party to cause a fire in Bengal over the Kolkata doctor rape and murder. "Some people think this is Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh; they speak like us and share our culture. But remember, Bangladesh is a separate country, and India is a separate country. Modi Babu is using his party to cause fire here. If you burn Bengal, Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn! We will topple your chair," she said. Reacting to the remark, the BJP today compared her with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Imphal: Four Manipur police personnel and one other individual were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the arms snatching incident that allegedly took place on Tuesday night at Sekmai Leikinthabi in West Imphal district, officials aware of the matter said. Manipur police recovered arms and ammunition and military fatigues from Sekta Awang Leikai, Imphal East (X/@manipur_police) Officials said that on Tuesday around 8pm, some unknown armed miscreants broke into the farmhouse of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Joykishan Singh located at Sekmai Leikinthabi and, by overpowering three village defence force (VDF) personnel who were securing the farmhouse, snatched three SLR rifles along with four loaded magazines containing 80 live rounds of ammunition. On 27.08.2024, unknown armed miscreants had forcibly snatched 03 (three) rifles and 04 (four) magazines containing 80 (eighty) live ammunition rounds from police personnel at Leikinthabi under Sekmai PS, Imphal West District. In follow up action to the arms snatching case, Manipur Police on 28.08.2024 arrested 04 (four) police personnel and 01 (one) individual in connection with the case, Manipur police posted on X. The arrested individuals have been identified as Meisnam Krishnadas, 57; Maibam Shanjit Singh, 34; Longjam Jayenta Singh, 52; Oinam Banti Singh, 30; and Mainam Bomcha, 45, who is the caretaker of the farmhouse. Police said that a case was registered at Sekmai police station against the accused, and they have been remanded 10 days of custody for further questioning after being produced before the magistrate, said officials. Following the incident, the Manipur police launched a major operation on Wednesday at Sekta Awang Leikai and recovered several arms and ammunition. Manipur police shared the information on X. In follow up to the above incident, today (28.08.2024), in a major operation by Manipur Police, the following arms and ammuntions were recovered at Sekta Awang Leikai, Imphal East03 (three) INSAS Rifles along with 03 (three) magazines, 01 (one) S. Calibre Rifle along with magazine, 01 (one) INSAS LMG Rifle along with magazine, 02 (two) AK-56 Rifles along with 02 (two) magazines, 130 (one hundred and thirty) live ammunition rounds, 02 (two) mobile phones and 09 (nine) miscellaneous items including military fatigues from Sekta Awang Leikai, Imphal East District. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday told the council of ministers that the government will maintain the pace of progress in the coming days. The PM also told his ministers that depending on their performance, he has assured the people of India that the government will continue to work for the people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs the 44th Pragati meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday. (PTI Photo) The PM-led council of ministers held a lengthy discussion on the progress and milestones reached during the first 100 days of this government, even as issues affecting women and time-bound delivery of key policy measures to common people were discussed at length, senior officials said. The meeting, which went on for 5 hours, also saw the PM emphasising on the need to spread public awareness about the new social sector and other initiatives of the government including important infrastructure projects in its third term. The PM also asked ministers to campaign on the key decisions taken by the government to the people. The emphasis on issues affecting women comes in the backdrop of the unprecedented public protests in Kolkata over the gruesome rape and murder of a doctor at the citys reputed RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, bringing the focus back on the lack of safety for women in India. Held at the Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, the council of ministers also took stock of the progress made on the first 100 days agenda of the third term of the BJP-led NDA government, even as measures for the four key sectionswomen, youth, poor and farmers were also discussed. The PM identified these castes as driving forces and the vote on accounts for FY24-25 and the general budget FY24-25 had made significant provisions on these focused areas. Initiatives taken by the government for the social sector also figured prominently in the meeting as some ministers made presentations on the 100-day agenda of the government. Keeping its focus on infrastructure development, the NDA government has approved projects worth more than 2.30 lakh for new railway lines, ports, airports, and industrial smart cities to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Mukesh M, actor and CPI (M) MLA from Kollam, was booked for rape following a complaint by an actress amid allegations surfacing against prominent personalities in the Malayalam film industry. Actor and CPI(M) MLA from Kollam, Mukesh M has been charged with rape after a complaint was filed by an actress.(@mukeshcineactor - Mukesh M/Instagram) The actress alleged that the abuse had caused her to leave the Malayalam film industry and relocate to Chennai. Denying all allegations Mukesh M stated that the actress had tried to blackmail him and termed the case as politically motivated. The woman had accused actors Mukesh M, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu of verbal and physical abuse during their work together on films. She made the allegations on her Facebook page initially, with incidents dating back to 2013. "I am writing to report a series of incidents of physical and verbal abuse I suffered at the hands of Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Babu, Jayasurya, Advocate Chandrasekharan, production controller Noble and Vichu," she wrote in her post. Mukesh M responded to the allegations in a press release emphasising his innocence in the case. He said that he was being politically targeted, as he had been previously in 2018, and wished to clarify with evidence that the claims against him were untrue. Also Read: Five more actors in the dock over sexual abuse in Malayalam film industry "In response to the allegations raised against me and other film industry colleagues, I welcome the ongoing investigations. A fair and transparent inquiry is crucial to uncover the truth behind the accusations being discussed in the public domain," he said. Mukesh claimed that the woman actor had attempted to blackmail him and sought financial aid from him. Also Read: Malayalam actress Minu Muneer accuses prominent stars of sexual harassment The Kerala Police told news agency ANI on Thursday that an FIR had also been filed against actor Jayasurya on the basis of a complaint by Muneer under section 354 of the BNS which deals with intent to outrage modesty. They added that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had taken the statement of the actress on Wednesday. Recounting her experiences, the actress told ANI, Once, as I was coming out from the toilet, Jayasurya hugged me from behind and even kissed me forcefully... After that, Idavela Babu expressed his interest in a sexual relationship with me. She also detailed interactions with Maniyanpilla Raju where he inappropriately made suggestions regarding her hotel accommodation. The allegations against Mukesh M and Jayasurya have emerged amidst the release of a redacted version of the Justice Hema committee report which identified the harassment and exploitation rampant in the Malayalam film industry. The report highlights the power nexus consisting of male figures within the industry and their control over its operations and opportunities. Director Ranjith and actor Siddique also recently resigned from their positions in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), following separate accusations against them. The AMMA has been dissolved temporarily in light of the allegations faced by several prominent figures. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced the formation of a SIT in response to growing public outrage and media scrutiny. In an official press release the chief minister said, In light of recent interviews and statements from several women in the Malayalam film industry detailing the hardships they have faced, we have convened a meeting with senior police officials to ensure a thorough investigation. Monsoon continues to remain unusually active over northwest India during August and the pattern is likely to resume in the first week of September too, meteorologists said. n August, there was 15.9% excess rainfall over the country with 31.4% excess over northwest India. (File photo) A deep depression over Saurashtra has caused severe flooding over parts of Gujarat, a low-pressure system over east India brought heavy rains to eastern states while Delhi-NCR also received spells of heavy rainfall mainly due to the monsoon trough being located near Delhi. Since June 1, there is 7% excess rain over the country with 17% excess over central India; 2% excess over northwest India; 18% over peninsular India with 11% deficiency over east and northeast India. In August, there was 15.9% excess rainfall over the country with 31.4% excess over northwest India; 7.2% excess over east and northeast India; 17.2% excess over central India and 1.3% deficiency over peninsular India. Also Read: Monsoon active with 2 intense systems; heavy rain expected in parts of India Over northwest India, there is 76% excess rain since June 1; 39% excess over east Rajasthan; 27% deficiency over Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh; 29% deficiency over Punjab; 22% deficiency over Himachal Pradesh and 16% deficiency over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi subdivision. Gujarat depression to become cyclone over Arabian Sea The deep depression over Saurashtra and Kutch likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm Asna over northeast Arabian Sea on Friday. Extremely heavy rainfall is likely to continue at isolated places of Saurashtra and Kutch till Friday and decrease thereafter. The deep depression which has been sustaining for a few days over Saurashtra will find even more favourable conditions to intensify into a cyclone over Arabian Sea. It will get energy from the ocean and get refuelled. The wind shear is low. The Madden Julian Oscillation is in a favourable position. Circumstances are favourable for intensification over Arabian Sea, said a senior official of India Meteorological Department (IMD). It is unusual that a system emerges over land and becomes a cyclone after it enters the ocean, but this has happened twice in the past including a depression that emerged over Saurashtra and became a cyclone over Arabian Sea, the official said. The deep depression is expected to move west-southwestwards, emerge into northeast Arabian Sea off Kachchh and adjoining Saurashtra and Pakistan coasts and intensify into a cyclonic storm on Friday. Thereafter, it would continue to move nearly west-southwestwards over northeast Arabian Sea away from Indian coast during the subsequent two days. More rain from September 1 over NW India The low-pressure over central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal is likely to cause very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall likely over Odisha, Coastal Karnataka, Kerala and Mahe and Heavy to very heavy rainfall over North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha and Telangana during next 2-3 days. Between Wednesday and Thursday, heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy rain was recorded Saurashtra and Kutch and Heavy rainfall at isolated places over Odisha, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Maharashtra, Gujarat region, Coastal Karnataka, Kerala and South Interior Karnataka. More rain is expected over northwest India including Delhi-NCR from Saturday onwards. Rain will reduce over the next two days over northwest India. But rain will pick up again from September 1 when the monsoon trough shifts again to its normal position. It has shifted to the south of its normal position now. We can also expect isolated heavy to very heavy rain over the region on September 2 and 3, said Mahesh Palawat, vice president, climate and meteorology at Skymet Weather. IMD had issued a yellow category alert for Delhi for Thursday which implies that agencies should watch but rainfall on Thursday in Delhi was in heavy category. The low-pressure area will travel west-northwestwards and become more marked over westcentral and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal by 30 August. Thereafter, while moving towards north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts, it is likely to intensify into a depression over westcentral and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal during subsequent 2 days, IMD warned. This is likely to cause very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall (12.5cm to over 20cm) likely over Odisha, Coastal Karnataka, Kerala, Mahe and Heavy to very heavy rainfall over North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha and Telangana during next 2-3 days. Monsoon is in extremely active condition over the country. There are two weather systems -- over Rajasthan and Gangetic West Bengal. Already, there is extremely heavy rain over Gujarat already. Very heavy rain will continue over the region. East India will also get very heavy rain. Delhi NCR, Haryana, Punjab are expected to record sporadic rain and thundershowers during the week. Rainfall will increase, M Mohapatra, director general, IMD had said last week. A man was arrested in Mumbai for allegedly raping his nine-year-old daughter, news agency ANI reported citing police on Wednesday. The police said the incident was reported recently after the girl disclosed the abuse to her mother. A man was arrested in Mumbai for allegedly raping his 9-year-old daughter According to the Mumbai Police, though the incident occurred in June, the complaint was launched in Dindoshi station by only recently as the girl had not told anyone before. In June, the accused raped his daughter when no one was home and threatened her not to tell anyone. Recently, the girl narrated the incident to her mother. The mother took her daughter to the nearby Dindoshi Police Station and lodged a complaint against the accused husband, The Mumbai Police said. A case was registered against the accused father under the sections 65(2), 68(A) of the BNS and sections 4,10,12 of POCSO. The man was arrested and was remanded in police custody until August 30 by the court. Further investigation is underway. Earlier this month, two four-year-old girls were allegedly sexually abused at a school in Maharashtra's Badlapur. The incident triggered massive protests, leading the Maharashtra government to form a Special Investigation Team to look into the allegations. The accused, a male attendant at school, was sent to judicial custody for 14 days on Monday by a Kalyan court. Amid mounting pressure and outrage against the brutal incident, the Supreme Court will also consider a plea in September on the security of children in schools. Another similar incident took place in Badlapur on August 27, where a man who allegedly raped and physically abused his teenage daughter, fled after the girl lodged a complaint against him. The police have currently launched an operation to trace the accused. Amid growing speculations over who will be the Congress's chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, senior party leader and Lok Sabha member Kumari Selja asserted that the final decision will rest with the party's high command. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Kumari Selja seen outside Parliament House.(ANI) It is my wish (to contest the Haryana assembly elections) but the final decision will be of party high command, Congress MP Kumari Selja said a day after the Congress told its MPs that they will not be allowed to contest the Haryana Assembly polls. Being a true soldier of the Congress, I can tell you that the one who gets the blessings of the high command becomes the chief minister. There may be many contenders but the final approval will be of the high command, Selja told ANI. Also Read | Campaign video featuring children: Haryana BJP gets poll code violation notice The Congress is grappling with positioning among its senior leaders, all vying for prominence in the electoral fray. Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, his son Deepender Hooda, Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala are seen by many as the contenders for the top job. While Selja and Deepender Hooda are members of the Lok Sabha, Surjewala is a member of the Rajya Sabha. Bhupinder Hooda is the leader of the opposition in the Haryana Assembly. Also Read | JJP to contest 70 seats, ASP 20 under Haryana poll pact Despite the Congress's attempts to maintain a collective leadership approach, the jockeying for the chief ministerial position has created an undercurrent of competition among the partys senior leaders in the state. What Congress said on MPs contesting Assembly elections Earlier in the day, Congress General Secretary in charge of Haryana, Deepak Babaria, hinted at a possibility that members of Parliament who wish to be considered for the chief ministerial role could "throw their hat in the ring" after the elections, provided they have the backing of the legislature party. I am sure no MPs will be contesting the assembly elections. They are already MPs and anybody who wants to be the CM face, they can throw their hat in the ring post-election results provided they have the support of the legislature party. The Election Commission earlier this month announced that polls for the 90-member Haryana Assembly will be held on October 1 and the results declared on October 4. The Congress is looking to unseat the BJP and return to power after sitting 10 years in the opposition. Following the death of eight people and injuries to at least 15 others in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich, the district forest department launched Operation Bhediya to capture the pack of wolves responsible for these attacks. So far, four wolves have been caught, and officials have indicated that two are still at large, with efforts underway to capture them as well. On Thursday, forest officials captured one wolf and transferred it to a shelter home. The latest wolf captured under 'Operation Bhediya' was transferred to the shelter home on Thursday.(ANI) For a long time there was the terror of wolves here... Today we have caught a wolf... We will transfer it to the zoo... So far 4 wolves have been caught. There are 2 wolves left, preparations are being made to catch them, Renu Singh (Chief Forest Conservator Central Zone) was quoted as saying by ANI. A video shared by the news agency ANI and sourced from the Bahraich forest department showed the captured wolf being transferred to the shelter home. Operation Bhediya Under Operation Bhediya, the Bahraich forest department deployed drone cameras and thermal mapping technology to track and capture the wolves. As per an official statement, chief minister Yogi Adityanath is closely overseeing the operation, while forest minister Arun Saxena visited the affected district on Wednesday to meet with the families of the victims. During his visit to several villages, Saxena assured residents that the Forest Department was trying to capture the wolves and ensure public safety. The district administration has provided an ex-gratia payment of 5 lakh each to the kin of four deceased individuals. Payments to the families of the remaining victims will be processed soon, the statement said. The minister assured that the department is on high alert and is doing everything possible to capture the remaining wolves. He advised people to avoid sleeping outdoors at night, keep children inside, and securely lock their doors. Additionally, he recommended that residents move in groups and carry sticks for protection when going outside. On Wednesday night, a Bahraich police official said, Drones, nets, and cages are being used to catch the wolves. We are continuously trying to catch the wolves... We are ensuring that no untoward incident takes place anywhere... 8 people have lost their lives and 15 others are injured. Although four wolves have been captured so far, an official quoted by PTI on Wednesday mentioned that the exact number of wolves in the area is still uncertain. Principal chief forest conservator (Wildlife) Sanjay Srivastava said, "We have deployed 16 teams to capture the wolves, and 12 district-level officers are also stationed here. Additional principal chief forest Conservator Renu Singh will remain on-site until the remaining wolves are captured." According to an official statement, the Chief Wildlife Warden has granted permission to tranquillize the wolves. District Magistrate Monika Rani said doors are being installed in homes that lack them, and night patrols are being conducted in all villages. She added that ASHA workers have been tasked with raising awareness among residents. Officials noted that in a series of attacks over the past 45 days, six children and a woman were among the eight people killed by a pack of wolves in various villages of Mehsi tehsil. (With ANI, PTI inputs) Pakistan has formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisations Council of Heads of Government meeting scheduled in Islamabad in October, the foreign office spokesperson said. PM Narendra Modi and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Pakistan will be hosting the two-day SCO Heads of Governments Meeting in October as it currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG). Invitations have been sent to the heads of countries to participate in the meeting which will take place on October 15-16. An invitation has also been sent to the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi (too), foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told the weekly press briefing. While some countries have already confirmed their participation in the SCO meeting, the official list of attendees has not been released. India has not yet responded to the invitation. When asked about ties with India, the spokesperson said, Pakistan does not have direct bilateral trade with India. Last year, India hosted the SCO meeting in a virtual format and invited Pakistan to attend. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the meeting through a video link. However, Pakistan's then foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited India in May 2023 to attend the in-person two-day meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers in Goa, becoming the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India in almost 12 years. Earlier, speculations were rife that India had rejected the invitation to the SCO meeting. However, the Ministry of External Affairs reportedly denied these reports in an official statement. We have noticed several outlets are running news that the PM wont attend a SCO meeting in Pakistan or EAM will attend a SCO meeting in Pakistan. MEA hasnt commented on this matter and would request speculative news in this regard be avoided, Indian Express quoted an MEA official as saying. Tensions between India and Pakistan have remained high over the last few years, primarily over cross-border terrorism and the Kashmir issue. India has often expressed its desires for normalcy between the two nation, urging Islamabad to create a terror-free environment. (With inputs from PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Maharashtra on Friday, where he will launch projects worth more than 76,000 crore in Palghar and address the Global Fintech Fest 2024 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI Photo) According to a statement issued by the prime minister's office (PMO), Modis visit will start in Mumbai in the morning. Later in the day, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various development projects at CIDCO ground, Palghar. In Mumbai PM Modi will first address a Special Session at the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 in Mumbai, which is being jointly organised by the Payments Council of India, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and the Fintech Convergence Council. The conference will feature around 800 speakers, including policymakers, regulators, senior bankers, industry leaders, and academicians from India and abroad, who will participate in over 350 sessions. GFF 2024 will also highlight the latest innovations in the fintech sector, with the launch of over 20 thought leadership reports and white papers providing insights and detailed industry information. All about projects in Palghar - According to the statement issued by the prime minister's office (PMO), the projects to be launched in Palghar aim to establish a world-class maritime gateway to boost trade and economic growth by accommodating large container vessels, offering deeper drafts, and handling ultra-large cargo ships. - Vadhvan Port, near Dahanu town in Palghar, will become one of Indias largest deep-water ports, providing direct connectivity to international shipping routes, which will reduce transit times and costs. The port will have advanced technology, deep berths, efficient cargo handling, and modern port management systems, significantly enhancing Indias maritime connectivity. Vadhvan Port is expected to create employment, stimulate local businesses, and contribute to the region's economic development, with sustainable practices to minimise environmental impact, the PMO said. - PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for 218 fisheries projects worth around 1,560 crores, enhancing infrastructure and productivity in the fisheries sector nationwide. These fisheries projects are projected to generate over five lakh jobs in the sector, providing critical infrastructure and inputs to boost fish production and post-harvest management. - The prime minister will also launch the National Rollout of the Vessel Communication and Support system, which will cost around 360 crores and see 1 lakh transponders installed on fishing vessels in 13 coastal states and UTs. Developed by ISRO, this communication system will enhance safety, provide two-way communication for fishermen at sea, and assist in rescue operations. - Other initiatives include developing fishing harbours and Integrated Aquaparks and implementing advanced technologies like Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems and Biofloc to improve fisheries productivity. - Modi will also lay the foundation for developing and modernizing fishing harbours, fish landing centres, and fish markets, which will improve post-harvest management and hygiene in fish handling. The authorities have put on hold three proposed solar power projects in the eco-sensitive zone of Gujarats Gir National Park, the only habitat for Asiatic lions in India, after wildlife experts and forest officials raised concerns about them, people aware of the matter said. Gir National Park is the only habitat for Asiatic lions in India. (AFP/Representative) An official said a developer sought four lakh square metre of land for building one of the solar parks. ...two solar project developers sought 1 lakh square metres and 50,000 square metres of land in the eco-sensitive zone. The Gir National Park officials gave negative feedback prompting the government to put these proposals on hold. We will not allow such commercial activities, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The official said private companies submitted two proposals and the third one involved a public sector entity. He did not provide details about the generation capacity or investment plans. The three project proposals needed clearance from the forest department, state government, State Wildlife Board, and National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) before implementation. NBWL member H S Singh, an expert on lions, said such large-scale solar projects involve human activity, the laying of transmission lines, and their management. He added they would affect the movement of lions and prey including wild boars, blue bulls, and stray cattle. Large scale projects like these should not be allowed in the Gir eco-sensitive zone. He said an area of 10 km around Gir should be considered an eco-sensitive zone as per a Supreme Court order since the government has not demarcated it. A 2011 Union environment, forest, and climate change ministry notification allowed small renewable energy projects primarily meant for local communities and eco-friendly tourism activities in eco-sensitive zones. It emphasised the importance of regulating activities that could be detrimental to the local ecology. In a statement on July 22 about the development of infrastructure in eco-sensitive zones, the ministry said the purpose of declaring them was to create some kind of shock absorbers for the specialised ecosystems such as protected areas or other natural sites. It added they were meant to act as transition zones from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection. Jalpan Rupapara, a researcher with over two decades of experience in Asiatic lion conservation, wrote to the Gujarat government this month highlighting the potential risks associated with large-scale solar projects in Girs critical areas. He wrote solar power plants would occupy vast tracts of land within the eco-sensitive zone vital for wildlife movement. Rupapara said the construction of solar plants often involves clearing vegetation which adversely affects herbivores and, by extension, their predators. He added solar power plants pose threats to wildlife, particularly the endangered Asiatic lion population. Rupapara noted solar plants are typically fenced off, creating barriers that prevent animal movement. He added this restriction could lead to fragmentation of wildlife populations, potentially resulting in genetic isolation. Obstructing wildlife corridors could lead to inbreeding among lions due to restricted movement, potentially weakening the genetic pool of this already vulnerable species, he wrote. Experts said the proposed projects could also increase the risk of human-wildlife conflict with the disruption in movement across natural habitats. They added there would be a higher likelihood of lions and other wildlife entering human-populated areas. Rupapara wrote that the installation of solar power plants between the Rajula and Savarkundla Taluka borders resulted in a major decline in the lion population. He added the lions in the area became man-eaters, leading to three human deaths within a short period during their construction phase. Rupapara wrote solar plants are generally considered environmentally friendly, but they can be highly detrimental to all types of wildlife. He added wildlife, including lions, leopards, birds, reptiles, and herbivores, can survive to some extent in industrial or mining areas such as Rajula and Jafrabad Talukas as they have open spaces and vegetation. Rupapara wrote large-scale commercial solar plants pose a greater threat to wildlife in eco-sensitive zones than other activities even surpassing the impact of industries and mining. The Asiatic lion population grew 29% from 523 in 2015 to 674 in 2020 when the last census was carried out. They inhabit Gir National Park and surrounding areas across nine districts of Saurashtra. About 300-325 lions were within the 1,412 sq km Gir sanctuary, which includes a 258 sq km national park. The remaining population has expanded beyond protected areas through conducive corridors. New Delhi The Supreme Court on Wednesday hauled up the Maharashtra government for filing an affidavit that seemed to suggest that the top court does not follow the provisions of law, and issued a notice of contempt of court to an IAS officer serving as an additional chief secretary in the state government. The top court issued a notice of contempt of court to an IAS officer serving as an additional chief secretary in the state government. (HT Archive) We prima facie find such averments to be contemptuous in nature, a bench headed by justice BR Gavai said after going through an affidavit filed by Rajesh Kumar, additional chief secretary in the revenue and forest department, in a case where the state was directed to compensate a landowner in Pune for illegally encroaching upon his land and allotting him an alternative plot on forest land. Kumar, in his affidavit, said that the state was willing to compensate the landowner a sum of 48.65 crore and in the alternate was willing to provide land in Pune measuring over 24 acres. This offer was better than the earlier proposal by the state on August 14 to provide monetary compensation of over 37 crore to the affected person. The applicant as well as the court may not approve the fresh calculation made by the Collector, Pune but it is the bounden duty of the state to follow the provisions of law and to arrive at a proper calculation, the affidavit added. Finding this submission not in good taste, the bench, also comprising justices PK Mishra and KV Viswanathan said, The inference that could be drawn is that this court and the applicant (landowner) does not follow the provisions of law. He is an additional chief secretary. What sort of an officer is he? The calculation, to say the least, is based on whimsical calculation. Posting the matter for September 9, the court added: We direct Rajesh Kumar to remain personally present in this court on the next date and show cause why action for committing contempt against this court be not initiated against him. The court pulled up advocate Nishant Katneshwarkar, appearing for the state along with advocate Aaditya Aniruddha Pande, who filed the affidavit as the standing counsel for Maharashtra, for their oversight in clearing the affidavit. You have acted as a postman of your client. Your officer will give you anything and you will file anything. It was your duty to see if this should be filed. The court did not appreciate the conduct of the state for calculating a paltry compensation as per the ready reckoner for land rates prevailing in 1989 after it was informed by senior advocates Dhruv Mehta and Yash Deoraj, appearing for the landowner, that the present market value of the land was 250 crore. Even as per the 2022 ready reckoner of land value, the land belonging to the petitioner at village Pashan in Pune would fetch at least 125 crore. You are not being serious in this matter. On your statement that the matter is being considered at the highest level, we adjourned the matter on August 14. You are lacking total seriousness in the matter. You sought time for a purpose that you do not do. You are taking this court for a ride, the bench remarked. Katneshwarkar told the court that the alternative land being offered to the petitioner has good commercial value. He proposed that the petitioner inspect the land in question along with state officers, and decide whether to take the states offer which is reasonable. But the bench told the state, We are talking about a land where the state is in illegal possession. Dont tell us what is reasonable. It is like you take somebodys land in Lutyens Zone and allot him alternate land in Meerut. This is the reasonableness of the state. Mehta, who appeared for the petitioner, said he will take instructions from his client and decide whether to take the alternative plot after conducting a joint inspection at the site on August 30. The bench was hearing a petition filed by Housabai Haribhau Bhairat, whose predecessor the title over the land was held by Housabais family won a decree of a land measuring over 24 acres in village Pashan in Pune, that was upheld in his favour by the top court in 1985. The land was illegally taken away by the state in 1963 and subsequently allotted to the Centre to set up the Armament Research Development Establishment Institute (ARDEI), a unit under the Union defence ministry. The petitioner fought a legal battle, and the Supreme Court ultimately decided the case in his favour in 1985. Subsequently, the state agreed to grant him alternative land. In 2004, he was allotted land at village Kondhwa Khurd but this was found to be in reserved forest on which no development was possible. As the alternative land was a reserved forest, the matter came before the top court bench hearing the TN Godavarman case relating to protection of forests and wildlife. On July 23, the court expressed its angst over the long wait for justice that the petitioner had to suffer as two generations of the family had died without being able to reap the benefits of the decree of the top court. A structural engineer, who was named in an FIR registered over collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue at Fort Rajkot in Maharashtra's Sindhudurga on Wednesday claimed that he was not the structural consultant for the project and had only worked on the platform. A statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj collapsed on Monday. (PTI Photo) (PTI) Chetan Patil, the structural engineer, spoke to Marathi news channel ABP Majha, after he was named in the FIR along with contractor Jaydeep Apte, saying that he did not have anything to do with the statue. Also Read: Tensions flare as political rivals clash at site of collapsed Shivaji statue in Malvan The engineer said that he had simply submitted the design of the platform to the Indian Navy through the public works department. A Thane-based company did the statue-related work. I was just asked to work on the platform on which the statue was being erected, Patil told the news channel. The 35-foot statue, which was unveiled only nine months before this incident by prime minister Narendra Modi, collapsed on August 26 and has since then ignited outrage. Opposition parties have asked for chief minister Eknath Shinde's resignation ahead of the assembly polls, citing the incident as an insult to the legacy of the 17th century Maratha emperor. The state public works department has alleged that the statue's construction work was of poor quality with its nuts and bolts rusted. Deputy chief minister publicly apologised for the collapse of the statue of the revered figure. Apart from the state government, the Indian navy has also launched a probe and will also be taking steps to restore and repair the statue. The Congress has also asked prime minister Modi if he will apologise for the statue of a respected figure in history, being built in a hurried manner and with low quality. Congress' general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, shared a video on X in which former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru is seen inaugurating a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Pratapgad on November 30, 1957. "67 years later, the statue still stands tall and undamaged," Ramesh said in a clear jibe to PM Modi and the Maharashtra state government. The Indian Navy on Thursday said it conceptualised and steered the project of installing the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs statue, which collapsed in Maharashtras Malvan this week, in coordination with the state government which also provided funding for it. Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse: A statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, erected by the Navy and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, collapses at Rajkot Fort, in Malvan.(PTI) The Indian Navy said, in a statement, it remains committed to assisting in all measures to repair, restore and reinstate the statue at the earliest. A joint technical committee headed by Indian Navy officials, representatives of the state government and technical experts is being formed to probe the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs statue in Malvan, it said. Late on Wednesday night, chief minister Eknath Shinde held a meeting of top officials of the state government and the Indian Navy. The Statue was unveiled on 04 Dec 2023 as part of the Navy Day celebrations conducted, for the first time, in Sindhudurg, aimed at honouring the legacy of the Maratha Navy and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj towards maritime defense and security, and its historical linkage with the modern Indian Navy. The project was conceptualised and steered by the Indian Navy, in coordination with the state govt which also provided funding for it, the statement noted. Apart from the Maharashtra Police, the Indian Navy has also launched its own probe and promised steps to restore and repair the statue. Who is responsible? Chetan Patil, a structural engineer named in the FIR related to the incident claimed that he worked only on the base platform and not the actual statue. Patil has been named in the FIR along with the contractor Jaydeep Apte. Elaborating on the incident, the state Public Works Department (PWD) claimed that the Indian Navy was in a great hurry to complete the statue before its slated inauguration on the Navy Day function on December 4, 2023. The incident has sparked a political controversy as the opposition parties accuse the Mahayuti coalition government of 'insulting' Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. They have asked for Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's resignation ahead of the assembly polls later this year. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday alleged that the statue collapsed because of corruption during its construction. He wondered who received the commission from contractors. He also demanded the resignation of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar over the massive controversy. Smriti Irani of the Bharatiya Janata Party claimed that her political rival Rahul Gandhi of the Congress believes he has experienced success and is now adopting a new approach to political maneuvering. Former Union minister Smriti Irani and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. In a recent podcast, the former Union minister said, When he (Rahul Gandhi) talks about caste, when he wears a white T-shirt in Parliament, he's aware of what kind of message it sends to the youth. Smriti Irani also noted that Rahul Gandhi makes calculated moves to target specific demographics. She warned against underestimating his strategies, stating, We shouldnt be mistaken about his actionswhether they seem good, bad, or immaturethey represent a different style of politics. Watch the video here: The former BJP MP from Amethi criticised the Congress's previous attempts at soft Hindutva, such as Rahul Gandhis prominent temple visits during election campaigns. Smriti Irani argued that these efforts failed to connect with voters and were met with skepticism, asserting that Rahul Gandhis recent political success has emerged from moving away from these unsuccessful tactics. Rahul Gandhi did not get any traction from his temple visits. It became the butt of jokes. Some people found it deceitful. So when this strategy did not work, they switched to caste issues to gain traction, Irani said during the podcast. Smriti Irani, Rahul Gandhi are old rivals Smriti Irani and Rahul Gandhi have had a contentious relationship, marked by political clashes and public exchanges. The rivalry intensified in 2014 when Irani stood against Gandhi in the Lok Sabha elections in the Amethi constituency, a stronghold of the Gandhi family. Although she lost in 2014, she secured a win in subsequent elections in 2019, when she was hailed as a giant slayer for defeating Rahul Gandhi. In July, Rahul Gandhi slammed the use of derogatory language against Smriti Irani, or any other political figure and called for a respectful discourse. His appeal follows a series of personal attacks on Irani as she vacated her official residence after her recent electoral defeat. Amid the backlash, Gandhi took to X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, highlighting the importance of respectful dialogue. The Supreme Court on Thursday strong exception to comments made by Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy regarding the bail granted to BRS leader K Kavitha in connection with the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy had raised doubts over MLC Kavitha getting bail in five months when Manish Sisodia got it after 15 months. (PTI Photo) Reddy had publicly questioned why Kavitha received bail after just five months, while others, like AAP leader Manish Sisodia, had been denied bail for longer periods. "It is a fact that BRS worked for the victory of the BJP in the 2024 LS polls. There is also talk that Kavitha got bail because of the deal between BRS and BJP," the Telangana chief minister had alleged during an interaction with mediapersons. Also Read | KTR welcomes bail to K Kavitha; Congress, BJP engage in row over nexus with BRS What Supreme Court said on Telangana CM's remarks Irked by Reddy's comments, the top court said it might create apprehensions in the minds of the people towards the judiciary. Have you read in the newspaper what he said? Just read what he has stated. What sort of statement is this by a responsible chief minister. That might rightly create apprehension in the minds of people. Is this a kind of statement which should be made by a chief minister. A constitutional functionary is speaking in this manner? a three-judge bench headed by Justice B R Gavai told senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Reddy. "Why should they drag court in political rivalry? Do we pass orders on consultations with political parties. We are not bothered by politicians or if anybody criticises our orders. We do our duty as per conscience and oath," the bench added. Also Read | BRS leader K Kavitha walks out of jail after getting bail in Delhi excise policy case The apex court said it is a fundamental duty to have mutual respect for institutions and maintain arm's distance. "We always say we will not interfere in the legislature, then that is expected from them also. Do we pass orders on political considerations?" the bench also comprising Justices P K Mishra and K V Viswanathan observed. The top court was hearing a petition seeking transfer of the trial from Telangana to Bhopal in the 2015 cash-for-vote scam case, in which Reddy is an accused. With PTI inputs Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday alleged that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg collapsed because of corruption during its construction. He wondered who received the commission from contractors. He also demanded the resignation of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar over the massive controversy. Malvan: A statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, erected by the Navy and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, collapses at Rajkot Fort, in Malvan.(PTI file photo) "There has been corruption, this is a very serious issue. The statue collapsed due to this (corruption). Who has taken how much commission? Ajit Pawar has said that he will do agitation... What will be achieved through it? He should resign," he said. The statue of the Maratha warrior-king at Fort Rajkot in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg collapsed earlier this week. The Maharashtra government said the statue collapsed because of high windspeed. Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said earlier this week that the statue was constructed under the supervision of the Indian Navy. He said those supervising the construction of the statue might not have taken the weather conditions into account. He promised that the state government would construct a bigger statue at the same spot. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a structural engineer who was named in the FIR claimed he wasn't the structural consultant and had worked only on the platform. A Thane-based company did the statue-related work. I was just asked to work on the platform on which the statue was being erected, Chetan Patil told ABP. The 35-foot statue had been unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December last year. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh shared a video of former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurating a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Pratapgad on November 30, 1957. "67 years later, the statue still stands tall and undamaged," he said in a jibe at the BJP. With inputs from PTI, ANI Method dressing has been all the rage this year, which was officially kicked off by Margot Robbies immaculate PR run for Barbie, in 2023. So far, we have witnessed some genius fashion moments ranging from Zendayas sporty chic looks for the Challengers press events to Blake Livelys Lily Bloom-inspired floral fits while promoting It Ends With Us. Now it is our five-foot edgy goth queen, Jenna Ortegas turn to stun us, with the press tour for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice underway, and clearly, our girl and her longtime stylist, Enrique Melendez are taking it very seriously. Jenna Ortega is another actor in recent times who indulged in method dressing for the movie press tours. (Instagram) ALSO READ: Blake Lively's take on method dressing as she goes floral overload with her It Ends With Us promotional tour outfits The Wednesday star is known for her goth-girl aesthetic, with her stunning looks at several red-carpet events, including the Met Gala and she devours, leaving no crumbs every time! The star-studded cast of the sequel to the original 1988 film, Beetlejuice, including Winona Ryder, Catherine OHara, Michael Keaton, and of course, Jenna Ortega started the press tour in Mexico, and have been making their rounds in NYC. For Tim Burtons latest flick, Ortega has chosen to pay subtle homage to the 1988 original and its characters, donning custom pieces from labels like Vivienne Westwood and Thom Browne. The Beetlejuice aesthetic is all about a dark-romantic, gothic fashion vibe, made popular by Aggie Guerard Rodgers Burton, the costume designer of the original film. Jenna Ortega, who plays Astrid Deetz, the misunderstood teenage daughter of Winona Ryders Lydia Deetz, has been carrying forward the sartorial mood, going heavy on pinstripes, structured corsets, and black-and-white monotones. Here are some of her most eye-catching looks which prove that our resident goth girl has mastered the art of method dressing. ALSO READ: From Shraddha Kapoor for Stree 2 to Blake Lively for It Ends With Us: Method dressing is back with a vengeance Cobweb mini dress Jenna Ortega officially kicked off the press tour in Mexico City on August 13, donning a Vivienne Westwood archival midi dress, with black pleather details reminiscent of slithering eels, and cobweb-like organza draping, a nod to Beetlejuices underworld lair. Additionally, the dress was paired with custom snakeskin platform Mary-Janes from Steve Madden, inspired by a snake from the original movie. Shrunken-head dress For a fan event in Mexico City on August 14, the actress chose a strapless, teal leather dress from Lurline, featuring a molded skull bodice and braided details along the skirt. The leather corset and skirt feature subtle Bob shrunken head details, with draped waves that mimic the characters wrinkled appearance, stated Lurline founders Sarah and Siham Albinali. Wednesday-inspired outfit Ortega channeled Morticia Addams on August 17, stunning the NYC streets in a black pinstriped skirt suit from Dolce & Gabbana, a nod to her work in Netflixs Wednesday. Dainty lace maxi skirt dress On the same day, she stepped out in another outstanding all-black Dolce & Gabbana fit a lace maxi-skirt paired with a cropped blazer. 80s nostalgic twist Keeping the pinstripes alive, Jenna decided to stun New York again, in a grey and black Vivienne Westwood corset skirt and a matching cropped tuxedo jacket. The sheer, striped tights brought the whole ensemble together, giving an 80s spin to it. Throwback to 1988 Beetlejuice Recreating one of Lydia Deetzs iconic looks from the original movie, where Winona Ryder dances to Harry Belafontes Jump in the Line, Ortega donned a custom Thom Browne long-sleeved, cropped navy cardigan, paired with a green plaid, pleated midi-skirt. Adding more easter eggs, the outfit was accessorized with a brown top-handle bag that says, Handbag for the Recently Deceased, referencing the Handbook of the Recently Deceased from the 1988 original. Silver chain dress The Beetlejuice Beetlejuice star appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on August 19, in a custom Dion Lee ensemble, inspired by their 2024 Fall collection. The outfit included a glove-sleeved corset top, embellished with silver chains and a matching mini-skirt, again, giving spider webs. Tim Burtons highly anticipated Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which follows the Deetz familys return to Winter River, will debut in theatres on September 6, starring Jenna Ortega, Michael Keaton, Catherine OHara, Geena Davis, and Winona Ryder. Jenna Ortega is also filming the second season of the Netflix show, Wednesday, where she will be starring as Wednesday Addams, while also working as one of the shows producers. To boost housing sales in the state, the Maharashtra government may consider real estate developers' demand for granting more concessions on registration and stamp duty charges, said Atul Save, minister of housing, government of Maharashtra at the third edition of The Real Estate Forum 2024 organised by National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), an apex body of real estate developers, in Mumbai on August 29. To boost housing sales in the state, the Maharashtra government may consider real estate developers' demand for granting more concessions on registration and stamp duty charges, said Atul Save, minister of housing, government of Maharashtra at the Naredco event "Naredco Maharashtra, on behalf of its developer members, have requested for further concessions in stamp duty and registration of housing properties in order to boost housing sales. The government will think about granting any such further concessions," he said. On the Central government's push for affordable housing and Housing for All initiative, Save said that the state government had already given one percent reduction on registration to women who wanted to buy a residential property. We will also think of what other concessions for registration could we extend," he said, adding suggestions emanating from the NAREDCO Maharashtras real estate forum would be considered in the new housing policy. Save also asked real estate developers to come forward and invest in building 1.25 lakh houses for mill workers in Mumbai. "We have announced reduction in the cost of MHADA houses on declared price with respect to the surplus tenements received under Sections 33(5) and 33(7) only. MHADA has a stock of 2000 houses and we have received 30,000 applications," he said. Read More: Mumbais housing sales expected to surpass 1.34 lakh crore in 2024, may touch the 2 lakh crore mark by 2030 On NAREDCO's submission about lesser pricing of MHADA houses in Pune, he promised that the matter would be put up for discussion in the MHADA Board. He also said that real estate developers should come forward to build 1.25 lakh houses for mill workers in Mumbai. The Maharashtra government has identified 1.5 lakh mill workers who will be allotted homes of above 200 sq ft. These workers had lost their homes after closure of mills in Mumbai in the 1980s. Around 20,000 mill workers have already been allotted homes. The Maharashtra government had in 2020 announced subsidised housing for mill workers. It had slashed prices of homes being offered to mill workers to 9.5 lakh instead of the proposed 18 lakh. Prices of homes under MHADA lottery 2024 slashed "We have announced reduction in the cost of MHADA houses on declared price with respect to the surplus tenements received under Sections 33(5) and 33(7). MHADA has a stock of 2000 houses and we have received 30,000 applications," Save said. The MHADA on August 28 announced reduction in prices of 370 affordable homes, that are part of the ongoing housing lottery, by 10% to 25%. As many as 2,030 apartments are on sale in prime locations in Mumbai such as Malad, Powai, Vikhroli, Goregaon and Wadala. Read More: MHADA slashes prices of 370 affordable homes in Mumbai by 10% to 25%, extends registration deadline to September 19 MHADA has also decided to extend the registration deadline to September 19. The application process for the ongoing lottery was earlier scheduled to close on September 4. The authority received several representations for the housing draw and has decided to decrease the prices to ensure that maximum number of buyers can afford a house, Maharashtra Housing Minister Atul Save had said on August 28. Valsa Singh Nair, additional chief secretary, Housing Department, Government of Maharashtra said at the Naredco event that the government will soon introduce new policies such as Amnesty scheme for stalled SRA projects and the new PAP Policy for timely completion of redevelopment projects. Prashant Sharma, president, NAREDCO Maharashtra, commented on the recent developments and challenges being faced by the housing sector. Mumbai and Pune accounted for nearly 54% of new launches last year. This surge is driven by rising incomes, economic development, demographic benefits, and supportive government policies. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana aims to add three crore houses nationwide, while Maharashtra's major redevelopment projects, including the Dharavi Redevelopment Scheme, are pushing progress forward, he said at the event. Also Read: CIDCO lottery 2024: More than 900 affordable homes in the range of 26 lakh to 2 crore for sale in Navi Mumbai Despite this growth, rising housing prices are creating affordability challenges. To maintain competitiveness and attract investment, it is crucial to review and adjust government fees and limits, as current premiums are deterring developers from taking on redevelopment projects, he added. Niranjan Hiranandani, chairman, NAREDCO asked the state government authorities to allocate 5,000 slum redevelopment projects to the industry body. He said, This initiative is a significant step towards strengthening Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and redefining the landscape of Mumbai's real estate sector. By spearheading this endeavor, NAREDCO aims to play a pivotal role in transforming Mumbai into a slum-free city, setting a benchmark for urban redevelopment and inclusive growth. At the first session Maha/Urban Revolution @2047: Government policies driving real estate, Bhushan Gagrani, Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), said that Mumbai has almost achieved 300 kilometers of metro lines, a significant achievement when compared to Londons historical network. This progress is a result of concerted efforts from the BMC, MMRDA, MSRDC, and the private sector. As we continue to advance, it is vital that these developments are complemented by active citizen participation to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for Mumbai, he said. YouTubers Dhruv Rathee and Gaurav Taneja are again at odds, this time over the Uttar Pradesh governments new social media policy under which influencers can earn as much as 8 lakh a month for promoting the government. YouTubers Gaurav Taneja (left) and Dhruv Rathee (right).(Facebook/@flyingbeast320 and X/@dhruv_rathee) Dhruv Rathee, 29, slammed the policy in no uncertain terms, calling it misuse of taxpayers money. Uttar Pradesh Govt is saying it will pay up to 8 Lakh to Influencers to promote the government, Rathee wrote on the social media platform X. This is Legalized Bribery. From Tax Payer's Money. Any influencer who does this should be publicly shamed, he added in his now-viral post, which has been viewed over 2 million times. Gaurav Taneja, the 38-year-old IITian and former pilot who turned to social media content creation, hit back at Rathee and offered a starkly different take on the issue. Taneja defended the scheme and asked whether newspapers and TV channels who get paid to run government ads should also be ashamed. Take a look at the exchange below: The contentious exchange sparked a slew of reactions. A party can pay with Electoral Bond Money if they want to promote their party and their propaganda but they want to use hard working taxpayers money for social media influencers in the name of promoting govt schemes. We are against it, one X user wrote. Strange you don't know the difference between Advertisements and Promotion by individuals, another said. This is not the first time that Dhruv Rathee and Gaurav Taneja have engaged in a war of words on social media. In June 2024, the two also clashed over the India vs Bharat debate. UP governments scheme The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved the Uttar Pradesh Digital Media Policy, 2024, under which select influencers will receive state advertisements for promoting UP government schemes on their social media channels. Under this policy, influencers will be paid a maximum of 5 lakh, 4 lakh, 3 lakh and 2 lakh for their accounts on X, Facebook and Instagram. "The category wise maximum payout limit for videos, shorts, podcast payments on YouTube has been fixed at 8 lakh, 7 lakh, 6 lakh and 4 lakh per month respectively," said a press statement. An Elvis Presley gold ring and a letter penned by Beach Boy Brian Wilson are among the rare memorabilia from the worlds of music and films that will be auctioned off this weekend. Nearly 400 objects, including treasures from Prince, Aaliyah, and coffee heiress Abigail Folger, who was murdered by Manson, are part of the "Artifacts of Hollywood & Music" sale presented by Kruse GWS Auctions. Elvis Presley's jewelry and pill bottle are displayed ahead of Artifacts of Hollywood & Music sale by GWS Auctions, in New York City, New York, U.S. August 26, 2024. REUTERS/Christine Kiernan(REUTERS) "This particular auction has some pretty powerful pieces as far as emotional connections for people," auctioneer Brigitte Kruse said. "There is this element of tragedy and icons leaving us way too soon." Among the top lots are several items that belonged to Presley, including a microphone from the performer's Las Vegas residency, a pill bottle marked March 1977, and two unique gold rings, which are estimated to sell for $35,000 to $60,000. (Also Read: Tennessee judge blocks auction of Elvis Presley's iconic Graceland mansion Jewellery owned by Presley, who died in August 1977, is "still proving to be one of the most powerful asset classes on the face of the planet," Kruse said. Another highlight is a handwritten letter by Wilson to Beach Boys bandmate and cousin Mike Love, which Kruse said was expected to go for at least $10,000. The online auction will be livestreamed and take place on Saturday, August 31. (Also Read: Elvis Presley's granddaughter files lawsuit against fraudulent auction of iconic Graceland mansion) Earlier, another item from Presley's collection was sold for a hefty amount. The famous blue suede shoes that Elvis Presley wore were put up for auction by Henry Aldridge and Son and brought in a sizable sum of money. According to the auction, Presley wore these shoes on and off stage in the 1950s, and these shoes fetched an astounding $152,000. An engineering student from Noida recently revealed how she managed to get a coveted internship at Google, calling it a culmination of intense preparation and hard work. Isha Singh, a third-year undergraduate student majoring in computer science, shared details of the assessment and the interviews she sat for before she was selected by the tech giant for the software engineering summer internship scheduled for 2025. The Noida student said bagged a Google internship by clearing one online assessment and two interview rounds. (Getty Images via AFP) "Finally, got an offer from @Google for software engineering intern 2025. Here goes the thread for how it all happened," Singh said in a thread on X (formerly Twitter). The process began in June when the training and placement cell of the Noida college sent an e-mail, inviting students to fill out a form for Google's summer internship hiring. Singh was among those who applied and received a link to attend a virtual career talk. Steps involved in Google internship selection process Then came the challenging part, the online assessment which was scheduled for July, which the engineering student successfully cleared. The evaluation was then followed by two rounds of interview for the final selection. The journey included a rigorous online assessment followed by two technical interviews the next day, each step challenging me and testing my problem-solving skills, she said. Isha Singh revealed that the first interview lasted for 50 minutes, during which she was asked two questions on data structure and algorithms. She categorised the difficulty level as "medium to hard". The second interview, which lasted for 45 minutes, also focused on technical questions. "This interview focused on priority queues, with a follow-up question on the same topic," she wrote in a post on Medium. "Both rounds were eliminatory in nature, meaning that only those who performed well in the first round would advance to the second." The students were surprised when they received the final results the next day from the college's placement cell. "Seeing my name on that list was an incredible moment, marking the culmination of intense preparation and hard work," Singh said. "This is a dream came true. I had never thought about clearing the first interview of my life that too in GOOGLE. (sic)" Take a look at the post here: After her post went viral, users started congratulating her while a few were curious about the difficulty level of the questions in the selection process. The student actively responded to the questions and provided insights into the challenges she faced. A user, Arun Kumar, commented, "Tell us about your struggle how you started dsa and the resources and what other skills did you learn and the resources too?". Another user, sasadx, commented, "Congratulations, I really wanted to know if they want you to know anything else other than dsa like any dev part? Or like to have projects?". The student's post on X (formerly Twitter) has gained almost 3,000 likes and 136 comments. Badminton legend Prakash Padukone and his wife, Ujjala Padukone, were recently spotted enjoying a meal at Vidyarthi Bhavan, an iconic south Indian restaurant in Bengaluru. The eatery posted a video on X of the couple enjoying the meal on Wednesday evening. Prakash Padukone and Ujjala Padukone seen enjoying a South Indian meal in Bengaluru.(Screengrab/X@VidyarthiBhavan) Vidhyarthi Bhavan shared the video with the caption, Happy to have legendary badminton star @padukoneprakash at our restaurant yesterday evening! (sic) The popular eatery, located in Bengaluru's Gandhi Nagar area, which is popular for its benne dosas and vadas. Vidyarthi Bhavan is always crowded, even on weekdays, with people waiting in long lines for their legendary food. In the video, the Padukones, who are parents of Bollywood star Deepinka Padukone, are seen enjoying dosas, giving their review of the restaurant, and taking pictures. Prakash Padukone posed for a photo with a server balancing plates and plates of dosa on one arm, a signature image of Vidyarthi Bhavan that industrialist Anand Mahindra once termed as an Olympic sport. Take a look at the post here: This video was posted on Thursday morning, and since then it has gained more than 42,000 views and numerous comments. Since the video went viral on X, users have started sharing their mixed reviews of the famous eatery. Some users praised the taste of the food while some said it isn't as good as it used to be. Reacting to the viral video, an X user, Ashiwin Siddaramaiah, commented, Genuine feedback: I visited specifically to have dosa as I have been craving it for 2 years (last visit after lockdown). Dosa is no longer the same, maybe you are using new ingredients?. A second user, SriRam@6269, commented, "Stacking dosa this way is unhealthy as the bottom of every plate is on top of the dosa". Another user, Dwaraki Rao, commented, "Legends when they meet @arunadiga and @padukoneprakash". Vidyarthi Bhavan remains a top choice for locals and celebrities Vidhyarthi Bhavan, the much-loved restaurant in Bengaluru, is famous for its crispy masala dosas, which have been a favorite among locals and visitors for years. This popular restaurant has been serving people since 1943. Due to its popularity, Vidyarthi Bhavan has been visited by famous people like Rishi Sunak, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Starbucks co-founder Zev Siegl. An assistant principal was left with permanent damage in one eye after a student threw a hanger at her during an altercation. The incident took place at Collins Intermediate School in Corsicana, Texas. Reportedly, the 11-year-old student first threw chairs at Candra Rogers, which she dodged. Now, she has opened up about her ordeal and how the incident left her with a blind eye. The image shows assistant principal Candra Rogers, who was blinded in one eye by an 11-year-old student. (X/@CLBRogers3) Assistant principal Candra Rodgers was left blind in one after an 11-year-old student hurled a clothes hanger at get face. The injury was so severe that she needed to be airlifted to a local hospital and may lose the eye entirely, Dailymail wrote as they shared a video of the teacher. Also Read: Text exchange between Class 8 student and teacher raises debate over maintaining boundaries In the video, she recollected her ordeal in detail, adding how she rushed out of the classroom, pressing her eyes with blood trickling down her face. Take a look at the video here: "When I arrived, the teacher and students were outside the classroom. One student was holding his head, having been assaulted by the student remaining in the classroom," Rodgers told FOX 4 News. "I entered where the student was still irate and found the room ransacked with overturned furniture. I knew I had to be as calm as possible, and I spoke lowly and slowly so as not to enrage him any further, she added. While trying to calm the agitated student, he threw chairs at her, followed by the hanger. What happened to the student? Following the incident on August 15, the student was reportedly detained. However, he was later released into the custody of his parents. He is not allowed on campus and is restricted to a specific location. * France's Macron visits Serbia to boost EU ties, discuss Rafale deal Macron and Vucic to discuss Rafale fighters, energy, AI * Macron emphasizes Serbia's EU alignment amid Russia's war in Ukraine * Serbian military diversifies from Soviet tech, seeks EU ties By Aleksandar Vasovic BELGRADE, - France's President Emmanuel Macron travels to Belgrade on Thursday to bolster ties with Serbia and bring it closer to the West, as the Balkan country juggles its European Union membership bid and close ties with Russia and China. During his two-day visit, Macron and his counterpart, Serbia's populist Aleksandar Vucic, plan to discuss issues including the purchase of France's Rafale fighters, made by Dassault, as well as energy and artificial intelligence. It will be Macron's second meeting with Vucic this year and follows the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Belgrade in May, highlighting Serbias strategic position on the edge of the EU, with ties to the east and west. In an op-ed piece in Serbia's pro-government Politika daily on Thursday, Macron wrote that Belgrade could maintain its independent posture "only under the auspices of the EU." "When war once again broke out on our continent, initiated by Russia, ... the idea that Serbia could seek its own way in the eternal game of balancing between powers ... is just an illusion." The EU remains Serbia's single biggest investor and hundreds of thousands of Serbs work in Western-owned companies. Late on Wednesday, Vucic said there were unresolved issues with the purchase of Rafale aircraft, estimated at around 3 billion euros . "It is not a question of the price, it is a question of certain guarantees ... we have been struggling with this for four days," he told state RTS TV. DEPENDENT ON RUSSIAN GAS Aleksandar Zivotic, a history lecturer at the Belgrade University, described the aircraft sale as a "historical and political departure from Soviet-Russian influence." "Such a military technology is not only bought with money, but with foreign policy position pledges," he said. Belgrade curtailed military cooperation with Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine and it has condemned the invasion, but unlike the EU and other Western countries, it has not imposed sanctions on Moscow. Serbia's military and air force are loosely based on Soviet technology, but it has also purchased helicopters and transport planes from Airbus, radars from Thales and France's Mistral surface-to-air missiles. Belgrade, which seeks to diversify its gas supplies, is dependent on Russian gas and has the Kremlin's support in its opposition to the 2008 independence of Kosovo. Vucic said he and Macron would tackle cooperation in the fields of energy and artificial intelligence and that the two countries would sign a number of corresponding agreements. Before it joins the EU, Serbia would have to improve democracy, the rule of law and judiciary, root out corruption, red tape and organised crime, and align its foreign policies with those of Brussels, including the introduction of sanctions against Russia. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. By Aleksandar Vasovic France's Macron visits Serbia to boost EU ties, discuss Rafale deal BELGRADE - France's President Emmanuel Macron travels to Belgrade on Thursday to bolster ties with Serbia and bring it closer to the West, as the Balkan country juggles its European Union membership bid and close ties with Russia and China. During his two-day visit, Macron and his counterpart, Serbia's populist Aleksandar Vucic, plan to discuss issues including the purchase of France's Rafale fighters, made by Dassault, as well as energy and artificial intelligence. It will be Macron's second meeting with Vucic this year and follows the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Belgrade in May, highlighting Serbias strategic position on the edge of the EU, with ties to the east and west. In an op-ed piece in Serbia's pro-government Politika daily on Thursday, Macron wrote that Belgrade could maintain its independent posture "only under the auspices of the EU." "When war once again broke out on our continent, initiated by Russia, ... the idea that Serbia could seek its own way in the eternal game of balancing between powers ... is just an illusion." The EU remains Serbia's single biggest investor and hundreds of thousands of Serbs work in Western-owned companies. Late on Wednesday, Vucic said there were unresolved issues with the purchase of Rafale aircraft, estimated at around 3 billion euros . "It is not a question of the price, it is a question of certain guarantees ... we have been struggling with this for four days," he told state RTS TV. DEPENDENT ON RUSSIAN GAS Aleksandar Zivotic, a history lecturer at the Belgrade University, described the aircraft sale as a "historical and political departure from Soviet-Russian influence." "Such a military technology is not only bought with money, but with foreign policy position pledges," he said. Belgrade curtailed military cooperation with Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine and it has condemned the invasion, but unlike the EU and other Western countries, it has not imposed sanctions on Moscow. Serbia's military and air force are loosely based on Soviet technology, but it has also purchased helicopters and transport planes from Airbus, radars from Thales and France's Mistral surface-to-air missiles. Belgrade, which seeks to diversify its gas supplies, is dependent on Russian gas and has the Kremlin's support in its opposition to the 2008 independence of Kosovo. Vucic said he and Macron would tackle cooperation in the fields of energy and artificial intelligence and that the two countries would sign a number of corresponding agreements. Before it joins the EU, Serbia would have to improve democracy, the rule of law and judiciary, root out corruption, red tape and organised crime, and align its foreign policies with those of Brussels, including the introduction of sanctions against Russia. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Israel has agreed to a series of three-day "humanitarian pauses" in Gaza to allow health officials to administer polio vaccinations to children in the territory, the World Health Organization said Thursday. Palestinians who retuned briefly to eastern Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip to check on property, carry away some items they were able to salvage amid the devastation, after Israeli troops pulled out from some blocks in the area on August 29, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas militant group.(AFP) "The way we discussed and agreed, the campaign will start on the first of September, in central Gaza, for three days, and there will be a humanitarian pause during the vaccination," said Rik Peeperkorn, the agency's representative for Palestinian territories. The vaccination rollout will also cover southern and northern Gaza, which will each get their own three-day pauses, Peeperkorn told reporters, adding that Israel had agreed to allow an additional day if required. The vaccination campaign aims to cover more than 640,000 children under the age of 10. "We stress the critical importance for all parties to adhere to the commitments that have been made," Michael Ryan, WHO deputy director-general, told the UN Security Council. "At least 90 percent of coverage is needed during each round of the campaign in order to stop the outbreak and prevent international spread of polio," he added. He said that 1.26 million doses of the NoPV2 vaccine had been delivered in Gaza, with another 400,000 still to arrive. The vaccine is administered orally in two drops. Health workers will need to return in four weeks' time to give two more drops to each child to complete the vaccination, although so far there has been no public discussion of arranging another pause in the fighting. Oren Marmorstein, Israel's foreign affairs spokesman, said on X that his government has "has coordinated a large-scale operation with WHO and UNICEF to vaccinate children in the Gaza Strip against polio." Hamas said it supports the "UN humanitarian truce." Robert Wood, US deputy ambassador to the United Nations, said it is "vital that this campaign be implemented without delay." He called on Israel to "facilitate access for agencies carrying out the vaccination campaign, and for it to ensure periods of calm and refrain from military operations during vaccination campaign periods." The United States and European Union have voiced concern over polio in Gaza, after the first case there in 25 years was confirmed this month in an unvaccinated 10-month-old baby. Poliovirus is highly infectious and most often spread through sewage and contaminated water -- an increasingly common problem in Gaza with much of the territory's infrastructure destroyed by Israel in its war against Hamas. The disease mainly affects children under the age of five. It can cause deformities and paralysis, and is potentially fatal. abd/bjt/acb Pakistan authorities blamed a mystery months-long internet slowdown that has drawn backlash from activists and business leaders on damaged underwater cables. Pakistan blames mystery internet slowdown on underwater cables Digital rights experts believe the state is testing a firewall a security system that monitors network traffic but can also be used to control online spaces. The government has previously blamed a surge in VPN use for the slowdown whilst also admitting that the country was "undergoing a transition". "The ongoing internet slowdown across the country is mainly due to fault in two of the seven international submarine cables connecting Pakistan internationally," Pakistan's Telecommunications Authority said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that the fault would be repaired by early October. Internet networks have been up to 40 percent slower than normal since July, according to one IT association, while WhatsApp and VPN connections are severely disrupted. The government and PTA for weeks refused to comment on the slowdown. At the start of the month, defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said the country was "undergoing a transition." He added that "there will be some controls to prevent threatening and defamatory content against the state and individuals." IT minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja later denied that the government was behind the internet slowdown, blaming it on a surge in VPN use. It comes as Pakistan's military the country's most powerful institution says it is battling so-called "digital terrorism". Analysts say the main target of the digital disruption is the party of jailed opposition leader Imran Khan, still wildly popular and boosted by a young, tech-savvy voter base. Global rights watchdog Amnesty International urged Pakistan authorities to be transparent. "The opacity of the Pakistani authorities regarding the use of monitoring and surveillance technologies that block content, slow down and control internet speeds is an alarming concern," said the organisation's technology expert Jurre Van Bergen. Pakistan is banking on its nascent but growing Information Technology industry to increase its exports and generate critical foreign exchange revenue for a cash-strapped country. "Without immediate and decisive action, the country risks deeper economic fallout and a prolonged digital divide," Shahzad Arshad, the chairman of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan, said in a statement. srq-ecl/ssy This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Royal experts have warned that the paperback release of Prince Harry's memoir, Spare, risks "dredging everything up again" in the feud between the Sussexes and the royal family. Spare is expected to be back on shelves at the end of October. Prince Harry's latest move could dredge everything up again in feud with royal family (Photo by Don MacKinnon / AFP)(AFP) The soft-cover Spare will be released in the UK on October 24. This would be right in the midst of King Charles' Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa. Majesty Magazine's editor-in-chief, Ingrid Seward, said that the Duke of Sussex probably had no idea that his father would be there. "That wouldn't go into Harry's remit, I wouldn't think, so I think it's unfortunate timing... Of course, it will dredge everything up again," Seward told The Sun. The royal biographer pointed out the "very unusual" fact that the paperback version of the book will be released without any updates. He also noted that its cheaper run in stores would mean "many more people" would buy the memoir. "He could have easily done that [adding new material], but he obviously didn't want to, she said. "Maybe there will be something - we just don't know." However, Seward also pointed out that in the midst of the Commonwealth summit, Charles may not even have time to take heed of any potential fresh Spare fallout. "I don't think it's going to affect him and what he's doing, Seward said. "I just think it's a rather unpleasant reminder of what has gone on with Harry - and indeed Meghan - over the past year." It's actually coming out at a very, very difficult time Royal expert Phil Dampier, on the other hand, has claimed that the timing of the re-release of the memoir "couldn't be worse. "Some people are saying: 'Is this an olive branch?' - I don't tend to go for that school of thought, he said. "It's actually coming out at a very, very difficult time. The timing couldn't be worse, really, and I'm sure it's going to dredge up the whole scandal again - the whole family problems. Dampier added, "More people are going to be reading it, and as I say, the timing couldn't be worse... It's at a time when the King is struggling with cancer. Right slap-bang in the middle of a very important Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting... This is probably not something they need!" A royal expert has claimed that Prince Harry's upcoming solo trip to New York without his wife Meghan Markle is a "further attempt to prove he is relevant. Harry is set to represent the Archewell Foundation at the UN General Assembly High-level Week and Climate Week. Prince William, the Dukes estranged brother, is also expected to be in New York at the same time for the Earthshot Prize. Prince Harry's upcoming trip to New York without Meghan Markle is a further attempt to prove he is relevant" (Colombia Vice Presidency/Handout via REUTERS)(via REUTERS) Former BBC Royal Correspondent Michael Cole said on GB News that Harrys trip is an attempt to "prove he is still relevant" after stepping down from the royal family. "If you are a member of the Royal Family, you just are relevant. If you're a semi-detached member of the Royal Family living in California, you have to be on the move to show that you are of some worth to the world, hence the recent trips with his wife to Nigeria and Colombia, Cole said. "He's going to New York in the week of the General Assembly, the world's biggest talking shop, and Climate Week, carrying the banner of the Archewell Foundation, he added. Cole also discussed potential reasons why Meghan will not be joining Harry on the trip. He noted a previous incident in New York where the Sussexes became involved in a car chase. "We don't know why she's not going, perhaps she has other things to do. Jam to make, people to talk to on her hilltop in Montecito, Cole said. "Are they concerned about another one of those two-hour relentless car chases through New York City, which happened in May last year? Although the taxi driver and indeed the mayor of New York both weighed in and poured cold water on that tale, of them being pursued by paparazzi and being scared out of their lives, he added. Cole went on to praise Harry for his work with charitable causes. He also questioned if the public "will be interested" in his latest trip without his wife. They've come out of the box all the time to prove that they are relevant Host Bev Turner said that the prince going to New York alone is "triggering speculation" because his life is "sold on his relationship" with Meghan. "If you build a career solely on your personal life and your relationship and your marriage, which is what they've done via their Netflix documentary, via his book Spare, Turner said. "If your life is only about your relationships, when you then go without your wife, that's what triggers the speculation. Because there's no other sort of substance beneath what they do, Turner added. Agreeing with Turner, Cole said, What have they got to sell? They've got celebrity, and that's a fast-depleting factor in all of this. And in America, they don't want what was yesterday, they want what's next. "They've come out of the box all the time to prove that they are relevant and that they are important. But they could have done an extremely good job within the Royal Family of doing that - they would have had the structure and the support to do wonderful work around the 54 countries of the Commonwealth, he continued. He added, "They started to do it, and they were doing it rather well, and she was being an asset. But then suddenly in 2020, they took fright, jumped on a plane to Canada and then onto California, which may have been her destination all along." Dhaka, A senior BNP leader has blamed an "ecosystem of former diplomats, bureaucrats, politicians, and think tanks" for creating a "bogeyman" to mislead the Indian establishment into believing that Indo-Bangla relations would deteriorate without the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League. Senior BNP leader urges India to take a relook at its relations with Bangladesh sans Sheikh Hasina Days after India raised the issue of the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury of the Khalida Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party said it is an internal matter of the country but maintained that Bangladesh wants strong ties with India, its next-door neighbour. Chowdhurys party, the BNP, is an arch-rival of the Awami League , headed by Hasina, who resigned and fled to India on August 5 in the wake of the massive student protests across the country. An interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, assumed charge on August 8 will continue till fresh elections are held. Claiming that Bangladesh wants strong ties with its next-door neighbour India, Chowdhury who heads the foreign affairs cell of the BNP asserted that New Delhi failed to understand the pulse of the people of Bangladesh and had put all its eggs in one basket by supporting one party and family in the country in an apparent reference to Hasina and her party, AL. In an interview with PTI here, Chowdhury minced no words against the ecosystem of former diplomats, officials, politicians, and think tanks for misleading the Indian establishment on the hard reality of Bangladesh and said this ecosystem has destroyed Indo-Bangla relations. This ecosystem has created a bogeyman that if there is no Awami League, there will be security-related issues for India; if there is no Sheikh Hasina, then the country would go into the hands of fundamentalists; if there is no Awami League, then the Hindus in Bangladesh would be in danger. This is a completely false and deliberate narrative. These people need to wake up now. Bangladesh is one of the most liberal countries; here Hindus and Muslims have lived together for ages, he said. Across Bangladesh, the minority Hindu population has faced vandalisation of their business and properties and devastation of Hindu temples in the students violence that ensued for days following the ouster of the Hasina government. There can be aberrations, but no government in Bangladesh supports attacks on its minorities. The Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees equal rights to everybody, and above all, we dont believe in this minority and majority concept. We are sorry to say this, but on the question of minorities, this is an internal matter of Bangladesh, Chowdhury said. How can others comment on the issue of minorities in our country? How does this come up in diplomatic relations? This is our internal matter. We never complain about what happens to Indian minorities, so no one should comment on the issue of minorities here, he told PTI. Urging India to keep the baggage of the past behind, Chowdhury said: India has to understand the pulse of the people of Bangladesh. The relationship has to be with the people of Bangladesh. Why does New Delhi have to depend on one person or family? When it comes to Indo-Bangla relations? India has put all the eggs in one basket. That was a mistake on their part, he declared. You cannot change your neighbour and you should have good relations with your neighbour, he said and added Bangladesh wants the best of relations with India, as it is a neighbour. The former commerce minister during the BNP regime accused the erstwhile Awami League regime of indulging in rampant corruption and working against the nation's interest vis-a-vis various bilateral treaties. As they had captured power through fraudulent elections, they had no accountability to the people of Bangladesh. They laundered over USD 100 billion from many mega projects and treaties, which were against the country's interests, he said. He also underlined the need to relook those questionable bilateral treaties, agreements, and contracts as the truth has to come out. When asked if any bilateral treaty with India, which has faced criticism in Bangladesh, will be cancelled or suspended, Chowdhury, whose party BNP is tipped to be the front runner for the next elections as and when held, said: We are not singling out India or any other country. But all the questionable bilateral treaties and agreements will have to be re-examined and, if needed, also reviewed. Nothing is going to be suspended or cancelled, as it is the government of the country which signs a treaty. But if it is not in the interest of Bangladesh, then it will be reviewed. This is an umbrella issue, he said. Replying to a query about the popular perception of BNP regimes in the past not being India-friendly, Chowdhury said, These are wrong perceptions. India has to leave the baggage of the past behind and both countries have to work together. He also said that being vocal about his own countrys interest doesnt make him anti-India. Speaking about the ongoing India out campaign, which he claimed is not a programme by any political party but by the common people of Bangladesh who see India as an enabler of the autocratic regime. So, now in Bangladesh, it's seen as Sheikh Hasina plus India versus the people of Bangladesh. That is why there is this anger against India, as it is considered an ally of the Awami League, he said and added, Hasina taking shelter in India is also not seen in a good light in Dhaka. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. * Serbia, France's Dassault Aviation agree over purchase of Rafale fighter jets Serbia, Dassault Aviation agree over purchase of Rafale fighter jets * Serbian military diversifies from Soviet tech, seeks EU ties By Aleksandar Vasovic BELGRADE, - Serbia on Thursday signed a landmark agreement with France's Dassault Aviation for the purchase of an undisclosed number of Rafale fighter jets. The agreement, signed by Serbia's Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic and Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier, also includes the purchase of "accompanying equipment and services," an announcement said. The acquisition, made during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Belgrade, signals a major shift in Serbia's security and political stance, moving away from Russia, its traditional ally and weapons supplier. This is the single biggest weapons deal since Serbia became independent from its state union with Montenegro in 2006. Belgrade curtailed military cooperation with Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine and it has condemned the invasion, but unlike the EU, which it wants to join, and other Western countries, it has not imposed sanctions on Moscow. Serbia's military and air force are loosely based on Soviet technology, but it has also purchased helicopters and transport planes from Airbus, radars from Thales and France's Mistral surface-to-air missiles. Serbia also operates Chinese missiles and drones. Its defence budget amounts to around 2% of gross domestic product . This is Macron's second meeting with Vucic this year and follows the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Belgrade in May, highlighting Serbias strategic position on the edge of the EU, with ties to the east and west. The EU remains Serbia's single biggest investor and hundreds of thousands of Serbs work in Western-owned companies. But Belgrade, which seeks to diversify its gas supplies, is also dependent on Russian gas and has the Kremlin's support in its opposition to the 2008 independence of Kosovo. Before it joins the EU, Serbia would have to improve democracy, the rule of law and judiciary, root out corruption, red tape and organised crime and mend ties with Kosovo. It must also align its foreign policies with those of Brussels, including the introduction of sanctions against Russia. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. By Joyce Lee and Julian Luk South Korea zinc firm Young Poong's CEO arrested over probe into safety lapses SEOUL/ LONDON Aug 29 - The CEO of South Korea's Young Poong Corp has been arrested, the company said on Thursday, as prosecutors investigated his liability over safety-related deaths at the company's Seokpo zinc smelter. A South Korean court approved early Thursday an arrest warrant for CEO Park Young Min after prosecutors alleged he violated a South Korean law that holds employers criminally liable for serious industrial accidents. Young Poong said Park's arrest caused no major disruption to management or production. It had already cut production at Seokpo, the world's sixth-largest zinc smelter since March, Reuters reported. Park has yet to be formally charged. The Daegu District Court's Andong Branch said it approved the warrant for Park due to flight risk and potential destruction of evidence. He has denied some of the allegations, local media said. A spokesperson for Park could not be reached. Three deadly incidents including gas exposure and heatstroke have occurred at the Seokpo smelter in the last nine months, killing three people and injuring three, Yonhap news agency reported, citing prosecutors. The zinc market is closely watching the fate of the 400,000 metric ton-per-year Seokpo smelter. Young Poong is in the process of appealing against an earlier decision by regional authorities to close the plant for two months for alleged environmental violations, according to the company's August regulatory filing. Big production cuts or a complete shutdown of Seokpo could tip the market into deficit- as zinc surplus for 2024 has narrowed to only 19,000 tons, a July poll by Reuters showed. That compares to a 300,000 tons surplus forecasted at the beginning of the year. Shortage of zinc concentrates, crushed ores used in making zinc, pressured smelters to cut production. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged Thursday to reform the country's multi-billion dollar pension scheme, as a looming demographic crisis threatens to upend the payment system's stability. South Korean president proposes pension fund reform South Korea has the world's lowest birth rate and a rapidly ageing population. The number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime dropped to 0.72 in 2023, far below the so-called replacement rate needed to keep a population stable. The country's pension fund is the world's third-largest, but with insufficient new contributors due to the demographic crisis, the fund is expected to deplete rapidly. "We need to fundamentally reform the current pension system, which works poorly for the elderly and has not got the trust of the youth," Yoon said Thursday at a policy briefing. South Korea's pension fund is valued at more than 1,113.5 trillion won , but projections by the government indicate that the fund's growth will cease by 2041, and it is anticipated to be depleted by 2055. This is largely because eligibility for full pension benefits was rare in the past, but since then, those able to receive pensions more easily baby boomers are beginning to retire after a lifetime of contributions. The reforms will aim to create a sustainable system that provides "intergenerational fairness and income security after retirement" to "restore trust in the National Pension Service", Yoon said. Nearly two-fifths of Koreans in their twenties and thirties said the pension system needs to be reformed "to ensure that I can receive a pension in the future", a recent poll showed. Yoon said he would push for reforms acceptable to the young generation who "pay the longest, pay the highest premium, and are the last to receive a pension". He also announced plans to extend credit benefits to individuals who have children or complete military service, so "there is no gap in the pension subscription period". hs/ceb/dhw This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Sri Lanka had no option but to agree to an International Monetary Fund bailout that required tough austerity measures, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said Thursday as he launched his re-election campaign. Sri Lanka president defends IMF bailout in campaign launch An unprecedented economic crisis two years ago led to months-long food and fuel shortages, triggering street protests that forced Wickremesinghe's predecessor to briefly flee the country. The 75-year-old president said the $2.9 billion IMF rescue package he negotiated last year required reforms that the island must implement or risk a repeat of those struggles. "The agreements with the IMF and by our bilateral lenders cannot be changed," he said at a campaign event to launch his manifesto ahead of September 21 polls. "Some candidates think they can renegotiate, but that is only going to be a waste of time." His main rivals, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, 57, and Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, 55, have vowed to open fresh talks with the IMF to rewrite the agreement. Premadasa has pledged to cut income taxes, which were doubled by Wickremesinghe, while Dissayanaka's party says it will halt touted privatisations of state enterprises. Wickremesinghe said he had agreed with the IMF to ease the tax burden on middle and low income groups from next year, but did not give details. Sri Lanka is still negotiating with international bondholders after defaulting on its $46 billion foreign debt in 2022, a year when the economy shrunk by 7.3 percent. Wickremesinghe is also facing a challenge from the largest party in parliament which had backed his ascension, but where his predecessor's family still wields great influence. Lawmaker and Rajapaksa clan scion Namal, 38, is among the 38 other candidates challenging Wickremesinghe in next month's poll. Wickremesinghe is also under fire for refusing to fund a local government election last year, saying the country had no money to pay for it. The Supreme Court ruled last week that he was guilty of violating the fundamental rights of Sri Lankan voters as a result and ordered it to be held as soon as possible. aj/gle/dan This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. BANGKOK A court in Thailand on Thursday found Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, a member of a famous Spanish acting family, guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced him to life in prison, in a lurid case that involved the victim being dismembered. Thai court sentences a YouTube chef, who is the son of Spanish actors, to life in prison for murder The Koh Samui Provincial Court issued an initial sentence of death for Sancho but commuted it to life imprisonment due to his cooperation during the trial, Police Col. Paisan Sangthep, deputy commander of the Surat Thani Provincial Police, who attended the hearing, told The Associated Press. Sancho, a 30-year-old chef with a YouTube channel, had been charged with the murder of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, a 44-year-old plastic surgeon from Colombia, when both were vacationing on the Thai holiday island of Koh Pha-ngan in August last year. The convicted man is the son of Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre, a prominent Spanish actor, and Silvia Bronchalo, who has also been in acting. Both parents are 49 years old and attended Thursday's court session. At his trial on the island of Samui, Sancho claimed he got into a fight with Arrieta for allegedly trying to sexually assault him. He said that Arrieta fell as they scuffled and hit his head on a bathtub, losing consciousness and then dying. He had pleaded not guilty to charges of premeditated murder. Sancho acknowledged dismembering the victims body and disposing of the parts on land and at sea. For the charge of concealing or damaging a body, he received a four-month prison sentence, reduced to two months for acknowledging the act, said Paisan. He had also pleaded not guilty to the charge of destroying another person's documents the victims passport for which he received a two-year prison term. The elements of the case violent death on a holiday island, the celebrity connections and the lurid details attracted huge coverage in Spanish media. HBO produced a Spanish-language documentary on the events. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. * Toxic, deadly, cheap: Life for women gold miners in the Philippines Low pay and high health risks burden women * Discrimination enshrined in law and culture * But new wave of female leaders nudge a head above ground By Mariejo Ramos SAGADA/PARACALE, Philippines, - I t's a man's world mining gold in the Philippines - but it's the women who come off worst. Be it cooking toxic pans of mercury, scouring mud pools for cheap slivers of hope or sluicing the boggy soil - women do the hardest jobs and get paid the least. One in three of the illegal mining workforce is female - and women are 90 times more at risk of dying on the job than men. "There are a lot of women in the mines, but they are invisible," Meggy Katigbak, an expert on small-scale gold mining, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. The work is illegal, makeshift - and doesn't even pay well. But they've been mining this way for centuries in Paracale, a colonial, coastal city whose name means 'canal digger' after gold-hungry colonial powers swooped in to make their fortunes. They are still scouring - and dreaming big - today. "Life here is hard, but my children give me strength to do this. Theyre my life," Christy Ortiz told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Like any other day, 44-year-old Ortiz rose at dawn, waking first to cook for her seven children, before setting out to hunt for gold in a homemade mine she had dug from rice paddies and filled with muddy water. Ortiz and her husband practice compressor mining - the world's most dangerous gold extraction method and one that is only found in her little corner of the Philippines. Manila banned it in 2012 for its grave safety risks and health hazards - a matter of no care to the Ortiz family. As Ortiz looked on, her husband dove 10 feet under, breathing through a tube he had connected to a compressor, which pipes air underwater and is her familys prized possession. Ortiz paid 29,000 pesos for the machine, using money she had amassed through years of scrimping, carefully saving her state welfare grants: money only given to the countrys poorest. While her husband waded underground for hours, filling buckets with dense soil, Ortiz performed all the above-ground rituals to extract whatever slivers of gold she could find. With no protective equipment, she worked in the same white shirt and skirt that she wore at home. There is little separating her work from home life. "Sometimes I forget to eat breakfast, because I need to go straight to the mine after sending my kids to school," said Ortiz. Her feet soaked in muddy water, she mashed the soil and ran gloop through a sluice box made of wood and banana leaves, hoping the water might tease out even a sliver of gold. Next Ortiz extracted the nuggets from a clag of soil and stones, using a traditional wooden tool, then cooked up the gold with mercury, a toxic metal used to separate gold from ore. Her takings - one tiny piece of amber metal worth less than 200 pesos enough to get them through that day. Luckier than yesterday, she said, when no gold came. Ortiz said earnings ranged from zero to 1,000 pesos a day, so on lean days, Ortiz said she had to pull a double shift and go selling charcoal to the neighbours to feed her big family. "I didnt want to do this forever I wanted to go back to my hometown, said Ortiz, who lives more than 1,000 km from her birthplace. But I didnt want the people there to know that Ive been struggling since I came here. HER HEALTH, HER BABY'S HEALTH Some 15 million women work in the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector globally, and an estimated 18,000 to 20,000 Filipino women and children take part in ASGM-related work. Figures may be far higher in the absence of any official count, industry experts say, but all agree the work affects women's health and earnings disproportionately. Gender discrimination and disregard for health, safety and social protection limit the rights and economic opportunities of women miners, according to a 2023 report by the World Bank. Women are often barred from the top jobs and do not get paid as much as men for the same work, according to the Bank, which analysed mining laws in 21 countries. Deep-seated cultural bias can also get in the way of wider sectoral reform. Filipino women struggle to access capital, even as their exposure to hazards has increased, the report said. In Paracale, many families mix backyard digging with domestic life, forcing women to balance household chores and caring duties with risky gold panning and mercury mixing. A field survey by the International Labour Organization revealed that almost 73 percent of female Philippine respondents had handled mercury, often linked with pregnancy risks and birth abnormalities, such as cerebral palsy. Janice Galero, who used to sluice, pan, and cook gold in Paracale, said high levels of mercury were still found in her blood seven years after she stopped mining. Official tests carried out in 2022 to gauge the risks of mining showed mercury in a high number of women's blood. But a representative from planetGOLD, a United Nations-affiliated programme working to eliminate mercury from the supply chain in gold, said both the national Department of Health and the local government of Paracale had "agreed not to make the results public to avoid panic in the community". "The DOH made recommendations for the offices concerned and the local government...developed an action plan to address the issue," said planetGOLD communications officer Dawn Po Quimque. The DOH did not respond to requests for comments. ASGM is the largest user and emitter of mercury in the world, according to the UN Environment Programme. Mercury can damage the nervous system, kidneys, liver and immune system, but is widely used as it is cheap and effective. Now a board member of a local mining association, Galero said she wants to raise awareness of the health risks of mercury as well as bring an end to all illegal mining in her town - an uphill task given so many locals depend on gold to survive. FOLKLORE AND TRADITION In the mountain town of Sagada in the Cordillera region, the country's least populous area, women are banned from the mine tunnels during their menstrual period to avoid "bad luck". Yet women elders are also expected to lead Sagada rituals for a bountiful "harvest" in the mines, in a nod to women's traditional, hallowed role in agriculture. Eliza, a respected elder and among the first women allowed to work in the sector in the 1980s, said she was still barred from the tunnels and could only get work sluicing, shovelling rocks to hunt for missed nuggets or cooking meals for miners. Men focus on mine work, whereas women were "jack of all trades" scrambling for odd jobs to feed the family, she said. So Eliza works as a tour guide, raises pigs and sells homemade rice cake and sweet potato on weekends. Gold extraction pays poorly for women such as Leny Lieo, who was hired in February to sluice gold, a task commonly reserved for Sagada women. Lieo, 49, said she works an eight-hour day at the Fidelisan village mine and gets paid 300 pesos, lower than the daily minimum wage in her province. She had no choice; rice farming no longer fed her family. "At least here, I can earn money to buy makeup or lipstick," she joked. "Money is important to me so my family can eat." Jobs like hers come without any health or social benefits - she is considered an add-on. "I am not a miner because I'm a woman. Only men are considered miners," said Lieo, picking up her second basin of soil for sluicing. "If youre a regular worker, you have benefits. And your salary is higher." Yet some change is finally afoot in slow-to-budge mining, with activists seeing room for female leadership in the sector. "We see female politicians, women who head local state offices but we need more. We really need more push especially in places where women are being discriminated," said Sagada municipal gender officer Gloria Pilamon-Langbayan. MINING REFORMS The World Bank is calling for new legislation to recognise women's role in mining and is urging politicians to address the hazards that women miners in particular face. Reform, though, is hard in a sector that is largely illegal and unregulated, despite producing 80% of the countrys annual gold reserves and supporting 2 million Filipinos. In the Philippines, the industry is covered by the "People's Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991", which limits small-scale mining to manual labour and prohibits the use of heavy equipment. Many small-scale mines were outlawed in 2012 when the government mandated that locals instead set up mining cooperatives or certified associations. About 100 mines have since won approval but the application process is tedious and resource-intensive, with fees as high as 2 million pesos. Backyard digging, compressor mining and other informal gold mining operations remain rampant in Paracale, overtaking farming as the main source of income for locals. More than half the towns population of 60,000 is involved in mine work yet it only has one certified peoples mine. "People would ask: 'Why is Paracale not wealthy when its rich in gold?'" the towns vice mayor Bernadette Asutilla told Context in an interview. The reality on the ground had moved on from the laws, Asutilla said, since the old mines ran dry, forcing small-scale miners to dig deeper and work longer to earn a living. Asutilla said this would require modern equipment or explosives - both prohibited by law. Mining has become a gamble in Paracale, she said. With the resurgence of small-scale mining, we see that women are becoming more involved with mine work and occupying leadership roles, the vice mayor said. Back in Paracale, Shirley Suzara is a case in point. Often buried in paperwork, the 51-year-old works from her Paracale home to improve access to capital and markets, checking that local operations are legal and promoting equal pay for men and women under her watch. "We do not dive underground, but women are important in any aspect of [gold production]," said Suzara. Katigbak, the sectoral expert who is working with mining communities on gender reforms, said it was baby steps - so far. Although women still do not have that much hand in decision making we see that they are now finding their voice. But it takes a long time, said Katigbak. We still have a long way to go. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Former US President Barack Obama commemorated the tenth anniversary of his historic fashion scandal by applauding the newest tan suit wearer on the street. Barack Obama hailed Kamala Harris for her outfit and amazing look at the recent Democratic National Convention (DNC). How it started. How it's going, the former president wrote on X, alongside photos of himself and Vice President Kamala Harris sporting tan suits. Ten years later, and its still a good look! Obama added and shared a link to a voter registration site. Harris, who won the candidature for Democratic presidential nominee after Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race, nailed the look at the recent Democratic National Convention (DNC), which some felt was a dig at Republicans who freaked out when Obama did so during his presidency. During the DNC, both Michelle Obama and Barack Obama lauded Harris as the most qualified candidate in history to become the president, asserting that she understood what made America great and intimated that former President Donald Trump could be seeking for one of those black jobs. On August 28, 2014, Obama attended a White House news briefing dressed in tan. Republican critics argued it reflected a lack of seriousness, despite the fact that several previous presidents have donned that colour. A copy of Harris' suit is advertised on Chloe's website under the shade coconut brown, which may be a suitable homage to her meme-inspiring coconut tree statement. Also Read: 'Yes, she can, echoes at DNC as Barack Obama asks America to vote for Kamala Harris Internet reacts to Obama's post Meanwhile, netizens were prompt to react on the former president's post, which as gone viral on X with over 45 million views. One X user wrote, Absolutely! That's a great transformation. Proud to see the progress over the years. Keep up the great work! #IWillVote, while another fan wrote beautiful. Meanwhile, several Harris' critics seemed upset with the post, with co-owner of Trending Politics Collin Rugg writing, Same outfit as Obama. Much lower IQ than Obama. You guys ever wanna talk business or just outfits and vibe? another user asked. You look good 10 years later and Humanity is grateful for your work! a third user reacted, adding, However , Kamala - and the current totalitarian plan for America is disastrous . A Brazilian Supreme Court justice on Wednesday ordered billionaire Elon Musk to name a legal representative for his messaging platform X in Brazil within 24 hours or face the site's suspension in the country. Brazil Supreme Court posted a screenshot of Wednesday's court decision on its X account, tagging Musk's and X's Global Government Affairs accounts. Earlier this month, X announced it would close its operations and fire its staff in Brazil due to what it called "censorship orders" from the judge, Alexandre de Moraes. Its service would remain available for users in Brazil, it said. X, at the time, claimed Moraes secretly threatened one of the company's legal representatives in Brazil with arrest if it did not comply with legal orders to take down some content from its platform. In Wednesday's ruling, Moraes says that under the country's law regulating internet issues, companies that do not respect Brazilian legislation or the confidentiality of private information could have their activities temporarily suspended. The Supreme Court posted a screenshot of Wednesday's court decision on its X account, tagging Musk's and X's Global Government Affairs accounts. Hours after the judge's decision, Musk said on X that Moraes "has repeatedly broken the laws he has sworn to uphold". Earlier this year, Moraes ordered X to block certain accounts implicated on investigations of so-called "digital militias" that have been accused of spreading fake news and hate messages during the government of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro. After Musk challenged that decision and said he would reactivate accounts on X that the judge had ordered blocked, Moraes opened an inquiry into the billionaire in early April. X representatives eventually reversed course and told the Supreme Court that the social media giant would obey the legal rulings. In April, however, Moraes asked X to explain why it allegedly had not fully complied with his decisions. In response, lawyers representing X in Brazil told the Supreme Court that "operational faults" had allowed users who were ordered blocked to stay active on the social media platform. Musk has called the Moraes' decisions regarding X "unconstitutional". Topics such as "Twitter will end", "Elon Musk" and "Alexandre de Moraes" were trending on X in Brazil on Thursday, with hundreds of thousands of posts. Public reaction included mostly "memes" making light of the situation. Among more serious reactions, some X users shared harsh criticism over Moraes' decisions, saying he was harming freedom of speech in Brazil. On the other hand, other users sided with Moraes, saying Musk should not be above Brazilian law. X, formerly Twitter, is widely used in Brazil, and is an important means of communication for politicians especially. (Reporting by Ricardo Brito in Brasilia and Luana Maria Benedito in Sao Paulo; Writing by Andre Romani and Luana Maria Benedito; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle and Angus MacSwan) California man Matthew Taylor Coleman has repeatedly tried to harm himself in federal lockup, according to court records. The QAnon follower allegedly murdered his two toddler children, Kaleo (2) and Roxy (10 months), with a speargun in 2021 over conspiracy theories. Matthew Taylor Coleman with his family before the 2021 tragedy. His wife, Abby, reportedly left California after his arrest. Coming back to her home state, Texas, she started living with her family and changed her name. According to the New York Post's exclusive, the killer father was found cutting himself with a razor, attempting to dive into a toilet, punching himself in the face and slamming his head into the floor. In 2023, Coleman, a California surf instructor, was deemed incompetent to stand trial after being charged with taking his children to Rosarito, Mexico, stabbing them with a fishing spear and then leaving them to die. Earlier this year, prosecutors urged the Federal Bureau of Prisons to medicate him against his will to recover his competence to go to trial. Matthew Taylor Coleman is being medicated against his will; he was deemed incompetent to stand trial As the situation continued to worsen in the Santa Barbara man's case, the involuntary medication process ultimately began, and Coleman is now under constant supervision. What came as a shock to people from his past is how mentally unwell the initially sought-after instructor is. Also read | Trump assassination attempt: FBI shares first look at shooter's concealed AR-15 rifle A court filing by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California states that a prison physician has ascertained that the 40-year-old accused man's symptoms tick off the boxes for unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychiatric disorders as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. In February, sources told the NY Post that the California man seemed to have no clue that his children were dead, and he continued talking about them in present tense sometimes. The same problem surfaced when it came to grasping the accusations against him. Considering his current condition, prosecutors say he fails to defend himself in the matter. What happened in 2021? Before the tragedy struck, Coleman was supposed to set out on a family trip with his children and wife, Abby, on August 7, 2021. The accused abruptly took off with his two kids in his van. Later, his wife reported him and the children missing from their Santa Barbara home. Eventually, authorities tracked him in Mexico, where Coleman reportedly took his kids to kill them. After a two-day stay at a hotel, he tried to re-enter the US, which is when US Customs and Border Protection agents arrested him. While his kids were nowhere to be seen with him, two children with the same descriptions were discovered on a ranch in the vicinity that very morning. During an interview at the border, he confessed to the murders, informing the authorities about where he'd left his children to die while citing his reasons. Also read | Nepali student, 21, found shot to death in her Houston apartment; Man arrested and charged Reasons cited for the alleged murder of California man's children At the time of the arrest, he allegedly told the authorities that he had been motivated by the QAnon conspiracy theory that his kids had serpent DNA and needed to be killed to save the world. When asked whether he knew what he was wrong, Coleman said he did, but it was the only course of action that would save the world," according to the complaint. An extract from the 30-page search warrant application reads, He said visions and signs revealed his wife, A.C. [Abby Coleman], possessed serpent DNA ([He] mentioned that he was not sure if his wife was a shapeshifter) and had passed it onto his children and that all things were pointing to the idea that his children have corrupted DNA that will spread if something is not done about it. The former surf instructor is currently locked up in a federal medical facility in Southern California (not revealed to the public). Coleman was charged with two counts of murdering US nationals on foreign soil. He has not pleaded guilty. BERLIN The suspects in the foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna earlier this month sought to kill tens of thousands of fans before the CIA discovered intelligence that disrupted the planning and led to arrests, the agency's deputy director said. CIA official: Suspects in foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift shows aimed to kill 'tens of thousands' The CIA notified Austrian authorities of the scheme, which allegedly included links to the Islamic State group. The intelligence and subsequent arrests ultimately led to the cancellation of three sold-out Eras Tour shows, devastating fans who had traveled across the globe to see Swift in concert. CIA Deputy Director David Cohen addressed the failed plot during the annual Intelligence and National Security Summit, held this week in Maryland. They were plotting to kill a huge number tens of thousands of people at this concert, including I am sure many Americans and were quite advanced in this," Cohen said Wednesday. The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our partners in the intelligence community provided them information about what this ISIS-connected group was planning to do. Austrian officials said the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian man, was inspired by the Islamic State group. He allegedly planned to attack outside the stadium, where upwards of 30,000 fans were expected to gather, with knives or homemade explosives. Another 65,000 fans were likely to be inside the venue. Investigators discovered chemical substances and technical devices during a raid of the suspect's home. Austrias interior minister, Gerhard Karner, previously said help from other intelligence agencies was needed because Austrian investigators, unlike some foreign services, cant legally monitor text messages. The 19-year-olds lawyer has said the allegations were overacting at its best, and contended Austrian authorities were presenting this exaggeratedly in order to get new surveillance powers. Swift broke her silence about the cancellations last week after her London shows had concluded. Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating, she wrote in a statement posted to Instagram. The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows. She thanked authorities thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives, she wrote and said she waited to speak until the European leg of her Eras Tour concluded to prioritize safety. Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows, she wrote. Concert organizer Barracuda Music said it canceled the three-night Vienna run that would have begun Aug. 8 because the arrests made in connection to the conspiracy were too close to showtime. The main suspect and a 17-year-old were taken into custody on Aug. 6, the day before the cancellations were announced. A third suspect, 18, was arrested Aug. 8. Their names have not been released in line with Austrian privacy rules. The shows in London, the next stop after Vienna, came on the heels of a stabbing at a Swift-themed dance class that left three little girls dead in the U.K. In a statement issued after the Southport attack, Swift said she was just completely in shock and at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families. News outlets reported that Swift met with some of the survivors backstage in London. The Vienna plot also drew comparisons to a 2017 attack by a suicide bomber at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, that killed 22 people. The bomb detonated at the end of Grandes concert as thousands of young fans were leaving, becoming the deadliest extremist attack in the United Kingdom in recent years. Cohen on Wednesday praised the CIA's work in preventing the planned violence, saying that other counterterrorism successes in foiling plots typically go unheralded. I can tell you within my agency, and I'm sure in others, there were people who thought that was a really good day for Langley, he said, referring to the CIA headquarters. And not just the Swifties in my workforce. The record-smashing tour is on hiatus until the fall. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Amidst the tight competition between Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, a new survey reveals that the US Vice President has closed the gap in many key swing states just a month after launching her election campaign. Kamala Harris also held a 2-point lead over Donald Trump (50 per cent to 48 per cent) in both Georgia and Nevada, according to Fox New Survey. On Wednesday, the Fox News revealed new surveys that compared Harris' support in four crucial states to President Joe Biden's polling figures before withdrawing from the presidential race. Donald Trump vs Kamala Harris The results found that both the rivals are within two percentage points of each other in four swing states that might decide their future in the November election. According to the poll, Harris holds modest edge in Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada, while the former President leads the former by a razor-thin margin in North Carolina. In Arizona, the US VP received 50 per cent support against Trump's 49 per cent. Harris also held a 2-point lead over Trump (50 per cent to 48 per cent) in both Georgia and Nevada. Trump has a 1-point edge over the Democratic presidential nominee (50%-49%) in North Carolina. The survey outcomes were all inside the poll's margin of error, implying that the four key Sun Belt battleground states still remain undecided 10 weeks before Election Day. In the 2020 election, Biden won Arizona and Georgia by less than one percentage point, and Nevada by slightly more than two points. On the other hand, Trump beat Biden by barely more than one point in North Carolina in 2020. The four swing states have 49 Electoral College ballots up for grabs: six in Nevada, 11 in Arizona, and 16 each in North Carolina and Georgia. Following the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the Fox News poll conducted the poll between August 23 and 26. Also Read: 'Yes, she can, echoes at DNC as Barack Obama asks America to vote for Kamala Harris Trump campaign rejects outcome of new poll Reacting to the poll's result, the Trump campaign blasted Fox News in a statement, stating, Its that time of year again. Fox is releasing atrocious polling. The campaign observed that he Fox News' survey was off in North Carolina, Arizona, and Nevada during the same time period in 2020. It further stated that the former President continues to surpass polling from previous cycles. President Trump is 10 points ahead of where he was in Arizona at this point in 2020, according to Fox. Likewise, he is running 8 points ahead of his 2020 polling in Nevada and 5 points ahead of his 2020 polling in North Carolina, the statement read. The Trump tea, added that they are seeing the same trend nationwide. Washington, India's new ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra has met Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma to discuss strengthening the Indo-US strategic partnership. Indian Ambassador Kwatra discusses strengthening India-US partnership with top state dept official Verma The meeting comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to New York to address the UN General Assembly next month. Kwatra assumed charge as Indias Ambassador to the US on August 12. On Wednesday, Kwatra met Verma a week after the top US official visited India and had interaction with multiple Indian leaders, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Delighted to meet my friend Rich Verma @DepSecStateMR today. We continued our discussion on ways to forward the India-USA partnership, Kwatra posted on X after the meeting. His post was in response to Vermas post on X welcoming Kwatra to the US. Wonderful to welcome my friend Vinay Kwatra in his new role as Indias Ambassador to the United States. Looking forward to working together on strengthening the #USIndia relationship - a partnership of progress and promise, Verma had written on X and used the hashtag #USIndiaFWD apart from tagging Kwatra and the Indian Embassy here. On Tuesday, the Indian-American senior diplomat posted about his India trip on X. Had a productive visit to India last week! We advanced many US priorities including security, climate action, and clean energy. The US India partnership is filled with promise for the future. @USAndIndia @ClimateAtState, Verma, a former US ambassador to India, wrote. Prime Minister Modi will be attending the United Nations Summit of the Future on September 2223 and is also slated to address the UN General Assembly High-Level Week. Among other engagements, Modi is also scheduled to address the Modi & US Progress Together' event on September 22 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New York. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. JD Vance has said Kamala Harris can go to hell if she wanted to criticise Donald Trump for attending a ceremony to honour the fallen 13 servicemembers who died during the Afghanistan withdrawal. Vance made the remark after the Trump campaign reportedly got into an altercation with an official at Arlington National Cemetery. The official is believed to have tried to stop them from filming and photographing in Section 60, which is the burial site for military personnel who died while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. JD Vance blasts Kamala Harris for criticising Donald Trump over Arlington incident (AP Photo/Gary McCullough, AFP) Michael Tyler, a spokesperson for Harris, later said in an interview with CNN that the incident was pretty sad and not surprising. Vance was asked to comment on the incident at a campaign event in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, August 28. Trumps VP pick, visibly disturbed, said in response that Harris can go to hell if her team wanted to attack Trump. Kamala Harris is disgraceful Vance went on to call out the vice president for not firing people responsible for the withdrawal. The other thing that our veterans care more about is that three years ago, 13 brave innocent Americans died. And they died because Kamala Harris refused to do her job and there hasnt been a single investigation or a single firing, he said. Kamala Harris is disgraceful. We want to talk about a story out of those 13 brave innocent Americans who lost their lives? Its that Kamala Harris is so asleep at the wheel that she wont even do an investigation into what happened. And she wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up? he said, adding that she can go to hell. Vance accused the media of exaggerating the incident. The altercation at Arlington cemetery is the media creating a story where I really dont think that there is one, he said, adding that the Gold Star families wanted the former president there. He stressed that the incident was not an insult to the memories of the deceased servicemembers, and added that an Arlington National Cemetery staff member had a little disagreement with somebody but the media simply wanted to create a national news story. JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential contender, denied that two members of Donald Trump's presidential campaign had an altercation with an official at Arlington National Cemetery earlier this week. JD Vance admitted that apparently somebody at Arlington Cemetery, some staff member, had a little disagreement with somebody, according to The Associated Press. Meanwhile, Trump shared a footage of his visit to cemetery on social media.(AP) During a campaign event in Erie, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, Vance downplayed the incident, accusing the press of exaggerating it. He blamed the media for turning the whole incident into a national news story. The Ohio Senator, however, admitted that apparently somebody at Arlington Cemetery, some staff member, had a little disagreement with somebody, according to The Associated Press. The altercation at Arlington cemetery is the media creating a story where I dont really think there is one, he stated. Also Read: Trump accuses Mark Zuckerberg of plotting against him; warns of lifetime in prison if Meta Donald Trump posts video of Arlington National Cemetery's visit Meanwhile, Donald Trump shared a campaign video on TikTok showing him visiting graves, posing for pictures with Gold Star families, and taking part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery. The visit commemorated the third anniversary of an attack on American forces during the exit of United States from Afghanistan following Taliban's takeover. In the video, Trump can be heard making a political remark, boasting that the US didn't lose one person in 18 months in Afghanistan under his administration. He called the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan a disaster that led to the killing of 13 soldiers under Joe Biden's presidency. Should have never happened, read the video caption. Reporting about the alleged altercation, NPR cited a source claiming that two members of Trump team verbally abused and pushed the [cemetery] official aside after the cemetery staff informed the campaign that only their officials are permitted to take photos or video in Section 60. The cemetery later confirmed the incident and also submitted a report. Responding to the NPR report, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung dismissed any physical altercation, asserting that they are ready to release footage if such defamatory claims are made. Shark Tanks Kevin OLeary is among the latest people to call out Kamala Harris for ignoring the press ever since Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed her. OLeary said there was "no scenario" where this was acceptable for a person who is running to be the US president. Kevin OLeary calls out Kamala Harris for ignoring the press (kevinolearytv/Instagram, photo by Elijah Nouvelage / AFP) "Let's be bipartisan for a moment and let's agree on one thing: There's no scenario where the President of the United States can't head up a press conference. Under any scenario," O'Leary said on Monday's Outnumbered. "Every president, every president has been able to address the press. And in the good times and the bad times. She has to start talking to the press, period." O'Leary went on to say that investors like himself and swing state voters demand answers from Harris, but she has refused to speak out and lay out her policies in detail. "I need explanations for these policies because I have to invest on these policies," OLeary, chairman of O'Leary Ventures and a famous investor on Shark Tank, said. "I have questions and I don't get any answers. I'm not being unreasonable." "Come out, come out, wherever you are and talk to the press!" he added. OLeary shared the video of him making the remarks, with the caption, Im baffled by this. EVERY president in history has faced the press, good times or bad. No exceptions. Yet here we are, still waiting for Kamala Harris to address the nation directly. If youre serious about policy, you have to engage. Swing voters are asking, Whats the hold-up? Its simple Come out and talk to the press. Period. No more excuses! When Bill Maher slammed Kamala Harris for ignoring the press Recently, Bill Maher said that Harris ignoring the press is more insulting than Donald Trumps attacks against news organisations. Trump says youre the enemy of the people, which is pretty bad. What shes kind of saying is, I dont need you. Im not talking to you. You dont matter. Youre not relevant anymore to me. To me, thats even worse than I hate you. Its like I dont think about you, Maher said. It has been a month since Harris was endorsed by the president, but she has yet to hold news conferences or do interviews. The vice president had earlier said she would be scheduling an interview before the end of August. However, when Fox News Peter Doocy recently asked her whether she was ready for an interview with Fox News, Harris jokingly said, Im working toward it. Meghan Markle usually remains in the limelight for the ongoing Royal family drama, but one thing that draws the attention of her fans the most is her fashion sense. The Duchess of Sussex's admirers lauded her dressing style during her visit to Nigeria as well as in Colombia. Meghan Markle has revealed that she purposefully promotes brands she likes by donning their products to public engagements.(AP) In her recent interview to New York Times, Meghan has revealed that she purposefully promotes brands she likes by donning their products to public engagements. The Duchess told that she spends her time online looking for intriguing new products, particularly those that cater to women in other countries. According to the report, she has made investments in five to 10 of them, the most recent of which is the handwoven basket bag from Cesta Collective. The handwoven bags, which are made by a group of African women in Rwanda, get final touch in Italy. Also Read: Meghan Markle dubbed unbearable as nearly 20 American Riviera Orchard's staffers quit and no one wants CEO job Meghan and her brand investment journey Meghan started her brand investment journey during the pandemic, purchasing stock in the vegan instant latte startup Clevr Blends. She feels that her involvement with various brands has aided in the development of her own brand, American Riviera Orchard. According to Meghan, Investing in them has helped me line up for this chapter where Im investing in myself. She further revealed that she spends most of her time Googling, looking for brands. When people are online looking for things or reading things, Im trying to find great new designers, especially in different territories, she said. Meghan informed that she decides to wear support designers with whom she shares great bond and smaller or upcoming brands that deserve attention in key events, where she would get the spotlight and attention will be given to each detail of what I may or may not be wearing. Thats one of the most powerful things that Im able to do, and thats simply wearing, like, an earring, the Duchess concluded. For the first time in several years, NASA has detected Earth's hidden electric field that plays a key role in driving polar wind that launches charged particles to space at supersonic speeds. In an article published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, the space agency used observations from a suborbital rocket gathered by a group of international scientists to measure an ambipolar electric field. NASA has discovered Earth's hidden ambipolar field nearly 60 years after it was first theorised by scientists(NASA) NASA discovers Earth's ambipolar electric field The planet-wide electric field, first hypothesised 60 years ago, has finally been detected, thanks to NASA's Endurance Mission. Using the rocket's measurements, scientists have quantified the ambipolar field's strength, providing an understanding of how it affects the ionosphere, a layer of the upper atmosphere. ALSO READ: Elon Musk throws shade at Boeing as SpaceX set to rescue Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore Though weak, the electric field plays a key role in driving a stream of particles into outer space. NASA notes that many of these particles travelling outwards from the Earth's atmosphere were cold, with no signs they had been heated yet they were travelling at supersonic speeds. Something had to be drawing these particles out of the atmosphere, said Glyn Collinson, principal investigator of Endurance at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and lead author of the paper. In 2016, a team of scientists led by Collison embarked on the task of inventing an instrument that could measure Earths ambipolar field. ALSO READ: NASA reveals Sunita Williams' new research as Boeing Starliner still stuck in space The ambipolar field is bidirectional as it works in both directions, the space agency explained. While the ions pull the electrons down as they sink with gravity, the electrons lift ions to greater heights as they attempt to escape to space. The net effect of the ambipolar field is to extend the height of the atmosphere, lifting some ions high enough to escape with the polar wind, NASA said. Its like this conveyor belt, lifting the atmosphere up into space, Collinson continued, adding, Any planet with an atmosphere should have an ambipolar field. Now that weve finally measured it, we can begin learning how its shaped our planet as well as others over time. A 21-year-old community college student from Nepal was found shot to death in her Houston apartment after an armed robbery. Authorities discovered Muna Pandey's body with multiple gunshot wounds around 5:35 pm on Monday, August 26. Bobby Singh Shah, 51, has been arrested and charged with capital murder in connection with the fatal shooting. Muna Pandey (L) a 21-year-old student from Nepal, was found shot to death in her Houston apartment. Bobby Singh Shah (R), 51, has been arrested and charged with capital murder in connection with the fatal shooting.(Facebook, Houston Police) Muna Pandey, 21-year-old student from Nepal found shot to death in her home The staff at Pandey's apartment complex located at 6363 West Airport Boulevard dialled 911 after receiving an anonymous tip about a dead body inside the apartment. Paramedics declared her dead at the scene, the Houston Police Department said in a statement released Thursday. ALSO READ: Shocking video shows man destroying American Airlines counter with hammer after learning he was scammed As part of the initial investigation, the police released a surveillance photo of a man, who was later identified as Shah, leaving Pandey's apartment two days before her body was discovered. The Harris County District Attorneys Office filed a capital murder charge against him on Wednesday. The suspect was located and arrested later that evening during a traffic stop in northwest Houston and was subsequently booked into the Harris County Jail. Shah's arrest was made in a coordinated effort by HPD SWAT officers, the HPD Crime Reduction Unit and the Texas Department of Public Safety. ALSO READ: US Surgeon General warns parenting can be harmful to mental health and well-being A GoFundMe page has been established in an effort to raise money for Pandey's mother, Anita, who lives overseas. The fundraiser aims to assist her with travel expenses to Houston and funeral costs. Drona Gautam of the Nepalese Association of Houston told New York Post that Anita had been trying to reach her daughter for days before she was found dead. What mom said is her phone was always online. After Saturday night, phone was offline, said Gautam, who is working with the Nepal consulate to help create travel arrangements for Anita. She [Pandey] had like three gunshots and she was laying down on the bed, with head down. Hopefully, the investigation will come up with some idea of how this happened. Pope Francis has sparked outrage after he severely condemned the treatment of migrants, stating that those who repel immigrants are committing a grave sin. Pope Francis described the Mediterranean Sea as a cemetery where many migrants had have lost their lives, despite them being preventable.(REUTERS) During his weekly audience address in St. Peter's Square, the Pope spoke about the migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea to enter Europe. He reminded people to think about those who travel difficult oceans and deserts their own land to find peace and safety. He further described the Mediterranean Sea as a cemetery where many migrants had have lost their lives, despite them being preventable. There are those who work systematically and with every means to reject migrants. And this, when done with conscience and responsibility, is a grave sin, Francis stated. He went on to say that refugees should not be crossing dangerous seas and desert, adding that this cannot be achieved with stricter rules and border militarisation. Instead, we will achieve it by extending safe and legal entry routes for migrants, by facilitating providing refuge for those fleeing war, violence, persecution and so many calamities, Francis stated. Also Read: Vatican issues apology after Pope used vulgar term for gay priests Pope Francis faces massive flak from Trump's supporters Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump's supporters have reacted angrily to Francis' remarks. Notably, the Republican presidential nominee has made immigration a central theme of his White House campaign. He has consistently blamed migrants for surge in crimes in the United States, despite research indicating no correlation between immigration and violent crime. He has additionally pledged to conduct the largest deportation effort in US history if elected president in November. Trump supporters flocked to social media to criticise the Pope's remarks, with one blasting him for appeasing globalists. Pope Francis says we shall welcome immigrants with our arms open, one X user wrote, asking Who thinks the Vatican is too focused on appeasing globalists to effectively be a force for good when we need it most? Taking a shot at Francis, one remarked that he is the head of the Vatican, a city state which is entirely enclosed by a wall. The Vatican is entirely protected by defensive walls and armed guards. Be welcoming! Let them all in! another user reacted, while one more chimed in, Our pope apparently doesnt understand the difference between knocking at the door and asking for help and breaking in ones house and demanding provision. Meanwhile, the supporters of Francis defended his words, with one user stating that Pope was not denouncing migration limitations, but rather referring to harsh or contemptuous treatment of migrants. Francis has encountered condemnation from conservative Catholics in the United States, who see him as overly progressive. He has spent his papal term emphasising social justice problems and marginalised populations, notably the poor. He has also worked to make the church more accepting for LGBTQ+ Catholics. During the interview, he also attacked the state of Texas' efforts to ban a Catholic charity that offers humanitarian aid to undocumented migrants. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from their royal duties and flew to the United States to start a new life with their son Archie, who was just 8-month-old. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who are proud parents to Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, want their kids to have a normal upbringing. Meghan later gave birth to their second child in California. The Duke and Duchess, who are proud parents to Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, want their kids to have a normal upbringing. Prince Harry's family lives in a luxurious $14 million estate in Montecito, California. While he and Meghan have tried their best to keep both Archie and Lilibet away from the media limelight, the couple will have to inform their kids about their royal lineage in near future. However, they are apparently not in a rush to inform their children about their royalty. According to experts, Archie and Lilibet will eventually learn about their royal bloodline as Meghan's son and daughter are respectively sixth and seventh in line to the throne. Speaking to US Weekly, an insider close to Meghan and Harry said, Theyll have those conversations in due time. Calling their kids so well-mannered, the source described Archie as sweet and curious and playful, and Lilibet as vibrant and happy. Also Read: Prince Harry's latest move could dredge everything up again in feud with royal family, expert warns Difference between limelight being received by Prince William's and Harry's kids Comparing the limelight being received by Harry's and his estranged brother Prince William's kids, the source mentioned his three children have way more safety, even though theyre recognizable. However, the same scenario does not apply to Archie and Lilibet. They know the world wants to see [them but] I would expect them to live smaller lives until that gets sorted, if it ever does, the insider said. According to a source, Harry and Meghan are hands-on parents who accompany their children to school, pick them up, and spend quality time with them throughout the day. Meghan opens up about her chatty, sweet children On her recent trip to Colombia, Meghan, who usually remains silent about her personal life, couldn't help but praise her chatty, sweet children, stressing that she always wanted to enjoy motherhood. And Im so fortunate that we have two beautiful, healthy, very chatty, sweet children. I love being a mom, she said. Markle will stay in Montecito with her children next month, while Harry will travel to New York City for a visit that coincides with UN General Assembly High-Level Week and Climate Week. A Romanian man and a Serbian national have been charged with making bomb threats and triggering "swatting" attacks on dozens of US officials and lawmakers, the Justice Department said Wednesday. Romanian, Serbian men charged with 'swatting' US officials Thomasz Szabo, 26, of Romania, and Nemanja Radovanovic, 21, of Serbia, face one count of conspiracy and multiple counts of making threats regarding explosives and transmitting threats. "Swatting" takes its name from the heavily armed SWAT teams dispatched to tackle emergencies in the United States. The law enforcement response is often prompted by a caller who reports a false violent crime at a home. Szabo and Radovanovic, as well as other unidentified conspirators, are accused in an indictment unsealed on Wednesday of perpetrating dozens of "swatting" attacks between December 2020 and January of this year. The targets included 40 private citizens, 61 official victims, including members of Congress, cabinet-level executive branch officials, senior officials of federal law enforcement agencies and state officials, the Justice Department said. The calls to law enforcement included false claims of homicides, suicides, kidnappings and mass shootings. Szabo and Radovanovic are also alleged to have made bomb threats against four businesses, four religious institutions and one university. "Swatting is not a victimless prank it endangers real people, wastes precious police resources, and inflicts significant emotional trauma," US Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew Graves said in a statement. "We will use every tool at our disposal to find the perpetrators and hold them accountable, no matter where they might be." According to a source with knowledge of the case, Szabo is in custody. The indictment alleges that Szabo was the organizer and moderator of chat groups where the conspirators communicated with one another, and that he used the monikers "Jonah," "Plank," "Rambler," and "War Lord," among others. Radovanovic's monikers included "XBD31," "Angus" and "Thuggin." The FBI tracked about 600 "swatting" incidents in the country last year. Those targeted have included Tanya Chutkan, the federal judge overseeing the election subversion case against Donald Trump, Special Counsel Jack Smith, who brought the charges against the former president, and Republican lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene. According to the indictment, Szabo told Radovanovic in December 2023 that they "should direct their swatting activity against victims from both US political parties because 'we are not on any side.'" cl/bjt This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. It turns out Governor Tim Walz is younger than Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, causing a stir online. Social media is abuzz with puns and light-hearted jabs about the Minnesota Governor and his age compared to the Hollywood stars. Tim Walz's age sparks online chatter comparing him to Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise. As Walz finds himself in the spotlight, after being picked as Kamala Harris running mate for the 2024 elections, the internet is delving into his background, uncovering details about the former social studies teacher, war veteran, and now one of the nations most searched politicians. Tim Walz is younger than Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise And the answer is yes! Governor Tim Walz, born on April 6, 1964, is indeed younger than the action-packed Mission Impossible Tom Cruise, who was born on July 3, 1962. Meanwhile, the charming Brad Pitt, whos now gearing up for a Formula 1 challenge, came into the world on December 18, 1963. At 60, Governor Tim Walz has a ton of experience for his job. He's been the governor since 2019, but before stepping into public office, he served in the military and worked as a teacher. His age has become a hot topic as Americans want younger people in charge, especially after the Trump and Biden times. Walz's mix of experiences and deep understanding are making people think about what politics might look like in the future. Also read: Trump accuses Mark Zuckerberg of plotting against him; warns of lifetime in prison if Meta But internet is having a hard time believing Walz is just 60 Some people thought Walz might be too old for the job, but a lot of others pointed out he's just a year older than Kamala Harris. The internet soon buzzed with excitement when comparisons were drawn between Walz and two of Hollywoods most fit action stars, who are both over 60 but still dominating the action genre and raking in big bucks. "Still wrapping my mind around the fact that Brad Pitt is older than Tim Walz," a person commented on X (formerly Twitter). He fought in a war and taught kids. That will age you, another person defended his mature appearance. I mean, he's just Country 60, hes got Bubba Energy, which is NOT a bad thing. We kinda need Bubba Energy on the ticket, a third person commented. Soon, "He's Minnesota 60" became a top trend of the day. Also read: Jennifer Lopezs divorce judge has shocking personal ties to Ben Affleck and her ex, Alex: Report Far more Younger than Donald Trump and Biden Walz is 18 years younger than Trump and 21 years younger than Biden. He was born the same year as Harris, who's about to turn 60 in October, which is just a month before the election. After Harris picked him to be her running mate, his younger picture from his time in the military went viral online, with people calling him handsome and cute. For those who arent aware, he joined the Army National Guard at just 17 years old and served in the military for 24 years. In his upcoming book Save America, set to hit the market on September 3, Donald Trump lashed out at Mark Zuckerberg, accusing him of sabotage during the 2020 election. In the book, the former President, 78, recounts a meeting with the tech mogul, 40, and expresses his outrage over the election's outcome. US President Trump late Thursday posted a picture on Facebook and Twitter showing him shaking hands with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, but didnt share details of their conversation.(Photo Credit: DonaldTrump/Twitter) He warns that if the Meta CEO or anyone else engages in illegal activities in the 2024 Presidential Election, they could face a lifetime in prison. This comes right after Zuckerberg accused the Biden-Harris administration of pressuring the social media giant to censor certain COVID-19 content on Facebook. Trump accuses Mark Zuckerberg of scheming against him Just hours after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologised for collaborating with the Biden-Harris administration to censor COVID-19 content, former President Donald Trump claims in his upcoming book, set for release next week, that Zuckerberg conspired against him during the 2020 election. This is just another time Trump is going after big tech companies; before that, his team said Google was messing with search results about him in days leading to elections. Also read: Fact Check: Zuckerberg's 'doctored' Covid vaccine video goes viral after his claims against Biden-Harris The book has a photo from an unknown date showing Trump hanging out with Zuckerberg at the White House. Right under the picture, Trump jots down that Zuckerberg would drop by the Oval Office to hang out with him. ACcording to Politico it further says, He would bring his very nice wife to dinners, be as nice as anyone could be, while always plotting to install shameful Lock Boxes in a true PLOT AGAINST THE PRESIDENT. The former prez was seemingly referring to the time when Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, gave a whopping $420 million to help out with election setup during the 2020 elections. Tump says Zuckerberg will serve last time in prison if. We are watching him closely, and if he does anything illegal this time he will spend the rest of his life in prison as will others who cheat in the 2024 Presidential Election, Trump continued in the book as per Politico. While rich Elon Musk is teaming up with Trump's crew for the next elections, Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg is opting not to back either President Biden or the ex-President Trump. Zuckerberg has made it clear he's not planning to get too involved in the 2024 election and says he won't be throwing money or support into it before November 5th, the day of the presidential vote. Also read: Trumps disgraceful thumbs-up and flashing smile at soldiers graves slammed by netizens: I have no words Republicans have frequently complained about Meta's behavior, like when it first restricted The Post's big story about Hunter Biden's laptop and supposedly teamed up with the government to manage specific COVID-19 content. Back then, the FBI mentioned that the news might have been a Russian plan to mess with the election. Last month, Trump vented his anger at Zuckerberg in a Truth Social post, declaring, ELECTION FRAUDSTERS are operating at unprecedented levels and will face lengthy prison sentences. We know who you are. DONT DO IT! ZUCKERBUCKS, beware. Zuckerberg apologies for censoring Covid 19 On Monday, Mark Zuckerberg, the boss of Meta, wrote a letter to the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee and admitted they made a mistake by not letting the story go. He said it's obvious now that the reporting wasn't Russian disinformation and they shouldn't have ignored it. In the same note, Zuckerberg also said that the Biden team tried to push Meta to hide some COVID-19 content, which he thought was a bad move for the White House. The FBI's investigation surrounding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, last month has rung up a new update. In a bombshell reveal, the first images of the rifle 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks used to fire shots at the July rally were shared online. The image further unveils how the would-be assassin concealed the AR-15 style weapon in a backpack while making his way through the rally crowd. Trump shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks is said to have acted alone at the July rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The #FBI remains steadfast in investigating the details surrounding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at the July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the agency captioned the post on X, formerly Twitter. Sharing two pictures of the weapon, the FBI shows a picture of the rifle broken down and another with the weapon fully assembled. How Trump's would-be assassin concealed the semi-automatic weapon at the rally Crooks reportedly broke the semi-automatic DPMS DR-15 rifle into two pieces to carry it in a black SwissGear bag, also revealed in the new images. The said backpack was recovered onsite. Previous reports had already informed that the weapons were originally purchased by Crooks' father a decade ago, which the 20-year-old shooter ultimately used at Trump's rally to open fire. He fired eight shots at the former president, ultimately grazing his right ear with one. Meanwhile, 50-year-old retired fire chief Corey Comperatore, who was an attendee at the event, died. Also read | JD Vance downplays 'altercation' at Arlington cemetery as little disagreement, blasts media for exaggerating the issue The New York Post also reported that the agency had released images of two improvised explosive devices found in the trunk of Thomas Crooks' car. FBI said the IEDs had several problems with the way they were constructed. The trunk also had another backpack, a laptop bag, and a spray bottle containing a clear liquid. On the day of the assassination attempt in Butler, Crooks perched his semi-automatic weapon about 130 yards away from Trump's spot on the stage. Two other wounded victims were former Marine David Dutch and James Copenhaver. Although they were seriously injured, they fortunately survived the shooting and have been released from hospitals. FBI's latest remarks about Thomas Crooks As the Trump shooter remains an infuriating enigma even today, his motive is still unknown to the authorities. At a news briefing on Wednesday, the bureau said Crooks had a mixture of ideologies which neither solely leans towards left or right. Though a registered Republican, the would-be assassin donated $15 to liberal campaign group ActBlue. Also read | Donald Trump rejects atrocious new poll as Kamala Harris surges in battleground states He seemed to have acted alone at the July rally, as US authorities hinted there was no sign of external involvement. Kevin Rojek, head of the FBI's Pittsburgh office, said: When the Trump rally was announced early in July, he became hyper-focussed on that specific event and looked at it as a target of opportunity. Per other reports, Crooks' search history included mentions of John F Kennedy's assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, and several other high-profile figures. Rojek told reporters during a press call that Crooks had a sustained detailed effort to plan an attack on some event, meaning he looked at any number of events or targets. Authorities also said he looked up Where will Trump speak from at Butler Farm Show? Additionally, his previous searches revealed that he had been researching online how to make bombs and what ingredients were needed for the process. Eventually, a Secret Service sniper shot and killed Thomas Matthew Crooks. Donald Trump has claimed in an interview that it is Joe Biden and Kamala Harris fault that there was a lack of a sufficient security detail at the Pennsylvania rally, where he survived an assassination attempt. Trump made the comments in an interview with Dr. Phil McGraw. Trump says it's Biden and Harris' fault that there were security failures at PA rally (REUTERS/Megan Varner/File Photo, AP Photo/Evan Vucci) People would ask, whose fault is it? I think to a certain extent its Bidens fault and [Vice President Kamala] Harriss fault, Trump said during the sit-down on Tuesday, August 27. And Im the opponent, Trump continued. Look, they were weaponizing government against me. They brought in the whole DOJ to try and get me. They werent too interested in my health and safety. Our people were always fighting to get more security, more Secret Service, and he knew that we didnt have enough, he added. Maybe that bullet is because of their rhetoric At another point in the interview, the former president said that Biden and Harris are a threat to democracy. Theyre saying Im a threat to democracy. No, theyre a threat, he said. They would say that. That was a standard line, just keep saying it, and you know that can get assassins or potential assassins going. Maybe that bullet is because of their rhetoric, Trump added. Gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at the rally, injuring Trump and two others, and killing one attendee. After facing massive criticism over the handling of the assassination attempt on Trump, Secret Service Director Kimberley Cheatle resigned. During a joint congressional hearing, Acting Secret Service director Ronald Rowe said that he was ashamed of the lapses due to which Crooks was able to carry out the shooting. I laid in a prone position to evaluate his line of sight, Rowe said. What I saw made me ashamed. As a career law enforcement officer, and a 25-year veteran with the Secret Service, I cannot defend why that roof was not better secured, he added. By Trevor Hunnicutt US, Chinese officials to wrap up BEIJING, - U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan held wide-ranging talks with one of Chinese President Xi Jinping's top military officials on Thursday, wrapping up three days of talks in Beijing intended to ease tension between the two superpowers. Sullivan pushed for enhanced working-level military to military communications in the session with General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China's paramount military body, the Central Military Commission. The meeting was the first between Zhang and a Biden administration official, and the first between a senior U.S. official and a vice chair of the commission since 2018. "Your request for having this meeting with me demonstrates the value the U.S. government puts on military security and our military-to-military relationship," Zhang said as the two met at the headquarters of the People's Liberation Army. Sullivan described the meeting as a "rare" event, and stressed that both countries had a responsibility to prevent competition from veering into conflict or confrontation. "Given the state of the world and the need for us to responsibly manage U.S.-China relations, I think it's a very important meeting," Sullivan replied. Both referred to progress in military communications and arrangements for theatre-level commanders to speak soon by telephone, which the United States has pushed for amid increased regional deployments. The White House said Sullivan also stressed the need for stability across the Taiwan Strait and freedom of navigation in the disputed South China Sea, a vital trade waterway. The United States also raised concerns about China's support for Russia's defence industrial base. Zhang is believed to be close to Xi and has survived turmoil in Chinas military ranks. Western and Asian diplomats say he is more powerful than the defence minister, who more frequently meets foreign officials. Sullivan held lengthy talks on Wednesday with China's top diplomat Wang Yi, seeking to calm tension ahead of the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5. Wang and Sullivan discussed the prospect of fresh talks soon between leaders Joe Biden and Xi Jinping as well as a broad agenda that featured contrasting views on the Middle East and Ukraine, Chinese territorial claims from Taiwan to the South China Sea and trade. "The key to the smooth development of China-U.S. interaction lies in treating each other as equals," Wang told Sullivan, according to state broadcaster CCTV. "The two sides held candid, substantive, and constructive discussions on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues," the White House said. In the final months of his presidency, Biden has pushed direct diplomacy to influence Xi and keep those tensions at bay; U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate in November's election, would probably pursue a similar strategy. However, many analysts aligned with former President and current Republican candidate Donald Trump see that approach as too soft in the face of China's increasingly assertive foreign policy. The United States also wants more domestic action from China to prevent the development of chemicals that can be made into fentanyl, the leading cause of U.S. drug overdoses, and reach an understanding on safety standards for artificial intelligence. Beijing plans to express its disapproval over U.S. tariffs on a range of manufactured goods and export controls targeting Chinese chip makers, and talk about its claims of sovereignty over democratically ruled Taiwan. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. IHG Hotels & Resorts is planning to open a new luxury resort under the Six Senses brand in Telluride, Colorado. The upcoming establishment will feature 77 rooms and 24 exclusive residences. The project, spearheaded by Matthew Shear and David Jaskel of the Vault Home Collection, is a collaboration with Six Senses to create a wellness-focused hospitality experience in the picturesque town of San Miguel County. Designed by Vault Design, the exterior will showcase a combination of cedar siding and locally sourced stone, while the interiors, crafted by Rose Ink Workshop, will emphasize natural light and earthy tones, reflecting the surrounding environment. The resort's dining options will include a specialty restaurant, omakase dining, a speakeasy-style bar, and Telluride's first rooftop pool venue. Additionally, there will be a vibrant retail space and conference facilities open to the local community. The Six Senses branded residences will offer two to five-bedroom options, with some units including an additional den. Residents will have access to amenities such as a gym, cinema, lounge, and game room. Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses, commented on the development, emphasizing the brand's commitment to integrating with the local community and noting the suitability of Telluride for their wellness and sustainability-focused approach. Jacobs, who lived in the Colorado Rockies in the 1980s, expressed enthusiasm for the brand's mountain venture in North America. This new Telluride location will add to Six Senses' growing presence in the U.S., alongside projects in Napa Valley and South Carolina. Internationally, the brand continues to expand, with recent openings and developments in the Caribbean and Mexico. The Six Senses Telluride resort is scheduled to open its doors in 2028. Hotel website The Hotel Group (THG), an affiliate of Hotel Equities, in partnership with co-owners Hogback Development Company, is thrilled to announce it has acquired land to develop a Marriott StudioRes in Moses Lake, WA. StudioRes is Marriott International's new midscale, extended stay lodging brand appealing to investors for its focus on the short-term rental market and building/design efficiencies. The smart, modern, all-studio hotel will feature spacious suites providing an exceptional option for travelers seeking convenience, comfort, and flexibility- especially for longer stays- in the central Washington market. "We are excited to bring Marriott's innovative StudioRes concept to this location. This new brand is a perfect fit for the growing demand in the midscale extended stay market, and we are confident that it will be well received by guests," said Doug Dreher, CEO, The Hotel Group. "Our partnership with Hogback Development Company underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences and expanding our portfolio with properties that resonate with today's travelers." Intended to provide a home-like environment with all the modern amenities that today's travelers expect, the property aims to meet the demands of both business and leisure travelers by offering a blend of functionality, comfort, and style. Public spaces in the Marriott StudioRes Moses Lake will include a well-equipped fitness center, laundry facilities, a communal table for guests to gather and socialize, a covered patio for outdoor relaxation, and a vending area offering a variety of food items and guest essentials. Each guest room will offer flexible shower or shower/tub options, fully equipped kitchens featuring a refrigerator/freezer, sink, cooktop, and optional microwave and dishwasher, complemented by open shelving for storage. The rooms will also include an open closet concept and a distinctive "mudroom" area, providing added convenience and functionality for extended stay guests. The Marriott StudioRes Moses Lake is the5th hotel development project that THG and Hogback have partnered to build. Construction is set to begin early 2025, with an anticipated opening in Spring 2026. The hotel's site is located adjacent to the co-owner's already open and operating Fairfield Inn & Suites Moses Lake. THG and Hogback are dedicated to ensuring the new-build Marriott StudioRes will set a new benchmark for hospitality with extended stay hotels in the region. Click here to learn more about Marriott StudioRes. Hotel website Fairmont Waterfront is thrilled to announce the appointment of Randall Z. Williams as General Manager, effective September 3, 2024. Randall brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished career in the hospitality industry, having most recently served as General Manager of Fairmont Vancouver Airport. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Randall began his hospitality journey at the historical Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia in 1999, where he participated in the Management Development Program. Over the years, he advanced through various food and beverage operational roles, eventually becoming the Resort Operations Manager. In 2006 Randall took on his first role of General Manager and since, has held progressive leadership roles overseeing mid-scale to luxury hotels and resorts across the United States, including properties under the Wyndham, Hyatt, and 21c Museum Hotel brands. In 2022, Randall joined Fairmont Vancouver Airport as General Manager, where he led the team to continued success, maintaining the hotel's status as North America's #1 Airport Hotel by Skytrax for nine consecutive years. Randall now joins the team at Vancouver's Fairmont Waterfront, an iconic luxury hotel celebrated for its coastal location and offerings. His service-first leadership style and commitment to leading by example have consistently made a positive impact on both his teams and the communities he has served. "I am thrilled to join the Fairmont Waterfront team, a hotel that truly embodies the essence of Pure Coastal Luxury," stated Randall. "Together, we will continue to elevate the hotel's reputation as a premier destination in one of the world's most beautiful cities." With a career spanning over two decades, Randall has been an integral member of Accor's leadership team and within the communities where he has lived and worked. He held the Chair and Co-Chair positions on Accor's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for the North & Central America region from 2020 to 2022. He has a degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Maria Kristiansen has been appointed to become the new General Manager at the Moxy Troms hotel, the most northly Marriott hotel in the world. Maria is currently the General Manager at the Troms Lodge and Camping and brings more than 20 years of experience from management positions within the hotel and tourism industry. Born and raised in Troms, Maria has an in-depth knowledge of the local community and a strong network.Maria Kristiansen is taking over from Jurate Poluniovaite. Jurate successfully opened the Moxy Troms property and has since ensured that it has become a well-managed hotel. Before taking on the role as Pre-Opening General Manager in Troms, Jurate worked in multiple roles across many of Core Hospitality's properties. She is now on her way to a new adventure within the Core Hospitality organization where she will join the project management team to support, among others, the rebranding of the A Place To hotel in Esbjerg, Denmark. At OTA Sync, we are excited to announce the launch of the OTA Edu program, a significant initiative through which we will be donating our hotel management software to secondary schools and higher education institutions. This program is designed to provide teachers and students with essential skills to adeptly navigate modern technology in the hospitality industry. Initial Beneficiaries We are pleased to share that the first institution to benefit from this program is the Hospitality and Tourism School in Cajetina, soon followed by the Secondary Tourism School in New Belgrade. Starting in the next academic year, students at these schools will begin their training with OTA Sync software, gaining invaluable hands-on experience. Teacher Training To ensure a smooth integration, we are committed to training the teaching staff at all participating educational institutions. Our training program is already underway with the Secondary Tourism School in New Belgrade, equipping educators with the necessary knowledge to effectively utilize the OTA Sync system in their curriculum. Training for teachers in the Secondary Tourism School in New Belgrade Photo by OTA Sync Supporting Future Hospitality Professionals At OTA Sync, we are incredibly proud and deeply honored to support the next generation of hospitality professionals. Witnessing the passion and dedication of young minds as they prepare to enter this dynamic industry fills us with immense pride and optimism. This initiative is more than just a program; it's a commitment to nurturing the future leaders of hospitality, providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to excel. The journey has just begun, and we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. With every new school and university we partner with, we take another step towards creating a brighter, more promising future for the hospitality sector. Together, we can make a significant impact, fostering a new generation of skilled, confident, and passionate hospitality professionals who will shape the industry's future with their expertise and vision. Djordje Jevtic, CEO of OTA Sync Djordje Jevtic, CEO of OTA Sync giving a statement on the OTA Edu initiative Photo by OTA Sync Through the OTA Edu program, our goal is to empower students with practical knowledge of the industry tools they will encounter in their careers. Jelena Maric, Principal of the Hospitality and Tourism School in Cajetina, expressed her gratitude, stating, I would first like to thank the Innovation Business Center and OTA Sync for choosing our school to be the first in Serbia to have this software. Practical training is of great importance both for students and their future employers and this will get them ready for the job market. Future Plans We are currently in negotiations with several other schools and universities and expect to sign new software donation agreements soon. Our commitment at OTA Sync is to continuously support educational institutions in preparing students for successful careers in the hospitality industry. About OTA Sync OTA Sync is an all-in-one cloud-based software solution for managing hotels and apartments. The system was designed according to the latest standards to facilitate and automate the hotel & vacation rental business. OTA Sync software is suitable for medium and small hotels, boutique hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and apartments. The company has over 2.000 satisfied users in 17 countries around the world. The system is based on cloud technology, which is completely secure, without the need for physical servers. Because of cloud-based technology, costs are drastically reduced, daily tasks are automated, and the overall efficiency and revenues of the property are increased. There are four complete solutions for managing hotels and apartments: The software contributes to saving time and costs, increasing the number of reservations and facilitating communication between the sales and reception departments. A mobile application is also available for iOS and Android users, for even faster and easier management, from anywhere. Click here for a free trial! Djordje Jevtic CEO Tokyo, Japan IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan (IHG) today announced a landmark partnership with Hotel Management International Ltd (HMI), who operate a diverse portfolio of properties across Japan, to rebrand three hotels to the ANA Crowne Plaza brand expanding IHGs footprint into three new destinations. Totalling 539 rooms, the three Crown Palais hotels will undergo extensive renovations as they convert to ANA Crowne Plaza Kochi, ANA Crowne Plaza Chiryu and ANA Crowne Plaza Hamamatsu. They will join an extensive footprint, of more than 20 ANA Crowne Plaza hotels across Japan and more than 400 Crowne Plaza hotels worldwide and will open in the first half of 2026. As one of the worlds largest premium hotel brands, Crowne Plaza has properties located in gateway cities, airports, resorts and suburban destinations around the world and these three hotels will benefit from brand awareness both in Japan and globally. Abhijay Sandilya, CEO of IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan and Managing Director of IHG Hotels & Resorts Japan & Micronesia, said: Were excited and honoured to work in partnership with Hotel Management International Co Ltd for the first time and bring our collective vision for these three properties to life as ANA Crowne Plaza hotels, the largest international premium hotel brand in Japan. Converting these properties reflects the attractiveness of our brands, the value of IHGs global enterprise backed by our strong in-market team with ANAs support. Together in partnership with HMI, we will lead these hotels into an exciting next chapter. Expanding the brands presence and adding three new destinations Kochi, Chiryu and Hamamatsu to our extensive portfolio across the country offers guests new experiences and options whether they are travelling for leisure, business or blended travel. These three hotels are well known for their convenient locations, excellent facilities and hospitality. The addition of Crowne Plazas purposeful design that offers flexible spaces to work, meet and relax, while meeting the needs of guests seeking productivity, relaxation or connections will elevate the offering and capture a greater share of business from both domestic and international travellers. Ryuko Hira, President of Hotel Management International Co. Ltdsaid: We are delighted to be partnering with IHG to convert three HMI Hotel Group hotels to ANA Crowne Plaza and be part of the global IHG system. With a long history of operating hotels for more than half a century across Japan, we are confident that the power of IHG and the ANA Crowne Plaza brand will enable us to strengthen our offering and expand our business attracting a wider range of travellers to our hotels. Japans international arrivals are at a record high with 17.7 million visitors in the first half of 2024, and expected to reach 35 million, a record high for the country in 2024. Tourists are also seeking to explore beyond the larger cities and explore lesser known destinations our rebranded hotels will add increased value to international guests as well as appeal to a greater share of domestic visitors. HMI has been delivering the charms of destinations across Japan to guests. With our partnership with IHG, we will set new standards of excellence in hospitality and strive to support the Japanese Government's inbound policy of creating high value and attracting visitors to local areas. ANA Crowne Plaza Kochi, ANA Crowne Plaza Chiryu and ANA Crowne Plaza Hamamatsu join a 20-strong ANA Crowne Plaza portfolio in Japan that includes ANA Crowne Plaza Osaka and ANA Crowne Plaza Kanazawa. These three hotels add to IHGs growing presence in Japan which currently sits at 47 open hotels with 15 in the pipeline. IHG Hotels & Resorts has had a long presence in Japan and has grown to become one of the largest international operators in the country, with 47 hotels and over 14,000 rooms, across eight world-class brands: Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express and voco hotels. In the next three years, IHG will debut three new brands in market including Regent Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection and Garner hotels. Dubai, UAE, 29 August 202 4 . FHS World today unveiled its stellar line up of speakers, an action-packed agenda and a wealth of new features at its biggest event to date, which will see more than 1,500 hospitality and tourism leaders descend on Dubais Madinat Jumeirah, 30 September to 2 October. Under the theme Invest in our Future, the FHS World programme will present three days of strong debate, insight and groundbreaking news, covering everything from investment opportunities to innovation and ESG to exclusive announcements. Among more than 110 confirmed top-flight speakers and presenters at FHS World is His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy for the UAE who, having played a crucial role in developing some of countrys most important hospitality and tourism policies, will share his insights on the world of hospitality investment in a welcome address moderated by Stephen Sackur, Presenter of HARDTalk, on 1 October. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of FHS World organiser, The Bench, said: FHS World is all about bringing together the best in the industry and connecting decision-makers, investors, hotel owners, operators and innovators across the global hospitality investment sector. As the hospitality and tourism industry reaches new heights in terms of investment, innovation and sustainability, our bursting agenda will push boundaries and challenge the norms to set the tone for the immediate, short-term and long-term future and success of the ever-growing and evolving sector. We look forward to three days of strong discussion, hot debate and industry-changing decision making it our biggest, boldest event yet. Who is speaking at FHS World? The growing list of speakers at FHS World features renowned names in hospitality, investment and tourism. Among them: His Excellency Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing; Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Airports;Pier Paolo Righi, CEO & President, Karl Lagerfeld; George Azar, Chairman & CEO, Sotheby's International Realty - Dubai, Saudi, UK, andPat Thaker, Editorial Director MEA, The EconomistGroup. Representatives from some of the industrys leading hotel and tourism operators include Sebastien Bazin, Group Chairman & CEO, Accor; Thomas B. Meier, Chief Operating Officer and interim Chief Executive Officer, Jumeirah; John Pagano, Group Chief Executive Officer, Red Sea Global; Gregory Lanter, CEO Global Development Construction Property, ClubMed - All-Inclusive Beach and Mountain Resorts; Guy Hutchinson, President, Middle East & Africa (MEA), Hilton; Inge Huijbrechts, Chief Sustainability & Security Officer, Radisson Hotel Group;Satya Anand, President - Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Marriott International.;Haitham Mattar, Special Advisor UN Tourism, Managing Director MEA & South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts; Javier Aguila, Group President - EAME , Hyatt; Philip Barnes, Chief Executive Officer, Rotana; Kevin Goh, Chief Executive Officer, The Ascott Limited; andDuncan ORourke, Chief Executive officer MEA & Asia Pacific, Accor. Leaders from ARC International Design Consultants, Booking.com, CBRE, Colliers, Dubai Real Estate Corporation, Elaf Group, Enterprise Greece, Group Barrierre, HAMA MEA, Hotelschool The Hague, Hyatt, HVS, JLL, JT+Partners, Kearney, Knight Frank, Leva Hotels, QUO, Rove Hotels, Savills, STR, TUI BLUE Hotels & Resorts, The Ascott Limited; van Marken Consulting, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; Union Investment Real Estate; Savills; STR; and United Hospitality Management also feature. Whats on the FHS World agenda? With more than 40 sessions, covering nearly 20 conference tracks across four stages (Summit, Future, Exhibition and Innovation), the FHS World agenda is bursting with information and insight to address the biggest, most pressing issues facing the hospitality and tourism industry. Key tracks include ESG and Human Capital; Technology and Innovation; People, Planet, Profit; Real Estate Hotelisation; Investment and Development; Branding and Culture; and Wellness, as well as several sessions dedicated to industry awards and competitions. Tanja Millner, Production Director at The Bench, said: As FHS World continues to expand and evolve, so do its agenda, attractions and features. This years programme promises to be the largest, most diverse and most immersive to date, with more topics and themes to inform, educate and inspire than ever before. Weve also packed a host of new attractions into FHS 2024, including a mini expo spotlighting various countries investment opportunities, a forum dedicated to all things branded residences, and showstopping contests that will highlight our industrys talent and creativity. Among the must-attends across the three days are: Panel debates and presentations on all things People, Profit, Planet , including Scaling Tourism Destinations with Sustainable Footprints An ESG Approach; Where to start with Decarbonisation, Achieving Net Positive Hospitality; and Justifying Sustainability. Plus, there are several sessions covering sustainable design and construction, including what hotels of the future will look like, and decoding sustainability certifications , including Scaling Tourism Destinations with Sustainable Footprints An ESG Approach; Where to start with Decarbonisation, Achieving Net Positive Hospitality; and Justifying Sustainability. Plus, there are several sessions covering sustainable design and construction, including what hotels of the future will look like, and decoding sustainability certifications The BIG Project Pitch given the high demand from investors for new opportunities, FHS World has invited innovative hospitality projects from across the globe to take the stage and present their ideas in an interactive, live- judging format. Countries represented include Greece, Italy, the Maldives, Morrocco, Sri Lanka and more to be announced given the high demand from investors for new opportunities, FHS World has invited innovative hospitality projects from across the globe to take the stage and present their ideas in an interactive, live- judging format. Countries represented include Greece, Italy, the Maldives, Morrocco, Sri Lanka and more to be announced Technology-focussed sessions exploring issues such as addressing bottlenecks in innovation, the future of design and customer experience; and practical insights and implementations for advancement sessions exploring issues such as addressing bottlenecks in innovation, the future of design and customer experience; and practical insights and implementations for advancement In depth discussions on the hotelisation of real estate assets , including Commercially-driven Asset Management in Hospitality; Capitialising on the Alternative Accommodation Boom; The Rise of Blended Accommodation; and Global Trends in Co-Living , including Commercially-driven Asset Management in Hospitality; Capitialising on the Alternative Accommodation Boom; The Rise of Blended Accommodation; and Global Trends in Co-Living TenX Leadership Talks: Building Tomorrows Foundation for the Future of Travel; Insights of a CEOs Journey Building Tomorrows Foundation for the Future of Travel; Insights of a CEOs Journey Special focuses on Europe and Africa examining the Europes hospitality revival and investment opportunities, and the booming hospitality market, dynamic investment landscape and approach to authentic leisure in Africa examining the Europes hospitality revival and investment opportunities, and the booming hospitality market, dynamic investment landscape and approach to authentic leisure in Africa A deep dive into wellness, including sessions that explore the future of wellness travel, inhouse wellness brands versus outsourcing, and harmonising environmental responsibility with high end hospitality crafting inhouse strategies New and unique to FHS World 2024 From country showcases to curated competitions, FHS World is launching several new events and features this year. The Branded Residences Forum, presented by Accor One Living, will deep dive into the history, current trends and future of all things branded residences in the Middle East and across the globe, with industry experts, developers, designers and branding experts among the speaker line-up. Also new for 2024 is the Country Pavilions exhibition, showcasing new and unique hospitality projects and destinations and the plethora of investment opportunities they bring in international markets. Greece, Italy, Morocco, the Maldives and Sri Lanka are all confirmed for the event. Plus, new competitions and industry awards will make their debut this year, as part of The Benchs continued commitment to encouraging innovation and creativity in the hospitality sector. Contests include the semi-finals of the UN Tourism Women in Tech Start Up Competition; and the Sustainable Cook Off. As in previous years, the finals of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge, now firmly established as a key element of the industrys events calendar, will also be held at FHS. Awards and announcements FHS World 2024 is the platform to showcase and celebrate top flight performers in the regions hospitality industry, with the FHS Future Leaders and Leadership Awards, set to recognise the best contributors, creators and new talent. Nominations for both awards are open and can be submitted here. The Leadership Award, in partnership with Hospitality News Middle East, celebrates exceptional leaders and innovators who have significantly impacted the global hospitality industry over their careers. This award aims to honour those who have shaped the industry through their dedication, leadership, and innovation, setting benchmarks for excellence and inspiring future generations of hospitality professionals. The Future Leader Award, in partnership with EHL, is dedicated to individuals, 35 years old and younger, who exemplify the next generation of hospitality leaders on a global scale. This award aims to spotlight those who embody the spirit of hospitality and possess the vision to shape the future of our industry. Visit https://www.futurehospitality.com/world for full information on the regions leading hospitality investment summit. About The Bench The Benchhas established a legacy for delivering world-leading investment forums and conferences in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The key principle behind these platforms has remained "dealmaking'. Transforming the way business connect, Bench has developed a reputation for creating innovative and high-impact meeting spaces for the industry. For over two decades - government leaders, tourism ministries, global travel & tourism associations, the world's most influential hospitality brands, hotel owners & investors, renowned restaurant groups, airlines & aviation authorities, destination developers, asset managers, financial groups and consultants have been participating in The Bench's events for their respective objectives. These include AHIC, AHIF, FHS, AHF, IDEEA, AviaDev and RENEW where industry players showcase their brands, position themselves as thought leaders or innovators, and connect with the right opportunities and knowledge. Learn more on thebench.com About FHS World Dates: 30 September 2 October 2024 Location: Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE Sponsors: Jumeirah as Host Sponsor; Italia Hospitality, Maldives Fund Management Corporation, Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development-SMIT and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority as Country Pavilion Sponsors; Aseer Development Authority, Hilton, NEOM, New Murabba, Radisson Hotel Group and Taiba Investments as Platinum sponsors; Accor, Club Med, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Minor Hotels, Red Sea Global and Rotana Hotels and Resorts as Emerald Sponsors; Action Hotels, Adyen, Aleph Hospitality, ARC International Design Consultants, Ark People Solutions, AtkinsRealis, Barriere Group, CBRE, Colliers, Compass Project Consulting, Dusit International, Elaf Group, Emaar Hospitality Group, Enterprise Greece, HVS, Hyatt, IHCL, JLL, JT+Partners, Kearney, Knight Frank, LEVA Hotels, Livit Consulting & Design, Louvre Hotels Group, Prologic First, PwC, Quo, Rikas Hospitality Group, roboSculptor, Rove Hotels, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Sommet Education, The Ascott Limited, TUI Hotels & Resorts, United Hospitality Management, Unox and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts as Gold Sponsors; Aldar, Conran Business Group, COREcruitment, EHL, H World International, Shaza Hotels, STR, and Time Hotels as Silver Sponsors; SOHO Hospitality as Gold Sponsor - Restaurant Invest; Forsite Creative as Data Partner - Restaurant Invest; Lokalee as Start-up Exhibitor; Lock Stock & Barrel as After Party Host; BE WTR as Water Station Sponsor; Considerate Group, HAMA, Sustainable Hospitality Challenge, The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, The Emirates Culinary Guild, UAE Restaurants Group, UN Tourism and World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance as Supporters. . Anne Bleeker In2 Consulting +971 56 603 0886 The Bench Berlin is at the top of the list of the world's favourite destinations for city breaks, both in Germany and internationally. The hotel landscape is correspondingly lively - increasingly sustainable and with numerous modern, new and individual concepts. After expecting a slight revival in the hotel investment market at the beginning of the year, our latest Hotel Market Spotlight for Berlin now looks at the hotel performance itself. How have profits and revenues developed within a year (H1 2024 vs. H1 2023)? Have operating costs and expenses increased? And what proportion do wage and labour costs account for? Here are the key findings: Spotlights Despite considerable cost pressure, the full-service branded hotels in Berlin recorded rising profits in the first half of 2024. The occupancy rate reached 71% in the first half of 2024, up from 68% in H1 2023. While utility costs fell by 23%, the overall operating expenses increased by 13%. Labor costs recorded the strongest growth of 10% compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, thanks to 4% revenue growth, the GOP (gross operating profit) per available room rose by 2%. Profitability Photo by Cushman & Wakefield Revenue vs Expenses Growth Photo by Cushman & Wakefield Total Costs Growth Photo by Cushman & Wakefield Christine Mayer, Partner, Valuation & Advisory Services: 'The revenue of hotels in Berlin continues to recover, underpinned by Berlins popularity as a tourism and business destination. It is good to see that this also translates into improved nominal profits despite the cost pressures. A good sign for hotel investors and operators. Departmental Revenues Photo by Cushman & Wakefield Departmental & Undistributed Expenses Photo by Cushman & Wakefield Access the full report here About Cushman & Wakefield Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 52,000 employees in nearly 400 offices and 60 countries. In 2023, the firm reported revenue of $9.5 billion across its core services of property, facilities and project management, leasing, capital markets, and valuation and other services. It also receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), sustainability and more. For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com Christine Mayer Partner Cushman & Wakefield View source August 29, 2024 Aiming to elevate mid-size destinations such as Puerto Vallarta, Amadeus for Destinations offers a turnkey suite of solutions, unique in hospitality, that empower destination marketing organizations (DMOs) to grow and influence their tourism sectors. These solutions enable DMOs to strategically plan digital advertising campaigns based on tangible travel insights and data analytics, create consumer campaigns to influence traveler behavior, and develop travel agent campaigns to reach and educate this crucial audience. Puerto Vallartas partnership with Amadeus results from a comprehensive search for a technology ally that would be capable of offering expert guidance, ensuring transparency about the impact of its tourism strategies, and delivering precise campaign performance metrics. Amadeus provides these services through its advanced business intelligence solution (Viewpoint360, part of the Navigator360 solution) and digital media solutions (Amadeus Demand Side Platform (DSP), Search and YouTube), harnessing the power of geolocation data. By partnering with Amadeus, Puerto Vallarta will be able to strategically plan and execute media campaigns on Amadeus in-house DSP. This will allow the DMO to measure the number of visitors influenced by these campaigns. Amadeus Navigator360 business intelligence solution will deliver insights into future trends, provide analysis of air travel patterns through data from air bookings, schedules, searches, and traffic, and offer a deeper understanding of general visitor profile categories based on advanced dashboard insights. By leveraging this comprehensive travel data, Puerto Vallarta will not only be able to precisely evaluate the effectiveness of its marketing efforts, but also directly link tourism revenue generated to particular digital campaigns with our state-of-the-art geolocation capabilities, allowing for a clear understanding of the return on investment related to marketing strategies. Ultimately, travelers will benefit from more personalized and improved travel experiences, with targeted campaigns that will provide more relevant offers and enhance their overall journey to Puerto Vallarta. Luis Villasenor, Managing Director, Puerto Vallarta said: We are excited to partner with Amadeus to leverage its advanced business intelligence and media solutions. This collaboration will enhance our marketing strategies, provide us with clearer insights into traveler behaviors, and attract more visitors to discover the vibrant beauty of Puerto Vallarta. Amadeus innovative solutions have given us the confidence to provide even more unforgettable experiences for our visitors. Tom Starr, Vice President, Destinations, Amadeus said, Amadeus is uniquely positioned to help Puerto Vallarta develop insight-driven strategies and deliver measurable campaign results based on data. As a direct partner, we not only help the DMO implement these strategies, but also share our knowledge, ensuring the destination learns how to execute these activations intelligently. Together, it is our goal to bring Puerto Vallarta tourism to the next level. About Puerto Vallarta: Nestled between the rugged Sierra Madre Mountains and Banderas Bay on Mexicos balmy Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta is the quintessential Mexican beach destination. Puerto Vallartas year-round warm climate, easy direct access from major markets in the United States and Canada, and a range of accommodation options have made it a top choice for a stress-free tropical escape. Authentic culture can be discovered around every corner in Puerto Vallarta, from the charming cobblestone streets downtown to the art-filled Malecon, and the lively Romantic Zone a favorite enclave amongst LGBTQ+ travelers. Puerto Vallartas picturesque beaches and aquatic activities lure travelers, and its welcoming hospitality, top-notch gastronomy, and outdoor adventures keep them coming back time and time again. To find out more about Puerto Vallarta, visit: www.visitpuertovallarta.com Follow Puerto Vallarta on: Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. About Amadeus: Amadeus powers more personalized and authentic travel experiences. Our solutions are designed to enrich every stage of the traveler journey and help hospitality providers acquire, service, and retain guests by profitability driving demand and converting them into loyal fans. Backed by over 30 years of experience, we design open, cutting-edge software to provide the most efficient, trusted, and reliable systems for our customers. With experts in 175+ countries, we have a deep understanding of the hospitality industry and a desire to enable our hotel partners to create memorable guest experiences. To find out more about Amadeus, visit www.amadeus-hospitality.com. Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. View source HotStats Report: Asias F&B Landscape: Key Markets to Watch - Image Credit Unsplash+ As 2024 progresses, the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector in Asia shows signs of steady recovery, offering a glimpse of strategic opportunities for investors and hotel operators. A detailed comparison of profit margins from 2019, 2023, and 2024 year-to-date (YTD) reveals critical trends in key markets across the region. Marginal Gains Signal Stability in Australia. The countrys F&B profit margins have edged up from 8.4% in 2023 to 8.5% in 2024, reflecting a stable market. While the margin increase is slight, consistency suggests that the sector is on firm footing. Investors may see this as a signal of reliability in a market that has weathered the post-pandemic storm well. Challenges persist in Hong Kong and Japan. The two countries in contrast to Australia, present a less optimistic picture. Both markets have seen their profit margins stagnate or decline compared to pre-pandemic levels. Hong Kong's F&B margin remains flat at 23%, while Japans margin slightly increased to 24%, yet both are far below their 2019 levels. This suggests that recovery in these regions may be slower, requiring cautious optimism and perhaps a more long-term investment approach. Vietnam and Thailand continue to be bright spots in the region. Both countries show strong and stable profit margins, with Vietnam at 38.2% and Thailand at 32.3% in 2024. These figures are consistent with or even exceed their 2019 levels, signaling recovery and growth. For hotel operators and investors, these markets represent significant opportunities for expansion and investment. Singapore and Indonesia have demonstrated gradual but steady improvements in their F&B profit margins. Singapores margin rose from 26.6% in 2023 to 27.5% in 2024, while Indonesias margin increased to 38.5% in 2024. These trends suggest that both markets are on a positive trajectory, making them attractive for those looking to capitalize on growth potential in Southeast Asia. The Philippines and the Maldives show signs of stability, with F&B profit margins holding steady. The Philippines saw a slight increase to 37.7%, while the Maldives experienced a modest rise to 40.3% in 2024. This stability is a positive indicator for these markets, suggesting that they have navigated the recovery phase effectively and are now positioned for future growth. The overall picture of F&B profit margins in Asia highlights a region in recovery, with varying degrees of progress across different markets. Focusing on these markets with strong recovery signals could yield substantial returns even while maintaining a cautious approach in regions requiring more time to stabilize. This strategy positions stakeholders to capitalize on the ongoing recovery and future growth in Asia's dynamic hospitality industry. As the F&B sector continues to rebound, strategic investments in the markets that show strong recovery signals could yield substantial returns while remaining cautiously optimistic about other markets which may require more time to stabilize, positioning stakeholders to benefit from the ongoing recovery and future growth in Asia's hospitality industry. By Bouserrind Comson, Director of Hotel Intelligence APAC, and Jeannette King, Marketing Manager at HotStats About HotStats: We are a global data benchmarking company offering specialized performance analysis and a benchmarking tool that helps analyze financial and operational data from a diverse range of hotels globally. This provides hotel owners, operators, and investors with valuable insights into the financial performance of their properties against their competition an invaluable resource for weighing options and evaluating investment opportunities. Email us at Askus@hotstats.com for a personalized demo. Donald and Nancy Kendall cut the ribbon on the Kendall Emergency Department at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center on Thursday. Dartmouth Health CEO & President Dr. Joanne Conroy, left, U.S. Sen. Peter Welch, SVMC President & CEO Thomas A. Dee, Don and Nancy Kendall, SVMC Trustees Chair Kathy Fisher, Jackie and Tony Marro, Susan Hunter, Consie West and Cindy Thomson pose before the ribbon is cut. The celebration included the burial of a time capsule marking the hospital's centennial in 2018. President and CEO Thomas Dee and Kathleen Fisher, chair of the board of trustees, ceremonially bury the capsule. The capsule included clippings, documents, pamphlets and items. The emergency team in their purple Lantern Award shirts. Opening into the new lobby. Henry Putnam Sr., who deeded his company to the town to establish the hospital. Thomas Dee, president and CEO of Southwestern Vermont Health Care. U.S. Sen. Peter Welch. Jill Maynard, director of the emergency nursing team. One of the new trauma rooms with a boom that allows staff to move around the patient. It is also set up to accommodate multiple patients in cases where families are being treated or for mass casualty incidents. The nursing station is the core of the ED now. PreviousNext SVMC Celebrates Opening of New $31M Emergency Department U.S. Sen. Peter Welch says the new Emergency Department was a community effort for the community. BENNINGTON, Vt. There was one theme that stood out on Thursday as the ribbon was cut on Southwestern Vermont Medical Center's new $31 million Emergency Department: Community. A community that came together to raise funds, to provide critical input, and to continue to serve patients during three years of construction. "This project is all you, I mean, this was all the community," said U.S. Sen. Peter Welch to the gathering outside the new entrance. "It takes an incredible commitment to serving the health-care needs of the citizens, because the process that you have to go through is very, very tough. And I just want to acknowledge that to the health-care leaders and to the board, that this is really, really tough." Health-care officials and funders had lined up three years ago on another hot and sunny August day to break ground on the Kendall Emergency Department, the first phase of a $40 million plan to also double the size of the cancer center on campus in a strategic plan to modernize and update facilities throughout the campus. "On behalf of the entire SVMC family, I want to express our sincere appreciation, certainly to Don and Nancy Kendall, but all the rest of you who are here today who've been incredibly supportive and generous on this critical project," said Thomas Dee, SVMC's president and CEO. "A case can be made that emergency services is probably the most important services for a community hospital. All of us use our emergency service. We see about 25,000 patients a year here, and the transformation of our emergency room, our patient registration, our main entryway and lobby space, will really have an impact in our community for years to come." Dee and Kathleen Fisher, chair of the board of trustees, ceremonially buried a time capsule outside the entrance with materials from the hospital's centennial year in 2018 a bit late because of the planned construction. Donald Kendall, CEO of Mack Group and a major donor of the project, then used a large pair of golden scissors to cut the ribbon. The renovation and addition included the razing of the 1925 Lodge building to make way for an addition that includes the new entrance. The lobby offers a reception desk, gift shop and snack area, waiting rooms and and access to the new Emergency Department. A dozen patient rooms surround a core nurses station that allows for more streamlined and efficient communication between doctors and nurses, and there's a dedicated staff lounge, locker room and shower to replace what was essentially a large closet with a microwave. The ambulance bay opens into an airlock that can shift patients directly to a set of trauma rooms on the right or to the five-room Emergency Crisis Area to the left without entering the ER proper. The crisis area was a $1 million commitment and a critical component of the hospital's ability to serve the mental health needs of the community. SVMC works with United Counseling Services and, via telehealth, and with Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., to counsel and treat patients in crisis. Staff had direct input into the layout and the needs of the department, including setting up pilot patient rooms in a tent to physically work the design and organization of the rooms. Dee pointed out that the staff had been working continually during the three years of construction caring for patients. Despite that hardship, the emergency team had received a Lantern Award from the Emergency Nurses Association. The award is presented to departments that "demonstrate exceptional and innovative performance." SVMC was one of only 75 departments in the country and the only one in the Vermont, New Hampshire and New York Capital Region to be so honored. The CEO thanked the team, clad in their purple Lantern Award T-shirts, for their dedication, and the hospital's local and congressional delegations, the marketing team, the significant donors to the project, and the hospital's volunteer board members. "We have over 60 governance members who are involved in our health-care system here, and it's really due to their steadfast commitments and work and support and generous support that we're all here today," he said. Part of Vision 2020, A Decade of Transformation capital campaign, the $31 million project was primarily funded through philanthropic giving. Dr. Joanne Conroy, president and CEO of Dartmouth Hitchcock Health, said she has been impressed with not only the project's progress but the how the emergency team had functioned in the middle of construction, moving from space to space. Southwestern Vermont Health Care had integrated with Dartmouth Hitchcock last year to become part of a multi-hospital system after more than decade of partnering on a number of programs. "You know, we only have 35,000 visits a year at the [Dartmouth] medical center. So 25,000 visits a year here is not insignificant for the size of this community, and it tells you how important the emergency room is," said Conroy. "It is the front door for many people in this community and, at the medical center, about 40 percent of the people that come to the emergency room get admitted. And I'm sure the numbers here are probably very similar." Health care has "competing, complicated and oftentimes conflicting financing mechanisms," said Welch, and first-responders and health-care workers are owed an "extraordinary debt of gratitude" for their commitment and dedication, particularly during the pandemic. Dr. Joanne Conroy, Dartmoulth Health's president and CEO, was impressed by how the staff managed to work during construction. "You have this facility with these trained people whose job it is to make that person better, to reassure their loved ones about the situation with the person they so deeply care about. That's what binds us together," the senator said. "So whatever the challenges are, Bennington strong is Bennington being there for people who are in need. That's all of us, by the way." many of you saw the old space. It was outdated, it was small, it was impossible to efficiently do the work that we need to do quickly. But this new space gives us that ability. Jill Maynard, director of the emergency nursing team, noted that many of those in attendance had seen the old, outdated emergency room that was "impossible to efficiently do the work that we need to do quickly." "I've worked here at the hospital for 20 years, and there are many reasons I never go anywhere else, but I stand over there today, and I look at the community that's come together to support our hospital, to support our team, to support our clinicians, and you don't find that in a lot of places," she said. "This gift isn't just to just an emergency department. This is a gift to our community. This is a gift to our organization. This is a gift to our team, our staff, our clinicians, our providers, the safety net, the ED is like the safety net the community ... "What this new emergency department does is it gives our top-notch emergency team a facility that they can continue to give back to the community for the years to come with high-quality care." iciHaiti - Security : PM Visits 3 Wounded SWAT Agents Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at Mevs Hospital, Prime Minister Garry Conille, accompanied by Rameau Normil, Acting Director General of the Haitian National Police (PNH), paid a solidarity visit to the 3 SWAT officers, slightly injured during the major joint operation (with the Kenyans) aimed at dislodging the armed gangs of Bel-Air and Solino https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43079-haiti-flash-first-major-joint-operation-kenya-pnh.html (operation still in progress) "Today, I am visiting three of the courageous police officers who were injured during the operation launched to restore security in the country. I am happy to see the dedication they show to serve their country. My government will strengthen the work it has started to meet the needs of the police and ensure security everywhere, declared Conille "My presence is to support the valiant police officers shot in the exercise of their duties. I thank them, on behalf of the population, for their sacrifice [...] The Government will remain at their side and support them in this ordeal," explained the Prime Minister. "The sacrifice of the police officers will not be in vain. The restoration of security is the best testimony that we owe them 'Nou p ap fe bak'", concluded the Head of Government. IH/ iciHaiti Thursday 29 August 2024, 19:38 - Last updated: 1 September, 13:48 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This article is automatically translated Ukrainian pilot Oleksiy Mes lost his life following the crash of an American F-16 on Monday, just weeks after the supply of military aircraft from Washington to Kiev. This was confirmed by a source from Kiev's army to CNN, emphasizing that the Ukrainian Defense Forces do not believe the crash was due to pilot error. Mes, known as 'Moonfish,' was killed in the crash while 'repelling the worst air attack ever' by Russia against Ukraine, the military source said. The pilot was buried today. U.S. F-16 destroyed in Ukraine, was the crash due to pilot error? It was one of the first jets delivered to Kiev. The Mission However, Ihor Polishchuk, mayor of the city of Lutsk in northwestern Ukraine, said that Ukrainian Air Force pilot Oleksiy Mes died on Monday in a combat mission. Mes was one of the first Ukrainian pilots to be trained to use an F-16, had often been interviewed by the media, and had traveled to Washington to try to convince the United States to send fighter jets to Ukraine. The Crash The news of the destruction of one of the few F-16s that Ukraine has obtained from the United States is a severe blow for Kiev, which had requested the delivery of the planes for months before U.S. President Joe Biden gave the green light. On August 4, Zelensky announced that the first of the 80 promised F-16s had arrived in Ukraine. That same day, unofficial sources cited by Moscow agencies said that bombings had also targeted an airport in the western Ukrainian region of Ivano-Frankivsk, where two of the F-16s supplied to Kiev were located in a hangar. Who He Was Oleksiy was a colonel of the 114th Tactical Aviation Brigade, Ukrainian Air Force, serving as deputy commander and the first Ukrainian F-16 pilot. On August 29, 2024, he was remembered with a funeral ceremony attended by colleagues, commanders, and citizens. During the funeral, a pair of MiG-29s paid tribute to the fallen pilot by flying over the procession. Caltex, marketed by Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), recently wrapped up its 2024 national promotion Caltex Win-a-Million, Pick-a-Premyo Promo by giving away 12 million Caltex Rewards points to lucky winners. Marti Gimenez, a resident of Paranaque, flexes his winnings of 12 Million Caltex Rewards points on the CaltexGO app. A total of 150 winners received 1 million Caltex Rewards points and 30 winners received 12 million Caltex Rewards points which can be redeemed for prizes like Caltex fuels, appliances, dining, shopping, and grocery vouchers. One winner from Metro Manila, Marti Gimenez, expressed his gratitude upon winning the grand prize of 12 million Caltex Rewards points. He mentioned that, although he has been a Caltex customer for 8 years, he only became a Caltex Rewards member late last year, drawn by the convenience of the Caltex Rewards app and its benefits. For Gimenez, the locations of Caltex stations near his home and workplace are very convenient. He finds Caltex fuel efficient for his travels and feels safe driving to work with it. He also mentioned that every time he fuels up at Caltex, the station staff are always smiling and offer extra services, such as checking oil, cleaning windshields, and inspecting tires. He is truly happy with the quality of both the fuel and the service he receives from Caltex. This win will help him and his family save money allotted for fuel, as these points will cover a years worth of gas. I am truly grateful for this win as this can help with our fuel needs. Its also nice to know that these points can be converted to various vouchers that I can give away as gifts to family. I would like to encourage everyone to sign up for Caltex Rewards, you may win something very exciting from Caltex, beams Gimenez. We are committed to continuously finding new ways to give back to our customers and provide them with a safe and rewarding experience. We are thrilled to celebrate with our winners and look forward to reaching even more milestones in the future, Billy Liu, CPI country chairman remarked. Caltex Win-a-Million, Pick-a-Premyo Promo ran from April 2, 2024, to May 31, 2024. For every Php1,000 accumulated fuel spent on any Caltex fuel using Caltex Rewards, customers were entitled to (1) raffle entry for a chance to win 1 million up to 12 million Caltex Rewards points. For more rewards and promotions, register for Caltex Rewards via CaltexGO app available on Apple App Store and Google Play. Follow Caltexs official Facebook page to stay updated on current and future promos. Red Bull Basement is set to catapult the brightest Filipino innovators onto the world stage as it launches in the Philippines. This initiative empowers the next generation to envision, develop, and launch groundbreaking ideas, with the power of artificial intelligence (AI) technology right at their fingertips. Participants will receive the tools they need to craft a winning business plan. The winning national champion from the Philippines will earn an exclusive invitation to the Red Bull Basement World Final in Tokyo, Japan. The application period is open until September 30, 2024. Red Bull Basement: Bringing Filipino Innovators to the Global Stage In todays world, young innovators are driven by a deep desire to make meaningful change, yet finding the right path can be challenging. Red Bull Basement offers a comprehensive platform where participants can unlock their potential through unique opportunities such as networking, collaboration, and expert-led workshops. This empowers participants to challenge the status quo and bring their visionary ideas to life using the latest technology, leaving a lasting impact on a global scale. Red Bull Basement Philippines invites a fresh cohort of student innovators, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts to present their ideas. Participants are asked to harness AI to build robust business plans, identify key opportunities, prioritize growth areas, and bring their ideas to life. Teams of one or two innovators in the Philippines can apply by visiting the Red Bull Basement website. An intuitive AI tool will guide interested participants in creating and submitting a concise, one-page business plan. A panel of local judges will then select the top participants for the National Final. Red Bull Basement has partnered with Microsoft and AMD for its 2024 edition, putting a strong emphasis on AI technologies to deliver an exceptional experience. The Red Bull Basement Chatbot, powered by Microsoft, will utilize Azure OpenAI Service and AMD Instinct accelerators to assist teams in developing their ideas and creating business plans. The winner(s) of the National Final will gain access to invaluable resources. They will refine their business plans and further develop their ideas, moving closer to launching their ideas as viable start-ups. They will also be equipped with AI-enabled laptops featuring AMDs latest Ryzen AI processor technology. The National Champion will also head to the World Final, going up against innovators from 40 other countries, as the exclusive representative of the Philippines. This extraordinary event will feature intensive workshops and networking opportunities, culminating in the announcement of the global winner of Red Bull Basement 2024. The World Final winner will be given a 3-week hands-on experience at Silicon Valley, in California in 2025, which allows them to gain personal mentorship and networking opportunities with global industry leaders. Prepare to make a mark on a global scale. Join Red Bull Basement today! Application period is open from August 12 to September 30, 2024. Visit this LINK to submit your entries and to learn more about Red Bull Basement. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are both attending this years Venice Film Festival, but its artistic director Alberto Barbera has said theres no way the former couple will meet as their contentious divorce proceedings continue to rumble on. Pitt, 60, and Jolie, 49, married at their French winery Chateau Miraval in August 2014. Jolie filed for divorce in September 2016 and they were declared legally single by a judge in 2019. However, their divorce is yet to be finalized due to fights over custody of their children, division of their assets and ownership of the winery. The Venice Film Festival got underway on August 28 and concludes on September 7. Jolies new film Maria, directed by Pablo Larrain, screens first while Pitts Wolfs, co-starring George Clooney and directed by Jon Watts, appears later in the schedule. Barbera told Vanity Fair: Angelina will be on the first day, on Thursday 29, and she will leave right after with Pablo Larrain to go to Telluride. Brad will arrive only on Saturday, to Venice. Barbera added: There is no way that they can cross each other at the Lido. Jolie is playing renowned American-Greek soprano Maria Callas in Larrains film while Wolfs follows two lone-wolf fixers who are assigned to the same job. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie ( Getty Images ) Last month, Jolie asked Pitt via her lawyer to drop a lawsuit against her. The couple have been embroiled in litigation since 2021 when Pitt sued Jolie for secretly selling her shares in Chateau Miraval. Jolies legal team has said the Girl, Interrupted star wants Pitt to withdraw his lawsuit so the years-long dispute can be brought to a close, adding she will be forced to continue to defend herself in court unless he does so. While Angelina again asks Mr. Pitt to end the fighting and finally put their family on a clear path toward healing, unless Mr. Pitt withdraws his lawsuit, Angelina has no choice but to obtain the evidence necessary to prove his allegations wrong, Paul Murphy said in a statement. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free In May, a Los Angeles judge ruled Jolie would have to submit eight years worth of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) as part of the ongoing legal battle. Murphy commented: Mr. Pitt has control of all the properties the couple shared as well as control of the business, but still he demands more, and is suing Angelina for $67 million plus punitive damages. In doing so, Pitt placed squarely at issue why he tried to punish and control Angelina by demanding a newly expanded NDA. The winery dispute is on top of Jolies ongoing abuse allegations against Pitt, who is said to have filed for divorce after an incident on a September 2016 private flight from France to Los Angeles. The court filings, which were obtained by The New York Times, claimed that Pitt choked one of the children and struck another in the face and grabbed Jolie by the head and shook her. The filing also states that, at one point, he poured beer on Jolie; at another, he poured beer and red wine on the children. Earlier this year, Jolies lawyers claimed that Pitts history of physical abuse of Jolie started well before the familys September 2016 plane trip, but noted that the flight marked the first time he turned his physical abuse on the children as well, causing the Salt star to leave the relationship immediately. Pitt vehemently denied the claims at the time, and he was never charged following an investigation into allegations of abuse on the 2016 flight. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Grief in Maria has a different aftertaste. Its deeper, less acrid. The film closes out Chilean director Pablo Larrains thematic trilogy of feminine horrors, portraits of the rubbled dreams of women who walked the 20th centurys most privileged halls. Jackies monstrous climax splattered the blood of President Kennedy across his wifes pale pink suit, as worn by Natalie Portman; Spencer sent Kristen Stewarts Diana stumbling down the halls of Sandringham estate, nauseous, her body possessed by the foul, inescapable stench of duty. Here, violence and possession make way for the haunted. Maria is the softer, more restrained film less immediately striking, perhaps, but still deeply emotive. It invokes the last days of Maria Callas, La Divina of opera, as played by Angelina Jolie. She was striking in her beauty and formidable on stage, able to command her passions like a battalion, with a voice that seemed to swell up from somewhere deep in the earth. Her career was also relatively short-lived. In the Fifties, she was one of the worlds most lauded women, a pivotal figure in the revitalisation of the bel canto operas of the 19th century by Bellini, Donizetti and Rossini, a kind of song deemed too florid and too romantic at the time by serious academics. By the end of the decade, however, she had abruptly entered semi-retirement. Her voice had become irreversibly damaged. She died in 1977, the public arguably more interested in her futile romance with shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis who married Jackie Kennedy instead than in the legacy of her talent. Jackie and Spencer took their subjects and collided them with misfortune. Maria nestles into the hollow that comes after. It lives in the space left behind by the preening and arrogant yet confident Onassis (Haluk Bilginer), and by Callass mother, who sewed into her daughter a lifetime of self-hatred and insecurity. But Callas, too often, has been painted as the woman abandoned by her man and left to wither. Larrain rejects this hypothesis, and focuses instead on the relationship with the self, as Callas strives to reclaim her narrative not for the benefit of the world outside, but for her own peace. Larrain uses what I imagine will be a somewhat divisive framework: hallucinations of a television interviewer named Mandrax (Kodi Smit-McPhee), after the pills shes become addicted to, whose questions are supposed to prepare Callas for an autobiography she never actually writes. Its a little odd, reminiscent of Dianas confrontation with the spirit of Anne Boleyn in Spencer. Still, Larrain has a way to make what feels absurd on paper read as poignant on screen. Edward Lachmans cinematography allows the transitions between reality and unreality, colour and black and white, to melt into one beautiful, sad dream. Stewart and Portman certainly brought a part of themselves to their respective roles. But Jolie and Callas feel the most like twinned spirits. Its a career-defining bit of synchronicity, bolstered by one of Jolies very best performances. Her work has always been about that immaculate sense of control over posture and tone it turned manipulative when she played a sociopath in Girl, Interrupted, and unravelled with careful intent in 1998s Gia, where she played the troubled supermodel Gia Carangi. Callas, in order to wrench forth the desperation of Lady Macbeth, Medea, or Madama Butterflys Cio-Cio San, was deliberate in every breath and syllable, too. Angelina Jolie in the Maria Callas film Maria ( The Apartment Pictures ) Jolies Callas is queenly, accentuated by Massimo Cantini Parrinis enviable wardrobe of silk scarves, chunky gold jewellery, leather gloves, and bug-eyed glasses. But her humanity is also potent and fragile, best found in her relationship with her domestic workers (played by Pierfrancesco Favino and La Chimeras Alba Rohrwacher) its tender, but none of the three is unconscious of the power dynamic between them. The actors singing voice is convincingly used, specifically for the sequences where Callas is not in her prime (but still far above the average mortal), blended in with original recordings that play in their full resplendence. Music remains at the heart of Larrains film. At a climactic moment, Callas meets with her sister Yakinthi (Valeria Golino), who begs her to finally shut the door on their tumultuous childhood. [But] its the only way the music gets in, Callas confesses. Maria is a tragedy, but not because of one of lifes piteous events. Instead its the tragedy of a womans failure to heal her wounds with her art. Dir: Pablo Larrain. Starring: Angelina Jolie, Valeria Golino, Haluk Bilginer, Alba Rohrwacher, Pierfrancesco Favino, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Alessandro Bressanello. 124 mins Maria premiered at the Venice Film Festival and is awaiting UK release Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Journey members Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain have finally settled a longstanding legal dispute. The news comes while the band are continuing their 50th anniversary tour of the US, with Def Leppard and Steve Miller. The band members, most famous for their song Dont Stop Believin, have been at war over their joint business Freedom 2020. They each own a 50 per cent stake in the company, which was set up to deal with tour-related finances. ( Getty ) In a petition filed earlier this month, keyboardist Cain said that he and guitarist Schon, who is current president of the business, fundamentally disagree on the management and operation of the company and requested the court appoint a custodian to act as an independent, deadlock-breaking director. On Wednesday, Cain announced he had been successful in his request, confirming that the Delaware Chancery Court appointed Vice Chancellor Joseph Slights as a third independent director to break any ties. Mr Schon is prohibited from unilaterally acting on behalf of the Company and all future deadlock between Mr Cain and Mr Schon will be broken by the vote of the Custodian, Cains legal team said in a statement. Mr Cain is elated with the outcome and looks forward to moving beyond this matter so that Journey can continue the bands 50th Anniversary Freedom Tour. Cains attorney Sidney Liebesman had previously told the court that the setup had been dysfunctional according to the Associated Press. Warring bandmates have finally reached an agreement ( Getty ) It is in crisis, Liebesman said. The damage is taking place during the tour. Liebesman complained that Schon is wasting company assets and believes that, as president of Freedom 2020, he can do whatever he wants. It is his self-interest that is driving his decision-making, Liebesman said. In a court, Schons attorneys said many of Cains allegations had no basis. They specifically rejected allegations that the tours production company and vendors werent being paid on time. Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Band are celebrating their 50th anniversary ( Getty Images for Journey ) Petitioners allegations that the company faces imminent irreparable harm from a purported inability of the company to meet its financial obligations has no basis in fact, said Schons attorney Jack Yoskowitz at the time. Our client denies that theres been any mismanagement, Schons attorney Jack Yoskowitz told Laster, adding that any dysfunction has been caused by Cain acting in his own self-interest, including making allegations to the press that harm the band. Cain and Schon had previously been in a legal dispute over Cains performance at a Donald Trump rally. Schon sent a cease and desist letter to the keyboardist following the performance, and insisted that the band should not be political. However Schon, disagreed with the view saying, Ive won one case in court with Cain and the residing one has not been heard yet. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Oasis have released details on how fans can get their hands on tickets for two extra Wembley Stadium shows the band have announced for their sold out 2025 tour. The storied rock band will play stadium shows in Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin, with gigs outside Europe to be added at a later date. Their reunion announcement comes right before the 30-year anniversary of Definitely Maybe, the bands record-breaking debut album. Next year, meanwhile, will mark the 30th anniversary of their follow-up, (Whats the Story) Morning Glory?, one of the biggest-selling LPs by a British act of all time. However, the initial release of tickets was met with disappointment and frustration as the band and Ticketmaster came under heavy criticism for the sales method. As tickets went on sale on 31 August after learning that those that were originally listed at 135, had risen to as much as 355 on the site. Some had queued for hours for an opportunity to secure a ticket, only for the price to have more than doubled. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Ticketmaster and how the tickets were sold to fans. Meanwhile, an invitation-only ballot ticket sale strategy has been devised for the two new Wembley shows as a small step towards making amends for the situation. The new dates will be 27 and 28 September and new details have been released for how fans can get the tickets. open image in gallery Liam and Noel Gallagher, pictured together for the first time in 15 years as they announce a huge Oasis tour for 2025 ( Simon Emmett ) In a press release, it was announced on Wednesday (September 4) that a new invitation-only ballot ticket sale strategy has been devised for the two new Wembley shows as a small step towards making amends for the situation. Applications to join the ballot will be opened first to the many fans who were unsuccessful in the initial on sale with Ticketmaster, the statement adds. Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up It also promises to be far smoother for fans by reducing the stress and time it takes to obtain tickets. Those who missed out on the tickets last weekend should have now received an email asking them to enter the ballot as well as a new quiz question. On Saturday evening, Oasis released a press statement about the new system. They said: Additional Wembley Dates - Private Ballot Information. Invitations to enter the private ballot will be sent overnight tonight (Saturday) to eligible fans we have been able to identify. If you signed into your Ticketmaster UK account on Saturday, 31st August, and were able to join a queue for a specific show, but didnt get a ticket-then you may be eligible to take part and will receive an email on how to register for the ballot. Keep an eye on the inbox associated with your Ticketmaster account, and dont forget to check your junk mail. Once successfully registered, you will be entered into the ballot for a code for access to the final Wembley on sale. Due to the demand for the shows and to avoid last weeks long queues, codes will be strictly limited. Entry to the ballot does not guarantee you will receive a code. The ballot is only open to invited fans. You must register with the email to which your invitation was sent and which is registered with your Ticketmaster account. All other entries will be discounted. If you do not receive an email then unfortunately you will not be eligible for the ballot. You will be automatically discounted from the ballot, even if you go through the registration process. open image in gallery ( Getty Images ) Prices are yet to be confirmed for the new shows. Before prices were inflated a seat to watch the band at Londons Wembley Stadium began at 74.25, with the most expensive ticket a 506.25 pre-show party, exhibition and seated package. Standing tickets at Wembley cost fans 151.25, with the same tickets in Cardiff and Edinburgh being slightly cheaper at 150 and 151 respectively. What are the tour dates? The shows announced so far are as follows: JULY 2025 4 July Cardiff, Principality Stadium 5 July Cardiff, Principality Stadium 11 July Manchester, Heaton Park 12 July Manchester, Heaton Park 16 July Manchester, Heaton Park 19 July Manchester, Heaton Park 20 July Manchester, Heaton Park 25 July London, Wembley Stadium 26 July London, Wembley Stadium 30 July London, Wembley Stadium AUGUST 2025 2 August London, Wembley Stadium 3 August London, Wembley Stadium 8 August Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium 9 August Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium 12 August Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium 16 August Dublin, Croke Park 17 August Dublin, Croke Park 27 September - London, Wembley Stadium 28 September - London, Wembley Stadium Follow the latest updates here. Close Oasis announce reunion tour Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Thousands of Oasis fans have been left empty-handed and frustrated after struggling to nab tickets to the groups 2025 reunion tour. Tickets went on sale at 9am on Saturday and were expected to be sold out in minutes, but instead many waited in online queues for up to 10 hours, only to be kicked off booking websites with Error 503 messages appearing on their screens. Just after 7pm, Oasis and Ticketmaster finally announced that tickets had sold out. Some of those who did manage to make it through the queue to select tickets for Cardiff, Edinburgh, Dublin, London and Manchester found that the cost for general standing tickets had risen unexpectedly as a result of Ticketmasters dynamic pricing policy, which saw the cost of tickets double in some cases. For the Manchester shows, for example, a general admission standing ticket was expected to cost 150 but that price had risen to 355 under the dynamic pricing policy that reflects increased demand. However, Oasis has warned against buying resale tickets at inflated prices with companies other than its promoter, saying those tickets will not be valid. The British rock band announced their long-awaited reunion on Tuesday (27 August), with brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher set to join one another onstage for the first time since their split in 2009. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Punk-turned-prophet Nick Cave often describes music as sacred. Performance, for him, is an act of communion with the audience. But Wild God, his 18th album with The Bad Seeds, feels more like a baptism: an ecstatic immersion in the rushing, pooling waters of love and loss that the sexagenarian artist has experienced since the death of his sons Arthur Cave (15) and Jethro Lazenby (31) in 2015 and 2022, respectively. Across nine swelling, sinking, swirling soundscapes, the albums imagery plunges listeners into the lakes and seas of a swimming god before bringing us up for air to gawp up at the stars (bright, triumphant metaphors for love) and then grounding us on a warm Earth where the country doctor whistles across the meadow and rocking us to sleep with the muffled piano ballad As the Waters Cover the Sea. Cave has described each song on this record as an individual conversion one track is titled as such but you dont need to subscribe to any religious faith to buy into the transformative power of love that is hymned here. As a vocalist, Cave has long honed a pacing, praying preacher-mans style that allows his stories to ramble passionately across the contours of the music. It is put to use once again on Song of the Lake: a humble parable of an old man beside the shore, mesmerised by the sight of a woman bathing in the golden light. This transient pleasure leads Cave to allude to his bereavement as he quotes from the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty (about the egg who fell to his death like Arthur). The original line runs: All the Kings horses and all the Kings men couldnt put Humpty together again, but Cave abandons it halfway through: Ah, never mind, never mind. The old man on the shore finds peace, instead, in the inevitability of mortality: He knew he would dissolve if he followed her [the bather] into the lake/ But also knew that if he remained upon the shore he would, in time, evaporate. A chorus raise their voices behind him as our hero repeats the consoling refrain of Never mind like an Amen. Cave is great at balancing his wordy grandiosity with casual vernacular like this. Hes likewise brilliant at shifting from fiction and metaphor to blunt truth, as on Joy, where he flips from a classic blues opening lyric I woke up this morning with the blues all around my head to the brutal reality of I felt like someone in my family was dead. The only lyrically duff moment comes when he clumsily rhymes panties with scanty on the otherwise lovely shuffle of O Wow O Wow (How Wonderful She Is). Swinging between doubt and faith, Cave picks up the pace with the rockier title track, on which an ailing deity flies through a dying city like a prehistoric bird over the brittle bones of a harpsichord effect. Wild God soars into triumph as the chorus throw themselves into a jubilant refrain. The collective crescendo, though, is soon washed away by the more intimate, fluidly bowed rains of Frogs, on which the titular amphibians are pictured jumping in the gutters/ Amazed of love/ Amazed of pain/ Amazed to be back in the water again/ In the Sunday rain. Close your eyes and you can see the splayed, wet-webbed feet and the slick giddy leaps. Later in his holy bestiary, Cave invokes rabbits on Joy and Cinnamon Horses. Many people find Caves recent output too ambient and rambling the songs lacking traditional hooks and structure. This album doesnt try to win over any of those doubters. In three Making of Wild God videos on YouTube, the band are seen joking about writing yoga music but the films, shot live at the spacious Miraval studios in the south of France, help make clear the big-hearted humanity they pour into their music. Cave stalks about in black and white like a pipe cleaner, while co-producer Warren Ellis chuckles into his wizards beard as they search for the moments of spontaneity that spark these songs into life. Throughout Wild God, the rattling fire of Thomas Wydlers drums and the rolling undertow of Martyn Caseys bass keep up the heat beneath the gracefully meandering, melodic arcs of Caves piano, Elliss violin, synths, flute and loops, Jim Sclavounoss spine-tinglingly resonant vibraphone, and George Vjesticas tender guitar. Melodies flood through the music and then disappear like currents. Wild God can feel fathomless, but it leaves you buoyant. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Joe Thomas, who played Simon in the cult teen sitcom The Inbetweeners, has said that the lead cast is keen to film a reunion. Airing from 2008 to 2010, the Bafta-nominated Channel 4 comedy followed a group of four socially awkward sixth-formers as they navigated their way through adolescence. Speaking in a new episode of the Always Be Comedy podcast, Thomas revealed that the main cast members were on the same page about their desire for a potential reunion. All of us feel it would be nice to do," he said, in reference to his co-stars Simon Bird, Blake Harrison and James Buckley, who played Will, Neil and Jay in the series, respectively. He added that one idea for the reunion could be a group trip to Las Vegas, following their previous lads holiday to Spain and Australia, which happened in the series spin-off movies, released in 2011 and 2014. Were all still around, were all still in each others lives. We all still like each other. And if it was something that came up, I think we would want to do it, explained Thomas. Thomas said that each actor has had time to come away from the success of the Channel 4 sitcom, and prove their own individuality but now would be a good time to come back to it. open image in gallery The lads: James Buckley, Blake Harrison, Joe Thomas and Simon Bird in The Inbetweeners Movie, 2011 ( Bwark Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock ) Weve all been able to go away and get various monkeys off our backs, in terms of things that we felt we needed to do other than The Inbetweeners to prove something to ourselves, he said. However, he said that there would be pressure to match the success of the original series. Everybodys anxiety would be, Will it be as good? That is what we would be going in with, he said. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free While the show officially ended in 2010, fans were then reunited with the hapless friends for The Inbetweeners Movie and The Inbetweeners 2. The co-stars came together for The Inbetweeners: Fwends Reunited reunion special in January 2019, but some viewers described it as awkward at the time. Buckley later admitted on his podcast, Completed It Mate, that he had come across as a complete moron on the show. open image in gallery James Buckley, who played Jay Cartwright, during the filming of 'The Inbetweeners' ( PA Archive/Press Association Images ) Thomass comments come as a shock to some fans, since several cast members previously swore off the possibility of another reunion. In 2022, Buckley said theres not enough money in the world to convince him to return to the series. In a radio interview, he said that while playing the sex-obsessed Jay Cartwright was the best job in the world, he had no intentions of returning to a hypothetical revival series. I dont want to go near it anymore, not because I dont think I would have an amazing time doing it, because I know I would, he said. open image in gallery The four hapless friends in The Inbetweeners Movie ( Film4 Productions ) I love the boys, I love the writers. Doing The Inbetweeners was the best job in the world. All we did was muck around all day long and they filmed us doing it, and, at the end of the day, we might have had an episode... or a film or something. However, he said that he wouldnt want to ruin the legacy of the series by trying to reboot it. Im getting older its looking like it might be the only thing that I do professionally that is universally loved. Theres not enough money in the world for me to spoil that. The Independent has contacted Channel 4 for comment. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Spanish actor Julian Ortega, who appeared in Netflixs drama series Elite, has died after reportedly experiencing a cardiac arrest on a beach. He was 41. His death on Sunday (August 25) was confirmed by Spains National Union of Actors and Actresses in an obituary earlier this week, which read: From the Union de Actores y Actrices, we send our most sincere condolences to the actors family and friends. Initial reports about his death had suggested he had drowned, but according to local English-language outlet Olive Press Spain, authorities later confirmed Ortega had gone into cardiac arrest on the shores of Zahora Beach in Barbate, Spain. Paramedics reportedly attempted to revive the actor but he was eventually pronounced dead at the scene. Ortega starred as the manager of the La Cabana restaurant in six episodes of the hit Spanish-language dramas debut season in 2018. The series continued for a total of eight seasons before concluding in July. The hit show followed a trio of working-class teens whose grievances with their wealthy classmates led to a murder. He most recently appeared in the three-season adventure series 4 Estrellas, which premieres its final season next week on September 4. His other film and TV credits included the TV series The Countryside, the miniseries Untameable and the 2018 romcom MyLove Lost. Since news of Ortegas death broke, several Spanish actors have paid him tribute, including Silvia Marso, who called him a tremendous actor and an upright, honest partner in an Instagram post. Absolute sadness, she wrote alongside a selfie of the two of them. Jose Gomez-Friha thanked Ortega for teaching me when I was learning. How patient with me! adding: I will always remember you. Thank you. How shameless life is. I am broken with pain, dear colleague, Aqui no hay quien viva star Fernando Tejaro wrote, what a great actor and what a beautiful person you are, Julian Ortega fly high, hugs to your father and mother. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Ortegas El Pueblo co-star Paco Collado also tweeted his condolences, saying: It was a great pleasure @julianortega_7 to play your father in @elpuebloserie you left us with sympathy, generosity and professionalism, many hugs friend and also to your family, a real shame in the prime of your youth, RIP Julian. According to IMDb, Ortega had recently completed leading director Damian Lopez Aslas forthcoming movie Trompeta. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A new Netflix series follows the hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight in December 1999 that took seven days to resolve, remaining the longest seizure of an aircraft in Indian aviation history. Adapted from the book Flight Into Fear by Captain Devi Sharan, the pilot on board the hijacked flight, IC814: The Kandahar Hijack delves into the crisis from various perspectives the politicians and bureaucrats in Delhis War Room to the terrified hostages on board. Five masked men hijacked the aircraft on 24 December 1999, 40 minutes after it took off from the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, bound for New Delhi. Sharan was forced to fly the plane into Pakistani airspace, where he did not receive clearance to land, despite the Indian High Commission in Pakistan making repeated requests. The plane then landed in Amritsar a little before 7pm, with barely 10 minutes worth of fuel left. open image in gallery The hijacked Indian Airlines Airbus A300 (left) sits parked on the tarmac, at Kandahar airport in southern Afghanistan on 26 December 1999 ( AFP via Getty Images ) In Amritsar, the Indian authorities were tasked with delaying the refuelling of the plane for as long as possible. But at the same time, the hijackers wanted the plane back in the air, with permission to land in Pakistan. Please get permission to land at OPLA (Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore)... otherwise they are ready to crash anywhere ... they have already selected 10 people to kill, Sharan said to the Indian Air Traffic Control, according to India Today. Chaos ensued, as he made contact with the ATC again, telling them that the hijackers had begun to kill hostages. Soon after, at 750pm, he took off. We are all dying, he told the ATC. The hijackers forced Sharan to fly the plane to Lahore, where the pilot made a desperate landing despite not getting permission from Pakistans ATC, which turned off all lights and navigational aids at the airport. After refuelling, the plane once again took off from Lahore and attempted to land in Dubai. After being refused permission there as well, the flight landed at the Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE. Here, the hijackers released 27 of the 176 passengers, including the body of 25-year-old Rupin Katyal, who had been fatally stabbed by the hijackers. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free open image in gallery A hijacker holding a pistol climbs down a ladder from beneath the Indian Airlines aircraft cockpit in Kandahar, on 30 Afghanistan December 1999 ( AFP via Getty Images ) After this, the plane finally landed in the hijackers original destination, Taliban-controlled Afghanistans Kandahar airport. It was here that the remaining hostages waited for the next six days, while the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees Bharatiya Janata Party-led government negotiated with the terrorists who wanted India to release 36 prisoners in exchange for the hostages. The five Pakistani hijackers were identified as Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, and Shakir, and belonged to Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM), a Pakistan-based Islamist terror group. Their demands were simple: they wanted the release of HuM members Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and Masood Azhar, and Pakistan-backed Kashmiri militant, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar. After intense negotiations and internal handwringing, on 30 December the Indian government managed to convince the hijackers to release all hostages for three terrorists. I must have slept around 3 am. I woke up at 8 am. The usual Afghan bread was served for breakfast. I did not feel like eating. I was worried that the millennium would end in hours and I would be missing the celebrations. I was thinking of many things, reads the account of 41-year-old merchant navy captain Kollattu Ravikumar, one of the hostages on the flight. All three terrorists who were released have since been implicated in terror attacks, including the attack on parliament of India in New Delhi in 2001, the terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008, the kidnapping and murder of The Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in 2002. Once the hostages were freed, Indian authorities assumed that the Taliban officials would arrest the hijackers and secure the released terrorists. Instead, the Taliban drove them across the border, towards Quetta in Pakistan. open image in gallery Afghan Taliban militia head towards a hijacked Indian Airlines Airbus AC-814 at Kandahar Airport on 27 December, 1999 ( AFP via Getty Images ) The BJP government faced severe criticism over failing to resolve the crisis sooner, and especially over allowing the flight to leave Indian territory. AK Doval, the 64-year-old former Intelligence Bureau Chief who led the four-member negotiating team to Kandahar, described it as a diplomatic failure and a bloody disgrace for India. There was a diplomatic failure on our inability. When we know that the US is totally against the terrorists, they are against the Taliban, they had total hold over the UAE, we could not leverage this thing. Our Ambassador could not even get inside the airport (in Abu Dhabi), he said to news agency Press Trust of India. open image in gallery Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh (left) and his Afghan counterpart Wakil Ahmad Mutawakel addresses a joint press conference at Kandahar airport after the end of the Indian Airlines hijacking crisis on 31 December, 1999 ( AFP via Getty Images ) The series has an ensemble cast, and is created by Anubhav Sinha and Trishant Srivastava. Trishant, the writer, and I dived in thinking most of the information is available online. Documentaries and vlogs have been made, articles have been written, so we wanted to sink our teeth deeper for a more succulent bite, Sinha told Variety. We met officials engaged in running the rescue mission from Delhi, and passengers and the crew told us the story inside the aircraft. Adrian Levy, an eminent journalist, author and filmmaker from London came on board and an all-new international canvas unfolded before us. open image in gallery A group of hostages disembark from a plane at New Delhis international airport on 31 December 1999 ( AFP via Getty Images ) What went on across those seven days turned out to be a compelling story that cuts through chilling and thrilling tactical and diplomatic manoeuvres that had to be told. The viewers must know this story that has never been told inside out before with a cast I dont know if I can put together again. IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack will be available to stream on Netflix from 29 August. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Women in one of Indias key film industries have triggered their own MeToo movement after a government fact-finding committee discovered rampant sexual harassment. The Malayalam language film industry is under intense scrutiny after the release of the Justice Hema Committee report a 296-page study commissioned by the Kerala government in 2017 to investigate conditions for women in the industry. The report is focused both on commercial and independent cinema made in the Malayalam language, widely spoken in the southern state of Kerala. A female actor who primarily works in the Bengali language film industry in the eastern state of West Bengal filed a complaint against celebrated Malayalam film director Ranjith, after she revealed on 24 August that he had touched her inappropriately and made unsolicited sexual advances. A day after she came forward another female actor, who works in the Malayalam film industry, accused veteran Malayalam actor Siddique who is also the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) of sexual misconduct. What did the committee find? The committee, headed by a former judge of the Kerala High Court, submitted their report to the government in December 2019, which was finally made public on 19 August after several legal challenges. The committee was set up after the sexual assault of a prominent female actor. The actor was kidnapped and assaulted by a group of men while travelling from Thrissur to Kochi in February 2017. Dileep, one of the biggest male actors from the industry, who had been in multiple films with the female actor, was named as an accused and charged with criminal conspiracy. He was released on bail, and the case remains on hold. The report, which was filed after interviews with at least 80 women, states that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by a group of male actors, producers, distributors, exhibitors and directors who have gained enormous fame and wealth. No man nor woman dare to utter any word which may offend anyone belonging to the power group, because such persons will be wiped off the industry by the powerful lobby. The committee reportedly found evidence that proved that not only is sexual harassment remains shockingly rampant it also goes on unchecked and uncontrolled. Men in industry make open demands for sex without any qualms as if its their birthright. Women are left with very little options but to oblige or reject at the cost of their long awaited dream of pursuing cinema as their profession. Women who enter the industry are told to make adjustments and compromise and be available for sex on demand, the report said. Women at film shootings that required overnight stay were at risk of assault if they did not have a family member with them as men entered their rooms by force, the report stated. That knocking will not be polite or decent but, they repeatedly bang at the door, by force. On many occasions, they felt that the door would collapse and men would make an entry into the room by force. So unless women take somebody from the family when they go for work, they fear that they will not be safe at the workplace. The report also found that the fear of retribution kept women from speaking up; the women were also afraid of being harassed online by incredibly toxic fan clubs. The experiences of many women are really shocking and of such gravity that they have not disclosed the details even to their close family members. In addition, the industry did not offer women actors and technicians basic facilities such as toilets and changing rooms, pay parity, food, or even basic transport or accommodation, it said. There are no toilets, so women have to go in the bushes or behind thick trees. During their periods, not being able to change their sanitary napkins for long hours and holding urine for long causes physical discomfort and makes them sick, in some cases needing hospitalisation, it said. open image in gallery The report found that women stayed quiet out of the fear of retribution, not just from the stars but also their incredibly toxic fan clubs ( AFP via Getty Images ) Members of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), whose petition to the government after the 2017 assault contributed to the formation of the committee, said that they had trouble finding work since they began demanding better working conditions for women on sets. Ever since I reported the incident, I was systematically deprived of work in the industry. The deposition before the committee only worsened the boycott, to the point that I had to leave the film industry, a 32-year-old woman actor told Indian news daily The Indian Express. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) denied all allegations, with Siddique saying: There is no such power lobby. No lobby can control the cinema in any manner. How can an industry function if theres a group controlling all aspects? If there was such a power group, then there would not be good cinema. Ever since the report came out, there have been accusations generalising the entire Malayalam film industry and its people as bad, which is hurtful. Every job sector has issues but nobody comes up with remarks blemishing the entire sector. What was the outcome of the report? Since the release of the report, several other women have come forward with sexual harassment allegations. A total of 17 cases have been registered naming some of the Malayalam film industrys biggest and most celebrated stars. The Bengali actor recalled meeting Ranjith, 59, in 2009 over discussions for a role in a film he was directing, after which he allegedly sexually harassed her. During the course of discussion, he clutched my hand and later on attempted to spread his hand to other parts of my body with sexual intention. Realising that his intentions are not the discussion regarding the film and with sexual intent, I had to escape from the flat and returned to the hotel where I was staying, she wrote in an email to the police. Ranjith denied the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated. They have been making up allegations against me since the time I took up the post. I will be moving legally. I need to prove my innocence before the public. The truth will come out one day, he said. He has resigned from his position as chairperson of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy, claiming moral responsibility for the situation, and the police registered a case against him on 26 August following the complaint. In an interview with news agency ANI, the Malayalam actor described meeting Siddique, 61, when she was 21. He asked to meet her using the pretext of discussing a film role. Everything looked professional at first ... after some discussion, all of a sudden his conversation turned sexual and by the time I realised it was a trap, the door was locked ... I was helpless and I was scared, she said. open image in gallery A female actor accused Malayali actor Siddique of sexually assaulting her when she was 21, on the pretext of discussing a film ( Siddique/Instagram ) In response, Siddique resigned as AMMAs general secretary on Sunday and filed a complaint with the Kerala Police against the female actor, stating that there was a criminal conspiracy to fabricate and spread false and scandalous allegations against him. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Siddique on 28 August for for rape and criminal intimidation, both non-bailable clauses. On Monday, another female actor from the Malayalam film industry alleged that she was a victim of sexual harassment by actors Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Edavela Babu. She added later that she had been receiving threatening messages since she had spoken up. "I had a bitter experience while shooting... I went to the restroom and when I came out, Jayasurya hugged me and kissed me without my consent. I was shocked and I ran out," she told Indian news website NDTV. She added that she had been forced to leave the Malayalam film industry and relocate to Chennai, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, due to the bitter experiences. open image in gallery Jayasurya (left) with Mohanlal; Jayasurya has been charged with sexual assault after a female actor made a complaint ( Jayasurya Jayan/Instagram ) On 29 August, police charged actors Mukesh and Jayasurya with sexual asssault after she made a police complaint on Wednesday. All other office bearers of the AMMA, including president Mohanlal, resigned on Tuesday, after allegations were made against three members of the body Siddique, vice-president Jeyan R, and joint secretary Baburaj. Mohanlal is one of the biggest stars of the industry, with a career spanning over four decades and over 400 films to his name. In the context of the sexual harassment accusations levelled against some of the officials of the administrative committee of AMMA in the media after the release of the Hema committee report, the existing administrative committee of AMMA has decided to resign, accepting moral responsibility, the AMMA said in a statement. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the government would take strict action if any woman who contributed to the report chose to file a report, and constituted a seven-member panel of high-ranking police officers to investigate allegations on 25 August. No matter how big they are, they will be brought before the law, he said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy India is witnessing an alarming rise in lightning-related deaths, driven in part by the effects of climate change, according to a new study. Researchers say that lightning strikes have become increasingly deadly in the South Asian country, with over 101,000 deaths recorded between 1967 and 2020 nearly 1,900 each year. Even though increasing awareness and urbanisation are expected to protect more people, the study shows that the last decade alone has seen a sharp uptick in fatalities. This disturbing trend positions lightning as one of the leading climate-induced disasters in India. While the total number of strikes wasn't directly measured, the data on fatalities paints a grim picture of lightning activity becoming more unpredictable and frequent across the country. The average number of deaths per state has risen from 38 per year between 1967 and 2002 to 61 per year from 2003 to 2020, coinciding with Indias population growth to 1.4 billion people, the study, led by researchers at Fakir Mohan University in Odisha, says. Monsoon season, stretching from June to September, typically brings much-needed rain to the subcontinent but also heightens the risk of lightning strikes, which are becoming increasingly unpredictable, the study says. Scientists say that rising global temperatures contribute to this increase by creating conditions more conducive to lightning. Higher temperatures lead to more water vapour in the atmosphere, which cools at higher altitudes and generates the electrical charges that spark lightning. This has made lightning strikes more common and more deadly. Indias rural population is disproportionately affected. Most of the victims are working-class individuals, often sheltering under trees or in open fields when storms hit. The lack of effective early warning systems and public awareness about lightning safety exacerbates the problem. open image in gallery Lightning strikes over residential apartments during a thunderstorm on the outskirts of the Indian capital Delhi ( AFP via Getty Images ) Despite advancements in meteorological technology, such as the installation of 129 lightning-detection sensors across the country, many of these systems fail to deliver timely warnings to those in harms way. The states of Jharkhand and Bihar, in eastern and central India, are among the hardest hit by lightning strikes. These regions experience unique climatic conditions where hot, dry air from the northwest meets moist easterly currents, creating an environment ripe for lightning. Earlier research also suggests that air pollution may also play a role in increasing lightning activity. Aerosols, such as dust and pollution particles, may enhance the friction between particles that generate lightning, leading to more frequent strikes. In response to the growing threat, 16 of India's 36 states and union territories, including Bihar and Jharkhand, have classified lightning strikes as state disasters. This designation allows for compensation payments of 400,000 rupees (about $4,766) to the families of those killed. While this financial support helps, it does little to prevent the loss of life in the first place. Researchers say there is a pressing need for improved safety measures, better early warning systems, and increased public awareness to mitigate the impact of lightning in India. A study showed that a degree of rise in temperature can lead to a 12 per cent increase in lightning strikes. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Typhoon Shanshan, now downgraded to a tropical storm, continued to bring record rainfall and cause havoc in several parts of the country. As of Sunday morning, the death toll stands at six, with over 130 injured, and one missing person, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. The storm is expected to bring heavy downpours in Tokai, Kinki, and Kanto-Koshin till Monday morning, reported Japan Times. Some areas like Tokai and Hokuriku are expected to see heavy rainfall through Tuesday morning as well. The meteorological agency has warned residents to be alert for landslides and flooding in low-lying areas and swollen rivers, along with lightning strikes and violent gusts of wind. The Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, and Saitama prefectures still have active landslide alerts. On Saturday, Shanshan caused long extended periods of rainfall in central Japans Shizuoka Prefectures Atami City, which saw a record 654mm of rain in 72 hours over three times the average rainfall the area saw for all of August. People wade through a flooded street as the city was hit by heavy rain in Ogaki, central Japan ( AP ) Ebina city in the Kanagawa Prefecture also received 439mm of rain, over 2.7 times the normal rain for August. Both Atami and Ebina have recorded their highest rainfall since record keeping began in 1976. The rains also caused part of a hillside behind a temple in Shizuoka city to collapse, damaging a cemetery and nearly 50 graves in it, footage from NHK showed. Around 3:30pm yesterday, we were informed by a temple member that the mountain had collapsed and mudwater was cascading like a waterfall, said the head priest. We plan to contact the temple members and consider our response carefully. I built a grave here 60 years ago. Its too dangerous to get close, so Im not sure if the grave has been washed away, a local resident told NHK. Flood debris is seen piled on the bank of the Yoshino river in Tokushima, southern Japan ( AP ) Shizuoka city recorded 730mm of rain since Monday, and the rains caused by Shanshan added to the damage. Another landslide triggered by the rainfall from the storm struck a mountain on the grounds of a strawberry farm in Shizuokas Suruga Ward. Footage from NHK showed a huge portion of the mountainside that had fallen, with several agricultural greenhouses appearing to be damaged. The farm reported that it had 22 greenhouses for cultivating strawberries, all of which have been completely destroyed. The entire greenhouse and strawberry fields were swept away. We were stunned and dumbfounded when we saw the damage. I dont think we will be able to grow strawberries anymore, said the farm owner. High speed rail Tokaido Shinkansen suspended all trains between Mishima and Nagoya stations on Sunday, and resumed operations between the Tokyo and Mishima stations later in the morning with reduced frequency. People walk in front of closed ticket gates for the Tokaido Shinkansen as train operations between Tokyo and Nagoya are suspended, in Tokyo Station ( AFP via Getty Images ) The Sanyo Shinkansen rail too ran with reduced trains on Sunday, and has said they will run as usual from Monday morning. Major airline carriers like Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways were operating normally on Sunday, though they have both said inclement weather may result in flights being delayed or cancelled. Parts of the expressways were closed on Saturday, and remain so on Sunday as well, with the meteorological agency asking motorists to check updates before travelling. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy At least four people have died after a powerful storm hit southern Japan on Thursday, with millions ordered to evacuate and hundreds of flights cancelled across the country. Shanshan made landfall on the southwestern island of Kyushu early on Thursday as a typhoon, bringing winds gusting up to almost 200kmph. The local authorities had already shut down large parts of the island, warning that the storm could be one of the strongest ever to hit the region. Though it weakened throughout the day into a tropical storm, it continued to bring strong winds, high waves, and very high volumes of rainfall as it moved towards the northeast. The storms path is largely tracking the main islands of Japan, meaning it is expected to bring significant disruption to Tokyo over the weekend. Miyazaki prefecture, part of Kyushu, saw nearly 2ft of rain, causing rivers to swell and increasing the risk of floods, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The total amount of rainfall in 24 hours was more than the regions average for all of August. Forecasters warn that additional heavy rainclouds are likely to form over large parts of Kyushu even after the storm has passed, as well as in Yamaguchi prefecture and the Shikoku region on Friday. Some regions could see as much as one metre or 39in of rainfall in the coming days, they warned. By late Thursday afternoon, Shanshan was moving north at 15 kmph (9mph), with reduced sustained windspeeds of 108kmph (67mph). open image in gallery Workers remove a fallen tree brought down by strong winds in Usa, Oita prefecture ( AFP via Getty ) Dozens of buildings were damaged when Shanshan tore through downtown Miyazaki city, toppling trees, tossing cars and shattering windows. Numerous rivers across southern Japan are under threat from possible flooding due to the historic amount of rainfall. NHK public television showed a swollen river in Yufu, a hot-spring town in nearby Oita prefecture, with muddy waters battering a bridge. At least four people have died in the storm, including three people inside a house buried in a landslide in the central Aichi prefecture. Some 150 miles west, an 80-year-old man was killed when the roof of a house collapsed, according to national broadcaster NHK, which reported on Thursday that there had been at least 94 people injured in the storm. At least 90 people were injured across Kyushu, many of them in Miyazaki. Some were hurt on their way to shelters as they were thrown to the ground by the storm, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Prime minister Fumio Kishida called for urgent action from ministers to prioritise public safety. Please continue to put peoples safety first and cooperate closely with local authorities to take all possible measures to keep the public informed, he was quoted as telling his cabinet. The government said a total of more than 5.2 million evacuation orders had been issued by late on Thursday. Nearly 250,000 households lost power, most of them in Kagoshima prefecture, according to the Kyushu Electric Power Company. Around 20,000 people sought refuge in community centres, school gymnasiums and other facilities across the island. Before the storm made landfall, heavy rain caused a landslide in Gamagori, a central city, killing three residents and injuring two others, according to the citys disaster management department. On the southern island of Amami, one person was injured when a gust of wind knocked them off a motorcycle. Officials warned that as Shanshan continues to move northeast, more floods and landslides are possible. In Tokyo, where the storms effects have yet to be felt, business continued as usual, though heavy rain is forecast to arrive in the coming days. Disaster management minister Yoshifumi Matsumura warned that Shanshan could bring unprecedented levels of severe weather, urging people, particularly the elderly, to seek shelter if they feel unsafe. The storm also caused widespread disruption to transportation. Hundreds of domestic flights were cancelled, and bullet trains and local train services were suspended. open image in gallery A departures board at Haneda airport shows flights cancelled because of the approaching storm ( AP ) Airlines, including ANA Holdings and Japan Airlines, have already announced the cancellation of more than 600 domestic flights. At the airport, several people were seen waiting for updates on their flights. In Kyushu, postal and delivery services were halted, and many supermarkets and stores planned to close. Typhoon Shanshan is the latest harsh weather system to hit Japan following Typhoon Ampil, which led to blackouts and evacuations earlier this month. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The record-breaking wildfires that tore through Canada last year were responsible for sending more planet-heating carbon emissions into the atmosphere than almost every country on earth. The fires which burned an area roughly the same size as North Dakota released about 640 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, according to a study published Wednesday by NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The study, published in the journal Nature, revealed that only China, the US and India produced more emissions from fossil fuels, than the Canadian fires. Earths atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations were at the highest levels in human history in 2023. The 2023 fire season was the warmest and driest for Canadian forests since at least 1980, resulting in vast carbon emissions from forest fires, the study said. The fires erupted in May 2023 and raged for months across the provinces with record temperatures and dry conditions fuelling the flames. A satellite image of wildfire smoke from Nova Scotia over the Atlantic Ocean last May. Canadas wildfires produced approximately 640 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from May to September. ( NASA ) The wildfires consumed more than 45 million acres, extending from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. Smoke billowed across Canada and reached south of the border where it turned skies an an ominous yellow-orange hue in US cities. Eight firefighters were killed and tens of thousands of people evacuated in Canada. NASA determined the impact of the fires using satellite observations and supercomputers. In particular, a European Space Agency Instrument - the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument - which is attached to the Sentinel 5P satellite and has been orbiting Earth since 2017, was able to measure and map gas and fine particles in the atmosphere. The August 2023 McDougall Creek wildfire burns in West Kelowna, British Columbia. The wildfires spread over more than 45 million acres, reaching from British Columbia to Quebec. ( (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP, File) ) Wildfires are expected to increase in frequency and severity due to soaring temperatures and debilitating droughts linked to the climate crisis. The threat to the worlds northern forests, including in Canada, are dire. These forests typically act as major carbon sinks - absorbing more CO2 from the atmosphere than they emit. However, their effectiveness as carbon sinks are weakening, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said. Wildfires in Canada this year have already sent smoke to Midwest and East Coast skies. There are now 730 active fires burning, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center. This year has seen nearly 12 million acres burned, including in Albertas iconic town of Jasper. Fire activity has increased in August, with warmer and drier weather forecast for the Labor Day weekend. While wildfires occur year-round in Canada, the most active period is from May through September. The Canadian government said earlier this summer that projections indicate the wildfire risk is expected to remain high for the coming months. The Independent will be revealing its Climate100 List in September and hosting an event in New York, which can be attended online. Journalist and bestselling author of Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World, John Vaillant, will be speaking at The Independents inaugural Climate100 event on 25 September. Register here to attend online. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The FIA safety car was involved in a heavy crash during high-speed testing in an odd scene prior to the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Experienced safety car driver Bernd Maylander has been behind the wheel of the Aston Martin Vantage safety car which slowsdown the pack during a grand prix incident for a number of years and has never previously crashed. However, that changed on Thursday when Maylander lost control at the sweeping Parabolica corner the final turn on the Monza circuit and was left spinning into the wall. Both Maylander and his passenger were unharmed in what was a bizarre scene, a day before action begins on track at the home of Ferrari. The FIA said in a short statement: Aston Martin is investigating the cause but can confirm both driver/passenger are fine. There is an additional Safety Car at the circuit and it will not impact the weekends event. The cause of the accident is currently unknown, though the famous Monza track has been resurfaced this year. open image in gallery The safety car crashed into the wall in testing on Thursday at monza ( FIA ) A note by tyre supplier Pirelli ahead of this weekend read: As is usually the case with newly-laid asphalt, the surface is smoother than its predecessor and darker in colour. This latter factor will have an impact on track temperature. "If the sun is shining could see it get hotter than in the past, even reaching significant highs of over 50C. In theory, the new surface should offer more grip, which will impact tyre performance and their operating temperature range." It is usual procedure for the safety car to be in action the day before a grand prix weekend, to test timing screens and other systems around the circuit. Ironically, there has not been a safety car in the last six grands prix the longest such run for 15 years. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A disabled traveller whose 2,700 wheelchair was broken on an Aer Lingus flight has said they were left housebound for months squandering their life savings on taxis and food deliveries after the airline refused repayment. Winter Mraz, 36, head of design at craft supplies company Sophie & Toffee, from Liverpool, noticed their power chair was bent and making a squeaky-grinding sound after travelling more than 20 hours from Phoenix, Arizona, to Manchester on April 3. Winter, who was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and Fibromyalgia in 2009, which means they cannot walk more than a few feet without being in pain, contacted the wheelchair manufacturer, EZ Lite Cruiser, to evaluate the damage. Their report concluded the chair had suffered serious damage to the frame and we recommend the device is replaced as it not safe to use in the current condition. Aer Lingus, who has since apologised, initially refused to offer Winter compensation because the damage was not reported at the time of arrival or within seven days. open image in gallery Winter said living without a chair has decimated their savings Now, four months later, the airline has agreed to cover the cost of a new chair but will not offer any further compensation. Winter, who is due to start a Masters at the University of Liverpool in September, has spent months afraid to use the damaged chair for fear it would collapse, only leaving the house a handful of times when necessary. Winter said that living without a chair has decimated their savings due to additional costs, such as having to pay for food deliveries and Ubers to get around. To help Winter cover their losses, close friend Dana Andersen has launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe which has received more than 3,000. open image in gallery A report by the manufacturer EZ Lite Cruiser concluded the chair had suffered serious damage to the frame I can stand but I cannot walk more than a metre unless its on safe, known ground, Winter, who is non-binary, told PA Real Life. Since March, Ive left my house once or twice a month, because I had a doctors appointment or an unmissable event that I had to go to. It doesnt make up for the 4,500 in savings thats now completely depleted and it doesnt make up for any of the mental and physical stress. Screw this policy, it needs to change. Winter travelled to Phoenix to sort out the last of their fathers personal affairs after he died last year. open image in gallery To help Winter cover their losses, close friend Dana Andersen launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe On April 3 2024, Winter returned to the UK, flying from Los Angeles to Manchester via Dublin with Irish airline Aer Lingus. Winters power wheelchair, which was stowed in the hold, was fully functional during the transfer at Dublin airport. I have to take my wheelchair right up to the gate, where the airplane is, said Winter. The chair then gets collapsed down and I have to take the batteries on the flight with me. They put it in last, so that its the first out. open image in gallery Winter was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and Fibromyalgia in 2009 But after arriving in Manchester, after more than 20 hours of travelling, Winter noticed the chair did not feel right. At this point Im in an extreme amount of pain, because weve been travelling for over 20 hours and Ive had like more than 50 back surgeries, minor and major, said Winter. They bring the chair up and every single strap and buckle has been undone, so we put the whole thing back together and when I go to sit in it, it settles weird. The wheels are supposed to be straight, but you could see there was a visible tiltand it just didnt feel right. Winter said they flagged the issue to the special assistance staff member but was told because it was late at night, none of the desks were open to make a complaint. open image in gallery Winter spent months afraid to use the damaged chair for fear it would collapse He said if it runs thats great, you can get home safely and then, if theres a problem, get an engineers report and email it to us, explained Winter who did just that. A report by the wheelchair manufacturer EZ Lite Cruiser concluded: The photographs received indicate serious damage to the frame where the wheel assemblies both in the front and rear (motors) appear to have been bent in a manner indicative of a large pressure being put on the device, while in the folded position. Each of the wheels seems to have been pressed down with an extreme force causing them to camber outward. We recommend the device is replaced as it is unsafe to use in the current condition. Winter sent the report to Aer Lingus several times, requesting compensation for the 2,700 chair and the cost of renting a temporary one, which they did not cover. According to the companys website, Damage not reported at the time of arrival must be reported through our Post Travel Enquiry form, within seven days of receiving your baggage. Winter was told on May 15 the company could not accept claims after seven days and was therefore unable to offer any compensation. Fearing the damaged chair would collapse, Winter stopped using it whenever possible and would only leave the house in case of emergencies. When it collapses, if Im sitting in it, I will be hurt and then I will have a huge, broken metal mess that I cant leave or push, said Winter. I literally dont know what I would do if it collapses under me. As a result, Winter said they cancelled medical appointments, was unable to go food shopping and struggled with work commitments and socialising. open image in gallery The experience has taken a heavy toll on Winters mental health They even missed out on officiating a close friends wedding on May 25 due to safety concerns. The whole experience also took a heavy toll on Winters mental health. I have gone from being completely independent to having to rely on others to have my basic needs met, said Winter. Its been a horrendous mental stress and Ive been more depressed than I have been since I was a goth in an American high school. It got so bad that my friend Dana was sending me text messages reminding me to eat every day because I was that depressed and in that much pain. The additional cost of living without being able leave their home has decimated Winters savings, which have plummeted from 4,500 to just 200. At this point Ive just drained all of my savings just trying to get around and live, because I cant go to Tescos or the grocery store, I have to pay for delivery which costs so much more money. Not to mention the sheer amount of Ubers Ive had to use. In a bid to regain independence, Winters friend Dana, who has a large following on YouTube, launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe which has so far received 3,000, with one person anonymously donating 1,000. The response has been amazing and has helped put pressure on the company, said Winter. Four months after Winter reported the damage, Aer Lingus has finally agreed to cover the cost of a new chair, excluding shipping. I received the payment last night (August 27) but they were happy to let me rot for four-and-a-half months, said Winter. An Aer Lingus spokesperson said: Aer Lingus sincerely regrets that this customers wheelchair was damaged during travel with us. Our policy is that customers report any damage incurred to their property within seven days of travel but we understand that this was not possible in this instance. Our customer team liaised directly with this customer to advise them of their options for repair or replacement of the damaged wheelchair. We acknowledge that this issue must have been very stressful for the customer and we apologise for this. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rapper-turned-actor Chris Ludacris Bridges sparked concern from some social media followers when he knelt on an Alaska glacier, dipped an empty water bottle into a blue, pristine pool of water and drank it. Video of Ludacris tasting the glacial water and proclaiming, Oh my God!" got millions of views on TikTok and Instagram. Some viewers expressed concern that he was endangering his life by drinking the untreated water, warning it might be contaminated with the parasite giardia. But an expert on glaciers from the University of Alaska in Fairbanks said the online brouhaha was ludicrous. Hes totally fine, glaciologist Martin Truffer said Wednesday. Its sort of understandable that somebody would be concerned about just drinking untreated water, but if you drink water from a melt stream on a glacier, thats about the cleanest water youll ever get. Ludacris donned ice cleats to knock off a bucket list item and walk Knik Glacier, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) north of Anchorage, while he was in the nations largest state to perform Friday at the Alaska State Fair. He was clearly pleased by the taste of the glacial water. Im a water snob, he said in a later video before a concert Tuesday in Minneapolis. It was the best tasting water Ive ever had in my life. Symptoms of giardiasis, the illness caused by giardia, include diarrhea, stomach cramps and dehydration. It can spread from one person to another or through contaminated water, food, surfaces or objects. The Centers for Disease Control suggest people avoid swallowing water while swimming and boiling or filtering water from lakes, springs or rivers before drinking it to prevent getting sick. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation does not recommend drinking untreated surface water, spokeperson Kelly Rawalt said in an email. It also has produced a flyer with safe drinking practices for outdoor enthusiasts, including adding chlorine or iodine to quart-size water containers and letting them sit an hour before drinking. Truffer, who acknowledged he knew of Ludacris only because his neighbor in Fairbanks named his cat after the rapper, said its not always safe to drink water from a stream in the wild. But he said the water Ludacris drank hadn't had any exposure to biological activity. Theres just really no concern on these glacial streams about safety, he said. Ive done this many, many times myself without ever having any issue, he said. Alaska is home to about 100,000 glaciers, with the icy masses covering about 288000 square miles (745,915 square kilometers) or 3% of the state. According to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, thats 128 times the area covered by glaciers in the other 49 states. For some visitors to Alaska, seeing a glacier is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But climate change is taking its toll, and the melting of Juneaus icefield is accelerating, according to a study that came out last month. The snow-covered area is now shrinking 4.6 times faster than it was in the 1980s. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Israeli military says it has killed five more militants in a large-scale operation in the occupied West Bank, including a well-known local commander. There was no immediate Palestinian confirmation on Thursday of the death of Mohammed Jaber, known as Abu Shujaa, a commander in the Islamic Jihad militant group in the Nur Shams refugee camp on the outskirts of the city of Tulkarem. He became a hero for many Palestinians earlier this year when he was reported killed in an Israeli operation, only to make a surprise appearance at the funeral of other militants, where he was hoisted onto the shoulders of a cheering crowd. Israel launched a large-scale operation in the West Bank overnight into Wednesday. Hamas said 10 of its fighters were killed in different locations, and the Palestinian Health Ministry reported an 11th casualty, without saying whether he was a fighter or a civilian. Violence has surged in the West Bank since Hamas Oct. 7 attack out of Gaza ignited the war there. ___ Here's the latest: EUs top diplomat says bloc should consider sanctions on Israeli ministers BRUSSELLS The European Unions top diplomat says that the bloc should consider imposing sanctions on a number of Israeli government ministers over their remarks about the war in Gaza. Some Israeli ministers have been launching hateful messages, unacceptable hateful messages, against the Palestinians and proposing things that go clearly against international law and is an incitation to commit more crimes, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. Borrell did not name the ministers, but earlier this month he criticized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich over remarks suggesting that the starvation of Gazas population of more than 2 million Palestinians might be just and moral until hostages captured in Hamas Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel are returned home. Borrell said there should be no taboos to prevent the EU from ensuring that international humanitarian law is respected. Borrell was chairing a meeting of the blocs foreign ministers in Brussels on Thursday, and he wanted them to discuss possible sanctions. But the 27 EU member countries are divided over their approach to the war in Gaza and its unlikely that they would all agree on such a move. UN food agency 'pauses' movement in Gaza after its vehicle is hit by bullets UNITED NATIONS The U.N. food agency says it is pausing the movement of all staff in Gaza until further notice after one of its clearly marked vehicles was hit by at least 10 bullets as it was moving toward an Israeli military checkpoint at the Wadi Gaza bridge in the center of the territory. The World Food Program announcement Wednesday afternoon said the vehicle was struck Tuesday evening despite receiving multiple clearances by Israeli authorities to approach. None of the employees onboard were physically harmed, WFP said. The agency said two armored WFP vehicles were returning from the Kerem Shalom crossing after escorting a convoy of trucks carrying humanitarian cargo routed to Gazas central area. Though this is not the first security incident to occur during the war it is the first time that a WFP vehicle has been directly shot at near a checkpoint, despite securing the necessary clearances, as per standard protocol, the Rome-based agency said. It called the incident a stark reminder of the rapidly and ever shrinking humanitarian space in the Gaza Strip, where increasing violence compromises our ability to deliver life-saving assistance. WFP said this critical situation is exacerbated by restricted access and heightened risks which has led to a decrease in the amount of food reading Palestinians in desperate need. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the vehicle was struck by Israeli military gunfire, including with bullets targeting front windows. He said the incident shows the need for more U.N. armored vehicles, saying the two people inside the WFP vehicle were saved because it was armored. Israeli authorities recover body of a soldier abducted and killed by Hamas JERUSALEM -- Israeli authorities said Wednesday that they have recovered the body of a soldier who was abducted and killed by Hamas on Oct. 7 and who had since been held in the Gaza Strip. Israelis military and the Shin Beit internal security agency rescued the remains of the fallen soldier in a joint operation overnight and returned them to Israel, according to a statement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mourned the mans death, saying he had fallen in a heroic battle on Oct. 7 while defending Israeli communities near Gaza. The heart of the entire nation mourns the terrible loss, Netanyahu said. The soldier was not identified at the familys request. The war in Gaza erupted when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel and rampaged through army bases and farming communities, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. The militants are still holding 107 hostages, about a third of whom are believed to be dead, after most of the rest were released during a November cease-fire. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Health Check email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A third of people in England who have experienced a severe allergic reaction to food are not carrying live-saving adrenaline pens, analysis shows. Prescriptions for adrenaline auto injectors (AAIs) devices given to those who are at risk of life-threatening reaction (anaphylaxis) are also less common for people living in more deprived areas of the country, researchers from Imperial College London found. The study, published in the journal The Lancet Public Health, showed that between 2008 and 2018, only 975 of 1,524 children and young people and 1,346 of 2,456 adults had AAI prescriptions. The most surprising finding is that 90% of patients are only looked after by GPs. That means we need to make sure that staff working in primary care have the training and resources to provide the best care and advice to people with food allergy Dr Paul Turner Dr Paul Turner, professor of paediatric allergy at Imperial College Londons National Heart & Lung Institute, who led the research, said there is an urgent need to better support GPs and primary care staff to care for patients at risk of severe food allergy. He said: The most surprising finding is that 90% of patients are only looked after by GPs. That means we need to make sure that staff working in primary care have the training and resources to provide the best care and advice to people with food allergy. Food allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts to certain foods, such as cows milk, peanuts, eggs or shellfish. In severe cases it can lead to anaphylaxis, which can cause swelling of the airways, breathing difficulties and cardiac arrest if not treated urgently. AAIs, which contain a fixed dose of adrenaline, are prescribed to people with allergies who are at risk of anaphylaxis. For the study, the team used data from GP practices in England covering 13 million patients. They found the number of people with food allergy more than doubled during the 10-year period, from 76 cases per 100,000 people in 2008 to 160 cases per 100,000 people in 2018. The largest increase was seen in preschool-aged children, with 4% of under fives having some form of food allergy in 2018. Food allergy prevalence in children aged five to nine was 2.4%, for 15 to 19-year-olds was 1.7% and 0.7% for adults in 2018, data showed. These rates are likely representative of the UK, the researchers said. It is shocking and alarming to discover that more than a third of people who have experienced anaphylaxis the most severe allergic reaction have not been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector Nadim Ednan-Laperouse, Natasha Allergy Research Foundation But data also suggests that newly-diagnosed cases of food allergy may be levelling-off in some age groups, although it is unclear whether this might be due to changes in infant feeding guidelines, the researchers said. Prof Turner said the analysis paints an important, if mixed, picture of food allergy in the UK. He added: The good news is that while the prevalence of food allergy has increased, the numbers of new cases occurring each year look to have plateaued. However, more than one-third of patients at risk of severe reactions do not carry potentially life-saving rescue adrenaline autoinjectors, like EpiPens. Commenting on the study, Nadim Ednan-Laperouse, co-founder of The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the UKs food allergy charity, who was not involved, said the research confirms there has been an exponential rise in the number of people with food allergies. He said: It is shocking and alarming to discover that more than a third of people who have experienced anaphylaxis the most severe allergic reaction have not been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector (AAI), and the poorest in society are less likely to have prescriptions of this life-saving medicine. This is totally unacceptable, and will inevitably put lives at risk. Anyone who has a serious food allergy should carry two AAIs with them at all times. It is also worrying that so few people with a food allergy receive specialist hospital allergy care. Again this is unacceptable and we need urgent Government action to address these gaps in care to prevent avoidable ill health. Amena Warner, head of clinical services at Allergy UK, who was not involved in the research, said: There has been a lot of data over the years which looks at rates of food allergies and related anaphylaxis episodes at hospital admission level. However, there has been limited robust data on the incidence and prevalence of food allergies which paints a complete picture of the burden of food allergy, so the data from this study is long overdue and very welcomed. Although this study is limited to England, the data evidences why there is a need for improved access to specialist allergy knowledge at primary care level, a call Allergy UK has been making for over a year now. She said it was worrying that the data shows there are low prescription rates for life-saving adrenaline for people who have previously experienced anaphylactic episodes, adding that more needs to be done to better understand why there is a disparity in allergy care in more deprived areas. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met with Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Thursday to conclude his trip through three West African nations aimed at tackling irregular migration to Spains Canary Islands. The two leaders signed agreements to promote temporary work opportunities in Spain for Senegalese nationals and vocational training in the West African country. Irregular migration is a term for illegal or unauthorized immigration commonly used in the region and by some international organizations. Regulated migration benefits us all, Sanchez said. "It vaccinates us against those who make a business out of irregularity, like the mafias, and against those who use it as an excuse to spread hatred and xenophobia in our societies. He was referring to people-smuggling networks and far-right parties who have pushed for tougher immigration policies. Sanchez began his tour in Mauritania on Tuesday where he announced that Spain will provide temporary work opportunities in Spain to Mauritanians and renew cooperation between the two nations security forces to combat people smuggling networks. The Spanish prime minister continued his tour going south to Gambia on Wednesday. He arrived in Senegal the same day before meeting with Senegals president on Thursday. Mauritania, Gambia and Senegal have become the main departure points of migrants trying to reach the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago located close to the African coast and used as a stepping stone for migrants and refugees trying to reach continental Europe. More than 22,000 people have disembarked on its shores since January, according to Spains Interior Ministry, more than double the number of irregular arrivals for the same period last year. Among those making it to the Canaries are thousands of Malian refugees fleeing violence and instability in the Sahelian nation as well as youth from Senegal, Mauritania and other West African countries who are seeking better job opportunities abroad. There are also increasingly more teenagers and children traveling alone to the Canary Islands, which has overwhelmed the local government responsible for their care. Last month, a boat carrying 300 migrants, mostly from Gambia and Senegal, capsized off Mauritania. More than a dozen died and at least 150 others went missing. President Faye said his government is concerned by the massive departures of migrants from Senegalese coasts leaving to Spain but that alongside repressive measures, it is necessary to combat the root causes of migration. The agreements signed by Sanchez and Faye will promote circular migration programs," which are temporary job opportunities in Spain for selected Senegalese workers, granting them permits of up to four years, and for a maximum of 9 months a year, the Spanish government announced in a press release on Thursday. Some 17,200 foreign workers took part in Spain's circular migration program last year, but only 140 were Senegalese, according to Spanish government officials. The majority came from Morocco and other countries in Latin America. Sanchez also announced the launch of the Alliance Africa Advances, a development initiative that includes vocational training to around 500 young people in Senegal and a project with Spanish operating company Hispasat to expand internet access throughout the West African country, during a speech at the Spanish cultural institute in Dakar on Wednesday. Some migrant rights organizations have expressed doubts regarding the efficiency of vocational trainings like the one promoted by the Spanish government. The problem of migration is not a question of education or training, it's a problem of job opportunities, Moustapha Diouf, who leads an organization promoting local job creation to dissuade young Senegalese people from leaving to Europe, told The Associated Press. Each year thousands of young Senegalese get diplomas, and yet a large number of them end up unemployed, Diouf said. Spains prime minister described himself as a firm defender of regular migration in his speech on Wednesday but also said people-smuggling networks continue to grow and are intertwined with terrorist networks and drug trafficking. To combat these threats, the return of those who have arrived in Spain illegally is essential, mainly because this return sends a clear, strong and discouraging message to the mafias and those who put themselves in their hands, Sanchez said. Last week, the Senegalese army said it had arrested 453 migrants and members of smuggling networks as part of a 12-day operation patrolling the coastline to prevent illegal migrants from leaving the Senegalese coast. More than half of the arrested were Senegalese nationals, the army said. ___ Associated Press writers Renata Brito in Barcelona, Spain, and Babacar Dione in Dakar, Senegal, contributed to this report. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A teenage boy who lured a 15-year-old girl down an alleyway and stabbed her to death after stalking her has been convicted of murder. Holly Newtons mother had been so concerned about the teenage boy, aged 16 at the time, that she had contacted the police about him on the day of her daughters death. Holly suffered 36 injuries in the attack down an alley in Hexham, Northumberland, in January 2023, when she was attacked by the boy, whom she knew. Before leaving school on 27 January last year, Holly had been extremely nervous and had looked for the boy in the grounds and surrounding area. She also messaged a friend to say: Apparently (the defendant) is gonna meet to me outside of school. So hes basically stalking me at this point. Hes gonna follow me until I talk to him. Without her knowledge, her killer followed her and her friends around Hexham from a distance that afternon, and waited to speak to her outside a pizza shop. Holly Newtons friends and family at her funeral (Owen Humphreys/PA) ( PA Wire ) During the trial, jurors heard that Holly was not at all happy to see the defendant but she eventually agreed to speak to him down an alleyway. What Holly didnt know was that (the defendant) had brought a knife with him, prosecutor David Brooke KC said. In less than a minute, the defendant inflicted 36 knife wounds on Holly, stabbing her 12 times and slashing her 19 times. She suffered a further five defensive injuries to her hands. After being alerted by her screams, another teenage boy ran down the alleyway and grabbed the defendant, and was also stabbed himself. Passers-by and people from the pizza shop attempted to help and Holly was rushed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, but she was pronounced dead. When arrested, the teenager, who cannot be named due to his age, claimed that Holly had been horrible to him when they spoke to one another, and that his mind went blank. Despite admitting taking a knife to the scene, he denied wanting to hurt his victim and said he had intended to take his own life. The defendant, now 17, admitted manslaughter but denied murder, claiming his mind went blank that day and that he had only intended to take his own life. But a jury found him guilty of murder at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday. He will be sentenced during a two-day hearing at the same court on October 31. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man killed in an attack at Southwark Underground station has been described by his grieving family as gentle and kind with an unendingly giving spirit. Sam Winter, 28, was taken to hospital after the assault on the stairs of the station last Thursday at 9.30pm. But on the evening of Saturday 24 August, Sam died in hospital surrounded by his family. In a statement released by the British Transport Police, Mr Winters family said they were devastated his life here has ended in a tribute to the charity volunteer and qualified physiotherapist. The family also provided a photo of a smiling Mr Winter in a blue patterned T-shirt. Sam was a very much-loved son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew and friend. We are devastated his life here has ended. He was a qualified physiotherapist, AI engineer and a volunteer with several charities, the family said. His family and friends will remember him as gentle and kind, quick-witted and funny, with deep faith and an unendingly giving spirit. Mr Winter was a keen charity worker, AI engineer and physical therapist ( British Transport Police ) Our family will never be the same and well always miss him, but we take great comfort knowing hes now at home with his beloved Jesus and Father in heaven. We look forward to seeing him there. Rakeem Miles, 23, of East Street in Southwark, has been charged by police with grievous bodily harm over the incident. He will appear at Inner London Crown Court on Friday 20 December. Det Insp Paul Atwell, the senior investigating officer for British Transport Police, said: This was a horrific and tragic incident which has resulted in a young man losing his life. Our specialist family liaison officers are providing support to Sams family. Please can I ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A 10-month-old girl has died after a crash in the West Country that also killed a 46-year-old man. The crash between a Vauxhall Astra and Kia Rio took place at Iron Railings Cross near Tavistock in Devon on Monday. A 46-year-old man, a passenger in the Kia, was pronounced dead at the scene, while seven people, including the baby, were taken to hospital. On Thursday, Devon and Cornwall Police said the baby had died at Bristol Childrens Hospital after suffering serious injuries. Sergeant Troy Bennett, investigating the crash, said: This is a tragic incident, and the thoughts of our officers are with the family and friends of all those involved. This will have shocked and saddened the community, especially with the death of a young child. We are investigating the circumstances that led to the collision. Specialist officers are supporting the families involved. Out of the remaining six taken to hospital, three remain with serious injuries, while three others were discharged after treatment. The road was closed following the crash on Monday, reopening on Tuesday morning. A man in his 30s from Peterborough has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving. He has been released on bail, pending further inquiries, police added. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A spike in searches for homes near Jeremy Clarksons new pub has been recorded by property website Rightmove. The pub in Asthall, near Burford in Oxfordshire, reopened to the public on August 23 after being renamed The Farmers Dog. Hundreds of people queued to wait for the doors to open on the first day of trading. Rightmove said that August 24, the day after the pubs opening, saw the highest number of searches for homes for sale in Burford in more than a year. Across the pubs first bank holiday weekend, the number of searches for homes for sale in Burford was 63% higher than the same period a year ago, the website said. Pubgoers hoping to live close to Clarksons new business venture will typically need to have around half a million pounds available to them because the average asking price in the Burford postcode area is 537,827. Clarkson recently described the impact of his new pub on British farming as a tiny pinprick, but added: If everyone does it, if all the farmers get together and buy a pub as you can get a pub for chicken feed these days it might work. ( PA ) If this works it is a co-operative of farmers we have formed it might work, it might not, Im the trailblazer. It is not the first time that Clarksons ventures appear to have inspired property searches. The launch of series one and series two of Clarksons Farm led to a spike in searches for Chadlington, in the area where the programme is set, Rightmove said. Rightmove property expert Tim Bannister said: The Cotswolds will always inspire people to search and explore what living in one of its many areas of beauties could be like, and Jeremy Clarksons ventures have added further intrigue. Reflecting on the final episode of the Grand Tour last week, Clarkson said: I think it was emotional, but the weird thing is who am I saying goodbye to because we use exactly the same crews and producers on the farm show as we do on the cars show? So I basically said, well, thats it everyone, see you Monday on the farm. Asked if he will miss May and Hammond, he said: I can see them whenever I want. Considering whether they might make a trip to his pub, he said: James probably wont, but Richard will. I talked to Richard only yesterday. Were mates and well still see them. We couldnt possibly have imagined wed be together 22 years when we started out. And so its a wrench, thinking, God, were never going to do that again. But by the same token, I dont have to go through Terminal 5 (of Heathrow airport) quite so often. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The government has scrapped plans that would have allowed large numbers of badgers to be culled for at least a decade and is set to launch a fresh review of the policy. But conservationists are not celebrating yet because thousands of animals are still set to be killed this autumn as part of previously agreed efforts to wipe out tuberculosis (TB) in cattle. Rural affairs minister Daniel Zeichner has dropped a proposed new wave of badger culling, potentially until 2038 an idea contained in a consultation that the Tory government issued in March. ( Getty Images ) Documents seen by The Independent, drawn up by government lawyers to defend a legal challenge to the expanded cull, show that Mr Zeichner has ditched the idea. The government still intends to back farmers use of an interactive map on an app that aims to show TB cases and risks in bulls they are considering buying. Mr Zeichner scrapped the cull plan on Friday the day on which a controversial documentary was broadcast on BBC2, showing how one farm stopped TB outbreaks through hygiene in cattle areas and slurry handling, instead of killing badgers. Former Queen guitarist and presenter Sir Brian May said he hoped the findings would revolutionise practices but farmers said they could not be universally applied. The new government document also shows officials are standing by their scientific arguments in favour of culling. Sir Brians TV programme showed one farm defeated TB and saved badgers by changing hygiene practices ( Getty Images ) The paper says ministers will launch a fresh review of future bovine TB policy. And it suggests the costs of culling are not necessarily outweighed by the benefits, as previously assumed. It is understood government body Natural England is set to reauthorise licences for at least 20 intensive culling areas, on top of supplementary culls going ahead. Those licences could mean 20,000 badgers will be shot at night over the next three months, opponents calculate. In its election manifesto, Labour branded the badger cull ineffective, and Mr Zeichner has said he wants to end it. After the Conservative government issued a consultation in March on a cull extension, the Badger Crowd a coalition of conservationists crowdfunded a judicial review, raising 12,000. Any infected cattle have to be slaughtered ( Getty Images ) In June Natural England decided to proceed with supplementary culling, in defiance of the advice of its own director of science, Dr Peter Brotherton. It means the killing of thousands of badgers in 17 existing and nine unidentified new zones. Last week, Natural England launched a consultation on a new round of badger culling in Cumbria, considered a low-risk area, and it is understood others in Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire or Oxfordshire could be next. Ecologist Tom Langton, who has long gathered evidence on the cull, welcomed the government response to his organisations judicial review, saying : This is a small but important step towards bringing forwards the abolition of badger culling for ever. It is shameful that Labour is continuing the badger culls and expanding them in the low-risk area, contradicting its manifesto pledge, to appease a vocal minority. A new testing regime for cattle is needed to give farmers the powers to use the right tests at the right time to beat TB in the herd where a hidden reservoir remains - something red tape presently prevents and at massive unnecessary cost to the taxpayer. It could be resolved in an afternoon with the right people around the table. The science of the cull is highly disputed, some scientists saying badgers are not the main cause but actively spread the disease if a cull makes individuals stray while other scientists and farmers argue culling reduces the spread of TB. Any infected cattle have to be slaughtered. The Badger Trust says badgers have already become extinct in heavily culled areas, with the killing of 230,000 since 2013. Mr Zeichner said: Bovine tuberculosis has been a tragedy for farmers, vets and conservationists, with thousands of cattle lost to the disease and badgers culled. Tackling this disease is my number one priority in my role as minister for farming, food and rural affairs. I am clear that we will beat bTB and end the cull, as we committed to doing in our manifesto. I will be working at pace and in partnership with farmers, vets, conservationists and scientists to bring step change to build an ambitious eradication package that stamps out this awful disease, and protects both livelihoods and wildlife. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A toddler has died after being taken ill at Chris Evans family friendly festival CarFest 2024. The boy, aged 3, suffered a medical episode at the festival headlined by Richard Ashcroft, Olly Murs and Johnny Marr at 11pm on Saturday August 24. He was rushed to a hospital off site where he tragically passed away. Hampshire Police said it was now probing the youngsters unexpected death. The force said: Shortly after 11pm on Saturday, August 24, officers were made aware of a medical episode involving a three-year-old boy at CarFest, Overton. The child was taken to hospital, but sadly passed away a short time later. The death is being treated as unexpected and a file is being prepared for the coroner. Chris Evans has been promoting CarFest on Instagram ( Instagram @chrisevanstfi ) A spokesperson for the festival, which sees 30,000 visitors daily, said: We can confirm that the medical incident reported in the papers took place at CarFest on Saturday night. All of our emergency teams worked together with the support of the NHS to take the child to hospital where he sadly passed away. Chris and the whole CarFest team are deeply saddened by this tragedy. We have and will continue to respect the familys wishes at this very difficult time and allow them to grieve in private. Evans founded CarFest in 2011. Billed as the largest family fundraising festival in the UK, it raises money for a number of childrens charities, including the Teenage Cancer Trust and Children in Need. This years CarFest featured a diverse lineup including former Top Gear presenter James May, astronaut Tim Peake, Dragons Den icon Deborah Meaden, Amazing Spaces star George Clarke and Rob Brydon. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Kirstie Allsopp has defended allowing her teenage son to go interrailing around Europe and claimed that risk-averse parenting is contributing to a crisis in young peoples mental health. Speaking to The Independent, she said that children are being exposed to more dangers on their mobile phones than they ever could be through travel. The Location, Location, Location star, 52, was recently reported to social services for allowing her son, then 15, to interrail around Europe for three weeks with his 16-year-old friend. She became aware of the report when she received a message from authorities enquiring about what safeguards had been put in place for the teen, the Mail on Sunday reported. A believer that travel broadens the mind, Allsopp refused to provide this information and was told that the case could be kept open by her local council in case there was another referral. She told The Independent: Children are being prevented from doing things which previous generations did in terms of independence, travel and being trusted to take jobs like paper rounds. Theres a book called The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. He doesnt believe that mobile phones alone are causing a crisis of mental health and anxiety in young people. He believes its a toxic combination of mobile phones and risk-averse parenting. Obviously, every parent judges what is and isnt safe for their own child to do. The TV star was reported to social services for allowing her teenage son to travel independently ( Getty ) Allsopp explained: My son is summer born. In England, the school year is from the first of September, so he is young for his year. When he asked to go travelling, he was 15 when all of his friends were 16. Youre not going to say to your child, Well, no, sorry, you cant go because the state says that you can start school when youre just four, and the state says youre capable of taking your GCSEs when youre just 15, but now parents are saying youre not responsible enough to do something. The TV presenter explained that, in her opinion, the world is a much safer place than it was for previous generations, but young people today are being trusted less and less. Due to social media and 24-hour news, theres a lot of belief that says the world is a more dangerous place when it isnt it just isnt, she said. We have better communication, better emergency medicine and safer transport modes. Everything that means Europe is safer than it was for previous generations. So why are a lot of people thinking its dangerous? Theres a bit of a xenophobic attitude behind it. A lot of people say, Oh, no, its okay for you to go from London to Glasgow, but youre not allowed to go from London to Paris. Thats a bit strange. Its about the same distance, and its a European country that we have a very good relationship with. Kirstie Allsopp with her sons at Winter Wonderland, 2021 ( Getty ) Allsopp stressed that she has no issue with social services, but she does believe that a conversation should be opened up about the downsides of risk-averse parenting, which have been highlighted by the debate around her sons interrailing. The parent admitted that she did not believe her decision to share that her son had been travelling would be so controversial. I put the tweet out there saying I think this is inspiring and uplifting, and I was really proud of my son, and it was a positive thing. As a mother, its very hard to say yes to something like interrailing. But when he came back, it was clear that he had a fantastic trip. I thought, This is positive, and I shouldnt have been worried. Allsopp believes that it is important for people in the public eye to use their platforms to open up important conversations ( Getty ) Obviously, you dont need to be public about these things, but I think that if people with a public profile don't stick their head above the parapet and engage in conversation about the key issues of the day, then what is the point in having the platform? Allsopp noted that many young people are being given access to mobile phones at younger and younger ages, which she believes presents far more dangers than travel ever could. They do have curiosity, and they search for things. If you look at what young people have access to on their mobile phones, it is terrifying, she said. There is more to see that is dangerous and has a real impact on a young brain than travelling to a capital city of Europe ever could. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Three months worth of weekend strikes by train drivers have been called off following successful talks. Aslef members working for LNER the government-owned train operator of the East Coast Main Line had planned to walk out at weekends from Saturday to 10 November, after the union claimed there had been a breakdown in industrial relations. More than 20 days of strikes were planned which could have caused misery for customers facing disrupted services in the coming months. However, Aslef has now said strike action is suspended and drivers will report for duty as normal, following meetings between the union and the company. Once again we have demonstrated that by sitting round the table and negotiating, issues on the railway can be resolved in a way that means better workplace practices for rail workers and a better service for the travelling public, Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, said. Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan (Jordan Pettitt/PA) ( PA Wire ) Aslef will continue to campaign for a fully staffed railway that doesnt rely on excessive use of driver overtime. We continue to operate in good faith and we are pleased to have finally resolved this long-standing issue with LNER of abuse of our agreements. We look forward to normal working resuming. An LNER spokesperson said: After constructive talks with Aslef, we are pleased that strikes planned to commence from this Saturday 31 August have now been called off. We will be looking to strengthen the timetable published for this weekend and advise customers to check for the latest information in advance of their journey. The Independent is seeking clarification on how many trains will run at the weekend. Ahead of this weekends strike, the rail firm had axed most trains on Saturday and Sunday, leaving a skeleton Edinburgh-Newcastle-York-London service with limited hours. The new wave of strikes was announced less than 48 hours after the government offered a pay deal in the train drivers pay dispute that began in July 2022. A strike by LNER drivers has been called off (Jonathan Brady/PA ( PA Archive ) The LNER strikes were unrelated to that dispute, but government critics said at the time the three-year offer to Aslef had set a precedent that would encourage further action. Former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith told The Independent: The government has basically shown itself to be quite soft in terms of pay rises, and the unions are going to keep demanding more. We know where [the money] is going to come from its going to come from higher levels of taxes and borrowing. The deal agreed between the government and Aslef chiefs, which the unions members will now vote on, is for increases of 5 per cent for 2022 to 2023, 4.75 per cent for 2023 to 2024, and 4.5 per cent for 2024 to 2025. It would raise the average train drivers salary from 60,000 to 69,000. It is unknown what was agreed to settle the LNER strikes. After the announcement, the transport secretary, Louise Haigh, said: For too long our railways have been brought to a standstill by industrial disputes with no end in sight. This is a constructive step forward to fixing our railways and getting the country moving. Our priority is to deliver the vital reforms our broken railways need, but we cannot deliver reform if services arent running, and industrial disputes are left unresolved. Its very welcome that LNER and Aslef have found a resolution to this dispute at no extra cost to the taxpayer and that will deliver an improved service for passengers. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Major changes to disability benefits assessments are set to come into place from next month as the DWP brings in new providers to oversee a new system. From September, the way Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims are assessed will change across the UK as new companies take over. The change will see all benefits that require a functional health assessment carried out by a single provider in any given region as the DWP awards new contracts. This means PIP assessments, as well as Work Capability Assessments for ESA and Universal Credit, will all be assessed by just one provider in one region, rather than several as before. DWP secretary Liz Kendall ( PA ) The new providers have been awarded contracts on a regional basis: Scotland and North England: Maximus UK Services Limited (currently Atos) Midlands and Wales: Capita Business Services (currently Capita) South West England: Serco (currently Atos) South East England, London and East Anglia: Ingeus UK Limited (currently Atos) Northern Ireland: Capita Business Services (currently Capita) The new system and providers should not greatly impact the process, as all assessments are required to follow DWP guidelines. However, the change may be leaving some claimants worried about what can often be a stressful process. Face-to-face appointments will still need to take place within a 90-minute public transport journey from the claimants home, which DWP contracts state should be the absolute maximum. All assessments must also take place in ground-floor locations that are easy for all customers to reach. As with before, claimants can be accompanied in their assessment by a companion who is allowed to provide evidence. The contracts also say that only therapists, nurses, physiotherapists and doctors will be able to carry out assessments. Paramedics will also be allowed to carry out PIP assessments. The changes come as thousands of PIP claimants are still due back payments worth an average of 5000 from the DWP. This follows a Supreme Court ruling which has forced the DWP to review certain claims based on changes to the assessment criteria. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The home secretary Yvette Cooper will defend undemocratic anti-protest laws brought in by Suella Braverman in a legal battle in the High Court. Civil rights group Liberty took the Conservative government to court over the protest laws and won its legal challenge in May. Tory ministers had decided to appeal the decision, but the case was put on hold following the election of a Labour government. Ms Cooper has now decided to continue to appeal, a move that Liberty said showed a disregard for the rule of law. The protest laws were passed last year, under then-home secretary Ms Braverman. They gave the police sweeping powers to tackle disruptive protests, such as those organised by Just Stop Oil or Extinction Rebellion activists. But human rights groups argued that the laws effectively gave the police unlimited powers to crack down on anything they deemed as causing more than a minor disturbance, saying it would have a chilling effect on the right to protest. The measures, which two judges found to be unlawful, lowered the threshold for what is considered serious disruption from significant and prolonged to more than minor. Just Stop Oil protesters take part in a slow march protest through London in April ( PA ) In their judgment in May, Lord Justice Green and Mr Justice Kerr ruled that the Home Office acted unlawfully by introducing the regulations, concluding that serious does not include more than minor and that the department failed to carry out a fair consultation process. Akiko Hart, the director of Liberty, said: We are very disappointed that, despite a positive discussion about the impact of the unlawful regulation, the home secretary has taken the decision to continue this case. This legislation is undemocratic, unconstitutional and unacceptable. The Home Offices decision to continue the case shows disregard for the rule of law and completely goes against previous statements from the government just last month that they would not abuse the use of secondary legislation and that they would promote high standards of governance. Yvette Cooper has decided to continue the governments appeal against a finding that protest legislation is unlawful ( PA Wire ) With hundreds of people wrongfully arrested and convicted due to this unlawful legislation already, it is not right to continue to carry on with this law that should never have been made in the first place. The only right thing to do would be to quash this legislation once and for all. Liberty says that the appeal is now scheduled to be held later this year, with a date to be confirmed. A Home Office spokesperson said: The right to protest is fundamental to our democracy, and all public order legislation must balance this right. However, we disagree with the courts ruling in this case and have appealed their decision. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The suspects in the foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna earlier wanted to kill tens of thousands of fans before the CIA discovered intelligence that disrupted the planning and led to arrests, the agencys deputy director said. The CIA notified Austrian authorities of the scheme, which allegedly included links to the Islamic State group. The intelligence and subsequent arrests ultimately led to the cancellation of three sold-out Eras Tour shows, devastating fans who had travelled across the globe to see Swift in concert. David Cohen, deputy director of the CIA, addressed the failed plot during the annual Intelligence and National Security Summit, held this week in Maryland. They were plotting to kill a huge number tens of thousands of people at this concert, including I am sure many Americans and were quite advanced in this, Cohen said on Wednesday. The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our partners in the intelligence community provided them information about what this Isis-connected group was planning to do. Austrian officials said the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian man, was inspired by the Islamic State group. He allegedly planned to attack outside the stadium, where upwards of 30,000 fans were expected to gather, with knives or homemade explosives. Another 65,000 fans were likely to be inside the venue. Investigators discovered chemical substances and technical devices during a raid of the suspects home. Swifties trade bracelets in the city centre in Vienna on Thursday, 8 August, 2024 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Gerhard Karner, Austrias interior minister, previously said help from other intelligence agencies was needed because Austrian investigators, unlike some foreign services, cant legally monitor text messages. The 19-year-olds lawyer has said the allegations were overacting at its best and contended Austrian authorities were presenting this exaggeratedly in order to get new surveillance powers. Swift broke her silence about the cancellations last week after her London shows had concluded. Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating, she wrote in a statement posted to Instagram. The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows. She thanked authorities thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives, she wrote and said she waited to speak until the European leg of her Eras Tour concluded to prioritise safety. Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows, she wrote. Concert organizer Barracuda Music said it cancelled the three-night Vienna run that would have begun on 8 August because the arrests made in connection to the conspiracy were too close to showtime. Austrian police officers watch Swift fans gathering in the city centre in Vienna ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) The main suspect and a 17-year-old were taken into custody on 6 August, the day before the cancellations were announced. A third suspect, 18, was arrested on 8 August. Their names have not been released in line with Austrian privacy rules. The shows in London, the next stop after Vienna, came on the heels of a stabbing at a Swift-themed dance class that left three little girls dead in the UK. In a statement issued after the Southport attack, Swift said she was just completely in shock and at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families. News outlets reported that Swift met with some of the survivors backstage in London. The Vienna plot also drew comparisons to a 2017 attack by a suicide bomber at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, that killed 22 people. The bomb detonated at the end of Grandes concert as thousands of young fans were leaving, becoming the deadliest extremist attack in the United Kingdom in recent years. Cohen on Wednesday praised the CIAs work in preventing the planned violence, saying that other counterterrorism successes in foiling plots typically go unheralded. I can tell you within my agency, and Im sure in others, there were people who thought that was a really good day for Langley, he said, referring to the CIA headquarters. And not just the Swifties in my workforce. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Tommy Robinson has been served his second contempt of court notice via his official Twitter/X page. The founder of the far-right English Defence League, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was handed a new contempt notice by The Attorney Generals Office, on behalf of the Solicitor General Sarah Sackman MP. He is alleged to have breached a High Court order issued in 2021 barring him from repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him. Mr Robinson, the former leader of the far-right English Defence League, had his account deactivated in 2018 for breaching Twitters hateful conduct policy but was reinstated by Elon Musk in November. A spokesperson for the Attorney Generals office said: Stephen Yaxley-Lennon was served via his personal X, formerly known as Twitter, account on Wednesday 28 August after the application was lodged with the High Court on Monday 19 August. He was also served via his email address on Wednesday 21 August. The contempt application relates to actions by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, during June and July 2024 which are alleged to have breached the terms of an order imposed by the High Court on 22 July 2021 preventing him from repeating libellous statements. The first contempt application is still active and both applications will be heard in the High Court on 28 October 2024. A rally to support Tommy Robinson in Trafalgar Square ( Getty Images ) It is understood that the airing of a film titled Silenced at a demonstration in Trafalgar Square last month is one of six actions claimed to have breached the injunction between June and July this year. In 2021, teenager Jamal Hijazi won 100,000 in damages in a defamation battle against Yaxley-Lennon, who had falsely accused him of being a violent thug, claims repeated on social media. Mr Hijazi successfully sued Mr Robinson after the then-schoolboy was assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in October 2018. After a clip of the incident went viral, Robinson made false claims, including about Mr Hijazi attacking girls in his school, leading to the libel case. Under the 2021 court order, Mr Robinson was barred from repeating allegations he made against the Syrian refugee. Tommy Robinson outside the High Court in London ( EPA/Andy Rain ) A hearing for both cases will be held on October 28, with sentencing guidelines stating that those found to have committed contempt of court could be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both. A court hearing was previously told that Mr Robinson knowingly breached the order by having published, caused, authorised or procured Silenced in May last year, which contained the libellous allegations. It is also alleged he repeated the claims banned by the injunction in three interviews between February and June 2023. It follows Silenced being shown at a demonstration in Trafalgar Square last month, which included an introduction from Mr Robinson standing outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, with the film also pinned to the top of Mr Robinsons X account. The day after the protest, Mr Robinson was arrested for the frustration of a port stop at the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Tommy Robinson said he had to cut a family holiday short in Cyprus after journalists discovered where he was staying ( Tommy Robinson ) It came after Mr Robinson complained his family holiday to a luxury Cypriot resort was ruined by journalists who revealed his location after he was accused of stoking far-right riots in the UK. The EDL founder said he had left Cyprus and moved his children to Athens, Greece, but denied being on the run ahead of the High Court appearance. Mr Robinson said he had booked the Mediterranean break to spend time with his family and friends ahead of the High Court appearance. He said he was planning to return to the UK in time for the appearance. The activist has enjoyed a sizeable boost to his following online after events surrounding race riots triggered by the stabbing of three young girls in Southport on 29 July. Data reveals that posts mentioning Tommy Robinson across social media platforms ballooned from just a few hundred per day to 13,800 on the weekend of 27 and 28 July. Meanwhile on the worst day of the riots (4 August), posts mentioning Tommy Robinson were at their peak, at 7,434 in one day. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Anybody watching Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron walking and talking together on Thursday could not fail to be struck by the warmth of the body language between the two. It was an enormous contrast to the way the French president viewed Britains past four prime ministers. Certainly, the UK and France have come a long way from the days when Liz Truss told a Tory leadership hustings that the jury is out on whether Macron was a friend or foe of Britain just before entering No 10 albeit for a mere 49 days. And we should not be surprised that Starmer and Macron are much closer. They are political allies on the centre-left, both have had to see off the far left and both have a problem with the populist right. Starmer, after all, led the efforts to reverse the Brexit referendum result and is clearly much more pro-EU than any of the last Tory PMs. But if relations are very good with Macron it is as nothing compared to the brotherly love-in that Starmer is enjoying with German chancellor Olaf Scholz. The two men have already met five times and the UK prime minister has barely been in office for two weeks. Starmer meets Macron in Paris ( AP ) It is clear that Starmer hopes he can use these two key relationships to help reverse the harms and effects of Brexit without officially reversing Brexit itself. And he has good reason to feel optimistic about that strategy but a lesson he could draw from Lord David Cameron and Theresa May is that Berlin and Paris often provide false hope for defeating the forces of populist nationalism at home. There is logic to Starmers plan. Macron was consistently the one to veto and block more friendly arrangements with the UK when it was on its way out. He is dedicated to the integrity of the European project, arguably more than he is to French national interests, although he almost certainly sees the two as one and the same. But winning Macron over will go a long way in persuading the EU to lift border restrictions, for trade or travel. Queues at Dover, the new visa waivers and the new digital controls holding up produce are all signs of a nightmare for the UK. The prime minister met German chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Wednesday ( PA ) The centrepiece of the Starmer strategy is to turn around a quick bilateral deal with Germany on trade, travel, crime, defence, migration and much more in just six months. Clearly there is a hope that this will provide the blueprint for a replacement to the flawed deal agreed in 2020 by Boris Johnson. Germany is the banker of the EU, it is the most powerful member state and, in the end, the most influential. Win Germany, and you win Brussels. The strategy looks pretty sound on the surface, but recent history suggests it is doomed to fail. It is unlikely that Starmer will be picking up the phone to Cameron on this matter. But if he did he might find out why Berlin is not a path to harmony with the EU. Cameron bet the house on former chancellor Angela Merkel helping him get a new deal with the EU to help him win the 2016 referendum. She was unwilling and probably ultimately unable to help him. As a result, the renegotiation was so poor that it was barely mentioned in the referendum campaign, at least by the Remain side. The trouble was that, like all of the mainstream political establishment in Germany, Merkel is wedded to the EU, its integrity and success. Britain had already received many concessions and opt-outs and the Commission, which holds the real power as well as most member states, thought enough was enough. Starmer has disappointed many by insisting he will not reverse Brexit by trying to take the UK back into the EU or even the single market or customs union. By taking this line he risks running into the exact same problems that Theresa May did in what former European Council president (now prime minister of Poland) Donald Tusk suggested was having your cake and eating it. Donald Tusk will need to be persuaded ( AP ) Tusk as leader of a member state is a significant player, and one Starmer has not yet seriously tried to woo. Even if France and Germany agreed to a better deal for the UK, other heads of government have the equal ability to veto it. May had hoped that Merkel would be the one to sort out the mess but, like Cameron, was disappointed. So why would Scholz be any different? Merkel at least was relatively unchallenged at home and was undoubtedly the most powerful politician in the EU. Scholz appears to play second fiddle to Macron and may even be behind Tusk now in influence. Added to that he is facing a very heavy defeat in the regional elections later this year and, unless things change, the national ones next year. Starmer was right to mention his fear of the populist far right on his trip to France and Germany. Scholz is facing the prospect of the right-wing Alternative for Germany making gains while recent elections in France show the nationalist party led by former fascist Marine Le Pen is making enormous gains. Farages success with Reform in terms of vote share, if not seats underlines that the same threat exists in Britain. All this means Scholz may not be around after September 2025 to help Starmer, even if he is inclined to. Macron, who does not face a presidential election until 2027, will nonetheless be dealing with his own anti-EU sentiments at home. It may be that they can help Starmer get the deal he wants, but if it is to be anything more than tinkering with something that is fundamentally flawed, then Starmer, who has made it clear he is unwilling to compromise even on a youth mobility scheme, may need to make much bigger concessions. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch as Sir Keir Starmer meets French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Thursday 29 August. The prime minister has travelled from Berlin, Germany to France as he undertakes two days of meetings designed to show the UK wants to reset its relationship with the European Union following years of Brexit troubles. Sir Keir and Mr Macron were among the audience at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony on Wednesday evening. A breakfast meeting with French business leaders has been scheduled, as well as a summit with Mr Macron at the Elysee Palace. On the first leg of his trip, Sir Keir said he was not reversing Brexit as he set out plans for a new treaty with Germany including deeper links in several areas. He agreed that a deal with Germany would be in place by the end of the year following talks with counterpart Olaf Scholz, and also noted it was a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The two countries also agreed to develop a joint action plan to tackle illegal migration. Im absolutely clear that we do want a reset, Sir Keir said. That does not mean reversing Brexit or re-entering the single market or the customs union, but it does mean a closer relationship on a number of fronts. An agreement on youth mobility has been suggested by Brussels and could be a key demand in any negotiations. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen Thursday appointed six new ministers in a major reshuffle of her three-party centrist government, bringing the number of ministers to 25 the largest ever in 30 years. One of the ministers will head a new government office of emergency preparedness, climate change and cyber crimes. The world has become more troubled, Frederiksen said as she announced that Torsten Schack Pedersen will be in charge of the new ministry, after the reshuffled cabinet was formally presented to King Frederik X. Denmark now joins Sweden to have such a department. Besides the new emergency office, the government now has two other new ministries, bringing the total to 25, the largest since the 1993-1994 Cabinet of Social Democratic Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen who had 24 ministers. Marie Bjerre left her job as minister for digitalization and gender equality, to become in charge of the European Union affairs, ahead of Denmarks rotating EU presidency in the second half of 2025. Jeppe Bruus, the outgoing taxation minister, was brought in to head a brand new ministry, which will be coordinating Denmarks green policy. The Scandinavian country has a goal of 70% emissions reductions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050. Bruus was replaced by Rasmus Stoklund while Bjerre's previous job was given to Caroline Stage Olsen, who became the digitalization minister. The gender equality portfolio was handed over to Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke. In one of the major surprises, Copenhagen mayor Sophie Hstorp Andersen was appointed as minister in charge of social affairs instead of Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil, who left the government. Frederiksen, who is the leader of the Social Democratic Party, announced Wednesday that she was doing a government reshuffle and creating three new ministries. In 2022, she presented the current majority government, consisting of her center-left Social Democrats, the center-right Liberal Party and the newly created centrist Moderates party. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat has made a brazen appeal to the right wing of his party with a pledge to cap net migration to 100,000 a year. The former security minister has been portrayed as the leading candidate of the left of his party but has tried to change minds on his reputation with a series of hard-right policies. After launching his campaign to replace Rishi Sunak with a pledge to consider leaving the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) to prevent asylum seekers from coming to the UK, he is now playing to the rightwing gallery on curbing legal migration. He told an audience at the Royal Society of Medicine in Mayfair that an honest and open conversation about population size is the only way to have a country that is happy with itself. Conservative party leadership candidate Tom Tugendhat (Stefan Rousseau/PA) ( PA Wire ) Pointing to ideas such as reforms of visa policies and welfare, he said that the pressure on housing, on infrastructure and on services is just one reason why the Conservative Party, under my leadership, will commit to a legally binding annual cap on non-British annual net migration of 100,000. Such a policy has previously led to dire warnings from universities, the NHS, agriculture and the hospitality sector among others about the impact on Britains competitiveness and state of its economy. However, polling of Conservative party members from YouGov released earlier this week suggested that more than half of party members would support a policy of a freeze in all migration coming into Britain for the next five years. In the question and answer with journalists which followed the speech he denied that his reputation as a pro-EU Remainer would harm his chances. And he also insisted that the Tories needed to own up to their own failures when in government, including promising to cut net migration to the tens of thousands and then allowing it to peak at more than 750,000 in a year. Taking aim at NHS reforms, he said that his party created the biggest unaccountable quango in the western world by making NHS England independent. By allowing it to centralise power we stopped trusting frontline professionals and local staff. By creating complex clinical commissioning procedures we created a bureaucracy instead of eliminating it. By putting so much power into the hands of the NHS chief executive, we made her responsible for everything but accountable for nothing, he said. Mr Tugendhat is one of six candidates for the Conservative leadership, with Priti Patel, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick, Mel Stride and Kemi Badenoch. There have been claims that he has lost support to former home secretary Mr Cleverly who is vying for MPs from the centrist left of the Tories. A new leader will be announced at the start of November, after Chancellor Rachel Reeves first Budget, due in October. Shadow security minister Mr Tugendhat said that while he wishes that the contest was quicker, it is important that the Conservative membership have the chance to see their candidates. Mr Tugendhat also attacked the Labour government over its claims it had to fill a 22 billion black hole to justify tax rises. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Sir Keir warned of a "painful" Budget in the autumn, but Mr Tugendhat accused him of having "splashed the cash on his friends and left you to pick up the bill". In his speech, Mr Tugendhat said that Sir Keir is "already losing control of pay across the public sector, with other unions now demanding more and threatening more strike action. It feels like we are heading back towards the 1970s and the days of wage-price spirals. "Just as importantly, it's a missed opportunity for reform and a chance to make our public services better". For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Russia is still struggling to dislodge Ukrainian forces from the Kursk region, a surprisingly slow and low-key response to the first occupation of its territory since World War II. After a three-week struggle, it all comes down to Russian manpower and Russian priorities. With the bulk of its military pressing offensives inside Ukraine, the Kremlin appears to lack enough reserves for now to drive out Kyiv's forces. President Vladimir Putin doesnt seem to view the attack or at least, give the impression that he views it as a grave enough threat to warrant pulling troops from eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, his priority target. Putins focus is on the collapse of the Ukrainian state, which he believes will automatically render any territorial control irrelevant, wrote Tatiana Stanovaya, senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. Evacuees line up to fill out forms at a humanitarian aid distribution center in Kursk, Russia ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Months after launching the full-scale invasion in 2022, Putin illegally annexed the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson as part of Russian territory, and their full capture has been a top priority. He declared in June that Kyiv must withdraw its forces from parts of those regions it controls as a condition for peace talks, a demand that Ukraine rejects. In marshaling forces to meet Ukraines incursion, Russia is doing all it can to avoid drawing units from its own offensive in the Donbas, said Nigel Gould-Davies of the International Institute of Strategic Studies. Russia currently judges that it can contain the threat on its own soil without compromising its most important goal in Ukraine." Residents leave an apartment building damaged in shelling by Ukrainian forces in Kursk ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Even as Ukrainian forces pushed into Kursk on Aug. 6, Russian troops continued their slow advance around the strategic city of Pokrovsk and other parts of the Donetsk area. Russia is very keen on continuing the attacks toward Pokrovsk and not taking resources away from Pokrovsk to Kursk, said Nico Lange, senior fellow at the Washington-based Center for European Policy Analysis. Unlike Pokrovsk, where Ukrainian forces have built extensive fortifications, other parts of Donetsk still under Ukrainian control are less protected and could be significantly more vulnerable to the Russian onslaught if Pokrovsk falls. A map of Kursk: Speaking about Kursk in televised meetings with officials, Putin described the incursion as an attempt by Kyiv to slow the Russian campaign in Donetsk. He said the Russian advance there only has accelerated despite events in Kursk. In pressuring Ukraine to meet his demands, Russia also has launched a steady barrage of long-range strikes on the power grid. An attack Monday on energy facilities was one of the largest and most devastating of the war, involving over 200 missiles and drones and causing widespread blackouts. It highlighted loopholes in Ukraines air defenses that are stretched between protecting front-line troops as well as infrastructure. In this photo taken from video released by the Russian Defense Ministry on Aug. 9, 2024, a Russian military column moves to fight Ukrainian forces in the Sudzhansky district of the Kursk region of Russia ( Russian Defense Ministry Press Service ) Focused on capturing Ukraine's four regions, Putin has sought to attach little importance to Kyiv's foray into Kursk. Rather than rallying the population against a threat to the motherland, the Kremlin is anxious to downplay the incursion, said Gould-Davies of the London-based IISS. Faced with the reality of the occupation of Russias territory, the state propaganda machine has sought to distract attention from the obvious military failure by focusing on government efforts to help over 130,000 residents displaced from their homes. State-controlled media cast the attack on Kursk as evidence of Kyivs aggressive intentions and more proof that Russia was justified in invading Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Stanovaya noted that while many Kursk residents could be angry at the Kremlin, the overall nationwide sentiment could actually favor the authorities. While its certainly a blow to the Kremlins reputation, it is unlikely to spark a significant rise in social or political discontent among the population, she said. The Ukrainian attack might actually lead to a rallying around the flag and a rise in anti-Ukrainian and anti-Western sentiments. Ukrainian servicemen sit in their armored personnel carrier in Ukraines Sumy region on Aug. 14, 2024 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Ukraines chief military officer, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, said his forces control nearly 1,300 square kilometers (about 500 square miles) and about 100 settlements in the Kursk region, a claim that couldnt be independently verified. With the combat situation in Kursk in flux, unlike the static front lines in Donetsk, Ukrainian units could roam the region without establishing a lasting presence in many of the settlements they claim. Observers say Russia does not have enough well-coordinated resources to chase the Ukrainian forces in Kursk. Moscows efforts to counter the new Ukrainian offensive appear limited to sending units from all over Russia, including a proportion of militia and irregular forces, said Ben Barry, senior fellow for land warfare at the IISS, in a commentary. FILE - In an image taken from footage released by the Ukrainian armed forces on Aug. 18, 2024, smoke billows in what is said to show the destruction of a key bridge in Russia's Kursk region by Ukrainian forces ( Ukrainian Armed Force ) Until the Kursk incursion, Putin has refrained from using conscripts in the war to avoid a public backlash. Young conscripts drafted for a compulsory one-year tour of duty have served away from the front, and those deployed to protect the border in the Kursk region became easy prey for Ukraines battle-hardened mechanized infantry units. Hundreds were captured, and 115 were exchanged for Ukrainian troops over the weekend. Commentators observed that Putin also is reluctant to call up more reservists, fearing domestic destabilization like what happened when he ordered a highly unpopular mobilization of 300,000 in response to a Ukrainian counteroffensive in 2022. Hundreds of thousands fled Russia to avoid being sent to combat. Since then, the Kremlin has bolstered its forces in Ukraine with volunteers attracted by relatively high wages, but that flow has ebbed in recent months. It would take tens of thousands of troops to fully dislodge the Ukrainian force, estimated at 10,000, that used the regions dense forests as cover. Clearly lacking resources for such a massive operation, Russia for now has focused on stemming deeper Ukrainian advances by sealing roads and targeting Kyivs reserves tactics that have been partially successful. A damaged monument to Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin stands in a central square in Sudzha, Russia ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Ukraine, meanwhile, has confounded the Russian military by destroying bridges across the Seym River, disrupting logistics for some Russian units in the region and creating conditions for establishing a pocket of control. Lange predicted Ukrainian troops could use the river to carve out a buffer zone. I would expect the Ukrainians to find some few more choke points for Russian logistics and infrastructure, not necessarily only bridges, and take them under control, he said. In this photo taken from video released by the Russian Defense Ministry on Aug. 21, 2024, glide bombs released by a Russian warplane are seen en route to targets amid an incursion by Ukrainian forces into Russia's Kursk region ( Russian Defense Ministry Press Service ) By capturing a chunk of Russian territory, Ukraine has embarrassed the Kremlin and reshaped the battlefield. But diverting some of the country's most capable forces from the east is a gamble for Kyiv. This all carries considerable risk, particularly if an effort to over-stretch Russian forces results in overstretching the smaller Ukrainian forces, according to Barry of the IISS. An attempt to create a foothold in Kursk would further extend the more than 1,000-kilometer (over 600-mile) front line, adding to the challenges faced by the undermanned and outgunned Ukrainian forces. Defending positions inside Russia would raise serious logistical problems, with the extended supply lines becoming easy targets. The Russian system is very hierarchical and stiff, so it always takes them a significant amount of time to adapt to a new situation," Lange said, "but we will have to see how Ukraine can sustain there, once Russia has adapted and comes with full force. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Russia conducted a heavy aerial attack on Ukraine for the third time in four days Thursday, again launching missiles and scores of drones that mostly were intercepted, Ukraines air force said. Russian forces fired five missiles and 74 Shahed drones at Ukrainian targets, an air force statement said. Air defenses stopped two missiles and 60 drones, and 14 other drones presumably fell before reaching their target, it said. Authorities in the capital, Kyiv, said debris of destroyed drones fell in three districts of the city, causing minor damage to civilian infrastructure but no injuries. Russias relentless and unnerving long-range strikes on civilian areas have been a feature of the war since it invaded its neighbor in February 2022. Ukrainian officials have recently become more vocal in their long-standing insistence that Western countries supporting their war effort should scrap restrictions on what Ukraine is allowed to target inside Russia with long-range weapons they have provided. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy renewed his pleas for Western allies to untie his hands in deciding what to strike on Russian soil. All our partners should be more active much more active in countering Russian terror, Zelenskyy said late Wednesday. We continue to insist that their determination now lifting the restrictions on long-range strikes for Ukraine now will help us to end the war as soon as possible in a fair way for Ukraine and the world as a whole. The European Unions top diplomat on Thursday backed Zelenskyy's push for international backers to end their limits. Ukraine has deployed domestically produced drones to strike Russia. The Russian military said Thursday it had thwarted an overnight attack on Crimea. The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces destroyed three Ukrainian sea drones aimed at the Black Sea peninsula that Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014. The Russia-installed governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev added that four Ukrainian aerial drones and three sea drones were destroyed at a significant distance from the peninsulas shore. In the meantime, Ukraines Army General Staff acknowledged Thursday Ukraines involvement in strikes this week on oil depots deep inside Russia, where blazes broke out. The attacks in the Rostov and Kirov regions were part of Ukraine's effort to disrupt logistical infrastructure supporting Russia's war machine. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Serial killer Jeremy Skibicki has been sentenced to four concurrent life sentences with no chance of parole for 25 years in the murders of four Indigenous women in Canada. Skibicki was found guilty of first-degree murder last month in the killings of Morgan Harris, 39, Marcedes Myran, 26, Rebecca Contois, 24, and an unidentified woman who has been given the name Mashkode Bizhikiikwe, or Buffalo Woman, by community leaders. The first three victims were all Indigenous women. Initially arrested in May 2022, the 37-year-old from Winnipeg showed no emotion at his sentencing. When the Court of Kings Bench Justice Glenn Joyal asked him if he had anything to say, Skibicki replied, No. He sat staring straight at his sentencing hearing, as the relatives of the victims told the court how the killings affected them. "This has been horrific to go through," said Elle Harris, the youngest daughter of Harris. "Do you know how many times I had to listen to how my mother was murdered?" she told CBC News. "Agony is not painful enough. Shattered doesnt explain how I feel. Infuriated doesnt even come close to the amount of rage I find myself trapped in," said Allana Contois, the oldest sister of Contois. "Justice is just a word for comfort. It doesnt bring her back." Skibicki confessed to the murders during his police interrogation in 2022, saying that they were racially motivated. However, his lawyers had defended him during the trial saying that he should not be held criminally responsible for the murders due to a mental disorder. Judge Joyal rejected the plea, saying the confession shows the murders were deliberate and planned. He targeted the Indigenous women he met at homeless shelters between March and May 2022, the court was told. According to court documents, Skibicki killed the women between March and May, whose mortal remains were found in a landfill. Police are still hunting the area, as remains of two more victims are believed to be there. Justice Joyal also noted the inadequacy of the life sentence with no parole for 25 years, as he handed down the sentence. "Make no mistake, Mr Skibicki: because of the current state of the law, the only available sentence that I can impose today will regrettably not adequately reflect the gravity of these offences and your moral culpability," the judge said. "My hope is that any eventual parole panel will take very, very careful note of the evidence in this case, my reasons for decision, the voices you heard today and now my comments in closing this sentence." The victims, said the judge, "were preyed upon and targeted by a white supremacist who was acting upon his homicidal necrophilia". Explaining the impact of the killings on the members of the indigenous community, Grand Chief Cathy Merrick of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs said:The heinous crimes committed by Mr Skibicki have left a deep scar on First Nations people and the reverberations of his actions will be felt for generations. Despite the overwhelming challenges, the community remains resilient. Close Related video: Police bodycam footage shows Bryan Kohberger being pulled over in his Hynundai Elantra The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An Idaho judge abruptly halted Bryan Kohbergers hearing on Thursday after an expert witness for the defense showed social media posts in the Moscow courtroom. Kohberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, was back in court as his defense team fights to relocate his murder trial, arguing a mob mentality has formed against him in Latah County. The third defense witness was Brian Edelman, co-founder of California-based jury consultancy Trial Innovations, who was hired to conduct a survey of prospective jurors in Latah County. During his presentation, Edelman showed a screen recording of him scrolling through the Facebook post results that appeared when he searched Moscow murders. Kohberger is charged with the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, who were stabbed to death in an off-campus student home in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13 2022. Police said they linked Kohberger to the murders that rocked the college town through DNA found on a knife sheath, cellphone data, an eyewitness account, and his white Hyundai Elantra. In a motion filed last week, Kohbergers lawyers surveyed potential jurors in Latah County who said there could be violence in the local area if he is found not guilty. Potential jurors said there would likely be a riot and theyd burn the courthouse down. Prosecutors accused Kohbergers team of using flawed survey data in its requests to move the trial, and argued the victims families will be affected if the case is moved. Kohberger is set to stand trial in June 2025. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Florida medical examiner has released the cause of death for a 13-year-old who disappeared in February. Authorities found Madeline Soto dead in a wooded area on March 1. She had been reported missing from her home in Kissimmee, Florida on February 26 after she didnt show up to school. A local medical examiner has now ruled the childs manner of death a homicide and determined she died from strangulation, WESH reported. Madelines mothers boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, 37, had previously been charged with first-degree murder in connection to her death. After taking Sterns into custody, investigators found several disturbing pictures and videos, leading to 60 charges including capital sexual battery, lewd or lascivious molestation and possession of child pornography, the Florida States Attorneys Office stated in a news release. Sterns told police he dropped Madeline off close to her school around 8.20am to 8.40am on February 26. However, the sheriffs office found evidence stating Madeline was never dropped off near her school on the morning of February 26 and Sterns had been the last person to see her. Investigators believe that Madeline was already dead around the time he claimed to have dropped her off. On the night before she disappeared, the girls mother, Jennifer Soto, told her to sleep in the same bed as Sterns because she wanted to rest after coming home late from work, according to WESH. She later told detectives this was a selfish move because she wanted a good nights sleep. The following morning, Sterns was seen putting items into a trashcan in the apartment complex where the family lived. Authorities recovered the childs backpack and laptop from the trash can. Sterns was supposedly seen about an hour later with Madeline in a car, but police believe she was already dead at the time. Sterns trial date for the murder charge has been set for October 14. His trail for charges relating to child sexual abuse images began earlier this month. Police do not plan to file charges against the childs mother. She has admitted to knowing Sterns had been grooming and abusing Madeline, which he had allegedly been doing since she was 11 years old. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} New Hampshire police fatally shot a man who said his wife was dead and later found their eight-year-old son dead in his car. A man, whose identity has yet to be released, called the York Police Department just after 2 am on Thursday. He told officers he was involved in a dispute with his wife in Troy, New Hampshire, and that he killed her, local outlet WMTW reports. When officers responded to the home, they found her dead. Less than 20 minutes later, law enforcement officers found the mans vehicle parked on the Piscataqua River Bridge, which connects Maine with New Hampshire, William Ross with Maine State Police told reporters. The bridge is nearly 100 miles from the Troy home. Police attempted to speak with the man. However, he then left the vehicle with a weapon. Maine State Police Trooper Craig Nilsen and two New Hampshire State Police troopers then opened fire, killing the man, Ross said. His body, which tumbled off the bridge into the river, was recovered later that morning. When officers searched his vehicle, they found an eight-year-old boy dead from a gunshot wound. However, Ross said his death was unrelated to the shooting moments before. I want to stress this right now, that the childs death is not associated with the police officers use of deadly force, Ross told reporters. We have information that is not the case. Ross also confirmed the boy was the mans son. Theyre family: husband, wife and child, Ross said. Both the Maine State Police Major Crimes and New Hampshire State Police Major Crimes are investigating the case. There are multiple cameras in use on the bridge to monitor traffic, but there is no record of the shooting because they are not set to record, Paul Merrill, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Transportation, said, according to the Associated Press. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man who was sentenced to five years in prison for road rage-induced threats and assaults in Los Angeles has been released after only one year, sparking frustration among the drivers affected by his violent tirades. In August 2023, Nathaniel Radimak, 37, pleaded guilty to felony assault and criminal threat charges. He was sentenced to five years in prison, but has been paroled after 10 months, NBC 4 Los Angeles reports. Videos of his actions went viral in 2022. Footage captured Radimak driving around in his Tesla and attacking drivers with a pipe on streets and freeways in LA until his arrest in January 2023. In one video, Radimak can be seen exiting his Tesla which did not have license plates with a pipe in hand and beating on a truck behind him before fleeing the scene. When police arrested him they found steroids and more than $30,000 in his Tesla, according to the New York Post. Nathaniel Radimak approaches a truck with a pipe in his hand after exiting his Tesla ( California Highway Patrol ) It was later revealed that Radimak had a criminal history spanning "nearly two decades" across multiple states, according to prosecutors. Gloria Allred, the famed attorney who is representing some of the Radimak's victims, said there is a sense of frustration among them that he was allowed out of prison after such a brief stint behind bars. "His early release has shocked and disappointed many of the victims whom I represent, she said. Many of these victims were never consulted about the plea deal and were never given a chance to speak at the sentencing. Radimak is arrested by California Highway Patrol troopers in 2022. He was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to felony assault and criminal threat charges, but was paroled just 10 months into his sentence ( California Highway Patrol ) According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, 424 days of Radimak's sentence were counted as time served while he was awaiting his sentencing, and he received further credits for his time in prison. He was in prison for 212 days, and was credited another 212 for good behavior. Some victims are reportedly afraid of possible retaliation. I highly doubt Radimak has learned from his mistakes and will be coming out a changed person a very short time, one victim, who wished to remain anonymous, reportedly told NBC 4. I am worried he will try to find the victims whose names have been released. He is a menace to society and I strongly disagree about his early release. A second anonymous victim said they hoped that prison had changed Radimak for the better, but were skeptical of his parole nonetheless. Parole boards continue to allow perpetrators to walk free after serving just minimal time, putting a lot of innocent people at risk and sending criminals the wrong message," that victim said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police say that a nice but hungry intruder broke into a string of homes in Washington where he cooked and cleaned his dishes before leaving without pinching anything. Clearwood Community Association resident Eddie Andujo thought he was being pranked after the break-in suspect shattered his kitchen window in the city of Yelm and made full use of the facilities. The polite intruder even took a shower, did his laundry and folded blankets before departing. When I arrived Friday morning, I noticed there was a note on my kitchen table. It says, I needed food, badly. I broke into your house. Please forgive me. I ate your food and washed my clothes and showered, Andujo told KING 5 . He made spaghetti. But the funny part is, he washed his dishes. So he was a nice crook I guess, I dont know ... and he folded the blankets he used. The burglar also left a notice alerting Andujo that his popcorn machine wasnt working properly but otherwise stole nothing. Police conducted a K9 search on Sunday around the neighborhood which lacks cell phone service and is located 15 minutes away from the nearest public safety building but failed to find him. Residents say the burglar suspects keeps breaking into homes, but police have been unable to arrest him despite search efforts. ( City of Yelm ) Bethany Stirber said the burglar broke into her car and stole her garage key. The communitys distance from police and lack of a cell phone tower, however, has made it hard for police to catch him. He tried to get into my garage while I was home and we scared him off, but then he keeps coming back, Stirber told KING 5 . I caught him again on Sunday. I called 911. I could hear them, and they couldnt hear me. And they didnt get here in time. He got away. Similar incidents have been reported from apparently polite intruders. In 2019, an intruder broke into a Boston area home and cleaned the residence, leaving behind vacuumed rugs and roses made of toilet paper. Nate Roman came home to find his door unlocked and his sons room spotless but nothing was stolen. No suspects were identified by police, who spoke with neighbors and found no suspicious activity. No crime happened, nothing was missing or damaged, so the police have very little to go on, Roman said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} At least eight people have died after becoming ill due to listeria found in Boar's Head deli meats that were the subject of a massive recall in July, according to federal health officials. Two people in South Carolina and individuals in Florida, New Mexico and Tennessee have been confirmed to have died from listeria tied to the recalled meats. Three deaths one each in Virginia, New Jersey, and Illinois were previously confirmed. One man, Gunter Morgenstein, 88, of Newport News, Virginia, died on July 18 after he developed a brain infection due to consuming listeria-contaminated Boar's Head meat. Morgenstein, a German-born Holocaust survivor who moved to Canada and then the US, had purchased the company's liverwurst, his son told the Associated Press. Its really just a senseless accident and tragedy for something that just should not have ever happened, his son said. He still had many good years left. At least eight deaths have been linked to listeria-contaminated deli meats sold by Boars Head. The deli meat company recalled 7 million pounds of deli products since July 25 ( US Department of Agriculture ) Virginia Department of Health officials have said they are working with the CDC to monitor the listeria outbreak. Boar's Head issued a statement in the wake of the initial death reports. No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for the families that have suffered losses and others who endured illness, the company said on July 30, five days after it announced the recall. Illnesses related to the deli meat were first reported in late May and continued into August, prompting the recall on July 25. "On July 25, 2024, we voluntarily recalled our Strassburger Brand Liverwurst because it had the potential to be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes," the company said in a recall announcement. "As a precaution, we also recalled nine other products made on the same line and on the same day as our liverwurst." In total, Boar's Head has recalled more than 7 million pounds of its deli products. The contamination was discovered after health officials in Maryland discovered a sample of liverwurst that tested positive for listeria. Since late may, at least 57 people have required hospitalization as a result of the outbreak. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, listeria can withstand refrigeration and causes food poisoning. Infections can be difficult to diagnose because they can emerge up to 10 weeks after consumption of the contaminated food, according to the CDC. CDC officials have urged consumers to check their refrigerators to check to see if they have purchased any of the recalled products. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A doctor and a drug dealer charged with supplying thousands of dollars worth of ketamine to Matthew Perry in the month before his death referred to him as Chandler and a moron, text messages have revealed. The pair are among five people charged earlier this month in connection with 54-year-old Perrys death. The Friends star was discovered in the hot tub at his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023. Perrys assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa; acquaintance Erik Fleming; doctors Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez; and Jasveen Sangha, a north Hollywood woman known as The Ketamine Queen were named as defendants by the US Attorneys Office. Text messages between the group showed that they allegedly conspired behind Perrys back to get him to pay top dollar for the drug, which prosecutors said Perry had become increasingly addicted to in the months before he died. Law enforcement agencies executed search warrants, and seized computers, phones and other electronic equipment to determine who was responsible for the supply of the drug. I wonder how much this moron will pay, Plasencia asked Chavez in a message, a month before the actors death. He followed up: Lets find out. After meeting Perry, Plasencia, who officials allege administered ketamine to Perry, described the experience as a bad movie. In another instance, while coordinating a $5,000 sale of 25 ketamine vials, Fleming, 54, referred to Perry using the name of a well-known character that [Perry] portrayed in a television series, his plea agreement stated, according to the Los Angeles Times. Law enforcement officials told the outlet that he called the actor Chandler. Text messages between a doctor and a dealer who allegedly supplied Matthew Perry, 54, with ketamine show they mocked him by referring to the actor as Chandler and moron ( PA Archive ) Prosecutors allege that Sangha ripped Perry off by initially quoting Fleming $160 a vial but charging Perry $220 a vial. Fleming pocketed an additional $500 in the transaction. In a statement announcing the charges, US Attorney Martin Estrada said: These defendants cared more about profiting off of Mr Perry than caring for his well-being. Drug dealers selling dangerous substances are gambling with other peoples lives over greed. This case, along with our many other prosecutions of drug-dealers who cause death, send a clear message that we will hold drug-dealers accountable for the deaths they cause. Fleming pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death earlier this month. In court, he admitted to providing Perry with the ketamine dose that killed him. Iwamasa, 59, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, and admitted to repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training, including on the day that Perry died. Chavez, 54, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. The other defendants have been charged with conspiracy to distribute ketamine to the actor. A medical examiner later ruled that Perry died from acute effects of ketamine. An autopsy report found that the amount of the ketamine in Perrys blood was in the range used for general anesthesia during surgery. Perry first started using the drug to treat depression and anxiety at a local clinic. Treating depression with ketamine is a new form of therapy but has showed some promising results, The Times reported. Still, the therapy can be harmful, Dr Robert McCarron, a professor of psychiatry, told the outlet. Ketamine has the potential to harm someone or kill someone if not monitored carefully and used in an approved therapeutic way, he said. Following the news of Perrys death, his five Friends co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow released a joint statement asking for time to process this unfathomable loss. They wrote: We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now were going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Mattys family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The family of a boy who died in a car crash is demanding that his accused killers mother also be charged. Flynn MacKrell, 18, was killed last November after a BMW, driven by his friend Kiernan Tague, crashed into a lamp post at 70mph, splitting the vehicle in half. MacKrell was declared dead at the scene in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Tague, 17, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. In March, Tague was charged with second-degree murder and could spend life in prison. He has not been charged as an adult but is adult designated - meaning that a judge could sentence him as an adult, juvenile or impose a blended sentence, according to the Detroit Free Press. He has been jailed ahead of trial which will be held at Wayne County Circuit Court. Now, MacKrells family also want Tagues mother, Elizabeth Puleo-Tague, to be charged with involuntary manslaughter over the fatal crash. At the time of the crash, Puleo-Tague was in Canada and left the keys to her $70,000 BMW at home. She was sitting on a ticking time bomb, Anne Vanker, MacKrells mother, told the Free Press. She knows hes out of control, yet she basically gets him a weapon. Its like she handed him an AR-15. Vanker also said that she wants Kiernan Tague to be in jail as long as possible. Why should he get a break? This kid had every break and every privilege there is, the grieving mother said. The MacKrell family has requested that the Wayne County Prosecutor charge Puleo-Tague in connection with their sons death. An official warrant request for Puleo-Tague has also been made by Grosse Pointe Police Department to the prosecutor, according to the Free Press. The Independent has emailed the police department and prosecutors office for comment. Mitchell Ribitwer, an attorney representing Puleo-Tague, declined to comment due to pending litigation when contacted by The Independent. Text messages between Tague and Puleo-Tague, obtained by the outlet, revealed that the teen had a history of breaking speed limits.His mother was also using a GPS location tracking app on her son, Life360. On September 14, 2023, Puleo-Tague texted her son: Slow down right now! The app had tracked him travelling at 123mph, The apps data also showed that he reached speeds of more than 150mph. The highest speed captured was on November 1, when Tague drove 153mph for 20 miles. Two weeks prior to the crash, the 17-year-old made 94 car journeys and in more than half he reached speeds above 90mph, the Free Press reported. Tague was also drag racing, according to videos taken from his phone as evidence. In another text message, Puleo-Tague told her son: Your obsession (word choice intentional) with cars having upwards of 600 hp Its not healthy. Its not safe. And it scares me to my bone. Three weeks after sending that message, she bought the BMW. The boys mother had tried several times to alert police to her sons dangerous ways. The teenager had had 22 documented run-ins with police since 2017. During the crash investigation, a police report stated: The messages between the two suggest that Kiernans mother has little to no control over Kiernan. Kiernan regularly drove recklessly and took/used his mothers credit cards without permission, despite his mothers repeated orders not to. The boys parents divorced in 2019 and his father is deceased. His mother repeatedly told responding officers that she was afraid of Kiernan, an officer wrote in one report. The last encounter the teenager had with law enforcement before the crash took place on August 30, 2023, when police responded to the boys home because he was yelling and throwing items within the house because his mother refused to get him an American Express Gold Card, a report detailed. If charges are filed against Puleo-Tague, it wouldnt be the first time a parent has been held criminally responsible for their childs crimes. James and Jennifer Crumbley were sentenced to ten years on April 9 for involuntary manslaughter after their son, Ethan, carried out a mass shooting at Oxford High School in Oxford Township, Michigan three years ago. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Pennsylvania authorities have identified the frozen remains of a man discovered in 1977 in a cave below the Pinnacle on the Appalachian Trail. Dubbed the Pinnacle Man, the Berks County Coroners Office revealed his identity as 27-year-old Nicolas Paul Grubb from Fort Washington, Pennsylvania at a news conference. Two hikers discovered the mans body on 16 January 1977 in Albany Township. That January happened to be one of the coldest months in Pennsylvanias history. Snow during that winter reached 49 inches. Grubb had been described as a white male between the ages of 25 and 35 with blue eyes and reddish curly hair. He was thought to have stood 510 to 511 and weighed 155 pounds. Following an autopsy conducted on 17 January 1977 at Reading Hospital, the mans cause of death was listed as an overdose of Phenobarbital and Pentobarbital. His manner of death was declared a suicide. There were no obvious signs of foul play. No one claimed Grubbs body and the case went cold for decades. He was buried at the Berks County Potters Field, a county plot of land designated for unmarked graves. In August of 2019, his body was exhumed from Potters Field and taken to Reading Hospital, where he was examined by a forensic anthropologist, forensic pathologist and forensic odontologist. Samples taken from a forensic dental exam were shipped to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification. The department has been successful in solving cold cases in the past. The center conducted tests but those examinations did not yield any results. Earlier this month, a cold case officer found Grubbs original fingerprint cards and submitted them to the FBI for examination. An agent found a match in less than an hour on August 27, finally identifying him. Someone related to Grubb confirmed his identity and provided documents to authorities. His family now wants him buried in a family plot and the Coroners Office is working to bring him home. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Texas megachurch entrenched in scandal has seen a significant dip in attendance in recent weeks. Gateway Church has seen a mass exodus after its founder, Robert Morris, resigned in June after admitting to engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady in the 1980s. Separately this week, the churchs executive pastor Kemtal Glasgow was fired because of a moral failure. Amid the controversies, the church - which usually sees 100,000 people for its weekend services - has seen a 17 percent to 19 percent decrease in attendance at services, a church spokesperson told CNN. The Independent has reached out to the church for comment. In the immediate aftermath of the allegations against Morris, a protest erupted outside of the Southlake church. Texas megachurch Gateway Church has seen a decrease in attendence at weekend services since sexual abuse accusations against its pastor surfaced in June ( Wikicommons/Jared Stump ) Emily High, a member of the church for 17 years, told WFAA in Dallas that she wouldnt return, citing a sense of betrayal from the pastor. Its anger, its all the range of emotions, High said. Being a pedophile, a molester, thats not ok. The widespread effects of the mass departure are not yet clear. Gateway, which spans nine locations in Texas, one in Wyoming, and one in Missouri, announced earlier this month that it was canceling its annual conference in September in the midst of navigating Morris resignation and the emotions surrounding it. Meanwhile, a Houston location changed its name. The trouble with the church began when accusations against Morris surfaced in June, when accuser Cindy Cemishire, 52, came forward claiming Morris - who once served as an advisor to Donald Trump - and his wife were staying at her house in 1982 and he asked the then-12-year-old girl to come to his room. He told her to lay on his bed and then began touching her inappropriately, she said. The abuse continued for five years until she told her parents, she said. Robert Morris, a Texas pastor who founded Gateway Church, allegedly asked the woman accusing him of abuse how much it would take to buy her silence ( WFAA / YouTube ) Morris acknowledged the allegations in a statement in June: When I was in my early twenties, I was involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady in a home where I was staying. It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong. In March of 1987, this situation was brought to light, and it was confessed and repented of. I submitted myself to the Elders of Shady Grove Church and the young ladys father, the statement continued. Clemishire told WFAA in June that though her family forgave him, they never supported Morris returning to the ministry. He didnt come forward and confess. He was turned in, she said. When someone is turned in, what are they sorry for? Are they sorry they got caught? Or are they truly repentant of what they did? Morris was once a member of Trumps faith advisory board. The Gateway Church also hosted the former president in 2020 at its Dallas campus for a discussion on race relations and the economy. The churchs board of elders announced in June theyd accepted the resignation from Morris and hired a law firm to conduct a thorough and independent inquiry so that the facts can be understood. This week, church elder Tra Willbanks announced the departure of its pastor in a statement: Kemtal Glasgow is no longer employed at Gateway. We were informed last week of a moral issue which we believe, as elders, disqualifies him from serving in the role that he had at Gateway. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A member of Congress and Trump backer stepped in to help the social media company owned by former President Donald Trump jump the line to get a foreign-worker visa for a company executive, according to an investigation by ProPublica. The former director of special projects for Republican Nebraska Representative Don Bacon claims she was told to help Trump Media even though she believed it was inappropriate. Bacon suggested she needed to deal with it when she raised concerns. The former staffer later said ProPublica misrepresented what she said. Trump Media makes up about half of the former presidents net worth. Its the first known time an officeholder has helped Trump privately in connection to the social media firm. While nothing about obtaining the visa was illegal, it goes against Trumps own policies and public statements. The Trump administration pushed US companies to hire Americans and put in place policies that made it more difficult to get visas for skilled workers. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks about No Tax on Tips at Il Toro E La Capra Restaurant in Las Vegas. Now, it has been releaved that a backer helped get a foreign Trump media executive a visa. ( AFP via Getty Images ) Similarly, Trumps 2024 platform states that it will strengthen policies to buy ... and hire American. A person with knowledge of the situation told ProPublica that a North Macedonian software developer was partly selected for the executive role because US candidates were more expensive. Vladimir Novachki had already been approved for a visa, with the help of Trump Media, when the firm contacted Bacons office. However, a backlog at the US embassy in North Macedonia was causing severe delays in scheduling an interview, which is needed in order to finalize the process. Bacons office then stepped in to help Trump Media, according to ProPublica. While companies often reach out to congressional offices for help with visa applications, they usually contact the congressperson for their district. Trump Media is located in Sarasota, Florida. A spokesperson for Bacon cited privacy concerns when telling ProPublica that they couldnt discuss case details, but said that Trump Media was not afforded special treatment. They added that the request came from a Trump Media staffer residing in Bacons Nebraska district. This case was not treated any differently than the hundreds of cases we process every year, the spokesperson said. Politics dont come into play for official congressional work. Bacon spokesperson Danielle Jensen told The Independent in an email that Trump Media didnt ask our office to do anything. A constituent of NE02 reached out seeking assistance for one of his employees. She added that Bacon did not personally direct staff to deal with the matter and that the issue had no link to Trumps criticism of Bacon and his suggestion that a primary candidate take him on: Absolutely not. In fact, before and after the visa request, President Trump publicly criticized Don Bacon. Obviously, there was no quid-pro-quo. But Don Bacon and our staff did this for a constituent like we do for all constituents. No more, no less. Our staff routinely assists thousands of constituents with any issue arising from a federal agency. This was cut and dry: a constituent asked for assistance for an employee, we made an inquiry of the relative agency, no guarantee of outcome or timeline was ever given, and this request was handled in the same manner as all other casework, Jensen added. However, the office of Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon (pictured) denied any wrongdoing in the process and said they help hundreds of cases each year. ( REUTERS ) A Trump Media spokesperson claimed that ProPublica had grotesquely manufactured this hit piece by fabricating statements, misusing stolen communications containing our employees private information and maliciously insinuating wrongdoing where categorically none exists. An attorney for Trump Media sent a letter threatening to sue the outlet, calling the story defamatory. Trumps company has previously hired a foreign outsourcing firm, while several people living abroad list jobs at the company on their LinkedIn profiles, despite the former president saying that hell stop the practice of outsourcing labor and punish firms who send jobs abroad. The Trump campaign told ProPublica: When President Trump is back in the White House, he will enforce our immigration laws and deport illegal immigrants. Trump has always been in favor of allowing in thoroughly vetted highly skilled immigrants who do not undercut American wages. Novachki joined the Canadian IT and tech outsourcing firm Cosmic Development which was co-founded by Chris Pavlovski who also founded the rightwing video platform Rumble. Pavlovski subsequently recommended Novachki as being able to build a version of the firms Truth Social platform for a lower rate than Americans. The Independent has contacted Trump Media for comment. The Trump campaign referred back to Trump Media when reached for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The US Army has defended the Arlington National Cemetery employee who was abruptly pushed aside during an altercation with Donald Trumps campaign staffers on Monday. The official filed an incident report with the military after the alleged incident on Monday with Trumps campaign staff, according to The New York Times. The altercation began when she tried to stop them from taking photos and videos in a section of the cemetery where American service members who recently died are buried. An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside, the US Army said in a statement, defending the employee. This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked. The employee has not been identified and decided not to press charges for fear of backlash from MAGA supporters, theTimes reported. The incident, first reported by NPR, took place while Trump was attending a commemoration ceremony for 13 US service members killed in the 2021 terror attack at Abbey Gate, outside Kabul Airport, during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Donald Trump gave the thumbs up at the grave of a soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday ( Utah Governor Spencer Cox ) The cemetery official tried to prevent Trump campaign staffers from taking photos and videos in the area, named Section 60, and two of them verbally abused and pushed her to the side, a source told the outlet. Participants in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent Section 60 visit were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds, the US Armys statement said. An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside. Consistent with the decorum expected at ANC, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption. When reached for comment by The Independent, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung denied that there had been any physical altercation and vowed to release a video to back it up. Donald Trump attending a wreath laying ceremony at the at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday ( Getty Images ) He also suggested the official who tried to block Trump staffers from entering Section 60 was clearly suffering from a mental health episode. Trump also shared a statement from some family members of the 13 dead service members, claiming he and his team conducted themselves with nothing but the utmost respect. This isnt the only controversy involving Trump at the cemetery. He also sparked fury from veterans, military groups and soldiers families for posing with his thumbs up and grinning at a soldiers grave. Following reports of the alleged altercation involving his staffers, Trump posted a campaign video to TikTok featuring footage filmed at the cemetery, with many branding it disgusting. Trumps own former secretary of defense, Mark Esper, told CNN that he believes the incident involving Trumps campaign staff should be investigated. No person or party, either side should ever use Arlington National Cemetery - or any of our cemeteries or battlefields - for partisan political purposes, or break the so-called rules, he said. Trump posted a statement seemingly on behalf of some family members of the 13 dead service members ( Donald Trump/Truth Social ) Family members of those buried in Section 60 have also denounced Trump and his teams alleged actions. Senior adviser at the progressive political action committee VoteVets, Major General Paul Eaton, whose father is buried there, slammed the campaign's alleged actions at the cemetery as "nauseating." He told USA Today: "I truly cannot think of something more repugnant than starting a political fracas on land where Gold Star families mourn. Someone who would do that should never be Commander in Chief. This story has been amended on August 30 to clarify the people involved in the incident in question. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former Trump National Security Adviser HR McMaster has written in a new book that the then-president was treated like a chump by a string of authoritarian leaders. McMaster, a lieutenant general, writes about an almost two-week-long trip to Asia in his memoir At War With Ourselves, saying that China was the most consequential destination. On their way to Beijing, McMaster cautioned Donald Trump that Chinese President Xi Jinping would attempt to trick the then-president into saying something that was positive for China but would in effect be bad for the US and its allies. The CCPs favorite phrase, win-win, actually meant that China won twice, McMaster wrote that he told Trump. While Trump appeared to listen at the time, he later said he agreed with Xi that military exercises in South Korea were provocative and a waste of money. He also suggested that China could have a claim to the Senkaku Islands, which belong to Japan, a US ally. As his stomach sank, McMaster wrote in a note to then-Chief of Staff John Kelly, a general, that Xi ate our lunch, according to The New York Times. The national security adviser writes in the memoir that Trump was often treated like a chump by authoritarian leaders. National Security Advisor HR McMaster and US Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin wait while US President Donald Trump, South Korea's President Moon Jae-in, and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrive for luncheon at the Palace Hotel during the 72nd United Nations General Assembly September 21, 2017 in New York City. McMaster has written a scathing portrayal of Trump in his latest memoir ( AFP via Getty Images ) To get on Trumps good side, some flattery and a bit of pomp and circumstance appeared to be all that was needed from leaders such as Xi, Vladimir Putin of Russia, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey. McMaster notes that in 2018, he found Trump writing a note to Putin on top of a New York Post article in which he said he was disappointed at how the US political system was eating itself up but in which he praised Trump, calling him a great communicator. I have no disappointment at all. Moreover, on a personal level, he made a very good impression on me, Putin said, according to the Post. Trump asked McMaster to send the note to the Kremlin just as evidence was coming out that Putin appeared to have ordered an assassination in the UK. The adviser didnt send the note, telling an irate Trump that it would reinforce the narrative that you are somehow in the Kremlins pocket. In an interview with Phil McGraw, known as Dr Phil, broadcast on Tuesday evening, Trump discussed how President Joe Biden stepped down and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. They give you a nice, fresh opponent and so I have to win that, and if I win that, that would really serve to say that theres some incredible power up there that wanted me to be involved in saving, and maybe its more than saving the nation, he said as they spoke about the assassination attempt against him last month. Maybe its saving the world. You know, I get along with all those tough guys. McMaster writes that Trump staffers threw accusations of disloyalty at each other as they tried to influence the then-president. The national security adviser writes that a vortex of vitriol often undercut what the administration was trying to achieve and that Trumps indiscipline made him the antagonist in his own story. When the subject of Mexico comes up during a discussion, McMaster writes that Trump asked, Why dont we just bomb the drugs? The lieutenant general also notes that the failed 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan can be linked to the atmosphere of inconsistency during the Trump administration. McMaster questions if Trump, 78, can perform well the sometimes grueling job of president, adding that the 13-day trip to Asia left him tired seven years ago. Trumps anxieties and insecurities rendered him vulnerable, McMaster writes. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} On Wednesday evening, Vice President Kamala Harris will make her first big swing through Georgia with her running mate, Tim Walz . President Joe Biden won the state in 2020 by the narrowest of margins. Democrats flipped the two Senate seats in the runoff races in 2021 and Raphael Warnock held his seat in the 2022 midterm. So its no surprise Harris is concentrating on the state today. Democrats are also making a play for other Southern states like North Carolina and even Florida, which has become a laboratory for MAGA. Some polling shows that Harris has a slight lead there, while other surveys show a lead for Trump. But the new wrinkle in Harriss campaign strategy is that she is not just relying on the Atlanta metropolitan area and its suburbs, but the rural areas. Harriss tour throughout South Georgia will begin on Wednesday. On the surface, a Democrat campaigning in the rural areas may seem bizarre, given how much the party relies on cities and their suburbs. But Andrew Heaton, a former adviser on Warnocks campaign, explained why its a strategic move for the Harris-Walz campaign to The Independent. If you want to win statewide in Georgia, as close as the margins are right now, it can't be an either/or, he said. Yes, the bulk of our votes are going to be in metro Atlanta. Yes, we have to run up the scores there but we can't rely on that. We also have to turn out the votes and crank up the margins, especially in the areas in South Georgia. Specifically, Heaton said that Democrats need to compete in areas like the Black Belt, where numerous Black voters live and work in agriculture. He noted that Representative Sanford Bishop, a Black Democrat, represents part of the area. There are Democrats down there, he said. They might not make up the majority of their counties, but there are... a number of majority Black counties down there that if they feel like a candidate is making the effort is reaching out, they will respond. He noted that Warnocks 2022 runoff campaign against Republican Herschel Walker relied heavily on this region. I kept the map after the election because I thought it really spoke to what we were trying to accomplish in going through middle and South Georgia and making sure we left few stones unturned there, he added. Indeed, Biden and Warnock did better in some of the southern counties on the margins in Georgia than Hillary Clinton did, such as in Lee County and Webster County. I think that the thing that matters most in the conversation around Vice President Harris going into rural areas is she's doing the things that Democrats should have been doing for the last 15 years, Paolo Cremidis, an executive director of Outrun PAC, which focuses on helping Democrats do outreach in rural areas, told The Independent. Specifically going to Southeast Georgia is changing the culture of how not just campaigns are being run, but also how presidential campaigns have interacted with Southern Democratic parties, he added. Cremids also cited Warnocks campaign, which, he said, showed that a Black candidate who runs on progressive policies can win in such areas. As a Californian and as a Democrat, Harris needs to push back against stereotypes that she is a coastal elite, Andra Gillespie, a professor at Emory University, told The Independent. Elites would only think about Atlanta, she said. You don't think about the fact that there's this whole other rest of the state that, geographically, is most of the land mass of the state, and population-wise is half of the state. Harris does not even need to flip certain counties she could win big by simply shaving off at the margins to break through Republicans hold on the southern part of the state. Part of the Republican strategy to win statewide races in Georgia over the last couple of decades has been to build a wall in rural Georgia, Amy Morton, a Democratic pollster in Georgia, told The Independent. Breaking down parts of that wall could be hugely consequential. This change at the top of the ticket, the performance of the campaign, the message that the Harris campaign is putting forward has made every single one of my legislative races in swing districts easier to win, Morton added. Of course, this also comes as the Trump campaign hopes to tighten its grip on rural America, with rallies and appearances by both Trump and JD Vance announced in such areas. The message from Harris and Walz is simple and believable, however: Nothing is guaranteed. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Senator JD Vance said Vice President Kamala Harris can go to Hell at a recent campaign event. Vances comments came during a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania on Wednesday afternoon while speaking about President Joe Bidens withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in 2021. Kamala Harris is so asleep at the wheel that she wont even do an investigation into what happened and she wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up, she can go to Hell, Vance said at the campaign rally. Vances comments came as he responded to a reporters question about an incident at Arlington National Cemetery earlier this week. The Trump campaign visited the site for the third anniversary of Abbey Gate, where 13 American troops and 170 Afghan civilians died in a terrorist attack in August 2021 as the US pulled out of Afghanistan. A recent NPR report claimed a Trump campaign staffer verbally abused and pushed a cemetery official who tried to stop them from filming and photographing in Section 60, where troops who have recently died are buried. JD Vance told Kamala Harris to go to Hell at a recent campaign event in Erie, Pennsylvania ( Getty Images ) There is verifiable evidence that the campaign was allowed to have a photographer there, Vance said. Theres verifiable they were invited to have a photographer there. Theres verifiable evidence that the families of these poor people, who had their loved ones die three years ago at Abbey Road, they had excuse me, Abbey Gate those 13 Americans, a lot of them were there with the president, they invited him to be there and to support them, Vance continued. Arlington National Cemetery confirmed in a previous statement to The Independent that there was an incident, and a report was filed. A US Army spokesperson also confirmed on Thursday morning that a cemetery employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside. That employee has decided not to press charges, according to the spokesperson. This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked, the spokesperson said. When previously reached for comment by The Independent, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung denied that there was any physical altercation and vowed to release video to back up his claim. Vance later told NBC News his comment that Harris should go to Hell came amid a wave of frustration. Sometimes I get frustrated, and sometimes I get pissed off, Vance told the outlet. And I think Kamala Harris failure of leadership at Abbey Gate is something to get frustrated and angry about. Meanwhile, Harriss campaign released a statement commemorating the anniversary. I will fulfill our sacred obligation to care for our troops and their families and I will always honor their service and sacrifice, Harris said in a statement. President Biden made the courageous and right decision to end Americas longest war, she continued. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance was booed by a firefighters union in Boston one day after the group praised his Democratic counterpart, Tim Walz. As soon as the Ohio freshman Senator walked onto the stage Thursday at a convention for the International Association of Firefighters, representing firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, he was met with jeers. Semper fi, guys, said Vance, a Marine veteran, as the crowd erupted with boos. Sounds like we got some fans and some haters. Thats okay. Listen to what I have to say here. Ill make my pitch. Vance received a smattering of cheers after promising that the Trump-Vance administration would protect free speech, including criticism of Covid-19 vaccine mandates, as well as protecting pensions. The mostly negative reaction comes one day after the Minnesota governor was greeted with a warm round of applause when he walked into the same convention before giving remarks. After Vance was booed on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Harris-Walz said in a statement: JD tried selling firefighters on the Trump-Vance Project 2025 agenda to undermine workers, gut labor protections, and cut overtime pay and got hosed. This election, workers are fired up to elect Vice President Harris and Governor Walz. They wont be fooled by Donald Trump or JD Vances lies about their plan to undermine unions and Americas middle class. Vance appears to have more haters than fans these days. Not only is he considered the least popular vice presidential candidate in modern history, but he has been on the receiving end of many negative reactions since joining the GOP ticket. Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) walks on stage to speak to attendees at the International Association of Fire Fighters Convention on August 29 in Boston. He was met with boos from the crowd as soon as he walked onto the stage ( AP ) Past comments of Vance calling Vice President Kamala Harris a childless cat lady have come back to haunt him. The childless community, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoffs e- wife and Jennifer Aniston have condemned the remark. Resurfaced texts also emphasize his ideological pivot from once calling Trump Americas Hitler to becoming his running mate, which has angered former classmates and friends. Since becoming Trumps veep pick, Democrats have labeled him as weird a descriptor he has tried to ditch, but a number of strained social exchanges have made that effort more difficult. One of his recent jokes at a Wisconsin rally fell flat and backfired. Well, I found a good friend from back home who embellishes and lies a lot, Im having him stand in for Tim Walz, Vance said earlier this month. The internet was quick to speculate that his friend was Republican presidental nominee Donald Trump, who, according to the Washington Post, made more than 30,000 false or misleading statements during his presidency. In another painful exchange, Vance visited a cheesesteak joint in Philadelphia and wound up being accused of committing a crime against humanity. The Ohio Republican walked into Pats King of Steaks, which famously serves its cheesesteaks with only American cheese, provolone or cheez whiz. However, Vance dared to ask why they hate Swiss cheese so much? While Vance was seemingly referencing John Kerrys 2004 presidential campaign, when he asked for a sandwich with Swiss cheese at Pats, the internet thought the exchange hurt his campaign chances. Similarly, last week, Vance tried to have conversations with employees in a donut shop in Georgia before his remarks. But the exchange devolved into incredible depths of awkwardness, involving minimal responses, one employee asking to remain off camera, and Vance using the term sprinkle stuff. This article has been amended to include a statement from the Harris-Walz campaign and that Vance had received cheers at some points during his speech. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} JD Vance has tried yet again to make light of his childless cat ladies comment and its instantly backfired. Donald Trumps running mate has come under fire in recent weeks after his 2021 comments calling Democrats, including Kamala Harris, a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives resurfaced and went viral. This week, in an attempt at a light-hearted post about the controversy, the Ohio senator shared a photo of a cat wearing a Cats for Vance 2024 bandana. Referring to his viral dig at child-free women, he captioned it: I wonder if this cat knows Rather predictably, the post quickly backfired and was widely mocked on X. Yes, your cat knows that youre weird, one person commented, while another said: That cat looks scared. The Republican vice presidential nominee was also advised to get some help in the social media department. JD Vance attempts to make light of his childless cat ladies comment ( JDVance/X ) This guy really needs to get a team to monitor his posts before he sends them, one person said. Seems to have no idea. Another wrote: This is animal abuse. Thats [sic] clearly one of the #CatsForKamala. Someone needs to report this to Federal Animal Control, stat! You cant do the funny. Just doesnt work. Sorry, JV, another chimed in. However, the MAGA fanbase had his back. That cat knows you will lower the price of cat treats, one said. Im a cat lady and you have my vote, another posted in support. The identity of the cat in the photo, and its owner, are unknown. Vance has a German shepherd, Atlas, who joined him on the campaign train in Milwaukee earlier this month. Vance says he has nothing against cats ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Vance has faced huge backlash over his comments about people without children, which he has previously tried to claim were made sarcastically and have been taken out of context. Obviously, it was a sarcastic comment, he told The Megyn Kelly Show last month. Ive got nothing against cats. Ive got nothing against dogs. Ive got one dog at home, and I love him. On NBCs Meet the Press last Sunday, he added: I made a sarcastic comment years ago that I think that a lot of Democrats have willfully misinterpreted. While Vance has tried to see the funny side, his comment could come back to bite him in the November election. The Independent analyzed the number of childless cat ladies voting in swing states and found Pittsburgh in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania where Trump is losing his lead is ranked as the top city for most single women who own cats. With 67.9 percent of women being single, 15.1 percent of residents under age 18, and the 15th highest rate of cat ownership, Pittsburgh may well be the most popular city for Vances enemy demographic. Washington DC, New York City, Baltimore and Chicago rounded out The Independents top five list for childless cat ladies in the US. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The American Federation of Teachers President shot back at Senator JD Vance for his unearthed comments about educators in which he mentioned her by name. Vance called out AFT President Randi Weingarten in an unearthed 2021 interview and said that teachers who dont have biological children really disorients and really disturbs him. [S]he doesnt have a single child, Vance said of Weingarten. If she wants to brainwash and destroy the minds of children, she should have some of her own and leave ours the hell alone. Weingarten is now hitting back at the Ohio senator and GOP candidate for vice president. If it wasnt so insulting, and if we didnt have such a divided country, where people take seriously what he or Donald Trump say, it would be ridiculous, Weingarten told MSNBC on Wednesday. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, shot back at JD Vances unearthed comments about her in 2021 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Whether its Catholicism, or Judaism, or any of the religions or not that many of us believe in, teaching children is one of the most important things we can do, regardless of whether we are parents or not, the New York City educator and labor leader added. Weingarten also told MSNBC that her wife has two children she considers her own. Its nonsensical, but what it does in this age of disinformation and misinformation, it just makes the job of teaching and learning the connection between parents and teachers and kids it makes it harder, Weingarten said. And thats why its gross. Vances unearthed comments about educators come amid a long string of sexist comments about women and their children. In a resurfaced interview from 2021, Vance said the US was run ba bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that theyve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too. Look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC, the entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children, Vance continued. How does it make any sense weve turned our country over to people who dont really have a direct stake in it? The Ohio senator has also argued that those without children should pay higher taxes and that parents should have more votes in elections. Vance has since tried to walk back his cat lady comments, arguing that Democrats have willfully misinterpreted the remarks. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} On Thursday, Kamala Harris will sit down with CNN and her running mate, Tim Walz, for their first joint interview since the pair were officially nominated by their party. It will be Harriss first sit-down interview with a cable news outlet in months and you better believe theyll be watching at Mar-a-Lago. Thursdays interview presents the first post-convention challenge for the vice president, who already passed one hurdle with her selection of Walz as a running mate. That selection ended up wowing both progressives and centrists in her party; even anti-Trump conservatives who say they are voting for Harris this year seem to be on board. But the interview is another ballgame. Harris has yet to face a real sustained grilling from a journalist in the wake of taking over the ticket. She took a few questions on the tarmac while welcoming home American captives from Russia, and has gaggled with reporters on the campaign trail so she isnt hiding from the cameras. But interviews are different, with extended follow-ups and more opportunities for misstep. Harris, as a politician, is no stranger to this. And its part of the reason why she had seemed so far out of the public eye before Joe Biden dropped out of the race. A series of awkward answers to questions in interviews over the course of her vice-presidency opened her up to political attacks and caused negative headline cycles for the White House in the press. Take her 2021 interview with NBCs Lester Holt. It took place just a few months after Harris was tasked with leading the Administrations diplomatic efforts to address the root causes of migration from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, per a White House statement. During their conversation, Holt repeatedly asked the vice president when she planned to visit the USs southern border with Mexico. Harris initially insisted that she had: At some point, you know, we are going to the borderweve been to the border. So this whole thing about the border weve been to the border. Weve been to the border. You havent been to the border, Holt shot back. Then Harris corrected herself, while adding: And I havent been to EuropeI dont understand the point that youre making. Im not discounting the importance of the border. The fallout from that exchange was immediate and damaging. CNN reported at the time that Biden White House officials were "quietly perplexed about what they perceive as her bumpy answers to questions about whether she will go to the US-Mexico border. Another report from the news outlets Edward Isaac-Dovere a few months later described exasperation amid the Biden team over Harriss frustrating start to the job. Kamala Harris gets defensive during Lester Holt grilling about the border Harris staff has repeatedly failed her and left her exposed, and family members have often had an informal say within her office, Dovere reported multiple sources as saying in November of 2021. It was a rocky start for sure, and one Bidens team were all too willing to write off as caused by Harriss weaknesses rather than the myriad of burdens weighing her down. Even as she was put nominally in charge of taking on issues for the administration like migration and voting rights, she was seemingly set up to fail Congress has made little progress on addressing either one, with an election-year compromise bill to address border security going down in flames after pressure from Donald Trump on the GOP caucus. Complicating the issue for Harris is her history of defensiveness in interviews when pressed on sensitive topics, which has verged at times into a combativeness that has not served her in the way it has for her Republican opponent. A recent example was her talk with The Breakfast Club co-host Charlamagne Tha God, who asked her whether Biden or Senator Joe Manchin, a conservative Democrat who has often been a deciding vote on Biden administration policies, was really president. Harris responded by calling the question disrespectful. But, somehow, that wasnt the worst part that honor went to the pair of moments where Symone Sanders, Harriss now-ex-spokesperson, was then heard trying to cut off the interview early. Kamala Harris Defends Biden administration in Charlamagne interview Harriss campaign faces a very unclear future. The momentum is undoubtedly on her side; an announcement from her team last week indicated that she had crossed more than half a billion dollars in donations in the first month of her campaign. National and state-level Democratic Party organizations continue to report thousands of new volunteers pouring through the doors. Yet the vice president, in the past, has faced questions about her strength as a campaigner her 2020 bid for the presidency underwhelmed expectations and she dropped out without winning a single state that year, even after delivering a memorable strike against Biden on the debate stage. Another awkward moment and the resulting news cycle could derail some of that momentum at a time when Harris looks to be on the cusp of clearly taking the lead over Trump. But if her performance is an echo of her speech to the Democratic convention last week praised by progressives and conservative Democrats alike Trumps team could have to contend with a promising candidate whose greatest weakness just disappeared. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A series of new polls shows that Vice President Kamala Harris has either a slight lead in swing states or has closed the gap in others. A USA Today/Suffolk University poll out on Thursday shows Harris with a five-point lead aganst Donald Trump, an eight-point turnaround from a June survey that showed President Joe Biden trailing. Specifically, she saw huge shifts to the point that she now has an impressive 23-point lead with people who earn $20,000 or less. Trump previously had a three-point lead in that demographic. Of course, national surveys mean little, given the Electoral College. But Harris has shown vast improvement in numerous battleground states. US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is now competitive or beating former president Donald Trump in numerous polls ( (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images) ) Polls from Fox News also show Harris has a one-point lead in Arizona; a two-point lead in Georgia and Nevada; and trails Trump by only one point in North Carolina. Earlier surveys when he was still top of the Democratic ticket had shown Joe Biden falling away in each of these states. Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, are currently doing a swing through rural Georgia and she recently held her first major rally in Atlanta. She made a swing through Arizona and Nevada shortly after announcing Walz as her running mate. She made her first big speech about the economy and housing in North Carolina, where the states gubernatorial race might give her a lift. In other words, the Harris campaign has been focused on the swing states in a big way. If Harris were to only win these four states, she would not need to win Pennsylvania, Wisconsin or Michigan though the chances are that if she won these four, she would likely win at least one or more of the midwestern states. Emerson College released a survey that is slightly less rosy than the others, but it does show Harris with a slight lead in Georgia, Michigan and Nevada, while she slightly trails in Arizona, North Carolina and Wisconsin, and is in a dead heat with Trump in Pennsylvania. One sign that Trumps campaign worries about these polls: Before the numbers dropped, they released a statement trashing Foxs atrocious polling. President Trump continues to outperform polling from past cycles, the campaign said. President Trump is 10 points ahead of where he was in Arizona at this point in 2020, according to Fox. Likewise, he is running 8 points ahead of his 2020 polling in Nevada and 5 points ahead of his 2020 polling in North Carolina. This comes as Trump continues to face questions about his conduct during a visit to Arlington National Cemetery with the families of servicemembers killed in a terror attack during the US exit from Afghanistan. His running mate, JD Vance, tried to do damage control as the story built, accusing the media of creating a story where I really dont think there is one. He went on to add that Harris can go to hell. Republicans have hoped for a while that the Harris honeymoon is about to wear off. But it seems like her convention bump and positive reception, buoyed by fundraising and enthusiastic followers, is continuing for now into the next phase of her campaign. If Harriss ascent to the top of the ticket served as the first phase and her veepstakes served as a sort of mini-primary followed by a successful convention, the next 68 days might be characterized as phase four. Tonight, Harris and Walz will hold a rally in Savannah, Georgia and CNN will air a joint interview with the two. This will be Harriss first sitdown interview with a major news station since she became the Democratic nominee. In the past, Harris has bombed sitdown interviews, most notably her 2021 NBC Nightly News interview with Lester Holt where she laughed off a question about why she had not visited the US-Mexico border. But like many other parts of her campaign, this sitdown gives her a chance to reset her relationship with news outlets. Next week, Harris will do a blitz through Detroit and Pittsburgh both cities with a heavy union presence to capitalize off of her support from almost every major labor union. The week after will come the biggest test of them all: her debate with Trump, followed by Walzs debate with Vance. Trumps will-he-or-wont-he dance about if he will actually participate has made his followers simultaneously anxious and excited about the debate. Harris has responded to Trumps attack lines by saying she would like him to say it to my face, only adding to the excitement. Early voting will begin in September and October in the swing states, meaning that Harris will have to regularly target voters likely to turn in their ballots throughout those months. Thats a much more daunting task than aiming to get them to turn out on just one day, and requires continual momentum. But as of right now, that momentum is on Harriss side and there are few signs Trump has figured out how to blunt it. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Democrat running against Colorado Republican Lauren Boebert challenged her to a debate at the scene of the scandalous Beetlejuice incident. Trisha Calvarese invited Boebert to a televised debate at the Buell Theatre, the Denver venue where the congresswoman was kicked out during the musical Beetlejuice last September after vaping, singing, taking flash photos and groping her date. Calvarese released an ad on X on Thursday in the style of the Beetlejuice 2 movie trailer. The video begins with someone asking: Is Lauren Boebert vaping? Then, the ad shifts into a parody of the cult classic film. On November 5, your worst nightmare tries to crawl back to Congress. Dont say her name, the new ad says. Boebert. Boebert. Boebert, newscasters can be heard saying. Lauren Boeber attends a press conference after attending Donald Trumps hush money trial in May 2024. Now she is being challenged to debate in the theater where her Beetlejuice scandal unfolded ( REUTERS ) Congresswoman Boebert, I know youre new to the district. And you clearly dont know how to act in a theater or in Congress. I think I can help. Lets get together for a debate on TV, Calvarese says while holding a bag of popcorn in a theater. After a series of controversies, Boebert switched districts from her seat in Colorados third district to its more conservative fourth district where a spot has opened up after Rep. Ken Bucks retirement. I know the last time you were arguing in a theater, it was with workers. And hey, maybe you wont get kicked out this time. Youre not scared are you? the Democrat said with a wink. On X, Calvarese wrote: Lauren Boebert as a member of Congress is truly frightening as is her behavior in theaters. But Im Trisha Calvarese, and on November 5th, Im going to become her worst nightmare and defeat her at the polls. Boebert has been haunted by the incident for nearly a year. Trisha Calvarese released a video challenging Boebert to a debate in the theater where the infamous Beetlejuice incident occurred ( Trisha Calvarese for Colorado ) While she initially denied it ever took place, she apologized after damning surveillance footage was released. In May, she was heckled by protesters chanting Beetlejuicewhen she visited George Washington Universitys campus amid pro-Gaza protests. The following month, during a Republican debate this June, the moderator confronted her over the incident. Boebert said she had already done the apology tour and had owned up to my night out in Denver. In the face of scandals, Boebert won the GOP primary in June in the new district. Its not immediately clear if the Colorado Republican accepted the invitation. The Independent has reached out to her campaign for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Marjorie Taylor Greene, a rightwing Republican representative, has promised another gun giveaway soon as she attacked Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and her hypothetical gun policies and the administrations Afghanistan pullout. Greene made the announcement on the anniversary of the chaotic and deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan. The firebrand shared an old video from her first gun giveaway on social media, showing her holding a .50-caliber rifle that she claims Democrats would ban if they keep the House. Throwback to three years ago where Kamala Harris proudly claimed she was the last person in the room when they oversaw the disastrous pullout of Afghanistan, Greene wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Ill be doing another gun giveaway soon. And itll be one she will want banned should she get elected! The Biden administration carried out the Trump administration plan negotiated with the Taliban in 2020. However, the hurried pullout in August 2021 allowed the Taliban to seize control of the country and left 13 American soldiers dead in an attack. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene talks to a reporter during a campaign rally in Georgia. She is now promising a new rifle raffle to protest a potential ban under Harris. ( EPA ) A special investigator found in 2022 that decisions made during both the Trump and Biden administrations were behind the Taliban takeover and the rapid defeat of the Afghan military, WSBTV noted. The pullout has become a rallying cry for Republicans to show foreign policy failures by Democrats. Greenes newest video also shows the Georgia represenative shooting a vehicle with socialism on it until it blow ups. Im going to blow away the Democrat socialist agenda, the congresswoman added. She subsequently shared a website allowing people to register for the giveaway before Joe Biden bans it. President Joe Biden ended his campaign for reelection and endorsed Harris on Sunday, July 21. Following the presidents departure from the race, Trump has been targeting Harris and her part in the administrations foreign policy. The voters are going to fire Kamala and Joe on November 5, we hope, and when I take office we will ask for the resignations of every single official, he said at a rally in Detriot on Monday. Well get the resignations of every single senior official who touched the Afghanistan calamity, to be on my desk at noon, on Inauguration Day. You know, you have to fire people. You have to fire people when they do a bad job. Harris also made a statement on the anniversary of the terror attack at the Abbey Gate at Kabul Airport, which took the lives of 13 servicemembers and about 170 Afghans. My prayers are with their families and loved ones. My heart breaks for their pain and their loss, the vice president said. She added that Biden made the courageous and right decision to end Americas longest war. Over the past three years, our administration has demonstrated we can still eliminate terrorists, including the leaders of al-Qaeda and ISIS, without troops deployed into combat zones. I will never hesitate to take whatever action necessary to counter terrorist threats and protect the American people, Harris said. The Associated Press contributed to this report Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} MSNBC host Ari Melber threatened Donald Trump campaign advisor Corey Lewandowski with a defamation lawsuit during a heated spat live on air on Wednesday night. Lewandowski, who joined Trump's presidential campaign team just two weeks ago after he was fired from his campaign in 2016, appeared on Wednesdays episode of The Beat to speak about the Republican nominee's stance on abortion, RFK Jr's endorsement, and vaccines. But, surprisingly it was a different topic of discussion that led to a fiery exchange, after the campaign advisor targeted Melber for his reporting about the Republican National Convention last month. Days after the failed assassination attempt on Trump on July 13, Melber cited a New York Times article touching on the large white bandage on the former president's right ear. On the first night of this convention, Trump was his own biggest prop, quoted the attorney and journalist. He then added in his own words that the moment was an image for political mobilization, a spectacle for this candidate who, we know is, by his own admission, obsessed with assorted spectacles. Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention with a bandage on his ear following his assassination attempt ( AFP via Getty Images ) Melber highlighted to his interviewee that he was quoting an article and not speaking in his own words. It was a New York Times quote about how he had become such an important figure in rebounding from what was a horrific assassination attempt, he said, while Lewandowski repeatedly tried to read out what he claimed Melber said. Let me read it to you, Lewandowski said. Corey, I said Id address it. Im gonna finish, he continued. Fox News, many viewers may not know about this, but apparently you do, and some do. Fox News, which has been caught in defamation, ran a false piece falsely stating that I said something else that I didnt say. So, I stand on that. I stand on the New York Times quote. Unsatisfied, Lewandowski pushed further. So, you didnt say, 'This bandage was a prop, a spectacle from a candidate whos obsessed with spectacles'? Ari Melber warns Trump campaign advisor Corey Lewandowski he will be potentially in a defamation situation on Wednesdays episode of The Beat ( MSNBC ) I did not say that. That is a false quote, replied Melber. I have it right here, continued his guest. Standing firm, Melber told him had a false quote. Equally stubborn, the response was, you absolutely said it. Repeating that he had a false quote, Melber warned the campaign advisor that Im putting you on notice. What you have is a false quote. And if Im putting you on notice if you continue to repeat falsely that I said that, you will be potentially in a defamation situation because I didnt say that. But I understand that youre working off the internet, which has a lot of false information, he said. Lewandowski, with raised eyebrows, claimed again that he had quotes suggesting Melber made the comment himself right here. Melber ended the chat telling him I wish you luck with that... we gave you time. The Independent has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ever since President Joe Biden announced he would not be seeking a second term after all, Donald Trump has been left reeling by the rise and rise of Kamala Harris, who has picked up the Democratic partys nomination and made major gains in the polls. As a result, the former president and his running mate JD Vance have resorted to childish nicknames, from Laughin Kamala and Kamabla to Tampon Tim for Harriss vice presidential pick Tim Walz, and attacks including a number of false claims about the vice president both about her personal life and her political record. The vice president and Walz meanwhile have also been landing blows on Trump and Vance, branding them weird and leveling claims about what a future under a second Trump administration could look like. Heres a look at some of the lies Trump has told about Harris so far and her claims about him: Trump claims Harris is Bidens border czar Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to the media in El Paso, Texas, after visiting the border on 25 June 2021 ( EPA ) Trump has tried hard to blame the illegal immigration crisis at the USs southern border on Harris, claiming that she is President Joe Bidens border czar. She was a bum three weeks ago... A failed vice president in a failed administration, with millions of people crossing, and she was the border czar, he told a Turning Point audience in Florida on July 26. Harris was not appointed to tackle the border. Instead, she was tapped to work with Central American countries on the root causes of immigration into the US. Meanwhile, it was Trump who urged Republicans on Capitol Hill to tank a major bipartisan border bill back in February. Trump claims Harris turned Black Donald Trump claims Harris turned Black as he speaks at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago ( Charles Rex Arbogast/AP ) Speaking at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago in July, Trump questioned Harriss racial heritage and claimed she happened to turn Black only recently. Vance has since called the biracial Harris, whose father is Jamaican and whose mother is Indian, a chameleon. Harris has, of course, always been biracial and has proudly spoken of her heritage and the influence it has had on her life since entering public life. Trump accuses Harris of antisemitism Kamala Harris and Tim Walz appear at first rally together in Philadelphia on August 6 ( Matt Rourke/AP ) When Harris first picked Walz as her running mate, Trump called in to Fox and Friends to claim it was very insulting to Jewish people that she did not choose the Jewish Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who had also been on her shortlist for the role. His comments appeared to overlook the fact that Harriss husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, is Jewish. Trump claims Harriss crowd was fake and AI-generated Supporters cheer on Harris and Walz at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus, Michigan, on August 7 ( Jeff Kowalsky/AFP/Getty ) Three days after claiming the crowd he addressed on January 6 2021 had rivaled Dr Martin Luther Kings audience when he delivered his historic I Have a Dream speech, Trump accused Harris of using artificial intelligence to fake the size of hers. In a Truth Social post on August 11, Trump claimed that a 15,000-strong crowd that met Harris and Walz at a Detroit airport didnt exist and nobody was there. His contention was easily proven false by the wealth of video and photo evidence and eye-witness accounts to the contrary. And what about Harriss claims about Trump? Harris refers to Project 2025 as his agenda Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow holds up a copy of Project 25 at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, on August 19 2024 ( Mike Segar/Reuters ) Harris has referred to Project 2025 as Trumps agenda should he take back the White House in November. Speaking at a rally in Milwaukee on July 23, she said: Donald Trump wants to take our country backward. He and his extreme Project 2025 agenda will weaken the middle class. The 900-page Project 2025 dossier outlining proposals for reforming the federal government to suit Republicans was drawn up by the conservative think-tank the Heritage Foundation not the Trump campaign. The former president has insisted that he knows nothing about it and has no idea who is behind it, also calling it seriously extreme at a rally. How plausible that denial is remains questionable, however, given that CNN has identified at least 140 former advisers to his first administration involved in its writing, including Peter Navarro, Ben Carson and Russell Vought, while its foreword is credited to Vance. Harris claims Trump plans to cut Social Security and Medicare Harris speaks at a campaign rally at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, on August 9 2024 ( AP ) At a rally in Glendale, Arizona, on August 9, Harris claimed that Trump plans to cut Social Security and Medicare. Trump, however, has repeatedly denied having any such intention. He told Breitbart in March: I will never do anything that will jeopardize or hurt Social Security or Medicare. Well have to do it elsewhere. But were not going to do anything to hurt them. He repeated that position on the campaign trail in Minnesota in July. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Senator JD Vance ripped into Vice President Kamala Harris for using a teleprompter in her speeches minutes before making his own gaffe during a campaign stop. At a campaign event in Erie, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, Vance slammed Harris for her use of teleprompters. I dont need a teleprompter, Ive actually got thoughts in my head, Vance told the crowd. Unlike Kamala Harris. Minutes later, Vance made a mistake while speaking, referring to Afghanistans Abbey Gate where 13 American troops and 170 Afghan civilians died in a terrorist attack in August 2021 as Abbey Road, the infamous Beatles album. Monday marked the third anniversary of the attack, which happened amid the Biden administrations chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. JD Vance referred to Abbey Gate as Abbey Road during a campaign stop in Erie, Pennsylvania on Wednesday ( Getty Images ) The families of these poor people who had their loved ones die three years ago at Abbey Road, they had to I mean, Abbey Gate, Vance said. The gaffe came as Vance answered a reporters question about a recent NPR report that claimed a Donald Trump campaign staffer verbally abused and pushed a cemetery official who tried to stop them from filming and photographing in Section 60, where troops who have recently died are buried. There is verifiable evidence that the campaign was allowed to have a photographer there, Vance said, just before his Abbey Gate mistake. Theres verifiable they were invited to have a photographer there. At the same event, Vance said Harris is disgraceful and can go to Hell. Kamala Harris is so asleep at the wheel that she wont even do an investigation into what happened and she wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up, she can go to Hell, he said. Arlington National Cemetery confirmed in a previous statement to The Independent that there was an incident, and a report was filed. When previously reached for comment by The Independent, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung denied that there was any physical altercation and vowed to release video to back up his claim. Meanwhile, an uptick in Trump-Vance campaign stops could come soon after CNN reported their team is taking on a new strategy. Think Trump on steroids, an unnamed campaign source told the network. This is going to be an all-hands-on-deck approach. The source also told the outlet Trump would visit two states per day, focusing on battleground areas. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The suspects in the foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna earlier this month sought to kill tens of thousands of fans before the CIA discovered intelligence that disrupted the planning and led to arrests, the agency's deputy director said. The CIA notified Austrian authorities of the scheme, which allegedly included links to the Islamic State group. The intelligence and subsequent arrests ultimately led to the cancellation of three sold-out Eras Tour shows, devastating fans who had traveled across the globe to see Swift in concert. CIA Deputy Director David Cohen addressed the failed plot during the annual Intelligence and National Security Summit, held this week in Maryland. They were plotting to kill a huge number tens of thousands of people at this concert, including I am sure many Americans and were quite advanced in this," Cohen said Wednesday. The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our partners in the intelligence community provided them information about what this ISIS-connected group was planning to do. Austrian officials said the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian man, was inspired by the Islamic State group. He allegedly planned to attack outside the stadium, where upwards of 30,000 fans were expected to gather, with knives or homemade explosives. Another 65,000 fans were likely to be inside the venue. Investigators discovered chemical substances and technical devices during a raid of the suspect's home. The 19-year-olds lawyer has said the allegations were overacting at its best, and contended Austrian authorities were presenting this exaggeratedly in order to get new surveillance powers. Swift broke her silence about the cancellations last week after her London shows had concluded. Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating, she wrote in a statement posted to Instagram. The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows. She thanked authorities thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives, she wrote and said she waited to speak until the European leg of her Eras Tour concluded to prioritize safety. Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows, she wrote. Concert organizer Barracuda Music said it canceled the three-night Vienna run that would have begun Aug. 8 because the arrests made in connection to the conspiracy were too close to showtime. The main suspect and a 17-year-old were taken into custody on Aug. 6, the day before the cancellations were announced. A third suspect, 18, was arrested Aug. 8. The shows in London, the next stop after Vienna, came on the heels of a stabbing at a Swift-themed dance class that left three little girls dead in the U.K. In a statement issued after the Southport attack, Swift said she was just completely in shock and at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families. News outlets reported that Swift met with some of the survivors backstage in London. The Vienna plot also drew comparisons to a 2017 attack by a suicide bomber at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, that killed 22 people. The bomb detonated at the end of Grandes concert as thousands of young fans were leaving, becoming the deadliest extremist attack in the United Kingdom in recent years. Cohen on Wednesday praised the CIA's work in preventing the planned violence, saying that other counterterrorism successes in foiling plots typically go unheralded. I can tell you within my agency, and I'm sure in others, there were people who thought that was a really good day for Langley, he said, referring to the CIA headquarters. And not just the Swifties in my workforce. The record-smashing tour is on hiatus until the fall. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police have given an update on the investigation into the death of a woman from America who died when a Viking ship replica capsized off Noways coast. The wooden replica, called Naddodd, was crossing the North Atlantic from the Faeroe Islands to Norway with an international team of six people. The 10-meter (33-feet) double-masted vessel built on the Faeroes had departed the islands located halfway between Scotland and Iceland on Saturday. A strong wave was likely responsible for the capsizing, police said on Thursday, describing it as a tragic accident that did not constitute a criminal matter. On Tuesday, it sailed into strong winds and high waves and late that night, the ship capsized off the coastal town of Stad, about 346 kilometers (215 miles) from the capital of Oslo. This photo released by the Norwegian Police shows the Viking ship replica, called Naddodd, moored at the quay Survivors told police that the weather "suddenly turned significantly worse than predicted with very high waves. Rescuers said some of the waves were up to 5 meters (16 feet) high at the time. The five survivors had managed to get into an inflatable life raft and were later airlifted to safety by helicopter. A sixth person, who had been trapped underneath the vessel, drowned, police said. The victims body was found on Wednesday. Police have not released the name of the victim but Norwegian and Faeroese media identified her as 29-year-old archaeologist Karla Dana, from Florida. Thrilled to be a part of this crew, fearlessly embarking on this Nordic voyage on a Viking ship replica across the North Sea, pushing through physical and mental limits to sail into history, Dana had posted on her LinkedIn profile before the trip. Her page describes her as an Archeologist & Field Researcher. Adding: I am an ethnographic field researcher, having conducted field research with the Ngobe indigenous tribe in Costa Rica. I have lived and studied in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Spain, England, Germany, Morocco, China and Taiwan. Currently I am pursuing archeological studies and runology, with a focus on the Viking Era. On her page she recently shared a post about her journey saying explorers will set sail from the Faroe Islands to Trondheim, Norway aboard Naddoddur, a replica Viking ship, retracing the historic route of navigator Naddodd and keeping Viking culture and navigational prowess alive. Close Final moments of seven who died in Bayesian tragedy revealed by fire service boss For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The captain of the Bayesian has insisted that he did everything possible to save those on board the superyacht, according to local reports. Sources close to James Cutfield, 51, told the Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera that the 51-year-old New Zealander is currently living through the darkest days of his life as he is under investigation for possible manslaughter and culpable shipwreck charges. They reportedly said Mr Cutfield repeatedly insists that he did not abandon any of the 22 passengers and crew and that he did everything could could to save them. However, there reached a point when he could do little as the vessel had taken on too much water, they added. Since Wednesday, Tim Parker Eaton, the engineer who was in charge of securing the yachts engine room, and sailor Matthew Griffith, who was on watch duty on the night of the disaster, are also under investigation for the same possible charges, their lawyer said on Friday. British technology tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah were among the seven people who were killed after his superyacht capsized and went down on 19 August within minutes of being hit by a pre-dawn storm off the coast of Sicily. You may not have heard of JAB Holding Company, but theres a good chance youve been in one of its stores. The Luxembourg-based conglomerate, controlled by members of the reclusive Reimann family in Germany, owns coffee chains and bakeries from sea to shining sea and beyond. The list is extensive: Peets Coffee, Caribou Coffee, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Brueggers Bagels, Manhattan Bagel, Noahs New York Bagels, Krispy Kreme, Pret A Manger, Insomnia Cookies, and Panera Bread. In fact, the company now sells more coffee than Starbucks. Even coffee drinkers who try to keep visits to small neighbourhood cafes are probably giving their money to JAB anyway because many independent stores buy their beans from roasters owned by the company, including seemingly local ones such as Stumptown Coffee Roasters, La Colombe Coffee Roasters, Intelligentsia Coffee, and Green Mountain Coffee. JAB also sells directly to customers who prefer their beverages at home through its ownership of Keurig Dr Pepper, one of the largest makers of single-serve coffee pods in the United States, and Trade Coffee, an online retailer. JAB became the worlds second-largest purveyor of coffee (excluding coffee sold in stores) within seven years of selling its first bean. The Reimann family has studiously avoided media coverage and public appearances. In fact, rumour has it that when family members turn 18, they sign a pledge not to show their faces in public, which is why no photos accompany their names in the annual Forbes list of the worlds wealthiest people. As The Economist put it, the Reimanns are faceless, letting the wild success of their coffee empire speak for itself. Their family fortune dates to the 19th century when Ludwig Reimann, great-great-grandfather of the present-day Reimanns, married the daughter of an industrial chemicals magnate named Johann Adam Benckiser (JAB). Ludwig Reimann took over the company when Benckiser died, and it stayed under the familys control for generations. Ludwigs descendants, Albert Reimann Sr and his son Albert Reimann Jr, controlled the company as Germany descended into fascism. Both were ardent anti-Semites and became members of the Nazi Party, as well as early and enthusiastic supporters of Adolf Hitler, as Katrin Bennhold reported extensively in The New York Times. The younger Albert Jr hitched his wagon to Hitler as early as 1923, when he heard the future dictator speak in Munich. He even wrote a letter to Heinrich Himmler, the main architect of the Holocaust, describing the family as unconditional followers of the race theory and their company as a purely Aryan family business. Pret A Manger is just one brand JAB owns ( Getty ) Once the Nazis came to power, the company became enmeshed in the regimes racial project. One of its factories was held up as a model [Nazi] plant, and Albert Sr even took a leadership position in a committee that helped orchestrate the Aryanisation, expropriation and expulsion of Jewish businesses. Both Albert Jr and Albert Sr used forced labour, not only in their factories but also in their homes. Female workers were forced to stand at attention naked outside their barracks, and those who refused risked sexual abuse. At the time, forced labour was common among companies such as the Reimanns, but this level of abuse stood out. Despite his unbridled anti-Semitism, Albert Reimann Jr had an affair with a half-Jewish employee. Emilie Landecker was born to a Jewish father and a Catholic mother, who died when Emilie was just six. As her father witnessed the Nazi rise to power and was stripped of his rights as a citizen, he decided to protect his children by baptising them in the Catholic faith and putting the family property in their names. Because her father was not allowed to work, Emilie supported the family by getting a job, at the age of 19, in the accounting department of the Reimann familys company. She was working there in 1942 when the Gestapo sent her father to a death camp. At some point, she became romantically involved with Albert Reimann Jr and ultimately had three children with him. Two of those children now own a large portion of JAB Holding Company. Wolfgang Reimann remarked of his mother, She lived through the horror show happening in our own company. In interviews with The New York Times, Wolfgang recounted being shushed by Emilie when he asked about his Jewish grandfather. He said the children knew little about the companys sordid past until media reports began to surface. Hitler being welcomed by supporters at Nuremberg in 1939 ( Getty ) In 2018, a story broke about the Reimanns historical ties to the Nazi regime. Soon after, the family members who own JAB released an interim report they had commissioned to investigate those ties. To atone, the owners of JAB announced a one-time donation of 10m to organisations that help former forced labourers and their families. They also pledged to give 25m annually to their family foundation to fund projects that honour the memory of the victims of the Holocaust and of Nazi terror. The familys contrition appears to be genuine, and their willingness to publicly acknowledge such a dark history deserves to be commended. Yet they have not always backed up this sentiment with action. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, many Western companies, including Starbucks, ceased operations in Russia, citing moral and ethical concerns. As of August 2023, JDE Peets, one of JABs core portfolio companies, still operated in Russia, based partially on the reasoning that coffee is essential to sustain health or life. JAB is by no means the only company that built its wealth by supporting the Nazi regime. As a report by Americas secretary of war noted, Hitlers Germany was characterised by a great series of industrial monopolies in steel, rubber, coal, and other materials. These companies include several firms still around in some form today, such as Bayer, Deutsche Bank and Siemens. These giants and their wealthy owners were instrumental in the Nazis rise. In 1947, shortly after the end of the Second World War, the Library of Congress prepared a report that analysed the reasons the Nazis came to power in Germany. It found that cartels provided critical financial support to the party at key moments. Jewish men carrying out forced labour at a German Umschulungslager, circa 1940 ( Getty ) People like Albert Reimann Jr recognised that if they did their part to bring the regime to power and supercharge its war machine, they would reap the benefits. Sure enough, the Reimanns close ties to the party resulted in a financial windfall, with sales more than tripling during the decade after the Nazis took power. It would be simplistic to attribute the rise of fascism in Germany, or elsewhere, solely to corporate consolidation. But it would also be naive to ignore its role. The Reimann familys history of cosy relations with a genocidal dictator shows what can happen when corporate and political power reinforce each other at the expense of the public. Monopoly and democracy, it turns out, dont easily coexist. After the war, Allied occupying powers arrested Albert Reimann Jr. Even though he still professed a belief that Hitler would prevail as late as a month before the end of the war, he brushed aside allegations of his ties with the regime and insisted that he was a victim of the Nazis. The French government attempted to bar Reimann Jr from continuing his business operations, but the Americans overruled them. For the next 30 years, Albert Jr helped run the company. When he died, in 1984, he left equal stakes to his nine children, who took the company public and ultimately merged it with another firm. His children then founded JAB Holding Company as a vehicle to invest their wealth. With its pile of money and outside investors including the endowments of Stanford University and the University of Pennsylvania JAB bought companies directly, focusing on rolling up as many firms as possible in the same industry and then combining them into one new megafirm. The Reimann familys history of cosy relations with a genocidal dictator shows what can happen when corporate and political power reinforce each other at the expense of the public JAB initially focused on perfume and luxury goods, but in recent years it has pivoted to coffee and cafes. With the flowering of independent stores and a growing taste for distinct brands, the coffee business was highly fragmented and innovative, a sign of a healthy, competitive industry. This abundance of profitable businesses presented an opportunity for JAB. The illusion of choice means that even when consumers think they are opting for a brand that sounds like a local, independent option, they are really just buying from JAB. Nearly eight in every 10 coffee stores in the US are now owned by just three companies. Not surprisingly, JAB is one of them. The Reimann family has seen its wealth explode during this period of expansion, with a yearly return rate higher than 15 per cent. Forbes estimated the four siblings net worth in 2022 at $23.2bn, making them one of Germanys richest families. A whole cottage industry has sprung up for economists hired and paid by the merging companies to produce studies showing that a merger will lead to lower prices. Because of deference to these studies, the government often operates on the assumption that larger firms can create efficiencies usually a polite word for layoffs that will lead to lower prices for consumers. But the reality is that instead of lower prices, they often lead only to higher pay for executives and bigger profits for shareholders. Nearly eight in every 10 coffee stores in the US are now owned by just three companies ( Getty ) In the words of Jeffrey Young, chief executive officer of a global coffee research firm, Theres never been so much control over the coffee market and power has never been so concentrated... I know first hand the value of local business. After years of working as a hairdresser and then managing an outpost of a national chain, my mum, Kathy Frerick, dreamed of being her own boss. Around the time I started school, she decided to open a bakery and coffee shop near our house. I have distinct memories of how much work she put in to get her bakery off the ground. My mother took incredible pride in her business and did everything she could to make it a success. She built relationships with her regulars and organised events with the owners and managers of the stores nearby. Our family spent Sunday mornings scrubbing the place from top to bottom. My dad cleaned the floor tiles while my brother and I wiped all the marks off the white tables and chairs. Theres a level of care that just doesnt exist when the only goal is to generate better returns for distant executives and shareholders. Its an obvious but essential difference between corporate chains and local business owners who live in the same community as their customers and their employees. Their children attend the same schools. They use the same public services and deal with the same problems. Unlike the reclusive Reimanns, they are literally the faces of their businesses, with their reputations and the health of their communities essential to their success. They have a stake in the places they serve in a way that a huge conglomerate does not. Excerpted from Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of Americas Food Industry by Austin Frerick For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ukraines top diplomat has called on the European Union to pressure the US into allowing them to use Western long-range missiles to strike deeper into Russian territory. The request comes ahead of crunch talks between senior Kyiv and Washington officials later this week. Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, speaking in Brussels on Thursday, where he is attending an informal meeting of the blocs 27 foreign ministers, urged the EU to play a role in persuading the US to green-light the deeper strikes. Ukraine needs support to finally lift restrictions on long-range strikes on all legitimate military targets in Russia, Mr Kuleba told Politico. Of course this decision lies mainly with the United States and the UK, but France is also a party and part of the EU. If we are supplied with a sufficient amount of missiles, if we are allowed to strike we will significantly decrease the capacity of Russia to inflict damage on our critical infrastructure and we will improve the situation for our forces on the ground, he said. After the meeting Mr Kuleba also urged the EU allies to expedite deliveries of promised air defence systems. I conveyed a sense of urgency regarding the delivery of already pledged military aid, including air defence systems, he said on X following his meeting. The UK, France and the US have provided long-range weapons to Ukraine but it is Washington that holds the greatest sway in permiting Kyiv to use those missiles at a greater range, since they have to be used in tandem with US systems. All three countries approved Ukraines right to strike military targets in Russia earlier this year after Moscow used launch pads near the border to hit civilian areas in northeast Ukraine. But Washington remains hesitant to allow Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory for fear of how Moscow will react. This week, it was reported that Downing Street spoke to the US to ask for those restrictions to be lifted but was rebuffed. Josep Borrell, left, and Dmytro Kuleba speak to the press ahead of an informal meeting of European foreign affairs ministers in Brussels ( EPA ) Washington has also now claimed that, after Ukraines allies allowed Kyiv to strike defensively in Russia, Moscow responded by moving its military targets out of range of Western missiles, meaning that allowing deeper strikes would not be as effective as previously thought. Nevertheless, the European Unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, speaking alongside Mr Kuleba, said it remained imperative that the West lifts restrictions on the use of weaponry against Russian targets. The weaponry that we are providing to Ukraine has to have full use, and the restrictions have to be lifted in order for the Ukrainians to be able to target the places where Russia is bombing them. Otherwise, the weaponry is useless, Mr Borrell said. Mr Kuleba added that Ukraines backers, should they refuse to budge on this issue, would only have themselves to blame if Russia goes on to win the war. Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Volodymyr Zelensky, and Rustem Umerov, Kyivs defence minister, are set to arrive in Washington later this week to plead the case for permission to strike deeper into Russia. It has been reported that the pair will present senior US officials with a list of military targets deeper inside Russia by way of illustrating the usefulness of lifting the restriction. It comes as Russia launched its third aerial attack on Ukraine in just four days, firing nearly 80 drones and missiles across the country. Ukraines air force says they shot down 79 per cent of the projectiles, including 15 drones launched at the capital Kyiv. Russia has bombarded Ukraine constantly throughout the war, though they have intermittently escalated those assaults often when Ukraine has had some military success, such as the cross-border incursion into the Russian region of Kursk earlier this month. UK representative to the United Nations James Kariuki, speaking at a security council meeting, suggested these aerial attacks were cowardly and amounted to continued evidence that Russia is intentionally targeting civilian energy infrastructure. Forbes Ukraine estimated that Russias first aerial assault of the week on Monday, during which Moscow fired 236 missiles and drones, cost Vladimir Putin $1.3bn (983m), making it the most expensive attack since the war began. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Israel has said it has killed five Palestinian militants including a commander of Islamic Jihad during a second day of raids in the occupied West Bank. It comes after at least 10 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank on the first day of what Israel calls a major counterterrorism operation. The Palestinians see the raids as a widening of the Israeli war against Hamas inside Gaza aimed at perpetuating Israel's decades-long military rule over the territory. Islamic Jihad confirmed that Mohammed Jaber, known as Abu Shujaa, was killed during a raid in the city of Tulkarm. He was previously reported killed in an Israeli operation earlier in the year, only to make a surprise appearance at the funeral of other militants. The Israeli military said he was killed early on Thursday along with four other militants in a shootout with Israeli forces after the five had hidden inside a mosque. It said Abu Shujaa was linked to numerous attacks on Israelis, including a deadly shooting in June, and was planning more. The military said another militant was arrested in the operation in Tulkarm, and that a member of Israels paramilitary Border Police was lightly wounded. Tulkarm is one of four areas in the occupied territory that Israeli media say could be the scene of a days-long operation. The UN Human Rights Office said the Israeli militarys operation in the West Bank was being conducted in a manner which violates international law and risks further enflaming an already explosive situation. Israel insists that its forces are targeting terror groups and terror cells. The West Bank raids have been met with condemnation from the head of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres. The UN secretary general described the latest developments as deeply concerning and called for Israel to stop. In a post on X/Twitter, Mr Guterres said: I strongly condemn the loss of lives, including of children, and I call for an immediate cessation of these operations. A bulldozer from the Israeli forces moves on a street during a military operation in the West Bank ( AP ) The overall death toll would make it the deadliest Israeli operation in the West Bank since the bloody attack inside Israel on 7 October by Hamas that triggered the war in Gaza. Some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in that attack, with another 250 people abducted. Israel believes more than 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, around a third of whom are believed to be dead. Israels Gaza offensive has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to health officials in the Hamas-run strip. Around 90 per cent of Gazas population has been displaced, often multiple times, and Israeli bombardment and ground operations have caused vast destruction. The Palestinian Health Ministry says more than 650 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the start of the war. Many appear to have been militants killed in gunbattles during Israeli operations like this one, but civilian bystanders and rock-throwing protesters have also been killed, and the territory saw a surge of settler violence. Israel says the operations are required to prevent attacks on its citizens, which have also risen since the start of the war. Israel captured the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war, and the Palestinians want all three territories for their future state. The three million Palestinians in the West Bank live under Israeli military rule, with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority administering towns and cities. More than 500,000 Jewish settlers, who have Israeli citizenship, live in well more than 100 settlements across the territory that most of the international community considers illegal. The situation in the West Bank has also drawn concern from the EUs foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, who said the raids and rhetoric from leading Israeli politicians threatens to fuel further instability. Palestinians stand outside the damaged mosque in the West Bank ( AP ) He also said on Thursday he had started the process of asking member states if they want to impose sanctions on some Israeli ministers. Mr Borrell did not name specific people but said the sanctions would be for hate messages against Palestinians that he said broke international law. In recent weeks he has publicly criticised security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich for statements he has described as sinister and an incitement to war crimes. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas cut short a visit to Saudi Arabia to follow up on the latest developments in light of the Israeli aggression on the northern West Bank. The operation is one the largest in the territory since the Palestinian uprising known as the second intifada ended in 2005. Palestinians in Gaza were waiting to see if there would be a pause in fighting to allow a polio vaccination campaign to begin. The UN is preparing to vaccinate an estimated 640,000 children in Gaza, where the World Health Organisation confirmed last week that at least one baby has been paralysed by the type 2 poliovirus, the first such case in the territory in 25 years. The UN, which called for a humanitarian truce earlier this month, hopes to begin the vaccination campaign on 1 September, said Juliette Touma, communications director of the UN Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied media reports Israel is preparing for a generalised humanitarian truce, saying that a more limited plan had been presented. These are not pauses in the fighting to administer polio vaccines but only the allocation of certain places in the Gaza Strip, he said in a statement. Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the IndyTech email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} When Pavel Durov set about creating a brand new app in the early 2010s, his main aim was to build a platform that would protect users from oppressive regimes. Born in the Soviet Union in 1984 the same year as George Orwells eponymous novel Durov was acutely aware of how freedom of communication could be used to subvert authoritarian governments. At 22, he had created VKontakte, or VK, which quickly became the most popular social media site in his home country and attracted the attention of authorities. Under pressure to shut down and expose opposition groups operating on the platform, Durov abandoned the company and fled Russia to set up something more resistant to government oversight. The new app was Telegram, which has once again got Durov into trouble with authorities after he was arrested in France following an investigation into child sexual abuse, drug sales and other criminal activity on the platform. So how did such good intentions lead to such controversy? With a similar layout and functionality to WhatsApp, Telegram added key privacy features like end-to-end encrypted Secret Chats and self-destructing messages, allowing dissidents and protestors to communicate freely without fear of recriminations. But this has also attracted more sinister users. In 2015, Telegram became the primary communications platform for the Islamic State (ISIS), allowing the terror group to coordinate activities through private messages, as well as spread propaganda and recruit members through large group chats. The group even set up tech support channels on Telegram to help members avoid surveillance. As the so-called ISIS caliphate spread through Iraq and Syria, it gained notoriety for taking aid workers and journalists hostage and beheading them videos of which were shared on their Telegram channels. It led to increased pressure on Telegram to shut down the groups and block ISIS members and sympathisers from using the app, but Durov remained defiant. In a rare public interview in September 2015, the tech boss who by now was living in self-imposed exile from Russia refused to take action against ISIS. I think that privacy, ultimately, and our right for privacy, is more important than our fear of bad things happening, like terrorism, he said. Its a series of tragic events but ultimately ISIS will always find a way to communicate within themselves I dont think we should feel guilty about this. I still think were doing the right thing: protecting our users privacy. Two months later, ISIS terrorists killed 130 people in a series of attacks in Paris, prompting Durov to change his stance. Telegram shut down dozens of public channels linked to the group and implemented measures to monitor and prevent terrorist-related activity on the app. The new approach did not prevent criminal activity on the app, and channels spreading far- right and extreme content were allowed to flourish amid a broader crackdown from the tech industry. Telegram has offered a platform to everyone from QAnon conspiracy theorists to Hamas, while it also became the go-to platform for organisers and participants of the recent riots in the UK. The controversy surrounding the app has not stemmed its growth, with the latest figures from Durov, shared just weeks before his arrest, suggesting that it is close to reaching 1 billion monthly active users. View more The vast majority of these users do not engage with or even have access to this criminal activity, and many continue to use it for the purpose it was intended. People in places like Russia and Iran are still able to bypass strict government censorship, with regimes unable to shut down the platform. This is clearly a fascinating case at the intersection of free speech and government oversight, " Seth Goertz, a former Assistant US Attorney with the Department of Justice, who dealt with Telegram during his time in office, tells The Independent. The rub here is that Telegram is truly a unicorn: it provides a hugely valuable means of communication for people living in surveillance states, but because of its commitment to encryption, it is very popular among criminal, and even terrorist, organisations. Following Durovs arrest in Paris last Saturday, Telegram said Durov had nothing to hide and that the company abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act. The firm added that its moderation is within industry standards. Durov is expected to be either released or charged by French authorities on Wednesday. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the IndyTech email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the popular messaging app Telegram, was arrested in Paris over the weekend over allegations that his platform is being used for illicit activity such as drug trafficking and the distribution of child sexual abuse images. Durov, who was born in Russia, spent much of his childhood in Italy and is a citizen of France, Russia, the Caribbean island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis and the United Arab Emirates. He was taken into custody at Paris-Le Bourget Airport in France on Saturday after landing from Azerbaijan. In a statement posted to its platform, Telegram said it abides by EU laws and its content moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving. Durov, the company added, has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. Here are some details on Telegram, the app at the center of Durov's arrest. What is Telegram? Telegram is an app that allows for one-on-one conversations, group chats and large channels that let people broadcast messages to subscribers. Unlike rivals such as Meta's WhatsApp, Telegram's group chats allow as many as 200,000 people, compared to a maximum of 1,024 for WhatsApp. Experts have raised concerns that misinformation spreads easily in group chats of this size. Telegram offers encryption for their communications, but contrary to a popular misconception this feature is not on by default. Users have to switch on the option to encrypt their chats. It also doesn't work with group chats. That contrasts with rival Signal and Facebook Messenger, where chats are encrypted end-to-end by default. Telegram says it has more than 950 million active users. It is widely used in France as a messaging tool, including by some officials in the presidential palace and in the ministry behind the investigation into Durov. But French investigators have also found the app has been used by Islamic extremists and drug traffickers. Telegram was launched in 2013 by Durov and his brother Nikolai. According to Telegram, Pavel Durov supports the app financially and ideologically while Nikolais input is technological." Before Telegram, Durov founded VKontakte, Russia's largest social network. The company came under pressure amid the Russian governments crackdown after mass pro-democracy protests rocked Moscow at the end of 2011 and 2012. Durov said government authorities demanded that the VKontakte take down the online communities of Russian opposition activists. It later asked the platform to hand over the personal data of users who took part in the 2013 uprising in Ukraine, which eventually ousted a pro-Kremlin president. But Durov sold his stake in VKontakte after pressure from Russian authorities in 2014. He also left the country. Why was Durov arrested? French media has reported that Durov was detained on an arrest warrant alleging his platform has been used for money laundering, drug trafficking and other offenses. As of Monday afternoon, he had not been charged, and few details were available on the investigation. On Sunday night, a French investigative judge extended Durovs detention order, French media reported on Monday. Under French law, Durov can remain in custody for questioning for up to four days. After that, judges must decide to either charge him or release him. What has been the response? In Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on reports of Durovs arrest in France. We still dont know what exactly Durov is being accused of, Peskov said Monday during his daily media conference call. We havent heard any official statements on that matter. Lets wait until the charges are announced if they are announced, Peskov said. Russian government officials have expressed outrage at Durovs detention, with some calling it politically motivated and proof of the Wests double standard on freedom of speech. The outcry has raised eyebrows among Kremlin critics: in 2018 Russian authorities themselves tried to block Telegram but failed, withdrawing the ban in 2020. Elsewhere, Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X who has called himself a free speech absolutist, has been speaking out in support of Durov and posted #freePavel following the arrest. In a statement posted on its platform after his arrest, Telegram said it abides by EU laws, and its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform, Telegrams post said. Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as a means of communication and as a source of vital information. Were awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all. Does Telegram moderate content? Western governments have often criticized Telegram for a lack of content moderation, which experts say opens up the messaging platform for potential use in money laundering, drug trafficking and the sharing of material linked to the sexual exploitation of minors. Compared to other messaging platforms, Telegram is less secure (and) more lax in terms of policy and detection of illegal content, said David Thiel, a Stanford University researcher, who has investigated the use of online platforms for child exploitation, at its Internet Observatory. In addition, Telegram appears basically unresponsive to law enforcement," Thiel said, adding that messaging service WhatsApp submitted over 1.3 million CyberTipline reports in 2023 (and) Telegram submits none. In 2022, Germany issued fines of 5.125 million euros ($5 million) against the operators of Telegram for failing to comply with German law. The Federal Office of Justice said that Telegram FZ-LLC hasnt established a lawful way for reporting illegal content or named an entity in Germany to receive official communication. Both are required under German laws that regulate large online platforms. Last year, Brazil temporarily suspended Telegram over its failure to surrender data on neo-Nazi activity related to a police inquiry into school shootings in November. Telegram said in response to the arrest that it abides by EU laws and its content moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Seven people were injured when a United Airlines flight en route to Chicago was forced to divert to Memphis due to severe turbulence. The Boeing 737-900 was carrying 172 passengers and seven crew members from Cancun International Airport to Chicago OHare International Airport on Wednesday when it was forced to change its route, the airline said. The flight encountered a brief period of severe turbulence, while the seatbelt sign was on, United Airlines said in a statement. The Federal Aviation Administration said that the plane landed safely at Memphis International Airport at approximately 2.40pm, after the crew reported the severe turbulence over Louisiana. Seven people were injured in the incident, with one transported to a local hospital, authorities said per an ABC News report. The six others reportedly declined treatment and transport, according to the fire department, meaning the extent of their injuries is unknown. open image in gallery The incident saw seven people injured, with one being taken to hospital ( WATN ) The plane was back on its way to Chicago as of Wednesday evening, with the FAA now investigating the incident. The Independent has contacted United Airlines for further details While some turbulence is normal, it is becoming increasingly more common due to global warming, with research from Dr Paul Williams, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Reading, projecting clear-air turbulence will more than double by around 2050 in the mid-Northern Hemisphere. Clear air turbulence is when air currents occur without visual cues, such as clouds, at higher altitudes. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Greece has been put under pressure to reimagine a tourism model that climate change is making increasingly untenable. With its turquoise waters and reliable sunshine, the country has long been a popular holiday destination, attracting nearly 33 million visitors last year and generating 28.5 billion euros in revenue. This years total visitor numbers are expected to rise further, as global tourism sets new records from pre-pandemic levels, but the surge in holidaymakers could undermine the economic mainstay in the near future. Anger over overtourism has even sparked protests in recent years on the beaches of the Cyclades, a collection of Aegean islands. People in Greece are getting more concerned that the (Cycladic islands) are changing very rapidly and, in a few years, what is special is going to be lost, said Dimitris Vayanos, an economist at the London School of Economics. Greece is not alone. Residents in other popular European destinations say visitors are harming the environment and local economies, particularly as short-term rentals from home-stay websites like Airbnb drive up housing costs and price people out of their towns and cities. open image in gallery The dried out Lake Picrolimni is seen from above, near the village of Mikrokampos, northern Greece ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) But Greece is among Europes hardest-hit countries by global warming, and rising sea levels, scorching heatwaves, erratic rainfall and frequent wildfires are changing the landscape. Tourism is placing an extra burden on scarce water resources and threatening fragile coastal environments, leading to calls from local authorities and the national ombudsman to regulate construction, restrict tourist flows and invest in water management and infrastructure. The government has to balance mitigating these threats against protecting critical tourism earnings. Tourism contributes between 62.8 billion euros and 75.6 billion euros to the Greek economy, roughly a third of gross domestic product annually, according to the Hellenic Tourism Business Association (INSETE). A law in July updated regulations for tourism agencies, guides and rentals that Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni has said will make the country a global tourism power part of critically important efforts to safeguard the industry and benefit the economy. But climate change poses existential questions for the industry. Read more: Best Greek island hotels open image in gallery The dried out Lake Picrolimni is seen from above, near the village of Mikrokampos, northern Greece ( Getty Images ) A lengthy heatwave in June, followed by the hottest July on record, forced tourist attractions to close and caused a spate of heat-related deaths. Wildfires, made more intense and frequent by hotter, drier weather linked to climate change, also threaten the tourism industry. A massive blaze earlier this month came within miles of the capital Athens. Last year, more than 8,000 forest fires raged across the country, and thousands of tourists had to be evacuated from islands, including Rhodes. What we want to see is that tourism is sustainable or even regenerative. It has to invest in conservation of the ecosystem, and it has to assist with the cost of managing the tourists on the ground, said Megan Epler Wood, director of the Sustainable Tourism Asset Management Program (STAMP) at Cornell University in the United States. The ombudsman, a Greek official who investigates public complaints, said in a June report the country needs to reduce construction and protect water resources and coastal areas to maintain healthy tourism. open image in gallery German tourists together with local residents try to extinguish a fire, near the seaside resort of Lindos ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) It warned of the growing environmental risks from tourism, particularly the additional demands on water supplies for drinking, swimming pools and water parks. A pilot study, carried out by Greek researchers and UNESCO, the U.N. cultural agency, found that smaller islands in the Aegean Sea already need double the amount of water they can naturally produce to meet demand from tourists, which is set to increase twofold by 2030. The more these islands are developed, the less attractive they will be to visitors, said Vayanos. Greece should tailor tourism to make it more compatible with environmental standards, including the use of zoning, and concentrate development in specific areas, he said. The introduction this year of a tourist tax, dubbed the climate resilience fee, is meant to help finance recovery from worsening forest fires and floods. The fee for guests staying in hotels and short-term rentals is expected to generate up to 300 million euros in additional revenue in 2024. But Epler Wood said that historically, tourist taxes have gone towards destination marketing rather than benefitting local communities. Research by STAMP found water, waste, energy utilities and affordable housing often did not gain at all. open image in gallery Atop the Acropolis ancient hill, tourists visit the Parthenon temple, background, in Athens, Greece, Tuesday, July 4 ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) The Central Union of Greek Municipalities (KEDE) is calling for the revenue from the tax go to local government to help them manage tourists. There is also little evidence that tourism taxes reduce arrivals, according to a report by strategy company Group NAO. Nikos Zorzos, the mayor of Santorini, wants to cap the number of daily cruise-ship visitors at 8,000 from as many as 17,000 people. The impact of climate change in Greece is not limited to rising temperatures and other extreme weather events. open image in gallery Beachgoers watch a helicopter filling water from the sea during a wildfire, near Gennadi village, on the Aegean Sea ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Coastal erosion and declining seagrass meadows, which help give the Mediterranean Sea its characteristic turquoise colour, were identified in addition to floods, water shortages, high temperatures and drought as threats to tourism in an INSETE report. As summers will be hotter, extending the tourist season should be a priority by designing high-quality offerings to attract visitors throughout the year. Only in this way can we ensure sustainable and competitive tourism for Greece, an INSETE spokesperson told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. INSETE also recommends promoting biodiversity-rich tourism to help generate finance for conservation and promoting alternatives to beach holidays, such as agritourism, gastrotourism, wellness and health and adventure tourism. Were beginning to see a switch towards management of tourism, away from just promotion, said Ben Lynman, at the Travel Foundation, an NGO that works with governments, businesses, and communities to develop and manage tourism. Investing in renewable energy or protecting coastal areas and vulnerable infrastructure would also have long-term benefits for the tourist destination, said Epler Wood. It can be a positive influence that can help transition countries to a less risky and more resilient future. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Malaysia has introduced new regulations requiring airlines to offer refunds to passengers if their flight is delayed by more than five hours. These rules will also apply to passengers who choose not to take the delayed flight and buy a different one. The rules, set to come into effect from Monday, are meant to strengthen consumer rights in Malaysia. Airlines have recently had issues in the country with flight delays and cancellations and national carrier Malaysia Airlines faced disruptions due to engine problems with its Airbus A330 fleet. Malaysias transport minister Anthony Loke also stated that all cancelled flights must be removed from booking systems, including both online and offline travel agent platforms. This is to protect users from buying cancelled flight tickets, he said at a news conference. The policy is part of the revisions to the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code 2016, which will be officially published on 2 September. Earlier this week, a statement from the managing director of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), Izham Ismail, said that the conglomerate was reducing flights from now until the end of the year to address ongoing supply chain challenges, worker shortages, and technical issues. MAG operates Malaysia Airlines (MH, Kuala Lumpur International), Firefly (FY, Penang), and the pilgrimage carrier Amal by Malaysia Airlines. These flight reductions came after multiple disruptions occurred last week across all three airlines. The disruptions included a Malaysia Airlines A330-300, flying from Melbourne Airport in Australia to Kuala Lumpur, which had to make an emergency landing in Alice Springs in Australias Northern Territory due to engine issues. Another Malaysia Airlines flight, heading to Madinah, was forced to return to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) because of similar engine problems. The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) recently conducted an audit of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) to investigate the causes of the recent delays, cancellations, and operational issues, Mr Loke said. We are taking very seriously concerns about whats happening at MAG, he said. I am in touch with Izham Ismail, and Ive asked him to make all the necessary follow-ups to ensure that operations are smooth. open image in gallery File. A ground staff member looks at the Malaysia Airlines aircraft ( AFP via Getty Images ) The Malaysian Aviation Commission will also continue to monitor airline performance to ensure compliance with industry standards, Mr Loke said. Meanwhile, airlines in Malaysia that fail to comply with the new regulations could be fined up to 200,000 ringgit (approximately $46,000; 35,000), with even steeper penalties for repeat violations. Similar measures have been implemented in the US, and Australia is considering reforms to enhance consumer rights in aviation. Earlier this year, the US department of transportation introduced rules that require airlines to display the full cost of tickets upfront, including all fees, and provide prompt cash refunds for cancelled or significantly changed flights. The Australian government also introduced a new Charter of Rights this week that will allow airline customers to receive cash refunds for flights that are cancelled or unreasonably delayed. The initiative part of the newly released Aviation White Paper aims to revitalise the aviation sector after high costs and the collapse of two airlines, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. The bottom line is if people dont get the service that they are expecting, then customers deserve to get their money back or they deserve to get an equivalent service, Australian transport minister Catherine King said. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A social media creator has been slammed online for vlogging the process of making sourdough bread all from her seat on a flight to Spain. Content creator Maria Baradell, 37, has gained an online following for documenting how she makes baked goods for her bread bakery business, however, a recent video sparked some controversy after she filmed herself making sourdough while on a plane. The video shows the mother-of-five starting the process of creating a fresh loaf of bread to surprise her sister with, first adding water and sourdough starter to a pop-up bowl before tipping in flour and other ingredients. The bread then went through a series of stretch and folds while balancing on the fold-out tray, before it started to ferment while Baradell took a nap in her seat on her connecting American Airlines flight from Chicago to Barcelona. However, due to the altitude, temperature and humidity inside the cabin, the dough did not fully rise, so she had to wait until she was reunited with her sister for her to complete the proofing and baking section. What was intended to be a creative video to promote and share her passion for bread making unfortunately ended in a flurry of comments criticising the act of making bread on a plane. The video, posted on both TikTok and Instagram, had people worried about how people with allergies, especially gluten, would fare with someone making bread mid-air, while others were concerned about bacteria on the plane that could make the bread unsanitary. What about people who have severe allergies? one user wrote, while another said, I carry an Epi-pen for a severe wheat allergy. The flour particles in the air would not be good. As an airline employeethis is a perfect example of weve seen it all, another commenter also said. Others wondered how she managed to get past airport security with all her ingredients. In response, Baradell told The Independent that the ingredients she bought with her were allowed after they passed TSAs tests. She also said that she asked her seatmates if it was okay, and when the bread was baked at home, it would have killed any germs, and that she used sanitising products every step of the way. However, the comments were not all backlash, as some praised the creator for the interesting idea and others were impressed that she was able to succeed in starting the sourdough so high in the sky. Girl, I cant even read on a flight. Youre up there making bread, someone wrote. Another commented, As someone who gets super nervous flying, if I saw you doing this next to me, I would instantly feel relaxed. Despite the mixed reviews of her viral video, Baradell did apologise in a follow-up video, stating that she would not attempt something like this again. I was trying to be creative after I saw another creator making pasta in-flight, but thanks to your comments I learned this was not a great idea, she wrote. I am very thankful for the people who shared their feedback in a kind way, but its ok if you want to hate on it, I had good intentions. We had this bread for dinner the following day and it was great! I loved exploring Barcelona and visiting a few of the best bakeries. In response to a comment about the potential risk for those with allergies, the creator also said: I learned that after my first video. I figured because they serve bread on the plane it would be fine, but I was corrected. Thats why I am saying I wouldnt try this again and that I was sorry. "I said I wouldnt try this again because it was brought to my attention that the flour could be a risk if there were coeliacs on the plane since the air recirculated, she said. Baradell, originally from Venezuela but now living in Dallas with her husband and five children, told The Independent that she fell in love with sourdough bread-making in early 2024 and started gifting it to her neighbours, but before long, people started to ask if they could buy it from her weekly, prompting her to become a licensed bread seller. For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A blanket of dead fish has covered the sea at a popular Greek tourist hotspot. The floating carcasses across the port left a stench that alarmed residents and authorities who raced to scoop them up before the odour reached nearby restaurants and hotels. Authorities have started collecting hundreds of thousands of dead fish that poured into a tourist port in the central city of Volos this week after being displaced from their usual freshwater habitats during flooding. It spans kilometers, city council member Stelios Limnios told Reuters. Its not just along the coast, but also in the center of the Pagasetic Gulf, he said, referring to the area offshore Volos whose coast is lined with holiday homes. On Wednesday, trawlers dragged nets to collect the fish that were then dumped in the back of trucks. More than 40 tonnes have been collected in the last 24 hours, authorities said. open image in gallery A view shows dead fish as tonnes of it have washed up in the port of Volos, Greece ( REUTERS ) Volos mayor Achilleas Beos said the smell was unbearable. During a press conference on Wednesday he blamed the government for not dealing with the problem before it reached his city. He said that rotting fish could create an environmental disaster for other species in the area. Experts said the problem was caused by historic floods last year that inundated Thessaly plane further north, including rivers and lakes. A net was not placed at the mouth of the river leading into Volos, they said. When the fish met the sea, the saltwater likely killed them. open image in gallery An image taken with a drone shows crews from the port of Volos collecting the dead fish from the protective net at the mouth of the Xiria stream, Volos, Greece ( EPA ) They didnt do the obvious, to put a protective net, mayor Beos said, referring to government services. The environment ministry did not respond to a request for comment. Local prosecutors have ordered an investigation. open image in gallery Dead fish are seen on the beach of Anavrou in Volos ( EPA ) `Dimosthenis Bakoyiannis, 33, who owns a beach restaurant 10 km (6 miles) from Volos, says his turnover dropped 80% this summer as fewer tourists wanted to visit after the flooding. Closing the barrier now doesnt help, he said. Now its too late, the tourist season is over. The disaster is the latest impact of extreme weather in Greece that scientists link to climate change, including higher temperatures and erratic rainfall that cause wildfires and flooding. Wildfires, made more intense and frequent by hotter, drier weather linked to climate change, also threaten the tourism industry. A massive blaze earlier this month came within miles of the capital Athens. Last year, more than 8,000 forest fires raged across the country, and thousands of tourists had to be evacuated from islands, including Rhodes. Greek authorities have started collecting hundreds of thousands of dead fish that poured into a tourist port in the central city of Volos this week after being displaced from their usual freshwater habitats during flooding last year. The floating carcasses created a silvery blanket across the port and a stench that alarmed residents and authorities who raced to scoop them up before the odor reached nearby restaurants and hotels. Fish were swept into the Pagasetic Gulf by receding flood waters from Storm Daniel, dying immediately upon contact with the saltwater. Locals in Volos, a popular destination for tourists, are worried it will hurt their businesses and affect tourism. Insurance reform campaigners have demanded a reduction in the cost of cover after new figures showed more claimants accepting awards from the state body that adjudicates claims without involving courts. The latest report from the Injuries Resolution Board also shows a massive fall in the size of payouts. Lower settlement amounts reflect the slashing of recommended award levels agreed by judges and passed into legislation a number of years ago. The Injuries Resolution Board, which used to be called the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, said the first half of last year saw a 16pc increase in the number of claims submitted to it compared with the same period in 2022. By the end of the year this increase stabilised at plus 10pc. However, total claim volumes in 2023 were 35pc lower than the volume in 2019. It said injury award values saw a slight increase in the first half of 2023 due to recent legislative changes. Reforms of how the board operates means it can now deal with psychiatric damage injury claims. It said the median, or the midpoint, award value in 2023 was 11,150. This is a 39pc reduction on the median award value of 18,422 in 2020. The average award value was 17,248, a 28pc decrease on 2020 figures. Claims have to go to the board initially and can only end up in the courts if an assessment offer is rejected. Injuries Board figures show the first half of 2023 saw the highest level of engagement with it. It said 71pc of respondents agreed to the assessment of claims. In the past insurers have blamed a low-level of acceptance of settlement offers from the Injuries Board for their failure to cut premiums. The new data shows that award acceptance rate also reached its highest level since the introduction of the Judicial Guidelines, at 48pc in the first half of 2023. This is up from 44pc in 2022, and remaining stable throughout the year. There has been a fall in the proportion of awards related to minor neck and back injuries. But awards related to psychiatric damage injuries have increased. They now account for one in eight assessments, up from one in 20 awards in 2021. Injuries Resolution Board chief executive Rosalind Carroll said: The continued improving engagement with the board shows the significant impact we can have together and the potential for more savings that could help both claimants, and make Ireland a more competitive place to live and do business in. Reacting to the report, the Alliance for Insurance Reform called on insurers to respond by cutting premiums. Motor premiums rose for the 11th month in a row in July and were up 9pc in the month compared with last year. Home insurance costs were up 7pc in July when compared with last year, while businesses, charities and community groups say they have not seen any fall in premiums despite a raft of reforms being delivered for insurers. The Alliance for Insurance Reform said it was a positive sign in the context of insurance reform to see assessment and acceptance rates continuing to increase. It said the increase should have a significant knock-on effect on legal fees and as a result, the overall cost of claims should come down. Alliance board member and owner of Kidspace play centres in Rathfarnham and Rathcoole Tracy Sheridan said: This will count for nothing if the benefits of these reforms are not passed on. She said the Governments programme of reform appears to be delivering savings for insurers, but it is not delivering for liability policyholders. She said the Injuries Resolution Board revelation that claim volumes are down 35pc since 2019 alone should have yielded significant savings. Building materials firm Grafton Group has seen a decline in profits in the first six months of the year following weaker market conditions in markets outside of Ireland. The company, which owns the Chadwicks and Woodies brands in the Irish market, recorded an adjusted operating profit of 83.1m (98.7m) for the first half, down from 105.1m reported in the same period last year. Pre-tax profit fell 23.4pc to 71.7m in the same period. In a trading update posted today, Grafton Group also reported revenue of 1.14bn in the first half of 2024, down 4.4pc from 2023 levels. The company highlighted a stronger performance in Ireland, while volumes were lower across its operations in the UK, Netherlands and Finland. "On the distribution side, clearly the housing market is relatively strong in the sense that the [Irish] Government is supporting the build of new homes given the shortage which is currently in the market, chief executive Eric Born said. We don't see the same support in all the other operating countries. In Ireland, we expect 35,000 new units built this year so that strongly underpins our activities, he said, adding that the economy here is in good shape. "The consumer relative to our other markets feels better, theres more disposable income and therefore you also see good activity on the DIY side in Woodie's. Grafton Group noted that product price deflation has had a negative impact on sales in its Irish and UK distribution businesses. However, the adverse effects of this trend are now moderating, it reported. The company announced a new share buyback programme for up to 30m today, while the board has declared an interim dividend of 10.5p per ordinary share, up 5pc from the same time last year. Around 105m was returned to shareholders in dividend payments and share buybacks in the first half of 2024. Mr Born added that the medium-term outlook is positive, with the first six months of the year in line with expectations. We still have to wait to see how the next couple of months will be but where we see it at the moment as a group, we expect to deliver in line with market expectations, he said. Group average daily like-for-like revenue from July 1 to August 18 was 2.2pc lower than the same time last year but the rate of decline has eased when compared with the first half of the year. "Management is comfortable that it will deliver FY profits in line with analysts' expectations (c 171m), whilst recognising that the important autumn trading months are still to come, Goodbody analyst Shane Carberry wrote in a note to investors. PTSBs CEO Eamonn Crowley with CFO Nicola OBrien at the announcement of the banks 2024 interim results. Photo: Andres Poveda PTSB chief financial officer Nicola OBrien is standing down from her roles as executive and as a director of the company, the bank said. Ms OBrien has been CFO since 2022, making her one of the most senior women in Irish domestic banking. Before being promoted to her current role she spent five years with PTSB, including as head of finance and investor relations. She was at Bank of Ireland for 18 years before joining PTSB. At PTSB she was part of the leadership team that managed a transformational acquisition of key parts of the former Ulster Bank business. In a statement to the stock market, PTSB said Ms OBrien had informed the bank of her intention to leave in the coming months to take on a new role. In accordance with the banks existing governance arrangements, she will step down from the board with immediate effect. PTSB CEO Eamonn Crowley said she had played an important role in supporting the bank on its journey to grow and diversify its business. The departure is likely to reignite discussions around the salary cap that applies at banks bailed out after the financial crisis, which caps pay at around 500,000 per year. As CFO at PTSB, Nicola OBriens basic salary is 400,000 per year which bumps up to 482,000 when pension and other factors are included. International financial services firms and financial technology businesses with operations here can pay significantly more that that kind of salary level. PTSB remains the bank with the largest State shareholding, which has reduced since the financial crisis to 57pc. Other shareholders in PTSB include Ulster Banks former parent NatWest and Sretaw Private Equity, the investment firm controlled by Irish entrepreneur Eamon Waters. The banks pre-tax profits in the first six months of the year nearly tripled to 75m. The banks surge in profitability came on the back of a 20m impairment release and was despite an expected 20pc increase in operating costs. Total customer lending stood at 21bn, broadly in line with forecasts, with a non-performing loan ratio that was reduced to 1.7pc. PTSBs share of the mortgage market edged back up to 13.5pc in the second quarter, after it cut rates by 1pc earlier this year, and it said retention of existing customers was trending favourably. Adrian Weckler: Stephen Donnellys plan for online age limits for social media will fail The health ministers headline-grabbing proposal is very ambitious and almost certainly unachievable heres why There needs to be more robust age verification controls in place on social media sites. Photo: Getty Adrian Weckler Thu 29 Aug 2024 at 03:30 Should social media be banned for children under 16? Should the rest of us have to upload our passports to access Instagram or YouTube or X so they know we were old enough? In cinemas; Cert 15A Damian McCarthy knows his way around a decent fright. There are, perhaps, too many holes in this knotted chiller from the award-winning Irish filmmaker but there are some fabulous scares, too, and we mustnt take those for granted. A woman named Dani (Carolyn Bracken) is murdered at her home in rural Ireland. On the eve of the first anniversary, Danis psychiatrist husband Ted (Gwilym Lee) visits her twin sister Darcy (also Bracken) at her oddities shop in town. Darcy is a blind medium, but Ted doesnt believe in ghosts. Hes here to check in, to share news of his new partner and to let Darcy know that shes always welcome for dinner. Sort of. The following week, Darcy shows up unannounced with a terrifying wooden mannequin in tow. Things get spectacularly weird. Spooky but uneven, Odditys internal logic is murky, at best, and McCarthys film sometimes talks itself into a corner, like a short story thats been stretched too far. But its never boring, and this witty, wicked horror unnerved me in ways that I wasnt expecting. Oh, and the finale will stay with you for days. Get on it. Three stars In cinemas; Cert 12A Icelandic director Baltasar Kormakur takes a step back from the actioners (Two Guns, Everest, etc) for this sedately powerful romantic saga about closure. It tells of Kristofer (Egill Olafsson), a widower whose ailing health spurs him to set out from Reykjavik and find the one that got away. Arriving in London on the eve of the pandemic, he is cast back five decades to when, as a disillusioned college dropout, he worked in the kitchen of a Japanese bar. In tenderly appointed flashbacks, we see young Kristofer (Kormakurs son Palmi) fall not only for Japanese culture but also for the bosss beautiful daughter Miko (played by Japanese pop star Koki). Love blooms between the pair, but an unspoken trauma sits just behind Miko and her kind father (Masahiro Motoki). When Kristofer arrives at work one day to find the restaurant shut and the family returned to Japan, it becomes the life-long heartache he now seeks to resolve in the winter of his years. Between its braided time frames, novelistic pace, and beautiful cast, Touch is an uncommonly poignant drama that balances rich sentimentality with more harrowing themes. Only cynics will resist a swoon or three. Five stars Special maths exams offer a second chance to get the grade required for a course. Photo: Getty Every year, there are students who achieve the points for a CAO choice, but their maths grade is not up to the mark. While success in second-chance exams does not guarantee entry to a particular CAO course, many students do get an offer. The nature of the exams and the courses for which they can pave the way for entry vary between colleges. Below is an overview. Atlantic Technological University Two options to achieve the minimum maths requirements for a chosen programme (with some exclusions): Enabling Maths Course (free), started Wednesday, August 28 to Friday September 6, with assessment at equivalent to Leaving Cert ordinary level paper. Applicants who are otherwise eligible but lack a pass in ordinary and higher-level maths are welcome. Successful students will be eligible for a place on any ATU programme for which there are available places and ordinary maths is an entry requirement. Classes are online, or on-campus at ATU Donegal. Successful students will be required to participate in ongoing maths support throughout first year, delivered by the respective Maths Learning Centre. Alternative Maths Assessment will take place on Monday, September 2 at multiple ATU campus locations. Dundalk IT Exam on Monday, September 2 to allow applicants to meet requirements on BEng (Hons) in Engineering (Common Entry); BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering; BEng (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering; BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering; BSc (Hons) in Computing in Games Development The exam is aimed at candidates who have either taken the higher level maths paper or have studied higher level to an advanced stage during senior cycle. The preparation course ran from August 26-28. Munster Technological University Exams tomorrow, with two separate papers. Paper One is set at ordinary level and is compulsory. Paper Two is set at higher level, and is optional. Fee is 30 for Paper 1 and 50 for both papers. A minimum of a pass (40pc) will allow an applicant to replace the Leaving Cert maths requirement of Grade O6/H7 minimum with a grade O6/H7 minimum in another subject. Applicants to courses that have a H4 maths requirement must sit the second paper and achieve a 70pc average across both papers. National College of Ireland A preparatory course from Monday, September 2 to Wednesday, September 4, with an exam on Thursday, September 5, for CAO applicants to the BSc in Data Science and the Higher Certificate in Computer Science. South East Technological University Two options: Exam based on ordinary level syllabus and success may lead to entry to any SETU course with the exception of all nursing programmes (SE914, SE915, SE916); SE407 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Accounting; SE713 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering. Closing date for applications is tomorrow. Special exam tomorrow at 2pm. A pass (55pc) will fulfil the maths entry requirement for applicants to the BEng (Honours) in Civil Engineering SE713 programme as an alternative to the Leaving Cert H4 requirement. An intensive preparatory course for applicants intending to sit this exam is running today and tomorrow morning. TU Dublin Maths Competency Tests (MCT) over three days in the first week in September. Revision classes on September 2 and 3 and exam on September 4 for applicants to TU 805 (engineering general entry), which has a minimum requirement of a Leaving Cert H4 in maths. A grade of 60pc or higher is deemed equivalent to a H4. University of Galway Engineering Maths Qualifying Exam (EMQE) on Saturday, August 31 in Alice Perry Engineering building. Successful candidates may be offered a place on an engineering or computer science programme. (Leaving Cert requirements are H4 for BE Programmes, H7/O3 for BSc Project & Construction Management, H6/O2 for BSc Computer Science & IT). All students who register for the exam are offered a place on online preparatory course, starting Monday, August 26. University of Limerick Exam today, based on higher level paper, for applicants to the Faculty of Science and Engineering and LM092; LM094; LM095; LM096 and LM097. Kayla Tarpey Galway Community College PLC to Bachelor of Agricultural Science, UCD Kayla Tarpey, an Agricultural Science Student at UCD on the family farm in Seafield Lodge, Maree, Oranmore Co Galway. Photo: Ray Ryan Kayla Tarpey took the very wise decision to apply for both the CAO and a post-Leaving Cert (PLC) course to ensure that she had options after leaving school. When the Co Galway student received her Leaving Cert results in 2019, she was disappointed as she was shy of points needed for her CAO top choice Bachelor of Agricutural Science in UCD. She successfully appealed the results of two papers, but while awaiting the outcomes she settled well into a PLC programme that was going to pave a path to the same degree programme the following year, without any points requirement. Universities reserve places on certain courses for students from further education (FE) who apply with their PLC results. Not only was Kayla, now 22, happy with her PLC, but by the time the Leaving Cert appeal results issued in October, she had already been selected for a three-week Erasmus placement in Portugal, working for a water services company in Porto. Growing up on a dairy farm in Oranmore, Co Galway which had pedigree Holstein and Jersey cows, her choice of an agriculture-related career was probably not surprising. While UCDs Bachelor of Agricultural Science was her top CAO choice, the points are relatively high. I had it in the back of my mind that I might miss out by a small number, Kayla says. It was on a visit to a UCD Open Day that one of advisers in the School of Agriculture pointed her in the direction of PLC as a back-up. They couldnt have been more helpful, I also spoke to people who had taken that route, she says. So, in January of her Leaving Cert year, Kayla applied for the PLC in biomedical science/laboratory techniques in Galway Community College. Kayla Tarpey on the family farm in Seafield Lodge, Maree, Oranmore Co Galway . Photo: Ray Ryan I wasnt really worried about the CAO. I was only 17 doing the Leaving Cert and I felt I had a year to play around with, she says. Doing a PLC locally also meant that Kayla could delay the big move to Dublin and live at home with a short 20-minute commute. Kayla loved the PLC and, with eight distinctions, she successfully competed for a reserved place on the BAgScience. In the 2024/25 academic year, it is anticipated that there will be 30 places reserved on the BAgScience for FE students. Because of Covid, which closed college campuses, Kayla did her first years study with UCD remotely and moved to Dublin at the start of second year. When she was younger, Kayla had wanted to study to be a vet. But after attending a UCD Summer School in fifth year, she ruled it out because she realised the CAO cut-off points would be beyond her reach. There is no need for panic, there are plenty of other options out there. I would thoroughly recommend a PLC to anyone who is in doubt So, after her first year in UCD, she opted for the animal science stream, one of 11 specialisations offered to students entering second year. The move to Dublin also allowed Kayla to become fully immersed in all aspects of college life. I got involved in the Ag Science Society and then, in third and fourth year, I was on the committee. I was the treasurer in my final year and we raised 46,000 through student events in one year. The money raised was donated to two charities close to the heart of Ag Society members: the Kevin Bell Trust, which works to alleviate the financial hardship of bereaved families repatriating bodies of a loved one who has died abroad in sudden or tragic circumstances, and Embrace Farm, a not-for-profit organisation to support people who have lost a loved one or suffered serious injury in a farming accident. Kayla also volunteered as a peer mentor, a buddy system where established students help to integrate first years into college. Graduating this year, Kayla is now starting a two-year graduate programme with Dawn Meats and plans to engage in post-graduate study. As to her longer-term career: I dont know where I will end up; I will probably do my own thing for a while, she says. Kaylas experience has convinced her that more students should consider a PLC as a starting-point for entry to higher education Looking back on the value of the one-year programme, Kayla says it was very beneficial in preparing for the transition to higher education. All PLCs give students foundational skills, such as in academic referencing. She also sees how applying for a PLC can take the pressure off students who think the CAO is the only route. There is no need for panic, there are plenty of other options out there. I would thoroughly recommend a PLC to anyone who is in doubt, she says. Another bonus for Kayla was that she was able to work full-time while doing her PLC. Jack Doyle from Kildare who is leading a TU Dublin spin-out company that is developing an innovative domestic water testing kit called Puritee, for homes. Photo: Frank McGrath BSc Product Design, TU Dublin When he was at school, Jack Doyle was very good at woodwork and design and communications graphics (DCG) and people were telling him he should study engineering. It seemed to make sense to him and he took the advice, accepting an offer for the TU Dublin engineering degree programme. But during first year, Jack knew that it wasnt the right fit. I realised I was a bit more design-oriented and I dont think I realised how much science was involved in engineering, said Jack, of Ballysax, Co Kildare, and a former pupil of Newbridge College. He decided to make the move to the TU Dublin Product Design course, starting again in first year the following autumn. When I was filling in the CAO form, I didnt even know it was a course. I was so tunnel-visioned about engineering, I only learned about it when I was in Bolton Street, he said. It turned to be absolutely the right move for Jack, whose final-year project, Ion, has already marked him out as a promising entrepreneur. He knew there was an issue about water quality in homes using well water and he came up with the idea for an innovative domestic water-testing kit for homes that are not connected to public schemes. There are more than 800,000 people in Ireland currently using private wells for water an area that remains unregulated. Jacks product aims to provide homeowners with an easy and inexpensive means to test the quality of their drinking water. The idea has taken off and, as Jack was completing his degree studies this year, his project was gaining traction Jack, who was joined on the project by fellow student, Dean Byrne, who works with him as co-founder, was bolstered by success in student entrepreneur competitions and I started to believe there was an idea there. Jack and his supervisor Colm OKane approached the TU Dublin Innovation Office seeking support to spin out his invention, now called Puritee. Earlier in the summer, he participated in the colleges ivenTUre Student Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme. School-leavers still wondering what to do should not worry, as there are valuable routes still open to them in both higher and further education The TU Dublin Access Foundation Programme is for students who were not served well by traditional routes CAO available places are vacancies on courses for which there were insufficient eligible applicants before CAO Round 1. They are published on the CAO website today at 12 noon, and it is worth keeping an eye out. Available Places Applicants need to meet the entry requirements, such as particular subjects or grades, for a course, but they can ignore any points that may have been published for any offers made in a previous round. Existing CAO applicants can apply free of charge, while for anyone who has not already applied to the CAO, the fee is 45. Private College and Direct Entry courses Private colleges can be a good option for students who have not already made a college application. A number of these colleges have courses listed on the CAO, many of which are extremely popular, and will have opportunities listed under CAO available places. But as well as CAO-listed courses, private colleges offer direct entry, with no need to meet CAO cut-off points. Application is made directly to the college. Such courses are available at both Level 8 (honours) and Level 7/6 (higher certificate/ordinary degree). Among the more established private colleges are Griffith, with campuses in Dublin, Cork and Limerick, DBS and Portobello Institute. Students attending private colleges are generally not covered by the Governments Free Fees Scheme and many course fees are around 6,000. However, tax relief is available at the rate of 20pc on fees between 3,000-7,000. Students should also be aware that most courses do not qualify for the Susi grant scheme, although some do. The TU Dublin Access Foundation Programme is for students who were not served well by traditional routes TU Dublin Access Foundation Programme The TU Dublin Access Foundation Programme is a one-year, full-time course at Level 6 (an ordinary degree is Level 7 and an honours degree is Level 8), for students who were not served well by traditional routes such as the CAO. It aims to make higher education more accessible and is an excellent option for students who really want to study at third level. There are 150 places, and about two-thirds are taken up by school-leavers, often who have just competed the Leaving Cert but who have experienced socio-economic or educational disadvantages and were not in a position to compete at the same level as others. Students can select modules in areas such as science and health, IT, engineering, social science, business, hospitality, arts and tourism. They receive guidance and support during the year to help them to identify what they might like to study at undergraduate level and are then offered a place on a suitable degree programme at TU Dublin following completion. There are no fees to attend this course and students can apply for the Student Assistance Fund. The deadline for applications is tomorrow. The programme was originally targeted at adults returning to education, but increasingly became a path in for school-leavers. Institute of Guidance Counsellors president Catriona Rodgers is passionate about opportunities available throughout the further education and training (FET) sector. These pathways are not CAO alternatives. They are pathways in their own rights. Which one you choose will depend on your skillset, interest and goals. It is vital to have an inclusive and adaptive education sector where one set of skills is not celebrated at the expense of another. The idea that young people must go to college and get a degree can be restrictive and may put unnecessary pressure on our young people, to the detriment of their well-being. Pathways that allow individuals to identify their strengths to achieve their ambitions and succeed will result in healthier and happier individuals, who in turn are more resilient, productive, and ready to face the challenges of the future, she says. She highlights the main attractions for school-leavers. Post-leaving cert courses (plc) Colleges of further education are a great place to start looking for anyone who is interested in studying a one-year (or two-year) course that will allow them to find employment or progress to higher education. Courses are widely available and with an enormous choice of subject areas. As an example, one-year PLCs in childcare, special needs assistant, healthcare assistant and medical secretary (among others) offer solid employment opportunities on their successful completion. Other courses such as pre-university science, engineering and art portfolio preparation courses, to name but a few, allow students to use their results to progress to higher education Institutions using their PLC results. Applications are made directly to individual colleges, with places usually being allocated promptly. Additional attractions of PLC courses are that they provide the opportunity to gain work experience as part of the course, they are often quite affordable and students may be eligible for a Susi grant. Apprenticeship & Earn and Learn PLC courses are just one option within the FET sector. Apprenticeships have come a long way in recent years. When we think of an apprenticeship, we usually think of traditional trades such as electricians and mechanics, but they have expanded into other areas including finance, recruitment and laboratory technician. Apprenticeships offer a pathway to earning a qualification that allows learners to learn on the job, earn their allowance and attend college. It is a learning experience that suits many and allows them to thrive, often better than in a traditional academic environment. Earn and Learn, and Learn and Work courses are another pathway available that offer the opportunity to study and work at the same time. They differ from apprenticeships as they are often not contingent on you finding an employer before you apply. There are many of these courses on offer and they are growing in popularity. Tertiary Degrees The National Tertiary Office (NTO) has further expanded the number of tertiary degree programmes available. Popular areas are nursing, business, sustainable engineering and social work, among others. Learners spend their first year in a college of further education before progressing to university, which accredits their degree. The minimum entry requirements are different from their CAO counterparts and they offer a genuine pathway for learners outside of the CAO system. One of the benefits of the NTO pathway is that learners study in the supportive learning environment of the FE college for their first year. They have smaller class sizes and are located in their community. Applications for many NTO courses are still open. More information is available from nto.hea.ie. Additional Educational Needs (AEN) and National Learning Network (NLN) Learners with an additional educational need (AEN) often find the CAO pathway restrictive. Access courses including Dare and Hear, are making higher education more inclusive and accessible, but many learners with AEN who are academically capable, may find the transition to higher education challenging as they navigate the social side of college with managing the workload and meeting deadlines. PLC courses at Level 5, or a two-year Level 6, might particularly suit these learners and prepare them for the transition to higher education. The National Learning Network (NLN) is another pathway for learners with AEN to gain their qualification. They operate nationally across 50 centres and support 7,000 per year. More information is available on Rehab/NLN website. Useful Websites: www.apprenticeship.ie/career-seekers/get-started/discover nto.hea.ie/courses www.tudublin.ie/study/apprenticeships/apprenticeship-courses/ www.ibec.ie/connect-and-learn/industries/life-sciences-and-healthcare/laboratory-apprenticeship/apprentice www.etbi.ie/fet-guidance/contact-a-local-fet-guidance-service/ www.cao.ie/index.php?page=fetac_search rehab.ie/national-learning-network/ A photo of actress Kim Cattrall was used in a tweet by the EPA about reducing red-meat consumption. Photo: Getty The employee who created a controversial meat tweet that made farming groups furious at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has told of the panic that ensued inside the agency and why she had to quit her job. Digital media specialist Aileen Moon proposed the post on Twitter, now X, featuring a photograph of actress Kim Cattrall from Sex and the City with the message that cutting down on red meat could make you healthier, wealthier and more fabulous. The EPA tweet using a picture of Kim Cattrall She said it was the latest in some fun and accessible posts that had got good public engagement and was approved by management. However, it infuriated farming organisations, which accused the EPA of overstepping its role and actively campaigning against Irish livestock products. The EPA removed the tweet and was accused by climate and environmental organisations of caving in to lobbyists for the countrys biggest carbon-polluting sector. The EPA said at the time: We decided to remove the tweet to avoid any unnecessary attention on what is a complex area. Ms Moon, who now works for the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, wrote in a LinkedIn post on the one-year anniversary of the controversy that she had expected a reaction. For many Irish farmers, red meat production is their livelihood. They did what was expected and made official complaints, she wrote. However, she did not expect what came next. An emergency meeting was held with an external communication agency. She said she was not invited, which was rude, but was instructed afterwards to delete the post. I argued that would be a mistake. I drafted a response instead, citing the sources of information used and explaining the satirical and humorous elements of the post, Ms Moon said. The post had highlighted the issue of food waste, with 10pc of meat thrown out, and suggested adopting Meat-Free Mondays or veggie lunches to start reducing consumption. Ms Moon said research by the World Health Organisation, the United Nations and the EPA itself all supported the message. No matter what was said at the time, the reason the EPA deleted a post, one which was scientifically and environmentally sound, was chiefly at the behest of those working in agriculture, she wrote. The fallout was horrible and in subsequent meetings she was made to feel like a trouble-making little girl. The ultimate outcome was that I lost faith in the EPA. There are some wonderful, whip-smart and passionate people working for the EPA. But they are not being well used currently. The EPA said it cant comment on an individuals opinions or feelings. As we stated at the time, we believed it better to remove the tweet in question because to reduce this complex debate to a single tweet would diminish the seriousness of the discussion we need to have, a spokesperson said. However, climate and environment researcher Sadhbh ONeill said that discussion was still not happening. We need the EPA to speak out on this issue as they would about any other environmental or climate issue. The reality is that no agency in Ireland is doing that, she said. Jailed gangster Freddie Thompson did not seek pass to attend funeral of cousin Liam Roe Compassionate time out of prison would have been refused over security fears Liam Roe died in St Jamess Hospital, Dublin, after a short illness Ken Foy Thu 29 Aug 2024 at 03:30 Killer Fat Freddie Thompson has not applied for temporary release from prison to attend his cousin Liam Roes funeral or to visit the funeral home in Crumlin where his body reposed yesterday. Two teens arrested after Tipperary chef shot dead outside his restaurant in Kansas City Shaun Brady had been living in Kansas City for the last decade where he was a popular figure in the citys Irish community Shaun Brady ran the Brady & Fox restaurant and lounge Niall Donald, Ralph Riegel and Eoin Kelleher Thu 29 Aug 2024 at 18:16 Two teenagers have been arrested after an Irish man was shot dead outside his restaurant in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri. Information about grants and your eligibility for them is available on the Susi website The arrival of the college offer will definitely focus those who need financial support to get through their studies, if they havent already sorted it Susi (Student Universal Support Ireland) is the main source of state financial assistance for students enrolled in a post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) course or in higher education. Susi grants may also be paid to Irish students studying in the UK or the European Union. Many intending college students will already have submitted their application to Susi, because they needed certainly about what they could, or could not, expect. Early application is always advised, but it is not too late to apply. While applications will be accepted for some months to come, students should not delay, because the earlier Susi receives an application, the earlier it can be processed and any funding to which the applicant is entitled, paid. Even a student who is still in doubt about which course they will choose, and feel they may change their mind, should still apply to Susi and their course details can be updated at a later date. Meanwhile, students who have already applied to Susi, giving particular course details, but now plan to attend a different course, should update their details online. Where students gave the CAO permission to share their information with Susi, the CAO will update Susi directly once the course has been accepted by the student. Applications can be made online at susi.ie until late autumn/early winter and there will be an option to submit a late application after this time. There are two types of funding maintenance grants and fee grants. Maintenance grants help students with their living costs and are paid directly to the student. Fee grants can pay the Student Contribution or tuition fees for students who do not qualify for the Free Fees Scheme. Fees are paid directly to the college on behalf of the student. Eligibility for a grant is largely determined by family income (and the number of children in a family) and the grants are paid on a scale that also takes account of the distance a student lives from their college. There have been some rate increases this year and the maximum in 2024/25 is 7,586, for the most economically disadvantaged students who also live more than 30km away from their college. Other changes include an increase in the amount a student can earn outside term time, up from 6,552 to 7,925. This is known as holiday earnings. The Susi,ie website has a handy tool that gives an idea of eligibility for a support based on the information provided to it. The University of Limerick encourages freshers to read widely, and here it shares its top picks for 2024 The move to higher education is a big life step-up and involves not only embarking on a chosen course of study en route to a career, but opening the mind to fresh ideas, making new friends and developing interests that will sustain a student through life. All higher-education institutions have programmes to support freshers in this transition and to guide them on how to make the most of the new opportunities presented. At University of Limerick (UL), its First Seven Weeks initiative includes a general reading list for first years as a way of encouraging their reading habits and helping them to draw from a range of resources as they embark on their studies. It is made up of seven recommended reads compiled by the UL Centre for Transformative Learning and drawn from a long list suggested by university staff members, from senior professors to support staff. They have generously shared the 2024/25 list. It spans all genres, styles and eras and changes every year. It is intended to offer students an entertaining selection of books that encourages them to read for pleasure and to engage with ULs literary resources. At UL, the books are supplied to students through a free lending library system in the First Seven Weeks Hub, alongside competitions based around reading and reviewing the books. The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot Marianne Cronin Life is short. No one knows that better than 17-year-old Lenni living on the terminal ward. But as she is about to learn, its not only what you make of life that matters, but who you share it with. Dodging doctors orders, she joins an art class where she bumps into fellow patient Margot, a rebel-hearted 83-year-old from the next ward. Their bond is instant as they realise that together they have lived an astonishing 100 years. To celebrate their shared century, they decide to paint their life stories: of growing old and staying young, of giving joy, of receiving kindness, of losing love, of finding the person who is everything. As their extraordinary friendship deepens, it becomes vividly clear that life is not done with Lenni and Margot yet. Yellowface Yellowface Rebecca Kuang Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars: same year at Yale, same debut year in publishing. But Athenas a cross-genre literary darling, and June didnt even get a paperback release. Nobody wants stories about basic white girls, June thinks. So when June witnesses Athenas death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athenas just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese labourers to the British and French war efforts during World War I. So what if June edits Athenas novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? Doesnt this piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller? How far June will go to keep what she thinks she deserves..? Atomic Habits Atomic Habits James Clear No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving every day. James Clear, one of the worlds leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviours that lead to remarkable results. If youre having trouble changing your habits, the problem isnt you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you dont want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, youll get a proven system that can take you to new heights. Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success. The Silence of the Choir The Silence of the Choir Mohamed Mbougar Sarr Seventy-two men arrive in the middle of the Sicilian countryside. They are immigrants, refugees. But in Altino, theyre called the ragazzi, the guys that the Santa Marta Association have taken responsibility for. In this small Sicilian town, their arrival changes life for everybody. While they wait to know their fate, the ragazzi encounter a strange vicar who rewrites their pasts, a woman committed to ensuring them asylum, a man determined to fight against it, an older ragazzo who has become an interpreter, and a reclusive poet who no longer writes. Each character in this moving and important saga is forced to reflect on what it means to encounter people they know nothing about. They watch as a situation unfolds over which they have little control or insight. A story told through a growing symphony of voices that ends only when one final voice brings silence to the choir. Long Island Long Island Colm Toibin Eilis Lacey is Irish, married to Tony Fiorello, a plumber and one of four Italian American brothers, all of whom live in neighbouring houses on a cul-de-sac in Lindenhurst, Long Island, with their wives and children and Tonys parents, a huge extended family that lives and works, eats and plays together. It is the spring of 1976 and Eilis, now in her 40s with two teenage children, has no one to rely on in this still-new country. Though her ties to Ireland remain stronger than those that hold her to her new land and home, she has not returned in decades. One day, when Tony is at his job and Eilis is in her home office doing her accounting, an Irishman comes to the door asking for her by name. He tells her that his wife is pregnant with Tonys child and that when the baby is born, he will not raise it but instead deposit it on Eiliss doorstep. It is what Eilis does and what she refuses to do in response to this stunning news that makes Toibins novel so riveting. Knife Knife Salman Rushdie On the morning of August 12, 2022, Salman Rushdie was standing onstage at the Chautauqua Institution, preparing to give a lecture on the importance of keeping writers safe from harm, when a man in black black clothes, black mask rushed down the aisle toward him, wielding a knife. His first thought: So its you. Here you are. What followed was a horrific act of violence that shook the literary world and beyond. Now, for the first time, and in unforgettable detail, Rushdie relives the traumatic events of that day and its aftermath, as well as his journey toward physical recovery and the healing that was made possible by the love and support of his wife, Eliza, his family, his army of doctors and physical therapists, and his readers worldwide. The House in the Cerulean Sea The House in the Cerulean Sea TK Klune Linus Baker leads a quiet life. At 40, he has a tiny house with a devious cat and his beloved records for company. And at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, hes spent many dull years monitoring their orphanages. One day, Linus is summoned by Extremely Upper Management and given a classified assignment. He must travel to an orphanage where six dangerous children reside including the Antichrist. At the orphanage, Linus must determine if they could bring about the end of days. But their guardian, the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, will do anything to protect his wards. And, as Arthur and Linus grow ever closer, Linus must choose: his duty, or his dreams. Some residents described their experience as very good and incredible, a Hiqa inspection report found The majority of asylum-seekers housed at Mosney Village, Co Meath, were cleared to remain in Ireland but continued to live in the former holiday complex, with some saying they could not find alternative accommodation, an inspectors report has revealed. During the inspection in June, 702 of the 875 residents had received full refugee or subsidiary protection status, meaning they are allowed to remain in Ireland due to a recognised risk they would suffer serious harm if they returned to their country. A total of 250 residents were given notice to leave by July to seek private accommodation outside the centre. Due to the lack of alternative accommodation options, some residents told inspectors they could not avail of more appropriate alternative accommodation and were anxious as a result, the report from inspectors in the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) said. The length of time the residents were at the centre ranged from two weeks to eight years. Hiqa now has the power to inspect direct provision centres and living conditions in state-provided accommodation for asylum-seekers. It published seven reports yesterday. Some residents at Mosney described their experience as very good and incredible, and one person said they felt lucky to have been provided with accommodation there. Each family or resident had private homes with keys, promoting independent living in a secure environment. The units observed featured fully fitted kitchens, dining areas and private shower and bathroom facilities, furnished with couches, dining tables, fitted wardrobes and televisions. Overall, the inspectors were complimentary about the standards in the seven centres, including apartment complexes and former hotels, that they inspected. They included Basin Lodge, Dublin; Dominick St Complex, Galway; the Great Western House, Galway; St Patricks Centre, Co Monaghan; Temple Accommodation Centre, Co Westmeath; and the Old Convent, Co Mayo. However, there remained some concerns about vetting of staff in a number of the centres. Today's News in 90 Seconds - August 30th Hiqas follow-up inspection of St Patricks Centre found substantial improvements since January. The provider had brought a pest infestation in the centre under control. However, there was no updated garda vetting and international police clearances for some staff members. At the Temple Accommodation Centre, residents provided mixed feedback about their experience. Some said staff were helpful and respectful in their interactions, others said they did not feel listened to and their complaints had not been managed by the service. Some complained that their food had gone missing on occasions and the centre was often cold. At Basin Lodge, the provider had failed to ensure consistently safe and effective recruitment prac tices. Two staff members had started in their positions without the required garda vetting. Inspectors noted examples of good practice across the centres, including facilities for cooking and preparing meals, support with integration into local communities and access to educational, health and social supports. In one centre, a support group for women was founded and a member of the group was nominated for an award in recognition of their commitment to community and voluntary activity. A Ukrainian student who fled to Ireland with her mother has received 625 points in her Leaving Cert and accepted an offer to study biomedical engineering at DCU. Taya Korenska left her native Dnipro for Castlecomer in Co Kilkenny in June 2022 with her mother Olena, with her father Yaroslav and older brother Oleksey remaining in Ukraine. Just a few months later she started at Castlecomer Community School with poor spoken English but quickly found her feet and settled in with a group of friends. She said the move from Dnipro, a city of around one million people, to the peace and quiet of north Kilkenny was a surprisingly welcome adjustment and one that would have been much harder without the support of locals Sean and Jacqueline Doheny who offered her and her mother a home. It was the best I could get. After being in a city thats crowded and very loud, especially considering the circumstances we were living in, being in a quiet, peaceful place was a good change of pace, she said. "Id say I got pretty lucky. Ever since we came to Ireland, everything has been accompanied by luck. She said there was also a great deal of luck involved in achieving maximum points in the Leaving Cert, but credit also goes to her previous school back in Ukraine, where students face tough entrance exams and have to maintain high grades to stay. "It was quite stressful study-wise. We had to be great at every subject, so I was forced to be hard-working and to try hard. But I love studying and learning, thats why I was still going after that experience, she said. Taya could have applied to go to college off the back of completing her studies in Ukraine but decided to see out her time in Irish education because I liked it so much. "Being in school here after what Id been through in Ukraine was actually pretty fun. I kept telling my friends I was in Irish school for fun, she said. After getting used to the quiet of rural Ireland, she said moving to the capital for college will be another tough adjustment. "I dont know how Ill do it because Ive got used to the peace and quiet. Now going to the capital city, Im not sure how Ill feel there but Im sure Ill get used to it. Very close to her family at home, she remains in constant contact with her father and brother who are immensely proud of her and relatively safe and sound. A self-described nerd with a love for science, Taya received H1s in Russian, maths, physics, biology, engineering, and design and communications graphics. Despite arriving in Ireland with little English just two years ago, she took on the higher level English exam and got an H5. Having identified biomedical engineering as a practical choice for college she first considered astrophysics Taya will now move to DCU with maximum points and having been awarded a No Mind Left Behind scholarship, an initiative providing promising young people access to education. "I started looking at courses online, found a couple and created a list. I chose the one with the most points required and put it as my first priority because I like something challenging and rewarding, she said. City Education Group (CEG), a Dublin-based educational institution, has announced that a leading education and technology company headquartered in London, has acquired a majority stake in the group. Planet Education Networks Limited, based in Canary Wharf in the UK capital, has acquired the Irish education provider, which provides secondary education, professional qualification and English language learning. It is understood that the investment is more than 10m. More than 7,000 students in Ireland are enrolled across its Ashfield College in Dundrum, City Language School on Dame Street and Progressive College and City Colleges on South Great Georges Street. This strategic move underscores both organisations dedication to enriching the educational landscape in Ireland, offering enhanced learning opportunities for students and for Planet Education Networks Ltd to expand its global footprint, City Education Group said. The acquisition will broaden Planet Education Networks portfolio and also significantly bolster the educational offerings available to students in Ireland. Philip Burke, Chief Executive of City Education Group, said the acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for City Education Group. "We remain steadfast in our mission to provide outstanding education and are eager to explore the new opportunities this partnership brings to our students, staff, and the wider community, he said. Both companies will share resources, expertise, and innovative technologies. There will also be cross-border collaborations, providing Irish students with access to a broader network of educational programmes and opportunities. We are delighted to welcome City Education Group into the Planet Education family, said Professor Cedric Bell, Director of Planet Education Networks Limited. This acquisition aligns with our strategy to expand our educational footprint in Ireland and beyond. We are eager to work with the talented team at City Education Group to continue delivering top-tier educational experiences and explore new avenues for growth, he added. CEG said as Ireland continues to host some of the worlds leading STEM corporations like Google, Intel, Microsoft, Pfizer, and Apple, there is a growing demand for skilled professionals. It added that with its new partnership, it will be better equipped to address the skills gap, offering specialised programmes through its newly established Life Sciences Academy and the Technical Skills Academy. CEG will continue to operate under its established brand with the current management team, ensuring continuity and stability for students and staff. The focus remains on providing a supportive and innovative educational environment, aligned with the evolving needs of the Irish and global job markets, it added. Oasis: Mancunian rockers who took on the world before their acrimonious split Oasis have announced a further three UK dates for its much-anticipated reunion tour, along with the prices for tickets but no new gigs have been added for Ireland despite huge demand. The Gallagher brothers announced their comeback on Tuesday, with 14 dates across the UK and Ireland. They will play two dates in Croke Park on August 16 and 17 next year, the end of a 14-date tour for which tickets will go on sale this Saturday 31 at 8am Irish time through Ticketmaster. And the band have subsequently added three additional dates in Heaton Park, Manchester, Murrayfield, Edinburgh and Wembley London. It means Oasis will now play five nights at Heaton Park, five at Wembley and three at Murrayfield, along with two nights at Croke Park and two at Cardiffs Principality Stadium. Before the announcement for UK shows, Irish promoters MCD said on their website that the price of both of the two Croke Park gigs in Dublin will start at 86.50 before booking fees. A seat to watch the band at Londons Wembley Stadium begins at 74.25 (88.11), with the most expensive ticket a 506.25 pre-show party, exhibition and seated package. The cheapest seats are Cardiffs Principality Stadium shows, which will set you back 73, and Edinburghs Murrayfield Stadium at 74, according to Manchester-based promoter SJM Concerts, which runs the website Gigs And Tours. In the bands home city of Manchester, tickets start from 148.50, with only standing available alongside a number of hospitality and luxury packages. Standing tickets at Wembley will cost fans 151.25, with the same tickets in Cardiff and Edinburgh slightly cheaper at 150 and 151 respectively. The Britpop group abruptly disbanded in 2009 after years of tension between the pair, though fans never gave up their hope of a reunion. One of the UKs best regarded bands will now make a return to the stage following news that the feud between the brothers, who have both toured separately in the years since, has thawed. This is it, this is happening, the band said in an announcement this morning, sharing a video of the band through the years as they revealed they would come together for Oasis Live 25. "The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over, the band said. Come see. It will not be televised. Plans are underway for the reunion tour, which will coincide with the 30th anniversary of (Whats The Story) Morning Glory?, to go to other continents later next year. Formed in 1991, the Manchester band rose to fame with iconic hits like Wonderwall, Dont Look Back In Anger and Stop Crying Your Heart Out. They became one of the biggest bands in British music history - spurred in part by their rivalry with Blur - before their ultimate break-up on August 28, 2009, when they split before taking to the stage at a Paris festival. It was the culmination of years of infighting, with Noel later saying he quit the group after Liam smashed his guitar backstage in their final blowout as a band.The Guardian reported that the guitar was sold at auction for 385,500, or about $405,000, two years ago, after it had been restored and used by Noel throughout his performances with his solo band, the High Flying Birds. In 2012, Noel told NPR: We were backstage waiting to go onstage to 30,000 people in Paris. The tour manager came in and said, 'Five minutes!' We broke up within that five minutes. I'm not proud of that, but all things come to an end." Reunion rumours which had faded into hopeful whispers over the years escalated on Sunday evening after the pair shared the same video on social media, written in the Oasis style, teasing an announcement at 8am this morning. It comes ahead of the release of tracks from the first recording session for Oasiss debut album Definitely Maybe on Friday, marking its 30-year anniversary. Unheard versions of songs including Live Forever, Cigarettes & Alcohol and Rock N Roll Star were taken from their first recording session as a signed band, at Monnow Valley Studio in Rockfield, Monmouthshire. The recordings were scrapped before the band re-recorded the album at Sawmills Studios in Cornwall. Fans had been surprised to hear Noel pay Liam a string of compliments in an interview released last week with music journalist John Robb at Manchesters Sifters Records in honour of the albums 30th anniversary. Reflecting on Liams performance on a number of their hits, Noel said: Its the delivery or the tone of his voice and the attitude. I dont have the same attitude as him. He also jokingly compared Liams voice to 10 shots of tequila on a Friday night and his own as half a Guinness on a Tuesday. The brothers went on to have successful separate careers, with Noel fronting the group Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds. Liam has been touring the UK this summer on his Definitely Maybe tour to celebrate the 30 years since its release in 1994. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said it has been a "great privilege" to lead the party and tipped fellow MP Claire Hanna as his successor. Mr Eastwood is set to resign at the Northern Irish party's conference in October after nine years at the helm of the organisation he joined as a teenager. Speaking at a press conference in Derry on Thursday, Mr Eastwood said he wants to become a voice for change and developing a new Ireland, describing the post-Brexit environment as a "moment of opportunity". He insisted it had been his decision to resign as SDLP leader. "This is absolutely my decision. I have taken time to make that decision, I have spoken to others about it," Mr Eastwood said. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and deputy leader Claire Hanna (Niall Carson/PA) "You don't often get to pick your own moment and I've been glad that I've been able to do that. "You can play different roles in politics. "I have been a party activist and, first and foremost, I am committed to the principles of the SDLP. "Almost more importantly to the cause of delivering a new Ireland. "It just is an awful lot of work over nine years to have to deal with all of the day-to-day issues of running a political party. "I feel much freer now to be able to do that work, which is the work of this generation, to deliver a new united Ireland for all of our people." Mr Eastwood also said that South Belfast MP Claire Hanna was "far and away" the best candidate to replace him as SDLP leader. "I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that Claire Hanna has what it takes to be the leader of the SDLP," he said. "She would be far and away the best option for the members. "This is my opportunity to be the first to endorse Claire Hanna. "It is up to Claire but I hope she puts her name forward, and I hope the party endorse her." Mr Eastwood became the party's youngest ever leader in 2015, having taken over from Alasdair McDonnell following a leadership contest that he won by fewer than 40 votes. The 41-year-old father of two also previously served as the mayor of Derry. While Mr Eastwood led the party as it consolidated its position in Westminster, the SDLP has failed to make progress at the Northern Ireland Assembly. In the last Assembly election in 2022, the party trailed in fifth - leaving it without a sufficient number of seats to be eligible for a place in the Northern Ireland Executive. Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill and DUP leader Gavin Robinson paid tribute to Mr Eastwood. Ms O'Neill said: "I want to wish Colum Eastwood and his family well as he steps down as leader of the SDLP. "We have worked together as leaders for many years now, to restore the political institutions in the north and in protecting the Good Friday Agreement and the all-island economy against efforts to impose the hardest possible Tory Brexit. "I look forward to working with his successor as leader of the SDLP in a constructive manner for the good of all our people. "Sinn Fein will continue to work with all parties in the Assembly and Executive to deliver for workers, families and public services." Mr Robinson said: "I wish him well. He'll continue to champion Foyle in Westminster and as before, we will work together on mutually benefiting Northern Ireland." Among those paying tribute was Taoiseach Simon Harris, who said he had "served the entire island of Ireland with distinction" at Westminster during Brexit. "I would like to wish Colum Eastwood well as he announces his resignation as leader of the SDLP," the Taoiseach said in a statement. "Colum has served with distinction and has been a progressive, responsible and pragmatic voice on all issues, but especially the challenging ones. "As a leader he has been accessible, on the ground and close to his constituents in Derry and the issues that affected them. "During Brexit, Colum served the entire island of Ireland with distinction in Westminster with passionate, timely and informed interventions in debates that otherwise neglected the peace process. For that, we all owe Colum a debt of gratitude. "I spoke to Colum last night and was glad to hear he still has a lot more to give to politics and will continue to serve as an MP after his successor as leader is appointed. "Finally, I would also like to wish Colum's family well and hope today's decision means more time together." Former British Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith said on social media: "Really sorry to read that Colum Eastwood is stepping down from the SDLP. "Whilst many differences on many issues, he is an exceptional communicator and I am certain will remain a key player in the UK and Ireland political fray. Ar aghaidh! [Forward!]" Fianna Fail TD Jim O'Callaghan praised Mr Eastwood as having led the SDLP "with distinction during very challenging times". He added: "He was a strong leader of nationalist Ireland, following in the great tradition of Hume and Mallon. "I wish him well in the future and hope he remains actively involved in politics." Mr Eastwood's decision to step down follows the recent announcement that UUP leader Doug Beattie will also be leaving his post. Tanaiste Micheal Martin has ordered the Department of Defence to reject any tenders for military contracts from Israel. In a move which could put the Government at loggerheads with the EU, Mr Martin told officials not to award any defence or military contracts to Israeli companies due to the on-going bombardment of Gaza. There is no EU embargo on Israeli military goods or services and Irelands decision to act unilaterally could lead to tensions with other member states. Speaking on RTE Radio Ones News At One, Mr Martin said Ireland will not be procuring military equipment or defence equipment or contracts with Israel. Today's News in 90 Seconds - August 29th I believe given the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion and given what has transpired in Gaza, notwithstanding competencies and trade competencies and so on, I think in our view, looking at the ICJs advisory opinion, that is one area where I have given clear instructions to my officials on, he said. Mr Martin said the Israeli offensive on Gaza was targeting the regions entire population rather than focusing on Hamas terrorists who unleashed carnage on south Israel in October last year. Its no longer just a war against Hamas. I think we need to be clear about that and articulate that. And this type of modern warfare on an entire population, its infrastructure, its housing, its schools, waste management treatment centres is morally unacceptable and cannot be sustained, he said. We need an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and we need an immediate release of all hostages and humanitarian aid to get in there fast and in the right amounts, huge amounts. Mr Martin said Israel was moving into the West Bank and said this risked an escalation of tensions in the region. The Tanaiste said there have been violations of the human rights clause in EU-Israel Association Agreement which Ireland has raised for some time. He said the Government did not give any clearance for Israeli aircraft to fly over Irish airspace with military equipment. Mr Martin said the Department of Transport was seeking to establish the facts around this could have happened. An anti-drugs campaigner who lost her brother to a synthetic party drug is to contest the upcoming General Election for Sinn Fein in Cork. Nicole Ryan (31) has been honoured with multiple awards for her determined campaign to highlight the dangers posed by drugs to young people. She lost her brother, Alex, in a drugs tragedy in Cork in 2016. His death - and the fact several others became violently ill after taking the synthetic party drug 'N Bomb' - made headlines across Ireland and Europe. Nicole has devoted herself over the past eight years to highlighting the dangers of drugs and has visited dozens of schools across Ireland as part of her education message. She has now been selected by Sinn Fein to contest the General Election for the party in Cork North West. Alex Ryan of Liscahane, Millstreet, Co Cork died on January 23, 2016 after consuming a synthetic drug of the 2C family called 251 NBOMe, with a street name of 'N Bomb', at a house party in the city. Nicole's family were devastated by his death and have become outspoken campaigners to highlight the dangers posed by drugs. She has visited dozens of schools around the country to speak to students and to raise awareness of the dangers posed by drugs, particularly synthetic drugs. When Alex died Nicole made the decision to give up her career in engineering to go back to college and study addiction. The Pride of Cork winner graduated with an honours degree from University College Cork (UCC) in the field of Addiction Studies and is accredited as an addiction counsellor. Nicole also set up 'Alex's Adventure' with the aim of educating post primary students on substance misuse and the real life impact our choices have on our lives. She has spoken to more than 13,000 post primary students since the death of her brother. Six foot seven inch 'gentle giant' Alex was a popular past pupil of Millstreet Community School. His death led the HSE to issue a warning about the dangers of the 2C family of psychedelic drugs. Meanwhile, at a recent selection convention, Sinn Fein members in Cork North West selected Nicole as their candidate for the forthcoming General Election. Nicole said that she is passionate about women's health, access to affordable, decent and adequate housing and living conditions. I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead and I want to play my part in ensuring that Cork North West for the first time in decades elects a progressive, young voice to represent them," she said. "Throughout the campaign, I will make every effort to connect with as many members of our wonderful communities across the constituency as possible ensuring I hear and understand their needs and concerns." Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said that Nicole has a proven track record of advocating for the most vulnerable in society. Nicoles courage and leadership were powerfully demonstrated when she led a campaign on drug awareness following the death of her brother, Alex," she said. Nicole will bring passion, determination and solutions to address the challenges that the people of Cork North West face. Tusla told people they had to lose weight if they wanted to become foster parents State agency rejected one woman solely due to her BMI Tusla turn down foster parent because of her weight Ellen Coyne Thu 29 Aug 2024 at 03:30 Tusla told prospective foster parents they had to lose weight before they would be allowed to care for a child. Most people questioned said Irish companies should be able to hire people from outside the EU and UK for hard-to-fill jobs. Stock image Most people support a relaxation of rules for those who come to work in Ireland from outside of the EU. A poll commissioned by the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland (MRCI) found a majority said Irish companies should be able to hire people from outside the EU for sectors that Ireland cannot fill on its own, with 82pc agreeing. The poll was carried out for the MRCI by Ireland Thinks between July 4 and 5, when 1,465 people were surveyed by text. The majority of respondents (64pc) agreed with the sentiment that Ireland should welcome people who move here to make a better life for themselves or their families. Nearly a fifth of people disagreed, while roughly the same proportion said they neither agreed nor disagreed. Sixty-five per cent said people recruited from outside of the EU through the States work permit system should be allowed to bring their immediate family, spouse and/or children when they come to work here. Almost a quarter of people disagreed with family reunification in such circumstances, while over 10pc said they neither agreed nor disagreed. At the moment, only critical skills workers have the immediate right to move their families to Ireland with them. For all other types of workers, families have a legal right to apply to join them in Ireland after one year. Most people said the same non-EU workers should have the freedom to change to any job after two years, with 66pc of people expressing support for such a policy change. Under a law passed only recently, people on such work permits have the right to change employer after nine months, having applied to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. However, the new role has to be the same type of employment for which the original work permit was granted. The poll also asked members of the public what they thought the Government should do about undocumented workers. Almost 70pc said it should give people the opportunity to come forward and legalise their status, provided they can show they have been living and working here long term, while a quarter said the Government should require all undocumented people to leave the country immediately. At present, migrants from outside the EU and UK have to pay a 300 fee each year for an Irish Residence Permit card. The majority (88pc) of people questioned said a fee of less than 100 would be fair and reasonable. Who was Robert Nairac, the British agent who took LSD, sang rebel songs and fell for a Galway girl? The Catholic soldiers final mission was in an Armagh pub before republicans became suspicious, bundled him into a car and killed him. His biographer describes his final moments, illustrious career and troubled youth Intelligence officer: Captain Robert Nairac talking to children in the Ardoyne area of Belfast in 1973 Alistair Kerr Thu 29 Aug 2024 at 03:30 When he arrived at the Three Steps Bar in Dromintee, Co Armagh, on May 14, 1977, Robert Nairac left his vehicle facing the car park exit in case he needed to make a quick getaway. Workshops create a space for students to explore more than what they might have found out from school, TikTok, YouTube or their parents 'Communication isnt just about talking with your partner, its also about paying attention to their body language'. Stock image Irish colleges have a responsibility to inform you about sexual consent and there are workshops on may campuses. Photo: Getty Did you know that Irish colleges have a responsibility to inform you about sexual consent? Thats one reason why youll see consent highlighted on your college campus this autumn on posters and information stalls on campus, or at a consent workshop during your orientation. Another reason for talking about consent is the importance of making sure you know your rights and responsibilities. We are part of the Active* Consent programme that has been researching sexual consent for the past decade, with thousands of young people, parents, and educators. We use our research findings to design information campaigns, workshops, social media campaigns, online learning resources, plays and in-depth training for Higher Education institutions, secondary schools, Further Education & Training colleges and centres. Gavin Friel Gavin Friel is research associate on the Active* Consent programme, School of Psychology, University of Galway Active* Consent comes from a sex-positive perspective we believe that if you decide to be intimate with another person, it should be pleasurable and safe for you both. In our consent workshops, we create a space for you to explore more than what you might have found out from school, TikTok, YouTube, or from your parents. We also inform students about how to recognise sexual violence and harassment, and how to intervene if you see something that shouldnt be happening. So whether you want to know more about consent to protect yourself and your peers, to respect your partner, to enjoy yourself, or to intervene to stop someone from harming another person, Active* Consent is here to support you and your college to create a consent culture where everyone is treated with respect. What is consent? So, what exactly is consent? Consent is OMFG Ongoing, Mutual and Freely-Given. Nice acronym, but what does that actually mean? Ongoing means that you are communicating throughout the time that you and your partner are being intimate. This could sound like: How does this feel? or Is that OK? or Do you want to take a break? In a consent workshop, youll look at different ways that you and your partner can communicate a yes, a no, or a maybe, but lets go slow. Talking and listening helps you and your partner know whether youre on the same page. We know from our research that the vast majority of college students agree that its OK to withdraw consent at any point, so if you change your mind about doing something, thats totally fine. You never have to keep doing anything you dont want to. Mutual means that both people are there because they want to and are into it. Youre all participating for your own and your partners enjoyment. Sounds good, doesnt it? But it might need a conversation to make it happen. Freely Given means that everyone is getting into it because they genuinely want to and are willing to. It means making sure your partner knows they can stop whenever they want to. If someone is pressured or pestered, thats not freely given because if you dont feel like you can say no, they cannot consent freely. And if someone is drunk or high, then legally they dont have the capacity to consent to anything. What happens in a consent workshop? If youve never taken part in a consent workshop before, you might be a bit anxious about what its all about. In the past five years, over 100,000 college students have taken part in Active* Consent workshops presented during orientation. Those students reported improvements in awareness and knowledge about consent. So, its worth taking part. Heres a little about what you can expect. In the consent workshop, youll also learn that consent is for consent is for everyone, and consent is for everything. Thats right, everything. Kissing, touching, oral sex, hand stuff, and full sex whatever that means for you. And consent is for everyone all genders, relationships, and orientations. Whether you are male, female, non-binary, transgender, gay, straight, bi, queer, pansexual, on a hook up, in a situationship, or in a committed relationship. Professor Padraig MacNeela is co-lead on the Active* Consent programme, School of Psychology, University of Galway In the Active* Consent workshop, youll also see examples of how you and your partner can communicate your likes and dislikes, so that, if and when you decide to become intimate with someone, it can be pleasurable and safe for both of you. Verbal and non-verbal consent are both important that means saying it and showing it. Because communication isnt just about talking with your partner, its also about paying attention to their body language. Are they moving away from you, pushing you away, or freezing? Or, are they leaning into you, and pulling you closer? In a consent workshop, youll look at different ways that you and your partner can communicate a yes, a no, or a maybe, but lets go slow. When young people experience assault or harassment, the first person they tell is probably a close friend. After your college orientation, you might also see your college running more in-depth Active* Consent workshops during the year. These run for about 60 minutes. Youll discuss your own ideas about consent with fellow students online and offline, explore how consent works in real life through stories, and find out what other people your age have told us about their experiences of consent. This is so you have a better idea of where everyone else is at. You are never asked to share any personal information in any of our workshops, or participate more than youre comfortable. If you want to sit back and just listen, thats OK. These workshops are designed for you. No one wants to make you look foolish or put you down. It doesnt matter where you are on the topic of consent, we want you to take part and have your voice heard. Where Can I Learn More About Consent Right Now? To learn more about consent and what it means for you, you can visit Consenthub.ie. We created this website in partnership with the Government to teach people across Ireland about consent, and it is filled with free resources to broaden your knowledge of consent. On Consenthub.ie, we answer questions like What does Irish law say about consent? Do you need consent to send nudes? How can I help a friend that has had a negative sexual experience? and Where can I turn to for support?. You can also check out our Start Here tips on Consenthub.ie to help you know what you can do and say if a friend tells you about a negative sexual experience they have had. When young people experience assault or harassment, the first person they tell is probably a close friend. We designed these tips with the Galway Rape Crisis Centre, so you can be sure that youre getting the best advice on how to help your friend sensitively and effectively. 'Communication isnt just about talking with your partner, its also about paying attention to their body language'. Stock image If youre interested in learning more about healthy relationships, stalking, or being an active bystander, you can complete our e-learning resource Sexual Violence and Harassment: How To Support Yourself and your Peers via Consenthub.ie. This resource will deepen your understanding of sexual violence and harassment, the laws that exist to protect you, and how to support your friends. Ninety per cent of students who completed our eLearning module would recommend it to others. Ninety per cent said it would help them support peers if they needed support. Eighty-five per cent said it showed how to have good mutual communication with a partner. Eighty-six per cent told us it would help them intervene if they saw a problematic situation. Not bad in return for 40 minutes of your time, youll even get a certificate at the end. Check out Active* Consent on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and learn more at consenthub.ie. Professor Padraig MacNeela is co-lead, and Gavin Friel is research associate on the Active* Consent programme, School of Psychology, University of Galway Changes to security rules at Dublin Airport came into effect on Sunday, September 1. Passengers must be prepared to remove all liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) from their hand luggage prior to screening, with all LAGs to be under 100mls, the airport said. The changes come in response to a temporary restriction introduced by the European Commission, and apply to all airports in the EU. It is not known for how long they will remain in place. It comes as the rollout of new C3 scanners in Dublin, Shannon and Ireland West airports has seen the removal of 100ml liquid limits in many cases, with passengers also allowed to keep laptops and liquids in their hand luggage. With the C3 rollout at different stages in Dublin Airports Terminal 1 and 2, the changes differ slightly for each. Terminal 1: All liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) in hand luggage must be under 100mls All LAGs must fit inside one clear 1 litre bag Only one bag is permitted per passenger Passengers should be prepared to take large electronic items (laptops, tablets etc) out of their bags Terminal 2: All liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) in hand luggage must be under 100mls All LAGs should be put into clear bags, but there is no limit on the number of bags per passenger Large electronic items (laptops, tablets etc) can stay in hand luggage "In Terminal 2, all of the security lanes in operation are now fitted with new C3 scanners, so all passengers are assured of using a C3 scanner, said Dublin Airports managing director, Gary McLean. However, in Terminal 1, due to the age of the building, the rollout is taking slightly longer, so it cannot be guaranteed whether a passenger will go through a lane with C3 scanners installed or the older technology." Dublin Airport is on track to complete the rollout of its C3 scanners by October 2025, it has confirmed. Ryanair's cheapest fares - try the 'fare finder' hiding in plain sight The European Commission announced the temporary rule changes on July 31, describing them as a precautionary measure and stating that current C3 configurations need to be revised in order to improve their performance. The Airports Council International Europe described the move as erasing the main benefit of the C3 scanners, and likely to cause airports significant operational strain. Security is non-negotiable, it is one of the top priorities of European airports. Therefore, all airports will fully comply with the new restriction, said ACI director general Olivier Jankovec. "However, airports that have been early adopters of this new technology are being heavily penalised, both operationally and financially. "We hope that these temporary restrictions are only in place for a short period and that the EU will be able to lift them as soon as possible, Mr McLean added. Passengers have also been warned to expect new procedures at Shannon Airport and Ireland West from September 1 (Cork Airport does not have C3 scanners, so its security procedures will not change). At Shannon, passengers will need to keep liquids, gels, lotions and cosmetics carried in their hand luggage in containers of no more than 100ml, it says. However, they but do not need to keep them in plastic bags or remove them from baggage. At Ireland West in Knock, passengers must also observe the 100ml limit, store LAGs in clear plastic bags, and remove them from cabin baggage before going through security. The guidelines do not affect electronics items such as laptops and phones at either airport. Exceptions remain in place for essential items over 100ml such as baby products and medications, which must be placed in a clear transparent bag, separate to LAGs. You can find Dublin Airports security advice here, Shannon Airports here, Cork Airports here, and Ireland Wests here. Watching the RTE One documentary Stolen, about the treatment of unmarried pregnant women in the past in Ireland, was unnerving and disturbing, especially for women and in particular for older women. Older women know the horrors presented could have happened to any of us. We also know the attitudes that allowed the incarceration of women and the stealing of their babies, although no longer overt, are still around. We have all men and women of all ages been damaged by our history. News that immigration has reached a 17-year high is likely to turn up the temperature in a debate regrettably already more notable for its heat than its light. CSO figures show 149,200 people arrived here in the 12 months to April. It is the third 12-month period in which more than 100,000 people have immigrated here. Migration and housing already vie with each other as the most contentious issues with voters. With an election imminent, the Government will hardly need reminding that more than 75pc of those polled in a recent survey have a negative view of how both issues are being handled. The breakdown of the CSO data reveals that 30,000 were returning Irish, 27,000 were from other EU states; 5,400 were UK nationals and 86,800 were from other countries. Another striking aspect from the data was that more than 69,000 people left the State the highest emigration figure since 2015. The power we have over whether outcomes are regarded as positive or negative rests in how we prepare and how we respond. The Government recognises in both cases that we can certainly do better. Immigration is a subject that needs to be treated sensitively. It is not about mere numbers, but the treatment of human beings. But even in rich democracies, the issue is fuelling hostile reactions. Up to a few years ago, there was a view that everyone deserves a chance to share in global prosperity. Migration, and the dynamics of the flight of the poor to rich countries, is central to the success of global economies. Our own story cannot be told or understood without reference to mass emigration. Economic success here has turned things around, but there is a polarisation between those who recognise the value of open access to workers who build and sustain our economy and those who misrepresent the issue as an invasion. Without this invaluable contribution we would not be able to maintain the health system or many other essential services. Yet legitimate concerns about managing the number of people seeking to come here, practically and humanely, have to be more of a priority. With wars in Ukraine and the Middle East intensifying, solutions must be confronted. Where people stay and what they do are questions the Government has to answer, in consultation with communities. Bringing people here to have them sleep in doorways or on canal banks is no answer. Pressing infrastructural and local considerations must be factored in. EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen recently said: We cant build a wall in the Mediterranean Sea to stop migrants. Nor did she wish to. She also said the debate too often did not address why people fled to Europe. Tackling the root cause of migration has to be part of the discussion, she added. The whole EU must be involved. But meeting our own obligations and addressing them honestly is something we cannot avoid. Big Pharma, rehab centres, the wellness industry. All make big bucks, and even bigger headlines when their seamier sides are exposed that sometimes healthcare does more harm than good. In a seemingly binary world youd be forgiven for thinking its the educated elite who have the smarts. But its the gilded young women of Londons modern-day Chelsea who were tragically duped by Anne Craig, that amazing healer lady; a self-styled teacher of personal development who wreaked havoc among an old-money clique. These cosseted twentysomethings were summer boarding at an exclusive arts academy in Florence. But, as documentary maker Grace Hughes-Hallett reports in Dangerous Memories (Acast, Apple, Spotify), their vulnerabilities made them a target for Craig whose holistic therapy cult manifested false memories of childhood abuse, fracturing friendships and families as a result. Its a harrowing tale of brainwashing and ripe for a reimagining from the likes of Sofia Coppola, or Joanna Hogg. In his book Quick Fixes, Benjamin Fong crunched data to reveal how America 4pc of the worlds population uses 80pc of its opioids. The Atlantic reporter Ethan Brooks considers in Scripts (Apple, Spotify) why opioid use is so high in the US and asks what happens when you marry powerful medications with powerful narratives. Buprenorphine, according to WHO, is with methadone ranked alongside amoxicillin and common vaccines as essential meds and can help prevent Americas 800,000 annual opioid overdoses. Except buprenorphine is also an opioid and therefore put in the same bracket as fentanyl and heroin, even though it can considerably improve quality of life and reduce lethal overdoses. Brooks speaks to survivors, their families, pharmacists and attorneys over three haunting episodes. Also investigating addiction is the duPont prize-winning series The 13th Step (Apple, Spotify; 13thsteppodcast.org), specifically widespread sexual misconduct within the addiction recovery industry. Its prime focus is on the allegations made against Eric Spofford, former CEO of one of the largest addiction recovery communities in New England. New Hampshire Public Radio reporter Lauren Chooljian tracked down the complainants (none pressed charges); some were his colleagues, most were vulnerable ex-patients who had completed his 12 Steps rehab programme. Chooljians home was repeatedly vandalised after her reporting and Spofford tried to sue for defamation. He has since sold his company and restyled himself as an internet personality and property magnate. Exclusive interview with CEO of Nasdaq-listed Rent The Runway How did Rent the Runway become a NASDAQ listed company? What does its CEO think of diversity becoming a focal point in the US election? And why was Galway chosen as one of its bases? The CEO and co-founder of Rent the Runway, Jennifer Hyman joined Adrian on this weeks episode of The Big Tech Show. Adrian kicked off the conversation by discussing diversity and how it has come under attack in the US in the political sphere. The CEO responded that the shifting attitude towards diversity is largely due to companies who adopted it for PR purposes. These same organisations are now jumping on the current trend of pushback against diversity in the current political climate, according to the co-founder. The company has a base in Galway which is primarily engineering which celebrates its fifth year anniversary this year. Hyman says it was one of the smartest moves the company has made. Her former CTO opened the Galway office and had a gut feeling about the type of employee that would be readily available in the county with the right skillset for the business. You can listen to the full episode here on the Irish Independent website or wherever you get your podcasts. This sustainable fire engine will see its carbon footprint slashed by 95pc compared to diesel engines See inside the world's first fire engine using hydrotreated vegetable oil Firefighters in Carlow have made history as they jumped aboard the worlds first low carbon fire engine powered by hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). The blue lights were flashing and the sirens were blaring as this climate-friendly fire engine was unveiled at the Carlow Fire Station on Green Lane in Carlow town. Built locally by HPMP Fire Ltd in Tullow, Co Carlow, in collaboration with Acetech Global in Tullamore, Co Offaly, the fire engine combines state-of-the-art software with HVO, a green fuel manufactured from renewable waste such as food oils and animal fats. It is also solar-powered, uses vehicle intelligent software and in addition to the green fuel, will see its carbon footprint slashed by 95pc compared to diesel engines. Despite the changes to how the fire engine is powered, its speed, acceleration and overall performance is on par with a regular diesel equivalent. Were extremely proud to be the first in the world to introduce a new generation of climate-friendly fire vehicles, said Chief Fire Officer at the Carlow Fire Station, Liam Carroll. Carlow Fire Station responds to on average 350 emergency incidents annually and it is exciting to also positively contribute to the community through climate action." The vehicle also has a number of innovative features to help reduce fuel consumption and carbon output. Solar panels on the roof provide power to onboard auxiliary batteries which power the blue lights and charges road traffic collision cutting tools. Cloud-based software enables fire officers to track the vehicles information on fuel usage, carbon and cost savings to improve performance in real-time. Fire officers can also monitor and improve battery levels over time, while the intelligent solution can monitor and aggregate total water and foam used at each fire scene to ensure optimal performance and reduce waste. This world-first fire engine ties in with Carlow County Councils Climate Action Plan, which aims to reduce county emissions by 51pc and increase energy efficiency in the public sector to 50pc by 2030. Not only will this fire engine combat climate change and improve the standards of our service, but its features will make the crucial work of a firefighter that bit safer Not only is this the greenest fire appliance in Ireland, it also has a number of safety features to help keep the firefighters safe while attending an incident. One of these key safety feature is the Vehicle-to-Vehicle Digital Alerting, which signals other road users to the presence of a fire appliance attending an emergency. This provides other road users with more time to slow down, move over and avoid the scene. Carlow County Fire Service has been at the forefront of creating innovative carbon saving solutions for many years, explained Mr Carroll. Firefighting is a dangerous job where firefighters put their lives and health at risk every day to help protect the public and safety is our top priority. Not only will this fire engine combat climate change and improve the standards of our service, but its features will make the crucial work of a firefighter that bit safer. The 462,000 engine will carry six crew members and will be ready to respond to emergencies by early September. Moxy Hotel and Residence Inn by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoys portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, will open their new properties in Cork city in September. This dual-brand development marks an exciting addition to Corks vibrant hospitality landscape, offering travellers an array of modern amenities, stylish accommodations, and unique experiences. Situated in the heart of Cork city, the Moxy and Residence Inn properties are designed to cater to the diverse needs of todays travellers. Moxy Hotels, renowned for its playful hotel experience for fun hunters, will bring its signature stylish, high-energy atmosphere, featuring 153 chic guestrooms with smart technology, communal spaces with a vibrant social vibe, and 24/7 food and beverage options. Upon arrival, guests will be greeted with a complimentary cocktail at Bar Moxy which doubles as the check-in counter. After exploring the destination, they can unwind with games, music, and craft cocktails in the lobby designed as a dynamic social hub. Residence Inn, the global leader in the extended-stay accommodation segment, will offer business travellers, families and anyone who seeks a home away from home in Cork city with 53 spacious suites, each with fully equipped kitchens and separate living, working and sleeping zones. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast and take advantage of the grocery delivery service and access to a state-of-the-art fitness centre to make the most of their time and enhance their travel experience. Hospitality group JMK who operate a number of hotels throughout the country are thrilled to bring the Moxy and Residence Inn brands to Cork City. Sonia Kajani, Director of JMK Group said: Our goal is to offer a unique blend of stylish comfort and playful experiences that resonate with both short-term and extended-stay guests. Corks dynamic spirit aligns perfectly with our vision, and we look forward to welcoming travellers from around the world. Both Moxy Hotel and Residence Inn are committed to sustainable practices, integrating eco-friendly initiatives such as energy-efficient lighting, water-saving fixtures, and locally sourced materials. The hotels also participate in Marriotts Serve 360 programme, dedicated to making a positive and sustainable impact in the communities they serve. Located within walking distance of Corks historic attractions, shopping districts, and bustling culinary scene, guests can easily explore the rich cultural heritage and contemporary charm of the city. Whether its visiting the iconic English Market, taking a stroll along the River Lee, or enjoying live music in the citys vibrant pubs, theres something for everyone. For more please see https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/orkox-moxy-cork/overview/ for the Moxy and https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/orkri-residence-inn-cork/overview/ for the Residence Inn. Youths driving scramblers in public areas in Dublins north inner city have become a scourge that is worse than ever before, according to one local councillor. Social Democrats councillor Daniel Ennis told the Irish Independent that on Saturday afternoon, he witnessed scramblers flying around Sean McDermott Street for the guts of 20 minutes. The scramblers were constantly up and down and in between avenues; the roaring of the bikes was so loud, with many of them doing wheelies and all sorts, he said. The biggest surprise to me was the length of time the bikes were around with no garda response. This is a stones throw away from OConnell Street, our citys main thoroughfare." A spokesperson from An Garda Siochana confirmed they were aware of reports of scramblers being driven on Sean McDermott Street, Dublin 1, on August 24, at approximately 2pm. No offences have been disclosed, they added. Cllr Ennis also revealed a previous encounter while out walking with his partner and young children in Summerhill. One scrambler came up onto the path near us, and without being melodramatic, it was fairly close, he said. Cllr Ennis is currently advocating for a formal proposal to secure funding and develop a motocross track on the Alfie Byrne Road as a potential solution to the problem. Brian Harte co-founded the Dublin City Motocross Club in response to the issue of scramblers in urban areas. It launched an educational programme aimed at redirecting this on-street behaviour. The six-week pilot course taught young people about mechanics, first aid, and personal development, offering them a chance to legally ride bikes as an incentive. Despite the success of the pilot programme, which helped some participants pursue further education and careers, Mr Harte has struggled to secure public funding to expand it. The Gardai have increased seizures of illegal vehicles, supported by a recent amendment to the Road Traffic Act. However, safety concerns limit their ability to chase offenders. Cllr Ennis said the scrambler scourge is just the tip of the iceberg in the north inner city, with crime and open drug dealing raised regularly by his community. People have to feel safe, and they do not feel safe right now. There is a sheer sense of lawlessness, and its madness, Cllr Ennis said. I cannot accept that members of my community do not feel safe going out at certain times of the day or at all. We deserve better, and weve been neglected by the state for far too long now. Sometimes we feel like were a social experiment, and this cannot be the case. Dublin 1 is a community; its not just a place where people go to work, shop, and then go home its all of them. In April this year, Sinn Fein TD for Dublin West, Paul Donnelly, asked the Minister for Justice about resources to deal specifically with the use of scrambler-type motorcycles in public spaces. Helen McEntee emphasised that the Government is fully committed to tackling anti-social behaviour, particularly the misuse of scramblers. The ODonoghue family who presented a cheque to the Kerry branch of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease in memory of in memory of John O'Donoghue. When John ODonoghue from Caherdaniel was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2016 he vowed never to give in to disease and throughout his illness he did all he could to help those in the same position. He worked with the Kerry branch of the Motor Neurone for many years and through various fundraisers including walks in Killarney National Park, Flaggy Shore in Claire and his native Caherdaniel he raised more than 46,000 for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. Later John emigrated to Brisbane Australia where he enjoyed the delights of a warmer climate. Tragically in May 2024 John passed away from MND. His funeral took place in Australia but a special mass took place for him in June of this year at home where memories of John were shared. The Parish church was packed and people from near and far came to express their sympathy to the ODonoghue family. Many tributes were paid to John and many people told stories about Johns talents and exploits and his very witty nature. The occasion also included collection boxes for the IMNDA a cause close to Johns heart so even in death he was helping others. The funds have this have now been handed over to the Kerry branch of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association by Johns sister, Joan and her husband David and the rest of Johns family. They invited the chairman of the Kerry Branch Christy Lehane to a special occasion at the family home where they presented Christy him with cheque for 793.94 raised from the donations at at the Month's Mind Mass. Mr Lehane paid tribute to the family for the kindness to him and for helping such a worthy cause in Johns memory. The new Killarney Community Hospital on the grounds of St Finans just off the Killarney by-pass. Photo by Tatyana McGough The new Killarney Community Hospital on the grounds of St Finans just off the Killarney by-pass. Photo by Tatyana McGough With construction almost finished on the new Killarney Community Nursing Unit is hoped to be open in early 2025. The new Community Nursing Unit will comprises four 25-bed households made up of short and long-term beds, all individual rooms en-suite and three 10-bed dementia households; providing a total of 130 beds. Full production kitchen, therapy suites, external spaces and various communal spaces for the residents are included. The new unit will replace the current services provided in St Columbanus Home and the District Hospital (Rehab Unit). The HSE have confirmed this week that the hospital will be completed by the end of this year with patients moved there after which is likely to be early 2025. Consultation will take place with the families. The new Killarney Community Nursing Unit (CNU) is scheduled for completion at the end of Quarter 4 2024, with commissioning of the new build anticipated in Quarter 1 of 2025, said Cork Kerry Community Healthcare in response to queries. Cork Kerry Community Healthcare also told The Kerryman that staffing for the new unit is being examined. Workforce planning is progressing across all staff disciplines to ensure the required complement and skill mix of staff is in place to facilitate the operational schedule for the new unit, they said in response to queries. It is now yet known what will the HSE will do with the former community hospital buildings. The HSE have said an assessment will place of the buildings taking into account the overall health needs in Kerry, CNU in Killarney is part of a bundle of seven sites nationally being delivered under a Public Private Partnership contract. Funding of 250 million was provided by Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale (Nord LB), Bank of Ireland and the European Investment Bank. The Coolglass Windfarm Ltd proposal intended to construct thirteen 180 metre high wind turbines between The Swan, Wolfhill, Luggacurren, Fossy, and Timahoe areas in Co Laois An Bord Pleanala has decided to reject a planning application for permission to construct 13 wind turbines in Co Laois. Follow Independent Laois on Facebook Minister of State, Sean Fleming TD, said he welcomed the decision to reject the planning application by Coolglass Windfarm Ltd to erect 13 wind turbines in Laois. The proposal intended to construct 13 180 metre high wind turbines between The Swan, Wolfhill, Luggacurren, Fossy, and Timahoe areas. This is an area not suitable for wind farms, as set out in the Laois County Development Plan as an area not open for consideration, said Deputy Fleming. The independent planning regulator and the Minister both agreed with this decision in the Laois County Development Plan, he said. In my opinion, this left An Bord Pleanala with no other option but to reject this application, deeming the area not an appropriate location for a windfarm. This is good news for the local communities in the area and I would ask the developers to pack up their bags, go away and not contest this decision or reapply. I support renewable energy, but this must be located in suitable areas. For instance, I supported the Gortahile Windfarm in Laois some years ago, as it was in a proper location. It is good to see this windfarm producing renewable energy for many years now. The Coolglass application proposed for a windfarm and related works in the townlands of Fossy Upper, Aghoney, Gorreelagh, Knocklead, Scotland, Brennanshill, Monamantry, Coolglass, Crissard and Kylenabehy, Co Laois. Employees were notified between 3pm and 3.30pm yesterday via email, that they should finish their shift early, at the Cardinal Health medical device manufacturing plant in Tullamore Cardinal Health, the medical manufacturing plant in Offaly, is to close on a phased basis with the first batch of redundancies in about six weeks time, it has been confirmed. Concerns had been growing for the 315 full-time jobs at Cardinal Health in Tullamore since yesterday evening, when a meeting between staff and management was called. That meeting took place on Thursday morning, when staff were informed of the planned closure of the plant on a phased basis. Follow Independent Offaly on Facebook SIPTU representatives had been called on behalf of around 280 of their members who work at the medical device manufacturers plant in Sragh Industrial Estate, Tullamore. The phased closure will affect 315 full-time employees, with the shutdown to be completed in March 2026. Apart from full-time staff, the plant also indirectly provides employment to contracted workers such as cleaning and catering staff. In a statement, the company said: We plan to consolidate production from our Tullamore facility to other facilities within our self-manufacturing network in March of 2026. Commercial activities in Ireland will not be impacted by these plans. This decision is part of our regular assessment of our global business, manufacturing and supply chain operations to ensure we are able to meet the evolving needs of our customers, the industry and our business. Speaking following the announcement of layoffs, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, said: My primary concern is for the staff and their families who are now coming to terms with the impact of this announcement. "This industry has had a presence in Tullamore for over 40 years, well served by a loyal workforce and with considerable support from the IDA over the years. Cardinal Health has 315 employees in Tullamore. I have been engaging and will continue to engage with the company. Following this mornings Town Hall meeting with staff, and along with the IDA and my Department we will work with the company management and with staff on current and potential future possibilities. We will make every effort to identify alternative employment opportunities for the staff affected by this announcement. As a country we are at full employment, with strong demand for med-tech and life sciences skills and we will work to help employees impacted to find alternative employment. Minister Burke went on to point out that Ireland has a strong cohort of indigenous firms in the med-tech sector which Enterprise Ireland is working with to further develop and expand including attracting experienced staff in the sector. The Local Enterprise Offices will provide advice and training for any employees in the sector who have ambitions to start their own business, he added. Fianna Fail Cllr Tony McCormack said he understood that the staff are happy enough with the redundancy package being offered. The site has three manufacturing lines. One is being discontinued and the other two are being sent out to other parts of the Cardinal Health company worldwide, said Cllr McCormack. Today's News in 90 Seconds - August 29th Cllr McCormack has spoken to Tanaiste Micheal Martin last night and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, via Barry Cowen TD, and assured employees that the State will do all it can, in terms of assisting workers with upskilling and bringing on board all State agencies. He received representations from concerned workers yesterday evening saying they were worried for their jobs. Employees were notified between 3pm and 3.30pm yesterday via email, that they should finish their shift early. Wednesday's night shift was cancelled so everyone could attend a meeting this morning, at 10am. We will be working very closely with the IDA to get a replacement company for that plant. That plant is in a very good position. Its a decent sized plant. Its across the road from Steris who are the largest sterilisation company in the country. Another medical devices company could located there very quickly. Laois/Offaly TD Charlie Flanagan has said the devastating news is a black day for Tullamore. My thoughts and solidarity are with the over 300 Cardinal Health workers and their families at this difficult time. It's a black day for Tullamore, said Deputy Flanagan. I have spoken directly with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke, who has assured me that the Government will do all it can to assist. I have spoken to some workers and pledged my active assistance. Relevant state agencies are on hand to provide advice & help. Much can happen between now and next March to soften the blow although it is a huge setback to economic and social life of Tullamore. The state will assist in the guidance for alternative jobs in the area & and I pledge my full support at this time of challenge, Deputy Flanagan said. Cllr McCormack said the loss of Cardinal Health was a sad day for Tullamore. There are a lot of people who have been there for many, many years. People Ive been talking to youre talking 25 to 30 years of service to the company. That company came to Tullamore back in the early 1980s, in a time when Ireland was in recession. So all those jobs would have been very precious. They have always been good payers, and they looked after their staff. It is a very sad day for the town to see such a place close. They are a huge contributor to the local economy. When we think about the local economy, we look at all the businesses that provide services into the company, and all the money that was spent by the staff in Tullamore and all the other towns around Tullamore. So, absolutely, this is going to be a blow to those businesses as well. Cardinal Health has been in Tullamore for over 40 years under different names. The company has been a huge employer locally, employing about 650 people at its height. Cardinal Health was opened in 1982 by Sherwood Medical before it was acquired by Tyco Healthcare. In 2007 the company became known as Covidien which was then acquired by Medtronic in 2015. Medtronic sold it to rival Cardinal Health in 2017 at that time it employed 350 staff. It has become part of the fabric of the town, said Cllr McCormack. They are sought after jobs. Theyre good jobs. People hang on to them. They stay there. Some people have been there since they finished school, and in some cases there are husbands and wives. We will do whatever we have to do. We wont be seen wanting, from a government point of view. Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan said she made urgent representations to the Minister Peter Burke following what she describes as news akin to a body blow for the town of Tullamore. This is devastating news and one that demands all agencies of state to respond as part of a concerted and unified effort to save these jobs, said Deputy Nolan. My heart goes out to the workers and their families at what must be a truly unnerving time. Cardinal Health is a major employer. It will be the equivalent in relative terms to Leixlip losing Intel. Needless to say that would be a like a punch to the gut for Tullamore and indeed the midlands more widely. Government needs to take action immediately to try and rescue whatever jobs can be rescued or supported, added Deputy Nolan. Cardinal Health has 48,000 employees worldwide, and had a $205 billion revenue in the fiscal year 2023. A new report from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) shows a continuing decline in the number of pubs in Ireland, with 2,054 fewer pubs today than there were in 2005. Sligo has seen a decline of just over 25% in the number of pubs since 2005, with counties Limerick, Roscommon, Cork, Tipperary and Laois seeing the highest declines. The report, including economic analysis from Economist and Associate Professor Emeritus at DCU, Anthony Foley, shows that an average of 114 pubs have closed annually over the past 18 years. The number of closures has risen in the last five years to 144 annual closures. Titled Support Growth: A Sustainable Future for Irelands Drinks and Hospitality Sector, the report includes a county-by-county breakdown of the number of pubs shuttered. Counties Limerick (35.6%), Roscommon (31.9%), Cork (31.4%), Tipperary (31.2%) and Laois (30.6%) have seen the highest declines, each exceeding the national closure average of 24%. Seven counties experienced a decline of 30% or more in their number of pubs. All 26 counties have experienced a decline in pub numbers since 2005. The lowest number of pub closures over the period came in Dublin which has seen a decline of 3% in pub numbers. Other counties with lower closures rates include Meath (6.7%), (Wicklow (8.9%), Kildare (12%) and Carlow (14.2%). Author of the report, Professor Tony Foley said: This analysis verifies the consistent trend we have been seeing with pub numbers in every part of the country. There is clearly a variation on closures between counties which broadly sees rural areas adversely impacted. The continuing decline is taking place against a backdrop of societal change and cost of business strains. Consumption of alcohol has notably decreased, how we socialise is changing, the types of drinks we consume are changing, particularly the rise of low-alcohol and alcohol-free products. We are also seeing that with many pubs, which are often small, family-run businesses, sustaining business is becoming harder and harder. Fostering commercial sustainability is crucial to safeguarding rural Irish pubs. Irelands drinks and hospitality businesses are operating in an environment where the costs of doing business are ever rising. Energy, insurance, and other cost line items continue to rise, many by double digits. The sector is also faced with one of the most regressive excise tax environments for small and medium enterprises in Europe." Commenting on the report, DIGI Chair and Communications and Corporate Affairs Director at Irish Distillers, Kathryn DArcy, said: The decline of over 2,000 pubs since 2005 reflects the real change and challenges this sector is dealing with. Pubs, restaurants, and hotels employ over 207,000 people which is 8.3% of all employees in the country. These people and the businesses they work for are part of the economic and social fabric of their communities. Running such businesses in a climate where the cost of doing business is squeezing more and more is difficult. DIGIs research shows that when government responds, particularly on heavy cost items like taxation, the sector responds. Punitive taxes like excise duty which are in some instances 12 times higher here than in other countries, are one such cost item. Irelands excise on spirits and beer is the third highest in Europe, while our excise on wine is the second highest in Europe. We have some of the highest excise duties in the world and the second highest in Europe overall. These businesses are integral to Irelands tourism offering. We need to take that consideration into account too. We are calling on Government to deliver a reduction in Irelands extremely high excise duties which would make an immediate, positive difference to the hundreds of small businesses in our sector struggling to stay open. We have costed, considered plans on how to do this and welcome engaging with government and others on our proposals. Twenty one years going strong, Irelands Town of Books Festival in Graiguenamanagh drew record crowds on Friday and Saturday, with book sellers saying that reports of the death of the printed book are definitely exaggerated! Every year the picturesque town on the Barrow with streams whooshing through it welcomes scores of books sellers and hundreds of book buyers for three days, jampacked with events. Among the book sellers this year were three from the UK, the most ever, further evidence of how the festival has grown over recent times. This year's programme included the very popular food and craft market at the Abbey Hall, music, poetry readings, face painting, the outdoor cinema, Plein Air artists and much more. Among the booksellers were Black Gull Books, who stock a large body of art reference books, posters, Irish interest and rare and interesting books. Red Books from Co Wexford returned with their fantastic selection. Owner Wally ONeill said: Were coming since 2018 and every year its just gotten bigger and bigger; its just fantastic! Even in 2018 it was an established book festival but it has come on so much since then. He said the festival could be compared to those held in Hay-on-Wye and Wigtown in Scotland. "Its a proper town of books festival so youll find something for everyone; from the highest antiquarian books, to really rare first editions, to 1 kids books. There's books for every taste, every age, every member of the family. Weve got three book shops over from the UK, whereas wed we normally have one or two. These are top-of-the-range, high-end bookshops and theyve brought a new flavour to the festival as well." Wally said such is the success of the festival that it warrants a second festival in the town, each year and more book festivals nationally, also. "Whats happened here in Graiguenamanagh is very much a grassroots movement. Theyve built it from the ground up, but I think theres scope for more of these festivals in Ireland. We seem to have more readers than there are in any country in Europe at the moment. Its in our history, our culture, its in our blood that storytelling tradition. Festival of books in Graignamanagh. John Joe Dwyer from Ballyhale. Photo; Mary Browne He said the French government has backed independent book festivals. Little rural towns like Graiguenamanagh are the perfect setting for a book festival. Cities can no longer handle book fairs. "Ive found this to be the busiest year. We have a clicker here and we definitely saw record numbers of people coming through the door on Friday and Saturday. Weve had an incredible amount of kids coming here, to the extent that one of the book shops this year is only catering for kids and teens. At Abbey Hall food and craft market, Liz OBrien said: Saturday was very busy and we had a weaving workshop next door and Cushendale organised a weaving workshop. It's been busy. A lot of the sellers are local and nearly all of the stuff is handmade. The idea is to provide a space for people to showcase and sell their work, from jewellery, to jams and baskets. Many donated books were sold going towards the running of the hall. At the book warehouse to the rear of Waterside Guesthouse & Restaurant, owner Brian Roberts said: This weekend, Friday was the busiest Friday we ever had. Saturday was very busy too and it was a slow start Sunday but it picked up. Weather is everything. This is always a bumper weekend, our busiest of the year, every year. Brian said he would love to see the festival on more weekends during the year. It would be very hard for Graig to cope with more people than we have now. We are as busy as we could possibly be at this time of the year, it's great. Local business, Tinnakeenly Leathers, was busy selling items on Sunday, with business very strong from international and local visitors, said Marie Coleman Byrne from behind the counter. The Secret Book and Record Store was busy throughout the weekend, and everything from postcards to coins, to a wide selection of GAA books were sold. Town of Books volunteer, Ann Phelan. One of the volunteers involved in organising the festival, Ann Phelan said: Usually Sunday is the busiest day, but it was Friday when the sun was shining families and everyone decided to make hay! There has been a lot of fun and excitement. Were very happy with the festival. It keeps growing, year on year. The English book sellers and everyone are really delighted. Everyone says print is dead, I havent seen any evidence of that. Ann said there is competition among book sellers about where the best location is. This year was very good as we were able to get a lot of premises up the town, as it gives us greater scope. On the funding structure behind the festival, Ann said: It is a very big success for a very small committee. I think it does deserve to be funded better. Saying that Kilkenny County Council are very good to us and we get sponsorship from Paul Kelly of Blacknight in Carlow. Without that we couldnt put the festival on because we do have costs. "Its a big voluntary effort, but I think everyone enjoys it. We had poetry here at the Hub earlier and it was amazing." Ann said: Everybody gets a piece of the action and thats what its really about, because this is a festival where there is not a huge big event, but we do get names like Eanna Ni Lamhna. We really want the businesses to benefit. "The Town of Books Festival is easy going; there is no pressure, and you get great value in books. We also see teachers coming in buying books to have for the kids at their schools because of the value. They got some books for a euro and its brilliant to see the whole thing getting regenerated. A lot of the books are recycled and that sustainability is another aspect of the festival. Large crowd attend opening night of festival of politics and Irish American culture in Co Wexford Eileen Dunne, chairperson; Paul Johnston, British Ambassador to Ireland and his wife Nicola at the opening of the Kennedy Summer School in St. Michael's Theatre, New Ross. Photo; Mary Browne Dr Brian Murphy, director; Paul Johnston, British Ambassador to Ireland and Larry Donnelly, director at the opening of the Kennedy Summer School in St. Michael's Theatre, New Ross. Photo; Mary Browne Paul Johnston, British Ambassador to Ireland and Eileen Dunne, chairperson at the opening of the Kennedy Summer School in St. Michael's Theatre, New Ross. Photo; Mary Browne The UK Ambassador to Ireland Paul Johnston told a crowd at the Kennedy Summer School in New Ross on Thursday night that the relationship between Ireland and England is at the start of a new cycle, after a difficult time following Brexit. Officially opening the three day festival, founded by the late barrister and political pundit, Noel Whelan, Mr Johnston said he has been inspired by President John F Kennedy and his brother Bobby in his own political career. "The British Irish relationship is in a period of renewal, he said, adding that there is no doubt that Britain's decision to leave the EU in 2016 caused a structural shock to that relationship, and did a lot of damage to it. "Eight years on we are trying to put it behind us," he said, pointing to the urgency on the part of new Prime Minister Kier Starmer to meet Taoiseach Simon Harris, shortly after his election. "The heart of the relationship is our role as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, he said. He said Northern Ireland presents challenges and opportunities, adding that there are attempts to reset the bilateral relationship. To this end he referenced a summit planned for March of next year. Mr Johnston said further collaboration is needed on matters including cyber security. "We are at the start of a new cycle in the British Irish relationship, he said, adding that working closely with America and the EU is a key focus of the government going forward. The summer school continues over Friday and Saturday with a host of household names due to debate a range of topics from St Michael's Theatre in New Ross. The scheduled appearance on Friday of An Taoiseach Simon Harris is the undoubted highlight of the summer school programme. The Taoiseach will be in conversation with Sinead McSweeney for the Noel Whelan Interview, which commemorates the life and legacy of one of the founders of the summer school, who died in 2019. Ms McSweeney, a social media expert and former managing director of Twitter Ireland, is the wife of the late Noel Whelan and in a wide-ranging interview she will be chatting to the Taoiseach about his life and times in politics. Eileen Dunne, chairperson; Paul Johnston, British Ambassador to Ireland and his wife Nicola at the opening of the Kennedy Summer School in St. Michael's Theatre, New Ross. Photo; Mary Browne Other events of note on Friday include Irish voices on the US presidential election, moderated by Larry Donnelly; veteran Irish journalists John Downing, Stephen Collins and Alison OConnor chatting to former RTE broadcaster Sean ORourke on life from the political frontline and the Edward M Kennedy lecture which features former Taoiseach Enda Kenny in conversation with Marie-Louise ODonnell. Friday is due to end on a lighter, musical note when moderator Lise Hand is joined by self-proclaimed Bruce Springsteen super fans including Irish Independent journalist Ralph Riegel and RTEs David McCullagh to explore the Boss Irish heritage. Saturdays Kennedy Summer School itinerary sees a broad range of topics up for discussion, including a history panel offering insights into how various forms of media have documented and shaped Irish memory and identity; crime and anti-social behaviour in post-Covid Ireland; a segment on whether Irish emigrants should have a say in Irish politics; the Nato Divide perspectives on Irelands neutrality and national security; and an Irish politics panel moderated by Sarah Carey and featuring Simon Coveney TD, Peadar Toibin TD and Senator Malcolm Byrne. Unsurprisingly, the summer school concludes with a discussion on US politics where a panel will examine the US presidential race across the key states that will determine the election, implications of Project 2025 and how this race will leave a lasting impact on American politics regardless of who wins. Clinton McCormack was shot while working on a housing development in Delgany, Co Wicklow Detective Inspector Seamus Ryan and Garda Ciara Hayes leaving the Dublin District Coroner's Court after the inquest into the death of . Clinton McCormack, who died in St Vincent's Hospital on December 19, 2023 as a result of an undiagnosed brain condition, five days after he was shot at a building site in Delgany. Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin Samantha McCormack, wife of the late Clinton McCormack leaving the Dublin District Coroner's Court after the inquest into the death of Clinton McCormack Detective Inspector Seamus Ryan leaving the Dublin District Coroner's Court after the inquest into the death of Clinton McCormack, who died in St Vincent's Hospital on December 19, 2023, as a result of an undiagnosed brain condition, five days after he was shot at a building site in Delgany. Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin Samantha McCormack, wife of the late Clinton McCormack leaving the Dublin District Coroner's Court after the inquest into the death of Clinton McCormack, who died in St Vincent's Hospital on December 19, 2023 as a result of an undiagnosed brain condition, five days after he was shot at a building site in Delgany. Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. The cause of a death of a man who suffered multiple gunshot wounds while working on a housing development in Wicklow last year was extremely complex, an inquest has heard. Clinton McCormack (44), a married father of three with an address in Bray, Co Wicklow died at St Vincents University Hospital in Dublin on December 19, 2023. Coroner Crona Gallagher told the opening of an inquest into the death of Mr McCormack on Thursday that establishing the cause of death in the case was extremely complex. Dr Gallagher told a brief sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court that the results of a post mortem showed that the deceased has suffered a hypoxic ischemic brain injury (a lack of oxygen to the brain) as well as acute swelling of the brain. The coroner said Mr McCormack has also had an in-hospital cardiac arrest due to multiple gunshot wounds as well as a brain tumour. She said there were no other contributory factors. Mr McCormack, who was a construction worker, came originally from Gorey, Co Wexford and had been living near Oulart, Co Wexford in the period before his death. The late Clinton McCormack. The deceaseds wife, Samantha McCormack, fought back tears as she gave evidence of formally identifying her husbands body to gardai after her husband had passed away at 8.27pm in the intensive care unit at St Vincents on December 19 last. Garda Ciara Hayes of Bray Garda station, gave evidence of having gone to the hospital to take up duty that day when she was informed at 2.46pm that Mr McCormack had been declared brain dead. A solicitor for the deceaseds family, Dermot Hickey, welcomed the ability of his relatives to be issued with a death certificate but said they would have questions at a later date. Detective Inspector Seamus Ryan said criminal proceedings were being considered in relation to Mr McCormacks death. However, the inquest heard that a file on the case has still to be forwarded to the DPP. Samantha McCormack, wife of the late Clinton McCormack leaving the Dublin District Coroner's Court after the inquest into the death of Clinton McCormack An application for a six-month adjournment of the inquest was granted under Section 25 (1) of the Coroners Act on the basis that criminal proceedings are being considered. Adjourning the case for further mention to March 6, 2025, Dr Gallagher offered her sympathy to Ms McCormack and other family members of the deceased on what she described as a very tragic death. Apart from mention of the gunshot wounds sustained by the victim, no references were made to events leading up to Mr McCormacks death during the brief hearing. The deceased had been brought to St Vincents after he had been shot in his arms and legs at a housing development in Delgany, Co Wicklow. The incident occurred as Mr McCormack and his teenage son were carrying out exterior insulation work on a property in the Bellevue Hill development at around 4.30pm on December 14, 2023. The boy was also assaulted during the attack on his father. It emerged that Mr McCormack was targeted by two masked gunmen who fired multiple shots with handguns at their victim after cornering him behind a van. Gardai believe the shooting was ordered by a Bray-based crime gang which is considered the main supplier of drugs in the north Wicklow area. One male was subsequently arrested in relation to a 2007-reg black Ford Focus that was seen near the scene of the shooting between Bellevue Hill and Kindlestown Woods car park between 3pm and 5pm on December 14 last. Gardai also carried out searches on six properties in parts of Dublin and Wicklow as part of their investigation into the shooting of Mr McCormack. It is also understood that the victim was unaware that he had a brain tumour. A convicted rapist, Eoghan OConnell (35) is currently serving a 12-year sentence for a previous attempted murder on Mr McCormack in front of his family eight years ago. The incident occurred as Mr McCormack was leaving his then home in Old Court Park, Bray, Co Wicklow to go to work shortly after 7am on April 18, 2016. OConnell pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Mr McCormack before a sitting of the Central Criminal Court in March 2018. The court heard that the victim, who moved home following the attack, escaped injury because the shotgun used by OConnell misfired due to shotgun cartridges being damp. Brian Reilly (centre) from Wexford town has been selected to contest the 'Rise with Aldi' live final in Dublin next week. Also pictured are fellow finalists Julia Sommer (Tipperary) and Fionn Corcoran (Kerry). Following a nationwide search for the very best amateur bakers, a Wexford man is among three who will battle it out in a live bake-off which will take place in Dublin next week. The Rise with Aldi competition challenged home bakers from across the country to bake a loaf of bread of their choice and submit to to a panel of judges in the hopes of advancing to the final. After receiving hundreds of entries, the judging panel selected their three star bakers to contest the grand final, which will take place at Airfield Estate, Dublin, next Tuesday, September 3. The winner of Rise with Aldi will have his/her/their bread stocked in 161 Aldi stores nationwide from January 2025 and receive a top prize of 15,000. Brian Reilly from Newtown Road was over the moon to be selected as one of the three finalists and is looking forward to battling it out with Julia Sommer from Templemore, Co Tipperary, and Fionn Corcoran from Killarney, Co Kerry. Brian has been an avid home baker since he started baking apple tarts at home as a child to earn extra pocket money. Having switched his focus to bread many years ago, he has already impressed judges with his signature home-made brown bread. The live final will be judged by TV and radio broadcaster Sile Seoige, rugby star turned baker Jonny Murphy and Aldi's buying director Laurence Kelly. Mr Kelly noted that rise with Aldi is yet another example of Aldis steadfast commitment to showcasing the finest Irish produce and supporting home-grown producers all year round. On behalf of everyone at Aldi, I would like to congratulate Fionn, Julia and Brian on making it this far and wish them the very best of luck in the live final, he concluded. Such is the reputation of Wexfords Red Books that it is now attracting international attention, visitors from as far afield as the Jilin province in north east China. Not content to sample the some 250,000 books on offer in its myriad of shelves, halls, and hidden areas, these two visitors to Wally ONeills store arrived with their camera and microphones, ready to make a film. One of our customers is a Chinese girl whos now living in Wexford, explained Wally, and the guy whos making the documentary is her cousin. She was telling him about the place and he was coming over to Ireland and was enamoured by the idea of these bookshops because they dont have shops like it in China. And so it was that on rainy Monday afternoon in Wexford, these two intrepid filmmakers arrived in Red Books to continue a project which also saw them visit Graiguenamanagh over the weekend for its Town of Books festival. With the traditional bricks and mortar bookshop constantly competing with the rise of digital e-readers, the documentary-makers were keen to sample life inside a literary emporium which continues to buck that particular trend. They would have a lot of new bookshops (in China), but they were telling me that, in a lot of instances, youll see people go in and read the books but youd never see anyone buy anything because everyone reads on digital devices over there, said Wally. They were very interested in the culture of the book shop, the posters on the door, all the different events we run, and local people writing books and having them published. They said that wasnt the norm where they live. With the interviewer having attended university in Canada there wasnt a language barrier to overcome, per se. I know they both found my accent a little difficult at times. I told them how I started out in a bulls shed in Bridgetown but that we got the bull out before we moved in - I think the Irish humour was lost on them. Scheduled to be released later in the year, the documentary will focus on literary culture in Ireland and spread the Red Books message to an even wider, more diverse audience. As a token of goodwill, the visitors presented Wally and his team with a number of stunning gifts from their homeland in Jilin and told him about a proverb which could most certainly be applied to Red Books A book holds a house of gold'. Jim Hurley, Cllr Jim Codd (cathaoirleach Rosslare Municipal District), Eamonn Hore (Senior engineer, Wexford County Council) and District manager Noirin Cummins pictured with staff from the Rosslare Municipal District, Assured Services and members of the Bannow Historical Society at the launch of viewing panel Natural Wexford in Bannow on Monday morning. Pic: Jim Campbell Visitors to one of the most historic parts of Wexford will have the opportunity to learn more about that history thanks to a new county council initiative launched to coincide with Heritage Week. Two information panels have been erected at the Little Sea viewing point in Barrystown on The Norman Way, each offering insight into an area which saw the first Norman settlers in Ireland arrive in the 12th century. Speaking at the unveiling of the panels, Cathaoirleach of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) Councillor Jim Codd said there wasnt a parish in Wexford which could compete with Carrig-on-Bannow for culture, heritage, music, language and natural beauty. "What happened here in 1169 has defined Irish history, the Norman town which sprung up here had 160 families here by the year 1300, said Cllr Codd. The place names still tell the history, we live in a wonderful place, its our responsibility to maintain and care for it. Some of that heritage is depicted on a panel which details the history of mining in the area. It relates to mining in Barrystown from the 1540s under the rule of Henry VIII right up until 1960 when the last attempt to glean metals here occurred, said Cllr Codd. The engine house we see here is a Cornish-design from the 1840s, and works on the engine house and the ongoing uncovering of the rich history of this area have been undertaken by the Barrystown Historical Society. "I want to thank them most sincerely for their work, we as a council owe a debt of gratitude to them. The second information panel focuses on the flora and fauna of Bannow, species which are now in all too short supply nationwide. The panels depict the beloved brent geese, of which flocks arrive here every autumn from the Canadian High Arctic, continued Cllr Codd who paid tribute to historian Jim Hurley for his work on the project. "His love and care for the wildlife of south Wexford is something that hes passed on to thousands of students who had the good luck to have him as a teacher. Further praise went to district manager of the RMD, Ms Noirin Cummins, a woman who Cllr Codd said was utterly committed to highlighting the beauty of Bannow. This coming Saturday Omniplex Arklow will join cinemas across Ireland as they mark the return of National Cinema Day. Over 99pc of cinemas in the Republic of Ireland will participate in this initiative, with admission tickets reduced to just 5 (RSP) including premium seats, screens and 3D screenings. Last years National Cinema Day was a huge success in Ireland, with over 217,000 admissions for that single day, making it the biggest cinema-going day of the year. Sean McDonnell, general manager of Omniplex Arklow, said: Were thrilled to celebrate the return of National Cinema Day for the third consecutive year at Omniplex Arklow. With the support of Screen Ireland, were excited to offer our local community the chance to enjoy a movie for just 5. "Its been an incredible year for Irish CinemaWicklow audiences were captivated by That They May Face The Rising Sun and The Sparrow. Now were eager for our cinemagoers to catch the latest Irish cinema release, Kneecap, at such an unbeatable price. We look forward to welcoming our guests and continuing Irelands proud tradition of having the highest cinema attendance in Europe. The Republic of Ireland has an average of one cinema screen per 10,000 people, the highest density of cinema screens per capita in Europe. Arklow Onminplex has a host of hit movies showing on Saturday including It Ends With Us, starring Blake Lively, and Deadpool & Wolverine, starring Livelys husband Ryan Reynolds. Blockbuster sequels Alien: Romulus and Twisters, featuring Normal People heroine Daisy Edgar-Jones, are also on the schedule, along with Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope and The Terminator. For the kids, Disney Pixars biggest film of the year Inside Out is on, and theres Despicable Me 4, Harold and the Purple Crayon, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Coraline. Care provider Home Instead is currently recruiting to fill 1,000 new roles at its upcoming National Hiring Week, which takes place from Monday, September 2 to Friday, September 6, with hiring events coming to Bray and Greystones. Home Instead currently provides compassionate, relationship-based care to upwards of 8,000 older adults throughout the country, employing a team of nearly 4,000 fully-trained professional caregivers to support its services. The firms caregivers are part of a dedicated care team who have extensive caregiving experience, focus on the person first and create care plans to enhance quality of life. Ahead of the hiring week, Michael Lowe, general manager at Home Instead Wicklow, said: Hiring Week, now in its third year, is a nationwide initiative to reach out and connect with those people who are interested in starting a career in care, and in doing so make a real difference to the lives ageing adults in their local communities and beyond. Its also a fantastic opportunity for Home Instead to highlight what makes us an employer of choice in the home care sector, for example, we offer best-in-class training, career progression opportunities, quality compliance and both recognise and celebrate the stellar contributions of our wonderful caregivers. In terms of criteria, Home Instead said it hires people who embody the values of kindness, dignity and respect as this is how all those it cares for are treated. Successful candidates will receive research-based, practical training through Home Insteads in-house Home Care Professionals Academy, which will provide the skills and confidence to perform the role effectively. Michael continued: Whether youre interested in full-time work or part-time hours that fit around your schedule, theres an opportunity for you with Home Instead. Home Instead Hiring Week offers an excellent opportunity to meet your local team and explore all the amazing benefits a career in care can offer. We encourage anyone who has a passion for care to get in touch and join us at our Hiring Week events. The hiring events for Wicklow are: The Royal Hotel, Main Street. Bray, on Tuesday, September 3 from 11am-3pm. Dedicated recruitment stand at SuperValu Greystones, on Wednesday, September 4, from 10am-2pm. A volunteer driver from west Wicklow has lent his voice to the Irish Cancer Societys appeal for more drivers from the Garden County to help deliver cancer patients to and from their treatments. The Irish Cancer Society transport service helps to ease the strain of travel on cancer patients, who often find it hard to get to and from hospital because of transportation costs, or they might not be feeling well enough to drive themselves because of their treatment. This vital service is completely free for patients. Last year, the Irish Cancer Society provided over 680 journeys for cancer patients in Wicklow and over 22,000 journeys nationwide. Eamon Heffernan from Knockanarrigan was moved to volunteer as a driver after dealing with his wifes cancer diagnosis. Eamon said: My wife had breast cancer some time ago and at the time, transport to treatment was very stressful, as I was working full-time, and she couldnt drive. I wanted to help clients going through cancer treatment and volunteering as a driver was the most flexible way of doing this. Those going though treatment have enough on their plate, so it feels good to make a real impact. I would encourage anyone considering signing up, to get in touch with the volunteer team at the Irish Cancer Society. Ongoing talks between Wicklow County Council and a landowner over the restriction of access to the Lighthouse Road in Wicklow town look set to reach a resolution The restrictions along the access road to the lighthouse on Wicklow Head, a Special Protection Area, have been in place for over two years, frustrating locals and visitors alike. The owner of the land, through which the lighthouse road runs, restricted access due to insurance concerns about walkers along that route. Keep Ireland Open held a well-attended public protest over the issue during September of last year. Talks between the landowner and Wicklow County Council have been ongoing and now it looks like a resolution is imminent. The agreement will see Wicklow County Council enter into a lease agreement for the relevant piece of land. This agreement will transfer the insurance responsibility to Wicklow County Council and allow unrestricted access along the Lighthouse Road for the general public. In welcoming the news, Cllr Gail Dunne said: Its great news that a resolution to the situation has now been agreed upon. Its a beautiful walk and a lot of local people love going out there for a walk or hike. Its a huge tourist attraction as well, so opening up access again can only be god news for Wicklow town. I used to go out there a lot a young kid growing up in Wicklow town, and whenever we have family over visiting from elsewhere such as Wales, we always bring them out to the lighthouse road. Its also always one of the destinations we bring guests from our twin towns like Eichenzell out to through Wicklow Municipal District, whenever they are visiting. Its an iconic part of the town and for the past two years and more I have been inundated with calls from people concerned about the access restrictions. This is very positive news for Wicklow town. The lease agreement is being drafted by the legal representatives of both parties at present, and once signed, it paves the way for unrestricted public access to the scenic Lighthouse Road, allowing residents and visitors alike to experience one of Wicklow's most cherished landmarks up close. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore said: In the past year, community efforts have been instrumental in advocating for public access. A notable protest, supported by Keep Ireland Open, took place on September 16, 2023, highlighting the community's desire for permanent access to the lighthouses and Wicklow Head. This agreement represents the culmination of these efforts, ensuring that the natural beauty and historical significance of Wicklow Head can be enjoyed by all. Having attended the protest with Keep Ireland Open nearly a year ago last September, where we walked to the lighthouse, I had the opportunity to talk to many concerned locals on the route. I know that news of this progress will be very welcome. This public walkway to Wicklow Head is an asset to the town and needs to be treated as such. She added: The path to this agreement has not been without its challenges and has been a contentious issue for quite a number of years causing ongoing concern for local residents. In recent years, locals faced arbitrary closures of parts of the access road, leading to confrontations and concerns over public rights. The road, which offers an accessible surface for exercise, birdwatching, photography, and other outdoor pursuits, has been a vital part of the community's connection to the countryside "The news that the lengthy negotiations between Wicklow Municipal District and the landowner at Wicklow Lighthouse have come to a mutual agreement is wonderful. With Wicklow County Council now taking over the lease of the access, this historic landmark can now be appreciated up close by the people of Wicklow." Her fellow Social Democrats party member, the recently elected Cllr Danny Alvey, said the issue of closed access to the lighthouse walk was raised at countless doorsteps when he was out canvassing for the local elections. It was raised repeatedly, especially by residents in the wider Dunbur area. Just this week I met with some of them and we walked the road together and passed many local families and friends enjoying this historic and scenic route. I know the staff in the Municipal District have been working hard to find a resolution to this issue and I commend them for securing this new lease agreement which will ensure the walk is fully reopened and can continue to be used and enjoyed by the public of Wicklow town." Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has urged Meals on Wheels services in County Wicklow to ensure they access new financial support from his department to improve their services. Minister Donnelly visited the Wicklow Town Meals on Wheels service, which is currently moving into a new premises, when he made the announcement. Minister Donnelly said: Older person day centres and Meals on Wheels services are such a vital service for so many all over Wicklow. Im really impressed with the services provided. The Wicklow town service is providing almost 8,000 meals a year. The service In Wicklow town is moving to a new premises and the funding means they can upgrade their kitchen and food preparation facilities. He added: We know the enormous benefits that services like this provide across society. People are able to stay at home for longer when they have access to the social interactions that are provided by meals on wheels and day centre services. This funding will ensure that the services across Wicklow can develop and improve their facilities and continue to provide this vital service to so many people. It also means that their fundraising and voluntary efforts can be used for services rather than investment into premises and facilities. Funding will be administered through the HSE Regional Health Areas (RHAs) and will be open to all HSE funded day care and Meals on Wheels services that currently have a service level agreement (SLA) or are currently engaging with the HSE to provide such services. Wicklow Meals on Wheels were allocated a new premises by Wicklow County Council, which is far more fit-for-purpose than the old premises at Dispensary Lane. Work is currently taking place at the new premises so it will comply with health and safety standards. Speaking about Minister Donnellys visit, secretary Noeleen Redmond said: We were delighted to welcome the Minister and provide him with a tour of our new premises. He wanted to hear about all the work we carry out as volunteers in delivering up to 90 hot, healthy, nutritious meals twice a week to people in Wicklow town. "A lot of our beneficiaries would be elderly, but we also cater to other people, including those who may have suffered illness or some broken bones and are unable to cook for themselves. It was fantastic to meet with Minister Donnelly and his visit provided us all with a real boost. Further details on this grant funding and application is being communicated directly to services. This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing community-based services and supporting the well-being of individuals across Wicklow. The services who may qualify for up to 25,000 each in Wicklow are Wicklow Town Meals on Wheels, Bray Old Folks Association Meals on Wheels, Greystones Meals on Wheels, Kylemore House Day Care Centre, Irish Wheelchair Association, Arklow Business Enterprise Centre, Carnew Day Care, Arklow Meals on Wheels and St. Clares Day Centre. A court in Thailand on Thursday found Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, a member of a famous Spanish acting family, guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced him to life in prison. The Koh Samui provincial court issued an initial sentence of death for Sancho but commuted it to life imprisonment due to his co-operation during the trial, police colonel Paisan Sangthep, deputy commander of the Surat Thani provincial police, who attended the hearing, told the Associated Press. Sancho, a 30-year-old chef with a YouTube channel, had been charged with the murder of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, a 44-year-old plastic surgeon from Colombia, when both were vacationing on the Thai holiday island of Koh Pha-ngan in August last year. The island is famous for its monthly Full Moon beach parties, attracting travellers from around the world for all-night raves. Rodolfo Sancho talks to reporters outside Koh Samui provincial court in southern Thailand (AP Photo/Thanapat Cherajin) The convicted man is the son of Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre, a prominent Spanish actor, and Silvia Bronchalo, who has also worked as an actor. Both parents are 49 years old and attended Thursdays court session. At his trial on the island of Samui, Sancho claimed he got into a fight with Mr Arrieta for allegedly trying to sexually assault him. He said that Arrieta fell as they scuffled and hit his head on a bathtub, losing consciousness and dying. He had pleaded not guilty to charges of premeditated murder. Sancho acknowledged dismembering the victims body and disposing of the parts on land and at sea. Bronchalos mother, Silvia Bronchalo, centre, attended her sons court hearing (AP Photo/Thanapat Cherajin) For the charge of concealing or damaging a body, he received a four-month prison sentence, reduced to two months for acknowledging the act, said Mr Paisan. He had also pleaded not guilty to the charge of destroying another persons documents the victims passport for which he received a two-year prison term. The elements of the case: violent death on a holiday island, the celebrity connections and the lurid details; attracted huge coverage in Spanish media. HBO produced a Spanish-language documentary on the events. The case came to light when trash collectors found what the Bangkok Post newspaper described as a sawed-off pelvis and intestines weighing about five kilogrammes in a fertiliser sack at a garbage dump. Shortly after that, Sancho reported to police that Mr Arrieta was missing, and police then gathered evidence linking the two men that led them to detain and interrogate him. Police established a narrative, claiming to the press that Sancho had confessed to the murder and saying he had planned it because Mr Arrieta threatened to disgrace him and his family by revealing their alleged sexual relationship. Sancho, through his father and his lawyers, said that was a distorted version of what he told police, and denied having a sexual relationship with Mr Arrieta. Police obtained surveillance video showing Sancho allegedly purchasing a knife, rubber gloves, garbage bags and cleaning solutions at a convenience store before Mr Arrietas death, which prosecutors claimed bolstered the charge of premeditated murder. In his closing statement earlier in the trial, Sancho told the court he regretted his actions, the Spanish newspaper El Pais reported. I am sorry that a life has been lost and that parents have lost a son, Sancho said. I am sorry that his family was not able to bury him properly. Im sorry for what I did after the death. Jeremy Clarkson behind the bar of the Farmers Dog (Neil Robinson/PA) Jeremy Clarkson has responded to complaints about the pricing of food and drink at his new pub, The Farmers Dog. Hundreds of people were seen queuing outside the presenters new watering hole in Asthall, near Burford in Oxfordshire, as it opened to the public for the first time last Friday. The pubs restaurant has two menus, a weekday main menu, which consists of British classics like sausage and mash, steak pie and a Lancashire hotpot. On weekends, a carvery is served between midday and 9pm. When the menu was first shared with the public on the Farmers Dog Instagram page, Clarksons fans remarked that there were no prices on the menu, which might suggest that dishes would be more expensive compared to pubs in the area. You know its expensive when they dont include the prices, wrote one fan on Instagram, as another added: No prices. Always a worry. The opening of Jeremy Clarksons new pub, The Farmers Dog, in Asthall, near Burford in Oxfordshire, led to a surge in property searches in the area, Rightmove said (Ben Birchall/PA) When one commenter joked on X/Twitter that they would need to remortgage their home to afford a round of drinks at the new pub, Clarkson responded: Its 5.50 a pint. At the time of the opening, the former Top Gear presenter said that all produce used in the restaurants dishes would be locally sourced and produced by British farmers. The menu changes its whatever weve got. Theres no Coca-Cola, no coffee, other pubs do coffee. Cornish tea. We do British food. Everything that you consume in here every single thing even the black pepper and the sugar, is grown by British farmers, he told the crowd. Clarkson added that he had tried the gammon, parsley sauce and bubble and squeak from the menu. Some of the produce is sourced from his farm Diddly Squat, which is the centre of his Amazon series Clarksons Farm. According to LadBible, some of the main dishes range from 15 for a vegetable and cheddar crumble to 19 for the Lancashire hotpot. As for the smaller plates, chicken liver pate with onion chutney is sold for 9 and garlic mushrooms with a poached egg for 8. TV presenter turned farmer Jeremy Clarkson speaks to reporters outside his new pub, The Farmers Dog, in Oxfordshire (Ben Birchall/PA) Desserts including apple crumble and the cheesecake of the day are priced at 8, while the strawberry meringue costs 9. The pub also sells merchandise themed around Clarksons popular Hawkstone brewery. The most expensive item on sale is the Hawkstone jumper, which is sold for 60, with other items including an apron for 40, a goat-themed t-shirt for 28, a dog bowl for 35 and a bottle opener for 14. Asked by reporters why he wanted to open a pub ahead of the grand opening of The Farmers Dog, Clarkson said it was the next best thing after he couldnt open a restaurant on his farm. We wanted to have that restaurant on the farm last year and we couldnt, and pubs, they are all for sale. So, we thought instead of building a restaurant we would buy a pub. Clarkson has faced backlash over the years from locals in West Oxfordshire when he has attempted to expand his Diddly Squat farm project. Some residents were concerned that the pubs existence would cause local traffic issues because it is located next to the busy A40. But Oxfordshire County Council has said its been working closely with Clarkson and his team to reduce the likelihood of traffic issues ahead of the opening. The presenter described the whole process of becoming a pub landlord as terribly stressful and said there are many inconveniences that you dont think about. LATEST | French authorities charge Telegram's Durov in probe into organized crime on app Durov was detained at a French airport on SaturdayProbe focuses on possible uses of Telegram for various crimesMessaging app has almost a billion usersCase has also fuelled debate on freedom of speech Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov (Tatan Syuflana/AP) Dominique Vidalon, Elizabeth Pineau and Tassilo Hummel Thu 29 Aug 2024 at 08:37 A French judge put Telegram boss Pavel Durov under formal investigation on Wednesday in a probe into organized crime on the messaging app, but granted the entrepreneur bail on condition he pays 5 million euros, reports twice a week to police and does not leave French territory. Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community! Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region. India Bets Big on Newly Sanctioned Public Infrastructure Projects, Smart Industrial Cities India has approved 12 new industrial smart cities and other infrastructure projects aimed at boosting Indias manufacturing ecosystem. The smart city projects under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) will entail an investment of INR 286.02 billion (US$3.41 billion), while three railway projects across four states will seek to optimize logistics networks. Finally, a new hydro-power initiative seeks to upgrade power infrastructure in the Northeast region of the country. On August 28, 2024, Indias Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved 12 new smart city projects under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) with an investment of INR 286.02 billion (US$3.41 billion). These projects are expected to attract INR 1.52 trillion (US$18.12 billion) in investments from large industries and MSMEs, creating 1 million direct and 3 million indirect jobs. Industrial hubs in 12 new smart cities: What we know The new industrial smart cities aim to strengthen Indias domestic manufacturing ecosystem, attract foreign investments, and boost job creation. They are part of the countrys wider strategy to drive economic growth and enhance the countrys global competitiveness. Eleven of the 12 projects will be developed in the below locations: Khurpia, Uttarakhand Rajpura-Patiala, Punjab Dighi, Maharashtra Palakkad, Kerala Agra and Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh Gaya, Bihar Zaheerabad, Telangana Orvakal and Kopparthy, Andhra Pradesh Jodhpur-Pali, Rajasthan One location remains undisclosed due to the Model Code of Conduct in election-bound states like Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Delhi, and Jammu & Kashmir. These cities will be built as smart industrial hubs under the NICDP, with modern infrastructure based on sustainable concepts such as plug-and-play and walk-to-work. The NICDP will support both large industries and MSMEs, facilitating Indias goal of achieving US$2 trillion in exports by 2030. The hubs will focus on industries such as technical textiles, electric vehicles, aero logistics, food processing, and tourism, and are expected to be completed within three years. Indias Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal described the plan as a necklace of industrial cities connected by the Golden Quadrilateral national highway network. Some of these cities could also be developed in partnership with countries like Switzerland and Singapore. Meanwhile, Rajat Saini, CEO of the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC), noted that Hyundai has already committed to establishing an automobile hub on 450 acres in Zaheerabad, Telangana, prior to Cabinet approval. These projects are aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, aiming for seamless multi-modal connectivity to improve the movement of goods, services, and people. On July 23, 2024, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced plans to create plug-and-play industrial parks near 100 cities under NICDP. New railway projects The CCEA has approved INR 64.56 billion (US$769.9 million) for three railway projects aimed at improving logistics. These projects will extend across four statesOdisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarhmarking a significant expansion of the Indian Railways network. The approved initiatives consist of two new railway lines and a multi-tracking project, collectively adding around 300 km to the network and impacting seven districts within these states. These are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as agriculture products, fertilizer, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, limestone, etc. Project line State Route length Project cost Jamshedpur-Purulia-Asansol (Chandil-Anara-Damodar) 3rd Line Jharkhand (East Singhbhum), West Bengal (Purulia & Bardhaman) 121 km INR 21.7 billion (US$258.7 million) Sardega-Bhalmuda New Double Line Odisha (Sundargarh), Chhattisgarh (Raigarh) 31 km INR 13.6 billion (US$162.18 million) Bargarh Road-Nawapara Road New Line Odisha (Bargarh, Nuapada) 138 km INR 29.26 billion (US$348.9 million) Source: Press Information Bureau Hydro-power projects The Union Cabinet has approved equity support of INR 41.36 billion (US$493.2 million) to Indias northeastern states for developing hydro-power projects totaling 15,000 MW in capacity over the next eight years. These initiatives are expected to generate substantial employment, drive economic growth, and promote environmentally sustainable practices. (US$1 = INR 83.85) Photo courtesy: Video grab Kolkata: Private sector lender Axis Bank announced the launch of a comprehensive app, neo for merchants, in partnership with VISA and Mintoak. The 'neo for merchants' app empowers merchants to accept payments, view transaction reports, and raise service requests directly through the mobile application which eliminates the need to rely on their relationship manager. The applications all-in-one functionality offers low-cost solutions, enhances the omnichannel payment experience, and offers a one-stop solution for all merchant needs such as transaction and service reports. Axis Banks neo for merchants offers a wide range of benefits: Convenience: Merchants can accept payments anytime via Cards, SMS Pay and UPI, which enhances the overall experience and satisfaction for customers as well as merchants Efficiency: Streamlines payment process and service request through the mobile app that can save time for both merchants and staff, leading to increased productivity Data Insights: Transaction and Settlement reports accessible through the application can offer valuable insights to the merchants User-friendly App: Robust payment and service capabilities emphasize its value in simplifying operations, enhancing experience and driving business growth Speaking at the launch, Sanjeev Moghe, President & Head- Cards & Payments, Axis Bank said, Our newly launched neo for merchants is a one-stop solution for all business requirements of the merchant community. This application is a great opportunity for us to support them in conducting their business smoothly, enhancing convenience and building a robust digital ecosystem. Speaking on the partnership with Axis Bank, Raman Khanduja, Co-founder and CEO of Mintoak, said, "As businesses increasingly embrace digitisation, our collaboration with Axis Bank aims to deliver intuitive technology and cutting-edge solutions to empower todays SMEs. Leveraging their trust and distribution alongside our technological expertise, the neo for merchants app is positioned to cater to the evolving needs of the merchant ecosystem in payments, finance, and commerce." "This solution underscores our continued commitment to supporting the aspirations of dynamic, enterprising Indian merchants while delivering convenience, efficiency and valuable insights for growth. With the power of Visa, we shape the future of commerce with our clients and drive secure and seamless payment experiences for everyone everywhere, said Rishi Chhabra, Head of Merchant Sales and Acquiring at Visa, India and South Asia. Photo Courtesy: File image from Wallpaper Cave New Delhi: Gautam Adani and his family have claimed the top position in the 2024 Hurun India Rich List, with a Rs 11.6 lakh crore fortune, overtaking Mukesh Ambani. In 2020, Adani ranked fourth on the list. His wealth has increased by 95% over the past year, driven by a remarkable rebound following scrutiny from the Hindenburg report. "Rising like a phoenix after the Hindenburg allegations, Gautam Adani (62) & family have secured the top spot in this year's rankings, with a 95% increase in wealth compared to last year, bringing their total to INR 1,161,800 Cr. As a self-made entrepreneur, Adani has recorded the highest wealth growth within the top 10 over the past five years, adding Rs 1,021,600 Cr, despite the challenges following the report," the Hurun Rich List says. "All Adani Group companies saw a significant surge in share prices over the past year. For example, Adani Ports experienced a 98% increase, driven by improved utilization levels and the proposed acquisition of new ports and container terminals. Meanwhile, the energy-focused companies--Adani Energy, Adani Gas, Adani Transmission, and Adani Power-averaged a 76% growth in share price. "Additionally, MSCI's decision to lift restrictions on Adani Group securities in its August 2024 review indicates a return to normal operations, reflecting a stabilizing outlook for key stocks like Adani Enterprises, Adani Ports, and Ambuja Cements. This year, Hurun has attributed the wealth of the family trust and international companies within the promoter group to Gautam Adani and his family," the report adds. Anas Rahman Junaid, Founder and Chief Researcher of Hurun India, described India as "emerging as Asia's wealth creation engine," noting a 29% increase in the number of billionaires, while China saw a 25% decline. Following Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani on the list are HCL Technologies' Shiv Nadar and family in third place with Rs 3.14 lakh crore. Fourth and fifth positions are held by Cyrus S. Poonawalla and family of Serum Institute of India (Rs 2.89 lakh crore) and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries' Dilip Shanghvi (Rs 2.49 crore). The report highlights that India produced a new billionaire every five days last year, bringing the total to 259 in 2023. The Hurun India Rich List now includes over 1,500 individuals with a net worth exceeding Rs 1,000 crore, showing a 150% increase compared to seven years ago. This year's list features 1,539 ultra-rich individuals, up by 220 from last year and marking an 86% jump over the past five years. The list showcases a diverse group of wealth creators, including family businesses, startup founders, private equity investors, angel investors, next-generation leaders, and film stars. The youngest billionaire is 21-year-old Kaivalya Vohra, co-founder of the $5 billion startup Zepto, followed by his 22-year-old co-founder Aadit Palicha. Photo courtesy: X/NDRF Ahmedabad/IBNS: At least 29 people have been killed in different rain-related incidents as Gujarat is being ravaged by heavy downpours that triggered flooding in several places. The western state has no hope of respite anytime soon as the met department predicted more showers. The Met Office has sent out an alert for very heavy rainfall till August 30 with extremely heavy rains in isolated parts of districts in Saurashtra on Thursday. With the latest spell, Gujarat has so far received 105 percent of its average annual rainfall, the State Emergency Operations Centre said. Twenty-nine people have died in rain-related incidents since Sunday and around 18,000 people have been evacuated to safety. Water from the Ajwa and Pratappura Reservoirs was released into Vishwamitri River, causing floods downstream. Parts of Vadodara and other cities and villages along the river have been under 10 to 12 feet of water. Vadodara grappled with floods as the Vishwamitri river, flowing through the city, breached its banks and entered residential localities, inundating buildings, roads and vehicles. An official release said 140 reservoirs and dams, and 24 rivers in the state were flowing above the danger mark. Besides the National and State Disaster relief forces, the Army, the Air Force, and the Coast Guard have been called in for rescue and relief work. Many people, who have not received food and drinking water for days, are yet to be evacuated from flooded areas. They are even struggling to stay safe, moving to rooftops under temporary sheds. On Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and assured all possible support and assistance. State health minister Rushikesh Patel said the government is considering diverting the flood water into the Narmada canal instead of releasing it in Vishwamitri river A dress by Doodlage made from deadstock fabric. Image courtesy of Doodlage. Deadstock textiles, often discarded or incinerated, are being innovatively repurposed by some Indian designers into sustainable fashion, reducing environmental impact. Mongabay India correspondent Shweta Thakur Nanda reports At the posh South Delhi studio of designer Gautam Gupta, the second floor is teeming with clients rummaging through rows of garments looking for the trendiest. Just a floor above, in a cold bare room, rolls of unsold and obsolete deadstock fabrics are respectfully stacked in almirahs. Once part of this euphoria on the second floor, the deadstock lying above now stands witness to a world obsessed with novelty and indulging in excess. The deadstock also holds promise of redemption for an industry known for having ecological impacts. Usually, after languishing in warehouses, stockrooms, or backyards of fabric manufacturers and weavers, deadstock textile inventory is either incinerated or dumped in landfills, both with negative environmental impacts. A growing number of designer accessory and fashion brands are now innovating with design to use these discarded fabrics to create responsible garments. A combination of environmental consciousness, creativity, and better business acumen is gradually driving this change. A dress by Doodlage made from deadstock fabric. Typically, deadstock textiles languish in warehouses or are incinerated or landfilled, causing negative environmental impacts. Image courtesy of Doodlage. Deadstock has emerged as an effective tool to mitigate some environmental impact of the fashion and lifestyle industry. Coming up with innovative design processes to use deadstock to create garments curbs our carbon footprint. It reduces our dependence on virgin resources as well, says Gupta. The designer, who regularly procures deadstock from weavers and textile godowns for his clothing lines, said the obsolete fabric piles contribute to environmental pollution. Contrary to perception, there is a growing realisation that a good environment is a good business too. Apart from waste management, using deadstock also translates to water savings, as producing new fabrics, particularly cotton, is water-intensive, says Arvind Kumar, president and founder of the India Water Foundation, a non-profit think tank. Besides, utilising deadstock materials lowers energy consumption since it bypasses energy-intensive textile manufacturing processes such as producing fibre, dyeing, and finishing. This leads to a reduced carbon footprint. In the case of natural fibres, by not producing new materials, the need for agricultural chemicals like pesticides and fertilisers is also reduced, Kumar explains. Cotton canvas and other fabric discarded due to small damages or discolouration, segregated and arranged by Juhu Beach Studio, a company that upcycles textile waste into products. Image courtesy of Juhu Beach Studio. The Indian textile and apparel market was worth nearly $165 billion in 2022, according to government data. Growing at a compound annual growth rate of 10%, it is projected to reach $350 billion by 2030. While the textile and apparel industry contribute well to the countrys GDP and are considered job-creating sectors, they are also noted polluters. Approximately 8.5% of global textile waste is accumulated in India every year, multiple surveys by research and consulting firms like IDH, Fashion for Good, Sattva Consulting, Reverse Resources, etc., have shown. Over 22% of this either goes to landfills or gets incinerated. Globally, say World Bank estimates, the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of the worlds annual carbon emissions more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. By 2030, the fashion industrys greenhouse gas emissions will increase by over 50%. In such a situation, any attempt to reduce waste and make life and lifestyle responsible, is a welcome step. This attempt is reflected in the growing popularity of deadstock products as young entrepreneurs embrace novel ways to use, market, and popularise such products. Turning constraint into creativity In the realm of planet-positive fashion, working with deadstock is both a challenge and a design innovation opportunity. Prakruthi Rao, co-founder of deadstock designer brand Juhu Beach Studio, says deadstock turns the traditional design process upside down. Instead of starting with a concept, theme, and design inspiration, here the journey starts with sourcing the deadstock and then deciding on what can be created out of it, says Mumbai-based Rao. Deadstock textiles have their own set of constraints and characteristics, such as varying thickness and absorption properties, limited colour and texture, misprints and wrong dyeing. Fabric panels, which come in irregular dimensions and limited quantities, add to the challenge and repurposing them needs innovation. Fabric panels are pre-cut pieces originally planned to make a specific item but remained unused. Unlike regular fabric bolts, they have peculiar dimensions, designs, or prints, which restricts the flexibility to design new garments in consistent sizes, styles, and large numbers. Kavisha Parikh, the owner of the label Patch Over Patch, says the challenges and scope of innovation that deadstock offers thrill her and make the manufacturing process exciting. Gujarat-based Parikh uses an array of surface techniques such as applique, patchwork, cutwork, and quilting to conceal the misprinted or incorrectly dyed part. To connect two different textile patches, she creates a third fabric or lace using the crochet technique from thread deadstock. Discarded textile often lands in landfills. Image by Shaz Syed/Mongabay. Similarly, Gupta uses hand embroidery and textile decoration techniques to embellish the wrongly dyed or misprinted part. In other cases, deadstock fabrics are used to adorn garments with patchwork and make potlis (traditional pouches with drawstrings) and latkans (decorative tassels) for blouses and lehengas. Deadstock that is completely unusable is taken apart thread by thread and rewoven into fresh fabric, claims Gupta a practice that clothing brands such as No Nasties and In Joy Living by designer Nisha Chauhan also employ. No Nasties sources both deadstock yarn and fabric. Artisans from Jaipur then hand-weave these into new fabrics. Paras Arora, a co-founder of the fashion label Doodlage, says the brand initially focused on simpler and more predictable materials, such as cotton in solid colours, to navigate the challenges. Over time, we realised that buyers appreciate the scarce nature of the raw material and recognise it as a key differentiator if the visual appeal of the garment is intact. It lends a unique appeal to deadstock products, underlines our innovation and importance of sustainability. The buyers interest due to material innovation, eco-consciousness, and social wellbeing is encouraging designers to roll out limited edition and capsule collections. These collections exude a strong sense of exclusivity and lure customers. I dont want my fashion choices to put any extra burden on our planet, so I try to buy clothes that are planet-positive, says Smriti S., a filmmaker in Mumbai. Akshara Mehta and Prakruthi Rao, co-founders of Juhu Beach Studio. Image courtesy of Juhu Beach Studio. Planet friendly and business friendly The cost of textiles, production, and transportation is constantly inching up. So, when designers work with deadstock, they reduce the input cost and capital investment in the new collection. These savings can be used to offset other business costs like labour, machine, and logistics. It boosts our margins, Delhi-based Gupta reasoned. Since these are surplus and obsolete textiles, the procurement-to-production cycle has a shorter turnaround time. Smaller businesses also benefit, as they spend less on storage and inventory management. Some argue that these collections are drawing new customers. A segment of buyers who are upwardly mobile and eco-conscious are seeking brands that align with environmental values, says Akanksha Kaila Akashi, founder of Refash, an e-commerce platform for deadstock garments and accessories. Refash currently hosts 130 brands, including 90 indigenous ones, claims Akashi and informed that her platform is witnessing 20% sales growth per year. Arora, however, says deadstock fashion is focused more on environmental gains than revenue gains. Beyond business, it is also creating social capital by benefiting the weaving and associated communities a net positive for the circular economy. Actor Shweta Tripathi in a Refash outfit made from deadstock. Growing buyer interest in eco-conscious fashion is driving designers to create limited edition and capsule collections. Image courtesy of Refash. Kavisha Parikh claims to buy all her raw material (deadstock fabric) from local markets and works with artisans of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Artisans traditional craft is interesting, but they tend to overlook market trends and design value. This is where we step in to add value and preserve artisanry, Parikh explains. While the steps are well-meaning and eco-friendly, some experts warn against greenwashing. Kumar of India Water Foundation says that some brands could be capitalising on the growing consumer demand for sustainable products. In a consumerism-driven world, a sustainable shirt may sound nice, but we have to go deep and address the root cause of the problem. Why produce more, asks Mike Pandey, a well-known conservationist. Brands and designers, however, say that while criticism about greenwashing works to maintain checks and balances, over-criticism can be demotivating and hamper sustainability efforts. (The article was originally published in Mongabay India.) Junior doctors' massive rally in Kolkata demanding justice for RG Kar victim | Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS Kolkata/IBNS: The junior doctors of West Bengal have continued with their ceasework against the rape and murder of a 31-year-old post-graduate medical student at Kolkata's state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, snubbing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's appeal to resume work. Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday urged the students to resume work reminding them that she didn't and has no plan to take any action against any of the protesters. "I have full support for the protesting junior doctors. I have always been on their side because their agony was justified. They have been on ceasework for a long time now. So I would request them to resume work now. The Supreme Court has also urged them to do so," Mamata said at her party Trinamool Congress' mega event. Mamata said she does not intend to take any action against the protesters as that would ruin their careers. A member of the West Bengal Junior Doctors Forum said they would not withdraw the agitation unless their demands, including justice for the RG Kar victim, were met. One agitating doctor, however, said the Chief Minister's remark sounded 'like a passive threat'. "Mamata Banerjees words sound like a passive threat. We have been demanding justice. We still believe our demands havent been met. We also want to reiterate that we dont want any violence and unrest, but we will not get back to work till all our demands are met, the doctor said after they held a protest rally from Shyambazar to Esplanade on Wednesday. The state government anyway has been restrained by the Supreme Court from taking action. The top court too urged the junior doctors to get back to work ensuring no action will be taken against them by the government. Speaking at her rally in downtown Kolkata, the TMC supremo said, "I haven't taken any action against any protester until now. I don't intend to take any action. But the Supreme Court has empowered the state government to take action if they don't resume work. But I don't want to take any action as that would ruin their future." Even in its last hearing, the Supreme Court had urged the junior doctors to resume work as the ceasework threatens to cripple the government medical facilities on which lakhs of poor people depend for treatment. "Poor people cannot be left in lurch," Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud had said. "If they are on duty, they will not be marked absent and if they are not on duty, then law will be followed. Ask them to first return to work, no one will take adverse action against any doctor. If there is difficulty after that, then come to us, but let them first report to work," the CJI said when an advocate appearing for resident doctors at AIIMS claimed protesting doctors have been marked absent. The Supreme Court has assured the doctors' representatives that all their grievances and issues will be taken care of by the National Task Force that has been constituted by the top court. "The committee will ensure all representatives are heard," said the top court. The Supreme Court has also posted a central force- CISF- at RG Kar Hospital, which was vandalised by miscreants on the intervening night of August 14 and 15 when thousands of women and men took to streets for night vigil demanding justice for RG Kar victim. The 31-year-old trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered at the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which is located in North Kolkata's Belgachia area, sending shockwaves across the country and triggering pan-India outrage. One person, a civic volunteer, has been arrested in connection with the case but protesting students as well as the victim's parents suspect more people are involved in the case. Though the RG Kar case is now being probed by the CBI, the state administration is facing public anger over its slow progress and an alleged cover-up in the case until it was handed over to the premier investigating agency under the central government. Photo courtesy: Facebook/Brij Bhushan Singh New Delhi/IBNS: The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to give any relief to former Indian Wrestling body chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case, media reports said. Singh, who was the president of Wrestling Federation of India, faces charges of sexual harassment and outraging modesty of women from the female athletes. He has challenged the First Information Report, chargesheet and trial court's order in connection with the frame of charges against him. Singh, a former MP of the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, has filed a plea challenging the continuation of legal proceedings against him. Singh, who faced massive protests by the top wrestlers, was removed from the WFI president's post. He was also denied a poll ticket by the BJP, which too faced flak from the Opposition over the issue. The former WFI president has pleaded not guilty, denying any wrongdoing. Photo courtesy: Mamata Banerjee X handle Kolkata/IBNS: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday clarified her appeal to the junior doctors, who are on ceasework demanding justice for the RG Kar rape-murder victim, was not a "threat". Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday urged the students to resume work reminding them that she didn't and has no plan to take any action against any of the protesters. In an X post, the Chief Minister said, "I detect a malicious disinformation campaign in some print, electronic and digital media which has been unleashed with reference to a speech that I made in our students' programme yesterday. "Let me most emphatically clarify that I have not uttered a single word against the (medical etc.) students or their movements. I totally support their movement. Their movement is genuine. I never threatened them, as some people are accusing me of doing. This allegation is completely false." I detect a malicious disinformation campaign in some print, electronic and digital media which has been unleashed with reference to a speech that I made in our students' programme yesterday. Let me most emphatically clarify that I have not uttered a single word against the Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 29, 2024 What did Mamata Banerjee say? Speaking at her party Trinamool Congress' mega event, Mamata Banerjee said, "I have full support for the protesting junior doctors. I have always been on their side because their agony was justified. They have been on ceasework for a long time now. So I would request them to resume work now. The Supreme Court has also urged them to do so." Mamata said she does not intend to take any action against the protesters as that would ruin their careers. The state government anyway has been restrained by the Supreme Court from taking action. The top court too urged the junior doctors to get back to work ensuring no action will be taken against them by the government. Speaking at her rally in downtown Kolkata, the TMC supremo said, "I haven't taken any action against any protester until now. I don't intend to take any action. But the Supreme Court has empowered the state government to take action if they don't resume work. But I don't want to take any action as that would ruin their future." Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS A passive threat, claims protesting doctors A member of the West Bengal Junior Doctors Forum said they would not withdraw the agitation unless their demands, including justice for the RG Kar victim, were met. One agitating doctor, however, said the Chief Minister's remark sounded 'like a passive threat'. Photo courtesy: IBNS File Kolkata/IBNS: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday issued a clarification on her remark where she urged her party Trinamool Congress' cadres and leaders to be ready with a befitting response, which has been interpreted by the Opposition as a call for violence. In an X post, the Chief Minister said, "I have spoken against BJP. I have spoken against them because, with the support of the Government of India, they are threatening the democracy in our State and trying to create anarchy. With support from Centre, they are trying to create lawlessness and I have raised my voice against them. "I also clarify that the phrase ("phonsh kara") that I had used in my speech yesterday is a quote from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Deva. The legendary saint had said that occasionally there is need to raise one's voice. When there are crimes and criminal offences, voice of protest has to be raised. My speech on that point was a direct allusion to the great Ramakrishnite saying." I detect a malicious disinformation campaign in some print, electronic and digital media which has been unleashed with reference to a speech that I made in our students' programme yesterday. Let me most emphatically clarify that I have not uttered a single word against the Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 29, 2024 Mamata made the remark slamming the Nabanna march which was carried out by students under the banner of 'Chhatra Samaj' demanding justice for the RG Kar victim and the administrative head's resignation. People clashed with police, water cannons and tear gas shells were fired on several roads leading to Howrah, where state secretariat Nabanna is located, on Tuesday. The demand for the Chief Minister's resignation was triggered by the state administration's handling and the alleged cover-up of the 31-year-old trainee doctor's rape and murder at Kolkata's state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital earlier this month. Speaking at a mega rally of her Trinamool Congress' youth wing, Mamata referred to her slogan against the then Left government in 2011 when she asked people to bring in a political change but no revenge. Thirteen years later, Mamata, a senior politician, has perhaps deflected from her stance but with caution. "I have been humiliated a lot but never turned vengeance. We wanted change but no revenge. But now I ask you to counter in a manner it is required as per your understanding. I don't want violence but counter as and when required. Unmask all who are conspiring against us," Mamata said in downtown Kolkata. Relaunching her outsider-insider debate that ruled the 2021 assembly elections which TMC won by a mammoth margin, the Chief Minister warned people, who have come from other states and resided in West Bengal, of a counter if they resort to violence against police. In the backdrop of the protesters-police clash during Nabanna march on Tuesday, Mamata said, "People, who are outsiders but staying in Bengal, should be ready for a counter-attack if they hurt police conspiring with the BJP. I don't want anyone to be attacked. I do not want any death or loss. But I won't allow people to stay in Bengal and torture the state. "There is no reason for considering me as weak. Sometimes, it is better to be tolerant. But no one knows what I can do if my tolerance limit crosses because I am the product of the movement. I am born with movement and will die with it. Challenge me if you can." Other states will also burn, says Mamata In reference to the student protests in the neighbouring country over a controversial quota system that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, Mamata said, "Some people think this (agitation) is similar to the protests in Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh, they speak like us (Bengal). Our culture is also the same. However, Bangladesh is a different country." "PM Modi, you are trying to create unrest in Bengal through your people. But remember, if you burn Bengal, Assam, the North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi will also burn," she added. CM is provoking her goons, says BJP Strongly reacting to Mamata's comments, BJP MP and state unit president Sukanta Majumdar said, "She is provoking violence against common people, who went out demanding justice on August 14 and 27. Photo courtesy: Kangana Ranaut Facebook page New Delhi/IBNS: Actress-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kangana Ranaut on Thursday met party president Jagat Prakash Nadda at his residence in New Delhi on Thursday morning, days after the parliamentarian was reprimanded over her controversial remark on the farmers' protests, media reports said. Kangana was reportedly asked by Nadda, who is also the Union Health Minister, not to speak on any issue out of turn. The Mandi MP, who spent about 30 minutes at Nadda's residence, has been cautioned ahead of the Haryana assembly elections, which is crucial for the BJP which suffered a jolt in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP is headed for crucial assembly elections months after returning to power without a full majority. Reprimanding Kangana, the BJP had earlier said in a statement, "Kangana Ranaut is not authorised to speak on policy matters on behalf of the party and has not been given permission to do so. The BJP has directed Ms Ranaut to refrain from making such statements in the future." The BJP's disapproval came a day after the 38-year-old BJP MP said that the farmers' protest could have led to a Bangladesh-like crisis in India if not for the strong steps taken by the government. Earlier, BJP leaders in Haryana and Punjab advised the MP from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi to refrain from making inflammatory comments. "It is not Kangana's department to speak on farmers, Kangana's statement is personal. PM Modi and the BJP are farmer-friendly. The Opposition parties are working against us and Kangana's statement is doing the same. She should not make such statements, on sensitive or religious issues, religious organisations," Punjab BJP leader Harjit Grewal said. Her comments also drew a response from the Congress with leader Randeep Surjewala asking the BJP leader to "get well soon". Surjewalal, who is campaigning in poll-bound Haryana that witnessed year-long farmers' protest, asked, "Were these just Kangana's words or did someone else copy them? If not, then why is the BJP silent on the issue?" Ranaut, known for her provocative remarks, has been a strong critic of the farmers' protest against the now-repealed three-farm laws. In 2020, she allegedly misidentified a woman farmer from Punjab who was taking part in the protests and called her Bilkis Bano, an elderly woman who had become one of the faces of the anti-Citizenship Amendment Law (CAA) protests earlier in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh. She had also said the woman was "available for Rs. 100", suggesting she could be hired for protests. The statement sparked a massive row that resurfaced when Ranaut was slapped by a woman Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) constable at the Chandigarh airport when she was on her way to Delhi in June this year. Photo courtesy: File image/UNI Panaji: A 78-year-old Christian from Pakistan, living in Goa since 2013, has become the first person in the state to be granted citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019. Joseph Pereira thanked PM Modi and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah for introducing CAA and processing his application. Born in 1946, Pereira, who is of Goan descent, moved to Pakistan before Goa's liberation from Portuguese rule and got a job there. He returned to India on September 11, 2013, making him eligible for Indian citizenship. Originally hailing from Paroda village in Salcete taluka, Pereira now lives with his family in Cansaulim village, South Goa. According to Pereira, he was afraid that he would die before getting Indian citizenship. Pereira said he had applied for citizenship 11 years ago, but it was not processed earlier. I had been praying I spent days pondering on this subject. I would look at all the files and wonder when I would get citizenship. I was born in Goa, my parents are from Goa, and my wife is a Goan. I dont know why it (attaining the citizenship) took so long. But I am grateful that I have got it now. I am now free to go anywhere. If I have to go to New Delhi, I dont have to take permission from the FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office). I can just buy a ticket and travel, Pereira was quoted as saying by Indian Express. I am thankful to the PM and the Union Home Minister for bringing in the CAA. I am grateful to all the government officials for processing my application. I had applied a long time ago almost 11 years ago. Every two years, I had to apply for a visa from the FRRO and run from pillar to post. I had to take a special visa and submit certain letters from my wife to show that I am visiting her, Pereira added. CM Pramod Sawant said at the Secretariat that he felt honoured to handover the citizenship certificate to Pereira. I am honoured to present the citizenship certificate to Joseph Pereira under the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, he said, according to Indian Express. If anyone is eligible for the certificate, they can contact the government, he added. Photo courtesy: Video grab Kolkata: Amid raging agitation against Mamata Banerjee's government over alleged cover-up of the RG Kar trainee doctors gruesome rape and murder, a bearded man in saffron robes, identified as Balaram Bose, has emerged as the face of defiance after standing firm against water cannons during a protest in Kolkata. Bose participated in the demonstration seeking justice in the RG Kar rape-murder case. However, controversy surrounded his identity as the Trinamool Congress claimed he was actually Prabir Bose, a photographer with links to the BJP. The protest march had escalated into chaos as demonstrators clashed with police. The site was fortified with barricades, and riot-control measures, including water cannons, were used to disperse the crowd. Though protesters failed to reach Nabanna, the image of the saffron-clad sadhu standing against the water cannons went viral as a symbol of resistance against the Banerjee-led regime. Former Union Minister Smriti Irani shared the viral video, highlighting the sadhus act of defiance with the caption, "The people rise against tyranny..." The people rise against tyranny... pic.twitter.com/DU3RGqF0GK Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) August 27, 2024 In an interview with news agency ANI, the man seen in the viral Kolkata protest images identified himself as Balaram Bose. He told ANI that he wanted an unbiased resolution to women's safety and called for swift justice for the 31-year-old trainee doctor from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Speaking again to India Today TV on Thursday, Bose reiterated his identity following allegations from the ruling Trinamool Congress that he was affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). ONE frail saffron clad man waving the national flag What a powerful video instilling hope from decades of misuse of power ! Revolutions begin just like this #NabannaAbhiyan #JusticeForDrMoumitaDebnath #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/N6hmeFIvxB ExtraSpiceAni (@ShrivastavAni) August 27, 2024 On being asked how he managed to brave the water canon and keep protesting, Balaram Bose said, "While taking part in the protests, I believed that we had to make our voices reach Nabanna. If I had to. I would have died. It was my mantra to get my voice to the Nabanna". He said the decision to raise his voice was inspired by Guru Aurobindo Ghosh. "One of the great Gurus I follow is Aurobindo Ghosh. He had said, If you really want to do something, do it. Else, die," Bose told news agency ANI. On Trinamool Congresss allegations that Nabanna Abhijan was organised with a political agenda, under the garb of a protest march against the RG Kar rape-murder of the trainee doctor, Balram said, "There was a call by the students to join and deliver the message of the protest to the government. It was said that one individual from every household should join it. I have women, sisters, and a daughter in my home too. So, we should be concerned for their safety. Following that, I joined the protests". "It was a calling from my soul that prompted me to join the march to Nabanna," he told India Today TV. Bose's act of gripping his wrist became a powerful symbol of dissent, garnering sweeping attention on social media. Recollecting it, he revealed, "I was gesturing to the police about breaking free from the slavery that policemen follow in an autocratic system. I was telling them to leave behind the handcuffs and join us in our march to Nabanna or use water cannons with such force that we all got washed away." "I represent the girls who are raped every day," he added. I am a Sanatani, a Lord Shiv devotee...I don't want any political party to influence or divert this agitation. We want justice and nothing else..." Bose was quoted as saying by India Today. Reacting to the claims by the Trinamool Congress of his political links, Bose revealed, "We don't want this kind of politics. Without being politically partisan, everyone should sit down with everyone and have a proper discussion. But they have no desire to sit and talk." Following the viral spread of the sadhu's visual, West Bengal's Trinamool Congress accused him of being a BJP member. A page called 'Trinamool Supporters' posted, "He is a member of the BJP". TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose also made the same allegation. "The sadhu at the @BJP4India's Kolkata mob violence turns to be a photographer named Prabir Bose wearing a religious costume. He's also a @BJP4India member. What a JOKE," Ghose, the party's deputy leader in the Upper House posted on X. Tofajjal Sk, a TMC member from Murshidabad, posted similar claims on X. He shared a collage of social media posts and profiles to suggest that the sadhu was linked to the BJP and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Photo courtesy: RG Kar Hospital website/Pixabay Kolkata/IBNS: As protests continue over the rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, chilling detail about three purported phone calls made by the hospital authorities to the victim's parents on the morning Aug 9 following the brutality has emerged. It was just another morning for the middle-class family in north Kolkata when they got the first phone call. Little did they know that a previous night's call around 11:30 PM with their daughter would be the last time her mother would speak to her. The daughter who had made her parents proud by becoming a doctor and was studying further, was at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital for a long shift. On the morning of August 9, three calls within half an hour shattered their little world and set them off on a fight for justice. IBNS like other mainstream media has accessed the purported audio of the calls made to the parents the morning after the 31-year-old junior doctor was raped and murdered at the hospital. However, IBNS has not verified its authenticity. Their voices capture the shock and confusion of the two elderly parents long before reaching the hospital to find their daughter's brutalised corpse. The first call: The parents of the victim have told the court that the first call came at 10.53 am. The caller was a woman, who identified herself as the Assistant Superintendent of the hospital. The Kolkata Police timeline submitted to the Supreme Court states that the official called the parents at this time and "informed them", but does not elaborate on the conversation. The cops' timeline mentions only one call. The three purported audio files, however, reveal that three calls were made and it was only in the last call that the victim's parents were told that she had died. Also read: RG Kar rape-murder: Junior doctors continue ceasework snubbing Mamata Banerjee's appeal Victim's Father: What has happened to my daughter, please tell me Caller: Her condition is very bad, please come as soon as possible Victim's Father: Please tell us what has happened Caller: The doctor will be able to tell you that, come fast. Victim's Father: Who are you? Caller: I am the assistant super, am not a doctor Victim's Father: Are there any doctors present? Caller: I am the assistant super. We have brought your daughter to the Emergency. You come and contact us. Victim's Mother: What happened to her, she was on duty Caller: You come fast, as soon as possible. The Second Call In the second call, a male voice is heard. By then, the parents had already left for the hospital. Caller: I am speaking from RG Kar (hospital) Victim's Mother: Yes, please tell us Caller: You are coming, right? Victim's Mother: Yes, we are on our way. How is she now? Caller: You come, we will talk. Come to RG Kar Hospital's chest department HOD Victim's mother: Okay The Third Call It was on the third call that the victim's parents were told she had died by suicide. This has come up repeatedly in court and judges have asked why the parents were misled. This call was once again made by the Assistant Superintendent, who made the first call. Victim's Father: Hello Caller: This is the Assistant Super. Victim's Father: Yes Caller: The matter is that your daughter has probably died by suicide. She is dead, police are here, we are all here, please come as soon as possible. Victim's Father: We are coming, right away Victim's Mother (screams in the background): My daughter is no more. The hospital administration's communication with the victim's parents is one aspect of this horrifying incident that has repeatedly come under scrutiny in both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court. In their petition in the high court, the parents said they were made to wait for three hours before they were able to see their daughter's corpse. They suspect that this delay was intentional. Kolkata Police, however, has contested this. Their timeline claims that the parents reached the hospital at 1 pm and they were taken to the seminar hall, where the body was found, 10 minutes later, according to NDTV. The courts have also questioned why the hospital administration, led by then principal Dr Sandip Ghosh, did not file a formal police complaint and the cops had to register an unnatural death case. An FIR was filed only late at night after the victim's father filed a formal complaint. The trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered at the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which is located in North Kolkata's Belgachia area on the intervening night of August 8 and 9. The incident triggered countrywide protests since it came to light earlier this month. All inside images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS Image Credit: Facebook/ Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced in the state Assembly that all state ministers, chief parliamentary secretaries (CPS), and Cabinet-rank members will forgo their salaries and allowances for two months due to the state's ongoing financial crisis, media reports said. Himachal Pradesh ran into fiscal difficulties due to high borrowings, increasing salary and pension costs, reduced central assistance, and limited revenue generation. Promises like reinstating the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), providing Rs 1,500 to women, and free electricity have contributed to a financial strain, leaving the state with a debt of Rs 86,589 crore. The government has implemented five election promises, including a monthly payment of Rs 1,500 to five lakh women, costing about Rs 800 crore annually. The restoration of the Old Pension Scheme will benefit 1.36 lakh employees, adding an annual burden of Rs 1,000 crore to the state budget. "After discussing in the cabinet, all the members of the cabinet decided that until the state sees good improvement in the coming times, we will not take any salary, nor TA, nor DA for two months," the Chief Minister was quoted as saying by India Today. The Himachal Pradesh government spends Rs 20,639 crore annually on salaries, with pay, pensions, and interest payments consuming 46.3% of the state's total expenditure for 2023-24. The number of pensioners, currently at over 1,89,466, is expected to rise to 2,38,827 by 2030-31, increasing the annual pension burden by nearly Rs 20,000 crore. In March, the state introduced a Rs 1,500 monthly allowance for women aged 18 to 60, costing Rs 800 crore annually and benefiting over 5 lakh women. Additionally, the government launched an e-taxi scheme under the first phase of the Rs 680 crore Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme. Faced with empty coffers, the government has taken drastic measures, such as deferring ministers' salaries for two months and withdrawing power subsidies for taxpayers, limiting it to BPL, IRDP, and weaker sections, costing Rs 1,800 crore in 2023-24. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state's finances are in critical condition, with the revenue deficit grant reduced by Rs 1,800 crore for the current fiscal year. Chief Minister Sukhu warned that the revenue deficit grant is expected to reduce to Rs 3,257 crore in 2025-26, adding another Rs 3,000 crore burden to the state. The Centre also cut the borrowing limit from 5% to 3.5% of GDP, reducing the state's borrowing capacity from Rs 14,500 crore to Rs 9,000 crore. Himachal Pradesh's debt stands at Rs 86,589 crore, projected to reach Rs 1 lakh crore next year, with a per capita debt of Rs 1.17 lakhthe second highest in India after Arunachal Pradesh. "We inherited the debt left by the previous BJP government, which is responsible for pushing the state into a financial emergency. We have improved revenue receipts. The previous government collected an excise revenue of Rs 665 crore in five years, and we generated Rs 485 crore in just one year. We are working on it and are determined to improve the state's financial health," Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was quoted as saying by India Today. However, the BJP leader and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur alleged that the Congress government has created unconstitutional posts and given several people Cabinet and chairman status. Protesting the alleged Congress-induced financial crisis, the BJP MLAs led by Thakur staged a walk out from the Himachal Pradesh Assembly. "According to the information I have received, they will not take a salary for two months. They have just deferred it since there is a financial crisis in the state. You have created chief parliamentary secretaries (CPS) which cannot be created as per the Constitution. You have given Cabinet, chairman status to many people and all facilities have been given to them. So definitely I believe this is not a solution to all the problems and they have requested all the MLAs," he said, according to India Today. The Kerem Shalom border crossing. Photo Courtesy: UNOCHA The World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Wednesday a pause in the movement of its employees in Gaza until further notice following an attack on a team returning from an aid delivery mission on Tuesday evening, just metres from an Israeli-controlled checkpoint. This is totally unacceptable and the latest in a series of unnecessary security incidents that have endangered the lives of WFPs team in Gaza, said the UN agencys Executive Director Cindy McCain, calling on the Israeli authorities and all parties to the conflict to act immediately to ensure the safety and security of all aid workers in Gaza. Thankfully, no one was injured in the attack, WFP said. As last nights events show, the current deconfliction system is failing and this cannot go on any longer, McCain added. Coordination not working A clearly marked UN humanitarian vehicle part of a convoy that had been fully coordinated with the [Israeli Defense Forces] IDF was struck 10 times by IDF gunfire, including with bullets targeting front windows, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters at a briefing at UN Headquarters on Wednesday. This is the latest incident to underscore that systems in place for coordination are not working, he said, adding that we will continue to work with the IDF to ensure that incidents like that do not happen again. Reiterating that parties must respect international humanitarian law at all times, the UN Spokesperson said civilians must be protected, and their essential needs, including food, water, shelter and health, must be met wherever they may be in Gaza. This applies to those under evacuation orders regardless of whether they move or not, and those who leave must have enough time to do so as well as a safe route and safe places, he said. Under fire after aid mission The team had been returning from a mission on Tuesday night to Kerem Shalom with two WFP armoured vehicles after escorting a convoy of trucks carrying humanitarian cargo routed to Gazas central area. Despite being clearly marked and receiving multiple clearances by Israeli authorities to approach, the vehicle was directly struck by gunfire as it was moving towards an IDF checkpoint, WFP said. Just a few metres from that checkpoint at the Wadi Gaza Bridge, WFP reported that the vehicle sustained at least 10 bullets five on the drivers side, two on the passenger side and three on other parts of it. Stark reminder Though this is not the first security incident to occur during the 10-month-long war, the agency said it is the first time that a WFP vehicle has been directly shot at near a checkpoint, despite securing the necessary clearances, as per standard protocol. The incident is a stark reminder of the rapidly and ever shrinking humanitarian space in the Gaza Strip, where increasing violence compromises our ability to deliver lifesaving assistance, WFP said. The already critical situation is exacerbated by restricted access and heightened risks, leading to decreased food supplies reaching those in desperate need, the UN food agency stated. Increasingly under fire Humanitarians are increasingly coming under fire and face a multitude of challenges to deliver lifesaving aid in Gaza, according to WFP. Frequent and ongoing evacuation orders continue to uproot both families and food relief operations intended to support them, the agency reported. Last week, WFP lost access to its third and last operational warehouse in Gazas middle area, while five of WFPs operated community kitchens had to be evacuated. This week, on Sunday 25 August, the evacuation orders impacted the main WFP operating hub in Deir Al-Balah, forcing our team to relocate for the third time since the war started, the agency said, calling on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, ensure the protection of humanitarian workers, and uphold their commitment to facilitating the delivery of vital and lifesaving aid. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash Four Pakistani government employees were kidnapped at gunpoint from Kulachi tehsil of DI Khan district, media reports said on Thursday. Local residents told The Express Tribune that in Kulachi, a school teacher named Ameer Khan suddenly passed away. After his burial, his three sons, identified as Muhammad Asif, Khalid Khan, and Fahad Nawaz, were present at the mosque where family and friends gathered for condolence, the residents told the newspaper. According to reports, eight to ten people arrived at the scene and kidnapped them after inspecting the men present in the room. Police reached the spot and started investigation into the matter. Locals said that the kidnapped brothers worked for the Cantonment Board and the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD). The incident triggered widespread panic among residents. One of the most-awaited real-life-based Netflix shows, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, is finally out today with its six episodes. With Vijay Verman as one of the leads, the series has been the talk of the town for quite some time now because of its inspiration from true historic events that shook India. The show is based on the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814. The flight, which was coming from Nepal's Kathmandu to India's Delhi, was hijacked by terrorists. After the hijacking, the flight was diverted from Delhi's route to Afghanistan's Kandahar, which was under the rule of the Taliban. The flight had over 170 people, including passengers and crew, on board. People were then freed in exchange for three terrorists under India's custody, which included the founder of Jaish-e-Mohammed Masood Azhar. Also Read: IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack: Anubhav Sinha spills shocking details, says 'passengers played antakshari with hijackers' Masood Azhar was freed in exchange for IC 814 passengers The most horrific and long hijack of India's avaition history that led to freeing Masood Azhar is often seen as one of the critical turning points in India's fight against terrorism, as it resulted in Azhar's founding the terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed. How is the 1999 Kandahar hijack linked to the 2019 Balakot airstrike? Now that we look behind and move straight from 1999 to 2019, almost two decades later, India actually, in a way, also took revenge from the Kandahar hijackers by carrying out the Balakot airstrike on Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Pakistan. Though the airstrike was officially a response to the Pulwama attack in which a convoy carrying Indian security personnel was attacked in Jammu and Kashmir, this can also be linked to the long-awaited revenge of the IC 814 hijack, as the strike was on Jaish-e-Mohammed's facility directly connected to then freed Masood Azhar. To know more on what exactly happened during the 1999 hijack, do watch IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack on Netflix and tell us your views in the comments. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. After a Bengali actress made allegations of sexual misconduct against Malayalam movie director Ranjith Balakrishnan, now a Kerala man has come forward with similar allegations against him. The man revealed that the incident took place in 2012 at a five-star hotel. He also added that he had told a notable actress in the Malayalam film industry at that time but she ignored it. Kerala man accuses director Ranjith of sexual abuse The man said that incident had left him traumatised but he gathered the guts to register a case after Justice Hema Committee report, which highlights harassment and exploitation in the Mollywood industry. Sharing details of the incident, he said he first met Ranjith in Kerala's Kozhikode when he was shooting for the film Bavuttiyude Namathil. He told him about his aspirations of becoming an actor when he gave him his number and instructed him to not call but to message him. When he did as he was told, he was called to a Bengaluru hotel. When he reached there, the receptionist told him that visiting hours were over. When he told Ranjith the same, the Malayalam director asked him to use the back entrance instead. As he reached his room, he found him in an inebriated state. As per the Kerala man, the director asked him to drink before making him strip. "The director said he wanted to see how I looked without clothes in a mirror and wanted to take some pictures to show his girlfriend who was also an actor and stayed in the same room," he said. The man claimed he was sexually abused. He sent his pictures to Revathi He was quoted as saying, "When Ranjith told me to stand naked, he was talking to an actress. I have already revealed the name of that actressRevathi. Ranjith told me it was Revathi. I don't know if there is any relationship between Ranjith and Revathi, but Ranjith took my photos and sent them to her." Furthermore, he revealed that Ranjith told him that Revathi liked what she saw. FIR against Ranjith The director accused of rape, #Ranjith, shared the victims nude photos with WCC member #Revathi, who allegedly enjoyed them.#HemaCommittee pic.twitter.com/4wMDHhLfYr (@itisSreehari) August 29, 2024 The incident came to light after a case was filed against the director on complaint of a Bengali actress who accused him of touching her inappropriately with sexual intent after inviting her to act in Paleri Manikyam in 2009. A case under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty) has been registered against Ranjith. Also Read: #MeToo storm hits Malayalam cinema: Mukesh and Jayasurya face FIR over sexual misconduct claims For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. In the latest development in Malayalam film industry's #MeToo case, (First Information Reports (FIRs) have been lodged against actors Mukesh and Jayasurya under section 354 which deals with intent to outrage modesty. As per the Police, the FIR was filed on the basis of allegations made by the actress. For the unversed, she has alleged them of both verbal and physical abuse during the shooting of various movie projects. Actress alleges sexual assault Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | An FIR has been registered against Mukesh, Actor and CPIM MLA from Kollam on the complaint of an actress. Another FIR has been registered against Actor Jayasurya on the complaint of the same actress, u/s 354 which deals with intent to outrage modesty. ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2024 In an interview with ANI, the Malayalam actress alleged a range of misconduct and said, "Once, as I was coming out from the toilet, Jayasurya hugged me from behind and even kissed me forcefully After that, Idavela Babu expressed his interest in a sexual relationship with me." Not just Mukesh M and Jayasurya, she also accused Maniyanpilla Raju and Idavela Babu of sexual misconduct. "After that, Idavela Babu expressed his interest in a sexual relationship with me," she said. Mukesh M says these accusations are politically directed Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | On sexual abuse allegations in the Malayalam film industry, Kerala BJP President K Surendran says, "Allegations have been made against actor-sitting MLA Mukesh but the CM is not demanding his resignation. Ranjith has resigned from his post in AMMA pic.twitter.com/uS2NPFJvtS ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2024 The actor and CPI (M) MLA from Kollam on the other hand has declared himself innocent. Furthermore, he alleged that the accusations against him are politically directed. He pointed out he faced similar charges in 2018 as well as part of a political drama, which was dismissed by the public. Furthermore, he alleged that the actress had previously sought financial assistance and even attempted to blackmail him. "This group, which has been persistently blackmailing me for money, has now turned against me at this opportune moment," Mukesh stated. He welcomed the ongoing investigation against him expecting a fair and transparent inquiry. Justice Hema Committee report I read justice K Hema committee report today. Hope it's done in every film industry, this is whole nexus. https://t.co/wZ4fqNYpbA pic.twitter.com/xjFJnd35Kq Shadow Home Minister of India (@Bahujan_connect) August 26, 2024 On August 19, 2024, 233 pages of the Justice Hema Committee report (originally submitted to the state government on December 31, 2019) was made public while about 65 pages and several paragraphs containing sensitive information about the privacy of individuals were withheld, in response to an RTI query. The report highlights cases of harassment and exploitation in the Malayalam film industry and sheds light on how it is dominated by a small group of male figures within the industry. The Malayalam actress who alleged sexual assault had first posted about it on her Facebook page, where she recalled incidents from 2013. This came shortly after director Ranjith and actor Siddique resigned from their positions in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), following separate accusations against them. Mohanlal quits as AMMA chief Following this, the 17-member committee of Association of Malayalam Movies Artistes (AMMA), including its president and actor Mohanlal have resigned from their posts. As per a statement from AMMA, the committee dissolved itself "in light of allegations made by some actors against some of the committee" considering it to be their moral responsibility. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Salman Khan is one of the most loved, rather worshipped, superstars of India. However, even his fans would agree that he is not the best actor that India has. What fans love about him is that he is self-aware of this fact. Do you know he had once candidly admitted that he is a below-average actor? Salman Khan's confesses 'I'm a below average actor' The old video of the actor from one of the episodes of Karan Johar-hosted Koffee With Karan is now going viral on social media. In the episode, when KJo asked him if he thinks he is an average actor, Salman Khan said, "I think I'm below average." When asked whose acting he likes the most, he said no one can compete Shah Rukh Khan's on-screen romance, Aamir Khan's sincerity and Akshay Kumar's hard work and growth over the years. As the video went viral, fans started to praise the actor for not lying. "At least he is self aware, honest and accepts. Good on that," one of the users said. "He has the swag...he is incredibly lucky and he acknowledges it," said another one. "He clearly knows his strengths and limitations and planned his career according to it, and of course, luck is also there. Actors like HR (Hrithik Roshan) didn't know their strength, otherwise, he could even compete with peak Bachchan in terms of stardom. Ashneer Grover praised Salman Khan for being self-aware Former managing director of BharatPe and Shark Tank India season 1 judge Ashneer Grover had once called Salman Khan a smart man who knows what the audience wants from him. Revealing what happened when he decided to make Salman Khan the brand ambassador for his brand, he said the actor clearly told him to show him in a larger-than-life avatar. Citing an example of his flop film Tubelight, Salman Khan told him that it didn't work because he was shown as a simple man. "But banda smart hai. Logon ko lagta hai ke hawa mein hai, banda genuinely smart hai, usko business samajhta hai, usko branding samajhti hai, usko apni image clear hai," he was quoted as saying. Also Read: 'Men beat girlfriends, run cars over people': Fans troll Salman Khan over his recent statement about men For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. In the fast-paced and glamorous world of the rich and the famous, there are few celebrities out there whose familial moments capture our hearts. One such rare example is Nagarjuna Akkineni and his close-knit family. The South superstar continues to set the bar high when it comes to prioritising family with his busy work schedule. As the Mass actor turns a year older today, let's take a look at some of his best family moments over the years that are proof of his deep-rooted values and immense love for his family and close ones. Nagarjuna Akkineni's best family moments Sobhita Dhulipala and Naga Chaitanya's engagement "We are delighted to announce the engagement of our son, Naga Chaitanya, to Sobhita Dhulipala, which took place this morning at 9:42 a.m.!! We are overjoyed to welcome her into our family. Congratulations to the happy couple! Wishing them a lifetime of love and happiness. pic.twitter.com/buiBGa52lD Nagarjuna Akkineni (@iamnagarjuna) August 8, 2024 Recently, Nagarjuna took charge and announced the happy news of his son Naga Chaitanya's engagement with Bollywood actress Sobhita Dhulipala. The actor showered his love and blessings on the lucky couple and welcomed the diva into his family with a heart-warming post on his X (formerly Twitter) account. Movie promotions with son Naga Chaitanya Kurnool ! Coming to you !! The ghost pre release event !!#TheGhost pic.twitter.com/8p5AgAQhum Nagarjuna Akkineni (@iamnagarjuna) September 25, 2022 Sharing photos with his son Naga Chaitanya and fellow co-stars while on a flight on his way to promote his upcoming movie Ghost, Nagarjuna proved he is an expert in balancing his fame and family. The talented actor effortlessly manages to take time for his family from his work commitments. Celebrates 30th anniversary with wife Amala Akkineni Thank you all for love and blessings showered on Amala& me today!! 30 years of togetherness and many more to come with your wishes!! pic.twitter.com/nMXhJyMDUa Nagarjuna Akkineni (@iamnagarjuna) June 11, 2022 In 2022, Nagarjuna and his wife Amala Akkineni celebrated a huge milestone in their relationship, their 30th wedding anniversary! The star shared an adorable picture with his wife on this joyous occasion and thanked everyone for all the blessings the couple were showered with! Spends quality time with family When we were all going crazy spending all our time at home during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Akkineni's took the opportunity to spend quality time together. Turning a grim situation into a hopeful one, they lit lamps and banged spoons against utensils just like us, proving that no matter how rich or famous you get the family dynamic should remain the same! Fun boy's trip with sons Naga Chaitanya and Akhil Akkineni Diving in the turquoise blue waters of maldives this morning,so beautiful under the water!! pic.twitter.com/Hwl7OcbwOj Nagarjuna Akkineni (@iamnagarjuna) March 12, 2016 Showing how to work hard and party harder, Nagarjuna took a trip to Maldives with his sons Naga Chaitanya and Akhil Akkineni. The actor shared photos of the trio having fun as they suit up for an underwater dive exploring the turquoise blue waters. The three of them were all smiles as they posed for photos before their fun adventure. Nagarjuna's X posts radiate the love and the warmth of family life, making the Akkinenis the epitome of family goals. On this happy day, as the superstar turns a year older we hope that he continues to share glimpses of his wholesome family moments with us so that we too can get inspired to spend more time with our loved ones. For more on lifestyle, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle. Residents of Vadodara's Kamnath Nagar near Fatehgunj area were in for a surprise on Thursday morning by an unexpected visitora huge 15-foot-long crocodile. The reptile had entered the colony sailing with the floodwaters from the nearby Vishwamitri River, which had risen after two days of incessant rains. Crocodile safely captured by forest department The massive crocodile was discovered lounging outside a residence, leading the community to promptly notify the forest department. #GujaratRains After heavy rain in #Vadodara's Kamanath Nagar, a 15-foot crocodile was rescued by the forest department. The crocodile, which had entered a house in Kamanath Nagar, was found in the water.@NewIndianXpress @santwana99 @Shahid_Faridi_ @TheMornStandard pic.twitter.com/KWHLmWDlQZ Dilip Singh Kshatriya (@Kshatriyadilip) August 29, 2024 Members of the department came to the location and had to manage the event with extreme caution, given the crocodile's aggressive behaviour. After an hour of careful work, the team managed to safely capture the crocodile. Severe flooding in Vadodara Vadodara has been grappling with severe flooding due to the heavy rains, which have caused the Vishwamitri River to overflow. The river, home to around 300 crocodiles, has spilled into urban areas, leading to several such encounters. Another video that has gone viral shows a crocodile perched on the roof of a house, highlighting the extent of the flooding and the danger posed by these reptiles in the city. VIDEO | Gujarat Rains: Crocodile spotted at roof of a house as heavy rainfall inundate Akota Stadium area of Vadodara. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz)#GujaratRains #GujaratFlood pic.twitter.com/FYQitH7eBK Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 29, 2024 The ongoing floods have displaced over 3,000 residents from low-lying areas in and around Vadodara. The Vishwamitri River, which cuts through the heart of the city, crossed its danger mark of 25 feet on Tuesday morning, and is now flowing at a height of over 34 feet9 feet above the danger level. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre, Vadodara received 307 mm of rainfall between 6 a.m. and midnight on Monday, leading to widespread waterlogging. Although the rains have since subsided, the damage has been extensive. This reminds me of 26 July,2005 - Mumbai Floods! Now its Gujarat! Scenes from Vadodara#GujaratRains pic.twitter.com/ecXHZLEa9n Mumbai Nowcast (@s_r_khandelwal) August 27, 2024 Hundreds of people living in flooded areas were forced to stay indoors, and their parking areas are under 6 feet of water, damaging the parked vehicles, residents reported. The floods have claimed at least 28 lives and forced thousands to evacuate their homes. Rescue operations, including efforts by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state teams, have been ongoing, with people being saved from their flooded homes and rooftops. The Indian Army has also deployed three columns to assist in the rescue efforts, according to PTI. Also Read: 'Meanwhile in India': Viral video captures playful leopard engaging with commuters in Himachal The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of more extremely heavy showers expected in 12 districts across the state, including Kachchh, Devbhoomi Dwarka, and Rajkot, among others. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. A wolf that is believed to have killed at least seven children in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich has been captured by the Forest Department. The wolf, said to be part of a pack of six, was captured from the Sisiya village on Thursday. #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Bahraich Forest Department catches the wolf that killed 8 people in Bahraich. (Video Source: Bahraich Forest Department) pic.twitter.com/qaGAkblyE4 ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2024 Operation Bhediya The male wolf was captured as part of 'Operation Bhediya,' launched by the UP government to capture a pack of wolves that have been terrorising parts of Mehsi tehsil in Bahraich district for the better part of two months. How a pack of wolves terrorised Bahraich In a span of 47 days, seven people, including six children and a woman, were killed by the wolves in Bahraich. Around 30 people were injured by a pack of wolves in different villages, causing panic among locals. The impacted area falls in the Terai region with dense forests in the northern reaches of the district, which also shares an international border with Nepal. On Wednesday, the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department deployed an infrared drone to track the movement of two wolves. "We have spotted two wolves in our drone nearly 100 metres away from our location. We went to the spot and noticed footsteps, and hence it was confirmed that two wolves had passed from here," Ajeet Pratap Singh, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), said. Four wolves captured so far The animal caught on Thursday was the fourth wolf captured by the authorities in Bahraich so far. However, it is still unclear if this will bring an end to the attacks on humans, as some locals claim that just one animal is targeting humans and not the whole pack. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. In a setback to Elon Musk-owned SpaceX, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US has grounded its Falcon 9 rockets following a launch accident. The Falcon 9 rocket, which launched twenty-one Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, toppled over while landing, leading to a fire incident. CREDIT: AP 23rd mission of SpaceX Falcon 9 According to reports, this was the Falcon 9 B1062's 23rd mission, but on Wednesday, a booster rocket toppled over in flames while landing. The first-stage booster fell over in a fireball moments after landing on an ocean platform, marking the first such accident in years. Before Wednesday, SpaceX had achieved 267 successful Falcon booster landings in a row. Falcon 9 B1062 completes 23 missions but unfortunately topples over on ASOG. Before this, SpaceX had 267 successful Falcon booster landings in a row. Please note that they always expected to lose some boosters on landing; it was just crazy that they had such a run of successes. https://t.co/q6pRXA3ktf pic.twitter.com/yQySUlamWU Chris Bergin - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) August 28, 2024 While no injuries to the public have been reported, SpaceX said the company is working ASAP to understand what went wrong. Losing a booster is always sad. Each one of them has a unique history and character. Thankfully this doesnt happen often, SpaceX Vice President Edwards posted on X. Falcon 9 launches 21 @Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Florida pic.twitter.com/PoDEjGYGSM SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 28, 2024 What is next for SpaceX According to the FAA, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets have been grounded following the accident, including a previously scheduled launch from California with more Starlinks. The FAA said that SpaceX must obtain approval for its accident findings and corrective action before it is allowed to resume Falcon 9 launches. CREDIT: AP Second setback for SpaceX this week This is the second setback the Musk-owned space exploration company has suffered this week. Earlier, Polaris Dawn, touted as the world's first private spacewalk, was delayed, first due to a helium leak and later due to adverse weather conditions. Also read: Helium leak hits SpaceX, first commercial spacewalk mission, Polaris Dawn, postponed CREDIT: REUTERS Polaris Dawn launch delayed Polaris Dawn, which would have carried Anna Menon, Scott Poteet, commander Jared Isaacman, and Sarah Gillis for the first privately managed spacewalk, was scheduled for a Tuesday morning launch but was scrubbed due to a ground-side helium leak. Better safe than sorry! The Polaris Dawn mission is on hold after two launch delays. The first issue involved a ground-side helium leak, and last night, unfavorable weather which impacts the return splashdown. Now we will wait for another launch window. Plus, for the first time pic.twitter.com/GBTZrl2Fuc Ellie in Space (@esherifftv) August 28, 2024 Though SpaceX said the mission was postponed by one day, it could not take off on Wednesday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule due to adverse weather conditions. The next likely window for the launch is on August 30. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. You might have come across videos recently where people ask AI the question, "How many Rs are there in the word strawberry?"a question that seems straightforward but leaves AI baffled. With fear mongering of AI taking over human jobs and rendering us obsolete, this confusion is particularly striking. Now, a software engineer is stepping in to shed light on why even the most advanced AI can trip up on such seemingly simple queries. In a recent Instagram video, Alberta, a software engineer, explains why AI models are struggling with a simple question: "How many Rs are in the word 'strawberry'" For instance, OpenAI's ChatGPT says there are two 'R's in "strawberry," and Meta AI gives the same incorrect answer. Claude, an AI from Anthropic, even "respectfully disagrees" when corrected about the mistake. Alberta explains that the problem lies in how large language model technologies such as AI processes text. Check out her video: She states that before an AI model actually receives the text that you typed into ChatGPT.com, it tokenises that input - that is, assigns a numeric digit to it which makes it easier for the computer to deal with all the data. This means that AI assigns every single word or part of a word to a Token ID. So, the AI model bases its predictions on these numerical tokens rather than the actual text. This means the AI never truly "sees" the word "strawberry" as a whole. Instead, it ends up making a random guess, according to Alberta. But Alberta has a fix for this: she suggests breaking down the word "strawberry" into individual letters and then asking the AI model: "How many Rs are in S T R A W B E R R Y?" By turning each letter into its own token, the AI gets more detailed information, which improves its accuracy. For now, it looks like AI models have learned to count the Rs in "strawberry" correctly. However, they're now up against a new test: "raspberry." Well, AI, get ready for the tests because humans have plenty of berries to throw your way. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending. Things are getting exposed at a museum in France, and we can barely contain our excitementpun totally intended. The Mucem museum in France has opened up its nudist exhibit for visitors who can view the art fully unclothed. While we're all for art appreciation, we're not sure if the uncensored images of people actually viewing the nudist art might be a bit much for the eyes! Nudist art is, quite literally, a celebration of the human form in its most natural state. At the Mucem museum in France, visitors are invited to take this concept to a whole new levelby viewing the art at its nudist exhibit while fully unclothed, save for a pair of shoes. Talk about taking "getting comfortable with yourself" to the next level! According to AFP, these unclothed art viewings are offered once a month till December 9 in partnership with the French Naturist Federation, during hours when the museum is typically closed. Credit: Architect Magazine | Mucem Musuem, France The exhibit, titled "Naturist Paradises," showcases over 600 pieces, including photographs, films, magazines, paintings, and sculptureshighlighting both naturist communities and private collections from France and Switzerland. Now, you might wonder: is everyone required to strip down for these special viewings? A Mucem spokesperson clarified to The Guardian that while it's not technically mandatory, it's only "logical" for ticket holders to embrace the theme. As they put it, "Anyone wanting to visit fully dressed during those hours might be considered a little odd." So, in this unique museum setting, the art isn't the only thing that gets "exposed"your inhibitions might too! To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending. India, often referred to as the "land of festivals," celebrates more festivals than any other country, each marked with great enthusiasm. Many of these festivals also bring along bank holidays, affecting banking services across the country. These include national holidays, state-specific festivals, and important observances. In September 2024, banks across India will be closed for 15 days. These holidays include the regular second and fourth Saturdays and Sundays. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releases a monthly list of bank holidays to help customers plan their banking activities without any inconvenience. Overview of September 2024 Bank Holidays Banks will observe closures on significant occasions such as Tirubhav Tithi of Srimanta Sankardeva, Ganesh Chaturthi, First Onam, Milad-un-Nabi (Id-e-Milad), Indrajatra, Pang-Lhabsol, Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi Day, and the Birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji. These holidays may vary from state to state, depending on the local significance of each event. Detailed List of Bank Holidays in September 2024 Here's a breakdown of the bank holidays in September 2024, including the specific states where these holidays will be observed: September 1 (Sunday): Weekend - Banks closed nationwide. September 4 (Wednesday): Tirubhav Tithi of Srimanta Sankardeva - Banks closed in Assam. September 7 (Saturday): Ganesh Chaturthi - Banks closed in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Goa. September 8 (Sunday): Weekend - Banks closed nationwide. September 14 (Second Saturday): Karma Puja/First Onam - Banks closed nationwide. September 15 (Sunday): Weekend - Banks closed nationwide. September 16 (Monday): Milad-un-Nabi (Id-e-Milad) - Banks closed in Gujarat, Mizoram, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Manipur, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. September 17 (Tuesday): Indrajatra/Id-e-Milad - Banks closed in Sikkim and Chhattisgarh. September 18 (Wednesday): Pang-Lhabsol - Banks closed in Sikkim. September 20 (Friday): Friday following Eid-i-Milad-ul-Nabi - Banks closed in Jammu and Srinagar. September 21 (Saturday): Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi Day - Banks closed in Kerala. September 22 (Sunday): Weekend - Banks closed nationwide. September 23 (Monday): Birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji - Banks closed in Jammu and Srinagar. September 28 (Saturday): Fourth Saturday holiday September 29 (Sunday): Weekend - Banks closed nationwide. Important Notes on September Bank Holidays The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) categorises these holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) holidays, and Banks' Closing of Accounts. On these designated holidays, no physical banking services are available. However, customers can still carry out financial and non-financial transactions through Internet banking, SMS banking, and WhatsApp banking services. By staying informed about the Bank Holidays in September 2024, you can plan your banking activities and avoid any disruptions. Check the September Bank Holidays specific to your state to ensure a smooth banking experience. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here Kaivalya Vohra, the co-founder of the quick commerce app Zepto becomes the youngest Indian billionaire, as per the 2024 IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich List. At just 21 years old, Vohra has achieved an impressive net worth of Rs 3,600 crore, making him the youngest person ever to be included in this prestigious list. His business partner and friend, 22-year-old Aadit Palicha with a net worth of Rs 4,300 crore, is right behind him as the second youngest on the list. Kaivalya Vohra's Standing in the IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich List 2024 The 2024 IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich List marks a significant achievement for both Kaivalya Vohra and Indias billionaire landscape, as the number of billionaires in the country has crossed 300 for the first time. Vohras remarkable success at such a young age showcases his entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking. Kaivalya Vohra's early life Kaivalya Vohra was born on March 15, 2003, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, where he also completed his schooling. He is fluent in three languages: Hindi, English, and French. Before starting Zepto, Kaivalya had enrolled in a computer science engineering program at Stanford University. However, he decided to pursue his dream of launching a company and dropped out to start Zepto with his friend Aadit Palicha. Kaivalya and Aadit were living in Dubai when they got into Stanford, but after attending the online orientation, they chose to return to Mumbai to launch their business. The Path to Success: Kaivalya Vohra's Story Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha were both students at Stanford University when they decided to leave their computer science course to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. This bold move led to the creation of Zepto in 2021. The duo wanted to address the growing need for quick and contactless delivery of essential goods during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Zepto was their answer to that demand. Zepto: Transforming Quick Commerce in India Zepto operates in India's highly competitive grocery delivery market, where it faces tough competition from big names like Amazon India, Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit, and Tata Groups BigBasket. Despite this, Zepto has managed to stand out by focusing on ultra-fast delivery services, setting a new standard in the industry. The name Zepto is inspired by "zeptosecond," the smallest unit of time, reflecting the companys promise of delivering groceries in just 10 minutes. Although this promise was later revised to "delivery in minutes," Zeptos commitment to speed has helped it gain a loyal customer base. Early Ventures and Rapid Expansion Before Zepto, Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha launched KiranaKart in 2020, a platform that partnered with local grocery stores for online deliveries. However, they soon pivoted to quick commerce, leading to the creation of Zepto. The startup quickly gained momentum and expanded its operations to 10 major cities across India. With over 1,600 employees, operates roughly 350 dark stores across Indias top 10 cities, and delivers more than 7,000 products, including fresh fruits, vegetables, daily cooking essentials, dairy, and health-and-hygiene products, to Indian households at record speed. Zepto has also introduced a cafe service, allowing customers to order coffee, chai, and other cafe items along with their groceries. Zepto Valuation In June 2024, Zepto raised $650 million at a valuation of $3.6 billion valuation, according to a Moneycontrol report. Kaivalya Vohras journey is a powerful example of innovation and determination. From leaving Stanford University to building one of Indias fastest-growing startups, his story is truly inspiring. As the youngest Indian billionaire, Vohra is setting new standards for young entrepreneurs, proving that age is no limit to success. For the latest and interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here Apple has been poisoning workers and residents in Santa Clara and fired Ashley M. Gjvik who is a former Apple senior engineering program manager who was poisoned at her office which was atop a toxic site and lived next to an illegal Apple fabrication plant in Santa Clara. Apple Toxic Crimes, The Santa Clara FAB and The EPA With Fired Apple Whistleblower Ashley M. GjvikApple in Santa Clara has illegally built a fabrication facility next to residential apartments in Santa Clara and has flagrantly violated EPA and other local and state regulations in the operation of this facility.Ashley M. Gjvik is a former Apple seinor engineering program manager who discovered that her office was above a contaminated dump site that was allowing fumes to enter the office and that her home was also located next to the illegal Apple fabrication facility that was contaminating the Santa Clara neighborhood and her as well.When she blew the whistle she was targeted and terrorized by Apple in order to silence her. She is now fighting Apple in Federal Court and had also filed a Rico suit against Apple for its illegal activities.She also discovered that the oversight agencies which are supposed to protect her and the public have been captured by Apple and the corporations that they are supposed to be regulating. Lisa Davis, the former Obama director of EPA was hired by Apple to run the governmental and environmental operations. This presentation was made on July 21, 2024 as part of LaborFest.net which commemorates the 1934 San Francisco general strike during the month of July and was also sponsored by WorkWeek.Additional Media:Apple Whistleblower Ashley Gjvik On Retaliation, Toxics & Corruption-Poisoning The People & WorkersThe Union Busting War On Apple Workers & NLRB Ruling For Fired Apple Worker Ashley M. GjvikUS Labor Secretary Marty Walsh: Stop US DOL OSHA Whistleblower Corruption NowApple Toxic Is It Above The Law? With Whistleblower Ashley M. GjvikPart II: My personal hellscape of conflicts of interest, obstruction, & arbitrary denials of due process continuesApple Wanted Her Fired. It Settled on an Absurd ExcuseApple Employee Blows Whistle on Illegal Spying and Toxic Working ConditionsSilicon Valley Chemical Contamination & ExposureI thought I was dying: My apartment was built on toxic wasteWW 4-22-22 The Corporate Capture Of OSHA & The US Government Corruption Cover-upOn Workers Memorial Day 2021 Former OSHA WPP Lawyer & Investigator Darrell Whitman Speaks Out!OSHA Corruption, Cover-up & US Inspector Generals With OHSA Whistleblower & Lawyer Darrell WhitmanOSHA Corruption, Cover-up & US Inspector Generals With OHSA Whistleblower & Lawyer Darrell WhitmanOSHA, Corruption & The Capture of US Inspector Generals With Whistleblower Darrell WhitmanThe Office Of Special Counsel OSC, Corruption, Kerner & OSHA WPP Whistleblower Lawyer WhitmanAdditional Info:Big Tech PoliticsWorkWeekProduction of Labor Video Project The body of a 65-year-old Dutch tourist who had been missing on the eastern Aegean island of Samos since August 22nd was located in a remote area of the island. A member of a Dutch rescue team, searching alone and without the aid of a search dog , discovered the woman's body. The individual was reportedly alerted to the site by the strong odor of decomposition. The discovery was made in an area opposite to where the woman's cell phone had been located, and away from the primary focus of search efforts. The body was found after seven days of extensive searches conducted by a special fire brigade unit utilizing drones, a local alpine rescue team, and a Dutch team equipped with eight sniffer dogs. This summer holiday season in Greece has seen an alarmingly high number of missing tourists and heat-related deaths, particularly in remote island regions. The most notable case involved BBC host Michael Mosley, whose body was found in a rugged area on the island of Symi after he strayed from a hiking trail. iefimerida.gr Two Turkish nationals, aged 16 and 24, have been detained following a deadly migrant boat chase off the Greek island of Symi. The incident occurred on August 23rd and resulted in the death of a 39-year-old man believed to be from Kuwait. The Greek coastguard reported that warning shots were fired at the speedboat after it ignored calls to stop and engaged in dangerous maneuvers. The two individuals have been charged with people smuggling but deny any wrongdoing. A judge on the island of Rhodes ordered their detention pending trial. The trial date is contingent upon the completion of a preliminary investigation by the investigating magistrate. In a separate development, a courts-martial process has been initiated against the coast guard officer who fired at the speedboat. He faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and using a firearm for no reason. In his preliminary testimony, the officer stated that he acted on his own initiative after the speedboat's pilot attempted to ram the coastguard vessel, endangering the lives of the crew. Greece has been a primary entry point to the European Union for migrants and refugees from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia since 2015. While the number of arrivals has decreased significantly since the peak of the crisis, thousands continue to risk their lives at sea each year. iefimerida.gr Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis made this statement on Thursday upon arriving at the informal council of EU Foreign Affairs ministers in Brussels The African Democratic Congress, has said that the President Bola Tinubu-led Renewed Hope Agenda is gradually turning hopeless. The party added that the ruling All Progressive Party, has no regard for Nigerian youths. It was gathered that the National Chairman of ADC, Chief Ralphs Nwosu led this out on Wednesday, while inaugurating the partys Youth wing, in Abuja. Advertisement Nwosu noted that President Tinubu is facing challenges in his government due to his neglecting attitude towards young Nigerians. He said: We are running a government that is talking of Renewed Hope Agenda. Where are the goal posts? What is the goal post for your economic team, Aviation Minister, Tourism? Everything has collapsed. Over 70 percent of this (over 200 million Nigerian) population are young men and women, the youths. But unfortunately, the APC government has no regard for these people. The best thing that happened in this country came from our youths. Our youths abroad project Nigeria in a positive way. But in Nigeria, a government that wants to make the people great, a government that promised Renewed Hope, is not seeing the hope in our young men and women. READ MORE: Resign Immediately If You Cant Tackle Insecurity HURIWA Tells Tinubu This is very sad. For us in ADC, we believe that these young people need empowerment; these young people need to be allowed to use their creativity to turnaround Nigeria and the continent. ADC is saying, enough is enough. Our youths need empowerment and freedom. Recently, our youths wanted to protest against bad leadership, government spent so much money trying to stop them. Allow them the freedom. The Renewed Hope Agenda, is becoming hopelessness. We are running a government that is talking of Renewed Hope Agenda. Where are the goal posts? What is the goal post for your economic team, Aviation Minister, Tourism? Everything has collapsed. The Eko Distribution Company (EKEDC) has disconnected its power supply to the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, over debt owed to the company. The University has been having difficultieis meeting up with its financial obligation on electricity use on campus since EKEDC recently moved the school from Band B to Band A, charging exhorbitant tarrif. By the Band A, the university which used to pay between N150 million and N180 million monthly is now been served a almost N300 million per month about 100 per cent increase. Advertisement The university management in a Wednesday statement however appealed to the people in the university community for understanding over the total blackout the distribution company has thrown the community since Tuesday. According to the management, the university has just paid the sum of N180 million to EKEDC but was abruptly cut off from electricity supply on Tuesday, August 27, without prior notice of disconnection and despite still engaging with the management of the company. READ ALSO: Debt: Kaduna DisCo Cuts Power To Govt House After Closure Of Its Office The university explained that it engaged the management of EKEDC in talks over the exorbitant June bill and made it clear consistently to the company that it would prefer to remain on Band B tariff as it wouldnt be able to afford bills generated on Band A tariff. The university also declared that it would not be able to pay anything more than N180 million monthly as there is no where to raise amount higher than that. But within two weeks of this meeting ,we were slammed with a bill of almost half a billion (N472m) for the month of July further increasing our debt burden! We kept to our word and ensured we paid the N180 million on 20th of August but on the 27th of August without any prior notice, EKEDC disconnected the university and refused to re-connect it to national grid. Despite the foregoing, management regrets the situation and is taking necessary steps to address the issue. In the meantime, members of the university community are kindly enjoined to remain calm, and note that there would be a rationing of power supply across campus until further notice. The schedule of rationing will be released so that members of the community can adequately plan, it concluded. Operatives of the Katsina State Police Command has foiled an effort by gunmen, suspected to be bandits, attempting to kidnap a girl in Faru village, Jibia Local Government Area of the State. In a statement released to the public on Thursday by the Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, disclosed that the operation was successful, with the support of the members of the vigilante and other local security network. Advertisement He said: Today, August 29, 2024, at about 0115hrs, a distress call was received at the Jibia Divisional Police Headquarters on a bandits attack on Faru village, Jibia LGA, kidnapping one person. Instantaneously, the DPO Jibia mobilised a joint team of operatives in collaboration with members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, members of the vigilante, and responded to the scene. READ MORE: Katsina Police Repel Bandits Attack, Rescue Five Kidnapped Victims The team valiantly engaged the assailants in a gun duel, successfully rescued the kidnapped victim unhurt, and foiled the attack as the assailants fled the scene with various degrees of bullet injuries. Efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects. The CP Aliyu Abubakar, while commending the uncommon act of professionalism and bravery displayed by the operatives, charges officers to sustain the ongoing onslaught against all forms of crime and criminality in the state, especially kidnapping and banditry, for a better secured Katsina State. John Cena, an American actor and professional wrestler, has once again spoken out about his decision not to have children. The 47-year-old actor was questioned if he still didnt want children in a recent interview that was posted on X Wednesday by host Shannon Sharpe. He explained, Im 47. I dont have them. Advertisement Sharpe then questioned if Cena had ever considered the possibility of having children, perhaps even a little Johnny or Joanna. Thats great, and thats usually what everyone says. And I gotta tell you, its not the easiest out there because a lot of why were here is to reproduce he said. Cena went on to explain his decision, stating that while he is intrigued about life, he is aware of the huge commitment that parenting entails. He said, I have a certain curiosity about life, and I also know the investment that it takes. And my biggest fear is, as someone whos driven, many times stubborn, and selfish, I try to approach the world with kindness and curiosity, but I dont think Im personally ready, nor will I ever be, to invest the time it needs to be a great parent because I want to live life for all it is. And I still have a lot to do. And I still want to do a lot. Cena further emphasized that, despite potential criticism, he is at peace with his choice. READ MORE: Youre Not An Oppressor, Give Dammy Krane Second Chance VeryDarkMan Pleads With Davido Amid Detention He acknowledged that its a difficult subject to discuss, as it often invites judgment, stating, Its human nature. Were all judgmental. Id like to believe that I operate under the construct that everyones okay living their life This is not a knee-jerk reaction. Ive thought long and hard about this, even as my youngest age like 15, 16, I remember thinking about it, he added. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has detained two suspects in Akwa Ibom for alleged criminal conspiracy, unlawful mining, and carriage of solid minerals suspected to be iron ore. The Corps also nabbed two other individuals for vandalising power transmission lines in Ikot Akpan Okop village, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, in the State. Briefing reporters on Wednesday at the Commands exhibit yard, Mr Eluyemi Eluwade, the NSCDC state commandant, said the two mining suspects were apprehended about 1:00 p.m. on August 26 while transporting 1, 200 bags of solid minerals in a large open truck with Registration No: TYN 157 XA. Advertisement He further stated that the mineral resources were mined from the Ibeno beach area and delivered to Port Harcourt. NSCDC operatives received intelligence on the illegal mining activity and quickly mobilised towards the mining site. The truck was accosted at Eket LGA, where the driver and one other person were arrested for failure to provide mining license and a genuine waybill for the mineral resource being transported, Eluwade said. Eluwade stated that the other two suspects were apprehended by anti-vandalism officers on 25 August for vandalising electrical transmission cables. READ MORE: 16 Arrested In Lagos For Open Urination, Defecation, Other Offenses He stated that the suspects admitted to vandalising the transmission lines with the goal to sell them as scrap. The state commandant criticised the act of vandalism against electricity cables, telecommunications infrastructure, oil pipelines, street lights, and other public services, as well as the unlawful mining of minerals in the state. Eluwade also condemned illicit mining of mineral resources, calling it an act of economic sabotage that deprives governments of the income they require to carry out their projects. The commandant emphasised the Corps commitment to bringing crimes to a halt, ensuring that all suspects would be tried in court as soon as investigations were completed. The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a nurse in connection with the death of a 36-year-old woman, identified as Mrs Abiola. SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Commands spokesperson, confirmed the news to reporters in Lagos on Wednesday. Hundeyin stated that the nurse was arrested after the Maroko Police Division got a report on Tuesday at approximately 11.40 a.m. from the deceaseds driver, whose identity was not provided. Advertisement He said that the driver reported that at around 3:00 a.m. on Monday, his boss, who lives in Diamond Estate, Sangotedo-Lekki, ordered him to take her to a clinic in Lekki Phase 1 for a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) injection for buttock expansion. According to the police image maker, upon arriving, the owner of the clinic (name not stated) directed a nurse to inject the now-deceased lady, who then became unconscious and began gasping for air. The victim was rushed to another hospital in Lekki Phase 1 for treatment, where she was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. Based on the report, the scene was visited by a team of detectives. The hospital was also visited, where the corpse was inspected and photographed, before it was evacuated to a public morgue for autopsy, he said. Hundeyin confirmed that the nurse had been arrested and that an inquiry was underway. Human rights organisation, Amnesty International has again expressed concern over the continued detention of minors arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria. According to the organisations statement on Wednesday, the detained minors are also denied legal representation. It demanded the immediate release of dozens of minors unlawfully detained across the country for merely participating in the protests between August 1 to 10. Advertisement In the FCT, 22 minors face dreadful 60 days behind bars, without safeguards for their rights. READ ALSO: Over 1,000 Hardship Protesters Detained Nationwide Amnesty Intl In Katsina,12 children under 16-years-old are now facing an unfair trial. Many of the children ended up in detention for just being on the streets during the protests. Children with their whole lives ahead of them are now at the risk of being tried on trumped up charges. Our findings since the 1-10 Aug. #EndBadGovernance protests show safety concerns arising from the authorities treatment of children during arrest and in detention, as well as total denial of their legal rights, the organisation stated. Over 23 deaths were recorded during the movement as Nigerian security operatives cracked down on protesters, firing live rounds at them. The Nigerian Police Force has however denied deploying lethal weapons against protesters, despite footage confirming the act. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, has charged the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara to remain strong and committed in upholding democratic principles. HURIWA urged Fubara to ensure that the local government administration is managed by democratically elected officials. The groups concern is coming, following the unending political crisis rocking the oil riched state. Advertisement HURIWA in a statement released to the public by Emmanuel Onwubiko, the National Coordinator, on Wednesday, suggested that the issues in Rivers appear to be externally induced. The rights group warned that the plan by Fubara to conduct local government elections must not be thwarted by the previous local government chairmen, who were appointed by the former governor, Nyesom Wike. The statement reads: It is illegal for members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to publicly announce their defection from the PDP, under which they were elected, to the APC. The federal executives apparent support for actions that undermine democracy in Rivers State, citing instances where the police, under federal control, have acted unconstitutionally. One notable example was the police takeover of local government secretariats, preventing even appointed officials from governing. This action was taken before the Supreme Courts judgment, and even though Governor Fubaras appointments were within his constitutional powers. READ MORE: You Can Plan But, I Fear Nothing Gov Fubara Tells Critics [We]urge the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the Rivers State Police Command remains loyal to the Constitution and the properly constituted authority, which is currently Governor Fubara. [We]firmly believe that once a governor is democratically elected, they should be allowed to govern without interference, regardless of who facilitated their emergence. Fubara won the election and must be allowed to lead and develop Rivers State stably, as he has been doing. Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Mesfin Tasew, says plans to establish a national carrier in collaboration with the Nigerian government and institutional investors, have ended. Tasew spoke in an interview with Bloomberg on Wednesday. In May 2023, Hadi Sirika, former Aviation Minister, unveiled Nigeria Air, the countrys national carrier, in Abuja. Advertisement However, the launch was trailed by widespread controversy. Consequently, a federal high court in Lagos restrained the government from floating the airline. Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation, on August 31, 2023,announced the suspension of the national carrier project. Reacting, Tasew said the deal had ended because Nigerian operators did not welcome it. READ ALSO: Lagos Court Voids Sales Of Nigeria Air To Ethiopian Airlines We dont have any intention to partner with any of the Nigerian airlines today because it has been politicised. We tried to help the country by partnering with the government and other institutionalised investors in Nigeria. To use our expertise, our experience and establish a reliable airline that would be profitable in the short term. But as you may have read from the media, it was not welcomed by the Nigerian Airlines. Our intention was to help the country, but since they objected to the idea, there is no need for Ethiopian Airlines to go there. Tasew said Ethiopian Airlines is exploring plans to expand to other African countries where it has already partnered with operators such as Togo, Malawi, and Zambia. Exception handling is the technique of handling runtime errors in your application code. Basically, you have two categories of exceptions: Exceptions that are generated by the application and exceptions that are generated by the runtime. Exceptions should be handled with care. You should have a good idea of how exceptions should be handled and when they are needed to be handled in your code. In this post, I will present a few tips and best practices for working with exceptions in C#. The base class for all exceptions in .NET is Exception. All exception classes in the exception hierarchy derive directly or indirectly from this class. The ApplicationException and SystemException classes are derived from the Exception class, and the Common Language Runtime (CLR) throws an instance of a type that is derived from SystemException when an error occurs at runtime. Note that you should never catch SystemException or throw an instance of SystemException in your applications code. The reason is that doing so may inadvertently hide run-time problems, such as COM interop or out-of-memory exceptions. And now for our guidelines Anchor, a great hammerhead shark at Camdens Adventure Aquarium, swam his last lap around the vivarium on Sunday. Aquarium officials announced Anchors death on social media and said that they were deeply saddened to share the news. Advertisement Anchor was a tremendous ambassador for his species for 20 years, teaching all who met him about shark conservation and the hammerheads vital role in the health of coastal marine ecosystems, the Instagram announcement read. The aquarium did not reveal cause of death. Great hammerhead sharks are one of the largest shark species in the world, sometimes as long as 20 feet, and Anchor was the largest shark at the aquarium. In 2021, he was nine feet long and, as an older post on the aquariums website notes, he was only three feet when he came to the Camden attraction formerly known as the Thomas H. Kean New Jersey State Aquarium. Great hammerhead sharks are known for their excellent 360-degree vision and exceptional sensory abilities that help them detect prey. Online, past visitors and close friends shared their memories with the long-adored hammerhead, including the fact that some members of the staff called him Waldo. Getting to work with him every day was a highlight of my work day, one Instagram user wrote. Ill miss you, buddy. Oh my, this is terrible! I have so many pictures and videos of Anchor. Ive been going to this place since I was 3 years old and would get so excited every time he appeared, another one wrote. Id say [my] favorite memory is all the jump scares he pulled on me. Every time [Id] get close to the glass, hed appear real quickly from out of nowhere. Good times. Ron Tarver, a photographer, Swarthmore College professor, and former Philadelphia Inquirer staffer, prepares his images for a forthcoming exhibit, "The Long Ride Home," opening Sept. 13 at the Depot Gallery in Norman, Okla. He is also publishing a book titled "The Long Ride Home." Read more More than 30 years ago, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Ron Tarver began photographing Black cowboys, rodeo queens, and ranchers across the southern plains of east Texas, the low hills of Oklahoma, and the urban pathways of Philadelphia. On assignment for National Geographic and The Philadelphia Inquirer, Tarver captured generations of cowboys and cowgirls working in their stables, strutting in small-town parades, or cooking breakfast inside their ranch-style homes. After failed attempts to thread the detailed portraits and textured landscapes into a book project, Tarver put away nearly 20,000 pictures in a storage container. Advertisement In the years since, Tarver published a book about the experiences of African American war veterans and became an associate art professor at Swarthmore College after a 30-plus-year career in photojournalism. His new book, The Long Ride Home: Black Cowboys in America, was released on Saturday. A week later, Tarver will be doing a book signing, sponsored by the Print Center, at the 20 / 20 Photo Festival Photo Book Fair at Cherry Street Pier on Sept. 7. The books photos will also be on display at InLiquid Gallery as part of their Brotherly Lens: A Portrait of Philadelphia exhibition, which is part of the 20 / 20 festival. This is one of those projects that wouldnt leave me alone for the longest time, said Tarver. Its always been on my mind because its such an important project to get out into the public. Black cowboy cultures recent renaissance in pop culture may have started with the 2020 North Philadelphia-set western Concrete Cowboy, starring Idris Elba. Musicians from Lil Nas X to Beyonce have also straddled horses and donned bolo ties for songs honoring the Old West. For Tarver, the timing is perfect. Its out in the zeitgeist now, he said. His books 110 images showcase the deep roots of the countrys Black cowboys and cowgirls. Tarvers The Long Ride Home isnt the act of an outsider looking into Black cowboy culture. He lived it. Tarver grew up in Fort Gibson, Okla., where he rode horses bareback, attended rodeo shows, and spent his summers working on local farms and his cousins ranch. His grandfather, Thomas Wilson, was a working cowboy in the 1940s. His father, Richard, introduced Tarver to the world of documentary-style photography. It wasnt until Tarver, now an Elkins Park resident, moved to Philadelphia in 1983 that he realized how unacquainted people were with the Black West. The bottom line was people didnt think there was such a thing as a Black cowboy. I got all kind of strange feedback [on the book] from people literally saying, I dont think theres an audience for this. I dont think theres any kind of thing or entity as a Black cowboy. So, thats why I put this thing in a box and just said, Forget about it. According to Smithsonian Magazine, one out of every four cowboys who were trailblazing, sharpshooting, and horseback riding on the American frontier were Black. And with the release of The Long Ride Home, Tarver paints a vivid picture of the cultures history and grandeur. Liz Spungen, executive director of the Print Center, said Tarver faced many roadblocks to the books release. But shes thrilled to see the decades-long project come to life, and to have the capacity to showcase his work in a planned exhibition in fall 2026. I think theres probably a more receptive audience for it now people are now more eager, I hope, to understand the larger contributions of Black Americans in the West. We are more attuned to hearing these stories now, so Im hoping it will receive a fabulous audience. With renewed interest in his Black Western project, Tarver was tasked with cutting down his 20,000-image collection to a book-size number. He focused on the years between 1992 and 1996, and zeroed in on photos of everything from the rodeo shows to the after-hour hangs. I wanted to show that this isnt a fad, Tarver said. I wanted to show the broad spectrum of Black Western lifestyle, and its vibrance even as far back as then. Tarver narrowed it down to 250 photos, and then tapped longtime friend and former NatGeo magazine photo editor Elizabeth Krist to pare the project down even further. In the editing process, Krist was impressed by the stark contrast between Tarvers detail-rich portraits and visceral action shots. A founding member of the Visual Thinking Collective, Krist is hopeful that the book opens peoples eyes to the lived culture of Black cowboys, both then and now. Its an ongoing culture. Its not something you look back and think, OK, that was the 1800 or 1900s. This is something that is still going on. I hope people really understand it on a deep level when they see his work. Once the final lineup of photos was selected, New Mexico-based designer David Skolkin stepped in. He was in awe of Tarvers ability to meld his journalistic practices with his creative nuance. The two men connected on long phone calls and Zoom meetings for months to finalize the layout and photo sequencing for The Long Ride Home. It was like figuring out a puzzle, Tarver said. The images felt very real to me. I could feel the people, sense their emotions, and could even sense how things smelled in the environment of the photographs. They had a texture that was very accessible to me, Skolkin said of the final book. With the books release, Tarver is reminded of the people he connected with throughout his career. Many of the children he photographed in the early 1990s have carried on their families legacy of farming and cowboy culture. Tarver hopes to develop another book dedicated to the families he first photographed. He also wants his images to be placed in national museums and global showcases to continue sharing the story of the Black West so people can celebrate its largely undocumented glory. We all built this country, Tarver said, and to remind people that we were in this culture and have been for a long time is important. I hope this book carries out that idea, as well as the beauty and majesty of it. Malinda Hoagland weighed just 50 pounds at the time of her death and had been physically and emotionally abused by her father and his girlfriend for months, prosecutors said. Read more Rendell Hoaglands daughters saw him Thursday for the first time since his arrest, clad in a red prison jumpsuit and led into a West Chester courtroom. But he wouldnt meet their gaze. Emily Lee, Hoaglands oldest daughter, said she was determined to be there for that moment: It was important to her to see her father in shackles, like the ones he used to chain her 12-year-old sister to furniture as he and his girlfriend tortured and starved the girl to death. Advertisement Its almost satisfying, Lee said afterward. I think as his daughter, maybe I shouldnt feel that way, maybe I should feel sympathy. But I just feel justice for my sister. Hoagland, 53, and his longtime girlfriend, Cindy Warren, 46, faced a judge Thursday for what prosecutors have described as the horrific abuse of his daughter, Malinda. The girl died in their care, broken mentally and physically, as she wasted away to 50 pounds before her death in her West Caln home. The couple waived their preliminary hearings, and a judge sent their case on first-degree murder and related crimes to trial in Chester County Court. First Assistant District Attorney Erin OBrien said her office would seek the death penalty against the couple if they were convicted. READ MORE: A 12-year-old died malnourished and abused. Her family is demanding change, wondering how warning signs were ignored. Hoagland and Warren systematically tortured Malinda over the course of several months before she died, prosecutors said. They denied her food by locking their refrigerator, beat her repeatedly with their hands and a belt, and forced her to perform calisthenics for hours while chained to furniture. Attorneys for the couple declined to comment Thursday. In 2009, Warren pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child for abusing her son from a previous relationship. The facts of that case, prosecutors said Thursday, were nearly identical to the abuse that led to Malindas death. Videos retrieved by investigators from surveillance cameras installed in the couples home on Reid Road captured some of the abuse, including instances in which Warren berated Malinda. Other clips showed Malinda begging to be unshackled, apologizing for upsetting Warren. The couple, through text messages recovered by prosecutors, discussed their abuse of the child, sometimes planning how to hide her bruises when sending her to school, according to the affidavit of probable cause for their arrests. Malinda missed several weeks of school late last year, a time that coincided with the worst of these assaults, prosecutors said. Warren and Hoagland pulled Malinda out of North Brandywine Middle School when staff there alerted the state Department of Healths ChildLine service over concerns they had about her treatment at home. Caseworkers from the Chester County Department of Children, Youth and Families called the couple, but did not make a visit to their home, a decision that outraged Malindas sisters. The three sisters have filed a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court, saying Chester County officials and staff at Malindas school failed her and violated their duties to protect children by not fully investigating the abuse she was facing at home. On May 4, Malinda did not wake up, prosecutors said. Warren and Hoagland conspired to create a cover story that she had injured her head at a campground pool, and again when she fell off her bike, according to the affidavit. They also discussed whether to take her to the hospital or to try to rouse her with smelling salts, fearing that child-service workers would be suspicious of her injuries. Eventually, when medics arrived, they were appalled at Malindas condition, authorities said, and she was pronounced dead a short time later at Paoli Hospital. Doctors there told investigators that she had multiple bone fractures and her organs had begun to atrophy from starvation. Parris Campbell is one of two receivers on the Eagles' practice squad. Read more The Eagles signed 14 players to their practice squad Wednesday, shaping out the depth chart one day after setting the initial 53-man roster. The Eagles waived 25 players before Tuesdays deadline for roster cuts and didnt have anyone claimed on the wire the following day. They didnt claim anyone, either. Of the 14 guys added to the practice squad, 12 spent most of training camp with the team and were either released or waived on Tuesday. Advertisement The full practice squad is as follows: QB Will Grier, RB Tyrion Davis-Price, WR Parris Campbell, WR Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, TE Jack Stoll, TE E.J. Jenkins, OL Nick Gates, C/G Dylan McMahon, OT Laekin Vakalahi, DT Gabe Hall, LB Oren Burks, LB Brandon Smith, S Andre Sam, and S Caden Sterns. After favoring the defensive side heavily on the initial 53, the Eagles balanced things out with the practice squad with nine offensive players. Gates figures to be an important depth piece along the interior line, as the 28-year-old got extensive time at both guard spots during the summer working primarily with the second-team offense. READ MORE: Howie Roseman avoids hyping Eagles roster, and a closer look at who made the initial 53 reveals why With no apparent backup center on the 53-man roster, McMahon could also factor into the picture. The sixth-round rookie was the only draft pick to get waived on Tuesday, although the Eagles did place fifth-round wide receiver Ainias Smith on injured reserve with a designation to return. The Eagles decision to carry two tight ends on the practice squad also bolsters a position they went light at on Tuesday with Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra as the lone tight ends making the team. Stoll, who spent the first three years of his career with the Eagles, signed to the teams practice squad after getting released by the New York Giants. The 26-year-old played 38% of the Eagles offensive snaps last season and caught five passes for 38 yards. On the defensive side, Burks could be a candidate to get called up on game days this season. The 29-year-old signed with the Eagles this offseason after earning a reputation as a special-teams ace during his six-year career but missed almost all of training camp with a knee injury. He played well in the Eagles preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings, finishing with six tackles and a sack. The lone practice squad addition who didnt spend either the summer or last season with the team was Rosemy-Jacksaint, who spent training camp with the Washington Commanders before getting released on Tuesday. READ MORE: Eagles 53-man roster goes heavy at cornerback and safety, including James Bradberry for the time being Although the NFL limit for the practice squad is typically 16, the Eagles still have three slots remaining because Vakalahi is exempt through the leagues International Player Pathway Program. The Australian hadnt played football at any level before joining the Eagles and got his first game action in the preseason finale Saturday, playing eight snaps. An attorney for Camden school advisory board president Wasim Muhammad has submitted $222,000 in legal fees stemming from his sex abuse civil case. Read more The lawyer for Camden school advisory board president Wasim Muhammad has billed the district $221,236.50 for his legal fees to defend him in a civil case by a former student accusing him of sexually abusing her when he was her teacher 30 years ago. Invoices obtained by The Inquirer under the states Open Public Records Act show the expenses incurred by Troy Archie, a Cinnaminson-based lawyer, for representing Muhammad, his former Camden High classmate. The fees stem from a three-year legal battle resulting from the lawsuit filed against Muhammad and the district by Salema Robinson, his former student at Cooper B. Hatch Middle School. The case went to trial in Superior Court during the spring, and the six-member jury concluded in May that Muhammad recklessly or intentionally committed extreme and outrageous conduct upon Robinson, but rejected her sexual assault and battery allegations against the Muslim minister. It found Muhammad and the district liable on five counts. Advertisement The jury awarded her $1.6 million in compensatory damages, but that was increased to $2 million under a later settlement between Robinson, Muhammad, and the school district. The settlement negated a punitive phase of the trial, which could have yielded a higher amount. Both sides said they wanted to avoid a prolonged appeal. Before the trial, an arbitrator recommended a $1 million settlement, but that was rejected by all parties. READ MORE: The Wasim Muhammad sex abuse case verdict explained The bulk of the final judgment, $1.5 million, was paid by the districts insurance carrier. But the district paid $500,000 from its fiscal 2023-24 operating budget to Jeffrey Fritz, Robinsons attorney, which was included as part of the settlement, and the more than $220,000 for Archie. The district will also pay legal fees to its own firm, Andersen & Shah. As of May, the district had incurred about $89,000 in legal fees, but a final dollar amount was not immediately available. That brings the school districts cost to more than $800,000. Although the jury said Muhammad should be held responsible for 40% of the verdict, Muhammad, 56, did not incur any expenses in the case. Because Muhammad was an employee at the time of the alleged sexual activity, he is entitled to indemnification with the district covering his legal fees. Camden, a state-operated district largely funded by state and federal taxpayers, paid the $500,000 to Fritz from its legal judgment fund in the budget, records show. For the period ending June 30, the district paid out $548,882 for seven judgments against the school system. The Muhammad judgment was the largest. Theo Spencer, a former board member who plans to launch a recall petition to oust Muhammad, said he was not surprised by the legal fees. I dont know what there is to say, Spencer said. Wasim Muhammad is the gift that keeps on giving. Under the agreement, Muhammad made no admission of any wrongdoing. Community activists have staged protests, demanding his resignation from the board. Muhammad has indicated that he would not step down. Franklin Towne Charter High School, in Northeast Philadelphia. A judge has handed the school a legal victory, but it still faces a charter revocation hearing over allegations it manipulated its lottery to shut out certain students from admission. Read more A judge has handed Franklin Towne Charter High School a victory in the battle over its charter revocation hearing, ruling that the Philadelphia School District must replace the officer it had appointed to preside over the rest of the proceeding. The ruling represents a milestone in a lengthy and unusual case, but its not necessarily the end of the case. Here are six things to know: 1. Philadelphias school board had moved to revoke Franklin Townes charter because of lottery manipulation allegations. Just over a year ago, Philadelphias school board voted to begin revocation proceedings for Franklin Towne. Advertisement Though the Northeast Philadelphia school is a top academic performer it won a national Blue Ribbon Award, a marker of excellence the board was responding to allegations that the school had rigged its lottery to shut out students from certain zip codes and siblings of pupils with academic and behavioral issues, a violation of state law. The revocation hearings goal was not necessarily to close the school, but to effect change; board officials said the only tool they possess under Pennsylvania law to trigger a public accounting of serious allegations of impropriety is a revocation hearing, which includes witnesses and evidence before an independent hearing officer. 2. Franklin Towne went to court to stop the proceedings. Days before the charter revocation proceedings were scheduled to begin in October 2023, Franklin Towne asked a judge to intervene, saying that the hearing officer hired by the school board, Rudy Garcia, should not preside. An independent report examining bias allegations in charter authorizing had been released just before the legal challenge. And though the investigator found that the district engaged in no overt bias, the report recommended the school board stop using Garcia for most hearings as this practice has created the appearance of an improper bias toward the Board of Education and has resulted in a lack of trust in the system from the charter school sector, Ballard Spahr lawyer Marcel Pratt, the former city solicitor, wrote in the report. 3. Though a quick decision was expected, no ruling was issued for 10 months. The case dragged on for nearly a year. Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Anne Marie Coyle was initially asked to rule on whether Garcia could be the hearing officer; Franklin Towne later added more charges to its claim, challenging as unconstitutional the portion of Pennsylvania law under which the district sought to revoke the Franklin Towne charter. Coyle, herself a former board member at a different charter school, held several hearings in the matter. At one hearing, she questioned school board president Reginald Streater on the witness stand, asking him: If there had been lottery manipulation, why that would cause a concern? the judge said, according to court records. Streater responded that would be a problem because the board takes inequitable treatment of students seriously, and because if a school was breaking or seen as breaking the law, not acting within the spirit of charter law, its our duty as the authorizers in Philadelphia to get to the bottom of it. Coyle initially said she would rule at the last hearing, Aug. 9, but instead issued a written order weeks later, on Tuesday. The school board, frustrated by the slow pace of the Common Pleas hearing, in June appealed the case to Commonwealth Court. Franklin Towne said the district was attempting to appeal the unappealable and asked for Coyle to impose sanctions, which she declined to do. 4. Revocation proceedings wont start immediately. Coyle, in her Tuesday order, granted Franklin Towne injunctive relief and said the district is prohibited from utilizing Rudolph Garcia, Esquire or Allison Peterson, Esquire as its designated Hearing Officer or in any similar capacity as arbitrator in any charter non-renewal or revocation proceedings against Franklin Towne. Coyle, who described Garcia and Peterson as non-neutral in court documents, also said the district must immediately replace Rudolph Garcia, Esquire as designated Hearing Officer in the announced operating charter revocation proceedings that have yet to commence against Franklin Towne. The judge did, however, deny Franklin Townes constitutional challenges to the section of Pennsylvania law that the board used to begin revocation proceedings. Even if the board, which had no immediate comment about what its next move was, chose a new hearing officer immediately, revocation hearings wont begin soon. Coyle ordered a 30-day stay of the revocation hearings. Coyle also ordered a hearing conducted in her courtroom within 30 days to address any future stay of proceedings pending the school boards appeal and of compliance with the terms and conditions of instant order of court. If the stay lasts longer than a month, Coyle wrote, Franklin Towne shall demonstrate to this courts satisfaction, complete ongoing compliance with the lottery-based student admission requirements in accordance with its operating charter. 5. Coyle was skeptical of the school boards claims. Despite only being charged with deciding the legal questions Franklin Towne raised, Coyle weighed in on what a closure might mean to Franklin Towne. Realistically, should this successful high school be forced to close its doors, not only would the attending children, their parents, teachers, and administrators be adversely affected, so too would the entire community, Coyle wrote. This would permanently deprive all future students from the zip code(s) that the school board believes had been disregarded by Franklin Townes former administrators. Brianna ODonnell, Franklin Townes current CEO who worked at but did not lead the school when the alleged lottery rigging occurred told the court that the districts notice of revocation had caused an immediate harmful impact upon the children, parents, teachers and administrators working at Franklin Towne. Coyle also wrote that the testimony of Streater, Garcia, and Peterson, who had been appointed as prosecutor in the revocation hearing, provided this court with insight into the structural deficiences with the revocation procedures themselves, as well as a comprehension of the critical need for impartiality from their inception. The collective evidence also glaringly demonstrated that the school boards attempts to sidestep their inherent problems caused not only a bullying and biased appearance, but they also implanted a harmful pretermination of Frankin Townes guilt into the individual mind of their selected Hearing Officer. School board officials said that only three people were available to serve as hearing officer; Coyle said that failure to cultivate other capable candidates is a self-made flaw that can easily be corrected. Coyle wrote that her order aligns with the public interest of promoting trust in the legal system and the integrity of our public institutions and preventing overreaching of governmental functions. 6. Franklin Towne officials weighed in. Mark Seiberling, a lawyer representing Franklin Towne, said school officials were pleased with Judge Coyles thorough and well-reasoned decision and were optimistic that the district and board will finally take the advice of Judge Coyle by engaging in meaningful, alternative resolution of this matter for the benefit of the students involved instead of continuing to waste public money and further litigate this matter in the courts. ODonnell, in a statement, also said she was pleased with the order, which represents a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to ensure the best educational environment for FTCHS students and families. ODonnell noted that Franklin Townes incoming freshman and sophomore classes were enrolled after the alleged enrollment-fixing occurred. The school now uses the centralized lottery system that the majority of Philadelphia charters use. It is unjustifiable for the School District of Philadelphia to persist in its efforts to close Franklin Towne denying educational opportunities to 1,300 students, hundreds of families, and 130 dedicated employees, based on the alleged actions of a former administrator who is no longer affiliated with the school, ODonnell said. Signs denounce closure of University of the Arts in front of the school's Dorrance Hamilton Hall on South Broad St. in Philadelphia in June. Read more More than two months of negotiations between Temple University and the shuttered University of the Arts on a potential merger or acquisition appear to be headed for an end without a deal in place, multiple sources said this week. The Hamilton Family Charitable Trust, which has contributed about half of UArts $62 million endowment, is not in favor of that money going to Temple as part of the deal, which largely appears to be sinking it, according to the sources who had knowledge of the negotiations but were not authorized to speak. Temple did not want to have to engage in a protracted legal battle with a charitable trust. Advertisement Its unclear what will happen next with the 150-year-old arts institution that abruptly closed on June 7, claiming it had run out of money and leaving hundreds of students scrambling to re-enroll elsewhere. Bankruptcy is likely. READ MORE: Temple University is exploring a potential merger to save University of the Arts, chairman says In the end, Temple made a responsible and fair offer but we were just unable to come to an agreement or reach a solution that was in the best interest of Temple, our students and most importantly our mission, said Ken Kaiser, Temples senior vice president and chief operating officer. The university notified its campus community Thursday afternoon. The university will not be moving forward with a transaction at this time, university leaders said. Kaiser declined to share details about the offer or comment on Hamilton Trusts concerns. S. Matthews V. Hamilton Jr., a member of the board of directors of the Hamilton Trust, declined to provide details of the trusts position regarding the fate of the UArts endowment. But he did say his family was concerned about it. The trust was founded by Dorrance Dodo Hill Hamilton, a longtime benefactor of the university who died in 2017. READ MORE: The University of the Arts is closing June 7, its president says It was my mothers interest to make the University of the Arts a major school, and since things went south, were looking after her interests, he said. Asked whether there was still a possibility that a deal between UArts and Temple could be struck, he said: Yes, thats why the lawyers are talking. However, in a letter to the UArts board, the family seemed more resolute. Francis J. Mirabello, a trustee of the Hamilton Family Charitable Trust, said the family had discussed the proposal to transfer the endowment to Temple and have made it absolutely clear to both UArts lawyers and John A. Fry, who will become Temples president Nov. 1, that they will actively oppose any such transfer. We have retained counsel with instructions to do everything possible to prevent a transfer of the Hamilton Endowment Fund to Temple, Mirabello wrote in the letter obtained by the Inquirer. They firmly believe that Mrs. Hamilton, who never made a gift to Temple during her lifetime, would not have been in favor of such a transfer. They want the endowment fund transferred to the Hamilton Charitable Trust Education Fund, which was founded with the purpose of supporting educational activities in the Philadelphia region, he wrote. Judson Aaron, chair of the UArts board, did not return a call for comment. Temple first announced it was exploring a potential merger with UArts just a few days after the school announced its closure. Im working with their chair to see if we can put this genie back in the bottle, Mitchell L. Morgan, Temples board chair and founder and chairman of Morgan Properties, said at the time. Can we somehow figure out some type of potential merger? If its a win-win, we are interested. Kaiser said the short timeframe and all the parties involved, including bond holders, foundations, faculty, students, trustees, accrediting bodies, and city and state officials, made it difficult to finalize a deal. READ MORE: Tracking where UArts students have landed He said Temple was interested in getting a portion of the endowment, given that the university has enrolled more than 330 former UArts students this fall, more than any other school, according to an Inquirer survey of colleges that were designated as teach out partners. (Others with big numbers include Moore College of Art & Design, Drexel and Bennington College. UArts dance program was moved to Bennington.) At a minimum, we should get that piece, Kaiser said. Some of the UArts buildings needed significant repairs, but that was not a deterrent, he said. It was nothing we couldnt handle, he said. The university, he said, spent significant staff time over the summer and hired external experts to try to negotiate a deal, Kaiser said. We are a state related institution, said Gregory N. Mandel, Temples provost. We are very careful about our commitment to the public good, which is part of the reason we explored it. We have to make sure anything we would consider in this space would not harm and would be beneficial to Temple and our students and our community. That includes being careful with our resources. Officials with the United Academics of Philadelphia, the union representing UArts faculty and staff, said in a statement they hoped the end to the merger talks will provide [the] UArts Board Chair ... with the time and clarity to meet his legal obligation to negotiate severance with our union. UArts Faculty and Staff Union members, along with the UArts community as a whole, continue to mourn the loss of this historic institution and deserve long-overdue answers, accountability, and contract adherence from the UArts Trustees whose actions precipitated this catastrophe. Frank Machos, a UArts alum whos now part of the UArts Joint Committee, a group of graduates and parents hoping to preserve the university in some form, was surprised by the news, but said the alumni are still committed to preserving the legacy of the institution and exploring paths forward to a future for University of The Arts as an active institution. Machos works as executive director of the Philadelphia School Districts Office of Arts & Creative Learning. David Benjamin De Cristofaro, co-chair of the UArts Alumni Association and a member of the Joint Committee, said hope remains, despite the closure and apparent end to the Temple merger possibility. There are a couple of paths towards the university living on, De Cristofaro said in a statement. One possibility is a re-imagined version several years down the road, while another would be a merger or acquisition by an institution with the overhead to take on whatever the outstanding issues are, financial or otherwise. One of the things our joint committee is examining are similar market cases and viable examples of institutions for that type of scenario. Its a disappointment that no answers have been forthcoming on the financial crisis that ultimately crushed UArts, De Cristofaro said, and that a major local university with the overhead, resources, and track record of acquiring similar institutions backed away after such public interest beckons the question even further. Its time for an answer, our community deserves one. Though its now unlikely UArts will become a part of Temple, UArts students certainly have. During convocation last week, Mandel gave a special shout-out to them. Temple has also made programmatic and housing changes to help the students adapt. The school fast-tracked a new undergraduate degree, a bachelors in fine arts in illustration and emerging media. More than 30 UArts students have started in that program this fall. For some specialties, Temple hired UArts faculty to help their school adapt. For instance, Temple has a very traditional classic jazz program, while UArts was more focused on commercial and pop music. The university also has designated two floors of Johnson and Hardwick residence halls for a cohort of more than 50 former UArts students to live together and hired two former UArts resident assistants, one to live with the cohort and another to live in a separate area with performing and cinematic arts students. Michael Melchiondo (left) and Aaron Freeman make up the alt-rock band Ween, which has canceled forthcoming shows. Read more Ween, the weird and lovable alternative-rock duo from New Hope, announced that it was canceling its tour for the foreseeable future, including a sold-out show at the Mann next month. The band made the announcement Thursday on Instagram, citing guitarist and founding member Michael Dean Ween Melchiondo Jr.s mental health issues. Advertisement Despite three great shows this summer, its become clear that touring and performing is too taxing on Deaners mental health to continue, the band wrote. As always, we thank you for the love, dedication and ongoing support. In early August, the band announced that it was canceling shows in Portland, Eugene, and Seattle, but didnt explain why. The band played a show in Montana days earlier. The Mann Center show was going to be a celebration of the bands 1994 album Chocolate and Cheese. Earlier this year, Ween also canceled a spring tour, making a similar announcement on Instagram. In that post, Melchiondo addressed fans directly, saying he needed to preserve his mental and spiritual well being. Weens cultlike followers expressed disappointment over the most recent cancellation in the comments, but the vibe was overwhelmingly supportive. I love you boys so much. Mental health is so f important. Wishing you well Deaner and hope youre able to overcome whatever struggles you are facing. Ween for life! one fan wrote. Ween formed in 1984 in New Hope, and the band has released nine studio albums. In 2012, when Aaron Gene Ween Freeman left the band to go solo, Melchiondo an avid fisherman with his own charter operation did nearly nothing but fish. I all but burned myself out on fishing when Ween first broke up, he said in a 2018 interview with The Inquirer. By the time Melchiondo released The Deaner Album, his solo debut in 2016, the band had reunited. In the 2018 interview, Melchiondo was in high spirits. I havent felt this strong and good about everything Im doing since I was 18 years old, he said. WASHINGTON An Arlington National Cemetery official was abruptly pushed aside in an altercation with former President Donald Trumps staff during a wreath-laying ceremony to honor service members killed in the Afghanistan War withdrawal, but she declined to press charges, an Army spokesman said Thursday. The Army spokesman said the cemetery employee was trying to make sure those participating in Mondays wreath-laying ceremony to mark the third anniversary of the attack were following the rules, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. Advertisement A TikTok video of the visit that was later shared by Trump shows scenes of him at the cemetery and includes a voiceover of the Republican presidential nominee blaming the Biden administration for the disaster of the Afghanistan withdrawal. This employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption, the Army spokesmans statement said. This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked. READ MORE: How a Trump visit sparked turmoil at Americas most sacred cemetery The incident was reported to the police, but because the employee decided not to press charges, the Army said it considered the matter closed. In response, Chris LaCivita, a top Trump campaign adviser, re-sent a video of Trump at Arlington that he had first put up on X three days ago, adding the message, Reposting this hoping to trigger the hacks at @SecArmy. Campaigning in Michigan on Thursday, Trump said surviving family members had asked to take a photo with him at the cemetery. They ask me to have a picture, and they say I was campaigning, he complained without addressing the TikTok video. The controversy comes as Trump has been working to tie his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, to the chaos of the Afghanistan War withdrawal with just over two months until Election Day. The suicide bombing at the Kabul airport, which killed 13 American service members and more than 170 Afghans on Aug. 26, 2021, was one of the lowest points of the Biden administration and followed a withdrawal commitment and timeline that the Trump administration had negotiated with the Taliban the previous year. Families of three of the slain service members had invited Trump to the ceremony, saying the former president knew their childrens stories and blaming the Biden administration for their deaths. Some of the families of these service members spoke out in support of Trump at the Republican National Convention in July, in part to blunt criticism that Trump wasnt supportive enough of veterans. The family members initially struggled to arrange Trumps visit to the cemetery, according to a spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Mike McCaul, a Texas Republican who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The families had reached out to McCaul because the cemetery had been giving them a hard time about coordinating the ceremony with Trump, McCauls spokesperson Leslie Shedd said Thursday. The families said the Army would only allow the ceremony at a specific time that did not work for everyones schedule, among other conditions, Shedd said. McCaul then reached out to House Speaker Mike Johnson for assistance and tracked the matter until it was resolved, Shedd said. I was furious to hear their request to have President Trump join them to commemorate the anniversary of Taylors death was being stymied, along with several of the other family members of U.S. servicemembers killed at Abbey Gate, McCaul said in a statement. Gold Star families have already suffered enough. The Trump campaign has been facing blowback since an NPR report said that two Trump campaign staff members on Monday had verbally abused and pushed aside a cemetery official who tried to stop them from filming and photographing in Section 60, the burial site for military personnel killed while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. Federal law prohibits campaign or election-related activities within Army national military cemeteries. A defense official, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, said the Trump campaign was warned about not taking photographs in Section 60 before their arrival and the altercation. READ MORE: Donald Trump said he brought back steel in Johnstown four years ago. Hes heading be back to boost his base. The Trump campaign has claimed the Republican presidential nominees team was granted access to have a photographer, contested the allegation that a campaign staffer had pushed the cemetery official and pushed back on any notion that the cemetery official had been unfairly targeted. This individual was the one who initiated physical contact and verbal harassment that was unwarranted and unnecessary, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said Thursday. As the Army has said, they consider this matter closed. President Trump was there to support the Gold Star families and honor the sacrifices their loved ones made. Where was Kamala Harris? The Trump campaign has also posted a message signed by relatives of two of the service members killed in the bombing that said the president and his team conducted themselves with nothing but the utmost respect and dignity for all of our service members, especially our beloved children. Photos of the cemetery visit showed Trump standing by the graves and flashing a thumbs-up sign next to relatives of Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover and Sgt. Nicole Gee. He also laid wreaths for Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, whose family was not present. READ MORE: Five ways Phillys economy could be shaped by a Harris or Trump presidency The family of a decorated Green Beret whose grave appeared in the photos of Trumps visit issued a statement expressing support for the families who lost loved ones in the Kabul airport bombing, but asking for understanding for the concerns from relatives of service members whose graves were near them. We hope that those visiting this sacred site understand that these were real people who sacrificed for our freedom and that they are honored and respected accordingly, said the statement, which was sent by the sister of Silver Star recipient Master Sgt. Andrew C. Marckesano, who died in 2020, on behalf of the family. The TikTok video shared by Trump shows several clips of his visit to the cemetery. As a guitar strums in the background, there is a voiceover of him saying: We lost great, great people. What a horrible day it was. We didnt lose one person in 18 months, and then they took over. That disaster, the leaving of Afghanistan. The 18-month stretch without any combat deaths in Afghanistan included about six months of the Biden administration. Fred Wellman, a 22-year Army veteran who served in Iraq and who is supporting Harris for president, said it was a mistake for the Army to put all of the weight on the Arlington National Cemetery staffer and let the issue go after the staffer decided not to press charges. Everyone who is a veteran who served since 9/11 is one to two degrees of separation from someone buried in Section 60, he said. The Army is the keeper of that place for us. A Pentagon investigation into the deadly attack concluded that the suicide bomber acted alone and that those killings were not preventable. But critics have slammed the Biden administration for the catastrophic evacuation, saying it should have started earlier than it did. Allison Jaslow, a former Army captain who leads the nonpartisan advocacy organization Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, applauded when Trump and Harris picked military veterans as their running mates. But she said aspiring elected officials should not campaign at Arlington National Cemetery. There are plenty of places appropriate for politics Arlington is not one of them. A view of the site of the former West Jersey Paper manufacturing site in North Camden, in the shadow of the Ben Franklin Bridge. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $1 million grant August 29, 2024 to the nonprofit Camden Lutheran Housing Inc. for cleanup of the contamination of the property, which will become 15 affordable single family homes. Read more The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $1 million grant to clean up the site of a defunct paper manufacturer in Camden contaminated by heavy metals and other toxins to make it ready for construction of 15 new affordable homes. The EPA announced Thursday that it had selected the nonprofit Camden Lutheran Housing Inc. for the brownfields cleanup grant funded by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Advertisement The 0.62-acre site at Elm and Front Streets, in the shadow of the Ben Franklin Bridge in North Camden, was operated by the West Jersey Paper Manufacturing Co. from 1850 to 1967. After that, it was used by Latex Fiber Industries Inc. from 1967 to 1974. Both companies used the site for paper milling and pulp operations. The buildings were razed in 1974. Currently, the site is vacant and contaminated by heavy metals, arsenic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and polychlorinated biphenyls. Camden Lutheran Housing plans to build affordable single-family homes at the location, with the goal of helping revitalize the neighborhood. It is one of 212 brownfield sites in the city, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. This project is a longstanding and ongoing collaboration among partners including the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Camden County and the City of Camden, Brandi T. Johnson, Camden Lutheran Housing Inc. executive director, said in a statement. Now, with this funding from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, we are another significant step closer to reclaiming this land for a positive and necessary use that will impact the future of North Camden. The site was used to store fuel oil, other oils, and chemicals. The city, which demolished the buildings, foreclosed on the property in 1976, according to Camden Lutheran Housings grant application. DEP assessments of the site in the 1980s and 1990s showed the soil was contaminated with lead, cadmium, zinc, arsenic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and polychlorinated biphenyls at concentrations exceeding state standards. The land contains large amounts of fill and buried debris that is also contaminated five feet to 12 feet deep. The lot is surrounded by residential housing with a child-care facility, grocery store, and a public park nearby. It slopes toward the Delaware River, less than one-quarter mile away, and is designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be in a flood hazard area. The cleanup is part of Camden Lutheran Housings plan to build 42 homes in North Camden with garages on the first floor, and living space on the second and third floors. The grant is part of President Joe Bidens Investing in America agenda. The EPA selected four communities in New Jersey that together will receive $3 million for brownfield cleanup. The Camden Redevelopment Agency received $500,000 to assess pollution along Federal Street in East Camden Neighborhood. And the Monmouth Conservation Foundation in Red Bank, and Borough of Woodbine, Cape May County, both received grant money. Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen said the project is part of a plan to clean up brownfields and transition sites from our former industrial past into cleaner uses. Olivia Glenn, EPA regional chief of staff, said the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $1.5 billion to promote equitable environmental health, economic growth, and job creation nationwide. And U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross said the grant would help clean up the neighborhood and help our families access safe, affordable housing. Ron Evancho, a sergeant in the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's Waterways Conservation Officers law enforcement force, along the Schuylkill near the Fairmount Dam in Philadelphia. Read more Erin Czech is one of Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commissions waterways conservation officers, or WCOs, who patrol large territories often alone. Czech and her work colleagues apprehend drunken boat drivers, verify fishing licenses, investigate illegal dumping, assist in stocking millions of trout, serve warrants, and uncover the occasional meth lab. Advertisement The 54-year-old Philly native, who lives in Cheltenham, Montgomery County, patrols all of Philadelphia. That includes the Delaware River and Schuylkill, as well as parts of Montgomery County and Southern Bucks County by foot and boat. She works with a partner while on a boat. Philly police summoned her recently to aid in a successful search for a lost child in Pennypack Park because she knows the woods so well. The expectations have evolved with the job, and its not what it used to be, Czech said. You might arrive at a boat access area at night by yourself, have to pat someone down, and theyve got needles on them, or you end up in an altercation. It makes you think, Do I really want to be doing this? WCOs say low pay compared to other law enforcement agencies, fear for personal safety with aggressive lawbreakers, and other factors have driven many officers away in recent years, according to the union, FOP Pennsylvania Conservation Police Officers Lodge 114. That has left shortages and gaps in enforcement, officers say. High attrition Of the 2023 officer-training graduation class, nearly one-quarter have already left the agency mostly for better-paying law enforcement jobs, according to publicly available data analyzed by Brian ONeill, a part-time deputy WCO who started a petition seeking higher starting pay for full-time officers. About one in five officers leaves annually. As of June, there were 59 full time WCOs and 11 sergeants, according to Fish and Boat Commission payroll data. The commission also hires deputy WCOs. Previously, full-time WCOs had to complete a one-year paid academy program that included law enforcement certification, watercraft safety, fish and boat laws, environmental protection, weapons use, and physical fitness. The certification, known as Act 120, made them eligible for other law enforcement jobs. However, the Fish and Boat Commissioner recently stripped out Act 120 certification, which the union says was done to make it harder for newer recruits to leave for other agencies. The union, and officers like Czech, who is married to a game commission officer, appeared at a recent Fish and Boat Commission meeting, petitioning for more pay. The union says regular collective bargaining wont work because the starting pay gap is too big right now. If its not raised, the union says, more officers will be lost, especially those living in higher-cost-of-living areas such as Philly and its suburbs. If you look at the salaries they make and compare that to what an officer in Maryland or New York or New Jersey or Ohio make, theres a huge disparity in pay, said Walt Buckman, vice president of the FOP Lodge 114. And thats been the case for a very long time. FOP Lodge 114 represents the waterways conservation officers who work under the Fish and Boat Commission, as well as game officers who work under the states Game Commission. Game commission officers have the same pay scale, and face similar issues, but the attrition rate has not been as high, Buckman said. The Fish and Boat Commission e-mailed The Inquirer a statement after a request to speak with Fish and Boat Commission executive director Timothy Schaeffer. It said 23 cadets are enrolled in the current training class. Since commission management is currently in open negotiations with the union about the WCOs collective bargaining agreement, which includes compensation, we cannot comment publicly on any issues covered by the collective bargaining agreement, the statement said. Starting salary of $48K Waterways conservation officers (WCOs) start at $48,196. But other law enforcement agencies, such as municipal police departments, pay much more, according to FOP Lodge 114. A WCOs salary scale maxes out at $76,592 after 22 years. A Philadelphia police officer starts at about $66,000 after graduating the academy. An officer in Lower Merion can start at $87,000. In New Jersey, comparable officers start at $59,000. West Virginia recently gave its conservation officers a boost in starting salary to $59,538, a figure a Pennsylvania WCO would need 11 years to reach. FOP Lodge 114 estimates that it would cost the Fish and Boat Commission $730,000 to raise the minimum starting wage to $55,425, or 1% of its current $68 million budget, which is funded mostly through fishing licenses, fees, and grants. Pay often becomes an issue when an officer living in a lower-cost county in Pennsylvania graduates from the academy and is stationed in a higher-cost area such as Philadelphia, according to Ron Evancho, a sergeant in the Southeast Region. When a cadet wants to join the agency, we go to their house and talk to them, Evancho said. Were very open about what the pay, benefits, and expectations are. It is one thing to sit at a table and look at that number on paper and think you can struggle through that, Evancho said, but when you get in the field and see the high cost of living is double from where you are from, its a different story. Evancho said a cadet living in one part of the state might pay $400 a month for rent. If they are transferred to the Philly area, they might pay $1,800. At that point, theyre looking to go somewhere else not because they want to, but because they have no choice, Evancho said. Officer shortage The result has been a shortage of officers. Evancho oversees eight districts. Each is supposed to have one full-time officer. However, Evancho has only three officers with openings for five more. Trout stocking is a big part of the job in spring and fall, with officers expected to lug five-gallon buckets filled with water and fish down embankments to streams. Officers get burned out, Evancho said. Theyre stocking fish five days a week, instead of two or three. And that can lead to shoulder injuries. The officers have a range of other responsibilities, such as ensuring boating safety. Consider that there are 300,000 registered boaters in Pennsylvania. But 30,000 of them, or 10%, are in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Just covering the Delaware River is a big job. Statewide, WCOs arrested 12 people for boating under the influence just over July Fourth weekend. One boat operator tested for three times the legal limit. That same weekend, officers issued 234 general boating citations and 876 warnings. Already this year, there have been at least nine recreational boating fatalities in the state. Officers also track down erosion infractions, investigate illegal tire dumping, and fracking permit violations. ONeill, the deputy WCO who started the petition, lives in Delaware County and has a real estate business. Deputies are paid a daily stipend. ONeill said hes seen new full-time officers arrive from out of the area making $48,000 a year. But those same officers see job openings on municipal police forces starting at $65,00 and $75,000. For $20,000 more a year, its worth it for waterways conservation officers to look for other jobs, ONeill said. Czech, a former park ranger in Philadelphia, and Evancho both appeared at the commissions July meeting in support of ONeills petition, as did Abigail Luteri, a new waterways conservation officer assigned to Montgomery and Berks Counties. Luteri said half her salary goes toward rent. This financial burden has left me unable to save any money, creating significant stress, Luteri said. The high cost of living in certain regions is a glaring issue which must be addressed. After almost fifty years, authorities were finally able to identify the body of 'Pinnacle Man,' found on the Appalachian Trail in 1977. The Berks County Coroners office identified him as Nicolas Paul Grubb. At right is the police sketch authorities studied for decades. Read more On a late January afternoon in 1977, two hikers on the Appalachian Trail in Berks County stumbled upon the body of a man. He had blue eyes and wore a tasseled brown suede jacket, blue slacks, and a ring with a blue stone in it. Other than those few details, nobody knew who he was or how he ended up in a cave near the Pinnacle, a thousand-foot peak on the Blue Ridge Mountains in Albany Township. Rescue crews brought him down the mountain and to Reading Hospital to be identified, the Morning Call reported at the time, but they had no luck. Advertisement Over the decades, he came to be known as Pinnacle Man, his identity a maddening mystery. Now, nearly 50 years later, authorities have finally figured out who he was: a 27-year-old named Nicolas Paul Grubb. The successful effort to identify him ultimately didnt rely on new technology or a lucky genealogical break, but instead on a state trooper finding a card with Grubbs original fingerprints, taken during the original autopsy, that was long missing. He went back he challenged the assumptions that we had lost the fingerprints. He found the fingerprints, George Holmes, chief deputy coroner of Berks County, told the Trentonian. A 1977 autopsy found that Grubb died from a barbiturate overdose in an apparent suicide. Without a name or a family to notify, authorities sent him to be buried in Berks County Potters Field, alongside the remains of others who were unidentified or unclaimed. After his burial, all the police had to go on was a sketch drawn during the autopsy, depicting a bearded man with long curly hair. Grubbs fingerprints were also taken at the autopsy, Holmes said, but police thought the originals were lost. When the cold case came to the attention of the Coroners Office in 2009, police could find only copies of copies of the fingerprints, which wouldnt work for tracking down the mans identity. In 2019, the Coroners Office changed tack. The coroner exhumed Grubbs body, in an effort to test his DNA against those of missing men from Florida and Illinois. That effort failed; a second attempt, in 2023, also failed. Grubbs facial bones had deteriorated too much to do a forensic facial approximation, a process that creates the image of a face from unidentified human remains. The coroner started to consider reburying Grubbs. But then earlier this month, a cold-case detective with the Pennsylvania State Police found the original fingerprint card from the autopsy in the state police archives. He submitted it to NamUs, a national database of missing and unidentified people. Within an hour, an FBI fingerprint expert matched the autopsy prints with fingerprints from a misdemeanor arrest in Colorado in 1975. They were both from Nicolas Paul Grubb. Grubb was born in 1950 in the London borough of Croydon, according to birth records from the United Kingdom, to Paul and Aline Grubb. His grandfather, Norman Percy Grubb, was a prominent British evangelical leader and missionary who relocated much of his family from England to Fort Washington, Pa., in the 1950s to lead the U.S. headquarters of the Worldwide Evangelization Crusade International. At some point, Nicolas Grubb his family called him Nicky and his parents joined their relatives in the U.S. Details of his life here are scarce: He served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1971. Many of Nicolas Grubbs direct family members are now deceased. Charles R. Grubb, 39, of New Milford, Conn., is the son of Nicolas Grubbs cousin. His mother, he said, knew Nicolas sister Sandra, who died from lung cancer in the 1990s. Charles recalled the inexplicable disappearance as a piece of disturbing family lore. All I knew is that he disappeared and spent some time in Colorado, he said. Ive always been kind of intrigued by it. Charles Grubbs mother, who he said had always been interested in the cold case, was surprised when a local police officer appeared at their home about a week and a half ago. He was there on behalf of the Pennsylvania State Police task force charged with handling the cold case, with new details about the disappearance. It was really interesting and intriguing to learn, he said, that there was finally some culmination to his disappearance. To this mystery. Fifty years after his death, the police and death investigation into how and why he died remain ongoing, the Coroners Office said. An earlier version of this article incorrectly reported Grubbs birth mother; it has been updated to reflect new information from a relative. It also misidentified the police officer who got in touch with Charles R. Grubbs mother. It was a local officer who called on behalf of Pennsylvania State Police. The term never-ending summer never sat right with me, cause its never long enough. Memorial Day was a heartbeat ago and here we are on the closing credits of summer 2024. Im Jason Nark, a lifelong Jersey Shore-goer, with a home base in North Wildwood and while I mostly write about rural issues in the wilds of Pennsylvania, Ive written hundreds, maybe more, stories by the beach. Im subbing in for Amy S. Rosenberg today like I did last summer. Advertisement Programming note: This newsletters taking a break after todays edition, but make sure you dont unsubscribe because our Down the Shore newsletter is not going away and we want to stay connected about what matters most down the Shore. You shouldnt miss this today: By the way, todays newsletter is extra special. The Shore slam book section has some star power. Amy Rosenberg connected with bona fide Delco goddess of Golden Bachelor fame for it. Before we get to that, Im focusing the top space newsletter on a personal story. A few years back, when my kids were in the dramatic throes of adolescence, they ditched me on the Wildwood boardwalk, unceremoniously, one random summer night. One year, theyre squeezing my hand in terror on a dark ride and suddenly there are eye rolls, the hint of a mustache, and an outstretched palm demanding $20. Life has a funny way of working out, though, and instead of kicking sand on the beach, alone, or fishing for seaweed with my dad, I went ahead and had another kid in my mid-40s. Its been the best thing Ive ever done too, a whole new bundle of joy and wonder, a chance for me to reclaim my silliness, the Saturday morning dad energy I prided myself on back in the day. Sure my beard is gray and I cant read the small print, but this summer, my daughter and I huddled against the wind, high atop the Ferris wheel in Wildwood, feeling exhilarated and a tiny bit scared. Its been a long time and Ive missed it. My daughter turned 3 this summer old enough and tall enough for some real rides and past experience, Ive got another decade of ice cream, roller coasters, and sand castles to keep me young, unless I break a hip or something. Even better, those kids that ditched me a few years are now mostly adults, and theyve come around (they come around, dont worry) so I have a bevy of built-in sand diggers, stroller pushers, and substitutes for certain rides that get me sick. No tea cups for dad, at any age. So, as the proverbial curtain closes for the summer season, I have a bunch more to look forward to as she grows. And while Im here and have the space to say it, Id like to bid a personal farewell to Jack Morey, of Moreys Piers, who died in July at 63. I interviewed Jack a dozen or so times over the years, spent a lifetime on his piers, and even wound up chatting with him, personally, when Id see him in the waterparks there. Jacks thoughtfulness and creativity always stuck with me. He broke my heart by dismantling the classic Golden Nugget roller coaster back in 2009, but he explained his decision in a way that made sense and, even better, he didnt send it off to the scrapyard. He cared. You can still ride a version of it at Knoebels Amusement Park, another magical place in Pennsylvanias coal country you should visit this fall. Whats one thing that would get you to the Shore in winter, consistently? Let me know what you think by replying to this email, and Ill include your most interesting responses in a future newsletter. Have ideas or news tips about the Shore or this newsletter? Send them to me here. Weather.com is calling for a warm, partly-cloud Labor Day weekend at the Jersey Shore, with the potential for some showers on Sunday. My dad says flounder are biting in Hereford Inlet on white, plastic grubs and my surfer son is excited (Im sorry) about potential tropical storms in the fall. Jason Nark (Find me at @jasonnark. Follow me on Insta at @jasonnark. Email me here.) If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here. Shore talk Cabana service: My colleagues Erin McCarthy and Ariana Perez-Castells wrote about the growing number of Jersey Shore tourists who have hired beach concierges, basically folks who will make restaurant reservations, set up beach gear, and even watch your kids on the beach. Dont fret: Anthony R. Wood notes that its safe to say that you wont have to fret about tropical storms on summers last unofficial weekend. End of Wonder?: While Im on the subject of amusements, the Ocean City Wonderland Pier debacle is still fresh on my mind, so Im getting on a soapbox. One could look at an amusement park strictly as a business and it is, of course, but its a business meant to make children happy, to create memories, and dare I say it, infuse a little magic into their lives for a few nights every summer. Ocean City doesnt need more condominiums or homes or luxury hotels (though maybe a cheap one). It needs Wonderland Pier. It pains me to see whats happening in Ocean City and The Inquirers Jersey Shore guru Amy S. Rosenberg and research whiz Ryan Briggs had the defining story on how things got so bad there. I know Amy will be following the story for the rest of the year and beyond. What to eat/What to do Shoulder season is upon us and some believe its the most wonderful time to be at the Shore. Its also a time for weekend food festivals and theyre coming in hot, starting this weekend. Heres a sampling. Steel Piers All You Can Eat Crab and Shrimp Fest: 8/31 to 9/2. Noon to 11 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Atlantic City, NJ 08401, Tickets are $29.99. Check out the site for more information. The Wildwoods Food & Music Festival: 9/7, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Byrne Plaza along Pacific Avenue between Oak and Schellenger Avenues in Downtown Wildwood, Free entrance. Check out the site for more information. Ventnors Downbeach Seafood Festival: 9/14 to 9/15. North Dorset & Burk Ave in Ventnor City, Tickets range from $10.73 to $67.57 for VIP. Check out the site for more information. Haunted seafood: Looking for a terrifying meal for you and the kids? Menz Restaurant & Bar, an eclectic and delicious restaurant just outside of Wildwood in Rio Grande, has been hosting haunted dining for several years. I took my kids back in the day and might take the toddler, but its pretty spooky and dark. The haunted dining runs from 9/27 to 10/27 and reservations are recommended. Get the crab au gratin. Check out the site for more information. Cape May Jazz Festival: One day this spring, out of nowhere, I started enjoying jazz and announced, at the breakfast table, that I was entering the jazz phase of my life. With that being said, maybe its time to hit up the renowned Exit Zero Fall Jazz Festival in Cape May from 10/24 to 10/27. Check out the site for more information. Shore snapshot Vocab Lesson: schlepping: This came directly from Erin and Arianas story on beach concierges and it made me think. You never schlep more than when youre at the Shore. According to their story, schlepping is the process of taking chairs, umbrellas, and other supplies to and from the beach. Trivia time Speaking of Halloween and rides, there used to be more scary dark rides at the Jersey Shore. Which one went up in flames in 2002? A. Brigantine Castle B. The Hell Hole C. Castle Dracula D. Hunts Horror If you think you know the answer, click on this story to find out. Shore slam book: Susan Noles Weve been following the Atlantic City exploits of the great Susan Noles, the Delco goddess of Golden Bachelor fame, and finally got her to answer our summerlong rapid fire Qs & As. Noles, who has a new Golden Hour podcast on dating life with fellow contestant Kathy Swarts, was flying back and forth to the West Coast to officiate a wedding, so she emailed her responses to us. We hope to catch up to Noles soon for a full airing of her Shore life. In the meantime, here are her answers for our final slam book. Amy Rosenberg. Favorite beach: Cape May or Sea Isle. Favorite summer breakfast: Eggs Benedict and fresh fruit. Perfect beach day: Sun shining, toes in the sand, no humidity. Perfect Shore night: With a good-looking gentleman, holding my hand. Favorite sandwich: Pork roll and cheese When Labor Day approaches, I feel: Sad. Time to go to Cali. It wouldnt be the Jersey Shore without: Macks Pizza Best thing for kids: The rides and boardwalk Surfing or fishing: Id rather watch surfers than watch people fish. Sunrise or sunset? Both. Sunset and sunrise. Shore pet peeves: Green heads and jelly fish The Shore could be improved if everyone would: Clean up after themselves. Dont litter on the beach By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10. Sharone Lifschitz and her father, Oded, who was taken hostage by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack along with his wife, Yocheved. While Yocheved has been released, Oded remains captive. Read more Sharone Lifschitz attended six funerals last week for eight hostages that the Israeli army retrieved from Gaza tunnels in body bags. Four of them were members of my community, she told me wearily by phone from Israel. These were neighbors and friends from Kibbutz Nir Oz, near the Gaza border. Meanwhile, her father, Oded Lifschitz, 83, remains a captive, if he is still living. Like many hostage families, Lifschitz blames Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Israels failure to free them. Advertisement She said they have become pawns in a political game. Lifschitzs story reflects a tragic political schism in Israel that threatens to scuttle any deal to halt or end the Gaza war, and could drag the United States into an open conflict with Iran. Netanyahu is using these hostages for his political survival, said the 52-year-old Lifschitz, an artist, filmmaker, and university lecturer. There were plenty of opportunities to return the hostages, but he used them to stay in power. While Hamas has also thrown up many obstacles, Lifschitz said the unpopular Israeli leader sees any cease-fire and hostage exchange as a threat to his political survival; it would open the door to new elections, and the possibility that he could no longer avoid trials for corruption. He knows when the war ends, his power will end, she said. She is spot on. In his desperation to cement his governing far-right coalition, Netanyahu has basically endorsed the views of two messianic fundamentalists, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich who was arrested in 2005 on suspicion of terrorism and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, convicted in Israeli courts of supporting a terrorist organization in 2007. READ MORE: Is there a solution for Israel and the West Bank? | Trudy Rubin Both these men call for annexation of the West Bank and provoke settler violence there. They want Israel to maintain permanent occupation of Gaza. As if that recklessness is insufficient, Ben-Gvir is trying to spark a Mideast holy war over the Temple Mount, a Jerusalem holy site sacred to Jews and Muslims. These ministers, along with Netanyahu, scorn the hostage families who engage in constant demonstrations. The reason: the hardest-hit kibbutzim were settled by leftists who supported a two-state solution to the Palestine issue. Lifschitzs journalist dad, Oded, a fifth-generation Israeli, helped found Nir Oz based on ideals of social justice and good relations with Palestinians. My dad had many Arab friends in Palestine. Only two weeks before being taken hostage by Hamas, he was carrying on his weekly efforts to drive Gazan mothers and children to Jerusalem to get medical treatment, she said. Her mother, Yocheved, 85, was also taken hostage by Hamas, who ripped her from her nightly oxygen machine; they released her, in a wheelchair, in late October. When Nir Ozs hostage families met Netanyahu after last weeks funerals, her mother demanded to know why the prime minister had never visited any of the destroyed kibbutzim. Of 400 Nir Oz residents, at least 38 were murdered and 75 taken hostage. The prime minister brushed her off. If her father were back alive, I asked, would he have any regrets about having helped ordinary Gazans? No! she replied swiftly. He really wanted to preempt the disaster that has befallen us, wanted Israel to make difficult choices when we had a position of strength. She added: My father fought against [Israels long covert relationship with] Hamas. He never believed you should have an alliance with fundamentalists. She was referring to Netanyahus support for Qatar sending millions of dollars monthly to Hamas, up until the Oct. 7 invasion. He believed the cash would buy off the extremists who wanted to destroy Israel, even as he undermined the more secular Palestinian leadership on the West Bank that supported two states. Netanyahu fed Hamas. Its a monster he created, Lifschitz stated bluntly. Yet, equally shocking is the effort by the prime minister and his partners to demean families who rally weekly at his door in Jerusalem. Israeli police, who serve under Ben-Gvir, have attacked the demonstrators. Netanyahu, who has never apologized for the governments failure to prevent the Hamas massacre, has scheduled a highly controversial official TV memorial service on Oct. 7 that is deeply resented by the kibbutzim and millions of Israelis. Bibi is a master of tearing us apart, Lifschitz mourned. The vast majority of Israelis want a deal. Israel cant survive as a nation without the feeling we are all in this together. The latest polls hover around 60% or more wanting the return of hostages compared with around 30% who prefer to continue the war. Yet, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have stated clearly that the hostages are of secondary importance to destroying Hamas, a mantra Netanyahu echoes. Although at least 30 of 108 remaining hostages are believed dead, and the rest are at high risk of imminent death, these ministers insist there must be no cease-fire deal despite intense efforts by U.S., Qatari, Egyptian, and Israeli negotiators. The Israeli press is filled with accounts of how the prime minister has undercut his own negotiators. It is painfully clear that the remaining hostages can only be freed by negotiations. The military has rescued only eight alive, while more than 27 have been killed in Gaza by Hamas or Israeli military strikes, including three escapees shot by soldiers while waving white flags and shouting in Hebrew. The Israeli Bedouin hostage freed this week was found by accident in a tunnel. READ MORE: Netanyahu moves toward military reoccupation of Gaza with no exit strategy | Trudy Rubin Better to free the hostages, pull back overstretched Israeli troops, and use a cease-fire to cool down the dangerous tensions between Hezbollah, Iran, and Israel, which keep tens of thousands of evacuated residents from returning to their homes in cities in the north. Israeli media report that the military leadership favors this option. Then, after the first phase of the cease-fire, depending on progress, the next phase may begin. Yes, there will be risks, but Netanyahus path leads to endless insurgency and regional war. Instead, Netanyahus extremists appear eager to expand the tit-for-tat exchanges with Hezbollah into full-scale war with Lebanon. Israeli TV hints that Netanyahu is again urging Washington to strike Tehrans nuclear program. Two U.S. aircraft carriers remain in the region. Netanyahu waits hopefully for his supposed friend Donald Trump to win. Whoa! Id like the U.S. to put its foot down, urged Lifschitz. I really hope that Biden doesnt wait until after the elections. That will be too late for many of the hostages. They dont have the time. Again, she is on point. Joe Biden is still president, and Vice President Kamala Harris has shown more stomach for a stronger U.S. position toward ending endless civilian carnage in Gaza. Its past time for the United States to sanction ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, who are dragging their own country toward the abyss. And it is time for Biden, who has shown great love for Israel, to stop Netanyahu from treating his U.S. ally with the same disdain he shows to hostage families. Biden is free now to do what it takes, said Lifschitz. Now is the time to not only pressure Hamas but be far tougher on Netanyahu, and to explain why to the U.S. public. It would be the most profound humane gesture to get the hostages back, said Oded Lifschitzs daughter. Before they are all dead. In 1956, my father was on a beach in the south of France during his summer break from law school. It was the day after the Democratic National Convention, where Adlai Stevenson nominated for president for a second time let the convention decide his vice presidential running mate. A man was reading a newspaper next to Dad, who tapped the guy on the shoulder and asked whom the Democrats had picked for veep. Not me, the man said, putting down the paper and smiling. Advertisement It was John F. Kennedy. He had campaigned for the vice presidential nomination but was edged out by Estes Kefauver, the Tennessee senator and anti-corruption crusader. JFK flew to France that night and spent the morning chatting with Dad and his law school friend, Richard Ravitch. Most of their classmates would go to Wall Street firms and get rich, JFK said. But Dad and Dick should work in public service, Kennedy told them, which would help make a better world. And thats what they did. My father was a government lawyer in Washington and later joined the Peace Corps, where he served as a country director in India and Iran. Ravitch became the head of the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority and the states lieutenant governor. I thought about JFKs advice to them when his nephew, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., dropped out of the 2024 presidential race on Friday and endorsed Donald Trump. Five of RFK Jr.s siblings released a statement condemning his alliance with Trump as a betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear. It was, they said, a sad ending to a sad story. Thats true. But it was also predictable. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump are both tribunes of conspiracy theory, which buries human idealism and decency in cynicism and deceit. All that remains is ego, which craves more and more for itself. For many years, Kennedy has asserted that his father and uncle were murdered in conspiracies led by the CIA. Then he became Americas leading voice against vaccines, which he falsely connected to autism and a series of other health ailments. It was all the fault of shady government officials, who colluded with Big Pharma to line its pockets. But Trumps bid for the presidency began in conspiracy theory, too specifically, the bigoted and discredited claim that Barack Obama was born overseas and was therefore ineligible for the White House. More recently, Trump has made similarly baseless allegations about Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. And lets not forget the granddaddy of Trumpian conspiracy theories: that the 2020 election was stolen. Dozens of judges, state election officials, and even an arm of Trumps own U.S. Department of Homeland Security said otherwise. How could all these different parties be in on the same con, without anybody finding them out? But this isnt about logic, of course. And its certainly not about JFKs ideal of public service, which the conspiracy theorist dismisses as just another con. If everything is rigged as Trump likes to say why not rig the government to your own advantage? Thats Trumps signature move. He used his presidency to rake in millions at his private properties, where lobbyists and foreign officials paid big bucks to curry favor with him. Ditto for RFK Jr., whose latest maneuver has sleaze written all over it. Although he recently texted that Trump was the worst president ever, a terrible human being, and probably a sociopath, Kennedy is now all in for him. And thats because theres something in it for Kennedy, it would seem. After he went on Fox News to praise Trumps courage during the assassination attempt against him, Trump and Kennedy had a videotaped phone call that speaks volumes about their similarities. Trump shared his own skepticism of vaccines And then you see the baby all of a sudden starting to change radically before suggesting that Kennedy could work in his next administration. I would love you to do stuff, and I think it would be so good for you, and so big for you, and were going to win, Trump said. Kennedy replied, Yeah. And on Monday night, after stepping out of the race, he said that Trump had tapped him for his presidential transition team. Kennedy was looking forward to that, he said. He didnt mention he had also reached out to Harris campaign for a possible postelection job, showing that hes willing to sell himself to whoever wins. And that also reveals the corruption at the heart of conspiracy theory, which always aims to empower the person who is touting it. Ultimately, though, it discredits whatever good they have done in the world. Kennedy used his law degree and his family pedigree to clean up the Hudson River. And his now-discontinued campaign also put in a good word for the Peace Corps, pledging to expand it to the domestic sphere and to allow anyone with a high school degree to enter it. RFK Jr.s latest maneuver has sleaze written all over it. I will always be indebted to the Kennedys for inspiring my father and, much later, myself to join the Peace Corps. But Im distressed that one of the scions of the clan and its most famous environmentalist has thrown in his lot in with Trump, who has called human-made climate change a hoax. To believe that, you need to imagine thousands of scientists around the globe secretly agreeing to tell a lie. In other words, you have to be a conspiracy theorist. And you cant square that with public service, or with democracy. Ever. Jonathan Zimmerman teaches education and history at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of Whose America?: Culture Wars in the Public Schools and eight other books. Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick seemed to confuse Philadelphia, Mississippi with Philadelphia, Pennsylvania while commenting on a shooting in a since-deleted post on X Wednesday. McCormick, who is running against three-term Sen. Bob Casey in November, shared a clip from a Mississippi news station on a shooting that police say was orchestrated by a gang member from El Salvador, using the situation to fuel the campaigns focus on border security. Advertisement MS-13 gang members are terrorizing Philadelphians because of Harris & Caseys radical open border policies, McCormick wrote. The post was deleted within minutes, according to ABC 27. A McCormick campaign spokesperson directed The Inquirer to a Wednesday evening X post from McCormick, acknowledging the confusion. We made a mistake on our tweet, and thats not nearly as bad as Bob Casey making a mistake leaving the border wide open, McCormick wrote. The Casey campaign took advantage of the slip up. Since David McCormick lives in Connecticut, its not surprising he cant tell the difference between Pennsylvania and Mississippi. We can help, Dave Pennsylvania is the state that is going to reject you in November, communications director Maddy McDaniel said in a statement. McCormicks original post garnered attention from the senators campaign and other Democrats. Things like this tend to happen for people who live in Connecticut but run for the Senate in Pennsylvania, Sen. John Fetterman wrote in a post on X. McCormick, who lived part-time in Connecticut until his rental ended in June, trails Casey in an August New York Times poll by 14 points and an Emerson College poll by 4, is continuing to fight carpetbagger accusations from Democrats. McCormick owns a house in Pittsburgh and grew up in Northeast Pennsylvania. McCormick has highlighted his Pennsylvania roots in recent speeches in the commonwealth and continues to attack Casey on immigration, which is among the top important issues to Pennsylvanians, according to August polling from The New York Times and Emerson College. This story has been updated to clarify McCormicks residential status. From left: John Tully for The Washington Post; Bridget Bennett for The Washington Post / The Washington Post Former president Donald Trump; Vice President Harris. MUST CREDIT: John Tully for The Washington Post; Bridget Bennett for The Washington Post Read more Vice President Kamala Harris campaign will stick to western states Friday as former President Donald Trump heads back to Pennsylvania for another rally. Harris herself had no Friday campaign events scheduled as of early Thursday afternoon. But her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, is slated to deliver remarks at campaign events in San Francisco and Aspen, Colo., Friday, according to the White House. Advertisement Emhoff has led the charge for Harris campaign this week, previously making campaign stops in New York, Michigan, and Idaho. Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, on Wednesday embarked on a two-day bus tour of southern Georgia that is expected to culminate Thursday with a rally in Savannah. Harris and Walz were also slated to sit down with CNN reporter Dana Bash for their first major interview Thursday afternoon ahead of their Savannah rally. The interview is scheduled to air at 9 p.m. Eastern on all CNN platforms. Harris is also expected to return to Pennsylvania on Labor Day for a campaign event in Pittsburgh with President Joe Biden, marking her ninth trip to the Keystone State this year. Ahead of her Pennsylvania visit, Harris will pay a solo visit to Detroit in what will be her sixth trip to Michigan. Trump, meanwhile, will be back in Pennsylvania Friday for a rally in Johnstown where he is expected to speak around 4:30 p.m. at the Cambria County War Memorial. His running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R., Ohio), stopped in Erie Wednesday. Trump last visited Pennsylvania in a trip to Wilkes-Barre two weeks ago, marking what was his second time in the commonwealth since surviving an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler last month. Trumps Johnstown rally comes days after the filing of a new indictment against him over his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Filed Tuesday, that indictment narrows the allegations in the wake of a Supreme Court opinion last month that granted former presidents broad immunity. In a statement posted to social media, Trump called the new indictment an effort to resurrect a dead Witch Hunt. Both Harris and Trump are next slated to be in Philadelphia on Sept. 10, when they will participate in a presidential debate at the National Constitution Center. Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance said Vice President Kamala Harris is running a copycat campaign, claiming that she pretends to agree with former President Donald Trump on every issue. The comment came during Vances remarks at Team Hardinger, a trucking company in Erie, Pa., where he was scheduled to discuss the economy and take reporters questions. Vance made the claim about Harris while discussing a phone call with Trump before he came on stage. Advertisement I said, Mr. President, I think I figured out whats going on, she wants my job, Vance said during his remarks. Shes realizing that they dont have a chance. Shes going to ditch Tim Walz and she wants to run alongside Donald Trump. Trump and Vance will always prioritize their ultra-wealthy buddies over middle-class Americans while Vice President Harris has the record and agenda to prove her loyalty lies with average families and their fight to not just get by, but get ahead, Ammar Moussa, rapid response director for the Harris campaign, said in a statement. Vance seems to be following a strategy used by Trump recently in which hes claimed that Harris is copying his no taxes on tips policy, which Trump was the first to suggest. Harris has recently endorsed eliminating taxes in these circumstances. Vast ideological, political and personal differences separate the two candidates. Vance was not specific about policies where the two candidates supposedly align, and Trump has not pointed to any specific overlap beyond eliminating taxes on tips. Harris has, however, scaled back some of the progressive stances she touted during her 2019 presidential primary campaign. For instance, Harris previously supported a ban on fracking, but upon becoming President Joe Bidens running mate in 2020, she backed away from that position. In 2024, she no longer supports a ban, but Trump and Vance have continued to attack Harris on her previous stance especially in their visits to Pennsylvania, where theres a significant natural gas industry. Harris has also tried to highlight a strong stance on border security as she faces consistent scrutiny from the GOP on immigration, and as Trump continues to promote himself as the staunch border security candidate. In her nomination acceptance speech at the DNC, Harris said she knows the importance of safety and security, especially at our border. She also pledged to bring back a bipartisan border security bill that was knifed by Senate Republicans. Vances Erie visit is his fourth time in Pennsylvania since becoming Trumps running mate in July, and his second in a little over a week. You all of Pennsylvania are gonna get sick of me over the next two months, because I practically live here in the state of Pennsylvania, because this is such an important state for us, he said. The Trump campaign has been focusing on the economy and energy in recent trips to Pennsylvania, with Vance being a main surrogate for this work. Vance, in his last appearance in the state, visited Disorb Systems in North Philadelphia to give remarks on manufacturing and energy policies in the commonwealth. The new guidance and standards from the ICA demonstrate a real push for better use of external experts in the industry, Ingram said. When insurers read these publications in combination with the recommendations in our report, they will have a clear view of the expectations for the use of external experts. Having already spent a few weeks in the role I am impressed with the quality of the Coverforce team around me plus the high calibre of the current Coverforce clients. The strong foundation Coverforce Insurance Broking already has in place makes the next growth phase an exciting one to lead. Zurichs 2023 life insurance data revealed that mental health conditions accounted for 18% of claims, making it the third most common cause after musculoskeletal conditions and cancer. The average payout for mental health claims was noted at $118,000, with women more likely to file these types of claims. Brown is director of distribution for Allstate Underwriting with a team of 12 staff operating out of Perth. One of the firms focus areas for brokers is farm coverages. More underwriters did once offer brokers with farming clients the option of limited flood covers but these coverages, he said, are now a real challenge across the industry. Over the last three decades, insurers in Australia have paid out an average of $2.1 billion per year to policyholders affected by extreme weather. This figure has more than doubled in recent years, with an average annual payout of $4.5 billion, largely due to rising flood-related costs. With more than 25 years of experience in reinsurance and consulting, Hammerli brings significant operational expertise to his new role at Peak Re. His previous experience at Swiss Re, where he served as head of global shared service operations, provided him with strong skills in managing and optimizing business processes. Turner has a great team that always puts service first and will go out of their way to help every customer, said Reid. Applebome, with her strong background in business administration and human resources, led the agencys growth while agency manager Darrel Huizinga played a key role in daily operations and the management of significant commercial accounts. Huizingas 14 years with the firm and his deep industry knowledge have been vital to the success of the business. The case began in 2018 when the three life insurers were placed under administrative supervision after Causey expressed concerns that the companies might be unable to meet their financial obligations. The approved prices will affect around 350,000 insureds across California, where a property insurance crisis already exists, Bloomberg reported. Documents filed by Allstate indicate that the premium changes will vary widely, with some seeing hikes as steep as 650%, while others could experience decreases of up to 57%. A disability rights organization is challenging a suburban New York ban on wearing masks in public except for health and religious reasons, arguing it is unconstitutional and discriminates against people with disabilities. The federal class action lawsuit, filed by Disability Rights of New York on behalf of individuals with disabilities, seeks a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to immediately stop enforcement of Nassau Countys Mask Transparency Act. This mask ban poses a direct threat to public health and discriminates against people with disabilities. Timothy A. Clune, executive director of the rights organization, said in a statement. The lawsuit includes two plaintiffs with various health conditions and who wear medical-grade face masks to protect themselves, noting they are now fearful of being harassed and possibly arrested because of the new mandate. While in public and private places, strangers have come up to G.B. since August 5, 2024, to ask them if they are sick, if they are healthy or not, and to ask why they are wearing a facemask, according to the lawsuit, referring to one of the plaintiffs by their initials and to the date when the Nassau County Legislature passed the local bill. The lawsuit said G.B., a resident of Nassau County for 24 years, has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and asthma and uses a wheelchair for mobility. G.B. fears that they will be arrested just for wearing a facemask for their health because there is no standard for the police to follow to decide if they meet the health exception or not, according to the lawsuit. G.B. is also concerned that they will be harassed, discriminated against, or even assaulted by people, including business owners and employees, in Nassau County for just going about their day with a mask on. In a written statement, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican who signed the bill into law on Aug. 14, said county officials are confident that the law will be upheld as there is a presumption of constitutionality when the legislature acts, and this legislation is reasonable and responsible. When the countys Republican-controlled Legislature approved the ban on face coverings, legislator Howard Kopel said lawmakers were responding to antisemitic incidents, often perpetrated by those in masks since the Oct. 7 start of the Israel-Hamas war. The law makes it a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine for anyone in Nassau to wear a face covering to hide their identity in public. It exempts people who wear masks for health, safety, religious or cultural purposes, or for the peaceful celebration of a holiday or similar religious or cultural event for which masks or facial coverings are customarily worn. Blakeman has said that while mask-wearing campus protesters were the impetus for the ban, he sees the new law as a tool to fight everyday crime as well. This is a broad public safety measure, Blakeman said at a news conference. What weve seen is people using masks to shoplift, to carjack, to rob banks, and this is activity we want to stop. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits New York Editors Note: A previous version of this article referred to this transaction as an acquisition. As both insurers are mutuals, and as mutuals cannot be legally acquired, the structure of the affiliation is not setup as a true acquisition. Insurance Journal regrets the error. As noted in the article, this is a mutual insurer affiliation, thus there is no purchase price or consideration payable to the insurers. Vermonts insurance regulator has scheduled a public hearing for September 9 to weigh the proposed affiliation of Union Mutual Fire Insurance Co. with the Massachusetts-based mutual insurer Norfolk & Dedham Group. Under the acquisition of control proposal that was filed in April, Union Mutual and its wholly owned subsidiary, New England Guaranty Insurance Co., Inc., both based in Montpelier, would join Norfolk & Dedham Mutual Fire Insurance Co., Fitchburg Mutual Insurance Co. and Dorchester Mutual Insurance Co., the current members of N&D Group. If approved by the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation (DFR), the affiliation would result in a new board of directors, with eight directors being associated with N&D and four with Union Mutual. Joel Murray will remain president and CEO of N&D and Lisa Keysar will remain president and CEO of Union Mutual. Murray will serve as board chairman of the combined group. The combined group will write personal and commercial lines business in eight states with approximately $596 million in direct written premium and over $580 million in policyholder surplus. The group will have approximately 250 employees and 600 independent agents with 1,000 agency offices across the Northeast. After the transaction, the property/casualty insurers will participate in an intercompany pooling agreement effective Jan. 1, 2025, under which premiums, losses and expenses will be combined and pro-rated, with participation percentages based on the individual members policyholder surplus. Each company will continue to market products under its existing brands in their respective marketplaces. After closing, the parties will also decide on a new group name for the affiliated organization. Community Mutual Insurance Co., a commercial lines affiliate of Union Mutual based in Latham, New York, is not part of the restructuring. According to the Vermont DFR, Community Mutual currently cedes 100% of its net premiums to Union Mutual through a reinsurance contract, and that contract is not expected to change. The members of the N&D Group share underwriting and claims operations, and own the Newbury Corp., a subsidiary that provides management services. As part of the affiliation, Union Mutual will purchase an ownership interest in Newbury, and all employees will become employees of Newbury. According to the proposal, there are no plans for any staff reductions or layoffs, and the companies promise to use their best efforts to maintain compensation and benefits for all employees and staff subject to rate changes, availability and market conditions generally. N&D has said it will maintain its headquarters in Dedham, Massachusetts, while Union Mutual will keep its headquarters in Montpelier, Vermont. N&D Groups direct written premium reached an all-time high of $368 million in 2023. Its policyholder surplus stands at $459 million, also a record high. N&D sells private passenger automobile, homeowners, commercial automobile, commercial multi-peril, and workers compensation policies, in Massachusetts, New Jersey and New Hampshire presently, with the bulk of its of business in Massachusetts The Union Mutual companies write about $228 million in direct premium annually. Union Mutual is licensed in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York. Its subsidiary New England Guaranty Insurance Co. is licensed in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York. The companies are rated A (Excellent) with a stable outlook by AM Best. According to the proposal, all parties believe that combining their strengths will provide substantial benefits to the members of both organizations and materially enhance the product offerings and services available to all members. As this is a mutual insurer affiliation, there is no purchase price or consideration payable to the insurers. September 9 is the last day for public comment on the transaction. Topics Vermont Worlds first 100-kilometer hydrogen-powered multi-rotor drone successfully debuts Global Times) 08:02, August 29, 2024 The Tianmushan No. 1, a new hydrogen-powered drone, made a smooth landing in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province on August 26, 2024. (Photo: Science and Technology Daily) The Tianmushan No. 1, a new hydrogen-powered drone, made a smooth landing in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, on Monday, and is expected to be a game-changer in the market with its long flight endurance, ability to operate in ultra-low temperatures, and eco-friendly design. The Tianmushan No. 1 has transformed the application of traditional industrial Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), offering strong market prospects due to its unique capabilities in continuous long-distance operation and its reliability in the cold, harsh conditions of North China, Xu Weiqiang, the chief designer of The Tianmushan No. 1said. The Tianmushan No. 1 developed by a research team from the Tianmushan Laboratory has long flight endurance, adaptability to ultra-low temperatures, and eco-friendly features, Xu told the Science and Technology Daily, addressing the dominant problems among industrial drones. With a technical capacity for continuous operations beyond 100 kilometers, the drone is equipped with an integrally molded fuselage with lightweight carbon fiber, giving it an empty weight of 19 kilograms and a maximum load weight of 6 kilograms. Its long-flight capacity comes from the completely self-developed hydrogen power system, which consists of hydrogen fuel cells and storage devices. The air-cooled fuel cell stack utilized in the system provides a maximum energy density of more than 1,000 Wh/kg, five to six times that of lithium batteries, Science and Technology Daily noted. The Tianmushan No. 1 is a significant development in the technological innovation of the field of low-altitude economy as well as a momentum for the combination of intelligence general aviation and low-altitude economy industries, the laboratory said. In addition, Tianmushan No. 1 is the world's first hydrogen-powered drone fitted with an integrated parachute, meaning that should an accident occur during flight, it will automatically deploy the parachute to minimize the risk, according to media reports. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) A New Hampshire resident infected with the mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis virus has died, state health authorities said. The Hampstead residents infection was the first in the state in a decade, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday. The resident, whom the department only identified as an adult, had been hospitalized due to severe central nervous system symptoms, the department said. About a third of people who develop encephalitis from the virus die from the infection, and survivors can suffer lifelong mental and physical disabilities. There is no vaccine or antiviral treatment available for infections, which can cause flu-like symptoms and lead to severe neurological disease along with inflammation of the brain and membranes around the spinal cord. When it does cause an infection, it is very, very severe. Although its a very rare infection, we have no treatment for it, said Dr. Richard Ellison, immunologist and infectious disease specialist at University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center. Once someone gets it, its just all we can do is provide supportive care, and it can kill people. Nationally, the burden of eastern equine encephalitis can vary from year to year. There are typically about 11 human cases in the U.S. per year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There were seven cases nationally last year, but more than 30 in 2019, which was a historically bad year in which at least a dozen patients died, according to federal data. The 2019 outbreak included six deaths among 12 confirmed cases in Massachusetts, and the outbreak continued the following year with five more cases and another death. Two of the three people infected in New Hampshire in 2014 died. This year, human infections have been confirmed in New Jersey, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Vermont as well as New Hampshire, according to the CDC. The New Hampshire health department said the virus has also been detected in one horse and several mosquito batches in New Hampshire this summer. Mosquitoes that carry the virus can sometimes be found in developed areas that used to be swamp land where they can still find habitat, Ellison said. Public health authorities in states where mosquito-borne infections happen encourage people to take precautions, preventing mosquito bites by using repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants and avoiding outdoor activity in the early morning and evening when mosquitoes are most active. Removing any standing water where mosquitoes breed also is important. We believe there is an elevated risk for EEEV infections this year in New England given the positive mosquito samples identified. The risk will continue into the fall until there is a hard frost that kills the mosquitos. Everybody should take steps to prevent mosquito bites when they are outdoors, said New Hampshire epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan. In Massachusetts, several towns have urged people to avoid going outdoors at night this summer because of concerns over this virus, one of several diseases mosquitoes can spread to humans. Massachusetts authorities planned to begin spraying Tuesday in some communities to prevent the spread. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics New Hampshire Yemens Houthi militants said theyll let tugboats tow away an oil tanker that they attacked last week in the Red Sea, a step that might to help avert an environmental disaster. The 900-foot Sounion was hauling 150,000 tons of dense Iraqi crude oil when it was struck. The vessels crew was rescued by the French navy but the Pentagon said this week that it was leaking. The US said two tugs were sent toward the tanker in recent days but were warned away the by rebels, whove been attacking merchant vessels in the region for months in protest at Israels actions in Gaza. Red Sea Insurance Nearly Doubles After Attacked Oil Tanker Appears to Be Leaking Oil Late Wednesday, a spokesman for the group said it would permit tugs to drag the Sounion away. Salvage operations can be complex and it remains to be seen whether towing the vessel elsewhere will be viewed as the best first step if it does have a leak. The decision came after the Houthis were approached by some international parties, mainly European ones, the spokesman said on the groups Al-Masirah TV. The Houthis say they are targeting Israeli-, US- and UK-linked ships in solidarity with Hamas as its war against Israel in Gaza continues. The European Unions naval force said this week that the tanker wasnt leaking and also contradicted the UK navy which had said it was drifting. Iran, which backs the Houthis, also said overnight the group is prepared to let salvors approach the Sounion in safety. Photograph: In this handout screengrab released by the Houthi group media center on Aug. 23, 2024, Fires can be seen onboard the Sounion, a Greek-flagged oil tanker. (Photo by Houthi Media Center via Getty Images) Related: Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Topics Energy Oil Gas The European Unions mission in the Red Sea said on Wednesday there was no oil spill in the waters near the Greek-flagged tanker hit by a fiery Houthi militant attack off Yemens coast. The mission, called Aspides, added that the Sounion was still anchored and not drifting. A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the ship was leaking an unidentified substance. Houthis Say Tugs Can Tow Away Stricken Oil Tanker Attacked in Red Sea The Pentagon said on Tuesday that the tanker was still on fire in the Red Sea and appeared to be leaking oil. Reuters could not independently confirm that a leak had occurred. The Iran-backed Houthis targeted Sounion in multiple attacks near Yemens port city of Hodeidah, at one point causing the vessel to erupt in a ball of flames. The attack set off alarm bells in the environmental community because Sounion is carrying 150,000 tonnes, or 1 million barrels, of crude oil. A spill of that size would be one of the largest from a ship in history, threatening to destroy the areas fishing industry and regional ecosystems, government officials warned. The Iran-aligned Houthis over 10 months have launched more than 70 attacks on commercial ships in solidarity with Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Those assaults have sunk two vessels, killed at least three crew and disrupted global trade by forcing ships to avoid the vital Suez Canal shortcut. (Reporting by Jana Choukeir in Dubai, Lefteris Papadimas in Athens, Idrees Ali in Washington and Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; editing by Philippa Fletcher, Mark Potter and Cynthia Osterman) Photograph: In this handout screengrab released by the Houthi group media center, fires can be seen onboard the Sounion, in the Red Sea on Aug. 23, 2024. Photo credit: Houthi Media Center/Getty Images Related: Topics Energy Europe Oil Gas The Romanian government plans to approve an insurance system for agricultural land as part of a series of measures to help farmers whose crops have been ravaged by drought, Agriculture Minister Florin Barbu said on Wednesday. Romania is among the European Unions largest grain sellers and an active exporter, with Egypt a main buyer, but prolonged heatwaves this summer have damaged millions of tons of crops. First, we have talked with banks and the financial regulator, and we have agreed a formula for a mechanism to set up a drought insurance system for 7 million hectares of farmland, accounting for spring and fall crops, Barbu said. This mechanism ensures compensation of up to 3,000 lei ($671.14) per hectare, which will lead to unblocking lending for Romanian farmers. He did not specify when the scheme would be approved or enforced. Other measures he said the government would approve in the coming days include increasing state guarantees for farm loans, giving state compensation worth up to 1,000 lei ($223.71) per damaged hectare before fall crops are sown and freezing loan repayments until Dec. 2025 for farmers with damaged crops. In July, Barbu said nearly 2 million hectares of maize and sunseed crops had so far been affected, a figure some analysts said was an underestimate. I dont resonate with the ministers estimates, the damage is more extensive, Cezar Gheorghe of Romanian grain market consultancy AGRIColumn told Reuters. He also said measures such as freezing farmers loan payments will impact input sellers and distributors. Gheorghe estimated Romanias maize output will drop to 6.7 million metric tons this year, sharply lower than Argus and AgroBrane estimates of 7.5 million and 7.7 million, respectively. He estimated sunflower seed crops would fall below 2 million metric tons in 2024, while the wheat crop stood at 9.6 million metric tons. Romanias water management agency said just under 630 towns and villages had water restrictions in place. The Danubes level at its entry point in Romania was below the normal range at around 2,800 cubic meters of water per second, far below the August average of 4,300, causing disruption in river traffic. ($1 = 4.4700 lei) (Reporting by Luiza Ilie; editing by Barbara Lewis) Topics Agribusiness The captain of a superyacht that sank during a storm off Sicily last week, killing seven people, decided not to respond to prosecutors questions Tuesday, his lawyer said. James Cutfield, a 51-year-old New Zealand national, is under investigation for possible manslaughter and culpable shipwreck charges and was questioned for the third time by the Termini Imerese prosecutors Tuesday. He just exercised his right to remain silent, probably prosecutors were expecting that, lawyer Aldo Mordiglia told The Associated Press, adding that the captains legal team has just been named and needs time to work on his defensive strategy. Captain of Sunken Superyacht Placed Under Investigation Cutfield was among 15 survivors of the Aug. 19 sinking that killed British tech magnate Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah and five others. Chief prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio, whos heading the investigation, has said his team would consider each possible element of responsibility including those of the captain, the crew, individuals in charge of supervision and the yachts manufacturer. The Bayesian, a 56-meter (184-foot) British-flagged luxury yacht, went down near the Mediterranean island in southern Italy. Investigators are focusing on how a sailing vessel deemed unsinkable by its manufacturer, Italian shipyard Perini Navi, sank while a nearby sailboat remained largely unscathed. Prosecutors said the event was extremely rapid and could have been a downburst a localized, powerful wind that descends from a thunderstorm and spreads out rapidly upon hitting the ground. The crew was saved, except for the chef, while six passengers were trapped in the hull Photograph: Italian firefighter divers on Aug. 23 recover the body of one of the victims of the superyacht that sank off the coast of Sicily. (Alberto Lo Bianco/LaPresse via AP) Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A lawyer for Telegram boss Pavel Durov, who is the target of an unprecedented investigation in France, said on Thursday it was absurd to suggest the head of a social network was responsible for any criminal acts committed on the platform. Underlining the uneasy relationship between governments and social media giants, the case against Durov can be seen as a warning shot to tech titans over how to tackle alleged illegality on their apps. The Kremlin has also weighed in on a case that has further strained Russias relations with France, saying the prosecution of the Russian-born tech boss, who is accused of allowing illicit content to run on a platform used by close to 1 billion people, should not turn into political persecution. Telegram CEO Held Over Alleged Failure to Stop Crime on App A French judge put Durov under formal investigation on Wednesday, four days after police arrested him at Le Bourget airport near Paris, fueling debate on where freedom of speech ends and enforcement of the law begins. Lawyer David-Olivier Kaminski, who is representing Durov in France, said it was absurd to say that a platform or its boss are responsible for any abuse carried out on the platform, and that Telegram was abiding by European laws. The French judge said on Wednesday that Durov was suspected of complicity in running an online platform that allows illicit transactions, images of child sex abuse and drug trafficking. Durov, 39, is also being investigated for alleged money laundering and refusal to cooperate with judicial authorities. The platform said this week that Durov had nothing to hide. Durovs arrest is a first for a CEO of a major messaging platform. But, with tensions mounting between governments and social media giants, it is not the first time Telegram has had a run-in with police and judicial authorities. In 2023, a Brazilian court ordered a temporary suspension of the app until it complies with an order to share information on extremist and neo-Nazi groups using the platform. Do a Better Job? One year before that, as a Brazilian Supreme Court Justice ordered a suspension of Telegram, saying it had repeatedly refused to adhere to judicial orders. Durov blamed any shortcomings on email issues, saying we definitely could have done a better job, and voiced confidence that once a reliable communication channel was established Telegram would be able to efficiently process takedown requests for public channels that are illegal in Brazil. A French police source said this week that Telegram was considered less willing to cooperate with authorities than other social media. But others also face heat from authorities. Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered billionaire Elon Musk on Wednesday to name a legal representative for his messaging platform X in Brazil within 24 hours or face the sites suspension in the country. Musk, billionaire owner of X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, had said after reports of Durovs detention: Its 2030 in Europe and youre being executed for liking a meme. Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg said this week that U.S. President Joe Bidens administration had pressured the company to censor COVID-19 content during the pandemic, apparently referring to White House requests to take down misinformation about the coronavirus and vaccines. The debate over whether, and how, platforms should be held liable for content rages in many countries including the United States, where lawmakers have called for an overhaul of legislation that gives online services immunity from civil liability over content generated by users. In Britain, a newly introduced Online Safety Act has introduced the threat of criminal sanctions for senior managers who do not comply with media regulator Ofcoms enforcement notices. Being placed under formal investigation in France does not imply guilt or necessarily lead to trial, but indicates judges consider there is enough evidence to proceed with a probe. Investigations can last years before being sent to trial or shelved. Durov was granted bail on condition he pays 5 million euros ($5.6 million) and does not leave French territory. He will need to report twice a week to police and be at home at certain specific hours, a judicial source said. France-Russia Tensions Durov has French, United Arab Emirates and Russian citizenship. His arrest and the allegations against him have pushed the relationship between France and Russia to a new low, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday. Telegram is particularly influential in Russia, Ukraine and the republics of the former Soviet Union. It has become crucial to battlefield communications in the war in Ukraine, and is used by governments and soldiers on both sides to share war-related news and propaganda. The main thing is that what is happening in France does not turn into political persecution, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday. Russia has previously tried, and failed, to block Telegram and fined the company several times for failing to delete what it deemed illegal content. French President Emmanuel Macron, who wants to position France as a tech hub, has said Durovs arrest was in no way a political decision and that the investigation had been decided by judicial authorities, not by the government. Durov was granted French citizenship in 2021 under a rare procedure for high-profile individuals. ($1 = 0.8980 euros) (Reporting by Gabriel Stargardter, Dominique Vidalon; additional reporting by Martin Coulter, Sheila Dang, Alexander Cornwell and Gleb Stolyarov; writing by Ingrid Melander; editing by Helen Popper, William Maclean and Timothy Heritage) Photograph: Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov at an event on Aug. 1, 2017 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana, File) COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) Federal appellate judges overturned a Missouri law Monday that banned police from enforcing some federal gun laws. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the Missouri law violated a section of the U.S. Constitution known as the supremacy clause, which asserts that federal law takes precedence over state laws. A State cannot invalidate federal law to itself, 8th Circuit Chief Judge Steven Colloton wrote in the ruling. Missouris Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey said in a statement that his office was reviewing the decision. I will always fight for Missourians Second Amendment rights, he said. The U.S. Justice Department, which filed the lawsuit against Missouri, declined to comment. The Missouri law forbade police from enforcing federal gun laws that dont have an equivalent state law. Law enforcement agencies with officers who knowingly enforced federal gun laws without equivalent state laws faced a fine of $50,000 per violating officer. Federal laws without similar Missouri laws include statutes covering weapons registration and tracking, and possession of firearms by some domestic violence offenders. Missouris law has been on hold since 2023, when the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked it as the legal challenge played out in lower courts. Conflict over Missouris law wrecked a crime-fighting partnership with U.S. attorneys that Missouris former Republican attorney general Eric Schmitt, now a U.S. senator touted for years. Under Schmitts Safer Streets Initiative, attorneys from his office were deputized as assistant U.S. attorneys to help prosecute violent crimes. The Justice Department had said the Missouri state crime lab, operated by the Highway Patrol, refused to process evidence that would help federal firearms prosecutions after the law took effect. Republican lawmakers who helped pass the bill said they were motivated by the potential for new gun restrictions under Democratic President Joe Biden, who had signed the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades. The federal legislation toughened background checks for the youngest gun buyers, keeps firearms from more domestic violence offenders, and helps states put in place red flag laws that make it easier for authorities to take weapons from people judged to be dangerous. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Law Enforcement Missouri Gun Liability Federal safety inspectors became aware that a 31-year-old employee of a Chicago countertop manufacturer needed a double lung transplant after suffering accelerated silicosis an incurable lung disease and the U.S. Department of Labor immediately alerted the company of the potential imminent danger and an inspection by the departments Occupational Safety and Health Administration found workers exposed to silica levels up to six times greater than permissible limits. When inspectors arrived in February 2024 to conduct air sampling at Florenza Marble & Granite Corp., they found employees laboring in a haze of dust throughout the workspace and workers using required respirators improperly. They also determined the company had few controls in place to reduce silica exposure as employees cut engineered and natural stone countertops for residential and commercial projects. OSHA learned that, in addition to the 31-year-old in need of a double transplant, his 59-year-old father and co-worker also awaits a silicosis-related lung transplant and a 47-year-old employee has been treated for unresolved work-related lung disease for more than three years. Further investigation found the company and owner Brad Karp did not develop a safety program to protect or monitor the health of its six employees, even though two workers compensation insurance carriers refused to insure the company in 2022 and 2024 for not providing air sampling or proving it protected its workers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the life expectancy for people diagnosed with silicosis is reduced by about 11 years and the chances of surviving 15 years after lung transplant are less than 11 percent. OSHA cited Florenza Marble & Granite Corp. for eight egregious willful, four willful and 20 serious safety and health violations and proposed more than $1 million in penalties. The two workers suffering from silicosis have limited English proficiency and received no information from their employer about the dangers of silica exposure or training in the use of personal protective equipment or precautions to protect their safety and health. Specifically, OSHA found the following willful violations: Failing to establish a baseline of employees medical health to monitor silica exposure. Not performing medical surveillance to monitor exposure. Lacking engineering and administrative controls to reduce silica dust to safe levels. Exposing workers to unsafe levels of silica dust. Failing to have a respiratory protection program in place. In addition, the agency identified 20 serious violations related to its lack of housekeeping, respirator deficiencies, lack of a silica exposure control plan or hazard communication program, not training employees in the use of compressed air and allowing its improper use. Topics Manufacturing Converge Insurance CEO Tom Kang said one of his most important pieces of advice for other InsurTechs is a seemingly obvious but often overlooked point, and that is to remember the insurance part of InsurTech. Maybe this is an obvious point, but I think its important to know that you are still in insurance that youre serving insurance carriers, insurance brokers and insurance customers, he said. You might be able to move at the light speed of cyber at a small startup, but at times, you still have to move at the pace of insurance. He said this means its important for InsurTechs to strike a balance of moving at the speed of cyber while also accommodating the sometimes slower and steadier pace of the insurance market. Its also important to avoid innovating just for the sake of innovation, he said. It is absolutely critical that we dont forget our customers, our partners and their critical business needs in the midst of the innovation, he said. As we innovate, were laser focused on the solutions that we can bring. Converge Insurance is a cyber InsurTech newly launched in August 2023 with backing from QBE North America and funding by Forgepoint Capital. At the helm, Kang brings leadership experience from Willis Towers Watson, Allianz and The Hartford, particularly in the cyber insurance space, which he said has given him a unique look into the InsurTech sectors beginnings. During some of my executive roles, I had a chance to review and vet most of the first wave of InsurTech offerings into the cyber insurance market at that point, probably 10 plus years ago, he said. When they were first coming into the market, I was very excited about the new data, the new efficiencies, that they were introducing into the market. It was during this time that Kang realized there was an opportunity to bring technology and data into the insurance value chain in a more cohesive way, he said. To me, that integration across data, technology and insurance is extremely critical, especially in as everyone says this increasingly connected world with threat actors getting smarter and more powerful tools, he said. As Converge continues to focus on growth, Kang said his goal for the company is to make cyber insurance as dynamic as possible as the threat landscape continues to be volatile and ever evolving. I think that means that we have to be able to move as quickly as the bad actors find and exploit new vulnerabilities in the wild so that insurance really can and should respond in real time with solutions for the businesses while maintaining the underwriting rigor and the underwriting discipline necessary to find success, he said. While doing this, Kang said its important for InsurTechs not to lose sight of what he calls their north star: customers and business partners. Its not necessarily about you or the company even, its really about your customers and your partners and how youre solving their business problems, he said. I think that becomes a really important part in helping you to persevere and ultimately find success. You cant lose sight of your customers, and I think as InsurTechs, oftentimes, we push forward so quickly to innovate that we leave some of our customers and partners behind. And to me, thats not a long-term solution for success. He said other InsurTech leaders embarking on a similar journey will need to have a well-formed vision and, most importantly, know how to persevere. You need great technology, you need great people, you need great solutions and a value proposition, but I think if youre going to succeed over the long period, leaders and companies that persevere through difficult challenges will be ultimately the ones that leave an impact, he said. Its not easy to build something from the ground. Its not easy to change existing business processes, especially in a market like insurance. So I think you have to expect it to be difficult. You have to keep working and persevere. And I think in order to do that, you really need a great team around you, but also a strong conviction about your vision and the solutions that youre bringing to the market. Topics InsurTech Ford Motor Co. told employees it would modify its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and end participation in a notable ranking by an LGBTQ advocacy group, joining a series of companies including Lowes Cos. and Harley-Davidson Inc. in curtailing some of the programs. We are mindful that our employees and customers hold a wide range of beliefs, Ford Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley wrote in an internal email, which was shared with Bloomberg by anti-DEI activist Robby Starbuck and confirmed as authentic by the company. The external and legal environment related to political and social issues continues to evolve. Ford said it will no longer engage with the Human Rights Campaigns Corporate Equality Index and various best places to work lists, and that it refocused employee resource groups and opened them to all its workers. The carmaker also said it would shift some of its corporate sponsorships, and comment less on polarizing issues. Starbuck, a former music-video producer turned influencer based in Tennessee, has claimed credit for prompting a string of companies to change or eliminate their diversity and social impact programs. Unlike legal activists Edward Blum and Stephen Millers America First Legal, whove filed lawsuits and regulatory complaints alleging DEI programs discriminate against certain groups, Starbuck has relied on social media platform X to generate popular outrage. Tractor Supply Co., Deere & Co. and Harley-Davidson each said theyd revise their DEI initiatives after Starbuck started a stream of posts on social media platform X attacking what he describes as woke policies out of step with their customers. Fords Farley is on Harleys board, and John May, the CEO of Deere, is a director for Ford. Related: Lowes Scraps Some DEI Policies as Activist Claims a New Win Starbuck took credit for changes at Lowes, saying on X the company announced changes to its DEI policy after Starbuck contacted the home-improvement retailer last week. Jack Daniels whiskey maker Brown-Forman Corp. also told staff last week it was ending DEI programs. Starbuck said he was investigating Fords policies before the announcement. Ford declined to comment beyond the memo. The letter marks a shift in tone from the carmaker since the 2020 murder of George Floyd, when Chairman Bill Ford and then-CEO Jim Hackett pledged to lead from the front and fully commit to creating the fair, just and inclusive culture that our employees deserve. This isnt everything we want but its a great start, Starbuck wrote on X. Were now forcing multibillion-dollar organizations to change their policies without even posting just from fear they have of being the next company that we expose. Photo: Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. The American Sustainable Business Council sued Texas officials in an effort to block a law that restricts state investments with certain financial firms because of their energy policies. The lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court in Austin, argues the 2021 state law is unconstitutional and it seeks to coerce and punish businesses seeking to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The group a nonprofit that represents thousands of businesses and advocates for environmentally-friendly policies sued Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar and the states Attorney General Ken Paxton, who have been vocal supporters of the measure. In the lawsuit, it argued that the law overstepped and went against the First Amendment. It impermissibly infringes rights of free speech and association under a scheme of politicized viewpoint discrimination, based on no legitimate state interest, lawyers for the group said in the lawsuit. Representatives for the comptroller and attorney general did not respond to an email and phone call requesting comment. As part of the law known as Senate Bill 13, Hegar publishes and maintains a list of companies and investment funds that he considers to engage in boycotts of the oil and gas industry. Currently Hegar has more than a dozen firms listed as offenders, most recently adding NatWest Group Plc earlier this month. He also includes several hundred individual funds. The American Sustainable Business Council says its members have been harmed by the law. Flagship funds offered by investment companies Etho Capital LLC and Our Sphere Inc. were included on Hegars list of funds that pensions cant invest in. While SB 13 is in effect, ASBC members like Etho Capital, Sphere, and others are unable to compete for business with Texas entities solely due to the content and viewpoint of their speech and the associations they choose to make, the lawsuit says. The law also denies them any avenue for challenging their exclusion from this major market. Earlier this year, the Texas Permanent School Fund announced it would divest $8.5 billion from BlackRock Inc., which is on the energy boycott list. The law has also affected Wall Street banks public finance work in Texas. Led by Texas legislation, so-called anti-ESG laws have been enacted in a number of states in the past three years. But the laws are starting to face headwinds in court. A judge in Oklahoma blocked enforcement of an anti-ESG law similar to Texass Senate Bill 13. And this month a federal judge barred Missouri from enforcing 2023 rules restricting environmental, social, and governance investing after finding them unlawful. Skye Perryman, chief executive officer of Democracy Forward, which represents plaintiffs challenging the legislation, said the lawsuit was prompted by growing concern that the Texas law hurts both local governments and businesses in the state. She cited studies showing that the measures had increased borrowing costs for Texas municipalities. This is a state that has long said that its the business-friendly state this law is anti-business plain and simple, she said. The case is American Sustainable Business Council v. Hegar, 1:24-cv-01010, US District Court, Western District of Texas (Austin). Photo: The downtown skyline in Austin, Texas, US, on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Topics Lawsuits Texas Paula Cooley joined Graham-Rogers Insurance, headquartered in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, as a transportation new business underwriter. Cooley will focus on garage and transportation commercial auto. She has over 40 years of property and casualty experience, most recently serving as senior transportation/garage underwriter at Risk Placement Services, Inc. She previously served as garage/transportation underwriter at RT Specialty. Graham-Rogers Insurance is a member of Bridge Specialty Group and a division of Brown & Brown Insurance. Topics Underwriting Floridas state-created Citizens Property Insurance Corp., has a few issues it needs to address, including policies with coverage values above its statutory limit, not sending enough renewals to its Clearinghouse, and failing to beef up its computer security measures, according to a state audit report. The report by the Florida Auditor Generals office, required by law every three years, also agreed with Citizens leadership and other insurers that the carrier really needs to raise its rates to actuarialy sound levels. To minimize the need for potential surcharges on Citizens policyholders and emergency assessments on assessable insureds, we recommend that the Legislature consider revisiting statutory rate limitations, specifically allowing for Citizens to collect from the rates the projected costs of reinsurance to cover 100-year probable maximum loss, the auditors said. In response, Citizens management said the corporation has taken or is taking steps to improve on most of the red flags noted in the report. Heres a look at some of the highlights of the audit: Above the coverage ceiling. State law limits Citizens residential policies replacement costs to less than $700,000 in most of the state and to less than $1 million in those counties that have little or no competition from other insurers. But the audit found that for a small share of policies 1,820 of 3.3 million policies written in 2021, 2022 and 2023 Citizens allowed coverage to creep above the limit, as high as $906,500 for more than 200 homes with wind-only policies. Citizens management blamed computer problems and staff oversight. The insurers computer system was designed to automatically alert staff when values go too high. But at some point in 2023, that alert function was inadvertently disabled during a system update. Some policies were also overlooked while non-cancellation orders were in effect after a hurricane. New procedures have been put in place and the problem has been fixed, Citizens spokesman Michael Peltier said. Policies that exceed the limit have been non-renewed or soon will be. Under-utilized Clearinghouse. Citizens Clearinghouse is supposed to be a place where insurance agents and carriers can easily find new policy applications and upcoming renewals. But only six private insurance companies have participated in the Clearinghouse in recent years, the audit noted. Legislative action may be needed to ensure better use of the site. Peltier said the number of participants has increased this year as the Florida market has improved, thanks to legislative reforms that have curtailed excessive claims litigation. The audit, however, also revealed that about a quarter of the 2.7 million new and renewal policies in a three-year period were never sent to the Clearinghouse, anyway, meaning they were not shopped around to the primary market. Part of that was a deliberate decision by Citizens, the audit said. According to Citizens management, underwriting actions and system maintenance issues contributed to the policy renewals not being submitted to the Clearinghouse, the report noted. We recommend that Citizens management ensure that all applicable new and renewal policies are made available for consideration by participating insurers. Citizens response cautioned that processes must allow time for policies to be reviewed, manually canceled, nonrenewed or reinstated by underwriters. Recent legislative changes, which bar renewals if comparable offers are made by primary carriers, should also improve participation in the Clearinghouse, Citizens said. Satisfaction rates. The audit found that, for the most part, policyholders and insurance agents are satisfied with the service provide by Citizens. Other points can be seen in the full report, here. Topics Florida CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) Inadequate inspections by an operator and a lack of oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration were partly to blame for the crash of a Vietnam-era tourist helicopter that killed six people in West Virginia two years ago, according to a final report released Tuesday. The Bell UH-1B Huey helicopter showcased in action movies lost engine power and struck power lines during an attempted forced landing in June 2022 in Amherstdale, the National Transportation Safety Board said. The helicopter, which had taken off 15 minutes earlier from Logan County Airport, then smashed into a rock face and caught fire near a road. Investigators say a component failure caused the loss of engine power. More comprehensive inspections by operator MARPAT Aviation, a Logan County flight school, likely would have uncovered fatigue cracks and other engine damage that led to the components failure, the NTSB said in a statement. Someone who answered the phone at MARPAT Aviation on Tuesday said no one was available to comment before hanging up. The NTSB said the FAA provided basically no oversight of MARPAT Aviation. At the time, the helicopter operated under a special airworthiness certificate in an experimental exhibition category. The certificate was issued in December 2014 by the FAAs flight standards district office in Charleston. The NTSB noted that the FAA lacked guidance for inspectors to perform routine surveillance of operators with experimental airworthiness certificates. When the helicopter had a restricted-category certificate, last in effect in 2014, the operator followed more stringent inspection requirements, the NTSB said. In addition, the Charleston district office was unaware that MARPAT Aviation was operating the helicopter at the 2022 event. No flight plan was required or filed for the local flight, the NTSB said. Among six recommendations the NTSB made to the FAA include a review of airworthiness certificates issued to former military turbine-powered helicopters and requiring operators of experimental exhibition aircraft to disclose their events. In a statement, the FAA said it takes NTSB recommendations very seriously and will provide a response to the six new recommendations within an appropriate timeframe. The flight was the last one scheduled for the day during a multiday reunion for helicopter enthusiasts where visitors could sign up to ride or fly the historic Huey helicopter, described by organizers as one of the last of its kind still flying. The helicopter was flown by the 114th Assault Helicopter Company, The Knights of the Sky, in Vinh Long, Vietnam, throughout much of the 1960s, according to the website for MARPAT Aviation. After the Huey returned to the U.S. in 1971, the website says, it was featured in movies such as Die Hard, The Rock and Under Siege 2: Dark Territory. During the reunion, people who made a donation could fly the helicopter with a safety pilot seated in the left front seat, according to the report. People could take a ride on the helicopter for a suggested donation. The NTSB said the operator did not have a flight exemption that would have allowed the helicopter to be operated for compensation. A private pilot, two pilot rated passengers and three others were killed in the crash. The 53-year-old pilot had flown the helicopter at the reunion event from 2020 to 2022, the NTSB said. There were no known witnesses to the accident, according to the report. Several wrongful death lawsuits were later filed on behalf of the helicopters passengers. Photo: Emergency crews at the site in 2022. (AP Photo/Chris Jackson, File) Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics West Virginia Californias Division of Occupational Safety and Health cited nine employers in Sun Valley following efforts to address the growing number of silicosis cases among stone workers in California. The safety violations include more than $168,000 in fines. Cal/OSHA cited the following employers, each of which found to have nine violations (including two serious violations): Miguel Clavel $18,320 Gasper Marble and Tile $18,785 Jose Sandoval Marble and Granite $18,785 Valley Marble $18,785 Edward Ponce $18,785 Durango Marble $18,785 Nacho Brothers Marble Inc. $18,785 M & M Three Marble Inc. $18,785 LB Quality Stone Experts Inc. $18,785 The Van Nuys District Office conducted inspections and it was determined that all the employers were in violation of multiple Title 8 Safety and Health Regulations, including failure to use methods to effectively suppress dust and failure to provide employees with full-face, tight-fitting power air purifying respirators. With cases of silicosis increasing across the state, Cal/OSHA intensified its enforcement and education efforts. Last year an emergency temporary standard was adopted to enhance existing guidelines for respirable crystalline silica hazards. Topics Commercial Lines Workers' Compensation Business Insurance A 26-year-old man has been accused of igniting a destructive California wildfire in early July by throwing a firework from a car window during hot, dry and windy weather. Spencer Grant Anderson, of Oroville, was charged this week after weeks of continuous surveillance by investigators, the Butte County District Attorneys Office said. The Thompson fire scorched nearly 6 square miles, destroyed 13 homes and damaged others in the Oroville area of the northern Sacramento Valley. Anderson was jailed on a no-bail hold after appearing in court to face charges including arson of an inhabited structure, arson of forest land, and arson causing multiple structures to burn, the prosecutors office said in a statement. Anderson will return to court Wednesday to set further dates to enter a plea and for pretrial hearings, the office said. It was a long investigation, there was a lot moving parts to it, Larry Pilgrim, Andersons attorney, told The New York Times. He is just being accused at this point. Pilgrim did not immediately return messages from The Associated Press seeking comment. The fire erupted shortly before 11 a.m. on July 2 when temperatures were above 100 degrees (38 Celsius), humidity was low and high winds were blowing, authorities said. A car seen at the location of the fires start led to identification of Anderson the next day and lengthy surveillance as investigators built their case, concluding that a flaming object was thrown from the vehicle, the office said. Warrants were served on Aug. 22, and Anderson was arrested. Authorities allege that during questioning, he admitted that he purchased fireworks in Oroville and went to the location to test one by throwing it out of his car window. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe California Natural Disasters Auto Wildfire Austin, TX., August 29, 2024 The Risk & Insurance Education Alliance is pleased to announce a collaboration with ITC Vegas, aimed at offering Continuing Education (CE) approved learning opportunities for insurance professionals at a destination learning event in Las Vegas this October. This collaboration promises to enrich the educational experiences available at ITC Vegas, the premier global Insurtech event, by enabling attendees to both broaden their industry insights and accrue valuable CE credits. Starting October 14th, participants will be presented with a chance to engage in two CE-approved PRO Focus courses facilitated by the Alliance. This full day of CE learning is right before ITC AGENTS on Tuesday 15th October ITCs brand-new conference aimed at independent agents and brokers and an ideal complement for agents wishing to attend. https://vegas.insuretechconnect.com/independent-agents These courses are meticulously designed to address the forefront issues in the current insurance environment: Cyber Liability How Your Client Survives in a Connected World Participants will gain a better understanding of cyber risk exposures and why businesses need cyber liability coverage. They will examine first-party and third-party exposures related to cyber risks, coverage limitations in standard liability policies, and major provisions commonly found in cyber liability insurance policies. They will review solutions that include cyberspace specific products and risk management. Emerging Risks in Changing Times Preparing for new and emerging risks can be a full-time job for the insurance professional. Technology, nature, terrorism, artificial intelligence, human and economic developments are rapidly changing the risk landscape and the insurance environment. In this session, you will identify those emerging risks that could have a significant impact on your clients business, their agency or organization, or even their career. Using an interactive and breakout approach, you will learn how to prepare for what will happen rather than what happened. Exclusive ITC Vegas Discount for PRO Focus Attendees In conjunction with these Risk & Insurance Education Alliance events, ITC Vegas is extending an exclusive $100 discount to PRO Focus attendees! ITC Agents tickets are currently $895 with the promo code that is received after registering for the PRO Focus event. For additional details about the CE-approved courses and for registration information, please visit our event webpage. About Risk & Insurance Education AllianceFocusing exclusively on risk management and insurance professional development, The Alliance provides a practical advantage at every career stage, positioning our participants and their clients for confidence and success. About ITC Vegas ITC Vegas is a full insurance ecosystem event, bringing together carriers, brokers, agents, investors, insurtechs, and solutions providers and vendors to connect over four days in Las Vegas each year. Over 9,000 attendees and 700 exhibitors will be returning in 2024. Media Contact: Jeff Buck Director of Digital Content Jbuck@riskeducation.org 512-349-6141 Topics Training Development Its Definitely Maybe one of the biggest music moments in recent years (sorry, we had to) and it seems like everyone and their mother is hoping to secure tickets to see Oasis in Croke Park, Dublin, and other venues. So, to make sure youre best equipped, heres everything you need to know about getting tickets for Oasiss reunion gigs. What do we know about the shows? Oasis Live 25 will kick off in Cardiff on July 4, 2025. The tour will travel to Manchester Heaton Park, Wembley and Murraryfield before making its way to Ireland. The band will play two nights in Dublins Croke Park on August 16 and 17, rounding off this series of comeback gigs in the country their parents were born. On Thursday, due to unprecedented demand, three new UK dates were added in Heaton Park, Wembley and Edinburgh, leaving fans hopeful for more Dublin shows. Let's see. What will the stadium layout be like? Tickets will be available for the upper and lower tiers in the Hogan and Cusack Stand, as well as the Davin Stand. Standing tickets will fill the pitch. No under 14s will be permitted to stand, while 15- and 16-year-olds will need to be accompanied by an adult. Under 16s in reserved seating will also need to be accompanied by an adult. The layout for Oasis at Croke Park, Dublin. (Image: Ticketmaster) How much will tickets be? Tickets for the shows go on sale on Saturday, August 31, via Ticketmaster. The Irish tour dates will go on sale from 8am, while the UK dates will be released an hour later at 9am. According to promoter MCD, the tickets will start at 86.50 (plus booking fees) though its likely most people will be paying a lot more. For Taylor Swift last year, fans paid 126 for general admission, with standing tickets going up to 206 and other packages reaching as high as 743.62. More extensive pricing details were released for the UK shows. Taking Murrayfield in Scotland as an example, pitch standing has been listed as 151 (179), with most seats priced at about 120-200. How can I get tickets? As mentioned, its not going to be an easy feat to secure the tickets. The band opened up a presale feature to allow some fans to get in ahead of the general sale. To sign up, fans had to enter their details as well as answering a question about the original lineup of the band. If they got this question wrong, they would not be successful in getting to the ballot for presale codes. Successful applicants would receive a code to use in the presale by midday on Friday. Due to high demand, however, Oasiss team have had to make a number of statements to say they were still processing the pre-sale ballot entries right up to Thursday. For those who are not lucky enough to get into the pre-sale, itll be every man and woman for themselves in the general sale on Ticketmaster. Those who dont get a ticket in Ireland could try their hand at the UK shows an hour later, but they may need to pre-register for the general sale of these shows. Do ensure you're on the Ticketmaster site rather than any of the resale sites that might come up in a Google search, and beware scammers. What can I do to better my chances? Oasis at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork in 1996. Picture: Dan Linehan First things first, make sure you have set up a Ticketmaster account, have verified it and have the log in details handy. You certainly dont want to go scrambling for a password in the height of the panic. Log into your account in plenty before the sale. In a similar vein, make sure your bank account details on the account are up to date and, if you keep your money in a separate account, that there is enough in your current account to cover the cost. Charge up your phone and laptop and go somewhere with a steady internet connection the last thing you need is a lag at the crucial moment. Private wifi is best, but Ticketmaster advises using mobile data instead of public wifi if it comes to it. Most importantly, do not refresh the page while in the waiting room. Ticketmaster and other ticketing sites use a queuing system when they get busy, which means you will be put in an online waiting room with other fans. Refreshing the page will not move you up further in the queue and the page will automatically update itself. Once the sale starts, you will be able to see your place in the queue and hopefully be offered tickets at the end of it. Bear in mind that there is a maximum of four tickets per household. Any tickets in excess of this will be cancelled. Who actually deserves to buy tickets? Since the announcement, there has been a lot of discussion around who actually should get to go. Of course, by asking a question to access the eligibility of fans for the presale, the band was aiming to weed out those who jumped on the bandwagon but, with Google, it seems a bit redundant to ask a question that can be answered in seconds. In fact, Tony McCarroll, who was the drummer in the original line-up, was trending on Wednesday as fans were searching to answer the question. This suggests that asking a question to find who is a real Oasis fan is pointless. On social media, many people joked that true Oasis fans would be hassling anyone who got a ticket and who was born after the band were big that being anyone born from the late nineties onwards. Others made memes about older men asking younger women to name three Oasis albums to prove their eligibility to go to the concerts. One X user wrote: Imagine waiting 15 years for Oasis to reform only to lose out on tickets to Chloe, 21, from Stockport, who just wants to hear Wonderwall live. Oasis fans of all ages are going to be fighting for tickets and Ticketmaster cannot prioritise who is a real fan. This may be the reunion of the decade and itll probably be hard to find someone who isnt going to try for tickets. Lets leave the discussion out of who deserves to go or not and just get giddy over the fact that the Gallagher brothers are reuniting. Location The hotel is on Arran St East, reached from lively Capel St via a side street, Little Mary St. This north inner city area is mixed and undergoing rejuvenation, so has everything from derelict buildings to refurbishments and new builds. The hotel is beside Dublins historic fruit and flower market, which closed in 2019 but is due to be redeveloped, while secret celeb hotspot The Hacienda is right next door. Capel St itself has a lively mix of pubs, restaurants and shops with OConnell St, Temple Bar and public transport all short walks. 7/10 Style & design An unremarkable looking new build, the character of the interior more than makes up for it. The huge bar area has an eclectic mix of seating areas, with vintage tables, chairs and sofas creating a rustic meets refined vibe, with plenty of nooks. Some of the design references the areas legacy as a market, with creative displays of market signs and baskets. The focal point is the hotel bar with the reception desk at one end. Theres a small guest library (though the vintage books are more for show than content). In contrast to the colourful ground floor, guest rooms are decorated in cool white tones, creating a relaxing atmosphere away from the buzz of the city (and lobby). 8/10 Service To keep the hotel affordable, it has pared many things back so theres a lean towards automation rather than high staff numbers. Check-in is part of the bar area. I got an email beforehand asking for my registration details for a speedier check-in, but it was still quite slow when I arrived, as staff had to assist each person and create their key. However, check-out was speedy you can drop your key in a box and the invoice follows by email. 5/10 A view of one of the balconies of Ruby Molly Hotel Guest rooms Ruby Hotels 18th hotel in Europe, the design philosophy is lean luxury, so they have done away with some of the usual hotel room features like a fridge, mini-bar, phone or separate bathroom, but the space is used wisely and it feels well-equipped rather than lacking. There are five room types, from 16sqm to 25sqm. Beds are extremely comfortable and there is air conditioning plus plenty of shelf space, sockets and lighting. Theres a TV, wardrobe, luggage rack, safe and good quality hairdryer. The sink and vanity area is within the room and is well lit, and the shower is behind a glass screen, plus the hotels brand of toiletries in refillable bottles. A collection of baskets on the wall gives a nod to the areas marketplace heritage. 8/10 In-room perks Theres no in-room tea, coffee or water bottles but each floor has a small galley to make tea or instant coffee, with disposable cups and a hot water tap. There are also vending machines on each floor. Toiletries are from the hotels own brand with a choice of invigorating or soothing shower gel. Each room has a Bluetooth speaker and a Marshall amp you can hire an electric guitar from the bar. 6/10 Downtime at Ruby Molly Hotel On the menu Cocktails are a specialty and the signature is a Delicious Sour with poitin, apple, rosemary, citrus and ginger. Theres no hotel restaurant, but you can get small plates from the bar pizza and piadine (flatbreads). Breakfast is an extra 18. Theres a good choice of cereals, cheeses, salamis and pastries at the breakfast buffet, plus sausage, hash browns and boiled eggs as the hot options, and barista coffee. 8/10 Activities & amenities For a quiet area, theres a small library in the front of the lobby and there are also plenty of tables around the spacious bar area. The bar also plans to host live performances by local up-and-coming bands at night. 5/10 The bill Rooms start at 160 for single occupancy. The Hotel Examiner was a guest of Ruby Molly Affordable, pared-back luxury in Dublins north inner city Room to improve? Getting information proves tricky, before and during the stay. Email replies can take up to 48 hours. Theres no phone in the room and no way to contact reception if you phone the hotel externally, you get a long automated message before it disconnects. You have to visit reception in person (which raises questions if any emergency or difficulty arises in the room, especially during the night) and if youre not checking in, its difficult to get any other service at reception. Access for guests with disabilities? The hotel says it has accessible rooms though it was difficult to find information online. An email enquiry said guests with disabilities should book the Wow room type and add a note in the request box. Family-friendly? There are no family rooms but one infant up to age 3 can be accommodated per room. Dogs welcome? Only service dogs. EV chargers? No - the hotel does not have a car park. Ruby Molly Hotel 26-33 East Arran Street, Dublin 7 www.ruby-hotels.com/en/destinations/dublin Met Eireann has announced the list of new storm names for the 2024/2025 storm season, which begins on Sunday. The national forecaster, alongside its colleagues in the national weather services of Britain (the Met Office) and the Netherlands (KNMI), contributed seven names to the list. More than 500 suggestions had been made by primary school children across Ireland. Storms are given names to increase public preparedness for extreme weather. Picture: Damien Storan The full list of storm names are: Ashley, Bert, Conall, Darragh, Eowyn, Floris, Gerben, Hugo, Izzy, James, Kayleigh, Lewis, Mavis, Naoise, Otje, Poppy, Rafi, Sayuri, Tilly, Vivienne, and Wren. The choices for C, D, H, I, N, P and V were made by Met Eireann. In order to prevent a clash with the US National Hurricane Center, there are no named storms for the letters Q, U, X, Y or Z. Ireland saw 13 to 14 severe storms in 2023/24, 11 of which were named as part of the system. Named storms in the most recent season of 2023/2024 included Storm Kathleen, Storm Babet and Storm Fergus. Storms are given names to increase public preparedness for extreme weather. They are only named when they could cause 'medium or high' impacts in any of the three partner countries. Storm-naming happens in conjunction with orange/red weather warnings, which could be for wind, rain or snow or a combination of these conditions. Picture: Ray Ryan When a storm is forecast, the national weather service that expects the biggest impact from the severe weather to hit its region or is likely to be first affected by it, names the storm. Storm-naming happens in conjunction with orange/red weather warnings, which could be for wind, rain or snow or a combination of these conditions. Those warnings are, in turn, issued based on a combination of numerical thresholds and the potential impacts foreseen. Since 2015, Met Eireann and the UK Met Office have been working together on the naming programme and were joined by the Netherlands KNMI in 2019. The head of the forecasting division in Met Eireann, Eoin Sherlock, explained how the naming of storms benefits the public. Our key priority is to help protect life and property from extreme weather and ensure the safety of our communities. Year after year, storm-naming proves effective for that. Naming each storm increases the level of public safety and preparedness as people are more likely to remember and respond to warnings when storms are named. Mr Sherlock noted Ireland and the world is experiencing the effects of severe weather events more frequently and more intensely as a result of climate change. Ireland is experiencing the effects of severe weather events more frequently and more intensely as a result of climate change. Picture: Damien Storan He added: "Now more than ever, it is crucial for younger generations to understand these risks so that they can safeguard their future by driving societal change, and their involvement in the names selection this year is proof of Met Eireanns commitment to support their weather and climate awareness." This was backed up by a study published in May, which found downpours in the storms which battered Ireland last autumn and winter were made about 20% heavier by climate change. It said the kind of intense storm rainfall seen in 2023/2024 had become 10 times more likely. Where it would have occurred about once every 50 years in the pre-industrial period, in todays world, similarly intense storm rainfall was expected to occur about every five years. Mr Sherlock urged the public to "basically, be winter ready," when it comes to public safety. A pedestrian hit by a motorcycle escaping a suspected gangland-style hit on a violent criminal's home in Cork last Friday remains in hospital after multiple operations. The man, who is in his 60s, suffered internal bleeding, a punctured lung, and a broken leg when an armed man, fleeing a suspected attempted hit, crashed into him while he was walking on Churchfield Rd in Cork city. He is still in hospital but his condition is said to be stable. The suspected attempted hit was on the home of Gavin Sheehan in nearby Shanakiel in Cork Citys northside at 5.40pm on Friday. Two armed men went to the property and one of them smashed windows before fleeing the scene on a motorbike, it is understood. The pedestrian was knocked down on Churchfield Rd at 6.10pm and was hospitalised. The suspects then fled on foot, dumping the motorbike at the scene. Gardai later found a firearm at the scene. A man in his 20s was arrested. He was later released without charge and a file is being prepared for the DPP. The second man remains at large, it is understood. Garda appeal Gardai are appealing to anyone with information on these incidents or road users with video footage to contact them at Gurranabraher Garda Station on 021 494 6200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station. Sheehan, who has 73 previous convictions, was released from prison in recent weeks after he served eight years for shooting a young woman in the neck. He admitted that he had been a garda informer at his sentencing hearing in that case, having tipped gardai off about drug dealers, gun dealers, and criminals in general in the past. Sheehan shot his victim Ciara Sheehan, then 21, who he is not related to, in the neck but the bullet missed major arteries and swift surgery saved her life. Sheehan had been in a dispute with the family of Ciaras boyfriend, Dylan Cunningham. She was shot when she was in the family home in Hollywood estate in Cork City on May 14, 2016. In a victim impact statement given after the trial, she said that she was "completely broken" following the attack and was no longer "the happy Ciara" she once was. The injured pedestrian was the second innocent bystander seriously injured due to violent criminal activity last week. A child was seriously injured when masked men armed with suspected slash hooks broke into her home in Charleville, Co Cork, earlier last week. The 12-year-old girl, who had been in her home with her mother and young siblings, was so badly injured when the men broke into her home that she had to be transferred for emergency surgery from Cork University Hospital to Childrens Health Ireland at Temple Street in Dublin with a suspected fractured skull and brain bleed. A leading charity has said it is heartbreaking to hear of children caught up in sextortion traps and that society needs to get better at spotting the red flags of online grooming. It comes after a 29-year-old man in Australia was sentenced to 17 years for sexually blackmailing almost 300 girls and women across 20 countries, including Ireland. Muhammad Zain Ul Abideen Rasheed posed as a 15-year-old YouTube star and sought out and trolled potential victims whose online privacy settings were not secure. His victims were mostly teens and the youngest was just aged 10. The ISPCC said it was unfortunately not surprising that an Irish child was targeted and said children contacting their helpline often express dark thoughts about their situation. Australian police uncovered videos where girls were begging and crying and, in some cases, threatening to self-harm but this did not deter Rasheed. The presiding judge in his case, Amanda Burrows, said there were no cases to compare it to in Australia and described his conduct as "abhorrent", "cruel", and "humiliating" with "devastating lifelong consequences" for his victims. Australian federal police assistant commissioner David McLean said the "scale of the predatory and exploitative offending" made it "one of the worst sextortion cases in history". He warned that sextortion can escalate in a matter of minutes. He urged people to "never share personal information with people they have only met online". The police chief said there was one Irish case in the 286 cases covered in the conviction, but said the investigation was ongoing and there could be further victims. Irelands industry internet watchdog Hotline.ie has previously said it received 688 reports in relation to Intimate Image Abuse (IIA) in 2022. Sextortion scam 'surge' It said there had been a surge in sextortion scams where young people, mainly young males, were deceived into sharing intimate images of themselves and then pressured by the other person to pay up to avoid circulation online. As a society, we need to get better at recognising grooming red flags and work to prevent it happening, and indeed escalating to cases of sextortion, ISPCC head of policy, Fiona Jennings said. We know only too well the dark thoughts and heightened emotions children go through when they find themselves in such situations, and it can be heartbreaking to listen to, that children feel so trapped and cant see a way out. And, unfortunately, we know in some extreme cases where children have taken their own lives. She said sextortion is largely misunderstood or conflated with other issues and that this was why the ISPCC is engaged in two research projects with TU Dublin. The N-Light project is seeking to get a better understanding of the problem while the GroSafe project is examining ways to tackle it. Mr Jennings said encrypted platforms can be a haven for this type of crime. Predators send thousands of messages to their intended victims, and it takes just seconds to move some of these children from a public forum into a private (encrypted) space where their vulnerability is heightened, she said. - If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services. Colum Eastwood is to quit as leader of the SDLP, the PA news agency understands. Mr Eastwood is expected to announce the decision when he makes a personal statement about his future on Thursday, a senior SDLP source said. The MP for Foyle became the partys youngest ever leader in 2015, having taken over from Alasdair McDonnell following a leadership contest that he won by fewer than 40 votes. The 41-year-old father of two also previously served as the mayor of Londonderry. While Mr Eastwood led the party as it consolidated its position in Westminster, the SDLP has failed to make progress at the Northern Ireland Assembly. In the last Assembly elections in 2022, the party trailed in fifth leaving it without a sufficient number of seats to be eligible for a place in the Northern Ireland Executive. Claire Hanna, the MP for South Belfast and Mid Down, is considered to be among the front runners to be the new leader. Ms Hanna currently acts as the partys deputy leader. Claire Hanna is SDLP deputy leader (Liam McBurney/PA) Mr Eastwood was returned as the MP for the Foyle constituency at the beginning of July, claiming a majority of just over 4,000 votes. At the time, he said: Im very grateful, mostly to the people of Derry, who have once again said that they want their voice to be heard in Westminster. I will gladly continue to be your voice. I will stand up for the people of our city, of our constituency. We wont be quiet. SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood at a count centre at the 2024 General Election (Niall Carson/PA) Following reports of Mr Eastwoods decision, former Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith said on social media: Really sorry to read that Colum Eastwood is stepping down from the SDLP. Whilst many differences on many issues, he is an exceptional communicator and I am certain will remain a key player in the UK and Ireland political fray. Ar aghaidh! [Forward!] SDLP councillor Seamas de Faoite said Mr Eastwood gave leadership and voice to the partys vision and values during the chaotic Brexit years. UUP leader Doug Beattie and SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood at the Ireland Funds 31st National Gala in Washington DC (Niall Carson/PA) He added: The foundation of the New Ireland Commission has helped us to chart a path towards a country free from the divisions of sectarianism, poverty and partition. Colum secured the first NI Assembly majority for Equal Marriage. He helped to bring about real progressive change in SDLP policy so we could truly be a party of Civil Rights again. He helped to bring forward more women, young people, LGBT+ and ethnic minority local leaders. Mr Eastwoods decision to step down follows shortly after the announcement that UUP leader Doug Beattie will also be leaving his post. Ukraine has unveiled a new long-range weapon, a mix of drone and missile technology that Kyiv believes will significantly boost its ability to combat Russian military attacks. Ukrainian promotional material suggested the rocket drone, called Palianytsia, will have a range of 700km, and could bring around 250 Russian military targets within range, opening a new phase of the air war. Ukraine believes this new drone technology is a necessity to combat recent Russian advances, since its allies still restrict use of long-range weapons to occupied Ukrainian territory, rather than in Russia itself. As the new rocket drone is not supplied by Ukraines allies, it would not have to comply with these restrictions. Drone technology has been hugely significant through the war. And the impact of the Kremlins ability to use drones to devastating effect has been clear in recent days, and has shown Ukraines need for a new approach. On August 26, Russia launched 109 Iranian-built Shahed drones alongside 127 missiles aimed at incapacitating Ukraines power grid. There were strikes in at least 15 Ukrainian regions, causing power cuts and water shortages across the country. At least five people were killed and 30 injured. A day later, Russia launched another wave of drones also aimed at critical infrastructure and civilian targets. Both Russia and Ukraine are using one-way attack (OWA) drones. Kamikaze drones Unlike most armed drones, which drop one or more bombs and return to their deployer for further use, a one-way attack drone (also referred to as a kamikaze drone) flies to its target and detonates on or above it, destroying the drone in the process. The long-range models used by both nations usually resemble a small aircraft with a wingspan under 10m. Satellite image of the aftermath of a Ukrainian drone attack on the Marinovka Air Base in Russia last Thursday. Ukrainian OWA drones struck a Russian airbase in Volgograd on August 22, starting a large fire and secondary explosions from munitions stored at the site. Ukraine has been using long-range drones to target Russian airbases, industrial sites, and oil infrastructure for months. Russian authorities have also been scrambling to deal with drone attacks, putting more air defence systems around Vladimir Putins private residence and erecting nets around refineries hoping to catch an incoming drone. Military forces have used drones for decades, but OWA drones are a particular and developing threat. They can use inexpensive navigation systems to strike targets hundreds of kilometres away with relative accuracy. They have smaller warheads and are usually slower than traditional missiles, but they are simpler and cheaper to manufacture in bulk. This means a weapon with extraordinary range and precision is now available to countries (and armed groups) that would have struggled previously to build and maintain a fleet of missiles. Both Ukraine and Russia started adopting OWA drones in the summer of 2022. Russias first major drone attack was in October 2022, but Ukraine had used them earlier. In June 2022, an improvised OWA drone, possibly made from a modified commercial drone bought online, struck a Russian oil refinery in Rostov, causing significant damage. Until late 2023, Russias use of drones was significantly larger than Ukraines. Russias advantage was they could import their Shahed drones from Iran and later produce them under license in their own factories. A damaged building after a drone attack on the city of Saratov, Russia, on Monday. In 2023, Russia launched thousands of drones at Ukraines civilian infrastructure, including at energy substations and grain silos. The drones, along with Russias missiles, led Kyiv to ask for air defence assistance from its allies and adopt innovative ways, such as acoustic censors, to shoot them down without running short of ammunition. Ukrainian companies were also developing their own OWA drones to strike back. Ukraine has to rely on drones it has built itself or bought from private contractors to avoid restrictions on how weapons supplied by its allies are used on Russian territory. They are often aimed at Russias defence and oil sectors. Ukraine's ambitious drone campaign At the end of 2023, Ukraine began an ambitious drone campaign aimed at striking oil facilities (an enormous source of revenue for Russia), airfields (which host aircraft and munitions used against Ukraine), and even the factories where Russia produces its drones. OWA drones are easy to make and proliferate compared to missiles, and are starting to be used widely. Even advanced military forces will face similar challenges to Russia and Ukraine, such as shooting down large numbers of drones without running out of air defence missiles. For armed forces worldwide, the advancement of OWA drones, and other drone technology, will increase the costs of air defence. They will need to invest in more kinds of counter-drone systems, while maintaining the air defences they already have to defeat traditional threats such as hostile aircraft. Defence systems that work against drones (such as lasers) may not be useful for intercepting a missile. Consequently, layered air defences will be needed to ensure any kind of threat is defeated before it reaches its target. Drones, and drone technology, have changed the rules of warfare globally, as well as in Ukraine, and will continue to do so. Armed forces around the world are already scrambling to keep up. Almost an entire rural community has lodged an objection to An Bord Pleanala over permission granted by Cork County Council for a major battery storage facility on the outskirts of Cork City. People living in Knockraha are concerned about the massive energy hub being created in their area and what they fear is the potential for explosions, fire and pollution which could come with that. The village is in the process of getting cabling and a substation building as part of the 1.6bn Celtic Interconnector, which will supply Ireland with electricity from France and will be fed in-to the national grid at the existing electricity sub station there. Cork County Council recently granted a 10-year permission for Neoen Renewables Ireland Limited to build a battery storage facility at Ballynanelagh, Knockraha. The batteries, which are the size of shipping containers, are used to store electricity derived from wind and solar farms until needed for the national grid. Appeal lodged Locals say they are extremely concerned and many have lodged an appeal to Bord Pleanala, including the local community council. Knockraha Community Association chairman Eddie Mackessy said the proposed location was quite close to the national school and a number of houses. There is also a creche nearby. Were concerned because what would happen if there was a fire there or if the batteries leaked, Mr Mackessy said. Local Fianna Fail councillor Sheila OCallaghan said at first she did not realise the size of the batteries which will, if planning proceeds, will be stored on a three hectare site. The concerns aired [by locals] have been around potential explosion and fire. The poor road infrastructure in and around the proposed site was another concern in the event of an emergency taking place there, Ms OCallaghan said. I regularly travel on the road adjoining the proposed site in Ballynanelagh as this is also the location of the Celtic Interconnector condenser currently under construction. The residents in this area have had constant destruction and construction over the past few years. The Celtic Interconnector cable had been laid along the road verge last autumn causing diversions and much disruption. "Thankfully, the road surface was reinstated but the verges were left unsuitable for walkers and vehicles to pull in to allow passing, she said. Ms OCallaghan added the proposed site for the battery storage facility was on good agricultural land with some low lying parts waterlogged at times. I think the general public are misled by the term battery storage as it conjures up the image of something the size of a car battery. As I pointed out at a Cork County Council meeting in July, each battery is the size of a shipping container," she said. Police have arrested two teenagers in connection with the shooting of an Irish chef outside his restaurant in Kansas City on Wednesday night. Shaun Brady, who was originally from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, was shot a number of times after he confronted a group of armed men who were trying to steal a car outside his Brady & Fox restaurant. His attackers then fled the scene. Mr Brady was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later. Police subsequently arrested two males in their teens less than an hour after the shooting, according to local media outlet KCTV5. A vehicle believed to have been used in the crime was also recovered. Police are now interviewing several witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage from the vicinity at the time of the shooting. The arrested juveniles remained in custody as of Thursday morning, pending further investigation. Tributes to 'a one of a kind and bigger-than-life kinda guy' A statement from Mr Brady's restaurant said: "Our hearts are broken. There are no words to express our sadness, anger and frustration. Our community is with Shaun's family forever.. We appreciate the outpouring of support, offers to help, and your love. "Together we are united. Together we will grieve. Together we will heal." Mr Brady (45) was heavily involved in Kansas Citys Irish community. A spokesperson for the Kansas City Irish Fest which was due to take place this weekend, said "Shaun was not only a large part of the Kansas City Irish Fest Family, his restaurant, Brady and Fox, was a place where many in the Irish community gathered. "It was one of Shaun's greatest gifts to bring people together with his culinary creations. Shaun was the head chef and creator of the Kansas City Irish Breakfast, a joyful tradition following our Catholic Mass the Sunday of the festival weekend." Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas wrote on social media: "Like many in our community, I am heartbroken to learn of the death of Shaun Brady. I have met him, laughed with him, heard just a bit of his and his family's story, and was inspired by the business and the community he was building in Kansas City. Shortly after his restaurant opened in 2022, Mr Brady told the Kansas City Star about why he got into cooking. He explained how he first started by watching his grandmother and being "nosy" in kitchens which belonged to friends. He had moved to Kansas City in 2013 after initially living in Chicago with his wife Kate, who he met in Ireland while she was travelling. A fellow chef paid tribute to Mr Brady on social media, writing: "I still dont know how to register this. I feel like its all a dream. Shaun you are a one of a kind and bigger-than-life kinda guy, you were always happy to help any good cause. "I am a much richer person to have known you. I promise you will never be forgotten. Love you my friend may you RIP." A jury in the US has found a Democratic former politician guilty of murder in the killing of an investigative journalist who wrote articles critical of his conduct in elected office. Robert Telles hung his head, shaking it slightly from side to side as the verdict was read on Wednesday in Clark County District Court, Nevada. Jurors deliberated for nearly 12 hours after hearing eight days of evidence in his trial, which began August 12. Robert Telles, right, listens to closing arguments during his murder trial (Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP) Telles, 47, has been jailed without bail since his arrest several days after Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German was found stabbed to death in a side yard of his home over Labour Day weekend 2022. Jurors now will hear evidence in the penalty phase of trial before deciding Telles sentence. Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty. Telles faces life in prison without parole, life with parole eligibility at 20 years, or 20 to 50 years in prison. Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said outside the courtroom that he was surprised by the length of time the jury deliberated but is confident jurors carefully considered evidence. The jury hit the ball out of the park this time, he said. They hit a home run by getting the right verdict. Telles denied killing Mr German. He alleged a broad conspiracy of people framed him for Mr Germans killing in retaliation for his effort to root out corruption he saw in his office. I am not the kind of person who would stab someone. I didnt kill Mr German, he testified. And thats my testimony. Telles wife and mother were in the court hallway and spoke with defence lawyer Robert Draskovich and co-counsel Michael Horvath after the verdict was read. They are expected to be called as character witnesses during the penalty hearing. Jeff German, investigative reporter, poses for a portrait at the Las Vegas Review-Journal (Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP) Prosecutors planned to call Mr Germans brother, Jay German, and two sisters, Jill Zwerg and Julie Smith. Jessica Coleman, a co-worker in the troubled county office who attended the trial, sobbed as she exited the courtroom after the verdict was read. Finally. Finally, she said. Finally the system is working. Mr Draskovich showed the jury an image during closing arguments on Monday of a person whose profile didnt look like Telles driving a maroon SUV that evidence showed was key to the crime. He noted that none of Mr Germans blood or DNA was found on Telles, in his vehicle or at his home. He asked jurors to ask themselves, What evidence is missing? Prosecutor Christopher Hamner told jurors that finding Telles guilty would be like connecting the dots based on overwhelming evidence they heard including DNA that matched Telles found beneath Mr Germans fingernails. Mr Hamner maintained that Mr German fought to the death with his attacker and that Telles blamed Mr German for destroying his career, ruining his reputation and threatening his marriage. Robert Telles returns to the courtroom during juror deliberations in his murder trial (Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP) Telles, an attorney who practiced civil law before he was elected in 2018, lost his primary for a second elected term after Mr Germans stories appeared in the Las Vegas Review-Journal in May and June 2022. They described turmoil and bullying at the Clark County Public Administrator/Guardian office and a romantic relationship between Telles and an employee. Mr German, 69, was a respected journalist who spent 44 years covering crime, courts and corruption in Las Vegas. About a dozen of his family members and friends watched the trial. They declined as a group to comment. Katherine Jacobsen, US, Canada and Caribbean program coordinator at the Committee to Protect Journalists, issued a statement within minutes of the verdict being read. It mourned Mr Germans death and said the verdict sends an important message that the killing of journalists will not be tolerated. It is vital that the murder of journalists should be taken seriously and perpetrators held accountable, Ms Jacobsen said. Mr German was the only journalist killed in the US in 2022, according to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists. The non-profit has records of 17 media workers killed in the US since 1992. The Israeli military said its soldiers killed five more militants in a large-scale operation in the occupied West Bank early on Thursday, including a well-known local commander. There was no immediate Palestinian confirmation of the death of Mohammed Jaber, known as Abu Shujaa, a commander in the Islamic Jihad militant group in the Nur Shams refugee camp on the outskirts of the city of Tulkarem. He became a hero for many Palestinians earlier this year when he was reported killed in an Israeli operation, only to make a surprise appearance at the funeral of other militants, where he was hoisted onto the shoulders of a cheering crowd. The military said he was killed along with four other militants in a shootout with Israeli forces early on Thursday after the five had hidden inside a mosque. A youth rides his bicycle past an Israeli armoured vehicle in Jenin (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) It said Mr Shujaa was linked to numerous attacks on Israelis, including a deadly shooting in June, and was planning more. The military said another militant was arrested in the operation in Tulkarem, and that a member of Israels paramilitary Border Police was lightly wounded. Israel has launched a large-scale operation in the West Bank. Hamas said 10 of its fighters were killed in different locations, and the Palestinian health ministry reported an 11th casualty, without saying whether he was a fighter or a civilian. Violence has surged in the West Bank since the Hamas October 7 attack out of Gaza ignited the war there. Nur Shams is among several, built-up, refugee camps across the Middle East that date back to the 1948 war surrounding Israels creation, in which about 700,000 Palestinians fled or were driven out of what is now Israel. Many of the camps are militant strongholds. Israel captured the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war, and the Palestinians want all three territories for their future state. The three million Palestinians in the West Bank live under seemingly open-ended Israeli military rule, with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority administering towns and cities. More than 500,000 Jewish settlers, who have Israeli citizenship, live in about 100 settlements across the territory that most of the international community considers illegal. Three Christian extremists would probably not have fatally shot two police officers and a bystander in an ambush on a rural Australian property and wounded a third officer two years ago if they had not shared the same psychiatric disorder, a coroner was told on Thursday. Brothers Gareth and Nathaniel Train and Gareths wife, Stacey Train, were killed by police reinforcements with armoured vehicles, ending a six-hour siege on December 12 2022, in the sparsely populated Wieambilla region west of the Queensland state capital, Brisbane. State Coroner Terry Ryan on Thursday ended his 17-day inquiry into the cause of the violence that claimed six lives. He will release the findings of his investigation and make recommendations aimed at preventing a repeat of the tragedy at a later date. Police called in armoured vehicles to end the siege at the Trains property (Department of Justice and Attorney-General via AP, File) The lawyer leading evidence in the inquiry, Ruth OGorman, told Mr Ryan in her final submissions that the Trains believed the End Times were imminent. The court has heard that the Trains followed the Christian fundamentalist belief system known as pre-millennialism that focused on an apocalypse before Jesus Christs return to Earth. Their religious extremism was a key driver for their actions and the Trains were likely suffering from a shared delusional disorder which pre-existed those religious convictions, Ms OGorman said. Their shared delusion involved a belief that they were being persecuted by authorities, particularly police, she said. This image of Gareth Train was recorded by a police body camera during the siege (Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General via AP, File) The Trains likely developed their religious extremist views and beliefs in a way to make sense of, and even seek hope in, a world in which they truly and wrongly believed they were being persecuted and it is unlikely that their religious extremism would have developed without the underlying shared delusional disorder, Ms OGorman said. It is unlikely that the events of December 12 2022, would have occurred in the absence of their shared delusional disorder, she added. Forensic psychiatrist Andrew Aboud earlier told the inquest that had the Trains survived the siege, they might have been found mentally unfit to stand trial on any criminal charge. Four police officers had gone to the Trains house to arrest Nathaniel Train on a warrant relating to firearm offences. The brothers opened fire with bolt-action rifles from hidden sniper positions on their wooded property. Police officer Matthew Arnold was killed by a single shot to the chest from Nathaniel Trains rifle. Officer Rachel McCrow was later shot three times before Gareth Train fired the fatal shot to her head at close range. Both brothers could have fired the first three shots, Gormon said. Officer Randal Kirk was wounded as he fled and the fourth officer, Keely Brough, hid in woods on the property until reinforcements arrived. Neighbour Alan Dare was fatally shot through the chest by one of the brothers as Mr Dare came to investigate the sounds of gunfire and the smell of smoke from a burning police car. Stacey Train, who had been married to Nathaniel and had two children with him before marrying the older brother, did not start firing until the police armoured vehicles arrived. Families of the victims provided heartbreaking statements to the coroner on Thursday which said the tragedy should have been avoided for a range of reasons. Ms McCrows family said she had repeatedly told them in her body camera and audio recorder I love you in the eight minutes she survived after she was first wounded. The family said authorities did not tell them of her last words until three months after her death. Rachel, we want you to know we love you so much too, their statement said. She would have turned 31 on Friday. Arnold was one of triplets. He died at age 26. The triplets birthday, or any family event will never be the same again, his family said. Yemens Houthi rebels have released footage showing that they boarded and intentionally set explosives aboard a Greek-flagged tanker that had been abandoned after they repeatedly attacked it. The incident put the Red Sea at risk of a major oil spill. Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Mongolia next week, the Kremlin said, despite the country being a member of the International Criminal Court which last year issued a warrant for his arrest. The visit, scheduled for September 3, will be Putins first trip to an ICC member state since the warrant was issued in March 2023 over suspected war crimes in Ukraine. Under the courts founding treaty, the Rome Statute, ICC members are bound to detain suspects for whom an arrest warrant has been issued by the court, if they set foot on their soil. Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Astrakhan region governor Igor Babushkin during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia (Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) But the court does not have any enforcement mechanism. In a famous case, then Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir was not arrested in 2015 when he visited South Africa, which is a member of the court, sparking angry condemnation by rights activists and the countrys main opposition party. The Kremlin, which had previously stressed that it does not recognise the jurisdiction of the ICC, did not comment on the prospects of Putin being arrested in Mongolia. According to the Kremlins online statement, Putin will travel to Mongolia upon the invitation of President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh to participate in the ceremonial events dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the joint victory of the Soviet and Mongolian armed forces over the Japanese militarists on the Khalkhin Gol River. Putin will also hold talks with Mr Khurelsukh and other top Mongolian officials, the statement read. The ICC has accused Putin of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine, where Moscow has fought a devastating war for the last two and a half years. It was the first time the global court has issued a warrant against a leader of one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. The ICC said in a statement that Putin is allegedly responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of (children) and that of unlawful transfer of (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation. The Kremlin has dismissed the warrant as null and void. Putin has not travelled to ICC member states ever since. He skipped a summit of the Brics bloc of developing economies last year in South Africa. South Africa lobbied Moscow for months for Putin not to attend to avoid the diplomatic fallout since the country is an ICC member, and ultimately announced the countries had reached a mutual agreement that Putin not attend a meeting he is normally a fixture at. The Kremlin said that Putin had decided not to attend in person. He instead took part in the summit in Johannesburg by video link, during which he launched a tirade against the West. Last year, the Kremlin also bristled at old ally Armenia over its decision to join the ICC, adding to the growing tensions between Moscow and Yerevan. Armenian officials, however, quickly sought to assure Russia that Putin would not be arrested if he entered the country. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced a three billion dollar deal to buy 12 French warplanes, in a move that shifts his country away from its dependence on Russian arms. The announcement about the Rafale multi-purpose fighter jets was made during a joint news conference in Belgrade with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was on a two-day visit to Serbia. Mr Macron called it a historic and important deal and praised Serbias strategic courage. Its a true demonstration of European spirit. French President Emmanuel Macron, left, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stand during a welcoming ceremony in Belgrade, Serbia (Darko Vojinovic/AP) An official in Mr Macrons office, who was not authorised to be identified according to French presidential policy, said the warplane deal was part of larger strategy of bringing Serbia closer to the EU. Serbia needs to upgrade its fleet and the Rafale is a strategic choice for Belgrade, which could choose to rely only on Russian equipment instead, the official said. Serbia had been considering the purchase of the new Rafale jets for more than two years, since neighbouring Balkan rival Croatia purchased 12 used fighter jets of the same type for about one billion euros (841.1 million). The acquisition allows Serbia to modernise its air force, which consists mainly of Soviet-made MiG-29 fighters and aging Yugoslav combat aircraft. Russia has been a traditional supplier of military aircraft, including combat helicopters, to Serbia, which has refused to join international sanctions against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. Selling Rafales to Russian ally Serbia, which has occasionally expressed an aggressive stance toward its Balkan neighbours, has raised some concerns, one of which is how France plans to prevent sophisticated Rafale technology from being shared with Russia. French Dassault Rafale fighter jets fly after a signing ceremony between French President Emmanuel Macron and Croatias Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic (Darko Vojinovic/AP) Asked if there would be a clause restricting the use of the Rafales, the French official said in any contract there are clauses that set a framework for the use of such material. Serbia is formally seeking European Union membership, but under Mr Vucics increasingly autocratic rule it has made little progress in the fields of rule of law and democratic reforms, which are the main preconditions for membership in the 27-nation bloc. 1371138342::cfb49c8e-2422-11e5-99a3-d7f5c6e8b241 A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. By Kambaiz Rafi, Durham University | (The Conversation) Until the collapse of Afghanistans US-backed government in August 2021, few knew clearly what the Taliban wanted once they had returned to power. Some western officials and observers hoped for a big change from the regime, which had governed the Talibans Islamic Emirate in the 1990s. This time, they hoped, a more sophisticated and pragmatic vision might have replaced the Talibans previously extremist approach. Some also argued that the rest of the world had a moral responsibility to approach Afghanistans new rulers with cautious optimism. Engagement should be the key. Anything else risked condemning the country and its population to isolation and economic hardship. Others werent convinced. During the negotiations that led to the February 2020 Doha agreement, the Talibans position on post-settlement Afghanistans politics remained ambiguous. The group continued this vague posture during the subsequent intra-Afghan dialogues with the former Afghan government. Then, appearing in a press conference three days after Taliban forces took control of Kabul, its spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, appeared to give reassurances the new regime would respect womens rights within the norms of Islamic law. In the ensuing three years, the Talibans fundamentalist regime has continued to suffer from weak legitimacy, despite taking pains initially to cultivate a conciliatory image compared to its harsh rule in the 1990s. However, what had appeared to some be Taliban 2.0 has increasingly looked like the old, harsh and fundamentalist Taliban as the regime has grown more confident in its hold on power. Since 2021, Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of Afghanistans Islamic Emirate, has gradually issued more than 50 decrees that affect most areas of society. Many hard-won achievements under the former republic, such as freedom of expression and the press, have been suppressed. The regime has forced into disappearance, imprisoned or murdered many former government members, despite announcing a general amnesty. Burqa, Digital, Midjourney / Clip2Comic, 2024 In their treatment of women, including forbidding education after the age of 12, restrictions have become so harsh that the resulting subjugation has been labelled gender apartheid by many journalists, academics and activists. Many female students have had to flee the country. Most recently a group of women medical students made the news after they were granted scholarships to go to UK to complete their studies. The regime has also revived public executions and flogging reminiscent of their 1990s practices. An edict issued in March 2024 stated the regime will also resume public stoning. The regime has now introduced a series of new vice and virtue laws, to be enforced by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (PVPV). Until now, government has been mainly by decrees from the Taliban leadership. But these, while giving an indication of the regimes increasingly extremist and authoritarian nature, have not been accompanied with details of how they should be enforced. This uncertainty could, at times, allow local authorities a degree of leeway, including the ability in some cases to ignore decrees when it suits. But the recent law chnage removes these ambiguities, empowers the Talibans morality police and is enforceable on everyone residing in Afghanistan. Blueprint for oppression The new laws are particularly harsh on women. They enforce the wearing of the hijab and stipulate this garment must be made of thick enough material to fully cover a womans face and body and avoid offering temptation to men. Womens voices are also deemed to be a source of temptation, so women are now not allowed to speak outside the family home. If a woman can be heard singing, even from within her own home, this is considered a violation of the law and can be punished. Women are even forbidden from looking directly at a man who is not their husband or blood relative. Enforcement can be undertaken by anyone in society who is capable. Reports by two trustworthy individuals is enough to bring a prosecution. This is a worrying prospect, as it could lead to arbitrary accusations based on personal or political vendettas. Officially enforcement will be carried out by the ministrys appointees, the morality police or mohtaseb. Fairness and kindness are stipulated as guiding principles for how the new rules should be enforced, although these terms are not defined and the law is replete with subjective terminologies open to interpretation by those enforcing them. New media laws introduced as part of the package prohibit un-Islamic content and empower the morality police to compel media officials to prevent the publication of content deemed contrary to Sharia and images of living beings. This last measure will effectively throw into doubt the future of TV broadcasting in Afghanistan. The laws also forbid music in public and un-Islamic hairstyles. Men must grow beards at least as long as a fist. As a worrying sign for continued humanitarian engagement involving non-Muslim foreign workers, the law prohibits befriending, helping or imitating nonbelievers. Violations will be met with on the spot fines issued by the mohtaseb or imprisonment for one-to-three days and prosecution in the regimes courts for repeat offenders. The morality police also has the power to compel attendance at the mosque, with prosecution for those who do not obey, regardless of whether they pray at home. As recently as June, Taliban representatives attended UN-sponsored talks in Doha at which spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid called for funds frozen by the west to be released and for the relaxation of sanctions on the regime. He dismissed western concerns over the regimes treatment of women as cultural differences. But these new laws have effectively removed any remaining differences between the current regime and its 1990s predecessor, a fundamentalist pariah that turned Afghanistan into an isolated outcast. Kambaiz Rafi, Teaching Fellow in the School of Government and International Affairs, Durham University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. ( Russia in Global Affairs ) Modern Israel attracts much attention from analysts and the public but our ability to understand it is hindered by ideology, prejudice, and myth. Many tread carefully when discussing Israel lest they be accused of antisemitism. In an earlier article, I explained what distinguishes anti-Zionism from antisemitism. However, the fundamental difficulty lies in the habitual association of the state in Western Asia with the Jews. Should we view those who inhabit and govern Israel as Jews or have they become something else namely, Israelis? The nature versus nurture debate over the relative influence of inherited traits versus environmental conditions on humans is older than many realize. It can be traced through different stages of the biblical narrative. Angry at the Israelites worship of the golden calf, God was ready to destroy them all and start anew with Moses. Nature was to blame, as God despaired that these stiff-necked people could be re-educated. In another biblical story, however, the Israelites were sent to wander in the wilderness for forty years to be reformatted before being allowed to enter the Land of Canaan. In this case, the emphasis was on nurture over nature, with the hope that the experience of benefiting from boundless generositysuch as the manna and the protective clouds of glorywould change them. This may have been the first known attempt at social engineering, even though the success was only variable. The contemporary history of the Jews presents a more daring case of such re-education. For centuries, Jewish ideals have stressed mercy, modesty, and beneficence. The abhorrence of violence is so ingrained that in many Jewish communities, knives, which could be tools of murder, must be removed from the table before reciting the grace after a meal. Blessing and violence are deemed incompatible. After centuries of being educated to strive for moral perfection, some Jews initially a tiny minority adopted a unusual role as colonial settlersa role historically associated with European Christian civilization. Mostly atheists and agnostics, Zionist pioneers in Palestine concluded that God does not exist, but He promised us this land. They conveniently instrumentalized biblical commandments, such as You shall clear out the Land and settle in it, for I have given you the Land to occupy it. The settlers embraced a literal and materialistic reading of the Bible abandoning the interpretative tradition developed in rabbinic Judaism. Jewish tradition reads the biblical verses that mention violence allegorically: the sword and the bow used by Jacob the Patriarch against his enemies become symbols of obedience to divine commandments and good deeds. Tradition locates Jewish heroism in the house of study, not on the battlefield. But Zionists rejected this tradition as that of exilic weaklings. Photo by Emad El Byed on Unsplash. Nuseirat Camp, Gaza. Naturally, like in other locations such as India, America, or Algeria, most inhabitants of PalestineJews, Christians, and Muslims alikeresented the Zionists who began colonizing Palestine in the late 19th century. Resistance emerged, and generations of Israelis grew up fighting against it. Palestinians came to be perceived as a constant source of danger. Educated in the spirit of military courage, moral superiority, and self-righteousness, the Israeli came to disdain and replace the Jew. The murder of Jacob De Haan, a Jewish anti-Zionist lawyer, by members of a Zionist militia in 1924 marked not only the onset of organized political terrorism in Palestine but also the affirmation of a new national identity. Ideals of martial valour were not only inculcated through the educational system but, more powerfully, were induced by the predicament of all colonial settlements: suppressing resistance from the colonized. Generation after generation of Israelis have participated in the violent pacification of the natives, forcing them to submit to discrimination, dispossession, and ethnic cleansing. The daily news of brutalities perpetrated by the Israeli military in Gaza underscores the success of the Zionist transformation of the Jew. The massive support that these acts receive from Israeli society at large strongly confirms this. The recent debate in the Israeli parliament when some Knesset members asserted the legitimacy of gang raping Palestinian detainees by Israeli soldiers reveals profound dehumanizationthat is, the denial of full humanity in others, along with the cruelty and suffering that accompany it. But this also threatens the humanity of the soldier. To mitigate this, the soldier must keep a distance from his victim. This is achieved through the industrialization of murder, which began with gas chambers and carpet bombing and continued with targeted assassinations by missiles and kamikaze drones. World-renowned Israeli scientists and engineers, assisted by major American corporations, have made a qualitative advance in streamlining remote violence. In Gaza, artificial intelligence (AI) now determines targets and to destroys them. This points to an abdication not only of their ancestors moral values but of humanity altogether. The Israelis war on Gaza confirms a triumph of nurture over nature, all the while demonstrating that technological progress does not equate to progress in humanity. In fact, it normalizes amorality, which most Western governments accept because, in their view, it is Jews who commit these atrocities, whether qualified as mass murder, ethnic cleansing, or genocide. Few realize that a century of living by the sword has transformed the Jew into a ruthless Israeli. Thus, one can better understand Israel as a state and a society when it is no longer regarded as the Jewish state, a nebulous concept that only blurs our vision and obscures reality. Only then can the world judge Israel on merit like any other state. Reprinted from Russia in Global Affairs with the authors permission. Auburn, Al. (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) Author Zeke Hernandezs new book is The Truth About Immigration: Why Successful Societies Welcome Newcomers (New York: St. Martins Press, 2024: $30.00). The author, an immigrant born in Uruguay, lived in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Argentina, before coming to the US. Hernandez received his B.A. and M.A. at Brigham Young University and was given a $25,000 annual stipend that allowed him to receive his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. Presently, Hernandez occupies the Max & Bernice Garchik Family Presidential Associate Chair in Whartons management department at the University of Pennsylvania, which he has held since 2013. Immigrants today represent an intellectual, economic, and societal, challenge world-wide. Hernandez argues that immigrants bring a ton of investment. They are either magnets of investment from their home country or because immigrants disproportionately start businesses in the US. J. Daniel Kim, assistant professor of management at the Wharton School found that immigrants are 80% more likely to start firms than native-born individuals. This pattern does not affect the size of the business. Also, firms founded by immigrants create jobs at a higher rate than ones founded by natives. Hernandez notes that immigrants are job creators and play outsized roles in US high growth entrepreneurship. The Society for Human Resource Management discovered that 101 of the years Fortune 500 companies were established by first generation immigrants. Hernandez remarks that the triangle of immigration, investment, and jobs is one of the greatest untold stories of immigration. In Chapter Eight, Hernandez argues that immigrants, especially undocumented immigrations, commit fewer crimes than natives. A recent study by Northwestern University states that immigrants are less likely to be incarcerated for a crime than natives born in the US. Between 2006 and 2015, the incarceration rate for undocumented immigrants in all fifty state was 33% lower than for natives. Moreover, legal immigrants were 61% less likely to be imprisoned than natives. Why so? Immigrants living in the US do not want to do something that would kick them out of the US. Relative to undocumented immigrants, natives or US born citizens are over two times more likely to be arrested for violent crimes, 2.5 percent more likely to be arrested for drug crimes, and over four time more likely to be arrested for property crimes. Between 1870 and 2020, immigrants in the US have never had a higher rate of imprisonment than natives. In December 2018, statistics show that the total number of Americans killed in mass shootings in 2018 is 194. Yet the total number of Americans killed by illegal immigrants in 2023 is 29 * Fear of newcomers helped pass The National Origins Act of 1924, thus creating a discriminatory and xenophobic immigration system that lasted until the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. In 1965, the fertility rate was 3.23 and the population of the US came to circa 195 million people. Today, the population of the US comes to circa 330 million people and the fertility rate comes to 1.78. Also, the total population world-wide in 1965 amounted to a population of 3.3 billion and today it has eight billion people. Since 1990, every failed reform has been a continuation of the dismantling process that commenced in 1965. Surprisingly, the US never designed an immigration system that based itself on the notion that immigration should flow because its good for the US and its allies. At its current rate, immigration levels are insufficient in maintaining its present size. For example, the GDP has skyrocketed from $9 trillion in 1965 to todays $28 trillion. The Wharton Budget Model estimates that doubling the number of legal immigrants would bring more employment and double the GDP once more. Zeke Hernandez, The Truth About Immigration: Why Successful Societies Welcome Newcomers (New York: St. Martins, 2024). Click here to Buy. Presently, businesses in the US look seriously to find workers of all skill levels. In a report by the US Chamber of Commerce in February 2004, stated that for every unemployed person in the country who found a job, we would still have 2.4 million open jobs. Small and medium sized companies hire undocumented companies, not large corporations like Apple. These business owners break the law because they lack the resources needed to navigate the immigrant system. These owners have it difficult to figure out a workers legal status because programs like E-Verify are unreliable since our government does not keep reliable records. What makes people move to another country? Less than a quarter of people who paid to move to another country did so. It comes down to a lack of safety. People experiencing conflict in Central America, for example, are more likely to move to another country if they experience temporary economic setbacks. And people migrate because they know someone else who previously migrated. Hernandez gives four principles that form the basis for a manageable immigration system.1) Todays system has intentional distortions, false intuitions, bad models, and enormous fear. Immigration ought to be framed in an economically and socially positive way. We need to have a Department of Immigration along with a Department of Commerce, Labor, and Agriculture. 2) We need to increase the so-called Speed Limits on our Immigration Roads. The flow of content must match the economic needs of businesses, the social needs of families, and the humanitarian conditions in our geopolitical neighborhoods. 3) We must undo the compromise of 1965 so that new lanes reflect economic needs without redesigning the number of family lanes. We ought to remove quotas by origin and the 7% per country limits that makes no sense at all. The US should move toward a skill-based system giving points for education, a job level, wage level, STEM skills, language proficiency and artistic ability. Skill does not automatically mean formal credentials, since some people without degrees bring skills in technical, artistic, and other domains. Unskilled immigrants often make native workers more productive. We must have faith in human potential since we do not always know what an individual brings to the table. 4) The system needs to be updated continually so that it is flexible. Congress should not make decisions about immigration because they fear losing the next election. Instead, we may need congressional leadership to determine the types of visas we give out, but the number need not be decided by an act of the legislature. For example, in October 2022, the Department of Homeland Security allowed an additional 65,000 H-2B visas for fiscal 2023 to meet the needs of US businesses. That involved a virtual doubling of the 66,000 limits. This decision was made in consultation with the Department of Labor in response to an unprecedented number of unfilled job openings. This decision would not have passed if it had to go through Congress. Hernandez has marinated this book in his mind for about twenty years, and it shows. His data consists of 449 books and articles. China, Japan, and Israel have something in common: a need for more immigrants. China going back to the One Child Policy for families goes back to 1979. Presently, China has millions of seniors with very few young workers. Due to decades of falling birth rates and steeply rising life expectancy on the part of its seniors, Chinas seniors will make up 32% of its economy in 2040. Japan has zero immigration and 28% of its population is 65 or older. About 46,000 Israeli businesses have shut down because the war began. There has been a 26% fall in construction investments because there are no Palestinian laborers. The labor shortage drags down the Israeli economy. In sum, I cannot recommend this book too highly. As the Latin phrase says Optime exsecutum, or Carried out exceedingly well. *A previous version of this essay contained a typographical error that misstated this statistic. The author and IC apologize for the error. HIGH GRADES AND MINERALIZED THICKNESSES IN DEVELOPMENT AND DIAMOND DRILL HOLES ON H-LENS DIAMOND DRILLING - H LENS 8.95 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 14.29m in hole FH425LM07 5.44 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 18.23m in hole FH425LM09 5.17 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 17.96m in hole FH425LM12 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Jaguar Mining Inc. ("Jaguar" or the "Company") (TSX:JAG) (OTCQX:JAGGF) is pleased to provide an update on mine development and drilling at its Faina deposit ("Faina"). Faina is a north-western extension of the ore zones at the Turmalina mine, as part of the Company's MTL mining complex located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, approximately 130 kilometers northwest of the city of Belo Horizonte. During the second quarter (see press release dated August 7, 2024), Turmalina achieved a milestone with the first tonnage from the Faina deposit being milled. Faina ore generated by access development was processed at the Turmalina plant which produced 414 gold ounces. Continuing development and first stope production from the Faina deposit are expected in the second half of 2024. Probable Mineral Reserves at Faina (as at December 2023) are reported as 132 koz (787 kt @ 5.22 g/t Au) within Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources of 233 koz (1,427 kt @ 5.08 g/t Au) and Inferred Mineral Resources of 232 koz (1,420 kt @ 5.09 g/t Au) (see Press Release dated December 18, 2023). Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources at Faina will be updated with 2024 metrics in the first quarter of 2025. Since development of Faina commenced in 2022, approximately 4,439m of primary access development from the Turmalina mine to the Faina deposit has been achieved, with approximately 1,158m of development completed since the start of 2024, including approximately 155m of secondary productive development. To date, the Company has invested approximately US$16 million in capital at Faina which has mainly been spent on infill diamond drilling, metallurgical test work, access development and studies. Vern Baker, President, and CEO of Jaguar Mining stated: "Progress at Faina on ramps and orebody access is advancing better than expected. We are also pushing definition diamond drilling as development opens up positions for diamond drilling. Currently, we have two drills working at Faina to define the ore zones that we will utilize for preliminary production in 2024 and for planned production levels in 2025. High grade mineralization intersected in recent development and drilling over good thicknesses continues to underpin our high confidence in this orebody. Our development rates continue to be slightly above plan, and we expect to see some stope production over the next several months. Our plan is focused on providing the sub-level accesses to grow production rapidly in 2025. The team at Faina is in the process of redefining the geological model with a focus on expanding the Mineral Resources inventory and conversion of Inferred Mineral Resources to higher-classification categories. We expect 2025 to be a year of strong growth at Faina while we position these orebodies to produce at +300,000 tonnes per year from 2026 onwards while also increasing our inventory of resources within those orebodies." Figure 1. Location of the MTL mining complex, Turmalina mine including the Faina deposit, relative to Jaguar's other operational areas in Minas Gerais, Brazil Figure 2. Location of the Faina deposit as the north-western extension of zones at the Turmalina mine, within Jaguars MTL mining complex Figure 3. Long Section showing the location of access development from existing zones of the Turmalina mine to the northwest and the Faina deposit Faina Mineralization Gold mineralization is hosted within a series of six separate structurally and stratigraphically controlled mineralized lenses defined as lens E (undifferentiated chemical sediments), and lens F to lens J (meta-mafic rocks). Recent development and diamond drilling has focused on the H-Lens where high grade mineralization over true thicknesses > 10m have been intersected. This infill drilling and access development is enabling the geological team at Faina to refine the geological and structural model which is already informing the detailed designs for planned stope and production areas in the second half of 2024 and into 2025. Faina Diamond Drilling and Channel Sampling Results Resource definition diamond drilling has reported high grade intercepts with grade x thickness (GT) values greater than 25 (GT) on H-Lens (Central) which are tabulated below in Table 1. A plan view showing the location of the diamond drill impact results is presented below in Figure 4. Table 1. Significant diamond drilling impacts with grade x thickness (GT) > 25 Figure 4A. Plan view showing the location of access development from Turmalina mine to Faina and recent diamond drilling and channel sampling intersections on H-Lens Figure 4B. Plan view showing the location of access development to Faina and recent diamond drilling and channel sampling intersections on H-Lens Figure 4C. Section view showing the location of recent diamond drilling intersections on H-Lens (Central) Faina Lens H Development Channel Sample Results Positive channel sampling results have been intersected in access development on Lens H. An example of channel sample results and geology over a 25m strike length in Lens H is presented below in Figure 5. The individual sample results and composites are presented and tabulated in Appendix 1, Table 3. Figure 5. Faina development gallery (Lens H - central), showing the channels with individual sample gold assay results Qualified Person Scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Jonathan Victor Hill, BSc (Hons) (Economic Geology - UCT), FAUSIMM, Advisor Exploration and Geology to Jaguar Mining Inc., and is a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The Iron Quadrangle The Iron Quadrangle has been an area of mineral exploration dating back to the 16th century. The discovery in 1699-1701 of gold contaminated with iron and platinum-group metals in the southeastern corner of the Iron Quadrangle gave rise to the name of the town Ouro Preto (Black Gold). The Iron Quadrangle contains world-class multi-million-ounce gold deposits such as Morro Velho, Cuiaba, and Sao Bento. About Jaguar Mining Inc. Jaguar Mining Inc. is a Canadian-listed junior gold mining, development, and exploration company operating in Brazil with three gold mining complexes and a large land package with significant upside exploration potential from mineral claims. The Company's principal operating assets are located in the Iron Quadrangle, a prolific greenstone belt in the state of Minas Gerais and include the MTL Mining Complex (Turmalina Mine and Plant) and Caete Mining Complex (Pilar and Roca Grande Mines, and Caete Plant). The Company also owns the Paciencia Mining Complex, which has been on care and maintenance since 2012. The Roca Grande Mine has been on temporary care and maintenance since April 2019. Additional information is available on the Company's website at www.jaguarmining.com. For further information please contact: Vernon Baker Chief Executive Officer Jaguar Mining Inc. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 416-847-1854 Alfred Colas Chief Financial Officer Jaguar Mining Inc. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 416-847-1854 Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. All of the forward-looking information made in this news release is qualified by the cautionary statements below and those made in our other filings with the securities regulators in Canada. Forward-looking information contained in forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "are expected," "is forecast," "is targeted," "approximately," "plans," "anticipates," "projects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "believe" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might," or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, may be considered to be or include forward-looking information. This news release contains forward-looking information regarding, among other things, the duration of the temporary suspension of the Company's 2023 production guidance in ounces and costs, the expected future release of new guidance for 2023, the anticipated impact of planned changes in mining systems and cost cutting initiatives on the Company's future performance and production results, information related to expected sales, production statistics, ore grades, tonnes milled, recovery rates, cash operating costs, definition/delineation drilling, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of projects and new deposits, success of exploration, development and mining activities, currency fluctuations, capital requirements, project studies, mine life extensions, restarting suspended or disrupted operations, continuous improvement initiatives, and resolution of pending litigation. The Company has made numerous assumptions with respect to forward-looking information contained herein, including, among other things, assumptions about the estimated timeline for the development of its mineral properties; the supply and demand for, and the level and volatility of the price of, gold; the accuracy of reserve and resource estimates and the assumptions on which the reserve and resource estimates are based; the receipt of necessary permits; market competition; ongoing relations with employees and impacted communities; political and legal developments in any jurisdiction in which the Company operates being consistent with its current expectations including, without limitation, the impact of any potential power rationing, tailings facility regulation, exploration and mine operating licenses and permits being obtained and renewed and/or there being adverse amendments to mining or other laws in Brazil and any changes to general business and economic conditions. Forward-looking information involves a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including among others: the risk of Jaguar not meeting the forecast plans regarding its operations and financial performance; uncertainties with respect to the price of gold, labour disruptions, mechanical failures, increase in costs, environmental compliance and change in environmental legislation and regulation, weather delays and increased costs or production delays due to natural disasters, power disruptions, procurement and delivery of parts and supplies to the operations; uncertainties inherent to capital markets in general (including the sometimes volatile valuation of securities and an uncertain ability to raise new capital) and other risks inherent to the gold exploration, development and production industry, which, if incorrect, may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described herein. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of gold exploration, development, mining and production, including environmental hazards, tailings dam failures, industrial accidents and workplace safety problems, unusual or unexpected geological formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding, chemical spills, procurement fraud and gold bullion thefts and losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or the inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks). Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. For additional information with respect to these and other factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking information made in this news release, see the Company's most recent Annual Information Form and Management's Discussion and Analysis, as well as other public disclosure documents that can be accessed under the issuer profile of "Jaguar Mining Inc." on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking information set forth herein reflects the Company's reasonable expectations as at the date of this news release and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. APPENDIX 1 Table 2. Faina Diamond Drilling Results Summary of Significant Intersections, Drilling Program Jaguar Mining Inc. - Turmalina Mine-Faina Hole ID From (m) To (m) DownHole Interval (m) Estimated True Width (m) Gold Grade (g/t Au) GT (ETW) Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Orebody Laboratory (RG or ALS) Drilling Company FAI0025 20.26 22.15 1.89 0.75 2.53 1.89 April 8, 2024 Faina G RG JAGUAR FAI0025 58.15 61.47 3.32 1.03 0.68 0.70 Faina F FAI0025 95.06 95.90 0.84 no lens 0.55 no lens Faina E FAI0026 51.54 52.94 1.40 0.59 1.47 no lens April 9, 2024 Faina G RG JAGUAR FAI0026 98.47 103.29 4.82 no lens 0.59 no lens Faina FAI0026 109.24 110.77 1.53 0.97 1.37 1.32 Faina F FAI0027 30.80 35.78 4.98 no lens 1.08 no lens April 25, 2024 Faina RG JAGUAR FAI0027 42.40 43.51 1.11 1.10 2.58 2.84 Faina H Central FAI0027 59.35 60.43 1.08 no lens 0.66 no lens Faina FAI0027 65.95 67.04 1.09 0.88 8.48 7.46 Faina J FAI0028 92.11 93.02 0.91 0.68 4.15 2.82 April 30, 2024 Faina H Central RG JAGUAR FAI0028 119.90 125.92 6.02 4.47 2.64 11.79 Faina J FAI0028 129.83 132.94 3.11 no lens 1.69 no lens Faina FAI0028 137.87 138.60 0.73 no lens 5.01 no lens Faina FAI0029 58.06 62.78 4.72 4.34 7.38 32.02 May 3, 2024 Faina H Central RG JAGUAR FAI0029 65.55 72.82 7.27 5.56 3.10 17.25 Faina J FAI0030 17.90 18.90 1.00 no lens 1.21 no lens May 6, 2024 Faina RG JAGUAR FAI0030 96.40 98.60 2.20 no lens 6.09 no lens Faina HNW FAI0030 101.70 102.46 0.76 no lens 3.32 no lens Faina FAI0030 126.40 130.35 3.95 2.86 10.86 31.05 Faina H Central FAI0030 135.40 136.10 0.70 no lens 3.83 no lens Faina J FAI0031 77.17 81.07 3.90 3.07 3.24 9.94 May 13, 2024 Faina H Central RG JAGUAR FAI0031 83.25 90.02 6.77 3.99 1.82 7.26 Faina J FAI0031 101.40 102.40 1.00 no lens 3.97 no lens Faina FAI0033 NO IMPACT May 11, 2024 Faina RG JAGUAR FAI0034 NO IMPACT May 11, 2024 Faina RG JAGUAR FAI0035 0.00 0.78 0.78 0.76 3.49 2.65 May 11, 2024 Faina I RG JAGUAR FAI0035 7.32 8.10 0.78 no lens 1.42 no lens Faina FAI0036 12.15 13.08 0.93 no lens 3.52 no lens May 11, 2024 Faina RG JAGUAR FAI0037 0.82 1.74 0.92 0.74 2.72 2.01 May 10, 2024 Faina I RG JAGUAR FAI0038 0.00 3.85 3.85 3.11 2.88 8.97 May 10, 2024 Faina I RG JAGUAR FAI0039 2.03 2.85 0.82 no lens 3.44 no lens May 17, 2024 Faina RG JAGUAR FAI0040 NO IMPACT May 16, 2024 Faina RG JAGUAR FAI0041 2.25 3.32 1.07 0.84 3.97 3.33 May 16, 2024 Faina RG JAGUAR FAI0043 8.03 8.86 0.83 no lens 1.31 no lens May 21, 2024 Faina I RG JAGUAR FAI0043 40.12 41.22 1.10 no lens 2.72 no lens Faina FAI0043 58.93 60.00 1.07 no lens 2.72 no lens Faina FAI0043 105.87 111.23 5.36 no lens 3.83 no lens Faina FAI0044 6.95 7.75 0.80 no lens 3.83 no lens June 12, 2024 Faina RG JAGUAR FAI0044 152.26 153.03 0.77 no lens 1.36 no lens Faina I FAI0045 NO IMPACT June 18, 2024 Faina RG JAGUAR FAI0060 1.52 4.50 2.98 2.19 8.21 17.98 August 19, 2024 Faina H Central RG JAGUAR FAI0060 2.46 4.50 2.04 1.59 11.12 17.69 August 19, 2024 Faina H Central RG JAGUAR FAI0060 9.88 10.69 0.81 0.52 1.29 0.67 August 19, 2024 Faina RG JAGUAR FAI0060 36.34 44.63 8.29 6.45 5.31 34.27 August 19, 2024 Faina J RG JAGUAR FAI0060 37.10 40.20 3.10 2.33 9.29 21.64 August 19, 2024 Faina J RG JAGUAR FAI0060 47.82 64.55 16.73 13.52 2.09 28.25 August 19, 2024 Faina J RG JAGUAR FH425LM01 13.03 17.45 4.42 3.99 7.61 30.37 June 4, 2024 Faina H Central RG JAGUAR FH425LM02 6.17 6.87 0.70 no lens 3.29 no lens June 13, 2024 Faina RG JAGUAR FH425LM02 42.98 51.20 8.22 no lens 2.30 no lens Faina FH425LM02 48.89 51.20 2.31 2.14 4.40 9.43 Faina J FH425LM02 63.15 65.36 2.21 no lens 4.00 no lens Faina FH425LM03 NO IMPACT June 13, 2024 Faina RG JAGUAR FH425LM04 30.17 32.98 2.81 no lens 2.61 no lens June 17, 2024 Faina RG JAGUAR FH425LM05 NO IMPACT June 17, 2024 Faina RG JAGUAR FH425LM07 14.76 42.16 27.40 14.29 8.95 127.91 July 24, 2024 Faina H Central RG JAGUAR FH425LM07 79.54 81.15 1.61 no lens 4.34 no lens Faina J FH425LM09 11.77 32.85 21.08 18.23 5.44 99.18 July 24, 2024 Faina H Central RG JAGUAR FH425LM09 39.90 41.08 1.18 no lens 1.02 no lens Faina FH425LM09 52.70 55.40 2.70 2.68 7.04 18.85 Faina J FH425LM09 70.21 71.35 1.14 no lens 1.15 no lens Faina FH425LM09 72.50 73.55 1.05 no lens 1.89 no lens Faina FH425LM09 76.10 80.58 4.48 no lens 4.05 no lens Faina FH425LM10 22.74 23.71 0.97 no lens 1.30 no lens July 24, 2024 Faina RG JAGUAR FH425LM10 34.46 36.36 1.90 1.90 3.29 6.25 Faina H Central FH425LM10 35.60 36.36 0.76 0.76 7.46 5.67 Faina H Central FH425LM10 52.55 55.33 2.78 2.76 7.05 19.46 Faina J FH425LM10 60.38 63.70 3.32 3.18 1.41 4.48 Faina J FH425LM11 22.92 33.28 10.36 6.53 8.17 53.38 July 30, 2024 Faina H Central RG JAGUAR FH425LM12 31.48 68.27 36.79 17.96 5.17 92.84 July 30, 2024 Faina H Central RG JAGUAR FH425LM13 0.00 1.50 1.50 no lens 1.13 no lens July 30, 2024 Faina RG JAGUAR Table 3. Faina Diamond Drilling Location Data Hole ID Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) Total Depth (m) Collar Dip () Collar Azimuth () FAI0001 511903.98 7818045.94 430.09 164.64 5.53 55.00 FAI0002 511903.54 7818046.52 430.05 164.2 6.61 40.00 FAI0003 511903.07 7818110.67 422.44 137.55 10.82 45.01 FAI0004 511902.98 7818110.57 423.8 120.45 33.48 25.00 FAI0005 511869.85 7818171.73 420.12 145.1 10.44 68.99 FAI0006 511955.28 7818182.02 437.25 207.2 4.7 312.00 FAI0007 511959.6 7818184.54 437.11 86.1 -2.76 28.00 FAI0008 511960.44 7818183.38 437.54 50.4 7.11 60.00 FAI0009 511987.9 7818107.38 435.66 73 4.56 70.00 FAI0010 511979.89 7818129.35 436.16 70.05 2.61 60.00 FAI0011 511995.2 7818083.79 435.15 70.13 3.64 70.00 FAI0012 511869.31 7818189.49 419.67 166.43 4.53 345.00 FAI0013 511869.64 7818189.75 419.78 233.37 2.86 352.00 FAI0014 511870.62 7818190.64 419.85 217.34 2.58 12.00 FAI0015 511869.31 7818189.49 419.68 9.5 4 31.00 FAI0016 511775.392 7818344.641 438.427 67.03 -5.1 115.00 FAI0017 511768.24 7818355.15 440.37 86.3 -1.33 55.00 FAI0018 511768 7818355.59 440.17 99.13 -3.39 17.00 FAI0019 511769.46 7818354.16 440.22 89.23 -1.38 70.00 FAI0020 511767.76 7818355.98 440.15 114.77 -3.82 4.00 FAI0021 511778.14 7818349.09 442.2 75.71 2.89 114.00 FAI0022 511777.15 7818348.09 442.25 71.05 -13.31 109.00 FAI0023 511763.26 7818352.32 440.44 99.74 -2.46 240.00 FAI0024 511807.48 7818354.34 402.25 104.15 -4.5 20.00 FAI0025 511764.21 7818356.55 444.02 131.45 -1.39 275.00 FAI0026 511762.32 7818353.43 440.65 144.29 -0.4 286.00 FAI0025 511735.64 7818346.45 441.56 131.45 -1.39 275.00 FAI0026 511735.62 7818346.43 441.73 144.29 -0.40 286.00 FAI0027 511781.76 7818346.08 403.95 97.62 14.74 64.10 FAI0028 511766.36 7818332.61 400.15 138.60 4.21 2.00 FAI0029 511781.34 7818346.83 403.77 91.46 8.31 44.00 FAI0030 511769.32 7818334.81 400.02 155.97 -10.12 13.00 FAI0031 511779.85 7818346.59 402.25 141.50 -9.93 44.00 FAI0033 511964.33 7818262.91 439.55 45.15 0.25 41.10 FAI0034 511963.47 7818268.24 439.60 30.55 -0.26 120.00 FAI0035 511961.84 7818246.32 438.64 10.36 0.48 276.50 FAI0036 511957.95 7818224.04 438.27 17.75 1.35 81.29 FAI0037 511953.06 7818219.80 438.25 15.15 1.09 280.18 FAI0038 511952.69 7818213.19 438.03 10.85 0.15 279.19 FAI0039 511949.42 7818207.27 438.16 31.90 1.51 290.00 FAI0040 511949.91 7818199.35 438.08 11.37 1.92 100.44 FAI0041 511945.13 7818190.73 437.86 10.58 3.45 98.48 FAI0043 511963.08 7818271.29 439.61 117.70 2.66 34.99 FAI0044 511955.94 7818235.34 438.60 192.05 5.33 318.00 FAI0045 511954.87 7818233.89 438.59 194.30 6.82 280.71 FAI0060 511742.87 7818432.87 418.27 78.82 3.42 84.00 FH425LM01 511772.52 7818320.40 433.93 42.73 13.37 68.00 FH425LM02 511798.09 7818330.21 430.33 97.93 4.52 45.00 FH425LM03 511797.61 7818328.79 430.05 53.29 5.37 73.00 FH425LM04 511797.75 7818329.85 430.30 89.23 6.72 100.00 FH425LM05 511771.88 7818315.41 433.86 79.80 6.59 130.00 FH425LM07 511771.40 7818320.69 433.76 85.22 7.97 54.00 FH425LM09 511771.38 7818320.69 434.82 90.90 28.68 51.00 FH425LM10 511770.63 7818320.82 434.85 75.69 29.32 30.00 FH425LM11 511773.28 7818320.38 432.48 57.40 -19.84 78.00 FH425LM12 511771.95 7818320.78 432.61 68.27 -21.20 55.00 FH425LM13 511772.17 7818315.46 432.54 61.70 -13.58 110.00 APPENDIX 2 Table 4. Faina Development Sampling Location Data and Results Lens H (central) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - Canterra Minerals Corporation (TSXV: CTM) (OTCQB: CTMCF) ("Canterra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce commencement of a 2,000 metre ("m") maiden drilling program to test several new priority targets at the Company's Buchans Project in the Central Newfoundland Mining District (see Figure 1). The Buchans Project ("Buchans"or the "Project") is host to the past producing Buchans mine adjacent the town of Buchans and is accessible by a provincially maintained paved highway extending from the Trans-Canada and from Grand Falls which is a distance of 100 kilometres ("km") by highway. The Project has ready access to power, water and other infrastructure and is located 50 km north of Calibre Mining's Valentine Gold Mine currently under construction. The Buchans Mine consisted of several volcanogenic massive sulfide ("VMS") deposits mined by Asarco over a period of almost 60 years that produced approximately 16.2 million tonnes1 ("Mt") of ore at an average grade of 14.5% Zn, 7.6% Pb, 1.3% Cu, 1.37 g/t Au & 126 g/t Ag. The property also hosts the undeveloped Lundberg deposit, a stockwork VMS deposit comprising a large, near-surface resource located immediately beneath and adjacent to workings of the previously mined, high-grade Lucky Strike massive sulphide orebody (Figure 2). Highlights: Building on a substantial metal inventory at Lundberg - an In-pit Indicated Mineral Resource estimate (2) - 16.79Mt 0.42% Cu, 1.53% Zn, 0.64% Pb, 5.69 g/t Ag and 0.07 g/t Au , containing 156 million pounds Cu, 566 million pounds Zn, 237 million pounds Pb, 3.1 million ounces Ag, and 37,000 ounces Au - , containing 156 million pounds Cu, 566 million pounds Zn, 237 million pounds Pb, 3.1 million ounces Ag, and 37,000 ounces Au Lundberg drilling will investigate areas of high-grade mineralization that remain undeveloped by past underground mining immediately above and adjacent to Lundberg, as well as test for extensions to the main stockwork resource Canterra is excited to undertake drilling with the aim of expanding and enhancing the Lundberg open pit resource. This resource represents the largest and most advanced critical minerals deposit in Central Newfoundland and is favorably situated on a brownfields site with excellent infrastructure Canterra is also excited about drilling at the Two Level and Pumphouse targets, which will test for high-grade massive sulphides that could be developed as new high-grade deposits or contribute to Lundberg's existing development Chris Pennimpede, President and CEO of Canterra commented: "We are excited to begin Canterra's maiden drilling program at this former tier one critical minerals mine, internationally renowned as one of the world's highest grade VMS mines. We also look forward to results that could further advance Lundberg toward development under more favourable critical mineral market conditions than existed when the project was last drilled in 2018." Drill Targets in Order of Priority: Lundberg - the program includes drilling to expand the 16 Mt2 resource laterally and at depth, as well as investigate and expand higher-grade mineralization within the resource that may increase the deposit's metal inventory. Historical drill holes of note include*: higher-grade mineralization comprised of 23.8 m averaging 9.11% combined base metals ("CBM") as 5.75% Zn, 3.01% Pb, 0.35% Cu, with 94.0 g/t Ag and 1.00 g/t Au, including 8.0 m averaging 20.38% CBM as12.88% Zn, 6.81% Pb, 0.69% Cu, with 159.9 g/t Ag and 1.25 g/t Au in hole H-18-3515 stockwork mineralization comprised of 117.0 m averaging 3.45% CBM as 2.06% Zn, 1.05% Pb, 0.34% Cu, with 5.09 g/t Ag and 0.04 g/t Au including 16.0 m averaging 10.30% CBM as 6.64% Zn, 3.01% Pb, 0.65% Cu, with 15.06 g/t Ag and 0.11 g/t Au in hole H-08-3396 Two Level - stepping out from previous operator drilling that intersected Buchans high-grade breccia mineralization 70 m from historic underground mine workings, where the Company believes the potential exists for fault-displaced extensions to the historically mined adjacent high-grade ore bodies. Historical drill holes of note include*: 1.0 m @14.83% CBM as 1.26% Cu, 4.87% Pb, 8.70% Zn, with 133.2 g/t Ag & 0.47 g/t Au in hole H-3524 Pumphouse - The Pumphouse prospect represents a poorly tested fault repeat of the Oriental mine horizon, 500 m northwest from the former Oriental orebody and 1.5 km northeast of the former Lucky Strike orebody. Asarco is reported to have mined 3.3 Mt1 averaging 14.18% Zn, 7.90% Pb, 1.47% Cu, 154.0 g/t Ag & 1.96 g/t Au at Oriental between 1935 and 1983. The drill plan includes drilling adjacent to previous operator drill holes that intersected classic Buchans high-grade massive sulphide mineralization. Canterra's drilling will further test the continuity of this zone and provide additional information that may assist future drilling to explore for extensions of the zone where Canterra believes mineralization may remain open down plunge. Historical drill holes of note include*: 2.74 m @ 23.7% Zn, 9.0% Pb, 2.6% Cu, 147.4 g/t Ag & 3.4 g/t Au in hole H-885 2.38 m @ 24.85% Zn, 10.75% Pb, 2.65% Cu, 212.9 g/t Ag & 1.48 g/t Au in hole H-1030 2.10 m @ 15.52% Zn, 7.61% Pb, 0.92% Cu, 148.9 g/t Ag & 1.15 g/t Au in hole H-3416 *Core lengths reported (true widths estimated to be 90% or reported core length) Buchans Property Canterra's Buchans Property is a brownfields project covering 82.5 square kilometres ("km2") near the town of Buchans and hosts the former Buchans Mine previously operated by Asarco between 1928 and 1984. The property also hosts the undeveloped Lundberg deposit, a stockwork VMS deposit comprising In-pit Indicated Resources of more than 16Mt2 grading of 0.42% Cu, 1.53% Zn, 0.64% Pb, 5.69 g/t Ag & 0.07 g/t Au. Lundberg is located immediately beneath and adjacent to workings of the previously mined, high-grade Lucky Strike massive sulphide orebody where Asarco is reported to have mined 5.6 Mt1 of high-grade ore averaging 18.4% Zn, 8.6% Pb, 1.6% Cu, 112 g/t Ag & 1.7 g/t Au. Historic mining at Lucky Strike pre-stripped a significant portion of the Lundberg Resource. Figure 1. Canterra's Buchans project and other central Newfoundland mining district holdings for critical minerals and gold. Figure 2. Buchans drilling targets and limits of Lundberg Resource estimate projected vertically to surface. Notes: (1) Past production figures from Kirkham, R.V., ed., 1987, Buchans Geology, Newfoundland. Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 86-24, 288 p. (2) Lundberg's 2019 Resource Estimate (effective date of February 28, 2019) includes In-pit Indicated Mineral Resources 16,790,000 tonnes grading of 0.42% Cu, 1.53% Zn, 0.64% Pb, 5.69 g/t Ag & 0.07 g/t Au (containing 156 million pounds Cu, 566 million pounds Zn, 237 million pounds Pb, 3.1 million ounces Ag, & 37,000 ounces Au) as well as In-pit Inferred Mineral Resources totaling 380,000 tonnes at a grade of 0.36% Cu, 2.03% Zn, 1.01% Pb, 22.35 g/t Ag & 0.31 g/t Au (containing 3.0 million pounds Cu, 17 million pounds Zn, 9 million pounds Pb, 270,000 ounces Ag, & 38,000 ounces Au; see news release dated June 4, 2024 and associated Technical Report for additional details). Newfoundland and Labrador Junior Exploration Assistance Canterra would like to acknowledge the financial support it may receive from the Junior Exploration Assistance Program from the government of Newfoundland and Labrador related to the completion of its 2024 drilling programs, including drilling at Buchans. About Canterra Minerals Canterra Minerals is a diversified minerals exploration company with a focus on critical minerals and gold in central Newfoundland. Canterra's projects include six mineral deposits located in close proximity to Calibre Mining's new Valentine gold mine, as well as the world-renowned, past producing Buchans mine and Teck Resources' former Duck Pond mine, primarily former producers of copper, zinc, lead, silver and gold. Several of Canterra's deposits support historical Mineral Resource Estimates prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves current at their respective effective dates (collectively the "Historical Resource Estimates"). Canterra's Historical Resource Estimates are deemed historical as they were prepared prior to their acquisition by Canterra. Qualified Person Paul Moore MSc. P.Geo. (NL), Vice President of Exploration for Canterra Minerals Corporation, a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed the technical disclosure in this news release for accuracy and either prepared or supervised its preparation. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements with respect to estimated mineral resources, the opening of avenues for substantial discoveries within the belt, the Buchans Project being ripe for a modern approach with significant exploration potential for high grade VMS mineralization, the Company anticipating being strongly positioned to unveil the next mineral discovery in central Newfoundland. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects.; as well as those risks and uncertainties identified and reported in the Company's public filings under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. HIGHLIGHTS Recent RC drilling at Nunyerry North has extended the high-grade Main Lode to 500 m strike/plunge and intersected high-grade gold along the Estrid Fault. has extended the high-grade Main Lode to 500 m strike/plunge and intersected high-grade gold along the Estrid Fault. Standout intercepts from the 34 hole, 3,942m program include: 13 m at 2.68 g/t Au from 66 m, including 3 m at 10.41 g/t Au from 66 m (NC046) 11 m at 2.20 g/t Au from 84 m, including 1 m at 18.06 g/t Au from 86 m (NC046) 17 m at 1.85 g/t Au from 25 m, including 7 m at 3.55 g/t Au from 25 m (NC063) 9 m at 2.52 g/t Au from 87 m, including 2 m at 8.89 g/t Au from 92 m (NC061) 2 m at 7.38 g/t Au from 42 m (NC051) At the Egina Joint Venture , De Grey Mining (ASX: DEG) continues key exploration activities at the Becher Project , with drilling at Heckmair, Lowe and Whillans, southwest of De Greys 12.7 1 Moz Hemi Gold Project. , De Grey Mining (ASX: DEG) continues key exploration activities at the , with drilling at Heckmair, Lowe and Whillans, southwest of De Greys 12.7 Moz Hemi Gold Project. Further southwest, exploration work being conducted by Novo has commenced on multiple high priority targets along the ~ 60 km long fertile Tabba Tabba Shear Corridor . . Novo has executed a Determination Wide Aboriginal Heritage Protection Agreement with Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation covering approximately 1,700 sq km of Novos tenure in the Egina Gold Camp . This includes tenements under the Egina farm-in and Joint Venture with De Grey and enables access to crucial land to undertake exploration activities. covering approximately 1,700 sq km of Novos tenure in the . This includes tenements under the Egina farm-in and Joint Venture with De Grey and enables access to crucial land to undertake exploration activities. The Agreement with the Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation will also facilitate the grant of tenement E47/4703, at the Balla Balla Gold Project , where Novo intends to complete aircore drilling on priority orogenic and intrusion-related gold targets near the regional Sholl Shear Zone . , where Novo intends to drilling on priority orogenic and intrusion-related gold targets near the regional . Q4 2024 exploration activities will be focused on drilling at Balla Balla, and field-based activities at Miralga in the East Pilbara2. Commenting on the latest exploration programs across the companys gold project portfolio in the Pilbara, Novo Executive Co-Chairman and Acting CEO Mike Spreadborough said, We continue our strong exploration program across key gold targets in the Pilbara. The drilling results at Nunyerry North are very promising and we look forward to assessing the complete program and establishing the next set of work activities. Our Egina Joint Venture partner, De Grey Mining, continues targeted exploration programs across key prospects at the Becher Project. De Grey has completed approximately 36,000 m of combined aircore and RC drilling at Becher to end July 2024 and plans to continue to drill across the Heckmair, Lowe and Whillans targets over the coming months. Our Egina JV tenements are considered highly prospective for significant intrusion-related gold deposits and shares similar attributes to the nearby 12.7 Moz Hemi Gold Project. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Novo Resources Corp. (Novo or the Company) (ASX: NVO) (TSX: NVO) (OTCQX: NSRPF) is pleased to provide an exploration update on programs at the Egina Gold Camp and Balla Balla Gold Project, including results from RC drilling at Nunyerry North (Figure 1) and the recent Determination Wide Aboriginal Heritage Protection Agreement with the Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation which will allow for on ground exploration to commence at Balla Balla and ongoing work by De Grey on the Becher Project at the Egina farm-in and Joint Venture. Novo has been exploring the Mallina Basin and adjacent areas in the Pilbara since 2017, focusing on gold prospectivity but also with a view to adding value through lithium, base metals and other commodities. This work culminated in 2023 with considerable success delivered from drilling at Nunyerry North and through the completion of transformative deals with De Grey Mining (De Grey) (the Egina farm-in and Joint Venture (Egina JV)) and Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) (the Harding Battery Metals Joint Venture (HBMJV)). These strong JV partnerships give Novo exposure to a new discovery through JV partner expenditure and allows Novo to focus on progressing exploration across targeted prospects in the Pilbara and Victoria and advance assessment of project generation opportunities. Figure 1: Novo Tenure in the Central Pilbara showing the Egina Gold Camp and Balla Balla Gold Project EGINA GOLD CAMP The Egina Gold Camp is a contiguous tenement package, covering a series of structurally complex, gold-fertile corridors, transecting the Mallina Basin in the north and mafic / ultramafic sequences further south. These corridors are part of the regional structural architecture that encompasses De Greys 12.7 Moz Hemi Gold Project (Hemi)3 to the northeast. This tenure has been one of the main focus areas of Novos exploration programs over the last eighteen months, culminating in the Egina JV, and delineation of the Nunyerry North orogenic gold prospect in 2023. Nunyerry North First pass drilling at Nunyerry North in late 20234 was restricted to a central zone of structurally controlled outcropping quartz veins with high-grade gold rock chip results (Figure 2). Figure 2: Nunyerry North geological interpretation, showing 2023 and 2024 drilling completed Drilling generated significant intercepts in Main Lode #1 in a shallow plunging shoot within a brittle basalt unit, between two significant shear zones. Other mineralised lodes were identified below the Main Lode #1, but are structurally blind, and do not outcrop at surface. Best results from the 2023 RC program include: 6 m at 6.12 g/t Au from 37 m, including 5 m at 7.28 g/t Au from 37 m (NC017) Au from 37 m, including 5 m at 7.28 g/t Au from 37 m (NC017) 11 m at 2.52 g/t Au from 22 m, including 6 m at 4.19 g/t Au from 22 m (NC014) Au from 22 m, including 6 m at 4.19 g/t Au from 22 m (NC014) 13 m at 1.89 g/t Au from surface, including 4 m at 2.56 g/t Au from 3 m (NC004) Au from surface, including 4 m at 2.56 g/t Au from 3 m (NC004) 4 m at 5.71 g/t Au from 40 m, including 3 m at 7.47 g/t Au from 41 m (NC015) Au from 40 m, including 3 m at 7.47 g/t Au from 41 m (NC015) 17 m at 1.34 g/t Au from 37 m, including 4 m at 3.77 g/t Au from 50 m; 18 m at 0.60 g/t Au from 75 m and 7 m at 1.78 g/t Au from 59 m (NC022) highlighting significant mineralisation over a 55 m intercept. Novo recently completed a follow-up RC drill program of 34 holes for 3,942 m aimed at extending known mineralisation in the Main Area and at testing other more regional targets defined by soil sampling, mapping and rock chip sampling (Figure 2). These regional targets included the Estrid Fault, west of the Aurora Fault (Aurora West) and a porphyry unit south of the Skadi Shear (Porphyry). Angled drill holes ranged from 66 m to 192 m in depth (average 116 m) and were drilled on 40 m to 80 m spaced sections. All holes were drilled oriented perpendicular to the interpreted mineralised trend, with the intersected widths representative of the true width of the mineralisation unless noted otherwise. Main Area - Drilling was designed to extend mineralisation along strike to the east of, and down plunge of the Main Lode #1 and to understand the context of previous high-grade intercepts in the east of the area drilled in 2023. Best results (Figure 3) from the latest drilling include: 9 m at 2.52 g/t Au from 87 m, including 2 m at 8.89 g/t Au from 92 m (NC061) Au from 87 m, including 2 m at 8.89 g/t Au from 92 m (NC061) 2 m at 7.38 g/t Au from 42 m (NC051) Au from 42 m (NC051) 11 m at 1.26 g/t Au from 85 m, including 4 m at 2.31 g/t Au from 85 m (NC053) See Appendix 1 for hole details and Appendix 2 for complete assay results. Drilling has extended known mineralisation by 250 m to approximately 500 m in strike (Figure 3). NC061 intersected the Main Lode # 1 approximately 100m down plunge of 2023 drilling extending the plunge extent to over 300m. An additional mineralised shoot is also interpreted towards the east, possibly related to a splay fault recognised from chips and surface mapping. Mineralisation is still open to the east and at depth. Anomalous and significant results from the current program are currently being re-analysed by multi-pot PhotonAssay. The larger sample methodology may better resolve any coarse gold component. These assays are pending. Figure 3: Nunyerry North long section (looking NNW) showing m x g/t Au (downhole width) Estrid Fault Three holes were drilled into the Estrid Fault target where high-order soil anomalies and surface alteration and veining defined the mineralised corridor. All three holes generated significant gold intercepts, including: 13 m at 2.68 g/t Au from 66 m, including 3 m at 10.41 g/t Au from 66 m (NC046) from 66 m, including 3 m at 10.41 g/t Au from 66 m (NC046) 11 m at 2.20 g/t Au from 84 m, including 1 m at 18.06 g/t Au from 86 m (NC046) from 84 m, including 1 m at 18.06 g/t Au from 86 m (NC046) 2 m at 6.30 g/t Au from 15 m (NC062) from 15 m (NC062) 17 m at 1.85 g/t Au from 25 m, including 7 m at 3.55 g/t Au from 25 m (NC063) See Appendix 1 for hole details and Appendix 2 for complete assay results. Hole NC046 intersected strong silica-sericite alteration (Figure 4). Figure 4: NC046 drill chips showing altered basalt, labelling assay result (Au, top) and mineral / alteration intensity / vein percent (bottom). None of the drilling was at optimal angles due to the terrain and these holes may have drilled at low angles to mineralisation along the fault, although true orientation of mineralisation cannot be determined at this stage. Mineralisation is open along strike for several hundred metres. Porphyry Target - Three holes were drilled into the Porphyry target where Novo rock chip samples have returned several positive results from brecciated quartz veins5. The porphyry is up to 1 km long by 85 m wide in outcrop and disseminated pyrite is common throughout, with areas showing up to 5% disseminated to blebby pyrite. Drilling intersected a porphyritic rhyolite to rhyodacite with pyrite (+/- chalcopyrite) mineralisation, with a best result of 7 m at 0.1 g/t Au, coinciding with elevated pXRF assays on RC powder of up to 0.21% Cu. Results to date do not warrant immediate follow up in the direct target area. However anomalous Au and Cu results are encouraging for exploration prospectivity in the district, as porphyry style mineralisation was not previously recognised in this area. Aurora West A broad soil anomaly was tested at Aurora West, in stratigraphy interpreted to be the offset basalt host to mineralization at the Main Lode #1. Whilst quartz veins and minor sulphide were intersected in a number of holes, no significant intercepts were recorded. Egina JV Update De Grey is currently progressing the first stage of its earn-in at the Egina JV, with a minimum spend of A$7 million to be completed in 18 months (December 2024). De Grey needs to invest up to A$25 million on exploration at Becher and adjacent tenements within 4 years to earn a 50% direct interest in the JV. Follow-up aircore (AC) and RC drilling programs commenced at Novos flagship Becher Project by De Grey in late May 2024, with two rigs concurrently conducting a proposed approximate 28,000 m combined drill program. The RC drill program is focussed initially at Heckmair and has been designed to follow up on encouraging results at Lowe, Heckmair, and Whillans. The AC drill program has commenced at Lowe and aims to provide better geochemical coverage over structural and intrusion targets. At 30 June 2024, a total of 38 RC holes for 4,975 m and 201 AC holes for 16,955 m had been completed. Results are expected in late Q3 2024. Tabba Tabba Shear Corridor The Tabba Tabba Shear Corridor is a deep NE trending mantle tapping structure/series of structures in the Southern Egina Gold Camp (Figure 1) and host to numerous gold occurrences. The 60 km strike of the Tabba Tabba Shear Corridor on Novo tenure (Figure 5) is underexplored, as access is difficult and significant parts of the corridor are covered with shallow alluvium, colluvium and sand, and part of the corridor is overlain by Fortescue Group Basalt. Novo have recently completed a re-interpretation of the corridor utilising new advances in understanding from geology, geochemistry, and remote sensing/geophysics, and based on results from Nunyerry North, previous reconnaissance style exploration during 2019 to 2023 and the understanding of Hemi. Several conceptual targets have been identified, with most having received little to no historical exploration. Figure 5: Tabba Tabba Shear Corridor Conceptual targets focus on structural intersections of faults and shears within the Tabba Tabba Shear Corridor, particularly where folded stratigraphy and / or minor intrusions are noted. The Kilkenny prospect was explored by Kilkenny Gold NL (Kilkenny) in the late 1990s and comprised several short costeans and 18 shallow percussion holes for a total of 530 m drilled, following up a coherent gold in soil anomaly. Despite the very small program, Kilkenny returned best costean samples of 8 m at 4.2 g/t Au, 8 m at 2.1 g/t Au, and drilling results of 5 m at 5.0 g/t Au from 9 m (ACN05) and 5m at 1.7 g/t Au from 14 m, including 2 m at 3.5 from 14 m (ACN13)6. See Appendix 3 for hole details and Appendix 4 for complete assay results. At Teichman Top, several historic workings are present, and modern exploration includes results of 25.5 g/t Au and 32.3 g/t Au from rock samples7. This prospect is located within the Yandeyarra Reserve and has not been accessible in recent years due to the requirement to complete access agreements. Drilling and surface sample results may not be representative of mineralisation in the district. Novo has recently commenced mapping and surface sampling over prospective parts of the Tabba Tabba Shear Corridor to delineate targets for potential future drill testing. The initial program comprises six mapping areas and approximately 1,200 surface soil samples, with opportunistic rock and stream sediment samples where appropriate. BALLA BALLA GOLD PROJECT The Balla Balla Gold Project (Figure 6) includes Novo granted tenements and tenement applications immediately north of the Egina Gold Camp (Figure 1) and overlaps with the Kariyarra and Ngarluma / Yindjibarndi Native Title Determination areas. Novo reports that a Determination Wide Aboriginal Heritage Protection Agreement (the Agreement) has been signed between Novo and the Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation. The execution of this Agreement streamlines the interactions between Novo and the Kariyarra People and confirms Novos commitment to open, honest and transparent dealings with the Traditional Owners of the Pilbara Region. The Agreement also provides for compensation payments for the benefit of the Traditional Owners which are customary and in line with normal commercial terms for similar agreements of this nature. The Agreement enables the grant of tenement application E47/4703 at Balla Balla, which is prospective for gold, base metals, and lithium mineralisation. A cultural site avoidance heritage survey has already been completed with Kariyarra, jointly organised by Novo and SQM with a final report expected within the next few weeks. This survey will enable AC drilling to commence after the grant of the tenement. The Balla Balla Gold Project covers a significant flexure of the Sholl Shear Zone, a major crustal suture between the Central Pilbara Tectonic Zone and the Karratha Terrane. The Sholl Shear Zone is a NE SW striking mylonite zone, trending parallel to the Mallina Shear and Tabba Tabba Shear Corridor, with a series of linking structures, including the Loudens Fault and Wohler Shear. Novo holds approximately 60 km of strike length over the Sholl Shear Zone at Balla Balla, including several splay structures. Figure 6: Balla Balla Project geology showing Sholl Shear Zone corridor and complex folded stratigraphy The Sholl Shear Zone and surrounds are prospective for orogenic and intrusion related gold, base metal mineralisation and lithium, and Novo intends to rapidly progress exploration by regional AC traverses over key targets. Novo retains upside to this lithium potential with the HBMJV, where SQM have paid A$10M for a 75% interest in five of Novos tenements. Under the HBMJV, SQM will be the manager and Novo is free carried until a decision to mine. Novo also retains the gold, silver, PGE, and copper / lead / zinc mineral rights8. Balla Balla AC Drilling Several conceptual targets on Novos tenure have been identified through comprehensive analysis and interpretation of geophysical and remote sensing data, existing geochemical datasets and searches through historic reporting over the broader area. Many of these targets have received little to no historical exploration presenting new opportunities for discovery and development. Tenement application E47/4703 shows significant geological complexity in magnetic data in proximity to the deep mantle tapping Sholl Shear Zone. South of this shear, the stratigraphy comprises interbedded varying sedimentary units of the Mallina Formation and to the north is a fault-bound wedge of Mallina Formation adjacent to felsic volcaniclastics and porphyry dacites & rhyolites of the Red Hill Volcanics. These are also intruded by the young mafic-ultramafic rocks of the Sherlock Intrusion and crosscut by late dolerite dykes (Figure 6). The complex geological setting and evidence of folded stratigraphy in a potential extension of the Loudens Fault provides a compelling region for a first pass AC drilling program primarily targeting gold and copper mineralisation. Novo has designed a preliminary 8,000 m AC program pending tenement grant and finalisation of the heritage survey. Drilling is expected to commence in Q4 2024. The program comprises regional drill lines to test approximately 10 km of target strike extent. Lines are designed at a nominal spacing of 320 m or 640 m, preferentially targeting interpreted structures and fold closures. This program will utilise the same refined and optimised in-field sampling methodology and dispatch as that used at the Becher Project during 2023 AC drilling. The technique led to rapid sample collection, dispatch and laboratory turnaround times. This program is aimed at determining bedrock geochemistry to generate a coherent litho-geochemistry dataset driving geological understanding and enabling identification of mineralogical systems and their primary controls. ANALYTIC METHODOLOGY Nunyerry North RC chips were split directly off the cyclone on the drill rig at one metre intervals and sent to Intertek Genalysis (Intertek) in Perth, Western Australia with the entire sample smart crushed to -3 mm (NVO02 prep code), with a 500 g split sample analysed for gold using PhotonAssay (PHXR/AU01). Remaining drill spoil was retained on site in numbered green bags. QA/QC for RC samples are inserted at the rate of 2 x 600 g standards per 100, 2 x 600 g blanks per 100 and 4 duplicates per 100, providing a total of 8% QA/QC. Field duplicates are collected from the cone splitter at the time of drilling. Intertek also inserts PhotonAssay blanks and certified standards at the rate of 4 per hundred. All significant sample intervals greater than 0.3 g/t Au or part of an interval that falls within an interpreted mineralisation shape were resubmitted for multiple PhotonAssay analysis. This comprised a total of 265 samples, selected from remaining crushed material available in the laboratory, averaging four pots per analysis. Samples were analysed in full by splitting the crushed material into multiple PhotonAssay jars (PHXR/AU01) with a maximum of five jars. Kilkenny constructed trenches through soil and rubble to ensure sampling could target rock in situ. Samples were collected by hand over two metre intervals along the trench and perpendicular to stratigraphy, with most costeans approximately 20 metres long. Samples were submitted to Genalysis Laboratories and analysed for gold via Fire Assay (AAS, 0.01 g/t detection limit). Drilling by Kilkenny was completed with a 600cfm/250psi AC hammer rig, with each meter captured in green bags which have since been rehabilitated. From the green bags, four metre composite samples were speared and submitted to Genalysis Laboratories and analysed for gold via Fire Assay (AAS, 0.01 g/t detection limit). Composites greater than 1 metre were speared on site and resubmitted for re assay. Kilkenny does not report duplicate samples or insertion of CRMs or blanks, and historical results are not considered representative of mineralisation in the district. Authorised for release by the Board of Directors. CONTACT Investors: Mike Spreadborough +61 8 6400 6100 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. North American Queries: Leo Karabelas +1 416 543 3120 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Media: Cameron Gilenko +61 466 984 953 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. QP STATEMENT Mrs. Karen (Kas) De Luca (MAIG), is the qualified person, as defined under NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, responsible for, and having reviewed and approved, the technical information contained in this news release. Mrs De Luca is Novos General Manager Exploration. There were no limitations to the verification process and all relevant data and records were reviewed and verified by a qualified person (as defined in NI 43-101). JORC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT The information in this news release that relates to exploration results for Novos gold project portfolio in the Pilbara is based on information compiled by Mrs De Luca, who is a full-time employee of Novo Resources Corp. Mrs De Luca is a Competent Person who is a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mrs De Luca has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and the type of deposits under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. Mrs De Luca consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on her information in the form and context in which it appears. The information in this news release that relates to previously reported exploration results at Nunyerry North is extracted from Novo's announcement titled Upgraded Nunyerry North Drill results deliver high-grade intercepts up to 6.12 g/t Au released to ASX on 27 March 2024 and which is available to view at www.asx.com.au. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original news release, and that the form and context in which the Competent Persons findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian and Australian securities law and regulations. In this news release, such statements include but are not limited to planned exploration activities and the timing of such. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, without limitation, customary risks of the resource industry and the risk factors identified in Novos annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2023 (which is available under Novos profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and at www.asx.com.au) in the Companys prospectus dated 2 August 2023 which is available at www.asx.com.au. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, Novo assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If Novo updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. ABOUT NOVO Novo is an Australian based gold explorer listed on the ASX and the TSX focused on discovering standalone gold projects with > 1 Moz development potential. Novo is an innovative gold explorer with a significant land package covering approximately 6,700 square kilometres in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, along with the 22 square kilometre Belltopper project in the Bendigo Tectonic Zone of Victoria, Australia. Novos key project area is the Egina Gold Camp, where De Grey Mining (ASX: DEG) is farming-in to form a JV at the Becher Project and surrounding tenements through exploration expenditure of A$25 million within 4 years for a 50% interest. The Becher Project has similar geological characteristics as De Greys 12.7 Moz Hemi Project9. Novo is also advancing gold exploration at Nunyerry North, part of the Croydon JV (Novo 70%: Creasy Group 30%), where 2023 exploration drilling identified significant gold mineralisation. Novo continues to undertake early-stage exploration across its Pilbara tenement portfolio. Novo has also formed lithium joint ventures with both Liatam and SQM in the Pilbara which provides shareholder exposure to battery metals. Novo has a significant investment portfolio and a disciplined program in place to identify value accretive opportunities that will build further value for shareholders. Please refer to Novos website for further information including the latest corporate presentation. Appendix 1 - Nunyerry North 2024 RC drill hole locations in MGA_2020, zone 50 HOLE ID EASTING (m) NORTHING (m) RL (m) AZI DIP DEPTH (m) NC031 590,615 7,619,399 272 300 -56 126 NC032 590,597 7,619,408 273 299 -51 96 NC033 590,559 7,619,386 277 297 -51 120 NC034 590,592 7,619,364 276 298 -60 90 NC035 590,504 7,619,362 271 296 -55 108 NC036 590,526 7,619,353 271 303 -70 120 NC037 590,376 7,619,320 280 341 -80 120 NC038 590,375 7,619,321 281 334 -50 120 NC039 590,206 7,619,328 295 331 -55 144 NC040 590,215 7,619,310 292 332 -74 120 NC041 590,142 7,619,299 279 341 -55 126 NC042 590,142 7,619,281 278 345 -73 90 NC043 590,057 7,619,273 273 341 -54 132 NC044 590,091 7,619,228 275 340 -55 114 NC045 590,107 7,619,210 271 339 -54 120 NC046 589,956 7,619,303 283 257 -70 138 NC047 590,252 7,619,131 281 25 -54 120 NC048 590,321 7,619,098 283 28 -53 126 NC049 589,322 7,618,713 290 336 -54 126 NC050 589,359 7,618,661 295 332 -55 120 NC051 590,648 7,619,473 271 149 -80 96 NC052 591,076 7,619,530 268 341 -55 108 NC053 591,089 7,619,500 264 340 -55 102 NC054 591,212 7,619,507 268 337 -55 108 NC055 591,225 7,619,477 264 337 -55 102 NC056 591,150 7,619,476 270 221 -88 66 NC057 591,185 7,619,487 269 329 -55 102 NC058 591,085 7,619,454 259 343 -54 102 NC059 591,030 7,619,491 274 330 -54 102 NC060 590,960 7,619,513 281 336 -53 120 NC061 590,962 7,619,512 282 298 -88 192 NC062 589,959 7,619,301 284 252 -50 120 NC063 589,962 7,619,305 284 190 -69 126 NC064 589,613 7,618,860 293 329 -54 120 Appendix 2 - Nunyerry North 2024 RC drill results at a 0.3 g/t Au cut-off and 3 m internal dilution. Higher grade sections are at a 1.0 g/t Au cut-off and 1 m internal dilution. Hole ID width (m) Au (g/t) From (m) intercept NC031 NSI NC032 NSI NC033 1 0.81 1 1 m at 0.81 g/t Au from 1 m NC033 2 0.72 64 2 m at 0.72 g/t Au from 64 m NC033 1 0.36 89 1 m at 0.36 g/t Au from 89 m NC034 NSI NC035 NSI NC036 NSI NC037 1 0.30 3 1 m at 0.30 g/t Au from 3 m NC037 4 0.46 26 4 m at 0.46 g/t Au from 26 m NC038 1 0.45 10 1 m at 0.45 g/t Au from 10 m NC038 1 0.30 24 1 m at 0.30 g/t Au from 24 m NC038 1 1.92 64 1 m at 1.92 g/t Au from 64 m NC039 NSI NC040 NSI NC041 1 0.71 68 1 m at 0.71 g/t Au from 68 m NC041 1 0.30 93 1 m at 0.30 g/t Au from 93 m NC041 2 0.46 108 2 m at 0.45 g/t Au from 108 m NC042 NSI NC043 1 0.51 16 1 m at 0.51 g/t Au from 16 m NC043 1 0.50 107 1 m at 0.50 g/t Au from 107 m NC044 NSI NC045 NSI NC046 6 0.51 30 6 m at 0.51 g/t Au from 30 m including 1 2.18 34 1 m at 2.18 g/t Au from 34 m NC046 8 1.61 43 8 m at 1.61 g/t Au from 43 m including 3 3.31 46 3 m at 3.31 g/t Au from 46 m NC046 1 0.34 59 1 m at 0.34 g/t Au from 59 m NC046 13 2.68 66 13 m at 2.68 g/t Au from 66 m including 3 10.41 66 3 m at 10.41 g/t Au from 66 m NC046 11 2.20 84 11 m at 2.20 g/t Au from 84 m including 1 18.06 86 1 m at 18.06 g/t Au from 86 m NC047 NSI NC048 1 0.81 10 1 m at 0.81 g/t Au from 10 m NC049 NSI NC050 NSI NC051 4 0.62 30 4 m at 0.62 g/t Au from 30 m including 1 1.67 33 1 m at 1.67 g/t Au from 33 m NC051 2 7.38 42 2 m at 7.38 g/t Au from 42 m NC051 1 0.31 48 1 m at 0.31 g/t Au from 48 m NC052 1 0.48 0 1 m at 0.48 g/t Au from 0 m NC052 1 0.44 9 1 m at 0.44 g/t Au from 9 m NC052 8 0.70 59 8 m at 0.70 g/t Au from 59 m including 1 1.33 59 1 m at 1.33 g/t Au from 59 m including 1 2.83 66 1 m at 2.83 g/t Au from 66 m NC052 1 0.37 73 1 m at 0.37 g/t Au from 73 m NC052 1 0.38 75 1 m at 0.38 g/t Au from 75 m NC053 1 3.17 44 1 m at 3.17 g/t Au from 44 m NC053 1 1.47 51 1 m at 1.47 g/t Au from 51 m NC053 1 0.37 68 1 m at 0.37 g/t Au from 68 m NC053 1 0.32 71 1 m at 0.32 g/t Au from 71 m NC053 11 1.26 85 11 m at 1.26 g/t Au from 85 m including 4 2.31 85 4 m at 2.31 g/t Au from 85 m including 2 1.64 94 2 m at 1.64 g/t Au from 94 m NC054 1 0.36 11 1 m at 0.36 g/t Au from 11 m NC055 1 0.46 28 1 m at 0.46 g/t Au from 28 m NC056 1 0.51 4 1 m at 0.51 g/t Au from 4 m NC056 7 0.40 19 7 m at 0.40 g/t Au from 19 m NC057 1 0.72 11 1 m at 0.72 g/t Au from 11 m NC057 2 1.68 19 2 m at 1.68 g/t Au from 19 m including 1 2.83 20 1 m at 2.83 g/t Au from 20 m NC057 1 0.44 29 1 m at 0.44 g/t Au from 29 m NC057 2 1.43 35 2 m at 1.42 g/t Au from 35 m NC057 2 0.55 46 2 m at 0.55 g/t Au from 46 m NC057 1 0.33 63 1 m at 0.33 g/t Au from 63 m NC057 1 0.40 65 1 m at 0.40 g/t Au from 65 m NC057 1 0.93 88 1 m at 0.93 g/t Au from 88 m NC058 NSI NC059 3 0.55 10 3 m at 0.55 g/t Au from 10 m NC059 2 0.95 30 2 m at 0.95 g/t Au from 30 m including 1 1.39 30 1 m at 1.39 g/t Au from 30 m NC059 1 2.37 69 1 m at 2.37 g/t Au from 69 m NC059 5 1.07 92 5 m at 1.07 g/t Au from 92 m including 3 1.63 92 3 m at 1.63 g/t Au from 92 m NC060 4 0.30 60 4 m at 0.30 g/t Au from 60 m NC060 1 1.23 119 1 m at 1.23 g/t Au from 119 m NC061 9 2.52 87 9 m at 2.52 g/t Au from 87 m including 1 1.18 87 1 m at 1.18 g/t Au from 87 m including 2 8.88 92 2 m at 8.88 g/t Au from 92 m NC062 2 6.31 15 2 m at 6.30 g/t Au from 15 m NC062 1 0.47 58 1 m at 0.47 g/t Au from 58 m NC062 2 0.49 67 2 m at 0.49 g/t Au from 67 m NC062 1 0.57 116 1 m at 0.57 g/t Au from 116 m NC063 17 1.85 25 17 m at 1.85 g/t Au from 25 m including 7 3.55 25 7 m at 3.55 g/t Au from 25 m including 1 2.76 41 1 m at 2.76 g/t Au from 41 m NC063 1 0.76 53 1 m at 0.76 g/t Au from 53 m NC063 1 0.56 66 1 m at 0.56 g/t Au from 66 m NC063 4 1.32 71 4 m at 1.32 g/t Au from 71 m including 1 4.24 71 1 m at 4.24 g/t Au from 71 m NC063 NSI Appendix 3 Kilkenny 1998 Costean and Drill Collar locations in MGA_2020, zone 50, converted from AGD 84, zone 50. HOLE ID EASTING (m) NORTHING (m) RL (m) AZI DIP DEPTH (m) ACN01 602,865 7,636,835 230 140 -70 30 ACN02 602,860 7,636,845 230 140 -70 30 ACN03 602,855 7,636,855 230 140 -70 30 ACN04 602,780 7,636,815 230 320 -70 25 ACN05 602,785 7,636,805 230 320 -70 26 ACN06 602,790 7,636,795 230 320 -70 28 ACN07 602,660 7,636,975 230 150 -70 30 ACN08 602,650 7,636,980 230 150 -70 30 ACN09 602,570 7,636,875 230 170 -70 30 ACN10 602,560 7,636,890 230 170 -70 30 ACN11 602,550 7,636,905 230 170 -70 30 ACN12 602,423 7,636,770 230 120 -70 30 ACN13 602,435 7,636,765 230 120 -70 30 ACN14 602,845 7,636,815 230 340 -70 30 ACN15 602,840 7,636,825 230 340 -70 27 ACN16 603,170 7,636,775 230 90 -90 30 ACN17 603,140 7,636,735 230 90 -90 30 ACN18 603,110 7,636,695 230 90 -90 30 CHN01 602,840 7,636,839 230 170 0 20 CHN02 602,824 7,636,808 230 335 0 22 CHN03 602,803 7,636,803 230 335 0 24 CHN04 602,793 7,636,788 230 335 0 24 CHN05 602,777 7,636,766 230 335 0 22 CHN06 602,760 7,636,745 230 335 0 22 CHN07 602,742 7,636,726 230 335 0 20 CHN08 602,830 7,636,852 230 135 0 40 Appendix 4 Kilkenny 1998 AC drill results and costean results at a 0.3 g/t Au cut-off and 3 m internal dilution. Higher grade sections are at a 1.0 g/t Au cut-off and 1 m internal dilution. Hole ID width m Au g/t From m intercept ACN01 NSI ACN02 NSI ACN03 NSI ACN04 NSI ACN05 5 5.02 9 5 m at 5.02 g/t Au from 9 m ACN06 1 10.80 17 1 m at 10.80 g/t Au from 17 m ACN07 NSI ACN08 NSI ACN09 NSI ACN10 NSI ACN11 NSI ACN12 NSI ACN13 5 1.74 14 5 m at 1.74 g/t Au from 14 m Including 2 3.53 14 2 m at 3.53 g/t Au from 14 m ACN14 1 0.78 5 1 m at 0.78 g/t Au from 5 m ACN15 1 2.05 3 1 m at 2.05 g/t Au from 3 m ACN16 NSI ACN17 NSI ACN18 NSI CHN01 4 0.35 10 4 m at 0.35 g/t Au from 10 m CHN02 2 0.50 6 2 m at 0.50 g/t Au from 6 m CHN02 8 2.12 14 8 m at 2.12 g/t Au from 14 m Including 2 5.50 14 2 m at 5.50 g/t Au from 14 m CHN03 2 1.40 8 2 m at 1.40 g/t Au from 8 m CHN03 2 1.12 14 2 m at 1.12 g/t Au from 14 m CHN03 2 0.46 22 2 m at 0.46 g/t Au from 22 m CHN04 2 0.84 12 2 m at 0.84 g/t Au from 12 m CHN05 NSI CHN06 NSI CHN07 NSI CHN08 8 4.21 20 8 m at 4.21 g/t Au from 20 m Including 4 7.00 24 4 m at 7.0 g/t Au from 24 m JORC Code, 2012 Edition Table 1 Section 1: Sampling Techniques and Data (Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section) Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (e.g., cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used. Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where industry standard work has been done this would be relatively simple (e.g., reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay). In other cases, more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (e.g., submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. The Nunyerry North Prospect located in the Egina Gold Camp was tested using reverse circulation (RC) drilling. Drill holes were located to intersect the main interpreted vein sets and obliquely intersect shears and faults. RC drilling obtained one metre split samples from a face sampling hammer bit using an industry standard cone splitter attached to the cyclone to collect an approximately 2-3 kg split material in pre-numbered calico bags. Regular air and manual cleaning of the cyclone was conducted at the end of every hole, to remove buildup of dust and chip material where present. Standards, blanks and replicate assays were inserted into the sample sequence in the field. A downhole Reflex single shot and downhole gyro survey tool were calibrated prior to the drilling program commencing, and a pXRF machine for multi-element analysis was calibrated every day. The 2-3 kg sample was dried and crushed to <2mm at the lab to obtain a 500g sample for Au analysis by Chrysos PhotonAssay at an independent certified laboratory. For a subset of samples, the remaining crushed material was pulverized to 75 m at 85% passing and tested using 50 gram Fire Assay and/or 1 kg Screen Fire Assay. Remaining crushed material or material riffle split from green bags were submitted to be crushed, and analysed using multiple PhotonAssay for a larger sample better representing coarse gold systems. Based on statistical analysis of these results, there is no evidence to suggest the samples are not representative. Costean samples by Kilkenny were collected by grab sampling 1 3 kg of material along 2 m intervals. Drill samples were speared from one metre sample piles into 4 m composites, submitted to Genalysis Laboratories, Western Australia for analysis via Fire Assay. Drilling techniques Drill type (e.g., core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (e.g., core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit, or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). A total of 35 RC holes and 1 open hole percussion for an aggregate total of 3,942 m were completed with depths ranging from 66 m to 192 m, averaging 116 m. RC drilling was undertaken using a 5 inch face sampling hammer bit. Kilkenny drilled 18 shallow percussion holes for 530 m in 1998 using a 600cfm/250psi aircore rig and hammer bit. Depths range from 20 m to 40 m and average 28 m. Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed. Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples. Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. The samples were visually checked for recovery as an estimate of variance from the average 100% recovery and were checked for moisture content and sample quality (contamination), recorded every metre by the geologist. The cyclone was routinely cleaned ensuring no material build up. The ground conditions were excellent with consistent recoveries and generally dry samples. The cyclone emits minimal dust such that sample bias by losing fines and concentrating coarse material is deemed to be negligible. The possibility of sample bias through selective recoveries is considered negligible and there is no relationship between grade and sample recoveries/quality or moisture content. Sample recovery information for Kilkenny 1998 samples is not recorded. Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography. The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. One metre RC drill samples were directly split on the drill rig using an industry standard cone splitter to collect approximately 2-3 kg of split material in a pre-numbered calico bag and the remainder of the sample (bulk sample) collected in a numbered large green plastic bag and laid out in rows or 20 or 30 samples. The bulk sample was speared diagonally to collect a representation of the material for each metre. The speared 1 m sample was sieved to separate the fine and coarse material. The geologist then logged chips from each metre in direct sunlight (including lithology, grain size, colour, alteration, weathering, vein percent and sulphide mineralogy) before part of the sample was placed in a chip tray for permanent storage. Fine material was collected in chip trays and analysed using the pXRF for pathfinder elements. 3,942 m were logged representing all drilled meters from all drill holes. The logging was qualitative, except for logging of vein percent which was quantitative. Kilkenny recorded downhole geology for all intervals by recording primary lithology information from spearing sample piles at one metre intervals. Information is captured in cross sections. Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry. For all sample types, the nature, quality, and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique. Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples. Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in-situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling. Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. One metre RC drill samples were directly split on the drill rig using an industry standard cone splitter to collect approximately 2-3 kg of split material in a pre-numbered calico bag. All samples were dry crushed to minus 2 mm by Intertek Genalysis using a smart crusher to create a 500 g aliquot, then assayed for gold by Chrysos PhotonAssay with a variable detection limit of approximately 0.02 g/t Au. Coarse sample residue was retained to allow selected intervals to be re-assayed via multi-jar PhotonAssay. Kilkenny collected two metre costean composite samples and four metre drill sample composites from individual drill piles, and were submitted to Genalysis for Fire Assay with AAS finish, with a detection limit of 0.01 g/t Au. Drill samples exceeding 1 gram per tonne were re-sampled from individual sample piles for a one metre interval analysis. The sampling techniques and sample size is considered appropriate for this style of mineralisation. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc. Nature of quality control procedures adopted (e.g., standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (if lack of bias) and precision have been established. Chrysos PhotonAssay and fire assay techniques are considered appropriate and industry standard for Au with the detection limits as stated. The assay technique is regarded as total analysis. The sample methodology noted above is considered appropriate for orogenic gold style mineralization with possible coarse gold. The following blind to the lab QAQC protocols submitted with each batch were adhered to: 1 CRM coarse blanks and 1 CRM 200 micron blanks per 100 samples, 2 Certified Reference Material standards per 100 appropriate for the style of assaying being undertaken, and 4 riffle split field duplicates per 100 samples; No QAQC issues were detected. The accuracy and precision of the data revealed that the data is consistent with levels routinely achieved for Au assay data and no grade bias is present No QAQC issues were detected. No QAQC protocols or performance was reported by Kilkenny, and it is assumed that QAQC was not considered at the time. Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. The use of twinned holes. Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. Discuss any adjustment to assay data. Primary data was collected using database compatible excel templates which were then forwarded to the database manager email for upload to the Geobank (v2022.5) database, buffered through a validation portal that ensures code, interval and primary record compliance. Geobank is a front-end UX/UI tender software platform (developed and sold by Micromine) attached to a SQL v15.1 server. Assay data were loaded from lab certificates received from the registered laboratory by an internal database manager or external database consultant, and industry-standard audit trails and chain-of-custody was adhered to. Significant intercepts were calculated using a 0.3 g/t Au cut-off and up to 3 m consecutive internal dilution. High grade components use a 1 g/t Au cut-off and allow 1 m consecutive internal dilution. These generated in Micromine and were verified by at least two company geologists via manual and automatic calculations. Verification included checking the data against original logs, utilising laboratory certificates and cross-checking drill sections. No adjustments of the assay data were made. Kilkenny 1998 sample and assay data is extracted from their annual report, available online via WAMEX under the report ID A57774. Assays were reported by Novo as listed, preferring one metre splits over composites. No adjustments were made. Significant intercepts were calculated using a 0.3 g/t Au cut-off and up to 3 m consecutive internal dilution. High grade components use a 1 g/t Au cut-off and allow 1 m consecutive internal dilution. These generated in Micromine and were verified by at least two company geologists via manual and automatic calculations. Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. Specification of the grid system used. Quality and adequacy of topographic control. All RC drill holes were drilled on locations marked by pegs which were established using a DGPS (Trimble RTK system) with a 10cm easting and northing accuracy, and 20 cm vertical accuracy. The datum used is GDA2020 zone 50. Drill holes were drilled within 2 m of the original peg with co-ordinates changed accordingly where holes were moved slightly from the original peg position. Drill holes were surveyed using an RTK (with a 10cm easting and northing accuracy, and 20 cm vertical accuracy) at the end of the program to ascertain the exact location of the final drill hole. The RTK DGPS data was used for topographic control. A north seeking gyro was utilised at every 20 m downhole to monitor hole deviation. A final survey reading was taken every 5 m to generate an accurate hole trace. Kilkenny recorded collar coordinates using a GPS in grid AGD84, zone 50, which are converted by Novo to GDA2020 zone 50. Costean coordinates are derived from a gridded map in AGD84, zone 50, captured by GPS, and converted to GDA2020. Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. Whether the data spacing, and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied. Whether sample compositing has been applied. Data spacing at Nunyerry North is sufficient to demonstrate grade and geological continuity. The drillholes were collared on sections approximately 40 to 80 metres apart with holes spaced at approximately 20 m spacings on section. 1 m spaced drill samples were collected. Samples were not composited. Kilkenny costeans and drilling are reconnaissance tests and do not represent grade or geological continuity. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type. If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. The geology of the Nunyerry North target area includes sheeted quartz vein-related gold mineralization, juxtaposed by regional shears and offset faults in E-W trending stratigraphy dipping to the north at 80 degrees. The shears dip to the north at 55 to 70 degrees, and the offset faults dip to the east-northeast at about 70-75 degrees. Two main quartz vein sets are identified: one dipping 20 to 60 degrees toward the SSE and the second sub-vertical set steeply dipping and striking N to NNE. Drill holes were collared to be as perpendicular as possible to interpreted mineralisation or structure. Estrid Fault drilling is roughly parallel to the main structure and may have drilled down dip of mineralisation. The true orientation of mineralisation is currently not known. No sampling bias is recognized with preliminary sectional interpretations highlighting the dip of mineralised vein sets to be 60 degrees to the SSW. Kilkenny drilling and costeaning is perpendicular to dominant stratigraphy, but the host and orientation is not yet known. Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. RC samples were collected in calico bags provided to the drillers at the start of each hole. Calico bags were tied up and placed on the green bags before being placed in polyweave bags which were zip tied and removed from the drill site daily. Samples were collected in bulka bags and transported to Karratha by Novo staff and placed into a locked shed. All samples are stored and managed on site by internal staff. Samples were transported by reputable transport companies to a registered laboratory. Chain of custody is maintained by con notes and tracking numbers from Karratha to the registered laboratory. At the registered laboratory the individual samples are registered and tracked through the preparation and analysis process. Chain of custody information from Kilkenny is not available. Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. No audits have been undertaken. Section 2: Reporting of Exploration Results (Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section) Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings. The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a license to operate in the area. The Nunyerry North prospect is on Exploration License E47/2973, located in the broader Egina Gold Camp, and 150 km from Port Hedland. The tenement is subject to a Joint Venture agreement with Novo Resources holding a 70% interest and the remaining 30% held by Rockford Metals Pty Ltd, an entity of Mark Gareth Creasy (Creasy Group). There are several Registered Heritage Sites within this tenement, however not overlapping with the immediate drilling area. The Prospect is covered by the granted Yindjibarndi People and RTIO Indigenous Land Use Agreement (Initial ILUA) (WI2014/005) and is subject to a land access and mineral exploration agreement with the Native Title Holders. The tenements are currently in good standing and there are no known impediments. Exploration done by other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. Numerous companies had worked in the general area in the past including; 1968 (A13076), US Steel Corporation Complete, 1977 (A7202), Occidental Minerals Corporation of Australia, 1977 (A7237, A7238, A7308), CRA Exploration Pty Ltd Explored, 1981 (A10873), West Coast Holdings Ltd, Command Minerals NL, 1982 (A11291), Pancontinental Mining Ltd, 1985 (A17643), CRA Exploration Pty Ltd, 1995-1996 (A44168, A47363), Mark Creasy, 1996 (A47385), Kilkenny Gold NL Explored, 1998 (A54099, A54394), Kilkenny Gold NL Gold, 2004 (A68128), Bullion Minerals-Farno McMahon Pty Ltd, 2008 (A77811, A81531) and Chalice Gold Mines Ltd 2016 - 2018 Rockford Metals Ltd (Creasy Group). Rockford Metals were the first company to define the Nunyerry North Prospect as a target. Upon granting, geological reconnaissance, rock chip, soil and stream sampling was completed targeting gold associated with the Mallina Formation, quartz veins within Archean mafic/ultramafic greenstone belt rocks and regional locations returning maxima of 20.7 ppm Au (rock chip sample), 650 ppb Au (soil sample) and 745 ppb Au (stream sample). Surface soil geochemical sampling was targeting a gold anomalous quartz veins hosted within Archaean mafic/ultramafic Greenstone Belt rocks. The gold content varies from 0.001 to 2.13 ppm (average is 0.25 ppm) and defined a 1.3 km long, 200 m wide >30 ppb Au gold anomaly in a broadly anomalous 2 km long zone with several lower order 500 m long >10 ppb Au anomalies. In 2018, an aeromagnetic/radiometric survey was completed over the Nunyerry Project by Rockford Metals Ltd at 30 m sensor height and 50 m line spacing for a total of 21,829 line kilometres. Geology Deposit type, geological setting, and style of mineralisation. The Nunyerry North target area includes orogenic structurally controlled quartz vein-related gold mineralisation within a sequence of ultramafic komatiites and mafic rocks, juxtaposed by regional shears and offset faults. The target hosts a 1.4 km long, high-order surface soil anomaly, where rock chip sampling in 2021 returned peak high-grade results from quartz veins including 30.3 g/t Au, 21.1 g/t Au and 9.0 g/t Au; with additional sampling in 2022 delivering 8.81 g/t Au and 7.39 g/t Au. All significant intercept tables include nil results for drilling that failed to intercept anomalous results. Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes, including Easting and northing of the drill hole collar, Elevation or RL (Reduced Level elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar, dip and azimuth of the hole, down hole length and interception depth plus hole length. If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. All relevant information for the Nunyerry North RC drill program is summarized in the release Appendix - Table 1 Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (e.g., cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated. Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high-grade results and longer lengths of low-grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail. The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. All significant drill intercepts were calculated using a 0.3 g/t Au cut-off and up to 3 m consecutive internal dilution. No upper cutoff grades were applied. Gold is the only metal of economic significance reported. Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results. If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported. If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (e.g., down hole length, true width not known). Sectional interpretation confirms that the main veins interpreted were intersected roughly perpendicular to the drill holes. Estimates for true widths are between 75% and 100% of the downhole intercept. Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported. These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. Refer to the body of the release for appropriate maps and diagrams. Balanced reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. All significant drilling intercepts are provided in Table 1 in the body of the main report. Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. No additional data. Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (e.g., tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling). Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. Plunge components are still open, and additional RC or diamond drilling are considered to follow up Regional sampling is currently underway on the Tabba Tabba Shear Zone to determine whether additional prospects can be progressed towards reconnaissance drill testing No Section 3 or 4 report as no Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves are reported in this Appendix ______________________________ 1 Refer to De Greys Quarterly activities report for the period ending 30 June 2024, released 15 July 2024. No assurance can be given that a similar (or any) commercially mineable deposit will be determined at Novos Becher project. 2 Refer to Novos news release dated 15 August 2024 Exploration to expand into the East Pilbara. 3 Refer to De Greys ASX Announcement, dated 21 November 2023. No assurance can be given that a similar (or any) commercially mineable deposit will be determined at Novos Becher project. 4 Refer to Novos news release dated 27 March 2024 Upgraded Nunyerry North Drill Results Deliver High-Grade Intercepts up to 6.12g/t Au. 5 Refer to Novos news release dated 6 September 2022 - High Quality Targets advanced at Purdys North, Becher area and Nunyerry. 6 See WAMEX Australia Limited Kilkenny Gold NL Explored, 1998 (A54099, A54394), Kilkenny Gold NL Gold, 2004 (A68128). Novo has not independently validated these results and therefore is not to be regarded as reporting, adopting or endorsing the results. No assurance can be given that Novo will achieve similar results as part of its exploration activities at the Kilkenny prospect. 7 Refer to De Grey ASX news release dated 22 January 2008 available at www.asx.com.au. 8 Refer to Novos ASX news release dated 19 December 2023 Strategic Joint Venture with Global Lithium Producer SQM. 9 Refer to De Grey ASX Announcement, Hemi Gold Project Resource Update, dated 21 November 2023. No assurance can be given that a similar (or any) commercially mineable deposit will be determined at Novos Becher project. GSilver Reports Q2 2024 Production and Financial Results VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 /Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd. (the "Company" or "GSilver") (TSXV:GSVR) (OTCQX:GSVRF) is pleased to announce financial and operating results for the three month and six month periods ending June 30, 2024. All dollar amounts are in US dollars (US$) and prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. This news release should be read in conjunction with the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the period ended June 30, 2024 and Management's Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A") thereon, which can be viewed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Production results are from the Company's wholly owned El Cubo Mines Complex ("El Cubo"), Valenciana Mines Complex ("VMC") and San Ignacio mine ("San Ignacio") in Guanajuato, Mexico, and the Topia mine ("Topia") located in Durango, Mexico. Selected Q2 2024 (Three Month Period) Highlights: Record revenue for the quarter of $20.5M representing a 16% increase over the previous quarter, and a 22% increaseover Q2 2023. Consolidated revenue for the quarter was generated by a realized average price of $28.78 per silver ounce, $2,334 per gold ounce, $0.98 per pound of lead, and $1.29 per pound of zinc. Positive mine operating income of $947,433 . During the quarter, the Company posted its first ever positive income from mining operations. Positive EBITDA* of $2,007,907 represents the first positive EBITDA* reported by the Company and demonstrates improving cash flow from mining operations. EBITDA showed a notable $6.5M improvement from the previous quarter. Adjusted EBITDA* was also positive at $1,916,933 for the quarter. During the quarter, the Company Production for the quarter of 823,679 silver-equivalent ounces (" AgEq ") derived from 398,685 ounces of silver, 4,255 ounces of gold, 806,295 pounds of lead and 1,067,538 pounds of zinc. (See note to table below for details regarding the Company's AgEq calculations). Guanajuato Silver remains a primary silver and gold producer with over 90% of revenues being derived from the sale of precious metals. All lead and zinc production comes exclusively from the Company's Topia mine located in northwest Durango. Total tonnes milled at the Company's three production facilities was 161,457, which was a decrease of 2% from the previous quarter. All of Guanajuato Silver's mining operations continue to be in the process of ramping up to full production. Cash costs of $19.93 per AgEq ounce; AISC* of $25.55 was higher quarter over quarter due in part to increased spending on sustaining capital of $1.97M in Q2 that included installation of a new ore sorter, a new scoop tram, new mine drilling equipment, and increased mine development. The Company's working capital position improved by 21% over the previous quarter; this betterment of over $4.4M was driven by record revenue seen during the quarter. Net loss for the quarter of $2.7M was a marked $4.6M improvement over the previous quarter and continues the Company's path towards cash-flow profitability. As of June 30, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $2.2M and negative working capital of $16.8M. *EBITDA, (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) Adjusted EBITDA and AISC are non-IFRS financial measures with no standardized meaning under IFRS, and therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. For further information and detailed reconciliations of Non-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measures see "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" in this News Release. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Commercial production at the El Cubo Mines Complex ("CMC") commenced on October 1, 2021. The Valenciana Mines Complex ("VMC"), the San Ignacio mine ("San Ignacio"), the Cata mill facility, and the Topia Mines Complex ("Topia") were acquired on August 4, 2022. Topia had continuous production throughout the acquisition. The San Ignacio mine recommenced production in August 2022 and production at the Valenciana mine also began in August 2022. Recommissioning of the Cata plant began in December 2022 with processing commencing in January 2023. The following table summarizes the Company's consolidated operating and financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 and the three months ended March 31, 2024: Silver equivalents are calculated using 81.05:1 (Ag/Au), 0.03:1 (Ag/Pb) and 0.05:1 (Ag/Zn) ratio for Q2 2024; an 81.33:1 (Ag/Au), 0.04:1 (Ag/Pb) and 0.05:1 (Ag/Zn) ratio for Q2 2023 and silver equivalents are calculated using 88.72:1 (Ag/Au), 0.04:1 (Ag/Pb) and 0.05:1 (Ag/Zn) ratio for Q1 2024. Cash cost per silver equivalent ounce includes mining, processing, and direct overhead. See Reconciliation to IFRS in the Non-IFRS Financial Measures section of this news release. AlSC per Ag/Eq oz includes mining, processing, direct overhead, corporate general and administration expenses, on-site exploration, reclamation, and sustaining capital. See Reconciliation to IFRS in the Non-IFRS Financial Measures section of this news release. See Reconciliation of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization in the Non-IFRS Financial Measures section of this news release. Mine Operating Cashflow Before Taxes, Cash cost per silver equivalent, cost per tonne, AISC per Ag/Eq ounce, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and working capital are non-IFRS financial measure with no standardized meaning under IFRS, and therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. For further information and detailed reconciliations of non-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measures see "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" section of this news release. Based on provisional sales before final price adjustments, before payable metal deductions, treatment, and refining charges. Mine operating cash flow before taxes is calculated by adding back depreciation, depletion, and inventory write-downs to mine operating loss. See Reconciliation to IFRS in the Non-IFRS Financial Measures section of this news release. NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES The Company has disclosed certain non-IFRS financial measures and ratios in this news release, as discussed below. These non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios are widely reported in the mining industry as benchmarks for performance and are used by Management to monitor and evaluate the Company's operating performance and ability to generate cash. The Company believes that, in addition to financial measures and ratios prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use these non-IFRS financial measures and ratios to evaluate the Company's performance. However, the measures do not have a standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other companies. Accordingly, non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures and ratios of the Company's performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Non-IFRS financial measures are defined in National Instrument 52-112 - Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure ("NI 52-122") as a financial measure disclosed that (a) depicts the historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of an entity, (b) with respect to its composition, excludes an amount that is included in, or includes an amount that is excluded from, the composition of the most directly comparable financial measure disclosed in the primary financial statements of the entity, (c) is not disclosed in the financial statements of the entity, and (d) is not a ratio, fraction, percentage or similar representation. A non-IFRS ratio is defined by NI 52-112 as a financial measure disclosed that (a) is in the form of a ratio, fraction, percentage, or similar representation, (b) has a non-IFRS financial measure as one or more of its components, and (c) is not disclosed in the financial statements. WORKING CAPITAL Working capital is a non-IFRS measure that is a common measure of liquidity but does not have any standardized meaning. The most directly comparable measure prepared in accordance with IFRS is current assets net of current liabilities. Working capital is calculated by deducting current liabilities from current assets. Working capital should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute from measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. The measure is intended to assist readers in evaluating the Company's liquidity. MINE OPERATING CASH FLOW BEFORE TAXES Mine operating cash flow before taxes is a non-IFRS measure that does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Mine operating cash flow is calculated as revenue minus production costs, transportation and selling costs and inventory changes. Mine operating cash flow is used by management to assess the performance of the mine operations, excluding corporate and exploration activities, and is provided to investors as a measure of the Company's operating performance. EBITDA EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure, which excludes the following from net earnings: Income tax expense; Finance costs; Amortization and depletion. Adjusted EBITDA excludes the following additional items from EBITDA: Share based compensation; Non-recurring impairments (reversals); Loss (gain) on derivative; Significant other non-routine finance items. Adjusted EBITDA per share is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by the basic weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. Management believes EBITDA is a valuable indicator of the Company's ability to generate liquidity by producing operating cash flow to fund working capital needs, service debt obligations, and fund capital expenditures. Management uses EBITDA for this purpose. EBITDA is also frequently used by investors and analysts for valuation purposes whereby EBITDA is multiplied by a factor or "EBITDA multiple" based on an observed or inferred relationship between EBITDA and market values to determine the approximate total enterprise value of a Company. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results because it is consistent with the indicators management uses internally to measure the Company's performance and is an indicator of the performance of the Company's mining operations. EBITDA is intended to provide additional information to investors and analysts. It does not have any standardized definition under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of operating performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. EBITDA excludes the impact of cash costs of financing activities and taxes, and the effects of changes in operating working capital balances, and therefore is not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined by IFRS. Other companies may calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA differently. Cash Cost per Ag/Eq Ounce, All-In Sustaining Cost per Ag/Eq Ounce and Production Cost per Tonne Cash costs per silver equivalent oz and production costs per tonne are measures developed by precious metals companies in an effort to provide a comparable standard; however, there can be no assurance that the Company's reporting of these non-IFRS measures and ratios are similar to those reported by other mining companies. Cash costs per silver equivalent ounce and total production cost per tonne are non-IFRS performance measures used by the Company to manage and evaluate operating performance at its operating mining unit, in conjunction with the related IFRS amounts. They are widely reported in the silver mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and are disclosed in addition to IFRS measures. Production costs include mining, milling, and direct overhead at the operation sites. Cash costs include all direct costs plus royalties and special mining duty. Total production costs include all cash costs plus amortization and depletion, changes in amortization and depletion in finished goods inventory and site share-based compensation. Cash costs per silver equivalent ounce is calculated by dividing cash costs and total production costs by the payable silver ounces produced. Production costs per tonne are calculated by dividing production costs by the number of processed tonnes. The following tables provide a detailed reconciliation of these measures to the Company's direct production costs, as reported in its consolidated financial statements. AISC is a non-IFRS performance measure and was calculated based on guidance provided by the World Gold Council ("WGC"). WGC is not a regulatory industry organization and does not have the authority to develop accounting standards for disclosure requirements. Other mining companies may calculate AISC differently as a result of differences in underlying accounting principles and policies applied, as well as differences in definitions of sustaining capital expenditures. AISC is a more comprehensive measure than cash cost per ounce and is useful for investors and management to assess the Company's operating performance by providing greater visibility, comparability and representation of the total costs associated with producing silver from its current operations, in conjunction with related IFRS amounts. AISC helps investors to assess costs against peers in the industry and help management assess the performance of its mine. AISC includes total production costs (IFRS measure) incurred at the Company's mining operation, which forms the basis of the Company's total cash costs. Additionally, the Company includes sustaining capital expenditures, corporate general and administrative expense, operating lease payments and reclamation cost accretion. The Company believes this measure represents the total sustainable costs of producing silver and gold concentrate from current operations and provides additional information of the Company's operational performance and ability to generate cash flows. As the measure seeks to reflect the full cost of silver and gold concentrate production from current operations, new projects capital at current operation is not included. Certain other cash expenditures, including share-based payments, tax payments, dividends and financing costs are also not included. The following tables provide detailed reconciliations of these measures to cost of sales, as reported in notes to the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements. Silver equivalents are calculated using 81.05:1 (Ag/Au), 0.03:1 (Ag/Pb) and 0.05:1 (Ag/Zn) ratio for Q2 2024 and an 81.33:1 (Ag/Au), 0.04:1 (Ag/Pb) and 0.05:1 (Ag/Zn) ratio for Q2 2023, respectively. Cash cost per silver equivalent ounce include mining, processing, and direct overhead. AlSC per oz include mining, processing, direct overhead, corporate general and administration expenses, on-site exploration, reclamation, and sustaining capital. Production costs include mining, milling, and direct overhead at the operation sites. Consolidated amount for the three months ended June 30, 2024, excludes $3,986 in relation to silver bullion transportation and selling cost from cost of sales. Silver equivalents are calculated using an 84.51:1 (Ag/Au), 0.04:1 (Ag/Pb) and 0.05:1 (Ag/Zn) YTD 2024 and an 82.51:1 (Ag/Au), 0.04:1 (Ag/Pb) and 0.06:1 (Ag/Zn) YTD 2023, respectively. Cash cost per silver equivalent ounce include mining, processing, and direct overhead. AlSC per oz include mining, processing, direct overhead, corporate general and administration expenses, on-site exploration, reclamation, and sustaining capital. Production costs include mining, milling, and direct overhead at the operation sites. Consolidated amount for the six months ended June 30, 2024, excludes $3,986 in relation to silver bullion transportation and selling cost from cost of sales. About Guanajuato Silver GSilver is a precious metals producer engaged in reactivating past producing silver and gold mines in central Mexico. The Company produces silver and gold concentrates from the El Cubo Mine, Valenciana Mines Complex, and the San Ignacio mine; all three mines are located within the state of Guanajuato, which has an established 480-year mining history. Additionally, the Company produces silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates from the Topia mine in northwestern Durango. With four operating mines and three processing facilities, Guanajuato Silver is one of the fastest growing silver producers in Mexico. Technical Information Reynaldo Rivera, VP Exploration for GSilver, has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Rivera is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM - Registration Number 220979) and a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Rivera has verified the data that supports the technical information disclosed in this press release by reviewing production reports from each of the Company's mining operations. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "James Anderson" Chairman and CEO For further information regarding Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., please contact: JJ Jennex, Gerente de Comunicaciones, T: 604 723 1433 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Gsilver.com Guanajuato Silver Bullion Store Please visit our Bullion Store, where Guanajuato Silver coins and bars can be purchased. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and information, which relate to future events or future performance including, but not limited to, the Company being on the threshold of cash-flow profitability, the improved assets in terms of production efficiency, scale, and economics; the positive impact of capex investments; the intention to build Guanajuato Silver into a mid-tier precious metals producer; and the Company's status as one of the fastest growing silver producers in Mexico. Such forward-looking statements and information reflect management's current beliefs and expectations and are based on information currently available to and assumptions made by the Company; which assumptions, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include: our estimates of mineralized material at El Cubo and San Ignacio and the assumptions upon which they are based, including geotechnical and metallurgical characteristics of rock conforming to sampled results and metallurgical performance; available tonnage of mineralized material to be mined and processed; resource grades and recoveries; assumptions and discount rates being appropriately applied to production estimates; the ability of the Company to ramp up processing of mineralized material at its processing plants at the projected rates and source sufficient high grade mineralized material to fill such processing capacity; prices for silver, gold and other metals remaining as estimated; currency exchange rates remaining as estimated; availability of funds for the Company's projects and to satisfy current liabilities and obligations including debt repayments; capital cost estimates; decommissioning and reclamation estimates; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation) and inflation rates remaining as estimated; no labour-related disruptions; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled construction and production; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner; and the ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements and information are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results, level of activity, production levels, performance or achievements of GSilver to differ materially from those expected including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, future prices of gold, silver and other metals, currency rate fluctuations, rising inflation and interest rates, actual results of production, exploration and development activities, actual resource grades and recoveries of silver, gold and other metals, availability of third party mineralized material for processing, unanticipated geological or structural formations and characteristics, geopolitical conflicts including wars, environmental risks, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, equipment or personnel delays, delays in obtaining governmental or regulatory approvals and permits, inadequate insurance, and other risks in the mining industry. There are no assurances that GSilver will be able to successfully discover and mine sufficient quantities of high grade mineralized material at El Cubo, VMC, San Ignacio and Topia for processing at its existing mills to increase production, tonnage milled and recoveries rates of gold, silver, and other metals in the amounts, grades, recoveries, costs and timetable anticipated. In addition, GSilver's decision to process mineralized material from El Cubo, VMC, San Ignacio, Topia and its other mines is not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability and therefore is subject to increased uncertainty and risk of failure, both economically and technically. Mineral resources and mineralized material that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability, are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them, and may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, socio-political, marketing, and other relevant issues. There are no assurances that the Company's projected production of silver, gold and other metals will be realized. In addition, there are no assurances that the Company will meet its production forecasts or generate the anticipated cash flows from operations to satisfy its scheduled debt payments or other liabilities when due or meet financial covenants to which the Company is subject or to fund its exploration programs and corporate initiatives as planned. There is also uncertainty about the impact of the resurgence of COVID-19, the ongoing war in Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflict, inflation and rising interest rates and the impact they will have on the Company's operations, supply chains, ability to access mining projects or procure equipment, supplies, contractors and other personnel on a timely basis or at all and economic activity in general. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. All forward-looking statements and information made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca including the Company's most recently filed annual information form. These forward-looking statements and information are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by law. August 29, 2024 / TheNewswire / London, Ontario Abitibi Metals Corp. (CSE:AMQ) (OTCQB:AMQFF) (FSE:FW0) (Abitibi or the Company) is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Leavy to the Companys Advisory Committee. Chris Leavy, CFA a distinguished Wall Street asset manager with over two decades of experience, has been recognized as a "Top 100 Fund Manager" by Barron's and has held senior positions at leading financial institutions, including BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, and OppenheimerFunds. As the Chief Investment Officer of Fundamental Equities (Americas) at BlackRock, Mr. Leavy oversaw $115 billion in fundamental equities and was a member of the firm's Global Operating Committee. Prior to BlackRock, he served as the Chief Investment Officer of Equities at OppenheimerFunds. Earlier during his tenure at the firm, he was head of the value equity group and led the teams growth from $6 billion to $16 billion in assets. Mr. Leavy is currently on the Board of 1970 Group and was previously on the Board of Ascend Wellness Holdings. Mr. Leavy earned his BA in Economics from Trinity University and his MBA from Columbia Business School. "We are excited to welcome Chris to our Advisory Committee," said Jonathon Deluce, CEO. "His deep experience in asset management and strategic investments will be invaluable as we advance our high-grade B26 Polymetallic Deposit. Chriss expertise and leadership will be pivotal in assisting us in navigating the opportunities and challenges of the mining industry. Over the past eight months, I've truly enjoyed getting to know Chris, who recognizes the potential of the high-grade B26 Polymetallic Deposit. I deeply appreciate his support as a shareholder, and I am excited to work with him more closely in the months ahead." Mr. Leavy is known for his strategic insights and ability to identify undervalued opportunities. His role on the Advisory Committee will include providing counsel on business strategy, capital markets, and corporate governance. His addition reflects Abitibis commitment to building a world-class advisory team to support its growth and development objectives. About Abitibi Metals Corp Abitibi Metals Corp. is a Quebec-focused mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of quality base and precious metal properties that are drill-ready with high-upside and expansion potential. Abitibis portfolio of strategic properties provides target-rich diversification and includes the option to earn 80% of the high-grade B26 Polymetallic Deposit, which hosts a historical resource estimate1 of 7.0MT @ 2.94% Cu Eq (Ind) & 4.4MT @ 2.97% Cu Eq (Inf), and the Beschefer Gold Project, where historical drilling has identified 4 historical intercepts with a metal factor of over 100 g/t gold highlighted by 55.63 g/t gold over 5.57 metres and 13.07 g/t gold over 8.75 metres amongst four modelled zones. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Jonathon Deluce, Chief Executive Officer For more information, please call 226-271-5170, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit https://www.abitibimetals.com. The Company also maintains an active presence on various social media platforms to keep stakeholders and the general public informed and encourages shareholders and interested parties to follow and engage with the Company through the following channels to stay updated with the latest news, industry insights, and corporate announcements: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AbitibiMetals Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Note 1: A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The issuer is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Source: Rapport Technique NI 43-101 Estimation des Ressources Projet B26, Quebec, For SOQUEM Inc., By SGS Canada Inc., Yann Camus, ing., Olivier Vadnais-Leblanc, geo., SGS Canada Geostat., Effective Date: April 18, 2018; Date of Report: May 11, 2018 Forward-looking statement This news release contains certain statements, which may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information involves statements that are not based on historical information but rather relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments on the B26 Project or otherwise. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions, which are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Companys control and many of which, regarding future business decisions, are subject to change. These uncertainties and contingencies can affect actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on the Companys behalf. Although Abitibi has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. All factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on Abitibis forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as expects, estimates, anticipates, or variations of such words and phrases (including negative and grammatical variations) or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, might or occur. Mineral exploration and development are highly speculative and are characterized by a number of significant inherent risks, which may result in the inability of the Company to successfully develop current or proposed projects for commercial, technical, political, regulatory or financial reasons, or if successfully developed, may not remain economically viable for their mine life owing to any of the foregoing reasons, among others. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in achieving commercial mineral production and the likelihood of success must be considered in light of the stage of operations. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - T2 Metals Corp. (TSXV: TWO) (OTCQB: TWOSF) (WKN: A2DR6E) ("T2" or the "Company") is pleased to announce commencement of core drilling at the Sherridon copper-gold project in the Flin Flon - Snow Lake District of west-central Manitoba. The designed drill program is fully funded, will include more than 20 holes across a range of prospect areas, and will be the largest exploration program at Sherridon for more than a decade. Sherridon is a high-grade volcanogenic massive sulphide ("VMS") project with a significant mining history and multiple copper-rich massive sulphide occurrences, in an infrastructure-rich location. Targets for the drilling include near surface gold mineralization at Cold Lake and Lost Lake, targets down plunge from previous intersections at Bob Lake, and new targets identified by the integration of geology and geophysics. Drilling has commenced in the Cold Lake/Lost Lake area, in follow up to the successful 2023 program. The program incorporates both summer/fall and winter components to take advantage of simplified access and limited disturbance when ground is frozen. The drill program is facilitated through excellent support from the local First Nations community, highlighted by the 2023 signing of an Exploration Agreement with the Kiciwapa Cree Nation, and the 2024 receipt of an award for reconciliation efforts from Manitoba Prospectors and Developers Association. We look forward to contributing to the Sherridon community through employment, skills development and investment during the drilling program. Key features of the Sherridon project include: High grade historic copper and zinc production from an orebody with approximately 2 km of strike extent. Production from the Sherritt Gordon mines totalled 7.74 million tonnes @ 2.46% Cu, 2.84% Zn, 0.6 g/t Au and 33 g/t Ag (Goetz & Froese, 1982; see press release dated January 31, 2022); (Goetz & Froese, 1982; see press release dated January 31, 2022); Recent drilling results that intersected high grade gold in wall rock outside the copper-zinc massive sulphide including 4.50 m grading 29.2 g/t Au and 138.8 g/t Ag from 38.0m ( see press release dated March 1st, 2024 ) ; see press release dated March 1st, 2024 ; Historical Mineral Resource Estimates* at the Cold Lake, Lost Lake, Bob and Jungle prospects for a total of 6.6 M tonnes @ 0.85% Cu, 1.22% Zn, 0.4 g/t Au, 7.4 g/t Ag of Indicated Mineral Resources and 15.9 M tonnes @ 0.69% Cu, 0.84% Zn, 0.3 g/t Au, 5.8 g/t Ag of Inferred Mineral Resources (see press release dated January 31, 2022) (the "Historical Resource Estimates"); of Indicated Mineral Resources and of Inferred Mineral Resources (see press release dated January 31, 2022) (the "Historical Resource Estimates"); A large alteration system and more than 30 km of strike length of the mineralized target horizon that contains numerous massive sulphide deposits and occurrences. VMS systems in the Flin Flon - Snow Lake District, have equal prospectivity down dip as along strike; and more than 30 km of strike length of the mineralized target horizon that contains numerous massive sulphide deposits and occurrences. VMS systems in the Flin Flon - Snow Lake District, have equal prospectivity down dip as along strike; Strong support from the Province of Manitoba, highlighted by the receipt of more than $500k in grants from the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund (MMDF) in the past 12 months. * the Historical Resource Estimates above are the last mineral resource estimate for the named prospects and no more recent data is available to the Company. The Historical Resource Estimates are based upon Bloom, L., Healy, T., Giroux, G., Halo Resources Ltd. 2010, Sherridon VMS Property, Technical Report NI43-101 - November 22, 2010, which is available at www.sedarplus.ca. The Historical Resource Estimates were estimated at a net smelter return (NSR) cut-off of US$20 per tonne and US$45 per tonne for open pit and underground. Metal prices used were US$3.00/lb copper, US$1.05/lb zinc, US$1,000/oz gold and US$15.00/oz silver. Metallurgical recovery factors assumed were 92% for copper, 83% for zinc, 65% for gold and 57% for silver. The Company is not aware of any more recent resource estimates or data that would supersede the Historical Resource Estimates, and it is recommended that the reader exercise caution and consult the original historical report and related technical documentation for a more complete understanding of the prospect's geology, sampling, and estimation procedures. The Company will need to conduct further exploration, and there is no guarantee that the results obtained will reflect the historical estimate. In order to verify the Historical Resource Estimates to a current mineral resource estimate, among other things, the Company will need to retain a qualified person to verify historical drilling and assaying methods and validate historical results, add any drilling and assaying or other pertinent geological information generated since the last estimation, and complete a resource estimate and a new technical report. Significant data compilation, drilling, sampling and data verification may be required by a qualified person before the Historical Resource 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 mineral 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. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the Historical Mineral Estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves, and the Company is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The historical estimate should not be relied upon unless it is verified and supported by a current technical report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). While this information is considered reliable, it does not comply with the standards of NI 43-101 and should not be relied upon. Mark Saxon, CEO of T2 Metals Corp., said "it is great to get the rig turning at Sherridon, with our sights set on both exploration of known mineralization and a major new discovery. The Company is well structured, well funded by skilled institutional investors, and has a technical team with second to none experience in the Flin Flon - Snow Lake District. We look forward to working closely with the community and contractors and ensuring a safe and successful program that creates value for all stake-holders and rights-holders." The qualified person for the Company's projects, Mr. Mark Saxon, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, has reviewed and approved the contents of this release. Goetz, P., & Froese, E., 1982, The Sherritt Gordon Massive Sulphide Deposit. Precambrian Sulphide Deposits, H.S. Robinson Memorial Volume, edited by R.W. Hutchinson, C.D. Spence and J.M. Franklin, Geological Association of Canada Special Paper 25, 1982. About T2 Metals Corp (TSXV: TWO) (OTCQB: TWOSF) (WKN: A2DR6E) T2 Metals Corp is an emerging copper and precious metal company enhancing shareholder value through exploration and discovery. The Company continues to target under-explored areas, including the Sherridon, Lida, Cora and Copper Eagle projects where post-mineralization cover masks areas of high geological prospectivity in the vicinity of major mines. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, "Mark Saxon" Mark Saxon President & CEO 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 Certain information set out in this news release constitutes forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include the details, size, completion and anticipated results of its drill program, contributions to the Sherridon community, future exploration on the Company's mineral projects, and the potential to define mineral resources and complete a technical report on the Sherridon project. Forward-looking statements are based upon the opinions and expectations of management of the Company as at the effective date of such statements and, in certain cases, information provided or disseminated by third parties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, and that information obtained from third party sources is reliable, they can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the volatility of metal prices and the price of the Company's common shares; the availability of financing; actual exploration or development plans and costs differing materially from the Company's estimates; the ability to obtain and maintain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for mining activities; environmental regulations or hazards and compliance with complex regulations associated with mining activities; climate change and climate change regulations; and the dangers inherent in exploration, development and mining activities. Actual results may differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such risks include uncertainties relating to exploration activities. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. 4.68 meters of 1.29 g/t Au including 0.18 meters of 12.5 g/t Au TUCSON, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Western Alaska Minerals (the "Company" or "WAM") (TSXV:WAM) is pleased to announce initial gold assay results from their first ever drilling at the Warm Springs target on the Illinois Creek project in western Alaska. Highlights: Two gold zones intercepted in drill hole IC24-0004: 1.29 g/t Au over 4.68 meters within massive pyrite, including: 12.5 g/t Au and 0.9% Cu over 0.18 meters 2.13 g/t Au over 2.96 meters, including: 5.57 g/t Au over 1.01 meters Discovery of a new and separate mineralized structure parallel to the Illinois Creek Fault, opening the potential of a new "spoke" to the system. First significant copper and gold mineralization intercepted since WAM initiated exploration in 2021. The gold bearing zone is located approximately 1.4 km southeast of the Illinois Creek gold-silver resource (Figure 1). "Finding gold at Warm Springs opens up a whole new gold target zone within the eight-kilometer-long trend between the Illinois Creek and Waterpump Creek resources," said Kit Marrs, founder and CEO of Western Alaska Minerals. Mr. Marrs continues, "This is an exciting complement to our high-grade silver-zinc-lead resource at Waterpump Creek." Figure 1. Top: Google Earth view looking down and to the northwest of the Illinois Creek CRD system, encompassing Illinois Creek resource - Warm Springs - LH - Waterpump Creek resource. Bottom: LeapFrog 3D model of the mineralized areas. Warm Springs Target Dr. Peter Megaw, Technical Advisor and world-renowned silver and CRD geologist stated, "The appearance of gold and copper in the multiply brecciated alteration and mineralization zones cut in these latest holes at Warm Springs clearly indicates we're zeroing in on a repeatedly reactivated structure that acted as a major pathway for proximal/near-source mineralizing fluids. The CRD continuum model suggests the next steps are to link this to the distal silver-lead-zinc resource at Waterpump Creek and the more proximal gold-copper resource adjoining the historical Illinois Creek mine. The possibility that this is a separate structure parallel to the Illinois Creek Fault is especially intriguing as it may indicate a whole new "spoke" to the system." Western Alaska Minerals has completed nine drill holes at Warm Springs. Extensive alteration and oxide mineralization along with local base-metal sulfide mineralization has been intercepted in seven of the nine drill holes. Table 1. Table of highlight intercepts from drill hole IC24-0004 Hole From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Pb % Zn % Cu % Sulfide/Oxide IC24-0004 84.17 88.85 4.68 1.29 11.6 0.26 0.05 0.04 Sulfide Including 84.17 84.35 0.18 12.50 167 2.44 0.03 0.91 IC24-0004 244.40 247.36 2.96 2.13 7.0 0.35 0.30 .03 Oxide Including 246.35 247.36 1.01 5.57 12.8 0.38 0.26 .05 All intercepts are core length and are close to true width. Core recovery averaged 90.1% for reported intercepts. Table 2. Coordinate locations and angles for drill holes IC24-0004 Hole Easting Northing Plunge Azimuth TD (m) IC24-0004 555150 7101350 -60 000 451.41 Significance of Warm Springs Drill Results - Technical Discussion The Warm Springs mineralization is a major extension to the Illinois Creek CRD system and shows significant complexly overprinted mineralization stages. Exploration this year followed up on the Warm Springs siliceous breccia outcrop and two Anaconda drill holes from 1982*. The target was thought to be either an extension of the East IC Manto down-dip to the south or possibly a new mineralizing structure parallel to that of the Illinois Creek Mine mineralization. The drill results show numerous stages of mineralization including early-stage recrystallized ankerite with trace base-metal sulfides and cross-cutting late-stage silica and oxide mineralization. The first hole, IC24-0004, was a 310m step-off south of Anaconda drill holes 11 and 12*, and 1.2 km west of the WAM 2022 drill holes. IC24-0004 intercepted four mineralization zones consisting of numerous mineralization stages (Figure 4) including 1) pyrite + hydrothermal quartz breccia with elevated Au, As and Cu values as shown in Table 1, 2) recrystallized ankerite with trace galena 3) pervasive silica + oxide breccia including limonite-dominant and hematite-dominant sub-zones and 4) oxidized elevated Pb + Mn (assay results not shown) manto gossans. These elevated metal zones ranged from 18.7 to 53.65 meters thick with a combined total mineralization thickness of 100 meters. Figure 2. Massive pyrite with breccia texture for the intercept reported in Table 1. Figure 3. Breccias in various stages of mineralization LH Target Zone Update The 2024 drill program also included drill testing of the LH target zone, located on the west side of the airstrip. The LH Target has generated significant interest as a potential high-grade extension of the Waterpump Creek zone. It was first drilled by NovaGold in 2005/2006*. WAM drilled four holes in 2024 which cut a few gossans, but no significant sulfide manto mineralization. In addition, four surface trenches were cut to better understand the LH target. Assays for the drilling and trenching are pending. The drill holes this year plus the trenching have refined our exploration model and target for the LH zone. It is now interpreted to be a vertically oriented feature and likely higher in the CRD system than Waterpump Creek and mineralization is thought to be deeper than originally anticipated. The LH target remains a priority target. Drilling Statistics Drill program was completed on August 24th, totalling 4,230 meters LH Zone: four drill holes totalling 1,347 meters Warm Springs Zone: nine drill holes totalling 2,883 meters Assay results pending for all holes except IC24-0004 Quality Assurance and Quality Control Quality Assurance/Quality Control of drill sample assay results are monitored by WAM staff through a quality assurance/quality control ("QA/QC") protocol which includes the insertion of blind standard reference materials, blanks, and duplicates samples at regular intervals. Core logging and sampling is completed at the Illinois Creek mine camp in Alaska. Drill core is logged under an established procedure using GeoSpark commercial logging software. Core intervals selected for assay are sawn lengthwise in half. One half of the core interval is bagged and labeled for assay. The remainder is stored on site for reference. The bagged core samples are transported to the ALS Minerals laboratory in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, for sample submission. ALS Minerals Fairbanks is a satellite sample preparation facility accredited under ALS Minerals. The ALS Minerals Fairbanks laboratory then shipped the samples to ALS Minerals in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada, for sample preparation and analysis. ALS Minerals North Vancouver is an independent laboratory certified under ISO 9001:2008 and accredited under ISO/IEC 7025:2005 by the Standards Council of Canada. ALS Minerals includes its own internal quality control samples comprising certified reference materials, blanks, and pulp duplicates. At ALS the half-core samples were weighed (WEI-21), dried if excessively wet (DRY-21), coarse jaw crushed to 70% passing 6 mm (CRU-21), fine jaw crushed to 70% passing 2 mm (CRU-31), riffle split to 250 g subsamples (SPL-21) and pulverized to 85% passing 75 m (PUL-31). Crushed duplicates were created by riffle splitting crushed samples into two parts. The gold content is determined by fire assay of a 30-gram charge with an AA finish (Au-AA23). Silver, lead, copper, and zinc along with other elements are analyzed by ICP utilizing a four-acid digestion (ME-ICP61). Over-limit samples for silver, lead, copper, and zinc are determined by using either an ore grade four-acid digestion and ICP-ES finish (ME-OG62) or ore-grade titration analysis (VOL50 or VOL70) for very high-grade samples. Au from the high-grade interval from 84.17 to 84.35 was analyzed a 30 gram fire assay charge and gravimetric finish. ALS Minerals' laboratory also performs its own internal QA/QC procedures to assure the accuracy and integrity of results. Parameters for ALS' internal and WAM' external blind quality control samples are acceptable for the elements analyzed. WAM is unaware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein. Qualified Person The Qualified Person who reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this release is Andrew West, Certified Professional Geologist, a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. West is the Vice President for Western Alaska Minerals with a MS in Geology and 30 years of experience in mineral resources, mine, and exploration. He is a Certified Professional Geologist with the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG CP-11759). His review verified the technical data disclosed, including geology, sampling, analytical and QA/QC data underlying this news release, including reviewing the reports of ALS, methodologies, results, and all procedures undertaken for quality assurance and quality control in a manner consistent with industry practice. About WAM Our mission is to advance a mineable and scalable CRD, ultimately reshaping the mineral landscape of western Alaska and establishing a new CRD district. WAM's CRD system encompasses a 373K oz AuEq NI 43-101-compliant indicated and 152K oz AuEq Inferred resource* at the past producing Illinois Creek gold-silver mine*, and the Waterpump Creek high-grade silver-lead-zinc deposit with an inferred resource estimate of 74.9Moz at 980 G/T AgEq*, open to the north. Within the same CRD system sits the Honker gold vein prospect. Twenty-five kilometers northeast of the Illinois Creek CRD lies the Round Top copper and the TG North CRD prospects. All prospects were originally discovered by Anaconda Minerals Co. in the early 1980's*. WAM's 100% owned claims and uplands mining lease cover 73,120 acres (114.25 square miles or 29,591 hectares), approximately 45 km east of an ocean barge-compatible section of the Yukon River. Since 2010, WAM, along with its precursor company, Western Alaska Copper & Gold, reassembled the Anaconda land package and has been engaged in exploring the district. Headquartered in both Alaska and Arizona, WAM brings together a team of seasoned professionals with a shared vision of pioneering new frontiers in mineral exploration. Our strategic approach is underpinned by cutting-edge technology, innovative techniques, and a deep understanding of the geological intricacies of the region. *Information on our historical gold and Waterpump Creek resources, as well as historical work performed by Anaconda Minerals Co. and NovaGold (2005/2006) can be found on our NI 43-101 report, dated April 2, 2024, authored by Bruce Davis, PhD, FAusIMM, titled "Western Alaska Minerals Corp. ILLINOIS CREEK PROJECT UPDATE Illinois Creek Mining District, Western Alaska, USA" on our website: https://www.westernalaskaminerals.com/_resources/pdfs/Illinois-Creek-NI43101-Technical-Report.pdf?v=0.317 On behalf of the Company "Kit Marrs" Kit Marrs President & CEO Phone: 520-200-1667 For further information please contact: Vanessa Bogaert, Director of Corporate Communications/IR at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Or visit our website at: www.westernalaskaminerals.com Forward Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof 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" or the negative connation thereof. Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include risks relating to market conditions, metal prices, and risks relating to general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials, and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by 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 forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 29, 2024 /CNW/ -Nuclear Fuels Inc. (CSE: NF) (OTCQX: NFUNF) ("Nuclear Fuels" or the "Company") announces today the commencement of an expanded drill program and provides a summary of results from the initial successful drill program, completed during the first half of 2024 at its priority Kaycee In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") Uranium Project in Wyoming's Powder River Basin. The completed program was designed to confirm and expand uranium mineralization associated with two (of seven) known historic resource areas along the 36-mile trend. Importantly, the drill program indicated the potential connection of the Saddle and Spur Zones and also identified previously unknown deeper zones. Greg Huffman, Chief Executive Officer, stated: "The compilation of information from the initial 200 drill hole program at the Kaycee ISR Uranium Project has provided the Nuclear Fuels team with a series of high priority targets for our new expanded program. Our experienced field crew has the new drill program underway and we look forward to regular drill updates through the balance of 2024 and into 2025." To view project maps please visit: https://bit.ly/4g01ZQ5 Specific highlights include: The drill program resulted in the identification of additional mineralized horizons, through deeper drilling below or adjacent to, previously known historic resources or mineralized areas; The drill program led to the discovery of a southerly extension trending from the Spur Zone towards the Saddle Zone, approximately 2 miles from the Saddle Zone; 169 drill holes were completed at an average depth of 522 feet at the Saddle Zone (an area of approximately 1,000 acres) and 31 drill holes at an average depth of 497 feet at the Spur Zone, (an area in excess of 120 acres) located approximately 2 miles along trend to the northwest of the Saddle Zone; 75% of the holes returned anomalous gamma values with 47 holes returning Grade Thickness ("GT") of 0.25 or better with a combined 209 feet at an average grade of 0.124 % eU 3 O 8 . Grade Thickness, or GT, is defined as the product of the uranium grade ("eU 3 O 8 %") multiplied by the thickness of the intercept (in feet). In the Powder River Basin ("PRB") of Wyoming potentially ISR-recoverable uranium mineralization with a GT of greater than 0.25 is considered suitable for inclusion in a potential wellfield at a conservative uranium price of 50.00 per pound; O . Grade Thickness, or GT, is defined as the product of the uranium grade ("eU O %") multiplied by the thickness of the intercept (in feet). In the Powder River Basin ("PRB") of potentially ISR-recoverable uranium mineralization with a GT of greater than 0.25 is considered suitable for inclusion in a potential wellfield at a conservative uranium price of 50.00 per pound; The completion of an evaluation of over 500 historic well logs resulting in an increase to the permit area including 700 new drill hole locations. Saddle Zone Drilling In the initial drill program, 169 drill holes were completed in the Saddle Zone; 32 of which returned GT's of 0.25 or better. 85 drill holes were located within and immediately adjacent to the historic resource area. The remaining 84 drill holes were either large step out drill holes of up to 0.5 miles or designed to test new targets. The best drill results, from the historic resource area, returned 6.5 feet of 0.187% eU 3 O 8 with a GT of 1.216 (NF News Release dated December 7, 2023). Deeper drilling through the Saddle Zone, and to the southeast of the Saddle Zone, intercepted anomalous mineralization in deeper formations than had been previously identified. Spur Zone Drilling In the initial drill program, 31 drill holes were completed in the Spur Zone; all located within the historic resource or as small step-outs holes from known mineralization. 15 drill holes returned better than 0.25 GT with 5 drill holes in excess of 0.4 GT; the best hole having two well mineralized intervals. Hole SR23-002 intercepted 3.5 feet of 0.141% eU 3 O 8 from a depth of 415.5 feet (GT of 0.494) plus 4.5 feet of 0.233% eU 3 O 8 from a depth of 422.0 feet (GT of 1.049), for a combined GT of 1.543 (NF News Release dated February 27, 2024). 4 of the drill hole results at the Spur Zone returned GT values over 1.0 with one returning a GT of 0.776. Importantly, the holes drilled to the south of previously known mineralization such as SR23-024 identified a new extension to the mineralization trending toward the Saddle Zone approximately 2 miles away. SR24_024 returned 0.109% eU 3 O 8 over 4.0 feet from a down hole depth of 313.5 feet (GT of 0.436). Extending this newly identified mineralization is a top priority for the current drilling program. Newly Acquired Oil & Gas Drill Logs The evaluation of over 500 newly acquired oil and gas logs combined with the integration of the information into the Company's historic drill database and the first 200 holes drilled in the initial program, has increased the Company's understanding of the overall geology, trend and the relationship of known zones at the Kaycee Uranium Project. The combination of information has identified several new target areas and resulted in the implementation of a more comprehensive program planned for Q3 and Q4 2024. As a result, a drill permit application was submitted for an expanded exploration permit and has subsequently been approved. The expanded drilling permit allows for 700 drill holes designed to confirm and expand existing zones while importantly, testing high priority new targets along the expanding 36-mile trend. Kaycee Uranium Project, Wyoming The Kaycee Project in Wyoming's Powder River Basin ("PRB"), Nuclear Fuels' priority project, consists of over 42 square miles of mineral rights over a 36-mile mineralized trend hosting more than 110 miles of identified roll fronts. The Kaycee Project is believed to be the only project in the PRB where all three known historically productive sandstone formations (Wasatch, Fort Union, and Lance) are mineralized and potentially accessible for ISR extraction. The Kaycee Project, under Nuclear Fuels, represents the first time since the early 1980's that the entire district is controlled by one company. In 2023, Nuclear Fuels acquired the Kaycee Project from enCore Energy Corp., which retains a back-in right for 51% of the project by paying 2.5X the exploration costs and financing the Kaycee project to production (costs recoverable from production) upon Nuclear Fuels establishing a minimum 15 million pound eU 3 O 8 43-101 compliant resource. Wyoming is a proven and prolific uranium producer with a pro-energy government and established regulatory regime for the permitting and extraction of uranium through ISR technology. As Wyoming is one of the few "Agreement States" hosting ISR uranium deposits, where the federal government and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission have ceded regulatory authority to the state government, permitting, and advancing uranium projects is more efficient and streamlined as compared to most other states. Wyoming, with over 250 million pounds of historic production, ranks as the state with the second most uranium production to date; most of which has been through the ISR method since 1990; predominantly from the Powder River Basin. Drill holes were completed by Single Water Services using a rotary drill rig. Chip samples are collected for lithological logging every five feet. Century Geophysics of Tusla Oklahoma is contracted to conduct downhole gamma ray, resistivity, spontaneous potential, and deviation. Century Geophysics calibrates the downhole tools in the US Department of Energy uranium logging Test pits in Casper Wyoming to ensure the accuracy of the down hole gamma ray log measurements. % eU 3 O 8 is a measure of gamma intensity from a decay product of uranium and is not a direct measurement of uranium. Numerous comparisons of eU 3 O 8 and chemical assays of Powder River Basin core samples indicate that eU 3 O 8 is a reasonable indicator of the actual uranium assay. The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mark Travis, CPG., a contractor to the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101. About Nuclear Fuels Inc. Nuclear Fuels Inc. is a uranium exploration company advancing early-stage, district-scale In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") amenable uranium projects towards production in the United States of America. Leveraging extensive proprietary historical databases and deep industry expertise, Nuclear Fuels is well-positioned in a sector poised for significant and sustained growth on the back of strong government support. Nuclear Fuels has consolidated the Kaycee Wyoming district under single-company control for the first time since the early 1980s. Currently executing its second drill program at the Kaycee Project, the Company aims to expand on historic resources across a 33-mile trend with over 110 miles of mapped roll-fronts defined by 3,800 drill holes. The Company's strategic relationship with enCore Energy Corp., America's Clean Energy Company, offers a mutually beneficial "pathway to production," with enCore retaining the right to back- in to 51% ownership in the flagship Kaycee Project in Wyoming's prolific Powder River Basin. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to planned exploration programs and the results of additional exploration work in seeking to establish mineral resources as defined in NI43-101 on any of our properties. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with the completing planned exploration programs and the results of those programs; the ability to access additional capital to fund planned and future operations; regulatory risks including exploration permitting; risks associated with title to our mineral projects; the ability of the company to implement its business strategies; and other risks including risks contained in documents available for review at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. TORONTO, Aug. 29, 2024 /CNW/ - Collective Mining Ltd. (NYSE: CNL) (TSX: CNL) ("Collective" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that a maiden drill program is now underway in the southern portion of the Plutus Target ("Plutus"), which is one of a series of high-impact targets located within the Company's Guayabales Project located in Caldas, Colombia. Additionally, positive assay results from the now completed reconnaissance drill program at the Box Target are included herein. The Company currently has five drill rigs operating at the Guayabales Project as part of its fully funded and on-schedule 40,000-meter drilling program for 2024. Ari Sussman, Executive Chairman commented: "We are excited to finally start drilling the copper-gold porphyry target located in the southern portion of Plutus in hopes of making another big discovery. Even though economic greenfield porphyry discoveries are exceedingly rare, we want to take this shot at Plutus given we already have a major discovery under our belt at the Apollo system, locating only one kilometre to the west, and a potentially emerging large-scale discovery at the Trap Target. If we were to discover an economic porphyry at Plutus, it would benefit greatly from the existing robust infrastructure in the area, all of which is located in a mining friendly camp. As a reminder, the southern copper-gold porphyry target at Plutus is also only 1,000 metres away as the crow flies to Aris Mining's Marmato project, which is currently under construction with first gold pour expected in late 2025. Also, if one were to speculate about potential development scenarios for the Guayabales Project, all of which are still subject to numerous studies to determine the economic and social viability of the project, one scenario might be to develop Apollo initially and use the cashflow to pay for development of Trap and Plutus." Highlights Plutus Target The Plutus Target, which lies approximately 1,000 metres east of Apollo, measures 1,000 metres by 750 metres in area and remains open in all directions. Two targets have been outlined thus far at Plutus, an untested copper-gold porphyry target in the south and a breccia pipe target in the northwest. Prior assay results from drilling in 2023 into the breccia pipe target in the northwest yielded multiple broad intercepts including 136.45 metres @ 1.31 g/t AuEq ( see press release dated October 11, 2023 ). ( ). The copper-gold porphyry target in the southern portion of Plutus measures more than 500 square metres in area and has been defined by large and robust coincidental copper, gold and molybdenum in soil and rock anomalies grading greater than 300 ppm copper, 0.20 g/t gold and 20 ppm molybdenum . The coincidental soil and rock anomaly partially overprints an early quartz diorite porphyry unit where vein stockworks consisting of quartz, magnetite, chalcopyrite and pyrite, have been mapped. The early porphyry unit is heavily altered with sericite and chlorite, which are characteristics of the upper portion of a copper-gold porphyry system. Additionally, sampling has also uncovered localized evidence of late-stage (potentially overprinting) porphyry veins ("CBM veins"). . The coincidental soil and rock anomaly partially overprints an early quartz diorite porphyry unit where vein stockworks consisting of quartz, magnetite, chalcopyrite and pyrite, have been mapped. The early porphyry unit is heavily altered with sericite and chlorite, which are characteristics of the upper portion of a copper-gold porphyry system. Additionally, sampling has also uncovered localized evidence of late-stage (potentially overprinting) porphyry veins ("CBM veins"). The drill program, which is now underway and coring in a northwest direction in hole PSC-1, will consist of a radial fan of six short drill holes focused on outlining the geometry of the early porphyry unit in Plutus South. Once assay results are received and assessed, the data will be used to vector with deeper drill holes designed to discover an economic deposit. Box Target All assay results have now been received from a comprehensive initial reconnaissance drill program at the Box target ("Box"), which locates approximately 1.5 kilometres west of the Apollo system. Reconnaissance drilling has intersected gold and silver mineralization covering an area measuring approximately 1,000 metres by 500 metres consisting of sheeted polymetallic CBM veins, and some evidence of porphyry mineralization. Results to date indicate that the shallow drilling has intersected the upper and cooler temperature portion of a well mineralized system, and that deeper drilling is warranted. Highlight assay results from drilling at Box are as follows: 18.55 metres @ 1.09 g/t gold equivalent from 186.65 metres (BOXC-1) including: 2.35 metres @ 5.86 g/t gold equivalent from 202.85 metres. 11.55 metres @ 3.79 g/t gold equivalent from 168.35 metres (BOXC-5). 33.30 metres @ 1.52 g/t gold equivalent from 73.40 metres (BOXC-7) including: 18.15 metres @ 2.13 g/t gold equivalent from 87.45 metres. 55.00 metres @ 1.22 g/t gold equivalent from 8.50 metres (BOXC-10) including: 9.50 metres @ 4.65 g/t gold equivalent from 54.00 metres. 21.50 metres @ 1.15 g/t gold equivalent from 75.30 metres (BOXC-12). Table 1: Complete Assays Results for Drill Holes at the Box Target: Hole # From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au g/t Ag g/t Zn % Pb % Cu % AuEq g/t* BOXC-1 186.65 205.20 18.55 0.79 19 0.03 0.01 0.08 1.09 Incl. 202.85 205.20 2.35 5.00 52 0.10 0.02 0.26 5.86 and 603.40 604.50 1.10 12.25 8 0.02 0.01 0.01 11.98 BOXC-2 64.60 79.75 15.15 0.50 37 0.07 0.04 0.02 0.92 and 154.90 157.30 2.40 3.44 14 0.11 0.03 0.01 3.55 BOXC-3 136.45 174.55 38.10 0.43 23 0.06 0.01 0.08 0.79 Incl. 156.45 158.10 1.65 1.55 231 0.24 0.03 0.82 5.43 BOXC-4 216.30 252.60 36.30 0.68 9 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.77 BOXC-5 168.35 179.90 11.55 3.57 19 0.16 0.12 0.02 3.79 BOXC-6 259.00 280.30 21.30 0.51 18 0.04 0.03 0.08 0.81 Incl. 273.00 275.60 2.60 2.19 95 0.14 0.11 0.02 3.35 BOXC-7 73.40 106.70 33.30 0.91 50 0.10 0.02 0.01 1.52 Incl. 87.45 105.60 18.15 1.39 62 0.12 0.03 0.01 2.13 BOXC-8 16.00 17.10 1.10 0.79 255 0.87 0.15 0.03 4.20 and 171.80 206.75 34.95 0.72 16 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.89 Incl. 171.80 176.00 4.20 1.85 29 0.04 0.03 0.05 2.22 and Incl 201.50 206.75 5.25 2.53 53 0.22 0.20 0.04 3.24 and 296.30 327.80 31.50 0.55 11 0.05 0.02 0.02 0.67 BOXC-9 36.70 50.30 13.60 0.56 61 0.08 0.06 0.01 1.29 BOXC-10 8.50 63.50 55.00 0.45 59 0.23 0.04 0.01 1.22 Incl. 54.00 63.50 9.50 1.75 217 0.84 0.10 0.04 4.65 BOXC-11 22.00 41.40 19.40 0.27 67 0.09 0.07 0.01 1.08 and 70.95 73.10 2.15 2.89 10 0.01 0.01 0.03 2.93 BOXC-12 75.30 96.80 21.50 0.66 37 0.17 0.01 0.01 1.15 BOXC-13 46.50 61.70 15.20 0.66 38 0.03 0.03 0.01 1.10 *AuEq (g/t) is calculated as follows: (Au (g/t) x 0.97) + (Ag (g/t) x 0.014 x 0.88) + (Zn (%) x 0.46 x 0.85) + (Pb (%) x 0.41 x 0.85) + (Cu (%) x 1.47 x 0.90) utilizing metal prices of Ag US$25/oz, Zn - US$1.25/lb, Pb - US$1.10/lb, Cu US$3.95/lb and Au US$1,850/oz and recovery rates of 97% for Au, 88% for Ag, 85% for Zn, 85% for Pb and 90% for Cu. AuEq (g/t) calculation considers Zn, Pb or Cu values when Zn>0.1% or Pb>0.05% or Cu>0.05% for each intercept. Recovery rate assumptions for metals are based on metallurgical results announced on October 17, 2023, and April 11, 2024. Recovery rates for zinc and lead are speculative in nature as metallurgical work has not been completed to date on these metals. True widths are unknown, and grades are uncut. About Collective Mining Ltd. To see our latest corporate presentation and related information, please visit www.collectivemining.com Founded by the team that developed and sold Continental Gold Inc. to Zijin Mining for approximately $2 billion in enterprise value, Collective is a copper, silver, gold and tungsten exploration company with projects in Caldas, Colombia. The Company has options to acquire 100% interests in two projects located directly within an established mining camp with ten fully permitted and operating mines. The Company's flagship project, Guayabales, is anchored by the Apollo system, which hosts the large-scale, bulk-tonnage and high-grade copper-silver-gold-tungsten Apollo porphyry system. The Company's 2024 objective is to expand the Apollo system, step out along strike to expand the recently discovered Trap system and make a new discovery at either the Tower, X or Plutus targets. Management, insiders, a strategic investor and close family and friends own nearly 50% of the outstanding shares of the Company and as a result, are fully aligned with shareholders. The Company is listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol "CNL", on the TSX under the trading symbol "CNL", on the FSE under the trading symbol "GG1". Qualified Person (QP) and NI43-101 Disclosure David J Reading is the designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") and has reviewed and verified that the technical information contained herein is accurate and approves of the written disclosure of same. Mr. Reading has an MSc in Economic Geology and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and of the Society of Economic Geology (SEG). Technical Information Rock, soils and core samples have been prepared and analyzed at ALS laboratory facilities in Medellin, Colombia and Lima, Peru. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards are inserted into the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance. Crush rejects and pulps are kept and stored in a secured storage facility for future assay verification. No capping has been applied to sample composites. The Company utilizes a rigorous, industry-standard QA/QC program. Information Contact: Follow Executive Chairman Ari Sussman (@Ariski73) on X Follow Collective Mining (@CollectiveMini1) on X, (Collective Mining) on LinkedIn, and (@collectivemining) on Instagram FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking 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 news release. Any statement that involves discussion with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative 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) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: the commencement of trading on the NYSE American, the ceasing of trading on the OTCQX, the anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs; future operations; future recovery metal recovery rates; future growth potential of Collective; and future development plans. These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding future events including final listing mechanics and the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. 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, among others: risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business; the Company's formative stage of development; the Company's financial position; possible variations in mineralization, grade or recovery rates; actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of future economic evaluations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, precious and base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formation pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the annual information form of the Company dated March 27, 2024. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. 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 and there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. A US envoy called Tuesday on Sudan's warring sides to enforce a code of conduct to curb widespread abuses, saying the army was looking at the proposal after rival paramilitary forces signed on. The United States this month convened talks in Geneva aimed at ending the brutal war that has triggered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, achieving progress on aid access but not a ceasefire. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have been accused of numerous abuses including in Darfur, agreed to a code of conduct that includes pledges to refrain from violence against women and destruction of crops. "These new commitments must be reflected in the actions of RSF troops on the ground, who have committed ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity since the outbreak of war against Sudanese civilians," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement Monday. Tom Perriello, the US negotiator on Sudan, said that the United States has also presented the proposal to the army -- which unlike the RSF did not show up in Switzerland. "They have the code of conduct in front of them. We hope to get a response from them in the coming days," Perriello told reporters on Tuesday. He said that the commitment by the RSF chief, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, needed to be enforced with rank-and-file troops. "The goal is not to get a signature on a piece of paper," Perriello said. "It's to get the conduct changed so that we're not seeing rape and sexual slavery used as a weapon of war, we're not seeing the kind of exploitation and harassment at checkpoints, we're not seeing the kind of indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas, including hospitals and homes," he said. The conflict that erupted in April 2023 has killed tens of thousands, forced one in five Sudanese from their homes and brought acute hunger to more than 25 million people -- more than half the population. The UN Human Rights Office said Tuesday "problematic" policies persist in China two years on from its major report citing possible "crimes against humanity" in Xinjiang. China has been accused of incarcerating more than one million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the northwestern Xinjiang region -- charges Beijing vehemently rejects. OHCHR revealed Tuesday it had held a series of discussions in Geneva with Chinese officials since February 2023, which paved the way for UN human rights chief Volker Turk to send a team to Beijing from May 26 to June 1 this year. The team held talks with the Chinese authorities, specifically on "counter-terrorism policies and the criminal justice system", OHCHR spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters. "On Xinjiang, we understand that many problematic laws and policies remain in place," she said. OHCHR demanded that Chinese authorities "undertake a full review" of the legal requirements pertaining to national security and counter-terrorism, as well as guarding minorities against discrimination. It called for "tangible progress in the protection of human rights in China" as well as investigations into alleged violations, including torture. A major report by Turk's predecessor Michelle Bachelet -- released just minutes before her term ended on August 31, 2022 -- cited possible "crimes against humanity" in Xinjiang. The report, flatly rejected by China, detailed "credible" evidence of torture, forced medical treatment and sexual or gender-based violence -- as well as forced labour. China denies allegations of abuse and insists it is running vocational training centres in Xinjiang which have helped to combat extremism and enhance development. - Talks on Tibet, Hong Kong - Shamdasani said Turk and his office had had detailed exchanges with Beijing on its policies impacting the human rights of ethnic and religious minorities, including in Xinjiang and Tibet -- as well as concerns in Hong Kong. She said the OHCHR team sent to Beijing met with representatives from Xinjiang and Hong Kong, but did not travel outside the capital. Further visits are being discussed. Shamdasani said the cooperation had been "positive" but "in terms of actual implementation... there's a lot to be desired, which is why we need to continue to work with them, to engage to see where we can have some progress". OHCHR is following the situation in China despite difficulties posed by limited access to information, "and the fear of reprisals against individuals who engage with the United Nations", she said. The Israeli military said a hostage was rescued Tuesday from a Gaza tunnel, more than 10 months after the 52-year-old Israeli Bedouin was seized during the Hamas attack that triggered a devastating war. Kaid Farhan Alkadi is one 251 people abducted by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attack on southern Israel, 104 of whom are still captive in Gaza including 34 the military says are dead. The military said in a statement that "Alkadi was rescued... in a complex operation in the southern Gaza Strip", with spokesman Daniel Hagari later telling a media briefing that forces had found him in "an underground tunnel". Violence meanwhile raged on in the war that has ravaged the Gaza Strip, displaced nearly all of its 2.4 million people at least once and triggered a humanitarian crisis. The civil defence agency in the Hamas-run territory said separate Israeli strikes killed at least 11 people in two refugee camps in central Gaza and Khan Yunis in the south. At Israel's Soroka Medical Centre where Alkadi was taken to, hospital director Shlomi Kodesh told AFP he "appears to be in good condition". "But anyone who was in tunnels for such an extended period of time is prone to significant medical problems" and Alkadi was kept for "continued evaluation", Kodesh told AFP. A resident of Rahat, a predominantly Bedouin Arab town in southern Israel, Alkadi had been working as a guard at a warehouse in one of the areas militants stormed on October 7, according to the military. Israeli campaign group the Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed the "miraculous" rescue and stressed "that military operations alone cannot free the remaining hostages". "A negotiated deal is the only way" to ensure the return of other captives, it said. International mediators pushing for a Gaza truce and hostage release deal held talks in Cairo in recent days, as Israel and Hamas have publicly traded blame for delays in reaching an accord. - US claims talks progress - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has faced growing criticism from protesters accusing him of blocking a deal and prolonging the war for political gain, said Israel was "working tirelessly to bring all our hostages back". Relatives and supporters of hostages have piled pressure on the Israeli government in weekly protests demanding their return home. Hostage rescues are rare, with Alkadi being the eighth freed alive by Israeli forces since the military began its ground operations in the Gaza Strip on October 27. Scores were released during a week-long truce in November. In a video issued by Netanyahu's office after he spoke with Alkadi, the hawkish leader said "military presence on the ground and continuous military pressure on Hamas" are required to secure the captives' release. A key sticking point in negotiations has been Israel's insistence on keeping control of a Gaza-Egypt border strip to stop Hamas from rearming, something the militant group has refused to countenance. Egyptian state-linked Al-Qahera news has said Cairo, which has been mediating the talks alongside Qatar and the United States, "will not accept any Israeli presence" on the so-called Philadelphi Corridor on the border. The United States, Israel's top arms provider, struck a cautious note of optimism on Monday regarding efforts to clinch a ceasefire agreement. US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that "there continues to be progress", and more talks involving lower-level "working groups" are expected in the coming days. - 'Indiscriminate' - The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,199 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Israel's retaliatory military campaign since then has killed at least 40,476 people in Gaza, according to the territory's health ministry. The UN rights office says most of the dead are women and children. In the latest violence, an Israeli strike on central Gaza's Al-Maghazi refugee camp killed at least seven people, including three children from the same family, according to civil defence rescuers. "We woke up to the sound of the explosion and shrapnel flying at us," said Mohammed Yussef, who witnessed the strike. "We came here and found dead and mutilated children and women... People are dying in vain and there is no safe area in Gaza. Where do we go?" After the latest in a string of Israeli evacuation orders, the UN humanitarian office OCHA said its "ability to deliver essential support and services" had been "severely" hampered. Amnesty International said two Israeli strikes on southern Gaza that killed at least 59 people in late May were "indiscriminate" and "should be investigated as war crimes". The rights group said its investigation had found that "Israeli forces failed to take all feasible precautions to avoid or minimise harm to civilians sheltering at camps for internally displaced people" while targeting Palestinian militants there. burs-dv-ami/hkb The UN Human Rights Office said Tuesday "problematic" policies persist in China, two years on from its bombshell report citing possible "crimes against humanity" in Xinjiang. China has been accused of incarcerating more than one million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the northwestern Xinjiang region -- charges Beijing vehemently rejects. The rights office (OHCHR) revealed Tuesday it had held a series of discussions in Geneva with Chinese officials since February 2023, which paved the way for UN human rights chief Volker Turk to send a team to Beijing from May 26 to June 1 this year. The team held talks with the Chinese authorities, specifically on "counter-terrorism policies and the criminal justice system", OHCHR spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters. "On Xinjiang, we understand that many problematic laws and policies remain in place," she said. OHCHR demanded that Chinese authorities "undertake a full review" of the legal requirements pertaining to national security and counter-terrorism, as well as guarding minorities against discrimination. It called for "tangible progress in the protection of human rights in China" as well as investigations into alleged violations, including torture. A major report by Turk's predecessor Michelle Bachelet -- released just minutes before her term ended on August 31, 2022 -- cited possible "crimes against humanity" in Xinjiang. The report, flatly rejected by China, detailed "credible" evidence of torture, forced medical treatment and sexual or gender-based violence -- as well as forced labour. China denies allegations of abuse and insists it is running vocational training centres in Xinjiang which have helped to combat extremism and enhance development. - Talks on Tibet, Hong Kong - Shamdasani said Turk and his office had had detailed exchanges with Beijing on its policies impacting the human rights of ethnic and religious minorities, including in Xinjiang and Tibet -- as well as concerns in Hong Kong. She said the OHCHR team sent to Beijing met with representatives from Xinjiang and Hong Kong, but did not travel outside the capital. Further visits are being discussed. Shamdasani said the cooperation had been "positive" but "in terms of actual implementation... there's a lot to be desired, which is why we need to continue to work with them, to engage to see where we can have some progress". "You can't expect immediate results overnight," she added. OHCHR is following the situation in China despite difficulties posed by limited access to information, "and the fear of reprisals against individuals who engage with the United Nations", she said. Turk's office urged China to release all individuals arbitrarily deprived of their liberty. The International Service for Human Rights NGO welcomed Turk's commitment to advocate for the implementation of all the Bachelet report's rights recommendations to China. "The onus is now on China to take meaningful steps forward and on the Human Rights Council to closely monitor until it does so," said the ISHR's China programme manager Raphael Viana David. The council's next session starts on September 9. The Israeli military said a hostage was rescued Tuesday from a Gaza tunnel, more than 10 months after the Israeli Bedouin man was seized during the Hamas attack that triggered a devastating war. Talks aiming to secure a Gaza truce and hostage release deal meanwhile continued in Qatar, a US official said. Neither Israel nor Hamas have confirmed their participation. The Israeli military said forces had found Kaid Farhan Alkadi, 52, in a tunnel in southern Gaza "when he was alone", despite a previous assessment that militants "and explosives" were there. He is one of 251 people abducted by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attack on southern Israel, 104 of whom are still captive in Gaza including 34 the military says are dead. Violence meanwhile raged on in the war that has ravaged the Gaza Strip, displaced nearly all of its 2.4 million people at least once and triggered a humanitarian crisis. The civil defence agency in the Hamas-run territory said separate Israeli strikes killed at least 15 people in Gaza City and in two refugee camps in central and southern Gaza. At Israel's Soroka Medical Centre where Alkadi was taken to, hospital director Shlomi Kodesh told AFP he "appears to be in good condition". "But anyone who was in tunnels for such an extended period of time is prone to significant medical problems" and Alkadi was kept for "continued evaluation", Kodesh told AFP. A resident of Rahat, a predominantly Bedouin Arab town in southern Israel, Alkadi had been working as a guard at a warehouse in one of the areas militants stormed on October 7, according to the military. Israeli campaign group the Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed the release but stressed that "a negotiated deal is the only way" to ensure the return of other captives. - US claims talks progress - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has faced growing criticism from protesters accusing him of blocking a deal and prolonging the war for political gain, said Israel was "working tirelessly to bring all our hostages back". Hostage rescues are rare, with Alkadi being the eighth freed alive by Israeli forces since the military began its ground operations in the Gaza Strip on October 27. Scores were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel during a week-long truce in November -- the only one in the war so far. In a video issued by Netanyahu's office after he spoke with Alkadi, the hawkish leader said "military presence on the ground and continuous military pressure on Hamas" are required to secure the captives' release. A key sticking point in negotiations has been Israel's insistence on keeping control of a Gaza-Egypt border strip to stop Hamas from rearming, something the militant group has refused to countenance. Egyptian state-linked Al-Qahera News has said Cairo, which has been mediating the talks alongside Qatar and the United States, "will not accept any Israeli presence" on the so-called Philadelphi Corridor on the border. The United States, Israel's top arms provider, struck a cautious note of optimism on Monday. US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reported "progress" in mediation efforts and said more talks involving lower-level "working groups" were expected in the coming days. - 'Indiscriminate' - The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,199 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Israel's retaliatory military campaign since then has killed at least 40,476 people in Gaza, according to the territory's health ministry. The UN rights office says most of the dead are women and children. In the latest violence, an Israeli strike on central Gaza's Al-Maghazi refugee camp killed at least seven people, including three children from the same family, according to civil defence rescuers. "We woke up to the sound of the explosion and shrapnel flying at us," said Mohammed Yussef, who witnessed the strike. "There is no safe area in Gaza. Where do we go?" A strike later on Tuesday on a house in Gaza City killed a woman and her three children, the civil defence agency said. After the latest in a string of Israeli evacuation orders, the UN humanitarian office OCHA said its "ability to deliver essential support and services" had been "severely" hampered. Amnesty International said two Israeli strikes on southern Gaza that killed at least 59 people in late May were "indiscriminate" and "should be investigated as war crimes". The rights group said its investigation had found that "Israeli forces failed to take all feasible precautions to avoid or minimise harm to civilians" while targeting Palestinian militants at displacement camps. burs-dv-ami/hkb China said Wednesday it was "willing to engage" with the UN Human Rights Office over its northwestern region of Xinjiang but rejected efforts to "smear" its policies there. The UN rights office (OHCHR) warned on Tuesday that "problematic" policies persist in Xinjiang, two years after its bombshell report citing possible "crimes against humanity" in the region. China has been accused of incarcerating more than a million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, charges Beijing vehemently rejects. The OHCHR demanded this week that Chinese authorities "undertake a full review" of the legal requirements pertaining to national security and counter-terrorism, as well as guarding minorities against discrimination. Beijing's foreign ministry defended its policies in the region at a news briefing on Wednesday. "Xinjiang enjoys social stability, economic development and its people live in peace and prosperity," spokesman Lin Jian said. "China is willing to engage in constructive exchanges and cooperation with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the basis of mutual respect," he said. He urged the rights office to "perform its duties impartially and objectively" and warned it against the "politicisation of human rights and divisive confrontational actions". "It should not be exploited by political forces seeking to suppress or smear China," Lin said. The unanimous vote in favour of the proposed edict [renewing the Commission provinciale verite, justice et reconciliation, CPVJR] is undoubtedly a sign that the provincial parliamentarians have taken transitional justice on board, said the Societe congolaise pour l'Etat de droit (SCED), an NGO based in Kananga, capital of Kasai-Central in central Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Welcoming the decision on July 19, it recommended that the truth commission should rapidly complete its preparatory phase and move into action. After its three-year mandate expired on July 15, the commission was extended by the Kasai-Central provincial assembly on July 18. The provincial edict that created the CPVJR on July 15, 2021 gave it the task of establishing the truth about the violence perpetrated during the Kamwina Nsapu conflict. Between 2016 and 2017, these clashes between militia loyal to traditional chief Kamwina Nsapu and security forces in the Kasai region left more than 3,000 people dead and nearly 2 million displaced, according to the United Nations. However, the CPVJR commissioners were not invested until August 16, 2022 by the governor at the time, John Kabeya. The Coalition des mouvements citoyens, a group of civil society organisations in Kasai-Central, also considers the extension of the CPVJR's mandate to be good news. However, Albert Mbelenge, a member of the coalition representing the NGO Lucha (Lutte pour le changement), stressed by telephone that the commissions work remains unfinished. Much remains to be done, particularly in terms of reconciling the communities, he stresses. Albert Kyungu, coordinator of the Regional Council of Development NGOs (CRONGD), is equally quick to point out the commissions meagre achievements. For him, responsibility is shared between the provincial government, which has not provided enough funds, and the commission, which has failed to mobilise them. The executive has not made the resources available, he says. But he also blames the commissioners: There is a management problem. They have management autonomy. They can also mobilise funds. They have a share of the responsibility. Nothing to report The commission was set up following national consultations on transitional justice held in 14 of the countrys provinces. In Kasai-Central, these were held in August 2019, in partnership with the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office. But its work is being questioned in Kananga and throughout the province. The 12 commissioners - or 12 apostles as they have been dubbed - are not exempt from criticism. Their chairman, Monsignor Augustin Loko Fwamba, and his team are accused of doing nothing. I don't see what this commission is for, says a Kananga-based lawyer who requested anonymity. In its first and only report covering 2022 and 2023, the commission looked only at issues concerning its own administration. As for the activities for which it was created, such as truth-seeking, victim support, reparations, awareness-raising and reconciliation, the report states that there is nothing to report at this stage. The same applies to the activities of the listening centres that are supposed to be set up in the provinces five territories (Demba, Dibaya, Dimbelenge, Kazumba and Luiza). Here too, the commission has done nothing. Less than 10% of the announced budget How can this be explained? The edict was promulgated on July 15 [2021]. We had to wait a whole year to invest the commissioners, because there was no governor, the CVPJR's rapporteur, Dominique Kambala, explains to Justice Info. Added to this is the fact that the commission had no infrastructure when they were appointed, let alone strategic tools for its operation such as internal regulations, a procedures manual, a global action plan and a plan of action. Kambala also points to funding problems. The provincial government has reportedly not disbursed the planned funds. Of the announced three-year budget of 216 million Congolese francs ($77,000), the commission has only received 20 million francs ($7,000). That is less than 10%. According to Kambala, the provincial executive has failed to honour its commitments. For what work should the commissioners be paid? Should the commission be paid to develop its own tools? asks the lawyer from Kananga who asked not to be named, before adding: Taking more than a year just to develop its tools means that the work was poorly planned. For these activities, the commission says it is counting on the support of external technical and financial partners, in particular the Swiss NGO Trial International and the UN office. They provide funds for workshops, training and awareness-raising activities. They also share their expertise in transitional justice. But the committees rapporteur says the State should stop depending on these partners and take responsibility itself. We cannot leave a sector as important as justice, a sovereign sector, in the hands of technical and financial partners. The state is abandoning its responsibilities, he says. Justice Info tried in vain to get the opinion of the parliamentary president of Kasai-Central. Failings of the State The commission is normally funded from the provincial budget, but it is also hoping for funds from central government. Kambala believes that Kinshasa should increase the budget line allocated to justice. A statement by the UN Human Rights Council on October 9, 2023 also calls on the Congolese government to support the CPVJR. We deplore the lack of human, financial and material resources made available to the CPVJR so that it can carry out its mandate effectively, said the DRC experts in their statement. However, we remain convinced that the success of the CPVJR will give more credibility to the process of implementing transitional justice mechanisms in other provinces. Despite these major challenges, the progress made in the province of Kasai-Central and at national level supports the idea that the complementary approach is the right one. Now that the CPVJRs mandate has been extended, the commission says it wants to move forward. We hope we are now at the crossroads between the preparatory phase, which should end very soon, and the real start of the operational phase, says Kambala. Hong Kong actor Bosco Wong sparked controversy when a video surfaced of him raising his voice at a waitress in a restaurant in Malaysia. However, it was disclosed later that the whole incident was planned as a publicity stunt. In the video clip which garnered over a million views, you can see Wong getting frustrated and slamming his hand on the table while insisting on speaking to the manager because he received stir-fried beef noodles initially and then was unexpectedly served nasi lemak with peanuts, which led to another outburst from him. The video caused a stir in the media as many people were upset by Wong's actions depicted in it. Others were also let down by what they saw him do in the video clip, which was shared extensively online recently. It was eventually revealed, according to the Star, that the whole situation was orchestrated to generate buzz for Wong's gangster movie called "The Unwavering Brotherhood." In the clip, which has garnered over 1.2 million views on Facebook, Wong was seen scolding a waitress for getting his order wrong.https://t.co/CG2Q1RVwKXhttps://t.co/CG2Q1RVwKX The Star (@staronline) August 27, 2024 ALSO READ: Park Bo Gum, Suzy's 'Wonderland' Struggles to Reach 1 Million Mark Despite Topping Korean Box Office The movie's distributor in Malaysia, Mega Films Distribution, addressed the backlash from the media by explaining that Wong's behaviors were all part of a planned act for the film. "We are grateful to the supporters who stand up for what's right. Bosco Wong sets an example as the lead actor in The Unwavering Brotherhood and has no plans to intimidate anyone, " stated Mega Films Distribution. The explanation hasn't done much to calm down fans who believe the prank went too far. Typical HK bastard. Rude and stuck up. Go to hell lah. I care less about their FK movies. Danny (@Danny39559417) August 28, 2024 However, the event has undeniably drawn attention to Wong's newest movie, which was the desired result. The Unwavering Brotherhood's upcoming release has everyone talking about how this issue will affect Wong's reputation in the eyes of the public. READ MORE:Jo Jung Suk Sheds 7kg for the Movie 'Pilot': 'I Had Promised the Costume Director" What can you say about the story? Share your comments below Kdramastars own this. This article was written by: Rovelyn Barba Actor Jung Hae In's recent engagements on media with his "Love Next Door" co-star Jung So Min have attracted attention from fans and online users alike and piqued more curiosity about their on-screen chemistry. The tvN show continues to air weekly, attracting viewers with its plot and the interaction between Jung Hae In and Jung So Min's characters, keeping fans invested in the story development and the chemistry between the two leads. The actors have been promoting the series via social media platforms like Instagram, sharing sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes snippets that offer a peek into their rapport and camaraderie while filming. On a side note, observant fans were quick to spot a detail regarding Jung Hae In. holyhaein didnt even like his vid but somins pic.twitter.com/HA0hE7ESKq ssomrio next door (@ssom_susu) August 27, 2024 He expressed his approval by giving a thumbs-up to a video with Jung So Min, yet he chose not to hit the like button on a post that focused on himself. YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: Jung So-min Crowned Most Talked-About Actress Right Now For Riveting Performance in 'Love Next Door' As of this writing, Jung Hae In and his co-star Seunghyb from N. Flying both expressed their gratitude for Jung So Min's video content by giving it a like on social media platforms. However, Jung Hae In has caught attention by refraining from liking his post.Users on media are buzzing about the recent interaction between actors and how it has sparked discussions about their authentic connection both off-screen and on camera- a significant reason behind the show's popularity. god-tier chemistry on and off screen brought to you by jung haein and jung somin. pic.twitter.com/uxjtBteKg6 (@brownkudiii) August 26, 2024 Fans are buzzing with excitement online about the bond between the duo and closely following their interactions both in and out of the show's plotline. Their relationship has captivated viewers as Love Next Door unfolds, and fans are rooting for the couple they see together in front of the camera. THIS MIGHT INTEREST YOU:Jung So Min, Jung Hae In Display Chemistry in 'Love Next Door' Script Reading What can you say about the story? Share your comments below Kdramastars own this. This article was written by: Rovelyn Barba Temporary signs have been installed at both ends of the trail to Camp Huissi in the Myra Canyon. Three of the key volunteers in re-opening the trail were, from left: Rick Ellery, Alan Milnes and Brad Wright. Thursday, August 29, 2024 - The Kenyan police officers in Haiti have reportedly neutralised several gang members in an ambush attack conducted jointly with the Haitian Police Force. According to a police report, more than 15 armored vehicles were spotted ferrying the officers towards the districts of Bel-Air and Solino located in the suburbs of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The mission, which commenced in the wee hours of the morning, saw targeted operational areas of the two districts cordoned off before the operations kicked off. While confirming the reports, the head of the peacekeepers Godfrey Otunge termed the operation as the biggest ever lodged against the gangs since the start of the mission three months ago. According to Otunge, the locals who were informed about the operations were evacuated from the mission areas leaving behind the gangsters who tried to stage resistance against the officers. It was during the operation that the officers shot down an undisclosed number of gang members with others escaping through the narrow street corridors. Otunge, in his update, affirmed the officers commitment to restoring peace in Haiti, warning gangs of continued operations unless they surrender. However, during the impromptu operation, three officers from the Haitian National Police reportedly sustained slight injuries and were treated. Following the successful operation, the locals commended the police officers and expressed optimism that if such operations were maintained, then the gangs would be eradicated. The mission comes hardly four days after the officers received 24 armored mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles from the United States government. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, August 29, 2024 - Abdul Razak Rehan, Mohammed Amin Suleiman, and Ebrahim Ahmed Ebrahim have been arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme that duped a Pakistani national over Sh116 million. The trio masterminded a scrap metal and car battery syndicate, enticing the unsuspecting victim to Kenya with promises of lucrative business opportunities in the sector. Upon his arrival, Ebrahim Ahmed Ebrahim advised the victim to register a company, demanding Sh7 million for the process. The victim handed over the cash to Mohammed Amin Suleiman and Abdul Rian Shul, who posed as an accountant at the registrar of companies and a personal assistant at the Deputy Presidents office, respectively. To add insult to injury, the victim was duped into making several additional payments in the name of warehouse rent, scrap metal and battery purchases, KRA customs duties, and special permits, all amounting to a staggering Sh116 million. A meticulous investigation, focusing on financial transactions and issued documents, revealed that all the permits were forged and did not originate from any legitimate government offices. A manhunt ensued, and through a thorough analysis of their geo-locations and movements, the trio was finally smoked out of their hideouts and apprehended. They were subsequently arraigned before the Milimani Law Courts, where they pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted a bond of Sh5 million plus one surety. The case is scheduled for mention on September 9, 2024. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Thursday, August 29, 2024 - In response to the rise in violent robbery incidents and the resulting deaths of innocent people in the Endebess area and its surrounding areas, detectives from the Criminal Intelligence Investigations Bureau (CRIB) and Operations Unit at the DCI Headquarters, along with DCI officers from Endebess Police Station, conducted an intelligence-led operation which led to the recovery of suspected stolen motorcycles and the arrest of two suspects. Sammy Mwangi Muriithi and Denis Wanjala Simiyu were apprehended when law enforcement officers raided their garage, Ex-Japan Spares, located in the Veterinary area of Kitale town. Intelligence had revealed that motorcycles from victims of violent robberies and murders were taken to the garage, disassembled, and then sold as spare parts to unsuspecting buyers. During the raid, officers recovered three motorcycles, three motorcycle chassis frames, twenty-six motorcycle registration plates, assorted dismantled motorcycle parts, and three mobile phones. The suspects are currently in custody, undergoing processing before their arraignment while the ownership of the recovered items is being verified. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Thursday, August 29, 2024 President William Ruto will be very disappointed with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. This is after his ODM party refused to support Ruto in 2027. In a statement yesterday, ODM denied ever planning to form an alliance with Rutos UDA ahead of the 2027 General Election. The Raila Odinga-led party maintained that it was solid as it was built on a strong foundation. The Orange party added that any word on the streets should remain on the streets. "ODM is built on a strong foundation. It is solid, and its pillars can be felt across the country. Therefore, any word on the street should only remain on streets," the party stated. This comes after a local daily claimed there was talk on the streets of a plan for the party to merge with the ruling party ahead of the polls. Speaking in Kakamega County on Saturday, ODM Deputy Leader Simba Arati reiterated that the party had not entered into any pact with the UDA party. However, he sensationally made a call to Ruto to join the ODM party should UDA members frustrate him. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, August 28, 2024 - Homa Bay Woman Representative Joyce Osogo Bensouda read the riot act to President William Ruto regarding unkept promises. This comes as the president begins his official tour of the Nyanza region. Addressing the press, the lawmaker highlighted the Bottom-Up Economic Model that the Head of State used to rise to power, noting that funding for women representatives was reduced to Ksh500 million due to austerity measures following the fall of the Finance Bill 2024. Bensouda decried the slashing of Ksh300 million from their budget, calling for the allocations to be increased to Ksh5 billion as it limits the power of women reps to deliver to their electorate. She also lamented the pace at which funding for procuring and distributing sanitary towels to Kenyan women was availed, citing menstrual flow as a constant occurrence that is not subject to exchequer approval. In matters of development, she listed her priorities, including markets in Rongo and Ratala, saying she is not a flower girl but rather a worker. She publicly stated that she was monitoring the situation of the two-thirds gender rule in Parliament, reminding President Ruto that he is seeking a second term and that affairs of women must be considered. She lamented the poor implementation of CBC and infrastructural facilities in public primary schools and highlighted looming gaps in the system as some children have never seen digital devices while others are competent in them. Osogo, as a result, reminded the President that in the national development blueprint Vision 2030, education ought to be free to all. She presented her amendments to the university funding model, describing it as a Pandora's box. She argued that there was no structure to manage the billions in the new model from a central fund, citing concerns about the potential for corruption due to the lack of oversight. She, therefore, suggested that MCAs should be in charge of village polytechnics because they are in contact with the wards and asked for the mapping of all village polytechnics across the country to determine resource allocation fairly. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, August 29, 2024 - NARC-Kenya Party Leader Martha Karua seems unbothered by former Prime Minister Raila Odingas move to remove her from his social media profile. Taking to her X account to respond to a hawk-eyed netizen who posted the development on the X platform, Karua welcomed Babas move. "Welcome move," the NARC-Kenya party leader responded. Raila's official X and Facebook pages previously featured a cover photo of him and Karua, which has now been removed as the former Prime Minister appears to have revamped his pages. This came moments after Kenya launched Railas candidacy for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship on Tuesday at State House, Nairobi. During the 2022 General Elections, Raila picked Karua as the Azimio running mate in the presidential election but the NARC-Kenya leader has since announced her exit from the coalition party. In a statement on Thursday, July 25, Karua noted that NARC Kenya's stay in Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance was no longer tenable. Kindly take note that our stay in Azimio is not tenable due to the prevailing political developments. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, August 29, 2024 - Fresh details are now emerging that the lady who died in the ill-fated Range Rover that collided with a canter along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway was a girlfriend to a Mubaba. According to car dealers based in Mombasa, the Mubaba travelled to Coast with his girlfriend to buy the Range Rover. He allegedly flew to Nairobi immediately after buying the car, claiming he had an emergency. A driver was hired to deliver the car to Nairobi. His girlfriend accompanied the driver for the long drive to Nairobi, only to be involved in a fatal accident at Maji Ya Chumvi, a notorious blackspot. Below is a tweet by a popular Mombasa car dealer explaining the circumstances behind the fatal accident. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Thursday, August 29, 2024 The security situation in Haiti has not improved; in fact, it has worsened since President William Ruto deployed Kenyan police to the Caribbean nation, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of the intervention. According to reports, at least 66 people have been killed or kidnapped in two regions, despite the presence of Kenyan troops. This comes as it emerges the Kenyan troops have not been receiving their promised pay, adding another layer of complexity to an already volatile scenario. The Haitian government, struggling to control gang violence, has acknowledged the severity of the situation. Minister of Justice and Public Security Carlos Hercule, in a recent interview with a local publication, The Haitian Times, admitted that the governments plans to combat the gangs terrorizing Port-au-Prince are still in the planning stages. This admission comes as gang attacks in three regions continue to escalate, further destabilizing the country. Hercule's statements point to a troubling reality: while the government recognizes the need for decisive action, their efforts remain largely theoretical. In contrast, the armed gangs have been swift and brutal in their actions. The terror they impose on communities in southwestern Port-au-Prince, such as Carrefour and Gressier, is palpable, with gangs dictating the terms of daily life for residents. The Kenyan forces, sent to assist Haiti's National Police (PNH), have found themselves in a precarious position. Despite their presence, the gangs continue to operate with impunity. The recent revelation that Kenyan troops have not received their allowances only adds to the growing sense of frustration and desperation. The Haitian mission was meant to stabilize the country, but the continued unrest and the challenges faced by the Kenyan troops suggest otherwise. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, August 29, 2024 - Members of the public breached the security and rushed towards President William Rutos official car after he touched down at Kisumu International Airport. In the video, the local residents are seen waving as Rutos motorcade drives from the airport. As the motorcade passes by, some members of the public breach the security and rush towards Rutos official vehicle to greet him, prompting his bodyguards to act fast. The bodyguards looked a bit tensed as the residents scrambled to greet the president. Watch the video. When Ruto touched down at kisumu airport pic.twitter.com/7klnMvGFJa Rein (@Asamoh_) August 29, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Thursday, August 29, 2024 President William Ruto may be planning to be a lifetime President with the help of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. DAP-K Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa revealed that there is a plot to amend the Kenyan constitution to abolish the presidential term limit, potentially allowing President Ruto to rule indefinitely. According to the former Defence Cabinet Secretary, Ruto is expecting little resistance as he mutilates the Constitution since Raila is on his side. Today we are here to say we want to defend our Constitution and to protect it because this Constitution is under threat. "We know there is a plan to amend this Constitution, there is even a plan to remove term limits, and we have said we will protect the Constitution, Wamalwa claimed. At the same time, the DAP-K leader slammed Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni after he attacked Embakasi East MP Babu Owino on Tuesday. Wamalwa said he was shocked to see Museveni attack Babu, adding that the MP is the age of the Ugandan Presidents grandsons. We were very shocked yesterday when we heard one of the heads of state attack someone who is supposed to be his grandson, said Wamalwa. I am a very close friend of His Excellency Yoweri Museveni. I have known him for more than twenty years and have been his advocate. "I don't know Bobi Wine, but Bobi Wine knows Babu Owino. Babu Owino and Bobi Wine are friends," he added. Museveni on Tuesday called out Babu over his links to Ugandan politicians who are against the ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The Kenyan DAILY POST Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Join us on this episode as we talk with Tod Stillson, a family physician and entrepreneur, who has successfully transitioned from traditional employment to becoming a high-earning independent contractor. Tod shares his journey, revealing the limitations of traditional employment models in primary care and how he broke free to thrive in a third space within the system. Learn about his innovative approach to monetizing professional services, optimizing office workflows, and strategically investing in real estate. Discover the unique opportunities he found practicing in a rural setting and gain insights into how you, too, can navigate the path to financial and professional success in todays health care landscape. Tod Stillson is a family physician, entrepreneur, and Amazon best-selling author of Doctor Incorporated: Stop the Insanity of Traditional Employment and Preserve Your Professional Autonomy. He discusses the KevinMD article, Rewriting the rules: Achieving a million-dollar income in family medicine. Our presenting sponsor is Nuance, a Microsoft company. Together, Microsoft and Nuance are leveraging their rich digital technology and advanced AI capabilities to tackle some of health cares biggest challenges. AI-driven technology promises to revolutionize patient and provider experiences with clinical documentation that writes itself. The Nuance Dragon Ambient eXperience, or DAX for short, is a voice-enabled solution that automatically captures patient encounters securely and accurately at the point of care. DAX Copilot combines proven conversational and ambient AI with the most advanced generative AI in a mobile application that integrates directly with your existing workflows. Physicians who use DAX have reported a 50 percent decrease in documentation time and a 70 percent reduction in feelings of burnout, and 85 percent of patients say their physician is more personable and conversational. Discover AI-powered clinical documentation that writes itself. Visit https://nuance.com/daxinaction to see a 12-minute DAX Copilot demo. VISIT SPONSOR https://nuance.com/daxinaction SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended GET CME FOR THIS EPISODE https://www.kevinmd.com/cme Im partnering with Learner+ to offer clinicians access to an AI-powered reflective portfolio that rewards CME/CE credits from meaningful reflections. Find out more: https://www.kevinmd.com/learnerplus Three civil society activists, Denis Pato, Abigail Kalenda, and Ruth Nalunkuma, have asked the City Hall Court to dismiss charges of unlawful assembly brought against them following their arrest during anti-corruption protests in Kampala last month. The trio, represented by lawyer Paul Wasswa, argue that their actions on July 24, 2024, at Hotel Elyana in Ntinda, were not unlawful. They say they were merely holding a press conference intended to calm down protesters, and that their arrest was a violation of their freedom of expression. The activists, affiliated with the youth-focused organization, Vijana Corps, made the statements during a court appearance on Thursday. However, City Hall Court Grade One Magistrate, Edgar Karakire, informed them that the trial magistrate, Rehema Nassoszi is currently on leave. He adjourned the case until September 30, 2024, when the activists can present their application for dismissal to Magistrate Nassoszi. Kampala High Court Judge Isaac Muwata has directed the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to provide the defense team representing Molly Katanga, the widow of slain businessman Henry Katanga, with all relevant documents pertaining to the DNA expert report. The defense team, led by Peter Kabatsi, had previously declined to cross-examine the forensic expert, Assistant Commissioner of Police Andrew Mubiru Kizimula, regarding his evidence on DNA analysis and report. Kizimula testified that upon examining the murder weapon, he found DNA belonging to the deceased Katanga, his widow Molly, and their daughter Patricia Kakwanzi. The DNA report authored by Kizimula, which also analyzed DNA samples collected from the late Katanga, his widow Molly, and the crime scene at their residence on Chwa II Road in Mbuya/Nakawa Division, has been admitted as a prosecution exhibit. The court has also accepted as exhibits samples collected by pathologists from the late Katangas body during the post-mortem but rejected all exhibits collected from the crime scene, including blood samples, sticks, bed sheets, hospital linens, and samples collected from the widow Molly Katanga. The court agreed with the defense team that police officers who collected and documented these exhibits are competent to testify about their origin, storage, and chain of custody. Once this chain of custody is established, the prosecution can tender these exhibits into evidence. For now, the said exhibits have been tendered for identification purposes until the scene of crime officer testifies. Among the documents requested by the defense team are the Standard Operating Laboratory protocols used in testing DNA samples, report writing procedures, dates of work, and data files. The defense lawyers argued that they made this request in May but have not yet received the documents, prompting the courts order. The case has been adjourned until September 10, 2024, for further hearing. President Museveni has cautioned Members of Parliament (MPs) against pursuing agro-economic business ventures that have failed in some areas. His comments came in response to suggestions that supported various agricultural interventions in contrast to his proposed 4-acre model. Speaking to legislators on Thursday, Museveni emphasized that the 4-acre model should not be challenged by other researched agro activities, citing examples like cotton, which he claims has failed the people of West Nile, among others. He pointed MPs to the situation in Busoga, where people have persisted in growing sugarcane, a practice that has kept them in poverty for years. When you are discussing here, please note those details, dont just talk and talk, and pass resolutions and deceive yourselves, Museveni said. Museveni also instructed MPs to focus on the utilization of already constructed roads before proposing the construction of more roads. The Roads yes, but the roads which are there arent being used fully. Yes, I know the areas that dont have good roads, I know them because I always go there. But even where the roads are good, they arent being used fully. So please, seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, seek first homestead incomes and the rest will be added unto you, he noted. The Speaker of Parliament, Ms. Anita Among, has instructed the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, Mr. Matia Kasaija, to investigate why several districts in northern Uganda have not yet fully received the Shs1 billion allocated for road maintenance. The Speakers directive came during a parliamentary debate on a report by the Infrastructure Committee regarding roads and bridges in the northern region. The report, presented by Deputy Chairperson Mr. Tony Awanyi, highlighted the governments efforts to improve road infrastructure and maintain existing roads in the area. I would also want to find out from the Minister of Finance much as the committee is excited about the 1 billion shillings, have you released the money to all the districts? Among asked on Wednesday. Additionally, the report noted ongoing refurbishment of the railway line and the reconstruction of bridges damaged in recent incidents. It also recommended the government expedite the upgrading of Arua, Kitgum, and Kidepo airfields to enhance transportation in these regions. During the debate, MPs revealed that some districts in northern Uganda had not received their full Shs1 billion allocation for road maintenance. This prompted the Speaker to demand an explanation from the Minister of Finance on whether the funds had been fully released to all districts in each financial year. Vivienne Clarke More than 300 people working at Cardinal Health in Co Offaly are being made redundant following the company's announcement to close its plant by spring 2026. Staff and union members were informed of the decision on Thursday morning. The company closed operations at the Tullamore site on Wednesday when it called staff to the emergency meeting. Cardinal Health has 315 employees at the medical devices manufacturing plant at Sragh Industrial Estate in Tullamore. Minister for State for Enterprise and Employment Peter Burke said his main concern was for Cardinal Health staff and their families who were now coming to terms with the impact of the announcement. This industry has had a presence in Tullamore for over 40 years, well served by a loyal workforce and with considerable support from the IDA over the years, he said. I have been engaging and will continue to engage with the company. Following this mornings Town Hall meeting with staff, and along with the IDA and my Department we will work with the company management and with staff on current and potential future possibilities. We will make every effort to identify alternative employment opportunities for the staff affected by this announcement. As a country we are at full employment, with strong demand for medtech and life sciences skills and we will work to help employees impacted to find alternative employment. Siptu trade union area organiser Ashling Dunne said that notification of a staff meeting came out of the blue and was a shock. Speaking on RTE's Morning Ireland on Thursday ahead of the announcement, Ms Dunne said it was never generally good news when a meeting like this was called. On Wednesday afternoon, staff were advised that production would cease to allow all staff to attend a meeting on Thursday morning for an announcement. Ms Dunne, who has been representing staff at Cardinal Health for over five years, said there had been no indication that the company was in any difficulty or that there would be any job losses. There would be a number of options for staff, she said. We absolutely will have to make contact with the IDA and the Government to intervene immediately. The priority for trade union and local political representatives in Tullamore is to provide all support for the 300 staff who will lose their jobs with the phased closure of Cardinal Health. SIPTU area organiser Ashling Dunne told RTE radios news at One that every effort would be made, and no stone would be left unturned in attempts to save jobs and to encourage a replacement company for the site. The Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council Councillor Tony McCormack said he had spoken with Tanaiste Micheal Martin and the Minister for Trade and Employment Peter Burke to appeal for the support of government agencies. He said he had been assured that everything would be done to ensure the staff could avail of upskilling and reskilling, and he was hopeful that all could find jobs. The facility at which Cardinal Health operates has hosted a number of medical device companies over the past 40 years, he said, and the workforce had been very loyal, some of them working there for over 20 years. They've been a huge addition to the local economy as well. There are other companies out there that provide many services to the site. They'll be looking at what's going to happen to them now going forward, as well. Cardinal Health, with over 300 staff, would be one of the major employers in the Tullamore area, he added. What we're hoping is going to happen at this stage is to work very closely with the IDA in order to have somebody to come and move into that facility very soon. So while we're losing these jobs today, I would be hopeful that the IDA will be able to sell that land for another medical device company in the long term. In the short term, whatever needs to be done, whether it be upskilling or reskilling or whatever needs to be done for those employees to transition, the government won't be found wanting in regards to that. But the job market here in Offaly is quite buoyant at the moment. I would be hopeful that most of those people will get employed very quickly. Kildare businesses are being urged to apply for Bord na Monas sustainable business accelerator programmes Accelerate Green GROW and Accelerate Green START. Companies interested in applying for the START programme have until the 19 September, while the closing date for the GROW programme is the 22 November. These programmes are delivered by Bord na Mona in conjunction with Resolve Partners to equip promising Irish business owners with the skills and knowledge to scale their companies in Ireland and beyond. Bord na Mona is accepting applications from early-stage companies and innovative start-ups in operating in the sustainability sector and looking to grow at pace, as well as established SMEs pivoting from their existing offering to more climate-focused solutions, said a spokesperson. GROW will commence in January 2025 and is suitable for early-stage enterprises and SMEs looking to scale. The successful applicants will be brought through a series of immersive learning sessions delivered by industry leaders, entrepreneurs, potential investors and successful Irish business representatives. START is a shorter programme, with a series of learning sessions beginning on 10 October. START was established as a sister programme to GROW, to support budding entrepreneurs and earlier-stage businesses in scaling their sustainable solutions. START participants engage in modules across key areas including - customer discovery, market mapping, network development and preparation for investment pitching. Since its launch in 2022, 42 businesses have successfully completed the Accelerate Green programmes. Many former participants have reported significant and sustainable progress in their companies since completing the programmes, and the alumni have collectively raised 10 million in venture capital to date. According to recent research among the Accelerate Green alumni, over 90 per cent of past participants have more confidence in their ability as business leaders to scale their companies successfully. Additionally, 75 per cent of past participants have grown their workforce since completing the programme and three in four have scaled their business operations in Ireland. Locals enjoyed a pint and good company at an iconic bar in Athy which is under new ownership. Market House, better known as Andersons, was sold at a public auction last month in the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge to local entrepreneurs Dan and Edwina Curtis. Dan and Edwina, who run The Auld Shebeen, have received plenty of well-wishes and support, with people delighted that Andersons will remain in local ownership. They invited people to call in on Friday 23 August from 5pm to help mark the beginning of what will undoubtedly be an exciting journey. It wasnt an official reopening, which will hopefully take place before Christmas Dan noted that there are long-standing customers of Andersons who were waiting for it to open back up again. We said wed open it up and were going to do the works as its open, he said. Tom King, Pauline and Mick Archbold, Josephine and Pe Owens It was great to get it back open again and were really looking forward now to the next few months of just getting things done, getting toilets and all done. Our photographer Aisling Hyland popped along that Friday evening to capture it for posterity including Dan and Edwina with their business partners Donna and Des Murphy. Des and Donna are partners with me in it, it's a venture between the four of us, so looking forward to working with them as well, Dan said. The property itself is a terraced three-bay three-storey late Georgian house with licensed premises on the ground floor and two floors overhead comprising residential accommodation. The original part of the property was built in the 1800s with further extensions to the rear over the intervening time. A woods in Kilkenny is the fourth-most visited Coillte Park (non-ticketed) according to figures published today. Jenkinstown Woods drew 89,610 visitors in 2023. Rossmore Park in Monaghan continuse to be ranked number one with 357,834 visitors in 2023. The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has announced funding of 3 million to develop and upgrade visitor and recreational amenities at Coillte Forest Parks across Ireland. The investment is part of a strategic partnership between the Department of Rural and Community Development and Coillte to maintain and manage existing trails in Coillte forests, and to develop new recreation opportunities. The funding will be used to deliver a range of projects such as new walking trails, carpark improvements, installation of footbridges and new toilet facilities. READ MORE LOCAL NEWS HERE Speaking at Rossmore Park, Minister Humphreys said: Adventure tourism continues to go from strength to strength in Ireland. People want to be out and about enjoying our great outdoors whether its our beaches, lakes, mountains or of course our wonderful forests. We have seen a huge surge in visitor numbers to our forest parks in recent years and I want to see that continue. Im delighted that my Department is working collaboratively with Coillte so that we can upgrade and improve the experience for visitors. If you want to take a break and get some peace and quiet there is nothing quite like a walk in the forest. There are so many hidden gems on our doorstep in Ireland and I would encourage people to get out and explore them. Imelda Hurley, Coillte CEO said: We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Department of Rural and Community Development and this important funding will enable us to further enhance the experience for visitors to our recreational forests across the country. "As Irelands largest provider of outdoor recreation, were delighted to welcome an estimated 18 million visits to our recreational areas from across Ireland and indeed, further afield. Getting out in nature has proven positive benefits for peoples wellbeing and we look forward to further developing our recreational amenities for everyone to enjoy." The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the eleven research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have assigned a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $35.33. A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Piper Sandler dropped their price target on Mosaic from $29.00 to $28.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, June 11th. Barclays dropped their price target on Mosaic from $39.00 to $32.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 16th. Scotiabank lowered their target price on Mosaic from $40.00 to $38.00 and set a sector outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, May 6th. Mizuho lowered their target price on Mosaic from $34.00 to $33.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 3rd. Finally, UBS Group lowered their target price on Mosaic from $33.00 to $30.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Get Mosaic alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on MOS Mosaic Stock Down 0.8 % Shares of NYSE:MOS opened at $28.66 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $9.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.20, a PEG ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. Mosaic has a 12-month low of $26.09 and a 12-month high of $40.67. The businesss 50 day moving average is $28.29 and its 200 day moving average is $29.83. Mosaic (NYSE:MOS Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.66 by ($0.12). The company had revenue of $2.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.90 billion. Mosaic had a net margin of 6.07% and a return on equity of 8.23%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 17.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.04 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Mosaic will post 2.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Mosaic Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 19th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.21 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 5th. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.93%. Mosaics payout ratio is 35.74%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, SVP Walter F. Precourt III sold 39,748 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.96, for a total transaction of $1,111,354.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 136,682 shares in the company, valued at $3,821,628.72. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, SVP Walter F. Precourt III sold 39,748 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.96, for a total transaction of $1,111,354.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 136,682 shares in the company, valued at $3,821,628.72. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Kelvin R. Westbrook sold 12,666 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.32, for a total value of $346,035.12. Following the transaction, the director now owns 34,359 shares of the companys stock, valued at $938,687.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.86% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Mosaic A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Mosaic by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 39,357,229 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,277,536,000 after purchasing an additional 1,893,797 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its holdings in shares of Mosaic by 1,815.5% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 10,682,108 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $346,743,000 after purchasing an additional 10,124,427 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in Mosaic by 34.6% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 6,337,124 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $183,155,000 after acquiring an additional 1,628,850 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Mosaic by 15.1% during the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 3,311,123 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $95,691,000 after acquiring an additional 435,598 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Mosaic during the 4th quarter valued at about $107,893,000. 77.54% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Mosaic (Get Free Report The Mosaic Company, through its subsidiaries, produces and markets concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients in North America and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Phosphates, Potash, and Mosaic Fertilizantes. It owns and operates mines, which produce concentrated phosphate crop nutrients, such as diammonium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, and ammoniated phosphate products; and phosphate-based animal feed ingredients primarily under the Biofos and Nexfos brand names, as well as produces a double sulfate of potash magnesia product under K-Mag brand name. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Mosaic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mosaic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com lowered shares of Vishay Precision Group (NYSE:VPG Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Monday. Separately, B. Riley cut their price objective on shares of Vishay Precision Group from $36.00 to $31.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Get Vishay Precision Group alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on VPG Vishay Precision Group Trading Down 0.3 % VPG stock opened at $27.21 on Monday. Vishay Precision Group has a twelve month low of $26.49 and a twelve month high of $36.93. The companys 50 day moving average is $30.28 and its two-hundred day moving average is $32.40. The stock has a market cap of $360.80 million, a P/E ratio of 15.03 and a beta of 1.22. Vishay Precision Group (NYSE:VPG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $0.31 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.32 by ($0.01). Vishay Precision Group had a return on equity of 7.49% and a net margin of 6.30%. The company had revenue of $77.36 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $78.57 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.58 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Vishay Precision Group will post 1.11 earnings per share for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vishay Precision Group Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Vishay Precision Group by 225.0% in the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 741 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 513 shares during the period. EntryPoint Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Vishay Precision Group by 34.2% in the 1st quarter. EntryPoint Capital LLC now owns 4,111 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $145,000 after acquiring an additional 1,048 shares during the period. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System acquired a new position in shares of Vishay Precision Group in the 1st quarter valued at $314,000. Quest Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Vishay Precision Group in the 4th quarter valued at $304,000. Finally, Quadrature Capital Ltd acquired a new position in Vishay Precision Group in the 4th quarter valued at $321,000. 87.61% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Vishay Precision Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Vishay Precision Group, Inc designs, manufactures, and markets specialized sensors, weighing solutions, and measurement systems in the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Asia, and Canada. It operates through three segments: Sensors, Weighing Solutions, and Measurement Systems. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Vishay Precision Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vishay Precision Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. By KTimes The King Sejong Institute Foundation said it signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday with Vilnius University in Lithuania and the HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education in Hong Kong to expand cooperation in Korean language proficiency testing. The agreement is aimed to implement the Sejong Korean Language Assessment (SKA) and the internet-based Adaptive Sejong Korean Language Assessment (iSKA). The SKA, developed by the foundation, comprehensively measures Korean language proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing through a paper-based test. The iSKA is the first internet-based assessment in Korean language education that automatically adjusts the difficulty level of questions according to the test-taker's ability. The foundation is actively expanding the use of SKA and iSKA among domestic and international universities, including Vanderbilt University in the United States, that require tools for measuring Korean language proficiency. With this agreement, the number of institutions using the SKA as a Korean language proficiency measurement tool will increase to 13, including the two new partners. The first iSKA will be conducted on Sept. 7 at the two universities, and participants will receive a certificate of results issued under the name of the foundation's chairperson. Lee Hai-young, chairman of the foundation, said, We are delighted to support Korean language learners at Vilnius University and HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education through the SKA and iSKA." He said the foundation will continue to work closely with prestigious overseas universities to further expand the reach of SKA and iSKA. President Yoon Suk Yeol said Thursday that South Korea's security cooperation with the United States and Japan will continue regardless of leadership changes as the framework benefits all three nations. Yoon reaffirmed the commitment to the trilateral cooperation established during the historic Camp David summit a year ago, which was designed to strengthen joint responses to North Korea's threats and other regional security challenges. "The South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation framework is very important not only to the Indo-Pacific but also the global economy and security, benefiting all three nations," Yoon said in a televised press conference. "A change in the leadership will not change this framework, and it will be upheld through the official diplomatic agreements." Last month, the defense chiefs of the three nations signed a memorandum of cooperation on the trilateral security cooperation framework to solidify their continued commitment to deterring North Korean threats. Yoon's comments came in response to concerns about the future of this framework, particularly given that U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are nearing the end of their terms. Observers have speculated that the U.S. foreign policy under the Biden administration could shift if former President Donald Trump returns to the White House. Trump previously engaged in nuclear talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un between 2018 and 2019 while pressuring Seoul to sharply increase its share of the cost for stationing 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea. Yoon expressed confidence in the U.S.' "extended deterrence" commitment to defending South Korea with both conventional and nuclear capabilities, as outlined in the Washington Declaration, adopted during his summit with Biden in May 2023. "The integrated extended deterrence between South Korea and the U.S. is becoming increasingly effective as the alliance is strengthened," Yoon noted. Yoon also reiterated his belief that the U.S. will adhere to its long-standing goal of North Korea's denuclearization, addressing security concerns that arose after the Democratic Party's new policy platform omitted such a goal. Security experts have warned that Pyongyang might interpret the omission as an opportunity to seek Washington's acknowledgment of North Korea as a de facto nuclear power, potentially shifting negotiations from denuclearization to arms control. "I absolutely do not believe that the U.S. will accept North Korea's violation of the NPT," he said, referring to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty meant to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. "Such an acceptance would be completely inconsistent with the U.S.' established stance and strategy." North Korea has insisted it is "free from any NPT obligations" as it legally withdrew from the treaty in 2003. Yoon acknowledged talks have been ongoing regarding Kishida's planned visit to South Korea, saying he would welcome the visit if confirmed. He expressed a desire to continue dialogue on bilateral relations if a new prime minister is picked in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election next month. "Whoever becomes the next leader, I am committed to continuing cooperation for the future and maintaining the synergy between South Korea and Japan," Yoon said. On relations with North Korea, Yoon said the newly unveiled "unification doctrine" based on the principle of freedom aims for a peaceful reunification, asking for the international community's support and solidarity with the vision. "The essence of a liberal system is that it does not engage in an aggressive war except when it must defend itself," he said. "Our Constitution is fundamentally based on the premise of reunification and is not meant to perpetuate division." So far, Pyongyang has not responded to Yoon's offer to open a dialogue channel or his announcement of the unification doctrine during the Aug. 15 Liberation Day address. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high due to North Korea's ongoing weapons tests and recent campaigns involving balloons being sent across the border. Pyongyang has launched more than 3,600 trash-carrying balloons since May in a tit-for-tat move against balloons carrying anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent by North Korean defectors in South Korea. (Yonhap) By Park Han-sol The art world in Korea is once again entering a fall frenzy as September approaches, heralding the return of the two biggest fairs Frieze and Kiaf Seoul. Along with these mega-events comes a smorgasbord of art across the countrys museums and galleries, whether it be blockbuster exhibition openings or the 30th-anniversary celebration of Asias oldest biennale. From the remarkable meetup of Mark Rothko and Lee Ufan to the comeback of Francois Pinaults coveted collection, heres a roundup of shows that could be the cherry on top of your autumnal cultural outings. "Correspondence: Lee Ufan and Mark Rothko" at Pace Gallery Seoul (Sept. 4-Oct. 26) Its a blockbuster encounter between the masters of the East and the West. Curated by Lee in collaboration with the Rothko family, this two-person show places Lees Dialogue and Response series, produced between 2018 and 2023, in a compelling dialogue with Mark Rothkos tours de force from the 1950s and 1960s. The show offers a rare chance to witness unexpected intersections in color, surface and atmosphere between these two artistic heavyweights. "Portrait of a Collection" at SongEun (Sept. 4-Nov. 23) The Pinault Collection an eclectic assemblage of over 10,000 contemporary artworks amassed by Francois Pinault, the French billionaire and founder of the luxury group Kering returns to Korea after its initial mini-presentation at SongEun 13 years ago. This exhibition seeks to encapsulate the essence of the famed collection through more than 60 select pieces by the likes of Danh Vo, Julie Mehretu and Anri Sala, all spread throughout the striking, angular building designed by Herzog & de Meuron. Gagosians "Derrick Adams: The Strip" at APMA Cabinet (Sept. 3-Oct. 12) The mega gallery Gagosian has chosen Derrick Adams as the star of its inaugural show in Korea. For his first-ever Seoul outing, the New York-based artist is taking over a ground-floor project space in the David Chipperfield-designed headquarters of beauty giant Amorepacific. Adams, celebrated for his portrayal of Black life through strikingly flat planes of bold colors, debuts a new body of works that reimagines beauty store display windows with mannequin heads, colorful wigs and spray-painted hearts. "Nicolas Party: Dust" at Hoam Museum of Art (Aug. 31Jan. 19, 2025) Swiss art star Nicolas Party is best recognized for his color-drenched portraits, landscapes and murals infused with a touch of Surrealism a number of which have fetched soaring prices at recent auctions. Now, over 80 of his pieces have landed in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, for his first survey exhibition in the country. Among the works on display are five pastel murals drawn directly onto the museums gallery walls, immersing viewers in mystical yet ephemeral environments. "Do Ho Suh: Speculations" at Art Sonje Center (Aug. 17-Nov. 3) Do Ho Suhs name is often synonymous with his otherworldly, large-scale fabric replicas of former homes and studios from around the world. While his new show his first in his home country in 12 years leaves out these iconic pieces, it still grapples with the same questions surrounding displacement, dwellings and the bodys relationship to space. His My Home/s, Positive, for instance, is a structure that assembles scaled-down versions of all the houses and studios the artist has ever lived in, much like Tetris blocks. Theres also a miniature, kinetic version of Public Figures, a monumental plinth installed earlier this year in the plaza of the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C. Elmgreen & Dragset: Spaces at Amorepacific Museum of Art (Sept. 3Feb. 23, 2025) The Scandinavian duo Elmgreen & Dragset, whose art is often a provocative fusion of conceptual wit and social commentary, is set to transform the white-cube museum with a life-sized family house, a public pool and a restaurant. By reimagining familiar spaces and objects into uncanny scenarios, the two invite viewers to rethink everyday realities. With more than 60 works on view, the exhibition marks their most extensive presentation in Asia to date. Connecting Bodies: Asian Women Artists at MMCA Seoul (Sept. 3March 3, 2025) The latest group exhibition of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, seeks to reexamine the contemporary significance of post-1960s art by Asian women creators, with a focus on the theme of corporeality. Within thought-provoking works by Atsuko Tanaka, Pacita Abad, Hong Lee Hyun-sook and around 60 other artists from 11 Asian countries, the body becomes a site where ideologies, identities, sexualities, otherness and resistance converge. Anicka Yi: There Exists Another Evolution, But In This One at Leeum Museum of Art (Sept. 5Dec. 29) Korean American artist Anicka Yi has long worked with unconventional collaborators in her oeuvre bacteria, scents and deep-fried flowers, among others. When paired with machinery, these organic elements create multisensory experiences that prompt viewers to rethink the relationship between the human and the non-human. Yis show at the Leeum Museum of Art her first and most extensive museum presentation in Asia offers rare insight into her latest projects, featuring some 40 pieces and new commissions. Echoes of the Earth: Living Archive at Futura Seoul (Sept. 5Dec. 8) Refik Anadol, a pioneer in the aesthetics of machine intelligence, describes his generative AI model as an entity capable of dreaming on its own. His installations fill the walls of the newly opened art space Futura Seoul with ever-changing AI-generated abstractions, derived from a dataset of half a billion images of flora, fungi and fauna from rainforests around the world. Unique to the Seoul exhibition, the immersive experience is further heightened by echoing sounds and earthy odors also the product of AI created from archives of sonic data and molecular compositions. When I think about data as a pigment, its something that deviates from the physical Newtonian roots. Its a pigment that never stops, that always shifts, Anadol says. Kylie Manning: Yellow Sea at Space K (Aug. 9-Nov. 10) Raised between Alaska and Mexico and having once worked as a commercial fisher, New York-based painter Kylie Manning channels her coastal experiences into mesmerizing oil seascapes. The exhibitions title Yellow Sea is inspired by the ocean between the Korean Peninsula and mainland China with a dramatic 9-meter tidal range. Manning describes a distillation process in her work, where she spreads pigments and oil to create expansive, wave-like washes across the canvas. This technique edits out much of the detail, leaving a representation that ebbs and flows, mirroring the vast tidal phenomenon. What remains in the tide [and in my painting] are these memories and stories, she explains. Turbulent Times: Women, Life, Art at Seoul Museum of Art (Aug. 8Nov. 17) The Seoul Museum of Arts celebration of Chun Kyung-jas centennial, marking the birth of one of Koreas most towering female painters, is a delightful revelation. The show features 22 other Korean women artists who were Chuns contemporaries, each navigating the tumultuous eras of the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule, the 1950-53 Korean War, military regimes and democratization movements. The show offers insightful glimpses into the often-overlooked journeys of such artists during these pivotal times, while also honoring Chuns enduring legacy. Other powerhouse international and Korean galleries are staging their own presentations of big-name and emerging creatives. Highlights include Yoo Youngkuk: Stand on the Golden Mean at PKM Gallery (Aug. 21Oct. 10); Nari Ward: ongoin at Lehmann Maupin Seoul (Aug. 28Oct. 19); Kyungah Ham: Phantom and A Map at Kukje Gallery (Aug. 30Nov. 3); John Pai: Shared Destinies at Gallery Hyundai (Aug. 28Oct. 20); Sean Scully: Soul at Thaddaeus Ropac Seoul (Sept. 3Nov. 9); Gabriel Orozco at White Cube Seoul (Sept. 4Dec. 14); Joan Jonas: the Wind sings at Gladstone Gallery Seoul (Sept. 5Oct. 12); and Doki Kim: The Apple and the Moon at Gallery Baton (Aug. 14Sept. 14). Pansori a soundscape of the 21st century at Gwangju Biennale (Sept. 7Dec. 1) Pansori, a Korean musical tradition of storytelling that blends chant-style vocals with drumming, translates to the sound from the public place. The 15th edition of the Gwangju Biennale, Asias longest-running art biennial, uses this musical storytelling as a thematic gateway. Led by artistic director Nicolas Bourriaud, the exhibition brings together 73 artists who examine the evolving relationship between humans and contemporary spaces intimate, geopolitical and planetary. The show will be divided into three segments, each in tune with a specific sonic phenomenon that functions as a spatial metaphor: Larsen Effect, Polyphony and Primordial Sound. Seeing in the Dark at Busan Biennale (Aug. 17Oct. 20) This years Busan Biennale takes its cue from an unlikely pairing: the 18th-century pirate utopias, which served as autonomous and surprisingly egalitarian havens for socially exiled outcasts, and Buddhist monastic practices that emphasize ascetic living far removed from the normative, secular world. Guided by these distinctly alternative ways of life, co-artistic directors Vera Mey and Philippe Pirotte invite us to look beyond the boundaries of normality as we navigate todays uncertain world through the provocative works of 78 artists, instrument makers, doctors, DJs and religious practitioners. Phillips Azure Horizons: A Journey Through Blue at Songwon Art Center (Aug. 30Sept. 8) Global auction giant Phillips pop-up group exhibition intriguingly spotlights the color azure as both its visual and symbolic thread. Regarded as not only the most richly layered shade of blue but also the most highly valued pigment used in painting throughout the history of art, azure is what unites the featured works of both in-demand and emerging talents, including Nicolas Party, Ugo Rondinone, George Condo, Flora Yukhnovich and Kim Min-ku. 2024 Connect Seoul at Seoul Auction Gangnam Center (Aug. 24Sept. 13) Seoul Auction celebrates this years Frieze Week with a lineup of eye-dazzlers Yoshitomo Nara, a showcase of 30 works by the Japanese art star; Mindfulness, a creative dialogue between painter Lee Ufan and ceramist Park Young-sook; and Contemporary Art Sale, a preview of its Sept. 10 marquee auction. The homegrown auction house is also teaming up with Hong Kongs K11 Art Foundation for the Lunar Water media art exhibition and Paris-based antique dealer Les Enluminures for the European Heritage antique jewelry display. All these events can be experienced in a single visit to its eight-story Gangnam Center. Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of K-pop label Ador, reiterated Thursday her opposition to her removal from the position by the company's board, insisting that her shareholders' agreement with parent company HYBE, which guarantees her term, remains valid. Ador's board of directors removed Min from her role as CEO on Tuesday, appointing fellow board member Kim Ju-young as her replacement. Min still had more than two years remaining on her five-year term under the contract. Min instantly contested her dismissal, calling the decision "unilateral" and in direct violation of the shareholders' agreement and the court injunction prohibiting the exercise of HYBE's voting rights to dismiss Min during a shareholders' meeting in May. The replacement followed months of a conflict between the K-pop powerhouse and Min, centered on allegations that she had plotted to seize control of Ador and take its popular girl group NewJeans with her, which she has denied. HYBE and Min currently are the largest and second-largest shareholders of the label, holding 80 percent and 18 percent of its shares, respectively. Before her removal, HYBE had notified Min of the termination of the shareholders' agreement signed between the two sides and filed a lawsuit to confirm its termination. If the lawsuit is successful, Min would lose her basis for reclaiming the CEO position and a put option worth around 100 billion won ($74.8 million), promised under the agreement. "The shareholders' agreement remains valid as do her put option rights," a lawyer for Min said in a statement Thursday. "She has never breached the agreement, and this has been confirmed by the court's decision to grant the injunction. Therefore, HYBE has no right to terminate the agreement, and its notification of the agreement's termination is invalid." The lawyer argued that it is Min who now holds the right to terminate the contract as HYBE violated it by having other Ador board members dismiss her. (Yonhap) By Yi Whan-woo Brokerage houses and investment firms in Korea are increasingly turning to India to capitalize on its rapidly growing economy, which is expanding by more than 7 percent annually, as well as its large population of 1.4 billion. India is anticipated to become the worlds third-largest economy after the United States and China within the next three years, according to multiple reports in Seoul and around the world. In particular, the country is considered as an alternative sourcing hub in the global supply chain shift from China in the middle of a heightened Sino-American trade war. Under the circumstances, Mirae Asset Securities became the first Korean brokerage house to set foot in India in 2018. In April 2022, the company launched its m.Stock online trading platform to expand to retail operations in India. With the platform, the Seoul-headquartered firm runs 1 million retail customer accounts, climbing to the eighth position among local online brokers. Mirae Asset Securities also acquired a 100 percent stake in Sharekhan Limited, Indias eighth-largest stockbroker, in December 2023. The company said it wants to sustain its growth in India through Sharekhans more than 130 branch offices and business network spanning some 4,000 partners. An affiliate of Mirae Asset Financial Group, Mirae Asset Securities accordingly aims to become one of Indias top five companies in the industry within the next five years. Mirae Asset Global Investments, another group subsidiary, set up an office for a corporate entity in Mumbai's financial district in 2006. Since then, it has expanded to other non-banking businesses, including venture capital. It now runs 56 funds that are worth approximately 25 trillion won ($18.5 billion), standing as Indias ninth-largest asset management firm. In January, NH Absolute Return Partners, a Singapore-based asset management company owned by NH Investment & Securities, formed a partnership with Lighthouse Canton. Headquartered in Singapore, Lighthouse Canton has $3.5 billion in assets and runs offices in major Indian cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. Operated under the wing of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Korea Investment Corp. (KIC) opened its fifth overseas office in Mumbai in April. The KIC, a state-run sovereign wealth fund, said it looks forward to exploring quality investment opportunities in alternative assets, including venture capital, real estate and infrastructure. As of 2023, the KICs total assets under management (AUM) were valued at $189.4 billion. The company wants to invest more than 25 percent of its AUM in alternative assets by 2025, up from the current 22 percent. Organizational culture reforms urgent for internal control: market watchers By Lee Yeon-woo Woori Financial Group has been grappling with a series of large-scale financial crimes within its key subsidiary Woori Bank. Despite repeated promises to strengthen oversight, market watchers believe that deeper cultural changes are necessary to prevent further issues. "Woori Bank's recent loan controversy highlights ongoing governance and oversight weakness within the institution, adding to its history of internal control failures," Rena Kwok, a credit analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, told The Korea Times. She was referring to a case where Woori Bank issued 42 loans totaling 61.6 billion won ($46.14 million) to individuals connected to former Woori Financial Group Chairman Son Tae-seung, between April 2020 and this January. An investigation by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) found that 28 of the loans, amounting to 35 billion won, were granted improperly due to Son's influence. "Woori's actions have reached a point where trust is becoming difficult to maintain," FSS Governor Lee Bok-hyun said during a staff meeting on Aug. 20. This was not the first instance of financial misconduct at Woori. In 2022, Woori Bank was embroiled in a significant employment embezzlement case involving about 70 billion won. Most recently, in June, a local branch was implicated in an 18 billion won embezzlement case involving forged loan applications. According to the FSS data, Woori recorded the highest amount of embezzlement among 17 domestic banks, totaling 77.27 billion won. It also had the most employees involved, with a total of 31 people. The data was submitted to and released by Rep. Oh Gi-hyoung of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea. Over the past two years, Woori has implemented several initiatives to prevent further mishaps, including improvements in inspection processes and oversight systems. Last June, the bank even highlighted its recognition by the FSS as a model for effective internal controls. However, despite these efforts, issues related to inadequate internal controls continue to surface. Industry insiders contacted by The Korea Times say the root problem lies in the organizational culture particularly the authoritarian leadership style of the holding company's chairman, which they say played a role in the latest loan controversy. "I cannot say that operational systems or skills across banks are significantly different. This means that it's an issue of organizational culture," one industry official said, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue. "While systems have improved, there's still a lack of a culture that truly values and enforces internal controls," another official added, also speaking on condition of anonymity. Former employees have left comments on Job Planet, a platform where employees share company information, noting that Woori's "change is slower compared to competitors," and there is a "tendency to hush up internal unrest." One remarked that "aligning with the right people seems crucial" in the bank. It is known that Woori Bank continues to struggle with internal factional conflicts, a lingering issue since its formation through the merger of Commercial Bank of Korea and Hanil Bank after the Asian financial crisis in 1998. The FSS also suspects that the current management was aware of the recent loan incident early on, but neglected their obligation to report it to the authorities. The FSS has been engaging in various discussions to address the industry's authoritarian leadership style, including proposals for improving corporate governance and restructuring responsibilities. "To prevent the recurrence of incomplete sales and financial incidents, changing the mindset and behavior of employees is paramount. The CEO, in particular, should cultivate a culture where every employee feels empowered to openly raise concerns whenever they sense the potential issues," Lee said during the meeting with local bank heads on June 19. In response to mounting concerns over accountability, Woori Bank announced initiatives aimed at improving its credit management system. The bank has also committed to swiftly implementing follow-up measures and complying with sanctions based on the outcomes of regulatory inspections. "We must seize this opportunity for a complete transformation of everything we've taken for granted, including corporate culture, business practices, hierarchical relationships and internal control systems," the group's current Chairman Yim Jong-yong said in an apology on Aug. 12, a day after the news first broke. Kwok noted that Woori's challenges reflect broader systemic issues in Korea's financial sector, "where weak controls and concentration of power have raised concerns about stability and regulatory effectiveness, possibly undermining investor confidence." Families of victims of North Korea's abduction and detention on Thursday called for international solidarity to resolve the issue of enforced disappearances by the North, as they appealed for efforts to confirm the fate of their family members and secure their safe return. The joint call was made at a public hearing, hosted by the unification ministry, on the occasion of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances that falls on Aug. 30. The event also brought together diplomats from 15 countries, which have established diplomatic ties with both South and North Korea, as well as from the United States and the Philippines. The hearing came as the United Nations Human Rights Council is set to hold a universal periodic review (UPR) of North Korea in November. UPR is a mechanism that calls for each U.N. member state to go through a peer review of its human rights record every 4.5 years. At the public hearing, families of the victims appealed for the diplomatic corps' support for the issue of the North's abduction and detention to be highlighted at the upcoming UPR. Choi Jin-young, son of Choi Chun-gil, a South Korean missionary abducted by the North in 2014, called on North Korea to confirm the fate of his father and other detained South Koreans and also immediately return them home. Currently, six South Koreans are being detained in North Korea, including three missionaries -- Kim Jung-wook, Choi Chun-gil and Kim Kook-kie whose whereabouts and fates are unknown. "I am desperately asking for support from diplomats from countries having diplomatic ties with North Korea," Choi said. "I am thinking about my father every moment and am not letting it go. So I hope you could deliver my words to my father, if possible Please, do not lose a thread of hope." Kim Jeong-sam, an elder brother of missionary Kim Jung-wook, also asked for the foreign diplomats present to help raise awareness about the issue of the six detained South Koreans in their countries. Vice Unification Minister Kim Soo-kyung called on North Korea to apologize for its crime against humanity and proactively resolve it. "North Korea should not miscalculate that it could conceal this crime with the weight of passing time," Kim said in a speech read by Choi Sun-young, policy adviser to the unification minister. Separately from the six South Koreans detained in the North, 516 South Koreans have yet to return home among an estimated 3,835 people who were kidnapped by North Korea after the 1950-53 Korean War. At least 60,000 prisoners of war (POWs) are also estimated to have not come back home or gone missing after being detained in North Korea. A total of 80 POWs have returned home since 1994, but only nine had been alive as of March. (Yonhap) Most nurses and medical workers called off their planned strike Thursday after reaching last-minute wage deals, hospital officials said, easing concerns over public health services that have been strained by a protracted walkout by trainee doctors. The Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union (KHMU), which represents some 30,000 nurses and medical workers, had planned to stage a strike Thursday, demanding a pay raise and improvements in working conditions. Of the 62 hospitals under the KHMU, 59 called off their planned strike, hospital officials said. The move followed the passage of a bill in parliament on the previous day that provides the legal basis for physician assistant nurses to assist doctors in performing medical procedures and offers better legal protection to nurses. Nurses had advocated for the bill's passage, emphasizing the need for legal protection and better working conditions, though it faced fierce opposition from the medical community. Of the remaining three hospitals, medical workers at Chosun University Hospital in Gwangju, some 270 kilometers south of Seoul, are set to proceed with the walkout. (Yonhap) Seoul's top envoy in Washington said Wednesday that he saw "bipartisan" support for the alliance between Korea and the United States during his meetings with U.S. politicians and others during recent Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Ambassador Cho Hyun-dong visited the Democratic and Republican events in Chicago, Illinois earlier this month and Milwaukee, Wisconsin last month, respectively, amid a tight presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. "What I felt during my visits to the both conventions is that the width and depth of the Korea-U.S. alliance is deeper than what it was in the past," Cho said in a meeting with Korean reporters. "Along with that, influential U.S. political figures clearly recognized the importance and value of the alliance and I could verify bipartisan support and expectation for the alliance," he added. The ambassador voiced confidence that whoever wins the Nov. 5 general election, the Seoul-Washington alliance would continue to evolve. He also pointed out that a bipartisan group of senators, led by Sen. Bill Hagerty, as well as a bipartisan group of six congresspeople will visit Seoul soon a sign of deepening engagement between the two countries. "During the Democratic convention, I met some 40 party figures. They evaluated the Seoul-Washington relationship as the best ever," he said. Cho vowed to strive for continued smooth strategic coordination between Seoul and Washington with the aim of maintaining strong bilateral relations. (Yonhap) Korea most dependent on capital city for GDP, jobs among 7 wealthy nations South Korea and the United States on Thursday wrapped up a major combined military exercise after its 11-day run as the allies sought to bolster their joint defense readiness against evolving North Korean military threats. The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise, which began on Aug. 19, came amid persistent concerns over Pyongyang's weapons development and heightened inter-Korean tensions worsened by the North's recent trash balloon campaign. Based on an all-out war scenario, the main computer simulation-based command post exercise involved around 19,000 South Korean troops, according to the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff. South Korean troops took part in 48 concurrent field training events, such as amphibious landing and live-fire drills, up from 38 field events conducted last year. In particular, this year's exercise, which included the government-led Ulchi civil defense drill, involved a scenario simulating a North Korean nuclear attack for the first time. The joint military exercise did not incorporate such a scenario. The defense ministry also held its first-ever meeting with relevant agencies on responses to wartime disinformation amid growing concerns over the hybrid warfare threat. "South Korea and the U.S. assessed that their capability and posture to overwhelmingly respond to any North Korean threat were reinforced through the UFS exercise and combined field training events," the JCS said, vowing to maintain a firm combined defense posture through close cooperation. The allies will continue to conduct planned combined field training, such as the Ssangyong (double dragon) amphibious landing exercise under way, it added. In a separate release, the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said the summertime military exercise successfully concluded in yet another affirmation of the allies' "ironclad" commitment to defend their homelands. "This year's exercise featured live, virtual, constructive and field-based training, involving personnel from all military services and other federal agencies. This training enhanced the alliance's readiness and ability to respond to a broad range of security challenges," the USFK said. North Korea, which has used the allies' joint drills as a pretext for provocations, has condemned the UFS exercise as the "most offensive and provocative war drills for aggression." But it did not conduct major provocations, such as ballistic missile launches, during this year's drills. Last year, the North fired short-range ballistic missiles on the penultimate day of the exercise, in addition to a military command post drill involving the scenario of occupying South Korean territory and a botched attempt to launch a military spy satellite. But it did not conduct major provocations, such as ballistic missile launches, during this year's drills. Instead, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw a test for suicide drones on Saturday, calling for the development and production of such weapons to enhance war preparedness. On Tuesday, Kim also attended the test-launch of a 240mm multiple rocket launcher, with a new guidance system, which could put Seoul and its adjacent areas in target range. South Korea and the U.S. describe their drills as defensive in nature. (Yonhap) The CEO of a Korean lithium battery maker that was struck by a fire that killed 23 people in June has been arrested after a court approved a warrant on allegations of violating industrial safety law, a judge said on Thursday. Park Soon-kwan, the CEO of Aricell, which is majority owned by S-Connect, apologized after the fire but said at the time the company had followed all required safety precautions and training for staff. The Suwon District Court, which has jurisdiction for the city of Hwaseong where the factory is located, approved the warrant for Park's detention late on Wednesday due to the gravity of the allegations against him, a public affairs judge said by telephone. The court also approved a detention warrant for Park's son, who is an executive at the company, she said. Park's lawyer could not be immediately reached for comment. Entering the court for a hearing on Wednesday, Park did not answer reporters' questions about the charges against him but said "I'm sorry," television footage showed. Authorities investigating the fire released a report on Friday saying a rush to meet a supply deadline and a lack of action to address signs of dangerous quality defects in batteries that had been produced led to the fire. Hiring temporary workers who did not receive proper safety and emergency escape training to make up for a backlog of production contributed to the large number of casualties, police and labour ministry officials said. (Reuters) The government and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) agreed Thursday to strengthen measures against deepfake sex crimes after a series of such pornography targeting young women on a messaging app sparked public outrage. During an emergency meeting at the National Assembly, the two sides also agreed to push for a hotline with Telegram, and to take legislative measures to increase the maximum prison term from the current five years to seven years for a person making sexually explicit deepfake materials with the intention of distributing them. "It is being widely circulated through Telegram but there appear to be challenges in international cooperation as the servers (of Telegram) are located overseas," Kim Sang-hoon, the ruling party's top policymaker, said after the government and the PPP held an emergency meeting. The government said it would hold a meeting with Telegram and seek to secure a hotline with the company for year-round consultations, Kim added. Numerous chat rooms suspected of creating and distributing deepfake pornographic material with doctored photos of ordinary women and female service members have been discovered on Telegram recently, with many of the victims and perpetrators known to be teenagers. PPP leader Han Dong-hoon urged swift government measures to prevent such incidents and stressed the need to lower the age standard for criminal minors. Currently, children aged between 10 and 14 cannot be held criminally responsible for their actions and are instead sent to juvenile detention facilities, not prisons, or made to do community service, in accordance with the Juvenile Act. Also at the meeting, the government and the PPP agreed to set up an interagency task force under the Office for Government Policy Coordination (OGPC) to lead the response to deepfake sex crimes. The task force will be headed by Kim Jong-moon, first deputy minister of the OGPC, and hold its first meeting on Friday. The defense ministry said it is actively cooperating with police investigations and taking steps to protect the victims, such as offering counseling and receiving reports. "We are aware of the gravity of the situation," Jeon Ha-kyou, the ministry's spokesperson, told a briefing. "We will also carry out various prevention measures, such as preventative education." During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol urged authorities to beef up efforts to crack down on digital sex crimes to combat the AI-generated deepfake content. (Yonhap) The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld life imprisonment for the convict in last year's attempted rape and murder of a woman on a hiking trail in southern Seoul. Choi Yun-jong, 30, was indicted on charges of fatally beating, throttling and attempting to rape the victim he randomly picked on a hillside hiking trail in the Sillim neighborhood on Aug. 17 last year. The victim, an elementary school teacher in her 30s, was left unattended for some 20 minutes before being taken to a hospital but died two days later. In January, a district court sentenced Choi to life in prison, saying he should be separated from society forever. In June, the Seoul High Court confirmed the ruling. (Yonhap) The Constitutional Court on Thursday again rejected the National Assembly's impeachment motion of a prosecutor, saying the reasoning was unspecified or not relevant to duty and, therefore, not valid grounds for impeachment. The nine-member court unanimously reached the decision, nearly nine months after the opposition Democratic Party-controlled National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against Lee Jung-seop of the Daejeon High Prosecutor's Office. Lee was accused of a string of irregularities, including looking up criminal records of others without authority, covering up the drug investigations of his brother-in-law and falsely registering his home address, among others. The Constitutional Court, however, said most allegations were not sufficiently specified and dropped the case without making further judgment. The court dismissed allegations that Lee had hosted private meetings in violation of the gathering ban during the COVID-19 pandemic or falsely registered his home address, saying such acts do not work as grounds for impeachment. The Constitutional Court also rejected Lee's claims that a prosecutor is not subject to impeachment, or that the National Assembly had abused the right for impeachment. Thursday's ruling marks the second-ever impeachment trial against a prosecutor after the court rejected the impeachment motion against another prosecutor in May. (Yonhap) W2.5 million set for restaurant owners switching business By KTimes A budget of 55 billion won ($41 million) has been allocated to end dog meat consumption next year, the Hankook Ilbo reported, citing government sources. The 2025 budget for ending dog meat consumption includes 54.4 billion won from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and 600 million won from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, totaling 55 billion won. Specifically, about 28.1 billion won will be allocated to encourage farm owners to transition or close their businesses, 1.5 billion won to support local government animal shelters caring for remaining dogs and 5 billion won for the demolition of slaughterhouse facilities. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's budget will be used to provide 2.5 million won to restaurants that switch their businesses. The government estimates that approximately 30 percent of dog farms and 10 percent of dog meat restaurants will transition to new businesses next year. Although the Dog Meat Consumption Ban Law was passed in February this year, it includes a three-year grace period, meaning all dog farming, slaughter, distribution and sales for consumption will be fully banned starting in February 2027. Considering a 50 percent national subsidy rate, it is estimated that more than 280 billion won in total will be invested until the law is fully enforced in 2027. Additional support scheme The key issue is the scale of the closure support funds for dog farms. The ministry is considering a variable support scheme based on the number of dogs and farm size, as well as the timing of closure. The basic support will be calculated considering the proper farming area (1.2 dogs per square meter) under the Livestock Manure Management Act and the recent survey showing an annual net profit of 310,830 won per dog. Additionally, farms that close earlier will receive higher support. The specific amount of support and plans will be finalized through discussions at the Dog Meat Consumption Ban Committee of the National Assembly next month. A ministry official said, Nothing has been finalized yet. We plan to announce it in September after discussions at the Dog Meat Consumption Ban Committee. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times. President Yoon Suk Yeol said Thursday that the government will pursue gradually increasing the pension premiums for the younger generation and the middle-aged generation at a different pace, as well as introduce mechanisms to enhance the pension system's financial stability. Yoon outlined a set of reform measures during a policy briefing as Korea grapples with the rapid depletion of its pension fund due to an aging population and declining birth rate. "The government should codify the guarantee of national pension payments into law to assure young people that they will receive their pensions," Yoon said in a televised address. The state-run National Pension Service said earlier that the fund is forecast to be depleted in 2055 after posting its first shortfall in 2041. Yoon pledged to adjust the contribution and income replacement rates, increase the pension fund's profitability and introduce automatic stabilizing mechanisms to ensure the pension's long-term sustainability while expanding credit for those who give birth and complete military service. "We will restore public trust in the national pension by pursuing sustainable reforms that can endure over time," he said. In addition, Yoon said the government will push to reform the basic, retirement and private pension to enhance the welfare of retirees. Yoon said the government will soon announce the detailed pension reform plan, asking for the active cooperation of the opposition-controlled National Assembly in revising the pension law. The latest proposal follows previous attempts by the ruling and opposition parties to reach a consensus on pension reform, which failed in the last National Assembly. While both sides agreed on the need for changes that would require higher contributions and provide greater benefits after retirement, they diverged on the appropriate income replacement ratio. In the health care sector, Yoon pledged to push through medical reform measures aimed at strengthening regional and essential medical services, following the government's decision to increase the medical school quota, a move that has sparked strong opposition from the medical community. "We will restructure general hospitals, which have been overly reliant on resident doctors, so that specialists and physician assistant nurses are at the center of medical services," Yoon said. Concerns persist over potential disruptions in emergency rooms during the Chuseok holiday as a majority of junior doctors remain off work after the government's plan to increase the medical school quota by 2,000 seats annually over the next five years. On Wednesday, the National Assembly passed the nursing act to provide a legal framework for physician assistant nurses to assist doctors in performing medical procedures and offer enhanced legal protection to nurses. (Yonhap) The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a suspended sentence for Seoul education chief Cho Hee-yeon on charges of abuse of power in connection with the reinstatement of dismissed teachers years ago, stripping him of his post as the city's top education official. The top court handed down the 18-month prison term to the superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. The court suspended the sentence for two years, meaning that he will not have to serve prison time if he stays out of trouble during that period. Under the laws, a superintendent must resign if a sentence of imprisonment or greater is confirmed. Cho was indicted in 2018 for allegedly abusing his power to reinstate five dismissed teachers, including former members of a teachers' labor union. Cho was elected as Seoul's education chief for the third time in 2022, with a four-year term. The by-election to elect the next education chief is scheduled for Oct. 16. (Yonhap) The leaders of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) will hold their first official talks over the weekend, party officials said Thursday. PPP leader Han Dong-hoon will meet with Lee Jae-myung, who was reelected as the chief of the DPK last week, at the National Assembly at 2 p.m. Sunday, according to the officials. The two sides were initially scheduled to meet last Sunday but their talks were postponed after Lee tested positive for COVID-19. It marks the first time that the two will hold their official talks as chiefs of the ruling and main opposition parties, and the first such meeting between the rival parties since 2013. They previously met briefly on Dec. 29 when Han took office as the party's interim leader and paid a courtesy visit to Lee, but no current agenda items were discussed at that time. (Yonhap) President brushes off rumors about his uneasy relationship with PPP chief By Kwak Yeon-soo President Yoon Suk Yeol said Thursday that the questioning of first lady Kim Keon Hee outside the prosecution office was not due to preferential treatment and took place per relevant protocols. Prosecutors questioned Kim at a presidential security facility instead of the prosecution office on July 20 over a series of allegations, including her acceptance of a Dior bag from a pastor in 2022. The closed-door questioning of Kim has sparked a backlash from the opposition and claims that she was given special favors. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, which led the investigation into Kim's alleged illegal acceptance of a luxury bag, concluded that she was not guilty of any wrongdoing, adding that the bag was given simply "out of gratitude." The Supreme Prosecutors' Office then referred the case to a prosecution investigation review committee. "The questioning of my wife was conducted in accordance with relevant regulations. When I was a prosecutor, I also visited a former first lady's house to conduct an investigation," Yoon said during Thursday's press conference at the presidential office in Seoul. "Unless a warrant has been issued, the method and location of the questioning can be decided after considering various factors." Yoon said the presidential office is reviewing candidate sites for the office tasked solely with managing Kim's activities. So far, the office of the personal secretary to the president has been organizing her schedule. Yoon brushed off rumors about his uneasy relationship with ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon. Yoon-Han tensions resurfaced after the presidential office objected to Hans proposal to defer the next medical school quota hike planned for 2026 and said the government will stick to its original plan to increase admissions by 2,000 seats every year for the next five years. Im on good terms with Han. The government and the ruling party are communicating smoothly through multiple channels, Yoon said. Despite the denial, Yoon canceled his planned dinner with PPP leaders until after the Chuseok holiday in an ongoing feud with Han over the medical school quota hike issue. On whether he plans to meet Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, Yoon said the National Assembly's normalization should come before any one-on-one meetings between the two. Yoon also shared his stance in vetoing a contentious special counsel bill on a Marine's death during a search and rescue operation in a flooded area in July 2023. The results of a police investigation into the case uncovered the actual truth and who was responsible," Yoon said. "During the Assembly committees hearing, it became clear that there was no interference by the government in the militarys investigation into the Marines death." 'S. Korea-US-Japan trilateral cooperation to be maintained' By Anna J. Park President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed his strong commitment to reforming the national pension system to ensure the fund's sustainability, so citizens can receive their pensions without concerns about depletion. He also reaffirmed his pledge to increase the number of doctors and overhaul the nations medical system to ensure access to medical services in non-capital regions, despite a protracted standoff with doctors over the governments plan to raise medical school admissions quotas. In his rare public briefing and press conference, Thursday, the president said the national pension system requires fundamental structural changes. He explained that it currently fails to provide sufficient income replacement for retirees, while younger Koreans worry they may not receive any benefits, given the government's forecast that the fund could be depleted by 2055. The government is committed to restoring trust in the national pension system through sustainable, long-term reforms, Yoon stated during the press conference at the presidential office in central Seoul. In addition to adjusting variables like premiums and income replacement rates, we need to enhance the funds investment returns and introduce automatic stabilizing mechanisms to secure the pensions long-term viability." Earlier this year, the rival parties discussed increasing the pension premium from 9 percent to 13 percent of one's income. But they disagreed on the income replacement rate, which is the pension as a percentage of a subscriber's average lifetime income. The current rate is 40 percent, with proposals to raise it to between 44 and 45 percent. Yoon did not elaborate on the specific levels for the premium and income replacement rate, but he indicated that the government will soon present a detailed proposal. The president further emphasized the need for reforms tailored to younger workers, who contribute the most and receive benefits the latest. He advocated for differentiated premium increases between younger and middle-aged generations. We need to legally guarantee the states obligation to provide pensions, to reassure younger generations that they will also receive benefits. Strengthening regional medical system The president also addressed health care reform, emphasizing that the primary goal of the current administration is to strengthen regional and essential medical systems. He noted that the government aims to ensure fair and equal access to health care across the country, particularly in non-capital, rural areas. "With the increase in medical school admissions for next year confirmed, the government will now focus its policy efforts on revitalizing regional and essential health care services," Yoon said. Despite strong opposition and months of walkouts by medical professionals concerning the multi-year plan to expand medical school admissions, Yoon emphasized that the government will not yield to such pressure. "Training medical professionals will take at least 10 to 15 years. If we do not act now, Korea is projected to face a shortage of 15,000 doctors by 2035 ... Therefore, this step is unavoidable," Yoon explained. "The government will focus on producing more highly-skilled doctors by advancing medical education and reforming the training system. Additionally, we will strengthen regional health care infrastructure," the president said. He also pledged to overhaul the medical insurance system by significantly improving fees for essential and regional medical services. To effectively implement the medical reform, Yoon announced plans to invest at least 10 trillion won ($7.5 billion) over the next five years. Regarding Korea's ongoing problem with low birthrates, Yoon highlighted the urgent need for a fundamental shift in the country's overly competitive culture and socioeconomic framework. "The culture of unnecessary and excessive competition is a core issue driving the population decline. Balanced regional development to address the concentration in metropolitan areas can be a fundamental solution to this problem," Yoon stated. "To attract people and businesses to the provinces, living conditions must improve. In enhancing the conditions, high-quality education and health care services (in the provinces) are the keys," he added, highlighting that all reform priorities are interconnected to addressing the countrys long-standing challenges. He noted that the countrys low birthrate policies will be completely re-evaluated, with new programs designed to take into account beneficiaries' preferences, the impact of the policies, and their long-term sustainability. Trilateral cooperation in diplomacy When asked if he believes the U.S. stance on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is shifting especially since both the Democratic and Republican parties have excluded denuclearization from their upcoming presidential election pledges and whether this might influence the South Korean governments stance on nuclear armament, Yoon responded that he does not believe Washington will tolerate North Koreas nuclearization. "I do not believe the U.S. would ever tolerate North Koreas nuclearization or accept violations of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) framework," the president said. "Such a stance would contradict the U.S.' historical position and strategy. Allowing these violations would mean lifting United Nations Security Council sanctions related to illegal nuclear development, which would undermine the global NPT system and increase nuclear threats in Northeast Asia. Therefore, I do not see this happening." He noted that the mutual alliance between South Korea and the U.S. has become increasingly robust, as it is being upgraded and effectively integrated to counter North Korean threats. The president also mentioned that the Camp David cooperation framework, established a year ago between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, will continue to be upheld regardless of changes in the leadership of the three countries, since this framework is essential for the stability of the Indo-Pacific region and global economic security. President Yoon Suk Yeol approved the appointment of Kim Moon-soo as new labor minister Thursday, his office said, as the opposition bloc strongly denounced Kim's view about the Japanese colonial rule. Kim, former head of the presidential Economic, Social and Labor Council, was nominated by Yoon for new labor minister late last month. During Monday's parliamentary confirmation hearing, Kim said Koreans during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule were regarded as Japanese nationals, sticking to a controversial remark he made years ago that critics say denies the view that the country was founded in 1919 with the establishment of a provisional government. The main opposition Democratic Party urged Kim to voluntarily step down, citing his historical views over Japan's colonial rule. During the hearing, Kim also said former President Park Geun-hye's impeachment was "wrong and will be reevaluated historically." (Yonhap) By Arthur I. Cyr South Korea and the United States on Aug. 19 began regular annual military exercises, including operations geared toward North Korea, but this year, there is a difference. Japan is a more visible defense partner in the Pacific and beyond This follows directly from a Camp David summit last year hosted by President Joe Biden, which included the leaders of Japan and South Korea. The resulting agreement greatly changes the dynamics of the balance of power in Northeast Asia and, more generally, in the vast region of Asia. Traditionally, Japan and Korea were enemies. The powerful military culture of historically unified Korea generally maintained independence from China and Japan. This changed in 1905 when Japan invaded and occupied Korea. That occupation continued until Japan's defeat in 1945. Soviet forces occupied Korea north of the 38th Parallel, and U.S. forces controlled the southern region. As with Germany, the occupation zones were conceived as a temporary expedient among the victorious Allies, but the onset of the Cold War made them permanent. Germany is now united, but Korea remains divided. So far, both China and North Korea have been relatively muted in publicly complaining about these exercises. That may reflect an intimidation factor, given Japan's increasing prominence in defense. Additionally, both communist nations, along with Russia, are beleaguered. Russian President Vladimir Putin has moved to strengthen military ties with Pyongyang, but that reflects the unanticipated great costs resulting from Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. China's economy is in growing difficulty. Beijing strives to attract private investment while simultaneously maintaining a brutal police state. In effect, the regime is trying to ride two horses going in opposite directions. Beijing's military assertiveness, especially at sea, is one important incentive for the expanding military role of Japan. In 2016, a panel of five judges at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled unanimously against China and in favor of the Philippines regarding territorial disputes. Philippine-U.S. military cooperation is expanding, while China tensions continue. North Korea's erratic behavior is now routine. In 2013, the regime announced a "state of war" with South Korea and threatened nuclear attack. Pyongyang abruptly abrogated the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War and cut the military hotline communications link with the South. In March 2010, a North Korean torpedo sank the South Korean naval ship Cheonan. In the same vicinity in November of that year, North Korean artillery bombarded South Korea's Yeonpyeong Island. North Korea has conducted rudimentary nuclear weapons tests along with missile tests. Progress has been uneven, but there has been a slow expansion of missile ranges. There is evidence of the capacity to strike the continental U.S., and the ominous effort seriously threatens Japan as well as South Korea. In 2017, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2271 in response to North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile tests. This motion involving severe economic sanctions passed unanimously, but since then, both China and Russia have moved to support North Korea. In 2016, the U.S. and South Korea agreed to the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-ballistic missile system given Pyongyang's missile program. This is a defensive system, therefore stabilizing. This introduces the most fundamental point. For all the tensions and strains along the 38th Parallel and occasional violent incidents, the 1953 armistice has held. Presidents Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower deserve credit for deciding to defend South Korea and then ending the war. Arthur I. Cyr (acyr@carthage.edu) is author of After the Cold War American Foreign Policy, Europe and Asia." US firm should cease political maneuvering U.S. nuclear energy firm Westinghouse Electric Company is facing criticism for challenging the Czech Republic's decision to select a Korean company as the preferred bidder for a nuclear plant project. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) dismissed Westinghouse's appeal, describing it as merely a repetition of its earlier position. In a statement, KHNP noted, "Westinghouse's latest claim pertains to ongoing international arbitration and U.S. litigation." Westinghouse, wary of losing the competition to KHNP, actively sought support from the U.S. government. The move by the American firm is seen as improper, potentially reflecting protectionism that undermines free market principles. It suggests an attempt to use government intervention to preserve an American company's competitive edge in the global nuclear power plant market. In its appeal to the Czech Anti-Monopoly Office regarding the selection of KHNP, Westinghouse alleged that the Korean firm had infringed upon its intellectual property rights by using technology licensed from Westinghouse in its APR1000 and APR1400 reactor. However, this position could be harmful to fostering fair competition and may obstruct international cooperation, including technology transfers. Westinghouse should recognize that market entry should be secured through fair competition, not by legal maneuvers. The Czech Republic rejected Westinghouse's claim, stating that participants cannot lodge complaints after failing in the competition. Experts believe that Westinghouse is pressuring KHNP in an attempt to maintain an advantage in potential disputes. The U.S. has argued that adopting KHNP's technology could lead to significant job losses in both the U.S. and the Czech Republic. Westinghouse has further claimed that such a substantial decline in jobs could adversely affect its headquarters in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania, a key swing state in U.S. elections, significantly influences the selection of the next American president. As a result, Westinghouse's actions are seen as an effort to garner support from U.S. political parties. It is considered inappropriate for the company to use aggressive tactics to advance its interests before the election. Major presidential candidates might feel compelled to respond to Westinghouse's claims as the election approaches. In October 2022, Westinghouse filed a lawsuit against KHNP in a U.S. federal court, accusing the Korean firm of infringing on its intellectual property rights. Although the court rejected the suit, Westinghouse appealed the decision, persistently obstructing KHNP's progress. Westinghouse has faced challenges due to its limited experience in nuclear power plant construction and has been criticized for its failure to complete the Vogtle nuclear reactors in Georgia, receiving significant criticism for its inefficiencies in construction. Brookfield Renewable Partners, a Canadian private equity fund, and uranium enterprise Cameco own 51 percent and 49 percent of Westinghouse's shares, respectively. Given that equity funds typically prioritize short-term profits, the U.S. firm has appeared increasingly eager to escalate conflicts to the maximum extent. Westinghouse's actions warrant strong criticism for exacerbating protectionism, prioritizing legal maneuvers over fair market competition and undermining international relations. It is important that this recent move does not adversely affect the relationship between Korea and the U.S. These actions could undermine the principles of free market competition and international cooperation. KHNP's success in securing the nuclear power plant project from the Czech Republic should be recognized as a notable achievement in overcoming the challenges posed by Westinghouse. We urge Westinghouse to stop its persistent legal actions and focus instead on innovation. Relying on legal measures rather than advancing technology will only damage its reputation in the global nuclear power market. Both KHNP and Westinghouse should engage in genuine dialogue to resolve the ongoing dispute amicably. By Steven L. Shields There is no such thing as a Christian nation. Of course, there are some nations with large, or even majority populations who self-identify as Christians. True Christ-followers, however, should see red flags when religion and government work together to achieve mutually agreed-on goals. World history is littered with terrible examples of such. The Jesus described by the Gospel writers continually reminded his followers that Gods kingdom is not of this world. All too many Christians today have forgotten this and used their influence in government to their benefit. Weve seen this happen in Seoul when the organizers of a long-held festival in the city plaza had their permits revoked at the last minute so a so-called Christian group could stage a religious event. Call it a concert, if you will; the events were for evangelizing. Unlike his modern-day doppelganger, the Jesus of the New Testament did not want to be the top dog. He was not interested in acceptance, power or wealth. He didnt aspire to have the largest congregations with the most elegant temples of worship. At every turn, he opposed the prevailing religious and secular authorities, not by revolution but by presenting another way of life and relationships. While the religious leaders Jesus ran up against used the scriptures to define love, Jesus used love to understand and apply the scriptures. I think the Jesus described in the four Gospels would have been horrified when, in 313 CE, Emperor Constantine made the religion that borrowed Jesus name the official religion of the realm. As this status became increasingly powerful, the church overtook the government. Kings and princes had to seek anointment by the church, typically the pope in Rome. We still see this played out in the recent coronation of King Charles III. However, the few other remaining European monarchs take a more modern approach of swearing an oath to the assembly of the people. While Jesus taught his followers to give the government its due, the unification of the two was not part of Gods kingdom ideal. When Jesus charged his followers to make disciples of all nations, he never could have imagined that this would devolve into forced conversion at the point of a sword, driving the Jews from the lands, seizing their properties and slaughtering those who refused to convert. The Spanish Inquisition and the Crusades were nothing more than a reign of terror imposed upon the Mediterranean by power-hungry religionists. Many Crusaders, over a couple of centuries, committed some of the most heinous crimes against humanity imaginable. The Inquisition was no better. Christians have, by and large, misunderstood Jesus teaching that the kingdom of God is near or at hand. Yet, theyve been waiting 2,000 years for something to happen, and when it seems not to have come about in their minds, they try to force it on the world. When Jesus said the kingdom was at hand, he meant what he said. At hand means right here, right now. His disciples must take hold of it and begin living the kingdom lifestyle Jesus modeled. People of Jesus time often misunderstood the role of the Messiah. Most Christians today equally misunderstand it and continue to try to exert worldly power by any means possible. Such a desire for power is driven only by greed greed for wealth, status and control. Jesus was brought down not by anarchy but by law and order allied with religion. Such alliances always use force to make others conform. Christians of many traditions spend much time telling others they must be born again to be saved in Gods kingdom. But Jesus further taught (see Luke 18:22) that his followers must sell all they own and give the money to the poor. Thats the hard part for most of us. We must give up seeking revenge on our enemies, give up violence and cruel words shouted at a street rally, insisting others believe as we do. Jesus commanded his followers to take up their cross and walk the path of the Messiah a path of self-denial and sacrifice, even to ones life. In all the Biblical records, there has never been a conservative prophet. Prophets have not been called to preserve those social orders that categorize people into worth levels. Privilege and wealth do not belong in the prophetic kingdom of God. Christ-followers are to defend the poor, the powerless, the marginalized, the vulnerable and the oppressed. Jesus did not command people to worship him, but he constantly challenged them to follow him. We start by loving our neighbor who doesnt look like us, think like us, love like us, speak, pray or vote like us. Love your neighbor. No exceptions. Jesus was all about how we love. That is the true kingdom of God. Rev. Steven L. Shields (slshields@gmail.com) has lived in Korea for many years, beginning in the 1970s. A lifelong member of the Royal Asiatic Society Korea, he has served as a director and president. He was a copy editor of The Korea Times in 1977. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not reflect The Korea Times editorial stance. By Andrew Hammond The recent Democratic presidential convention in Chicago drew sweeping pre-event comparisons with the same event in 1968 held in the same city during the Vietnam conflict. However, while there are some similarities, the foreign policy context between then and this 2024 campaign is significantly different. The 1968 election, which pitted Republican Richard Nixon and Democrat Hubert Humphrey, came during a distinctive, approximately quarter of a century political era from 1948 to 1972 during the early Cold War era. During this time, foreign policy was usually the single most salient issue in US elections, as it was in 1968 with the Vietnam war. 1968 saw an unusually turbulent period framed by that Vietnam conflict with then-President Lyndon Johnsons decision not to run for re-election (paralleled this year by President Joe Bidens decision not to seek a second term), the assassination of Martin Luther King on April 4 and the killing of Robert Kennedy on June 5. This was capped off in August 1968 with the riots at the Democratic convention in Chicago, of which there was an important echo with high profile pro-Palestinian protests against Israels military operation in Gaza in recent days. Since the 1970s, however, economic issues have tended to be the U.S. electorates highest priority. Most recently, in the 2020 presidential race for instance, during the first year of the pandemic, the U.S. economy was spun into recession after more than a decade of growth, one of the longest expansions in U.S. history. This is not to dismiss the importance of U.S. foreign policy in the 2024 U.S. campaign, even though the United States is not formally engaged in any war today, unlike 1968. Take the example of the Associated Press- University of Chicago National Opinion Research Center (AP-NORC) survey earlier this year which saw 40 percent of voters cite foreign policy as a key issue. Thats about twice as many who mentioned international topics in the AP-NORC poll conducted around a year before in 2023. The big troubles in the Middle East since last Octobers Hamas attacks in Israel, and the subsequent offensive in Gaza, have spiked U.S. voter concerns about geopolitics. This alongside concerns about the Ukraine war, plus the possibility of wider challenges, including Chinas posture toward Taiwan. While foreign policy is still not as salient for voters in 2024, as it was generally during the early years of the Cold War from 1948 to 1972, there are a significant number of reasons why international affairs will remain prominent in coming months before election day. For one, there remain very high escalation risks in the Middle East with the region at its most febrile point in years. In Ukraine, meanwhile, Kyiv has launched in August a spectacular new offensive inside Russia, gaining more than an estimated 1000 square miles of territory, at the time of writing. After months of Moscow making gains in Ukraine, this has at least temporarily changed the narrative of the war there. Meanwhile, in Asia Pacific, significant numbers of U.S. voters are concerned about the potential for a crisis there too. This could create a third major source of international conflict for the United States and its Western allies, with resources increasingly stretched. Yet, even if foreign policy issues were to grow significantly further in salience in 2024, there are nonetheless till a major key difference between now and the first quarter of a century of the Cold War. That is, the earlier period was characterised by a relative policy consensus and widespread bi-partisan cooperation on foreign affairs. Today, however, this policy domain is significantly more divisive. To be sure, the early Cold War consensus can be overstated. Nonetheless, a significant degree of bipartisan agreement on foreign affairs, and wider political decorum, did exist, at least until it broke apart in the late 1960s under the strain of the Vietnam debacle, and the demise of the notion of monolithic communism in light of the Sino-Soviet split. No clear foreign policy consensus has emerged in recent years, and if anything the gaps are widening. Even before Trump took up presidential office in 2017, many Republicans and Democrats differed significantly on how they view the power and standing of the United States internationally; on the degree to which the country should be unilateralist, in their attitudes toward the campaign on terrorism and the methods by which they are being fought and on what the priorities of foreign policy should be. These divisions have grown, further, since Trumps presidency with 2024 seeing significantly divergent U.S. grand strategies. That is, Trumps "America First," versus the more internationalist vision of the Biden-Harris administration which is much more similar to the foreign policies of both Republican and Democratic predecessors in the post-war era. The increasingly polarisation of foreign policy also reduces the scope for the longstanding "rally-around-the-flag" at times of geopolitical tension. This is illustrated by the blaming by some Republicans of current geopolitical tensions on the Biden-Harris administration. Especially if the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine continue into late 2024, it is therefore increasingly plausible that the salience of international issues could remain high on election day. Moreover, partisan splits on foreign policy will reinforce high rates of U.S. political polarisation, potentially increasing global interest in the race to boot. Andrew Hammond is an Associate at LSE IDEAS at the London School of Economics. By Lee Min-hyung POSCO TJ Park Foundation has invited a group of young students in Asian countries to Korea, as part of its scholarship program to fulfill its corporate social responsibility, the foundation said Thursday. The foundation held a three-day workshop with 18 students from across Asia and 50 Korean students. Those who study science and engineering in Asian countries can apply for the POSCO Asia Fellowship scholarship program. This year, 18 international students won scholarships worth 1.3 billion won ($973,000). Under the program, recipients will also have the opportunity to learn about Korean society, culture and economy. Launched in 2005, the POSCO Asia Fellowship has awarded scholarships to over 530 students from 33 countries. Additionally, fellowship winners are given the chance to take Korean language courses to help them adapt to the culture quickly and easily during their stay. The foundation also helps support the academic pursuits of domestic students by selecting a group of college students based in Gwangyang and Pohang for its POSCO Vision Scholarship. The two cities are home to POSCO's steelmaking business. The beneficiaries receive combined benefits worth 800 million won annually. Since its inception in 2006, 636 students have received the scholarship. The winners also visit other countries during breaks to experience foreign cultures. The program also offers mentoring resources for them to get a better understanding of their career path. All the scholarship winners were invited for the workshop which came to an end Thursday. "We expect all the students to build a positive relationship with one another," POSCO TJ Park Foundation Chairman Kim Sun-uk said. "The foundation will keep supporting their journey to achieve dreams." The foundation also pledged to cast a positive social influence by launching more diverse scholarship programs for students here and abroad. Gov't vows efforts to increase FDI By Park Jae-hyuk The Korean government has reiterated the need for issuing specialized E4 visas for Korean professionals in the United States, following multiple failed attempts to pass the Partner with Korea Act in the U.S. Congress. Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Duk-geun said Thursday that employment visa challenges have made it difficult for major Korean conglomerates to dispatch workers to their U.S. offices and to increase investments in the worlds largest economy. Whenever I explain this problem to U.S. lawmakers coming to Korea, they have promised to solve it, he said during a luncheon hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM). The passage of the Partner with Korea Act will help the industrial ecosystem and bilateral investments between Korea and the U.S. Over the past decade, several bills have been proposed in the U.S. Congress to issue specialized employment visas for highly-skilled Korean nationals, aiming to provide them with similar opportunities as professionals from Australia, Singapore and Chile, who are eligible for specialized employment visas in the U.S. The latest proposal for a bill to issue E4 visas for 15,000 Korean professionals annually is on the verge of expiring once again due to the upcoming dissolution of the House of Representatives next January. Ahn therefore requested AMCHAM's assistance in addressing this issue. We do not intend to disrupt U.S. immigration policies, he said. Read More Yoon calls for US lawmakers' support for South Korean firms During the luncheon, the minister also outlined the governments policies to attract increased foreign direct investment (FDI) from the U.S. and other countries. He expressed gratitude for AMCHAMs efforts in helping foreign companies establish their regional headquarters in Korea. We drew up a budget to support R&D by foreign-invested companies, he said. In light of escalating U.S.-China tensions and the geopolitical risks arising from military conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, as well as tensions in the Middle East, he added that Korea offers global enterprises a valuable opportunity to diversify their export markets, thanks to its extensive network of trade partnerships. As the minister responsible for energy policies, Ahn introduced the carbon-free energy initiative, which includes the use of nuclear power. He said this approach is a more suitable option for Koreas climate. We will announce specific elements of the initiative next week during the World Climate Industry Expo in Busan, he said. This global initiative will serve as a stepping stone for developing countries to transition to carbon neutrality. Ahn also said Korea is open to including provisions on digital trade in the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, which celebrated its 12th anniversary this year. AMCHAM Chairman James Kim emphasized the strengthening of Korea-U.S. economic relations. The U.S. is now on the verge of surpassing China as Koreas number one export destination, he said. Just last year, the U.S. was the leading investment destination for Korean companies, accounting for more than 43 percent of total outbound Korean FDI. Similarly, the U.S. was the largest source of FDI in the Korean economy, contributing more than 32 percent. The chairman recognized Ahn for his leadership, saying that his strategic vision for the Korea-U.S. economic collaboration has significantly contributed to the strong bilateral relationship. By Lee Min-hyung Hyundai Motor and Kia are advancing their global profile by reinforcing their commitment to future mobility, following a significant achievement of receiving triple-A ratings from the worlds top three credit rating agencies, the carmakers said Thursday. The latest outcome will also pave the way for the carmakers to strengthen their position in the global financial market. The companies anticipate that the upgraded ratings will enhance their brand reputation and attract more investments. This will help the companies execute their investment plans on schedule. Hyundai Motor and Kia have outlined their mid- to long-term investment strategies to stay competitive in the growing field of future mobility driven by electrification. Under these plans, Hyundai Motor will invest 121 trillion won ($90.6 billion) over the next decade, while Kia is set to invest 38 trillion won over the next five years. We will proactively and transparently communicate with more investors in line with our elevated reputation in not only the global auto industry but also financial markets and execute our future strategies without a hitch, an official from Hyundai Motor said. The two affiliates of Hyundai Motor Group sold more than 7.3 million vehicles here and abroad in 2023. The group became the worlds third-largest auto group, following Toyota and Volkswagen. Global media outlets also spoke highly of the carmakers growing influence in the global mobility industry, releasing reports on their recent ratings upgrades. Earlier, S&P clarified its latest decision for the ratings change for the carmakers, citing Hyundai Motor Groups stable and balanced production capability for electric vehicles and hybrid cars. The official added, "Hyundai Motor Group will be able to speed up our drive for future businesses, such as software-defined vehicles, advanced air mobility and robotics, by gaining more and more recognition and trust from global investors." Baemins rate hike plan stirs controversy in delivery ecosystem By Ko Dong-hwan Food delivery drivers are voicing their discontent as operators of major online food ordering platforms plan to raise delivery fees charged to restaurants. According to management companies and industry observers, the riders are unhappy with this move because it primarily benefits the platform operators, not them. Despite the anticipated increase in sales for the operators, the riders face the same harsh working conditions and high demand without seeing any improvement in their earnings. In fact, one of the largest delivery platforms has even reduced delivery fees for its customers, which has decreased the amount of money available for the drivers. Rider Union, the country's first labor union for delivery workers, gathered its members in front of the presidential office in central Seoul on Aug. 22. Restaurant owners using the country's major online food delivery platforms like Baemin, Yogiyo and Coupang Eats were also present there. Together, they demanded that the administration and the government impose stricter regulations on platform operators to prevent riders and restaurant owners from unfairly falling victim to the planned rate hike and other harmful practices threatening the delivery industry ecosystem. The protest came after Baemin increased the commission rate charged to restaurants earlier this month to 9.8 percent per order from 6.8 percent. The protesters urged the government to introduce a new policy to monitor and control online platforms and objected to the current environment where the operators are free from such legal guidelines. They added that without such measures, it's virtually impossible to express any grievances against major platform operators like Baemin, the biggest platform operator in Korea run by Woowa Brothers, which takes up almost 65 percent of food delivery market shares, in fear of losing customers. The drivers said that they don't "benefit a penny" from the platform operators' rate hike while the degree of their labor remains intense. As their earnings depend on the number of orders they complete, they are pressured by the platform operators to make "express" deliveries. The delivery option requires them to deliver each order individually in a single trip to reduce delivery time, but limits their ability to handle multiple deliveries at once. Baemin has also recently reduced its fees for customers who don't use express delivery from 3,000 won ($2.25) to 2,200 won, cutting down profits for the drivers and their management firms. "Riders are in danger now," a Rider Union official said. "Their dangerous working environment is pushing them to ignore traffic lights and drive at unsafe speeds to save delivery time. Their safety, meanwhile, is not guaranteed at all." To address the country's unleveled food delivery ecosystem, the government has launched a task force with officials from the ministries of finance, food and SMEs as well as the Fair Trade Commission to host discussions between the platform operators, platform-dependent food businesses and the government. "Operating a major online food delivery platform free of legal guidelines only works when food businesses subscribing to the platform are on par with the platform operators in terms of market power," a business owner in the food industry said. "In reality, the gap is too much." Following the third tripartite meeting on Tuesday, no agreement has been reached regarding the platform operators' delivery fee rate hikes. Samsung Electronics and its labor union are likely to resume their talks over a wage increase and others in early October at the earliest, industry sources said Thursday. Early this month, members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU), the largest labor union of the South Korean tech giant, returned to work as they have held several rounds of talks since January but have been unable to narrow their differences over the wage increase rate, vacation system and bonuses. The NSEU, representing 31,000 workers, or about 24 percent of Samsung Electronics' 125,000-strong workforce, had been on a full-scale strike for about a month before returning to work. The union has been demanding a 5.6 percent basic pay raise for all members, a guaranteed day off on the union's founding day and compensation for economic losses due to the strike. Samsung Electronics has offered a 5.1 percent increase in wages, while emphasizing its commitment to building a win-win relationship with the labor union. Early this month, the NSEU lost its status representing the tech behemoth's other labor union and a right for a strike. The sources said the NSEU may regain its status for wage talks via a tie with the other labor union after required processes are completed, which will take about a month. (Yonhap) Top U.S. and Chinese officials exchanged warnings against stoking regional tensions during a meeting in Beijing Wednesday, after China became embroiled in security rows with American allies Japan and the Philippines. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, making the first such trip by someone in his role since 2016, and Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi met in Beijing for talks that were meant to smooth over relations. But after their meeting, state media reported that Wang cautioned Washington against supporting the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea. "The United States must not use bilateral treaties as an excuse to undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, nor should it support or condone the Philippines' actions of infringement," Wang told Sullivan, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Sullivan, who is U.S. President Joe Biden's most senior security aide, doubled down on Washington's pledges to defend its regional partners. "Mr Sullivan reaffirmed the United States' commitment to defending its Indo-Pacific allies," the White House said in a readout of their meeting. Sullivan also "expressed concern about the PRC's destabilizing actions against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea," it said, using an acronym for the People's Republic of China. Sullivan landed in the Chinese capital on Tuesday for a three-day trip, saying on arrival he looked forward to "a very productive round of conversations" with foreign minister Wang. The visit follows a summit between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in California in November 2023, and comes just over two months before elections in the United States. But the meeting was shadowed by Washington's allies Japan and the Philippines blaming China in the past week for raising regional tensions. Beijing said on Monday it had taken "control measures" against two Philippine Coast Guard ships that "illegally" entered an area of disputed reefs and waters. 'Peace and stability' Manila said the Chinese vessels had prevented Philippine ships from resupplying their own coast guard vessels in the area, blasting the move as "aggressive" and calling Beijing the "biggest disruptor" of peace in Southeast Asia. According to CCTV, Wang emphasized to Sullivan that "China is firmly committed to safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights over the South China Sea islands." Tokyo meanwhile accused Beijing of violating its airspace on Monday, with a two-minute incursion by a surveillance aircraft off the Danjo Islands in the East China Sea. It said the first confirmed incursion by a Chinese military aircraft into its airspace was a "serious violation" of its sovereignty and accused Beijing of becoming "increasingly active." Sullivan and Wang have met five times over the past year-and-a-half in Washington, Vienna, Malta and Bangkok, as well as alongside U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at a November 2023 summit in California. The U.S. and Chinese officials also discussed the tense issue of Taiwan, the self-governing democracy that China claims. China has kept up its saber-rattling since the inauguration this year of President Lai Ching-te, whose party emphasizes Taiwan's separate identity. Wang stressed that Taiwan belonged to Beijing and that China will "certainly be unified." He told Sullivan that the U.S. should "put into practice its commitment not to support Taiwan independence" and stop arming Taiwan, according to CCTV. The White House said Sullivan "underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." The U.S. and Chinese officials also discussed issues including Ukraine, the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula, both sides said. Sullivan had "emphasized concerns" about China's support for Russia's defense industry during Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, the White House said. Wang countered that China was committed to "working towards a political solution to the Ukraine crisis" and warned Washington off imposing "illegal unilateral sanctions." (AFP) NATO countries on Wednesday condemned "indiscriminate" heavy Russian strikes across war-battered Ukraine, the Western military alliance said, after a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council in Brussels. Russia fired a wave of attack drones and missiles at Ukraine on Monday and Tuesday, killing at least 11 people and battering the country's already weakened energy grid. NATO members reaffirmed their commitment to "stepping up their military aid to Ukraine," NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said, following the meeting of ambassadors with Ukrainian officials at Kyiv's request. "We must continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment and munitions it needs to defend itself against Russia's invasion. This is vital for Ukraine's ability to stay in the fight," Stoltenberg said in a statement. Several NATO countries also called for lifting restrictions on Kyiv's use of weapons supplied by Western allies, especially long-range missiles, to help Ukraine better defend itself against deadly strikes, a diplomatic source said. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov "briefed allies" about the situation on the ground, NATO said. The Ukrainian army is struggling in the east, where Russian troops have been steadily advancing for several months. The Russian army has captured several towns and villages in recent days, even as Moscow scrambles to fight off a Ukrainian counterattack into its western Kursk region. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for European air forces to help Kyiv down drones and missiles in the future. "In our various regions of Ukraine, we could do much more to protect lives if the aviation of our European neighbors worked together with our F-16s and together with our air defense," Zelenskyy said. The air attacks on Ukraine are some of the largest in recent weeks, with 15 Ukrainian regions targeted by a total of 236 missiles and drones, Kyiv said, of which it claimed it shot down 201. (AFP) Karina has officially been appointed as the newest brand ambassador for Prada. The aespa leader's photos also made a buzz on social media and online communities. On August 29, Prada shared that Karina has become its newest brand ambassador. The brand also uploaded two photos of the idol, who flexed her stunning beauty and stylish black outfit. "We are pleased to announce that Karina, the leader of the K-pop group aespa, has become a new brand ambassador of Prada," the brand shared. Karina also expressed enthusiasm for her inclusion and conveyed how grateful she was for the opportunity. The idol also encouraged fans to look forward to her activities with Prada. Karina stated, "Prada has always been my favorite brand and I'm happy to be their ambassador. In the future, we will show you lots of good things, so please look forward to it." Karina previously attended the "Prada 2024 Fall/Winter Menswear Fashion Show" in Milan. It was also reported that she would also be attending the "Prada 2025 Spring Summer Womenswear Fashion Show" on September 19 as a brand ambassador. With Karina's partnership with Prada, she has also become the latest member of aespa to become a brand ambassador of a global fashion brand. The luxurious endeavor not only is a stepping stone to Karina's exposure to the fashion world, but is also a testament to her charm, allure, and versatility. Meanwhile, on Prada's official Instagram post where Karina was tagged, MYs and netizens didn't waste a second to compliment the idol for her gorgeous look, as well as congratulate her on the opportunity. Read their comments below: "As she should! So proud of you, rina. It's only the beginning, more to come!" "So proud of my girl!" "Stunning! Love it so much! And this appeared in Karina's feed. I'm so proud!" "Congratulations Karina!" "Proud of you my baby Karina, congratulations!" "Karina deserves the best things in the world!" The news also trended in a community forum and social media platform X (Twitter). Netizens expressed how much Karina fit the brand. Here's how they reacted: "She freaking suits it." "This was so obvious, she's been seen wearing Prada for so long "Congrats on becoming the global ambassador." "Her aura suits it, congrats." "Karina suits every brand, she's luxurious." "Finally, it's official." "It really suits her aura." this is the first time in pradas history announcing a brand ambassadorship in their official account, woah https://t.co/2ZFpD2qRYF (@KRNFILE) August 28, 2024 FUCKING YESSSS!!!!!!! thats my girl <33 https://t.co/c5ve7y75lD August 28, 2024 DOES THIS MEAN WE WILL GET SANA AND KARINA INTERACTIONS OMG https://t.co/iyJBWehixE syd (@3ihyo) August 28, 2024 this might be the most organic brand ambassadorship in kpop; karina waited for 3 years to get her first global brand ambassadorship, she worked with prada, attended their fw she showed them her impact and they choose her. her GBA was not handed to her she worked hard for it https://t.co/1BWKSGVnSO lar (@yujibluu) August 28, 2024 IM SO HAPPY RN https://t.co/NZihmgg5LS August 28, 2024 Are you excited for more of Karina's activities with Prada? Share your thoughts in the comments below! For more intriguing K-pop news and exciting updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: aespa Karina Draws Attention For Stunning Visuals In THESE Beauty Campaign Photos: 'Why Is My Girl So Pretty?' KpopStarz owns this article Written by Israel Monte TIMES STAFF WRITER So many times, Dolores Mata recalls, the teachers would call home about her youngest daughter, Sasha, who everyone knew as Hollywood. It was never about her grades or her attitude, but always about the starlet-styled way in which she dressed. But the mother understood, just like the two sisters and everyone else who knew Sasha, that this fashionable and impressionable young woman wanted to become a model. She longed to trade her plain old blue-collar Carson neighborhood in for the glamour of the runway. On Saturday, in a living room filled with pictures of Sasha, the mother cried over her daughter and a graceful maturity into womanhood that will never be: 18-year-old Sasha is dead, the victim of what police are calling a gang-related shooting eight days ago outside the family home. Advertisement Sasha was beautiful, but it wasnt the clothes, her mother recalled. It was the personality inside the clothes. She just always stood out. Los Angeles County sheriffs investigators dont know what prompted the occupants of a passing car to open fire on Sasha, her older sister, Yvette, and three friends as they sat in a car around 2:40 a.m. on the morning of Nov. 13. Two girls were injured and Sasha was struck in the chest and sat dying in the drivers seat as her anguished mother tried to revive her, pleading with her to keep breathing. Advertisement This is a tragedy that happens too many times in Los Angeles, said Det. Martin Rodriguez. This girl was not a gang member. Like many other victims of gang violence, she was a person with a job, a viable member of society, who happened to grow up in an area known for gangs. We just cant explain why the guns were turned on her. At a gas station two miles from the Mata home, friends and family--and some who never even knew Sasha--gathered Saturday for a charity carwash to help Dolores Mata afford a proper funeral for the daughter she says never got the chance to show the world her real beauty. All throughout a gray drizzly day, the cars came and went, people paying their respects to the memory of a teenager they said represented innocence and stolen potential. Advertisement They talked of bitter irony, that the girl so fond of stiletto heels, leopard skin purses and fancy hats, who her sisters laughed would dress up just to walk to the corner market for an orange soda, had often pitched in to wash cars at events dedicated to other victims of crime in her neighborhood. Now, it was Sashas time to take her place as unfortunate beneficiary. One lady just wanted us to empty her ashtray and she still gave us 10 bucks, said family friend Steven Caudillo. She said she was so sorry over our losing Sasha. Ever since the killing, members of the Mata family have asked themselves what they could have done differently. Sure, Sasha had known boys in her neighborhood and in her school who were affiliated with gangs. But then, Sasha knew everybody, her mother says. Dolores often instructed her daughter not to make a mistake and take up with any local young boys, to wait until she got to college where she would meet doctors and lawyers and find a really comfortable life. Meanwhile, I would always tell her Baby, be careful where you go and who you go there with, Dolores Mata said. Because if someone in some car doesnt like who youre with, then youre in danger as well. On that early Saturday morning, a mothers fears became violent reality. Sasha had left her job at a sporting goods store at the Del Amo mall and had gone out partying with her sister and friends in Torrance. As the group returned to park in front of the Mata home in the 100 block of 234th Street, the car engine still running, a car passed and the firing began. Advertisement Rodriguez said police had targeted the area around the Mata home as a gang area, adding that the single male in the car with Sasha was a suspected gang member from a different part of the city. Although Sashas family doesnt believe the young mans presence inspired the shooting, they say they cant rule out gang involvement. Dolores Mata has asked police to organize a meeting of local gangs to hammer out a truce. Sure Im angry, but I dont want any retaliation, she said. Too many mothers are losing children to this gang nonsense. Sashas life had just begun. On Saturday, as they washed cars and wiped away tears, Sasha Tatiana Matas friends and family talked about the aspiring model who was seeking direction in her life. Reeling from teachers complaints over her choice of dress, a discouraged Sasha had dropped out of high school after her sophomore year and had considered pursuing several careers, from dental hygiene to fashion design. Ill miss her hugs and kisses, her mother said. No matter what she did, Sasha was somebody you could never stay mad at. Recently, Sasha appeared in a car-oriented magazine, and she had visited several local modeling agencies, who had been encouraging, her mother recalls. Advertisement In the days after her death, city officials said they want to build a center for nonviolence in Sasha Matas name. Outside the Mata home still sit the flowers placed there by friends and admirers, along with a note that reads: Rest in peace, Sasha. Well miss you, Hollywood. Everyone understands uncertainty. Or thinks he does. So says German physicist Werner Heisenberg in Michael Frayns play Copenhagen, playing at the Wilshire Theater. I hate to argue with someone no longer around to defend himself, but I beg to differ. I think most people dont begin to understand uncertainty, which is why we run from it screaming. What we want, and believe we can have, are guarantees: Is air travel safe? Is the global climate warming? Are we doing the right thing in Afghanistan? He loves me; he loves me not. Plucking petals off daisies or reading the stock market ticker, we all want to know for sure. Advertisement Alas, our universe is an uncertain sort of place, as Werner Heisenberg discovered. Every bit of certain knowledge comes at the price of uncertainty someplace else. Take, as Heisenberg did, an elementary particle. Try to pin it down: Where, exactly, is it? To know, you must measure it, and to measure it, you must disturb it in some way. Thus, the minute you pin down its position, you no longer know exactly how it is moving. Conversely, the more precisely you pin down its motion (velocity), the less clearly you can see its exact position. This apparent limitation to human measurement turned out to be a fundamental property of the universe. Even the vacuum of empty space quivers with uncertainty; in fact, these incessant nervous twitches in nothing may well add up to more energy than everything else in the universe combined. Advertisement Frayns play, likewise, takes place in a cloud of unanswered questions. Why did Heisenberg go to Copenhagen in 1941 to see his old mentor, Danish physicist Niels Bohr? At the time, Heisenberg was the head of the German nuclear effort. Did he plan to pry atomic secrets from his friend? Or was he trying to enlist Bohrs help to try to prevent atomic bombs from being built? And why did Germany fail to build an atomic bomb? Was it because Heisenberg deliberately withheld information from the Nazis? Or because this consummate mathematician neglected to do an obvious calculation? Does Heisenberg know himself? Is there a single answer? Real people, like particles, are complicated. Their states are entangled--with each other, with forces, with history. Physics is entangled with politics and the personal gets entangled with everything. Bohr was entangled with Heisenberg, and so was his physics. Advertisement Though Bohr is the acknowledged father of quantum mechanics, perhaps his best-known contribution is his theory of complementarity--a set of ideas valued as much by philosophers as by physicists. Complementary descriptions of nature are required, but paradoxically are often mutually exclusive. Measured one way, an electron is a particle; measured another, it is a wave. To see the wave aspect, you destroy the particle; to see the particle, you destroy the wave. Nature is full of such dualities. A human being has infinite worth. A human being is merely a collection of electrons and quarks. Music is a mathematical relationship among acoustic tones. Music is a means of emotional expression. Both are true, and neither is complete. Bohr and Heisenberg too made a complementary pair. Bohr relished paradox. Heisenberg was undone by it. Bohr wasnt content unless physics made everyday sense: What does the mathematics mean in plain language? asks Bohr in the play. What are the philosophical implications? Heisenberg found truth in equations: What something means is what it means in mathematics. Mathematics is sense! (Yet even Heisenberg finds room for doubt: Mathematics becomes very odd when you apply it to people. One plus one can add up to so many different sums.) Advertisement The physicists were old friends, like father and son. They were also enemies: Germany occupied Denmark. Together, they created a physics of deep truth and beauty--physics that gave people (as observers) a central role. Together, they also made possible physics with the power to destroy all people once and for all. If that were to happen, says Bohrs wife, Margrethe, in the play, even the questions that haunt us will at last be extinguished. As long as there are people, of course, there will continue to be questions--and the hope for certain answers. And there lies a paradox Bohr would have loved: Faith can be certain, but knowledge is always to some extent elusive. Some answers are like particles--everywhere, nowhere. Different depending on how you ask, or when. The price of knowledge is not sin but uncertainty. Easier to swallow, perhaps, but far more difficult to comprehend. On 28 August the legal representative of, an influential Chilean lawyer who was indicted on bribery, money laundering, and tax fraud charges the previous day, criticised Presidentfor commenting on the case. End of preview - This article contains approximately 398 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options It will soon cost more to park in both the short- and long-term lots at Lehigh Valley International Airport. The Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authoritys Board of Governors on Tuesday unanimously approved rate hikes for both lots. Its the first time the rates have been adjusted since 2009, the authority said in an announcement about the new rates. According to the announcement, the following rates take effect Oct. 1: For the short-term lot: Free parking is increasing from 10 to 15 minutes, the hourly rate is increasing from $2 to $3, and the maximum daily rate goes from $22 to $24. For the long-term/overflow lot: Free parking is increasing from 10 to 15 minutes, the hourly rate remains $2, the maximum daily rate goes from $14 to $16 and the maximum weekly rate goes from $79 to $89. MORE: These knives, tools, liquids and more were seized at LVIA NCC gets $2M for campus improvements The Pennsylvania Department of Education this week awarded more than $33 million to 12 community colleges to assist with funding capital and other projects. The state agency said in a news release that Northampton Community College was among the recipients, with $2 million going toward a roof and paving project. Lehigh-Carbon Community College also received $625,000 for public safety system improvements, according to the release. MORE: Chuck Ds NCC talk revisits rap revolution and return to visual arts roots More local headlines WFMZ.com reports a chain that specializes in fresh-baked cookies will be opening its first Lehigh Valley location this fall in South Whitehall Township. Cookie Plug will be located in the Village West shopping center off Cedar Crest Boulevard. MORE: Read the full wfmz.com story here Mcall.com reports Lehigh Countys board of election is warning of a scam in which bogus texts are sent to voters claiming there is a problem with their voter registration. The county says its voter registration office would never contact a voter in this manner. MORE: Read the full mcall.com story here Lehighvalleynews.com reports the Bethlehem Southside Arts District is partnering with the city and Wawa to create a gateway sign between Route 412 and the Southsides downtown. Plans call for a vibrant public art piece. MORE: Read the full lehighvalleynews.com story here The Mercer County man accused of shooting someone in the back of the head at a strip club in Pennsylvania early Thursday morning surrendered police Friday afternoon, the Bucks County District Attorneys Office announced Friday. Pedro E. Rodriguez, 27, of Trenton was charged with attempted homicide and two counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, discharging a firearm into an occupied structure and 17 counts of recklessly endangering another person, authorities said. Authorities in Bucks County were searching for Rodriguez since early Thursday morning when he was accused of shooting a man at The Border Gentlemens Club in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. Morrisville police responded to 440 South Pennsylvania Avenue at about 1:15 a.m. Thursday morning for a report of a shooting and found a 28-year-old who had been shot in the back of the head, according to the District Attorneys Office. Police said the victim also had gunshots to the left thigh and under both armpits. Detectives said a confrontation took place at the entrance to the club and the victim was a bystander who tried to assist the staff when they were shot. Authorities said there were 17 people inside the club at the time of the shooting and the victim was taken to an area hospital in critical condition. A person who answered the phone at the club Friday declined to comment on the incident while the investigation is ongoing. Rodriguez and the man he left the scene with were last seen heading north on Route 1 toward Trenton in a Lexus SUV before he surrendered Friday, authorities said. Rodriguez is being held at the Bucks County Correctional Facility on $5 million bail. Editors note: This article has been updated with information on Rodriguezs arrest. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X A tractor trailer in flames stalled traffic early Thursday along Route 33 south at the Interstate 78 ramp east in Lower Saucon Township. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportations traffic website, 511pa.com, reported the incident happened around 2:30 a.m., shutting down the New Jersey/New York City ramp, heading onto the interstate. Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Nathan Branosky, public information officer for the Troop M barracks, told lehighvalleylive.com there were no reported injuries. As of 7:30 a.m., traffic cameras on 511pa.com show all lanes have since been reopened. Its unclear what led the rig to ignite. Pennsylvania State Police in Belfast continue to investigate. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. THERE are fears for hundreds of jobs this evening in Tullamore as it emerged that a major announcement is expected to be made by Cardinal Health on Thursday. Employees at the medical device manufacturer were all sent home on Wednesday afternoon according to a local Fianna Fail councillor, Tony McCormack. In a social media post, Cllr McCormack said: Sad news eminating from Cardinal Health this evening. Wont know the full details until after meeting between employees and management tomorrow at 10am. My thoughts are with the employees and their families this evening as they ponder what news that meeting brings. I will contact the Tainaiste Michael Martin and Minister for Jobs Peter Burke to ensure that should there be job losses that the employees get properly looked after. This plant has been owned by different medical device companies since it opened its doors in 1984. It is a great contributor to the local economy. Lets hope for the best and prepare for the worst and wait to see what tomorrows meeting brings. Another local source said the Wednesday night shift at the plant had been cancelled. There was no activity at Cardinal Health when the Tribune visited Srah Business Park in Tullamore on Wednesday evening. Cardinal Health is a US-owned global leader in the health tech sector. It bought Tullamore-based Medtronic in 2017 when there were about 350 employees at the plant. Previously Medtronic had bought the Tullamore Covidien operation. In the mid-1980s the plant was known as Sherwood Medical and was a key player in the local industrial scene and an IDA standard bearer for the healthcare and life sciences sectors in the Midlands, becoming part of the Tyco Healthcare group. Cardinal Health has been approached for comment. The Government will continue to invest in our prisons to ensure those prison officers and others working for the Irish Prison Service (IPS) feel supported, according to the Minister Justice. Minister Helen McEntee, made the pledge as she officially opened the 2024 recruitment campaign for 250 recruit prison officers. A statement from her Department said this years campaign offers applicants the opportunity to embark on a rewarding career within the service and to make a positive, lasting impact on society. The Public Appointments Service is running this years competition which the IPS hopes will culminate in 250 Recruit Prison Officers hired in 2024. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee spoke about the recruitment drive. The Irish Prison Service and its officers are at the heart of a system that makes our communities safer and changes the lives of those in custody for the better. I am determined that we grow the prison service again this year building on 2023 with this new recruitment competition as well as the increase in the retirement age for those who wish to stay on to 62 years of age, which I announced recently. The Government will continue to invest in our prisons to ensure those who join the prison service feel supported in their jobs and can work to the very best of their abilities. MORE BELOW PAY SCALE. I encourage anyone interested in pursuing what is a truly worthwhile and fulfilling career with the Irish Prison Service to consider an application, she said. Caron McCaffrey, IPS Director General, added her views. I am delighted to announce the 2024 Recruit Prison Officer competition is now open. Prison officers play a vital security role while also serving as catalysts for positive change, guiding individuals in custody towards rehabilitation. Together, we envision a safer community through excellence in a prison service built on respect for human dignity, she said. The last recruitment competition was held in 2023 and welcomed more than 1800 applicants. The 2024 Recruit Prison Officer Competition will remain open until 26 September 2024 at 3pm. Information on the competition and how to apply can be found on the Public Appointments Service website at Public Jobs. Applications will be accepted online through the Public Appointments Service official website https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/ starting from 29 August 2024. MORE DETAILS BELOW PICTURE. Midlands Prison Portlaoise. The Department of Justice says eligible candidates will undergo a 'comprehensive' selection process, including written assessments, physical fitness tests, interviews, and background checks. It adds that successful candidates will receive 'extensive training and mentorship' to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge required for the role. Some of the training takes place at the IPS training college in Portlaoise. The competition will culminate in the selection of a number of candidates who will be offered positions as prison officers. Prison Officer training is accredited by South-East Technological University (SETU) as the Higher Certificate of Arts in Custodial Care and reflects Level 6 of the NQAI framework. The founder of JD Wetherspoon has dismissed calls to curb alcohol consumption at airports after calls for tighter controls were made by Ryanair boss Michael OLeary. Sir Tim Martin, commander in chief at the British hospitality giant, told the Telegraph there had been no complaints about our pubs from the airport authorities or airlines in recent years, adding Wetherspoons airport pubs no longer serve shots. Years ago we stopped selling shooters at airports, as well as double-up offers. Ryanair, in contrast, offers a discount on Irish whiskey if a double is ordered, he said. In the Telegraph, Ryanair identified four airports that airline staff find particularly problematic Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Wetherspoons has three pubs at Gatwick, two at Heathrow, and one at Stansted. All bar one are located beyond airport security and all are covered by CCTV. Sir Tim told The Telegraph that evidence suggests, in most instances of in-flight drunk, violent or antisocial behaviour, the majority occurred on flights inbound to the UK. His comments come after Mr OLeary called for alcohol limits in airports to tackle a rise in disorder on flights. Mr OLeary said passengers should be restricted to two drinks per journey to curb what he says is an increase in antisocial behaviour and violence. He told the Telegraph violent outbursts are occurring weekly with alcohol, especially when mixed with other substances. We dont want to begrudge people having a drink. But we dont allow people to drink-drive, yet we keep putting them up in aircraft at 33,000 feet, he said, adding it was difficult for airlines to identify inebriated people at the gate, especially when boarding in a group. As long as they can stand up and shuffle they will get through. Then when the plane takes off we see the misbehaviour. Mr OLeary said crew members and other passengers have become targets of delays adding to the problem of longer drinking times at airports. In the old days, people who drank too much would eventually fall over or fall asleep. But now those passengers are also on tablets and powder, he said. Its the mix. You get much more aggressive behaviour that becomes very difficult to manage. Mr OLeary said Ryanair staff search bags before passengers are allowed to board flights to Ibiza, one of the party destinations he says are worst affected. Two teenagers have been arrested after an Irish man was shot dead outside his restaurant in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri. Shaun Brady, originally from Nenagh, County Tipperary, was a co-owner and chef of an Irish restaurant called Brady and Fox. Police said they responded to a report of a shooting in a car park next to several businesses on 63rd and Rockhill, where Mr Bradys Irish restaurant was located. Police said that from their initial inquiries, Mr Brady was taking out rubbish when he saw several people beside a vehicle in the car park. After an interaction with them, Mr Brady was shot. READ ALSO: Man appears in court accused of setting fire to religious buildings in Donegal village Police said they found a man with gunshot wounds in the car park at about 5.18pm local time on Wednesday, who officers tried to help. Emergency medical personnel took him to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Police said that within an hour of the incident, two juvenile male teenagers were taken into custody. Investigators will be working with prosecutors to determine applicable charges, police said. The vehicle used in the crime was also recovered a short distance away in Midtown, they added. The incident is being investigated as a homicide and have examined the scene for physical evidence. Police say they are interviewing several witnesses and reviewing any available surveillance footage of the incident. They have also appealed for information and said there is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to its hotline. The mayor of Kansas City, Quinton Lucas, said in a Facebook post: Like many in our community, I am heartbroken to learn of the death of Shaun Brady. I have met him, laughed with him, heard just a bit of his and his familys story, and was inspired by the business and the community he was building in Kansas City. I grieve for and express my sincerest condolences to his family and all who knew him. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of this tragic incident and stands ready to provide consular assistance. A landmark Laois pub is on sale in Portlaoise and there's a potential that it may not reopen as a licensed premises. Donohue's Pub on Market Square / aka Top Square went on the market in recent weeks with the sale being handled by JP Younge Auctioneers in Dublin. Downstairs features a pub while the upper floor is a form restaurant. As a new survey reveals that Laois has the fourth highest rates of pub closures in Ireland, the auctioneers describe the pub which has been operated by proprietor and well-known Laois man Seamus Donoghue. that Laois has the fourth highest rates of pub closures in Ireland, the auctioneers describe the pub which has been operated by proprietor and well-known Laois man Seamus Donoghue. "Donoghues Licensed Premises occupy a prominent and strategic trading position, overlooking the Market Square, in the heart of Portlaoise, the country town and one of the most rapidly expanding towns in the country, at the northern end of the Main Street, adjacent to the principal shopping, business and trading district and within walking distance of Portlaoise Main Line and Commuter Railway Station. "Donoghues is uniquely fitted out with specially designed teak wall panelling adorned with commissioned pieces of artwork and adorned throughout with electric fittings of a high standard. Overhead is a vacant restaurant offering additional business potential or the creation of a commercial investment," he said. While being sold as a pub, the sale sign on the property says it has 'potential for other uses'. READ MORE ABOUT THE PROPERTY BELOW - TAP NEXT OR ARROW TO SEE MORE PICTURES. "Portlaoise is a thriving Midlands town, strategically placed to cater for a large volume of private, commercial and tourist traffic using the busy north/south and east/west motorway networks while facilitating a significant population within the surrounding districts with ample car parking dispersed throughout the town, including those who need to attend the local courthouse and who wish access Portlaoise Rail Station or those who wish to stop off at the numerous food and beverage outlets," said the agents handling the sale. Property Summary below link. Accommodation Lounge Bar, front section with solid fuel stoves 45.33 sq m Mid-section of Lounge Bar 31.26 sq m Back snug/ recessed area 12.99 sq m Kitchen; 9.21 sq m Ladies & gents toilet block. Upper Floor Former Restaurant Reception; Lobby; 2.039m x 4.374m L shaped Restaurant 45.75 sq m Kitchen: 25.84 sq m Male & female staff cloakroom Lobby to flat roof at rear; 2.176m x 2.793m Outside Lofted Store Circle K, Irelands largest forecourt and convenience retailer, is delighted to announce the return of its When you Fill, Support Jack and Jill fundraising initiative for a second year. To celebrate its sponsorship of Cannonball Ireland 2024, 1c from every litre of miles and milesPlus fuel sold will go directly to the Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation, during the weekend that this years Cannonball Ireland event will take place (September 6-8). As an event synonymous with driving, and with tens of thousands of people expected to spectate over the weekend, Circle K is bringing back When You Fill, Support Jack and Jill to raise crucial funds for the Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation and fuel motorists on the go across the weekend. The When You Fill, Support Jack and Jill initiative will run in participating Circle K and Circle K Express sites nationwide. Circle K Ireland has supported the Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation since 2022. Donations to the charity supports hundreds of children who are living with highly complex and life-limiting medical conditions nationwide while empowering parents to care for their child at home. In 2023, donations to the Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation helped the charity to directly supports its highest number of families ever in one year, 534 in total. Cannonball, fuelled by milesPLUS from Circle K, is the largest organised road trip in Europe and features the finest cars in the world, including cars by brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche, Aston Martin, and Maserati. Spectators can see these supercars on the move as they visit six counties across the country on this years road trip. Members of the public can delight in the spectacle of supercars at scheduled stops in Meath, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Galway and Leitrim and at Circle K sites in Gorey and Kilcullen where the cars will be stopping for important refills. All the action can be followed on the Cannonball live tracker as the road trip travels across Ireland during the three days of the event. For more information on the Cannonball 2024 route, visit: 5 Things You Need to Know About Cannonball 2024 | Circle K Commenting on the initiative, Ciara Foxton, Managing Director at Circle K Ireland said: We are delighted to bring the When You Fill, Support Jack and Jill initiative back to sites nationwide, after last years success, which generated over 105,000 in funds for the charity - the equivalent of almost 5,800 hours of nursing care for families. From September 6th-8th, 1c from every litre of miles and milesPlus fuel sold, will be donated to Jack and Jill, ensuring their inspirational team can continue to support children with life-limiting conditions nationwide. Were also thrilled to further support the Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation through our sponsorship of Cannonball Ireland, which will see some of the worlds finest supercars travelling across the country over the same weekend. Customers who refill at their local Circle K, can help raise essential funds for Jack and Jill families and if they visit one of the three Circle K fuel stops selected for Cannonball this year, theyll also get to see some amazing supercars too. Deirdre Walsh, CEO of the Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation added: Deirdre Walsh, CEO of the Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation said, We are so grateful for the continued support from Circle K and their customers and want to extend a big thank you to all involved in this wonderful initiative. Jack and Jill currently supports over 400 families in communities across Ireland. Often described as a gift of time or a lifeline, this support gives parent carers a break from their 24/7 care regime, safe in the knowledge that their child is well cared for at home, where they belong. When you Fill, Support Jack and Jill is a fantastic way for people to help us raise funds to keep this service going. For more information on the When You Fill, Support Jack and Jill initiative and a full list of participating sites, visit circlek.ie or @circlekireland on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The finalists for Blas na hEireann, The Irish Food Awards, 2024 have been announced and the countdown is now on for another exciting and joyous awards weekend in the pretty seaside town of Dingle. The three-day event will take place from Thursday October 3 to Saturday, October 5. The excitement is already building and the Blas team are hard at work preparing for the arrival of food and drink producers from across Ireland to celebrate the very best of Irish. Now in its 17th year, Blas na hEireann saw another record-breaking year across all categories along with many new producers entering the awards for the first time this year. During the judging, which took place in June and July, over 3,000 entries were judged, testament to the number of brilliant producers across the country. "We are delighted to see 11 finalists in this year's Blas na hEireann and are proud to be sponsoring, for the very first time, Best in Kildare to celebrate the food provenance, taste and above all the passion and talent of our Kildare food & drink producers." said Jacqui Mc Nabb, Head of Enterprise at Kildare County Council. The 11 finalists shortlisted from Co. Kildare across a range of different categories are Bird's Eye, Coghlans Bakery, Couverture Desserts Ltd, Daisy Desserts, Firecastle, Killadoon, O'Brien Fine Foods, Pro-Bars Ltd, Rye River, The Brown Bread Guy and Wild Women Bitters Ltd, trading as Beara Bitters. Speaking as the finalists were announced, Blas na hEireann Chairperson, Artie Clifford said, I started the awards after 30 years in the food industry, and I knew there was a need to celebrate the amazing food and drink being produced on the island of Ireland. 17 years later, it continues to delight me the number of new producers entering each year along with so many familiar faces returning year on year. We are an island of phenomenal producers and should be very proud of that, being able to showcase the very best of the best in Dingle each year is a real privilege for the whole Blas team. This years Blas na hEireann awards in Dingle will see the return of Eat Ireland in a Day market and the Blas Village where the 2024 finalists will get the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with customers and meet key industry buyers. This year's focus will be on sustainability with a commitment to encourage zero-waste throughout the three days of the awards in line with the Dingle Food Festival ethos. One new element at Blas will be the removal of any single use cups and the introduction of the first electric van delivering food and drink to the awards from across the country. These new initiatives are supported by Bank of Ireland in partnership with Blas. With over 3,000 products entered in this years Blas na hEireann, making it as a finalist is a huge achievement and one to be very proud of. The competition ramps up year on year, meaning those producers who are shortlisted as finalists really are the creme de la creme of Irish food and drink. For finalist producers it is not just their exceptional food and drink which will be celebrated in Dingle but the people themselves, the passionate producers who make the very best of Irish will be recognised and rewarded making Blas na hEireann 2024 a food event not to be missed! Two teenagers have been arrested after an Irish man was shot dead outside his restaurant in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri. Shaun Brady, originally from Co Tipperary, was a co-owner and chef of an Irish restaurant called Brady and Fox. Police said they responded to a report of a shooting in a car park next to several businesses on 63rd and Rockhill, where Mr Bradys Irish restaurant was located. Police said that from their initial inquiries, Mr Brady was taking out rubbish when he saw several people beside a vehicle in the car park. After an interaction with them, Mr Brady was shot. Police said they found a man with gunshot wounds in the car park at about 5.18pm local time on Wednesday, who officers tried to help. Emergency medical personnel took him to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Police said that within an hour of the incident, two juvenile male teenagers were taken into custody. Investigators will be working with prosecutors to determine applicable charges, police said. The vehicle used in the crime was also recovered a short distance away in Midtown, they added. The incident is being investigated as a homicide and have examined the scene for physical evidence. They said they are interviewing several witnesses and reviewing any available surveillance footage of the incident. They have also appealed for information and said there is a reward of up to 25,000 dollars (19,000) for information submitted anonymously to its hotline. The mayor of Kansas City, Quinton Lucas, said in a Facebook post: Like many in our community, I am heartbroken to learn of the death of Shaun Brady. I have met him, laughed with him, heard just a bit of his and his familys story, and was inspired by the business and the community he was building in Kansas City. I grieve for and express my sincerest condolences to his family and all who knew him. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of this tragic incident and stands ready to provide consular assistance. More than 300 employees at a medical device factory in Co Offaly are to be made redundant as the company announced it would be closing the site. Cardinal Health, based in Tullamore, has 315 employees and said it intended to close the plant by March 2026. Enterprise Minister Peter Burke said the med-tech industry had had a presence in the town for more than 40 years and been well served by a loyal workforce. Mr Burke said his main concern was for the staff and families who were affected by the announcement. I have been engaging and will continue to engage with the company, he said. Following this mornings town hall meeting with staff, and along with the IDA (Industrial Development Agency) and my department, we will work with the company management and with staff on current and potential future possibilities. We will make every effort to identify alternative employment opportunities for the staff affected by this announcement. He added: As a country, we are at full employment, with strong demand for med-tech and life-sciences skills and we will work to help employees impacted to find alternative employment. Former minister and Laois-Offaly TD Charlie Flanagan said the news marked a black day for Tullamore. I have spoken to some workers and pledged my active assistance. Relevant state agencies are on hand to provide advice and help, he said. Much can happen between now and (March 2026) to soften the blow, although it is a huge setback to the economic and social life of Tullamore. Fianna Fail MEP Barry Cowen said the plant would be relocating two production lines to Mexico and Costa Rica. The closure of Cardinals plant will have a profound impact on our local workforce, many of whom have dedicated years of service to the company, he said. My immediate focus is on the employees and their families who are directly affected by this decision. I have been assured that an adequate redundancy package will be put in place to recognise their commitment and contribution over the years. He added: The people of Offaly deserve to know that their representatives are working tirelessly to secure the economic future of our area. A man has been arrested by gardai following a significant search operation targeting organised crime activities in County Limerick and the wider Mid-West region. As part of ongoing investigations planned searches were carried out, on Wednesday, at a residence and farming properties in the Crecora area, around ten kilometres outside of Limerick city. "Gardai recovered 69,000 in cash, 10,000 worth of cannabis and 18,550 worth of cocaine. A firearm and silencer were also seized, along with a money counter, cocaine presses, vacuum packers, scales, and mobile phones," said a garda spokesperson in a statement issued this Thursday night. READ ALSO: Who do you think you are? Spice Girl set to explore Irish roots on TV tonight A man in his 40s was arrested at one of the locations and he was detained under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1996, at a garda station in the Limerick garda division. He has since been released without charge and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. "The operation was led by the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit, with assistance from the Armed Support Unit and the Divisional Search Team. The seized items are undergoing forensic examination, and investigations are ongoing," added the spokesperson. No further information has been disclosed publicly. The popular Tullaghan Pony Drive will take place on Saturday, September 8 at 3pm. Entering its 34th year, the event is set to raise money for three charities - North West Hospice, North West Stop and for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. Tullaghan Pony Drive began in 1990, organised by Martin McGowan, his brother Peter McGowan, wife Mary McGowan, Brendan Sheridan and Mary Maguire. Every year since, it has taken place on the second Sunday of September. This year, Aisling McGowan, Martins daughter, has taken the reins in organising the charity event. Its the only pony drive that has kept going continuously. Weve raised thousands over the years but it wouldn't be possible without people buying tickets, businesses that support us and people who turn up on the day, Aisling explained. Theres people that come up from all ends of Ireland to our pony drive. The pony drive is a huge community event, attracting locals and people across the county, whether they be spectators or pony drivers. This year, there are four prizes up for grabs. The first prize offers a choice between five lambs or cash equivalent, the second prize is a 200 voucher for the Selkie restaurant, third prize is 200, and the fourth prize is 100 in cash. There will be an auction and raffle on the day, along with music by Damien Kelly and refreshments. Tullaghan Pony Drive has also been sponsored 200 this year, to be split between the best turned out driving horse and the best turned out riding horse. People are very generous, and they also see where our money goes. There isnt a family that hasnt been touched by these charities. This is Aislings first year organising the pony drive, and she is determined to carry on the legacy of previous contributors who worked hard to make the charity event successful. Two of our founders have passed away so for me, its very important to keep it going, to keep everything theyve done over the years alive and appreciate the hard work they put in. I hope I do them all proud, its a big commitment, she said. Tickets for the pony drive are on sale for 4 each, three for 10 or a book for 20 in The Anglers Rest and Spar in Kinlough. Tickets are also available in Goodies Cafe and Dip n Sip in Bundoran. As the pony drive enters its 34th year, community spirit is set to shine and making meaningful impact with every ticket sold. A woman and two men have been arrested following the seizure of a loaded gun in Dublin in the early hours of this Thursday morning. Gardai attached to Crumlin garda station have confirmed they made three arrests and seized a firearm following in incident at around 1am. "At approximately, 12.45am, gardai were on patrol in the Crumlin district when they observed a car which drove off when they saw gardai. The car cut out on Kilfenora Road, Kimmage and all three persons in the vehicle were arrested and a loaded sawn-off shotgun seized," said a spokesperson. READ ALSO: Fota Wildlife Park warns visitors to cancel bank cards following cyber attack The firearm and vehicle were both seized and all three suspects are currently detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 at garda stations in the Dublin Region. The woman is aged in her 30s while the two men are aged in their 20s and 30s. Investigations into the incident are ongoing. Apple Hospitality REIT Announces Dates for Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Release and Conference Call Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (NYSE: APLE) (the "Company" or "Apple Hospitality") today announced that it plans to report third quarter 2024 financial results after the market closes on Monday, November 4, 2024, and host a conference call for investors and interested parties at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, to discuss the results. The conference call will be accessible by telephone and the internet. To access the call, participants from within the U.S. should dial 877-407-9039, and participants from outside the U.S. should dial 201-689-8470. Participants may also access the call via live webcast by visiting the Investor Information section of the Company's website at ir.applehospitalityreit.com. A replay of the call will be available from approximately 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 5, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 19, 2024. To access the replay, the domestic dial-in number is 844-512-2921, the international dial-in number is 412-317-6671, and the passcode is 13748421. In addition, an archive of the webcast will be available on the Company's website for a limited time. About Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (NYSE: APLE) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust ("REIT") that owns one of the largest and most diverse portfolios of upscale, rooms-focused hotels in the United States. Apple Hospitality's portfolio consists of 224 hotels with more than 30,000 guest rooms located in 87 markets throughout 37 states and the District of Columbia. Concentrated with industry-leading brands, the Company's hotel portfolio consists of 100 Marriott-branded hotels, 119 Hilton-branded hotels and five Hyatt-branded hotels. For more information, please visit www.applehospitalityreit.com. For additional information or to receive press releases by email, visit www.applehospitalityreit.com. 28 august 2024 at 16:20 News published onand distributed by: Independence Contract Drilling, Inc. Announces Commencement of Trading on the OTCQX Best Market under the Symbol ICDI Effective August 29, 2024 HOUSTON, Aug. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Independence Contract Drilling, Inc. (the "Company" or "ICD") announced today the expected move of trading of the Company's Common Stock to the OTCQX Best Market from the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). The Common Stock is expected to begin trading on the OTCQX Best Market under ticker symbol "ICDI" upon the opening of trading on August 29, 2024. The move from the NYSE is precipitated from the Company's average market capitalization, or total trading value, falling below the $15 million threshold over a 30 trading-day period that is required to remain in compliance with the NYSE's listing standards. Existing stockholders will find the Company's common stock quoted on the OTCQX Best Market without any further action needed. For quotes or additional information on the OTCQX Best Market, please visit otcmarkets.com. About Independence Contract Drilling, Inc. Independence Contract Drilling provides land-based contract drilling services for oil and natural gas producers in the United States. The Company constructs, owns and operates a fleet of pad-optimal ShaleDriller rigs that are specifically engineered and designed to accelerate its clients' production profiles and cash flows from their most technically demanding and economically impactful oil and gas properties. For more information, visit www.icdrilling.com. INVESTOR CONTACTS: Independence Contract Drilling, Inc. E-mail inquiries to: [email protected] Phone inquiries: (281) 598-1211 SOURCE Independence Contract Drilling, Inc. 28 august 2024 at 17:56 News published onand distributed by: Avricore Health Corporate Update: Mid-Year Results Show Strong Growth, Profitability VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AVRICORE HEALTH INC. (TSXV: AVCR) (the "Company" or "Avricore") reports on its mid-year results for 2024 demonstrating the Company's continued success in maintaining strong growth in revenues while achieving net profitability. In the six months ended June 30, 2024 revenues grew by 84% year-over-year, topping $2,169,513 with gross profit increasing 94% equalling $855,566. This was supported by Q2 2024 revenue increasing 91% against the same period in 2023 to $1,045,206, with gross profit topping $370,775, a 62% gain. This success led the Company to recording a net profit of $222,559 and posting a net increase in cash of $279,039. "Our success comes from great partners, an incredible team and a shared mission by all that believes everyone deserves better access to care," said Hector Bremner, CEO of Avricore. "We've put that mission at the centre of what we do and know that the passion for our mission is growing, and we can do so much more in Canada and globally." Second Consecutive Profitable Quarter The Company incurred a comprehensive income of $222,559 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 (2023 - loss $475,737). Revenue grew thanks to an increase in HealthTabtm systems deployed and tests sold. Gross margin for the period was 39% (2023- 37%) outperforming the Company's target margin of 30%. Share-based compensation of $29,062 (2023 - $256,519) was recognized for stock options granted, vested, and repriced during the period. Three months ended June 30 Six months ended June 30 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenue $1,045,206 $548,049 $2,169,513 $1,177,290 % Change - year over year 91% 84% Gross profit $370,775 $229,471 $855,566 $440,152 % Change - year over year 62% 94% We've Got What It Takes As of this reporting period the Company had a working capital of $609,108 (December 31, 2023 ? $244,343) and $329,357 (December 31, 2023 - $427,689) in accounts receivable. Given the positive trend, we believe that our cash resources, along with the net inflows of revenues from operations and the potential exercising of options, are sufficient to fund our working capital for the next twelve months. However, should growth opportunities present themselves that would exceed this, we have strategic plans that would ensure we meet demand. Sources and Uses of Cash: Period ended June 30, 2024 2024 2023 $ $ Cash provided by (used in) operating activities 417,118 227,832 Cash used in investing activities (124,679) (418,488) Cash provided by (used in) financing activities (13,400) 42,500 Cash and Cash Equivalents, closing balance 555,610 472,371 The Right Direction The following table highlights selected financial data for each of the eight most recent quarters. Quarter Ended June 2024 March 2024 Dec 2023 Sep 2023 June 2023 Mar 2023 Dec 2022 Sep 2022 $ $ $ Revenue 1,045,206 1,124,307 1,354,403 953,454 548,049 629,241 997,235 572,228 Gross profit (loss) 370,775 484,791 501,466 261,778 229,471 210,681 168,845 215,961 Share-based compensation 1,598 27,464 142,765 304,328 168,518 88,001 243,000 58,354 Comprehensive income (loss) 54,022 168,537 59,584 (285,062) (284,225) (191,512) (244,789) (180,398) Net profit (loss)/share 0.00 0.00 (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) Total Assets 2,618,384 2,798,058 2,538,205 2,453,136 2,143,810 2,296,565 2,568,983 2,128,017 Looking Ahead The Company sees several near-term positive developments coming throughout the balance of 2024 and into 2025: Expanding its network of pharmacies utilizing HealthTab, working with pharmacy partners to ensure the maximizing of testing as part of their patient approach, preparing for potential pharmacy funding announcements by provinces that will support chronic disease screening and testing, as well as Strep testing, by these trusted healthcare professionals, expanding the UK feasibility study in collaboration with its partners and securing NHS support for pharmacy scope, increasing API connectivity partners to better support patient health records, new market access pilots and expansions, general policy shifts in key markets which will open doors to further expansion. Overall, the Company believes it can manage stable growth through cashflow, putting it on a strong footing going forward. If, and when, opportunities arise that would require additional capital beyond current abilities, the Company can access it and ensure it can meet demand. Growth in Canada will be a focus; however, international markets present significant opportunity and will eventually represent a larger share of revenues in time. The market for health services and POCT in pharmacy is growing thanks to public policy decisions which are supporting the approach. Furthermore, standards being set for POCT in pharmacy are more in line with HealthTab's approach, making either previously used and even recently developed approaches increasingly obsolete or unable to meet the modern standard. The Company feels in light of all this, that it is on the right track and is confident of its strategy. The Company also announces that at its annual general meeting held on June 20, 2024, shareholders approved an increase of 45,000 in the number of stock options available to be issued under the Company's stock option plan. HealthTabtm Market Fast Facts Point of Care Testing Market to reach $93.21 Billion USD in 2030 (Source) Nearly 13.6 Million Canadians expected to be diabetic or prediabetic by 2030, with many undiagnosed (Source) Over 1 in 3 Americans, approximately 88 million people, have pre-diabetes (Source) Close to 160,000 Canadians 20 years and older are diagnosed with heart disease each year, often it's only after a heart attack they are diagnosed. (Source) There are more that 10,000 pharmacies in Canada, 88,000 pharmacies in the US, nearly 12,000 in the UK. About HealthTabtm HealthTabtm is a turnkey point-of-care testing solution that combines best-in-class point-of-care technologies with a secure, cloud-based platform for tackling pressing global health issues. With just a few drops of blood from a finger prick, the system generates lab-accurate results on the spot and data is reported in real time. The test menu includes up to 23 key biomarkers for screening and managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease (e.g., HbA1c, Lipid Profile, eGFR). HealthTabtm has also recently added capabilities for bacterial and viral tests, such as strep and COVID-19. The HealthTabtm network model is unlike anything in pharmacy today. It gives knowledgeable and trusted pharmacists a greater role in primary care delivery, while empowering patients to take more control of their health. It also reduces costs and waiting times and provides many potential revenue streams including equipment leasing & consumables, direct access testing, disease prevention & management programs, sponsored health programs, decentralized clinical trials, real world data (RWD) sets, and third-party app integration through API. About Avricore Health Inc. Avricore Health Inc. (TSXV: AVCR) is a pharmacy service innovator focused on acquiring and developing early-stage technologies aimed at advancing pharmacy practice and patient care. Through its flagship offering HealthTabtm, a wholly owned subsidiary, the Company's mission is to make actionable health information more accessible to everyone by creating the world's largest network of rapid testing devices in community pharmacies. Contact: Avricore Health Inc. Hector Bremner, CEO 604-773-8943 [email protected] www.avricorehealth.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Information in this press release that involves Avricore Health's expectations, plans, intentions, or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Avricore Health generally uses words such as "outlook," "will," "could," "would," "might," "remains," "to be," "plans," "believes," "may," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "estimate," "future," "positioned," "potential," "project," "remain," "scheduled," "set to," "subject to," "upcoming," and similar expressions to help identify forward-looking statements. In this press release, forward-looking statements include statements regarding: the completion of the placement and the expected timing thereof and the Company's expected use of proceeds from the placement; the unique features that the HealthTabtm platform offers to pharmacists and patients. Forward-looking statements reflect the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts of Avricore Health's management. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to Avricore Health as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Avricore Health and are subject to a few risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations, including without limitation: failure to meet regulatory requirements; changes in the market; potential downturns in economic conditions; and other risk factors described in Avricore's public filings. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them publicly to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances, unless otherwise required to do so by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 29 august 2024 at 06:05 News published onand distributed by: Nuclear Fuels Summarizes Initial Kaycee Uranium Project Drill Program; Commences Expanded 2024 Program CSE:NF OTCQX:NFUNF VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -Nuclear Fuels Inc. (CSE: NF) (OTCQX: NFUNF) ("Nuclear Fuels" or the "Company") announces today the commencement of an expanded drill program and provides a summary of results from the initial successful drill program, completed during the first half of 2024 at its priority Kaycee In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") Uranium Project in Wyoming's Powder River Basin. The completed program was designed to confirm and expand uranium mineralization associated with two (of seven) known historic resource areas along the 36-mile trend. Importantly, the drill program indicated the potential connection of the Saddle and Spur Zones and also identified previously unknown deeper zones. Greg Huffman, Chief Executive Officer, stated: "The compilation of information from the initial 200 drill hole program at the Kaycee ISR Uranium Project has provided the Nuclear Fuels team with a series of high priority targets for our new expanded program. Our experienced field crew has the new drill program underway and we look forward to regular drill updates through the balance of 2024 and into 2025." To view project maps please visit: https://bit.ly/4g01ZQ5 Specific highlights include: The drill program resulted in the identification of additional mineralized horizons, through deeper drilling below or adjacent to, previously known historic resources or mineralized areas; The drill program led to the discovery of a southerly extension trending from the Spur Zone towards the Saddle Zone, approximately 2 miles from the Saddle Zone; 169 drill holes were completed at an average depth of 522 feet at the Saddle Zone (an area of approximately 1,000 acres) and 31 drill holes at an average depth of 497 feet at the Spur Zone, (an area in excess of 120 acres) located approximately 2 miles along trend to the northwest of the Saddle Zone; 75% of the holes returned anomalous gamma values with 47 holes returning Grade Thickness ("GT") of 0.25 or better with a combined 209 feet at an average grade of 0.124 % eU 3 O 8 . Grade Thickness, or GT, is defined as the product of the uranium grade ("eU 3 O 8 %") multiplied by the thickness of the intercept (in feet). In the Powder River Basin ("PRB") of Wyoming potentially ISR-recoverable uranium mineralization with a GT of greater than 0.25 is considered suitable for inclusion in a potential wellfield at a conservative uranium price of 50.00 per pound; O . Grade Thickness, or GT, is defined as the product of the uranium grade ("eU O %") multiplied by the thickness of the intercept (in feet). In the Powder River Basin ("PRB") of potentially ISR-recoverable uranium mineralization with a GT of greater than 0.25 is considered suitable for inclusion in a potential wellfield at a conservative uranium price of 50.00 per pound; The completion of an evaluation of over 500 historic well logs resulting in an increase to the permit area including 700 new drill hole locations. Saddle Zone Drilling In the initial drill program, 169 drill holes were completed in the Saddle Zone; 32 of which returned GT's of 0.25 or better. 85 drill holes were located within and immediately adjacent to the historic resource area. The remaining 84 drill holes were either large step out drill holes of up to 0.5 miles or designed to test new targets. The best drill results, from the historic resource area, returned 6.5 feet of 0.187% eU 3 O 8 with a GT of 1.216 (NF News Release dated December 7, 2023). Deeper drilling through the Saddle Zone, and to the southeast of the Saddle Zone, intercepted anomalous mineralization in deeper formations than had been previously identified. Spur Zone Drilling In the initial drill program, 31 drill holes were completed in the Spur Zone; all located within the historic resource or as small step-outs holes from known mineralization. 15 drill holes returned better than 0.25 GT with 5 drill holes in excess of 0.4 GT; the best hole having two well mineralized intervals. Hole SR23-002 intercepted 3.5 feet of 0.141% eU 3 O 8 from a depth of 415.5 feet (GT of 0.494) plus 4.5 feet of 0.233% eU 3 O 8 from a depth of 422.0 feet (GT of 1.049), for a combined GT of 1.543 (NF News Release dated February 27, 2024). 4 of the drill hole results at the Spur Zone returned GT values over 1.0 with one returning a GT of 0.776. Importantly, the holes drilled to the south of previously known mineralization such as SR23-024 identified a new extension to the mineralization trending toward the Saddle Zone approximately 2 miles away. SR24_024 returned 0.109% eU 3 O 8 over 4.0 feet from a down hole depth of 313.5 feet (GT of 0.436). Extending this newly identified mineralization is a top priority for the current drilling program. Newly Acquired Oil & Gas Drill Logs The evaluation of over 500 newly acquired oil and gas logs combined with the integration of the information into the Company's historic drill database and the first 200 holes drilled in the initial program, has increased the Company's understanding of the overall geology, trend and the relationship of known zones at the Kaycee Uranium Project. The combination of information has identified several new target areas and resulted in the implementation of a more comprehensive program planned for Q3 and Q4 2024. As a result, a drill permit application was submitted for an expanded exploration permit and has subsequently been approved. The expanded drilling permit allows for 700 drill holes designed to confirm and expand existing zones while importantly, testing high priority new targets along the expanding 36-mile trend. Kaycee Uranium Project, Wyoming The Kaycee Project in Wyoming's Powder River Basin ("PRB"), Nuclear Fuels' priority project, consists of over 42 square miles of mineral rights over a 36-mile mineralized trend hosting more than 110 miles of identified roll fronts. The Kaycee Project is believed to be the only project in the PRB where all three known historically productive sandstone formations (Wasatch, Fort Union, and Lance) are mineralized and potentially accessible for ISR extraction. The Kaycee Project, under Nuclear Fuels, represents the first time since the early 1980's that the entire district is controlled by one company. In 2023, Nuclear Fuels acquired the Kaycee Project from enCore Energy Corp., which retains a back-in right for 51% of the project by paying 2.5X the exploration costs and financing the Kaycee project to production (costs recoverable from production) upon Nuclear Fuels establishing a minimum 15 million pound eU 3 O 8 43-101 compliant resource. Wyoming is a proven and prolific uranium producer with a pro-energy government and established regulatory regime for the permitting and extraction of uranium through ISR technology. As Wyoming is one of the few "Agreement States" hosting ISR uranium deposits, where the federal government and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission have ceded regulatory authority to the state government, permitting, and advancing uranium projects is more efficient and streamlined as compared to most other states. Wyoming, with over 250 million pounds of historic production, ranks as the state with the second most uranium production to date; most of which has been through the ISR method since 1990; predominantly from the Powder River Basin. Drill holes were completed by Single Water Services using a rotary drill rig. Chip samples are collected for lithological logging every five feet. Century Geophysics of Tusla Oklahoma is contracted to conduct downhole gamma ray, resistivity, spontaneous potential, and deviation. Century Geophysics calibrates the downhole tools in the US Department of Energy uranium logging Test pits in Casper Wyoming to ensure the accuracy of the down hole gamma ray log measurements. % eU 3 O 8 is a measure of gamma intensity from a decay product of uranium and is not a direct measurement of uranium. Numerous comparisons of eU 3 O 8 and chemical assays of Powder River Basin core samples indicate that eU 3 O 8 is a reasonable indicator of the actual uranium assay. The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mark Travis, CPG., a contractor to the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101. About Nuclear Fuels Inc. Nuclear Fuels Inc. is a uranium exploration company advancing early-stage, district-scale In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") amenable uranium projects towards production in the United States of America. Leveraging extensive proprietary historical databases and deep industry expertise, Nuclear Fuels is well-positioned in a sector poised for significant and sustained growth on the back of strong government support. Nuclear Fuels has consolidated the Kaycee Wyoming district under single-company control for the first time since the early 1980s. Currently executing its second drill program at the Kaycee Project, the Company aims to expand on historic resources across a 33-mile trend with over 110 miles of mapped roll-fronts defined by 3,800 drill holes. The Company's strategic relationship with enCore Energy Corp., America's Clean Energy Companytm, offers a mutually beneficial "pathway to production," with enCore retaining the right to back- in to 51% ownership in the flagship Kaycee Project in Wyoming's prolific Powder River Basin. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to planned exploration programs and the results of additional exploration work in seeking to establish mineral resources as defined in NI43-101 on any of our properties. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with the completing planned exploration programs and the results of those programs; the ability to access additional capital to fund planned and future operations; regulatory risks including exploration permitting; risks associated with title to our mineral projects; the ability of the company to implement its business strategies; and other risks including risks contained in documents available for review at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. SOURCE Nuclear Fuels Inc. 29 august 2024 at 07:00 News published onand distributed by: BEST Inc. Expands into Indonesia with Cross-Border and SaaS Services to Strengthen Global Strategy JAKARTA, Indonesia, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 29, BEST Inc. held an opening ceremony in North Jakarta, Indonesia, announcing the official launch of cross-border supply chain services and full-scenario, full-link SaaS solution services in Indonesia. This is another heavyweight market of BEST following investments in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, marking another important step in BEST's strategic layout in Southeast Asia. With over ten years of innovation in technology and business models, BEST Inc., a leading provider of smart supply chain and logistics services in China and Southeast Asia, operates over 20,000 service outlets, over 400 cloud warehouses, and manage over 3 million square meters of warehouse space in China, providing high-quality comprehensive supply chain services for more than 3,000 well-known companies and millions of small and medium-sized enterprises. In 2015, BEST Inc. established a branch in the United States, officially starting its international business journey. Since 2019, BEST regards Southeast Asia as its most important overseas market, and has established a logistics network covering the entire territory in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries, including last-mile express delivery, express transportation services, as well as cloud warehouses and software services. According to the annual report data, BEST's global service revenue in 2023 reached RMB 947 million (USD 133 million), and the parcel volume in Southeast Asia was about 140 million pieces, a year-on-year increase of 14.6%. Thanks to the long-term development of overseas localized operations, BEST has achieved continuous growth in global service revenue, won unanimous recognition and high recognition from customers, and provided solid logistics support for the rapid development of the local economy in Southeast Asia. Indonesia is an indispensable part of BEST's strategic market in Southeast Asia. As the largest economy in Southeast Asia, this "country of a thousand islands" has a large young population and a highly potential consumer market. According to the latest World Bank report on Indonesia, Indonesia's economy will maintain steady growth in the next two years. In 2024, Indonesia's economy is expected to grow by 5%, and in 2025 and 2026, Indonesia's economy is expected to grow by 5.1% respectively. With the steady growth of the economy, Indonesia is becoming an important part of the development of the world economy. Johnny Chou, Founder, Chairman and CEO of BEST Inc., stated in his speech, "The opening of BEST Indonesia is a milestone and has strongly promoted the implementation of the group's internationalization strategy. We will continue to increase investment in the Indonesian market, adhere to technological innovation, expand and improve the service network, and improve service quality and capabilities to meet customer needs and win their trust." BEST Inc. will rely on its technological advantages, invest in technology and automation equipment construction, and equip localized sales and service teams to provide customers with comprehensive cross-border supply chain services and full-scenario and full-link SaaS solution services. "We look forward to working with Indonesian companies and Chinese overseas brands to create a more brilliant future together." In her speech, Karen He, General Manager of Cross-border Business at BEST, clarified BEST's long-term goal of building a B2B2C and cross-border business network between China, Southeast Asia and North America, demonstrating the group's firm determination to deepen its presence in the Indonesian market and serve global customers. SOURCE BEST Inc. 29 august 2024 at 08:00 News published onand distributed by: 2SLGBTQI+ organizations in Quebec to benefit from funding to improve gender equality MONTREAL, Aug. 29, 2024 /CNW/ - Gender equality depends on all people having the opportunity to participate fully in Canada's economic, social and political life. Removing systemic barriers with respect to sexual orientation, gender identity or expression through the inclusion of 2SLGBTQI+ communities will ensure a better future for all Canadians. Today, the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, announced over $1.3 million for three 2SLGBTQI+ organizations based in Quebec. Though this funding, the following organizations will strengthen their capacity to improve skills, information, collaboration and tool development: Fondation Emergence Inc. is receiving $453,000 for their project Strengthening Fondation Emergence's capacities by creating the Emergence network in Canada . for their project . Gay and Grey Montreal will receive $289,000 for their project Collaboration, learning and capacity for Queer Anglophones Seniors in Montreal . for their project Centre Interligne Inc. is receiving $579,000 for their project Interligne - A resource that is gaining strength and expanding its ties across Canada This funding builds on the foundation of the 2SLGBTQI+ Federal Action Plan that was announced two years ago, in August 2022. The Action Plan was created to advance the rights and equality of 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada. Through this 2SLGBTQI+ community capacity funding, the Government of Canada is addressing persisting disparities faced by these communities and building a safer, more inclusive country.?? Quotes "Two years ago, we launched the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan and we are continuing to prioritize and sustain community action across Canada. The funding being provided to these three Quebec organizations will ensure we continue to build the path towards greater inclusion for all. We remain steadfast in our commitment to these organizations and addressing the stigma and discrimination that persists." The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth "In the current context of increasing violence and hate speech against 2SLGBTQI+ communities, it is essential for our government to support organizations that offer assistance to members of these communities. We are proud to support three projects put forward by Interligne, Gay et Grey Montreal and Fondation Emergence which will strengthen their capacity for action in order to allow a greater number of Canadians to benefit from their support services." The Honorable Steven Guilbeault, Member of Parliament for Laurier?Sainte-Marie and Minister of Environment and Climate Change "This support for 2SLGBTQI+ communities in Montreal is a tangible achievement of the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, which celebrated its second anniversary this week. Organizations like Fondation Emergence and Gay and Grey play a key role in amplifying important voices and developing safe spaces. Our government will always be an ally to sexually- and gender-diverse communities and organizations dedicated to make our society more inclusive." The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and MP for Hochelaga Quick facts Between 2019-2021, 1.3 million Canadians aged 15 years and older (4.4% of the Canadian population) reported being part of the 2SLGBTQ+ population. A 2019 Canadian Health Survey of Children and Youth identified that 77% of sexually and gender diverse youth reported being the target of bullying in the previous year. Not only are sexually and gender diverse youth more likely to be bullied, but their mental health is also often worse than cisgender youth attracted exclusively to a different gender. Among those aged 15 years and older, 3 in 10 (29.7%) 2SLGBTQ+ people reported their mental health to be fair or poor, compared with fewer than 1 in 10 non-2SLGBTQ+ individuals (9.1%). 2SLGBTQI+ homeless respondents had a greater likelihood of reporting all health challenges than their non-2SLGBTQI+ counterparts. Differences were greatest for learning or cognitive limitations (48% for 2SLGBTQI+ respondents, compared to 31% for non-2SLGBTQI+ ones) and mental health issues (78% for 2SLGBTQI+ respondents, compared to 57% for non-2SLGBTQI+ ones). Over the past eight years, the Government of Canada has invested over $250 million to advance rights and improve equality for 2SLGBTQI+ communities. As part of this total, $100 million over five years (2022-27) has supported the implementation of the 2SLGBTQI+ Federal Action Plan. Associated links Follow Women and Gender Equality Canada: SOURCE Women and Gender Equality Canada 29 august 2024 at 10:07 News published onand distributed by: Media advisory - Minister Guilbeault to make a funding announcement to protect habitat of importance in the Mauricie region TROIS-RIVIERES, QC, Aug. 29, 2024 /CNW/ - Media representatives and others are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will make a funding announcement to protect habitat of importance in the Mauricie region. He will be joined by the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Daniel Houle, mayor, Municipality of Saint-Luc-de-Vincennes, as well as Pascal Bigras, Executive Director, Nature-Action Quebec. Following the announcement, Ministers Guilbeault and Champagne will hold a media availability. Event: Announcement and media availability Date: Friday, August 30, 2024 Time: 10:45 a.m. (EDT) Location: Trois-Rivieres, Quebec To be made aware of any changes, media representatives and others are encouraged to register for this in-person event by contacting Media Relations at Environment and Climate Change Canada. The location will be confirmed only to accredited media representatives and others. Environment and Climate Change Canada's X (Twitter) page Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada 29 august 2024 at 11:51 News published onand distributed by: eSIN: SIN application innovations make applying for your SIN quick and easy To work in Canada or access government programs and benefits, you need a Social Insurance Number GATINEAU, QC, Aug. 29, 2024 /CNW/ - The nine-digit Social Insurance Number (SIN) is fundamental to work in Canada and access Government of Canada programs and services. Each year, Employment and Social Development Canada/Service Canada sees an increased demand for SIN applications, especially as international students arrive for the school year in the fall and winter semesters. Here are some improvements ESDC/Service Canada has put in place to improve the SIN client experience, as well as what is to come. Revolutionizing access to essential services: eSIN Canadians expect their government services to work for them, where accessing essential services is as seamless as possible. The Government of Canada has made significant enhancements to the SIN application process that eliminate waiting in line at Service Canada Centres and cut processing times in half. Thanks to the online application system, clients can apply for their SIN from the comfort of their homes and receive it within five business days, when an online application is completed with all the required documents. This is an improvement from the previous standard of 10 business days. Once clients have received their SIN, they will be able to view it in their My Service Canada Account. This digital-first approach to service delivery enables applications to be processed quickly and securely online. This saves time and allows clients to receive service at any time. Reaching people where they are: SIN clinics Certain times and locations experience high demand for SINs. This includes Service Canada Centres that welcome large numbers of post-secondary students at the start of the fall and winter semesters. To help with this increased demand, ESDC/Service Canada works with community organizations and other partners that welcome new Canadians to offer strategically placed, easy-to-access clinics providing in-person support to those who need help with their SIN applications. This initiative reflects Service Canada's commitment to reaching clients where they are and ensuring no one is left behind. For international students and newcomers, this means direct access to the services they need as they begin their journey in Canada. Future innovation: SIN at Entry Looking ahead, the Government of Canada will be implementing SIN at Entry, a forward-thinking initiative that aims to bundle SIN requests with work permit applications. This will further streamline the process, reduce wait times, and minimize the need for visits to Service Canada Centres. By continuing to innovate and modernize our services, we are committed to making it easier for Canadians and newcomers alike to access essential services swiftly and securely. It is estimated that this one measure could reduce in-person visits to Service Canada Centres by as much as 50% in the busiest offices. Quotes "The Government of Canada must keep up with the needs and expectations of Canadians when they seek access to government services. By listening to Canadians, Service Canada Officers and newcomers, we are implementing new, digital solutions and meeting Canadians where they are in their communities, identifying where they can be best served. Accessing services should not be a mystery novel, but rather a seamless customer service experience that respects Canadians and their valuable time. That is what we are making a reality with initiatives like eSIN." ? Minister of Citizens' Services, Terry Beech Quick facts In fiscal year 2023?2024, of the 2,897,218 SIN transactions (e.g. updates to an existing SIN record or a request for a new SIN), newcomers such as international students, temporary or permanent residents accounted for 74.2% of the total number of clients. The online application process helps reduce wait times at Service Canada Centres and on the phone. Applicants can also apply by mail or in person at one of more than 300 Service Canada Centres across the country. Associated links Follow us on X (Twitter) Follow us on Facebook SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada 29 august 2024 at 12:07 News published onand distributed by: MEI INVESTOR ALERT: Bronstein, Gewirtz and Grossman, LLC Announces that Methode Electronics, Inc. Stockholders with Substantial Losses Have Opportunity to Lead Class Action Lawsuit! NEW YORK, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney Advertising -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Methode Electronics, Inc. ("Methode Electronics" or "the Company") (NYSE: MEI) and certain of its officers. Class Definition This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Methode Electronics securities between June 23, 2022, and March 6, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/MEI. Case Details The Methode Electronics class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Methode Electronics had lost highly skilled and experienced employees during the COVID-19 pandemic necessary to successfully complete Methode Electronics' transition from its historic low mix, high volume production model to a high mix, low production model at its Monterrey facility; (2) Methode Electronics' attempts to replace its General Motors center console production with more diversified, specialized products for a wider array of vehicle manufacturers and OEMs, in particular in the electric vehicle ("EV") space, had been plagued by production planning deficiencies, inventory shortages, vendor and supplier problems, and, ultimately, botched execution of Methode Electronics' strategic plans; (3) Methode Electronics' manufacturing systems at its critical Monterrey facility suffered from a variety of logistical defects, such as improper system coding, shipping errors, erroneous delivery times, deficient quality control systems, and failures to timely and efficiently procure necessary raw materials; (4) Methode Electronics had fallen substantially behind on the launch of new EV programs out of its Monterrey facility, preventing Methode Electronics from timely receiving revenue from new EV program awards; and (5) as a result, Methode Electronics was not on track to achieve the 2023 diluted earnings-per-share guidance or the 3-year 6% organic sales compound annual growth rate represented to investors and such estimates lacked a reasonable factual basis. What's Next? A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/MEI or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Methode Electronics you have until October 25, 2024, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. There is No Cost to You We represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful. Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Contact Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC Peretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller 332-239-2660 | [email protected] SOURCE Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC 29 august 2024 at 16:00 News published onand distributed by: Karishma Pelham-Raad, Assistant Minister for International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conversation with her counterpart in Japan We remain fully prepared to vindicate ourselves at any time, McGill stated, signaling his confidence in the outcome of the investigation. AN EARLY-MORNING aggravated burglary in Patrickswell, by masked men with slash hooks, preceded an attack on a house in Charleville which left a 12-year-old child requiring surgery, Limerick Live can reveal. The young girl was taken to Cork University Hospital with serious head injuries, it is believed, before she was transferred to Temple Street Childrens Hospital for surgery. She is now reportedly doing well. The Charleville incident occurred on Monday, August 19 at around 11.30pm at a property at Newline. It is believed the girl sustained the injury when an implement came through the front door when the masked raiders were trying to burst their way into the family home. The Leader has learned that an aggravated burglary in Lisheen Park, Patrickswell on Friday morning, August 9 is believed to be connected with the attack in North Cork. A garda spokesperson said: At approximately 7am, a number of individuals entered a residence in Patrickswell and assaulted two occupants of the residence. One of the occupants, a male in his 20s, attended University Hospital Limerick for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Gardai say investigations into the aggravated burglary are ongoing. READ MORE: BREAKING: Motorist suffers 'serious injuries' in collision on Limerick-Clare border It is understood the perpetrators were armed with slash hooks and the victim received a severe laceration to a hand. The incident in Charleville is believed to be connected to what occurred in Patrickswell. It is not known what originally sparked the feud between the Limerick and Cork families as there is no history of trouble between them. Authorities hope that common sense will prevail after a little girl was injured. Parish priest of Charleville, Fr Donal O'Mahony said that those involved in the alleged ongoing feud need to find peace in God. Fr OMahony has said that the people of Charleville pray for the full recovery of the young girl every day in Mass. I think we need to redirect people towards the source of their being, which is God himself, Fr OMahony said. We need to direct people back to Jesus himself to overcome our difficulties in humanity. Jesus is sent as God's solution to all of our human problems and violence only begets more violence. The parish priest said that even in difficult times, it is important that people realise where they can find peace. All over the world there is fierce restlessness at the moment, and people need to know where they can find the meaning in life by looking at the source of their being, which is church and God. Fr O'Mahony condemned the violence in the town as did Superintendent Gary McPolin, who is heading the garda investigation. This happened on a Monday night, it's unacceptable, inexcusable, and will not be tolerated, either by the local people or by the gardai, Supt McPolin said. The people in Charleville are completely disgusted with whats happened in their town. Its a very law-abiding town with very decent people who have very good relationships with the guards and vice versa, added the superintendent. One local described the incident as obscene. Gardai are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact the investigation team at Mallow garda station at 022 31450, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any garda station. A garda spokesperson said this Tuesday that no further information is available at this time. Investigations are ongoing, said the garda spokesperson. Gardai in Roxboro Road are heading up the investigation into the aggravated burglary in Patrickswell. Anybody who has any information that may help detectives with their enquiries are asked to contact Roxboro garda station on 061 214340. A 78-YEAR-OLD man was allegedly viciously assaulted by two young boys - aged 15 and 12 - while out for a walk on the Limerick Greenway, Limerick Live has learned. The pensioner is said to have been punched and kicked on the ground in the unprovoked attack close to the entrance to the multi-million euro public amenity in Rathkeale. It is understood the elderly victim, who has undergone a quadruple bypass in the past, suffered significant blood loss from cuts above his eyes and ear, and was left with severe bruising to his body as a result of the assault. He was rushed to University Hospital Limerick by ambulance after he was tended to by paramedics, firefighters and gardai. It is believed the alleged assault occurred after the pensioner advised a young female, who was in the company of the boys, to seek medical treatment after she fell. The two youths are understood to have taken umbrage, and then hit him in the jaw and kicked him on the ground. A garda spokesperson confirmed they are investigating an assault that occurred in Rathkeale shortly after 6.30pm on Monday, August 12. A male in his 70s was conveyed to University Hospital Limerick for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, said a garda spokesperson. Two youths were subsequently interviewed by gardai in connection with the incident. A male youth has since been charged in relation to this incident and appeared before Limerick City District Court on Wednesday morning, August 21. As this matter is now before the courts, An Garda Siochana is not in a position to comment further at this time, said the garda spokesperson. READ MORE: Machete attack on Limerick home linked to obscene Charleville incident The boys cannot be named due to their age. Gardai objected to bail being granted for the 15-year-old at the vacation court sitting. The presiding judge refused a bail application and remanded the boy in detention at Oberstown Children's Detention Campus. The 12-year-old has been referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme which aims to prevent young offenders and children involved in anti-social behaviour from committing further offences and entering into the adult criminal justice system. A MAN has been arrested by gardai following a significant search operation targeting organised crime activities in County Limerick and the wider Mid-West region. As part of ongoing investigations planned searches were carried out, on Wednesday, at a residence and farming properties in the Crecora area. "Gardai recovered 69,000 in cash, 10,000 worth of cannabis and 18,550 worth of cocaine. A firearm and silencer were also seized, along with a money counter, cocaine presses, vacuum packers, scales, and mobile phones," said a garda spokesperson in a statement issued this Thursday night. READ ALSO: Gunshot fired from moving car linked to escalating feud between Limerick and Cork families A man in his 40s was arrested at one of the locations and he was detained under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1996, at a garda station in the Limerick garda division. He has since been released without charge and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. "The operation was led by the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit, with assistance from the Armed Support Unit and the Divisional Search Team. The seized items are undergoing forensic examination, and investigations are ongoing," added the spokesperson. No further information has been disclosed publicly. SHOW season is a hectic time for pedigree breeders and none more so than the Hannon family from Croagh. On most weekends during the summer - Mike, Jenny and their four children Tadhg, Aoife, Eilis and Micheal - expertly prepare their cattle down to the tiniest detail, load them up early in the morning and put the showgrounds into Google Maps. Although there aren't many shows, if any, that they dont know the fastest route to. One weekend, in particular, was very busy but very fruitful. On the Saturday, Aoife, aged 9, claimed the Under-10 Young Stockperson title at Cappamore Show. When asked what set her apart, the modest young lady said there was stiff competition and praised her dad's commercial heifer. READ MORE: Limerick businesswoman encourages others to apply for free 'amazing' initative Then on the following day, they set off for Tullow Show in Carlow where Tadhg won the ISA FBD All-Ireland Junior Young Stockperson in Tullow. He had qualified at the Kilrush Show earlier in the summer. Mike and Jenny Hannans other two children - Eilis and Micheal - are expert handlers in show rings too and have many rosettes to their names. They are all back to school now but they have plenty to write about if their teacher asks them what they did during the summer. KILMALLOCK Tidy Towns has been named a finalist in this years Going for Gold competition in Limerick. The team will now be making their way to the final of the competition being held in October this year. Glenroe, Glin, Gouldavoher, Hospital and Kilmeedy are still in with a chance of obtaining a place in the coveted final as the judges will be selecting wildcard finalists in the coming weeks. Kilmallock Tidy Towns Secretary Ber Hurley said the group was absolutely and utterly delighted by the news. The excitement is great, she smiled. She said they're delighted with the recognition. It gives us a boost to carry on and keep going. The Tidy Towns group are looking forward to the final of the competition later this year. They also qualified as a wild card finalist last year. Last year was great as well. It's a lovely night out actually. It was very entertaining, said Ms Hurley. This year, they introduced more biodiverse plants and pollinator-friendly planting around the town. They also established two new flower beds on Railway Road and completed some stone work around one of the rose beds. They've a great array of colour this year that is being much admired. READ MORE: University of Limerick professor leads road safety research project They also do a lot of litter picking in the area. Ms Hurley said: We have noticed though that since the return scheme began, the cans and the bottles are not as bad. The group recently erected a new sign, saying 'Slan' in the town and Ms Hurley said everyone is complimenting it. They installed two new recycled plastic planters on the Charleville Road with biodiversity and pollinator-friendly plants. The Tidy Towns group revamped the famine park which they started working on last year. People were buried there with no grave recognition after they died during the famine. They also continued working on its memorial trees which were introduced by the group's former late chairperson John Tierney in 2016. The concept is that a person, or family, sponsor a tree in memory of their loved ones who have passed away. Limerick Going for Gold encourages communities to be environmentally aware and keep their neighbourhoods clean and tidy. A top prize of 10,000 and other monetary prizes are up for grabs this year. THERE were a huge number of fantastic entries in the arts and crafts section at Limerick Show this year. Chairperson of the crafts committee, Anne Gabbett, said there were some really beautiful entries in the adult craft section such as crochet, patchwork and embroidery. There was quite a selection in that competition, said Ms Gabbett. The girl who won the overall junior baking category last year travelled from Dublin to enter as her grandmother had presented the trophy many years ago. She also entered this year but didn't secure a prize. Her name is on the trophy that her grandmother presented and her grandfather comes down and presents his own mother's trophy every year, remarked Ms Gabbett on the proud family tradition. In the junior craft category, the committee received entries by children who creatively decorated Pringle or crisp boxes. The winner interestingly made a box into a beautiful lighthouse. Ms Gabbett explained that the junior category caters to a wide age range from ages four to ten which means they see a lot of different talents and abilities. READ MORE: University of Limerick professor leads road safety research project There was a competition for the best poster for the show and Ms Gabbett said the winner incorporated many aspects of the show including the crafts, fashion show, horses, cattle and sheep. Her mother told me I can have it and I'm going to put it on display in the show office, smiled Ms Gabbett. There were also a lot of entries in the cooking section this year with one of the top prizes being a 50 cash prize for the best porter cake. There were entries for different breads, scones, madeira cake, lemon drizzle cake and eggs. The judge cracks the eggs and has a look to see what they're like so she examines them not just in the shell but also on a little plate. There is also a competition for people with special needs which the chairperson said they take great pride in. One talented girl won first prize for her drawing of former Liverpool FC manager, Jurgen Klopp. She does wonderful charcoal drawings. She's really excellent. Ms Gabbett said it's wonderful to see the children go in to see whether they won a prize or not. We give the younger children a highly commended because they still love to see that they got something. Some of the trophies are very old and one was first presented in 1956. They're beautiful, valuable trophies, commented Ms Gabbett. The arts and crafts section receives sponsorship from Limerick City and County Museum, Henry Street, and the section gives out almost 2,000 in prizes. LHASA, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- In June 1998, Xi Jinping traveled thousands of miles from the coastal province of Fujian to the Xizang Autonomous Region on a special mission -- to see off a new group of Fujian officials dispatched to assist this high-altitude region, known as the "roof of the world." As many recalled, Xi, who served as Fujian's deputy Party chief then, was the most senior provincial official to accompany paired-up assistance officials all the way to Xizang back then. During his tightly-scheduled journey, Xi also visited the previous group of Fujian officials in Nyingchi who had been stationed at the high-altitude region for several years. In particular, Xi put Nang County on his itinerary, even though locals tried to dissuade him from going there due to the treacherous road conditions. "Anyone but me has the right to flinch," Xi insisted. After arriving at the county, Xi met with Fujian officials there and asked for details about their living conditions, such as how they cooked meals and managed to keep in touch with their families. He also attended symposiums to learn about Fujian officials' assistance efforts. "The affairs in Nyingchi are as important as those in Fujian," Xi assured locals. "The officials we dispatch here should be the best of ours." Fujian and Nyingchi established this close partnership as part of China's unique paired-up assistance mechanism, initiated in 1994, to provide direct and consistent support to localities in Xizang from more developed provinces and regions. Through this mechanism, officials are selected to work in Xizang for a period, bringing capital, experience and skills to help launch infrastructure, industrial, cultural and livelihood projects in the region. In his following tenures in Zhejiang Province and Shanghai City, Xi continued to attach great importance to the paired-up assistance initiatives. In March 2013, not long after assuming the post of general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Xi stressed the need to accelerate Xizang's leapfrog development. China has, under his leadership, dedicated unprecedented funds and manpower to Xizang's development. Herder Sangtso, in her 60s, is among the beneficiaries of paired-up assistance projects. Residing in a village perched at remote Nagqu City, her family had to put up with freezingly cold winters for years. The situation changed after the CHN Energy Investment Group installed solar panels to provide heat for every household in the village in 2023. By harnessing the region's abundant sunshine in an environmentally friendly and low-carbon way, photovoltaic heating projects like this have substantially improved the living conditions of Xizang's residents. "My house is now warm in winter and the children don't have to worry about frostbite on their hands and feet anymore," said Sangtso. Paired-up assistance has also enhanced the ecological conservation of Xizang, considered a key ecological security barrier for China. In Namling, a county once stricken by constant sandstorms, a paired-up assistance team planted over 2.8 million seedlings and built a corridor of green forest and waterways stretching 100 kilometers. This has reduced sandstorms by a third and boosted the humidity rates. Overall, since 1994, approximately 12,000 officials have been dispatched to Xizang through the paired-up assistance mechanism. Among them, Party members have formed the backbone of this mission, which has been sustained across generations. In 2021, Xi met with officials taking part in the paired-up assistance programs when he visited Xizang for the region's 70th anniversary of peaceful liberation. "You are on the plateau, and your spirit is higher than the plateau," Xi praised them. Xi said the cause of aiding Xizang reflects the noble ethos of the Party and the prominent advantage of socialism with Chinese characteristics. "It should be carried on generation after generation," he added. The 2024 recruitment campaign for Recruit Prison Officers in the Irish Prison Service is now open, looking for driven individuals interested in a worthwhile and fulfilling new career to apply. This years campaign offers applicants the opportunity to embark on a rewarding career within the Irish Prison Service, and to make a positive, lasting impact on society. The Public Appointments Service, on behalf of the Irish Prison Service, is running this years competition, and the Prison Service intends to recruit more than 250 Recruit Prison Officers in 2024. Launching the recruitment campaign, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said: The Irish Prison Service and its officers are at the heart of a system that makes our communities safer and changes the lives of those in custody for the better. "I am determined that we grow the prison service again this year building on 2023 with this new recruitment competition as well as the increase in the retirement age for those who wish to stay on to 62 years of age, which I announced recently. The Government will continue to invest in our prisons to ensure those who join the prison service feel supported in their jobs and can work to the very best of their abilities," Minister McEntee continued. I encourage anyone interested in pursuing what is a truly worthwhile and fulfilling career with the Irish Prison Service to consider an application. "Prison officers play a vital security role while also serving as catalysts for positive change, guiding individuals in custody towards rehabilitation," Caron McCaffrey, Director General of the Irish Prison Service, added. "Together, we envision a safer community through excellence in a prison service built on respect for human dignity. The last recruitment competition was held in 2023 and welcomed more than 1800 applicants. The 2024 Recruit Prison Officer Competition will remain open until 26 September 2024 at 3pm. Information on the competition and how to apply can be found on the Public Appointments Service website at Public Jobs. Linda Nolan has revealed that another family member has been diagnosed with cancer as she continues to battle the disease. The Nolans star, 65, is to start taking a new cancer drug after scans showed the tumours in her brain have grown, following her revealing the growth had shrunk in December. Several of her sisters, and members of the Anglo-Irish girl group, have also experienced the condition. Nolan told ITVs Good Morning Britain on Thursday that members of the public tell her she is inspiring, but she feels: I just wanted it to go, or leave us alone for a little while. She added: We have had a rough time with it, and my stepson Lloyd has just been diagnosed and its like go away, leave us alone.' Nolans sister Anne, whom she joined on TV series The Nolans Go Cruising, was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time in 2020 and is now cancer-free. Another sister, Loose Women star Coleen revealed she was diagnosed with skin cancer last year, and was using a chemotherapy cream to remove it. Their sister Bernie died of breast cancer in 2013 aged 52. Nolan was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and the disease resurfaced in 2017 and has since spread to her brain, bones and liver. However, she says she steers clear of learning about the cancer treatment symptoms. Nolan said: I know Ive got cancer, I know Ive got to have treatment, but I dont need to be dwelling on the fact that, Oh, Ive got that symptom that might be happening. So I do try and not surround our lives with cancer, it seems like we do, but its surrounding us for sure. But were very philosophical about things. Speaking about how she is feeling, Nolan said: I was so jittery in the morning. I get so jittery, I can hardly walk, so I have to sit in the bed for 10 minutes to get my legs working, and then go downstairs and do whatever. I try and get out a lot, get fresh air, and spend time with my friends and my family. Nolan says that immunotherapy has been working on her cancer, and the tumours are not as big as they were originally, but they are still bigger. She also said: So they put me on another chemo where I might lose my hair the fifth time. And, yeah, its a weird feeling. Nolan previously revealed that she is going to take the life-extending drug for incurable breast cancer Enhertu. It is not currently available on the health service in England after its manufacturers and the NHS spending watchdog failed to reach an agreement on price. There are patients with HER2-positive secondary breast cancer that can get the treatment, according to the public body the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice). But it is not available on the health service for HER2-low breast cancer that cannot be removed surgically or that has spread to other parts of the body, also known as metastatic breast cancer. Stock Market News BAY Headlines - Quang Ninh uses over 100 ships welcoming group of 4,500 Indian tourists 29-08-2024 00:17 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk Im sorry Dave, Im afraid I cant do that." HAL 9000, the murderous computer in 2001: A Space Odyssey" is one of many examples in science fiction of an artificial intelligence (AI) that outwits its human creators with deadly consequences. Recent progress in AI, notably the release of ChatGPT, has pushed the question of existential risk" up the international agenda. In March 2023 a host of tech luminaries, including Elon Musk, called for a pause of at least six months in the development of AI over safety concerns. At an AI-safety summit in Britain last autumn, politicians and boffins discussed how best to regulate this potentially dangerous technology. Fast forward to today, though, and the mood has changed. Fears that the technology was moving too quickly have been replaced by worries that AI may be less widely useful, in its current form, than expectedand that tech firms may have overhyped it. At the same time, the process of drawing up rules has led policymakers to recognise the need to grapple with existing problems associated with AI, such as bias, discrimination and violation of intellectual-property rights. As the final chapter in our schools briefs on AI explains, the focus of regulation has shifted from vague, hypothetical risks to specific and immediate ones. This is a good thing. AI-based systems that assess people for loans or mortgages and allocate benefits have been found to display racial bias, for instance. AI recruitment systems that sift resumes appear to favour men. Facial-recognition systems used by law-enforcement agencies are more likely to misidentify people of colour. AI tools can be used to create deepfake" videos, including pornographic ones, to harass people or misrepresent the views of politicians. Artists, musicians and news organisations say their work has been used, without permission, to train AI models. And there is uncertainty over the legality of using personal data for training purposes without explicit consent. The result has been a flurry of new laws. The use of live facial-recognition systems by law-enforcement agencies will be banned under the European Unions AI Act, for example, along with the use of AI for predictive policing, emotion recognition and subliminal advertising. Many countries have introduced rules requiring AI-generated videos to be labelled. South Korea has banned deepfake videos of politicians in the 90 days before an election; Singapore may follow suit. In some cases existing rules will need to be clarified. Both Apple and Meta have said that they will not release some of their AI products in the EU because of ambiguity in rules on the use of personal data. (In an online essay for The Economist, Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive of Meta, and Daniel Ek, the boss of Spotify, argue that this uncertainty means that European consumers are being denied access to the latest technology.) And some thingssuch as whether the use of copyrighted material for training purposes is permitted under fair use" rulesmay be decided in the courts. Some of these efforts to deal with existing problems with AI will work better than others. But they reflect the way that legislators are choosing to focus on the real-life risks associated with existing AI systems. That is not to say that safety risks should be ignored; in time, specific safety regulations may be needed. But the nature and extent of future existential risk is difficult to quantify, which means it is hard to legislate against it now. To see that, look no further than SB 1047, a controversial law working its way through Californias state legislature. Advocates say the bill would reduce the chance of a rogue AI causing a catastrophedefined as mass casualties", or more than $500m-worth of damagethrough the use of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear weapons, or cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. It would require creators of large AI models to comply with safety protocols and build in a kill switch". Critics say its framing owes more to science fiction than reality, and its vague wording would hamstring companies and stifle academic freedom. Andrew Ng, an AI researcher, has warned that it would paralyse" researchers, because they would not be sure how to avoid breaking the law. After furious lobbying from its opponents, some aspects of the bill were watered down earlier this month. Bits of it do make sense, such as protections for whistleblowers at AI companies. But mostly it is founded on a quasi-religious belief that AI poses the risk of large-scale catastrophic harmeven though making nuclear or biological weapons requires access to tools and materials that are tightly controlled. If the bill reaches the desk of Californias governor, Gavin Newsom, he should veto it. As things stand, it is hard to see how a large AI model could cause death or physical destruction. But there are many ways in which AI systems already can and do cause non-physical forms of harmso legislators are, for now, right to focus on those. 2024, The Economist Newspaper Ltd. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com Technology and medicine have come a long way since 1952, when the first-ever hair transplant surgery was performed. Hair transplant methods today are much more sophisticated, being minimally invasive procedures with fast recovery times, minimal scarring, and impeccable results. However, while advanced hair transplant techniques are available at virtually every other plastic surgery clinic around the globe, not every hair transplant surgeon has the skills and expertise to ensure that you get just the results youre after. If youre looking for experienced surgeons who can guarantee success, excellent quality of service, and low hair transplant costs, you might want to give hair transplant Turkey a try. Hair transplant clinics in Turkey are attracting millions of medical tourists annually. Learn what they have to offer and why theyre your solution for hair loss. Why visit Turkey for your hair transplant Turkey is one of the most popular destinations for medical tourists seeking high-quality healthcare and cosmetic treatments. It offers affordable pricing, excellent service, and cutting-edge hair transplant procedures that can permanently solve your hair loss issues. The country has countless clinics and medical facilities specializing in advanced methods, such as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), that can ensure your utmost satisfaction. The medical industry in Turkey is strictly regulated, with every clinic being required to adhere to the highest standards set by the EU. Surgeons go through years of rigorous training and must display complete mastery of their skills to obtain all the necessary certificates, permits, and licenses. All of this has made Turkey the global hub for hair transplantation, so you can book your treatments with complete peace of mind, knowing that youll be left in good hands. Clinics that deliver excellence Sophisticated treatments like the FUE hair transplant require the utmost precision of the surgeons. It takes years to learn how to properly customize the hairline to suit a specific patients facial features, for instance, or to learn how to insert hair grafts at just the right angle to create natural-looking results. Therefore, while the surgery itself is generally considered safe, especially in countries with such heavily regulated medical industry, its still important to find surgeons who can deliver excellence. Thats why its in your best interest to always go for well-established clinics whose reputation precedes them such as the Hair of Istanbul clinic (HOI). HOI was established in 2013 and has built up a spotless reputation over the last decade. Offering hair transplants in Istanbul, its welcomed more than 15,000 patients so far. With well-equipped facilities, modern and comfortable operating rooms, and relaxing lounge areas on-premise, it offers a holistic approach to hair transplants and ensures complete patient well-being. Hair transplant cost in Turkey vs. the US The hair transplant cost will vary from one patient to the next because there are several factors that will impact it. The cost will vary based on the hair transplant technique used, the number of grafts that will need to be transplanted, the extent of hair loss, and the condition of the donor area where the transplanted hair will come from. However, even though there could be some significant differences in pricing, patients in US-based clinics, for instance, will pay an average of $15,000 for their surgery. Its a cosmetic treatment, so any insurance policy wont cover it it will all have to come out of the pocket. On the other hand, transplant costs in Turkey can be over 70% cheaper. On average, you should expect to pay around $3,000 to $4,000, though pricing could vary based on the factors mentioned above. The low costs in Turkey are by no means a reflection of inferior quality of service. After all, many Turkish clinics like Hair of Istanbul enjoy international renown. The lower costs are a result of lower costs of living in Turkey as well as currency devaluation. Convenient hair transplant packages While lower costs and high quality of medical services are certainly appealing to millions of medical tourists, many still find organizing their trip to Turkey overwhelming. Booking the hotel, making transportation arrangements, and more can quickly become complicated. Thats why clinics like HOI have developed convenient hair transplant packages. Not only do these packages simplify the entire process, but they help you get a more affordable price for the overall experience. With HOI, for instance, the clinic offers comprehensive packages that include the services of: Hair transplant surgery; Hotel accommodation; Transfers between the Istanbul airport, clinic, and the hotel. Youll only be responsible for booking and paying for your airplane tickets. The clinic will handle all the rest. Hair transplant services at Hair of Istanbul Hair of Istanbul offers comprehensive hair transplantation services to all its patients. With HOI, you can book hair transplants, beard transplants, and afro hair-type transplants. The primary technique used at the clinic is the FUE hair transplant, which typically lasts about 8 hours. During the FUE transplant, the surgeons first extract hair follicles from the donor area. While the extracted hair follicles are resting in a nutrient-rich solution, the surgeons open small channels in the recipient area to create space for follicle transplantation. Finally, individual hair grafts are inserted in their respective location one by one, and the surgery is complete. The entire procedure is pain-free and completed in a single day. Natural-looking results post-op While transplants at HOI are quick, and your overall recovery time should be fast, you will still need to wait a while before you can see the results. It can take a couple of months for the transplanted follicles to take root and start growing new hair. During your entire recovery, the doctors from HOI will monitor your progress via online consultations. HOI enjoys high success rates with all the treatments available at the clinic. You can explore its before-and-after page to see the results the clinics previous patients have achieved and learn more about what you can expect. Final thoughts If youre struggling with hair loss, the best way to overcome it is with hair transplant surgery. Clinics in Turkey offer affordable, high-quality hair transplantation services that can help restore your natural hair appearance and ensure that your hair looks healthy and thick. (Bloomberg) -- Brookfield Asset Management is in talks with several investment funds to join its bid to acquire Spanish blood-plasma company Grifols SA, according to people familiar with the matter. Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund ADQ and Singaporean counterpart GIC Pte. are among the investors that Brookfield has held discussions with over a potential partnership, said the people, who asked not to be named because the matter isnt public. No agreement has been reached with any of the funds, they said. Brookfield and the Grifols family, who are working together to potentially take the company private, have yet to present a formal offer to the Grifols board and are waiting to complete their due diligence, the people said. Any proposal could give the company an equity value of around 8 billion ($8.9 billion), the people said. Brookfield, Grifols, ADQ and GIC declined to comment. Representatives of the family didnt immediately respond to calls and emails seeking comment. Taking Grifols private would mark the end of years of stock market turmoil at the company. The shares slumped at the beginning in 2020 as the pandemic reduced its ability to collect blood for plasma, and investors grew concerned over its debt-fueled acquisitions. Then, in January this year, the shares tumbled anew after short seller Gotham City Research criticized Grifols governance and accounting practices. Grifols denied any wrongdoing. The Spanish companys stock has lost almost a third of its value since the report. It has undergone a major revamp, which included removing members of its namesake founding family from executive positions and hiring outsiders as chief executive officer and chief financial officer. The family and associates own more than 30% of Grifols through several vehicles. Brookfield is in separate talks with banks to line up about 9.5 billion of funds to refinance Grifols existing debt, which includes loans and high-yield bonds, Bloomberg reported Aug. 21. Mark Carney, chair of Brookfield Asset Management, is also chair of Bloomberg Inc. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Production at an electric vehicle battery cell plant jointly run by General Motors and Samsung SDI has been delayed as EV sales have slowed in the U.S. The companies finalized their agreement Tuesday to jointly run the new factory in New Carlisle, Indiana, near South Bend, but said production would not start until 2027. Previously the plant was expected to start making cells in 2026. The delay will be less than a year, due to market conditions and working out contract details, GM said. Construction of the factory is already under way. Electric vehicle sales in the U.S. are still growing but have slowed as more practical consumers worry about range and the ability to recharge while traveling. Market leader Tesla Inc. has cut prices, forcing others to follow. U.S. electric vehicle sales overall rose about 7% during the first half of the year to 599,134, Motorintelligence.com reported. EVs accounted for 7.6% of the U.S. new vehicle market, about the same as it was for all of last year. Lease deals, which include federal tax credits, helped to boost sales. GM and Samsung announced the joint venture in June of last year. The $3.5 billion plant is being built on a 680-acre site and is expected to employ 1,600 workers. It will make nickel-rich prismatic batteries that store more energy than other chemistries, lowering costs and improving driving range, the companies said. The plant also will help Samsung get into the North American EV market, selling cells to other companies. The project is GMs fourth joint venture battery cell factory. It has announced three others with South Koreas LG Energy Solution. A 900-worker factory near Warren, Ohio, already is making cells, as is a plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Another in Lansing, Michigan, is being built. GM switched to Samsung after several recalls of Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles equipped with LG batteries due to manufacturing defects that could cause fires. HDFC Bank has launched a range of digital-first products and services designed for gig workers, called GIGA. The gig economy encompasses a broad spectrum of workers, ranging from white-collar professionals such as management consultants and software programmers to grey-collar workers with specialised skills, and blue-collar and pink-collar workers such as delivery personnel and caregivers. The products include a flexible savings account with investment options and insurance cover, business loans, car loans, two-wheeler loans and gold loans, business debit and credit cards with rewards and curated offers, exclusive deals on coworking spaces, upskilling, book-keeping, health and wellness, and health insurance starting at 20 a day. These are aimed at supporting freelancers' financial and lifestyle needs, providing a one-stop solution for their professional and personal requirements. Sunali Rohra, head of gig banking, startups and government and institutional business at HDFC Bank, told Mint on the sidelines of Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, Estimates suggest that there are about 30 million gig workers in India who are self-employed. Now when you actually look at access to credit, about 14% of the population has it. Our special suite of products under GIGA addresses the needs of this growing segment. The bank conducted an in-depth consumer research study to understand the needs of freelancers, based on which it has launched GIGA a digital-first programme offering a host of customised products and services to address the requirements of freelancers, the HDFC Bank said in a press statement. Surge in gig workers There has been a significant surge in demand for gig workers in white-collar professions in recent years. A 2023 report by CIEL Group, a talent solutions provider, revealed that 55% of organisations have tapped the gig economy for their workforce needs. At some companies, gig workers now comprise up to 20% of the total workforce. Also read | Only one in two Indian graduates unemployable: Economic Survey This years Economic Survey said gig workers are expected to form 6.7% of the non-agricultural workforce, or 4.1% of the total livelihood in India, by 2029-30, while flagging concerns about effective social security measures for them. (Bloomberg) -- Switzerland should deepen military cooperation with NATO and the European Union, increase arms spending and rethink its non-aligned status, an independent panel has recommended in what would mark a bold departure from the countrys long-held neutrality. The recommendations, which will inform work on a new security strategy to be published next year, immediately provoked a backlash from the Swiss Peoples Party, the largest in parliament. The SVP said it rejects attempts to undermine defense sovereignty and destroy Swiss neutrality. The committee, commissioned by the defense ministry and made up of scientific, political and economic experts, submitted 100 recommendations in seven subject areas, which were published by the government on Thursday. It said that Switzerland, which still has military service and can call upon a large army of reservists, should nevertheless boost military spending to 1% of GDP by 2030, from about 0.8%. The arms industry should also be beefed up by lifting re-export bans in specific cases and bolstering cooperation in NATO and EU security projects, the panel said. Cooperation must be consolidated not only at the military level, but also at the diplomatic level, particularly in the context of international arms control activities and the regulation of new technologies, it said. Switzerlands strict interpretation of neutrality was upended when the country decided to enforce EU sanctions against Russians in the wake of Vladimir Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. That spurred a debate across Switzerland between those on the left who are unhappy about how the country became a haven for Russian wealth, and right-wing politicians who argue that undermining neutrality also undermines Swiss global competitiveness. The SVP is backing a plan to hold a popular vote to enshrine the position of permanent, armed neutrality in the constitution. The initiative also wants to block participation in non-military coercive measures, which would include sanctions. According to the expert panel, the strict definition of neutrality must be revised so that its more focused on Switzerlands security and applied more flexibly. A majority of the committee also recommended that neutrality should align more closely with the Charter of the United Nations and that greater account be taken of the distinction between aggressor and victim. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Yelp has filed a lawsuit against Google, accusing the tech giant of engaging in anti-competitive practices that have negatively impacted the former's business. In a blog post, Yelp co-founder and CEO Jeremy Stoppelman claimed that Google has unlawfully leveraged its search engine monopoly to dominate both local search and local search advertising markets. we aim to prevent Google from engaging in anticompetitive practices so that innovation may flourish, Yelp's Stoppelman wrote in a blog. Also Read: Yelp can sue reputation company for promising to suppress bad reviews Yelp claimed that when users perform local searches on Google, the company skews the results to favour its own local search features over those of competitors, even if its offerings are of lower quality. Yelp alleged that Google exempted itself from the quality ranking system that applies to other websites. Yelp further wrote, "When competitors cant achieve scale due to Googles self-preferencing, it harms advertisers too. Googles conduct suppresses competition in the local search advertising market, ensuring that more local advertisers turn to Google." It added, As a result, Google can extract higher fees from advertisers with little consequence, according to studies. Notably, Google has increased its year-over-year search advertising revenue by 20% or more each year for the better part of the last decade, while still being able to increase its market share. Nothing new, says Google In a statement given to The Verge, a Google spokesperson said, Yelps claims are not new. Similar claims were thrown out years ago by the FTC and recently by the judge in the DOJs case. On the other aspects of the decision to which Yelp refers, we are appealing. Google will vigorously defend against Yelps meritless claims. The report noted that Yelp has a long history of raising antitrust concerns against Google. In 2020, a top executive testified about these issues before the Senate, and Yelp filed a complaint with the European Union regarding Google's alleged self-preferencing. The company has also supported government agencies in their efforts to pursue charges against Google. New Delhi: Foreign airlines from Middle East and Southeast Asia are eyeing connectivity to the upcoming airport in Jewar, which is now likely to commence commercial operations by April next year due to construction delays. "We are seeing interest from airlines across Middle East and Southeast Asia. We are building the airport in a way that it will be ready for international operations from the first day onwards. So, we are ready," Christoph Schnellmann, chief executive officer, Noida International Airport, told journalists at Jewar. The Noida International Airport is coming up across 1,334 hectares at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddha Nagar. It is about 72 kilometres (km) from Indira Gandhi International Airport, 52 km from Noida and 130 km from Agra. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Noida airport during his second tenure in November 2021. Schnellmann said that domestic airlinesnamely IndiGo and Akasa Airthat will have a base at the airport have shown interest in connecting not just the metros and regional cities in the domestic segment, but also overseas destinations. Also Read: Noida airport faces construction delays, flight launch now by April 2025 The airport had earlier planned to commence operations by the end of 2024, but construction delays have pushed the launch of commercial flights to April 2025. Currently, more than 7,500 workers are readying the airport, which will handle 12 million passengers and manage around 100,000 flights per annum in the first phase. Calibration flights for instrument landing system The airport management further informed that they have planned calibration flights for instrument landing system for the airport in September-October and validation flights for approach and departure procedures will take place in December. Once these regulatory requirements are completed, Noida International Airport will then apply to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for an aerodrome licence. "We expect to launch commercial flight by April," Schnellmann said. Noida International Airport is being developed by Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL), an arm of Zurich Airport International AG. The Swiss company has taken a keen interest in Indian aviation in the past as well. It held a 17% stake in the Bengaluru airport in 1999 under a Siemens-led consortium. Gradually, it reduced its stake in the airport and exited by selling the remaining 5% in Bengaluru International Airport Ltd to Prem Watsas Fairfax in 2016. Hurun India Rich List 2024: Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani has topped the Hurun India Rich List 2024 ahead of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Hindustan Times reported. With a wealth of 11.6 lakh crore, Adani took pole position displacing Ambani to the second spot. Total Billionaires in India Cross 300 India's total billionaire count reached 334 individuals and the cumulative wealth of these billionaires is at 159 lakh crore, as per a report by CNBC-TV18. India saw new billionaires every five days in the last year, as per the report. Anas Rahman Junaid, Founder and Chief Researcher at Hurun India said, India is emerging as Asias wealth creation engine! While China saw a 25 per cent decline in its number of billionaires, India experienced a 29 per cent increase, reaching a record 334 billionaires. Also Read | Paytm gets government nod for investment in payments arm Notable Entries on List For the first time, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has made it to the Hurun India Rich list, the CNBC-TV18 report said. Khan's was not the only debut, 45-year-old angel investor Anand Chandrasekaran has become the first to make it to the Hurun List, the CNBC-TV18 report noted. The youngest billionaires on the list are quick commerce start-up Zepto's co-founders Kaivalya Vohra (22) and Aadit Palicha (23), it added. The youngest self-made woman entrepreneur on the list is 42-year-old Neha Bansal. She is the co-founder of Lenskart, as per the report. Among women, Radha Vembu of Zoho remains the richest self-made woman on the Hurun India list, it said. Wealth Creation In India, a total of 1,500 individuals now claim net worth of 1,000 crore or more, which is a significant surge of 150 per cent from seven years back, it added. The 2024 Hurun India list shows 1,539 ultra-wealthy individuals up 220 from last year, and a record-breaking 272 new entrants, the CNBC-TV18 report noted. New Delhi: India's largest retailer Reliance Retail aims to double its sales over the next 3-4 years, expanding across verticals such as grocery and lifestyle, its parent Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd's executive director Isha Ambani said on Thursday. Reliance Retail also announced plans to enter the luxury jewellery market with a brand that potentially holds global appeal. We also have ambitious plans to enter the luxury jewellery segment with a curated, design-led experience and are exploring the fashion jewellery and accessories segment to broaden our market reach, " she said, speaking at the 47th Annual General Meeting of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL). While details of the brand are still being firmed up, those in the know said that the daughter of RIL's billionaire chairman Mukesh Ambani is drawing up plans for a jewellery brand that can compete with famed luxury jewellery brands globally. Also Read: Reliance Jios surprise move: Teleco axes popular 5G prepaid plans of 395/ 1,559. Subscribers see rising costs Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd is a subsidiary of RIL, and the holding company of all retail businesses under the Reliance group. Reliance Retail operates stores straddling categories such as electronics, fashion apparel, beauty, grocery, footwear, food, jewellery, toys, e-commerce, luxury, and lifestyle. Reliance Retail also serves as the master distributor for Jio connectivity services, which are sold through a network of MyJio and Digital stores. Its e-commerce platforms include Ajio, Netmeds, Milkbasket, and JioMart. With the strong foundation we have built, I am confident that we will achieve our goal of doubling our retail business in the next 3 to 4 years, she said. Revenue in FY24 In FY24, Reliance Retail's gross revenue rose nearly 18% to more than 3.06 trillion, from 2.60 trillion a year earlier. Net revenue increased 18.25% to 2.73 trillion. In all, Reliance Retail added 1,840 stores last fiscal year, taking the total to 18,836 outlets. In grocery, we are not only the largest, but also one of the fastest-growing retailers, expanding at 2.5 times the rate of the rest of modern trade. Our growth is driven by our focus on smaller towns, where over two-thirds of our new stores are opening. In many of these markets, we are the first modern retailer to establish a presence. At the same time, we are selectively expanding our premium formats, Fresh Signature and Freshpik, in large cities, continually innovating to enhance the consumer experience, Isha said. Reliance Retail raised 17,814 crore ($2.1 billion) in equity last financial year, achieving a valuation of $100 billion. Also Read: Reliance Capital to be rebranded under IndusInd after takeover, Hindujas tell NCLT "With the acquisition of Metro India Cash & Carry, we have strengthened our omni-channel capabilities, offering a wider assortment for our kirana and HoReCa (hotels, restaurants, and catering) partners. We are delighted to have over 4 million registered kirana partners in our new commerce business, supported by a footprint of over 220 Metro stores across 200 cities, she said. The company also operates a consumer goods vertical that sells brands such as Campa beverages, Lotus chocolates, and Sosyo beverages. We have built a robust pan-India supply chain through our own facilities and strategic partnerships, allowing us to offer products at highly competitive prices. Our state-of-the-art R&D facility in Bengaluru is key to this effort, enabling us to quickly develop world-class food products and bring them to market at great speeds. This has driven strong growth across our own channels and through general trade, she said. Also Read: Competition watchdog CCI approves Disney, RIL-owned Viacom18s $8.5-bn merger Meanwhile, within fashion and lifestyle, the companys own brands Avaasa, Netplay, and DNMX each surpassed the 2,000 crore annual sales milestone last year; while clothing brands John Players and Teamspirit crossed 1,000 crore in sales. In fashion and lifestyle, our vertically integrated operationsfrom designing and fabric sourcing to logistics and distributionallow us to set trends and meet the diverse fashion needs of our customers across the country. We are the only fashion player in India with a significant presence in every segment of the income pyramid, from mass market to premium and luxury segments, she said. To keep up with this growth, the company has established 18 domestic and 3 international design centres, Isha added. OpenAI is in talks to raise several billion dollars in a new funding round that would value the startup behind ChatGPT above $100 billion. Venture-capital firm Thrive Capital is leading the round and will invest about $1 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. Microsoft is also expected to put in money. The new funding round would be the biggest infusion of outside capital into OpenAI since Microsoft invested around $10 billion in January 2023. Since then, an arms race has developed in Silicon Valley to build the most advanced artificial-intelligence systems in an effort to dominate an industry many say will revolutionize the economy. OpenAI was last valued at $86 billion late last year, when employees sold existing shares. Thrive, a New York-based firm founded 15 years ago by Josh Kushner, already has a close relationship with OpenAI and its chief executive, Sam Altman. It has put several hundred million dollars into the startup since last year. It couldnt be determined what other investors are participating in the new funding round. Competition in the AI space is fierce. Google offers its own AI product and has, together with Amazon, put $6 billion into Anthropic, a competitor started by former OpenAI executives. Meta Platforms has developed its own AI model that it is releasing free of charge and is integrating into its apps, including Facebook and Instagram. ChatGPT remains the market leader and has hundreds of millions of monthly users. Maintaining that position will require billions in spending by OpenAI to stay on the cutting edge of research and continue developing products that can understand natural language commands and generate sophisticated text, images and video. Pricey private sale In recent weeks, one or more current OpenAI stockholders have been negotiating to sell their shares at a price that would value the company at $103 billion, according to documents viewed by The Wall Street Journal. Any new investors would likely value OpenAI around that price or higher, not including the additional money raised. Raising prodigious amounts of capital is critical for Altmans goal to create artificial general intelligencewhich his company defines as autonomous systems that can outperform humans at most economically viable tasks. Such technological leaps require huge volumes of data processed in warehouses of supercomputers outfitted with expensive, power-hungry chips. OpenAI spent more than $100 million to build GPT-4, its most powerful AI model to date. It is currently working on its next model, which is expected to cost more. Backers are betting AI will upend the way people and companies work and create. For now, though, AI is a speculative business that isnt generating nearly as much revenue as investors and tech companies are putting into it. Earlier this year, OpenAIs revenue was $3.4 billion on an annualized basis, according to a person familiar with the matter. The Information earlier reported on OpenAIs revenue. Evolving Microsoft relationship Investors dont technically own equity in OpenAI, which is a nonprofit. They instead put money in a for-profit subsidiary and are entitled to a share of that entitys profits. Microsoft currently has a 49% share of OpenAIs profit after pumping $13 billion into the startup since 2019. Some of that money has flowed back to Microsoft, as OpenAI has hosted its technology on the tech giants Azure cloud platform. The fact that Microsoft is likely to continue investing in OpenAI indicates their relationship remains important to the two companies, even as both are increasingly competing with each other and forming new partnerships. Microsoft in July relinquished its position as a nonvoting member on OpenAIs board, partly as a gesture to regulators scrutinizing their relationship. It also recently added OpenAI to its list of competitors in AI and search in a regulatory filing. Earlier this year, Microsoft hired the CEO and much of the team at Inflection AI, an OpenAI rival, to develop AI tools for consumers. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has been spreading his AI bets to a broad collection of startups. OpenAI, meanwhile, is working with Apple to power new AI features for the next generation of iPhones. Write to Tom Dotan at tom.dotan@wsj.com and Berber Jin at berber.jin@wsj.com Just two months after raising a pre-IPO funding round of $665 million, quick commerce startup Zepto has secured follow-on financing of $340 million led by US-based venture capital firm General Catalyst, taking its valuation to $5 billion. New investors Dragon Fund and Epiq Capital joined the round while existing investors StepStone, Lightspeed, DST and Contrary increased their stakes. The Mumbai-based company has raced its way to bag some of the biggest funding rounds so far this year, as it reshapes Indias e-commerce sector forcing giants including Walmart-backed Flipkart and Tatas BigBasket to venture into instant deliveries. Also read | Zepto eyes large orders with dark store expansion According to Aadit Palicha, founder and chief executive officer of Zepto, the new round will enable the firm to strengthen its balance sheet as it gears up to deliver robust growth and operating leverage. While these recent financings reflect strong confidence in Zeptos performance to date, we recognize there is still a lot of execution ahead of us to fulfil our ambition of building a world-class internet company out of India. At Zepto, we genuinely feel we are just at the beginning of our journey, Palicha said on Friday. The deal also marks one of the first investments by General Catalysts following the acquisition of Venture Highway. The merged entity plans to invest $500 million to $1 billion across early- and growth-stage investments in the country, Mint had reported in June. Zepto, which is gearing up for a public market listing next year, had gained its coveted unicorn status a year ago, when it raised $200 million at a valuation of $1.4 billion. Indias quick-commerce market grew 77% in 2023 to reach $2.8 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV), accounting for 5% of Indias overall e-commerce market, according to consulting firm Redseer. GMV, a key metric in e-commerce, tracks the total value of all the goods sold on a platform, not including discounts and other expenses. Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra founded Zepto in April 2021, when covid curfews had made people in Indias large cities accustomed to buying daily staples online. The four-year-old startup is now gearing up for an initial public offering of its shares next year, aiming for a multi-billion-dollar listing, Palicha had told Mint in June. Over the past few months, Zepto, Blinkit and Swiggys Instamart have fuelled demand for instant deliveries, growing their network of dark stores and expanding their range of products. Zepto said it plans to use the capital to double the number of its dark stores, or warehouses, to 700 by March 2025. Meanwhile, Zomatos quick commerce business Blinkit, the market leader, plans to establish 2,000 by the end of 2026. Analysts, however, worry that quick commerces potential is limited to metro cities, which is likely to impact players in the long run. In the next 2-3 years, penetration in the metro cities may witness a plateau, Karan Taurani, analyst at Elara Capital, told Mint, adding that rising competition in the segment will require firms to be capital-rich and invest sufficiently in expanding in non-metro cities as well as technological capabilities. Quick commerce versus kiranas The quick commerce rush has resulted in the influx of many players including Flipkart and Tata-owned BigBasket, leading to complaints from retail distributors about the viability of small mom-and-pop stores being undermined. Mint reported earlier this week that many kirana owners believe their stores have been reduced to window-shopping avenues, resulting in a drop in order volume and footfall. The Delhi High Court on Wednesday overturned the Authority of Advance Rulings order denying Tiger Global Management the benefits of grandfathering provisions under the India-Mauritius Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) when it sold its investments in Flipkart in 2018. Grandfathering in this instance refers to allowing an entitys actions during a certain period to be subject to provisions that existed at the time. The New York-based investment firm had moved the Delhi High Court in 2020 against the quasi-judicial bodys ruling, insisting there was enough substance and decision-making in the deal structure to avail benefits under the India-Mauritius treaty. The high courts decision bodes well for Indias startup and corporate ecosystem as it sends a favourable signal to foreign investors about the countrys investment landscape. Mint spoke to taxation lawyers and other industry stakeholders to decipher what happened and the implications of the ruling. Whats the origin of the dispute? In May 2018, global retailer Walmart acquired a 77% stake in Flipkart for about $16 billion, becoming the e-commerce firms largest shareholder. Some of Flipkarts early investors, including Tiger Global Management, sold their shares as part of the Walmart-Flipkart deal, gaining bumper returns. But the Authority for Advance Rulings rejected Tiger Globals petition for exemption from tax on capital gains from the stake sale. Tiger Global had claimed nil withholding tax on the capital gains since its entities that had invested in Flipkart were based in Mauritius and established before 2017. But the authority rejected the petition suspecting that Tiger Global was abusing the tax treaty to avoid tax. The AAR is a legally constituted body under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council and can issue a binding ruling to an applicant that is a registered taxable person or is liable to be registered. Its purpose is to provide certainty in tax liability in advance and reduce potential litigation. How does the tax treaty work? A DTAA is a pact signed between two nations to prevent double taxation and encourage capital investments and maintain cordial economic relations. The India-Mauritius DTAA was signed in 1982 to prevent evasion of income taxes in the two countries. It protects investments from Mauritius into Indian companies before 2017 from being taxed in India. Tiger Globals Mauritius entities had sold their stakes in Flipkart Singapore to Walmarts Luxembourg-based company for over 14,500 crore, and, subsequently, sought an advance ruling for zero withholding tax. Indias tax authorities objected to this, deciding that the transaction was purely for tax evasion. The AAR accepted its view, arguing that the Mauritian funds were shell entities and thus ineligible for DTAA benefits, despite holding a Tax Residency Certificate. (A TRC is a document issued by tax authorities to non-resident investors that mentions the jurisdiction where the fund is based, and acts like a proof for availing DTAA benefits.) Thereafter, Tiger Global filed an appeal in the Delhi High Court seeking injunction against the AARs order. Has this happened before? Tiger Global isnt alone. The Indian tax departments aggressive stance on TRCs has evoked concerns among other offshore investors as well. In January, the Supreme Court stayed a Delhi High Court ruling in favour of Blackstone Partners, stating that TRCs are sufficient for availing benefits under double tax avoidance agreements. Tax authorities have been trying their best to collect taxes from foreign investors investing through tax-friendly jurisdictions such as Mauritius, Singapore and Cyprus, alleging that such entities are typically set up with the sole objective of claiming tax benefits, according to S.R. Patnaik, partner and head of taxation at law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. What did the Delhi High Court say? The Delhi High Court in its ruling on Wednesday disagreed with the ARRs position, affirming that a TRC is sufficient to establish tax residency. This means that Tiger Global will not have to pay any tax on the capital gains earned by it from the sale of Flipkart shares to Walmart. The (ARRs) stance was criticised as being highly subjective and, to some extent, arbitrary. This created challenges for Indian companies in raising funds from foreign investors, who were cautious due to the Revenue authorities aggressive approach," said Ankit Jain, partner at Ved Jain and Associates, a tax consultancy. What does this mean for startups? The high courts ruling affirms that TRCs are inviolable, which could enhance foreign investors trust in the Indian taxation system and encourage further investment in the Indian ecosystem, according to Pallav Pradyumn Narang, partner at CNK & Associates. This ruling sets a favourable precedent for global investors by reinforcing the sanctity of TRCs, potentially making India a more attractive destination for investment without undue tax concerns," Narang told Mint. The ruling also underscores the legitimacy of offshore holdings and arrangements when used for valid commercial reasons and lawful tax planning, Rahul Charka, partner at Economic Law Practice, said. Moreover, the mere act of setting up a subsidiary or holding company in an offshore jurisdiction does not automatically imply tax evasion or any criminal intent. A lower tax bill for the investors in turn means higher (internal rate of return, or IRR) and easing a bit of the performance burden for the investee startup," Charka said. Cyril Amarchand Mangaldass Patnaik added that the order reiterates Indias position as a well-regulated democracy with an independent judiciary, and a nation that can be regarded as an attractive destination not only for startups but also for mature industries to make investments. Whats next? There is a possibility that the tax authorities may challenge the decision of the Delhi High Court before the Supreme Court. However, considering the well-drafted and reasoned 224-page order passed by the high court, it will be extremely difficult for the Supreme Court to overrule it, according to Patnaik. Moreover, the decision to be made in the Blackstone case may put the seal of finality on the legitimacy of foreign investors investing through a tax friendly jurisdiction to avail the benefits, Patnaik added. Yelp has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google, alleging the search-engine giant abused its dominant position to boost its bottom line and stifle competition. The suit, filed Wednesday in federal court in the Northern District of California, alleged that the Alphabet Inc.unit leverages its general search monopoly to control the local search and local search advertising markets. This practice puts its own products ahead of competitors, preventing businesses from reaching customers without paying Google and starving competitors of traffic and revenues that would allow them to scale and emerge as a competitor to Google, according to the suit. Google should not be both the monopoly provider of general search results and the self-preferencing curator of its own local search content," Yelp Chief Executive Jeremy Stoppelman said. Thats the equivalent of being both the judge and a competitor in the same Olympic event." The suit also alleged that Google, which Yelp called the largest information gatekeeper in existence, has spent years stymieing its ability to reach consumers through Googles general search platform, after Yelp previously rebuffed an acquisition. Google couldnt immediately be reached for comment. Yelp in its suit seeks injunctive relief, monetary damages, restitution, pre- and post-judgment interest, its attorney fees, costs, and expenses and a declaratory judgment that Googles conduct violates antitrust laws. Write to Connor Hart at Connor.Hart@wsj.com (Bloomberg) -- Greece is leading an effort to empty and tow away an oil tanker that was attacked last week in the Red Sea, according to people familiar with the talks. The Greek-flagged Sounion was hauling 150,000 tons of Iraqi crude oil when it was ambushed by Yemens Houthi militants. The crew was rescued, but parts of the ship were left ablaze, and its unclear whether the vessel is currently leaking. Under the salvage plan, the Sounions oil will be transferred at sea to another ship, while the vessel will towed by tugboats to a safe port, probably Djibouti, according to people familiar with the plans who asked not to be identified as discussions are private. Greek, French and Italian vessels from the European Unions Aspides naval operation will escort the Sounion during the salvage operation and the Saudis will likely oversee the oil transfer, they added. The Houthis have agreed to allow tugboats to remove the Sounion. Should a major oil spill occur, it would have serious implications for Yemens coast, as well as those of its neighbors. The plan is the result of close coordination between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, European partners and key regional players including Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the people said. Greece also tapped its back channel to Iran, which supports the Houthi militants. Speaking in Brussels on Thursday, Greek Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis said that he had spoken with Saudi Arabias Minister of Foreign Affairs to ensure that this issue will be handled as safely as possible. While a Pentagon spokesman said on Tuesday that the vessel appears to be leaking, raising the specter of an environmental disaster, representatives of the Aspides operation have denied this. In the absolute worst-case scenario, a leak of all Sounions cargo would represent the fifth-largest spill on record, surpassing incidents like the 2018 Sanchi spill near China. Houthi leader Abdul Malik Al-Houthi said in a televised speech following the attack that his fighters stormed the oil tanker and destroyed its cargo using explosives a claim that couldnt be verified and seemed improbable, given that it would have caused a vast oil spill. He added that his group planned to continue targeting ships in the Red Sea in retaliation for Israels activities in Gaza. Since militants stepped up attacks last year in the Red Sea, thousands of container vessels and oil tankers have opted to avoid the area. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com New Delhi: With India witnessing a shortage of qualified professionals who can rescue financially distressed companies, the bankruptcy board has invited top institutions to introduce post-graduate courses in insolvency resolution. Armed with a two-year degree, a graduate in select disciplines like accounting, law, finance and economics can become a bankruptcy resolution professional without waiting for the decade-long experience typically needed, according to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI). The bankruptcy rule maker has invited requests by 27 September from institutions with quality residential facility to accommodate at least 100 students at a time and reasonably large campus with adequate space for expansion to offer post-graduate programmes. The institution should have high-quality education infrastructure like classrooms, library, computer lab, research centres, journals, publications and technology, with scope for expansion in these facilities. Only two institutions currently offer a post-graduate insolvency programme (PGIP): the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs and the National Law Institute University, Bhopal. At present, there are over 4,400 registered insolvency professionals in the country. Also Read: Insolvency code reforms should aim for swift and just resolutions Experts believe this move will increase the workforce available to handle the complex tasks of debt resolution and corporate rescue. Unlike previous initiatives, this time IBBI has included additional conditions, allowing it to select multiple institutions, modify expressions of interest, or reject them without explanationensuring that only the best institutions are chosen, said Yogendra Aldak, partner at Lakshmikumaran, and Sridharan Attorneys. With the additional conditions, we may witness IBBI selecting multiple institutions to conduct PGIP courses and the same would result in more students becoming insolvency professionals with relevant skills and experience, said Aldak. Such insolvency professionals would contribute to simplifying and expediting the insolvency proceedings in India, protecting the creditors and revive companies in a timely manner, said Aldak. The ministry of corporate affairs and IBBI have been trying to scale up the number of bankruptcy cases resolved in a year, reduce the time taken for the process and improve the outcome of debt resolution. In FY24, a record number of 269 resolution plans were approved by the National Company Law Tribunal, against 189 in the year before, a 42% improvement in rescuing distressed companies, Mint reported on 11 June. The UK's University of Southampton will be setting-up India campus in Delhi-NCR, becoming the first foreign university to set up campus in the country under new National Education Policy. A Letter of Intent (LoI) issued to the University of Southampton (UoS) was handed over by the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in an event held in New Delhi on Thursday, said the Ministry of Education. The University of Southampton has become the first UK university to be granted a licence by the Indian government to create a comprehensive campus in the country. The awarding of a licence from the University Grants Commission now paves the way for planning to progress, the Varsity said in a statement on website. Also Read | Education system reform: We must be the change we wish to see In his address, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed confidence that such endeavors will further make the youth work ready and foster a spirit of global understanding and cooperation. He also highlighted that the initiative will help establish a strong interactional footprint of brand India in the educational sphere. In a post on X, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that this initiative is a foot forward towards realising the goal of internationalisation at home as envisioned in the NEP 2020. Also Read | US colleges are cutting majors and slashing programs after years of putting it off Establishment of campuses of foreign universities in India and Indian HEIs abroad is not just about expanding educational opportunities, it is about creating a vibrant ecosystem of research, knowledge exchange and global collaboration. Educational institutions across countries have a responsibility to produce global citizens with global ethos who can provide solutions to global challenges, added Pradhan. The Education Minister further added that India as a Vishwa-Bandhu is committed to fulfil its global responsibilities and build a brighter future for education, innovation and progress. Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice-President International and Engagement, said that the University of Southampton Delhi will be the first comprehensive international campus in India. It will develop world-class, work-ready graduates with specialist and transferable skills that will enhance Indias fast-growing knowledge economy. AMSTERDAMOrganized crime used to be considered a remote threat in much of Western Europe, but ruthless violence by criminal gangs is now rattling the peace in some of the worlds safest societies. Sweden now has Europes highest gun-homicide rate, and the military is helping police fight street gangs. In Denmark, residents of the commune Christiania shut their famed open-air cannabis market after violent gangs took over. In Belgium, armed security forces have started guarding customs trucks carrying seized cocaine to prevent criminals from stealing it back. One of the most alarming exhibits of what the 21st century drug trade has wrought upon long-peaceful European societies came earlier this year in the Netherlands, long known for its tolerant attitude toward recreational drugs. Dutch drug kingpin Ridouan Taghi was considered so dangerous that he was tried in a warehouse-turned-bunker in Amsterdam, guarded by hundreds of masked special forces and drones circling overhead to prevent a prison break. When the judges pronounced him guilty of involvement in five murders and two attempted killings, their faces were hidden and their names werent revealed. He has managed to strike fear in the minds of people," said Dutch lawmaker Ulysse Ellian about Taghi, who was sentenced to life in prison. During the six-year legal proceeding that led to Taghis conviction, three people linked to the states star witness were shot dead in the streets of Amsterdam: his brother, his lawyer and a well-known crime journalist who had joined the witnesss legal team. We have seen murders before. Whats new about Taghi is that he also targets individuals who are not part of the criminal underworld: the brother of the star witness, a lawyer, a journalist," said Robby Roks, associate professor of criminology at the Erasmus School of Law in Rotterdam. The case, he said, raises all these questions about what these criminals with seemingly unlimited resources can do from prison." Late last month, Taghis 23-year-old son, Faissal, was extradited from the United Arab Emirates at the request of Dutch authorities on suspicions of participating in a criminal organization involved in international drug trafficking, money laundering and preparing violent crimes. He is now locked up in the same maximum-security prison as his father. Ellian, a newly elected member of parliament, is pressing for dangerous prisoners to be cut off from other inmates and people outside. Without fast action were taking huge risks," he said. The more of these top guys you arrest, the more urgent it becomes." A recent report by Europol, the law enforcement arm of the European Union, and EMCDDA, the EUs drug agency, said several European countries are suffering unprecedented levels of drug market-related violence, including killings, torture, kidnappings and intimidation." The report identified 821 serious criminal networks active in the EU, with more than 25,000 members. The EU now considers organized crime a threat to European societies on par with terrorism. Violence is destabilizing society and the social contract we have known," said Europol deputy spokesperson Claire Georges. It used to be more at transit points, such as airports, and among specific groups. Now, violence is increasingly spilling onto the streets with the risk of civilians being hurt." Europol attributes the violence to a globalization of the drug trade, a surge in coca cultivation in Colombia and a fragmentation of the supply chain. Gangs have established a firmer foothold in large European ports, including Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium. In 2019, cocaine seizures in Europe exceeded those in North America for the first time, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. In 2021, the most recent year for which data is available, EU authorities seized more than 300 tons of cocaine, a record. The kingpin Taghi, who is 46, was born in Morocco and moved to the Netherlands, near Utrecht, as a young child. As a teenager, he joined a gang operating in local shopping malls, according to Dutch news reports and a documentary about his life. In the early 2000s, Taghi split his time between Dubai and Morocco, smuggling hashish into the Netherlands, according to the news reports. Rising cocaine consumption in Europe prompted South American cartels to begin pivoting to that market around 2008, and Taghi entered the global cocaine trade. At one point, his gang imported about one-third of all cocaine going into the Netherlands, according to police documents cited in Dutch news reports. The Dutch economy has long depended on international commerce, and the Port of Rotterdam is Europes largest. Everything that makes the Netherlands attractive for the legal economy also makes it attractive for the illegal economy," said Pieter Tops, professor emeritus at Leiden University and author of several books on the societal effects of organized crime. Since the 1970s, lax and contradictory drug laws have nurtured a criminal underworld. Recreational use of cannabis is legal, but production isnt. That opened a door for organized crime groups to supply Dutch coffee shops." Gangs expanded to trafficking cocaine and producing synthetics such as ecstasy, said Stijn Hoorens, director of the Rand think tanks Netherlands office and drug-policy expert. Dutch prosecutors say the killings Taghi was convicted of began in 2015 when he ordered the murder of a spy-shop owner who had given police his transaction records, including about surveillance equipment sold to his gang. A crime blogger who had published Taghis name was shot dead outside a sex club north of Amsterdam, though a court later found insufficient evidence that Taghi was behind the murder. In 2016, Taghi relocated to Dubai using a Dutch passport with a fake name, according to Emirati police. He stayed out of reach of Dutch authorities while conducting business in Europe. Then he was betrayed. In 2017, a murder in Utrecht that Dutch prosecutors said Taghi ordered went wrong, when the hit men killed the wrong person. The middleman who arranged the killing turned himself in to Dutch police and offered to testify against Taghi. Dutch authorities charged Taghi in absentia with collusion in six murders and more than a dozen planned killings and hit operations, and began pretrial sessions that would extend over several years. One state witness, the middleman referred to as Nabil B., paid a price for betraying Taghi. In 2018, his brother was shot dead outside his office in Amsterdam. The following year, Nabil B.s lawyer, Derk Wiersum, was killed by a hoodie-clad man who fled on foot. There were other shocking stories of violent crime. In 2016, the decapitated head of a gang member was found looking in through the window of an Amsterdam cafe. In 2020, police discovered shipping containers converted into what appeared to be soundproof torture chambers equipped with pliers, blowtorches and a dentists chair with shackles. In 2019, Dubai police arrested Taghi following a manhunt and deported him to the Netherlands. On his encrypted BlackBerry, police found pictures of a woman being tortured. Taghi was confined to a Dutch maximum-security prison during the legal proceedings. In 2021, the countrys best-known crime reporter, Peter de Vries, who had joined the prosecution witnesss legal team, was shot dead leaving a television studio in Amsterdam. Taghis first lawyer was arrested after a police investigation found that the two used meetings intended to prepare for trial to discuss prison break plans. One scenario involved mercenaries shooting Taghis way out of prison, the Navy Seals way," according to an intercepted note. Taghis second lawyer was arrested on allegations that she had passed messages to people outside. During the trial, Dutch authorities worried that Taghis men might try to break him out of prison by kidnapping prison staff and forcing an exchange. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte stopped riding his bicycle to work, and Dutch Crown Princess Amalia canceled her first year of universityboth apparently due to kidnapping threats from Taghi. The threats were disclosed in a court case against his cousin, who had been arrested while acting as his lawyer. A survey last year showed that half of all Dutch judges and prosecutors felt less safe in their work due to threats or intimidation, and that nearly one-third of them had changed their work routines, including by replacing their name on case files with a code. The lawmaker Ellian, a 35-year-old Afghan-born member of parliament, said he first came across Taghi in 2018. Then a member of a municipal council, Ellian publicly accused Iran of ordering the 2015 murder of an Iranian dissident in his town. The man convicted of arranging the murder, Naoufal Fassih, was a hit man for Taghi, according to the indictment. Through a lawyer Fassih filed a disciplinary complaint against Ellian. The implicit message, Ellian said, was: Were watching you. Stop talking." Ellian launched a political career by pledging to confront Taghi and other dangerous prisoners who he has said threaten the countrys democracy. In 2021, as a newly elected center-right member of parliament, he traveled to the onetime Mafia hotbed of Palermo, in Sicily, to learn about the Article 41-bis regime, which since the early 90s has allowed the Italian government to impose the near-complete isolation of a prisoner. He toured the Colorado prison housing Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo" Guzman, who recently complained to authorities that he hadnt been allowed to speak to his wife and daughters for seven months. Ellian wants the Netherlands to implement a similar systemsomething as harsh as possible under European human-rights law. The Dutch Parliament is set to debate a bill he proposed to restrict high-risk detainees to two phone calls and one visit a month. In June, he succeeded in allocating about $33 million to expand the countrys maximum-security prison by another 12 cells. Fearing retaliation from Taghis gang, Ellian receives police protection from the unit that protects the Dutch royal family. Its not personal," he said. Although for Taghi, it might be." He spoke during a drive home from parliament with the siren on his government car blasting as the bodyguard-driver blew through red lights. Next to the driver sat a second armed guard in body armor. Last year, Ellian accompanied prison staffers in the city of Roermond on a night raid to confiscate phones. His face covered by a balaclava, he followed prison guards as they threw open cell doors and used dogs to find hidden phones. His efforts have drawn the attention of inmates. Walking through a Dutch prison recently, a prisoner barked out his name. On another visit, Ellian said, an inmate called out, Why are you always trying to make things harder for us?" In public court sessions, Taghi has criticized Ellian for abusing his political power to restrict the rights of prisoners. We Europeans take freedom and living in a secure country for granted," Ellian said. But you have to stand up for it. A free country can change into something ugly very fast." Write to Sune Engel Rasmussen at sune.rasmussen@wsj.com The new rule, finalized this month and set to go into effect later this year, prohibits a slew of practices including: providing incentives for reviews that convey a particular sentimentreviews and testimonials by company insiders that dont disclose the authors connection to the brandsuppressing unflattering reviewsreviews and testimonials attributed to people who havent used the product or arent real The role of reviews is increasingly important in almost all of our purchase decisions," said Sandy Jap, a marketing professor at Emory Universitys Goizueta Business School. Fake reviews are problematic because they are misleading. Its just creating a noisier environment for consumers to figure out who and what they can trust." The FTC will be able to seek a $51,744 fine per violation. The agency has investigators and consumer protection staff attorneys who look into allegations and take action when they deem appropriate. Here are four things legal and advertising experts say marketers should know about the new rule. Forget fake clout The new rule prohibits buying fake indicators of social-media influence, such as followers or views made by a bot or hijacked account, to inflate the importance of a brand or product for commercial purposes. Social proof is such a cornerstone of marketing, and every business wants to have it, especially at the early stages of a business or even launching a new product line," said Robert Freund, an attorney focused on advertising and e-commerce issues at Robert Freund Law. The rule against faking such proof has taken a lot of people by surprise, according to Fruend, even though the FTC has been challenging the practice for years. Devumi, a now-defunct seller of fake online followers and likes, in 2019 settled with the FTC after allegations that it had sold fake Twitter followers to buyers including actors, athletes, motivational speakers, law firm partners and investment professionals. Dont bury bad reviews Businesses cant use groundless legal threats, physical threats or intimidation to prevent or remove negative consumer reviews. The rule also bans businesses from misrepresenting that they are displaying the bulk of their reviews while secretly culling the bad ones. If youre hosting consumer reviews on your brand site, you cant filter out the one- and two-star reviews. You have to show all of the reviews," Freund said. Again, the new rule largely codifies the FTCs approach toward reviews in recent years. The commission in 2022 reached a settlement with online fashion retailer Fashion Nova for $4.2 million after it alleged the retailer suppressed reviews with ratings lower than four stars out of five. It was the FTCs first case addressing a companys efforts to conceal negative customer reviews. Be wary of what you should have known Marketers can still be challenged for some forbidden practices even if they should have known" of such activity. Some marketing groups had tried to keep that additional legal burden out of the final rule. When you say youre going to hold companies responsible for fake reviews that they know about on their website, thats one thing," said Lartease Tiffith, executive vice president for public policy at the Interactive Advertising Bureau, a digital media and marketing trade association. If youre going to hold companies responsible for fake reviews they should have known about, thats different." Marketing trade group Association of National Advertisers had also submitted comments pushing back on the provision last year, saying that a should have known" standard for the failure to uncover the deception of third parties would be tremendously costly" and discourage companies from allowing reviews or testimonials on their websites at all. The FTC will only be able to seek civil penalties if companies had actual knowledge of wrongdoing, but companies might still face injunctions or settlements with money back for consumers even if they should have known" about wrongdoing. Fighting fake reviews Marketers should look internally at their practices around reviews to make sure they are compliant, said Freund, the advertising attorney. If youve had any new hires or grown significantly in your marketing department, its probably a good idea to take some time to educate those employees about how this rule works and what their obligations are," he said. He said marketers should check their agreements with any third-party marketers or agencies to ensure they touch on their compliance responsibilities. Companies should also do more to help consumers understand which reviews are trustworthy and which are not as they navigate a sea of fake information, said Jap, the Emory professor. They could tell consumers they are using technology to detect fake material and make clear when reviews are written by real people with legitimate experiences with the brand, she said. Write to Megan Graham at megan.graham@wsj.com New Delhi: Prices of baby diapers and sanitary napkins are set to go up, with the textiles ministry rejecting an industry demand for extending a Quality Control Order (QCO) deadline for these products, two people aware of the development said. Manufacturers such as Himalaya, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, and Nine, will have to meet standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) from 1 October, with anyone failing to comply risking enforcement actions. The textile ministry is firm in its view on the QCO for these products after it found that manufacturers were making only a limited quantity of diapers and sanitary napkins that met the standards. "Since QCOs were voluntary in nature, some well-known companies manufacturing personal hygiene products were not fully adhering to the standards. It has also been found that they have launched multiple products with different characteristics to bypass the set rules," one of the people mentioned above said on the condition of anonymity. The new standards include measures to prevent the growth of antimicrobial agents and rashes and be skin friendly. Queries emailed to the textiles ministry and all companies mentioned above remained unanswered till press time. While prices are expected to increase by 5-10%, the QCO will not be applicable on Self-Help Groups (SHGs) manufacturing ready-to-use disposable hygiene products, to ensure their supply in rural areas. The Indian diaper and sanitary pad market is valued at $1.6 billion and $.05 billion respectively and is growing exponentially at a CAGR of 7.25% and 17%, as per a report of IMARC Group, a consulting firm. Also Read: Centre plans to bring t-shirts, innerwear under PLI scheme for textiles "Everyone should have access to safe and quality pads, which is the main idea behind introducing the QCO. The standards are not very complicated. Essentially, they ensure that the product is hygienic, the material is safe, and it is fit for its intended purpose, said Tanya Mahajan, co-founder, Menstrual Health Action for Impact (MHAi), a think tank working in the space of menstrual health. Beneficial for consumers Its not something detrimental to the industry; in fact, it is beneficial for consumers. It ensures that the product is safe for women who use it. The material and supply chain safety are critical issues, though not widely known, Mahajan told Mint over phone. The QCO will ensure that every manufacturer adheres to the same norms and standards, eliminating any ambiguity." However, while praising the move, former AIIMS, Delhi pediatrician Dr. Rakesh Bagdi recommended not using diapers extensively as it may lead to dermatitis in newborns. Also Read: Indian textile exports rise on demand from CIS, South Asian markets Dermatitis is skin inflammation, often causing redness, itching, and swelling. "Adherence to revamped standards will definitely help protect newborns from allergic infections, as the QCO will ensure the manufacturing of quality products," Dr Bagdi, a consultant pediatrician at Gangauri Hospital in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, told Mint over the phone. "The parents should avoid overuse and keep them in cotton pants for their comfort. They should prefer using diapers during travel hours," said Bagdim. The personal hygiene segment is growing due increasing urbanisation, rising disposable incomes, and growing awareness of baby health and women hygiene. Also, convenience offered by disposable diapers, especially among dual-income, urban families, is a key factor contributing to this market expansion, the second person added. The QCO has been introduced to put a check on substandard products in this segment. It will also regulate the import of substandard products, this person said. Baby diapers and sanitary pads are part of medical textiles that fall under the National Technical Textiles Mission, which was launched in 2020. As per a KPMG report, the Indian technical textiles market is the 5th largest in the world and stood at $21.95 billion in 2021-22, with production amounting to $19.49 billion and imports $2.46 billion. In the past five years, the Indian technical textiles market has grown at 8-10% per annum and the government aims to accelerate this to 15-20% over the next five years. The global technical textiles market was estimated at $212 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $274 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.2% during 2022-27, driven by increasing demand cross industries and the rapid development of new applicative products, according to the KPMG report. Poor-quality diapers pose significant health risks to infants, both short-term and long-term. In the short term, they may cause diaper rash, skin irritation, and infections due to inadequate absorption and harsh chemicals. Traditional cotton nappies are recommended for safety and environmental reasons," said Dr. Manish Mannan, HoD - Paediatrics & Neonatology, Paras Health, Gurugram. BP and Shell, two British oil giants, have long sunk cash into solar and wind farms. Their rivals elsewhere have mostly stuck to their drilling. Investors have rewarded single-mindedness. ExxonMobil, an American firm unapologetically wedded to the black stuff, is worth $510bn, half as much again as the British duo combined. Its share price is up by 50% in the past five years, compared with a rise of 10% for Shell and a fall of 13% for BP. That is not to say ExxonMobil has no interest in renewables. But rather than getting into generation, it is placing an indirect bet on the energy transition. On June 25th it signed a preliminary agreement to supply lithium to SK On, a South Korean manufacturer whose lithium-ion batteries will power electric Fords and Hyundais. This follows an announcement in November that it was drilling its first lithium well in Arkansas. A material" part of its $20bn in low-carbon investments between 2022 and 2027 will go to lithium, says Dan Holton, in charge of these projects. By 2030 the company hopes to produce enough lithium to supply 1m electric vehicles (EVs) a year. Darren Woods, its boss, sees lithium as a high-return" opportunity. His fellow oil CEOs agree. In June Occidental Petroleum set up a lithium joint-venture with BHE Renewables, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, a $900bn conglomerate. A month earlier Equinor, the state-owned Norwegian oil firm, unveiled a partnership with Standard Lithium, an American miner. Even the worlds oil colossi, Saudi Aramco and ADNOC of the United Arab Emirates, are taking an interest. Big oils enthusiasm for lithium makes sense. Demand for the stuff is likely to rise as more of the worlds machines go electric. In contrast to running the unfamiliar businesses of solar and wind power, oil firms already have expertise that is useful in lithium mining. Extracting the white metal involves tapping saltwater brine, often underground. This requires careful mapping of reservoirs and precision drillingskills oilmen have honed over decades of subsurface crude extraction (in which brine also happens to be a common waste product). Even the necessary permits are more akin to those for oil and gas than the still more tedious paperwork associated with tapping seams of ore. Refining the extracted metal is likewise similar to what oil companies do in their petrochemicals businesses. ExxonMobil, Occidental and Equinor are hoping to juice returns from their lithium ventures with clever technologies to separate lithium ions directly from brine using physical membranes or chemical solvents. This requires less land, water and time than the current method, in which brine is collected in vast evaporation ponds. It is also less polluting. Goldman Sachs, a bank, expects that these innovations could do for lithium what fracking did for oil. Brine accounts for nearly two-thirds of the worlds known lithium resources but so far only 40% of production. Big miners, for their part, have eschewed big bets on lithium. Their shareholders prefer cash to reinvestment at the moment, and the new technologys upfront cost is at least a third higher than for the ponds, reckons Goldman Sachs. Specialist lithium producers high valuations and wild swings in the metals price are another turn-off. Miners that have placed smaller wagers often got their fingers burnt. Rio Tinto completed its $825m purchase of a lithium project in Argentina in 2022. By the following year spending on exploration and evaluation had doubled, from less than $200m to nearly $400m. In contrast to big dirt, big oil has the profits and the balance-sheets to take on capital-intensive ventures. But does it have the commitment? A quarter of a century before it merged with Mobil in 1999, Exxon dabbled in battery technology after the Arab oil embargo of 1973 frightened the world into considering alternatives to fossil fuels. One of its star researchers at the time was Stanley Whittingham, who went on to share the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2019 with two other pioneers of lithium-ion batteries. He left Exxon in 1984around the time that the company threw in the towel on this sort of research. 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com ECOS Mobility IPO Day 2: The ECOS (India) Mobility & Hospitality Limited initial public offering (IPO) opened for subscription on 28 August 2024 and will be available for subscription till 30 August'2024. From Financials to GMP, Here are 10 key things from the RHP (Red Herring Prospectus) you should know before investing 10 things to know from the RHP 1.ECOS Mobility IPO: Subscription details ECOS Mobility opened for subscription on 28 August 2024 and will be available for subscription till 30 August'2024. The price range for ECO Mobility's IPO is 318 to 334 per share. An application must have a minimum lot size of 44 shares. Retail investors are thereby required to invest a minimum of 14,696. 2. ECOS Mobility IPO: Objectives of the issue The 601.20 crore ECO Mobility IPO is a book-built offering. The entire issue is an offer to sell 1.8 crore shares. Therefore, no money from the Offer will be received by the Company directly; rather, all of the Offer Proceeds will go to the selling shareholders in proportion to the Offered Shares that each Selling Shareholder sold as part of the Offer. 3. ECO Mobility IPO: Lead Managers and Registrar The ECO Mobility IPO's book running lead managers are Equirus Capital Private Limited and Iifl Securities Ltd, while the issue's registrar is Link Intime India Private Ltd. 4. ECOS Mobility IPO: allotment and listing details On Monday, September 2, 2024, the allotment for the ECO Mobility IPO is anticipated to be completed. Wednesday, September 4, 2024 has been set as the tentative listing date for the ECO Mobility IPO on the BSE and NSE. 5. ECOS Mobility IPO: Promoters The key promoters of the company include Rajesh Loomba, Aditya Loomba, Nidhi Seth, Rajesh Loomba Family Trust and Aditya Loomba Family Trust. 6. ECOS Mobility IPO: Key Risks Compliance with service standards: As stated in its client contracts, the business is obliged to provide excellent service standards. If these requirements are not metfor example, due to late reporting, mechanical problems with the car, or problems with the behavior of the chauffeurpenalties might be as high as 100 for infractions and as low as 100 for more serious ones. Failure to comply may result in the cancellation of reservations, damaging the company's image and having an adverse effect 7. About ECOS (India) Mobility & Hospitality Limited ECOS (India) Mobility & Hospitality Limited, an Indian company, was founded in February 1996 and offers chauffeur-driven automobile rentals. The company's main lines of business are employee transportation services (ETS) and chauffeured vehicle rentals (CCR). 8. ECOS Mobility IPO: Financials Between March 31, 2023, and March 31, 2024, ECOS (India) Mobility & Hospitality Limited's net profit rose by 43% and its sales by 34%, respectively, during the company's fiscal year. 9. ECOS Mobility IPO: Peers Shree OSFM E-Mobility Ltd and Wise Travel India Ltd are the two listed Peers of ECOS Mobility. 10. ECOS Mobility IPO: GMP As of right now, the ECOS Mobility IPO's Grey Market Premium, or GMP, is +160. This indicates that the shares of ECOS Mobility are currently trading at a premium of 160 in the grey market over the 334 offer price. The market thereby is expecting Ecos Mobiliy listing at 494, a 47.9% premium over the issue price. L&T Technology Services Ltds revamped growth strategy has the Street excited, leading to a nearly 5% rise in the stock over the past two days. The tier-2 IT company aims to be among the top five engineering, research and development (ER&D) services companies globally, and is targeting $2 billion in revenue in the medium-term. At its Investors Day meet on Tuesday, L&T Techs management laid out its Go deeper to Scale strategy with a focus on three key business segments: mobility, sustainability, and tech. It outlined a plan for each of these segments to achieve $1 billion in revenue eventuallythree times their current revenuewith some margin improvement. That said, the company has not specified a timeline for these ambitions, which could dampen investors confidence. The companys targeting a margin of 17-18% on its earnings before interest and tax (Ebit) by improving employee productivity, securing more overseas contracts, hiring more freshers, and optimising costs. But for 2024-25, L&T Tech has projected an ebit margin of 16%, down from 17.1% in 2023-24. Are these measures enough for a turnaround in the stocks performance? (Over the past year, the stockLTTShas gained about 32%, but has underperformed the Nifty IT index, which has given about 38% returns in the same span.) The answer lies in the bold pace of execution planned. According toMotilal Oswal Financial Services, L&T Techs new strategy may not alter its growth path in the short term, but it could open up new avenues for growth, especially in hitherto weak areas such as mobilitya fast-growing segment for its peers. Too ambitious? Against this backdrop, the companys renewed strategy is a step in the right direction. However, the targets seem ambitious. L&T Techs management is gung-ho on ER&D services and expects the onset of a rate-cut cycle in the US to boost demand in this space. India-based sourcing of global ER&D spending grew at a 16% compound annual growth rate over 2014-23 and would likely grow at a 17-22% CAGR over 2023-30, the management said. But the company has some catching up to do before it can benefit from the potential rise in ER&D services demand. LTTS progress in scaling accounts in the $20-30 million range has been middling despite a broad set of capabilities. In comparison, Indian pure-play ERD peers have at least one $75 million+ account," Kotak Institutional Equities said in a report. The broking firm stated that while L&T Techs strategy has the key tenets to scale the business at a healthy rate, the extent of these aspirations might be aggressive. Also, given the ongoing slowdown in the US and the European Union on discretionary spending, it is better to temper expectations of a sharp revival in the ER&D budgets of clients, according to analysts. L&T Techs management said that while the companys near-term large deal pipeline is double that of last years, deal conversions were taking longer than usual to become confirmed orders. A slow start L&T Tech expects to exit 2024-25 with revenue of $1.5 billion, up from $1.16 billion in FY24. For this, the management reiterated its focus on inorganic growth, stating that it would explore mergers and acquisitions in the $50-150 million range in three key areasmobility (in the EU region), software services, and medtech (both in North America regions). So far this financial year, L&T Tech has not announced any acquisition plans. Since M&A is a crucial component in the companys plan for FY25 revenue growth, the timing and scale of acquisitions is worth tracking. But a dull start to FY25 raises the risk of earnings downgrades if revenue growth fails to meet expectations. For FY25, the company has guided for organic growth of 8-10% year-on-year in constant currency, which we believe is aggressive given weak start and a steep ask (4.2% - 5.4% CQGR)," PhillipCapital (India) said in a report. What is also not sitting well with analysts is the stocks expensive valuation, which is higher than its large-cap peers. At FY26 price-to-earnings, the stock is trading at multiple of around 38 times, showed Bloomberg data. This is despite underwhelming returns so far in 2024: the L&T Tech stock has risen 9% compared to the Nifty IT indexs 19% gain. As investors or potential investors in the equity market, you may have heard the term bonus issue of shares. A bonus issue occurs when a company listed on a stock exchange decides to offer free additional shares to the existing shareholders. A company's board of directors discusses and finalises the number of shares to be allocated to shareholders. For example, if a company decides to do a bonus issue, it will decide and finalise an allotment number, like every shareholder will get one bonus share on every two shares held in the listed entity. The company decides the number of bonus shares to be allotted to every individual investor for holding a certain number of shares over a set period of time and accordingly rewards them. This bonus issue aims to attract further investment and reward its existing shareholders as it improves the entity's market image. A bonus issue of shares will increase a company's share capital but not its market capitalisation. Market capitalisation is calculated by multiplying the company's current stock price and the total number of outstanding shares. Share capital is the amount that the company raises by issuing shares. A bonus share issue is funded by the company's healthy profits reflected in its annual or quarterly results, or from its share reserves. This type of share issue draws investors, making the company look more attractive to retail investors. However, this issue of bonus shares also has a downside, as the company could have used the funds required for this bonus issue in the business. So, this is sometimes perceived as an opportunity cost for the company and its shareholders. If you are an investor receiving a bonus issue, you will still be liable to pay capital gains tax on selling the assets, including the bonus share. On the company's end, the issue of bonus shares is not taxable. RIL's bonus issue Reliance Industries Limited, at its 47th annual general meeting (AGM) held on Thursday, August 29, announced that its Board will meet on September 5 to decide about the bonus issue. The oil-to-telecom conglomerate is India's largest company in terms of market capitalisation. Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani announced that the company is considering a bonus issue at a ratio of 1:1. Further details will be disclosed by the company in the coming days. Reliance Industries Limited has sent a notice to the stock exchanges that the Board of Directors will meet on September 5 to consider issuing bonus shares in the ratio of 1:1, said Ambani at the meeting. Mumbai: Fundraising through qualified institutional placements (QIPs) has touched a four-year high in 2024 thus far, marking a threefold increase from last year. In the period January to August, 55 companies have collectively raised 58,425 crore through QIPs, compared to 17,643 crore in the same period of 2023, according to data from primedatabase.com. Further, the month of July saw the highest amount of money being raised through this route ( 21,813 crore) in 2024. QIPs allow companies to issue new equity shares or convertible securities to institutional investors. A QIP issue leads to equity placement, resulting in dilution of existing shareholders' ownership. QIPs are essentially a bull market product, thriving in bullish secondary markets where companies can issue fresh shares at higher valuations," said Pranav Haldea, managing director, Prime Database Group. "Companies utilize QIPs to raise fresh capital when economic prospects are good and demand is strong, driving expansion and growth initiatives." Mining giant Vedanta has led the way so far this year, raising 8,500 crore. Adani Energy Solutions is a close second with 8,373 crore. Other notable fundraisers included JSW Energy, which raised 5,000 crore, Swan Energy ( 3,319 crore), and MacroTech Developers ( 3,281.85 crore). Additionally, Union Bank of India, Coforge, Angel One, Shyam Metalics & Energy, and Techno Electric & Engineer cumulatively raised 9,375 crore. QIPs have seen a turbulent phase during the covid-19 pandemic. Also read | Indian companies junk private deals, take the IPO route for higher valuations Data sourced from primedatabase.com shows that after some fluctuations, funds raised through this mode surged to a record high of 80,816 crore in 2020 (full year) raised by 25 companies. This number crashed by nearly half in 2021, with 35 companies mopping up just 41,997 crore. The next year, 2022, was worse, with only 14 companies raising 11,743 crore, the lowest since 2016. Also read | Analysis: Retail investors remain undaunted, but what are they betting on? Thereafter, 2023 (full year) saw a moderate rebound. That year, 45 companies raised a cumulative sum of 52,350 crore. Primarily, banks or financial services, real estate, infrastructure, metals and energy sectors dominate QIP fundraising, leveraging its fast and efficient nature," Haldea said. Further, industries such as information technology, and engineering and construction, have also turned to this financing tool in 2024. Is the boom here to stay? The pipeline looks healthy. A total of 73 companies are set to tap the QIP market, aiming to raise 1 trillion to fuel their growth and expansion plans. Among these are IndusInd Bank, which is seeking to raise 10,000 crore, and Mankind Pharma and Punjab National Bank, each targeting 7,500 crore, according to primedatabase.com. Union Bank of India ( 6,000 crore), GMR Airports Infrastructure, Jindal Stainless, AU Small Finance Bank, Prestige Estates Projects, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, and Central Bank of India, plan to raise 5,000 crore each. Given the current bullish secondary market and favourable macro factors, companies are likely to continue to raise money for expansion, with QIPs remaining the preferred mode of fundraising," Haldea concluded. Even as QIPs have surged, another mechanism used by companies, follow-on public offers (FPOs), saw only one major deal, Vodafone's 18,000 crore FPO in April, with no other significant activity. This highlights the strong preference for QIPs among companies looking to raise capital. Also read | Five PSBs likely to hit market with QIPs in FY25 to comply with Sebi norm Anand K. Rathi, co-founder, MIRA Money, said that QIPs have gained popularity over FPOs as they offer faster access to capital with relatively easier regulations. Additionally, a six-month lock-in period reduces near-term volatility. Mutual funds and institutions are also actively seeking investment opportunities in good companies, with possible investment requirements," Rathi said. Furthermore, QIPs provide a price advantage as the promoters determine the price, and a time advantage over FPOs." Rathi added that these factors make QIPs an attractive option for companies to raise capital, especially in a scenario where a lot of money is chasing good companies. At 55, Bhopal-based Rachna Khare, an architecture professor at a government university, was taken aback by the amount she and her husband, Ajay Khare (58), needed to accumulate before retiring. With both working in government jobs and a neurodivergent son, Rachit, their focus had always been on work and ensuring their son could lead an independent lifea task that demanded extensive research and resources. "Once we felt confident that Rachit could live independently, we shifted our focus to financial planning," says Khare. Khare initially connected with a Mumbai-based financial planner who was also a mother to an autistic child. This introduction to full-scale financial planning was a revelation, but the distance proved impractical. Read this | How this Mumbai couple rebuilt their finances after going bust "I needed an advisor I could meet in person when I wanted. Mumbai was not feasible," Khare explains. In 2021, she met Jitendra Solanki, a Ghaziabad-based registered investment advisor specializing in financial planning for families with special-needs children. This partnership worked well as the couple frequently travels to Delhi-NCR, where they have relatives. The NPS advantage When the Khare family approached Solanki, they had no investments in mutual funds. However, their investment in the National Pension System (NPS), initiated through their employer benefits, had led to a 42% equity exposure by 2024. Additionally, they owned three properties in Bhopal and had some fixed deposits and savings in their bank account. Solanki excluded real estate from their asset allocation, as those properties were intended for self-occupation. Their initial NPS corpus of 1.3 crore in 2021 grew to nearly 2 crore, providing a strong foundation for the substantial retirement corpus they needed. The external internal rate of return (XIRR) stood at 9.30% since the start. Other pressing financial goals also loomed large. One immediate goal for Khare in 2021 was to sell one of their three properties to purchase an assisted-living home in Dehradun for their son. "We learned about Project Arunima, a lifetime residential project for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. Each specially-abled resident above the age of 18 years lives in an individual flat but is surrounded by personalized care. We bought a flat for our son here by selling a Bhopal-based property. Apart from the flat, we also pay 50,000 monthly for different activities and support my son requires there," Khare shares. These flats are co-owned by Arunima and the parents to ensure they remain within the special needs community. And this | How this Darjeeling-based coder seeks financial independence with 15-cr corpus Next, the couple aimed to merge their remaining two properties in Bhopal into a duplex and renovate it. These were their self-identified key goals, executed soon after collaborating with Solanki. He also helped them identify other critical goals, such as building an emergency corpus, securing their retirement corpus, and ensuring their sons future. Among lifestyle goals, the couple planned to upgrade their car by 2030. View Full Image (Graphics: Pranay Bhardwaj/Mint) The dual challenge Financial planning for a family with a special-needs child differs significantly from that of a typical family. The Khares faced the dual challenge of securing their financial future and their son's. "We suggested creating two financial plansone for the special needs child, accounting for his lifetime expenses, and another for the rest of the family. It turned out that they needed nearly 5 crore by the time they retire only for the son. Add to it another 5 crore for their own retirement life," says Solanki. Solanki advised setting up a private trust for their son to ensure his financial well-being after they are gone. This required an upfront expense of 1.5 lakh. "We have named our relatives as trustees who will look after him after we are no more," Khare notes. The next step was to start investing to cover any shortfall they might face, even after allocating existing assets. These investments should ideally last their sons lifetime. "We recommended that Rachna allocate her assets for her sons financial planning while Ajays assets were reserved for their retirement," Solanki explains. More here | Is your mutual fund distributor letting you down? Here's how to switch The couple now invests 25,000 monthly in mutual funds to cover the shortfall in their retirement corpus and their sons financial needs. Their mutual fund investments began just last month. Their MF portfolio has been designed in a way that 50% of the portfolio will be in equities, 10% in gold mutual funds and the rest in long-term debt funds," says Solanki. Insurance challenges and coverage The Khare family couldnt secure a new term insurance plan due to their age and health issues. Rachna has an old term plan with a 65 lakh life coverage. They also hold two traditional life insurance policies and a pension plan. The traditional policies will mature in 2028 and 2034, while the pension plan will start generating 1 lakh annually from 2025. The family doesnt have private medical insurance, but they are covered under the Central Government Health Scheme along with their son. Theyve also bought two private health plans for Rachit, one of which has been converted into a general health plan as per the company policy once the policyholder reaches 25 years of age. Additionally, theyve invested in two LIC Jeevan Vishwas policies for their son, with maturity dates in 2025 and 2028. This policy pays 20% of the maturity amount as a lump sum, while the remainder converts into regular payments. "This exclusive LIC plan for persons with disabilities was withdrawn in 2014 but continues for existing policyholders," Solanki adds. What if something happens to the parents today? Will Rachits financial life still be secure? There are enough resources to meet Rachit's goals (even) in absence of parents, thanks to their employer benefits, NPS savings, real estate and cash value of all life insurance policies they have," Solanki assures. The couple plans to buy a retirement home in Dehradun to live closer to their sons assisted living community. We will be selling our Bhopal house to buy a new home in Dehradun," Khare says. The family pays Solanki 30,000 annually for financial guidance, including investment implementation services. "We dont have to initiate investments ourselves. They initiate it, and we only approve the transactionsall investments are in direct mutual funds," Khare explains. Solanki also advises them on non-financial matters such as vision planning, letters of intent, child transition phases, and residential living arrangements. Also read | Why this 24-year-old trusted a fee-only adviser for financial guidance The couple has a message for other parents of special needs children: Seek the help of a financial adviser. Its truly worth the cost. "We started late, but the sooner you begin, the better off youll be," they advise. At least three infiltrators are reportedly killed near Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the Indian Army said in a statement. The three infiltrators were killed in two separate operations launched on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. While one terrorist was likely killed in Tangdhar area, the other two were were killed in Machhal, according to a Hindustan Times report. The operation is in progress. The operation was launched by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir police following intelligence inputs regarding likely "infiltration bids", on the intervening night of August 28-29 in the general area of Tangdhar, Kupwara. Also Read | Indian army captain killed amid Doda encounter, terrorist gunned down In a post on X, the Army's Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said, "Based on intelligence inputs with respect to likely infiltration bids, a joint operation was launched by the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police on the intervening night of August 28 and 29 in the general area Machhal, Kupwara." Suspicious movement was observed in bad weather and was engaged with effective firing by troops; two terrorists are likely to have been neutralised, it said. The Army said another terrorist was likely killed along the LoC in the Tangdhar area. Based on intelligence inputs regarding likely infiltration bids, a joint anti-infiltration operation was launched by the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police on the intervening night of August 28 and 29 in general area Tangdhar, Kupwara, it said on X. Meanwhile, a search operation is underway in the Rajouri district of J&K following an exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces on August 28, officials said. The operation began at 9:30 pm on Wednesday in the Kheri Mohra Lathi and Danthal areas. "During the search operation, contact was established with terrorists at about 11:45 pm on August 28, and an exchange of fire took place between terrorists and security forces near the Kheri Mohra area," Jammu and Kashmir police said. Former Supreme Court lawyer and political expert Abdul Ghafoor Noorani passed away on Thursday at the age of 93. News of his passing prompted an outpouring of condolence messages on social media, with the loss felt especially keenly in Kashmir. Sorry to hear about the demise of A G Noorani Sb earlier today. Noorani Sb was a man of letters, an accomplished lawyer, a scholar & a political commentator. He wrote extensively on matters of law and on subjects like Kashmir, RSS and the constitution. May Allah grant him highest place in Jannat, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wrote on X. AG Noorani, a giant among scholars has passed away. I learnt a great deal from him, from the constitution, to Kashmir, to China & even the art of appreciating good food. May Allah grant him maghfirah, added Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi. The scholar and political commentator had made significant contributions to numerous fields including law, history and political science during his multi-decade long career. He was also the author of more than a dozen books including The Kashmir Question. Also Read | Kashmiri cleric who led protests over Burhan Wani killing jumps in poll fray Abdul Ghafoor Abdul Majeed Noorani was born in Mumbai (then Bombay) and began his career as a High Court judge in 1953. He was deeply knowledgeable about constitutional matters and spent a significant amount of time writing about legal, political, and historical issues. He penned several books centred around these topics including The Kashmir Question, Ministers Misconduct and Constitutional Questions and Citizens Rights. His most recent work was The RSS: A Menace to India published in 2019. Bengaluru's first Suburban Rail Project is likely to face delays and is likely to miss its August 2025 deadline. Karnataka Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil at a review meeting held on Tuesday expressed his displeasure regarding the slow progress of the rail project. The BSRP is being built for 15,767 crore. As per reports, the first phase of 7 km from Yeswantpur to Chikkabanavara was to be operational by August 2025. During the review meeting, Patil expressed his dissatisfaction with the progress made by L&T, the contractor responsible for executing Corridor-2 of the project, which stretches from Byappanahalli to Chikkabanavara. During the review meeting, Patil highlighted that only 28 per cent of the physical work while 22 per cent of the financial progress has been made so far. The minister questioned the likelihood of finishing the stretch on time given the current slow pace of work. Expressing his doubts, the minister said, We have promised the public that the first train operation will start by August 2025. However, given the current pace of work, this seems doubtful," as quoted by The New Indian Express. "At this rate, it is impossible to complete the project within the stipulated time," as quoted by The New Indian Express. However, the minister has issued a stern warning regarding the Suburban Rail Project, stating that the completion deadline will not be extended under any circumstances, as reported by the daily. Also Read | Karnataka Cong to hold Raj Bhavan Chalo march on Aug 31 to prosecute Kumaraswamy Earlier in February 2024, the minister had said that all Bengaluru Suburban Rail Projects would be completed by December 2027. All Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project corridors will be finished by December 2027. K-RIDE has been directed not to delay the work related to this project, and we will be able to deliver it on time, the minister had said as quoted by news agency PTI. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Minister M B Patil conducted a review meeting with officials from South Western Railway to discuss several railway projects being implemented through cost-sharing arrangements with the central government, as reported by PTI. According to officials, the discussion covered various issues, including land acquisition challenges that are delaying multiple projects such as Gadag-Wadi, Dharwad-Belagavi, Tumkuru-Davanagere, and Tumkuru-Rayadurga, it reported. The meeting emphasized the need to identify and take the necessary actions to accelerate the progress of these projects. Gujarat floods: Heavy rains that lashed Gujarat through this week have triggered a flood-like situation in the western state. Several rivers and reservoirs in the state are overflowing and water from Ajwa Reservoir and Pratappura Reservoirs was released into Vishwamitri River leading to the inundation of several low-lying areas and causing water-logging at other places. Here are 10 points about Gujarat floods: Also Read | Gujarat rains: Western Railway cancels 12 trains following waterlogging As many as 35 lives lave been lost in rain related incidents in Gujarat, according to Indian Express. On Wednesday the death toll rose by nine, PTI reported. Around 8,500 residents have been relocated and rescued from flood-affected regions of the state. The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert in Gujarat for August 29, as heavy rains are expected continuing to severely impact some parts of the state for the fourth consecutive day. Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, "The flood situation in Gujarat is extremely worrying as several people have lost their lives and are missing." Appealing to the PM Modi-led NDA government at the centre to send more National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said, We are proud of our Armed Forces and Coast Guard, who are undertaking rescue efforts. Congress leaders and workers must coordinate all possible relief efforts, in this hour of tragedy. In addition to 14 NDRF and 22 SDRF teams, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Coast Guard have been called in to assist in search and rescue efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a telephonic conversation with Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, took stock of the prevailing situation in the state and inquired about the relief and rescue efforts. To review the relief and rescue operations after heavy rains, CM Bhupendrabhai Patel held a video conference with district collectors and municipal commissioners from the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) in Gandhinagar on Tuesday. State Relief Commissioner Alok Pandey, who is overseeing operations at SEOC, issued directives to district collectors and corporation commissioners regarding the management of the situation. As many as 140 reservoirs and dams, and 24 rivers in the state were flowing above the danger mark, according to an official release. Rains disrupted traffic movement, train services and flight operations in the state. The worst affected districts include Rajkot, Anand, Mahisagar, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Morbi, Junagadh and Bharuch. Expressing concern over the flood situation, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, said in a post on X, "I express my deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and whose property has been damaged in this calamity. I hope that the injured recover soon." The former Congress chief added, An appeal has been made to all Congress workers to provide all possible help to the affected people and the administration in relief and rescue work. He further urged the government to take all necessary steps to reduce the impact of this calamity so that the affected people can move towards reconstruction and rehabilitation as soon as possible. Following the release of the Hema Committee report, many female actors came forward with their complaints, highlighting issues of discrimination and harassment within the Malayalam film industry. In response, the government has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the challenges faced by women in the industry. Actor Sonia Malhar has spoken out about the issue, disclosing disturbing instances of mistreatment and exploitation she faced during the early years of her career. Malhar told ANI, My first experience was at a movie location in Thodupuzha in 2013. A hero (actor) misbehaved with me. I was a little scared, I was crying and suddenly he apologised, and after that, we were just friends. In the last 11 years, I have been in the movie industry but I am facing so many issues." She added that her subordinates, friends and other women are also facing the same issues like sexual harassment and verbal abuse. Due to all of this, I lost a lot of chances in the movie industry. I'm back from mainstream movies and I have done 8 art movies in the lead role as I can't stay with or sleep for chances (roles in movies). I always say no to this and some people have cornered me due to this. Malhar added, We want to raise the issue and we want a solution for this type of womanizers in the Cinefield. Yesterday, I filed a complaint to the special investigation team and I mentioned the exact name of the actor, location and date. My family members have not agreed to reveal the name yet but maybe I will reveal the name in the media in the next two days. Meanwhile, Ernakulam SP G Poonguzhali stated on Wednesday that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has collected statements from the victims and has issued detailed instructions to various police stations for appropriate legal action. The SIT has taken the statements of the victims. Different incidents have happened in the jurisdictions of different police stations. A detailed statement has been issued to different police stations for taking necessary legal action. Once the FIRs are filed, the cases will be transferred to the SIT, which will be investigating the rest of the cases, Ernakulam SP told ANI. On August 27, actor Mohanlal resigned as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) following the Justice Hema Committee report and sexual harassment allegations against some executive committee members. Mohanlal and the entire executive committee stepped down, with Mohanlal notifying Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of their decision. In response to the report, some AMMA members had called for immediate resignations from those facing allegations, arguing that their continued presence was detrimental to the association. On August 26, Malayalam film actor Minu Muneer made sexual harassment allegations against some of her co-stars in the Malayalam film industry. Minu accused actors M Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu of subjecting her to verbal and physical abuse in the process of filming movies. India commissioned its second nuclear-powered missile submarine on Thursday. The ceremony for commissioning ceremony for INS Arighaat took place at Visakhapatnam in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The submarine is significantly more advanced than its predecessor and boasts several indigenous systems and equipment. According to details shared by PIB, INS Arighaat was constructed using advanced design and manufacturing technology following detailed research and development. The vessel makes use of special materials, complex engineering and highly skilled workmanship. Today, India is surging ahead to become a developed country. It is essential for us to develop rapidly in every field, including defence, especially in today's geopolitical scenario. Along with economic prosperity, we need a strong military. Our government is working on mission mode to ensure that our soldiers possess top-quality weapons and platforms made on Indian soil, said Singh. Also Read | Maharashtra news: Shivaji statue collapse sparks political slugfest The Indian nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine programme is a closely guarded project with only sparse details available for public consumption. The country's first home-made nuclear submarine INS Arihant was launched in July 2009 and quietly commissioned in 2016. In October 2022 it made headlines after the Defence Ministry indicated that INS Arihant had carried out the successful launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile in the Bay of Bengal with a very high accuracy. India is working on having five Arihant class boats along with the six nuclear attack submarines to be built in three blocks. The government plans to build both nuclear and conventional boats for its long-term submarine acquisition and capability development plan. The Indian nuclear-powered ballistic submarines have been named the Arihant class derived from a Sanskrit word meaning the 'Destroyer of the Enemy'. The name befits the strategic significance of a nuclear-powered submarine. Also Read | Indian Navy rescues oil tanker with 30 crew members from Houthi missile attack According to a statement shared by the Defence Ministry, the Raksha Mantri had exuded confidence in the capabilities of INS Arighaat during his address on Thursday. Singh said that the submarine would further strengthen Indias nuclear triad, enhance nuclear deterrence and help in establishing strategic balance and peace in the region. It is also expected to play a decisive role in the security of the country. The Ministry statement quoted him to call it an "achievement for the nation and a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Governments unwavering resolve to achieve aatmanirbharta in defence. The Karnataka High Court on Thursday dismissed petitions challenging a cabinet order revoking sanction for a CBI probe against Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in a disproportionate assets case. Earlier in the day, Shivakumar said that he would accept the court's decision as God's will while responding to questions linked to disproportionate assets (DA) case against him. "I believe in the Courts, and I believe in God. I will accept the Court's decision as God's decision," he said. When asked about a complaint lodged against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife, Shivakumar said, "I don't understand why some are targeting the Chief Minister. Nothing will happen to him. It was the BJP that allotted compensatory sites to the CM's wife in exchange for the land. The CM has no role in this." In a 67-page judgment, the high court said the matters raised in the pleas have to be addressed by the Supreme Court. Popular Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan has rented out an apartment in Mumbai for 4.5 lakh per month, Hindustan Times quoted property registration documents accessed by proptech platform Square Yards as saying. According to the document, Aaryan lease and license agreement was registered on 28 August with a stamp duty of 42,500. Located in Mumbai's Presidency co-operative society of Juhu area, the 1,912-square-foot property is in the Siddhi Vinayak Building. The document further stated that Aaryan had purchased the residential property jointly with their mother, Mala Tiwari, for 17.5 crore. It includes two car parking spaces, attracted a stamp duty of 1.05 crore and a registration fee of 30,000, said Square Yards. It was registered on 30 June 2023. The Square Yards noted the rental yield on Aaryans property stands at 3.1 percent. As per details, rental yield refers to the percentage of a propertys overall value, which is received over a year through rental earnings. The housing society is known for its scenic beachfront, vibrant atmosphere, and numerous luxury high-rises offering sea views, making it a sought-after address for celebrities. In 2023, legendary lyricist Javed Akhtar also purchased a property in Juhu in the same locality. Aaryan's other properties: Apart from the recent rented property, his real estate portfolio includes a commercial property. He had purchased a 2,099-square feet office space in 2023 for 10 crore in the renowned Signature Tower on Veera Desai Road of Andheri West, reported HT.com. His mother, Mala Tiwari, rented an apartment of 3,681 sq ft from Shahid Kapoor in 2023. It came with a rent of 7.5 lakh per month and a security deposit of 45 lakh for 36 months. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday informed a reduction in the cost of MHADA houses on declared price for the current Mumbai Lottery. In a post on X, Fandavis said, I am pleased to announce a reduction in the cost of MHADA houses on declared price for the current Mumbai Lottery. This applies to the surplus tenements received under Sections 33(5) and 33(7) only. Revised reductions would be: - EWS: 25%. LIG: 20%. MIG: 15%. HIG: 10%. Meanwhile, Sanjeev Jaiswal, Vice Chairman and CEO of MHADA told Hindustan Times, We are aiming to come up with the lottery for Mumbai in September and the final announcement will be made in a few days. The flats will be available in Malad, Powai, Vikhroli, Goregaon and Wadala. The MHADA further said aspiring buyers must note that the homes under the housing scheme will be allotted through a lottery system, and the results of the lottery will be announced on September 13 at 11 am. MHADA began accepting applications for its housing draw on August 9, with the deadline extended to September 19. Since the start of the application period, over 30,000 applications have been submitted, with many applicants paying the earnest money deposit (EMD). The MHADA Mumbai lottery 2023 has received more than 100,000 applications in total. An official noted that the number of applications in the first week is not indicative of the final count, as most submissions typically occur in the last week or ten days before the deadline. There are still over 15 days remaining for applications. MHADA Housing Scheme 2024: Eligibility Criteria According to MHADA regulations: Buyers with a family income up to 6 lakh per year can apply under the EWS (Economically Weaker Section) category. Buyers with a family income between 6 lakh and 9 lakh per year can apply under the LIG (Lower Income Group) category. Buyers with a family income between 9 lakh and 12 lakh per year can apply under the MIG (Middle Income Group) category. Buyers with a family income above 12 lakh per year can apply under the HIG (Higher Income Group) category. MHADA Housing Scheme 2024:Documents Required PAN Card Aadhaar card Domicile certificate Cancelled cheque Driving license Passport-sized photographs Birth certificate Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a visit to Maharashtra's Mumbai and Palghar on August 30. In Mumbai, the Prime Minister will address Global Fintech Fest (GFF) at the Jio World Convention Centre. GFF is being jointly organised by the Payments Council of India, the National Payments Corporation of India and the Fintech Convergence Council. Later, Modi will visit Palghar where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development projects at CIDCO ground. I look forward to being among the people of Maharashtra tomorrow, 30th August. I will take part in programmes in Mumbai and Palghar, said PM Modi in a post on X. Inaugurations in Palghar Vadhvan Port Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of Vadhvan Port. Vadhvan Port, located near Dahanu town in Palghar district, will be one of Indias largest deep-water ports and will provide direct connectivity to international shipping routes, reducing transit times and costs. The total cost of this project is around Rs. 76,000 crores. It aims to establish a world-class maritime gateway that will boost the countrys trade and economic growth by catering to large container vessels, offering deeper drafts, and accommodating ultra-large cargo ships. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure, the port will feature deep berths, efficient cargo handling facilities, and modern port management systems. Fisheries projects Prime Minister will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 218 fisheries projects worth around 1,560 crores, aimed at bolstering the sector's infrastructure and productivity across the nation. National Roll Out of Vessel Communication Modi will launch the National Roll Out of Vessel Communication and Support system at a cost of around Rs. 360 crores. Under this project, 1 lakh transponders will be installed in a phased manner on mechanised and motorised fishing vessels in 13 coastal States and Union Territories. The vessel communication and support system is indigenous technology developed by ISRO, which will help in establishing two-way communication while fishermen are at sea and also help in rescue operations as well as ensure safety of fishermen. In yet another hit-and-run incident in Mumbai, a 24-year-old man died after a speeding car hit his bike in the Goregaon area of the city. The accused fled the spot after the incident. The victim was rushed to the hospital. However, he was declared brought dead. As soon as the information of the incident was received, police reached the spot and took the injured to the hospital where the doctor declared him dead, reported ANI, quoting police sources. The car has been seized, and two people have been arrested. One of the accused is a minor, according to police. The incident took place over a month after a Worli hit-and-run case in which a woman lost her life. On July 7, a speeding BMW car hit a motorcycle near Atria Mall, resulting in the death of a woman named Kaveri Nakhwa (45). Her husband, Pradeep, was also injured in the crash. Police also arrested the driver, Rajendra Singh Bidawat, and the father of the main accused, Rajesh Shah, for their alleged involvement. While Rajesh Shah, a former leader of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, was granted bail, Mihir Shah and Bidawat are still in judicial custody. Last week, the Bombay High Court sought the police's reply on a plea filed by Mihir Shah, seeking immediate release and claiming that the arrest was "illegal". Shah sought his release claiming that any further detention would be in utter violation of the Constitutional mandate and a failure to comply with Section 50 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Under this section, the police must communicate to a person who is being arrested the full particulars of the offence for which he or she is being arrested or other grounds for such arrest. Top news today: Today marks an important series of events in the realm of the political sphere. Take a look: BJP to discuss J-K, Haryana seats in next CEC today The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) is likely to hold its next Central Election Committee meeting on August 29, in which Haryana, along with Jammu and Kashmir, will be discussed in the meeting. Earlier, the first CEC meeting was held on August 25, chaired by National President JP Nadda. It was attended by Prime Minister Narender Modi, Union Minister Amit Shah, and other ministers. Core group Members were also present. ANI reported citing sources, Members have discussed the few names yesterday. On the 29th we will discuss the rest of the seats in Jammu and the maximum seats in Kashmir. As per the analysis, we can fight on 60 seats easily. However, we are discussing names on all 90 seats. We have good support from Local parties like Apni Party and others. RIL AGM 2024: Reliance Ind 47th AGM to be held virtually today Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), one of India's largest conglomerates, has announced that its 47th Annual General Meeting (AGM) will occur on August 29, 2024, at 2 PM IST. The company disclosed this information in a recent statement to the stock exchanges. RIL confirmed in its market filing, "The Forty-seventh Annual General Meeting (Post-lPO) ("AGM") of the members of the Company wilI be held on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. (IST) through Video Conferencing ("VC") / Other Audio Visual Means ("OAVM"), in accordance with the applicable circulars issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)." Kerala govt to convene all-party meet to discuss rehabilitation of landslide survivors The Kerala government will convene an all-party meeting on August 29 to discuss the rehabilitation of landslide survivors in Wayanad. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called for the meeting which would be held via online, a CMO statement said on Sunday. Various ministers, including revenue and housing, forest and wildlife, electricity, transportation, finance, public works would attend the meeting along with the chief secretary and the respective additional chief secretaries, PTI reported. The Kerala government said that the temporary rehabilitation of landslide survivors in Wayanad is complete, with all families now in rented accommodations. Various ministers and senior officials will attend an upcoming all-party meeting to discuss further steps. All the 728 surviving families from the relief camps were shifted to rented accommodations, they said. Mumbai-Goa train inaugural run on August 29 The Railway Board has given its approval for operating a bi-weekly train for Goa and Maharashtra's Konkan region from Bandra Terminus station on the Western Railway (WR). As reported by PTI, the train's inaugural run will take place on August 29 from Borivali, a major station on WR, instead of Bandra Terminus, they said. At present, all Konkan and Goa-bound trains from Mumbai operate from Central Railway's stations. Starting a Goa-bound train from Bandra Terminus will benefit tourists from Western suburbs of Mumbai who are looking to visit the coastal state, a popular holiday destination. JK: Nomination for second phase of assembly polls starts today The filing of nominations for the second and third phases of assembly elections will occur on August 29 and September 5, respectively. Moreover, the BJP announced 16 candidates for the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, significantly reducing their original list of 44. The counting of votes for the elections will be taken up on October 4. In the last assembly elections held in Jammu and Kashmir in 2014, when it was a full-fledged state, the BJP had won 25 seats. The parents of the Kolkata doctor, who was brutally raped and murdered inside the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH) on August 9, received three phone calls from a hospital employee. However, the caller refused to disclose exactly what had happened to the student. An India Today report cited that during the first call, the assistant superintendent of RG Kar Hospital urged the parent to come to the hospital immediately. Your daughter is not well. Can you please come to the hospital immediately? When the victim's father requested more information, the man explained that she was unwell and being admitted to the hospital. When the father continued to seek details, the man responded that the doctors would explain the situation In the second call, he said her condition was very critical. And in the next call, the caller said, "She might have committed suicide or died. The police are here. We are at the hospital, in front of everyone, making this call". CBI reaches Police Morgue of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday reached the Police Morgue of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata for further investigation of the rape and murder of the trainee doctor at the college. Earlier, the CBI concluded a second round of polygraph tests on former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh as part of their investigation into the rape and murder of the woman doctor at the institution. Also Read | Countless rapes forgotten since Nirbhaya: President reacts to Kolkata incident The test was conducted by a team from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL). CBI officials had also conducted a polygraph test on the arrested accused, Sanjay Roy, in connection with the crime. Kolkata doctor rape case: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday, August 29, clarified her 'if Bengal burns remark and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allegations that she was threatening the protesters who have held demonstrations and rallies against the Kolkata doctor's rape case. In a long post on X, Mamata Banerjee said she did not utter a single word" against the medical students or their movements or threaten them. I detect a malicious disinformation campaign in some print, electronic and digital media which has been unleashed with reference to a speech that I made in our students' programme yesterday. Let me most emphatically clarify that I have not uttered a single word against the (medical etc.) students or their movements. I totally support their movement. Their movement is genuine. I never threatened them, as some people are accusing me of doing," Mamata Banerjee said. The West Bengal chief minister also asserted that she spoke against the BJP and accused them of trying to create anarchy in the state with the support of the Central government. "With support from Centre, they are trying to create lawlessness and I have raised my voice against them. I also clarify that the phrase ("phonsh kara") that I had used in my speech yesterday is a quote from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Deva. The legendary saint had said that occasionally there is need to raise one's voice. When there are crimes and criminal offences, voice of protest has to be raised. My speech on that point was a direct allusion to the great Ramakrishnite saying," Mamata Banerjee said. WHAT DID MAMATA BANERJEE SAY? Speaking at a public programme in Kolkata, which has turned into a fortress after the alleged gang rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar hospital, Mamata Banerjee shot off a warning to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over protests and rallies linked to the Kolkata doctor rape case. Mamata Banerjee said PM Modi was using his party, the BJP, to cause fire in Bengal over the rape and murder of the trainee doctor, while warning him that if you burn Bengal, other states including Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Delhi too shall burn and your chair will be toppled. Some people think this is Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh; they speak like us and share our culture. But remember, Bangladesh is a separate country, and India is a separate country. Modi Babu is using his party to cause fire here [in Kolkata], Mamata Banerjee had said, prompting sharp reactions from the BJP. Amid the controversy over Telegram CEO Pavel Durov being charged with violations related to the messaging app, Russia on 29 August warned France not to turn a criminal case into 'political persecution', reported AFP. Russia has painted Durov's surprise arrest in Paris earlier this week as politically motivated. "The main thing is for what is happening in France not to run into political persecution," AFP quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Also Read | European censorship, Elon Musk and the Telegram arrest "Of course we consider him a Russian citizen and as much as possible we will be ready to provide assistance. We will be watching what happens next," he added. Pavel Durov walked free after four days of questioning from France but was barred from leaving the country. He was granted conditional release against a bail of five million euros and on the condition he must report to a police station twice a week. Also Read | UAE demands consular access for Telegram founder Pavel Durov arrest in France Cases against Dhrov: Russian-born Durov who also has French citizenship was charged by France for violations related to the messaging app, including allowing child pornography and drug trafficking. He was arrested by the police in France on 24 August at Le Bourget airport outside Paris and was also accused of refusing to cooperate with authorities in sharing information, money laundering and providing cryptographic services to criminals. The police also filed preliminary charges in connection with the probe against Durov. Among the charges include complicity in managing an online platform to allow illicit transactions by an organised group. The second includes suspicion of serious acts of violence towards one of his children while he and an ex-partner, the boy's mother, were in Paris, reported AP. His ex-partner had previously filed another complaint against Durov in Switzerland in 2023. Telegram's reaction: Telegram's CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe.. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform, the messaging app said in a post on X. Dubai airport on Thursday stopped SpiceJet passengers from checking in over mounting unpaid dues, The Hindu reported, citing industry sources. This follows the budget airline's failure to clear airport dues. The brunt of the airline's unpaid dues fell harshly on hundreds of passengers, leaving them stranded at Dubai airport. Troubles have been mounting for the budget carrier despite multiple fundraises last year. The recent episode adds to the list of problems lined up for the airline. According to The Hindu report, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is monitoring SpiceJet. Earlier this month, SpiceJet announced a settlement with Mumbai airport regarding a "minor financial matter," shortly after the airport had warned of potential temporary disruptions to the airline's operations in a social media post on X (formerly Twitter) that was later removed, reported Reuters. It may be noted that several passengers on SpiceJet flights from Dubai to India were affected on July 31, 2024, as their flights could not take off as scheduled over unpaid dues. A few flights from Dubai to India were cancelled due to operational reasons on Wednesday, a SpiceJet spokesperson said then. As many as 10 SpiceJet flights scheduled to operate from Dubai to various cities in India were reportedly cancelled owing to the non-payment of dues. Also Read | SpiceJet challenges court order to ground leased engines "On July 31, 2024, a few flights from Dubai to India were cancelled due to operational reasons. The airline took immediate steps to mitigate the impact by rebooking affected passengers on subsequent flights and providing hotel accommodations," PTI quoted the airline spokesperson as saying. In addition to defaulting on payments to airports, the Ajay Singh-promoted airline has been delaying its staff salaries and payments to its vendors. According to media reports, the airline has also defaulted on making Employee Provident Fund contributions for its 11,581 staff for the past two and a half years. Aircraft fleet tracking website planespotter.net reported that a total of 37 aircraft were on ground due to multiple reasons, including 18 Boeing 737s, 18 regional jets Q400s and one A340. The debt-ridden SpiceJet's fleet comprises 59 planes, including 32 Boeing 737s and 24 Q400s. Additionally, the airline has one Airbus A340 and two Airbus A320s, which are currently on wet lease. A private school in Tamil Nadu's Tiruchirappalli received a bomb threat over email today i.e. August 29. As per news agency ANI report, Trichy bomb disposal squads and sniffer dogs were rushed to the school to search for the bomb while the school declared a holiday because of the bomb threat. Just last week, a bomb threat message in the washroom of an AI flight from Mumbailed to an emergency being declared at Thiruvananthapuram airport, but the threat was later confirmed as a hoax. In Delhi, on August 20, many shopping malls and hospitals including prominent ones such as Chanakya Mall, Select City Walk, Ambience Mall, DLF, Cine Polis, Pacific Mall, Primus Hospital and Unity group, received bomb threat emails. The threat emails stated that "the explosive will go off in few hours." Several hospitals across Delhi also received bomb threats via email."You all will end up in a pool of blood..none of you deserve to keep living.." threatened one of the emails, reported Times Now. France has banned Telegram messaging app CEO Pavel Durov from leaving the country as the French authorities charged him in an investigation linked to organised crime on his messaging app. Russian-born Pavel Durov was arrested on Saturday, August 24, at Le Bourget airport outside Paris as part of the investigation into organised crime and released earlier Wednesday, August 28, after four days of questioning. On Wednesday, French law enforcement agencies filed preliminary charges in connection with the probe, and investigative judges ordered Pavel Durov to pay 5 million euros ( 46,71,01,043) bail before being let off. The French judge also ordered the tech mogul to report to a police station twice a week. What do preliminary charges mean? According to the news agency AP, preliminary charges under French law mean that magistrates have a strong reason to believe that a crime was committed. However, before sentencing the accused, they allow more time for further investigation. What are the charges against Pavel Durov? The authorities believe that the Telegram app was being used for child sexual abuse and drug trafficking. It is also alleged that Telegram had refused to share information or documents with investigators when required by law. The first preliminary charge against him was complicity in managing an online platform to allow illicit transactions by an organised group. According to CNN, Pavel Durov is under investigation for several suspected offences tied to criminal activity on the messaging app, including aiding illegal gang transactions, laundering in an organised crime group, and withholding information from authorities, according to a statement from the French prosecutor. Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of Telegram, is currently based in Dubai. He became a naturalised French citizen in August 2021. Pavel Durov, the founder of the VKontakte social network, left Russia in 2014 after he refused to share VKontakte users' data with Russian security services. Later, Russia unsuccessfully attempted to block Telegram because of its refusal to provide users' online communications to security services. Top news today: On 29 August, a series of events are set to take place right from politics to business. Stock market today: Sensex, Nifty 50 hit record highs led by Reliance, Tata Motors, ITC; mid, smallcaps falter Indian stock market benchmarks, the Sensex and the Nifty 50, hit their fresh record highs on Thursday, August 29, led by select index heavyweights, including Reliance Industries, Tata Motors and ITC. Major European markets were up with decent gains when the Sensex closed. Read more Reliance Industries AGM 2024: RIL to consider bonus shares, Jio-AI cloud to issue 100 GB free storage; 5 key highlights Billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) conducted its 47th annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday, August 29. At the meeting, the oil-to-telecom conglomerate announced several projects as part of its digital and artificial intelligence (AI)-led future growth plans and key corporate actions, such as a bonus issue of shares slated for the near term. Read more LIC gets GST demand penalty notice of 605.5 crore for FY20 Life Insurance Corp (LIC) of India received a goods and services (GST) demand penalty order of 605.5 crore for fiscal 2019-20 (FY20). Read more Rise of new India is an absolute certainty: Mukesh Ambanis top 10 quotes from Reliance AGM 2024 Reliance Industries Ltd's (RIL) Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani addressed the shareholders at the company's annual general meeting (AMG) on Thursday, August 29. Ambani discussed the company's growth prospects, areas of focus, and the opportunity the conglomerate brings to fuel India's growth story in uncertain times. Read more UKs University of Southampton becomes first foreign varsity to set up India campus under NEP The UK's University of Southampton will be setting-up India campus in Delhi-NCR, becomes the first foreign university to set up campus in the country under new National Education Policy A Letter of Intent (LoI) issued to the University of Southampton (UoS) was handed over by the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in an event held in New Delhi. Read more Smriti Irani examines how Rahul Gandhis political strategy has changed: When he wears white T-shirt, talks caste Former Union minister Smriti Irani noted that there is a sharp change in Rahul Gandhi's politics. It may come across as good, bad, or childish, but it is part of his strategy. In a podcast interview, Irani said, When he (Rahul Gandhi) talks about caste, when he wears a white T-shirt in Parliament, he's aware of what kind of message it sends to the youth. Read more Shipping Corporation of India receives 160 crore GST demand notice for FY2020 Shipping Corporation of India received a 160 crore GST demand notice from the Deputy Commissioner of State Tax, Government of Maharashtra, for the financial year 2019-20, according to the company's filing in the BSE. The GST order stated that the company owes the taxation body 1,60,37,35,973 or 160 crore, which includes tax component, plus interest, plus penalty, as per the release. Read more Actor Sahiba Bali has drawn sharp criticism for her remarks on how people of Bengaluru speak English. She made this comment on the 'Untriggered' podcast with Amin Jazayeri. This remark, however, left the city and its people irked. In India, everywhere you go, it is different English," the Laila Majnu actress said giving an example of how very different Bangalore English is. You are worried, it seems, she said giving an example to support her comment. Here is what she said: The post has garnered over 8.6 million views and has become incredibly viral. This also led to a slew of reactions from the audience. Also Read | Viral Video: College professor steals the show with Bollywood dance How did the netizens react? Really we speak way better English than you'll, commented a Bengaluru user. Why do North Indians even come here? another added. One user also took a dig at Sahiba's English and asked if she thinks she has a British accent. Unlike some people who know only Hindi and a bit of English, we can speak more languages . What ya you think you have British accent ah, the comment read. Also Read | Viral Video: Men in cars try to block women in scooter at night Gosh! Who even made these people a jury to give a verdict by watching a bunch of people in Bangalore? It's the IT capital of the country, and I dont think Bangalore would have operated for long with on-site projects if this was everyones accent. This lame generalisation shows she knows nothing except being lame. PS - stop adding ki and woh in your Oxford-based English, wrote another user. Being a Bangalorean, I can with certainty tell you that we dont speak this way. I wonder whom they spoke to? Please dont generalise things. Its become cool to speak about accents of languages that need to stop, added another. Also Read | Passenger gets his khaini ready before boarding flight, video goes viral However, some defended the actor, stating that she was not mocking the way English is spoken in the city. A new edition of Prince Harrys Spare will be out soon. There are speculations that the Duke of Sussex will include more recent events in the new edition. But, as of now, one thing has come out that is likely to leave the Royal Family relieved. Harry does not intend to participate in interviews to promote the paperback version of his controversial memoir. Penguin Random House, his publisher, mentioned that this less expensive edition would be released in October. Also Read | Like Harry, Meghan feels people are unfairly picking on her Reports suggest that it is just the paperback version of the hardback book, with no changes or additions in the text. The hardback edition of Harry's controversial memoir became a record-breaking bestseller in the UK, selling over 700,000 copies and ranking as the country's top-selling book of the year Harry doesn't plan to give any interviews to promote the paperback edition, a source told the Daily Mail. Also Read | King Charles wants Harry back no matter what Meghan wishes Reports suggest that it is just the paperback version of the hardback book, with no changes or additions in the text. The hardback edition of Harry's controversial memoir became a record-breaking bestseller in the UK, selling over 700,000 copies and ranking as the country's top-selling book of the year Harry doesn't plan to give any interviews to promote the paperback edition, a source told the Daily Mail. When Harry signed the book deal, it included a paperback version. However, he isnt required to promote it, the source added. The paperback release was delayed because the hardback edition continued to sell strongly. The Royal Family likely feels relieved after facing numerous revealing interviews with Prince Harry during the promotion of his book's hardback edition in January. In one interview with Tom Bradby on ITV News, Harry accused his family of compromising with the Press and implied that his father had not been prepared for fatherhood. Harry-William reunion? Meanwhile, Harry plans to travel to New York during the UN General Assembly High-level Week and Climate Week in late September. The Dukes trip coincides with his brothers. Also Read | Reunion of William and Harry? Estranged brothers to visit New York A 4-year-old toddler unintentionally broke a very old jar from the Bronze Age at an archaeology museum in Haifa, Israel. The jar, estimated to be about 3,500 years old, was displayed openly near the entrance without any protective covering. The Hecht Museum, in a statement, explained to CNN that some items are displayed without glass cases to make them more accessible. The practice is based on the vision of its founder, Reuben Hecht. The museum has said it will continue to continue this tradition even after what happened. The museum believes there is a special charm in experiencing an archaeological find without any obstructions, the statement said. The museum suggests that the jar is from around 2200 to 1500 BC, a time well before King David and Solomon's eras of ancient Israel and Judah in the 10th century BC. This vessel was likely used to hold and move liquids such as wine or olive oil. The museum noted in its statement to CNN that, while similar items have been found by archaeologists before, they were often found damaged or in pieces. The museum said that discovering this particular artefact fully intact had been remarkable. Also Read | NASA scientists find unusual Space structures in unexpected places Alex, the boy's father, mentioned that his son had lightly tugged on the jar out of curiosity, which led to it falling and breaking. Initially, Alex was stunned when he saw his son near the broken jar, thinking it couldn't have been his childs doing. After settling the boy, Alex explained the situation to the security guard, according to his statement to the BBC. "There are instances where display items are intentionally damaged, and such cases are treated with great severity, including involving the police. In this case, however, this was not the situation. The jar was accidentally damaged by a young child visiting the museum, and the response will be accordingly," Lihi Laszlo from the museum told the BBC. Museums action against the family A conservation expert has been hired to repair the jar, which should be back in place soon. Alex mentioned that it would be a relief when the jar is fixed, although he expressed regret that it wouldn't be the same. Also Read | Water on Moon: Chinese scientists make groundbreaking discovery The troubled ties between Meghan Markle-Prince Harry and the Royals are not a hidden affair. Sadly, the situation is the same for the Suits-actress as she doesn't talk to her father or any other member of her family any more. The Suits' actress's troubled ties with her parents came to limelight, when the Duke of Sussex, described the Royal Family as Meghan Markle's family she never had, reported the Mirror citing his interview with BBC Radio 4. Also Read | Kate Middleton is not what Meghan Markle claimed: Royal biographer Meghan Markle's family members immediately responded to Prince Harry's remark and tried to cover up his comments. Meghan Markle's brother Thomas Markle Jr., slammed the comment and said that she had a really good family and has got everything she ever wanted. Meghan Markle's stepmother comments on family feud Meghan Markle's stepmother, Roslyn Markle, who was married to her father in the 1960s, shared her perspective on the reason behind Meghan Markle's distance from her family. Also Read | Like Harry, Meghan feels people are unfairly picking on her It's not tension. It's distance, The Mirror quoted Roslyn from her interview with Radar Online. When Meghan graduated from high school, she went to Northwestern which is up in Illinois. And when she finished that, she worked in Argentina. Then she started Suits and she started her acting career. It was the scenario that everyone got busy, and the distance was always a factor, she added. Roslyn draws flak for her comment Roslyn's comments met with severe criticism from Meghan Markle's estranged sister Samantha Markle. In a series of posts on social media, Samantha dismissed Rosyln's comment. Earlier, she had claimed that her sister Meghan had a "large family" who was "always there for her", dismissed Rosyln's claims on social media. In her social media post, Samantha said that Roslyn was no relation of Meghan and claimed that she came into the family years after Meghan separated from the family. The Delhi High Court on Thursday, August 29, criticised former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Brij Bhushan Singh for filing a plea to quash trial court proceedings related to the sexual harassment case filed against him by women wrestlers after the trial had already begun. The court also refused to quash all FIRs and proceedings against him in the sexual harassment case lodged by six women wrestlers. There cant be an omnibus order on everything. If you wanted to challenge everything, you should have done[before the trial had commenced]. Once the trial has commenced and charges have been framedthis is nothing but an oblique way. the judge said to Brij Bhushans lawyer. Advocate Rajeev Mohan, representing Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, had argued that the FIR and subsequent proceedings against the ex-WFI chief are motivated by a hidden agenda. He claimed that the actions against Brij Bhushan Singh are not justifiable and seek to undermine him. In the petition, Brij Bhushan claimed that the investigation was done in a biased manner as only the version of the victims, who were interested in taking revenge against him, was considered and the charge sheet was filed before the trial court without taking care of the falsehood of allegation. Last week, the trial court recorded the statement of one of the complainant women wrestlers in a vulnerable witness room. The court also recently directed the city police to promptly reinstate security for a female wrestler who accused former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment. On May 21, the trial court had framed charges of sexual harassment, intimidation and outraging the modesty of women. The court had also framed the charge of criminal intimidation against co-accused and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the case. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has shot off a warning to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over protests and rallies linked to the Kolkata doctor rape case. A 31-year-old trainee doctor of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital was allegedly gangraped and murdered inside the seminar hall of the facility in the early hours of August 9, triggering massive protests across the country. A recent protest rally to Nabanna Abhijan, which houses State Secretariat of the West Bengal government, in Kolkata turned violent where protesters and security forces clashed. Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the swelling crowd. Police uses water cannon during March towards State Secretariat, Nabanna called by Paschimbanga Chhatrasamaz A day later, Mamata Banerjee claimed that PM Narendra Modi was using his party, the BJP, to cause fire in Bengal over the rape and murder of the trainee doctor, while warning him that if you burn Bengal, other states including Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Delhi too shall burn and your chair will be toppled. If you burn Bengal, Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn! We will topple your chair - Mamata Banerjee Speaking at a public function in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee said, Some people think this is Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh; they speak like us and share our culture. But remember, Bangladesh is a separate country, and India is a separate country. Modi Babu is using his party to cause fire here." If you burn Bengal, Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn! We will topple your chair, she said, trigerring sharp responses from chief ministers of the BJP-ruled states and senior leaders. HOW DID BJP REACT TO MAMATA BANERJEE'S WARNING? Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sharma hit back at Mamata Banerjee saying, Didi, how dare you threaten Assam? Don't show us red eyes. Don't even try to burn India with your politics of failure. It does not suit you to speak divisive language. Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika condemned if Bengal burns so will Assam remarks, saying Mamata Banerjee cannot bully us. She can't bully, she can't threaten us. She can't control law and order in her state and is threatening us. It will not happen in Assam, I am assuring you. I would like to request Mamata Banerjee, she is a very senior leader and a long-time CM, she should know how to speak in public. I seriously condemn it, he said. Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, Shafiqur Rahman, has highlighted the need to enhance relations with India during a meeting with representatives from the Indian Media Correspondents Association Bangladesh (IMCAB). We are mutual neighbours. Neighbours cannot be changed at will, and this is something that neither of us can deny, Dr Shafiqur was quoted as saying by Daily Manab Zamin, a leading Bangladeshi tabloid, when asked about the current state of India-Bangladesh relations. Rahman reflected on the Jamaat's historical relations with India, noting that while relations had cooled during Sheikh Hasina's tenure over the last 15 and a half years, there remains potential for improvement, newswire ANI reported. It's not that the relationship was non-existent, but we hope for a more positive relationship moving forward. We are open-minded in this regard, and we hope India will be as well, he added. Responding to questions about India's relations with Bangladesh, Dr Shafiqur stated, "Cooperation should be the priority. That is our desire." He also emphasised that Jamaat does not intentionally criticize India or any other country. During the meeting, Dr Rahman said Jamaat-e-Islami is committed to peace and democracy, asserting that the party has never been involved in destructive activities. If it is proven that any of our members have engaged in terrorism, we will apologise to the nation and ensure they face the law, he affirmed. In a media statement, Jamaat-e-Islami reiterated its commitment to protecting the homes, resources, and places of worship of all religious communities in Bangladesh. The statement highlighted the Jamaat's belief in equal rights for all citizens, regardless of religion or majority status. The statement continued, We want to restore peace and order in the country as soon as possible. Addressing recent protests at the Indian visa centre in Dhaka, Dr Rahman disapproved of the actions, urging respect for all involved. He reiterated Jamaat-e-Islami's commitment to maintaining strong ties with India, stating, We view India as a close neighbour and believe in the importance of good relations with those who live near us. Jamaat-e-Islami history The Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) was founded in India in 1941 by Abul Aala Maududi, a thinker from Hyderabad, after becoming disillusioned with the Indian National Congress for its prioritization of the Hindu Mahasabha faction. The Jamaat opposed Bangladesh's 1971 independence from Pakistan and sided with the Pakistani troops during the Liberation War. However, the subsequent military government led by General Ziaur Rahman revoked the ban by issuing a martial law proclamation. This allowed Jamaat to refloat and years later became a crucial partner of the then-prime minister Khaleda Zias 2001-2006 four-party alliance government. Two senior Jamaat leaders were inducted into her cabinet. In the 2008 Bangladesh elections, the Awami League campaigned on a platform promising to put JeI leaders accused of collaborating with the Pakistani army in 1971 on trial. After winning, Sheikh Hasina fulfilled this promise, leading to the imprisonment and death sentences of several JeI members from the 1970s. By 2013, JeI was banned from participating in politics, a move supported by widespread public protests. BELGRADE, Serbia Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday announced a $3 billion deal to buy 12 French warplanes, in a move that shifts his country away from its dependence on Russian arms. The announcement was made during a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was on a two-day visit to Serbia. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. s earlier story follows below. BELGRADE, Serbia French President Emmanuel Macron starts a two-day state visit to Serbia on Thursday with the focus on the possible sale of 12 Rafale multi-purpose fighter jets to the country, which has maintained close ties to Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine. Macron is to meet populist President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade on Thursday evening, when the deal reportedly worth 3 billion euros is expected to be announced. An official in Macrons office, who was not authorized to be identified according to French presidential policy, said the warplane talks are part of larger strategy of bringing Serbia closer to the EU. Serbia needs to upgrade its fleet and the Rafale is a strategic choice for Belgrade, which could choose to rely only on Russian equipment instead, the official said. Serbia is formally seeking European Union membership, but under Vucics increasingly autocratic rule it has made little progress in the fields of rule of law and democratic reforms, which are the main preconditions for membership in the 27-nation bloc. In a letter to the Serbian public published in the local media on Thursday, Macron sought to encourage the Balkan nation to pursue its EU future but noted that the perspective of joining the European Union does not seem to be as attractive as it should. He cited concerns and fatigue over the rhythm of accession talks but also sometimes a sort of resentment, even mistrust of the EU. I come here to Serbia again today with a simple message: The European Union and its nations need to have a strong and democratic Serbia in their ranks, and Serbia needs a strong and sovereign European Union to defend and promote its interests with respect of its identity, Macron said in the letter, published in the liberal Danas newspaper. Macron also warned that after Russia attacked Ukraine, Serbias balancing game between the world powers is an illusion. He said Serbia will only be able to protect its interests and preserve its identity as part of the EU. Serbia has been considering the purchase of the new Rafale jets for more than two years, since neighboring Balkan rival Croatia purchased 12 used fighter jets of the same type for about 1 billion euros . The potential acquisition of Rafale jets would allow Serbia to modernize its air force, which consists mainly of Soviet-made MiG-29 fighters and aging Yugoslav combat aircraft. Russia has been a traditional supplier of military aircraft, including combat helicopters, to Serbia, which has refused to join international sanctions against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. The rapid arming by the Serbian military has worried some of its neighbors following the bloody breakup of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. Serbia is almost completely surrounded by NATO member countries. Selling Rafales to Russian ally Serbia, which has occasionally expressed an aggressive stance toward its Balkan neighbors, has raised some concerns, one of which is how France plans to prevent sophisticated Rafale technology from being shared with Russia. Asked if there would be a clause restricting the use of the Rafales, the French official said in any contract there are clauses that set a framework for the use of such material." Macron's talks with Vucic will include simmering tensions in the Balkans, especially in the former Serbian province of Kosovo which declared independence in 2008. Macrons itinerary also includes a visit to a museum and an economic forum on artificial intelligence in the northern town of Novi Sad on Friday. Also on the agenda is a possible agreement with French energy provider EDF on cooperation in the field of nuclear power plant technology. - writers Angela Charlton in Paris and Jovana Gec in Belgrade contributed to this story. By David Ljunggren OTTAWA, - Before Canada said this week it was imposing a 100% duty on Chinese-made electric vehicles, Tesla approached Ottawa and asked for a lower tariff on its autos, a Canadian government source said on Wednesday. Canada, following the lead of the United States, said on Monday it was setting the tariff for all Chinese-made vehicles sold in the country because of what it called China's intentional, state-directed policy of over-capacity. The duties - effective Oct. 1 - apply to all EVs shipped from China, including those made by Tesla. In June, Ottawa had flagged its intention to impose duties. The source, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation, said Tesla approached Canada before the official announcement. The automaker asked for a rate similar to what it received in the European Union, the source said. Tesla does not disclose its Chinese exports to Canada. However, vehicle-identification codes showed that the Model 3 compact sedan and Model Y crossover models were being exported from Shanghai to Canada. The EU softened its stance on Tesla this month when it imposed a 9% tariff on cars the company made in China, compared to a 36.3% rate it slapped on other Chinese EV imports. While the EU only considered direct subsidy costs when calculating its tariff for Tesla, the United States and Canada looked at subsidies, industrial over-capacity, non-market policies as well as environmental and labor standards, the source said. Tesla has not contacted Ottawa since Monday, the source said. Tesla was not immediately available for comment. The office of Canada's Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, who has overall responsibility for tariffs, declined to address talks with Tesla. Canadian imports of automobiles from China to its largest port, Vancouver, jumped 460% year over year to 44,356 in 2023, when Tesla started shipping Shanghai-made EVs to Canada. U.S. President Joe Biden in May announced a quadrupling of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to 100%, a doubling of duties on semiconductors and solar cells to 50%, as well as new 25% tariffs on lithium-ion batteries and other strategic goods. Tesla has never shipped China-made models to the U.S. market, according to a company letter in July 2023 to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Implementation of the U.S. tariffs has been delayed until September and there is a possibility planned duties might be softened this week. Volvo Cars said it was looking into the effects that the increased tariffs in Canada would have. The Swedish carmaker said it imported EX30, XC60 and a limited number of S90s models from China to Canada, but did not disclose specific numbers. Swedish EV maker Polestar, partly owned by Volvo Cars and China's Geely, ships the Polestar 2 from China to Canada. The company said it was reviewing the Canadian tariff's impact. Over the course of human history, some technologies have had a more profound impact than others. Arguably, fire was the first technology tamed by humans, which then led to agriculture, the printing press, electricity, computing, the internet and so on. These technologies are sometimes referred to as GPTs, which is not short for the generative pre-trained transformer of ChatGPT, but for general purpose technologies. Most GPTs not only impact businesses and the economy, they also reshape societies, politics and geopolitics, and often humanity itself. Arguably, artificial intelligence (AI) is also a GPT that could have a similar impact. Also read: This smallcap company is riding the AI wave to become the best IT stock of 2024 While the astonishing creative and conversational abilities of GenAI bots like ChatGPT and its ilk have made waves across the world, I believe that the impact of AI will be far more profound than we can imagine from its current uses. Here are seven significant ways in which AI will reshape our lives: AI is the new UI: Microsoft founder Bill Gates, while talking about how we can harness the power of machines, spoke of how each successive change in the user interface (UI) of computers brought about a leap forward in human productivity. The graphical user interface (GUI), for example, completely changed how we could leverage computing, followed by the browser, the search bar, and, finally, apps. With AI, and Generative AI in particular, our natural voice will become the new UI, and we will work with machines in the same collaborative, natural and human way that we work with a human co-worker. Agents are the new platform: Gates, again, described how dumb apps will be replaced by agents who could perform tasks on our behalf. A travel itinerary today involves interacting with several apps and websites, coordinating schedules and preferences, and finally coming up with an itinerary. In the near future, agents would know our habits and preferences, construct itineraries and then book tickets and hotel rooms on our behalf. Agentic systems are among the most exciting fields in AI. Proto-agents, like the GPT Store of ChatGPT, have already started appearing. I believe that the demise of app stores is nigh as agents replace apps. SaaS is the new SaaS: Software-as-a-service will get replaced by service-as-a-software. A seminal Foundation Capital paper (bit.ly/473ByVO) introduced this. To paraphrase: Today, a SaaS company like QuickBooks sells access to its tool for tax services, but customers are still responsible for using that tool to achieve the desired outcome. In the reverse SaaS business, the responsibility for achieving this outcome resides with the company selling the service. So, instead of QuickBooks, you offer an AI accountant that will do your tax workin this case, conducted by an AI accountant. This service will become an AI software. According to Foundation Capital, this is a $4.6 trillion opportunity. English is the new language for coding: Gartner says that AI is more than just a technology, it is a profound shift in how humans and machines interact. With GenAI, we can instruct computers to build something using our own natural language, whether it is English, Hindi or any other. The prompts that we write are nothing short of proto-code. But instead of our having to learn the language of machines, the machine needs to understand ours. This could lead to a huge productivity revolution as coding becomes democratized. With AI, potentially everyone becomes a software engineer. AI will shape the new phone: AI-infused communication devices are already available, with experiments like Rabbit R1 and AI Pin precursors to the future. However, I believe that the AI phone will be very different from the iPhone of today. The user interface will be voice rather than touch, todays apps will be replaced by agents, and the iOS/Android operating system (OS) will be replaced by a large language model OS. A startup building this could turn out to be the new Apple Inc, or an incumbent like Apple could create such an OS to pre-empt the risk of its overthrow by a new AI challenger. The CHRO is the new CIO: This is a rather controversial statement, one that will not endear me to my chief information officer friends. However, I believe that GenAI is a democratic technology and will aid businesses if every employee becomes an AI user. For that, leaders will need to set a new culture that fosters experimentation with GenAI and AI literacy among employees. The responsibility for this will rest squarely with the chief human resources officer. The new human will incorporate AI: Yuval Noah Harari talks about how Homo sapiens would evolve to become super-humans, thanks to AI and biotechnology advances, a species he calls Homo Deus. Deus literally means God, hinting at our divinity-like future. It is a provocative concept, although Elon Musk seems to be a fan of the idea, with his Neuralink project working to integrate AI and machines with human brains. Thus, AI and GenAI will offer much more than what todays chatbots do and will soon become a general purpose technology that could shape the future of our species and our planet. Therefore, I believe that the concept of literacy will go beyond knowing language and arithmetic to getting as familiar and proficient with AI as possible. We will all need to become AI literate. The outbreak of covid in 2020 sparked a global war against a deadly new virus. Away from the spotlight, it also triggered a grand domestic battle between advocates of allopathy and Ayurveda. The trigger was Patanjali Ayurveds quick launch of Coronil, a purported cure for corona that drew public attention to dodgy claims and protests from allopathic doctors. A war of words erupted over various other therapies. In 2022, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) sought to put Patanjali and its founder Ramdev, a famous yoga guru, in the legal dock for running a smear campaign against allopathy. The Supreme Court extracted a public apology from them, and on Tuesday, the bench hearing the case ordered IMA chief R.V. Asokan to widely publish a note of contrition over his criticism of the court for asking allopaths to curb their own ethical failings. Both sides have now been pulled up and given an earful by the judiciary. The courts action of policy significance, however, was the stay imposed on a July notification issued by the Ayush ministry that wouldin effecthave lifted Indias ban on misleading advertisements of Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani drugs. By foiling that attempt, Indias apex court has upheld the cause of public health. On 27 August, the top court held that Rule 170 of Indias Drugs and Cosmetic Rules, 1945, which prohibits ads that may mislead people on the therapeutic value of medicines under those systems, shall remain on statute books." In August 2023, acting on the advice of a panel, the Ayush ministry had sent out a letter to all states and Union territories asking them not to implement the ban. In response, the Supreme Court asked for that letter to be withdrawn, which the ministry didbut only to issue a formal notice last month that omitted" Rule 170. This led the bench to squarely reinstate it, while asking the ministry to explain the omission. What the ministry has to say is awaited, but the rationaleof the rule in question need not arouse a needless controversy. Its purpose is clear. As a basic policy, India must allow and honour traditional systems of medicine. Patients and caregivers need the liberty of choice. But we must accept the fallout of a key difference between allopathy and Ayurveda. While allopathic drugs undergo rigorous clinical tests of safety and efficacy before theyre approved for use, Ayurvedic formulations are subject to softer regulation aimed at ensuring they follow classical texts and are safe, even though their makers could conduct trials of their own to show how useful they are. Today, modern pills with proven track records on specific uses dominate the popular notion of medicine to such an extent that their halo effect rubs off on all other products sold as medicinal, including herbal remedies that lack trial data on efficacy. Since the distinction is not easy to discern, many people in need of healthcare might simply go by what packages and ad spiels say. Hence, unless we can screen traditional offerings for reliability, with trials kept transparent for others to check and corroborate results, we need measures in place to shield people from curative overhype. In other words, a strict advertising code for Ayurveda is a must. When the Ayush ministry was set up in late 2014, doctors had hoped it would put Ayurvedic products to scientific tests and filter out dubious stuff on sale, not just act as an agency for their promotion. Today, the least it can do is not let lax oversight of market practices get in the way of better health for all. The recent arrest of Telegram founder and Chief Executive Officer Pavel Durov near Paris has sent shockwaves through the tech world. Elon Musk called on France to free Pavel" to avert a threat to democracy; Paul Graham, the co-founder of leading Silicon Valley accelerator Y Combinator, suggested it would hurt the countrys chances of being a major startup hub." Yet, while some are citing a French-led assault on free speech and innovation, the reality is more nuanced. Durovs detention is not a shocking act of government overreach, but the culmination of years of tension between his ultra-lax approach to oversight and growing concern about Telegrams role in enabling criminal activity. The charges are extensive and serious, covering Telegrams complicity in the distribution of child sexual-abuse material (CSAM), drug trafficking and money laundering. While the likes of Meta Platforms, TikTok and Alphabets YouTube have much stricter bans on such activities, Durovs arrest should be taken as a sign that the no consequences" era for social media is fading as governments push to make companies more accountable for what happens on their apps. Telegram is one of the worlds biggest social media platforms, with an estimated 900 million monthly users, many of whom follow popular channels that broadcast content to thousands of people. Its also unique in its approach to overseeing all that activity: It doesnt. While its peers invest heavily in content moderation and cooperate with law enforcement, Telegram has a minimal-intervention policy that has contributed to its low operational costs. Durov once told the Financial Times that each Telegram user cost the company just 70 cents a year to support. His platform has been linked to the spread of conspiracy theory groups, CSAM and terrorism, with ISIS having reportedly used the app as a communication hub for nearly a decade. Such groups dont just use the app for alleged secrecy, but for its anything goes" approach to moderation. During the recent UK riots, calls to violence proliferated on the platform even though they broke the apps rules. One such post was only taken down after I contacted the app about it. Despite all this, Telegram has proudly maintained a stance of non-cooperation. Also read: Telegram founder was wooed and targeted by governments In its FAQs, the company states to this day, we have disclosed 0 bytes of user data to third parties, including governments." Now, in response to the arrest, Telegram has said its absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform. Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Actits moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving." But its far from absurd for a company to be held accountable for criminal activity on its platform. Telegram is in this position because of its choice to avoid content moderationand not because of an encroaching effort by a government to conduct surveillance on its supposedly secret chats. Cryptography experts have long pointed out that Telegram is not fully end-to-end encrypted. Most chats on the app use client-server encryption, meaning Telegram could access message contents if it chose to (and much of the content on the platform is on public channels anyway). The companys Secret Chats feature does offer end-to-end encryption, but thats not the default and it isnt always used for regular communication. In essence, Telegram has created an illusion of total privacy while retaining the technical means to monitor contenta capability it chooses not to use. Frances move against Durov marks a reckoning for that choice, and the involvement of specialized units such as the Centre for the Fight against Cybercrime (C3N) and Anti-Fraud National Office (ONAF) highlight the gravity of his apps alleged offences. Musk and other critics may argue that his arrest threatens free speech, but Telegrams hands-off approach to much of the activity on its platform doesnt grant it freedom from consequences. The digital world requires as much governance as the physical one, and when a platform becomes a tool for widespread criminal activity, turning a blind eye isnt a defence of liberty, but a dereliction of duty. One lesson the tech industry can glean from this weeks developments is that social media giants can no longer expect to keep operating in a regulatory vacuum. Europe is on track to take a harsher line on harms that occur on social media with laws like the Digital Services Act and Britains Online Safety Act coming into force in the next year or so. The charges brought by the French prosecutors arent connected to the new EU law, but they are part of a broader shift in aggression. Techs leading players are not as untouchable as they thought they were. bloomberg DHAKA, BangladeshAs murmurs of discontent rippled through Bangladeshs army after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina deployed troops to help subdue intensifying protests, the countrys new army chief convened an internal town hall. At the meeting on Aug. 3, Gen. Waker-Uz-Zaman defended the army deployment, but also called on junior officers to speak their mind, according to people with knowledge of the gathering. One after another, officers ranking from major to colonel spoke against the use of force, an infantry major who was present said. The meeting ended with Waker declaring that the army would stand by the people of Bangladesh, according to a statement from the armed forces. Two days after the meeting, Waker appeared on television to announce that the prime minister had resigned and had left the country. A younger generation of officers that tracked the protesters and public sentiment on social media played a crucial role in persuading the top rungs of the army to pull support for Hasinas government, said Maj. Gen. Nayeem Ashfaque Chowdhury, a retired officer who has held senior posts in the Bangladeshi army. Waker is married to a cousin of Hasina, and was initially seen as a confidant of the autocratic leader. View Full Image Muhammad Yunus became the leader of Bangladesh after student protests rocked the country and the prime minister was forced to resign. Photo: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters As the crisis dragged on, there was soul-searching within the Bangladesh army," Chowdhury said. The army chief saw the unprecedented unity among the people, understood Hasinas unpopularity among the midranking officers and was aware of international condemnation of the use of excessive force against unarmed protesters." The army has since closely coordinated with student protest leaders and thrown its support behind Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, the students choice to lead the interim government. The high level of sympathy for the protesters among younger army officers, as well as international pressure, means the army is likely to prefer to maneuver behind-the-scenes, rather than seek to govern directly, say political experts. Protests erupted in Bangladesh in July over a court ruling that reinstated an unpopular quota system for government jobs, in high demand in a country where the youth unemployment rate is in the double digits. As the government cracked down harshly on demonstrators, the protests grew into a broader uprising against Hasina, who had ruled since 2009. More than 500 people were killed after the demonstrations intensified in mid-July. Waker was opposed to shedding blood to prop up the regime," Chowdhury said. By Aug. 4, he was secretly trying to convince Hasina to step down, citing threats to her own safety." Waker was in a tricky position, Chowdhury added, because some senior army officials were close to Hasina. The army chief has since sidelined some officials from top roles and fired one officer seen as particularly close to Hasina. It is unclear how long the armys current hands-off stance will hold. Yunuss government is facing significant challenges and law and order remains fragile, with police and many government agencies in disarray. On Aug. 25, the army intervened to maintain security around the Secretariat complex, where government ministries are housed, after students clashed with members of an auxiliary security force demanding a pay raise and job security. Zahed Ur Rahman, a political analyst in Dhaka, said the army has now taken a back seat and is allowing the student-backed interim government to run things, but may soon find it needs to get more closely involved in the detail of governance. We cannot expect the students to provide security or deliver services that are the states responsibility," he said. If the security situation deteriorates, the army may be forced to play a more hands-on role." View Full Image A soldier outside the Bangladeshi prime ministers office. Photo: Piyas Biswas/SOPA Images/ZUMA Press Chowdhury and others said the army decided not to take power on its own because it understood doing so wouldnt be well received at home or abroad. The pragmatic decision was taken not to declare martial law," he said. Yunus is widely respected globally and the army is likely to be eager to use the chance to repair diplomatic rifts with the U.S. that emerged under Hasina by supporting his government. Although many Bangladeshis regard the army as one of the few institutions to retain some degree of independence during Hasinas 15 years of continuous rule, critics say the forces senior leadership had been steadily politicized over the past decade. The U.S. this year blacklisted Gen. Aziz Ahmed, a former army chief, for alleged corruption. The general has denied any wrongdoing. In 2021, the U.S. also blacklisted the countrys Rapid Action Battalion, a law-enforcement unit that includes army officers, citing involvement in serious rights abuses, including cases of enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killings. The Bangladesh Police Association, which represents police officers, said at the time that the sanctions were unwarranted." The interim government on Tuesday formed a five-member inquiry commission, headed by a retired high court judge, to investigate allegations of enforced disappearances and killings during the Hasina administration. Inter Services Public Relations, the armed forces press wing, told The Wall Street Journal that the army would provide its full support to the commission. Anyone found guilty would be dealt with according to the law, an army spokesman said. Political experts believe the army faced pressure from the United Nations as the crackdown on protests worsened. Bangladesh is one of the biggest contributors of troops to U.N. peacekeeping operations. Deployment as a U.N. peacekeeper remains a lucrative source of income for midranking officers in the Bangladesh army. When some armored personnel carriers marked with U.N. insignia appeared on Dhakas streets in late July, the U.N. secretary-generals office said the body had voiced serious concern" to Bangladesh over the use of such insignia outside of mandated peacekeeping operations. In the days before Hasinas departure, the U.N. also joined human rights groups, the U.S. and the European Union in criticizing the governments use of deadly force to quell the protests. Volker Turk, the U.N. High Commissioner for human rights, called for accountability for human-rights violations, including for those with command responsibility." View Full Image A younger generation of officers in Bangladeshs army played a crucial role in persuading the top rungs of the countrys army to pull support for the government. Photo: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters Bangladeshs retired army officers also called for the armed forces to be withdrawn from the streets. By then, protesters in Dhaka had already started to see a change in the armys posture. Arifur Rahman, a law student in Dhaka who took part in the protests, said the soldiers moved to the main street corners and no longer accompanied the police on patrols. On Aug. 4, the ruling Awami League called on its supporters to resist what it said was a conspiracy against the government. More than a hundred people died after Hasinas supporters clashed with protesters across the country. That night, a young naval officer in full uniform posted a video on Facebook where he pledged to join protesters the next day. Enough is enough," he said, calling on fellow officers in the armed forces to resist." Heavily armed troops were still manning barricades on Aug. 5 as two main groups of protestersconsisting of tens of thousands of peoplemarched toward the prime ministers residence. The columns of students paused and tried to negotiate with the soldiers, waving flags and offering flowers and water. We werent sure the soldiers were on our side, but it seemed like something happened that changed the armys mindset," Rahman, the protester, said. We decided to do a bit of emotional blackmail to remind the soldiers they were sons of the soil." In the early afternoon, the soldiers suddenly stood aside, Rahman and other protesters said. The crowds surged past the barricades and rushed forward. The news was already filtering out that Hasina had fled the country. The Bangladesh army faced a historic decision," said Zahed Ur Rahman, the political analyst. After plenty of uncertainty, they finally came through." Tripti Lahiri contributed to this article. People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said she will not contest the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The former chief minister said she would not be able to fulfil her party's agenda in the union territory set up even if she became the chief minister. "I have been chief minister of a government with the BJP which revoked FIRs against 12,000 persons (in 2016). Can we do that now? I, as the chief minister of a government with (PM) Modi, wrote a letter to separatists inviting them for talks. Can you do that today? I got a ceasefire (implemented). Can you do that today? If you cannot take back an FIR as chief minister, what does one do with such a post?" said Mehbooba on Wednesday. Jammu and Kashmir will vote in three phases beginning September 18. However, Mehbooba's daughter, Iltija Mufti, is making a poll debut by contesting from family stronghold Bijbehara seat in South Kashmir. The PDP president was asked if she has had a change of heart on contesting the polls after vice president of arch-rival National Conference Omar Abdullah made a U-turn on his stand of not participating in the polls till Jammu and Kashmir was a union territory. "Omar himself said that he will have to be at the door of the (lieutenant) governor for transfer of a peon. I am not bothered about the transfer of the peon but can we implement our agenda?" the former chief minister said. Omar Abdullah, who had vowed not to participate in assembly polls until Jammu and Kashmir remained a union territory, was among 32 candidates named by the party on earlier this week. Abdullah will contest polls from NC bastion Ganderbal seat. Omar won the elections from here in 2008. On the alliance between National Conference and Congress for Jammu and Kashmir polls, the PDP president said the two parties have always come together just for the sake of power. Mehbooba said the PDP is fighting for a bigger cause as it is the only party which implements its agenda after coming to power. "In 2002, we said we would repeal POTA and we did it. We said we will open (cross-LoC) routes and we did it. We said we will facilitate talks and we did it with the Hurriyat Conference. We follow our agenda and even today our agenda is that there is an issue which cannot be resolved without addressing it. And restoration of Article 370 is also important for resolution of this issue. In the last assembly election held in 2014, PDP emerged as the single-largest party with 28 seats. The BJP finished second with 25 seats. The PDP, led by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Mehbooba's father, decided to form an unprecedented alliance with the BJP, a party with ideologies poles apart. The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed strong displeasure regarding comments made by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy concerning the court's decision to grant bail to BRS leader K. Kavitha in connection with the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. The Chief Minister had suggested that the court's actions were influenced by consultations with political parties. In response, the apex court sharply questioned, "Do we pass orders after consultations with political parties?". On Reddy's statement about a "deal" between the BJP and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) for securing bail for Kavitha, SC said such commennt might create apprehensions in the minds of people. "Have you read in the newspaper what he said? Just read what he has stated. What sort of statement is this by a responsible chief minister. That might rightly create apprehension in the minds of people. Is this a kind of statement which should be made by a chief minister? A constitutional functionary is speaking in this manner. "Why should they drag court in political rivalry? Do we pass orders after consultations with political parties? We are not bothered by politicians or if anybody criticises our orders. We do our duty as per conscience and oath," a three-judge bench headed by Justice B R Gavai told senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Reddy. Kavitha was granted bail after five months, whereas Manish Sisodia, the former deputy chief minister of Delhi, spent 15 months in jail before receiving bail. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has not yet been granted relief, Reddy said during media interaction. "Its a fact that the BRS supported the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. There are also rumors suggesting that Kavitha's bail was secured due to an arrangement between the BRS and the BJP," he claimed. SC grants bail to BRS leader K Kavita The Supreme Court granted her bail in the alleged 'excise policy case' filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). She walked out of Tihar jail on Tuesday after the court's order. The top court also imposed various conditions against Kavitha, including not tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses in the matter. The top court directed her to furnish a bail bond of 10 lakh each in both CBI and ED cases. Also Read | Delhi excise case: CBI obtains sanction to prosecute CM Arvind Kejriwal The top court also directed her to surrender her passport. The top court noted that Kavitha is behind bars for five months and the trial will take a long time to complete as there are 493 witnesses and many documents. The SC noted that the reliance is on the statements of the co-accused, who have been granted pardon and made an approver. Former Union minister Smriti Irani noted that there is a sharp change in Rahul Gandhi's politics. It may come across as good, bad, or childish, but it is part of his strategy In a podcast interview, Irani said, When he (Rahul Gandhi) talks about caste, when he wears a white T-shirt in Parliament, he's aware of what kind of message it sends to the youth. So we shouldnt be under the misconception about his actions whether you find them good, bad, or childish they are a different kind of politics. Also Read | Watch: Rahul Gandhi shares video of martial arts sessions during Nyay Yatra Rahul Gandhi's soft Hindutva politic failed: Irani Irani also slammed Gandhi for trying to be a part of soft Hindutva politics saying that since it did not work for him, he is now playing the caste card. Rahul Gandhi tried to woo voters of the nation (who are majorly Hindus) by visiting temples, but it did not work for him. So, his public relations manager advised him to use caste as a tool to reach out to the masses and gain political traction. If he had the mindset of a great politician, it would have been evident since the inception of his career. What he is doing now is just a strategy, she adds. On his controversial comment about the Miss India contest, the actor-turned-politician said, He knows that Miss India has nothing to do with forming the government, but he still says things like that on social media. Because it makes the headlines. Smriti Irani and Rahul Gandhi have had a tense and confrontational relationship, marked by frequent political disputes and public exchanges. Their rivalry became particularly intense during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections when Irani contested against Gandhi in Amethi, a constituency long dominated by the Gandhi family. Although Irani did not win in 2014, she achieved a significant victory in the 2019 elections, earning the title of "giant slayer" for defeating Rahul Gandhi. Tristan Mace thought he had pneumonia when he walked into an emergency room in Kansas City on a wintry Friday evening. It felt like someone was sitting on his chest. The healthy young venture capitalist and tech entrepreneur thought he would get a workup, some medicine and be on his way. His pregnant wife waited in the car. But within 20 minutes, Mace was on a ventilator, fighting for his life. His heart was failing. His lungs, liver and kidneys, deprived of blood, were shutting down. Mace needed a heart transplant. His desperate condition catapulted him to the top of the transplant list, and he got a new heart in just over two days. Three years later, Mace is a grateful 34-year-old father of two young boys and back to work as a venture capitalist. He is also leading a push to make the nations troubled organ-transplant system more equitable and efficient. As he began his recovery, Mace and his wife, Jordan Mace, co-founded a nonprofit called Valeos that is building a database to help doctors, researchers and patients better identify who needs a transplant and keep recipients healthy. Nearly 104,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for transplants, mostly for kidneys. At least 17 die every day as they wait. Better connections The transplant system already gathers reams of data, but much resides with organizations whose data sets dont talk to one another, said Tristan Mace. Valeoss goal is to create a repository that automatically records and connects disparate data and makes it available to transplant centers across the nation, as well as researchers and others. Its just in silos right now," said Mace, who created his first company, in website development, at age 14, followed by travel and retail-tech startups in his later teens and early 20s. The nonprofit United Network for Organ Sharing developed and operates a national database under a federal government contract that includes data from transplant centers. The data are limited and adding variables requires several steps, said Dr. Stuart Sweet, Washington University pediatric pulmonologist at St. Louis Childrens Hospital. Health systems caring for transplant recipients capture large amounts of data in electronic health records, but only a subset of it is incorporated into the UNOS database, said Sweet, a former board president of UNOS, who is now a board director at Valeos. Valeoss repository could complement the existing database, he said. The Maces are driven by a deadline and their impatience as tech-industry problem solvers: Tristan wants to see his infant and toddler boys grow up. While his transplant was a success, he has struggled with his health since receiving his new heart. I feel I dont have much time," said Mace, who has been traveling around the country to meet transplant surgeons and potential funders. Meanwhile, he has undergone tests to find the cause of his latest health challenge: an abnormal white-blood-cell count. Valeos, funded by donations and the Maces money, plans to launch its database in early 2025. More than 25 transplant centers, organ-procurement organizations and other entities have committed to share anonymized data on organ preservation, blood testing, dialysis and transportation. Valeos will operate the database, and the entities that supply data will have access to it, Mace said. The nonprofit is building a de-identified data sandbox," Mace said, through a collaboration with Oracle, which has provided 10 engineers and industry experts to help design it and has an executive on Valeoss board. The federal government is undertaking its own revamp of the sprawling organ-transplant system, beset for years with problems including long waiting lists. The Health Resources and Services Administration, which oversees the organ-transplant program, plans to replace sole management of the nations organ-transplant systemthe Organ Procurement and Transplantation Networkwith multiple vendors, as part of a 2023 law. UNOS has run the OPTN solo for nearly four decades. Valeos is building its database separately. A revamp should include collecting more data on patients before they are on a waiting list and how they fare after a transplant, Mace said. Theyre not looking at what immunosuppressant doses are people on? How do you combat rejection? What cancers do they end up with?" Mace said. That data is so critical." HRSA said strengthening data transparency is central to its overhaul and that it is improving pre-waitlist information. UNOS said it has advocated to remove barriers to collecting more complete transplant data. The current national database doesnt require all the information that I would like to gather in order to better understand why one person may not survive on a waitlist," said Dr. Eileen Hsich, medical director for the Cleveland Clinics heart-transplant program. She has met Mace but isnt working with Valeos. A national registry with more robust data would help provide better care and policies, she said. Beating the odds Mace is guided by his experience. Awaiting his transplant in February 2021, he was on a ventilator, a machine that circulated blood through his failing heart and lungs, a heart pump and dialysis. He is among the sickest people Ive ever operated on," said Dr. Matthew Danter, surgical director of cardiac transplantation at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Danter transplanted the heart of a deceased teenage boy into Mace after a first heart wasnt a good match. Mace learned that he had had a heart transplant when he woke up about a week later. He had heard of kidney and liver transplants, but naively, I didnt know that you could have a heart transplant," he said. He and Jordan, who works in marketing technology, decided that night to form a nonprofit to help organ donors and recipients. Its not a community that you expect to be in until youre in it and then youre in it for life, and you want that system to work," said Jordan Mace. Mace spent 48 days in the hospitalhe had to be put on a ventilator again when his damaged lungs couldnt take in enough oxygenand eight months in outpatient rehab. He had to relearn how to speak, swallow and wiggle his toes. Mace has had both hips replaced since then because of side effects of his medications. His gallbladder had to be removed. He takes 23 drugs. Now he has fatigue and nightly chills along with an abnormal white-blood-cell count. He may eventually need another transplant of a heart or another organ. The hardest part perhaps, he said, is that the Maces had to re-establish their relationship. Tristan lost his memory of five years before the transplant after his damaged lungs deprived his brain of oxygen. He no longer remembers getting engaged and married or moving from New York City to Jordans hometown. He hopes Valeos can help him and other patients live longer, healthier lives. I dont know if I will fully see that get realized with the time I have left," he said. But I know what it is capable of doing and doing for other patients." Astronaut Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were sent to NASA's International Space Station aboard a Boeing Starliner space capsule in June this year. Repeated helium leaks and other technical issues forced their week-long spaceflight to be extended for months. The Indian-origin astronaut will now return to Earth in 2025 onboard SpaceX's spacecraft. "Wilmore and Williams will continue their work formally as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew through February 2025. They will fly home aboard a Dragon spacecraft with two other crew members assigned to the agency's SpaceX Crew-9 mission. Starliner is expected to depart from the space station and make a safe, controlled autonomous re-entry and landing in early September," NASA said in a statement. Amid repeated delays in the two astronauts' return spaceflight, there was news of side effects on their health because of their longer-than-expected stay in space. Sunita Williams's family recently reacted to the news of the delay in her spaceflight. Also Read | NASA to give big update on Butch Wilmore, Sunita Williams today Sunita Williams' mother reacts to delay in her spaceflight Bonnie Pandya, mother of Sunita Williams, also known as Suni Williams, recently reacted to the news of her daughter's extended spaceflight. Despite masive coverage of Sunita Williams' spaceflight delays and experts sharing their concerns, Pandya remain unbothered with the development as she see her daughter as a seasoned astronaut who knows what to do. I dont give her any advice. She knows what to do. She is a seasoned astronaut. Shes been up for over 400 days in space, Pandya told NawsNation host Andrew Cuomo in an interview. Sunita Williams's message to mother Pandya also shared her daughter's message with the news outlet. A few days back, while talking with her mother, Sunita Williams told Pandya to not worry and asserted that everything will be fine. Sunita Williams's husband react to her spaceflight delay: It is her Sunita Williams's husband, Michael, reacted to the news of repeated delays from space. In an interview with Wall Street Journal, Michael said, "thats her happy place. A Georgia man has been found guilty of assaulting law enforcement and other charges for his actions at the January 6, 2021 Capitol breach. Michael Bradley, 50, of Forsyth, Georgia, was convicted by US District Judge Reggie B. Walton of several felonies and misdemeanors, including: Civil disorder Assaulting Resisting Impeding certain officers Entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon Engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon. First January 6 rioter to breach US Capitol is sentenced to more than 4 years in prison Prosecutors also say that he called for a civil war in online posts and purchased a rifle in the days before the riot. January 6 rioter no longer faces obstruction charge after Supreme Court ruling, will face trial on other charges (CNN) A former Pennsylvania police officer whose US Capitol riot criminal case landed at t Bradley will be sentenced on December 17. During the trial, evidence was shared that identifies Bradley as the individual who carried a baton and holster on his right hip, entered the US Capitol, moved to the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, and conducted some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement on the day. After swinging two times at officers with the baton, Bradley moved to the side and exited the Lower West Terrace. Police arrested Bradley on September 7, 2023, in Forsyth, Georgia. There have been 43 months since the breach of the Capitol, and more than 1,488 individuals have been charged for conduct related to the event. 550 of those individuals were charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, which is a felony. The investigation continues. If you have any information or tips, you are asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit the FBI website. A Hixson family is preparing to say their final goodbyes to a teen who died in a motorcycle crash last week. Chattanooga police say 19-year-old Jaylen Lindsey was heading north on a motorcycle when he collided with another car and died. Jaylin Lindseys mother says he was two weeks shy of joining the military with hopes of starting a career in mechanical engineering. She says since a child, he loved cars, traveling, and motorcycles. She says losing him so soon is a hard pill for his entire family to swallow. "It's like a nightmare that we are all hoping to wake up from, said Reeshonda Witherow. She says at a young age, he had a passion for cars, but it wasn't until his 9th-grade year she found out he wanted to venture off into other things like ROTC. "He signed himself up. I didn't even know until he was reading off his schedule to me and I said ROTC really, said Witherow. Witherow says Lindsey was the perfect child any parent could ask for. Something his older sister Kionna Witherow-Lindsey agrees with. "We raised him to be how he is, and it feels so good to see all that good we poured into him, and he actually took it outside of us and mimicked how we are as a family, said Kionna. Motorcyclist killed after crash on Highway 153 The man, whose identity has not been released, was going north on a motorcycle when he collided with a 36-year-old woman's Jeep Wrangler turning onto the road. While Jaylen is no longer with them, both his mother and sister say they will carry his bright spirit and even brighter smile in their hearts. They say the outpouring of support from his friends and bike club community on social media is what's keeping them together, and they say if Jaylen was still here this is what he would say to each of them. "Be safe, continue on, and keep going because he was that person to keep going and be the best them they can be, said Lindsey. Funeral arrangements for Lindsey have been set, visitation will be Friday at John P. Franklin's funeral home from 1-5, and his funeral will be Saturday at Orchard Knob Baptist Church at 1:00pm. Oasis have issued a statement squashing rumours that they might play Glastonbury or Electric Picnic as part of their reunion tour. The Britpop band, who split nearly 15 years ago and released their chart-topping album Definitely Maybe around three decades ago, have announced a series of dates which includes two concerts at Croke Park in Dublin next August. The UK and Ireland tour will also visit Manchesters Heaton Park, Londons Wembley Stadium, Edinburghs Murrayfield Stadium and Cardiffs Principality Stadium next summer. However the brothers since announced that these dates won't include any festival appearences next summer. "Despite media speculation, Oasis will not be playing Glastonbury 2025 or any other festivals next year," they said in a statement. A brave bunch of volunteers headed for the summit of Mount Errigal in Donegal on Saturday, August 17 for a sponsored climb, organised by the Lisryan Tidy Village, and in aid of a very worthwhile charity, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland. Brain injury can happen to anyone, at any time. It could be your mother/father. It could be your brother or your sister. It could even be you. ABI Ireland believes every brain injury survivor should have the chance to rebuild their life and live it to the fullest, and they will never stop campaigning to make that belief a reality. Brain injury doesnt just affect the person who acquires it. It impacts the lives of their family, friends and loved ones too, as they come to terms with its physical, psychological and emotional effects. Also read: CAB investigating activities of over 80 'targets' across Longford / Roscommon garda division There is hardly a family in the country that hasnt been touched by acquired brain injury, including through a stroke, road traffic accident, fall, tumour or assault. 52 people in Ireland acquire a brain injury every single day, yet it remains a hidden phenomenon in society. This is all too relevant to families in the Lisryan locality and none more so than the OHara family. Also read: Longford's Laura Pakenham promotes Gaeilge to the nation as she lands her dream job Dave and Orla OHara completed the climb in memory of Daves cousin, Eoghan Doherty, who sadly passed away earlier this year and who had been supported by ABI Ireland throughout a substantial part of his life. Eoghans memory certainly lives on and the Lisryan community and Tidy Village committee are very privileged to be in a position to help in keeping it alive. Caption: Paul and Claire Anderson on Mount Errigal in Donegal The expert teams in ABI Ireland support individuals and families recovering from the impacts of brain injury by offering services and tools that help them live their fullest lives with confidence. They do this by providing a range of expert clinical services and supports specific to the needs of each person with a brain injury, with individually-designed rehabilitation plans that assist them in reaching their goals. They also provide information, training and practical help to those living with an acquired brain injury, as well as their carers and healthcare professionals. PICTURES | Sun beams brightly for entertaining north Longford carnival day Lisryan Tidy Village committee Chairperson Angela Mulligan said, I cannot thank the volunteers enough for their continued commitment and to the community as a whole for their enthusiasm and continued support for all the events we organise throughout the year. That is two mountains climbed so far in aid of charities and watch this space for next years event, or maybe you would like to get involved too. If so, follow our social media platforms or email lisryantidyvillagegroup @gmail.com and join our great team of volunteers. MAIN PHOTO CAPTION: Claire Anderson, Karen Holly, Paul Anderson, Eamon Campbell, Patricia Gettings, Sharon Gettings, Eugene Fitzpatrick, Olive Buckley, Padraig OBrien, Karen Scally, Orla OHara, Aideen Campbell and Dave OHara who took park in the sponsored climb in aid of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland Below: Paul and Claire Anderson on Mount Errigal in Donegal Also read: Longford's ambitious Wolfshead Company of Archers hit target with 5k boost Crime By Chris Boyle Published: August 29 2024 Willem Specht was highly intoxicated when he fatally struck 61-year-old Joseph Devito while reversing his car in the On Parade Diner parking lot in Woodbury. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Wantagh man pleaded guilty today to aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges for fatally striking a man in the parking lot of the On Parade Diner in Woodbury in January 2023. Willem Specht, 63, pleaded guilty before Judge Meryl Berkowitz to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (a B felony), Assault in the Second Degree (a D violent felony), and Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (an unclassified misdemeanor). The defendant is expected to be sentenced to seven to 15 years in prison on September 25, 2024. Willem Specht, a recidivist drunk driver with two prior convictions, was more than two times the legal limit for alcohol when he struck and killed Joseph Devito, who was standing outside the On Parade Diner saying goodbye to his lifelong friend, said DA Donnelly. Joseph was a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a friend to many. His family has endured immeasurable heartbreak because of this defendants reckless and entirely preventable actions. Our thoughts remain with Josephs family as his killer faces accountability for this tragedy. DA Donnelly said that at approximately 2:30 p.m. on January 18, 2023, 61-year-old Joseph Devito was standing on the sidewalk in front of the On Parade Diner, talking to a high school friend. Specht, who was highly intoxicated at the time of the incident, struck Devito after rapidly reversing his car from a parking spot. Specht narrowly avoided striking Mr. Devitos friend as well. Devito suffered catastrophic head injuries and died shortly afterwards at Syosset Hospital. After hitting Devito, the defendant continued to drive his 2004 Infiniti G35 in reverse and drove over another sidewalk, striking a ramp and a metal fence leading into the diner. He continued in reverse and struck the exterior wall of the diner. Specht then drove forward and stopped his car in a parking spot in the direction where he originally came from. He exited his car, stood in the diners parking lot for a short period of time, and then attempted to leave the scene but was stopped by a witness. Specht was arrested shortly thereafter by the Nassau County Police Department. A search warrant for the defendants blood taken at the hospital revealed that his blood alcohol content was 0.18% more than three hours after the incident. GLOBALink | Multinational corporations praise China's achievements in emerging industries Pub Date:24-08-29 09:15 Source:Xinhua Some multinational corporations attending an international summit in China's Qingdao said China has made remarkable achievements in emerging industries, offering great opportunities for businesses around the world. #GLOBALink Editor:Zheng Chen Related News Deepening of reforms opens doors for Gen Z Driverless future? Beijing's Robotaxis are... Guarding greenery on Northeast China's Cha... State Grid Anhui Ma'anshan Power Supply Co... David Dallas is set to take to a stage close to his heart next month in aid of Aotearoa's music scene. The NZ rapper will perform at Galatos on September 26th - the very same place he first played on an "actual proper stage" in the early 2000s. Fans will be able to attend with just a koha at the door, and all the funds raised will go straight back into Galatos' running costs, which have increased 30% in the last year. DDot is the first 'Venue Veteran', spearheading a new initiative that will see Kiwi musicians perform at the venues that launched their careers. Galatos is one of many spots that has struggled to keep their doors open amidst the financial pressures of the past few years. "I was fortunate that when I was coming up, there were way more venues than there are now," Dallas said in a press release. "There were more opportunities to learn the craft of performing live in front of people." "If you don't have these venues then you're missing this valuable step which helps you become a better artist and a better performer," he added. Research from Tiger Beer - who teamed up with music industry expert Dan Woolston to start the campaign - shows that a massive 75% of NZ small and medium-sized hospo businesses have been doing it tough. Fans will need to register their RSVP to get a spot to see David Dallas do his thing, so get sorted and get your kohas ready, fam - it's bound to be iconic. More Massachusetts police departments than ever are embracing body-worn cameras, recognizing not just benefits to the public, but to their officers as well. Yet the cameras can come at a steep cost, and a state grant program has proved essential for some departments to purchase the technology, particularly in smaller communities with tighter budgets. For the public, the cameras offer a path to greater transparency. They may provide the only direct view of disputed police misconduct or use of force incidents. But the cameras can also protect officers against frivolous or inaccurate complaints, Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan said. Its a really good tool for many reasons, he said. This summer, his department received $234,000 in state money for its first body cameras, which are affixed to the chest of an officers uniform to capture interactions with the public. But for the roughly 70-person department, body cameras could run $1 million or more. Its not just the cost of cameras and the technology to back up the videos, Hanrahan explained. You need more manpower to manage it. It doesnt just fix itself. Whos going to manage the requests for public records? About a third of Mass. police departments received body cam grants The Greater Boston suburb was one of 32 communities recently awarded a collective $3 million from the states Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera Program. Over four years of operation, the program dolled out nearly $13.2 million to 139 police departments, nearly a third of the departments in Massachusetts, according to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. This technology has become an essential tool for law enforcement, Gov. Maura Healey said after announcing the latest round of grants in July. Theres a benefit of having an objective record of what goes on in the field, Sturbridge Police Chief Earl Dessert said. An image captured by a Worcester police body-worn camera during the department's pilot program in 2019. His department first received state money for body cameras two years ago. Last year, with another state grant, the department added software to help redact the videos. Finally, a roughly $20,000 grant this summer allowed the Sturbridge Police to upgrade its computer technology to make redacting footage quicker and easier. I said, lets go for it while this money is still available, Dessert said. Using state grant money, the 16-person Winchendon Police Department introduced body cameras in 2022. This summer, it received another grant to purchase more dashboard cameras for police cruisers. Its becoming the norm, Winchendon Police Chief Daniel Wolski said. I feel the public has an expectation that we have this equipment. So if we get a new cruiser and dont have the dash cam to put in there, and we respond to a call and someone asks for the footage and we dont have it, that seems to be an inadequate response in this day and age. If a situation escalates, Hanrahan said police will want their cameras recording. In some instances where police officers have used deadly force against civilians, body camera footage has helped establish whether they acted in self-defense. The Massachusetts State Police issued body cameras to its 2,200 members three years ago, a reform adopted after the agencys 2018 overtime scandal. The cameras have shown success in repeated studies. In one, Northeastern University researchers found there was a reduction in citizen complaints and a drop in police use-of-force reports when some Boston Police officers wore cameras as part of a pilot program. The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts approves of the technology, writing in a 2016 position paper that the cameras can protect both law enforcement officers and community members. But the ACLU wants departments adding body cameras to do it right, including by considering the privacy implications of officers recording their day-to-day activities and interactions with civilians. Developing a body-worn camera policy In Watertown, Hanrahan is pondering whether all public contact ought to be recorded, right down to city residents asking officers for directions. Should medical calls be documented by video, he asked, at risk of infringing on individuals privacy? What about a call to assist with a sensitive domestic confrontation at a private home? Do you have them on there? Hanrahan said. Thats the things were ironing out in our policy. Body-worn cameras captured footage of Orlando Taylor III, of Springfield, lunging at Springfield Patrolman Arjel Falcon with a knife on Jan. 9, 2022. The footage weighed into prosecutors ruling that the officers acted in self-defense when they shot and killed Taylor. (Courtesy Hampden District Attorney's Office).Courtesy Hampden District Attorn Video footage can also be a massive drain on data storage space, which can be expensive to maintain. Like other police chiefs, Wolski said the costs of body-worn camera technology present its main challenge particularly for small towns with a limited budget. As with all technology, he knows the cameras will improve in the coming years, likely necessitating more spending to keep up with the times. Similarly to the iPhone, every year they come up with a better one, Wolski said. Camera costs can increase quickly depending on the features police want, Hanrahan said. Some cameras begin recording manually, while others are activated automatically when an officer turns on their cruisers blue lights or draws their gun. Some cameras upload their footage automatically when an officer drives within a certain distance of police headquarters. Some even provide supervisors with a live stream of their officers cameras. Then theres the added cost of managing the cameras a full-time job in some departments. The state recommends assigning one person to provide full-time support for every 75 officers outfitted with body-worn cameras. The grant program does not support payroll expenses, so departments must cover any new hires tied to its body camera program. Hanrahan became the Watertown police chief last November. After receiving the grant money, hes weighing different cameras and hopes to use them by the end of the year. He said the city plans to cover any gap remaining between the grant funding and the expected $1 million price tag. Wolski hopes state lawmakers will continue funding the grant program. I cant speak for everyone, but for myself, for the most part, the policing profession supports body-worn [camera] programs but the cost of maintaining a program can be a challenge, particularly for smaller agencies, he said. I hope these grant opportunities continue so we can satisfy what appears to be a public desire for police to be outfitted. A steer that was recaptured on Tuesday after escaping a Boston residents home and being on the lam from Boston Animal Control for over two months is now up for adoption at the MSPCAs Nevins Farm in Methuen. The animal rescue and welfare organization has named the brown and white steer Moodini a fitting moniker, given its uncanny ability to remain hidden from animal control officers. He was originally described as a cow and then a bull, but the MSPCA now says he is a young Hereford steer. Read more: Escaped Boston bull captured after over two months on the run Moodini was was reported missing on June 22, Boston Animal Control said previously. He had escaped from the home of a Roslindale resident who didnt know that Boston residents are barred from having farm animals on their property, with the exception of some chickens. Soon after Moodini was reported missing, animal control officers responded to a sighting in Roslindale and tried to recapture him, but he escaped into a nearby wooded area, animal control said previously. The department then searched for Moodini on several occasions even using a thermal drone, but he continued to evade capture by hiding in thick brush, according to the MSPCA. On Aug. 20, Moodini was spotted in a wooded area behind the Stop & Shop plaza on American Legion Highway in Roslindale the first time he had been seen since late June, animal control said. The department responded by installing a temporary pen and luring him into it using food and water. On Tuesday, he wandered into the pen. Boston Animal Control then called in the Nevins Farm farm animal rescue team and the Boston Parks Department to help get Moodini out of the woods, which was no easy task, according to the MSPCA. We dont often get calls about large animals loose in a city, and when we do, its usually for wild animals like a moose or a bear, maybe a horse that escaped from a fenced in area, so this was new territory for us! Kaycie McCarthy, the rescue teams manager said in a press release. The team built a chute using livestock panels to guide Moodini through the woods into a Nevins Farm animal transport trailer, the MSPCA said. The process took two and a half hours and about a dozen people, but most of the time was spent setting up the chute. Once the chute was in place and Moodini was set loose, he ran to the trailer, making it to his destination in minutes, the MPSCA said. Moodini is now settling in at Nevins Farm and undergoing state-mandated medical exams and testing, the MSPCA said. He also needs to gain about 50 pounds before he is ready to be adopted, but his care team at Nevins Farm is confident they will be able to help him gain weight quickly. Moodini is a little thin, which isnt surprising considering hes been living in the woods in Boston for weeks, McCarthy said. Moodini, the escapee Boston steer, settling in at the MSPCA's Nevins Farm after recapture.MSPCA Nevins Farm The MSPCA is already looking for potential adopters for Moodini. They are hoping to find someone who has cattle experience, other cattle to keep him company and the equipment needed to best care for him. Moodini is also a little skeptical of humans right now, which makes sense given that hes been living feral in the woods for months, McCarthy said. But we know that hell open up and be a great addition to the right family, and we want to find them now, so hes able to start his new life as soon as hes ready! Those interested in adopting Moodini are asked to submit an inquiry at mspca.org/nevinsadopt. Moodinis rescue has also highlighted a need for a squeeze chute at Nevins Farm, which typically takes in cattle once every few months, according to the MSPCA. Without this equipment, which costs around $8,000, the farm cant do a complete exam on cattle or give them vaccines. Those interested in helping Nevins Farm purchase a squeeze chute can donate to the MSPCA at mspca.org/moo. When Canton police went to Sandra Birchmores apartment on Feb. 4, 2021, officers concluded quickly that the woman had been dead for several days. Birchmore was found seated on the floor of her apartment with a scarf around her neck that was tightly tied to a closet door handle. Police observed no signs of a struggle inside her apartment, and investigators found no signs of trauma on her head or any defensive wounds on her hands. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled her death a suicide, finding a U-shaped bone at the front of her neck was fractured on the right side. An autopsy report confirmed that she was between eight and 10 weeks pregnant at the time of her death. But federal authorities in court filings unsealed Wednesday revealed that they had reached a dramatically different conclusion: Birchmore was strangled by a former Stoughton police officer who had groomed her and begun having sex with her when she was a teenager. That officer, Matthew Farwell, is then accused of staging her apartment to create the appearance that Birchmore died by suicide. In an affidavit prepared by FBI Special Agent Chenee Castruit, authorities revealed that Dr. William Smock, an expert hired to assist in a federal investigation of Birchmores death, made several conclusions calling into question the finding that Birchmore died by suicide. Smock reviewed photos of the crime scene, Birchmores autopsy and the medical examiners autopsy report. He found that the fracture of a bone in Birchmores neck was not consistent with the position in which she was found, seated on the floor. Instead, those fractures are more commonly seen in strangulation assaults, the affidavit reads. Autopsy photos showed Birchmore had skin missing from parts of her nose, injuries consistent with cases of suffocation where a person moves their nose back and forth as they attempt to breathe. Birchmore often wore a chain necklace with a flamingo pendant, according to the filing. When she was found in February 2021, that chain was broken around her neck, a sign of a struggle, Smock found. Its those conclusions that led Smock to determine that Birchmores cause of death was asphyxia and her manner of death was homicide. Smocks conclusions mirror those of an expert hired by Birchmores estate, which filed a lawsuit naming Farwell and the town of Stoughton as defendants, among others, in January 2023. Dr. Michael Baden, a former chief medical examiner in New York City, determined that Birchmores manner of death was homicide. Badens finding was first reported by The Boston Globe. Federal officials also found circumstantial evidence to suggest Birchmore was killed. In the hours before her death, Birchmore contacted a photographer about taking photos of a newborn and asked a friend about acquiring baby clothes, said Stephen Kelleher, the assistant special agent in charge of the FBIs Boston office, during a press conference Wednesday afternoon. He also said Birchmore had a load of laundry in the washing machine when she died, and another in the dryer. UPDATE: The bridge has reopened. Editors note: The story was updated to add why the bridge was closed. Maines busiest bridge is closed in both directions Thursday due to police activity. I-95 Northbound and Southbound at the Piscataqua River Bridge, or High Rise Bridge, was closed around 3 a.m. Thursday, New Hampshire State Police said. It remained closed as of 7 a.m. Police did not originally specify why the bridge was closed but said that Troopers were on the scene and that drivers should anticipate delays and avoid the area if possible. Officials later clarified they believe a man killed a woman in Troy, New Hampshire overnight and then drove to the Piscataqua River Bridge. Police engaged with the man on the bridge, which ended with the man being fatally shot, according to a statement by New Hamsphire Attorney General John M. Formella. An 8-year-old child was also found fatally shot in the mans car, according to the statement. Although the bridge remains closed, officials said there is no threat to the general public. The bridge connects Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with Kittery, Maine. It is considered the busiest and most important bridge in Maine, according to TYLin, a consultant for a construction project. It has six lanes of traffic and is the only interstate highway connection to Maine. TYLin said it is vital to freight traffic, commuters, and tourists. About 78,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day, which increases to more than 130,000 vehicles during the summer. In Portsmouth, northbound traffic was being diverted at Exit 7, according to WCVB. And Maine State Police are diverting traffic southbound at Exit 3 in Kittery, the news station reported. Two men were indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston Wednesday on charges they delivered 65 pounds of meth to undercover federal agents. Also, over $10.5 million worth of cocaine was found in a tractor-trailer they were driving, federal authorities said. Simranjit Singh, 28, and Gusimrat Singh, 19, from Fresno, California, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms (11 pounds) or more of cocaine and 500 grams (about 17 ounces) more of methamphetamine, and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy said in a statement. Simranjit Singh and Gusimrat Singh have been in federal custody since they were arrested on July 19, 2024, the statement said. Investigators found out that a California-based drug-trafficking organization called DTO was interested in carrying meth and other drugs to Boston, federal prosecutors said. Read More: Springfield man accused of leading drug trafficking ring in Vermont A member of the drug-trafficking organization agreed to sell 65 pounds or 30 kilograms of meth to undercover agents, the prosecutors added. Then, a white tractor-trailer went to an Andover address on July 29 around 10:15 p.m. to bring the meth to the undercover agents, according to Levys office. Gusimrat Singh and Simranjit Singh, who were later identified as the driver and passenger of the tractor-trailer, gave 65 pounds of the meth to the undercover agents before they were arrested, Levy said. While law enforcement searched the cab of the tractor-trailer, they found over 400 kilogram (880 pounds) bricks of cocaine worth over $10.5 million, federal authorities said. If convicted of the charges, the men each face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $10,000,000. A Massachusetts man illegally purchased more than 100 animal parts, including an orangutan skull, a shark jaw, a polar bear skull and an otter skeleton, according to acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levys office. But what happens to those items now? Prosecutors say the wildlife was protected by the Endangered Species Act and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Adam Bied, 39, of Reading, is now facing two counts of conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States specifically, illegally imported wildlife parts and three counts of violating the Lacey Act, which prohibits trafficking in wildlife, according to Levys office. Prosecutors filed a civil forfeiture complaint for more than the 100 wildlife parts from endangered, threatened, or protected species that were seized from Bieds residence, storage unit and a vehicle in July 2021. Other wildlife parts listed on the forfeiture include leopard skin, African lion skulls, a narwhal tusk, two sting ray stinger bones, four mopani worms dried carcasses and a taxidermy queen Asian giant hornet. People who had a legal interest in the property had to file a claim with the court within 60 days from the first day of publication, which was Aug. 27. This is required for all forfeiture items. If nobody claims the items, then Levys office would seek final judgment and forfeiture of the items. But this case is still pending, which means its unclear what will happen to the items. In similar cases, wildlife parts that have been seized are sent to the National Wildlife Property Repository through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Office for storage and educational use. Sometimes that can also include returning the items to the wild or transfer to another government agency for use, donation or disposal. These wildlife parts can be used to train government officials, educate the public, be used for forensic identification or research. Junior Conservation education at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife RefugeUSFWS The Repository also provides a variety of services, including loaning out the parts for education or research and having educational programs that teach the public about the agencys role in combating wildlife trafficking. But the Denver, Colorado, building where all of it is housed is eerie, being called the national house of horrors and a Noahs ark of protected deceased biodiversity by The Guardian. Decorated primate skull on display as part of the Service's "Buyer Beware" exhibit located in Logan airport, Boston, MA. The exhibit is designed to educate travelers about the hazards of purchasing wildlife products abroad that are made from endangered or protected species.USFWS In 2017, there was a bag filled with 40,000 sea horses and a lamp made from a zebras leg, the newspaper reported. (*This story was updated at 3:18 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, with additional reporting.) A pair of New England healthcare giants are in line to take over four hospitals currently operated by bankrupt Steward Health Care. Rhode Island-based Lifespan Corporation will take over Saint Annes Hospital in Fall River and Morton Hospital in Taunton, while Lawrence General Hospital is moving to take over and operate both campuses of Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill and Methuen. The health care providers filed whats known as an asset purchase agreement enabling them to acquire and operate the facilities currently owned by Dallas-based Steward, which plunged into bankruptcy in May. The announcement by Democratic Gov. Maura Healeys office also comes days before a pair of Steward-owned facilities Carney Hospital in Dorchester, and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer are due to close their doors for good after failing to find buyers. The agreements unveiled Thursday [accomplish] our goal of maintaining and protecting access to care and jobs in Southeastern Massachusetts and the Merrimack Valley while removing Steward Health Care from Massachusetts once and for all, Healey said in a statement. The agreements still require the approval of a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge in Houston, according to the administrations statement. Healeys office announced on Aug. 16 that it had reached deals in principle to keep the doors open at five Steward facilities across the commonwealth. The firms that control the real estate of the fifth Steward facility, St. Elizabeths Medical Center in Brighton, are squabbling with Healeys office over the administrations plan to seize the property through eminent domain. Healey said her office is also working as quickly as possible to complete an agreement with an operator to take over Steward-owned Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton and to finish work on St. Elizabeths. From the start, our priority has been to stabilize health care in eastern Massachusetts, and today we have a path forward to accomplish that for Saint Annes, Morton and Holy Family Hospitals, state Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh said. Executives at Lifespan and Lawrence General Hospital acknowledged the challenges ahead but said they were looking forward to putting the Steward facilities on a sound foundation. We share the Commonwealths goal of preserving and protecting access to care, Lifespans president and CEO, John Fernandez, said. The company firmly believe[s] that the addition of Saint Annes and Morton hospitals creates a unique opportunity to build our regional healthcare organization that will benefit the health of the communities in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, he said. The acquisition of Holy Familys two campuses will allow Lawrence General Hospital to build a true regional healthcare care system in the Merrimack Valley, one that puts quality and safety at the forefront of everything we do and is guided by the principle of caring for our community, its president and CEO, Dr. Abha Agrawal, said in a statement. Labor and industry leaders impacted by the sale of the four Steward-owned hospitals, meanwhile, said they were relieved by the announcement. With Stewards greed and mismanagement in the rear-view mirror at these sites, we can turn our full attention to the essential work of rebuilding our hospitals and caring for our patients, Tim Foley, the executive vice president at 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, said. Steve Walsh, the president and CEO of the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, said the industry group said the takeover announcement marks a new and hopefully brighter chapter for healthcare in Massachusetts. We know these systems are ready for the hard work ahead to restore stability to Stewards former hospitals, coordinate with other local providers, and create a new legacy for the patients, workers, and communities they serve, Walsh said. We are hopeful that a final agreement for Good Samaritan and St. Elizabeths will follow soon, given Boston Medical Centers extraordinary track record of service to local patients and communities. In a statement, the Massachusetts Nurses Association said it needs to "review the full details of the agreement before issuing our final judgment on these transactions, and as such, we look forward to learning more about these agreements and how the transitions will take place. Throughout this process, our main concern is that our members, who have held the line throughout this grueling ordeal, must be assured that any final agreement stipulates that our members union contracts, with all existing rights and benefits, including their pension benefits, will be maintained by the new owners, the union said in its statement. Nashoba Valley Medical Center is one of two Steward Health Care hospitals in Massachusetts that is slated to close by Aug. 31, 2024 (State House News Service photo).State House News Service Advocates for Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center, meanwhile, continue to fight a rearguard to keep the two facilities open. Im telling everybody to chew more carefully, Eleanor Guvazzi of West Groton, said during a rally outside the State House in Boston on Wednesday. Its a very, very frightening situation to look at your babies across the dining room table and know that if they choke on something, you cant get them anywhere to help in time. Sonia Lipson, a nurse practitioner at Daniel Driscoll - Neponset Health Center, about a half-mile from Carney in Dorchester, said she only got instructions Tuesday about where to redirect her patients who go to the hospital for specialized care like radiology, cardiology, and orthopedics. Weve been calling for weeks and weeks asking. No one seems to have any idea whats going on. The neighborhood is really in turmoil at this point, Lipson told State House News Service. But barring some 11th-hour intervention, both are set to close on Aug. 31. (*This story was updated at 10:06 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, with additional reporting.) Dozens of fire departments across Massachusetts are set to share in more than $15 million in federal funding that will help them pay for new equipment, underwrite training, and other efforts. The money comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agencys Assistance to Firefighters grant program, or AFG, according to Democratic U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, of Massachusetts, whose offices announced the round of funding. In April, the Bay State lawmakers fired off a volley of letters to groups representing the Bay States municipal leaders and firefighters, urging them to take advantage of the federal program. It benefits both professional and volunteer departments. In a statement to MassLive, Warren said the money will make a real difference for Massachusetts firefighters to have modern safety equipment and the necessary training to protect our communities. I encouraged local fire departments to apply for these grants, and am glad that these resources are benefiting our communities, Warren said. In a statement, Markey observed that firefighters courageously serve the public every day, so we must make sure we are serving them. We must make sure firefighters are safely and fully equipped to do their jobs, Markey said. Over the last decade, fire departments statewide have received some $270 million in federal assistance, Warren told MassLive in April. Warrens outreach to fire departments and municipal groups came just about three months after Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, looking to shore up the states bottom line, trimmed $1.65 million from an account supporting fire departments statewide, as part of a wider, $375 million reduction in spending this year. Some three dozen departments, from Auburn to Worcester, were expected to see their state funding cut by as much as half, according to a letter the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts sent out in mid-January, MassLive previously reported. Here is a list (mobile users click here for the list) of the departments, and the money that they will receive: Forecasters are warning of an unsettled weather pattern in the Bay State this Labor Day weekend, bringing a chance for overnight rain and a return to summer temperatures and humidity. The best chance for rain, according to forecasters at the National Weather Service, comes late Saturday into early Sunday morning as a cold front approaches Massachusetts. That cold front will bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms to western areas by late afternoon Saturday, with more widespread precipitation overnight. The rain is expected to linger over southeast Massachusetts and Rhode Island until around 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Luckily for any holiday weekend barbecues, forecasters say the chances of additional precipitation on Sunday are slim. Temperatures for the weekend ahead are expected to remain relatively cool in most areas of the state. In Boston, forecasters project highs of 79 and 83 degrees for Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Worcester will be slightly cooler, around 77 and 81 degrees for the weekend, while Springfield will largely match Boston, with projections of 79 and 84 degrees. The Berkshires will be cooler, with temperatures around 73 degrees in Pittsfield on Saturday. A high near 80 is projected for Sunday. On Cape Cod, temperatures are expected to remain below 80 degrees this weekend, with Barnstable forecast for highs near 77 and 79 degrees. Monday will bring largely dry conditions and an early taste of fall, forecasters say. Its looking like a pretty stellar start to September, forecasters wrote. In Eastern Massachusetts, forecasters predict a high around 76 on the holiday in Boston and a high near 74 in Barnstable. Worcester is looking at a projected high of 74, while Springfield will be around 76 degrees on Monday. The Berkshires though will be significantly cooler, with a high around 69 degrees. This September, Canon will be championing the work of photojournalists for the 35th consecutive year, as part of its decades-long partnership with Visa pour lImage. During the festivals Pro Week (September 2-7), held in Perpignan in the south of France, Canon will honour the craft of documentary storytelling, awarding two project grants and providing a cohort of 25 young emerging talent with access to the festival through the brands Student Development Programme. Canon to recognise outstanding contributions to photojournalism with two grants For the 24th year in a row, Canon and Visa pour lImage will award an 8,000 grant to a female photojournalist pursuing a long-term documentary project. This year, the jury consisting of journalists and editors from CNN Digital, FOAM magazine and others have chosen to award Dutch photojournalist Cynthia Boll for her ongoing project Reshaping home: Indonesias capital migration with the Canon Female Photojournalist Grant. The Indonesian capital is sinking fast, up to 20 centimetres per year due to deep ground water extraction. Home to 10 million people and still growing, authorities have made the decision to move Indonesias capital from Jakarta to the emerging city of Ibu Kota Nusantara a monumental endeavour with far-reaching implications. With the support from the grant, Cynthia hopes to document the routines and rituals of daily life in the new city from the perspective of these pioneering citizens. Alongside this, Canon together with Visa pour lImage are pleased to be presenting London-based filmmaker Alan Lau with the 5th Canon Video Grant for his short-film documentary project The Gordian Knot, shining a light on young Nepali cattle facing the fate of slaughter and the surrounding influences of authorities, religion and economic pressures in a developing region. Paving the way for the next generation of photojournalists Canon is committed to supporting and nurturing new talent, and for the 8th consecutive year will be providing emerging photographers from across Europe, Middle East and Africa with a unique opportunity to develop skills and advance in their careers as part of its acclaimed Student Development Programme. 25 talented photography students will attend a prestigious five-day workshop to network with and learn from prominent professionals during group as well as 1:1 portfolio review sessions, practical workshops and lectures. This years speakers and reviewers include Canon Ambassadors Laura El-Tantawy (British/ Egyptian documentary photographer), Elisa L. Iannacone (cinematographer and journalist), Marco Longari (Chief Photographer in Africa for AFP), Ilvy Njiokiktjien (member of VII Photo Agency), Brent Stirton (Getty Images Senior Correspondent and National Geographic explorer) and Paolo Verzone (member of Agence VU). A cohort of industry experts will also be present, including Thomas Borberg (staff photographer at Politiken), Fabiola Ferrero (photojournalist and World Press Photo contest winner), Elisa Medde (curator / former Editor-in-Chief at Foam Magazine), Massimo Nicolaci (filmmaker, cinematographer and National Geographic contributor) as well as Fiona Shields (Head of Photography at The Guardian). Following the workshops, students will have the opportunity to participate in a selection of guided tours of the festivals exhibition space, hosted by the artists themselves. 2023 Canon Female Photojournalist grant winner, Anastasia Taylor-Lind, will also showcase her grant winning work, 5K from the Frontline, documenting frontline communities in Ukraines eastern Donbas region. Canon presence at Visa pour lImage At the festivals headquarters in Perpignans Palais des Congres, Canon will be hosting a dedicated product showcase area inviting visitors to experience the companys latest cameras, lenses and printers, including the highly anticipated EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II. Exploring the emotional impact of print and its potential to enrich lives, guests can also learn more about Canons World Unseen initiative with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), enabling people with sight loss to better engage with the visual world, while challenging sighted people to see imagery through their lens. Accredited photographers will also be able to get an image from their portfolio printed on Canons latest fine art printing technologies and receive a complimentary check-and-clean service by expert technicians from Canon Professional Services (CPS). Norma Foley should tread carefully with her plan, which she flagged last week, to ban phones in schools to stop distractions and bullying. Those types of decisions should be left to schools, in consultation with teachers, parents and students. We are too quick in Irish schools to issue blanket diktats about what students can and cannot do. If anything, schools need to become less institutional and more human, allowing the student voice to emerge and be heard. Im sure many students are rolling their eyes at the thoughts of yet more controls being imposed on them. Of course, sometimes a student may use their phone inappropriately. It is often a cry for help and can be a tricky problem. But it is not caused by the phones, it is caused by the human interactions and is magnified by the phones. It would be more appropriate and developmental for the Minister to make psychological and counselling services more available in schools to deal with the root causes of such behaviour. Speaking as a post-primary teacher I prefer that my students have access to their phones in class. I find that students, for the most part, use them very well and respectfully. Sometimes I ask them to use them for a certain purpose relevant to the class. In other instances, they may ask me. Thats part of the trusting relationship that builds mutual respect. Mobile phones are a very powerful learning resource that can be used in all classes. For example, in my own subject area, Irish, they are like having a great library in your pocket; comprehensive online dictionaries such as teanglann.ie, which even gives the pronunciation of words in three dialects! Access to YouTube enables students to listen to interviews with the actual poets and watch other relevant archival and educational material. We use great learning apps such as Quizlet, Kahoot! and Padlet, to mention but a few for vocabulary and grammar. They bring more fun into the classroom. Apps on students phones can turn the classroom into a studio where they can create film and audio projects on topics of interest. My ordinary-level students in Second Year last year used their phones to create lovely presentations on a poem we studied. They really enjoyed the process, filling the classroom with laughter. It unleashed their creativity. I learned from them how to use the film editing tool, CapCut, thereby modelling how we can learn by sharing and collaboration. Students nowadays can use their phone to take a picture of the relevant page in their textbook, saving them hauling heavy books home. They can also take a picture of notes theyve missed, or solutions worked out on the board. All of this has become common practice in classrooms. Yes, I hear you asking, havent students all got their laptops and tablets in school to do all of that? Why do they need a phone? Well, you are correct. Many schools have introduced the requirement for students to have their own laptop devices in school. The laptops do hold their own when compared to the phone in some respects. For some of us, it is often easier to write a document or create a PowerPoint using a laptop with its bigger screen and cursor control. They are also great for viewing the digital versions of their school textbooks. Again, students benefit by not having to carry home heavy books. However, there are almost always problems with laptops, be it loss of charge, login difficulties or frozen screens. This becomes the real distraction, wastes time and reduces the scope for improvising within a lesson. We dont have these problems with phones. Its simply a matter of asking students to take them out and go to such and such a resource. Speaking of distractions, was the timing of this announcement by the Minister during the week the Leaving Cert results came out calculated to be a distraction from the problems arising from grade inflation? Gearoid O Riain is a secondary-school teacher based in Westport, Co Mayo. A new campaign has been launched by Local Enterprise Office Mayo to help small businesses become more sustainable and to show them the substantial benefits of going green. The Going Green, Its All In A Days Work campaign will show how easy it is for a business to make small changes to deliver a significant impact. There are two specific supports available to small businesses in any sector that can set them on their green journey, the Green for Business audit and the Energy Efficiency Grant. Businesses are encouraged to register themselves on the All in a Days Work website, and their Local Enterprise Office will take it from there. The official campaign flyer John Magee, Head of Enterprise at Mayo County Council, said its never been easier for small businesses to go green. Then they will likely be in a position to apply for the Energy Efficiency Grant, and we bring them through the whole process. We have the expertise, the time and the supports to help them go green and become more sustainable, they just have to register, and well take it from there. And the best thing about implementing these changes is that they will improve the business and help in saving time, money and energy, which is crucial for businesses at the moment, he explained. The free Green for Business Audit supplies a green consultant to assess the business and compile a comprehensive report for the business owner, which they can then work with their Local Enterprise Office to implement. The changes will often see the business reduce energy outputs and close production loopholes to help save time and money. The expanded Energy Efficiency Grant, which was recently announced by Minister Peter Burke, enables businesses who have availed of the Green for Business audit to apply for up to 10,000 of funding to implement the outlined changes. This can all be carried out through the Local Enterprise Office. The Energy Efficiency Grant is also open to businesses who may already have completed Green Start with Enterprise Ireland or an Energy Audit with SEAI. Small businesses are encouraged to reach out to their Local Enterprise Office to start the process, or fill out the form on the All in a Day's Work website. For more information, see the Local Enterprise Offices website. The finalists for Blas na hEireann, the Irish Food Awards, have been announced with 14 Mayo producers on the list. The finalists shortlisted from across Mayo are Carr and Sons, CPAC Foods, Foxford Cafe, Gleann Bui Farm, Hanley Catering, Hefferniatt Foods Limited T/A The Food Store, Jack & Eddie's, Krem Delights Limited, Mescan Brewery, Moylurg Honey, O'Haras Bakery, Van Velze's Chocolates Ltd, Velvet Cloud and Western Brand Chicken. The countdown is on for another exciting and joyous awards weekend in the seaside town of Dingle from October 3-5. The Blas team are hard at work preparing for the arrival of food and drink producers from across Ireland to celebrate the very best of Irish. Once again Local Enterprise Office Mayo (LEO) is delighted to support Mayo food and drinks businesses at the Irish Food Awards. said John Magee, Head of Enterprise at LEO Mayo and Chair of the LEO Network. Mr Magee explained how the awards highlight the high-quality produce and great work by these businesses in areas such as innovation, new product development, marketing, and business development. Now, in its seventeenth year, Blas na hEireann saw another record-breaking year across all categories along with many new producers entering the awards for the first time this year. During the judging, which took place in June and July, over 3,000 entries were judged, testament to the number of brilliant producers across the country. Speaking as the finalists were announced, Blas na hEireann Chairperson of the event, Artie Clifford said when he began in the food industry 30 years ago, he knew there was a need to celebrate the amazing food and drink being produced on the island of Ireland. We are an island of phenomenal producers and should be very proud of that, being able to showcase the very best of the best in Dingle each year is a real privilege for the whole Blas team, he added. This years Blas na hEireann awards in Dingle will see the return of Eat Ireland in a Day market and the Blas Village where finalists will get the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with customers and meet key industry buyers. This year's focus will be on sustainability with a commitment to encourage zero-waste throughout the three days of the awards in line with the Dingle Food Festival ethos. For finalist producers it is not just their exceptional food and drink which will be celebrated in Dingle but the people themselves, the passionate producers who make the very best of Irish will be recognised and rewarded. For more information, see the Irish Food Awards website. by Ray Schultz , August 28, 2024 Postmedia, publisher of the National Post and the Montreal Gazette, has acquired SaltWire Network, an owner of daily and weekly newspapers in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, P.E.I. and Labrador. SaltWire has filed for creditor protection and is headed for insolvency proceedings under Canadas laws, according to CBC. The deal reportedly is worth $1 million. Critics allege that the purchase will lead to layoffs, the sale of offices and printing facilities, and the reduction of print editions in at least one product, CBC reports. Postmedia, whose majority owner is U.S. hedge fund Chatham Asset, is based in Toronto and SaltWire is in Halifax. General muscle conditioning exercises (60%) and pelvic yoga (50%) are almost equally effective in treating urine leakage problems (urinary incontinence) in older women. #urinaryincontinence #pelvicflooryoga #BladderProblems Advertisement How to Manage Urinary Incontinence? Trusted Source Efficacy of a Therapeutic Pelvic Yoga Program Versus a Physical Conditioning Program on Urinary Incontinence in Women: A Randomized Trial Go to source Trusted Source Advertisement Leaky Bladder: A Major Issue for Many Older Women Advertisement Pelvic Floor Yoga for Bladder Problems Efficacy of a Therapeutic Pelvic Yoga Program Versus a Physical Conditioning Program on Urinary Incontinence in Women: A Randomized Trial - (https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M23-3051) Regular muscle strengthening exercises are as good as pelvic floor yoga in reducing urinary incontinence (UI) in older women, suggests a new study. Yoga has been recommended for years to treat or prevent health conditions that are associated with aging, such as urinary incontinence, but theres been little data to back it up.Now a study led by UC San Francisco has found that pelvic floor yoga isnt superior to a general exercise program at reducing urinary incontinence (UI) in older women. The researchers said that regular muscle stretching and strengthening exercises could improve UI symptoms almost as much as yoga.The findings of the study are published in the journal).The results suggest that women who pursue specialized training in pelvic yoga for their bladder problems could see similar improvements if they instead dedicated the same amount of time and effort to other, general physical conditioning exercise, said first author Alison J. Huang, MD, a UCSF professor of Medicine, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Urology.Some women may still prefer yoga because of its other potential mind-body benefits, she said. But because yoga tends to require specialized instruction and props, it may be easier and less expensive to engage in other forms of physical activity or exercise.Studies have shown that urinary incontinence the involuntary leaking of urine is a common ailment affecting nearly half of midlife and older women. The condition can lead to depression, social isolation and functional decline.Pelvic yoga, which has become popular among women of all ages, is designed to improve pelvic health problems such as incontinence, pelvic pain, or overactive bladder that can worsen due to childbirth menopause or aging. But theres been little rigorous research to evaluate its effectiveness, and many clinicians have been skeptical that yoga provides special benefits.The LILA study (Lessening Incontinence through Low-Impact Activity) involved 240 women 45 to 90 in northern California who were experiencing urinary incontinence at least daily, were not using other treatments for incontinence, and not already participating in yoga or organized muscle strengthening activities.They were randomly assigned for three months either to the pelvic yoga program of group classes twice a week and individual practice once a week, or to a physical conditioning program of general muscle stretching and strengthening with an equivalent amount of group classes and individual practice.The authors found that women in the yoga group reported more than a 60% decrease in the average frequency of incontinence (from 3.6 episodes a day to less than 1.4 episodes). But women in the general conditioning program also reported nearly a 50% improvement in their symptoms.The authors concluded that both groups experienced a clinically meaningful improvement in their incontinence, and that yoga was not clearly better, although it resulted in modestly greater improvement in some more specialized types of urinary symptoms.The results may provide support for a shift in thinking about treatment approaches for incontinence in older adults, said Huang, who is also director of research in the Division of General Internal Medicine at UCSF Health. Rather than focusing primarily on treatments that target the bladder or pelvic floor, perhaps we should focus on strategies that improve our overall physical function as we age.Source-Eurekalert Highlights: High nighttime temperatures can significantly increase mortality, particularly for vulnerable populations Prolonged exposure to both daytime and nighttime heat disrupts the bodys ability to recover, increasing the risk of heat-related illness Passive cooling solutions and climate resilience measures are essential to protect economically disadvantaged communities from extreme heat Trusted Source Deepening and Expanding Heat Health Action in India Go to source Trusted Source Did You Know? A "wet-bulb" temperature of 35C is considered the upper limit of human survival, where sweat stops cooling you down! Stay coolliterally! #heatwave #health #medindia A "wet-bulb" temperature of 35C is considered the upper limit of human survival, where sweat stops cooling you down! Stay coolliterally! #heatwave #health #medindia Advertisement The Ahmedabad Study: Nighttime Heat and Mortality Advertisement Record-Breaking Temperatures in Delhi and Beyond Advertisement Global Evidence on Nighttime Heat and Mortality Trusted Source The effects of night-time warming on mortality burden under future climate change scenarios: a modelling study Go to source Trusted Source Impact of High Nighttime Temperatures on Vulnerable Populations Adaptive Solutions: A Call for Urgent Action to Create Sustainable Cooling Solutions Broader Implications of Climate Change Deepening and Expanding Heat Health Action in India - (https://iiphg.edu.in/key-projects/) The effects of night-time warming on mortality burden under future climate change scenarios: a modelling study - (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(22)00139-5/fulltext) In recent years, the impact of high nighttime temperatures has emerged as a critical public health concern in India, particularly for those without access to air conditioning. With the increasing intensity of heatwaves, the lack of nighttime relief is leading to severe health consequences, including heightened mortality rates. According to an investigation conducted by the Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) in Gujarat, rising nighttime temperatures have exacerbated the challenges posed by extreme heat, underscoring the urgent need for heat adaptation measures ().A pivotal study by the IIPH, which informed the development of Ahmedabads heat response policy, examined daily mortality rates in Ahmedabad from 2001 to 2016. The findings were stark: when maximum daytime temperatures exceeded 45C and nighttime temperatures remained above 30C, mortality rates nearly doubled compared to nights when temperatures were between 28C and 30C. This significant increase highlights the crucial role nighttime temperatures play in determining public health outcomes during heatwaves As Dr. Dileep Mavalankar, former director of IIPH Gandhinagar, explains, "The body needs the nighttime to recover from the heat of the day. When temperatures remain high at night, the body is unable to rest adequately, leading to exhaustion and overexertion." He compares this to forcing someone to run without rest, causing them to collapse eventually. The body, in such conditions, goes into overdrive, which can result in heat-related illnesses and death.The importance of tracking all-cause mortality during heatwaves, using historical data to assess excess deaths attributed to heat, cannot be overstated. Dr. Mavalankar emphasizes that understanding the relationship between heatwaves and mortality is key to improving preparedness and response measures.Delhi, like many other parts of northwest and east India, has been experiencing a severe heatwave, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reporting record-breaking nighttime temperatures. In June, the minimum temperature in Delhi reached a scorching 35.2C- eight notches above average and the highest minimum temperature recorded in June since 1969. This marked the citys sixth consecutive "warm night," as defined by IMD: a night with a minimum temperature at least 4.5C above normal.Across the region, other states, including Punjab, Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, have also experienced similar hot nights during May and June, contributing to a rise in heat-related illnesses and deaths. Despite the ongoing heat crisis, the Indian government has yet to release official death data, leaving the true impact of these heatwaves largely unquantified.India is not alone in facing the deadly consequences of nighttime heat. A paper published inin August 2022 examined data from 28 cities across Japan, South Korea, and China, analyzing over 9.1 million deaths. The study revealed that the mortality risk during hot nights is 50% greater than on cooler nights, with the relative mortality risk rising significantly when nighttime temperatures remain high (). This underscores the global threat posed by increasing nighttime temperatures, particularly as climate change intensifies.In areas with high humidity, the situation becomes even more dangerous. The combined effect of heat and humidity, often expressed through the heat index, can create conditions that are intolerable for human survival. The study noted that a wet-bulb temperature (TW) of 35C is considered the upper limit of physiological tolerance for humans. Beyond this threshold, the bodys cooling mechanisms fail, leading to potentially fatal outcomes such as hyperthermia.High nighttime temperatures are particularly dangerous for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, infants, and individuals living in poverty. Without access to air conditioning or other cooling methods, these individuals face a disproportionately higher risk of heat-related illness. As Dr. Sumit Ray, Critical Care Specialist and Medical Director at Holy Family Hospital, explains, "During hot days and nights, the body does not have time to cool down, and people frequently do not sleep, increasing the risk of heat stroke." The elderly and infants, with their limited ability to regulate body temperature, are at heightened risk.The combined effect of high temperatures and humidity creates a lethal environment in regions like West Bengal and Bihar, where the heat index regularly reaches dangerous levels. In these areas, Dr. Mavalankar suggests monitoring all-cause mortality rates on a daily basis to track the potential impact of heatwaves and identify high-risk populations.The ongoing heat crisis in India highlights the need for immediate and targeted adaptation solutions, particularly for economically disadvantaged communities. Abhiyant Tiwari, lead climate resilience and health consultant at NRDC India, stresses the importance of implementing passive cooling methods in homes lacking air conditioning. Programs like Telanganas cool roof initiative offer a model for creating more sustainable, affordable cooling solutions that do not exacerbate climate change by increasing energy consumption.For those who must work outdoors, avoiding peak afternoon hours and ensuring access to safe, clean drinking water are essential preventive measures. Unfortunately, many workers have little choice but to endure these extreme conditions, leading to heat stress, dehydration, and even gastroenteritis, as noted by Dr. Ray.In cases of heat-related emergencies, Dr. Ray advises using cooling methods such as placing cool packs in the armpits, groin, and forehead to reduce body temperature. However, individuals with severe symptoms, such as high fever or vomiting, should seek medical attention promptly.The increasing frequency of heatwaves and high nighttime temperatures in India is a direct result of climate change, which continues to disproportionately affect those least responsible for global warming. As Sunita Narain, director general of the Centre for Science and Environment, aptly points out, "The irony is that those who suffer the most from climate change- such as the millions exposed to blazing sun and unbearable heat- are not responsible for the rise in global temperatures."Climate change has become an urgent global challenge, and Indias heat crisis is a stark reminder of the need for global cooperation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of rising temperatures. Cooling solutions, such as passive methods and energy-efficient technologies, must be prioritized to protect vulnerable populations from the worst effects of extreme heat.The growing threat posed by high nighttime temperatures in India demands immediate attention from policymakers, health professionals, and communities alike. The findings of the IIPH study in Ahmedabad, combined with global research on the dangers of nighttime heat, underscore the urgent need for heat adaptation strategies. By investing in sustainable cooling solutions and improving public health infrastructure, India can protect its most vulnerable citizens from the devastating effects of extreme heat while addressing the broader challenges of climate change.Source-Medindia Trusted Source Emotional Eating in Primary Care: Considerations for Assessment and Management Go to source Trusted Source Emotional eaters often gravitate toward high-calorie, sugary foods, making weight management more challenging. #emotionaleating #medindia Advertisement Understanding Emotional Eating: Triggers, Associations, and Impact on Weight Loss Advertisement Screening for Emotional Eating: Tools and Considerations for Primary Care Providers Advertisement Treating Emotional Eating: Psychological Interventions Emotional Eating in Primary Care: Considerations for Assessment and Management - (https://journals.lww.com/hrpjournal/abstract/9900/emotional_eating_in_primary_care__considerations.14.aspx) Primary care providers are ideally suited to tackle emotional eating due to their ongoing relationships with patients, as highlighted by Jana DeSimone Wozniak, Ph.D, and Hsiang Huang, MD, MPH, from. Their article in the, published by Wolters Kluwer's Lippincott portfolio, emphasizes that emotional eating is linked to various health issues, including being overweight or obese, challenges in losing weight and maintaining weight loss, diabetes, and heart disease()."Emotional eating is characterized by increased motivation for food consumption in response to stress and/or emotion and mood states," Dr. Wozniak and Dr. Huang explain. "Individuals who eat due to negative emotional states and stimuli report a tendency to consume so-called 'palatable foods' (i.e., foods high in sugar, fat, and caloric content)."Some individuals without obesity report eating in response to negative emotions or stress, the authors say, but emotional eating is more often associated with greater body fat, waist circumference, and body mass index. Moreover, emotional eating has been linked to decreased success with traditional, behavior-based weight-loss treatments (e.g., decreasing portion sizes, caloric and fat intake, and/or amount of carbohydrates consumed).Emotional eating often overlaps with depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, Dr. Wozniak and Dr. Huang note. They recommend using the Patient Health Questionnaire9 (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder7 (GAD-7) to screen for disordered eating behaviors in the context of negative emotional states or psychosocial stressors. For example, if a patient presents for weight-related concerns and reports "poor appetite or overeating" on the PHQ-9, the provider can further probe the nature of the eating disturbance and emotion-management patterns.Primary care professionals may wish to follow up with screening tools that assess for disordered eating behaviors and life stressors. Examples suitable for primary care are the Screen for Disordered Eating, the Perceived Stress Scale10, and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire.Dr. Wozniak and Dr. Huang caution that individuals who meet criteria for binge eating disorder (BED) may also experience emotional eating, but not everyone who experiences emotional eating meets diagnostic criteria for BED (episodes of compulsive eating that recur, on average, once per week for at least three months).Psychological interventions, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based interventions, are the standard first-line approaches for treating emotional eating, the authors say. Acceptance and commitment therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy, however, also reduce emotional eating in adults experiencing overweight or obesity, and research suggests the improvements are sustained.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved any medications for treatment of emotional eating. However, psychopharmacologic management may be needed for underlying mental health conditions, with special attention to comorbid conditions.Dr. Wozniak and Dr. Huang recognize that psychological interventions specifically designed to address emotional eating may not be readily available for all primary care populations. "Encouraging patients to track mood states and eating habits to generate increased awareness of antecedents to emotional eating, engaging in mindfulness-based practices via the internet or phone-based applications, and helping patients identify alternative, adaptive emotion regulation strategies may all help increase awareness of internal and external factors that contribute to and perpetuate emotional eating and encourage nonjudgmental, adaptive coping."Source-Eurekalert After several delays and a standalone Gambit movie being cancelled, Channing Tatum finally got to play the role in Deadpool & Wolverine in a surprise cameo. While the film didnt show if Gambit made it out of the void, a new deleted scene posted by Ryan Reynolds on social media suggests that we may finally get a solo Gambit film. Channing Tatum as Gambit was a dream that seemed to fizzle out when the long-awaited solo movie got canned repeatedly. He was looked at to play the Cajun mutant in the early X-Men films, but couldnt play the role in the characters introduction in 2009s X-Men Originals: Wolverine. The role was ultimately played by Taylor Kitsch in the film, but it didnt take off in a major way. Marvel With Cassandra Nova's army defeated, the last shot of Tatum sees him looking at an interdimensional portal opening up, suggesting that he might have indeed escaped the Void. Ryan Reynolds posted a brief clip of the scene with the caption, A version of this sequence is in the film, playing on one of the monitors in deep background of the TVA #WooImAboutToMakeANameForMyselfHere He ended the post with Gambit's famous dialogue from the film that has now become a pop culture moment through countless memes, "Woo, I'm about to make a name for myself here!" Take a look at the deleted scene here: In an interview with Total Film in September 2013 while promoting White House Down, Channing Tatum opened up about his desire to play Gambit despite the multiple obstructions he had faced for years to make it happen. He said, "Gambit's my favourite. I'm from New Orleans, around that area. My dad's from New Orleans, and I like to do a Cajun accent. I could do it for real. No knock on Taylor Kitsch, though, 'cause I actually like his Gambit, but I've always lived around Cajun people ... Gambit was always like the woman-loving, cigarette-smoking, drinking [guy]. He was the punk rock of all the superheroes. In the span of just a few weeks, Marc McCabe traveled this summer to Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, California, and Texas. But the 74-year-old wasnt on an epic retirement trip. As a pro bono veterans advocate, he was searching for Vietnam veterans and surviving family members who may be eligible for disability compensation. McCabe, a former combat corpsman attached to Marine Corps units during the Vietnam War, has survived two bouts of cancer himself. He has been a veterans advocate for two decades, but his job has gotten a lot busier thanks to a spate of new legislation that has expanded benefits for millions of veterans exposed to toxic chemicals in war. Technically, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs should be the ones notifying veterans when they may be eligible for new benefitsbut McCabe says they often dont. Theyre leaving them behind, he says. And the Department of Veterans Affairs very own Office of Inspector General agrees. In an unsparing report this summer, the watchdog estimated that VA has failed to inform up to 87,000 Vietnam war veterans and their survivors that they may now qualify for retroactive compensation benefits because of exposure to toxic herbicides such as Agent Orange. If that sounds like a startling number, consider this: Those overlooked veterans and their families could be entitled to more than $844 million, the report said. There are millions of dollars at stake that Vietnam veterans and their survivors should be receiving, says Bart Stichman, co-founder of the National Veterans Legal Services Program, which represents veterans in benefits appeals. And while there is widespread agreement that America should compensate its veterans for their sacrifice and service, theres a growing concern about where all this money will come fromespecially as the cost continues to balloon thanks to the recently passed PACT Act, which added coverage for potentially six million more veterans exposed to toxins from burn pits and other sources during the Vietnam, Persian Gulf and post-9/11 wars. America will soon owe veterans trillions of dollars in medical and disability compensation, said Linda Bilmes, a professor in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. Despite the pledge, she said, we dont really understand the cost. We dont have a function that is keeping track of all of the accrued promised benefits the way we should. Facing a record budget shortfall, VA may be unable to pay benefits to millions of veterans as soon as October. Promises Broken In 1986, Stichman and other lawyers brought a class action lawsuit against VA on behalf of Vietnam veterans and survivors. The resulting consent decree required the department to recognize presumptive conditions for Vietnam veteransillnesses that VA assumes are caused by exposure to Agent Orange during military serviceand pay disability and death payments to those who suffered from these ailments. VA hate the fact they ever agreed to it. So they try to think of every possible reason they dont have to do what they should do. Bart Stichman, special counsel at the National Veterans Legal Services Program who sued VA on behalf of veterans in a landmark case known as Nehmer vs. The Department of Veterans Affairs The decision was contentious. In 1989, Sen. Alan Simpson, a Wyoming Republican, questioned the science connecting Agent Orange exposure to veterans health problems and told Sen. Ted Kennedy on a radio program that providing coverage for presumptive conditions was political pandering to powerful special interest groups. Kennedy called Simpson Agent Orange Al. By 2021, the scientific evidence was clear, linking Agent Orange to even more illnesses. The National Defense Authorization Act that year expanded the list of presumptive conditions for Vietnam veterans. There are now more than 20 of these conditions, including bladder cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and more. But critics say VA has always been resistant. They hate the fact they ever agreed to it, says Stichman. So they try to think of every possible reason they dont have to do what they should do. When the list of presumptive conditions was expanded in 2021, VA announced that it would send letters to all Vietnam veterans who were previously denied benefits to let them know they may now be eligible. But using a statistical analysis of VA health records, the Inspector General report found VA may have missed nearly 90,000 people. The report also estimated each veteran was missing out an average of $372 a month. McCabe, who volunteers with the nonprofit Vietnam Veterans of America, said he has helped more than 800 veterans and survivors file benefits claims or appeals since the list of presumptive conditions was expanded in 2021. Even if a veteran gets a letter that they may be eligible for benefits, McCabe says the technical jargon that VA uses is confusing for veterans, who are often in their 70s and 80s. When it comes to Agent Orange benefits, he said, the agency is simply not explaining it well enough. A Fragmented System One of the problems is the fragmented nature of the Department of Veterans Affairs, which has multiple large branches that are tangled in bureaucracy. Disability payments for veterans are governed by the Veterans Benefits Administration, while the actual health care is done at the Veterans Health Administration. Brent Arronte, the VAs Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audits and Evaluations, said the reason the estimated 87,000 letters were never sent comes down to who has custody of a veterans health information. The Office of Inspector General said a veteran should automatically be notified about benefits if they have a diagnosis for a presumptive condition in the Veterans Health Administration system of records. The Benefits Administration disagrees. Its interpretation, Arronte says, is that veterans should only be notified about benefits if their health records are already included in a claims folder in the Benefits Administration system. But Arronte says, that shouldnt make a difference. If the records are already in the Veterans Affairs system, he says, we think that they should look at these veterans to see if they do require readjudication and possibly back pay and earlier effective dates. One of the recommendations in the June report was that the Benefits Administration send out new letters to tens of thousands of Vietnam veterans and their survivors who may have been overlooked. Yet the Benefits Administration took the unusual step of disagreeing with the recommendation. My best guess is that they know this is going to create a lot of rework, Arronte says. He says that the Benefits Administration is currently under enormous strain from the 2022 passage of the PACT Act, one of the largest expansions of veterans benefits in history. It led to a massive VA hiring surge to keep up with new claims. President Joe Biden gives the pen he used to sign the "PACT Act of 2022" to Brielle Robinson, daughter of Sgt. 1st Class Heath Robinson, who died of cancer two years ago, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) And after a long fight from advocates, VA also decided in August to make medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, also known as Gulf War Illness, a presumptive condition for more than 15,000 veteransknown as K2 vetswho served at the Karshi-Khanabad Air Base in Uzbekistan. They really dont need another 87,000 dumped into their lap, Arronte says. But our opinion is we are here to make sure veterans are made whole. VA wouldnt respond to questions from The War Horse about the report, instead referring to a memo from Joshua Jacobs, Department of Veterans Affairs under secretary for benefits. He said that the Office of Inspector General repeatedly mischaracterized VAs obligation. Jacobs wrote that the Inspector Generals interpretation is at odds with the text of the consent decree, its enforcement history in the courts, and the parties understanding of the agreement. A Bubble on the Horizon The $844 million that the VA may owe Vietnam veterans may be hard for the department to come by. Thats because it is facing one of its biggest financial crises ever, driven by the millions of veterans who are owed compensation for their service-related disabilities. In July, VA told members of Congress that the department was facing a budget shortfall of $15 billion across the remainder of 2024 and 2025, raising the ire of House Committee on Veterans Affairs Chairman Mike Bost, an Illinois Republican. He blamed horrendous, top-to-bottom mismanagement for the massive deficit. Its the largest budget shortfall in the departments history, and VA is attributing it to increased costs caused by the PACT Act. This budget shortfall means that 7 million veterans and their surviving family members are at risk of not receiving benefits payments as soon as Oct. 1. But $15 billion is only a drop in the bucket compared to the startling costs the department faces in the coming years. Veterans benefits always peak long, long after a war is finished, says Bilmes. While last year the VA paid out about $143 billion to about 6 million veterans, Bilmes estimates that the U.S. owes more than $2 trillion in medical and disability benefits to veterans just from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is a staggering amount, she says. These are benefits that have been promised to people but not paid out yet. Its not speculative. In fact, the 2023 Financial Report of the United States Government, compiled by the Department of the Treasury, lists veterans benefits as one of the countrys most significant financial liabilities. Suzanne Gordon, a senior policy analyst at the nonpartisan think tank Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute, says that the U.S. has the resources to fulfill its commitment to veterans. Were a very rich nation, she says. Theres no question that we can afford it. The question is, Why dont we want to afford it? Bilmes says that previous U.S. wars were paid for by increasing taxes and government budget cuts to nonwar spending. But since 9/11, she says, weve paid for all our wars entirely through borrowing, which has been one of the factors driving up the national debt. One of Bilmes suggestions is to create a trust fund for veterans in order to safeguard the promised money and plan for how much is needed. We have a huge bubble here that is on the horizon, she says, which is rapidly becoming bigger thanks to expanded presumptive benefits. For Gordon, the answer is straightforward. If we can afford war, we can afford to take care of our veterans, she says. And if we cant afford to take care of veterans, then we shouldnt engage in wars that are often elective and nonessential to the defense of the nation. Mark Jackson, a K2 veteran and board member at the Stronghold Freedom Foundation, says money is a constant conversation when it comes to veterans benefits. But VAs focus on money can end up commodifying the lives of veterans. If you make this about money, its no longer about lives, its no longer about service, he said. It becomes a line item that makes it a whole lot easier to say no. It Will Change My Life Though the Veterans Benefits Administration hasnt agreed to send out letters to the approximately 87,000 Vietnam veterans who may be owed benefits, the agency did agree to create a working group to study how it can improve the ways it identifies potentially eligible veterans. Arronte says for now, the Inspector General office will hold the agency to account by requesting an update on the working groups progress every 90 days. Meanwhile, McCabe wont be out of a job anytime soon. He plans to continue to travel across the country, hosting local town halls to talk to Vietnam veterans and survivors about their eligibility for benefits. Just recently he helped Susan Meyer, the widow of Vietnam veteran Henry Meyer, appeal the denial of her husbands claim for bladder cancer that was filed 10 years agotwo years before he passed away from the disease. Im not looking for the money, says Meyer, who lives in Fort Myers, Florida. Im doing it for my husband. She said that its difficult to only get the claim approved after her husband has passed away, when he was the one who served. Still, she says, it will change my life. This War Horse investigation was reported by Leah Rosenbaum, edited by Mike Frankel, fact-checked by Jess Rohan, and copy-edited by Mitchell Hansen-Dewar. Coverage of veterans health made possible in part by a grant from the A-Mark Foundation. Seven Steps to Find Out If You Qualify for Agent Orange Benefits 1. Determine if you or your family member served in a location that was exposed to Agent Orange. a. For example, if you or a family member served for any length of time between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, in the Republic of Vietnam, aboard a U.S. military vessel that operated in the inland waterways of Vietnam or on a vessel operating not more than 12 nautical miles seaward from the demarcation line of the waters of Vietnam and Cambodia. b. There are other locations that are eligible as well, including locations in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Guam, Johnston Atoll, Korea and on some bases in the US. For a full list of locations and times see this page. 2. Determine if you or a family member have a health condition caused by Agent Orange exposure. There are over 20 conditions that are now considered presumptive the government automatically assumes they were caused by Agent Orange. They include certain cancers, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, Parkinsons disease and more. For a full list of the eligible conditions, see this page. You can be diagnosed with a presumptive condition by any doctor; it doesnt have to be a VA doctor or at a VA health facility. 3. File a disability claim online, by mail, in person at your regional VA office, by fax or with the help of an accredited Veterans Service Organization. You will need to submit medical records of your health conditions and military records to show your dates of service. 4. If your condition was denied in the past but is now considered a presumptive condition due to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021 or the PACT Act, you can file a supplemental claim. 5. If your claim is denied, you can request a new review of the case through a higher-level review. You have to request this review within one year of the initial decision date. 6. If your claim is denied or your higher-level review is denied, you can also request a board appeal. A Veterans Law Judge will review your claim. You also have to request this review within one year of the initial decision date. 7. If your claim gets denied and you are confused on how to proceed, you can ask a Veterans Service Organization to help you. Many organizations offer services for free to veterans. Look for an accredited organization in your state, or if you are a Vietnam veteran or survivor diagnosed with bladder cancer, hypothyroidism or parkinsonism and the VA did not grant you disability or death benefits for one of these diseases since Jan 1, 2022, you can reach out to the National Veterans Legal Service Program at agentorange@nvlsp.org. Leah Rosenbaum Editors Note: This article first appeared on The War Horse, an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service. Subscribe to their newsletter. Airman 1st Class Jack Teixeira, the Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused of leaking sensitive and secret government information, is set to face a court-martial March 10, an Air Force spokesperson confirmed to Military.com. The 22-year-old Guardsman pleaded guilty in March to six counts related to leaking highly classified information on Discord -- an online platform for gamers -- concerning the war in Ukraine and other sensitive defense information as part of a separate federal criminal case. It was announced in May that he could also be facing a military court-martial. An arraignment hearing in the military case was held Aug. 16, in which Teixeira was read the charges against him and deferred a plea, Air Force spokesperson Rose Riley told Military.com. A subsequent arraignment trial date has tentatively been set for late winter at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts. Read Next: Army Says Arlington National Cemetery Employee Being 'Unfairly Attacked' by Trump Campaign "The court-martial trial is tentatively scheduled to start on March 10 at Hanscom, depending on proceedings before the trial," Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said in an emailed statement Thursday. "It will likely be confirmed during the arraignment, which is currently scheduled for Jan. 27." The charges in the military case included one violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, or UCMJ, specifically Article 92, or disobeying a direct order. The airman is alleged to have ignored a lawful order to "cease and desist from accessing information not pertaining to his duties" at Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts, between September 2022 and April 2023. He also was charged with two specifications for violating Article 131b of the UCMJ, relating to obstructing justice. Teixeira was alleged to "dispose of an iPad, computer hard drive, and cell phone, with intent to obstruct the due administration of justice in the case of himself" sometime between March 2023 and April 2023, the service detailed. He is also accused of asking "another individual to delete Discord messages" he allegedly sent "with intent to obstruct the due administration of justice in the case of himself." Riley said he remains an airman first class in the Air National Guard pending the outcome of the court-martial. Teixeira was charged and arrested by the federal government in April 2023 and accused of unauthorized retention, removal and transmission of national defense information and classified documents. He allegedly obtained the information while working as cyberdefense airman with the 102nd Intelligence Wing based out of Joint Base Cape Cod in Massachusetts. In late 2023, the Air Force said that 15 Air National Guard enlisted troops and officers had been punished and removed from command in connection with the incident, citing a "lack of supervision" that enabled the leaks, Military.com previously reported. As part of his guilty plea in March as part of the federal case, Teixeira could face anywhere from 11 years to a little more than 16 years in prison. He is set to face sentencing, at which time the specifics of that plea deal will be decided, next month. Depending on the outcome of that sentencing, Teixeira's punishment could mark one of the harshest sentences in recent history for violation of the Espionage Act of 1917. Related: Jack Teixeira Faces Article 32 Hearing as Air Force Considers New Charges in Classified Leak Case A U.S. soldier in Alaska is facing federal charges after prosecutors say that he used artificial intelligence to create sexual images of children whom he knew -- including those around his own daughter's age. Spc. Seth Herrera, 34, who is stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, was arrested last week on three charges that stem from his possession of thousands of images that prosecutors say depicted the violent sexual abuse of children, including infants. Herrera's charges come just months after federal officials charged a Wisconsin man with similar allegations in a case that is believed to be the first attempt to prosecute the creation of child sexual abuse material entirely through AI. Read Next: Arlington Cemetery Confirms 'Incident' with Trump Staff as Campaign Denies Physical Fight In court documents, prosecutors say that Herrera is a heavy vehicle driver for the Army who regularly drives supplies between Anchorage and Fairbanks. John Pennell, a spokesman for the Army, told Military.com that Herrera joined the service in November 2019, and was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Fort Bliss, Texas; and in South Korea before being assigned to the 11th Airborne Division and arriving in Alaska in August 2023. According to court documents, investigators found that Herrera's three Samsung Galaxy cellphones were "replete with contraband" and "contained, among other evidence, tens of thousands of videos and images depicting the violent rape and sexual abuse of children as young as infants, dating back to as early as March 2021." Prosecutors said Herrera, who lives with his wife and daughter, had "received and specifically sought [child pornography] files depicting minor females around the same age as his prepubescent, minor daughter." In addition, he took nude and inappropriate images and videos of children whom he knew and used AI to enhance those pictures. He also "created new, morphed" images using AI. "When the surreptitious recordings and images did not satisfy his sexual desires, he turned to AI chatbots to ensure these minor victims would be depicted as if they had engaged in the type of sexual conduct he wanted to see," the court documents added. Military.com reached out to Herrera's defense attorney but did not receive a response. Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer of Homeland Security Investigations said that Herrera's actions were "a profound violation of trust" and that the "appalling misconduct undermines [his] commitment to defending both our nation and its most vulnerable members," in a statement released Monday. "The misuse of cutting-edge generative AI is accelerating the proliferation of dangerous content," Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in the same statement. "Criminals considering the use of AI to perpetuate their crimes should stop and think twice." Court records show that a judge ordered Herrera be jailed until trial during a hearing Tuesday. The statement from the Department of Justice said that, if convicted, Herrera faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. Related: Army Private Who Ran into North Korea Will Plead Guilty to Desertion, 4 Other Charges as Part of Plea Deal The Army is defending an Arlington National Cemetery employee whom it says has been "unfairly attacked" in the wake of a confrontation with campaign staffers during former President Donald Trump's visit to the cemetery earlier this week. In a relatively strong statement for a military service, the Army said Thursday that the employee "acted with professionalism" when she sought to remind the campaign about federal laws and policies banning political activities on cemetery grounds. "An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside," the Army said in its statement, using an acronym for the military cemetery. Read Next: Alaska Soldier Accused of Using Artificial Intelligence to Create Child Porn of Minors He Knew "This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked," the statement added. "ANC is a national shrine to the honored dead of the armed forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nation's fallen deserve." The statement comes after the Trump campaign baselessly accused the employee of "suffering from a mental health episode" and called her "despicable" in its own statements Wednesday. Asked for comment on the latest Army statement, as well as any update on plans to release footage it claims to have disproving allegations of a physical fight, the Trump campaign did not directly answer. Instead, it sent Military.com a social media post from a conservative commentator about President Joe Biden's use of a cemetery photo in a 2020 campaign ad. At issue is Trump's visit to Arlington National Cemetery on Monday to mark the third anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members during the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Trump participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and then visited some of the victims' graves in Section 60, the area of the cemetery reserved for recent war dead. NPR first reported Tuesday night that Trump campaign staff verbally abused and pushed a cemetery official who tried to enforce the rules against political activities when Trump was in Section 60. The Trump campaign denied that there was a "physical altercation as described" and said it was "prepared to release footage" it suggested would contradict the allegation, but has yet to release any footage of the incident. Family members of two of the Abbey Gate victims have said they invited Trump to accompany them to the cemetery and welcomed him to take photos and video of the visit. But ahead of the visit, Trump campaign staff was given a document detailing laws and regulations they needed to follow while there that "prohibit political campaign or election-related activities," according to a copy of the document obtained by Military.com. "Photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes, or in direct support, of a partisan political candidate's campaign are NOT permitted on the ANC installation," the document says. Photos and video of the visit have since been used on Trump's TikTok account, his campaign co-chair's X account, and a campaign fundraising email from Utah's governor, among other political uses. The governor has since apologized for including a photo of the visit in the email. In its statement Thursday, the Army noted that Arlington conducts "nearly 3,000" public wreath-laying ceremonies annually "without incident." The Arlington employee reported Monday's incident with the Trump campaign to police at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, the installation that oversees the cemetery, but has decided not to press charges, according to the Army's statement. "Therefore," the statement said, "the Army considers this matter closed." -- Steve Beynon contributed to this report. Related: Arlington Cemetery Confirms 'Incident' with Trump Staff as Campaign Denies Physical Fight With $5 million in federal funds, the state Department of Veterans Affairs plans to renovate three buildings on the Rocky Hill campus for temporary veterans housing. The project is to provide up to 46 bedrooms for veterans and their families in three existing buildings, Deputy Commissioner Joseph D. Danao II said Tuesday. The facilities are meant to help veterans in a variety of circumstances, Danao said, from U.S. Navy sailors transitioning to civilian life after service at the Groton submarine base to homeless veterans and their families. The money comes from the American Rescue Plan Act and all funding must be contracted by Dec. 31. "Whatever money is not obligated by the end of year, we have to give it back," Danao said, "so we're working really hard with our partner state agencies to execute this and get the most out of this program for our veterans." The work is to include assessment and abatement of asbestos and lead, renovations that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, painting, and purchase of appliances and furniture. The project includes 11 three-bedroom apartments and rooms paired around shared bathrooms. The buildings, which date to about 1940, are in fairly good shape and originally housed agency staff, Danao said. Veterans have occupied some of the rooms within the past year, while other spaces have been vacant for a decade or more. Department staff is working with state legislators, the state housing department, and other state agencies to complete the project, Danao said. The rooms will be for temporary housing, which is initially up to one year but can be extended to two years. With housing as a priority, House Majority Leader Rep. Jason Rojas, D- East Hartford, said Wednesday that he and other legislators have been asking state agencies "to think about state-owned properties that could be used to advance housing goals." Rep. Kerry Wood, a Democrat who serves Rocky Hill and Wethersfield, invited him to tour the Veterans Home campus, Rojas said, "as they had existing residential buildings that had been offline for some time. "After touring the properties," he said, "I made it a priority to secure resources to bring these properties back online." The project is meant to build on an existing program known as Patriots Landing, which currently consists of five furnished single-family homes. The program houses veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, providing supportive services meant to help veterans achieve their goals and find permanent housing. Over the last two months, two veterans and their families graduated from the housing program to their own independent living arrangements, according to the agency. Residential services on the Rocky Hill campus are meant for Connecticut veterans who were honorably discharged or released under honorable conditions from active service in the armed forces. Eligible veterans include those who live in the state or were residents at the time of enlistment or induction into military service. On a related front, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D- Connecticut, recently announced new federal guidelines that will discontinue a policy of including veterans' disability payments as income when they apply for affordable housing, a change meant to make housing available to more veterans. Anastasia Woolcock, director of housing for West Hartford-based Journey Home, said Friday that the most common barrier for veterans to gain access to affordable housing is the income threshold and that, as a result, her organization has housing units unfilled. "We have 100 veterans on our waiting list, 70 of them in greater Hartford," Woolcock said Friday. "We're excited that there is a solution on the way." Sharon Castelli, CEO of Hartford-based Chrysalis Center, said the affordable housing crisis for veterans and all Connecticut residents was exacerbated by the pandemic, which resulted in a flood of people moving into the state from New York and other neighboring states. As a result, she said, landlords raised rents because of the competition and also made other changes, such as requiring three months rent in advance. "It priced our vets right out," Castelli said. ___ (c)2024 The Hour (Norwalk, Conn.) Visit The Hour (Norwalk, Conn.) at www.thehour.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A former Russian defense official was ordered detained on fraud charges Thursday in the latest high-profile arrest of a senior military official in what appears a sweeping investigation into abuse of office in the top echelons of the military leadership. Former Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Popov faces up to 10 years in prison if he is charged and convicted after being detained on suspicion of committing fraud, Russian state news agencies reported Thursday. The case against Popov relates to business activities at a sprawling park in Moscow sometimes called Russia's military Disneyland. Patriot Park, a pet project of former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, is designed to inspire patriotism in Russias younger generations and showcases Soviet and Russian weaponry. It has a firing range, air base, museums and conference center and a massive, khaki-colored Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces, which features mosaics of Soviet and Russian soldiers. Russian President Vladimir Putin personally donated money to commission the main icon for the church, according to the Kremlin. Popov is now the eighth top military figure to be arrested on charges of fraud, bribery or abuse of office in recent months, including Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, who was arrested for bribery in April and later dismissed from his position. The arrests began shortly before Putin replaced long-time defense minister Sergei Shoigu with an economist, Andrei Belousov. Analysts suggest the arrests are a sign that the most egregious corruption in the defense ministry will no longer be tolerated. Former deputy defense minister Popov was responsible for developing and maintaining Patriot Park and is accused of renovating his own properties in the Moscow region at the park's expense, Tass said. He is accused of fraud alongside the director of the park and Maj. Gen Vladimir Shesterov, deputy of the Defense Ministrys innovations department, both of whom have already been detained. Popov forced companies that had contracts with Patriot Park to do work on his out-of-town apartments without paying for them, Svetlana Petrenko from Russia's Investigative Committee told state news agency Tass. In addition to a plot of land with houses outside Moscow, Popov and his family own numerous properties in prestigious areas of Moscow, the Moscow Region and the Krasnodar Region, in southern Russia, Petrenko said. The properties are worth a total of 500 million roubles ($5.5 million) and investigators are establishing whether they were acquired legally, Petrenko told Tass. Popov was a deputy defense minister from 2013 to June this year when he was dismissed by a presidential decree. His arrest comes shortly after that of Former Deputy Defense Minister Gen. Dmitry Bulgakov who was detained in Moscow in July. According to Tass, Bulgakov is charged with large-scale embezzlement. He reportedly oversaw the creation of a system to supply low-quality food rations to Russian troops at inflated prices. If found guilty, he faces up to 10 years in prison. Bulgakov was deputy defense minister from 2008 to September 2022, when he was dismissed. He was in charge of logistics at the time, and while the ministry had said that he was taking another job, the move was seen as punishment for flaws in supporting operations in Ukraine. The Lockheed Martin Corp. presented Poland with its first F-35 aircraft at a ceremony on Wednesday in Fort Worth. The transfer of ownership, held in Lockheeds coatings facility, was attended by company executives, Polish and American dignitaries, parliamentarians, defense officials from the U.S. and Poland, and dozens of Polish journalists and soldiers. A member of NATO and the European Union, Poland agreed to a roughly $4.6 billion deal with the United States for 32 fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II aircraft in January 2020. Lockheed expects to deliver the dozens of aircraft to Poland over the next decade. Speakers at Wednesdays event addressed Lockheeds role as a pillar of Fort Worths economy. My family literally still lives just a few minutes away from here, and Ive watched planes fly around this plant literally my entire life, and I consider this facility like a member of my family., said U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, a Democrat from Fort Worth, at Wednesdays event. Lockheed employs about 18,000 people in Fort Worth. The company has a $9 billion economic impact on Texas each year. Chief Operating Officer Frank St. John said Lockheed has about 2,000 employees in Poland. Polish and American dignitaries highlighted the strong alliance between the United States and Poland. Our F-35 globalization is a powerful testament that our military alignment is not just a photo-op, but shows true synchronicity between our nations, said the U.S. ambassador to Poland, Mark Brzezinski. Officials also spoke on the importance of the F-35 in deterring future conflicts and keeping NATO borders unchanged. I am proud to be part of history today, introducing the F-35 as the next generation, which will protect and defend Polands future for many years, said Maj. Gen. Ireneusz Nowak, inspector of the Polish Air Force, in a statement. We are joining a strong coalition of 5th generation fighters across Europe, bolstering air superiority through allied deterrence. Polish pilots will start training to fly the F-35 at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, later this year. Polands first F-35 will be delivered to the Polish Air Force in December, at which time it will be used for training in Arkansas. The Polish Ministry of National Defence already uses Lockheeds F-16 jet and Black Hawk helicopters. Wednesdays event was the 11th F-35 rollout in the programs history. Considered one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world, F-35s operate at 32 bases across the globe. Lockheed has delivered over 1,000 F-35s, according to the company. Lockheed began delivering F-35s with Technology Refresh 3 to the U.S. military in July, after months of delays stalled delivery of aircraft with the long-awaited hardware and software update. F-35s with TR3 currently have a truncated version of the update to be used only for training. A software update to complete TR3, and make the aircraft combat-ready, is expected in 2025. A report released by the Government Accountability Office in April estimated the cost of the F-35 program will exceed $2 trillion over the course of its lifetime. Branches of the U.S. military that fly the F-35 plan to decrease use of the aircraft, though the Department of Defense estimates using the F-35 until 2088. The U.S. maintains roughly 630 F-35s, with plans to acquire about 2,500 in the next two decades. 2024 Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Visit star-telegram.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Navy said Thursday it will meet its annual recruiting goals after struggling for years to get enough people to join the ranks. Rear Adm. Jim Waters, who oversees the Navy's recruiting command, told reporters that the service projects it will have 40,600 recruits by the end of September. Waters attributed the success to the hard work of recruiters but as well as changes behind the scenes that made the process smoother for recruits and gave leaders greater insight into how the Navy's recruiting efforts are going. "I am very proud to announce that the Navy has had its best stretch of recruiting results since 2020," Waters told reporters. Read Next: Army Says Arlington National Cemetery Employee Being 'Unfairly Attacked' by Trump Campaign At the moment, the sea service has contracted 36,776 future active-duty sailors and shipped 30,314 to boot camp. Waters said that his recruiters were averaging more than 4,000 contracts per month. He chalked up a large portion of that success to changes within the recruiter community that included staffing the command close to 100% and adding goals that incentivize overproduction of recruits. Rear Adm. Jeffrey Czerewko, head of the Navy's Training and Education Command, also noted that improving and strengthening the service's ability to track and monitor its recruiting efforts have also been key to the service's success. Czerewko said that, as late as last summer, "we never knew if we were winning or losing day to day until the end of the month," whereas now they are able "to know if we were winning or losing every day." This close tracking also meant that leaders were able to move faster to clear interested applicants through the medical screening process when, in years past, recruits would get snarled in monthslong efforts to either explain minor health issues or try and get waivers to allow them to serve anyway. "We have rejuvenated our medical waiver process and eliminated all backlog," Waters said, noting that he and his team are now "making medical waiver decisions in zero to three days, most at one day." The good news comes after years of efforts by the Navy, as well as other services, to fix lagging recruiting numbers that, at least in some part, military officials attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to trying the conventional ideas of offering eye-watering enlistment bonuses and spending millions on high-profile advertisements at events like the Super Bowl, the Navy also dedicated some of its efforts to tweaking policies to increase the percentage of the U.S. public it considered eligible. It started offering exceptions over tattoos, single parent status, and positive drug and alcohol tests. Last winter, the Navy even raised the maximum enlistment age to 41 and loosened entry exam rules to allow the lowest-performing academic category of applicant to join the service. It teamed those efforts with pre-boot camp schools that would either have recruits work out in order to boost their physical fitness scores or take academic courses to raise test results. Czerewko said that, while courses like that are "a friction inducer," their outcomes have been impressive. "To watch young men and women ... their world has changed completely," Czerewko said, adding that he's seen recruits go from having around 12 job choices in the Navy to being qualified for highly technical and prestigious jobs like information technician. "It's incredible," he said. As a result of this glut of new recruits, Czerewko now faces a different problem -- a shortage of sailors to train the new candidates at boot camp. Czerewko said that, while he is on a path to get the Navy's boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois, to 90% manned over the next year, he's had to slow the flow of recruits in the meantime. "We weren't going to break humans to make sailors," Czerewko explained. He also said he's actively keeping an eye on the quality of life of the sailors who train recruits at Great Lakes. Related: No Diploma? No Problem! Navy Again Lowers Requirements as it Struggles to Meet Recruitment Goals BEIJING A top Chinese military officer, in a rare meeting with a visiting American official, demanded Thursday that the United States stop collusion with Taiwan, the self-governing island that China says must come under its rule. Gen. Zhang Youxia, one of two vice chairs of the Central Military Commission, told White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan that promoting what China calls the reunification of Taiwan with the mainland is the mission and responsibility of the military, according to a statement from China's Defense Ministry. Sullivan was wrapping up a three-day trip to China, his first as national security adviser and one aimed at maintaining communication to avoid differences over Taiwan and other issues from spiraling into conflict. Both governments are eager to keep relations on an even keel ahead of a change in the U.S. presidency in January. Your request to meet with me shows the value you attach to military security and the relationship between our militaries, Zhang said in brief opening remarks. Sullivan said "it is rare that we have the opportunity to have this kind of exchange and underscored the need for us to responsibly manage US-China relations. The meeting came one day after the White House said that both countries would plan for a phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden in the coming weeks. There was no indication whether the two leaders might meet in person before Biden leaves the Oval Office. The announcement followed Sullivan's main talks on this trip, a day and a half of meetings with Wang Yi, the foreign minister and the ruling Communist Partys top foreign policy official. The U.S. doesn't recognize Taiwan as an independent country but is its main supplier of arms for its defense. China and Taiwan split in 1949 at the end of a civil war that brought the communists to power in China. The rival Nationalists fled to Taiwan, where they set up a government on the island about 160 kilometers (100 miles) across the Taiwan Strait from the Chinese coast. China demands that the United States stop military collusion between the U.S. and Taiwan, stop arming Taiwan and stop spreading false narratives about Taiwan, the Chinese Defense Ministry statement said, without elaborating on what the false narratives are. A White House statement said the two had recognized the progress in sustained, regular military-military communications over the past ten months and noted an agreement announced the previous day to hold a telephone call between commanders at the theater-level in the near future. On Taiwan, the U.S. statement said only that Sullivan had raised the importance of cross-Strait peace and stability. China suspended communication between the two militaries and in a few other fields after a senior U.S. lawmaker, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, visited Taiwan in August 2022. Talks were only gradually resumed more than a year later, after Xi and Biden met outside San Francisco in November. A theater-level call would be between Adm. Samuel Paparo, who heads the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii, and his Chinese counterpart, said Danny Russel, a vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York. This theater command-level dialogue is critical for crisis prevention but something the Chinese military has been resisting, said Russel, a former assistant U.S. secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs. Paparo said this week that the U.S. military is open to consultations about escorting Philippine ships in the South China Sea, where they have clashed with Chinese ships trying to block them from small islands and outcroppings that both countries claim. ___ Associated Press writers Didi Tang and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed. MUNISING, MI -- One of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore beaches just got a little more remote. Starting after Labor Day youll only be able to reach Miners Beach, on the shores of Lake Superior, by foot due to bridge construction. The bridge on Miners Beach Road will be closed completely to traffic in both directions starting Sept. 3 until next year. This closure is anticipated to last until Memorial Day, May 26, 2025. All vehicles must be moved from the Miners Beach parking lot by 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2. All vehicles remaining in this lot will be removed. RELATED: Pictured Rocks bridge near popular Miners Castle to close to traffic this fall Visitors can access Miners Beach on foot by taking the North Country National Scenic Trail from Miners Castle. Miners Castle will remain accessible during the closure of the bridge. The trail is less than a mile and mostly downhill from the castle to the beach, however hikers should expect a steeper return, said Hannan Bradburn, Pictured Rocks Visual Information Specialist. The nearly mile-long stretch of sand and rocky beach has spectacular views. Get a little higher for a panoramic view of Lake Superior. From the west end of the parking lot, a boardwalk leads hikers through the jack pine forest to a small platform overlooking the beach. You can also catch a glimpse of Bridalveil Falls flowing down one of the high cliffs to the east. There are staircases down to the beach from the viewing platform. Or walk about a quarter of a mile west down the beach to see the Miners River flowing into Lake Superior. There youll see the forested slope of the Miners Castle cliff towering above the river mouth. Small, picturesque Elliot Falls is located at the beachs far eastern end, where the beach meets the cliff. RELATED: Rustic cabin near Pictured Rocks shoreline can be reserved for the first time The National Parks Service tried to time out the construction period for the off season, meaning construction will be paused in the winter elongating the total time, Bradburn said. The bridge over the Miners River is nearing the end of its lifespan. The Federal Highway Administration called for a full replacement of the bridge, citing declining structural integrity, according to the NPS news release. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is in Michigans Upper Peninsula along the southern shore of Lake Superior. It has spectacular cliffs, stunning beaches, 10 inland lakes and nearly 100 miles of trails. ALLEN PARK Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes made it clear on Thursday morning that success on special teams is just as crucial as on offense and defense. Its one of the reasons he and the organization were, in his own words, disappointed by the departure of linebacker Trevor Nowaske last season. Nowaske native signed a three-year deal with the Lions after going undrafted last year. Despite not making the 53-man roster, the Canton, Michigan went through a whirlwindwaived, re-signed to the practice squad, promoted to the active roster, and then ultimately waived again on Dec. 28. This time, however, the Lions couldnt get him back; the Arizona Cardinals claimed him off waivers. Fast forward to a year later, and Nowaske found himself waived again, this time by the Cardinals. But now hes back with the Lions after they claimed him off waivers following Tuesdays NFL-mandated roster cuts, and Holmes couldnt be happier because he knows what Nowaske brings to the table. We were just in one of those spots where youre trying to sneak a guy through, and I dont know if theres any sneaking anymore in this league, Holmes told reporters about Nowaskes departure last season. We were trying to get him back on the practice squad, but people had their eyes on him. And Im not surprised because he does have a lot of upside. Hes got size, straight-line speed, hes tough, hes physical, and he has instincts for special teams. I think thats one of the things you look for in a special teams playeryou look at size, speed, the ability to get downfield, and break down in the open field. But he has instincts; hes got the spatial awareness to understand where the balls coming. Having spent most of last season with the Lions, Nowaske is well aware of the expectations from defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and, particularly, special teams coordinator Dave Fipp. In the two games he played for the Lions, Nowaske logged 35 snaps on special teams. Throughout this years training camp, the Lions were looking for a solution at linebacker for the unit, leading to Nowaske ultimately being claimed on Wednesday. A former standout at Salem High School and Saginaw Valley State, Nowaske left a strong impression on Holmes, who believes the second-year player has a bright future on special teams evidenced by his spot on the 53-man roster. However, Holmes also sees room for growth under linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard. I know that thats a really deep room, but we want to continue to grow him as well, Holmes said. Hes going to be competing with some other guys, but were not worried about him on that. ALLEN PARK -- Mathieu Betts, the CFLs reigning top defensive player, is heading back to Canada and the BC Lions after a failed bid to make the Detroit Lions and their opening 53-man roster, TSN reports. Betts signed with the Detroit Lions way back in February, spent the offeseason program and all of training camp and the preseason around these parts. But he was left off the opening roster, and is heading back to the team where he spent two seasons, and had 18 sacks and four forced fumbles in 18 games there. He had seven sacks in 2022, then notched 11 in his award-winning season. Related: Our thoughts on the Detroit Lions initial 52-man roster Related: Detroit Lions sign CFLs reigning most outstanding defensive player There was opportunity in Detroit, no doubt, but Betts failed to do much to move the needle in the last month. Instead, the Lions opted for Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport and James Houston as true edge rushers. Betts logged 59 snaps in the preseason, playing all three games, creating two pressures, one hurry and getting home for one sack in the process. Pro Football Focus graded him as the teams worst edge defender through the exhibition contests, with his best marks coming against the run. There are five Michigan beaches closed or under contamination advisories ahead of the long holiday weekend thats widely considered the unofficial end of summer. MLive Meteorologist Mark Torregrossas four-day Labor Day weekend forecast calls for one day of real beach weather: Saturday. Saturday is expected to be dry and warm across the state. Meanwhile, Friday and Sunday will have some rain, and Monday is expected to feel more like fall, he said. RELATED: Labor Day Weekend weather: 1 surprisingly summery day, then strong intro to fall If you plan to hit the beach over the weekend, check this list of spots closed or under contamination advisories for water quality thats unsafe or questionable for human contact. Even if your favorite spot is on the list, there are still plenty of opportunities to visit the states fabulous swimming beaches as there are more than 1,800 to choose from. Additionally, beaches are tested regularly, and their statuses are updated frequently. Find up-to-date information here. Here is the current closure and advisory list as of Thursday, Aug. 29: Ross Lake, Beaverton City Park, Gladwin County contamination advisory since July 16 due to high bacteria levels from an unknown source. Houghton Lake, Lakeview Waterfront Park, Roscommon County contamination advisory since July 18 due to high bacteria levels from an unknown source. Lake Bellaire, Richardi Park, Antrim County contamination advisory since July 25 due to other from an unknown source. Park Lake, Bath Township Park Lake Beach, Clinton County contamination advisory since Aug. 9 due to high bacteria levels from an unknown source. Lake St. Clair, St. Clair Shores Memorial Park Beach, Macomb County contamination advisory since Aug. 27 due to high bacteria levels from an unknown source. Each beachs status is subject to change as new test results come in. To see an up-to-date map of the red-flagged beaches and details on the water quality tests, check the Beach Guard website here, by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. The Beach Guard site gives the public information on beach water quality across the state. It includes water sampling results and daily updates on which beaches are under advisories or have been closed. The data covers 1,244 public beaches and 574 private ones. OAKLAND COUNTY, MI -- A former investigator with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms pleaded no contest Wednesday to multiple charges connected to loan fraud. Tiesha Johnson, 56, formerly of Farmington Hills entered the plea for all three charges she was facing of False Pretenses, $1,000-$20,000. As part of the plea, Johnson also agreed to pay $34,675 in restitution after she was accused of fraudulently obtaining multiple loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Michigan is a key battleground state in the coming Nov. 5 election. How we vote has the potential to change the future of the country. So, its no surprise that the candidates are visiting a lot. Former President Donald Trump visited twice within a week, his running mate JD Vance appeared in Big Rapids, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris is rallying in Detroit over Labor Day a few weeks after a controversial rally at Detroit Metropolitan Airport with running mate Tim Walz. We are committed to being at these events on your behalf. We are also committed to giving you the information you need to make an informed decision for free. Starting this weekend and going through the day after the election, all readers will be able to access our election coverage. In essence, weve decided that politically minded readers will become short-term subscribers for free. To open this election portal, all you need to do is sign in with an email address when prompted. If you are digital subscriber, you already have access to our content and wont see a prompt. If you are print subscriber who has not activated your digital access, now is a great time to do that. Why are we making this change? We believe citizens should have access to information about the candidates and issues. But we also know that our long-term strategy to be a sustainable business is through committed, paying subscribers. To entice new subscribers, a number of stories every day aresubscriber exclusives. A computer algorithm helps us choose those stories. Including pegging some election stories as subscriber exclusives. During the next two-plus months, everyone will be a subscriber for election coverage. Read as much as you want, whenever you want. Share stories. Print stories out. Make informed decisions. As I said, current digital subscribers dont need to do anything youll continue to see all the coverage if logged in. Same with print subscribers who have activated the digital aspect of their subscription.(To activate, use your computer, tablet or smartphone to go to myaccount.mlive.com. Follow the steps to activate; if you already are, it will note that.) For everyone else, an email address is a low-obligation way for you to start a relationship with us and vice versa. Well be able to offer you benefits like our Michigan Politics newsletter or other content that is tailored to your reading interests. The relationship we have with our subscribers is the core of our business model, and its the resource that funds the journalism we do in our communities and across the state. To our current subscribers, I say thank you on behalf of all MLive journalists. To those who would like to subscribe now and support our work, visit https://subscribe.mlive.com and view our current offers. And for those who simply want to continue to read our political coverage, give us your email and jump in for the election season. And for one and all, buckle up the big names are going to keep coming until Nov. 5, and we may be in for a bumpy ride. # # # Note: Last weeks column included a photo caption that incorrectly named the area near the site of Gabbro Falls. It is Ironwood, not Iron Mountain. # # # John Hiner is president of MLive Media Group. If you have questions youd like him to answer, or topics to explore, share your thoughts at editor@mlive.com. About 60 protesters on Thursday, Aug. 29 supporting Palestine rally in front of the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security building near Michigan Stadium. Four protesters were arrested the day before on The Diag.Samuel Dodge OTTAWA COUNTY, MI The ballot recount for Ottawa Countys District 9 commission seat has begun at the countys Fillmore Street complex in West Olive. The recount began a little after 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, at the request of current District 9 Commissioner Roger Belknap. Belknap lost the Aug. 6 Republican primary election for the District 9 seat to former Ottawa County Commissioner Phil Kuyers. Kuyers received 4,070 votes while Belknap received 2,997, a difference of 1,073 votes. Currently, Kuyers will face Democrat Angela Stanford-Butler in the November general election. RELATED: Former commissioner beats Ottawa Impact member who ousted him in District 9 primary In his petition filed Monday, Aug 19, Belknap cited concerns about complications and outages of online reporting being down during the evening of Aug. 6, 2024. He also claimed he was sent screenshots that appeared to show he had more votes than Kuyers. The Ottawa County election results webpage was down for about 90 minutes on election night, due to many visitors, according to Clerk Justin Roebuck. Were going to show our community the accuracy and integrity of this process. These ballots that are back here were sealed by bipartisan teams on election night and will be recounted by bipartisan teams, Roebuck said. Our results database is never connected to the internet, to our website. Belknap, a member of the ultra-conservative political group Ottawa Impact, has paid $5,000 for the recount. RELATED: Ottawa County commissioner wants recount, concerned with election night website crash Belknap addressed the Board of Canvassers and residents, saying the recount is the only recourse I have. As a Republican, I support the 2024 Republican platform as well as President Trumps advocacy for election security, he said. I feel obliged to my campaign volunteers and those wanting conservative representation in District 9. I know crossover voting is legal, but conservative candidates are being diminished. In the recount conference room, there are 11 counting teams, one per each precinct in District 9. District 9 covers Grand Haven and Robinson Townships, along with Spring Lake Township Precinct 5. There are two people per counting team, and each counting team is being observed by two representatives for each candidate. One representative from each candidate is designated as the spokesperson for each counting table. According to Roebuck, there are roughly 7,000 ballots to be recounted. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. KENTWOOD, MI - Second gentleman Douglas Emhoff and Hon. Gina Raimondo, former governor of Rhode Island, visited the Grand Rapids community Thursday morning to talk Vice President Kamala Harris plan to create an Opportunity Economy. The visit to Broadleaf Brewery & Spirits in Kentwood marks Emhoffs third campaign-related trip to Michigan this year but serves as his first stop in the state since Harris officially accepted the Democratic nomination for president in Chicago earlier this month. If Harris wins in November alongside her running mate Gov. Tim Walz, the second gentleman would become the first male spouse of a president in U.S. history. Speaking to a crowd of supporters at 2885 Lake Eastbrook Blvd SE, Emhoff and Raimondo underscored Harris plans to bring down costs, cut taxes for the middle class and make it more affordable for middle-class Americans to own a home. Kamala is someone who always steps up when shes needed, Emhoff said Thursday to over 100 constituents in attendance. And now that the country, even the world, needed somebody to step into the void, Kamala Harris did that. Through her entire career, shes only had one client: us, the people. He described his wife as a joyful warrior and someone who leads with empathy a stark contrast with former President Donald Trumps Project 2025 agenda, which Emhoff said would raise costs for middle-class families by thousands per year. This election could not be more clear, Emhoff added. Its really about who sees and understands voters. Most of us in this country want what Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are talking about, very few want what Trump and J.D. Vance are actually talking about. Listen to the words theyre saying. We dont want that, we want a world thats forward-looking, not looking backward. Raimondo, U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, of Grand Rapids, and Kent County commissioners joined Emhoff in fighting for a brighter future. Way too many Americans are working day and night and barely scraping by, Raimondo said. Harris wants to expand the Child Tax Credit, fight to lower grocery costs, she knows we need more affordable housing and bring down the costs of mortgages or rents. If you spent 30 seconds talking to her, she is running to make a defining goal of her presidency building up the middle class. Political experts boast Michigan as a key battleground state that could be the deciding factor in securing the presidency this November. Emhoff previously campaigned alongside First Lady Jill Biden for reproductive rights in May, where they made stops in Detroit, Marquette, Midland and Saginaw. In June, Emhoff also visited Flint and Clawson. Meanwhile, Harris Republican opponent, Trump will be making his second campaign visit to Michigan this week at a steel manufacturing facility in Potterville. His running mate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, of Ohio, also campaigned Tuesday, Aug. 26, at a horse farm in Big Rapids. Related: Trump schedules second Michigan campaign stop in a week Victoria LaCivita, communications director for Team Trump Michigan, released a statement on the second gentlemans visit to Grand Rapids. Michiganders are living in Kamala Harris Michigan right now, the Aug. 29 statement reads. Thats a Michigan where young people cant afford to buy a home, families cant afford groceries, where weve declared war on gas-powered vehicles and where crime from our southern border hurts Michiganders. It doesnt matter who is delivering Kamalas gaslighting message Michiganders wont fall for it. In response, the second gentleman told Michigan not to be distracted by the nonsense and name calling. We need a president who understands that government has to work in partnership with the business community, and that a market-based economy needs a strong government, Emhoff said. Harris never runs from a fight, and she knows the best way to deal with cowards is head-on, because she knows cowards are weak and Kamala Harris can smell weakness. Following the Grand Rapids campaign visit, Emhoff will immediately fly out of Gerald R. Ford International Airport to deliver remarks at a campaign reception in Ketchum, Idaho on behalf of the Harris Victory Fund. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. Michigan students are declining vaccinations required for school entry at an increasing rate. For three three consecutive years, the state has reported vaccine waiver rate increases, with the 2023-24 school year rate (5.7%) reaching the highest point since 2013. Vaccines against certain infectious diseases like measles, mumps, pertussis, and chickenpox are required for students entering kindergarten and the seventh grade, as well as a new school district. However, Michigan is one of the most lenient states in allowing students to waive that requirement for medical, philosophical and religious reasons. Thousands of students are back in classrooms this month for the 2024-25 school year. Last year, 6.4% of kindergarteners, 5.5% of seventh graders, and 5.3% of new entrants to a school district received a waiver for at least one required vaccine. Each classs waiver rate has increased year-over-year since 2020. Among the waivers, 3.6% were for medical reasons, 40% were for religious reasons, and 56.4% were for philosophical reasons. Religion continues to make up more waivers each year while the other two reasonings decline in popularity. Related: 2 Michigan counties have child vax rates under 40%. See how your area ranks. Public schools had a higher immunization completion rate (91%) last year, compared to private schools (84.1%). Waiver rates at public schools (5.2%) were about half that of private schools (10.7%). In total, nearly 20,600 students declined the required vaccinations last year while attending Michigan schools. Of those students, 17,432 went to a public school. Theres a wide diversity of rates, said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the states chief medical executive, who advised parents to look up their schools rates. There are some schools with over 90% vaccination rates and some with very, very low rates. That gives you an idea of risk. Below is a database of last years vaccination rates for the kindergarten and seventh grade classes, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Among Michigans 30 largest seventh-grade classes, there were three that had vaccination rates lower than 90%. They were: Macomb Countys Romeo Middle School with 82% of its 383 students fully immunized. Livingston Countys Hartland Middle School at Ore Creek with 88% of its students vaccinated Oakland Countys Hart Middle School with 86% of its students vaccinated. Ten schools reported 0% vaccination rates. Each of those classes was made up of seven or fewer students. Related: Child vaccinations are improving, but Michigan remains vulnerable Childhood vaccination rates were dropping from 2010 through 2015, before a slight increase. Waiver rates declined again in 2019 and 2020, but reversed that trend during the coronavirus pandemic. Health officials attribute some of the rise in waiver rates to misinformation spread about vaccine safety and effectiveness during the pandemic. They have since increased outreach efforts and recruited primary care physicians and other trusted community voices to help provide resources defending the value of immunization to hesitant parents. In many cases, these are the same vaccines that we got as children, and that in some cases our parents got when they were children, Bagdasarian said. There are diseases that have been eliminated and that have really declined that could return if we dont take action. For more information on vaccinations, visit Michigans webpage on immunization information, or visit ivaccinate.org, an organization founded by Veronica Valentine McNally, who advocates for vaccination after her daughter died of pertussis in 2012. The Detroit Red Wings continue to have a penchant for bringing in Michigan-born players. They have signed left wing Austin Watson, a 10-yearNHL veteran, to a professional tryout contract, his agency announced. Watson, a 32-year-old Ann Arbor native, will compete for a roster spot and try to earn a contract in training camp and the preseason. Hes a big, grinding forward (6-4, 238) who would fill a toughness void with his knack for fighting. He appeared in 33 games last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning (two goals, two assists, 93 penalty minutes). The Red Wings appear to be set with their bottom six with centers Andrew Copp and Tyler Motte and wingers Michael Rasmussen, Jonatan Berggren, Christian Fischer and Joe Veleno. They could use a 13th forward. Prospect Carter Mazur will be competing for a job in camp but will only make the roster if hes playing regularly, otherwise hell continue developing in Grand Rapids. Watson was the 18th overall pick in 2010 by the Nashville Predators. Hes played 515 career games, picking up 60 goals, 58 assists and 705 penalty minutes. State-owned carriers Air China and China Southern Airlines received their first C919 jets simultaneously on Wednesday evening in Shanghai, indicating the beginning of a new phase of operation of the C919 planes by multiple airlines. China's domestically developed single-aisle C919 planes are expected to be put into commercial operation on more routes and cover more areas, and the model is set to bring more vitality to China's civil aviation and even the global market, said He Dongfeng, chairman of Commercial Aircraft Corp of China, or COMAC, the manufacturer of the C919. Comparable to the narrow-body Airbus A320 and the Boeing B737 series, the C919 has 158 to 192 seats and a flying range of 4,075 kilometers to 5,555 km. Air China's C919 jet is equipped with two classes and 158 seats, and China Southern's C919 plane has a layout of three classes and 164 seats, the carriers said. Both aircraft are equipped with customized cabin seats, and the entire cabin is equipped with personal charging sockets, providing passengers with a convenient and comfortable boarding experience, COMAC said. So far, C919 has netted more than 1,000 orders at home and abroad, and nine aircraft have been delivered. Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines, the first customer of the C919, currently operates seven C919 jets on multiple domestic routes. zhuwenqian@chinadaily.com.cn Catalyst Financial Partners LLC reduced its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 24.6% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 4,960 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 1,621 shares during the quarter. Catalyst Financial Partners LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $206,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. IMA Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $219,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 111,723 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $4,640,000 after acquiring an additional 3,500 shares during the last quarter. Wedgewood Investors Inc. PA bought a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $230,000. Northcape Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.9% during the 2nd quarter. Northcape Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,726 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $279,000 after acquiring an additional 254 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AMG National Trust Bank grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 166.1% during the 2nd quarter. AMG National Trust Bank now owns 117,595 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $4,884,000 after acquiring an additional 73,403 shares during the last quarter. 76.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms recently commented on BMY. StockNews.com upgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $53.00 to $45.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. TD Cowen upped their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $45.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Monday, August 12th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $45.00 price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $41.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Thursday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $54.93. Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Up 0.5 % Shares of BMY traded up $0.23 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $48.34. The stock had a trading volume of 3,203,823 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,608,799. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.86. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 52 week low of $39.35 and a 52 week high of $63.41. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $44.38 and a 200 day moving average of $46.56. The company has a market cap of $97.99 billion, a P/E ratio of -15.62, a P/E/G ratio of 12.51 and a beta of 0.44. Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.07 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.64 by $0.43. The business had revenue of $12.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.54 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a negative net margin of 14.06% and a positive return on equity of 12.51%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.75 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 0.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 5th were issued a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 5th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs payout ratio is -77.42%. About Bristol-Myers Squibb (Free Report) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cranswick plc (OTCMKTS:CRWKF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 300 shares, a decline of 62.5% from the July 31st total of 800 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently days. Cranswick Stock Performance OTCMKTS CRWKF remained flat at C$50.70 during trading on Wednesday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of C$50.70 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$50.70. Cranswick has a 52 week low of C$50.70 and a 52 week high of C$51.50. Get Cranswick alerts: Cranswick Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Stories Cranswick plc manufactures and supplies food products to grocery retailers, food service sector, and other food producers in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and internationally. The company offers fresh pork, gourmet bacon and gammon, fresh and coated chicken, ready to eat chicken, charcuterie, houmous and dips, and olives and antipasti, gourmet sausages, cooked meats, and gourmet pastries, as well as provides food services. Receive News & Ratings for Cranswick Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cranswick and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MWA Asset Management lifted its stake in shares of 3M (NYSE:MMM Free Report) by 4.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 19,678 shares of the conglomerates stock after purchasing an additional 827 shares during the quarter. 3M accounts for about 1.4% of MWA Asset Managements holdings, making the stock its 18th largest position. MWA Asset Managements holdings in 3M were worth $2,011,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp purchased a new position in shares of 3M in the 4th quarter worth about $446,000. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its holdings in 3M by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 41,768 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $4,566,000 after acquiring an additional 164 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp boosted its holdings in 3M by 12.3% during the 4th quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 504,953 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $55,201,000 after acquiring an additional 55,204 shares during the period. Golden State Equity Partners boosted its holdings in 3M by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. Golden State Equity Partners now owns 3,645 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $398,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the period. Finally, Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI boosted its holdings in 3M by 8.3% during the 4th quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI now owns 13,619 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,489,000 after acquiring an additional 1,040 shares during the period. 65.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get 3M alerts: 3M Stock Down 0.3 % Shares of MMM stock traded down $0.45 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $131.40. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,878,299 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,244,834. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.95, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.36. 3M has a 52-week low of $71.12 and a 52-week high of $132.62. The stock has a market cap of $72.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.33, a PEG ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.95. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $113.06 and a 200 day moving average price of $102.66. 3M Announces Dividend 3M ( NYSE:MMM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 26th. The conglomerate reported $1.93 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.68 by $0.25. 3M had a return on equity of 112.92% and a net margin of 3.08%. The company had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.85 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.17 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that 3M will post 7.21 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 12th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.13%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 26th. 3Ms dividend payout ratio is presently -22.01%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have weighed in on MMM shares. UBS Group increased their price objective on 3M from $98.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, May 1st. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on 3M from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. HSBC raised 3M from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the stock from $91.13 to $115.00 in a research report on Friday, May 10th. Argus raised 3M from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $145.00 target price for the company in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price objective on 3M from $120.00 to $143.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, 3M currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $123.57. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on MMM Insider Buying and Selling at 3M In other news, CFO Theresa E. Reinseth sold 2,100 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $124.12, for a total value of $260,652.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 4,364 shares of the companys stock, valued at $541,659.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, CFO Theresa E. Reinseth sold 2,100 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $124.12, for a total value of $260,652.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 4,364 shares in the company, valued at $541,659.68. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Chairman Michael F. Roman sold 5,675 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.46, for a total value of $700,635.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 174,036 shares in the company, valued at $21,486,484.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. 3M Profile (Free Report) 3M Company provides diversified technology services in the United States and internationally. The company's Safety and Industrial segment offers industrial abrasives and finishing for metalworking applications; autobody repair solutions; closure systems for personal hygiene products, masking, and packaging materials; electrical products and materials for construction and maintenance, power distribution, and electrical original equipment manufacturers; structural adhesives and tapes; respiratory, hearing, eye, and fall protection solutions; and natural and color-coated mineral granules for shingles. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MMM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for 3M (NYSE:MMM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for 3M Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for 3M and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:HDEF Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $26.60 and last traded at $26.59, with a volume of 17130 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $26.50. Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF Price Performance The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $25.21 and a 200 day simple moving average of $24.89. The company has a market capitalization of $1.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.59 and a beta of 0.68. Get Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. White Pine Investment CO boosted its position in Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. White Pine Investment CO now owns 516,905 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,602,000 after buying an additional 10,025 shares during the period. SWS Partners boosted its holdings in Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF by 1.1% in the first quarter. SWS Partners now owns 105,021 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,591,000 after purchasing an additional 1,100 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc acquired a new position in Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $81,000. Finally, Lynx Investment Advisory purchased a new stake in Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF during the 2nd quarter worth about $26,000. Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF Company Profile The Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF (HDEF) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield index. The fund tracks a cap-weighted index of developed country stocks, ex-North America, selected by quality and dividend factors. HDEF was launched on Aug 12, 2015 and is managed by Xtrackers. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK Get Free Report) had its target price decreased by stock analysts at Citigroup from $51.00 to $48.00 in a report issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the transportation companys stock. Citigroups price objective suggests a potential upside of 33.41% from the stocks current price. ALK has been the topic of a number of other reports. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Alaska Air Group from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $55.00 target price on the stock in a report on Friday, May 17th. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on Alaska Air Group from $58.00 to $51.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Susquehanna decreased their price target on Alaska Air Group from $42.00 to $41.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Alaska Air Group from $75.00 to $70.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $54.00. Get Alaska Air Group alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on ALK Alaska Air Group Price Performance Shares of Alaska Air Group stock traded up $0.23 during trading on Thursday, reaching $35.98. 507,264 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,202,403. Alaska Air Group has a 52-week low of $30.75 and a 52-week high of $46.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.63. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $37.47 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $39.80. The company has a market capitalization of $4.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.24, a P/E/G ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.60. Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The transportation company reported $2.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.36 by $0.19. Alaska Air Group had a return on equity of 11.97% and a net margin of 2.14%. The business had revenue of $2.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.94 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.00 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Alaska Air Group will post 4.09 EPS for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Alaska Air Group A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ALK. Altshuler Shaham Ltd bought a new position in shares of Alaska Air Group during the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Principal Securities Inc. bought a new position in Alaska Air Group during the 4th quarter worth about $39,000. LifeSteps Financial Inc. bought a new position in Alaska Air Group during the 1st quarter worth about $65,000. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its position in Alaska Air Group by 28.4% during the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 1,688 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $66,000 after purchasing an additional 373 shares during the period. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new stake in shares of Alaska Air Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $69,000. 81.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Alaska Air Group (Get Free Report) Alaska Air Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates airlines. It operates through three segments: Mainline, Regional, and Horizon. The company offers scheduled air transportation services on Boeing jet aircraft for passengers and cargo in the United States, and in parts of Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, and the Bahamas; and for passengers across a shorter distance network within the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Alaska Air Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alaska Air Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its holdings in shares of Webster Financial Co. (NYSE:WBS Free Report) by 6.2% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 1,682,750 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 98,571 shares during the quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLCs holdings in Webster Financial were worth $73,351,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Rise Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Webster Financial in the first quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Spire Wealth Management lifted its position in Webster Financial by 79.1% in the 4th quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 607 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 268 shares in the last quarter. Principal Securities Inc. bought a new stake in Webster Financial in the 4th quarter valued at $45,000. Mather Group LLC. boosted its stake in Webster Financial by 7,650.0% in the 2nd quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 1,240 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $54,000 after purchasing an additional 1,224 shares during the period. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Webster Financial by 29.7% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,114 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 255 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.58% of the companys stock. Get Webster Financial alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Webster Financial from $63.00 to $58.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on Webster Financial from $54.00 to $51.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Webster Financial from $65.00 to $60.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, June 24th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of Webster Financial from $56.00 to $51.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut shares of Webster Financial from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $54.00 to $57.00 in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Webster Financial currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $55.36. Webster Financial Trading Down 0.2 % WBS stock opened at $46.61 on Wednesday. Webster Financial Co. has a one year low of $36.36 and a one year high of $53.39. The stock has a market cap of $7.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $45.14 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $45.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.85. Webster Financial (NYSE:WBS Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The financial services provider reported $1.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.34 by ($0.08). Webster Financial had a return on equity of 11.81% and a net margin of 19.81%. The company had revenue of $1.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $671.91 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.50 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Webster Financial Co. will post 5.27 EPS for the current year. Webster Financial Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 29th were paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, July 29th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.43%. Webster Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.79%. Insider Activity at Webster Financial In other news, CEO John R. Ciulla sold 8,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.04, for a total transaction of $384,320.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 237,049 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,387,833.96. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CEO John R. Ciulla sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.04, for a total value of $384,320.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 237,049 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,387,833.96. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Jason A. Soto sold 1,650 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.32, for a total transaction of $76,428.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 20,539 shares in the company, valued at $951,366.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 14,650 shares of company stock worth $706,098 in the last ninety days. 0.88% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Webster Financial Profile (Free Report) Webster Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Webster Bank, National Association that provides a range of financial products and services to individuals, families, and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Commercial Banking, HSA Bank, and Consumer Banking. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WBS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Webster Financial Co. (NYSE:WBS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Webster Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Webster Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 13.0% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 3,130 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 361 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company comprises about 1.0% of Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 27th largest position. Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $2,834,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter worth approximately $5,992,890,000. Swedbank AB acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 1st quarter worth approximately $932,797,000. Sapient Capital LLC acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter worth approximately $682,139,000. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 72,745,011 shares of the companys stock worth $56,592,709,000 after buying an additional 1,133,810 shares during the period. Finally, GQG Partners LLC raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 20.2% during the 1st quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 3,848,886 shares of the companys stock worth $2,994,280,000 after buying an additional 648,094 shares during the period. 82.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have commented on LLY shares. Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and set a $1,000.00 price objective (up from $892.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Tuesday, June 25th. Guggenheim boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $884.00 to $1,030.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 16th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $994.00 to $1,015.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $900.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, July 11th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $725.00 to $1,025.00 in a report on Monday, August 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $961.76. Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance Eli Lilly and Company stock traded down $5.54 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $948.94. The stock had a trading volume of 1,697,028 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,081,237. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $516.57 and a 1 year high of $972.53. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.90. The stocks 50 day moving average is $887.63 and its two-hundred day moving average is $816.72. The stock has a market cap of $901.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 140.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.41. Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 15th will be paid a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.55%. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 76.58%. Insider Activity at Eli Lilly and Company In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 22,206 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $822.11, for a total value of $18,255,774.66. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 98,401,604 shares in the company, valued at $80,896,942,664.44. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Eli Lilly and Company news, EVP Johna Norton sold 7,056 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $819.38, for a total transaction of $5,781,545.28. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 25,428 shares in the company, valued at $20,835,194.64. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 22,206 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $822.11, for a total value of $18,255,774.66. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 98,401,604 shares in the company, valued at approximately $80,896,942,664.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 1,120,089 shares of company stock worth $990,278,343. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Eli Lilly and Company Profile (Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Trajan Wealth LLC lessened its stake in Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:ARW Free Report) by 5.6% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 1,690 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 100 shares during the period. Trajan Wealth LLCs holdings in Arrow Electronics were worth $204,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. QRG Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Arrow Electronics by 10.4% in the 4th quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 6,116 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $748,000 after purchasing an additional 575 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Arrow Electronics in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $79,027,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its holdings in Arrow Electronics by 40.7% in the 4th quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 214,327 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $26,201,000 after purchasing an additional 61,957 shares in the last quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Arrow Electronics in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $682,000. Finally, State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System boosted its holdings in Arrow Electronics by 20.5% in the 1st quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 59,293 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $7,404,000 after purchasing an additional 10,083 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.34% of the companys stock. Get Arrow Electronics alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have weighed in on ARW. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Arrow Electronics from $124.00 to $141.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Arrow Electronics from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Raymond James boosted their price target on Arrow Electronics from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Arrow Electronics from $116.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $130.75. Arrow Electronics Price Performance NYSE:ARW traded down $0.19 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $133.60. 367,987 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 488,006. The firms 50-day moving average is $124.68 and its 200-day moving average is $124.85. The stock has a market cap of $7.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.51 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 1.48 and a quick ratio of 1.07. Arrow Electronics, Inc. has a 1-year low of $108.51 and a 1-year high of $135.31. Arrow Electronics (NYSE:ARW Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The technology company reported $2.78 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.16 by $0.62. The firm had revenue of $6.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.52 billion. Arrow Electronics had a return on equity of 12.77% and a net margin of 1.97%. Arrow Electronicss quarterly revenue was down 19.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $4.37 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Arrow Electronics, Inc. will post 10.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Arrow Electronics Company Profile (Free Report) Arrow Electronics, Inc provides products, services, and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates in two segments, Global Components and Global Enterprise Computing Solutions. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ARW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:ARW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Arrow Electronics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arrow Electronics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Atomi Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL Free Report) by 19.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,403 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 888 shares during the period. Atomi Financial Group Inc.s holdings in Colgate-Palmolive were worth $524,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. GUNN & Co INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC. purchased a new position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,636,000. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 39,394 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,140,000 after buying an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. grew its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 18.4% during the 4th quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. now owns 3,880 shares of the companys stock worth $309,000 after acquiring an additional 603 shares during the last quarter. Fiduciary Group LLC grew its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 7.4% during the 4th quarter. Fiduciary Group LLC now owns 7,651 shares of the companys stock worth $610,000 after acquiring an additional 530 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mather Group LLC. grew its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 13.4% during the 4th quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 6,729 shares of the companys stock worth $536,000 after acquiring an additional 794 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.41% of the companys stock. Get Colgate-Palmolive alerts: Colgate-Palmolive Price Performance Shares of NYSE CL traded up $0.83 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $105.92. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,139,403 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,342,998. The firm has a market capitalization of $86.90 billion, a PE ratio of 33.52, a P/E/G ratio of 3.54 and a beta of 0.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.90, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 0.28. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $99.39 and a two-hundred day moving average of $93.11. Colgate-Palmolive has a 52 week low of $67.62 and a 52 week high of $106.04. Colgate-Palmolive Announces Dividend Colgate-Palmolive ( NYSE:CL Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 26th. The company reported $0.91 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.87 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $5.06 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5 billion. Colgate-Palmolive had a return on equity of 470.19% and a net margin of 14.21%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.77 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Colgate-Palmolive will post 3.57 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 19th were given a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 19th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.89%. Colgate-Palmolives dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 63.29%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts recently issued reports on CL shares. BNP Paribas started coverage on Colgate-Palmolive in a research report on Monday, June 24th. They set an outperform rating and a $109.00 price target on the stock. TD Cowen lifted their price target on Colgate-Palmolive from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Bank of America lifted their price target on Colgate-Palmolive from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Barclays lifted their price target on Colgate-Palmolive from $91.00 to $96.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on Colgate-Palmolive from $100.00 to $103.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Colgate-Palmolive has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $101.11. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on CL Insider Transactions at Colgate-Palmolive In other news, EVP Gregory Malcolm sold 10,533 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $103.10, for a total value of $1,085,952.30. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 10,377 shares in the company, valued at $1,069,868.70. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other Colgate-Palmolive news, insider Panagiotis Tsourapas sold 14,794 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.94, for a total transaction of $1,522,894.36. Following the sale, the insider now owns 5,146 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $529,729.24. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Gregory Malcolm sold 10,533 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.10, for a total value of $1,085,952.30. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 10,377 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,069,868.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 41,177 shares of company stock worth $4,245,835. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Colgate-Palmolive Profile (Free Report) Colgate-Palmolive Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells consumer products in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. The Oral, Personal and Home Care segment offers toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, bar and liquid hand soaps, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants and antiperspirants, skin health products, dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners, and other related items. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Colgate-Palmolive Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Colgate-Palmolive and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Atomi Financial Group Inc. cut its stake in 3M (NYSE:MMM Free Report) by 2.1% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 5,228 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 110 shares during the quarter. Atomi Financial Group Inc.s holdings in 3M were worth $534,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in MMM. AlphaStar Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of 3M by 16.6% in the 2nd quarter. AlphaStar Capital Management LLC now owns 5,167 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $528,000 after buying an additional 736 shares during the last quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in 3M by 14.3% in the 2nd quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 17,544 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,793,000 after buying an additional 2,201 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in 3M by 11.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 5,065,242 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $517,617,000 after buying an additional 533,520 shares during the period. Bristlecone Advisors LLC boosted its position in 3M by 8.0% in the 2nd quarter. Bristlecone Advisors LLC now owns 18,900 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,931,000 after buying an additional 1,402 shares during the period. Finally, Cypress Capital Group boosted its position in 3M by 40.2% in the 2nd quarter. Cypress Capital Group now owns 51,581 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $5,271,000 after buying an additional 14,803 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 65.25% of the companys stock. Get 3M alerts: 3M Trading Down 0.3 % Shares of 3M stock traded down $0.45 on Tuesday, hitting $131.40. 2,878,299 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,244,834. The company has a fifty day moving average of $113.06 and a two-hundred day moving average of $102.66. 3M has a one year low of $71.12 and a one year high of $132.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.95, a current ratio of 1.36 and a quick ratio of 1.08. The company has a market capitalization of $72.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.95. 3M Announces Dividend 3M ( NYSE:MMM Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 26th. The conglomerate reported $1.93 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.68 by $0.25. 3M had a return on equity of 112.92% and a net margin of 3.08%. The business had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.85 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.17 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that 3M will post 7.21 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 12th. Investors of record on Monday, August 26th will be given a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 26th. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.13%. 3Ms dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -22.01%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have issued reports on MMM shares. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of 3M from $100.00 to $133.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of 3M from $98.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, May 1st. Argus upgraded shares of 3M from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $145.00 price target on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of 3M from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of 3M from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $123.57. View Our Latest Report on MMM Insider Activity In related news, Chairman Michael F. Roman sold 5,675 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.46, for a total value of $700,635.50. Following the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 174,036 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,486,484.56. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, Chairman Michael F. Roman sold 5,675 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.46, for a total transaction of $700,635.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 174,036 shares in the company, valued at $21,486,484.56. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Theresa E. Reinseth sold 2,100 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $124.12, for a total transaction of $260,652.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 4,364 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $541,659.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock. 3M Company Profile (Free Report) 3M Company provides diversified technology services in the United States and internationally. The company's Safety and Industrial segment offers industrial abrasives and finishing for metalworking applications; autobody repair solutions; closure systems for personal hygiene products, masking, and packaging materials; electrical products and materials for construction and maintenance, power distribution, and electrical original equipment manufacturers; structural adhesives and tapes; respiratory, hearing, eye, and fall protection solutions; and natural and color-coated mineral granules for shingles. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MMM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for 3M (NYSE:MMM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for 3M Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for 3M and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB Free Report) had its price target increased by Scotiabank from $218.00 to $229.00 in a report issued on Monday, Benzinga reports. Scotiabank currently has a sector perform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. AVB has been the subject of a number of other reports. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $203.00 to $209.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $194.00 to $212.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, June 17th. Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $218.00 to $216.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 12th. Barclays increased their target price on AvalonBay Communities from $204.00 to $218.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, April 29th. Finally, Piper Sandler boosted their price target on AvalonBay Communities from $230.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $214.47. Get AvalonBay Communities alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on AVB AvalonBay Communities Stock Up 0.7 % Shares of AvalonBay Communities stock opened at $223.01 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 1.07 and a quick ratio of 1.07. The company has a 50-day moving average of $208.17 and a 200 day moving average of $194.84. The firm has a market cap of $31.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.19, a PEG ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.96. AvalonBay Communities has a 1 year low of $160.45 and a 1 year high of $224.23. AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The real estate investment trust reported $1.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.71 by ($0.93). The business had revenue of $726.04 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $718.49 million. AvalonBay Communities had a return on equity of 7.16% and a net margin of 29.61%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.66 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that AvalonBay Communities will post 10.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In other AvalonBay Communities news, SVP Keri A. Shea sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $207.17, for a total transaction of $414,340.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 4,383 shares of the companys stock, valued at $908,026.11. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, CIO Matthew H. Birenbaum sold 5,000 shares of AvalonBay Communities stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $208.90, for a total transaction of $1,044,500.00. Following the transaction, the executive now directly owns 65,967 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,780,506.30. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, SVP Keri A. Shea sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $207.17, for a total transaction of $414,340.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 4,383 shares of the companys stock, valued at $908,026.11. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.42% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On AvalonBay Communities A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities during the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its holdings in AvalonBay Communities by 1,877.8% during the second quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 178 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 169 shares during the period. BROOKFIELD Corp ON bought a new stake in AvalonBay Communities during the first quarter valued at about $39,000. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. boosted its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 50.0% in the first quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. now owns 225 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares during the period. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 38.8% in the second quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 261 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $54,000 after acquiring an additional 73 shares during the period. 92.61% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. AvalonBay Communities Company Profile (Get Free Report) As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 299 apartment communities containing 90,669 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 18 communities were under development. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for AvalonBay Communities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AvalonBay Communities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bailard Inc. reduced its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 18.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 522 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 119 shares during the quarter. Bailard Inc.s holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $236,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in GS. Apexium Financial LP increased its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 7.1% during the 4th quarter. Apexium Financial LP now owns 5,672 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,188,000 after purchasing an additional 378 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC raised its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 62.7% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 6,301 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,632,000 after acquiring an additional 2,428 shares in the last quarter. Duality Advisers LP acquired a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group in the first quarter valued at $1,388,000. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S grew its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 34.2% in the 1st quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S now owns 8,256 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $3,448,000 after acquiring an additional 2,103 shares during the period. Finally, Bell & Brown Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 4th quarter worth about $5,416,000. Institutional investors own 71.21% of the companys stock. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: The Goldman Sachs Group Price Performance Shares of NYSE:GS opened at $507.35 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $481.53 and a 200-day moving average of $441.40. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $289.36 and a 12 month high of $517.26. The company has a current ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.97. The stock has a market capitalization of $163.60 billion, a PE ratio of 19.81, a PEG ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.37. The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 15th. The investment management company reported $8.62 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $8.52 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $12.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.60 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 10.26% and a net margin of 9.36%. On average, equities research analysts predict that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 36.74 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th will be paid a $3.00 dividend. This is an increase from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $2.75. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. This represents a $12.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.37%. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 46.86%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In GS has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Seaport Res Ptn cut The Goldman Sachs Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $513.00 to $561.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $485.00 to $520.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $360.00 to $373.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $504.00 to $550.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $495.94. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on GS Insider Buying and Selling at The Goldman Sachs Group In related news, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 4,000,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.34, for a total transaction of $25,360,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 12,981,022 shares in the company, valued at approximately $82,299,679.48. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $505.99, for a total transaction of $1,770,965.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 12,095 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,119,949.05. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 4,000,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.34, for a total value of $25,360,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 12,981,022 shares of the companys stock, valued at $82,299,679.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 4,013,500 shares of company stock worth $32,181,365 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock. The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report). 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. Banco Santander, S.A. (OTCMKTS:BCDRF Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 321,800 shares, a decline of 79.2% from the July 31st total of 1,546,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 28,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 11.3 days. Banco Santander Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:BCDRF traded down $0.15 on Thursday, reaching $4.95. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,495 shares, compared to its average volume of 41,924. Banco Santander has a 52-week low of $3.40 and a 52-week high of $5.45. The stocks 50-day moving average is $4.79 and its two-hundred day moving average is $4.74. Get Banco Santander alerts: Banco Santander Company Profile (Get Free Report) Read More Banco Santander, SA provides various financial services worldwide. The company operates through Retail Banking, Santander Corporate & Investment Banking, Wealth Management & Insurance, and PagoNxt segments. It offers demand and time deposits, mutual funds, and current and savings accounts; mortgages, consumer finance, loans, and various financing solutions; and project finance, debt capital markets, global transaction banking, and corporate finance services. Receive News & Ratings for Banco Santander Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Santander and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. K.J. Harrison & Partners Inc decreased its position in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 32.1% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 8,450 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 4,000 shares during the period. K.J. Harrison & Partners Incs holdings in Bank of America were worth $336,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Delos Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 402.2% in the 1st quarter. Delos Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 683 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 547 shares during the period. Livelsberger Financial Advisory purchased a new stake in Bank of America in the 4th quarter worth $28,000. POM Investment Strategies LLC lifted its holdings in Bank of America by 839.0% during the second quarter. POM Investment Strategies LLC now owns 723 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 646 shares in the last quarter. Bbjs Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Bank of America during the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Northwest Investment Counselors LLC purchased a new position in Bank of America in the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.71% of the companys stock. Get Bank of America alerts: Bank of America Price Performance BAC stock traded up $0.28 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $39.95. 40,655,121 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 39,217,676. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.80. The stock has a market cap of $312.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.78, a PEG ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.35. Bank of America Co. has a fifty-two week low of $24.96 and a fifty-two week high of $44.44. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $40.21 and its 200-day moving average price is $38.14. Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $25.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $25.22 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 13.28% and a return on equity of 10.56%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up .7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.88 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Bank of America Co. will post 3.27 earnings per share for the current year. Bank of America declared that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to repurchase $25.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the financial services provider to reacquire up to 7.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are usually an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued. Bank of America Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Investors of record on Friday, September 6th will be paid a $0.26 dividend. This is a positive change from Bank of Americas previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.60%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 6th. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is presently 35.99%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc sold 12,291,807 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, July 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.13, for a total transaction of $530,145,635.91. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 998,961,079 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $43,085,191,337.27. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc sold 12,291,807 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.13, for a total transaction of $530,145,635.91. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 998,961,079 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $43,085,191,337.27. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Lindsay D. Hans sold 10,901 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.91, for a total transaction of $402,355.91. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 10,907 shares of the companys stock, valued at $402,577.37. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 84,497,793 shares of company stock valued at $3,513,542,556. Insiders own 0.29% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have weighed in on BAC. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on Bank of America from $39.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on Bank of America from $43.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Piper Sandler Companies raised Bank of America from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and raised their target price for the stock from $37.00 to $42.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $43.00 to $49.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn raised shares of Bank of America from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Bank of America currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $42.07. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Bank of America Bank of America Company Profile (Free Report) Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, and Global Markets. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BLB&B Advisors LLC decreased its holdings in shares of iShares S&P 100 ETF (NYSEARCA:OEF Free Report) by 8.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,238 shares of the companys stock after selling 289 shares during the quarter. BLB&B Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares S&P 100 ETF were worth $856,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. YHB Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in iShares S&P 100 ETF during the first quarter worth approximately $38,000. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares S&P 100 ETF by 66.4% during the 2nd quarter. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC now owns 203 shares of the companys stock worth $54,000 after buying an additional 81 shares during the period. American National Bank grew its stake in iShares S&P 100 ETF by 164.3% in the 1st quarter. American National Bank now owns 222 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after buying an additional 138 shares during the last quarter. ORG Partners LLC bought a new position in iShares S&P 100 ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $71,000. Finally, ICA Group Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in iShares S&P 100 ETF during the 4th quarter worth $92,000. Get iShares S&P 100 ETF alerts: iShares S&P 100 ETF Stock Down 0.7 % OEF stock traded down $1.86 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $269.22. 134,293 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 289,749. The business has a 50-day moving average of $265.57 and a two-hundred day moving average of $253.09. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.98 billion, a PE ratio of 28.76 and a beta of 1.04. iShares S&P 100 ETF has a 52 week low of $193.00 and a 52 week high of $275.57. iShares S&P 100 ETF Profile iShares S&P 100 ETF, formerly iShares S&P 100 Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P 100 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market and consists of blue chip stocks from diverse industries in the S&P 500 Index. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares S&P 100 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares S&P 100 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BLB&B Advisors LLC reduced its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP Free Report) by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,854 shares of the railroad operators stock after selling 58 shares during the quarter. BLB&B Advisors LLCs holdings in Union Pacific were worth $419,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Forum Financial Management LP boosted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 7,037 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $1,731,000 after acquiring an additional 41 shares during the period. Mission Wealth Management LP boosted its stake in Union Pacific by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 7,838 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $1,925,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the period. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in Union Pacific by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC now owns 4,100 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $1,007,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the period. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its stake in Union Pacific by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 3,015 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $741,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the period. Finally, Elevated Capital Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Union Pacific by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,269 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $312,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Union Pacific alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Union Pacific In other Union Pacific news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 3,552 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $246.59, for a total transaction of $875,887.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now directly owns 64,945 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $16,014,787.55. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.28% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms recently issued reports on UNP. Susquehanna reduced their price target on Union Pacific from $270.00 to $250.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, June 25th. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, June 7th. They issued an overweight rating and a $270.00 price target for the company. Sanford C. Bernstein reduced their price target on Union Pacific from $290.00 to $273.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 8th. StockNews.com downgraded Union Pacific from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 18th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on Union Pacific from $267.00 to $265.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $258.79. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on UNP Union Pacific Price Performance Shares of UNP traded up $2.25 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $252.60. The stock had a trading volume of 2,359,673 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,264,831. Union Pacific Co. has a 12 month low of $199.33 and a 12 month high of $258.66. The business has a fifty day moving average of $235.90 and a 200 day moving average of $238.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 1.05. The firm has a market cap of $154.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.10, a PEG ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 1.06. Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The railroad operator reported $2.74 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.71 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $6.01 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.05 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 26.90% and a return on equity of 42.62%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.57 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.11 EPS for the current year. Union Pacific Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be given a dividend of $1.34 per share. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.12%. This is a positive change from Union Pacifics previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. Union Pacifics dividend payout ratio is presently 51.15%. Union Pacific Company Profile (Free Report) Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, renewable biofuel producers, and other agricultural users; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, petroleum, liquid petroleum gases, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Union Pacific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Union Pacific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Hold by the nine ratings firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $131.33. Several equities research analysts have commented on ARE shares. Bank of America lowered Alexandria Real Estate Equities from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $151.00 to $126.00 in a research note on Monday, July 29th. JMP Securities restated a market outperform rating and set a $140.00 price target on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. Evercore ISI upped their price target on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $126.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research note on Wednesday. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $135.00 to $130.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered Alexandria Real Estate Equities from a buy rating to a hold rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $136.00 to $127.00 in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Get Alexandria Real Estate Equities alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on ARE Insider Activity Institutional Investors Weigh In On Alexandria Real Estate Equities In other news, major shareholder Real Estate Equitie Alexandria sold 150,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.21, for a total value of $631,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 6,005,077 shares in the company, valued at $25,281,374.17. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . Insiders own 1.15% of the companys stock. A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ARE. Greenleaf Trust acquired a new stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $265,000. Lindbrook Capital LLC grew its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 205.8% during the 4th quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 948 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $120,000 after purchasing an additional 638 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 149.5% during the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 3,014 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $382,000 after purchasing an additional 1,806 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC lifted its holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 138.3% during the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,782 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $479,000 after buying an additional 2,195 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Handelsbanken Fonder AB lifted its holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 12.2% during the 4th quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 52,702 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $6,681,000 after buying an additional 5,738 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.54% of the companys stock. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Stock Performance NYSE ARE opened at $119.11 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $117.94 and its 200 day moving average price is $119.83. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has a twelve month low of $90.73 and a twelve month high of $135.45. The company has a market capitalization of $20.83 billion, a PE ratio of 111.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.00 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a current ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, July 22nd. The real estate investment trust reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.34 by ($2.09). Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a return on equity of 0.68% and a net margin of 5.09%. The business had revenue of $766.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $775.03 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.24 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Alexandria Real Estate Equities will post 9.48 earnings per share for the current year. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 28th were paid a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 28th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.37%. This is a positive change from Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.27. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 485.98%. About Alexandria Real Estate Equities (Get Free Report Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc (NYSE: ARE), an S&P 500 company, is a best-in-class, mission-driven life science REIT making a positive and lasting impact on the world. As the pioneer of the life science real estate niche since our founding in 1994, Alexandria is the preeminent and longest-tenured owner, operator, and developer of collaborative life science, agtech, and advanced technology mega campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, including Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Alexandria Real Estate Equities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alexandria Real Estate Equities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Whitecap Resources Inc. (TSE:WCP Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Buy from the nine research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$13.61. A number of research firms recently issued reports on WCP. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded Whitecap Resources to a moderate buy rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Scotiabank lifted their price objective on Whitecap Resources from C$12.00 to C$13.00 in a research note on Friday, July 12th. Get Whitecap Resources alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on Whitecap Resources Insider Activity Whitecap Resources Trading Down 0.4 % In other Whitecap Resources news, Director Grant Bradley Fagerheim bought 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 5th. The stock was purchased at an average price of C$10.19 per share, for a total transaction of C$101,900.00. In the last 90 days, insiders have acquired 30,000 shares of company stock worth $303,400. 0.82% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. TSE WCP opened at C$10.40 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 23.55, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.94. The firm has a market cap of C$6.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.32, a PEG ratio of -0.33 and a beta of 2.71. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of C$10.19 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$10.10. Whitecap Resources has a one year low of C$8.15 and a one year high of C$11.91. Whitecap Resources (TSE:WCP Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The company reported C$0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.29 by C$0.12. The company had revenue of C$1.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$946.00 million. Whitecap Resources had a net margin of 22.43% and a return on equity of 13.89%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Whitecap Resources will post 1.0211055 EPS for the current fiscal year. Whitecap Resources Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Saturday, August 31st will be given a dividend of $0.061 per share. This is a boost from Whitecap Resourcess previous monthly dividend of $0.06. This represents a $0.73 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.04%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. Whitecap Resourcess dividend payout ratio is currently 58.40%. Whitecap Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report Whitecap Resources Inc, an oil and gas company, focuses on the acquisition, development, and production of oil and gas assets in Western Canada. The company's primary areas of focus of its development programs are in Northern Alberta and British Columbia, Central Alberta, and Saskatchewan. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Whitecap Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Whitecap Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Burney Co. lowered its stake in shares of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report) by 4.4% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 12,238 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 562 shares during the quarter. Burney Co.s holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $2,489,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of TRV. Northwest Financial Advisors bought a new stake in Travelers Companies in the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies in the first quarter worth about $35,000. Beacon Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Travelers Companies by 74.2% during the first quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 155 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. Private Wealth Management Group LLC purchased a new position in Travelers Companies during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Finally, Opal Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Travelers Companies in the 1st quarter worth approximately $42,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.45% of the companys stock. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Travelers Companies Trading Up 0.6 % TRV stock traded up $1.40 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $225.80. The company had a trading volume of 357,339 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,330,357. The company has a market capitalization of $51.71 billion, a PE ratio of 16.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.61. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $211.45 and a 200 day moving average of $215.63. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $157.33 and a 12 month high of $232.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.33 and a quick ratio of 0.33. Travelers Companies Announces Dividend Travelers Companies ( NYSE:TRV Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 19th. The insurance provider reported $2.51 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.23 by ($0.72). The firm had revenue of $11.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.35 billion. Travelers Companies had a return on equity of 15.90% and a net margin of 8.37%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 11.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.06 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.23 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 10th will be issued a $1.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 10th. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.86%. Travelers Companiess payout ratio is currently 31.20%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In TRV has been the topic of several research reports. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from $220.00 to $210.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 19th. TD Cowen downgraded shares of Travelers Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $252.00 to $230.00 in a report on Monday, July 15th. William Blair reaffirmed a market perform rating on shares of Travelers Companies in a report on Friday, June 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Travelers Companies from $220.00 to $242.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on Travelers Companies from $221.00 to $234.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $223.78. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Travelers Companies Insider Buying and Selling In other Travelers Companies news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $211.44, for a total transaction of $2,114,400.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 22,798 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,820,409.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 1.33% of the stock is owned by insiders. About Travelers Companies (Free Report) The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Travelers Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Travelers Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Western Bank (TSE:CWB Get Free Report) will be releasing its earnings data before the market opens on Friday, August 30th. Analysts expect Canadian Western Bank to post earnings of C$0.87 per share for the quarter. Canadian Western Bank (TSE:CWB Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, May 31st. The company reported C$0.81 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$0.86 by C($0.05). The business had revenue of C$285.92 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$290.33 million. Canadian Western Bank had a return on equity of 8.66% and a net margin of 32.29%. Get Canadian Western Bank alerts: Canadian Western Bank Price Performance Canadian Western Bank stock opened at C$52.42 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of C$5.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.60, a PEG ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 1.39. The companys fifty day moving average price is C$46.24 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$34.60. Canadian Western Bank has a one year low of C$24.66 and a one year high of C$52.80. Canadian Western Bank Increases Dividend Insider Transactions at Canadian Western Bank The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 20th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 6th were paid a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.67%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 6th. This is a boost from Canadian Western Banks previous quarterly dividend of $0.34. Canadian Western Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 41.67%. In other news, Senior Officer Jenny Siman sold 1,000 shares of Canadian Western Bank stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$46.05, for a total transaction of C$46,050.00. In other news, Senior Officer Trent Albert Erickson acquired 4,312 shares of Canadian Western Bank stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 14th. The shares were acquired at an average price of C$41.44 per share, with a total value of C$178,680.66. Also, Senior Officer Jenny Siman sold 1,000 shares of Canadian Western Bank stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$46.05, for a total transaction of C$46,050.00. 0.46% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have issued reports on CWB shares. Royal Bank of Canada lowered shares of Canadian Western Bank from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and lowered their price target for the company from C$32.00 to C$28.00 in a report on Monday, June 3rd. CIBC cut shares of Canadian Western Bank from a neutral rating to a tender rating and upped their target price for the company from C$30.00 to C$55.80 in a research note on Tuesday, June 18th. Scotiabank increased their price target on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$30.00 to C$52.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 18th. BMO Capital Markets downgraded Canadian Western Bank from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and lifted their price objective for the company from C$35.00 to C$52.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 12th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on Canadian Western Bank from C$28.00 to C$52.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, June 13th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$40.29. View Our Latest Stock Report on CWB Canadian Western Bank Company Profile (Get Free Report) Canadian Western Bank provides personal and business banking products and services in Western Canada. The company offers current, savings, US dollar, chequing, flex notice, organization, business trust, and trust fund investment accounts. It also offers commercial lending and real estate, equipment financing and leasing, aviation financing, and dealership financing products; agriculture lending products and AgriInvest savings account; variable and fixed rate mortgages; line of credit; registered retirement savings plan, consolidation, and vehicle loans; and credit cards. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Western Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Western Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the fifteen ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $129.38. Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $175.00 to $150.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $142.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 19th. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. Loop Capital increased their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $125.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 28th. Finally, Evercore ISI lowered their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $165.00 to $140.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Dell Technologies Insider Transactions at Dell Technologies Hedge Funds Weigh In On Dell Technologies In other news, Director David W. Dorman sold 75,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.26, for a total transaction of $10,144,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 114,317 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,462,517.42. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . In related news, Director David W. Dorman sold 75,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.26, for a total transaction of $10,144,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 114,317 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $15,462,517.42. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, Director V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 389,189 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $158.79, for a total transaction of $61,799,321.31. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 731,612 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $116,172,669.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold 7,058,131 shares of company stock worth $963,293,619 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 46.70% of the companys stock. A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Clearbridge Investments LLC boosted its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 7.6% during the 2nd quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 256,325 shares of the technology companys stock worth $35,350,000 after purchasing an additional 18,130 shares during the period. Dana Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 17.8% during the 2nd quarter. Dana Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 229,374 shares of the technology companys stock worth $31,633,000 after purchasing an additional 34,643 shares during the period. Aristides Capital LLC boosted its position in Dell Technologies by 55.6% in the 2nd quarter. Aristides Capital LLC now owns 7,000 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $965,000 after buying an additional 2,500 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in Dell Technologies by 122.8% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 184,183 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $25,401,000 after buying an additional 101,519 shares during the period. Finally, 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC purchased a new position in Dell Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $529,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 38.10% of the companys stock. Dell Technologies Stock Performance NYSE:DELL opened at $111.86 on Wednesday. Dell Technologies has a one year low of $53.62 and a one year high of $179.70. The firm has a market cap of $79.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.83, a PEG ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.92. The firms fifty day moving average is $122.31 and its two-hundred day moving average is $122.17. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 30th. The technology company reported $1.04 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.00 by $0.04. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 4.00% and a negative return on equity of 173.72%. The company had revenue of $22.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.70 billion. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Dell Technologies will post 6.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Dell Technologies Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, July 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.445 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, July 23rd. This represents a $1.78 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.59%. Dell Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently 36.33%. Dell Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG). Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Dell Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dell Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Glaukos Co. (NYSE:GKOS Get Free Report) has earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the eleven research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $128.45. A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Glaukos from $120.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. StockNews.com raised shares of Glaukos from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Piper Sandler raised their target price on shares of Glaukos from $110.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Needham & Company LLC raised their target price on shares of Glaukos from $131.00 to $137.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Glaukos from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $84.00 to $125.00 in a research note on Monday, May 6th. Get Glaukos alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Glaukos Insider Buying and Selling Institutional Investors Weigh In On Glaukos In related news, Director Marc Stapley sold 6,250 shares of Glaukos stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.93, for a total transaction of $787,062.50. Following the sale, the director now owns 34,076 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,291,190.68. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . In other news, Director Marc Stapley sold 6,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.93, for a total value of $787,062.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 34,076 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,291,190.68. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . Also, COO Joseph E. Gilliam sold 2,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.50, for a total transaction of $283,750.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 101,845 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,559,407.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold 41,000 shares of company stock valued at $4,990,740 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 6.40% of the companys stock. Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Glaukos by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,308,897 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $500,576,000 after buying an additional 72,159 shares during the period. Brown Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Glaukos by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Brown Capital Management LLC now owns 2,697,794 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $214,448,000 after buying an additional 89,420 shares during the period. Fred Alger Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Glaukos by 3.8% in the 2nd quarter. Fred Alger Management LLC now owns 1,278,723 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $151,337,000 after buying an additional 47,308 shares during the period. Primecap Management Co. CA boosted its holdings in shares of Glaukos by 43.9% in the 2nd quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 1,220,815 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $144,483,000 after buying an additional 372,180 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of Glaukos by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 923,526 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $73,412,000 after buying an additional 31,213 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 99.04% of the companys stock. Glaukos Stock Up 0.1 % Shares of GKOS opened at $135.39 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $6.82 billion, a PE ratio of -47.01 and a beta of 1.05. The companys fifty day moving average is $121.40 and its two-hundred day moving average is $107.16. Glaukos has a fifty-two week low of $59.22 and a fifty-two week high of $136.36. The company has a quick ratio of 4.68, a current ratio of 5.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. Glaukos (NYSE:GKOS Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The medical instruments supplier reported ($0.52) earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of ($0.52). The company had revenue of $95.70 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $88.86 million. Glaukos had a negative net margin of 47.39% and a negative return on equity of 22.51%. Glaukoss revenue for the quarter was up 19.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned ($0.55) EPS. Analysts forecast that Glaukos will post -2.25 earnings per share for the current year. About Glaukos (Get Free Report Glaukos Corporation, an ophthalmic pharmaceutical and medical technology company, focuses on the development of novel therapies for the treatment of glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal diseases. It offers iStent and iStent inject W micro-bypass stents that enhance aqueous humor outflow inserted in cataract surgery to treat mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Glaukos Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Glaukos and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HB Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Brookfield Co. (NYSE:BN Free Report) by 56.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 22,285 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 8,037 shares during the quarter. HB Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Brookfield were worth $926,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in BN. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Brookfield in the 4th quarter worth approximately $14,210,000. Gilbert & Cook Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Brookfield by 5.4% in the 4th quarter. Gilbert & Cook Inc. now owns 35,468 shares of the companys stock worth $1,423,000 after acquiring an additional 1,833 shares during the last quarter. Choreo LLC bought a new stake in shares of Brookfield in the 4th quarter worth approximately $754,000. Intrust Bank NA bought a new position in shares of Brookfield during the 4th quarter valued at $213,000. Finally, Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC raised its position in Brookfield by 42.3% in the 4th quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 70,856 shares of the companys stock worth $2,843,000 after purchasing an additional 21,064 shares during the period. 61.60% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Brookfield alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have recently issued reports on BN shares. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on shares of Brookfield from $57.00 to $56.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 9th. TD Securities upped their price target on Brookfield from $62.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Scotiabank increased their price objective on Brookfield from $50.50 to $51.25 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Brookfield from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on shares of Brookfield from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Brookfield has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $48.88. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Ocm Growth Holdings Llc sold 400,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.90, for a total value of $4,760,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 10,779,668 shares of the companys stock, valued at $128,278,049.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 11.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Brookfield Stock Performance NYSE BN traded up $0.46 on Thursday, hitting $49.93. 276,066 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,095,436. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $45.18 and its 200-day moving average price is $42.88. Brookfield Co. has a 52-week low of $28.84 and a 52-week high of $50.17. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35. The company has a market capitalization of $82.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 81.08 and a beta of 1.52. Brookfield (NYSE:BN Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $1.35 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.78 by $0.57. The firm had revenue of $23.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.24 billion. Brookfield had a return on equity of 3.15% and a net margin of 1.16%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.75 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Brookfield Co. will post 3.35 earnings per share for the current year. Brookfield Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.64%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 12th. Brookfields dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 52.46%. Brookfield Company Profile (Free Report) Brookfield Corporation is an alternative asset manager and REIT/Real Estate Investment Manager firm focuses on real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and venture capital and private equity assets. It manages a range of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brookfield Co. (NYSE:BN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Marcus & Millichap, Inc. (NYSE:MMI Get Free Report) CEO Hessam Nadji sold 659 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.33, for a total transaction of $26,577.47. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 209,123 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,433,930.59. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Hessam Nadji also recently made the following trade(s): Get Marcus & Millichap alerts: On Friday, August 23rd, Hessam Nadji sold 13,241 shares of Marcus & Millichap stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.18, for a total transaction of $532,023.38. On Thursday, July 25th, Hessam Nadji sold 800 shares of Marcus & Millichap stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.03, for a total transaction of $32,024.00. On Friday, July 12th, Hessam Nadji sold 15,000 shares of Marcus & Millichap stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.27, for a total transaction of $529,050.00. Marcus & Millichap Stock Up 0.1 % Marcus & Millichap stock opened at $38.85 on Thursday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $36.05 and its 200-day moving average price is $34.42. Marcus & Millichap, Inc. has a twelve month low of $26.81 and a twelve month high of $44.24. The company has a market cap of $1.50 billion, a PE ratio of -38.85 and a beta of 1.12. Marcus & Millichap Dividend Announcement Marcus & Millichap ( NYSE:MMI Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.14) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.15) by $0.01. Marcus & Millichap had a negative net margin of 6.16% and a negative return on equity of 5.91%. The firm had revenue of $158.37 million during the quarter. The business also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 4th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be given a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 16th. This represents a yield of 1.3%. Marcus & Millichaps dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -50.00%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Marcus & Millichap Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Signaturefd LLC boosted its position in Marcus & Millichap by 112.6% in the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 623 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 330 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in Marcus & Millichap in the 1st quarter valued at about $85,000. EntryPoint Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Marcus & Millichap in the 1st quarter valued at about $85,000. LRI Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marcus & Millichap in the 1st quarter worth approximately $143,000. Finally, Savant Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marcus & Millichap in the 4th quarter worth approximately $219,000. 62.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Marcus & Millichap from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Read Our Latest Analysis on MMI Marcus & Millichap Company Profile (Get Free Report) Marcus & Millichap, Inc, an investment brokerage company, provides real estate investment brokerage and financing services to sellers and buyers of commercial real estate in the United States and Canada. The company offers commercial real estate investment sales, financing, research, and advisory services for multifamily, retail, office, industrial, single-tenant net lease, seniors housing, self-storage, hospitality, medical office, and manufactured housing, as well as capital markets. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Marcus & Millichap Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Marcus & Millichap and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wells Fargo & Company downgraded shares of Invitation Homes (NYSE:INVH Free Report) from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research report sent to investors on Monday morning, Marketbeat reports. They currently have $38.00 target price on the stock, up from their prior target price of $37.00. Several other analysts have also issued reports on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their target price on Invitation Homes from $38.00 to $37.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on Invitation Homes from $39.00 to $37.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Invitation Homes from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, June 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Invitation Homes from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $35.00 to $41.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on Invitation Homes from $41.00 to $42.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 16th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $38.63. Get Invitation Homes alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Invitation Homes Invitation Homes Stock Performance Shares of INVH opened at $36.45 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $22.33 billion, a PE ratio of 41.90, a PEG ratio of 4.44 and a beta of 0.99. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $35.58 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $34.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.20 and a quick ratio of 0.20. Invitation Homes has a 1 year low of $28.49 and a 1 year high of $36.92. Invitation Homes (NYSE:INVH Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The company reported $0.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.46 by ($0.34). The firm had revenue of $653.45 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $654.70 million. Invitation Homes had a net margin of 18.75% and a return on equity of 4.68%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Invitation Homes will post 1.83 EPS for the current year. Invitation Homes Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 19th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 27th were given a dividend of $0.28 per share. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.07%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 27th. Invitation Homess payout ratio is 128.74%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invitation Homes A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of INVH. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Invitation Homes in the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its holdings in shares of Invitation Homes by 496.9% in the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 770 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 641 shares in the last quarter. Family Firm Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Invitation Homes in the 2nd quarter worth about $42,000. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Invitation Homes in the 2nd quarter worth about $44,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Invitation Homes in the 2nd quarter worth about $45,000. 96.79% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Invitation Homes (Get Free Report) Invitation Homes, an S&P 500 company, is the nation's premier single-family home leasing and management company, meeting changing lifestyle demands by providing access to high-quality, updated homes with valued features such as close proximity to jobs and access to good schools. The company's mission, Together with you, we make a house a home, reflects its commitment to providing homes where individuals and families can thrive and high-touch service that continuously enhances residents' living experiences. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Invitation Homes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invitation Homes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Kenvue Inc. (NYSE:KVUE Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Hold from the thirteen ratings firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $22.64. KVUE has been the topic of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Kenvue from $22.00 to $24.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of Kenvue from $21.00 to $20.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Kenvue from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $24.00 price target on shares of Kenvue in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on shares of Kenvue from $23.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Get Kenvue alerts: Get Our Latest Report on KVUE Kenvue Price Performance NYSE:KVUE opened at $21.72 on Thursday. Kenvue has a one year low of $17.67 and a one year high of $23.33. The company has a market cap of $41.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.85, a P/E/G ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 1.38. The firms fifty day moving average price is $19.41 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $19.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.68. Kenvue (NYSE:KVUE Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $0.32 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.28 by $0.04. Kenvue had a net margin of 9.63% and a return on equity of 21.06%. The firm had revenue of $4 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.93 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.32 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down .3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Kenvue will post 1.13 earnings per share for the current year. Kenvue Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 28th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 14th were issued a $0.205 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 14th. This represents a $0.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.78%. This is a boost from Kenvues previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. Kenvues dividend payout ratio is 105.13%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in KVUE. Manchester Capital Management LLC increased its position in Kenvue by 80.8% during the 1st quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 1,186 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 530 shares during the period. Pacific Capital Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Kenvue during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new stake in shares of Kenvue during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Oakworth Capital Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Kenvue during the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Riverview Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of Kenvue during the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,000. Institutional investors own 97.64% of the companys stock. Kenvue Company Profile (Get Free Report Kenvue Inc operates as a consumer health company worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Self Care, Skin Health and Beauty, and Essential Health. The Self Care segment offers cough, cold and allergy, pain care, digestive health, smoking cessation, eye care, and other products under the Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Nicorette, Zarbee's, ORSLTM, Rhinocort, Calpol, and Zyrtec brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Kenvue Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kenvue and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Hold by the fifteen ratings firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, nine have given a hold recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $107.55. Several brokerages recently issued reports on LYB. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. UBS Group cut their target price on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $106.00 to $101.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 9th. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of LyondellBasell Industries to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $100.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, May 6th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $117.00 to $110.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Get LyondellBasell Industries alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on LYB LyondellBasell Industries Trading Up 0.0 % Shares of LyondellBasell Industries stock opened at $97.72 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.82 billion, a PE ratio of 15.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a current ratio of 2.12, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. The firms 50 day moving average is $96.13 and its 200 day moving average is $98.37. LyondellBasell Industries has a 1 year low of $88.46 and a 1 year high of $107.02. LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, August 2nd. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.23 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $10.56 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.44 billion. LyondellBasell Industries had a net margin of 5.20% and a return on equity of 19.31%. The firms revenue was up 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.44 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that LyondellBasell Industries will post 8.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. LyondellBasell Industries Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, August 26th will be given a dividend of $1.34 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 26th. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.49%. LyondellBasell Industriess payout ratio is presently 82.84%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of LYB. Capital World Investors acquired a new position in shares of LyondellBasell Industries during the 4th quarter valued at $197,305,000. Norges Bank bought a new stake in LyondellBasell Industries during the 4th quarter valued at $82,854,000. Ilex Capital Partners UK LLP bought a new stake in LyondellBasell Industries during the 1st quarter valued at $61,327,000. Pacer Advisors Inc. increased its stake in LyondellBasell Industries by 13.6% during the 2nd quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 4,828,869 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $461,930,000 after purchasing an additional 579,300 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH increased its stake in LyondellBasell Industries by 826.1% during the 4th quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 409,241 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $38,911,000 after purchasing an additional 365,050 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.20% of the companys stock. About LyondellBasell Industries (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 Stories 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. Harbour Investments Inc. grew its holdings in shares of McDonalds Co. (NYSE:MCD Free Report) by 3.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 17,389 shares of the fast-food giants stock after purchasing an additional 588 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc.s holdings in McDonalds were worth $4,431,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of MCD. Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel Inc. acquired a new stake in McDonalds in the first quarter worth $28,000. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of McDonalds in the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Clear Investment Research LLC bought a new stake in McDonalds in the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in McDonalds in the 4th quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, Accent Capital Management LLC bought a new position in McDonalds in the 4th quarter worth about $44,000. 70.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get McDonald's alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price target on McDonalds from $295.00 to $290.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on McDonalds in a research report on Thursday, June 13th. They set a neutral rating and a $288.00 price target for the company. Loop Capital lowered their price target on McDonalds from $357.00 to $342.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. TD Cowen downgraded shares of McDonalds from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $285.00 to $280.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Bank of America decreased their target price on shares of McDonalds from $288.00 to $278.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $303.71. McDonalds Trading Up 0.3 % MCD stock traded up $0.96 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $289.64. The stock had a trading volume of 2,896,890 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,541,204. The firm has a market capitalization of $208.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.59, a P/E/G ratio of 3.58 and a beta of 0.71. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $262.85 and a 200 day simple moving average of $270.77. McDonalds Co. has a 52 week low of $243.53 and a 52 week high of $302.39. McDonalds (NYSE:MCD Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 29th. The fast-food giant reported $2.97 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.07 by ($0.10). McDonalds had a net margin of 32.25% and a negative return on equity of 178.92%. The company had revenue of $6.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.62 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $3.17 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts expect that McDonalds Co. will post 11.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. McDonalds Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be issued a dividend of $1.67 per share. This represents a $6.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.31%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 3rd. McDonaldss payout ratio is 56.71%. Insider Buying and Selling at McDonalds In other McDonalds news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 1,098 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $260.00, for a total value of $285,480.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 14,780 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,842,800. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 1,098 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $260.00, for a total transaction of $285,480.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 14,780 shares in the company, valued at $3,842,800. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Marion K. Gross sold 1,498 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $248.26, for a total transaction of $371,893.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 1,560 shares in the company, valued at approximately $387,285.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 4,793 shares of company stock worth $1,260,106. 0.23% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. McDonalds Profile (Free Report) McDonald's Corporation operates and franchises restaurants under the McDonald's brand in the United States and internationally. It offers food and beverages, including hamburgers and cheeseburgers, various chicken sandwiches, fries, shakes, desserts, sundaes, cookies, pies, soft drinks, coffee, and other beverages; and full or limited breakfast, as well as sells various other products during limited-time promotions. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MCD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for McDonalds Co. (NYSE:MCD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for McDonald's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for McDonald's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP.A Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Thursday, July 18th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be given a dividend of 0.44 per share on Friday, September 20th. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.20%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. Molson Coors Beverage Price Performance Shares of TAP.A stock opened at $55.01 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $59.26 and a 200-day moving average of $61.65. Molson Coors Beverage has a one year low of $54.51 and a one year high of $68.60. Get Molson Coors Beverage alerts: Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP.A Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $1.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $3.25 billion for the quarter. Molson Coors Beverage Company Profile Molson Coors Beverage Company manufactures, markets, and sells beer and other malt beverage products under various brands in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company offers flavored malt beverages including hard seltzers, craft, and ready to drink beverages. It provides its products under Aspall Cider, Blue Moon, Coors Original, Hop Valley brands, Leinenkugel's, Miller Genuine Draft, Molson Ultra, Sharp's, Staropramen, and Vizzy Hard Seltzer above premier brands; Bergenbier, Borsodi, Carling, Coors Banquet, Coors Light, Jelen, Kamenitza, Miller Lite, Molson Canadian Lager, Molson Dry, Molson Export, and Niksicko, Ozujsko under the premium brands; and Branik, Icehouse, Keystone, Miller High Life, Milwaukee's Best, and Steel Reserve under the economy brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Molson Coors Beverage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Molson Coors Beverage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:PLTR Get Free Report) were down 1.9% on Monday . The company traded as low as $30.79 and last traded at $31.17. Approximately 16,831,748 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 69% from the average daily volume of 55,012,832 shares. The stock had previously closed at $31.78. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on PLTR shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on Palantir Technologies from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. Wedbush reiterated an outperform rating and set a $35.00 price target on shares of Palantir Technologies in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Monness Crespi & Hardt lowered their price target on Palantir Technologies from $20.00 to $18.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Palantir Technologies from $24.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Finally, DA Davidson lifted their price target on Palantir Technologies from $24.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $23.93. Get Palantir Technologies alerts: Read Our Latest Report on PLTR Palantir Technologies Stock Down 1.6 % The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $27.86 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $24.75. The company has a market cap of $67.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 252.67, a PEG ratio of 5.66 and a beta of 2.71. Palantir Technologies (NYSE:PLTR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 5th. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.04 by ($0.01). Palantir Technologies had a net margin of 16.32% and a return on equity of 8.88%. The company had revenue of $678.13 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $653.23 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.01 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 27.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Palantir Technologies Inc. will post 0.19 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity In other news, insider Ryan D. Taylor sold 249,684 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.01, for a total value of $7,493,016.84. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 372,565 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,180,675.65. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, insider Ryan D. Taylor sold 249,684 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.01, for a total value of $7,493,016.84. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 372,565 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,180,675.65. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Lauren Elaina Friedman Stat sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.97, for a total value of $57,940.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 69,039 shares in the company, valued at $2,000,059.83. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 714,648 shares of company stock worth $21,567,539. Company insiders own 12.93% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Summit Securities Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Palantir Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Palantir Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. First United Bank & Trust acquired a new position in shares of Palantir Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. West Paces Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Palantir Technologies by 110.7% in the 1st quarter. West Paces Advisors Inc. now owns 1,180 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 620 shares during the period. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV lifted its stake in shares of Palantir Technologies by 105.3% in the 1st quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 1,347 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 691 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 45.65% of the companys stock. Palantir Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Palantir Technologies Inc builds and deploys software platforms for the intelligence community to assist in counterterrorism investigations and operations in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company provides Palantir Gotham, a software platform which enables users to identify patterns hidden deep within datasets, ranging from signals intelligence sources to reports from confidential informants, as well as facilitates the handoff between analysts and operational users, helping operators plan and execute real-world responses to threats that have been identified within the platform. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Palantir Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Palantir Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras (NYSE:PBR Get Free Report) and Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE Get Free Report) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends, risk and institutional ownership. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras and Vital Energys revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras $99.89 billion 1.02 $24.88 billion $3.44 4.54 Vital Energy $1.84 billion 0.72 $695.08 million $24.13 1.50 Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras has higher revenue and earnings than Vital Energy. Vital Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Volatility & Risk Analyst Recommendations Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras has a beta of 1.41, meaning that its share price is 41% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Vital Energy has a beta of 3.22, meaning that its share price is 222% more volatile than the S&P 500. This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras and Vital Energy, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras 0 1 6 0 2.86 Vital Energy 3 4 4 0 2.09 Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras presently has a consensus target price of $17.63, indicating a potential upside of 12.97%. Vital Energy has a consensus target price of $55.82, indicating a potential upside of 53.85%. Given Vital Energys higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Vital Energy is more favorable than Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras. Profitability This table compares Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras and Vital Energys net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras 16.17% 28.42% 10.53% Vital Energy 30.34% 14.22% 6.69% Institutional and Insider Ownership 86.5% of Vital Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.2% of Vital Energy shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Summary Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras beats Vital Energy on 8 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks. About Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras (Get Free Report) Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras explores, produces, and sells oil and gas in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through Exploration and Production; Refining, Transportation and Marketing; and Gas and Power. It also engages in prospecting, drilling, refining, processing, trading, and transporting crude oil from producing onshore and offshore oil fields, and shale or other rocks, as well as oil products, natural gas, and other liquid hydrocarbons. The Exploration and Production segment explores, develops, and produces crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas primarily for supplies to the domestic refineries. The Refining, Transportation and Marketing segment engages in the refining, logistics, transport, marketing, and trading of crude oil and oil products; exportation of ethanol; and extraction and processing of shale, as well as holding interests in petrochemical companies. The Gas and Power segment is involved in the logistic and trading of natural gas and electricity; transportation and trading of LNG; generation of electricity through thermoelectric power plants; holding interests in transportation and distribution of natural gas; and fertilizer production and natural gas processing business. In addition, the company produces biodiesel and its co-products, and ethanol; and distributes oil products. Further, it engages in research, development, production, transport, distribution, and trading of energy. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras was incorporated in 1953 and is headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. About Vital Energy (Get Free Report) Vital Energy, Inc., an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin of West Texas, the United States. The company was formerly known as Laredo Petroleum, Inc. and changed its name to Vital Energy, Inc. in January 2023. Vital Energy, Inc. was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Receive News & Ratings for Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hills Bank & Trust Co grew its holdings in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 70,622 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 531 shares during the quarter. Hills Bank & Trust Cos holdings in Pfizer were worth $1,976,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Olistico Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Pfizer during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Pfizer in the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Creekmur Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Pfizer in the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC lifted its position in Pfizer by 100.0% during the 1st quarter. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC now owns 1,200 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 600 shares during the period. Finally, DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. purchased a new stake in Pfizer during the 4th quarter valued at about $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.36% of the companys stock. Get Pfizer alerts: Pfizer Price Performance Shares of PFE stock traded up $0.12 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $28.90. 21,885,329 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 39,008,852. Pfizer Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $25.20 and a fifty-two week high of $36.94. The firm has a market cap of $163.76 billion, a P/E ratio of -481.67, a P/E/G ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $28.85 and a two-hundred day moving average of $27.97. Pfizer Announces Dividend Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.46 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $13.28 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.96 billion. Pfizer had a negative net margin of 4.66% and a positive return on equity of 8.42%. The companys revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.67 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.68 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 26th. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.81%. Pfizers payout ratio is currently -2,800.00%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently issued reports on PFE. BMO Capital Markets restated an outperform rating and issued a $36.00 price objective (up from $33.00) on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Thursday, May 2nd. Daiwa Capital Markets raised shares of Pfizer from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and upped their price objective for the company from $28.00 to $34.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and set a $45.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a report on Monday, August 19th. Daiwa America upgraded shares of Pfizer from a moderate buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Pfizer from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $34.54. Get Our Latest Analysis on PFE About Pfizer (Free Report) Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, 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 Stories 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. Proathlete Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report) by 4,882.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 14,250 shares of the restaurant operators stock after acquiring an additional 13,964 shares during the quarter. Chipotle Mexican Grill accounts for approximately 0.4% of Proathlete Wealth Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th largest position. Proathlete Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $893,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Swedbank AB bought a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the first quarter valued at $53,979,000. Transform Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,760.7% during the 2nd quarter. Transform Wealth LLC now owns 9,527 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $597,000 after buying an additional 9,331 shares during the period. First Hawaiian Bank grew its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,731.0% in the 2nd quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 17,150 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,074,000 after buying an additional 16,795 shares during the last quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,747.7% in the second quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 20,409 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,279,000 after buying an additional 19,988 shares during the period. Finally, MJP Associates Inc. ADV lifted its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 5,588.0% in the second quarter. MJP Associates Inc. ADV now owns 12,798 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $802,000 after acquiring an additional 12,573 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 91.31% of the companys stock. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have recently weighed in on CMG. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $57.00 to $55.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Wedbush raised Chipotle Mexican Grill from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and raised their target price for the stock from $54.00 to $58.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Loop Capital lowered their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $58.00 to $53.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Truist Financial restated a buy rating and set a $69.00 price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Tuesday, August 13th. Finally, Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $71.00 to $69.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $62.36. Insider Activity In other news, insider Curtis E. Garner sold 17,394 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.68, for a total transaction of $951,103.92. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 358,300 shares in the company, valued at $19,591,844. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. 1.02% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Chipotle Mexican Grill Price Performance Shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock traded up $1.39 on Tuesday, reaching $56.14. 14,804,178 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 15,121,806. The firm has a market capitalization of $77.10 billion, a PE ratio of 59.72, a PEG ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a 50 day moving average of $121.19 and a 200 day moving average of $80.84. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 52 week low of $35.37 and a 52 week high of $69.26. Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The restaurant operator reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.32 by $0.02. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 44.01% and a net margin of 13.23%. The business had revenue of $2.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.94 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $12.65 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 18.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.09 earnings per share for the current year. About Chipotle Mexican Grill (Free Report) Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX Get Free Report) SVP Karthik Kuppusamy sold 1,990 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.26, for a total transaction of $304,987.40. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 11,459 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,756,206.34. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Quest Diagnostics Price Performance DGX traded up $1.35 on Thursday, reaching $156.23. The stock had a trading volume of 698,600 shares, compared to its average volume of 962,641. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $145.30 and a 200-day moving average of $137.53. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $119.59 and a fifty-two week high of $156.71. The company has a market capitalization of $17.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. Get Quest Diagnostics alerts: Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The medical research company reported $2.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.31 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $2.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.39 billion. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 8.99% and a return on equity of 15.35%. The companys revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.30 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 8.89 EPS for the current year. Quest Diagnostics Dividend Announcement Institutional Investors Weigh In On Quest Diagnostics The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 4th will be given a dividend of $0.75 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 4th. This represents a $3.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.92%. Quest Diagnosticss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 40.38%. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in DGX. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its stake in Quest Diagnostics by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 16,125 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $2,207,000 after acquiring an additional 243 shares in the last quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP increased its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 38.8% during the second quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 8,297 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,136,000 after acquiring an additional 2,320 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP bought a new stake in Quest Diagnostics during the second quarter worth $74,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. bought a new position in Quest Diagnostics in the 2nd quarter valued at $40,000. Finally, Wellington Wealth Strategies LLC. purchased a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the 2nd quarter valued at $294,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.06% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts recently commented on DGX shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $152.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Quest Diagnostics from $150.00 to $158.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, July 15th. StockNews.com raised Quest Diagnostics from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Barclays boosted their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $144.00 to $154.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their target price on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $153.00 to $154.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Quest Diagnostics presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $154.33. Check Out Our Latest Report on Quest Diagnostics Quest Diagnostics Company Profile (Get Free Report) Quest Diagnostics Incorporated provides diagnostic testing and services in the United States and internationally. The company develops and delivers diagnostic information services, such as routine, non-routine and advanced clinical testing, anatomic pathology testing, and other diagnostic information services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Quest Diagnostics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Quest Diagnostics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Saxony Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM Free Report) by 12.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,435 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 270 shares during the quarter. Saxony Capital Management LLCs holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $280,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in XOM. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. bought a new position in Exxon Mobil during the first quarter valued at about $25,000. First Pacific Financial purchased a new position in Exxon Mobil in the first quarter valued at about $34,000. POM Investment Strategies LLC grew its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 918.9% during the 2nd quarter. POM Investment Strategies LLC now owns 377 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $43,000 after acquiring an additional 340 shares during the period. Lynx Investment Advisory purchased a new stake in shares of Exxon Mobil during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $47,000. Finally, Partnership Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Exxon Mobil in the 4th quarter worth approximately $46,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 61.80% of the companys stock. Get Exxon Mobil alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on Exxon Mobil from $124.00 to $121.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a $135.00 price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on Exxon Mobil from $128.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 30th. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $156.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Finally, HSBC lifted their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $111.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 30th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Exxon Mobil currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $134.56. Exxon Mobil Price Performance NYSE:XOM traded down $0.88 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $117.93. 2,710,225 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 16,957,420. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 52 week low of $95.77 and a 52 week high of $123.75. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $115.35 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $114.05. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The firm has a market cap of $465.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.50, a P/E/G ratio of 4.51 and a beta of 0.91. Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, August 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $2.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.04 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $93.06 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $90.09 billion. Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 16.75% and a net margin of 9.62%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 12.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.94 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 8.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Exxon Mobil Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be given a dividend of $0.95 per share. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.22%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 46.57%. Exxon Mobil Company Profile (Free Report) Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Exxon Mobil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Exxon Mobil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Trajan Wealth LLC cut its stake in shares of Louisiana-Pacific Co. (NYSE:LPX Free Report) by 7.3% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 2,624 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock after selling 208 shares during the quarter. Trajan Wealth LLCs holdings in Louisiana-Pacific were worth $216,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. LifeSteps Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Louisiana-Pacific in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Louisiana-Pacific during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Whittier Trust Co. acquired a new stake in Louisiana-Pacific in the first quarter valued at $31,000. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its holdings in Louisiana-Pacific by 258.5% in the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 441 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 318 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in Louisiana-Pacific by 57.3% in the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 486 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 177 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.73% of the companys stock. Get Louisiana-Pacific alerts: Louisiana-Pacific Stock Down 0.4 % Louisiana-Pacific stock traded down $0.37 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $96.72. The stock had a trading volume of 440,418 shares, compared to its average volume of 899,805. The company has a market cap of $6.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.58, a PEG ratio of 13.92 and a beta of 1.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 3.32 and a quick ratio of 1.75. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $90.11 and its 200-day moving average price is $83.89. Louisiana-Pacific Co. has a 52 week low of $49.47 and a 52 week high of $101.89. Louisiana-Pacific Announces Dividend Louisiana-Pacific ( NYSE:LPX Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The building manufacturing company reported $2.09 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.86 by $0.23. Louisiana-Pacific had a net margin of 9.74% and a return on equity of 20.87%. The business had revenue of $814.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $797.26 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.55 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 33.2% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Louisiana-Pacific Co. will post 5.23 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 20th will be given a dividend of $0.26 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 20th. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.08%. Louisiana-Pacifics dividend payout ratio is currently 28.57%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of Louisiana-Pacific from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on Louisiana-Pacific from $101.00 to $112.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Seaport Res Ptn lowered shares of Louisiana-Pacific from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, May 9th. DA Davidson boosted their price objective on Louisiana-Pacific from $98.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, June 14th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lowered shares of Louisiana-Pacific from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $99.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $94.88. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Louisiana-Pacific Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, Director Lizanne C. Gottung sold 3,591 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $89.18, for a total transaction of $320,245.38. Following the transaction, the director now owns 23,501 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,095,819.18. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, Director Lizanne C. Gottung sold 3,591 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $89.18, for a total value of $320,245.38. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 23,501 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,095,819.18. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO William Bradley Southern sold 32,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.44, for a total value of $3,046,144.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 596,886 shares of the companys stock, valued at $55,773,027.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 36,991 shares of company stock worth $3,443,269 in the last quarter. 1.26% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Louisiana-Pacific Company Profile (Free Report) Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides building solutions primarily for use in new home construction, repair and remodeling, and outdoor structure markets. It operates through Siding, Oriented Strand Board, LP South America, and Other segments. The Siding segment offers LP SmartSide trim and siding products, LP SmartSide ExpertFinish trim and siding products, LP BuilderSeries lap siding products, and LP Outdoor Building Solutions; and engineered wood siding, trim, soffit, and fascia products. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Louisiana-Pacific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Louisiana-Pacific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais S.A. (OTCMKTS:USNZY Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 131,600 shares, a decrease of 61.3% from the July 31st total of 340,300 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 186,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.7 days. Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS USNZY traded down $0.05 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $1.12. 412 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 77,119. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $1.32 and its 200-day simple moving average is $1.61. Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais has a twelve month low of $1.03 and a twelve month high of $2.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 3.25 and a quick ratio of 1.89. Get Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais alerts: Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais (OTCMKTS:USNZY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 26th. The basic materials company reported ($0.02) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.04 by ($0.06). Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais had a return on equity of 4.82% and a net margin of 4.61%. The company had revenue of $1.22 billion for the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais will post 0.07 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA manufactures and markets flat steel products in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Mining and Logistics, Steel Metallurgy, and Steel Transformation. It extracts and process iron ore, such as pellet and sinter feed and, granulated iron ore; provides storage, handling, and road cargo transportation services; and operates highway and railway cargo terminals. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ballast Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Visa Inc. (NYSE:V Free Report) by 1.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,784 shares of the credit-card processors stock after acquiring an additional 76 shares during the period. Visa accounts for approximately 0.6% of Ballast Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding. Ballast Advisors LLCs holdings in Visa were worth $2,043,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in Visa by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 142,202,830 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $39,685,966,000 after buying an additional 788,908 shares during the period. Capital International Investors grew its holdings in Visa by 2.7% in the first quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 23,570,391 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $6,578,025,000 after purchasing an additional 626,618 shares during the period. Capital World Investors increased its position in Visa by 5.4% during the first quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 18,863,796 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $5,264,508,000 after purchasing an additional 968,008 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Visa in the 4th quarter valued at about $3,895,015,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Visa by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 10,524,329 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $2,725,079,000 after purchasing an additional 141,566 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.15% of the companys stock. Get Visa alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Visa from $326.00 to $322.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on Visa from $325.00 to $300.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Mizuho boosted their price objective on Visa from $265.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, May 2nd. StockNews.com upgraded Visa from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Bank of America restated a neutral rating and set a $297.00 price objective (down previously from $305.00) on shares of Visa in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-one have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $308.50. Visa Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:V traded down $1.53 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $269.19. 5,392,022 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 9,001,038. The stock has a market capitalization of $490.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.08, a PEG ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 0.95. The businesss fifty day moving average is $265.81 and its 200-day moving average is $273.14. Visa Inc. has a one year low of $227.78 and a one year high of $290.96. The company has a quick ratio of 1.37, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. Visa (NYSE:V Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The credit-card processor reported $2.42 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $2.42. The company had revenue of $8.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.92 billion. Visa had a return on equity of 51.94% and a net margin of 54.72%. The businesss revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.16 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Visa Inc. will post 9.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Visa Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 9th. Visas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.24%. Visa Company Profile (Free Report) Visa Inc operates as a payment technology company in the United States and internationally. 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, and click to pay services; Visa Direct, a solution that facilitates the delivery of funds to eligible cards, deposit accounts, and digital wallets; Visa B2B Connect, a multilateral business-to-business cross-border payments network; Visa Cross-Border Solution, a cross-border consumer payments solution; 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 Articles 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. Wealth Advisory Solutions LLC increased its position in Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report) by 37.0% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 8,684 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,343 shares during the period. Wealth Advisory Solutions LLCs holdings in Johnson & Johnson were worth $1,269,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson during the first quarter worth $31,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Johnson & Johnson during the second quarter worth about $43,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new stake in Johnson & Johnson in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Disciplined Equity Management Inc. bought a new stake in Johnson & Johnson in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $45,000. Finally, Grayhawk Investment Strategies Inc. boosted its position in Johnson & Johnson by 528.6% during the 4th quarter. Grayhawk Investment Strategies Inc. now owns 308 shares of the companys stock worth $48,000 after acquiring an additional 259 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.55% of the companys stock. Get Johnson & Johnson alerts: Johnson & Johnson Stock Performance NYSE JNJ traded down $1.60 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $163.01. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,147,782 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,274,545. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $154.30 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $153.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 1.07 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The company has a market cap of $392.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.52. Johnson & Johnson has a 12 month low of $143.13 and a 12 month high of $166.21. Johnson & Johnson Dividend Announcement Johnson & Johnson ( NYSE:JNJ Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 17th. The company reported $2.82 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.71 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $22.45 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.33 billion. Johnson & Johnson had a net margin of 46.34% and a return on equity of 36.60%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 4.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.80 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.07 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 27th will be given a dividend of $1.24 per share. This represents a $4.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.04%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 27th. Johnson & Johnsons dividend payout ratio is currently 30.92%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In JNJ has been the topic of a number of research reports. Daiwa Capital Markets lowered shares of Johnson & Johnson from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $160.00 to $150.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. TD Securities decreased their price objective on Johnson & Johnson from $195.00 to $185.00 in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and set a $215.00 target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Monday, August 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on Johnson & Johnson from $160.00 to $155.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 19th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $175.00 price objective on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Johnson & Johnson has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $173.21. View Our Latest Analysis on Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson Profile (Free Report) Johnson & Johnson, together with its subsidiaries, researches, develops, manufactures, and sells various products in the healthcare field worldwide. The company's Innovative Medicine segment offers products for various therapeutic areas, such as immunology, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis; infectious diseases comprising HIV/AIDS; neuroscience, consisting of mood disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and schizophrenia; oncology, such as prostate cancer, hematologic malignancies, lung cancer, and bladder cancer; cardiovascular and metabolism, including thrombosis, diabetes, and macular degeneration; and pulmonary hypertension comprising pulmonary arterial hypertension through retailers, wholesalers, distributors, hospitals, and healthcare professionals for prescription use. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JNJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Johnson & Johnson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Johnson & Johnson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd lessened its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report) by 2.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 988,255 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 26,561 shares during the period. AustralianSuper Pty Ltds holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $58,692,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. John W. Brooker & Co. CPAs grew its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter. John W. Brooker & Co. CPAs now owns 7,075 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $420,000 after acquiring an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. McAdam LLC grew its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 3.3% during the 2nd quarter. McAdam LLC now owns 5,609 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $333,000 after acquiring an additional 178 shares in the last quarter. Prentice Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Prentice Wealth Management LLC now owns 9,426 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $560,000 after acquiring an additional 184 shares in the last quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC grew its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 13.0% during the 1st quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 1,617 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $94,000 after acquiring an additional 186 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 5,897 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $350,000 after buying an additional 193 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.90% of the companys stock. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance Wells Fargo & Company stock traded down $0.46 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $56.26. 7,637,545 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 17,895,539. The stock has a market cap of $196.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.55, a P/E/G ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.86. Wells Fargo & Company has a 52-week low of $38.38 and a 52-week high of $62.55. The firms 50 day moving average is $57.52 and its 200 day moving average is $57.53. Wells Fargo & Company Increases Dividend Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 12th. The financial services provider reported $1.33 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.29 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $20.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.29 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 15.17% and a return on equity of 12.30%. Wells Fargo & Companys quarterly revenue was up .8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.25 EPS. Analysts predict that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th will be issued a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.84%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 9th. This is an increase from Wells Fargo & Companys previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.85%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, July 11th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $64.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $62.00 to $61.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 15th. Evercore ISI restated an outperform rating and issued a $67.00 target price (down previously from $70.00) on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a report on Monday, July 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $59.00 to $61.50 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, May 1st. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $59.63. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Wells Fargo & Company Wells Fargo & Company Profile (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Company, a financial services company, provides diversified banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA Free Report) by 17.3% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 86,088 shares of the banks stock after purchasing an additional 12,712 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co.s holdings in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria were worth $863,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. BSW Wealth Partners raised its position in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. BSW Wealth Partners now owns 23,158 shares of the banks stock worth $274,000 after buying an additional 923 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 20.9% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 5,754 shares of the banks stock valued at $68,000 after purchasing an additional 996 shares in the last quarter. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 6.6% during the 1st quarter. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC now owns 16,192 shares of the banks stock valued at $192,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Optas LLC increased its holdings in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 6.0% during the 2nd quarter. Optas LLC now owns 18,708 shares of the banks stock valued at $188,000 after purchasing an additional 1,053 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 8.2% during the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 14,111 shares of the banks stock valued at $129,000 after purchasing an additional 1,065 shares in the last quarter. 2.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria alerts: Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Trading Up 0.2 % BBVA traded up $0.02 on Thursday, hitting $10.58. 346,556 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,500,831. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. has a fifty-two week low of $7.41 and a fifty-two week high of $12.20. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $10.30 and a 200-day moving average price of $10.61. The stock has a market cap of $61.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.18, a P/E/G ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 1.32. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria ( NYSE:BBVA Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The bank reported $0.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.03. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria had a net margin of 27.55% and a return on equity of 22.05%. The company had revenue of $9.93 billion for the quarter. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.36 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. will post 1.65 EPS for the current year. Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria to a moderate buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. BNP Paribas lowered shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a report on Wednesday, June 12th. Finally, Citigroup raised shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, August 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy. View Our Latest Report on Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Profile (Free Report) Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, SA provides retail banking, wholesale banking, and asset management services in the United States, Spain, Mexico, Turkey, South America, and internationally. The company offers savings account, demand deposits, and time deposits; and loan products, such as residential mortgages, other households, credit card loans, loans to enterprises and public sector, as well as consumer finance. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BBVA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. lowered its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 10.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 94,564 shares of the companys stock after selling 11,216 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co.s holdings in Altria Group were worth $4,306,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MO. Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Altria Group by 154.4% during the 1st quarter. Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 575 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 349 shares in the last quarter. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. BNP Paribas bought a new stake in Altria Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Hobbs Group Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the second quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Westend Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the first quarter worth $29,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Altria Group alerts: Altria Group Stock Up 0.2 % Shares of NYSE:MO traded up $0.12 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $53.34. The company had a trading volume of 1,684,616 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,348,264. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $39.06 and a 1-year high of $53.53. The stock has a market cap of $91.62 billion, a PE ratio of 11.16, a P/E/G ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.66. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $48.86 and its 200 day moving average price is $45.29. Altria Group Increases Dividend Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $1.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.35 by ($0.04). Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 232.55% and a net margin of 42.25%. The company had revenue of $6.21 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.39 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.31 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be paid a dividend of $1.02 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 16th. This is a positive change from Altria Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.98. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.65%. Altria Groups payout ratio is currently 85.36%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, June 28th. Barclays increased their price target on Altria Group from $37.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Argus upgraded Altria Group to a hold rating in a report on Friday, May 31st. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on Altria Group from $50.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Altria Group from $47.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $47.08. Read Our Latest Research Report on MO About Altria Group (Free Report) Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. increased its position in shares of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:RNR Free Report) by 4.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 23,709 shares of the insurance providers stock after buying an additional 1,095 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co.s holdings in RenaissanceRe were worth $5,299,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in RNR. Riverview Trust Co purchased a new stake in RenaissanceRe during the first quarter worth $26,000. Blue Trust Inc. purchased a new position in RenaissanceRe during the second quarter valued at $27,000. Rise Advisors LLC purchased a new position in RenaissanceRe during the first quarter valued at $31,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC purchased a new position in RenaissanceRe during the second quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Mather Group LLC. purchased a new position in RenaissanceRe during the first quarter valued at $34,000. 99.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get RenaissanceRe alerts: RenaissanceRe Trading Up 1.0 % RenaissanceRe stock traded up $2.49 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $258.35. 77,989 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 333,119. RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. has a fifty-two week low of $183.82 and a fifty-two week high of $258.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.67, a PEG ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.38. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $229.70 and its 200 day simple moving average is $227.37. The company has a current ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. RenaissanceRe Announces Dividend RenaissanceRe ( NYSE:RNR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The insurance provider reported $12.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $10.88 by $1.53. RenaissanceRe had a net margin of 25.38% and a return on equity of 27.74%. The firm had revenue of $2.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.93 billion. On average, equities analysts anticipate that RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. will post 38.92 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be given a dividend of $0.39 per share. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.60%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. RenaissanceRes dividend payout ratio is presently 3.45%. Insider Buying and Selling at RenaissanceRe In other RenaissanceRe news, EVP David E. Marra sold 1,000 shares of RenaissanceRe stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $230.00, for a total transaction of $230,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 85,544 shares in the company, valued at $19,675,120. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, CFO Robert Qutub sold 2,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $224.56, for a total value of $561,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 73,915 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,598,352.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP David E. Marra sold 1,000 shares of RenaissanceRe stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $230.00, for a total transaction of $230,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 85,544 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,675,120. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.30% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have issued reports on RNR shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of RenaissanceRe from $265.00 to $267.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of RenaissanceRe from $288.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 26th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of RenaissanceRe from $257.00 to $240.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Evercore ISI raised their price target on shares of RenaissanceRe from $216.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 1st. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of RenaissanceRe from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $263.40. View Our Latest Research Report on RenaissanceRe RenaissanceRe Company Profile (Free Report) RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Property, and Casualty and Specialty segments. The Property segment writes property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance and excess of loss reinsurance to insure insurance and reinsurance companies against natural and man-made catastrophes, including hurricanes, earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis, as well as winter storms, freezes, floods, fires, windstorms, tornadoes, explosions, and acts of terrorism; and other property class of products, such as proportional reinsurance, property per risk, property reinsurance, binding facilities, and regional U.S. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RNR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:RNR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for RenaissanceRe Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for RenaissanceRe and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. grew its position in BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BJ Free Report) by 103.6% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 745 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 379 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in BJs Wholesale Club were worth $65,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in BJs Wholesale Club by 278.3% during the 2nd quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 1,585 shares of the companys stock valued at $139,000 after acquiring an additional 1,166 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in BJs Wholesale Club by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,126,743 shares of the companys stock worth $98,973,000 after buying an additional 42,413 shares during the period. Patten Group Inc. bought a new stake in BJs Wholesale Club during the 2nd quarter valued at about $207,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. boosted its position in BJs Wholesale Club by 23.8% in the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 4,379 shares of the companys stock valued at $385,000 after buying an additional 843 shares during the period. Finally, LRI Investments LLC increased its position in shares of BJs Wholesale Club by 9.2% during the second quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 1,953 shares of the companys stock worth $172,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 98.60% of the companys stock. Get BJ's Wholesale Club alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other news, EVP Graham Luce sold 16,596 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.15, for a total transaction of $1,512,725.40. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,131 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,288,040.65. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Graham Luce sold 16,596 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.15, for a total transaction of $1,512,725.40. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 14,131 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,288,040.65. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Joseph Mcgrail sold 1,000 shares of BJs Wholesale Club stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.57, for a total transaction of $83,570.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 13,566 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,133,710.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 82,544 shares of company stock valued at $7,320,654. Corporate insiders own 2.00% of the companys stock. BJs Wholesale Club Stock Performance NYSE BJ traded down $2.48 on Thursday, reaching $80.08. 1,339,107 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,519,833. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $87.10 and a 200-day moving average price of $80.93. The firm has a market cap of $10.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.44, a P/E/G ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 0.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 0.14 and a current ratio of 0.74. BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $63.08 and a fifty-two week high of $92.37. BJs Wholesale Club (NYSE:BJ Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 22nd. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.00 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $5.21 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.15 billion. BJs Wholesale Club had a return on equity of 37.78% and a net margin of 2.59%. BJs Wholesale Clubs revenue for the quarter was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.97 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. will post 3.91 EPS for the current fiscal year. Analysts Set New Price Targets BJ has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on BJs Wholesale Club from $90.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, May 24th. Barclays lifted their price objective on BJs Wholesale Club from $72.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, May 24th. Roth Mkm increased their target price on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $68.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd. Loop Capital raised their target price on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $80.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $89.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, May 24th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $86.07. Get Our Latest Report on BJs Wholesale Club BJs Wholesale Club Company Profile (Free Report) BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates warehouse clubs on the eastern half of the United States. It provides groceries, general merchandise, gasoline and other ancillary services, coupon books, and promotions. The company sells its products through the websites BJs.com, BerkleyJensen.com, and Wellsleyfarms.com, as well as the mobile app. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BJ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for BJ's Wholesale Club Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BJ's Wholesale Club and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of American Tower Co. (NYSE:AMT Free Report) by 8.3% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 9,398 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 854 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in American Tower were worth $1,827,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in American Tower in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $220,000. Kovack Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in American Tower in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $319,000. Principle Wealth Partners LLC increased its stake in American Tower by 21.3% in the 4th quarter. Principle Wealth Partners LLC now owns 3,502 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $756,000 after purchasing an additional 616 shares in the last quarter. Sargent Investment Group LLC increased its stake in American Tower by 8.8% in the 4th quarter. Sargent Investment Group LLC now owns 1,639 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $354,000 after purchasing an additional 133 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Silver Oak Securities Incorporated increased its stake in American Tower by 87.6% in the 4th quarter. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated now owns 1,334 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $288,000 after purchasing an additional 623 shares in the last quarter. 92.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get American Tower alerts: American Tower Trading Down 1.6 % Shares of AMT stock traded down $3.64 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $221.61. 702,966 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,318,897. American Tower Co. has a fifty-two week low of $154.58 and a fifty-two week high of $236.13. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $211.03 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $197.22. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.42. The stock has a market cap of $103.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.41, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.81. Insider Activity at American Tower American Tower ( NYSE:AMT Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.92 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.44 by ($0.52). American Tower had a net margin of 21.95% and a return on equity of 23.06%. The firm had revenue of $2.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.82 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.46 EPS. American Towers revenue was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that American Tower Co. will post 10.04 EPS for the current fiscal year. In related news, EVP Sanjay Goel sold 3,504 shares of American Tower stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.36, for a total value of $702,061.44. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 28,413 shares in the company, valued at $5,692,828.68. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other American Tower news, EVP Olivier Puech sold 10,005 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $233.27, for a total value of $2,333,866.35. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 51,746 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,070,789.42. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Sanjay Goel sold 3,504 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.36, for a total value of $702,061.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 28,413 shares in the company, valued at $5,692,828.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 37,227 shares of company stock worth $8,497,458. 0.18% of the stock is owned by insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth AMT has been the subject of several research analyst reports. TD Cowen raised their price objective on American Tower from $226.00 to $239.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on American Tower from $225.00 to $236.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Scotiabank increased their target price on American Tower from $223.00 to $248.00 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. StockNews.com upgraded American Tower from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on American Tower from $225.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $231.14. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on AMT About American Tower (Free Report) American Tower, one of the largest global REITs, is a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate with a portfolio of over 224,000 communications sites and a highly interconnected footprint of U.S. data center facilities. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AMT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Tower Co. (NYSE:AMT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for American Tower Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Tower and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zimmermann Investment Management & Planning LLC decreased its holdings in Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB Free Report) by 44.8% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,306 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 3,500 shares during the period. Zimmermann Investment Management & Planning LLCs holdings in Schlumberger were worth $203,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Sterneck Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Schlumberger during the second quarter valued at $236,000. Conning Inc. increased its stake in shares of Schlumberger by 9.2% during the second quarter. Conning Inc. now owns 8,268 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $390,000 after buying an additional 695 shares during the period. Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Schlumberger by 5.1% during the second quarter. Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc. now owns 5,846 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $276,000 after buying an additional 286 shares during the period. Worth Financial Advisory Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Schlumberger by 39.5% during the second quarter. Worth Financial Advisory Group LLC now owns 11,007 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $519,000 after buying an additional 3,118 shares during the period. Finally, Atomi Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Schlumberger by 8.6% during the second quarter. Atomi Financial Group Inc. now owns 7,847 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $370,000 after buying an additional 623 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.99% of the companys stock. Get Schlumberger alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Vijay Kasibhatla sold 10,000 shares of Schlumberger stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.29, for a total transaction of $492,900.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 62,354 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,073,428.66. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Schlumberger news, Director Vijay Kasibhatla sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.29, for a total value of $492,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 62,354 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,073,428.66. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Mogharbel Khaled Al sold 120,668 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.19, for a total value of $6,056,326.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 247,699 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,432,012.81. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 185,696 shares of company stock valued at $9,264,905 over the last quarter. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently commented on SLB. Citigroup cut their price target on Schlumberger from $65.00 to $62.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, June 28th. TD Cowen raised their price target on Schlumberger from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. Bank of America cut their target price on Schlumberger from $62.00 to $58.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Piper Sandler cut their target price on Schlumberger from $71.00 to $66.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $69.00 target price on shares of Schlumberger in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $67.00. View Our Latest Stock Report on Schlumberger Schlumberger Stock Down 2.9 % NYSE SLB traded down $1.30 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $43.74. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,853,626 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,604,971. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.49 and a quick ratio of 1.13. The company has a market cap of $62.52 billion, a PE ratio of 14.53, a P/E/G ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.55. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $46.19 and its 200-day simple moving average is $48.27. Schlumberger Limited has a fifty-two week low of $42.61 and a fifty-two week high of $62.12. Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, July 19th. The oil and gas company reported $0.85 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.02. Schlumberger had a return on equity of 21.92% and a net margin of 12.56%. The firm had revenue of $9.14 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.08 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.72 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 12.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Schlumberger Limited will post 3.49 EPS for the current fiscal year. Schlumberger Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 10th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.275 per share. This represents a $1.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.51%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 4th. Schlumbergers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 36.54%. About Schlumberger (Free Report) Schlumberger Limited engages in the provision of technology for the energy industry worldwide. The company operates through four divisions: Digital & Integration, Reservoir Performance, Well Construction, and Production Systems. The company provides field development and hydrocarbon production, carbon management, and integration of adjacent energy systems; reservoir interpretation and data processing services for exploration data; and well construction and production improvement services and products. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SLB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB Free Report). 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West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code The brutal murder of two hungry women, Mariah Makgato and her friend Lucia Ndlovu, who were collecting discarded food on a farm outside Polokwane, Limpopo, has angered the whole nation including South Africas Police Minister who wants the perpetrators to be shown no mercy at all. The incident has sparked outrage and condemnation and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu joining thousands of South Africans in calling for justice. The angry victims were collecting expired dairy products dumped by a Clover truck, were shot and killed on August 17th, 2024, by the farm owner, Zachariah Johannes Olivier, and his farm supervisor, Andrian Rudolph De Wet. A third suspect, William Musora, an illegal migrant from Zimbabwe and was working at this farm, was also arrested and charged in connection with the murders. Makgato, a mother of four, and Ndlovu, a 34-year-old Zimbabwean national, were accompanied by Ndlovus husband, who miraculously survived the attack after being shot but managed to flee. The horrific details of the crime have left many reeling. After shooting the women, Olivier and De Wet allegedly tossed their bodies into a pigsty, where the animals began to devour them. It is alleged that accused one (Olivier) cut the firearm used in the murder and disposed of it along the R80 road, said Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, spokesperson for the Limpopo National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The following day, Musora, who was working on the farm illegally, discovered the bodies and reported his findings to Olivier and De Wet. The three men then allegedly moved the bodies to the pig stalls, where the pigs began to consume them. The NPA alleges that Olivier and De Wet had a pre-meditated plan to shoot any community members who trespassed onto their farm. The two men allegedly fired multiple shots at the victims, killing Makgato and Ndlovu instantly. The three accused men have been charged with two counts of premeditated murder, one count of attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and defeating the ends of justice. Musora faces an additional charge of being in South Africa illegally. Minister Mchunu has expressed his outrage at the crime, calling it a horrific act that shows a complete disregard for human life. The horrific nature of this crime demands that justice be served without leniency. I strongly condemn this act and hope that the court will recognise the gravity of this situation during the formal bail application, said Mchunu. Mchunu also stated that granting the suspects bail would undermine the severity of their alleged crimes and pose a significant threat to public safety. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with political parties and community leaders expressing their shock and outrage. Many have called for the harshest possible punishment for the accused. Walter Mathole, Makgatos brother, described the horrific ordeal, saying that he went to the farm after his sister failed to return home, but was met with indifference from the farm workers. I went to the farm asking if they had seen my sister but they did not provide me with any helpful information. I also asked workers at the farm but they said they were not at work when the incident happened, Mathole told the SABC. Mathole said a neighbour of the farm informed him that he had heard gunshots. We have lost so much. My sisters children are now orphans and it will now be my duty to take care of them. I need help and I want the accused people to be denied bail, he said. The three accused men appeared in court on Friday, August 23rd, 2024, where their case was postponed to August 30th for profiling. They remain in custody. The police were alerted to the incident after Makgato and Ndlovus families could not locate them. The police discovered the bodies of the women in an advanced state of decomposition. Malabi-Dzhangi said that they received a report that Olivier had crushed the firearm used in the murder and disposed of it along the R80 road. Breaking News via Email Related Zimbabwe Latest News By Lambert Strether of Corrente Bird Song of the Day Catbirds are in the Mimidae specie s (!), like mockingbird and thrashers. Readers have said they like the mimicry, so hopefully MacCaulay Library has enough recordings to keep us all satisfied, at least for a time. Black Catbird, CADO & STCU Alley, Chital Area, Louisville, Corozal, Belize. * * * In Case You Might Miss Kamalas stint at McDonalds: Fact or fiction? Kennedy on healthy food, and on the environment. Section 230 decision: The business model of Big Tech is over. * * * Politics So many of the social reactions that strike us as psychological are in fact a rational management of symbolic capital. Pierre Bourdieu, Classification Struggles * * * 2024 Less than one hundred days to go! Fridays RCP Poll Averages: Good news for Trump in that last weeks deterioration seems to have been slowed, although we shall have to see if Kamala gets a convention bounce. Remember, however, that all the fluctuations in fact, all the leads are within the margin of error. If you read most of the press, youd think Kamala has this race in the bag. Its not so. Do note, however, Trumps deterioration in North Carolina: +2.4 last week to +0.9 this week, when OG pollster Sabato moved it to toss-up status from lean Republican. No wonder Trump held a rally there this week. NOTE With Kennedy, it would seem, about to drop out, I started tracking the national percentage as Top Battlegrounds, where Trumps shrinking lead is +0.1 this week (as opposed to 5-Way RCP Average, where Harris led by +1.1 last week). * * * Kamala (D): After Chicago: The Challenge Facing Harris [The Nation]. The deck: Will she demonstrate clearly why shes the true champion of working people? No. Kamala (D): Laugh at how desperate and dumb this is, but never stop being galled by the bad faith of MAGA loyalists who pretend to care about any kind of scruple. Low-character people this close to awesome power should fill you with contempt. https://t.co/uJzazwOyPa Brian Beutler (@brianbeutler) August 29, 2024 I read the Washington Free Beacon story top and bottom (and it gives me no pleasure to say that). Besides being good oppo, I thought it was a solid piece of reporting (and it gives me no pleasure to say that). Readers, can you poke any holes in the story? * * * Trump (R): Donald Trump lists the questions CNN must ask Kamala Harris in her first interview as the Democratic candidate [Daily Mail]. When she finally sits for her first interview since becoming the Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris must explain why she has flip-flopped on so many policies, why she has done nothing to secure the southern border while in power, and why she needs a human shield alongside her, according to one avid viewer of television news, former President Donald J. Trump. At the top of his list: What is she hiding from? Why isnt it live? Its not a live interview, he said. Its an interview thats going to be taped and then edited and then put out. So thats not even an interview.' Hes not wrong, is he? The Daily Mail interviewed Trump at Mar-a-Lago: Holy moley, thats an awful bad case of Empire-in-Decay decor. How preferable the elegant, youthful simplicity of Obama and Kamalas tan suits. From this morning once more: How it started. How it's going. Ten years later, and it's still a good look! https://t.co/NKXRGNgJPv pic.twitter.com/KeI1gn7HSg Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 28, 2024 * * * Kennedy (R): A Republican operative: NEW: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. comes out with an 'insane' new proposal to end obesity in America which is not Ozempic. Ready for it? Giving everyone three healthy organic meals a day instead of paying $3 trillion for Ozempic. RFK argued against a new proposal that would pic.twitter.com/0wFsecW7Sb Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 28, 2024 Nevertheless, is Kennedy so wrong? And is this so wrong? Of course, we dont actually know from what position Kennedy would reviving that consensus in the next Trump administration * * * The (Electoral) Politics of Age Gaps [Crooked Timber]. Despite being a Boomer, you may have noticed that [Kamalas] the young, exciting candidate. Biden and Trump are really quite old. Its our electoral institutions cause the US to have such astronomically old leaders. The two-party system, lax campaign and especially campaign finance laws, and the primary system tilt the process heavily in favor of people with time, money and political interest which, in our society, tends to be older people. Combine this with the Baby Boom and you get the current situation, playing out in slow motion, a demographic wave not crashing but seeping into and drowning our politics. Its telling that the only way our institutions avoided replicating their mistakes was by a catastrophic failure. How can a younger politician win a primary in this system? They cant! Harris became the nominee not by winning the primary but by default. By default? Is this dude kidding? Since when is coronation the default in a putatively democratic society? Realignment and Legitimacy Democrats and Republicans greet Covid spike with a collective shrug [Poltico]. A tranche of a million corpses, and all they can do so shrug. To be fair, Trump cant take credit for Operation Warp Speed because of the anti-vax dogmatists in his base (including Kennedy), and Biden cant take credit for any instead of an enormously successfully public relations effort that destroyed the creditibility of public health as an ideal. Biden can also take credit for never giving Trump credit for the vaccines he bet the farm on with his vax-only strategy a Trump legacy Biden promptly squandered. No wonder theyre silent. More: Voters do not like it being brought up at all, said Celinda Lake, a Democratic strategist and pollster for Bidens 2020 campaign, who marveled at the near-total absence of masks at a Democratic convention where roughly 20,000 people crammed into Chicagos United Center for a week. They want to get over it.' Ah, a Celinda Lake. She was the pollster who left Medicare for All off a voter survey on health care policy in Maine, until activists forced her to add it MR SUBLIMINAL Not that Im one to harbor a grudge These poeple. And: For most people, Covid is less about getting an infection and more about a period of time when our lives were super disrupted and that is behind us, said Ashish Jha, the Biden White Houses former Covid response coordinator. We do still have a public health problem, but it is no longer in any way a substantive societal problem.' What a psycho Jha is. In what way is Long Covid not a substantive societal problem? Not to mention the increasingly visible loss of executive function on a mass basis. Syndemics I am in earnest I will not equivocate I will not excuse I will not retreat a single inch AND I WILL BE HEARD. William Lloyd Garrison * * * Covid Resources, United States (National): Transmission (CDC); Wastewater (CDC, Biobot ; includes many counties; Wastewater Scan, includes drilldown by zip); Variants (CDC; Walgreens); Iowa COVID-19 Tracker (in IA, but national data). Infection Control, Emergency Management, Safety, and General Thoughts (especially on hospitalization by city). Lambert here: Readers, thanks for the collective effort. To update any entry, do feel free to contact me at the address given with the plants. Please put COVID in the subject line. Thank you! Resources, United States (Local): AK (dashboard); AL (dashboard); AR (dashboard); AZ (dashboard); CA (dashboard; Marin, dashboard; Stanford, wastewater; Oakland, wastewater); CO (dashboard; wastewater); CT (dashboard); DE (dashboard); FL (wastewater); GA (wastewater); HI (dashboard); IA (wastewater reports); ID (dashboard, Boise; dashboard, wastewater, Central Idaho; wastewater, Coeur dAlene; dashboard, Spokane County); IL (wastewater); IN (dashboard); KS (dashboard; wastewater, Lawrence); KY (dashboard, Louisville); LA (dashboard); MA (wastewater); MD (dashboard); ME (dashboard); MI (wastewater; wastewater); MN (dashboard); MO (wastewater); MS (dashboard); MT (dashboard) ; NC (dashboard); ND (dashboard; wastewater); NE (dashboard); NH (wastewater); NJ (dashboard); NM (dashboard); NV (dashboard; wastewater, Southern NV); NY (dashboard); OH (dashboard); OK (dashboard); OR (dashboard) ; PA (dashboard); RI (dashboard); SC (dashboard); SD (dashboard); TN (dashboard); TX (dashboard); UT (wastewater); VA (dashboard); VT (dashboard); WA (dashboard; dashboard); WI (wastewater); WV ( wastewater ); WY ( wastewater ). Resources, Canada (National): Wastewater (Government of Canada). Resources, Canada (Provincial): ON (wastewater); QC (les eaux usees); BC (wastewater); BC, Vancouver (wastewater). Hat tips to helpful readers: Alexis, anon (2), Art_DogCT, B24S, CanCyn, ChiGal, Chuck L, Festoonic, FM, FreeMarketApologist (4), Gumbo, hop2it, JB, JEHR, JF, JL Joe, John, JM (10), JustAnotherVolunteer, JW, KatieBird, KF, LL, Michael King, KF, LaRuse, mrsyk, MT, MT_Wild, otisyves, Petal (6), RK (2), RL, RM, Rod, square coats (11), tennesseewaltzer, Tom B., Utah, Bob White (3). Stay safe out there! * * * Maskstravaganza Leave Those Kids Alone [John Snow Project]. Replace mask with turban, hijab, crucifix or Star of David and see how you feel about the victimized child and the people whove been bullying them. Talk to members of the COVID-safe community and youll understand that this sort of bullying is commonplace. The ignorant among us believe infection is a good thing, that it trains the immune system and makes us stronger. Weve previously written about the error of this belief9. If infection made us stronger, the areas of the world that have the most disease would have the best population health and life expectancy. The opposite is true Instead of bullying a child strong enough to be the only person wearing a mask in school, those being cruel should show some humility and confront the possibility the child might be better informed about human health or have private reasons for continuing to be cautious. Public health bodies and public institutions should do more to protect personal choice and prevent bullying and stigmatization for masking. After all, we are living in a world of individual responsibility and an individual should not be penalized for choosing to be responsible. For example: circle to do the right thing. Not only to protect himself, but also to be a good citizen. He is broken. He has been deliberately broken & shamed by ADULTS. It is cowardly for RESPONSIBLE ADULTS to not support children. (@DcrInYYC) August 28, 2024 Sequelae: Covid Does Long COVID Lead to Alzheimers? A New Study Took an Unexpected Turn [Being Patient]. The researchers looked at a group of participants from COVID recovery clinics, comparing 100 without any cognitive complaints, 79 who had abnormal results on a cognitive assessment indicating cognitive impairment, and 57 who complained about cognitive issues even though they scored normally on a cognitive test. Hu and his colleagues took cerebrospinal fluid and blood from both groups of people with cognitive complaints to measure protein biomarkers and look at what genes the immune cells are turning on or off to see whether there was an overlap with Alzheimers disease. We did not find significant numbers of people with Alzheimers disease markers in the cerebrospinal fluid, Hu said. The many molecular pathways being active in Long COVID do not correspond to Alzheimers disease. But nine months after the initial infection, what the researchers did notice was that the immune cells behaved as if they were still fighting off a viral infection. About 50 percent of the cognitively impaired participants showed slow improvement after two years. The participants whose immune cells mounted an interferon response a pathway used by the immune system to fight viruses showed cognitive improvement. One of the key findings is that we see the immune cells in the cerebrospinal fluid, recruiting cells to fight infection , Hu said. So that tells me that the infection is in the brain .' Prevention On personal risk assessment: Celebrity Watch Neil Young Explains Crazy Horse Tour Cancelation, Says Hes Planning To Return To The Road With Promise Of The Real [Stereogum]. Young: I was doing great and we were moving right along, Young said. Everybodys loving the shows. Then I just woke up one morning on the bus and I said, I cant do this. I gotta stop. It was like I felt sick when I thought of going on stage. My body was telling me, You gotta stop. So I listened to my body. Then it gets into all the legal matters: You got this, you got that, people bought tickets, they did this, they did that. I understand that. What matters to me is the art of playing, and the music. Thats what matters. Thats what people loved. Thats what they come to see. But if thats not there, me going is not happening. My body told me to not do it.' Fine as far as it goes, and more honest than most, but why not worry about infecting the fans? Elite Maleficence CDC will not or cannot think through the consequences of the fact that #CovidIsAirborne, one of which is protection needs to be layered, Swiss Cheese-style: Glad to see. Would add KN95 masks or N95 respirators are highly effective at reducing amount of viruses inhaled if someone else is sick in a home, and isolation of an infected person in a negatively pressurized space is generally easy (fan blowing out window) & reduces spread. https://t.co/3Q7Plfqyjk Richard Corsi, PhD, PE (Texas) (@CorsIAQ) August 28, 2024 All the layers must be advocated for, and the general principle explained. Sadly, all doctors are not like IM Doc: Why Doctors Dont Acknowledge the Dangers of C19 This is one of the best explanations Ive come across. And its written by a doctor. pic.twitter.com/M6TWN6SZs7 #9 Dream (@GayFabFourFan) August 27, 2024 Union leadership betrays workers, film at 11: Can @UFT explain why COVID-19 is not on this list of 27 diseases & ailments you may encounter as a public school educator while 1.2 million people in the U.S. are getting infected daily? Was this accidental or intentional? Teachers, students & families deserve to know!/1 pic.twitter.com/qdMZau0uZv Vanessa Sica Kasabach (@VSicaKasabach) August 28, 2024 Social Norming The whinging about so-called lockdowns continues to appall: In 2020 schools were closed for ~8 weeks in the U.S. 4 years later people are still blaming myriad health and learning issues on those relatively short closures. Yet nobody can answer why children completely leaving school for 3 months every year has never caused such problems. Covid Caution KP.2 + KP.3 + KP.3.1.1. + LB.1 (@CovidCaution) August 28, 2024 * * * TABLE 1: Daily Covid Charts Wastewater This week[1] CDC August 20: Last Week[2] CDC (until next week): Variants [3] CDC August 17 Emergency Room Visits[4] CDC August 17 Hospitalization New York[5] New York State, data August 27: National [6] CDC August 10: Positivity National[7] Walgreens August 20: Ohio[8] Cleveland Clinic August 17: Travelers Data Positivity[9] CDC July 29: Variants[10] CDC July 29: Deaths Weekly Deaths vs. % Positivity [11]CDC August 10: Weekly Deaths vs. ED Visits [12]CDC August 10: LEGEND 1) for charts new today; all others are not updated. 2) For a full-size/full-resolution image, Command-click (MacOS) or right-click (Windows) on the chart thumbnail and open image in new tab. NOTES [1] (CDC) This weeks wastewater map, with hot spots annotated. Keeps spreading. [2] (CDC) Last weeks wastewater map. [3] (CDC Variants) KP.* very popular. XDV.1 flat. [4] (ER) Worth noting Emergency Department use is now on a par with the first wave, in 2020. [5] (Hospitalization: NY) Again, an uptick, but the state as a whole is still down. Makes me wonder if theres something happending at New York airports. Lets watch carefully. (The New York city area has form; in 2020, as the home of two international airports (JFK and EWR) it was an important entry point for the virus into the country (and from thence up the Hudson River valley, as the rich sought to escape, and then around the country through air travel.) Lambert here: Since things are bad out on the West Coast, I went looking for California hospitalization data to compare with New Yorks, and found this: Due to changes in reporting requirements for hospitals, CDPH is no longer including hospitalization data on the CDPH dashboard. CDPH remains committed to monitoring the severe outcomes of COVID-19 and influenza, including the impact on hospitals. CDCs National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) will remain open to accept data, and CDC and CDPH strongly encourage all facilities to continue reporting. Thanks, Mandy! [6] (Hospitalization: CDC). The visualization suppresses what is, in percentage terms, a significant increase. [7] (Walgreens) Fiddling and diddling. [8] (Cleveland) Jumping. [9] (Travelers: Positivity) Up. Those sh*theads at CDC have changed the chart so that it doesnt even run back to 1/21/23, as it used to, but now starts 1/1/24. Theres also no way to adjust the time range. CDC really doesnt want you to be able to take a historical view of the pandemic, or compare one surge to another. In an any case, thats why the shape of the curve has changed. [10] (Travelers: Variants) The new variant in China, XDV.1, is not showing up here. [11] Deaths low, but positivity up. [12] Deaths low, ED up. Stats Watch Employment Situation: United States Initial Jobless Claims [Trading Economics]. The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the US fell by 2,000 from the previous week to 231,000 on the period ending August 24th, in line with market expectations of 232,000. Despite this decrease, the figure remained well above the averages seen earlier this year, reinforcing the ongoing trend of a softening labor market, as highlighted by the July jobs report and the significant downward revision to nonfarm payrolls for the year ending in March. GDP: United States GDP Growth Rate [Trading Economics]. Real gross domestic product (GDP) in the US grew at an annual rate of 3.0% in the second quarter of 2024, up from 2.8% in the initial estimate and 1.4% in the first quarter. The upward revision was mainly due to increased consumer spending (2.9% vs 2.3% earlier reported). Profits: United States Corporate Profits [Trading Economics]. Corporate profits in the US rose by 1.7% from the previous period to $2,774 trillion in the second quarter of 2024, rebounding from the 2.7% decline in the earlier quarter, according to a preliminary estimate. The rebound was led by the bounce in undistributed profits (5.6% vs -11.6% in Q1) amid the recovery for net cash flow with inventory valuation adjustment (3.3% vs -2.9%). Whatever that means. * * * Retail: Amazon is using my grocery purchases to sell me prescription drugs [Vox]. he weirdest thing happened to me recently. I ordered some groceries on Amazon Fresh. When you check out, Amazon recommends more things you might like to buy, usually related to your purchase. But this time, Amazon offered up Treatments for High Cholesterol along with a link for an Amazon One Medical consultation as well as links to prescription medications. Thats weird, because my doctor and my wife are the only people who know about my cholesterol numbers. Theyre pretty good, too! But there are certainly data points, including my age, my food preferences, and my past purchases, maybe even news stories Ive read elsewhere on the web, that might suggest Id be a good candidate for a statin, the type of cholesterol-lowering medication Amazon recommended to me. Ah, statins. Tech: Judges Rule Big Techs Free Ride on Section 230 Is Over [Matt Stoller, BIG]. The deck: Algorithms are no longer a Get out of Jail free card. The Third Circuit ruled that TikTok must stand trial for manipulating children into harming themselves. The business model of big tech is over. Big if true. Tech: I spent an evening on a fictitious web [Paul Kinlan]. Read the bio first: I lead the Chrome Developer Relations team at Google. Now read the post and imagine what to means for humans who actually create the content harvested by AI thieves. Tech: X caught blocking links to NPR, claiming the news site may be unsafe' [Tech Crunch]. X, the Elon Musk-owned platform formerly known as Twitter, is marking some links to news organization NPRs website as unsafe when users click through to read the latest story about an altercation between a Trump campaign staffer and an Arlington National Cemetery employee. The warning being displayed is typically applied to malicious links, like those containing malware, and other types of misleading content or spam. However, in this case, the web page being blocked is an NPR news report, raising questions about whether or not Musks X is actively trying to stop the news story from spreading. News report, or dogpile? Hard to tell these days * * * Todays Fear & Greed Index: 52 Neutral (previous close: 52 Neutral) [CNN]. One week ago: 51 (Neutral). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed). Last updated Aug 28 at 12:57:20 PM ET. Gallery I dont know: Apple tree by Klimt pic.twitter.com/sCfpWPkdIw Impressions (@impression_ists) August 29, 2024 I suppose might view the tree as having been flattened onto the canvas, rather like a Mercator projection, but I think apple trees should be round (so call me a Philistine). News of the Wired I am not wired today. * * * Contact information for plants: Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, to (a) find out how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal and (b) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi, lichen, and coral are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please place it at the start of your mail in parentheses: (thus). Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. From AM: AM writes: Hydrangeas in full force. * * * Readers: Water Cooler is a standalone entity not covered by the annual NC fundraiser. Material here is Lamberts, and does not express the views of the Naked Capitalism site. If you see a link you especially like, or an item you wouldnt see anywhere else, please do not hesitate to express your appreciation in tangible form. Remember, a tip jar is for tipping! Regular positive feedback both makes me feel good and lets me know Im on the right track with coverage. When I get no donations for three or four days I get worried. More tangibly, a constant trickle of donations helps me with expenses, and I factor in that trickle when setting fundraising goals: Here is the screen that will appear, which I have helpfully annotated: If you hate PayPal, you can email me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, and I will give you directions on how to send a check. Thank you! Patient readers, my triply-redudant connectivity system has had a hiccup. In the interests of speed, I did not archive any links for you, as I have recently been doing. Sorry! lambert Bald eagle thought to be hurt was really just too fat to fly, Missouri officials say St Louis Post-Dispatch Baby boom prompts call to boost wild beaver population BBC Obscenely greedy oil executives handed Swiss jail terms for role in 1MDB fraud FT Climate Corn fields spike dewpoints into the lower 80s meaning heat index goes to 120F Water Water On The Brain: Irrigation Then And Now 3 Quarks Daily Syndemics Fibrin drives thromboinflammation and neuropathology in COVID-19 Nature. From the Dicussion: Although clotting complications in COVID-19 have previously been attributed primarily to systemic inflammation14, our findings suggest that coagulopathy in COVID-19 is not merely a consequence of inflammation, but rather serves as an apical driver of infection-induced thromboinflammation and neuropathology. Our data reveal a causal immunomodulatory role for fibrinogen in thromboinflammation and neuropathology in COVID-19.: Japan warns against panic buying as rice shortages bite Channel News Asia China? Chinas international use of renminbi surges to record highs FT Chinese Localities Adopt Sell Everything to Save the Day Policy to Ease Debt Caixin Global. Commentary: 4/9 That's because the only sustainable way to increase the role of consumption in the economy requires that households retain a larger share of GDP, which in turn means that some other sector retain a lower share. In the end the least bad "other sector" is local governments. Michael Pettis (@michaelxpettis) August 29, 2024 Protests on rise in China amid sluggish economy, housing crisis: Report Business Standard Chinas urban-rural gap is a threat to growth. Is the divide too wide to fix? South China Morning Post Little desire to have kids: More young Chinese choosing pets over children Channel News Asia Are Chinas vast bamboo forests the answer to forever fossil plastics? South China Morning Post Yves here. At least some of whom are in the left are not accepting the premise that they must ignore the Democratic Partys sorry record and back Kamala Harris. And keep this point of view in mind: By Robert Urie, author of Zen Economics, artist, and musician who publishes The Journal of Belligerent Pontification on Substack If we lose, well be tried as war criminals. US General Curtis Lemay speaking of the US firebombing of Tokyo (and here) in WWII. In addition to the war against Russia that the US launched with its coup in Ukraine of 2014, the next president of the US will have the US role in the genocide in Palestine to contend with. With respect to US relations abroad, it would be one thing if these conflicts had been forced on the US. But they werent. They were chosen by the Biden-Harris administration as part of its too-little, too-late, recognition that US-based capital, Wall Street acting in league with subsidized industries like Big Tech, has destroyed the US economy for most workers, meaning citizens. Over the years, the position of Joe Biden with respect to China has been paradoxical. Or less charitably, incoherent. Biden joined with the (Bill) Clinton administration in 2000 to normalize US trade relations with China so as to facilitate its entry into the WTO (World Trade Organization) in 2001. This followed Bidens support for NAFTA (1994), which established the institutional circumstances by which the American manufacturing base was handed over to China. It was decided that American workers would either be bond traders or fentanyl addicts. What they wouldnt be is industrial workers. Too many unions. Graphic: NATO was formed as a residual of American power in Europe following WWII. For the uninitiated, the US lost 400,000 people in WWII while the Russians, then Soviets, lost 27,000,000. In the present, as cover for, or denial of, US imperialism abroad, NATO has successfully changed the subject from domestic economic looting to Great Power politics. Post-War ideological competition washed the ethos of Western imperialism, euphemisms and all, through the cleansing agent of theories that need never come into contact with their facts. Sources: US Embassy, Stanley Kubricks Dr. Strangelove. The outcome of five decades of neoliberal (capitalist) predation looks remarkably like Marxist analyses of the first half of the twentieth century had it. The GFC (global financial crisis) and the Great Recession that followed it led to a full recovery of the predatory economy, the one where raw political and economic power are used not simply to loot, but through lawfare, surveillance, and factionalized labor markets. to pin Americans under the repressive boot of unfettered capital. This is the world that the Biden-Harris administration was appointed to perpetuate. The political analog, possibly easier to see because it is fresh in the minds of Americans, is the gathering of oligarch donors to select Kamala Harris to be the Democrats candidate for president. The fake emergency regarding Joe Bidens age the man was widely understood to be unable to distinguish fact from fantasy (and here) forty years ago, was used to render visible the class dynamic that has a tiny cabal of corporate welfare queens and trust-fund opportunists openly and explicitly determining Federal policy. Maps: the Russian complaint that NATO surrounded its western border after the US, Germany, and France individually and jointly promised not to, is an abstraction to Americans. In fact, the US has an answer to the question of what would happen if the Russians took actions similar to the US. It was called the Cuban Missile Crisis. Impressively, the story that Americans have been told about it is total bullshit. Not only had the Americans secretly placed nuclear weapons aimed at Moscow in Italy before the Russians sent weapons to Cuba, but word had it (link above) that JFK only had a fraction of the information that he needed regarding the US actions that precipitated the crisis. Source: cnbc.com. While the capitalist press loves to tout the self-made nature of wealth in the US, the richest of the Forbes 400 all saw their fortunes multiplied by the Federal Reserves relentless drive to raise the prices of financial assets since 2008. For example. Microsoft has a business that produces computer hardware and software. But it also has shares in the company that trade in financial markets. To the extent that Microsofts shares trade above the value of Microsoft as a going concern, wealth creation is illusory. What is achieved in financial markets is redistribution upwards, not wealth creation. This was / is part of the problem created by the Wall Street bailouts of 2008. Shares are owned by the rich. If memory serves, 90% of stocks are owned by the richest 10% of the population. Of this 10%, the very rich own a large preponderance of these shares. The American myth that people get rich by creating social (economic) value misses that in a financialized economy, the Federal Reserve plays a major role in economic distribution. Since 2008, the Fed has labored nonstop to make the very rich much, much, richer. Graph: Democrats have a choice of crediting the phenomenal rise in the wealth of the very rich during the Biden-Harris administration to either the business acumen of the billionaire class or to the actions of the Federal Reserve. The graph clearly illustrates an exogenous driver of the rise in wealth the Federal Reserve. Otherwise, the results would be mixed. Capitalist economists credit the entire rise in the wealth of the rich to business acumen. Here is the Forbes 400 list. Please read Forbes explanation of this argument to understand why this is a problem for the rest of us. Source: inequality.org. This all ties back to the subject at hand, electoral politics in the US, through the role that wealthy donors just played in the elevation of Kamala Harris to be the Democrats candidate for president. Again, if great wealth indicated a greater social contribution, that would have one meaning. But what it indicates in this case is that an agency of the Federal government made it its mission to make already rich people much, much, richer. This is part of the argument for why Barack Obama was a disaster as president. He rebuilt this rigged system whereby all social wealth is institutionally organized to flow upwards. And that is why oligarchs are supporting the Democrats. It is US foreign policy that ties this post-bailout economic dysfunction to the empire-in-decline-that-is-acting-out-abroad that the US now represents. Readers are welcomed to agree or disagree with the characterizations of US foreign policy presented here. But what you cant disagree with are the facts. A team of professional liars, prevaricators, and bullshit artists were apparently assigned to countering the fact that the Russians were repeatedly told by US and European officials that NATO would be kept away from Russias border. As the second graph up illustrates, between 1990 and 2023, NATO has surrounded Russias western border with the exceptions of Ukraine and Georgia. Irrespective of whether or not you agree with the Russian position on the matter, the Russians have a legitimate grievance under any reasonable reading of this history. But what was it that elevated a thirty-year-old (dis)agreement to geopolitical relevance in 2022? That would be the 2014 US-led coup in Ukraine (link above) in which the US assumed control of the Ukrainian political system. Here is the infamous phone call in which Americans Victoria Nuland and Geoffrey Pyatt selected the post-coup Ukrainian government. The people that Nuland said that she would put in office were put in office. Following the US-led coup in Ukraine and the selection of the post-coup government by American neocons, the CIA built permanent facilities on the Ukrainian border with Russia with which to surveil and attack the Russians. Further, as (Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs) Victoria Nuland put it in 2022, eight years after the US-led coup in Ukraine took place, Ukraine was (is) loaded to the gills with bioweapons labs. Whatever their genesis (Soviet, US), the US had controlled Ukraine for nearly a decade before Nuland admitted their existence. Graphic: it is telling to see how openly and crudely racist Israelis are toward Palestinians in their social media posts. While seeing the Israelis channeling their inner Nazis has a depressing, Freudian, quality to it, seeing Americans like Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Donald Trump doing everything in their power to perpetuate a racist genocide is even sadder, if not quite as Freudian. Presumably, Biden Harris wouldnt be engaged in such an act unless they thought it to be in the strategic interest of the US. But if this were the case, why is every word they say about it be a lie? Sources: al Jazeera English, Wikipedia. With respect to the US Israeli genocide currently underway in Palestine, Kamala Harris recently repeated the materially false Biden administration Israeli state narrative around the Hamas attack inside Israel on October 7, 2023. As a recent analysis by Haaretz revealed, a material proportion up to half, of the Israelis killed on October 7 were killed by the IDF (Israel Defense Force) under the Hannibal Directive issued by the Israeli political leadership. Further, the claims that Hamas used sexual violence the mass rape narrative, has been debunked by reporters at The Grayzone (see here, here, here). The social dynamic that this factionalized truth creates is of political cults that believe every word handed them by people they trust, as they discount every word uttered by those in competing political cults. Instead of wielding political power, the members of these cults exist to trade group-affirming talking points on social media, exhibiting little awareness that the leaders of both cults work for the same corporate chieftains and oligarchs. Or if not the exact same corporate chieftains and oligarchs, those who hold similar political economic roles in different cults. That Kamala Harris knew, or should have known, that what she was telling her constituents about the US conflicts in Palestine and Ukraine is untrue has political importance. Because she is an allegedly functioning adult who is vying for an official position of power in a major nation, she should know the facts of these conflicts. That there was no distance between her recitation of fake facts and that of the Pentecostal wing of the Republican party illustrates the conundrum. A necessary first step to solving problems is to understand their causes. The model on which the US and Israeli responses to October 7 appear to be based is 9/11. Readers will recall that the George W. Bush administration was never made to give sworn testimony to the 9/11 commission regarding its knowledge of events, and 2) was allowed to redact the pages of the Report issued by the commission that implicated the Saudis in the attacks. Both decisions were superficially defensible. There is a separation of powers issue with compelling sworn testimony from a sitting president. And the Saudis were (in theory) US allies, in addition to being business partners with the Bush family. Little need be said with respect to the fact that fewer than half of Americans believe the official explanation of 9/11, or that about half of Americans (link above) believe that the Federal government of the US was behind the attacks. While this may be interesting, it isnt the point. The Bush administration entered office in 2001 intent on launching a war against Iraq. In addition to redirecting attention away from the Saudis, Bush attributed knowingly false motives for the 9/11 attacks to the Iraqis. Here is (Saudi national) Osama bin Laden explaining why al Qaeda attacked the US on 9/11. Along with Wall Streets implosion of the economy in 2008, public disillusion over the US war in Iraq represents a lynchpin in the imperial decline that the US is now decades into. George W. Bush lied the people who historically have fought American wars into going to Iraq based on false claims about why they were doing so. Bushs pre-emptive war relied on a credible threat having been posed by Iraq that simply did not exist. Michael Moores Fahrenheit 9/11captures the psychological panic that the Bush administration successfully conjured to coerce Americans into fighting its war. But actions have consequences. Having been lied into losing lives, limbs, and / or killing Iraqi civilians to put another dollar or two on Halliburtons stock price, much of the soldier class was subsequently foreclosed on and / or rendered unemployed by Wall Street. These are the people that American liberals and the Left were calling fascists 2016 present because they wouldnt vote for the people who lied them into the war in Iraq and then took their houses as their jobs were systematically disappeared in the Great Recession. Each of these acts undertaken against the interests of the American people features one or more groups or actors that purposely undertook them to enrich themselves and / or to accrue power. Neither the US war in Iraq, the GFC, nor the Great Recession, were facts of nature. They were each caused by the acts of some humans seeking to benefit from taking from other humans. In class terms, these were the actions of the rich preying on the rest of us. Each act had systemic drivers requiring institutional mediation. The rich have organized the US to vacuum up social wealth for their own benefit. The ready-made genocide, genocide-in-a-box if you will, that the US and Israel have engaged in in Palestine since October 7, 2023 never looked like a response to the attack by Hamas. It has looked like an effort to exterminate the people of Gaza since it began. Supporting this interpretation have been Israeli Zionists who have said straightforwardly(and here, here, here, here) and repeatedly that clearing Palestine of Palestinians is the goal. Here is Israeli Zionist Chanamel Dorfman, aide to Israeli Defense Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, complaining that the Nazis killed the wrong people. Is this really an argument worth making? Graphic: Some, possibly many, readers will be offended by conflation of Kamala Harriss likely policies with those of the Biden administration. After all, shes her own person, runs the logic. However, ensuring that Harris isnt her own person was the entire point of the oligarchs (donors) interviewing her before elevating her as their candidate. They wouldnt have elevated her if they hadnt liked what they heard in the interviews. More than anything else, it is this idea of personality-driven politics that unites American liberals with their fascist forebears. As long as hippie-earth-mother is willing to slaughter a million Palestinians for Israeli fascists, hire her! That doing so means that she never was hippie-earth-mother wont be understood until after the money has been deposited in the bank. So, when Kamala Harris repeats largely or fully debunked charges of Palestinian crimes on October 7 as if they really happened while ignoring evidence that the Israelis are knowingly and intentionally acting to exterminate the Palestinian people in Palestine, possible explanations include that she is misinformed, knowingly lying, or that she is incapable of separating truth from fiction. Alternatively, if the truth supports her position on the war, why is she lying? The reasonable inference to draw is that Harris knows that the truth doesnt support her position. Chart: the great mystery of US foreign policy has finally been solved. Quickly, what is it that unites Venezuela, Iran, Iraq, Russia, and Libya in the minds of US foreign policy officials? Well, the officials most of whom are currently engaged in a racist genocide in Palestine, would say that these nations are all authoritarian. With billionaire donors and the CIA currently overseeing American elections, the contrast that gave the fear of fascism its punch is looking more like a merging of interests. Source: worldometers.info. Readers will recall that the George W. Bush administration wove the alleged facts of 9/11 into its policy decision to launch a war against Iraq. The purpose was to frame the war as defensive when it was an offensive war. It wasnt until no weapons of mass destruction had been found and the war was coming unwound (2005) that a single true fact regarding 9/11 or the war could be uttered in the US. Further, with loyalty oaths (to their administration) required for citizens to gain admittance to public rallies featuring government officials, the Bush administration understood the fascist roots of its political program. What Harriss statement (link above) regarding events in Palestine and Ukraine indicates is that she has fully internalized the lies emanating from US and Israeli officials regarding US foreign policy, and that she will act as if they are true if she is elected president. As with the KKK using emotive terms like international Jewry to signify group allegiance, the Democrats have a fully developed internal discourse around US foreign policy that is unquestioned and unquestionable. It was hardly ironic then that Joe Biden was George W. Bushs point man in selling the false story of Iraqs WMDs to Democrats. With all that is, and isnt, being said by leading Democrats about the wars in Ukraine and Palestine, it is the facts on the ground that future US political leaders will be forced to reckon with. Russias western border is zero miles from Ukraine, whereas Washington DC is 5,000 miles from Kiev. US weapons and materiel are fussy and ludicrously expensive. Russian weapons and materiel are robust and designed to maximize lethality, versus the US goal of maximizing profits for the MIC. In other words, it was capitalism that rendered the American MIC considerably worse than useless. US participation in the genocide in Palestine recalls the arguments of philosophers and scholars following WWII that what it was that differentiated the Holocaust from ordinary history was the effort by the Nazis to exterminate a people the Jews. However, reading the quote from US General Curtis LeMay above regarding the firebombing of Tokyo, which he led, doesnt impart a sense of a self-evident moral difference between Allied actions in WWII and those of the Axis Powers. Lemay didnt see one, at any rate. Within the frame of military valor (that is not endorsed here), LeMay was an actual hero in WWII. The firebombing of Tokyo that he led burned 100,000 Japanese civilians alive on its first night. All told, the firebombing of civilian populations in Japan ended up killing between 330,000 and 900,000 people. Additionally, the allies bombed civilian populations in Germany relentlessly, with the bombing of Dresden being one of the better-known cases. From the perspective of the present, civilian deaths from American wars are plausibly viewed as collateral damage. But they arent collateral meaning unintended even if predictable, because the civilians were intentionally targeted. Here, Osama bin Laden explains why he believed that American civilians were legitimate targets in the 9/11 attacks. For Americans who imagine that the illusion of democracy, fake democracy if you will, protects them from political reprisals for US actions taken abroad, the bin Laden letter is essential reading. During the Cold War, General LeMay advocated pre-emptive nuclear strikes against the USSR (now Russia) and China (link above) while the US still had a strategic advantage by way of its larger nuclear arsenal. This didnt mean strategically or surgically striking Command Centers it meant slaughtering half-a-billion civilianswhile they were wholly or partially defenseless. How then were Americans in 1965 morally horrified by the Holocaust when in ordinary conversations they advocated forcefully for the murder of half-a-billion innocents? The lesson that the so-called intelligence agencies learned through the psychological manipulation of the American public during the Cold War was that once the groundwork the instilling of unreasoned fears, had been laid, Americans would agree to pretty much anything. Even after no weapons of mass destruction had been found in Iraq and the war had turned into the predictable catastrophe that it was, most Americans still found inane drivel about freedom attached to the war to be compelling. To money-shot from the epoch: freedom aint free. An aspect shared between Zionism and Nazism is the conceptual shift from the general claim of peoples with rights as such to the claim that particular peoples are special, and therefore deserve special rights. Following WWII, the argument was put forward that it was the Nazi effort to exterminate an entire people the Jews, that separated the Holocaust from ordinary history. The Zionist shift from the defense of the rights of peoples to the special rights of Jews recreated a variation on the racial case claimed by the Nazis. The Nazis held retrograde racial views (borrowed from American eugenicists) that they claimed distinguished them from the rest of humanity. The Zionist claim is that Jews are Gods chosen people, and that this distinguishes them from the rest of humanity. The Nazis Thousand-year Reich lasted about fifteen years. This is evidence against the claim that the Nazis possessed superior racial qualities. Likewise, if the Jews are Gods chosen people, why not leave the public assertions of this fact to their God? In fact, like American Pentecostals, they dont trust their own God to follow scripture as they have interpreted it. The practical problem with both theories is that there are about eight billion humans on the planet, most of whom are on the wrong side of Nazi / Zionist supremacy. That Democrats cant see American racial history in the Zionists treatment of Palestinians might be bizarre if it werent so politically convenient. In 2024, American Democrats, led by the senior leadership of their party, are consciously and knowingly supporting a genocide against a racial, religious, and ethnic minority in Palestine. This makes them racists engaged in a racist genocide. The social destruction being caused by both American conflicts ties to this latter point. WWI begat WWII. Further, it was the Biden administrations decision to place these conflicts within the broader frame of economic competition between nations. Anyone who has followed the environmental back-and-forth of recent years knows that renewed imperial competition has been underway for decades now. A race is on by the US to secure the resources needed to fulfill the Democrats EV fantasies. As usual, the effort is bounded by too-convenient assertions that they cant cross their donors because Trump! Graph: the Biden administrations claim that it engineered a major recovery in manufacturing employment in the US isnt a reason to uncork the champagne just yet. The facts are that the Biden miracle was a reflexive recovery following the catastrophe of the Covid-19 pandemic. Bidens real contribution to manufacturing employment came through his support for NAFTA. Additionally, Biden supported the normalization of trade relations with China that facilitated Chinas admission to the WTO in 2001. Together, these caused the precipitous decline from 19.5 million manufacturing workers in 1980 to 13 million today. Source: Federal Reserve of St. Louis. Journalist Glenn Greenwald has done a respectable job of identifying and commenting on the delusion, ignorance, and hypocrisy of the young Democrats now rushing to support Harris. As was the case with young Democrats in 2020, the response is Pavlovian. Good dog. What a good dog. Now, rollover and play dead. While the officials of various Federal agencies must be beaming with pride at their ability to manipulate electoral politics with such finesse, they have created the political equivalent of highly processed foods. As the current American political leadership effectively demonstrates, capitalists favor having compliant, not-bright, people holding public office to do their bidding. This isnt to suggest that a cabal of evil geniuses is running things. Having met and had long conversations with many very rich people, the only class dumber than the US political class are the oligarchs. What part of the nuclear annihilation that Biden-Harris are working so hard to bring about in Ukraine dont Harriss oligarch benefactors understand? Tying this back to economics for a moment, the Democrats focus on child influencers in Chicago was more than just political marketing. Following from 1990s Republican neoliberal Newt Gingrichs Contract with America, influencers, Uber drivers, cashiers, fentanyl dealers, financial advisors, crypto speculators, disinformation specialists, personal shoppers, bud-tenders, and dog-walkers represent the culmination of the Democrats industrial policy. So no, your career picking up dog crap in the street (piece work) isnt how your grandparents raised a family. The lever for Greenwalds critique (above) is incongruity the fact that reconciliation by the young with the party of Genocide Joe appears to have been so quick and easy. The Hitler Youth quality of the conversion was / is impressive. However, what is the alternative? Toll-booth Zionist Trump! has already committed to the pay-as-you-go slaughter of Palestinians funded by Miriam Adelson. The only antiwar candidate in the upcoming is Jill Stein, whom the Democrats have successfully marginalized. But if youre going to vote, Stein is the best (only) hope for the US. In fact, the purpose of the American one-party system, the uniparty, is to ensure that nothing changes. Or rather, the faces change, but the policies stay the same. The hope held by Democrats that Harriss policies will be less genocidal than Bidens misses that the only people who interviewed her before she was elevated to be their candidate for president were donors. In fact, the donors are the glue that holds the uniparty together. How else could, marketing chatter aside, Biden and Trump have nearly identical policies? Finally, not a word of this essay is anti-American. Opposing US foreign policy the product of an antique and decrepit MIC filtered through the corrupt and dysfunctional American system of political graft, is to argue that the policies of officialdom run counter to the larger interests of the US and the world. Anti-Americanism is precisely what the George W. Bush administration engaged in when it lied the US into war with Iraq. Further, the Germans are still apologizing for the Nazis seven decades after they were defeated in WWII. The Biden administrations choice to emulate the Nazis by engaging in racist genocide likewise will have one meaning in the short term, and quite another in the longer term. As I wrote in multiple essays before the 2020 election, Joe Biden, like George W. Bush before him, is the embodiment of imperial decline. Kamala Harris represents an effort to put a fresh face on the same old imperialist foreign policy. You can understand this now or three years from now. The choice is yours. Yves here. This is a very strong form criticism of the notion that capitalism has helped the poor. I have some problems with his argument. One is that he attempts to deny that labor organization is part of capitalism. The capitalists may hate hate hate it but labor attempting to set its price and terms is philosophically a lot like (as even Adam Smith decried) merchants colluding in what we would today see as oligopoly or monopoly behavior. One way to read Karl Polanyis The Great Transformation is that the operation of unfettered capitalism become so destructive to societies that it elicits pushback to moderate its operation, in a dialectic of sorts. A second issue is that is it hard to envisage how a system without markets to set prices would allocate goods and influence investments. Famed investor Jim Rogers, in his book Investment Biker, had visited the USSR in 1994 and so memories of Soviet practices were fresh. He gave several examples of how administered prices has been wildly off and had produced great distortions in demand and production. Your truly has not attempted to read systematically about how the USSR performed under communism. However, the USSR and China were both the only two significant economies to industrialize within a generation, something no capitalist country had done. That success of Communist Russia freaked out Western policy-makers, since it suggested a command and control economy could out-do a free enterprise system. It is also the reason economists became the only social scientists to have a seat at the policy table. Government officials came to believe they needed their guidance to steer the economy better so as to compete with those Commies. Your truly read of a study, but sadly I cannot find it given the state of search, that the Communist system, particularly of production targets for various sectors and entities, worked well for about a generation. Then bureaucrats started gaming the system by finding ways to make their targets unduly low and other scheming like hiding inventories. Our reader GM, who lived in his early years in one of the Warsaw Pact states, claims that Communism was much better than capitalism for 95% of the population, that free housing and free health care were very important benefits. However, a significant portion of the 5% met with people from outside the USSR for work, as Putin did on his KGB assignment in Germany; Eugene Luttwak has described dealing with and even dining often with him then. Those elite professionals and bureaucrats got a sense of how their standard of living was lower than their peers in the West (Luttwak seemed to find it important to say what terrible suits Putin wore then). GM claims that that resentment was a significant driver of the turn against the Communist system. I cant corroborate that and would be curious to get informed reader input. By Richard D. Wolff, professor of economics emeritus at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a visiting professor in the Graduate Program in International Affairs of the New School University, in New York. Wolffs weekly show, Economic Update, is syndicated by more than 100 radio stations and goes to millions via several TV networks and YouTube. His most recent book with Democracy at Work is Understanding Capitalism (2024), which responds to requests from readers of his earlier books: Understanding Socialism and Understanding Marxism. Adapted and excerpted from Richard D. Wolffs book Understanding Capitalism (Democracy at Work, 2024); produced by Economy for All, a project of the Independent Media Institute From its beginnings, the capitalist economic system produced both critics and celebrants, those who felt victimized and those who felt blessed. Where victims and critics developed analyses, demands, and proposals for change, beneficiaries, and celebrants developed alternative discourses defending the system. Certain kinds of arguments proved widely effective against capitalisms critics and in obtaining mass support. These became capitalisms basic supportive myths. One such myth is that capitalism created prosperity and reduced poverty. Capitalists and their biggest fans have long argued that the system is an engine of wealth creation. Capitalisms early boosters, such as Adam Smith and David Ricardo, and likewise capitalisms early critics such as Karl Marx, recognized that fact. Capitalism is a system built to grow. Because of market competition among capitalist employers, growing the business is necessary, most of the time, for it to survive. Capitalism is a system driven to grow wealth, but wealth creation is not unique to capitalism. The idea that only capitalism creates wealth or that it does so more than other systems is a myth. What else causes wealth production? There are a whole host of other contributors to wealth. Its never only the economic system, whether capitalist or feudal or slave or socialist. Wealth creation depends on all kinds of circumstances in history (such as raw materials, weather, or inventions) that determine if and how fast wealth is created. All of those factors play roles alongside that of the particular economic system in place. When the USSR imploded in 1989, some claimed that capitalism had defeated its only real competitorsocialismproving that capitalism was the greatest possible creator of wealth. The end of history had been reached, it was said, at least in relation to economic systems. Once and for all, nothing better than capitalism could be imagined, let alone achieved. The myth here is a common mistake and grossly overused. While wealth was created in significant quantities over the last few centuries as capitalism spread globally, that does not prove it was capitalism that caused the growth in wealth. Maybe wealth grew despite capitalism. Maybe it would have grown faster with some other system. Evidence for that possibility includes two important facts. First, the fastest economic growth (as measured by GDP) in the 20th century was that achieved by the USSR. And second, the fastest growth in wealth in the 21st century so far is that of the Peoples Republic of China. Both of those societies rejected capitalism and proudly defined themselves as socialist. Another version of this myth, especially popular in recent years, claims capitalism deserves credit for bringing many millions out of poverty over the last 200 to 300 years. In this story, capitalisms wealth creation brought everyone a higher standard of living with better food, wages, job conditions, medicine and health care, education, and scientific advancements. Capitalism supposedly gave huge gifts to the poorest among us and deserves our applause for such magnificent social contributions. The problem with this myth is like that with the wealth-creation myth discussed above. Just because millions escaped poverty during capitalisms global spread does not prove that capitalism is the reason for this change. Alternative systems could have enabled an escape from poverty during the same period of time, or for more people more quickly, because they organized production and distribution differently. Capitalisms profit focus has often held back the distribution of products to drive up their prices and, therefore, profits. Patents and trademarks of profit-seeking businesses effectively slow the distribution of all sorts of products. We cannot know whether capitalisms incentive effects outweigh its slowing effects. Claims that, overall, capitalism promotes rather than slows progress are pure ideological assertions. Different economic systemscapitalism includedpromote and delay development in different ways at different speeds in their different parts. Capitalists and their supporters have almost always opposed measures designed to lessen or eliminate poverty. They blocked minimum wage laws often for many years, and when such laws were passed, they blocked raising the minimums (as they have done in the United States since 2009). Capitalists similarly opposed laws outlawing or limiting child labor, reducing the length of the working day, providing unemployment compensation, establishing government pension systems such as Social Security, providing a national health insurance system, challenging gender and racial discrimination against women and people of color, or providing a universal basic income. Capitalists have led opposition to progressive tax systems, occupational safety and health systems, and free universal education from preschool through university. Capitalists have opposed unions for the last 150 years and likewise restricted collective bargaining for large classes of workers. They have opposed socialist, communist, and anarchist organizations aimed at organizing the poor to demand relief from poverty. The truth is this: to the extent that poverty has been reduced, it has happened despite the opposition of capitalists. To credit capitalists and capitalism for the reduction in global poverty is to invert the truth. When capitalists try to take credit for the poverty reduction that was achieved against their efforts, they count on their audiences not knowing the history of fighting poverty in capitalism. Recent claims that capitalism overcame poverty are often based on misinterpretations of certain data. For example, the United Nations defines extreme poverty as an income of under $1.97 per day. The number of poor people living on under $1.97 per day has decreased markedly in the last century. But one country, Chinathe worlds largest by populationhas experienced one of the greatest escapes from poverty in the world in the last century, and therefore, has an outsized influence on all totals. Given Chinas huge influence on poverty measures, one could claim that reduced global poverty in recent decades results from an economic system that insists it is not capitalist but rather socialist. Economic systems are eventually evaluated according to how well or not they serve the society in which they exist. How each system organizes the production and distribution of goods and services determines how well it meets its populations basic needs for health, safety, sufficient food, clothing, shelter, transport, education, and leisure to lead a decent, productive work-life balance. How well is modern capitalism performing in that sense? Modern capitalism has now accumulated around 100 individuals in the world who together own more wealth than the bottom half of this planets population (over 3.5 billion people). Those hundred richest peoples financial decisions have as much influence over how the worlds resources are used as the financial decisions of 3.5 billion, the poorest half of this planets population. That is why the poor die early in a world of modern medicine, suffer from diseases that we know how to cure, starve when we produce more than enough food, lack education when we have plenty of teachers, and experience so much more tragedy. Is this what reducing poverty looks like? Crediting capitalism for poverty reduction is another myth. Poverty was reduced by the poors struggle against a poverty reproduced systemically by capitalism and capitalists. Moreover, the poors battles were often aided by militant working-class organizations, including pointedly anti-capitalist organizations. Colombia issues decree banning COAL EXPORTS to Israel in protest of Netanyahus ongoing war crimes and violence against civilians The South American nation of Colombia has issued a degree banning coal exports to Israel According to the Brasil de Fato (BdF) news outlet, the decree was issued on Aug. 18 and took effect four days later on Aug. 22. The seven-page decree was signed by Colombian President Gustavo Petro and several members of his cabinet including Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo, Finance Minister Ricardo Bonilla, Mines and Energy Minister Omar Andres Camacho and Commerce Minister German Umana. The decree read that "coal exports to the state of Israel have been prohibited." Petro echoed the decree's main point on X, writing: "With Colombian coal, [Israel] produces bombs to kill Palestinian children." Colombia's National Administrative Department of Statistics noted that coal is an essential raw material for the manufacture of military armaments. It is also the main product the South American nation exports to Israel. Coal accounted for 93 percent of Colombian exports to Tel Aviv between January and August of last year. According to Sputnik News, coal provided by Bogota accounted for 22 percent of Israel's total power grid demands. In June, Petro announced the decision to ban coal exports to Israel until there is a ceasefire. A month prior, Bogota cut diplomatic ties with Tel Aviv over the latter's genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Colombia has also called for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Related: Colombia breaks diplomatic ties with Israel over GENOCIDE in Gaza.) Left-wing Petro distances Colombia from Israel BdF continued that the seven-page decree cited measures by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on "the gravity of the humanitarian situation caused in Palestine by the military operation carried out by Israel after Oct. 7, 2023." The distancing of the Petro government the first left-wing government in Colombia's history from Israel breaks an alliance between the two countries. Since the 1980s, previous Colombian governments have used the expertise of the Israeli Mossad (formally the Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations) to repress the opposition and guerilla movements in the country. Petro has opposed Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip multiple times, calling them genocide. In March, the leftist president announced that Bogota would suspend all arms purchases from Israel. At the same time, Petro signed a joint statement by 18 nations calling on Hamas to immediately release hostages held in Gaza to achieve a lasting ceasefire. Hamas issued a statement praising Petro's decision to suspend coal exports to Israel. The group, formally the Islamic Resistance Movement, has control of the Gaza Strip and is responsible for the Oct. 7 Operation Al-Aqsa Flood attack. "We appreciate Petro's declaration prohibiting the export of coal to the Zionist entity, and his criticism of the use of coal in the manufacturing of bombs against the children of our people," the statement read. But Petro's decree did not come without any opposition, as the Colombian Mining Association (ACM) and the Colombo-American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Colombia) voiced out their disagreement. The ACM said the decree is "illegal and unconstitutional" and "constitutes a serious threat for judicial security and a direct threat to free enterprise and competition." AmCham Colombia Director Maria Claudia Lacouture, who served as Colombia's commerce minister from 2016 to 2017, said the country can't afford to lose income from foreign trade. Visit IsraelCollapse.com for similar stories. Watch this Newsmax report about a review of the new ceasefire proposals put forward by Israel. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Colombia CUTS diplomatic ties with Israel over continued genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Colombia threatening to cut diplomatic ties with Israel over neo-Nazi GENOCIDE in Gaza. Israel is on the verge of economic and mental health collapse as corporations shutter operations and new projects are canceled. Israel has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza, say local authorities. New poll finds Trump leads Harris among Jewish voters in deep blue New York. Sources include: SputnikGlobe.com BrasilDeFato.com Brighteon.com Three quarters of Democrat voters dont know what any of Kamala Harris policies are (Article by Steve Watson republished from Modernity.news) The survey, conducted by the Media Research Center, found that over 70 percent of registered Democrats as well as Independents said they either had not heard of Harriss position or were unsure on ten different issues. The poll found that 78% of voters surveyed were unaware that Harris promoted a fund that aided violent BLM agitators to be bailed out of jail during the 2020 unrest. EXCLUSIVE MRC POLL: Most Dem Voters Dont Know About Harriss Radicalism | mrcNewsBusters "It's 2020 all over again. As it stands now, another leftist media coverup will decide the election." -- L. Brent Bozell III, Media Research Center founder and president A significant new pic.twitter.com/mIZSsI7A0d Owen Gregorian (@OwenGregorian) August 17, 2024 Seventy-four percent said they were unaware that Harris supported decriminalizing illegal immigration, and 72 percent had no clue that Harris never visited a conflict zone on the border as Border Czar. Those surveyed stated that they get news information primarily from ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, and MSNBC. This suggests that the knowledge gaps found by our poll reveal a failure of these outlets to report on radical positions once (and perhaps currently) supported by the now-Democratic nominee for President, Media Research Center noted. Harris has yet to do any interviews outlining her stance on key issues, instead spending her time filming fake staged exchanges with Tim Walz about their favourite music and other matters that are completely devoid of substance. In each video they talk about getting the job done and doing the work without actually saying what any of those things entails. Harris devoted large chunks of her speech at the DNC complaining about everything that is wrong with America, prompting Donald Trump to ask why she hasnt done anything about it for the past three and a half years. Read more at: Modernity.news Harris pledges full support for Israel, pushes Hamas mass rape hoax while ignoring Israeli soldiers raping Palestinian prisoners During the Aug. 22 Democratic Partys nomination for the presidency, the partys official nominee Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her full-fledged support for Israel, saying she will "always stand up for Israel's right to defend itself" and "always ensure Israel can defend itself" with U.S.-supplied weaponry. Receiving applause and hoots of support, Harris also pushed that the militant group Hamas has been committing mass sexual violence and massacres of Israelis. "I will always stand up for Israels right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel can defend itself, because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that a terrorist organization called Hamas caused on Oct. 7, including unspeakable sexual violence and the massacre of young people at a music festival," she said. "At the same time, what has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating. So many innocent lives were lost. Desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety, over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking." Kamala Harris addresses the ongoing war in the Middle East: "I will always stand up for Israel's right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself ... at the same time what has happened in Gaza over the last 10 months is devastating." pic.twitter.com/pEu2kDPgUo ABC News (@ABC) August 23, 2024 However, critics were quick to notice that as she pushed for the Hamas "mass rape" hoax, she completely ignored how the Israeli government is debating their people's "right to rape" Palestinians. A recent poll even suggested that the majority of Israelis believe the prison officials accused of sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee should not face criminal charges and just be disciplined by the army. To date, no proof has ever been provided of Hamas raping Israelis during the onset of war but there's been video evidence that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers are raping Palestinian prisoners. The recent footage, which was said to have taken place at the Sde Teiman prison in July, shows dozens of prisoners lying face down on the floor with their hands on the backs of their heads. One of the prisoners is led away to a discreet corner. Three soldiers then appear to use shields to block the view while they commit the violence. (Related: Palestinian prisoners being raped, tortured and murdered in Israeli prisons: "I am proud of that," says National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.) Meanwhile, Harris also claimed to have been working to finish the dragging war in the Middle East. "President [Joe] Biden and I are working to end this war, such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination," she said without missing the chance to criticize her rival, Republican's presidential candidate Donald Trump. "I will never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to defend our forces and our interests against Iran and Iran-backed terrorists. I will not cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong-un, who are rooting for Trump," she added. "Because they know he is easy to manipulate with flattery and favors. They know Trump won't hold autocrats accountable because he wants to be an autocrat himself." U.S. State Department previously called for an investigation into IDF's sexual assaults on Palestinians Harris seemed to have forgotten what U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said a few weeks back when he called for an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse of Palestinian detainees by the IDF. "We have seen the video and reports of sexual abuse of detainees are horrific. They ought to be investigated fully by the government of Israel, by the IDF," Miller said. "There ought to be zero tolerance for sexual abuse, rape of any detainee, period If there are detainees who have been sexually assaulted or raped, the government of Israel, the IDF need to fully investigate those actions and hold anyone responsible accountable to the full extent of the law." Biden's administration also called the reports of rape, torture and abuse of Palestinian prisoners "deeply concerning." "It is essential that the rule of law and due process prevail," said White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre. Meanwhile, the Israeli military, which runs some detention facilities where Palestinian prisoners have been held, said that it operated according to the rule of law and that any specific claims of abuse were investigated. According to reports, an IDF reservist soldier has already been indicted for suspected abuse at the facility and five others are in military custody on suspicion of sodomizing a detainee with an object, along with other abuses. But this sparked protests by right-wing Israelis, who broke into two military facilities after military police detained 10 soldiers over the incident, where five of whom have since been released from custody. They disrupted a High Court of Justice hearing to protest against the justices' to hear petitions seeking to close Sde Teiman. "It is appropriate that the IDF in this case has announced an investigation has arrested several people who are alleged to have been involved," Miller said. "I wont speak to the outcome of that investigation, but it ought to proceed swiftly, and if they are determined to violate criminal laws or violations of the IDFs code of conduct, then, of course, they ought to be held accountable." IsraelCollapse.com has more stories of Israel's inhumane attacks in Gaza and other Palestinians. Sources for this article include: InformationLiberation.com MiddleEastEye.net News.Sky.com TimesOfIsrael.com Iowa Supreme Court UPHOLDS states heartbeat law, says theres no right to abortion in state constitution The Iowa Supreme Court (ISC) has upheld the state's heartbeat law on abortion , noting that the state's constitution does not contain the right to commit infanticide. The law in question was passed in 2018 by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, but was immediately challenged by three plaintiffs Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and the Emma Goldman Clinic. Judge Michael Huppert of the Fifth Judicial District Court of Iowa declared it unconstitutional in 2019. He argued then that "under ISC precedent, the state could not enact a law imposing an 'undue burden' on a woman's ability to terminate a pre-viability pregnancy." This served as a victory for the pro-abortion plaintiffs, but not for long. In June, the ISC upheld the heartbeat law in a 4-3 ruling overturning Huppert's 2019 injunction. According to the four ISC magistrates, the state needs only to show a "rational basis" for laws restricting abortion, a much lower bar for legislators seeking to limit or eliminate abortion access. Following the state high court decision, the law formally took effect on July 29. ISC Associate Justice Matthew McDermott penned the decision, with Associate Justices Dana Oxley, David May and Christopher McDonald joining in the majority opinion. According to the ruling, abortion is not a fundamental right under the Iowa constitution. "A right to an abortion, as the historical record shows, is not rooted at all in our state's history and tradition let alone 'deeply rooted.' We conclude that the fetal heartbeat statute is rationally related to the state's legitimate interest in protecting unborn life." (Related: Report: 89,000 babies have been SAVED FROM ABORTION since overturning of Roe v. Wade.) Given the ruling, the plaintiffs filed to voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit on Aug. 15. According to Hannah Fingerhut of the Associated Press, the dismissal puts "an end to years of legal challenges." Iowa Gov. Reynolds lauds the ISC's majority decision According to the Des Moines Register, the ISC's ruling did not automatically end the lawsuit and only sent it back to the lower court for further proceedings. ISC Chief Justice Susan Christensen noted in her dissenting opinion that the plaintiffs had several other possible constitutional arguments not yet taken up by the courts. But with the Aug. 15 voluntary dismissal filing, the last remaining impediment to the Hawkeye State's heartbeat law has been removed. The law protects most unborn babies after fetal heart activity can be detected, at about six weeks. However, there are exceptions for incest or to save the life of the mother. Planned Parenthood North Central States President and CEO Ruth Richardson said in a statement that the abortion provider seized "every opportunity in the courts to continue providing the same level of abortion access. "Iowa's abortion ban has already caused chaos and devastation. But the heartbreaking reality is that continuing this case at this moment would not improve or expand access to care," she added. "We remain focused on providing abortion care to Iowans within the new restrictions, and helping those who are now forced to travel across state lines to access the care and resources they need to have control over their bodies, lives, and futures." Reynolds earlier lauded the ISC's decision in June, calling it "a victory for life." LifeSiteNews noted that she had been working to pass the heartbeat law since 2018. "As the fetal heartbeat law finally takes effect, our work will continue to strengthen a culture of life in Iowa," the GOP governor said at the time of the ISC's decision. "I remain deeply committed to supporting women in planning for motherhood, promoting the importance of fatherhood, elevating adoption and protecting in vitro fertilization. Families are the foundation of society, and policies that encourage strong families will make our state and country strong for generations to come." Head over to Abortions.news for similar stories. Watch Martin Brodel discussing Texas becoming the first state to enact a heartbeat law. This video is from the Martin Brodel channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: South Carolina judge upholds six-week "heartbeat" abortion ban. Texas Supreme Court shuts down final lawsuit challenging state's "heartbeat" abortion law. Florida's six-week "heartbeat" abortion ban took effect on May 1 after a year of legal battles Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com KAALTV.com DesMoinesRegister.com Brighteon.com Orthodox Church blasts Ukraine for passing legislation suppressing any religion with historical links to Russia The Ukrainian parliament recently passed a bill that would grant the government the right to ban any church or religious community with suspected ties to Russia. This did not sit well with the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) as it compared the measure to Soviet-style repression Around 265 Ukrainian lawmakers on Aug. 20 passed the said legislation, saying that a government commission will assemble a list of "affiliated" organizations whose activities are not allowed. The said law also outright bans the ROC and all affiliated religious institutions from operating in Ukraine. This paves the way for a historic rupture with an institution that Kyiv has accused of complicity in Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, the ROC said in a statement. (Related: Ukrainian parliament approves law BANNING the countrys biggest Orthodox church.) This was also seen by the religious sector as directly targeted against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). Despite the UOC officially declaring full autonomy from the Moscow Patriarchate in 2022, Kyiv has repeatedly accused the church and its clergy of maintaining ties to Moscow. "The purpose of this law is to liquidate [the UOC] and all its communities and to forcibly transfer them to other religious organizations," the ROC said, adding that "hundreds of monasteries, thousands of communities, millions of Orthodox believers in Ukraine will find themselves outlawed and will lose their property and place of prayer." It said that the centralized nature of the law is related to "sad historical precedents such as the persecutions in the Roman Empire during the time of Nero and Diocletian, the so-called de-Christianization of France during the French Revolution of the 18th century, the atheistic repressions in the Soviet Union and the destruction of the Albanian Orthodox Church in the 1960s." ROC also raised that Kyiv's latest measure comes against the backdrop of a "long-term, slanderous anti-church campaign of the Ukrainian media" which has sought to defame canonical Orthodoxy and to provoke and justify the mass seizure of churches, which have been organized by the radical nationalists, local authorities, special services and law enforcement agencies. The Synod noted that these seizures often come hand in hand with violence and mass beatings of clergy and churchgoers. UOC clerics have also continued to receive threats from Ukrainian special services, who have fabricated dozens of criminal cases against the pastors, in some cases handing them unjust sentences, the ROC alleged. In conclusion, the highest authority in the Orthodox church said that it would appeal to international human rights organizations to immediately and objectively respond to the "flagrant persecution of believers in Ukraine." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who immediately signed the bill into law on Saturday, which is incidentally Ukraines Independence Day, hailed the vote as a step to strengthen Ukraine's "spiritual independence." He referenced the bill and said, "Ukrainian orthodoxy today is taking a step toward liberation from the devils of Moscow." Moreover, lawmaker Iryna Herashchenko said it was the issue of national security. "This is a historic vote. Parliament approved legislation which bans a branch of the aggressor country in Ukraine," she wrote on her Telegram account. Meanwhile, a survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) in April 2024 indicated that 83 percent of Ukrainians believed that the state should intervene in the activities of the UOC to one degree or another. In particular, 63 percent believe that the UOC should be completely banned in Ukraine. Metropolitan Clement, spokesperson of the UOC criticized the bill in a statement on Facebook, describing the law as an attempt "to divide people into right and wrong citizens." Outside a UOC church in Kyiv, a 47-year-old parishioner said recent moves against his church were stifling. "The government is now creeping into my soul. It is up to me to decide how I pray. They have gone completely crazy," the parishioner, who refused to give his name for fear of reprisal, told CNN. Roman Catholics Pope Francis condemns Ukraines ban on ROC On Sunday, Aug. 25, Pope Francis warned that the legislation banning the activities of a Russia-linked branch of the Orthodox church could infringe on the freedom of worship. "Do not touch churches," the pope said in his weekly prayers following the Sunday Angelus, one day after Zelensky signed the ban into law. "In thinking of the law recently adopted in Ukraine, I fear for the liberty of those who pray." He said that he continues to follow, with sorrow, the fighting in Ukraine. And that he fears for the freedom of those who pray "because those who truly pray always pray for all." He added that a person does not commit evil because of praying and if someone commits evil against his people, he will be guilty for it, but he cannot have committed evil because he prayed. "So let those who want to pray be allowed to pray in what they consider their Church. Please, let no Christian Church be abolished directly or indirectly. Churches are not to be touched!" the pope further appealed. Meanwhile, the Argentinian pope whose real name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, again called on everyone to pray for an end to wars, mentioning Palestine, Israel, Myanmar and every part of the world suffering from them. He emphasized, "The people are asking for peace! Let us pray that the Lord will give us all peace." Head over to UkraineWitness.com to read more stories related to current events in Ukraine. Sources for this article include: RT.com Reuters.com Edition.CNN.com VaticanNews.va Media personalities ATTACK RFK Jr. for endorsing Donald Trump Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) has been targeted by left-leaning media personalities for his endorsement of former President Donald Trump. The independent presidential candidate suspended his candidacy on Aug. 23 and joined Trump at his campaign rally in Arizona shortly after. He lamented how the Democratic Party, which has been strongly linked to his family, had "become the party of war, censorship [and] corruption." RFK Jr. explicitly endorsed Trump, going against the grain with his family's traditional endorsement of Democratic presidential nominees. According to the nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy, the Democratic Party has "abandoned democracy" a far cry from its name. "In the name of saving democracy, the Democratic Party set itself to dismantling it," he told attendees of Trump's campaign rally. RFK Jr.'s endorsement of Trump did not sit well with leftist media personalities, who quickly took to X to denounce him. Actor and director Rob Reiner, a notorious anti-Trump personality, led the charge. "I've known [RFK Jr.] for quite a while. Something has happened to him," he wrote. "Maybe it's the worm that got into his brain, but saying Trump will protect your freedoms and keep America from becoming a totalitarian state, he's out of his f*****g mind." Actor Bradley Whitford of "The West Wing" fame also took to X, calling RFK Jr. "a sad, broken human being." He added that the independent candidate is "happy to sacrifice a woman's right to choose, destroy the planet he pretended to care for, even desecrate his own fathers legacy all in a grievance fueled dry-drunk pursuit of his pathetic replacement addiction, attention." Sandra Bernhard, stand-up comic and actress of "Roseanne" fame, called RFK Jr. "broken" and "deeply disturbed." Political commentator Keith Olbermann meanwhile had strong words for his "old friend," denouncing him as a "f*****g anti-American disaster." RFK Jr. gets support from another celebrity his wife George Takei, who played Hikaru Sulu in the 1960s "Star Trek" series, also put in his two cents. He wrote on X: "RFK Jr. and Donald Trump. A sorrier pair could hardly be imagined." Actress Mia Farrow also condemned the independent candidate, saying that he is "nothing like his father" Robert F. Kennedy Sr., former U.S. attorney general. Even five of RFK Jr.'s siblings Kathleen, Courtney, Kerry, Chris and Rory issued a statement condemning him. The statement posted on X said RFK Jr.'s "decision to endorse Trump is a sad ending to a sad story." They added that his choice "is a betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear." Despite the vitriol from Hollywood thrown his way, RFK Jr. found an ally in the person of his wife Cheryl Hines. She became famous for starring in the sitcom "Curb Your Enthusiasm" with show creator Larry David. During an interview with Tucker Carlson, RFK Jr. said she was the one who convinced him to give Trump a chance. Hines was initially against the idea, but she eventually changed and told her husband to listen to the former president. The couple then had a face-to-face meeting with Trump and his campaign manager Susie Wiles. Hines' decision to convince her husband to talk to Trump wasn't without risk, however. Whitford had earlier blasted her silence following RFK Jr.'s endorsement of Trump. The "West Wing" actor also attacked RFK Jr. as a "lunatic" and called the former president a "rapist," even though the latter wasn't convicted of it. Head over to RFKJr.news for similar stories. Watch Roger Stone telling Alex Jones of InfoWars that RFK Jr.'s endorsement of Trump will be massive. This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: BREAKING: RFK Jr. withdraws from ballots in 10 swing states, endorses Trump, promises to tag-team the dismantling of the Big Pharma / Big Food / Big Ag DISEASE industry that preys upon children. RFK Jr. suspends presidential campaign in favor of Trump, will still remain on most ballots: "I encourage you to vote for me" if you're not in a battleground state. RFK Jr. says Americans must vote AGAINST the Democrats, the party of censorship and lawfare. RFK Jr. reveals other Democrats will join him in "actively campaigning" for Donald Trump. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspends campaign, endorses Donald Trump. Sources include: Modernity.news Breitbart.com Brighteon.com Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev describes crackdown on Ukrainian Orthodox Church as SATANIC Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has described Kyiv's crackdown on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), the largest in Ukraine, as satanic He made this remark during an Aug. 23 interview, holding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Western backers responsible for the UOC's repression. Medvedev, the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, said Zelensky "has no religious identity" and called the crackdown "full-fledged Satanism" supported by people in his government. Medvedev recounted that former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Zelensky's predecessor, caused a major religious schism in Ukraine back in 2018. Poroshenko reportedly orchestrated the creation of the rival Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), which enjoys the backing of Kyiv, late that year. But under Zelensky, "the destruction of the Orthodox faith in Ukraine and the persecution of Christians for their faith started." Medvedev argued that "the civilized West" backed both Poroshenko's scheme and that of the incumbent Ukrainian leader "to inflict maximum damage to Russia and its citizens." The Russian official's interview came days after the Verkhovna Rada Ukraine's unicameral parliament passed a law that prohibits "Russia-linked" religious organizations. In contrast to the Kyiv-backed OCU, the self-governed UOC has historical and spiritual ties with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). Despite declaring full autonomy from the Russian denomination, the UOC appears to be the target of the law passed Aug. 20. (Related: Ukrainian parliament approves law BANNING the country's biggest Orthodox church.) Viktor Yelensky, head of the Ukrainian State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, said on Aug. 22 that the new law "has the legitimate goal of stopping the subversive activities of the ROC in Ukraine." He added that while Kyiv has no intention of forcing both clerics and worshipers to join any other denomination, the UOC must abide by the new rules and disavow any ties with Moscow if it wants to continue existing in Ukraine. Medvedev: Ukraine will be destroyed "like Sodom and Gomorrah" It appears that Ukraine's repression of Orthodox churches with alleged ties to Moscow has gone beyond the borders of Kyiv. Over in the Czech Republic, a senator has demanded that the country's intelligence services probe two Orthodox churches there the ROC in the Czech Republic (ROCCR) and the Czech Orthodox Church (COC). According to Sen. Pavel Fischer, Moscow could influence both the ROCCR and the COC to act against the interests of the state. He also urged the Czech Ministry of Culture to review whether the two churches are operating under the law and the conditions of their registration. "Freedom of religion and association must not be abused for illegitimate influence by a hostile foreign power," Fischer remarked. The UOC's Metropolitan Clement wondered if schismatic leaders would have to overcome bureaucratic barriers to prove their loyalty to Kyiv. Russia Today noted that one of the law's provisions calls for Ukrainian clerics to publicly affirm that they have cut all ties with the ROC. Clement, who serves as the church's spokesperson, nevertheless reiterated that the UOC will "keep living as a true church recognized by the majority of practicing Ukrainian believers and the world's independent Orthodox churches." He added that any attempt to ban it will only tarnish the reputation of the people endorsing the prohibition. Medvedev was also optimistic that good will triumph over evil, citing an example from the Bible. He warned that Ukraine "will be destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah were, and the demons will inevitably fall." Head over to UkraineWitness.com for similar stories. Watch this footage of UOC members standing outside a monastery in western Ukraine to protest the church's ban. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Ukraine to BAN CHRISTIANITY unless Ukrainian Orthodox Church cuts ties with Moscow. MORE LOOT: Ukraine's globalist backers eyeing TREASURES from now-banned Orthodox denomination. Putin exposes the truth about evil, SATANIC western leaders who PILLAGE the world and destroy human freedom. War on CHRISTIANITY: West is mum on Ukraine's proposed legislation to ban Ukrainian Orthodox Church over alleged Russian ties. How can Ukraine be a free "democracy" when its government under Zelensky is persecuting Christians by banning the Orthodox Church? Sources include: RT.com 1 RT.com 2 Brighteon.com Former diplomat: Netanyahu leading Israel into the abyss to draw the US into full-scale war In an interview with Judge Andrew Napolitano, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Chas Freeman explains how Israeli, British, and European governments each are trying to escalate the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine to draw the U.S. into full-scale wars. (Article by Frank Wright republished from LifeSiteNews.com) In a patient examination of the worst nuclear crisis since 1962, Freeman moves in his August 22 appearance from detailing the brinkmanship of British-led escalation in Ukraine to the question of whether the world can tolerate the criminal state of Israel. Freeman adds that not only is the state of Israel facing self-destruction but it is being led into the abyss by Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu and the other yahoos around him have led Israel into the abyss and they dont have a plan to get out, he says. Freeman, the one-time U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, frames the mounting crisis in foreign affairs with an examination of both theaters of potential world war in the Middle East and in Ukraine. Pushed far enough against the wall, the Russians will counter-escalate to the nuclear level, says Freeman, noting the dangers created by the clearly British-led attempt to escalate the war against Russia. Freeman calmly explains the apocalyptic risk of this strategy of escalation, pursued by the U.K. and Europeans in Ukraine and of the Netanyahu regime in Israel both of whose aim is to secure U.S. involvement in a full-scale war their actions are designed to ignite. There are ample reports of the presence of troops from various NATO countries, including the United States, in the recent offensive into the Russian region of Kursk, says Freeman. Therefore, he says, we cant simply dismiss the Russian assertion that this is a NATO invasion, and not merely Ukrainian. Freeman says this reckless move towards full-scale war was not undertaken on the orders of the U.S. I dont think [Ukraine] had the authority to do that from the Pentagon, he says. This is where the alleged British involvement in planning and launching this incursion comes in. Freeman says the reason for this action is to ensnare the U.S. in a wider war. Freeman says this reckless move towards full-scale war was not undertaken on the orders of the U.S. I dont think [Ukraine] had the authority to do that from the Pentagon, he says. This is where the alleged British involvement in planning and launching this incursion comes in. Freeman says the reason for this action is to ensnare the U.S. in a wider war. Moving to Israel, Freeman bluntly asks how long the world can tolerate such a criminal and sociopathic state, which he says is basically anti-Christian in nature. Israel [has] become the negation of the humane values that inspired our Christian religion, Freeman continued. And it is basically sociopathic. He applies this diagnosis to the Israeli leader. Mr. Netanyahu personally, I think is a sociopath. A lot of Israelis have criticized him essentially for that. Citing the observations of retired British diplomat Alastair Crooke, another regular guest on Napolitanos show, Freeman says of Netanyahu, Unfortunately he fits into the larger context that Alastair Crooke outlined: How can a society long survive that supports man-rape in prisons as a legitimate tool? Freeman is referring to the videotaped incident of a group of Israeli soldiers sodomizing a detained Palestinian with what appears to be a metal rod. The incident was discussed in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, whose members agreed that any such measures were legitimate means of treatment of its prisoners, all of whom it labels as terrorists. The former diplomat notes how Israels insistence that we accept [and] endorse their right to exist is actually coded language for, No one else has the right to exist between the River and the Sea, and therefore there can be no Palestinian self-determination. I think people are asking can we tolerate a society like this that is so sadistic, so murderous, so indifferent to international law and human decency, he says, concluding that much of the world is prepared to say no. Freeman, whose career was ended in 2009 after a campaign against him by the powerful Israel lobby in the United States, gives a view that is obvious to anyone outside the Western media propaganda bubble. For complex reasons, he says that in the United States we remain devoted to Israel and that there are some European countries that remain devoted to it but elsewhere Israel is regarded as not just as a pariah but as a criminal. Freemans patient explanation of the crises in Israel and Ukraine is brief, carefully reasoned and comprehensive. The explanatory power of Freemans view makes this presentation one of the most powerful statements on foreign affairs seen in recent times. This is a view wholly absent from the mainstream media, which even the editor of the Wall Street Journal admits has gaslit the American people for years all in the name of democracy. Freemans diplomatic take on the bipolar disorder of the Globalist-Zionist regime is simply a statement of fact to millions of people who fear the replacement of their everyday lives with a state of emergency that is rapidly deteriorating. Read more at: LifeSiteNews.com Telegram CEO Pavel Durovs arrest is part of the globalist assault on free speech The recent arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov at Bourget airport near Paris over the weekend illustrates the broader agenda of the globalist establishment to silence truth-seekers and free speech Hong Kong-based political analyst Angel Giuliano claims that Western allies are striving to assume total control over the media narrative by going after platforms like Telegram that facilitate the exchange of information minus the government intrusion. There have also been a lot of other attacks on free speech as of late, including the recent FBI raid on the home of Scott Ritter, a former United States Marine Corps intelligence officer. Or how about the death of Chilean-American journalist Gonzalo Lira while in Ukraine's custody? Independent journalist Richard Medhurst was also nabbed by British police earlier this month at London's Heathrow Airport for criticizing the United States, Great Britain and Israel for committing genocide in the Gaza Strip. Medhurst was arrested under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act (2000). "There is actually an oppression of journalists and freedom of speech in the West and especially in the EU," Giuliano told Sputnik, a Russia-based media outlet. (Related: Much like the United States, Ukraine claims to be a bastion of freedom and democracy even as the Zelensky regime persecutes Christians by banning the Orthodox Church.) Free speech has become very "inconvenient" for the West Concerning Durov, Western powers claim the Telegram founder did not do enough to stop allegedly criminal activities from being organized and discussed through the platform. If convicted, Durov faces up to 20 years in prison. Durov expressed concerns to Tucker Carlson a few months back about the U.S. government's mistreatment, indicating that he has been a target of Western intelligence services for a while. U.S. cybersecurity officials wanted Durov to create special backdoor access for them to probe users' private conversations. When Durov refused, warning that such a backdoor would enable more government abuses, Western intelligence put him in their crosshairs for elimination. "I wouldn't be surprised that they would try to get their hands on Telegram, to strike a deal with Telegram, saying 'well, we release you; you give us a price and maybe we can buy you,'" Giuliano said, arguing that Durov's arrest is likely serving as some kind of "bargaining chip." "What they say clearly at the EU is that they need to control the narrative because that's everything," he added, noting that freedom of speech and the First Amendment has become very "inconvenient" for Western governments. "The narrative you control controls the mind of the people." What makes Durov's arrest curious is the fact that he became a French citizen just three years ago, the suggestion being that he is in good standing with the French government. In 2023, French media celebrated the fact that Paris had chosen "an exceptional and highly political procedure" in order to grant Durov citizenship. Then, all of a sudden and seemingly out of nowhere, French authorities turned on Durov by capturing him at the airport. Tesla CEO Elon Musk faces similar treatment now that he owns X (formerly Twitter) and has rebranded it as a social media platform that values free speech. Musk could one day find himself in handcuffs if he travels to the wrong place at the wrong time. "Keep in mind that Elon Musk hasn't actually complied with EU regulation. And in reality, he would be de facto also another target," Giuliano said. Arresting Durov, he added, is "really a red flag overall for journalists and for whoever is actually spilling the truth, inconvenient truth. In the comments, many people expressed concern that other platforms similar to Telegram might be next. Free speech is under attack. Learn more at Censorship.news. Sources for this article include: SputnikGlobe.com NaturalNews.com Top 6 LAST DITCH ATTEMPTS the Communist-controlled Democratic Party may put into play to REMAIN in POWER The snakes, rats, and Gila monsters are now backed into a corner, and theyre hissing and snarling, ready to fight to the death. From politicians like Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi, and from billionaire globalists like Bill Gates and George Soros, the powers that be are plotting, planning, and funding the next several staged events that will ensure they maintain control over their communist-controlled nation in North America. There are only two problems left for the D.C. Democrats and globalists to conquer to take 100 percent control of the populace. They must not let former President Donald Trump win the election and take office in January 2025 and they must, somehow, take away all the automatic weapons that tens of millions of Americans have stored in their homes, on their ranches and in the hills (think of the mountains out west). The next steps for the Democrats to remain in control include massive cheating for the election, killing or jailing Trump and new mass shootings staged for gun-grabbing laws Even though it never seems to work, the Democrats LOVE those staged (and real) mass shootings, and the more carnage the better, because it helps stir the emotions of parents everywhere to think the way to stop it all is to have the government SEIZE all automatic weapons from all civilians nationwide. It never works, because there arent enough morons to vote for giving all automatic guns to the communist dictators in DC who will then methodically take over all homes, land, farms, and assets nationwide. Sounds like a massive conspiracy theory, but its actually rather simple. Here are the top 6 last-ditch-attempts the Communist-controlled Democratic Party must put into play to keep their dream of a Marxist America going. Judge Juan Merchan puts Trump in prison before the election, and then theres suddenly a (planned) riot and Trump gets murdered while serving time for a fake crime the Dems concocted. Around 40 million FAKE votes are crafted (CCP fakes shoved in drop boxes by the 100s), shifted from Trump to Harris (Dominion voting machines), and recorded (via internet hacks) for Kommie Kamala and the mass media simply calls it for Harris to win POTUS (then they have a super-speedy certification). World War III begins, and the election is postponed for what they say is temporary, but it will be permanently put off. An EMP explosion detonated over the United States atmosphere, and the internet is incapacitated for an unknown period, where no voting machines, phones, computers, bank machines, or credit card processing works, setting off full scale panic, including mass-rioting, murder and mayhem in every city nationwide. A new lone shooter (FBI-CIA-controlled stooge) working in tandem with the Secret Service, the globalists, the FBI and local police make sure the second Trump rally assassination attempt doesnt miss. Democrats refuse to certify a Trump win, and use the Insurrection Clause by showing forced and false confessions by their January 6 political prisoners that theyre torturing every day in DC gulags. Should Trump really win the election and finalize it, that would make every Democrat "election denier" and "protester" like a January 6er that Trump could put in prison, by their own method of operation. If they want election denial to be a criminal offense (they call it obstruction of proceedings), then patriots help Trump secure the White House and put the REAL election deniers behind bars. Voters get to decide, you said, right? Tune your apocalypse dial to Preparedness.news for updates on real news about ways the evil Democrats in DC plan to finish installing communism in America, win, lose, or draw the elections. Sources for this article include: Censored.news NaturalNews.com TheGatewayPundit.com RollCall.com Trump plans to criminalize GENDER TRANSITION surgery on minors without parental consent if elected Former President Donald Trump plans to announce his proposal of criminalizing "gender transition" surgeries on minors without parental consent, but has not given a definite date as to when. According to LifeSiteNews, the Trump campaign issued prepared remarks on Aug. 20 for the real estate mogul to read during his stop at the Livingston County Sheriff's Department in Howell, Michigan. While the remarks included this promise, Trump delivered the speech without mentioning it. "To protect our children from sexual mutilation, we will make it a felony for any medical professional to perform surgery on a minor without parental consent," the prepared statement read. It also promised capital punishment for "child rapists and child traffickers." But a report by the Independent the following day, Aug. 21, said promises are still coming. Campaign sources told the outlet that the said promises are being reserved for a "special occasion." According to the tipsters, the said announcements are "too important to get lost in the shuffle" of the Democratic National Convention held from Aug. 19 to 22. LifeSiteNews noted that Trump has a mixed stance on LGBT issues. While he has thrown his support behind homosexual "marriage," his stance on religious liberty and the gender fluidity movement was closer to those of social conservatives. For his present campaign, Trump already promised to "protect children from left-wing gender insanity." He has also pledged to ban federal funding, approval and promotion of "gender transition" practices. Trump's pledge serves as welcome news for parents According to LifeSiteNews, Trump's pledge is a welcome news to American parents. But the pro-life outlet acknowledged that some would prefer a complete ban on such procedures whether or not parents can consent to them. The news of Trump's potential announcement came amid the news of the Swiss government taking away a daughter from her father. According to the Daily Signal, the daughter was abducted after her father refused to allow her to start medical transition procedures. (Related: Swiss government "kidnaps" children and threatens parents with jail time for opposing transgender mutilations.) Meanwhile, in liberal states like California, legislators have taken aggressive steps to assist child gender-transition efforts despite parental consent. In some instances, lawmakers have driven policies that remove children from families that don't adopt gender ideology. The California State Assembly passed a bill last September that would need judges in child custody cases to examine whether a parent has approved a childs "gender transition" by making "gender affirmation" an equal part of a child's "health, safety and welfare" under state law. Under the bill, parents who refuse to go along could be guilty of failing to give for the "health, safety and welfare" of their child therefore losing custody to another parent or the state. A major body of evidence has shown that "affirming" gender confusion brings severe injuries, especially when done with impressionable children who lack the mental development, emotional maturity and life experience to consider the long-term consequences of the decisions being driven on them or complete knowledge about the long-term impacts of life-changing, physically transformative and usually irreversible surgical and chemical procedures. Studies discovered that more than 80 percent of children suffering gender dysphoria outgrow it on their own by late adolescence and that "transition" procedures, in addition to full "reassignment" surgery, fail to deal with gender-confused individuals' profound tendency to engage in self-harm and suicide and even worsen it by increasing their confusion and disregarding the real root causes of their mental conflict. Follow GenderConfused.com for more news about gender transition. Watch the video below about new studies highlighting the potential serious permanent harms from using puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for people suffering from gender dysphoria. This video is from the The HighWire with Del Bigtree channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Texas Childrens Hospital forced to temporarily SHUT DOWN transgender program following whistleblower revelations. New York pediatrician says gender transition is a normal thing that starts at birth or even before. Gender transition indoctrination is extreme child abuse, warns psychiatrist. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com Independent.co.uk Daily Signal.com Brighteon.com Joy slogan being utilized by Kommie and the Democrats is nearly identical to Hitlers Strength through Joy Nazi propaganda campaign Folks, joy is not a political strategy nor a plan for fixing a broken, bleeding, struggling nation. Even worse, the Communist-controlled Democrat Party of 2024 features striking similarities to the Nazi Party and their rise to power, beginning in 1933. Let us prove this point with gleaming examples. Yes, Hitler and his party of genocidal maniacs began transforming German society while outlawing all other political parties, just as the Democrats today are labeling all Republicans and Conservatives as MAGA extremists, threats to democracy, domestic terrorists. The German Labor Front then created their Strength through Joy propaganda campaign, designed to build momentum and support for the Nazi Regime. Bill Clinton said at the DNC that Kamala will be the President of Joy. The Demonic Dems are pushing Nazi slogans hard. No surprise they use projection to call everyone else fascists. The Nazis also had a Strength through Joy automobile they featured called the KdF Wagen and Hitler pushed for the mass production of a simple car that German workers could afford (think of the Dems pushing electric cars here to eliminate gasoline costs, even though EVs cost more to make, buy, maintain and repair). It was all propaganda. The Nazi goal was to erase class differences (think communism) and have German workers start paying for special savings cards they could use for a car they MIGHT someday receive in the future. That was the Strength through Joy program, like the Climate Change cult today, where you pay exorbitant taxes for some greater good of the future, while eliminating the middle class and turning everyone into factory workers. This is like the New Green Scams where companies go bankrupt before ever starting up, even though the government moves big money around. Guess what happened to the KdF Wagen industry and promises of joy about everyone traveling the German countryside in the Peoples Car? Hitler had spoken highly about the production of MILLIONS of cars, but only a few hundred KdF Wagens were ever assembled. Not one single Peoples Car was ever sold to a private citizen as promised by Hitler. So much for strength through joy. A platform of emotions for the emotional voters The Democrats have absolutely no platform, policies or commitments to anything promising or productive for America. They are running with a forced candidate whose entire platform is based on three emotions: joy, hope and hate. All Democrats and Liberals are being coerced and conned to vote based on emotions only, as the mass media propaganda machine rolls forward, further brainwashing tens of millions of Americans that they will be just fine if they vote for emotions instead of real needs, real change and representatives who can accomplish it all. Joy like the Nazis. Hope like Obama. Hate like Orange Man Bad. Of course, most intelligent people can see through the thin veil the Democrats are all wearing. They have betrayed democracy by hoisting Kommie Kamala to the top of the ticket. They are the party of HATE, not joy, as their entire campaign is based solely on their base hating Trump so much that they will all vote for literally anything else (which just so happens to be their own demise). This is government aggression at the hilt. Call it Nazi-style rule, or Communist manifesto, or Socialism, but one thing Kamala is saying is true; if she gets control, we all end up in the same place broke, dying and praying for help. Tune your apocalypse dial to Preparedness.news for updates on real news about surviving and thriving through the Democrat-led government aggression that comes at us every day now. Sources for this article include: Censored.news Perspectives.ushmm.org NaturalNews.com TheGatewayPundit.com Democrats want zero-down mortgages made available in Californiabut only for illegal aliens California Democrats are forging on in transforming the Golden State into an illegal alien sanctuary zone, completely with zero-down mortgages so illegals can buy up all of the state's housing. Assembly Bill 1840 was passed by the California Senate Appropriations Committee along partisan lines with its five Democrats voting for the change and the remaining two Republicans voting against it. If it makes it all the way through the state legislature, AB 1840 would amend the California Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loan program to include foreigners. Authored by Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula, a Democrat, AB 1840 would provide down payment assistance for illegal aliens up to 20 percent of a home's purchase price as a down payment for first-time buyers. There are no monthly payments required and no accrued interest as the original loan amount plus 20 percent of any increase in home value is only due when the primary mortgage is refinanced or the house is sold. This means that illegal alien families will be able to "purchase" homes in California with free money; never have to pay a single monthly payment or interest; and live in the home over a lifetime without having to pay a single penny out of pocket. "The social and economic benefits of homeownership should be available to everyone," Arambula said. "As such, the California Dream for All Program should be available to all." (Related: Did you know that all of the new jobs the government "created" last year to try to boost the economy went to illegal aliens rather than Americans?) What about California's $60 billion budget deficit? As you might expect, not everyone is on board with basically handing over "free" housing to illegal aliens, especially as millions of American citizens and existing California residents cannot afford to buy a home because they are not being offered the same incentives. AB 1840 clearly prioritizes illegals over the residents and citizens, sending those who belong in California to the back of the line while propelling to the front hordes of people who traveled there illegally. Not only that, but California currently has a $60 billion budget deficit that San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond says makes AB 1840 a fiscally irresponsible move. AB 1840 will still need to pass the Democrat-supermajority state Senate before moving on to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom, who based on his track record will likely sign it into law with glee. A similar program is already in place in Oregon, California's neighbor to the north. The so-called Hacienda Community Development Corporation (Hacienda CDC), which is also taxpayer-funded, subsidizes home purchases for low-income residents just so long as they are not legal citizens of the United States. "My wife and I have been breaking our backs together sacrificing so much to reach this milestone," wrote someone in the comments about how unfair and flat-out immoral it is for elected officials to be catering to illegals at the expense of the people they supposedly represent as constituents. "We are both Marine veterans. We worked from the bottom of our civilian employers to reach a solid tier. No help from family and no motivation from friends. And still got the job done for our small daughters to have something that we never had. It's a slap in the face that we had to go through so much and others can get fast tracked. I know it's only CA but this is going to start happening all over the U.S." Another warned that if Kamala Harris "wins" the White House this fall, Americans in other states could face similarly unfair measures that send illegals to the front of the line on the taxpayer dime. U.S. politicians, especially those of the Democrat variety, hate American citizens and want them all replaced with illegals. Find out more at InvasionUSA.news. Sources for this article include: TheNationalPulse.com NaturalNews.com Houthi attack on Greek oil tanker sparks fears of environmental catastrophe in Red Sea A Greek-flagged oil tanker, the MV Sounion, appears to be leaking oil following an attack by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, a Pentagon spokesperson warned on Tuesday, Aug. 27. The situation has raised alarms over a potential environmental disaster in one of the worlds busiest maritime routes. MV Sounion came under heavy fire last week as part of the Houthis' prolonged campaign of targeting shipping along the Red Sea in retaliation for Israel's ongoing military offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction of the Strip. (Related: Yemeni military reiterates warning to Israeli-linked ships not to pass through the Red Sea after claiming to have sunk 2 ships that violated the blockade.) Recent images show bright orange flames engulfing parts of the Sounion. The tanker, which was transporting approximately one million barrels of crude oil, was on its way from Iraq to Greece when it was hit. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder reported that the entire crew, consisting of 23 Filipino and two Russian sailors, successfully evacuated the ship. "The MV Delta Sounion is now immobilized in the Red Sea, where it is currently on fire and appears to be leaking oil. This presents both a navigational hazard and a potential environmental catastrophe," said Ryder. According to United States Department of Defense officials, the leaking oil appears to be either fuel or engine oil from the vessel, not the crude oil cargo. However, the primary concern is that the fire could spread and ignite a million barrels of crude oil onboard. Operation Aspides, the European Union's maritime security operation in the region, described the situation as a "navigational risk and a serious and imminent threat of regional pollution." Despite the damage, the ship remains anchored and is not drifting. Fires have been detected in several locations on the main deck. A maritime oil shipping captain noted that while the fires on the deck are concerning, they are unlikely to spread further due to the inert nature of the gas in the cargo tanks. The captain likened the situation to a gas stove, where the flames are fed by vapors in the cargo tanks but lack oxygen to expand significantly. The most effective way to extinguish these fires is by using foam and smothering techniques, after which the focus would shift to routine oil salvage recovery. Houthis allow MV Sounion to be towed out of Red Sea In response to calls from several international parties, Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam noted that it has agreed to allow the towing of MV Sounion out of the Red Sea. The Houthis have previously sunk at least two ships and killed three crew members in the Red Sea, which connects to the Suez Canal a critical global trade artery responsible for 10 to 15 percent of global trade. The group claimed responsibility for the attack on the Sounion, accusing Delta Tankers of violating their ban on entry to ports in Israel. The Iranian Permanent Mission to the United Nations stated that the Houthis would observe a "temporary truce" to allow rescue efforts to extinguish the fire. However, the mission warned that the group would continue to target oil tankers bound for Israel as long as the conflict in Gaza continues. The U.S. State Department has called on the Houthis to halt their attacks along the vital shipping route and urged other nations to assist in preventing a looming environmental disaster. This latest incident has further underscored the risks in the region, which have already driven up shipping costs as companies seek alternative, longer routes. The largest recorded oil spill from a ship occurred in 1979, when approximately 287,000 metric tons of oil spilled from the Atlantic Empress after a collision in the Caribbean Sea during a storm, according to the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation. Watch this short clip showing MV Sounion burning in the Red Sea. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Intel HALTS construction of $25B computer chip plant in Israel due to lack of supplies stemming from Red Sea blockade. Yemens Houthis attack bulk carrier in Red Sea with suicide drone boat first time in this conflict. Houthis claim missile attack on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in Red Sea; DoD says attack never happened. Sources include: CNN.com Reuters.com Brighteon.com Massachusetts town pushes VOLUNTARY LOCKDOWN after just a single case of mosquito-borne disease The spread of a deadly mosquito-borne virus has forced state and local health officials to advise people in a Massachusetts town not to leave their homes after dark The Board of Health in Oxford, a city of 13,300 people about 50 miles southwest of Boston, has set an outdoor curfew in hopes it will reduce the chances of people being bitten by mosquitoes which bring eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). This decision was made after a resident of the town became the first human to contract the rare and untreatable disease domestically in almost four years. EEE triggers a fever and brain swelling and can result in seizures and comas. One-third of people infected with EEE die and those who recover are frequently left with lifelong physical and mental problems. The dusk-to-dawn curfew begins at around 8 p.m. It is only a recommendation and not a rule but town officials are hoping it will drive people inside before peak mosquito hours, decreasing risk of exposure. (Related: Florida issues MALARIA alert as mosquitos emerge in Sunshine State.) Officials have not released the identity of the man infected but have said he is in his 80s, lives in Oxford and contracted the illness recently. The EEE risk level has been raised to critical in four cities and elevated to moderate in nine others. A memo released by the Town of Oxford said the individual is hospitalized and "courageously battling this virus," according to one of his family members who has reached out to officials many times. "They want people to be aware this is an extremely serious disease with terrible physical and emotional consequences, regardless if the person manages to live," said Oxford Town Manager Jennifer Callahan in a memo regarding the family of the man who caught the virus that had reached out to her office. "They want residents to take the public health recommendations regarding prevention measures of contracting this virus seriously." The memo also said that a horse infected with EEE in nearby Connecticut had died from the virus. There were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2019 and six people died, while there were five human cases and one death in 2020. As reported by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health there were no cases or deaths in each year from 2021 to 2023. So far in 2024, two other cases of EEE have been reported, one each in Vermont and New Jersey. All three current American patients have developed serious neuroinvasive cases. EEE a very serious condition with a mortality rate of about 33% According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), EEE symptoms usually start within four to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Most people infected do not show symptoms but those who develop severe cases will experience fever, chills, body aches and joint pain. The CDC added that for mild cases, recovery takes about one to two weeks and a patient could possibly recover completely if the infection does not affect the central nervous system. Those with severe cases can develop meningitis or encephalitis. The symptoms consist of fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, drowsiness and even coma. The CDC said that although EEE is rare, it is very serious and about 33 percent of people who become infected die. Death usually happens about two to 10 days after the emergence of symptoms. Massachusetts authorities said people who survive are generally permanently disabled and only a few totally recover. The disease is common in birds, and even though humans and some other mammals can get EEE, they don't spread the disease. The CDC said only a few cases of EEE are reported in the United States annually, with most infections identified in the eastern and Gulf Coast states. There are no vaccines and specific treatments for EEE. Follow Plague.info for more news about mosquito-borne diseases spreading in America. Watch this episode of "World Alternative Media" as host Josh Sigurdson reporting on the Massachusetts towns doing voluntary lockdowns after a man was hospitalized from a mosquito bite. This video is from the Alex Hammer channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Releasing genetically modified mosquitoes creates MUTATIONS that may cause RESISTANT vector-borne diseases. CLAIM: Malaria outbreak may have been caused by Bill Gates project that released GMO mosquitoes in Florida last year. Tens of thousands of GMO mosquitoes released in Djibouti to "fight malaria." Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk Mass.gov APNews.com Brighteon.com FAKE NEWS: Mainstream media trying to help Kamala win by reporting that shes taking a more hardline stance on immigration Pro-migration activists are applauding mainstream media outlets for portraying the immigration policies of Vice President Kamala Harris as moderate despite her commitment to more progressive policies. According to several reports, mainstream media outlets are showing that Harris is taking a more hardline stance on immigration compared to other Democrats in the past decades to maintain voter support, especially in swing states where immigration is a hot-button issue. For instance, an NBC News headline on Aug. 18, read: "Progressives focus on pragmatic goals for a Harris presidency." Meanwhile, the New York Times reported on Aug. 25 that "the overall message on immigration from the Democratic Party in the past week has been decidedly more hardline than it has been in decades." (Related: Kamala Harris to reduce illegal immigration by LEGALIZING it, not stopping it.) These have earned praise among pro-migration activists, who admit that they now focus on securing an electoral win rather than their advocacy. "I am 100 percent done with this loser, backbiting bulls--- less than three months before the election. We have to win," an anonymous progressive organizer told NBC News on Aug. 18. "We're not in an advocacy moment now; we're in a win-the-damn-election moment. Well shift into advocacy on Nov. 6, and if we're successful in the next couple of months, we'll have the opportunity then to push a Democratic president and Democratic Congress to enact good legislation." "The absolute worst thing that could happen for immigration would be a Trump win," the progressive organizer added. "The second worst thing to happen would be winning the White House but losing the Senate." Pro-immigration advocates want radical immigration policies if Kamala Harris wins in November Democrats have adjusted their rhetoric on immigration and pro-migration activists lauded it. However, these same open borders advocates are still expected to push for radical immigration policies that would expand the entry of migrants into the country significantly. For instance, Domingo Garcia, head of the League of United Latin American Citizens PAC, stressed the need to depoliticize immigration to avoid becoming a controversial issue. "We recognize that until we take immigration off the table off from being used as a political pinata by Republicans we will not be able to pass comprehensive immigration reform," Garcia said. He suggested that, after the election, Democrats should immediately pass legislation for immigration reform and voting rights within the first 100 days to prevent these issues from dominating future political battles. Carmen Feliciano, advocacy chief for UnidosUS, a pro-migration group formerly known as LaRaza, noted that there is little need for public advocacy because they expect Harris' policies to align with those of pro-migration groups like theirs. "We know, based on where she's been in the past, that her policies are probably going to be aligned with UnidosUS' policies," she stated. Angelica Salas, the director of the California-based pro-migration group the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, echoed this sentiment. "This is not something I have to explain to Kamala Harris," she said. Read more stories about the vice president at KamalaHarris.news. Watch this video about the mainstream media's failed attempt to memory-hole any mention of Vice President Kamala Harris being the border czar. This video is from the Justin Barclay channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Kamala Harris promises to CLOSE all migrant detention centers and release criminal illegal aliens on Day 1 if she becomes president. Kamala Harris paves the way for ILLEGALS to become lawyers in California after she helped one in 2014. Kamala Harris hired an illegal immigrant WHO ATTACKED A WOMAN to be part of jobs program while serving as San Francisco's DA. TRUTH about Kamala Harris: She wants to abolish ICE, ban fracking and offshore drilling, defund the police, and provide taxpayer-funded healthcare to illegals. INTEGRITY ISSUE: Kamala Harris distances herself from past far-left stances to win voter support. Sources include: YourNews.com NBCNews.com Breitbart.com Brighteon.com Rising cancer rates in Iowa linked to agricultural chemicals like glyphosate, atrazine and chlorpyrifos Iowa is grappling with a stark and troubling reality: the state has recently been identified as having the fastest-growing cancer rates in the nation . This alarming increase in cancer rates has prompted a closer examination of environmental factors contributing to this troubling trend. A 2024 report by the Iowa Department of Public Health reveals that cancer rates in rural areas of the state, where pesticide use is more intensive, are significantly higher compared to urban regions. The study highlights that communities with heavy agricultural activity have seen a rise in cases of leukemia, lymphoma and breast cancer. Iowas cancerous frontier dominated by glyphosate, atrazine, nitrates, chlorpyrifos Iowa has seen a dramatic rise in cancer diagnoses, with 486 new cases per 100,000 people in 2024, surpassing the national average of 444 cases per 100,000. The estimated number of new cancer cases this year stands at 21,000, with approximately 6,100 deaths expected. This surge in cancer rates is particularly concerning given that Iowa's cancer incidence now outpaces other states facing their own unique health challenges, such as industrial pollution, smoking and high obesity rates. The state, known for its expansive agricultural landscape, relies heavily on pesticides to protect crops and maximize yields. The states agriculture sector uses a variety of chemical treatments, including herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. The most commonly used pesticides in Iowa include glyphosate, atrazine and chlorpyrifos. Glyphosate, a broad-spectrum herbicide, is used extensively in the cultivation of corn and soybeans. Glyphosate disrupts the shikimate pathway of gut microbes and has been linked to an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. Atrazine, another herbicide, is frequently applied to control weeds in cornfields. Atrazine has been associated with endocrine disruption, which may increase the risk of certain cancers. Studies have found atrazine is responsible for alterations in the HPG axis, damaging reproductive function. It also has estrogenic effects, leading to aromatase activation, including inhibition of PDE4 and altered hormone secretion precursors to breast cancer. Chlorpyrifos, an insecticide, is employed to combat pests in a variety of crops. Chlorpyrifos, although banned for residential use, is still permitted in agriculture and has been linked to developmental and cancer risks. Nitrates, which are key ingredient in fertilizers used across Iowa, are linked to colorectal cancer. In addition to herbicides, insecticides and fertilizer, radon a naturally occurring radioactive gas also poses a significant risk. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and is particularly problematic in Iowa, where levels are six times higher than the national average. Radon can seep into homes undetected, further exacerbating health risks for residents. Public becoming more aware of the most pervasive cause of cancer agricultural chemicals Local advocacy groups have been vocal about the need for regulatory changes and increased transparency regarding pesticide use. Were seeing a troubling correlation between pesticide exposure and rising cancer rates, said Emily Carter, director of the Iowa Environmental Justice Coalition. Its crucial that we address this issue head-on by implementing stricter regulations and supporting research into safer alternatives. Environmental organizations have called for a re-evaluation of pesticide approval processes and greater investment in research on organic farming methods. They advocate for increased monitoring of pesticide residues in soil and water, and better protection for agricultural workers and their families. Sharon, an Iowan diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, and Dave, who has battled non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, have turned their attention to advocating for better water safety and stricter regulations on pesticides. Both individuals, from Davenport, barely drink alcohol, do not smoke and are physically active. They have invested in extensive water testing and filtration to mitigate potential contamination from agricultural chemicals. We want our water tested, reported, and treated for pesticides and nitrates, Sharon Kendall-Dunn stated. We dont know exactly where the exposure came from, but we believe its crucial to address it. Their concerns are echoed by Linus Solberg, a Palo Alto County supervisor who has witnessed numerous cancer cases in his rural community. Solberg attributes the high cancer rates to a combination of agricultural chemicals and radon exposure. He has been vocal about the need for more research and governmental action to address these issues. Using laboratory-verified water filtration is one of the most important steps to take in a frontier of toxic, hormone-disrupting agricultural chemicals. For more on the devastating hormonal and developmental effects of atrazine: Sources include: Dailymail.co.uk Shri.publichealth.edu [PDF] NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov Brighteon.com Russia launches over 200 drones and missiles targeting critical energy infrastructure in Ukraine The Russian Armed Forces on Monday, Aug. 26, conducted one of the largest series of strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities since the beginning of Russia's special military operation in February 2022. This was confirmed by the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also acknowledged that the country has experienced one of the most extensive Russian strikes in recent months, causing widespread power interruptions. Zelensky admitted that at least 127 missiles and 109 drones struck Ukraine on Monday. Power cuts and water supply outages were reported all over the country, including in the capital of Kyiv, and Ukrainian officials claim the strikes killed at least seven people and injured 47, including four children. (Related: Ukraine DRONE SWARMS target four Russian oil refineries in largest drone attack yet.) Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk claimed that 109 of the 127 Russian missiles were intercepted. He did not indicate how many of the Russian drones were intercepted, although he did note in his statement that the mass barrage was "the most massive" Ukraine has seen since the beginning of the conflict. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed in a statement that 15 Ukrainian oblasts (regions) sustained damage during the strikes. Zelensky added that the strikes caused "a lot of damage in the energy sector." Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha noted that the strike also targeted the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant. Western world ignores Ukrainian invasion of Russia, condemns Moscow's strikes The latest barrage comes as Kyiv continues to conduct strikes on civilian infrastructure both in oblasts bordering Ukraine and deeper into Russian territory. It also comes as Ukraine continues to invade Russia's Kursk Oblast, a region which Kyiv has never claimed and which the Kremlin says has resulted in massive civilian atrocities committed by Ukrainians against Russian civilians. Despite this, the Western world has only united in condemning the Kremlin for its strikes. United States President Joe Biden condemned the barrage as "outrageous," and added that Washington will continue supporting Ukraine by providing energy equipment and supporting Kyiv's ability to repair its systems and strengthen its energy grid. Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom David Lammy also condemned the strikes as "cowardly attacks on civilian infrastructure." Zelensky has used the strikes as an opportunity to further urge Ukraine's allies in the Western world to provide even more arms and to allow Western-supplied missiles to be used to conduct long-range strikes into Russia. The president has also redoubled his call for allies to join Ukraine in shooting down missiles and drones flying over Ukrainian airspace. Before February 2022, Ukraine had no powerful long-range weapons and only had a very rudimentary anti-air defense system, but since then it has received many anti-drone and anti-missile defense systems as well as offensive weaponry. Ukraine's burgeoning drone industry has even developed many models of long-range attack drones and has used them to strike targets deep within Russia, including oil refineries and military airfields. Some of these drones even reached the Kremlin. Watch this video discussing how all of the military aid sent to Ukraine failed to strengthen its anti-air defenses. This video is from the channel Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth on Brighteon.com. More related stories: How can Ukraine be a free "democracy" when its government under Zelensky is persecuting Christians by banning the Orthodox Church? PUTIN: Ukraine tried, but failed, to attack Russian nuclear power plant in Kursk. Russia says Ukraine's drone attack on nuclear plant was designed to set it on fire. Russia expands hydrocarbon exports to China, cements position as largest oil supplier to Chinese market. Russia overtakes U.S. as Europe's primary gas supplier despite ongoing sanctions. Sources include: RT.com TheGuardian.com Reuters.com BBC.com Brighteon.com Ukraine escalates long-range strikes, sends drones to attack Russian military air base Ukraine used aerial drones on Aug. 22 to attack an air base in Russia's Volgograd region as part of its campaign of long-range strikes aimed at bringing down Moscow's war machine. The primary targets are warehouses used to store fuel and glide bombs to cripple Russia's air power. According to Russian authorities in Volgograd, a falling drone started fire at a military air base in the residential village of Marinovka. An unconfirmed video posted on Russian social media showed the Marinovka Air Base on fire, with thick smoke billowing into the sky. Meanwhile, Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed it had repelled drones over five other regions overnight. Andrei Bocharov, the region's governor, posted on Telegram early on Aug. 22 that an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attack was "repelled," adding that the attack caused a fire at a defense ministry facility 185 miles from the border with Ukraine. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that while Ukrainian drones "work exactly as they should," they are not enough for what needs to be done. Zelensky added that Ukraine needs more weapons, such as "missile weapons." (Related: Tokyo to provide $3.3 billion loan to Kyiv using frozen Russian assets.) Zelensky's office released footage of his first public visit to the border region of Sumy, the staging ground for the incursion, where he met with his top general. He also announced that Ukraine added one more settlement in Kursk to the several dozen it already controls and has more Russian military prisoners. Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskiy briefed Zelensky on efforts to fortify Ukraine's eastern frontline near the strategic towns of Pokrovsk and Toretsk. Ukraine is targeting the towns as Russia advances and has yet to shift significant forces from there to resist Ukraine's fierce Kursk incursion. In a meeting with Ukrainian diplomats, Zelensky explained that if allied countries "lifted all the current restrictions on the use of weapons on Russian territory," Ukraine would no longer need to physically enter areas such as the Kursk region to protect Ukrainian citizens in the border communities and cut down Russia's "potential for aggression." He added that any further delay by Ukrainian allies concerning long-range capabilities is becoming "the most effective support for Russia's offensive potential." In May, the Biden administration eased restrictions on the use of American-supplied weapons after Russia reinvaded Ukraine's northern Kharkiv region, allowing Kyiv to use artillery and fire short-range rockets from High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers against command posts, arms depots and other assets across the border there. However, the policy didn't allow Ukraine to use American-supplied rockets called Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) within Russia. Now, Zelensky's administration is appealing to the U.S. to untie its hands by allowing them to use the weapons. Expert: Total damage so far of Ukraine's drone strikes "isn't strategically significant" A strategic oil storage facility in the southern Rostov region burned for several days after it was targeted in a recent drone strike. Previously, a Ukrainian official said it had conducted its largest drone attack on Russian military airfields since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, with strikes in Voronezh, Kursk, Savasleyka and Borisoglebsk. A Ukrainian drone attack on the Lipetsk airfield also destroyed stockpiles of guided bombs earlier this August. But while drone strikes are inflicting damage on Russian military resources, Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, explained that the total damage so far "isn't strategically significant." But Bronk noted the current rate of damage Ukraine has inflicted on air bases is something the Russians "cannot just accept" as it could become a serious problem over time. If Ukraine keeps targeting air bases within Russia, the former could force Moscow to relocate air defense systems away from frontline areas. According to Bronk, this has already reduced glide bomb sortie rates by making the Russians fly farther on average to and from their bases to the front. Douglas Barrie, a senior fellow for military aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, said the increasing quantity and range of Ukrainian drone attacks is becoming a source of frustration for Russia. Visit WWIII.news for more stories about the ongoing efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Watch the video below as Ukraine deploys 30 British Robot Dogs with German camouflage in the Donetsk region. This video is from the Puretrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Germany pledges to expand commitment to Ukraine, agrees to host U.S. cruise missiles. MORE LOOT: Ukraine's globalist backers eyeing TREASURES from now-banned Orthodox denomination. Zelensky: Russia SHOULD ATTEND the next Ukraine peace summit. Western powers seeking to replace Zelensky amid growing distrust in Ukraine. Sources include: WSJ.com NBCNews.com Brighteon.com U.S. to DEFEND Philippines against China after multiple ship collisions near Sabina Shoal Following multiple collisions and face-offs near Sabina Shoal, a disputed atoll lying just 86 miles from the Philippines' west coast and 745 miles from China, the United States reaffirmed its pledge about the Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines if its maritime dispute with Beijing turns into a shooting war The treaty was an agreement from 1951 which requires both the U.S. and the Philippines to support each other if another party attacks them. "[U.S. National Security Advisor Jake] Sullivan condemned the People's Republic of Chinas deliberate collision with two Philippine Coast Guard vessels operating lawfully near Sabina Shoal in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone on August 19," the White House said in a readout of a phone call with Sullivan's Philippine counterpart on Tuesday. "Sullivan reiterated the ironclad U.S. commitment to the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, which extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft to include those of its Coast Guard anywhere in the South China Sea." Chinese and Philippine vessels have engaged in multiple collisions and face-offs near Sabina Shoal over the past week. On Aug. 19, in the middle of the night, Coast Guard ships from both nations collided near the disputed atoll in the northeast of Dangerous Ground in the Spratly Islands. Their ships rammed into its vessels, tearing a 3.6-foot hole in one and a three-foot-wide gap in another. Both sides blamed each other for the collisions. On Sunday afternoon, Aug. 25, another clash took place, with the Philippines accusing China of ramming and firing water cannons at a vessel from its fisheries bureau in an encounter with eight Chinese ships, including a warship from the People's Liberation Army Navy. The following day, another collision took place, where the Philippines said China deployed "an excessive force" of 40 ships to block two Philippine Coast Guard vessels. Beijing said it took "control measures" against two Philippine ships that "intruded" into waters near Sabina Shoal. The confrontations came just weeks after Beijing and Manila struck a temporary deal to lower tensions. China's increasingly aggressive tactics had raised alarm across the region as well as in Washington, a mutual defense ally of the Southeast Asian nation. According to Rear Admiral Andrew Sugimoto, deputy commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, the U.S. unequivocally condemned "aggressive" actions such as the ramming of vessels. "China wants to be seen as a member of the world that has its set of rules and enforces it. But whenever they do things like ramming or water-cannoning unarmed vessels, it does not appear to be so," Sugimoto said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visited Manila and promised $500 million in new military aid, which came out of the $95 billion foreign military aid bill President Biden signed into law in April. The White House said Sullivan discussed the new military aid with Philippine National Security Advisor Eduardo M. Ano. (Related: U.S. announces $500 million in military aid for the Philippines amid heightened tensions with China over South China Sea.) "Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Ano discussed the continued historic momentum in the U.S.-Philippines Alliance, including the recent announcement of $500 million in U.S. Foreign Military Financing from the FY 2024 Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which, working with the U.S. Congress, will help modernize the Philippine armed forces and coast guard," the White House said. U.S. could escort Philippine resupply missions in South China Sea Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Samuel Paparo recently said that U.S. ships could escort Philippine vessels on resupply missions in the South China Sea. Paparo said the move is "an entirely reasonable option" that requires consultation between the treaty allies. "Escort of one vessel to the other is an entirely reasonable option within our Mutual Defense Treaty," Paparo told reporters as he responded to a query whether Washington would consider providing escorts to ships from the Philippines taking supplies to disputed geographical features in the waterway. "I mean certainly, within the context of consultations," Paparo added, without giving details of ships likely to be employed for the task. Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner said the Asian nation preferred to run those missions on its own, however, making every effort to ensure their success despite what Manila calls China's "dangerous" and "coercive" actions. "We are going to try all options, all avenues that are available to us," Brawner told reporters. "While we can do it by ourselves, we will do it." Head over to WWIII.news for updates on escalating conflicts worldwide. Watch the video below that talks about U.S. President Joe Biden's order to re-focus secret nuclear strategy on China. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: China alarmed by U.S.-made missile system sent to the Philippines, claiming it could heighten tensions in the region. Another PROXY WAR in the works? U.S. shaping the Philippines into the next Ukraine. US forming anti-China squad with Japan, Philippines, and Australia. Sources include: News.AntiWar.com SCMP.com Reuters.com Brighteon.com Zuckerberg claims he regrets censoring Americans under pressure from Biden-Harris admin Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg confirmed in a letter to the House Judiciary Committee on Monday that he was "repeatedly pressured" to censor Americans on behalf of the Biden-Harris administration but said he now "regrets" going along with it. (Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com) "In 2021, senior officials from the Biden Administration, including the White House, repeatedly pressured our teams for months to censor certain COVID-19 content, including humor and satire, and expressed a lot of frustration with our teams when we didn't agree," he said in the letter. "Ultimately, it was our decision whether or not to take content down, and we own our decisions, including COVID-19-related changes we made to our enforcement in the wake of this pressure." "I believe the government pressure was wrong, and I regret that we were not more outspoken about it," he continued. "I also think we made some choices that, with the benefit of hindsight and new information, we wouldn't make today. Like I said to our teams at the time, I feel strongly that we should not compromise our content standards due to pressure from any Administration in either direction -- and we're ready to push back if something like this happens again." Mark Zuckerberg just admitted three things: 1. Biden-Harris Admin "pressured" Facebook to censor Americans. 2. Facebook censored Americans. 3. Facebook throttled the Hunter Biden laptop story. Big win for free speech. pic.twitter.com/ALlbZd9l6K House Judiciary GOP ?????? (@JudiciaryGOP) August 26, 2024 Zuckerberg also said he should not have suppressed the reach of the NY Post's story on the Hunter Biden leak and wants to be neutral in the upcoming election. How much of this is genuine is anyone's guess. Facebook has fallen off a cliff in recent years under heavy-handed censorship and last I heard is now overflowing with AI-generated garbage. Meanwhile, Musk's X with its relatively lax censorship is taking off and is now bigger than Instagram in the US. I don't know if Zuckerberg started taking testosterone or not but he's clearly changed his look in recent years and is trying to appeal more to the right. Mark Zuckerberg said that Donald Trumps immediate reaction after being shot was badass and inspiring without endorsing the former president. The Meta CEO spoke exclusively to @emilychangtv on The Circuit https://t.co/Y1s1HmhotX pic.twitter.com/DQI10NHzhq Bloomberg (@business) July 19, 2024 Trump says Zuckerberg called him after the assassination attempt & he wont be trying to help Democrats win in 2024 as in 2020 pic.twitter.com/i9LKyqHwmV Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) August 2, 2024 Unless he actually backs off on censorship and scraps his "Dangerous Organizations and Individuals" list everything he says should be considered empty rhetoric. Read more at: InformationLiberation.com Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. A BYD owner recently boasted about charging his kettle with his car, while on a road trip and away from a traditional power source. Source: Facebook Aussie EV enthusiasts are discovering many of their cars also serve as huge, portable power banks that can recharge common household items, and even funnel power back into the grid in the event of an outage. Experts told Yahoo News this "emerging" technology stands to completely "revolutionise" how we use electricity and expect it'll become even more mainstream as early as next year. Vehicle to grid (V2G), vehicle to home (V2H) and vehicle to load (V2L) are all terms which involve the bi-directional flow of energy between electric vehicles, homes and the grid. EV owners may be familiar with these terms, with many of them already driving cars with the capability, but it's largely a topic industry experts are still learning about. Many manufacturers, such as BYD, already sport the convenient function in some of their models, as one Aussie man recently found out. "Its very handy on a road trip to be able to boil a kettle for a cup of tea [using your car]," the BYD owner gleefully wrote online this week. Ross De Rango, Head of Energy and Infrastructure at the Australian Electric Vehicle Council, agreed the tech is handy. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, he said while useful, V2G and V2L must be used responsibly and only after drivers research how to do it safely first. "V2L is an available feature of several cars on the market today, which Australians are able to use," he said. "V2G is a bit more emergent, with more complex technical requirements we expect to see it become more mainstream next year." Australian EV owners dabbling in vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) charging have been warned the emerging technology could be dangerous, or even damaging to the car. Source: Facebook Aussie EV owners among first to discover full potential of V2L technology De Rango said he believes the technology could revolutionise the power grid in time, but warned we're not there quite yet. "The amount of battery storage that will ultimately exist in the batteries in our cars will dwarf all other forms of grid-connected storage," he said. "Unlocking V2G will drive down energy costs for everyone (not just the EV drivers), enable us to close coal and gas fired power stations sooner, and make our overall energy system more reliable and resilient." Earlier this year Yahoo News reported on a Tasmanian man who used his BYD to power an entire school's server room, which was undergoing maintenance during the holidays. IT technician Matthew Taylor explained how his "mighty little Dophin" provided electricity "to the server room during a planned switchboard upgrade", running "infrastructure and switching like a champion". Hobart-based IT manager Matthew Taylor said he powered the school's server where he worked using his BYD during a planned outage. Source: Supplied "Nobody even noticed a thing, I would 100 per cent recommend it," he told Yahoo in July. "No safety issues at all, it has its own cut-outs if it draws too much power. We did the maths beforehand and we knew that our draw would be under the max load." A spokesperson for BYD's Australian branch also confirmed the function had been rolled out in some models. "These cars leverage our vehicle-to-load function essentially turning any BYD vehicle into a mobile power bank," they earlier told Yahoo. How the BYD EV compares to Tesla Responding to the BYD owner's post this week, others also praised the feature one it's understood Tesla doesn't have. "I chose a Seal over Tesla because of V2L and Apple Car Play. We are in a rural area and dont have town water so rely on water pumps," one person wrote in the comments. " A blackout is rare but becoming more frequent. We can still have water now thanks to the Seal." While another said, "We bought the Seal because our Tesla Powerwall (home battery) lost capacity. Now we are using the Seal (2,9 kW 80kWh) as home battery overnight, every night." EV owners warned to brush up on 'emerging' tech, before using it But, one of the country's leading mechanics warned of just how much is at stake if a person doesn't know what they're doing. Canberra-based mechanic Saffy Sgroi said "safety is the number one concern" when it comes to V2V charging. "We're talking about working with a huge battery here," she told Yahoo. "You've got 400 kilowatts of battery running, they can fry you. If you do the wrong thing you're gone." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. A towering sign has popped up along Sydney's harbour where a tree once stood, shaming an alleged vandal and it's happening in more council areas. The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust erected a sign where the tree once stood before it was vandalised. Source: Reddit Your efforts are futile. That's the message from authorities to residents who engage in tree vandalism with the latest case along Sydney Harbour seeing the alleged perpetrator being publicly shamed in what locals have applauded as a perfectly "petty" response. There have been multiple reports of residents carrying out tree vandalism along affluent streets and nature strips in the area as people try to clear space to enjoy undisrupted views. And now locals have noticed a large sign erected where a tree once stood along the harbour's foreshore. Suspecting a nearby homeowner was behind the act, the authority that manages the land installed the professional-looking sign to announce the wrongdoing and block the view that had been created. "Tree vandalism has occurred in this area," the sign reads. "The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust protects and manages this land for the enjoyment of the public. Acts of vandalism like this deprive all of us of the natural environment." Contact details for reporting any suspicious behaviour were also included on the sign along with the reminder that offenders can face steep fines and even prosecution if caught inflicting damage on trees and surrounding nature. After an image of the sign was shared to a Sydney group on social media, among the many responses people said they "loved how petty this is", with one person declaring the response "so Australian". "I hope they keep this sign, as a reminder to anyone contemplating doing something similar," one person commented. Yahoo News has reached out to Sydney Harbour Federation Trust for comment. Sydney council putting up huge sign to block view The Sydney Harbour foreshore continues to be a hotspot for tree vandalism as many of the houses and parks face the iconic city skyline, with those who live in the area suspected of trying to better their view. Over 300 native trees and shrubs vanished in front of multi-million dollar homes along the Sydney Harbour waterfront strip last November, with Lane Cove Council believing hand tools were used to silently saw down the trees. Not only does it impact the plants, but local wildlife including possums, wallabies and microbats, along with dozens of other species known to reside in the area. On Monday, Lane Cove Council put out a statement saying its "pursuit of justice" is now ramping up, referring to the incident as "the largest tree vandalism case in Lane Coves recent history". While the council didn't immediately issue any infringement notices after the November vandalism, it has continued to gather evidence and seek legal advice including obtaining permission for the erection of a view-blocking sign. "As part of its response, Council has been working to gain approval for the installation of a 7metre long and 2metre high banner to interrupt the harbour view of the property which would most benefit from the mass clearing of the trees," it said. An artist impression of a sign now being erected in Lane Cove following mass tree vandalism. Source: Lane Cove Council "As the area is classified as a Threatened Ecological Community and contains some items of Aboriginal Heritage, it was important the appropriate approvals were in place before installing the signage," the council added. Having obtained all the requisite approvals, the large sign is now set to be erected, delivering a bitter irony to those responsible for the tree clearing. "The legal case and banner installation are important steps in our commitment to seeking the strongest possible recourse response to send a message that we stand tall against tree vandalism," the council said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Himanta Biswa Sarma criticises Mamata Banerjee for her Assam remarks A ssam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee after the latter invoked Assam and the northeast in her speech while criticising the Central government in the wake of massive protests in her state. Banerjee accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of orchestrating violence in West Bengal by BJP leaders, saying, "If the BJP burns Bengal, the other states like Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Delhi will also burn." The Assam Chief Minister heavily criticised Banerjee for her statement and wrote on his X handle: "Didi, how dare you threaten Assam? Don't show us your bloodshot eyes. Don't try to set India on fire with your divisive politics. Such language does not suit a leader like you." Pijush Hazarika, a cabinet minister and close aide of Sarma also took to his social media account and criticised the West Bengal Chief Minister. "She cannot bully or threaten us. I strongly condemn her remarks. She struggles to maintain law and order in her state and now threatens Assam. I assure you, such tactics will not work here," Hazarika posted. Banerjee made these remarks at the TMC's student wing's foundation day celebration. She chastised the BJP for the violence that broke out during the most recent bandh (strike) and the 'Nabanna Abhijan' protest march to the state secretariat. After a trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Hospital was raped and killed, the Trinamool government came under heavy criticism from different corners. During her speech, Banerjee drew a contentious comparison, saying, "Some people think this agitation is similar to the protests in Bangladesh." She was referring to the student protests in Bangladesh that brought down the Sheikh Hasina government. "I adore Bangladesh because their language and culture are similar to ours. Bangladesh, though, is a distinct nation," the West Bengal Chief Minister said. Himanta Biswa Sarma criticises Mamata Banerjee for her Assam remarks Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! When Javed Akhtar spoke about Amitabh Bachchan's performance in 'Mili' V eteran screenwriter Javed Akhtar, who has been receiving a lot of positive response to his recently released documentary miniseries 'The Angry Young Men' along with his writing partner Salim Khan, heaped praise on veteran Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan for his performance in 'Mili'. A recently resurfaced video shows the screenwriting duo Salim-Javed talking about Big B. Before he became the angry young man of Hindi cinema, Big B witnessed a string of flops. However, it was the conviction of Salim-Javed that led to the casting of the veteran actor in 'Zanjeer'. The team became a box-office sensation as they went on to deliver several blockbusters together. In the old video, Salim can be seen saying, "Even in 'Deewaar', Rajesh Khanna was signed by producer Gulshan Rai for his next film. But, we very strongly felt that Amitabh Bachchan is the right casting for the film. We insisted that if he wants to make a film, it has to be with Amitabh Bachchan." In the same video, Javed Akhtar said, "I would like to mention a few films of Amitabh Bachchan which are very underrated. 'Deewaar', 'Don', 'Amar Akbar Anthony' are some of his films which are regularly spoken about but I feel there are other works of his that deserve equal respect and recognition. In 'Mili', he was exceptional. Although it was a female oriented film, and Jaya Bachchan did a terrific job as the lead, Big B's performance in the film was also spectacular." The rise of Big B in Hindi cinema was almost juxtaposed with the fall of Rajesh Khanna, who is considered the first superstar of Hindi cinema. The two even worked together in 'Anand', in which Rajesh Khanna left many in the audience teary-eyed with his performance. However, he couldn't sustain his stardom as Big B had the indomitable duo of Salim-Javed by his side who incessantly wrote characters which made Big B the favourite among the masses. When Javed Akhtar spoke about Amitabh Bachchan's performance in 'Mili' Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Telegram CEO Durov released on bail, but formally put under investigation P avel Durov, the founder and CEO of the encrypted messaging service Telegram, was released after paying a five-million-euro (about $5.6 million) bail, but he is required to report to the police twice a week, Paris Public Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said. Durov is officially placed under investigation on six charges and he was prohibited from leaving France during the investigation, Beccuau added on Wednesday night as reported by Xinhua news agency. Durov was arrested by French Police at an airport outside Paris on Saturday night. Beccuau said on Monday that the Telegram founder is accused of 12 criminal offences, including failing to act against Telegram users involved in cyberbullying, sharing pedophilic content and glorifying terrorism. He added the arrest "comes in the context of a judicial investigation opened on July 8, 2024". It also concerns "refusal to communicate, at the request of competent authorities, information or documents necessary for carrying out and operating interceptions allowed by law," the Paris prosecutor said. In response to the arrest, the Telegram group said on its X account that the company "abides by European Union (EU) laws, including the Digital Services Act". "It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for abuse of that platform," it added. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that the arrest of Durov is "in no way a political decision". Durov's arrest in France "took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation," Macron said on social media platform X. After the arrest, Russia's embassy in Paris has referred a note to the French Foreign Ministry demanding consular access to Durov, the TASS news agency quoted Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying. Meanwhile, Elon Musk, owner of the US social media platform X, and Edward Snowden, former US National Security Agency contractor, condemned Durov's arrest on Sunday. Telegram CEO Durov released on bail, but formally put under investigation Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! US Open: Musetti prevails, Shelton sets up all-American Rd-3 clash with Tiafoe L orenzo Musetti of Italy saved two match points at 4-5 in the fifth set of his match against Miomir Kecmanovic to secure a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 victory and moved in the third round of the US Open. Kecmanovic held two match points on return but was never able to gain control of the point on either occasion. Musetti finished the match with 51 winners and he converted six of his 13 break points, according to ATP. The 22-year-old Italian will next take on Brandon Nakashima, who defeated Frenchman Arthur Cazaux 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to enter third round. Earlier, Ben Shelton dispatched Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the third round, to set up an enticing all-American third-round clash with friend-turned-foe Frances Tiafoe. Tiofie advanced to Round 3 after his opponent Alexander Shevchenko from Kazakhstan retired in their second round match in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Shevchenko received a medical timeout midway through the second set, then retired after being broken after the first game of the third set when Tiafoe was leading 6-4, 6-1,1-0. The 36-year-old Bautista Agut, making his 11th US Open appearance, did his best despite the high temperatures and humidity that made playing conditions challenging . He saved the first four break points he faced in a contest that was largely controlled by Shelton's dominant left-hand, but eventually fell victim to his opponent's explosive power. Shelton hit 60 winners on the afternoon; Bautista Agut could only manage 13. The 21-year-old southpaw made his first of many critical strikes at the 40-minute mark of the opening set, lashing a forehand to break for 5-3, then quickly served out the stanza in the next game. The second set followed a similar script, with Shelton whipping another of his 27 forehand winners to break for a 4-3 lead. He dropped just three more points on serve in the set. Bautista Agut, currently ranked 67, kept up the chase in the third set, but his best efforts were snuffed out by the American. Moments later the American tucked a forehand winner into the open court that sealed his third break of the match. He locked up the victory in a hurry, finishing the match with his fastest serve of the match--a 141 mph screamer, according to tournament stas. Shelton is bidding to become the first American to reach back-to-back US Open semifinals since Andre Agassi in 1992-93. He has reached at least the third round of all four majors played in 2024, and improves to 7-2 lifetime at the US Open with his win. The 21-year-old American earned a breakthrough run in New York last year when he became the youngest American man to reach the semis at the hard-court major since Michael Chang in 1992. US Open: Musetti prevails, Shelton sets up all-American Rd-3 clash with Tiafoe Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Varun Sood sheds light on his 'Naam Namak Nishan' character A ctor Varun Sood, who plays the role of an army brat named Yuvraj Singh Chauhan in Naam Namak Nishan shared insights about his character in the series. "My character is someone who has long aspired to enlist in the military. He is shaped by a disciplined upbringing within a strict family environment. Yuvraj has a rigid personality; he knows how to comprehend emotions." "He considers himself as the only right person and fails to comprehend others' opinions. But this stubborn perspective gradually changes after he joins OTA, where he meets people from diverse backgrounds." Varun made his debut with the film "JugJugg Jeeyo," starring Anil Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, and Kiara Advani. He then showcased his talent in the OTT show "Karmma Calling.". The web show "Naam Namak Nishan," is based on army personnel. The actor, who himself comes from a military background, plays Yuvraj. Set against the backdrop of the prestigious Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai, the show chronicles the journey of young cadets from across the country. "Naam Namak Nishan" pays homage to the courage, dedication, honour, and valor of the Indian Armed Forces, who overcome their divides of race, class, caste, and creed, with the primary objective of serving the motherland. Produced by Juggernaut Studios, the series also stars Danish Sood, Helly Shah, and Roshni Walia in pivotal roles. In addition to "Naam Namak Nishaan," Varun is also seen in "Call Me Bae" alongside Ananya Panday. The show tells the story of Bae, downsized from heiress to hustler, who discovers her most valuable assets aren't her diamonds, but her street-smart style. Broke, but refusing to be broken, she navigates the newsrooms of Mumbai and her better self while breaking news. Varun Sood sheds light on his 'Naam Namak Nishan' character Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! CM Stalin in San Francisco to meet investors, address Tamil diaspora T amil Nadu Chief Minister, MK Stalin who is on a business trip to procure investments for the state will meet investors in San Francisco on Thursday. A statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said that CM Stalin would hold a series of meetings with potential investors and is expected to sign several contracts. The Chief Minister is on a 17-day business trip to the US from August 27 to September 14. While in the US, CM Stalin is likely to meet Sundar Pichai, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Google and also heads of several other Fortune 500 companies. The CMO statement also said that CM Stalin and his wife Durga were received at the airport by Tamil Nadu Industries Minister, TRB Rajaa, Consul General of India in San Francisco, K Srikant Reddy and a horde of DMK supporters. CM Stalin will also meet the Tamil diaspora on Saturday and he will be leaving for Chicago on September 2. On September 7, the Chief Minister will address a mammoth gathering of Tamil diaspora in Chicago. He will also meet several entrepreneurs in Chicago and give a presentation on the advantages of investing in Tamil Nadu. CM Stalin has reached US eight months after the Tamil Nadu government signed MoUs worth over Rs 6 lakh crore during the third edition of the Global Investors Meet. The statement said that CM Stalin is also likely to visit prominent technology companies, underscoring Tamil Nadu's focus on embracing cutting-edge technologies and fostering an ecosystem conducive to R&D and high-tech manufacturing. It may be recalled that since assuming office in May 2021, CM Stalin had visited the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Japan and Spain to woo investment for Tamil Nadu. The CMO said that they would list out the proposals received during his US trip. Tamil Nadu has already emerged as the locus of iPhone manufacturing in India with three key suppliers - Foxconn, Pegatron, and Tata Electronics - expanding their operations. Additionally, Bharat FIH, an arm of Foxconn, will soon begin to assemble Pixel phones and drones for Google. CM Stalin in San Francisco to meet investors, address Tamil diaspora Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! PM Modi invited to SCO meeting in Islamabad: Pakistan Foreign Office P akistan on Thursday formally confirmed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting being held in Islamabad in mid-October. Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, at her weekly press briefing, said the country had sent invitations to the heads of countries to participate in the meeting, Pakistani media reported "An invitation has also been sent to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi," she said, adding that some countries had already confirmed their participation in the meeting. "It will be informed in due course which country has confirmed," Baloch added. Pakistan is set to host the SCO heads of government meeting on October 15-16. The event will be preceded by a ministerial meeting and several rounds of senior officials' meetings focused on financial, economic, socio-cultural, and humanitarian cooperation among the SCO member states. Analysts see the invitation as a "protocol" as PM Modi is unlikely to accept the invitation as relations between the two neighbouring countries have been tense since August 5, 2019, when India abrogated the Constitution's Article 370, changing the status of Jammu and Kashmir. It is expected that PM Modi may depute a ministerial delegation to represent India as the SCO meeting does not require heads of state to participate. In the past as well, SCO CHG meetings have seen India represented by ministers and the same pattern is this time as well. PM Modi had not also attended the SCO's 24th annual summit of heads of state held in Kazakhstan on July 3-4 this year and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had represented India in Astana. Pakistani analysts say they do not expect that PM Modi will come to Pakistan for the meeting. "Extending invitations to PM Modi and all other member states is a compulsive protocol any host country follows. Pakistan has done the same. I do not see this as a political stunt. However, I do not see PM Modi landing in Islamabad," political analyst Kamran Yousaf said. Last year, Pakistan's then-Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited India for the SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting. PM Modi invited to SCO meeting in Islamabad: Pakistan Foreign Office Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! BRS MLC Kavitha meets father KCR, celebrations as party leaders gather B harat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K. Kavitha, who walked out of jail after more than five months in the Delhi excise policy case, met her father and party President K. Chandrasekhar Rao. on Thursday. Kavitha, who reached Hyderabad on Wednesday evening, drove to Erravelli in Siddipet district to meet Chandrasekhar Rao. Accompanied by her husband D. Anil Kumar and her son Aditya, she bowed to touch the feet of KCR, as the BRS chief is popularly known and he hugged her. Kavitha was accorded a traditional welcome by BRS leaders and staff on arrival at the residence. She then walked in to meet her father. KCR was pleased to see the daughter after more than five months and led her into the house. There were celebrations at KCRs house as several BRS leaders reached there to greet Kavitha, who was released from Delhis Tihar Jail on Tuesday. She had reached Hyderabad on Wednesday evening to a rousing welcome by the party cadres and had met her mother Shobha, who had reached Hyderabad from Erravelli to see her. Kavithas brother and BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao had accompanied her from Delhi. Meanwhile, Rama Rao left for the US on Thursday on a family visit. After five-and-a-half months, Kavitha became active on X by posting a photograph with his brother and husband taken during the welcome she received at her house on Wednesday. "Satyameva Jayate," she wrote in Telugu. Later, she posted the photograph of her father hugging her on reaching his Erravelli residence. The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to Kavitha in Delhi excise policy cases registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). She was arrested by the ED in Hyderabad on March 15 and was taken to Delhi the same day. She was arrested by the CBI in Tihar Jail itself in April and had been in judicial custody since then. After release from jail, the BRS lawmaker claimed that she was innocent and alleged that she was implicated by political rivals to trouble her family. BRS MLC Kavitha meets father KCR, celebrations as party leaders gather Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Plus the Tesla photo that shows exactly where Australia is heading. Yahoo's live news blog for Thursday, August 29 has now concluded. Bindi Irwin has revealed she'll likely only have one child after her battle with endometriosis. Police are still searching for a man after a baby was hospitalised when hot coffee was allegedly poured over him in a random attack. A friend of the child's mother who was there at the time spoke to The Project last night, leaving Waleed Aly close to tears as she recalled the terrifying moment. Coles has made a big change in its WA stores as the state nears a major ban. Read more below. Plus take a look at this Tesla photo which has been described as Australia's 'future'. LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER 13 updates Abnormal winter heat continues in Queensland The extreme winter heat is continuing, with abnormally high temperatures expected this weekend in Queensland. Brisbane could reach 35C on Saturday, while Ipswich could hit 37C, the Bureau of Meteorology states. Birdsville could break its August record tomorrow, just days after setting a new record last sunday with 38.4C. The town is expecting 39C for Friday. Supermarket locks up cheese This is becoming more and more common in supermarkets but it's still startling to see. Blocks of cheese are now protected by a wire casing and security tag in the UK's biggest supermarket Tesco. Supermarkets around the world are ramping up their anti-theft measures to crack down on a rise in shoplifting. The cost of living crisis continues to hit hard, with more and more people turning to theft. The cost of living is hitting hard right around the world. Source: Derby Telegraph Bindi Irwin's major personal news after 'tricky' question everyday Bindi Irwin has revealed she will likely only have one child after her difficult battle with endometriosis. Speaking with husband Chandler in a video shared to YouTube this morning, Bindi says fans have been continuously asking about the possibility of further children and she asked people to refrain from asking such personal questions, even if they mean well. "Remember to be careful when you ask this question because you never know what's happening in someone's life," she said. "It's a really tricky question for many people who maybe can't have another baby. "We feel very lucky to have Grace, she is our beautiful girl but she will probably be our one child." Roo's giant backyard leap caught on camera Ok, this is impressive. Check out the airtime this kangaroo got when hopping over a backyard fence in Melbourne's north. Nathan Xuebsy filmed the moment and said the video left his father in disbelief, who initially didn't believe it was real, the Herald Sun reported. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nathan Xuebsy (@xuebsy) Oasis dismiss major rumour about reunion So the buzz about Oasis' reunion continues with tickets for their 2025 tour set to go on sale this weekend. And there's been plenty of rumours about additional performances, particularly Glastonbury festival. With many surprised Manchester is not the location of their first gig back, plenty of fans believe this is because they will later be announced as a headliner for Glastonbury, which will be before the first concert in Wales. But Oasis have tried to put those rumours to bed, saying they won't be doing any festivals in 2025. See the band's brief statement below. pic.twitter.com/2nDFgHkqRS Oasis (@oasis) August 28, 2024 Two bodies found inside home In some breaking news now, two people have been found dead inside a home in Brisbanes north. Police were called to a house on Kentville Street in Mitchelton about 8.50am before a crime scene was declared at the residence, and an investigation is underway. Police have cordoned off half the street and a man was seen being escorted from the area in a forensic suit by police. Mum of baby attacked with hot coffee speaks out The mother of the baby left with severe burns after hot coffee was poured over him in a Brisbane park says she wishes she had been the target. My baby boy didnt deserve this, no one does. I wish he poured the hot coffee all over me and not my boy, she said on social media. Police say a man fled the scene after allegedly pouring the coffee over baby Luka, who had been on a picnic with his mother in Hanlon Park in Brisbane at noon on Tuesday. The nine-month-old has since undergone surgery for burns to his face and chest at Queensland Childrens Hospital and has reportedly suffered serious burns to 60 per cent of his body including his face, neck, chest and arms. Read more here. Council constructs giant sign to block views A Sydney council has started work on a giant sign blocking harbour views after more than 290 trees were illegally destroyed last year. Lane Cove Council will erect the seven metre by two metre sign on the foreshore of Woodford Bay near the affluent suburb of Longueville. Council announced this week it was continuing to build a case for lodgement in court against those responsible for cutting down the trees. "The legal case and banner installation are important steps in our commitment to seeking the strongest possible recourse response to send a message that we stand tall against tree vandalism in Lane Cove," they said. An artist's impression of the giant sign. Source: Lane Cove Council Coles changes its produce bags in WA Coles has binned single-use plastic produce bags in Western Australia as the state nears its single-use plastic ban. The supermarket will replace the bags with compostable ones which can be placed in home composts or some council's bins accomodating compostable waste. Coles partner Planet Arks Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Gilling said it was a "step in the right direction" and urged shoppers to avoid using bags supplied by the supermarket for their produce altogether. Coles' news compostable produce bags for WA. Source: Coles Free coffees if AFL great becomes lord mayor Well this is certainly an interesting attempt to win votes. AFL great Anthony Koutoufides is offering Melburnians a free Monday morning coffee in his bid to become Melbourne lord mayor. He says he's desperate to revitalise the CBD after the pandemic, and is offering workers a free caffeine hit if he wins the upcoming local council election. Lets put smiles back on peoples faces again.. a free coffee can make a big difference," he said, the Herald Sun reported. The finer details of the proposed scheme including costs and how coffees can be redeemed are yet to be finalised, the publication reported. Anthony Koutoufides enjoys a coffee on Thursday morning. Source: Herald Sun Two injured in yet another lithium battery fire In what is becoming a disturbingly common occurrence, another lithium-ion battery fire has occurred at a Sydney home overnight. It left two people in Roseville with burns as they tried to remove the e-skateboard that had caught fire as it charged. The fire is the latest started by a lithium battery. Source: FRNSW Authorities are once again urging people to remember the following lithium battery rules: Always charge larger devices, such as e-bikes, e-scooters and power tools, away from living spaces and exits. Never sleep or leave home with your lithium-ion battery devices charging. Once a device has recharged fully, disconnect it from the charger. Use a replacement battery or charger from the manufacturer and never mix and match components. Beware of cheap, substandard lithium-ion battery devices. Never leave devices charging on beds, sofas or around combustible materials. Do not touch a device or lithium-ion battery that is emitting vapour or gas, or is on fire. Immediately evacuate the area and call Triple Zero (000). Woman's body found buried in bushland 800km from home A Queensland grandmother's body has been found 800km from home in bushland near a main tourist area. Wendy Hansen, 63, was last seen at an ATM in her home town of Monto, 120km inland from Bundaberg, on February 29 this year. Her disappearance was reported to police when she didnt return home, and police found CCTV footage of her driving on Queenslands main highway, 400km south, from later on February 29. Queensland Police continued their public push for information in the ensuing months. But on Thursday, NSW Police revealed Ms Hansens body was found on June 18. Her remains were found half buried in bushland near Jordan Esplanade in Coffs Harbour. Read more here. Waleed Aly almost speechless after baby attack relived Waleed Aly and Georgie Tunny were clearly emotional from the details being shared of the baby attack. Source: 10 A woman who rushed to help her friend's baby after hot coffee was poured over him at a Brisbane park has recalled the devastating moment. This man was standing above him, behind him, and poured a Thermos of hot coffee over him. He just started screaming, Zara Mazza said as she struggled to hold back tears on The Project. "All I could hear was his mum screaming that its hot. Its hot, its hot coffee, so I ran back and as I ran back picked up my water bottle and dumped it over him. Her account left The Project hosts visibly emotional with Waleed Aly almost speechless. Zara Mazza was close to tears as she recalled the moment her friend's son was attacked at a park. Source: Nine/ 10 This is really, really hard. I dont... I dont think any of us know what to say to you because we have never really seen anything quite like this, Aly said as he thanked Mazza for coming on the show considering the circumstances. The nine-month-old has since undergone surgery for burns to his face and chest at Queensland Childrens Hospital and has reportedly suffered serious burns to 60 per cent of his body including his face, neck, chest and arms. Police continue to search for a man they believe is aged between 30 and 40 and have released images of a man to the public. Queensland police are hunting for the man who attacked a nine-month-old baby in a Brisbane Park with scalding, hot coffee, leaving the boy with burns to 60% of his body. Witness Zara Mazza joins us to explain what happened. pic.twitter.com/Y5BGoO5h4h The Project (@theprojecttv) August 28, 2024 Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Naseeruddin Shah feels film promotions serve no purpose V eteran actor Naseeruddin Shah, whose streaming show 'IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack' released on Thursday, feels that film promotions have become redundant and serve no purpose in amping up the curiosity of the audience. The actor recently sat down for a roundtable conversation with his co-actors from the show, Vijay Varma, Arvind Swami, Pankaj Kapur and Manoj Pahwa, and the director of the show, Anubhav Sinha. When Anubhav asked him why he dislikes promotions, Naseeruddin Shah said, "I feel it makes no difference. Mere khayal se actors ko shauk hota hai promotions ka aur apna thobda dikhaane k television pe. (I feel the actors love doing the promotions and to show their faces on screen as it helps them grab the eyeballs)". The actor further mentioned that the audience "smells out" what they want to see. He then went on to recollect how his generation would wait for films for over 2 years. He shared, "I remember when I was in school or college, Dilip Kumar's films used to get released in a span of 2 years. But, we used to plan in advance that we are going to watch this film. Nothing would dissuade me from seeing it". "The audience decides what they want to see, and us saying that 'We have worked really hard on this film' makes no difference to them. You have worked hard but that's your job as an actor, why are you heaping praise on yourself?", he added. 'IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack' is based on the hijack of Indian Airlines Flight 814, an Indian Airlines Airbus A300 en route from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, India, in December 1999. The flight was hijacked and was flown to several locations before landing in Kandahar, Afghanistan which was then under the control of Taliban. The show streams on Netflix. Naseeruddin Shah feels film promotions serve no purpose Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. Tourist Tiah Slattery is urging people to do one thing to avoid the same fate as her when holidaying in Europe. Aussie Tiah Slattery urged anyone travelling during the European summer to pay extra to secure their seat on a plane. Source: Instagram/TikTok An Aussie tourist has issued an important warning to fellow travellers after a little-known $50 mistake left her facing weeks stuck at a European airport. Aussie Tiah Slattery paid over $570 for her Ryanair flight out of Tirana airport in Albania on Monday but because the flight was overbooked, she was left stranded along with 10 other passengers. While travel expert Quentin Long told Yahoo News overbooking flights is "standard practice", Slattery explained the group were told if they'd done just one thing it would have likely saved them from their fate. "I have one piece of advice if you're travelling in Europe this summer pay for a seat... it's the only way to guarantee yourself on a flight if a flight is overbooked," she explained on social media. Airlines 'do not give a flying f**k' about overbooking flights In Tiah's case, travellers were told they would need to wait until the next flight which was scheduled in 30 days. It was then that Tiah wished she'd paid the additional charge, which was less than $50. It appears she has since got to her destination, however, she was in complete shock the airline was able to overbook so many passengers, claiming airport staff said it's been a recurring issue with several airlines. Long told Yahoo News that "offloading people" after overbooking is common across airlines, and low-cost carriers are especially notorious for it. "They'll force the people with the cheapest fares to move first and obviously there's not much you can do about it... they do not give a flying f**k," he said. "In some rare circumstances, cargo is more important than passengers." Long confirmed that yes, buying a seat for an additional cost is the most "logical" approach to minimise your chance of being booted off a flight. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The risk of death for people who donate a kidney for transplantation -; already small a decade ago -; has dropped by more than half since then, a new study shows. Each year, roughly 6,000 Americans volunteer to donate a kidney, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Before undergoing the procedure, donors are informed of the potential risks, including death. Based on data from 1995 through 2009, experts had originally predicted that about three of every 10,000 donors were likely to die within three months of the procedure. The authors of the new study argue that advances in surgical techniques, donor selection, and postoperative care have since rendered that estimate out of date. Analyzing three decades of medical records representing 164,593 kidney donors from across the country, a team led by researchers at NYU Langone Health found that by 2022, fewer than one death occurred for every 10,000 donations. That translates into 36 deaths in total over 30 years. "While we had always understood that kidney donation is safe, our findings suggest that mortality among donors is extremely rare, and the procedure is safer than ever before," said study lead author Allan Massie, PhD. Massie is director of the Center for Surgical and Transplant Applied Research (C-STAR) Quantitative Core at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, where he is also a faculty member in the Departments of Surgery and Population Health. The results further showed that while their overall risk remained small, donors who were male and those with a history of high blood pressure were more likely to die within 90 days of surgery than other donors. Meanwhile, age, race, and ethnicity had no bearing on mortality. Massie notes that surgical methods have changed dramatically since the 1990s, with open donor nephrectomy, in which surgeons make a 6-inch to 8-inch incision to remove the kidney, being almost entirely replaced by laparoscopic nephrectomy. In this less-invasive option, the organ is removed through a much smaller incision, with the procedure aided by a camera inserted through a thin tube. The new report, publishing online Aug. 28 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), is the first since 2009 to examine trends in mortality risk among living kidney donors. As a result, it better reflects the reality of organ donation in a time when laparoscopic nephrectomy is standard practice, the authors say. For the study, the team analyzed information from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, a database of transplantation centers that is overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Death records were sourced from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, the nonprofit organization that administers the nation's only transplantation network authorized by the U.S. Congress. The researchers calculated mortality rates within 90 days of donation, separated out into three time periods: 1993 through 2002, 2003 through 2012, and 2013 through 2022. Then, they compared deaths across the periods and considered different demographic and health factors, such as sex, body mass index (a measure of obesity), and whether the donors had an open or laparoscopic surgery. Researchers found that about half of deaths occurred within the first week after donation, most commonly due to blood loss linked to surgery. In addition, mortality was similar from 1993 through 2012. Specifically, a total of 13 deaths occurred before 2003, with another 18 happening between 2003 and 2012. Meanwhile, there have been far fewer deaths since 2013, with five donors dying within 90 days of their procedure. These results demonstrate that the current guidelines used to inform potential kidney donors of their risks need to be updated to reflect nearly a decade of safety improvements." Dorry Segev, MD, PhD., study senior author Segev is a professor and vice chair in the Department of Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and director of C-STAR. "As a kidney donor and research scientist in the field, it is reassuring to see the progress we have made," said study co-author Macey Levan, JD, PhD, an associate professor in the Departments of Surgery and Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. and director of the C-STAR Qualitative Core. Levan is also the vice president of patient and donor affairs for the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and had donated her kidney to her cousin in 2009. Funding for the study was provided by National Institutes of Health grants R01DK132395 and K24AI144954. Segev has served as a consultant for pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca, CareDx, Moderna Therapeutics, Novavax, and Regeneron, and has received speaker fees and honoraria from Springer Publishing, AstraZeneca, CareDx, Houston Methodist, Northwell Health, Optum Health Education, Sanofi, and WebMD. Study co-author Levan has received personal fees from the health-management platform PatientsLikeMe and from the pharmaceutical company Takeda. None of these groups were involved in the current study. The terms and conditions of all of these relationships are being managed in accordance with the policies and procedures with NYU Langone Health. In addition to Massie, Segev, and Levan, another NYU Langone researcher involved in the study is Jennifer Motter, MHS. Jon Snyder, PhD, at the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute in Minneapolis, Minn., also served as a study co-investigator. An analysis of more than 1.6 million brain cells from older adults has captured the cellular changes that occur in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, potentially revealing new routes for preventing the most common cause of dementia in older individuals. The study also identified a second community of cells that drives the older brain down a different path that does not lead to Alzheimer's disease. "Our study highlights that Alzheimer's is a disease of many cells and their interactions, not just a single type of dysfunctional cell," says Columbia neurologist Philip De Jager, who led the study with Vilas Menon, assistant professor of neurological sciences at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Naomi Habib of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. "We may need to modify cellular communities to preserve cognitive function, and our study reveals points along the sequence of events leading to Alzheimer's where we may be able to intervene." Crunching data from 1.6 million brain cells The study was a technical marvel, cleverly combining new molecular technologies, machine-learning techniques, and a large collection of brains donated by aging adults. Though previous studies of brain samples from Alzheimer's patients have provided insights into molecules involved in the disease, they have not revealed many details about where in the long sequence of events leading to Alzheimer's those genes play a role and which cells are involved at each step of the process. Past studies have analyzed brain samples as a whole and they lose all cellular detail. We now have tools to look at the brain in finer resolution, at the level of individual cells. When we couple this with detailed information on the cognitive state of brain donors before death, we can reconstruct trajectories of brain aging from the earliest stages of the disease." Philip De Jager, Columbia neurologist The new analysis required over 400 brains, which were provided by the Religious Orders Study and the Memory & Aging Project based at Rush University in Chicago. Within each brain, the researchers collected several thousand cells from a brain region impacted by Alzheimer's and aging. Every cell was then run through a process-;single-cell RNA sequencing-;that gave a readout of the cell's activity and which of its genes were active. Data from all 1.6 million cells were then analyzed by algorithms and machine-learning techniques developed by Menon and Habib to identify the types of cells present in the sample and their interactions with other cells. "These methods allowed us to gain new insights into potential sequences of molecular events that result in altered brain function and cognitive impairment," Menon says. "This was only possible thanks to the large number of brain donors and cells the team was fortunate enough to generate data from." Aging vs. Alzheimer's Because the brains came from people at different points in the disease process, the researchers were able to solve a major challenge in Alzheimer's research: identifying the sequence of changes in cells involved in Alzheimer's and distinguishing these changes from those associated with normal brain aging. "We propose that two different types of microglial cells-;the immune cells of the brain-;begin the process of amyloid and tau accumulation that define Alzheimer's disease," De Jager says. Then after the pathology has accumulated, different cells called astrocytes play a key role in altering electrical connectivity in the brain that leads to cognitive impairment. The cells communicate with each other and bring in additional cell types that lead to a profound disruption in the way the human brain functions. "These are exciting new insights that can guide innovative therapeutic development for Alzheimer's and brain aging," De Jager says. "By understanding how individual cells contribute to the different stages of the disease, we will know the best approach with which to reduce the activity of the pathogenic cellular communities in each individual, returning brain cells to their healthy state," De Jager says. Bacterial cells can "remember" brief, temporary changes to their bodies and immediate surroundings, a new Northwestern University and University of Texas-Southwestern study has found. And, although these changes are not encoded in the cell's genetics, the cell still passes memories of them to its offspring -; for multiple generations. Not only does this discovery challenge long-held assumptions of how the simplest organisms transmit and inherit physical traits, it also could be leveraged for new medical applications. For example, researchers could circumvent antibiotic resistance by subtly tweaking a pathogenic bacterium to render its offspring more sensitive to treatment for generations. The study will be published Wednesday (Aug. 28) in the journal Science Advances. A central assumption in bacterial biology is that heritable physical characteristics are determined primarily by DNA. But, from the perspective of complex systems, we know that information also can be stored at the level of the network of regulatory relationships among genes. We wanted to explore whether there are characteristics transmitted from parents to offspring that are not encoded in DNA, but rather in the regulatory network itself. We found that temporary changes to gene regulation imprint lasting changes within the network that are passed on to the offspring. In other words, the echoes of changes affecting their parents persist in the regulatory network while the DNA remains unchanged." Adilson Motter, study's senior author, Northwestern University Motter is the Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor of Physics at Northwestern's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and director of the Center for Network Dynamics. The study's co-first authors are postdoctoral fellow Thomas Wytock and graduate student Yi Zhao, who are both members of Motter's laboratory. The study also involves a collaboration with Kimberly Reynolds, a systems biologist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Learning from a model organism Since researchers first identified the molecular underpinnings of genetic code in the 1950s, they have assumed traits are primarily -; if not exclusively -; transmitted through DNA. However, after the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2001, researchers have revisited this assumption. Wytock cites the World War II Dutch famine as a famous example pointing to the possibility of heritable, non-genetic traits in humans. A recent study showed that the children of men, who were exposed to the famine in utero, exhibited an increased tendency to become overweight as adults. But isolating the ultimate causes for this type of non-genetic inheritance in humans has proved challenging. "In the case of complex organisms, the challenge lies in disentangling confounding factors such as survivor bias," Motter said. "But perhaps we can isolate the causes for the simplest single-cell organisms, since we can control their environment and interrogate their genetics. If we observe something in this case, we can attribute the origin of non-genetic inheritance to a limited number of possibilities -; in particular, changes in gene regulation." The regulatory network is analogous to a communication network that genes use to influence each other. The research team hypothesized that this network alone could hold the key to transmitting traits to offspring. To explore this hypothesis, Motter and his team turned to Escherichia coli (E. coli), a common bacterium and well-studied model organism. "In the case of E. coli, the entire organism is a single cell," Wytock said. "It has many fewer genes than a human cell, some 4,000 genes as opposed to 20,000. It also lacks the intracellular structures known to underlie the persistence of DNA organization in yeast and the multiplicity of cell types in higher organisms.Because E. coli is a well-studied model organism, we know the organization of the gene regulatory network in some detail." Reversible stress, irreversible change The research team used a mathematical model of the regulatory network to simulate the temporary deactivation (and subsequent reactivation) of individual genes in E. coli. They discovered these transient perturbations can generate lasting changes, which are projected to be inherited for multiple generations. The team currently is working to validate their simulations in laboratory experiments using a variation of CRISPR that deactivates genes temporarily rather than permanently. But if the changes are encoded in the regulatory network rather than the DNA, the research team questioned how a cell can transmit them across generations. They propose that the reversible perturbation sparks an irreversible chain reaction within the regulatory network. As one gene deactivates, it affects the gene next to it in the network. By the time the first gene is reactivated, the cascade is already in full swing because the genes can form self-sustaining circuits that become impervious to outside influences once activated. "It's a network phenomenon," said Motter, who is an expert in the dynamic behaviors of complex systems. "Genes interact with each other. If you perturb one gene, it affects others." Although his team is deactivating genes to test the hypothesis, Motter is clear that different types of perturbations could cause a similar effect. "We also could have changed the cell's environment," he said. "It could be the temperature, the availability of nutrients or the pH." The study also suggests that other organisms have the necessary elements to exhibit non-genetic heritability. "In biology, it's dangerous to assume anything is universal," Motter contends. "But, intuitively, I do expect the effect to be common because E. coli's regulatory network is similar or simpler than those found in other organisms." The study, "Irreversibility in bacterial regulatory networks," was supported by the National Science Foundation (award number MCB-2206974). Misconceptions about dyslexia are held by professionals who assess children for the learning difficulty, according to a new study which calls for evidence-based standardized assessment procedures. The research, led by Durham University, found that almost half of dyslexia professionals in the study believed at least one unproven indicator for dyslexia, which could lead to children being misdiagnosed. In a survey of 275 dyslexia professionals, the most common myth which is not backed up by solid evidence was that people with dyslexia read letters in reverse order, believed by 61 per cent of specialists. Just over 30 per cent of professionals also believed that letters jumping around is a key feature of dyslexia. However, there is currently no evidence to show that either of these are reliable indicators of dyslexia. The survey targeted a range of UK professionals involved in assessing students for dyslexia, such as dyslexia specialists, specialist assessors and educational psychologists. They were asked about the assessments they used, how they make their decisions on diagnosis and what they believe to be indicators of dyslexia. Although over 75 per cent of professionals used assessments which are recommended by the Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) Assessment Standards Committee (SASC), more than 82 per cent of respondents also used additional measures. A further 71 different measures were listed by participants, indicating that there are many different tests used by professionals during the assessment process. In the UK, there is currently no official policy guidance on defining and identifying students with dyslexia or other learning difficulties. Instead, the onus of developing diagnostic procedures and standards relies heavily on various independent professional organizations. The researchers are calling for evidence-based knowledge to be built into the assessment procedures and for this to be guided by government policy. The study, funded by the British Educational Research Association (BERA), is published in Annals of Dyslexia and involved researchers from Durham University and National Taiwan Normal University. Our findings show that there is a need for government policy to guide how students with reading disabilities should be assessed, based on reliable evidence. It's also important that dyslexia and psychological associations in the UK ensure that any misconceptions amongst professionals are directly addressed in their guidelines so that children are assessed in a consistent way across the board." Dr. Johny Daniel, Lead Author, School of Education at Durham University It's estimated up to one in every 10 people in the UK has some degree of dyslexia. The research uncovered a general lack of consensus amongst assessors on the process of identifying someone with dyslexia. Many did subscribe to the notion of dyslexia being a deficit in core areas of reading, but several others saw it as a discrepancy between individuals' reading and cognitive abilities. The dyslexia specialists in the study also used a number of other unsubstantiated dyslexia indicators such as high levels of creativity (17 per cent), motor skills issues or clumsiness (17 per cent), and difficulty with reading words in certain colours (15 per cent) or fonts (12 per cent). Empirical data do not support these to be indicators of dyslexia. Dr Daniel added: "Early identification is absolutely crucial so that support can be put in place as quickly as possible. However, our study shows there is significant variability in the methods used for identifying reading disabilities such as dyslexia, which could lead to children being misdiagnosed or missed altogether." A research paper by scientists at Beijing Jiaotong University proposed an electrophysiological analysis-based brain network method for the augmented recognition of dierent types of distractions during driving. The new research paper, published on Jul. 04 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems, designed and conducted a simulated experiment comprising 4 distracted driving subtasks. Three connectivity indices, including both linear and nonlinear synchronization measures, were chosen to construct the brain network. By computing connectivity strengths and topological features, we explored the potential relationship between brain network configurations and states of driver distraction. Driver distractions, such as cognitive processing and visual disruptions during driving, lead to distinct alterations in the electroencephalogram (EEG) signals and the extracted brain networks. We designed and conducted a simulated experiment comprising 4 distracted driving subtasks. Three connectivity indices, including both linear and nonlinear synchronization measures, were chosen to construct the brain network. "By computing connectivity strengths and topological features, we explored the potential relationship between brain network configurations and states of driver distraction." explained study author Wei Guan, a professor at Beijing Jiaotong University. Statistical analysis of network features indicates substantial dierences between normal and distracted states, suggesting a reconfiguration of the brain network under distracted conditions. Dierent brain network features and their combinations are fed into varied machine learning classifiers to recognize the distracted driving states. The results indicate that XGBoost demonstrates superior adaptability, outperforming other classifiers across all selected network features. For individual networks, features constructed using synchronization likelihood (SL) achieved the highest accuracy in distinguishing between cognitive and visual distraction. The optimal feature set from 3 network combinations achieves an accuracy of 95.1% for binary classification and 88.3% for ternary classification of normal, cognitively distracted, and visually distracted driving states. "The proposed method could accomplish the augmented recognition of distracted driving states and may serve as a valuable tool for further optimizing driver assistance systems with distraction control strategies, as well as a reference for future research on the brain-computer interface in autonomous driving." said study authors. The aim of this study was to establish an augmented recognition framework of distracted driving states by leveraging varied synchronization indicators in brain networks. "A simulated carfollowing experiment containing 4 distraction subtasks was designed to encompass the cognitive distraction and visual distraction states. Tree connectivity indices including synchronization likelihood (SL), phase locking value (PLV), and coherence indicator were selected to construct functional brain networks. The connectivity strength as well as 4 global topological features were calculated to explore the potential relationship between the configuration of the brain network and the occurrence of driving distraction. Subsequently, the machine learning classifiers were trained and implemented to recognize the different distracted driving states based on brain network features." said Geqi Qi. The main contributions of the paper are listed as follows: a. The configuration of the functional brain network during distracted driving is constructed through electrophysiological analysis using 3 synchronization indicators as network edges and 4 global topological features as network properties. b. The performance of dierent synchronization indicators in brain networks is compared and the SL presents optimal recognition capability in distinguishing between normal and distracted driving states using single brain network knowledge. c. The augmented framework of recognizing normal, visual distraction, and cognitive distraction states is proposed, and the best classification performance is achieved by utilizing the combined global topological features of the 3 varied brain networks characterized by dierent synchronization indicators. Totally, such electrophysiological analysis of the brain network will provide a foundation for the advancement of driver assistance systems with distraction control strategies and the development of brain-controlled systems, in both conventional human driving scenarios and autonomous driving contexts. Authors of the paper include Geqi Qi, Rui Liu, Wei Guan, Ailing Huang This work was supported by the the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant nos. 72101014 and 72271018) and the Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence for Information Behavior, Ministry of Education, China (2023JYBKFKT009). Reliance Industries AGM 2024: Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) will host its 47th annual general meeting (AGM), a key event where investors and analysts anticipate significant announcements, on August 29. The meeting will be broadcast live via videoconferencing and other audio-visual means. In a market filing, RIL confirmed, This is to inform that the Forty-seventh Annual General Meeting (Post-IPO) of the members of Reliance Industries Limited will be held on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. (IST) through Video Conferencing/ Other Audio Visual Means. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, will address shareholders during the AGM. Market observers are eagerly awaiting potential new announcements and insights. Areas of interest include updates on Jio Financial Services, new energy initiatives, plans for further value creation, and timelines for initial public offerings (IPOs) related to the conglomerates telecom and retail businesses. RIL AGM 2024: When and Where to Watch Online Live Stream Reliance AGM date and time The 47th Reliance AGM, scheduled for Thursday, August 29, starts at 2 pm. Where to watch Reliance AGM? You can watch the Reliance AGM on the following platforms Live Broadcast: The 47th Reliance AGM will be broadcast live on all Network18 channels LIVE. For investors: Investors can join the live broadcast using the link https://jiomeet.jio.com/rilagm/ Social Media: The AGM will also be broadcast live on RILs social media pages, including YouTube, X, and Facebook. News18 Website: Live updates of the AGM will also be constantly posted on News18 website. RIL 47th AGM 2024: Key Focus Areas for the AGM At the upcoming AGM, key points for investors include the potential IPOs of Reliance Jio and Reliance Retail, with Jefferies predicting Jio could be listed next year at a $112 billion valuation. There is also interest in any possible strategic stake sale in the oil-to-chemicals (O2C) sector. Reliances new energy strategy, involving a major green energy project at Jamnagar, will be scrutinized, especially given the slower-than-expected investment progress. Additionally, Reliance Jios recent tariff hikes signal a shift towards monetizing 5G services, a topic investors will watch closely. Mukesh Ambanis succession plan, which designates Isha, Akash, and Anant Ambani for key business areas, will also be under review, especially for any updates on leadership transitions. In light of certain SME companies engaging in share price manipulation by presenting an overly optimistic view of their operations, SEBI on Wednesday warned investors about the risks of investing in the stocks of such firms. SEBI stated that it has observed instances where, after listing, some Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) companies or their promoters have made public statements that paint an overly positive picture of their business activities. Such announcements are followed by various corporate actions like bonus issues, stock splits and preferential allotments. The actions create a positive sentiment amongst investors, which induces them to purchase such securities. Simultaneously, this also presents an easy opportunity to the promoters to offload their holdings in such companies at elevated prices. SEBI urges investors to be careful and watchful of the aforesaid patterns and exercise caution while investing in such securities. Further, investors are advised to not rely on unverified social media posts and not to invest based on tips/rumours, the statement noted. SEBI, in the recent past, has passed orders against such entities. It can be seen that the modus operandi of these entities follows a pattern that is by and large similar to what has been mentioned above. The small and medium enterprises (SME) platform of the stock exchanges was operationalised in 2012 to serve as an alternative source of raising funds for emerging businesses. Ever since, there has been an increase in the number of SME issues as also the investor participation in such offerings. During the last decade, more than Rs 14,000 crore has been raised through this platform, of which around Rs 6,000 crore was raised during FY24. Resourceful Automobile SME IPO More recently, a Rs 12 crore initial public offering (IPO) of Resourceful Automobile, a Delhi-based company with just two outlets and a workforce of eight, received bids worth close to Rs 4,800 crore. The companys IPO, which was open for subscription from August 22-26, saw an overwhelming response, with bids for 40.76 crore shares against the 9.76 lakh shares on offer translating into a subscription of 419 times on the third day of the bidding process. This frenzy occurred despite regulators raising concerns about the risks associated with investments in SMEs. Last week, SEBIs whole-time member, Ashwani Bhatia, asked chartered accountants to be more diligent while auditing companies listed on the SME exchange platforms. In March, SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch had flagged concerns around price manipulation in the SME platform listings and trading and asked investors to be cautious. Concerns About SME IPOs Price Manipulation: There have been instances where promoters of SME companies have artificially inflated the stock price before or after the IPO, leading to unfair gains for themselves and their associates. Misleading Information: Some companies may provide incomplete or inaccurate information in their IPO documents, misleading investors about their financial health and prospects. Lack of Transparency: Smaller companies may have less stringent disclosure requirements compared to larger ones, making it difficult for investors to assess their true financial condition. Limited Liquidity: SME stocks often have lower trading volumes, making it challenging for investors to buy or sell their shares easily and at fair prices. Higher Risk: SME companies are generally considered riskier investments due to their smaller size, limited resources, and greater exposure to market fluctuations. (With PTI inputs) Reliance Industries 47th Annual General Meeting 2024 LIVE: The 47th annual general meeting of Reliance Industries is underway, drawing significant interest from shareholders, who are expecting major announcements. The companys chairman, Mukesh Ambani, started addressing around 3.5 million investors at 2 pm. RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani will deliver the opening address, followed by speeches and presentations from other board members and representatives of the companys subsidiaries. The event will be live-streamed across multiple platforms. To enhance the experience, the company announced that the AGM will also be accessible in the Metaverse, with a link to be shared separately. Network18 and TV18 the companies that operate news18.com are controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary. Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) is set to conduct its 47th annual general meeting (AGM) on August 29. RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani will address shareholders at the meeting at 2 pm on Thursday. Around 3.5 million shareholders are eagerly anticipating insights into how Indias largest conglomerate plans to capitalise on emerging opportunities and drive growth. According to JM Financial, shareholders will closely watch timelines for potential public listings of Reliances digital and retail units, as well as updates on the progress of new energy projects. Here are five key areas to be watched out for this year: Reliance Retail and Reliance Jio IPOs Investors will be keenly observing for any concrete plans or dates regarding the initial public offerings of Reliance Jio or Reliance Retail. Back in the 2019 AGM, the management had announced plans to list both businesses within five years. Since then, investors have been eagerly awaiting a timeline for the announcement of these listings. According to analysts at global brokerage firm Jefferies, Jio could go public in 2025, with an estimated valuation of around $112 billion. Strategic Stake Sale in O2C Business Investors will also be watching for any potential strategic stake sales in Reliances oil-to-chemicals (O2C) segment, according to a report by JM Financial Services. Details on potential buyers, transaction value, and the strategic benefits of such a sale will be closely monitored. Progress on New Energy Projects There will be significant interest in updates regarding ongoing projects in the new energy sector. Investors will look for specific timelines for project commissioning and assessments of potential earnings from these ventures. For FY24, RIL has allocated $1 billion in capital expenditures for its solar manufacturing business. The AGM is expected to provide more detailed insights into these developments. Reliance is constructing a large green energy complex in Jamnagar, featuring giga factories for solar PV, energy storage, electrolysers, fuel cells, and power electronics. However, progress appears slow, according to analysts. Compared to the initial $10 billion investment plan for the first three years, only $2 billion has been invested. 5G Monetisation Plans The AGM is expected to provide insights into Reliance Jios strategies for monetising its 5G network. This includes plans for leveraging 5G technology to drive revenue growth, potential partnerships, and how the rollout might impact overall financial performance. Reliance Jios 5G rollout is gaining momentum, and analysts expect updates on subscriber growth, revenue strategies, and international expansion plans in the AGM to enhance RIL stocks appeal. Succession Plan Further details on Reliance Industries succession plans are of interest. Investors will be looking for updates on leadership transitions, key appointments, and how the succession strategy aligns with the companys long-term vision. RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani revealed a succession blueprint in 2022, with Isha Ambani leading retail, Akash leading Jio, and Anant overseeing the energy business. At last years AGM, Mukesh Ambani announced that he would retain the position of the companys chairman and managing director for the next five years. This year, investors will be closely watching for further updates on the leadership transition. A minor scuffle was witnessed between protesting teachers and police personnel on Wednesday when the former tried to head towards the Himachal Pradesh Assembly to meet Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu over their long pending demand to fill 870 vacant posts of physical education teachers. Hundreds of unemployed physical education teachers along with their family members gathered at Chaura Maidan today and raised slogans against the state government. The Unemployed Physical Education Teachers Association had on Tuesday announced that it would gherao the Legislative Assembly on the second day of its protest over the non-fulfilment of their demands. Barricades were installed to prevent the protesters from entering the Assembly premises. Irked by not being allowed to meet the CM, the protesters tried to break through the barricade but were stopped by the police. Addressing the protestors, the Associations state president Ramesh Rajpoot said that their repeated requests on the recruitment issue have been ignored. We have come to Shimla 14 times in the last seven years and have staged six peaceful protests in order to raise our demands and today when we are trying to meet the CM, barricades were installed to stop us, he said. The reason behind the deterioration in the quality of education in the state is that the teachers are on the streets. In Sports, Himachal also has zero contribution and this is because physical education teachers are unemployed, he said. The protesters warned the state government that they intensify their movement by collectively burning their degrees if the state government does not start the process of filling up the vacant posts soon. Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, Anupam Kashyap had said during a recent meeting that no protests will be allowed near the Legislative Assembly and they would only be permitted at Chaura Maidan which is nearby. The Maharashtra NEET UG counselling 2024 round 1 seat allotment result will be released on August 30 by the State Common Entrance Test (CET) cell. Candidates who applied for admission to the state National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2024 counselling process can visit the official website at medical2024.mahacet.org to check the merit list, once it is out. Those selected in the final merit list will have to physically report to the assigned colleges for document verification and pay the admission fees between August 31 and September 4. Candidates must note that the choice-filling option will close today, August 29. The provisional seat allotment list has already been issued by the CET cell. Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2024: How to Check Final Seat Allotment List? Step 1: Candidates need to go to the official website at medical2024.mahacet.org to access the merit list. Step 2: Now, search for and click on the round 1 seat allotment list for MBBS, BDS courses of NEET UG 2024 on the homepage. Step 3: Upon clicking, the MBBS and BDS merit list PDF will be displayed on the screen. Step 4: Search for your name or roll number in the list. Step 5: Download and save a copy of the provisional merit list PDF for future reference. The seat allotment list PDF of registered candidates for MBBS/ BDS Courses (Group A) of NEET-UG-2024 will include details such as NEET All India Rank (AIR), NEET roll number, CET cell online form number, name of the candidate, gender, category, NRI status, and specified reservation. As many as 59,132 candidates applied for admission to various medical programmes, including MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BUMS, BPTH, BOTH, BASLP, and B (P and O). Out of these, a total of 55,781 candidates have been found eligible for MBBS and BDS admissions. Of the total seats available across medical college in India, 85 per cent are filled via state counselling authorities. The scrutiny of nomination papers for 24 assembly constituencies that will go for polls under the first phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir completed on Wednesday with candidature of 244 candidates found valid, and 35 nominations rejected. These 244 candidates can withdraw their nominations before August 30, Friday, before 3 pm at the office of the respective Returning Officers. A total of 279 candidates have filed nominations for the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024. During the scrutiny of the nomination papers filed by 279 candidates, candidature of 244 candidates was found valid as per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India, while nomination papers of 35 candidates, which were found invalid, were rejected, a statement from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer said. Nomination Papers Of 67 Candidates Found Valid in Anantnag As per the statement from the CEO, nomination papers of 67 candidates were found valid in Anantnag district highest, followed by 46 in Pulwama district, 34 in Doda district, 29 in Kishtwar district, 26 in Kulgam district, 21 in Shopian district, while nomination papers of 21 candidates have been found valid and accordingly accepted in Ramban district. In Kishtwar district, nomination papers of 12 candidates were found valid in 48-Inderwal assembly constituency (AC), 10 candidates in 49-Kishtwar AC, while nomination papers of seven candidates have been accepted in 50-Padder-Nagseni AC. In Doda district, nomination papers of 14 candidates were accepted in 51-Bhadarwah AC, 11 candidates in 52-Doda AC, and nine candidates in 53-Doda West AC, the statement said. In Ramban district, a total of 12 nomination papers were found valid and accepted in 54-Ramban AC, while nomination papers of nine candidates have been accepted in 55-Banihal AC, it said. Similarly, in Pulwama district, nomination papers of 14 candidates were accepted in 32-Pampore AC, 10 candidates in 33-Tral AC, 12 candidates in 34-Pulwama AC, and 10 candidates in 35-Rajpora AC. In Shopian district, a total of 10 nomination papers were found valid and accepted in 36-Zainapora AC, while nomination papers of 11 candidates have been accepted in 37-Shopian AC. In Kulgam district, nomination papers of 6 candidates were accepted in 38-DH Pora AC, 10 candidates in 39-Kulgam AC, and 10 candidates in 40-Devsar AC. In Anantnag district, a total of 12 nomination papers were found valid and accepted in 41-Dooru AC, 10 candidates in 42-Kokernag (ST) AC, 10 candidates in 43-Anantnag West AC, 13 candidates in 44-Anantnag AC, 3 candidates in 45-Srigufwara-Bijbehara AC, 13 candidates in 46-Shangus-Anantnag East AC, while nomination papers of 6 candidates have been accepted in 47-Pahalgam AC. More than 23.27 lakh voters including 5.66 lakh youths are eligible to exercise their electoral franchise during the Phase-I of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election, scheduled to be held on September 18. Of these, 11.76 lakh are male voters and 11.51 lakh female voters along with 60 third gender electors. AUBURN From Owasco Lake water quality to requiring identification to vote, Assemblyman John Lemondes faced a range of questions during an hour-long town hall meeting Wednesday night. Lemondes, R-LaFayette, summarized his priorities at the beginning of the meeting, which was held at VFW Post 1975 in Auburn. He focused on the need for public safety, while criticizing Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democrats in the state Legislature for enacting policies he believes have made the state less safe. New York's population decline is also among Lemondes' concerns. It's one of the issues that motivates him to continue serving in government. He was first elected to the state Assembly in 2020. His district includes parts of Cayuga and Onondaga counties. "I think I'm in this for the right reason and the reason is that making sure my kids and your kids have a future here," he told the crowd. "It's that simple." Lemondes answered questions in a free-flowing exchange with the VFW crowd. In response to an inquiry about his stance on voter ID, he supports requiring voters to show identification at the polls. The state's current policy, he argued, allows for non-citizens and people who aren't registered to vote to influence elections. "This is dead wrong," Lemondes said. "This is criminal." Although there have been isolated cases of voter fraud over the years, widespread fraud has not been documented. New York requires identification when individuals register to vote. Voters verify their identities by providing their names and signing a pollbook before casting their ballots. An issue of local importance is the state's handling of Owasco Lake water quality concerns. Harmful algal blooms threaten the drinking water supply for the city of Auburn and surrounding towns. The state Department of Health recently informed local leaders that it will not amend Owasco Lake watershed rules and regulations, which haven't been updated in 40 years. The city of Auburn and town of Owasco submitted proposed amendments in 2020, but the state did not support many of those changes. The localities, along with the Owasco Watershed Lake Association, filed a lawsuit accusing the state of violating Public Health Law and the constitutional right to clean water. When asked about the Owasco Lake watershed concerns, Lemondes highlighted additional funding he secured in the state budget for the Finger Lakes-Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance. While Cayuga County is part of that coalition, so are 24 other counties. Audience members pressed for more action, especially to address concerns about how farming activities are affecting water quality. Studies have shown that the main source of phosphorus polluting the lake is agriculture. Auburn City Councilor Terry Cuddy, who has been involved in efforts to clean up the lake for years, noted that the process to update watershed rules and regulations included farmers. He also reminded Lemondes that when the city and town needed his support for updating the watershed rules, they didn't get it. "We need help for our lakes," Cuddy said. Lemondes agreed with the need to protect the water and pledged to support more resources. Regarding the watershed rules, he explained his opposition is due to unspecified questions about the data used to justify the new regulations. Despite agricultural interests being involved in the process, several farmers oppose the proposed watershed rules. The proposal includes nutrient management regulations for farms. "Because the data was challenged, that was enough for me to say 'timeout, take a step back,'" Lemondes said, adding he would not rule out supporting the rule changes in the future. A lot has changed in Jammu and Kashmir in the last couple of years, and among the positive changes seen in this assembly poll is the attempt of the separatist leaders to become a part of the democratic process. The nominations of a number of these separatist leaders have been accepted while at least 35 papers were rejected by the Election Commission of India on Wednesday. Among those rejected, six were facing criminal charges ranging from riots and sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The list included rejection of papers of jailed cleric Sarjan Ahmad Wagay who filed his nomination from Zainpora Assembly constituency in the Shopian district. His papers were rejected as his documents were incomplete, News18 has learnt. The returning officer has the power to cancel the candidature of a leader if they found any issue during the scrutiny done on Wednesday for the first phase of polling for Jammu and Kashmir on September 18. Out of the 35 nominations that were rejected on Wednesday, at least six candidates, all Independent, have criminal cases, including Abdul Bari Naik who filed the papers from Devsar. He is facing charges of riots. As per ECI sources, his nominations were rejected as his documents were incomplete. During the scrutiny of the nomination papers filed by 279 candidates, candidature of 244 candidates was found valid as per the ECI guidelines. It is also important to note that out of 244 candidates with valid candidature, close to 35 have criminal antecedents, News18 has learnt. Independent candidate Bilal Ahmad Nanda, who filed his nomination papers for Anantnag West, is also facing charges under several sections of the IPC sections and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Two more rejected candidates Javaid Ahmad Bhat (Zainapora) and Manzoor Ahmad Kanth (Shopian) are also facing charges of rioting among others. Imran Sheikh, who filed papers from Anantnag West, was a failed 2024 Lok Sabha candidate from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat. The independent candidate has about 20 cases, including one under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and charges of crime against women. Separatists in Fray The victory of Sheikh Abdul Rashid, a separatist voice, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has helped in shaping a different vision for these leaders, who otherwise have advocated for boycotting the polls for several decades. Famous as Engineer Rashid, the independent candidate who contested and won from Baramulla, defeated tall leaders like Omar Abdullah and Sajad Gani Lone. He is currently in jail. The Central Government had banned the Jamaat-e-Islami outfit on February 28, 2019, for five years, and extended the ban on February 28, 2024. Last week, the UAPA Tribunal upheld the extension of the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami. Since the outfit is banned, its former leaders and supporters are fighting as independent candidates. The candidature of Talat Majid Alie, contesting from Pulwama, has been accepted. He does not have a criminal antecedent as per his affidavit submitted to the ECI. He was a member of the Jamat. Another former Jamat leader whose candidature was accepted is Sayar Ahmad Reshi, contesting from Kulgam. The former Jamat leader also claimed there are no criminal cases pending before him. In Devsar, Nazir Ahmad Bhat, a former member of Jamaat-e-Islami, will fight the polls after his candidature was accepted. In his paper, he claimed he does not have a criminal antecedent. The candidature of Umar Hamid Malla from Zanipora has been accepted. He was not a member but the Jamat has extended support to his candidature. He also does not have a criminal antecedent. It is also important to note that while the candidature of these 244 candidates have been accepted, they can withdraw their nominations before August 30, Friday, by 3 pm at the office of the respective Returning Officers. The final list of the contesting candidates will be issued after that. The voting for the first phase will be done on September 18. Meanwhile, the poll body on Thursday issued notification for the second phase of polling. The last date for nomination will be September 5 and scrutiny will be done the next day. The polling for the second phase will be held on September 25. The Congress is very confident about the Haryana election results and, in a rare case, most of the leaders are keen to contest polls. There has already been a poster war, with some projecting Kumari Selja as the chief ministerial face, while the partys campaigns seem to be projecting former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. Both Selja, the Sirsa MP, and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala have expressed their desire to contest but have also left the decision to the high command. What has created a flutter is the fact that state in-charge Deepak Babaria has gone on record to say that no MP will be considered for tickets and they need not contest the Haryana polls. If they still want to, they can do so only with the permission of the high command. However, Babaria is unlikely to have made the comment without keeping the high command in the loop. The issue is that last time, Congress could have formed a government but there was no clarity on whether it could have an alliance with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) that ultimately joined hands with the BJP. Selja is a powerful Dalit woman face in the Congress with proximity to the Gandhis. She can influence over nine assembly sets and if her workers are demoralised and decide to not work, it would end up harming the party. Sources close to Surjewala, who is parked in Kaithal, say Babarias comment has not gone down well with his supporters. This could again demoralise the cadre and even an assembly seat to his son may not help matters. The clause of no MP being given a ticket sends out a clear message that in case Congress wins the election in Haryana, none of the sitting MPs from the state, including Deepender Hooda, will be seen as the CM face. This effectively leaves Bhupinder Hooda as the chief ministerial pick. The Congress is unlikely to announce anyone as the chief minister before results, but with Hooda Sr being the front-runner, the Grand Old Party hopes to capitalise on the negative feedback the BJP is getting in the state. The BJP has already begun to ask about Rahul Gandhis pitch for OBCs and Dalits if he is not announcing Selja as CM face. Selja herself in the past has told News18 that the monopoly of any one person is unacceptable. The deep schism within Haryana Congress is well known. Babarias comments have only deepened it. Will there be a rethink? Ever wondered what happens when a party song suddenly shifts gears and heads straight into heartbreak territory? Well, Pranav Malhotra, better known by his stage name PRODEMI, has the answer. This electronic and indie artist from Lucknow has whipped up a musical twist thats as unexpected as it is captivating with his latest track, Pyaar Ki Baarish. With over 103K views on YouTube and 12K streams on Spotify, this song is already making serious waves. You might be thinking, Another indie pop track, right?" But hold onPyaar Ki Baarish wasnt even supposed to be the heartbreak anthem it has become. Initially, this track was envisioned as a collab-fueled party banger, destined to ignite dance floors. But when the collaboration didnt materialize, PRODEMI didnt sulk or drown his sorrows in sad tunes. Instead, he took a creative U-turn that transformed the track into something completely different. The result? A heartbreak song so relatable, it might just make you text your ex (but maybe resist that urge). This song was actually supposed to be a collab but I ended up being a sole artist in this one," PRODEMI shared. Pyaar Ki Baarish was a party song initially But as the collab wasnt successful, I thought that it would be a perfect heartbreak song." So how did this transformation come about? Picture this: PRODEMI, with his beats and a notebook full of emotions, began to pen down rough lyrics. What started as a simple exercise in songwriting evolved into an indie pop gem that captures the confusion, sorrow, and longing that often accompany a love lost. So I started writing some rough lyrics And ended up with an indie pop song that is relatable to the youth here," he explained. The narrative of Pyaar Ki Baarish follows a male protagonist who is deeply in love with his partner. Every raindrop reminds him of the times they spent together. But, as often happens in love stories, misunderstandings and miscommunications lead them to drift apart. The song paints a vivid picture of his heartbreak, his longing, and all the inevitable what-ifs" that follow a breakup. Pyaar Ki Baarish isnt just a songits a nostalgic journey, much like scrolling through old messages late at night, but with a killer beat and lyrics that strike a chord. PRODEMI has crafted an emotional rollercoaster that speaks to anyone who has ever loved, lost, and hoped for a second chance. It is a true nostalgic song in which the male protagonist tries to explain how much he loved his partner and how much he loved spending time with her. Due to some misunderstandings and miscommunications, they parted their ways. But now, the male protagonist is in great sorrow and wants his true love, his ex-girlfriend back in his life so that they could happily live ever after," PRODEMI said, capturing the essence of the song. Musically, Pyaar Ki Baarish is a masterful blend of EDM, pop, and indie sounds. The beats are infectious, the melody hauntingly beautiful, and the lyrics? Theyre probably the most poetic way of saying I miss you" that youll hear this year. If you havent already tuned in to Pyaar Ki Baarish, nows the perfect time. PRODEMI isnt just an artist; hes a storyteller, a mood-setter, and a master at turning lifes unexpected detours into something truly special. So, grab your headphones, hit play, and let yourself be swept away by the emotional storm that is Pyaar Ki Baarish. And maybe keep some tissues nearbyjust in case. A significant policy decision by the Canadian government to reduce the intake of low wage, temporary foreign workers and permanent residents could have an impact on Indians. The decision marks a shift from the programme expansions introduced by the Justin Trudeau in 2022 as the government faces challenges in reducing the number of temporary residents. Were reducing the number of low-wage, temporary foreign workers in Canada. The labour market has changed. Now is the time for our businesses to invest in Canadian workers and youth, Trudeau announced in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Statistics show that around 97% of last years population increase in Canada was driven by immigration. Economists suggest that rapid population growth has housing and public services. What is the New Programme? The temporary foreign worker programme allows non-Canadians to work in the country for limited periods to address labour shortages. This programme has expanded significantly but has often been criticised for low wages and exploitation of workers. According to a report by the BBC, a UN report this month has called the programme a breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery. The programmes growth has also been linked to address labour shortages following the Covid-19 pandemic. Who are Temporary Workers in Canada? In the first category are those who are on temporary work visas. Such individuals come to Canada for a fixed period, say two years, to work in jobs that typically pay between CAD 13-19 per hour (roughly Rs 800-1,200 per hour). Second are international students. After completing their studies, many students remain in Canada on one to three-year work visas, during which time they apply for Permanent Residency (PR). Students also work (although there are restrictions regarding this) during their studies. Third are those with Spouse Open Work Permits. Many international students bring their spouses to Canada, who work low-wage jobs under this permit. Fourth include workers under Labour Market Impact Assessment or LMIA contracts. LMIA allows employers to hire foreign workers when they cannot find Canadians to fill openings. CUAET (Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel) and asylum-seekers, and participants of reciprocal youth programmes which also allow Canadians to work in other countries are also considered temporary workers. In 2023, around 183,820 temporary foreign worker permits were issued, a sharp 88% rise compared to 2019, according to the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The ESDC criticised some employers for leveraging the programme to avoid hiring skilled Canadian workers, the British broadcaster noted. As per the new policy decision, work permits will be denied in regions where the unemployment rate is at or above 6%, with exceptions to sectors like agriculture, construction and healthcare. Moreover, employers will be limited to hiring low-wage temporary foreign workers as 10% of their workforce, reduced from the current 20%, as per a report by Business Standard. These measures are expected to decrease the number of temporary foreign workers by 65,000, as per employment minister Randy Boissonnault. How Does This Affect Indians? Indians comprised 40% of Canadas international student population till last year. More than 50% of Indian arrivals in Canada come from Punjab, including students, their spouses and other low wage workers. India was the leading source of international students in 2022, contributing 220,000 new students. However, recent data indicates a noticeable decline. Between July and October 2022, the Canadian government processed 146,000 new study permit applications, but during the same period in 2023, this number fell to just 87,000. India contributed 26,495 temporary foreign workers to Canada in 2023 under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), making it one of the top ten countries of origin for these workers, as per a report by The Indian Express. Although there was no cap on the number of international students Canada would allow till last year, restrictions have been imposed since Trudeaus latest remarks that could impact Indians looking to move to Canada. Earlier this year, Canada imposed an immediate two-year cap on new international student visas to combat the housing crisis and tackle issues with certain institutions. In March 2024, Canadas Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Marc Miller announced plans to reduce the number of temporary residents over the next three years, with the first cap scheduled for September. He said there has been a sharp increase in the volume of temporary residents entering in Canada in recent years, thus, there is a need to make the system more efficient by ensuring a pathway to PR. The Indian community in Canada has grown significantly in recent years. Between 2000 and 2020, the registered Indian population increased from 670,000 to over 1 million. By 2020, 1,021,356 registered Indians were living in Canada, according to an Indian Express report said. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, approximately 2.8 million Indians, including 1.8 million people of Indian origin, now reside in Canada. Defence minister Rajnath Singh will commission Indias second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Arighat, in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, in a big step towards strengthening Indias strategic deterrence capabilities. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, head of Indian strategic command Vice Admiral Suraj Berry and top DRDO officials will be attending the commissioning. According to a report by Hindustan Times, the 6,000-tonne INS Arighat is set to embark on a long-range patrol of the Indo-Pacific armed with 750-km range nuclear ballistic missiles K-15. India now has two SSBNs INS Arihant (S-2) and INS Arighat patrolling the high seas as a crucial part of the countrys nuclear triad and second-strike capability (due to its no-first-use policy). In total, India is working to induct five Arihant-class SSBNs and six SSNs in the next three decades. The next Arihant-class SSBN is expected to be named INS Aridhaman, as per a report by Swarajya magazine. What is INS Arighat? INS Arighat, which is an upgraded version of INS Arihant, is the second boat of the Arihant class indigenous nuclear submarines. It will be supporting the existing INS Arihant which was inducted in 2009. The submarine has been under construction since its launch in 2017 at the Ship Building Centre (SBC) in Visakhapatnam. Boats of the Arihant class are powered by an 83 MWe nuclear reactor developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre with consultancy from Russia. These boats belong to the SSBN category, where the nuclear-powered boat carries ballistic missiles with live strategic nuclear warheads as their payload, as per a report by Swarajya magazine. INS Arighat reportedly can reach a maximum speed of 1215 knots (2228 km/h) on the surface and up to 24 knots (44 km/h) when submerged. It has four launch tubes in its hump and like INS Arihant, can carry up to four nuclear-capable K-4 SLBMs (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles) with a range exceeding 3,500 km, or 12 K-15 SLBMs with a range of around 750 km. The K-15 missile can also be fitted with a strategic nuclear warhead. INS Arighat will also be armed with torpedoes. Both INS Arihant and INS Arighat are powered by 83 MW pressured water reactors. The reactors are fitted in their hull in a way that they can stay submerged for months. The submarines have been named the Arihant class which is a Sanskrit word meaning the Destroyer of the Enemy. How SSBNs are Crucial for Indias Deterrence? Given Indias no first use nuclear doctrine, SSBNs are crucial for deterrence because they are difficult to detect and can escape a surprise firststrike by an enemy to launch retaliatory strikes. With Indo-Pacific region being Indias main concern, the two SSBNs can offer huge strategic leverage to the Navy trying to flex its muscles in the region. Once the S-4* SSBN is commissioned, India is set to launch the next class of submarines that are much larger will be able to carry 3,000 km range nuclear ballistic missiles and will have more missile tubes according to a report by Hindustan Times. A report by The Times of India earlier this month said that around Rs 40,000-crore project to indigenously construct 6,000-tonne hunter-killer SSNs, armed with torpedoes, anti-ship and land-attack missiles, is before the Cabinet Committee on Security for the final approval. Countries That Have SSBNs The US, Russia and China have much larger SSBNs armed with longer range missiles. China has six Jin-class SSBNs, with 10,000-km range JL-3 missiles, apart from six nuclear-powered attack submarines called SSNs meant for conventional warfare. The United States Navy currently operates the biggest fleet of ballistic missile subs, consisting of 14 18,800-tonne Ohio class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). France and the UK operate four SSBNs each, with Frances belonging to the 14,300-ton Triomphant class and the UKs 15,900-ton Vanguard class. All American, French, and British boats are nuclear-powered and are the largest submarines ever built by each country. The Russian Navy deploys a ballistic missile submarine fleet consisting of four 24,000-ton Borei I class SSBNs (the fourth vessel and lead ship of the Borei II class, Knyaz Vladimir, is scheduled to enter service this year), six 18,200-ton Delta IV class SSBNs, one recently overhauled Delta III class SSBN (Ryazan), and the last of the largest submarine class ever built, the giant Typhoon class Dmitriy Donskoy (TK-208), as per Popular Mechanics. The 1,700-ton Sinpo class (also called the Gorae) SSB is the largest submarine designed and built for the Korean Peoples Navy. The Sinpo is the smallest ballistic missile submarine today, the report by Popular Mechanics said. The Himachal Pradesh Assembly has passed a bill that increases the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years in order to support gender equality and higher education. The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2024 was introduced by Women Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil in the State Assembly during its ongoing monsoon session. The Bill was passed by voice vote. In todays world the women are progressing in every field. The early marriages, however, act as a hindrance not only in the progress of their career but also in their physical development. In order to provide for gender equality and opportunities of obtaining higher education, it has become necessary to increase the minimum age of marriage for the girls. Thus, it is proposed to amend the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and other related Acts in their application to the State of Himachal Pradesh and increase the minimum age for marriage for girls to 21 years, the Bill states. Why Did Himachal Pradesh Pass the Bill? Health, Social Justice, and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil said some girls marry at a young age, which hinders their education and ability to progress in life. Additionally, many women are unable to achieve success in their careers due to early marriage. He also highlighted that early marriage and motherhood also impacts the health of the women. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the Bill clearly showed the intent of the Congress government to focus on serving the best interests of women. We are the first State in the country to enact the legislation to increase the marriage age of girls to 21. The Congress has always been at the forefront to work towards the betterment of women, Sukhu said as quoted by The Hindu. What are the Provisions of the Bill? The new legislation amends the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and other related Acts in their application in Himachal Pradesh, to increase the minimum age for marriage for girls to 21 years. It further states, It (the law) shall apply to all persons domiciled in the territory of the State of Himachal Pradesh, notwithstanding anything contrary or inconsistent therewith contained in the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872; the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936; the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937; the Special Marriage Act, 1954; the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955; or any other law, custom, usage, or practice in relation to marriage under any other law for the time being in force. As per the Section 5(iii) of The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, the minimum age for the bride and groom is 18 and 21 years, respectively. This is the same for Christians under the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, and the Special Marriage Act. For Muslims, the criterion is attaining puberty, which is assumed when the bride or groom turns 15. The Himachal Bill eliminates the distinction of a child on the basis of age between males and females. It defines a child as a male or female who has not completed twenty-one years of age. The Bill increases the time-period for filing a petition to annul a marriage. Under Section 3 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, the contracting party who was a child at the time of the marriage can file a petition to annul the marriage within two years of attaining majority (before they turn 20 for women, and 23 for men). The Bill increases this period to five years, allowing both women and men to file petitions to annul the marriage before they turn 23 years old (the minimum age for marriage at 21 years is higher than the age of majority at 18 years). Whats the Logic Behind Minimum Age of Marriage? The purpose of the bill is to outlaw child marriage. Several laws such as the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) are also governing it. Under the Child Marriage Prevention Act, any marriage below the prescribed age is illegal, and those forcing a child marriage can be punished. As per the Indian law, there is no reasoning for having different legal standards of age for men and women to marry. A Law Commission consultation paper says having different legal standards contributes to the stereotype that wives must be younger than their husbands. What About The Centres Proposal On Marriage Age? During his Independence Day speech in 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said a committee would be set up to reconsider the minimum age of marriage for women. In 2021, the Union Cabinet cleared the proposal to raise the minimum age of marriage for women to 21. In December 2021, the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha. Some leaders including Congress Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Gaurav Gogoi had pointed out that the Law Commission had recommended retaining 18 years as the uniform minimum age for marriage for women. The Bill was then referred to the Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports. With the dissolution of the last Lok Sabha, the Bill lapsed. Leader of the Opposition and former BJP CM Jairam Thakur said, as quoted by The Indian Express, The Bill was originally introduced by the BJP government (at the Centre) in 2021. Although we are in opposition in the state, the Bill technically belongs to our party. We neither opposed nor supported it, which led to its unanimous passage. As many as three terrorists have been killed during an exchange of fire with security forces in the Tangdhar and Machil sectors of Jammu and Kashmirs Kupwara district. According to official sources, two terrorists were killed near the Khushal post in Karnah (Tangdhar) and one was killed near the Gulab post in Kumkari (Machil sector). However, the security forces have not been able to retrieve the bodies so far due to heavy rain and fog. Sources said the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police had launched the anti-infiltration operations in the two sectors of Jammu and Kashmir based on intelligence inputs. Upon noticing suspicious movements amid bad weather, security forces engaged in firing which resulted in the neutralisation of three terrorists. Third Operation In Rajouri An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday in Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri district after troops launched a cordon and search operation in response to suspected militant movement, officials said. A search operation was launched by security forces in the general area of village Kheri Mohra Lathi and Danthal in Rajouri district at 2130 hours on Wednesday night (following suspected terrorist movement), a police spokesperson said. During the search operation, at around 2345 hours, a contact was established with terrorists, leading to an exchange of fire between the militants and security forces near Kheri Mohra area, the spokesperson added. Security forces also fired few shots of tracer rounds to illuminate the area, the officials said. Two to three terrorists are holed up in the cordon area, they said, adding that additional forces have been rushed to the area to strengthened the cordon and the operation. On Monday night, a group of Village Defence Guards (VDGs) noticed two unidentified persons near a house in Meira-Nagrota village at Rajouri district, and fired into the air. Following this, a search operation was initiated by security forces in the area. The Delhi government has started work on the Winter Action Plan for the national capital to fight recurring air pollution with likely focus on encouraging work from home against the Aam Aadmi Partys flagship Odd-Even scheme. Environment minister Gopal Rai on Thursday said this time, the government will also work on changing the behaviour of people with aggressive awareness campaigns against pollution. The minister held a meeting with experts who emphasised on artificial rain during the winter months to fight air pollution. The main suggestions in the expert meet include change in the behaviour of people related to pollution. Awareness campaigns should be run for this, Rai said. Listing out the main suggestions that the government will focus on, he shared that they will encourage work from home in advance and instead of odd-even, they will apply the formula of voluntary restriction on vehicles of one slot. Suggestion to have different timings of different offices, suggestion to buy heaters from the CSR fund of companies and distribute them among the guards of the society to prevent burning of biomass in winter, encouraging the use of electric vehicles in hot spots where the level of pollution becomes high and the suggestion of artificial rain are important, he said. At the meet, chaired by Rai, leading officials and representatives from all the departments concerned participated and discussed innovative strategies, with artificial rain emerging as the top recommendation. On the suggestion of artificial rain by the experts, a letter will be written to the Union Environment Minister on Friday to hold a meeting with the experts of IIT Kanpur and all the departments concerned, Rai said. He stated that the future winter action plan will be prepared on the suggestions of the officers and representatives of various departments and institutions. The main objective of this meeting was to make the winter action plan more effective with the suggestions given by the experts. It was suggested that artificial rain should be made on severe days in Delhi, he said. Rai emphasised that his government has succeeded in reducing pollution by making Summer Action Plan and Winter Action Plan in collaboration with all the departments. Due to joint efforts, while the number of good, satisfactory and moderate days were 110 in 2016, they increased to 206 in 2023. Separate action plans will be made for hotspots to reduce pollution and improve air quality. Experts have also given their opinion that by making separate action plans at all these hot spots, pollution should be reduced there, so that pollution in Delhi can be further reduced, the minister added. For this year, 14 focus points have been identified and the government will work on these with priority in the coming days. These are dust, vehicular, and industrial pollution; pollution caused by stubble burning, open garbage burning, firecrackers. The government will also focus on increasing green cover and tree plantation as well as promotion of public participation. Review meeting next week Rai said a review meeting will be held with all the departments concerned on September 5 regarding the Winter Action Plan and a joint action plan will be prepared. In the meeting, different departments will be assigned specific tasks based on the focus points set under the Winter Action Plan. Almost every year, particularly after Diwali, the air quality of Delhi slips into hazardous level. A woman in Bengaluru woke up in the morning to find her friend lying dead beside her in bed. Her throat was slit and the body was drenched in a pool of blood. Only the night before, her friend had confided in her about her marital discord and told her that she feared for her life. The deceased woman was identified as B Navyashree, a 28-year-old dance instructor and host, who lived with her husband, Kiran, at a rented accommodation in Kengeri Upanagaras SMV Layout. Police said they have arrested the husband, who is a cab driver, on a murder charge. Navyashrees friend, identified as Aishwarya, discovered the body around 6 am following which she quickly alerted the neighbours and informed the police. In her complaint to the police, she stated that she stayed the night with her friend as she feared for her safety, and two retired to bed after drinking beer. Police said Navyashrees husband Kiran entered the house with the help of a spare key around 5.30 am, committed the crime while the women were fast asleep, and fled. Sources said there were signs of the woman being tortured before her throat was slit. According to reports, Navyashree was from Shivamogga district. Three years ago, she and Kiran had married for love despite facing stiff opposition from their families but were having issues over the past year. Aishwarya, who is Navyashrees childhood friend, told police that the two women met on August 27 after Navyashree messaged her saying she was facing distress at home and outside. Her friend told her that she was having domestic disputes with Kiran, who was unhappy with the social nature of her profession and suspected her of being unfaithful. Police said Aishwarya and Navyashree later met a male friend, who also encouraged Navyashree to file a complaint against her husband thinking police intervention might help. Later in the night around 11.30 pm, he dropped the two women home. The women had dinner and consumed alcohol, falling into a deep sleep. In the morning, Aishwarya was woken up by the feeling of wetness and was shocked to find Navyashree lying next to her with her throat slit, police added. Justice is the raging word on the streets of Kolkata. And rightly so. We want Justice, Justice for RG Kar, Justice for our Didi powerful slogans clamouring for justice are printed on banners, posters, placards at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in central Kolkata, in the lanes of the rape-murder victims Shodpur house on the suburbs, and across the city, even as candlelight marches and protests meets are held across the country. You ask a protester how justice will be done and most respond: When the perpetrators of this crime are punished. And this is where it gets complicated. For the notion of justice in a case of such magnitude and one that has national reverberations could be more than one, if not many. Kolkata Police have arrested the main accused, Sanjay Roy (a volunteer with a civic force in Bengal that aids police), within 12 hours of the the discovery of the 31-year-old trainee doctors body. CBI, a fortnight after taking over the rape and murder case, has not arrested anyone else. The agency had questioned close to 100 witnesses. It has subjected RG Kar former principal Sandip Ghosh, four doctors and two aides of Roy to lie detector test. Yet, only Roy is in custody. Evidence gathered so far has not established the role of anyone else in the crime. But this is where the biggest challenge for CBI lies. How do you ensure justice, which is not just done, but seen to have been done? Even if the politics playing out in Bengal is left aside, the macabre incident has spawned debates. At the centre of it lies the ghastly crime that snuffed out a young, promising life. But what has branched out from there is a series of questions some new, many old yet unsolved. The RG Kar incident has put the functioning of the premier government-run hospital under the scanner, landed its controversial and powerful former principal in trouble, sparked allegations of a bigger conspiracy and cover-up, reignited the debate on womens security at workplace, and also called for scrutiny of the safety of doctors in hospitals, among many others. Social Media and Experts Social media chatter, sound bytes from victims neighbours and studio analysis from medical experts have led to different narratives: 1) A neighbour of the victim gave a sound byte to the media, saying the body was lying with both legs were almost 90 degrees apart. She went on to say that this cannot happen till the pelvic girdle is broken. Clearly it is not one persons job, she said. The autopsy, however, said there was no fracture. 2) At least two senior doctors who claimed to have seen the autopsy report told the media that 150 mg of semen was found on the deceased and, therefore, this has to be a case of gangrape. Kolkata Police summoned the two doctors for spreading misinformation. The post-mortem report mentioned the presence of white, thick liquid in endocervical canal and with the weight of 151 gm. Police say this was the total weight of the organ + liquid. A CBI official too dismissed the 150 mg semen theory. 3) There were allegations that vandalism at RG Kar Hospital on August 14 during a midnight protest was meant to destroy evidence at the scene of crime. Scenes of absolute destruction at the emergency ward gave further impetus to the theory that there were attempts to save the real culprit. The Kolkata Police Commissioner later stressed that the vandals could not reach the crime scene believed to be seminar hall on the fourth floor. Meanwhile, CBI, in its status report to the Supreme Court, said that everything was altered by the time they took up the case five days after the crime, raising doubts. Together, these theories appear to have convinced many in Kolkata and across the country that justice is not about punishing Roy alone. Former Principals Role Revelations about former principal Sandip Ghoshs corrupt practices and reign of terror at RG Kar have added to the sense of injustice. CBI has questioned the former strongman for almost two weeks. He has been subjected to polygraph test in the rape-murder case, but the agency has not arrested him. There are serious questions about the role of the Ghosh-led management in floating the suicide theory (the first call to the victims family allegedly said she had killed herself), not calling the police for 40 minutes after the discovery of the body, and not allowing parents to see the body for three hours after their arrival. Nonetheless, the real trouble for Ghosh is likely to be in a corruption case that authorities have launched in the aftermath of the incident. CBI is confident of filing its chargesheet in the rape-murder case soon. Preliminary evidence suggests that the noose might tighten around Ghosh when the Nizam Palace team of CBI starts quizzing him for forgery, cheating, bribery and criminal conspiracy. And then there is the 33-year-old rape-murder accused, Roy, who too have been subjected to lie-detection polygraph test and caught on CCTV approaching the crime scene before the incident. But no matter the outcome in the case who is charged, who is found guilty will there truly be a sense justice with so many narratives at play? For that very idea of justice appears to have different meanings in the RG Kar case, which has morphed into a national debate with many branches. And this is not the first such case. And surely not the last. Several Indian youths, who were lured to Thailand with the prospect of a good job and then sold to a cybercrime gang in Myanmar, were recently rescued by the Indian government. In a conversation with News18, Vidhan Gautam, 24, one of the youths who was defrauded, narrated his ordeal. In May 2024, a resident of Dehradun, Vidhan and five others having a diploma in computer operations, were lured by an agent for a job in Thailand. However, after reaching Thailand, they were asked to illegally cross the Moie River a natural border between Thailand and Myanmar. In Myanmar, we were handed over (rather sold) to a group of people operating a cybercrime cartel in Myawaddy (fourth largest city of Myanmar), Vidhan told News18. We were beaten badly and compelled to engage in cyber-crimes. We were given targets daily. In our compound alone, some 70-odd teams worked day and night as cyber slaves. Besides Indians, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani youngsters were also forced to commit cybercrimes, he added. Vidhan and his friends somehow managed to buy a mobile phone with the help of a local and get in touch with Indian authorities. With the intervention of the Indian embassy, Thai authorities reached out to the Myanmar Army. Eight of us (Indians) were fined $1500 by the Myanmar Army and jailed for a short duration. We were then deported to Thailand where again we were sent to jail for a month, Vidhan stated. He also noted that the cybercrime cartel contacted his family and demanded ransom for his release. My family paid $2000 and other families too paid up to $5000, Vidhan added. He arrived at his home in Dehradun two days ago. His mother Ranjita Gautam expressed happiness on her sons safe return and said, Money doesnt matter. I am happy my son is back and safe. According to media reports, Southeast Asian countries like Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar have emerged as a haven for cyber frauds who lure youngsters in search of jobs. Earlier in May this year, the Indian Embassy in Cambodia informed that 60 Indians had been rescued from the clutches of cyber gangs. (With inputs from Satendra Barthwal) Hit by torrential monsoon rains, flood-hit Gujarat is now bracing for a cyclone which is set to form on the adjoining Kachchh-Pakistan coast on Friday, in what scientists have described as a rare event. However, once it develops, the cyclone will start moving away from the coast into the Arabian Sea and eventually dissipate. The tropical cyclones usually form in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea during the pre-monsoon season (March-April-May) or post-monsoon season (October-November-December). But the yet-to-be-formed cyclonic storm had its genesis over the land where it intensified and then moved westwards towards the coast. According to meteorologists, it is not usual for cyclones to form during the southwest monsoon from June to September. It can happen, but it is very rare. There have been a few instances in the past. Though its genesis was over the land, it was fuelled by high moisture incursion from the Arabian Sea. But once it forms, the cyclone may not be very strong, said senior IMD scientist Monika Sharma. FROM THE LAND TO THE SEA The cyclonic disturbance was first reported as a low pressure area on August 24, which became well-marked and intensified into a depression over Madhya Pradesh on August 25. It further gained strength and turned into a deep depression by midnight as it moved towards Rajasthan and Gujarat. These scientific terms are used to characterise subsequent stages of a cyclone formation, depending on the maximum surface winds. A tropical cyclone is formed due to an instability in the atmosphere around a low-pressure area which continues to intensify as it moves, and transforms into a vortex with strong surface winds of nearly 62-88 kmph circulating around it in anti-clockwise direction. EMERGENCE IN ARABIAN SEA AS CYCLONE ON FRIDAY According to meteorologists, the current cyclonic disturbance has also been moving slowly (3kmph) leading to widespread rains over the state. It is likely to move west-south westwards, emerge into northeast Arabian Sea off Kachchh and adjoining Saurashtra and Pakistan coasts and intensify into a Cyclonic Storm on 30th August, forecasted IMD. However, the cyclone is not likely to be very strong, and may gain marginal strength before it dissipates into the sea. The latest forecast suggests that it would move nearly west-south westwards over northeast Arabian Sea away from the Indian coast during the next two days. Torrential rains have pounded Gujarat over the last few days, and the state was put under a Red Alert. On Thursday, several districts witnessed over 100-250mm rains reaching about 275mm in Devbhoomi Dwarka. The rainfall was exceptionally heavy over Saurashtra and Kutch on Wednesday, reaching up to a staggering 430mm in Devbhoomi Dwarka and 380mm in Jamnagar. The weather department has already issued warnings for strong winds gusting to 60 along and off South Gujarat Region and Saurashtra and Kutch coast as well as north Maharashtra coasts during August 29-31. ANOTHER LOW-PRESSURE SYSTEM IN BAY OF BENGAL At the same time, another low-pressure area formed in the Bay of Bengal on Thursday. According to IMD, it is also expected to gain more strength and is likely to move towards Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts along the Bay of Bengal and intensify into a depression during the next two days. Meanwhile, the monsoon trough remains active, as August draws to a close with seasonal rains nearly 7 per cent above the long-period average (LPA). The rainfall has been a staggering 67 per cent above LPA over Saurashtra region. In its latest forecast, IMD has predicted fairly widespread rains over most parts of northwest and Central India as well as Gujarat and ghats areas of Maharashtra over the next few days, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall on some days. At least 26 people have been killed in Gujarat within three days due to heavy and incessant rains that continue to pound the state. Around 17,800 people were evacuated from flood-affected areas as heavy showers lashed parts of the state for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday. The deceased include seven persons who went missing after the tractor trolley they were travelling in was swept away while crossing an overflowing causeway near Dhavana village under Halvad taluka of Morbi district on Sunday, a police official said, adding their bodies have been recovered. Even as rains took a pause in Vadodara, it grappled with flooding in a large swathe of low-lying areas after the Vishwamitri river, flowing through the city, breached its banks and entered residential localities, inundating buildings, roads and vehicles. PM Modi Assures Aid Amid flood-like situation prevailing in several parts of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to take stock of the situation, and assured the Centres support to the state in tackling the natural disaster. On Wednesday, districts in the Saurashtra region such as Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Rajkot and Porbandar received between 50mm and 200 mm rains in 12-hour period ended 6 pm. Bhanvad taluka of Devbhumi Dwarka district received 185 mm rainfall during this period, the highest in the state. Dams overflow in Jamnagar Jamnagar District Collector Bahvik Pandya said, Red alert has been issued in Jamnagar for two days, in the last 24 hours, approximately 400 mm rain was received. 25 dams are overflowing. Those who dont have a proper house must shift to shelters organised by us, meals will be available there. NDRF and SDRF have rescued many people. Army, Air Force, NDRF and SDRF are working together. #WATCH | Gujarat: On the flood situation in Jamnagar, Bahvik Pandya, District Collector, Jamnagar says, Red alert has been issued in Jamnagar for 2 days, in last 24 hours, approximately 400 mm rain was received. 25 dams are in over overflowing situationthose who dont have a pic.twitter.com/umsE30W6Cp ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2024 More Showers On Cards, Red Alert For Saurashtra The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast of extremely heavy rains in isolated parts of districts in Saurashtra on Thursday. The Met Office said the deep depression over Saurashtra and Kachchh moved slowly during the past 6 hours and about 60 km N-NW of Bhuj (Gujarat). It will move west and southwest, emerge into northeast Arabian Sea, and intensify into a cyclonic storm on August 30. IMD Scientist Ramashray Yadav said, The deep depression lies 50km away from Bhuj, 100km away from Naliya. It is moving at the speed of 12km/hr. It is 100km away from Naliya. It is moving in west southwestward district. On 29th August morning, it is expected to northeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Saurashtra and Kutch. In view of this system, Saurashtra and Kutch are likely to receive extremely heavy to exceptionally heavy rainfall. IMD has forecast extremely heavy #rainfall over Saurashtra and Kachchh till tomorrow; also forecast light to moderate rainfall in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Konkan and Goa today. All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) August 29, 2024 This is expected to cover all districts of Saurashtra and Kutch regions, Red Alert has been issued. Tomorrow too all districts of Saurashtra and Kutch regions are covered and an extremely heavy rainfall warning and Red Alert have been issued. Day after tomorrow, heavy rainfall warning has been issued for all districts of Saurashtra and Kutch regions. On Day 4, Saurashtra and Kutch regions are expected to receive heavy rainfall; Yellow alert has been issued, he added. #WATCH | Ahmedabad, Gujarat: IMD Scientist Ramashray Yadav says, The deep depression lies 50km away from Bhuj, 100km away from Naliya. It is moving at the speed of 12km/hr. It is 100km away from Naliya. It is moving in west southwestward district. On 29th August morning, it is pic.twitter.com/bDCOBVYTEe ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2024 CM Asks Authorities To Spray Disinfectants In Vadodara People stranded in their houses and rooftops in Vadodara city were rescued and relocated to safer places by teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), its state counterpart SDRF and three columns of the Army deployed for the purpose, officials said. Minister Rushikesh Patel told mediapersons that over 5,000 people were evacuated and another 1,200 rescued so far in Vadodara. Three additional columns of the Army, and one each of the NDRF and the SDRF, were deployed in the city on Wednesday. Chief Minister Patel directed authorities to deploy cleaning equipment and spray disinfectants in Vadodara city as soon as flood water starts receding. He directed that teams from municipal corporations of Ahmedabad and Surat, and municipalities of Bharuch and Anand be deployed in Vadodara for the purpose. Rescue ops on The CM ordered the deployment of five additional teams of the NDRF and four Army columns to assist the administration in rescue and relief operations in Vadodara. Additional rescue boats should also be sent from Ahmedabad and Surat to the flood-affected city, he said. Apart from the NDRF and the SDRF, the Army, the Indian Air Force and the Coast Guard were carrying out rescue and relief operations in rain-ravaged parts, with around 17,800 people relocated and another 2,000 rescued so far, officials said. In response to the severe flooding in multiple districts, the Indian Army has swiftly mobilised its resources to support the ongoing relief efforts. Following a request from the Gujarat State Government, six columns of the Indian Army are undertaking rescue operations to the worst-affected areas to provide immediate Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), said Indian Army sources. Gujarat | In response to the severe flooding in multiple districts, the Indian Army has swiftly mobilised its resources to support the ongoing relief efforts. Following a request from the Gujarat State Government, six columns of the Indian Army are undertaking rescue operations pic.twitter.com/ioFEIReseA ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2024 As many as 26 persons have died in rain-related incidents in the last three days. These deaths were reported from Rajkot, Anand, Mahisagar, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Morbi, Junagadh and Bharuch districts. At least nine persons died in rain-related incidents, such as collapse of walls and drowning, in different parts of the state on Tuesday, an official release said. On Monday, seven persons died in similar incidents in the state. On Wednesday, three members of a family drowned after their car got swept away in flood waters in Rajkot, police said. Rescue teams found seven bodies of people who had gone missing after the tractor trolley on which they were travelling was swept away while crossing an overflowing causeway near Dhavana village of Morbi district on Sunday, SP Rahul Tripathi said. Three of these bodies were found on Tuesday and four on Wednesday, said Morbi fire officer Devendrasinh Jadeja, adding one person was still missing. In a post on X, CM Patel said, Honble Prime Minister Narendra Modiji had a telephonic conversation with me about the heavy rain situation in Gujarat and gathered details of the relief and rescue operations. Modi provided guidance on protection of lives and livestock, and assured all necessary support and assistance from the central government, he said. Honble Prime Minister is constantly monitoring the situation by showing concern about Gujarat. He has a deep affection for the people of Gujarat. During natural calamities and whenever needed, he always stands by Gujarat and the people of the state, the CM added. With the latest spell, Gujarat has so far received 105 per cent of its average annual rainfall, the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) said. Several Saurashtra districts, especially Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Porbandar and Rajkot, experienced very heavy rainfall in 24-hour period ended 6 am on Wednesday, SEOC data showed. Khambhalia taluka of Devbhumi Dwarka district got 454 mm rainfall during this period, followed by Jamnagar city (387 mm), and Jamjodhpur taluka in Jamnagar (329 mm). As many as 13 out of the states 251 talukas received more than 200 mm rainfall, and another 39 over 100 mm showers during this period. As per an official release, 140 reservoirs and dams, and 24 rivers in the state were flowing above the danger marks. Rains also disrupted the movement of traffic and trains as roads and railway lines were flooded. Out of 206 dams, 122 were put on high alert due to sharp rise in their water levels, said the release. As many as 48 trains were cancelled, 14 partially cancelled, and 6 short-terminated. Another 23 trains were diverted to alternative routes, the Western Railways Ahmedabad division said. Overnight rain in parts of Delhi-NCR (National Capital Region) led to severe waterlogging in many areas in the national capital on Thursday morning. The waterlogging resulted in traffic snarls in several areas, including in Noida. The minimum temperature was recorded at 23 degrees Celsius, three notches below the seasons average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The humidity level was 100 per cent at 8.30 am. The Safdarjung observatory, which provides representative data for the national capital, recorded 77.1 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours up to 8.30 am Thursday. The Lodhi Road observatory recorded 92.2 mm of rainfall, Ridge 18.2 mm, Palam 54.5 mm and Ayanagar 62.4 mm, the IMD said. According to the weather offices parameters, 2.5-15.5 mm of rain is considered light rainfall, 15.6 mm-64.4 mm moderate, 64.5-115.5 mm heavy, 115.6-204.4 mm very heavy and over 204.5 mm extremely heavy rainfall. On Wednesday, Delhi and NCR received incessant rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. MORE RAIN ON FORECAST IN DELHI According to the IMD, Delhi-NCR is likely to witness a generally cloudy sky with moderate rain on Thursday and Friday. Similar weather would prevail until Tuesday next week, with rain and thunderstorms on September 2 and 3, the weather department said. It also said the minimum temperature on Thursday is expected to be 23 degrees Celcius, while the maximum temperature is likely to settle around 32 degrees Celsius. VIDEOS SHOW WATERLOGGING, TRAFFIC JAMS IN DELHI Several videos on social media showed commuters wading through the waterlogged roads, and some underpasses were seen completely submerged. A video from Shankar Vihar near Dhaula Kuan showed a waterlogged street. #WATCH | Delhi: Following incessant heavy rainfall in the National Capital, waterlogging and traffic jams are being seen in many places. Visuals from Shankar Vihar near Dhaula Kuan. pic.twitter.com/mre3TZcR4A ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2024 Another video from the same area showed waterlogging and traffic congestion during the early hours today. #WATCH | Delhi: Following incessant heavy rainfall in the National Capital, waterlogging and traffic jams are being seen in many places. Visuals from Dhaula Kuan. pic.twitter.com/5e1lXMrnXY ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2024 Office goers and other commuters faced problems due to traffic jams after heavy rain. #WATCH | Traffic snarls witnessed in several parts of Delhi due to waterlogging following overnight heavy rainfall.Visuals from Dhaula Kuan. pic.twitter.com/AiIEmeQD79 ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2024 Visuals from Parade Road Underpass, Delhi Cantonment, as shared by news agency ANI showed heavy waterlogging. #WATCH | Delhi: Following incessant heavy rainfall in the National Capital, waterlogging is being seen in many places.Visuals from Parade Road Underpass, Delhi Cantonment. pic.twitter.com/hiiYGJyBmj ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2024 Waterlogging was also witnessed on the Mehrauli-Badarpur Road in Delhi. Visuals from the Tigri area showed heavy rain and waterlogging. #WATCH | Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, Delhi: Following incessant heavy rainfall in the National Capital, waterlogging is being seen in many places. Visuals from the Tigri area. pic.twitter.com/Z9CcnKcGfv ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2024 Meanwhile, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of the national capital was recorded in the satisfactory category with a reading of 60 at 9 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 severe. In August this year, Delhi recorded the highest rainfall in the last decade. Weather and rainfall data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) suggested Delhi received 269.9 mm of rainfall until August 22, exceeding the previous high recorded in August 2013. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered the formation of a joint technical committee comprising experts, structural engineers, and officials from the Indian Navy and the state government to investigate the recent collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Rajkot fort, in Malvan. The committee is tasked with determining the precise reasons behind the unfortunate incident and ensuring such occurrences do not happen in the future. The decision was taken at a late night meeting on Wednesday at the official residence of the Chief Minister, Varsha, in Mumbai. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Public Works Minister and Guardian Minister Ravindra Chavan, School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar, Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Iqbal Singh Chahal, Additional Chief Secretary (Public Works) Manisha Mhaiskar, Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Development) Asim Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Brijesh Singh, Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Rear Admiral Manish Chadha, and renowned sculptors Ram Sutar, Vinay Wagh, and Shashikant Wadke. Chief Minister Shinde emphasised the gravity of the situation, acknowledging the deep emotional impact the incident has had on Shivaji Maharajs devotees. He stated, The collapse of the statue is a tragic incident, and it has caused immense pain to the people who hold Shivaji Maharaj in the highest regard. The statue was erected by the Navy at Rajkot as a mark of respect during Navy Day celebrations. We must ensure that such incidents never occur again. To this end, the newly formed committee will not only determine responsibility for the collapse but also propose measures to prevent such incidents in the future. New Statue To Be Constructed Additionally, Chief Minister Shinde has directed the Public Works Department to establish another committee consisting of top sculptors, structural engineers, and technical experts from the Navy and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) to oversee the construction of a new grand statue. This statue will be a fitting tribute to the legendary warrior king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shinde assured that the state government would spare no effort or resources in erecting a new statue that truly befits the stature and legacy of Shivaji Maharaj. He stated, The new statue must be as grand as the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj himself. We will ensure that the project receives all necessary funding and support. The incident has sparked a wave of emotional reactions across Maharashtra, with people demanding a thorough investigation and appropriate action. The formation of the joint technical committee is seen as a decisive step toward addressing these concerns and restoring the honour of the iconic leader through a new, magnificent statue. In a landmark move aimed at boosting employment and supporting unemployed service organisations across Maharashtra, the state government has raised the limit for work contracts that can be awarded without a tender process. The ceiling has been increased from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, according to an announcement made by Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Maharashtras minister for skills, employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Lodha emphasised the critical importance of the decision in the broader strategy of employment generation within the state. He said, Under the visionary leadership of chief minister Eknath Shinde, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, the government has remained steadfast in its commitment to creating diverse employment opportunities through the Skill Development department. Initiatives like the Maharojgar Melava, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Employment Fair, and the Chief Ministers Youth Work Training Scheme have been instrumental in addressing unemployment and enhancing skill development across the state. Expounding on the significance of the new policy, the minister said, Todays announcement is a continuation of our efforts to foster employment generation. By raising the no-tender contract limit to Rs 10 lakh, we are providing unemployed service organisations the means to expand their operational capabilities, take on more substantial projects, and ultimately contribute to job creation. This decision is not merely about increasing the financial threshold; it is about empowering these organisations to play a more pivotal role in Maharashtras economic development. This initiative is set to pave the way for a more prosperous and employment-rich Maharashtra. At the end of 2023, Maharashtra was home to over 2,000 active unemployed service organisations, comprising more than 35,000 members. Despite their significant role in various sectors, these organisations have traditionally secured fewer work contracts, largely due to the lower financial cap on no-tender projects. This restriction has often limited their ability to undertake larger and more impactful projects. Recognising this challenge, the organisations have long advocated for an increase in the no-tender limit, which has now been addressed through the governments latest decision. This increase in the no-tender limit is expected to lead to a significant rise in the number of projects undertaken by these organisations, thereby generating more employment opportunities for the states unemployed youth. By facilitating greater participation of these organisations in state-sponsored projects, the government aims to more effectively harness their potential, ensuring that the benefits of this policy change reach every corner of Maharashtra. This decision marks a significant step forward in the governments ongoing efforts to support unemployed service organisations and contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the state. The Supreme Court on Thursday took strong objection to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddys comments related to the bail granted to BRS leader K Kavitha in cases linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. Kavitha was granted bail in the Delhi excise policy case while delivering a stern reprimand to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over the fairness of their investigation. The top court was irked over Reddys statement hinting towards alleged deal between the BJP and the BRS for securing bail for Kavitha. Responding to the Telangana Chief Ministers remark, the top court said that such statements might create apprehensions in the minds of people. Have you read what he said in the newspaper? Just read what he has stated. What sort of statement is this by a responsible Chief Minister? That might rightly create apprehension in the minds of people. Is this the kind of statement that a Chief Minister should make? A constitutional functionary is speaking in this manner? the apex court said. Why should they drag court in political rivalry? Do we pass orders on consultations with political parties? We are not bothered by politicians or if anybody criticises our orders. We do our duty as per conscience and oath, a three-judge bench headed by Justice B R Gavai told senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Reddy. In an interaction with media persons, Reddy on Tuesday had said there are doubts over MLC Kavitha getting bail in five months when Manish Sisodia got it after 15 months and Kejriwal is yet to get it. It is a fact that BRS worked for the victory of the BJP in the 2024 LS polls . There is also talk that Kavitha got bail because of the deal between BRS and BJP, he had alleged. The apex court said it a fundamental duty to have mutual respect for institutions and maintain arms distance. We always say we will not interfere in the legislature, then that is expected from them also. Do we pass orders on political considerations? the bench also comprising Justices P K Mishra and K V Viswanathan observed. The top court was hearing a petition seeking a transfer of the trial in in the 2015 cash-for-vote scam case, in which Reddy is an accused, from the state to Bhopal. (With inputs from PTI) The Indian mission in Malaysia on Wednesday said that authorities are continuing their search for an Indian woman who fell into a sinkhole last Friday, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation. The high commission reported that local authorities are methodically exploring new possible paths and locations to find the missing Indian national, Vijaya Lakshmi Gali, who fell into a sinkhole in the Malaysian capital on August 23. The search continues to locate Indian citizen (Ms Vijaya Lakshmi Gali) who fell into a sinkhole in Kuala Lumpur on Friday 23 Aug. The SAR teams are methodically deducing newer probable paths and likely locations of the missing Indian national.Local authorities, apart from India in Malaysia (@hcikl) August 28, 2024 Pelbagai usaha terus dilakukan pihak berkuasa bagi mencari wanita warga India, Vijaya Lakshmi Gali, 48, yang hilang dalam insiden tanah jerlus di Jalan Masjid India, baru-baru ini.Ini termasuk menggunakan kaedah menggunakan peralatan khas, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) oleh pic.twitter.com/xxxGxvZrru Buletin TV3 (@BuletinTV3) August 29, 2024 The operation remains focused on the main location of the incident on Jalan Masjid India, Malay Mail reported. Police have cordoned off the area with yellow tape, leading to the closure of nearby business premises to ensure public safety. The search and rescue operation has used various techniques, including tracker dogs and the jetting method to search for Vijaya Lakshmi. The Indian High Commission said that local authorities, apart from police, fire and rescue department, Indah water consortium, KL Federal Territories agencies supported by Civil Defence Forces and specialised scientific teams with sophisticated equipment were now involved in the search. After flushing through portions of drain system, search is being augmented with specialised techniques including high-pressure water jets to remove obstacles, remote cameras and ground penetrating radars to map inaccessible areas, it wrote. The Indian mission said it is in close contact with the relevant agencies engaged in the search efforts as the search has entered its fifth day. The mission said that its officers are also in touch with the family members to extend continued support. The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that the termination of pregnancy without the husbands consent constitutes cruelty under Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act (HMA), 1955, while upholding the dissolution of marriage between the appellant (wife) and the respondent (husband) on the grounds of cruelty and desertion. The court, presided over by Justice Vivek Rusia and Justice Binod Kumar Dwivedi, examined the concept of cruelty in depth and emphasised that cruelty encompasses both physical and mental harm, and the termination of pregnancy without the husbands consent falls within this definition. However, the court clarified that there cannot be a one size fit all approach in such cases and the termination of pregnancy may come under the term cruelty depending upon the facts and circumstances of the case. The court delivered the verdict in a case wherein the husband, filed for divorce under Section 13 of the HMA, 1955, citing cruelty and desertion by his wife. The marriage, solemnised in 2017, quickly deteriorated when the appellant allegedly began mistreating the respondent and his family. According to the husband, she frequently threatened to implicate them in a false dowry case and, without her husbands consent, terminated her pregnancy. Subsequently, she left the matrimonial home to live with her parents without sufficient reason. The appellant returned briefly to the matrimonial home in October 2017 but left again after 15-20 days, despite the respondents objections. On November 12, 2017, she lodged a false FIR against the respondent and his family, accusing them of cruelty and dowry demands. The trial court acquitted the respondent and his family of these charges on November 5, 2019. The respondent claimed that the appellant had deserted him for over three years, depriving him of cohabitation. Despite receiving a summon, the appellant did not appear to file her defence, leading to an ex parte proceeding on July 14, 2022. The family court, after examining the evidence presented by the respondent, granted the divorce on September 3, 2022, citing cruelty and desertion as the grounds for dissolution. The wife approached the High Court against the family courts order arguing that she was not given a fair opportunity to participate in the proceedings, and the family court erred in its judgment. Her counsel contended that the allegations against the appellant were baseless and unsupported by evidence. The appellant urged the High Court to set aside the impugned judgment and decree, claiming that the ex parte proceedings were conducted in undue haste. The High Court examined the relevant provisions of Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, which outlines cruelty and desertion as grounds for divorce. Further, the court in its judgment, took into consideration several precedents to clarify the scope and definition of cruelty under matrimonial law, including the cases of NG Dastane v. S Dastane (1975), in which the Apex court ruled that The court has to deal, not with an ideal husband and an ideal wife (assuming any such exist) but with the particular man and woman before it, emphasising that the court must consider the specific circumstances of the parties involved rather than abstract ideals of marital conduct and Shobha Rani v. Madhukar Reddi (1988) wherein the Supreme Court emphasised that cruelty in matrimonial cases may be mental or physical, intentional or unintentional. The nature of cruel treatment and its impact on the spouse must be considered, particularly whether it creates a reasonable apprehension of harm. The question of mental cruelty has to be considered in the light of the norms of marital ties of the particular society to which the parties belong, their social values, status, environment in which they live. Cruelty, as noted above, includes mental cruelty, which falls within the purview of a matrimonial wrong. Cruelty need not be physical. If from the conduct of the spouse, same is established and/or an inference can be legitimately drawn that the treatment of the spouse is such that it causes an apprehension in the mind of the other spouse, about his or her mental welfare, then this conduct amounts to cruelty. In a delicate human relationship like matrimony, one has to see the probabilities of the case, the court noted. Conclusively, the court held that, in the present case, the family court had not committed any legal or factual error in its judgment. The findings recorded by the learned Court below are impregnable and infallible, the court stated. It is only the wife, who has ruined her family life by her own misdeeds, the court further remarked, finding that the evidence presented was credible, and the grounds for divorce were convincingly established. As a result, the court dismissed the appeal, affirming the dissolution of marriage on the grounds of cruelty and desertion. In recent years, the concept of traditional office space has evolved significantly, driven by changing business needs, global market volatility and the rise of a more mobile workforce. Flexible workspaces have emerged as a crucial solution, offering companies and individuals the ability to adapt quickly to these evolving requirements. These dynamic spaces are increasingly being recognised for their ability to support the diverse needs of businesses across various sectors and scales, from startups to multinational corporations. The Smart Office Revolution and Data-Driven Decision Making The smart office revolution is a game-changer in the flexible workspace industry, transforming how businesses operate. These workspaces are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, such as IoT devices and AI-powered tools, that collect and analyse data in real-time. This data-driven approach provides valuable insights into space utilisation, employee behaviour, and energy consumption, allowing businesses to make informed decisions. By leveraging data analytics, companies can optimise their workspace layout, improve employee satisfaction, and enhance operational efficiency. This technological integration not only fosters a more productive work environment but also aligns with sustainability goals by reducing energy consumption and minimising the carbon footprint. Diversifying Real Estate Portfolios One of the most significant advantages of flexible workspaces is their ability to allow companies to diversify their real estate portfolios. Instead of committing to long-term leases for large office spaces that may go underutilised, businesses can opt for more flexible leasing arrangements that cater to their immediate needs. This approach not only reduces the financial risks associated with vacant properties but also provides the flexibility to scale up or down as required. This adaptability is particularly beneficial in todays fast-paced business environment, where market conditions can change rapidly, and companies need to remain agile to respond effectively. Optimizing CapEx Efficiency Capital expenditure (CapEx) efficiency is another critical benefit offered by flexible workspaces. Traditional office setups often require substantial upfront investment in infrastructure, furniture, and technology, which can be a significant financial burden, reducing the agility of any business. Flexible workspaces allow business to optimise capex and diversify their real estate portfolio. This cost-effectiveness enables organizations to allocate resources more strategically, focusing on core business operations and growth initiatives rather than being bogged down by real estate investments. Increasing Collaboration Flexible workspaces are designed to foster collaboration and interaction among employees. Unlike traditional office settings, these workspaces often feature open layouts, shared common areas, and various meeting rooms that encourage spontaneous discussions and brainstorming sessions. By breaking down physical barriers and promoting a culture of openness, flexible workspaces enhance teamwork and knowledge sharing. Flexible workspaces are built from the ground up to be resilient, agile and adaptable. Hence, these spaces will continuously reshape and reimagine themselves to keep the workforce at their productive peak. As companies change how they operate, flexible workspaces will adapt in lockstep with such changes. Making Productivity Location-Agnostic Flexible workspaces are also instrumental in making productivity location-agnostic. In a world where hybrid work has become increasingly common, the ability to work from anywhere without compromising productivity is essential. Flexible workspaces provide the infrastructure and environment that enable employees to perform at their best, whether they are working from a co-working space, a satellite office, or the main headquarters. This location-agnostic approach not only enhances employee satisfaction but also opens up new opportunities for businesses to tap into a broader talent pool, as geographical boundaries become less relevant. Flexible workspaces are reshaping the future of work by offering adaptable, cost-efficient, and productivity-enhancing solutions that cater to the needs of businesses and individuals alike. As companies continue to navigate the challenges of an ever-changing business landscape, the demand for flexible workspaces will only continue to grow. (Inputs by Manish Khedia, Managing Director, West India, South India & Sri Lanka) KERALA LOTTERY KARUNYA PLUS KN-536 RESULT ON THURSDAY, 29.08.2024, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the results of the Karunya Plus KN-536 lucky draw for Thursday, August 29. Check the Full List of Winning Numbers below. ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Result Today LIVE: Sthree Sakthi SS-431 WINNERS for September 3, 2024 (DECLARED); First Prize Rs 75 Lakh! FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR KARUNYA PLUS KN-536 LOTTERY WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE WORTH RS 8,000 ARE PA 602476 PB 602476 PC 602476 PD 602476 PE 602476 PF 602476 PG 602476 PH 602476 PJ 602476 PL 602476 PM 602476 WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE WORTH RS 80 LAKH IS PK 602476 (KASARAGOD) Agent Name: A MADHUSOODHANAN NAMBIAR Agency No.: S 4 WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE WORTH RS 10 LAKH IS: PH 840051 (PALAKKAD) Agent Name: ASHIK V Agency No.: P 4344 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE WORTH RS 1 LAKH ARE PA 387622 PB 127862 PC 416738 PD 822561 PE 430513 PF 244408 PG 111020 PH 359978 PJ 969657 PK 852441 PL 936919 PM 736112 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE WORTH RS 5,000 ARE 0727 1367 1465 2101 2876 2933 4330 4385 5279 6011 6050 6546 7320 7446 7699 7992 9160 9519 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE WORTH RS 1,000 ARE 0070 1060 1133 1273 1321 1893 2267 2389 2717 2902 3391 3491 4933 4951 5162 5422 5746 5783 6579 6765 7170 7504 7767 8194 8213 8401 8466 8927 8976 9033 9213 9508 9721 9736 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE WORTH RS 500 ARE: 0096 0241 0253 0256 0345 0389 0393 0514 0782 0900 0946 1139 1496 1549 1596 1599 1632 1635 1838 1941 2201 2371 2424 2441 2989 3016 3197 3293 3301 3618 4064 4115 4310 4484 4620 5175 5396 5695 5703 5802 6146 6233 6327 6440 6441 6462 6620 6728 6775 6985 7032 7066 7205 7265 7312 7420 7502 7503 7543 7569 7794 7976 8018 8071 8102 8119 8273 8294 8566 8727 8965 9032 9248 9255 9383 9570 9752 9776 9791 9821 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE WORTH RS 100 ARE 0045 0052 0067 0076 0234 0277 0314 0378 0627 0743 0802 0874 0885 0893 0918 0990 1220 1230 1233 1281 1375 1381 1431 1677 1750 1752 1813 1834 1992 2009 2064 2271 2327 2444 2471 2598 2693 2713 2835 2888 2904 3193 3212 3253 3264 3325 3562 3573 3643 3707 3709 3752 3949 4232 4363 4430 4475 4522 4536 4547 4751 4857 5045 5093 5095 5187 5199 5367 5393 5613 5625 5635 5673 5807 5867 6005 6012 6017 6021 6038 6091 6092 6293 6356 6548 6585 6905 6960 7226 7435 7494 7510 7548 7605 7694 7701 7768 7782 7837 7844 7978 7993 8014 8088 8142 8280 8292 8326 8421 8595 8611 8675 8679 8771 8849 8909 9282 9309 9367 9373 9411 9464 9547 9556 9660 9708 KERALA LOTTERY RESULT: KARUNYA PLUS KN-536 PRIZE STRUCTURE 1st Prize: Rs 80 Lakh 2nd Prize: Rs. 10 Lakh 3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh 4th Prize: Rs. 5,000 5th Prize: Rs. 1,000 6th Prize: Rs. 500 7th Prize: Rs. 100 Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000 HOW TO VERIFY KERALA KARUNYA PLUS KN-536 LOTTERY RESULTS? The Karunya Plus KN 536 lottery players have two options for verifying the outcomes. They have two options, they can visit the Kerala Lottery Departments official website: keralalottery.info, or they can go directly to the lottery office. With these options, players can quickly examine the lottery result and determine their odds of winning. HOW TO COLLECT YOUR PRIZE MONEY? Players can choose to verify the status of their tickets in addition to comparing the numbers on their tickets with the winning combinations that are announced in the Kerala Government Gazette. Winners may pick up their winnings at the Kerala Lottery Headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram within 30 days following the announcement of the results. To complete the verification process, the winners must bring a legitimate form of identification and their winning ticket. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY? 1. A photocopy of the winning ticket with self-attestation on both sides is required. 2. A pair of passport-sized photos signed by a Gazette official. 3. An extra PAN card with the participants signature on it. 4. Fill up the online award money receipt form, then send it in with a revenue stamp attached. 5. Identity documents (PAN, Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards, among others). HOW TO DOWNLOAD A PDF WITH A FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS? 1. Go to keralalotteries.info or keralalotteryresult.net, the official website of the Kerala Lottery Department. 2. Select the link for Karunya Plus KN 536 Result. 3. Each winning number should now be visible in the result. 4. Locate the webpages download link. 5. Choose to get the FF-108 lottery results in PDF format. KERALA LOTTERY: WEEKLY DRAW MONDAY: Win Win First prize Rs 75 lakh TUESDAY: Sthree Sakthi First prize Rs 75 lakh WEDNESDAY: Fifty Fifty First prize Rs 1 crore THURSDAY: Karunya Plus First prize Rs 80 lakh FRIDAY: Nirmal First prize Rs 70 lakh SATURDAY: Karunya First prize Rs 80 lakh SUNDAY: Akshaya First prize Rs 70 lakh KERALA BUMPER LOTTERIES January: Xmas New Year Lottery March: Summer Bumper Lottery May: Vishu Bumper Lottery July: Monsoon Bumper Lottery September: Thiruvonam Bumper Lottery October: Onam Bumper Lottery November: Pooja Bumper Lottery. KERALA ONAM THIRUVONAM BUMPER BR-99 LOTTERY DRAW ON OCTOBER 9; FIRST PRIZE RS 25 CRORE! WHAT: Onam Bumper BR-99 Lottery Draw WHEN: October 9, 2024 at 2 pm FIRST PRIZE: Rs 25 Crore TICKET SERIES: TA, TB, TC, TD, TE, TG, TH, TJ, TK, TL TICKET PRICE: Rs 500 each The next bumper lottery known as the Onam Bumper Lottery is on October 9, 2024. The result will be live at 2 PM. The Kerala government has increased the first prize of the lottery to Rs 25 crore. The second prize is Rs 1 crore (20 number of prizes) and third prize is Rs 50 lakhs (20 number of prizes) respectively. The lowest amount of prize for this lottery is Rs 500. The consolation prize itself is Rs 5 lakh. The cost of the ticket is Rs 500. ONAM THIRUVONAM BUMPER BR-99 PRIZE STRUCTURE Actor Amy Jackson made her first public appearance post her big fat wedding in Italy and she definitely made it in style. Married to actor Ed Westwick, Amy arrived at the opening ceremony of the 81st Venice Film Festival 2024 in a surreal Alberta Ferretti gown. Amy graced the red carpet for the movie Beetlejuice Beetlejuice stars Jenna Ortega, Winona Ryder, and Michael Keaton, among others. Amy looked ethereal in Italian fashion designer Alberta Ferrettis gown from her Fall Winter 2024 collection, which she showcased at Milan Fashion Week 2024. The off shoulder tulle bustier gown was embroidered with a cascade of degrade crystals and resemble the dark sky filled with sparkling stars. Fitting Amy like a glove, this red carpet worthy gown did win hearts at the film festival. Adding drama to her overal look was the old-world Hollywood charm hairstyle styled by Patrick Wilson. Amy accessorised with diamond jewellery featuring a necklace and bracelete. The highlight of the look was the wedding ring she wore on her left finger. Thus adding some more sparkle to her timeless and elegant look. Ahead of her red carpet appearance, Amy arrived at the festival looking chic in another Alberta Ferretti ensemble. The statement piece, which was from the designers Resort 2025 collection, featured a nude shade double-breasted jacket with shiny lapels. The long jacket was paired with either a ruffled skirt or dress. Amy completed this effortless yet stylish look with a pair of sunglasses and a knotted bag. Amys strapless silk Mikado gown too was designed by Alberta Ferretti. Alberta beautifully captured Amys classic aesthetic with modern day fashion and sophistication. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alberta Ferretti (@albertaferretti) The 81st Venice Film Festival, which began on August 28, 2024, with the screening of Tim Burtons Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, saw an array of celebrities grace the red carpet. Looking stylish in their ensembles were Cate Blanchett, Catherine OHara, Isabelle Huppert, Zhang Ziyi, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci among others. The film festival is on till September 7 and has an impressive lineup of films to look forward to. With films starring Lady Gaga, Angelina Jolie, we cant wait to see them shine on the red carpet. For our furry friends, the monsoon season might prove to be pretty difficult. To address these challenges, Mars Petcare India and Swiggy Instamart have teamed to launch Paw Protecc, a brilliant initiative designed to keep our animal friends safe during the extreme weather conditions. There are already about 150 shelters in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi that offer stray animals protection from weather-related threats. Paw Protecc implements ideas from government and animal welfare professionals, motivated by a shared goal of making pet surroundings safer. Paw Protecc offers shelters to assist community dogs in surviving the monsoon and obtaining quick relief, as well as adopting proposals from authorities and specialists in animal welfare. This programme also complies with the latest order from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), which urges businesses to construct makeshift animal shelters for the duration of the prolonged monsoon season. To maintain these shelters and make sure they are filled with necessary food and water, Mars Petcare has teamed with NGOs, including Friendicoes, Save Our Strays, and CUPA. In the initial phase of the Paw Protecc initiative, it has strategically identified nearly 50 feeding points across three major metro areas for the deployment of mobile shelters. Each of these critical locations serves as a lifeline for up to 500 homeless pets every single day. To further support these vulnerable animals, Mars Petcare and Swiggy Instamart have pledged 20,000 nutritious meals, ensuring these pets receive the essential care and sustenance they need during this challenging time. To drive community participation in the initiative, an engaging campaign on social media on the sidelines of International Dog Day to spread awareness about the initiative has also been introduced. More About the Campaign: 69.3 million pets60.5 million dogs and 8.8 million catsare homeless in India and live in substandard conditions on the streets, according to data from the Mars State of Pet Homelessness report, which is discussed by Salil Murthy, Managing Director of Mars Petcare India. The Mars Petcare and Swiggy Instamart Paw Protecc initiative is a result of our common purpose to create a better world for pets. For over two decades, Mars Petcare has worked to improve the lives of pets, whether in homes or on the streets, across India. Weve led adoption initiatives, forged long-term partnerships with NGOs, and provided nutritional support to millions of pets. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Swiggy Instamart (@swiggy_instamart) Through Paw Protecc, were taking direct action. Pedigree and Swiggy Instamart have joined forces to support pets affected by the prolonged monsoon, deploying mobile shelters at feeding points in cities. Our partnerships with animal welfare associations are central to this effort. Alongside shelter, we ensure these pets receive the balanced nutrition they need to survive. Paw Protecc is more than an initiative; its a call to action. We urge individuals, communities, and organisations to join us in improving the lives of pets and creating a compassionate environment where every pet can lead a healthy and safe life. Phani Kishan Addepalli, CEO of Swiggy Instamart, added, We are delighted to partner with Mars Petcare for the Paw Protecc initiative, which is an honest attempt to make things a bit easier for the animals in our communities, especially during the difficult monsoon season. Weve seen a strong response from Swiggy Instamart users in the pet category, which highlights the deep care people have for their animal companions. This initiative is our way of giving back and supporting the animals that bring so much joy to our lives. Through initiatives including the donation of over 100 million meals, the sterilisation of over 30,000 roaming animals, and the provision of comprehensive preventive care, including wellness checks, vaccinations, and preventive medicine to over 100,000 pets, Mars Petcare has supported nearly 10 million vulnerable pets worldwide over the past three years. Animal lovers have taken notice of the shelters, which are currently operating in Delhi and Mumbai, and are expressing their gratitude and support on social media. The 81st Venice Film Festival began on a stylish note with the screening of Jenna Ortegas film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. The red carpet was graced by the stars of the film, including Jenna Ortega, Cate Blanchett, and Winona Ryder, among others. What caught everyones attention was the Dior red tulle dress adorned by actor Jenna Ortega, who plays the character Lydia Deetzs daughter, Astrid in the movie. Honouring the red voluminous gown worn by Lydia Deetz in the original 1988 film, Beetlejuice, Jenna added her own spin to the silhouette at the screening. Jenna looked resplendent in the backless, vibrant ensemble, which featured a heart shaped ruffled bodice paired with a sheer tulle skirt. Adding a bold red lip to her glamorous style, Jenna accentuated her look further with statement jewellery and a classic updo highlighting her bangs. Jenna owned the red carpet with a couple of dramatic poses. Jenna was later joined by evergreen star Wiona Ryder who was dressed in a cropped tuxedo and paired with a similar tulle skirt but in black. Also spotted looking ethereal was global star Cate Blanchett in an Armani Prive strapless silver gown, Monica Bellucci who dazzled in a custom Vivienne Westwood black gown with an exaggerated neckline and puffy sleeves. The opening ceremony was also graced by actor Amy Jackson, who recently had a fairytale wedding in Italy. She looked stunning in an Alberta Ferretti sheer black embellished gown. Also spotted at the film festival opening ceremony were Mariacarla Boscono, Zhang Ziyi, Catherine OHara, Tim Burton, and Michael Keaton among others. During the films promotions, Jennas style journey revolved around some iconic looks, one of which was the custom Paul Smith pantsuit resembling the character Beetljuices suit played by Michael Keaton in the original film. Behind Jennas iconic method dressing is her stylist, Enrique Melendez, who not only took inspiration from the original films characters but also celebrated Jennas impeccable style through the contemporary looks. The Venice Film Festival is on till September 7, 2024 and will screen an array of films including Joker: Folie a Deux featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, Angelina Jolies Maria, Daniel Craigs Queer among others. In the recent episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 16, Amitabh Bachchan schooled a contestant for calling unmarried women a burden. It all started after contestant Krishna Selukar revealed that despite having a degree in engineering, he lost his job during the coronavirus-induced lockdown. He then compared his situation to an unmarried woman and said, Agar mei kahu bina shadi ki ladki gharwalo par bojh hoti hai na sir, ek umar hone ke baad berozgar ladke utna hi bojh hote hai (If I say that an unmarried lady is a burden to her family, then after an age, an unemployed man is also a burden). For More: Amitabh Bachchan Schools KBC 16 Contestant For Calling Unmarried Women Bojh: Ek Baat Btaye Aapko Naga Chaitanya caused quite a stir on social media on Tuesday when a video of him dressed as a groom began circulating online. Fans of the actor, who recently got engaged to Sobhita Dhulipala, were momentarily confused, thinking he was already tying the knot. However, the buzz was all about the actor launching a wedding collection for a clothing brand. Speaking to the media at the event, Chaitanya admitted, Perhaps you could think so, that its a countdown kinda for my marriage, but he remained tight-lipped about the actual wedding date and venue. For More: Naga Chaitanya BREAKS Silence on His 2nd Wedding With Sobhita Dhulipala: It Doesnt Have to Be The Malayalam film industrys MeToo movement seems to be getting murkier by the hour. A new development, which has emerged in connection with filmmaker Ranjith, now threatens to raise questions about the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), an advocacy group that champions womens rights in the industry. A Kerala man, who had accused Ranjith of sexual misconduct, has alleged that his nude photos were sent by the director to actress and WCC member Revathi. Earlier in the day, an FIR was registered against Ranjith basis the mans allegations. For More: Kerala Man, Who Accused Director Ranjith Of Harassment, Says His Nude Pics Sent By Filmmaker To WCC Member Revathi Siddhant Chaturvedi is gearing up for his next action thriller titled Yudhra. The actor shared the announcement poster a few days back and today, after much anticipation and wait, the action-packed trailer was finally unveiled today i.e. on August 29, 2024. For More: Yudhra Trailer: Siddhant Chaturvedi Channels His Inner Angry Young Man In Action-Packed Preview, Watch Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, who has recently been in the spotlight for blockbusters like Jawan and Pathaan, has made a grand entrance into the Hurun India Rich List 2024. In a debut that mirrors his cinematic successes, Khans net worth has been pegged at an impressive Rs 7,300 crore, securing his place among Indias wealthiest. For More: Shah Rukh Khan Joins Hurun India Rich List with 7,300 Crore Net Worth; Details Inside Stree 2, starring Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor, has become a major box-office success. The horror-comedy has become an instant hit with its compelling storyline and comic timing. In a recent interview with Faridoon Shahryar, Aparshakti Khurana, who plays Bittu, delved into the intricacies of his role and shared insights about his co-star, Akshay Kumar. Aparshakti Khurana lauded the actors exceptional comedic timing, noting that it greatly enhanced the films horror-comedy dynamic. He reminisced about spending nearly 20 days with Akshay in the United States. Aparshakti Khurana called Akshay Kumar both enthusiastic and disciplined. Jab wo ek scene bhi karne aate hain to bhi isi energy ke saath aate hain ki wo poori film ka part hain. Itne zyaada dil ke saath aate hain (When he comes to do even a scene, he comes with the same energy that he is a part of the entire film. He comes with so much heart), he said. The actor went on to say that Akshay Kumar has remained relevant and fit over the years, which is not easy in the industry. Aparshakti, also stated that there is a lot to learn from him. Akshay Kumar appeared in the later half of Stree 2. He works as a leader in a facility for specially-abled patients. His character is shown as the last living member of the demon Sarkatas family. Stree 2, is the sequel to the 2018 film Stree. The films original cast members reprised their roles in the recently released horror comedy. Aparshakti also returned as the friend of Rajkummar Raos character in the sequel. The film also featured Abhishek Banerjee and Pankaj Tripathi. Before, Stree 2, Aparshakti Khurana was seen in the well-acclaimed web series Jubliee. Jubilee is a multi-starred show on Prime Video. It delved deep into the 1950s film industry and also starred Prosenjit Chatterjee, Sidhant Gupta, Aditi Rao Hydari, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Ram Kapoor. On the other hand, Akshay Kumars Khel Khel Mein was released on the same day as Stree 2 and has received favourable reviews. He has movies like Welcome To The Jungle, Skyforce, Jolly LLB 3, Housefull 5 and Hera Pheri 3 in the pipeline. The report released by the Justice K Hema Committee on the sexual harassment of women in the Malayalam film industry on August 19 has sparked immense outrage. It also led Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan to announce that the state government is working towards formulating a comprehensive cinema law to ensure womens safety. As a ripple effect, Womens Forum for Screen Workers in the Bangla film industry has issued a charter of demands to reinforce dignity of women in workplace that was signed by 50 actors and technicians. Last week, actor Tanushree Dutta spoke to us exclusively and slammed the Hema Committee Report saying that committees and reports are useless and the focus should be on enforcing a strong law and order system. And now, the Hema Committee Report has given rise to a conversation on whether a similar process should also be adopted in the Hindi film industry to protect the rights of women on a film set. Writer Kanika Dhillon, who had earlier shed light on the gender bias she has faced in Bollywood and how it almost wreaked havoc on her career, now reacts to the much talked about report and the possible implications it can have on women in cinema. In an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, she says, Whenever focus is drawn to the malpractices and prejudices against women in any industry, it definitely makes people across industries take note and retrospect. The Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba and Manmarziyaan writer further adds, Kudos to the Hema Committee Report for putting the spotlight on the plight and malpractices that women have been subjected to! Only when the focus and the spotlight will be directed to these issues, will the change begin to improve the work environment and professional spaces for women across industries. Meanwhile, Parvathy Thiruvothu lashed out at the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) committee for their decision of collective resignation during her conversation with Barkha Dutt on her YouTube channel. Parvathy, who is also the founding member of Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), recently questioned AMMAs move and called them cowards. Even though she didnt name Mohanlal, she criticised the decision and argued that it was an attempt to avoid accountability. Yesterday (August 29), an FIR was filed against actor-turned-politician Mukesh and actors Jayasurya and Edavela Babu following a complaint by actor Minu Muneer. The FIR against Jayasurya has reportedly been registered under Section 354 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to intent to outrage a womans modesty. A group of 100 women writers and activists have released a joint statement demanding Mukeshs resignation on moral grounds. IC-814 The Kandahar Hijack Review: IC-814 The Kandahar Hijack, directed by Anubhav Sinha, revisits the traumatic 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814, which captivated the nation and led to a week of tense negotiations in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The Netflix series explores the incident from multiple perspectives, intertwining the stories of the passengers, their families, the Indian government, and the hijackers. Sinha, known for his nuanced handling of socio-political themes, has crafted a gripping narrative that balances historical accuracy with dramatic storytelling. The performances are the backbone of this series. Vijay Varma stands out as Captain Devi Sharan, bringing a mix of resolve and vulnerability to the role. His portrayal as the pilot is layered, reflecting the immense pressure that the pilot faced during the crisis. Varmas performance captures the moral dilemmas and the emotional strain of making key decisions. Dia Mirza has also delivered a compelling performance as a member of the press. Her portrayal is both tender and intense, effectively conveying the anguish, fear, and helplessness of someone balancing the news about the people trapped in an unimaginable situation and the government. She brings a quiet strength to her role, which resonates throughout the series. On the other hand, Patralekhaa plays one of the flight attendants on board, and her portrayal is marked by a restrained intensity. She has managed to capture the terror and bravery of the cabin crew as they navigated the uncertainty of their fate. Patralekhaas performance is subtle yet powerful, highlighting the human side of this traumatic event. Portraying a senior government official, Kumud Mishra embodies the weight of responsibility with all seriousness. His character is a man torn between duty and conscience, and Mishra portrays this internal conflict with great depth. His performance is one of the highlights of the series. Back with a bang is Arvind Swami, playing a key government officer involved in the negotiations. He brings a commanding presence to the screen with his character. His performance anchors many of the tense negotiation scenes, adding to the shows intensity. While the series excels in performances, there are moments where the pacing feels uneven. Some episodes delve deeply into bureaucratic procedures, slowing down the narrative, while others rush through critical moments. Despite this, the emotional depth brought by the cast keeps viewers engaged. Overall, IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack is a gripping series elevated by its stellar cast. The performances of Vijay Varma, Dia Mirza, Patralekhaa, Kumud Mishra, and Arvind Swami add layers of complexity to an already tense storyline, making it a must-watch for those interested in historical dramas and real-life events. Prominent Kannada cinema actress Padmaja Rao has been sentenced to three months in prison and lakhs worth of fine by a Mangaluru court in connection to a loan she allegedly took. As per reports, the case was filed by Veerendra Shetty, who is the owner of Veeru Talkies and a resident of Maryhill, in Mangaluru. According to him, the veteran actress had taken a loan of Rs 40 lakh and given him an ICICI Bank cheque as security, which was reportedly dated June 17, 2020. So, when Veerendra went to cash the cheque, it ended up being bounced due to insufficient balance in the actresss bank account. Veerendra Shetty then issued a notice to Padmaja Rao on June 30, 2020, warning the actress to complete the payment in 15 days, however, she failed to go forth with it. Going by more reports, Padmaja denied the allegations during the court proceedings, stating that she never took any money from Shetty, nor did she provide him any security cheque. Moreover, she accused Veerendra Shetty of stealing a cheque from her and forging her signature to make a false case against her. However, she failed to provide a piece of substantial evidence which could support her claims. However, Padmaja Raos lawyer argued that Veerendra Shettys charges were a counter-complaint, which followed a police complaint the actress had filed on March 23, 2020, at the JP Nagar Police Station, in Bengaluru. In the complaint, the actress alleged that Shetty had defrauded her of Rs 52.70 lakh. Judge Fawaz P A from the Eighth Judicial Magistrate First Class Court, sentenced Padmaja to three months in prison after reviewing the case. Furthermore, the actress is ordered to pay a fine of Rs 40.2 lakh. The amount includes Rs 40.17 lakh, which is to be paid to the complainant, along with an additional Rs 3,000 as a penalty to the government. Malayalam actress Minu Muneer has demanded justice after accusing actor Jayasurya of sexual assault. In an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18, Muneer urged the authorities to take action against the accused and mentioned that it is time to make workplaces safe for women. I need justice, she told us and then added, Women should feel safe. No one should feel unsafe while working. Minu, who also accused CPI(M) MLA and actor Mukesh of assaulting her, further demanded his resignation. She urged the political party not to support him and stated, Government and the party will never support a person like him. They too have daughters, wives, and sisters. No politics can support a person like Mukesh. Minu is hopeful that the government will take strict action against these accused. Things will change and impact will be seen. They cannot pressurise women. Attitude will change. They should know how to respect women, she said and then claimed that more women from the film industry will come out in the next few days to share their stories of exploitation and assault. The actress further reacted to Mohanlal-led AMMAs mass resignation and called it a good move. She requested Prithviraj Sukumaran to come forward and mentioned that he must lead the AMMA now. Mohanlal, who was the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, announced his resignation with his 17-member executive committee earlier this week. For the unversed, an FIR has been filed against CPI(M) MLA and actor Mukesh, actor Jayasurya, and Edavela Babu following a complaint by Minu Muneer. The FIR against Jayasurya has reportedly been registered under Section 354 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to intent to outrage a womans modesty. The accused have also been charged with sexual and verbal assault. The cases of sexual assault in the Malayalam film industry are being reported ever since the findings of the Justice Hema Committee Report were made public earlier this month. Several actresses have accused male members of the industry of harassing them. So far, 17 cases have been filed. Beijing (Gasgoo)- The 2024 Chengdu Motor Show will officially kick off on August 30, featuring a strong presence from Chery Holding with its four brands: Chery, EXEED, JETOUR, and iCAR. A total of 35 mainstay models will make their debut at the event, the automaker revealed. Tiggo 8 PLUS; photo credit: Chery Specifically, the Chery brand will showcase 12 models, focusing on both oil-fueled and new energy powertrains, with fresh additions to its popular Tiggo and Arrizo series. The new member of the Tiggo family, the Tiggo 8 PLUS, is set to kick off pre-sale at the Chengdu Motor Show. Additionally, the 2025 Tiggo 7 PLUS, Tiggo 8L, and other significant models will be revealed. Fulwin E05 concept; photo credit: Chery At the show, Chery's Fulwin new energy vehicle lineup will introduce a new highlight: the mass-production concept of the Fulwin E05, a smart and stylish coupe designed for the global market. In the meantime, the EXEED brand will present its Yaoguang C-DM electric four-wheel drive model, alongside the STERRA ES and ET models, offering a premium new energy vehicle experience. Moreover, the JETOUR brand will start pre-sales of its new model, the Shanhai L7, while the new energy vehicle brand iCAR will display key products like the iCAR 03T and iCAR V23. Chery will also launch its "Fulwin Co-Creation Plan" during the show, inviting users to join a collaborative design workshop, where they can help create their dream vehicles and explore various possibilities in automotive technology development. New developments from the Malayalam film industry report that an FIR has been filed against CPI(M) MLA and actor Mukesh, actor Jayasurya, and Edavela Babu following a complaint by an actress. The FIR against Jayasurya has reportedly been registered under Section 354 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to intent to outrage a womans modesty. The accused have also been charged with sexual and verbal assault. According to India Today, the actress recorded her statement with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Wednesday night, a day after accusing them in a Facebook post of verbal and physical abuse. Meanwhile, Mukesh has called for fair investigation. In response to the allegations raised against me and other film industry colleagues, I welcome the ongoing investigations. A fair and transparent inquiry is crucial to uncover the truth behind the accusations being discussed in the public domain, he said in a statement. This comes hours after it was reported that an FIR has also been filed against Malayalam director Ranjith for allegedly sexually assaulting a Bengali actress. IGP and Commissioner of Police S Syamsundar shared information about the same and stated that further investigation is underway. Received a complaint from the victim in the abuse case regarding director Ranjith. A crime in the north police station has been registered under section 354, and the investigation will be as per the mandate to be decided by the special investigation team constituted by the government for the same, he told ANI. The cases of sexual assault in the Malayalam film industry are being reported ever since the findings of the Justice Hema Committee Report were made public earlier this month. Several actresses have accused male members of the industry of harassing them. So far, 17 cases have been filed. In the wake of the same, Mohanlal also recently resigned as the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists. The actor announced his decision and left everyone shocked. He was the president of the association and had a 17-member executive committee. However, all the members of the executive committee submitted their joint resignation. Naga Chaitanya caused quite a stir on social media on Tuesday when a video of him dressed as a groom began circulating online. Fans of the actor, who recently got engaged to Sobhita Dhulipala, were momentarily confused, thinking he was already tying the knot. However, the buzz was all about the actor launching a wedding collection for a clothing brand. Speaking to the media at the event, Chaitanya admitted, Perhaps you could think so, that its a countdown kinda for my marriage, but he remained tight-lipped about the actual wedding date and venue. When asked if this appearance in a grooms outfit was a sort of rehearsal for his upcoming nuptials, Naga Chaitanya playfully hinted that it might be. He was also questioned about his preferences for the wedding size. Addressing this, he said, Marriage is about the people who mean a lot to me. It doesnt have to be a big fat wedding but people keeping up with the cultures and traditions in mind, so thats how I want it (marriage) to be. As for the specifics of the wedding date and location, Chaitanya shared that nothing has been finalised yet. The actor and Sobhita Dhulipala got engaged on August 8 in a private ceremony at Chaitanyas home. Making their relationship public, the couple shared a poetic message, quoting, What could my mother be to yours? What kin is my father to yours anyway? And how did you and I meet ever? But in love our hearts are as red earth and pouring rain: mingled beyond parting. This verse from Kurunthogai, translated by A.K. Ramanujan, beautifully encapsulates their love. Naga Chaitanyas father, Nagarjuna Akkineni, also took to social media to officially welcome Sobhita into the family. In an earlier interview with Times Now, Nagarjuna revealed that the couple chose the engagement date based on its auspiciousness. Both families consulted the Nakshatras, and when we were told August 8 was a very auspicious day, we decided to go ahead with it, he said. Naga Chaitanya was previously married to actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu. The two married in 2017 and amicably parted ways in 2021. Netflixs new series, titled IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack boasts of some stellar actors in its star cast. From Naseeruddin Shah to Pankaj Kapur, and Manoj Pahwa to Arvind Swami, some of the biggest names in the acting fraternity are seen under one roof. With such stallwarts on the sets, was there a sense of competitiveness among them? Naseeruddin said not at all. The actor, in a sit down with his fellow actors from the show, opened up about the energy on the sets and said there was no competition between the actors. I dont normally bother about these things. For me, the joy is working with actors who you enjoy being with and who you trust. And I think that was the greatest bond among all of us. In that, there was absolutely no competitiveness which is to me is the bane of acting. There was absolutely none in this and I didnt expect that there would be any, knowing all the people who were in it," Naseeruddin said. Anubhav Sinha, the director of the series, chipped in to add, That was probably the only way it could have happened." Watch the complete conversation below: For the unversed, the series revolves around the dramatic incident that took place in December 1999, when Indian Airlines Flight 814 was hijacked by a group of militants. The aircraft, en route from Kathmandu to Delhi, was diverted to Kandahar in Afghanistan after being taken over by the hijackers. The standoff lasted for several days, during which intense negotiations and complex diplomatic maneuvers unfolded. Speaking at a press gathering last month, Anubhav said he could easily convince Naseeruddin to join the show. However, it was a task to convince Pankaj Kapur. Pankaj Kapur was the most difficult to cast," the director said. He doesnt say yes easily. He loves me dearly, and Ive been working with him since 2004." He said, I wont do the series. Why should I? I thought sending him his scenes might change his mind. But he insisted, No, I want to read the whole script. I told him, Pankaj bhai, its 200 pages, 6 episodes He replied, I will read the 200 pages. So I said, okay, read," the filmmaker added with a smile. Palak Tiwari, who made her Bollywood debut last year, has been working on other projects since then. Recently, the actress took some time off from her professional commitments and went on a vacation with her girl gang. Palak and her friends went off to a cosy retreat to Goa and enjoyed the monsoon by the beach. She shared a photo dump from her Girls Trip and it will surely make you want to pack your bags and head for a weekend getaway with your gang. In one of the photos, she looked lovely in a black dress as she posed near the indoor pool. The following picture shows her in an off-the-shoulder dress, with the cool breeze touching her hair. In another snap, Palak was seen reclining on a couch inside a brightly lit house with tall glass windows. She also shared a candid still with her friends and undoubtedly, had a great time. Other snaps showed her relaxed on the swing or simply enjoying nature. Her followers were mesmerised with her pictures and shared how beautiful she looked in the snaps. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Palak Tiwari (@palaktiwarii) Palak, who is the daughter of actress Shweta Tiwari, stepped into Bollywood in 2023 with the film Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan starring Salman Khan. The film was an action-comedy and was a remake of the 2014 Tamil film Veeram. The cast also included Pooja Hegde, Venkatesh, Bhumika Chawla, Jagapathi Babu, Vijender Singh, Raghav Juyal, Jassie Gill, Siddharth Nigam, Shehnaaz Gill, Palak Tiwari, Vinali Bhatnagar and Satish Kaushik. Speaking about her daughter aspiring to have a career in Bollywood, Palaks mother, Shweta told India Today, I envision her going up on the stage and receiving an award. I want to be seated there and I know I will be teary eyed when I see her win the award. This would indeed be the most gratifying feeling for me. Shweta stated how she wants Palak to get the Best Actress award someday. Palak Tiwari will next be seen in the sci-fi horror-comedy, The Virgin Tree. The film is directed by Sidhaant Sachdev. Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Singh, Mouni Roy, Aasif Khan and Beyounic are part of the cast. Actor Parvathy Thiruvothu has lashed out at the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) committee for their decision of collective resignation. Parvathy, who is also the founding member of Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), recently questioned AMMAs move and called them cowards. Even though the actress did not name Mohanlal, she criticised the decision and argued that it was an attempt to avoid accountability. The first reaction I had when I heard the news about this collective resignation was, how cowardly. How cowardly of them to step away from a position where they are accountable to speak to the media. Thats an immediate cop-out. With this, the onus has again fallen on women to take the conversations and debates forward. It would have been amazing if they had shown at least the intention to work with the state government and stakeholders to figure a way out, Parvathy told journalist Barkha Dutt on her YouTube channel. Parvathy further expressed her anger and raised several important questions. This is the same executive committee that welcomed the prime accused in the 2017 sexual assault case back into its fold when the case was still going on. This is the same executive committee that claimed none of these things actually existed until the allegations against them came out. Also, it was very careless of the government to make statements like, If the women have complaints, they should just file an FIR and come up with names. Again the onus is put on women to name and shame and take the brunt of it after that. My questions always been, what is the proof of justice you can show for you to demand that we must name and shame (the perpetrators)? After that, what happens to us, our careers, lives, legal fees and mental health issues? No one gives a damn about that. Why, again and again, the onus is put on the women to take care of the problems that are not caused by us? she said. For the unversed, earlier this week, Mohanlal resigned as the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists. The actor announced his decision and left everyone shocked. He was the president of the association and had a 17-member executive committee. However, all the members of the executive committee submitted their joint resignation. Their decision came amid the shocking allegations by a series of actresses accusing sexual misconduct by male industry members after the details of Justice Hema Committee report were made public. Salman Khan attended an event in Mumbai on Wednesday, where he was seen enjoying himself to the fullest. While several videos of the Bollywood superstar from the event are going viral on social media, a new clip has surfaced online, leaving fans concerned and worried. In the viral video, Salman Khan can be seen struggling to get up from his seat. He takes the support of the sofas back and takes a while to stand up and greet Sonali Bendre, who was also present at the event. It should be noted that Salman Khan attended the event despite not being in the best of health. He recently suffered a rib injury. Watch the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) However, soon after the video surfaced online, fans rushed to the comments section to express concern for the actor and wished him a speedy recovery. Our childhood favourites are ageingso are we! A reminder that nothing remains forever, one of the fans wrote. Come on yaar, he is 58. Still, if he manages to look this, kudos to him, added another. Omg. Our favourite is getting old, a third comment read. Meanwhile, at the event, Salman Khan was also seen grooving to the song Tera Hi Jalwa from his film Wanted. Besides this, he was also seen hugging a young fan. He was also spotted reuniting with Sonali Bendre, marking a poignant moment as it was their first public appearance together since the release of Hum Saath-Saath Hain 25 years ago. Khan also promoted eco-friendly Ganesha idols. On the work front, Salman Khan is currently working on his next film Sikandar which also stars Rashmika Mandanna in the lead. The film will mark their first union on screen. Sikandar also represents AR Murugadosss highly anticipated return to Hindi cinema after an eight-year hiatus following Akira (2016). This film also reunites Salman Khan with producer Sajid Nadiadwala, a duo known for their blockbuster successes such as Kick, Judwaa, and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi. Veteran actress Shabana Azmi has reacted to the shocking Kolkata rape and murder case. Recently, the Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani actress attended an event in Pune when she called the RG Kar Hospital incident extremely dangerous. She mentioned that its high time to dismantle patriarchy and stated that it is sad to see not a lot is changed since the 2012 Nirbhaya rape and murder case. Such incidents are extremely dangerous. Its embarrassing to see that these kinds of heinous acts have not reduced despite the formation of Justice Verma Committee back in 2012 during the Nirbhaya case. We should not treat women as commodities we need to dismantle patriarchy which is deep-rooted in us, Shabana Azmi said as quoted by the news agency ANI. Shabana Azmi is not the first actress who has expressed anger to the rape and murder case of a doctor in Kolkata. Previously, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Preity Zinta also reacted to the incident. 12 years later, the same story, the same protest. But we are still waiting for change, Kareena wrote. On the other hand, Preity Zinta also expressed anger and called the Kolkata rape and murder case heartbreaking and disgusting. She further mentioned that it was time to prioritize womens safety and hoped for strict punishments for the accused. Later, Samantha Ruth Prabhu also called for change and shared that womens safety should be our priority. It is the need of the hour and we are really looking forward to some change. It is the need of the hour. I hope the change comes really soon, she said at an event in Mumbai. Among others, Hrithik Roshan also demanded harsh punishment for the accused and wrote on X, Yes we need to evolve into a society where we ALL feel equally safe. But that is going to take decades. Its going to hopefully happen with sensitizing and empowering our sons and daughters. The next generations will be better. We will get there. Eventually. But what in the interim? Right now justice would be to put a hard stop to such atrocities. And the only way to do that is a punishment so harsh that it scares the living daylights out of such perpetrators. Thats what we need. Perhaps? Alia Bhatt also expressed her outrage and wrote, Another brutal rape. Another day of realisation that women are not safe, anywhere, drawing a direct comparison to the Nirbhaya tragedy that shook India over a decade ago. Actor Vijay Varma, celebrated for his roles in Pink, Mirzapur, and Gully Boy, is gearing up for his next big project, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. In a recent interview with Shubhankar Mishra on YouTube, Vijay candidly discussed a challenging period in his life when he faced significant financial and personal difficulties. Vijay revealed that during one of his lowest phases, he had only Rs 18 in his bank account. Reflecting on this difficult time, he shared that his options for a meal were limited to either panipuri for Rs 12 or idli for Rs 13. This period was particularly tough as Vijay was not on speaking terms with his father and had stopped seeking financial help from his family. He described this phase as a critical juncture where he felt he had lost everything. An insightful person advised him that until his basic needs were met, he wouldnt feel the urgency to push himself further. This advice helped him recognise the fire within him and motivated him to persevere despite the hardships. Meri baat-cheet ho nahin rahi thi mere pitaji se (I wasnt on talking terms with my father), he expressed. Aur mujhe kisi samjhdaar aadmi ne bola ki jab tak tera rent aur basic kharcha aata rahega, tu hilega nahin. Tere andar jo fire hai usko thoda jalane de(An intelligent person had told me that till the time you are getting money for rent and basic expenses, you wont move. You have a fire inside; let it burn), he added. Vijay Varmas journey from those trying times to now starring in IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is inspiring. In this series, directed by Anubhav Sinha, he portrays Captain Devi Sharan, the pilot of the 1999 hijacked Indian Airlines Flight 814. The series, which also features Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, and Dia Mirza, will premiere on Netflix on August 29, 2024, and delves into the gripping events of the hijacking. In 1982, Israel invaded southern Lebanon. Its target: Palestinian militants who had been using the country as a launchpad against Israel. At first, the local Shiite and Christian populations were happy to see the occupying Palestinian Liberation Organisation or the PLO driven out of their lands. But Israel decided to overstay its welcome and the situation soon flipped out of control. You see, Israel was not alone when it entered Lebanon. Moving behind the shadows was another nation Iran, specifically, its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp, which snuck into Lebanons Bekaa valley and created a brand-new monster far more powerful than Palestinian militants and whose guns were trained exclusively at Israel and the West. This was an armed group called Hezbollah. The longer Israel would stay, the stronger Hezbollah would get. And Israel stayed for 18 years. Today, Hezbollah is an Iranian proxy group and is known to be one of the most powerful non-state actors in the world, running a state within a state and constantly keeping the Israeli security establishment up at night. On Sunday, the world woke up to the news that more than 100 Israeli jets had attacked Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. Israel called this a pre-emptive action to thwart Hezbollahs plans to attack Israel. It said that it had precise intel that Hezbollah was planning something big. Hezbollah hit back immediately with a barrage of Katyusha rockets, over 320 of them, targeting 11 Israeli bases and barracks including Iron Dome installations. Israel then declared a 48-hour nationwide emergency. Three Hezbollah fighters were killed on the Lebanese side and one Israeli soldier on the Israeli side. But the escalations halted as quickly as they began as Hezbollah called it a day saying that its attack was complete. Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire every now and then for decades. The war in Gaza is the latest reason for Hezbollah to fire its rockets at Israel. It wants a ceasefire and until that happens, Hezbollah will not stop. But unlike Hamas, which Israel has vowed to obliterate, Hezbollah is a much more difficult target. Hezbollah is a Shia militant group, designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US and several other nations. It is based in Lebanon to the north of Israel and has conducted several terror attacks in the region. It was behind the 1983 suicide bombing of the US embassy in Beirut, killing dozens. It has a large arsenal of weapons and rockets. Some 20,000 to 100,000 fighters. And allies in the form of Iran and Syria, making it stronger than the Lebanese Army itself. As per its manifesto, it pledges fealty to Iran, is committed to the destruction of Israel and wants the removal of Western powers from the region. And all of this was not possible without local support. Hezbollah had driven Israel out by 2000, and saw a spike in public approval. Note that its name Hizb-Allah literally means the party of God. It wields tremendous influence over the countrys politics, bolstered by the 31 per cent Shia Muslim population. Its popularity has only grown because of its support for the Sunni Muslim group Hamas, making it a favourite of the Sunni groups as well. It has parliamentarians and ministers in the Lebanese government, and essentially runs the show in Beirut. Hezbollah runs several social services, media outlets, schools and hospitals bolstering its political standing even more at a time when people see a leadership crisis in Beirut. This is why its called a state within a state. So, it has local support, massive firepower and an army, but no air force or navyalmost like Hamas in Gaza. However, its footprint on the Lebanese map explains its power. Hezbollahs strongholds are in the northeast, the Bekaa Valley where it all started, the south of Beirut where its political leadership is and southern Lebanon, where the main launchpads against Israel remain seated. Geographically, these regions are discontiguous, but they all have a crucial role to play in Hezbollahs operations. In the Bekaa Valley, there are training camps for fighters. Its also where Hezbollah started off. In South Beirut, which is a coastal city along the Mediterranean Sea, politics and logistics are taken care of. And in Southern Lebanon, which is a poor suburban region, the bulk of Hezbollahs fighters and rocket launchers are based. But the weapons arsenal is spread across the country in secret locations including underground ones. It would be difficult to defeat Hezbollah without running over the entirety of Lebanon. But thats not it. Even if Israel were to decide to take on southern Lebanon first, like it did against the PLO in 1982, it wouldnt have the same experience. Over the years, Hezbollah has extensively fortified this part of the country. It has a large number of rockets, long-range missiles and drones in underground facilities. And thats not even its greatest leverage. Like its patron, Iran, Hezbollah is sitting on rugged, mountainous terrain and is using it to its advantage. It has trained in guerrilla warfare and its underground bunkers, bases, tunnels and caves, all built in the mountains are simply too difficult to bomb with precision. Obviously, a major purpose of Hezbollah was to never let an Israeli invasion happen again. But how did it amass all this military strength? Lebanon is not exactly an oil-producing country so where did the money come from? Short answer Iran. Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollahs leader, says that Iran is the source of all of Hezbollahs arms and funds. He wants the groups supporters to know that none of the security and social services would be possible without Iran. Hezbollah is part of Irans Axis of Resistance and is the most potent group connected both in terms of religion and ideology with Tehran. Its essentially an extension of the IRGC. But Iran couldnt do it alone. It has had logistical access from Iraq and Syria for decades. When the Syrian civil war took off, Hezbollah supported Bashar Al Assads regime and its military got a major boost as a result. In fact, it built an arsenal of weapons and tanks in Syria cementing this collaboration further. Syria has an interest in keeping Hezbollah aroundAssad is an ally of Iran, and antagonistic towards Israel which still occupies the Syrian territory of Golan Heights. Hezbollah enjoys regional support and geostrategic advantages far greater than Hamas. And although its military strength is not anywhere close to Israels, it is staring down at Israel with a natural advantage. It threatens to overwhelm Israels Iron Dome systems with its large rocket arsenal and it can particularly sting in the event of a war with Iran. This does not mean that its invincible. Hezbollah rules with an iron hand and is vulnerable to public criticism. It was implicated in the killing of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri in a suicide bombing. It dragged Lebanon into a war with Israel in 2006 leading to massive civilian casualties. And it has time and again played with fire on behalf of Iran and Palestine and not everyone in the Muslim population of Lebanon approves of that. Moreover, Israel has the support of the US, which may intervene militarily, especially if there is a war with Iran. For Iran, it is more important for Hezbollah to be seated firmly, with its rocket launchers aimed at Israel as a deterrent rather than getting into an all-out war. Its current role is more defensive than offensive. But it poses an existential threat to northern Israel and is expected to stick around longer than any other crown jewel of Irans Axis of Resistance. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Kerala is often hailed for its progressive values and its cinema that frequently addresses womens issues with nuance and empathy. However, beneath this veneer lies a troubling reality: the women who bring these stories to life are often subjected to systemic discrimination, harassment, and exploitation. The recent release of the Hema Committee Report exposes the deep-rooted misogyny within the Malayalam film industry and serves as a reminder that progressive cinema does not necessarily translate to progressive working conditions for women. The 2017 Incident: Catalyst for Unmasking Industrys Dark Side The Hema Committee was formed in response to a horrifying 2017 incident that shook Kerala to its core. A prominent actress was abducted, assaulted, and filmed by a group of men who later tried to use the footage for blackmail. The involvement of a well-known male actor, accused of masterminding the assault to settle personal scores, added a layer of betrayal and shock. This incident ignited widespread outrage, leading the state government to appoint a three-member committee, chaired by Justice Hema, a retired Kerala High Court judge, to investigate sexual harassment and gender bias within the Malayalam film industry. The findings of the Hema Committee, submitted in a comprehensive 295-page report in 2019, were explosive. However, the Kerala government inexplicably delayed its release, prompting legal battles and public outcry. Finally, in 2024, a redacted version of the report was made public, and its contents left the state reeling. The report paints a grim picture of an industry where women are systematically exploited, marginalised, and silenced, with little recourse for justice. A Male-Dominated Industry: The Culture of Silence and Abuse The Hema Committee Report exposes a deeply toxic environment for women in the Malayalam film industry, where sexual harassment is not only prevalent but normalised. Powerful men routinely demand sexual favours in exchange for roles, career advancement, or even basic professional respect. Women who resist these demands are often sidelined, ostracised, or blacklisted, effectively ending their careers. These abuses are not isolated incidents but part of a pervasive culture of misogyny and exploitation that has persisted unchecked for decades. One of the most troubling revelations in the report is the pervasive fear that silences women who experience harassment. This fear of retaliation is so profound that many women endure abuse rather than risk the severe personal and professional consequences of reporting it. The report documents how women who come forward face a coordinated backlash not only from within the industry but also from fan clubs and social media, making the pursuit of justice a perilous and daunting endeavour. The Malayalam film industry, like many others, is dominated by a few influential male actors, directors, and producers who hold disproportionate power. This male dominance creates an environment where women are marginalised and excluded from key decision-making processes. The report highlights structural discrimination, including the lack of basic facilities such as separate toilets and changing rooms. In some cases, women are forced to relieve themselves in open spaces, a degrading reality that underscores the industrys disregard for their dignity and well-being. The report also reveals various forms of exploitation women face, including financial extortion, and physical and psychological harassment. These abuses have become so entrenched that they are regarded as an open secret, with many aware but unwilling to address them. The Hema Committees findings highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of the industrys practices and culture, which have long facilitated and perpetuated these abuses. Recommendations for Structural Reform: A Blueprint for Change The Hema Committee did not merely catalogue the industrys failings; it also provided a comprehensive blueprint for reform. Among its most crucial recommendations is the establishment of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in all production houses, in accordance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013. These committees are essential for providing women with a safe, confidential platform to report harassment and seek justice without fear of retribution. The report emphasises that these committees must be independent, well-resourced, and empowered to take decisive action against offenders. The committee also calls for mandatory gender sensitisation programs for all industry stakeholders, including actors, directors, producers, and technicians. These programs are designed to challenge and dismantle the deeply entrenched patriarchal attitudes that have allowed harassment and discrimination to thrive. The report further recommends increasing the representation of women in decision-making roles, such as directors and producers, as a critical step toward breaking the male-dominated power structures that currently govern the industry. Another significant recommendation is the need for the government to play an active role in monitoring and enforcing these reforms. The Hema Committee urges the Kerala government to create a task force dedicated to overseeing the implementation of its recommendations, ensuring that they lead to real, substantive change rather than being reduced to symbolic gestures. This task force should have the authority to hold those accountable who fail to comply with the new regulations and to impose penalties on production houses that continue to violate womens rights. Role of Industry Bodies: Leading by Example While the governments role is crucial, the responsibility for driving change also lies with industry bodies such as the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) and the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA). These organisations have historically been criticised for their inadequate response to allegations of harassment and exploitation. The Hema Committees report presents them with an opportunity to redeem themselves by taking a firm, proactive stance against such practices and leading the charge for reform. The AMMA and FEFKA must not only adopt the reports recommendations but also set industry-wide standards for the ethical treatment of women. This includes establishing clear codes of conduct, ensuring that all members are aware of and adhere to these standards, and taking swift, decisive action against those who violate them. The credibility and future of these organisations depend on their ability to rise to this challenge and demonstrate a genuine commitment to gender equality. A Reflection of Broader Societal Issues The issues exposed by the Hema Committee are not confined to the film industry; they are symptomatic of broader societal problems that continue to plague Indian society. Despite Keralas reputation for progressiveness, the report reveals that deep-seated misogyny and gender-based violence are still pervasive. The exploitation and harassment of women in the workplace is not unique to the film industry but widespread across various sectors, reflecting the entrenched patriarchal values that continue to undermine gender equality. The report serves as a stark reminder that even in states like Kerala, which boast high literacy rates and relatively better social indicators for women, gender equality remains an elusive goal. The findings of the Hema Committee should therefore be seen as a call to action for the entire state to confront and address these issues head-on, not just within the film industry but across all sectors of society. The Power of Public Discourse: Keeping the Pressure On The successful implementation of the Hema Committees recommendations will require sustained public pressure and discourse. The media, civil society, and the public must continue to engage with the issues raised by the report, ensuring that they remain in the public consciousness and that the government and industry are held accountable. This requires ongoing dialogue, advocacy, and activism, with a focus on keeping the momentum for change alive. Public discourse also plays a crucial role in challenging the culture of silence that has long protected perpetrators of harassment and exploitation. By fostering open conversations about these issues, society can begin to dismantle the stigma and fear that often prevent women from coming forward. The report provides an opportunity for the industry and the public to engage in meaningful self-reflection and to work together towards creating a more just and equitable environment for all. Seizing the Moment for Lasting Change The Hema Committee Report is more than a mere document; it represents a powerful critique of the Malayalam film industry and a crucial blueprint for transformative change. Its recommendations are practical, essential, and long overdue. The success of these recommendations will hinge on the collective will of the government, industry, and society to take decisive and meaningful action. Kerala stands at a pivotal moment. The state has the opportunity to leverage the findings of this report to affect a significant shift toward gender equality, extending beyond the film industry to all sectors. While the path to change will be challenging, the potential benefitscreating a safer, more equitable environment for women in the workplaceare substantial and worthwhile. The Hema Committee Report should be viewed not as the conclusion of a process but as the inception of a new chapter in the quest for gender equality and respect. By integrating the reports recommendations into the core of both industry practices and societal norms, we will move closer to a reality where women can work with safety and dignity. This effort goes beyond mere industry reform; it is about fundamentally transforming societal attitudes and structures. Amal Chandra is an author, policy analyst and columnist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Beijing (Gasgoo)- On August 28, Dongfeng Motors Forthing brand officially opened presale for the Xinghai S7 (name in Chinese pinyin), a premium electric sedan, which is set to officially hit the market on September 20. Photo credit: Dongfeng Forthing The Xinghai S7 is part of Forthing's high-end new energy series and showcases the brands latest technologies. The model is available in two variants in presale, the Yuexiang Edition priced at 129,800 yuan and the Shexiang Edition at 139,900 yuan. Both variants offer the same range, power, and L2+ assisted driving capabilities, with the Shexiang Edition featuring additional corner radar, DMS facial recognition fatigue monitoring, and 12 speakers. The Xinghai S7, positioned as a mid-to-large electric sedan, measures 4,935 mm in length, 1,915 mm in width, and 1,495 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,915 mm. It provides ample front and rear seating space, while the rear seats can fold flat to form a 1.9-meter bed. The vehicle features 27 storage spaces, including a front trunk. Photo credit: Dongfeng Forthing The exterior boasts a fluid aesthetic design, a closed front fascia, a fastback shape, frameless doors, and hidden door handles. With a drag coefficient of just 0.191 Cd and an energy consumption of 11.9 kWh per 100 km under WLTC standards, it demonstrates impressive efficiency. The interior adopts a wraparound cockpit design with a minimalist, tech-focused aesthetic, featuring a dual-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel and electronic gear shift. It includes an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, a 15.6-inch floating central control screen, 50W wireless fast charging, and a 1.9-square-meter panoramic sunroof. The seats are designed with eight layers of foam for comfort during long drives. The model for presale offers a single-motor rear-wheel drive configuration with a 160-kW peak power output, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 6.67 seconds, and delivering a CLTC-rated range of 555 km. The automaker disclosed that the Xinghai S7 will release an extended-range version in the future. In a significant development that has shaken Maharashtras political landscape, a statue of the revered Maratha leader, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, recently toppled over, sparking widespread outrage. The incident quickly escalated into a political crisis, with opposition leaders staging protests across the state, and senior figures from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition rushing to the scene to express their condemnation. Even before the MVA leaders could arrive at the site in Malvan, BJP leader Narayan Rane and his son had already made their presence felt. Tensions ran high when Aditya Thackeray, a prominent leader of the MVA, arrived, leading to a heated confrontation between supporters of the Rane and Thackeray camps. As the political drama unfolded on the ground, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar addressed the incident during a public rally in Latur. With a tone of deep regret, Pawar offered an apology to the 13 crore citizens of Maharashtra on behalf of the government. Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, he assured the public that those responsible for the mishap would be identified and brought to justice. I promise to take strict action against the culprits, Pawar said, stressing the importance of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs enduring legacy and the profound impact his life has on the people of Maharashtra. The NCP Ajit Pawar faction has decided to hold a silent protest across the state over the incident. Pawars speech at the Jan Samman Yatra wasnt just about the statue incident. He took the opportunity to highlight the governments recent accomplishments, particularly the decision to waive electricity bills amounting to Rs 15,000 crore. Farmers should not worry about their pending electricity bills. We are committed to solving their problems, Pawar declared, reinforcing his image as a leader who delivers on promises. He also noted that the states budget, totaling Rs 6.5 lakh crore, includes significant allocations for womens welfare under the Ladki Bahan scheme, which he vowed would be sustained over the next five years. Pawar didnt shy away from addressing the pressing issue of rising crimes against women, a matter that has been at the forefront of public concern following a shocking incident in Badlapur. He pledged that the government would introduce stricter laws and impose harsher penalties, including death sentence and life imprisonment, for perpetrators of such heinous crimes. There will be no leniency in cases of violence against women, Pawar asserted, underscoring the governments commitment to ensuring the safety and security of women across the state. Through his words, Ajit Pawar not only sought to calm the storm surrounding the statues toppling but also aimed to reassure the public of his governments dedication to upholding justice, protecting Maharashtras heritage, and safeguarding the well-being of its citizens. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Punjab MP Simranjit Singh Mann triggered a controversy by making a derogatory remark on actor-politician Kangana Ranaut, days after she said rapes took place during farmer protests in the countrys northern belt earlier this year. Kangana Ranaut has a lot of experience with rape. You can ask her how it happens. People should be educated on how rape occurs, the former Sangrur MP said. The SAD Amritsar chief said this while addressing a presser in Karnal to announce his plans to contest the Haryana polls. He also stated that those advocating for freedom were being targeted by the government. He said Sikhs were not free, and he supported their desire for a separate country. He said they wanted a buffer state as it would prevent war between India and Pakistan. He said the Wagah border should be opened for trade. Our people have been in jail for 30 years, which is too long, and the central government should release them. The government has released many people early. Why differentiate between Hindus and Sikhs? Kangana Ranaut Reacts Responding to the SAD leaders remarks, the BJP MP from Mandi said they will not be able to suppress her voice. Ranaut said, Today I am also receiving rape threats. They will not be able to suppress my voice like this. Taking to microblogging site X, the BJP MP wrote, It seems this country will never stop trivialising rape, today this senior politician compared getting raped to riding a bicycle no wonder rapes and violence against women for fun, are so deeply rooted in the psyche of this patriarchal nation that it is casually used to tease or mock a woman even if she is a high profile filmmaker or politician. It seems this country will never stop trivialising rape, today this senior politician compared getting raped to riding a bicycle no wonder rapes and violence against women for fun, is so deep rooted in the psyche of this patriarchal nation that it is casually used to tease or pic.twitter.com/ZHHWPEXawq Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) August 29, 2024 Haryana State Women Commission Issues Notice To Simranjit Singh Mann A notice was issued by the Haryana State Women Commission to Simranjit Singh Mann over his remarks. The SAD leader is asked to make an apology and respond to the Commission within five days. On Wednesday, Ranaut admitted that she was reprimanded by her party, the BJP, over her remark on farmers protest. The Lok Sabha MP from Mandi said she was looking forward to being more careful with her words and aligning with the partys policies. The actor, who has received four National Film Awards for Queen, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Manikarnika- The Queen of Jhansi, and Panga, sparked a row over her remark claiming that farmers protests could have led to a Bangladesh-like situation if the central government had not taken strong measures. However, the BJP distanced itself from her remark, saying she was neither permitted nor authorised to make statements on party policy issues. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday critiqued the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led government, accusing it of lacking the necessary vision to drive the states development. In an interview with News18 India, Shinde contrasted his administrations proactive efforts with what he described as stagnation under Thackerays leadership. Shinde highlighted Maharashtras current leadership position in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in India, attributing the success to his governments policies, which have made Maharashtra an investment-friendly state. He pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects, such as the ambitious Mumbai-Pune Missing Link and the imminent completion of Metro 3s first phase as key initiatives that have positioned Maharashtra as the nations growth engine. We are attracting industries that create jobs for the people of Maharashtra, providing them with security and the necessary facilities to establish their businesses, Shinde stated. He criticised the previous government for its lack of focus on development, saying, They lacked the vision to initiate infrastructure projects. Our government, guided by PM Modi, has successfully attracted more FDI and accelerated the states development. Shinde also took aim at the previous administrations governance style, suggesting it was disconnected from the public. You cannot run a government by sitting at home or relying on Facebook Live; you need to be on the ground, engaging with the people, he asserted. Emphasising the potential of Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to generate a trillion-dollar economy, Shinde discussed his administrations efforts at tackling pressing issues, particularly in rural Maharashtra. He highlighted initiatives such as the Re 1 crop insurance scheme and infrastructure development in remote areas like Gadchiroli, Bhandara, and Gondia, which have attracted industries and spurred economic activity in these previously neglected regions. Shinde also reaffirmed his governments commitment to providing reservation to the Maratha community. We have granted them 10 per cent reservation, but some have challenged this in court. Previous governments only played politics with this issue instead of taking decisive action, he said. Reflecting on the political challenges he has faced, Shinde revealed a plot within his former party to imprison him for opposing certain strategies, including attempts to entrap BJP leaders in false cases. Before they could act, I distanced myself from that government, leading to its collapse and the failure of their plan, he concluded. Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday took to social media platform X, denying claims that she threatened students protesting against the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar hospital on August 9. She claimed that some media organisations were running a malicious disinformation campaign against her. Referring to her speech during the 27th foundation day rally of the West Bengal Trinamool Chhatra Parishad in Kolkata on Wednesday, she said, I detect a malicious disinformation campaign in some print, electronic and digital media which has been unleashed with reference to a speech that I made in our students programme yesterday. Let me most emphatically clarify that I have not uttered a single word against the (medical etc.) students or their movements. I totally support their movement. The Bengal CM said she never threatened the protesting doctors and alleged that some people were making false accusations. I never threatened them, as some people are accusing me of doing. This allegation is completely false, she said. She clarified her stance, saying, I have spoken against BJP. I have spoken against them because, with the support of the Government of India, they are threatening the democracy in our State and trying to create anarchyI also clarify that the phrase (phonsh kara) that I had used in my speech yesterday is a quote from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa DevaMy speech on that point was a direct allusion to the great Ramakrishnite saying. The protesting doctors on Wednesday objected to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees that an FIR could ruin their future. The doctors who have taken to the streets since the rape and murder at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College have decided to continue their protest despite Banerjee urging them to end the strike and return to work. I support the junior doctors agitation. They are protesting because their colleagues have been raped and murdered. We will not take any action against you, but I appeal to you to join work. The Supreme Court also requested the doctors to join work, Banerjee said while addressing an event at the foundation day event of the Trinamool Congresss student wing. The Supreme Court had also appealed to junior doctors to join work. One must remember that the SC said that it was up to the state government to take action. We didnt take action. If an FIR is filed against you, your future will be ruined. He or she wont get a passport or visa, the Chief Minister added. Row Over President Murmus Enough is Enough Remark Meanwhile, a row has erupted over President Droupadi Murmus remarks on the Kolkata rape and murder and several Opposition leaders have opposed her statements. TMC Spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said the President sounded like a BJP politician. Enough is enough: President Murmu slams Indian societys collective amnesia on crimes against womenPolitical reactions follow; tune in for details#RGKarHospital #KolkataDoctorDeathCase | Avantika Singh pic.twitter.com/Bz1MtkFVxG News18 (@CNNnews18) August 29, 2024 The Opposition said the President never commented on crimes against women in other states, especially the ones ruled by the BJP, and cited examples of atrocities during the Manipur crisis and the Hathras incident. President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said she was dismayed and horrified to learn about the Kolkata crime. No civilised society can allow daughters and sisters to be subjected to such atrocities, the President said, adding, Enough is enough. Even as students, doctors and citizens were protesting in Kolkata, criminals remained on prowl elsewhere, President Murmu said. BJP Reacts The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) quickly responded to Banerjees clarification. The saffron partys Media Cell In-Charge, Amit Malviya, in a post on X, went on to quote Banerjee from her Wednesday speech and counter her clarification. He wrote, This is what Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of Bengal said, Junior doctors future will be ruined if FIR is filed, they will not get passport-visa. This is what Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of Bengal said, Junior doctors future will be ruined if FIR is filed, they will not get passport-visa.Mamata Banerjee is digging herself deeper in the hole with this clarification. Shame on her for threatening medical students, https://t.co/gyKRGqvbCV Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 29, 2024 Mamata Banerjee is digging herself deeper in the hole with this clarification. Shame on her for threatening medical students, demanding justice for their colleague, a young lady doctor, who was brutally raped and murdered in the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital, he added. A day after telling its MPs that they will not be allowed to contest Haryana Assembly polls, the Congress on Thursday said if they are interested in becoming the chief ministerial face they can throw their hat in the ring post polls if they have the support of the newly-elected MLAs. Congress general secretary in-charge of the state Deepak Babarias remarks comes amid speculation that senior leaders such as former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, his son Deepender Hooda, Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala, among others, could be in the running for the top job. While Selja and Deepender Hooda are members of the Lok Sabha, Surjewala is a member of the Rajya Sabha. Bhupinder Hooda is the leader of the opposition in the Haryana Assembly. The opposition party also asserted that it would go into the polls with collective leadership. Babaria said candidates for 50 to 55 seats have been finalised and the central election committee of the party is likely to meet tentatively on September 2-3 before releasing the list. He asserted that the Congress will go into the elections with a collective leadership, adding that as of today that is the decision. Asserting that the decision of not allowing the partys MPs to contest the Haryana Assembly polls was final, Babaria said, I am sure no MPs will be contesting the assembly elections. They are already MPs and anybody who wants to be the CM face, they can throw their hat in the ring post-election results provided they have the support of the legislature party. Speaking on the issue, he said earlier, Yes, it can happen (that those who do not contest elections can become CM). Anyone can project himself as CM, provided that person has the support of MLAs and the blessings of the party high command. Babaria asserted that the Congress is fully prepared for the elections. Asked about some MPs being interested in contesting the Assembly polls in Haryana, Babaria had told reporters on Wednesday, Nobody will be given permission to contest. His remarks come days after Lok Sabha MP Selja indicated her desire to contest the upcoming assembly elections and said she wishes to work in the state but the high command will take a final call on the matter. There was speculation that Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala may also be considering contesting the polls. Virtually throwing her hat in the ring for the Haryana chief ministers post in case the Congress gets a majority, Selja had said last week people do have ambitions individually and community-wise and went on to ask Why not. The Election Commission earlier this month announced that polls for the 90-member Haryana Assembly will be held on October 1 and the results declared on October 4. Haryana is currently ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Congress is looking to unseat the BJP and return to power after remaining 10 years in the opposition. After the last assembly elections, the BJP formed a coalition government with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP). However, the coalition broke after disagreements over seat-sharing in the Lok Sabha elections. Later, the BJP saved its government with the support of Independent MLAs. In the Lok Sabha elections held a few months ago, the BJP and the Congress won five seats each of the 10 seats in Haryana. Actor-turned-politician Smriti Irani recently decoded Rahul Gandhis style of politics and said the Congress leader believes he has tasted success. She said from caste politics to provocative remarks, everything was a part of his new strategy. The former union minister, who created history by defeating Rahul Gandhi in his home turf Amethi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, said, Rahul Gandhi tried to woo voters of the nation (who are majorly Hindus) by visiting temples, but it did not work for him. So, his public relations manager advised him to use caste as a tool to reach out to the masses and gain political traction. If he had the mindset of a great politician, it would have been evident since the inception of his career. What he is doing now is just a strategy, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said in a recent candid conversation during a podcast by a journalist. Irani alleged that Gandhi made calculated and strategic moves. She urged people not to underestimate Gandhis line of attack, saying, So we shouldnt be under the misconception about his actions whether you find them good, bad, or childish they are a different kind of politics. She said he made provocative remarks to remain in the spotlight and create headlines, citing his recent controversial remark about the lack of Dalit or Adivasi contestants in Miss India. He knows that Miss India has nothing to do with forming the government, but he still says things like that on social media. Because it makes the headlines, she said. She questioned Gandhis ideologies and belief system and said, If a politician wants to do good for the nation, he or she will do it at any cost. Even if he or she faces flak. The causes Rahul Gandhi is advocating for these days are a part of his strategy and not his belief system. During the podcast which lasted over two hours, Irani opened up about several topics for the first time since her defeat in Amethi in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Irani, known for her aggressive stance inside and outside Parliament, revealed the reasons behind her 2024 Amethi defeat and shared stories of her political journey. She also spoke on her political relationship with two prime ministers of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi. She shared her views on the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case and sexist remarks by fellow politicians apart from stories from her Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi days. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a meeting with his council of ministers at the Sushma Swaraj Bhavan in New Delhi. During the meeting, which lasted more than five hours, the Prime Minister credited all his colleagues for giving him the strength to ensure the welfare of the people of the country. I count on you, the Prime Minister told his council of ministers, adding, Aap sab ka saath hai, jisse maine janta ko ek baar phir bharosa diya hai. PM Modi also stressed that his government is clear in its vision, not only up to 2029, but up to 2047, when they aspire to make India a developed nation, Viksit Bharat. The Prime Minister also elaborated on presentations and urged ministers and bureaucrats to hold extensive consultations to ensure the effective rollout of policies, particularly social initiatives aimed at alleviating the problems faced by women and the poor. Speaking at the meeting for nearly 40 minutes, PM Narendra Modi stressed that his government has a proven track record of undertaking new projects, from laying its foundation to implementation, and said the same pace should continue. According to a Network 18 source aware of the development, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of communicating the decisions taken by the government, and its impact, to the people of the country, through social media. PM LISTS FOUR IMPORTANT PILLARS While a detailed presentation was made on the budget schemes and their implementation, the Prime Minister spoke about his four main focus areas gyan (information), gareeb (poor), yuva annadata (farmers) and naari (women). He also said that the last budget held enough for these listed four important pillars and that the same message must be sent to the people of the country. Further, the Prime Minister asked his cabinet colleagues to come up with more ideas for the cause of the development of women in the country. The ministers were also asked to cascade the decisions of this government to the people of the country. It was learnt that the Prime Minister, on September 5, will celebrate 10 years of many schemes launched by him. At the meeting, outgoing cabinet secretary, Rajiv Gauba, presented the top 73 decisions made by the government in the first 85 days of coming to power. There was also a presentation on the health and education sectors, along with one on the infrastructure projects across the country. As the meeting concluded, the Prime Minister jokingly addressed the difficulty some of the new members in the meeting would face when asked to sit for so long. He, however, said his colleagues would soon adapt to such a non-stop working style. This was the first meeting the Prime Minister chaired with his council of ministers, after coming to power for a third term. The last council meeting was held before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, wherein Prime Minister Modi had asked his cabinet colleagues to come up with a plan for the first hundred days, and then for the next five days. Apple is going to launch the iPhone 16 series in a few weeks time but there is also a small matter of the new M4-powered Macs to roll out later this year. And the company seems to be planning for a big change with the new Macs with their launch rumoured for October. Apple is reportedly ending the 8GB RAM model for MacBooks and starting its lineup with a base of 16GB RAM from now on. Thats right, the new AI-powered M4 chips could use the extra memory power to support the features and Apple might oblige by making them the base variant for the MacBook Pros that will be launching before the end of 2024. AI Needs More Power The M4 chip made its debut with the iPad Pro 2024 model earlier this year and we have been eager to hear more about the silicone making its way to the Macs. It seems the company is happy to bring the M4 processor to the MacBook Pros straight away and reserve the new MacBook Air, Mac Pro for an early 2025 release. The report also points out that the M4-powered Macs will support up to 32GB memory which is a big bump on the 24GB RAM support offered with the M3-powered Macs. Apple and other tech giants have highlighted that running AI tasks and hardware requires more power and the decision to make 16GB RAM as the base option will be much welcomed. Even with the M1 or M2powered Macs, people have felt that 8GB RAM wasnt proving enough and most of the 16GB RAM variants seem to have gone out of the market. Apple Intelligence features will be detailed on September 9 when the iPhone 16 series will be unveiled as well as the Siri upgrade which has been teased with the Glowtime invite by the company this week. An Australian news channel is facing criticism after footage of a group of sexy Santas dancing during a typical staff meeting went viral. Seven West Media, the parent company of Seven Network, reportedly held the controversial meeting in Perth on Friday. The meeting was to announce Chris Dore as The West Australians editor-in-chief, Sarah-Jane Tasker as its first female editor and Adrian Lowe at The Sunday Times weekend newspaper as their first LGBT appointment. But that standard meeting appeared to have veered into an unlikely territory when a gaggle of scantily clad female dancers wearing Santa hats and short red dresses came on stage. The news was first reported by the Australian Financial Review (AFR). As per the publication, the clip sees the four women in front of Deputy News Director Ray Kuka, who is there desk-drumming, before breaking into a can-can line to Mariah Careys All I Want for Christmas. After the event, a picture of the scene was posted online and received harsh criticism, with some claiming it looked like something from the 1980s. Some of the female employees reportedly left in protest after expressing shock. A Seven West Media staff meeting last Friday featured women dancers dressed as sexy Santas. I thought this was a parody news report until I saw it confirmed by numerous news media. So Seven is STILL stuck in the 1970's. #media #sexism #journalism pic.twitter.com/mf0XxFyh9N Peter Murphy (@PeterWMurphy1) August 27, 2024 This does not belong in any workplace. I would cringe if that happened where I worked. It demeans EVERYBODY, a user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). This does not belong in any workplace. I would cringe if that happened where I worked. It demeans EVERYBODY. The Passenger (formerly Dirty Leftie) (@IxatDnats) August 26, 2024 Seven West Medias spokesperson defended the dancers, stating they were a part of the Perth institution that is the Christmas Pageant, reports news.com.au. Tasker told Guardian Australia that because the event was an upfront-style presentation, complete with pyrotechnics and sizzle reels, rather than a typical staff meeting, the medias response to it was way over the top. The Christmas-themed exotic dance comes to light just weeks after ABCs Four Corners program aired an episode claiming a culture of sexual harassment is rampant within Seven. As per the Sky News, due to legal difficulties surrounding the episode, many scenes were modified prior to broadcast. The pending edition was edited to take out an interview with ex-Seven CEO Tim Worners former mistress, Amber Harrison, even when Harrison is shown in promotionals for the program, the report added. In June, Seven booted out veteran journalist Robert Ovadia from the company after probing a claim that he acted inappropriately towards another female colleague. The networks most senior investigative reporter and fill-in presenter for its flagship Seven News program has also been sacked, although Ovadia reportedly denies the allegation and is taking legal action against Seven over wrongful termination. News.co.au reports that after the ABC investigation, shares of parent firm Seven Holdings Group and Seven West Media had declined; however, following Wednesdays financial results, both stocks witnessed early gains. Miscreants in Bengalurus Indiranagar used a special tool to break into cars parked on a busy street and stole laptops and valuables in broad daylight on August 22. While one thief distracted the guard, the other smashed windows of cars with a special device and quickly made off with their loot. One of the victims, Surya, shared the incident on social media, urging residents to be cautious and calling for a swift police response. On August 22, around 7:30 pm, 4 cars were hit on the busy Indiranagar Main 100 ft road near Global Desi store & Westside. Thieves broke windows of all 4 cars, snatched 3 bags with laptops and valuables. Im one of the victims, wrote Surya on X. He added, CCTV footage shows it all. One guy uses a special device to silently break windows (cops say this is common). Another dude distracts the security guard. They grab bags and dash off all in plain sight on a crowded street! while sharing CCTV footages of the area. This is not the first time. Apparently, similar thefts have happened in this same lane before. Bengaluru streets are feeling less safe by the day. Bengaluru Police need your swift action! Please investigate and take action to stop these thieves before they strike again, he urged. Everyone, stay alert! Dont leave valuables visible in your car. Please repost to amplify and raise awareness. Stay safe, Bengaluru! Surya concluded his post with a warning for Bengaluru residents. Take a look at the pictures of the car after thieves broke its window: On Aug 22, around 7:30pm, 4 cars were hit on the busy Indira Nagar Main 100ft road near Global Desi store & Westside. Thieves broke windows of all 4 cars, snatched 3 bags with laptops and valuables. I'm one of the victims.CCTV footage shows it all. One guy uses a special device pic.twitter.com/3qWZgrN0Xp Surya (@Surya95A) August 28, 2024 CCTV footages that the Bengaluru resident shared: The post, since being shared on August 28, has accumulated over seven lakh views and the numbers are still increasing. Many even flocked to the comments section to share varied thoughts. Heres how the Internet reacted to this daylight robbery: Bengaluru is getting increasingly unsafe with every passing day, wrote an individual. Another advised, Never leave anything valuable in car, especially in plain sight. It just takes one ceramic piece to crack the window. Hope police take quick action. Unfortunate, but you should have never left your precious belongings in the car, this is a thumb rule, taught even in primary school, expressed a third. A fourth questioned, What is Bengaluru turning into? LOS ANGELESMen.com dives into the sexy chaos of college life with new four-part production Fratboys Shenanigans, set to debut next week. Starring in the limited series are Joey Mills, Jake Preston, Aaron Elias, Clark Reid, Cameron Neuton, Troye Dean, Kyle Fletcher, Aaron Awbride and Greg Dixxon. A company synopsis follows: In the first scene, college student Jake Preston isn't ready to concentrate on learning first thing Monday morning, so while his professor, Greg Dixxon, lectures at the board, he takes the top off his coffee mug-shaped stroker and starts fucking it! His seatmate Troye Dean reaches over to help him out, but when Greg sees Jake's hands in the air, he thinks the twink is volunteering. He calls Jake up to the board and catches him with the stroker on his dick, ending up with a face full of Jake's cum. It tastes so good, he orders the other students out and sucks Jake's cock, then tells him to use his hole. Jake bends the prof over his desk, then Greg rides his cock. The professor cums as Jake drills him on his back on a table, then gets down to take more of the student's jizz on his face! In the second scene, Frat boy Aaron Elias is horny, so when he sees his dude Kyle Fletcher bent over in the kitchen, he takes his cock out and grinds against that ass. But Kyle is sick with the flu, leaving Aaron with his dick in his hand! The horny top brings Kyle his hot water in bed, and bottom Adam Awbride in the bottom bunk gets an eye-level view of the outline of his boner in his gray sweats and starts touching it. Adam sneakily sucks Aaron and bends over to get fucked while the top chats with Kyle, then Aaron climbs in to fuck the bottom in spoon. Kyle catches them, and the frat guys run away, then return once the coast is clear. Aaron sucks the bottom before fucking him doggie-style and missionary till Adam cums, then he pulls out and shoots a huge load all over him! In the third scene, Gym bro Cameron Neuton hangs back to get a better look at that ass when Clark Reid bends over in the locker room, and later Clark checks out his cock at the urinal. When Cam is struggling with a weight bar, Clark comes to his rescue and ends up sitting on his face! Cameron eagerly motorboats that ass, then eats it before pushing the muscular bottom's thong to the side and fucking him. Clark rides the top on a bench and sucks him, then Cameron bends the bottom over to drill his hole. The fratboys fuck in missionary till they both cum! In the fourth and final scene, it seems like everyone in the frat house is horny today, and Joey Mills is the only one trying to study. He tells Aaron Elias he can eat his ass as long as he doesn't interrupt his reading, but once Aaron lubes up his cock and starts sliding it between his cheeks, Joey goes to the kitchen for some quiet. That doesn't last long, as Jake Preston gets hard seeing Joey with no pants, so Joey lets him fuck his armpit! Aaron comes in and fucks the other, but when the guys both jizz all over his book, it's clear no more studying is happening. Instead, Joey gets spit-roasted by the frat bros, and takes two thick loads on his face. Fratboys Shenanigans will begin rolling out on Friday, September 6, with a new episode each week, exclusively on Men.com. Follow the stars of Fratboys Shenanigans on X as follow: Joey Mills: @JoeyMillsXXX Jake Preston: @itsjakepreston Greg Dixxon: @gregdixxon Troye Dean: @troye_dean Aaron Awbride: @adamawbride Aaron Elias: @aaronxxxelias Clark Reid: @theclarkreid Kyle Fletcher: @kyle_fletcher01 Follow Men.com on X @Men, Instagram @themenaccount and TikTok @themenaccount. In a shocking incident, a priest was seen kicking a devotee out of the temple. It took place at Khereshwar Dham temple on Aligarh Palwal Highway near Lodha Police Station. The complaint against the priest has been filed in the police station. The reason for this shameful act is not yet known. The CCTV footage of the incident is going viral. A shameful act of a temple priest has come to light in Aligarh. In a 55-second video footage of the incident, a devotee was seen inside the temple with two other people standing on the side, while he was bowing down to Lord Shiva. After a while, two priests enter the temple and notice something strange in the man sitting on his knees before the Shiva Linga. Initially, a priest entered the temple followed by another, wearing a saffron lungi and vest. They noticed the strange activity of the devotee and observed him for a few minutes. After that, the people standing behind the devotee approached him and tried to take him away from Shiva Linga. Unbotherd by the other people, the devotee continued his activities. Angered by the devotees actions, the priest first kicked him and threw him out of the temple by beating him with a broom. There is a stir in the police department after the video of the temple priest kicking and sweeping a devotee and running out of the temple went viral on social media. Action will be taken against the accused, if found guilty. This is not the first time a fight has broken out between the devotees and priests. Earlier this year, a violent clash erupted between pilgrims from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh and the priest at the Sidhpeeth Dakshin Kali Mandir in Haridwar. The fight allegedly began over the issuance of a parking receipt. Upon entering the temple premises with their vehicle, they were asked by the staff to obtain a parking slip. This request led to a heated argument between the parties. The devotees allegedly resorted to violence. After hearing the commotion, the priest tries to interfere but the devotees misbehave with them. This led priests and employees to chase devotees out of the temple. Following days of relentless rain, parts of Gujarat, especially Vadodara, faced significant waterlogging, leading to severe flood conditions. The situation resulted in the evacuation of over 18,000 people and the rescue of more than 300 individuals. The district administration has been overwhelmed by rescue requests as they battle the unprecedented flooding. Amid the chaos, the residents have stepped up to assist those in need. Many good Samaritans have been tirelessly working to rescue people trapped in the floodwaters, providing food, essential supplies and even medicines. One notable incident gaining attention online involves a group on Reddit, led by Abhay and his team, who have been lauded for their efforts in helping senior citizens stranded in a flat during the Vadodara floods. They shared a post asking others to spread the word about their service, including their contact information, available areas and other crucial details for those in urgent need. The group on Reddit is being headed by Abhay and his team who are helping people in need with food and medical services. They had put out a post asking people to spread the word about their service, especially for those who urgently need it. They also shared their number, the area where the service is available and other details. I forwarded this to my friend whose grandparents were stuck in a flat. Water downstairs was coming till chest level. My friend called on this number. Their vehicle was not working still they somehow managed to reach the site within 2 hours. And helped senior citizens move out, the post on Reddit reads. I am amazed and thanks these guys million times for this. My friend called me at 7:30 in the evening yesterday. Mind you we are friends but we havent talked in years so when her call came, I was not expecting her happy cheerful voice. All this happened because of Mr. Abhay and his post on Reddit, the post further reads. Within a few hours of being shared, the post has garnered more than 800 upvotes. Currently, the internet is praising Abhay and his team for all the timely help and support. A user wrote, Love it. This post made my day. Another said, Abhay ji has done a wonderful job. Bhagwan unko hamesha khush rakhe. I hope more people start helping others. Praying for the safety of every citizen of Vadodara. Actual respect to them. They are the real heroes in this kind of situation, a user commented. Abhay, can I buy you a samosa? Youre awesome, another user jokingly said. According to reports, 29 people have died in rain-related incidents in Gujarat since the downpour began on August 25. Furthermore, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert for very heavy rains until Friday, August 30. A 6-year-old child couldnt help but tell the several caretakers who supported him throughout his protracted hospital stay that he would be receiving a new heart. It took six months for John-Henry and his family to get the word that they would be getting a life-saving heart transplant. In the video posted by Cleveland Clinic Childrens Hospital, the boywho had a heart defect from birthis heard exclaiming, Im getting a new heart, with enthusiasm. John-Henry gathered his mom, his 2-year-old brother and his IV pole to joyfully march down the hallways and inform everyone that he had received the happy news. The heart donor was finally available in May. Phyllis, Im getting a new heart!, in the video, John-Henry greets one of the staff members with enthusiasm. Hey! He exclaims, Im getting a new heart! to a staff member, who excitedly gives him a high five. Watch the video here: Im getting a new heart!We wont forget the day 6-year-old John-Henry learned a donor heart was available for him.John-Henry had been waiting for a life-saving heart transplant for six months before he and his family received the news.More: https://t.co/9ZdE0oBeHb pic.twitter.com/YjeAWGAbal Cleveland Clinic Childrens (@CleClinicKids) August 27, 2024 Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, or HLHS, is a rare congenital ailment that John-Henry was born with, according to Cleveland Clinic Childrens. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, HLHS affects blood flow through the heart and arises when the left side of the heart fails to develop appropriately during pregnancy. As a result, the right side of the heart is overworked since it must pump blood to the various parts of the body. When the transplant coordinator said they found his special heart, I immediately broke down, Sarah Lee, John-Henrys mom told Cleveland Clinic. She added, I walked in the room teary-eyed to tell John-Henry, and when I told him, he said, I have to go tell everybody. As per Sarah, John-Henry underwent his first open-heart surgery at the age of five days after being hospitalised in the paediatric intensive care unit after birth. Before he had turned one year old, John-Henry had his second open heart surgery, according to the hospital. When the kid is four years old or older, the third operation is performed. The right ventricle took on more work as a result of the three surgeries, but it wasnt enough for John-Henry. The hospital stated that as John-Henry began to develop cardiac failure, medical professionals concluded that a heart transplant was his only viable option. In December 2023, the child was added to the transplant waiting list, and he and his family found out they had a match in May 2024. The day following his announcement to his friends about his fortunate match, John-Henry had heart transplant surgery. Dr Hani Najm, a paediatric and congenital cardiac surgeon, headed the team that carried out the procedure. John-Henry was sent to Cleveland Clinic Childrens Hospital for Rehabilitation in July following his transplant procedure. On August 23, he was released from the hospital to resume his recovery at home. A recent WhatsApp conversation between a teacher and a class 8 student has sparked considerable debate online. Shared on Reddit by the teachers cousin, the exchange captures the students excitement about his workout routine. In the chat, the student enthusiastically describes his ab workout, which includes crunches, high knees and planks, all noted down on a piece of paper. He proudly mentions that his dedication has led to noticeable muscle gain, which is evident by his new T-shirt which is two sizes larger. The teacher responds with encouragement, saying, Ohoo congratulations. However, the conversation takes a playful turn when the student replies, Are mai khud shock hu. Kal toh aaunga bhi nahi (I am so shocked myself. I wont even come tomorrow). The Redditor, who shared the chat, revealed that the student reached out to the teacher with various things. Screenshot of whatsapp chat between my Cousin (A school Teacher) and her Student. So this guy almost message her everydaywith a new topic or ask stuff life dinner karliya. This is what he sent last night. My cousin usually give cold replies to himI have told her to not reply him at all . But I dont know ..she told me ki wo gussa hojayega (she told me that he will get angry), the Redditor wrote. Take a look at the post below: The snapshot of the conversation has generated a range of responses, with some arguing that the teacher should enforce clearer boundaries. One user advised, Ask your cousin to establish some boundaries. Another in disbelief at the interaction, commented, Cant believe its chat between teacher and student. I mean Are Kon kehta teacher ko. And vo gussa ho jayega (he will get angry). Wth (What the hell). Someone noted, When I was in 8th, we had no link between us and teachers outside school hours. A commenter bluntly stated, Dude she should be the one to be angry. Dude this aint normal tbh agar koi 1st, 2nd class ka bacha aisi hurkat kare toh its understandable but 8th class mai itni level ki rational thinking toh aa jaati hai ki teacher ko aise message na kare (Dude, this is not normal honestly. If a child in 1st or 2nd grade acted this way, it might be understandable but by the 8th grade, students gain enough rational thinking to know not to send messages like this to their teacher), a user shared. An individual remarked, I guess your cousin is the loneliest person on earth if shes entertaining that kid, and another wrote, Your cousin is setting herself for unemployment at best and a massive case at worst. A lone dolphin is causing chaos in Japans coastal region, with 18 reported injuries from dolphin attacks near Mihama this year. The situation took a dire turn when a young child suffered severe finger injuries, requiring 20 stitches. Authorities are warning beachgoers about the threat, claiming that the dolphins sharp teeth can cause serious harm and even drag swimmers into deeper water. While dolphin attacks are rare, these mammals can become aggressive if they feel threatened. Tadamichi Morisaka, a cetology professor at Mie University in Japan, observed that the bite marks found on a mans fingers at the Mihama beach match with the pattern of a 2.5 meter long dolphin seen at the coast of Fukui province last year. In a conversation with local media NHK, Morisaka said, It is reasonable to assume that it is the same individual, as the wounds on the tail fin are similar to those of the dolphins seen off the coast last year, and it is rare for dolphins, which normally move in groups, to be alone for such a long time. They are not trying to injure people, but are using the dolphins way of communication with people, BBC reported. Ryoichi Matsubara, director of Echizen Matsushima Aquarium in Fukui, has gone through photos and videos of dolphin attacks from 2022 and 2023, as per The New York Times. He believes that the same male Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin might be behind recent incidents, although Matsubara is yet to see footage of a newer attack. According to his observation, the dolphin might be displaying mating behaviour. In the last 2 years, the mammal was seen trying to press its body against people. While they are usually calm, many of the attacks happened when people got too close or tried to touch the dolphin. Dr Simon Allen, a biologist and principal investigator with the Shark Bay Dolphin Research project, said that Bottlenose dolphins are highly social animals and this sociality can be expressed in very physical ways. Just as in humans and other social animals, hormonal fluctuations, sexual frustration or the desire to dominate might drive the dolphin to injuring the people it interacts with. Since they are such powerful animals, this can lead to serious injury in humans, he added. In 1994, a dolphin, known as Tiao, in Brazil attacked two male swimmers who tried to ride it, due to which one lost their life, while another was injured. Before this incident, the same mamma was blamed for injuring at least 22 people. An assistant principal was left blind in one eye after a student hurled a clothes hanger at her during an argument. The incident occurred on August 15 at Collins Intermediate School in Corsicana, Texas. Collins Intermediate School assistant principal Candra Rogers got the news that the 11-year-old student was trying to attack another kid. As she reached to help, the student first threw chairs at her, which she dodged. Later, the student threw a hanger, which pierced the principals eye, reported the Daily Mail. The student was still irate and found the room ransacked with overturned furniture. The teacher and students were outside the classroom. One student was holding his head, having been assaulted by the student remaining in the classroom. I spoke lowly and slowly so as not to enrage him any further, she recalled. When she tried to calm the agitated student, he hurled chairs at her, followed by the clothes hanger. The assistant principal revealed, The hanger hit me in my right eye and knocked it out of the socket. I grabbed my face while blood was pouring out of my head and stumbled out of the classroom door. The outlet added that due to the severity of the injury, she was airlifted from the small North Texas town to Dallas for immediate medical treatment where doctors were able to reattach her eye. She added, They (doctors) determined that I had been blinded. I will have to have additional surgery to repair my eyelid. I am praying for a miracle to happen. On August 15, the student was reportedly detained. However, he has now been released into the custody of his parents with ankle monitoring, the media outlet reported. He is not permitted to enter the campus and is restricted to a specific location. Internet sensation Uorfi Javed, who is known for her offbeat fashion choices, took to Reddit for an exhilarating AMA session where she spilled the tea on everything from Orry to the muse behind her jaw-dropping outfits. She also opened up about the most heartbreaking moment of her life and her unique approach to handling online hate. And trust us, her answers are as electrifying and eccentric as her fashion sense! This is Uorfi Javed, live for an AMA! Im an Indian actress, reality TV star & social media sensation known for my bold fashion and unique style. Ask me about my career, fashion journey, or my latest project Follow Kar Lo Yaar on Prime Video. Question puchlo yaar! announced Uorfi on Reddit. Alongside, she posted a picture of herself holding a paper with the information about her Reddit AMA. During the AMA session on August 28, one Redditor inquired about how she handles memes and online hate. Uorfi responded with her signature nonchalance, I dont have to handle them, they just exist to fulfil their own purpose. When asked to spill some tea on Orry, Uorfi quipped, Orry only likes drinking wine, so no tea on him. A Redditor also probed if she faced threats from orthodox Muslims and how she deals with them. Uorfis retort was as bold as ever: I dont really give it much attention. Comments mein log kuch bhi bolte hai [People say anything in the comments]. The day I start caring, a lot of people will be behind bars. When an individual asked her about the inspiration behind her striking outfits, Uorfi revealed, Inspiration comes from everywhere, there is no specific area. Idea is to keep mind and heart open. On a more personal note, Uorfi shared that she has been single for 3.5 years and dreams of being in someones arms in the next 10 years [Pun-intended or not, Uorfi knows best]. And just like most of us, Uorfi is a pani puri fan too: I live for Kolkata style Puchka that is the best. When asked if anyone has flirted with her, she candidly revealed, An upcoming actor asked me to be his fuckbuddy, but I said no. Believe it or not, Uorfi is fan of Lady Gaga and loved her in the iconic song Telephone. She further said that she will recreate that some day. Reflecting on her most heartbreaking moment, Uorfi said it was the day when she got eliminated from Bigg Boss in just a week. And when it comes to deep thoughts, Uorfi isnt afraid to dive into the mysteries of existence.She believes in manifestation, parallel realities, simulation, and hypothesis. On the professional front, Uorfi Javed stars in the series Follow Karlo Yaar on Amazon, featuring herself, Orry, and Munawar Faruqui. Uorfi Javed is Indias biggest viral sensationwherever she goes, drama inevitably follows. Her notoriety and her daring fashion choices are all her own creation! Now, with the support of her new talent agency, Uorfi aims to reshape her public image and broaden her horizons. Meanwhile, she must navigate the challenges of keeping her eccentric yet loving family united. Will this relentless hustler manage to overcome the hurdles in her path? Prime Video India teased while unveiling the official trailer on YouTube. Industry titans Elon Musk and Ratan Tata have unquestionably made a lasting impression on their respective fields. The Chairman-Emeritus of Tata Sons is an exceptional industrialist and philanthropist with a golden heart who is known to have overcome numerous battles. His industry leadership style resonated with people all throughout the world, even prompting Musk to refer to him as a gentleman and a scholar. The Tesla CEOs 2009 interview, in which he discussed his opinions on Tata and his Nano project, is being widely circulated on social media. The goal of the car was to provide a safe and affordable vehicle for consumers. American journalist Charlie Rose questioned Musk about Tata and his plan to launch a low-cost vehicle in the Indian market during the interview. Take for a moment Ratan Tata, what hes doing in India developing a little sedan for $2300. Where do you put that in the whole equation of where the future of cars is? Musk was questioned by Rose. Notably, the interview was conducted months after Tata Motors introduced the Nano at Rs 1 lakh in India. The now-richest man in the world complimented Tata but expressed scepticism regarding Tata Nano. I think its a good idea to have affordable cars, but I think the problem with something like the Nano I wouldnt say problem because I think, by the way, it is probably a great idea and Ratan is a gentleman and scholar, Musk replied. He however continued by explaining that it would eventually get challenging. He believed that the cost of buying a car was far less of a concern as gasoline prices grew over the expense of maintaining the vehicle. He fulfilled his promise to build the world's cheapest car. Ratan Tata wanted to build a car, which the middle class of India could afford and so he delivered on his promise and launched Tata Nano for just $1,200 (1 lakh) in 2008. @ElonMusk also shared his views on the pic.twitter.com/QqTY5KuQLK Nico Garcia (@nicogarcia) August 26, 2024 The interview first appeared online last week as one component of a broader X thread that addressed Tata Nanos decline. In any case, Tata stopped producing the Nano vehicle in 2019, therefore Musk was correct. As keeping an automobile became more inexpensive than purchasing one, the growing cost of gasoline contributed significantly to Nanos decline. As per The Economic Times, Tata stated in July 2015 that one of his most significant errors had been marketing the Nano car being the cheapest option rather than the most affordable, which is precisely what the firm had intended to achieve in the first place. Bangladeshs interim government Wednesday revoked a ban on the rightwing Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir, less than a month after it was outlawed by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. It (lifting the ban) will come under effect immediately, the Home Ministry said in a gazette notification, noting that there was no particular evidence against the organisation. Ban on Jamaat The erstwhile Awami League government led by Hasina had imposed a ban on Jamaat on August 1, 2024, accusing the Islamist party as a militant and terrorist organisation. The government blamed Jamaats student wing for inciting chaos over a quota system for government jobs. Welcoming the interim governments decision, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Shafiqur Rahman, called for an end to the politics of hatred and division in Bangladesh. We want the politics of hatred to be buried it shouldnt rise again. We want the politics of division to be buried, he told journalists. Rahman said that Jamaat-e-Islami does not support the division of the nation over any issue, saying, In all cases, we want the nation to be united. The ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Chhatra Shibir, was a deliberate attempt to divert attention from the anti-government movement, he said. The government notification said the ban under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009 has been lifted as there was no particular evidence against the organisation. The government believed that Jamaat and its associate bodies, including its student front Chhatra Shibir, were not involved in terrorist activities and violence. The decision, formally published in a gazette notification on Wednesday, represents a significant change from the decision taken by the erstwhile Awami League government earlier this month, just days before its ouster. The development came a day after Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman urged the High Court to summarily reject a writ petition seeking an order on the government to ban Hasinas Awami League as a political party and scrap its registration. The current (interim) government has no intention to ban any political organisation, the governments top law officer told a two-judge High Court bench, which set August 29 for its decision on the writ filed by one Sarda Society as a public interest litigation. The interim governments law adviser, equivalent to a minister, Asif Nazrul on Wednesday told reporters he was opposed to the call for a ban on Awami League or any other political parties unless there was any strong evidence of their involvement in terrorist activities. Awami League is the party which led Bangladeshs independence movement and contributed to different democratic movements. (But) what they did in the past 15 years does not go with their heritage, the spirit of the Liberation War, Nazrul said. He said the party had established the most barbaric fascism in Bangladeshs history for which someone might have individual or its leaders might have collective responsibility but I dont think it will be a wise decision to ban it as a political party. Secretary General of ex-premier Khaleda Zias Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that anyone should be able to form an independent political party, that is the main goal of democracy. We are not in favour of banning any political party; any party and any individual has the right to form an independent party. But they must be on the side of freedom and sovereignty. Those who do not believe in freedom cannot be supported, he said at a media briefing on Tuesday. No senior leader of the Awami League, which ran the country for the past 15 years, is seen in the public domain while several ministers of Hasinas cabinet were arrested, on the run or believed to have fled the country since the ouster of the regime. The Jamaat opposed Bangladeshs 1971 independence from Pakistan and sided with the Pakistani troops during the Liberation War. The Jamaat, founded in 1941 in undivided India, was first banned in 1972, the year Bangladesh framed its Constitution, which disbanded the functioning of any association, union or political party based on religion. But the subsequent military government led by General Ziaur Rahman revoked the ban by issuing a martial law proclamation, which allowed Jamaat to refloat and years later became a crucial partner of the then prime minister Khaleda Zias 2001-2006 four-party alliance government. Two senior Jamaat leaders were inducted into her cabinet. The Jamaat remained active despite losing its registration and being barred from elections due to court rulings. A Danish court on Thursday rejected the extradition request from India of a Danish national accused of being involved in an arms smuggling case 29 years ago, going against Denmarks top prosecuting authority which had given the green light to sending Niels Holck abroad. Holck admitted taking part in dropping assault rifles, rocket launchers and missiles from a cargo plane in eastern India in 1995. Indian police said they were meant for a revolutionary group in the country. The Hilleroed District Court said that despite the additional diplomatic guarantees given by India there is a real risk that Holck will face torture or other inhumane treatment in India. Holck, 62, said he feared for his life. if extradited. I would like to be held accountable in front of a judge because I believe it is a justified emergency, but I would rather not die from it, Holck told Danish radio DR Thursday morning before the ruling was announced. While a British citizen and five Latvians were arrested by Indian authorities after they dropped arms, Holck previously known as Niels Christian Nielsen escaped. India first asked Denmark to extradite Holck in 2002. The government agreed, but two Danish courts rejected his extradition, saying he would risk torture or other inhumane treatment in India. That led to tense diplomatic relations between the countries. In June 2023, Denmark again looked into a 2016 Indian extradition request, saying that the requirements in the extradition act had been met. PHOENIXA federal district judge in Arizona today sentenced critically acclaimed journalist and award-winning civil libertarian Michael Lacey to five years in prison and fined him $3 million in a case related to his involvement with Backpage.com, reports the Associated Press. A sentencing memo filed by federal prosecutors on Monday before the two-day sentencing hearing requested Lacey be sentenced to 20 years in prison. Lacey, 76, is one of the co-founders of the now-defunct Backpage classifieds website. U.S. District Judge Diane Humetewa of the District of Arizona sentenced Lacey for a single charge of international concealment money laundering on which he was convicted in November 2023. "I was found guilty on one count of concealment," Lacey said in a statement provided to the public after sentencing. "This is simply a mistake. Nothing was concealed." Frontpage Confidential, a news and analysis blog published by journalist Stephen Lemons, covered the case for years. Lacey, alongside Backpage co-founder Jim Larkin, was indicted on crimes related to facilitating prostitution and engaging in sex trafficking. On 84 other counts against Lacey, the November jury was deadlocked, forcing a mistrial. Despite this and being sentenced on the money laundering conviction, he still faces about 30 prostitution facilitation and other money laundering charges. These are pending. The November mistrial was the second in the effort by federal prosecutors to convict Lacey and the late Larkin on a wide range of crimes, including charges related to prostitution and violations of the Travel Act. Judge Humetewa declared a mistrial after the jurors deliberated for days at the time. According to the Associated Press at the time, Laceys first mistrial was in 2021, when a federal judge found that prosecutors made prejudicial references to child sex trafficking when no one at the timeLacey, Larkin or other Backpage execsfaced such charges. Amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, senior Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal has appealed for support from jihadist groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda to help the Palestinian organisation resist the Israeli offensive. According to Mashaal, The Gaza Strip is fighting a world war almost alone. Jihadist movements and groups must participate in it to support the resistance. Mashaals call for unity aims to bring together several terror factions under a common cause and potentially strengthen Irans influence in the region. This plea comes at a time when Hamas is weakened after months of fighting and faces difficulties in smuggling weapons into Gaza. Unifying jihadist By unifying jihadist groups against Israel, Hamas hopes to encircle Israeli forces in Rafah and potentially force portions of the IDF out of Gaza, allowing Hamas to resume weapons smuggling. Top intelligence sources told CNN-News18 that this consolidation attempt is a survival ploy for Hamas and a way for Iran to assert its dominance in the region. By bringing together terrorist groups like Al Qaeda, ISIS, and related factions, which were previously believed to operate independently, Hamas is trying to take the Axis of Resistance to a new level. The Talibans support for Hamas and the provision of sanctuary to Al Qaeda and ISIS-K in Afghanistan further complicates the situation. All jihadist groups are pledging allegiance to the Emir of the Taliban, and it is only a matter of time before the Taliban brings African fighters and AQ and ISIS to the front lines of a united front against Israel. Experts believe that Hamass call for action by world terror groups is an attempt to force Israel to split its forces and potentially free up Hamas to smuggle weapons again. However, this move also highlights the weakened state of Hamas and its desperation to secure support in the face of ongoing conflict with Israel. A Las Vegas politician was jailed for life Wednesday for killing an investigative journalist who wrote critical articles detailing wrongdoing in the department he headed. Robert Telles lay in wait outside the home of longtime reporter Jeff German, and then stabbed him to death, a jury in Clark County, Nevada concluded. Justice has been served, Clark County prosecutor Steve Wolfson told reporters. Todays verdict should send a message, and that message is a clear message that any attempts to silence the media or to silence or intimidate a journalist will not be tolerated. The two-week trial had heard how German, a 69-year-old reporter at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, had written an article months before his death describing a toxic environment in the county office that Telles led. The piece, published a month before an election in which Telles was standing to retain his role, detailed complaints of favoritism and allegations that Telles had been involved in an inappropriate relationship with a member of staff. Telles denied the allegations but lost his reelection bid. The jury of seven women and five men heard how an irate Telles had driven to Germans home in September of 2022 and hidden in some bushes, from where he launched a frenzied and fatal knife attack. Telles had denied carrying out the killing, arguing that the police had ignored evidence that other people could have been responsible. In a lengthy monologue from the witness stand, Telles a lawyer by training claimed he was the victim of a conspiracy. After returning their guilty verdict, the jury retired again to consider the sentence, imposing a life term with a minimum of 20 years before Telles is eligible for parole. Glenn Cook, executive editor of The Las Vegas Review-Journal, said Wednesday the jury had rendered a measure of justice for Jeff German. Jeff was killed for doing the kind of work in which he took great pride: his reporting held an elected official accountable for bad behavior and empowered voters to choose someone else for the job. The Committee to Protect Journalists says 15 media workers have been killed in the United States in connection with their work since 1992. Pakistan has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation heads of government meeting being organised here in October, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said here on Thursday. During a weekly press briefing, the Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that invitations have been sent to the heads of countries to participate in the meeting which will take place on October 15-16, the Dawn newspaper reported. An invitation has also been sent to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, Baloch was quoted as saying in the report. Baloch said some countries had already confirmed participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) heads of government meeting. It will be informed in due course which country has confirmed, she added. Islamabad and New Delhi have a long history of strained relations, primarily due to the Kashmir issue as well as the cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. India has been maintaining that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan while insisting that the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment that is free of terror and hostility for such an engagement. The SCO Summit will be preceded by a ministerial meeting and several rounds of senior officials meetings focusing on financial, economic, socio-cultural, and humanitarian cooperation among the SCO member states. The SCO, comprising India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, is an influential economic and security bloc that has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations. When asked about ties with India, the spokesperson said, Pakistan does not have direct bilateral trade with India. Pakistan downgraded its ties with India after the Indian Parliament suspended Article 370 on August 5, 2019, a decision that Islamabad believed undermined the environment for holding talks between the neighbours. Morning Anchor A south Dakota girl through and through; Miranda O'Bryan grew up in Martin, attended college at South Dakota State University, and resides in Rapid City. Miranda has a deep passion for her community, taking pride in providing them with the facts and information they deserve to make their own opinions of the world. If familiar to you, you may recognize Miranda from her year of service to the state as Miss South Dakota, where she represented our great faces and great places on the Miss America stage. A former Army employee has been sentenced to more than 12 years in prison in a scheme to defraud Gold Star families of millions of dollars in life insurance payouts. Caz Craffy, 42, was a civilian financial counselor who took advantage of his position to "prey upon families of our fallen service members, at their most vulnerable moment, when they were dealing with a tragedy born out of their loved one's patriotism," a federal prosecutor said in a statement. Craffy had pleaded guilty to wire and securities fraud in April, per the Army Times, and also was ordered to forfeit commission money. His lawyer did not comment on the sentence, the Washington Post reports. Tesla's legal battle against a Louisiana law that restricts car manufacturers from selling straight to consumers has been given a second life by an appellate court. The electric car manufacturer has been more broadly trying to bypass similar regulations across various states; one workaround has included opening showrooms on Native American tribal properties where state laws don't apply. A 2-1 ruling by the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court's dismissal of Tesla's claim. It found Tesla's allegation that the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission showed bias against the company was plausible. The appeals court acknowledged Tesla's argument that the Commission, mostly composed of third-party dealers, has a vested interest in preventing new business models. "The Commission will always be incentivized to exclude new business models from entering the market," Judge Jerry Smith noted in the majority opinion. The challenge will return to the federal district court in New Orleans for further proceedings. Judges Jerry Smith and Catharina Haynes, appointed by Republican presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, respectively, agreed with the decision, while Judge Dana Douglas, appointed by Democratic President Joe Biden, dissented. Douglas argued that regulatory boards aren't unconstitutional simply because they include competitors of the entities they regulate. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) In a historic ecological restoration effort, salmon will soon navigate freely along the Klamath River for the first time in over a century. The largest dam removal project in US history is nearly complete on the California-Oregon border. Crews are currently dismantling rock dams diverting water upstream of the Iron Gate and Copco No. 1 dams, facilitating the river's return to its original channel just in time for the fall Chinook salmon spawning season. Leaf Hillman, ceremonial leader of the Karuk Tribe, expressed optimism about the restoration, stating it is "a good omen for our future." The removal of these dams aligns with a national trend to restore rivers and ecosystems disrupted by hydroelectric structures. In the last quarter-century, over 2,000 dams in the US have been dismantled, including notable ones on Washington's Elwha River and the White Salmon River. The Klamath River, once the third-largest salmon producer on the West Coast, saw significant salmon population declines after the construction of dams by PacifiCorp from 1918 to 1962. The dismantling of these dams is anticipated to aid the river's ecological recovery, though experts caution that the process will take time. Michael Belchik of the Yurok Tribe remains hopeful for early successes, asserting that "if not this year, then for sure next year" fish will traverse the newly unobstructed waterways. The ambitious project cost approximately $500 million. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) The escaped water buffalo that was running loose in Iowa after fleeing its owner's farm was captured Wednesday, four days after its escape. Authorities spotted the animalnicknamed by some online followers of the story as "PHill" after the city of Pleasant Hill, where it was roamingTuesday night in a sand pit. Since it was evening, and storms were headed to the area, they decided to wait until the following morning to attempt to corral the animal, KCCI reports. The Pleasant Hill Police Department worked with Polk County Conservation, the Blank Park Zoo, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, the Altoona Police Department, and the Des Moines Police Department to coax the animal out of the water Wednesday and shoot it with a tranquilizer dart. One person was taken to a hospital Wednesday after a United Airlines flight was diverted to Memphis because of severe turbulence, officials said. The person was in non-critical condition when taken to a hospital after the flight headed from Cancun, Mexico, to Chicago landed at Memphis International Airport, United and the Memphis Fire Department said in separate statements. The turbulence happened while the airplane's seat belt sign was on, United said, per the AP. Six others on the flight were hurt but declined treatment, NBC News reports. The extent of their injuries was not known, per the Memphis Fire Department. Former President Trump continued to lob sexually themed grenades at Kamala Harris on Wednesday, reposting on Truth Social a photo of Harris and Hillary Clinton captioned, "Funny how blowjobs impacted both their careers differently..." The jab, notes the New York Times , furthers Trump's contention that Harris' political rise in California was helped along by her 1990s relationship with Willie Brown, then the state Assembly's speaker. Ten days earlier, Trump shared a video parodying Alanis Morissette's "Ironic," changing that word to "moronic." At one point the song goes thusly: Harris "spent her whole damn life down on her knees," as a photo of Brown flashes. Trump adviser Jason Miller said that he hadn't discussed the image with Trump and didn't know if Trump "even saw the comment that was on there or simply the picture," reports Reuters. The Harris camp has repeatedly dismissed the Brown accusation as sexist. The theme also played out in the 2020 election, when Trump supporters donned "Joe and the Hoe" T-shirts, which reappeared in the current cycle until President Biden dropped out of the race. (More Donald Trump stories.) Two journalists from Myanmar's independent online news service Dawei Watch have received severe prison sentences under the country's Counterterrorism Law. Myo Myint Oo was sentenced to life imprisonment, while his colleague Aung San Oo received a 20-year sentence. The editor of Dawei Watch revealed the sentences were imposed without clear circumstances, following their arrests last December. They are the harshest sentences given to journalists since the military's coup in February 2021, which sparked a civil war. Myanmar has become a major jailer of journalists, ranking second to China, with widespread arrests under the junta's crackdown on independent media. Last week, two freelance journalists were killed following a raid by security forces in Mon state. According to Reporters Without Borders, Myanmar is ranked near the bottom of its Press Freedom Index, 171 out of 180. Dawei Watch condemned the military for the "illegal" arrest, interrogation, and detainment of the journalists without fair defense. "Sentencing the journalists with such large penalties is very unjust," stated the editor. The sentences aim to "instill fear among all reporters" and further suppress independent media, one expert says. Since the coup, at least seven journalists have been killed, over 170 arrested, and numerous media outlets had their licenses revoked. Calls for their immediate release continue as advocates highlight the ongoing threats to journalistic freedom. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) Russia's Foreign Ministry has expanded its list of banned Americans, adding 92 individuals, including journalists and business professionals. The ministry cited the move as a retaliation against the Biden administration's "Russophobic course." The new ban affects prominent journalists from leading US newspapers. Among those banned are 11 current or former staff from the Wall Street Journal, among them Editor in Chief Emma Tucker. Tucker has been particularly critical Russia regarding its arrest of WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was detained on espionage charges and released in August as part of a prisoner swap. The list also includes five journalists from the New York Times, including Kyiv Bureau Chief Andrew Kramer, and four from the Washington Post. The ministry's statement accused these journalists of spreading "fakes" about Russia and its armed forces. In addition to media personnel, the list includes individuals from law enforcement, academia, businesses, and think tanks. To date, Russia has barred over 2,000 Americans from entering its borders. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) A Hong Kong court convicted two former editors of a shuttered news outlet on Thursday, in a case widely seen as a barometer for the future of media freedom in the city once hailed as a bastion of free press in Asia. Stand News former editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen and former acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam were arrested in December 2021. They pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiracy to publish and reproduce seditious publications, the AP reports. Their sedition trial was Hong Kong's first involving media since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Stand News was one of the city's last media outlets that openly criticized the government amid a crackdown on dissent that followed massive pro-democracy protests in 2019. It was shut down just months after the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper, whose jailed founder Jimmy Lai is fighting collusion charges under a sweeping national security law enacted in 2020. Chung and Lam were charged under a colonial-era sedition law that has been used increasingly to crush dissidents. They face up to two years in prison. District Court Judge Kwok Wai-kin ruled that 11 of the 17 articles prosecutors based their case on had "seditious intent," defined as inciting hatred against the Hong Kong government or China's central government, NBC News reports. The articles included stories featuring pro-democracy ex-lawmakers Nathan Law and Ted Hui and interviews with three participants in a primary election organized by the pro-democracy camp in 2020. Chung previously denied that Stand News was a political platform, and emphasized the importance of freedom of speech during the trial. "Freedom of speech should not be restricted on the grounds of eradicating dangerous ideas, but rather it should be used to eradicate dangerous ideas," he said. "This verdict will have an important impact on every newsroom in the city, as the judgement somewhat clarifies where the red lines are," Tom Grundy, editor-in-chief of the Hong Kong Free Press, said in a post on X. Every newspaper in Hong Kong, he wrote, "will have to consider who's writing op-eds for them, & what they're writing." (More Hong Kong stories.) Fallout continues after Donald Trump's Monday visit to Arlington National Cemetery, where members of his campaign allegedly got physical with a cemetery staffer. Some affiliated with the military are slamming the former president and his camp, while others are defending Trump and accusing the Arlington official of "overstepping," per the Washington Post. A senior defense official says although a report of the alleged incident was submitted to cemetery security, the criminal investigative arms of both the Army and Navy aren't looking further into it. More on the cemetery commotion: TikTok: On Tuesday, Trump posted some of the footage from the Arlington event, a move that NPR notes "likely violates a federal law against using military cemeteries for campaigning purposes." Trump is also facing criticism for appearing in photos at the grave of Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee, where he smiled and gave a thumbs-up. On Tuesday, Trump posted some of the footage from the Arlington event, a move that NPR notes "likely violates a federal law against using military cemeteries for campaigning purposes." Trump is also facing criticism for appearing in photos at the grave of Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee, where he smiled and gave a thumbs-up. In Trump's defense I: Running mate JD Vance tried to turn the backlash around on Wednesday during a campaign stop in Erie, Pennsylvania, slamming the press and deeming Vice President Kamala Harris "disgraceful" after her campaign called Trump's Arlington antics "pretty sad." "She wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up?" Vance said, per the Washington Post. "She can go to hell." Running mate JD Vance tried to turn the backlash around on Wednesday during a campaign stop in Erie, Pennsylvania, slamming the press and deeming Vice President Kamala Harris "disgraceful" after her campaign called Trump's Arlington antics "pretty sad." "She wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up?" Vance said, per the Washington Post. "She can go to hell." In Trump's defense II: The candidate posted statements on Truth Social from some family members who'd been at Arlington to commemorate the third anniversary of the ISIS bombing that killed 13 US service members in Afghanistan, per CNN. "We had given our approval for President Trump's official videographer and photographer to attend the event, ensuring these sacred moments of remembrance were respectfully captured and so we can cherish these memories forever," a joint statement from those relatives read. Forget about stepping on a seashellTexans now have a new thing to be on the lookout for when they head to the shore. "WARNING!!! Your worst nightmares are washing up right now," Texas A&M's Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies cautioned earlier this month about the appearance of poisonous firewormsalso known as bristle worms, marine polychaetes from the family Amphinomidaeon giant logs that have drifted to shore near Corpus Christi and Port Aransas, report USA Today and the Austin American-Statesman. Behind the name: They're called fireworms due to "the pain they inflict on anyone that dares to touch them; it literally feels like fire for about three hours," the institute notes. "Your skin can feel sensitive in the sting site for weeks depending on where it stung you." The creatures release a neurotoxin through their minuscule white bristles, which extend when threatened and break off when touched. Rio de Janeiroalready notorious for street muggings, corrupt politicians, ruthless militias, and Kalashnikov-toting drug traffickershas a new public enemy: plushies. Or, more specifically, the joystick-controlled claw machines that dispense them. As the AP reports, Rio police on Wednesday carried out 16 search warrants targeting the machines that elicit exhilaration among children and adults alike. But police said the claw machines defraud users who believe scoring stuffed animals to be a test of skill. In fact, they're games of chancejust like slot machinesand therefore illegal. Officers seized claw machines, laptops, tablets, cellphones, a firearm, andyesfurry friends. They're investigating whether organized crime may be the invisible hand behind the claw, as mobsters already run slot machines and a popular lottery. Police in Brazil's Santa Catarina state carried out an additional three search warrants Wednesday as part of the same operation. It's the second such police crackdown, following another in May during which officers apprehended 80 machines. Those machines were stocked with counterfeit plushies, and analysis of their programming found winning pulls were permitted only after a set number of attempts. Facilitating such sporadic, successful snags is an electrical current to the otherwise enfeebled claw so it holds fast to its prize. That isn't disclosed to naive users, including children liable to blow their pocket money on what's effectively a crap shoot. Claw machines may have been feats of skill in decades past, but most modern machines have built-in programming allowing operators to predetermine their profitability, said Jeremy Hambly, a claw game aficionado from the Milwaukee area. Among Rio's claw aficionados is Alessandra Libonatti, 41, who has played for nearly three decades and noticed changes to the machines. "The current machines are crap. The claws are weaker," she told a friend in April. Local media outlet G1 dubbed the phenomenon the "weak claw scam." The nearly 13,000 stuffed animals police detained in May were donated to families who lost their homes in the massive floods of southern Rio Grande do Sul state, particularly children in shelters. (More Rio de Janeiro stories.) It was billed as the "cruise that will really never stop," with nearly 150 countries on its itinerary, but apparently it's having trouble getting started in the first place. The Villa Vie Odyssey, which was supposed to set out on May 30 for the first leg of a three-year trip around the globe, has been stuck in the same placeits launch port in the Northern Ireland capital of Belfastfor three months due to equipment issues, with its passengers stranded there as they await an eventual sail date, reports the BBC . The cruise ship is cruising, finally. The Villa Vie Odyssey left a port in Belfast, Northern Ireland, overnight after being stuck there for four months because of equipment repairs, reports the AP . Ship operator Villa Vie Residence had to pay living expenses for dozens of stranded passengers during the unexpected hitch. The ship now plans to circle the globe over three years. The 30-year-old vessel, originally called the MS Braemar, arrived in Belfast ahead of its May sailing to undergo some updates, but Villa Vie Residences says problems with its rudders and gearbox, and with getting the ship recertified, have pushed its maiden voyage back, per Business Insider. Passengers who've paid for the journey are allowed to be on board the Odyssey during the day to enjoy all of its amenities, including meals, but they must disembark at night. Villa Vie CEO Mikael Petterson has said that passengers are provided with shuttles to and from the ship, and their lodgings on land, food and drink, and excursions are covered. story continues below Passengers have the option to buy one of the 500-plus cabins instead of paying a daily rate, with costs for such a purchase running from around $100,000 to $900,000. One couple did just that (though they're not saying how much they forked over), and as Angela and Stephen Theriac wait for the ship to set sail, they tell the BBC they've traveled to other countries, including Spain, Italy, and Greenland. "We keep teasing we will apply for residency here in Belfast," Angela Theriac says. Petterson says he expects the ship to leave port by the end of next week, per the Mirror. (More cruise ships stories.) Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing or making a contribution. The Daily News-Miner is locally owned by the Helen E. Snedden Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Subscribe or donate 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. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com Bahrain has bid farewell to Abdulrahman Jamsheer, who passed away today at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. Jamsheer was a distinguished figure in both politics and business, serving as a member of the Shura Council before his death. His career left a lasting impression across various sectors. He played a key role in shaping Bahrains political landscape, notably as Secretary-General of the National Action Charter of 2002. His efforts were crucial to the formation and endorsement of this charter. Jamsheer began his professional journey at the Ministry of Agriculture before advancing to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). In 1973, he established the National Import and Export Company, which later became Esterad Investment. As General Manager and subsequently Managing Director, he made important contributions to the Investment Committee. His influence extended to various organisations, including his role as chair of the Alumni Club and active involvement in the Shura Council. He founded the National Action Charter Society in 2002 and represented Bahrain in the Arab Parliament. Jamsheer also held leadership positions in Delmon Poultry Company, BANZ Group, and Bahrain Duty Free Complex. His work with the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and roles at the National Bank of Bahrain, Kuwait Projects Company, and Khaleeji Commercial Bank, further reflected his impact on Bahrains economy. Jamsheers extensive career and enduring influence on Bahrains political and economic landscape will be remembered with deep respect. His words, Determination is the foundation for overcoming challenges and achieving accomplishments, will continue to resonate with many. Saudi Arabia to Celebrate 94th National Day with Four-Day Public and Private Sector Holiday Saudi Arabia to Celebrate 94th National Day with Four-Day Public and Private Sector Holiday TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com Report By Ashen Tharaka As the 94th Saudi National Day approaches, excitement is building across the Kingdom. Scheduled for Monday, September 23rd, the day will honor Saudi Arabia's rich history and heritage with a series of extravagant celebrations. In anticipation of this significant occasion, the Saudi government has announced that both the public and private sectors will enjoy a four-day break. This long weekend will give citizens and residents ample time to partake in the festivities and reflect on the Kingdom's achievements. With the back-to-school season in full swing and the September rush on the horizon, the upcoming National Day holiday offers a much-needed respite. KSA nationals and residents are eagerly looking forward to this extended break, which is now just a few weeks away. The 94th Saudi National Day promises to be a grand event, with various cultural programs, parades, and fireworks displays planned throughout the country. As the date draws near, Saudi Arabia prepares to celebrate its storied past and look ahead to a bright future. Founder Photos Logos + Additional Pictures SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 28, 2024 /CNW/ -- Agency, the creators of the industry-leading AgentOps.ai platform, has raised $2.6 million in pre-seed funding led by prominent investors 645 Ventures and Afore Capital. This funding will enable the company to further develop and scale its AI agent observability and testing platform, ensuring reliability and safety for enterprises deploying large language model (LLM) enabled autonomous agents. Launched earlier this year, AgentOps.ai has quickly become the go-to platform for AI agent observability and compliance. Led by industry veterans Alex Reibman, Adam Silverman, and Shawn Qiu, the platform is now used by thousands of teams monthly. AgentOps.ai integrates seamlessly with leading AI agent frameworks including AutoGen from Microsoft Research, CrewAI, LlamaIndex, Cohere, and MultiOn, providing unparalleled support and compliance for AI agent developers. "In the next year, you will see enterprises employing thousands of agents in everything from sales to research. AgentOps is the central place where all the data is managed. Whether you are buying an agent off the shelf or having an engineering team build one, there will always be an audit trail within AgentOps. In large enterprises, it is important to know what your employees do. Agents represent new members of the workforce and require the same auditability and accountability that exists with employees," said Adam Silverman, Founder of Agency. Matt Hawes, Associate at 645 Ventures, added, "AgentOps provides AI builders with critical insights needed to iterate and improve rapidly. This level of transparency and support is essential for fostering innovation and trust in AI technologies." Gaurav Jain, Partner at Afore Capital, noted "We're on the cusp of an 'agent explosion,' with hundreds, if not thousands, of AI assistants woven into our work and daily lives. But building these agents is incredibly complex given all the edge cases (which humans handle very well). AgentOps is cracking that code, drastically speeding up development time think Stripe for payments, or Twilio for communications, but for the world of intelligent agents." In a world where AI is becoming the backbone of enterprise operations, the need for reliable, safe, and scalable AI agents has never been greater. "In the age of AI, Agents are the new Apps. Agentic programs are the next major paradigm shift in computing. But for the time being, agents are slow, expensive, and unreliable. Safe, accessible, and scalable AI agents will be the ambitious project of this generation. We could not be more excited to make this catalytic technology a reality," added Alex Reibman About Agency Agency is dedicated to creating a reliable and safe environment for AI agent development. With its flagship product, AgentOps.ai, the company aims to transform how enterprises build, deploy, and manage AI agents, ensuring compliance, observability, and scalability. For more information about Agency and AgentOps.ai, please visit Agen.cy or contact: Media Contact: Ellie Tippett (415) 328-8079 [email protected] SOURCE Agency AI THORNHILL, ON, Aug. 29, 2024 /CNW/ - As the new school year kicks off, CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) is reminding motorists to remain attentive when driving through school zones as more children are present in these areas. A recent survey conducted by CAA SCO found that 60 per cent of parents surveyed are concerned about the driving behaviours witnessed in their child's school zone and consider their child's school zone unsafe a five per cent increase from last year. A recent survey conducted by CAA SCO found that 60 per cent of parents surveyed are concerned about the driving behaviours witnessed in their childs school zone and consider their childs school zone unsafe. (CNW Group/CAA South Central Ontario) "It is no surprise that parents are concerned for the safety of their children; they have the right to get to and from school safely," says Tracy Marshall, Manager, Community Relations for CAA SCO, "speeding, double parking and stopping in school bus zones are all commonly reported unsafe driving behaviours parents see in their child's school zones." As a result, a majority of parents (85 per cent) support reducing speed limits in school zones, with over 77 per cent of these parents agreeing that 30km/h or less is the most appropriate speed limit. Of those surveyed, 68 per cent of parents strongly support the use of Automatic Speed Enforcement (ASE) in school zones, and 79 per cent believe its presence would deter speeding around schools. Additionally, 3 in 4 (73 per cent) consider that ASE should remain permanent in school zones. "Automated Speed Enforcement, along with the presence of police officers and speed bumps, continue to be identified as the primary measures to deter speeding in these zones," adds Marshall, "through education, we hope to help motorists to make more responsible decisions behind the wheel to protect themselves and those around them." Tips for responsible driving behaviours in school zone areas: Help reduce traffic with active school travel : Encourage your kids to walk or wheel to school to ease traffic congestion. If your school is a further distance, CAA SCO encourages parents and guardians to park a block away and walk to school to reduce traffic and make school zones safer. : Encourage your kids to walk or wheel to school to ease traffic congestion. If your school is a further distance, CAA SCO encourages parents and guardians to park a block away and walk to school to reduce traffic and make school zones safer. Put away distractions: Pedestrian safety begins with drivers. It's important to put away distractions such as phones and be extra attentive in school zones, whether a parent is driving, or a child is walking to school. Pedestrian safety begins with drivers. It's important to put away distractions such as phones and be extra attentive in school zones, whether a parent is driving, or a child is walking to school. Slow down : Know and respect the speed limit in your neighbourhood's school zones. Give yourself plenty of time to drop off your kids at school to avoid rushing. : Know and respect the speed limit in your neighbourhood's school zones. Give yourself plenty of time to drop off your kids at school to avoid rushing. Choose a safe spot to drop off and pick up your children from school : Follow your school's rules and avoid double parking or stopping on crosswalks, dropping off or picking up your kids on the opposite side of the street, and stopping in moving traffic as kids rush out. Instead, use the designated drop-off areas or consider a spot a bit farther away from school that is easily accessible and safe. : Follow your school's rules and avoid double parking or stopping on crosswalks, dropping off or picking up your kids on the opposite side of the street, and stopping in moving traffic as kids rush out. Instead, use the designated drop-off areas or consider a spot a bit farther away from school that is easily accessible and safe. Make eye contact with pedestrians : With the excitement of going back to school, anticipate that children may not easily see or hear your moving vehicle, so ensure to make eye contact with pedestrians crossing the road. : With the excitement of going back to school, anticipate that children may not easily see or hear your moving vehicle, so ensure to make eye contact with pedestrians crossing the road. Stop for school buses : Never pass a stopped school bus with an activated stop arm and flashing red lights as children get on and off the bus. Passing a school bus as it loads and unloads children not only is this dangerous, but it's also illegal. : Never pass a stopped school bus with an activated stop arm and flashing red lights as children get on and off the bus. Passing a school bus as it loads and unloads children not only is this dangerous, but it's also illegal. Watch for CAA School Safety Patrollers: When travelling to and from school, watch for CAA School Safety Patrollers in their lime green safety vests, as they play an important role in ensuring the roadway is safe before kids cross on their own. CAA supports safety in school zones through the CAA School Safety Patrol program, developed to protect and educate elementary school children on safe road-crossing practices. CAA's Ontario Road Safety Resource is a toolkit with valuable lesson plans for teachers to help educate students about road safety. To learn more, please visit www.caasco.com/schoolzone. The online survey was conducted by DIG Insights in May 2024, with 1,520 Ontario parents/guardians with children attending school from kindergarten to grade 8. Based on the sample size of n=1,520 and with a confidence level of 95 per cent, the margin of error for this research is +/- 2%.) About CAA South Central Ontario As a leader and advocate for road safety and mobility, CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club which represents the interests of over 2.5 million Members. For over a century, CAA has collaborated with communities, police services and governments to help keep drivers and their families safe while travelling on our roads. SOURCE CAA South Central Ontario For further information contact: Nadia Matos, Manager, External Communications, C: (416) 523-0663, E: [email protected]; Olivia Hodgkiss, Communications Specialist, C: (647) 327-0210, E: [email protected] New seasons headline an exciting programming line-up that also includes LEGO DREAMZzz, Grizzy and the Lemmings and The Smurfs TORONTO, Aug. 29, 2024 /CNW/ - WildBrain Television, one of Canada's most-loved kids' and family broadcast networks, is pleased to unveil a new, fun-filled slate of best-in-class Canadian content for the whole family to enjoy. New seasons of audience favourites produced in Canada, such as The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy, Ruby and the Well and Caillou, are premiering this fall, alongside even more great programming across WildBrain Television's Family Channel, Family Jr., WildBrainTV and Telemagino. The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy season 2 premieres September 9 on Family Jr. (CNW Group/WildBrain Ltd.) New episodes of Caillou premiere this fall on Family Jr. and Telemagino (CNW Group/WildBrain Ltd.) Ruby and the Well season 4 premieres September 9 on Family Channel (CNW Group/WildBrain Ltd.) Katie Wilson, VP Channels and Global Acquisitions at WildBrain, said: "We're so proud to be a champion of great Canadian content, with such terrific fall programming coming from vibrant independent producers. These series underscore the amazing talent in our domestic industry, and we're thrilled to share them alongside a great line-up of international shows for Canadian kids and their families to enjoy." The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy (Season 2 26 x 11') Canadian premiere coming to Family Jr. on September 9 at 7pm ET. Dynamic drag duo Fay Slift (JP Kane) and Fluffy Souffle (Kaleb Robertson) sashayed their way into the hearts of preschoolers and their families all across Canada, with the series quickly becoming one of the most popular shows on WildBrain Television's Family Jr. Created and produced by Lopii Productions, with the financial participation of the Canadian Media Fund Pilot Program for Racialized Communities, as well as the Shaw Rocket Fund, season two promises to be even more fabulous, more inclusive and more fun for the whole family, as Fay and Fluffy continue to foster a love of reading and encourage kindness and empathy through songs, stories and silliness. Bringing back beloved guests as well as new friends, the new season will encourage kids to share their thoughts and feelings, engage with books, to be kind and to be their best selves. Ruby and the Well (Season 4 8 x 44') Canadian premiere coming to Family Channel on September 9 at 7pm ET/PT. Produced by Shaftesbury and Family Channel, in association with BYUtv, and with the support of the Shaw Rocket Fund, the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit and Ontario Creates, Ruby and The Well is a family drama that follows 16-year-old Ruby O'Reilly as she grants secret wishes for the residents of small-town Emerald after discovering a magical well. Season four sees Ruby return from a trip to Ireland having learned the secrets of the ancient wells, and she's more determined than ever to protect Emerald's well at all costsalong with a secret of her own. Caillou (Season 2 26 x 11') Canadian premiere coming to Family Jr. and Telemagino this fall. Adored by preschool kids aged 2-5, the new WildBrain CG-animated series features authentic and relatable slice-of-life stories about Caillou, a sensitive four-year-old with powerful feelings that often get the better of him. Fortunately, Caillou has a supportive family that helps him understand and navigate those feelings. When he faces an especially tricky problem or a powerful emotion, Caillou will imagine himself, his family, his friends and his toys as characters in make-believe adventures. He might be a pirate captain sailing the seven seas, or a space explorer on a distant planet, or a clever detective solving mysteries with his sidekick, Teddy. Through his fantasy play, Caillou learns how to manage his big bold feelings, then applies what he's learned to real life. More great content coming this fall On Family Channel, LEGO fans can look forward to season two of LEGO Friends, along with LEGO DREAMZzz, season two (part two), both of which will air September 6. Family Jr. will be bringing more great content to kids with the Canadian premiere of Polly Pocket season six, as well as the premiere of season four (part two) of the popular Grizzy and the Lemmings on September 16. WildBrainTV will see two Canadian premieres this fall, with Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese season three (part two) premiering September 7, and The Smurfs season three premiering September 15. On WildBrain Television's French-language channel, Telemagino, season one of Jade Armor will air September 3, with Open Season: Call of Nature season one (part two) premiering September 7. Also coming to the channel are Polly Pocket season six (September 7), LEGO DREAMZzz season two (part two) on September 7 and LEGO Friends season two (November 2). Check your TV listings for airtimes for these great shows and more on Family Channel, Family Jr., WildBrainTV and Telemagino. For more information, please contact: Aimee Norman at Liberi Consulting, external PR for WildBrain [email protected] +44 (0) 7957 564 050 About WildBrain Television WildBrain Television is comprised of four premium kids' and family networks, including Family Channel, Family Jr., WildBrainTV and Telemagino. Delivering best-in-class programming to Canadian families, WildBrain Television is home to world-renowned series and specials, including Holly Hobbie, Ruby and the Well, Brave Bunnies, Caillou, Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City, Slugterra, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir and Summer Memories. SOURCE WildBrain Ltd. Although Tel Aviv called its operation in Jenin and Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday a "counterterrorism operation to thwart terror", all signs testify to it being a major Israeli operation, with at least four Palestinian cities being targeted at the same time Jenin, Tulkarm, Nablus and Tubas. This has been the first time several Palestinian cities in the West Bank have been targeted by the Israeli military simultaneously since the second intifada a major Palestinian uprising from 2000 to 2005. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that the Israeli Defense Forces have been "operating with full force since last night in the Jenin and Tulkarm refugee camps to dismantle Iranian-Islamic terror infrastructures established there". He said that Israel had to deal with the threat in the West Bank just as it dealt with the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza, and will take "whatever steps are required". Tel Aviv has already called for the evacuation of Palestinian residents in relevant cities of the West Bank. Israel also attacked Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on the same day, three days after the two sides ended a short but intense conflict, as well as bombing central Gaza. These are undoubtedly grave provocations to Iran, which has so far restrained from taking any action against Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas' political leader in Teheran for the sake of Gaza cease-fire talks that are underway. Gaza cease-fire talks reportedly resumed in Doha, capital of Qatar, on Wednesday attended by Israeli, United States, Egyptian and Qatari negotiators, after they failed to produce a temporary Gaza cease-fire deal in Cairo last week. There is still a big gap to be bridged between the two hostile parties as Tel Aviv insists on having control of Gaza's Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors to consolidate Israel's military gains in Gaza since Oct 7, while Hamas insists on Israel's full withdrawal from the enclave. Israel's escalating policy, the destruction of cities, the killing of citizens, detentions and colonization, will not bring security and stability to anyone, said Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesman for the presidency of the Palestinian Authority, urging the United States to intervene immediately and force the Israeli authorities to stop their comprehensive war on the Palestinian people. It is the US that has been providing Israel with military, financial and intelligence supports throughout the crisis. It is thus well aware of Israel's latest West Bank moves. But the US still gave Tel Aviv the green light to do it, just as it must have done for the assassination of the Hamas leader last month. No animals were badly injured when a building at Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange caught fire after it was struck by lightning during a storm Wednesday night, authorities said. West Orange police and firefighters were called to the Sea Turtle Recovery building at about 9:45 p.m where firefighters extinguished a blaze, a township spokesman said Thursday. No people were inside the building after the zoo closed at 4 p.m. While the five sea turtles in the building were exposed to heavy smoke, all were fine after the fire, Sea Turtle Recovery officials said in a statement on social media. The heart rate of one turtle a Kemps ridley sea turtle named Pickles that was already battling a respiratory infection dropped dangerously low, officials said. But, the animal was moved to an emergency pool to stimulate deeper breathing and his swimming soon became regular again. The other turtles were also moved to a different building at the zoo before being brought to the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society in Hampton Bays, New York. Officials are unsure of the extent of the damage to the turtle recovery building at the zoo. We can not begin to assess the damage, and we do not know at this time all of the filtration and tank damage that was done, the Sea Turtle Recovery officials said. The fire remains under investigation. Sea Turtle Recovery is a separate nonprofit located inside Essex County zoo, according to the zoo website. The organization provides staffing, food, medicine, surgeries and other treatments to sick and injured sea turtles until they can be released back into the ocean. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. A Gloucester County woman hospitalized after an attacker doused her with sulfuric acid last month has undergone more than 10 surgeries so far and her survival is not guaranteed, according to prosecutors. The womans ex-boyfriend is accused of masterminding the July 26 attack outside of the victims Monroe Township home and allegedly paying two people nearly $40,000 to travel from Florida to New Jersey to carry out the deed, Gloucester County Assistant Prosecutor Dana Anton stated in court on Thursday morning. Investigators also believe the assailants planned to target a second victim. Sunco & Frenchie is recalling its Terrafina Golden Raisins due to a potential allergen that could be life-threatening for some consumers, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Morris County-based snack food manufacturer and distributor announced the recall Monday after routine sampling by food inspectors revealed the product contained sulfites, but was distributed in packages that did not reveal the presence of sulfites. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products, according to the Pine Brook companys recall announcement. No illnesses have been reported, a quality assurance manager with Sunco & Frenchie said Thursday. SEE ALSO: 29 candies and snacks sold at Walmart, Target recalled, throw out immediately The Terrafina Golden Raisins were distributed in New York through retail stores by distributor Smith Valley Foods. The Terrafina Golden Raisins come in a 10-ounce, clear plastic square-shaped container with bright orange labeling on the front. The back of the affected product is marked with best if used by August 2025, lot number GRA240602 and best if used by May 2025, lot number GDR240901, according to the recall announcement. The product UPC number is 847938001385. The back of the product indicates its distributed by Smith Valley Foods. Those who purchased the raisins are urged not to eat them and to return them for a full refund. Consumers with questions can contact Sunco & Frenchie at 973-478-1011 from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com. Eli Lilly is selling its weight-loss drug Zepbound directly through its pharmacy website, Lilly Direct, to expand access to the drug to patients without insurance. Patients can purchase Zepbound in single-dose vials after receiving a doctors prescription for close to half the price of the auto-injectable pens most pharmacies sell. They can buy a months supply of Zepbound at a 2.5-milligram dose for $399 or at a 5-milligram dose for $549. The new option is exclusive to self-paying customers, and insurance will not be accepted. Before the medication became available to purchase online, patients using insurance could pay $25 a month for the drug. However, without insurance, they could pay more than $1,000 per month for it. Customers who purchase the drug directly from Eli Lillys drug platform will get instructions on how to administer the medication properly. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. He may have been wearing a Batman t-shirt, but this was no superhero. And a couple of real heroes figured it out before the Dark Knight fan slipped into the dark night of Hudson Countys own Gotham City. In fact, the fictional caped crusader could be credited with helping a couple of sharp-eyed Jersey City police officers make the arrest of Kendrick Floyd, a 36-year-old city man with criminal record that dates back to 2007, who was wanted for a pair of jewelry store robberies Tuesday. Police officers Mostafa Aleteek and Michael Minervini spotted Floyd wearing the colorful Batman t-shirt identified in an early police alert walking near his home on Bramhall Avenue at 8:30 p.m., a few hours after police say he attempted to steal jewelry at the Newport Centre mall and successfully robbed bling from a kiosk at the Hudson Mall. The officers, who were heading back to the precinct at the end of their shift, questioned Floyd and arrested him when other details provided by witnesses of two prior robbery incidents, as well as an internal police BOLO (be-on-the-lookout), matched Floyd, Jersey City spokesman Stan Eason said. Floyd was wearing two of the stolen chains and still-tagged necklaces from the robbery of $11,000 in jewelry at the Hudson Mall were found in his pocket, Eason said. This batman had no high-tech gadgetry to pull off an implausible escape and was taken into custody without incident. BOLO alerts may be one of the oldest tools used by police departments across the country, but they are still the most effective and fastest way to alert your entire police force to be on the lookout for a suspect or perhaps a car used in a crime and even for a missing child, Jersey City Public Safety Director James Shea said. Job well done by the officers who clearly paid attention, remembered the details given out earlier and acted accordingly. Floyd was charged with criminal attempted theft in connection with the 10:30 a.m. incident at Newport Centre, in which he failed to steal anything. Floyd was charged with robbery, possession of stolen property and possession of a weapon for the 2 p.m. incident at the mall on Route 440, on the opposite side of the city. Eason said Floyd who 12 years ago was charged with stealing a wallet and cell phone from a near-unconscious man who had just been in a rollover crash used a large rock to smash the jewelry case at the Hudson Mall and took swing at a security officer who chased him several blocks. Floyd has at least six prior felony convictions. In the 2012 incident, Floyd pleaded guilty to eluding arrest in which he threatened a law enforcement officer and he was sentenced to one year. Unilever the massive consumer goods company is moving its North American headquarters to Hoboken next year, a real estate developer announced this week. The companys headquarters have been located in Englewood Cliffs since 2018. Unilever brands include Ben & Jerrys, Dove and Hellmanns, among others. The move was announced by SJP Properties, which owns the Waterfront Corporate Center I in Hoboken, where the company is moving its headquarters. Its expected to occupy the property in spring 2025. Unilever has taken a long-term lease on an 111,000-square-foot space that includes three full floors at the 111 River Street building, SJP Properties said. The entire corporate center offers 1.5 million square feet of office space in three buildings along the Hudson River waterfront, the developer said. Unilever made a strategic decision to relocate their North American Headquarters to the New Jersey waterfront from Englewood Cliffs to gain a competitive edge in accessing the vast labor pool in New York City and the surrounding metro area while retaining existing talent with easy access to Bergen County, said Alexander Edros, a senior vice president at SJP. It is one of the largest northern New Jersey office leases this year, SJP Properties said. SJP Project Solutions, the developers design and construction division, will serve as the project and construction manager, the company said. Other tenants in the Waterfront Corporate Center include Lipton, Walmart and Newell Brands, SJP Properties said. Unilever, the worlds sixth-largest consumer goods company, first moved into its current 325,000-square-foot office in Englewood Cliffs in May 2018, ROI-NJ reported. The company will maintain its research and development division in Englewood Cliffs, according to NorthJersey.com. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Brianna Kudisch may be reached at bkudisch@njadvancemedia.com. A Mercer County woman will avoid jail time after admitting she stole more than $268,000 in pension benefits by remarrying after her retired police officer husband died. Sandra VonScheven, 49, received 364 days in county jail but the sentence will be suspended if she completes probation, the state Office of the Attorney General said. She will also have to pay back the money she illegally received. This sentence should serve as a warning that we will not allow individuals to enrich themselves at the expense of New Jersey taxpayers and public servants, Attorney General Matt Platkin said in a statement. This crime went on for nearly a decade, but it was ultimately detected and the defendant held responsible. Sandra VonScheven, of Hamilton, began receiving her husbands pension in 2001 after he died, officials said. She remarried in January 2010 but didnt notify the pension board. The spouses of deceased pension recipients are allowed to collect benefits for life unless they get married again, authorities said. VonScheven collected the monthly payments until 2019. She was indicted in 2021 and pleaded guilty in June. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Three Belmar police officers were filmed picking a man up off a beach last weekend after he bypassed a beach badge attendant in protest of rules requiring those on the beach to purchase a beach badge. A video shared on social media shows the man sitting cross-legged while police approach him. He was picked up by three officers while sitting cross-legged and place into a waiting police vehicle. The incident follows a recent encounter between law enforcement and a surfer. Police were called to the 19th Avenue beach around 12:54 p.m. on Saturday, according to a call log obtained by NJ Advance Media through the Open Public Records Act. A police report says the man walked passed a beach attendant who monitors tags, refusing to buy a badge and saying he was going to exercise what he argued were his rights to be in the water. He was escorted from the sand and told the location of the nearest beach without lifeguards, which does not require a beach badge to visit. The report does not name the man nor indicate if he was charged. Multiple phone messages to Belmar Police Chief Tina Scott by NJ Advance Media seeking comment were not returned. The boroughs police force faced criticism in recent weeks after bystanders filmed a video of a surfer from California, who is a Monmouth County native, being tackled by police. In initial posts online, social media users said the 28-year-old was thrown to the ground for not having a beach badge during a surfing session, a narrative rebuked by Scott, who said the man was brought down and handcuffed for interfering with a police investigation. Scott ordered that six-minute-long police body camera footage be released, adding that the agency had seen an increase in complaints of surfers walking over off-limit dunes to reach the boroughs beaches to avoid paying for beach badges. The widely-shared videos of the surfing encounter have sparked debate on the legality of surfers needing to purchase beach badges. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. Yes. In a rare statement, the U.S. Army set the record straight Thursday on whether a Donald Trump staffer got physical with an official at Arlington National Cemetery that the former president campaigns dementedly denied. The statement said the official was pushed aside after they tried to enforce laws that clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. Trump attended a wreath-laying ceremony earlier this week to honor service members killed in the Afghanistan War withdrawal. Later, NPR reported that two Trump campaign staff members verbally abused and pushed aside a cemetery official who tried to stop them from filming and photographing in Section 60, the burial site for military personnel killed while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. From the U.S. Army: Participants in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent section 60 visit were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations, and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside. Consistent with the decorum expected at ANC, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption. The incident was reported to the JBM-HH police department, but the employee subsequently decided not to press charges. Therefore, the Army considers this matter closed. This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked. ANC is a national shrine to the honored dead of the Armed Forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nations fallen deserve. The statement comes after Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said the unidentified woman, who is the cemetery official, was having a mental health episode and brushed aside the allegations. Senior Trump advisor Chris LaCivita called the official a despicable individual. For a despicable individual to physically prevent President Trumps team from accompanying him to this solemn event is a disgrace and does not deserve to represent the hollowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, LaCivita said in a written statement, misspelling the word hallowed. Whoever this individual is, spreading these lies are dishonoring the men and women of our armed forces. Arlington National Cemetery is the resting place for more than 400,000 service members, veterans and their families. Cemetery officials said in a statement that an incident had occurred and a report had been filed, but it did not address details of what had happened. They declined to share the report. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. The question of abortion looms large in two battleground states. Arizona and Nevada both have abortion referendums on the ballot this fall when voters will decide between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Its not the most important issue to voters, according to the latest Fox News poll. Only 16% of people in Arizona and 13% in Nevada said it is the most important thing to them this November, with the economy being by far the largest issue. But three-quarters of voters in each state said they plan to support the referendums that would give women access to abortions. According to the survey, 73%-23% support it in Arizona and in Nevada it lands at 75% to 21% in support. Even among Republicans, 50% of GOP voters in Arizona will support it and 54% in Nevada plan to do the same. And an uptick in voter registration could hint at abortion playing a larger role in the election. New Fox News polls of Arizona and Nevada find those states abortion-rights ballot measures up big with registered voters, Nathaniel Rakich, senior editor and senior elections analyst at FiveThirtyEight posted to X. New Fox News polls of Arizona and Nevada find those states' abortion-rights ballot measures up big with registered voters. 7323% in Arizona 7521% in Nevadahttps://t.co/lYFF0hDruI Nathaniel Rakich (@baseballot) August 29, 2024 Democrats have made abortion rights a central message since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 and it is a key part of their efforts in this years elections. Arizona law currently bans abortions after 15 weeks. The ban, which was signed into law in 2022, includes exceptions in cases of medical emergencies but has restrictions on non-surgical abortion. It also requires an ultrasound before an abortion is done, as well as parental consent for minors. The proposed amendment would allow abortions until a fetus could survive outside the womb, typically around 24 weeks, with exceptions to save the mothers life or to protect her physical or mental health. It would restrict the state from adopting or enforcing any law that would prohibit access to the procedure. In Nevada, theres a question on the ballot to enshrine the states abortion rights in its constitution. Nevada voters in 1990 made abortion legal up to 24 weeks, but a state law is easier to pass and more vulnerable to change than the constitutional protection organizers are seeking. Voters in Nevada must approve the ballot question in both 2024 and 2026 to amend the state constitution. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. Corbin Lampert was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Thursday for the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Taryn Hohbein during a drinking party last June in a Bismarck apartment. Lampert, 20, showed no emotion when South Central District Judge Pam Nesvig handed down the sentence in a courtroom that was standing room-only, packed with friends and family of Hohbein, as well as law enforcement and Burleigh County State's Attorney's Office staff. Lampert when being brought into the courtroom walked past members of the Hohbein family without looking at them. Authorities said Lampert, then 18, shot and killed Hohbein during a party on June 25, 2023, in an apartment in the 2900 block of Ohio Street. The gathering involved drinking and several of the juveniles handling a stolen gun. A number of juveniles testified during the trial that Lampert was the last person seen handling a 9 mm handgun that belonged to another person at the apartment before Hohbein was shot. Some juveniles either testified or told police that Lampert and Hobhein had past issues -- possibly to do with Hohbein being friends with Lampert's ex-girlfriend -- and had argued before the shooting. At trial, defense attorney Justin Balzer had maintained that there was enough questionable and conflicting testimony to find Lampert not guilty, while prosecutors argued that Lampert committed a deliberate act that took a life. Jurors convicted Lampert of murder in Hohbein's death at the end of a seven-day trial in April. After Thursday's sentencing hearing that reviewed a presentence investigation report and featured personal testimony from Hohbein's parents and brother, the judge addressed Lampert, stating, "Your track record tells me I can't let you out (of prison), and I won't." The sentence explained Burleigh County State's Attorney Julie Lawyer had recommended that Lampert receive a life sentence, outlining a number of factors featured in the presentence report that indicated it was "highly likely" that Lampert would commit other offenses if he was released from prison. Lampert was on probation stemming from a 2022 case in which he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of reckless endangerment, according to Lawyer and court documents. That conviction made Lampert ineligible to own or possess firearms and was the basis for the second count in Lampert's case brought after Hohbein's death. Lawyer requested a five-year sentence in that case to run after his murder sentence. Nesvig ordered the five-year sentence to run at the same time. "He is not likely to respond to probationary treatment," Lawyer said of Lampert, referring to the presentence investigation that noted Lampert is diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. "He's been on probation before, both as a juvenile and as an adult, and he believes he's wrongfully convicted in this case," Lawyer continued. "We're sure that he is not likely to comply with probation." Lawyer went on to tell the judge that the defendant has been segregated from other prisoners while in custody because of behavioral issues. Lawyer also requested that Lampert be ordered to pay more than $8,930 in restitution to Hohbein's family for medical and funeral expenses they incurred after Taryn's death. Nesvig granted that request. During his trial, Lampert was allowed to appear without restraints and in street clothes, but at Thursday's sentencing he wore an orange jumpsuit and shackles. Balzer, the defense attorney, had recommended a 30-year prison sentence, telling Nesvig "a lengthy term of incarceration" followed by probation was appropriate. "What happened was a tragedy, there is no other way to describe it," said Balzer, who told Nesvig he's known Lampert for the past six years and represented the defendant as a juvenile. "Corbin didn't go to that residence with the intent to kill Taryn Hohbein," Balzer said. " It wasn't planned, it wasn't even his firearm. It was a tragedy and it should be addressed as such. I do not think life without the possibility of parole is appropriate." Lawyer refuted Balzer's arguments, telling Nesvig on Thursday that the defendant knowingly violated nearly every rule of gun safety when he handled the weapon inside the apartment in June 2023. "He put the muzzle against Taryn's head and pulled the trigger. It was an intentional act," Lawyer said. "He gave Taryn Hohbein a death sentence." Taryn's family speaks Lawyer's sentencing recommendation came after comments from Taryn Hohbein's father Jesse, brother Tate and mother Angela Schwarting. They, like a number of friends and family members, wore gray T-shirts with Taryn's picture and the words that said, "Justice for Taryn." "You ripped out our life," Schwarting said to Lampert in reference to her daughter's murder. "My heart aches every day for my daughter, my best friend." Jesse Hohbein's comments to Lampert were more severe. "You don't deserve to wake up in the morning," Hohbein said. "You took something from this family that I can't get back. Ever." Jesse Hohbein continued by telling Lampert he considered North Dakota's prohibition on the death penalty as unfair and he thanked the large numbers of friends and members of law enforcement who appeared in court for their support. Nesvig concluded Thursday's hearing by referring to calculations that determine a person's life expectancy based on their present age. Those calculations gave Lampert a remaining live expectancy of nearly 60 years. State law provides Lampert 30 days to file an appeal if he chooses. The Telegram founder was charged with multiple crimes Pavel Durov, the Russian-born entrepreneur who founded the online communications tool Telegram, was charged yesterday in France with a wide range of crimes and barred from leaving the country. The Paris prosecutor said that Durov was released from custody, but had been ordered to pay bail of five million euros, or about $5.5 million. Durov was charged with complicity in managing an online platform to enable illegal transactions by an organized group, as well as with complicity in crimes such as enabling the distribution of child sexual abuse material, fraud and drug trafficking. His indictment was a rare move by legal authorities to hold a top tech executive personally liable for the behavior of users on a major messaging platform. Telegram has played a role in multiple criminal cases in France. Analysis: Durovs case has intensified a long-simmering debate about free speech on the internet and the responsibility of tech companies to monitor what their users say and do on their platforms. They may be an ocean apart, but dinosaur footprints found in South America and Africa are so similar that their discovery suggests dinosaurs may have roamed a narrow corridor that connected the two continents before they split. Researchers found more than 260 footprints more than 3,700 miles apart in Brazil and Cameroon that were preserved in mud and silt where ancient rivers and lakes once stood, according to a study published Monday by the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. The tracks were made 120 million years ago when Africa and South America were still connected as part of a supercontinent called Gondwana, the researchers found. According to the study, the Borborema Plateau in northeastern Brazil and the Koum Basin in northern Cameroon both contain similar geological structures that preserved dinosaur prints. Brazils Supreme Court on Wednesday gave Elon Musk 24 hours to name a legal representative for X in Brazil or face a ban of his social network across the nation of 200 million. Mr. Musk closed Xs office in Brazil last week in protest of orders from a Brazilian Supreme Court justice to suspend certain accounts. If X refuses to comply, it could lose access to one of its largest markets outside the United States a blow as the company struggles to regain revenue after Mr. Musk battled with advertisers and told them not to spend on the platform. The court posted its order on X on Wednesday night, suggesting that Mr. Musk had until about 8 p.m. local time Thursday to respond. The moment is one of the biggest tests yet for Mr. Musks efforts to mold X to his personal ideology, and how he responds will shed light on how far he is willing to take his stated commitment to protecting his social network from what he calls censorship. California lawmakers on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved legislation that would create new restrictions for artificial intelligence, clearing a path to the governors office for a bill that might set the national standard for regulating the new technology. The State Assembly approved the measure, known as S.B. 1047, which would require big A.I. companies to test their systems for safety before releasing them to the public. The bill would also give the states attorney general the power to sue A.I. makers for serious harms caused by their technologies, like death or property damage. Gov. Gavin Newsom has not indicated his position on the legislation and has faced strong pressure from many in the tech industry to veto it. The proposed regulations have become embroiled in a fierce debate over how to regulate A.I., which, depending on whom you ask, has the potential for great benefits and harms to humanity. The Assembly has taken the truly historic step of working proactively to ensure an exciting new technology protects the public interest as it advances, Senator Scott Wiener, a Democrat and co-author of the bill, said in a statement. Bismarck-area officials are beginning to look at ways to address behavioral health issues that might be contributing to homelessness in the city, including one option that could take the burden off police and hospitals. Local public health leaders are proposing a "community triage center" concept to help bridge a gap in behavioral health resources within the community. The City Commission on Tuesday gave Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health Director Renae Moch the green light to form a stakeholder group to explore the option. The group will likely be made up of representatives from Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health, the Burleigh-Morton Detention Center, the Bismarck Police Department and area hospitals, though the group could be further expanded to include other law enforcement agencies and people in the community who are helping to address homelessness. The proposal follows two forums held in June that looked at community health needs, along with housing and homelessness. Moch told the commission that several common priorities were identified by both forums: a lack of affordable housing, inadequate transportation, a lack of 24/7 low-barrier emergency shelters and insufficient emergency support services for people with addiction or mental health issues. Unresolved behavioral health issues are one of many causes of chronic homelessness, which describes people who have experienced homelessness for at least a year while struggling with disabling conditions. These could include serious mental health issues, substance abuse disorder or physical disability, according to Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health. "Unfortunately, our community lacks adequate solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness and behavioral health challenges," Moch recently told the Tribune. "As a result, the jail and local hospital emergency rooms have become an improvised crisis response system instead of being a last resort." Potential benefits Moch told commissioners on Tuesday that a community triage center would address shortfalls by offering intermediate care for people experiencing a mental health crisis or inebriation. The center would act as a central location to help get patients to the appropriate care they need, leading to more effective and lasting outcomes, she said. Rapid City and Sioux Falls in South Dakota are cities in the region that have triage centers. The center would include three levels of care: medical detox, social detox and a low-barrier shelter where basic needs, such as a bed to sleep, could be met. "If someone is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they may need to be medically taken care of and go through a medical detox," Moch said. "But they could be treated enough where they could go down a level of care and having social detox, just somebody watching over them." Moch said the center could relieve area hospitals by handling cases of overdose or intoxication, freeing up space for patients suffering other medical emergencies. The facility would serve as a detox center, staffed with personnel specially trained and better equipped to manage behavioral health crises than general hospital staff. The center could also relieve law enforcement by providing an alternative to emergency rooms for dropping off people in crisis, enabling them to immediately go back on patrol. Officers spend hours at hospitals following welfare check calls, Deputy Chief Jason Stugelmeyer told commissioners. After being cleared from the hospital, patients are often taken to the jail to sober up if a family member isn't available to pick them up. Stugelmeyer maintains that the current process is manpower-intensive for the department, especially when officers are often seeing the same people on multiple occasions. There is usually one or two officers assigned for each welfare check call. "The jail thing is OK because they're safe, and we know they're safe, and we're probably not going to get any more calls on them, at least for eight hours," Stugelmeyer told the City Commission. "We need to have some sort of service that prevents us from going back and back." Triage centers have become a more common alternative for addressing behavioral health crises because they are more cost-effective and efficient than jails or hospitals, according to the National League of Cities. Moch agreed, saying jails can often exacerbate behavioral health issues a person is going through due to the conditions there, causing further trauma. The stakeholder group will be the first step in starting discussions on how the community might establish a triage center, Moch said. She did not provide a timeline for when an official proposal might be presented to the City Commission or the public but noted that the process could be lengthy. "If all of us can come together to have a community solution like this, I think it's going to have a great impact. We just need to get the right partners together to do it," she said. OpenAI is in talks to complete a deal that would value the company at $100 billion or more, which would be about a $20 billion increase from its valuation eight months ago, according to two people with knowledge of the discussions. The funding round would be led by Thrive Capital, which would put about $1 billion into the San Francisco company, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The deal could also include funding from Microsoft. OpenAI launched the A.I. boom in late 2022 with the release of the online chatbot ChatGPT, spurring a surge in funding for A.I. companies. But enthusiasm among investors has cooled in recent months, as several high-profile start-ups have essentially been folded into tech giants like Google and Amazon. Still, OpenAI remains a leader in the race to artificial intelligence. It is among a handful of companies with a blend of experienced researchers and large amounts of money that can work with resource-intensive A.I. systems. Citing recent breaks in its waterline, Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona announced Wednesday that it would temporarily halt overnight hotel stays on the South Rim of the park starting Thursday afternoon, just before the busy Labor Day weekend. The park also announced strict water restrictions on the South Rim after four recent significant breaks in the 12-and-a-half-mile-long Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water from the canyon for use in the park. The park has been dealing with water supply problems since July 8, according to the Park Service, saying that currently, no water is being pumped to either the South or North Rim. It was not immediately clear how long the closure would last. Joelle Baird, the parks spokeswoman, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday. A Kentucky man involved with the Oath Keepers and other far-right extremist groups who helped devise plans to converge on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was sentenced on Wednesday to five years in prison for his role in the riot, federal prosecutors said. The man, Daniel Edwin Wilson, 48, of Louisville, Ky., pleaded guilty on May 17 to conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, possession of an unregistered firearm and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He was ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich of U.S. District Court in Washington to pay a $2,000 fine and will be on supervised release for three years after his release from prison, federal prosecutors said in a news release. Federal prosecutors said in court documents that Mr. Wilson conspired with others with the goal of using the threat of violence to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power" on Jan. 6, 2021. According to prosecutors, one message Mr. Wilson sent on Dec. 27, 2020, read: I am ready to lay my life on the line. It is time for good men to do bad things. In other messages leading up to Jan. 6, he spoke of civil war and plans to continue disruptions if Joe Biden was inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2021. President Bidens latest effort to wipe out student loan debt for millions of Americans is in jeopardy. The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to allow a key component of the policy, known as the SAVE plan, to move forward after an emergency application by the Biden administration. Until Republican-led states sued to block the plan over the summer, SAVE had been the main way for borrowers to apply for loan forgiveness. The program allowed people to make payments based on income and family size; some borrowers ended up having their remaining debt canceled altogether. Other elements of Mr. Bidens loan forgiveness plan remain in effect for now. And over the course of Mr. Bidens presidency, his administration has canceled about $167 billion in loans for 4.75 million people, or roughly one in 10 federal loan holders. Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, will sit down with Dana Bash of CNN tomorrow at 9 p.m. Eastern for the first major television interview of their presidential campaign. Its a high-stakes moment for their nascent candidacy, a chance to define their campaign, defend their ideas and test their political dexterity in the run-up to Harriss debate against former President Donald Trump on Sept. 10. Its also an opportunity, following a month of rallies and campaign speeches, for the pair to tell a deeper story about themselves and their vision. But getting them to do that might not be easy. My colleague Astead Herndon, friend of the newsletter and host of the podcast The Run-Up, interviewed Harris as part of his reporting for a profile he wrote of Harris last year. The family of a Green Beret who died by suicide after serving eight combat tours and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery expressed concern on Wednesday that Donald J. Trumps campaign had filmed his gravesite without permission as Mr. Trump stood in an area where campaign photography isnt allowed. Relatives of Master Sgt. Andrew Marckesano issued their statement two days after Mr. Trumps visit, which also included a confrontation between members of the Trump campaign and an Arlington employee. The former presidents campaign took video in a heavily restricted section of the cemetery known as Section 60, which is largely reserved for the fallen veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. A woman who works at the cemetery filed an incident report with the military authorities over the altercation. But the official, who has not been identified, later declined to press charges. Military officials said she feared Mr. Trumps supporters pursuing retaliation. Sergeant Marckesano died on July 7, 2020, after moving to Washington to begin a job at the Pentagon. He had three children, and friends said he had chronic post-traumatic stress disorder from his time in combat. He earned Silver and Bronze Stars during his service. His gravesite is adjacent to that of Staff Sergeant Darin Taylor Hoover, a Marine who was killed in the 2021 bombing at Abbey Gate outside the Kabul airport in Afghanistan. Sister Theresa Kane, a Roman Catholic nun who called on her fellow sisters to push for ordination, and who led by example when, while introducing Pope John Paul II during his 1979 visit to the United States, she publicly challenged him to let women serve as priests, died on Aug. 22 in Watchung, N.J. She was 87. A representative of her order, the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, confirmed her death, at a hospice facility, adding that she had been in failing health. As the president of both the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, an umbrella group representing American nuns, Sister Theresa was chosen to give a welcome address for Pope John Paul II at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. It was John Paul IIs first visit to the United States since assuming the papacy a year earlier. He was entering a rapidly changing landscape of American Catholicism. Ever since the Second Vatican Council called for the church to address itself to the modern world in the 1960s, progressive Catholics had been pushing for change inside and outside its ranks, including a robust conversation about the role of women in the church. Tropical storm Shanshan was drenching southern Japan with record rainfall early Friday, a day after making landfall as a typhoon and flooding towns, knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes, disrupting travel and forcing more than four million evacuations. The storm, the strongest to hit Japan this year, had maximum sustained winds of up to 46 miles per hour and gusts of 51 m.p.h. early on Friday, according to the U.S. Navys Joint Typhoon Warning Center, which downgraded Shanshan from a typhoon to a tropical storm Thursday evening. Shanshan had peaked at a strength equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall as a typhoon around 8 a.m. Thursday on Kyushu, the southernmost of Japans main islands, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. It was forecast to move north through Kyushu before shifting east on Friday and Saturday, moving further inland and losing strength. The storm was weakening as it moved slowly inland, but the authorities issued warnings for landslides and floods in many parts of southwestern Japan. More than 4.1 million people were under evacuation orders nationwide on Thursday, Japans Cabinet Office said. On a recent sweltering morning in the Songhyeon neighborhood, a leafy area near the citys sprawling medieval Gyeongbokgung Palace thats dotted with galleries, the artist Park Kyung Ryul was discussing her plans for this years Frieze Seoul. Over coffee at the Baik Art gallery, Park, 45, explained that she doesnt see her artworks as separate, stand-alone items. Instead, theyre all part of a continuum of her expression, she said, and her need to connect things as an artist. Small objects, from Buddha figurines to small mirrors collected from flea markets around South Korea, are attached to her works, mostly oil on canvas, which Park refers to as sculpture paintings. Sculpture painting is a way of treating all the elements of painting as even and recognizing the brushstroke as one object, she explained. When the finished painting is shown in the actual exhibition space, it becomes an object, just like the sculptures and other things that I place around it. In 2023, the dealer Mariane Ibrahim made a radical move in todays art world: She did not participate in any art fairs, anywhere. We took a hiatus, said Ibrahim, who has galleries in Chicago, Paris and Mexico City and specializes primarily in artists of African descent. It was great. Were in such a machine, I wanted to slow down a little bit. But now she is back, exhibiting at Frieze Seoul as she did in 2022, when it was brand-new. The fairs third edition runs Sept. 5-7 in the Coex convention center in Seoul, and features 117 galleries from 32 countries, from Vietnam to the republic of Georgia. Ibrahims booth will feature the painting Marco (Polo Boys) (2024) by Ian Micheal, who lives in Oakland, Calif., and works by the painter Ian Mwesiga, of Kampala, Uganda, and the Tokyo painter Yukimasa Ida, among others. Students returned to classrooms at Parshall Public Schools in northwest North Dakota on Wednesday under enhanced security after classes were canceled earlier in the week due to unspecified threats that were deemed credible. In an announcement posted on the school district's website, administrators noted all students in the PreK-12 school would be required to enter through the high school's main doors, and each arriving student would be subject to scanning by a handheld metal detector. Students were also required to surrender their cellphones, as per previously adopted school policy prohibiting possession and use of the devices on school property during the day. The measures regarding school access and security come in the aftermath of what was described as a "potential threat," according to the district's announcement. In response, district officials in conjunction with Three Affiliated Tribes law enforcement and drug enforcement officials canceled all classes and extracurricular activities on Monday and Tuesday, the announcement said. No further details were provided on the specific nature of the threat. It does state tribal law enforcement and drug enforcement officers would be on hand at the school during arrival and dismissal periods as an additional security measure and thatthe district's school resource officer would be on school property all day. A separate announcement posted on the district's Facebook page stated that district officials and law enforcement identified a pair of threats. The first, according to the post, was identified at 10:30 p.m. Sunday. A second threat was identified at 1:30 a.m. Monday. The Facebook announcement noted that personnel from Minot Air Force Base conducted a sweep of school property in the early morning hours of Tuesday. Following that sweep and a meeting with tribal law enforcement, classes resumed on Wednesday with the enhanced security measures in place. Parshall School District #3 serves students living within the boundaries of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in Mountrail County. The district served 273 students last school year and employs more than 50 people, according to 2023-2024 enrollment figures from the Department of Public Instruction and the district's website, respectively. New York City becomes unspeakably humid. To afford a Sag Harbor quarter-share, you now need an I.M.F. loan. In the Hudson Valley you must do battle with Brooklyn transplants cosplaying locavore Marie-Antoinette. But there is a solution to summer in New York: Keep driving! In upstate New York and we can debate the terminology; the citizens of Buffalo are convinced they do not live there the holiday crowds are thinner but the attractions are just as fine. It has cultural institutions rivaling those in the five boroughs, and rambling Letchworth State Park may be the states most spectacular natural wonder. New York even has an upstate governor, Kathy Hochul, for the first time in a century although, after her congestion pricing U-turn, her constituents in Manhattan have some thoughts about Buffalo rule. U.S. ELECTION 2024 The presidential election is less than 70 days away. This is what were watching. The Harris campaigns defining interview with CNN Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, sat for the first major television interview of their campaign. Its a critical opportunity for them to define their campaign, and will be broadcast on CNN at 9 p.m. Eastern time. Heres how to watch. Harris has taken few questions from reporters since President Biden ended his campaign. Astead Herndon, a Times political correspondent, explained the challenges of interviewing her and described his conversation with her last year as arduous. She didnt break eye contact, he told the On Politics newsletter. It was intense. You feel on trial. In other campaign news: Donald Trump reposted an image on his social media platform that implied that Harris had traded sexual favors to help her political career. It was the second time over the past two weeks that Trump shared content making sexually oriented attacks against his opponent. As luck would have it, the documentary filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer was recording a conversation with James Carville, the longtime political analyst and subject of Mr. Tyrnauers new movie, in May 2023 when a national poll revealed that likely voters favored former President Donald J. Trump over President Biden by seven percentage points. It knocked me right off my horse, Mr. Carville said in the film. That moment set in motion his contentious 18-month campaign to encourage Mr. Biden to drop out of the race. I was old. I knew a little bit about what the job entailed, and I had a platform, Mr. Carville, 79, said in a recent interview. I felt like I didnt have another choice. Mr. Tyrnauer didnt have much of a choice, either: He needed to change his film, initially about Mr. Carvilles 30-year career as a very public political consultant, into a more immediate chronicle of Mr. Carvilles effort to alter the course of the presidential election and Mr. Bidens decision to drop out of the race. A few years ago, Tyler Whitley was working at a help line for farmers in financial distress when a call came from a man who was raising poultry. The caller said he worked round the clock rearing hundreds of thousands of chickens at his factory farm each year, yet had trouble affording a Walmart sheet cake for his daughters birthday. The man scraped together enough for the cake, but couldnt cover the barns heating bill. The poultry company the farmer was contracted with berated him for spending money on a cake rather than the outstanding bill, Mr. Whitley recalled. This from a representative of a company that makes billions of dollars, Mr. Whitley said. I came to view factory farming as a cancer on rural America, he continued. I hated how it robbed people of their humanity and reduced them down to a number, to a widget, to a cog. Virtually all of the meat consumed in America comes from industrialized farms. Proponents say it keeps meat affordable. The Falling Star works best if you watch it with the same eyes through which youd watch a ballet, albeit a slapsticky one. The story it tells is dark, but the way in which its told is lightly comedic, more dependent on images and movement than character and plot. That the films directors, Dominique Abel and Fiona Gordon, both got their start (and met each other) as clowns is no surprise. They star here, too: Gordon as Fiona, a bereaved mother who is also a private eye; and Abel as two characters, an activist-turned-bartender, Boris, and his depressed doppelganger, Dom, who is also Fionas ex-husband. Boris has been hiding out for 35 years since a bombing attempt gone wrong, pouring pints at the Belgian bar he owns with his wife, Kayoko (Kaori Ito). But when a man with a prosthetic arm shows up and tries to assassinate Boris, Kayoko and Boris hatch a plan with their friend and colleague Tim (Philippe Martz) to swap Dom in for Boris, without telling Dom he is a decoy. If this sounds like a setup for a lightly Shakespearean comedy of errors, thats because it is, though its other things too. There are mistaken identities, missed connections and misguided romances, interspersed with bits of dancing and music not always strictly motivated by the plot. In their previous films, Abel and Gordon have worked in the tradition of cinematic burlesque, and here they riff on film noir (though our private eye is a lady, and she is asked to hunt down a lost dog). The noir provides some background tone: a world of anxiety and suspicion, a bit pessimistic and also swoony. Mayor Eric Adams began his monthly Q. and A. radio program with an unusual self-introduction. Im your mayor, Eric Adams, he said recently on WBLS-FM, a popular R&B station in New York City. David Dinkins 2, I like to say. Two days later, Mr. Adams reinforced the message. At an event celebrating Haitian heritage, he again portrayed himself as a sequel to Mr. Dinkins, the citys first Black mayor. He repeated the line the next day, at a gathering of older New Yorkers in East Harlem. Invoking Mr. Dinkins, and his history as a one-term mayor, has become a central theme in Mr. Adamss re-election strategy. At every event where the mayor has an audience with his base town halls with older adults, ethnic heritage celebrations, guest appearances on Black radio Mr. Adams has argued that his accomplishments are being dismissed because of his race. The mayor has urged his supporters to respond by re-electing him to the second term that Mr. Dinkins was denied a call that has resonated among some voters. Noe del Cid watched his neighborhood come back to life from the seat of his wheelchair. This tight row of cinder-block houses with barred windows and corrugated metal roofs formed, for much of Mr. del Cids life, a precarious border zone between enemy gangs. Bullet scars are still visible, chipped into the walls of houses and staining the flesh of residents like Mr. del Cid, who was partially paralyzed in 2003 by a gunshot to the neck. In the two years since President Nayib Bukele unleashed his brutal crackdown on El Salvadors gangs, most of the gangsters who once lorded over the neighborhood have been imprisoned, fled or gone into hiding, Mr. del Cid said. He took the action that we needed him to take. And not only that, hes maintained it, said Mr. del Cid, who at 38 is the president of the neighborhoods community association. Its very admirable. Americans are already heading to Europe in search of affordable homes, but just how much more space can you get in Europe for the price of a modest Manhattan apartment? A new study by My Dolce Casa, a research blog about living and retiring abroad, uses Realtor.coms median listing price for a 500-square-foot apartment in Manhattan around $750,000, or $1,500 per square foot to compare value against what you can find in 68 regions in five European countries: France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain. (Regions with inadequate data were omitted.) Look first to Italy. Molise, a mountainous region that appeared on The New York Timess 2020 list of 52 places to visit, took the top spot. For about $750,000, you can buy 8,333 square feet there, which comes to $90 per square foot. Calabria, in southern Italy, wasnt too far behind at 8,242 square feet, which comes to about $91 per square foot. Homes this size would cost about $12 million at Manhattan prices. France, Greece and Portugal didnt crack the top 10, but Spain snagged the third and fourth spots on the list. Castilla-La Mancha, the region south of Madrid (and home to Cervantess Don Quixote), took third place, with 7,813 square feet, or $96 per square foot. Extremadura, on Spains border with Portugal, placed fourth with 7,426 square feet, or $101 per square foot. Rounding out the top five was the Italian island of Sicily, which had the fifth largest home size at 7,212 square feet, or $104 per square foot. It was a different world when Alexa Chung rose to sartorial power. She wore high-neck blouses with flat pointy shoes. She wore black tights under denim shorts. In paparazzi photos, holding hands with her indie rock boyfriend, she wore peacoats over minidresses. So we women around her age, give or take five years wore peacoats over minidresses, too. The year was 2009, and influencer and creator were not yet jobs. Ms. Chung, then 26, was an MTV host during the final era of that being the coolest job on the planet. On a sticky afternoon this summer, inside a dark bar on Avenue B in Manhattan, I asked Ms. Chung, now 40, how she defined her job these days. When French prosecutors charged Pavel Durov, the chief executive of the messaging app Telegram, with a litany of criminal offenses on Wednesday, one accusation stood out to Silicon Valley companies. Telegram, French authorities said in a statement, had provided cryptology services aimed at ensuring confidentiality without a license. In other words, the topic of encryption was being thrust into the spotlight. The cryptology charge raised eyebrows at U.S. tech companies including Signal, Apple and Metas WhatsApp, according to three people with knowledge of the companies. These companies provide end-to-end encrypted messaging services and often stand together when governments challenge their use of the technology, which keeps online conversations between users private and secure from outsiders. But while Telegram is also often described as an encrypted messaging app, it tackles encryption differently than WhatsApp, Signal and others. So if Mr. Durovs indictment turned Telegram into a public exemplar of the technology, some Silicon Valley companies believe that could damage the credibility of encrypted messaging apps writ large, according to the people, putting them in a tricky position of whether to rally around their rival. Dear Tripped Up, Last Oct. 10, my wife, a friend and I arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport to fly to Paris on a trip we had originally planned for April but had to postpone. At the United Airlines check-in counter, agents told us our reservation had been canceled by us! Even weirder, the same thing had happened three weeks earlier, when the airline sent us an email saying we had canceled our trip. That time, we called and insisted United reissue the reservation for the same price, which it did by giving us a travel voucher and instantly redeeming it. At the airport, though, we watched as supervisors got their supervisors involved, and we were eventually told that something about the voucher had raised questions about fraud. We missed our flight and bought last-minute tickets for that evenings 11 p.m. United flight to Paris. Then that flight was canceled, though this time for everyone. Given the days stress and frustration, we gave up on the trip, had dinner and went to the airport Marriott before heading home the next morning. We believe United owes us for the cost of the last-minute flight ($4,475), a portion of the earlier canceled flight ($3,099), the cost of our transportation, hotel and meals that day ($1,178) and the money we lost on nonrefundable plans in France ($2,007). Can you help? Connie, Towson, Md. Dear Connie, Have you ever tried to solve a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle that someone put through a wood chipper? Me neither, but now I know how that might feel. Still, I think Ive got it a trying tale not just about United, but of a Google search gone wrong, a badly timed shoulder injury, an accusation of fraud, a miscalculated credit card chargeback, unwarranted credit and a New Jersey-based travel agency with a bone to pick and an owner who answers to the name of Alec Baldwin. This specific loony sequence of events is unlikely to befall other travelers, but other loony sequences will, and there are lessons to be learned here because every party involved shares some blame. A Florida man on a corporate retreat became separated from his co-workers during a hike in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado last Friday, leaving him missing in the wilderness for a day and forcing him to brave a bitter storm overnight before being rescued, search and rescue authorities said. Hes lucky to be alive, Evan Brady, the public information officer for Chaffee County Search and Rescue South, said of the man, Steve Stephanides, of Apopka, Fla. At sunrise last Friday, Mr. Stephanides, 47, and 14 of his co-workers at Beazley, a London-based global insurance firm, started on a popular trail hike to the summit of Mount Shavano, a 14,000-foot peak about 75 miles west of Colorado Springs, Chaffee County Search and Rescue South said in a statement. During the trek, Mr. Stephanides stopped for a break while his co-workers continued on the route, Mr. Brady said. Mr. Stephanides restarted his journey and reached the summit of Mt. Shavano alone, Mr. Brady said in a phone interview on Thursday. But when he reached the summit, Mr. Stephanides became disoriented and, because the trail is naturally rugged and at times unclear, he began to descend the mountain the wrong way, Mr. Brady said. Several large American publishers sued Florida education officials on Thursday over a state law that prohibits sexual content in school libraries. They argue that the law has ignited a wave of book removals in violation of the First Amendment. The Florida law, enacted last year, requires school districts to allow parents and other residents to limit childrens access to library materials. The lawsuit filed by Penguin Random House, the nations biggest publisher, and other companies argues that the rule has caused a blanket purge of hundreds of books across the state, and created a regime of strict censorship in school libraries. The suit, filed in federal court in Orlando, is the latest dispute over whether schools should let children read books that touch on themes of race, gender or sexual orientation. Conflicts over what reading material is appropriate for children have emerged in a number of states, but Florida has become an epicenter for these fights under the leadership of Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, and the states Republican-controlled Legislature. Supporters of the regulations say their goals are to safeguard students from obscene content and give families more control over their childrens education. But they have faced sharp criticism from free speech organizations and authors over the restrictions, and the states school districts face several other lawsuits over them. When Nicole Noblets parents told her they planned to move the family to Missouri to retire, she worried that the move from Minnesota could affect her rights. So she did some research. What she learned dismayed her: Because of the voluntary guardianship she had entered into with her parents, Ms. Noblet, now 32, wouldnt be allowed to cast a ballot in her new state. She told her parents she wanted to revisit their legal arrangement, a common one for people with disabilities that allows them to make health care and financial decisions for her. I said, Nobody is going to take away my right to vote. Missouri is one of at least seven states, according to the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, that say that, unless a judge decides otherwise, anyone under a guardianship agreement cannot cast a ballot. Dozens of horses on a breeding ranch in Oklahoma that for generations has provided livestock for rodeos were said to have died after eating feed that was contaminated with an additive given to cattle, a veterinarian was quoted as saying, prompting investigations by officials in Oklahoma and Kansas. The Beutler and Son Rodeo Company has supplied horses, bulls and calves for roping and bucking events in rodeos across the United States since 1929. The ranch has passed through generations of Beutlers just north of Elk City, Okla., a community of about 11,000 people in the western part of the state. Local news media this week reported that Bennie Beutler, who now owns and runs the ranch with his son Rhett Beutler, said that horses started to die last week in increasing numbers after being fed. We put the feed out and we lost a couple, Mr. Beutler said in an interview with News 9, a local CBS affiliate, on Wednesday. It was not immediately clear how many horses had died by Thursday, although some reports said at least 70 horses had died. The deaths heart-broke us all, Mr. Beutler told News 9. Some of the horses were mares whose foals will now be bottle-fed, he said. For the second time in barely two months, the CNN anchor Dana Bash is playing a pivotal role in the 2024 presidential race. Ms. Bash, 53, conducted Thursdays joint interview with Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, early Thursday afternoon. The interview, taped in Savannah, Ga., and set to air on Thursday evening, is Ms. Harriss first major unscripted moment since she succeeded President Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket. In June, Ms. Bash was a moderator, along with Jake Tapper, of a prime-time debate between Mr. Biden and former President Donald J. Trump. Mr. Bidens poor performance that evening led directly to his withdrawal from the race. How Ms. Bash handles Thursdays interview may play an outsize role in shaping voters perception of Ms. Harris, who is still in the midst of introducing herself to the broader public. The F.B.I. mishandled child sexual abuse allegations even after enacting new protocols since its bungled investigation into Lawrence G. Nassars assault of young gymnasts, the Justice Departments watchdog found in a report released on Thursday. Michael E. Horowitz, the departments inspector general, found that 42 of 327 sexual abuse cases reviewed were plagued with serious problems including a lack of coordination with local law enforcement and a failure to follow up on leads that required immediate attention from the bureau. In roughly half the cases reviewed in the audit, the inspector general found no evidence that the F.B.I.s investigators reported instances of sexual abuse to local, state and tribal authorities. That failure to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies also contributed to the long delay of an investigation into Mr. Nassar by the bureaus field offices in Los Angeles and Indianapolis, according to the report. Even as young athletes started coming forward in the summer of 2015, Mr. Nassar, the former national gymnastics team doctor, was not arrested until late 2016. Mr. Nassar abused at least 70 girls and women during that period. He is now in prison after molesting hundreds of his patients, including the Olympic champion Simone Biles, under the guise of medical treatment. A 57-year-old Florida man who had argued that lethal injection would cause needless pain and suffering because he has Parkinsons disease was executed on Thursday evening after the Supreme Court rejected a last-minute request to halt the proceeding. The decision was unsigned and did not include the courts reasoning, which is typical in such emergency cases. There were no public dissents noted. The case of the man, Loran Cole, has drawn particular attention because of the abuses he said he had suffered at a notorious reform school, which formed the basis for Colson Whiteheads novel The Nickel Boys. Over the years, former students at the institution, the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys, have come forward to share accounts of brutality. Beatings were common at the school, and reports of rape and forced labor were rampant. Mr. Cole, who was executed at Florida State Prison, had been convicted in the 1994 killing of a Florida State University student who was camping with his sister in a national forest. When Wes Moore ran for governor of Maryland in 2022, questions about whether he had claimed to have been awarded a Bronze Star for his Army service in Afghanistan hovered over his campaign. For reasons that remain unexplained, two television interviewers, Gwen Ifill and Stephen Colbert, had wrongly introduced him years earlier as a recipient of the award. Mr. Moore failed to correct them, even as he and his aides insisted he had never told anyone he had a Bronze Star. But at least once, Mr. Moore, now the states Democratic governor, did say he had received the award. He made the claim on an application for a prestigious White House fellowship in 2006, when he was 27 years old, according to a copy of the document that was obtained this week by The New York Times as part of a Freedom of Information Act request. A former employee of the cruise ship company Royal Caribbean was sentenced this week to 30 years in prison for placing hidden cameras in guests bathrooms and recording passengers as young as 2, prosecutors said. Arvin Joseph Mirasol, 34, of the Philippines, was sentenced on Wednesday after previously pleading guilty to producing child pornography, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida said in a statement. He was arrested in March on federal charges of production and possession of child pornography, and was also charged with six counts of voyeurism in State Circuit Court in Broward County, Fla. Royal Caribbean said at the time that it had reported the allegations to law enforcement and fired Mr. Mirasol. On Feb. 25, a passenger aboard the Symphony of the Seas cruise ship discovered a hidden camera attached to the counter under the sink in a bathroom, prosecutors said. The guest reported the camera to security. The North Dakota Mill has reported record profits of $20.7 million for fiscal year 2024, an increase of 20.6% over profits of $17.2 million reported for fiscal year 2023. Vance Taylor, president and CEO of the state-owned mill in Grand Forks, gave a report on its financial performance during a Tuesday meeting of the North Dakota Industrial Commission, which oversees the Grand Forks facility, the North Dakota Monitor reported. The mill has transferred 52.5% of the profits nearly $10 million to the states general fund and more than $1 million to the Agricultural Products Utilization Fund. The remaining profits are used for mill operations. Taylor told the commission that shipments of the mills Dakota Maid flour brand increased 95% from the previous year. He said demand is driven mostly by renewed interest in home baking that started during the COVID-19 pandemic and serving the restaurant industry. He said that is a trend across the milling industry but the North Dakota Mill may be benefiting more than most. I think were getting more than our share, Taylor said. The North Dakota Mill, officially the North Dakota Mill and Elevator Association, was established in 1922. An expansion was completed in 2022. It is the largest flour mill in the country. Taylor said the increased milling capacity is a big reason behind the record profits. There was a 10% increase in volume shipped over the previous year. North Dakota and Kansas are traditionally the nations top wheat producers. Taylor said this years wheat crop in North Dakota looks good with harvest about half complete, but that farmers could use a break from rain. Honduras said it would end its longtime extradition treaty with the United States on Wednesday, in response to criticism from the American ambassador to the country over a meeting between Honduran and Venezuelan officials. Enrique Reina, Hondurass foreign minister, posted a letter on social media Wednesday evening expressing the decision of the government of the republic of Honduras to terminate the extradition treaty, after President Xiomara Castro of Honduras accused the United States of meddling in its affairs. Ms. Castro said the United States intention to direct the politics of Honduras through its embassy and other representatives is intolerable. Honduran officials were angered after Laura Dogu, the U.S. ambassador to the country, told local reporters on Wednesday that she was surprised to see Hondurass defense minister and a top general seated next to a narco-trafficker in Venezuela referring to a meeting last week between the Honduran officials and the defense minister of Venezuela under President Nicolas Maduro, the authoritarian leader who has been in power since 2013. In a local television interview, Mr. Reina said the American ambassadors comments undermined the authority of Gen. Roosevelt Leonel Hernandez, the Honduran military leader who attended the meeting, even suggesting that some armed forces now sought to replace him. The White House national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, met on Thursday with Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, and held rare talks with a top Chinese military official in a sign that the two countries are communicating at senior levels despite tensions over the South China Sea and Taiwan. Mr. Sullivans meeting with Gen. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of Chinas Central Military Commission, was the first in years between a senior American official and a vice chair of the commission, which oversees Chinas armed forces and is chaired by Mr. Xi. In 2018, Jim Mattis, who was the U.S. defense secretary at the time, met with Gen. Xu Qiliang, who held the vice chair position. It was the latest effort by the two powers to keep communication channels open even as disputes grow over national security, trade and geopolitics. On the military front, the United States has argued that more open communication is necessary to prevent accidents between the two countries warplanes and navy ships as they regularly patrol contested areas like the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. A meeting with Zhang Youxia is very significant, and an indication that China is prepared to meaningfully re-engage with the Department of Defense, said Drew Thompson, a visiting senior research fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore. Beijing views the military-to-military relationship as an important political indicator of the overall relationship, which differs somewhat from the U.S. perspective, which sees it as a more pragmatic channel to reduce risk. A court in Thailand on Thursday sentenced Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, the son of the Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho, to life in prison after finding him guilty of murdering a Colombian surgeon and dismembering his body. The trial, which ended in May on Koh Samui, an island popular among tourists, drew international headlines for involving the scion of a famous Spanish acting family and for the gruesome nature of a killing in a region known for its resorts, parties and beaches. Prosecutors had accused Mr. Sancho, 30, of murdering Edwin Arrieta Arteaga in August last year. The two men had met up on the Thai island of Koh Phangan during its monthly full-moon celebrations, during which partygoers dance all night on the beach. Mr. Sancho said they had connected on Instagram a year earlier and become romantically involved, the Spanish newspaper El Pais reported. Prosecutors in Sicily have broadened their investigation into the sinking of the luxury yacht, the Bayesian, and are now looking into the actions of two more crew members, their lawyer said Thursday. The captain of the yacht, James Cutfield, is also facing a manslaughter inquiry to determine whether his actions negligently caused the shipwreck, one of his lawyers said Tuesday. Seven people six passengers and one crew member died in the Aug. 19 accident amid a pre-dawn storm off the coast of Sicily. Among the victims was the British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, whose family owned the Bayesian, as well as his 18-year-old daughter Hannah. On Wednesday, prosecutors placed under investigation Tim Parker Eaton, who was in charge of the Bayesians engine room, and Matthew Griffiths, the crew member who was on lookout duty that night. They are both represented by Marco Scopesi, a lawyer based in Genoa, who confirmed that the two men were under investigation. A Ukrainian F-16, recently supplied by NATO countries, was destroyed this week while defending against a sweeping Russian aerial assault and the pilot was killed, Ukraines military said on Thursday. The loss is a blow to the government in Kyiv, partly because only about half a dozen of the planes have been delivered and only a few pilots have been trained to fly them. The timing of the crash was unfortunate as well, coming after a Ukrainian incursion into Russias Kursk region had lifted the national mood this month after a long spring and summer of Russian battlefield gains in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine received its first batch of F-16s this summer after the countrys leaders argued to the White House and allies in Europe for many months that they were essential to the war effort. While the United States and other allies have provided Ukraine with tens of billions of dollars of military equipment, the fighter jets have taken on outsize importance as a symbol of Western support. A public inquiry into the case of Lucy Letby, a British neonatal nurse convicted of killing seven babies, has come under fire from scientific and medical experts who have called for it to be delayed or broadened to consider whether the deaths could have been caused by other factors. The inquiry, set to begin on Sept. 10, will cast a fresh spotlight on one of the most haunting murder cases in recent British history. Conscientious and well liked by her colleagues, Ms. Letby was found guilty of killing seven infants, and trying to kill seven others, in a busy public hospital in 2015 and 2016. Ms. Letby, 34, was sentenced to life in prison last year and her requests for appeals have so far been denied. But questions about the handling of the investigation and the evidence used to convict her have grown harder to ignore, with prominent experts in statistics and neonatal medicine arguing that both were gravely flawed. Under the terms of its mandate, the inquiry will not scrutinize those questions. Instead it will hold hearings to probe the experiences of the families of the babies who died and the conduct of nurses, doctors, and other health workers at the Countess of Chester Hospital, southeast of Liverpool. Follow the latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukraines military said on Thursday that it had struck two more Russian oil depots, pressing ahead with a campaign of attacks against a sector vital to Moscows war effort. The strikes coincided with accelerated lobbying by Ukraines political leaders for permission to use weapons supplied by allies in NATO to strike targets deep inside Russia, as Kyiv seeks to bring the pain and hardship of war home to Russia. The Ukrainian military said it launched an attack that caused a fire on Wednesday at the Atlas oil depot in the Rostov region, which borders eastern Ukraine. The governor of the region, Vasily Golubev, reported a fire at an oil depot and said that four drones had been shot down. Ukraine also struck an oil depot in Russias Kirov region, which is roughly 800 miles from the Ukrainian border, northeast of Moscow; and an artillery depot in Voronezh region, which borders Ukraine, the militarys general staff said. The Israeli militarys rescue of a hostage from an underground tunnel in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday highlighted one of the biggest remaining impediments to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus goal of eradicating Hamas: the enclaves vast and complicated subterranean network that shelters many of the militant groups remaining leaders. Israels military said on Tuesday that it had rescued Farhan al-Qadi, a member of Israels Bedouin Arab minority who was abducted on Oct. 7, from an underground Hamas tunnel in southern Gaza. According to two senior officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters, Israeli forces appear to have found Mr. al-Qadi by chance as they were combing through a tunnel network for Hamas fighters. It was the second time in two weeks that Hamass network of tunnels featured prominently in Israels accounts of hostage recovery efforts, shining some light on a mostly unseen aspect of the war that looms large for the countrys military and government officials. Last week, Israeli troops said they had recovered the bodies of six hostages hidden behind concrete lining in an underground route connected to a 10-meter-deep tunnel shaft. These underground discoveries after nearly 11 months of war show just how elaborate and extensive Hamass tunnel network has turned out to be, experts say. Some of the tunnels are hundreds of miles long, according to Israeli, Hamas and U.S. officials. Israels military stormed a mosque in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, where it said weapons were being stored, and engaged in gun battles that left at least five Palestinians dead, including a young militant commander who Israel says was responsible for attacks against Israeli civilians. It was the second straight day of an Israeli incursion into the northern West Bank, focused in and around the cities of Tulkarm and Jenin, involving columns of armored vehicles, fleets of drones and hundreds of troops. The raids are Israels biggest military actions in the West Bank in more than a year. The commander killed in Thursdays fighting, Muhammad Jaber, who died in a clash in Tulkarm, led the local branch of the militant group Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which confirmed his death. Palestinian Islamic Jihad, like its ally, Hamas, receives financial support, weapons and training from Iran, according to the U.S. State Department. The raid in the West Bank is an escalation along a third front for Israel, in addition to the war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and the increased air attacks across its northern border with Lebanon against the militant group Hezbollah, which is also backed by Iran. You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Heres What We Know About the Oil Tanker Stuck in the Red Sea The MV Delta Sounion was carrying a million barrels of crude oil when it was attacked by Houthi rebels. On fire and crewless, it now poses an environmental risk. Learn more Listen to this article 4:37 min Share full article A photo released by the European Naval Mission in the Red Sea shows smoke rising from the MV Delta Sounion on Sunday. Credit... EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/EPA, via Shutterstock As weve seen a few times now with our favorite monstrous horror franchises, the origin of our beast is rarely needed or even worth exploring. Telling the story of where the monster comes from often deflates the mystery and nullifies the terror we once felt. We knew Michael killed his sister that was enough. We didnt need his abusive childhood home life. We knew Jason supposedly drowned but survived to see his mothers death, thats enough. We dont need an origin TV series. The more padding added the less interesting the creature becomes. And so we go down this worn and trodden path with Hannibal The Cannibal Lecter for Hannibal Rising. In this origin story, we witness Hannibals tragic childhood in Lithuania, barely surviving WWII he lives only to witness his baby sister being murdered and eaten by the evil Grutas (Rhys Ifans) and his squad of profiteering soldiers. Surviving in an orphanage carved out of his familys acnestrial home, the grown Hannibal (Gaspard Ulliel) escapes to his Uncles estate, and his Aunt, Lady Murasaki (Gong Li) who takes him in and formally educates the young lad. Hannibal thrives in her care, but he remains haunted by his past trauma. Through chance meetings as a young medical school student in Paris, Hannibal will have the delicious opportunity to exact his revenge on the men who devoured his sister honing his unique taste for murder. Right off the bat, this film was never conceived with the best of intentions or circumstances. Rights holder and legendary producer Dino De Laurentis wanted to make an origin film for Hannibal to keep the movie brand going. He told novelist Thomas Harris what he was going to do with or without his input, and Harris was essentially compelled into the project. Writing the novel and screenplay concurrently, the novel and film are unfortunately the weakest entries of the franchise. Novel or film, theyre not terrible, and there is some pulpy enjoyment to be had, but theyre shadows of past efforts. Simply, this just isnt a story that needed to be told. I greatly enjoyed Girl with a Peal Earring and I think director Peter Webber did the best he could with what he had to work with. The problem is the story is a frustrating by-the-numbers revenge plot. There arent any surprises. Events and twists in Harris novel and the subsequent screenplay are telegraphed far in advance that by the time Hannibal becomes the man we know and love, its expected rather than a revelation. He learns to use a katana, by god hes going to cut a dudes head off! Even the presence of French Nazi-hunting detective Popil (a great turn from Dominic West) plays all of the cliched plot beats. Worse for the character is the revenge basis as an origin. From Red Dragon to The Silence of the Lambs to Hannibal were told again and again the man is a pure sociopath, a true monster. He may be cultured and have a warped code of ethics, but hes nonetheless a fixture of pure evil. Hannibal Rising makes him a sympathetic antihero. We empathize and agree with him. Were no longer afraid of the man in the glass cell with the terrifying piercing eyes and the monstrous intellect and unique appetite. Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray Lionsgate takes a bite out of Hannibal Rising on Blu-ray with help from Bloody Disgusting for a Walmart-exclusive SteelBook. A single-disc + digital release, the disc is pressed on a Region A BD-50 disc and loads to an animated main menu with standard navigation options. Only the Unrated Cut is available running roughly nine minutes longer than the Theatrical version. The SteelBook is another stylish black, white, and red piece of original artwork. Of the Lionsgate Bloody Disgusting SteelBooks, Id argue this is one of my favorites of the bunch. Israels killing of a young commander of the local branch of Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the West Bank city of Tulkarm is shining a spotlight on the group. Heres a closer look. What is Palestinian Islamic Jihad? Formally titled the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine, the group was founded in the Gaza Strip in the 1980s to fight the Israeli occupation. It has a presence in both Gaza and the West Bank, and dominates the part of Tulkarm that was founded as a refugee camp for Palestinians displaced in the wars surrounding the foundation of Israel. Like Hamas, it is a Sunni Muslim group, though far smaller. And also like Hamas, the group receives funding and weapons from Shiite Muslim Iran, according to the U.S. State Department, in pursuit of their shared anti-Israel ideology. Israel, the United States and the European Union consider both groups to be terrorist organizations. The U.S. Counterterrorism Center says Palestinian Islamic Jihad has also received support from Syria and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The U.S. State Department in 2022 put the groups membership between 1,000 and several thousand. Who heads the organization? Ziyad al-Nakhalah has led the groups leadership council since 2018. Mr. al-Nakhalah was staying in a guesthouse room next to Ismail Haniyeh, formerly a top leader of Hamas, when Mr. Haniyeh was assassinated earlier this month by a bomb in Tehran. What is its mission and philosophy? According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the group wants to reestablish a sovereign, Islamic Palestinian state, and views the Arab-Israel conflict as an ideological war, not a territorial dispute. Palestinian Islamic Jihad opposes a two-state solution. The World Food Program said it is suspending deliveries of aid in Gaza after one of its humanitarian teams was hit by gunfire this week as it approached an Israeli military checkpoint. In a statement, the United Nations agency said none of its employees were injured during the shooting on Tuesday night, which occurred after a convoy of its trucks had delivered assistance to central Gaza. The agency said one of its vehicles had been hit by 10 bullets five on the drivers side a few yards from the Israeli security post at the Wadi Gaza bridge. The statement did not assign responsibility for the shooting, but it said Tuesdays attack was not the first time a W.F.P. team had come under attack while nearing an Israeli checkpoint in Gaza even after receiving permission to approach. As a result, it said it was pausing the movement of its employees in Gaza until further notice. This is totally unacceptable and the latest in a series of unnecessary security incidents that have endangered the lives of W.F.P.s team in Gaza, Cindy McCain, the agencys executive director, said in the statement, which was released Wednesday. She demanded that Israeli officials take immediate action to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers delivering aid in Gaza and to improve the system by which aid agencies coordinate their movements with Israeli forces. The current de-confliction system is failing, and this cannot go on any longer, Ms. McCain said. The Israeli military said in a statement on Wednesday that the incident was under review and that Israel is committed to improve coordination and security with humanitarian organizations to ensure the effective delivery of aid within the Gaza Strip. Before they moved to Brooklyn, Emily Porat and Chris Smith had been to Broadway and Times Square, but they knew little of New York City beyond crowds and skyscrapers. The couple had been living and working in Washington, D.C., after graduating from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, where they met. Washington was nice enough, but when they came up to see a friend in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, a few years ago, they were surprised by the citys livability. That visit was a turning point for me, said Ms. Porat, 27. She landed a job as a user-experience designer in New York, and as the pandemic waned, the couple rented a big two-bedroom in Clinton Hill for $4,200 a month. They were happy with the walkable residential neighborhood, but the apartment wasnt ideal. The ceiling leaked constantly, as did the dishwasher. I would report it every couple of months, said Mr. Smith, 28. I had a recurring character in my text messages: Carlos about the dishwasher. When their rent rose to $4,500, they resolved to buy a place where they could arrange things and fix them as they pleased. I did a lot of spreadsheets and math to figure out whether buying was a reasonable financial decision, Ms. Porat said. From a numbers and lifestyle point of view, it made sense to buy. [Did you recently buy a home? We want to hear from you. Email: thehunt@nytimes.com] Their budget was $1.4 million for a place in their neighborhood, with proximity to the C and G trains. The couple, who married two years ago, needed separate work spaces, because they do their jobs remotely much of the time. They hoped to find something with good light, a reasonable laundry situation and a kitchen big enough for two. In the rentals narrow kitchen, there was a lot of shimmying, said Mr. Smith, a software engineering manager. I wanted a no-shimmy kitchen. They also hoped to have few (or no) stairs. Mr. Smith, a part-time musician, takes his bulky upright bass to rehearsals and gigs. While it fits OK through a subway turnstile, he said, taking it up and down stairs is a pain. Fancy building amenities werent a priority, although in Washington, the couple had grown used to having a dishwasher, garbage disposal, and washer and dryer the things you take for granted in other places that are hard to find in New York, Mr. Smith said. So they knew they had to temper their expectations. Last winter, they contacted Kris Li, a licensed saleswoman at Compass, who had helped a friend of theirs. Ms. Porat mapped out a timeline for their hunt and kept a color-coded apartment spreadsheet, giving extra weight to their must-haves. Among their options: Russia has added journalists from the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Washington Post to the list of 92 US citizens who have been permanently denied entry into the Russian Federation. A statement from Russias Foreign Ministry tagged all three papers as part of the liberal globalist media outlets involved in manufacturing and spreading fake claims about Russia and its armed forces, and engaged in using propaganda to cover Washingtons hybrid war. Among the 14 WSJ journalists on the list is its editor in chief, Emma Tucker. In addition to five Times journalists and four from the Post, US citizens such as Judi Dotson, who leads Booz Allen Hamiltons global defense business, are also included. The Russian statement goes on to say, We are resolved to act consistently with regard to including more individuals who are involved in anti-Russia activities on the list of persons who are denied entry to the Russian Federation in response to the outlandish sanction frenzy that the US ruling elite have worked themselves into. Trump Media engaged in a little arm-twisting to help a foreign worker jump to the front of the line in the visa process, according to a report on ProPublica. The report says that the former presidents media company contacted Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) for assistance in expediting the visa application of Vladimir Novachki, who currently serves as Trump Medias chief technology officer. The request noted that one of the reasons Novachki, previously a software developer in North Macedonia, was recruited was because American candidates for the same work were more expensive, a person involved told ProPublicaa stance seemingly at odds with Trumps stated desire to strengthen Buy American and Hire American Policies. While its common for companies to ask members of Congress to help expedite such applications for applicants or companies based in the lawmakers district, Trump Medias Sarasota, FL headquarters are about 1,500 miles from Bacons Nebraska district. A spokesperson for Bacon told ProPublica that Trump Media got around that hurdle by having the request come from a Trump Media employee who lived in Bacons district. A lawyer for Trump Media sent ProPublica a letter threatening a lawsuit over the report and accusing the outlet of intending to publish yet another hit piece on the company that includes false, misleading, and defamatory statements. The California General Assembly passed a bill on Aug. 28 requiring internet browsers and mobile operating systems to let consumers easily opt out from the sharing and selling of their private data with websites that use it for targeted advertising. The new legislation creates an opt-out preference signal tool that consumers could use to opt out of sharing their information by just pushing a button to activate the signal on their internet browser. By doing that, they would be sending send opt out requests to every website they visit by default. After Californias General Assembly passed the bill, the Senate also approved it, sending it back to the assembly with several amendments. If those are OKed, the bill will then go to Gov. Gavin Newsoms desk. A CREW from ARTE, a European TV channel which focuses on culture, is filming in Offaly this month. They are here to capture content for two 45-minute episodes about Ireland's Hidden Heartlands. Filming is supported by Tourism Ireland and Failte Ireland. The episodes will air next spring in Germany and France, as part of a programme called ARTE Decouverte, which focuses on discovering different countries and landscapes by highlighting the culture and history of destinations. Each episode has around 800,000 viewers and is also available on the ARTE streaming service, reaching a further 300,000 online viewers. The TV crew has been filming at a number of locations including Clonmacnoise and Tullamore DEW Distillery Experience. Nadine Lehmann, Tourism Irelands Manager Germany, said: Tourism Ireland was delighted to support the production of these two 45-minute episodes showcasing Ireland's Hidden Heartlands. With around 1.1 million people in Germany and France expected to watch both episodes on the ARTE TV channel and streaming service, its a great way to inspire potential visitors by shining a spotlight on our rich culture, heritage and history, as well as our breath-taking landscapes. Publicity and broadcasts like this are a key element of Tourism Irelands programme of activity, to inspire travellers in Germany and France to put Ireland on their holiday wish-list. Met Eireann has released the list of new storm names for the next storm season, which starts on Sunday. The Irish meteorological service, along with the national weather services of the UK (the Met Office) and the Netherlands (KNMI), have each contributed seven names to this seasons list. Met Eireanns contributions have been taken from a list of more than 500 suggestions by primary school children participating in ESB Science Blast last February. The full 2024/25 list is Ashley, Bert, Conall, Darragh, Eowyn, Floris, Gerben, Hugo, Izzy, James, Kayleigh, Lewis, Mavis, Naoise, Otje, Poppy, Rafi, Sayuri, Tilly, Vivienne and Wren. Ireland contributed the names Conall, Darragh, Hugo, Izzy, Naoise, Poppy and Vivienne. The letters Q, U, X, Y, Z are not included, in line with the US National Hurricane Centres naming convention. Eoin Sherlock, head of that forecasting division at Met Eireann, said: Our key priority is to help protect life and property from extreme weather and ensure the safety of our communities. Year after year storm naming proves effective for that. Naming each storm increases the level of public safety and preparedness as people are more likely to remember and respond to warnings when storms are named. Ireland, and the world, are experiencing the effects of severe weather events more frequently and more intensely as a result of climate change. We see how severe wind and rain events can directly impact public health, safety, and livelihoods. Now, more than ever, it is crucial for younger generations to understand these risks so that they can safeguard their future by driving societal change, and their involvement in the names selection this year is proof of Met Eireanns commitment to support their weather and climate awareness. We are entering storm season, so we advise people to prepare now for the possibility of severe weather. Basically Be Winter Ready, as public safety advice outlines. It is important to stay up to date on the latest forecasts and warnings on met.ie or on Met Eireanns app. Storms are named when they could have medium or high impacts in one of the three partner countries. This enables consistent and authoritative messaging to the public and other stakeholders to enable them to prepare for and stay safe during potentially severe weather events. When a storm is forecast, the national weather service that expects the biggest impact from the severe weather to hit its region, or is likely to be first affected by it, names the storm. Storm naming happens in conjunction with orange/red weather warnings, which could be for wind, rain or snow or a combination of these conditions. Those warnings are issued based on a combination of numerical thresholds and the potential impacts foreseen. Since 2015, Met Eireann and the UK Met Office have been working together on the naming programme and were joined by the Netherlands KNMI in 2019. UK Met Office head of situational awareness Will Lang said: This is the 10th year of us naming storms and we do it because it works. Naming storms helps to make communication of severe weather easier and provides clarity when people could be impacted by the weather. For Storm Babet, which brought exceptional rainfall to parts of eastern Scotland in October 2023, post-event surveys suggest 97% of people within the amber and red warning areas were aware of the warnings and 89% of them took action as a result. This year, as we celebrate our 170th birthday, its great to be able to honour those who have had an impact on our long history of pioneering weather and climate science services. A man has appeared in court following a two-car collision in which an 87-year-old woman died from her injuries. Martin Mittmansgruber, with an address in Austria, appeared before Letterkenny District Court in County Donegal, this Thursday morning, charged with dangerous driving. It follows an incident in which a woman died as a result of a two-car collision which occurred on Sunday morning. Mittmansgruber is charged that on August 25, 2024, at Inver Glebe, Inver, he did drive a vehicle in a manner (including speed) which having regard to all the circumstances of the case (including the condition of the vehicle, the nature, condition and use of such place in which it is driven and the amount of traffic which then actually was or might reasonably be expected then to be therein) was dangerous to the public, whereby it caused serious bodily harm to another person, namely Elizabeth Cave. The charge is Contrary to Section 53 (1) and 53 (2) of the Road Traffic Act, 2011. The accused man, aged 50 years, did not speak during the brief appearance and was assigned a German interpreter. Garda Sergeant Oliver Devenney told the court he arrested Mittmansgruber on Wednesday at 4.20pm and then charged him at 6.23pm. When charged Mittmansgruber replied: "I have nothing to add." Sergeant Devenney added that there was in principle an objection to bail because the accused lives outside the jurisdiction. However, he added that the state could be led if strict conditions were imposed on the accused if granted bail. They include that the accused appear in court in person, be of good behaviour and remain contactable by phone and email with gardai. A sum of 6,000 was also lodged in court on behalf of the accused with an address at 24A Arnberg, Wartberg, Austria. READ ALSO: Latest list of storm names announced by Met Eireann as autumn and winter approach The court was also told that other charges are being considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Solicitor for the accused, Mr Gerry McGovern asked the court to adjourn the case until November 6 in Donegal Town. Judge Ciaran Liddy agreed to the request and signed off on the bail conditions for the accused. Mittmansgruber's court appearance follows a crash in which a woman was fatally injured. Elizabeth Cave, an 87-year-old woman from St Ernans, Donegal Town, was rushed to Sligo University Hospital for life-saving treatment. However, she passed away on Wednesday. China-U.S. strategic communication held in Beijing, seeing candid, substantive, constructive discussions Xinhua) 08:07, August 29, 2024 BEIJING, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, held the latest round of China-U.S. strategic communication with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday, conducting candid, substantive and constructive discussions. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that China-U.S. relations have experienced ups and downs, and that reviewing this experience and its lessons will help forge a better future and find the right way for the two major countries to get along with each other. First, in order to keep China-U.S. relations on the right direction, it is crucial that the two countries' presidents steer and guide bilateral relations. The two sides should uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, and promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations. Second, abiding by the three joint communiques is key for China and the United States to avoid conflict and confrontation. The political foundation that led to the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries must be maintained. China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, its political system and development path, and the legitimate development rights of the Chinese people must be respected. Third, treating each other as equals is key to ensuring China-U.S. interactions are smooth. Acting from the position of strength is not the right way of interaction between countries. Fourth, cementing the foundations of public opinion is key to pursuing the steady, sustained development of China-U.S. relations. The two countries should build more bridges and pave more roads for people-to-people exchange, rather than raising obstacles. Fifth, establishing correct perception is key for China and the United States to achieve peaceful coexistence. China is committed to ensuring better lives for its people at home, and to making greater contributions to world peace and development abroad. The United States should not speculate about China based on its own historical path, nor should it assume that China will follow the path taken by past world powers that sought hegemony. Briefing Sullivan on the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, Wang said that the meeting marks a new milestone in China's reform and opening-up, providing a new window for the outside world to understand China and new opportunities for the common development of all countries. Wang stressed that Taiwan belongs to China and that China will be reunified. He noted that "Taiwan independence" poses the biggest risk to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The United States should act on its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence," adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, cease arming Taiwan, and support the peaceful reunification of China, he said. Wang noted that national security should be common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable, and that one country's security should not be built upon the insecurity of others. National security requires clear boundaries, particularly in the economic domain, where scientific delineation is crucial, he said. Wang urged the United States to end its suppression of China in the economic, trade and sci-tech fields, and refrain from undermining China's legitimate interests. Using "overcapacity" as an excuse to pursue protectionism will only harm global green development and impede world economic growth, he added. China is firm in upholding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests over the Nanhai Zhudao (South China Sea islands), as well as the gravity and effectiveness of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, Wang noted. He said that the U.S. must not undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity under the pretext of bilateral treaties, nor should it support or condone the Philippines' acts of infringement. Sullivan said that differences and competition exist between the United States and China, and that there are also many areas in which the two sides need to cooperate. He noted that the United States agrees that the two countries should treat each other as equals and that competition should be healthy and fair, and said the U.S. side has no intention of decoupling from China. He said that the United States adheres to the one-China policy and does not support "Taiwan independence," "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan." The United States and China will coexist peacefully on this planet for a long time, and the goal of U.S. policy is to find a way to make the U.S.-China relationship sustainable, Sullivan said, adding that the U.S. side is willing to continue maintaining strategic communication with China to enhance mutual understanding and reduce misunderstanding and miscalculation. The two sides also exchanged views on issues concerning Ukraine, the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula. Reiterating that China is always committed to promoting peace talks and pushing for a political solution to the Ukraine crisis, Wang said China will continue to do the right thing. The U.S. should not shift responsibility to China on the Ukraine issue, and it should certainly not impose illegal, unilateral sanctions, Wang said. Wang and Sullivan also discussed a new round of interactions between the two countries' heads of state to take place in the near future. The two sides agreed to continue implementing the important consensus reached between the two heads of state at their San Francisco meeting, and to maintain high-level exchange and communication at all levels. They also agreed to continue carrying out cooperation on drug control, law enforcement, the repatriation of illegal immigrants and climate change mitigation. Wang and Sullivan agreed on institutional arrangements for a video call between theater leaders of the two militaries, and for a second round China-U.S. intergovernmental dialogue on artificial intelligence to be held at an appropriate time. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Cardinal Health in Tullamore will close in May 2026 and there has been a medical device manufacturing facility at the site since 1982, with one person working there for 38 years and on average, today's employees have 16 years' service. WORKERS at the Cardinal Health manufacturing facility in Tullamore were shocked to be told the plant will be ceasing production, a union official said today. Speaking after hearing from the company that it plans to shut its Srah operation by May of 2026, SIPTU industrial organiser Ashling Dunne said the announcement came out of the blue. People are gone away now to try and absorb and take in what they've been told and they're off work now for the next couple of days, but back to normal by Monday morning, said Ms Dunne. Unfortunately Cardinal Health have taken the decision due to the discontinuation of a number of products and the movement of other products to different sites across America and Thailand that this site here is going to close. It's going to close on a phased basis, looking at potentially the first phase in or around April of 2025, with a closure date for May of 2026. She said there are about 280 SIPTU members working at the US-owned medical device manufacturer, with up to 60 other employees. READ: "What can you do? I'm just glad that we have until next April to let it sink in." https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/home/1591228/breaking-hundreds-of-offaly-jobs-gone-as-factory-will-close-within-20-months.html Ms Dunne would not comment on statements from some employees that Cardinal Health, a multinational which is headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, will be offering a redundancy package of six weeks' pay per year of service, plus the two weeks of statutory redundancy. We have yet to go into consultation with the company so we're not at liberty to discuss anything at this present moment in time. Our priority at the end of the day is to try and make every effort to ensure that every stone is [turned] to see if there's any opportunity to save jobs, and as a worst case scenario, is there an opportunity for another employer to come in on this site. She revealed that when all staff were called into a meeting this morning at 10.30 to hear the announcement (pictured below), the question of worker relocation to other sites was asked: There was no definitive answer in relation to that. The company are going to have a conversation around that. Again, that's probably something that will come out throughout the consultation process. Ms Dunne said the fact that it's not an instant closure, was certainly very well received by the workforce this morning. A statutory 30-day information and consultation period will now begin and SIPTU will attempt to ascertain what opportunities if any there will be to save jobs. Employees have said the company referred to cost pressures in Ireland and possible greater efficiencies in places like the US, Costa Rica and Mexico as reasons for the Tullamore closure. Ms Dunne said she was not at liberty to discuss that issue but said: There is a sense that there is movement and discontinuation of some products and a movement of some products. It's been a global decision, a decision that's been made at a much higher level. She assured workers that the union will work with the company throughout the entire process. The priority is to ensure that our members get the best possible outcome that we can for them. That is at the forefront of everything that we do here. In a statement, Cardinal Health said: We plan to consolidate production from our Tullamore facility to other facilities within our self-manufacturing network in March of 2026. Commercial activities in Ireland will not be impacted by these plans. This decision is part of our regular assessment of our global business, manufacturing and supply chain operations to ensure we are able to meet the evolving needs of our customers, the industry and our business. EVERY effort will be made to find employment for those who lose their jobs at Cardinal Health in Tullamore, Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Peter Burke said today. Minister Burke said Cardinal Health has 315 employees at the Tullamore plant: My primary concern is for the staff and their families who are now coming to terms with the impact of this announcement. This industry has had a presence in Tullamore for over 40 years, well served by a loyal workforce and with considerable support from the IDA over the years. The Westmeath-based Fine Gael TD added: I have been engaging and will continue to engage with the company. Following this mornings... meeting with staff, and along with the IDA and my Department we will work with the company management and with staff on current and potential future possibilities. We will make every effort to identify alternative employment opportunities for the staff affected by this announcement. As a country we are at full employment, with strong demand for medtech and life sciences skills and we will work to help employees impacted to find alternative employment. The Minister went on to point out that there is a strong cohort of indigenous firms in the medtech sector which Enterprise Ireland is working with to further develop and expand including attracting experienced staff in the sector. He said the Local Enterprise Offices will provide advice and training for any employees in the sector who have ambitions to start their own business. Minister Burke's statement followed a comment from Deputy Carol Nolan, Independent TD for Offaly, saying the Cardinal Health employment emergency requires immediate intervention. Deputy Nolan said she has made urgent representations to the Minister Burke following what she described as news akin to a body blow for the town of Tullamore. This is devastating news and one that demands all agencies of state to respond as part of a concerted and unified effort to save these jobs, said Deputy Nolan. My heart goes out to the workers and their families at what must be a truly unnerving time. The TD added: Cardinal Health is a major employer. It will be the equivalent in relative terms to Leixlip losing Intel. Needless to say that would be a like a punch to the gut for Tullamore and indeed the Midlands more widely. Government needs to take action immediately to try and rescue whatever jobs can be rescued or supported. Minister of State Pippa Hackett, Barry Cowen MEP and Cllr Neil Feighery all said they had been in contact with Minister Burke. Minister Hackett, Offaly-based Green Party senatory, said she was very concerned to learn about the Cardinal Health announcement. My thoughts are with staff, their families and the wider community who are impacted, she said. I have spoken with the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke this morning, emphasising that it is essential that job losses are replaced as soon as possible. He assures me that all relevant agencies are engaged to ensure that employees best interests are protected and to work with the company management and with staff on current and potential future opportunities. Workers and their families have set down roots in the Tullamore area, and they significantly enhance the economy, and our community. So, while there may well be a strong cohort of indigenous firms in the MedTech sector, it is imperative that government works to ensure these jobs are replaced in the locality of where they have been lost. Mr Cowen, Fianna Fail MEP for Midlands North West, said the closure is a significant blow to the local economy. The closure of Cardinal's plant will have a profound impact on our local workforce, many of whom have dedicated years of service to the company. My immediate focus is on the employees and their families who are directly affected by this decision. I have been assured that an adequate redundancy package will be put in place to recognise their commitment and contribution over the years, said Mr Cowen. The MEP also highlighted the urgent need for proactive measures to address the economic vacuum left by the plant's closure. I have stressed to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke and the Minister of State for Trade Promotion Dara Calleary the need to immediately focus on attracting replacement industry to our area. It is imperative that we act swiftly to mitigate the impact of this closure on our region. In addition, he underscored the importance of acquiring new lands to accommodate future enterprises and industrial development to the area. The existing industrial facility in Tullamore, purchased over 40 years ago, has proven to be a cornerstone of our local economy. However, it is now full, and we urgently need to identify and secure new lands for industrial development. I have once again highlighted this need to the IDA and called on them to redouble their efforts in collaboration with Offaly County Council to complete their obligation in acquiring adequately serviced and zoned lands to meet both our current and future needs. To ensure that these concerns are addressed with the urgency they demand, Mr Cowen has requested an immediate meeting with Ministers Burke and Calleary. I have asked that Ministers Burke and Calleary arrange to meet with local councillors, the Chamber of Commerce, and other relevant stakeholders as soon as possible. We need to assure our community that work on these critical issues is now a priority. The MEP concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the local community: The people of Offaly deserve to know that their representatives are working tirelessly to secure the economic future of our area. I will continue to advocate for the necessary resources and work with my colleagues Cllr Declan Harvey and Cllr Tony McCormack to ensure that our community emerges from this challenge stronger and more resilient. Cllr Feighery, the Tullamore-based Fine Gael representative, described the Cardinal Health closure, due in 2026, as a massive blow to the town. I have spoken with a number of workers and their families and my heart goes out to them. Cardinal Health has a long history in Tullamore and has a very good reputation with many people working on the site for decades. There are currently 315 people employed at the facility in Tullamore, said Cllr Feighery. Every effort must be made to ensure that a good package is provided to the staff by the company. He said he had spoken to Minister Burke and had been assured that the full range of state supports will be made available to the staff and that he is monitoring the situation closely. It is vital that a local response is coordinated also, bringing together the local authority, the LOETB, and business groups and I have contacted the Chief Executive of Offaly County Council about this proposal, said Cllr Feighery. I am also calling on the Government and IDA to ensure that no time is wasted in finding a new employer for this key site in the IDA park. Second gunman and driver in Club Wasantha murder arrested in Panadura Posted by Editor on August 28, 2024 - 11:25 pm The second gunman and the driver involved in the murder of two people, including Club Wasantha, also known as Surendra Wasantha Perera, have been arrested in the Pinwatta area of Panadura. Officers from the Panadura Police Divisional Crimes Detective Bureau made the arrests. The suspects, aged 29 and 32, are residents of Nagoda and Ahungalla. Acting on information that the suspects were in the Pinwatta area, a team led by a Chief Inspector arrested them at the Pinwatta bus stop. The investigation revealed that after the shooting, the suspects switched from a car to a van and traveled from Kadawatha to Matara on the Southern Expressway. The suspects are expected to be handed over to the Athurugiriya Police for further investigation. Related Articles: In a passionate speech at the Democratic National Convention, Kamala Harris accepted her party's presidential nomination. (Image by YouTube, Channel: CBC News: The National) Details DMCA Well, that was unconventional. At least for Democrats. From Lil Jon to Oprah to Bill and Hillary and Barack and Michelle to the Gen Zs and Old Joe, the Democrats (and a few sane Republicans) had a grand old time in Chicago reminding the rest of the country what it means to be a proud American and the threat Donald Trump and the Republican Party pose to that idea. America needed the wake-up call. Four nights of joy and optimism culminated in the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's nominee to run for president of the United States. Historic and hopeful. It is fair to say that there has been a profound mood swing in America in the short time since Joe Biden said he was once too young to be a senator and is now apparently too old to be president, handing the reins of power to a black/South Asian/American woman with apparently just the right attitude and resume to dispose of an aging, self-absorbed felon whose only interest in America is how to fleece it. Hope and joy are contagious. They can spread quickly, especially when there is a concerted effort to share them. Democrats, working together and setting aside differences for the moment, have decided to share the wealth. The moment is that important. Harris, adapting quickly to the role of party standard bearer, delivered a powerful acceptance speech, reminding Americans that Trump is an "unserious man" who represents a serious threat to the freedoms they cherish and typically take for granted. But this is not the time for taking things for granted. This is the time for action, she and speaker after speaker at the convention reminded Americans. It's time to work together, setting differences aside for now, to protect and preserve democracy. For Democrats, very unconventional. For all Americans, very much needed. *** Meanwhile, in the world of lies and delusion, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. abandoned his third-party candidacy for president, endorsing Trump as a man who shares Kennedy's views on America's future. Birds of a feather. Kennedy, hoping that his endorsement will result in a role in a Trump presidency, said the Harris campaign never returned his calls. Another plus for them. However, Kennedy's siblings sent him a message. They issued a public statement dismissing everything he stands for and calling his endorsement of Trump "a betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear". The Kennedy endorsement wasn't expected to do much for Trump vote wise either. All in all, a good week for America. rjgaydos@gmail.com When NATO gathered in Washington D.C. several weeks ago, we held a counter-summit and a rally, did a bunch of interviews, wrote a bunch of articles, etc. All the videos and reports are at nonatoyespeace.org to watch and read at your convenience. I won't try to read them to you. We had a minimal impact on U.S. and global communications about the NATO summit. We promoted Sevim Dagdelen's book which is a bestseller in Germany. We promoted my and Medea Benjamin's book, which is now being published in more nations. I have an absurdly short article on what's wrong with NATO coming out in Congressional Quarterly. NATO didn't do much at its summit other than celebrate and commit to more of the same. It declared Ukrainian NATO membership to be irreversible, which didn't mean it wouldn't happen and didn't mean that it would happen and didn't mean anything else. The U.S. media interest was almost exclusively in terms of what the events might mean for the years-long presidential election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Biden called Zelensky Putin and Harris Trump, and generally appeared befuddled. So, a change of face was seriously considered and eventually made, with Kamala Harris now promising the most lethal fighting force in the world and eternal devotion to NATO. But no question was ever raised about Biden's support for NATO or his pretense that Trump is an enemy of NATO, even though Biden's big claim was to have increased NATO military spending (something Trump did more of than Biden -- Trump who now demands 3% of GDP) and to have added more NATO members (something made possible if not inevitable by a war that could have easily been avoided, and something likely to contribute to the vicious cycle of arms races, wars, and the risk of nuclear apocalypse). Some of the discussions surrounding the events in July clarified for me the case to be made against NATO, which I think can be broken into five points. On its own terms and by its own admission, NATO is a recipe for failure. NATO's outgoing secretary general says that insistence on NATO membership for Ukraine is what brought on the current war, agreeing of course with decades of predictions, the observations of numerous smart people, and the reason the war was named "The Unprovoked War," namely the extent to which it was obviously provoked. NATO's answer to this disaster is more of the same, more insistence on expanding NATO, more bases, more weapons, more military spending, more threats and provocations, more rejection of negotiation, diplomacy, or the rule of law. And numerous NATO officials have lately been predicting all-out NATO war with Russia within five years or so (if not sooner) -- not in order to avoid it, but to prepare people for it -- whatever that may mean (preparing for Armageddon). So even if you think NATO was a brilliant or unavoidable idea that did everything just perfectly for 75 years, the fact that NATO itself thinks it is driving us toward nuclear war ought to be grounds to try something different, even if there were no good options but only unlikely straws to grasp at. There are good options. Have you ever looked at NATO's account on Twitter? It claims to be "working for peace, security & freedom for one billion people," which ought to make you wonder what it's working for for the other 7 billion and how it thinks one group can have peace and the other not, as well as why one is the International Community and the other isn't. Anyway, on August 24th, NATO tweeted a video interview with a former president of Latvia recounting how the Baltic states freed themselves from Soviet rule through nonviolent action -- basically the story that's in the wonderful film The Singing Revolution. That NATO could deviate from false claims of having itself had something to do with Baltic independence and advertise the accomplishment of the superior tool of unarmed civilian defense highlights how little NATO worries that anyone will even notice. But unarmed defense is a good option, scorned by governments purely because governments fear their own people. Negotiation is a good option, failed in Ukraine because of outside, U.S. and UK, pressure. The rule of law, disarmament, demilitarization, and cooperation are very good options. Most of the world opposes NATO and supports these other approaches in polls, but most of the world is that 7 billion who don't matter when there are weapons to sell in the name of democracy. NATO is not what NATO is imagined to be by its defenders. NATO is neither legal nor legalistic. It is a violation of the United Nations Charter for a group of nations to swear to join each other's wars, and should they ever do so it would not legalize, authorize, legitimize, or sanctify a war. War is a crime, and when a larger gang joins in, the crime is simply larger. But NATO has never waged a war to defend against an invasion or an attack or even a threat to any NATO member. NATO has only once demanded that all of its members join in a war, and that was the already-underway U.S. war on Afghanistan -- with predicted catastrophic results. NATO's other wars in Yugoslavia, Iraq, and Libya have been wars of aggression without legal fig leaves; on the contrary, NATO's participation has been presented to the world as itself being the legal fig leaf. NATO has devoted huge resources to this propaganda. NATO is first and foremost a weapons dealer. It has more staff overseeing more money in arranging weapons sales than everything else it does. NATO deals weapons to its members, and pressures them to spend ever more on weapons and ever less on people and the environment. NATO also deals weapons to its partners, dozens of them, spread across the globe, including the worst and most shameless dictatorships on Earth. That this can be the main thing NATO does, and NATO still sell itself as a proponent of democracy may reflect the funds NATO has, and the peace movement does not have, to invest in video and graphic and social media production. NATO is brutally hostile to democracy, not just in the world at large, but also within its own administration. It votes on nothing. It makes decisions by means of the U.S. government threatening and bribing other members until they all agree. Then the unelected secretary general pretends to be a world leader and bustles about demanding that presidents and prime ministers do as he says. That's a threat to democracy, not its glorious defense. A relatively subtle, bank-shot means of pushing back against NATO would be for its members to celebrate it as a bastion of democracy and demand that it adopt internal democratic procedures, without any veto for those who are more equal than others. Do that, and the U.S. government will shut NATO down for us. To the extent that Canada refuses to dump as much money into the war machine as NATO demands, it should be celebrated and thanked and encouraged to go further in the no-to-NATO direction. When NATO's members play NATO's game, the principle thing they accomplish is persuading incredibly ignorant members of the U.S. public that something vaguely legalish has legitimized mass-murder sprees. Increasingly this risks driving us to nuclear war. Of course in making the case against NATO to a NATO supporter, a handy way to shoot yourself in the foot is to adopt the childish notion that NATO's designated enemies are all saintly sources of truth, justice, and peaceful harmony. In fact, you'll have virtually no chance of getting anyone to listen to the preceding facts about NATO until after you have put a significant effort into getting them to recognize that you are aware of the evil of war including when Russia does it. Nothing makes leveling villages acceptable, not even opposition to NATO. Nothing does more to strengthen NATO and doom us to further bloodshed than for NATO's enemies to play its game, walk into its traps, and slaughter men, women, and children under the banner of resisting it. You can disagree, but only at great cost to your own decency, to your persuasiveness, and to the plausibility of calling yourself a peace activist. What we need is not a balance of powers or a so-called military success. What we need is what NATO pretends to want: power to the people, and institutions that hold criminals accountable universally. NATO may be doing us a favor in this regard in conveniently holding its next meeting next June in The Hague. I hope to see you there. August 28, 2024. San Diego, CA - Julianne Eggold, writer and director of The Finding Papa Movie, has won a prestigious Award of Recognition for Women Filmmaker from the IndieFEST Film Awards. The award was given for Julianne Eggold's heartfelt feature documentary film The Finding Papa Movie which shows the true journey of sisters Julianne and Joelle as they set out to discover what happened to their father after his Oregons interim state economist announced his resignation Wednesday, the second person to leave the key post this year. Its a job that may be little known outside state government, but in some ways its among the most important in Oregon: The state economist issues the forecasts that help set the state budget. Those forecasts also determine whether taxpayers will receive a kicker rebate, and how much. Authorities in Minnesota arrested a Portland police sergeant after he ran his rental car into a ditch, acknowledged he had been drinking and failed two field sobriety tests when he was off duty in July. Patrick Mawdsley, who has worked for the Police Bureau for 18 years, was handcuffed and booked into jail on two misdemeanor charges in the July 3 crash, according to the arrest report from the Meeker County Sheriffs Office. The county is west of Minneapolis. Multnomah County Sheriffs Office warns public about scammers impersonating deputies, defrauding victims The Multnomah County Sheriffs Office is warning the public that scammers are impersonating deputies and sergeants on the phone in an attempt to defraud people of money. Deputies recently received a report of a person being scammed out of $1,000, the sheriffs office said Tuesday in a news release. Read more Illegal sale of performance-enhancing drugs for cockfighting roosters leads to prosecution of Oregon man An Oregon man who illegally imported and resold more than $200,000 worth of performance-enhancing drugs for cockfighting roosters across the United States was sentenced Wednesday to federal probation. Read more My whole world stopped: Bullet whizzes past woman, her infant daughter at SE Portland apartments; man arrested Cassie Gepford was holding her infant daughter in her arms Saturday night when a man pointed a gunin her direction. She heard the gunshot and saw the pistols muzzle flash. My whole world stopped, Gepford said. Read more Whooping cough on the rise in Clark County, with more than 200cases so far in 2024 Whooping cough has hit Clark County hard this summer. There have been 229 cases identified in the county so far this year thats more than the total number of cases over the last five years combined, county officials said. 183 of those cases have been this summer. Read more No one wants to rent this building lawsuit faults plan to builda new I-5 bridge over it The owners of a North Portland commercial building filed a$2.7 million lawsuit this week against the Oregon Department of Transportation, saying theyre in limbo after years of promises that the state will someday level the building and neighboring businesses to build anewInterstate 5 replacement bridge. Read more Portland cocaine dealer admits killing 2 strangers in mistaken identity double homicide Bennett Miller had just handed off a baggie of cocaine to a woman in the parking lot of Toms Bar when he spotted two men he thought had wronged him. The small-time dealer couldnt have been further from the truth but he shadowed the two men, onea support worker for people with disabilities, the other a friend visiting from Nigeria, efore gunning them down last year. Read more Portland-area man struck by RVs awning loses leg, sues for $27million A Portland-area man who lost his leg after the awning on a passing RV flung open and struck him at 45 to 50 mph has filed a $27 million lawsuit against the driver and the companies that manufactured and installed the awning. Read more Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. A 23-year-old man who injured a nurse at the federal prison in Sheridan was sentenced Wednesday to another 10 months in custody. Elvin Hunter Williams of Seattle was already serving a four-year term for a 2022 conviction in federal court in Washington for his plan to join ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization, and engage in violence in the Middle East or the United States, according to court records. He had been arrested in May 2021 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. A two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 20 in Jefferson County left an 18-year-old woman dead on Tuesday morning, Oregon State Police said in a news release Wednesday. Scarlett Jewell Felder, who was driving a Tesla, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Felder was from Klamath Falls. Back in 2019, Texas Monthly barbecue critic Daniel Vaughn wrote that Portland has the best Texas-style barbecue outside the Lonestar State itself. Five years later, he convinced his editors to let him test that hypothesis first-hand. Two elected officials, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, are urging KeyBank to ensure Western New York gets its fair share of $25 million that will be deployed as part of an agreement with a nonprofit organization, and that those funds reach disadvantaged communities. In a letter to the banks chair and CEO, Chris Gorman, Schumer and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes called for targeting the funds to meet the greatest needs. Historically, a number of poorer and disadvantaged Buffalo-area communities have suffered from under-investment in community development and affordable housing, as well as access to bank lending, including pernicious redlining, they wrote. As KeyBank begins implementing this agreement, we strongly urge you to allocate as much funding as possible from the agreement toward addressing the legacy of these issues in Western New York and Buffalo. In April, Cleveland-based Key and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, based in Washington, D.C., announced a $25 million agreement to work together to ensure greater levels of investment in minority and underserved communities. The agreement marked a renewal of ties between Key and the coalition following an acrimonious split. The two organizations had worked together to develop the community benefits plan a $16.5 billion package of loans and investments Key rolled out in 2016, in conjunction with Keys acquisition of First Niagara Bank. But in 2022, the NCRC declared it was cutting ties with Key, accusing the bank of originating few mortgages with Black customers in Buffalo. The NCRC issued two scathing reports about Keys lending practices. Key defended the results of its community benefits plan and its lending track record, and later boosted the plans commitment to $40 billion. Under the $25 million agreement with the NCRC, Key said it will provide $8 million to support the coalitions mission. Key also pledged to provide $17 million to fund grants, down payment assistance, fee waivers, product and branch expansion and marketing, designed to expand credit and assist loan applicants in minority and underserved communities. Key and the NCRC will each be independently responsible for allocating $8.5 million of that total, with meaningful input from the other, according to the NCRC. Key said its agreement with the NCRC calls for 50% of the $8.5 million the bank is responsible for allocating to go to markets in the former First Niagara Bank footprint, which includes Buffalo. We will continue to work with the NCRC to determine where and how to make these investments with input from various stakeholders, said Matt Pitts, a Key spokesman. Buffalo is home to Keys Northeast regional headquarters. Since 2017, the bank has invested more than $1.36 billion in the Buffalo market through its national community benefits plan. That includes over $553 million in affordable housing and community development projects; over $511 million in mortgage lending to low- to moderate-income individuals and communities; over $246 million small business lending to low-to-moderate income individuals and communities; and over $50 million for philanthropic efforts, such as fighting food insecurity and workforce development. We are proud of the investments we have made in Buffalo and look forward to continuing to make a difference through responsible lending and philanthropy that transforms lives and communities, Pitts said. The NCRC said in a statement: We look forward to implementing these funds across First Niagaras former footprint and in the five-year timeline set by the agreement. Were confident that by working with both KeyBank and our local partners in affected communities, we will identify the most efficient and effective ways to support wealth-building and promote opportunity across the banks footprint, with a particular focus on places like Buffalo where First Niagara used to operate, the coalition said. Schumer and Peoples-Stokes said at a minimum, the funds directed to Western New York and Buffalo should be proportionate to the total market share that Western New York and Buffalo represent in KeyBanks aggregate operations nationwide. The two elected officials said funds should be directed toward home repair programs, increasing mortgage and small business lending to disadvantaged communities, as well as piloting initiatives to build generational wealth, including bond programs for babies and adult literacy Other areas of focus, they said, should include workforce development such as supporting adult education classes and Buffalo building trades apprenticeships. A private, for-profit university based in Utah is expanding its virtual nursing program into Oregon in an attempt to help meet demand for health care workers. Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences, which has over 2,000 students enrolled, plans to offer an associate degree in nursing, a bachelor of science in nursing and an accelerated bachelor of science in nursing to Oregon residents starting in 2025. Growing up, Francisco Ochoa remembers selling his fathers homemade cheese door-to-door in Salem on the same streets behind where his 9,000-square-foot cheese creamery now sits. Today, that creamery produces the best string cheese in America, according to the American Cheese Societys 2024 competition. In the late 1990s, after the Ochoa family moved to Eugene, they would drive from their home to Salem, where the Hispanic community was bigger, Francisco said, to make more sales. Franciscos father, Froylan Ochoa, had a dream of owning a commercial creamery where he could make traditional Mexican cheeses a passion he had been pursuing at home since Francisco was young. The reason why my dad started making cheese back in the late 1990s was because there was not enough cheese, Francisco said. You go to Safeway, you find a really commercial cheese. Making authentic Mexican cheese delivered to your house, thats the culture. Thats how you find cheese in Mexico. Spreading a piece of his culture to the community and connecting over food, Froylan continued to grow his business at home until he died in 2000. After he passed away, a year later, my older brother, with the help of an angel investor, was able to open the first creamery, Francisco said. The creamery was named for their father, Don Froylan, to honor and continue his legacy. Seven years later, Francisco took over the family business with his wife, Lisa Ochoa, whom he met in Eugene. Traditional queso Oaxaca is hand stretched at the Don Froylan Creamery.Chiara Profenna The Ochoa family has been crafting and selling handmade cheese since the late 1990s, but they opened their Salem facility in 2020.Chiara Profenna The two now run the quickly growing and highly acclaimed Don Froylan Creamery, which processes handmade queso fresco, Oaxaca, cotija and the award-winning Lilianas String Cheese, named after their daughter. Entering the queso Oaxaca in the string cheese category and winning in the best string cheese, as Mexican string cheese, thats so exciting, Lisa said of the American Cheese Society competition. And for people to grow up knowing that, I think thats pretty exciting. Along with their first place in the string cheese category, Don Froylan Creamery also won first place in the Hispanic fresh cheeses category for its queso panela and second in Hispanic cooking cheeses for its queso Oaxaca. The Ochoas will compete next at Novembers World Cheese Awards in Portugal and hope to win more international awards for their artisanal cheeses, which many praise for their authentic taste and production, according to the Ochoas. One reason: Don Froylan Creamer is one of the only creameries in the Pacific Northwest that hand-stretches their cheese, Francisco said. A lot of people say, Oh this tastes like home, this is something really authentic, Lisa said. And thats the biggest compliment for us too. Employees package cotija cheese, their only aged cheese that is produced at the facility.Chiara Profenna The factory processes more than four tons of cheese a day daily and plans to scale up their production with a 6,000-square-foot expansion of its facility. The way we put the building on this land, there was room for expansion, but we just never imagined it would be happening this quickly, Lisa said. Every aspect is growing, but we really need a bigger production and more cooler space. The Ochoas opened their Salem location in 2020, after a decade of operating in Albany. After just four years at their new site, they report steady growth in production, sparking inspiration for new products such as a drinkable yogurt and an in-house chorizo that Francisco is developing. The creamery also runs a kitchen in its storefront, serving quesadillas, nachos, grilled cheese sandwiches, burritos and more cheesy menu items made with fresh cheese and other local ingredients. The storefront at Don Froylan Creamery features a display showcasing their full range of cheese varieties for purchase.Chiara Profenna The storefront also offers visitors a window into the factory so they can watch the Oaxacan cheese being made while they enjoy a fresh quesadilla and horchata, a traditional Mexican beverage made with rice and cinnamon. Its such a hands-on traditionally made cheese and something that people should see, Lisa said. We definitely wanted it to be an experience and a conversation starter. Being able to share his success with his family, who play a large role in running the creamery, is one of the best parts about the job, Francisco said, as well as being able to share his culture with others and bring people together. Early on, when I started making cheese, and I brought it to people, and they loved it, it made me feel good, made me want to make more cheese, get better recipes, Francisco said. The factory is a place that brings people together, Lisa said, and cultivating the space in Salem has been an exciting venture. But you dont have to go to Salem to try Don Froylan cheeses. Francisco and Lisa will be at The Wedge cheese festival on Sept. 28 at Alder Block in Portland. The creamery specializes in wholesale distribution across the Pacific Northwest, so fans can find their cheeses at local Mexican markets, New Seasons, Whole Foods, Market of Choice, and a variety of Mexican restaurants. You can also order directly from their website here or visit the store at 3310 Portland Road N.E., Salem, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Sample HTML block Chiara Profenna covers religion, faith and cultural connections. Reach her at 503-221-4327; cprofenna@oregonian.com or @chiara_profenna The Oregonian/OregonLive receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to bring readers stories on religion, faith and cultural connections in Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive is solely responsible for all content. The 73-year-old pilot who died while fighting wildfires near Malheur National Forest in eastern Oregon made an unexpected turn before the July 25 crash, the National Transportation Safety Board said in newly released findings from its investigation. Moments before the crash, James Maxwell and the pilot of another plane encountered a column of smoke that both pilots agreed they should avoid, the report says. Maxwell, who was then in the lead, switched positions with the other pilot and shortly thereafter his plane vanished from the other pilots sight. Its not known why Maxwell veered into an area with visibility concerns. Investigators reported that Maxwell was traveling at roughly 200 miles per hour at the time. Maxwells plane hit a series of trees as it went down, then broke apart and hit the ground, according to the preliminary report. Pieces of the planes engine and fuselage were found near a large tree 380 feet from where the plane first descended into the forest. Firefighters and a Grant County Sheriffs Office search-and-rescue team found Maxwells body the day after the crash, July 26. The wreckage of the plane was spread out over a 1,000-foot area. In a statement on July 28, the U.S. Forest Service said the wildland firefighting community was mourning the loss of one of their own. Tatum Todd covers crime and public safety. Reach them at ttodd@oregonian.com , or 503-221-4313. I agree with the sentiments in both a recent letter, (Readers respond: Renovating Keller is Portlands best option, July 28) and a guest column by Fred Leeson ('Stunning Keller Fountain deserves a revitalized Keller Auditorium, July 31). Why tear down an iconic building that is only 100 years old? Can you even imagine what the whole of Europe would look like if they, like many in the United States, jumped to tear down every old building across the continent? Having recently been in Switzerland, I know they cherish and care for their old buildings, many of which date to the Middle Ages. They are well preserved plus still functional and utilized on a daily basis. Keller Auditorium is well worth saving and we Americans could learn a thing or two from the Europeans and save a Portland landmark that could last for at least another 100 years. A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals revived Oregon attorney Daniel Crowes claim that the Oregon State Bars officers overstepped their boundaries by publishing political statements that dont reflect Crowes and other members beliefs. Crowe has demonstrated an infringement on his freedom of association because he objects to certain communications by the Bar that would reasonably have been imputed to the Bars members, Circuit Judge Michelle T. Friedland wrote in the 36-page opinion. We also hold that the infringement was not justified because the communications in question were not related to the Bars regulatory purpose. The days are already getting shorter, and people are already googling when does daylight savings time end? Daylight saving time will end at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. Most devices these days will adjust automatically to the time change, but dont forget to set any traditional clocks back by one hour. Despite several efforts to end seasonal time changes, we will be falling back in November and springing forward in March for the foreseeable future. In March, a bill that would have ended daylight saving for good in Oregon died in the Legislature. Senate Bill 1548 proposed keeping the state on standard time year-round, but only if California and Washington agreed to follow suit. In 2019, Oregon passed a bill that would have abolished standard time and put the state on daylight saving time permanently. Before that change can take effect, though, it has to be approved by the U.S. Congress. That approval has yet to come. Until then, well continue to change our clocks. Julie Evensen covers trending topics and popular culture. She can be reached at jevensen@oregonian.com or @juliecevensen on Twitter and @julieevensen on Threads. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. A truck driver from Canada has been arrested after a quantity of suspected morphine was found in his trailer over the weekend during a search at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced. Bashir Kasozi, 41, of Ontario, was charged by criminal complaint with importation of morphine and possession with intent to distribute morphine. According to the complaint, Kasozi, who was driving a commercial truck with Ontario plates, told a Customs and Border Protection officer during an outbound inspection on the evening of Aug. 23 that he had been in the U.S. for three days and was coming from Massachusetts with a load of paper. During secondary inspection, the complaint said, a scan of the truck detected a skid containing 62 brown taped packages in the nose of the trailer. When the packages were opened, inspectors found glass vials containing suspected morphine. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Romer ordered Kasozi held pending a detention hearing Sept. 4. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. - Dale Anderson Packsize Opens New Innovation Center in Louisville, Kentucky The new, 240,000 square foot facility will expand the Packsize's manufacturing capabilities and provide redundancy and logistics benefits to cusomers. The new, 240,000 square foot facility will expand the Packsize's manufacturing capabilities and provide redundancy and logistics benefits to cusomers. Aug. 29, 2024 - Packsize on Aug. 27 announced the opening of its new Innovation Center in Louisville, Kentucky. The new, 240,000 square foot facility will expand the Company's manufacturing capabilities, provide redundancy and logistics benefits to customers and ensure the highest quality standards are met. The co-location of research and development, along with implementation of production resources, will bring manufacturing closer to Packsize's North American customer base, reducing lead times and expanding in-house capabilities. The Louisville Innovation Center will house 200 employees with plans for additional future expansion. "Our newest facility in Louisville represents both our investment in the future of Packsize and our steadfast dedication to the best possible service for our customers," said Packsize CEO David Lockwood. "As we look to the years ahead, Packsize is laser-focused on expanding our operations while creating an ecosystem that supports the growth of our business, development of our team and our dedication to a more sustainable future." Packsize will utilize the facility to showcase the Company's technology to companies from around the globe. Laying the foundation for scalable growth, the Louisville facility will also provide local job creation in focus areas such as quality, production, engineering, and research and development. The localized assembly and refurbishment operations will help further realize Packsize's goal of reducing global CO2 emissions as the result of reduced shipping from Europe. "Louisville is an ideal choice for us to further develop our North American infrastructure to better serve our growing customer base," said Kellen Frey, COO, Packsize. "Not only does the co-location of production and R&D resources allow us to accelerate our innovation and maintain quality in our solutions, it also powers our efforts to build an incredible team that is aligned with our mission and values." Packsize is a multinational manufacturer of advanced corrugated packaging systems and automated packaging machine technology. The business is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah (USA) and has operations in Europe and Asia-Pacific region. SOURCE: Packsize Children who find it hard to focus on a task at hand could have underdeveloped working memories, preventing them from completing a task without "over-exploring." That is according to a study recently published in the journal Psychological Science. In the study, researchers at Ohio State University suggested that "over-exploring" among children could point to either their curiosity or immature working memory. The study defines over-exploring as children continuing to explore and gather information irrelevant to their tasks, even when they already know the correct solution. How the Study Dismisses Other Beliefs Prior to the study's findings, it was widely believed that "distributed attention" in children was due to their lack of maturity to understand the task at hand or pay attention for longer periods. Some also believed children were just easily distracted and lacked the control needed to focus. READ ALSO : Cell Phone Usage in Class Disrupts Students' Focus Prompting More States To Ban Them in Schools The researchers studied adults and children between the ages of four and six. Study participants were asked to identify two bird-like creatures. For children, researchers covered up each body part and asked the kids to uncover them one by one and match which creature it was. During the study, researchers found that children would still uncover other body parts despite knowing that the tail, for instance, was a part of one of the creatures. Ultimately, researchers concluded that children did not retain information as long as adults. However, they noted that future studies will be needed to see whether their distributed attention is just simple curiosity. Other Reasons for Lack of Focus The study's findings add to a growing list of reasons why children struggle to focus. A 2019 study from Growing Up Australia found that children who struggle to focus in the classroom lack sleep. In fact, that study found that only half of teens ages 16 to 17 were getting the recommended hours of uninterrupted sleep, which is between eight to 10 hours, on school nights. Children with short attention spans could also be suffering from anxiety, ADHD, a learning disorder, OCD, or trauma, according to the Child Mind Institute. Moral Assurance of Salvation / Examination of Conscience / Bible On Apostasy / Initial Justification & Faith Alone (Theological Commonplaces), the first systematic treatment of Reformation thought. Its considered the initiatory work in the Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560) was the founder of Protestantism: Martin Luthers best friend, co-reformer, and successor as the leader of Lutheranism. Encyclopaedia Britannica ( Philipp Melanchthon ) states that Melanchthon . . . in 1521 published the Loci communes rerum theologicarum (Theological Commonplaces), the first systematic treatment of Reformation thought. Its considered the initiatory work in the Lutheran scholastic tradition . Modified editions appeared in 1535, 1543 and 1559. * Martin Luther wrote, No better book has been written after the Holy Scriptures than Philips. He expresses himself more concisely than I do when he argues and instructs. Im garrulous and more rhetorical (Table-Talk, 1543; in Luthers Works, Vol. 54, 439-440). Many think that this volume was the reason why Luther never wrote his own work of systematic theology. Melanchthon at length departed from Luther in some ways; most notably, in his denial of the Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist, by the time of the 1543 edition, and on the question of free will. * Luther, who had some violent disagreements with him, never criticized him publicly and never really broke with him. In fact, the verdict of history is that Luther was kinder to Melanchthon than Melanchthon was to Luther. . . . Most Lutherans in America up to the present time have been critical of him, including Schmauck, Neve, Bente, Pelikan, and many others, although that attitude is changing somewhat. (p. 7) * Melanchthon was a prodigy. He entered Heidelberg University at twelve and received his bachelors degree at 14. He moved on to Tubingen, where he earned the masters degree at 17, . . . He never received the doctorate and was never ordained into the ministry. He never preached from the pulpit, although he had much to do with the development of the study of oratory and homiletics. He received an appointment to teach at the newly established University of Wittenberg in 1518. . . . He remained at Wittenberg the rest of his life . . . differences [with Luther] appear as early as 1530, . . . and become more evident as the years roll on. (p. 8) blue . I use RSV for biblical citations. See also my introductory post for this series on Facebook, which highlights his historically brand-new position of imputed justification (sola fide). For other installments of this series, see my Lutheranism web page , second section: Replies to Philip Melanchthons Loci Communes. Melanchthons words will be in. I use RSV for biblical citations. *** They (Catholics) want us always to be in doubt as to whether we are in grace. . . . They add that the regenerate still must be in doubt as to whether they are in grace, and they must remain in this doubt. This kind of doubt is plainly heathenish. Nor are these errors only minor matters, but rather they cast darkness over the Gospel, hide the benefits of Christ, take away true comfort of conscience, and destroy true prayer. (p. 85) * This is a caricature: a thing that the earliest Protestants were very good at; and unfortunately its a trait that has stubbornly persevered in their anti-Romanist polemics to this day. We dont believe that perpetual doubt and uncertainty is Gods will for the Christian, but rather, in a sensible, reasonable moral assurance of being in a state of grace : which will bring about final salvation, provided we persevere. We believe in a thorough self-examination of conscience, which is quite biblical as well . Paul wrote: 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed you fail to meet the test! * 1 Corinthians 11:28 Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. * Galatians 6:4 But let each one test his own work, . . . The degree of moral assurance we can have is very high. The point is to examine ourselves to see if we are mired in serious sin, and to repent of it. If we do that, and know that we are not subjectively guilty of mortal sin, and relatively free from venial sin, then we can have a joyful assurance that we are on the right road. *** Please Hit Subscribe! If you have received benefit from this or any of my other 4,800+ articles, please follow my blog by signing up (with your email address) on the sidebar to the right (you may have to scroll down a bit), above where there is an icon bar, Sign Me Up!: to receive notice when I post a new blog article. This is the equivalent of subscribing to a YouTube channel. My blog was rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT: endorsed by influential Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Please also consider following me on Twitter / X and purchasing one or more of my 55 books. All of this helps me get more exposure, and (however little!) more income for my full-time apologetics work. Thanks so much and happy reading! *** I always use my own example, by noting that when I was an evangelical, I felt very assured of salvation, though I also believed (as an Arminian) that one could fall away if one rejected Jesus outright. Now as a Catholic I feel hardly any different than I did as an evangelical. I dont worry about salvation. I assume that I will go to heaven one day, if I keep serving God. I trust in Gods mercy, and know that if I fall into deep sin, His grace will cause me to repent of it (and I will go along in my own free will) so that I can be restored to a relationship with Him. * We observe St. Paul being very confident and not prone to lack of trust in God at all. He had a robust faith and confidence, yet he still had a sense of the need to persevere and to be vigilant. He didnt write as if it were a done deal: that he got saved one night in Damascus and signed on the dotted line, made an altar call and gave his life to Jesus, saying the sinners prayer or reciting John 3:16, never having to persevere in the slightest ever more. No. See my papers: * * Grace is also not a static, unvarying condition. The Bible teaches that there are degrees of grace. In my article about this topic I cite eleven Bible passages proving this, and also several citations of St. Augustine. * To be justified by works means to obtain forgiveness of sins and to be righteous or accepted before God by reason of our own virtues or deeds. . . . we are justified by faith, which is the voice of the Gospel, is used by Paul in opposition to the other concept, which is the voice of human reason or the Law, that we are justified by works. (pp. 86-87) * Thats Pelagianism, which the Catholic Church condemned no later than the time of St. Augustine (4th-5th centuries). * On the other hand, to be justified by faith in Christ means to obtain remission of sins, to be counted as righteous, that is, accepted by God, not because of our own virtues but for the sake of the Mediator, the Son of God. (p. 86) * We agree as to initial justification. We just dont think the whole story of salvation ends there. See: * * * * * * But there are those who reply to this discussion that it is absolutely ridiculous and meaningless to say that having been justified by faith we have peace with God, Rom. 5:1. (p. 87) * Yes, we have peace (of course). But thats not the same as absolute assurance of salvation. St. Paul also wrote: 1 Corinthians 9:27 I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. Philippians 3:11-14 that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. [12] Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. [13] Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Photo credit : Loci praecipui theologici (a.k.a. Loci communes rerum theologicarum) 1552 edition, by Philip Melanchthon [public domain / [public domain / Wikimedia Commons * Summary: Reply to Philip Melanchthons Loci Communes regarding justification, incl. moral assurance of salvation, examination of conscience, apostasy, and initial justification The browser is increasingly becoming the central application on the PC. Today, users not only open their browsers to view websites, but also to work with office applications such as Word and Excel or Google Docs, to stream videos, films, and series, and also to quickly edit photos and films. Which operating system someone has installed hardly matters any more. What is more important is which browser they use. Today is Amazon Prime Big Deal Days! Our editorial team lists the best tech deals here. ] The choice of browser determines how securely users can navigate the internet and how well their privacy is protected. At the same time, it determines how quickly websites are displayed on the screen. And finally, the browsers also differ in terms of their functionality. For example, Microsoft has equipped its Edge browser with the AI assistant Copilot, while Opera offers a VPN service as a free add-on. Opera includes a simple VPN service that protects you in free Wi-Fi networks with an encrypted connection and conceals your true location. Opera includes a simple VPN service that protects you in free Wi-Fi networks with an encrypted connection and conceals your true location. Opera Opera includes a simple VPN service that protects you in free Wi-Fi networks with an encrypted connection and conceals your true location. Opera Opera Two large families divide the market between them The leading browsers are comparable in terms of functionality and performance. This is partly due to the fierce competition between the manufacturers, but also because the market is almost completely divided between two technology concepts. On the one hand, there are the browsers based on Chromium, an open source project from Google, Intel, Opera, and Samsung. On the other hand, there are programs based on the Firefox open source browser. The most important Chromium browsers are Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Vivaldi, and Brave. The Firefox browsers include Firefox itself, the Tor browser, and Librewolf. The Chromium browsers work with the Blink rendering engine, the Firefox programs with Gecko. Since Microsoft and Opera have abandoned their self-developed engines Edge HTML and Presto, only Blink and Gecko have remained. For a better understanding: The rendering engine is responsible for the graphical realization of the HTML code of a website. For our comparison, we took a closer look at the Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera and Vivaldi browsers. Browsers Google Chrome Microsoft Edge Mozilla Firefox Opera Vivaldi Automatic updates + + + + + Sandbox + + + + + Password manager + + + + + Phishing and malware protection + + + + + VPN max. 5 GB/month from 4,99 /month free of charge Incognito mode + + + + + Do-not-track statement + + + + + Tracking blocker + + + + via Tracker URLs Fingerprinting blocker only via add-on only via add-on integrated only via add-on only via add-on Synchronization + + + + + Encryption of sync data + + + + via additional password Android version + + + + + iOS version + + + + + Integrated AI + + Speedometer score (higher is better) 15,2 5,7 4,53 11,6 15,1 RAM load in MB (less is better) 904 482 966 949 399 A comparison of the security concepts Chrome offers you the option of preventing information about your surfing behavior from being passed on to advertising companies, and disabling the tracking of your actions on websites. However, tracking is switched on by default. Chrome offers you the option of preventing information about your surfing behavior from being passed on to advertising companies, and disabling the tracking of your actions on websites. However, tracking is switched on by default. Foundry Chrome offers you the option of preventing information about your surfing behavior from being passed on to advertising companies, and disabling the tracking of your actions on websites. However, tracking is switched on by default. Foundry Foundry The big issue in IT has been protection against malware and hacker attacks for years. Browser manufacturers have therefore built functions such as a sandbox into their programs. This ensures that malicious code cannot jump from a website to the computer. In addition, all of our test candidates have automatic updates, integrated password managers, and phishing and malware protection that warns against visiting suspicious websites based on a blacklist. Opera has also had a free and unlimited VPN service for several years, which makes the use of unprotected WLAN connections more secure. With Opera VPN Pro for $4 per month, users can also choose from around 3,000 VPN server locations worldwide. Microsoft has now followed suit and also offers integrated VPN protection with its Edge Secure Network. However, it is limited to 5GB of data per month and does not allow users to select a specific region or location. With Mozilla, you can subscribe to a VPN for $9.99 per month or $59.88 per year, and there are also several VPN add-ons for the browser. VPN services for Chrome and Vivaldi are also only available as add-ons from third-party providers. Conclusion: With the free, unlimited VPN, Opera is one step ahead of the other browsers. As the program also offers all the security functions of a modern browser, Opera gets our recommendation in terms of security. Privacy protection Another ongoing issue is the privacy offered to users by the browsers. All five candidates send a do-not-track instruction to the websites on request, which indicates that the visitor does not wish to be tracked online. However, this is not mandatory for website operators. An incognito mode, which automatically deletes the users locally stored activities when the browser is closed, is also standard in browsers. Otherwise, all programs have functions to prevent tracking and the storage of third-party cookies. The configuration is usually only apparent at second glance. Edge and Firefox summarize these functions in several profiles, which is rather detrimental to clarity. The categorization and explanation of these functions in Chrome could also be better. We liked the corresponding settings in Opera and Vivaldi. You can instruct Firefox to automatically delete cookies when you close the browser. Please note, however, that many websites then require you to re-enter your personal data. You can instruct Firefox to automatically delete cookies when you close the browser. Please note, however, that many websites then require you to re-enter your personal data. Foundry You can instruct Firefox to automatically delete cookies when you close the browser. Please note, however, that many websites then require you to re-enter your personal data. Foundry Foundry Google, in particular, has an interest in finding out as much as possible about the paths users take through the internet and the websites they visit. In this way, the company can offer its advertising customers targeted adverts. This tracking is active in Chromes default settings, but can be switched off. Edge can also track the activities of its users, but the function is deactivated by default. In Opera, tracking for advertising purposes is switched on after installation. Vivaldi suggests blocking trackers during setup, but can also hide adverts. The tracker blocker uses lists from Duckduckgo and Easyprivacy, which contain lists of known tracker URLs. Unknown tracking sources are therefore not rejected. Firefox already blocks activity-tracking scripts, such as those used by some social networks, by default. Third-party cookies are also rejected. Firefox is also the only browser in the test that largely prevents fingerprinting by the websites visited. Fingerprinting is a technology that makes the user identifiable based on features such as the browser used and its individual configuration, the Windows version, the screen resolution set, and numerous other software and hardware details. In practice, this cannot be switched off completely, but it can at least be significantly restricted. Corresponding extensions are available for the other browsers in the web stores, (see the box below). Conclusion: Comprehensive and easy to understand these are the adjectives that best describe Firefoxs privacy settings. The open source browser therefore gets a recommendation for this area. Other functions and versions All of the browsers examined offer synchronization with other PCs via the internet. This requires free registration with an account. In the case of Edge and Chrome, this is of course the Microsoft or Google account, while Firefox, Opera, and Vivaldi have their own account services for synchronization. The transfer and storage of synchronized passwords, bookmarks, and the like is encrypted with all providers using the users account password. Only Vivaldi adds an additional security level and requires a separate password to encrypt the synchronized data. All five providers also offer mobile versions of their browsers for Android and iOS. They all support the sync functions of the PC version and can therefore access bookmarks and saved passwords there. The AI Aria is firmly integrated into the Opera browser and enables direct questions about terms on websites, for example. You can also link directly to ChatGPT and ChatSonic in Opera. The AI Aria is firmly integrated into the Opera browser and enables direct questions about terms on websites, for example. You can also link directly to ChatGPT and ChatSonic in Opera. IDG The AI Aria is firmly integrated into the Opera browser and enables direct questions about terms on websites, for example. You can also link directly to ChatGPT and ChatSonic in Opera. IDG IDG Microsoft has integrated its Copilot AI function into Edge, which formulates its assistance based on the Bing search. But Opera now also has an AI function: Aria is an AI developed in-house by the Norwegian manufacturer and is primarily intended to support users as they browse the web. For example, users can highlight a term on a website and, after right-clicking, request an explanation from Aria. The AI also accepts freely formulated prompts. Opera also offers direct links to ChatGPT and ChatSonic in its sidebar. Conclusion: Edge wins the race when it comes to additional functions. The browser not only offers a well-functioning sync function, but also additional features such as an AI, a wallet for personal data, and a function for creating a desktop app from an open website. A Dunkirk man who abducted an autistic 13-year-old boy eight years ago has been sentenced to 19 years in state prison, Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt announced. State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtasek, in his capacity as an acting Chautauqua County Court judge, also ordered Samuel Saeli, 46, to receive supervision for 20 years after he is released. Saeli was convicted by a Chautauqua County jury on June 28 of second-degree kidnapping as a sexually motivated felony. He had been retried after the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court, Fourth Department, reversed his previous kidnapping convictions. The Dunkirk Observer reported in 2018 that surveillance video showed Saeli driving away after the boy entered his vehicle in the Walmart Supercenter parking lot on Route 60 in Fredonia in August 2016. According to the report, the victim was returned to his family about 40 minutes later near Cushing Street in Fredonia. The appellate justices ruled that a motion during Saeli's trial in 2018 to suppress evidence found on his cellphone had been denied improperly. - Dale Anderson Microsoft Flight Simulator has etched out a spot in the gaming hall of fame as one of the most popular flight simulators of all time, complete with licenses for numerous real aircraft plus detailed maps of cities. When Microsoft rebooted Microsoft Flight Simulator in 2020, many people thought that would be the version to be perpetually updated but this year, Microsoft announced theyd be releasing a completely new version called Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Today is Amazon Prime Big Deal Days! Our editorial team lists the best tech deals here. ] Its not just going to be an update; its going to include several new features and tons of new content. Here are all the key details you need to know about MSFS 2024. What new content and features will be in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024? Perhaps the most important new feature in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a new career path called Career in Aviation. Youll be able to choose between various specializations, with each one helped or hindered by the type of aircraft you fly. The following career paths have been announced so far: Mountain rescue Agriculture Air racing Research flights Firefighting from the air Cargo transport by helicopter Industrial cargo transport Passenger transport by private jet Skydiving operations Aerial construction Low altitude training Glider pilot Photo safari If you found it hard to motivate yourself to explore in Microsoft Flight Simulator, or if you just want more goals and challenges to pursue, then these offerings will keep you busy for a while. Walk around and guide passengers to your aircraft? You can in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Walk around and guide passengers to your aircraft? You can in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Microsoft Walk around and guide passengers to your aircraft? You can in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Microsoft Microsoft Based on the various specializations listed above, you can also expect completely new types of aircraft including gliders, airships, and hot air balloons that all handle differently, require greater flying skills, and significantly expand the possibilities for travel. And for the first time in the franchises history, youll be able to leave the cockpit of your aircraft and walk around the world as your character. Youll also be able to jump onto the wings of any aircraft or even parachute down to the ground. Other new features include more realistic vegetation and extensive weather effects, including dense snow, tornadoes, and auroras. All four seasons will be simulated in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The first trailer from Xbox Games Showcase 2024. On top of all that, overall engine that drives Flight Simulator will be significantly improved with shorter loading times (thanks to cloud streaming) and lighter system requirements. However, more detailed information isnt yet available. Which aircraft are available in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024? Microsoft has yet to announce a full list of the aircraft that will be available in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. According to the developers, however, there will be several new airliners that werent previously included. We assume that the selection will be huge, also due to the new types of transport. When will Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 be released? According to Microsoft, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will be released on November 19, 2024 for PC and Xbox Series X/S. The predecessor Xbox One is unfortunately being left behind. (But youll be able to play Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 via Xbox Cloud Gaming!) How much will Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 cost? Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is expected to cost between $59.99 and $69.99 at launch, depending on the platform. However, if youre subscribed to PC Game Pass or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, youll receive the flight sim free of charge on day one as part of the subscription. How big will Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 be? According to initial statements by Microsoft Flight Simulator head Jorg Neumann, the 2024 version will only take up 50GB of storage space. Thats tiny when you consider the sheer size of the world. Microsoft will store and process the 2.5 petabytes (thats about 2,500 terabytes) of pure aerial image data in its own cloud to enable fast loading times on as many systems as possible. Microsoft Microsoft Microsoft What will happen to the current Microsoft Flight Simulator? Since Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a new standalone game, the previous version of Microsoft Flight Simulator wont be required and if youre already playing that, you dont have to worry about losing all the content youve purchased for it. Microsoft promises that all official aircraft and airports included in Microsoft Flight Simulator as well as practically all Marketplace add-ons will also be supported in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and wont need to be purchased again. There may be exceptions, particularly when add-on developers arent able to port their content to the new version. (Microsoft elaborates in the official FAQ.) But access to all content via the Flight Simulator Content Manager remains guaranteed for the time being. For content thats already been purchased in MSFS 2020, upgrades to content produced by Microsoft (e.g., Reno Air Races, Local Legends, Famous Flyers, Expert Series) will be free of charge for players. The Global Women Conference, a premier event empowering women, is set to take place on October 10-11, 2024 at Wesley Tower Ridge in Accra, Ghana. This year's conference, themed "Advancing Innovation and Equality in Business," aims to tackle the pressing issues of gender parity and foster an environment conducive to women's success in the business landscape. The two-day event will bring together influential leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals from diverse industries to share their insights, experiences, and strategies for driving innovation and promoting equality in the business world. Attendees can expect a dynamic program featuring keynote speeches, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities designed to inspire, educate, and connect women leaders. The conference which is powered by the US-Ghana Chamber of Commerce and supported by the Ghana Ports and Harbor Authorities, will feature keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities, fostering collaboration and support among attendees. This event is crucial for promoting women's leadership and innovation in business, encouraging participants to share insights and strategies for achieving equality in the workplace. Registration details will be available soon. As part of the summit, there will also be an expo where entrepreneurs, and companies will exhibit their products and services for the 2 day conference. For more information and to secure your spot, please visit the conference website at www. usghanachamberofcommerce.org 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 Dr. Amin Adam, Ghanas Finance Minister has announced the release of GH 700m as the first tranche of payment of the Gh1.5 billion owed customers of the various locked up fund management companies. During the budget reading, the Finance Minister, Dr. Amin Adam announced that government had allocated a total of GH 1.5 billion which will be disbursed to customers of the defunct banks in order to help reduce the financial hardships brought upon them by the action. At the Ministry of Finance in Accra on Thursday, August 29, 2024, the Finance Minister told the media present that the money will be paid to customers in three tranches. He said, We had indicated in the 2024 mid-year review of fiscal policy that the government has approved the disbursement of an additional GH1.5 billion to provide relief and bailout to people whose funds have been locked up in fund management companies. Dr. Amin Adam added that the first tranche of GH700 million has been processed and released to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for further distribution to affected customers in the coming days. Dr. Amin Adam emphasised that the release of funds is intended to alleviate the pain inflicted on affected individuals. Im glad to inform you that the Ministry of Finance has processed the release for the first tranche of 700million Ghana cedis of the additional GH1.5 billion for the Security and Exchange Commission to further bail out the remaining customers whose funds were locked up including Black Shield Funds Management customers. Yesterday, I instructed the Controller and Accountant General to release the funds to mitigate the stress on affected persons. The 1.5 billion cedis will be released in three tranches, the Finance Minister said. Source: Kobina Darlington/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 President of the Republic of Ghana, H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, today signed a historic Presidential Compact on Water and Sanitation, as part of the governments commitment to improving public health, increasing climate resilience and ensuring that hard to reach communities have access to water, sanitation and hygiene services. Under the Presidential Compact, the third of its kind in Africa, the government will allocate an estimated US$1.7 billion annually to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) initiatives until 2030. These funds will ensure that WASH services reach schools and healthcare facilities, as well as remote communities. The journey on which we are embarking is built on the fundamental truth that without WASH services, sustainable development will remain an elusive dream. This Compact represents not the start, but the continuation and amplification of our efforts; a decisive step to ensure that every citizen, irrespective of their location or circumstance, enjoys sustainable access to these vital services, said President Akufo-Addo during the signing ceremony today. The Compact, signed by the President of the Republic, shows how serious we as a country take WASH issues, added Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan, Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources in Ghana. She noted that Ghana brought the Compact to fruition just one year after it was announced as a commitment at the UN 2023 Water Conference. The Compact will establish a National Sanitation Authority, which will support the governments efforts to eliminate open defecation by 2030. Furthermore, Ghanas national climate strategy will now include building climate-resilient water and sanitation infrastructure and services, ensuring that the country is ready to address the challenges posed by increasing droughts and floods. The Compact is the result of an extensive consultation process with government agencies, development partners, the academic community, and local civil society organizations. It is supported, under the Heads of State Initiatives, by the Government of the Netherlands, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UNICEF, the Sanitation and Water for All partnership and IRC WASH. These partners will serve in an advisory capacity for the Compacts implementation, providing technical expertise and coordinated advocacy. As Ghana leads the way with this Presidential Compact, it sets a powerful example for other countries to follow in the global push for universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene. ABOUT THE HEADS OF STATE INITIATIVES Heads of State Initiatives support presidents and prime ministers worldwide to make water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) a priority of their mandate. These initiatives are tailored to each country's unique context, helping achieve critical goals like making communities more resilient to climate change and solving public health crises such as waterborne diseases or open defecation. Each initiative is jointly supported by the Government of the Netherlands, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UNICEF, the Sanitation and Water for All partnership and IRC . Source: Prince Baffour Asamoah/Peace FM Newsroom 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 Pure Earth Ghana, a non-profit organization collaborating with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and supported by the UK government through the Environmental Fund (TEF), has launched a new project focused on assessing the impact of mercury contamination. This initiative aims to enhance environmental sustainability and public health. The Country Director of Pure Earth Ghana, Rev. Dr. Esmond Quansah addressed the media, emphasizing that the project's primary objective is to conduct a comprehensive mercury assessment. This will involve examining food crops, water bodies, and fish to evaluate the extent of mercury contamination in the environment. Dr. Quansah also noted that the project, valued at two million Ghanaian cedis, will be implemented over the course of one year across four regions; Eastern, Western, Ashanti, and Savannah. He highlighted that recent research suggests that, without intervention, the country may face the need to import water in the coming years. Additionally, the Principal Programme Officer at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr. Hopeson Agyapong noted that illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey, have contaminated several water bodies and to address this issue, the EPA has partnered with Pure Earth Ghana to investigate the extent of the damage caused. Mr. Agyapong explained that the findings from this study will help the EPA develop effective strategies to address the contamination, restore affected areas, and manage the issue going forward. Source: Isabella Danso/Peace FM Newsroom 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 Agriculture continues to be the backbone of the Ghanaian economy, contributing about 20 percent on average to the nations Gross Domestic Product, as indicated by the Ghana Statistical Service. It is one of the nations largest employers, providing a source of income to 30 percent of the Ghanaian population. With approximately 38.2percent of its population between 15-35 years, as stated by the 2021 Population and Housing Census, Ghana can boast of a youthful demographic poised to drive change in the country. For many years, agriculture has been viewed as labor-intensive and a less attractive career option for young people. However, in recent times, the nation has witnessed a paradigm shift with many Ghanaian youth participating in agriculture. This has contributed to the rise of youth-led startups in the ecosystem who are poised to help the nation build a sustainable food system and address key challenges such as climate change. These interventions include precision agriculture, the introduction of climate-resistant crop varieties, irrigation among others. Despite the contributions of these start-ups, the uptake and accessibility of technology and innovation to transform the agricultural sector is in some ways minimal or underutilized. The adoption of precision agriculture which involves the use of technology to monitor and manage agricultural operations with a high degree of accuracy, would revolutionize the quest to mitigate the effects of climate change. Through the utilisation of technology such as GPS, remote sensing, and data analytics, the use of drones and artificial intelligence to help gather, interpret and act on real-time data so that farmers can use this data to plan their next activities and deflect any issues like pests, diseases or crop stress, vertical farming for efficient use of space, precision irrigation systems for water conservation. There are also home-grown solutions such as applied technology in mechanization and machinery assemblage that can cause significant results in production and productivity. Climate-resilient crop varieties have proven crucial for sustenance of agricultural productivity in the face of changing climatic conditions. In this regard, leveraging the opportunities presented by advancement in biotechnology to develop crops varieties that that are more tolerant to drought, heat, and pests is key. These varieties, bred to withstand extreme weather conditions, ensure consistent yields even in changing climates. Ultimately, requisite investment in biotechnology, would accelerate the development and dissemination of these resilient crop varieties, ensuring that farmers have access to seeds that can withstand the challenges posed by climate change. The impact of sustainable irrigation practices to deal with the climate change-related problems in the field of agriculture can never be underestimated. In this regard, there is a need for extensive investment in smart irrigation systems. These can be tailored to incorporate local rainfall data, allowing farmers to make informed decisions about supplemental irrigation. By using weather-based controllers and sensors that measure rainfall, these systems can determine when additional watering is necessary, ensuring that crops receive adequate moisture without over-irrigation. Similarly, integrating rainwater harvesting with smart irrigation can significantly enhance water availability. Collecting and storing rainwater during periods of heavy rainfall provides a supplemental water source that can be used during dry spells. Smart irrigation systems can then be used to distribute this stored water efficiently. To fully harness the potential of technology in fighting against climate change, it is essential to build the capacity of actors in the agricultural sector through training and education. It is also helpful to have seminars, platforms and conferences that provide learning opportunities for the successful implementation of some of these initiatives, to serve as cross-learning for actors within the agricultural industry. It is in the light of this that Kosmos Innovation Centre is set to organize the annual Agricultural Innovation for Africa (AIA) as part of efforts to affirm its commitment empowering young people to develop innovative solutions to address sustainable food systems. Under the theme, Empowering Youth Startups and Agri-MSMEs in Africa: Addressing Climate Change, Innovative Financing, Market Efficiency, and Gender Mainstreaming for Sustainable Food System, the conference will bring together experts for insightful discussions on finding solutions to the growing challenges and obstacles in the food system, harnessing the potential of youth start-ups and agri-MSMEs. Ahead of the Conference, Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director of KIC expresses optimism saying, Through platforms like the Agricultural Innovation for Africa, we can harness collective expertise and innovation to tackle the pressing issue of climate change to build resilient and sustainable food systems. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Widows Association in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency has condemned the attack on the Member of Parliament for the area by John Dumelo, the Parliamentary Candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the area. Dumelo, in a heated argument, accused the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, of killing her husband to occupy the political post - adding that she is a bloody widow. His choice of words, according to the widow's association, is a painful reminder and disheartening in a statement. His words are a painful reminder of the stigmatization and discrimination that widows often face in our society. It is disheartening that a public figure would resort to such baseless accusations to score political points, disregarding the pain and suffering that his words could cause. The statement said. Read the full statement below STATEMENT BY THE WIDOWS ASSOCIATION IN AYAWASO WEST WUOGON CONSTITUENCY CONDEMNING THE INFLAMMATORY ALLEGATIONS BY MR JOHN DUMELO AGAINST HON LYDIA SEYRAM ALHASSAN The Widows Association in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency expresses its deep disappointment and strong condemnation of the recent derogatory comments made by Mr. John Dumelo, the Parliamentary Candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency, against Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan, the current Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon and Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources. During a public program organized by TV3, Mr. Dumelo made an egregious and unsubstantiated allegation that Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan was responsible for the death of her late husband, an accusation that is not only unfounded but also deeply offensive to all widows and women across the nation. This reprehensible statement is an affront to the dignity of widows, who already face significant emotional and societal challenges after the loss of their spouses. Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan has shown immense strength and resilience in the face of personal tragedy, emerging as a dedicated public servant who has served her constituents and the nation with distinction. Her leadership in Parliament and her contributions as the Deputy Majority Chief Whip of the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic have been commendable. As a widow, she has become a symbol of empowerment, showing that despite adversity, women can rise to positions of influence and serve their communities with integrity and commitment. The Widows Association in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency views Mr. Dumelos comments as an attack not only on Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan but on all widows in Ghana. His words are a painful reminder of the stigmatization and discrimination that widows often face in our society. It is disheartening that a public figure would resort to such baseless accusations to score political points, disregarding the pain and suffering that his words could cause. Our cultural values as Ghanaians are rooted in respect, empathy, and compassion especially towards widows, who deserve our support and understanding. Mr. Dumelos statements are a betrayal of these values and a stark departure from the decency and respect that should characterize our public discourse. The Widows Association in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency stands in solidarity with Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan and supports any legal action she may take to defend her reputation and seek justice. We believe that such actions are necessary to protect the dignity of all widows and to send a clear message that derogatory and unfounded attacks on women, particularly widows, will not be tolerated. We call on all Ghanaians to reject such divisive and harmful rhetoric and to stand with us in promoting a society where widows and all women are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman/Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated the need for a collective and coordinated regional approach in dealing with security threats on the continent. He said African nations needed to strengthen their regional mechanisms as well as enhance their collaboration, and share intelligence and best practices to create a safer and more secure continent. The security landscape in Africa is characterised by a variety of threats that are interconnected and often transcend national borders. Terrorism and violent extremism, for instance, become increasingly pervasive in various regions of the continent. From the Sahel to the whole of Africa, terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, al-Shabaab, and ISIS-affiliated factions like Jenin continue to exploit political instability, economic deprivation, and social grievances to recruit and radicalise our youth and execute terrorist attacks, he emphasised. President Akufo-Addo made the call when he opened the 2nd International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEC) at Burma Camp in Accra yesterday. IDEC is a platform that brings together key stakeholders in the defence and security sector to deliberate on issues that are critical to the peace and security of the continent. It was organised by the military high command of the Ghana Armed Forces in partnership with Great Minds Defense Company and the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Institution. This years was on the theme: Enhancing Regional Mechanisms for Addressing Contemporary Security Challenges in Africa. President Akufo-Addo noted that the theme for this years conference was both timely and essential as the country confronted a rapidly evolving security landscape. He said despite the strides in economic growth and political stability over the few years, the continent continued to grapple with complex security issues such as terrorism, transnational organised crime, maritime piracy, cyber security threats, and the impact of climate change on human security. The President noted that the issue of transnational organised crime, including illicit activities like drug and human trafficking, arms smuggling, and wildlife poaching continue to pose a grave danger to the continent, stressing that These criminal enterprises undermine economies and fuel corruption and instability, making it difficult for legitimate governance structures to function effectively. The Gulf of Guinea, in particular, has become a global hotspot for piracy, with criminal groups targeting commercial vessels, and holding crew members for ransom. Happily, however, in very recent times, as a result of resolute action by the Nigerian and Ghanaian Navies, the activities of the pirates have been considerably reduced, he noted. Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) of the GAF, Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, in his remarks, highlighted the importance of the conference in enhancing regional mechanisms to address contemporary security challenges in Africa. He emphasised the critical role of technological innovation and defense alliances in modern warfare, noting the increasing reliance on advanced tools such as drones, artificial intelligence, and complex communication systems. Source: Ghanaian Times 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 North East Regional Minister, Hon. Yidana Zakaria, has announced the distribution of cutting-edge construction machinery under the District Road Improvement Project (DRIP) across the regions six municipal and district assemblies (MDAs), aimed at enhancing local road networks. This initiative, launched by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Accra, has commenced nationwide, with various regions receiving allocated road equipment as part of the programme. DRIP, a presidential initiative, seeks to decentralise road infrastructure development to address the deficiencies in the countrys road networks. At the Regional Coordinating Council in Nalerigu, where the road equipment is being stored before distribution, Mr. Zakaria emphasised the need for the initiative to remain free from political influence. He disclosed that mobile maintenance teams, comprising both Chinese and Ghanaian technicians, will be deployed to perform routine upkeep of the machinery. Additionally, he said there were plans for knowledge transfer, with Ghanaian technicians, including students from technical institutions, receiving training in the proper handling of the equipment. He further announced that arrangements for fuel depots to support the operation of the machinery across districts have been made. Mr. Zakaria expressed his appreciation to the President of Ghana, the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, the Ministry of Finance, and the Administrator of the Common Fund for their collaborative efforts in ensuring the success of the road improvement programme. The programme is projected to generate nearly 5,000 direct jobs, stimulate local economic growth, and mitigate post-harvest losses by improving road access for farmers transporting produce to the market. It is also expected to enhance overall service delivery across the nation. The North East Regional Coordinator of the Jospong Group of Companies owners of J.A Plant Pool, Nahimu Adams, stated that the region was set to receive sixty-one pieces of machinery, with J.A Plant Pool and its Chinese partners, LiuGong, providing technical support for the DRIP project. The ceremonys chairman and representative of the Nayiri, Kpatidana Ben Bukari Wudana, Chief of Kpatiya Traditional Area, praised the provision of the machinery as a significant move towards decentralising development. He highlighted that the machinery will greatly facilitate road construction and maintenance, thus advancing socio-economic activities and improving access to education and healthcare services. He urged the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to ensure the effective utilisation of the equipment to drive development, particularly in the more remote areas of the region. 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 Ghana stands at a crossroads where the very fabric of our democracy is under siege. The latest incident in the Upper Manya Krobo Constituency has sent shockwaves across the nation, shaking the confidence of those who believe in peaceful and democratic processes. The brazen attack on the NPP Constituency Chairman, Mr. Philip Kweku Mamphy, orchestrated by the NDC under the leadership of their National Chairman Johnson Aseidu Nketia and Member of Parliament Hon. Bismark Tetteh Nyarko, marks a dark chapter in our political history that cannot and must not be ignored What should have been a routine display of DRIP equipment, generously provided to the district by the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo through the Regional Minister, Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong, turned into a scene of chaos and violence. The NDC, without provocation and in total disregard of police intervention, violently tried to prevent this display; an act of sabotage solely because their National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, is scheduled to visit the constituency. This act of political thuggery, culminating in the physical assault on Mr. Mamphy, who was hospitalized at the Asesewa Government Hospital, is nothing short of an attack on our democracy Where does it end? If political parties can no longer coexist peacefully in their service to the nation, then what future do we hold for the next generation? The National Peace Council, Electoral Commission, Civil Society Organizations, and all relevant stakeholders committed to safeguarding our democratic process must speak out. Silence is complicity. This act of lawlessness displayed by the NDC, their National Chairman, and the MP must be condemned by every well-meaning Ghanaian We cannot allow political violence to become the norm in our beloved country. This assault on Mr. Mamphy is not just an attack on one man or one party; it is an attack on the principles of freedom, justice, and peace that our nation was built upon. It is an attack on our democracy and what we stand for. We must rise as one people, irrespective of political affiliations, to denounce this barbarism and demand that those responsible be brought to justice The future of Ghanas democracy hangs in the balance. Will we stand by and allow such thuggery to go unchecked, or will we rise to defend the peaceful democratic process that has made Ghana a beacon of hope in Africa? The time to act is now. Let us ensure that this violence does not go unanswered, and that the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions. The soul of our nation depends on it Source: Hon. Kankam Twumasi Daniel Writes 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 Okyenhene, His Royal Majesty, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin will attend the inaugural Traditional Leadership and Sustainable Development Forum at the University of Bradford, UK on 12 September 2024. The high-profile event will also be attended by prominent personalities, including the University and faculty leadership, academics, students, the president and members of the Ghana Union Bradford, the Ghanaian students Union in Bradford, and business leaders, among others. Invitation He has been invited to deliver a keynote speech at the event on the theme, The Role of Traditional Leaders in Achieving Sustainable Development in Africa. The invitation was extended to the Okyenhene by Professor Richard Nyuur, the Lead Convenor of the Leadership and Sustainable Development Forum, and Head of International Business, Marketing and Strategy Department in the School of Management, University of Bradford. Ranked among the top 25 Business Schools in Europe for producing start-up companies, and in the top 1% of Business Schools in the world to hold the prestigious triple crown of accreditation title, the School of Management places a premium on raising responsible global leaders who can champion the cause of development across all spheres of enterprise. The University of Bradford School of Management recognises the significant role that traditional leaders play in achieving sustainable development, hence the invitation to the Okyenhene. History is more than the path left by the past; it influences the present and can shape the future. From Queen Anne (1702-1714) to King Charles (2022 to date), indigenous leadership has been a part of our development trajectory, an invitation letter signed on behalf of the School of Management read, in parts. Speech snippets In his speech at the event to be held at the Great Hall, University of Bradford, the Okyenhene would likely touch on the nexus between corruption and sustainable development, espousing His abhorrence for corruption in all shapes and sizes. In a recent leadership event organised by the University of Ghana to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of His traditional leadership, Osagyefuo berated corrupt politicians who dip their hands in the public till and expunge from it, money meant for infrastructure. If you dip your hands in the public till and expunge from it money that would build hospitals and schools, pay teachers well, build bridgesto deny a child malaria treatment, you are not successful. Future generations will not build monuments in your name. In a world where quality leadership has become a scarce community, the Akyem Abuakwa traditional leader is expected to offer undiluted perspectives on leadership, demonstrating how he has continued to transform the Akyemland amidst socio-cultural challenges. This is the second time, in less than 12 months, that the astute traditional leader has been invited by the academia in the global West to speak on pressing global issues. It would be recalled that in October 2023, he honoured an invitation by two state universities in Boston, Massachusetts, USA to share his opinion on the raging topic of climate change, where he called on world leaders to act to save the planet from becoming uninhabitable. Call to action Characteristic of him, His Royal Majesty will issue a strong call to action to world leaders to take decisive steps toward safeguarding the planet from imminent catastrophe. He believes the adverse climate change is a leadership issue that must be tucked down by leaders of most industrial nations who contribute largely to the climate change conundrum. He will also talk about how African leaders can institute frameworks to deal with the emerging scourge of disinformation. His Majesty has read the World Economic Forums 2024 report which places disinformation and societal polarisation as two immediate challenges the world faces. And Im sure he will talk about it, connecting with the role African leadership can play in achieving sustainable development, the chief of staff said. The big event Proudly invited as the special guest of honour for the inauguration of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, Osagyefuo will ignite the flame, representing the African diasporan community in the UK. As a torchbearer of quality leadership with a global appeal, the Okyenhene is expected to leverage his impeccable oratory skills and deep commitment to culture to rally support for the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture which has been described as a landmark year set to deliver more than 1,000 new performances and events, including 365 artist commissions, a series of major arts festivals, and exciting national and international collaborations. 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 ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described the NDCs claims discrepancies in the electoral commissions Voters register as needless. In a Facebook post, the Director of Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Omane Boamah requested a forensic audit by parliament as a way of clarifying and addressing all the alleged irregularities in the Voters register. Dr. Omane Boamah alleged that the EC voters register has deliberately been tampered with, hence, it is not fit for purpose as far as the upcoming December elections is concerned. However, in a radio interview on Peace FMs midday news, the NPPs Director of Elections, Evans Nimako, stated that the concerns raised by the NDC are precisely the reason for conducting the voter exhibition exercise which ended on August 27, 2024. According to him, the exhibition exercise is designed to allow stakeholders to identify and correct any errors on the register before it is finalised, thereby dismissing the NDCs allegations and describing it as unnecessary. Mr. Nimako said, So when theres an exhibition, the exercise is simple. It is to enable stakeholders and assist the Electoral Commission to come out with a register that would be the final register for an election. So, at this phase, we are doing an exhibition, so if you go to the exhibition centre and your details are not correct, all that you do is ask for the exhibition officer to give you the appropriate forms, so you feel for the right corrections to be made to your details. Its to enable you to go and check to make sure that your name and your details are in the register. If they are there and there are no questions to be made, yes, thats the detail the EC must keep in the final register. So, when you hear people at this phase crying needlessly, it is really [surprising]. Source: Kobina Darlington/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 National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa West, Peter Lanchene Toobu says the next Mahama-led administration will chase corrupt New Patriotic Party (NPP) members to return all stolen money to the state. According to him, such individuals if identified will have only two months to pay back the state or face the consequences. Speaking to NEAT FM's morning show, 'Ghana Montie', Peter Lanchene Toobu said Ghanaians must change government to fight corruption. After a change of government is operation recover all loot. We'll just plead with the president to give them just two months to return what they have stolen, he said. Adding that, the NDC will recover all assets that belong to Ghana. Watch video below Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman/Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A former Central Regional Minister and a member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has subtly jabbed the former President and flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, describing him as one whose mind is perpetually stuck in the past. Kwamena Duncans comment was in reaction to the NDCs manifesto which seeks to reset all the sectors of the country to what the NDC describes as the right pedestal. The NDC is of the opinion that the country needs a reset for all spheres including the economy, presidency, governance, education, etc. According to the flagbearer of the NDC, the NPP government has plunged the country into a plethora of economic and turmoil which every Ghanaian is wallowing in. The reset agenda was disclosed during the 2024 manifesto launch at the University of Education, Winneba on Saturday, August 24. However, Kwamena Duncan maintains that Ghanas Vice President and flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumias assertion that Ghana needs an upgrade but not a reset is the surest way to go. Speaking on Wednesdays edition of Peace FMs 'Kokrokoo' morning show, the voluble Kwamena Duncan said, We have always maintained that Dr. Bawumias mindset is for the future while that of John Dramani Mahama is stuck in the past. How can you say that Ghana needs to undergo reset? Which era are you looking at resetting Ghana to? Is it during the era of Kwame Nkrumah, Limann, Busia, Rawlings or during your era, because, it is obvious that you cannot count yourself out of the former heads of state." While we are thinking of running a digitally-driven country, some people are thinking of going back to the days of analog. While we are thinking of enhancing the living conditions of Ghanaians, others are thinking of worsening the plight of Ghanaians, Kwamena Duncan said. Watch video below Source: Kobina Darlington/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 former NPP Western North Regional Chairman, William Benjamin Assuah, has reiterated his firm belief that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP presidential candidate, will emerge victorious in the upcoming general elections to become the President of Ghana. Mr. William Assuah recently conducted a comprehensive four-day community visitation in the Kankyiabo, Kama, and Ahibenso electoral areas within the Sefwi Bodi Constituency, engaging directly with the local population. During the interactions, Mr. Benjamin Assuah emphatically highlighted the remarkable developmental projects undertaken by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia under the NPP's leadership, emphasizing their dedication to advancing the well-being of the constituents in the Sefwi Bodi Constituency and the wider Western North Region. Expressing concerns about the incumbent Member of Parliament, Sampson Ahi, who has held office for two decades, Mr. Assuah stressed the importance of revitalizing Sefwi Bodi politics to introduce fresh ideas for the constituency's development. He encouraged young people in the Sefwi Bodi Constituency to genuinely rally behind Nicholas Andoh and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for their commitment to implement policies that will create jobs in the digital space, entrepreneurship, and skill development programs that aim to empower the teeming youth of the country. He stressed that the young people of the constituency will not only secure better job prospects but also have a say in shaping a brighter future for themselves as Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the New Patriotic Partys Manifesto speak to address the pressing concerns for young people of Ghana. Mr. Assuah showcased numerous key projects initiated by the NPP government, including Agenda 111, the establishment of the Regional Health Directorate and bungalows, the construction of new facilities like the circuit court and judges' bungalow, numerous communications masts, as well as essential infrastructure like the Sefwi Bodi to Ahibenso road and regional medical stores. The former regional chairman urged party members to actively engage and promote positive narratives surrounding the party's parliamentary candidate, Nicholas Andoh, and the presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to garner support for their candidacies. He emphasized the critical need for unity within the party, calling for a cohesive front ahead of the December polls to secure victory and achieve the party's goal of "Breaking the Eight." 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 James Kwabena Bomfeh has made a proposal to the Electoral Commission (EC) to have a special package for members of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church on the election day. The SDA has served notice that the December 7 elections would at variance with their faith as the day is their Sabbath Day which they keep very sacred. They have been petitioning the Electoral Commission (EC) to review the date of the election to enable them exercise their franchise but their request, according to the Commission, cannot be met in this year's elections. Hence, the presidential and parliamentary elections will come off on Saturday, December 7. James Kwabena Bomfeh alias "Kabila", a former General Secretary of the Convention People's Party (CPP) and a staunch member of the SDA, has appealed to the Electoral Management Body to give a special preference to their members by allowing them to vote earlier than any other voter. He charged the EC to "give them special treatment on that day when they get to the line so they don't stay there for too long to cause an inconvenience to their faith...I mean you create a line (for them)". He made this appeal in his submissions on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show. 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 Abuakwa South, the home of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, showed massive love to the leader of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, when he visited as part of his campaign tour of the Eastern Region. From Abetifi in the morning and Mpraeso in the afternoon where he had his usual energetic interactions with traditional rulers, market women and people on the street, Dr. Bawumia descended down the mountains to a tumultuous reception in Akyem Asafo in the Abuakwa South Constituency where thousands of young and old gathered to welcome him. Before his arrival at Akyem Asafo, the NPP Flagbearer and his entourage first called on the Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II who gave Bawumia a befitting royal reception alongside the sub-Chiefs from his traditional area. While Dr. Bawumia paid homage to the Okyehene, thousands, mostly young people, gathered in neighbouring Akyem Asafo waiting for the arrival of the man they hope will succeed their illustrious son, President Akufo-Addo. To reflect their intentions, a huge banner in the centre of the town read "Changing over from Abuakwa to Walewale" with the town virtually painted red, white and blue, the colours of the NPP. Remarkably, the youth, many of whom joining from neighbouring town and villages on foot and on motorcycles, defied the rains and waited for Dr. Bawumia for over 5 hours. The Vice President eventually arrived around 7 pm in the company of the current MP for Abuakwa South, Atta Akyea, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang and a host of NPP stalwarts. Amidst thunderous cheers, Dr. Bawumia delivered an energetic speech, touching on the achievements of the Akufo-Addo government, and his policies which he plans to implement if elected President to serve the nation from January 2025. Addressing the charged crowd with majority being the youth, Dr. Bawumia focused more on job creation and his flagship programme to train one million youth in ICT which would offer them jobs in digital areas in both Ghana and abroad. Dr. Bawumia also told the youth the dangers of voting for Mahama who, he said, would be a "second hand President" with no clear vision for the youth and got a response from the youth not to vote for Mahama. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghanaian-born, U.S.-based gospel musician Mz Nana, known offstage as Nana Yaa Otchere, has added another accolade to her blossoming music career by winning the Gospel Artiste of the Year USA at the 2024 Ghana Music Awards-USA. The prestigious award, held at the Grand Resort Hotel, Mount Laurel, New Jersey, a significant recognition in the diaspora music community, was secured with her soul-stirring single Oma Ne Nsa So. Oma Ne Nsa So, which translates to The Mighty Hand of God, and her new spirit-filled single, Faithful God, has captured the hearts of gospel music lovers both in Ghana and abroad. The songs, filled with messages of hope and divine intervention, reflect Mz Nanas deep-rooted faith and commitment to inspiring others through music. In her own words, she created Oma Ne Nsa So to remind listeners that at His own appointed time, God will lift His mighty hand over every difficult situation and grant us eternal peace and victory. The accompanying music video for Oma Ne Nsa So, shot by Tyron Films, has been gaining traction on YouTube, further cementing her impact in the gospel music scene. Mz Nanas journey in gospel music began at a young age in Ghana, where she sang at Sunday schools and youth conventions at the Church of Pentecost with her grandmother. Her passion for singing and her faith grew as she joined the Kings Chapel Vine Yard in Madina, Accra, where she became an integral part of the praise and worship team. Even after moving to the United States 21 years ago to join her husband, Dr. Francis Otchere, Mz Nana continued her ministry in music, actively participating in church choirs and praise teams. Currently, Mz Nana serves as a praise and worship leader at the International Miracle Chapel in Burtonsville, Maryland. Her dedication to her craft is supported by her husband, who is also the executive producer behind the Otcheres production. Together, they have crafted a music ministry that continues to inspire and uplift. In addition to her musical achievements, Mz Nana is also an entrepreneur. She recently opened Nayak Beauty Supply, in Chantilly, Virginia in the same shopping centre as the popular Dulles Expo Center, in the Fairfax County, expanding her influence beyond the gospel music scene into the beauty industry. As a licensed cosmetologist, certified sisterlocks consultant and hairstylist in Virginia, she has successfully balanced her passion for music with her entrepreneurial endeavours. As Mz Nana continues to make waves in the gospel music industry, her victory at the recently held Ghana Music Awards-USA is a testament to her hard work, faith, and dedication. With her debut singles Praise Medley, Praise The Lord, Aseda Ka, Wo Ye Onyame and the rest are already making a significant impact, fans and music lovers alike can expect more inspiring music from this talented gospel artiste. Source: adomonline 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 Bethlehem woman has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the summer 2022 death of her 2-year-old son, authorities said. Nicole Stauffer, then 45, of Bethlehem and the boys father, Christian Robert Brewster, then 26, of Friendship, New York, were arrested Jan. 26, 2023, in New York on warrants issued that same day. The pair were charged after the 2-year-old died of a fentanyl overdose at Stauffers city home, authorities said. Stauffer also was charged with two felony counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Brewster was facing felony involuntary manslaughter and two counts of felony endangering the welfare of a child charges; however, court records show the manslaughter and one count of child endangerment charges have since been withdrawn. Brewster in January pleaded guilty to the single count of child endangerment and remains in Northampton County Prison, Anna Thompson, a spokeswoman for the Northampton County District Attorneys Office, told lehighvalleylive.com. The Northampton County district attorneys office on Tuesday announced Stauffer entered the plea before Northampton County Judge Anthony Beltrami. In entering the plea, Stauffer acknowledged her negligence led to the death of the child, the DAs Office stated in a news release. Attorney Eric A. Harakal, with the Allentown-based firm Gross McGinley LLP and listed on court records as representing Stauffer, couldnt immediately be reached for comment Wednesday morning. Christopher M. Shipman, the public defender listed as representing Brewster, also couldnt immediately be reached for comment. Just after 8:45 p.m on July 5, 2022, emergency responders were dispatched for a report of a boy found not breathing in a home in the 2000 block of Stefko Boulevard. CPR instructions were given, but the boy had no signs of life when emergency responders arrived, court records stated. The toddler was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg in Bethlehem, where he was pronounced dead at 9:49 p.m., the Lehigh County Coroners Office said. The coroners office said the boy died of fentanyl toxicity and ruled the death a homicide. The parents reportedly told police that day all three of them were in one bedroom. The boy was playing and Stauffer gave him food, including a cupcake, police said. Stauffer was tired and the family was lying in the bed, when eventually the mother slept for a length of time with her son, according to court records. When Stauffer woke up, the boy appeared to be sleeping, police said. After some time, the parents realized the 2-year-old was unresponsive and his lips were turning blue, according to police. The pair estimated their son was last seen alert and behaving normally about 90 minutes before he was found unresponsive, police said. In the affidavit of probable cause, investigators laid out numerous allegations of suspected child abuse and neglect against the pair. Stauffer allegedly used illicit drugs during her pregnancy and the boy was born in March 2020 with neonatal abstinence syndrome and opioid withdrawal, police said. The parents failed to take their son to follow-up medical appointments, court records state. On July 6, 2022, law enforcement raided Stauffers Stefko Boulevard home, which she purchased in April 2022. Officers seized narcotic material and drug paraphernalia in the bedroom, including the area where the boy was sleeping, according to court records. The only fentanyl found in the home was in the corner of the bedroom where the boy was found, investigators said. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Kenny Chesney wrapped up his Sun Goes Down tour with a three-night slate at Gilette Stadium over the weekend. He wound up performing in front of more than 180,000 people, according to a story from MassLive.com. And, according to Chesney, it was a pretty, awesome way to close out another successful tour. But it was apparently not awesome for an off-duty police officer who was arrested during his show and for the woman who well, this story is pretty wild. Per Taste of Country, Shane Lynch, a police officer from Cranston, Massachusetts, was arrested Saturday after Foxborough police say he openly urinated on a woman in the audience. Newsweek reported that the incident took place in the front row an area called the pit where Lynch is accused of unzipping his pants and urinating on the woman. He was described as heavily intoxicated, by Newsweek. The site said the woman felt something and turned around to catch Lynch in the act. That is when, per Newsweek, Lynch tried to disappear into the crowd, before security caught him. Newsweek said he was charged with disorderly conduct and destruction of property. The site said Lynch paid $100 in court costs and was trespassed from the stadium. Taste of Country said Cranston Police Department police chief Michael Winquist said he was aware of Lynchs arrest and that he would handle the matter administratively. Harvest has started at multiple Virginia wineries, including at Linden Vineyards at the edge of Fauquier County, about 60 miles west of Washington D.C. Its located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, near Front Royal. Visiting there, as I did this past Saturday, is a journey to one of Virginias original wineries, back to when there were just a handful operating. Today there are around 300 producers, many of them accessible along more than a dozen wine trails. The land that was to become Linden Vineyards was a long-abandoned apple orchard, according to the website. Jim Law and his family bought the 76 acres in 1983 after several years of looking for vineyard land with high elevations and east-facing slopes. After clearing trees, they planted the first 8 acres in 1985. Lindens first vintage was 1987, and you can read more information on many of Lindens vintages (1997 to 2022) at this link. There are several rooms located off the tasting bar to bring along a glass or bottle of Linden Vineyards wine. Baguette and olive oil, and cheese, also can be purchased.Paul Vigna Today they farm three sites: Hardscrabble Vineyard is the estate vineyard of 20 acres surrounding the winery building. It includes some of the original vines planted in 1985. Avenius Vineyard is located just a mile north of the winery on a high ridge. This cool site was planted in 1996. Boisseau Vineyard is 6 miles west of the winery in the town of Front Royal. It is a warmer site situated on a west facing bluff overlooking the Shenandoah Valley. They began picking Viognier and Chardonnay on Friday, Aug. 23, at the Boisseau Vineyard, he told PennLive and also posted on his Latest at Linden blog that many in the industry have bookmarked. Its the earliest they have ever started to harvest there. The view at Linden Vineyards that's accessible from the back of the tasting bar or either of the adjacent rooms.Paul Vigna He followed that with a Saturday post noting that the Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and some Chardonnay are ready. Ready is subjective. When to pick is never an easy decision, but it is the most important winemaking decision. The aromas, flavors, and texture of wine is determined by place (terroir), vintage (weather) and grape variety. The balance and harmony of all these components is largely determined by the timing of picking. Linden produces around 4,000 cases and is best known for single-vineyard bottlings of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Bordeaux variety red blends. They run in price from $28 to $78. Linden ships only to Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C. Its comparative tasting is unique, offering four wines but from different vintages and/or sites. On Friday, it featured two different Rieslings, a 2018 and 2021 Chardonnay, two 2021 Sauvignon Blancs from different vineyards and a 2020 and 2014 Petit Verdot. With the assistance of the staff walking you through the tasting, it provides an additional layer of understanding and appreciation of how location and growing season/climate can influence what the nose and palate pick up in a wine. The tastings cost $25 a person. The comparative tasting lineup is expected to change this weekend, adding more reds to parallel the move toward fall. Jim Law and his family bought the 76 acres that Linden Vineyards sits on in 1983 after several years of looking for vineyard land with high elevations and east-facing slopes. Its first vintage was 1987. Law is dressed in his harvesting clothes, which began on Aug. 23.Paul Vigna Jonathan Weber is the winemaker. Linden also will start a Harvest and Crush (Vineyard) tour and tasting, giving consumers an up-close look at how wine is made. It will take place starting at 10:30 a.m. from Sept. 6 to Oct. 6 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The cost is $50/person. The winery is open by reservation to groups of four or fewer, and only to those 21 years old and over. Tasting/business hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. There is a main tasting room and several other separate seating areas that look out over the surrounding hills and woods and a portion of the vineyard. Late on Saturday, the tasting room was bustling with activity. As an aside, the winery has a sheet ready to hand out listing places in the area to eat. Several that were recommended were booked, but the nearby Ashby Inn in Paris, Virginia, and its outdoor covered patio provided a perfect food companion to the wines we had sampled. The primary reason for the trip was just to meet Law, who so many other winemakers and winery owners have told me about. In 2014, Vineyard and Winery Magazine named Law one of the 20 most influential winemakers in America, recognizing the impact his wines have had on the East Coast industry and his writings and personal advice and assistance have had on others following in his footsteps. Looking opposite the seating area as more chairs and places to relax and enjoy a glass of Linden Vineyards wine.Paul Vigna One early lesson came off a trip to Allegro Winery in southern York County at some point when John and Tim Crouch were running the place. They bought the vineyard in 1978, opened the tasting room in 1981 and sold it to Carl Helrich and Kris Miller in 2002. I had heard the story from Helrich, and Law was asked Saturday about visiting Allegro. He confirmed that, acknowledging how impressed he was with what the brothers were doing. In short and paraphrasing, he said, he learned from sampling what they were making that premium wines could be made on the East Coast. He has adhered to that belief, and mission, through today. The scientific community in Pennsylvania is abuzz with excitement. Multiple new species of bees have been discovered in the Keystone State. According to a Penn State press release, a group of community scientists each of which was trained by Penn State experts participating in a monitoring program led by the university found these new varieties of bees while documenting their regional patterns of biodiversity as well as how many there are. The efficacy of the program was actually posted to the Annals of the Entomological Society of America, which explains how participants used methods of observation, specimen collection, and public natural history platforms such as iNaturalist in order to carry out their work. Said work was supported by the state Agriculture Department, as well as the United States Department of Agricultures National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Act funds and a 2022 Specialty Crops Block Grant. A Science-To-Practice grant from the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State, too, assisted this research. The release highlights how the study of bees is necessary as populations decline nationwide, robbing many areas of a critically important pollinator. Of the over 9,000 bees collected over a year period, not only did the volunteer scientists document over twice as much biodiversity than those of iNaturalist users, but also completely new types of bees such as the mining bee. This study demonstrates the value of involving highly trained community scientists in collections-based research, stated Margarita Lopez-Uribe, the Lorenza Langstroth Early Career Associate Professor of Entomology and extension specialist of pollinator at Penn State. It also revealed some of the limitations of photography-based monitoring, which is still a useful tool for scientists, but doesnt capture the full picture of biodiversity. By Katelyn Newberg, Las Vegas Review-Journal (TNS) LAS VEGAS A jury decided Wednesday that Robert Telles should serve 20 years to life in prison for fatally stabbing Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German. Earlier in the day, the same jury of seven women and five men found Telles, the former Clark County public administrator, guilty of first-degree murder in the September 2022 slaying. Telles, the former Clark County public administrator, was found guilty Wednesday of murdering German on Sept. 2, 2022, over articles German wrote before Telles lost his elected position. Jurors deliberated for nearly 12 hours before reaching the verdict on Telles guilt, which a clerk read to a packed courtroom shortly after noon on Wednesday. The same panel was tasked with deciding punishment for Telles. Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said the verdict should send a message. And that message is a clear message that any attempts to silence the media or to silence or intimidate a journalist will not be tolerated, he said. Jurors weighed eight days of testimony from dozens of witnesses, including detectives, forensic experts, and those who knew Telles, along with three days of testimony from Telles himself. Telles gave a narrative testimony to the jury, without being interrupted by his attorney, before facing cross-examination by prosecutors. The panel deliberated for four hours on Monday, about six hours on Tuesday, and two hours Wednesday, before deciding that Telles was guilty of first-degree murder. The trial stretched over two weeks before attorneys gave closing arguments on Monday morning. In the courtroom, Telles stood with a lowered head as a clerk read the verdict. He shook his head back and forth after the verdict was announced, echoing the gesture he made throughout his trial. Current Clark County Public Administrator Rita Reid, who worked under Telles and won election shortly after German began reporting on the county office, caught her tears in a paper towel as she walked out of the crowded courtroom. Im just so relieved, overwhelmed and relieved, Reid told the Review-Journal. Former co-workers of former Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles, who was found guilty of murdering investigative reporter Jeff German, (from left) Public Administrator Rita Reid, Aleisha Goodwin, Jessica Coleman, and Noraine Pagdanganan, react as they leave a courtroom after Telles was found guilty, on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal/TNS)TNS Telles defense attorney, Robert Draskovich, declined to comment after the verdict was announced. In the Review-Journal newsroom, where journalists had gathered around an editors desk to watch live video of the trial, executive editor Glenn Cook stood and hugged staff, some wiping tears from their eyes. Today a Clark County jury delivered a measure of justice for Jeff German, and we hope it brings some solace to his family, friends and colleagues, Cook wrote in a statement. Jeff was killed for doing the kind of work in which he took great pride: His reporting held an elected official accountable for bad behavior and empowered voters to choose someone else for the job. Robert Telles could have joined the long line of publicly shamed Nevada politicians whove gone on with their lives, out of the spotlight or back in it. Instead, he carried out a premeditated revenge killing with terrifying savagery. Cook thanked the prosecutors and police who pursued the case, adding that the verdict also brought a measure of justice for slain journalists all over the world. In many countries, the killers of journalists go unpunished, Cook said. Not so in Las Vegas. Cook also wrote that the Las Vegas community lost more than a journalist when German was murdered. Jeff was a good man who left behind a family who loved him and friends who cherished him, Cook said. His murder remains an outrage. He is missed. Veteran criminal defense attorney Tom Pitaro, with whom German had cultivated a decades-long relationship, said he was relieved at the verdict and thought the trial was fair. Telles had his day in court, and he had it in the way he wanted it with his own testimony, but the evidence was overwhelming, Pitaro said. There was no way to get around some of those facts. Now we can remember Jeff as the reporter he was, not just as a victim of a vicious crime. Pitaro remembered German constantly digging for stories and working quickly to stay ahead of the competition. Pitaro watched live video of the trial from his downtown office, where German would sometimes show up in search of the latest scoop. Hes an integral part of all our careers, the lawyer said. Theres no defense attorney in town who wont have a Jeff story, and all of them will be good. He was a fair reporter, but he was tenacious as hell. He was a tenacious reporter, but not vindictive. He gave people a fair chance. And I dont know if were ever going to get anyone back that tenacious. Its a community loss. We had a unique guy here who was not afraid to take on big names. And I dont know if were going to get anybody back like him. I hope so for our communitys sake, and I mean that sincerely. Family members of Jeff German react to the guilty verdict in Robert Telles' murder trial at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. Telles, a former Clark County public administrator, was found guilty in the stabbing death of Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative journalist Jeff German. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal/TNS)TNS The penalty phase of the trial took place Wednesday afternoon, before jurors were asked to determine what sentence Telles will face. For a first-degree murder charge, Telles could be sentenced to life in prison without parole, life in prison with the possibility of parole, or 20 to 50 years in prison. Wolfson declined to tell reporters what sentence he believed was appropriate. Im not going to invade the province of the jury, he said. He later added that the jury could consider that Telles was lying in wait for German and that the first-degree murder charge carries a deadly weapon enhancement. Prosecutors said Telles, 47, fatally stabbed German over articles the journalist had written about his conduct as an elected official, including allegations he created a hostile work environment and had an inappropriate relationship with a staffer. Prosecutors had also alleged that part of the motive for the killing was to prevent German from writing about Telles again. Before he was killed, German had sought emails and text messages between Telles and other county officials, including correspondence with his employee Roberta Lee-Kennett. Telles admitted at trial that the two had an affair. County officials had alerted Telles about the release of those records the day before German was slain. Telles admitted during his testimony that he had feared Germans reporting would prohibit him from ever working as a lawyer again in Las Vegas. Telles tried to disguise himself in an orange reflective vest and large straw hat before attacking the journalist outside his home on Sept. 2, 2022, prosecutors said, showing jurors a neighbors home surveillance video that captured the slaying. The states evidence against Telles included his own DNA found underneath Germans fingernails, plus surveillance footage and items found at his home matching the assailants clothing. Former Metropolitan Police Department detective Cliff Mogg testified about surveillance footage he said shows Telles Yukon Denali leaving his neighborhood the morning German was killed, driving around Germans neighborhood, and then driving back toward Telles home. A family photo of Jeff German with one of his nieces is shown in court during the penalty phase of Robert Telles' murder trial at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. Telles, a former Clark County public administrator, was found guilty in the stabbing death of German. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal/TNS)TNS Draskovich has portrayed Telles as a public official who was trying to expose corruption within the public administrators office, while prosecutors have attempted to discredit Telles claims that he was framed. Telles testified last week, telling the jury that he was framed for Germans killing by officials and a disgruntled real estate company. He claimed that he was looking into independent administrators in probate cases regarding property of people who died in Clark County. He alleged that the homes were being flipped for profit, without benefiting the families of the deceased, and that he was fighting Compass Realty & Management over the sales. The company has called his accusation unconscionable and irresponsible. A detective testified that there was not enough evidence to pursue a prosecution over Telles claims. Wolfson said Telles claims of a conspiracy were ludicrous. There was no conspiracy, Wolfson said. The only conspiracy was between him and his evil mind. 2024 Las Vegas Review-Journal. Visit reviewjournal.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. CROWN POINT, IN -- Two men who were transporting a truckload of dogs from Chicago to a Berrien Center, Mich., dog-training facility have been charged in connection to the deaths of several of the dogs. According to the Associated Press, the dogs were being transported on hot day in a box truck that had a substandard cooling system which led to the dogs becoming overheated during the trip. Michael McHenry, 55, and Jessee Urbaszewski, 44, have each been charged with 18 counts of neglect of a vertebrate animal in connection to the incident that resulted in nine dogs dying. According to police, McHenry is the owner and lead trainer at FM K9 in Berrien Center, which trains dogs to become police dogs. The men were transporting the animals on July 27, 2023, from OHare International Airport to the FM K9 facility when they stopped for gas. During the stop, Urbaszewski discovered the dogs were in distress and contacted authorities. Temperatures on the day of the incident were reported at 90 degrees as the dogs were locked inside the box truck. First responders and bystanders attempted to help the dogs, but three of the animals died at the scene and six more had to be euthanized because of their conditions. Jennifer Webber, the executive director of the Humane Society of Hobart, was one of the people who responded that day and said the dogs were displaying signs of heatstroke. Our professional opinion that night is vindicated, Webber said of the charges being filed. We saw that there was neglect. Each charge carries a possible sentence of one year in prison and a fine of up to $5,000, according to Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter. Both men surrendered to police Tuesday and were released from jail after McHenry posted a $36,000 cash bond and Urbaszewski posted an $18,000 bond. A road in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County, could be closed until after midnight after a crash downed a utility pole in the roadway Thursday afternoon, area police announced. Officers were dispatched to the area of Walnut and Oak streets at 3:33 p.m. for the crash, which left a utility pole and power lines affecting the roadway, according to county 911 dispatchers. The Progress Fire Department 32 posted pictures of the crash on its Facebook page. On the same day his campaign unveiled a revolutionary tool to boost Republican vote-by-mail numbers in Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump said mail-in ballots shouldnt be allowed. In a Tuesday statement announcing that Keystone State GOP voters can go to SwampTheVoteUSA.com to request mail-in ballots, Republican National Committee (RNC) co-chair Michael Whatley claimed Trump has regularly backed vote-by-mail. Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald J. Trump will be returning to south central Pennsylvania next week for a town hall-style event, according to reports by two central Pennsylvania news organizations. ABC27 News is reporting the event is being planned for Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. WHP 21 also reported that Trump would hold the town hall. By TARA COPP and ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON, The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) Donald Trumps campaign was warned about not taking photographs before an altercation at Arlington National Cemetery during a wreath-laying ceremony earlier this week to honor service members killed in the Afghanistan War withdrawal, a defense official told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter concerning Mondays events. It came a day after NPR reported, citing a source with knowledge of the incident, that two Trump campaign staff members verbally abused and pushed aside a cemetery official who tried to stop them from filming and photographing in Section 60, the burial site for military personnel killed while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. The defense official told the AP that the Trump campaign was warned about not taking photographs in Section 60 before their arrival and the altercation. Trump was at Arlington on Monday at the invitation of some of the families of the 13 service members who were killed in the Kabul airport bombing three years prior. Arlington National Cemetery said in a statement that an incident had occurred and a report had been filed, but it did not address details of what had happened. Cemetery officials also declined to share the report. Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, to include photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes, or in direct support of a partisan political candidates campaign, the cemetery officials statement said. Arlington National Cemetery reinforced and widely shared this law and its prohibitions with all participants. We can confirm there was an incident, and a report was filed. Trumps spokesperson Steven Cheung said the Republican presidential candidates team was granted access to have a photographer. He contested the allegation that a campaign staffer pushed a cemetery official. The fact is that a private photographer was permitted on the premises and for whatever reason, an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trumps team during a very solemn ceremony, he said. Chris LaCivita, a top Trump campaign adviser, noted that Trump was there at the invitation of the families of the service members who were killed in the airport bombing. The Trump campaign posted a message signed by relatives of two of the service members killed in the bombing that said the president and his team conducted themselves with nothing but the utmost respect and dignity for all of our service members, especially our beloved children. For a despicable individual to physically prevent President Trumps team from accompanying him to this solemn event is a disgrace and does not deserve to represent the hollowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, he said in a written statement, misspelling the word hallowed. Whoever this individual is, spreading these lies are dishonoring the men and women of our armed forces. Michael Tyler, a spokesperson for Trumps Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, called the reports pretty sad when its all said and done. This is what weve come to expect from Donald Trump and his team, Tyler said on CNN. Donald Trump is a person who wants to make everything all about Donald Trump. Hes also somebody who has a history of demeaning and degrading military service members, those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Democratic U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia has called on cemetery officials to come forward publicly and release more information about what happened Monday. Its sad but all too expected that Donald Trump would desecrate this hallowed ground and put campaign politics ahead of honoring our heroes, he said. His behavior and that of his campaign is abhorrent and shameful. Trumps running mate JD Vance, speaking at a campaign event in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, was asked about the incident and said that apparently somebody at Arlington Cemetery, some staff member, had a little disagreement with somebody and the media has turned this into a national news story. He instead tried to focus on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling Harris disgraceful for not firing anyone for the deaths of service members in the terror attack. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack. The Arlington National Cemetery is the resting place for more than 400,000 service members, veterans and their families. Claim: A photograph shared to X in August 2024 genuinely shows the Caribbean islands as seen from space. Rating: Rating: True A photo shared to X on Aug. 25, 2024, claimed to show the "Caribbean islands" as seen from space, taken "recently" from the International Space Station. At the time of this publication, the photo had received more than 96,000 views. NEW : Caribbean islands seen from space Taken from the International Space Station recently pic.twitter.com/7m0l9Voc1R Latest in space (@latestinspace) August 25, 2024 Snopes traced the above image to one that the NASA Johnson Space Center posted to Flickr in August 2024. Because the photo is genuine and authentically depicts the islands, we have rated this claim as "True." Astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria posted that image in August 2024, writing that it was taken during NASA Expedition 71 aboard the International Space Station (ISS), which began on April 5, 2024, and will end in September 2024. At the time of this writing, the Expedition 71 crew, which did not list Lopez-Alegria, is exploring neuro-degenerative diseases and therapies, space botany, space-caused fluid shifts, and algae-based life support systems while aboard the space station. Snopes next dug through the ISS Flickr account and found that the image was taken on July 24, 2024, and posted by NASA Johnson Space Center on Aug. 9, 2024. A caption that accompanied the photograph read: The clear blue waters surrounding The Bahamas iss071e449837 (July 24, 2024) --- The clear blue waters surrounding The Bahamas in the Atlantic Ocean are pictured from the International Space Station as it soared 258 miles above. Next, Snopes examined satellite imagery to determine where the image may have been taken. In a side-by-side comparison below, it's evident that the center island shown in the image on X, which we rotated clockwise, is a similar shape to The Bahamas shown on Google Maps (right side). (NASA/Google Earth) A Google keyword search also returned a similar image shared on Facebook on April 13, 2020, by the International Space Station. https://www.facebook.com/ISS/posts/its-a-small-world-in-this-2010-photo-we-see-florida-cuba-and-the-bahamas-surroun/3220666571299585/ Similar images had also been shared online by NASA, including one taken on July 6, 2016, that showed Florida, The Bahamas, and Cuba. (NASA) The Caribbean refers to a region of countries and islands found in the Caribbean Sea, which includes The Bahamas, according to the World Bank. The World Wildlife Fund, an international conservation organization, writes on its website that the Caribbean Sea covers an area of more than 1 million square miles and is home to large areas of seagrass pasture and coral reef, which is shown in the area surrounding the Bahamas. Sources: About Commander. https://mlaspace.com/about/. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024. Expedition 71 - NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/mission/expedition-71/. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024. ---. https://www.nasa.gov/mission/expedition-71/. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/ISS/posts/its-a-small-world-in-this-2010-photo-we-see-florida-cuba-and-the-bahamas-surroun/3220666571299585/. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024. Florida, the Bahamas, and Cuba - NASA Science. https://science.nasa.gov/resource/florida-the-bahamas-and-cuba/. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024. Google Lens. https://lens.google.com/search?ep=cnts&re=df&s=4&p=AbrfA8rvDacCAnNhOiA2aCKOrZiZL285RPEV7XrNJEXVj4qqojJkSgi_t0ccwoKvLvq3jKe3ockQOACBhPL1z1WnNddFoevQxq3FHuZOOTowPX3ibd9iXHH4EpiiXnoTYPM3AtrRzkE-cjF67tQxtUfWtbnZYGC_RFSgNiC8r66dh5kBkRg8sKNsvrnKdKdF6qwKLkmXCqMb7q_FhiDi3xHeXOvw0hLvDgj_rqNAVS1IxVUTwov30Svx2NMgBD-2Lvbg-r3LhBK7rcbxziSN_aVRYDJ9BsMZbJpxvBqVvY39Cp4j6OQdIBtBiEVi8p34-HY%3D#lns=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLG51bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLG51bGwsIkVrY0tKRGMwWldSaVlqWmxMV1ZtWW1RdE5HUmxNaTFpWXpBM0xUSmlORGxsTnpGaFl6aGpaaElmZHpkclprOUlNVmQwYURCVWMwNXBYM3AxVm1GWlRWYzNWM2huUWtkU2F3PT0iLG51bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLG51bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLG51bGwsWyIxOGEzN2Q5MS04MDM0LTQyYzItOTIyMS05OGFlNWEwNjlmOTYiXV0=. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024. "Google Maps." Google Maps, https://www.google.com/maps/@24.4344686,-75.9667161,725162m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDgyMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024. International Space Station Expedition 71 Bahamas Caribbean from Space - Google Search. https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=d71f265c45fd02a5&sca_upv=1&q=international+space+station+expedition+71+bahamas+caribbean+from+space&udm=2&fbs=AEQNm0Aa4sjWe7Rqy32pFwRj0UkWd8nbOJfsBGGB5IQQO6L3J5MIFhvnvU242yFxzEEp3BfblMs7eBu5zPnhtGsrETMyvr0s0k25uDBGIFJHetzWImOtQ-nmdodR4aznKGQI3Mu7kG2OYrGSbhS25Jc18egLZEmDNa4nOLmYfz3wudyx1UV83SK3VG4y02cq3hIx5Dz6Y80M1yGZrXw01JWFmJ39BNDH4Q&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjf_LuorpOIAxXLOTQIHSUWAccQtKgLegQIFhAB&biw=711&bih=652&dpr=2.2. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024. ---. https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=d71f265c45fd02a5&sca_upv=1&q=international+space+station+expedition+71+bahamas+caribbean+from+space&udm=2&fbs=AEQNm0Aa4sjWe7Rqy32pFwRj0UkWd8nbOJfsBGGB5IQQO6L3J5MIFhvnvU242yFxzEEp3BfblMs7eBu5zPnhtGsrETMyvr0s0k25uDBGIFJHetzWImOtQ-nmdodR4aznKGQI3Mu7kG2OYrGSbhS25Jc18egLZEmDNa4nOLmYfz3wudyx1UV83SK3VG4y02cq3hIx5Dz6Y80M1yGZrXw01JWFmJ39BNDH4Q&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjf_LuorpOIAxXLOTQIHSUWAccQtKgLegQIFhAB&biw=711&bih=652&dpr=2.2. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024. "Overview." World Bank, https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/caribbean/overview. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024. The Caribbean Sea. https://wwf.panda.org/discover/our_focus/wildlife_practice/profiles/fish_marine/marine_turtles/lac_marine_turtle_programme/projects/hawksbill_caribbean_english/caribbean_sea. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024. Bharat Shetty Runs Pure En Route to $800 Mystery Bounty Ring at WSOPC Playground Alek Gillies Live Reporter Copy link Event #6: $800 Mystery Bounty has wrapped up at the World Series of Poker Circuit Playground. In the end Bharat Shetty was the final player remaining, last defeating David Burnard in heads-up to take home his first WSOPC ring and the top prize of $20,000. Shetty also claimed twelve bounties en route to victory, adding $8,500 to his winnings. Runner-up Burnard was the lucky player who claimed the largest mystery bounty prize of $50,000. Although this is the biggest cash of his career, Shetty came down to the series in hopes of a deep run in the Main Event. He even told PokerNews about an agreement where whoever makes the final table has to go skydiving with me. Im looking forward to making some plans to skydive. WSOPC Playground $800 Mystery Bounty Final Table Payouts Place Player City Prize (CAD) 1 Bharat Shetty Petty Harbour $20,000 2 David Burnard London $13,000 3 Brandon Wammes Ottawa $9,240 4 John Clifford Salem $5,900 5 Steeve Brown Rimouski $4,600 6 Pablo Mariz Boucherville $3,600 7 Jonathan Petit-Levesque Quebec $3,000 8 Jean Gariepy Quebec $2,500 9 Johnson Phanyaseng Montreal $2,000 Final Day Action The sixth of 15 circuit events featured 262 entrants, eclipsing the $100,000 guarantee to generate a total prize pool of $182,090. The action was fast and furious to start the day, with players ready to gamble it up to win the top two bounty prizes of $50,000 and $10,000, respectively. Rami Hammoud began the day as chip leader and was able to ride that momentum to a 19th-place finish. Shetty chose an aggressive style as the big stack to maximize his collected bounties. Shortly after the three-table redraw, he would crack aces to send Colossus winner Maxime Jutras out in 24th place. Maxime Jutras This trend would continue later into the tournament as aces seemed to be destined to be cracked by whatever two cards Shetty held. When talking about his luck during the tournament, Setty said, Just before the stone bubble, we got it in ace-king against the villain's aces for 30 big blinds, and we got there. We made a straight on the turn. Thats when I decided this is it. This is my tournament. During the entire tournament, Shetty only ended up on the losing side of an all-in twice. As the field narrowed to the final table, Shetty had already amassed seven bounties but could only find $1,000 prizes. The final table saw a flurry of eliminations, with players eager to gamble, knowing that the $50,000 bounty and two $10,000 bounties were still up for grabs. With just five players remaining, Burnard finally claimed the coveted $50,000 bounty, securing a significant payday no matter where he finished. With three players left within the tournament, Shetty found a two-outer against aces to prove that sevens are in fact lucky. The heads-up match began, and Burnard was able to win some chips back by snuffing out Shettys bluff attempts. David Burnard Unfortunately, Burnard's hopes were dashed when he held aces against Shettys flopped flush draw. Burnard improved to a set on the turn, but Shettys luck against the best-starting hand held firm. A flush on the river sealed the deal, ending the tournament and crowning Shetty with his first ring. When asked how he felt after the victory, Shetty exclaimed, Spectacular. Its like a dream come true. I ran as pure as a poker player can run. I dont drink or smoke, so its mostly gonna be poker (to celebrate). Share this article Tapas, Beaches & Street Art: Top Non-Poker Things to Do at EPT Barcelona Connor Richards Editor & Live Reporter U.S. Copy link With stunning architecture, rich cultural history and millions of annual visitors, it's no surprise that Barcelona is one of the top tourist attractions in the world. It's also no surprise that the European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona festival is the biggest EPT stop of them all, drawing thousands of players and generating millions tens of millions in prize money. And while EPT Barcelona is mainly about the poker, its prime location at Casino Barcelona puts it within minutes of some of the city's top attractions. Here are some of the top activities to do in Barcelona off the felt, all within a few miles of EPT Barcelona. Complete Guide to 2024 EPT Barcelona Get Lunch on the Beach Beachside Lunch Outside Casino Barcelona Players in need of a break from poker tournament need only step outside the doors of Casino Barcelona, where they will be greeted by breeze, sand and sunlight. That's because Casino Barcelona is located on the Mediterranean beachside. Some places to enjoy a beachside paella or tapas near Casino Barcelona include Opium, Agua Restaurante, Arenal Restaurante, CDLC Barcelona, Shoko Barcelona and Ca la Nuri. Be Stunned by La Sagrada Familia Sagrada Familia One of the most iconic constructions in Spain and all of Europe, the stunning Sagrada Familia is a must-see for anyone visiting Barcelona that will surely leave you in awe. Visitors can also check out the inside of Sagrada Familia, which is equipped with stained-glass windows that make for a stunning visual experience with the right sunlight. The inside of Sagrada Familia. Courtesy David Salituro Construction of the Antoni Gaudi-envisioned project has been underway for more than a century, apparent by the cranes surrounding the building, but don't give up hope just yet. Construction on the ambitious undergoing is expected to wrap in 2026. Reset at Ciutadella Park Parc de la Ciutadella For several decades since its construction in the 19th century, Ciutadella Park was the only park and green space in Barcelona. While plenty of parks have been built in the city since then, Ciutadella Park remains one of the best places in the city to reconnect with nature. The first thing visitors will notice in the historic park is the Gaudi Fountain, a towering structure topped with gold-painted horses and equipped with a flowing waterfall. Ciutadella Park is a perfect place to take a nap, enjoy street performances, people-watch, have a picnic, admire sculptures or feed Barcelona's famous Monk parakeets, which will eagerly eat out of the hands of anyone holding nutritious snacks. Best of all, it's right across the street from Casino Barcelona. Nanday Parakeets at Parc de la Ciutadella Looking Back at the First Ten Years of EPT Barcelona Connect With Animals at Barcelona Zoo Also inside Ciutadella Park sits the Barcelona Zoo, which first opened in 1892 and has since become home to hundreds of species of birds, mammals and replies. Barcelona Zoo was notably home to Snowflake, the only known albino gorilla in the world who lived in the zoo from 1966 until his death in 2003. The species currently housed at Barcelona Zoo include the Rothschild giraffe, Egyptian vulture, American bush elephant, Bornean orangutan, European bison, Sumatran tiger, red kangaroo, Amazonian tapir, Cuban Flamenco, African spurred tortoise and the meerkat. Barcelona Zoo See Marine Life at Aquarium Barcelona Another great place to connect with nature is Aquarium Barcelona, one of the largest aquariums in all of Europe that houses more than 11,000 marine animals and 450 animal species. L'Aquarium de Barcelona The aquarium features an immersive 80-meter-long tunnel, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with sharks, fish, and other marine life. Aquarium Barcelona is located at Marina Port Vell, just a few blocks away from Casino Barcelona. Get Live Updates from the Estrellas Main Event! Check Out Art in a Museum or on the Street Barcelona Street Art From colorful street art on the side of buildings to works of artists like Picasso and Andy Warhol on display in museums, there is no shortage of art to witness in Barcelona. Street art can be found all throughout the city, particularly in high-trafficked streets and alleyways, while some of the top museums in the city include Moco Museum, Museo Bansky, MACBA Museum of Contemporary Art and the Picasso Museum. Moco Museum Barcelona Sam Grafton Talks EPT 20th Anniversary See 'The Kiss of Death' at Poblenou Cemetery The Kiss of Death at Poblenou Cemetery Death is a heavy subject matter that has inspired some of the most poignant art pieces in history. A prime example of this is The Kiss of Death, a marble statue constructed in 1930 by Jaume Barba, though some believe his nephew, Joan Fontbernat, may have designed it. The magnificent statue of a towering winged skeleton delivering the kiss of death is on display in the Poblenou Cemetery, just a few miles down the street from Casino Barcelona. Poblenou Cemetery Bang Your Head to Live Music King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard Live at Poble Espanyol Music is a universal language, one that transcends cultural differences and requires no translation to understand and appreciate. From small lounge performances to stadium shows from A-list acts like Billie Eilish and twenty one pilots, there is something for everyone in Barcelona when it comes to live music. Some of the top music venues in the city include the Gran Teatre del Liceu Opera House, Slow Barcelona, Big Bang Bar, and Poble Espanyol. Poble Espanyol Don't forget that PokerStars has a some off-the-felt activities planned. Here's a look at what's coming up: August 29 : Silver Pass Meet Up (19:00-20:00) and Welcome Drinks (20:00-23:00) at Blue Terrace, Sofitel Hotel. : Silver Pass Meet Up (19:00-20:00) and Welcome Drinks (20:00-23:00) at Blue Terrace, Sofitel Hotel. August 31 : Offsite Activity Day Fun team games at a villa. : Offsite Activity Day Fun team games at a villa. September 1 : PokerStars Players Party at Go Beach Club with DJs Cristoph, Kiko Rivera, and Willy William. : PokerStars Players Party at Go Beach Club with DJs Cristoph, Kiko Rivera, and Willy William. September 4: Padel Tournament Compete and win. Share this article The fifth of eight starting flights has concluded in the PokerStars Estrellas Poker Tour (ESPT) Main Event and, as expected, it was the biggest yet. By the time late registration closed, 1,755 players had joined Day 1e bringing the total number of entrants up to 3,539 (so far) for the kickoff event of the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour. Following 17 levels of play, Karol Bogusz emerged as the chip leader of the remaining 262 players after bagging up 835,000 in chips, which is good for the third spot overall through five starting flights. In a distant second is Raoul Kanme, who ended with 683,000, and rounding out the top three is Brazilian pro Nicolas Coppini with 660,000. Day 1e Top Ten Chip Counts Place Player Country Chip Count 1 Karol Bogusz Poland 835,000 2 Raoul Kanme Netherlands 683,000 3 Nicolas Coppini Brazil 660,000 4 Bienvenido Sanchez Spain 642,000 5 Cedric Schwaederle France 592,000 6 Daniele De Feo Italy 573,000 7 Richard Dubini Argentina 557,000 8 Beng Hong Guo Singapore 514,000 9 Jose Alfaro United States 513,000 10 Thomas Haverstad Norway 508,000 Day 1e Action There were no lack of notables among the sea of players that filled up two separate tournament rooms as play got underway, including PokerStars ambassadors Benjamin Spragg and Julien Brecard. While Brecard got off to a hot start, Spragg was unable to build much momentum and ultimately busted after running ace-king into Cyril Beudou's pocket kings shortly after dinner break. Brecard, on the other hand, was fortunate enough to add to his stack and ending up bagging 204,000. Defending champion Lucien Cohen joined the field about half way through the day and managed to double his stack, but ultimately fell late in the day after getting his set cracked in a large pot. Tony Ren Lin The always amicable Ren Lin joined the fray just before late-registration ended and he quickly went to work by doubling through Mark Roovers with ace-king. Lin's active and unpredictable style saw him go from over 300,000 all the way down to just 18,000 as the money bubble neared. At that point, Lin began shoving preflop with a variety of less-than-stellar hands to great success and quickly grew his chip stack. Lin even managed to double up through Daniel Rezaei on the last hand of the day to vault his stack to 460,000 more than double the average. The money bubble burst, ending play for the day, after Uri Gilboa and Ezio Ottaviani were eliminated on different tables on the stone bubble. Gilboa ended up losing a race with pocket threes, while Ottaviani had his queens cracked by the jack-nine of Nicolas Coppini. The exact amount of a min-cash will be calculated after all starting flights have been completed. Some other players who managed to a bag include Ami Barer (494,000), Wim Verhaegen (244,000), Alex Keating (142,000) and Jari Mahonen (114,000). They will be joined by notables from other flights who have already secured a spot into Day 2, including Marle Spragg (488,000), Jesse Lonis (434,000), Barny Boatman (300,000), Shiina Okamoto (249,000), Robin Ylitalo (200,000), and Maria Konnikova (75,000) to name a few. Jari Mahonen All players who have yet to secure a Day-2 berth still have two starting flights left. The penultimate flight, Day 1g, is scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 29 at 11 a.m. local time. The eighth and final flight will take place on the same day at 5 p.m. and will feature a turbo-like schedule with 20-minute levels. Be sure to stick with PokerNews as we continue to bring you all the action leading to the next Estrellas Poker Tour Main Event champion here at Casino Barcelona! Welcome back to Casino Barcelona for Day 1h of the 1,100 PokerStars Estrellas Poker Tour (ESPT) Main Event, which is the last of eight starting flights at the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Barcelona. Jose Nadal still holds the chip lead from the first six starting flights after bagging 882,000 on Day 1a. Nadal is most closely followed by Maksims Uskovs (853,000) and Karol Bogusz (835,000). ESPT Main Event Current Top Ten Counts Rank Player Country Chip Count 1 Jose Nadal Mexico 882,000 2 Maksims Uskovs Latvia 853,000 3 Karol Bogusz Poland 835,000 4 Robbie Bull United Kingdom 724,000 5 Raoul Kanme Netherlands 683,000 6 Nicolas Coppini Brazil 660,000 7 Bienvenido Sanchez Spain 642,000 8 Marco Muzzarelli Italy 611,000 9 Kacper Pyzara Poland 605,000 10 Erik Marasco Brazil 597,000 Other notable players to have already secured their spot in Day 2 include Kacper Pyzara (605,000) and Jesse Lonis (434,000) and Biao Ding (373,000). Among the PokerStars ambassadors to have already advanced to Day 2 are Marle Spragg (488,000), Barny Boatman (300,000), Julien Brecard (105,000), Maria Konnikova (75,000), Kenny Hallaert (72,000) and Benjamin Spragg (49,500). The first six starting flights have attracted a field of 4,297 total entrants so far, with 642 of those players managing to advance to Day 2. Day 1g, which began earlier today, currently has 1,559 entrants with three hours of late registration left for the penultimate flight. Players will begin the day with 30,000 chips. Blinds will be 30 minutes in length and will start at 100/100 with a 100 big blind ante. Late registration will remain open until the start of Level 11 and play will end when 15% of the field remains at which point all remaining players will advance to Day 2 and be guaranteed at least a min-cash. Bronze Pass During the second break of the day in all ESPT Main Event starting flights, players can dive into some extra poker action with the All In ShootOut events, courtesy of PokerStars. These events are free to enter, but players must link their PokerStars Live Card to their online PokerStars account to participate. This can be done through the PokerStars Live App or the Sign-Up Desk. Players must ensure their accounts are linked and meet their country's regulatory requirements to qualify for the prize. All In ShootOut winners will receive an envelope containing a mystery Power Path prize. Each flight guarantees at least two Silver Bundles, with prizes that include: $2,500 WCOOP Silver Bundle or 2,300 Galactic Series Silver Bundle $109 WCOOP Bronze Bundle or 100 Galactic Series Bronze Bundle For more information about the All In ShootOuts, head to pokerstars.uk/poker/learn/news/ept-barcelona-coverage. As always, stay tuned to PokerNews as we bring you all the action from the final starting flight of the 1,100 Estrellas Poker Tour Main Event! Kamala Harris has pulled ahead of Donald Trump by five points as shifts in Hispanic and Black voters fuel her lead. USA Today reported on the new USA Today/Suffolk University Poll: Democrat Kamala Harris has surged ahead of Republican Donald Trump, 48%-43%, a new USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll found. Voters 18 to 34 years old moved from supporting Trump by 11 points to supporting Harris by 13 points, 49%-36%. Hispanics, a group the Republican campaign has been cultivating, moved from supporting Trump by 2 points to supporting Harris by 16 points, 53%-37%. Black voters, traditionally one of the most overwhelmingly Democratic groups, moved from supporting Biden by 47 points to supporting Harris by 64 points, 76%-12%. Lower-income voters now support Harris 58%-35%. She has emphasized her commitment to creating an opportunity economy that makes housing more affordable and tackles price-gouging on food, although she hasnt released detailed policy plans. Trumps support with black voters was a polling mirage. The ex-presidents improved numbers with black voters were more about apathy towards Biden than support for Donald Trump. Now that black voters feel like they have a candidate they can be excited about, the polling has shifted to where it has traditionally been. Republicans have spent years trying to improve their support with Hispanic voters, so the Harris rise with this voting demographic has got to be disappointing for the GOP. If Trumps support with Hispanic voters erodes any further, he will find himself trailing the national popular by even larger margins, and it will suggest a struggle for Republicans in key swing states. In the bigger picture, Kamala Harris has not only restored Democratic advantages. The Vice President is also building on them. Trump and his party hope for a Harris stumble in her CNN interview on Thursday evening with Dana Bash. If Harris sails through the interview, the next and maybe last chance for Trump to halt Harriss momentum will come at the presidential debate on September 10. To talk to us and get more posts like this, join us on Reddit. JD Vance was met with boos in Boston as he spoke to the same firefighters union that cheered Tim Walz the day before. Video: Here is the full clip of JD Vance getting booed by the same firefighters union that cheered Tim Walz yesterday. pic.twitter.com/ruMGTUdqKZ Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) August 29, 2024 Vance acknowledged the boos by saying that there were some haters there. It will come as a surprise to no one that Vance was awkward during this speech and came off as somebody who not only could not relate to firefighters, but who also has never seen a firefighter at the movies or on TV. Compare the reception that Vance got with the applause given to Tim Walz when he addressed the same gathering a day earlier: Tim Walz tells the firefighters union about Trump and Vance, "The only thing these guys know about working people is how to take advantage of them, how to not pay them. every single chance they've gotten. They've waged a war on workers and their ability to collectively bargain." pic.twitter.com/uSRWbXegTn Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) August 28, 2024 Remember, JD Vance is Trumps candidate to appeal to blue collar workers and union members, because he is a fake hillbilly from a steel town in Ohio. People compare Vance to Sarah Palin, but Im not sure thats fair to Sarah Palin. Palin had been at least elected governor of her state, and for all of her faults, she did appeal to the segment of the Republican Party that eventually took over the GOP. Vance is a weird political opportunist who was propped up by an even weirder tech billionaire. People know inauthentic when they see it, and many voters are seeing through JD Vance. To join the conversation and get more posts like this, join us on Reddit. Trump was struggling to get into Arlington National Cemetery until Speaker of the House Mike Johnson intervened to get Trump in for his illegal campaign stunt. Via The Daily Caller: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson had to intervene to get former President Donald Trump into Arlington National Cemetery for the third anniversary of the Afghanistan withdrawal with Gold Star families, a family told the Daily Caller. I immediately asked what I could do to help and reached out to Speaker Johnson to see what he could do. Thankfully, Speaker Johnson and his team acted quickly and were able to get the situation resolved. But something like this should never have happened. Gold Star families have already suffered enough, (House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Michael) McCaul told the Caller. Speaker Johnson helped Trump disrespect those who had made the greatest sacrifice for their country and break the law by using a national cemetery and the graves of the fallen as campaign props. The fact that the Trump campaign fought so hard for this illegal stunt suggests that they thought this was going to get them lots of national media attention and flip the script for their struggling campaign. The illegal act got them attention, but not in the way that they were expected. The backlash is growing from veterans and families who have loved ones buried at Arlington. Trumps campaign continues to flounder, and the ex-presidents running mate, JD Vance, only made the scandal worse when he spoke about it. One of the big issues that Donald Trump is having with his current campaign is that it isnt 2016 anymore. Stunts that used to be considered shocking and would generate attention arent working. For many, Trump and his actions arent viewed as breaking the mold but as the criminal acts of a convicted felon who is desperate to return to power. To talk to us and get more posts like this, join us on Reddit. The backlash is growing to Donald Trumps illegal campaign stunt at Arlington National Cemetery as one family has now expressed their displeasure with Trumps disrespect. The New York Times reported: The family of a Green Beret who died by suicide after serving eight combat tours and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery expressed concern on Wednesday that Donald J. Trump s campaign had filmed his gravesite without permission as Mr. Trump stood in an area where campaign photography isnt allowed. In a statement from Sergeant Marckesanos relatives after being contacted by The New York Times, his sister, Michele, said, We fully support Staff Sergeant Darin Hoovers family and the other families in their quest for answers and accountability regarding the Afghanistan withdrawal and the tragedy at Abbey Gate. However, she added, according to our conversation with Arlington National Cemetery, the Trump campaign staffers did not adhere to the rules that were set in place for this visit to Staff Sergeant Hoovers gravesite in Section 60, which lays directly next to my brothers grave. Other vets are taking to social media to condemn Trump: Veterans are overwhelmingly condemning Trump for his smiling, thumbs-up photo op at Arlington National Cemetery as one of the most disgusting and despicable things hes ever done and thats saying something. pic.twitter.com/0ACZ0P8xmd Bill Madden (@maddenifico) August 28, 2024 The Trump campaign thought that they had pulled off a stunt that would make people forget about the ex-presidents statements about the troops being suckers and losers, but instead of boosting his campaign, Trump has caused a scandal that has lasted for days. The scandal also shows Trumps lack of respect and understanding of the troops and their sacrifices. The stunt is backfiring and causing more criticism against Trump. The Republican ticket is trying to get momentum away from Vice President Kamala Harris , but these self-inflicted strategic wounds should remind voters of Donald Trumps callous and selfish decision-making. Can someone please tell me just what it is about those Netflix series that cause us to adapt our entire personalities to a show - particularly surrounding its release? Wednesday had everyone in an all-black hazebut move over, because Emily in Paris has returned for Season 3. Anyone who watches the show says the same thing: its so bad but I cant stop watching. The corny dialogue and trite, predictable plotlines make us cringe, but at the same time, it makes us feel so good. Or, how about the fact that Lily Collins Emily didnt speak a word of French before conveniently relocating to Paristhen falling in love with the hot chef who conveniently lives in her building? Its a love story fit for a Disney movie. Each episode, Emily does something to colossally mess up her professional and personal life. Season two brings us a fresh love interest - predictably, a finance bro - because she finally decides to go learn French after living there for quite some time. However, Emily in Paris has no problem stepping on a few toes in the process. The tea is Parisians detest the show due to the way the series portrays them. Chicagoans hate it because it bashes their pizza. And to further fuel stereotypes they even depict a Ukrainian man stealing from stores! And finally, the outfits. In the City of Light and neutrals, Emily dons loud and bright colors. She wears stilettoswhich Im sure cant be comfortable on those cobblestone streets. We are anticipating a whole season of mistakes and offenses with Emily in Paris Season 3. The major takeaway from the teasers weve seen is Emilys trauma haircut. The girl gets bangs (gasp) which I fear will inspire an overnight tsunami of women chopping off their hair. Stay strong, girls! COLUMBIA How many weeks should the state government wait between carrying out executions? This is a question before the South Carolina Supreme Court as the Department of Corrections prepares to hold the states first execution in 13 years. Five death row inmates who have exhausted their appeals and are expecting to be issued execution notices are asking the court to set a gap of at least 91 days between executions. The state attorney general's office disagrees, saying in a court filing that any wait time should be no longer than 28 days. It also said the state's modern-day history shows back-to-back executions have been done successfully. In a petition to the Supreme Court last week, the inmates said shorter gaps would increase the risk of serious error in the execution process and lead to hurried legal resolutions of any last-minute issues. They also said tighter intervals would overburden the corrections staff involved in executions. They cited the experience of Oklahoma, which recently extended to 90 days the wait time between executions. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and a couple of his deputies said the inmates' request for a three-month gap can only bring "unnecessary delay" in delivering justice, given that the Supreme Court has already ruled as constitutional the states three execution methods. Inmates have a choice of lethal injection, the electric chair or firing squad. COLUMBIA In 2017, Noi Souvanna and her husband sat in their dining room brainstorming a concept for their first restaurant. Their thoughts were punctuated by the sounds of their children, Duke and Phoenix, telling them that they were hungry. At that moment, Souvanna remembered, inspiration struck. "It was so organic," she said. "Duke and Phoenix loved noodles, and we just ran off of that." That year, Souvanna opened Duke's Pad Thai, named after her son and with preliminary logo sketches designed by the namesake himself. Since then, the restaurant has become a Cayce staple and garnered so much success that, in 2023, Souvanna expanded the dining and kitchen space and opened sister restaurant, Little Bee Bun Mee. "When we decided to develop the other location only because Duke's was outgrowing the space so immensely fast," said Souvanna. "We had to close in-between hours because we had sold out of everything from the morning before. It's such a humbling experience." Duke's Pad Thai's story is that of many quintessential and aptly named "mom-and-pop" restaurants in Columbia. When family comes first According to Souvanna, keeping her restaurants small, as well as family-owned and -operated, are critical aspects of their success. "It started off as our foundation: our little family of four," she said. "It was like a tree that we watered, preened and trimmed off the dead branches, and it just grew to what it is today." Not only does Souvanna want to keep the restaurants' operations true to its roots, but she also wants to keep her team small. Doing so allows her to ensure her team shares values. "The restaurant business is not something glamorous. It's a hard job, and sometimes you can give 1000 (percent) and it's not always fruitful for some people," she said. "I'm so blessed to have such a great team. They are not our blood, but they're our family." A grassroots relief effort at the Downtown Greenville Airport in the wake of Helene has been paused as organizers work to manage a backlog of donated supplies. Read moreDowntown Greenville Airport relief donations for western NC on pause. No, it's not because of FEMA On Oct. 4, at approximately 7:58 am, the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to Paul Foster Road in reference to a male being found in a retention pond deceased. Mount Pleasant Police Department Forensic Services, Criminal Investigations Bureau, and the Charleston County Coroners Offi Read moreBody located in retention pond NORTH CHARLESTON A controversial steakhouse and lounge in a Dorchester Road shopping center and with an undefined tie to a city councilman has rebranded just over a year after opening. What had been The Montague Room is now El Patio Caribbean Restaurant and Lounge, according to a June 11 letter signed by the owner. That was around that time the State Law Enforcement Division closed an investigation into an interaction involving City Councilman Jerome Heyward and a North Charleston police officer sent to address a noise complaint at the establishment in the The Shoppes at Montague Corners shopping center. But that wasnt the extent of The Montague Rooms issues. The Post and Courier also found that the business had not paid local hospitality taxes since opening. Records also show Blue Note Bistro, a shuttered restaurant with ties to another councilmember, had not paid hospitality taxes for a year either prompting a city official to raise concerns over accountability. "Councilmembers should be held to the same standards as any other taxpayer with no preferential treatment," Rob Jarrett, the citys finance director, wrote May 29 to Charleston Countys revenue collections director Tami Fralick in an email reviewed by The Post and Courier. Both the county and city play a role in pursuing penalties for overdue hospitality taxes in North Charleston depending on the circumstance, making it unclear where the accountability falls. Blue Note Bistro was co-owned by District 1 Councilman Mike Brown and business partner Henry Smalls, The Post and Courier previously reported. While Heyward has previously stated he was not the owner of The Montague Room, his active involvement in prior incidents at the restaurant makes his role unclear. SUMMERVILLE After video of police arresting a 13-year-old selling palmetto roses outside a Walmart garnered complaints of excessive force and sparked conversation about how young people are policed, a monthslong investigation has cleared the officers of wrongdoing. Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson cleared Sgt. Katherine Kirkland and Cpl. Dante Ghi of criminal wrongdoing after both an internal investigation and outside review by the State Law Enforcement Division cleared the two officers who were involved in the April 1 arrest of a teenage boy, according to a statement released by the Summerville Police Department Aug. 28. Because of a lack of injuries or deadly force, the actions of the officers did not fall within her office's "Officer Involved Critical Incident Guidelines," Wilson wrote in a clearance letter shared by Summerville Police. While the evidence did not show that either officer committed a crime, it did show the juvenile was loitering and selling palmetto roses, which violated a Summerville Town Ordinance, Wilson wrote. Police Chief Douglas Wright thanked the Summerville community for its patience throughout this investigation. "I am proud of each of the members of this agency, as they have not let the incident hinder their enforcement actions," he said in the statement. "Our officers have continued educating citizens and enforcing our town ordinances and state laws daily." An onlooker to the incident took to Facebook, posting a video of the arrest that occurred after a teenager selling palmetto roses without a business license at the Walmart on North Main Street declined to move along after police requested. The department released its own body-camera footage later that week. PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 16:01:29 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 383 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / In the wake of the devastating impact of Category 4 Hurricane Beryl on Grenada, Arton Capital is proud to announce the launch of the Grenada Disaster Relief Fund Pledge. As part of this commitment, the fund will benefit from Arton Capital contributing 5% of all due and unpaid receivables from approved applicants to Grenada's Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) for files deposited before July 1st, 2024.Arton Capital calls for all licensed marketing agents of Grenada's CIP to match its commitment by signing up for this pledge. If every licensed agent in Grenada made the same pledge made by Arton Capital, they would raise up to US $5,000,000 for the relief fund.The launch of Arton Capital's relief fund underscores the firm's commitment to its core value of global stewardship. Arton Capital urges the rest of the CIP industry to join in supporting the rebuilding of Grenada for all its people."We believe in the power of collective action and the positive impact it can have on those in need,"said Armand Arton, CEO and President of Arton Capital. "I do not accept that there is nothing we can do- we can demonstrate the transformative power of our industry here and now, by helping the people of Grenada reclaim their future and build back better." Arton Capital strongly believes that the investor immigration industry can play a critical role in helping build a new era of equity and innovation. By participating in the Grenada Disaster Relief Fund Pledge, the industry can play a pivotal role in the recovery and rebuilding efforts in Grenada.Grenada Disaster Relief Fund Pledge Commitments:Renounce 5% of all due and unpaid receivables from approved applications of immigrant investors in Grenada's Citizenship by Investment Program for files deposited before July 1, 2024, in favour of the Grenada Disaster Relief Fund.Actively share this pledge to engage a broader community in supporting Grenada's rebuilding efforts.ENDSAbout Arton Capital:Arton Capital is a leading global advisory guiding private clients, certified partners and governments to realize the potential of residency and citizenship by investment programs through a bespoke service experience which simplifies complexity and is built on confidentiality and trust.Contact InformationBlair Metcalfemedia@ globalcitizenforum.org SOURCE: Arton CapitalView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 21:42:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 522 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces an investigation into Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN) for potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in Franklin Resources, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/franklin-resources-inc Why Did Franklin Resources's Stock Drop?Franklin Resources is a $1.7 trillion asset management company better known as Franklin Templeton. One of its key divisions is Western Asset Management ("WAM"), which is a fixed income manager.On July 26, 2024, Franklin Resources revealed that "following the launch of an internal investigation focusing on certain past trade allocations of treasury derivatives in select" WAM accounts, "WAM received notification of parallel investigations by the SEC and U.S. Department of Justice." Then, on August 21, 2024, Franklin Resources disclosed that WAM co-Chief Investment Officer Ken Leech had been placed on leave "effective immediately" after he "received a Wells Notice from the Staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission." The company further stated that, "[i]n light of Mr. Leech's leave of absence, the Company has determined that closing its Macro Opportunities strategy (approximately $2.0 billion in AUM as of 7/31/2024) is in clients' best interests." On the same day, Bloomberg reported that federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York are investigating whether Leech allocated winning trades to favored accounts, as part of a criminal probe into a practice known as " cherry-picking." The news caused a precipitous decline in the price of Franklin Resources stock. On July 26, 2024, the price of the company's stock fell 2.4%, from a closing price of $23.64 per share on July 25, 2024, to $23.08 per share on July 26, 2024. Then, on August 21, 2024, the price of Franklin Resources stock fell 12.5%, from a closing price of $22.62 per share on August 20, 2024, to $19.78 per share on August 21, 2024.Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/franklin-resources-inc What Can You Do?If you invested in Franklin Resources, Inc. you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm. All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitz ross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors (pending court approval), as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 09:05:16 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 485 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Capacitor Metals Corp. (the "Company" or "Capacitor") is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Grove as President and CEO effective immediately. Mr. Grove, as the former President and CEO of Commerce Resources, has over 20 years' experience with the developments of the Blue River tantalum and niobium project. The continued advancement of the Upper Fir Deposit in British Columbia will be his primary focus for Capacitor.Dave Hodge states, "As the founder of this company, I am pleased to have Chris Grove take the reins as we move this project forward to success. With his 25 years of experience and the relationships he has grown globally in the tantalum, niobium and rare earth communities, the company has assembled a very impressive team heading into the future." Chris Grove states "It is my distinct pleasure to be a part of the Capacitor Metals team and to lead the ongoing developments of the Upper Fir Tantalum & Niobium Deposit. This significant resource has received an increase of interest recently due to the fundamental shift in global supply and demand, and we look forward to releasing more details on developments for the Upper Fir Deposit. "About Capacitor Metals Corp.Capacitor Metals Corp. is a British Columbia Incorporated Company focused on the development of the Blue River Tantalum-Niobium Property located in British Columbia, Canada. The Company is positioning to be one of the lowest cost tantalum-niobium producers globally, with a specific focus on being a long-term supplier of tantalum and niobium to the global market.On Behalf of the Board of Directors CAPACITOR METALS CORP.,Chris GroveChief Executive OfficerTel: 604.681.1568Email: cgrove@ capacitormetals.com CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements with respect to the Offering including, the closing date of the Offering, the potential participation of insiders in the Offering and the anticipated use of proceeds of the Offering. Forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including risks related to factors beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, the receipt of regulatory approval for the Offering, if required. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.SOURCE: Capacitor Metals Corp PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-30 00:00:18 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 991 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Forward Water Technologies Corp. (TSXV:FWTC) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has filed its condensed consolidated interim financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis for the three months ended June 30, 2024 (fiscal year Q1, 2025). Copies of these financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis can be found on the Company's issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca . All financial information in this news release is reported in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated.Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 Financial HighlightsRevenue was $8,895 for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $3,349 in the prior period in 2023.Total expenses were $251,350 for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $630,251 a decrease of $378,901 or 60% compared to the same period in 2023.Net loss and comprehensive loss were $261,950 for the year ended June 30, 2024, compared to a loss of $596,477, a reduction of $344,527 or 60% for the same period in 2023.Basic and diluted loss per share were $0.00 and $0.01 for the same period in 2023.Operating Highlights and Recent Corporate DevelopmentsOn May 14, 2024, the Company announced that it had entered into a letter of intent dated May 13, 2024, which outlines the general terms and conditions of a proposed business combination, by way of an amalgamation, arrangement, or other similar form of transaction, which will result in Fraser Mackenzie Accelerator Corp ("FMAC") becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of FWTC.On May 24, 2024, the Company announced that it closed the issuance of the $225,000 of debentures. [NTD: this should be $225,000 as only $225,000 was closed on May 24. This was correct in the version of the MD&A I reviewed but I see that it was also changed to $250,000 in the MD&A sent to Anna for filingOn June 10, 2024, the Company announced the resignation of Andrew Pasternak from the Board of Directors.On July 11, 2024 the Company announced that it has initiated new projects via direct customer contact in the food and beverage space to enable more efficient wastewater handling in the production of food and beverage products with globally positioned multinational manufacturers. FWTC has entered into early planning stages for a pilot or early commercial trials after being selected for evaluation by two unique clients.On July 22, 2024, the Company announced the execution of the definitive agreement (the "Definitive Agreement") for the proposed transaction between FWTC and FMAC (the "FMAC Transaction") and certain amendments to the terms of the associated financing announced in the Company's May 24, 2024 press release.On August 22, 2024, the Company announced that it had issued $200,000 principal amount of unsecured convertible debentures. The debentures bear interest at a rate of 10% per annum and the principal amount will automatically convert into units at a conversion price of $0.1126 on completion of the proposed FMAC Transaction. Each unit will be comprised of one common share of FWTC and one common share purchase warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share of FWTC at a post-10 for 1 consolidation exercise price of $0.1579 at any time on or prior to August 19, 2027. All interest will be paid in cash only.Management CommentaryC. Howie Honeyman, Forward Water's CEO and President said, "FWTC has initiated its first commercial trial with partners, to deliver an effective water handling within a direct lithium extraction and conversion process. Not only will this demonstrate at scale the effectiveness of the iFOTM forward osmosis system but it will represent notable revenue for FWTC." He also added that, "continued interest in the evolving food and beverage technology is leading to previously unanticipated high levels of interest within the sector and could lead to new and broader commercial opportunities." Finally, Mr Honeyman said "the potential FMAC Transaction will allow FWTC to stand on far better financial footing enabling FWTC to continue its commercialization activities." Statement of Comprehensive LossStatement of Financial PositionStatement of Cash FlowsAbout Forward Water Technologies Corp. Forward Water Technologies Corp. is a publicly traded Canadian company dedicated to saving the earth's water supply using its patented Forward Osmosis technology. The Company was founded by GreenCentre Canada, a leading technology innovation centre supported by the government of Canada. The Company's technology allows for the reduction of challenging waste streams simultaneously returning fresh water for re-use or surface release. The Company's mandate is to focus on the large-scale implementation of its technology in multiple sectors, including industrial wastewater, oil and gas, mining, agriculture and ultimately municipal water supply and re-use market sectors. In addition, the Company has initiated early stage R&D for the treatment of food and beverage process streams.For more information, please visit www.forwardwater.com Contact InformationFor more information or interview requests, please contact: C. Howie Honeyman - Chief Executive Officer howie.honeyman@forwardwater.com 416-451-8155Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends" "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward looking statements concerning the proposed transaction with FMAC, the ability of FWTC and FMAC to meet the conditions of the proposed transaction in the required timeframes, obtaining the necessary exemptions and approvals from the TSX Venture Exchange or other regulatory bodies, including the business, name and function of the resulting issuer and certain financial information and forecasts. FWTC cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a numb PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 17:02:40 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 304 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Globus Medical, Inc. ("Globus" or "the Company") (NYSE:GMED) for violations of the securities laws.The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Globus disclosed in an August 13, 2024, SEC filing that, "on July 16, 2024, Globus Medical, Inc. received a warning letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the FDA') following an inspection of our facilities in Audubon, Pennsylvania. In the warning letter, the FDA cited deficiencies in the response letters sent by the Company to the FDA following the Form 483, List of Investigational Observations, which was delivered to the Company in connection with the inspection that occurred from February 15, 2024 until March 7, 2024. The letter describes observed non-conformities in establishing and maintaining product complaint procedures, including complaint investigations, trending, risk reconciliation, and Medical Device Report (MDR) procedures including timely reporting, pertaining to the ExcelsiusGPS robotic system." If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com , or by email at bschall@ schallfirm.com The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.CONTACT:The Schall Law FirmBrian Schall, Esq., www.schallfirm.com Office: 310-301-3335 info@ schallfirm.com SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 16:12:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 364 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is investigating potential claims on behalf of purchasers of Globus Medical, Inc. ("Globus Medical" or "the Company") (NYSE:GMED). Investors who purchased Globus Medical securities are encouraged to obtain additional information and assist the investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/GMED Investigation DetailsOn August 13, 2024, in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Globus disclosed that "[o]n July 16, 2024, Globus Medical, Inc. received a warning letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the FDA') following an inspection of our facilities in Audubon, Pennsylvania. In the warning letter, the FDA cited deficiencies in the response letters sent by the Company to the FDA following the Form 483, List of Investigational Observations, which was delivered to the Company in connection with the inspection that occurred from February 15, 2024 until March 7, 2024. The letter describes observed non-conformities in establishing and maintaining product complaint procedures, including complaint investigations, trending, risk reconciliation, and Medical Device Report (MDR) procedures including timely reporting, pertaining to the ExcelsiusGPS robotic system." Following disclosure of the FDA's warning letter, Globus's stock price fell $5.73 per share, or 7.84%, to close at $67.32 per share on August 13, 2024.What's Next?If you are aware of any facts relating to this investigation or purchased Globus Medical securities, you can assist this investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/GMED . You can also contact Peretz Bronstein or his client relations manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC: 332-239-2660.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & GrossmanBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.ContactBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 22:15:46 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1045 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / George Sanders, President of Goldcliff Resource Corporation ("Goldcliff" or the "Company") (TSXV:GCN)(OTC PINK:GCFFF) is pleased to announce a proposed non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of $240,000 (the "PrivatePlacement").The Private Placement will consist of the issuance of: (i) up to 4,000,000 non flow-through units (each, a "NFT Unit"), at a price of $0.035 per NFT Unit, with each NFT Unit comprising one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one half of one non-transferrable Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"); and (ii) up to 2,000,000 flow-through shares ("FT Shares"), at a price of $0.05 per FT Share, with each FT Share comprising one Common Share which qualifies as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire an additional Common Share at an exercise price of $0.05 per Common Share for a period of 24 months.Proceeds from the NFT Unit offering will be applied to property payments on Aurora West and Kettle Valley projects, and to general working capital.Proceeds from the FT Share offering will be applied to exploration at the Ainsworth silver project as described in a news release dated August 7, 2024, and to further drill site preparation and sampling at Kettle Valley gold, as Canadian exploration expenses that will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada), and which will be incurred on or before December 31, 2025 and renounced with an effective date no later than December 31, 2024 to the initial purchasers of FT Shares. The two projects are located in British Columbia.The Private Placement is anticipated to close on or about October 4, 2024 ("Closing"), or such later date as the Company may determine. The Closing is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). The securities issued in the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws. Goldcliff advises that it anticipates insiders of the Company may participate in the Private Placement, and may subscribe for up to 2,000,000 NFT Units and up to 1,500,000 FT Shares, which subscriptions would be completed pursuant to available related party exemptions under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions.At Closing, the Company will pay a cash finder's fee equal to 7% of gross proceeds introduced by eligible finders. Also, the Company will grant to eligible finders, finder's warrants equal to 7% of the number of NFT Units and/or FT Shares introduced by the finder on the same terms and conditions as the Warrants comprising the NFT Units.The securities being offered will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration or an exemption from the registration requirements. 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 Company also announces the grant of stock options to directors, officers, employees and consultants for the purchase of 3,150,000 common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $0.05 per share for a term of five years from the date of grant for directors and officers and for a term of three years for employees and consultants. The grant of stock options is subject to TSXV approval.For further information, please contact George W. Sanders, President, at 250-764-8879, toll free at 1-866-769-4802 or email at info@ directroyalty.com GOLDCLIFF RESOURCE CORPORATIONPer:"George W. Sanders"George W. Sanders, PresidentNeither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of this news release.Forward-Looking Information: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding, among others, the anticipated closing of the Private Placement, the anticipated size of the Private Placement, the receipt of approval from the TSX Venture Exchange, the participation of insiders, the expected use of proceeds from the Private Placement, certain expenses qualifying as flow though mining expenditures, and the expected timing for incurrence and renouncement of expenses. Although Goldcliff believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. These forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions including, among other things, assumptions regarding general business and economic conditions, the timing and receipt of regulatory and governmental approvals, the ability of Goldcliff and other parties to satisfy stock exchange and other regulatory requirements in a timely manner, the availability of financing for Goldcliff's proposed transactions and programs on reasonable terms, and the ability of third party service providers to deliver services in a timely manner. Investors PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 13:31:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1043 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 COQUITLAM, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Grid Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Grid Battery") (TSXV:CELL)(OTCQB:EVKRF)(FRA:NMK2) is pleased to announce the expansion of our exploration land holdings with the inclusion of a new Copper Property, located in Northern British Columbia.The Company has entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement dated August 26, 2024 (the "Agreement"), with AC/DC Battery Metals Inc. ("AC/DC"), to a acquire a 100% interest in 17 mineral claims comprising 27,525.24 hectares located in North Central British Columbia. The region is host to numerous operating mines, good infrastructure including experienced exploration and supporting services (the "Transaction"). The Transaction is a "related party" transaction and is subject to TSX Venture Exchange ("Exchange") approval.Terms of the Transaction:The Company will purchase the Property as follows:making a cash payment to AC/DC in the amount of $48,172.15 for reimbursement of staking costs, upon Exchange Approval; andissuing to AC/DC 5,000,000 fully paid and non-assessable common shares at a deemed value of $0.05 per share in the capital of the Company upon Exchange approval of the Transaction.All securities issued in connection with the Transaction are subject to a four month and a day hold period in accordance with Canadian Securities Laws.Pursuant to TSXV Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 -- Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), the Agreement constitutes a "related party transaction" due to the fact that there are common officers and directors of the Company and AC/DC. The Company relied on Section 5.5(a) of MI 61-101 for an exemption from the formal valuation requirement and Section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 for an exemption from the minority shareholder approval requirement of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the transaction did not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. No new insiders will be created, nor will any change of control occur, as a result of the Transaction.About the Copper Property"We're excited to acquire approximately 275 km2 of tenures in such a favourable mining region within BC." commented the Tim Fernback, President and CEO. "This area of the Province has already generated several promising projects, and our land package is strategically situated to exploit the high copper-gold values of the region. NorthWest Copper Corp. (TSXV:NWST) on the nearby Kwanika project intercepted 400 metres of 1.01 Copper equivalent (News Release January 16, 2023 Northwest Copper Corp). BC is a mining-friendly jurisdiction with reasonable processes, good infrastructure and potential First Nation partners." B.C. Minfile assessment report data indicates that most of the area covered by the Copper Property was at one time or another covered by staking during surges of exploration in B.C. dating from the 1940's to present day. Largely the claims appear to have been minimally explored with little follow-up. However, some work was recorded on several claims with results for stream sediment sampling showing anomalous to highly anomalous results for gold in a few areas. These areas were recommended for detailed follow-up, however due to a downturn no further work was recordedProminent among early discoveries in the Omineca region were the nearby Lustdust/Stardust property (a property developed by Lorraine Copper that was sold to Sun Metals Corp. which eventually merged with Serengeti Resources to become NorthWest Copper Corp.) covering a large, coherent integrated porphyry-skarn, epithermal system; the Kwanika property (a Serengeti/POSCO Daewoo property also became a NorthWest Copper Corp. property upon the merger with Serengeti Resources) a promising advanced stage copper-gold project; the Lorraine property (originally discovered by Lorraine Copper and now a NorthWest Copper Corp. property)an alkalic copper-gold porphyryr. The tenures are located between the Kemess North project being developed by Centerra Gold Inc. (TSX:CG)(NYSE:CGAU) and its operating Mt Milligan mine, which is reported to 1.8 million ounces of gold and 742 million pounds of copper (Technical Report on the Mount Milligan Mine, November 7, 2022, Borntrager. B, et al.)The Omineca Group claim areas are within the northern Quesnel Trough underlain by Cache Creek Terrane and lies close to the Pinchi Fault. The Quesnel Trough hosts numerous porphyry copper-gold deposits. The Pinchi Fault can be traced for 600 km through north-central B.C and separates Cache Creek rocks from the Jurassic Hogem Batholith and Triassic-Jurassic Takla rocks to the west. Rocks have a north-northwest strike trend typical of the entire Intermontane Belt in which the Cache Creek Terrane lies (Gabrielse and Yorath, 1992). A wide range of Jurassic to Tertiary intrusions cuts the Cache Creek Assemblage and many of these are emplaced along the prominent NW-trending structures and stratigraphic breaks. Numerous mercury occurrences are present along the length of the Pinchi fault (Albino, 1987) and a few gold and base metal occurrences are present near the Pinchi fault including the Lustdust, Lorraine, Indata and Axelgold properties. There are at least two alkalic gold-copper Porphyry systems in the immediate Lustdust (now known as Stardust) area: J49 and Axel Properties (Schiarrizza, 2000).Readers are cautioned that the information in this press release regarding the adjacent properties are not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the property of interest.Qualified Person Jeremy Hanson, P.Geo., an independent qualified person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 has reviewed and approved the technical content in this news release.About Grid Battery Metals Inc.www.gridbatterymetals.com . Grid Battery Metals Inc. is a Canadian based exploration company whose primary listing is on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company's maintains a focus on exploration for high value battery metals required for the electric vehicle (EV) market.About Texas Springs Property The Company owns a 100% interest in the Texas Spring Property which consists of mineral lode claims located in Elko County, Nevada. The Property is in the Granite Range southeast of Jackpot, Nevada, about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Nevada. The target is a lithium clay deposit in volcanic tuff and tuffaceous sediments of the Humbolt Formation. A Phase 1 exploration program at the Texas Springs Property (Fall 2023) yielded average lithium grades of 2010 ppm, applying a 1,000 ppm cut-off, and up to 5,610 ppm Lithium.The Texas Spring property adjoins the southern border of the Nevada North Lithium Project - owned by Surge Battery Metals Inc. ("Surge") (TSXV:NILI)(OTCQX:NILIF) and comp PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 14:31:34 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 970 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / HNR Acquisition Corp (NYSE American:HNRA) (the "Company" or "HNRA") announced today that the Board of Directors has approved changing the Company's corporate name to EON Resources Inc. ("EON" or the "Company").HNRA will continue as EON as an independent energy company focused on Energy, Oil, Natural Resources, and other aspects of the Energy Industry. Our current focus is as an upstream energy company with producing oil and gas properties in the Permian Basin. Our plans are to grow through acquisition and through the development and enhancement of onshore oil and natural gas properties in the United States.The effective date of the name change to EON will be September 18, 2024. The Company has reserved with the NYSE American Exchange the ticker symbol EONR for its Class A Common Stock and EONR WS for its publicly traded warrants. The CUSIP numbers for each will remain unchanged. The Class A Common Stock and warrants are expected to begin trading on the NYSE American Exchange under the Company's new name and trading symbols effective as of market open on September 18, 2024. No action is required by existing stockholders with respect to the name and ticker symbol changes.The Company's new website URL address effective when the Company starts to trade under the new name and ticker symbols will be www.EON-R.com "The changing of our name to EON Resources Inc. signifies our prior conversion from a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) to an operating company in November 2023. The Company is currently focused on oil production in the Grayburg-Jackson Oil Field of the Permian Basin" said Dante V. Caravaggio, CEO and President. "Our plans are to grow EON through acquisition and through the development and enhancement of onshore oil and natural gas properties in the United States. We will continue to emphasize profitability as well as increase value for our shareholders." About the Oil Field PropertyIn November 2023, the Company acquired LH Operating, LLC ("LHO") including its holdings in New Mexico of oil and gas waterflood production comprising 13,700 contiguous leasehold acres, 342 producing wells and 207 injection wells situated on 20 federal and 3 state leases in the Grayburg-Jackson Oil Field. The Grayburg-Jackson Oil Field is located on the Northwest Shelf of the prolific Permian Basin in Eddy County, New Mexico.Leasehold rights of LHO, now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, include the Seven Rivers, Queen, Grayburg and San Andres intervals that range from as shallow as 1,500 feet to 4,000 feet in depth. The December 2023 reserve report from our third-party engineer, William H. Cobb and Associates, Inc. ("Cobb"), reflects LHO to have proven reserves of approximately 15.4 million barrels of oil and 3.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas. The mapped original-oil-in-place ("OOIP") in the LHO leasehold is approximately 876 million barrels of oil in the Grayburg and San Andres intervals and 80 million barrels in the Seven Rivers interval for a total OOIP of approximately 956,000,000 barrels of oil.Our primary production is currently from the Seven Rivers zone. In addition to proven reserves, the Company believes we may access an additional 34 million barrels of oil by adding perforations in the Grayburg and San Andres formations. With proven oil reserves of over 15 million barrels, combined with the potential 34 million additional barrels from the Grayburg and San Andres zones, LHO should produce oil and a revenue stream for more than two decades with a slow decline rate.About HNR Acquisition CorpHNRA is an independent upstream energy company focused on maximizing total returns to its shareholders through the development of onshore oil and natural gas properties in the United States. HNRA's long-term goal is to maximize total shareholder value from a diversified portfolio of long-life oil and natural gas properties built through acquisition and through selective development, production enhancement, and other exploitation efforts on its oil and natural gas properties.HNRA's Class A Common Stock trades on the NYSE American (NYSE American:HNRA) and our public warrants trade on the NYSE American (NYSE American: HNRAW). For more information on HNRA, please visit the Company's website: https://www.hnra-nyse.com/ Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expected. Words such as "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "seeks," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "should" and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future results, based on currently available information and reflect the Company's management's current beliefs. A number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the events and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors - including the availability of funds, the results of financing efforts and the risks relating to our business - that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time on EDGAR (see www.edgar-online.com) and with the Securities and Exchange Commission (see www.sec.gov) . Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.Investor RelationsMichael J. Porter, PresidentPORTER, LEVAY & ROSE, INC. mike@ plrinvest.com SOURCE: HNR Acquisition Corp PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 14:01:52 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 491 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 JENBACH, AUSTRIA / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / INNIO Group working with Clarke Energy, INNIO Group's authorized distributor for Jenbacher technology, will revamp two major combined heat and power (CHP) plants in Romania. They will be using eight of INNIO Group's Jenbacher J920 FleXtra "Ready for H2" engines for this project. These engines will deliver a total output of 85 megawatts (MW) of electrical and 80 MW of thermal energy.Elsaco Power PlantElsaco Electronic selected the engines as the technology of choice to support transitioning Romania's energy infrastructure to greener operations. Five engines will operate in Constanta and three engines will operate in Arad. The EU-funded projects will reduce primary energy consumption and can provide reduced carbon emissions. Clarke Energy will support the CHP plants containing the eight Jenbacher J920 FleXtra cogeneration units."Our collaboration with Elsaco and Clarke Energy on these hydrogen-ready, high-efficient CHP projects is a step towards supporting decarbonization of Romania's energy supply," said Dr. Olaf Berlien, president and CEO of INNIO Group."Elsaco is committed to building new power plants that are fundamental to Romania's energy supply security. INNIO Group's innovation coupled with Clarke Energy's expertise offered us exactly the future-proofed hydrogen-ready technology to meet our requirements," said Serban Iftime, CEO, Elsaco Electronic.About INNIO GroupINNIO Group is a leading energy solution and service provider that empowers industries and communities to make sustainable energy work today. With its Jenbacher and Waukesha product brands and its AI-powered myPlant digital platform, INNIO Group offers innovative solutions for the power generation and compression segments that help industries and communities generate and manage energy sustainably while navigating the fast-changing landscape of traditional and green energy sources. INNIO Group is individual in scope, but global in scale. With its flexible, scalable, and resilient energy solutions and services, INNIO Group enables its customers to manage the energy transition along the energy value chain wherever they are in their transition journey.INNIO Group's ESG strategy has been recognized and awarded by esteemed rating agencies such as Sustainalytics and EcoVadis. Additionally, the company's near-term climate targets until 2030 have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). For more information, visit INNIO Group's website at INNIO.com . Follow INNIO Group and its brands on X (formerly known as Twitter) and LinkedIn.INNIO, Jenbacher, Waukesha, and myPlant are trademarks or registered trademarks of the INNIO Group, or one of its subsidiaries, in the European Union, the United States and in other countries. For a list of INNIO Group trademarks, please click here. All other trademarks and company names are the property of their respective owners.In general, "Ready for H2" Jenbacher units can be converted to operate on up to 100% hydrogen in the future. Details on the cost and timeline for a future conversion may vary and need to be clarified individually.Contact InformationSusanne ReicheltINNIO Media Relationssusanne.reichelt@innio.com +43 664 80833 2382SOURCE: INNIO GroupView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 21:41:42 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 639 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces that a lawsuit has been filed against Methode Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:MEI) and certain of the Company's senior executives.If you invested in Methode, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/methode-electronics-inc Investors have until October 25, 2024 to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in Methode common stock. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and is captioned Salem v. Methode Electronics, Inc., et al., No. 24-cv-07696.What is the Lawsuit About?Methode designs, engineers, and manufactures custom-engineered solutions for automotive original equipment manufacturers. The complaint alleges that during the relevant period, Methode misrepresented the success of the Company's transition from the General Motors console program to new electric vehicle applications and that the Company's "higher-margin product mix" would "offset" any decline in income from the General Motors program. In truth, Methode's transition to electric vehicles had been plagued with operational, logistical, and personnel challenges that negatively impacted the Company's business.On September 7, 2023, Methode announced financial results for 1Q 24. The Company disclosed that "operational inefficiencies" in the Company's North American operations had negatively impacted earnings for the quarter and were expected to linger into the second quarter. On this news, the price of Methode stock declined by $6.67 per share, or over 22%, to close at $23.33 per share on September 7, 2023.On December 7, 2023, Methode announced financial results for 2Q 24. During the quarter, the Company's Automotive Segment generated only $154.3 million in net sales and suffered a $61.5 million loss from operations. The Company also disclosed a $56.5 million goodwill impairment in the Company's North American and European Automotive Reporting Units. On this news, the price of Methode stock declined by $2.87 per share, or almost 12%, to close at $21.52 per share on December 8, 2023.On March 7, 2024, Methode announced financial results for 3Q 24 and withdrew all prior guidance. The Company also announced it was taking urgent actions to reduce costs, such as by reducing headcount and discretionary expenses and by disposing of non-critical assets. On this news, the price of Methode stock declined by $6.55 per share, or over 31%, to close at $14.49 per share on March 7, 2024.Finally, on April 8, 2024, Methode announced that its CFO would be retiring from the Company effective July 12, 2024. Less than one month later, on May 6, 2024, Methode announced that the CEO had resigned just three months into his tenure.Click here if you suffered losses: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/methode-electronics-inc What Can You Do?If you invested in Methode, you have rights and are encouraged to submit your information to speak with an attorney.All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The Firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses. Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitz ross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors (pending court approval), as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 17:45:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 737 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CALGARY, AB and SAN ANTONIO, TX / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Nexera Energy Inc. (TSX Venture:NGY)(OTC PINK:EMBYF) (the "Corporation", the "Company" or "Nexera") is providing a bi-weekly default status report (the "Default Status Report") in accordance with National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203").On July 16, 2024, the Company announced (the "Default Announcement") that, for the reasons disclosed in the Default Announcement, the filing of its annual financial statements, accompanying management discussion and analysis and related CEO and CFO certifications for the year-ended March 31, 2024 (the "Annual Filings") would not be completed by the prescribed filing deadline.Management of the Company is currently the subject of a management cease trade order ("MCTO") in regards to these Annual Filings, as granted by its principal regulator, the Alberta Securities Commission. The MCTO restricts all trading in securities of the Company, whether direct or indirect, by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company until such time as the Annual Filings have been filed by the Company. The MCTO does not affect the ability of shareholders who are not insiders of the Company to trade their securities.The Company's board of directors and its management confirms that they are working expeditiously to meet the Company's filing obligations and expect to file the Annual Filings on or before September 13, 2024.As required by the alternative information guidelines specified by NP 12-203, the Company reports that since the Default Announcement and any subsequent press release disclosure there have not been any changes to the information set out in the Default Announcement that would reasonably be expected to be material to an investor nor any failure by the Company to fulfill its intentions as stated therein with respect to satisfying the provisions of the alternative information guidelines, and there are no additional defaults or anticipated defaults subsequent to the disclosure therein, other than the delay in filing the Annual Filings. Further, there is no additional material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed and there are no insolvency proceedings against the Company as of the date of this Default Status Report.Until the Annual Filings have been filed, the Company intends to continue to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines set out in NP 12-203 by issuing bi-weekly default status reports in the form of further press releases, which will also be filed on SEDAR. To the extent applicable, the Company is scheduled to file its next default status report in two weeks from the date hereof.For further information, please contact:Nexera Energy Inc. President, Shelby D. Beattie, by telephone at (403) 262-6000Email: info@ nexeraenergy.comwww.nexeraenergy.com About Nexera Energy Inc.Nexera Energy Inc. (TSX Venture:NGY) is an energy company with oil producing properties in Southwest Texas. Nexera is owner and operator of the Lavernia, Wooden Horse and Stockdale Horizon Projects. The Company also now owns 100% of Production Resources Inc., a South Texas oil company.Forward Looking StatementsExcept for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein relating to the timing of the filing of financial statements constitutes forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: Nexera Energy Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 22:16:16 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 533 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Q2 HighlightsNow Amazon Certified 3D Content ProviderLaunches AI Generated Digital Photography studioRecord 74% Profit Margin AchievedIssued 2D-3D Patent #11,948,248Adds AI 3D Mesh Search EngineTORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Nextech3D.AI (OTCQX:NEXCF)(CSE:NTAR)(FSE:EP2), a frontrunner in generative AI-powered 3D modeling technology for major e-commerce entities such as Amazon, Miele, P&G, Kohls, other major e-commerce retailers reports its unaudited financial and operating results for its second quarter ended June 30th, 2024.Financial PerformanceRevenue: $1,108,000 with Record Gross Profit Margin of 74% or $820,000 A 45% Increase Over Q1, 2024 and an 80% increase over Q2 2023.Profit Margins: The most notable achievement this quarter has been the significant improvement in our profit margins as we have seen our margins increase from 30% in 2023 to 51% in Q1 2024 to 74% in Q2 2024 This represents an 80% improvement.This significant increase in profitability underscores the effectiveness of our strategies and our commitment to operational excellence.Operational Highlights3D Modeling Business: We continue to innovate and push our AI technology forward in our core 3D modeling business, delivering thousands of high-quality 3D models to our diverse customer base on a monthly basis.Strategic InitiativesOur strategic move to India in late 2023 has been instrumental in enhancing our cost structure and scalability. The investment in AI technology has not only streamlined our operations but also positioned us at the forefront of innovation in the 3D modeling industry. These initiatives are critical to our long-term growth and competitive edge.In conclusion, while Q2 presented challenges in terms of revenue, our proactive measures have substantially strengthened our profitability and market position. The company is optimistic about the future.Sign up for Investor News and Info -Click HereFor more information and full report go toFor further information, please contact: Nextech3D.aiEvan Gappelberg /CEO and Director866-ARITIZE (274-8493)About Nextech3D.ai Nextech3D.ai or the "Company," (OTCQX:NEXCF)(CSE:NTAR)(FSE:1SS), is a versatile augmented reality and AI technology company that utilizes its proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) to craft immersive 3D experiences at scale for manufacturers with CAD files and for E-COMMERCE merchants. The Company's primary focus lies in creating high-quality 3D WebAR photorealistic models for Amazon and various other online retailers with patented 2D-3D technology.Forward-looking Statements The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the completion of the transaction are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Nextech will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.SOURCE: Nextech3D.ai PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 22:11:33 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 415 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Business Owners Who Meet With Their Accountants to Review Their Finances on a Quarterly Basis are More Successful in Meeting Their Financial GoalsPORTLAND, OR / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / When their CPA only shows up from January through April, businesses end up leaving a lot of money on the table. To avoid paying more taxes than they should, planning needs to occur all year long. Downing & Co., a prominent CPA firm headquartered in Portland, Oregon, helps its clients save $10,000 to $1 million a year in taxes while ensuring their legacy for the future.Portland Small Business Accountant According to Xero's Make or Break Report, 65% of business owners who failed blamed it on financial mismanagement. A common denominator among the businesses that closed were the regret of not investing in financial services, such as hiring an accounting firm or investing in accounting or financial technologies.To address this issue, Portland CPA firm Downing & Co. takes a completely different approach to tax planning. The company partners with its clients on an ongoing basis to deploy advanced tax planning strategies that are holistic and proactive, helping them minimize their taxes and grow their bottom line while building and preserving their legacy.Tim Downing, Managing Principal at Downing & Co., expressed, "We show up for our clients, not just from January through April, but ALL year long. I've seen the disaster that is created as a result of poor tax planning, and I want better for my clients. We build relationships with our clients so we can understand what's most important to them and help them make their dreams a reality, in this life and for the legacy they leave behind." As the leading Portland small business accountant, Downing & Co. invites small business owners and high-net-worth individuals to book a free consultation to review their unique situation and receive actionable recommendations for saving $10,000 to $1 million a year in taxes.For further details on tax planning, please visit our website at https://downingpdx.com/services/portland-small-business-accountant/ or reach out directly at (503) 445-3578 or info@ downingpdx.com About Downing & Co:Downing & Co. is a leading estate planning CPA firm dedicated to helping high-net-worth individuals and small businesses in Portland, Oregon, to save up to 40% in taxes now and for the legacy they leave behind. Established in 1964, Downing & Co. offers comprehensive services, including tax planning, accounting and bookkeeping services, estate planning, and wealth management.Contact InformationJP RichardsDirector of Communicationsreleases@ drakedigital.com (346) 660-4994SOURCE: Downing & Co.View the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 19:16:22 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 554 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 When Utilizing CFO Services, Companies Average $10.7M in Revenue and $1.1M in Profits Annually and Business Owners Work Fewer Hours by Leveraging Their Teams More EffectivelyPHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / NB Advisors, a premier firm specializing in small business accounting, tax planning, and financial advisory services, is proud to announce the opening of its newest location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This expansion reflects the firm's dedication to supporting the thriving Philadelphia business community by offering expert guidance on tax minimization and profitability strategies through its Philadelphia CFO services.Philadelphia CFO ServicesPhiladelphia businesses aren't without their challenges, including growing costs in the city, difficulty attracting talent, evolving technology, and struggles with visibility, as reported by Philadelphia Mag. Furthermore, labor costs and limited access to financing are adding to the financial woes of Philadelphia small business owners.For over 35 years, NB Advisors has been the go-to on-demand CFO for business owners, consistently driving impressive results. On average, businesses working with NB Advisors see a 40.1% increase in revenue, equating to an additional $2.3 million, and a remarkable 954.9% boost in profits, translating to an additional $1.8 million over three years.According to NB Advisors' analysis of financial data of the clients the firm has worked with, businesses that engage with CFO services outperform their peers significantly. Companies without a CFO report average annual revenues of $1.2 million and profits of $310,000, often requiring business owners to work over 60 hours weekly. In contrast, companies utilizing CFO services average $10.7 million in revenue and $1.1 million in profits annually, with business owners working fewer hours by leveraging their teams more effectively."Many business owners don't fully understand the strategic value of a CFO," said Ryan Niedoba, Managing Partner at NB Advisors. "A CFO is not just another accountant; they are a vital partner who helps navigate the financial complexities of a business. Through our Philadelphia CFO services, we provide the high-level strategic advisory necessary to reach growth goals without the hefty price tag of a full-time CFO." NB Advisors' comprehensive suite of services in Philadelphia includes:Profitability Benchmarking - Evaluating and comparing a business' performance against industry standards to uncover potential for higher profitability.Financial Game Plan - Utilizing proprietary tools like the "Game Plan" to analyze financial data, predict business health, and optimize capital allocation for revenue growth.Annual "Awesome 8" Review - A thorough evaluation focused on improving growth, profitability, cash flow, and asset protection.Philadelphia business owners are invited to book a free consultation with NB Advisors to explore how the firm's Philadelphia CFO services can help save between $100,000 and $1 million in taxes annually and significantly enhance profitability.For more information or to schedule a consultation, please visit NB Advisors at https://nbcfo.us/ or contact 1 (215) 555-1234.About NB Advisors: NB Advisors is a fourth-generation family-owned accounting firm headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dedicated to helping small businesses minimize their tax burden and maximize profitability. With decades of experience, the firm offers personalized and innovative strategies to save clients $100,000 to $1 million in taxes while ensuring sustainable business growth. Led by Ryan and Kevin Niedoba, NB Advisors takes pride in treating each client's business as their own, offering proactive, world-class service with a commitment to transparency and excellence.Contact Information JP RichardsDirector of Communicationsreleases@ drakedigital.com (877) 393-7030SOURCE: NB AdvisorsView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 19:16:09 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 469 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Accountant Partners' new location in Rancho Cucamonga provides expert tax planning, cloud accounting integration, and a fixed-fee pricing model for small businesses.RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Accountant Partners, a distinguished firm specializing in small business accounting and tax planning, is thrilled to announce the opening of its newest location in Rancho Cucamonga, California. This strategic expansion aims to deliver personalized financial services to the diverse and thriving small business community in Rancho Cucamonga, known for its vibrant economic landscape.Rancho Cucamonga Small Business Accountant Rancho Cucamonga is a hub of economic activity, home to various industries, from retail to professional services. As per its Economic Development Strategic Plan, a wide range of industries operate in the city. However, this wasn't always the case. Only recently was Rancho Cucamonga recognized as the new industry hub of Southern California, which poses new competition and a changing landscape that would make it difficult for small businesses to thrive and grow.Accountant Partners' new office is poised to serve this dynamic market, offering tailored solutions that include tax planning, business growth strategies, and seamless integration with cloud accounting software. The firm's approach is designed to significantly minimize tax burdens, potentially saving local businesses from $10,000 to $1 million, thus helping them grow and compete."As a Rancho Cucamonga small business accountant, we recognize the unique financial challenges and opportunities that local businesses face," said Allan Bayer, Managing Partner at Accountant Partners. "Our goal is to provide the financial insights and support business owners need to thrive, from Victoria to Alta Loma and beyond. We are excited to bring our expertise to this community and help local businesses reach their full potential." Accountant Partners is the only CPA firm in Rancho Cucamonga to offer a fixed-fee pricing model. This ensures that clients receive upfront quotes with no hidden costs or unexpected charges. This transparency and commitment to client success set Accountant Partners apart from other firms in the area.As Accountant Partners opens its doors in Rancho Cucamonga, the firm encourages small business owners to experience the difference that expert, personalized accounting can make. With a focus on integrity, efficiency, and client satisfaction, Accountant Partners is ready to support Rancho Cucamonga businesses in achieving lasting success.For more details on working with a Rancho Cucamonga small business accountant, visit Accountant Partners at https://accountantpartners.com/small-business-accountant-rancho-cucamonga or call (657) 300-6966.About Accountant Partners: Accountant Partners is a leading small business accounting firm helping business owners in Rancho Cucamonga, CA save up to $1M per year in taxes through partner-level accounting, reporting, and strategic advisory. With 27 years of experience, Accountant Partners specializes in best-in-class tax minimization strategies, personalized advisory, and technology-driven efficiency.Contact Information JP RichardsDirector of Communicationsreleases@ drakedigital.com 844-703-0880SOURCE: Accountant PartnersView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 12:33:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 999 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 /Relevant Gold Corp. (TSXV:RGC)(OTCQB:RGCCF) (the "Company" or "Relevant Gold") is pleased to announce it has added ~2,102 hectares (ha) (5,195 acres) at its 100% owned Bradley Peak Gold Camp located in the Seminoe Mountains, Wyoming, USA. The Company staked 38 BLM lode mining claims and applied for and received 16 Wyoming state mineral leases, nearly doubling the size of the Bradley Peak Gold Camp project to a total of ~4,391 ha (10,800 acres).The Company's recent assay results, combined with detailed geology mapping and geophysics, highlight the Bradley Peak Gold Camp as a large complex greenstone belt illustrating high-grade district-scale gold targets and has guided the Company's recent acquisitions that meet initial criteria for hosting Abitibi-style gold potential."Our first mover advantage in Wyoming, one of the top global mining jurisdictions, continues to benefit Relevant Gold shareholders and allows us to build a belt-scale portfolio of gold targets with a strong connection to the Abitibi during the time of gold mineralization," said Relevant Gold CEO Rob Bergmann. "The high-grade gold, silver, and copper targets we have identified at Bradley Peak show significant potential, and the geophysical data indicates this is an opportunity of scale. These new acquisitions secure additional prospective ground and create a buffer around our highest-priority targets as we focus on expediting drill permitting at Bradley Peak." Relevant Gold's 2023 reconnaissance program at Bradley Peak identified 3 district-scale target areas illustrating high-grade gold, silver, and copper associated with multi-kilometre (km) shear zone structures (News Release - Nov. 7, 2023) coincident with a 100+ km2 geophysical anomaly (News Release - Mar. 25, 2024). Initial results from the Company's follow-up 2024 mapping and sampling program continue to illustrate high-grade mineralization including 46.8 g/t Au and 2.44% Cu (News Release - Aug. 13, 2024). Detailed geologic mapping identified numerous unmapped shear zones hosting complex quartz/carbonate vein arrays, some with visible gold and copper carbonate mineralization, as well as several historic mine workings that are not identified on previous maps.The Company is beginning to define high-quality drilling targets at Bradley Peak and is anticipating results for its second batch of samples from the 2024 mapping and sampling program very soon. The work completed to date continues to support expedited exploration at Bradley Peak.About Relevant Gold Corp.Relevant Gold Corp. is a North American gold exploration company founded by experienced exploration geologists and operated by a highly respected team with a proven record of significant value creation for shareholders. Relevant Gold is focused on the acquisition, exploration, discovery, and development of district-scale gold projects in the state of Wyoming - one of the most mining-friendly jurisdictions in the United States and globally.On behalf of Relevant Gold Corp.,Rob Bergmann, Chief Executive OfficerMore informationNeither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.For further information about Relevant Gold Corp. or this news release, please visit our website at www.relevantgoldcorp.com or contact Rob Bergmann, President and CEO, or Kristopher Jensen, Manager of Investor Relations, at 763-760-4886 or by email at investorrelations@ relevantgoldcorp.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Historical InformationThis news release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events of Relevant Gold Corp. ("Relevant" or "Relevant Gold" or "the Company"). Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe", "outlook" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information involves 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 information. Such risks include, among others, the inherent risk of the mining industry; adverse economic and market developments; the risk that the Company will not be successful in completing additional acquisitions; risks relating to the estimation of mineral resources; the possibility that the Company's estimated burn rate may be higher than anticipated; risks of unexpected cost increases; risks of labour shortages; risks relating to exploration and development activities; risks relating to future prices of mineral resources; risks related to work site accidents, risks related to geological uncertainties and variations; risks related to government and community support of the company's projects; risks related to global pandemics and other risks related to the mining industry. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forwardlooking information should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update any forwardlooking information except as required by law. This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities of the Company in Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction. Any such offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein will be made only pursuant to subscription documentation between the Company and prospective purchasers. Any such offering will be made in reliance upon exemptions from the prospectus and registration requirements under applicable securities laws, pursuant to a subscription agreement to be entered into by the Company and prospective investors.The scientific and technical contents of this release have been approved by Mr. Br PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 14:16:31 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 757 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / SouthGobi Resources Ltd. (TSX-V:SGQ)(HK:1878) ("SouthGobi" or the "Company") Reference is made to the Management Proxy Circular of the Company dated July 25, 2024 (Vancouver time) (the "Circular"). Unless the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms used herein shall have the same meanings as those defined in the Circular.The Company is pleased to announce that the Special Meeting of the shareholders of the Company was held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024at 6:00 p.m. (Vancouver time), which is Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. (Hong Kong time) (the "Meeting") at PwC Place Meeting Room, Mezzanine Level, 250 Howe St., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The following sets forth a brief description of the matter which was voted upon at the Meeting and the outcome of the vote:The following ordinary resolutions were passed by a majority of the votes cast by ballot. The result of the vote by ballot with respect to the above matter is shown below:ORDINARY RESOLUTIONFORAGAINST1.Approval of March 2024 Deferral Agreement and April 2024 Deferral AgreementThe disinterested Shareholders passed an ordinary resolution authorizing and approving the deferral agreement dated March 19, 2024 (the "March 2024 Deferral Agreement") and the deferral agreement dated April 30, 2024 (the "April 2024 Deferral Agreement"), in each case between JD Zhixing Fund L.P. ("JDZF"), the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, all as more fully described in the Circular.50,011,613 (97.65%)1,203,150(2.35%)2.Approval of Convertible Debenture AmendmentThe disinterested Shareholders passed an ordinary resolution authorizing and approving the amendment agreement dated May 9, 2024 between the Company and JDZF. (the "Convertible Debenture Amendment") approving certain amendments to the Company's convertible debenture issued on October 26, 2009, all as more fully described in the Circular.50,011,613 (97.65%)1,203,150(2.35%)Notes:As more than 50% of votes cast were in favor of resolution number 1 and 2, the resolutions were duly passed as ordinary resolutions at the Meeting.As at the Record Date of the Meeting, the total number of issued shares of the Company was 296,274,666 Common Shares, being the total number of shares entitling the holders to attend and vote on the resolutions proposed at the Meeting. The full text of the aforesaid resolutions is set out in the Circular.Given that JDZF is involved in and interested in the March 2024 Deferral Agreement, the April 2024 Deferral Agreement, the Convertible Debenture Amendments, and the transactions contemplated thereunder, JDZF has abstained from voting at the Meeting on the resolutions approving them. Accordingly, the 85,714,194 votes attached to the Common Shares beneficially owned, or over which control or direction is exercised, by JDZF were excluded from the vote to approve the March 2024 Deferral Agreement, the April 2024 Deferral Agreement, and the Convertible Debenture Amendments. Save as disclosed herein, (i) there were no Common Shares entitling the holders to attend and abstain from voting in favor of any resolution at the Meeting as set out in Rule 13.40 of the Hong Kong Listing Rules at the Meeting; and (ii) no other Shareholder was required under the Hong Kong Listing Rules to abstain from voting on the resolutions at the Meeting and there was no restriction on any Shareholder casting votes on the resolutions proposed at the Meeting.None of the disinterested Shareholders have stated their intention in the Circular to vote against or to abstain from voting on any of the resolutions proposed at the Meeting.The Company's share registrar, TSX Trust Company, acted as the scrutineer for the vote-taking at the Meeting.All the Directors, other than Mr. Chen Shen and Ms. Chonglin Zhu, attended the Meeting through telecommunication facilities, Messrs. Ruibin Xu, Yingbin Ian He, Fan Keung Vic Choi, Zhu Gao and Zaixiang Wen, and Ms. Jin Lan Quan. Mr. Chen Shen and Ms. Chonglin Zhu were unable to attend the Meeting due to prior business commitments.There were no further items brought before the Meeting and no amendments or variations were proposed at the Meeting.About SouthGobiSouthGobi, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange, owns and operates its flagship Ovoot Tolgoi coal mine in Mongolia. It also holds the mining licences of its other metallurgical and thermal coal deposits in South Gobi region of Mongolia. SouthGobi produces and sells coal to customers in China.Contact:Investor Relations Email: info@ southgobi.comMr . Ruibin XuChief Executive Officer Office: +1 604 762 6783 (Canada)+852 2156 1438 (Hong Kong)Website: www.southgobi.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.SOURCE: SouthGobi Resources Ltd. Date: September 12, 2024 @ 7:30 - 9:00 AM Pacific Time Cost: - Presenter: Kaylah Holland, Ed. D. Organization: Breakfree Education Students involved in the juvenile justice system often return to public school classrooms after spending time in a secure school located in a detention centers or incarceration facilities across the US. This session will highlight education inside the juvenile justice system, showcase how educators are creating engaging classrooms, offer examples of student created work, and outline how you can disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline by advocating for justice-involved students. We believe that all children have the right to learn, grow, and dream, so our mission is to radically improve education in the juvenile and criminal justice systems. Students involved in the juvenile justice system often return to public school classrooms after spending time in a secure school located in a detention centers or incarceration facilities across the US. We partner directly with juvenile justice agencies across the country, providing the resources, training, and networks they need to make school relevant and meaningful. We develop quality educational programs that inspire and engage students held in confinement and get them excited about their education. We work with policymakers to shape the world we want to see one where our young people have the education and support needed to reach their full potential. This session will highlight education inside the juvenile justice system, showcase how educators are creating engaging classrooms, offer examples of student created work, and outline how you can disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline by advocating for justice-involved students. Please register by clicking the button above and join us! About the Presenter Dr. Kaylah Holland is passionate about empowering educators through professional development, one-on-one coaching, and innovative lesson design. She holds a Doctorate of Education in Instructional Design and Technology with extensive research in active learning environments. Driven by a passion for education, Dr. Holland consistently explores innovative methods to empower educators and champion student-centered classrooms. She is a Google Certified Innovator, Trainer, and Coach, a college professor, and an ISTE Community Leader. She was presented the 20 to Watch award by ISTE in 2022 and was recognized by EdTech K-12 Magazine as a top 30 influencer in 2023. She was named a Featured Voice for ISTE in 2024. Kaylah is the author of Putting Out Fires: a Framework for Solving Problems in Your Classroom or School published in 2024. As the Director of Instructional Technology and Blended Learning for BreakFree Education, Kaylah empowers educators to foster innovative, sustainable, and active educational experiences inside juvenile justice facilities across the United States offering students held in confinement a path to success in school and life. She also works to empower educators across the globe as the founder of Go Teach Be Love, a nonprofit providing professional development to educators in developing countries, and the co-founder of Global Good Edu, a program recognizing the incredible impact educators are making around the world. Go back Next page PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 17:46:55 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 387 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / The City of North Miami Beach has unanimously passed a resolution taking a firm stance in opposition to the proposed Oleta River State Park Unit Management Plan Amendment by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The City Commission has commented and expressed strong concerns over the potential environmental impacts and loss of public access resulting from the proposed changes."As a father of two young kids who enjoy this park, I stand with my residents in stating that this proposal would harm our environment and park access for generations to come," said Commissioner Michael Joseph.The Oleta River State Park is a cherished natural resource for the residents of North Miami Beach and surrounding communities, offering significant ecological, recreational, and economic benefits. The proposed amendment to the park's management plan, part of the 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative, seeks to introduce overnight and recreational facilities. However, the City Commission, reflecting the sentiments of its citizens, believes that such changes could lead to environmental degradation, harm wildlife, and limit public access to this vital green space."The Oleta River State Park is more than just a park; it is a critical part of our community's natural heritage," said Mayor Evan S. Piper, who has been attending the park since its inception. "We stand with our residents in opposing any actions that could diminish its beauty, accessibility, and environmental integrity." The sponsored resolution by Michael Joseph, Esq., calls on Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to halt the proposed amendment and explore alternative approaches that align with the long-term preservation of the park's natural resources. The City of North Miami Beach is committed to ensuring that any future developments within the park prioritize environmental sustainability and respect the wishes of the community.###About the City of North Miami BeachStrategically positioned at the 'Crossroads of South Florida,' North Miami Beach lies midway between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, adjacent to the Golden Glades Interchange where I-95, Florida's Turnpike, and the Palmetto Expressway converge. The City is supported by a dedicated team of 460 full-time employees across 13 departments. For more information, please visit www.CityNMB.com Contact InformationJennifer TornaCommunications Managercommunications@ citynmb.com 3059482900SOURCE: City of North Miami BeachView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 17:03:44 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 314 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Franklin Resources, Inc. ("Franklin" or "the Company") (NYSE:BEN) for violations of the securities laws.The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Franklin admitted on July 26, 2024, that "following the launch of an internal investigation focusing on certain past trade allocations of treasury derivatives in select Western Asset Management (WAM') accounts, WAM received notification of parallel investigations by the SEC and U.S. Department of Justice." The Company then disclosed on August 21, 2024, that WAM co-Chief Investment Officer Ken Leech had been played on leave "effective immediately" adding that "in light of Mr. Leech's leave of absence, the Company has determined that closing its Macro Opportunities strategy (approximately $2.0 billion in AUM as of 7/31/2024) is in clients' best interests." Finally, the Company also disclosed that Leech had received a Wells Notice from the SEC. Based on this news, shares of Franklin fell significantly.If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com , or by email at bschall@ schallfirm.com The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.CONTACT: The Schall Law FirmBrian Schall, Esq. www.schallfirm.com Office: 310-301-3335 info@ schallfirm.com SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 18:31:51 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 389 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 /Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP ("Wolf Haldenstein"), a preeminent national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors in WisdomTree. Inc. (NYSE:WT) ("WisdomTree" or the "Company")The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or did not disclose information pertinent to investors.PLEASE CLICK HERE TO PROVIDE CONTACT INFORMATIONOn August 6, 2024, WisdomTree disclosed that it had received a Wells Notice from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") advising the Company that the SEC has made a "preliminary determination" to file an enforcement action "alleging violations of certain provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws" related to three exchange-traded series of WisdomTree Trust that pursued Environmental, Social and Government ("ESG") focused strategies.The recommendation could involve a civil injunctive action, or any other action allowed by law, and could seek fines and injunctions, WisdomTree said in a regulatory filing. The board of trustees for the WisdomTree Trust approved the liquidation of the ESG funds last December, citing persistent lack of investor demand and limited prospects for future asset growth. The liquidations were completed in February. When they were in operation, the ESG funds had about $119 million in average assets under management.Wolf Haldenstein has experience in the prosecution of securities class actions and derivative litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the country. The firm has attorneys in various practice areas, and offices in New York, Chicago, Nashville, and San Diego. The reputation and expertise of this firm in shareholder and other class litigation has been repeatedly lauded by the courts, which have appointed it to major positions in complex securities, multi-district and consolidated litigation.If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions regarding your rights and interests in this case, please immediately contact Wolf Haldenstein by telephone at (800) 575-0735 or via e-mail at classmember@ whafh.com Contact:Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLPGregory Stone, Director of Case and Financial AnalysisEmail: gstone@ whafh.com or classmember@ whafh.com Tel: (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.SOURCE: Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman and Herz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-29 12:32:49 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 965 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Assisis tPEMF technology aligns with Fear Frees mission to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in petsANN ARBOR, MI / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Zomedica Corp. (NYSE American:ZOM) ("Zomedica" or the "Company"), a veterinary health company offering therapeutic and diagnostic products for equine and companion animals, is pleased to announce that its Assisi Loop product line is continuing its designation as a Fear Free Preferred Product. Fear Free, a globally recognized initiative dedicated to reducing fear, anxiety, and stress in pets, reaffirmed its validation of Assisi's targeted pulsed electromagnetic field (tPEMF) technology, which is designed to reduce inflammation and pain, accelerate healing, and alleviate canine separation anxiety."The Fear Free organization has had an incredible impact on how veterinary care is delivered," stated Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB. "They've championed the emotional needs of the animals we care for and have provided high quality education to practitioners and pet owners looking to uplevel their skills. I also appreciate the organization's efforts to partner with companies like Zomedica and the Assisi line of products that are in alignment with their vision and mission, providing visibility and supporting them in the marketplace in that ongoing effort to better the lives of animals. I'm grateful to practice medicine in an era when this focus is at the forefront of our profession." "The continued inclusion of Assisi products in our Preferred Product Program is a testament to their alignment with our mission to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in pets," emphasized Alyssa Smith, Head of Corporate Accounts at Fear Free. "The Preferred Product Program offers veterinary professionals reliable tools that enhance the emotional and physical wellbeing of the animals under their care." "We are delighted to continue our relationship with Assisi. Their dedication to developing innovative, non-pharmaceutical solutions for reducing pain and anxiety aligns perfectly with our mission," explained Randy Valpy, CEO of Fear Free. "Together, we are making significant strides in improving the overall quality of life for pets and their owners." Larry Heaton CEO of Zomedica, stated, "Veterinarians seeking effective therapeutic solutions that minimize pain and anxiety in pets naturally turn to the Assisi suite of products. The gentle signals generated by the proprietary technology, which can be utilized from the comfort of home, align perfectly with the increasing demand for non-invasive veterinary care." Assisi Loop products, including the Assisi Loop Lounge, are effective for a wide range of inflammatory conditions, including post-surgical recovery, osteoarthritis, internal inflammation, wound care, spinal and nerve disorders, and bone, joint, and soft tissue injuries. The Calmer Canine Anxiety Treatment System reduces canine anxiety with a tPEMF signal specifically tuned to influence the amygdala, which is the emotional center of the brain. For more information visit Assisi LOOP - Assisi ( zomedica.com) About Fear Free: Founded by Dr. Marty Becker and developed by hundreds of experts in behavior, medicine, and handling, Fear Free is a global initiative that offers online and in-person education that empowers veterinary professionals, the pet professional community, animal shelter staff and volunteers, and pet owners to create low-stress environments for pets. Fear Free provides both professionals and pet lovers alike with the knowledge and tools to look after a pet's physical and emotional wellbeing, thereby reducing fear, anxiety, and stress in animals during veterinary visits and other interactions, such as grooming, pet sitting, daycare, and boarding visits.Veterinary or pet professionals can learn more about becoming Fear Free Certified by visiting fearfree.com . Pet owners can visit fearfreehappyhomes.com to access free videos, articles, and more that will help improve the physical and emotional health of their pets right at home. Shelter, rescue, and animal welfare employees and volunteers can visit fearfreeshelters.com to enroll in the complimentary program.For Fear Free: Andru ValpyMarketing & Communications ManagerEmail: marketing@ fearfree.com Phone: +1 (306) 226-9086About Zomedica Zomedica is a leading equine and companion animal healthcare company dedicated to improving animal health by providing veterinarians innovative therapeutic and diagnostic solutions. Our gold standard PulseVet shock wave system, which accelerates healing in musculoskeletal conditions, has transformed veterinary therapeutics. Our suite of products also includes the Assisi Loop line of therapeutic devices and the TRUFORMA diagnostic platform, the TRUVIEW digital cytology system, and the VetGuardian no-touch monitoring system, all designed to empower veterinarians to provide top-tier care. In the aggregate, their total addressable market in the U.S. exceeds $2 billion. Headquartered in Michigan, Zomedica employs approximately 150 people and manufactures and distributes its products from its world-class facilities in Georgia and Minnesota. An NYSE American company, Zomedica grew revenue 33% in 2023 to $25 million and maintains a strong balance sheet with approximately $83 million in liquidity as of June 30, 2024. Zomedica is advancing its product offerings, leveraging strategic acquisitions, and expanding internationally as we work to enhance the quality of care for pets, increase pet parent satisfaction, and improve the workflow, cash flow and profitability of veterinary practices. For more information visit www.zomedica.com Follow ZomedicaEmail Alerts: http://investors.zomedica.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zomedica Facebook: https://m. facebook.com/zomedica X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/zomedica Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zomedica_inc Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur and include statements relating to our expectations regarding future results. Although we believe tha The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Thursday granted Approval-in-Principle to two Digital Asset Exchanges, marking their formal induction into the Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Program (ARIP). The exchanges are Busha Digital Limited and Quidax Technologies Limited, both of which operate digital asset exchanges that facilitate the buying and selling of cryptocurrencies. According to a statement by the SEC, it has also admitted five firms into the Regulatory Incubation (RI) Program, enabling them to test their business models and technological innovations under close SEC supervision. The ARIP was introduced by the SEC as a strategic initiative to onboard firms that had already commenced operations before the release of the Rules on Virtual Asset Service Providers in May 2022. The RI Program, on the other hand, was established to evaluate the business models of digital asset firms, allowing them to test innovative products, services, and technologies in a controlled, real-time market environment. The current cohort of both the ARIP and RI Programs is distinguished by the increasing application of distributed ledger technology (DLT) in the creation and trading of crypto assets. Millions of Nigerian crypto enthusiasts and users deserve safe and moderated local venues for managing and trading crypto-assets, and this is an overdue step to sanitise the space for the benefit of the economy, in line with global expectations, Busha CEO Michael Adeyeri posted on X. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The CEO of Quidax, Buchi Okoro, also confirmed the development on X. Busha provides a platform that allows users in Nigeria and other developing economies to access digital asset investment services, while Quidax operates a cryptocurrency trading platform that leverages proprietary blockchain technology to list and trade existing crypto tokens. The five firms admitted to the RI Program span various segments of the digital asset ecosystem. Trovotech Ltd, for instance, has developed a blockchain-based platform for the creation and trading of tokenized real-world illiquid assets, such as housing and infrastructure. Wrapped CBDC Ltd plans to introduce a Nigerian-issued stablecoin, pegged at N1:N1, to facilitate local and cross-border crypto payments. HousingExhange.NG Ltd aims to enable property developers to raise capital through tokenization, while Dream City Capital offers a platform for digital real estate investments. Lastly, Blockvault has been recognised for its digital asset custodial services, which provide secure infrastructure for the storage and management of assets. SEC emphasised that the approvals granted are a precursor to full registration and are intended to ensure that robust consumer safeguards and transparency measures are in place for each product or service. The regulatory body also reiterated that only approved digital exchanges and platforms are legally authorised to operate in Nigeria, urging the public to refrain from engaging with unauthorised entities. READ ALSO: Nigerian information minister seeks improved relations with BBC Crypto uncertainty This development marks a significant turnaround in terms of the regulators stance on issuing licences to cryptocurrency platforms. Despite past resistance from Nigerian authorities towards cryptocurrencies, Nigerians continue to trade actively, earning the country a spot among the top nations in global cryptocurrency trading. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had earlier lifted a two-year ban on banking transactions involving cryptocurrencies, signalling a potential shift in the regulatory landscape. The regulator expressed concerns about the impact of peer-to-peer (P2P) trading on the volatility of the foreign exchange (FX) market. In May 2024, SECs Director General, Emomotimi Agama, met with key players in the crypto industry, reiterating the need for exchanges to delist the naira from P2P tradinga move that underscores the commissions efforts to stabilise the local currency while tightening oversight on crypto transactions. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ufa Dania, a contestant in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant in faraway South Africa, is a fan favourite. Ms Dania, who represents Kwara State, has witnessed a vote surge as netizens in South Africa are voting en masse for her. On X and Facebook, South Africans in their numbers could be seen rallying support for Ms Dania. The 25-year-old is the first full-figured contestant in Miss Universe Nigerias history. Her appearance automatically makes her the object of attention, leading to debates and criticisms over her looks, particularly her eligibility to partake in a pageant where the participants are usually slim. The 2024 Miss Universe Nigeria pageant is keenly contested for the first time, and the reason isnt far-fetched. Chidimma Adetshina, an embattled contestant in the recently held Miss South Africa pageant, is one of the contestants. She is a fan favourite in Nigeria and has been tipped to win the contest. However, the top 10 finalists will be determined by the viewers votes. This ironic support by South Africans has boosted visibility and votes for the plus-sized beauty queen. PREMIUM TIMES checks on the Miss Nigeria Universe voting website as of press time reveal that the top three contenders are Adetshina, Edeifo Aikhuele, and Ufa Dania. Miss Kwara placed third having received over 9,945 votes. Ms Adetshina leads with 15,482 votes, followed by Aikhuele (Miss Edo) with 11,568 votes. The voting results percentage shows Adetshina at 18.00 per cent Aikhuele at 13.5 per cent, and Dania at 11.63 per cent Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Since July, tensions between Nigeria and South Africa, fueled by online disputes like the Bolt Order Challenge, have added complexity to their love-hate relationship. South Africans have also criticised the Miss Universe Nigeria substandard venue over theirs, adding to the controversy. Support twist Many South Africans stated that their support on social media, rallying behind the 25-year-old contestant, is a response to the adverse treatment she received. However, what began as a spiteful effort to provoke Nigerians has unexpectedly turned into a full-blown campaign for Miss Kwara. The support for Ms Dania stemmed from a tweet by Nelly Weideman. She wrote, Since we are all about changing stereotypes! Miss Kwara for Miss Universe Nigeria! We made history with our first-ever deaf Miss SA (Mia Le Roux); lets make history for Nigeria, too. Lets vote for Miss Kwara. Some critics have deemed the support hypocritical, arguing that Ms Danias support might be motivated by a desire to counterbalance Ms Adetshinas participation. Ms Dania who is an Abuja-based content creator and stylist said that despite the initial criticism, she had grown a thick skin, viewing the pageant as a platform for empowerment. Despite the unprecedented support from South Africans that Ms Dania currently enjoys, Ms Adetshina still enjoys goodwill and a large fanbase in Nigeria. The 25 Miss Universe Nigeria hopefuls are in camp in preparation for the Miss Universe Nigeria finale this Saturday at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites. See more reactions https://x.com/OnlineScoops/status/1828668447770791973 https://x.com/Inenekazi1/status/1828424725548110148 https://x.com/ISephara/status/1828540710720614742 https://x.com/nelly_weideman/status/1828433104718950726 https://x.com/EzamaCirha/status/1828153524175118687 https://x.com/KwenMaye/status/1828185285483548726 https://x.com/MizzPhindy/status/1828289012253053111 https://x.com/senamil18839595/status/1828185260959449431 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Police Command in Lagos State says it has arrested a nurse over the alleged death of a 36-year-old woman, simply identified as Mrs Abiola. The commands spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos. Mr Hundeyin said that the nurse was arrested after the Maroko Police Division received a report on Tuesday at about 11.40 a.m. from the driver of the deceased, whose name was not mentioned. He explained that the driver reported that at about 3:00 a.m. on Monday, his boss, living at Diamond Estate, Sangotedo-Lekki, asked him to convey her to a clinic at Lekki Phase 1 for a BBL injection for buttock enlargement. According to the image maker, on arrival, the owner of the clinic (name not mentioned) instructed a nurse to inject the now-deceased lady, who later became unconscious and started gasping for breath. The victim was rescued and rushed to another hospital in Lekki Phase 1 for treatment, where she was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. Based on the report, the scene was visited by a team of detectives. The hospital was also visited, where the corpse was inspected and photographed before it was evacuated to a public morgue for autopsy, he said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Hundeyin said that the nurse had been arrested, and an investigation was underway. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration says Fat-Filled Milk Powder (FFMP) is recognised and approved for consumption in Nigeria. However, the agency did not address how the product has been misleadingly sold and advertised to Nigerians as milk. The agency stated this on Thursday in response to a PREMIUM TIMES investigation on the dominance of FFMP in the Nigerian dairy market. The investigation titled Milk or mimic: Nigerias dairy market flooded with inferior product revealed that FFMP, which is produced by blending skimmed milk powder with vegetable fat, is presented as milk, although it is only considered to be a milk alternative or product. In a statement, the agency stated that fat-filled milk is identified in the 2021 Milk and Dairy Product Regulations for Nigeria alongside different types of milk such as Whole Milk Powder and Skimmed Milk. Filled milk is described as a blend of skimmed milk and non-fat milk (vegetable fat), NAFDAC said. It added, The Codex Alimentarius Commission, a recognised, international Food Standards setting Body, has, in its collection of published standards, the Standard For a Blend of Skimmed Milk and Vegetable Fat in Powdered Form intended for direct consumption or further processing. NAFDAC also said it will continue to carry out her mandate in the best interest of the public and will not register products for use in Nigeria without due regulatory diligence in our bid to safeguard the health of the public. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The agency only chose to address a point that is not in dispute that FFMP is recognised in the national regulation is not in doubt, and the PREMIUM TIMES report stressed the point. However, the issue raised in the report, which NAFDAC did not address, is how FFMP is sold and advertised as milk when it does not contain the original milk fat, an essential ingredient. According to the report, milk fat is replaced with vegetable fat, often sourced from palm or coconut oil. Our findings FFMP is a cheap milk substitute that has been exported to Nigeria and other West African countries continuously for years. We found continuous export of FFMP from Ireland into the region, with Nigeria as one of its largest markets. Our investigation showed that, in Europe, many of the products are not manufactured, categorised or sold as milk. In these countries, they are sold to business owners who use them solely to produce other dairy products such as yoghurt, cheese and Ice cream. For the investigation, PREMIUM wrote to the EU Commission Press Officer for Agriculture spokesperson services, Therese Lerebours, who disclosed that FFMP is referred to as fat-lled powder in the EU, excluding the M because it lacks the essential milk compositions and, as such, cannot be described as one. However, according to the NAFDAC statement, FFMP is recognised in Nigeria without providing further details. Contrasting food standards This implies that Nigerias food standard differs substantially from the EUs. This is not the first time NAFDACs standard has strikingly contrasted EUs. In April, an investigation revealed that Nestle, a multinational food and beverage company, had sent substandard infant food products to Nigeria. According to the report, samples of Nido and Cerelac from Nigeria and other low-income countries were sent to Belgium for laboratory tests. The result showed that Nestle was adding sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products sold to Nigeria contrary to international guidelines. Cerelac from Nigeria had the second-highest sugar content of the products tested, with 6.8g per serving. While responding to this, NAFDAC said its standard permits adding a specified quantity of glucose, syrup or honey in cereal-based foods for infants and young children. NAFDAC said the countrys food standard, guided by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) and, more specifically, the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS), sets the criteria for processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children. She said the standards permit the addition of sucrose, fructose, glucose, glucose syrup or honey to products consisting of cereals which are or have to be prepared for consumption with milk or other appropriate nutritious liquids. Not advertised as an alternative Meanwhile, NAFDAC DG Moji Adeyeye earlier told PREMIUM TIMES that FFMP is not considered to be milk but milk alternatives or products. FFMP products are not categorised as milk in the same way as whole milk powder or skimmed milk powder, she said. However, we found that FFMP is not advertised or presented to the public as an alternative to milk. The report said consumers are unaware of the range of milk powders and how they differ. Most consumers do not know instant-filled powder as an alternative milk or milk product as it is not advertised as such. What is unknown to the vast section of Nigerian consumers is that in Europe, where most of these products are manufactured, they are not classied as milk. Same in Nigeria where the regulator said FFMP products are not categorised as milk in the same way as whole milk powder or skimmed milk powder, the report read in part. Also, we found widespread misinformation about FFMP in the country, especially among traders. We reported that some traders consider FFMP good for weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. Others believe it was made specifically for children. Some of the traders believe that FFMP, unlike Whole Milk Powder (WMP), has zero fat content. Some others said FFMP was originally meant for children but became accepted and consumed by adults as the cost of dairy products skyrocketed due to the countrys ination. But the fat content claim is not true, the report found. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The federal government has appealed to the members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to call off their seven-day warning strike. The Minister of State for Health, Tunji Alausa, made the call on Thursday in Kaduna during a visit to the National Eye Centre. According to Mr Alausa, negotiations are ongoing to ensure the safety of their kidnapped colleague, Ganiyat Popoola. The minister said that the federal government and security agencies were working hard to rescue Ms Popoola. He said, We are on top of the matter and have been on talking terms with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, regarding the issue. I have spoken with the Commissioner of Police and everyone is working hard to see that she is released. The minister said that he had held a meeting on Monday with the leadership of NARD over the situation to convince them to call off the strike because it would worsen the situation. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later We dont believe this warning strike will do anything. All hands are on deck to secure her release. For the past two days, we know she is alive and thats good news for us as the security are working hard to bring her back alive, he said. Mr Alausa added that the kidnappers kept changing their demands every moment but the security agencies were working hard to see that she was safely rescued. I appeal to you to call off the strike and lets keep praying that she comes back home in peace, the minister passionately appealed. READ ALSO: Resident doctors begin nationwide strike over abduction of colleague The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the members of the association began a seven-day warning strike to push for the rescue of a Kaduna-based doctor, Ganiyat Popoola. Ms Popoola, a staff of the centre, was kidnapped in December 2023 and has now spent about nine months in the kidnappers den. Meanwhile, the chairman of the association at the National Eye Centre, Ibrahim Mohammed, told NAN that the strike was still on. He said that the medical and dental consultants had joined them in the strike and it was a directive from the national body. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print By Olajide Adelana, Kabir Yusuf, Yekeen Akinwale and Ekemini Simon Before Nigerias presidential elections last year, legislator Alhassan Doguwa told raucous supporters what would happen to those who did not vote for his dominant All Progressives Congress party. To God who made me, on election day, you must vote for APC or we will deal with you, he warned to cheers captured on video. Im saying it again: On Election Day, you either vote for APC or we deal with you. Police in northern Nigeria said soon after that his threats were not idle he was charged with election-related murders of several people. The deaths were far from alone among the hundreds of violent incidents across the country in the weeks leading up to the election. While the Nigerian governments Independent National Electoral Commission claimed voting was not marred by intimidation, a 10-month-long Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ) examination with 20 journalists found widespread incidents of brutality around the country. Government documents, international observers and dozens of interviews conducted by CCIJ throughout the country reveal a pattern of violence that crippled voter turnout and raises troubling concerns about future elections. Upwards of more than 100 people reportedly died in election-related violence, according to reports by independent observers. Yet the governments election commission discounted these deaths and numerous injuries. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In its report released in February 2024, a year after balloting, the elections commission stated, These elections were notable for their peaceful and orderly conduct, marked by the absence of significant instances of violence. It praised security workers, political party officials, election observers and the media for ensuring the safety of voters. CCIJ reviewed thousands of polling units results on IREV and found more than 2,000 polling stations across the country that reported their ballots could not be added to official tallies because of irregularities. The leading reason, affecting about half the polling stations: violence. The result is that more than 1.1 million registered voters ballots could not be counted in the election, according to government records. Violence is a lingering feature of elections in Nigeria, Chatham House reported the year before the presidential elections. The London-based NGO outlined how Nigerias democracy since 1960 has been severely weakened by civil war and years of military rule. Since the end of British colonial rule in 1960, Nigerians have spent about half that time under military rule. Voting has declined in recent elections, with observers pointing to fewer civil liberties, distrust of corrupt political leaders and weak democratic institutions. The 2023 presidential election the seventh since the last period of military rule ended in 1999 included irregularities where numerous voting sites did not report results because of violence, lack of proper balloting equipment and other reasons. That included polling stations in the northern Nigerian state of Kano, near the countrys border with Niger, where the legislator Alhassan Doguwa made his fiery speech in the Hausa language to supporters. Mr Doguwa was the APCs majority leader in the 9th House of Representatives, a high-ranking position, and a member of the same party as Bola Tinubu, who won the presidential election in February 2023 for his first term. Following the election, Mr Doguwa was arrested by police in connection with murders in the town of Tudun Wada. He denied wrongdoing, countering that he was only strongly encouraging voters to support his party, and said the charges were politically motivated. The Kano State Government later dropped charges against him. He then sued the state government and police for bias and wrongfully accusing him of murder and won N25 million. Some international observers have estimated that more than 100 people were murdered in connection with the election. The Nigeria Election Violence Tracker maintained by the Centre for Democracy and Development and Armed Conflict Location and Event Data counted 109 election-related deaths in early 2023. The Incident Centre for Election Atrocities put the number higher, at 137. CCIJ found at least 29 were arrested in connection with election-related violence in Kano alone, and hundreds of others for election-related offences. The official polling station reports examined by CCIJ offer a starker picture of the effects of violence than what government officials announced during the elections. CCIJ analysed statements state-by-state made by election officials, combing through recordings of election results announcements at the National Centre Abuja, posted to YouTube by Channels Television, which livestreamed the events. CCIJ found officials said publicly that votes were not counted for at least 1,500 polling sites throughout Nigeria. But the governments own documents show more than 2,000 were not counted because of irregularities and violence. While officials announcing results mentioned violence and overvoting as reasons why ballots were not counted, they did not provide figures. However, the government documents showed violence was the single leading reason. Both the public statements and the documents said more than 1.1 million registered voters were potentially affected because votes at their polling sites were not counted. CCIJ repeatedly sought interviews with INEC about violence and irregularities. Before publication of this story, the agency refuted in its letter that the election was marred by difficulties. The Commission will continue to improve its processes and procedures after every election, INEC wrote to CCIJ. It did not respond to additional questions. In its lengthy report, the electoral body wrote that in most cases, it addressed challenges involving the late arrival of election materials at some polling sites, inadequate security personnel, violence and intimidation. The agency, in its report, said the election is perhaps the best planned and most innovative election in Nigeria. The election witnessed the highest number of eligible voters and voting locations across the country with the participation of over one million election duty officials and deployment of enormous logistic requirements including over 100,000 vehicles and about 4,000 boats protected by gunboats, according to the agency. Along with murders, there were countless incidents of intimidation and irregularities that prevented people from casting ballots. On Election Day in 2023, in the district of Chiranchi, far south of Tudun Wada, where the Kano governor alleged Mr Daguwa was linked with the murder of 15 people, 30-year-old Muhammad Ibrahim was in a line at his polling station, excited to vote for the first time. The mornings peace was shattered. A wounded man ran through the crowd, pursued by a violent group armed with sticks and knives. Mr Ibrahim recalled a bystander asked if he intended to cast his vote for the APC. Mr Ibrahim said the man told him, Theyre targeting those who want to vote for the NNPP, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, which was among the leading opposition parties. Mr Ibrahim said he was among those who ran, fearful for their safety. CCIJ could not verify claims that the APC was connected with the menacing group that chased away voters. Police declined to comment on incidents of violence in the state of Kano. Meanwhile in Gwale, Kano, about six miles east of where the 15 people were allegedly murdered in Tudun Wada, journalist Ashiru Umar recounted witnessing threats to voters. They were intimidating all voters that were not supporting APC, Mr Umar said, adding that, he was attacked and beaten by thugs for conducting interviews for election stories and sustained injuries that required more than a month of medical treatment. We managed to leave the area. All this happened while the security agents were watching. Election officials also faced violence Aisha Abubakar, who served as the independent election commissions presiding officer in Kano, said thugs attacked her workers before voting began, resulting in severe injuries to two colleagues. There was a miscommunication regarding where we would set up election materials, she said. We were trying to clarify, then suddenly, political thugs said we were trying to manipulate the process, and they started beating my polling unit officers. In the electoral commissions filings reviewed by CCIJ, at least 16 polling stations in Kano reported violence and did not count ballots for several thousand voters. In many other instances, poll workers did not give reasons for why no ballots were counted at their locations. And Kano was far from alone from reports of intimidation. VIOLENCE IN NIGERIAS LARGEST CITY Bina Efidi said she barely escaped death when she went to vote. She went to vote at her polling station in the Surulere area of Lagos, a vibrant section with bars, clubs and a national arts theatre. When I went there, voting had already commenced, people were already in the queue and I went for verification to be sure that it was my polling unit, Ms Efidi told CCIJ. But then, she said, about 20 youths were standing by the polling station on Dipolubi Street and began moving to one of its exits. They began shooting guns and disrupting voting. Ms Efidi noted that she was hit on the right side of her face. I was hearing gunshots, she said, I thought I had been hit by a bullet. Even though she could not remember what kind of weapon was used to hit her face, she recalled how: I held my face and blood was already dripping down; people were running helter-skelter and me too, I had to stand up and look for help because I had been injured. Later she was taken to the hospital and got stitches for her cuts. On her way back home that same day, Ms Efidi saw that voting had resumed at the polling station. When I saw that, I felt that this was what I wanted to do to make my vote count, and despite all my struggles, she said. I had to cast my vote. Ms Efidi said she did not know whether any political party was connected with the attackers or who was behind the violence. Im not a politician, I only came out to vote. I have no idea who sponsored them but it was obvious that they were touts or thugs, she said. Ms Efidi lamented that there were no security officials to prevent the attack. Nonetheless, she hopes the Nigerian government increases security for future elections so voting would be free and fair. A few miles north, in Lagos Fadeyi neighbourhood, Ayo Oladiran, a resident there, said many voters were chased away from their election day polling site. Ms Oladiran recounted how youths known as Area Boys went to the polling station and demanded that those who would not vote for ruling party candidates should leave. Area Boys came and said those that will not vote for Tinubu should leave and Igbos should go back to their land, Ms Oladiran said. They said if you are Igbo and from Anambra, go back to your state. Igbo people are mainly from southeast Nigeria, including the state of Anambra. They were largely unarmed. Although one was carrying a stick, they typically dont need to display weapons because their reputation alone instills fear in the local residents, according to Ms Oladiran. Security workers did not try to stop the threats, she said. Police officers were just there, not moving, she said. They didnt do anything. A few miles further north, in Lagos Orile-Oshodi ward, journalist Oluwakemi Adelagun, who works for Premium Times, one of Nigerias leading news outlets, checked on a polling station inside St. John Primary School. She visited shortly before 2 p.m. but saw no voters despite hundreds registered to cast ballots there. She took a photograph to document the scene. Ms Adelagun asked an election official about voter turnout, and an unidentified man started cursing her. She explained she was a journalist reporting on voter turnout. A police officer was watching nearby, and she believes his presence is the reason the incident did not turn violent. In the end, the two polling stations inside the Methodist school reported 75 ballots cast out of more than 1,400 registered voters. Then, in the Festac section of Lagos, resident Oluchi Anyawu left home with her family to vote but they were chased away by Agberos, the name given to youths who work at motor parks, where people get rides on buses and minivans. We werent even allowed to reach the polling unit, Ms Anyawu said. There were numerous Agberos in the area, insisting that only people from a certain tribe could vote, which was quite unfair. We are equals in Nigeria. VIOLENCE IN THE SOUTH-SOUTH A couple hundred miles southeast of Lagos, assailants disrupted voting in the Obio-Akpor part of Rivers State. Abhulimhen Thompson, the elections officer at a polling unit, reported in a government filing submitted to the countrys computerized balloting system that they were thugs hired by political parties who were losing contested elections. Although Mr Thompson and his colleagues escaped unhurt during the attack, thugs took away the presidential and federal legislative election ballot results from the polling site. All sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials we took with us were scattered, destroyed, and snatched away, he said. About 60 miles east, in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, voters became angered when election officials did not show up at polling stations. Mahmood Yakubu, the National Election Commission chairman, said the incidents involved 140 polling stations, and security workers were unable to calm protesters. INEC rescheduled elections in the affected areas for the next day but not everyone returned to cast their ballots. I could not vote because of the crisis, said Ugochukwu Godwin, a voter in Yenagoas sixth ward. The next day, I didnt even bother due to the distance from my residence to the polling unit. Mr Godwin recounted that authorities increased security, but that did not give him confidence. I was worried for my safety, he said. I thought it wiser to be safe than sorry, so my family and I stayed back. Throughout Bayelsa State, voter turnout was low, with only 16 per cent of the more than one million eligible voters casting ballots. In the Nembe area of the state, four individuals were charged with terrorism and promoting violence in connection with the deaths of three people in the days leading up to the presidential election, including the murder of Queen Kieriseiye, according to news accounts confirmed by CCIJ. One source told CCIJ that Ms Kieriseiye was pregnant at the time of her death. Then in Idanre, Ondo State, Owoeye Beatrice said violence interrupted voting at her polling station at a maternity center in the citys Alade Atosin neighbourhood. Ms Beatrice said she suspected the incidents stemmed from old scores settled among loyalists of rival political parties. In the end, Ms Beatrice polling station saw 36 per cent of its registered voters cast ballots. That exceeded the national rate of 27 per cent voting in the presidential election. A DEATH IN AKWA IBOM Back in south-south, 45-year-old Uduak Udo left his home early to vote, and to ensure ballots at his sixth ward voting station were not missing in Etim Ekpo, Akwa Ibom State. Mr Udos wife, Florence, said neighbourhood thugs went to polls and announced that supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party would not be allowed to vote. Violence ensued among supporters of different political factions. She ran home only to learn later that her husband was dead. Mrs Udos widow said eyewitnesses told her that supporters of other political parties had killed him and that security workers could not rescue him. Those who killed him still move around freely without justice, Mrs Udo said. I dont think I will ever participate in any future election or allow my children to ever participate. Nigerias elections have become battlegrounds where you must kill to survive. In the end, no votes from the areas 11 polling sites were counted because of disruption leading authorities to declare an emergency. Elsewhere in town, youths armed with axes, cutlasses, and bottles attacked the election officials at one Ward 6 village hall voting site, causing panic and forcing voters and election officials to flee. Ime Ukpong, a local legislative council member, attempted to rally election officials and voters to return but attackers shot at him. Those people were not using masks. It was a broad daylight disruption. But to date, no one has been arrested, Mr Ukpong told CCIJ. INTIMIDATION, ARRESTS, MISSING BALLOTS Rashida Owuda, a political scientist and lecturer at the Prince Abubakar Audu University, more than 300 miles northeast of Lagos, said the overt presence of security forces in the Ayingba neighbourhood next to the university discouraged voters from going to the polls. They made it look as if it was a war zone, and that atmosphere made people feel intimidated, she said. The mere presence of the military was enough to stop some women from going out to vote. Mrs Owuda cited this as evidence of the low voter turnout in the area. If you look at the total number of people registered and those who voted, there is a great disparity. And that is because people felt intimidated. Out of an estimated 27,000 eligible voters in Ayingba, only 12 per cent voted, according to the election commissions data. Twenty-two of 73 polling stations also did not report any ballots cast in part due to violence. Others complained about problems with voter registration. Odiji Okpanachi, who teaches political science at the same university as Mrs Owuda, said the government mishandled his voter registration when he moved to work at the school. The lack of the card prevented him from voting. Unfortunately, I didnt vote in the last election because we are in a country where people register as voters but they never get their cards that identify them as eligible to vote, he said. I am one of those people that didnt get their voter cards. He finally got his registration card well after the presidential election. Charles Oke, a PDP ward chairman in Mbaitoli, said ballots and other election materials were unavailable for voters at his polling station. Mr Oke called the election unfair because voting was compromised. In Rivers State, a widely circulated video showed policemen in a Toyota pickup truck seizing ballots. Stakeholder Democracy Network, a nonprofit, said the video was disturbing, and its workers witnessed similar incidents in Rivers State. But Grace Iringe-Koko, a police spokesperson in the state, said they arrested four officers for interfering with the 2023 presidential election. Rivers State Police Command has arrested and taken into custody one officer and three Inspectors for interrogation. The police pick-up van in the trending video has also been impounded for a thorough investigation, Ms Iringe-Koko said at the time. Earlier last December, CCIJ contacted Ms Iringe-Koko for updates on the arrests. She declined to comment on the case. Mark Usulor, the election commissions head of voter education and publicity in Rivers State, said election materials were deployed to all polling stations across the State. He blamed the violence on thugs and politicians clashing among themselves. Mr Usulor declined to discuss details about specific polling stations where ballots were not counted. INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS CONCERNED International observers raised concerns about violence suppressing voting. For instance, Human Rights Watch issued a dispatch, saying, Nigerias Elections Remain Risky for Many Citizens. In the same vein, Amnesty International called for the government to investigate widespread violence unleashed on voters in parts of Lagos, Rivers, Kano, Edo and Delta states. Those behind attacks on voters, journalists and electoral officials must be brought to justice through fair trials. The United States Embassy in Nigeria said it was deeply troubled by the disturbing acts of violent voter intimidation in Lagos, Kano, and other states. It later joined other international observers in urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve voting processes and technical elements that experienced flaws in that voting round. The US embassy also called for Nigerians to work together to strengthen the countrys vibrant democracy. On its part, the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute noted that observers witnessed suppression, violence and intimidation in at least 18 states. In Abia and Bayelsa states, violent disruptions resulted in the suspension of voting in several hundred polling units, they reported. Lagos suffered multiple attacks throughout the day, including an attack on a collation centre, potentially disenfranchising a large number of voters. For the European Union Election Observation Mission in Nigeria, the voting was critically delayed by the late arrival of sensitive materials. It also criticised procedures for transparently tabulating results. Its also against this background that Ezenwa Nwagwu, the head of Partners for Electoral Reform, said intimidation and violence were not the only reasons for low voter turnout. Nigerians are disenchanted by the lifestyle of elected political officeholders when many live in abject poverty, Mr Nwagwu said in an interview with CCIJ. Democracy is suffering a deficit. It is not fulfilling for most people. IT BROKE MY HEART On election day in southeastern Imo State, Joseph Ikenna recalled seeing thugs among a crowd as early as 8:30 a.m. at a village hall polling station in Njaba. Vote for the APC or leave, they ordered, with one of them brandishing a firearm, Mr Ikenna recalled. Nigerias election commission did not count votes from that polling station because of irregularities and Imo State recorded the most number of votes that were set aside because of violence and irregularities. It broke my heart that all our sacrifices that day were in vain, Mr Ikenna said. Some of my relatives who travelled all the way from Kano and Lagos back home to vote never had their votes counted because, in the end, INEC (the government election commission) had to cancel the election in the unit due to disruption. The event devastated him, saying that, I dont think we will ever come out to vote in any of Nigerias elections again. Inibehe Effiong, a human rights lawyer based in Lagos, said there is an option available for voters who faced voter suppression. He said such individuals with concerns about voting-related violence, intimidation and other problems can contact his law firm, Inibehe Effiong Chambers, for possible legal recourse. Methodology This investigation is part of the CCIJ-led project on Nigerias 2023 presidential elections. This report saw 20 journalists investigating widespread incidents of brutality, voter suppression and intimidation around the country. The report involves on-the-ground reporting across several states in Nigeria, tracking down victims of violence, and families of deceased persons. It also includes multiple interviews with eyewitnesses and months-long of data scraping. To examine the scope of violence, irregularities and other causes that led authorities to not count votes at certain polling stations in the 2023 presidential election, CCIJ downloaded all the reports filed by polling stations throughout Nigeria with the governments Independent National Election Commissions online database, IREV. The documents were downloaded by CCIJ in July 2023 using Python, a computer programming language. Many of the reports included officials making notations by hand. The handwritten notes were extracted using Google Pinpoints handwriting recognition capabilities. In Nigeria, form EC 40G is used by election officials at a polling site when they declare voting at the location is cancelled which means votes will not be counted. The form includes categories for election officers to indicate why votes were not counted, including overvoting when more ballots are cast than there are registered voters for a polling site and violence. CCIJ conducted a comprehensive keyword using Google Pinpoint to cull the documents, using terms related to why votes were not counted, including cancel, cancelled, cancelled, EC40G, no result, overvoting, disruption, no results, violence, disruption, over voting and no election. CCIJ reviewed each document flagged in these searches, setting aside false positives, to ensure no computer errors affected the review. The documents were then extracted into a spreadsheet for detailed analysis. CCIJ also found documents uploaded to IREV that were blank papers with handwritten notes stating No election or No result without specifying a reason. INEC has since removed many of these documents from its IREV website. CCIJ also obtained INECs 2023 data on registered voters for each polling location. which was published on their website but later removed. To assess the impact of violence and irregularities on registered voters, CCIJ used the 2022 registered voter data along with the reports of polling stations where votes were not counted in the presidential election, enabling CCIJ to quantify the potential effect of cancellations. This story was produced with the support of MuckRock and the Filecoin Foundation for the Decentralized Web. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerian lawmakers have written a petition to the Canadian government seeking the prosecution of one Amaka Sunnberger over her threat against Yoruba and Edo people living in that country. Ms Sunnberger, a Nigerian, is heard in a viral video threatening to poison any Yoruba or Benin person she comes across at her workplace. The petition, jointly signed by the Chairman of the Nigerian-Canadian Parliamentary Friendship Group, Biodun Omoleye, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora Matters, Tochukwu Okere, on behalf of the committees, called for the investigation and prosecution of Ms Sunnberger. In the petition, dated 28 August and addressed to the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, James Christoff, the lawmakers described the comments by Ms Sunnberger as hate speech and genocidal. Background Ms Sumberger is believed to have made the comment against the Yoruba and the Benin people, two popular ethnic groups in Nigeria, during a virtual meeting on TikTok. Record me very well; its time to start poisoning the Yoruba and the Benin. Put poison for all una food for work. Put poison for una water, make una dey kpai one by one, the woman said in pidgin English. Other voices could be heard interjecting and prodding her. The woman claimed that her comment was in response to the hate against the Igbo. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later I want make Ndi Igbo get that heart of wickedness. Una too dey quiet, the woman said, addressing other participants. Enough is enough! If you have any means of kpaing (killing) them, kpai them commot for road. Abike Dabiri, the chairperson of a federal agency, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, disclosed on Wednesday that a group of Nigerians in Canada were reporting the woman to the Canadian authorities. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has, however, said there was no sufficient evidence that the woman was Igbo, adding that she did not in any way portray the Igbo character of thoughtfulness, discretion, self-censure and equanimity. The petition In the petition, the lawmakers said Ms Sunbergers recorded statements constitute a direct threat to the lives and safety of millions of Nigerians. They added that her incitement to violence and call for genocide through poisoning are not only deeply troubling but also represent a clear violation of multiple international, Canadian, and Ontario laws. Such rhetoric is dangerous and has the potential to incite real-world violence, both in Nigeria and within the Nigerian diaspora. The lawmakers also listed some of the international and Canadian laws they believe Ms Sunnberger has violated with her comments. They said her comments violate Article 20(2) of the ICCPR, which prohibits advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence. They listed the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) Article 4. The lawmakers said she violated the Criminal Code of Canada Sections 318 (1) and 319 (1 and 2) The promotion of genocide, as advocated by Ms. Sunberger, directly violates Section 318 (1) of the Criminal Code of Canada, which criminalises the promotion or advocacy of genocide against any identifiable group. Her public incitement of hatred against the Yoruba and Edo people is prohibited under Section 319 (1), which criminalises the communication of statements in public that incite hatred against any identifiable group, where such incitement is likely to lead to a breach of the peace, they said. Demands The lawmakers made four demands from the Canadian government, including a public denouncement of the action of Ms Sunnberger by the government. -Investigation: An immediate and thorough investigation should be conducted into Ms. Sunbergers actions by Canadian law enforcement and appropriate authorities. -Prosecution: We urge that Ms. Sunnberger be prosecuted under the relevant sections of the Criminal Code of Canada to hold her accountable for her incitement to genocide and hate speech. -Public Denouncement: We request that the Canadian government issue a public condemnation of Ms. Sunbergers actions to reaffirm Canadas commitment to combatting hate speech, violence, and genocide. -Collaboration with Nigerian Authorities: We also request that Canadian authorities collaborate with Nigerian authorities to prevent any potential escalation of violence as a result of Ms. Sunbergers incitement, and to ensure that justice is served. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Ohanaeze Ndigbo says the Canada-based Nigerian woman who called for the mass killing of the Yoruba and Benin people in Canada is not Igbo. The woman, identified as Amaka Sunnberger, is heard in a viral video threatening to poison any Yoruba or Benin person she came across at her workplace. Record me very well; its time to start poisoning the Yoruba and the Benin. Put poison for all una food for work. Put poison for una water, make una dey kpai one by one, the woman said in Pidgin English. It appeared she made the comment during a virtual meeting on TikTok. Other voices could be heard interjecting and prodding her. The woman claimed that her comment was in response to the hate against the Igbo. I want make Ndi Igbo get that heart of wickedness. Una too dey quiet, the woman said, addressing other participants. Enough is enough! If you have any means of kpaing them, kpai them commot for road. Abike Dabiri, the chairperson of a federal agency, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, disclosed on Wednesday that a group of Nigerians in Canada were reporting the woman to the Canadian authorities. Ohanaeze reacts The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has, however, said there was no sufficient evidence that the woman was Igbo, adding that she did not in any way portray the Igbo character of thoughtfulness, discretion, self-censure and equanimity. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Alex Ogbonnia, the Ohanaezes spokesperson, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Enugu. He described the woman as a miscreant. Mr Ogbonnia said Ohanaeze have received calls from prominent Nigerians who expressed fears on the possibility of some persons carrying out the threats. It therefore becomes imperative for Ohanaeze to respond, especially when the National Publicity Secretary of the Afenifere, Mr Jare Ajayi, forwarded the clip and requested for prompt action. There is no Igbo man or woman that will contemplate throwing a stone in a full market for fear of who shall be the victim as the Igbo travel more than any ethnic group in Africa. They also create homes away from home wherever they are found. They mix up or integrate with the local community and contribute to developing every community they find themselves. Based on the foregoing, two major derivatives emerge: if one should poison food in Lagos or Ibadan or Benin, is there any guarantee that the first victim will not be Igbo? Mr Ogbonnia said. The Ohanaezes spokesperson said the woman in the video must be a depressed drowning ethnic bigot, obsessed by the negative side of history and unflinching satanic in orchestration. He disclosed that the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okey Emuchay, has condemned the video. According to him, Mr Emuchay vehemently condemned both the video content and the perpetrator as a mischief-maker. They are the merchant of woes who deploy despicable and incendiary rhetoric to create ethnic mistrust and conflicts where none exists. Ohanaeze seizes this opportunity to enlighten the younger generations that the Igbo, Edo and Yoruba share a lot in common. We share in cultural affinity, cosmology, morphology, and hospitality. The age-long inter-marriages between the Igbo, Yoruba and Edo have produced well accomplished great grandchildren, he said. He, therefore, assured the Afenifere, the entire Yoruba and Edo brothers that the threat from the depraved mind should be ignored as idiotic, meaningless and vacuous. We add that, throughout history, proposals by the maladjusted are always dead on arrival. We use this opportunity to call on the security agencies in Nigeria to trace the perpetrators of this macabre dance to face the full weight of the law, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, on Thursday appeared before the Nigeria Police Forces Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to answer to allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime levelled against him by the force. Mr Ajaero, dressed in traditional black attire, was accompanied to the IRT office in Abuja by his counsel, Femi Falana. They left the NLC headquarters located in the Central Business District of Abuja in a black Lexus SUV. Commitment to non-violence Ahead of Mr Ajaeros scheduled appearance, the NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, reiterated the unions unwavering commitment to peace and non-violent advocacy. Throughout the NLCs history, we have never engaged in violent protests. We are workers, not troublemakers, and we will not start now, Mr Ugboaja stated during a press briefing. Tensions are running high as the NLC has signalled its readiness to mobilise its members nationwide should the police take action against Mr Ajaero. The unions treasurer, Ambali Olatunji, underscored the gravity of the situation, declaring, We will not be intimidated. Our resolve is firm, and we will protect the rights of Nigerian workers. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The police invitation, dated 19 August and signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Adamu Muazu, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police Intelligence, said Mr Ajaero should come to the IRT Complex at Abattoir, near Guzape Junction, on 21 August at 10:00 a.m. The letter, which notably omitted Mr Ajaeros title as NLC President, warned that failure to comply could result in an arrest warrant being issued. In response to the police action, the NLC convened an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) on 20 August, where the union condemned the allegations against Mr Ajaero, describing them as unfounded and politically motivated. The NEC issued a strongly-worded communique, threatening nationwide strikes if Mr Ajaero or any other NLC leaders were detained or harmed. This is a red line. If anything happens to our president or any of our leaders, we will shut down the country, the communique said. The NLC leadership framed the police actions as part of a broader campaign to undermine the unions influence and silence its advocacy for democratic principles and workers rights in Nigeria. This is not just about our president; its about an orchestrated effort to weaken the NLCs role as a defender of democracy and the rights of Nigerian workers, the statement added. Postponement Despite the NLCs strong opposition, Mr Ajaero sought a postponement of the meeting with the police, citing the short notice given. In a letter dated 20 August, his legal team from Femi Falana Chambers requested an extension to 29 August, arguing that the initial invitation was received only a day before the scheduled meeting, leaving Mr Ajaero unable to reschedule prior commitments. The letter assured the police that Mr Ajaero would be available for the interview on the new date, pending further clarification of the charges against him. The police invitation has drawn widespread criticism, not only from the NLC but also from international organisations. Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the federal governments actions as an attempt to intimidate the NLC through baseless allegations. Similarly, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) expressed concern over what it described as escalating attacks on the trade union movement in Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has vowed to continue to champion workers welfare despite being questioned by the police over allegations of terrorism financing and other crimes. Mr Ajaero stated this after he returned from the office of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Abuja on Thursday. He had gone there to honour an invitation extended to him by the police. Addressing supporters and journalists at the Pascal Bafyau Labour House headquarters, Abuja shiortly after he returned, Mr Ajaero vowed to continue pressing for the implementation of a new minimum wage and other labour demands. For this level of solidarity, I want to thank every one of you, Mr Ajaero said to the gathered crowd. Tell every Nigerian worker that we are committed to your welfare. We have gone there and we are back. You cant do this job without facing such hazards. Its expected. Even at the unit level, some of us experience this. We will not listen to any distraction. On behalf of the NLC, NAC, NEC, and CWC, for the solidarity they have shown, I want to say thank you. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Reflecting on his long history of labour activism, Mr Ajaero recalled being detained alongside human rights lawyer Femi Falana during the military regime of Sani Abacha in 1998. He emphasised that the current circumstances would not deter him from his mission. We have secured a new minimum wage that has yet to be implemented, and we will press for its enforcement as soon as possible, he declared. Invitation The IRT had asked Mr Ajaero on 19 August to appear before it to answer to charges of alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrim. The invitation came after a raid on the NLC headquarters in Abuja on 7 August, during which security operatives broke into the buildings second floor and ransacked a bookshop. Although he was asked by the police to come on 20 August, the NLC president requested through his lawyers, Femi Falana Chambers, more time to appear on 29 August. Mr Ajaero had left the Labour House to honour the invitation on Thursday at about 9 a.m. and returned at about 11.30 a.m. He was accompanied back from the IRT office by some members of his legal team, including Maxwell Opara. Unrelated charges Meanwhile, Mr Opara has revealed that Mr Ajaero was not questioned on the allegations for which he was invited. He said the police questioned the NLC president about a tenant in the NLC building rather than the severe crimes initially mentioned. Just to correct the impression, what we heard is quite different from what was contained in the invitation letter, Mr Opara said. Now that they have learned their lessons and corrected themselves, we have accepted it in that manner. That doesnt mean we are going to relent. Mr Opara also called for the release of minors detained during the #EndBadGovernance protests. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops eliminated 1,166 terrorists and apprehended 1,096 suspects in 29 days across the country. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, made this known while briefing journalists on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja. Mr Buba said the troops also rescued 721 kidnapped hostages. He said the troops also recovered 391 weapons, 15,234 ammunitions comprising 208 AK47 rifles, 54 locally fabricated guns, 53 dane guns, 36 pump action guns, and 10,452 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo within the month. Others, according to him, are 1,991 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 293 cartridges, 42 assorted arms and 2,498 assorted ammunition. He said several terrorist leaders and commanders were killed as a result of military onslaught during the month. According to him, terrorist leaders slain in the North-east include Munir Arika, Sani Dilla (aka Dan Hausawan Jibilarram), Ameer Modu, Dan Fulani Fari Fari, Bakoura Araina Chikin, Dungusu, Abu Darda and Abu Rijab. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Those in the North-west include; Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama, Kachalla Dan Mani Na Inna, Kachalla Basiru Zakariyya, Sani Baka Tsine, Inusa Zangon Kuzi, Ibrahim, Tukur and Kamilu Buzaru, among others. Ongoing operations across the country have significantly diminished the military capabilities of terror groups and denied the terrorists the ability to carry out major offensives. The situation experienced mostly these days are low-level skirmishes and attacks on soft targets. We are aware that we are dealing with a shrewd, ruthless and brutal enemy that must be stopped from their acts of terror. Accordingly, the military is prepared to act with the relevant level of force that would be needed to dismantle these terror groups. Troops strategy is to undermine the abilities of these terror groups and create conditions whereby they cannot carry out acts of terror or harm citizens. Accordingly, the military has prioritised targeting the terrorist leaders, commanders, foot soldiers as well as their collaborators, he said. In the North-east, Mr Buba said the troops of Operations Hadin Kai killed 292 terrorists, apprehended 254 suspects and rescued 213 kidnapped hostages during the month. He added that a total of 2,742 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and their families surrendered to troops who also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition. In the North-central, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven killed 50 violent extremists, apprehended 290 others and rescued 121 hostages. The troops also recovered a cache of arms. Under Operation Whirl Stroke, he said the troops killed 37 terrorists, arrested 94 suspects and rescued 68 kidnapped hostages. In the North-west, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji killed 153 terrorists, arrested 97 suspects and rescued 186 hostages. The troops also recovered a large cache of arms. Under Operation Whirl Punch, he said the troops killed 63 terrorists, apprehended 291 suspects and rescued 62 hostages. The troops also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition. In the South-south, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe helped to increase Nigerias daily crude oil production to over 1.5 million barrels per day in August. He said the troops apprehended 71 persons involved in crude oil theft and impounded 5,047,150 litres of crude oil, 1,152,500 litres of diesel, 320 litres of kerosene and 28,500 litres of petrol. Furthermore, troops recovered 194 assorted ammunition and destroyed 125 wooden boats as well as 458 illegal refining sites. Nevertheless, troops are urging for more transparency by the IOCs, accurate metering, cooperation of stakeholders in the sector and cooperation from the local communities. Troops are also monitoring the prosecution of culprits perpetrating crude oil theft, he added. In the South-east, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA conducted offensive operations against the IPOB/ESN terror group and killed 34 terrorists, apprehended 82 suspects and rescued 26 hostages. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Chief of Staff to President Femi Gbajabiamila has asked the leadership of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to embrace transparency in all dealings, citing the commissions sacred religious mandate. Mr Gbajabiamila said this when he visited the commissions Head office in Abuja on Wednesday as part of his office oversight of some federal government agencies and parastatals. He was accompanied to the commission by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Hassan-Hadeija, the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Adebiyi Olufunso, and other members of the State House management. Mr Gbajabiamila emphasised the need for the commission to undergo reforms in line with President Tinubus renewed hope agenda. He said all organisations should align with the agenda. The visit, he noted, is a step towards reinforcing the Commission. He stressed that NAHCON, given its religious significance and the spiritual nature of its mission, must avoid controversies and consistently demonstrate transparency and efficiency. This is a commission that should never be found in any controversy simply because of its mandate and what it represents. You have to accept the responsibility of what goes on in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Gbajabiamila also urged the commission to prioritise early preparation and efficient organisation of Hajj activities. Mr Ibrahim-Hadeija, in his remarks, said the commission should focus on clear communication with the general public and the pilgrims and ensuring timely preparations. He also stressed the importance of planning to provide a seamless pilgrimage experience. Responding, NAHCON Commissioner of Policy, Personnel Management, and Finance (PPMF), Aliu Abdulrazaq, currently overseeing the commissions affairs, outlined its mandate to enhance Hajj and Umrah services for Nigerian pilgrims. He further highlighted several challenges faced by the commission, including the need for digitisation of its accounting and procedural processes. Also, the PRSILS commissioner, Abubakar Yagawal, assured the delegation that preparations for the 2025 Hajj had already begun. He also expressed gratitude for the governments continued support and commitment to improving Hajj operations. President Tinubu recently appointed Abdullahi Usman, a professor, as the commissions new chairman after sacking Jalal Arabi, who was caught up in an N90 bn Hajj subsidy scandal. Mr Usman is awaiting the Senates confirmation. EFCC is currently investigating Mr Arabi over the commissions handling of the 2024 Hajj. Other visits The delegation visited NALDA, BPP, BPE, NASENI, NEITI, and NFIC, among other agencies, directly under the supervision of the presidency. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu receives the news of the devastation wreaked by floods on communities and farmlands nationwide with profound grief. Recent data by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) indicate that lives have been lost with thousands of hectares of farmlands damaged and thousands of people displaced by floods across the country. The president sympathised with all victims of these ravages of nature, especially bereaved families, farmers, displaced communities, and those who have lost property. President Tinubu re-emphasised the need for a concerted effort to address existential environmental concerns and build a more climate-resilient and adaptive society. The president prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased, while assuring Nigerians that his administration, through the relevant agencies, will continue to provide the needed support for victims, as well as timely warnings to mitigate the impact of environmental mishaps. Ajuri Ngelale Special Adviser to the President Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later (Media & Publicity) August 28, 2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Nemi Iwo, has ordered the arrest of individuals driving tinted vehicles, unregistered vehicles, or vehicles with covered number plates. The order was contained in a statement on Wednesday by the police spokesperson in Edo, Moses Yamu, a police superintendent. The statement quoted Mr Iwo as also directing that such vehicles should be impounded, warning that the law would be strictly enforced without exception. According to the police commissioner, the strategy is meant to curb the rising cases of kidnapping, robbery, and cultism in the state. ALSO READ: Three police officers face trial over illegal demand for tinted glass permit The general public is, by this notice, warned to desist from using such vehicles to avoid being arrested because the law does not respect anyone. I appeal to the good people of Edo to cooperate with the police in its quest to ensure the safety of lives and property of the general public, especially during this period of build-up to the election, he said. (NAN) Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The European Unions foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, has asked the 27 EU member states to impose sanctions on Israeli government members. The proposed sanctions targeted Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, dpa learned from EU officials shortly before an EU foreign ministers meeting on Thursday. Both Messrs Smotrich and Ben-Gvir recently caused outrage with anti-Palestinian statements. They are far-right coalition partners of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both officials were advocates of the settlement policy in occupied territories, which the highest UN court considers illegal. Mr Ben-Gvir recently called for an end to aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip in order to pressure the Palestinian militant organisation Hamas. Mr Smotrich made a similar statement, suggesting a possible blockade of aid until all Israeli hostages held by Hamas were released. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He described this as morally justified, even if it meant risking the lives of 2 million people in the Gaza Strip. According to Israel, Hamas still holds 107 hostages in Gaza. At least a third of them are believed to be no longer alive. The latest Gaza war was sparked by the Hamas-led attack in which 1,200 people, largely civilians, were killed on 7 October. Since then, an Israeli military bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 40,000 people, among them thousands of children, according to local health officials. (dpa/NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A Magistrates Court in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, on Thursday sentenced a 40-year-old man, Cletus Gandu, to nine months imprisonment for stealing two tubers of yam. The convict admitted that he stole the tubers of yam because he was hungry and begged for leniency. In his ruling, Magistrate Michael Bawa sentenced the defendant to three months for criminal trespass and nine months for theft. The sentences are to run concurrently. Mr Bawa, however, gave the defendant a fine option of N50,000. The convict was charged by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) with criminal trespass and theft, contrary to section 327 and 270 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law. The NSCDC prosecutor, Marcus Audu, told the court that the complainant, Alice Daniel, reported the matter at the Corps office in Kafanchan on July 15. Mr Audu explained that the convict stole the yam tubers from the complainants farm in Zonkwa on two separate occasions. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later According to him, the convict confessed to the crime during the investigation. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, says former Vice President Atiku Abubakar must wait till 2031 if he wants to contest for president again. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Atiku, the PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, lost to President Bola Tinubu. Mr George, in a statement on Wednesday, said that a southerner must occupy the office of the President and Commander in Chief from 2023 to 2031 because that is the reality of our country, PDP constitution and our polity. Even in 2027, Atiku will be 81 years and this is the time for him to embrace the President Joe Biden concept of allowing the younger generation to run for the highest office in the land. I have nothing personal against Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. He is my friend but the truth must be told. By 2027, by Gods Grace, I will also be in my 80s. So, what am I looking for in public office as an octogenarian? The same principle should apply to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. We all saw what American President, Joe Biden, did recently when he stepped down for Kamala Harris to contest the November presidential election. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later That is the hallmark of a statesman. Alhaji Abubakar Atiku should do same so that in 2027, PDP will field a southerner as presidential candidate, George, a former military governor of Ondo State ,said. According to him, the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner from Katsina State ,just left office after ruling for eight years. He said that power at the federal level could not go to the North in 2027 because that is the reality of our country and our partys constitution. Mr George said that Section 7, Sub-section 3 (C) of the PDP Constitution stated that zoning and rotation must be maintained for justice, fairness and equity. He added: In our party, this is the right and logical thing to do in the present political circumstances. But if Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is desperate to contest again, I will advise him as a friend, a party man and brother to wait till 2031. By then, he will be 85 years. As loyal party members, we must continue to respect PDP Constitution. Fair is fair. I joined the PDP in 1998 and I have remained in this party since. The PDP chieftain said that he was elected National Vice -Chairman (South-West) and later,Deputy- National Chairman and now, a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and one of the respected elders and credible voices of our party. He said: I have not defected to any other party. While I was in Wadata Plaza, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was in the Villa as Vice President. So, we know ourselves and the two of us know the principles guiding this party. We should not do anything that will destroy our party and the country. In 2027, the concept of Turn-by-Turn Nigeria Limited must be strictly followed by our party. PDP must look for a southerner to wrest power from the APC because that party of strange bed fellows wants to destroy this country, economically and politically. So, Nigerians are waiting for us to rescue them in 2027 but a southerner must lead the battle, he said. Mr George described as laughable, a report by Abubakars media adviser, Paul Ibe, calling him (George) a tribal bigot, over his position on power rotation. I read a report by one of Alhaji Abubakars media aides accusing me of tribalism, I just laughed. My best friend today is a Fulani man, Admiral Murtala Nyako. I was the Director-General of the Umaru Musa YarAdua Presidential Campaign Organisation for the 2007 elections. The late president trusted me. So, I cannot be accused of being tribalistic. I also served the military well. My records are there for all to see. But, you know in politics, people can say anything to tarnish your image. Despite that, the truth must be told. What you will not accept, dont give to others. I can boldly say that I am a detribalised Nigerian and a committed member of the PDP. I dont harbour any disdain or hate for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar or any other PDP member, he said. Mr George urged every member of the party to embrace and respect the entrenched principles of zoning and rotation, bestowed on the party by our founding fathers since inception in 1998, no matter whose ox is gored. The principles explicitly stipulate that, at the end of every eight years, all elective and party offices should change from the northern divide to the southern divide and vice versa. That is the position which I will continue to champion till thy kingdom come!, he said. NAN Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A 30-year-old man has allegedly raped a seven-year-old girl in Awka, Anambra State, Nigerias South-east. The suspect, Chinonso Nwaebonyi, hails from Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. Chidimma Ikeanyionwu, a media aide to the State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. Ms Ikeanyionwu did not indicate when the incident happened. The media aide said the suspect has been arrested by the ministry and handed over to the police. She said the suspect would be interrogated and charged to court. The media aide said the arrest of the suspect followed a report to the ministry by the survivors mother. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later She pointed out that the survivors parents birthed her and her twin brother after ten years of childlessness. How I was raped for five times - Survivor The survivor (name withheld) reportedly told the ministry that the suspect began to rape her when she and her twin brother started going to a compound nearby to play during the holiday. She said, during the holiday period, the suspect raped her five times which often occurred on Mondays and Tuesdays. The survivor added that her mother got to know about the incident after she wanted to bathe her and observed that her daughters private part was swollen. According to her, the mother quickly visited and complained to the suspects guardians on hearing about the alleged rape. She subsequently visited a health facility for medical examination before reporting to the ministry. Suspects confession Ms Ikeanyionwu, the media aide, said Mr Nwaebonyi initially denied the allegation, but later confessed to committing the crime. She added that the suspect claimed he raped the survivor only once. Mr Nwaebonyi, according to the statement, claimed he did not force the survivor, but only asked her to raise her clothes and lie down on the ground. Prohibited in Nigeria Nigeria, in 2015, enacted the Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Act, which outlawed all forms of violence against women and girls, including rape, female circumcision and forceful ejection. Offenders, on conviction, face life imprisonment or maximum of 14-year jail term, depending on the age of the offender and type of violence committed. Several persons have been convicted by various courts for rape. An Ado-Ekiti High Court, in July 2022, sentenced a 49-year-old man, Dele Adeyanju, to four years imprisonment for raping an 11-year-old girl. A Bauchi High Court, in 2017, sentenced two middle aged men to life in prison for raping a 40-year-old woman and plucking her eyes. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A deepening of mutual understanding between Nigeria and the BBC World Service is critical to a more informed society, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said, during a working visit to the British Broadcasting Corporation headquarters in London. Mr Idris visit to the BBC is part of a bridge-building and cooperation efforts between Nigerias Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and foreign and local media houses. At a meeting with the BBCs top management, headed by Jonathan Munro, deputy chief executive officer of the BBC News and Director of the BBC World Service, Idris canvassed for fostering understanding as a key element in driving development. The media plays an indispensable role in shaping the right narratives, fostering understanding, and driving development, and as such, it is incumbent on media houses with global reach to deepen their understanding of the socio-political, economic, and cultural characteristics of the societies they report on, said Idris. He also underscored the vital role the BBC plays as a longstanding narrator of the Nigerian political journey, saying that it was important for the BBC to balance its reporting on Nigeria by highlighting the progress and successes of the country and adopting deliberate content that inspires hope for a brighter future Nigeria has a flourishing youth population with uncommon zeal to seize positive opportunities even in the face of immense challenges, a situation that warrants more emphasis on positive outcomes in Nigeria, Idris posited. One of the key challenges amongst youth in Nigeria and the world over, the Minister explained, is the rapid spread of misinformation, disinformation, and fake news, which he said hinders progress and erodes trust between government and the people. He called on the BBC to further strengthen mechanisms for addressing the aforementioned challenges by also working in concert with its foreign partners to combat these threats and ensure the media ecosystems remain credible and responsible. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The minister praised the BBCs expanding their operational reach in Nigeria by creating more language options in Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Pidgin, saying it has helped in the cascading of information and the employment and training of many more Nigerians. Rabiu Ibrahim Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation. August 27, 2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print National Coordinator, Education Rights Campaign, Hassan Soweto, has asked the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, to review the policy barring under-18-year-olds admission into tertiary institutions. The Minister of Education should not drag us into a needless controversy, he said on the Arise Televisions Morning Show on Thursday morning. Mr Soweto said only 20 per cent of candidates seeking admission into higher institutions of learning stand a chance of success. Reality is that you have, in this country, conditions that mean that even adults, even 25-year-olds, cannot even finish their education. Then there is the challenge that I have seen; people enter the university at the age of 15, they dont graduate until the age of 27, because of strikes, he added. So, this is not a country that is working; it is only a working environment that this idea can become relevant. The minister explained that the policy was meant to address key issues surrounding the challenges faced by children who were not mature in tertiary institutions. After receiving backlash from stakeholders at a policy meeting organised by the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) earlier in August, Mr Mamman conceded that the benchmark should be set at 16 years, however, the law would apply from 2025. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Debate by Experts Former President, Reading Association of Nigeria, Gabriel Egbe, a professor, who joined in the discussion on the show, argued that research findings revealed that children who gained entry into tertiary institutions of learning at an early age had higher chances of dropping out of school. Mr Egbe proposed that such research, carried outside Nigeria, should be replicated in Nigeria to guide the ministry in the necessary steps. Meanwhile, Child Protection experts and former UNICEF consultant, Taiwo Akinlami who also appeared as a guest on the show, explained that there should be exceptions to the policy. Mr Akinlami, who is also a lawyer, suggested that gifted children should be identified early and proposed the introduction of a policy to guide them for accelerated education. There is no preparation on the side of universities to attend to children that are entering at a younger age, he said. He added that it is no right to send a child of any age to higher institutions of learning just because the child is gifted. Even if the child is gifted we have to be concerned about child safeguarding issues relating to that, he said. He also advised that a period of transition should be considered to allow for adjustment before the policy takes full effect. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Benedicta Daudu, a professor who was sanctioned for examination misconduct at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) in 2016, has sued PREMIUM TIMES for defamation over the newspapers extensive reporting on her examination malpractice scandal. She seeks a whopping N7 billion in damages. Mrs Daudu, currently a lecturer and professor at the Taraba State University, filed the defamation suit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja in March following the newspapers latest reporting about her. In May 2016, Mrs Daudu was caught with foreign materials containing answers during a second-semester examination that she was taking as a masters student of Research and Public Policy at the Faculty of Social Sciences of UNIJOS. She was then an associate professor of law and Head of the Department of Jurisprudence and International Law of the Faculty of Law at the university but decided to pursue another masters degree in social sciences. After finding her guilty of examination misconduct, the university suspended her from the masters programme for one academic session and suspended her for six months as a staff member. PREMIUM TIMES first reported the scandal while Mrs Daudu served as a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PACAC). As a result of the scandal, she stepped down from the committee. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In September 2023, PREMIUM TIMES reported that despite her examination misconduct scandal, she made the shortlist of applicants for the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Eventually, she did not make the final list of the successful applicants released by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) in October 2023. Mrs Daudu said the PREMIUM TIMES reports of 15 September 2023 and 12 October 2023 maliciously damaged her reputation and qualifications and ruined her chances of becoming a SAN. The N7 billion case In the suit number marked FCT/HC/CV/2024 filed on 11 March, Mrs Daudu claimed that the reports about her cheating scandal were false. According to her, the reports were published to rubbish her good name, integrity, professional standing, and value and ruin her chances in the final lap of the SAN conferment. Mrs Daudu claimed there is no scintilla of truth in PREMIUM TIMES wicked publications. She said she was only wrongfully accused of being in possession of unauthorised academic material during an examination by some staff (members) of the university. She claimed she was not found guilty of the crimes of cheating and examination malpractice or dismissed indefinitely as a lecturer by the University of Jos. The lawyer also emphasised that she was not sacked as a Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) member. According to her, the reports maliciously portrayed her as unfit to be conferred with the SAN rank, a misfit in the legal profession and a bad example of a teacher and mentor. She also criticised PREMIUM TIMES for not allowing her to respond to the allegations before publishing the reports. As a result, she is seeking N7 billion in damagesN2 billion for general damages related to the two reports and N5 billion for exemplary damages due to what she described as the publications extreme malice. Additionally, she asked the court to compel PREMIUM TIMES to retract the allegedly libellous publications and issue public apologies in five national newspapers, five national television stations, and five national radio stations. The exam scandal: The 11 pieces of paper In 2016, Mrs Daudu, already a doctorate degree holder and then Acting Head of the Department of International Law and Jurisprudence at UNIJOS, was pursuing a second masters degree in Research and Public Policy (MRPP) in the Faculty of Social Science at the same university. During a second-semester examination for the course Global Concept of Public Policy (MRPP 513), she was caught with 11 pieces of paper containing revision notes relevant to her exam. The invigilator, Joshua Manga, reported her to the university authorities. Following this incident, the Senate Examination Misconduct Committee tried her and recommended that she be suspended from the masters programme for two semesters. Additionally, the university suspended her as a staff member for six months and referred her case to the Council/Senate Disciplinary Committee for further action. However, instead of appearing before the staff disciplinary committee, Mrs Daudu filed a suit at the National Industrial Court in Abuja to stop the proceedings. During the trial, she admitted under cross-examination that revision notes were found in her possession. She also confirmed that the content was relevant to the examination, but she said she had no intention of using the papers during the exam. This contrasts with her new claim in the suit she filed against PREMIUM TIMES that she was wrongfully accused of being in possession of foreign materials. She also said during the proceedings that she was only challenging her suspension as a university staff member, not her suspension as a student, on account of examination misconduct. On 17 October 2019, the court dismissed her suit, affirming the universitys right to take disciplinary action against her. The judge ruled that her suspension from the university did not violate her right to a fair hearing and that the university was within its rights to initiate further disciplinary actions after suspending her as a staff member. Mrs Daudu, dissatisfied with the ruling, appealed the decision but later resigned from her position at UNIJOS in November 2019. Settlement While her appeal was pending, Mrs Daudu and UNIJOS decided to settle the matter out of court. The settlement, filed at the Court of Appeal in Abuja on 31 March 2021, allowed her to resign from the university and continue her studies after she served one academic session of suspension. The university also agreed to pay her withheld half salaries for the six months she was on suspension as a staff member. On her part, she agreed to discontinue her appeal against the university. Agreement sparks controversy, draws criticism This settlement, however, sparked controversy and criticism. About two months after the settlement, some media outlets reported that UNIJOS had reinstated Mrs Daudu as a staff member after clearing her of examination misconduct allegations. The media publications angered the university, which quickly issued a rejoinder to deny it. The universitys registrar, Monday Danjem, clarified in the rejoinder that Mrs Daudu was never absolved of wrongdoing regarding the allegation of examination misconduct. In fact, according to the statement, her court case never challenged the examination misconduct allegation for which she served a period of suspension as a student. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Last Sunday, the police and members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) clashed in Wuse Market Abuja, with both sides claiming casualties and damages. The group was rounding off its two-day Arbaeen procession, which started on Saturday when the face-off ensued. The Arbaeen procession is done 40 days after the Shiite groups annual Ashura anniversary to commemorate the martyrdom of Hussain bn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in Karbala, Iraq. Top members of the group who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday said the procession is done globally. They said their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, joined the procession in Iraq. The FCT police command, in a press statement, said two of its officers stationed at a traffic light in Wuse were killed in an unprovoked attack by the Shiite group. The police said the IMN members were armed with machetes, improvised explosive devices (locally made bombs in bottles with kerosene), and knives. The incident, according to the commands spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, left three [officers] unconscious in the hospital. She added that three police patrol vehicles were set ablaze. An onlooker, identified as Amiru, also lost his life during the incident, according to a Daily Trust report. The victim was shot in the chest while running for his life when the police chased the protesters close to Chateau De La-Rey in Wuse Zone 6. Pattern of violence, Allegations and Counter-allegations PREMIUM TIMES has reported several violent incidents between security agencies and the IMN, which has since been proscribed by the Nigerian government. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In virtually all situations, the violence commences when security agencies, in a bid to maintain law and order, try to prevent IMN members from continuing with a march or a road blockade during their processions. Both parties always accuse each other of instigating the violence. The IMN, which often suffers the most casualties, says the police use lethal force to disperse its members, while the police often accuse the IMN members of attacking its officers unprovoked. Sundays incident was not different. Abdullahi Musa, the secretary for the groups academic forum, in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES, denied that members of the group attacked the police unprovoked. He said last weekends procession was peaceful on its first day when we marched from Masaka to Mararaba as those in Suleja [Niger State] marched to Zuba. Mr Musa said that on the second day of the procession (on Sunday), the police stationed armed officers around Wuse market, where the IMN was conducting its procession. They started firing teargas and live bullets at us around 11:20 a.m. on Sunday, he said, adding that police took four of their injured members away from the scene. The secretary also denied that the IMN members killed police officers. According to him, the groups members were not armed, as claimed by the police. He said the police officers were killed by shots fired by their colleagues. Mr Musa recalled a similar scenario in 2019 when they were protesting against the detention of their leader, Mr El-Zakzaky. Mr Musa said during the #FreeZakzaky protests in 2019, the police blamed the group for the killing of one AIG Umar Bello who was shot by his colleagues while speaking to us. During that protest, they killed 11 of our members and denied it, Mr Musa continued, adding about six corpses were later released to their family members. On Wednesday, Rabiu Abdullahi, a prominent leader of the movement, held a press conference expressing deep concerns over what he termed as ongoing human rights violations by the police authorities. Mr Abdullahi said several IMN members were arrested during the Arbaeen Trek that took place over the weekend. Our brothers and sisters, arrested on August 25, 2024, have been denied access to their families and lawyers. All the necessary efforts put in place to reach them and learn about their condition have been deliberately frustrated by security agents. We call upon relevant authorities and all well-meaning individuals to call the NPF to order before things get out of control. We demand the unconditional release of all those arrested during the 2024 Abuja Arbaeen, he added. PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify Mr Abdullahis claims. The police spokesperson could not be reached for comment on the recent claims as she did not respond to calls or a message sent to her. But Haruna Magashi, the IMNs lawyer, corroborated the secretary, although he was not in Abuja when the incident happened. My clients briefed me that they conducted their procession peacefully before the police arrived and without any provocation, started firing teargas and subsequently live bullets, Mr Magashi told PREMIUM TIMES, adding that a lot of people including women and children were shot and wounded. He said many were arrested afterwards. Mr Magashi said the police also attacked a residence at Karmajiji in Abuja on 26 August, but he had not received any report of arrest or casualties. The lawyer said the Abuja police command called him before the weekend rally to ask where his clients would be converging and marching for their Arbaeen procession. I told them that on Saturday, it will be from two different directions. One from Mararaba to Abuja and the other from Suleja to Abuja, Mr Magashi said, adding that he told the police the two-day procession would end at noon. He continued: As for Sunday, the organisers said they could not confirm the routes because they will choose carefully so as not to obstruct church activities. They could only ascertain the routes that Sunday. After the violence in Abuja, our reporter learnt that the police, around 4:30 p.m., proceeded to a guest inn in neighbouring Suleja where some members of the group were lodged. There, they fired teargas and bullets and dispersed IMN members inside the guest inn, three members of the group who spoke to our reporter said. After they dispersed us, they went away with some 30 injured members and burnt a Mazda car belonging to Musa Muhammed, one of the groups members told PREMIUM TIMES, asking not to be named for fear of arrest. He added that Mr Muhammed, who hails from Sokoto State, was arrested after the police team set his car ablaze. Eyewitness Account A witness of Sundays violence in Wuse, Abuja, told Daily Trust that what he saw suggested the IMN members were the aggressors. They pelted the officers with stones and seized guns from the police, the witness told Daily Trust. They overpowered the police, so they had to run for their lives, the source said, adding that the protesters further set fire to three police vehicles. The police said they have arrested 97 suspects over the incident. Mr El-Zakzaky, the IMN leader, is a prominent Shia advocate in Nigeria. He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna State, in the 1970s. During his student years, he led both the Muslim Students Society (MSS) and Nigerias Muslim Brotherhood. He became notorious for advocating Islam as an alternative to socialism and capitalism. He organised rallies where followers burned the Nigerian constitution to protest against secularism and publicly supported Irans Islamic revolution in 1979. After a visit to Iran in 1980, Mr El-Zakzaky reportedly adopted the symbolism and rhetoric of Ayatollah Khomeini, the late Shia leader of Iran. He also reportedly incorporated the ideologies of Hasan al-Banna and Sayyid Qutb, founders of the Sunni Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. Mr El-Zakzaky established the IMN and reportedly embarked on recruitment campaigns at northern Nigerian universities to promote the Iranian revolution. While imprisoned in the mid-1980s, he converted to Shia Islam and transformed the IMN from a student organisation into a mass movement that advocated for the implementation of Sharia law in Nigeria. He criticised Nigerias secular government and accused traditional Sunni leaders, including the Sultan of Sokoto and Sufi brotherhoods, of siding with the government to protect their interests. He would later become soft on his antagonism. IMNs previous confrontations with the police PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Nigerian government detained Mr El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenah, in December 2015 after security operatives killed over 300 members of IMN in Kaduna State. The Shiites were attacked and killed for blocking a road being used by the then-army chief, Tukur Buratai, during one of their rallies in Kaduna State. The army initially denied the killings until an independent body set up by the Kaduna government confirmed it and that the victims were buried in mass graves by the army. That massacre was condemned by local and international groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Mr El-Zakzaky and his wife were held for five years until a court acquitted them of all charges levelled against them. Despite the court ruling, the government still held on to his international passport until last year when he was allowed to travel. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerias Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, says Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an American aerospace company, Boeing, to enhance sustainable development in the countrys aviation sector. The minister, who disclosed this on Thursday in a statement posted on his official X page, noted that the MoU among several other packages, will provide leadership-development training to help airlines in the country enhance their leadership pipeline. Yesterday, in Seattle, State of Washington in the USA, I led a delegation of the Executives of major airlines in Nigeria under the auspices of Airline Operators of Nigeria and other important stakeholders in the civil aviation ecosystem in Nigeria to sign an important Memorandum of Understanding with THE BOEING Company, one of the major aircraft manufacturers in the world, the minister said. The development comes more than a month after Boeing agreed to plead guilty to criminal fraud conspiracy charges stemming from two fatal crashes involving its 737 Max planes that killed 346 passengers and crew members in 2018 and 2019. This is after the US Department of Justice (DoJ) ruled that the company violated a deal meant to reform amidst safety concerns. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the plane maker had also agreed to pay a criminal fine of $243.6m (190m), the DoJ said on Monday. According to a BBC report, the settlement must now be approved by a US judge. However, some families of the victims of the ill-fated aircraft five years ago have criticised the decision, describing it as a sweetheart deal that would allow Boeing to avoid full responsibility for the fatalities recorded during the crashes. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Highlights of MOU On Thursday, Mr Keyamo noted that part of the MoU deal would help Nigeria leverage Boeings network of financiers and lessors to better position Nigerian Airlines to acquire newer generation Boeing aircraft. He said it would also provide enhanced technical support to help airlines introduce new or used Boeing Aircraft, and also provide training in airline operations and business models to enhance airline business practices. The minister noted that the deal will provide technical support via providing access to Boeing data such as maintenance documents, engineering drawings, parts purchasing, and flight operations documents to streamline maintenance practices in the country. READ ALSO:Nigerian govt unveils integrated electricity policy Part of the MoU will also provide Boeing Field Services Representation in Nigeria or close by as on-site support, Mr Keyamo stated, adding that it will provide leadership-development training to help airlines enhance their leadership pipeline. Other highlights of the MoU according to the minister include: collaborate with airlines in-flight operations, maintenance, and engineering to enhance safety and operational efficiency; collaborate with NCAA and NSIB in close partnership with ICAO and regional regulators to enhance safety oversight in the region and to provide consultation via Boeings Airports Engineering team to open and/or expand airport capabilities and advisory on MRO development. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print During their meeting, Mr Xi stated that in a changing and turbulent world, countries needed solidarity and coordination, not division or confrontation. According to him, people want openness and progress, not exclusion or regress. Mr Xi said, As two major countries, China and the US should be responsible for history, for the people and for the world, and should be source of stability for world peace and propeller for common development. While great changes have taken place in the two countries and in China-U.S. relations, Chinas commitment to the goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship remains unchanged. Its principle in handling the relationship based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation remains unchanged. Its position of firmly safeguarding the countrys sovereignty, security and development interests remains unchanged. Its efforts to carry forward the traditional friendship between the Chinese and American people remain unchanged. The Chinese president further expressed the hope that the US side will work in the same direction as China and that it will view China and its development in a positive and rational light. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later To see each others development as an opportunity rather than a challenge and to work with China to find a right way for two major countries to get along with each other, Mr Xi added. Mr Sullivan also held a rare meeting on Thursday with one of Chinas top generals during his visit to Beijing. According to a report by Chinese broadcaster Phoenix TV, the meeting appears to be a sign of rapprochement between China and the US. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission in Beijing, said that the meeting showed Mr Sullivans high regard for the relations between the US and Chinese militaries. As adviser to President Joe Biden, Mr Sullivan plays a crucial role in formulating US security strategies and coordinating policy towards China, Mr Zhang added. The Central Military Commission is Chinas highest military decision-making body and is chaired by President Xi Jinping. The White House said that, in the meeting, Mr Sullivan stressed that both countries have a responsibility to prevent competition from veering into conflict or confrontation. The two sides reaffirmed the importance of regular military-to-military communications as part of efforts to maintain high-level diplomacy and open lines of communication. Open lines of communication as directed by President Biden and President Xi at the November 2023 Woodside Summit, the White House added in a readout of the meeting. Sullivan and Vice Chairman Zhang recognised the progress in sustained, regular military-military communications over the past 10 months and planned to hold a theatre commander telephone call in the near future, the White House said. Mr Sullivan is the first US national security adviser to visit China in eight years, a period in which relations between Washington and Beijing have been strained by trade and security concerns. The November meeting between Messrs Biden and Xi in California after a year of complete radio silence revived communication between Washington and Beijing, to an extent. Nevertheless, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that before Mr Sullivans arrival, Washington had continued to try to contain and suppress China. (dpa/NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, on Thursday expressed optimism that the party will win the 21 September Edo governorship election. The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that Mr Ganduje spoke while receiving the leadership of the Kano State Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ led by its Chairman, Aminu Garko, on Thursday. He said a political machinery has been put in place to pave the way for a landslide victory of the partys candidate. Mr Ganduje said, I believe our campaign is in high spirit. We are getting ready for that election and we believe we will be able to recover our state. This is because it was an APC state but because of internal bubbles, we lost it to PDP. But we are sure we will recover that state. For Ondo State, its already an APC state and when the former governor died, he left a number of problems, but we were able to resolve those issues. We conducted primaries, we succeeded in getting the person that they want. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He said that the party was also getting ready for the election, which comes up in November. Mr Ganduje said, If we win Edo, we will be getting an additional state for the party. It will be 21 states out of 36. Next year, there will be Anambra, which has been a state governed by APGA for many years, but we have introduced a new scheme. The North, South-east political zones are all claiming that they have been marginalised. The South-east geopolitical zone is saying the same thing. But what we are telling them is that the marginalisation has been created by them. How can you have five states ruled by four political parties? What will be your political bargain? He said that the APC was working very hard to ensure that it gets more states from the zone, saying, We want to start with Anambra. READ ALSO: APC says supporters were attacked at the Supreme Court Already, we have Ebonyi and Imo. Now we are encroaching into that zone to ensure that we capture most of the states. And if we get what we want, we capture all the states, Mr Ganduje said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Salama Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, recorded 3,977 cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases since its inception in 2019. The Director of the centre, Grace Abbin, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Kaduna. She stated that women and girls were the most affected with 3,434 cases, with 543 men and boys affected in Zone three which comprised eight local government areas. She noted that 429 cases were of sexual assault on children and adults, while 3,548 cases were psychological or emotional and physical violence cases. While breaking down the statistics, Ms Abbin said the centre recorded and treated 219 cases in 2019, 582 cases in 2020, 1009 cases in 2021, and 788 cases in 2022. She added that 822 cases were recorded and treated in 2023, while 557 cases were recorded from January to July 2024. According to her, the culture of silence has been broken, and survivors need more support to access justice. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The director stated that the centres services are free and include medical treatment, psychosocial counselling, and optional legal intervention. READ ALSO: Lagos police record 111 sexual assault cases in three months She added that through the intervention of Bridgethatgap, supported by UNWomen, we were able to engage survivors in Kachia and Kaura local government areas in mental health psychosocial support. We need more funding to help survivors access justice because lack of funding is making us lose evidence, thereby making justice difficult. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Last week, Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation, had an explosive 40-minute interview with the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation about the ongoing hostility in Gaza and the ordeal of Palestinians. Millions of peoples from around the world are believed to have watched the interview on TV and via other platforms. Below is a short excerpt of the interview as transcribed by our reporter, Emmanuel Agbo. You can watch a full recording of the conversation here. If the people of my country Nigeria had been subjected to the barbarity that Gaza has been subjected to by any foreign power and occupation force we would have fought an unending war and we would have fought them into the sea because it is human nature to do so. You say Hamas is evil and are terrorists but would you not have joined Hamas if you were subjected to what the people of Gaza have been subjected to? Netanyahu and Israel are knocking on the door of WW3!- FFK. The situation in Gaza is a very tragic one. Its a situation that the whole world views with much concern and deep anger. Its not just Gaza; it is the entire Palestine. The whole of Palestine. What is going on there and what the people of that region and the Palestinians generally have been subjected to is totally and completely unacceptable. Its not just 11 months of genocide; its well over 75 years of genocide, pillaging, occupation, terror, and evil visited upon them by the Zionist state of Israel. What has happened in the last 11 months though is that it has been brought to bear before the entire world. People have finally seen what the Zionist state stands for and what theyre capable of doing. As thousands, thousands of Palestinian children are slaughtered, women are butchered, and men are killed by all kinds of state-of-the-art weapons, they are butchered with no response, no vigorous response from the so-called civilized world. This is barbarity of the highest order. It is evil. It is wickedness. Im glad about one thing, and that is this: the world has finally come alive to the insensitivity and bestiality of this perverse Zionist state which claims to be a nation of Jews but is in fact a nation of plunderers, pillagers, pedophiles, and vicious megalomaniacs led by a man that I consider to be absolutely evil, Bibi Netanyahu, who has no intention whatsoever, I assure you, of stopping the carnage and the genocide. Rather, he wants to perpetuate it. He wants to continue the occupation. He wants to continue to kill people. He wants to have a greater Israel. He and his minister of national security, his minister for finance, all of them, we know them. The whole world knows these names, notorious names, which I will now compare to men like Adolf Hitler in the past. That is what has happened. But the good news is that because of the resilience of the Palestinian people, not just in Gaza, but also in the West Bank, resilient and strong, they stood proudly against this tyranny over 75 years and over 11 months of barbarity. Because of that resilience and strength, because they have honour and dignity, they refuse to bow. And they have said, no, no way. We shall stand for the Palestinian people and we shall not be suppressed. We shall not be wiped off the face of the earth. And Im very proud of that. So that is how I feel about it. And I speak for millions, not just in Nigeria, but all over Africa. There are two ways of looking at this. I can assure you, and I can tell you right now, that if, for example, my people in Nigeria were subjected to the sort of occupation and the sort of tyranny and barbarity that the Palestinians are being subjected to by Israel today, we would have had an unending war. We would have fought them into the sea and to the end. Very few people would have been talking about international resolutions because its human nature to do that. And thats one way of resolving this issuethrough armed conflict. And you say, well, the other side has all the arms and all the weapons. Yes, but God is still alive. God still exists. Im a Christian and I know that God exists. And there are many Muslims that know that God exists. So they may have all the arms in the world, but its only a question of time. Its just a question of time. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later So theres that aspect of it. People say, oh, you talk about armed struggle. Its just one option, when all other options fail. I believe in a peaceful resolution of the crisis, for example. I believe that there should be a two-state solution. As a lawyer, thats a civilized and right way to go. Let the Palestinians have their own country, a sovereign state, and let Israel have its own. But the government of Israel, the people of Israel80% of themhave rejected that. So whats left? The only thing left, in my view, is to have a situation where the country comes together, both Palestine and Israel, as one nation, and it is a free country where Palestinians have equal rights, and where Israel is now pushed aside and the Jews are a minority within that country. And to get that, you have to fight for it. Now, Im not advocating armed struggle. Im just saying its an option. And when people say, oh, but Hamas is such an evil organisation. Fine, if that is your view. But listen, if your people were being subjected to what the Palestinians were being subjected to, would you be a member of Hamas or not? Would you be a member of Hamas? Thats a question that needs to be put to most of our Western brothers. Would you, during the time of the apartheid struggle in South Africa, not have been a member of the ANC? Was ANC not regarded as a terrorist organization at the time? Was Nat Turner, the great slave who fought against slavery in the 18th century in America, and got up and started killing white people because he said black people have the right to exist as human beings, was he not regarded as a terrorist? He fought against tyranny, and he paid the price for it, but he made the point, and he began the struggle. During the time of slavery in America, again, during the time of John Brown, a great white warrior, got up and said, I will fight slavery. He took his sons and his men, and he went to liberate black slaves. They fought against tyranny. Eventually, they won. The point Im making is this: it doesnt matter. They fought against tyranny, and eventually, they won. The point Im making is this: it doesnt matter what course you take or what you think. The reality is, the only thing that matters is that at the end of the day, evil cannot prevail over good. Light cannot be overshadowed by darknesssurely, light will prevail. And eventually, Palestine will be free because its a cause for the whole world, not just the Palestinian people alone. Were all involved now. I cannot be intimidated by anybody. No man born of a woman can intimidate me. My people cannot be intimidated, and I cannot be intimidated. Speaking truth to power is something that we were born to do, and we will continue to do it. Speaking up for those who have been oppressed is a joy, a privilege, and an honour. I am not inciting anybody; Im simply telling the truth. And if the truth hurts so badly, I say, do your worst. I have no fearno fear of death, no fear of anything. I am a believer. If you kill me, or you kill mine, we die in Christ. We know where were going; we just change our dress. If you kill a good Muslim, he knows where hes going. We know where were going. If you kill a good person, we know where were going. Why fear death? The fight is here on earththe fight for justice, the fight for the oppressed. Many have gone before us. I can list them for various causes. Whether it was fighting Nazism50 million people died. Millions more died fighting communism. Millions died fighting slavery, imperialism, and colonialism. Why wouldnt it be a privilege to die fighting against Zionism? And yet, we will not die, because the Lord has died for us and paid the price. We shall have victory. We shall live long, we shall prosper. And Israel cannot kill the whole world. They can only inflict injustice for some time. Eventually, they will be overwhelmed. Eventually, they will be defeated. Eventually, well have victory. We have no fear. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A family at Akedei community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has sued the Nigerian Army and the State Security Service (SSS) for the disappearance of a suspect from detention. The family said soldiers arrested Conference Wellyou, a farmer, alongside others two years ago over alleged membership of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The familys lawyer, Ebimobowei Okolo, filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, South-south Nigeria, last year after their frantic efforts to find Mr Wellyou failed. Mr Okolo said in the suit that the missing man was arrested alongside six other people on 24 May 2022 from the Akedei community by soldiers from the 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Bayelsa State. According to the court filing, John Henry, Aggrey Woyinmokebeton (Opuboy), Aggrey Yellowman, Appah Engine, Aboyky Harclose, and Friday Amagolu were arrested with Mr Wellyou. They were arrested over allegations of involvement in activities of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). IPOB, a separatist organisation, seeks the secession of the five South-east states and some parts of the neighbouring South-south and North-central states from Nigeria. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The Nigerian government, in September 2017, obtained a court order designating and outlawing the group as a terrorist organisation over its violent separatist campaigns, particularly in the South-east region where it is domiciled. An appeal against the prescription order is still pending. Violent attacks linked to the group and its sympathetic affiliates have worsened over the years, partly to intensify their demand for the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing trial on treasonable felony charges in Abuja, where he is detained. The Nigerian security forces have also killed many suspected IPOB members and herded others to detention in a widespread crackdown on the separatist activities in the region. After about three weeks in incarceration, the army released two of the detainees, Aboyky Harclose and Prince Friday Amagolu, but held on to Mr Wellyou and four others, the Wellyou familys court filings stated. Since the arrest of the applicant (Mr Wellyou), no one has set eyes on him. No member of his family has seen him, Mr Okolo said. Family recounts detainees ordeal An older brother to the detainee, Africa Wellyou, said he does not know Mr Wellyous whereabouts since the latter was arrested by soldiers almost two years ago. The last I and other relatives of the applicant (Conference Wellyou) know about the applicant was from Aboyky Harclose and Prince Friday Amagolu, who told me and others after their release from detention at Akedei community that the applicant and the four others were still at the detention facility of the 4th respondent (Nigerian Army) at 16 Brigade Yenagoa Bayelsa State, the older Wellyou said in an affidavit in support of his brothers suit. The suit was filed on 25 October 2023. In January 2023, in a desperate search for his brother, the deponent said he was informed by someone that the army had handed over Conference and his co-detainees to the Nigerian secret police, the State Security Service (SSS) in Yenagoa. After a futile enquiry about his brothers whereabouts at the SSS office in Yenagoa, Mr Wellyou engaged the legal services of Mr Okolo to write the army and the secret police. On 15 August 2023, Mr Okolo wrote a letter to the commander of the 16 Brigade Nigerian Army in Yenagoa requesting information about the five detainees whereabouts. Similarly, on 29 August 2023, the lawyer wrote to the Director of the SSS in Bayelsa demanding the release or prosecution of the client and co-detainees. While the army commander did not reply to the letter, the Director of SSS refused to receive the letter. Despite the above letters demanding the release and/or prosecution of the applicant and the other four persons, the respondents have been adamant and continued to detain the applicant, the affidavit added. Relying on Messrs Harclose and Amagolus accounts of the detainees fate, Mr Wellyou recalled that his brother and others, while in detention, were beaten, tortured and subjected to degrading treatment. He said Mr Wellyou was being kept in solitary confinement. Illegal detention According to the court documents, Mr Okolo argued that the security forces continued detention of his client breaches the Nigerian constitution and international laws. He urged the court to declare that Mr Wellyous continuous detention by the respondents (army and SSS) violated his fundamental right to liberty as guaranteed in the Nigerian Constitution. A declaration that the inhuman and degrading treatment of the applicant by the respondents is a violation of his fundamental rights to dignity of the human person guaranteed under section 34 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, one of the prayers of the suit reads. The suit urged the court to direct the security forces to produce Mr Wellyou before the court and order his release. Mr Okolo prayed the court to order the army and the SSS to pay N20 million compensation to the applicant for the arrest and continuous illegal detention and inhuman treatment of the applicant by the respondents. He argues that section 35 of the constitution commands that every person shall be entitled to his personal liberty, and no person shall be deprived of such freedom except upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed an offence. Army, SSS respond to suit In a counter-affidavit dated 22 December 2023, the army, through its legal officer at 16 Brigade in Yenagoa, Abdurrahman Muhammad Sanni, denied arresting Conference. In a scant counter-affidavit, Mr Sanni, an army major, identified five specific paragraphs that he said are untrue. He added that officers of the Nigerian Army did not arrest the applicant (Conference Wellyou) or any other person at Akedei community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on 24 May 2022 as alleged. He added that the applicant is not in the custody of either the 1st respondent (the Nigerian Army) or the 4th Respondent (the commander of16 Brigade Nigerian Army in Yenagoa). The army further argued that there was no evidence before the court that it arrested Conference. The lawyer to the army, O.V Frank-Briggs, challenged Mr Okolo to prove that his client and others were in the militarys detention facility. SSS similarly wrote in its counter-affidavit that Mr Wellyou was not in its custody. The applicant was never handed over to the 2nd respondent (the Director-General SSS). Neither has he been with the 3rd respondent (Director of SSS, Yenagoa) at any time whatsoever. The applicant is put to the strictest proof of his allegation, the counter-affidavit deposed to by an SSS operative, John Okoh, wrote. Co-detainees graphic account A co-detainee, Friday Amagolu, has said the Nigerian Armys claim denying arresting Conference is a blatant lie. Mr Amagolu gave graphic details of how he and the others were arrested by soldiers and taken to the 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Yenagoa. His account is contained in an affidavit he filed to dispute the armys counter-affidavit. He recalled in the affidavit that on the fateful day, 24 May 2022, he was woken up from sleep at his home by the voices of the commander of the vigilante group in the Akedei community, John Lafa, alias Yoba and soldiers that accompanied him. He said the military officers, who came to the community in three gunboats and three speed boats with 200 horsepower engines, arrested him on the allegation of being an IPOB member after Mr Lafa pointed at him. He said he was taken from his house to the waterfront in Akedei, where he saw Mr Wellyou and the five others. He said he later learnt that their arrest followed a report by the traditional ruler of Isampou, Friday Ogbodo, to the DOP Oporoma that some persons were building a camp in his community forest for likely IPOB activities. We were taken to 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army at Yenagoa. We were kept two to a room in detention. Only one of us was kept separate. I was interrogated, and I told them I knew nothing of the allegation of being an IPOB member. I was told to inform them of the whereabouts of the remaining members because, according to the military officers, the report they received was that we were up to seventy members in the camp. I told them I knew no member as I was not a member, his affidavit read partly. He shared his experiences of ill-treatment during their incarceration, including sleeping on the bare floor, being fed with garri and ground once a day, and being physically and psychologically abused. He said that after about two months in detention at 16 Brigade, Yenagoa, the military officers realised that he and one of the co-detainees, Aboyky Harclose, had no association with IPOB. He said the two of them were released on 4 July 2022 after the traditional ruler of Akedei signed an undertaking for their release. He said several members of the community witnessed the arrest of six of them and that some of them would be willing to testify in the case. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Kano State Government says it is only reallocating shop and stall spaces at the front of the Eid prayer ground in Kano, where the same facilities were demolished last June. PREMIUM TIMES reported how traders were paying approved government agents for new allocations at the site. The development came after the state government agreed in December to pay N3 billion to compensate traders whose properties the government had demolished at the site. On Tuesday, one of the agents, Balarabe Hassan, led a PREMIUM TIMES reporter to locations at the front of the prayer ground. Last year, the state government removed traders from the locations and prohibited business activities there. Mr Hassan said the official rate for space at the place varies from N80,000, N180,000 to N1,000,000 depending on location. A table space stall facing Ahmadu Tijjani Mosque is now being leased for between N70,000 and N80,000, depending on connection with the officials. Following a backlash from the report, the government held a press conference on Thursday and said it consulted with the market leaders before deciding to reallocate the site for trading. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The managing director of the State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA), Ibrahim Adamu, told reporters that the new allocation at the front view of the Eid prayer ground would not affect the governments plan to redesign the prayer ground for religious activities. Anyone who said we allocated plots inside the premises of the Eid prayer ground is lying. The government will soon commence work inside the Eid prayer ground, Mr Adamu said. What Ganduje said about the place The state governments response was a repetition of what former governor Abdullahi Ganduje said while denying allocating spaces to traders at the Eid prayer ground. Mr Ganduje had said his administration only allocated spaces at the front view of the Eid prayer ground, citing the example of the Haram Mosque in Mecca, which is surrounded by shops of all types and buzzing business activities. The new governor, Abba Yusuf, ordered the demolition of shops built on spaces leased out by the Ganduje administration and after an out-of-court settlement, agreed to pay N3 billion as compensation to the owners. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has been left in darkness after the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) disconnected it from the power grid. The university was disconnected because it failed to pay the N472 million electricity bill. According to a statement from the universitys communications unit, the universitys electricity bill has increased from about N180 million a month to at least N300 million a month since June, when EKEDC migrated the university from Band B to Band A. The university said it could not afford the new electricity bills that came with the migration Band A in June. Management wishes to appeal to members of the University community over the power outage on campus due to disconnection of electricity supply by Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), part of the statement obtained by PREMIUM TIMES reads. The university maintained that it could not pay above N180 million in the current budget year and has continued to pay just that. The university management, however, said it is taking necessary steps towards addressing the situation. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In the meantime, members of the University community are kindly enjoined to remain calm and note that there would be a rationing of power supply across campus until further notice, the statement added. The schedule of rationing will be released so that members of the community can adequately plan. Electricity tariff Hike The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) reviewed electricity tariffs for Band A users in April. Under the new price regime, the NERC raised Band A electricity tariff from N68 per kilowatt-hour to 225 to guarantee 20 hours of electricity supply per day. NERC said the increase would not affect Bands B, C, D, and E. Since then, electricity distribution companies (DISCOS) have migrated more communities and institutions from Band B to Band A. UNILAGs increased electricity bill UNILAG said EKEDC unilaterally migrated the university from Band B to Band A in June, raising its electricity bill from an average of N150 million to 180 million monthly to almost N300 million monthly. The university said it has engaged EKEDCs management in talks over the exorbitant bill, reiterating its preference to remain on Band B and expressing its absolute incapability to pay bills generated on Band A. The university added that it cannot afford more than N180 million a month till the end of this budget year. The statement added, Throughout its meetings with EKEDC, the university made it abundantly clear that it could never afford the Band A tariff on which the university was placed. Within two weeks of this meeting, we were slammed with a bill of almost half a billion (472m) for the month of July, further increasing our debt burden! We kept to our word and ensured we paid the 180 million on 20 August, but on 27 August, without any prior notice, EKEDC disconnected the university. More institutions facing similar issues Several universities and hospitals have raised the alarm over the burden of the tariff of Band A. Some of them have asked to be returned to Band B. Others who have not been migrated to Band A request to be left in their current Band. Last month, Babcock of University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, raised the alarm over what it described as exorbitant electricity bills presented to it by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC). The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Ademola Tayo, said the university paid N300 million in May after the increase in tariff of electricity consumers on Band A. Also, the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos (CMUL) and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) have also raised similar alarms, describing their electricity bills in May as outrageous. The healthcare institutions said they were recently jointly presented with a bill of about N280 million for May instead of the less than N100 million they used to pay. The power supply to the two institutions was disconnected for about 10 days between June and July due to a disagreement with the DISCO over the bill. The situation led to a protest by medical students, who said the poor power supply could prevent them from passing the forthcoming examinations. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested four suspects claiming to have been sent by the chairperson, Ola Olukoyede, in a $1 million blackmail and extortion attempt. The suspects said to be running a criminal syndicate, are alleged to have been blackmailing a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, threatening him with a non-existing investigation and prosecution. The suspects reportedly contacted Mr Bello-Koko, claiming that they had evidence implicating him in illicit activities during his tenure. They were said to have asked for $1 million from Mr Bello-Koko for what they described as a soft landing. The suspectsOjobo Joshua, Aliyu Hashim, Thomas Oduh, and Paul Ogijiwere arrested on Wednesday in a coordinated operation at various locations, including Gimbiya Street in Garki and Apo Legislative Quarters in Abuja. EFCCs Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said in a press statement that the arrests came after the commission received intelligence on the syndicates activities and conducted a sting operation to catch them in the act. The suspects allegedly posed as EFCC officials acting on behalf of Mr Olukoyede, telling Mr Bello-Koko that his only option to avoid arrest and prosecution was to pay $1 million. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Upon receiving credible intelligence, the Commission quickly deployed operatives who played along with the suspects, Mr Oyewale said in the statement. They were successfully apprehended and are now in the custody of the Commission. Charges will be filed against them as soon as investigations are concluded. Not the first time This incident is the latest in a series of fraud cases in which EFCC operatives or the commissions chairperson have been impersonated to extort money from unsuspecting victims. In February 2023, EFCC operatives arrested Salman Hudu, a 38-year-old from Kano, accused of posing as the commissions chair, Abdulrasheed Bawa. Mr Hudu allegedly obtained N100,000 from a victim by falsely promising to resolve a matter under investigation by the Commission. He was apprehended at a hotel in Abuja and has since provided helpful information to investigators. A similar case in August 2016 involved three individualsAnokwuru Miriam Iheoma, Chukwuma Charles Eze, and Ogechi Emeka Okwuosawho were arrested for allegedly attempting to extort N16 million from Casmir Ajulu, the Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State. The suspects claimed to be in contact with the acting EFCC chairman at the time, Ibrahim Magu. They pressured Mr Ajulu to pay them in exchange for influencing an electoral matter with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). When Mr Ajulu resisted, they allegedly threatened to deal with him. The suspects were later captured in a sting operation. The EFCC has repeatedly warned the public about the dangers of impersonation scams, urging individuals and organisations to verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent the commission. EFCC says it is committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice and urges anyone with relevant information to come forward. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police in Akwa Ibom State, South-south Nigeria have killed a suspect, who abducted a High Court judge in the state eight months ago. The police spokesperson in the state, Timfon John, who disclosed this in a statement in Uyo on Thursday, identified the suspect as Ubong Achibong. The Akwa Ibom State Police Command on Wednesday neutralised a dreaded kidnap kingpin/sea pirate whose stock in trade was to kidnap, kill, maim and cause havoc in societies. The suspect was neutralised during a gun battle with operatives of the Command in his hideout at Uyanga Community in Cross River State, Ms John, an assistant superintendent of police said. Mr Archibong alias condiment, the police said is a gang leader of bling bling marine strike force terrorising Uruan/Oron Water Ways, an area Governor Umo Eno, three days ago requested a new army battalion for, due to the surging abductions experienced there. The suspect, according to the statement, was behind a series of high-profile abductions including the kidnap of Justice Joy Unwana last December and the killing of her police guard, ThankGod Edet. Justice Unwana was returning to Uyo from Oron, where she had a court session, when she was abducted. She was released after spending five days in captivity. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Other abductions, killings by the suspect Besides the abduction of the judge, the police said the slain suspect was also responsible for the killing of Sylvanus Ukpong, the elder brother of Cletus Ukpong, the PREMIUM TIMES editor for South-south/South-east region. Sylvanus, former CEO of Emem & Sons Ltd, a construction company, and Emem Farm Ltd, was shot dead on 6 April along Oron Road by gunmen who attempted to abduct him. The slain entrepreneur was heading to his farm along airport road when the incident happened. The gunmen, who killed Sylvanus, kidnapped his farm manager, who was accompaning him to the farm. The suspect was also responsible for the kidnap of Pharmacist Joemel and Mr Brown, (the) CEO, Mingles Hotel. One G3 rifle with four live ammunition was recovered from the suspect. The corpse of the suspect was recovered and deposited at the morgue, the police said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit filed against the organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protests. The suit was brought by 17 anti-protest citizens who argued that the protests were infringing on their rights. Among those sued was Omoyele Sowore, who leads the Take It Back Movement. The applicants also sued the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and other top security as mere nominal parties. The plaintiffs, representing various regions across Nigeria, filed the suit on 13 August to halt the nationwide protests. However, the judge, Peter Lifu, struck out the case on Thursday because of the plaintiffs absence from the proceedings, a development the judge considered a lack of diligent prosecution. The judge expressed surprise and frustration when neither the plaintiffs nor the defendants appeared in court on Thursday, the day the suit was to be heard. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later This court is left with no option but to conclude that the plaintiffs are no longer interested in the proceedings, Mr Lifu remarked. Background The plaintiffs had sought an order compelling the security agencies, including the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigerian Army, to suppress the protests that ended on 10 August. The protests began on 1 August against the economic hardship attributed to President Boal Tinubus economic policies. However, the anti-protest citizens filed a suit arguing that the demonstrations violated their fundamental rights, including the right to freedom of movement, human dignity, and national security. The plaintiffs included Danladi Goje, Buky Abayomi, and Adiza Abbo. They justified their suit by pointing to incidents of alleged property destruction in states like Kaduna, Kano, and Jigawa. They filed an ex parte application to seek a court injunction against the protest earlier. However, on 13 August, the judge, Mr Lifu, dismissed the application, ruling that it lacked merit. He noted that the protests had already subsided as of the application was filed. He added that there was no evidence to suggest that the demonstrators intended to resume their activities. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Fellows in the pioneer cohort of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) had an exciting departure on Wednesday, reminiscing about their journey in driving positive change in their communities through the one-year fellowship. The 29 fellows graduated from the leadership programme initiated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to train and raise a new generation of leaders that would deploy practical skills and leadership to solve identified challenges across areas of needs, a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akoshile, said. The programme is modelled after the Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship, a prestigious initiative aimed at empowering and supporting young leaders in various fields. It was initiated in 2018 by the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, but seems to have now been rested by his successor. Back to the Lagos fellowship. The Lateef Jakande Academy graduands completed their programme equipped with governance knowledge and empowered to take up new responsibilities that would impact their careers and communities. Governor Sanwo-Olu personally presented certificates of completion to the fellows at a ceremony held at Marcellinas Place in Ikeja GRA, which was attended by members of the States Executive Council, government functionaries and executives in the private sector. The graduation followed a final mentoring session and a dinner earlier held with the Governor at the State House in Marina on Tuesday evening. The fellows had a direct mentoring with Mr Sanwo-Olu, who appointed them as Special Assistants in various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to identify gaps in their areas of responsibility. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Sanwo-Olu described the passing-out ceremony as a significant milestone in leadership development in Lagos and the country, stressing that the achievement testified to the enduring legacy of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, first civilian Governor of Lagos in whose honour and memory the academy was established. The Governor said the fellowship was conceived to nurture the next generation of leaders equipped to navigate the complexities of the public sector and lay ethical foundations necessary to drive positive change. He said: Over the past one year, I have closely followed the journey of these fellows, and I must say their transformation has been nothing short of extraordinary. They have embraced the rigorous and diverse curriculum of the Academy, which seamlessly blends theoretical knowledge with practical experience. Through their engagement in thought-provoking workshops, innovative problem-solving sessions, and mentorship from global leaders and industry experts, these young men and women have not just learned, they have thrived, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to excellence, creativity, and integrity. Mr Sanwo-Olu told the fellows that their graduation from the academy was the beginning of a lifelong leadership journey, urging them to show courage and determination as they take on new challenges. The Governor shared his excitement on the inaugural graduation in the academy, pointing out that the objectives of the fellowship were being realised given the impacts recorded by the inaugural fellows. He said: The beginning of this programme was very rough and we encountered challenges that made me questioned myself if we made the right decision. I am grateful that the fellowship has been on the right track and has achieved beyond what we imagined. The project has been driven by sincerity of purpose and I appreciate the trust which the fellows placed in me. Fellows, as you step out into the world, you carry with you not only the knowledge and skills you have acquired but also the hopes and aspirations of countless others who believe in your potential. You are the torchbearers of a new era of leadership, one that will define the future of Lagos, Nigeria, Africa, and the world. The LJLA Executive Secretary, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, thanked the governor for his commitment and support for the programme, which, she said, had been driving social change and community service in Lagos and beyond. She said the Leadership Academy had gone beyond being a fellowship programme, noting that the platform had become a beacon of hope and opportunity for future generations of leaders, dedicated to shaping a future where leadership would be synonymous with service, compassion and progress. Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank Plc, Abubakar Suleiman, told the fellows that the fellowship had equipped them with valuable knowledge and experience to explore new opportunities. He said: You cannot lead people to where you have been; as leaders, you can only lead effectively when you lead people to where you have not been. From now on, you would have to be identified by your impacts in the society. This is a challenge you must never fail. In his remarks, the Oniru of Iru Kingdom, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, said Lagos got to an important moment on the day the initiative was launched, describing the fellowship as a game changer in raising future leaders and policy makers. The monarch urged the State Government to engage the fellows, saying: The knowledge and experience the fellows have gathered must not be allowed to waste. Speaking on behalf of the fellows, Bashirat Shodipo, noted that the journey started on an uncertain step, but added that their collective passion and understanding of their differences enhanced their teamwork capability to overcome the challenges. The fellows thanked Gov. Sanwo-Olu for the opportunity and the investment in their future, saying posterity would be kind to the Governor for instituting the fellowship. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Virginias new school accountability system, which the state Board of Education finalized Wednesday, will likely label the majority of Virginias schools as off track when it is implemented next year, unless schools make major improvements beforehand. The new system will replace the states current school accreditation system, which Gov. Glenn Youngkin has long criticized for painting what he calls an inaccurate picture of Virginia schools academic achievement. The new system will publicly rank each Virginia school in one of four performance categories: distinguished, on track, off track and needs intensive support. The Board of Education approved the new system on a 7-1 vote, with former state Secretary of Education Anne Holton dissenting. Board President Grace Creasey did not allow Holton to finish her statement on why she was dissenting, following several instances throughout the meeting in which Creasey cut off Holton while she was speaking. Holton, appointed to a four-year term in 2017 by Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe and to a second four-year term in 2021 by Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam, is the only holdover board member that Youngkin, a Republican, did not appoint. Proponents of the new system say it will hold schools and students to a higher standard and encourage growth. Opponents of the new system say that labeling most of the states schools as underperforming is inaccurate and that the absence of a plan to send additional state funding to the lower-performing schools is wrong. Board member Bill Hansen said the new accountability system is all about the kids. Its not about our system. Its not about adults. Its not about our bureaucracy, Hansen said. Its about creating a system so that we can help stop this learning loss, stop the achievement gaps, stop the chronic absenteeism, all of the challenges weve been facing, to ensure that weve got a system that works for all. At Wednesdays special meeting, consultants hired by the Department of Education presented preliminary figures that show how many schools would be in each performance category based on this years academic data. The figures come with the caveat that the analysis is incomplete and does not include a designation given to schools with student subgroups that are consistently underperforming in certain academic areas, which will cause some schools to get bumped down a category. The numbers presented would include more schools in the lower categories if the complete parameters of the system were accounted for. The incomplete data indicates that, based on this years scores, 6% of schools would be labeled distinguished, 39% would be on track, 52% would be off track and 3% would be labeled as needs intensive support. But if the analysis had included the complete data, a consultant said its not out of the question that the off track and needs intensive support schools might account for about 70% of all schools. Just one middle school in the state would be distinguished based on this years data, according to the presentation. These numbers are going to move, but theyre moving for some really good reasons in terms of if you believe in transparency, said board member Andy Rotherham. Holton argued against the board voting to approve a system in which the modeled data is incomplete. She said that not knowing whether 55% or 70% of schools would be in the lower categories is a huge gap in our knowledge, and were just going forward way too fast without adequate information. Kamras: I welcome a higher bar Many stakeholders argue that the new system doesnt accurately represent schools performance. The Virginia Association of School Superintendents strongly believes all of our schools can continue to improve, but we simply dont believe the majority of our Virginia schools are in these two [lower] categories, said association Executive Director Scott Brabrand. Ask yourself how this new framework aligns with a state that just received a No. 1 ranking for business from CNBC that included within its methodology a No. 1 ranking for its education system. There is no plan to send new state funding to schools that will be labeled as off track or worse. I welcome a higher bar. But wheres the companion commitment to providing the billions in school funding that the states own research arm says is needed? said Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras. High expectations and high investment is the only way to ensure Virginias students succeed. Kamras referenced a 2023 blockbuster report from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission that found systematic underfunding of K-12 public education in Virginia. We have consistently failed to deliver the kind of financial resources that our most challenged schools need and the oversight that they need, Holton said. Creasey argued at a June meeting that the purpose of the new system is to identify underperforming schools so that legislators can see the information and decide to send more resources. State Sen. Schyuler VanValkenburg, a Henrico County Democrat, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that the verdict isnt in yet on whether the new accountability system is a positive or negative move. I think whats more important is assessment and funding formula reform, because those are the two things that will actually drive change in a positive way in the classroom, VanValkenburg said. If you want academic and school achievement to go up, you have to get the incentives and you have to get the resources right. One contentious aspect of the new system is a change in when the performance of English learners from another country is counted in school ratings. In the current accreditation system, a student from another country who is learning English does not have his or her test scores factor into school ratings for 5 1/2 years, or 11 semesters. Under the new system, new English learners scores will count toward school ratings after the student has been in school in the U.S. for a year and a half, or three semesters. An attendee at the meeting held a sign that said, Youngkin try to learn a language in 3 semesters! The new system also lowers the minimum number of students in any particular subgroup for those students scores to count as a student group. The minimum number in the current system is 30, so if a school has 29 Black students, they are not counted as a student group. The minimum number under the new system is 15. Im not going to hold my breath for the headline saying that This board is now sweeping in a lot of kids who have been furthest from opportunities in the commonwealth and are now being swept into this accountability system,' Rotherham said. Im certainly not going to hold my breath for that, given the political context we operate in. Revamping accreditation system a priority Through regulatory action, the board separated the states accountability system from its accreditation system. Schools will still need to meet certain standards in order to be accredited, but those requirements will only be box-ticking items such as whether the lights are on and there are fire extinguishers in school buildings. The current system mixed in operational standards with academic performance to label schools as accredited, accredited with conditions or unaccredited. Now, 89% of schools are fully accredited and 11% are accredited with conditions none are unaccredited. Youngkin made revamping the states school accreditation system a top priority for his administration because he asserted that having 89% of schools ranked as fully accredited is misleading. GUIYANG, China, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report by Huanqiu.com The China International Big Data Industry Expo 2024 commenced on August 28 in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Themed "Smart Digital Technology Shapes Thriving Digital Economy", the expo has attracted 21,000+ registered guests and 414 exhibitors from home and abroad. The China International Big Data Industry Expo 2024 commenced on August 28 in Guiyang, southwest Chinas Guizhou Province. The 2024 Big Data Expo is hosted by China's national data bureau and organized by Guizhou provincial people's government. Liu Liehong, head of China's National Data Administration, said at the opening ceremony, "After ten years of development, the Big Data Expo has become an important platform to guide innovation trends, showcase industrial achievements, and promote opening-up and cooperation in the data field of China." Our journalist was told by the organizing committee that the expo takes an enterprise-centered approach to provide a 60,000 sqm exhibition zone, covering six key thematic sections of digital industrialization, industrial digitalization, data valuation, etc. The exhibitors include industrial giants like Huawei, Alibaba, Tencent, Baidu and JD.com, as well as 77 overseas enterprises from more than 30 countries and regions e.g. the United States, Germany and Canada. They will collectively present cutting-edge digital technologies, solutions and innovative applications in various segments. The 2024 Big Data Expo encourages and supports enterprises to conduct industrial exchange activities and characteristic activities. There will be 90+ diverse activities including 25 industrial exchanges, 20+ serial characteristic activities and dozens of release events. Among them, the industrial exchange activities concentrate on topics like international data space, cultivation of digital talents, smart cities and artificial intelligence, while the achievements release events cover the top 10 leading technological achievements and 57 outstanding technological achievements. SOURCE Huanqiu.com The campus is one of only 19 schools accredited by ACCSC to earn the highest "School of Excellence" award in the 2023-2024 accrediting period PHOENIX, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Technical Institute, the transportation, skilled trades and energy education division of Universal Technical Institute, Inc., today announced that UTI-Sacramento (Calif.) has been named a School of Excellence by their accrediting body, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). UTI Sacramento Campus The School of Excellence Award is the highest institutional distinction awarded by the ACCSC. It celebrates accredited member institutions for their steadfast adherence to ACCSC's rigorous accreditation standards and outstanding record of student accomplishment. UTI-Sacramento Campus President Tess Dubois-Carey shared, "I am incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication of the UTI-Sacramento team. Receiving ACCSC School of Excellence recognition for the second time is a testament to this team's long-standing commitment to educational excellence." According to ACCSC Executive Director Dr. Michale McComis, "The School of Excellence Award highlights a school's efforts and its success in offering high-quality education that benefits studentsit is a distinction that a school earns through meeting and exceeding accreditation standards of best practice. UTI has demonstrated its commitment to equip students with in-demand skills and an opportunity to excel in the workforce." UTI Division President Tracy Lorenz shared, "At UTI, we are focused on delivering a quality education, as recognized by our accreditor. We are committed to helping prepare our students for future careers in the in-demand fields of transportation, skilled trades, and the energy sector and helping meet the needs of employers in these fields." UTI-Sacramento opened in October 2005. The 117,000-square-foot campus awards an Associate in Occupational Studies in Automotive Technology II, Automotive & Diesel Technology II, and a diploma in Diesel Technology II and Welding Technology. Pending regulatory approvals, the campus will add a diploma in HVACR. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes ACCSC as the designated accrediting body for 575 post-secondary, trade, and technical schools that serve more than 150,000 students nationwide in a variety of vocational programs each year. Out of 575 schools accredited by the ACCSC, only 19 schools earned the highest "School of Excellence" award in the 2023-2024 accrediting period. About Universal Technical Institute, Inc. Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) (the "Company") was founded in 1965 and is a leading workforce solutions provider of transportation, skilled trades, energy, and healthcare education programs. The Company's mission is to serve students, partners, and communities by providing quality education and support services for in-demand careers across a number of highly skilled fields. The Company is comprised of two divisions: Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and Concorde Career Colleges. UTI operates 16 campuses located in 9 states and offers a wide range of transportation and skilled trades technical training programs under brands such as UTI, MIAT College of Technology, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Marine Mechanics Institute and NASCAR Technical Institute. Concorde operates across 17 campuses in 8 states and online, offering programs in the allied health, dental, nursing, patient care and diagnostic fields. For more information, visit www.uti.edu or www.concorde.edu, or visit us on LinkedIn at @UniversalTechnicalInstitute and @Concorde Career Colleges or on X (formerly Twitter) @news_UTI or @ConcordeCareer. About ACCSC Since 1967, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) has been recognized by the United States Department of Education as a reliable authority on educational quality. ACCSC is committed to supporting and enhancing the student educational experience at accredited member institutions, facilitating meaningful workforce development opportunities, and bridging the growing skills gap in the United States. More information on ACCSC is available online at www.accsc.org, @ACCSCAccredits, and facebook.com/accscaccreditation. Media Contact Alanna Vitucci [email protected] 480.710.6843 SOURCE Universal Technical Institute, Inc. NEW YORK, Aug. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Agriculture & Natural Solutions Acquisition Corporation, a special purpose acquisition company ("ANSC"), announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement for a business combination with Australian Food & Agriculture Company Limited ("AFA") that values AFA at AUD$780 million (approximately $510 million)1 (the "Business Combination"). Upon closing of the Business Combination, the combined company, Agriculture & Natural Solutions Company Limited ("NewCo"), an Australian company, is expected to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") or such other stock exchange agreed to by the parties and trade under the ticker symbol "AFAE". ANSC closed its initial public offering in November 2023 with the purpose of completing an initial business combination with companies in the agriculture sector that may provide opportunities for attractive risk-adjusted returns and benefits from sustainability objectives. ANSC intends, through the Business Combination and any subsequent acquisitions that NewCo may make after closing of the Business Combination, to create an attractive agricultural decarbonization and premium product company. AFA is one of the largest diversified agricultural portfolios in New South Wales, Australia and ANSC believes that the fundamentals of the AFA business are uniquely attractive due to the following factors: AFA represents a geographically diverse and integrated portfolio of land aggregations across three attractive districts in New South Wales, Australia ; ; a large portfolio of water entitlements provides AFA with an important production resource that both offers flexibility and enhances water security; AFA's scale and revenue diversification provides it with the flexibility to change land use and production focus, assisting the company in mitigating climate and market risks; AFA's premium genetics underpin the bloodlines of an estimated 95% of Australia's Merino sheep flock; Merino sheep flock; over the past ten years, AFA's return profile has averaged 16% annually through EBITDA yield and asset value growth; numerous growth opportunities exist at AFA to scale into an even larger agribusiness, start a portfolio of premium brands that leverage its storied history, create a global carbon sequestration asset while taking advantage of Australia's attractive carbon credit market, and build and own a substantial renewable power generation portfolio; attractive carbon credit market, and build and own a substantial renewable power generation portfolio; AFA's efficient and diverse operations, scale and systems provide natural mitigants from traditional agricultural risks; and AFA's long tenured ~70 person management and support staff team will continue to operate AFA; in addition, certain individuals from Impact Ag Partners LLC ("Impact Ag"), a leading regenerative agriculture company, are expected to join the team. Bert Glover, Chief Executive Officer of ANSC, said the following: "We have always believed that agriculturebacked by the right sort of capitalcould deliver nature and climate solutions. ANSC is proud to enter into a business combination with AFA and looks to establish it as a leader in this regenerative transition not just in Australia, but across the world." David Leuschen, Chairman of the board of directors of ANSC and a third generation life-long Montana rancher, added "We are thrilled to have this opportunity for ANSC to combine with AFA. We view Australia as a leader in the application of new techniques to meaningfully decarbonize agriculture, and we believe that AFA represents a once in a generation chance to combine with a major Australian agricultural company, operating three marquee aggregations including some of Australia's most iconic properties." THE COMPANY AFA can trace the history of its premier Australian sheep and wool business back to 1861. Today, the company is a large scale diversified agricultural business which consists of three major freehold title land aggregations within New South Wales, including approximately 550,000 acres of land in the Deniliquin, Hay and Coonamble districts, over 45,000 acre-feet of water entitlements providing security and risk mitigation in drier years, the historic Wanganella and Boonoke Merino Studs, the capacity for approximately 247,000 dry sheep equivalent, a newly expanded 12,000 head (standard cattle units) feedlot and approximately 87,000 acres of dryland and irrigated cropping, which produces irrigated cotton, irrigated rice, wheat, barley, canola, corn, chickpeas, and faba beans, among other crops. We believe that certain characteristics of AFA are in line with several key themes identified by ANSC during its initial public offering as favorable characteristics of a target, specifically: a world class real asset at scale with downside protection through underlying asset value; decarbonization potential from several sources; favorable water assets; upside through operations and optimization; diversification of revenues via the range of products, weather, and decarbonization potential; premiumization potential through branding; and renewable energy potential. TRANSACTION DETAILS The proceeds from the Business Combination are expected to be used to purchase AFA from its current shareholders. AFA is currently ultimately owned approximately 2/3 by Bell Group Holdings Pty Limited ("Bell Group Holdings"), a private Australian company held by members of the Bell family and Alastair Provan. The sale follows the death of one of AFA's founding directors and has been undertaken to enable estate planning and the restructure of the major shareholder's affairs. The Business Combination was unanimously recommended and approved by the boards of directors of both AFA and ANSC. It remains subject to the approval of ANSC's shareholders and the satisfaction or waiver of other closing conditions including regulatory approvals, including confirmation from the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia (the "Treasurer") that the Commonwealth Government does not object to the Business Combination (colloquially known as "FIRB Approval" given the Foreign Investment Review Board's ("FIRB") role in advising the Treasurer). Upon closing, we expect the post-closing board of NewCo to be comprised of seven directors including two designated by current AFA shareholders who roll a portion of their ownership into NewCo, David Leuschen, Bert Glover and three independent directors. The description of the Business Combination contained herein is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Business Combination Agreement relating to the transaction (the "Business Combination Agreement"). For additional information, see ANSC's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") at www.sec.gov ADVISORS Rimon P.C. acted as counsel to AFA. Speed & Stracey Lawyers acted as counsel to Bell Group Holdings. Bell Potter Securities Limited is serving as exclusive financial advisor to AFA. Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., K&L Gates LLP and Walkers LLP, acted as counsel to ANSC. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. ("Citigroup") is serving as capital markets advisor to ANSC. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP acted as counsel to Citigroup. ABOUT AFA AFA is a large-scale, diversified agricultural business established by the late Colin Bell in 1993 with the acquisition of the historic 'Burrabogie' station. AFA now operates one of the largest agricultural portfolios in New South Wales, Australia consisting of three major freehold title land aggregations within the Deniliquin, Hay and Coonamble districts, which total approximately 550,000 acres, and a water portfolio of approximately 45,000 acre-feet. AFA's portfolio includes some of Australia's most iconic properties, including 'Boonoke', 'Burrabogie', 'Wanganella' and 'Wingadee'. The company has total livestock carrying capacity of approximately 247,000 dry sheep equivalent across its sheep wool and meat and cattle operations (excluding the Conargo feedlot). AFA also operates the historic Wanganella and Poll Boonoke merino sheep studs, amongst the most highly regarded studs in Australia. AFA's cropping operations are characterized by flexibility amongst crop types, geographies and seasons. Key crops include irrigated cotton, irrigated rice, wheat, barley, canola, corn, chick peas and faba beans. More recently, the company has developed the state-of-the-art Conargo feedlot with a licensed capacity of 12,000 standard cattle units. ABOUT ANSC ANSC was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination. ANSC represents a further expansion of its sponsors' 18-year franchise in low-carbon investments, having established industry leading, scaled companies with more than $6 billion of equity invested in renewables. ABOUT RIVERSTONE Riverstone Holdings LLC, co-founded by David Leuschen, the Chairman of ANSC, is an asset management firm that currently invests primarily in climate related decarbonization within energy, power, infrastructure, and more recently agriculture. Since inception in 2000 the Firm has raised more than $43 billion of capital to invest across the capital structure and in all major components of those industries' value chains. For more information on Riverstone, please visit www.riverstonellc.com. ABOUT IMPACT AG PARTNERS Impact Ag is a specialist agricultural investment and management firm. Offering tailored investment, asset management, and advisory services, its experienced team of experts works with global investors and agribusinesses to drive a nature-positive future from the ground up. With deep expertise and a proven track record we lead the market in identifying, optimizing, and monetizing natural capital at scale for agriculture. https://impactag.com.au/ FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This document includes certain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions. The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intends," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may include, for example, statements about the parties' ability to consummate the Business Combination; NewCo's ability to become listed on a stock exchange; the benefits and financial outcome of the Business Combination and the use of proceeds therefrom; the future financial performance, strategy and plans of NewCo, including ANSC's objectives for NewCo, following the Business Combination; AFA's potential growth and branding opportunities, strategy, future operations, performance and prospects; performance of AFA's management and staff and their continued involvement with AFA; NewCo's management and staff and their participation in operations of NewCo; AFA's and NewCo's decarbonization potential and the impact of products, weather and decarbonization potential on financial performance; the availability of certain resources; expected participation from AFA's shareholders; and the expected makeup of NewCo's board of directors. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions, or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors, many of which are outside of ANSC, NewCo or AFA's management's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing ANSC's, AFA's or NewCo's views as of any subsequent date, and none of ANSC, AFA or NewCo undertakes any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. None of NewCo, ANSC or AFA gives any assurance that any of NewCo, ANSC or AFA will achieve its expectations. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, NewCo's actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include: (i) the ability of the parties to complete the Business Combination by ANSC's business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by ANSC; (ii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreements relating to the Business Combination; (iii) the outcome of any legal, regulatory or governmental proceedings that may be instituted against NewCo, ANSC or AFA or any investigation or inquiry following announcement of the Business Combination, including in connection with the Business Combination; (iv) the inability to complete the Business Combination due to the failure to obtain approval of ANSC's shareholders or a failure to obtain FIRB Approval; (v) AFA's and NewCo's success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, their officers, key employees or directors following the Business Combination; (vi) the ability of the parties to obtain the listing of the ordinary shares in the capital of NewCo ("NewCo Ordinary Shares") and warrants to purchase NewCo Ordinary Shares on the NYSE or another national securities exchange upon the closing of the Business Combination; (vii) the risk that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of AFA as a result of the announcement and consummation of the transactions described herein; (viii) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination; (ix) unexpected costs related to the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of AFA to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its key employees; (x) the ability of the parties to consummate any potential financing transaction; (xi) the use of proceeds from any potential financing transaction by NewCo; (xii) the risk that there will be insufficient cash raised through any potential financing transaction, or that the amount of redemptions by ANSC's public shareholders is greater than expected; (xiii) the management and board composition of NewCo following completion of the Business Combination; (xiv) limited liquidity and trading of NewCo's securities; (xv) geopolitical risk and changes in applicable laws or regulations, including legal or regulatory developments (including, without limitation, accounting considerations) which could result in the need for AFA to restate its historical financial statements and cause unforeseen delays in the timing of the Business Combination and negatively impact the trading price of NewCo's securities and the attractiveness of the Business Combination to investors; (xvi) the possibility that AFA may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (xvii) operational risks; (xviii) the possibility that a pandemic or major disease disrupts AFA's business; (xix) litigation and regulatory enforcement risks, including the diversion of management time and attention and the additional costs and demands on AFA's resources; (xx) the risks that the consummation of the Business Combination is substantially delayed or does not occur including the risk that the transaction may not be completed by ANSC's business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain extensions of the business deadline if sought by ANSC; and (xxi) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Business Combination, including those under "Risk Factors" therein, and in ANSC's, AFA's and NewCo's other filings with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. No Offer or Solicitation This communication relates to a proposed business combination between AFA and ANSC. This document shall not constitute a "solicitation" of a proxy, consent, or authorization, as defined in Section 14 of the Exchange Act, with respect to any securities or in respect of the Business Combination. This document also does not constitute an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy, sell, or exchange any securities, investment or other specific product, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any offer, sale or exchange of securities, investment or other specific product in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities will be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom. Additional Information About the Business Combination and Where To Find It In connection with the proposed Business Combination, ANSC, NewCo and AFA intend to file a registration statement on Form F-4 relating to the Business Combination (the "Registration Statement") with the SEC, which will include a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus of ANSC in connection with the meeting of ANSC's shareholders to approve the Business Combination and certain other related matters described in the Registration Statement. The Registration Statement, including the proxy statement/prospectus contained therein, will contain important information about the Business Combination and the other matters to be voted upon at the ANSC shareholders' meeting. This document does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the Business Combination and other matters and is not intended to provide the basis for any investment decision or any other decision in respect of such matters. ANSC, AFA and NewCo may also file other documents with the SEC regarding the Business Combination. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF ANSC AND OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS ARE URGED TO READ, WHEN AVAILABLE, THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, INCLUDING THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED THEREIN, ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO AND DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE BUSINESS COMBINATION CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ANSC, NEWCO, AFA, AND THE BUSINESS COMBINATION. After the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, ANSC will mail the definitive proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Business Combination to its shareholders as of the record date established for voting on the Business Combination. Shareholders will also be able to obtain copies of the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials in connection with the Business Combination without charge, once available, at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: Agriculture & Natural Solutions Acquisition Corporation, 712 Fifth Avenue, 36th Floor, New York, NY 10019. Participants in the Solicitation ANSC, NewCo, AFA and their respective directors and executive officers and related persons may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from ANSC's shareholders in connection with the Business Combination. ANSC's shareholders and other interested persons may obtain, without charge, more detailed information regarding the directors and officers of ANSC and their direct or indirect interests therein in ANSC's Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024 (File No. 001-41861), including, without limitation, "Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance", "Item 11. Executive Compensation", "Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters" and "Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence". Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies to ANSC's shareholders in connection with the Business Combination and other matters to be voted upon at the ANSC shareholders' meeting will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus for the Business Combination when available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described above. Financial Information The financial information and data contained in this document is unaudited and does not conform to Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act. Accordingly, such information and data may not be included in, may be adjusted in or may be presented differently in, the Registration Statement to be filed with the SEC. All monetary figures included in this document are reflected in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. Non-GAAP Financial Measures This document also includes certain financial measures not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") including, but not limited to, EBITDA, and certain ratios and other metrics derived therefrom. These non-GAAP financial measures are not measures of financial performance in accordance with GAAP and may exclude items that are significant in understanding and assessing AFA's financial results. Therefore, these measures should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income, cash flows from operations or other measures of profitability, liquidity or performance under GAAP. You should be aware that ANSC's presentation of these measures may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures used by other companies. ANSC, NewCo and AFA believe these non-GAAP measures of financial results provide useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to AFA's financial condition and results of operations. ANSC, NewCo and AFA believe that the use of these non-GAAP financial measures provides an additional tool for investors to use in evaluating ongoing operating results and trends in and in comparing AFA's financial measures with other similar companies, many of which present similar non-GAAP financial measures to investors. These non-GAAP financial measures are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgments by management about which items of expense and income are excluded or included in determining these non-GAAP financial measures. ________________________________ 1 Based on assumed exchange rate of 0.651. Media Contact Daniel Yunger / Emma Cloyd Kekst CNC [email protected] / [email protected] SOURCE Agriculture & Natural Solutions Acquisition Corporation Industry leader leverages extensive user base and partnerships to drive BVLOS drone operations forward DETROIT, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Airspace Link, the Detroit-based premier drone integration platform, today announced its expansion into the Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) market. The company revealed upcoming enhancements to its FAA-approved AirHub platform, signaling the continued expansion of its capabilities to support the growing needs of drone operators across the United States. Arlington, TX, partnering with Airspace Link's FlySafe Program and AirHub Platform, leads in municipality-focused mobility innovation. Focusing on inclusive access to new services, Arlington aims to use drones for goods delivery, fostering smart community development and stimulating the local economy. This initiative, powered by AirHub built on Esri's GIS platform, positions Arlington as a leader in safe, innovative urban drone integration. Airspace Link is proud to be an FAA-approved provider of B4UFLY safety information and LAANC authorizations, enabling over 100,000 pilots to fly safely, legally, and in harmony with their communities. Now, the enhanced AirHub Portal experience will introduce new solutions for traffic management, conflict detection and resolution, and other services in compliance with relevant industry standards and upcoming regulations to support and accelerate Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations, further cementing its status as the premier drone integration and management platform. The announcement comes on the heels of the FAA's groundbreaking first authorization of UTM service providers for commercial BVLOS drone flights in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Airspace Link, with current partnerships with the City of Arlington, TX, the North Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), and thousands of recreational and Part 107 operators in the region, is poised to play a crucial role as a neutral third-party provider of UTM services for public and private drone operators in North Texas and throughout the country. "Today, I'm excited to announce that our AirHub Portal platform will be extending to support more advanced operations by providing UTM services," said Michael Healander, Airspace Link Co-Founder and CEO. "As an established FAA UAS Service Supplier (USS), Airspace Link has been solving the needs of recreational and Part 107 operators for five years and is uniquely positioned to continue to support their needs as new operating rules enable more complex and impactful operation concepts." The new UTM capability is just one of many AirHub Portal features and data sets that will ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and accelerate access to more repeatable, routine BVLOS operations within the National Airspace System. "We facilitate over 30,000 airspace safety checks daily, supporting over 100,000 monthly VLOS users and assisting 5,000 businesses and government entities. The UTM feature expansion will be offered to support BVLOS to our growing operators, businesses, and government entities to unlock more of the UAS market." Healander said. Tyler Dicks, Senior Solutions Architect & Product Manager at Airspace Link, added, "Our entry into the UTM space represents a natural evolution of our mission to safely integrate drones into the national airspace and communities. We're aligning our development efforts with ASTM standards, FAA working groups, and the upcoming BVLOS rulemaking to ensure AirHub Portal continues to solve the needs of our customers today while positioning for the needs of tomorrow. Our approach toward UTM will seamlessly integrate strategic conflict detection capabilities with our robust operation planning, crew & asset management, and advanced HexGen risk assessment and analytics tools, providing a comprehensive drone management platform for drone-driven organizations." The company's work extends beyond software development, with notable projects in Arlington and Detroit, MI. In Detroit, Airspace Link is driving the Advanced Aerial Innovation Region initiative, together with Michigan Central and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), as well as supporting surrounding Detroit communities through its FlySafe program, facilitating municipal efforts with more than two dozen Detroit-area cities to become "drone ready" communities. As the drone industry continues to evolve, Airspace Link remains committed to providing innovative solutions that enable safe, efficient, and compliant drone operations. The enhanced AirHub Portal, with its planned UTM capabilities, will play a crucial role in shaping the future of unmanned aerial systems integration across the United States. About Airspace Link Founded in Detroit in 2018, Airspace Link is at the forefront of enabling safe drone integration into national airspace and communities. As a SOC 2 compliant, ISO 27001-certified, FAA-approved UAS Service Supplier, Airspace Link's cloud-based AirHub Portal platform provides essential digital infrastructure to support the growing drone industry. Airspace Link provides drone integration support to cities and government organizations across the United States through its FlySafe Program. For more information about Airspace Link, AirHub Portal, and the FlySafe program, visit www.airspacelink.com. Media Contact: Rich Fahle [email protected] SOURCE Airspace Link As the only Taiwanese LLM vendor endorsed by NVIDIA, APMIC aims to make AI accessible to all TAIPEI, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fueled by the generative AI wave sparked by ChatGPT, APMICa leading provider of enterprise-grade AI solutions and the only Taiwanese independent software vendor (ISV) recognized by NVIDIAtoday announced its official entry into the U.S. market with the launch of its acclaimed large language model, "CaiGunn" in North America. APMIC is committed to driving global AI transformation, empowering companies to develop their own AI capabilities, and enabling everyone to seamlessly join the AI revolution. Jerry Wu, Founder and CEO of APMIC and CaiGunn, the localized LLM and platform framework developed by APMIC. APMIC, the Only Taiwanese Company Recognized by Tech Giants NVIDIA and Google, Brings Its MIT AI Expertise to the U.S. Market Founded in 2017 by Jerry Wu, a Google Developer Expert in machine learning, and a team of AI enthusiasts, APMIC specializes in natural language understanding (NLU). Its enterprise-grade AI solutions are designed to create customized AI digital brains for businesses. With these solutions, employees can interact with AI naturally and conversationally, empowering them to leverage AI for tasks such as customer service, text analysis, and document review. APMIC's solutions have earned accolades from global tech giants. With seven years of innovation, APMIC has been recognized by NVIDIA as an exclusive generative AI independent software vendor (ISV) strategic partner and has been the only Taiwanese team featured by Google in its machine learning case studies. Jerry Wu, Founder and CEO of APMIC, stated, "Our large language model processes millions of AI interactions each month, providing us with deep insights into the challenges businesses face during AI transformation. We believe that broad internal adoption of AIwithout requiring programming or data processing skillsis essential for businesses to thrive in the AI revolution. APMIC is excited to announce our expansion into the U.S. market. Our goal is to showcase Taiwan's AI capabilities on the global stage and empower employees worldwide to harness the power of AI, driving the global AI transformation." Localized LLM "CaiGunn" Boosts Enterprise Service Efficiency by 30%; APMIC Joins Forces with Ecosystem Partners for Global Expansion According to P&S Intelligence, the global market for natural language understanding was valued at $18.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $80.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 27.2%. The North American market is expected to be a significant driver of this demand. Recognizing the growing need for AI technologies, particularly natural language understanding, APMIC foresees a trend of enterprises deploying LLMs on-premises. To meet this demand, APMIC has partnered with Dell, HPE, and NVIDIA to integrate its AI server with the "CaiGunn" model, creating a robust ecosystem for AI deployment. As a member of NVIDIA's Inception program, APMIC showcased "CaiGunn" at NVIDIA GTC 2024, making it one of only two Taiwanese startups selected to participate in the Startup Pitches. As a leader in natural language understanding, APMIC, backed by NVIDIA and its extensive global network, is expanding into the U.S. market to help enterprises worldwide build their own large language models. "CaiGunn" named after the Taiwanese Hokkien word for "chat," is a localized large language model and platform framework developed by APMIC's team in Taiwan. It enables employees to create intelligent, contextually relevant AI solutions simply by uploading existing documents, websites, or datawithout the need for programming. "CaiGunn" has been adopted by over 800 organizations across various sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and retail. Notable clients include Google, Taipei City Government, and CTBC Bank, with implementations demonstrating a 30% improvement in service efficiency. In 2023, "CaiGunn" made history as the only Taiwanese model ranked among the top 100 on Hugging Face. This year, APMIC introduced "CaiGunn-TAME", a cutting-edge traditional Chinese LLM tailored for Taiwanese users. Powered by NVIDIA's NIMs and enhanced by CaiGunn's C-RAG, this model offers rapid scaling and a deeper understanding of Taiwanese language and culture. APMIC secured $1 million in Pre-A funding in March this year and plans to launch a new fundraising round in September. These funds will be used to further expand its overseas market, strengthen the development of its LLMs, attract top talent, and scale its operations. About APMIC APMIC (Accelerate Private Machine Intelligence Company) is a leading provider of enterprise-grade AI solutions, founded in Taiwan in 2017. Specializing in natural language understanding (NLU) technology, APMIC offers localized large language models and solutions that allow businesses to develop their own AI capabilities without programming. With applications in over 800 enterprises across various industries and government departments, APMIC is dedicated to equipping every company with the ability to develop its own AI capabilities, to empowering everyone to seamlessly be part of the AI revolution. For more information, visit APMIC's official website: https://www.ap-mic.com/ SOURCE APMIC Armitron debuts a visionary smartwatch collection, merging exceptional technology with sophisticated style for the ultimate blend of functionality and elegance. NEW YORK, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Armitron (https://www.armitron.com/), a watchmaking leader since 1975, launches Armitron Connect, a smartwatch collection that combines cutting-edge technology with the brand's trusted craftsmanship. Offering stylish, user-friendly smartwatches at an affordable price, Armitron Connect invites everyone to love every second while enjoying the perfect balance of style and practicality. The smartwatch collection debut includes innovative models with exceptional battery performance, like the sleek 'Eclipse' with its intuitive touchscreen face and the 'Matrix' with an AMOLED high-definition display for crystal-clear resolution. All Armitron Connect smartwatches blend style, functionality, and innovative technology, including a magnetic, rapid USB charger that offers a battery life that can last for days, adapting to the wearer's usage. Priced between $55 and $75, the Armitron Connect collection is currently available for sale at retail and will be available on Armitron.com beginning September 13, 2024. Matrix Quantum The new smartwatches are designed to work seamlessly with the newly debuted Armitron Connect Mobile app, available on Android and iOS, creating a cohesive ecosystem that enhances ones' experience. The app serves as the hub for syncing the smartwatch data and ensuring every feature is fully optimized. The main features include goal setting, sleep and activity data tracking, exercise record management, customizable watch settings such as time formats, language, location, and watch face personalization. As well as information push notifications and function configuration optionsall without collecting or transmitting personal data. Armitron prioritizes user privacyno personal data, such as name, credit card, email address, or phone number, is ever collected or transmitted. This deliberate decision ensures that users' privacy is always protected while enjoying the full range of smartwatch functionalities, providing a sense of security and confidence. Armitron unveiled its new tagline, "Love Every Second," and a comprehensive visual overhaul at a rebranding event this summer, and the release of these smartwatches marks a pivotal moment for the nearly 50-year-old brand. The impressive corporate transformation included updated brand logos, a refreshed website, enhanced lifestyle photography, a brand video, and more, all designed with true warmth and connection. The main theme of Armitron's rebranding campaign drives home the messaging of Armitron's dedication to creating watches that help you take notice of life and the precious moments in between busy days. "Armitron Connect marks an exciting new chapter for us," states Barbara Weichselbaum, CEO of E. Gluck Corporation. "This release gives us a competitive edge in the smartwatch market, blending our traditional craftsmanship with the latest technology. Over the past year, our trajectory has been building towards this debut, and there's more to come as we approach our 50th year in business. My father's dream was to create watches that everyone could enjoy, and it is our goal to ensure that dream continues as the world of watches and fashion technology evolve. Armitron Connect Smartwatches are a large part of the bright future of Armitron. I can't wait for our customers to experience our newest product line." THE INITIAL LAUNCH OF THE ARMITRON CONNECT SMARTWATCHES COLLECTION INCLUDES STYLES: Eclipse, Link, Apex, Sync, Quantum, and Matrix. All Armitron Connect smartwatches are packed with essential features that elevate users' everyday life, including: Make & Receive Calls Full Touch Screen Message Notifications Music Controls Heart Rate Monitoring IP68 Water Resistant Fitness Tracking Sleep Tracking Voice Assistant Camera Control "Find My Phone" Feature Weather Updates Alarm Flashlight Timer World Clock Stopwatch Calculator Calendar E-card GPS In addition to these features, the Quantum and Matrix models also sport Blood Oxygen/SpO2 sensors, an AMOLED ultra-high-definition display, and a rotating crown. Select models like the Eclipse and Matrix also have various strap and bracelet options, including silicone, woven elastic, and stainless-steel metal. Coming Soon - Armitron Connect Boom Smartwatch & Earbuds: The sleek, volume-safe Bluetooth earbuds are compact and have a battery life of up to 14 hours for continuous playback, perfectly complementing the smartwatch's myriad of features. With the Boom Smartwatch, users will be able to control music, manage phone calls, receive message notifications, and moreall from their wrist. It also tracks steps, activities, sleep, and more, with touchscreen navigation and customizable photo dials. Available in three different colorways, this set is designed for a younger audience and is meant to enjoy optimal sound quality while keeping users connected and in control. For more information about Armitron and the brand new Armitron Connect Smartwatch Collection, please reach out to BPM-PR Firm at [email protected] or call 1.877.841.7244. ABOUT ARMITRON Since 1975, Armitron has been devoted to nurturing the spirit of individuality with high-quality, high-style watches at accessible price points, driven by the understanding that a timepiece is both a common thread and a distinguishing factor. As a brand underneath the E. Gluck Corporation umbrella, Armitron connects prestige and curation with unprecedented value and convenience. E. Gluck Corporation manufactures watches under its flagship proprietary brand, Armitron. The company also manufactures watches for major fashion brands, including Anne Klein, Nine West, Vince Camuto, Steve Madden, and Joseph Abboud. Proudly headquartered in New York, Armitron is an Official Timepiece of the New York Yankees. For more information, visit www.Armitron.com. Media Contact: Alexa Morales BPM-PR Firm [email protected] 877.841.7244 SOURCE Armitron The spouses of Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will make campaign stops in Virginia during the long Labor Day weekend. Douglas Emhoff, husband of Harris, will make a Labor Day stop Monday in Newport News, according to the campaign. While the campaign has released no further details, Monday is the date of the traditional Labor Day picnic hosted by Democrat Bobby Scott, Virginia's 3rd District representative and dean of the state's congressional delegation. Gwen Walz, a longtime educator and wife of the Minnesota governor, will take part in an Educators for Harris-Walz event Friday in Manassas. Mrs. Walz will highlight Vice President Harris and Governor Walzs efforts to support educators and students, according to the campaign. The Democrats Virginia stops come days after former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, stopped by a Vietnamese restaurant in Falls Church with Hung Cao, who is challenging Democrat Tim Kaine for his Senate seat. Harris held a 3-percentage-point lead over Trump among likely voters in Virginia, according to a poll Roanoke College released on Aug. 20. The result was within the polls margin of error. Democrats have carried Virginia in the past four presidential elections, but Trump has vowed to fight for Virginia. Trump held a rally at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in March, ahead of the Super Tuesday primaries, and he held a rally in Chesapeake in late June. Were going to win Virginia; we win Virginia the race is over, Trump said in Chesapeake. Trumps running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, headlined a Radford rally in July, a day after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris. Biden and Harris had made their first joint campaign appearance in January in Manassas, emphasizing abortion rights. In April, Biden held an event in Prince William County, touting solar investments on Earth Day. HOUSTON, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Avelo Airlines is celebrating Labor Day with $50 off round trip base fares* to 52 popular destinations across the country. This limited-time promotion is the perfect chance for travelers to book their fall and winter getaways. Key Sale Details: Travel Period: September 17, 2024 February 11, 2025 September 17, 2024 Discount: $50 off round trip base fares * $50 off round trip base fares Booking: Available on our website AveloAir.com through Tuesday, Sept 3 Available on our website AveloAir.com through Promo Code : LABORDAY America's Most Convenient Airline Since taking flight on April 28, 2021, Avelo has flown more than 5.3 million Customers on over 40,000 flights. Today Avelo serves 52 destinations spanning 25 states, Puerto Rico and two international destinations: Jamaica and Mexico. Avelo has unlocked a new era of convenience, choice, and competition by flying unserved routes to primarily underserved communities across the country. Every route has at least one small, easy to use airport. This makes every Avelo journey a smooth, easy, and more enjoyable experience than contending with the crowds, congestion and long walks at larger airports. Avelo is distinguished by its industry-leading reliability. For the first half of 2024, the airline ranked #1 in on-time performance and delivered the lowest flight cancellation rate in the industry. These results are reported by Anuvu, a leading aviation data services company also utilized by The Wall Street Journal for the publication's annual airline ranking. Avelo Customers can always change or cancel their itineraries with no extra fees. Additionally, families can travel with ease knowing every child 14 and under will be automatically seated with an accompanying adult at no additional cost. Avelo offers advanced seat assignments for sale. One third of its seats are extra leg room seats, ranging from 32 inches to more than 36 inches, offering a more comfortable experience for Customers who value more space. In addition to advance seat assignments, Avelo offers several unbundled travel-enhancing options that give Customers the flexibility to pay only for what they value, including priority boarding, checked bags, carry-on overhead bags, and bringing a pet in the cabin. About Avelo Airlines Avelo Airlines was founded with a simple purpose to Inspire Travel. The Houston-based airline offers travelers everyday low fares, time and money-saving convenience, and a refreshingly smooth, caring and reliable travel experience. Operating a fleet of 19 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, Avelo serves 52 popular destinations across the United States, including its six bases at Los Angeles' Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Southern Connecticut's Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN, the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley region's Wilmington Airport (ILG), Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), and the Bay Area's Sonoma County Airport (STS). On October 24, 2024, Avelo will open its Central Florida Base at Lakeland International Airport (LAL). For more information visit AveloAir.com or the Avelo Newsroom at AveloAir.com/Newsroom. Media Contact: Avelo Airlines Courtney Goff [email protected] Madison Jones [email protected] * $50 off LABORDAY promo code discount applies to round trip bookings only. Travel must be completed between 9/17/24 and 2/11/25. Must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. PT on 9/3/24. Expiration date cannot be extended. To receive promo savings, enter promo code on aveloair.com when you begin your search or on the payment page. Per the Department of Transportation (DOT), advertised fares must include all government taxes and fees. Please note, this discount applies to base fare only, and does not apply to government taxes or certain carrier-imposed fees. Promo code is not redeemable for cash, and in the case of reservation cancellations, the promo savings will be forfeited. Seats are limited. Fare rules, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice. Restrictions may apply. Not valid on previously purchased itineraries or combinable with other promotions. A $25 charge per seated traveler applies to all bookings or changes made through Avelo's Customer Support Center. Additional fees for carry-on and checked bags, assigned seats and other optional services may apply. For full terms and conditions, please visit Contract of Carriage at AveloAir.com. SOURCE Avelo Airlines NASSAU, The Bahamas, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Surpassing all tourism performance forecasts for 2023 and poised to set new records for 2024, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) will present this exciting update and more at the forthcoming State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC). SOTIC will be held in the Cayman Islands, September 2 6, at the Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa. This prestigious event brings together leading regional and global experts, visionaries, decision-makers, and influencers to shape strategic initiatives that will secure the region's competitive edge and promote sustainable growth in the tourism sector. The Bahamas continues to experience a significant surge in visitor arrivals, encompassing both cruise and land-based stays, highlighting a vibrant growth trajectory and reinforcing the island nation's status as a leading global travel destination. "To drive continued growth in both new and repeat visits, we have implemented a strategy tailored to the evolving expectations of today's travelers," said the Hon. I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. "Apart from the recent launch of direct flights from major markets across the U.S. to not only Nassau but across the destination, the continued expansion of our cruise ports and the beautification of downtown, among other strategic developments, all solidify The Bahamas' place as a leading tourist destination." Latia Duncombe, Director General, BMOTIA, added, "Our success is built on a foundation of innovation, collaboration and unwavering commitment to continually enhancing our diverse tourism offerings, ensuring that visitors are eager to return. As we continue to break records and set new standards, we are not only responding to the needs of today's travelers but also shaping the future of tourism in The Bahamas. SOTIC provides an invaluable platform for sharing insights, forging partnerships, and driving the regional strategies that will ensure our continued success in a competitive global market." In 2023, The Bahamas saw record-breaking tourism growth welcoming nearly 10 million visitors. This historic milestone represented a 38% jump from 2022 and 33% increase compared to 2019. While foreign air arrivals rose 17% to a record 1.7 million in 2023, sea arrivals that year surged 43.5% to a record 7.9 million. This upward trend has continued into 2024, with a notable 14% increase in foreign air and sea arrivals from January to June compared to the same period in 2023, translating to more than 5.7 million visitors in six months. This exceptional performance highlights a promising lineup of new developments on the horizon, including: Carnival Cruise Line at Celebration Key in Grand Bahama Island, which will introduce Pearl Cove Beach Club, an adults-only area on the island, slated to open in July 2025 Island, which will introduce Pearl Cove Beach Club, an adults-only area on the island, slated to open in Royal Caribbean , MSC Cruises and the ITM Group are partnering to develop a new cruise port and water park on Grand Bahama Island , MSC Cruises and the ITM Group are partnering to develop a new cruise port and water park on Grand Bahama Island Major air support from leading carriers including Delta, American, Southwest, and regional carriers such as Tradewind, Tropic Airways, Makers Air and more, have added new flights from New York , Orlando , Los Angeles , Charlotte , Atlanta , Fort Lauderdale , Miami and Dallas to name a few, in support of the upcoming holiday and winter season , , , , , , and to name a few, in support of the upcoming holiday and winter season Luxury resorts continue to add to the mix of accommodations options across the destination: Four Seasons branded condo-hotel is coming to Paradise Island, Six Senses Grand Bahama is slated for 2026, Rosewood Exuma is expected in 2028, and one of Eleuthera's most iconic hotels, the Potlatch Club, has just reopened its doors. To learn more about The Bahamas, visit Bahamas.com. About The Bahamas: The Bahamas has over 700 islands and cays, as well as 16 unique island destinations. Located only 50 miles off the coast of Florida, it offers a quick and easy way for travelers to escape their everyday. The island nation also boasts world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of the earth's most spectacular beaches for families, couples and adventurers to explore. See why It's Better in The Bahamas at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram. Media Contacts: Anita Johnson-Patty Director Global Communications Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation [email protected] Bahamas USA FINN Bahamas [email protected] SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation Solid Revenue Growth Coupled with High Gross Profit Margin (73%) and Non-IFRS Profit (RMB 200 Million) BEIJING, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bairong Inc. (the "Company", "we" , "us" or "our" ; HKEX: 6608), a leading cloud-based AI turnkey service provider, today announced the consolidated results of the Company for the half year ended June 30, 2024. This is our earnings release invitation Mr. Zhang Shaofeng, our founder, chief executive officer and chairman of the Board, commented: "We proudly announce Bairong's continuous profitability as always. Our Non-IFRS profit margin maintained an impressive level of 15%, with half-year Non-IFRS profit approximately RMB 200 million. Gross profit margin further lifted to a remarkable 73%, demonstrating our strong capability to scale up. By integrating large language model and emotion-recognition technique into our AI VoiceGPT robot, we have extended our BaaS as a Service(BaaS) to achieve a double-digit revenue growth of 20% year-over-year, building on the impressive foundation laid in the prior years, and underscoring our leading position and sustainable value in the market." Financial Summary Six months ended June 30, 2024 2023 Change (unaudited) (unaudited) ( %) (RMB in thousands, except percentages) Revenue 1,321,348 1,243,032 6 Model as a service ("MaaS") 421,352 431,134 (2) Business as a service ("BaaS") 899,996 811,898 11 BaaS Financial Scenario 589,473 492,095 20 BaaS Insurance Scenario 310,523 319,803 (3) Gross profit 967,155 896,034 8 Operating profit 156,832 211,697 (26) Profit for the period 142,833 206,808 (31) Non-IFRS measures Non-IFRS profit for the period 197,479 226,847 (13) Non-IFRS EBITDA 243,481 267,644 (9) Revenue Our total revenue increased by 6% from RMB1,243.03 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB1,321.35 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily attributable to our enhanced capabilities of providing products and services despite a challenging economic and consumption environment. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, our MaaS business reported revenue of approximately RMB421.35 million. During the Reporting Period, the number of Key Clients reached 165, representing an increase of 19 from 146 period-over-period, while average revenue per Key Client was RMB2.00 million. Our Key Client Retention Rate was 96%. Key metrics of MaaS Six months ended June 30, 2024 2023 Change (%) (unaudited) (unaudited) (RMB in thousands, except percentages) Revenue from MaaS 421,352 431,134 (2) Revenue from Key Clients(Note) 329,398 355,246 (7) Number of Key Clients 165 146 13 Average revenue per Key Client 1,996 2,433 (18) Retention rate of Key Clients 96 % 98 % -2 pct Note:"Key Clients" are defined as paying clients that each contributes more than RMB300,000 total revenue to the Company year-to-date. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, our BaaS Financial Scenario business reported revenue growth of 20% period-over-period to RMB589.47 million. As a result of a rapid growing gross value of transactions we facilitate, of which grew by 23% period-over-period to RMB26,150.46 million for the first half of the year. During the Reporting Period, we deepened our cooperation with clients by jointly developing various marketing activities to contribute to the rapid expansion of the gross value of transactions. In addition, as we see more existing users contributing revenue, which combined with our user acquisition advantage via Generative AI, continue to improve user acquisition efficiency and bring higher ROI. Key metrics of BaaS Financial Scenario Six months ended June 30, 2024 2023 Change (%) (unaudited) (unaudited) (RMB in thousands, except percentages) Revenue from BaaS Financial Scenario 589,473 492,095 20 Gross transaction value 26,150,459 21,262,052 23 Technical service fee rate 2.3 % 2.3 % 0 pct In the first half of 2024, the BaaS Insurance Scenario reported revenue decrease by 3% periodover-period to RMB310.52 million. Total premiums increased by 80% period-over-period to RMB2,872.66 million. In the first half of 2024, as the economy recovered gradually, the business performance of our BaaS Insurance Scenario was revived, with first year premiums increasing by 103% period-over-period to RMB1,904.54 million and renewal premiums increasing by 47% period-over-period to RMB968.12 million. Key metrics of BaaS Insurance Scenario Six months ended June 30, 2024 2023 Change (%) (unaudited) (unaudited) (RMB in thousands, except percentages) Revenue from BaaS Insurance Scenario 310,523 319,803 (3) Revenue from first year premiums 254,658 270,236 (6) First year premiums 1,904,544 939,753 103 Revenue from renewal premiums 55,865 49,567 13 Renewal premiums 968,119 657,650 47 Cost of sales Our cost of sales increased by 2% from RMB347.00 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB354.19 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, in line with the growth of our business scale. Gross profit and gross margin As a result of the foregoing, the Group's gross profit increased by 8% from RMB896.03 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB967.16 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The Group's gross profit margin was 73% and 72% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Research and development expenses The Group's research and development expenses increased by 12% from RMB202.07 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB225.88 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily attributable to the increase in the staff costs of our research and development personnel to support product offerings and technology development about various AI application technology, algorithm-driven machine learning platform and underlying database performance. General and administrative expenses The Group's general and administrative expenses increased by 13% from RMB123.98 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB139.94 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily attributable to the increase in share-based compensation expenses from the grant of share options and restricted share units by the Company during the six months end June 30, 2024. Sales and marketing expenses Our sales and marketing expenses increased by 10% from RMB460.68 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB506.54 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily due to an increase of RMB40.24 million of promotion, advertising, information technology services and other related expenses, which was mainly due to the increased branding and business promotion to enhance our brand recognition and our continuous efforts to obtain high-quality traffic to improve conversion efficiency. Other income Our net other income decreased by 30% from RMB104.98 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB73.03 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. This is primarily due to a decrease of RMB22.24 million of government grants. Profit for the year As a result of the foregoing, the Group's profit for the period decreased from RMB206.81 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB142.83 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Cash, cash equivalents and time deposits The Group had cash and cash equivalents and time deposits of RMB2,852.85 million and RMB3,301.84 million as at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. During the Reporting Period, we repurchased class B ordinary shares ("Class B Shares") from the open market for a total of HK$70.05 million including expenses. Conference Call Our management will hold a conference call at 10:00a.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on Friday, August 30, 2024 (10:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time) to discuss the financial results and answer questions from investors and analysts. For participants who wish to join the call, please complete online registration using the link provided below prior to the scheduled call start time. Participant Online Registration: https://webcast.roadshowchina.cn/b3NZVk50YUk3Rng4VmF6U3p0Qkk0Zz09 Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows: International: +86-23-62737100 Mainland China: 023-63623333/4008-063-263 HK China: +852-30183602/+800-961505 English Dial-in Password: 447012932 Chinese Dial-in Password: 532157549 Please scan the QR code in the poster below to register for the conference: Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.brgroup.com/earnings About Bairong Inc. Bairong Inc. is a leading artificial intelligence (AI) technology services company. The Company applies natural language processing (NLP), privacy computing, machine learning, cloud computing and other technologies to provide services to enterprises through model-as-a-service (MaaS) and business-as-a-service (BaaS). The MaaS services leverage discriminant AI to digitalize the know-your-customer (KYC) and know-your-product (KYP) process for enterprises, by analyzing users' risk, willingness, and capability. The BaaS services use discriminant AI to analyze and stratify users into groups and develops generative AI-powered VoiceGPT using human natural languages to interact with users. The Company's products and services are widely used by enterprise customers in banking, consumer finance, insurance, e-commerce, automobiles, logistics, ticketing, energy, construction and other industries. For more information, please visit: http://ir.brgroup.com Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminologies such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to," and the negative of these words and other similar expressions or statements. Bairong may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the HKEx, in its annual and interim reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors, or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Bairong's beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the following: Bairong's strategies, future business development, and financial condition and results of operations; Bairong's limited operating history; risks associated with the financial service industry, Bairong's ability to develop and deliver services of high quality and appeal to clients; Bairong's ability to generate positive cash flow and profits; Bairong's ability to compete successfully; Bairong's ability to build its brand and withstand negative publicity; and changes in client demand and government incentives, subsidies, or other favorable government policies. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Bairong's filings with the HKEX. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Bairong does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required under applicable laws. For investor inquiries, please contact: Bairong Inc. Ms. Sandy Qin, CFA, CMA, GradCG Email: [email protected] For media inquiries, please contact: Bairong Inc. Email: [email protected] SOURCE Bairong Inc. HOUSTON, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: VTOL), the global leader in innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions, today announced its President and Chief Executive Officer, Chris Bradshaw, will participate in a fireside chat discussion with James West, the head of Evercore ISI's Oil Service, Equipment & Drilling research team on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. Investors may participate in the call by using the following link, which is now open for early registration: Webinar Registration - Zoom About Bristow Group Bristow Group Inc. is the leading global provider of innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions. Bristow primarily provides aviation services to a broad base of offshore energy companies and government entities. The Company's aviation services include personnel transportation, search and rescue ("SAR"), medevac, fixed-wing transportation, uncrewed air systems and ad hoc helicopter services. Bristow currently has customers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the Dutch Caribbean, the Falkland Islands, India, Ireland, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad, the UK, and the U.S. To learn more, visit our website at www.bristowgroup.com. Investors Bristow Group Inc. Jennifer Whalen [email protected] Media Bristow Group Inc. Adam Morgan [email protected] SOURCE Bristow Group SINGAPORE, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a significant legal development, the High Court of Singapore has dismissed an application by BSI Bank Limited (now in liquidation) (BSI) to strike out the US$394 million claim brought against it by 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and its subsidiary, Brazen Sky Limited. The case, which commenced on 2 May 2024, sees 1MDB and Brazen Sky seeking redress for large-scale financial losses said to be suffered as a result of unauthorised fund transfers and money laundering schemes orchestrated through accounts at BSI. The claim alleges that BSI and several of its former officers facilitated these transfers, assisting in the misappropriation of 1MDB's assets. The action forms part of 1MDB's ongoing global asset recovery efforts to reclaim billions of dollars of misappropriated funds. The dismissal of the strike-out application (which is subject to appeal) allows the case against BSI to proceed. BSI was placed into members' voluntary liquidation in 2017, with Bob Yap Cheng Ghee and Toh Ai Ling of KPMG Singapore appointed its joint and several liquidators. BSI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BSI AG of Switzerland (BSI AG) which is, in turn, previously owned by Brazil's BTG Pactual (known as Latin America's equivalent to Goldman Sachs). BSI AG was sold in 2017 to the Zurich-based banking group, EFG International. Based on a media release issued by EFG International on 1 November 2016, BTG Pactual agreed to indemnify EFG International against "certain known liabilities and damages" to "de-risk[] the acquisition". BTG Pactual also owns almost a third of EFG. A spokesperson for the 1MDB Board commented: "We are pleased this application has been denied and are committed to holding accountable the institutions and individuals involved in misappropriating money from Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund, while ensuring the recovery and restitution of these assets back to the Malaysian people." This commitment was further evidenced by a verdict given in Switzerland yesterday, where the highest criminal court convicted businessmen Tarek Obaid and Patrick Mahony of fraud and money laundering, sentencing them to seven- and six-years' imprisonment, respectively. This judgment also permitted the recovery of $1.748 billion to Malaysia and the court ordered that Obaid and Mahony's assets, totalling approximately $240 million, be confiscated and restored to 1MDB. Notes to editors 1MDB is represented by Jern-Fei Ng KC, Colin Liew and Tan Jun Hong of Duxton Hill Chambers (Singapore Group Practice) and a team from LVM Law Chambers. Lim Chee Wee Partnership of Kuala Lumpur acts as global co-ordinating counsel for all 1MDB-related asset recovery efforts in Malaysia and abroad. The liquidators for 1MDB subsidiary Brazen Sky are Angela Barkhouse and Toni Shukla, both of Kroll. SOURCE 1MBD DUBAI, UAE, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit , the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has announced the waiving of foreign exchange (FX) fees for its Mastercard holders when spending in local currencies in Poland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Sweden, and Hungary. This change reflects Bybit's commitment to providing seamless and cost-effective solutions for its global customer base. Bybit Waives FX Fees for Cardholders in Seven European Countries (PRNewsfoto/Bybit) Effective immediately, Bybit Card users can now spend directly in PLN, BGN, HRK, CZK, DKK, SEK, and HUF without incurring the standard 0.5% FX fee that was previously applied. This update is a significant win for users, especially those who frequently travel or conduct business in these countries, allowing them to make purchases without worrying about additional charges. "Our goal has always been to empower our users with financial freedom and flexibility," said Joan Han, marketing director at Bybit. "By removing these fees, we are taking another step towards making the Bybit Card an indispensable tool for anyone looking to manage their finances more efficiently across Europe." The usability of the Bybit Card ensures it serves as a tool for international travel and expenses, providing unparalleled convenience and accessibility for all users. Core Features of the Bybit Card Convenient Cash Access: Withdraw cash from any ATM worldwide that supports Mastercard for added convenience. Flexible Card Options: For on-the-go payments, choose between virtual and physical cards compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay. Lucrative Rewards: Enjoy a loyalty program offering 2% cashback on all purchases, with VIP tiers reaching up to 10% cashback (conditions apply). #Bybit / #TheCryptoArk About Bybit Bybit is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving over 40 million users. Established in 2018, Bybit provides a professional platform where crypto investors and traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, 24/7 customer service, and multilingual community support. Bybit is a proud partner of Formula One's reigning Constructors' and Drivers' champions: the Oracle Red Bull Racing team. For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press . For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected] For more information, please visit: https://www.bybit.com For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube SOURCE Bybit SHANGHAI, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CARsgen Therapeutics Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 2171.HK), a company focused on innovative CAR T-cell therapies for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, has announced its 2024 Interim Results. Business Highlights CARsgen product pipeline Zevor-cel was approved by NMPA in China . . Patient enrollment for the confirmatory Phase II trial of satri-cel (CT041) in China has been completed. has been completed. Multiple adjuvant studies for solid tumor CAR T-cell therapies are underway. Clinical data on satri-cel, zevor-cel, and CT071 were presented at academic conferences. Rapid development of differentiated allogeneic CAR T-cell product pipelines. Dr. Zonghai Li, Founder, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Scientific Officer of CARsgen Therapeutics, said, "In the past six months, we have made significant progresses in technological innovation, product development, and business operations. Zevor-cel was successfully launched in China and has been included in nearly 20 provincial and municipal healthcare plans. The pivotal Phase II trial of satri-cel in China has completed patient enrollment. We are also actively exploring the potential of satri-cel in adjuvant therapy, aiming for greater clinical benefit for patients. Additionally, we are rapidly advancing CT071, which is manufactured with our CARcelerate platform, while continuing to develop multiple allogeneic CAR T-cell products based on the THANK-uCAR platform." 1. Zevor-cel Market Launch and Commercialization Progress in China Zevor-cel (zevorcabtagene autoleucel, CT053) is a fully human autologous CAR T-cell product targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). It was approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) on February 23, 2024 for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM) who have progressed after at least three lines of therapy, (including a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent). CARsgen has been collaborating with Huadong Medicine for the commercialization of zevor-cel in mainland China. As of July 31, 2024, zevor-cel had been included in nearly 20 provincial or municipal government-subsidized insurance programs and private health insurance products; certification and regulatory filings had been completed in over 100 healthcare institutions across 19 provinces or cities nationwide; we had received a total of 52 orders from Huadong Medicine. The Group's revenue was over RMB6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 mainly from zevor-cel in which the primary revenue of zevor-cel was calculated on the basis of ex-works price, rather than on the basis of end-of-market prices. Our revenue is recognized upon completion of ex-works delivery of products. Besides, the Company received a milestone payment of RMB75 million from Huadong Medicine for zevor-cel for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Due to the inherent time cycle of CAR-T manufacturing, this results in a discrepancy between the number of orders obtained from Huadong Medicine and number of ex-works deliveries. 2. Progresses in Development of Differentiated CAR T Pipeline Satricabtagene autoleucel (CT041) is an autologous humanized CAR T-cell product targeting Claudin18.2. Patient enrollment for the confirmatory Phase II trial (NCT04581473) in China for the treatment of gastric cancer/gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC/GEJ) has been completed. Our collaboration with Moderna, Inc. is ongoing to investigate Moderna's investigational Claudin18.2 mRNA product in combination with satri-cel in preclinical studies. CARsgen is actively expanding the application of CAR T-cell therapies in post-surgery treatments for solid tumors, including an ongoing Phase I clinical trial for pancreatic cancer (CT041-ST-05, NCT05911217), an investigator-initiated trial that is currently in the start-up phase for GC/GEJ, and a Phase I clinical trial for hepatocellular carcinoma (CT011-HCC-03, NCT06560827). In the hematological malignancies field, the focus of the pipeline includes CT071, a fully human autologous CAR T-cell product targeting GPRC5D. CT071 was developed using CARsgen's CARcelerate platform for the treatment of MM and primary plasma cell leukemia (pPCL). CARcelerate is a proprietary platform developed by CARsgen that shortens the manufacturing time to approximately 30 hours, resulting in younger and potentially more potent CAR T cells compared to conventional manufacturing processes. An investigator-initiated trial (NCT05838131) for R/R MM and R/R PCL and another investigator-initiated trial (NCT06407947) for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) are currently underway in China. An IND was cleared by the FDA in November 2023 for the treatment of patients with R/R MM and R/R pPCL. In addition to autologous products, CARsgen is also advancing differentiated allogeneic CAR T-cell products based on the THANK-uCAR platform. These include: CT0590, for the treatment of R/R MM and PCL; KJ-C2320, for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML); KJ-C2219, targeting CD19 and CD20, for the treatment of B-cell-related hematologic malignancies and autoimmune diseases; and KJ-C2114, for the treatment of solid tumors. 3. Clinical Data Disclosure Updated results of the pivotal Phase II registrational trial of zevor-cel in China were reported as an oral presentation at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2024 annual meeting. Updated data from the investigator-initiated trial (CT041-CG4006, NCT03874897) of satri-cel were published in Nature Medicine in June and presented orally at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting. A summary of safety and efficacy in patients with refractory metastatic pancreatic cancer (PC) (CT041-CG4006 & CT041-ST-01 Ib) was published in Journal of Clinical Oncology. The results from the satri-cel phase 1b clinical trial (CT041-ST-02, NCT04404595) in the U.S. were presented at the 2024 ASCO GI meeting. Results from the investigator-initiated trial (NCT05838131) of CT071 for the treatment of R/R MM were presented as a poster at the EHA 2024 annual meeting. Data updates for CT071 and CT0590 are to be disclosed in the second half of 2024. About CARsgen Therapeutics Holdings Limited CARsgen is a biopharmaceutical company with operations in China and the U.S., focusing on innovative CAR T-cell therapies for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. CARsgen has established a comprehensive CAR T-cell research and development platform that covers target discovery, innovative CAR T-cell development, clinical trials, and commercial-scale production. Internally, CARsgen has developed novel technologies and a product pipeline with global rights to address significant challenges faced by existing CAR T-cell therapies. Efforts include improving safety profile, enhancing the efficacy in treating solid tumors, and reducing treatment costs. CARsgen's mission is to become a global biopharmaceutical leader that provides innovative and differentiated cell therapies for cancer patients worldwide and makes cancer curable. Forward-looking Statements All statements in this press release that are not historical fact or that do not relate to present facts or current conditions are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements express the Group's current views, projections, beliefs and expectations with respect to future events as of the date of this press release. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and factors beyond the Group's control. As a result, they are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and actual events or results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements and the forward-looking events discussed in this press release might not occur. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those detailed under the heading "Principal Risks and Uncertainties" in our most recent annual report and interim report and other announcements and reports made available on our corporate website, https://www.carsgen.com. No representation or warranty is given as to the achievement or reasonableness of, and no reliance should be placed on, any projections, targets, estimates or forecasts contained in this press release. SOURCE CARsgen Therapeutics SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cold Stone Creamery (www.ColdStoneCreamery.com) is proud to announce its continued partnership with Best Buddies International, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment, leadership development, and inclusive living and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Throughout the month of September, Cold Stone Creamery stores nationwide will host a fundraising campaign to support the vital work of Best Buddies. Cold Stone Creamery Partners with Best Buddies International! As part of this initiative, Cold Stone customers can contribute to Best Buddies' mission by making donations at participating locations. My Cold Stone Club Rewards members who donate $1 or more in-store or online throughout September will receive Double Points on their entire purchase. Donations will directly benefit the organization's programs, which empower individuals with IDD to lead fuller, more inclusive lives. Supporting Families on the IDD Journey: Best Buddies' New Family Support Pillar This year, the Cold Stone Creamery partnership with Best Buddies is more significant than ever, as it coincides with the launch of Best Buddies' newest mission pillar: Family Support. This groundbreaking initiative provides parents and caregivers with the resources and support they need to navigate the unique challenges of raising a child with IDD. At the heart of this new pillar is Eunie's Buddies, the inaugural program designed to offer a lifeline to families. Through Eunie's Buddies, parents of children with IDD are connected with new parents who are either expecting, have recently welcomed a baby, or are raising a child up to five years old with an IDD diagnosis. This program fosters a mentor-mentee relationship, offering crucial emotional support and access to resources during a pivotal time in the lives of these families. The pilot phase of Eunie's Buddies will launch in 2024 in Miami, Nashville, Denver, and Boston, with plans to expand to additional cities as the program grows. "We are thrilled to once again join forces with Best Buddies International," said Jana Schneider, VP of National Programs for Kahala Brands, parent company of Cold Stone Creamery. "This partnership not only allows us to give back to an organization that makes a profound difference in the lives of individuals with IDD, but it also enables us to support the families who are navigating this journey. We encourage our customers to join us in making a positive impact by donating at their local Cold Stone Creamery." About Cold Stone Creamery Cold Stone Creamery delivers the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience through a community of franchisees who are passionate about ice cream. The secret recipe for smooth and creamy ice cream is handcrafted fresh daily in each store, and then customized by combining a variety of mix-ins on a frozen granite stone. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Cold Stone Creamery is owned by parent company Kahala Brands, one of the fastest growing franchising companies in the world with a portfolio of nearly 30 fast-casual and quick-service restaurant brands with approximately 3,000 locations in 35 countries. The Cold Stone Creamery brand operates nearly 1,500 locations globally in approximately 30 countries worldwide. For more information about Cold Stone Creamery, visit www.ColdStoneCreamery.com. ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL: Best Buddies is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to over 3,500 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies' programs engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 46 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 1.3 million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org, facebook.com/bestbuddies or instagram.com/bestbuddies. SOURCE Cold Stone Creamery TORONTO, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Collective Mining Ltd. (NYSE: CNL) (TSX: CNL) ("Collective" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that a maiden drill program is now underway in the southern portion of the Plutus Target ("Plutus"), which is one of a series of high-impact targets located within the Company's Guayabales Project located in Caldas, Colombia. Additionally, positive assay results from the now completed reconnaissance drill program at the Box Target are included herein. The Company currently has five drill rigs operating at the Guayabales Project as part of its fully funded and on-schedule 40,000-meter drilling program for 2024. Figure 1: Plan View of the Plutus Target (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.) Figure 2: Plan View of the Guayabales Project Highlighting the Box and Plutus Target Areas (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.) Ari Sussman, Executive Chairman commented: "We are excited to finally start drilling the copper-gold porphyry target located in the southern portion of Plutus in hopes of making another big discovery. Even though economic greenfield porphyry discoveries are exceedingly rare, we want to take this shot at Plutus given we already have a major discovery under our belt at the Apollo system, locating only one kilometre to the west, and a potentially emerging large-scale discovery at the Trap Target. If we were to discover an economic porphyry at Plutus, it would benefit greatly from the existing robust infrastructure in the area, all of which is located in a mining friendly camp. As a reminder, the southern copper-gold porphyry target at Plutus is also only 1,000 metres away as the crow flies to Aris Mining's Marmato project, which is currently under construction with first gold pour expected in late 2025. Also, if one were to speculate about potential development scenarios for the Guayabales Project, all of which are still subject to numerous studies to determine the economic and social viability of the project, one scenario might be to develop Apollo initially and use the cashflow to pay for development of Trap and Plutus." Highlights Plutus Target The Plutus Target, which lies approximately 1,000 metres east of Apollo, measures 1,000 metres by 750 metres in area and remains open in all directions. Two targets have been outlined thus far at Plutus, an untested copper-gold porphyry target in the south and a breccia pipe target in the northwest. Prior assay results from drilling in 2023 into the breccia pipe target in the northwest yielded multiple broad intercepts including 136.45 metres @ 1.31 g/t AuEq ( see press release dated October 11, 2023 ). ( ). The copper-gold porphyry target in the southern portion of Plutus measures more than 500 square metres in area and has been defined by large and robust coincidental copper, gold and molybdenum in soil and rock anomalies grading greater than 300 ppm copper, 0.20 g/t gold and 20 ppm molybdenum . The coincidental soil and rock anomaly partially overprints an early quartz diorite porphyry unit where vein stockworks consisting of quartz, magnetite, chalcopyrite and pyrite, have been mapped. The early porphyry unit is heavily altered with sericite and chlorite, which are characteristics of the upper portion of a copper-gold porphyry system. Additionally, sampling has also uncovered localized evidence of late-stage (potentially overprinting) porphyry veins ("CBM veins"). . The coincidental soil and rock anomaly partially overprints an early quartz diorite porphyry unit where vein stockworks consisting of quartz, magnetite, chalcopyrite and pyrite, have been mapped. The early porphyry unit is heavily altered with sericite and chlorite, which are characteristics of the upper portion of a copper-gold porphyry system. Additionally, sampling has also uncovered localized evidence of late-stage (potentially overprinting) porphyry veins ("CBM veins"). The drill program, which is now underway and coring in a northwest direction in hole PSC-1, will consist of a radial fan of six short drill holes focused on outlining the geometry of the early porphyry unit in Plutus South. Once assay results are received and assessed, the data will be used to vector with deeper drill holes designed to discover an economic deposit. Box Target All assay results have now been received from a comprehensive initial reconnaissance drill program at the Box target ("Box"), which locates approximately 1.5 kilometres west of the Apollo system. Reconnaissance drilling has intersected gold and silver mineralization covering an area measuring approximately 1,000 metres by 500 metres consisting of sheeted polymetallic CBM veins, and some evidence of porphyry mineralization. Results to date indicate that the shallow drilling has intersected the upper and cooler temperature portion of a well mineralized system, and that deeper drilling is warranted. Highlight assay results from drilling at Box are as follows: 18.55 metres @ 1.09 g/t gold equivalent from 186.65 metres (BOXC-1) including: 2.35 metres @ 5.86 g/t gold equivalent from 202.85 metres. 11.55 metres @ 3.79 g/t gold equivalent from 168.35 metres (BOXC-5). 33.30 metres @ 1.52 g/t gold equivalent from 73.40 metres (BOXC-7) including: 18.15 metres @ 2.13 g/t gold equivalent from 87.45 metres. 55.00 metres @ 1.22 g/t gold equivalent from 8.50 metres (BOXC-10) including: 9.50 metres @ 4.65 g/t gold equivalent from 54.00 metres. 21.50 metres @ 1.15 g/t gold equivalent from 75.30 metres (BOXC-12). Table 1: Complete Assays Results for Drill Holes at the Box Target: Hole # From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au g/t Ag g/t Zn % Pb % Cu % AuEq g/t* BOXC-1 186.65 205.20 18.55 0.79 19 0.03 0.01 0.08 1.09 Incl. 202.85 205.20 2.35 5.00 52 0.10 0.02 0.26 5.86 and 603.40 604.50 1.10 12.25 8 0.02 0.01 0.01 11.98 BOXC-2 64.60 79.75 15.15 0.50 37 0.07 0.04 0.02 0.92 and 154.90 157.30 2.40 3.44 14 0.11 0.03 0.01 3.55 BOXC-3 136.45 174.55 38.10 0.43 23 0.06 0.01 0.08 0.79 Incl. 156.45 158.10 1.65 1.55 231 0.24 0.03 0.82 5.43 BOXC-4 216.30 252.60 36.30 0.68 9 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.77 BOXC-5 168.35 179.90 11.55 3.57 19 0.16 0.12 0.02 3.79 BOXC-6 259.00 280.30 21.30 0.51 18 0.04 0.03 0.08 0.81 Incl. 273.00 275.60 2.60 2.19 95 0.14 0.11 0.02 3.35 BOXC-7 73.40 106.70 33.30 0.91 50 0.10 0.02 0.01 1.52 Incl. 87.45 105.60 18.15 1.39 62 0.12 0.03 0.01 2.13 BOXC-8 16.00 17.10 1.10 0.79 255 0.87 0.15 0.03 4.20 and 171.80 206.75 34.95 0.72 16 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.89 Incl. 171.80 176.00 4.20 1.85 29 0.04 0.03 0.05 2.22 and Incl 201.50 206.75 5.25 2.53 53 0.22 0.20 0.04 3.24 and 296.30 327.80 31.50 0.55 11 0.05 0.02 0.02 0.67 BOXC-9 36.70 50.30 13.60 0.56 61 0.08 0.06 0.01 1.29 BOXC-10 8.50 63.50 55.00 0.45 59 0.23 0.04 0.01 1.22 Incl. 54.00 63.50 9.50 1.75 217 0.84 0.10 0.04 4.65 BOXC-11 22.00 41.40 19.40 0.27 67 0.09 0.07 0.01 1.08 and 70.95 73.10 2.15 2.89 10 0.01 0.01 0.03 2.93 BOXC-12 75.30 96.80 21.50 0.66 37 0.17 0.01 0.01 1.15 BOXC-13 46.50 61.70 15.20 0.66 38 0.03 0.03 0.01 1.10 *AuEq (g/t) is calculated as follows: (Au (g/t) x 0.97) + (Ag (g/t) x 0.014 x 0.88) + (Zn (%) x 0.46 x 0.85) + (Pb (%) x 0.41 x 0.85) + (Cu (%) x 1.47 x 0.90) utilizing metal prices of Ag US$25/oz, Zn - US$1.25/lb, Pb - US$1.10/lb, Cu US$3.95/lb and Au US$1,850/oz and recovery rates of 97% for Au, 88% for Ag, 85% for Zn, 85% for Pb and 90% for Cu. AuEq (g/t) calculation considers Zn, Pb or Cu values when Zn>0.1% or Pb>0.05% or Cu>0.05% for each intercept. Recovery rate assumptions for metals are based on metallurgical results announced on October 17, 2023, and April 11, 2024. Recovery rates for zinc and lead are speculative in nature as metallurgical work has not been completed to date on these metals. True widths are unknown, and grades are uncut. About Collective Mining Ltd. To see our latest corporate presentation and related information, please visit www.collectivemining.com Founded by the team that developed and sold Continental Gold Inc. to Zijin Mining for approximately $2 billion in enterprise value, Collective is a copper, silver, gold and tungsten exploration company with projects in Caldas, Colombia. The Company has options to acquire 100% interests in two projects located directly within an established mining camp with ten fully permitted and operating mines. The Company's flagship project, Guayabales, is anchored by the Apollo system, which hosts the large-scale, bulk-tonnage and high-grade copper-silver-gold-tungsten Apollo porphyry system. The Company's 2024 objective is to expand the Apollo system, step out along strike to expand the recently discovered Trap system and make a new discovery at either the Tower, X or Plutus targets. Management, insiders, a strategic investor and close family and friends own nearly 50% of the outstanding shares of the Company and as a result, are fully aligned with shareholders. The Company is listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol "CNL", on the TSX under the trading symbol "CNL", on the FSE under the trading symbol "GG1". Qualified Person (QP) and NI43-101 Disclosure David J Reading is the designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") and has reviewed and verified that the technical information contained herein is accurate and approves of the written disclosure of same. Mr. Reading has an MSc in Economic Geology and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and of the Society of Economic Geology (SEG). Technical Information Rock, soils and core samples have been prepared and analyzed at ALS laboratory facilities in Medellin, Colombia and Lima, Peru. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards are inserted into the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance. Crush rejects and pulps are kept and stored in a secured storage facility for future assay verification. No capping has been applied to sample composites. The Company utilizes a rigorous, industry-standard QA/QC program. Information Contact: Follow Executive Chairman Ari Sussman (@Ariski73) on X Follow Collective Mining (@CollectiveMini1) on X, (Collective Mining) on LinkedIn, and (@collectivemining) on Instagram FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking 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 news release. Any statement that involves discussion with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative 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) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: the commencement of trading on the NYSE American, the ceasing of trading on the OTCQX, the anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs; future operations; future recovery metal recovery rates; future growth potential of Collective; and future development plans. These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding future events including final listing mechanics and the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. 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, among others: risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business; the Company's formative stage of development; the Company's financial position; possible variations in mineralization, grade or recovery rates; actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of future economic evaluations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, precious and base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formation pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the annual information form of the Company dated March 27, 2024. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. 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 and there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. SOURCE Collective Mining Ltd. MONTREAL, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Congruence Therapeutics, a computationally-driven biotechnology company building a unique pipeline of correctors for diseases of protein misfolding, including MC4R-deficient genetic obesity, GBA-driven Parkinson's disease and AAT-deficient lung and liver disease, announced today its participation in the following upcoming investor conferences: 22 nd Annual Morgan Stanley Healthcare Conference, September 4-6, 2024 , in New York, NY Clarissa Desjardins , Ph.D., CEO of Congruence, will be participating in a fireside chat on Friday, September 6, 2024 at 9:15 am ET Annual Morgan Stanley Healthcare Conference, , in Wells Fargo Annual Healthcare Conference, September 4-6, 2024 , in Boston, MA , in 2024 RBC Capital Markets Biotechnology Private Company Virtual Conference, October 1, 2024 4th Annual Needham Private Biotech Company Virtual 1x1 Forum, October 8-9, 2024 During these events, Company management will participate in one-on-one meetings with investors. About Congruence Therapeutics Congruence is a computationally-driven biotechnology company building a unique pipeline of transformative small molecule correctors rationally designed to rescue aberrant protein function. Our proprietary scalable platform, Revenir, captures the biophysical features of proteins across their conformational ensembles, in order to identify novel allosteric and cryptic pockets which are virtually screened to generate novel chemical matter. For more information, please visit www.congruencetx.com. Company Contact Charles Grubsztajn Chief Operating Officer [email protected] Media Contact Amy Conrad Juniper Point [email protected] 858-366-3243 SOURCE Congruence Therapeutics Independent candidate Cornel West did not qualify for the presidential ballot in Virginia, but Robert F. Kennedy Jr. did, despite suspending his campaign and throwing his support to former President Donald Trump. The Virginia Department of Elections has not completed its review of required forms and signatures for three other independent candidates: Claudia de la Cruz of the Party for Socialism and Liberalism, anti-abortion activist Randall Terry and Indian American entrepreneur Shiva Ayyadurai. But the state confirmed that it had informed West, a progressive academic and philosopher, that he had not qualified to appear on the ballot. The department indicated that West's campaign had not correctly filed the necessary forms, but did not provide details. The West campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Richmond Times-Dispatch. So far, five candidates have qualified for the presidential ballot in Virginia: Republican former President Donald Trump, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrat-turned-independent Kennedy, Green Party nominee Jill Stein and Libertarian nominee Chase Oliver. West's exclusion from the ballot could have a marginal effect on the race in Virginia, as independent candidates across the political spectrum could potentially siphon votes from the Republican and Democratic candidates. "It is significant," Mark Rozell, dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, told the Times-Dispatch. "This is one of those things that flies under the radar for many people, but it is a potentially critical factor in the outcome of the election in some places." Rozell cited Stein's effect on the 2016 presidential election, when Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton lost to Trump in the Electoral College because of vote margins in a handful of battleground states that four years later secured the presidency for Democrat Joe Biden. Virginia, which has backed Democrats in the past four presidential elections, is not one of those states, having voted for Biden by 10 percentage points over Trump in 2020, but Republicans say they are confident that the state will be much more competitive this year, with control of the White House and Congress at stake. "Virginia should be in the category of competitive states," said Rozell, who added that he still thinks the state's 13 electoral votes are likely to go to Democrats. Larry Sabato, president of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, doesn't think Virginia is in play for Trump or that West would have drawn a significant number of votes from other candidates. "I think he would have gotten a fraction of 1%," Sabato told the Times-Dispatch. "Most of the votes were going to come out of Harris' campaign, and the others would not have voted." However, a Roanoke College poll released last week showed West receiving support from 2% of the nearly 700 people interviewed for the survey. Kennedy had support from 6% and Oliver 2%, with all independents together supported by 13% of those polled. Harris had a 3-percentage-point advantage over Trump in the poll, although that falls within the margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points. The margin was the same, whether the race was between the two of them or included independent candidates, but the numbers were 2 percentage points lower. Sabato said West's exclusion showed that Republicans did not make much of an effort to ensure that he qualified for the ballot, even though Virginia was among eight states where the Associated Press reported this month that Republicans and their allies were trying to ensure he qualified. Last weekend, a judge in Michigan ordered West to be restored to the presidential ballot there, just over a week after the state disqualified his candidacy because his statement of identity had not been notarized. In Virginia, Democrats gave little weight to his exclusion from the ballot or Kennedy remaining a candidate here after suspending his national campaign. "The bottom line is it doesn't change anything," state Democratic Party Chair Susan Swecker told the Times-Dispatch Thursday. "They're not serious candidates and we've got serious voters in Virginia." Trump spokesman Jeff Ryer didn't comment on West's disqualification, but he said Kennedy has endorsed Trump and "is actively supporting" him and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, the Republican nominee for vice president. "President Trump and Senator Vance are campaigning to earn the votes of every American who supported the Kennedy-Shanahan campaign," Ryer told the Times-Dispatch. (California attorney Nicole Shanahan was Kennedy's running mate for vice president.) Harris' campaign had no comment on the state's decisions to include Kennedy and exclude West from the ballot. The Department of Elections is pushing to complete its review of the qualifications for presidential candidates this week, with early voting set to begin on Sept. 20. "They have to get it done fast," Sabato said. The following statement was issued by Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) in response to the announcement that the CHNV parole program is being restarted: WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- "Earlier this summer the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) quietly paused the Cuban-Haitian-Nicaraguan-Venezuelan (CHNV) parole program after an internal audit revealed massive fraud, while trying to conceal the report itself. The problems in the program only became known to the American public when FAIR obtained and exposed a copy of the report. "Today, DHS announced it has already restarted CHNV, while offering only very vague assurances that they've fixed the problems. The restart plan does not address how they plan to vet each sponsor, while maintaining a program that allows 30,000 illegal aliens a month to enter the United States, or conduct adequate background checks on parolees from countries whose governments are hostile to the U.S. The American public has every reason to be very skeptical. "Most notably, DHS has admitted publicly that the program had allowed hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens from these four countries to enter the United States without adequate processes in place to vet parolees or their sponsors. Additionally, DHS has given no indication that they are going to investigate past fraud or move to revoke the parole statuses of those who gained it fraudulently. 'What's done, is done,' is not an acceptable plan for dealing with past fraud or instilling confidence in the program moving forward. "There is only one way to address the myriad problems with the Biden-Harris CHNV program. As House Speaker Mike Johnson tweeted earlier this month when FAIR exposed the rampant fraud: 'Shut it down permanently.'" Contact: Joey Chester, 202-740-7355, [email protected] SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) SAINT-BERNARD, QC, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Organic pork producer duBreton is asking the Quebec Superior Court to set aside certain conclusions of the July 23rd decision of la Regie des marches agricoles et alimentaires du Quebec (Quebec agricultural and food market board) in the dispute with Eleveurs de porcs du Quebec. "This is a worrisome situation that raises serious questions." Vincent Breton, President duBreton Post this Vincent Breton, President duBreton In its application filed on August 23, duBreton outlined its reasons for contesting the Regie's decision, which ordered it to reimburse three-quarters of a million dollars in detour and contribution fees unrelated to duBreton's activities. These reasons can be summarized as follows: The July 23 decision is unreasonable because it is based on unfounded grounds. The Regie rejected without hearing the claim for reimbursement of the detour and contribution fees already paid. The Regie's analysis of duBreton's arguments was incomplete. The Regie considers that it is the role of the syndicat des Eleveurs de porcs du Quebec to interpret regulatory provisions, whereas in our view this is an illegal delegation of the Regie's jurisdiction. The Regie cannot use duBreton's request to be excluded from the Plan conjoint des producteurs de porcs du Quebec as a pretext to order it to pay contributions which, in our opinion, would be unlawful. It should be noted that it is now over a year since duBreton applied to the Regie for exclusion from the Plan conjoint des producteurs de porcs du Quebec for pigs receiving organic or animal welfare certification. "According to Vincent Breton, President of duBreton, "This is a worrisome situation that raises serious questions. Mr. Breton adds, "Something is going on. Why does it take so long to authorize a legal recourse? The Regie must not only show justice, but also the appearance of justice, that's the basis of the system. In an appeal for public support, more than 3,600 people have already expressed their support for duBreton's request for exclusion before the Regie, a request of great importance for the future of differentiated breeding in Quebec. As for the action before the Superior Court, it concerns the astronomical costs that duBreton must bear as long as the pigs it produces are covered by the Joint Plan, to compensate for costs that are in no way related to its activities. About duBreton Present for four generations in the agri-food industry, it is thanks to the work of an entire team, motivated by excellence, that duBreton has developed its own model to become an essential link between farmers and consumers, respectful of the environment and animals. Committed to the production and processing of organic pork, duBreton builds innovative partnerships with pork producers based on production costs and meeting the highest requirements in terms of responsible sourcing. Visit the duBreton.com website for more information regarding our know-how and our partner producers, as well as our best recipes. Also follow us on our social media, Instagram, Facebook and X . Source : Mario Goulet, vice-president marketing and communications Tel.: 418 475-6617 ext. 2326 Cell. : 418 998-8451 E-mail : [email protected] SOURCE duBreton ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eight National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) members have been named to Inc. magazine's list of the 5000 fastest-growing companies in the United States. In addition to announcing this year's Inc. 5000 list, the September issue of Inc. magazine also features a special section on PEOs. Compiled annually, this prestigious 2024 Inc. 5000 recognizes the significant and continued revenue growth of: AspenHR ( Walnut Creek, CA ). ). Engage PEO ( Hollywood, FL ). ). G&A Partners ( Houston, TX ). ). Lever1 ( Overland Park, KS ). ). Optimum Employer Solutions ( Santa Ana, CA ). ). Prestige PEO ( Melville, NY ). ). Regis HR Group ( Miami, FL ). ). Samuel Hale ( Folsom, CA ). As professional employer organizations (PEOs), these successful businesses provide comprehensive HR solutions to small and mid-size businesses including payroll, benefits, tax administration and regulatory compliance assistance. PEOs, like those recognized by Inc., help hundreds of thousands of clients across the country reduce administrative work and focus on the core of their business, all while offering Fortune 500-level benefits to their workers. "We're exceptionally proud of the accomplishments of our members on this year's prestigious Inc. 5000 list," said NAPEO President and CEO Casey Clark. "Their accomplishments are representative of the integral role our industry plays in support of American businesses who grow faster, retain employees longer and are more resilient because of their partnership with a PEO." Companies on the 2024 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2020. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent-not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies-as of December 31, 2023. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2020 is $100,000; the minimum for 2023 is $2 million. About NAPEO The National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) is The Voice of the PEO Industry. NAPEO's 220 PEO members provide payroll, benefits, workers' comp, regulatory compliance assistance, and other HR services to more than 200,000 small and mid-size businesses employing 4.5 million people. Our members account for more than 90 percent of the industry's $358 billion in revenue. An additional 216 companies that provide services to PEOs are associate members of NAPEO. For more information, please visit www.napeo.org. SOURCE National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) DETROIT, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- El Car Wash, Florida's largest express car wash company, and now the Official Car Wash of the Detroit Lions, is expanding into Michigan with two new locations opening this fall in Brighton located at 8680 W Grand River Ave. and Madison Heights located at 1275 14 Mile Rd., with more planned across metro Detroit in 2025. El Car Wash operates over 50 locations and is well-known as a leader in customer service, convenience, sustainability, quality of wash and for its customer friendly unlimited wash club. All company locations are outfitted with amenities such as complimentary dash wipes, free glass cleaner, free towels, free compressed air, free interior cleaner and more to enhance the overall experience. To kick off its entrance into Metro Detroit, El Car Wash is proud to announce that it is now the Official Car Wash of the Detroit Lions. "When we started planning our entrance into Detroit, we wanted to partner with the most iconic brands and there is nothing more iconic and representative of Michigan than the Detroit Lions," said Justin Landau and Geoff Karas, the Co-Chief Executive Officers of El Car Wash. To celebrate the partnership, El Car Wash is giving away free Lions tickets, a Jared Goff signed jersey, as well as one year of unlimited Graphene X + Ceramic Washes. To enter text "LOTTOMI1" to 22322 or visit https://elcarwash.com/mi/ In addition to a commitment to quality, El Car Wash is dedicated to social responsibility. The Miami-based company has donated over $350,000 to various organizations over the past three years, frequently partnering with local schools, hospitals, first responders, and charitable organizations. They also focus on providing employment opportunities for all, with specialty hiring programs for neurodivergent individuals and veterans, which they plan to replicate at their new Michigan locations. "With customers and employees typically living within three to five miles of our stores, we feel a deep responsibility to give back to our neighbors and as we think long term, we want to make a real impact across Michigan," said Sandra Pascual, Vice President of Marketing for El Car Wash. "We're excited to become fully integrated into the neighborhoods we will serve, all while delivering a great product." "El Car Wash stands out as a leader in automotive care, and their commitment to quality and community resonates with the values of the Detroit Lions," said Mace Aluia, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships of the Detroit Lions. "Together, we're ready to make a positive impact and deliver a winning experience to our fans and customers." About El Car Wash Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Miami, El Car Wash is Florida's largest express car wash operator, and soon to be the leading operator in Michigan. El Car Wash's partnership with Warburg Pincus in 2022 has fueled its growth as it now operates over 50 locations with a pipeline of 50 more expected to open within the next 24 months. El Car Wash is evolving the car wash experience by offering an unmatched customer experience, utilizing state-of-the-art technology, and embracing eco-friendly practices while providing a fantastic work environment for its employees and maintaining a strong commitment to community involvement. For additional announcements, including new store openings and special promotions, follow El Car Wash on Instagram @elcarwash or visit www.elcarwash.com. SOURCE El Car Wash OXFORD, Miss, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation celebrates 100 years of recognizing individuals who embody the principle of "service above self," the legacy of past recipients like Eleanor Roosevelt takes on renewed significance, especially in today's climate. With the nation facing a pivotal moment in the fight for the rights and needs of the poor, minorities, and disadvantaged, as well as seeking compassionate leadership, the Sullivan Foundation's centennial marks not just a celebration of the past but a call to action for the present and future. Sullivan Award Recipients, Eleanor Roosevelt, Rollins College 1936; Deborah Stroman, University of Virginia, 1982 "As we celebrate 100 years of the Sullivan Awards, we reflect on the powerful legacy of service, leadership, and commitment to humanity exemplified by Eleanor Roosevelt and countless others who have received this honor," said Steve McDavid, President of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation. "The ideals championed by the Roosevelts continue to inspire leaders across generations to strive for a better and more inclusive society, a vision that is at the very heart of our Foundation's mission." A Legacy of Leadership and Service Eleanor Roosevelt, who received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in 1936 from Rollins College, stands as a beacon of the values that the award seeks to honor. Her tireless work for the rights and needs of the poor, minorities, and disadvantaged continues to resonate, particularly as these issues take center stage in America's current discourse. The Democratic Party's ongoing focus on these principles, highlighted by Vice President Kamala Harris's leadership, mirrors the Roosevelt legacy and underscores its relevance today. "While Eleanor Roosevelt and the Roosevelts were historically aligned with the Democratic Party, the values of service, compassion, and integrity, and that the Sullivan Award honors, transcend political boundaries," McDavid added. "These principles resonate with people of all backgrounds and beliefs, and it is these principles that strengthens our shared commitment to creating a better world." As President Joe Biden steps down, the baton of leadership may pass to Harris, whose commitment echoes that of Eleanor Roosevelt. This transition marks a significant moment in American history, drawing direct parallels between the challenges faced by Roosevelt during her time and the same pressing issues, still relevant today. Harris's position as a trailblazing woman of color in the at the highest levels of government reflects the impact of Roosevelt's pioneering efforts in championing women's rights and human rights. Celebrating a Century of the Sullivan Awards The Sullivan Award, first established in 1890, has honored countless individuals who have made significant contributions to society through leadership, service, and compassion. As the Sullivan Foundation celebrates 100 years of presenting these awards at its network of colleges and universities located in the American South, a centennial event is planned in New York City to highlight the lasting impact of those who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of others. This centennial celebration to be held at Penn Station on September 20, is not just a look back but a reminder of the continued importance of these principles in today's world. The event will bring together past recipients, educators, and thought leaders to discuss the ongoing importance of service and leadership in a society grappling with so many issues. The Roosevelts and the Sullivan Foundation: A Shared Vision Eleanor Roosevelt's legacy is intertwined with the core principles that the Sullivan Foundation strives to uphold. Her advocacy for civil rights, women's rights, and basic human rights parallels the Foundation's mission to inspire leaders to make a positive impact on their communities and the world. Roosevelt's work in promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is mirrored in the efforts of more recent Sullivan Award recipients like Dr. Deborah Stroman, 1982, University of Virginia, whose initiatives in promoting racial understanding and social change have made significant contributions in academia and the community. Dr. Stroman, an educator, entrepreneur, and advocate, has advanced racial awareness in public health and sports. Her leadership in coordinating the Black Men's Brain Health Conference highlights her commitment to addressing health disparities and promoting positive societal impact. Through her work at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and as a national trainer with the Racial Equity Institute, Dr. Stroman has dedicated her career to uplifting underrepresented communities and fostering environments where fairness and inclusion are paramount. A Centennial Celebration with Contemporary Significance The Sullivan Foundation's centennial celebration, schedule for September 20, 2024, The Penn Club, New York City, NY, will not only honor the past century of award recipients but also spotlight the ongoing relevance of service, leadership, and compassion in today's society. As the Foundation looks to the future, it draws inspiration from the Roosevelts' legacy, focusing on how these values can address the challenges of our time And, as the nation grapples with a deeply polarized political landscape, the Sullivan Foundation's work in fostering leaders dedicated to positive change becomes that much more important and vital. Looking Forward: The Sullivan Foundation's Mission in the Modern Era The Sullivan Foundation, inspired by the values of Algernon and Mary Mildred Sullivan, continues to cultivate leaders like Dr. Stroman who are committed to creating positive social change. The Foundation's efforts, along with the contributions of its award recipients, resonate with the Roosevelts' legacy, demonstrating the power of making positive change through action and leadership. Contact: Kevin J. Seddon Algernon Syndney Sullivan Foundation Phone: 662.816.5964 Email: [email protected] Web: www.sullivanfdn.org SOURCE Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation Starting August 29, 2024, Chicagoans Can Enjoy A Sky-High Hello Kitty Experience TAIPEI, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- EVA Air, a leading carrier in the aviation industry, is thrilled to announce the launch of its newest Hello Kitty Besties Jet. The jet departed its inaugural flight BR55 on August 29, 2024, from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and is en route to Taiwan Taoyuan Intl (TPE). EVA Air prepared exclusive commemorative gifts for every passenger on board the first flight, and the aircraft will continue to serve this route departing from Chicago every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday during the summer schedule, and Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in winter. EVA Airs Hello Kitty Besties Jet arriving into Chicago OHare International Airport on its inaugural flight. EVA Airs President Mr. Clay Sun celebrating the Hello Kitty Besties Jet inaugural flight with guests (from left to right: CBP Area Port Director Michael J. Pfeiffer, Director General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Chicago Mr. Dennis Lei , EVA Air President Mr. Clay Sun, Deputy Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation Amber Achilles Ritter, CBP Director of Field Operations LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke). There was a special ceremony last evening at Chicago O'Hare International Airport to witness the Hello Kitty Besties Jet arrival BR56 from Taipei, which was greeted by a water salute, followed by a reception with live music. "Chicago is a vital leisure and commercial hub in the United States, and we're excited to launch Hello Kitty Besties Jet on the Chicago-Taipei route. Our Hello Kitty jets have earned a range of awards and accolades, and we look forward to continuing to deliver the exceptional care and high standards our passengers have come to expect when flying with EVA Air," said EVA President Clay Sun. From the moment passengers step aboard the Hello Kitty Besties Jet, they will be immersed in a sweet and joyful atmosphere, surrounded by Hello Kitty elements throughout the cabin. The plane will have both interior and exterior designs of the beloved Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty, My Melody, and the popular character Kuromi. There will also be specially designed headrests and custom-designed place settings during the meal service. Hello Kitty Besties Jet design is crafted with the vision that every passenger can embark on a journey with their loved ones, exploring the world together and creating unforgettable memories along the way with EVA Air. EVA Air will now have four routes that feature Hello Kitty Jets. Hello Kitty Besties Jet will be flying the Chicago route (U.S.). BAD BADTZ-MARU Travel Fun will be flying the Clark route (Philippines) while Celebration Flight and Joyful Dream will alternate on the Bali and Cebu routes (Indonesia & Philippines). As an added treat for the travelers flying on the other days of the week for these Special Livery Jets, the in-cabin amenities will remain the same Hello Kitty theme so they can still have a Hello Kitty experience on board an EVA plane. Travelers can learn more about EVA and its Hello Kitty and Sanrio Family jets at https://www.evaair.com/en-global/fly-prepare/our-fleets/eva-special-livery-jets/ The EVA Air North America route operates 87 flights per week, making it one of the leading Asian carriers with the highest capacity for Trans-pacific routes. Their extensive network across Asia ensures easy access to a wide range of destinations, making it a breeze to explore the continent via their hub in Taipei, one of the easiest transit airports in Asia. Whether you're traveling to vibrant cities like Tokyo, serene destinations like Bali, or cultural hubs like Bangkok, EVA Air provides the perfect gateway to Asia, making your journey as enjoyable as the destination. About EVA Air: A Star Alliance member, EVA Air was founded in 1989 as Taiwan's first privately owned international airline. It is a sister company to global container-shipping leader Evergreen Line. It flies a fleet of more than 80 Boeing and Airbus aircraft to over 60 international destinations throughout Asia, Oceania, Europe and North America where gateways are Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver. Travelers can learn more about EVA and schedule, book and buy tickets at www.evaair.com. SOURCE EVA Air LONDON, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fair Oaks Capital, a specialist corporate credit manager, has received approval from Luxembourg regulator CSSF to launch the investment industry's first European-domiciled, Euro-denominated CLO exchange traded fund (ETF). Fair Oaks plans to list the ETF on Deutsche Boerse Xetra on Sept. 10, 2024, pioneering a diversified CLO portfolio in an actively managed ETF wrapper to investors in Europe. Fair Oaks AAA CLO ETF (FAAA) invests in AAA-rated CLOs. FAAA is an ETF share class of an existing Fair Oaks UCITS fundthe Fair Oaks AAA CLO Fund, introduced in 2019 and with 161 million in assets as of July 31, 2024. The ETF offers investors access to the existing, high-quality, diversified portfolio. The fund invests exclusively in AAA-rated CLOs, based on Fair Oaks' established investment processes. FAAA is a long-only portfolio with no leverage and is classified as Article 8 under the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR). Fair Oaks plans to list the CLO ETF on Deutsche Boerse Xetra initially (Xetra ticker: LAAA) and on the London Stock Exchange shortly thereafter (LSE ticker: FAAA). It will be registered for distribution to investors in a broad range of European countries, including Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK. The fund is managed by a team of six professionals, supported by the broader Fair Oaks credit team and led by Miguel Ramos Fuentenebro and Roger Coyle, co-founders and partners of the firm. "Fair Oaks AAA CLO ETF offers investors liquid exposure to a diverse pool of AAA-rated floating-rate assets, which have a superb track record of no defaults since the first AAA-rated CLO was issued over 25 years ago," Fuentenebro said. "Our core belief is that the CLO market generates consistent, repeatable, and superior risk-adjusted returns over multiple market cycles versus other credit strategies." London-based Fair Oaks Capital manages over $3 billion in assets as of July 31, 2024 in CLOs and corporate credit-based strategies. Fair Oaks has a dedicated, award-winning team with extensive experience managing and investing in CLOs. The firm was recently nominated for Funds Europe Awards 2024's 'Fixed Income Fund Manager of the Year' and 'European Asset Management Firm of the Year AUM less than 20bn.' The Fair Oaks AAA CLO ETF seeks to identify attractive risk-adjusted investment opportunities in AAA-rated CLOs via a combination of detailed credit analysis, in-depth structural and documentation review, and rigorous due diligence. Fair Oaks seeks to optimize returns through active security selection and asset allocation. Fair Oaks believes AAA-rated CLOs offer significant value compared with corporate bonds and other asset-backed securities and benefit from the protection of loss-absorbing equity and junior-ranking debt. They also reflect minimal default riskfrom 1997 to 2023, no AAA-rated CLO note has defaulted, according to S&P Global. To date, CLO ETFs available to U.S. investors have captured considerable asset growth, because of the CLO market's: Low correlation with other asset classes High credit quality floating-rate debt with minimal duration risk Established resilience with more than 25 years track record of no AAA-rated CLO defaults The global CLO market is expected to reach more than $2.7 trillion in assets by 2028, up from approximately $1.3 trillion in assets in 2022, according to ResearchandMarkets.com. About Fair Oaks Capital Fair Oaks Capital is a specialist corporate credit investment manager. Established in 2013 and operating from offices in London and New York, Fair Oaks specializes in CLOs and secured loans, managing over $3 billion in assets for a global client base, as of July 31, 2024. The Fair Oaks Dynamic Credit Fund, launched in 2016, was the investment industry's first global CLO UCITS fund. For more information, visit www.fairoakscap.com Notes to investors The information contained in this press release does not constitute an offer or solicitation for, or advice that you should enter into, the purchase or sale of any security or fund. Any views expressed are subject to change at any time. This document is not intended for distribution to or use by any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation. This document is not and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe to any investment. Any views expressed were held at the time of preparation and are subject to change without notice. While any forecast, projection or target where provided is indicative only and not guaranteed in any way. Fair Oaks Capital Limited accepts no liability for any failure to meet such forecast, projection or target. The value of investments and any income from them can go down as well as up and investors may not get back the amount originally invested. Where overseas investments are held the rate of currency exchange may also cause the value of such investments to fluctuate. Fair Oaks High Grade Credit Fund (shortly to be renamed Fair Oaks AAA CLO Fund) is a sub-fund (the "Fund") of Alpha UCITS SICAV and will issue both ETF share classes and non-ETF share classes. Alpha UCITS SICAV is an undertaking for collective investment in transferable securities organised as an "umbrella fund" comprising multiple compartments, organised as a SICAV, incorporated under the form of a public limited liability company (societe anonyme) and authorised under Part I of the Luxembourg law of 17 December 2010 on undertakings for collective investment. This information contained in this press release does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy shares in the Fund. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to buy any securities in the United States of America to or for the benefit of any United States person(s). This material is not a solicitation, an offer, a recommendation or advice to buy or sell investment products, or to engage in other transactions. It explicitly does not take account the investment objectives, knowledge, experience or financial situation of any person. You should not act upon this information in any way and you are advised to obtain professional advice which does take account of your particular circumstances. Detailed information for article 8 sustainable investment products, as categorised under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) can be found in the Fund's Prospectus. You should carefully read the Fund's Prospectus and relevant Key Investor Information Document (the "KIID"), as well as consult with your advisers before making a decision to buy shares of the Fund. Investing in the Fund involves risk, including without limitation risk of total investment loss and other risks noted in the Fund's latest Prospectus and KIID. Media Contacts Margaret Kirch Cohen/Richard Chimberg Newton Park PR, LLC +1 847-507-2229, + 617-312-4281 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Fair Oaks Capital First-of-its-kind thought leadership portal Builds on the success of Previous Industry Leaders Forums SAN DIEGO, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Finopotamus, the only online resource providing in-depth technology coverage exclusively to credit unions, announced the launch of its AI/ML Industry Leaders Forum, a knowledge portal focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Building on the success of its Payments Industry Leaders Forum and Digital Banking Industry Leaders Forum, this latest Forum brings together thought leaders from around the industry to offer insights on this critically important topic. Participants and their respective articles include: Finopotamus Launches the 2024-25 AI/ML Industry Leaders Forum "This is our biggest Industry Leaders Forum so far, and with good reason," said Finopotamus Publisher John San Filippo. "Many credit union technologists we talk with are suffering from AI and ML overload. The inspired content from our team of experts provides credit union executives with a cutting-edge knowledge portal that can create meaningful change for credit union members." San Filippo also noted that later this year, Finopotamus will launch its Core Processing Industry Leaders Forum. "The role of the core processor is changing in many ways," he said. "This Forum will give our readers a good look at where things stand now, but more importantly, an insightful view into the future." Follow the Finopotamus Industry Leaders Forums on LinkedIn. About Finopotamus Finopotamus is an online publication created by industry veterans W.B. King, John San Filippo, and Roy Urrico to bring credit unions technology news and original content not found elsewhere. The publication looks at technology best practices across multiple industries to bring credit unions the broadest range of relevant information. The publication's tagline is Fintech News for Hungry CUs. Visit Finopotamus at www.finopotamus.com. Contact: John San Filippo [email protected] (619) 467-0431 SOURCE Finopotamus LLC In 2017, Florence Fang, a prominent Chinese-American, acquired the house, enchanted by its whimsical appeal. She reimagined the interior to reflect the five elements of Chinese philosophyMetal, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Watercreating a unique fusion of Eastern principles and Western fantasy. Fang has dedicated her career to bridging cultural divides. She is the first Chinese American to own The San Francisco Examiner, co-founded the 100,000 Strong Foundation to send American students to study in China, and established museums to honor Chinese contributions to American history. Her achievements have garnered recognition from former President George W. Bush and have been featured in leading publications like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Fang's story embodies the spirit of the American Dream and underscores the importance of fostering understanding and cooperation between the U.S. and China. SOURCE People's Daily Online WEST USA The rising demand for vaccine adjuvants is mainly due to the increasing rates of infectious and cancerous diseases. Other significant factors include the heightened need for vaccines for specific illnesses, a greater emphasis on immunization, and the expansion of vaccination programs globally. This trend is projected to persist through the forecast period from 2024 to 2030. LAS VEGAS, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Vaccine Adjuvants Market Insights report provides the current and forecast market analysis, individual leading vaccine adjuvants companies' market shares, challenges, vaccine adjuvants market drivers, barriers, trends, and key market vaccine adjuvants companies in the market. Key Takeaways from the Vaccine Adjuvants Market Report As per DelveInsight estimates, North America is anticipated to dominate the global vaccine adjuvants market during the forecast period. is anticipated to dominate the global vaccine adjuvants market during the forecast period. In the product segment of the vaccine adjuvants market, the oil-in-water emulsion category had a significant revenue share in the vaccine adjuvants Market in 2023. Notable vaccine adjuvants companies such as Dynavax Technologies, GSK plc, Croda International plc, SEPPIC, Novavax, SPI Pharma, Agenus Inc., Aurorium, Merck KGaA, Vaxine Pty Ltd., Hawaii Biotech Inc., CSL, OZ Biosciences, InvivoGen, Allergy Therapeutics, EUBIOLOGICS CO., LTD., Pacific GeneTech Limited, Riboxx GmbH, CaPtivate Pharmaceuticals LLC, Mukta Industries, and several others, are currently operating in the vaccine adjuvants market. and several others, are currently operating in the vaccine adjuvants market. In May 2023 Croda International Plc entered into a partnership with Amyris and Botanical Solutions Inc. firstly for biotechnology-derived squalene and secondly with BSI to develop a sustainable QS-21 vaccine adjuvant moving towards plant tissue culture-derived approach rather than the traditional method of extracting QS-21 from soap bark trees. entered into a partnership with Amyris and Botanical Solutions Inc. firstly for biotechnology-derived squalene and secondly with BSI to develop a sustainable QS-21 vaccine adjuvant moving towards plant tissue culture-derived approach rather than the traditional method of extracting QS-21 from soap bark trees. In August 2022 , GSK Plc entered into an acquisition with Affinivax, Inc. to develop pneumococcal vaccines. To read more about the latest highlights related to the vaccine adjuvants market, get a snapshot of the key highlights entailed in the Global Vaccine Adjuvants Market Report Vaccine Adjuvants Overview Vaccine adjuvants are substances added to vaccines to enhance the body's immune response to the primary antigen. By stimulating the immune system more effectively, adjuvants can reduce the amount of antigen required and increase the duration of immunity. They play a crucial role in improving the efficacy of vaccines, particularly in cases where the antigen alone might not provoke a strong enough immune reaction. Adjuvants can work through various mechanisms, such as promoting a stronger local immune response at the injection site or facilitating a more robust activation of immune cells. Common types of adjuvants include aluminum salts, which have been used for decades and are known for their safety and effectiveness in boosting antibody responses. More recently, newer adjuvants like oil-in-water emulsions and toll-like receptor agonists have been developed to target specific aspects of the immune system. Research continues to explore and refine adjuvants to enhance vaccine performance, aiming to provide better protection against a range of infectious diseases and improve vaccine responses in different populations, including the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Vaccine Adjuvants Market Insights In 2023, North America is anticipated to represent the largest share of the vaccine adjuvants market among all regions. This growth is driven by several factors. The region benefits from a well-established healthcare infrastructure and strong research and development capabilities, which stimulate advancements in vaccine adjuvant technologies. Additionally, increasing cases of infectious diseases and the threat of potential pandemics, like influenza or new pathogens, have led to greater investment in vaccine and adjuvant research. Government efforts to expand vaccination programs and enhance public health preparedness are also contributing to market growth. For example, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched the HPV VAX NOW campaign in January 2021 to boost HPV vaccination rates among young adults. Similarly, the Government of Canada released updated guidelines on seasonal influenza vaccines for 2022-2023 in August 2022, which is expected to further stimulate market growth. Moreover, market expansion is supported by strategies such as product approvals, launches, and agreements. In November 2022, GSK plc's RSV vaccine candidate for older adults received a priority review from the FDA, indicating significant advancements in treatment or prevention. The combined effect of increased government and nonprofit investment in adjuvant development, alongside various product development activities, is set to drive the North American vaccine adjuvants market throughout the forecast period. To know more about why North America is leading the market growth in the vaccine adjuvants market, get a snapshot of the Vaccine Adjuvants Market Outlook Vaccine Adjuvants Market Dynamics The vaccine adjuvants market is experiencing significant growth driven by increasing vaccine development and the demand for enhanced vaccine efficacy. Adjuvants are critical in improving the immune response to vaccines, which is particularly important as new and more complex pathogens emerge. The surge in research and development efforts, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, has accelerated the need for innovative adjuvant technologies. Companies are focusing on developing adjuvants that can enhance the effectiveness of vaccines with lower doses, thereby addressing both efficacy and cost concerns. Technological advancements are playing a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of the adjuvants market. The development of novel adjuvants, such as nanoparticle-based and recombinant protein adjuvants, is gaining traction. These new technologies offer improved safety profiles and better control over immune responses. Additionally, the rise of personalized medicine and targeted therapies is driving interest in adjuvants that can be tailored to individual patient needs, further expanding the market potential. The regulatory landscape and approval processes for vaccine adjuvants are also influencing market dynamics. Stringent regulatory requirements and the need for extensive clinical trials can pose challenges for market entry and innovation. However, successful navigation of these regulatory hurdles can lead to significant rewards, as demonstrated by the successful adjuvants used in COVID-19 vaccines. Companies that can efficiently meet regulatory standards while delivering effective solutions are likely to gain a competitive edge. Moreover, the vaccine adjuvants market is witnessing increased investment and collaboration between pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, and government agencies. This collaborative approach is essential for advancing research, sharing knowledge, and accelerating the development of new adjuvant technologies. The convergence of resources and expertise from multiple stakeholders is expected to drive innovation and expand the market further. Overall, the vaccine adjuvants market is poised for substantial growth due to technological advancements, rising demand for effective vaccines, and increased investment in research and development. As the global focus on public health and disease prevention continues to intensify, the role of adjuvants in enhancing vaccine efficacy will remain a critical component of the healthcare landscape. Get a sneak peek at the vaccine adjuvants market dynamics @ Vaccine Adjuvants Market Dynamics Analysis Report Metrics Details Coverage Global Study Period 20212030 Vaccine Adjuvants Market CAGR ~13% Key Vaccine Adjuvant Companies Dynavax Technologies, GSK plc, Croda International plc, SEPPIC, Novavax, SPI Pharma, Agenus Inc., Aurorium, Merck KGaA, Vaxine Pty Ltd., Hawaii Biotech Inc., CSL, OZ Biosciences, InvivoGen, Allergy Therapeutics, EUBIOLOGICS CO., LTD., Pacific GeneTech Limited, Riboxx GmbH, CaPtivate Pharmaceuticals LLC, Mukta Industries, among others Vaccine Adjuvants Market Assessment Vaccine Adjuvants Market Segmentation Vaccine Adjuvants Market Segmentation By Product Type: Oil-In-Water Emulsion, Aluminium Salts, Liposomes, Saponin-Based Adjuvants, and Others Oil-In-Water Emulsion, Aluminium Salts, Liposomes, Saponin-Based Adjuvants, and Others Vaccine Adjuvants Market Segmentation By Disease Type: Infectious Diseases, Cancer, and Others Infectious Diseases, Cancer, and Others Vaccine Adjuvants Market Segmentation By Geography : North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and Rest of World : , , , and Rest of World Porter's Five Forces Analysis, Product Profiles, Case Studies, KOL's Views, Analyst's View Which MedTech key players in the vaccine adjuvants market are set to emerge as the trendsetter explore @ Vaccine Adjuvants Companies Table of Contents 1 Vaccine Adjuvants Market Report Introduction 2 Vaccine Adjuvants Market Executive Summary 3 Competitive Landscape 4 Regulatory Analysis 5 Vaccine Adjuvants Market Key Factors Analysis 6 Vaccine Adjuvants Market Porter's Five Forces Analysis 7 Vaccine Adjuvants Market Layout 8 Vaccine Adjuvants Market Company and Product Profiles 9 KOL Views 10 Project Approach 11 About DelveInsight 12 Disclaimer & Contact Us Interested in knowing the vaccine adjuvants market by 2030? Click to get a snapshot of the Vaccine Adjuvants Market Trends Related Reports Vaccines Market Vaccines Market Insight, Competitive Landscape, and Market Forecast 2030 report delivers an in-depth understanding of market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key vaccines companies, including GlaxoSmithKline, Bharat Biotech, AstraZeneca, Bavarian Nordic A/S, BioNTech, Sanofi, Merck & Co., Inc, Pfizer Inc, Moderna, Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd., EMERGENT, CSL Limited, Johnson & Johnson, VBI Vaccines Inc., Valneva SE., Novavax, CanSinoBIO, Biokangtai, Dynavax Technologies, Zhi Fei Biological, among others. 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Human Papillomavirus Market Human Papillomavirus Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast 2034 report deliver an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key HPV companies, including Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., ISA Pharmaceuticals, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Barinthus Biotherapeutics, pHion Therapeutics, Vir Biotechnology, Inc., Antiva Biosciences, Toragen, Inc., Precigen, Inc, Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, ViMREX GmbH, among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant, and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Contact Us Shruti Thakur [email protected] +14699457679 https://www.delveinsight.com/medical-devices Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP After an unstable childhood, Sheyka Lyon said that she had lost herself as an adult with drug addictions. She made her way to Virginia as a sex trafficking victim, she said, but found recovery when tapping into support programs at Caritas a Richmond-based nonprofit organization that supports people in recovery from substance abuse. It really does take a village, she said as she recounted her journey, from receiving help to now working as a peer navigator at Caritas and earning her degree in social work. After speaking to a crowd at the organizations headquarters on Tuesday, she then introduced Gov. Glenn Youngkin. The governor focused on the village mindset as he noted various efforts inside and outside his administration to combat fentanyl addictions and support Virginians in recovery. Virginia recorded 1,772 fentanyl-related deaths in 2023, according to the state Department of Health. Amid the somber moments reflecting on lives lost to fentanyl overdoses were statements of hope as the governor announced the expansion of the It Only Takes One fentanyl overdose awareness campaign that was piloted in Roanoke earlier this year. No community is immune, Youngkin said of addiction. We have work to do. Earlier in the year, Virginia first lady Suzanne Youngkin visited Roanoke multiple times for events promoting the campaign that urges community members to take a pledge to talk to teens about the dangers of fentanyl. The governor also highlighted other efforts to combat fentanyl use and abuse, including Attorney General Jason Miyares one pill can kill campaign and the Narcan trainings he and the first lady have led around the state. Narcan is a commonly used drug to counteract a fentanyl overdose. Recent legislative efforts to combat fentanyl abuse by Virginias General Assembly include a bill to allow people in recovery whove been convicted of certain crimes to be able to work in treatment centers and a bill targeting fentanyl manufacturers. Both measures succeeded in the House and Senate and were signed by Gov. Youngkin. While there has been bipartisan work to combat fentanyl issues in Virginia, Youngkin has his eye on a proposal to create a felony homicide criminal penalty for dealers whose drugs lead to a fatal overdose, regardless of whether or not it was accidental. Some Democrats had pushed back on the idea over the concern that it could go too far to charge people distributing drugs that they dont know contain fentanyl. I will put it forward again, and we will do everything we can to get this bill passed, Youngkin told members of the media Tuesday. Jill Chicowicz is pleased to see various efforts that help bolster her nonprofit organizations mission. After losing her twin brother to an accidental overdose in 2017, she founded 2 End The Stigma and worked to raise awareness about fentanyl. Her brother Scott Zebrowski had been prescribed opioids after an injury that led to the addiction that ended his life. Now, she said that she talks with her teenage sons about the dangers of black market drugs and the risks of addiction. She said shes pleased to see the Youngkin administration and lawmakers do their part to help families be less likely to experience a tragedy like hers. I always tell parents, Open the dialog. Talk to your children. Dont be scared, she said. It is an awkward conversation. Its more awkward to bury them. This story was originally published in the Virginia Mercury. ANJOUAN, Union of Comoros, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading online trading broker GMZ Global is excited to announce the launch of its brand new website, designed to provide a more user-friendly and intuitive experience for every trader. The website overhaul reflects the company's commitment to continuous improvement and its dedication to empowering users with the tools and resources they need to succeed in the ever-evolving financial markets. The new GMZ Global website boasts a sleek and contemporary design, prioritizing user experience with a focus on straightforward navigation and intuitive functionality. Streamlined menus allow for effortless access to essential information, while interactive elements showcase the platform's capabilities in a visually engaging way. A modernized platform built for efficiency "We understand that time is of the essence in the trading world," says Luca Rensburg, GMZ Global spokesperson. "Our new website reflects this understanding by giving customers access to a platform that is not only informative but also efficient. They can now find the needed resources quickly and easily, allowing them to focus on making informed decisions." Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the new GMZ Global website brings a range of enhanced features designed to streamline the trading process. Those working with them can now access real-time market data, comprehensive educational resources, and advanced charting tools directly from the website. At the same time, the platform integrates seamlessly with popular mobile devices, enabling traders to monitor their portfolios and execute trades on the go. "At GMZ Global, we are constantly striving to enhance the user experience for our members," explains Rensburg. "The launch of our new website represents a major step forward in this endeavor. With a user-friendly and feature-rich platform, we are confident that we can empower clients to achieve their financial goals." About GMZ Global GMZ Global is an international provider of CFD trading services, offering a comprehensive platform designed to cater to the needs of traders of all types. With access to a diverse range of markets, including forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies, traders can diversify their portfolios and capitalize on various trading opportunities. Ethical trading practices and transparency are the brand's top priorities. They do not profit from losses through internal proprietary trading firms. Instead, they focus on providing the necessary tools and support to succeed as a trader. Additionally, the company has complimentary trend-following trading bots to help automate strategies and improve overall performance. GMZ Global Unlock your Financial Potential with GMZ Global SOURCE GMZ Global Healgen Scientific launches production of the Healgen Rapid Check COVID-19/Flu A&B Antigen Test, which has emergency use authorization (EUA) for point-of-care use. HOUSTON, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Healgen Scientific LLC, a global healthcare company dedicated to enhancing worldwide health through the provision of high-quality healthcare products and services, opened a new manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas. Operating in the U.S. for 17 years, Healgen Scientific is furthering its investment into manufacturing quality healthcare tests made in the USA. Healgen Scientific is furthering its investment into manufacturing quality healthcare tests made in the USA. Post this Dignitaries and key constituents celebrated the debut of Healgen Scientifics new cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas during a ribbon cutting ceremony held Aug. 28, 2024. With its strategic location and world-class infrastructure, Healgen's first manufacturing facility in the area is poised to play a pivotal role in enhancing the company's ability to meet the growing demand for high-quality diagnostic solutions in the U.S. and beyond. The new facility provides local jobs, drives economic development and demonstrates Healgen's commitment to the state. Healgen currently has nearly 120 employees in the U.S. and is expected to provide more than 200 job opportunities in the next three years. Healgen has generated approximately $25 million of federal tax revenue and $9 million of Texas state tax in the past three years. "We welcome you to our great city," said Chris Hollins, city controller, City of Houston Controller's Office. "This is a city, and a state, of business and of commerce. We're excited that hundreds of jobs are on the way because of the investment of Healgen and the Fang family, and we're grateful for your presence. On behalf of more than 2 million Houstonians, we applaud Healgen Scientific LLC on bringing world-class innovation and disease management to the United States." Healgen seamlessly integrates production technologies and rigorous quality control measures to ensure the smooth and efficient manufacturing of medical diagnostic products, including rapid COVID-19 tests and the Healgen Rapid Check COVID-19/Flu A&B Antigen Test, which has emergency use authorization (EUA) for point-of-care use. "This new facility in Houston uses very innovative technology that will precisely diagnose viruses or diseases so people can be confident in the results they are receiving," said Bingliang Fang, M.D., Ph.D. and CEO of Healgen Scientific LLC. "Here, Healgen is able to produce quality tests on a very large scalenearly a half million per day. We are proud to provide made in the USA products with a commitment to using local materials, employing local residents and being an integral part of the community." "I am especially proud of this business because it deals with healthcare, and healthcare is something that we all will need at some point in our livesyou can't escape the need for healthcare," said Al Green, member of congress, U.S. House of Representatives. "As a result of this need, healthcare is a human right. Every person who gets sick should get healthcare. We cannot allow healthcare to become wealthcare. We cannot allow healthcare to become sick care. Healthcare is a human right." "We continue to see companies like this making significant contributions to our region, creating jobs," said Jim Johnson, president & CEO, Pearland Chamber of Commerce. "We are seeing the ability for a global companythat has touched on 130 countriesthat has provided services for all quality of life. Thank you so much for your support of the Houston region and all you do for our great state." Healgen Scientific has 325 automated production lines around the world and a daily production capacity of more than 22 million healthcare tests. The company has moved 15 of these production lines to the U.S., and established large production locations in New York, New Jersey and Texas, investing more than $100 million in three large-scale manufacturing and warehouse facilities. The facility in Houston will also produce RSV tests later in the year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Healgen Scientific worked with Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. to develop a Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test under the Siemens Clinitest brand. This test was approved for EUA by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (EUA210639). More than 2 billion Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test Kits have been used worldwide including more than 400 million tests in the U.S. About Healgen Scientific Healgen Scientific is a leading global IVD developer and manufacturer focused on delivering life-changing diagnostic products for patients worldwide. For over 17 years, it has strived to provide world-class products and services across multiple healthcare sectors, such as infectious diseases, toxicology, fertility & women's health, oncology, cardiovascular, metabolism, and more. As a highly trusted healthcare partner for more than 140 facilities, Healgen Scientific develops state-of-the-art devices that exceed industry standards and redefine healthcare, and its portfolio spans multiple testing platforms. For more information, visit healgen.com. MEDIA CONTACT: Nicole Shearer | KPS3 [email protected] | 530-448-6485 SOURCE Healgen Scientific LLC HUNTERSVILLE, N.C., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hercules Tires is offering a fall rebate opportunity to its consumers in the United States from Sept. 1 through Oct. 15, 2024. Customers who purchase four qualifying Hercules Tires may be eligible to receive up to a $70 rebate in the form of a prepaid Mastercard. As the weather cools and road conditions become more unpredictable, having reliable, high-quality tires is crucial. Hercules offers a diverse selection of tires dedicated to delivering the performance and durability customers need to confidently navigate any road condition. Hercules Tires 2024 Fall U.S. Consumer Rebate "We understand the importance of reliable tires, especially as we head into the fall and winter months," said Josh Simpson, president of Hercules Tires. "Our Fall Rebate Offer is designed to provide consumers with a great opportunity to buy and try Hercules Tires, a Consumers can find a Hercules Tires retailer near them by visiting www.herculestire.com/where-to-buy/ . Qualifying tires include: Don't miss out on this opportunity to upgrade your ride and save on a new set of Hercules Tires. For full details about the Fall 2024 rebate please visit, www.herculestire.com/rebate . ABOUT HERCULES TIRES Hercules Tires is one of three distinct brands owned by Hercules Tire and Rubber Company. The brand is widely recognized as the industry's premier value brand with a comprehensive selection of passenger, UHP, UTV, light truck, medium truck, agriculture, and specialty tires. Since 1952, independent tire dealers and distributors have trusted the Hercules brand to deliver outstanding quality, exceptional support, and unsurpassed value. The Hercules Tires brand is available at more than 4,000 retail locations across North America. Hercules Tire and Rubber company is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Tire Distributors, Inc. American Tire Distributors is one of the largest independent suppliers of tires in the North American replacement tire market. The company offers an unsurpassed breadth and depth of inventory, frequent delivery and value-added services via more than 115 distribution centers to approximately 80,000 customers across the U.S. and Canada. To learn more about Hercules Tires, visit www.herculestires.com or follow on Facebook , X , LinkedIn , or Instagram . Media Contact: Nakia Medlin, Director of Marketing Proprietary Brands, [email protected], 704-574-6278 SOURCE Hercules Tires 27 producers from 9 countries compete in New York to win the award for the best sustainable coffee of the year TRIESTE, Italy, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- illycaffe is proud to announce the 27 finalists for the ninth edition of the Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award. This award, named in memory of Ernesto Illy, the son of the company's founder, celebrates over three decades of virtuous collaboration with coffee producers. Two awards will be presented on November 12 in New York: the 'Best of the Best,' chosen by a jury of nine coffee experts, and the 'Coffee Lovers' Choice,' selected by consumers who participate in a week-long blind tasting in illy stores around the world. Throughout the year, illycaffe's quality laboratories analyzed samples from the 2023/2024 harvest, selecting the best batches and producers based on both qualitative and sustainability criteria. The finalists for this edition come from Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Nicaragua, and Rwanda. "Sustainable quality is the result of a process that begins in the coffee plantations and requires constant innovation, research, and training. It means producing high-quality coffee with respect for the environment, biodiversity, human rights, and social well-being. The Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award has become an annual appointment with our best producers worldwide, with whom we have worked hand in hand for decades to ensure a prosperous future for people and the planet," comments Andrea Illy, Chairman of illycaffe. The 27 finalists for the Ernesto Illy International Award 2024, listed alphabetically by country, are: Brazil: Fazenda Sao Joao - Decio Bruxel e Outros Fazenda Serra do Bone - Matheus Lopes Sanglard Fazenda Vila Oscarlina - Flavio da Costa Figueredo Costa Rica Coopelibertad R.L. CoopeSabalito R.L. Finca San Carlos de Marespi S.A. El Salvador Finca Agua Caliente - J.J. Borja Nathan S.A. Finca Bolivar - Matorral de S.A. de C.V. Finca San Rafael - Comercial Larin S.A. DE C.V. Ethiopia Darimo Washing Station Plc - Asma International Business Pvt Ltd Gera Tracon Washing Station Plc - Tracon Trading P.L.C. Jemila Amdela Washing Station Plc - Legesse Sherefa Pvt Ltd Co. Guatemala Finca Danilandia - Luis Arimany Monzon Finca Santa Leonarda - Plantaciones Agropecuarias S.A. Pequenos Productores Santa Cruz Naranjo Honduras Finca Diego Paz - Diego Paz Paz Finca Don Miguel - Miguel Angel Perez Guevara Finca El Carmen - Jorge Anibal Pena Maldonado India Coovercolly Estate - Tata Consumer Products Ltd. Kajjehally Estate - S. Vasudevan Margolly Estate - Tata Consumer Products Ltd. Nicaragua Finca Santa Ana - Aida Lila Zeledon Palacios Grupo productores - Olam Nicaragua SMS Cluster ECOM Nicaragua Rwanda Karenge Coffee Washing Station Kibirizi Coffee Washing Station Rwinyoni Coffee Washing Station The ranking of each of the nine finalist countries will be announced on November 12th at the United Nations in New York during an event where coffee producers will learn who has won the Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award 2024. The previous edition of the Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award was won for the first time by Brazil, with the Sao Mateus Agropecuaria farm. This achievement is particularly significant as the coffee was produced using regenerative agricultural practices, which benefit the environment and health while producing exceptionally high-quality coffee. illycaffe illycaffe is an Italian family-owned company, founded in Trieste in 1933 which has always set itself the mission of offering the best coffee to the world. It produces a unique 100% Arabica blend composed of 9 different ingredients. The company selects only 1% of the best Arabica beans. Every day more than 8 million cups of illy coffee are served in over 140 countries around the globe, in the cafes, restaurants and hotels, in single-brand cafes and shops, at home and in the office, in which the company is present through subsidiaries and distributors. Since its foundation, illycaffe has oriented its strategies towards a sustainable business model, commitment that it strengthened in 2019 by adopting the status of Benefit Company and in 2021 becoming the first Italian coffee company to obtain the international B Corp certification. Everything that is "made in illy" is about beauty and art, the founding principles of the brand, starting from its logo, designed by artist James Rosenquist, up to illy Art Collection cups, decorated by over 130 international artists, or coffee machines designed by internationally renowned designers. With the aim of spreading the culture of quality to growers, baristas and coffee lovers, the company has developed its Universita del Caffe which today holds courses in 23 countries around the world. In 2023, the company had a turnover of 595,1 million. The illy single-brand network has 159 points of sale in 30 countries. SOURCE illycaffe Israeli companies showcased their technologies at Romania's Airport Authority Conference, for the first time, aiming to equip the country's airports with some of the most advanced defense and monitoring systems in the world CONSTANTA, Romania, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IMPROVATE, an Israeli company co-owned by Irina Nevzlin and Ronit Hassin Hochman, was selected as a partner by the Romanian Airport Authority and brought together nine leading Israeli companies to participate in the event. Ronit Hasin-Hochman and Irina Nevzlin (Photo: Yehiel Yanai) One-on-one meetings with decision-makers of Romania's airports (Photo: Shiran Knller) Held annually in Constanta, a city on the Black Sea, the Romanian Airport Authority conference took place August 22-23 and focused on new security challenges. Due to increasing tensions across Europe, particularly in Eastern European countries near Ukraine, many nations are bolstering their security measures, particularly at borders and entry points, to prevent potential spillovers from the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Consequently, the Romanian government sought to innovate its traditional airport conference by partnering with IMPROVATE. The objective was to organize a series of presentations from advanced Israeli defense technology companies, highlighting the latest developments in global security to local airport authorities. Ronit Hassin Hochman, CEO of IMPROVATE, stated: "We are in a period of global security instability. Many European countries are restocking their defense supplies and seeking the latest technological advancements in defense and security. The demand for Israeli technologies in Romania and Eastern Europe is higher than ever. This conference provided an invaluable platform for Israeli companies to present their capabilities to Romania's top security officials, resulting in numerous deals and collaborations." The Israeli companies presenting at the conference included: Ortech : Specializes in designing, producing, and implementing protective solutions for buildings, critical infrastructures, sensitive sites, and structures against terrorist attacks and natural disasters, both in Israel and globally. Specializes in designing, producing, and implementing protective solutions for buildings, critical infrastructures, sensitive sites, and structures against terrorist attacks and natural disasters, both in and globally. AccuBeat : One of the top three companies worldwide in its field, AccuBeat develops and manufactures atomic clocks, timing products, and ultra-precise synchronization systems. Their solutions are particularly relevant against GPS spoofing and disruptions, seen in conflicts such as those in Israel and Ukraine , and are employed by the IDF, the US Army, satellites, and space stations. One of the top three companies worldwide in its field, AccuBeat develops and manufactures atomic clocks, timing products, and ultra-precise synchronization systems. Their solutions are particularly relevant against GPS spoofing and disruptions, seen in conflicts such as those in and , and are employed by the IDF, the US Army, satellites, and space stations. CaptureSys : Designs, develops, and produces advanced multi-axis modular gimbals for national security, military, industrial, and commercial markets. They offer anti-drone technologies, protection for sensitive facilities, and "virtual walls" against various threats. Designs, develops, and produces advanced multi-axis modular gimbals for national security, military, industrial, and commercial markets. They offer anti-drone technologies, protection for sensitive facilities, and "virtual walls" against various threats. WiseMon : Focuses on network monitoring and control systems, providing data protection for sectors such as banking, finance, and insurance. The company is expanding into international markets following its extensive experience dealing with cyberattacks in Israel . cyberattacks Yona : An international engineering consulting and management firm specializing in infrastructure and airport projects, including the planning, construction, maintenance, and restoration of roads, airports, and railways. BuzzTech : Innovates AI-based smart systems for monitoring and managing cleanliness and hygiene in environments requiring regular maintenance, such as restrooms and kitchens. Their primary focus is on airports worldwide. Kluren : Provides advanced software engineering solutions and innovative strategies for connecting Civil Aviation Authorities and Airport Authorities, particularly for issuing construction permits for airports located in cities. The company specializes in large-scale projects and IT system upgrades. Galileo : Develops products in the GNSS field, including GPS receivers, simulators, and indoor infrastructure, enabling seamless navigation between outdoor and indoor environments of strategic buildings. The company operates globally, with a focus on international expansion. GNSS OBS (Ocean Bricks System): Offers advanced technological solutions for building artificial islands, breakwaters, ports, marinas, offshore wind turbine foundations, and artificial reefs. The conference was attended by the CEOs and security officers of Romania's major airports, including Bucharest, Iasi, Timisoara, and Craiova. The participants aimed to acquire and implement advanced Israeli defense technologies. Over the two-day event, Israeli companies presented their products and innovations to key decision-makers, followed by extensive meetings to facilitate potential deals and the adoption of these technologies in local airports. Reports from the conference indicated strong interest from Romanian airports, and several agreements are expected to be finalized in the coming months, leading to the implementation of Israeli technologies. Next month, IMPROVATE will host a "Smart Cities Conference" in Budapest, featuring fifteen major European cities exposed to innovative technologies from Israeli companies such as Tondo Smart, IPlus Cyber, Ipgallery, Ok2go, Wise Mon, Atmosfir, Galileo, Giv Solutions, and more. Scheduled for September 23-24 at the Ritz-Carlton in Budapest, the event will attract representatives and mayors from cities across Europe, including Budapest, Sofia, Larnaca, Skopje, and Tirana. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2492794/IMPROVATE_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2492795/IMPROVATE_2.jpg SOURCE IMPROVATE SAN FRANCISCO and SUZHOU, China, Aug. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high quality medicines for the treatment of oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune, ophthalmology and other major diseases, announces that nearly 20 accepted clinical data of its novel oncology molecules, including six oral presentations, will be released at World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) from Sept 7-10, 2024, in San Diego, U.S., and the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) from Sept 13-17, 2024, in Barcelona, Spain. Key data showcase includes: an oral presentation of updated Phase 1 result of its first-in-class PD-1/IL-2-bias (IBI363) in NSCLC (up to 3mg/kg dosage) at WCLC, updated Phase 1 results of IBI363 (PD-1/IL-2-bias) combination therapy in colorectal cancer at ESMO, an oral presentation of updated pivotal Phase 2 results of Dupert (fulzerasib, KRAS G12C inhibitor) in NSCLC at WCLC, an oral presentation of Phase 1 results of IBI354 (HER2 ADC) in HER2+ solid tumors at ESMO, and multiple clinical results of TYVYT (sintilimab injection). Dr. Hui Zhou, Senior Vice President of Innovent, stated: "We are very pleased to present a robust set of clinical data for our next-generation innovative bispecific antibodies and ADC molecules across renowned medical conferences of 2024 including ASCO, ESMO Plenary and ESMO GI in June, and WCLC and ESMO in September. We observed the preliminary efficacy and safety signals for those innovative candidates, underscoring their potential for further development and clinical value. As one of the few biopharmaceutical companies with both the technology platforms and robust pipeline in "IO+ADC" areas, Innovent remains dedicated to advancing cancer treatment and is committed to offering doctors and patients more innovative, effective, and safe therapeutic options." Details on the abstracts are listed below: WCLC: Oral Sessions Abstract Title: First-in-Class PD-1/IL-2 Bispecific Antibody IBI363 In Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in a Phase 1 Study Abstract No: MA11.04 Session Type and Title: WCLC 2024-MA11. Building on the Foundations of Current Immunotherapies Presentation Time: Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 13:37-13:42 PDT Presenter: Jianya Zhou,The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine Abstract Title: KRAS G12C Inhibitor IBI351 In Patients (pts) with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): Updated Results from a Pivotal Phase 2 Study Abstract No: OA14.05 Session Type and Title: WCLC 2024-OA14. New Horizons in Targeting KRAS G12C Presentation Time: Monday, September 9, 2024, 15:52-16:02 PDT Presenter: Qing Zhou, Guangdong People's Hospital Abstract Title: Neoadjuvant Sintilimab plus Chemotherapy in EGFR-mutant NSCLC Followed by adjuvant Osimertinib or Observation: A Phase 2 CTONG2104 Trial Abstract No: MA15.11 Session Type and Title: Mini Oral Presentation Time: Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 3:48-3:53 PM PDT Presenter: Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, C. Zhang Abstract Title: First-Line Treatment of Locally Advanced or Metastatic Pulmonary Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma: A Multicenter, Single-Arm, Phase 2 Trial Abstract No: MA11.03 Session Type and Title: Mini Oral Presentation Time: Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 1:32-1:37 PM PDT Presenter: The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical University, C. Zhou ESMO: Oral Sessions Abstract Title: IBI354 (anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugate [ADC]) in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors and breast cancer (BC): results from a Phase 1 study Abstract No: 345MO Session Type and Title: ESMO 2024-Mini oral session 1: Breast cancer, metastatic Presentation Time: Sunday, September 15, 2024, 9:15-9:20 AM CEST Presenter: Christina Teng, Scientia Clinical Research, Australia Abstract Title: IBI354 (anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugate [ADC]) in patients (pts) with advanced gynecological cancers (Gynecol C): results from a phase 1 study Abstract No: 720MO Session Type and Title: ESMO 2024-Mini oral session 2: Gynecological cancers Presentation Time: Sunday, September 15, 2024, 15:45-15:50 CEST Presenter: Jin Shu, Chongqing University Affiliated Cancer Hospital WCLC: Posters Abstract Title: Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy for Potentially Resectable IIIA/IIIB NSCLC: Survival Updates and Predictive Effect of MRD Abstract No: EP.08D.01 Session Type and Title: E-Poster Presentation Time: Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 11:58-11:59 AM PDT Presenter: First Hospital of Jilin University, K. Ma Abstract Title: Safety and Efficacy of Sintilimab Combined with Anlotinib in Patients with KRAS-Mutant Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Abstract No.: P4.11E.10 Session Type and Title: E-Poster Presentation Time: Monday, September 9, 2024 at 6:30 PM PDT Presenter: Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, F. Wang ESMO: Posters Abstract Title: First-in-class PD-1/IL-2 bispecific antibody fusion protein IBI363 + bevacizumab (beva) in patients (pts) with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC): A phase I study Abstract No: 574P Session Type and Title: ESMO 2024-Poster Presentation Time: Monday, September 16, 2024 CEST Presenter: Zhen Yu Lin, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Abstract Title: Safety and efficacy of IBI354 (anti-HER2 ADC) in patients (pts) with advanced gastrointestinal (GI) cancers: results from a Phase 1 study Abstract No: 576P Session Type and Title: ESMO 2024-Poster Presentation Time: Monday, September 16, 2024 CEST Presenter: Jifang Gong, Peking University Cancer Hospital Abstract Title: Hepatic Artery Infusion Chemotherapy (HAIC) Plus Sintilimab and Bevacizumab Biosimilar (IBI305) for Initial Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) in Patients with Child-Pugh B Liver Function: A prospective study Abstract No.: 980P Session Type and Title: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) - Poster Presentation Time: Monday, September 16, 2024 Presenter: Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, Huikai Li Abstract Title: Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with Sintilimab and regorafenib as adjuvant therapy for colorectal liver metastasis patients with high risk of recurrent: a single-arm, Phase 2 study Abstract No.: 539P Session Type and Title: Colorectal cancer - Poster Presentation Time: Monday, September 16, 2024 Presenter: Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Lu Wang Abstract Title: Fruquintinib combined with sintilimab and chemotherapy as the first-line treatment in advanced naive EGFR- and ALK-negative non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (nsq-NSCLC): Updated results Abstract No: 1329P Session Type and Title: NSCLC, metastatic - Poster Presentation Time: Saturday, September 14, 2024 Presenter: Jiangsu Province Hospital, Pei Ma Abstract Title: Sintilimab plus anlotinib in patients with advanced sarcomas (SINANLOSARC): a single-center, single-arm, Phase 2 trial Abstract No.: 1735P Session Type and Title: Sarcoma - Poster Presentation Time: Saturday, September 14, 2024 Presenter: Shandong Cancer Institute, Shandong Cancer Hospital, Zengjun Liu Abstract Title: Efficacy and safety of sintilimab in combination with anlotinib plus metronomic chemotherapy in advanced triple negative breast cancer (SPACE): preliminary results of a single-arm, multicenter Phase 2 trial Abstract No.: 389P Session Type and Title: Breast cancer, metastatic - Poster Presentation Time: Monday, September 16, 2024 Presenter: Shandong Cancer Institute, Shandong Cancer Hospital, Huihui Li Trial in Progress Abstract Title: Fruquintinib in combination with sintilimab and CAPEOX as first-line treatment for advanced G/GEJ cancer: A phase 1b/2 clinical trial (FUNCTION) Abstract No.: 1475TiP Session Type and Title: Oesophagogastric cancer, Poster Presentation Time: Monday, September 16, 2024 Presenter: Henan Cancer Hospital, Bei-Bei Chen About Innovent Innovent is a leading biopharmaceutical company founded in 2011 with the mission to empower patients worldwide with affordable, high-quality biopharmaceuticals. The company discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes innovative medicines that treat some of the most intractable diseases. Its pioneering therapies treat cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune and eye diseases. Innovent has 11 products in the market, 3 new drug applications under the NMPA review, 4 assets in Phase III or pivotal clinical trials and 18 more molecules in early clinical stage. Innovent partners with over 30 global healthcare leaders, including Eli Lilly, Roche, Sanofi, Adimab, Incyte and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Guided by the motto, "Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action," Innovent maintains the highest standard of industry practices and works collaboratively to advance the biopharmaceutical industry so that first-rate pharmaceutical drugs can become widely accessible. For more information, visit www.innoventbio.com, or follow Innovent on Facebook and LinkedIn. Statement: Innovent does not recommend the use of any unapproved drug (s)/indication (s). Forward-looking statement This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Innovent Biologics ("Innovent"), are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly. These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections and understandings of the management of the Company with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, the Company's competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions. The Company, the Directors and the employees of the Company assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained in this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialise or turn out to be incorrect. SOURCE Innovent Biologics Three-time World Music Award winner Elissa and LAU alumnus, Synopsys CEO Sassine Ghazi will each be honored at the October 3 event. NEW YORK, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lebanese American University (LAU) today announced global pop icon and women's advocate Elissa and Synopsys CEO and LAU alumnus Sassine Ghazi will receive one of the university's highest honors at an event that marks the university's 100th anniversary and raises funds for student scholarships, research, and patient care. "The Centennial Gala: A Tribute to the Past, A Promise for the Future" is scheduled to take place on October 3 at the historic Stephen A. Schwarzman Building of the New York Public Library. LAU Gala Graphic Elissa has sold over 30 million albums to date and amassed over 60 million social media followers and 4.5 billion views on YouTube. She is a powerful advocate for women's causes, notably breast cancer awareness and domestic violence prevention. Sassine Ghazi is CEO and President of Synopsys, a global technology company based in Silicon Valley that specializes in silicon to systems design solutions. Ghazi's leadership contributed to record revenue growth at Synopsys, now with a market cap of over $80 billion. He graduated from LAU with a business degree in 1991 and advocates for STEM education. "We look forward to honoring these esteemed individuals for excellence in their careers and servant leadership that reflect the core values of LAU," stated Gala Co-Chairs, H.H. Sheikha Intisar Al Sabah and Mr. Peter Tanous. "The Centennial Gala represents joy and our renewed purpose as alumni and friends come together to support this beloved university." The Sarah Huntington Smith Award is named for an American missionary who founded a school for women in Beirut in the 1800s, to which LAU traces its roots. Today, the university is co-educational, with nearly 9,000 students, campuses in Beirut and Byblos, Lebanon, and a U.S.-accredited branch campus in New York, in Midtown Manhattan. "Because of this event, more students experiencing dire economic circumstances in Lebanon will attend LAU, innovative research will continue, and citizens will receive life-saving medical care," said Rima Zaitoon, who serves as Vice President for Global Advancement and oversees the event. This will be the first public event for the university's 10th president, Dr. Chaouki Abdallah, who assumes the presidency on October 1. Gala tickets and information can be found on the Gala Website. SOURCE Lebanese American University LG Chem announces full-scale operation of customer solution (CS) center in Ohio , U.S., spanning 8,300 square meters over three floors LG Chem plans to expand and strengthen its presence in North America through synergies with its ABS compounds plants in Ohio SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Chem announced today that it has inaugurated a new customer solution (CS) center dedicated to providing personalized support to its customers across North America. Located in the city of Ravenna, Ohio, the new CS center will stand as a specialized organization offering comprehensive technical solutions for product development, quality improvement and productivity enhancement for LG Chem's customers and suppliers. The grand opening ceremony was attended by key executives including Noh Kug-Lae, Head of Petrochemicals at LG Chem, and Frank Seman, Mayor of Ravenna. "We believe our customers are at the core of our business," said Shin Hak-Cheol, CEO of LG Chem, in his prepared congratulatory message. "We are committed to improving, inspiring and transforming the lives of our customers in every possible way." LG Chem has been constructing this center since September 2021 with an investment of approximately KRW 70 billion. The three-story building spans around 8,300 square meters and is equipped with mass-production extrusion and injection machinery. With the completion of the center, LG Chem plans to strengthen its presence in the North American market through synergies with its acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) compound plant, which began full-scale operation in Ohio in May. The North American market, which accounts for 10 percent of global ABS demand, has a low self-sufficiency rate and a strong preference for local companies and products. In particular, due to growth in the automotive and building materials industries, there is a steadily increasing demand for high-value ABS, known for its exceptional heat and weather resistance. Ohio's excellent advantages in logistics and transportation and proximity to LG Chem's major ABS customers make it a strategically favorable location for LG Chem to expand its presence in the North American region and strengthen its customer responsiveness. LG Chem is now operating CS centers across four countries/regions: Korea (Osan), China (Huadong, Huainan), Europe (Germany), and the U.S. (Ohio). About LG Chem LG Chem is a leading global chemical company with a diversified business portfolio in the key areas of petrochemicals, advanced materials, and life sciences. The company manufactures a wide range of products from high-value added petrochemicals to renewable plastics, specializing in cutting-edge electronic and battery materials, as well as drugs and vaccines to deliver differentiated solutions for its customers. LG Chem is committed to reaching carbon-neutral growth by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050 by managing the impacts of climate change and making positive contributions to society through renewable energy and responsible supply chains. Headquartered in Seoul, Korea, LG Chem has multiple operation sites worldwide and generated consolidated revenue of KRW 55.2 trillion (USD 41.6billion) in 2023. For more information, please visit www.lgchem.com. For media enquiries, please contact: Son Junil [email protected] Liz Choi [email protected] SOURCE LG Chem SOUTH JORDAN, Utah and RESTON, Va., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lucid Software , the leader in visual collaboration software and Carahsoft Technology Corp., The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, today announced that Carahsoft has added Lucid's Enterprise and FedRAMP Authorized offerings to its GSA (General Services Administration) Schedule enabling Federal, State and Local Government agencies to easily leverage Lucid's intelligent diagramming, virtual whiteboard and cloud visualization products to further enhance secure collaboration and drive innovation. "Lucid's addition to Carahsoft's GSA Schedule contract underscores our commitment to supporting Public Sector agencies as they look to digitally transform their operations," said Chris Weber, Head of Public Sector at Lucid Software. "This contract is a significant step for Lucid, allowing agencies to streamline the procurement process so they can quickly and efficiently access our solutions to align, collaborate and plan mission-critical initiatives more securely." The Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite is an innovative cloud-based solution that elevates team collaboration in the Public Sector through virtual whiteboarding with Lucidspark and intelligent diagramming with Lucidchart as they ideate, plan and execute mission critical initiatives. Teams looking to understand their cloud environments can do so through cloud visualization with Lucidscale . Lucid serves Government agencies across all 50 U.S. states, supporting digital transformation by enabling teams to streamline collaboration and align more efficiently on a secure visual platform. "To meet the mandatory security standards for cloud procurement, our Government customers depend on FedRAMP authorization to access secure and compliant services," said Drew Scherer, Program Manager for FedRAMP Initiatives at Carahsoft. "Lucid's FedRAMP authorization ensures that Government customers can deploy their solutions securely, comply with rigorous standards, and leverage reuse authorizations to accelerate deployment speed. This allows agencies to meet their mission goals more efficiently and with greater confidence in their security posture, supported by our reseller partners who play a key role in delivering these solutions." Lucid Enterprise and FedRAMP Authorized offerings are available through Carahsoft's GSA Schedule No. 47QSWA18D008F, SEWP V contracts NNG15SC03B and NNG15SC27B, SEWP V contracts NNG15SC03B and NNG15SC27B, OMNIA Partners Contract #R191902, E&I Contract #EI00063~2021MA and The Quilt Master Service Agreement Number MSA05012019-F. For more information contact the Carahsoft team at (571) 662-3405 or [email protected] ; or visit lucid.co/solutions/government . About Lucid Software Lucid Software is the leader in visual collaboration, helping teams see and build the future from idea to reality. With its products Lucidchart , Lucidspark , and Lucidscale teams can align around a shared vision, clarify complexity, and collaborate visually, no matter where they're located. Top businesses use Lucid's products all around the world, including customers such as Google, GE and NBC Universal, and 99% of the Fortune 500. Lucid's partners include industry leaders such as Google, Atlassian and Microsoft. Since the company's founding, it has received numerous awards for its products, business and workplace culture. For more information, visit lucid.co . About Carahsoft Carahsoft Technology Corp. is The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, supporting Public Sector organizations across Federal, State and Local Government agencies and Education and Healthcare markets. As the Master Government Aggregator for our vendor partners, we deliver solutions for Collaboration, Cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Experience and Engagement, Open Source and more. Working with resellers, systems integrators and consultants, our sales and marketing teams provide industry leading IT products, services and training through hundreds of contract vehicles. Visit us at www.carahsoft.com . SOURCE Lucid Software Building on the McDonald's Change of Fashion program, the initiative aims to address underrepresentation of Black fashion designers and support Black-owned fashion brands during New York Fashion Week and beyond CHICAGO, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Did you know that only 7.3% of fashion designers in the U.S. are Black? [1] McDonald's USA understands the significance of this issue and has called for change through its Black & Positively Golden (B&PG) Change of Fashion program, an initiative that pairs five rising Black designers with five fashion industry insiders for career-shifting mentorship and more. The Golden Arches is now doubling down on the cause by bringing Change of Fashion to one of the industry's biggest stages, New York Fashion Week (NYFW). The fashion industry and fans nationwide are invited to Show Up and Show Out in Black-owned brands by supporting and shopping Black fashion designers during the month of September and beyond. "Having witnessed the challenges and underrepresentation that Black designers face in the fashion industry, I am thrilled to advocate for their incredible talent through McDonald's Black & Positively Golden Change of Fashion program," said journalist, NYT bestselling author, TV host and founder for the birthFUND, Elaine Welteroth. "During New York Fashion Week, a highly coveted time on the fashion calendar, I look forward to seeing fans join the Show Up and Show Out in Black movement by using their style and platforms to support Black designers. It's time to celebrate the community's contributions and drive meaningful change towards a more inclusive fashion industry." Join the "Show Up and Show Out in Black" Initiative In partnership with Black Owned Everything an organization on a mission to elevate the visibility of Black-owned brands McDonald's invites fans to shop the collections of the Change of Fashion designers and raise awareness of underrepresentation in the fashion industry by donning a "Show Up and Show Out" badge. Fans can earn a badge in three different ways, while supplies last: Make a purchase in support of Black designers, including the five Change of Fashion designers, on BlackOwnedEverything.co Request a physical badge, free of charge, at ChangeofFashion.com Download a digital badge at ChangeofFashion.com, or through the Black Owned Everything site Anyone can join the movement on social by posting a photo or video featuring a favorite look from a Black fashion designer and tagging @WeAreGolden and @BlackOwnedEverything. "It's time for the industry to shine a light and pay homage to the incredible creativity, tenacity and accomplishments of Black fashion designers," said Black Owned Everything founder, Zerina Akers. "Black Owned Everything is proud to champion McDonald's Show Up and Show Out in Black movement in celebration of Black-owned businesses, community, and inclusion." McDonald's USA at New York Fashion Week 2024 The Golden Arches welcomes fans to join McDonald's experiences throughout New York Fashion Week, which will feature pop-up shopping experiences, thought-provoking panel conversations led by industry mavens, and more: September 8, 2024| McDonald's In-store Designer Meet & Greet | 1528 Broadway (Times Square), New York, NY , 10036 | TIME: 3PM 5PM ET McDonald's In-store Designer Meet & Greet | 1528 Broadway (Times Square), , 10036 | TIME: September 10, 2024 | McDonald's Change of Fashion State of Fashion Symposium | Moonlight Studios, 330 Hudson Street, New York, NY Since McDonald's launched the B&PG Change of Fashion program, designers have received funding, participated in career-impacting mentorship sessions and have seen their brands elevated on big cultural stages including the BET Awards and Essence Festival of Culture. To further empower Black fashion designers, both emerging and established, McDonald's joins forces with luxury design house LaQuan Smith to deliver industry mentorship to the Change of Fashion designers during New York Fashion Week. To learn more about the program, and the Change of Fashion designers Shareef Mosby, Nia Thomas, Durrell Dupard, Larissa Muehleder and Heart Roberts at NYFW and beyond, visit ChangeofFashion.com, or follow their journeys on Instagram @wearegolden. About McDonald's USA McDonald's USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald's approximately 13,500 U.S. restaurants are owned and operated by independent business owners. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcdonalds. Reference 1 Per Zippia, as of 2021 SOURCE McDonald's USA JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Merritt Properties is excited to announce the acquisition of an existing five-building industrial park located at 5022 Gate Parkway in Jacksonville, Florida. Formerly known as The Meridian at Deerwood, the newly acquired property has been renamed Merritt at Gate Parkway. This strategically located site, in the heart of St. Johns Town Center, offers unparalleled access directly off the J. Turner Butler Boulevard on Gate Parkway in Duval County. Merritt Properties acquires five-building development in Jacksonville Spanning 200,000 square feet of light industrial space across five buildings, Merritt at Gate Parkway offers immediate leasing opportunities with spaces starting at 3,500 square feet. Zoned as Industrial Business Park (IBP), the site offers 14-foot clear heights and ample parking, providing flexible industrial space for a variety of businesses. At the time of the acquisition, the Southside Duval County submarket reported a light industrial vacancy rate of less than three percent. Previously, the development had transitioned to a single-story office layout, but with increasing demand for small-bay light industrial spaces, Merritt Properties identified a prime opportunity to convert the property to Class A light industrial use. Plans are already underway to enhance the property by installing drive-in docks and further upgrading the facilities to meet modern industrial standards. Merritt at Gate Parkway is home to established tenants, including DB Structured Products and MMI. "With its prime location, we are thrilled to expand our light industrial presence in Jacksonville with the acquisition of Merritt at Gate Parkway, which underscores our ongoing commitment to providing quality industrial spaces in key markets," said Pat Franklin of Merritt Properties. "We are dedicated to enhancing the park's infrastructure to ensure that both current and future tenants benefit from a premier industrial environment." Gary Swatko of Merritt Properties highlighted the significance of the site's redevelopment potential, "Merritt at Gate Parkway represents a tremendous opportunity for us to restore top-tier industrial space in a high-demand area. The potential for redevelopment is vast, and we're eager to transform this site into a modern, thriving industrial hub. This acquisition is a key component of our strategy to support Jacksonville's economic growth by providing the essential infrastructure businesses need to succeed." This acquisition marks a significant step in Merritt Properties' broader expansion in Jacksonville, where the company already owns and operates Imeson Landing Business Park, another five-building industrial park. Plans are underway to expand Imeson Landing with three additional buildings. Additionally, Merritt Properties owns land in Clay County for the future development of Oakleaf Commerce Center and acquired Magnolia Park, a three-building business park, during its initial expansion into Jacksonville in 2021. Merritt holdings in Jacksonville now exceeds 500,000 square feet of light industrial in just two years of being in the market. For leasing inquiries or more information about Merritt at Gate Parkway, please visit www.merritt-gateparkway.com. About Merritt Properties Established in 1967, Merritt Properties is a full-service commercial real estate firm with over 21 million square feet of office, warehouse, industrial, retail and build-to-suit throughout Maryland, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia. Our company is committed to "Creating Homes for Businesses" and providing the highest quality service to our customers. Merritt is unique in that we build for the long-term and manage all of our properties internally. Therefore, we value trust, integrity, respect, and lasting relationships over short-term gain. And, because every Merritt employee is also an owner of the company, we each have a vested interest in the success of our customers. That's why we are responsive and committed to honest and fair business dealings that grow customer relationships into long-term partnerships. For more information, visit www.merrittproperties.com. SOURCE Merritt Properties, LLC The Santa Monica store, encompassing over 3,700 square feet marks the latest chapter in MINISO's U.S. expansion. This year alone, MINISO has opened numerous new stores in key locations across the country, including Times Square and Tangram in New York, and at the American Dream Mall in New Jersey, reinforcing its strategic focus on building a strong and widespread presence in the world's largest consumer market. The brand's ability to resonate with American consumers is evident in the continued success of its new store launches, each of which has been met with an enthusiastic reception. The new store's limited-time storefront design, featuring Disney's Stitch in a bespoke beach style, creates a vibrant and engaging atmosphere to attract a diverse range of customers. Inside, the store features dedicated zones showcasing a wide range of MINISO's collaborations with globally popular IPs, including beloved characters from Disney, Sanrio's Kuromi and Hello Kitty, to Minions, BT21, Care Bears, and more. These curated IP zones create a unique and immersive environment that strengthens the emotional connection between the brand and its consumers. MINISO's strategic use of popular global IPs continues to drive its success in the U.S. market. By tapping into the cultural significance of celebrated characters, MINISO can create meaningful connections with consumers, engaging them in ongoing dialogues fueled by the ever-growing popularity of these IPs. This strategy not only attracts loyal fans but also introduces the brand to new audiences, broadening its appeal and reach. In addition to the IP zones, the grand opening in Santa Monica also featured the debut of the exclusive Disney Stamp blind box series. These new product lines reflect MINISO's commitment to offering well-designed and diverse products that cater to the evolving tastes of its customers. The launch of these collections was a highlight of the event, drawing attention from store visitors while showcasing MINISO's reputation for innovation and quality. As part of the store opening celebration, MINISO offered special rewards and giveaways, including limited-edition Santa Monica-themed shopping bags. These initiatives are part of the brand's broader strategy to engage with its consumers on a deeper level, turning each store visit into an opportunity for discovery and delight. The opening of the Santa Monica store is a testament to MINISO's unwavering dedication to expanding its presence in the United States. With 200 stores now established across North America, including prominent locations in over 20 U.S. states and key spots, MINISO continues to make significant strides in the U.S. market. This ongoing expansion is central to the brand's strategy to enhance its influence and maintain its position as a leading global lifestyle brand offering a variety of design-led lifestyle products. About MINISO MINISO Group is a global lifestyle brand offering a variety of trendy lifestyle products featuring IP design. The Company serves consumers primarily through its large network of MINISO stores, and promotes a relaxing, treasure-hunting and engaging shopping experience full of delightful surprises that appeals to all demographics. Aesthetically pleasing design, quality and affordability are at the core of every product in MINISO's wide product portfolio, and the Company continually and frequently rolls out products with these qualities. Since the opening of its first store in China in 2013, the Company has built its flagship brand "MINISO" as a globally recognized retail brand and established a massive store network worldwide. SOURCE MINISO WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED Leading Pest Control Company Urges Mosquito Prevention Amidst New EEE Case VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mosquito Joe, a Neighborly company, is encouraging homeowners to take immediate action against mosquitoes after The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported its first human case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a rare but potentially fatal disease. Health officials are raising concerns over the threat posed by this mosquito-borne disease as this latest case marks the third human instance of EEE in the U.S. this year, with New Jersey and Vermont reporting one case each earlier this month. Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is caused by a virus found in North America and the Caribbean. The virus circulates between mosquitoes and birds typically found in freshwater swamp environments, with humans and horses being the incidental hosts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Humans and horses do not risk spreading the virus to others as they are both "dead-end" hosts. The disease is rare, with only a few human cases reported annually, but it is very serious. Symptoms range from fever, chills and body aches, to neurological diseases, such as meningitis and encephalitis. The CDC states about 30% of cases result in death. There are currently no vaccines or specific treatments available. "Although EEE is rare, even a few cases are alarming," said David Price, A.C.E., Urban Entomologist at Mosquito Joe, a Neighborly company. "It's essential that we all take preventive measures to protect ourselves and our families through proper mosquito control and other pest spreading diseases. Our focus at Mosquito Joe is on delivering effective solutions and raising awareness to help reduce any risk, especially as families continue to enjoy outdoor activities this summer." EEE is one of several dangerous mosquito-borne illnesses, with the West Nile Virus and Dengue Fever also posing significant concerns in the United States. Mosquito Joe strives to help homeowners mitigate the risk of these diseases, offering the following essential tips to minimize mosquito populations: Eliminate Standing Water: Regularly empty containers like flowerpots, watering cans, and buckets, which can become mosquito breeding grounds. Store outdoor items that collect rainwater in covered areas or position them upside-down. Wear Protective Clothing Outside: Wear long sleeves, pants, and socks during evening hours. Light-colored, loose-fitting clothing is advisable for comfort and visibility. Use Effective Repellents: Apply mosquito repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or other EPA-approved ingredients. Protect infants and young children with mosquito netting or screens. Use Outdoor Fans: Mosquitoes struggle to fly in windy conditions. Setting up outdoor fans can create a breeze that deters these pests from infesting your space. Maintain Your Yard and Pools: Keep your lawn mowed and debris-free, as tall grass and leaf piles can harbor mosquitos. Ensure swimming pools are clean, well-circulated, and covered when not in use. Install Screens for Your Windows and Doors: Fit screens on all open windows and doors to prevent mosquitos and other pests from entering your home. Seek Professional Assistance: If you're worried about a mosquito or other pest infestations, consider hiring a professional pest control company, like Mosquito Joe, to eliminate the bugs from the yard. For more information about Mosquito Joe and mosquito and other pest-preventive measures, visit MosquitoJoe.com. About Mosquito Joe: Dedicated to making outside fun again by eliminating mosquitoes, ticks, and exterior pests from customer's yards and preventing them from invading inside their homes, Mosquito Joe, a Neighborly company, is a leader in the outdoor pest control industry. The brand was founded in 2010 and has since expanded to more than 400 locations throughout the U.S. Acquired in 2018, Mosquito Joe is part of Neighborly, the world's largest home services company with more than 30 brands and 5,500 franchises collectively serving 14 million+ customers in six countries, focused on repairing, maintaining, and enhancing homes and businesses. Through Neighborly.com and the Neighborly mobile app, Neighborly connects consumers to local service providers that meet rigorous franchisor standards across 19 service categories. For more information about Mosquito Joe, visit www.MosquitoJoe.com. To learn about franchising opportunities with Neighborly, click here. Media Contact: Bridget Roberts, Fishman Public Relations, 847-945-1300, [email protected] SOURCE Mosquito Joe WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new set of NASA science experiments and technology demonstrations will arrive at the lunar South Pole in 2027 following the agency's latest CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative delivery award. Intuitive Machines of Houston will receive $116.9 million to deliver six NASA payloads to a part of the Moon where nighttime temperatures are frigid, the terrain is rugged, and the permanently shadowed regions could help reveal the origin of water throughout our solar system. An artist's concept of Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lunar lander on the Moon's South Pole. Credit: Intuitive Machines Part of the agency's broader Artemis campaign, CLPS aims to conduct science on the Moon for the benefit of all, including experiments and demos that support missions with crew on the lunar surface. "This marks the 10th CLPS delivery NASA has awarded, and the fourth planned for delivery to the South Pole of the Moon," said Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington. "By supporting a robust cadence of CLPS flights to a variety of locations on the lunar surface, including two flights currently planned by companies for later this year, NASA will explore more of the Moon than ever before." NASA has awarded Intuitive Machine's four task orders. The company delivered six NASA payloads to Malapert A in the South Pole region of the Moon in early 2024. With this lunar South Pole delivery, Intuitive Machines will be responsible for payload integration, launch from Earth, safe landing on the Moon, and mission operations. "The instruments on this newly awarded flight will help us achieve multiple scientific objectives and strengthen our understanding of the Moon's environment," said Chris Culbert, manager of the CLPS initiative at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "For example, they'll help answer key questions about where volatiles such as water, ice, or gas are found on the lunar surface and measure radiation in the South Pole region, which could advance our exploration efforts on the Moon and help us with continued exploration of Mars." The instruments, collectively expected to be about 174 pounds (79 kilograms) in mass, include: The Lunar Explorer Instrument for Space Biology Applications will deliver yeast to the lunar surface and study its response to radiation and lunar gravity. The payload is managed by NASA's Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, California . . Package for Resource Observation and In-Situ Prospecting for Exploration, Characterization and Testing is a suite of instruments that will drill down to 3.3 feet (1 meter) beneath the lunar surface, extract samples, and process them in-situ in a miniaturized laboratory, to identify possible volatiles (water, ice, or gas) trapped at extremely cold temperatures under the surface. This suite is led by ESA (European Space Agency). The Laser Retroreflector Array is a collection of eight retroreflectors that will enable lasers to precisely measure the distance between a spacecraft and the reflector on the lander. The array is a passive optical instrument and will function as a permanent location marker on the Moon for decades to come. The retroflector array is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland . . The Surface Exosphere Alterations by Landers will investigate the chemical response of lunar regolith to the thermal, physical, and chemical disturbances generated during a landing, and evaluate contaminants injected into the regolith by the lander. It will give insight into how a spacecraft landing might affect the composition of samples collected nearby. This payload is managed by NASA Goddard. The Fluxgate Magnetometer will characterize certain magnetic fields to improve the understanding of energy and particle pathways at the lunar surface and is managed by NASA Goddard. The Lunar Compact Infrared Imaging System will deploy a radiometer a device that measures infrared wavelengths of light to explore the Moon's surface composition, map its surface temperature distribution, and demonstrate the instrument's feasibility for future lunar resource utilization activities. The imaging system is managed by the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado at Boulder . Under CLPS, multiple commercial deliveries to different geographic regions will help NASA conduct science and continue working toward a long-term human presence on the Moon. Future deliveries will include sophisticated science experiments, and technology demonstrations as part of the agency's Artemis campaign. Two upcoming CLPS flights slated to launch near the end of 2024 will deliver NASA payloads to the Moon's nearside and South Pole, including the Intuitive Machines-2 delivery of NASA's first on-site demonstration of searching for water and other chemical compounds 3.3 feet below the surface of the Moon, using a drill and mass spectrometer. Learn more about CLPS and Artemis at: https://www.nasa.gov/clps SOURCE NASA $1.25 Million Grant Will Benefit San Diego Youth, Create National Model SAN DIEGO, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) has been awarded a $1.25 million, two-year grant from the Conrad Prebys Foundation for its transformational work to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline. The funding will enable NCRC to scale its school intervention and Thrive programs, with the goal of increasing connection, accountability, and prospects for success among San Diego youth. The two initiatives build on NCRC's decade-long collaborations with school districts, community organizations, and governmental partners to change the way we think about and deal with student misbehavior. The work of NCRC's the school intervention and the Thrive initiative are both anchored in restorative justice practices, interventions that are used in schools in response to incidents of student isolation and bullying; and in the Juvenile Diversion Initiative (JDI), a pioneering alternative to prosecution when young people are arrested. NCRC developed and administers the JDI on behalf of the San Diego County District Attorney's Office. Background The collaborators supporting this project include: NCRC, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, San Diego County Office of Education Superintendent Dr. Gloria E. Ciriza, and Prebys Foundation who all share the values and vision driving this initiative: Value of Young People: Young people are bright, creative, innovators, and the future of our communities and our prosperous economy. They deserve all our support and opportunities to thrive. Young people are bright, creative, innovators, and the future of our communities and our prosperous economy. They deserve all our support and opportunities to thrive. Removing Barriers : Youth growth and potential are often disrupted by punitive practices in schools and in the community, which can lead them down the path to incarceration. : Youth growth and potential are often disrupted by punitive practices in schools and in the community, which can lead them down the path to incarceration. Providing Effective Alternatives: NCRC develops alternatives to incarceration that keep youth in schools and in their communities where they belong, where they can grow, and prosper. In partnership with the Prebys Foundation, NCRC will be able to expand its programs to ensure more youth are on track to live their lives to their fullest potential. What Collaborators are Saying: "NCRC is building the nation's largest system for disrupting the pipeline to prison," says Summer Stephan, San Diego County District Attorney. "Their groundbreaking approach engages all stakeholders who are interested in youth outcomes, starting in schools." Steven Dinkin, NCRC president, believes a comprehensive solution is needed to ensure that young people thrive, well into adulthood. Dinkin says, "We are grateful to the Prebys Foundation for their tremendous show of confidence in our work. With their support, we will build a model that can be replicated across the country." "The young generation is our most valuable resource. Investing time in guiding them towards decisions that open up future prospects is key to our collective prosperity," said Grant Oliphant, CEO of Prebys Foundation. "When youth have a sense of purpose, feel like they belong, and have real opportunity grounded in community, we know young people will grow and thrive. We express our gratitude to NCRC for their foresight and guidance in ensuring that our future is entrusted to competent, nurtured, and innovative individuals." NCRC will use the funding to hire additional case managers; recruit new direct service community partners; and enhance program evaluation efforts. More schools and students will be served through NCRC's partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE). Dr. Gloria E. Ciriza, San Diego County superintendent of schools, believes that students have a key role to play to ensure an end to bullying. As engaged citizens, young people have an opportunity to transform from being bystanders to becoming upstanders, advocating for and normalizing care and concern for each other. Dr. Ciriza says, "Our schools are uniquely positioned to become places of community transformation and social mobility. It starts with building a sense of belonging among all students, as our work with NCRC will show." In addition, Prebys funding will facilitate expansion of Thrive, a program for youth who have completed the JDI. Participants in Thrive develop new skills to succeed in work and school, with accountability for setting and achieving goals. About National Conflict Resolution Center: Founded in 1983, NCRC empowers individuals, organizations and communities with skills and resources to address conflict, intolerance and incivility. NCRC works across society and across the globe, training tens of thousands of people each year in workplaces, government agencies, schools, and universities. True to its roots in mediation, NCRC believes participation in the process gives a stake in the outcome a principal that underpins all of NCRC's work. To learn more, visit NCRConline.com. About Prebys Foundation: Prebys Foundation is the largest independent private foundation in San Diego County, a unique tri-national area encompassing communities from San Diego, Tijuana, and the Kumeyaay Nation. The foundation works to create an inclusive, equitable, and dynamic future for all San Diegans. Prebys advances excellence and shared opportunity through investments in groundbreaking institutions, ideas, and people to ensure more people in the region are financially secure, healthy, empowered, and connected. For more information about the Prebys Foundation, visit prebysfdn.org. SOURCE The Conrad Prebys Foundation American Heart Association and Medical City Healthcare, supported by the HCA Healthcare Foundation, help establish pantry, promote nutrition access FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Heart Association and Medical City Healthcare, supported by the HCA Healthcare Foundation, are helping the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) enhance nutritional security. Serving the needs of students, families, and the surrounding community, a new food pantry is open at the district's Cesar Chavez Elementary School in north Fort Worth. Ribbon cutting marks the opening of the new food pantry in a Fort Worth elementary school. From Left to Right: Roxanne Martinez (FWISD School Board Trustee and President), Dr. Joseph Parra (CMO, Medical City Healthcare), Jenny Eyer (VP of Health Strategies), Dr. Angelica M. Ramsey (FWISD Superintendent), Monica Ordaz (Cesar Chavez Elementary School Principal), Hilda Colunga (Community Impact Director), John Hoover (CEO, Medical City Fort Worth), Viviana Mendez (Manger, Ready to Learn, TAFB) The new food pantry opened August 28th and operates on a "self-select" basis, providing a dignified shopping experience where families can make personal nutrition choices that work best for their households. Essential resources to open the pantry were provided through the American Heart Association's Getting to the Heart of Stroke initiative, an ongoing partnership with Medical City Healthcare, supported by the HCA Healthcare Foundation. The initiative aims to improve heart health and beat stroke including advancing nutrition for a healthy heart. The organizations partnered to provide all the necessary equipment for the new pantry, which students have named "Chavez Pick & Pack." The equipment included shelving, refrigeration units, worktables, baskets and mobile carts. In addition, Medical City Healthcare colleagues will volunteer to assist with the pantry. "We are proud to work with the American Heart Association to help ensure a consistent supply of nutritious foods that can lead to healthier tomorrows for North Texas children and families," says Joseph Parra, MD, chief medical officer of Medical City Healthcare and a member of the Tarrant County American Heart Association board of directors. "We know that proper nutrition is essential for good health." Students at 40 elementary schools across the district learn to select healthy foods and beverages as part of their annual participation in the American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge. This school is located in Fort Worth's 76106 zip code, where approximately 94% of the school's students are economically disadvantaged. A lack of food accessibility, availability and affordability makes it harder for people in historically under-resourced areas, such as in the Cesar Chavez Elementary community, to access nutritious foods that help prevent chronic diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes all of which can contribute to stroke. The new pantry will implement an organizational nutrition policy based on the American Heart Association's food and beverage guidelines that promote healthy standards and guide the donation of items to meet these standards. Additionally, the pantry will follow the Healthy Eating Research (HER) guidelines to promote healthy choices, encouraging the consumption of foods labeled as "choose often" and reducing the distribution of foods labeled as "choose rarely." "Every day I see amazing families committed to seeing their children get a great start in life, but they struggle putting nutritious foods on the table. The ability of our students to thrive should not be hindered by a lack of nutrition access in our neighborhood. Cesar Chavez Elementary is proud to continue our support of the community with this amazing new pantry and we hope others in North Texas see what is possible and are motivated to act," said Cesar Chavez Elementary Principal, Ms. Monica Ordaz. Other Cesar Chavez pantry initiative partners include FWISD Parent Partnerships, school personnel and the Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB). To ensure sustainable success of the pantry and understanding the importance of the non-English speaking population (66%), Chavez Pick & Pack will have bilingual support on-site pantry leaders who received training from TAFB. Currently, the pantry is open every second and fourth Thursday afternoon by appointment. Local food pantry programs are just one way the American Heart Association is working to help people have access to foods that can lead to living longer, healthier lives. In addition, the Association advocates for better food policies, including ensuring strong nutrition standards for school meals and ensuring all students have access to those meals. The Association's local team continues to replicate community solutions like this around the Dallas and Fort Worth area. Organizations looking to connect with the American Heart Association's team in North Texas can contact Jenny Ever, VP of Health Strategies via email at [email protected], and can follow on social media using @AmericanHeartTX on social IG, FB, and X. Medical City Healthcare also supports nutrition access through its annual Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrows food drive. In 2024, the health system and its colleagues provided more than 140,000 meals to hungry families through 17 food banks and pantries. In addition, Medical City Children's Hospital's kids teaching kids Healthy Lifestyles Program offers nutrition education and resources to 20,000+ students and families in 17 North Texas school districts to improve wellness and eating habits. About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public's health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 -- our Centennial year -- we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. Multimedia available on the right column of the main release link - https://newsroom.heart.org/local-news/new-food-pantry-opens-at-fort-worths-cesar-chavez-elementary For Media Inquiries: Lindsey Lyons Jones: (214) 441-4114; [email protected] For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) heart.org and stroke.org About Medical City Healthcare Committed to the care and improvement of human life, Medical City Healthcare strives to deliver excellence always, providing high-quality healthcare in the communities it serves. With the resources and strength of HCA Healthcare, the nation's leading provider of quality healthcare services with 185 hospitals in the United States and England, Medical City Healthcare is one of the North Texas region's largest and most comprehensive healthcare providers. It includes 21 hospitals with 4,086 licensed beds, more than 5,500 active physicians, 7,400 nurses, 18,600 employees, 15 ambulatory surgery centers, 8 off-campus emergency rooms and 57 CareNow Urgent Care clinics. Three Medical City Healthcare hospitals are accredited comprehensive stroke centers and 6 hold prestigious Magnet Recognized designations on 10 campuses from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Follow us on Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn For Media Inquiries: Janet St. James [email protected] 817-715-9868 mobile SOURCE American Heart Association Colossal's Fab Over 40 is back and bigger than ever! Registration is now open for the competition, welcoming women over 40 to participate. PHOENIX, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Colossal is thrilled to announce that registration for the 2024 Fab Over 40 competition is officially open. This year's competition promises to be the most exciting yet, offering an extraordinary opportunity for one fabulous woman over 40 to grace the cover of NewBeauty magazine, enjoy a luxury spa-cation, and take home a grand prize of $40,000. "For the first time ever, NewBeauty is featuring one of our readers on the cover." Mike Glaicar, NewBeauty CEO. Post this Catch a glimpse of the 2023 Fab Over 40 champion, Gina De Simone's, grand prize experience. This year, you could be on the COVER of NewBeauty magazine. Colossal's Fab Over 40 competition has raised over $18 million for NBCF since 2022 "For the past 20 years, NewBeauty's covers have featured some of the world's most influential and iconic celebrities. While our covers are always stunning, the stories behind the images make NewBeauty so unique. For the first time ever, NewBeauty is featuring one of our readers on the cover, putting the winner of the Fab Over 40 competition front and center. The story of how she focuses on self-care, wellness, and beauty will fill the cover story in NewBeauty's winter issue, hitting newsstands in early 2025. This coverage is unprecedented in the beauty space and will be life-changing for the deserving winner we can't wait to further support her in any way we can," said Mike Glaicar, CEO of NewBeauty magazine. The opportunity to be featured on the cover of NewBeauty is monumental. This is not just a magazine cover; it's a life-changing platform that will elevate the winner's story to new heights, inspiring women everywhere. AGE IS JUST A NUMBER; FABULOUS IS A FEELING The Fab Over 40 competition is more than just a competition it's a celebration of women over 40 who are living their best lives and inspiring others to do the same. From past champions like Gina De Simone, a licensed psychologist thriving at 43, to April Wilcox, an aesthetics nurse on a mission to help women feel beautiful at any age, the competition has highlighted incredible women who prove that age is just a number. WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN This year's competition will once again bring together thousands of amazing women over 40, united by a shared commitment to self-love, wellness, and philanthropy. Through this competition, Colossal has raised over $18.1 million since 2022 proudly benefiting the National Breast Cancer Foundation and is one of the foundation's biggest supporters, raising donations to fund critical services like early detection, education, and support for those affected by breast cancer. Through this partnership, Colossal and the Fab Over 40 competitors and supporters have helped NBCF provide over 400,000 women access to life-saving breast cancer screenings, breast health education, and patient support services so that no one faces breast cancer alone. FAB OVER 40 HOSTS Guiding this year's competitors is the fabulous Cathy Rankin, a firecracker and icon who will serve as the host. And making a special guest appearance is the stunning and philanthropic Dolores Catania, one of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Catania is the epitome of fabulous over 40, and her presence will undoubtedly inspire and uplift all who participate. This is your chance to flaunt what you've got and join the ranks of incredible women who have embraced their fabulousness. Whether it's the opportunity to be featured on the cover of NewBeauty, the $40,000 prize, or the luxurious spa-cation, the Fab Over 40 competition is the ultimate celebration of the beauty, wisdom, and power of women over 40. Fab Over 40 is sponsored by TestTube, NewBeauty's editor-curated subscription box, and BeautyPass, an invite-only free membership that provides exclusive offers, gifts, and access to VIP events for its members. HOW TO REGISTER Registration for the 2024 Fab Over 40 competition is now open! Don't miss your chance to be part of something extraordinary. Visit Fab Over 40's website to learn more and register today. ABOUT COLOSSAL Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like Fab Over 40, participants have the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact. Colossal competitions serve as fundraising campaigns for DTCare, a United States 501(c)(3) public charity organization, which then grants donation funds to specified charities at the completion of the competitions. Learn more at colossal.org. MEDIA CONTACT Anne-Marie Pritchett, Colossal, (602) 633-4163, [email protected], colossal.org SOURCE Colossal Management BEIJING, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from Beijing Review: In 2019, Xizang Autonomous Region bid farewell to absolute poverty, 60 years after its people emerged from the shackles of serfdom. Now, the region, which used to have the highest poverty rate in China, is progressing toward a more affluent, modernized society. The transformation of Xizang, or Tibet, is partly due to assistance from more developed parts of the country. Chen Renjie, a state-owned enterprise employee on an assistance mission to Xizang Autonomous Region, poses with students at Maryo Township Elementary School in Xainza County in September 2012 (COURTESY PHOTO) Thirty years ago, the Central Government made a historic decision to galvanize national support for Xizang. The region's underdevelopment can largely be attributed to its harsh natural conditions. Perched on the world's Third Pole, it has an average altitude of more than 4,000 meters and its air has 40 percent less oxygen than at sea level. Covering an area of 1.2 million square km, about one eighth of China's total land area, Xizang is China's second largest provincial-level administrative region after Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to its north. Nevertheless, it has a population of roughly 3.65 million, according to the seventh national census in 2020. Of these plateau residents, Tibetans account for 90 percent, the Han 8 percent, and other ethnic groups such as the Hui, the Monba and the Lhoba 2 percent. Under a what China terms as "pairing-up assistance" policy adopted in 1994, some provincial-level regions, central government agencies, and centrally administered state-owned enterprises have been designated to assist specific areas of Xizang. For instance, Beijing and Jiangsu Province have paired up with Lhasa, Xizang's capital city. At the same time, Shanghai, the provinces of Shandong, Jilin and Heilongjiang, China Baowu Steel Group and chemical firm Sinochem Group are tasked with providing assistance to Xigaze, the second largest city in Xizang. Since 2012, the assistance program has been improved and strengthened. Each year, the 17 provinces and municipalities involved are required to earmark as aid funds 0.1 percent of their general fiscal budgets from the previous year. At least 80 percent of the funds should be spent on projects aimed at improving living standards of farmers and herders. Xizang is industrially underdeveloped, with crop farming and the herding of animals such as yaks, sheep and goats constituting the bulk of its economy. In 2023, the autonomous region registered a GDP growth rate of 9.5 percent year on year, surpassing the national growth of 5.2 percent. The per-capita disposable income of the region's residents rose to 28,983 yuan ($4,071) in 2023 from 8,568 yuan ($1,200) in 2012. Xizang is narrowing its gap with other parts of China in education, healthcare, transportation and many other areas. "I think it's a very important initiative that shows how China pays attention to the underdeveloped regions. It expresses the importance of the unity of the nation in addressing the challenges of poverty and development by making different departments and state-owned companies part of the solution. It also highlights the importance of the allocation of capable human resources in supporting Xizang's development and economic activities," Jose Carlos Feliciano, Deputy Director of the Center for China and Asia-Pacific Studies at Pacific University of Peru, told Beijing Review. He traveled to Xizang in July with a tour agency that arranges eight-day tours, taking visitors to Lhasa, Xigaze and the Mount Qomolangma Base Camp. Pairing-up assistance is one of the methods the Chinese Government has been using to balance development across different regions. The same program is also underway in Xinjiang. It illustrates China's vision of achieving common prosperity by encouraging those who get rich first to help others catch up. The goal is for no one to be left behind. SOURCE Beijing Review COOS BAY, Ore., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ocean Fathoms, the original ocean-aged wine where every bottle becomes One of One, is excited to announce a strategic partnership with the City of Coos Bay, Oregon, to establish its newest state-of-the-art ocean-aged wine cellar in the pristine waters off Oregon's scenic coastline. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the evolution of wine aging, combining the natural beauty and ideal conditions of the Pacific Ocean with Ocean Fathoms' innovative, patented process. Ocean Fathoms: The original ocean-aged wine. What sets Ocean Fathoms apart is not just the unparalleled quality of the wine but the one-of-a-kind experience it offers. As the wine matures beneath the sea, each bottle becomes a unique masterpiece, naturally adorned with gorgeous ocean faunano two bottles are the same, making each one a true "One of One." "Our ocean cellar, permitted and strategically located in Coos Bay, OR, provides the ideal conditions for aging wineperfect temperature, no oxygen, no UV light contamination, depth/pressure, and the constant ocean current slowly churns the wine in each bottle," said Chris Cuvelier, CEO of Ocean Fathoms. "Our patented process generates a galvanic current that interacts with the wine bottles, transforming the wine in ways that traditional cellars simply cannot replicate. When all these elements align, something magical happens." This partnership with the City of Coos Bay represents a beautiful symbiosis with the ocean, exemplifying our commitment to environmental stewardship. We are deeply dedicated to preserving the pristine waters and vibrant marine life of the Pacific. Our entire process has been rigorously tested and refined under the close supervision of Padre & Associates to ensure it meets the highest environmental standards. The journey begins in the rich waters of Coos Bay, Oregon, where the ocean's natural conditions create the ideal environment for our patented ocean-aging process. As the wine rests beneath the waves, it evolves into a refined, smooth, and vibrant wine that any connoisseur would believe had been aging for a decade. "Oregon is rapidly becoming a hub for wine innovation, and Coos Bay area stands at the forefront of this exciting movement," said Mayor Joe Benetti of Coos Bay. "We are delighted to welcome Ocean Fathoms to our area. Their innovative approach to winemaking is a perfect fit for our community, which has long been a gateway for exploration and discovery. This partnership will benefit the city economically and support Coos Bay's area as a leader in the global wine industry." The Port of Coos Bay also recognizes the strategic importance of this partnership. "Ocean Fathoms' decision to establish their ocean wine cellar here underscores the vital role of Coos Bay in both maritime and economic innovation," said Lanelle Comstock, CEO of the Port of Coos Bay. "We are excited about the opportunities this brings for our region and look forward to supporting this groundbreaking venture." State Senator David Brock Smith, a strong advocate for Oregon's agricultural, wine and innovation sectors, also expressed his support. "Oregon has always been at the forefront of innovation, especially in the wine industry. The partnership between Ocean Fathoms and the City of Coos Bay is a shining example of how creative thinking and collaboration can drive economic growth and reinforce our state's position as a leader in the global market. I'm proud to support this initiative and look forward to seeing its success." The Ocean Fathoms ocean-aged wine cellar in Coos Bay, promising to bring a new dimension to wine aging and offering a unique experience to wine enthusiasts and collectors worldwide. For more information about Ocean Fathoms, please visit https://oceanfathoms.com/ . About Ocean Fathoms Ocean Fathoms is the original ocean-aged wine brand, dedicated to creating extraordinary wines through a revolutionary, patented aging process beneath the ocean's surface. We are committed to environmental stewardship and transparency, ensuring that our unique process honors the ocean while delivering exceptional wines that are truly One of One. MEDIA CONTACT: Brittany Hershkowitz [email protected] SOURCE Ocean Fathoms ODEON Tours has relocated to a new headquarters in line with its growth plans in Egypt; Having hosted over 6 million tourists in Egypt over the past 20 years, ODEON Tours aims to further enhance its services with this new office and plans to host 620,000 tourists in Egypt in 2024 ISTANBUL, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Operating under the Coral Travel Group in the field of ground services, ODEON Tours has inaugurated its new office in Egypt, the group's second-largest destination after Turkiye, as part of its growth strategy. As part of this investment, ODEON Tours has moved its existing headquarters in Hurghada to a more modern building, with plans to better serve the growing Egyptian market and expand its operations. Ylmaz Kombak - ODEON Tours Egypt General Manager Egypt Egypt Since the early 2000s, ODEON Tours has established itself as a leading brand in Egypt's tourism sector, with offices in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, a team of around 500 people, and a fleet of over 100 vehicles. Collaborating with over 400 hotel partners and more than 20 local and international airlines, ODEON Tours offers a variety of travel and holiday experiences across Egypt, including Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, the Sinai Peninsula, Cairo, Luxor, Alexandria, and the Northern coast. The company provides its guests with nearly 100 local tour options in these cities. Tours are available year-round in Egypt, a country rich in history and unique nature, offering guests unparalleled experiences, from the blue waters of the Red Sea to the depths of the Sinai desert. "We've established a prestigious position in Egypt." ODEON Tours Egypt General Manager Ylmaz Kombak shared the following about their operations and goals in Egypt: "ODEON Tours started providing destination services in Turkiye in 1992 and today offers accommodation, reception, transfer, guidance, and tour services in 15 countries to tour operators from Turkiye, Egypt, Thailand, UAE, Spain, Greece, Vietnam, and Tunisia. As a company with 20 years of experience in Egypt, we hold a prestigious position here. Since our establishment, we have served over 6 million tourists with superior quality. We have become one of the market-leading companies. With the new initiatives we will undertake at our new office in Hurghada, we aim to host 620,000 tourists in Egypt in 2024." About Coral Travel Group: Since 1992, Coral Travel Group has grown into one of the largest tourism groups in Europe, serving over 3 million tourists annually with 37 companies across 22 countries in tour operations, accommodation, destination services, aviation, travel agency services, information technology, and security. Coral Travel Group operates in various sectors within the tourism industry. In tour operations and sales agency services, it runs the Coral Travel brand in 15 countries. For destination services, ODEON Tours is active in Turkiye, Egypt, Greece, Spain, the UAE, Thailand, Tunisia, and Vietnam. The group manages hotels under Coral Group Hotels (Seven Seas Hotels, Marvida Hotels, Xanadu Resort). Additionally, it operates ODEONBEDS in hotel bed banking, ODEON Software and Technology, and ODEON Security and Consulting. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2490652/Yilmaz_Kombak_ODEON_Tours_Egypt.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2490653/ODEON_Tours_Egypt_1.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2490654/ODEON_Tours_Egypt_2.jpg SOURCE Coral Travel Group As of August 2024, the documentary Of Color and Ink has captivated audiences across South America, North America, Europe, and Asia. This remarkable film, 12 years in the making, explores the later years of the celebrated Chinese painter Zhang DaiChien during his time abroad. Directed by Weimin Zhang, a distinguished Chinese-American filmmaker and professor at San Francisco State University, the documentary is part of the series "Viewing China from Afar: The Bridge of Culture," produced by People's Daily Online West USA. This series highlights Zhang's mission to connect Eastern and Western cultures through art and film. The inspiration for Of Color and Ink came when Weimin Zhang, then a young professor, stumbled upon a forgotten collection of 16mm film reels at her university. The images on these dusty reels were deeply movingdepicting an elderly Zhang DaiChien in traditional Chinese attire walking along Carmel Beach in California, his final home in North America. Recognizing the cultural significance of these films, Zhang felt a profound responsibility to share Zhang DaiChien's story with the world. Over the next twelve years, Weimin Zhang meticulously researched and crafted Of Color and Ink, which has since earned international acclaim. The documentary won the "Best International Documentary Award" at the 47th Sao Paulo International Film Festival and the "China Story: Best Feature Documentary" award at the China (Guangzhou) International Documentary Film Festival. Zhang's film not only honors Zhang DaiChien's legacy but also sheds light on the challenges faced by artists living abroad, especially in earlier decades. Through her lens, Zhang brings Eastern and Western art closer together, celebrating the cultural exchange that Zhang DaiChien so profoundly embodied. Weimin Zhang's journey as a filmmaker is grounded in a solid foundation in fine arts and a deep understanding of cinematography, developed at the Beijing Film Academy and further refined during her studies in the United States. Now a tenured professor at San Francisco State University, Zhang continues to bridge China and the U.S. through her work. Her commitment to fostering cross-cultural dialogue is evident not only in her films but also in her dedication to her students. Since 2010, Zhang has led numerous documentary filmmaking trips to China, offering her studentsmany of whom have never traveled abroada firsthand experience of China's diverse culture. These trips, ranging from bustling urban centers to remote rural areas, have resulted in exceptional student work that captures the essence of China's rich cultural tapestry. Weimin Zhang believes that individuals like her, who have lived and worked extensively in both the East and the West, play a crucial role in bridging cultural divides. Through Of Color and Ink and her broader body of work, Zhang continues to connect and enrich both sides of the world, making a lasting impact through the power of film. SOURCE People's Daily Online WEST USA - Shop for Korean cosmetics in March, June, September, and December K-Beauty's leading platform, Olive Young, hosts the 'Big Bang Sale' from August 30th to September 5th - Over 1,000 brands and 11,000 products at special prices Daily changing 'Time Deal', cosmetic samples provided based on purchase amount - "OLIVE YOUNG Global, a leading shopping platform where you can purchase a variety of products from the latest K-Beauty brands all in one place." SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Olive Young Global is hosting a week-long regular sale where you can explore popular K-Beauty products at a glance. CJ Olive Young (hereafter Olive Young) announced on August 29th that it would be holding its regular sale, the 'Big Bang Sale,' on OLIVE YOUNG Global from August 30th to September 5th, featuring selected trendy K-Beauty products. Representative image of the Big Bang Sale running until September 5th on OLIVE YOUNG Global Olive Young runs 'OLIVE YOUNG Global', a Korean cosmetics shopping website that delivers to over 150 countries worldwide. The latest K-Beauty trends can be checked out on both PC and mobile app, with the option to purchase K-food, wellness products, supplements, K-pop albums, and more all in one place. The 'Big Bang Sale' is OLIVE YOUNG Global's signature discount event, held four times a year (March, June, September, December). It offers a wide range of K-Beauty products, discounts of up to 77%, and a shopping experience with delivery right to your doorstep. Customers on the OLIVE YOUNG Global English site can purchase products from leading Korean cosmetic brands such as SKIN 1004, Torriden, CLIO, ROUND LAB, Beauty of Joseon, and VT at discounted prices. Over 11,000 products from 1,000 brands, ranging across various categories including skincare, makeup, cleansing, and sun care, will be sold at reduced prices. A 'Time Deal' event will also take place, offering four different products at special prices each day. Popular items such as the Carrot Carotene Calming Water Pad, Peach 70 Niacin Serum, and Hydro Cera-Nol Real Deep Mask Sheet will be available at attractive prices. Free shipping is available for orders over $60. Shopping cart coupons that offer greater benefits the more you purchase will also be provided. A $10 coupon is available for orders over $110, a $20 coupon on orders over $160, a $30 coupon on orders over $220, and a $50 coupon on orders over $300. For orders shipped to the U.S., Australia, and Hong Kong, a $70 coupon will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis for purchases over $400. For orders shipped to the UK, separate benefits will be provided based on the purchase amount. Shoppers can use coupons for an additional 15% off on orders over $100 (approximately 79), 20% off on orders over $126, 25% off on orders over $164, and 30% off on orders over $227. Attractive gifts will also be offered based on the purchase amount, such as miniatures of serums and full-size Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream. First-time customers at OLIVE YOUNG Global will receive additional miniature samples of products. An official from Olive Young said, "Olive Young is a leading shopping platform where you can purchase products from the latest K-Beauty brands all in one place," adding, "we plan to host various events for more global customers." SOURCE CJ Olive Young The in-kind award to the global teaching facility located in Toronto includes gastrointestinal, respiratory, urology and surgical equipment CENTER VALLEY, Pa., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Olympus Corporation of the Americas (OCA) Grants Committee recently approved a grant to the Michener Institute of Education at UHN in Toronto, providing a permanent product award to outfit 11 educational stations in the institute's Temerty Advanced Surgical Education and Simulation Centre. The Olympus Corporation of the Americas Grants Committee recently approved a grant to the Michener Institute of Education in Toronto to outfit its Temerty Advanced Surgical Education and Simulation Centre. Photos courtesy the Michener Institute. The permanent product award encompasses each of Olympus' primary endoscopic and therapeutic areas of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urology. The award emphasizes Olympus' commitment to patient care by helping the best-qualified third-party organizations implement educational efforts, build the trainee pipeline and support HCP proficiency in key specialties. The permanent product award includes: 10 GI towers 2 surgical towers Gastroscopes Bronchoscopes Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) endoscopes Flexible ureterscopes Flexible cystoscopes 4K surgical endoscopes surgical endoscopes SOLTIVE Premium SuperPulsed Laser System ShockPulse-SE lithotripsy system ESG-400 electrosurgical generator ScopeGuide GI navigation system. The Olympus equipment award is part of Michener's phase two expansion of the Temerty Advanced Surgical Education & Simulation Centre, which includes a full- size operating room, multipurpose simulation lab with 11 mini ORs and a 10-bay clinical simulation room, allowing fellows and residents to practice skills 24 hours a day on models and virtual reality. Enhanced audio-visual capabilities will also allow the opportunity to bring in surgeons from around the world for instruction. Learners will receive highly specialized training on new and innovative procedures. Michener has 14 floors of teaching and simulation spaces. Labs and simulation rooms can accommodate small group learning, while the lecture spaces accommodate a range from 12 to 300 people. The in-kind award of 10 GI towers is expected to help Michener expand its endoscopy program, which is projected to comprise up to 50% of its training courses. With the second phase of the Temerty Centre expansion, Michener anticipates being able to offer 25 programs for about 500 students in its first year, with plans to increase student volume in the following years. Located in Toronto's hospital corridor, the Michener Institute of Education at UHN part of the University Health Network (UNH) serves as a global healthcare training hub. Michener offers full-time, part-time and continuing education programs in health sciences. The equipment, installed in June by Olympus, represents the first such donation awarded by the OCA Grants Committee to an institution in Canada. "Olympus is excited to work with an organization whose goals align with our core values such as patient focus, impact and innovation," said Jovan Reyerson, Sr. Vice President Strategy, Operations and Centers of Excellence, Medical & Scientific Affairs, Olympus Corp. of the Americas. "With access to training and technologies by students, fellows, residents and career surgeons, the Michener Institute is helping to make a meaningful and widespread impact on patient care." "This is an important contribution to surgical education and health care delivery at UHN and beyond," says Dr. Allan Okrainec, Medical Director of the Temerty Advanced Surgical Education & Simulation Centre. "This grant will allow us to provide advanced training and education across multiple specialties in an innovative and team-based environment, which will ultimately improve the quality of patient care both nationally and globally." Visit the Olympus grants program page to learn more about the grants program and what it funds. About Olympus At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. Visit olympusamerica.com for more information. SOURCE Olympus Corporation of the Americas NORTHBROOK, Ill., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilco Real Estate Sales announces October 1, 2024, as the qualifying bid deadline for the Chapter 11 bankruptcy sale of an operating 98,000 SF assisted living facility in Mineola, Texas: Autumn Wind of Mineola. The sale is subject to the approval by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division, IN RE: CMM-MINEOLA LLC, Case No. 24-60336. Recently remodeled in 2019, Autumn Wind of Mineola sits on 25.7 total acres with 10 acres hosting the main assisted and independent living structures and 15 adjacent acres of developable land. There are seven structures totaling 98,000 SF, one assisted living facility and six detached independent living buildings. Licensed for 90 beds, this turnkey facility features 106 rooms with 112 total beds, providing opportunities for increased resident occupancy. The facility offers a commercial kitchen, individual room kitchenettes and thermostats, outdoor bedroom patios, 24-hour security, resident transportation and more. With the opportunity to enhance services like memory care, skilled nursing, respite care and resident amenities and optimize the maximum bed count in existing spaces, this offering presents the possibility to bolster healthcare services in order to capitalize on a growing need for senior housing in the area. Additionally, the 15 acres of land zoned MF-24 provide for expansion of the current assisted living and independent living use, including alternative uses like behavioral health, memory care, drug rehabilitation or even general multifamily development. This property is situated 85 miles east of the rapidly-growing Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA (The Metroplex), deemed the most populous metropolitan statistical area in the Southern United States, totaling 7,637,387 in 2020 by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. This region further benefits from the historic and continued migration of the nation's population from Rust Belt states to Sun Belt states, driven by factors like affordable housing, job growth and warmer climates. Dodge Data and NICMap Vision report that among the fastest growing 30 metros with over 100,000 residents 75+, 27 are in the Sun Belt, prompting a need in this area as the number of seniors continues to rise. Seniors Housing Business noted 10,000 Americans will turn 80 every day starting in 2025. By 2030, all 73 million Baby Boomers will be of retirement age. These demographic shifts underscore the pressing need for expanded healthcare services. Terry Rochford, senior vice president of business development at Hilco Real Estate Sales, stated, "Autumn Wind of Mineola offers an exceptional opportunity for investors to step into a market poised for growth. With its existing infrastructure and the potential for expansion, this property is well-positioned to serve the increasing needs of an aging population in East Texas." Steve Madura, senior vice president at Hilco Real Estate Sales, added, "The combination of a recently remodeled facility and the strategic location near a rapidly expanding metropolitan area makes Autumn Wind of Mineola a compelling investment. This sale provides the perfect platform to not only meet current demand but to anticipate and accommodate future growth in senior housing." Qualifying bids must be received on or before the deadline of October 1, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. (CT) and must be submitted on the bid document available for review and download from Hilco Real Estate Sales' website. Interested buyers should review the terms of sale for requirements to participate in the sale process available on Hilco Real Estate Sales' website. For further information, please contact Michael Kneifel at (847) 201-2322 or [email protected] or Jordan Schack at (847) 504-3297 or [email protected]. For further information on the property, sale process and terms or to obtain access to due diligence documents, please visit HilcoRealEstateSales.com or call (855) 755-2300. About Hilco Real Estate Sales Successfully positioning the real estate holdings within a company's portfolio is a material component of establishing and maintaining a strong financial foundation for long-term success. At Hilco Real Estate Sales (HRE), a Hilco Global company (HilcoGlobal.com), we advise and execute strategies to assist clients seeking to optimize their real estate assets, improve cash flow, maximize asset value and minimize liabilities and portfolio risk. We help clients traverse complex transactions and transitions, coordinating with internal and external networks and constituents to navigate ever-challenging market environments. The trusted, full-service HRE team has secured billions in value for hundreds of clients over 20+ years. We are deeply experienced in complex transactions including artful lease renegotiation, multi-faceted sales structures, strategic asset management and capital optimization. We understand the legal, financial and real estate components of the process, all of which are vital to a successful outcome. HRE can help identify the most viable options and direction for a company and its real estate portfolio, delivering impressive results in every situation. SOURCE Hilco Real Estate Home visiting nonprofit celebrates 40th anniversary in San Diego ST. LOUIS, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Around 2,000 early childhood development experts will meet at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina from Oct. 14 17 to enhance their professional knowledge of parenting through home visiting at the 2024 Parents as Teachers International Conference. The conference theme is "Born to Learn Power of the Past Building for the Future." Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, Parents as Teachers is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Parents as Teachers is a program that connects parents and caregivers with trained professionals who make regular personal home visits during a child's earliest years, from pre-natal through kindergarten, to help with early childhood education and parenting skills. Parents as Teachers President and CEO Constance Gully expressed enthusiasm about bringing the annual conference to San Diego, California, particularly since it was originally scheduled for 2020, but had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria welcomed the conference, recognizing the importance of home visiting and early intervention for effective parenting. "We are excited to finally bring our annual conference to San Diego," said Gully. "As a parent, especially as a first-time parent, there's no way you can know everythingor even know where to go to find out. That's where the Parents as Teachers' professional development conference comes in. We present programming that evokes conversations about parent engagement, early childhood education, and the latest research that informs our work." Mayor Gloria echoed Gully's sentiments, saying, "We're honored to welcome the Parents as Teachers conference to San Diego. This organization has a long history of transforming the lives of families by providing critical early childhood education and support. Their work resonates deeply with our community, and we are glad to have them here to share their expertise and continue making a positive impact." The four-day conference will feature discussions on trends in home visiting, community engagement, collaborations and partnerships, diversity, equity and inclusion, health and wellness, parenting, and child education. It will also feature children's book authors, and a Networking Night Out cruise along the San Diego harbor on the Inspiration Hornblower boat. Each year, as part of its social responsibility initiative, Parents as Teachers makes a point to give back to the city that hosts its annual conference. It does so by choosing a local nonprofit to support through a fundraising effort. This year, Parents as Teachers has partnered with Promises 2Kids, a San Diego nonprofit serving foster children from the moment they enter foster care through adulthood. A particular highlight of the conference will be the presentation of Parents as Teachers' coveted Jack Tweedie Human Services and Early Learning Champion Award, which will be bestowed on California Assemblymember (79th District) Akilah Weber, M.D. Other conference highlights include an opening session keynote address by Dr. Anton Treuer, professor of Ojibwe Language at Bemidji State University. Dr. Treuer is well-regarded for his inspiring delivery on topics focused on education and advocacy on behalf of Indigenous Peoples. Also, Dr. Walter Gilliam, executive director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, and Dr. Joshua Sparrow, executive director of the Brazelton Touchpoint Center in the Division of Developmental Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital, will be honored with Research Trailblazer Awards for their dedication to Parents as Teachers' 40 years of research. Both individuals actively participate in the Parents as Teachers Research Council. To read their full bios, click here. Josh Shipp, bestselling author of "The Grown-Up's Guide to Teenage Humans" and a former at-risk foster kid turned youth advocate, will deliver the closing session keynote speech. Shipp is renowned for the eight-part documentary TV series Teen Trouble on Lifetime and A&E that followed his groundbreaking work with youth and families. Co-hosting a LIVE Podcast recording entitled "Teachers, Toddlers, and Tissues: Candid Conversations on Health and Child Care" are early childhood advocates Rachel Giannini and Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, an associate professor of Pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Audiences will have the opportunity to listen in and ask questions following the broadcast. Moderating a panel called "Supporting Newcomers & First-Generation Immigrant Families" will be Pete Weldy, regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families in Region 9. Other presenters on the panel include Jasmin Banderas of Child, Adolescent, and Parent Support Services in Marshalltown, IA; Anna Barraza of Luna County Parents as Teachers Home Visiting Program in Deming, NM; Cynthia Garrison with Child Care Group in Dallas, TX; Heidi Kranz of Parenting Solutions Inc., in Los Lunas, NM; and Esmerelda Monroy of Child Abuse Prevention Services in Marshalltown, IA. Read their full bios at www.parentsasteachersconference.org. For more information and to schedule an interview, please get in touch with Eric L. Clark at 314-363-1400 or at [email protected]. SIDEBAR - A brief 40-year historic retrospect In the early 1980s, Mildred Winter, a public-school educator and eventual founder of Parents as Teachers, had an epiphany. She imagined the impact on children's development and learning in a home/school partnership that begins before birth. Her revelation was realized through the New Parents as Teachers (NPAT) pilot project, which involved 60 pregnant women. It was a four-year study that eventually morphed into what is now known as Parents as Teachers through years of trial and error, legislative actions, state and federal funding, and bipartisan endorsement. Over the years, Winter, who died in 2019 during the Parents as Teachers annual conference, where she was scheduled to be honored, buoyed the fragile organization until it rose to prominence with the aid of political backing and strongly willed fortitude from business and civic supporters. Winter knew then what many know now: providing direct support and practical learning tools during the critical first years of life is essential to helping parents raise healthy and prosperous children. Fast-forward 40 years, and you have a burgeoning nonprofit organization headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Its internationally recognized evidence-based home visiting model is backed by four decades of research-proven outcomes for children and families. Parents as Teachers serves 180,000 families in all 50 U.S. states, 115 Tribal organizations, six other countries, and one U.S. territory. Contact: Eric L. Clark, Marketing Communications Specialist cell 314-363-1400 [email protected] SOURCE Parents as Teachers Securitization leveraged to further strengthen credit union through diversified funding, increased liquidity and net worth TYSONS, Va., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PenFed Credit Union, the nation's second-largest federal credit union, today announced the closing of its second prime auto loan securitization offering PenFed Auto Receivables Owner Trust 2024-A (PNFED 2024-A). The transaction issued $447,400,000 of fixed-rate, amortizing asset-backed notes backed by prime auto loans. "PenFed is proud to announce our second auto loan securitization," said PenFed Credit Union President/CEO James Schenck. "This second securitization diversifies funding, increases liquidity and strengthens net worth." The securitization is a private placement offering, which in the United States is offered only to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A. The asset-backed notes were offered in four senior and three subordinate tranches of notes and rated by S&P and Fitch. "PenFed is pleased this auto loan securitization offering was very well received by the market," said PenFed Credit Union CFO and EVP, Sarah Heintzman. "We plan to continue leveraging securitization as a tool to help us serve our members by diversifying liquidity and funding options." PenFed has the second-largest consumer loan portfolio among all credit unions across auto, personal, student, consumer loans and credit cards. PenFed also possesses one of the largest auto loan portfolios among federal credit unions, with originations across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. PNFED 2024-A introduced auto loans issued in Puerto Rico as part of the collateral pool for this transaction. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as the structuring lead of the transaction and Mizuho Securities USA LLC, acted as joint lead with Roberts & Ryan, Inc as the co-manager on the transaction. About PenFed Credit Union Established in 1935, Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) is America's second-largest federal credit union, serving 2.9 million members worldwide with over $33.5 billion in assets. PenFed Credit Union offers market-leading certificates, checking, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, auto loans, and a wide range of other financial services with members' interests always in mind. PenFed Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender. To learn more about PenFed Credit Union, visit PenFed.org, like us on Facebook and follow us @PenFed on X. Interested in working for PenFed? Check us out on LinkedIn. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. SOURCE PenFed Credit Union Audley Travel has pinpointed the top spots for culturally educational family adventures, from India to France BOSTON, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Travel experts at Audley Travel have examined data from Tripadvisor to reveal which countries offer the most immersive cultural experiences, combined with family-friendly attitudes. 1st place for cultural tours India 1st place for food and drink activities Italy 1st place for nature and wildlife activities Kenya 1st place for historical tours France Audley's destination specialists explain why these locations are so popular for culture-seeking families and how they can get the most from their visit. Why was India awarded first place for family cultural tours? "Whether they're tracking tigers in the national parks, sleeping on houseboats on Keralan backwaters, riding tuk-tuks through the heart of Jaipur, or experiencing the different street foods of Old Delhi, children are treated like royalty in India," says Audley India specialist Carol Lawrence. Why was Italy awarded first place for food and drink activities? Italy has several distinctive culinary cultures, and personalized, gastronomic experiences here make a great core for a family trip. Audley Italy specialist, Shannon Yates, explains: "Each region of Italy has a diverse speciality when it comes to food. You can discover Tuscan cuisine and learn the art of pasta making with a professional chef in Florence." Alternatively, families can choose to all cook together at the home of professional chef Laura Niccolai in Sorrento she'll walk you through creating a three- or four-course meal of traditional family recipes. Why was Kenya awarded first place for family wildlife activities? "Kenya has a deep cultural commitment to its conservation efforts, which makes it an educational destination for children," explains Scott Davenport, a safari specialist at Audley. "For example, you can visit the Daphne Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an elephant orphanage that works to rehabilitate its residents, where children can watch the keepers bottle-feed elephant calves and learn about the threats to their survival. The sheer abundance of wildlife across Kenya's parks and reserves makes it likely that families will spot most of the key species on their wish list. Why was France the favorite for historical tours? France is undoubtedly a historically rich country, and Audley specialists can help visitors walk back in time, following in the footsteps of our ancestors. For teenagers, Audley's experts suggest learning about the history of the perfume industry in Paris and making their own scent. Younger children, meanwhile, may like exploring the Roman Pont-du-Gard aqueduct, or deciphering the Bayeux Tapestry with the help of a guide who can tailor the experience to their age and interest*. For more information Nicole Barnard tmwi, acting on behalf of Audley Travel [email protected] +44 (0)1789 404180 Note to editors: * Please note that the Bayeux Tapestry exhibit is closing in September 2025 for two years. Audley Travel is an expert in individually designed travel, creating meaningful experiences in more than 80 destinations across all seven continents. Its dedicated destination specialists use their firsthand knowledge to plan your trip down to the finest detail, choosing experiences that speak to your passions and pairing you with local guides who are top of their field. SOURCE Audley Travel On July 8th, Mr. Morgenstein was rushed to Riverside Regional Hospital by ambulance. Over the next 10 days his condition deteriorated to "critically ill" status. Blood cultures returned positive for listeria bacteria. Repeat cultures, including a cerebral spinal fluid culture, confirmed listeria meningitis. While in the hospital, Gunter also developed a fever, elevated heart rate, grossly declining red blood counts, and sepsis. By July 18th, Gunter had suffered severe brain damage and doctors informed the family that he would not recover. Gunter passed away later that day. Virginia Health officials later confirmed that the listeria found in Gunter's blood and spinal cultures was an exact genetic match to the listeria found in contaminated Boar's Head products. Boar's Head has since issued a recall of all products, including liverwurst, manufactured at its Jarratt, Virginia facility due to potential listeria contamination. To date, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control ("CDC) has identified 57 victims from 18 states who have suffered from listeria poisoning from contaminated Boar's Head products. All have been hospitalized, and nine deaths have been reported. Gunter's son, Garshon, today issued the following statement: "My family is devastated. Dad was the kind of person who always had a smile on his face, a kind word for a stranger, and a big hug for all of us. We hope that through the legal process we can make Boar's Head and other lunch meat products safer for future consumers." Food Safety Attorney Ron Simon Issues Statement for Victims and Establishes Listeria Claim Center National food safety attorney Ron Simon, who represents the Morgenstein Family and several other victims of the outbreak, issued the following statement: "No one should die from eating a sandwich. Our hearts go out to the Morgensteins and others who have suffered from this outbreak. Through this lawsuit and others, we will determine what went wrong at Boar's Head, why what should have been routine product and environmental testing failed to detect deadly listeria in Boar's Head products, and what steps can be taken to ensure that this does not happen again." Mr. Simon and his law firm have established a Listeria Claim Center to assist victims in the outbreak. The Listeria Claim Center can be reached toll-free at 1-888-335-4901, or at https://www.ronsimonassociates.com/. About Food Safety Attorney Ron Simon Over the last 25 years, Ron Simon and his colleagues have prosecuted thousands of food poisoning cases for victims across the United States. His work has resulted in numerous upgrades to food safety procedures in Fortune 500 companies and in legislation designed to protect consumers from dangerous food-borne pathogens. Mr. Simon and his clients have been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX and virtually all other major television networks and print media. Mr. Simon and his legal team have collected over $800,000,000 for their clients. He regularly publishes articles about food safety and litigation at www.foodpoisoningnews.com which are read by viewers in over 180 countries. Through litigation, media commentary, and his food poisoning publications, Mr. Simon relentlessly challenges food manufacturers, distributors, and restaurants to do a better job in making our food safe. For media inquiries or more information on the Listeria outbreak and ongoing litigation, please contact Ron Simon directly at (713) 819-8116 or [email protected]. SOURCE Ron Simon & Associates BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Cup Coffee and Tea proudly announces the launch of Lulu's Blend, a new retail Coffee Offering. This medium roast coffee is a delightful addition to our collection and a beacon of hope and support for shark attack survivor Lulu Gribbin. Royal Cup Coffee and Tea Launches Lulus Blend: A Coffee in Support of Shark Attack Survivor Lulu Gribbin On June 7, 2024, Lulu Gribbin faced a life-altering event while on a mother-daughter beach trip in Florida. She was tragically attacked by a shark, resulting in the loss of her left hand and right leg. Despite the severity of her injuries, Lulu's first words upon regaining consciousness were, "I made it!" Her unyielding spirit and determination in the face of such adversity have inspired many. In honor of Lulu's bravery and to aid in her recovery, Royal Cup Coffee and Tea created Lulu's Blend. This medium roast coffee features a smooth, palate-pleasing taste with notes of chocolate and almond. 100% of the profits go to support the Gribbin family. "We are deeply moved by Lulu Gribbin's strength and resilience," said Chip Wann, CEO of Royal Cup Coffee and Tea. "With Lulu's Blend, we aim to harness the power of our community to aid Lulu Gribbin in her recovery. This blend is a tribute to her inspiring journey and an opportunity for our community to contribute to her recovery." Lulu's Blend is available for purchase on Royal Cup's webstore. Lulu's Blend Coffee - Royal Cup Shop (royalcupcoffee.com) "We have continued to feel the love and support from our community and gosh that community is amazing," Lulu's mother, Ann Gribbin, wrote on her Caring Bridge blog. "Each day in this journey there have been small wins, our community has been there celebrating and cheering Lulu along the way," Ann shared. Royal Cup Coffee and Tea is a manufacturer and distributor of high-quality coffees and teas in a variety of product flavors and packaging formats since 1896. They source, roast, blend, and supply coffee, tea, juice, and assorted allied goods to foodservice operators and offices nationwide. Royal Cup provides customer-centric beverage solutions to restaurants, hotels, offices, healthcare, and convenience stores. For more information, visit www.royalcupcoffee.com or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or X. CONTACT: Lindsey Krausen, 205.705.9953, [email protected] Related Links: www.royalcupcoffee.com Lulu's Blend Coffee - Royal Cup Shop (royalcupcoffee.com) SOURCE Royal Cup, Inc. Top concrete company opens new franchises in Vancouver and Toronto DENVER, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sam The Concrete Man, the largest residential concrete company in North America, recently announced they have expanded their operations into Canada. With the opening of franchises in Vancouver and Toronto, Sam The Concrete Man continues its steady growth and strives to deliver their high-quality concrete services to local communities throughout Canada. Sam The Concrete Man's expansion into Canada marks a significant step in our growth journey. Post this Sam The Concrete Man transforms a cracked walkway with a beautiful decorative design and a brick border. "This milestone marks a significant step in our growth journey, and we are excited to bring Sam The Concrete Man's exceptional services to Canada" said Todd Stewart, President and CEO of Sam The Concrete Man. "Our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction remains unwavering as we embark on this new chapter. We look forward to building strong relationships and delivering outstanding concrete solutions to communities across Canada." Since its inception in 1989, Sam The Concrete Man has been a trusted name in the concrete industry throughout Colorado. After purchasing Sam The Concrete Man, Todd Stewart saw an opportunity to expand operations and provide that same trustworthy service on a national scale. Stewart began franchising in 2019, and since then, has grown operations to 102 locations in 33 states, and now two provinces. With the goal of opening 32 new franchises per year, Sam The Concrete Man looks to continue their rapid growth throughout North America. Stewart concluded, "As we enter the Canadian market, our focus remains on providing exceptional services and building strong relationships with our customers. We look forward to serving multiple communities throughout Canada and becoming the trusted household name in residential concrete." About Sam The Concrete Man Sam The Concrete Man is North America's largest residential concrete company, providing residential concrete flatwork and limited commercial concrete services. The company provides world-class concrete solutions and customer service with a transparent and professional approach. Through their streamlined model with internal marketing, contact center, and operations teams, Sam The Concrete Man can offer fair and honest pricing to consumers at an international scale. Sam The Concrete Man has been in business since 1989 and is operational in key states and provinces throughout the United States and Canada. For more information about Sam The Concrete Man, please visit: SamTheConcreteMan.com For information about franchise opportunities, please visit: SamTheConcreteManFranchise.com Media Contact: Mike Perry Email: [email protected] SOURCE Sam The Concrete Man Influencer Sarah Merrell snags $5,000 and the opportunity to 'paint' it forward with $10,000 donation in her name to local nonprofit AVON, Ohio, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Give Utah DIYer Sarah Merrell a design trend, $500 and some FrogTape brand painter's tape, and she'll shine with budget-friendly brilliance. Competing against seven other top influencers in the ninth annual FrogTape Paintover Challenge , Merrell, from Sarah Flips It, designed an amazing at-home office transformation with online voters picking her project as the grand prize winner this year. Adding a stylish plaid paint design and wainscot, Merrell cozied up a bare room into a calm, relaxing workspace of her dreams, using plenty of FrogTape along the way. As the creator of the public's favorite room renovation, Merrell will take home the $5,000 cash grand prize and will 'paint' it forward by selecting a local nonprofit to receive a $10,000 donation in her name. Merrell has chosen Utah nonprofit Box Elder Family Support Center, which provides crisis nursery and therapy services to area families, as this year's charity recipient. "From bold color splashes to geometric murals, this year's influencers wowed us with swoon-worthy interiors," said Allison Shagovac, influencer marketing manager, Shurtape Technologies, LLC, which markets FrogTape brand products. "The trendy projects are a reminder that anyone can make your home your own with a little paint, painter's tape and creativity." This year's participants were challenged to pull inspiration from one of the 2024 FrogTape Design Trends, identified by veteran interior designer and DIY television personality Taniya Nayak. Taking inspiration from the 'Wainscot Just a Minute' trend, Merrell first used a variety of supplies, such as primed MDF boards, a nail gun and a laser level, to add the detailed wooden paneling. She then applied FrogTape Multi-Surface Painter's Tape to achieve crisp, clean paint lines, keeping the contrast between the dramatic wainscot and neutral, patterned wall bold and sharp. Merrell fell in love with DIY when she flipped her first dresser while she was eight months pregnant with her second baby. Since then, she's showcased her growing skills on social media. By encouraging fellow makers to follow her projects and create DIY magic of their own at home, she's garnered more than one million likes on TikTok and more than 400,000 followers on Instagram. "I had so much fun bringing my ideas to life in this space!" Merrell said. "Wainscot is the perfect accent to unify and warm up a room. The best part is this project is affordableanyone can do it with the right supplies." During the challenge, Nayak judged the projects on select criteria, including workmanship, originality and the use of paint, painter's tape and the design trends, to determine the winner of the new Judge's Choice award worth $2,500. Nayak has named Kayla Nelson's DIY Office Focal Wall as the 2024 honoree. See all the 2024 Paintover Challenge projects: For more information about the FrogTape Paintover Challenge and project inspiration, visit FrogTape.com/PaintoverChallenge. FROGTAPE BRAND PRODUCTS FrogTape brand painter's tapes are high-quality products that provide professional-looking results, streamlining the painting process for both DIYers and pros alike. FrogTape products include tapes designed for an array of purposes, from Multi-Surface for super sharp paint lines, to Delicate Surface for faux finishing projects, to other professional-grade tapes for both interior and exterior applications. All FrogTape products offer clean removal. Whether you're taping off baseboards, trim and walls for basic painting applications or creating decorative patterns, FrogTape makes it easy to achieve your desired results. For more information on FrogTape brand, visit FrogTape.com; like us on Facebook (facebook.com/FrogTape); follow us on X (@FrogTape); follow us on Instagram (@FrogTape); follow our boards on Pinterest (pinterest.com/FrogTape) or watch us on YouTube (youtube.com/FrogTapeTube). Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc. X is a registered trademark of X. Instagram is a registered trademark of Instagram, LLC. Pinterest is a registered trademark of Pinterest, Inc. YouTube is a registered trademark of Google, Inc. SOURCE Shurtape Technologies, LLC DULUTH, Ga., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Scopewell Solutions today announced it has joined the ServiceNow Consulting and Implementation Partner Program to help organizations automate processes, optimize service delivery and enhance employee productivity. The partnership enables Scopewell Solutions to utilize its industry expertise and deep implementation knowledge to help customers accelerate digital transformation through the ServiceNow Platform. The ServiceNow Partner Program recognizes and rewards partners for their varied expertise and experience to drive opportunities, reach new markets, and help joint customers transform businesses across the enterprise. Scopewell Solutions is expanding its Digital Transformation Solutions capabilities with the Consulting and Implementation Partner Program to implement services through the ServiceNow Platform, such as IT Service Management, IT Operations Management, Customer Service Management, Strategic Portfolio Management, and HR Service Delivery. Customers will benefit from tailored solutions, empowering them to more effectively manage the client, vendor, and employee experience, integrate new services into existing systems, improve security and data protection controls and leverage AI capabilities. "This partnership marks a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering innovative technology solutions to our clients. The Now Platform's exceptional versatility allows it to seamlessly integrate with diverse systems, making it adaptable to virtually any industry and workflow. We are elated to join forces with ServiceNow to empower our clients to maximize business value through digital transformation," said James Leuthe, Chief Executive Officer, Scopewell Solutions. "As a Consulting and Implementation Partner, Scopewell Solutions' expertise in program management services to guide complex projects to successful completion is essential to scaling and extending ServiceNow solutions to new markets," said Michael Khoury, senior director partner programs, ServiceNow. "We are thrilled to partner with Scopewell Solutions to deliver a seamless experience to solve some of our customers' biggest digital transformation challenges." Consulting and Implementation partners leverage industry or domain expertise to guide customers on how to introduce and utilize ServiceNow solutions to help their businesses grow and succeed. Partners use ServiceNow resources to influence deals, track technology deployments, and drive adoption of new solutions. About Scopewell Solutions Scopewell Solutions is a premier IT consulting firm headquartered in Duluth, GA. We specialize in delivering innovative solutions that empower commercial and government organizations to thrive in today's rapidly evolving digital world. With a deep understanding of the complex landscape of technology, we provide tailored strategies and expert guidance to help our clients achieve their business objectives. Our unwavering commitment to partnership, integrity, and excellence sets us apart as the trusted advisor for organizations seeking to optimize their operations and drive sustainable growth. Discover how Scopewell Solutions can turn your organization's strategy into reality, visit https://www.scopewellsolutions.com/ . ServiceNow, the ServiceNow logo, Now, Now Platform, and other ServiceNow marks are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of ServiceNow, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. SOURCE Scopewell Solutions SEATTLE, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 27, 2024, Security Properties purchased SKY Sammamish, a 159-unit multifamily property built in 2018 and located in Sammamish, Washington, for $70,250,000. Security Properties now owns 28 assets and over 6,400 units in the Greater Seattle marketplace. Security Properties purchased SKY Sammamish, a 159-unit multifamily property built in 2018 and located in Sammamish, Washington, for $70,250,000. ). The property was developed as a phase of the expanding Sammamish Town Center a multi-phase, mixed-use development project that will serve as the new town center for Sammamish. Security Properties purchased SKY Sammamish, a 159-unit multifamily property built in 2018 and located in Sammamish, Washington, for $70,250,000. The property is currently the only housing located within the town center development and sits adjacent to a variety of commercial spaces, retail, and food options. Sammamish a highly desirable suburb east of Seattle situated between Bellevue, Redmond, and Issaquah offers an irreplaceable combination of top tier school districts, access to local employers and proximity to some of Washington's most desirable nature. While its population has grown quickly over the past 20 years, the city has historically been, and is forecasted to continue, being one of the most supply insulated submarkets in the entire Seattle metropolitan area. This has caused the barrier to entry to be extremely high, with median home values exceeding $1.6 million. Consequently, the median household income in Sammamish is about $215,000 higher than any other US city with a population over 50,000. SKY Sammamish is located along 228th Ave., the city's primary north and south thoroughfare with access to both I-90 (to the south) as well as SR-202 (to the north). The property was developed as a phase of the expanding Sammamish Town Center a multi-phase, mixed-use development project that will serve as the new town center for Sammamish. The property is the only housing located within the town center development and sits adjacent to a variety of commercial spaces, retail, and food options. Most notably, the site is adjacent to Metropolitan Market, an upscale Seattle-based grocery chain. The business plan is a core-plus investment with moderate upgrade characteristics. While the asset currently offers a best-in-class amenity package and well-appointed living units, Security Properties has identified several opportunities to further emphasize these strengths. According to Alex Gauper, Senior Director at Security Properties, the acquisition was made because, "SKY Sammamish is a prime example of our firm's investment thesis of identifying newer-vintage assets in markets with high barriers to entry and a diverse mix of stable drivers. We feel that we have the best asset in a submarket with a very limited historical supply, excellent schools, and strong demand for high-quality housing. The Issaquah and Sammamish submarket has been a strong performer for us for many years and we are excited to add to our existing portfolio in the area." The property will be managed by Security Properties-affiliate Security Properties Residential. About Security Properties Security Properties is a national real estate investment, development, and operating company headquartered in Seattle, Washington. For more than 50 years, Security Properties has provided quality housing to its residents as well as excellent financial performance for its investors. Since its founding, Security Properties has acquired or developed over 108,000 residential units at a cost of over $11.8 billion across more than 650 assets. Security Properties maintains a focused multi-family strategy supported by integrated teams of professional acquisition, development, construction, investment, and property management specialists. For more information, visit www.securityproperties.com About Security Properties Residential Security Properties Residential is the affiliated property management firm of Security Properties, created to increase the value of its real estate holdings by more closely managing its assets. Operating throughout the Western United States and select markets, Security Properties Residential is committed to delivering exceptional service to its apartment communities and residents. Services include property, construction, and compliance management services that create positive living environments for residents and build value for clients. News media contact: Ed McGovern, (206)-622-9900 [email protected] SOURCE Security Properties Red Wing Shoes Thanks the Unseen Labor That Keeps the World Running RED WING, Minn., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America's strength, prosperity, and well-being. Over time, however, the holiday has become more synonymous with end-of-summer sales and the unofficial start of the fall season. The true spirit of Labor Dayacknowledging the efforts of those who build and maintain the very infrastructure we rely onoften goes unnoticed. Brands like Red Wing Shoes are hoping to change that. This Labor Day, and everyday, Red Wing honors the unseen work that keeps our world moving. This year, Red Wing is recognizing William Stone, a tower climber who has spent the last 11 years climbing thousands of feet into the sky. Red Wing, operating out of Red Wing, Minnesota, committed more than 119 years ago to support and honor the hardworking individuals who build and maintain the world around us. Whether it's the electricity that powers our homes, the roads and highways that we drive on, or the communication networks that keep us connected, these elements of modern life are typically so seamlessly integrated and skillfully executed that we only notice them when something goes wrong. This unnoticed, behind-the-scenes labor is proof that a job has been done right, and one more reason to stop and appreciate the tradespeople and skills that make it happen. On Labor Day, Red Wing is taking their commitment one step further by spotlighting skilled labor that keeps our country running. This year, Red Wing is showcasing William Stone, a tower climber who has spent the last 11 years climbing thousands of feet into the sky to ensure that America's communication towers are functioning correctly. William's work involves climbing towers that can soar up to 2,000 feet into the sky to change a light bulbequivalent to climbing nearly twice the height of the Empire State Building. These towers are vital for maintaining communication networks that millions of Americans rely on daily, yet the work behind their maintenance is rarely acknowledged. William and his fellow climbers face harsh and unpredictable weather conditions while performing tasks that are crucial for national infrastructure. "Calling a friend, dispatching an ambulance, safely landing a planethese are all things people take for granted, but someone has to build and maintain the infrastructure. As climbers, we endure the elementsrain, high winds, thunderstormsit's not a job for everyone," Stone shares. "At the end of the day, we don't get much attention because we get the job done." The importance of these skilled trades cannot be overstated, yet the industry is facing a critical labor shortage. Companies that support and service trades workers are well aware of these issues and continue to develop important programs and initiatives to help raise awareness of the issue and help solve the challenge. "There are macro-level trends we feel an obligation to address because the skilled trades are facing a growing labor shortage," says Dave Schneider, Red Wing's chief marketing officer. "With five people leaving the skilled trades for every one that is entering, there is definitely a role for brands like ours to play in this crisis by helping people truly see and consider the skilled trades." Amid the end-of-summer sales and end-of-summer weekend getaways, it's essential to remember to take a moment to honor the labor force that keeps the country running. The skilled craftsmanship executed by trades workers should be celebrated, not just on Labor Day, but every day. So, the next time you flip a switch, drive down a well-paved road, or hop online via buried fiber optic cables without a hitch, take a moment to appreciate the skilled, unseen efforts that make it all work. For more information, visit RedWingShoes.com About Red Wing Shoe Company Red Wing Shoe Company is a global leader in the design, production and distribution of safety and lifestyle footwear and work apparel. Established in 1905 in Red Wing, Minnesota, the privately held company's family of brands includes Red Wing Shoes, the premium choice for purpose-built work footwear, workwear and accessories. Its brands are distributed to more than 110 countries in an immersive multichannel environment of 500+ Red Wing retail stores, third-party partners and owned e-commerce platforms. Red Wing employs more than 2,000 employees worldwide and operates three U.S. manufacturing facilities in Red Wing, Minnesota, Potosi, Missouri, and Clarksville, Arkansas. For more information, please visit redwingshoeco.com or follow @RedWingShoes. Media Contact: Hannah Westberg [email protected] 763.242.3458 SOURCE Red Wing Shoe Company Strauss Group President & CEO Shai Babad commented: "The Group continues to deliver growth in most businesses and is concentrating on implementing its strategic plan, which calls for focus on core business, on investments, and on the development of growth engines that will drive the Group forward in the next few years. Our sales growth is accompanied by the constant need to contend with the ongoing uptrend in raw material prices, which is taking a toll on the Group's margins. The food industry is a meaningful part of Israel's civilian "Iron Dome". Strauss has manufacturing sites to the length of the country, from north to south, and together with our farmers, we are committed to food security and to sustaining the strength of Israeli industry." PETAH TIKVA, Israel, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This morning, Strauss Group (TASE: STRS) published its financial statements, summing up the first half of 2024 with growth in revenues, which totaled NIS 5.3 billion, up 3.2% compared to the corresponding half last year. Operating profit was NIS 355 million, 6.7% of total sales. Operating profit was significantly impacted by the increase in raw material prices, which led to a decline of 6.0% compared to last year. Net profit was NIS 242 million, reflecting an increase of 10.6% compared to the first six months of 2023. Strauss Group concluded the second quarter of 2024 with revenues of NIS 2.8 billion, up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Operating profit in the quarter was NIS 151 million, down 10.3% compared to the corresponding period, and constituted 5.5% of total quarterly sales. Net income attributable to shareholders of the Company was NIS 83 million, a decline of 2.4% compared to the second quarter of 2023. Results H1 2024 H1 2023 Sales NIS 5,343M NIS 5,179M % change +3.2 % Operating profit NIS 355M NIS 379M % change -6.0 % % of sales 6.7 % 7.3 % Net profit NIS 242M NIS 219M % change +10.6 % Q2 2024 summary by operating segment : Strauss Israel revenue growth and higher operating profit. Strauss Israel delivered revenues of NIS 2,521 million in the first half of 2024, up 3.9% compared to the corresponding half last year, and in the second quarter, revenues were NIS 1,212 million, up 6.3%. Strauss Israel's operating profit in the first half was NIS 250 million, up 5.1%, and in the second quarter, operating profit was NIS 99 million, up 9.5%. Sales by the Health & Wellness segment in the first six months were NIS 1,485 million, down 0.8% compared to the corresponding period last year, and in the second quarter, sales were NIS 754 million, unchanged in relation to the same quarter last year. Operating profit in the first half was NIS 166 million, up 2.3% compared to the corresponding period, and in the second quarter, operating profit was NIS 92 million, up 18.4% compared to the second quarter of 2023. Sales by the Fun & Indulgence (Snacks and Confectionery) segment in the first half were NIS 632 million, up 20.9%, and in the second quarter, sales were NIS 271 million, up 24.8% compared to the corresponding quarter last year. In the six-month period, the segment delivered operating profit of NIS 30 million, an increase of 28.5% over the first half last year, and in the second quarter, delivered an operating loss of NIS 12 million. The confectionery operation's market share in the quarter was 26.9%2, a slight increase over the same quarter last year. The Fun & Indulgence (Israel Coffee) segment concluded the first six months with sales of NIS 404 million, down 0.7% compared to the same period last year, and sales of NIS 187 million in the second quarter, an increase of 10.7% compared to the corresponding period. The segment's operating profit in six-month period was NIS 54 million, up 2.9%, and in the second quarter, operating profit was NIS 19 million, up 35.5%. Strauss International Coffee revenue growth Strauss International Coffee concluded the first half with revenues of NIS 2,159 million, up 2.9% compared to the corresponding period last year, and closed the second quarter with revenues of NIS 1,205 million, up 5.0% compared to the same quarter in 2023. Strauss International Coffee's operating profit was NIS 99 million in the first six months, down 27.5% compared to the corresponding period, and NIS 61 million in the second quarter, down 20.8% compared to the same quarter last year. The coffee business in Brazil (for 50%) concluded the first six months of 2024 with NIS 1,487 million in revenues, up 5.9%, and revenues of NIS 842 million in the second quarter, an increase of 7.6% compared to last year. The business in Brazil concluded the first half with NIS 51 million in operating profit, down 25% compared to last year, and operating profit of NIS 38 million in the second quarter, down 3.6% compared to the second quarter of 2023. Tres Coracoes' average value market share in roasted and ground coffee (R&G) in the first half of 2024 reached 32.9%, compared to 33.8% last year. The coffee business in Russia and Ukraine ended the first half with sales of NIS 312 million, down 7.2%, and sales of NIS 183 million in the second quarter, an increase of 6.8%. Sales by the coffee business in Romania in the half-year period were NIS 105 million, down 6.1%, and in the second quarter, sales were NIS 60 million, down 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. In Poland, coffee sales in the first half were NIS 205 million, an increase of 21%, and in the second quarter, NIS 102 million, an increase of 13.2%. Strauss Water stronger revenue and margins Strauss Water concluded the first half of 2024 with revenues of NIS 403 million, up 2.9% compared to the corresponding half last year, and revenues of NIS 210 million in the second quarter, up 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Operating profit in the first half was NIS 49 million, up 7.6%, and operating profit in the second quarter was NIS 25 million, up 5.3%. The water business in China (for 100%) concluded the first six months with sales of NIS 446 million, up 13.1%, and sales of NIS 230 million in the second quarter, up 12.7% compared to last year. The business in China (for 100%) ended the first half with net profit of NIS 53 million, an increase of 10.4%, and net profit of NIS 26 million in the second quarter, an increase of 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sabra and Obela operating break-even Sabra's sales (for 50%) in the first half of 2024 were NIS 220 million, down 0.6%, and in the second quarter, sales were NIS 110 million, down 5.5% compared to corresponding period last year. Sabra's operating profit in the first half was NIS 4 million, and in the second quarter, the company recorded an operating loss of NIS 2 million. Obela delivered sales (for 50%) of NIS 37 million in the first six months, down 2.2%, and in the second quarter, Obela's sales were NIS 17 million, down 0.2% compared to last year. Obela recorded an operating loss of NIS 1 million in the half-year period and of NIS 2 million in the quarter. According to Circana3, Sabra's average market share of the hummus market in the quarter ended June 30, 2024 was 36.6% (Number 1 in the market), compared to 38.5% in the corresponding period last year. Non GAAP Figures (1) Second Quarter 2024 2023 Change Total Group Sales (NIS mm) 2,754 2,625 4.9 % Organic Sales Growth excluding FX 6.0 % 12.4 % Gross Profit (NIS mm) 841 839 0.4 % Gross Margins (%) 30.5 % 31.9 % -140 bps EBITDA (NIS mm) 262 275 -4.4 % EBITDA Margins (%) 9.6 % 10.5 % -90 bps EBIT (NIS mm) 151 171 -10.3 % EBIT Margins (%) 5.5 % 6.5 % -100 bps Net Income Attributable to the Company's Shareholders (NIS mm) 83 85 -2.4 % Net Income Margin Attributable to the Company's Shareholders (%) 3.0 % 3.2 % -20 bps EPS (NIS) 0.71 0.72 -2.5 % Operating Cash Flow (NIS mm) 14 61 Capex (NIS mm) (2) 133 127 Net debt (NIS mm) 3,223 2,977 8.3 % Net debt / annual EBITDA 2.7x 3.0x (0.3x) (1) The data in this document are based on the company's non-GAAP figures, which include the proportionate consolidation of jointly controlled businesses and do not include share-based payment, mark-to-market at end-of-period of open positions in the Group in respect of financial derivatives used to hedge commodity prices and all adjustments necessary to delay recognition of gains and losses arising from commodity derivatives until the date when the inventory is sold to outside parties, other income and expenses, net, and the tax effect of excluding those items, unless stated otherwise. (2) Investments include the acquisition of fixed assets, investment in intangible assets and proceeds from the sale of fixed assets. Note: Financial data were rounded to NIS millions. Percentages changes were calculated on the basis of the exact figures in NIS thousands. Non GAAP Figures (1) Second Quarter Sales (NIS mm) Sales Growth vs. Last Year Organic Sales Growth excluding FX EBIT (NIS mm) NIS Change in EBIT % Change in EBIT EBIT margins Change in EBIT margins vs. 2023 Sales and EBIT by Operating Segments and Activities Strauss Israel: Health & Wellness 754 0.0 % 0.0 % 92 15 18.4 % 12.1 % +190 bps Fun & Indulgence (Snacks and sweets) (2) 271 24.8 % 24.8 % (12) (12) NM -4.1 % -380 bps Fun & Indulgence (Coffee Israel) 187 10.7 % 10.7 % 19 5 35.5 % 10.1 % +190 bps Total Strauss Israel 1,212 6.3 % 6.3 % 99 8 9.5 % 8.2 % +30 bps International Coffee (2) 1,205 5.0 % 7.8 % 61 (16) -20.8 % 5.1 % -160 bps Strauss Water (2) 210 2.9 % 2.7 % 25 1 5.3 % 12.0 % +20 bps Other 127 -3.9 % -5.8 % (34) (13) 60.2 % NM NM Total Group 2,754 4.9 % 6.0 % 151 (20) -10.3 % 5.5 % -100 bps (1) The data in this document are based on the company's non-GAAP figures, which include the proportionate consolidation of jointly controlled businesses and do not include share-based payment, mark-to-market at end-of-period of open positions in the Group in respect of financial derivatives used to hedge commodity prices and all adjustments necessary to delay recognition of gains and losses arising from commodity derivatives until the date when the inventory is sold to outside parties, other income and expenses, net, and the tax effect of excluding those items, unless stated otherwise. (2) Fun & Indulgence figures include Strauss's 50% share in the salty snacks business. International Coffee figures include Strauss's 50% share in the Tres Coracoes joint venture (3C) Brazil a company jointly held by the Group (50%) and by the local Sao Miguel Group (50%). International Dips & Spreads figures reflect Strauss's 50% share in Sabra and Obela. Strauss Water EBIT figures include Strauss's share in Haier Strauss Water (HSW) in China (49%). Note: Financial data were rounded to NIS millions. Percentages changes were calculated on the basis of the exact figures in NIS thousands. Total figures for International Dips & Spreads were calculated on the basis of the exact figures for Sabra and Obela in NIS thousands. Condensed financial accounting (GAAP) Second Quarter 2024 2023 Change Sales 1,701 1,631 4.3 % Cost of sales excluding impact of commodity hedges 1,124 1,048 7.2 % Adjustments for commodity hedges (6) (4) Cost of sales 1,118 1,044 7.1 % Gross profit 583 587 -0.6 % % of sales 34.3 % 36.0 % Selling and marketing expenses 347 346 0.2 % General and administrative expenses 126 120 5.2 % Total expenses 473 466 Share of profit of equity-accounted investees 49 47 2.7 % Share of loss of equity-accounted incubator investees (8) (9) -11.1 % Operating profit before other expenses 151 159 -4.9 % % of sales 8.9 % 9.7 % Other expenses, net (13) (9) Operating profit after other expenses 138 150 -7.9 % Financing expenses, net (16) (19) -15.4 % Income before taxes on income 122 131 -6.8 % Taxes on income (21) (45) -53.4 % Effective tax rate 17.1 % 34.3 % Income for the period 101 86 17.6 % Attributable to the Company's shareholders 82 73 13.4 % Attributable to non-controlling interests 19 13 39.2 % Non GAAP Figures (1) First Half 2024 2023 Change Total Group Sales (NIS mm) 5,343 5,179 3.2 % Organic Sales Growth excluding FX 2.7 % 10.1 % Gross Profit (NIS mm) 1,715 1,676 2.3 % Gross Margins (%) 32.1 % 32.4 % -30 bps EBITDA (NIS mm) 580 585 -0.7 % EBITDA Margins (%) 10.9 % 11.3 % -40 bps EBIT (NIS mm) 355 379 -6.0 % EBIT Margins (%) 6.7 % 7.3 % -60 bps Net Income Attributable to the Company's Shareholders (NIS mm) 242 219 10.6 % Net Income Margin Attributable to the Company's Shareholders (%) 4.5 % 4.2 % +30 bps EPS (NIS) 2.07 1.88 10.5 % Operating Cash Flow (NIS mm) (101) (165) Capex (NIS mm) (2) 296 201 Net debt (NIS mm) 3,223 2,977 8.3 % Net debt / annual EBITDA 2.7x 3.0x (0.3x) (1) The data in this document are based on the company's non-GAAP figures, which include the proportionate consolidation of jointly controlled businesses and do not include share-based payment, mark-to-market at end-of-period of open positions in the Group in respect of financial derivatives used to hedge commodity prices and all adjustments necessary to delay recognition of gains and losses arising from commodity derivatives until the date when the inventory is sold to outside parties, other income and expenses, net, and the tax effect of excluding those items, unless stated otherwise. (2) Investments include the acquisition of fixed assets, investment in intangible assets and proceeds from the sale of fixed assets. Note: Financial data were rounded to NIS millions. Percentages changes were calculated on the basis of the exact figures in NIS thousands. Non GAAP Figures (1) First Half Sales (NIS mm) Sales Growth vs. Last Year Organic Sales Growth excluding FX EBIT (NIS mm) NIS Change in EBIT % Change in EBIT EBIT margins Change in EBIT margins vs. 2023 Sales and EBIT by Operating Segments and Activities Strauss Israel: Health & Wellness 1,485 -0.8 % -0.8 % 166 4 2.3 % 11.2 % +40 bps Fun & Indulgence (Snacks and sweets) (2) 632 20.9 % 20.9 % 30 6 28.5 % 4.8 % +30 bps Fun & Indulgence (Coffee Israel) 404 -0.7 % -0.7 % 54 1 2.9 % 13.4 % +50 bps Total Strauss Israel 2,521 3.9 % 3.9 % 250 11 5.1 % 9.9 % +10 bps International Coffee (2) 2,159 2.9 % 2.0 % 99 (38) -27.5 % 4.6 % -190 bps Strauss Water (2) 403 2.9 % 2.6 % 49 4 7.6 % 12.1 % +50 bps Other 260 -0.5 % -3.3 % (43) (1) 3.2 % NM NM Total Group 5,343 3.2 % 2.7 % 355 (24) -6.0 % 6.7 % -60 bps (1) The data in this document are based on the company's non-GAAP figures, which include the proportionate consolidation of jointly controlled businesses and do not include share-based payment, mark-to-market at end-of-period of open positions in the Group in respect of financial derivatives used to hedge commodity prices and all adjustments necessary to delay recognition of gains and losses arising from commodity derivatives until the date when the inventory is sold to outside parties, other income and expenses, net, and the tax effect of excluding those items, unless stated otherwise. (2) Fun & Indulgence figures include Strauss's 50% share in the salty snacks business. International Coffee figures include Strauss's 50% share in the Tres Coracoes joint venture (3C) Brazil a company jointly held by the Group (50%) and by the local Sao Miguel Group (50%). International Dips & Spreads figures reflect Strauss's 50% share in Sabra and Obela. Strauss Water EBIT figures include Strauss's share in Haier Strauss Water (HSW) in China (49%). Note: Financial data were rounded to NIS millions. Percentages changes were calculated on the basis of the exact figures in NIS thousands. Total figures for International Dips & Spreads were calculated on the basis of the exact figures for Sabra and Obela in NIS thousands. Condensed financial accounting (GAAP) First Half 2024 2023 Change Sales 3,427 3,344 2.5 % Cost of sales excluding impact of commodity hedges 2,214 2,154 2.8 % Adjustments for commodity hedges 65 -57 Cost of sales 2,279 2,097 8.7 % Gross profit 1,148 1,247 -7.9 % % of sales 33.5 % 37.3 % Selling and marketing expenses 700 676 3.5 % General and administrative expenses 255 241 6.0 % Total expenses 955 917 Share of profit of equity-accounted investees 85 92 -8.4 % Share of loss of equity-accounted incubator investees (10) (17) -41.2 % Operating profit before other expenses 268 405 -33.9 % % of sales 7.8 % 12.1 % Other income (expenses), net (63) 61 Operating profit after other expenses 205 466 -56.0 % Financing expenses, net (33) (30) 12.7 % Income before taxes on income 172 436 -60.7 % Taxes on income - (104) -99.9 % Effective tax rate 0.1 % 23.9 % Income for the period 172 332 -48.3 % Attributable to the Company's shareholders 133 304 -56.3 % Attributable to non-controlling interests 39 28 36.5 % Conference Call Strauss Group to Report Q2 2024 Results; Zoom Conference Call to be held Thursday, August 29th, 2024 at 15:30 local Israel time / 13:30 UK / 08:30 am ET Strauss Group (TASE: STRS) will host an online conference call to discuss Q2 2024 results on Thursday, August 29th, 2024 at 15:30 local Israel time / 13:30 UK / 08:30 am Eastern time. The online conference call will be hosted by Shai Babad, CEO and Ariel Chetrit, CFO, and will be followed by a question and answers session. To join the live call please use the following link: https://strauss-group.zoom.us/j/93776565298?pwd=EQaB4nV9EtoU5KpUZbsFNMyP5UfW7n.1 Passcode: 841012 The online conference call will be accompanied by a presentation which will be available on the Investor Relations section of our website on Thursday, August 29th, 2024: https://ir.strauss-group.com/company-presentations/quarterly-presentations/ Strauss Group's Q2 2024 earnings press release and financial statements will be available on August 29th, following the release, on the Company's website: https://ir.strauss-group.com/reports/ https://ir.strauss-group.com/financial/ For further information, please contact : Daniella Finn Director of Investor Relations 972-54-577-2195 972-3-675-2545 [email protected] Liron Ben Yaakov Director of Communications and PR 972-54-609-1600 972-3-675-2584 [email protected] Telem Yahav Director of External Communications 972-52-257-9939 972-3-675-6713 [email protected] 1 The data in this document are based on the Company's non-GAAP figures, which include the proportionate consolidation of jointly controlled entities and do not include share-based payment, mark-to-market at period end of open positions in the Group in respect of financial derivatives used to hedge commodity prices and all adjustments necessary to delay recognition of gains and losses arising from commodity derivatives until the date when the inventory is sold to outside parties, other net income and expenses, and the tax effect of excluding those items, unless stated otherwise. 2 According to the StoreNext report published on July 8, 2024. StoreNext measures consumption in the FMCG market. 3 Circana (IRI) is a data analytics and market research company which focuses on the consumer goods market in the US. SOURCE Strauss Group Ltd. Sheaff Brock's 2024 Performance Mid-Year Update INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Reviewing the historical duration of bull markets in Sheaff Brock's mid-year report to clients, Managing Director & Chief Investment Officer Dave Gilreath and Managing Director Ron Brock suggest that the current bull market is still relatively young. Sheaff Brock suggests that the current bull market is still relatively young in its mid-year report to clients. Post this Showing the lengths in months of bull and bear markets since 1942, the green bull market bars are much longer than the red bear market bars. Today's stock market is in a bull market that started in October of 2022 after a 9-month, 25% drop in the S&P 500 bear market. Comparing bull and bear markets over the last 75 years, Ryan Detrick at Carson Research indicates that the average bull market has lasted 61 months, or just slightly more than 5 years. At 22 months into the current bull market, this one is well under half as long as the average. Showing the lengths in months of bull and bear markets since 1942, the accompanying chart clearly shows the green "bull market" bars are much longer than the red "bear market" bars. Bull markets often last a long time; some run for years. In contrast, bear markets are usually over within a few weeks or months, yet the fear of bear markets can make them seem worse. Equity markets go up in the long-term when corporate earnings increase, which occurs when the economy, as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP), is good and growing. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), of the ten largest economies in the world, the U.S. dominates in both size and productivity. The highest of those ten economies, U.S. GDP is 50% larger than China (ranked #2), and the U.S. has a growing working-age population. Even though the current bull market has been panned by bears due to the dominance of tech stocks, the market has been broadening out in the last couple of months and driving other sectors higher. Smaller companies, unloved for several years, have finally been getting some attention, too, which could help extend the current bull market. Considering that all these factorsthe dominance of the U.S. economy, its productivity, and its growing working-age populationlead to strong earnings and earnings growth, Sheaff Brock believes we may be due for another long bull market run, or at least a five-year-long average one. Gilreath and Brock conclude they wouldn't bet against that potential, quoting legendary investor Warren Buffet in his 2021 annual letter to shareholders, "Never bet against America." The 2024 Mid-Year Update also reviewed year-to-date performance of Sheaff Brock's portfolio strategies and shared the firm's market outlook for each of them in the report, which can be found on the Sheaff Brock website. About Sheaff Brock: Sheaff Brock is an SEC-registered, fee-only independent investment firm striving to enhance portfolios of growth- and income-oriented investors, managing $1.3 billion in assets nationwide as of 06/30/2024. Managing Director David Gilreath contributes investment commentary to CNBC.com, ThinkAdvisor, Medical Economics, and Financial Advisor magazine. Visit Sheaff Brock YouTube for more information. Disclosure: Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors, LLC ("SBIA") is an SEC-registered investment advisor founded in 2001. Clients or prospective clients are directed to SBIA's Form ADV Part 2A prior to deciding to participate in any portfolio or making any investment decision. The views and opinions in the preceding commentary are subject to change without notice and are as of the date of the report. There is no guarantee that any market forecast set forth in the commentary will be realized. This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific point in time, should not be relied upon as investment advice, and is not intended to predict or depict performance of any investment. SOURCE Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors, LLC BRENTWOOD, N.Y., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Ramon E. Ferrand is acknowledged as Leading Pediatrician of the Year for 2024 for his contributions to the field of Pediatrics. Dr. Ferrand pursued higher education at the Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo, Facultad de Ciencias Medicas, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where he earned his MD degree. He then completed his residency in pediatrics at the prestigious Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center in The Bronx, New York. Ramon E. Ferrand, MD Known as a compassionate and dedicated pediatrician, Dr. Ferrand asserts that he is committed to the well-being of infants, children, and adolescents. His responsibilities include physical exams, vaccinations, lab work, and the management of various childhood-related illnesses and he focuses on taking the time to educate both patients and their parents about their conditions. With more than 20 years in the field, Dr. Ferrand is affiliated with local hospitals including BronxCare Health System in The Bronx and Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip. Dedicated to providing the latest advancements in the field, the doctor is a member of renowned professional associations, including the International Association of Healthcare Professionals; the American Medical Association; and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He dedicates this in loving memory of his father, Ramon Ferrand, MD. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle The Jobs of Today Are Not the Jobs of Tomorrow, but Training Opportunities Are Abundant By Bill Stoller, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Express Employment International OKLAHOMA CITY, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A few years after one of the hottest job markets in decades, which led to soaring wages and opportunities for job seekers, stabilizing economic conditions are allowing businesses to reassess their operations, including headcount. Bill Stoller, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Express Employment International Job seekers are feeling the shift: 31% fear losing their jobs before finding new ones, according to a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey. A similar study from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York also shows rising job seeker uncertainty, with fewer people employed, a record number looking for work, and a higher likelihood of unemployment. So, if unemployment remains relatively low at 4.3% and the U.S. currently has 8.2 million open jobs, why are so many job seekers saying they aren't receiving offers? The skills mismatch. The jobs of yesterday are not the jobs of tomorrow, especially considering the new kid in town generative AI. According to the World Economic Forum, 44% of workers' skills will be disrupted in the next five years with cognitive skills at the top of the ideal candidate wish list for recruiters. A similar 2023 Express-Harris Poll survey found hiring managers deem dependability, work ethic, and a willingness to learn absolutely essential. Just as I tell myself the 1970s were "only" 30 years ago, the next five years will be gone in the blink of an eye, and the skills mismatch will either continue to worsen or businesses and individuals can invest in reskilling today. I'll be the first to admit that finding the time to reskill or upskill can be daunting, especially heading into the busyness surrounding the end of the year. Kids' activities, work obligations, and holidays dominate schedules. But with increasing competition for employment, job seekers can't afford to wait. Fortunately, short, focused certificates or courses, known as microcredentials, are flexible and efficient training options widely available in-person and online. Instead of, or in addition to, higher-education degrees, microcredentials focus on specific skill sets such as accounting, business management, anatomy and physiology essentials, and drilling basics. Some are even stackable to achieve associate and bachelor's degrees. Several companies also offer certificates and microcredentials for the general public, like Google and LinkedIn. For example, Google offers certificates for data analytics, cybersecurity, IT support, and more through the Coursera platform. At Express, we are proud to be part of the skills mismatch solution by offering our own training and certifications: Workplace Pro Office Ready, Job Ready , and Success Ready Certifications , and Success Ready Certifications ExpressLearn Flexible Courses in High-Demand Fields Express Certifications Business Office Technology and the Career Preparedness Certifications Before committing to microcredential coursework, research how to demonstrate proof of completion for a future employer. Often, programs will issue a unique digital badge from third parties such as Credly or a competency-based transcript. Digital badges can be added to your LinkedIn profile or resume. Microcredentials appear to be gaining traction as 77% of hiring managers in the 2023 Express-Harris Poll survey said they are just as valuable or more valuable than traditional degrees, and 81% agree they provide the workforce with skilled workers in a timely manner. On the employer side, shrinking budgets are elevating reskilling urgency, providing a way to fill roles without hiring new talent. Sixty-eight percent of hiring managers say they plan to reskill employees this yeara 13% increase since 2021. The most popular reskilling option is to offer company-led training programs (71%) followed by on-the-job training by other employees (62%) or third-party training courses (46%). Jumping on the AI train, 16% say they will use artificial intelligence to help train workers. Whether you choose to completely overhaul your skill set or close gaps in knowledge, as H. Jackson Brown, Jr. said, "The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today." The future of work is here, and you don't want to get left behind. About Bill Stoller William H. "Bill" Stoller is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment International. Founded in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the international staffing franchisor supports the Express Employment Professionals franchise and related brands. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. About Express Employment Professionals At Express Employment Professionals, we're in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 492,000 people globally in 2023 and more than 11 million since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com. Media Contact: Sheena Hollander Director of Corporate Communications & PR at Express Employment International [email protected] SOURCE Express Services dba Express Employment Professionals 2024 Interim Result Highlights (For the six months ended June 30, 2024 ) Company published the efficacy and safety data of Cohort-G of TranStar102 study for osemitamab ( TST001 ) , plus checkpoint inhibitor and CAPOX as the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic G/GEJ cancer at ASCO annual meeting, showing that high/medium Claudin18.2 expression is associated with a median PFS of 12.6 months. Company published the safety and PK data of TranStar101 study at the 2024 AACR annual meeting. The safety and pharmacokinetic profile of osemitamab ( TST001 ) in the U.S. patients, is consistent with the profile reported in Chinese patients from TranStar102 study. Company continued the collaboration with Agilent Technologies, Inc. ( Agilent ) , a world leader in CDx development, for Claudin18.2 specific IHC CDx Assay to support TranStar301 global Phase III pivotal trial of osemitamab ( TST001 ) in combination with checkpoint inhibitor and chemotherapy. For Company's lead non-oncology asset, the anti-sclerostin antibody blosozumab ( TST002 ) , has been published Single Ascending Dose ( SAD ) study result in the 2024 World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases ( WCO-IOF-ESCEO Congress ) in April. After a single dose of blosozumab ( TST002 ) up to 1,200 mg, the average increase of lumbar spine BMD at day 85 ( D85 ) ranged from 3.52% to 6.20% and total hip BMD from 1.30% to 2.24% across dose cohorts. The lumbar spine BMD increase exceeded the least significant difference level ( 2.77% ) and was clinically meaningful. Company has completed the enrolment of patients in the dose-escalation part for the First-in-Human ( FIH ) trial of the first-in-class anti-GREMLIN-1 antibody TST003 and the trial is ongoing at multiple clinical centers in the U.S. and China . P resented one Trial in Progress ( TiP ) poster of TST003-1001 study at the 2024 American Association for Cancer Research ( AACR ) annual meeting in April. HONG KONG, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A clinical stage biopharmaceutical company Transcenta Holding Limited ("Company"; stock code: 6628.HK) is pleased to announce the unaudited consolidated results of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Group") for the six months ended June 30, 2024 (the "Reporting Period") In the first half of 2024, the Company continued to accelerate clinical progress across both the oncology and non-oncology pipelines. For company's lead oncology asset, the Claudin18.2-targeting antibody osemitamab (TST001, A Humanized ADCC Enhanced Claudin18.2 mAb for Solid Tumors), reached key milestones for the treatment of gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancer. Company published the encouraging Phase II data of osemitamab (TST001) in combination with checkpoint inhibitor and standard chemotherapy as first-line treatment of G/GEJ cancer at American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting (ASCO), showing that high/medium Claudin18.2 expression is associated with a median PFS of 12.6 months. At the same period, Company published the safety and PK data of TranStar101 study at the 2024 AACR annual meeting. The safety and pharmacokinetic profile of osemitamab (TST001) in the U.S. patients, is consistent with the profile reported in Chinese patients from TranStar102 study. Worked with Agilent Technologies, Inc. (Agilent), a world leader in CDx development, and developed a Claudin18.2 companion diagnostic test that can fully support the global pivotal trial of osemitamab (TST001). Successfully received regulatory clearances from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), China Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) and South Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). All the achievements validate and further support strategy for the Global Phase III trial (TranStar301). Osemitamab (TST001) is on track to become the first global therapy that delivers the next wave of innovation in the first-line treatment of patients with Claudin18.2 expressing locally advanced or metastatic G/GEJ cancer. Company also plans to explore several Claudin18.2 expressing advanced solid tumors other than G/GEJ cancer. For lead non-oncology asset, the anti-sclerostin antibody blosozumab (TST002, A Humanized Sclerostin mAb for Osteoporosis), published Single Ascending Dose (SAD) study result in the 2024 World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (WCO-IOF-ESCEO Congress) in April. After a single dose of blosozumab (TST002) up to 1,200 mg, the average increase of lumbar spine BMD at day 85 (D85) ranged from 3.52% to 6.20% and total hip BMD from 1.30% to 2.24% across dose cohorts. The lumbar spine BMD increase exceeded the least significant difference level (2.77%) and was clinically meaningful. In addition, Company has completed the enrolment of patients in the dose-escalation part for the First-in-Human (FIH) trial of first-in-class anti-GREMLIN-1 antibody TST003 and the trial is ongoing at multiple clinical centers in the U.S. and China. Have presented one Trial in Progress (TiP) poster of TST003-1001 study at the 2024 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting in April. Furthermore, progress had been made in improving the continuous bioprocessing platform technology HiCB (Highly Intensified Continuous Bioprocessing) and the technology was successfully implemented in the GMP manufacturing of osemitamab (TST001). Research/Early Development Update: TST013 ( An ADC Candidate Targeting a Validated Tumor Antigen ) - TST013 displayed significantly improved anti-tumor activity relative to benchmark ADC and improved tolerability profile which warrants further development - TST013 displayed significantly improved anti-tumor activity relative to benchmark ADC and improved tolerability profile which warrants further development TST808 (A Humanized Antibody Neutralizing One of the Validated Key Targets Regulating B/Plasma Cell Proliferation and Survival) - TST808 has the potential to treat multiple autoimmune renal disorders including IgA nephropathy. Company has obtained the lead molecules and initiated the IND-enabling studies Business Development Achievements: Company has continued the collaboration with Agilent for the Claudin18.2 specific IHC CDx Assay to support TranStar301 global Phase III pivotal trial of osemitamab (TST001) in combination with checkpoint inhibitor and chemotherapy Company has continued the clinical trial collaboration with BMS , and completed the enrolment with osemitamab (TST001),checkpoint inhibitor and chemotherapy combination in TranStar102 in China and in TranStar101 in the U.S . Technology Partnership & Advancement: Company has formed a strategic alliance with a company specialized in siRNA drug substance synthesis, to provide CDMO services in siRNA formulation development and F&F Company's in-house cell culture media ExcelPro CHO are being evaluated for its performance against market standards for fed-batch, intensified fed-batch and perfusion processes by several external partners including a global leading company of media. This is part of potential collaboration for global commercialization of ExcelPro CHO About Transenta Holding Limited Transcenta is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company with fully integrated capabilities in antibody-based biotherapeutics discovery, research, development and manufacturing. Transcenta has established global footprint, with Clinical Development Centers in Princeton, US, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in China, External Partnering Center in Boston and Los Angeles, US, Headquarters and Discovery, Clinical and Translational Research Center in Suzhou, Process and Product Development Center and Manufacturing Facility in Hangzhou. Transcenta has also initiated the construction of the Group Headquarters and the second high-end biopharmaceutical facility with ICB as its core technology in Suzhou Industrial Park. Transcenta is developing fourteen therapeutic antibody molecules for oncology and selected non-oncology indications including bone and kidney disorders. For more information, please browse the website of Transcenta Holding Limited: www.transcenta.com This Press release is published by Intelligent Joy Limited on behalf of Transcenta Holding Limited. SOURCE Transcenta Holding Limited Twin Valley Champions Rural Kansas Teachers to Ignite STEM Learning at Ad Astra Technology Summit WICHITA, Kan., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In support of digital equity in Kansas, Twin Valley is offering 90 scholarships to educators to attend the highly anticipated 3rd Annual Ad Astra Technology Summit, presented by state tech industry organization FlagshipKansas.Tech. As the state's largest independent broadband and communications company, Twin Valley serves primarily rural communities. This exclusive program will be open to any Kansas K-12 educator, with a focus on rural teachers in Twin Valley's service area and throughout the state. The Ad Astra Technology Summit, presented by Kansas tech industry advocate FlagshipKansas.Tech, will be held in Wichita, Kan. on October 2, 2024. The summit will feature a moderated chat with science educator Bill Nye, aka the Science Guy." An exciting line-up of more than 15 curated breakout sessions and 30 faculty, statewide tech awards, and structured networking opportunities will foster connections between industry, entrepreneurs, and educators. "The scholarships are our way of honoring the commitment and enthusiasm of Kansas teachers. We are dedicated to investing in the future of education by supporting those who inspire and nurture young minds," said Ben Foster, President & CEO of Twin Valley. FlagshipKansas.Tech's cutting-edge summit will be held on Wednesday, October 2, at the Hyatt Regency Wichita. It will feature a moderated chat with science educator Bill Nye, aka "the Science Guy." As an engineer, comedian, inventor, and science educator, Nye uses his unique pedagogical skills to facilitate the understanding of the complex nature of scientific concepts. "This summit is important. After all, technologies derive from science," said Nye, host of the popular '90s children's show "Bill Nye the Science Guy." "Tech hubs concentrate engineers and scientists to identify big problems and build business to find solutions to them. The Ad Astra Tech Summit is exciting. I'm looking forward to being part of it this year." Bringing together educators, industry startups, professionals and leaders, government officials, and tech enthusiasts, attendees will explore and address current technology issues in various informative sessions. The summit embraces the future of education while fueling the growth of Kansas' thriving tech sector. Educators will dive into immersive, hands-on sessions focused on new pedagogy for computational thinking in K-2, Primary, and Secondary classrooms. The sessions will provide supplies and lesson plans carefully aligned with multiple Kansas state education standards, enabling teachers to seamlessly integrate STEM concepts into their curricula while maintaining a strong emphasis on core subjects. This summit is also a gateway for educators to build a network of influential professionals, visionary entrepreneurs, and forward-thinking government officials. "Last year, our teacher scholarships reached more than 50 districts, creating a cascading impact on students throughout Kansas. This year, we aim to build on that success by providing actionable tools that help educators develop students' computational thinking skills essential for fostering digital literacy and preparing them for the jobs of the future," said Megan Harper, FlagshipKansas.Tech Vice Chair and Twin Valley Director of Marketing & Sales. As part of the Twin Valley pledge to support community outreach and digital inclusion initiatives, this scholarship covers the cost of a ticket to the full conference, awards ceremony, and moderated chat with Nye. Teachers will also be eligible for one full graduate credit hour issued through Wichita State University. This game-changing summit is dedicated to advancing Kansas' tech sector growth and empowering educators. To apply for the scholarship and learn more about the Ad Astra Technology Summit, visit adastrasummit.tech. About Twin Valley Twin Valley is a fourth-generation family business that has over 80 years' experience providing cutting-edge technology and connectivity throughout the central U.S. Twin Valley helps customers unlock possibilities to realize their full potential by providing a unique combination of broadband, mobile, home security, managed IT services, technology consulting, professional services, and cloud/data center solutions for both residential and business customers. Twin Valley made a Pledge to their communities and customers, always striving to provide the most reliable broadband network, the best value for internet, local hometown customer service and meaningful community outreach initiatives. Learn more at twinvalley.com/pledge. About FlagshipKansas.Tech FlagshipKansas.Tech is a nonprofit organization that brings together Kansas technology companies to shine a light on the depth of skill, ingenuity, and innovation running through our cities and communities. Current goals include raising awareness, attracting and retaining technology talent, and supporting technology workforce training and education. Learn more at flagshipkansas.tech. SOURCE Twin Valley PUNE, India, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Varroc, a leading global tier-1 automotive supplier, announced the appointment of Dr. Karl-Heinz Glander as the Head of R&D for Business II. Dr. Glander will play a pivotal role in driving the Company's innovation and technology strategies, reinforcing Varroc's commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions for the automotive industry. Dr. Karl-Heinz Glander, Head-R&D, Varroc Business II In his new role, Dr. Glander, based out of Germany, will oversee the R&D activities for Business II and report to Mr. Dhruv Jain, CEO, Varroc Business II. He will be responsible for developing advanced technologies, such as Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), Driver Monitoring System (DMS) & Driver and Occupant Monitoring System (DOMS), cockpit electronics, video telematics, fleet management systems for the automatic industry etc. His leadership will be key in driving Varroc Business II's R&D strategy, fostering a culture of innovation, and enhancing the company's competitive edge in the global market. Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Dhruv Jain, CEO, Varroc Business II, said, "At Varroc, we are constantly striving to push the boundaries of innovation and technological excellence. The appointment of Dr. Karl-Heinz Glander as our new Head of Research and Development for Business II marks a significant step forward in our journey. His expertise in the automotive sector will be instrumental in driving our R&D efforts forward. I am excited to welcome Dr. Glander to the Varroc family." On his appointment, Dr. Karl-Heinz Glander, Head-R&D, Varroc Business II, said, "With great excitement and enthusiasm, I embraced this outstanding opportunity when I learned about Varroc's ambitious and challenging plans to enter innovative markets related to active and integrated safety, such as Advanced Driver Assist Systems and Driver/Cabin Monitoring Systems. Additionally, the increasing integration of connected services within vehicles, which enhance the infotainment and overall user experience for both drivers and passengers, truly captivated me. I am thrilled to contribute to Varroc's journey, by leveraging my background in active and passive safety, as well as in the navigation business." Dr. Glander holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Bonn, Germany, and brings 20 years of experience in the automotive sector. He has extensive expertise in research and development, particularly in advanced technology, product innovation, and series development for mass production. Additionally, Dr. Glander is an intacs-certified Provisional Assessor for Automotive SPICE, with profound knowledge of process-oriented development within the automotive industry, especially concerning agile and classic project management, ASPICE, ISO 26262 (Functional Safety for Automotive), and ISO/SAE 21434 (cybersecurity of vehicle electronic systems), among others. Before joining Varroc, he was associated with companies such as Aptiv, ZF Automotive/TRW, and Siemens VDO/Continental. About Varroc Engineering Ltd. Varroc Engineering Ltd. is a global tier-1 automotive component group. Incorporated in 1988, the group manufactures and supplies electricals, electronics, polymers, metallics and exterior lighting systems to leading OEMs, with end-to-end capabilities across design, development and manufacturing for two-wheeler, three-wheeler, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and off-highway vehicles worldwide. The group income was 75,940.74 million from continued operations in FY24. The group employs more than 7,000 employees (750 + R&D engineers), has 36 global operating manufacturing facilities supported by 7 R&D centres, and has more than 100 patents. Varroc Engineering Limited's shares are listed on the National Stock Exchange (VARROC) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (541578). For further information on Varroc Engineering Limited, please visit www.varroc.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2492670/Dr_Karl_Heinz_Glander_Varroc.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2492671/Varroc_Logo.jpg SOURCE Varroc MANILA, Philippines, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 29, 2024, in Manila, Philippines, Viettel High Tech signed a contract to provide a Firearms Training Simulation System with ContactPoint, Inc. (Philippines). This marks Viettel's second contract within just half a year in this market, with a total value of nearly USD 2 million. This event marks a crucial milestone in Viettel's journey to conquer the high-tech sector in the Philippines. VIETTEL BECOMES A MILLION-DOLLAR EQUIPMENT PROVIDER IN THE PHILIPPINE MARKET Since March 2024, Viettel has signed its first contract, committing to deploying uniquely designed Firearms Training Simulation Systems tailored to the specific needs of the Philippine National Police. At the event, Viettel also handed over the systems to its partner ContactPoint and representatives of the Philippine National Police. The systems are entirely controlled by Viettel's core technology and feature high customization capabilities, with over 90% of newly added functions based on customer training requirements. Notably, Viettel developed a recoil device within the simulation system to support specialized weapons such as Glock, Taurus, and the M16 Rifle and created new shooting training software modules. These enhancements improve training quality and combat readiness. Radel Ramos, Training Service Director of Philippine National Police, expressed surprise at Viettel's quick adaptability and flexibility in meeting technical requirements. He emphasized: "Viettel not only provides advanced technological solutions but also helps our forces significantly improve training capacity, aligning with the practical conditions of the Philippines". Cesar Jr. Manuel, CEO of ContactPoint, shared: "We've looked worldwide but found no partner capable of customizing products exactly to our needs like Viettel. Moreover, Viettel's pricing is highly competitive compared to other suppliers." This has provided Viettel with a significant competitive advantage in the international market. Nguyen Vu Ha, CEO of Viettel High Tech, stated: "We are committed to providing the most advanced and high-quality products in the Philippines and the international market, contributing to improving training quality and reducing training costs". The success of the Firearms Training Simulation System showcases Viettel's technological capabilities, built upon years of research and development. With full control over core technology, Viettel not only integrates advanced features but also optimizes the system according to the unique needs of customers, something that international competitors struggle to achieve. Viettel's simulation systems have undergone rigorous testing, ensuring long lifespan and effective usage under all conditions. Media Contact: Mrs. Le Thuy Mai Director of Marketing, Viettel High Tech [email protected] SOURCE Viettel High Technology Industries Corporation Results Highlights for Interim Results ended 30 June 2024 Revenue reached RMB981.8 million Gross profit amounted to RMB339.1 million Net profit grew by 956.0 YoY to RMB144.2 million Adjusted non-IFRS net profit reached RMB168.2 million, increased by 15.1% YoY HONG KONG, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 29, 2024, Viva Biotech Holdings Group ("Viva Biotech", "the Group" or "the Company", stock code: 1873.HK) announced that the Group achieved a revenue RMB981.8 million; and the Group's gross profit of RMB339.1 million. The Group's net profit amounted to RMB144.2 million, a significant improvement from the net profit of RMB13.7 million for the corresponding period of last year, mainly benefiting from the elimination of relevant financial adjustments due to the full repayment of convertible bonds; Adjusted non-IFRS net profit improved from RMB146.1 million for the corresponding period of last year to an adjusted non-IFRS net profit of RMB168.2 million, representing a year-on-year increase of nearly 15.1%. This was mainly attributable to the investment income from the group successful exit of certain portfolio companies as well as the positive contribution from initiatives to reduce costs and increase efficiency. In addition, since the Group completed the introduction of strategic investors such as Temasek, HighLight Capital, True Light Capital and Investment Corporation of Dubai in 2023, the strategic investors have brought synergies in corporate governance, business operations, investment and financing plans and strategic development of the Group. CRO Growth to Gradually Recover in the Future Despite Fluctuations in the Short to Medium Term In the first half of 2024, the Company's revenue from CRO business amounted to RMB385.9 million and achieved a corresponding adjusted gross profit of RMB167.2 million. The revenue for the first half of 2024 decreased compared to last year, primarily due to the short-term impact from challenges in global biopharmaceutical investment and financing on the R&D of innovative drugs, as well as the strategic contraction of the Company's EFS business last year. Nevertheless, the Company effectively implemented measures such as cost reduction and efficiency enhancement to maintain a solid profitability for the CRO business. The gradual recovery of new CRO orders since the second quarter of 2024 will provide a strong support for the Company's business results in the second half of the year. As at June 30, 2024, the Company has cumulatively delivered more than 74,109 protein structures to our clients, approximately 9,074 of which were newly delivered in the first half of 2024. The Company's R&D has accumulated over 2,065 independent drug targets, 79 of which were newly delivered in the first half of 2024. Currently, the Company maintains a leading global position in the industry in the field of protein structure analysis. The cumulative number of CRO clients served had increased to 1,465, including the global top 10 pharmaceutical companies (by reported total revenue for the first half of 2024), and revenue from the top 10 customers accounted for 25.7% of our total revenue. Clients of CRO business are geographically diverse, overseas clients contributed approximately 88.8% of our total revenue, while those from the Chinese Mainland contributed approximately 11.2% of our total revenue. During the Reporting Period, our utilization of synchrotron radiation source reached 873 hours. The Company established long-term cooperation with 13 synchrotron radiation source centers around the world, which are distributed in ten countries/regions, i.e., Shanghai, China, the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Switzerland and Taiwan, China, thus guaranteeing uninterrupted data collection all year round. Continuing to Expand CDMO Capacity and Increase CMC Projects The Group is committed to building a one-stop service platform for global innovative drugs from research and development to production, and improved the production layout through acquisition of the entire equity interests in Langhua Pharmaceutical. In particular, we continued to expand CDMO capacity to prepare for commercial production of new molecules in the future. In addition, constant efforts were made to optimize and channel resources towards the CMC business during the Reporting Period. In the first half of 2024, Langhua Pharmaceutical's revenue amounted to RMB595.9 million, and its adjusted gross profit amounted to RMB179.0 million, primarily attributable to the impact from the delivery schedule of certain CDMO orders, most of which are expected to be delivered in the second half of 2024. As at June 30, 2024, Langhua Pharmaceutical had served a total of 885 clients, with the top ten clients accounting for 63.2% of its total revenue and a 100% retention rate of top ten clients. In addition, Langhua Pharmaceutical provided CMC and CDMO services to 12 incubator companies of the Group as well as companies channeled from CRO business. During the Reporting Period, in respect of production capacity, our current available total capacity reaches 860 cubic meters. Furthermore, Langhua Pharmaceutical plans to establish a new production capacity of 400 cubic meters between 2024 and 2025 to cater to commercial production of new molecules. The civil engineering project is largely completed while internal fire control facilities are under installation, and the next phase will involve procurement and installation of equipment. This endeavor will provide sufficient guarantee for the Company's revenue growth with the launch of new products and release of reserved capacity. The number of CMC projects continued to grow, but the new business is still in the profit ramp-up phase. Since its establishment, CMC has completed and is currently progressing with a total of 218 new drug projects. During the Reporting Period, CMC generated revenue of nearly RMB21.0 million. In the future, the Group plans to strengthen BD and channeling efforts for acquiring high-quality CMC projects. By fully utilizing internal project resources and implementing cost reduction and efficiency enhancement measures, the Group aims to achieve a balanced financial outcome for its CMC business. In addition, in terms of the number of customer orders, external BD accounted for nearly 75.0%, while channeled accounts from Viva represented approximately 25.0%. In terms of order amount, external BD contributed 49.0%, while channeled accounts from Viva contributed 51.0%. Successful Exits of Certain Incubation Portfolio Companies Continued to Realize Investment Returns, Accretive to the Group's Profits During the Reporting Period, the Company achieved partial investment exits from a number of portfolio companies (Focus-X, Saverna, Dogma and Riparian), realizing corresponding investment returns and generating total proceeds of nearly RMB144.1 million. In addition, the Company also achieved investment exit from one portfolio company (Nerio) subsequent to the Reporting Period in the end of July 2024, but the investment income therefrom will not be recognized in the interim report for the Reporting Period. As at June 30, 2024, the Group had invested in a total of 92 portfolio companies. The portfolio companies are mainly from the United States, Canada, Europe and China. 67.0% of the portfolio companies are from North America and 26.0% are from China. In the first half of 2024, five of our portfolio companies completed or were close to completing a new round of financing, raising approximately US$117.0 million in total. The R&D efforts of the portfolio companies were advancing smoothly, with the total number of pipeline projects reaching close to 222, of which 185 pipelines are in the preclinical stage and 37 pipelines in the clinical stage. So far, the Group has successfully realized 13 investment exits or partial exits. Furthermore, the Group may have several potential exits of our portfolio companies, and it also can be foreseen that a peak season of investment exits will arrive in the next three years. As at the end of the Reporting Period, Viva has strategically invested in a series of high-quality assets, including portfolio companies such as Dogma, Arthrosi, Basking, Triumvira, Deka, Mediar, Cybrexa, VivaVision, Haya and Nerio. In the future, as these portfolio companies continue to develop successfully, secure ongoing financing, and realize exits, the initial investments will gradually enter the harvesting phase, providing sustained cash returns and investment income for the Group. Technological highlights and R&D Breakthroughs Riding on the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology recently, Viva has further introduced AI technology on the basis of structure-based drug discovery (SBDD) technology, focusing on new targets, novel mechanisms of action (MOA) and new modality to develop a unique AI-enabled SBDD one-stop R&D service platform for innovative novel drugs. Firstly, from the perspective of current research on new targets, new targets are the most important source of original innovation. During the Reporting Period, our R&D has accumulated over 2,065 independent drug targets, 79 of which were newly delivered in the first half of 2024. So far, the Company has delivered to clients a series of target protein structures that have not been reported in the Protein Structure Database (PDB), and clarified the structural principles of these proteins in functioning, laying a solid foundation for subsequent drug molecular design. For example, in the cancer therapeutic area, industry players are still searching for new targets as breakthroughs, in addition to traditional target proteins such as kinases, proto-oncogenes/tumor suppressor genes, immune checkpoints, etc. In the fields of new tumor target proteins related to cell division control and mRNA stability, we successfully analyzed many previously unreported protein structures and complex structures of proteins and drug candidate molecules, and explained structural details of the interaction between target proteins and compounds, which provide clear guidance for designing more effective compounds and lead to the emergence of a range of new drug candidate molecules. Besides, the Company contributed a number of new structures in the molecular glue protein complex structural field, which further provide effective clues for rational design and improvement of molecular glue drugs. Secondly, regarding novel MOA research progress, our CRO business has successfully established a one-stop platform for novel MOA-based drug discovery and research, and set up relevant technical platforms covering protein production, preparation and structure research, Cryo-EM technology, membrane protein research technology, drug screening technology, bioassay and so on. Moreover, based on the validation and tests of hit compounds, the Company can rely on its strong pharmaceutical chemistry team and computing team to help clients further optimize the structure of hit compounds until they reach the preclinical candidate (PCC) milestone. Meanwhile, the Company's pharmacology and pharmacokinetics platform can also provide clients with systematic compound druggability evaluation services for the development of novel MOA-based compounds. Thirdly, regarding current progress of new modality related technology platforms, during the Reporting Period, Viva Biotech drew upon a wealth of projects completed over the years to gradually integrate its macromolecular drug/antibody platform, peptide platform and micromolecule drug platform into a cross-field XDC platform. Deeply integrating computational chemistry and artificial intelligence technology with XDC technology, the Company explored in a wide range of innovative fields such as coupling site screening design, linker-drug payload design, overall hydrophobicity and stability modification of XDC drugs, and development of novel coupling reactions, expanding new directions for XDC drug R&D. On this basis, the Company further integrated the XDC platform with DNA encoded library (DEL) technology, leveraging strong screening capabilities of the Viva DEL platform to help screen special micromolecule linkers and drugs, and relying on its team's unique experience in nucleic acid conjugation to establish an antibody-oligonucleotide conjugate (AOC) platform. So far, based on full integration of our existing technology platforms across multiple fields, we have established a powerful, comprehensive and one-stop XDC technology service platform. Besides, regarding construction progress in the peptide technology platform, the Company has achieved the capability to synthesize a wide range of peptides, particularly the challenging and technologically advanced peptide chains. Extensive research and technical expertise have been accumulated in peptide coupling, peptide drug conjugates (PDC), radionuclide drug conjugates (RDC), monocyclic peptides, stapled peptides and other complex multi-cyclic peptides (involving peptide folding and selective cyclization), biotin-labeled peptides and fluorescent-labeled peptides. In terms of peptide coupling, our peptide platform works with antibody department to expand the peptide platform to the field of peptide antibody coupled APC, and has delivered relevant products. In the future, Viva's peptide technology platform envisions a collaborative approach with Viva's phage display platform and V-DEL platform, aiming to provide customers with one-stop comprehensive services encompassing the entire process from the discovery and validation of hit peptide chains to the identification and optimization of lead compounds, and ultimately the determination of candidate compounds. In addition, Viva also provides services relevant to PROTAC/molecular glue drug R&D, and revenue generated in this regard accounted for almost 10.87% of total revenue from the CRO business. Our services primarily include studies on protein preparation and structure, screening of PROTAC/molecular glue, kinetics, drug metabolism, pharmaceutical chemistry, Bioassay, computer-aided drug discovery (CADD)/ artificial intelligence in drug discovery (AIDD), etc. As at June 30, 2024, the Company has studied more than 50 E3 ligase complexes and delivered 140 PROTAC ternary complex structures. The PROTAC business also became a revenue contributor to the growth of our CRO business. Last but not least, regarding our AI-enabled SBDD one-stop R&D service platform for innovative novel drugs, our CADD and AIDD platforms employ physical chemistry models and artificial intelligence algorithms to advance drug R&D projects, based on deep understanding of structures and mechanisms of action to truly practice computation-driven drug R&D. Our computing platform has developed a series of project-specific advanced algorithms to solve practical problems in drug design such as covalent and non-covalent free energy perturbations (FEP), resulting in higher computational accuracy and larger adjustable parameter range. Addressing gaps in the traditional computational chemistry methodology, the computing platform introduced generative artificial intelligence algorithms, which break through the limitation of chemical space with ab initio generation, enabling drug design to achieve the breakthrough from zero to one with the aid of computation. Furthermore, ADME/PK prediction models were developed under the platform, enabling comprehensive coverage of various drug R&D stages and systematic integration of computing tools. The methods developed under the computational chemistry and artificial intelligence platform have been applied in the R&D of various drug modalities, such as small molecules, antibodies, peptides and RNA-targeting small molecules. In the process of algorithm development, our platforms maintain the integration of dry-lab and wet-lab and the computational results are verified through experimental validation, during which computational models are iteratively optimized to ultimately achieve breakthroughs. Generally, Viva's CADD and AIDD platforms have the capability to develop proprietary algorithms and enhance platforms and the experience in exploring various drug modalities, and fully leverage our advantages in SBDD, which can comprehensively empower various early drug R&D aspects with the computing power supported by the Shanghai supercomputing cluster. Staff and Facilities As at June 30, 2024, the Group had a total of 2,043 employees, of whom the number of CRO R&D personnel reached 1,117, and the headcount of Langhua Pharmaceutical was 704. The Company has well-established office and laboratory facilities in line with its workforce expansion plans, and is expanding production capacity to meet the fast-growing business needs, including: The Group's new headquarters in Zhoupu, Shanghai with a total area of approximately 40,000 square meters had been put into full operation. with a total area of approximately 40,000 square meters had been put into full operation. The incubation center located in Faladi Road, Shanghai has an actual usable area of approximately 7,576 square meters, including 5,552 square meters of laboratory area. has an actual usable area of approximately 7,576 square meters, including 5,552 square meters of laboratory area. The park in Chengdu has a GFA of approximately 64,564 square meters, of which 12,210 square meters of properties had been put into use as at June 30, 2024 , including 10,800 square meters of laboratory area. has a GFA of approximately 64,564 square meters, of which 12,210 square meters of properties had been put into use as at , including 10,800 square meters of laboratory area. A park in Suzhou with a total GFA of approximately 7,545 square meters, including nearly 5,305 square meters of laboratory area. A park in Jiaxing with a GFA of approximately 6,362 square meters, including nearly 5,335 square meters of laboratory area. Shanghai Supercomputing Center has been officially put into operation. At present, it can support CADD computation, AIDD related computation, and crystal structure and Cryo-EM (Micro-ED) computation. The factory of Langhua Pharmaceutical in Taizhou, Zhejiang has a GFA of approximately 35,168 square meters, including the Taizhou R&D center with an area of approximately 2,500 square meters. The R&D center of Ningbo Nuobai has an area of approximately 1,300 square meters and the office building of Ningbo Nuobai has an area of approximately 1,500 square meters. Dr. Cheney Mao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Viva Biotech Holdings, stated, "With unique advantages in structure-based drug discovery (SBDD), the company will increase the cross-sell between biological and chemical businesses, continue to strengthen the construction of its one-stop innovative novel drug R&D platform and manufacturing service platform, deepen the synergy between CRO and CDMO business, improve the capacity building for front-end services and drive business to back-end services to further enhance the business funnel effect. Actively building an open collaboration platform and a win-win ecosystem for global biopharma innovators." About Viva Biotech Established in 2008, Viva Biotech (01873.HK) provides one-stop services ranging from early-stage Structure-Based Drug R&D to commercial drug delivery to global biopharmaceutical innovators. We offer leading early-stage to late-phase drug discovery expertise by integrating our dedicated team of experts, cutting-edge technology platforms, and state-of-the-art equipment in X-ray crystallization, Cryo-EM, DEL, ASMS, SPR, HDX-MS, AIDD/CADD, and much more. Our business covers all aspects of therapeutic strategies and drug modalities, including small molecules and biologics across the pharma and biotech spectrum. The experienced chemistry team, led by senior medicinal chemists and drug discovery biologists, provides services for drug design, medicinal chemistry (hit to lead and lead optimization), custom synthesis, chemical analysis and purification, kilogram scale-up, peptide synthesis and corresponding bioassays. With our subsidiary Langhua Pharmaceutical, we offer worldwide pharmaceutical and biotech partners a one-stop integrated CMC (Chemical, Manufacturing, and Control) service from preclinical to commercial manufacturing. Additionally, Viva Biotech embedded an equity for service (EFS) model to high potential startups to address unmet medical needs. As of June 30, 2024, Viva Biotech had cumulatively provided drug R&D and manufacturing services to 2,350 biotech and pharmaceutical clients around the world. We have invested and incubated 92 biotech start-ups in total. In the future, the company will continue to strengthen its technological barriers and improve R&D, production levels, and our service capacity to provide high-quality and diversified services for more drug discovery start-ups, as well as medium and large pharmaceutical enterprises around the world. SOURCE Viva Biotech Holdings The 150 kilometer challenge aims to raise $150,000 and honors fallen military heroes TYSONS, Va., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lisa Hallett, co-founder of wear blue: run to remember, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring fallen service members through purposeful steps every week in community runs, recently completed a 150 kilometer challenge along the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier, Washington. The challenge set a fundraising goal of raising $150,000 along Lisa's 150 kilometers and has currently raised over $111,000 to create opportunities to honor and remember the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much. You can help the wear blue community meet their goal and offer support for Gold Star and Surviving Families at the following link. The PenFed Foundation, a national 501(c)3 founded by PenFed Credit Union, provided a $25,000 matching grant to the 150K challenge in order to maximize the impact of every dollar raised in support of the military community. After losing her husband in Afghanistan, Hallett turned to running to cope with her loss. Lisa found a community of other wives and families searching for support and wear blue: run to remember was born. In the years since, Lisa has built the group into the global organization it is today as an outlet for loved ones to honor those they have lost and as a way for every American to convey tangible gratitude to our service members. "Throughout this run, I was reminded that even in the hard, all things are possible," said Hallett. "And this possible is made true by the support of a community who gets it, our wear blue community." Funds raised for the 150K challenge will make a significant difference by: Supporting Gold Star and Surviving Families through wear blue's Gold Star Race Program, providing families with the resources and community they need to navigate their loss. Sustaining Communities across the nation for a year, fostering camaraderie, wellness, and remembrance for our military families, veterans, and those who honor and grieve the loss of our fallen heroes. Learn more about how you can get involved here. About wear blue: run to remember wear blue: run to remember was founded following the redeployment of 5-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, a unit that, while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, sustained a significant amount of combat losses and casualties. During that deployment, a small group of 5-2 wives and battalion support staff met weekly to run, seeking to create a support network for one another during this challenging and heartbreaking deployment. When the brigade returned, two of those Army wives and avid runners, Lisa Hallett and Erin O'Connor, turned this small group into a nationwide vision that now helps thousands heal from and work through the more challenging aspects of military life during a time of war. Lisa's husband, CPT John Hallett, was one of four soldiers killed in that unit on August 25, 2009, while returning from a goodwill mission in Southern Afghanistan. About PenFed Foundation Founded in 2001, The PenFed Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that supports veterans in their transition from service to success. Affiliated with PenFed Credit Union, the Foundation has provided more than $55 million in financial support to veterans, active-duty service members and military families. PenFed Credit Union covers the salaries and administrative costs of The PenFed Foundation, so more of your donation goes right to our programs. To learn more, please visit www.penfedfoundation.org. SOURCE PenFed Foundation Promotion of two executives to new roles to support members and partners CHELMSFORD, Mass., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wellesley Information Services (Wellesley) is pleased to announce two promotions as part of accelerating its global support of the enterprise technology community. The promotions include Annette Slunjski to the role of Global Chief Events Officer in addition to her role as CEO of APAC-based Mastering SAP and Mark Fried to the position of CEO of UK-Based ERP Today in addition to his role as Wellesley CFO. These dual-role promotions are an extension of the Wellesley ethos of growth via real-world learning and execution. As the new Global Chief Events Officer, Annette brings decades of experience in supporting and fostering the growth of global communities. By leveraging her expertise in marketing, product innovation, communications and management, Annette's new role will fuel greater community connection and learning opportunities across all events in the Wellesley family of brands that includes SAPinsider, Mastering SAP and ERP Today. She continues to directly lead and support the SAP community in APAC in her CEO - APAC role at Mastering SAP. As the new CEO of ERP Today, Mark Fried's extensive experience in leadership and global growth, as well as his financial expertise is the perfect fit to lead the globalization of ERP Today's product offerings, while working closely with Wellesley Executive Management to fully integrate the brand into the broader Wellesley ecosystem. "The promotion of Annette and Mark is the next step in Wellesley's commitment to globalize and drive community engagement for our members and partners. Each of their respective backgrounds brings a host of experiences that perfectly align with Wellesley's mission of leading the global discussion in the enterprise technology industry," said Jamie Bedard, Chief Executive Officer of Wellesley Information Services. "Under Annette and Mark's leadership, our events and ERP Today offerings will continue to innovate. Connecting and engaging the largest community of enterprise technology end-users and partners is the heart of the Wellesley offering, enhanced again with these promotions." Wellesley is the producer of 12 must-attend events globally across its three brands: SAPinsider, MasteringSAP and ERP Today. Renowned for their community networking, engagement and education, the events attract nearly 7,000 participants annually. Acquired by Wellesley in 2023, ERP Today is known as the independent voice of the enterprise technology sector and is trusted by the world's most influential CEOs and tech brands to deliver creative content that encourages its audience to think differently about the complex challenges of twenty-first century IT. In a late 2021 acquisition, Wellesley added Mastering SAP to the portfolio that forms the largest and fastest-growing SAP membership group worldwide. Mastering SAP is a thriving community that has been providing brilliant content and unrivalled networking to SAP end-users in the ANZ and APAC region for over 27 years. About Wellesley Information Services Wellesley is the fastest growing global operator of B2B enterprise technology communities, driving global conversation, education, and action that brings buyers & sellers together with a membership model that benefits the entire marketplace. With over 1.2M registered professionals from 50K+ companies and over 300 of the world's most innovative technology companies, Wellesley fosters community networking, educational opportunities, and vigorous member involvement by leveraging digital content, research, publications, and live events. Wellesley Information Services Media Contact: Abbegayle Morrow Chief Marketing Officer [email protected] SOURCE Wellesley Information Services WESTAF celebrates 50th anniversary with online exhibition featuring 50 artworks exploring the concept of time DENVER, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of its 50th anniversary, the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF), a U.S. Regional Arts Organization, announces an open call for artists in the Western region to participate in an online exhibition titled 50 Years, 50 Artists: A Celebration of the West. This special exhibition will feature 50 unique pieces of artwork that reflect on the concept of time, inviting artists to explore and interpret this theme in their own creative ways. 50 Years, 50 Artists: A Celebration of the West A panel of WESTAF staff and board members will select 50 pieces of art for an online exhibition on the CallforEntry (CaFE) website. Each piece will also be featured with a dedicated post on its social media pages throughout the year, and additional works may be used as rotating images on the CaFE and/or WESTAF websites. WESTAF will award a combined total of $4,000 to top-scoring artists. "It's a privilege to showcase the incredible talent in our region, celebrating half a century of innovation and creativity at the intersection of arts and technology," remarked Christina Villa, director of business of WESTAF. "We're so proud to honor WESTAF's legacy and this 50th-anniversary milestone in a manner that truly resonates with the spirit of WESTAF." The theme for this milestone exhibition is "time" whether looking to the past, examining the present, or envisioning the future. Artists are encouraged to dive into their personal or cultural memories, histories, and evolutions, offering their perspectives on how time influences and shapes their art. Artists may submit 1-2 artworks in any medium for consideration through WESTAF's own submission platform, CaFE. Image, audio, and video submissions are all accepted. The submission deadline for this call for entry is 11:59 p.m. MDT on September 14, 2024. The call is free to apply and open to artists residing in the WESTAF region, which includes Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, Hawai'i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Find more information and apply at bit.ly/50Years50Artists. About WESTAF WESTAF (Western States Arts Federation) is a regional nonprofit arts service organization dedicated to strengthening the financial, organizational, and policy infrastructure of the arts in the West. WESTAF assists state arts agencies, arts organizations, and artists in their quest to serve diverse audiences, enrich the lives of local communities, and provide access to the arts and arts education for all. Through innovative programming, advocacy, research, technology, and grantmaking, WESTAF encourages the creative advancement and preservation of the arts regionally and through a national network of customers and alliances. About CallforEntry CallforEntry (CaFE) is an online application submission system that simplifies the call for entry process for arts organizations. It allows artists worldwide to apply and submit their work for exhibitions, competitions, grants, RFQs/RFPs, and various other art opportunities. Since 2005, CaFE has been committed to making art accessible to all through an affordable and user-friendly platform. It is driven by WESTAF's dedication to supporting and promoting creative expression while fostering vibrant networks within the arts sector. It's a privilege to showcase the incredible talent in our region, celebrating half a century of innovation and creativity at the intersection of arts and technology. We're so proud to honor WESTAF's legacy and this 50th-anniversary milestone in a manner that truly resonates with the spirit of WESTAF. Contact: Leah Horn 720.664.2239 [email protected] SOURCE Western States Arts Federation NEW YORK, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation- The global whiskey warehousing market size is estimated to grow by USD 4.85 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.86% during the forecast period. Growing whiskey consumption globally is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing adoption of smart warehousing solutions for whiskey. However, high cost associated with whiskey warehousing poses a challenge. Key market players include Amrut Distilleries Pvt. Ltd., Ardbeg, Brindiamo Group LLC, Brown Forman Corp., Caley Casks, Campbell Meyer and Co. Ltd, CVH SPIRITS LTD., Diageo Plc, Dunnage Spirits, FOUR ROSES DISTILLERY LLC, Heaven Hill Sales Co., Hinch Distillery, ISG Ltd., Mossburn Distillers Ltd., Moving Spirits, Murray McDavid Ltd., Piccadily Distilleries, R and B Distillers Ltd., Stafford Bonded., The Spirited Bond Ltd, and Young spirits. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global whiskey warehousing market 2024-2028 Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies- View the snapshot of this report Whiskey Warehousing Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period - Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 9.86% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 4858.4 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 8.24 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution Europe at 42% Key countries US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Japan, and India Key companies profiled Amrut Distilleries Pvt. Ltd., Ardbeg, Brindiamo Group LLC, Brown Forman Corp., Caley Casks, Campbell Meyer and Co. Ltd, CVH SPIRITS LTD., Diageo Plc, Dunnage Spirits, FOUR ROSES DISTILLERY LLC, Heaven Hill Sales Co., Hinch Distillery, ISG Ltd., Mossburn Distillers Ltd., Moving Spirits, Murray McDavid Ltd., Piccadily Distilleries, R and B Distillers Ltd., Stafford Bonded., The Spirited Bond Ltd, and Young spirits Market Driver The whiskey warehousing market is a significant sector in the alcoholic beverages industry. Whiskey producers require adequate storage facilities to age their products properly. These warehouses must maintain specific temperature and humidity conditions to ensure the whiskey matures optimally. The market is driven by increasing demand for premium whiskey brands and growing consumption in key markets like the US and Europe. Whiskey warehouses also need to comply with regulatory requirements and invest in technology to enhance operational efficiency. The whiskey storage business is thriving in the global alcoholic beverages market. Producers are focusing on both on-trade and off-trade channels to increase sales. On-trade includes bars, restaurants, and hotels, while off-trade refers to retail sales. Raw material prices and industry trends, such as the use of alternative ingredients, impact whiskey production. Whiskey makers store their whiskey in oak barrels to develop flavor and aroma. Scotch and bourbon are popular luxury products, with rare blends and aged varieties in high demand. Private, public, and bonded warehouses are used for whiskey storage. Distillers prioritize efficient distillery operations to meet the increasing demand for premium spirits and crafted cocktails. Whiskey tourism also contributes to the market growth. Explore a 360 Analysis of the Market: Unveil the Impact of AI. For complete insights- Request Sample! Market Challenges The whiskey warehousing market is a significant sector in the alcoholic beverages industry. Whiskey producers require adequate storage facilities to age their products optimally. Warehouses must maintain specific conditions, including temperature and humidity, to ensure the quality of the whiskey. Demand for high-quality whiskey continues to grow, leading to increased investment in modern, efficient warehouses. These facilities employ advanced technology to monitor and control storage conditions, ensuring consistent product quality and maximizing capacity utilization. The market is expected to grow steadily due to rising consumer demand and increasing production capacity. Whiskey warehousing is a crucial aspect of the whiskey industry, as it significantly impacts the flavor and aroma of distilled alcohol during the aging process. Whiskey makers rely on oak barrels to store their whiskey, with Scotch and Bourbon being popular varieties. Private, public, and bonded warehouses are used for storage, catering to different needs. On-Trade and Off-Trade channels require efficient distribution, making strategic warehousing locations essential. Aging processes and quality control depend on factors like barrel size, storage requirements, and temperature/humidity control. E-commerce growth necessitates smart warehousing solutions and energy-efficient practices. Barrel materials, coating technologies, and facility expansions are ongoing considerations. Companies like Lux Row Distillers and Balcones Distilling invest in high-tech security measures and cross-docking practices to streamline operations. Whiskey demand, driven by drinking culture and various age groups, continues to grow, making the storage business a lucrative opportunity. Challenges include ensuring temperature, humidity control, and security, as well as adapting to evolving consumer preferences and market trends. Energy-efficient practices and barrel materials are key focus areas to reduce costs and minimize environmental impact. For more insights on driver and challenges - Request a sample report! Segment Overview This whiskey warehousing market report extensively covers market segmentation by Type 1.1 Blended whiskey 1.2 Single malt whiskey 1.3 Bourbon 1.4 Grain whiskey 1.5 Others Ownership 2.1 Company-owned warehouses 2.2 Third-party warehouses Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Blended whiskey- Blended whiskey, known for its smooth and approachable flavor profile, is increasingly popular among consumers worldwide. With consistent flavor profiles, blended whiskey appeals to both consumers and bartenders. Its affordability compared to single malts broadens its customer base. In countries like India, where blended whiskeys are gaining popularity, demand for whiskey warehousing is rising. High-end blended whiskeys challenge the perception that blends are inferior to single malts. Sustainability is a priority for major blended whiskey brands, attracting environmentally conscious consumers. The growing middle class income in countries such as India and China fuels the demand for premium spirits, leading to significant growth in the blended whiskey segment. This trend will continue to drive demand for whiskey warehousing during the forecast period. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2017-2021) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis Whiskey warehousing is a crucial aspect of the whiskey industry, providing essential storage solutions for distilled alcohol as it ages in oak barrels. Whiskey makers rely on both private and public warehouses, as well as bonded warehouses, to store their whiskey, ensuring optimal flavor and aroma development. The choice between oak barrels and alternative materials can significantly impact the final product. Locations of warehouses play a significant role in the whiskey's character, with Scotch whisky traditionally aged in Scotland and Bourbon in the United States. Smart warehousing solutions, energy-efficient practices, and high-tech security measures are increasingly important in the modern whiskey industry. Whiskey warehousing is a critical link between producers and consumers, with on-trade sales and e-commerce channels driving demand for efficient logistics and cross-docking practices. The whiskey industry faces challenges such as raw material prices and the use of luxury products, making cost-effective and sustainable warehousing practices increasingly important. Alcoholic beverages, including whiskey, require specialized storage conditions, and whiskey warehousing plays a vital role in maintaining the ideal temperature, humidity, and light levels to ensure the highest quality. The use of technology and innovation continues to shape the whiskey warehousing landscape, with energy-efficient practices and smart solutions becoming increasingly prevalent. Market Research Overview Whiskey warehousing is a crucial aspect of the whiskey industry, providing essential services for whiskey makers to store their distilled alcohol in oak barrels for aging. The flavor and aroma of whiskey significantly develop during this process, with Scotch and Bourbon being two popular varieties. Whiskey warehouses come in various types, including private, public, and bonded, catering to different needs. Whiskey warehouses require specific storage conditions, such as temperature and humidity control, to maintain the quality of the aging whiskey. Barrel size and materials also impact the aging process. E-commerce and strategic warehousing locations are essential for on-trade and off-trade channels. The whiskey storage business is a significant contributor to the alcoholic beverages industry, with growing demand from consumers, especially men of various age groups. Whiskey tourism is also a booming sector, offering unique experiences for visitors. Facility expansions and high-tech security measures are common practices in the whiskey warehousing industry. Coating technologies and smart warehousing solutions are also being adopted for energy-efficient practices and cross-docking. Whiskey producers, including Lux Row Distillers and Balcones Distilling, require warehousing solutions to store their raw materials and finished goods. Alternative ingredients and luxury products, such as rare blends and aged varieties, also require specialized storage solutions. Whiskey warehousing is an integral part of the whiskey industry, with the aging process playing a significant role in the development of the final product's flavor and aroma. Temperature and humidity control, barrel materials, and storage requirements are essential factors to consider in whiskey warehousing. The whiskey storage business caters to both on-trade and off-trade channels, with bars, restaurants, hotels, and crafted cocktails being significant consumers. The industry is impacted by raw material prices, whiskey industry trends, and consumer preferences for premium spirits, craft beverages, and Scotch whiskey. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Type Blended Whiskey Single Malt Whiskey Bourbon Grain Whiskey Others Ownership Company-owned Warehouses Third-party Warehouses Geography North America Europe APAC South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio Kyiv, Aug 29 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the Ukrainian troops have taken further areas in Russia's Kursk region. "The Commander-in-Chief (Oleksandr Syrskyi) also reported on our operation in the Kursk region. We continue to expand the territory under our control in the designated areas near the border of Ukraine," Zelensky said in his daily video address on Wednesday evening. Ukrainian armed forces invaded Russia's Kursk region on August 6, Xinhua news agency reported. "We must also understand now that all the pressure we have transferred to Russia means that they cannot put any more pressure on our Donetsk region," Zelensky said in his address. However, the Ukrainian President also noted that the situation in Pokrovsk and other directions in the Donetsk region "is extremely difficult". "The key Russian efforts and their largest forces are concentrated there, and the resilience of each of our units, our ability to destroy the occupier, are now very important," he said. Zelensky claimed on Wednesday that his country's troops continued to expand their control in Russia's border region of Kursk, where Kyiv launched an "operation" more than three weeks ago. "We continue to expand our control over designated areas near Ukraine's border. Today, as every day, our exchange fund has also been replenished," he said in an evening video address. Zelensky thanked Ukrainian troops for their valour in the border region, saying he had heard a report on the situation regarding Ukraine's operation in the Kursk region from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi earlier in the day during a meeting. "This is something that will help bring home many of our people from Russian captivity. We must also understand now that all the pressure we have transferred to Russia means that they cannot put any more pressure on our Donetsk region," he said. He added that Ukraine is working with its partners to provide military supplies to the front lines. "We continue to insist that their determination now -- lifting the restrictions on long-range strikes for Ukraine now -- will help us to end the war as soon as possible in a fair way for Ukraine and the world as a whole," he said. Russian authorities have not yet commented on Zelensky's claims, and independent verification is difficult due to the ongoing war. Kyiv's operation in the Kursk began on the night of August 5-6, when Ukrainian forces entered the region near the town of Sudzha, about 10 km (6.2 miles) from the border. Putin accused Kyiv of carrying out a :large-scale provocation" and "indiscriminate shooting," defining the incursion as a "terrorist attack". Days later, Zelensky admitted it was an "operation" by Ukraine's troops, specifying that the goal is to create a "buffer zone" against cross-border attacks by Russia. Sanaa, Aug 29 : Yemen's Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam has said that the group has agreed to permit the rescue operation and towing of a burning oil tanker in the Red Sea. Abdulsalam, who is based in Oman, was quoted by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV as saying on late Wednesday that the decision was made "after negotiations with EU ambassadors in Muscat". According to the Houthi television, flames have engulfed the ship for days amid continuing oil crude leaks, and it would be towed to a port in Eritrea, Xinhua news agency reported. Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group has agreed to a temporary truce to allow tugboats and rescue ships to reach the damaged Greek-flagged crude oil tanker Sounion in the Red Sea, Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York said on Wednesday. "Several countries have reached out to ask Ansarullah (the Houthis), requesting a temporary truce for the entry of tugboats and rescue ships into the incident area," Iran's UN mission said. "In consideration of humanitarian and environmental concerns, Ansarullah has consented to this request." The Sounion was targeted last week by multiple projectiles off Yemen's port city of Hodeidah. It was still on fire in the Red Sea and now appears to be leaking oil, a Pentagon spokesman said on Tuesday. Houthi fighters, who control Yemen's most populous regions, said they attacked it. The group has been attacking ships in solidarity with Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas fighters in Gaza. The vessel, identified as MV SOUNION, carrying 150,000 tonnes of crude oil, has been on fire since August 23 after it was repeatedly attacked off the Houthi-controlled Yemeni port city of Hodeidah. The Houthis have claimed responsibility for the attacks against the ship. According to a Houthi statement, the attacks were carried out by several boats, ballistic and winged missiles, and drones. Since November 2023, the Houthis have been targeting what they called "Israeli-linked" cargo ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to show solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Paris, Aug 29 : Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the encrypted messaging service Telegram, was released after paying a five-million-euro (about $5.6 million) bail, but he is required to report to the police twice a week, Paris Public Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said. Durov is officially placed under investigation on six charges and he was prohibited from leaving France during the investigation, Beccuau added on Wednesday night as reported by Xinhua news agency. Durov was arrested by French Police at an airport outside Paris on Saturday night. Beccuau said on Monday that the Telegram founder is accused of 12 criminal offences, including failing to act against Telegram users involved in cyberbullying, sharing pedophilic content and glorifying terrorism. He added the arrest "comes in the context of a judicial investigation opened on July 8, 2024". It also concerns "refusal to communicate, at the request of competent authorities, information or documents necessary for carrying out and operating interceptions allowed by law," the Paris prosecutor said. In response to the arrest, the Telegram group said on its X account that the company "abides by European Union (EU) laws, including the Digital Services Act". "It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for abuse of that platform," it added. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that the arrest of Durov is "in no way a political decision". Durov's arrest in France "took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation," Macron said on social media platform X. After the arrest, Russia's embassy in Paris has referred a note to the French Foreign Ministry demanding consular access to Durov, the TASS news agency quoted Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying. Meanwhile, Elon Musk, owner of the US social media platform X, and Edward Snowden, former US National Security Agency contractor, condemned Durov's arrest on Sunday. United Nations, Aug 29 : Two humanitarian workers in a UN-marked armoured vehicle escaped physically unharmed a salvo of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) gunfire in Gaza, a UN spokesman said. "Yesterday (Tuesday) evening, a clearly marked UN humanitarian vehicle -- part of a convoy that had been fully coordinated with the IDF -- was struck 10 times by IDF gunfire, including with bullets targeting front windows," said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Wednesday. The World Food Programme (WFP) said it was pausing the movement of its employees in Gaza until further notice after the WFP team came under fire, Xinhua news agency reported. The agency said the incident occurred a few metres from an Israeli checkpoint at the Wadi Gaza bridge as the team was returning from a mission to Kerem Shalom/Karam Abu Salem in two armoured vehicles after escorting a convoy of trucks carrying humanitarian cargo routed to Gaza's central area. The food agency said that despite receiving multiple clearances from Israeli authorities to approach the checkpoint, the vehicle was directly struck by gunfire as it was moving toward the checkpoint. The car sustained at least 10 bullet impacts: five on the driver's side, two on the passenger side and three on other parts of the vehicle. The employees on board were physically unharmed. The WFP released a photo of the left side of a large white SUV-type vehicle with "UN" in large black letters and apparent bullet impacts on the driver's and left passenger bullet-proof windows. There were no evident bullet impacts on the left body of the vehicle in the photo. "This is totally unacceptable and the latest in a series of unnecessary security incidents that have endangered the lives of WFP's team in Gaza," said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain. "As last (Tuesday) night's events show, the current deconfliction system is failing and this cannot go on any longer. I call on the Israeli authorities and all parties to the conflict to act immediately to ensure the safety and security of all aid workers in Gaza." Dujarric said the world body continues to work with the IDF to ensure these incidents do not happen again. "We reiterate that parties must respect international humanitarian law at all times," he added. "This means that civilians must be protected, and their essential needs -- including food, water, shelter and health -- must be met, wherever they may be in Gaza. This applies to those under evacuation orders regardless of whether they move or not. And, those who leave must have enough time to do so, as well as a safe route and safe places." Bengaluru, Aug 29 : The Karnataka High Court will on Thursday take up Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's writ petition challenging the order of Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot giving sanction for investigation against him in connection with irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). CM Siddaramaiah had previously received temporary relief from the court. The High Court had directed the lower court not to take any decision until August 29. Three petitioners against CM Siddaramaiah in the MUDA case are set to submit the letter of consent from the Governor for prosecution and plead for filing an FIR against him in the lower court. Two petitioners have also filed private complaints against CM Siddaramaiah in court. The Governor gave consent for prosecution on August 17. Following CM Siddaramaiah's writ petition challenging the order, the High Court took up the matter for hearing on August 19. The CM was represented by senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi. The Chief Minister has sought interim relief as well as the quashing of the Governor's order, calling it unconstitutional. After receiving temporary relief, the Karnataka CM stated, "As a law-abiding citizen with faith in the Constitution and the judiciary's power to uphold justice and fairness, I approached the Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka against the illegal and politically motivated decision of the Governor of Karnataka to permit an inquiry and prosecution based on trumped-up allegations against me. I am pleased that the Hon'ble High Court heard the matter and passed interim orders directing the concerned court to defer the proceedings and further instructing that no precipitative action be taken pursuant to the impugned sanction." On the other hand, petitioners T.J. Abraham, Snehamayi Krishna, and S.P. Pradeep Kumar had maintained that they are confident of getting a ruling against CM Siddaramaiah in the MUDA case and that the Karnataka High Court's temporary relief "won't change anything". The Congress party announced a "Raj Bhavan Chalo" agitation against the Governor on August 31, condemning his move to sanction prosecution against CM Siddaramaiah and pressuring him to give sanction for prosecution in cases against BJP leaders pending before him. The Congress has also planned to meet the President if the court's decision goes against CM Siddaramaiah. The BJP, on the other hand, has declared that it will not rest until CM Siddaramaiah steps down from his post. Tel Aviv, Aug 29 : After former Hamas Chief Khaled Mashal called for resumption of suicide bombings, the Israeli security cabinet will meet on Thursday to discuss the situation. The Arab media reported that in a public programme at Istanbul (Turkey) on Wednesday, Mashal said that the Hamas will have to resume to suicide bombings within Israel. The media quoting Mashal saying, "Actual resistance against the Zionist entity is the need of the hour." The former Hamas Chief also called upon the Palestinians and supporters of the Palestinian cause to resume the suicide bombings within Israel. Mashal was reported to have said, "They (Israel) are fighting us with open conflict, and we (Hamas) are confronting them with open conflict." On August 18, 2024, there was a bomb explosion in Tel Aviv for which Hamas had claimed responsibility and had announced that it would conduct similar bombings within Israel in the coming days. A person was injured in the bomb attack in which the suicide bomber was immediately killed when a bomb detonated inside the back pack which he was carrying. Suicide bombings in Israel have been rare since the Second Intifada which began on September 28, 2000, after Israeli leader Ariel Sharon visited the 'Temple Mounta which was considered provocative by the Palestinians. Hundreds of Israelis and Palestinians were killed in a series of deadly bombings that took place after the visit of Sharon. The Israel security cabinet is scheduled to meet on Thursday evening in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant will participate, among others. Sources in the Israel Defence ministry told IANS that the meeting will discuss among other things, the suicide threat announced by the Hamas leader Khaled Mashal. Mossad Director David Barnea and Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar will be attending the security cabinet meeting on Thursday. Sources also said that Israel would be aiming for increasing its security along border regions, including West Bank borders, in northern Israel and near the Gaza border in southern Israel. More than this the security cabinet and Israel intelligence agencies will step up the security in important cities of Israel like Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and all the key towns. It may be noted that after the back-to-back murders of Hezbollah military head, Fuad Shukr on July 30 in Beirut and the shocking assassination of the most popular global face of Hamas -- its political bureau head, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran on July 31 has led to a series of rethinking within both Hezbollah and Hamas. While Israel has acknowledged the killing of Shukr, it did not accept or deny the murder of Haniyeh in Tehran. New York, Aug 29 : Lorenzo Musetti of Italy saved two match points at 4-5 in the fifth set of his match against Miomir Kecmanovic to secure a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 victory and moved in the third round of the US Open. Kecmanovic held two match points on return but was never able to gain control of the point on either occasion. Musetti finished the match with 51 winners and he converted six of his 13 break points, according to ATP. The 22-year-old Italian will next take on Brandon Nakashima, who defeated Frenchman Arthur Cazaux 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to enter third round. Earlier, Ben Shelton dispatched Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the third round, to set up an enticing all-American third-round clash with friend-turned-foe Frances Tiafoe. Tiofie advanced to Round 3 after his opponent Alexander Shevchenko from Kazakhstan retired in their second round match in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Shevchenko received a medical timeout midway through the second set, then retired after being broken after the first game of the third set when Tiafoe was leading 6-4, 6-1,1-0. The 36-year-old Bautista Agut, making his 11th US Open appearance, did his best despite the high temperatures and humidity that made playing conditions challenging . He saved the first four break points he faced in a contest that was largely controlled by Sheltonas dominant left-hand, but eventually fell victim to his opponentas explosive power. Shelton hit 60 winners on the afternoon; Bautista Agut could only manage 13. The 21-year-old southpaw made his first of many critical strikes at the 40-minute mark of the opening set, lashing a forehand to break for 5-3, then quickly served out the stanza in the next game. The second set followed a similar script, with Shelton whipping another of his 27 forehand winners to break for a 4-3 lead. He dropped just three more points on serve in the set. Bautista Agut, currently ranked 67, kept up the chase in the third set, but his best efforts were snuffed out by the American. Moments later the American tucked a forehand winner into the open court that sealed his third break of the match. He locked up the victory in a hurry, finishing the match with his fastest serve of the matcha"a 141 mph screamer, according to tournament stas. Shelton is bidding to become the first American to reach back-to-back US Open semifinals since Andre Agassi in 1992-93. He has reached at least the third round of all four majors played in 2024, and improves to 7-2 lifetime at the US Open with his win. The 21-year-old American earned a breakthrough run in New York last year when he became the youngest American man to reach the semis at the hard-court major since Michael Chang in 1992. Los Angeles, Aug 29 : Hollywood star Michael Keaton has talked about his work relationship with filmmaker Tim Burton and his performance in "Dumbo", which was released in 2019. Los Angeles, Aug 29 (IANS) Hollywood star Michael Keaton has talked about his work relationship with filmmaker Tim Burton and his performance in "Dumbo", which was released in 2019. Keaton and Burton are teaming up for "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" now and the actor said he was clueless in the live-action adaptation of the Disney classic, reports deadline.com. "I love working with Tim so much, but I don't think we ever really analyzed why we work pretty well together; we just do," Keaton told The New York Times in an interview, which Burton was also part of. "I think I let him down on one movie, but that's just me, and it bugs me to this day. I was clueless on 'Dumbo'." Burton added: "I don't even know what you're talking about. But whatever." Keaton and Burton's work relationship dates back to the first "Beetlejuice" film 1988. The duo teamed up again for 1989's "Batman" and in the 1992 sequel "Batman Returns". It was until Dumbo that the director and actor worked together again, with Burton casting Keaton in the role of the villain V.A. Vandevere, the amusement park owner who exploits "Dumbo". Following the release of "Dumbo", Burton has expressed the film would likely be his last one with Disney. "My history is that I started out there. I was hired and fired several times throughout my career there," Burton said in 2022. "The thing about Dumbo, is that's why I think my days with Disney are done, I realised that I was Dumbo, that I was working in this horrible big circus and I needed to escape. That movie is quite autobiographical at a certain level." "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" follows the story of three generations of the Deetz family returning home to Winter River after a family tragedy. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life is turned upside down when her teenage daughter, Astrid, accidentally opens the portal to the afterlife. Seoul, Aug 29 : South Korea and the United States wrapped up a major combined military exercise on Thursday after its 11-day run as the allies sought to bolster their joint defence readiness against evolving North Korean military threats. The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise, which began on August 19, came amid persistent concerns over Pyongyang's weapons development and heightened inter-Korean tensions worsened by the North's recent trash balloon campaign, reports Yonhap news agency. Based on an all-out war scenario, the main computer simulation-based command post exercise involved around 19,000 South Korean troops, according to the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff. South Korean troops took part in 48 concurrent field training events, such as amphibious landing and live-fire drills, up from 38 field events conducted last year. In particular, this year's exercise, which included the government-led Ulchi civil defence drill, involved a scenario simulating a North Korean nuclear attack for the first time. The joint military exercise did not incorporate such a scenario. The defence ministry also held its first-ever meeting with relevant agencies on responses to wartime disinformation amid growing concerns over the hybrid warfare threat. "South Korea and the US assessed that their capability and posture to overwhelmingly respond to any North Korean threat were reinforced through the UFS exercise and combined field training events," the JCS said, vowing to maintain a firm combined defence posture through close cooperation. North Korea, which has used the allies' joint drills as a pretext for provocations, has condemned the UFS exercise as the "most offensive and provocative war drills for aggression." However, it did not conduct major provocations, such as ballistic missile launches, during this year's drills. Instead, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw a test for suicide drones on Saturday, calling for the development and production of such weapons to enhance war preparedness. On Tuesday, Kim also attended the test launch of a 240mm multiple rocket launcher with a new guidance system, which could put Seoul and its adjacent areas in the target range. South Korea and the US describe their drills as defensive in nature. Mumbai, Aug 29 : Actor Varun Sood, who plays the role of an army brat named Yuvraj Singh Chauhan in "Naam Namak Nishan" shared insights about his character in the series. Mumbai, Aug 29 (IANS) Actor Varun Sood, who plays the role of an army brat named Yuvraj Singh Chauhan in "Naam Namak Nishan" shared insights about his character in the series. "My character is someone who has long aspired to enlist in the military. He is shaped by a disciplined upbringing within a strict family environment. Yuvraj has a rigid personality; he knows how to comprehend emotions." "He considers himself as the only right person and fails to comprehend others' opinions. But this stubborn perspective gradually changes after he joins OTA, where he meets people from diverse backgrounds." Varun made his debut with the film "JugJugg Jeeyo," starring Anil Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, and Kiara Advani. He then showcased his talent in the OTT show "Karmma Calling.". The web show "Naam Namak Nishan," is based on army personnel. The actor, who himself comes from a military background, plays Yuvraj. Set against the backdrop of the prestigious Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai, the show chronicles the journey of young cadets from across the country. "Naam Namak Nishan" pays homage to the courage, dedication, honour, and valor of the Indian Armed Forces, who overcome their divides of race, class, caste, and creed, with the primary objective of serving the motherland. Produced by Juggernaut Studios, the series also stars Danish Sood, Helly Shah, and Roshni Walia in pivotal roles. In addition to "Naam Namak Nishaan," Varun is also seen in "Call Me Bae" alongside Ananya Panday. The show tells the story of Bae, downsized from heiress to hustler, who discovers her most valuable assets aren't her diamonds, but her street-smart style. Broke, but refusing to be broken, she navigates the newsrooms of Mumbai and her better self while breaking news. Kolkata, Aug 29 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials probing the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata are focussing on the possibility of evidence tampering in the case. Sources said that the CBI officials are going by the theory that if the rape and murder was the handiwork of "few", the criminality of evidence tampering involved "many". In view of this theory the CBI is trying to find proof of evidence tampering so that it can lead the agency closer to the truth behind the RG Kar rape and murder case. In this line of investigation, what has become extremely crucial for the CBI is the video which recently went viral allegedly showing close confidants of former principal of RG Kar, Sandip Ghosh being spotted at the seminar hall soon after the body of the victim was recovered on the morning of August 9. The body of the victim cannot be see in the video. However, IANS has been unable to verify the authenticity of the video that went viral. Sources added that although Kolkata Police has claimed that the major portion of the seminar hall was cordoned off after the body's recovery, CBI officials are not buying that logic since as per protocol the entire seminar hall should have been considered as the "scene of crime" and hence instead of cordoning only a portion of it, the entire hall should have been cordoned off barring entry of others in the room. The central agency's Investigating Officers (IOs) are also probing the recent circulation of letters on fake CBI letterheads on social media where supposed central agency 'officials' have been making comments on various aspects of the case. Sources said that the IOs believe that the fake letters are being circulated deliberately to spread misinformation and mislead people about the investigation process. The CBI officials are trying to reach the source of such fake letters with the motive of getting nearer to the truth behind the main crime. The CBI sleuths are tracing calls made from or received on the mobile phone of Sandip Ghosh immediately after the body was found. The IOs are trying to figure out what exactly transpired during those conversations. They want to find out whether Ghosh passed on any information or gave any instruction on the tragedy to anyone or vice versa that morning. Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 29 : With the demand for the resignation of actor-turned-politician CPI(M) legislator Mukesh growing, the party has decided to stand by him, citing examples of two sitting Congress MLAs facing cases of rape, who did not resign. According to sources, Mukesh has spoken to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and stated that he has done no wrong and the complainant had in the past blackmailed him. Veteran CPI(M) leader and ruling Left Democratic Front convener E.P.Jayarajan on Thursday told the media persons that those who have done wrong will not be shielded. But when he was asked about Mukesh's resignation, he was evasive in his answers. "... there are two sitting Congress legislators caught in similar (rape) cases and what has happened in those cases. Did they resign?" asked Jayarajan. "You should appreciate the manner in which the present Left government has approached the issue. See the police also have done their job by registering cases based on the complaints. Just wait and watch as no wrongdoer will be protected," added the CPI(M) leader. On Wednesday late evening based on a complaint from a former actress that she faced sexual misconduct from actors -- Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyan Pillai Raju, Edavela Babu, two production staff -- Noble and Vichu -- and a Congress activist and a lawyer V.S. Chandrasekheran, the police at various stations registered cases against these personalities. Mukesh has gone incommunicado and was not found in his home here or his hometown in Kollam. This case against these seven personalities, according to the complainant, who gave her statements to the special police team, has been recorded. The female IPS officer, who is leading the probe team, said they would be examining her statement in detail. It was after this lengthy statement-taking procedure that the cases were registered at police station limits where the exploitation took place. Ever since the Hema Committee report was published last week, after nearly five years of gathering dust at the office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The report was published after the Chief Information Commissioner directed to censor sensitive information and the government went a step forward and deleted even more, which came under huge attack from the Congress-led opposition. Even though the names were blanked, trouble broke out after a former actress openly came out in the open and named the seven people, including Mukesh, which led to the demand for his resignation. Former State Health Minister and CPI(M) legislator and Lok Sabha member P.K. Sreemathi was caught on the backfoot when a TV channel showed a 2017 footage soon after the Congress legislator, M. Vincent was arrested on a complaint of rape. Sreemathi had vociferously demanded his immediate resignation as legislator then. On Thursday when a direct question was put to her, recalling her 2017 statement, she said today she is not in a position to give a direct answer whether Mukesh should resign as a legislator or not. "You should understand... it is the present Left government which has decided to constitute a special team to probe into all the cases," said Sreemathi. Meanwhile, the CPI -- the second biggest ally in the Vijayan-led state government -- is meeting later in the day to discuss the issue. Top leaders of the party like Annie Raja have demanded Mukesh should quit as a legislator. Seoul Aug 29 : Most nurses and medical workers in South Korea called off their planned strike on Thursday after reaching last-minute wage deals, hospital officials said, easing concerns over public health services that have been strained by a protracted walkout by trainee doctors. The Korean Health and Medical Workers Union (KHMU), representing some 30,000 nurses and medical workers, had planned to stage a strike on Thursday, demanding a pay raise and improvements in working conditions, Yonhap news agency reported. Of the 62 hospitals under the KHMU, 59 called off their planned strike, hospital officials said. The move followed the passage of a bill in parliament on the previous day that provides the legal basis for physician assistant nurses to assist doctors in performing medical procedures and offers better legal protection to nurses. Nurses had advocated for the bill's passage, emphasising the need for legal protection and better working conditions, though it faced fierce opposition from the medical community. Of the remaining three hospitals, medical workers at Chosun University Hospital in Gwangju, some 270 kilometres south of Seoul, are set to proceed with the walkout. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Tuesday hoped that the strike would not go ahead because it would be a problem for all the patients waiting for things to get back to normal. However, he said that essential medical services will be working in full force . "Instead of taking collective action, such as a strike, I ask you to resolve problems through dialogue and compromise, and add your support for the completion of medical reforms aimed at improving our medical system's fundamental constitution," Duck-soo had said. "I earnestly request that you withdraw the decision to strike in consideration of the patients and their families who have been suffering from anxiety for a long time due to the departure of trainee doctors" he added. Chennai, Aug 29 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, MK Stalin who is on a business trip to procure investments for the state will meet investors in San Francisco on Thursday. A statement from the Chief Ministeras Office (CMO) said that CM Stalin would hold a series of meetings with potential investors and is expected to sign several contracts. The Chief Minister is on a 17-day business trip to the US from August 27 to September 14. While in the US, CM Stalin is likely to meet Sundar Pichai, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Google and also heads of several other Fortune 500 companies. The CMO statement also said that CM Stalin and his wife Durga were received at the airport by Tamil Nadu Industries Minister, TRB Rajaa, Consul General of India in San Francisco, K Srikant Reddy and a horde of DMK supporters. CM Stalin will also meet the Tamil diaspora on Saturday and he will be leaving for Chicago on September 2. On September 7, the Chief Minister will address a mammoth gathering of Tamil diaspora in Chicago. He will also meet several entrepreneurs in Chicago and give a presentation on the advantages of investing in Tamil Nadu. CM Stalin has reached US eight months after the Tamil Nadu government signed MoUs worth over Rs 6 lakh crore during the third edition of the Global Investors Meet. The statement said that CM Stalin is also likely to visit prominent technology companies, underscoring Tamil Naduas focus on embracing cutting-edge technologies and fostering an ecosystem conducive to R&D and high-tech manufacturing. It may be recalled that since assuming office in May 2021, CM Stalin had visited the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Japan and Spain to woo investment for Tamil Nadu. The CMO said that they would list out the proposals received during his US trip. Tamil Nadu has already emerged as the locus of iPhone manufacturing in India with three key suppliers a" Foxconn, Pegatron, and Tata Electronics a" expanding their operations. Additionally, Bharat FIH, an arm of Foxconn, will soon begin to assemble Pixel phones and drones for Google. Seoul, Aug 29 : A South Korean court issued a warrant to arrest the chief executive of lithium battery maker Aricell in connection with June's deadly fire that claimed 23 lives, marking the first such case since the law penalising employers for serious industrial accidents came into force two years ago. The Suwon District Court issued the arrest warrant for Park Soon-kwan, the CEO of Aricell, late Wednesday, citing the gravity of the charges, reports Yonhap news agency. It marks the first time the head of a company was formally arrested since the enforcement of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act in 2022, which punishes owners or CEOs of companies to at least one year in prison or fines of up to 1 billion won (US$747,372) for industrial accidents. The court also issued an arrest warrant for Park's son, who was the general manager of the company, on similar grounds but rejected the warrant to arrest two other officials, saying they posed no risk of fleeing or destroying evidence. Investigators found that the deadly blaze that occurred at Aricell's plant in Hwaseong, some 45 kilometres south of Seoul, on June 24 may have been caused by the mobilisation of unskilled workers in the manufacturing process. The blaze killed 23 workers, including 18 foreigners, and injured eight others. They also found that Aricell had passed quality inspections by continuously manipulating test samples since it started supplying battery products to the military in 2021. The company's products eventually failed to meet the national defence standards in a quality test in April this year, authorities said. In addition, the evacuation route had been poorly constructed, with the emergency exit installed in the opposite direction of the fire escape route, and safety training for workers had not been implemented, according to authorities. Mumbai, Aug 29 : As China sees a continuous decline in its number of billionaires, India now has a record 334 billionaires -- up 75 compared to last year -- led by Gautam Adani and Family at the very top, the '2024 Hurun India Rich List' said on Thursday. With a wealth of Rs 11.6 lakh crore, Gautam Adani and Family, who saw their wealth grow by a massive 95 per cent, clinched the number one spot in the coveted Huron list. Mukesh Ambani took the second spot, with a wealth of Rs 10,14,700 crore, followed by Shiv Nadar and the family of HCL Technologies at the third place with a wealth of Rs 3,14,000 crore. A record 1,539 Indians (up by 220) across 134 cities now have Rs 1,000 crore wealth on average -- a 150 per cent increase from seven years ago -- from family-run businesses and startup founders to private equity investors, angel investors, next-generation leaders, film stars and more. The country saw one new billionaire every five days last year, according to the list. While China saw a 25 per cent decline in its number of billionaires, India experienced a 29 per cent increase, reaching a record 334 billionaires. Cumulative wealth has increased by 46 per cent, while average wealth has increased by 25 per cent. About 1,334 individuals saw their wealth increase or stay the same, of which 272 were new faces, whilst 205 saw their wealth drop and there were 45 dropouts. While real estate and industrial products added the most significant number of new entrants to the list, industrial products are still at number one and have contributed 142 entrants to the list. The youngest on the list is aged 21. "India continues to score Gold in the 'Wealth Creation Olympics'. The number of billionaires in 2024 Hurun India Rich List hits a triple century, with all the top 20 sectors adding new faces to the list! The top 20 sectors all added new faces, showcasing the unstoppable spirit of Indian entrepreneurs as they drive growth across the board," said Anas Rahman Junaid, Founder and Chief Researcher, Hurun India. The pivot in the Indian economy from a services-led to a manufacturing-led model is reflected in the '2024 Hurun India Rich List'. "Industrial products sector entrepreneurs on the list have seen a remarkable 47 per cent CAGR in their cumulative wealth over the past five years -- the highest among all sectors. "This shift is fueled by several key factors, including the Central government's significant increase in capital expenditure on infrastructure development, which has risen to 133.3 billion dollars for FY 2024-25, marking an 11.1 per cent jump from the previous year," said Junaid. The country's favourable business environment is further strengthened by over 42 trade agreements and a reduction in corporate tax rates to 15 per cent for new manufacturing units. These factors have significantly impacted the manufacturing sector, as entrepreneurs in this category on the list have added Rs 28 lakh crore in wealth, accounting for nearly 56 per cent of the total wealth added to the list. Nearly 70 per cent of the list represents a combined wealth of close to 1.5 trillion dollars -- more than one-third of India's GDP is on the cusp of intergenerational transition, according to Junaid. Additionally, 64 per cent of the new entrants this year are self-made individuals. Over the last decade, the number of Indian cities represented in the rich list has surged to 97 from 95 last year, up from 10 cities since the inception of the list. Mumbai, Aug 29 : As China sees a continuous decline in its number of billionaires, India now has a record 334 billionaires -- up 75 compared to last year -- led by Gautam Adani and Family at the very top, according to the '2024 Hurun India Rich List' that came out on Thursday. With a wealth of Rs 11.6 lakh crore, Gautam Adani and Family, who saw their wealth grow by a massive 95 per cent, clinched the number one spot in the coveted Huron list. Mukesh Ambani took the second spot, with a wealth of Rs 10,14,700 crore, followed by Shiv Nadar and the family of HCL Technologies at the third place with a wealth of Rs 3,14,000 crore. A record 1,539 Indians (up by 220) across 134 cities now have Rs 1,000 crore wealth on average -- a 150 per cent increase from seven years ago -- from family-run businesses and startup founders to private equity investors, angel investors, next-generation leaders, film stars and more. The country saw one new billionaire every five days last year, according to the list. While China saw a 25 per cent decline in its number of billionaires, India experienced a 29 per cent increase, reaching a record 334 billionaires. Cumulative wealth has increased by 46 per cent, while average wealth has increased by 25 per cent. About 1,334 individuals saw their wealth increase or stay the same, of which 272 were new faces, whilst 205 saw their wealth drop and there were 45 dropouts. While real estate and industrial products added the most significant number of new entrants to the list, industrial products are still at number one and have contributed 142 entrants to the list. The youngest on the list is aged 21. "India continues to score Gold in the 'Wealth Creation Olympics'. The number of billionaires in 2024 Hurun India Rich List hits a triple century, with all the top 20 sectors adding new faces to the list! The top 20 sectors all added new faces, showcasing the unstoppable spirit of Indian entrepreneurs as they drive growth across the board," said Anas Rahman Junaid, Founder and Chief Researcher, Hurun India. The pivot in the Indian economy from a services-led to a manufacturing-led model is reflected in the '2024 Hurun India Rich List'. "Industrial products sector entrepreneurs on the list have seen a remarkable 47 per cent CAGR in their cumulative wealth over the past five years -- the highest among all sectors. "This shift is fueled by several key factors, including the Central government's significant increase in capital expenditure on infrastructure development, which has risen to 133.3 billion dollars for FY 2024-25, marking an 11.1 per cent jump from the previous year," said Junaid. The country's favourable business environment is further strengthened by over 42 trade agreements and a reduction in corporate tax rates to 15 per cent for new manufacturing units. These factors have significantly impacted the manufacturing sector, as entrepreneurs in this category on the list have added Rs 28 lakh crore in wealth, accounting for nearly 56 per cent of the total wealth added to the list. Nearly 70 per cent of the list represents a combined wealth of close to 1.5 trillion dollars -- more than one-third of India's GDP is on the cusp of intergenerational transition, according to Junaid. Additionally, 64 per cent of the new entrants this year are self-made individuals. Over the last decade, the number of Indian cities represented in the rich list has surged to 97 from 95 last year, up from 10 cities since the inception of the list. Mumbai, Aug 29 : Actress Samyuktha is pushing the envelope for her upcoming pan-India period drama "Swayambhu" with Nikhil Siddhartha. She training for horse riding, archery and parkour for the movie. Mumbai, Aug 29 (IANS) Actress Samyuktha is pushing the envelope for her upcoming pan-India period drama "Swayambhu" with Nikhil Siddhartha. She training for horse riding, archery and parkour for the movie. Recently, Samyuktha gave a peek into her horse riding lessons from her prep on Instagram, sharing how the experience is "spiritual" for her. She wrote: "As an actor, I am blessed to be able to experience different things on a daily basis. For my next movie, Swayambhu, I have been learning Horse Riding and trust me, it has been a spiritual and enriching journey." "Being in harmony and synchrony with the Horse, looking deep into the Horse's soul and make sure we are working together as a team is beautiful and liberating! I took each fall as a stepping stone and not as a hurdle." "Swayambhu" follows the story of an emperor who established a golden age in history and promises to be an epic period saga. It is directed by Bharat Krishnamachari and Aadithya Bahudhanam. Samyuktha will also be seen in the action thriller film directed by Charan Tej Uppalapati in his directorial debut. It stars Kajol, Prabhu Deva, Naseeruddin Shah, Samyuktha Menon, and Jisshu Sengupta, Aditya Seal, Pramod Pathak, and Chhaya Kadam. The film is a revenge drama about Maya (Kajol), a woman on a vengeful mission. She will also be seen in "Ram" an action thriller film written and directed by Jeethu Joseph. It is the first installment of a two-part film series. The film stars Mohanlal. Ram Mohan, a R&AW agent, is summoned by the agency to deal with Bael, a terrorist group that possesses nuclear weapons capable of destroying India. Samyukhta made her acting debut with the Malayalam film "Popcorn" in 2016. She was then seen in films such as "Kalki", "Edakkad Battalion 06", "Bheemla Nayak", "Bimbisara", "Gaalipata 2", "Vaathi" and "Virupaksha." Jakarta, Aug 29 : Indonesia, through its Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment, will host the 2nd Indonesia Sustainability Forum (ISF) at the Jakarta Convention Center on September 5-6. The event is expected to draw nearly 9,000 delegates from around the world, making it the second-largest climate-related event in the Asia-Pacific region after COP29 in Azerbaijan last November. The forum will bring together world leaders, CEOs, and sustainability experts to discuss strategies for advancing the green economy while promoting decarbonisation efforts, Xinhua news agency reported. Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan told a press conference on Thursday that the forum aimed to produce agreements on how to build green industries through down streaming, green electricity, and mineral processing while balancing decarbonisation and saving the environment. This includes actions related to the use of renewable energy sources and waste management. "This is an important forum to show the world Indonesia's leadership and initiative for sustainable development. Indonesia has become a success model in sustainability improvement, including through our nickel down streaming, The forum must be followed by real follow-ups," Pandjaitan said. The ministry's Deputy for Infrastructure and Transportation Coordination Rachmat Kaimuddin said that as of Thursday, more than 8,000 participants had registered, including high-level officials from Malaysia, Singapore, and the Vatican. He said the event would present 10 plenary sessions, 15 thematic discussion sessions, and some roundtable discussions where the participants would discuss how to align economic growth and build a green industry through new and renewable energy sources, as well as to protect the environment from air pollution and waste management. "The forum will highlight five main pillars: green economy, energy transition, nature conservation and biodiversity, sustainable lifestyles, and ocean economy," Kaimuddin said. Chandigarh, Aug 29 : In a breakthrough, Punjab Police, in a joint operation with a Central agency in Tarn Taran district, led to the seizure of four Glock-19 pistols, one with NATO army imprint, along with four magazines, seven rounds, and Rs 4.8 lakh 'hawala' money, Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Thursday. Chandigarh, Aug 29 (IANS) In a breakthrough, Punjab Police, in a joint operation with a Central agency in Tarn Taran district, led to the seizure of four Glock-19 pistols, one with NATO army imprint, along with four magazines, seven rounds, and Rs 4.8 lakh ahawalaa money, Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Thursday. Accused Harpreet Singh has links with a Pakistan-based smuggler. The investigation is going on to establish backward and forward linkages, he posted on X. Earlier, in a breakthrough against trans-border narcotic smuggling networks, Punjab Police arrested two drug smugglers, including a woman, after recovering 6.65 kg heroin and Rs 6 lakh drug money from their possession. Those arrested have been identified as Simran Kaur, alias Indu (38) and Gurjot Singh. Both the accused have a criminal background with accused Simran facing at least 15 criminal cases pertaining to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Prisons Act, etc. DGP Yadav said that Ferozepur Police had received input that accused Simran and Gurjot retrieved a huge consignment of narcotics dropped using a drone from across the border, and were on the way to deliver it to someone in their Toyota Innova car. Acting swiftly, police teams laid a checkpoint at Old Mudki Road and arrested both the accused and seized 6.65 kg heroin along with Rs 6 lakh drug money concealed in the car, he said, adding that the police teams have also impounded their vehicle. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ferozepur, Saumya Mishra, said that after working on technical inputs, the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) police team successfully conducted the operation and made the seizure. In another achievement put together by Deputy Inspector General (Border Range) Satinder Singh, the Amritsar Rural Police froze assets worth Rs 37.72 crore belonging to notorious drug smugglers. Punjab shares a 553-km barbed-wire fenced international border with Pakistan which is under the vigil of the Border Security Force (BSF). The drug and arms network operates along the Afghanistan-Pakistan-India route. Islamabad, Aug 29 : Pakistan on Thursday formally confirmed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting being held in Islamabad in mid-October. Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, at her weekly press briefing, said the country had sent invitations to the heads of countries to participate in the meeting, Pakistani media reported "An invitation has also been sent to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi," she said, adding that some countries had already confirmed their participation in the meeting. "It will be informed in due course which country has confirmed," Baloch added. Pakistan is set to host the SCO heads of government meeting on October 15-16. The event will be preceded by a ministerial meeting and several rounds of senior officialsa meetings focused on financial, economic, socio-cultural, and humanitarian cooperation among the SCO member states. Analysts see the invitation as a "protocol" as PM Modi is unlikely to accept the invitation as relations between the two neighbouring countries have been tense since August 5, 2019, when India abrogated the Constitution's Article 370, changing the status of Jammu and Kashmir. It is expected that PM Modi may depute a ministerial delegation to represent India as the SCO meeting does not require heads of state to participate. In the past as well, SCO CHG meetings have seen India represented by ministers and the same pattern is this time as well. PM Modi had not also attended the SCO's 24th annual summit of heads of state held in Kazakhstan on July 3-4 this year and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had represented India in Astana. Pakistani analysts say they do not expect that PM Modi will come to Pakistan for the meeting. "Extending invitations to PM Modi and all other member states is a compulsive protocol any host country follows. Pakistan has done the same. I do not see this as a political stunt. However, I do not see PM Modi landing in Islamabad," political analyst Kamran Yousaf said. Last year, Pakistan's then-Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited India for the SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting. New Delhi, Aug 29 : The Uttar Pradesh government, facing flak over its new social media policy, came under attack from Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday, as she mocked the scheme as a 'regressive and self-eulogizing' move. Priyanka Gandhi, taking to X, shared a satirical post, saying "You will say what you like. If you call day as night, it will be night." Firing a volley of questions, she questioned the state government on ensuring the security of women and also asked what steps it has taken to resolve the recruitment reservation case, concerning 69,000 teachers. "In which category will the voices of women seeking justice fall in the social media policy of the Uttar Pradesh government? In which category will the questions raised in the 69000 teacher recruitment reservation scam fall? In which category would exposing the BJP government by BJP leaders and MLAs fall?" asked Priyanka Gandhi. Notably, two girls were found hanging from a tree in Farrukhabad district on Wednesday, sending shockwaves in the city and leaving the state administration searching for answers. The Congress leader further accused the Yogi Adityanath government of stifling the freedom of speech and suppressing the truth by issuing such 'diktats'. She said that the state government rather than resolving people's issues was finding 'new ways' to suppress the truth. "The policy of 'if you call day as night, then it is night or else jail' is another way of suppressing the truth. Can the BJP not think of anything more than crushing democracy and the Constitution?" she further said. The UP cabinet on Wednesday gave nod to Uttar Pradesh Digital Media Policy 2024, which broadly has two components -- one is encouragement for popularising the government's schemes while another is about crackdown for objectionable and offensive posts on social media. Soon after the policy details filtered into the public domain, Opposition parties cried foul and claimed that it was a blatant attempt to quell freedom of speech as this would allow the state administration to 'torture and terrorise' people even for speaking the truth. Bhopal, Aug 29 : Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari on Thursday lashed out at the ruling BJP over a Government Railway Police (GRP) assault on a Dalit boy and his grandmother in Madhya Pradesh's Katni district, a video of which went viral, sparking widespread outrage. Bhopal, Aug 29 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari on Thursday lashed out at the ruling BJP over a Government Railway Police (GRP) assault on a Dalit boy and his grandmother in Madhya Pradeshas Katni district, a video of which went viral, sparking widespread outrage. Jitu Patwari called the BJP anti-Dalit and asserted that the lives of marginalised people in Madhya Pradesh were not safe. "The viral video has revealed the real face and the ideologies of the BJP which is against BR Ambedkar," he told IANS. The Congress leader also hit out at the BJP over the recent Chhatarpur incident and said, "The administration demolished the house of a prime accused after four police personnel were injured in a mob attack at a police station." He further questioned the MP government over the attack on the Dalit boy in Katni district and said, "Why has there been no action in this matter till now? I will meet the families of the victims and will try to raise this issue with Rahul Gandhi." Meanwhile, BJP MP Vishvas Sarang criticised the Congress and accused it of doing politics on the issue. He said, "The incident is under investigation and we are sure that strict action will be taken against it." A video recently surfaced on social media in which a 15-year-old Dalit boy and his grandmother can be seen being assaulted by the GRP at a station in Katni district. The incident was caught on CCTV cameras and has been widely shared on social media sparking outrage among Netizens. Meanwhile, in a post on X, Madhya Pradesh Police stated, "A video of misbehaviour at GRP police station Katni, has come to light through social media. The video is of October 2023. After the incident came to light, the station incharge had been attached to GRP Police Line, Jabalpur. The Police Headquarters has ordered a DIG-level officer to go to Katni and investigate the incident." Manila, Aug 29 : Rescuers have found three bodies from the two boats that sank off the coast of Romblon province in the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Thursday. The two boats departed Boracay Island, a world-famous beach resort in Malay town in Aklan province, around 4 a.m. (local time) on Monday. Three hours into the journey, the boats sank off San Jose, an island town in Romblon, Xinhua news agency reported. At least 10 people went missing after two motorboats sank off the coast of Romblon province in the central Philippines on Tuesday. Coast Guard Lieutenant Junior Grade John Laurence Banzuela, station commander of PCG in Aklan province, told Xinhua news agency by phone that the two boats departed Boracay island, a world-famous beach resort in Malay town in Aklan province. He said the boats were heading west to their hometown in Caluya, an island town in Antique province when powerful waves sank the boats off San Jose, an island town in Romblon. One of the boats carried 14 people while the other carried six. Banzuela said the boats' passengers, all residents of Caluya town, spent the weekend on Boracay island. They were heading west to their hometown when the accident occurred. Bhopal, Aug 29 : No major elections are due in Madhya Pradesh for the next three-and-a-half-years at least, yet both ruling BJP and Opposition Congress are charging up their cadres, especially youth wings and those working at the booth level, for different reasons. The state BJP leadership is getting its cadre ready for the partyas countrywide membership drive from September 1 and also to achieve its target of making over 1.5 crore members in Madhya Pradesh, the state it has been ruling for the last two decades. As the BJP leadership is confident of retaining the tag of the largest political party in the world, the partyas state leadership has set its sights on increasing the number of members in their respective domains. The BJPas track record in Madhya Pradesh a" which is called the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sanghas (RSS) laboratory a" is impressive. After retaining power in the state Assembly it made a clean sweep in the recent Lok Sabha polls. Buoyed by this, the state leadership has decided to increase its primary members to 1.5 crore from the 95 lakh at present. The BJP has prepared elaborate plans, including multi-layer workshops, to charge up the party cadres from top to bottom. Top leaders, including Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, state unit head VD Sharma, senior ministers as well as the heads of different wings of the party are addressing workshops in each corner of the state and charging up ground workers. Senior BJP leaders can be heard narrating the stories of the partyas founder members and also the contribution of top leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, to charge up the booth workers for the forthcoming membership drive. On the other hand, the MP Congress leadership, which is struggling to revive the party in the state after back-to-back defeats in the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls, has been trying to charge up its cadres. They have been boosting the morale of the young workers by launching protests against the state governmentas weaknesses and on national issues too. While the Congress is in the process of reshuffling its organisational set up gradually in Madhya Pradesh, it is also hitting the streets relentlessly to corner the BJP government. Right now, the Congress is preparing for a massive protest in the state from next week. Kabul, Aug 29 : At least 26 children under five have died due to malnutrition and inadequate food in Afghanistan's Badakhshan province over the past five months, a hospital source said on Thursday. According to local medical doctor Abdul Malik Rofi, 365 children under five have been admitted to the hospital in Badakhshan during this period, with 26 of them succumbing to malnutrition, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting Afghan media outlet, TOLO news. The report said that since March 20, a total of 2,696 children have been brought to the hospital. Doctors have attributed the rising malnutrition cases to a combination of factors, a lack of nutritious food, inadequate healthcare services, poverty and limited access to healthcare facilities in the impoverished region. According to reports from aid agencies, approximately 2.9 million children under five are facing acute food shortages or at risk of malnutrition across Afghanistan. Strongly support It will improve public transit and pedestrian safety Somewhat support It will benefit public transit, but I'm concerned about traffic or business impacts Neutral I see both pros and cons, but dont have strong feelings either way Somewhat oppose I think it will cause traffic problems and harm local businesses Strongly oppose It is a bad idea and will hurt both motorists and businesses Vote View Results Kolkata, Aug 29 : Decks have been cleared for the release of the much-talked-about movie "The Diary of West Bengal" as the Calcutta High Court on Thursday refused to put a stay on its release in the state. Kolkata, Aug 29 (IANS) Decks have been cleared for the release of the much-talked-about movie "The Diary of West Bengal" as the Calcutta High Court on Thursday refused to put a stay on its release in the state. The movie, directed by Sanoj Mishra and depicting events around the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, was supposed to be released on Friday. However, Rajiv Kumar Jha filed a public interest litigation before the division bench of the high court's Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya seeking a stay on the release on grounds that the screening of the movie could hamper the ambience of communal harmony in the state. During the previous hearing on Monday, the bench questioned the petitioner whether he had seen the movie. When the petitioner replied in negative, the bench observed that the release of any movie cannot be stayed in such a manner on the basis of assumptions. The bench also observed that if the petitioner finds anything objectionable in the movie after its release, he could approach the court objecting to the relevant portions. It also noted that courts in the past had held anyone willing to watch a movie could watch it and those not willing may not. In May last year, after the release of the trailer of the movie on YouTube, Kolkata Police summoned the director for questioning, following a complaint at Amherst Street Police station alleging that the movie seemed to have been made as a deliberate attempt to malign the image of West Bengal. Last year, the West Bengal government also drew criticism over its ban on the screening of "The Kerala Story" in the state, on the grounds that the contents of the movie have elements that can hamper the air of communal harmony in the state. Its director Subrata Sen moved the Supreme Court against the ban and the apex court finally ordered it to be lifted. The state government faced large-scale criticism from the opposition parties, civil society, intellectuals and celebrities for imposing the ban. New Delhi, Aug 29 : A lawyer practising in the Supreme Court has filed a complaint with Delhi Police against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her 'provocative' remarks wherein she reportedly warned that other states might witness violence and unrest if attempts were made to create trouble in Bengal. Addressing an event to mark the foundation day of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), the students' wing of Trinamool Congress, on Wednesday, Mamata Banerjee said, "Modi babu, you are trying to create unrest in Bengal through your people. But remember, if you burn Bengal, Assam, Northeast, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi will burn too." The Chief Minister, who's under fire following the nationwide outrage over the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, also condemned the 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' call given by the BJP on Wednesday, and termed it an attempt to 'defame' Bengal. Taking serious note of Banerjee's remarks, Vineet Jindal, a practising lawyer in the Supreme Court, has filed a complaint with Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora against the West Bengal Chief Minister. "A complaint against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been filed with Delhi Police Commissioner. A copy has also been sent to the President's office and the Ministry of Home Affairs," the advocate said in a post on X. According to Jindal, the Trinamool chief's remarks were inflammatory with the potential of inciting regional hatred and enmity, thus posing a threat to national harmony and public order as a whole. "Given the instigating and provocative nature of her statement, which intends to create disharmony and foster hatred and enmity among the masses of India, as she mentioned the name of Delhi in her statement as one of the states, I being a resident of Delhi respectfully request that an FIR be lodged under Sections 152, 192, 196, and 353 of the BNS against Mamata Banerjee. These offences are cognisable and serious in nature," read the complainant. New Delhi, Aug 29 : In a significant discovery, researchers at Bengaluru's Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology (DST), have demonstrated a rare electron localisation phenomenon which can expand scope of semiconductors, the Ministry of Science and Technology said on Thursday. The phenomenon can increase the options for material choices and can be used either to improve the existing performances of semiconductors or expand their applications in areas like lasers, optical modulators, and photoconductors, said the Ministry of Science and Technology. Spearheaded by Associate Professor Bivas Saha, the team unveiled how single-crystalline, highly compensated semiconductors undergo a remarkable metal-insulator transition with single crystalline scandium nitride as an example. Apart from JNCASR, researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia, and Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron, Germany, also participated in this work. "We show that one can achieve a phenomenon that is very similar to the Anderson transition, albeit in a single-crystalline material. These findings are poised to transform our understanding of electron localization in materials." said Saha. This transition, published in the journal Physical Review B, is accompanied by an astonishing nine orders of magnitude change in resistivity, offering fresh insights into the electron localization behaviour in these materials. The team used oxygen and magnesium as random dopants to demonstrate a "quasi-classical Anderson transition" that creates fluctuation of potential (electrical potential), leading to bubbles of electrons inside a dielectric matrix that bring about a band structural change in the parent material. This leads to what is known as the percolative metal-insulator transition -- the structure remains the same but electronically, there is a transition. Anderson localisation is a general wave phenomenon that applies to the transport of electromagnetic waves, acoustic waves, quantum waves, spin waves, etc. The potential fluctuation resulting from the random distribution of the dopants increases the resistivity of the semiconductor by localizing the carriers. The electron transport in such localized systems occurs through a percolation process, which is not very common in semiconductors. Hence the physics explaining the electrical transport and the properties like mobility, photoconductivity, and thermopower are different in such materials. Dr Dheemahi Rao, the lead author of the paper, said that such an electronic transition in single-crystalline and epitaxial semiconductors could open pathways for their utilization in various applications, including lasers, optical modulators, photoconductors, spintronic devices, and photorefractive dynamic holographic media." Potential fluctuations can be a novel tool to alter semiconducting properties in materials and may lead to more efficient semiconductors in many branches of studies. New Delhi, Aug 29 : Aviation regulator DGCA on Thursday imposed a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on Air India Express for not paying compensation to passengers for cancelled flights. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) carried out an inspection in accordance with its Annual Surveillance Programme 2024 for scheduled domestic airlines in June, in respect of norms pertaining to facilities and compensation that are to be provided to passengers. "During the surveillance inspection of the airlines, it was observed that Air India Express was not complying with the provisions of CAR Section-3, Series M, Part IV," the DGCA said in a release. Subsequently, a show-cause notice was issued to Air India Express. The regulator said the airline's reply revealed that it had not complied with the provisions for providing compensation to passengers affected due to cancellation of flights. Consequently, DGCA decided to slap a fine of Rs 10 lakh on the airline. Last week, DGCA imposed a financial penalty of Rs 90 lakh on Tata Group-owned Air India Limited for operating a flight with non-qualified crew members. In addition, a penalty of Rs 6 lakh and Rs 3 lakh was imposed on the Director of Operations and Director Training of Air India, respectively. The concerned pilot has also been warned to exercise caution to prevent such occurrences in future. Air India operated a flight commanded by a non-trainer line captain paired with a non-line-released first officer which has been viewed by the civil aviation regulator as a serious scheduling incident having significant safety ramifications. The incident came to the notice of DGCA through a voluntary report submitted by Air India on July 10. Taking cognisance of the incident, the regulator undertook comprehensive investigations into Air Indiaas operations, including examination of documents and carrying out a spot check of the airlineas scheduling facility. Earlier, the DGCA had grounded the two pilots of Air India after the rostering goof-up which led to a trainee pilot operating a Mumbai-Riyadh flight without the supervision of a training captain. Mumbai, Aug 29 : Adding fire to the Opposition's ire, the sculptor and a structural consultant of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue -- which crashed in Malvan's Rajkot Fort on August 26 -- have gone 'missing', as the Shiv Sena (UBT) alleged their links with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), an official said here on Thursday. The sculptor, Jaydeep Apte, who designed and created the 28-feet tall hollow bronze statue, lives in Kalyan (Thane) and his consultant, Chetan Patil, is from Kolhapur, and their mobiles are switched off. The duo's whereabouts are not known ever since the Malvan Police lodged an FIR against them after the statue collapsed on Monday, igniting a nationwide furore and a massive political row in Maharashtra. At least three police teams each of Thane and Kolhapur police are searching for them in various possible locations where they may be hiding, while security has been beefed up around Apte's home in Kalyan. As per certain reports, the police have reportedly managed to contact Apte's wife and recorded her statement on the matter, while Patil's home is locked. SS-UBT Deputy Leader and spokesperson Sushma Andhare claimed that BJP MLA Nitesh (Narayan) Rane had connections with Apte, and displayed photos of the (Apte-Rane) duo, demanding their arrest. On his part, an unfazed Nitesh Rane said that the police would definitely track Apte, and he would be dealt with as per the laws. Apte, in an interaction with a Marathi publication last year, admitted that though a statue of such dimensions could take upto three years but he managed to do it in barely 3 months. The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has accused the MahaYuti government of corruption in the matter of the statue construction and demanded the resignation of CM Eknath Shinde, the Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and others, while Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has tendered a public apology over the monumental tragedy. As the MahaYuti went on the back-foot, the MVA has carried out a series of vociferous protests across the state, took out a procession that resulted in a scuffle between the SS-UBT and BJP activists near the Rajkot Fort, and will continue the agitations over the coming days. The Indian Navy (IN) said that a joint technical committee headed by its officials along with Maharashtra officials and technical experts will be set up to probe the state incident, subsequent to the exceptional weather conditions in Sindhudurg that day. The statue was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4, 2023, as part of the Navy Day celebrations, and the project was conceptualised and steered by the IN, in collaboration with the state government which financed it. The IN said it "remains committed to assisting in all measures to repair, restore, and reinstate the statue at the earliest", echoing the state government's assurances. Kolkata, Aug 29 : Governor CV Ananda Bose headed for New Delhi on Thursday evening, hours after a meeting with the BJP's present and former state presidents in West Bengal Sukanta Majumdar and Dilip Ghosh respectively. The two BJP leaders briefed Governor Bose on their apprehensions over the state government's next course of action on the issue relating to the rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata earlier this month. Raj Bhavan sources said that the Governor is likely to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national Capital and submit his observations in the matter. After meeting the Governor, Majumdar told media persons that the manner in which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday threatened that "the fire in West Bengal will spread to Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Delhi" was unthinkable as it was coming from a person who has taken oath in the name of the Constitution. "We have expressed our apprehension to the Governor and requested him to do whatever he can under constitutional provisions," said Majumdar. The Governor's visit to New Delhi is even more significant in the backdrop of three audio clips surfacing on social media about a purported telephonic conversation between a woman claiming to be the assistant superintendent of RG Kar and the father of the victim. The alleged calls were reportedly made after the body of the victim was recovered from the seminar hall of the hospital on the morning of August 9. In the first two audio clips the woman was heard telling the victim's father that she had to be admitted to the hospital's emergency department after falling sick. However, in the third purported call, the same lady was heard telling the victim's father that she had probably committed suicide. IANS could not verify the authenticity of the audio clips. However, if the clips are authentic then they corroborate the claims of the victim's family since the beginning that they were misled by the hospital authorities on the morning of August 9. Mumbai, Aug 29 : Amid the raging controversy over the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Rajkot Fort in Malvan, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday said he was ready to put his head on the Maratha warrior's feet and apologise 100 times. Shinde's statement came a day after Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar during his ongoing 'Jansanman Yatra' apologised for the collapse of the statue. Shinde however, appealed to the Opposition not to 'play politics' in this matter but follow up with the government on how a new and grand statue could be erected at the earliest. "There are many issues to be politicised. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the identity of all of us and he is our god. Please don't politicise it. I will put my head at his feet and apologise not once but a hundred times. We are running the affairs of the state by following his example. So I bow down before him," said Shinde. He further added that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj should give wisdom to the opponents so that they would not bring politics into the issue. "The Indian Navy authorities have demanded that the Rajkot Fort precincts and the entire premises be declared a protected area so that they can start the erection of a new statue there. "We had a meeting on Wednesday night. Two committees have been appointed for erection of a new statue comprising engineers from IITs, Navy officers and others. A grand statue will soon be erected at that place," he said. He further added, "One committee will investigate the reasons for the collapse of the statue and suggest action against those responsible for the same. Another committee will be set up comprising sculptors and experts with experience of making statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and engineers and Navy officers to accomplish the task." Kyiv, Aug 29 : The 'Bring Kids Back UA', an initiative launched by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, has urged release and an expeditious return of all Ukrainian children who have been forcibly transferred, deported or detained in Russia during the ongoing conflict in the region. Presenting its first White Paper titled 'Safeguarding Children from Forced Transfers and Deportation' earlier this week, the Bring Kids Back UA Task Force, co-chaired by Andriy Yermak who is currently the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, called for an intensified international action in locating and safe return of all Ukrainian children. The White Paper mentions that to date, the Children of War initiative has identified tens of thousands of children that have been forcibly transferred and/or deported and, while total numbers of affected children vary, only a few hundred children have been returned to Ukraine. "The White Paper is at the heart of Ukrainian efforts to engage the international community in restoring sustainable justice. Point four of Ukraine's peace formula and the Bring Kids Back UA Initiative has the clear goal to return every stolen child and bring them back home without conditions or exceptions. This is not just a state initiative a" it is our duty to our children and future generation," said Yermak. High-profile individuals and organisations from around the world, including the UK, US, Canada, France, Brazil, India, South Africa and others, were also in attendance to hear the findings of the White Paper. "Children are the silent victims of war. Documenting these violations is essential because it brings attention to the plight of the children who cannot advocate themselves. Children are entitled to special protection and international law," stated Priscila Caneparo dos Anjos, delegate for civil diplomacy to the World Trade Organization and the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. The White Paper also issued a strong call to the international community to take decisive action, emphasising that sustained international pressure is essential to halt these violations and protect the rights and futures of affected Ukrainian children. The Task Force comprises experts from the policy, legal, and diplomatic fields, alongside recognised professionals in children's rights protection in the context of armed conflicts, all serving in their personal capacities. It was established by the Office of the President of Ukraine to address two critical objectives, including investigating and implementing human rights-based mechanisms for the voluntary return of unlawfully deported and forcibly displaced children to Ukraine. The second objective was to develop recommendations to strengthen the international legal framework, with a focus on preventing similar violations of children's rights in armed conflicts, using Ukraine as a case study. New Delhi, Aug 29 : Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India CEO and Managing Director Siddhartha Mohanty on Thursday presented a cheque of Rs 3,662.17 crore to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as the government's share of the company's dividend, approved by the shareholders in the Annual General Meeting held on August 22. New Delhi, Aug 29 (IANS) Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India CEO and Managing Director Siddhartha Mohanty on Thursday presented a cheque of Rs 3,662.17 crore to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as the government's share of the companyas dividend, approved by the shareholders in the Annual General Meeting held on August 22. LIC also paid an interim dividend of Rs 2,441.45 crore on March 1, which takes the total amount paid as the dividend to the government, for the year 2023-24, to Rs 6,103.62 crore. M.P. Tangirala, Additional Secretary, Department of Financial Services was present along with senior LIC officials on the occasion. LIC is completing 68 years since its incorporation and as of March 31, 2024, has an asset base of over Rs 52.85 lakh crore. The insurance giant continues to be the market leader with an overall market share of 64.02 per cent measured in terms of First Year Premium Income as per IRDAI estimates. LIC reported a 9 per cent increase in its consolidated net profit to Rs 10,544 crore for the April-June quarter of the current financial year from Rs 9,635 crore in the same quarter last year. The government-owned insurer's net premium income rose 16 per cent to Rs 1.14 lakh crore in the first quarter of 2024-25 as compared to Rs 98,755 crore in the first quarter of 2023-24. New Business Premium Income (Individual) increased by 13.67 per cent to Rs. 11,892 crore. Overall annual premium equivalent (APE) jumped 21.28 per cent to Rs. 11,560 crore. Individual Business Non-Par APE increased by 166 per cent to Rs 1,615 crore. Group Business APE increased by 34 per cent to Rs. 4,813 crore. Non-Par APE share within Individual business at 24 per cent for Q1 FY25 as compared to 10.22 per cent in Q1 FY24. Value of New Business increased by 24 per cent to Rs 1,610 crore with the net margin increasing by 20 bps to 14 per cent, the company said. Jakarta, Aug 29 : Indonesia will host the second Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) on September 1-3 in its resort island Bali, with the aim of securing business agreements worth 3.5 billion US dollars to address pressing issues in energy and food security. Indonesian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Pahala Nugraha Mansury said on Thursday that the IAF is expected to strengthen cooperation between Indonesia and African countries and produce concrete plans of what great potential could be developed between the two. "Our main focus for this year's forum is economic transformation, energy and mining, food security, health, and development cooperation. And for the private sector and state-owned enterprises, we estimate there will be agreements worth 3.5 billion dollars," Mansury told a virtual press conference, Xinhua news agency reported. He said that the IAF is expected to draw 855 participants, particularly from African and Global South countries. During the same event, Rwandan Ambassador to Indonesia Abdul Karim Harerimana expressed that the IAF's goal is to serve as a platform for idea exchange to tackle developmental challenges and enhance international cooperation on development. "This is also expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia, Rwanda and African countries as a whole, as well as open up opportunities for closer and mutually beneficial collaboration among us," Harerimana said. Telkom Indonesias international arm Telin said on Wednesday it has signed a strategic partnership with Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison to develop ICE System 2, the latest announced leg of Telins Indonesia Cable Express subsea cable project. According to Telin, ICE System 2 will connect Singapore to various landing points around Indonesia, including Jakarta, Surabaya, Balikpapan, Makassar, and Manado. Under an MoU signed on Wednesday at Telins BATIC 2024 conference in Bali, Telin and Indosat will collaborate on a network extension that will connect the points of presence (PoPs) of both operators with ICE System 2. This will enhance connectivity quality, efficiency and robustness at the targeted landing points, as well as add cost efficiencies to the project, said Telin CEO Budi Satria D. Purba. "Our collaboration with IOH on the ICE System 2 is set to create a robust telecommunications network that will support Indonesia's digital economy, he said in a statement. No financial details were disclosed. Telins ICE programme, revealed in September 2023, aims to build seven separate cable systems connecting Indonesia to all potential markets over the next five years. The first announced ICE project aims to connect Malaysia, Singapore and Batam. Last month, Telin revealed it is partnering with BW Digital to develop and construct the Nongsa-Changi subsea cable system across the Singapore Strait, linking data centres in Batam and Changi, as part of the ICE system. In February, Telin formed a consortium with Telecom Egypt and UAE-based e& Carrier & Wholesale Services to develop the ICE IV Project that aims to interconnect Indonesia and Singapore to India, Oman, Egypt, and the UAE. Amaravati, Aug 29 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Thursday, directed officials to formulate plans to develop Amaravati as the city of Artificial Intelligence (AI). He directed the officials to design the Amaravati logo in English with the first letter as A and the last letter as I which immediately strikes the mind as connoting Artificial Intelligence. Chairing a review meeting in which Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana and the officials of the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) were present, he said: "The state capital should be made in such a way that technology is available in every corner." Terming Amaravati "the capital of the Gods", he said the previous government totally damaged it by treating it in a very bad manner. There is every need to revive the works in the capital at a fast pace, he said. As the officials informed Naidu that the CRDA office building that was taken up on the G+7 system did not move an inch further in the past five years as the previous government completely neglected the structures, he directed them to complete the construction of the building in the next 90 days but not compromise on the quality of the construction and use the latest technology. Naidu noted that the previous government also ignored the Happy Next project, which was taken up in an extent of 14 acres for those who want to live in the capital area. Recalling that the plots in the Happy Next project were sold out in just one hour during the TDP regime, the officials told Naidu that since the previous government had neglected it, the buyers had gone back. The Chief Minister directed the officials to immediately initiate steps to revive the project. Maintaining that still 3,558 acres need to be acquired in the capital area, the Chief Minister said the farmers are coming forward to give their lands. When the officials brought to the notice of the Chief Minister about certain hurdles in allotting plots to the farmers that are developed, he told them to go ahead by resolving these issues. The officials also informed that 60 per cent of the jungle clearance works are completed in the capital region and the Chief Minister told them to use drones for assessing and supervising the process. CM Naidu also ordered the officials to take up the metro rail works in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada at a fast pace. AP Metro Rail Project Managing Director, Ramakrishna Reddy, told Naidu that the Visakhapatnam Metro rail works will be completed in two phases, the first phase of 46 km with Rs 11,400 crore expenditure and the second phase of 30 km with Rs 5,734 crore. The CM said that the first phase of works in Visakhapatnam should be completed in the next four years and in Vijayawada, the Metro rail works being taken up with Rs 11,000 crore for an extent of 38 km should also be accelerated. Kollam, Aug 29 : In a scathing attack against the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government in Kerala, Kollam Lok Sabha MP N.K. Premachandran on Thursday slammed the state unit of CPI-M for the manner in which it kept 'under wraps' the alleged crimes committed by its two time legislator, Mukesh. Actor-politician Mukesh is in the docks after a former actress accused him and others of sexually misbehaving with her a few years back. Incidentally, the state's film industry is drawing a lot of flak ever since the Hema Committee studying the condition of women in the Malayalam film industry revealed rampant sexual exploitation of women. Among those who are facing the heat are actors Mukesh, Siddique, Jayasurya, Maniyan Pillai Raju, Edavela Babu, directors Ranjith, V.K. Prakash, and Tulasidas. The names of two production staff -- Noble and Vichu -- and a Congress worker, lawyer V.S. Chandrasekheran, have also been dragged into the matter. Based on the revelations made by the victims soon after the Hema Committee report surfaced, cases have been registered against the above personalities at different police stations in the state. Premachandran, who won the Lok Sabha polls as the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) candidate backed by the Congress-led UDF from Kollam, said the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government, which speaks so much on women's safety and women's rights, is guilty of protecting Mukesh. Incidentally, Mukesh has been representing the Kollam Assembly constituency since 2016. "We all know that the Hema Committee report was first submitted to Pinarayi Vijayan in 2019, which contained the names of all the exploiters. I want the Chief Minister to explain why despite knowing about Mukesh's wrongdoings, he allowed him to contest the recent Lok Sabha polls," Premachandran asked. In the elections held earlier this year, Premachandran trounced Mukesh in Kollam by a margin of over 1.50 lakh votes. "The CPI-M must explain its stand as the complaint against Mukesh was made by a woman soon after the Hema Committee report was released. Along with the resignation of Mukesh, Minister of Culture Saji Cherian, who strongly defended him, should also quit," Premachandran added. Meanwhile, the top brass of the CPI-M which met here on Thursday has decided against asking Mukesh to resign as there are two sitting Congress legislators facing similar charges. However, the opinion is divided in the CPI -- the second biggest ally in the Pinarayi Vijayan government -- as serious differences have surfaced with a majority of the leaders demanding Mukesh to step down as a legislator. New Delhi, Aug 29 : Congress leader Udit Raj waded into the rape remark row on Thursday, triggered by former MP and Akali Dal leader Simranjit Singh Mann and made some irresponsible and insensitive remarks about Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut. He rather went a step ahead and sought to blame the actor for 'receiving' the rape threat. The Congress leader, in further affront to the actor, said that her entire Bollywood career had been suspicious. Udit Raj's statement is set to trigger a fresh row and earn him a backlash from multiple quarters. The Congress leader, speaking to IANS, said that Kangana Ranaut has a history of blurting out uncharitable and ridiculous remarks against her rivals, and therefore it was only natural to expect a 'retaliation' (referring to Mann's remarks). He said that though he didn't support Akali leader's objectionable statement but claimed that this happened because of the actor's series of ludicrous statements. "Kangana keeps making derogatory remarks. She spoke against women, she made disparaging remarks against the farmers. Were the farmers rapists, did they rape anyone? What was the basis behind such charges," Udit Raj asked. Notably, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut in an exclusive interaction with IANS on Friday said that she was getting rape threats ahead of her film's release, while alluding to Simranjit Singh's remarks where he said that the actor has 'enough experience of rape'. Congress leader Udit Raj also hit out at the BJP for giving 'tacit support' to the actor while she brazenly went on anti-farmers rant. "Didn't the BJP know that she was making such statements? Today, it is distancing itself, how can it dissociate itself?" he asked and cited instances when the actor was 'prompted' to slam the Gandhi family in the run-up to elections. He alleged that the BJP has a culture of abusing its rivals. They may look a little restrained on Television channels, but on social media, they have breached all boundaries. Their troll army has normalised abuse on social media, he claimed. When questioned about the outrageous remark by the former Punjab MP, he slammed his distasteful remarks. "Akali Dal leader has also lowered the political discourse by making such absurd statements," Udit Raj told IANS. Mumbai, Aug 29 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday is all set to lay the foundation of the Rs 76,000 crore Vadhavan Port, an ambitious project expected to play a game-changing role in transforming the economic landscape of Maharashtra as well as the country by generating employment opportunities and facilitating seamless movement of cargo. PM Modi will visit Palghar and Mumbai on Friday to lay the foundation stone for the prestigious greenfield Vadhvan Port, address the Global Fintech Fest and launch other projects, officials said here on Thursday. Expected to become a growth engine in the coming years along India's western coast, on completion, the all-weather Vadhvan Port with a deep draft will be one of the top ten sea-ports in the world, to cost a whopping Rs 76,220 crore including the land acquisition costs. The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has proposed to develop Vadhvan Port along with the Maharashtra government and Maharashtra Maritime Board. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Umesh Wagh, chairman of JNPA, explains how the Rs 76,000 crore Vadhvan port will be a game changer to boost trade efficiency for the entire country. IANS: How is the Vadhvan port logistically crucial for not just Maharashtra but for India? Umesh Wagh: Vadhvan Port is strategically significant not just for Maharashtra but for all of India due to its excellent connectivity and its role in enhancing logistics efficiency. Located 12 km from Vangaon Railway Station along the Mumbai-Surat Western Rail Link, the port will connect to the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) line at New Palghar Station, enabling seamless movement of goods. It is also well-connected by road, being 33.4 km from NH 48 and 22 km from the Vadodara Expressway, with all routes merging towards the port. As an all-weather Greenfield deep-draft major port, Vadhvan will be a key node in the India-Middle East Economic Corridor (IMEC), which consists of an Eastern Corridor linking India to the Gulf region and a Northern Corridor connecting the Gulf to Europe. This corridor will integrate rail, ship-rail transit, and road transport, making Vadhvan the primary feeder port for IMEC. It will facilitate cargo movement to Chabahar Port in Iran and the International North-South Transport Corridor, significantly reducing logistics costs and transit time, and thereby boosting trade efficiency for the entire country. IANS: Will the port impact JNPA operations or will it be complementary to boost the trade? Umesh Wagh: The Vadhvan Port will not negatively impact JNPA's operations; instead, it will complement them and boost trade. With a natural deep draft of 20 meters, Vadhvan will be capable of handling large mother vessels, which will enhance overall port capacity. The port has the potential to rank among the Top 10 Container Ports in the world, thanks to its advanced and modernized infrastructure. By working in synergy with JNPA, Vadhvan Port will contribute to strengthening India's port ecosystem and enhancing trade efficiency. IANS: Why is the project site important and how will it be eco friendly during its operations? Umesh Wagh: The port is designed to be eco-friendly, with plans to operate as a green port by implementing various environmentally sustainable measures. These include the use of electric Rubber-Tyred Gantry cranes and hybrid Internal Transfer Vehicles to reduce emissions. The port will feature world-class facilities with efficient systems that minimise processing times, thereby reducing fuel consumption and air pollution. Additionally, shore power will be available for vessels to reduce their emissions while docked, and zero-emission green fuel trucks will operate within the port, contributing to a lower environmental footprint. IANS: When will the first phase be completed and the entire project be up and running? Umesh Wagh: The port will handle 10 million TEUs in the first phase which will be completed by 2029 and 23.2 million TEUs after the commissioning of its second phase in 2035. IANS: JNPA has embarked on a plan to promote skill development for locals. How will this be done? Umesh Wagh: The Vadhvan Skilling Program's WhatsApp ChatBot developed by JNPA was recently launched. This tool is designed to facilitate access to skilling programs and provide information about Vadhvan Port. Approximately 90 per cent of the blue-collar jobs will be allocated to residents of the Palghar district. Over 50,000 youths will receive the necessary training, facilitated in collaboration with local institutions, to ensure a skilled workforce. Additionally, numerous CSR activities are planned, and some are already in execution for community betterment. The primary goal of this chatbot is to gather valuable data and ensure that the youth of Vadhvan receive targeted training that aligns with the employment opportunities generated by the development of the Vadhvan Port project. The Vadhvan Port project, recently approved by the Union Cabinet, is expected to create approximately employment opportunities for 12 Lakh people and more than 1 crore indirect employment opportunities. IANS: Also, how the port will help local industry, especially vendors to grow? Umesh Wagh: The JNPA has proposed constructing a fishing harbour and developing a Sea Food Park in collaboration with the state government to support export-oriented value addition of marine resources, thereby creating employment opportunities for marginalised groups. The JNPA also plans to establish skill development centres focusing on fisheries and container operation-related logistics courses. IANS: Still a section of villagers, fishing community and political parties are opposed to the project. Will they be brought on board? What efforts are being made to address their concerns? Umesh Wagh: JNPA has clarified that the coasts will be protected and there will be no adverse impact, based on a flood control survey conducted by JNPA. A Fisher-folks Compensation Policy (FCP) for the VPPL project will be developed in consultation with all stakeholders and the fishing community. While there has been some local opposition from those impacted by the project, we are committed to addressing their concerns. Those affected by the road and rail connectivity will also be compensated as per the applicable policy of the state government. (Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in) Paris, Aug 29 : India's top hope in women's para-archery, Sheetal Devi started the Paralympic Games with an impressive performance in the Women's Individual Compound Open Ranking Round here, qualifying for the next stage with a second-place finish on Thursday. In the Men's Recurve Individual Ranking Round, India's Tokyo Paralympic Games bronze medal winner Harvinder Singh finished 9th with a score of 637 (19 10s, 5 Xs). Sheetal, the only armless female archer in the fray in the competition, made the country proud on the global stage by scoring a sensational 703 points in the qualification round. This is her personal best score and just one point short of the World Record. In the Compound Open Ranking Round, the 16-year-old Sheetal, who participates in the ST category, shot 59 arrows in the 10-zone and 24 in the inner 10 (bullseye) as she ended up with a score of 703. Sheetal managed a score better than the World Record of 698 set by Phoebe Pine Paterson of Great Britain in August 2024. However, TArkiye's Oznur Cure Girdi set a new World Record with a score of 704, shooting 56 arrows in 10s and 29 Xs. Onzur, the World Champion in the Individual Compound Open category in 2023 and silver medalist in Team Compound Open in the Tokyo Paralympics, also broke the Paralympic Record of 694 points held by Jessica Stretton of Great Britain. Although she narrowly missed the world record by just 1 point, Sheetal's outstanding performance has proved that she is in top form and will be the top contender for the gold medal. She will next step out for the Round of 32 matches as she has received a bye in the first elimination round. In the Round of 32, Sheetal will take on the winner of the match between Mariana Zuniga of Chile and Choi Nami of South Korea Meanwhile, India's Sarita too started well in the Ranking Round as she finished 9th with a score of 682 (40 10s, 15 Xs). Sarita, who is in the W2 class, will take on Nur Jannaton Abdul Jalil of Malaysia in the 1/16 Elimination Round on Friday. If Sarita wins on Friday, she will meet the winner of the all-Italian match between Guila Pesci and Eleonora Sarti. Harvinder, who had finished third in the Men's individual recurve Open in Tokyo, is hoping to upgrade his medal this time and become the first para-archer from the country to win medals in back-to-back Paralympic Games. New Delhi, Aug 29 : Budget carrier Spicejet has been placed under "enhanced surveillance" by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation after passengers were not allowed to board the airline's flights in Dubai as it had not paid its airport dues. "Based on reports of cancellation of flights and financial stress being experienced by Spicejet Airlines, a special audit of Spicejet engineering facilities was conducted on 7th and 8th August 2024 which has revealed certain deficiencies," the DGCA said in a statement on Thursday. The DGCA said the airline has been placed under "enhanced surveillance with immediate effect" which entails increased spot checks and night-time audits with a view to ensure operational safety. SpiceJet had to operate multiple empty flights from Dubai as passengers were not allowed, by airport officials there, to check in because the airline had not paid certain fees. A SpiceJet spokesperson attributed the cancellations to "operational issues" and said affected passengers were accommodated on subsequent flights or other airlines, or given a full refund. All scheduled flights from Dubai are now operating as planned, the company said. Earlier this month, SpiceJet said it reached a settlement with Mumbai airport over "a minor financial matter," hours after being warned, in a now-deleted social media post, of "temporary disruptions". On August 12, the CSMIA issued a passenger advisory stating that effective midnight on August 13, SpiceJet flight operations from the Mumbai International Airport were expected to be temporarily disrupted. "The Mumbai International Airport is working with the airline to address the situation to minimise inconvenience to passengers," it said. "The passenger advisory issued by MIAL has been withdrawn. Our flight operations in and out of Mumbai are operating normally. SpiceJet and MIAL have worked collaboratively to swiftly resolve a minor financial matter," the airline had said. There have also been reports of SpiceJet delaying salary payments to its employees. Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court ordered SpiceJet to ground three engines leased from French lessors as it had failed to pay up the rentals. The court directed the budget airline to ground these engines by August 16 and return them to the two lessors - Team France 01 SAS and Sunbird France 02 SAS - within 15 days and make further arrangements for inspection. This decision followed the lessors' rejection of SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh's offer to pledge his shares as collateral for the airline's outstanding liabilities. In 2022, following a series of safety issues in quick succession, the DGCA had allowed SpiceJet to operate only 50 per cent of its fleet. The aviation regulator had undertaken audits then too, only allowing the airline to release aircraft after confirming rectification of all defects or malfunctions. It was only on October 30 of that year that SpiceJet was allowed to use its full fleet. New Delhi, Aug 29 : The construction work at the Noida International Airport is going on in full swing and commercial operations are set to commence from here by April 2025. A runway measuring 3.9 km in length and 60 metres in width is ready, and the airport terminal building is also in the final stages. The airport, touted as Asia's largest, is being developed by the Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL) in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddha Nagar district. Once readied, it will ease off the congestion at Indira Gandhi International Airport and will also cater to the burgeoning air travel demand in the Delhi-NCR. As per the latest reports, the YIAPL has set a target of completing the calibration flights and validation procedures by December and launching the commercial operations by the end of April 2025. A ground survey by the IANS team showed that the structure of Jewar Airport has been designed in line with the country's rich cultural heritage. The structures built here reflect a certain cultural experience. The entry point of the terminal building has been designed on lines of iconic gates of Varanasi. The greenfield airport, once operational, will give a huge impetus to Uttar Pradesh's economy and will prove to be an important ingredient in fulfilling Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's $1 trillion dream. The construction of the airport's first phase, spread across an area of 1,334 acres, started two years ago and was about to become operational by September this year, but the deadline suffered delays, due to a shortfall in raw materials including structural steel and other equipment. The first phase of the airport will feature 1 runway and 1 terminal and will be empowered to handle traffic of 12 million passengers annually. After the completion of all four phases, the airport will cater to an astounding 70 million passengers per year. According to the Noida International Airport CEO, domestic and international carriers have shown keen interest in running their operations from the upcoming airport. Domestic airlines IndiGo and Akasa Air have already entered agreements with Noida International Airport. The airport, once ready, will not only serve as an aviation hub but also bolster economic growth and tourism in the Delhi-NCR zone. Gurugram, Aug 29 : An employee of the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) was abducted and beaten to death over an alleged extramarital affair with the wife of the accused, the police said on Thursday. The accused and his accomplices are on the run, the police said. The victim, who has been identified as Naresh Kumar, was a supervisor in the sanitation wing of the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG). The victim's brother told the police on Thursday that his brother Naresh was admitted to the hospital recently after being trashed by the accused. However, he later returned home after being discharged. "After returning home, the victim told his brother that a person named Ramveer along with his aides had forcibly taken him on a bike from the Public Health Centre on Madanpuri Road and thrashed him. In the evening, Kumar's health condition deteriorated again following which his brother took him to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries," the police said. Based on the victim's brother's complaint, the police filed a murder case against Ramveer and others at the New Colony police station on Thursday. The initial investigation has revealed that Ramveer suspected an illicit relation between his wife and Kumar. To teach Kumar a lesson, Ramveer along with his friends reportedly abducted the victim and trashed him. Ramveer works as a scrap dealer, the police said. "Police teams have been formed to arrest the absconding culprits. The family members of the accused are being detained based on suspicion for questioning," said Sandeep Kumar, spokesperson of Gurugram Police. "The investigation teams are probing the matter from all possible angles. The police teams will also visit the civic body office where the victim was employed to collect more details related to the case," Kumar added. Mumbai, Aug 29 : "Who builds a hollow statue on the sea-shore? And it just came down in 8 months...," an incredulous Sharmila Thackeray wondered on Thursday while reacting to the recent crash of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's bronze sculpture erected at the Rajkot Fort in Malvan town of Sindhdurg. The wife of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray even admonished the powers-that-be that there is corruption in everything, "but at least spare the legendary Maratha warrior-king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj". Speaking to the media here, Sharmila Thackeray even said that the collapsed statueas broken parts clearly showed "that it was completely hollow from inside" -- implying that the 28-feet tall figurine was unable to withstand the purported 45 kmph winds blowing in the region on August 26. "Who builds such an empty statue near the sea-side..." was her disbelieving refrain to the incident that has triggered a major political furore and served to embarrass the MahaYuti regime ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. On the other hand, Sharmila Thackeray pointed out that the Sindhudurg Fort, built by the Chhatrapati a" stands barely 3 km away from Rajkot Fort in the Arabian Sea a" is still solid and imposing even after over 350 years. "Not only that, several other forts constructed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are still intact. Many were built on the coastal areas, and barring the normal wear-and-tear, but their fortifications remain strong till date. But a statue built for him there tumbled down in barely 8 months," Sharmila Thackeray said. She referred to the Gateway of India (Mumbai, built in 1911) and other old buildings, saying they must have been lashed by stronger gales and storms, but nothing has happened to them yet. "I feel sada there is corruption everywhere. On the Mumbai-Nashik Road, the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Corridor or the Mumbai-Goa Highwaya roads are built today and next there are potholesa People are even tired of carrying out agitations, at least keep Chhatrapati out of all this," she remarked. On the Mumbai-Goa Highway's perpetual problems of potholes, she asked with concern, "of what blood are the people of (coastal) Konkan madea Even after enduring all this, they keep reposing their faith in these very leaders". Sharmila Thackeray's no-holds-barred comments came as the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) continues to roast the MahaYuti government over the statue collapse -- after it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4, 2023, during the Navy Day celebrations held in Sindhudurg. As political pressures continued to mount, public sentiments ran strong and the government's image took a battering after the statue crash, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde tendered an apology for the tragedy on Thursday -- a day after Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar also said 'sorry' for it. The Indian Navy and Maharashtra government have formed a joint committee of officials and experts to examine the entire issue and take measures to repair or erect another statue at the same spot on priority. New Delhi/Mumbai, Aug 29 : A high-level delegation from Chile led by Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren and Agriculture Minister Esteban Valenzuela held several meetings with industry leaders in Mumbai during the third and final day of their India visit on Thursday. New Delhi/Mumbai, Aug 29 (IANS) A high-level delegation from Chile led by Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren and Agriculture Minister Esteban Valenzuela held several meetings with industry leaders in Mumbai during the third and final day of their India visit on Thursday. While Klaveren visited the Mumbai facilities of Tata Consultancy Services - a company whose headquarters for Latin America is in Santiago - and met with its Managing Director K Krithivasan, Valenzuela and ProChile Director General, together with the Chilean food sector delegation, visited a food and beverage fair to publicise the variety of forestry and agricultural products that Chile produces and exports. On Wednesday, Klaveren and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar jointly chaired the 2nd India-Chile Joint Commission Meeting in New Delhi before the visiting Foreign Minister and Esteban Valenzuela, the Agriculture Minister of Chile, participated in Chile-India Business (Agriculture) Summit. The meeting focused on the deepening of trade ties, agriculture, defence, digital public infrastructure, health, science and technology, education, culture, Antarctica cooperation, among other matters. Klaveren later called on Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, with whom he discussed deepening trade ties. The two ministers, along with ProChile General Director Ignacio Fernandez, also inaugurated the Chile Summit India 2024 Chile's first high-impact positioning activity in the Indian market. "We are in a time of great opportunity. India is not only one of the most dynamic economies in the world, but also a market with an impressive cultural and economic diversity, capable of offering unique opportunities for countries like Chile. Our nation, with its stability and economic openness, is well positioned to be a strategic partner in Latin America. It is no coincidence that we have chosen this moment to hold the first Chile Summit India. Our intention is clear: we want to explore and maximize the opportunities that exist for both countries," said Klaveren. Valenzuela also admitted that there is a huge opportunity in India for Chilean wine, fresh fruit, nuts, meat and forest products industry. "We trade around 270 million dollars a year with India; it is a figure that we have to improve. We are global suppliers of healthy, safe, quality and sustainably produced foods, and we are also a key player in the production and export of forest products. We want India and its families to know and increase their demand for Chilean products, which is why this first Chile Summit India 2024 is so important," he said. ProChile's General Director Fernandez explained that Chilean food exports to India have grown by almost 1,000 per cent since 2013 and that Chile can offer more than just quality food products. "We also see a lot of potential in creative industries where we want India to use Chile as a location for its films or services related to the agricultural or mining industry. We have more than 1.1 billion dollars of export opportunities for products that India imports from other markets and not from Chile," he stated. Both, Valenzuela and Fernandez, also visited Delhi's Khari Baoli market - one of the largest in Asia and where Chilean nuts are sold. While Chile's fresh fruit and seafood delegation held meetings with supermarkets to see how to introduce these Chilean products into these types of stores, Alexandra Galvis, the Vice President of the Association of Film and Television Producers (ACPT), presented to local counterparts an offer that the country has for filming audiovisual productions. In addition, the Santiago Chamber of Commerce (CCS) announced that 30 Indian companies will travel to Santiago in October to explore business with Chilean companies, thanks to an agreement they signed with the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (FICCI). New Delhi, Aug 29 : The Delhi Zonal Office of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday conducted search operations at 10 locations across Delhi, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Mumbai, Solapur, and Indore in a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. "The actions pertain to the case involving Jasmeet Hakimzada, a 45-year-old international drug trafficker based in Gulf countries. Hakimzada has been designated a 'Significant Foreign Narcotics Trafficker' under the US Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act," the ED said in a release. Moreover, Hakimzada is also listed in the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control's Specially Designated National and Blocked Persons List. He is reportedly linked to the proscribed terrorist organisation Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and was allegedly associated with Harmeet Singh, the Pakistan-based self-styled chief of KLF, ED added. The ED initiated the investigation based on an FIR filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against Hakimzada and others. The FIR charges them under various Sections of the UAPA, 1967, and the NDPS Act, 1985, for engaging in unlawful activities and drug trafficking. The ED's investigation uncovered that Hakimzada, who resides in Dubai, was managing a narco-terror network in India. He was funnelling the proceeds of crime (POC) from drug trafficking operations conducted by the proscribed terrorist organisation Khalistan Liberation Force through hawala channels to Dubai. This operation involved full-fledged money changers (FFMCs) located in Amritsar. The investigation further revealed that drug peddlers working under Hakimzada's control deposited cash into various bank accounts held by him in India. The funds deposited in these accounts were subsequently used to acquire high-value items and real-estate properties in Gurugram. During the search operations, the ED uncovered secret bank lockers in the names of Hakimzada and his wife in Delhi. These lockers contained 1.06 kg of unaccounted gold and 370 gm of diamond ornaments. All the seized jewellery were confiscated by the ED during the operation. Mumbai, Aug 29 : In a big relief to the property buyers, the Maharashtra government on Thursday issued a notification removing the jurisdictional limits whereby the property registration can be done from anywhere in Greater Mumbai. Accordingly, there will be a common jurisdiction for Greater Mumbai henceforth. The governmentas move aims to give a choice to the property buyers to go and register their properties at the nearby sub-registraras office anywhere in Greater Mumbai. A Revenue Department official said, "There are four talukas in Greater Mumbai comprising Mumbai City, Andheri, Borivali, and Kurla. Earlier, if a resident of South Mumbai wanted to purchase a property in Borivali in North Mumbai, he had to go all the way there for the registration. "However, with the removal of jurisdictional limit through Thursday's notification, a property buyer from South Mumbai need not to have to go to Borivali as he can now register that property in South Mumbai itself." He added that annually, registration of 1,50,000 properties take place in the four talukas and with the removal of jurisdictional limits, the government hopes there will be an increase in property registration. Revenue Department Deputy Secretary Satyanarayan Bajaj said in the notification that the removal of jurisdictional limit in Mumbai has been done by amending the governmentas earlier notification issued on October 31, 2005. Vice President of Builders Association of India, Anand Gupta, hailed the state governmentas move, saying that it will further promote ease of doing business and remove the hassles in property registration. "At the same time, the realty players also appeal to the state government to improve the infrastructure of the registration offices in a bid to make them more consumer-friendly," he said. Gupta also demanded that the state government should bring down the premium rates charged by the civic and local bodies and the state government. "At present, the premium rate is 50 per cent of the ready-reckoner rate which should be decreased to 25 per cent of the ready-reckoner rate, as it will increase the project viability and give relief to the property buyers in terms of prices," he said. (Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in) New Delhi, Aug 29 : Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) achieved a significant milestone on Thursday by securing its international credit rating which will help the government-owned financial company to secure funds from global markets at lower rates of interest. The International Credit Rating Agency, S&P Global Ratings Limited assigned 'BBB-' long-term and 'A-3' short-term issuer credit ratings to IREDA, with Outlook 'Stable', the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said. This rating will enable IREDA to expand its reach in the international market, tapping into attractive sources of funding and supporting its borrowing plan. In the rating update released by S&P Global, the agency stated: "We rate IREDA one notch above our starting point for rating finance companies (FINCOS) in India to reflect ongoing government support." IREDA Chairman & Managing Director Pradip Kumar Das said: "The international credit rating assigned to IREDA is a testament to our commitment to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance and maintaining the trust of our investors and stakeholders. This rating will support our efforts to secure funds at competitive rates and enhance our footprint in global markets. We remain focused on maintaining our strong market position, robust financial performance, and exemplary corporate governance to drive sustainable development." Meanwhile, IREDA also announced on Thursday that its Board of Directors has given in-principle approval to raise equity capital of up to Rs 4,500 crore. The funds will be raised in one or more tranches through methods including Further Public Offer (FPO), Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP), Rights Issue, Preferential Issue, or other permitted modes, the green financing NBFC said in a regulatory filing. The number of securities to be issued will be decided at a later date. The fundraising initiative is subject to approval from the Central government and other relevant statutory and regulatory authorities, the company said. IREDA is a Mini Ratna company under the administrative controls of the ministry of new and renewable energy. It offers a range of financial products and associated services, from project inception to post-completion, for renewable energy projects and related activities such as equipment manufacturing and transmission. Shillong, Aug 29 : The Trinamool Congress on Thursday was recognised as an Opposition party in Meghalaya Assembly while party leader and former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma was appointed as the Leader of Opposition (LoP). Meghalaya Assembly Commissioner and Secretary Andrew Simons in a notification on Thursday said that Mukul Sangma, a Member of the Meghalaya Assembly, has been recognised by the Speaker as the LoP in the Assembly. In a separate notification, Simons said that the Speaker has recognised Ronnie V. Lyngdoh as the 'Opposition Chief Whip' in the Meghalaya Assembly. The Trinamool Congress, headed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, for the first time, out of the eight northeastern states, has been recognised as an opposition party in Meghalaya Assembly. The Trinamool Congress, which has five MLAs in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly earlier urged Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma to give the LoP post to the party as it is claiming the support of the lone Congress legislator in the house. Speaker Sangma said former Chief minister and Trinamool leader Mukul M. Sangma (2010-2018) formally submitted (application) to him for the LoP post. "Mukul Sangma, demanding the LoP post, claimed that the Trinamool has the support of lone Congress MLA Ronnie V. Lyngdoh," the Speaker had said. In the 2023 Assembly polls, the Trinamool Congress and the Congress had secured five seats each. In a major setback for the Congress, of the five MLAs of the grand old party, three recently joined the ruling National People's Party (NPP) headed by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, while another legislator, Saleng A. Sangma was elected to the recent Lok Sabha election from the Tura Parliamentary constituency, reducing the number of party member in the Assembly to just one. The Speaker, quoting the rules, said that to get the LoP post the membersa strength has to be 10 per cent of the 60-member assembly. The TMC with the support of the Congress MLA has fulfilled the minimum 10 per cent criteria for the LoP post, he had pointed out. Trinamool also requested the Speaker that the post of opposition chief whip be given to the lone Congress MLA Ronnie V. Lyngdoh. On August 19, three Congress MLAs, Celestine Lyngdoh, Charles Marngar, and Gabriel Wahlang, joined the NPP in the presence of the Meghalaya Chief Minister. Meghalaya Congress President Vincent Pala accused the NPP of being 'involved in a cash transaction' for taking away three Congress MLAs to the ruling party's fold. Jaipur, Aug 29 : An under construction building collapsed in Jaipur's Jawahar Nagar area on Thursday night. Following the incident, police teams along with civil defence officials rushed to the site to remove the debris. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are also present on the spot. Officials said they are trying to find out if people are trapped under the debris, while the locals said that there was a juice shop under the collapsed building and so the possibility of people getting stuck there can't be ruled out. Jaipur Municipal Corporation (Heritage) Commissioner Abhishek Surana said that teams from the municipal body along with civil defence workers are carrying out the rescue operation. "We are trying to find out if there are some people stuck inside the collapsed building. The owners of some shops where the construction work was going on are missing. Efforts are on to trace them. However, our first priority is to see if someone is stuck inside," Surana said. The debris were being removed from the site using JCB machines till the time of filing of this report. Meanwhile, local shopkeeper Aditya said that construction work continued there flouting all norms for the past year due to the negligence of the municipal officials who did not pay heed to their complaints. Bhopal, Aug 30 : The Budhni Assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh's Sehore district - the bastion of four-time former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan who is now the Union Agriculture Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet -- is likely to witness a close contest between the state's ruling BJP and the opposition Congress in the upcoming by-election. Bhopal, Aug 30 (IANS) The Budhni Assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh's Sehore district a" the bastion of four-time former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan who is now the Union Agriculture Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet -- is likely to witness a close contest between the state's ruling BJP and the opposition Congress in the upcoming by-election. The bypoll has been necessitated after Shivraj Singh Chouhan was elected as an MP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Though the bypoll date is yet to be announced by the Election Commission of India, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have started their preparations. According to political observers, the BJP seems to be not "quite worried" as it has retained Budhni seat since 2006. However, one would be waiting to see whom the party picks as Shivraj Singh Chouhan's "potential replacement" once the schedule for the bypoll is announced. The Congress, meanwhile, began executing its plan on the ground "extensively". According to sources, the Congress has been viewing the absence (as candidate) of BJP stalwart and former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan (who won five times from Budhni) as an opportunity to make an attempt to wrest this particular seat from the BJP. The party has already started the process of holding meetings in all 363 booths. The Congress has already replaced Raghogarh MLA Jaivardhan Singh (son of ex-Chief Minister and senior party leader Digvijaya Singh) with the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Umang Singhar as in-charge of the bypoll in Budhni seat. The Congress is now planning to deploy a 15-member team comprising senior leaders and former ministers in the next two weeks. In the last Assembly election held in November 2023, Congress candidate Vikram Mastal Sharma received a total of 59,977 votes against BJP's Shivraj Singh Chouhan who received 1,64,951 votes. The BJP bagged 163 seats while the Congress got 66 seats. Jaipur, Aug 30 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Thursday said that the people of the state have faith in the police department which is always busy in keeping crimes in check to maintain peace, adding that maintaining a strong law and order is a top priority for his government. CM Sharma said this while addressing the opening session of the two-day state level police officers' conference at Rajasthan International Centre. He said that the All India DGP-IGP Conference held in Jaipur in January this year was praised across the country. "This two-day conference will improve the functioning of police in the state," the Rajasthan Chief Minister said. He said that decisions like the formation of the Anti-Gangster Task Force and SIT to stop paper leak cases on the very next day of formation of the state government show its commitment towards maintaining law and order. The Rajasthan Chief Minister said that the police should function in an unbiased manner. Addressing the programme, Sharma said: "Today, the forms of crime have changed. Facing the challenges ranging from cyber crime to organised crime, the police will have to get more empowered." He praised the police, saying that "the department is doing a good job to stop cyber crime in the state under Operation Antivirus". "Cyber crime, in fact, should be completely eradicated. It is very important to prevent drug addiction among the youth," Sharma said. The Rajasthan Chief Minister termed police as "the most important system of the state", adding that the police personnel doing excellent work will be rewarded. "The Rajasthan government will award police personnel for doing excellent work and identify cops who are lax on criminals," he said, adding: "Police should set a priority to reduce crimes against women and ensure women's safety." He assured that the police department would not be allowed to face any kind of shortage of resources, and also, the number of women personnel in the department would be increased. Grief is not a pretty process. Just ask Dustin Thao, the author of the new YA novel When Haru Was Here (Wednesday Books, Sept. 3), a contemporary romance that grapples with loss and second chances with a magical realism twist. Thaos highly anticipated sophomore novel comes off the heels of his successful debut Youve Reached Sam. In 2019 Thao penned a two-book deal with Wednesday Books v-p and associate publisher Eileen Rothschild. The first result was Youve Reached Sam, the heartbreaking journey of Julie, a young woman who can only contact her deceased boyfriend Sam through a phone. It was released in 2021 and soon became a BookTok favorite; it sat on the New York Times bestseller list for 37 weeks, has sold a million copies worldwide, and can be spotted in a myriad of videos on TikTok. The experience of having the book become a hit on TikTok was definitely life-changing, Thao told PW. To see people cry over my book was such a unique and shocking experience. As an author, I always hope that I make one person cry. For his second book, Thao revisits the concept of a new chance at love. Queer Vietnamese American high school graduate Eric Ly once had an enchanting first encounter with Haru in Japan. Since then, Eric has lost his best friend and childhood crush Daniel and is grappling with his death. When Haru reappears at a coffee shop in Erics hometown of Chicago, Eric seizes his second opportunity to get to know Haru, even if no one can see Haru but him. If it sounds heartbreaking, its because its meant to be. Thao, who wears his heart on his sleeve, notes that hes always been inspired by works that pull on the readers heartstrings, ranging from Katherine Patersons Bridge to Terabithia to Marvels Wanda Vision. I don't write about happy endings, Thao said with a laugh. I think thats why readers gravitate towards my work. We all love a sad story. Like when it comes to Taylor Swift, her best songs are the ones that make us cry. Emotional books make up a significant portion of books that become BookTok favorites. Thao joins Laura Nowlin, Adam Silvera, Jennifer Niven and others in the pantheon of authors whose books are guaranteed to get readers to shed a tear. I think readers want an emotional experience, to feel deeply, editor Rothschild told PW. Whether that is laughing, crying or swooning. They want to be transported. Readers are looking forward to Thao breaking their hearts once more. When Haru Was Here has can be spotted and most anticipated lists such as Barnes & Noble and Book Riot. Ahead of the books release, Thao finally joined his readers on TikTok, garnering 18,000 followers in the span of six months. Thao confirmed the adage that writing the second book is always more challenging than the first, saying that it was much harder in so many ways. One such challenge was in writing a character that felt more likable than his previous protagonist, but one still worthy of love. Eric, the storys protagonist, is struggling with rejection on several fronts: finding a fulfilling job in the film industry, and facing the relentless awkwardness of dating. And he struggles with the confusing emotions and coping mechanisms that come with losing a loved one. Hes incredibly flawed, Thao said. People are questioning the decisions that he makes. I wanted readers who have experience of rejection to be able to find themselves in my stories, and to know that these things are okay and they happen, and that in life we learn to pivot. When Haru Was Here was also a project that felt more personal to Thao by writing about experiences closer to his own. This is my first book where the character is queer. Hes also Vietnamese, and thats something that I knew I wanted to write about, Thao said. The book is fiction, but I got to draw from some of my own personal experiences growing up with a Vietnamese immigrant family. Thaos offering of grace to an imperfect journey navigating grief was intentional. If theres one thing I hope readers take away, he said, it is that grief is not something that has to be experienced gracefully. As bittersweet as his work may be, Thao doesnt only want to break readers hearts. He also hopes that his work showcases how to navigate the permanence of loss with a sense of hope. Grief is not something we get over, it is something we learn to live with, Thao said. These things happen. We lose the people we love, we experience heartbreak, we experience rejection, but we move forward. We grow from them. And there is always hope at the end. On Sunday, July 21, President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House, ending his bid for reelection; he quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and encouraged his party to unite behind her. As these unprecedented events unfolded, creative collaborators and best friends Raakhee Mirchandani and Supriya Kelkar knew it was their moment, too. Wed talked about [writing a book about Harris] over the course of two years, Mirchandani said. Wed had different ideas for it, but the timing just wasnt right. That Sunday, I got the story. Kamala has raised her hand over the course of her life, from when she was 12 years old to just weeks ago when the United States needed a president. This is a woman who has continuously raised her hand for her community. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers is crashing their picture book, Kamala Raised Her Hand, about Harriss historic run, onto its fall list, with a release date of October 29, one week before the election. I got Rakhees email on Monday with the subject line, Kamala Raised Her Hand, said LBYR editor Samantha Gentry. And then in its body, it said, I think we need the picture book. I immediately went to talk to my editorial director. We honestly didnt think it was even going to be possible!I have done a few crashed books in my career, but nothing that has been this quick. Once Gentry received the go-ahead, Mirchandani wrote the manuscript overnight. It was so clear to me what the story was, she said. I knew how I wanted the words to sound when someone would read it out loud. Ive spent my whole career in newspapers. I love a fast deadline. This was great for me. Kelkar, on the other hand, felt the pressure of the timeline: publication depended on whether or not she could produce 40 pages of art in less than two weeks. She spent the next nine and a half days illustrating nonstop. I slept an hour each night, Kelkar said. I had the Olympics on in the background so I wasnt lonely. Raakhee and my agent sent me lots of sugar to fuel me through this process. Kelkars collage art relies on the colors of the American flag, as well as a recurring lotus motif (Kamala is Sanskrit for lotus). I used shades of red, white, or blue for every background, Kelkar said. I used Indian fabrics to make the red and white stripes on the cover, to serve as a reminder that in our multitudes, in our hyphenated identities, every single one of us is a vital part of the fabric of this country. It was about reclaiming the colors that, for several years now, sometimes made me feel scared if I saw certain people wearing them. Mirchandani and Kelkars steadfast friendship, cemented through 24/7 texts during Covid lockdowns, was instrumental in making their tight deadline, the pair said, as was Gentrys trust in their creative partnership. Kamala Raised Her Hand is Mirchandani and Kelkars second picture book with LBYR after My Diwali Light (2022). There is nothing better than creating something that youre proud of, that youre excited for, and that you love with someone you love and are proud of, Mirchandani said. Its an absolute dream to work with a friend. I thought you only get to do that in school on a group project, and I get to do it as an adult two times. Kamala Raised Her Hand marks the many times Harris raised her handto protest war and apartheid on her college campus or to advocate for women and children and marriage equality in court. The book has an ambiguous ending, given the timing of its publication, but both creators and Gentry believe that the book stands on its own regardless. The point is still the point: there are things worth raising your hand for, Mirchandani said. LBYR has discussed what might need to be edited if she does win and were lucky enough to reprint the book, Gentry said. Even if that is the case, the book can still speak to that. It leaves it open to interpretation. Gentry said that it was an all hands on deck situation in the LBYR offices. I was texting with Supriya while I was on a family trip, she said. Raakhee was sending the copy editor her source notes. Our team wanted to be first to market and it was important to us to get the book out before the election. The process, poetically, reinforced to Mirchandani and Kelkar the importance of raising ones handthe very theme of the book. We raised our hands, Mirchandani said. I sent an email. I didnt wait for someone to contact me. I didnt even email my agent first. Im so proud of us that we took that chance. And Im so proud of Little, Brown. Everyone talks about how slow publishing can be sometimes. You know what? Everything happened really quickly, because everybody wanted to do this. Gentry concurs. When a book is speaking to something as timely and topical as this moment in our history, you kind of have to do everything you can to make it happen. This years National Book Festival took place on Saturday, August 24, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The event was estimated to be the best attended since the onset of Covid, with festival director Jarrod MacNeil putting the number in the tens of thousands. NBF literary director Clay Smith added: Almost all of the Festival events were entirely full, the signing lines were healthy and long, and the lines to ask questions of our writers were long as well, which he called testament to the fact that there are many, many people who still know that writers have a unique insight into the world and will happily seek out that insight. Here we present a selection of photos of authors and illustrators who gave presentations, read from their books, spoke on panels, and signed books for fans. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden welcoming guests to the festival on August 24. Gene Luen Yang (l.), the 20162017 National Ambassador for Young Peoples Literature, on stage with Meg Medina, the 20232024 National Ambassador, at the National Book Festivals opening celebration. Chasten Buttigieg (l.), author of Papas Coming Home, spoke with actor Max Greenfield about his new picture book, Good Night Thoughts. Authors Safia Elhillo (l.) and Tony Keith Jr. at their signing session, following their Poetry Unlocks Us: YA Novels in Verse panel, where they discussed Elhillos Bright Red Fruit and Keiths memoir How the Boogeyman Became a Poet. (From l.): Christine Bollow, Tomi Adeyemi, and Vanessa Le during their YA fantasy panel, My Heritage Is My Weapon. Christopher Paolini signing books for delighted fans. Kazu Kibuishi (Amulet: Waverider) draws for the crowd at a Story District event. Steve Asbell reading from his picture book, Flap Your Hands: A Celebration of Stimming. Peter Brown (r.), author of the Wild Robot series, in conversation with librarian Kit Ballenger; the conversation included info on the forthcoming DreamWorks film adaptation of The Wild Robot. Hena Khan reading her new picture book, Behind My Doors: The Story of the Worlds Oldest Library, illustrated by Nabila Adani. Jonathan Todd signing a copy of Timid for a fan. (From l.): moderator Austin Ferraro with authors Andrew Joseph White (Compound Fracture) and K.A. Cobell (Looking for Smoke) at their panel, Presumed Guilty: YA Thrillers with K.A. Cobell and Andrew Joseph White. (From l): Monica Valentine of the Library of Congress moderating the Lets Unleash the Words Within Us panel, with author Barbara Dee (Unstuck) and authors and disability advocates Susan and Lexi Haas (The Year of the Buttered Cat). Lexi is the first person to ever present at the National Book Festival using an augmentative communication device. (From l.): Susan, Hannah, and Lexi Haas at their STEM District event at the festival. (From l.) Ashley Dickerson of the Library of Congress moderating the Love Is a Battlefield: Enemies to Lovers in YA Fiction panel, featuring Marie Lu (Icon and Inferno) and Hayley Dennings (This Ravenous Fate). The Dictionary Story creators Oliver Jeffers (l.) and Sam Winston signing copies of their books. Graphic novelists Vera Brosgol (l.) and Kazu Kibuishi after their joint book signing. For his thesis project before graduating from the Center for Publishing, Writing, and Media program at the School of Professional Studies at New York University this spring, Aananth Daksnamurthy examined ways to give South Asian literature a higher profile throughout the world. That academic project has now turned into Two Shores Press, which will publish its first book at the end of September, Vivaranai, the Tamil translation of the Swedish novel Detaljerna (The Details) by Ia Genberg. The novel was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2024. In making the transition from the classroom to the business world, Daksnamurthy had the help of Brooklyn-based Ulysses Press Indie Accelerator Program. Ulysses CEO Keith Riegert said Ulysses has worked with a couple of other indie startups to help them get a toe-hold in the publishing industry. In addition to Riegert serving as an advisor to Two Shores, the new publishers books will be distributed in the U.S. by Ulysses distributor, Simon & Schuster. Daksnamurthy, who is a translator working between Tamil and English, is now back in India overseeing the Two Shores launch. Before writing his thesis, Daksnamurthy conducted a self-directed study of the publishing market in the Indian subcontinent. Our overarching goal is to elevate South Asian literature from local and regional peripheries to global circulation," Daksnamurthy said of Two Shores objective. We aspire to see increased representation of South Asian literature in major literary award nominationsbestseller lists, book club picks and major publishing deals. Two Shores is starting with literary fiction, but will soon expand into other segments, including childrens books. Riegert is encouraging Daksnamurthy to build his list as quickly as possible with a goal of six books in 2025 before increasing to 12 titles annually. He is off to a fast start. Riegert said. He has assembled a great lineup of books. The publishers list will be a mix of English-language translations of Tamil and other Southeast Asian works, as well as original publications in Tamil. Andrea Chambers, associate dean of the NYU SPS Center for Publishing, Writing, and Media, said she is not surprised that Daksnamurthy has been able to turn a vision into reality. Aananth has demonstrated leadership qualities and a passion for publishing that culminated in his Capstone thesis project, a carefully wrought plan to expand and elevate South Asian literature on a global scale, Chambers said in a statement. We look forward to watching Aananth's transformation of an academic exercise into a dream and reality that will benefit his country and publishing on an international scale. Earlier this summer, the U.K. and Ireland book industrys supply chain organization, Book Industry Communication (BIC), held the first in a planned series of webinars dedicated to examining how the publishing industry should be preparing for the European Accessibility Act (EAA). Slated to go into effect June 28, 2025, the act mandates that a range of products and servicesincluding such online experiences as e-commerce websites and mobile appsare made accessible to people with disabilities. In the case of publishing, webinar speakers stressed, the act applies to the entire digital publishing ecosystemnot just e-books but also such products as e-readers and e-tailer websites. Mary Elliott, management partner of Fox Williams LLP, Solicitors, and head of their publishing and digital media practice, observed that the objective of EAA is to make it easier for companies to do business with different members of the European Union by resolving discrepancies in accessibility requirements between different European countries. She said that, while the EAA will bring benefits to the disabled community, businesses will also benefit by improving trade among the EU members. Companies that are not prepared for the EAA risk losing out on business opportunities, she said. But there are challenges. For one thing, Elliott acknowledged that, given the number of players involved with implementing the act, even at this date it is hard to be certain about how the act will be implemented. While the core principals of the act are in place, she added, nations could very well have different specific standards and enforcement mechanisms. Still, she explained, companies that havent yet done so should familiarize themselves with the EAA and learn what requirements they may need to meet. By doing what you can to be in compliance with the EAA, companies lower their risk of facing penalties, Elliott said. She also noted that not every company needs to comply with EAA. Companies with less than 10 employees and 2 million euros in sales are exempt. And companies that can prove meeting EAA requirements for their products and services would impose a disproportionate burden may also be excused in respect of those products and services, Elliott said. She stressed that the EAA is about digital accessibility and doesnt apply to print books. While June 28 is the deadline for new titles to meet the EAA requirements, there is a great deal of debate over whether it applies to backlist titles, since there is a provision that states that services, which includes e-books, existing prior to June 2025 can continue to act in the same manner until June 2030. While that question is being settled, publishers should not think they have until 2030 to get their backlists in order, Elliott warned. Cristina Mussinelli is secretary general of Fondazione LIA, a nonprofit created by the Italian Publishers Association in collaboration with the Italian Blind and Visual Impaired Union to help publishers and the publishing supply chain comply with the EAA requirements. She said that while publishers are evaluating the backlist issue, they should immediately start producing all new titles as born accessible by next June. She agreed with Elliot that companies should familiarize themselves with requirements in the act, pointing to the EAA section III of Annex I, which provides general accessibility requirements, and Annex II, which provides specific examples of solutions to meet the requirements outlined in Annex I. Mussinelli added that that to meet necessary EAA requirements, companies should focus on improving ePubs, and in particular ePub accessibility 1.1s, which are developed and managed as part of the publishing activities of the World Wide Web Consortium. Mussinelli explained that the EAA requires the creation of an accessible digital ecosystem involving all the actors in the publishing value chain: distribution platforms; aggregators, online bookstores, and libraries; purchase and loan services; reading devices and solutions; digital publications; and metadata. All parts of the ecosystem must be in EAA compliance, Mussinelli stressed, because if one segment is not in compliance, all the work done by the publishers wont make any difference. Elliott added that, while it is going to take time for all aspects of the EAA to be worked out, companies need to begin their journey now. There is no need to panic, she said, but companies shouldnt sit back and wait for answers that may never come. The next BIC webinar on accessibility is set for early September and monthly events, with the exception of November, are scheduled through March. The International Publishers Association (IPA) has announced a new initiative aimed at showcasing the publishing industry's contributions to global sustainability. Dubbed "Turning the Page: 1000 Actions for a Sustainable Future," the campaign is asking publishers to document what they are doing to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The hope, the IPA said in a release, is to document 1,000 individual actions from publishers and their employees by the end of 2024, which could include initiatives within their organizations, in their communities, or beyond. To participate, publishers are encouraged to: Share their SDG-related activities with the IPA Post these actions on the IPA SDG Dashboard Download the campaign logo and link to their stories Use the hashtags #SDGPublishersCompact and #ActNow when sharing on social media This effort comes in advance of the 34th International Publishers Congress, to be held in Guadalajara in November. The event will feature a keynote address from Melissa Fleming, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General of Global Communications, underscoring the significance of the industry's role in promoting sustainable development. "We need to make more progress more quickly on the Sustainable Development Goals and publishing can play its part, Karine Pansa. IPA President, said. I know publishers everywhere are taking action, big and small, to make a difference. We call on all publishers to tell us about what you are doing and inspire others to get involved." The title of the IPA's campaign nods to the UN's broader "One Million Actions for Our Common Future" initiative, of which the SDGs are a part. "The UN is gearing up for the Summit of the Future in September and all our efforts are focused on helping to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030," Mary Glenn, Chief of UN Publications, said. "Support from the publishing industry for the One Million Actions for Our Common Future comes at a pivotal moment and demonstrates that only together can we create a better future." The Ministry of Interior in Qatar has announced temporary lane closures on the G-Ring Road, effective from August 28 to August 31, 2024. The closure affects the left and middle lanes for a 2.5 km stretch of the road, specifically for vehicles traveling from the Sharq Intersection underpass towards Hamad International Airport. The two lanes (left and middle) on the G-Ring Road will be closed for a distance of 2.5 km for vehicles coming from the underpass at Sharaq Intersection towards Hamad International Airport until 31 August 2024. #MOIQatar #TrafficQatar pic.twitter.com/xXXmPONMfX August 28, 2024 Motorists are advised to plan alternative routes to avoid delays during this period. The closure is part of ongoing maintenance efforts to ensure road safety and improve traffic flow. PULLMAN POLICE Friday 11:30 a.m. A sex offense was reported in Pullman. 1:08 p.m. Fraud was reported on the 200 block of Kamiaken Street. 1:54 p.m. Theft was reported on the 1600 block of Harvest Drive. 3:32 p.m. A doormat was reported stolen on the 2000 block of Terre View Drive. 3:36 p.m. Officers arrested a 25-year-old man on a warrant on the 900 block of Providence Court. 5:21 p.m. A non-injury crash was reported on the 1200 block of Grand Avenue. 11:30 p.m. A 38-year-old man was arrested for suspicion of fourth-degree assault in Pullman. Seven noise complaints were made in Pullman Friday. Saturday 1:26 a.m. Police arrested a 19-year-old man for allegedly driving under the influence on the 600 block of Colorado Street. 4:35 p.m. A domestic dispute was reported on the 2000 block of Merman Drive. 9:17 p.m. A dog was stolen from a backyard on the 1800 block of Kenny Drive. 10:32 p.m. A non-injury collision was reported on the 1900 block of Terre View Drive. 10:41 p.m. Officers arrested a 38-year-old man for suspicion of two counts fourth-degree assault on the 1500 block of Northwood Drive. Seven noise complaints were made in Pullman Saturday. Sunday 12:35 a.m. A 22-year-old man was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence on the 1600 block of Merman Drive. 12:42 a.m. Police arrested a 38-year-old man for suspicion of violating a protection order and on a warrant on the 1600 block of Merman Drive. 1:04 a.m. An intoxicated person was transported to the hospital from the 900 block of Monroe Street. 2:52 p.m. A vehicle fire was reported on Davis Way. 9:17 p.m. Officers arrested a 33-year-old man for alleged residential burglary, third-degree assault, resisting arrest and violating a protection order on the 1500 block of Northwood Drive. Monday 12:26 a.m. A 34-year-old woman was arrested for suspicion of fourth-degree assault and harassment with threats to kill on the 1600 block of Bleasner Drive. 7:51 a.m. A vehicle-versus-bicyclist crash was reported on Terre View Drive and Marshland Street. No injuries were reported. 11:21 a.m. A person was transported to Pullman Regional Hospital from the 300 block of Northeast Terre View Drive. 12:23 p.m. A credit card was reported stolen on the 400 block of Northeast Stadium Way. 1:27 p.m. A one-vehicle crash was reported on the 300 block of East Main street. Nobody was transported to the hospital. Tuesday 7:40 a.m. Police arrested a 33-year-old man on a warrant at Koppel Farms. 7:41 a.m. Police arrested a 46-year-old man for suspicion of second-degree assault of a child on the 1900 block of Northeast Terre View Drive. 10:26 a.m. A box truck reportedly backed into a building on the 100 block of Southeast High Street and then left the scene. 5:40 p.m. A male was transported to Pullman Regional Hospital following erratic behavior on the 1000 block of Northwest State Street. 11:44 p.m. Grocery and makeup items were reported stolen from the 1200 block of North Grand Avenue. WSU POLICE Friday 1:09 p.m. Drugs were reported on the 1800 block of Wilson Road. Saturday 1:38 a.m. An unconscious person was taken to the hospital from the 1600 block of Olympia Avenue. Sunday 2:11 a.m. A sick person was transported to the hospital from the 1300 block of Cougar Way. Monday 9:09 p.m. A medical emergency was reported at Perham Hall. 9:11 p.m. Illegal possession of marijuana was reported on Magpie Forest Road. WHITMAN COUNTY SHERIFF Friday 3:46 a.m. Items were stolen from a campsite on Wawawai Road in Clarkston. 6:03 p.m. Deputies responded to a domestic dispute on Pullman Albion Road in Pullman. Saturday 9:28 a.m. Trespassing was reported on Stateline Road in Farmington. Sunday 8:08 a.m. Deputies arrested a 45-year-old man for suspicion of third-degree driving with a suspended license on Front Street in Albion. I remember January 17, 1991 vividly. Saddam Hussein had just invaded Kuwait. After repeatedly ignoring demands to withdraw his troops, the U.S. attacked Iraq, igniting the First Gulf War. Israel was not part of the allied coalition, but Hussein made repeated threats to fire at the Jewish nation if the U.S. attacked. He kept his promise, and Iraq opened fire on Tel Aviv and Haifa. One week earlier was my friends wedding. He was a major in the Israel Air Force (IAF) and many high-ranking IAF officers were in attendance. Everyone agreed, Hussein will never fire on us and if he does, then we will reduce Iraq to rubble. They fired, and we did nothing. This was a watershed moment. The Iraqi attacks made it clear that the Israel home front and infrastructure were under threat and must be protected. Until then, every shekel spent on defense was one less spent on an offensive weapon. One of the critical lessons learned was that Israel must invest in missile defense. Today, Israel is the only country in the world protected by a multi-layer missile defense system consisting of Iron Dome, Davids Sling, Arrow-2, and Arrow-3. Soon, these systems will be joined by Arrow-4 and the Iron Beam laser. Having played a part in developing these systems that have intercepted thousands of missiles and saved countless lives, this is a source of pride for me. And yet, since October 7, Ive had a gnawing fear that Israel is becoming increasingly overdependent on these systems. Were not going to eliminate Hamas and other terrorist proxies if we only play defense. October 7 clearly showed that Israels readiness to hide behind barriers of steel and concrete has led to a loss of initiative, and therefore, deterrence. From the end of the First Lebanon War in 1982 until June 2000, Israel maintained a "security zone" in southern Lebanon to prevent terror attacks on northern Israeli towns. A friend of mine who once commanded the zone described it as his most difficult role, with soldiers constantly under threat from Hezbollah. Despite the casualties, the security zone brought peace to towns like Metula and Qiryat Shemona, allowing them to prosper with thriving factories, wineries, and dairies. When Israel evacuated the Gaza Strip in 2005, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon promised future Gazan rocket fires would result in an immediate IDF response. This promise was never kept. Whenever Hamas rocket fire became unbearable, the IDF was content to mow the lawn in Gaza, meaning it would use artillery fire, air-launched weapons, and a small incursion of soldiers to cut Hamas down to size. Since then, Gazan lawns have been mowed every two years or so, and, until October 7, this strategy seemed to be effective. On October 8, 2023, Israelis living within three miles of the border were ordered to evacuate their homes because of the danger of a Hezbollah incursion that could have dwarfed the October 7 massacre. Nearly 100,000 people fled to hotels and relatives around the country, turning Upper Galilee into a de facto security zone inside Israel. Over ten months later, houses are still empty, and it doesnt seem likely that residents will return anytime soon. A colleague, who completed two months of reserve duty in Metula, told me that there is not one house that has not been hit by a missile. Rebuilding will take years. As time passes, it seems less likely that people will return at all. I have briefed hundreds of American lawmakers on missile defense over the years. While my briefing has evolved, two points remained unchanged: Missile defense systems like Iron Dome prevent war. Intercepting rockets reduces Israeli casualties, buying the IDF time to assess the situation and plan an optimum response, reducing the potential for all-out war. war. Intercepting rockets reduces Israeli casualties, buying the IDF time to assess the situation and plan an optimum response, reducing the potential for all-out war. These systems are not the end-all-be-all of Israels defense posture. They do not win wars. Wars will always be won by imposing ones will upon the enemy. Over the past two decades, these points have begun to ring hollow. Israel needs to adopt an offensive posture and not be afraid to use force when necessary. I think about my Congressional briefings on how missile defense systems have prevented war. I ask myself, What would have happened without Iron Dome, or if Israel were not so reliant upon it? Perhaps a repeated mowing of the lawn would eventually become insufficient and, after one well-placed Hamas hit, the IDF would be forced to enter Gaza and destroy Hamas once and for all. Such a move might have prevented the October 7 massacre. Hezbollah would likely have been deterred. Perhaps Iran would have watched from afar as its ring of fire surrounding Israel was slowly extinguished. We will never know, but I feel more than a little guilty. Ari Sacher is a senior policy advisor at the U.S. Israel Education Association and has worked for over twenty-five years as a rocket scientist in Israel. Property details: Wyndham Ocean WalkDaytona Beach, Florida Item Description Boasting amenities galore, the Wyndham Ocean Walk offers you a marketplace, food court, lobby bar, putting green, exercise room, arcade, gift shop, and activities center without ever leaving the resort. A choice of pools (indoor and outdoor), a lazy river, waterfalls and waterslide, and Jacuzzi invite even more water fun for the entire family. There's also an on site restaurant, poolside bar and grill, and health club, and kids will love ... Price: $ 49 Seller State of Residence: Florida Property Address: 300 N Atlantic Ave, Zip/Postal Code: 32118 City: Daytona Beach State/Province: Florida Location: , Multiple You will be redirected to eBay When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Nearby Florida Instagram / Kaitlyn Bristowe By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 08/28/2024 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. alum Kaitlyn Bristowe has apologized for her crude comment about pleasuring a man, seemingly Zac Clark , which appeared to be a jab taken at Tayshia Adams "I apologize how it came off. My sense of humor isn't for everyone," Kaitlyn wrote on Facebook.According to Kaitlyn, "a guy from Bachelor Nation" had DM'ed her on Instagram following her August 2023 split from ex-fiance Jason Tartick and asked her out on a date.Kaitlyn, who was first romantically linked to Zac in December 2023, insinuated on the "U Up?" podcast earlier this week -- without identifying Tayshia and Zac by name -- that she had texted Tayshia to give her a "heads-up" about the situation and hopefully receive her blessing."[This woman and I] hadn't talked in months, and no... we're not friends," Kaitlyn explained of Zac's ex-fiancee, adding, "She's been moved on for a while now [ apparently with Summer House alum Luke Gulbranson] and she seems really happy."Kaitlyn thought Tayshia would reply, "I don't love it, but of course I'm not going to say [no]."However, according to Kaitlyn, that is "not" what happened at all and the women now have bad blood between them "She called and was very upset," Kaitlyn recalled of the heated exchange."She said, 'I always knew you were a bad person and you've confirmed it. Your true colors are showing.' And then, I hung up and said [to myself], 'Now, I just want to send her a picture of me sucking his d-ck.'"Kaitlyn's "d-ck" comment went viral, and many fans were talking about the bold and cutting remark on the "Off the Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe " podcast's Facebook group.In response to a fan, Kaitlyn not only apologized and mentioned how her humor "isn't for everyone," but she insisted that she "definitely didn't mean" what she had said."[Jared Freid] is a comedian and sometimes I try to get him to laugh with shock value," she wrote of the "U Up?" podcaster."I'm sorry to everyone who took offense to this. I'm feeling really quite terrible about it today."Kaitlyn also explained, "That's not how I responded to her. I apologized. I was just trying to make a joke with Jared cuz he's a comedian and I like trying to make comedians laugh. But [I] understand that's easy for people to hate on me for."Kaitlyn did share on the "U Up?" podcast that she was completely shocked by the woman's nasty response, which Kaitlyn suggested was "not reasonable" and embarrassing."You should've seen my face on the call," Kaitlyn quipped, dropping her jaw to the floor. "I was like, 'Oh!' And I was just like, 'I am so sorry. I actually did not think you were going to respond. I am actually really sorry.'"Tayshia and Kaitlyn, who said she had a "work situation" with this woman before, had co-hosted Season 17 and Season 18 of together in 2021."[Her reaction] confirmed it for me, like, 'I knew we weren't friends.' I actually knew that she didn't really actually like me in the first place," Kaitlyn said.Kaitlyn said that despite bumping into this The Bachelor alum at a couple of weddings, they never spoke again.Tayshia, meanwhile, has yet to publicly address Kaitlyn and Zac's rumored romance, which first made headlines when the pair had partied together in Kaitlyn's Nashville home for New Year's Eve.Kaitlyn and Zac have since been spotted together multiple times , with sightings in New York and at a wedding.Kaitlyn concluded on the podcast, "I wonder if she regrets that. If she called me and said [sorry], I would be like, 'Let's go grab a glass of wine and talk about it!'"Zac had proposed marriage to Tayshia at the end of 's sixteenth season in 2020, but they announced their split in November 2021.When Kaitlyn and Tayshia had co-hosted The Men Tell All together for Michelle Young 's season in December 2021, Tayshia admitted she was "heartbroken" by the breakup Neither Tayshia or Zac, however, has ever revealed specific details on why their engagement didn't work out.Once fans began gossiping about Kaitlyn and Zac possibly dating, Kaitlyn said people were acting like she had "murdered someone" on social media.The former Dancing with the Stars winner vented on Instagram of the backlash , which included allegations she had broken "girl code" with Tayshia, "You would think by now I'd be used to the hate. I'm not. Your words hurt. Your shaming hurts."Kaitlyn noted, "But you don't even know the truth, and your HATE should actually come with consequences. I truly worry about some of your mental health. It's not OK. It's. Not... Shame. On. YOU. Not me."The Bachelor alum also appeared to address her new relationship with Zac by writing, "I wish I could just share my truth and tell you my side. It's hard to bite my dang tongue sometimes."Zac's good friend and fellow alum Blake Moynes described Zac as a genuine man who has "no ulterior motive" for dating another woman in Bachelor Nation."[Zac] does not give me the guts, because when I have asked [about Kaitlyn], he makes it awkward," Blake said during a March 2024 appearance on "The Ben & Ashley I: Almost Famous Podcast."Blake continued, "He moves with so much poise and calmness, and he's so happy in his own life and so wrapped up in trying to continue to help people through his recovery foundation and all his work that there's no money aspect to this at all."Blake said it's not Zac's goal to be in the public eye and have attention on him."He's just easy to be around... because there's no other noise or any sh-t. You just get an actual true friend and the show stuff... is just so to the side," Blake explained of his pal."It's nice, because when I'm with him... we never talk about the show. It's always about what he's doing, what I'm doing, and work."Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group As we prepare for Labor Day this coming Monday, it reminds me how labor union laden Alabama was during the immediate post World War II era in our states industrial development. Alabama experienced the wrenching throes of the Great Depression like the rest of the nation. There were tragic stories of devastation that paralleled those illuminated in the classic novel, The Grapes of Wrath. On the other hand, I have heard many old timers who lived during the Depression say we never knew there was a depression in Alabama. We were poor before, so there was no marked difference to our standard of living. We had plenty to eat. There were people jumping out of buildings in New York City committing suicide because they were millionaires one day and penniless the next. We didnt have much of that in Alabama. These Depression-era rumblings resonate pretty accurately because most Alabamians lived off the land. Most of our ancestors were farmers and most had modest farms where they grew all their staples and food. Therefore, the Depression probably did not change their standard of living. In fact, it could have helped them buy their Sunday suit and pair of shoes for the year at a reduced price. The South was an agrarian region. There was little industry in Alabama. Eight out of 10 Alabamians, black or white, made their living on the farm. Although they had enough to eat, they were poor compared to the rest of the nation. It was a hard life with little discretionary income. World War II brought America out of the Great Depression. The country had to become industrialized in a hurry. Most of Alabamas young yeomen farmers were drafted or enlisted in the military. They saw the world and were exposed to a vast new world of opportunity. They came home aspiring to more than their fathers had experienced. They wanted out of their poverty, but they also loved their native Alabama roots. The best of both worlds was about to occur. Industry came to Alabama. The post-World War II economy expanded into the Heart of Dixie. Birmingham became one of the Souths largest cities. Franklin Delano Roosevelts New Deal programs transformed the Tennessee Valley from an impoverished Appalachian region to a vibrant industrial area that would later attract Werner Von Braun and the Redstone Arsenal. The northern part of Alabama became the largest population base in the state due to this industrial expansion. Today it is still home to the majority of Alabamians. A new generation of Alabamians moved from the farm to the factory. They also went a step further than the rest of the South and joined labor unions. Alabama became the most unionized state in the South. Every major industry in Alabama was served by a unionized workforce. The steel mills of Birmingham were Alabamas largest employers. The United Steelworkers Union ruled supreme. The state docks in Mobile boomed with the economic expansion. The dock workers were all unionized. The explosion of new automobiles desired by Americans created the need for tires. Tire makers looked to Alabama and built major plants here. B.F. Goodrich landed in Tuscaloosa. Goodyear settled in Gadsden and Opelika. These tire plants became the largest employers in these three cities. They were all unionized. The paper mills in Tuscaloosa were unionized. Reynolds Aluminum built their largest plant in the world in Sheffield. It became the premier employer in the Quad-Cities. The workers were all union. The massive Tennessee Valley Authority, which harnessed the vast natural water of the Tennessee Valley, gave employment to an array of north Alabamians. These TVA workers were union members. The Black Belt planters were like ostriches with their heads buried in the sand when they wrote Big Jim Folsom off as a buffoon in the 1946 governors race. They dismissed Big Jim, who had won the overwhelming endorsement of the AFL-CIO. However, they quickly realized that their Alabama had changed when Big Jim crushed their candidate and became governor because of the endorsement of organized labor. However, over the past half-century, the American and world economy has changed, and labor union strength has diminished almost to the point of insignificance in Alabama. Although recently organized labor has made an intense effort to organize workers in the state. They made a run earlier this year on our crown jewel Mercedes plant but fell short. See you next week. Billionaire Mukesh Ambani on Thursday unveiled the next phase of growth at Reliance Industries Ltd, with retail and telecom worth over $100 billion each, doubling revenues and pre-tax profit in 3-4 years, new energy business becoming profitable by 2031, and core oil and chemical business continuing to be the robust growth engine. IMAGE: File photo of Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries with his wife Nita Ambani and mother Kokilaben. Photograph: ANI Photo The sprawling conglomerate with interests in refining, oil and gas, petrochemicals, telecom, retail, and media is on track to more than double in size before the end of the decade, Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance, told company shareholders. While the growing cash cow, the oil and chemicals business, Reliance will step up AI adoption and will launch 'Jio Brain' - a suite of AI tools and platforms - and set up gigawatt scale IA-ready data centres in Jamnagar in Gujarat "to create the world's lowest AI inferencing cost" to make such applications more affordable in India than anywhere else. Ambani also announced upto 100 GB of free cloud storage for users of his group's telecom venture Jio - a move seen as disrupting the market. Since its launch in 2016, Jio has climbed to being India's top telecom company and the world's largest data firm on the back of dirt-cheap data and free voice calling. That offering shook up the industry, and the free cloud storage may also trigger a similar pattern. "We have built each of our businesses from scratch and grown them to a global scale. We did not receive them as largesse," Ambani said, adding that Reliance is not pursuing short-term profit or hoarding wealth but creating wealth and working to provide energy security. Ambani said that in 2017, he promised that Reliance would enter the world's Top 50 before its Golden Jubilee. "I am pleased to inform you that this year, Reliance is among the world's Top 50 most valuable corporations." In July 2018, Reliance crossed the $100 billion valuation mark, and in the next six years, it has become the first Indian company to cross $250 billion in market value. "In 2022, I promised that Reliance would double its value by the time we complete 50 Glorious Years in 2027," he said, adding that the group "is well on track to more than double in size before the end of this decade and grow faster in the decades ahead". He said three out of the five growth engines of Reliance - oil-to-chemical (O2C) business that houses oil refinery and petrochemical plants, retail comprising of both online and physical stores, telecom and digital venture Jio, media, and green energy - have a valuation of over $100 billion each and will continue to grow even faster. O2C, retail and Jio are valued at over $100 billion each. "Jio and Retail are expected to double their revenues and EBITDA in the next 3-4 years," he said. "Our new energy business will be the new jewel in Reliance's crown. I foresee it becoming as big and profitable over the next 5-7 years as our O2C business which we have built over the past 40 years." Green fuels and AI-based solutions, he said, will become long-term growth engines for Reliance. Media businesses, which are being combined with Disney India, have immense growth potential. Minutes before the start of the annual general meeting, Reliance, in a stock exchange filing, said its board will on September 5 consider issuing bonus shares in the ratio of 1:1. This will be the first bonus share since 2017 and only the third since 2009. Ambani said the bonus issue was rewarding shareholders who have been part of the Reliance growth story. While the growth roadmap for retail and Jio is being considered indicators for a possible demerger and listing, the richest Asian did not give any indication of any such timelines. Last year, he inducted all three of his children - Akash, Isha and Anant - on the board of Reliance in succession planning, and on Thursday said that "they have stepped up to take on greater responsibilities". Akash looks after the telecom venture while Isha is in charge of retail. Anant looks after a new energy business. With about 19,000 stores across 7,000+ cities and an e-commerce platform, the retail business is among the top 10 global retailers by market cap and among the top 30 by revenues. Similarly, it has 490 million telecom users, with Jio carrying 8 per cent of global mobile traffic. It has completed the 5G rollout. Ambani said Jio is targeting 100 million homes for its broadband service JioAirfiber, and building large-scale AI infrastructure to offer AI for all. In the O2C, it is adding capacities across PVC and polyester and building India's first carbon fibre plant at Hazira in Gujarat, he said. In the new energy space, he said the group is on track to investing the committed Rs 75,000 crore in establishing a new energy ecosystem. Production of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules will commence by the end of this year, with the target to achieve the first phase of integrated solar production facilities in the following quarters. The integration will include modules, cells, glass, wafers, ingot, and polysilicon, with an initial annual capacity of 10 GW. Reliance, he said, has begun construction of an integrated advanced chemistry-based battery manufacturing facility with a 30 GWh annual capacity at Jamnagar. Production will commence by the second half of next year. Also, it has begun work on establishing a fully automated, multi-GW electrolyser manufacturing facility on the west coast of India, which will be ready by 2026. "This giga-factory will be fully adaptable, capable of supporting various technologies such as Alkaline, PEM, and AEM," he said. Ambani said his firm has leased arid wasteland in Kutch, just 250 kilometres from Jamnagar. "This wasteland has the potential to generate about 150 billion units of electricity in the next 10 years - providing nearly 10 per cent of India's energy requirements." Reliance has already begun significant project development work and is building its transmission infrastructure to bring online solar generation projects. In addition, it has secured access to nearly 2,000 acres of land at Kandla port to provide an avenue for the production, storage, evacuation, and shipping of green fuels to markets in India and abroad, he said. 'It allows everybody to participate and controls all assets.' 'We want to have something that allows everyone to participate and control all kinds of assets.' IMAGE: Infosys Co-Founder Nandan Nilekani addresses the Global Fintech Fest at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, August 28, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Terming 'Finternet' as the future of financing systems, Nandan Nilekani, Infosys co-founder and chairman, provided a glimpse into how India's fintech landscape would look like in the near future. According to Nilekani, Finternet will be user-centric, unified, which means it will cover all types of assets, with a universal infrastructure. He offered insights on the concept of tokenisation of assets in the digital world with the help of advances in cryptography. "The Finternet is a new approach to global finance which is defined by the three 'U's' -- it is user centric, unified, and universal -- that is keeping the user at the centre and it has to be universal, that is it has to cut through asset classes of all types. "The Finternet combines the best of the regulated world with the best that tokenisation technology can offer us. It uses the basic construct of tokens and then enables universal interoperability and composability," Nilekani told the Global Fintech Fest. "We have seen innovation in the financial ecosystem. This is happening in India and from around the world. But we also see that financial systems are unable to handle the demand from users as they want more choice and more control," he explained. The main aspects of the new financial system will be to bring assets --land, property, bonds, financial investment, art, paintings -- under a single infrastructure and where they get tokenised. "It allows everybody to participate and controls all assets. We want to have something that allows everyone to participate and control all kinds of assets. User-controlled assets, user content, NFTs (non-fungible tokens), adjusted assets which are certified by somebody, registered assets like land, or regulated assets like financial products," he explained. Nilekani elaborated that this is not something which will happen in the distant future, but is already happening. "This is not an architecture or a paper, it is coming together on ground. We already have several labs across the world working on Finternet. It is getting implemented as we speak around the world. This is an ambitious vision, and will be done step by step," he added. Nilekani, Pramod Varma, Siddharth Shetty, Agustin Carstens and the team at the Bank for International Settlements released a white paper detailing the same in April 2024. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Stories are legion about the Karatmeter's use at that time. Hundreds of people standing in queue for testing, customers breaking down after discovering the actual purity of their jewellery and then becoming irate about the jeweller who had gypped them, the local jewellery industry leaning heavily on the Tanishq franchisees to desist from using it, some jewellers even threatening violent action. Titan MD C K Venkataraman, who headed the jewellery division as COO from 2005 to 2012 and as CEO from 2012 to 2019, reveals how Tanishq overcame innumerable obstacles to become a genuine Indian success story. A fascinating excerpt from C K Venkataram's book The Tanishq Story: Inside India's No 1 Jewellery Brand. All photographs: Kind courtesy Tanishq/Facebook Titan's own accelerating demand for foreign exchange and the government's encouragement around exports were the reasons behind Titan's decision to set up a world-class jewellery export manufacturing facility in Hosur. Catalysing that decision was (Titan Founder and CEO) Mr Xerxes Desai's visit to a jewellery exhibition in Mumbai sometime in 1990. Mr Desai and Jayanthi Prasad, Titan's public relations head, visited the stalls in that exhibition and the idea of branching into the jewellery business was formed. In mid 1993, the business case for the jewellery plant was presented to Tata Sons and approved. The unit that was set up in Hosur was the finest kind of plant, coming at an investment of Rs 65 crore -- a huge sum in those days. Given Xerxes Desai's general penchant for doing things well, that was not a surprise. However, the strategic rationale for a plant of that nature was not clear. India had a well-developed jewellery industry for export, mostly situated in the Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone (SEEPZ), the export promotion zone in Mumbai. Competition was intense, sometimes even cut-throat. Here was a high-end manufacturing unit, without the manufacturing leaders and depth of talent that the watch business had from day one, without business development people who had experience in those international markets. The venture did not seem to make sense. Of course, all this is in hindsight. The manufacturing unit began operations sometime in 1994. Weighed down by a higher cost of production, poor knowledge of what American and European jewelers and wholesalers wanted, and a pool of talent that was learning on the job, the export operations sputtered. After months of struggle, it was clear to Xerxes Desai as well that the export opportunity did not quite exist. His focus turned to the domestic jewellery industry, which was huge but totally different from the European and American markets. Everything here was different: The category codes, the types of products that customers bought, the industry structure, the retail practices and the manufacturing methods. Jewellery in India had existed for centuries, perhaps millennia. It was a store of value and a symbol of wealth. It was also about auspiciousness and purity. Most Indian jewellery was made by hand by karigars (artisans) in small workshops. Indians primarily bought heavily ornamental, intricately designed gold jewellery; gemstones and diamonds were seen as an indulgence. The 22-karat alloy (91.6 per cent pure gold, having 916 parts of gold in a total of 1,000 parts of metal that also included other metals) was the preferred alloy: it was pure enough for the customer and soft enough for the artisan to work on. More than two-thirds of the jewellery made in the early 1990s was wedding jewellery and each state and community had its rituals and trousseau: The Bengali wedding jewellery was different from the Punjabi, which was different from the Telugu and so on. The jewellery was ornate, elaborate and the variety was mind-numbing. This was nothing like what Titan was making for the European market: a small range of 18-karat (750 parts of gold to 1,000 parts of total metal) jewellery, minimal in styling. Ishaat Hussain served as the Tata Sons' finance director for many years and was on the board of Titan for more than twenty years. He recollects being quite surprised about the decision to enter the domestic jewellery market, especially as a retailer. 'To me, the picture of the Indian jeweller was of the owner sitting on his gaddi (cushion), personally overseeing everything in his shop. I just couldn't see how all that could be corporatized.' Despite all these significant differences, it was decided that Titan would change its direction and enter the domestic market. The circumstances warranted this decision, on account of the huge manufacturing investment that had to be recovered. However, the product-marketing strategy needed to be well-thought-through, given the fact that the plant had been created for the Western markets. Much consumer research needed to be done, to begin with. Revathi Kant, currently the chief design officer of Titan who oversaw Titan Company's market research then, remembers suggesting carrying out market research to see how receptive people would be to buying 18-karat jewellery instead of 22-karat. But no research was conducted and Titan plunged into making 18-karat jewellery for the Indian consumer. Xerxes was confident that Titan would transform the jewellery market just as it had transformed the watch market. The strategy was multifold: The brand would offer more diamond jewellery than gold. Gold jewellery prices were transparent and everyone was making the same kind of product. Diamond jewellery could be differentiated and would be more profitable. The stores would be fashioned after European boutiques and position the brand as an exquisite jewellery store. The staff would be carefully chosen for their sophistication. David Saldanha was the head of retailing in the Watch division and was appointed as the head of the domestic jewellery project some time in 1994. He remembers being told by Xerxes Desai that he needed to set up twenty stores in two years. That remit took him to London, Paris, Milan and a few other European cities on a recce trip. Xerxes Desai was closely involved in the store design, wanting to create 'the Tiffany of the East'. David signed up four company-owned and fourteen franchisee store locations, thereafter, paving the way for the speedy launch of Tanishq in various cities. The story of how the name Tanishq was finalized is fascinating. Meera Harish, a veteran at Titan, remembers poring over books at the suggestion of Xerxes Desai to come up with the ideal name. One of the names she had circled from a book was Nishka, which meant a 'throat ornament'. Xerxes played with it, knocking off the 'a' and replacing the 'k' with a 'q', converting it to Nishq. He felt it sounded more exotic. Then, in a flash of inspiration, he added a 'ta' in the front, creating Tanishq. Over time, the name came to be interpreted in different ways: representing Tata and Tamil Nadu in one interpretation and combining 'tan' (body) and 'ishq' (love) in another. The first up-market Tanishq store opened in Cathedral Road, Chennai in July 1996. As planned, it was a boutique fashioned after the finest stores of the European capitals, where customers were supposed to fix an appointment with the store manager before their visit! The jewellery was all 18-karat diamond jewellery, very Western in its appeal. The sales staff were like 'air hostesses', as a colleague of that time recalls. Latha Padmanabhan, the store manager at that time, who ultimately retired as the regional business manager of Tanishq in 2016, recalls, 'The walk-in was quite low most of the first year. The feedback was very clear; we needed 22-karat jewellery.' David Saldanha and the team responded quickly. They went to Mumbai and Mysore, contacted jewellery manufacturers and got some 22-karat jewellery made. This improved the walk-in situation significantly, but the bulk of the product lines were still 18-karat diamond jewellery, misaligned both on the store-of-value and design needs of the customers. The Chennai store struggled in its first year, closing at Rs 2.8 crore of sales against a target of Rs 3.5 crore. Sometime in 1997, Vasant Nangia, who had been the head of Titan's international business based in London, was moved to head the jewellery business. More traditional 22-karat gold jewellery was created and launched with considerable ad support, and standard industry practices like showing the gold weight, diamond quality and weight and making charges separately were also started in his time. Quarterly buying meets were started, where the company teams presented the new product lines to the franchisees and staff for systematic ordering as well as for building ownership. All these helped, but the big differentiator was still missing. M S Shantharam was the head of manufacturing for jewellery from 1994 and retired as the chief manufacturing officer of Watches in the early 2000s. On a visit to the Basel Jewellery and Watch Show in 1996, he had seen an X-ray fluorescence machine that could determine the elements in a metal alloy in a very short time, without damaging it. Vasant and the team immediately saw the potential in this machine. The single biggest benefit from gold jewellery was (and still is) its 'store of value'. Because of this, the public had been wary of paying high making charges for decades, so, when they needed to convert the jewellery into cash, very little was lost. This put considerable pressure on the industry with respect to profitability and even viability. Over time, many jewellers ended up selling lower karat alloys in place of 22-karat, to make profit. So, customers ended up paying the low making charges which they wanted, but also ended up getting 19-karat or 20-karat jewellery (or even lower karatage) in the place of the 22-karat jewellery that they thought they were buying. Underkaratage was rampant in the industry. Tests of jewellery from across the country had clearly established this fact to the people within Titan. But the way to demonstrate this to the customers remained elusive since it meant destroying the jewellery by melting it for testing. That was obviously not feasible. The X-ray fluorescence machine provided a fabulous solution to that problem. Through a non-destructive process, it could break up the gold alloy into its constituent elements: gold, silver, copper, whatever -- in just three minutes! This machine was called XRF, an X-ray fluorescence Spectrometer. It had been originally designed to assess combinations of all 100+ periodic elements. Titan had first bought it for its lab, for broad-spectrum alloy testing. The gold alloy standards that the XRF was designed for were only 75 per cent (18 karat) and 91.6 per cent (22 karat). India sold multiple karat types and the XRF needed to be able to measure those accurately. Alagappan, head of Tanishq's Customer Service today, recollects starting with forty-five to fifty types of gold alloys, sitting with the programming people of the manufacturer of the XRF and reprogramming the machine for Titan's specific requirements. This machine was to become a gamechanger for Tanishq ultimately. In 1997, Vasant Nangia and team had the machine deployed in multiple boutiques nationwide. Each machine cost more than Rs 10 lakh and it must have taken a lot of conviction and guts for such an investment, given the financial state of Tanishq at that time. But the team had the conviction and guts and ended up creating the most critical differentiation that Tanishq was desperately waiting for. This gave Tanishq a little more time to breathe. The Karatmeter, as branded by the Lintas team and the then head of the Tanishq account, Joseph George (Joe, who went on to become group chairman of Lowe Lintas in 2016), ended up becoming the bedrock of Tanishq's value proposition, a powerful symbol of purity. Stories are legion about the Karatmeter's use at that time. Hundreds of people standing in queue for testing, customers breaking down after discovering the actual purity of their jewellery and then becoming irate about the jeweller who had gypped them, the local jewellery industry leaning heavily on the Tanishq franchisees to desist from using it, some jewellers even threatening violent action. The Karatmeter changed the brand's marketing approach. The film-maker RBalki was the creative director of Lintas Bangalore from the mid to late 1990s and was very closely involved with Tanishq along with Joe (Balki went on to become group chairman of Lowe Lintas around 2007). IMAGE: Pulling absolutely no punches! One of the early, and perhaps the most effective, Karatmeter ads. 'Xerxes was always reluctant about 22-karat Indian jewellery,' recalls Balki. In Balki's vivid recollection, Xerxes did not want to make Tanishq 'yet another Indian jewellery brand'. Balki remembers being in this complex situation, where 22-karat jewellery was where the business was, but the founder MD was dead against the brand proposition built on that! Balki remembers being stuck and desperately looking for an angle. 'The Karatmeter gave us the angle that we were desperately looking for, with which we could build a story for Tanishq that Xerxes was comfortable with,' Balki recollects. Joe adds, 'Suddenly, the purity story became the anchor and Xerxes was sold!' Vinod Moolacherry, copy trainee at Lintas, wrote, in Balki's words, 'What was perhaps the most powerful headline of his life: 'Beware, there's a thief in your family!' It was a direct reference to the family jewellers and their unfair practices,' Balki pauses in recollection. 'That one ad, and what followed from that, changed the fate of Tanishq forever. The Tiffany of the East, which was Xerxes Desai's vision for Tanishq, had moved on to a different course altogether. Even though we did not know it then.' Excerpted from The Tanishq Story: Inside India's No 1 Jewellery Brand by C K Venkataram, with the permission of the publishers, Juggernaut Books. Available on Amazon and in bookstores. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com 'Religion and extremism is going to be a big force, a very important force, in Bangladesh's politics.' IMAGE: Motiur Rahman Nizami, then chief of the Jamaat-e-Islami waves to supporters during a rally. Photograph: Rafiqur Rahman/Reuters On Wednesday, PTI reported that Bangladesh's interim government revoked a ban on the rightwing Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir, less than a month after it was outlawed by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. 'It (lifting the ban) will come under effect immediately,' the home ministry said in a gazette notification, noting that there was no particular evidence against the organisation. The erstwhile Awami League government led by Hasina had imposed a ban on Jamaat on August 1, 2024, accusing the Islamist party as a 'militant and terrorist' organisation. The government blamed Jamaat's student wing for inciting chaos over a quota system for government jobs. Welcoming the interim government's decision, the ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Shafiqur Rahman, called for an end to the politics of hatred and division in Bangladesh. "We want the politics of hatred to be buried... it shouldn't rise again. We want the politics of division to be buried," he told journalists. In the concluding part of his interview with Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com, Harsh V Pant -- professor of international relations at the King's India Institute at King's College London and vice president at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi -- discusses why he fears the situation in Bangladesh could deteriorate further leading to tje rise of the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami that envisages creation of an Islamic State in Bangladesh. "If there is religious polarisation in Bangladesh, if Hindus are targeted in Bangladesh, it will have an impact on India and Indian politics, where you will have its mirror imaging; it will be reflected in Indian political discourse and there will be demands in India and that India take a harder stance," he says. Part 1 of the Interview: Sheikh Hasina's Biggest Blunder IMAGE: People wave Bangladesh flags on top of Ganabhaban, the prime minister's residence in Dhaka, as they celebrate Sheikh Hasina's resignation. Photograph: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters Could the current turmoil in Bangladesh embolden Islamists like the Jamaat-e-Islami to entrench their brand of politics into the mainstream, whenever elections takes place there? That goes without saying. Whenever you have mainstream political parties (like the Awami League), decaying, withering away, dying, the only organised force left is religion, and it fills the void (created by such cataclysmic political upheavals). There is no doubt that Jamaat is going to be the biggest beneficiary of this turmoil. The BNP (the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, headed by Khaleda Zia) was already courting Jamaat before elections because it thought that Jamaat and their brand of religious extremism gives it a handle over Hasina. Hasina and the BNP and Jamaat were pitched against each other as political opponents. There is no doubt that they (the Jamaat-e-Islami) are going to be the beneficiaries. Religion and extremism is going to be a big force, a very important force in the country's politics. Some in India fear that the Islamists might take over the reins of political power in Bangladesh and begin hounding the Hindu minority there. How do you see this dynamic playing out in the domestic politics of Bangladesh in the days ahead? The fear is certainly real in the sense that we have already seen Hindus being targeted. You also see this identification of the Awami League with Hasina and of Hasina with India and India with Hindus. That targeting has already started. A lot depends now on the interim government and how they perform, what kind of measures they take to bring the country together. If the interim government is not able to handle and govern and put in place a governance structure quickly, then I certainly think extremist parties will fill the void. We know from past experience, before Sheikh Hasina came to power, how many of these groups were visible in Bangladesh and how many of these groups were targeting minorities. That goes without saying. How troublesome could that prove for India, given our long and porous border with our eastern neighbour and our own domestic politics of religious polarisation, which some would say has become the new normal? The volatility on our borders will certainly go up. There has been this criticism about why India was supporting Hasina and this and that, but India was supporting Hasina for practical reasons. We had a very difficult border with Bangladesh that she managed very well. It was in our interest to support her. There is no rocket science here. We want a government in Bangladesh that supports our interests, and she was willing to bat for India. It goes without saying that the border issue is likely to become more troublesome for India. Now that we will have a government there that is not in control of the domestic space, how do you expect them to control the border? One should not be very optimistic that the porous nature of the border is going to be solved or that it is going to be under control by the Bangladeshi government. If there is religious polarisation in Bangladesh, if Hindus are targeted in Bangladesh, it will have an impact on India and Indian politics, where you will have its mirror imaging; it will be reflected in Indian political discourse and there will be demands in India and that India take a harder stance. That will feed into each other. In your assessment, could such a scenario present itself in the days ahead? If it does, how prepared is India to handle such religious polarisation on both sides of the border? It can happen. Again a lot is riding on the next few weeks and months when the interim government takes charge. But it is certainly possible that the situation can deteriorate. It is certainly possible and in any case, you have to plan for the worst. If you are a policymaker, you will now plan for the worst possible outcome. You can't plan hoping that things would improve. You have to plan hoping that if things get topsy-turvy, what is going to be your response. I don't think after 15 years of being with Hasina and working with her, India is suddenly going to be in a position to handle it automatically. It will take some time, but the fear would be that if it goes out of hand, then Indian domestic politics will also become a bit more engaged on the subject. Now that Sheikh Hasina has been in India ever since she fled Bangladesh, how do you see the two neighbours reconciling with each other about the changed ground reality? It is a difficult situation for India. India has to engage with Bangladesh -- whatever government is there now. India also has to ensure that Sheikh Hasina is protected and is given a safe haven wherever she wants to go. The next few weeks are going to be difficult for India, but I do think that Sheikh Hasina also is looking for a place away from India, and she'll be working around that. India would also try to help her get to a place where it doesn't create more problems. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi with then Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Photograph: ANI Photo Is India in a position to enable a smooth transition of political power in Bangladesh? At this point India would be best placed not to overtly try to play any role. Now that the people of Bangladesh have taken a stand, it is for them to decide how they want to proceed ahead. Now, an interim government has already been formed; it is for the interim government to decide how they want to go. India taking a very proactive stance will not be liked by people of Bangladesh in any case. India is always blamed as being the real power behind the throne. India should not be involved in any great detail, and India won't because at this point, the most important issue is how do you ensure Bangladesh gets settled in and how do you ensure that Sheikh Hasina gets a safe haven where she is not tortured or where her political opponents do not hold sway to get around to her. How much does India have to lose in terms of geopolitics, given how strategically India had invested in our relationship with Bangladesh? This is a serious setback. Eventually, geography has a way of balancing this out; given our relationship, it is very difficult to ignore each other. But I do think that given what India was doing in Bangladesh, if you look at the connectivity initiatives, if you look at cross border connectivity, if you look at multimodal connectivity, if you look at Indian investments there, India was trying to also help Bangladesh in its own way given how Sheikh Hasina was seen as an important partner. Now, India and any Indian government would not be willing to invest in Bangladesh so long as there is going to be a trusted partner in Bangladesh once again. That is going to take some time. But it is going to be geopolitically important for India and Bangladesh to work together because if they do not work together, then the costs are very high for both. A lot of people see the footprint of Pakistan and China in what is happening in Bangladesh today. What role could these two countries have possibly played in destabilising the country? When there is domestic problem of this kind, certainly external actors want to fish in troubled waters. I don't doubt that there would be actors who would be playing role in what happened in Bangladesh. Before Sheikh Hasina came to power 15 years back, Pakistan was becoming very powerful, especially its intelligence agency (the Inter-Services Intelligence or the ISI). They were patronising a lot of these Islamist groups in Bangladesh and using them to target India. When Sheikh Hasina came in, she really went after these groups and marginalised Pakistan in Bangladesh. So certainly there will be an interest in Pakistan to revive that connection and to use the turmoil to their advantage. I do not doubt that. Ultimately, the challenge came from within, and others only played a tangential role in escalating it. 'Now it's for India to also make certain decisions. The sky's the limit. You've got to be strategic.' IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi and US Vice President Kamala Harris toast at a lunch held in his honour at the State Department in Washington, DC, June 23, 2023. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters Ramesh V Kapur, founder and president of the US India Security Council, Inc, has been a long-time supporter of Joe Biden, particularly after Biden backed the US-India nuclear deal. Kapur advocates stronger US-India ties, especially in defense, and believes Vice President Kamala Harris should lead efforts to enhance India's status in security alliances. He emphasizes the need for substance over public relations in evaluating Harris's contributions, praising her behind-the-scenes work in strengthening US-India relations. "Listen to folks who understand, who have Mother India at heart, who believe in the Bald Eagle (the symbol of the United States) and Mother India," Ramesh V Kapur tells Rediff.com US Contributor Abhijit J Masih in the concluding segment of a two-part interview. Part 1 of the Interview: 'Kamala Harris Is Going To Win!' And what about the battleground states like Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. What's your reading of these states? We are going to have a Web site soon, Indian Americans for Kamala Devi Harris, approved by the DNC (Democratic National Committee). We have the South Asian Web site. We're going to go to those battle states, try to mobilize the community. We will probably go to the temples and mobilize the Hindu American community for Kamala Devi Harris. The community will be mobilized as Hindu priests will be there at the DNC convention with the other religions. They weren't there last time. We are growing. We got five Congressmen. We called them the Samosa Caucus. We'll have two more, Arizona, and Virginia, and I'm going to name them the Laddoo Caucus. The Republican side has to realize that we have to work together because our goals are very similar. IMAGE: Ramesh V Kapur with Kamala Harris. Photograph: Kind courtesy Ramesh Kapur Prime Minister Narendra Modi's closeness to Donald Trump was evident when he endorsed Trump with the slogan 'Abki Baar Trump Sarkar.' How do you think this relationship between Modi and Trump will impact Indian-American voters' perspectives in the current Democratic campaign? People don't remember the old stuff. Most people remember the new stuff. What was the new thing that happened in the White House with Narendra Modi, the red carpet treatment? It was Biden, right? Trump never gave a White House State dinner. I think what happens is that, I'm sure they realized it later, politicians get carried away. At that time, Biden was vice president, I wanted to get a meeting with him to show them the balance. (Harsh) Shringla, who was the (Indian) ambassador over here, was all excited, but he couldn't convince the people on the other side. They felt that Trump is vindictive, and he would just lash out on India. So let's not do it. But Biden gave him royal treatment. Biden could have taken that personally, but you have to be a good politician. You have to look at the higher goal. It was royal indeed. I was there. So what steps should Democrats take to strengthen their relationship with India and reassure Indian Americans that the Democratic party values the US India partnership? I am doing this since 1986 on both sides. We are trying to be the bridge in between. What my suggestion to Prime Minister Modi is to make sure to meet the elected officials. Because if you do not respect our elected officials, they won't respect you. Sure you can see business people, you meet them one to one, great. But they are never going to fight for Mother India. They are looking for how much money they can make, because they are business people. There are about 15 Indian Americans who are the movers and shakers and I know them. Set aside time for them. Make stronger relationships. They are already these folks in the Samosa Caucus. These are the guys who are going to make the difference. And on the American side, I'm pushing the NATO plus six, so that they get the latest technology in the defense area. I want to make sure and lobby for that bill where India will get this technology. Now we have a golden opportunity with one of our own. When I did a fundraiser in 2016 for Kamala Devi Harris, I said I want you to know that 1 billion Indians look at you as one of our own and Mother India considers you one of our own. And she jumped up and put her hands in the air and said 'Yes!' So my recommendation to the other side is, let's work together. I'd like to get Indian American Republicans for Kamala Devi Harris. IMAGE: Supporters at a campaign rally for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of US-India relations, and how do you see the role of organizations like the US India Security Council in shaping this future, especially under a potential Democratic administration? India is critical to United States national security. Now it's for India to also make certain decisions. The sky's the limit. You've got to be strategic. They have to be candid. Listen to folks who understand, who have Mother India at heart, who believe in the Bald Eagle (the symbol of the United States) and Mother India. We do this because you can take us out of India, but you cannot take Mother India out of us. Listen to people who have done it since 1986, aiding the community. We have to move this ball further down in the relationship. I am equally candid with the American side as well. Maybe that's a Punjabi in me. IMAGE: Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz at a campaign rally in Milwaukee. Photograph: Marco Bello/Reuters One last question, would you be hoping or suggesting to Kamala Devi Harris to visit India? Yes, yes, definitely. I will work on it, but I like to get this law changed first. I'm not saying that we want India to be part of NATO, but to have the technology and the defense. Once that is done, I want her to go to India, because she has to show some deliverables. That she has done something, to give them defense security with the latest technology in the defense area. I'll also make sure the Indian Americans are also represented. That these decision makers, the Samosa and the Laddoo Caucas, goes as part of the delegation, to make sure Indian Americans are well represented. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com A senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader has blamed an 'ecosystem of former diplomats, bureaucrats, politicians, and think tanks' for creating a 'bogeyman' to mislead the Indian establishment into believing that Indo-Bangla relations would deteriorate without the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League. IMAGE: Activists of the Anti-Discriminatory Student Movement gather at the University of Dhaka's Teacher Student Center (TSC), in Dhaka, on August 13, 2024. Photograph: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters Days after India raised the issue of the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury of the Khalida Zia-led BNP said it is an 'internal matter of the country' but maintained that Bangladesh wants strong ties with India, its next-door neighbour. Chowdhury's party, the BNP, is an arch-rival of the Awami League (AL), headed by Hasina, who resigned and fled to India on August 5 in the wake of the massive student protests across the country. An interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, assumed charge on August 8 will continue till fresh elections are held. Claiming that Bangladesh wants strong ties with its next-door neighbour India, Chowdhury -- who heads the foreign affairs cell of the BNP -- asserted that New Delhi 'failed to understand the pulse of the people of Bangladesh' and had 'put all its eggs in one basket' by supporting one party and family in the country in an apparent reference to Hasina and her party, AL. In an interview with PTI in Dhaka, Chowdhury minced no words against the 'ecosystem of former diplomats, officials, politicians, and think tanks' for misleading the Indian establishment on the 'hard reality' of Bangladesh and said this ecosystem has destroyed Indo-Bangla relations. "This ecosystem has created a bogeyman that if there is no Awami League, there will be security-related issues for India; if there is no Sheikh Hasina, then the country would go into the hands of fundamentalists; if there is no Awami League, then the Hindus in Bangladesh would be in danger. "This is a completely false and deliberate narrative. These people need to wake up now. Bangladesh is one of the most liberal countries; here Hindus and Muslims have lived together for ages," he said. Across Bangladesh, the minority Hindu population has faced vandalisation of their business and properties and devastation of Hindu temples in the students' violence that ensued for days following the ouster of the Hasina government. "There can be aberrations, but no government in Bangladesh supports attacks on its minorities. The Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees equal rights to everybody, and above all, we don't believe in this minority and majority concept. We are sorry to say this, but on the question of minorities, this is an internal matter of Bangladesh," Chowdhury said. "How can others comment on the issue of minorities in our country? How does this come up in diplomatic relations? This is our internal matter. We never complain about what happens to Indian minorities, so no one should comment on the issue of minorities here," he told PTI. Urging India to keep the 'baggage of the past (BNP's regime in the early 2000s) behind', Chowdhury said: "India has to understand the pulse of the people of Bangladesh. The relationship has to be with the people of Bangladesh." "Why does New Delhi have to depend on one person or family? When it comes to Indo-Bangla relations? India has put all the eggs in one basket. That was a mistake on their part," he declared. "You cannot change your neighbour and you should have good relations with your neighbour," he said and added Bangladesh wants the best of relations with India, as it is a neighbour. The former commerce minister during the BNP regime accused the erstwhile Awami League regime of indulging in rampant corruption and working against the nation's interest vis-a-vis various bilateral treaties. "As they had captured power through fraudulent elections, they had no accountability to the people of Bangladesh. They laundered over $100 billion from many mega projects and treaties, which were against the country's interests," he said. He also underlined the need to relook 'those questionable bilateral treaties, agreements, and contracts as the truth has to come out'. When asked if any bilateral treaty with India, which has faced criticism in Bangladesh, will be cancelled or suspended, Chowdhury, whose party BNP is tipped to be the front runner for the next elections as and when held, said: "We are not singling out India or any other country." "But all the questionable bilateral treaties and agreements will have to be re-examined and, if needed, also reviewed. Nothing is going to be suspended or cancelled, as it is the government of the country which signs a treaty. But if it is not in the interest of Bangladesh, then it will be reviewed. This is an umbrella issue," he said. Replying to a query about the popular perception of BNP regimes in the past not being India-friendly, Chowdhury said, "These are wrong perceptions. India has to leave the baggage of the past behind and both countries have to work together." He also said that being vocal about his own country's interest doesn't make him anti-India. Speaking about the ongoing 'India out' campaign, which he claimed is not a programme by any political party but by the common people of Bangladesh who see India as 'an enabler of the autocratic regime'. "So, now in Bangladesh, it's seen as Sheikh Hasina plus India versus the people of Bangladesh. That is why there is this anger against India, as it is considered an ally of the Awami League," he said and added, "Hasina taking shelter in India is also not seen in a good light in Dhaka." In a scandal that has shaken the Malayalam film industry, actor-politician M Mukesh along with three other prominent actors have been booked in cases of rape and sexual assault, sparking a fierce political debate and calls for the ruling party MLA's resignation. IMAGE: CPI-M MLA-actor M Mukesh. Photograph: Courtesy Facebook Amid intense protests by the Opposition and demands from a section of Left party members for his resignation, Mukesh obtained relief from a court in Kochi, which granted him protection from arrest until September 3. The ruling Left and the embattled MLA faced further trouble when senior Communist Party of India leader Annie Raja called for Mukesh's resignation as an MLA, after he was booked for rape following a complaint by a female actor. As pressure mounted, the CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front seemed to be supporting Mukesh, taking a cautious wait-and-watch stance. LDF convener EP Jayarajan told reporters that earlier, much bigger sexual assault cases were registered against two other MLAs who had not resigned. He was referring to Congress MLAs M Vincent and Eldhose Kunnappilly. "Had they resigned, then the third MLA (Mukesh) too would have to resign. The law is applicable equally to all legislators. By asking for Mukesh's resignation, you are protecting the other two," he said. The Justice K Hema Committee report's findings had a ripple effect, resulting in the registration of cases against two other prominent actors--Jayasurya and Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu, a small-time actor who held a key role in the actors' association-- on sexual assault charges. The complainant, who has appeared in a few films, levelled allegations against four actors, a politician, and two others connected to the film production industry. In a Facebook post, the female actor had said, "I am writing to report a series of incidents of physical and verbal abuse I suffered at the hands of 1 Mukesh 2 Maniyan Pilla Raju, 3 Idavela Babu, 4 Jayasoorya (Jayasurya), 5 adv Chandrasekaran, 6 production controller Noble and Vichu, in the Malayalam film industry." "In 2013, I was subjected to physical and verbal abuse by these individuals while working on a project. I tried to cooperate and continue working, but the abuse became unbearable," the actress alleged. A rape case was registered on Wednesday night against Mukesh following the female actor's allegation that he sexually assaulted her in 2010. Soon, Mukesh moved the court in Kochi seeking anticipatory bail. Granting interim relief to the actor-politician, the Principal Sessions Court stated that the likelihood of the actor fleeing from the law is low. "Taking note of the situation that there may not be chances to flee away from the clutches of law, the IO (investigating officer) is directed that the petitioner shall not be arrested till 3/9/24," the court said in its order. In his anticipatory bail plea, the actor claimed that the statement given against him by the victim was with malafide intentions. He claimed that the case was registered with ulterior motives and to tarnish his political and film career. The anticipatory bail came at a time when the opposition was clamouring for the resignation of Mukesh as a legislator. The day witnessed the workers of the Congress and the BJP holding protests outside his residence in Thiruvananthapuram and other parts of the state. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly V D Satheesan said it was wrong to say that the Congress did not seek the resignation of Mukesh. "Right at the beginning, we sought his resignation. We only said that he and the CPI-M have to take a decision regarding that," the Opposition Leader told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram. Satheesan slammed the Left government, alleging that the Pinarayi Vijayan-led dispensation sat on the Justice Hema Committee report for over four years to prevent disclosure of the culprits' names. He claimed that the state government's inaction on the report's recommendations and findings was destroying the film industry. "The CPI-M is in the dock on these issues," he said. Satheesan added that protests were held in various parts of the state by his party, Mahila Congress, and the Youth Congress, demanding Mukesh's resignation. Some Youth Congress workers allegedly jumped over the barricades outside Mukesh's residence in Thiruvananthapuram and were taken into custody by the police. In Kollam, the BJP's youth wing, Yuva Morcha, held a protest march, where one protester wore face mask of Mukesh and held a chicken in both hands. In Malayalam, Kozhi (chicken) is a colloquial term for a man who behaves inappropriately with women. FIRs against Mukesh and other actors came a day after actor Sidhique was booked for allegedly raping an actress in a hotel eight years ago. The complaints against various directors and actors surfaced following revelations in the Justice K Hema Committee report, which contained explosive allegations from female actors regarding sexual abuse by their male counterparts in the Malayalam cinema industry. The first case, under IPC Section 354, was against director Ranjith, who was accused by a female actor from West Bengal of assaulting her in 2009. Ranjith resigned as chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy following the allegation. Sidhique also resigned as general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists after allegations surfaced against him. The Justice Hema Committee was constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case, and its report revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry. 'Without CAA, there would have been a lot of hurdles.' Joseph Francis A Pereira, a citizen of Pakistan who currently resides in Cansaulim, south Goa, is the first in the state to be given an Indian citizenship certificate. IMAGE: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant hands over the citizenship certificate to Joseph Pereira under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, August 28, 2024. Mr Pereira migrated to Pakistan before the liberation of Goa, here and below. Photographs: ANI Photo While speaking to ANI, Mr Pereira thanked Prime Minister Narendra D Modi and Home Minister Amit A Shah for bringing the CAA. "CAA was applied and within one month, the approval has come. I am very grateful to the CAA that was brought by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah," he said. Joseph Pereira was the only one who had applied for citizenship as his wife was already a citizen of India. "I went in 1960 to Pakistan and I did my education there. I got an opportunity to work in Bahrain for 37 years. After my retirement in 2013, I came to Goa and from that time, I have been staying with my family." "There are lots of Goan people in Pakistan but I have not visited there. My last visit there was in 1979. I had a hard time there while I was doing schooling as job opportunities were not there." His wife Martha Pereira told ANI that they were trying to get citizenship from the time they got married, but nothing was helping them. "From the time we got married, have been applying but nothing was coming out of it. We applied through CAA in June this year. Without CAA, there would have been a lot of hurdles," she said. "I am thankful for whatever is happening in our case," she added. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that it is a matter of pride for them. "I thank the prime minister and the home minister. Those who were in Pakistan or elsewhere were asking for citizenship for almost 60 years. So today after the law is passed, we are giving citizenship and it is a matter of pride for us," he said. The Act allows Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Christians, Parsis and Buddhists from neighbouring countries (Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan) who entered India before December 31, 2014 to apply for citizenship after verification. Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff.com Feature Presentation: Mahipal Soni/Rediff.com In a move aimed at reducing overall migration, Australia will impose a cap on the number of new international students allowed into the country, seeking to revert to pre-pandemic levels. Education Minister Jason Clare announced on Tuesday that enrolments will be capped at 270,000 for 2025, marking a pivotal change in the nations approach to international education. The proposed enrolment caps are also intended to ease pressure on Australias housing and infrastructure, which have been strained by record migration levels. Specifically, enrolments at public universities will be limited to 145,000, consistent with 2023 levels, while private institutions and non-university providers will be allowed 30,000. Vocational education and training institutions will have a cap of 95,000 new international students. Australia currently hosts one of the largest international student populations globally, with approximately 717,500 international students recorded in early 2024 government figures. Under the new regulations, individual caps will be set for each higher education institution, with vocational education and training providers facing the most substantial cuts. The decision has sparked outrage across the tertiary education sector, with numerous universities condemning the measures as economic vandalism. Critics argue that the cap will severely damage an industry already hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Clare, however, maintains that the reforms are essential to ensuring the sectors quality and sustainability. During the pandemic, Australias strict border controls and the repatriation of foreign students significantly disrupted the higher education landscape. Despite these challenges, Clare noted that university enrolments have rebounded to 10% above pre-pandemic levels, with private vocational providers seeing a remarkable 50% increase. Students are back, but so are the shonkspeople looking to exploit this industry for a quick profit, Clare remarked, referring to unscrupulous actors in the market. The government has accused several education providers of engaging in unethical practices, such as enrolling students who lack adequate language proficiency or are more interested in employment than education. To address these issues, the government has already implemented stricter English-language requirements and increased scrutiny for those seeking a second study visa. To further support international students, Clare mentioned that incentives will be introduced for universities to expand housing options. David has helped hundreds of UNSW students turn their startup dreams into reality through the UNSW Founders program, many of which are of migrant background. He thinks the news is incredibly disappointing: Australias future economic prosperity relies on skilled migration. Over in the US, 4 in 10 unicorn founders are first-generation migrants. Here in Australia, many of todays most successful startups such as Harrison.AI and Airwallex wouldnt be in existence without international founders calling our nation home. If you look back through history, all successful nations have at their heart vibrant cities populated with the brightest and most ambitious minds from all over the world. Cities are great because of the people that move there. Yes, the cost of housing is a huge problem but the best solution must be focused on something that gives us more skilled migration, not less. The federal budget in May allocated $1.8 million to expedite skills assessments for about 1,900 potential migrants with qualifications in construction and housing. Skills Minister Brendan OConnor acknowledged the deep shortfalls across the labor market and emphasized the need for more support for apprentices. A decline in international student numbers can significantly harm businesses by reducing tuition revenue for universities, decreasing local spending, and leading to job losses in sectors like education, hospitality, and retail. It also diminishes cultural diversity and global connections, weakens research and innovation by cutting funding and skilled graduates, and potentially damages a countrys or universitys reputation as a welcoming study destination. These effects collectively strain both the economy and the broader social fabric. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. India and China on Thursday held "frank, constructive and forward-looking" diplomatic talks on the situation along the Line of Actual Control to "narrow down" differences and find an early resolution to outstanding issues, the ministry of external affairs said. IMAGE: Indian soldiers during the Exercise Parvat Prahar in the high-altitude mountains of the Ladakh sector. Photograph: Indian Army on X The 31st meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs was held in Beijing, the MEA said in a statement. During the meeting, it was reiterated that "restoration of peace and tranquillity, and respect for the LAC are the essential basis for the restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations", it said. In line with the guidance provided by the two foreign ministers' meetings in Astana and Vientiane in July to accelerate the discussions, and build on the WMCC meeting held last month, "the two sides had a frank, constructive and forward-looking exchange of views on the situation along the Line of Actual Control to narrow down the differences and find early resolution of the outstanding issues", the statement said. For this, they further agreed to "intensified contact through diplomatic and military channels". Gourangalal Das, joint secretary (east Asia), from the MEA, led the Indian delegation. The Chinese delegation was led by Hong Liang, director general of the Boundary and Ocean Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the meantime, the two sides decided to jointly uphold peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas, in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two governments, the MEA statement said. The leader of the Indian delegation also called on the vice-minister in the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The 30th meeting of the WMCC was held in New Delhi on July 31. The Indian and Chinese militaries have been locked in a standoff since May 2020 and a full resolution of the border row has not yet been achieved though the two sides have disengaged from several friction points. The ties took a nosedive following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. Meanwhile, China's foreign ministry on Thursday also issued a readout in Beijing after the talks. The readout is in Chinese language. The meeting was held in a positive, friendly and frank atmosphere and the two sides exchanged in-depth views on the situation along the LAC to narrow down the differences and expand consensus, it said. They agreed to strengthen dialogue and consultation, take care of each other's reasonable concerns, and reach a solution acceptable to both sides as soon as possible, a rough English translation of the readout said. Both the sides agreed to consolidate the results of the consultations, strictly abide by border-related agreements and confidence-building measures, and continue to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas, the Chinese foreign ministry readout added. The two sides agreed to jointly promote an early resolution of the border situation in accordance with the important consensus reached recently by the foreign ministers of the two countries, it said. Days after she was reprimanded for her controversial remarks on the farmers' protest, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Kangana Ranaut met party president JP Nadda at his residence in New Delhi on Thursday. IMAGE: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo This is the second time that Ranaut has met the BJP president since she stirred a controversy earlier this week with her disparaging remarks on the farmers agitation against the now repealed three farm laws. The Mandi MP had on Monday posted a clip of her interview with Hindi daily Dainik Bhaskar in which she suggested that a "Bangladesh-like situation" could have erupted in India but for the country's strong leadership. She then alleged that bodies were hanging and rapes were taking place during the farmers' protest against the now-repealed three farm laws. She also alleged the involvement of China and the US in the "conspiracy", drawing flak from the opposition parties. Acting swiftly, the BJP denounced her remarks expressing its disagreement with her views and made it clear that she is neither permitted nor authorised to comment on the party's policy matters. "The Bharatiya Janata Party has directed Kangana Ranaut to not make any statement of this kind in future," the ruling party said in a statement as her controversial remarks threatened to inflame an issue it has tried hard to contain over the last few years. "The BJP is committed to following the principles of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas' and social harmony," the statement added. Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is currently in judicial custody in the Renukaswamy murder case, was on Thursday shifted from Parappana Agrahara Central prison in Bengaluru to a jail in Ballari, amid tight security. IMAGE: In a viral photo the actor is seen in a relaxed mood, sitting on a chair and holding a cigarette and a coffee mug.. Photograph: X The 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court in Bengaluru on Tuesday granted permission to move Darshan to a jail in Ballari, after a photograph of him hanging out with three others, including a rowdy-sheeter, on the lawns of the Bengaluru jail had gone viral on Sunday, sparking an uproar. The court has also permitted shifting of other co-accused in the murder case to various prisons in the state, and a few of them were relocated today. In the picture, the actor is seen in a relaxed mood, sitting on a chair and holding a cigarette and a coffee mug. Also, a purported video of Darshan speaking to a person over a video call from the prison too had surfaced on social media. According to police sources, Darshan was escorted to Ballari jail via the Andhra Pradesh route for security reasons and to avoid crowding of fans. They said he was taken out of Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in a police SUV and then moved into a police van near Chikkaballapur on the way to the district headquarters town of Ballari. Escorted by police officials, Darshan was seen wearing a black t-shirt with a sun glass hung to its neckline and blue jeans, and carrying a water bottle and some clothes on reaching Ballari jail. A few scenes of the 2017 Kannada movie 'Chowka', in which Darshan had appeared in a cameo role, was shot in the Ballari jail. A Bengaluru court on Wednesday extended till September nine the judicial custody of Darshan along with his friend Pavithra Gowda and 15 others, who are accused in the Renukaswamy murder case. Nine prison officials, including the Chief Superintendent of the Parappana Agrahara jail, were suspended on Monday over their "lapses" after a preliminary probe into "special treatment" to Darshan. Also, three FIRs were registered, including against Darshan, under sections of the Prisons Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to police sources, 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor, had sent obscene messages to Gowda, which enraged Darshan, allegedly leading to his murder. His body was found near a stormwater drain next to an apartment in Sumanahalli here on June nine. Raghavendra, one of the accused who is part of Darshan's fan club in Chitradurga, had brought Renukaswamy to a shed in R R Nagar here, on the pretext that the actor wanted to meet him. It was in this shed that he was allegedly tortured and murdered. According to the post-mortem report, Renukaswamy, a native of Chitradurga, died due to shock and haemorrhage as a result of multiple blunt injuries. Police sources said Pavithra, who is accused number one, was the "major cause" for Renukaswamy's murder, claiming that it has been proved from the probe that she instigated other accused, conspired with them, and took part in the crime. Calling the ongoing crisis in Manipur "premeditated" and "state-sponsored", representatives from the Kuki-Zo communities on Thursday demanded that a separate Union Territory with legislature should be carved out of the ethnic strife-torn state. IMAGE: Assam Rifles in a joint operation with Army, BSF and Manipur police with the recovered arms and ammunitions from war-like stores in the Sekmaijin area, in Kakching, Manipur, August, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo At a press conference organised by Kuki Students' Organisation Delhi and NCR in New Delhi, representatives from Kuki-Zo communities said their demands have crossed the point where they wanted President's rule to be imposed in the state, and now they see a Union Territory with legislature on the lines of Puducherry carved out of Manipur as the only solution to the ongoing strife. "The ongoing crisis in the Manipur region is a premeditated state-sponsored effort to target and eliminate the Kuki-Zo community.... and this has led to the displacement of over 41,000 people, the destruction of more than 200 Kuki-Zo villages, and the loss of 191 lives, including cases of brutal rape and murder of women, and the immolation and mutilation of Kuki-Zo victims including children," the KSO claimed. Referring to a purported audio clip of Manipur chief minister which the state government has dismissed as being "doctored", it said, "The leaked audio of N Biren Singh is irrefutable evidence that explains the whole gamut of the Manipur crisis..." "It is the ultimate resolve of the Kuki-Zo people that the only justice for the immeasurable harm and destruction inflicted upon our community is a separate administration - a Union territory with legislature," the KSO demanded. "It is our most earnest appeal to the government of India to expedite a political solution for the Kuki-Zo people in the interest of justice and the integrity of our democratic institutions," it said. Asked if the Kuki-Zo groups have received any response from the state or the Centre over their demand for separate administration, Janghaolun Haokip, secretary (information & publicity) of Kuki Inpi Manipur, said they have not. Mang Khongsai, 'home secretary' of KSO GHQ, said the settlements of Kuki-Zo community members in the hilly areas of Manipur have also been targeted in the name of removing encroachment. "There is destruction of Kuki settlements which is being called illegal encroachment, even though they have been living there for years. Demeaning terms like refugee, illegal immigrant and narco-terrorist are being used against Kuki-Zo people," he alleged. Michael Haokip, an assistant professor at the Ambedkar University here, meanwhile said the Kuki tribe has found mention even in the Buddhist texts, and dismissed the allegation of the groups being immigrants. "We are not immigrants. We have been mentioned in Buddhist and Sanskrit literature as well," he said. Tingbem Khongsai, spokesperson of KSO Delhi and NCR said the country turned its attention on Manipur only after videos of women being paraded naked surfaced. Ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023 after a tribal solidarity march was taken out in the hill districts of the state to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Since then, more than 220 people, including members of both communities and security personnel, have been killed in the continuing violence. The KSO had also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently demanding a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo tribal communities in Manipur and opposed the Centre's decision to withdraw the Assam Rifles from the buffer zones in the northeastern state. An Indian Medical Association study has revealed that one-third of its respondent doctors, majority of them being women, felt "unsafe" or "very unsafe" during their night shifts, so much so that some even felt the need to start carrying weapons for self-defence. IMAGE: Women stage a protest rally over the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case, in Kolkata, August 29, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo A duty room was not available to 45 percent of respondents during night shifts, found the online survey undertaken by the Indian Medical Association to evaluate safety concerns during night shifts among doctors in the backdrop of the recent alleged rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. With 3,885 individual responses, it is the largest study from India on this topic, the IMA claimed. The survey findings, compiled by Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, chairman, Research Cell, Kerala State IMA, and his team, have been accepted for publication in IMA's Kerala Medical Journal October 2024 issue. The respondents were from over 22 states with 85 percent of them being under 35 years while 61 percent were interns or postgraduate trainees. Women constituted 63 percent, aligning with the gender ratio in some MBBS courses. "Several doctors reported feeling unsafe (24.1%) or very unsafe (11.4%), totalling one-third of the respondents. The proportion of those feeling unsafe was higher among women," the survey findings showed. Doctors of age 20-30 years had the lowest sense of safety and this group largely consists of interns and postgraduates. A duty room was not available to 45 percent of respondents during night shifts. Those with access to a duty room had a greater sense of safety. The survey found that duty rooms were often inadequate due to overcrowding, lack of privacy and missing locks, forcing doctors to find alternative rest areas and one-third of available duty rooms did not have an attached bathroom. "In more than half the instances (53 percent), duty room was located far from the ward/casualty area," the findings stated. "Nearly one-thirds of the available duty rooms did not have an attached bathroom, which means that the doctors needed to step outside during late hours to access these facilities," it said. Suggestions to enhance safety included increasing the number of trained security personnel, installing CCTV cameras, ensuring proper lighting, implementing the Central Protection Act, restricting bystander numbers, installing alarm systems and providing basic amenities such as secure duty rooms with locks were given by the doctors. "The online survey was sent to doctors, both government and private, across India through a Google form. There were 3,885 responses within 24 hours," said Dr Jayadevan. Doctors across the country, particularly women, report feeling unsafe during night shifts, the study said, highlighting there is substantial scope for improving security personnel and equipment in healthcare settings. Modifications to infrastructure are essential to ensure safe, clean and accessible duty rooms, bathrooms, food and drinking water. Adequate staffing, effective triaging and crowd control in patient care areas are also necessary to ensure that doctors can provide the required attention to each patient without feeling threatened by their work environment, it stated. Several additional factors were highlighted by doctors who participated in the survey. The lack of sufficient numbers of trained security personnel, inadequate lighting of the corridors, absence of CCTV cameras and unrestricted entry of unauthorised individuals into the patient care areas were among the most frequent remarks, the study said. Some doctors indicated the need to start carrying weapons for self-defence. One doctor admitted that she always carried a foldable knife and pepper spray in her handbag because the duty room was located at the far end of a dark and deserted corridor. Doctors who worked in casualty reported verbal and physical threats from people who were drunk or under the influence of drugs. Another doctor reported that she repeatedly experienced bad touch or inappropriate contact in a crowded emergency room. The situation is worse in some smaller hospitals where there is limited staff and no security. Several doctors reported apathy from the administrators when security concerns were raised, a common excuse being that the seniors also had endured similar working conditions. Violence is predominantly experienced by junior doctors, who, being on the frontline, are particularly vulnerable but have limited involvement in administration or policy-making. Senior faculty members bear the responsibility of implementing policies to improve patient care delivery as well as enhancing security measures, thereby creating a safer work environment for the junior doctors. Doctors across the country have called for a Central Protection Law to prohibit violence in all healthcare settings and enforce airport-like security measures, ensuring a safer working environment and better patient care. Such a law would standardise security arrangements across the sector, ultimately benefiting patients as well as doctors, the study stated. "The survey findings have significant implications for broad policy changes, some of which have already been addressed by the Government of India in response to the Kolkata incident," the IMA said. The Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognisance, assuring that "doctors and medical professionals shall stand assured that their concerns are receiving the highest attention from the highest court, with input from a diverse range of experts". Separate cases have been registered in Kerala against popular Malayalam actors Jayasoorya and Maniyanpilla Raju following an allegation raised by a female actor that they had sexually assaulted her, police said on Thursday. A senior police official from Ernakulam said a first information report (FIR) under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code was registered at the Fort Kochi police station against Raju. The Cantonment police in Thiruvananthapuram confirmed that a case under the same section was registered against Jayasoorya. Multiple FIRs have been registered against many high profile Malayalam film personalities following allegations of sexual harassment against various directors and actors in the wake of revelations in the Justice K Hema Committee report. The complainant, who has appeared in a handful of movies, levelled sexual abuse allegations against prominent actors M Mukesh, who is also an MLA, Jayasurya and Maniyanpilla Raju, as well as small-time actor Idavela Babu who held a prominent role in the actors' association. In a Facebook post, the woman actor had said, 'I am writing to report a series of incidents of physical and verbal abuse I suffered at the hands of 1 Mukesh 2 Maniyan Pilla Raju, 3 Idavela Babu, 4 Jayasoorya (Jayasurya), 5 adv Chandrasekaran, 6 production controller Noble and Vichu, in the Malayalam film industry.' 'In 2013, I was subjected to physical and verbal abuse by these individuals while working on a project. I tried to cooperate and continue working, but the abuse became unbearable,' the actress, in her Facebook post, alleged. A rape case was registered last night against prominent Malayalam actor and ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist MLA Mukesh following the female actor's allegation that he sexually assaulted her years ago. Reportedly, cases were also registered against the other accused too. On Wednesday, Thiruvananthapuram Museum police had booked actor Sidhique for allegedly raping an actress in a hotel eight years ago. The first case, under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty), was against director Ranjith on a complaint by a female actor from West Bengal regarding an incident which occurred in 2009. Following the allegation by the actor, Ranjith had resigned from his post as chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy. Sidhique had also resigned as general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) following the allegations against him. The Justice Hema Committee was constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case, and its report revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry. Amidst allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation cropping up against several actors and directors, the state government on August 25 announced the establishment of a seven-member special investigation team to probe them. Subsequently, more complaints surfaced. Pakistan has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation heads of government meeting being organised here in October, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in Islamabad on Thursday. Photograph: ANI Photo During a weekly press briefing, the Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that invitations have been sent to the heads of countries to participate in the meeting which will take place on October 15-16, the Dawn newspaper reported. An invitation has also been sent to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, Baloch was quoted as saying in the report. Baloch said some countries had already confirmed participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) heads of government meeting. It will be informed in due course which country has confirmed, she added. Islamabad and New Delhi have a long history of strained relations, primarily due to the Kashmir issue as well as the cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. India has been maintaining that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan while insisting that the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment that is free of terror and hostility for such an engagement. The SCO Summit will be preceded by a ministerial meeting and several rounds of senior officials' meetings focusing on financial, economic, socio-cultural, and humanitarian cooperation among the SCO member states. The SCO, comprising India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, is an influential economic and security bloc that has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations. When asked about ties with India, the spokesperson said, Pakistan does not have direct bilateral trade with India. Pakistan downgraded its ties with India after the Indian Parliament suspended Article 370 on August 5, 2019, a decision that Islamabad believed undermined the environment for holding talks between the neighbours. Under fire over the collapse of a Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday asserted he would not hesitate to touch the feet of the warrior king 100 times and apologise for the incident if required. IMAGE: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde takes a selfie during 'dahi handi' celebrations, in Thane, Maharashtra, August 27, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Talking to reporters in Mumbai, Shinde said the opposition has other issues to do politics on but Shivaji Maharaj, a revered figure in Maharashtra, should be kept out of it. As the collapse of the statue four days ago in Sindhudurg district continued to generate heat, the state government set up a technical committee to find out reasons for the crash, while members of the ruling Nationalist Congress Party, led by deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, staged silent protests across Maharashtra over the incident. "Chhatrapati Shivaji is a patron deity of Maharashtra. I am ready to touch his feet 100 times and apologise (for the statue crash). I will not shy away from apologising. Our government functions keeping his (Shivaji's) ideals in mind," Shinde insisted. His remarks come a day after Ajit Pawar apologised to the people of the state for the collapse of the structure which was installed in the coastal district's Malvan tehsil, around 480km from Mumbai. The 35-foot statue of the 17th-century Maratha empire founder installed at Rajkot Fort premises collapsed on August 26, nearly nine months after it was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, triggering a political storm in the state, which is due for polls in the next few months. The state government has pointed out that the project was handled by the Indian Navy. The Navy on Thursday said it conceptualised and steered the project of installing the Shivaji statue in coordination with the state government which provided funding for it. In a statement, the Navy said it remains committed to assisting in all measures to repair, restore and reinstate the statue at the earliest. A statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office after Shinde held a late night meeting on Wednesday with ministers, top state and Navy officials said the government has set up a technical committee to probe reasons behind the collapse of the Shivaji Maharaj statue. The panel will comprise engineers, IIT experts and Navy officials. Shinde said two joint panels have been formed. One panel will ascertain the reasons behind the crash, while the other committee comprising experts, sculptors with experience of building Chhatrapati Shivaji statues, engineers and Navy officials will look into the reconstruction aspect. "Our endeavour is to rebuild the statue," the CM maintained. Shinde said the Navy has demanded that the area where the statue was installed by cordoned off for inspection and starting rebuilding work. The Navy has said the statue was unveiled on December 4 as part of Navy Day celebrations, held for the first time in Sindhudurg district. The structure was aimed at honouring the legacy of the Maratha Navy and Chhatrapati Shivaji towards maritime defence and security, and its historical linkage with the modern Indian Navy. In a related development, activists of the Sambhaji Brigade, a Maratha outfit, staged a protest outside the house of Jaideep Apte, the sculptor who built the statue, in adjoining Thane city. Protesters accused Apte of disrespecting Shivaji Maharaj, and their demonstration included blackening his house's door, posting a "Shivdrohi" label, and breaking eggs. The NCP, a constituent of the Mahayuti government, staged state-wide protests demanding swift rebuilding of the statue. Speaking in Nanded during Ajit Pawar's 'Jan Sanman Yatra', NCP's Maharashtra president Sunil Tatkare said the collapse of Shivaji Maharaj's statue was painful, and added his party decided to protest against the incident as everyone has the right to do so. "In a democracy, everyone has a right to agitate. The incident in Malvan was unfortunate and painful. We are also agitating against it and demanding strong action against the culprits by submitting memorandums to the authorities," Tatkare maintained. In Pune, the city unit of the NCP staged a protest near a statue of Shivaji Maharaj in Shivajinagar. Speaking during the protest, NCP's city unit president Deepak Mankar urged the state government to reconstruct the statue as early as possible. "For us, Chhatrpati Shivaji Maharaj is a matter of pride and a symbol of our identity," he said. In Thane, NCP spokesperson Anand Paranjape said those involved in the project, ranging from architects to government officials, must face strict action. "Even though we (NCP) are in power, the incident has caused anger to us and hence this protest," Paranjape said. In Latur city in central Maharashtra, activists of NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) staged a protest against the statue collapse. Opposition party workers gathered at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk in Latur and held a demonstration against the Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP government. The protest was led by NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar Latur district president Sanjay Shete. "This may be the first such instance in Maharashtra's history. In a desperate bid to gain votes before (Lok Sabha) elections, the government completed the statue work within just eight months. This hasty action has backfired on the Mahayuti alliance," Shete opined. Opposition leaders have announced that on September 1, the Maha Vikas Aghadi will take out a protest march in Mumbai against the statue collapse. The Indian Navy on Thursday said it conceptualised and steered the project of installing the Shivaji statue, which collapsed in Maharashtra's Malvan this week, in coordination with the state government which also provided funding for it. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue, at Rajkot Fort, in Sindhudurg on December 4, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo The Navy said in a statement that it remains committed to assisting in all measures to repair, restore and reinstate the statue at the earliest. A joint technical committee headed by Indian Navy officials, representatives of the state government and technical experts is being formed to probe the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue in Malvan, the Navy said. Late on Wednesday night, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde held a meeting of top officials of the state government and the Indian Navy. The Navy said the statue was unveiled as part of the Navy Day celebrations, held for the first time in Sindhudurg district, aimed at honouring the legacy of the Maratha Navy and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj towards maritime defence and security, and its historical linkage with the modern Indian Navy. The project was conceptualised and steered by the Indian Navy, in coordination with the state government which also provided funding for it, the Navy said. The 35-foot statue of the 17th-century Maratha empire founder installed at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg district's Malvan tehsil collapsed on August 26, nearly nine months after it was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The state government has maintained that the structure was designed and built by the Navy and ordered a probe into the crash episode. However, the incident has triggered a political storm in Maharashtra, with the opposition accusing the state government of corruption and insulting the Maratha warrior king. Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, is under formal investigation related to illicit activities on the messaging app. IMAGE: Pavel Durov. Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters French authorities have also prohibited him from leaving the country, CNN reported. Notably, Pavel Durov, who had an arrest warrant issued against him, was detained by the French authorities at an airport outside Paris, CNN had earlier reported. Officers from France's anti-fraud office, attached to French customs, took the French-Russian billionaire into custody on Saturday evening after he arrived at Bourget Airport on a flight from Azerbaijan, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV. Durov was wanted under a French arrest warrant due to the lack of moderation on Telegram, which allegedly led to the platform being used for money laundering, drug trafficking and sharing pedophilic content. Earlier in the day, Durov was released from police custody in France and was transferred to court for questioning, CNN reported. Laure Beccuau, the Paris prosecutor, said in a statement that Durov had been ordered to pay bail of $5.5 million, and was released but must check in at a police station twice a week, according to The New York Times. Beccuau also asserted that Telegram has featured in several criminal cases in France in connection with child sexual abuse, drug trafficking and online hate crimes, but has shown a 'near-total absence' of replies to requests for cooperation from prosecutors. Prosecutors around France, along with legal authorities in Belgium and other European countries, 'have shared the same observation', Beccuau said, leading organised crime prosecutors to open a probe in February on the 'potential criminal liability of executives at this messaging platform', The New York Times reported. Beccuau further said that if Durov is convicted, he could face up to 10 years in jail. Durov is being probed for several suspected offences related to criminal activity on the messaging app, including complicity in illegal gang transactions, laundering of crimes in an organised gang, and refusal to communicate information to authorities, as per the French prosecutor's statement, CNN reported. Notably, France issued an arrest warrant for Durov on charges of complicity in drug trafficking, crimes against children and fraud due to the lack of moderation on Telegram and his failure to cooperate with law enforcement, the Moscow Times reported, citing French local media. The Russian-born founder of Telegram, which he says boasts over 900 million users, is currently based in Dubai. He became a naturalised French citizen in August 2021. Durov, who is also the founder of the VKontakte social network, left Russia in 2014 after he refused to share VKontakte users' data with Russian security services. Later, Russia unsuccessfully attempted to block Telegram over its refusal to provide users' online communications to security services. The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) is reminding businesses about the latest industrial relations (IR) changes that come into effect. These changes will affect the rights of casual employees, contractors, as well as their right to disconnect from work outside regular hours. COSBOA launched its Small Business Peak Program last month in Hobart, with the aim to support small businesses in navigating these updates. COSBOA is encouraging all small businesses to connect, sign up and learn more about the Program which has been specifically designed to assist businesses to navigate the recent IR changes in an easy to understand and practical format. Our Small Business Peak Program provides employers with information and guidance on minimum workplace rights and responsibilities. This includes todays IR changes. These changes affect casual jobs, the ability to switch to part-time or full-time work and fundamental rules about communication within the workplace. COSBOA CEO Luke Achterstraat said. The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) is urging small businesses to be aware of these updates and is offering support through its Small Business Peak Program. Launched last month, the program provides easy-to-understand resources on the recent IR changes, including: New definition of casual employee and conversion rights Changes to the definition of employment Right to disconnect for businesses with 15 or more employees Survey reveals low awareness COSBOA CEO Luke Achterstraat emphasized the need for support, citing a national survey that found: 64.7% of businesses were unaware of casual conversion requirements. of businesses were unaware of casual conversion requirements. 70.5% were unfamiliar with changes to minimum standards for employee-like workers. were unfamiliar with changes to minimum standards for employee-like workers. 63.6% lacked knowledge about the right to disconnect. The Small Business Peak Program offers free downloadable toolkits, step-by-step guides, and case studies to help businesses navigate these complex changes. These resources provide timelines, implementation checklists, and clear explanations in plain English. The research highlights the low levels of awareness in the business community about the IR changes. This was reflected across all industry sectors, and demonstrates why Small Business Peak is so critical to the small business community. said Achterstraat. The Program has free downloadable toolkits and step-by-step guides in plain English, that explain the latest workplace changes, with timelines, implementation checklists and some case studies to help simplify the complex nature of these changes. Think of Small Business Peak as your workplace companion in simplifying IR complexities, allowing you to focus on what you do best growing your business. Achterstraat said. Small businesses are encouraged to visit www.smallbusinesspeak.org.au for more information and to access the programs resources. The Small Business Peak Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. To learn more about Small Business Peak, small businesses are encouraged to visit www.smallbusinesspeak.org.au. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The Uttar Pradesh government has drafted a new digital media policy that allows it to pay up to Rs 8 lakh per month to an influencer to promote its schemes. It also authorises legal action if "anti-national, anti-social or derogatory" posts are put online. IMAGE: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Photograph: ANI Photo The move triggered sharp reaction from the opposition, which has accused the state's BJP government of trying to stifle freedom of expression. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said "self-promotion" using public money is a "new type of corruption" while the Congress UP chief called it "undemocratic" and "anti-Constitution". The state government will pay up to Rs 8 lakh per month to influencers and holders of these accounts after empanelling them on different social media platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube depending on their followers and subscribers. The government will also take legal action against the social media operators, influencers, firm or agency concerned in case "objectionable content" is uploaded, it stated. "In case of uploading objectionable content on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and YouTube, there is a provision for legal action against the concerned agency/firm as per rules. Under no circumstances should the content be indecent, obscene and anti-national," stated the press note signed by Principal Secretary Sanjay Prasad. The policy will also help create jobs, the statement noted. According to the digital media policy, digital mediums like X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube will also be encouraged to display content, videos, tweets, posts, reels based on the schemes and achievements of the state government by listing the related agencies or firms and issuing advertisements. "With the release of this policy, the residents of the state who are residing in different parts of the country and abroad will be ensured to get employment in large numbers," it said. For listing, each of X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube has been divided into four categories based on subscribers and followers, it said. "The category-wise maximum payout limit for payments to account holders or operators or influencers of X, Facebook, Instagram has been fixed at Rs 5 lakh, Rs 4 lakh, Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh per month respectively. "The category wise maximum payout limit for videos, shorts, podcast payments on YouTube has been fixed at Rs 8 lakh, Rs 7 lakh, Rs 6 lakh and Rs 4 lakh per month respectively," it added. The opposition Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress said the state government's move is aimed at stifling freedom of expression. "'Hum baant rahe hain daane, gaao hamare gaane, jail tumhara ghar hai, agar hue begaane' -- This is the truth of the new social media policy of the BJP government of Uttar Pradesh. This is a bribe given by the BJP for favouritism. "The BJP is trying to create new age bards who will always lie at the feet of the government to cover up its misdeeds. The BJP is serving lies on a platter of corruption. Self-promotion using public tax money is a new type of corruption," Yadav posted on X in Hindi Wednesday night. The SP, in a post on X accused the BJP government of bringing a provision to give lakhs of rupees of public money to those who falsely praise the government and to give jail or life imprisonment to those who raise public problems on social media. "What else will the public expect from a scared government? The public will strongly oppose this BJP plan to curb freedom of expression," the SP said. Congress UP unit president Ajay Rai said the UP Digital Media Policy 2024 is undemocratic, anti-constitution and freedom of expression is being stifled by this rule. "How is it democratic that a flatterer should be rewarded and a questioner should be punished? This government, which has taken control of the electronic and print media with the power of money and authority, is conspiring to silence the digital media as well through this rule. "The government is imposing this decision on the influencers in a fearful and tyrannical manner We strongly oppose this new rule brought by the government," Rai posted on X. UP Congress' social media chairperson Pankhuri Pathak said through this policy, social media influencers and companies which publicise and promote the BJP government will get financial support from the state. "Along with this, if social media influencers put forward any views that are not liked by the government or deemed objectionable by it, then they will be punished. That means, once again, an attempt is being made by the Uttar Pradesh government to stifle freedom of expression," Pathak alleged. However, the BJP lauded the policy, saying it was an "innovative move" of the Yogi Adityanath government by creating employment and also checking rumour-spreading on social media, the opposition parties called it an attempt to curb freedom of expression on social media and misuse of public funds. BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said, "The Yogi Adityanath government moves forward with innovations. It pays attention to the changes happening in society. Digital media policy will create new jobs." Later Wednesday night, an official statement from the government said the policy is regarding empanelling of persons and firms and giving them advertisements for promoting schemes of state government. "How can there be any provision of providing punishment or so in any such policy. Under the policy, Director (Information) has been authorised to take legal action under the relevant provisions of law against any anti national, or antisocial or derogatory posts," it said. "It may range from anything from lodging FIR under relevant law, getting that post deleted or revoking the empanelment or discontinuing the advertisement," the statement added. Then prime minister Manmohan Singh's brief to his new information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari on what should be the government's approach to the media was simple -- it should be an essay in persuasion, not coercion. IMAGE: Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh shows his ink-marked finger after casting his vote through the postal ballot for the Lok Sabha polls, from his residence, in New Delhi, May 18, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo The anecdote was narrated by Tewari during an interaction at PTI as he stressed the need to fix the "completely flawed" revenue models of the media and asserted that the The Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024 was not the answer to the problems plaguing the flow of news and information. Tewari, who was the Information and Broadcasting Minister in UPA-II from October 2012 to May 2014, said that when he became the minister he asked then prime minister Manmohan Singh what should be the government's approach vis-a-vis the media at a time when the government was at the receiving end of the "most ghastly, irresponsible and malicious" media coverage at that particular point in time. "So I asked him what should be our approach to the media and he said that 'it should be an essay in persuasion and not an essay in coercion'. And he added that, 'If you were to put yourself in the shoes of the Opposition and if let us suppose coercion becomes the order of the day, how is it that you would feel'," Tewari said. "I have reflected on this statement at length over the past 10 years and I come to only one conclusion that you need to have an inherently democratic temperament to be able to maintain the equilibrium, notwithstanding what you are being subjected to in terms of an all out assault at times of unverified and malicious allegations, a campaign of calumny and innuendo," the Congress MP from Chandigarh said. Tewari said he believes that intrinsically Manmohan Singh, who headed the United Progressive Alliance-I and UPA-II government from 2004-2014, had imbibed the basic fundamentals of what running a democratic State is all about. Asked about the proposed Broadcasting Services Bill, Tewari said curtailing freedom of speech in the name of fixing aberrations is not the solution as the real problem lies somewhere else. "Ten years have gone by but the time that I spent in the information and broadcasting ministry gave me a chance to see the back end of the media upclose. I believe that the solution to the problem at hand is not the broadcast bill," he told PTI. "If you remember when Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi was the information and broadcasting minister, a broadcast service regulation bill was brought in. The biggest issue and I am not talking about any particular organisation is that the revenue models of the media are completely flawed." "Till you do not fix those revenue models you cannot fix the front-end problem for which you want to bring in this regulation architecture that will not achieve its objective," he said. Asserting that TRPs were a flawed index, Tewari said if one decides advertising of Rs 25,000-30,000 crore on a flawed index then you have ensured that the medium of information and publicity is based on dog-eat-dog principle. "The real challenge is to work with the media industry to somehow fix the revenue models of the media industry," he said. Tewari said it was for this reason that the ministry under him had brought in the entire process of digitisation with the objective to mitigate some of these problems and the revenue model gets fixed. "Unfortunately that has not happened in the past 10 years," he added. The government had earlier this month said it would hold further consultations for preparing a fresh draft of the broadcasting bill, amid concerns in some quarters over restrictions on social and digital media space in the proposed law. The draft Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill, circulated by the government among a few stakeholders, drew criticism from media bodies such as DigiPub and the Editors Guild of India which claimed that digital media organisations and civil society associations were not consulted on the move. The Congress leader asserted that unfortunately in the past 70 years of India's democratic experiment "we have not really made a transition from the mai-baap sarkaar to a belief in the participatory form of democracy". "You go down to any district of the country, the deputy commissioner is the lord and master of everything that he or she surveys. There would be a very courageous journalist to challenge the diktats of that lord and master," Tewari said. "If you look around India especially South Asia. There seems to be something intrinsically feudal in our DNA. That manifests itself in various ways. Look at Pakistan, sending the PMs to jail is a national pastime out there. You look at what's been happening in other parts of the neighbourhood. So fundamentally may be because the democratic experiment if you measure it in the relativity of time, is very nascent," he said. Tewari said the prevailing feeling of intimidation is not limited to journalists and as a columnist, he also cannot write in as carefree a manner as 10 years ago. "Not because I fear the government or any person but when you create a climate whereby everything critical is going to land up in some court of law through a defamation matter... it does have a chilling effect on free speech," he said. "That oppressive feeling of the big brother watching you and by extension forces which are inherently or intrinsically illiberal having the upper hand in the larger public discourse thereby being able to stifle a contra opinion is the product of a culture that we have created," he said. After coming to New York in the 90s to enter the seminary, studying to be a Methodist minister, Reverend Vince Anderson dropped out to follow his second calling music. You are the owner of this article. A parent fills in a form to transfer her child to another school from American International School Vietnam, Aug. 28, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Le Nguyen Some 360 students at the embattled American International School Vietnam have yet to move to other schools, prompting HCMC authorities to place them in public schools. With the new school year approaching soon around 700 students had transferred to public, private or international schools or gone abroad. The city Department of Education and Training and local education offices have allocated the remaining 360 to various public schools based on their residency and other factors, Nguyen Bao Quoc, the departments deputy director, said Wednesday. If some parents have further requests, the department would support them, he promised. The trouble began last year. American International School Vietnam, founded in 2006 and based in Nha Be District, had over 1,310 students at the start of the last school year, with most following the International Baccalaureate program. Its tuition fees were VND280-725 million (USD$11,500-29,700) a year, depending on grade. In July 2023 the school drew attention when parents gathered to demand that it repaid their loans. On March 18 students had been forced to stop attending classes because most teachers did not show up for work, with the owner admitting an inability to pay their salaries due to severe financial difficulties. Meanwhile, 900 parents had given the school loans worth VND3.6 trillion. They were interest-free and unsecured, and the owner had promised to repay them at the time their children graduated. As the financial troubles mounted, AISVN called on parents to "contribute" an additional VND9.5 to 25.5 million per student per month. The parents of nearly 750 children contributed VND31 billion, but AISVN said it needed a minimum of VND125 billion. Consequently, it had to end the academic year early: on April 26 instead of the usual May end. Authorities have ordered the school to shutter for 12 months, starting July 1 this year for failing to meet academic requirements. But it continued to promise parents it would reopen soon. City tax authorities on Wednesday said they have called for revoking the school's license for non-payment of taxes. Nguyen Van Thien, head of the Districts 7 and Nha Be tax department, said the city People's Committee and the Department of Planning and Investment have been petitioned about the license. He said AIS American International Education company, the main investor of AISVN, owes over VND100 billion (US$4 million) in taxes, and various measures such as a travel ban on individuals responsible have not worked. Quoc said his department had called for a meeting with the parents of the 360 students to guide them on school transfer procedures on Wednesday, but only a few attended, so the department has made the arrangement itself. He emphasized that AISVN does not fulfill the conditions required to resume operations and urged parents to transfer their children as soon as possible since the new school year is about to start. Public school students begin the academic year on Aug. 26, with classes starting on Sept. 5. Many private and international schools reopened on Aug. 12. Proofpoint has hired former Imperva Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) vice president for channels Nelson Soon to lead its channels and alliances across the region. Based in Singapore, Soon will oversee Proofpoints channel and alliance operations for APJ, which the cyber security vendor says underscores its commitment to its channel business and investment in the growth of its partner ecosystem in the region. Partners play a critical role as trusted advisors in helping customers define and implement their security strategies. My role is to help facilitate their contributions within the framework of human-centric offerings that best address the threats shaping the current cyber security landscape, said Soon. He comes into the role with over 20 years of experience at IT companies. In addition to his time at Imperva, he worked in channel-specific roles at Gigamon, Extreme Networks and Agilent Technologies. Aside from this, Soon also worked as head of sales for Australia and New Zealand, ASEAN and Taiwan at Ixia. Joe Sykora, SVP of worldwide channels and partner sales at Proofpoint, added that Soons career history will play an important role in strengthening the vendors presence in the region. To the threats of crippled supply chains, global increase in costs of fuel and food, damaged regional security, and impeded humanitarian relief efforts, add the potential for ecological disaster to the consequences of the Houthis attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea. On August 21, the MV [Merchant Vessel] Delta Sounion, a Greek-flagged, Greek-owned oil tanker carrying approximately one million barrels of crude oil was attacked by Iranian-backed, Houthi-crewed vessels, Pentagon Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters at a press briefing August 27. The MV Delta Sounion was sailing from Iraq to Greece with a crew of two Russian and 23 Filipino sailors ... The crew has since been evacuated. The MV Delta Sounion now sits immobilized in the Red Sea, where it is currently on fire and appears to be leaking oil, presenting both a navigational hazard and a potential environmental catastrophe, he said. The Houthis have significantly increased their attacks on merchant vessels in recent months. They claim preposterously the attacks are in support of the Palestinian people and in retaliation for Israels operation against Hamas in Gaza following Hamas brutal attack on Israel October 7. At least two ships in the Red Sea have been sunk and three crew members killed by the Houthis Because of the targeting of commercial vessels, thousands of ships have opted to avoid the area and take longer, more expensive routes. These are simply reckless acts of terrorism, said Maj. General Ryder: Which continue to destabilize global and regional commerce, put the lives of innocent civilian mariners at risk, and imperil the vibrant maritime ecosystem in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the Houthis own backyard. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a written statement that the United States is gravely concerned by the attack on the Sounion tanker. He noted the potential of a million-barrel oil spill into the Red Sea, an amount four times the size of the [1989] Exxon Valdez disaster. The Houthis have made clear they are willing to destroy the fishing industry and regional ecosystems that Yemenis and other communities in the region rely on for their livelihoods, just as they have undermined the delivery of vital humanitarian aid to the region through their reckless attacks, said Spokesperson Miller. We call on the Houthis to cease these actions immediately and urge other nations to step forward to help avert this environmental disaster. Datacom has signed an agreement with Microsoft to become a Strategic Refresh Initiative (SRI) partner for Australia and New Zealand (A/NZ) to push for more of an uptake of the vendors Windows 11 operating system. Datacom claims it is one of 21 partners globally, as well as one of only a few in the Southern Hemisphere, to be designated an SRI partner. Under the partnership, Datacom will help businesses and government agencies shift to Windows 11 ahead of Windows 10s end of support in October 2025. After this point, devices running Windows 10 will not be provided with security updates or technical support. We want to help businesses migrate to Windows 11 well ahead of time, said Datacom Australia acting managing director Mike Fuller. Organisations face a lot of competing priorities for resource and budgets and it would be easy to put this on the agenda for next year but were encouraging businesses to start the process now so they have time to make considered decisions, identify any hardware upgrades they need to support the new OS and create a realistic timelines for procurement and implementation. Israel on October 7 marked the somber anniversary of the Hamas attack on the Jewish state that killed more than 1,200 people and took some 250 hostages as the Israeli military continued its massive air strikes on Beirut and its incursion in southern Lebanon that aims to destroy the Iran-allied Hezbollah militant group. Israeli President Isaac Herzog led a national moment of silence at 6:29 a.m., the time the attack started, at Kibbutz Reim, the site of the Nova music festival where hundreds of mostly young revelers were killed by gunmen from Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union. In Washington, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris condemned Hamas on the anniversary, while also stating again the U.S. administration's commitment to reaching cease-fire agreements to end fighting in both Gaza and Lebanon. "On this solemn anniversary, let us bear witness to the unspeakable brutality of the October 7 attacks but also to the beauty of the lives that were stolen that day," Biden said in a statement. The Israeli military said that during the ceremony led by Herzog, four projectiles were launched from Gaza toward the same Israeli communities targeted at the start of last year's attack. The military said the ceremony was not disrupted. In Jerusalem, relatives of the some 100 hostages still in Hamas captivity, many of whom are believed dead, gathered outside the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and stood in silence as a siren wailed in a gesture of protest against what relatives say is the failure of the government to secure their loved ones' release. Following the October 7 attack, Israel launched a military assault on Gaza that has killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas. The Israeli military said on October 7 that over the past year, it has bombed more than 40,000 targets in Gaza, found 4,700 tunnel shafts and destroyed 1,000 rocket launcher sites. The conflict in Gaza is still raging while Israel is now fighting on a second front in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah. Early on October 7, Hezbollah, designated a terrorist organization by the United States, fired rockets into the north Israeli cities of Haifa and Tiberias, causing damage and some minor injuries, Israeli police said. The European Union has blacklisted Hezbollah's armed wing but not its political unit, which holds seats in the Lebanese parliament. Amid the military activity at the individual level, the private lives of civilians throughout the region have been disrupted. In the ancient city of Beersheba in southern Israel, Irena Stein, who left Albania in 1991 to resettle in the country, told RFE/RL's Kosovo Service that life in recent times had been filled with "sadness and pain." "We had several months of rockets. Then, the number of rockets decreased, and we continued with daily life, like someone who goes on with their life after the seven days of mourning with a great pain in the heart," said Stein, who is in her late 60s. "There's this feeling like something might happen, that we should be cautious. But I believe you can't live with fear, so we've continued our lives, always praying to God that nothing happens to us." She said that in Beersheba -- where human activity can be traced to the fourth millennium BC -- things have been calm since rockets were last heard on September 29. But she lamented that throughout Israel, "We suffer from this situation, and the Palestinian people suffer from it, too." "The Lebanese people also suffer...everyone suffers. But as they say, peace must be decided at the highest level." Meanwhile, in a Lebanese mountain village southeast of Beirut, local resident Hadi Zahwe told reporters an Israeli strike on October 6 was "terrifying." "There were children killed, there were children's body parts. This enemy is targeting civilian women and children," he said. Netanyahu has insisted that Israeli forces are targeting terrorist strongholds and that civilian fatalities have been extremely low in the recent military actions. Israel in recent weeks has been bombing Beirut's southern suburbs and has staged a ground incursion into south Lebanon in its drive to wipe out Hezbollah's capabilities and leadership. The Israeli campaign on Hezbollah prompted the group's patron, Iran, to respond by attacking the Jewish state with a large wave of rockets that were largely shot down by Israeli air defenses without causing substantial damage, but the attack renewed fears of a a larger regional conflict. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on October 6 threatened Iran that it might eventually find itself looking like Beirut or Gaza -- which has also been battered over the past year -- if Tehran attempts to further harm Israel. "The Iranians did not touch the air force's capabilities. No aircraft were damaged, no squadron was taken out of order," Gallant said in reference to the Iranian missile strike, which caused few injuries and slight damage to two air force bases. "Whoever thinks that a mere attempt to harm us will deter us from taking action should take a look at [Israels operations] in Gaza and Beirut." Israel earlier said it conducted a series of "targeted strikes" on "weapons storage facilities" and infrastructure sites that belong to Iran-backed Hezbollah. Lebanon's official National News Agency said Hezbollah's stronghold in the area was hit by more than 30 strikes. A petrol station and a medical supplies warehouse were hit by the air raids. Video footage showed huge flames and plumes of smoke billowing into the night sky as residents fled their homes in panic with explosions echoing in the background. Many observers said the attacks were the strongest yet of Israel's recent air strikes. Beiruts Skyline Lit Up Amid New Israeli Airstrikes No media source currently available 0:00 0:00:59 0:00 Israel has bombed Beirut's suburbs for days, killing Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and possibly his potential successor, Hashem Safieddine. Security sources have said Safieddine had been out of contact since October 4 after an Israeli air strike near Beirut's international airport that was reported to have targeted him. Hezbollah has not commented on Safieddine. Israel says Nasrallah was killed in a strike on the group's central command headquarters in Beirut on September 27. Two senior Iranian security officials told Reuters on October 6 that Ismail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force -- the overseas arm of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) -- also had not been heard from in recent days since traveling to Lebanon. Statements on October 6 out of the United States -- Tel Aviv's most important ally -- indicated some frustrations with the scope of Israel's military action. "Military pressure can at times enable diplomacy. Of course, military pressure can also lead to miscalculation. It can lead to unintended consequences," a U.S. State Department spokesperson said in a statement. The spokesperson said Washington supported Israeli actions in going after extremist elements but added that U.S. leaders but did not approve of the targeting of civilian infrastructure. Israel says the attacks on Hezbollah are aimed at enabling the safe return of tens of thousands of citizens to homes in northern Israel, bombarded by the group since last October. With reporting by RFE/RL's Kosovo Service and AP One year ago, Hamas -- the U.S.- and EU-designated Palestinian terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip -- carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel, the deadliest in the countrys history. In response, Israel launched an aerial bombardment and ground invasion of the Palestinian enclave to destroy Hamas and rescue the 251 hostages taken by the group. Israel has expanded its war in recent weeks by invading Lebanon and launching air strikes targeting Hezbollah, the armed group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon. RFE/RL spoke to Lior Yohanani, manager of quantitative research at the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based independent research center, which on October 7 released a wide-ranging survey of Israeli public opinion after one year of war. RFE/RL: Can you explain what your study found as to how Israelis view the past year since Hamas's October 7 attack? Lior Yohanani: Well, I think Israelis still don't see October 7 as an event that's over. Sure, the actual horrific events of that day ended, but Israelis are still living with the consequences. There are two main aspects to this. First, since October 7, Israel has been in this multifront war that doesn't seem to have an end in sight. And then, of course, there is the issue of the hostages still being held in Gaza. So, we're seeing a sharp drop in people's sense of personal security. Almost three quarters of the public feel less safe compared to before October 7, and that's despite a year of war and some significant military achievements. On the flip side, we're also seeing that most people say their lives have returned to normal when it comes to things like work, media consumption, and family and social gatherings. Another thing we're noticing is that the Israeli public is giving pretty low marks to all the political and military leaders for the performance since October 7. For example, almost two-thirds of Israelis are rating Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu's performance since then as poor or not good. RFE/RL: How has Israel's involvement in a two-front conflict, in both Gaza and Lebanon, as well as a confrontation with Iran affected public opinion among Israelis? Yohanani: It's tough to answer that question, because we're at the point where things could go in a few different directions. In the last few weeks, we've seen a major escalation in the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and just last week, Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, which Israel is expected to respond to. In a survey we just did recently, we asked whether Israeli society and the military could handle fighting on two or more fronts for an extended period of time, and the results were pretty striking. Over 70 percent believe that yes, both Israeli society and the military can handle that kind of prolonged fighting. So, while the situation is complex and evolving, there seems to be a strong sense of resilience and capability among Israelis, even in the face of these multiple threats. But of course, public opinion could shift depending on how events unfold in the coming weeks or months. RFE/RL: Is there support for Netanyahus response to October 7? Is there debate in Israeli society, as well as political circles, over Netanyahus strategic choices? Yohanani: First of all, it's important to say that the Israeli public has largely supported significant military operation against Hamas in Gaza. That said, the Israeli discourse around the October 7 events, the ongoing war, and especially toward Prime Minister Netanyahu, is very polarized between right-wing supporters on the one hand and left and center supporters on the other. People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term." So, on the left and the center, there is a high level of distrust and suspicion toward Netanyahu and his government. For instance, Netanyahu's apparent reluctance to pursue a deal for returning the hostages in exchange for ending the fighting in Gaza is seen by large parts of the public, even on the right, as resulting from Netanyahu's dependence on far-right, ultranationalist members of his government who refuse any compromise or ceasefire. Now for a long time, Netanyahu and his ministers argued that only significant military force would lead Hamas to compromise and release the hostages. Now, with military attention and resources shifting to the north, people are asking, where is this massive military force that was supposed to bring the hostages home? One question we have asked several times since October 7 in our polls is what should be the main goal in Gaza: Dismantling Hamas or bringing back the hostages? And as time goes on, public opinion is increasingly supporting the return of hostages. In our current survey, 62 percent saw bringing the bringing back the hostages as Israel's main goal, while only 29 percent pointed to dismantling Hamas as the primary objective. RFE/RL: How do ordinary Israelis see the question of the remaining hostages amid the continued protests by the hostages' families? Yohanani: As I mentioned before, most of the public supports a deal to release the hostages, even if it means ending the war and withdrawing the military forces from Gaza. There's this widespread feeling that we've left the hostages behind, and that's really hitting at our sense of solidarity, which is a deep and fundamental value, I think, in Jewish history in general and in Israel society in particular. At the same time, the campaign run by the Hostages And Missing Families Forum has become very politicized. Many right-wing supporters see it as weakening Israel. As time goes on, we're seeing more and more harassment of protesters who support bringing the hostages back. There are cases of passersby cursing, even hitting and throwing eggs, at hostages' families. In our latest survey, we asked about the effectiveness of the protests and actions taken by the hostages' families. Despite most of the public feeling empathetic toward the hostage issue, only less than a third think these actions are actually helping to advance a deal for the hostages' release, while almost 40 percent think they're actually hurting the cause. So, you've got this complex situation where people want the hostages back, but there is disagreement and some backlash about how to make that happen. RFE/RL: Can you explain the reasons behind the apparent contradiction in views regarding prioritizing a negotiated return of the hostages, or destroying Hamas? Yohanani: You're right to point out that apparent contradiction. Let me break it down a bit. As I mentioned earlier, a clear majority of the public sees a deal to release the hostages as the main goal. But there is a big gap between political camps on this issue. In the center and left, about 80 percent support the deal for the hostages' release, while the opinions on the right are evenly split. So, for most of the left and center, the fighting in Gaza has run its course. They feel most military objectives have been achieved, and Hamas's military power has been significantly weakened. From their perspective, continuing the fight now only puts the hostages at greater risk. It's important to know that about half of the right-wing also shares this view of prioritizing the hostages' release, but the other half of those on the far-right thinks dismantling Hamas is more important. Why? For a couple of reasons. First, there's a security stance that Hamas must be wiped out and not allowed to recover. There is also a very strong sentiment of revenge, with minimal consideration for the cost, whether it's the lives of the hostages, soldiers, let alone innocent civilians in Gaza. Another significant component openly discussed in religious nationalist circles is the return of Jewish settlement to the Gaza Strip after Israel evacuated Jewish settlements from there in 2005. RFE/RL: Is there public confidence that Israel will ultimately be able to remove the threat of Hamas and Hezbollah and come out of this conflict with greater prospects for a peaceful and stable near-term future? Yohanani: Right now, the Israeli public isn't showing a lot of optimism. In our current survey, when we asked people if they're optimistic or pessimistic about Israel's future, we found more pessimists, 48 percent, than optimists, 45 percent. I also think it's important to note that a peaceful future, as you put it, or peace in general, isn't really a common concept in the current Israeli discourse. I would say the hope of Israelis is that the military actions against Hezbollah and Iran will lead to a situation where Israel's existence isn't in question, and that Israeli military superiority will prevent events like October 7 from happening again. So, it's less about peace in the traditional sense, and more about security and deterrence. People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term. ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- The world's largest uranium producer is another step closer to building a nuclear power plant. Last week, the Kazakh capital, Astana, hosted the last of 20 public hearings staged around the country ahead of a national referendum in the fall on whether to start producing nuclear power. The format differed little from the discussions held in other cities. Official presentations focused only on the perceived advantages of nuclear power, while those wishing to ask questions were allocated just two minutes to speak. After that time had elapsed, the microphone was turned off and those who continued speaking were ushered away. Some critics never even made it to the venue. Antinuclear activist Meiirkhan Abdimanapov was fined 129,000 tenges ($270) after being detained in Almaty on August 19 ahead of his trip to Astana. The official reason for the detention was his participation in an unsanctioned rally six months before. But he argued that the real reason was to prevent him from repeating his performance at the public hearing in Kazakhstan's largest city on August 16, when he decried the exercise as "an advert for a nuclear power plant." Then there was the struggle witnessed by journalists from RFE/RL's Kazakh Service inside the Radisson Hotel in Astana, where the August 20 hearing was held. "What is it that you were saying about speaking freely while at the same time not letting people in?" complained activist Nagizhan Toleubaev as minders at the event tried to bar him from entering the event's main room. "Didn't the president himself want the issue to be put to public discussion? How do you explain your actions?" Despite these apparent attempts to manage attendance, the hearings that began last year on the shores of Lake Balkhash -- near the prospective nuclear facility's likely location -- have still witnessed plenty of emotional speeches. Toleubaev, who was eventually admitted into the question-and-answer session, warned authorities that "future generations will damn you" if the nuclear power plant goes ahead. He was subsequently dragged from the mic by well-built men standing nearby. And opposition will surely only grow louder as the referendum, which pro-nuclear President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev has not yet set a date for, gets closer. But why is his administration heading down this contentious path? An apparently widening energy deficit is certainly one reason. But another might be nudging from its overbearing ally Russia, which many view as a shoo-in to build the plant. Rosatom: First Among Equals? As government-affiliated experts at the public hearings argued, nuclear power is a cleaner form of power generation than the coal-heated and often aging thermal power plants that most Kazakh cities still rely on. Yet it is also more controversial, and not just because of renewed anxieties around nuclear power in general, after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan in 2011. For four decades during the Soviet Union, the northeastern part of Kazakhstan hosted regular, Moscow-directed nuclear tests. The human and environmental consequences of those tests can still be seen today. Another source of anxiety, referenced by at least one speaker at the Astana event, is the danger posed by a nuclear power plant in a potential conflict scenario. Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine saw Russian forces surround and occupy the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant -- Europe's largest -- in eastern Ukraine early in the war. In this sense, the territorial threats issued regularly against Kazakhstan by Russian politicians and pundits after Astana failed to support Moscow's invasion have done little to make the idea of a Russian-built nuclear facility appealing. "A country whose military illegally occupies the nuclear facilities of another sovereign state and creates unprecedented nuclear risks cannot be seen as a reliable partner in the nuclear field," nuclear politics expert Togzhan Kassenova told RFE/RL. That along with the complications that Western sanctions against Russia could pose to a Russian-led nuclear project in Kazakhstan mean that its nuclear energy giant, Rosatom, "should be a nonstarter for political and practical reasons," argued Kassenova, who is the author of the book Atomic Steppe: How Kazakhstan Gave Up The Bomb. Tet the government has suggested otherwise. In 2023 -- before Toqaev said a referendum on the construction of a nuclear plant would be held the Kazakh Energy Ministry said Rosatom was one of four contractors whose reactors were under consideration for the plant, with EDF of France, the China National Nuclear Corporation, and South Korea's Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power the other three. In the past, Kazakh authorities have floated the rather hopeful idea of an international consortium to build the potential plant. But skeptics of the idea that Russian leadership of the project is not inevitable don't have to look far. In next-door Uzbekistan, then-Energy Minister Zhurabek Mirzamahmudov stated in November that Uzbek authorities were examining the "experience and technology" of other countries and not just Russia, with whom Uzbekistan had already held talks on building a nuclear power plant. But Tashkent and Moscow subsequently reached an agreement for a Russian-built, small nuclear power plant (SMR) when Russian leader Vladimir Putin visited the Central Asian country for talks in May. In Kazakhstan, Moscow and Astana are already cooperating in the nuclear realm in higher education. Among the young supporters of nuclear power in Astana last week was a collective of students and graduates of the Almaty branch of the National Research Nuclear University (NRNU). The NRNU opened an affiliate on the grounds of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in 2022 -- more than a year before Toqaev said the nuclear power plant plan would be put to a national vote. 'A Test Of Patriotism Few doubt that the Kazakh referendum will deliver a "yes," despite visible opposition. The campaign in favor of nuclear power enjoys the resources of the state. Naysayers, meanwhile, complain they have been repeatedly refused permission from city councils to hold protests against the proposed plant. Yet for many citizens, there are some compelling arguments in favor of nuclear power. In Ulken, where the first public hearing on the project was held in August 2023, some residents expressed enthusiasm for the plant's capacity to generate local jobs for a depressed region, even as Balkhash fishermen raised alarm over the future of their industry. Nationally, and especially in the provinces, power shortages are a growing problem with high consumption in the densely populated south taking a heavy toll on the national grid. Last year, Kazakhstan's state-run Samruk Energy company projected the national power deficit could double to reach 3 gigawatts by 2029. Kazakhstan's future nuclear power plant is projected to be significantly larger in terms of capacity than Uzbekistan's in-progress 330-megawatt version -- a downsize on the plant that Tashkent had originally intended to build. At an event held by antinuclear activists in Almaty in September, speakers acknowledged that villagers who suffer regular outages might be easily convinced of the benefits of nuclear power. What the government has not done, they said, is present the population with viable and clean alternatives to the plant, such as ramping up of wind and solar production. The referendum moved a step closer on August 27, when Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliev issued a proposal for a presidential decree on holding a nationwide vote at a government meeting, which was backed unanimously. Toqaev, who earlier promised that the referendum would be held in the fall, is expected to name a date imminently. Blaming "independent bloggers" and media for stirring up criticism of the nuclear plans, Satkaliev said a Kazakh citizen's position on nuclear power was a "test" of "intellectpatriotismdecency," with opponents apparently failing on all three counts. Nuclear power was needed for "the next frontier, for the development of the economy and science, so that the country reaches a new civilizational level of development," Satkaliev added. Three weeks after Ukrainian troops made a surprise incursion into Russian territory, locals in the Kursk region shared their anger over the unexpected turn that brought the war to their homes. On a visit to the Russian border town of Sudzha organized by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, RFE/RL journalists spoke to residents who are divided on whether to remain in a home region under foreign control. The United States, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken, welcomes the resumption of humanitarian assistance deliveries through the Adre border crossing from Chad into Sudan. There are also diplomatic efforts to reopen emergency aid deliveries to famine-stricken portions of Darfur. The lack of humanitarian aid access into Darfur over the past six months has exacerbated the historic levels of famine and acute hunger across Sudan, particularly within Zamzam camp. This breakthrough in aid delivery builds on the momentum made during talks this month in Switzerland with the Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan Group, which includes the United States, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the African Union, and the UN. This joint effort secured the first guarantees from the warring parties for safe, unhindered access through the Adre crossing and the Dabbah Road, which could allow aid deliveries to nearly one million people already facing starvation. Active negotiations continue to ensure humanitarian access from Port Sudan to the south of Sudan. Together, these routes would significantly increase humanitarian access to parts of Sudan that have been difficult to reach with aid. More than 25 million people face acute hunger, and over 10 million have been displaced from their homes. Famine is ongoing in parts of Darfur. Thats why it is critical the international community use every tool at its disposal to increase the flow of relief into and within Sudan. The United States also welcomes commitments by the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, at the Switzerland talks this month to refrain from attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries and to streamline procedures for expediting emergency access to food and medicine. We also welcome the RSFs commitment to a code of conduct for its fighters that includes a command, to refrain from violence against women, exploitation at checkpoints, and destruction of crops, said Secretary Blinken. These new commitments must be reflected in the actions of [the] RSF troops on the ground, who have committed ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity since the outbreak of war against Sudanese civilians, he said. There is no military solution to the crisis in Sudan, said Secretary Blinken. The United States remains committed to working with its international partners to engage both parties on the need for direct talks and an end to the violence. Emil Kastehelmi is an open source intelligence (OSINT) analyst and military history expert working at the Black Bird Group, which is headquartered in Finland and currently focused on following and analyzing Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In a recent interview with RFE/RL's Georgian Service, Kastehelmi says Ukraine's incursion of Russia's Kursk region has caught Russian President Vladimir Putin off guard and proved that Ukraine is still capable of launching offensive actions, shifting attention from Kyiv's "problems to its achievements." But the operation is also fraught with risk, Kastehelmi argues, and its strategic value is still unclear. RFE/RL: Let's start with a situational update of sorts, a brief summary of what has actually transpired, and how massive this incursion is in what has happened over the course of the war? Emil Kastehelmi: Well, first of all, the Kursk offensive [is] most likely the summer offensive of Ukraine in 2024. It's not just the border incursion anymore, in my opinion. We can think about it in many ways. If we look at the gained square kilometers, it's, of course, rather successful. It has succeeded better than last year's summer offensive of Ukraine. It's the biggest offensive into Russian soil since World War II. It's also historically really a significant event. But then when we look at what has actually materialized there, Ukraine has got a lot of square kilometers, but mainly what it consists of is small Russian border villages in the countryside. They got [the Kursk town of] Sudzha, but then again that's something around 5,000 to 6,000 [residents], so it's a really small town, and, at the moment, the movement has slowed down. Ukraine is still making some progress. They are getting a village here or there, but there's no rapid expansion of the area of control anymore. So, it's still maybe not the best-case scenario for Ukraine, as I think that they would have wanted to gain even more in their first days of the offensive. But then again, Russians managed to scramble their defenses so that they could defend Korenevo (another village in the Kursk region), for example, and they could block some of the important roads, even though the Ukrainians pushed rather deep in the beginning. RFE/RL: How much strategic value does this offensive have, both from a military perspective -- on the battlefield -- but also geopolitically? Kastehelmi: Geopolitically, of course, all wars are fought on the land, but nowadays they are also fought in the information space. And in the information space, this has been like a nuclear bomb almost. It has really shifted attention from Ukrainian problems to Ukrainian achievements. It has also shown the world that Russia, even though it has an upper hand in Ukraine, still suffers from various kinds of problems, which will be hard to actually answer in full anytime soon -- be it securing their own borders with enough manpower or the lack of capabilities in their military intelligence. When we look at the big picture, the land that Ukraine has taken in Kursk, at some point Russians will be able to stabilize it. And it hasn't really changed the [big picture] of the war." The intelligence side can't provide an early warning, an adequate warning, so they could at least somehow prepare for a scenario like this, or maybe the intelligence side can provide such, but the leadership just didn't react. That would not have been the first time in military history that even though the intelligence side is working, the leadership side is not. Going back to the strategic points: So, in the information space this has been a success, and it may convince, of course, Ukraine's allies that Ukraine is still capable. And it most definitely proves to Ukrainian citizens that Ukraine is still capable of offensive actions. But then again, I doubt that any Western country will be like, "OK, you successfully invaded Russia, now we believe in you, now you will receive a thousand more tanks." That's not really going to happen. On the ground, there is a difficult point about the strategic side of things, because there is really not much at the strategic level to accomplish in the Kursk region. You can have operational opportunities, so there've been good achievements. But when we look at the big picture, the land that Ukraine has taken in Kursk, at some point Russians will be able to stabilize it. And it hasn't really changed the [big picture] of the war. It's like a secondary area almost, because the main problems of Ukraine are still present in the east. Russia is still able to continue its offensive, at least in the main focus points in the east, especially Pokrovsk and [in] the Toretsk direction. (Pokrovsk and Toretsk are two strategically important cities in Ukraine's Donetsk region. -- Eds.) RFE/RL: Speaking of the front line in the east, I've seen criticism leveled against Ukraine that by embarking on this operation, they've actually weakened the front line in the east. How valid is that criticism, do you think? Kastehelmi: Well, we at Black Bird Group try to also observe the unit movements, and at the moment it seems that at least some [Ukrainian] units that have been fighting on the eastern front may have been transferred to Kursk. So, it seems that Ukraine is really putting a lot of resources into the Kursk offensive. And, of course, one of the main problems of the offensive is that Ukraine didn't really stop the Russian advance before starting the Kursk operation. We have to remember this offensive into Kursk, even though it has been operationally successful in some areas, it hasn't been cheap either for Ukraine." As we have seen in Kursk, Ukraine still has strategic reserves, but it decided not to actually use them in the east to stabilize the situation -- maybe freeze the situation -- but it instead went to Kursk. And it's very understandable that the soldiers on the ground criticize [this]; it's very understandable that analysts criticize it, because Russia has been making relatively large gains [in the east]. There have been quicker than usual advances in [the] Pokrovsk direction. And Pokrovsk, Toretsk...they have also larger meaning because they are the logistical hubs, the largest cities in that area. So, after those, maybe Russia can go forward. For example, will Russia want to go to [Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region] after the fall, after the possible war for Kursk? So, there's a multitude of problematic scenarios. And it's understandable from political reasons that Ukraine really doesn't want Russia to advance into new oblasts, because you can never know, maybe they [would get the idea] that this is Russian soil, too, as they have proclaimed in other oblasts. RFE/RL: Limited strategic value or otherwise, let's still discuss what Ukraine can actually achieve or make use of what it has achieved in the Kursk direction. And there are two kinds of more intriguing points that I've seen discussed. One is actually trying and creating a buffer zone. And the second is using this Kursk offensive as a distraction for Russia. Let's discuss both scenarios. How likely are those? Kastehelmi: Well, the buffer zone idea is kind of understandable. Ukraine has been worried about the border villages in [the northeastern region of] Sumy. So, by moving the area of control to the Russian side, then they will of course...also move at least some of the fighting to the Russian side and thus protect Ukraine's own infrastructure and villages. RFE/RL: But that implies defending that territory, right? And that would probably require more manpower and more equipment, etc. Is it worth it? Kastehelmi: Yes, that's a great question. In the current situation, it may not be worth it. At the moment, there has been more front line created, about 70 to 90 kilometers of new front line that Ukraine actually has to man to control. So, it will eat up more Ukrainian resources. It needs more brigades to control what they have got, so there's always a trade-off in order to protect some of your own [territory]. Ukraine has committed a lot of force to Kursk, and it's beginning to be a pretty expensive and heavy distraction operation." And we have to remember this offensive into Kursk, even though it has been operationally successful in some areas, it hasn't been cheap either for Ukraine. Ukraine has also taken casualties, Ukraine has lost equipment, and it will continue doing so. It doesn't seem like there's anything catastrophic and Russians are most likely taking more casualties, but then again the Russians can take casualties, they can sustain the casualties. RFE/RL: And what about the argument that Ukraine's incursion will force Russia to divert troops there and therefore alleviate pressure on the eastern front or allow Ukraine to launch another operation somewhere else? Kastehelmi: Yes, at the moment it seems that Russia has been forced to pull reserves to the Kursk area, but Russia should have enough troops to at least continue their main efforts, especially in Donetsk and still somehow control the situation in Kursk. One possible scenario could be that the Russians simply spend just enough manpower to stop Ukraine in Kursk and maybe freeze the situation. But then they could decide that it's not really worth it to begin bigger counterattacks in the [Kursk] area. They can just leave Kursk as it is and focus on the east where Russian political goals lie at the moment, and that's also a difficult area. It has been a difficult area for them to advance and now that they are making gains there it would be surprising if they would give that up in order to start some counterattacks in the countryside of Kursk. RFE/RL: So Sudzha is not worth the cost? Kastehelmi: Yes, it might not be worth it really. It's, of course, a problem for the Russian government, but if Ukraine occupies a certain part of Kursk, when you look at all of Russia, it's still a small part. So, the Russians can be like, "OK, we can sustain this, and let's just continue full steam ahead in Ukraine." And, of course, Ukraine has committed a lot of force to Kursk, and it's beginning to be a pretty expensive and heavy distraction operation. Ukraine still does have some reserves. They should have, for example, some of the tank brigades in reserve, but it's really difficult to say if those can be bunched up into a group that could have enough force to actually effectively take on the Russians in some other areas. If Ukraine has decided that it will give up square kilometers in Donetsk in order to exchange them for land in Russia, then this can go on for some time. It's not like the Russians are making any great breakthroughs." For example, in the [southeastern Ukrainian] Zaporizhzhya area, the same problems are still there. For example, in the Melitopol and Berdyansk directions, there are a lot of Russian fortifications. [The Ukrainian military] didn't really succeed last year, and I doubt that it would succeed now, especially when Ukraine has spent a lot of its force in Kursk. So, it may be a distraction, but, at the moment, I think it's less likely that they will begin another large-scale operation somewhere else. I wouldn't say it's impossible, but I find it unlikely. RFE/RL: Here is a question that I probably should have asked earlier: How long can Ukraine sustain this? How long can it fight on two fronts, so to say? Kastehelmi: Well, it depends on what Ukraine has decided at the moment. So, if Ukraine has decided that it will give up square kilometers in Donetsk in order to exchange them for land in Russia, then this can go on for some time. It's not like the Russians are making any great breakthroughs. They are accelerating their pace of advancement, but it's not at [an even] level. So, that's an interesting choice, but it's possible. Ukraine is still a large country. And also Ukraine most likely hasn't had so many casualties that there would have been many battalions that would have lost their combat capabilities. The attrition levels are still most likely manageable. So, Ukraine can still continue [its] offensive in Kursk for at least some time, but it's really difficult to assess, because there's a limited amount of information. The Tavberidze Interviews Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Vazha Tavberidze of RFE/RL's Georgian Service has been interviewing diplomats, military experts, and academics who hold a wide spectrum of opinions about the war's course, causes, and effects. To read all of his interviews, click here. RFE/RL: From the battlefield proper, let's move into more of the diplomatic dimension. Another widely discussed aspect of this has been if Ukraine can use this offensive and territory it gained in the upcoming negotiations as leverage. How potent a bargaining chip would that territory be? Kastehelmi: It depends also how long are they going to continue the operation, but as a general rule, I would maybe compare the Ukrainian control in Kursk [to] what Russia controls in Kharkiv. So that could be comparable, for example, to all of these areas which Russia controls in Kharkiv: The sizes of the areas are rather comparable. But it's clear that even if Ukrainians expand their control, even if they would double the size [of their territory], it's still really difficult to try to use that as a bargaining chip. For example, far larger Ukrainian cities have fallen during this war. It's extremely unlikely that by exchanging Kursk they would then get, for example, a corridor to the Azov Sea. RFE/RL: How humiliating would it be for Russia to leave this territory in Ukrainian hands even until negotiations? What's the cost? Kastehelmi: If they leave that in Ukrainian hands until the negotiations, we shouldn't overestimate the humiliation factor. It is, of course, humiliating, but most likely it doesn't really affect the power dynamics that much. The Kremlin will not fall because Ukraine has these areas, and I think that politically they may prioritize success in Ukraine over the political nuisance of Kursk. It still shows that Ukraine is capable of surprises, and Ukraine is maybe thinking outside the conventional frames of operations. It may not always be a logical thing or a good thing." Of course, some civilians will be angry; there'll be a sentiment of civilians in Russia who most likely will criticize: "How can a foreign power continue invading Mother Russia?" But then again, when has the Kremlin really cared about [the nagging] of ordinary civilians? It's a dictatorship, it doesn't have to [care]. RFE/RL: This also leads us to a discussion about the red lines. Where are the red lines for Russia? Because this was supposed to be one of the biggest red lines, and it appears it's not as red as previously thought. Kastehelmi: Yes, that's very much true. The discussion of the red lines has been really interesting, because they have been continuously tested, and, at the moment, there's no hard red lines to be seen that would trigger Russia to do something on a whole other level. Western tanks were the red line; Western fighter jets were the red line; invading Russia with a multi-brigade operation apparently wasn't a red line. So, it seems that Russia is making empty threats after empty threats. Sometimes the Western leaders have taken them seriously, so even if you're not going to do anything, even if you are just a dog who barks, sometimes it may be useful. RFE/RL: Sometimes barking is enough? Kastehelmi: Yes, sometimes it is enough. And, of course, Russia has been escalating some actions that we have seen. Different kind of hybrid operations: sabotage, strikes inside of Europe that we can argue that they may not have happened if the West wasn't so heavily supporting Ukraine. But, then again, even if some things are sabotaged in some areas, for example, in my home country Finland, those are still kind of small, and it's nothing compared to the doomsday scenarios that have been floating around. RFE/RL: Finally, if you're sitting in the West, in the camp of Ukraine, if your country supports Ukraine, what conclusions do you draw seeing this unfold, seeing Russia being invaded and it basically struggling to mount an effective comeback? Kastehelmi: It's interesting that this is something that Ukraine decided to do. This has also surprised Western allies at the high level. So, it still shows that Ukraine is capable of surprises, and Ukraine is maybe thinking outside the conventional frames of operations. It may not always be a logical thing or a good thing. It [still remains] to be seen if it ends badly for Ukraine, because there are risks. So, it's possible that thinking outside the box is not really a good thing always, but at least it shows that Ukraine is ready to take action, it's ready to do what it wants, and it can also outplay Russia, at least locally, which is an important thing to also show. I've been pretty critical and [doomful]; that's also partly because I'm Finnish and we cannot find joy in anything. But there's so many dimensions in this situation. RFE/RL: It's better to err on the side of realism? Kastehelmi: Yeah, it is. But the operation is still ongoing. There can be more surprises. I would say it's possible. There can be new directions, there can be new developments. And, of course, there's still the possibility that Russia will switch even more heavily to Kursk for political reasons if Ukraine is able to bait them by taking even more land from Russia, because we know that the Russians may not always be logical either. So, there're still a lot of possibilities in the developing situation. TO ACCESS THIS CONTENT YOU MUST OPEN A SESSION OR CREATE AN ACCOUNT MEMBER LOGIN CREATE YOUR USER ACCOUNT The photovoltaic project is a result of an in-house, greenfield project development effort launched after the commissioning of the first MET Kab. . . A Castlerea councillor is seeking a meeting with the Department of Integration to discuss what support plans will be in place to accommodate the arrival of IPAS families in the town. The Department of Integration confirmed to local public representatives yesterday that families in the International Protection Applicants (IPAS) system will be moving into apartments on St. Patrick's Street in Castlerea. Its understood that up to 27 people will be moving into the apartments, and the Department statement confirmed that the property will be available from Tuesday, September 3rd. Fine Gael councillor Gareth Scahill said that on Thursday afternoon, August 28th, local representatives were made aware of a premises on St. Patrick Street being prepared for International Applicants. Anyone who is familiar with the building knows that it has been renovated over 12 months, and in recent weeks there has been activity completing works. The St. Patrick Street premises is expected to house up to 27 residents and local representatives have been told this accommodation is for families, he said. Cllr Scahill said that he had contacted the Community Engagement Team within the Department of Integration requesting a meeting so that local representatives can be made aware of the integration plan, and be given the opportunity to outline what additional supports are needed for the area. The councillor said that he had also contacted the HSE requesting details of its integration plan for the area. Himachal Pradesh Weather Update: Heavy Rains Trigger Disruption and Landslide Concerns Shimla district administration recently held an emergency meeting to address road restoration and other critical issues. Himachal Pradesh, Shimla Weather Update Latest News Today: Heavy rainfall has continued to lash Himachal Pradesh, particularly affecting Shimla, where the downpour over the past 24 hours has caused significant disruption. Numerous trees have been uprooted due to the relentless rain, with one falling on the Information and Public Relations Office in Chhota Shimla, causing partial damage. The local weather center in Shimla recorded 41 mm of rainfall during this period. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rain warning for various parts of Himachal Pradesh for the next 24 hours. Advertisement IMD Himachal Pradesh chief, Dr. Kuldeep Srivastava, reportedly noted that heavy rains are expected in the Kullu, Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi districts. Although the monsoon in the state is currently 30% below average, August rainfall remains normal. In response to the ongoing weather conditions, the Shimla district administration held an emergency meeting on August 21 to address road restoration and other critical issues. Geological experts are increasingly concerned about the growing number of landslides and land subsidence in Shimla. Dr. SS Randhawa, Principal Scientist at the Centre for Climate Change, Department of Environment, Science, and Technology, Government of Himachal Pradesh, emphasized the importance of controlling surface water to prevent further soil saturation and mitigate risks in the sinking areas of the city. Dr. Randhawa also stressed the need for a comprehensive plan to guide Shimla's future development, particularly in light of the recent landslides and last years floods. Advertisement (For more news apart from Himachal Pradesh, Shimla Weather Update Latest News Today, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Kangana Ranaut vs Simranjit Singh Mann: Mandi MP replies to SAD (Amritsar) Chief Kangana Ranaut reacted strongly to Mann's statement Kangana Ranaut vs Simranjit Singh Mann Latest News Today: In a shocking development, the Bollywood actress and Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut on Thursday slammed SAD (Amritsar) Chief Simranjit Singh Mann for his remarks on the actress. Simranjit Singh Mann, the Amritsar chief of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has recently faced criticism for his controversial comments about actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut. Advertisement This controversy erupted after the SAD (Amritsar)'s Delhi unit called on the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to halt the release of Ranaut's upcoming film 'Emergency,' citing concerns that the movie could incite communal tensions and spread misinformation. Amid this, Mann's remarks drew significant backlash. In a video shared by ANI, a journalist asked Mann to respond to Kangana Ranaut's claims that during the farmer's protests, "bodies were seen hanging and rapes were taking place." Mann responded by saying, "I don't want to say this, but (Kangana) Ranaut has a lot of experience with rape, and you can ask her how it happens so that people can understand." Kangana Ranaut reacted strongly to Mann's statement, saying, "It seems this country will never stop trivialising rape, today this senior politician compared getting raped to riding a bicycle no wonder rapes and violence against women for fun, is so deep rooted in the psyche of this patriarchal nation that it is casually used to tease or mock women even if she is a high profile filmmaker or politician." Advertisement Ranaut has been a target of criticism for her comments on the farmer's protests, which have provoked sharp responses from various political parties. She recently met with BJP president JP Nadda at his residence. On Wednesday, Kangana admitted that she had been reprimanded by the BJP for her remarks on the farmer's protests and stated that she plans to be more careful with her words and align with the party's policies in the future. (For more news apart from Kangana Ranaut vs Simranjit Singh Mann Latest News Today, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Why Inhumane Acts Are Justified in the Name of Religion? The recent incident in Gurdaspur exposes a disturbing reality. Rather than seeking medical treatment, a sick individual in Gurdaspur was deceived by a man who falsely claimed to be a pastor. This impostor convinced the patient that he was possessed by a ghost. Accompanied by ten followers, the charlatan pastor subjected the patient to brutal beatings, ultimately leading to his death. While the fraudulent pastors have been taken into custody, the gravity of this issue is being overlooked by Sikh political leaders, the SGPC, and the government. Conversion practices within Christianity are not new, but the alarming rate at which conversions are occurring in Punjab raises serious concerns. Advertisement A documentary recently presented in Delhi highlighted the "magical rise of Christianity in Punjab," revealing a significant decrease in the Sikh population from 67% to 50%. According to the documentary, Sikhism is being converted into Christianity under the guise of offering financial assistance or medical treatment to the poor. A major flaw in this trend is the failure of Sikh religious leaders and preachers to effectively communicate Sikhisms principles of equality and support to the public. Those who truly understand Sikhism recognize that it does not rely on priests or sages for validation. Another issue is that the poor are not receiving the aid they need. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee can allocate 80 lakh rupees for advertisements to seek forgiveness for Sauda Sadh, but there are no reports of even a single penny being spent to assist the poor. If funds were being directed to help the poor from religious institutions and if Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee schools provided free, quality education, the poor would not be tempted to turn to other religions. In Punjab, some schools have even banned Punjabi language and literature to distance children from Sikhism. If children are not taught Punjabi, how will they connect with the Shabad Guru? Advertisement Furthermore, politicians often prioritize votes over genuine concerns. If Akali Dal leaders can bend before Sauda Sadh for votes, it is unrealistic to expect better from other secularists. This political cycle has allowed various fraudulent religious places in Punjab to promote black magic unchecked. Politicians, driven by their own interests, have turned a blind eye to these false priests, becoming powerless due to their desire for political gain. The recent incident in Gurdaspur exposes a disturbing reality: black magic is being used under the guise of religion to exploit the poor. This is a matter of grave concern. An investigation into the declining Sikh population and measures to curb fraud in the name of religion are urgently needed. (The views are those of the author) Somalia is one of the four African countries currently facing the worst and most challenging food crisis in decades. Michelle Heuertz, Kha Minh, Eliane Tavares Sanches, Qi Guo and Clara Pires from the 3e section of the Lycee Michel Rodange of Luxembourg have interviewed Ibrahim Sheik, the Emergency Public Health Manager at CARE Somalia to better understand the impact of the climate crisis on the Somalian Humanitarian crisis. Somalia is one of the four African countries currently facing the worst and most challenging food crisis in decades. The situation is rapidly deteriorating, with food insecurity and social distress increasing quickly. To better inform you about this topic, we will address the causes and effects of the famine and provide an overview of the aid and humanitarian assistance available in the country. We will also present the expert opinion of Ibrahim Sheikh, whom we reached out to for an interview. Famine is one of the many severe crises that Somalia, a country in East Africa, has faced over the years. Natural and man-made disasters have ravaged the country for forty years, pushing its population into an ever-worsening crisis. According to CARE, over 4 million people in Somalia are currently victims of a serious hunger crisis, and 1.7 million children are suffering from severe malnutrition due to a lack of resources. The situation will remain critical if their despair stays hidden from the public eye. Climate change is one of the major causes of the famine, and its effects are devastating for the Somali population. The latest drought, caused by numerous consecutive seasons of poor rainfall, has led to severe water scarcity, which in turn has led to the loss of livestock and crop failure. Consequently, the population is pushed to the verge of famine every time a drought strikes. Drought often causes severe water shortages for both human and livestock populations and farming. Drought most often triggers conflict over resources, especially water and pastures, between communities (e.g., farmers vs. pastoralists [nomadic communities] or at times between the nomadic communities themselves, especially when water and pasture sources are limited during peak drought seasons), says Ibrahim Sheikh, Emergency WASH Program Manager at CARE, Somalia. Emergency water trucking for the affected households in Somalia during the drought in 2022 / Walter Mawere/CARE Communities are sometimes forced to resort to contaminated water sources for their household water needs due to the drying up of water sources. As a result of the water shortages, large populations are commonly forced to depend on emergency water trucking interventions supported by humanitarian agencies for all their water needs. This is no longer relevant. The war between Ukraine and Russia is no exception and poses a big problem for the countries in East Africa, as they are major suppliers of wheat and corn, resulting in shortages of wheat and grain supplies and increased prices. Many families in Africa now fear they will no longer be able to feed their families due to constant price increases. In addition, the donor world's attention is also turned to Ukraine. Although natural disasters and human crises persist in Somalia, the resilience of its people is remarkable. Despite facing all kinds of threats to their well-being, as stated above, Somalis are able to maintain a semblance of normality. As basic necessities and shelter are hard to find and access to healthcare and education is limited, communities often come together to support one another amidst all these challenges. Especially in rural areas, where poverty is a big problem, communities rely "on traditional social network support systems as a first response coping mechanism, supporting the needs of vulnerable households during various humanitarian crises." Sheikh states, "Commonly, Somali people, especially women and girls, are forced to travel long distances and spend long hours in search of water for their families. Sometimes, due to water shortages, households are forced to reduce their daily water consumption, for example, by consuming 2-3 liters of water per person per day. Thats below the SPHERE minimum emergency standard of 7.5 liters of water per person per day. At the household level, they have to skip hand washing, bathing, cooking, etc., only to use the remaining water for drinking." The severe water shortage affects the health of the Somalis, especially the vulnerable part of the population, as it most commonly leads to the outbreak of diseases like cholera, acute watery diarrhea, scabies, helminths, and eye infections. Typically, children under the age of five suffer from secondary conditions, such as severe and acute malnutrition, that may lead to poor milestone development and impaired cognitive outcomes. The consequences of these famine cycles include rising food prices, increased school dropouts, resource-based conflicts, and the youth wanting to migrate to other countries, leaving their elders behind. If the situation does not change, the country will continue to suffer adverse effects. Alongside other aid agencies, CARE is one of the many organizations providing humanitarian intervention in Somalia during emergencies. These include multi-purpose cash assistance for families facing food insecurity and those who are displaced in search of food and water, as well as health and nutrition support for malnourished children, water and sanitation, protection services, and emergency education support. USAID partners also support the population with emergency food, medical aid, protection, and much more. Between October 2023 and March 2024, CARE International Somalia, through the Somalia Multi-Sectoral Humanitarian Response Program, was able to support the immediate needs of drought and flood-affected community members, targeting a total of 898,214 individuals, comprising 491,084 females and 407,130 males through the sectors of food assistance, multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA), health and nutrition services, protection, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions. CARE Somalia has a wide geographic presence in Somalia. Through a multi-pronged response mechanism such as strategically placed local implementing partners who respond to the needs of hard-to-reach communities, collaboration with federal and member state departments, humanitarian agencies, community-based structures, and the involvement of affected community membersmen, women, girls, and boyswho are consulted to inform the emergency response strategies with the aim of providing a rapid and timely intervention during humanitarian emergencies at their very onset. In 2023, a humanitarian call from the United Nations (U.N.) chief, Antonio Guterres, was initiated to gather $2.6 billion for Somalia, but only 15% was provided. So, even with the help that other countries have brought to Somalia, it is not enough. According to CAREs Ibrahim Sheikh, "The external help received from other countries isn't enough. This is more of a complementary support to the government and communities response efforts aimed at reducing the potential impacts of the humanitarian crisis. The population in need of humanitarian support is large and widely spread across many regions of Somalia. With all the problems and challenges that Somalia is facing right now, it is almost impossible for them to get out of this severe crisis, even with the help of international assistance. The help that other countries bring to Somalia is simply not enough. The Somalis' battle against the many crises will take a long time. Unfortunately, this is one of the many countries in Africa whose crises are not highlighted enough and are often forgotten. This project has allowed us students to learn about these issues that are rarely covered in the media. We are thankful to CARE, RTL, and our German teacher for giving us the opportunity to explore this topic. As the generation of tomorrow, we think it is important to give a voice to the people in need and to let them know that we care. Australia will on Thursday release Q2 figures for private new capital expenditure, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. Capex is seen higher by 0.9 percent on quarter, easing from 1.0 percent in the three months prior. Japan will see August results for its household confidence index, with forecasts suggesting a score of 36.9 - up from 36.7 in July. New Zealand will see August results for the confidence index from ANZ and the activity index from NBNZ. In July, the confidence index had a score of 27.1 and the activity index was up 16.3 percent. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. The World Health Organization has unveiled a six-month plan to battle the ongoing mpox crisis through coordinated global, regional, and national efforts. The Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, which would run from September to February, includes deploying additional staff in affected areas, increasing surveillance, and enhancing readiness and precautionary measures. "The mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries can be controlled, and can be stopped," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. "Doing so requires a comprehensive and coordinated plan of action between international agencies and national and local partners, civil society, researchers and manufacturers, and our Member States." The WHO estimates a fund of $135 million for the plan, which also aims to improve access to diagnostic tests and vaccines. "Within the Africa Region, where need is greatest, the WHO Regional Office for Africa in collaboration with Africa CDC, will jointly spearhead the coordination of mpox response efforts. WHO AFRO and Africa CDC have agreed on a one-plan, one-budget approach as part of the Africa Continental Mpox Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, currently under preparation," the agency stated on its website. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The United States has imposed sanctions on an Israeli non-governmental organization and an individual that provides material support to extremist settler violence in the West Bank. The Department of State said it targeted Israeli NGO Hashomer Yosh for providing support to U.S.-designated outpost Meitarim Farm, and U.S.-designated individuals Yinon Levi, Neriya Ben Pazi and Zvi Bar Yosef. After all 250 Palestinian residents of Khirbet Zanuta were forced to leave in late January, Hashomer Yosh volunteers fenced off the village to prevent the residents from returning. The volunteers also provided support by grazing the herds and purporting to "guard" the outposts of U.S.-designated individuals. The Department is also sanctioning Yitzhak Levi Filant, the civilian security coordinator of the Yitzhar settlement in the West Bank. Although Filant's role is of a security or law enforcement officer, he has engaged in malign activities outside the scope of his authority. In February, he led a group of armed settlers to set up roadblocks and conduct patrols to attack Palestinians and expel them from their lands. The State Department said extremist settler violence in the West Bank causes intense human suffering, harms Israel's security, and undermines the prospect for peace and stability in the region. It urged the Government of Israel to hold accountable those who are responsible for violence against civilians in the West Bank. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Due to the heightened risk of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus transmission, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, in collaboration with the Department of Health, has recommended that individuals living in high-risk towns such as Burlington, Alburgh, Colchester, and Swanton limit their outdoor activities between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. This precautionary measure aims to minimize exposure to mosquitoes that may carry the potentially dangerous EEE virus. EEE is a serious illness transmitted by infected mosquitoes, often leading to encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain and can be fatal in severe cases. Symptoms of EEE can include flu-like manifestations such as fever, chills, body aches, and joint pain. Although most individuals infected with the virus show no symptoms, those in high-risk areas must take precautions to prevent potential exposure. The advisory will remain in effect until the mosquito population decreases due to declining temperatures, according to expert assessments. Towns categorized as moderate risk include Milton, Vergennes, Sudbury, and Whiting, while Cornwall, Grand Isle, Highgate, and Fairfield are considered low risk. Only one individual from Chittenden County has been reported as infected with EEE this summer. Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD said that people in Vermont "need to take the threat of EEE very seriously. If you live in a town at high risk, please avoid spending time outside in the evenings when mosquitoes are most active to protect yourself from this potentially severe illness." Officials stated that this summer, 47 groups of mosquitoes tested positive for the EEE virus across 11 towns, marking a significant increase from the 14 positive groups identified in 3 towns in 2023. As a result, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets is stepping up its mosquito collection efforts and considering the application of pesticides in areas where infected mosquitoes have been found to limit the spread of the virus. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Apple (AAPL) has released third betas of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 for developers with an early look at Apple Intelligence functionality. The beta update introduces several new features, including Clean Up in Apple Photos, Notification Summaries, and an updated Siri Interface. The Clean Up feature, similar to Google's Magic Eraser, allows users to select and erase objects from the photos without altering the rest of the image with the help of artificial intelligence. Notification Summaries helps users to filter out unnecessary messages, displaying only the most important ones. The latest Siri interface comes with a subtle glow on the display, and includes a Type to Siri feature, enabling users to communicate with Siri through writing instead of speaking. Other enhancements include Smart Replies in Messages and Mail, transcription for calls and voice recordings in Notes, natural language search in Photos, and Memory Movie feature in Photos. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Technology News Jonas Ntsiko: Hadi Waseluhlangeni Collected Writings (1873-1916) By Siviwe Mxuma Earlier this month, the Rhodes University School of Languages and Literature hosted the book launch of Jonas Ntsiko: Hadi Waseluhlangeni Collected Writings (1873-1916). This event marked the release of Volume 9 of the Opland Collection of Xhosa Literature, a series of books collaboratively edited and translated by Professors Jeff Opland and Pamela Maseko. Professor Pamela Maseko, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Nelson Mandela University, Visiting Professor and former academic at Rhodes University. Maseko was also the keynote speaker at the book launch. The book includes an essay by prolific author Dr Marguerite Poland, one of Rhodes Universitys honorary degree recipients for 2021, which offers an account for the first time of Ntsikos life and times. Respondents at the event included Rhodes University alumna, current Council member Dr Nomathamsanqa Tisani, and political theorist and lecturer at the University of Fort Hare Dr Siseko Kumalo. Jonas Ntsiko, who worked under a pseudonym "Hadi Waseluhlangeni" (The National Harp) was a prominent isiXhosa writer, educator, and intellectual whose work spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in 1873 in the Eastern Cape, Ntsiko was a product of missionary education, profoundly influencing his worldview and writing. His writings covered various topics, including the history and culture of amaXhosa and the challenges faced by African communities under colonial rule. Ntsiko was deeply committed to preserving and promoting isiXhosa and its culture, particularly in the face of increasing European domination. His work highlighted the richness of African intellectual traditions and sought to challenge the negative stereotypes perpetuated by colonial narratives. Ntsikos writings stand as a testament to the resilience and creativity of African intellectuals during a time of great upheaval and transformation in South Africa. The book launch was a momentous occasion, bringing together scholars, students, and members of the public to celebrate the life and work of Ntsiko. In her address, Professor Maseko emphasised that the significance of the event went beyond discussing the content of Ntsikos book. The importance of this event is not only to talk about the content of the book and its significance, she stated, but Id like to draw your attention to how you can conduct research in this way. That is why we do these things. It is not for us to publish these books and leave them where they have been for more than 100 years. It is so that they can return to these spaces for us to intellectualise, to learn about the intellectual traditions of these great people. Professor Maseko also highlighted the role of missionaries in shaping the early written literature of African communities. While missionaries played a key role in introducing literacy and education, their efforts were often driven by a structured agenda to evangelise and promote European values. Many African writers, like Ntsiko, sought to resist this agenda and used literature to preserve and promote their own cultural identities, resulting in their work being suppressed or even banned. Professor Masekos call to acknowledge and reclaim the contributions of these early African writers resonated strongly with the audience. "It's high time that even if we cannot find their names now, we must acknowledge their significant role in writing about black history, she urged. Dr Tisani and Dr Kumalo offered additional perspectives on the significance of Ntsikos work and the broader project of preserving African intellectual traditions. Dr Tisani discussed her attempts to locate Ntsikos descendants, emphasising the importance of connecting the intellectual contributions of past generations with their living descendants. Although her efforts to find Ntsikos family have been unsuccessful so far, she remains committed to this task. On the other hand, Dr Kumalo focused on the challenges of translation, noting that the complexities of African languages often result in significant losses when texts are translated into English. He stressed the need for careful and culturally sensitive translation practices to preserve the original texts' full meaning and richness. The launch of Jonas Ntsiko: Hadi Waseluhlangeni Collected Writings (1873-1916) was not only a celebration of Ntsikos life and work but also a call to action for scholars, students, and the broader community to engage with and preserve Africas intellectual traditions. As Professor Maseko and the other speakers emphasised, this work is essential for understanding the past and shaping the future of African scholarship. Indian 150cc to 200cc Motorcycle Segment Experiences 3.86% Decline in July 2024 Pulsar and Apache in top 2 After taking a look at the sales of motorcycles in 350cc-450cc segment, let us now see how the 150cc-200cc segment performed. The Indian motorcycle market in the 150cc to 200cc segment saw a slight decline in July 2024, with total sales reaching 1,35,944 units, a 3.86% decrease compared to the 1,41,407 units sold in July 2023. This drop of 5,463 units reflects a varied performance across different models, with some showing strong growth while others experienced significant declines. Bajaj Pulsar and TVS Apache Lead the Segment Bajaj Pulsar remained the top-selling motorcycle in the 150cc to 200cc segment, with 31,732 units sold in July 2024. However, this represented an 8.52% year-on-year (YoY) decline, with sales dropping by 2,956 units from 34,688 in July 2023. Despite the decline, Pulsar held a 23.34% share of the segment, maintaining its leadership position. TVS Apache showed impressive growth, becoming the second-best seller with 30,681 units sold in July 2024, up by 36.76% YoY. Apache gained 8,246 units compared to 22,435 units in July 2023, capturing a 22.57% market share, highlighting its increasing popularity. Honda Unicorn, a longstanding favourite, experienced a substantial decline in sales, with 26,690 units sold in July 2024, down by 33.47% from 40,119 units in July 2023. This sharp drop of 13,429 units reduced Unicorns market share to 19.63%, indicating challenges in maintaining its market position. Yamaha MT 15 recorded the highest growth in the segment, with sales increasing by 69.96% YoY. MT 15 sold 9,866 units in July 2024, up by 4,061 units from 5,805 in July 2023, securing a 7.26% share of the market. In contrast, Yamaha FZ saw a significant decline, with sales dropping by 34.15% YoY to 10,964 units in July 2024, down by 5,687 units from 16,651 in July 2023. Despite the decline, FZ still held an 8.07% share of the segment. Honda SP 160 had 5,414 units sold in July 2024, capturing a 3.98% share of the market. Similarly, the Hero Xtreme 160R / 200 saw remarkable growth, with sales increasing by 116.08% YoY. Xtreme sold 2,070 units, up by 1,112 units from 958 in July 2023, achieving a 1.52% market share. Challenges for Other Models Several models faced challenges in July 2024. Hero XPulse 200 experienced a 30.50% decline in sales, dropping to 2,523 units from 3,630 units in July 2023. Suzuki Gixxer also saw a sharp decline of 35.99% YoY, with sales falling to 1,494 units from 2,334 in the previous year. Bajaj Avenger and Honda CB200X had mixed performances, with Avengers sales declining by 12.21% YoY to 1,093 units, while Honda CB200X, a new model, contributed 544 units to the segment. In the niche and premium categories, models like the KTM 200 and Kawasaki W175 showed varied results. KTM 200 saw a modest growth of 0.67% YoY, with 2,856 units sold, while Kawasaki W175 made a minor impact with 27 units sold in July 2024. Newmont Corp. reported that Lori Douglas, the companys head of productivity for North America, has been honored as one of Paradigm for Paritys Women on the Rise for 2024 in acknowledgement of Womens Equality Day. The recognition highlights her exceptional leadership, commitment to advancing women in the workplace and continued efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, according to the Aug. 27 announcement. Lori is a leader who has consistently worked to advance and inspire colleagues around the business, said Jennifer Cmil, Newmonts chief people officer. Through her thoughtful leadership initiatives at the Cripple Creek & Victor Mine, she has championed IDE (inclusion, diversity and equity) practices while also helping to drive important cultural shifts to improve employee experience in the workplace. The Cripple Creek & Victor gold mine is in Colorado, and Douglas is an executive sponsor of the Cripple Creek & Victor Mines Women and Allies Business Resource Group. In that role, she has spearheaded efforts to break down barriers for women, ensuring that opportunities in mining are accessible and equitable for all, according to Newmont. The sponsor position at the mine near Colorado Springs is in addition to her job as the head of productivity for Newmonts North American operations. Newmont is a partner with Barrick Gold Corp. in Nevada Gold Mines, with Barrick as operator. Newmont also has operations worldwide. Cmil said the recognition of Douglas is a powerful testament to her commitment to cultivating an innovative and equitable workplace, particularly in a historically male-dominated industry. The Women on the Rise award honors women who are not only rising stars in their companies but are striving to be catalysts for change, Newmont stated. The issue of gender parity feels more urgent than ever before, and these honorees have gone above and beyond to catalyze change and continue moving our mission forward, said Nadine Bullock-Pottinga, chief executive officer of Paradigm for Parity, which is a nonprofit organization founded by a group of women executives in 2015. Newmont, the worlds largest gold producer, is a founding member of the coalition. This story is part of our Nonprofit Journal Project , an initiative focused on nonprofit leaders and programs across Metro Detroit. This series is made possible with the generous support of our partners, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation , Michigan Nonprofit Association and Co.act Detroit . Leaving the place youve always called home, whether by choice or necessity, and going somewhere else with a different language and culture can be an extremely disorienting experience.The Chaldean Community Foundation in Sterling Heights provides a welcoming place to connect for anyone who is newly arrived here, whether they are Chaldean or not. In fact, says Stacy Bahri, strategic initiatives manager for the foundation, 20 percent of the people served are not Chaldean. In fact, they served people from 59 countries last year.The foundation began in 2006 as an offshoot of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce , serving as a nonprofit human services agency for newly arrived individuals. It serves clients from throughout the Metro area with numerous programs, including bilingual mental health services, housing assistance and health care. However, the focus has always been on newly arrived individuals.What led to the establishment of the organization was the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, says Bahri. In 2007 is when we saw the largest influx of Chaldean refugees make their way here to southeast Michigan, and one of the reasons we opened our office was to meet the needs of that community.Chaldean Community Foundation provides services to people with developmental or intellectual disabilities, as well as mental health treatment, regardless of insurance status. As a larger proportion of its clientele are refugees, who had to flee their homeland for fear of religious persecution, versus immigrants, who come here looking for more opportunity, the need for mental health services and trauma-informed care has grown. Every therapist on staff speaks English along with at least one other language, so that clients can communicate effectively and begin to heal.A centerpiece of the foundation is the New American Acculturation Sustainability and Training Program . It provides citizenship classes, immigration assistance, and even job training and resume building services, so that people can settle into their new homes quickly and begin the process of becoming Americans.People who go through the citizenship preparation program boast a 98 percent success rate with their citizenship interview. In 2023, the team filed 1,782 immigration applications.As part of helping people adjust to their new home and understand the way things work here, the foundation hosts a number of events with local partners that connect them to resources and learn about their new community.An annual back-to-school event with Warren Consolidated Schools allows families to meet district staff and learn about the way the schools operate. The foundation also hosts Citizenship Day, happening on Sept. 17, where the Sterling Heights City Clerks office demonstrates the voting process for new citizens and registers them to vote.One important partnership is with the local police departments. Bahri explains that in the old country, law enforcement and government institutions were more feared than trusted. The police come in and provide different emergency training to the community; helping the community understand the role they play here in the community is important, she says.Essentially, the work is about empowering new arrivals with the knowledge and skills to find success and feel at ease in their adopted homeland. Its teaching them how to navigate systems and learn how to be their own advocate because the clients who we are working with dont really know how to advocate for themselves, they dont really know the right questions to ask, Bahri says.Thats why its important for organizations like ours to exist. Our team is really helping to be an advocate for these individuals, to help them to understand systems and understand processes to really help to put them on a path to be stable. Michigan Sen. Erika Geiss Erika Geiss Erika Geiss. Ta'Sheena Williams Ta'Sheena Williams. Monique Stanton Monique Stanton. Nick Hagen Danielle Atkinson. Courtesy Sweet Temptations Customers wait to place their orders inside Sweet Temptations ice cream shop. Courtesy Sweet Temptations Sweet Temptations now sits across from the Grand Haven musical fountain. Sweet Temptations customers equate a trip to the ice cream shop to a mini-vacation as they stroll the boardwalk, cone in hand.Temptations has been a Grand Haven icon for over 40 years, and it's our relationship with the boardwalk that is so special, owner Kelly Larson says.Both Temptations and the Grand Haven Boardwalk got their start in the summer of 1984.To celebrate the occasion, Temptations has rolled out a special, one-of-a-kind flavor The Boardwalk. It features their award-winning vanilla ice cream with swirls of creamy peanut butter, local Fortinos peanuts, and mini chocolate covered pretzels. Forty percent of all Boardwalk cone sales will benefit The Boardwalk fund.For the past decade, money has been raised to preserve and restore the boardwalk. Donations may be made to the Grand Haven Area Community Foundations Grand Haven Boardwalk Fund.Restoration efforts are planned for the fall with fundraising focused on replenishing the endowment after repairs are paid for.Grand Haven has done a fantastic job of keeping our waterfront available to all and the boardwalk is a perfect way to connect our downtown to our fabulous beach. We truly are one of a kind beachfront town, Larson says. Because of that relationship and our commitment to giving back to our community, it only felt right that we look for a way to celebrate both of the anniversaries.In 1984, the Boardwalk helped define Grand Haven as a Lake Michigan waterfront community. The area now sees more than 1 million annual guests.After the collapse of Chinook Pier in 2020, Temptations moved to the Depot.(Temptations) commitment to quality and community is one of the many reasons Grand Haven is such a unique and cherished place, says Chandi Pape, executive director of the Grand Haven Main Street Downtown Development Authority. Celebrating their 40anniversary is a wonderful milestone and we look forward to celebrating 40 more years. Heather Ignash, Economic Development Specialist with Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) Attendees gather at an opening event at the new DoubleTree by Hilton in Battle Creek. Attendees gather at an opening event at the new DoubleTree by Hilton in Battle Creek. Courtesy RISE Kaypree Taylor, a R.I.S.E. staff member, works with a youth on their reading skills and assists other youth participants during classroom time. Courtesy RISE Kaypree Taylor, a R.I.S.E. staff member, works with a youth on their reading skills and assists other youth participants during classroom time. Courtesy RISE Damon Brown, R.I.S.E. founder, enjoying a lunch break with youth participants. Courtesy RISE Damon Brown, founder of R.I.S.E., spends some one-on-one time with a youth participant. Natalie O'Hagan, Senior Director of Strategy and Culture for UWSCMI Courtesy Jen Hsu-Bishop, Chief Equity Officer for United Way of South Central Michigan Andrea Macklin, UWSCMIs Associate Director of Community Impact for Kalamazoo and Battle Creek electrified trails Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Polaris Media participated in a ride on the electrified trail in June. Hamilton's North Coast Adventures Hamilton's North Coast Adventures leases a fleet of six e-ORVs. Greg Tasker The excursion included time along the multi-use Pioneer Trail in Ottawa National Forest. Greg Tasker Victoria Falls Greg Tasker Trail information at the charging station in Bergland. The electric ORVs are quieter and are not using fossil fuels for power, reducing carbon emissions. There is no oil or oil filters to change. Hamilton's North Coast Adventures Steve Hamilton has been leasing the electric ORVs for several months, accruing well over 10,000 miles of electric off-road experiences among users. Those users include a Are electrified trails and electric recreational vehicles the future? "I hope it's a component of the future" he says. "In my humble opinion, given society's dependence on petroleum-based transportation and recreation, I see that as pretty long-term thing. I don't see them going away. I do see electric recreation as a component of that, but I don't see it being the whole future." Am I riding a trail to the future?Seated behind the wheel of a Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic Im zipping along a dusty two-track through the thick woods of Ottawa National Forest, far, it seems, from civilization even though Marquette is about two hours away.This two-track is part of a network ofin the western Upper Peninsula. Four charging stations have been planted in four convenient locations, easing any concerns outdoor enthusiasts may have about charging their electric off-road vehicles while exploring about 125 miles of state-designated ORV trails in Ontonagon County. The trail network passes through Ottawa National Forest,commercial forest crop lands, and seasonal county roadsPolaris, Inc., a global leader in powersports, is behind this ground-breaking project in this remote region of the U.P. Its believed to be the first of its kind electric off-road vehicle charging network in the country.Our charging network launched with a grand opening in June, and the program is gaining momentum with positive feedback, says Jess Rogers, a spokesperson for Polaris, which welcomed media to experience the trails in June. My visit came a bit later, in July. Interest has been strong, especially after the opening, and we expect it to continue into the fall, as the trail offers stunning views of the Gogebic Range, perfect for enjoying the fall colors.Minnesota-based Polaris may be the first to the Michigan woods with an electrified trail, but there is already interest elsewhere in the U.P. Regional planning officials in the central U.P. are exploring the possibility of developing electrified trails.These public and private efforts come not only as interest in off-road vehicles is exploding (Michigan was home to 299,195 licensed ORVs in 2022, up 20 percent from 2019) but also as the state pushes toward electrification and tech-enabled vehicles in outdoor recreation. Michigan aims to be a leader in that sector. Outdoor recreation is also big business in the Great Lakes State, adding billions of dollars to Michigan's economy and providing more than 100,000 direct jobs and sparking entrepreneurship and other opportunities.My host for the Polaris-sponsored outing is Steve Hamilton, the affable owner of Hamiltons North Coast Adventures, which is part of his 1,000-acre ranch and campground outside Ontonagon. Hamiltons is home to one of the four electric charging stations and is also a Polaris outfitter. In fact, Hamilton's is the first to offer electric ORV rentals in the country. He has a fleet of six 2024 Polaris Ranger XP Kinetics, available for half-day and full-day self-guided excursions.I expected Steve Hamilton to be my guide, but he has other business at hand and can't get away. Im not new to the woods but Im a little anxious about this endeavor. Im more of a hiker and explore trails with a paper map and compass in hand. Hamilton assures me Ill be fine; the Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic boasts a top-quality GPS and navigation system. At his suggestion, I use my cellphone to videotape him giving directions.These electric ORVs sport 29-inch tires and are fully enclosed cabins with heat, air conditioning, Bluetooth stereos, wipers and windshield sprayers, providing the premium experience Polaris is known for, Hamilton points out. The machines feature a 110-horsepower, all-electric motor with nearly 30 kilowatts of battery storage.Before I hop into the Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic, Hamilton gives me the low-down on safety riders must wear helmets, use seatbelts, keep headlights on and always drive to the right (all trails are two ways and riders can be hard to see around a curve or hill). He demonstrates gear shifting, braking, and points out the Polaris RIDECOMMAND, the company's stellar GPS navigation and wayfinding system.He makes sure everything is working and demonstrates how to charge.I give the ORV a quick spin around the dirt parking area and then Im off.Although I am new to off-road vehicles, I feel in control behind the wheel, accelerating during long, open stretches and slowing for hill climbs and bumpy, rocky patches. Theres noise, for sure, but the electric ORV is quieter than its gas-powered counterpart. There's a constant hum for sure but it doesnt seem much louder than a fat-tire bicycle cruising along a paved trail. Polaris officials have pointed out the electric ORV is a quieter operation for early and late job needs and for working around livestock.Maneuvering the Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic is easy, and the ride is pretty smooth. Climbing gravel-choked or muddy roads is a breeze. I could pop on a fan to ease the late July heat but Im comfortable with the windows cracked open. Its been dry in the U.P. and the ORV kicks up dust, which seeps into the cabin.My destination is Victoria Falls on the west branch of the Ontonagon River, about 15 miles from Hamiltons. Im watching the navigation system as I cruise along but I really have no clue where I am. This branch of the Ontonagon River, I am told, was once the home of the famous Ontonagon Boulder (a copper boulder weighing almost two tons -- it's now in the Smithsonian). As you might expect, the falls are beautiful and a few people are moseying about, snapping photos, and some fishing.Back on the trail, the navigation system comes in handy. Ive tried to remember landmarks at various turns but the mostly wooded landscape blends together. The navigation helps steer me in the right direction after I blow by one of my essential turns. I had planned to continue southward to Bergland for lunch, but after driving the wrong way for a considerable stretch, Im concerned about how long the charge will last.Arriving back at Hamiltons, Steve Hamilton assures me I would have made it to Bergland, where I could have plugged in the ORV at the charging station.So far, the electrified trails are attracting a diverse mix of tourists, locals, off-road enthusiasts, and new riders, says Rogers, the Polaris spokesperson. Visitors, including out-of-state and other parts of Michigan, often plan this electric off-road adventure as a key part of their trip. The experience is customizable, allowing exploration beyond the roads, making it appealing to a wide audience, she says.Polaris was one of three companies awarded grants from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to support the modernization of the states mobility offerings and its outdoor recreation industry as it transitions to more electric and technology-enabled vehicles. Specifically, Polaris received a $700,000 MEDC grant to establish EV chargers on off-road trails in the western Upper Peninsula.Like Michigan, were passionate about the outdoors and finding innovative ways to enhance outdoor experiences, Rogers says. The grant was aimed at helping modernize the states mobility offerings and its outdoor recreation industry to more electric and technology-enabled vehicles. With that, there was an opportunity to address charging, one of the bigger challenges when it comes to bringing electrification to recreational use with our off-road vehicles.There are environmental benefits as well.At this time, Polaris has no plans to extend the trail network by adding more chargers. Our focus is on this experience in Michigan and learning all we can from this charging network as we think about the future of powersports electrification, Rogers says.Hamilton'sll types, including newcomers to the activity, hardcore ORV users, those opposed to the sport, the green-minded and the mobility impaired.Its a great equalizer in the woods, Hamilton says. Not everyone can hike several hundred feet or up hills. Its a great recreational opportunity for all types of people.Greg Tasker is the managing editor of UPword Michigan and Rural Innovation Exchange. He previously was an editor in the business and features departments at The Detroit News. Greg has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists and his work has been published in various media including BBC Travel, Michigan Blue, AAA Living, Budget Travel, Crain's Detroit, Parade, and Model D. KIEV, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that the Ukrainian troops have taken further areas in Russia's Kursk region. "The Commander-in-Chief (Oleksandr Syrskyi) also reported on our operation in the Kursk region. We continue to expand the territory under our control in the designated areas near the border of Ukraine," Zelensky said in his daily video address on Wednesday evening. Ukrainian armed forces invaded Russia's Kursk region on Aug. 6. "We must also understand now that all the pressure we have transferred to Russia means that they cannot put any more pressure on our Donetsk region," Zelensky said in his address. However, Zelensky also noted that the situation in Pokrovsk and other directions in the Donetsk region "is extremely difficult." "The key Russian efforts and their largest forces are concentrated there, and the resilience of each of our units, our ability to destroy the occupier, are now very important," he said. Editor: Zhang Zhou Stock markets on the Continent ended the session a tad higher as investors waited on the results of US tech bellwether Nvidia . Nvidia's results were potentially so important because the euphoria around artificial intelligence had boosted valuations for the largest US stocks to levels last seen around the 2000 bubble, if not above them. "A miss now would likely spark the next big risk-off move, reversing much of the recent recovery," said IG chief market analyst Chris Beauchamp. "Meanwhile a better set of numbers could give stocks the lift they have been looking for this past week." The pan-regional Stoxx 600 index was up 0.33% at 520.60. Germany's Dax was also higher, adding 0.54% to 18,782.29, whilst the Cac-40 edged up 0.16% to 7,577.67. A day before, strategists at Berenberg had noted how the 10 largest S&P 500 companies by market value were changing hands at a forward price-to-sales ratio of over 10, up from around four times at their 2022 lows. In equity news, shares in SBB rose 1% after the Swedish real estate group narrowed pre-tax losses in the second quarter even as it continued to wrestle with a debt mountain and looks to restructure its business. Medical tech firm Elekta gained as first-quarter profits and sales beat expectations. GSK announced on Thursday that the European Commission had granted approval for Arexvy, a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, to be used in adults aged 50 to 59 who were at heightened risk of severe RSV-related illness. The FTSE 100 pharmaceuticals giant said the expanded indication was the first time a vaccine had been authorised in Europe to protect the age group from lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by RSV. It said the approval was particularly significant given that around 20 million adults in the 50 to 59 age bracket across 30 European countries had underlying health conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, heart failure, or diabetes, increasing their vulnerability to severe outcomes from RSV. The decision by the European Commission followed earlier approvals for the vaccine's use in adults aged 60 and over in Europe and a similar authorisation in the United States. GSK said it had also submitted regulatory filings in Japan and other regions to extend the vaccine's use. The European Commission's approval was supported by positive phase three trial results, demonstrating the vaccine's safety and efficacy in adults aged 50 to 59, including those with underlying medical conditions. Further trials were underway to evaluate the vaccine's effectiveness in younger adults and immunocompromised individuals, with results expected later in the year. Today's approval reflects the importance of broadening the benefits of RSV immunisation to adults aged 50 to 59 who are at increased risk, said GSK chief scientific officer Tony Wood. RSV infection can have a significant impact on the health of older adults and particularly those with certain existing medical conditions, which can add pressure onto healthcare systems. As we enter the RSV season, we are pleased to be the first to deliver a vaccine to help protect more people in Europe from RSV-LRTD. At 0834 BST, shares in GSK were up 0.58% at 1,661p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Tracsis said in an update on Thursday that its financial performance for the year ended 31 July was in line with revised guidance, despite a challenging operational environment. The AIM-traded company said it expected to achieve revenue slightly above 81m, compared to 82m in the prior year, with adjusted EBITDA of about 13m, down from 16m in 2023. It said its EBITDA margin was expected to be around 16%. Tracsis said it had strengthened its cash position, with cash balances increasing by over 4m since May, reaching 19.8m by the end of July. That strong cash flow positioned the group well to continue investing in technology and pursuing organic growth, supplemented by targeted acquisitions. The company's performance was impacted by the short-term effects of the UK general election in July, particularly in its UK rail technology, transport consultancy, and traffic data businesses. However, activity levels were returning to normal, with Tracsis optimistic about its prospects for the 2025 financial year, supported by strategic plans outlined by the new government for the future of UK rail. Operationally, Tracsis achieved double-digit organic revenue growth in its rail technology and services division in the UK, despite the election-related slowdown. The group also made significant commercial progress, securing new contracts in smart ticketing and delay repay, and expanding its pipeline of major software opportunities in the UK and North America. In North America, Tracsis completed the development of a new computer-aided dispatch product, opening up a significant new market segment. The group also secured key renewals in its data, analytics, consultancy and events division, supporting future expectations. Tracsis completed a major operational transformation during the year, optimising its structure, integrating its UK rail technology businesses, and streamlining its operating footprint. The company said the transformation had refocussed the group on higher-margin, fast-growing activities, including software-related services, while exiting lower-margin, non-software activities. Despite incurring exceptional costs of around 3m related to the transformation, Tracsis said it was now well-positioned for long-term scalable growth, with a strong leadership team and a growing pipeline of digital opportunities in the rail technology sector. With the disruption caused by the timing of the UK general election now behind us, we have continued to make good progress towards our strategic objectives in the year, said chief executive officer Chris Barnes. The business remains well placed, with all signs suggesting that the UK rail industry's transition to a data-driven, customer-focused, safety-critical future will continue under the new government. Barnes said that alongside the positive momentum seen in the companys pipeline of software opportunities in both the UK and North American markets, it left Tracsis in a strong position to drive ongoing scalable growth in the 2025 financial year and beyond. We are committed to our strategy to deliver long-term value for all our stakeholders through the continued pursuit of both organic and acquisitive growth, supported by a strong balance sheet and healthy cash generation, and look to the future with confidence. At 1230 BST, shares in Tracsis were up 0.76% at 660p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Ministers have committed to help households struggling with their gas and electricity bills this winter after energy industry bosses warned that consumer debt had climbed to more than 3bn. With Labour under fire for scrapping universal winter fuel payments to pensioners, ministers met energy industry bosses on Wednesday to discuss ways of supporting struggling households through the coming colder months. Guardian Qantas Airways has posted a $2.1bn annual underlying profit down 16% from last years record result amid a surge in demand for budget Jetstar fares and mounting public anger at its service and ticket policies. Australias biggest airline said bookings and travel demand remained stable across its flying brands, although moderating air fares had eroded profits, especially on international flights. Guardian A City whistleblower has been awarded more than half a million pounds after he was fired for exposing an alleged Chinese spy. An employment tribunal has awarded Bharat Bhagani, a former compliance officer at Goldenway Global Investments, nearly 565,000 in compensation, according to a ruling published earlier this week. Telegraph The Savoy hotel in central London is facing an increasingly competitive luxury hotel market on the back of a host of openings by rivals. According to the hotels accounts, filed this week, at least 15 new luxury hotels with a total of 2,677 rooms are opening across the capital over the 2023-2025 period. The Times CrowdStrike has cut its annual sales and profit forecast as demand for its cybersecurity products is hit by the global Windows outage caused by a faulty update from the company. The outage last month hit 8.5 million Microsoft Windows devices, interrupting internet services and leaving thousands of people stranded at airports after mass flight cancellations. The Times photo: Lori Eanes A writer of Uruguayan origins, Caro De Robertis is the author of The Palace of Eros (Primero Sueno Press/Atria), a retelling of the traditional Greek myth of Psyche and Eros through a queer and feminist lens, and five previous novels. Their books have been translated into 17 languages and have received numerous honors, including two Stonewall Book Awards, Italy's Rhegium Julii Prize, and the John Dos Passos Prize for Literature, which they were the first openly nonbinary writer to receive. De Robertis is also an award-winning literary translator and a professor at San Francisco State University. They are currently at work on a nonfiction book, So Many Stars: an Oral History of Trans, Nonbinary, Genderqueer, and Two-Spirit People of Color. They live in Oakland, Calif., with their two children. Handsell readers your book in 25 words or less: It's a retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Psyche and Eros that recasts Eros, god of desire, as a genderqueer nonbinary lesbian goddess. On your nightstand now: Once, my kids counted the books on my nightstand: 58. Currently, the tower is topped by a book I'm excited to dive into, Pink Slime by Fernanda Trias, and a gorgeous novel that recently stole my soul, Alex Espinoza's The Sons of El Rey. Favorite book when you were a child: When I was nine, I found Little Women by Louisa May Alcott--or it found me. Looking back, I see it as my first experience with a genuinely feminist text, which can be like water for a thirsty soul. Jo not only wants to be wild and free, but also a writer! When I was 10, and we immigrated to the U.S., my copy of Little Women was one of the treasures I brought with me. I lived in that book, and it helped me live in turn. Your top five authors: This hurts! Only five? To focus it down, here are a few contemporary writers whose work is inspiring me today: Angie Cruz, Jaquira Diaz, Julian Delgado Lopera, Louise Erdrich, and Jacqueline Woodson. Book you've faked reading: I won't admit it. I've mended my ways, I'm not that person anymore. Book you're an evangelist for: Bad Girls by Camila Sosa Villada. This utterly brilliant novel about trans women who live, love, do sex work, make community, and survive against the odds has been transforming the literary landscape in the author's native Argentina, and should be doing the same here in the U.S. The vision, the majestic sentences, the heart and grit, the wildly original approach, the raw honesty and tenderness--there's so much to say about how we need this book. Book you've bought for the cover: I don't think I've ever done this. But a cover I've recently adored is that of Justinian Huang's riveting debut novel, The Emperor and the Endless Palace. Its rich, color-saturated design reflects the queer, supremely erotic, riotously entertaining mythological romp within its pages--and had people stopping me in the airport to ask me about the book in my hands. Book you hid from your parents: Hear me out: The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera. At 13, I pulled it off the shelf and just started reading. Soon enough I'd hit sexual passages that stretched my rather sheltered imagination. That naked woman, on all fours in a bowler hat, did things to my queer-but-doesn't-know-it-yet mind that I could not yet articulate. I hid it from my parents even though the copy actually belonged to them. Book that changed your life: So very, very many. But to pick one: Loving in the War Years by Cherrie Moraga was the first book by a Latina lesbian I ever read. I was 19. My world exploded open. Suddenly there was more room for me to exist. For those of us whose truths are not sufficiently reflected in dominant society, finding books that speak to our experience with art and power can not only change our lives, but make our lives feel more possible. It's the most fabulous thing. Favorite line from a book: One current favorite is the last sentence of Jordy Rosenberg's trailblazing, transcendent, exquisitely written Confessions of the Fox. That novel would surely be a thrilling joy ride for anybody with a heart, but for queer and trans folks its subtext holds a hidden road map to inner freedom and belonging that is so beautiful to me, it's almost blinding, like the sun. I can't quote the sentence here, though. Its power has to be experienced by reading the whole book. Five books you'll never part with: I'd part with none! Why would you make me? But I suppose if I were forced to reach for only five in a fire, I might grab Toni Morrison's Beloved, Audre Lorde's Zami: A New Spelling of My Name, Qiu Miaojin's Notes of a Crocodile, the Eknath Easwaran translation of The Bhagavad Gita, Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude, Leslie Feinberg's Stone Butch Blues... Oh wait, I'm cheating... Book you most want to read again for the first time: I love rereading, the way each cycle through a book can sink you deeper. So, to be honest, I feel like I can always return to that experience with the books I connect to most--which is such a gift. TUNIS, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian President Kais Saied on Wednesday met with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani to discuss bilateral ties and the situation in Gaza, according to a statement released by the presidency. During the meeting, Saied reiterated his country's support for the Palestinian people's struggle for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, underscoring the need to "intensify efforts to end the war of genocide and the crimes committed in Palestine." He also expressed Tunisia's readiness to strengthen ties with Iraq and explore new avenues for cooperation based on shared interests. Saied added Tunisia is ready to expand cooperation with Iraq in such areas as air transport, tourism, culture, energy, agriculture and trade exchange. Earlier in the day, the Iraqi prime minister said during a press conference in Tunis that there are important opportunities in Iraq, which is witnessing unprecedented development, highlighting the willingness of private sectors to invest in Tunisia. Editor: Zhang Zhou The BIGBOX 2024 INDIA is set to redefine the future of retail and e-Commerce in India, as the industry converges to explore the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities. With India's retail market projected to reach $1.1 trillion by 2027, this summit gathers visionaries, innovators, and key stakeholders to discuss critical topics like omnichannel retailing, digital transformation, supply chain optimization, and consumer behavior. Featuring insightful presentations, panel discussions, and unparalleled networking opportunities, BIGBOX 2024 INDIA is the must-attend event for anyone looking to thrive in the rapidly evolving retail and e-Commerce landscape. The opening panel discussion, Evolving Consumer Behavior and Shopping Trends, offered deep insights into how shifting consumer demands are reshaping retail strategies. Rajdeep Sarkar, Assistant Vice President & National Head of Business Development at Landmark Group-Easybuy, moderated the discussion, which featured Surbhi Bhatia, Founder and CEO of The Mom Store; Ranjan Kumar, AVP at Bata India Limited; and Sreemoyee Dastidar, Voice of Customer Lead at Philips. Bhatia emphasized the significant shift in consumer behavior, driven by the demands for availability, accessibility, and awareness."Todays consumers have fundamentally altered retail dynamics", she noted, with the rise of digital media and e-Commerce turning shopping into a more spontaneous experience. This evolution has leveled the playing field, allowing smaller brands to compete effectively with larger ones. Dastidar echoed this sentiment, stating that "e-Commerce has profoundly changed consumer behavior by making shopping more convenient and price-sensitive", which has led to decision fatigue and the need for streamlined, user-friendly online experiences. Ranjan Kumar addressed the growing trend of conscious consumerism, pointing out that "sustainability and ethical practices have become crucial in product development and supply chain management". He highlighted the challenge of balancing affordability with ethical production practices to meet the increasing consumer demand for ethical shopping. The second panel discussion focused on building resilience in retail and e-Commerce. Ranjith Kumar, Head of Customer Experience, Ninjacart, moderated the discussion. Industry leaders shared strategies for thriving amidst uncertainty. Aniket Kothri, Head of O&O e-Commerce at Puma Group, discussed how Puma is adapting to the post-COVID retail landscape by leveraging its strengths in sport and performance. Kothri highlighted Pumas investment in its Nitro franchise and the enhancement of its in-store experience with initiatives like the Endless Aisle, which allows customers to access a broader range of products. He also mentioned Puma's adoption of WhatsApp for customer communication to streamline service. Sanjay Narasimha, CM and Head of Product of Gen AI at Samsung emphasized the role of in-store innovation in driving footfall. Samsungs approach includes creating immersive retail environments where customers can interact with products and experience their features firsthand. "Creating immersive environments not only enhances brand recall but also ensures that customers receive accurate information", Narasimha explained. Samsungs stores, such as the Galaxy store on Brigade Road, are designed to let customers explore at their own pace, which helps build long-term brand loyalty. The third panel discussion addressed the rise of micro-entrepreneurs in e-Commerce and was moderated by Meenakshi Vyas, Head Marketing Jiomart, Reliance Retail, exploring their transformative impact and the challenges they face. Achal Sharma, AVP Engineering at Wakefit, highlighted the significant economic impact of micro-entrepreneurs despite their limited resources. He shared insights from his experience at Myntra, noting how small businesses can scale from modest beginnings to substantial daily sales. Rakhi Rana, COO & Head of International Business and E-Commerce at Drools, discussed the difficulties faced by micro-entrepreneurs, particularly in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, with tech adoption and e-Commerce operations. She recommended seeking assistance from agencies specializing in product listing, content creation, and financial management. Both Sharma and Rana agreed on the transformative impact of digital payment gateways, which enhance transaction security and accelerate cash flow, facilitating faster reinvestment and growth. Government policies such as Digital India and the Prime Ministers Mudra Yojana (PMMY) have provided crucial financial support and incentives. Rana advised micro-entrepreneurs to leverage established marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart before transitioning to direct-to-consumer platforms, emphasizing the importance of building a customer base and refining product offerings. Sharma concurred, stressing the need for clear business goals and a strong digital presence for long-term success. The BIGBOX 2024 INDIA summit has not only highlighted the evolving landscape of retail and e-Commerce but also provided valuable insights into how businesses can adapt and thrive in this dynamic environment. PhonePe Payment Gateway has introduced PhonePe PG Bolt, a revolutionary solution designed to enhance the payment experience for merchants. With an impressive 99% success rate, PhonePe PG Bolt delivers an ultra-fast 1-second transaction time. It offers extensive coverage for registered PhonePe merchants and users, enabling seamless payment integration across various apps without the need for multiple onboarding processes. PhonePe PG Bolt offers a multitude of benefits that set it apart from other payment solutions in the market. With a focus on speed, convenience, and reliability, PhonePe PG Bolt delivers a 10x faster payment experience with UPI Lite, Wallets, and EGVs, through a one-click, PIN-less process. Unlike other solutions that require multiple steps and phone permissions, PhonePe PG Bolt eliminates these hurdles, ensuring enhanced customer experience and an efficient payment journey which leads to increased conversion rates and drives business growth. By providing complete control over the customers payment experience within the merchant app, PhonePe PG Bolt eliminates the need for redirection to external payment platforms. Merchants can offer a wide range of payment options, including UPI Lite, UPI-linked bank accounts, electronic gift cards, Rupay credit cards, and wallets, to cater to diverse customer preferences. This comprehensive suite of payment options, coupled with PhonePes extensive user base helps position merchants for success. PhonePe PG Bolt tackles major issues encountered by merchants, particularly enterprises, by reducing transaction failures, preventing payment funnel drop-offs, and minimizing cart abandonment. By incorporating PhonePe PG Bolt, merchants can enhance customer satisfaction, boost sales, and gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. We are excited to launch PhonePe PG Bolt as it represents a significant milestone in our mission to empower businesses and enhance the overall payment experience for consumers, said Ankit Gaur, Head PhonePe Payment Gateway and Online Merchants. By providing merchants with the tools to create a seamless and secure payment environment, we are confident that PhonePe PG Bolt will drive substantial growth and success for businesses of all sizes, Gaur added. Through collaborations with several top banks, PhonePe PG Bolt guarantees strong payment processing capabilities with fewer transaction failures. Nykaa, Indias top beauty and lifestyle retailer, is one of the first to adopt this new solution. In an era defined by unprecedented change, the role of the supply chain leader has evolved far beyond traditional boundaries, emerging as a crucial strategic function within organizations. Focused on driving innovation, enhancing operational efficiency, and shaping future strategies, supply chain leaders now shoulder a wide range of responsibilities. From optimising logistics and fostering supplier relationships to leveraging data and technology, and championing sustainability efforts, todays supply chain professionals are at the forefront of organizational growth and transformation. NetNex is proud to present the pioneer edition of Connect 2024 in Mumbai, on the August 29 , 2024. The theme for this edition is Smart Logistics: Enhancing Control & Collaboration In the Supply Chain. This pivotal event is thoughtfully designed to bring together a dynamic community of CSCO's in the region, offering a forum for sharing experiences, insights, and anticipatory perspectives. Connect 2024 provides a platform for vibrant discussions on emerging trends and cutting-edge technologies within the supply chain domain. Attending supply chain leaders will explore innovative solutions and strategies designed to drive sustainable and impactful outcomes. More than just an exchange of knowledge, Connect 2024 acts as an impetus active engagement with the industry's vision, empowering leaders to play a pivotal role in shaping its future. As peers collaborate to share best practices and develop growth strategies, this platform becomes a hub of learning and innovation, empowering supply chain professionals as key architects of strategic transformation. Connect 2024 will offer attendees an in-depth exploration of the evolving challenges and opportunities facing modern supply chain leaders. Through engaging sessions led by industry experts and interactive discussions with participants, the event will provide valuable insights and a holistic understanding of the key issues shaping the supply chain & logistics landscape today. The format of the event is curated to engage the participants in dynamic discussions that will foster collective learning and dynamic ideation that can provide actionable takeaways for sustainable and impactful outcomes. The Connect 2024 will explore the wide-ranging challenges and opportunities facing today's Supply Chain leaders ranging from.. Automating For Autonomy: Harnessing the Full scope of Digital Supply Chain Optimizing Supply Chain Performance with Unified Data Sustainable Supply Chain for Financial & Efficient Outcomes Maintaining Supply Chain Continuity through Agility & Risk Mitigation Conquering Supply Chain Challenges with Digital Technologies & Digital Twin This pioneer of Connect 2024 hosts a stellar line-up of Chief Supply Chain Officers & experts on the speaking panel from... Tata Chemicals | Piramal Pharma | Shell India | Reliance Retail | Hersheys India | Nivea | Hindustan Coca Cola | EPL Limited | Ashland | Rebel Foods | Alkem Laboratories | Ultratech Cement | Hindustan Platinum | Pidilite Industries | Apcotex Industries | Sugar Cosmetics This initiative is supported by leading solution providers who offer dynamic solutions to enhance the output of the Supply Chain function and business goals. Event partners include Stellium, as a Gold partner, Anaplan as a Silver Partner, Unbox , Ritco & OMP as a Networking Partner. The CONNECT 2024 | Mumbai is supported by "Association of Supply Chain Professional", "All India Association of Industry", "Association of Indian Manufacturing", "Container Freight Station Association Of India" & "All India Food Processor Limited". The content and outreach have been amplified by. India Strategic, The Global Hues, International Business Magazine, Silicon India, Startupnews.fyi, APACE Digital Cargo, Asia Business Outlook, Industry Outlook, SupplyChain Brain, OEM Update, B2b Purchase & Thermal Control Business Magazine. This event promises to shape the future of Supply Chain Fraternity. For more information about Connect 2024 Mumbai, including registration and partnership opportunities, please visit the website: https://nextechsummit.com/connect/ A woman has been charged with torturing and injuring an animal after he allegedly bit into his pit bulls face on the Upper East Side Saturday night, the Daily News reported. According to the report, Jillian Teixeria, 24, was taken into custody on East 86th Street, near Lexington Avenue, after witnesses told police they watched her bite into the brown female pit bull and grab it by the ears until they were bloody at around 7:15 p.m. Teixeria reportedly told responding officers that she bites the dog as a way to discipline her, the report said. A witness told the News that the dog got off its leash and when Teixeria eventually caught it up with it, she started beating her in front of shocked onlookers. Police told the outlet that the dog was taken for treatment at an animal hospital, while a Manhattan judge ordered Teixeria held on $5,000 bail on the assault charge and $1 bail for biting the dog. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The NYPD is looking for an individual sought for questioning in connection with an alleged grand larceny in Rossville earlier this month where an employee was conned into sending the stores cash to an unknown account. It was reported to police that on Tuesday, Aug. 6, at around 5:15 p.m. inside a Walgreens, located at 655 Rossville Ave., a 35-year-old female employee was deceived by a woman who entered the business requesting to send funds through Western Union, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. As she walked the employee through the transaction, she allegedly managed to connive her into sending $4,900 of the stores money to an unknown account before fleeing the location in a white BMW sedan, a spokesman for the NYPD said. The NYPD released a surveillance image of a woman who is sought for questioning in the case. Police also released images of a vehicle whose operator is sought. The individual is described as a female with a dark complexion, approximately 30 to 35 years old, with a heavy build, long black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a dark-colored T-shirt. Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ , or on X @NYPDTips. All calls are strictly confidential. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In what is a paw-sitive turn of events, the Staten Island community banded together with city agencies to rescue a stray kitten from a storm drain Wednesday afternoon. Police report that it was just after 3 p.m. Wednesday that the NYPD received a report of a kitten trapped within a storm drain on the 300 block of Thomas Street in Richmond. NYPD Special Operations Emergency Service Unit (ESU) officers were dispatched, and with support from NYC Department of Environmental Protection, authorities were able to rescue the furry feline, according to a spokesperson for the NYPD. According to a report by ABC7, it was the faint yet adorable meow of the trapped cat that captured the attention of neighbors who wouldnt think to hear such a sound come from a storm drain. As residents rallied around the cause, neighbors began phoning city agencies; ABC7 reports that these individuals stood out in the heat for four hours in an effort to save the kitten. He (the kitten) was scared and he was nervous, but he was okay, one resident told ABC7. Its within the ABC7 report that you can see authorities hoisting the cat from the drain using a net. Earlier today, when a kitten in Staten Island fell through the grates of a storm drain, concerned residents reached out to your NYPD cops. @NYPDSpecialOps ESU officers responded, and with help from @NYCWater, they successfully brought the cat back to safety so it could dry up in pic.twitter.com/n6OLYuT9WQ NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) August 28, 2024 Im born and raised in Staten Island, so being able to help out the neighbors and the Island, its a nice feeling, ESU Detective Steven Muirhead said in the ABC7 report. Not only was the little guy rescued from the storm drain, he has also been rescued from the streets. The kitten, now dubbed Thomas, after the street he was found on, has since been adopted by residents of Thomas Street, according to the report. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) has announced the addition of three new members to its board of trustees. Allen Brown, Dr. Ana Mendez, and Dr. Frank Scafuri have been appointed and their terms began this month, the announcement said. We are excited to lean on the diverse experience and backgrounds of our new trustees to help grow our organization, increasing access to high-quality, compassionate healthcare here on Staten Island, said Dr. Daniel J. Messina, president and chief executive officer of RUMC. Each brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will help their fellow trustees guide our hospital and assist the leadership team in approving and optimizing strategic investments to further position our independent hospital as one of the leaders in healthcare services for the entire New York Metropolitan Area. Brown is currently serving as the head of technology infrastructure at MUFG Securities Americas, Inc., and is responsible for budget, organizational and program development. While providing technical analysis to board members and senior leadership, he is also responsible for working with their legal counsel in contract negotiations, reviewing statements of work, and being a contributor to policy development and risk management. I am a son of Staten Island and have been a North Shore resident for most of my life, said Brown. It is my honor and privilege to serve my community while assisting in increasing secure access to high quality healthcare for my fellow residents and family. Dr. Mendez is board certified in pediatrics and internal medicine. She received her medical degree in 1996 from Albany Medical College. She obtained her masters degree in public health and health care management from The Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University in 2015. She has worked with the community on Staten Island for nearly 30 years. Mendez is currently the chief of ambulatory pediatrics and a faculty member in the Pediatrics Department at RUMC. She is also the current president of the Richmond County Medical Society. For the last decade, Mendez has also worked closely with multiple community-based organizations to address social determinants of health, equity initiatives, and healthcare access. Im honored to have been asked to be part of the board of Richmond University Medical Center,' said Mendez. My work as a pediatrician has focused on caring for the families and children of the North Shore of Staten Island. I look forward to bringing my experience and the needs of those I care for daily to my work with the board. On a personal note, Im humbled by the accomplishments of my fellow board members and their dedication to our community. I thank them in advance for all I will learn from them. Scafuri moved to Staten Island when he was only five years old. In 1987, at only 15 years of age, Scafuri began working at St. Vincents Catholic Medical Center, now RUMC, in the microbiology lab. After graduating from St. Peters College in 1994 with a degree in pre-med, Scafuri attended medical school at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating in 1999. In 2000, he completed his internship at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn. In 2001, Scafuri returned to St. Vincents to complete his last two years of residency. In 2004, he completed his fellowship in infectious diseases at New York Medical College at St. Vincents Medical Center of New York in Jamaica, Queens. When Scafuris fellowship was completed, he returned to St. Vincents on Staten Island and also opened his own private practice. Scafuri is an honorary police surgeon for infectious diseases for the New York City Police Department; a community preceptor for medical and nurse practitioner students; and the medical director for the Physician Assistant Program at Wagner College. Its nice to be home, where I grew up as a person and a physician, since 1987, Scafuri said. This years cohort of trustees is gifted, exceptionally capable and committed, and brings to the board a diverse group of vitally important skill sets, experiences, backgrounds and voices that, to this point, the board has lacked, said Timothy C. Harrison, chair of RUMCs board of trustees. I look forward to working with our new trustees as we move forward together to enhance the breadth and quality of care that RUMC provides to all Staten Islanders,' Harrison said. As RUMC celebrates the addition of these new trustees, the hospital is also bidding a fond farewell to long-time trustee John Vincent Scalia, who is retiring from the board after 13 years of service. John has been instrumental in so many projects, causes and initiatives here at RUMC, Messina said. John leaves a lasting legacy and we are forever grateful to him for his support, friendship and love of our hospital. GOP vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance is taking fire after his remarks bashing a top teachers union president resurfaced. Vance targeted American Federation of Teachers leader Randi Weingarten in the remarks, made three years ago when he was running for U.S.Senate from Ohio, NBC News reported. You know, so many of the leaders of the left, and I hate to be so personal about this, but theyre people without kids, trying to brainwash the minds of our children, Vance said at a Center for Christian Virtue leadership forum moderated by conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt and the groups president, Aaron Baer, in October 2021. When the candidates at the forum were asked about handling problems with schools and making them more responsive to parents, Vance hit at Weingarten, saying she doesnt have a single child, NBC said. If she wants to brainwash and destroy the mind of children, she should have some of her own and leave ours the hell alone, he said in a 30-second clip that the liberal news site Heartland Signal resurfaced this week. Weingarten, who has described herself as a mother by marriage, spoke at this months Democratic National Convention. Vance was slammed earlier in the campaign for referring to Vice President Kamala Harris and other liberal women as childless cat ladies who want to make the rest of the country miserable, too. Vance spokeswoman Taylor Van Kirk said in a statement to NBC News that Vance will continue to loudly call this crap out to defend our kids. There is no bigger threat to American children than the left wing indoctrination being peddled in our schools by radicals like Randi Weingarten, with the support of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, Van Kirk said. A spokesperson for the teachers union directed NBC News to Weingartens comments on X about Vances remarks. Gross! JD Vances comments are sad and insulting to millions of modern families, and school teachers including Catholic nuns, none of whom should be targeted for their family decisions, Weingarten wrote. LOS ANGELES, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- A total of 21 Oropouche virus disease cases have been reported among U.S. travelers returning from Cuba, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Oropouche virus is an emerging arthropod-borne virus in the Americas. Recent reports of outbreaks in areas without previous endemic transmission, fatal cases, and vertical transmission associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes have raised concerns about human health risks. For the 21 cases reported in the United States, most patients had self-limited illness. At least three patients experienced recurrent symptoms after resolution of the initial illness, according to CDC. The CDC called on clinicians and public health jurisdictions to be aware of the occurrence of Oropouche virus disease in U.S. travelers and request testing for suspected cases. Travelers should prevent insect bites when traveling, and pregnant persons should consider deferring travel to areas experiencing outbreaks of Oropouche virus disease. Editor: Zhang Zhou Outside a handful of conspiracy theory-addled basement dwellers, we doubt anyone really wants far-right influencer Candace Owens appearing on these shores. Loading The Albanese government is under pressure from the Coalition and Jewish groups to deny a visa to Owens, who has claimed that Israel is a cult and that Hollywood is run by secret Jewish gangs. We cant imagine she has anything of value to add to the public discourse. But speaking to Ben Fordham on 2GB this week (a station operated by Nine, owner of this masthead), Owens insisted shed be coming to our shores in November. And Owens tour of curious local media outlets continued on Thursday when she popped up on ADH TV, the James Packer-backed online outrage network that was once helmed by Alan Jones, off air since this masthead revealed allegations of indecent assault against the broadcaster (which he firmly denies). Emerging from the sparkling waves, surfboard tucked under one arm, Tai Hara could be back on the set of Home and Away, where he got his break in 2013 as a shady associate of the Braxtons. But the real-life Gold Coast surfer, and typecast serial sleazy love interest (Colin From Accounts, Austin), is marking a career turning point as Dr Glenn Strong, the mild-mannered forensic pathologist in Return to Paradise, the Australian Death in Paradise spin-off. Glenn is a very different energy to the characters Ive played before, says Hara. Hes solid, reliable, methodical. He has a laid-back exterior, but underneath, hes a steely, determined man. When you have the opportunity to have such a fully fledged character with such depth and heart, it made the work so enjoyable. Tai Hara and Anna Samson play former partners Dr Glenn Strong and DI Mackenzie Clarke in Return to Paradise. That determination isnt just applied to solving the alarmingly high number of murders in the fictional Illawarra coastal town of Dolphin Cove, Australias answer to the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie, where Robert Thorogoods BBC original is set. The local version, by The Heights screenwriter Peter Mattessi, simmers with romantic tension between Glenn and DI Mackenzie Clarke (fellow Home and Away alumnus Anna Samson), who fled the sleepy seaside hamlet six years ago for Londons Metropolitan Police, leaving Glenn at the altar. Mackenzies reluctant return to her hometown cop shop gets around the issue of having a UK detective overseeing the local constabulary, which this time is not on British Overseas Territory soil. British actor Lloyd Griffith (Ted Lasso), as Dolphin Coves expat detective, adds to the UK flavour. Lets move back to politics and see what Peter Dutton said in Tasmania this afternoon. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of losing control after backflipping on counting LGBTQ Australians in the census, however stopped short of saying what the Coalitions position would be on the question. Earlier this morning, Albanese said there would be one new question about sexuality in the census if testing by the Australian Bureau of Statistics was successful. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald Speaking this afternoon in Tasmania, Dutton said it was obvious the wheels are falling off the Albanese government. I think the prime ministers all over the shop, one day he says to a group of people that hes meeting with that hes going to change the question put to the Australian people in the census, the next day, he says that hes not going to do that, now he says that he is going to do that, Dutton said. He hasnt approached us in relation to what it is hes proposing, we can have a sensible way forward but the prime minister at the moment, I think, is demonstrating to Australians that hes lost control of the agenda. When asked his position on including the question to the census, Dutton said he was fine with members of the LGBTQ community being counted, however wanted to see full detail on the legislation. Im fine with that, if the prime ministers got a proposal, but we hear from the prime minister that hes not in favour of putting a question and now he is in favour it requires legislation, Dutton said. Hes had no discussion with us, weve been ins good with discussions with the government on aged care, on NDIS, on the CFMEU, weve had a couple of weeks in parliament, there was no mention of [the] census. The legislation will be dealt with in this parliament and the prime minister has a job to lead and at the moment, as Australians can see, weve got a weak prime minister who doesnt know what he believes in. He tells different audiences different things, and then of course, he tries to reconcile it, and its why the PM is all over the shop. The family of a teenage girl wept in court as her killer was granted parole for a second time, a decade after he tried to rape another woman at knifepoint on a Sydney street. But the parole authority insists Terrence John Leary will not be walking free and there is no better way to keep the community safe from the medium-to-high risk killer. Fiona Walker, left, the sister of Vanessa Hoson, with her husband Chris Walker outside court on Thursday. Credit: Kate Geraghty Leary served 22 years in jail for murdering 17-year-old Vanessa Hoson in 1990. He broke into her familys Kenthurst house and bashed her to death with a hammer after she refused to have sex with him. Hosons family campaigned against his planned release into the community in 2012. They begged the State Parole Authority to reconsider, fearing Leary would attack again. Just 10 months after his release, their fear was realised. 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 Sydneys two top universities have emerged as the biggest targets of the federal governments new foreign student caps and there are warnings the changes will cost the NSW economy billions of dollars. New international student numbers will be limited to 270,000 next year, with Sydney University and University of NSW likely to have their new overseas enrolments slashed by more than 40 per cent compared to this year under the reforms announced on Tuesday by Education Minister Jason Clare. Business groups are warning that billions will be stripped from the NSW economy under the planned caps. Credit: Dominic Lorimer The news One of NSWs biggest export industries will be damaged and billions of dollars stripped from the state economy by the new federal government cap on international students, peak body Business NSW has warned. UNSW and Sydney University will lose hundreds of millions in revenue, with thousands fewer new students in Sydney next year, and are staring down the barrel of significant job losses. Each university and college has been given an individual cap for 2025, which requires federal legislation to be implemented. Advertisement The new limits on international student enrolments come as the federal government responds to political pressure to reduce overall migration numbers. How we got here Universities enjoyed massive growth in international student numbers after the COVID-19 pandemic, encouraged by Morrison government reforms which incentivised foreign students to stay in the country, including offering more work hours and cheaper visas to help plug workforce shortages. But reducing the number of students has now become central to the Labor governments pledge to slash immigration by 2025 as it faces increased political pressure in the lead-up to the election. Late last year, it introduced Ministerial Direction 107 to slow down visa processing and identify non-genuine students, who come to the country predominantly to work instead of study. Officials had to prioritise the visa applications from low-risk universities that had low rates of visa rejections. In practice, top universities that rely on Chinese students were able to more easily recruit students while smaller and regional universities whose students come from countries viewed as high risk like Nepal, Pakistan and India, lost enrolments. Advertisement Clare, who holds the Sydney federal seat of Blaxland, said the caps would make the system fairer so it wasnt just a lucky few universities that benefited from international education. This is setting numbers back to the levels they were last year. And I dont think anybody last year was saying that this was having a massive negative effect on the economy or on universities, he said. Education Minister Jason Clare. Credit: Michael Quelch Why it matters International education is the states second-biggest export after coal; the sector was valued by the NSW government at $17.9 billion last year. Along with tuition fees, spending by overseas students supports many jobs in hospitality and retail trade. International students are also an important source of labour. Business NSW chief executive Daniel Hunter warned the international student cap would cost the NSW economy billions of dollars and harm the states international reputation. Advertisement A sudden drop in these numbers will mean more businesses will struggle to keep the doors open, he said. The decision damages our leading brand in NSW as an international education provider and hands the initiative to our overseas rivals. Hunter called on the Albanese government to reconsider the decision to limit student numbers in light of the broader economic impact. NSW universities targeted Across all the Group of Eight universities, which include UNSW, Sydney University and Melbourne University, there will be a 30 per cent cut in new enrolments compared to this year, accounting for more than 22,000 students. But the proposed cuts will be most acutely felt at Sydney University and UNSW, where foreign students make up about 50 per cent and 41 per cent of the cohorts respectively and where large growth occurred this year. Advertisement The caps have not been made public but sources with knowledge of the universities enrolments, not able to speak publicly, said they would be forced to slash more than 40 per cent of their commencing foreign student cohort compared to this year, accounting for thousands of students each. The caps have been calculated based on growth between 2019 and 2023, leaving institutions like UNSW and Sydney University which have experienced a significant rise in international students this year significantly disadvantaged. A UNSW spokeswoman said the institution was deeply disappointed with the cuts to international students. The proposed cuts would significantly damage the economy, the world-class Australian higher education sector and Australias reputation, and would reduce domestic student opportunities as well as the diverse perspectives international students contribute. But the impact will be felt beyond the prestigious Group of Eight universities which dominate the international student market. Western Sydney University will be forced to enrol 1000 fewer students than it planned next year, costing it $26 million. Advertisement As voters go to the polls on Saturday, we explore whats at stake in the NSW local government elections. Campaign corflutes have been slashed and burned across different local government areas and acts of skulduggery and trickery performed in others, as Sydneys 1437 council candidates enter the final fortnight of campaigning ahead of the September local government elections. In Hawkesbury, on the north-western fringe of Sydney, Small Business Party councillor Eddie Dogramaci reported his election posters being torched, torn and doused in acid. Several of Eddie Dogramachis corflute signs in the Hawkesbury region appeared to be set alight. Dogramaci said vandals had destroyed or pulled down many of the 40 to 45 posters he had put up around Windsor, Wilberforce, Kurrajong, Ebenezer and Pitt Town in the past fortnight. The culprits have not been identified. Ive never had this experience. I never thought this would happen in Australia, he said. Initially they started throwing acid on them. I saw posters burnt and torched. Theyre torching them all along Pitt Town Road. Theyve been pulled down. Continuous care and improved maternal consent practices will form part of the NSW governments response to a landmark birth trauma inquiry as Health Minister Ryan Park apologised for the states failure to provide a higher standard of care to thousands of women. The government on Thursday supported 42 of the 43 recommendations from the inquiry, an Australian first, which were informed by more than 4000 submissions and six days of hearings in Sydney, Wollongong and Wagga Wagga between September 2023 and April this year. Health Minister Ryan Park acknowledged the government had a lot of work to do to improve maternity care for women. Credit: Edwina Pickles It heard harrowing testimonies from thousands of women across NSW who had experienced birth trauma physical, mental and psychological injury or distress during pregnancy and childbirth. The government said in its response it would speed up the delivery of five initiatives in the next 12 months to boost access to maternal continuity of care models; provide trauma-informed training for healthcare workers; improve the provision of information for women to enable them to be actively involved in decision-making and to give informed consent for labour and birth interventions; and to better support women who experienced pregnancy complications. Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn has revealed the bank is taking down 50 fake CBA websites a week, as he backed tougher rules and penalties for companies that failed to protect customers from scams. Comyn defended the banks $9.8 billion full-year cash profit before the House of Representatives economics committee on Thursday, while also calling for an overhaul of the tax system to more heavily target wealth. He rebutted criticisms of banks card surcharges, arguing that cash transactions are even more costly to process. Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn during a hearing with the standing committee on economics in Canberra. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Australians lost $3 billion to scams last year, and banks are under pressure amid debate over who should compensate customers for losses. Theres something about the Pacific Islands, Australian leaders and private conversations going public. In 2015, Peter Dutton, then a frontbencher in Tony Abbotts government, apologised after a boom microphone caught him joking with Abbott and then-social services minister Scott Morrison about the plight of Pacific Island nations facing rising sea levels as a result of climate change. Time doesnt mean anything when youre about to have water lapping at your door, Dutton said, responding to a comment from Abbott about meetings running late at the 2015 Pacific Islands Forum in Papua New Guinea. The then-PNG prime minister Peter ONeill dubbed the hot-mic remarks most unfortunate; then-Marshall Islands foreign minister Tony deBrum said he would ask Dutton over and see if he was laughing when king tides battered his home. Weve rounded up our top picks from across the countrys most luxurious properties. Taking its cues from mid-century architecture, The Courtyard House is a near-new home with a focus on seamless indoor-outdoor living. Showcasing an array of natural stones, including striking Verona travertine in the kitchen, the two-storey home with pool and pizza oven is a short walk from the beach and James Street boutiques and eateries. This was an urgent situation for a family with a disabled man. Kolinko was living with his parents who knew they needed to leave their house in the Ukrainian city of Zhovti Vody as quickly as possible. I saw a lot of messages that Russia was attacking and bombing Ukraine, Kolinko said. Sitting in his bedroom in Ukraine just over two years ago, Kolinko logged onto Facebook. Kolinko has muscular dystrophy and has required a wheelchair since the age of 12. He needs help getting in and out of bed, so a 24-hour train ride in a packed carriage with not enough room to properly go to the toilet was not ideal. Getting to the train was hard enough. He took what he could: two wheelchairs electric and manual a bag of clothes, his passport, laptop, money and most importantly to him, his boccia set. Ukrainian boccia player Artem Kolinko in Paris ahead of the Paralympics. Kolinko will represent Ukraine at the Paralympics in Paris, having endured a harrowing ordeal in the war engulfing his country. The 40-year-old fled to the Netherlands to live with his brother and has been practising boccia in a small room 20 square metres, he says to hone his craft in the sport that bears similarities to lawn bowls, played by people with a serious physical disability. We are hiring a car from Alamo Frankfurt later this year intending to visit the Alsace region including Strasbourg, which is in Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). This ULEZ sticker must be ordered from the French government but it takes several working days to arrive and without knowing rego details of hire car how do we manage this? R. Goodwin, Castle Cove, NSW Since youre not the registered owner of the vehicle nor will you know its registration number in advance you are ineligible to apply for a French CritAir sticker. Also, the sticker can only be sent to the vehicles registered postal address. However, it seems France is regarding a foreign-issued emission-compliant sticker as having equivalence with a CritAir and all German-registered rental cars come with the green emissions sticker for Germany. In October Ill be travelling to Jordan and Egypt in a senior adult family party of four. Our Jordanian tour operator advised he will assist with a collective visa on arrival. Do you recommend we obtain our Jordan e-Visa before arrival despite our tour operators suggestion? Also, how best to keep in contact with family and friends while were travelling that wont cost a fortune? We have later-model iPhones. N. Johnston, Annandale, NSW Unless you have any reason not to trust your tour operator, in which case you shouldnt be using any of their services, Id be inclined to let him handle your visas. He knows the ropes and has a vested interest in getting you through immigration as quickly as possible. Doing it yourself is likely to be more complicated. The hotel where youre staying will most likely have Wi-Fi and this is by far the cheapest way to keep in touch. Provided your phones are unlocked, if you need a data feed when youre out and about one option is to replace the Sim card with one that will give you local coverage. Who lives in the trees in the Masai Mara? Birds, of course. Extra points if you answered leopards. How about humans, though? As of last month, that answer isnt a silly one, thanks to one safari camp offering perches for people amid the upper boughs of the ebony trees. A treehouse with a difference. Credit: Buluu Poppy Just opened by Great Plains, the eco-tourism company founded by National Geographic explorer-filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, Mara Toto Tree Camp in Kenyas Masai Mara, features four luxurious tented suites installed in the treetops of a secluded location overlooking the Ntiakitiak River within the 150,000-hectare Masai Mara National Reserve. Suite dreams. Credit: Buluu Poppy The camp comes with private access to the 26,000-hectare Mara North Conservancy. Washington: The US Army defended an Arlington National Cemetery employee who was pushed aside during a visit by former president Donald Trump, saying that she acted professionally and was being unfairly attacked. The military rarely comments on political matters and while its statement on Thursday did not explicitly mention Trump or his campaign, it made reference to a Monday ceremony. Former US marine Kelsee Lainhart (left) and Donald Trump place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday. Credit: AP On that day Trump, the Republican candidate in the November 5 presidential election, visited the cemetery and took part in a wreath-laying ceremony honouring the 13 service members killed during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. He also visited Section 60 of the cemetery, where troops are buried and is considered hallowed ground in the military. If hes not there, she said, that is not good in my opinion because it would confirm he was being sanctioned by the Vatican. Vegetable trader Alfredo Ximenes said the allegations and the Vaticans acknowledged sanctions were merely rumours, and that he hoped Belo would come to welcome the pope and refute the claims in person. Our political leaders should immediately meet him to end the problem and persuade him to return because after all, he has contributed greatly to national independence, Ximenes said. Timorese officials refused to answer questions about the Belo case, but theres been no attempt to avoid mentioning him, with a giant billboard in Dili welcoming Pope Francis, whose visit starts on September 9, placed right above a mural honouring Belo and three others as national heroes. A billboard welcoming Pope Francis stands above a mural honouring sanctioned Bishop Belo and three others as national heroes in Dili, Timor-Leste. Credit: AP Only about 20 per cent of Timor-Lestes people were Catholic when Indonesia invaded in 1975, shortly after Portugal abandoned it as a colony. Today, 98 per cent of the 1.3 million population are Catholic, making it the most Catholic country in the world outside the Vatican. A law imposed by Indonesia requiring people to choose a religion, combined with the churchs opposition to the military occupation and support for the resistance over years of bloody fighting that killed as many as 200,000 people, helped bring about that flood of new members. Belo won the Nobel Peace Prize for his bravery in drawing international attention to Indonesian human rights abuses during the conflict, and Daschbach was widely celebrated for his role in helping save lives in the struggle for independence. Loading Their heroic status, and societal factors in Asia, where the culture tends to confer much power on adults and authority figures, helps explain why the men are still revered while elsewhere in the world such cases are met with outrage, says Anne Barrett Doyle, of the online resource Bishop Accountability. Bishops are powerful, and in developing countries where the church is dominant, they are inordinately powerful, Barrett Doyle said. But no case weve studied exhibits as extreme a power differential as that which exists between Belo and his victims. When a child is raped in a country that is devoutly Catholic, and the sexual predator is not only a bishop but a legendary national hero, there is almost no hope that justice will be done. In 2018, as rumours built against Daschbach, a priest, he confessed in a letter to church authorities to abusing young girls from at least 1991 to 2012. It is impossible for me to remember even the faces of many of them, let alone the names, he wrote. The 87-year-old was defrocked by the Vatican and criminally charged in Timor-Leste, where he was convicted in 2021 and is now serving 12 years in prison. But despite his confession and court testimony from victims that detailed the abuse, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, an independence hero himself, has visited Daschbach in prison hand-feeding him cake and serving him wine on his birthday and has said winning the ex-priests early release is a priority for him. In Belos case, six years after winning the Nobel Prize, which he shared with current Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta, he suddenly retired as the countrys head of the church in 2002, citing health reasons and stress. Not long after his retirement, Belo, now 76, was sent by the Vatican and his Salesian missionary order to another former Portuguese colony, Mozambique, to work as a missionary priest. There, he has said, he spent his time teaching catechism to children, giving retreats to young people. Today, he lives in Portugal. Suspicion arose that Belo, like others before him, had been allowed to quietly retire rather than face any reckoning, given the reputational harm to the church that would have caused. In a 2023 interview with The Associated Press, Pope Francis suggested that indeed was the case, reasoning that was how such matters were handled in the past. This is a very old thing where this awareness of today did not exist, Francis said. And when it came out about the bishop of Timor-Leste, I said, Yes, let it go in the open. ... Im not going to cover it up. But these were decisions made 25 years ago when there wasnt this awareness. Lingsma said she first heard allegations against Belo in 2002, the same year Timor-Leste, won its formal independence after the Indonesian occupation ended in 1999. She said she wasnt able to investigate the case and build enough evidence to publish her story on him until two decades later. Her story garnered international attention, as well as the Vaticans acknowledgement of the case, but in Timor-Leste, it was primarily met with scepticism and negative reactions. Her 2019 story exposing the Daschbach case eventually prompted authorities to charge him, but also did not lead to the outpouring of anger that she had anticipated. The reaction was silence, she recalled. During the fight for independence, priests, nuns and missionaries put themselves at great risk to help people, like parents wanting to save their children, helping form todays deep connection between the church and the people, said Timorese historian Luciano Valentim da Conceixao. Loading The churchs role is even enshrined in the preamble to the young countrys constitution, which says that the Catholic Church has always been able to take on the suffering of all the people with dignity, placing itself on their side in the defence of their most fundamental rights. Because so many remember the churchs significant role during those dark days, it has fostered an environment where it is difficult for victims of abuse to speak out for fear of being labelled anti-church, and where men like Belo and Daschbach continue to receive support from all walks of society. Paedophilia and sexual violence are common enemies in Timor-Leste, and we should not mix them up with the struggle for independence, said Valentim da Costa Pinto, executive director of The Timor-Leste NGO Forum, an umbrella organisation for 270 NGOs. The chancellor of the Dili Diocese, Father Ludgerio Martins da Silva, said the cases of Belo and Daschbach were the Vaticans jurisdiction, and that most people considered the sex abuse scandals a thing of the past. We dont hear a lot of people ask about bishop Belo because he left the country ... 20 years ago, Silva said. Still, Lingsma said she knew of ongoing allegations against four or five other priests, including two who were now dead, and if I know them, Im the last person to know. That also shows that this whole reporting system doesnt work at all, she said. Conceixao, the historian, said he did not know enough about the cases against Daschbach or Belo to comment on them, but that he was well acquainted with their role in the independence struggle, and called them fearless freedom fighters and clergymen. Clergymen are not free from mistakes, Conceixao conceded. But we, the Timorese, have to look with a clear mind at the mistakes they made and the good they did for the country, for the freedom of a million people, and of course, the value is not the same. Because of that prevailing attitude, Barrett Doyle said, the victims of those two men have to be the most isolated and least supported clergy sex abuse victims in the world right now. Loading PHILIPSBURG:--- In the early hours of Thursday, August 29th, 2024, officers of the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) were called to assist inspectors from the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic, and Telecommunications (TEATT) during an inspection of a business establishment located in the Simpson Bay area. The police were requested to assist after the TEATT Inspectors encountered a situation in which the establishment's management was found to be operating outside the rules and regulations set forth by the Ministry. Despite prior warnings and notices, the business continued its operations without adhering to legal requirements. In cooperation with the TEATT Inspectors, the Police ensured the establishment was closed to prevent further non-compliant activities. The Sint Maarten Police Force remains committed to upholding the law and supporting other government agencies to regulate and maintain order within the business community. The KPSM encourages all businesses to comply with the regulations established by the TEATT and other relevant authorities. KPSM Press Release. AI chip giant Nvidia beats expectations, but shares take hit San Francisco, Aug 28 (AFP) Aug 28, 2024 Artificial intelligence behemoth Nvidia on Wednesday said quarterly sales reached a higher than expected $30 billion in the last quarter, though that growth was slower than the furious pace seen in previous quarters. Declared by Wall Street to be the world's most important stock, the California-based AI chip-maker led by CEO Jensen Huang saw its share price fall by about four percent in after hours trading. Even though sales and profit, which hit $16.5 billion in the period, more than doubled from a year earlier, investors showed nervousness that Nvidia's extraordinary growth, spurred by the AI frenzy, may be showing signs of normalization. The world's biggest tech companies have invested tens of billions of dollars, quarter after quarter, into Nvidia's powerful AI chips and software in order to get their ChatGPT-style AI models up and running. Microsoft, Google, Meta, Tesla and Amazon all depend on Nvidia technology to train generative AI models and execute the heavy computing workloads needed to deploy the new technology. Ahead of the latest earnings, Nvidia's share price was up about 160 percent year-to-date and has accounted for a third of the broad-based S&P 500 index's gains this year. Nvidia stock wavered in July, as investor sentiment hesitated over whether generative AI will be a money making enterprise anytime soon. But in recent weeks Nvidia's share price has been back on its historic tear, nearing the heights of a few months ago when the firm was very briefly the world's most valuable company when measured by stock valuation. The market had expected the company to post sales at about $28 billion, more than double from a year ago. "Nvidia once again delivered spectacular results, beating expectations with margins that rival its previous blockbuster quarters, despite growing economic uncertainties and AI bubble concerns," said Emarketer technology analyst Jacob Bourne. Nvidia's financial postings have become must-see events on Wall Street after the company has repeatedly crushed expectations, many times tripling its revenue and profit. - 'Disappointed a touch' - But some analysts worried that Nvidia was slowly coming down to earth with its latest earnings, as stellar as they might be. "It's less about just beating estimates now -- markets expect them to be shattered, and it's the scale of the beat today that looks to have disappointed a touch," said Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. Traders also focused on Nvidia's forecast that next quarter's revenue will be about $32.5 billion. Though this was better than the average of analyst predictions, it left some observers disappointed that the days of triple-digit growth were over. Investors were also laser focused on any potential delays to Nvidia's new generation Blackwell line of technology, the successor to the best-selling Hopper line of AI chips that thrust the company onto the world stage. CEO Huang said the new product line would ship at scale to clients in the coming months, with its previous generation of AI chips expected to maintain very strong sales. arp/nro Nvidia MICROSOFT GOOGLE Meta Tesla Amazon.com EU condemns jihadist massacre in Burkina Faso Abidjan, Aug 28 (AFP) Aug 28, 2024 The European Union on Wednesday condemned an attack claimed by jihadist rebels that killed dozens in Burkina Faso last weekend, the bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. Armed men carried out the attack in the village of Barsalogho in north-central Burkina Faso on Saturday, killing dozens of civilians and security personnel and wounding others, local sources said. A group linked to Al-Qaeda known by its Arabic initials JNIM, one of several rebel groups active in the troubled Sahel nation since 2015, claimed responsibility. The EU "condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attack" in Barsalogho, which "left hundreds of victims, mainly civilians", Borrell said in a statement. The bloc "expresses its solidarity with Burkina Faso and conveys its condolences to the families of the victims and its wishes for a swift recovery to the wounded", he added. The insurgency waged by rebels affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State has also rocked neighbouring Mali and Niger, killing thousands and displacing millions across the region. Borrell said the EU expressed its "strong concern amid the worsening security situation in the country and the sub-region" and encouraged efforts to avoid an escalation of violence. UN chief Antonio Guterres also "strongly condemned the terrorist attacks", his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday. The military-led Burkinabe authorities have not provided a toll and have stopped announcing civilian and military casualties in jihadist attacks for about a year. But a group representing victims' families reported "at least 400 dead". One of its members told AFP they helped bury victims in mass graves that contained "more than 100 bodies". A survivor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said she lost her husband and a brother-in-law and that "we haven't finished burying the bodies". The UN humanitarian coordinator in Burkina Faso, Carol Flore-Smereczniak, said two humanitarian workers were among those killed. Danish court to rule on gun-runner's India extradition Copenhagen, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 A court in Denmark is to decide Thursday whether a Danish arms smuggler who air-dropped weapons to Indian villagers in 1995 can be extradited to India for trial. Niels Holck, 62, has admitted to parachuting four tonnes of weapons into the state of West Bengal to help locals fight government authorities. He was the only one of seven smugglers who managed to escape after the Indian Air Force intercepted their returning plane. The others, five Russians and a Briton, were sentenced in Kolkata to life imprisonment in 2000, but all were eventually released. India regards the Dane, also known as Kim Davy, as the mastermind of the operation, which saw the delivery of hundreds of assault rifles, pistols, anti-tank grenades, rocket launchers and thousands of rounds of ammunition. New Delhi has relentlessly pursued attempts to have him stand trial in India, and the affair has been a stumbling block in Danish-Indian relations. Holck was arrested in Denmark in April 2010 after Danish authorities reached a deal with India over the terms of his extradition, including a promise that he would not be given the death penalty and would serve any sentence in Denmark. But a Danish district court in 2011 overturned the authorities' decision, saying he risked mistreatment in India. An appeals court later upheld the district court's ruling. Holck's lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, told AFP this week that his client would appeal if the Hillerod district court on Thursday orders him extradited. "He's frustrated that the case has dragged on for so long," Christoffersen said. "Now he's hopeful that it will come to a close and that once it has gone through the Danish legal system, it will be clear that he will never be extradited to India." "He is going on with his life, but he cannot travel. He has his life in Denmark but it's a burden on him," he said. "He's been called a terrorist without any factual merit for 28 years." In his 2008 autobiography titled "They Call Me a Terrorist", Holck recounts the delivery of the arms during a flight that left from Bulgaria. Prosecutors are expected to appeal if the court does not order his extradition. The Hillerod district court's decision is expected around 1:00 pm (1100 GMT). Top Biden aide, Chinese military brass clash on Taiwan in Beijing talks Beijing, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 A senior Chinese military official warned the United States to stop "collusion" with Taiwan while top White House aide Jake Sullivan stressed the importance of stability in the tense Strait in a rare one-on-one meeting Thursday, both sides said. Sullivan arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, the first US national security advisor to visit China since 2016, for three days of talks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other high-ranking officials. The visit came as China became embroiled in security rows with US allies Japan and the Philippines. On Thursday morning, Sullivan met with senior Chinese army chief Zhang Youxia at the Beijing headquarters of the Central Military Commission. "It's rare that we have the opportunity to have this kind of exchange," Sullivan told Zhang in opening remarks. The two officials agreed to hold a call between the two sides' theatre commanders "in the near future", a readout from the White House added. Sullivan also raised the importance of "freedom of navigation" in the South China Sea, where Beijing and Manila have clashed in recent months, and "stability" in the Taiwan Strait, Washington said. Zhang, in turn, warned that the status of the self-ruled island was "the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations". "China has always been committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," he said, according to a readout by Beijing's defence ministry. "But 'Taiwan independence' and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are incompatible," he said. "China demands that the US halts military collusion with Taiwan, ceases arming Taiwan, and stops spreading false narratives related to Taiwan," Zhang added. - 'Destabilizing actions'- Thursday's talks also saw Sullivan express "concerns about (Chinese) support for Russia's defense industrial base", the readout added -- echoing longstanding US claims that Beijing has rejected. He also raised "the need to avoid miscalculation and escalation in cyber space, and ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza", the White House said. On Wednesday, Sullivan and Wang discussed plans for their leaders to talk in the coming weeks -- and clashed over China's increasingly assertive approach in disputed maritime regions. Sullivan "reaffirmed the United States' commitment to defending its Indo-Pacific allies", the White House said. He also "expressed concern about (China's) destabilizing actions against lawful Philippine maritime operations" in the disputed South China Sea, it said. Chinese state media reported that Wang issued his own warning to Washington. "The United States must not use bilateral treaties as an excuse to undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, nor should it support or condone the Philippines' actions of infringement," Wang told Sullivan, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Wang and Sullivan previously met five times over the past year and a half -- in Washington, Vienna, Malta and Bangkok, as well as alongside US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Woodside, California in November 2023. During their latest encounter, they also discussed the tense issue of Taiwan, the self-governing democracy that China claims. China has kept up its sabre-rattling since the inauguration this year of President Lai Ching-te, whose party emphasises Taiwan's separate identity. Israel army says killed 5 Palestinian militants on day two of West Bank raids Tulkarem, Palestinian Territories, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 The Israeli military said its forces killed five Palestinian militants in the occupied West Bank on Thursday in a second day of "counter-terrorism" operations that have killed 14 in total. "Following exchanges of fire, the forces eliminated five terrorists who had hidden inside a mosque" in Tulkarem on Thursday morning, the military said. On Wednesday, the military said it killed nine militants in simultaneous raids in several West Bank cities and refugee camps. The Palestinian health ministry reported 12 deaths since the start of the operation. Witnesses told AFP that Israeli forces had withdrawn from Al-Farra camp in Tubas where several Palestinians were killed on Wednesday. An AFP photographer reported that clashes were still taking place in Jenin as he saw a drone flying overhead. Israeli soldiers were also continuing to operate in Tulkarem, another AFP journalist reported. Since Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel triggered war in Gaza, violence has flared in the West Bank, a Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967 and separated geographically from Gaza by Israeli territory. Since the start of Gaza war, at least 637 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli troops or settlers, according to UN figures. At least 19 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during army operations in the West Bank, according to Israeli official figures. Fighter jet deal at centre of Macron's Serbia trip Belgrade, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 Expectations are high that France and Serbia will sign a deal worth billions of euros to supply fighter jets to the Balkan country during a visit by President Emmanuel Macron to Belgrade that kicks off Thursday. The Rafale fighter jet deal is looming large over the French president's two-day visit, after President Aleksandar Vucic told AFP that he hoped to seal the agreement this week. The deal to purchase the French Rafale jets would be one of several agreements inked during the visit, according to Vucic. "There are thousands of things that we'll have to discuss tomorrow. There are many memorandum of understandings and many contracts that we're going to sign tomorrow," Vucic said during an interview Wednesday. "I believe that we'll finish everything successfully regarding our military-technical cooperation, which means that Serbia might become a member of (the) Rafale Club, which is a huge, huge contract." A source with the French presidency said "intense discussions" were ongoing and hoped a deal could be reached during Macron's visit. France has been ratcheting up its economic ties with Serbia in recent years. French company Vinci has been overseeing a years-long renovation of Belgrade's Nikola Tesla airport, and French groups are set to build the capital's first metro station and a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant. Belgrade-based analyst Vuk Vuksanovic said that Vucic likely saw the Rafale deal as crucial for ensuring France's support in the future. The president "believes that by purchasing these Rafales, which are an extremely expensive product of the French military and industry, he will buy President Macron's favour and political protection," Vuksanovic, a senior researcher at the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, told AFP. - 'We made our choice' - If signed, the agreement would mark the latest in a string of moves by Serbia to curry favour with Europe. In July, the European Union and Serbia signed a deal to develop the country's supply of lithium -- seen as a crucial building block to achieve Europe's transition to a green economy. The Serbian government reinstated the licences for a controversial lithium mine this summer after revoking in 2022 the permits granted to Rio Tinto following a string of demonstrations over environmental concerns. Despite the mass protests, Vucic has vowed to remain firm in his support of the project and said the country willingly chose to sign a deal with the EU, despite having potential offers from outside of the bloc. "We made our choice. It was the EU," Vucic told AFP. Vucic has also acknowledged that Serbia had sold hundreds of millions of euros' worth of ammunition to Western countries that has likely been shipped to Ukraine as it fights off invading Russia troops. The sales come even as Serbia remains an outlier in Europe after refusing to join sanctions against Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Balkan country has been reliant for years on support from the Kremlin and Beijing to prevent the United Nations from recognising Kosovo as an independent state. Serbia has been a candidate to join the European Union since 2012, but its prospects are seen as bleak without a normalisation of relations with Kosovo. Belgrade has refused to accept the declaration of independence by majority-Albanian Kosovo in 2008. In a letter published by the Serbian press on Thursday morning, Macron said Serbia "fully belongs" in the EU, while acknowledging many in the country had grown frustrated with the pace of accession process. "Today, I come to Serbia again with a simple message: The European Union and its member states need a strong and democratic Serbia within their ranks," wrote Macron. "And Serbia needs a strong and sovereign European Union to defend and promote its interests while respecting its identity." Indonesia, Australia sign 'historic' defence pact Magelang, Indonesia, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 Indonesia and Australia signed a new defence agreement Thursday, pledging closer cooperation to counter security threats in the Asia-Pacific region. The pact, announced this month, was signed during Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles' visit to Indonesia this week and includes provisions for joint drills and deployments to each country. The two countries have sought to boost security ties in the face of increased flashpoints in the region including the South China Sea, where several states claim sovereignty over disputed islands and waterways. Indonesia's defence minister Prabowo Subianto described the Australia-Indonesia Defence Cooperation Agreement as a "historic milestone". "(The deal) was carried out together to... increase cooperation to help each other overcome various security threats and promote sustainable peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region," he told a joint news conference Thursday. Prabowo emphasized that the agreement was not a military pact or military alliance, adding that he hoped to forge stronger ties with Australia in the future. Marles said the pact was the most significant defence agreement between the two countries, hailing it as a "treaty-level agreement". "We will see a much greater interoperability between our defence forces, an ability to operate from each other's countries," Marles said. The pact was first unveiled when president-elect Prabowo, who is set to succeed President Joko Widodo in October, visited Canberra last week. The two countries are due to hold a joint military exercise in East Java in November, involving almost 2,000 military personnel. The exercise, which will involve air, land, sea and cyber exercises, will be "the biggest exercise that Australia will do outside of our nation this year," Marles said. Fighter jet deal at centre of Macron's Serbia trip Belgrade, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 Expectations are high that France and Serbia will sign a deal worth billions of euros to supply fighter jets to the Balkan country during a visit by President Emmanuel Macron to Belgrade that kicks off Thursday. The Rafale fighter jet deal is looming large over the French president's two-day visit, after President Aleksandar Vucic told AFP that he hoped to seal the agreement this week. The deal to purchase the French Rafale jets would be one of several agreements inked during the visit, according to Vucic. "There are thousands of things that we'll have to discuss tomorrow. There are many memorandum of understandings and many contracts that we're going to sign tomorrow," Vucic said during an interview Wednesday. "I believe that we'll finish everything successfully regarding our military-technical cooperation, which means that Serbia might become a member of (the) Rafale Club, which is a huge, huge contract." A source with the French presidency said "intense discussions" were ongoing and hoped a deal could be reached during Macron's visit. Macron is expected to arrive around 1600 GMT on Thursday evening. Vucic told a Serbian state broadcaster late Wednesday that financing for the fighter jet agreement was no longer an issue, while adding that some unspecified "guarantees" still needed to be ironed out. France has been ratcheting up its economic ties with Belgrade in recent years, with trade between the two countries tripling in the past 12 years, according to Serbia's finance ministry. French company Vinci has been overseeing a years-long renovation of Belgrade's Nikola Tesla airport, and French groups are set to build the capital's first metro station and a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant. Belgrade-based analyst Vuk Vuksanovic said that Vucic likely saw the Rafale deal as crucial for ensuring France's support in the future. The president "believes that by purchasing these Rafales, which are an extremely expensive product of the French military and industry, he will buy President Macron's favour and political protection," Vuksanovic, a senior researcher at the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, told AFP. - 'We made our choice' - If signed, the agreement would mark the latest in a string of moves by Serbia to curry favour with Europe. In July, the European Union and Serbia signed a deal to develop the country's supply of lithium -- seen as a crucial building block to achieve Europe's transition to a green economy. The Serbian government reinstated the licences for a controversial lithium mine this summer after revoking in 2022 the permits granted to Rio Tinto following a string of demonstrations over environmental concerns. Despite the mass protests, Vucic has vowed to remain firm in his support of the project and said the country willingly chose to sign a deal with the EU, despite having potential offers from outside of the bloc. "We made our choice. It was the EU," Vucic told AFP. Vucic has also acknowledged that Serbia had sold hundreds of millions of euros' worth of ammunition to Western countries that has likely been shipped to Ukraine as Kyiv fights off invading Russia troops. The sales come even as Serbia remains an outlier in Europe after refusing to join sanctions against Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Balkan country has been reliant for years on support from the Kremlin and Beijing to prevent the United Nations from recognising Kosovo as an independent state. Serbia has been a candidate to join the European Union since 2012, but its prospects are seen as bleak without a normalisation of relations with Kosovo. Belgrade has refused to acknowledge the declaration of independence by majority-Albanian Kosovo in 2008, following a bloody war between Serbian forces and ethnic Albanian insurgents in the late 1990s. In a letter published by the Serbian press on Thursday morning, Macron said Serbia "fully belongs" in the EU, while acknowledging many in the country had grown frustrated with the pace of the accession process. "Today, I come to Serbia again with a simple message: The European Union and its member states need a strong and democratic Serbia within their ranks," wrote Macron. "And Serbia needs a strong and sovereign European Union to defend and promote its interests while respecting its identity." Nigeria, Niger armies discuss security cooperation Lagos, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 Nigeria's top military commander has met Niger's army chief to strengthen security cooperation as violence from a Sahel jihadist war worsens following a series of coups in the region. Relations between Nigeria and its northern Sahel neighbour Niger have been tense since the military took over in Niamey in 2023 and broke away from the regional bloc ECOWAS. Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is head of the Economic Community of West African States, initially took a hardline but has since been trying to persuade the three junta-led states Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso to return to the group. Nigeria's chief of defence staff General Christopher Musa on Wednesday met in Niamey with General Moussa Salaou Barmou to discuss security cooperation, a Nigerian military statement said. "Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to resuming and strengthening collaboration, with a view to ensuring regional stability and security," it said on Thursday. The statement said Niger's chief of staff would visit Nigeria to finalise cooperation and a Niger advisory group would be created to improve communication between the two militaries. "Niger affirmed its readiness to resume active participation in security cooperation under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJT)," the statement said. The task force, involving Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad, has been key in battling jihadists active along the border areas of the four countries. Niger's military government is battling jihadists linked to the Islamic State group, Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram in the western Tillaberi region and in southeastern Diffa area near Nigeria. Danish court rules arms smuggler can't be extradited to India Copenhagen, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 A court in Denmark said Thursday that a Danish arms smuggler who air-dropped weapons to Indian villagers in 1995 could not be extradited to India, citing the risk that his rights would be violated. Niels Holck, 62, has admitted to parachuting four tonnes of weapons into the state of West Bengal to help locals fight government authorities. New Delhi has relentlessly pursued attempts to have him stand trial in India, and the affair has been a stumbling block in Danish-Indian relations. However, the Hillerod district court ruled that he should not be extradited because there was a "real risk" that he would be "subjected to treatment in India that violates Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights", which prohibits torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The court noted this was the case despite diplomatic assurances from India that Holck would be housed in a special detention centre during the criminal proceedings in India. India had said the detention centre would be set up to house only Holck and he could be accompanied by Danish police officers acting as observers. Holck was the only one of seven smugglers who managed to escape after the Indian Air Force intercepted their returning plane. The others, all European nationals, were sentenced in Kolkata to life imprisonment in 2000, but all were eventually released. India regards the Dane, also known as Kim Davy, as the mastermind of the operation, which saw the delivery of hundreds of assault rifles, pistols, anti-tank grenades, rocket launchers and thousands of rounds of ammunition. - 'Frustrated' - Holck was arrested in Denmark in April 2010 after Danish authorities reached a deal with India over the terms of his extradition, including a promise that he would not be given the death penalty and would serve any sentence in Denmark. But a Danish district court in 2011 overturned the authorities' decision, saying he risked mistreatment in India. An appeals court later upheld the district court's ruling. In 2016, India again requested his extradition. Holck's lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, told AFP they were "very satisfied with the decision" on Thursday. Christroffersen said he expected the prosecution to appeal the decision, like they did in 2011. But given that two courts in 2011, and now the district court, had ruled that India could not guarantee his safety, he was confident the ruling would be upheld. "We would be very surprised to say the least, if the High Court would reach another conclusion this time," the lawyer said. Earlier this week, Christoffersen said that his client was tired of the protracted affair. "He's frustrated that the case has dragged on for so long," Christoffersen said. "Now he's hopeful that it will come to a close and that once it has gone through the Danish legal system, it will be clear that he will never be extradited to India." "He is going on with his life, but he cannot travel. He has his life in Denmark but it's a burden on him," he said. "He's been called a terrorist without any factual merit for 28 years." In his 2008 autobiography titled "They Call Me a Terrorist", Holck recounts the delivery of the arms during a flight that left from Bulgaria. The court said the parties had three days to decide whether to lodge an appeal. Russia arrests another defence official on fraud charges Moscow, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 Russia on Thursday held former deputy defence minister Pavel Popov on fraud charges in the latest arrest of a high-ranking military official. Moscow has arrested at least nine army officials in recent months in the midst of its Ukraine offensive, in what some analysts have called a purge of military figures seen as corrupt. Investigators said Popov had enriched himself while overseeing the construction of the army-themed Patriot Park outside Moscow -- built to glorify Russia's military. "A criminal case has been opened against former vice minister of defence of the Russian Federation, reserve general Pavel Popov," Russia's Investigative Committee said in a statement. Popov is the third official linked to the construction of the park -- praised by the Kremlin for years -- to be arrested on suspicion of fraud. Investigators said he had "enriched" himself while in charge of construction between 2021 and 2024, embezzling "valuables and goods". They added that he then forced companies linked to the park to "carry out work in his country residence without paying for it". The Investigative Committee said Popov and his family own homes "in prestigious areas of Moscow, the Moscow region and the Krasnodar region" worth 500 million rubles ($5.5 million). Popov's arrest comes three weeks after two other officials linked to the construction of the park -- Vyacheslav Akhmedov and General Vladimir Shesterov -- were detained on embezzlement charges. Popov served in Russia's emergency ministry before joining the defence ministry in 2013. Russia began arresting defence officials in April, shortly before President Vladimir Putin replaced Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu with economist Andrei Belousov. Russia's army sector has been historically marred by corruption scandals. Many have become frustrated by the lavish lifestyles of high-ranking military officials as troops fight in Ukraine. Swiss should be more flexible on neutrality, NATO cooperation: study Geneva, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 Switzerland should consider a more flexible approach to its military neutrality and seek closer defence cooperation with NATO and the European Union, a major security commission concluded Thursday. The study said the security picture in Europe had sharply deteriorated, notably due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, power politics and increasingly destabilised crisis regions. The defence ministry established the study commission on security policy in July 2023, and tasked it with outlining security policy adapted to current threats. Its report contained more than 100 recommendations, chiefly concerning Swiss neutrality, international cooperation, armaments policy and the orientation of security strategy. Switzerland's long-standing position has been one of well-armed military neutrality. The landlocked nation is neither in NATO nor the EU, while its neighbours Germany, Italy and France are in both, and Austria is an EU member. "The neutrality policy must be revised, more focused on its security function and applied more flexibly," a statement said. A majority of the commission recommended that the neutrality policy be more closely aligned with the United Nations charter, with greater consideration of the distinction between aggressor and victim. "Switzerland cannot represent a security gap in Europe," and its location surrounded by the EU makes the need for defence cooperation "clear", the report said. "Neutrality is no obstacle to cooperation with NATO in security policy matters," it added. "Cooperation with NATO and the EU should be further deepened with the aim of a common defence capability and developing a genuine defence cooperation," the statement said. Switzerland should therefore set out its expectations from its own defence capabilities, and what it could offer to cooperation partners. With the committee finding hybrid warfare was "the main threat to Switzerland", the country's arms industry should be strengthened and calibrated more closely to the threat situation. Therefore, "access to EU and NATO cooperation projects should be ensured". The report also called for strengthened diplomatic efforts on international arms control and on regulating new technologies. The report's author said Russia's aggression in Ukraine opened the door to a conflict with NATO, and said Switzerland's neutrality did not guarantee it would not be attacked. The study recommended increasing the defence budget to one percent of gross domestic product by 2030. The report will feed into the broader 2025 security policy strategy. US Army criticizes Trump staff over 'push' at cemetery visit Washington, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 The US Army on Thursday took aim at Donald Trump's staff over a visit by the Republican presidential candidate to the country's most hallowed resting place for its war dead. Trump went to the Arlington National Cemetery just outside Washington with family members of some of the 13 service members killed in a 2021 bombing during the last hours of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. His campaign posted photos from the visit, including one showing him giving a thumbs-up gesture while standing with relatives at the grave of one of the Marines killed. The Army said an Arlington employee was "abruptly pushed aside" when she sought to ensure a law prohibiting political activity on cemetery grounds was followed. "This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the (Arlington National Cemetery) employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked," an Army spokesperson said in a statement. Going on the offensive, Trump's campaign co-manager Chris LaCivita has described the employee as a "despicable individual," while campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said she was "clearly suffering from a mental health episode." Trump has made criticism of President Joe Biden's handling of the US retreat from Afghanistan a key note of his campaign ahead of the November election. The withdrawal was made as part of a peace deal signed by the Trump administration with the Taliban. Uproar over the incident at Arlington on Monday is the latest controversy in Trump's troubled relationship with the military. While often touting his support for the armed forces, he privately mocked the war dead while president and did not want to be seen near military amputees, according to his former chief of staff. Fighter jet deal at centre of Macron's Serbia trip Belgrade, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 France's President Emmanuel Macron arrived Thursday in Serbia where the two countries hope to sign a deal worth billions of euros for Paris to supply fighter jets to the Balkan nation. The Rafale fighter jet deal is looming large over the French leader's two-day visit, after Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic told AFP that he hoped to seal the agreement this week. The deal to purchase the French Rafale jets would be one of several agreements inked during the visit, according to Vucic. "There are thousands of things that we'll have to discuss tomorrow. There are many memorandums of understanding and many contracts that we're going to sign tomorrow," Vucic said in an interview Wednesday. "I believe that we'll finish everything successfully regarding our military-technical cooperation, which means that Serbia might become a member of (the) Rafale Club, which is a huge, huge contract." A source with the French presidency said "intense discussions" were ongoing and hoped a deal could be reached during Macron's visit. Macron arrived in Belgrade late Thursday afternoon, where he was greeted with a hug by Vucic and a traditional honour guard. Vucic told a Serbian state broadcaster late Wednesday that financing for the fighter jet agreement was no longer an issue, while adding that some unspecified "guarantees" still needed to be ironed out. France has been strengthening its economic ties with Belgrade in recent years, with trade between the two countries tripling in the past 12 years, according to Serbia's finance ministry. French company Vinci has been overseeing a years-long renovation of Belgrade's Nikola Tesla airport, and French groups are set to build the capital's first metro station and a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant. Belgrade-based analyst Vuk Vuksanovic said that Vucic likely saw the Rafale deal as crucial for ensuring France's support in the future. The president "believes that by purchasing these Rafales, which are an extremely expensive product of the French military and industry, he will buy President Macron's favour and political protection," Vuksanovic, a senior researcher at the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, told AFP. - EU lithium deal - If signed, the agreement would mark the latest in a string of moves by Serbia to curry favour with Europe. In July, the European Union and Serbia signed a deal to develop the country's supply of lithium -- seen as a crucial building block to achieve Europe's transition to a green economy. The Serbian government reinstated the licences for a controversial lithium mine this summer after revoking in 2022 the permits granted to Rio Tinto following a string of demonstrations over environmental concerns. Despite the mass protests, Vucic has vowed to remain firm in his support of the project and said the country willingly chose to sign a deal with the EU, despite having potential offers from outside the bloc. Vucic has also acknowledged that Serbia had sold hundreds of millions of euros' worth of ammunition to Western countries that has likely been shipped to Ukraine as Kyiv fights off invading Russia troops. The sales come even as Serbia remains an outlier in Europe after refusing to join sanctions against Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Balkan country has been reliant for years on support from the Kremlin and Beijing to prevent the United Nations from recognising Kosovo as an independent state. Serbia has been a candidate to join the European Union since 2012, but its prospects are seen as bleak without a normalisation of relations with Kosovo, where it fought a war against ethnic Albanian insurgents in the late 1990s. In a letter published by the Serbian press on Thursday morning, Macron said Serbia "fully belongs" in the EU, while acknowledging many in the country had grown frustrated with the pace of the accession process. Ukraine says US-made F-16 fighter jet crashed, killing pilot Kyiv, Ukraine, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 Ukraine said Thursday that one of its F-16 fighter jets made by the United States crashed while repelling a Russian air strike, killing the pilot onboard. The announcement marks the first reported destruction of an F-16 in Ukraine, just weeks after Kyiv began taking delivery of the supersonic aircraft. "F-16 fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were used to repel a missile attack on the territory of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, along with units of anti-aircraft missile troops," the Ukrainian army said. "During the approach to the next target, communication with one of the planes was lost. As it turned out later, the aircraft crashed, killing the pilot," it added. It did not identify the pilot, but a unit of Ukraine's air force said one of its pilots, Oleksiy Mes, had died in a crash on Monday while repelling a Russian air attack. "On 26 August, while repelling a Russian massive combined missile and air strike, Oleksiy destroyed three cruise missiles and one attack drone," Ukraine's Western air command unit said. "Oleksiy saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles. Unfortunately, at the cost of his own life," it said. The announcements come as a blow to Ukraine, which had long relied on a fleet of ageing Soviet-era MIG-29 and Sukhoi jets and had asked for the F-16s to defend against intense Russian aerial bombardment. Moscow fired a wave of attack drones and missiles at Ukraine on Monday this week in what President Volodymyr Zelensky called one of the "largest" attacks of Russia's two-and-a-half year invasion. IAEA chief hopes to meet Iran's new president soon to kickstart dialogue Vienna, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog hopes to visit Iran soon for talks with newly-elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to a confidential report seen by AFP on Thursday. Tensions between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have repeatedly flared since a 2015 deal curbing Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanction relief fell apart. In recent years, Tehran has decreased its cooperation with the IAEA by deactivating surveillance devices needed to monitor the nuclear programme, and barred UN inspectors. In the report, IAEA head Rafael Grossi said he hoped "an early visit" to Iran would help the "establishment of a fluid, constructive dialogue that swiftly leads to concrete results". Following his election in July, Pezeshkian indicated that he would meet with Grossi "at the appropriate juncture", the report said. Grossi last visited Iran in May, in a bid to improve cooperation with Tehran, which was at a level he described at the time as "completely unsatisfactory". But the death of the former president Ebrahim Raisi put planned talks to resolve the impasse over Iran's nuclear programme on hold. Since then, the IAEA says Iran has significantly ramped up its nuclear programme and now has enough material to build several atomic bombs. In a separate confidential report seen by AFP ahead of an IAEA board of governors' meeting next week, the agency said Iran has further increased its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium in recent months. The report said that Iran has an estimated amount of 164.7 kilogrammes enriched to up to 60 percent -- just a short step from bomb-grade material. The amount is up by 22.6 kilogrammes since the last report in May. Enrichment levels of around 90 percent are required for use in a nuclear weapon. The stockpile of uranium enriched up to 20 percent also rose to 813.9 kilogrammes, up from 751.3 kilos reported in May. Iran has always denied any ambition to develop nuclear weapons, insisting its activities are entirely for peaceful purposes. - 'Desire to re-engage' - The landmark 2015 deal -- also known under the acronym JCPOA -- started to unravel in 2018 when then US president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from it and reimposed sanctions, and Iran retaliated by stepping up its nuclear activities. EU-mediated efforts to revive the deal -- bringing the United States back on board and Iran back into compliance -- have so far been fruitless. According to the report, Iran's total enriched uranium stockpile was estimated at 5,751.8 kilogrammes as of August 17. The amount is more than 28 times the limit set out in the 2015 accord between Tehran and world powers, which was set at 202.8 kilogrammes. The IAEA has repeatedly voiced its concerns over Iran's decision to decrease its cooperation with the agency, saying such steps have undermined its ability to guarantee the "peaceful nature" of Iran's nuclear programme. Amid the impasse, the IAEA's board of governors in June adopted a resolution critical of Iran. Since the election in July of President Pezeshkian, Iran has "clearly indicated its desire to re-engage" with the West in order to "obtain relief" from sanctions which have severely affected its economy, Gregory Brew of the US think-tank Eurasia Group told AFP. Brew said the resumption of dialogue was "likely only after the US election, and in that instance only under a victory" of Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, Trump's rival. Crisis Group analyst Ali Vaez said relaunching talks would be a big challenge given "the sharp deterioration in Iran's relations" with Europe and the US. Turkish drone downed over northern Iraq: military official Kirkuk, Iraq, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 A Turkish military drone was shot down Thursday over northern Iraq where Ankara has kept up its operations against Kurdish militants, a top Iraqi military official said. Falling debris damaged a house in the Kirkuk city centre, police and army officials told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. Iraqi security forces said they were investigating the "circumstances of the incident". There were no reports of any direct casualties but the police official said a carpenter working on a nearby building site had been admitted to hospital after a fall. "A Turkish drone which penetrated Iraqi airspace has been shot down," the deputy air defence commander for Kirkuk, General Abdel Salam Ramadan, told a press conference at the site of the downing. The aircraft had come "from the direction of Sulaimaniyah", the autonomous Kurdistan region's second city to the north, Ramadan said. In a statement published several hours later, the Joint Operations Command of Iraqi forces confirmed that the drone was Turkish and was detected by Iraqi air defences. However, it said an investigative committee would "determine the reasons for the (drone's) fall" and the "circumstances of the incident". On social media site X, Turkish foreign ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli said: "Coordination has been ensured with the Iraqi authorities to clarify the incident in all details." Keceli added that "Turkey is fully determined in the fight against terrorism", a reference to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Ethnically mixed Kirkuk and its surrounding oil fields do not form part of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region and are directly administered by the federal government in Baghdad. Turkey has maintained dozens of military bases in northern Iraq for the past quarter of a century as part of its campaign against militants of the PKK. Its troops routinely carry out operations against PKK targets but it comments on them only sporadically. The Iraqi federal government discreetly outlawed the PKK as a "banned organisation" in March and earlier this month agreed a military cooperation deal with Ankara that will see joint training and command centres set up in the fight against the militants. The leftist group, which has waged a deadly on-off insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, is blacklisted as a "terrorist organisation" by Ankara and its Western allies. str-tgg/dcp/ami US Defense Department to help protect presidential candidates Washington, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 The US Defense Department will provide "protective support" to major presidential and vice presidential candidates, increasing its assistance to the country's Secret Service, the Pentagon said on Thursday. The announcement comes after a gunman lightly wounded Republican candidate Donald Trump and killed a campaign rally attendee last month -- a major failing in Secret Service protection. "The Department of Defense will provide protective support" until the election in November and likely through the presidential inauguration in January 2025, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told journalists. US defense chief Lloyd Austin approved a request from Homeland Security for the assistance, directing the military command responsible for North America to give additional backing to the Secret Service at locations across the country, Singh said. Trump was wounded in the right ear at a July 13 campaign rally in Pennsylvania by a shooter who was subsequently killed by a Secret Service countersniper. Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle resigned in July after acknowledging that the agency had failed in its mission to prevent the assassination attempt, while US media reported earlier this month that multiple agents had been placed on leave. Swiss should be more flexible on neutrality, NATO cooperation: study Geneva, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 Switzerland should consider a more flexible approach to its military neutrality and seek closer defence cooperation with NATO and the European Union, a major security commission concluded Thursday. The defence ministry established the study commission on security policy in July 2023, and tasked it with outlining security policy adapted to current threats. Its report contained more than 100 recommendations, chiefly concerning Swiss neutrality, international cooperation, armaments policy and the orientation of security strategy. Switzerland's long-standing position has been one of well-armed military neutrality. The landlocked nation is neither in NATO nor the EU, while its neighbours Germany, Italy and France are in both, and Austria is an EU member. The study said the security picture in Europe had sharply deteriorated, notably due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, power politics and increasingly destabilised crisis regions. "The neutrality policy must be revised, more focused on its security function and applied more flexibly," a statement said. A majority of the commission recommended that the neutrality policy be more closely aligned with the United Nations Charter, with greater consideration given to the distinction between aggressor and victim. "Switzerland cannot represent a security gap in Europe," and its location surrounded by the EU makes the need for defence cooperation "clear", the report said. "Neutrality is no obstacle to cooperation with NATO in security policy matters," it added. "Cooperation with NATO and the EU should be further deepened with the aim of a common defence capability and developing a genuine defence cooperation," the statement said. - Defence spending, arms re-export - While Switzerland has matched the EU's economic sanctions on Russia, it has refused to send arms to Kyiv -- or allow countries that hold Swiss-made weaponry to re-export it to Ukraine. However, a majority on the commission wanted to lift the war material re-export ban -- changing the current interpretation of strict military neutrality. The report's author said Russia's aggression in Ukraine opened the door to a conflict with NATO -- and said Switzerland's neutrality was no guarantee it would not be attacked. The study recommended increasing the defence budget to one percent of gross domestic product by 2030. The hard-right Swiss People's Party, the country's largest, said it "firmly rejected" rapprochement with the EU and NATO, "as this would mean the end of Switzerland's neutrality". The centre-left Social Democratic Party, the second-biggest party, found the report's thrust "wrong and contradictory", saying there was no need to ramp up military spending to face what the report considers a "highly unlikely attack" on Swiss territory. A key facet of its national identity, Swiss neutrality traces its roots back to 1516 and has been internationally recognised since 1815. Switzerland cannot participate in wars between other countries, forge military alliances, or grant troops, weapons or territorial transit rights to warring parties. All men are obliged to do military service and attend refresher courses for years afterwards. France, Serbia sign Rafale fighter jet deal during Macron visit Belgrade, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 Serbia signed a contract to purchase 12 Rafale warplanes from France's Dassault Aviation on Thursday during a state visit by President Emmanuel Macron to Belgrade. The widely anticipated deal will see Serbia receive nine single-seat and three two-seat jets by 2029, according to Dassault chief executive Eric Trappier. The dozen multi-role fighter aircraft will help Serbia modernise its air force and replace ageing Soviet-era combat jets. "We are happy to become part of the Rafale club. We thank the president of France for making this decision and for enabling us to purchase the new Rafales," Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told reporters during the signing ceremony. "The total value of the contract is 2.7 billion," Vucic said, without specifying the currency. The Serbian president said the deal included logistics support and provisions for spare parts, while saying talks were ongoing about the type of armaments that would be provided with the planes. Macron said the deal pointed to a "long-term alliance between our two countries within a stronger and more sovereign Europe" and provided a potential strategic opening. "It is an opening towards a strategic change despite a lot of pressure, which must be underlined. It is real strategic courage and an opportunity for Europe," said Macron during a press conference in Belgrade. Serbia has long been close to Russia and China and purchased arms from both countries over the years, while relying on the Kremlin and Beijing for diplomatic backing over its dispute with Kosovo. - 'Political protection' - The Rafale is a "multi-role" fighter that can be used to hunt enemy planes, strike ground and sea targets and carry out reconnaissance. The deal was just one of several agreements inked during Macron's visit. Macron arrived in Belgrade late Thursday afternoon, where he was greeted with a hug by Vucic and a traditional honour guard. France has been strengthening its economic ties with Belgrade with trade tripling in the past 12 years, according to Serbia's finance ministry. French company Vinci has been overseeing a years-long renovation of Belgrade's Nikola Tesla airport, and French groups are set to build the capital's first metro system and a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant. Belgrade-based analyst Vuk Vuksanovic said Vucic likely saw the Rafale deal as crucial for ensuring France's support in the future. The president "believes that by purchasing these Rafales, which are an extremely expensive product of the French military and industry, he will buy President Macron's favour and political protection," Vuksanovic, a senior researcher at the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, told AFP. - EU lithium deal - The fighter jet agreement marks the latest in a string of moves that has seen Serbia seek closer ties with Europe. In July, the European Union and Serbia signed a deal to develop the country's supply of lithium -- seen as a crucial building block to achieve Europe's transition to a green economy. Belgrade reinstated the licences for a controversial lithium mine this summer after revoking permits granted to mining giant Rio Tinto following demonstrations over environmental concerns. Vucic has also acknowledged that Serbia had sold hundreds of millions of euros' worth of ammunition to Western countries that has likely been shipped to Ukraine as Kyiv fights off invading Russia troops. The sales come even as Serbia remains an outlier in Europe after refusing to join sanctions against Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Balkan country has been reliant for years on support from the Kremlin and Beijing to prevent the United Nations from recognising Kosovo as an independent state. Serbia has been a candidate to join the European Union since 2012, but its prospects are seen as bleak without a normalisation of relations with Kosovo, where it fought a war against ethnic Albanian insurgents in the late 1990s. In a letter published by the Serbian press on Thursday morning, Macron said Serbia "fully belongs" in the EU. mp/ds/imm Dassault Aviation Nikola * FIRST NAME * LAST NAME * EMAIL Your email address * PASSWORD Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number Show * YEAR OF BIRTH You must be at least 18 years old to create an account 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 1917 1916 1915 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1909 1908 1907 1906 * Required fields I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice CREATE ACCOUNT I'LL TRY LATER Already have an account? SIGN IN By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Briefing reporters after his meeting with Mr Macron, Sir Keir said: We discussed the situation in Ukraine, as you would expect, the situation in the Middle East, bilateral issues in terms of trade and defence and security, but also the wider reset that I want in relation to our relations, not just with France, but with the EU in general. The contribution of the United States of America is vital for maintaining peace and security in the Black Sea region, stated, on Thursday, the Minister of National Defense, Angel Tilvar, in the context of the telephone conversation with his American counterpart, Lloyd J. Austin III. According to a press release from the Ministry of National Defence (MApN), the discussions focused on the security situation generated by the Russian Federation's war of aggression in Ukraine, the cooperation between Romania and the United States under the auspices of the Strategic Partnership, the state of the endowment programs and the modernization needs of the Romanian Army. The Romanian minister emphasized Romania's firm commitment to support Ukraine's defensive efforts. "Romania continues with solidarity the support efforts for Ukraine and for the support of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the face of the indiscriminate attacks launched by the Russian Federation on the population and critical infrastructure. Ukraine can rely on allied unity and cohesion," said Angel Tilvar. During the conversation, ways of strengthening and deepening the security and defense relations between Romania and the United States were discussed, in order to respond to the current challenges. Secretary Austin expressed appreciation for the way in which Romania consolidated its position as a pillar of stability on NATO's eastern flank and thanked for the support given to the American forces deployed in our country. In turn, Minister Tilvar thanked for the significant contribution of the USA to ensuring the security of Romania and the Eastern Flank of NATO, emphasizing the strategic importance of the American presence in Romania. "The contribution of the United States is vital for maintaining peace and security in the entire region," declared the Romanian official. During the discussion, the two officials also analyzed the status of the major endowment programs carried out by the Ministry of National Defense in collaboration with the American partner. Finally, both sides reconfirmed their joint commitment to strengthening the deterrence and defense posture on the Eastern Flank of the North Atlantic Alliance. Five migrants from Sri Lanka were caught, at the western Nadlac II Border Crossing Point, when attempting to leave the country illegally, hiding in a specially arranged place in a truck that was heading to Italy. According to the Arad Border police, the five migrants from Sri Lanka were between the ages of 31 and 48, and had legally entered Romania. The Romanian driver is being investigated for migrant trafficking, while the foreigners are being investigated for attempting to fraudulently cross the state border. The Romanian authorities intend to take children from Gaza, who are currently undergoing medical treatment in Egypt, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminita Odobescu, declared for AGERPRES on Thursday. She participated, in Brussels, at the informal Foreign Affairs Council, which brought together the heads of diplomacy from the European Union. The conflict in the Middle East was also on the agenda. "Everyone is aware that we need to continue helping the civilians in the Gaza Strip who are in a dramatic humanitarian situation. Romania's efforts are constant in this direction. We have sent several humanitarian aids, including to the Jordanian hospital. Our intention is as in next period let's take over children from Gaza. We are working in this direction", said the head of Romanian diplomacy, according to which the minors are being treated in Egypt, and the process of taking them over is ongoing. Odobescu pointed out that the security situation is "extremely volatile" and there is a risk of escalation in the region. "Romania supports the current steps, the consistent efforts of the United States of America, together with Qatar and Egypt, to obtain a permanent ceasefire, to release the hostages and to allow unrestricted humanitarian access for civilians in Gaza. (...) What what is important is this coordination of the efforts of the European Union together with those of the USA, in order to reach an agreement in the parameters presented by the American side," she said. The Ministry of Finance (MF) borrowed, on Thursday, 742.4 million RON from the banks, through an issue of benchmark state bonds, with a residual maturity of 17 months, at an average yield of 6.02% per year, according to data published by the National Bank of Romania (BNR). The nominal value of Thursday's issue was 500 million RON, and the banks subscribed 917.4 million RON. An additional auction is scheduled for Friday, through which the state wants to attract another 75 million RON at the yield set on Thursday for the bonds. The Ministry of Finance (MF) has planned, in August 2024, loans from commercial banks in the amount of 5.1 billion RON, to which the amount of 600 million RON can be added through additional sessions of non-competitive offers, related to bond auctions. The total amount, of 5.7 billion RON, is 885 million RON less than the one that was scheduled in July 2024, of 6.585 billion RON, and will be intended for refinancing the public debt and financing the state budget deficit. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced on Thursday that Romania's nomination for the post of European commissioner will be made after the negotiations on the distribution of portfolios in the new EU executive are concluded. "It is a negotiation process. I am not negotiating with the Commission President on deficit issues in the context of the nomination of the European Commissioner. At this moment, of course, I am also talking to the other political leaders, we are trying to negotiate the best portfolio and the most representative for Romania," explained Ciolacu when asked by journalists on Romania's nomination for European Commissioner. Marcel Ciolacu said the proposal could be a woman or a man, whoever is more suited for the position. Replying to a journalist's question, according to whom, in the context of the announcement of his candidacy for the presidency, the non-finalisation of the negotiations for the post of European commissioner would show that "he cannot impose himself externally," Prime Minister Ciolacu said: "I believe that my duty towards Romanians is to obtain the best portfolio for Romania, the persons are always a secondary thing. We have solutions for all the 27 (portfolios) so far." National Liberal Party (PNL) vice president, Raluca Turcan, minister of Culture, said that the Government's intention to intervene through an emergency ordinance on the increase in the pension tax threshold creates a "constitutional challenge" and might "make vulnerable" a very important measure. Raluca Turcan recalled that this bill has been in Parliament since 2022, having been unanimously passed by the Senate. "Increasing the pension tax threshold is a measure that comes in continuation of the recalculation reform of all pensions in Romania. This bill was submitted in 2022 (...) Because there has been a whole debate in the public space about what happens to pensions that are due to be paid, but at the time of indexation this indexation would be carried out at the level resulting from the recalculation. That's why there was a whole concept - recalculation with the digitization of pension files and the measure to increase the tax ceiling on pensions, so that small pensions could benefit from indexation later on. Procedurally things are very clear. I do not understand why some people want to complicate them, because there is a bill in Parliament, passed unanimously in the Senate by all political parties. In a single day, through the vote in the two committees - budget, finance and labor and the vote in Parliament - the bill can be adopted by the Romanian Parliament. In addition, a constitutional challenge is created and we can make a very important measure vulnerable by the fact that the Government intervenes through an emergency ordinance, while in the Chamber of Decision there is a bill on the same subject," Raluca Turcan told a press conference held at the Parliament. She said the measure to increase the pension tax cap will impact 2.4 million beneficiaries, following the recalculation of entitlements. "For me, as former Minister of Labor and initiator of this bill, the result matters. And I am glad that the result has been embraced by the government partners, whereas before a former PSD minister categorically rejected it with arguments that had no grounding in reality. It is good that they have reached this conclusion, because this was the measure that completed the pension reform. It is not an invented measure, it is not a populist measure, a measure to satisfy a momentary expectation of some people. For good reason, there are expectations of income growth, but the concept of reforming an essential macro-system in Romania, such as the pension one, was exactly this, coherent end-to-end," said the PNL vice-president. ST. LOUIS A man was arrested in connection to a fatal shooting Saturday in the city's Mark Twain neighborhood. Police arrested 37-year-old Johnny Curry on Wednesday. He is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. The victim was 19-year-old Ryan Alexander of the 5000 block of Ruskin. Officers were called to the shooting in the 5000 block of Ruskin Avenue at about 1:45 a.m. Alexander was found inside a residence and pronounced dead at the scene. Curry is the estranged husband of Alexander's mother. He occasionally lives at their residence, investigators said. Prosecutors say Curry and Alexander's mother argued about the trash, prompting the mother to ask Curry to leave. When Curry did not leave the residence, the mother called Alexander over to make him leave. Curry then pointed a gun at Alexander, causing the two to fight and wrestle on the ground, police said. At some point during the fight, Curry shot Alexander in the head, killing him instantly, police said. Curry reportedly fled the scene and tried to shoot at another person who was outside the home. Investigators say they have ballistic evidence and video footage of Curry's vehicle speeding away from the area. A court hearing in the case has not yet been scheduled. Archived photo of the YC-130 Hercules during its ferry flight from Burbank, Calif., to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on Aug. 23, 1954. (U.S. Air Force) Seventy years since its first flight on Aug. 23, 1954, the C-130 Hercules has remained one of the most durable and versatile military aircraft in history. It has traversed every continent and been used by over 70 nations, and there is no sign its importance will diminish any time soon. Its the greatest airplane ever built, and its stained honorably with American blood, sweat and tears, Gen. Mike Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command, said in an Air Force news release. The contemporary Air Force fleet counts 436 of the aircraft, with 12 different models spread across seven major commands and the Air National Guard. Approximately 50 of the aircraft undergo maintenance each year at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, which hosted a 70th anniversary celebration for the aircraft. The bases Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex is the main hub for depot maintenance and modernization of the C-130. The C-130 was also honored at the Yokota Air Base in Japan, where the 36th Airlift Squadron and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force 401st Tactical Airlift Squadron took to the skies to commemorate the C-130s maiden voyage. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade, leap from a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, assigned to the 61st Airlift Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., during the C-130 70th Anniversary Celebration at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Aug. 23, 2024. (Patrick Sullivan/U.S. Air Force) Two U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron and a Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-130H Hercules assigned to the 401st Tactical Airlift Squadron, Komaki Air Base, Japan, taxi down a flightline at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 23, 2024, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the first flight of the Lockheed Martin C-130. (Yasuo Osakabe/U.S. Air Force) The 374th Airlift Wing in Yokota emphasized the collaborative history of the C-130 in its own news release for the celebration. Grandfathers, fathers, mothers, daughters, sons and grandchildren have all flown this aircraft, said U.S. Air Force Capt. Sam Vincent, director of inspections for the wing. The C-130 got its start in the aftermath of the Korean War, with U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Command realizing the force lacked medium cargo transport aircraft. In the modern era, those roots in the Pacific are relevant again. The C-130 will be a key part of the Air Forces call for a reorientation toward great power competition, with a particular emphasis on Agile Combat Employment and the Pacific. Unlike the short-range flights that characterize operations in the Middle East, operations in the Pacific involve military hubs separated by vast expanses of ocean. Those tasked with modernizing the C-130 are considering how to improve engine power, fuel efficiency, propeller technology and weight reduction, among other things. It is a challenge that will be welcomed by experienced hands: Robins Air Force Base has been repairing C-130 aircraft almost as long as the plane has existed, since 1964. Nobody else in the world does the repair and overhaul work that we do here at Robins, said Ben Stuart, 560th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron director of operations. Army Spc. Seth Herrera, 34, a soldier at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, is charged with using artificial intelligence to create false images of children including some he knew in often violent sexual situations, authorities said. (U.S. Justice Department) A soldier at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska was arraigned Tuesday on charges that he used artificial intelligence software to create, receive and share thousands of fake pornographic images of minors, including some of children who he knew. Spc. Seth Herrera, 34, pleaded not guilty to one count of transportation of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted, Herrera faces five to 20 years in prison. Court documents state Herrera also has been told he faces an additional possible charge of attempted sexual exploitation of a child. Conviction carries a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence. Magistrate Judge Kyle Reardon of the U.S. district court for Alaska presided at the arraignment, where prosecutors presented their indictment of Herrera and requested he remain in detention. The indictment accuses Herrera of possessing tens of thousands of visual depictions of the violent sexual abuse of children as young as infants on three cellphones that he owned. Authorities said Herrera used encrypted messaging applications, including Telegram, to download child sexual abuse materials. Other apps used by Herrera include Potato Chat, Enigma and nandbox. The defendant created his own public Telegram group to store his [child sexual abuse materials] and sent himself video files that include screaming children being raped, according to a court document. Using artificial intelligence software, Herrera would merge video, including images of children who lived near his residence at Elmendorf-Richardson, with pornographic images. The AI software would change the face and other characteristics to make it seem as if the child was involved in violent, sometimes incestuous sexual activity. Prosecutors requested Herrera remain in detention because they claimed he is a danger to his community and others. The defendant poses a serious risk to his minor daughter, who remains in his care, prosecutors said. Herrera also has a 15-year-old son who resides in Texas, according to the court document. Prosecutors said Herrera, his wife and daughter live in base housing at Elmendorf-Richardson, and their home is surrounded by minors. As a heavy vehicle driver for the Armys 11th Airborne Division, Herrera also had access to children in Fairbanks as well as Anchorage, they claimed. One battalion of the 11th Airborne Division is stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, a base shared by the Army and Air Force. A second battalion of the 11th Airborne Division is based at Fort Wainwright near Fairbanks. Prosecutors said forensic evidence from Herreras cellphones and interviews with him indicated his interest in child sexual abuse materials dates to at least early 2021. Prosecutors also argued Herrera is a flight risk if released on bail. His ability to create the AI-generated images shows Herrera knows how to alter images that could be used to create false identification documents. The judge ordered Herrera detained for trial. He was being held at the Anchorage Correctional Complex, an Alaska state detention facility with moderate-level security. Herrera was represented by assistant federal public defender Benjamin Muse, who could not be reached Wednesday for comment. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 1. Herrera is a motor transport operator assigned to the 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion of the 11th Airborne Division, the Army said. He joined the Army in November 2019, and was stationed at Fort Sill, Okla.; Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; Fort Bliss, Texas; and the Republic of Korea before arriving in Alaska in August 2023, according to Lt. Col. Leah Ganoni, a spokeswoman for the 11th Airborne Division. Prosecutors asserted in court that Herrera had accessed child pornography for several years. His actions were uncovered when he tried to access a link containing what authorities said was child sexual abuse material depicting prepubescent minor females about the same age as his daughter. Herreras activities began prior to his stationing in Alaska, and the defendant stored surreptitious recordings and images taken of minors known to him and to whom he had access in 2022 and 2023 outside of Alaska, according to the court document. Herrera was indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage on Aug. 22. Herrera was arrested Aug. 23. Authorities announced the allegations against Herrera on Monday. Under military guidelines established in December, Herrera could be prosecuted by the Armys Office of Special Trial Counsel. Michelle McCaskill, a spokeswoman for the Armys special trial counsel, said the Department of Justice plans to prosecute Herrera in civilian court. The judge in Herreras case has a military legal background. Before becoming a magistrate and prosecutor, Reardon began his legal career with the Armys judge advocate general. A Marine fires a Switchblade 300 loitering munition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Aug. 14, 2024. The Army awarded AeroVironment a $990 million contract to equip soldiers with its Switchblade-series loitering munitions, the company said in a statement Aug. 28, 2024. (Jaye Townsend/U.S. Marine Corps) Weapons manufacturer AeroVironment will deliver more Switchblade-series loitering munitions to the Army over the next five years after signing an agreement worth up to nearly $1 billion recently. The indefinite-quantity contract doesnt specify how many Switchblades the Army will order over the next five years, but the first deliveries are expected within months, AeroVironment said in a statement Wednesday. The Pentagon announced the $990 million deal Tuesday in its daily contracting notice. The munitions are capable of destroying tanks, light armored vehicles, hardened targets, defilade and personnel targets, the statement said. AeroVironment is already delivering Switchblades to the Army under a separate contract awarded in December. The acquisitions are part of the Armys revised focus on preparing for conventional warfare. Both deals are in response to a requirement formalized in 2022 to equip infantry battalions with lethal, man-portable loitering munition systems. Switchblades often are referred to as suicide drones because of their ability to fly above targets before crashing into them and exploding. They function as both a reconnaissance drone and a missile. The Switchblade 600, the most advanced variant, has high-precision optics and an anti-armor warhead and can loiter in the air for more than 40 minutes, according to AeroVironment. Its also said to have a range of about 25 miles and weigh about 65 pounds. The Switchblade 300, meanwhile, has a range of about 12 miles, can loiter for about 20 minutes and weighs just 7 pounds. Neither the AeroVironment nor the Defense Department statement specified which Switchblade variants are included under the latest contract. However, online news site The War Zone reported that both types are included in the deal. The U.S. military has been acquiring Switchblade 300s for years, especially for use by special operations forces. Hundreds of 300s also were sent by the U.S. to Ukraine as part of an arms package after Russias 2022 invasion. Meanwhile, Russia has used Iranian-made and designed one-way attack drones frequently in its strikes on Ukraine. Brig. Gen. Adam Chalkley, outgoing commander of the 3rd Marine Logistics Group, embraces his successor, Brig. Gen. Kevin Collins, during a ceremony at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes) CAMP KINSER, Okinawa Command of the support arm for the Marine Corps rapid response force in the Indo-Pacific is now in the hands of a general on his third Okinawa tour. Brig. Gen. Kevin Collins assumed command of the 3rd Marine Logistics Group from Brig. Gen. Adam Chalkley during a ceremony Thursday at the consolidated club on Camp Kinser, the groups headquarters. About 220 Marines, family, Japanese troops and other guests packed the club. The group provides combat logistics support to the III Marine Expeditionary Force and other Marines in the region. This includes supply, maintenance, transportation, engineering, health services and other services for Marines during exercises and other operations. Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, III MEF commander, highlighted Chalkleys leadership through the latest phase of the Corps Force Design plan. I think everybody knows that this MLG has really been one of the centerpieces of the Marine Corps Force Design as we started to morph what we were doing as a service to what were going to do going forward, he said at the ceremony. And this is really the centerpiece of that, and your leadership of that change has been difficult and hard, and I just appreciate the way youve approached it. Brig. Gen. Kevin Collins, the 3rd Marine Logistics Group's new commander, speaks during his change-of-command ceremony at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes) During Chalkleys tenure, the logistic groups Marines began testing a 3D-printing unit in shipping containers made to drop into austere locations like jungles to fill supply line gaps. The testing is part of the Force Design plan for rapid movement and reduced demand on supply lines. Collins said he plans to lead the group through continuing changes in the security situation on Okinawa and in the Pacific. He was last stationed on the island six years ago, he said at the ceremony. I think III MEF has evolved fairly rapidly, fairly significantly, not just in the capability that we possess, but how we apply that capability, how we fight as a MEF, he said. And I look forward to continuing that work that Adam started with Force Design, [the Defense Policy Review Initiative] and all those things to evolve the [logistics combat element] of the MEF. The Defense Policy Review Initiative, an agreement by the U.S. and Japan to relocate some Marine assets from Okinawa to Guam, includes Japan paying $3 billion of the estimated $8.6 billion cost to build Camp Blaz and its surrounding infrastructure on Guam. Collins most recently served as deputy director for operations at the National Joint Operations Intelligence Center, Operations Team Three, J-3, Joint Staff at the Pentagon. Hes also served as deputy commander of Marine Corps Forces South. He enlisted in 1990 and commissioned in 1995. He is a combat veteran of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, according to his official biography. His previous Okinawa experience includes assistant chief of staff with the 3rd Marine Division, and as a company grade officer with 3rd Force Service Support Group. Chalkley heads to Washington, D.C., to serve as inspector general of the Marine Corps. A CMV-22B Osprey sits on the tarmac at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Aug. 31, 2021. (David Krigbaum/U.S. Navy) The mayor of a Japanese city, saying he was assured of the Ospreys safety, has signed off on a U.S. Navy plan to put tiltrotors at the neighboring Marine Corps base. Iwakuni Mayor Yoshihiko Fukuda at a city meeting Wednesday accepted the Navys plan to replace aging C-2A Greyhound transports with CMV-22 Ospreys at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, a spokesperson for the citys base affairs office told Stars and Stripes by phone Thursday. Some Japanese government officials may speak to the press only on condition of anonymity. The Navy in July said it will replace squadrons of Greyhounds and F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters at MCAS Iwakuni, just south of Hiroshima, with Ospreys and F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters. By years end, four CMV-22s assigned to Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron 30, the services first Osprey squadron, will take over for Fleet Logistics Squadron 30, which flies the Greyhounds, according to the Navy. The Ospreys will move personnel and cargo to and from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, which is due to arrive at Yokosuka Naval Base, its new homeport south of Yokohama, later this year. We were able to confirm that this aircraft model update will not significantly affect the living environment of the residents living around the base, Fukuda said at the meeting, according to video posted online by public broadcaster NHK. Fukuda decided that the Ospreys presence is necessary, considering the security environment surrounding Japan, the base affairs official said. The city concluded that noise wont increase since fewer aircraft will be flying from the air station under the modernization plan, the official said. Japans government informed Iwakuni officials last month of the plan to deploy the Ospreys, he said. The city government concluded the Ospreys are safe, based on their accident record and assurances from the U.S. and Japanese governments, according to a statement posted on the citys website on Aug. 22. The Nov. 29 crash of an Air Force Special Operations Command Osprey off the coast of southern Japan killed all eight crewmembers and prompted the Navy to ground the militarys 400 tiltrotors for three months. An accident investigation concluded the fatal crash resulted from a massive part failure coupled with pilot error. The Marines were first to resume Osprey flights, followed by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, the U.S. Navy and the Air Force. However, the tiltrotors are not permitted to fly their full range of missions until mid-2025, Vice Adm. Carl Chebi, the head of U.S. Naval Air Systems Command, told House lawmakers in July. Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told reporters in Tokyo on Tuesday that he was grateful to the mayor for accepting the deployment. Yamaguchi prefecture Gov. Tsugumasa Okamura also said he agreed with the plan on Thursday, according to Kyodo News report that day. The Iwakuni mayors approval points to increased acceptance by the Japanese public of military deployments, said James Brown, an international affairs expert at Temple Universitys Japan campus. Japans increased military budget and enhanced cooperation with the United States and other security partners will require many more military drills and deployments of weaponry, he said by email Wednesday. This process will, however, be significantly held up if the Japanese public are not onboard. The CMV-22B brings agility, flexibility and sustainability to effectively operate our naval forces forward in a high-end fight, Navy Lt. j.g. Sarah Merrill, a U.S. 7th Fleet spokeswoman, said by email Thursday. The Osprey squadrons presence at MCAS Iwakuni will support Americas commitment to the defense of Japan and the security and stability of the vital Indo-Pacific region, she added. Artist Man Ray, photographed in his Paris studio, during an interview with Stars and Stripes reporter James Gunter. (Ted Rohde/Stars and Stripes) This article first appeared in the Stars and Stripes Europe edition, Jan. 14, 1966. It is republished unedited in its original form. Man Ray sat chain-smoking cigarettes in a big Paris studio crammed with his circus works and shook his curly gray head about the state of the art in the world. He thinks it fails to do anything new. Everything I see seems to come from something we did 40 years ago, he said. We means the Dadaists, a cult of deliberate irrationality that sprang up in Europe during the First World War. Man Ray, one of the movements main forces, says its hostility to bourgeois art and conventions led directly to surrealism and other 20th century revolts in art and letters, including Pop. Pop is a revival of the spirit of Dada, he said. Id like to see something I dont understand something that mystifies me. Tossing ideas right and left, the Philadelphia-born artist settled down on a big sofa. Nearby in the studio at 2 bis Rue Ferou, sat his wife, Julliet. Picasso, Matisse and Braque. I like them as personalities, he said. Their work doesnt inspire me, but their energy and productivity give me inspiration. I avoid labels. I believe in personalities, which is rather difficult nowadays. Im not a politician. I dont need a majority. I dont want notoriety. Im supposed to be modest, but it amuses me to push my paintings. Artist Man Ray, and his wife Juliet Man Ray, nee Browner, inside their home and the artist's studio in Paris. Several of the artist's works can be seen. Mrs. Ray, her husband's muse and companion, married the artist in 1946 after meeting him earlier that decade in Los Angeles. (Ted Rohde/Stars and Stripes) Artist Man Ray, photographed in his Paris studio. (Ted Rohde/Stars and Stripes) Artist Man Ray, photographed in his Paris studio. Hanging behind him his work Obstruction. (Ted Rohde/Stars and Stripes) Artist Man Ray, photographed in his Paris studio. (Ted Rohde/Stars and Stripes) Artist Man Ray photographed in his Paris studio stands next to one of his works, titled simply Self-portrait. The work is a 1963 remake of an original from 1916 that was lost or destroyed, but considered one of the worlds first Dada objects even before the term was coined. Ray described his piece as, the butt of much joking. On a background of black and aluminum paint I attached two electric bells and a real push button. In the middle, I had simply put my hand on the palette and transferred the paint imprint as a signature. Everyone who pushed the button was disappointed that the bell did not ring. (Ted Rohde/Stars and Stripes) He is perhaps even more renowned for his innovations in photography than for his paintings, but he spends most of his work time these days painting, and there has been a recent flurry of interest in his work. He has just opened an exhibit in New York, will have another in Los Angeles in June, and there have been recent retrospective shows of his vast output in many countries. The modern school was not accepted when I exhibited in New York before, he said. Now they accept everything. He said his lifes statement is wrapped up in 40 or 50 exhibits. The last couple of times I exhibited in New York I was severely criticized. Now they are adding my work to collections. He still feels a form of suspense as he creates a painting. As soon as I have finished, it is like having a good meal or a nice love affair, he said. Now 75, he admits he can no longer work as before. I want to be comfortable and not too busy, he said. What am I striving for? I pursue liberty and pursue pleasure. We all live that way but we wont admit it. I want the freedom to do everything that comes into my mind, even if it contradicts myself. He once went outside his studio, where he has lived for the past 14 years, and executed a straightforward watercolor painting of the street. I did it because I am not supposed to, he said. I know abstract painters who would love to do a thing like that, but they dont dare. Man Ray lived in Paris before Word War II, but went to California in 1940 after the Germans arrived. He returned in 1950 from Hollywood. "Obstruction," by Man Ray, a replica made in 1964 of the 1920 original. The artist himself called the work "an obstruction, not a mobile." (Ted Rohde/Stars and Stripes) Artist Man Ray, photographed in his Paris studio. (Ted Rohde/Stars and Stripes) Man Ray stands before his work "Retour a la raison," (Return to reason). He painted an earlier rendition of the painting seen here in 1921 and returned to the motif in a three minute film in 1923. The version seen here was executed in 1939. (Ted Rohde/Stars and Stripes) Man Ray stands next to some of his so-called "Rayographs." He made his "rayographs" without a camera by placing objects - such as hands, coil of wire, and other circular forms - directly on a sheet of photosensitized paper and exposing it to light. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York who owns several of the photographic works writes that although the artist had photographed everyday objects before, "these unique, visionary images immediately put the photographer on par with the avant-garde painters of the day. Hovering between the abstract and the representational, the rayographs revealed a new way of seeing that delighted the Dadaist poets who championed his work, and that pointed the way to the dreamlike visions of the Surrealist writers and painters who followed." (Ted Rohde/Stars and Stripes) Portrait of Juliet Man Ray, nee Browner, wife of Dada and surreal artist Man Ray, inside their home and his studio in Paris. (Ted Rohde/Stars and Stripes) Man Ray - photographed in his Paris studio - shows "Obstruction," a replica made in 1964 of the original 1920 hanging sculpture piece comprised of 63 wooden coat hangers. (Ted Rohde/Stars and Stripes) Its immaterial where I am, he said. My world is so different. One reason I stayed in France was to eat and drink, but I have been on a regime, eating simple food because of my rheumatism. I drank a lot before and stayed out until 5 in the morning, but now I live within my walls, Sometimes I forget where I am, I wake up in the morning and I dont know where I am. Man Ray came to Paris after World War I to find Dadaism in full swing. He said he met with musicians and writers in Paris cafes to discuss the movement which at first was purely literary. Soon he was turning out Dada art and arranged his first exhibit. I never considered myself a surrealist, but I took a parallel course, he said. The artist, who looked very neat in a blue jacket and string tie, said he got into photography with the idea of photographing his works, showing off his paintings and objects the way I want them to appear. Later, he did studio shots, including work for fashion magazines. An outgrowth of Rays photographic career was his rayograms in which he arranged objects on sensitive paper in the darkroom and then shined a light on them to reinforce the outlined objects with unexpected designs. I was doing that in 1931, he said. A cabinet in his studio contains thousands of drawings and ideas. I started as an architect, he said. I can build houses or design clothes. I developed a color process in photography and would like to do more with it, but it is too late. I am too tired. I paint what I cannot photograph. His studio contains such striking items as an arrangement of 63 coat hangers which he calls an obstruction, not a mobile. Nevertheless, according to the art history books, it was one of the first mobiles. There is little new, he said. The wheel with an axle is the only contribution that man has made to the world which doesnt exist in nature. Thats really the only thing we have ever done. The guard tower of Area 1 near Ludwigswinkel, Germany, framed through foliage on Aug. 9, 2024. The structure once watched over one of the largest U.S. Army ordnance depots in Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes) Southwestern Germanys Palatinate Forest can seem like a blur of green uniformity to car and rail travelers, but hidden adventure spots abound just beyond the hills. The town of Ludwigswinkel, near the French border and an hours drive from Kaiserslautern, is among them. Its a gateway to a hike with a fascinating blend of history, nature and outdoor relaxation. For military families and history buffs, walking through the forests here is a journey through time, from Cold War relics to stunning sandstone formations. A convenient place to park is the Landgrafen Restaurant. The hike begins at a large map near the old schoolhouse, leading onto a fine gravel path where the surroundings quickly transition from village to forest. Just as you find yourself enveloped by towering trees, the trail again opens into a clearing, and there it is: a remnant of a not-so-distant past. A signpost along the trail points the way to Area 1 and the Rumberg sandstone columns, leading hikers through a journey of history and nature. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes) The guard tower of Area 1 stands in the evening light on Aug. 9, 2024, near Ludwigswinkel, Germany. The structure once watched over one of the largest U.S. Army ordnance depots in Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes) The guard tower of Area 1 stands as a concrete reminder of Americas Cold War past in the region. Once part of the U.S. Armys large Fischbach Ordnance Depot, this now-abandoned historic site was fortified with the kind of security that could rival Fort Knox. Signposts placed by a local historical society guide visitors to 13 sights on 32 acres of the Palatinates youngest castle. Between guard bunkers and checkpoints, roads meander through the clearing, past a pond where frogs croak, a surprisingly peaceful contrast to the sites once-ominous purpose. This was where nuclear weapons were stored, ready for rapid deployment should the Cold War have turned hot. Today, the sites graffiti-riddled remnants offer a sobering reminder of that era. A row of structures on bunker alley still exhibits some of the security features of the weapon access delay system, including steel cages and barbed wire. The encroaching vegetation and forest now cover an area that was once completely cleared to allow guards a clear shot at intruders. A reinforced bunker door with its cage still intact in the former Area 1 near Ludwigswinkel, Germany. These doors once secured the entry to bunkers storing nuclear weapons during the Cold War. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes) After absorbing the history of Area 1, follow the trail onward through the dense forest and up the Rumbergsteig trail. As you climb, you may notice your phone switching to a French provider, a subtle reminder of just how close you are to the border. Soon, the first sandstone formations come into view, with the highlight being the five spectacular Rumberg towers. These colorful columns evoke the scenery of the American West. Lizards bask on sun-warmed stones and the scent of pine fills the air. Pausing here for a break is a must. The sandstone formations are not just visually stunning. The rocks texture, eroded over millennia, creates a striking scene that feels almost otherworldly. A close-up of tafoni, small cavelike formations on a sandstone wall in the Rumberg formation near Ludwigswinkel, Germany. These geological features form on rock surfaces, especially in sandstone, granite and other porous rocks as a result of weathering processes. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes) A slender sandstone tower rises dramatically from the forest floor, part of the stunning Rumberg formation near Ludwigswinkel, Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes) A lizard basks in the sun on a sandstone rock in the Rumberg formation on Aug. 10, 2024. The warm, dry environment of the sandstone is a perfect habitat for these reptiles. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes) A path winds between two colorful sandstone walls near Ludwigswinkel, Germany. The Rumbergsteig hiking trail offers easy access to hikers of all skill levels. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes) Descending from the Rumberg, the trail gently guides you back toward Ludwigswinkel. A refreshing stop awaits at the Rosselquelle, where icy spring water bubbles up, offering a cool respite for weary hikers. For those not yet ready to call it a day, the Wasgau Lake Tour provides an extended adventure. This 10-mile loop first leads to the Lindelskopf mount, where a short climb rewards you with panoramic views of the village below. Continuing the journey, youll encounter the idyllic Pfalzerwoog, a lake that in summer is adorned with pink water lilies that reflect beautifully in the still waters. Approaching Fischbach-bei-Dahn, you catch sight of the White Madonna, a 13-foot-tall concrete statue of the Virgin Mary that serves as a poignant symbol of peace. The trail eventually loops back through dense forest and past more than five serene bodies of water, leading to the perfect way to end a summer day: a swim in the cool waters of the Saarbacherhammer Lake near Ludwigswinkel. Water lilies float serenely on the Pfalzerwoog, their pink blooms adding a splash of color to the tranquil lake. The large pond is a popular stop for hikers seeking a moment of peace. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes) The White Madonna statue stands atop a hill near Fischbach-bei-Dahn, Germany, symbolizing peace. The statue was erected in 1959 as a World War II memorial and an anti-war symbol. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes) The view from the Lindelskopf platform offers a breathtaking panorama of Ludwigswinkel, Germany. The climb up is short but steep, with a rewarding view at the top. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes) There is no fee to use the lake, which is a popular summer destination for nearby residents but was not too crowded even on a sweltering weekend day. For those needing a final treat, the Ludwigswinkel barefoot path offers a fun, tactile experience that challenges your feet with a variety of textures from warm, soothing sand to a knee-high mud bath followed by cold river rocks. A couple of hikers make their way toward the Saarbacherhammer swimming area near Ludwigswinkel, Germany, on Aug. 11, 2024. The lake is a refreshing end to a day of exploring the area, which borders France. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes) The Wasgau Lake Tour trail near Fischbach-bei-Dahn, Germany, has stops at assorted ponds and lakes, such as this one as seen on Aug. 11, 2024. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes) Children enjoy the barefoot path in Ludwigswinkel, Germany, experiencing different textures underfoot. The path offers a fun way to connect with nature and recover from a day's hike. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes) Completing both trails in a single day is ambitious but realistic. For families with young children or those who prefer a slower pace, tackling just the Rumbergsteig and cooling off in the Muhlweiher is a perfect summer outing. Area 1, Rumbergsteig and Wasgau Lake Hike Address: Landgrafenstrasse 33, Ludwigswinkel, Germany Hours: Open year-round, but best visited in spring and summer Cost: The trails are free, only the barefoot path visit costs 2 euros. Information: Online: sites.google.com/view/ig-area-1-e-v/startseite The Henkerhaus Museum, located along the Pegnitz River in Nuremberg, Germany, was once home to the city's municipal executioners and offers a glimpse into medieval crime and punishment. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes) Meister Franz Schmidt beheaded, hanged, burned or drowned 361 people deemed criminals while he held the role of municipal executioner in Nuremberg between 1577 and 1617. Schmidt used torture to extract confessions and maimed lesser offenders with corporal punishment an additional 345 times. His position was thought to be fairly prestigious, though still viewed with derision. Schmidt documented his gory tenure in the book A Hangmans Diary, which provided insight into crime and punishment in the Middle Ages and beyond. Present-day Nuremberg also has a more immersive legacy of Schmidt and his fellow executioners: a residence built for them on the Pegnitz River in 1320. The Henkerhaus, or hangmans house, offers visitors glimpses into one of medieval and Renaissance Europes darkest professions. It was home to the municipal executioner until 1806. A pen-and-ink drawing from the judicial record of 1591 depicts executioner Franz Schmidt beheading Hans Froeschel for stealing. A photo of the drawing is among the exhibits on display at the Henkerhaus in Nuremberg, Germany. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes) A display at the Henkerhaus Museum, home to centuries of municipal executioners in Nuremberg, Germany, depicts the gallows, also called the ravenstone, because bodies would often be left for the birds. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes) A visitor enters the Henkerhaus in Nuremberg, Germany, on July 7, 2024. The building once served as the house of the city's executioners. It was later turned into a museum. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes) The information and imagery at the house, including some lifted from official documents and Schmidts journal, are spellbinding. There are no axes or tools on display, which made the visit seem more academic than shocking. The office of executioner developed as the ruling class consolidated power, according to literature at the Henkerhaus. Ancient Roman law influenced the decision to separate sentencing from punishment. The imperial city of Nuremberg may have had an executioner as far back as 1378, records indicate. Cells and a torture chamber underneath City Hall were where executioners would extract confessions, a requirement for conviction at the time. Sentences of imprisonment were rare. Punishments ranged from public humiliation to death. Corporal punishment included branding and mutilation. The resulting physical handicap meant a lifelong loss of honor and esteem, the exhibit said. Murder, rape, robbery, theft and even blasphemy were often punishable by death. Decapitation was considered the most humane capital punishment, while death on the breaking wheel and being burned alive were far worse. Hanging was the second-most-used form of public execution. Women were usually drowned, until that practice was abandoned in favor of beheading. The standout of the experience for me, besides the callous indifference to the loss of life, was seeing the bay window where the executioners toilet had been, above the swiftly flowing Pegnitz. The outline of a hole marks the former location of the executioner's toilet above the Pegnitz River in the Henkerhaus in Nuremberg, Germany. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes) The Henkerhaus Museum in Nuremberg, Germany, seen here on July 7, 2024, features historical displays housed in the building where the city's executioners lived in centuries past. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes) The Henkerhaus in Nuremberg, Germany, once home to the city's municipal executioners, offers a glimpse into medieval crime and punishment. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes) In Schmidts time, the bottom half was left open, allowing excrement to fall into the river. Apparently, merchants werent the only ones doing business on the Pegnitz. Its unknown where he cooked and slept, so those mundane aspects of his life are left to the visitors imagination. After being damaged during World War II, the Henkerhaus was restored in 1954. It has been a museum since 2007. On the QT Address: Trodelmarkt 58, Nuremberg, Germany Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Cost: Admission is free for children under 14, 3 euros for most adults, and 2 euros for ages 14 to 18, students and the severely disabled. Information: Online: henkerhaus-nuernberg.de A map of waterbodies on and around the former Naval Air Station in Brunswick that may be contaminated by chemicals from a spill at the former Naval Air Station in Brunswick, according to an advisory by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (Maine DHHS) (Tribune News Service) The concentration and diversity of toxic forever chemicals released in last weeks firefighting foam spill at the Brunswick Executive Airport is even higher and according to some scientists, even worse than what was first announced by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The Aug. 19 spill, which is believed to be among the nations worst in 30 years, is the latest stain on the long, dirty environmental history of the highly contaminated former Brunswick Naval Air Station. The spill was the topic of a public meeting in Brunswick on Thursday. In its Monday progress report, Maine DEP shared the initial test results of the foam concentrate, the concentrate mixed with water, and the inlet and outlet of the unlined drainage ponds that lead from the airport to the creek that empties into Harpswell Cove and then Casco Bay. In that update, Maine shared the off-the-charts concentration of one particularly nasty forever chemical 3.2 billion parts per trillion of PFOS which it identified as the primary compound in the aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF, that was hooked up to the hangars faulty fire suppression system. Scientists question why Maine DEP chose to express PFOS concentration as 3,230 parts per million and not 3.2 billion parts per trillion. The state uses parts per trillion to measure forever chemical levels in its drinking water. Its the same number, just expressed differently. One looks big, one looks small. They also question why Maine DEPs update only shared the PFOS number. The lab results showed 1.1 billion parts per trillion of 13 other forever chemicals in the concentrate, including 69 million parts per trillion of PFOA, the forever chemical with the most epidemiological evidence of human harm. Gail Carlson, head of Colby Colleges Buck Lab for Climate and Environment, had this reaction: Yikes! I am very concerned about these other PFAS at such high levels, said Carlson, an assistant professor who studies the human health impacts of forever chemicals. The risk for human exposure is likely when environmental contamination occurs, which the pond results show. The pond inlet has over 1 million parts per trillion of PFOS and 231,000 parts per trillion of 12 other forever chemicals, including 14,100 parts per trillion of PFOA. At the outlet, due to dilution and the different migration rates, levels fall to 701 parts per trillion of PFOS and 1,456 parts per trillion of all forever chemicals. To put that in context, Maines interim drinking water standard caps the amount of six different forever chemicals, including PFOA and PFOS, at no more than 20 parts per trillion. The water leaving the pond on Monday, the day of the spill, came in at 1,086.29 parts per trillion for those six forever chemicals. Maine plans to lower its drinking water limits to match the new federal PFAS limits of no more than 4 parts per trillion. Its pretty clear the state wants to control the narrative on this, making the numbers look as small as it can so people dont get scared, Carlson said. I dont want to be an alarmist, but Id be scared if I lived there ... Ive been working in this field for a long time and Ive never seen numbers like these. But a department spokesman said DEP chose to use parts per million instead of parts per trillion for ease of readability. It used PFOS as an example because it is the primary forever chemical in the concentrate, and it had the highest concentration detected in the samples, said Deputy Commissioner David Madore. The measurements were taken to illustrate the differences between the concentrate and how it begins to move through the surface water system to determine how well the local, state and federal response effort is working, Madore said. He said DEP couldnt comment on the scientists concerns, noting it was not a party to the conversations. State and local officials have reassured the public that the public drinking water supply is safe because it draws upon aquifers located far away from Brunswick Landing. The local water district has increased its PFAS testing since the spill. An alarm system would prevent a PFAS spill into an aquifer from reaching any tap. The historical path of contamination at the former naval air station, which was designated a Superfund site in 1987 due to chemical contamination caused by ordnance detonation, suggests the chemicals that are seeping through the soil as a result of the spill will travel away from private wells toward the ocean. If she lived near the airport, Carlson said, shed get her well water tested immediately, by the end of day, and shed plan to test it every week for a while, even though it costs $350 a test and takes a month to get the results back. She said shed test her well water, her soil and her blood. Carlson said the environmental risks of last weeks public health tragedy can only be fully understood through long-term water, soil and air testing. The state must expand its testing beyond the former base, the ponds, or the cove, she said it must test the private wells, soil, and blood of those living nearby, too. Despite downplaying the risk to private wells, DEP said last week it will sample some, but not all, private wells in the nearby residential neighborhoods. On Wednesday, DEP said it had decided to sample some wells east of the spill site based on Maines complex hydrogeology and historical test data. The historical record of PFAS contamination at the base is murky even though its a Superfund site. The base closed in 2011, before environmental agencies recognized forever chemicals as a public health risk. As a result, environmental records are incomplete, at best. It wasnt until two years ago that Maine passed a law requiring people to report AFFF discharges to the state, so state records before that are spotty. But federal records show last weeks Brunswick spill is the biggest accidental foam discharge in Maine since it began keeping records in the 1990s. But its not the only one, and its not even Brunswick Executive Airports biggest foam concentrate spill. Last week, a malfunctioning fire suppression system discharged 51,450 gallons of firefighting foam 4 to 5 feet deep in Hangar 4, emptying into the sewer and stormwater drains and bubbling up through the manhole covers in the parking lot and in nearby drainage ponds. In 2019, a regular test of the fire suppression system in the same hangar went bad when someone forgot to close the drain that was meant to keep the foam contained in the hangar and out of the sewer. Airport and state officials claim the mishap resulted in a few dozen gallons being spilled, not tens of thousands. But David Page, a retired Bowdoin College chemistry professor and local representative to the advisory board overseeing the Navys base cleanup, took issue with the state and airports characterization of the 2019 spill, noting it elevated PFOS levels in the ponds out into Mere Creek for about two years. In 2000, back when the Navy still operated a 3,100-acre naval air station there, a power outage knocked the fire suppression system in Hangar 4 offline, spilling about 500 gallons of foam, according to a Coast Guard National Response Center spill record. All but five gallons were recovered. In 2012, about 2,000 gallons of AFFF concentrate inside a fire suppression tank in Hangar 6 went down the sewer drain in the hangar because of a faulty valve. The fire system was never triggered, and water did not mix with the concentrate, so the amount of foam doesnt compare to last weeks 51,450 gallons. But the amount of straight-up AFFF which is the source of the forever chemicals that drained into the sewers dwarfs the amount of AFFF mixed into Mondays larger foam spill. Yet the 2012 spill didnt crack any state or federal inventory because forever chemicals werent deemed hazardous then. The only mention of that spill is recorded in 2012 sewer district board meeting minutes. At the time, the sewer district manager was worried about the damage the foam backup could cause to the sewer system pumps and the cost of using defoaming agents, not the potential environmental risk. Aqueous film-forming foam is used by firefighters to fight high-intensity fuel fires at military bases, civilian airports, fuel terminals and industrial plants that use a lot of chemicals, such as paper mills. The foam forms a film or blanket over the fire, depriving it of the oxygen it needs to burn. Firefighting foam is the most common source of forever chemical contamination in the U.S., according to the EPA, but PFAS has shown up in trace amounts almost everywhere, from Arctic polar bears to Maine dairy farmers. According to the EPA data, which is based on information collected by the U.S. Coast Guards National Response Center, 1,200 spills of firefighting foam containing toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS or forever chemicals, have occurred across the country since 1990. Even trace amounts of some PFAS are considered a public health risk, according to federal regulators. High exposure over a long time can cause cancer. Exposure during critical life stages, such as in early childhood, can also cause life-changing harm. (c)2024 the Portland Press Herald. Visit the Portland Press Herald at www.pressherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. It is interesting to see how some things in modern warfare have not changed. Comparing an aspect of our Vietnam conflict with the war the Israelis are fighting today in Gaza bears this out. In any war, intelligence is all-important in being able to predict what an opposing side is planning and then acting to counter it. The Oct. 7 Hamas raid into Israel, killing 1,200 Israeli civilians, demonstrated the consequences of such an intelligence failure. In such conflicts, modern technology used by one side can give it an advantage over the other in collecting intelligence, unless said other can come up with some way to offset it. In this regard then, warfare turns into a bit of a chess match by which the enemy targeted by the technology endeavors somehow to negate it. This was done somewhat successfully by our North Vietnamese enemy in impacting upon our ability to try to monitor their communications; it appears Hamas is doing the same to the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza. Wireless communications on the battlefield first evolved during World War I, laying the groundwork for communications strategies in World War II and beyond. As it evolved, so too did technologies for listening in on these wireless communications. A technology to inhibit one side from understanding communications transmitted by the other was developed during World War II. The Germans created a code known as Enigma, involving 1.5 sextillion combinations that was deemed, at least by them, to be unbreakable. However, unbeknownst to Germany, that code was broken by the U.S. Hence, during the Vietnam War, we attempted to eavesdrop on North Vietnamese communications along the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail a logistical supply line network of several roads and alternative routes by which our enemy was able to transit war materials and personnel. To our surprise, we were unable to pick up much communications traffic to learn when supply convoys might be running. Only after the wars end did we learn why. Fearing any cryptic wireless communications might be broken by the U.S., the North Vietnamese resorted to a rather simple way to offset our monitoring capabilities. They resorted to using an older technology field phones that were connected between two points by a single wire that could not be monitored by modern technology. The old field phones had a downside, however. If a line were broken, fixers often had to travel for miles through difficult terrain to find and repair the break, which disrupted communications until they could be re-established. The Gaza war has seen a continuation of this battlefield chess match. Based on their relatively small population, the Israelis are among the worlds most innovative. They recently demonstrated this, if an alleged tactic used recently to assassinate senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was a guest in Iran at the time, is correct. Haniyeh, feeling safe enough in Tehran to use his cellphone, enabled the Israelis to vector in on his exact location and take him out with a missile strike. But even higher than Haniyeh on their list to locate and eliminate is Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, 61. While an extensive tunnel system in Gaza has been located, with miles of it now destroyed, it is believed there are still many more miles of tunnels in operation to be located. It is also believed Sinwar avoids being located by using the remaining tunnel network. Meanwhile, he knows the best way to ensure his own survival is not to communicate electronically for fear of Israeli technology determining his location as it did with Haniyeh. Sinwar has gone totally silent, being referred to as a ghost. He now only communicates in writing, with his messages given to trusted carrier pigeon fellow terrorists to transport. Obviously, it is a rather archaic means of communication in this day and age but one necessary for Sinwars personal safety. It may well explain why, since any peace agreement between Israel and Hamas must involve input from Sinwar, negotiations are being drawn out by this communication system. Israel has recently made another move in its chess match with Hamas to locate Sinwar. While the exact capabilities of the technology have not been fully disclosed, Israel has obtained a unique high-penetrating ground radar to aid in the search for Sinwar. As the Hamas tunnels lie fairly deep underground, it is unknown how deep the radar can penetrate and whether there are any other indicators it homes in on. Just like the U.S. did in its search for terrorist Osama bin Laden after 9/11 when he had gone into hiding, Israel has set up an intelligence unit to analyze information concerning Sinwars possible location. That unit recently reported that to get from one tunnel system to another, a clean-shaven Sinwar is known to don womens clothing an act condemned by Islam and walk the streets of Gaza. He has learned from bin Ladens ill-fated decision to remain at a single location, not to spend more than 24-36 hours in one place. Even doing so, there have been several times the Israelis reached a location abandoned by Sinwar only minutes earlier. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been offered as a reward for any information leading to Sinwars location as well as other senior Hamas leaders more money than any Palestinian would see in several lifetimes due to their leaders corruption. It is now known the planning for the Oct. 7 Hamas sneak attack on Israel began even before the 2014 Gaza conflict, among only five senior leaders who were its architects, updated after the 2021 conflict, with the final decision to execute the plan made only days prior. Of those five leaders, while two are now confirmed kills and one is a possible kill, only Sinwar and his brother definitely remain alive. Sinwar has been the victim and survivor of at least six Israeli assassination attempts before the Oct. 7 massacre. He has long had the reputation of a cat with nine lives. It remains to be seen if the ghost has three lives left or, more appropriately, is a dead man walking. James Zumwalt is a retired Marine infantry officer (lieutenant colonel) who served in the Vietnam War, Panama and Operation Desert Storm. He is the author of three books and hundreds of opinion pieces in online and print publications. A sailor walks into a Lawson convenience store near Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, Aug. 21, 2024. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) TOKYO Japans second largest convenience store chain, in a bid for more of the countrys tourist trade, recently asked its employees to wear badges indicating the languages they speak. More than 3.1 million foreign travelers visited Japan in June, 9% more than the same month in 2019 and a new monthly record, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. The country is also home to about 55,000 active-duty U.S. service members. Many, no doubt, stop at a convenience store for a snack, an umbrella or to use the ATM. Accordingly, Lawson asked its multilingual workers to display their proficiency in any of seven languages English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Nepali. This will allow foreign travelers to receive services more comfortably without feeling a language barrier, the company said in an Aug. 20 news release. A Lawson convenience store clerk shows off a badge identifying himself as a speaker of the Nepali language. (Lawson Inc.) Lawson cited data from the Japan Tourism Agency that 25.06 million foreign tourists visited Japan in 2023, about 6 times those in the previous year. In light of this situation, it is urgent to strengthen multilingual support in stores that are mainly used by foreign visitors to Japan, the Lawson release said. The text on the foreign language badges is written in the indicated language, so foreign visitors can understand. The staff may also wear badges indicating they are studying Japanese, a company spokesman told Stars and Stripes by phone Aug. 21. By clarifying the languages that store staff can speak, it will help reduce employee stress and misunderstandings and improve the working environment, said the spokesman, who declined to be named per company policy. The Lawson program is the first of its kind among the major convenience store chains in Japan and resulted from increase in foreign part-time employees at convenience stores, Japan Today reported Aug. 20. Approximately 13% of Lawson employees are foreigners, according to the company release. Around 10% of employees working for three of the major convenience store chains, Lawson, Seven-Eleven Japan Co. and FamilyMart Co., are foreign workers, according to Japan Today. The company has no data on how many employees are wearing the badges since the practice was initiated this month, the spokesman said. Lance Cpl. Gage Baird, 23, walks out of the commissary with groceries at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes) MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan U.S. Navy and Marine Corps bases in the path of a punishing typhoon tracking across southern Japan secured ships and planes and stocked up on peanut butter Thursday. Typhoon Shanshan passed south of Sasebo Naval Base as it stormed across Kyushu, the southernmost of Japans four main islands, and continued slowly northward, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Shanshan at its strongest packed maximum sustained winds of nearly 90 mph with gusts over 100 mph, but by 12:30 p.m. Thursday had weakened to a Category 1-equivalent storm, according to the center. It was moving at 7 mph, about twice as fast as the average person walks, the center said. Thanks to two weak weather systems steering the typhoon, its path is difficult to predict, according to the centers update at noon Thursday. The system has the potential to move erratically during a quasi-stationary period with possible loops and backtracking, the update stated. Nearly 20 inches of rain fell on Kyushu between Wednesday and Thursday, The Associated Press reported. That triggered a landslide that killed one person and injured several others. At Sasebo homeport of the America Amphibious Ready Group about 30 miles north of Nagasaki all nonessential operations shut down as of noon and all ships were secured in the harbor, said a base spokesman. It is being advertised as a very serious, strong storm and, of course, Sasebo is known to be a very safe harbor protected from storm effects, and so we are hoping that this is the case this time around, spokesman Aki Nichols told Stars and Stripes by phone Thursday. But we are taking all the precautions we normal do. Ships were secured by doubling and tripling storm lines and positioning them in the safest locations on berth assignments, he said. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, 22 miles southwest of Hiroshima and next in the storms path, moved into Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 2 on Thursday afternoon, meaning it expected winds of 57 mph or higher within 24 hours. Navy spouse Sarah Kovalevich, like many others, was at MCAS Iwakunis commissary Thursday, stocking up on milk, eggs, bread, peanut butter and jelly ahead of the storm. Ill be totally honest, I was kind of like, its not going to be that big of a deal, and then I saw more people posting its going to be one of the biggest ones, she said. The commissary was well stocked with milk and eggs but the shelf for sandwich bread was empty. I got yen out to go out to the Japanese grocery stores just in case they didnt have stuff here, Kovalevich said. Shanshan is expected to pass 62 miles south-southeast of Iwakuni around 4 p.m. Friday as a tropical storm, still packing 46 mph sustained winds and 58 mph gusts at its center, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. MCAS Iwakuni is closely monitoring Shanshans progress, base spokesman 2nd Lt. Justin Weinstein told Stars and Stripes by email Thursday. The air station is taking standard typhoon precautions in securing aircraft and equipment and adjusting the schedules of on-base services, he said. Information on the typhoons strength, preparedness measures and shelter locations on and off base are available via internal communications and the MCAS Iwakuni social media channels, Weinstein added. The base on its official Facebook page Wednesday advised residents on- and off-base to secure outside items and encouraged anyone living in flood-prone areas to use the on-base evacuation shelter. Dozens of domestic flights connecting southwestern cities and islands will be canceled through Friday. Japan Railway suspended bullet trains and local train services Thursday on Kyushu. Similar steps may be taken on the main island of Honshu through Sunday, according to the AP. Keep an eye on Stars and Stripes Pacific Storm Tracker for frequent Shanshan updates. Stars and Stripes reporter Dave Ornauer contributed to this report. Bill Barnett, left, grandfather of Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, and former President Donald Trump place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 26, 2024. (Alex Brandon/AP) Earlier this month, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps campaign contacted military officials about visiting Arlington National Cemetery to mark the third anniversary of the Islamic State bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members during the evacuation from Afghanistan. Federal law prohibits election-related activities at military cemeteries, and Arlington is the most prestigious and sacred of all. Pentagon officials were deeply concerned about the former president turning the visit into a campaign stop, but they also didnt want to block him from coming, according to Defense Department officials and internal messages reviewed by The Washington Post. Officials said they wanted to respect the wishes of grieving family members who wanted Trump there, but at the same time were wary of Trumps record of politicizing the military. So they laid out ground rules they hoped would wall off politics from the final resting place of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. Instead, they got sucked into exactly the kind of crisis they were hoping to avoid. A cemetery employee tried to enforce the rules as provided to her by blocking Trumps team from bringing cameras to the graves of U.S. service members killed in recent years, according to a senior defense official and another person briefed on the incident. A larger male campaign aide insisted the camera was allowed and pushed past the cemetery employee, leaving her shocked. Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung responded to the first report of the altercation, from NPR on Tuesday, by accusing, without evidence, the employee of suffering from a mental health episode. Defense officials said that the employee was trying to do her job and that the claim of a mental health episode was false. On Wednesday, Cheung said the employee initiated physical contact that was unwarranted and unnecessary. Cheung also said the campaign would release footage to support his claim but has not. The campaign did, however, post a TikTok of the event on Wednesday exactly what military officials tried to prevent. The use of the footage marked a flagrant violation of the law against partisan actions at military cemeteries, defense officials said. The visit comes as Trump struggles to regain his footing in a race altered by Vice President Kamala Harriss replacement of President Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket. He often portrays himself as a champion of the military, but Democrats point to his public and private remarks denigrating service members. I just havent seen anything this disgusting, said Paul Eaton, a retired Army general and adviser to the liberal group VoteVets whose fathers remains are interred at Arlington. It is completely inappropriate to do any kind of political activity on a federal installation, and it is immoral in my terms to conduct any kind of self-serving activity on a cemetery with the graves of our fallen. Defense officials were concerned about the event Monday because Republicans have frequently used the bombing, a low point of the Biden administration, as a political cudgel. In advance of the event, cemetery officials told Trumps team that he could come in his personal capacity and bring personal aides, but not campaign staff. Campaign advisers went anyway. No hats, signs or banners were allowed, according to military officials. No speeches. Reporters and photographers could follow Trump for a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns, but not to the 14-acre plot where veterans from recent wars are buried, known as Section 60. The media was kept away, unable to see the altercation or anything else, for that matter during that part of his visit. The first part went according to plan. With full media coverage, Trump and two Marines injured in the bombing, Tyler Vargas-Andrews and Kelsee Lainhart, laid a wreath at the tomb, a monument dedicated to deceased U.S. troops whose remains have not been identified or recovered. The press then returned to a holding area and were specifically instructed that reporters and cameras would not accompany Trump and bereaved families to Section 60. But Trump officials said they did not view the campaigns own photographer and videographer as subject to the same restrictions, so they continued on to Section 60. Their arrival there prompted the standoff with the cemetery employee over the rules. The identity of the Trump aide involved was not known Wednesday. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of Arlington staff members, the senior defense official said, with vitriol aimed at them initially on Monday by liberals, after the news coverage of Trump at the cemetery was published. That has given way to language from conservatives that also is concerning. If the campaign feels the need to defend their teams actions which include bullying and physically pushing out of the way a longtime public servant and member of the team at Arlington working to protect the sanctity of the sacred spaces then thats on them, one defense official said. The rules were made clear to participants, and these two chose to disregard those rules. End of story. A brief report of the incident was filed with security personnel overseeing the cemetery, the senior defense official said. The confrontation is not under investigation by either the Army Criminal Investigation Division or the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, officials with each organization said. Co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita, who was present Monday along with other campaign employees, in a statement called the cemetery employee a despicable individual who does not deserve to represent the hollowed [sic] grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. LaCivita posted video on X on Monday of Trump laying flowers at the grave of Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, a soldier killed in the explosion, and speaking to his family on the phone. In addition to the campaigns TikTok video, Trump posed for photos on Monday at the graveside of Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee with her family, including one where he is giving a thumbs-up gesture and others are smiling. Eaton called the gesture appalling. The campaign also defended itself with a joint statement from the two injured Marines who appeared with Trump and the families of some of the service members killed, saying they wanted Trump and his cameras there. Darin Hoover, whose son, Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, died in the bombing, reaffirmed that in an interview Wednesday. We invited him. He didnt come to us, Hoover said. He has shown nothing but sincerity to all of us and for what happened to our children, and for anybody else to try to take that away from the ceremony both at the wreath-laying and at the graveside is unconscionable. Hoover and some of the other grieving families also participated in the Republican National Convention and said Biden has not granted multiple requests to meet with him. They have grown closer to Trump over the years after bad interactions with Biden, who has offended some Gold Star families by discussing the death of his son Beau, who died of brain cancer after returning from serving in Iraq, in a meeting with them. Other veterans and bereaved families viewed Trumps visit as disrespectful to a sacred space that also belongs to them and to the nation. Section 60 is a place where young widows can be seen trimming grass with hand scissors, sharing comfort with other Gold Star families, and decorating graves with flowers and beads. Visitors have long taken graveside photographs there, and sitting presidents have visited before, but not as part of campaign events. Thats not the time or place for it, said Karen Meredith, a VoteVets board member whose son, 1st Lt. Ken Ballard, is buried in the second row of Section 60. They had to bully themselves into this thing. The lack of respect for the rules or the norms or the laws at Arlington theres just no respect. Rep. Michael Waltz (R.-Fla.), an Army veteran who participated in the Arlington event on Monday, stood by the familys wishes and accused the cemetery employee of overstepping. If they had a Trump-Vance banner and campaign signs, or if he went to the microphone and hit the other side, then okay, he said. But that wasnt the case. Trumps running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), turned the incident into a political attack during a campaign speech in Erie, Pa., on Wednesday. Were going to talk about a story out of those 13 brave, innocent Americans who lost their lives, he said. He then falsely accused Harris of criticizing Trumps visit to the cemetery, which she hasnt commented on. A Harris campaign spokesman called it pretty sad. She wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up, Vance said. She can go to hell. Trump has repeatedly defied restrictions on using federal property for campaign purposes by staging a political speech at Mount Rushmore, participating in a television interview inside the Lincoln Memorial, and holding the 2020 Republican National Convention at the White House itself. As president, he pushed unsuccessfully for a European-style military parade down Pennsylvania Avenue. At the same time, Trump has repeatedly badmouthed the sacrifices of American service members. In 2015, he mocked the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for his time as a prisoner of war (I like people who werent captured), and earlier this month said the civilian Presidential Medal of Freedom was much better than the military Medal of Honor because those who received the latter were either in very bad shape because theyve been hit so many times by bullets, or theyre dead. Trumps former aides have said he similarly disparaged service members in private, which he denies. Retired Gen. Mark A. Milley, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Trump responded to appearing with a wounded veteran by saying, No one wants to see that. His former chief of staff, John Kelly, said Trump called U.S. Marines buried at cemeteries in France suckers and losers. (Other former aides have said they didnt hear those remarks.) Kelly has also said Trump told him during a previous visit to Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, I dont get it. What was in it for them? He never understood why would you do anything that doesnt benefit you, one former senior Trump White House official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe a private interaction. I remember talking to him about death and sacrifice for the country, and it was like talking Greek to him. Thats why its the height of hypocrisy hes there laying a wreath, given his general feelings about veterans. The former official said it was painful to see the suffering families put their faith in Trump. They are clearly grieving, and their kids have given the ultimate sacrifice, and they think he can help them, the former official said. They dont know who he really is and what hes really about. Its not their fault. Cheung called the former official a coward for speaking anonymously. Hau Chu, Alex Horton, Hannah Knowles, Amy. B Wang and Marianne LeVine contributed to this report. Alinna Shafaie is accused of breaching immigration laws by not producing identification AN asylum seeker whose claim to be 26 years old is disputed by gardai was arrested for failing to prove his identity, a court heard. Alinna Shafaie is accused of breaching immigration laws by not producing identification, after a garda refused to accept his International Protection Office card as proof. The garda insisted we dont know who he is", despite the Department of Social Protection already accepting Mr Shafaies identification and paying him social welfare. Judge William Aylmer granted Mr Shafaie bail and adjourned the case at Dublin District Court. The accused, of no fixed address, is charged with failing to produce a passport or equivalent document establishing his identity and nationality. The offence is alleged to have taken place at Trinity Street, Dublin 2 contrary to Section 12 of the Immigration Act. Objecting to bail, Garda Emmet Cullen said Mr Shafaie was an Afghan national who had come to Ireland from Germany via London. When stopped in the city centre and asked for ID on August 28, the accused had provided a date of birth in 1998 that would make him 26 years old and had produced an International Protection Office (IPO) card, Gda Cullen said. However, he had not provided any form of ID with a photo and date of birth side by side. The Department of Social Protection had accepted his ID, and he was receiving welfare payments, the garda said. The department was generous in helping people in need, he said. Alinna Shafaie I cant see how due diligence has been done by anyone to confirm his identity, Gda Cullen said. I dont believe him to be 26 years of age. The accused, who is homeless, had stated he had a wife and three children in Germany but had been unable to furnish a birth certificate, Gda Cullen said. He asked the judge to remand the accused in custody until we can establish who he is. Applying for bail, defence solicitor Donal Quigley acknowledged that his clients age looks a little out but said other organs of the State had rightly or wrongly accepted his identification. Mr Shafaie came from Afghanistan, a place where little or no original documentation would be available, Mr Quigley said. He did not believe the accused was ever going to be able to come up with it. With no documentation there was no route out once he went into custody. It was not the most serious charge in the world, Mr Quigley added. Mr Shafaie would have to turn up at the post office where he collected his social welfare every week. Judge Aylmer set bail in the accuseds own bond of 100, with no cash lodgement, on condition that he signs on three times per week at a garda station. He adjourned the case to September 12. David Taylor bizarrely gave his victim a hug and told her god bless you as he left her home after 7am A masked burglar who in the dead of night, broke into the home of an elderly and vulnerable widow, holding her prisoner for more than three hours and threatening to stab her with a screwdriver driver was today handed sentences amounting to 68 months. Imposing 44 months on David Taylor for offences arising from the burglary and other incidents he committed on 30 November 2022, Judge Alistair Devlin also activated previously suspended jail sentences of two years for similar offending, ordering them to be served consecutively. Jailing the 43-year-old at Antrim Crown Court the judge was understandably scathing in his sentencing remarks and in describing his crimes as despicable offending, he told Taylor that not only had his victim lost items of financial value and more importantly, high sentimental value, she had been left so traumatised by the terrifying and prolonged ordeal, committed in the sanctity of her home that she had sold it and moved in with her daughter. Revealing that amongst the items taken by drug addict Taylor and never recovered was a gold Star of David given to her by her husband of more than 60 years, Judge Devlin said the elderly and vulnerable victim has been forced to leave the home where she had lived, losing friendships with neighbours she had known for decades and had been left suffering from depression and PTSD. The court is entirely satisfied that is all down to you and your disgraceful behaviour, declared the judge as he jailed for recidivist thief who has 118 criminal convictions including more than 20 for domestic burglaries. Judge Devlin said despite Taylors claims that he thought the house was empty, when he was confronted by the 86-year-old victim you could easily have left and just gone home. Instead however you chose to remain there for three and a half hours inside this ladys home said the judge. He heard that during the prolonged ordeal, Taylor Threatened to stab her with a screwdriver up to the handle; Rummaged through her belongings; Smoked two cannabis joints sitting at the foot of the pensioners bed while she was still in it, fearing that she would be sexually assaulted; Dragged her back and assaulted her when she tried to leave by the back door and Bizarrely gave her a hug and told her god bless you as he left her home after 7am. Judge Devlin told the court how the 86-year-old widow had gone to bed at around 9pm having locked the door to her home at Hollybank Park in Ballymena but she was awaken around 4am by light in the hallway and when she went to investigate, was confronted by the masked intruder who demanded money and jewellery. Having ransacked her cupboards and other rooms and taken various items of jewellery, Taylor was told there was around 140 cash in the victims bag so he Tok that along with a cheque book and bank cards. You then sat at the bottom if the bed and that is when the bizarre behaviour began, said Judge Devlin, outlining how Taylor rolled two cannabis joints and smoked them before he made himself and the petrified widow a cup of tea each. At one stage when the vulnerable victim tried to leave by the back door, Taylor grabbed her and trailed her back in, causing her tov fall and cut her hand and while she was on the floor he kicked her twice to the hip and threatened her with the screwdriver if she tried any more smart tricks. During the protracted ordeal her greatest fear was that she would be sexually assaulted by you, the judge told Taylor, describing that when the thug eventually left after 7am, he had a final look around the house, gave her a hug and told her god bless you. The court heard that when he left that property Taylor tried to break into two other houses nearby, causing 2,000 of damage to the PVC door and windows to one of them. Police investigating the incidents obtained forensic and CCTV evidence linking Taylor to them but he had fled to mainland Europe, revealing himself after he surrendered himself to police in September last year that he had been in Amsterdam taking loads of drugs. During emotional police interviews Taylor said he had wanted to get money to buy a new bike so after putting socks on his hands, he took a spade from a shed to gain access to houses and was surprised to see a resident inside. He was visibly upset and apologised and made full admissions, the court heard and Taylor, of no fixed abode, later entered guilty pleas to charges of burglary, false imprisonment, attempted burglary with intent to steal, theft, possessing class B cannabis and criminal damage. Judge Devlin said there was a multitude of aggravating factors to the case including Taylors criminal record, that he had caused significant harm to his elderly and vulnerable victim who was put through a terrifying and prolonged ordeal, that he forced entry into her home in the dead of night and assaulted her when she tried to escape. He told the defendant while he was not assessing him as posing a serious risk of harm to the public, it was not without hesitation that he came to that conclusion. While Taylor had entered guilty pleas and through his counsel had apologised for his shameful offending, the judge said that had to be seen in the light of the despicable burglary. Imposing the jail sentences, Judge Devlin ordered that Taylor serve half in jail and jailed under supervised license conditions. Christian Topiter has been held in prison custody on remand for over two months The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) must issue directions or else the case of a man accused of destroying "priceless" ancient mummies following a fire at St Michan's Church in Dublin "will be struck out", a judge has warned. Christian Topiter, 38, has been held in prison custody on remand for over two months and needs 4,000 lodged in court before he can be released. A blaze happened at around 4pm on June 11 and water damage is believed to have ruined five mummified remains, including an 800-year-old artefact known as 'The Crusader'. The former security guard appeared again at Cloverhill District Court when gardai sought further time to get the DPP's direction on the accused's trial venue. Judge Alan Mitchell said the case had already been before him several times for gardai to have the directions. Said Judge Mitchell: "Looking at the offence it should have been straightforward, maybe not." Defence counsel Alex MacDonnell submitted that the case should be marked peremptory against the State on the next occasion. Judge Mitchell acceded to the counsel's request and adjourned the case for two weeks for directions to be given to gardai, "or it will be struck out", adding, "that will make the news". The case resumes on September 10. Former security guard Christian Topiter, previously of Grand Canal House, Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6, was charged with causing criminal damage at St Michan's Church to mummified remains, property of Church of Ireland Archdeacon of Dublin & Vicar of St Michan's Church David Pierpoint. Garda James Kenny told a bail hearing on June 12 that there was CCTV evidence and alleged the accused was arrested shortly afterwards wearing distinctive clothing. A witness allegedly told gardai that there was a person "locked behind gates where this incident occurred, where he would have had to forcibly enter". Mr Topiter lived 200 metres away in a hostel beside Merchant Quay. Garda Kenny said historical artefacts of this nature are priceless and irreplaceable. The garda maintained that the offence was at the higher end of criminal damage offences, which could carry a maximum 10-year sentence. Responding to bail objections, the defence said Mr Topiter had "clear ties" to Ireland and was in a four-and-a-half-year relationship with his fiancee. His solicitor argued that there was no evidence before the court that his client would interfere with witnesses. That court hearing was also told the accused had been in a stable relationship, worked as a security guard, received social welfare payments, and participated in a charity soup run. The defence submitted that Mr Topiter had an immigration identity card issued by gardai, was presumed innocent, and would obey conditions. The solicitor also stressed his client had no history of serious offences. The bail was set in his bond of 10,000, of which 2,000 must be lodged. He must also have a 10,000 independent surety approved with a 2,000 lodgement. Once taken up, he must stay away from St Michan's Church, not contact witnesses, provide the gardai with his address, and surrender his identification or travel documents. Apart from The Crusader, the other mummies date back 400 years. David Dee Stitt allegedly incited religious hatred by posting a social media call to arms Prominent loyalist David Dee Stitt allegedly incited religious hatred by posting a social media call to arms while on holiday in Spain, the High Court has heard. Prosecutors revealed the 53-year-old community worker was on a six-week break in Alicante when the message urging people to attend protests aimed at bringing Northern Ireland to a standstill appeared on his Facebook page. Details emerged as Stitt, of Lord Wardens Court in Bangor, Co Down, was granted bail on a charge of publishing written material with intent to stir up hatred. The court heard that on July 31 a posting on his account stated enough is enough get up and stand up in response to the killing of three young girls in Southport, England. Listing parts of Belfast, Newtownabbey and north Down where protests were to be held on August 3, it stated: The aim is to bring the country to a standstill. Advice was given for women and children to be at the front of demonstrations at all locations. The message continued: This is the Christian west under siege when children arent safe (in) the places we send them to express happiness, joy and fun. What can you say to your children in years to come when we had one chance to stop the spread of evil Islam. Detectives investigating the published material arrested Stitt at Belfast City Airport on August 22. He had arrived back from six weeks in Alicante, and it is accepted that he posted this whilst out of the jurisdiction, Crown counsel disclosed. During interviews Stitt told police it was made on a private Facebook account he thought could only be seen by around 700 friends. He described it as a reshare of a message sent to him about staging peaceful protests, insisting most of the content had been written by someone else. Stitt claimed he would not have forwarded the original posting if he had read all of it. But according to the prosecution he had edited, amended and added to the message. Police believe this to be a call to arms, with the intent to incite fear or hatred of a group of persons defined by reference to religious belief, counsel submitted. Following this post and the spread of serious public disorder through the United Kingdom into Northern Ireland, there was no attempt by this applicant to walk back (from it) in any subsequent Facebook post or to call for peace. David 'Dee' Stitt Opposing Stitts application for bail, she suggested there was a risk he could use his position as an influential community leader to call people out onto the streets. John Larkin KC, defending, argued that the charge is invalid because the relevant public order legislation lacks extra-territorial powers. This post occurred in Alicante, while Mr Stitt was on holiday, he stressed. A series of character references were provided in support of Stitts application, including letters from Rev Mervyn Gibson, grand secretary of the Orange Order, and a Muslim businessman who also attended the hearing in person. Mr Larkin also highlighted past incidents where his client worked alongside police on initiatives to reduce community tensions. His activity in securing the removal of the Irish national flag from a Twelfth of July bonfire is emblematic of the contribution Mr Stitt makes on a daily basis, the barrister contended. This is not someone who has been involved in public disorder. Granting bail, Mr Justice Fowler described part of the Facebook posting as clumsy, offensive and potentially influential on others. But the judge also cited the defendants previous community work and the backing received from his businessman friend. He is an appropriate applicant for bail provided there are sufficient conditions placed upon his use of Facebook and other social media., Mr Justice Fowler ruled. Stitt was banned from posting on any internet sites as part of the terms of his release. Nadine Poole (34) entered guilty pleas to six charges A beautician and former glamour model has been fined for unlawfully advertising and selling medicinal chemicals. Nadine Poole (34), who staged a nude photoshoot in front of shocked hikers on Belfasts Cave Hill, entered guilty pleas to six charges at Lisburn Magistrates Court last week. Poole admitted two charges of advertising prescription-only medicines and four of having unauthorised medicinal products for sale between September and November last year. She pleaded guilty to advertising for sale meditoxin, a type of Botox; bacteriostatic sodium chloride and lipase, which are both used in aesthetics treatments; and the common anaesthetic lidocaine. Enforcement officers seized the chemicals earlier this year. She insisted the substances were sourced from a UK website and claimed the Botox is for me, Im going to use it later. Pooles solicitor said her client had completed extensive aesthetic training through the vendors website and genuinely believed she was working under the legislation. The lawyer added some of the bottles seized were not written in English. She also said her client had only been operating one day a month from a rented space, so this was not a sophisticated or large-scale operation. After Poole was arrested, her company Doll House Beauty ceased to trade and the single mother-of-two is now on universal credit. Poole during her time as a glamour model She has found this (the court case) acutely distressing and her mental health has been impacted, said her lawyer. District Judge Rosie Watters said the defendant could potentially have hurt someone. She continued: Realistically, you had no idea what you were injecting into somebody elses body. Poole, whose address was given as Doll House Beauty, Whitehall Lodge in Lisburn, was fined a total of 600 for the offences. When we called to her home on the outskirts of the city earlier this year, a bright pink Audi TT convertible was parked in the driveway. She answered the door in a T-shirt emblazoned with the words plastic is forever. Asked about the charges she faced, a coy Poole told our reporter: Id rather not talk about it. I really did not expect you to be on my doorstep. Id rather not discuss it. The former Miss Swimsuit USA contestant set pulses racing in 2013 when ramblers spotted her staging an X-rated photoshoot on Cave Hill. The images hit the headlines, with shocked passers-by saying they had turned away in disgust. Poole on Cave Hill in 2013 One witness revealed he had been taking a rest after walking up Cave Hill when he spotted the then platinum-blonde model posing. I was sitting drinking my juice and eating my Turkish Delight when what caught my eye was this girl with long, blonde hair and a bright pink tracksuit and pink shoulder bag, he said. I thought, That looks really odd. Its not the way you would come up Cave Hill. There was a guy behind her. He had a grey bag with what looked like camera equipment. They went on up the path. He appeared to be getting his camera equipment out then she took her gear off. She was posing on a rock. All sorts of poses glamour sort of stuff. I couldnt see any detail from where I was, but it was obvious it wasnt anything tasteful. She climbed up into the cave at one point, legs splayed. Poole during the photoshoot on Cave Hill The man said some hikers were so disgusted by what they saw that they cut their walk short. He added that Poole didnt seem to be in any rush to put her clothes back on. I noticed at least three groups of people and a runner. They got halfway to the cave then looked up and walked down again, he continued. Even when people were walking up towards them, they didnt seem in any sort of panic to stop. The girl made no attempt to get her kit back on. It was blatantly obvious what was going on. Sean Joseph Skelly was charged with breaching the SOPO on June 23 and failing to notify the authorities he had changed his address A pervert who kissed a schoolboy after taking drink and drugs with him has been given a suspended sentence for breaching a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO). Sean Joseph Skelly was charged with breaching the SOPO on June 23 and failing to notify the authorities he had changed his address. After the 47-year-old admitted the breach at Laganside Magistrates Court in Belfast on Monday, the charge of failing to notify was withdrawn. Skelly, of Forster Street in the west of the city, was handed a three-month prison term, suspended for one year. He was sentenced to two years in custody in 2022 and given the SOPO after he admitted sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy and supplying him with class B and C drugs. At the time, Judge Neil Rafferty told Skelly he had spent his life wandering between chaos, crisis and back to catastrophe, and that one of the benefits of the prison sentence was that he would be unable to drink alcohol. Belfast Crown Court heard the schoolboy had been with friends in December 2020. He told them he was leaving to buy cannabis but after three hours still had not returned to the group. In an effort to find him, his friends rang or banged on every door of the apartment complex where he lived, eventually finding him rubbered at Skellys flat and carrying him home. The victim later told one of his friends he had been assaulted. During interviews with police, he said he had been given diazepam as well as cannabis. Judge Rafferty said, at some stage, a drunken and drugged Skelly, who was described as an alcoholic, kissed the youth and put his hand on his knee. When the teen asked him to stop, he did so immediately and removed himself from the scene, the judge added. As well as the prison sentence and SOPO, Skelly was handed 12 months of parole and placed on the sex offenders register until 2032. Ashley Marshall, the district secretary for Killylea, appeared at Armagh Magistrates Court A top Orangeman appeared in court this week to face an historic sex assault charge from 50 years ago. Ashley Marshall, the district secretary for Killylea, appeared at Armagh Magistrates Court charged with a single count of indecent assault on a male. The 69-year-old was pictured earlier this year in a commemorative booklet produced by Killylea LOL No 7 aimed at promoting the Twelfth celebrations. Killylea hosted 2024s Co. Armagh celebrations which saw thousands of Orangemen, bandsmen and supporters converge on the village which is just a few miles from Armagh city. Ashley Marshall, of Killylea Road, Tynan, is also a senior trustee of a local church and is a prominent member of the community in Killylea and Tynan where he has organised a number of charity events including a cycle and climb up Slieve Donard, which raised thousands of pounds for a cancer charity. A second man from the Killylea area, James White, of Main Street, Tynan, faces two counts of the same charge against the same alleged injured party. White (70), is a former UDR soldier and worked at the Ministry of Defence for more than 20 years. Earlier this year Ashley Marshall helped organise the charity ride to Slieve Donard in Newcastle. The event was organised to raise funds for the Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI charity, after the wife of a member was diagnosed with leukaemia last year. Around 20 cyclists pedalled the 45 miles from Killylea to Newcastle before climbing up the Mournes highest peak. A JustGiving page created to raise funds for the charity raised more than 5,000 after setting a target of 1,000. Marshall said at the time he hoped these charity events would help increase awareness of the positive activities undertaken by the Orange Order in the community. Its certainly something we are thinking of doing in the future because we feel sometimes the Orange Order gets a bad name and everybody thinks its just about the Twelfth of July. Were also an organisation thats interested in people and we think the two charities we have supported to date are worthwhile. Neither defendant used their rights to comment on the charges or to call evidence on their own behalf and freeing them on 500 bail, Judge Marshall returned the case to Newry Crown Court for trial with their arraignment to be heard on September 24. Detective Inspector Seamus Ryan said criminal proceedings were being considered in relation to Mr McCormacks death. Samantha McCormack, wife of the late Clinton McCormack, pictured leaving the Dublin District Coroner's Court this morning Samantha McCormack gave evidence at the inquest for her husband Clinton (left) The cause of a death of a man who suffered multiple gunshot wounds while working on a housing development in Wicklow last year was extremely complex, an inquest has heard. Clinton McCormack (44), a married father of three with an address in Bray, Co Wicklow died at St Vincents University Hospital in Dublin on December 19, 2023. Coroner Crona Gallagher told the opening of an inquest into the death of Mr McCormack on Thursday that establishing the cause of death in the case was extremely complex. Dr Gallagher told a brief sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court that the results of a postmortem showed that the deceased has suffered a hypoxic ischemic brain injury (a lack of oxygen to the brain) as well as acute swelling of the brain. The coroner said Mr McCormack has also had an in-hospital cardiac arrest due to multiple gunshot wounds as well as a brain tumour. She said there were no other contributory factors. Mr McCormack, who was a construction worker, came originally from Gorey, Co Wexford and had been living near Oulart, Co Wexford in the period before his death. The deceaseds wife, Samantha McCormack, fought back tears as she gave evidence of formally identifying her husbands body to gardai after her husband had passed away at 8.27pm in the intensive care unit at St Vincents on December 19 last. Clinton McCormack Garda Ciara Hayes of Bray Garda station, gave evidence of having gone to the hospital to take up duty that day when she was informed at 2.46pm that Mr McCormack had been declared brain dead. A solicitor for the deceaseds family, Dermot Hickey, welcomed the ability of his relatives to be issued with a death certificate but said they would have questions at a later date. Detective Inspector Seamus Ryan said criminal proceedings were being considered in relation to Mr McCormacks death. However, the inquest heard that a file on the case has still to be forwarded to the DPP. Samantha McCormack, wife of the late Clinton McCormack, pictured leaving the Dublin District Coroner's Court this morning An application for a six-month adjournment of the inquest was granted under Section 25 (1) of the Coroners Act on the basis that criminal proceedings are being considered. Adjourning the case for further mention to March 6, 2025, Dr Gallagher offered her sympathy to Ms McCormack and other family members of the deceased on what she described as a very tragic death. Apart from mention of the gunshot wounds sustained by the victim, no references were made to events leading up to Mr McCormacks death during the brief hearing. The deceased had been brought to St Vincents after he had been shot in his arms and legs at a housing development in Delgany, Co Wicklow. The incident occurred as Mr McCormack and his teenage son were carrying out exterior insulation work on a property in the Bellevue Hill development at around 4.30pm on December 14, 2023. The boy was also assaulted during the attack on his father. It emerged that Mr McCormack was targeted by two masked gunmen who fired multiple shots with handguns at their victim after cornering him behind a van. Gardai believe the shooting was ordered by a Bray-based crime gang which is considered the main supplier of drugs in the north Wicklow area. One male was subsequently arrested in relation to a 2007-reg black Ford Focus that was seen near the scene of the shooting between Bellevue Hill and Kindlestown Woods car park between 3pm and 5pm on December 14 last. Gardai also carried out searches on six properties in parts of Dublin and Wicklow as part of their investigation into the shooting of Mr McCormack. It is also understood that the victim was unaware that he had a brain tumour. A convicted rapist, Eoghan OConnell (35) is currently serving a 12-year sentence for a previous attempted murder on Mr McCormack in front of his family eight years ago. The incident occurred as Mr McCormack was leaving his then home in Old Court Park, Bray, Co Wicklow to go to work shortly after 7am on April 18, 2016. OConnell pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Mr McCormack before a sitting of the Central Criminal Court in March 2018. The court heard that the victim, who moved home following the attack, escaped injury because the shotgun used by OConnell misfired due to shotgun cartridges being damp. Notorious murderers get letters from women who want to feel in control and need a safe relationship with banged up sickos Charles Manson attracted women who wrote to and advocated for him in prison Richard Ramirez attracted women who wrote to and advocated for him in prison Ted Bundy attracted women who wrote to and advocated for him in prison Women seeking safe relationships are among those making contact with men locked up for brutal crimes. Wife killer Joe OReilly and sadistic BDSM murderer Graham Dwyer have received dozens of letters from female fans while serving their life sentences. Last week, a woman who became friends with Dwyer has been banned from visiting him by the Irish Prison Service, having made initial contact by letter. OReilly, who brutally bludgeoned his wife Rachel Callaly to death, has also received letters from women introducing themselves to him. Joe OReilly has had letters from women In 2021, there were nine different women writing to him, according to reports. Criminologist Trina OConnor said that the phenomenon of being attracted to such killers is known as hybristophilia. Infamous serial killers in the US such as Ted Bundy, Charles Manson and The Night Stalker Richard Ramirez all attracted adoring fan clubs. Even Jeffrey Dahmer was sent amorous letters from women despite being gay and a cannibal.Theres lots of schools of thought on this, but for some women there has been research that shows for some of them, they have come from a background of violent relationships themselves, said Trina. Getting into a relationship with someone who is incarcerated is a safe relationship for them. Ted Bundy attracted women who wrote to and advocated for him in prison Speaking on the Crime World podcast, OConnor said for some women there is a powerful attraction towards such men. The thrill of being associated with a strong powerful man is there, because thats their kink. Its about sexual arousal, getting pleasure from being around someone who has committed outrage or committed a crime. So for that person having a relationship with someone whos on death row or locked up and likely to never get out again is a very safe place to be. For some women it is the safety and security of not having to live a normal domestic life they never have to argue about the washing or where to go on holiday. Richard Ramirez attracted women who wrote to and advocated for him in prison For other women, it is a chance to turn the tables when it comes to control of the relationship. If youre somebody who comes through a relationship where the person youve been with has always been the powerful one, now all of a sudden you are the one with all the power, says Trina. You decide whether youre going to visit or not. You can throw a tantrum and not visit or you can refuse to put money into their account for the tuck shop, or you can refuse to continue with their campaign for freedom. All of these things give that individual power so if you are that woman who has come from that background of disempowerment, the power dynamic is different. On the other side of the visitors table there is a strong incentive for such prisoners to try to forge a relationship with someone on the outside. The more women they can manipulate the bigger the kick they get out of it and the more powerful the woman... they will target powerful women. They will look at women who have good careers like journalists and psychiatrists and they will see them as the prize. Those women have social capital and education, theyre very useful to them. Criminologist Trina OConnor But if a prisoner is released then there is the possibility the relationship wont survive. Trina referred to an Australian case in which two sisters married two violent prisoners. When they were released, one sister was murdered by her former inmate partner and the other had an ear cut off. They had been advocating for them. People sometimes jump on these campaigns and fall for them, projecting their own goodness on them. Then there are some characters who are more like the men there are contacting and want to be associated with such evil characters. Charles Manson attracted women who wrote to and advocated for him in prison Youve also got women who will have violent histories themselves. Women that might be psychopathic or sociopathic themselves. For them, being associated with this outrageous crime of murder can really give them credence and give them kudos themselves so they feel emboldened, she added. Also, theres the fame that comes with that. Some people are looking for attention whether it be good or bad. Detectives believe a high-quality explosive device, packed with shotgun cartridges, was used in the attack in Drimnagh Joshua Itseli was killed by bullets from an AR-15 rifle. Photo: Getty Joshua Itseli was shot and fatally injured in Drimnagh, Dublin, in May Gardai are investigating whether a pipe bomb attack on a Dublin home last weekend is part of an escalating feud linked to the gun death of Joshua Itseli. The Sunday World has learned that the property was recently refurbished after a petrol bombing last month and sustained significant damage again. Detectives believe a high-quality explosive device, packed with shotgun cartridges, was used in the attack in Drimnagh last Friday. The scene was later examined by gardai and evidence was taken from the pipe bomb fragments. It is being investigated whether the attack was carried out by associates of Itseli, who was shot dead in the area in May. The 20-year-old was in a car that was rammed on the junction of Curlew Road and Knocknarea Road before one of his associates discharged several shots from an AR-15 rifle. Itseli was accidentally hit during the burst of gunfire and was later pronounced dead. The occupants had been carrying out extensive renovations after the house was firebombed and planned to move back in this week Gardai want to find out if the pipe bomb attack and the fatal shooting are connected to the same dispute between two gangs of young criminals operating in the Dublin south central area. A source said: Itselis gang are suspected of being behind last months petrol bomb attack as well as the latest incident. The people being targeted are not suspected of involvement in the events surrounding his murder, but the attacks are believed to be linked to the wider dispute. The occupants had been carrying out extensive renovations after the house was firebombed and planned to move back in this week. Thankfully, nobody was in the house at the time. Joshua Itseli was killed by bullets from an AR-15 rifle. Photo: Getty Two youths are believed to have been involved in the pipe bomb attack and gardai are trying to identify the suspects. Authorities are bracing for a wave of violence, with concerns raised about the feuding gangs having access to explosive devices and rifles. Detectives are also continuing to investigate the death of Itseli. It was previously revealed that the suspected gunman fled to Liverpool after being arrested and later released as part of the inquiry. The suspect was on bail at the time of the shooting, for unrelated offences including a serious attack on a woman. He was arrested in recent weeks on foot of bench warrants issued by the courts after gardai learned he had returned to Dublin. Investigators are in the process of preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions in the hope of bringing charges in relation to the investigation. Shaun Brady had been living in Kansas City for the last decade where he was a popular figure in the citys Irish community Two teenagers have been arrested after an Irish man was shot dead outside his restaurant in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri. Shaun Brady from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, ran the successful Brady & Fox restaurant and lounge in Kansas City for more than a decade. Police said they responded to a report of a shooting in a car park next to several businesses on 63rd and Rockhill, where Mr Bradys Irish restaurant was located. Police said that from their initial inquiries, Mr Brady was taking out rubbish when he saw several people beside a vehicle in the car park. Kansas City Police are now investigating the killing and have launched a murder investigation. Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to the Tipperary chef who was shot dead in the US. Police said that within an hour of the incident, two juvenile male teenagers were taken into custody. Investigators will be working with prosecutors to determine applicable charges, police said. The vehicle used in the crime was also recovered a short distance away in Midtown, they added. The incident is being investigated as a homicide and have examined the scene for physical evidence. They said they are interviewing several witnesses and reviewing any available surveillance footage of the incident. The fatal shooting occurred outside the popular restaurant at 5.15pm local time yesterday. It is believed Mr Brady may have stumbled across an attempted car theft in a parking area at East 63rd Street located directly across from his premises. He was taking rubbish from the restaurant to a streetside bin when he apparently spotted a number of people gathered around a parked car. The attack occurred after a short interaction between Mr Brady and the group. He was shot multiple times before his killer fled the scene. Despite efforts by pedestrians and paramedics to help Mr Brady, he was pronounced dead shortly after he was taken to hospital. Kansas City Police Department officials are now investigating whether the bungled robbery is linked to a recent series of thefts and car-jackings from around commercial premises and homes in the area. Sgt Phil DiMartino said a major investigation was now under way to hunt down Mr Brady's killer or killers. Witness testimony and CCTV security camera footage is expected to prove crucial. Talented chef Mr Brady ran the Brady & Fox restaurant for more than a decade after relocating from Ireland to the US in 2013. He operated the restaurant with friend Graham Farris. Mr Brady decided to move to the US after marrying his American-born wife, Kate. The couple met when Kate who is from Wichita in Kansas was travelling in Ireland on holiday and were initially based here. The couple are understood to have children. Everyone is shocked and horrified by such a talented and hardworking young man losing his life in these circumstances Mr Brady had worked at top Irish restaurants after deciding on a culinary career following secondary school at Nenagh CBS. Locals described him as a hugely talented chef who was known for his insistence on promoting Irish food and ingredients and for his sense of humour with his customers. Councillor Seamus Morris said the north Tipperary town was deeply upset by the tragedy. "Everyone is shocked and horrified by such a talented and hardworking young man losing his life in these circumstances, the Tipperary county councillor said. "To see a young life needlessly taken in such violent circumstances is absolutely beyond belief." He said the extended family, who are well known and highly regarded in Tipperary, were in total disbelief at the news from the US. "They are a wonderful family and everyone in Nenagh is heartbroken over what happened, Cllr Morris said. He said Mr Brady was proud of his Irish roots and became very involved in the Irish community in Missouri once he relocated there more than a decade ago. Mr Brady settled in the Missouri city of Kansas City, which is close to Wichita where his wife hails from. "He was very involved in the Irish Fest in Kansas City and supported all kinds of Irish events there," Cllr Morris said. Mr Brady's premises became one of the central locations in Missouri for the celebration of St Patrick's Day each year. I want to offer my deepest sympathies to his family in Nenagh and family and friends in Kansas. He was highly thought of over there, Cllr Morris said. Im shocked to hear this now. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. A young life snuffed away for absolutely no reason at all. An awful loss to everyone who knew him. Tipperary Labour Party Cllr Louise Morgan Walsh has extended her sympathies to the family of Mr Brady. We are absolutely shocked and saddened here in Nenagh today to hear of the unlawful killing of Shaun Brady in the USA. I remember Shaun from school. He was a really lovely guy. To think that his life has ended so tragically while he was trying to do good. This is so wrong. My thoughts and prayers are with his mum, Mary, and his sisters and all his family and friends here in Nenagh, Ardcroney and in Kansas City in the US at this very difficult time. Mr Brady had previously told the Kansas City Star newspaper how he fell in love with cooking while growing up in Co Tipperary. He said he started making meals to help out his single mother of four My mammy was very, very against me being a chef," he said. "It took her quite a few years to come around. We werent put up on the pedestals like we are now. Shaun Brady "Chefs had a history of drug and alcohol problems. It was just a different time. This morning, his friends have flooded social media with tributes to the him. Writing on their website, Mr Brady's business, Brady's KC, thanked patrons for their support following the horror shooting. "Our hearts are broken. There are no words to express our sadness, anger and frustration. Our community is with Shaun's family forever, they said. "We appreciate the outpouring of support, offers to help, and your love. Together we are united. Together we will grieve. Together we will heal. We ask that you show compassion and aid in our healing by respecting the privacy of Shaun's family. Ar scath a cheile a mhaireann na daoine. Mr Bradys long-time friend Pat ONeill told Fox4 News the Irish community was in shock. The Irish community is totally stunned. He was a beloved figure, a native of Ireland, just a generous do-anything for anyone kind of guy, so, a lot of us again, stunned, praying, angry, wondering why, he said. On Facebook, a friend said Mr Bradys murder was devastating for his family and friends. "Unbelievably sad and disgusting Such a wonderful friend, great father, husband, and extraordinary and creative chef/baker, restaurant owner, they said. "Such passion and love for the food he cooked, patrons he served, employees and friends, he showed genuine love for all of this. You will be missed more than words could ever express. The mayor of Kansas City, Quinton Lucas, said in a Facebook post: "Like many in our community, I am heartbroken to learn of the death of Shaun Brady. "I have met him, laughed with him, heard just a bit of his and his family's story, and was inspired by the business and the community he was building in Kansas City. "I grieve for and express my sincerest condolences to his family and all who knew him." The drug kingpin was nabbed in the past 24 hours. Australias most wanted man, senior Hells Angel Angelo Pandeli, has reportedly been detained in Dubai. The drug kingpin was nabbed in the past 24 hours, but it remains unclear whether he will be charged, according to Daily Mail Australia. The 52-year-old is considered to be one of Australias biggest cocaine and methamphetamine importers and was recently identified as an ally of the Kinahan cartel. Pandeli left Australia in 2018 and is one of a number of criminals who have chosen to settle down in the UAE. However, he has remained under the close eye of authorities over the past few years, with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) announcing in 2021 that he was a member of a syndicate responsible for bringing $1.5 million worth of drugs into Australia every year. It comes just days before Pandeli was due to travel to Cancun, Mexico for a major Hells Angels meeting. He was due to meet with senior members of the biker group based internationally, which is expected to attract leaders from other motorcycle gangs interested in working with Hells Angels. Daniel Kinahan Pandeli, who joined the Hells Angels biker group in the 2000s, was first linked to the Kinahan Organised Crime Group in June this year following a joint investigation by True Crime Australia, The Times, and The Sunday Times on the Cocaine Inc podcast. It alleged that Pandeli and the Kinahans are under investigation for attempting to smuggle tens of millions of euros worth of cocaine from Colombia to Europe via Ireland. The podcast, which is based on investigative reporting across six countries, also alleges that Pandeli has formed an alliance with the cartel, headed by Christopher Kinahan Snr, to distribute cocaine globally. Their collaboration, the podcast suggests, implies that Pandeli has graduated from simply supplying cocaine to Australia and has now become a global player in the drugs trade, collaborating with the Kinahans to saturate the market both in Australia and beyond. According to the ACIC, the supply of cocaine is at its highest level in three decades despite soaring prices. Former Sydney Hells Angels president Angelo Pandeli ACIC Deputy CEO of Intelligence, Matt Rippon, said: "The profits are immense and organised crime gangs are here and they are focused. In almost 30 years of being in law enforcement and intelligence, I haven't seen the scale of cocaine that we've seen consistently hitting our shores in the last 12 to 24 months." Cocaine sells for more than $350 a gram in Australia and the countrys profit margins give Pandeli major influence in the global supply chain. He continues to feature on Australia's most wanted list and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have been monitoring him for more than a decade. Reports from 2012 note that Pandeli had an "extensive criminal history" while president of the Sydney Hells Angels chapter. His movements were on the radar of the AFP and local police units in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, and South Australia. The Australian Tax Office previously took the 52-year-old to court for failing to file a tax return in 2014/15, although this charge was thrown out at Syndeys Downing Centre Local Court in 2017 after Pandelis accountant took the blame for paperwork error. Pandeli relocated to Dubai and is believed to have met the Kinahans shortly afterwards, selling his Sydney harbour apartment for $8.6 million. Shaun Brady had been living in Kansas City for the last decade where he was a popular figure in the citys Irish community, A Co Tipperary chef has been shot dead outside his well-known restaurant in Kansas City in the US. Police believe Shaun Brady was murdered after disturbing a robbery outside the eatery on Wednesday evening. Mr Brady had been living in Kansas City for the last decade where he was a popular figure in the citys Irish community, and regularly appeared in the local media. He was also had a key role in organising the citys annual Irish Fest. During an interview with a local newspaper in 2022, Mr Brady had described his childhood in Co Tipperary and his time studying to be a chef in Dublins Institute of Technology. He also told how he had met his US-born wife Kate while she was visiting Ireland. The couple had originally lived in Chicago before relocating to Kansas City in 2013. Shaun then opened Brady & Fox Restaurant & Lounge with chef and friend Graham Farris. Speaking to local media this morning, Kansas City police officers said they discovered a mans body after responding to a report of a shooting. According to a police spokesman, the victim had been taking out rubbish bags from his restaurant when he encountered several people standing around a parked car. It is believed he confronted the group who then shot him before fleeing the scene. Kansas City Police Department spokesman Sgt. Phil DiMartino said that upon arrival officers discovered the victim unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, DiMartino said. Mr Brady had previously told the Kansas City Star newspaper how he fell in love with cooking while growing up in Co Tipperary. Brady said he started making meals to help out his single mother of four. My mammy was very, very against me being a chef. "It took her quite a few years to come around, he said. We werent put up on the pedestals like we are now. Shaun Brady "Chefs had a history of drug and alcohol problems. It was just a different time. This morning, Shaun's friends have flooded social media with tributes to the Co Tipperary man. Writing on their website, Shauns business, Brady's KC, thanked patrons for their support following the horror shooting. "Our hearts are broken. There are no words to express our sadness, anger and frustration. Our community is with Shaun's family - forever.. We appreciate the outpouring of support, offers to help, and your love. Together we are united. Together we will grieve. Together we will heal. We ask that you show compassion and aid in our healing by respecting the privacy of Shaun's family. Ar scath a cheile a mhaireann na daoine. Mr Bradys long-time friend Pat ONeill told Fox4 News the Irish community were in shock. The Irish community is totally stunned. He was a beloved figure, a native of Ireland, just a generous do anything for anyone kind of guy, so, a lot of us again, stunned, praying, angry, wondering why, he said. A popular foodie social media page wrote: "The senseless loss of Chef Shaun Brady weighs heavily on our hearts. "May we find comfort in the love and laughter he shared with us through his exquisite cuisine. "Let us continue to honour his memory by continuing to cook with love and passion, let us raise our forks and remember the joy he brought to our taste buds. On Facebook, a friend said Shauns murder was devastating for his family and friends. "Unbelievably sad and disgusting.. Such a wonderful friend, great father, husband, and extraordinary and creative chef/ baker, restaurant owner. "Such passion and love for the food he cooked, patrons he served, employees and friends he showed genuine love for all of this. You will be missed more than words could ever express. Tributes have been paid locally in Tipperary to the popular chef. Mr Brady was a native of Nenagh, and the extended Brady family are well known and highly respected in the north Tipperary town. Its understood he was a former student of Nenagh CBS. A number of rugby teams from Kansas have visited Nenagh in recent years building up a strong relationship with the town. Cllr Seamus Morris said he had spoken to some of Shauns cousins this morning, and they are in shock at the news. He was very involved in the community in Kansas and in the Irish Fest over there, said Cllr Morris. Theyre in shock, a young man putting out the rubbish and to end up dead over it. I want to offer my deepest sympathies to his family in Nenagh and family and friends in Kansas. He was highly thought of over there. Im shocked to hear this now. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. A young life snuffed away for absolutely no reason at all. An awful loss to everyone who knew him. Sligo historian Padraic Feehily recounts the life of Martin James Durkin who, after emigrating to the US, went on a crime spree that included the killing of the first FBI agent in the line of duty Irish American gangsters have cast a long shadow. Names like Mad Dog Coll, Owney the killer Madden and Mickey Spillane splatter the pages of American crime stories. This though is the story of a Sligo man born on the plains of Castleconnor. His family sought a greater chance in the land of promise and opportunity across the wide Atlantic in the US. By the first quarter of the 20th century, settler expansion was complete across the 48 United States. Inventions like the telegraph, telephone and the rail networks shrank the vast distances to manageable proportions. With this accessibility the engine of property followed as did its fellow traveller: organised crime. Inherent within these conflicting forces was the fact that progress and expansion outpaced the long arm of the law. From its founding in 1908 to its name change is the Federal Bureau of Investigation under J. Edgar Hoover, one of its central tenets was to combat transnational criminal enterprises. One of the first major investigations under the stewardship of the newly appointed Director of the FBI, Mr Hoover was to direct and organise a chase over five states for the most wanted man on their hitlist: Martin James Durkin. Durkin (Durkan) was baptised and welcomed into the Catholic Church of Saint Brendans at Corballa, Castleconnor, Co. Sligo, on the 16th of February 1901. Sometime thereafter the family bid farewell to the rolling hills of Tireragh and emigrated to the windy City of Chicago. Visualise a slim, arrogant young man who loved a fast car, a pretty woman or two and the power and threat in the use of a .45 pistol Young Martin J, apart from a short spell in grammar school, displayed little interest in formal education. He worked for a while with his father on the railroad but the discipline and application necessary to hold down a regular job held little appeal. Sooner rather than later he showed himself to be a creature of the open road where it was easier to take the crooked path. Visualise a slim, arrogant young man who loved a fast car, a pretty woman or two and the power and threat in the use of a .45 pistol. Picture a youth embittered against the men who represented law and order. A streetwise youth who started as a humble railway worker, became a bootlegger, auto thief and killer who delighted in the sense of superiority that comes with the easy made dollar. He was a twenty five year old racing through life at seventy miles an hour for a brief and hurried fraction of time. The above piece is from the Chicago Herald-Examiner. Mug shot of Martin James Durkin. Martin James Durkins career in major crime in the US ran its course within 12 calendar months but it was a year of spectacular unceasing action and conflict with the established forces of the law. A reckless unheeding time of defying the natural order of society that had few parallels in the annals of crime lore of America. His life was commonplace until he attempted to join the US Army in 1917. This effort was blocked by his mother. He tried the Navy, again his mother frustrated his enlistment. Finally, he ran away from home and was successful in signing up with the Canadian Light Horse Artillery and shipped out to join the war effort in Europe. During his service he was gassed and suffered shell-shock. In addition to the store of memories any theatre of war can impress upon the mind, young Martin J. brought out of the army several medals testifying to his remarkable marksmanship. Durkin drew blood for the first time on the evening of December 5, 1924 This followed in civic street with two matrimonial alliances, neither of which attained any degree of permanency. By this time his journey through life was neither noted for its piety nor yet damned for his sins. Durkin drew blood for the first time on the evening of December 5, 1924. Neighbours reported a burglary on West Eighteenth Street in Chicago and police were dispatched to the scene. In the darkness of the basement building, Durkin and three police officers came head to head: bullets poured forth and one after another the three officers fell. The shooter made his escape with a bullet wound in the hip. The policemen recovered but from then on, Durkin was a wanted man. Durkin had by now become the artful dodger of police nets and with Betty, his 17-year-old girlfriend, was running a successful business in stolen cars and smuggled liqueur. Betty proved a fit and high-spirited companion for the reckless adventurer. On one occasion when they were questioned in police custody, Betty managed to lure her questioners outside while the agile Durkin jumped out an upstairs window making their getaway. Henceforth his path was hers. On October 11, 1925, Durkin was tailed to a Chicago garage. He was under suspicion for transporting stolen cars across state lines. The agent on his trail was Edwin C. Shanahan, who, acting on a tip was waiting for Durkin to appear. When Durkin drove the stolen car into the garage, agent Shanahan managed to get off a shot but it was too late. Durkins marksmanship was telling. The agent was dead within the hour. He was the first FBI man to be killed in the line of duty. FBI Agent Edwin C. Shanahan. Director Hoover said: Weve got to get Durkin. If one man from the Bureau is killed and the killer is permitted to get away, our agents will never be safe. We cant let him get away with it. By this heinous act of defiance young Durkin set in motion the inexorable machinery that not until he was brought to book would it end. The manhunt was on again whilst Durkin slept the night away at his uncles farm 45 miles away from Chicago. Edward J. Brennan, Shanahans chief, reinforced his staff with agents from other mid-western cities and dispatched every man to the hunt. Simultaneously, Morgan A. Collins, Chief of the Chicago Police Department, informed his army of policemen and detectives that the main job of the moment was the capture of Durkin. The city posted a large reward as did the Federal Government: the instructions were, kill on sight if necessary. The city of Chicago was in turmoil. The hunt spread over the entire nation. During one twenty-four hour period police had reports from one hundred and fifty different sources throughout the forty-eight states. The city posted a large reward as did the Federal Government: the instructions were, kill on sight if necessary All to the effect that Martin J. Durkin had been just seen; just spotted and fired upon. Some officers patrolling lonely country roads fired upon speeding motorists, each afterwards ready to swear his target was the culprit. Now worth $1000 dead or alive at least a dozen young men who closely resembled Martin J. demanded that the police supply them with official notices simply stating, This man is not Martin Durkin. A few weeks after the murder of Agent Shanahan information was received that Durkin and Betty would be at a relatives home in Chicago on a given day. Officers of the Chicago Police Department attempted to arrest him when he arrived late. Again a gunfight repeated: one police officer was shot and killed and wounded Durkin escaped again. Durkins preferred method of stealing cars was to present himself at a dealership would agree the purchase of a high priced automobile, arranging to have the car serviced and filled with gasoline and oil, ready for delivery to him the following day. He would agree to return the following day and pay cash for the car. That night he would break in to the garage and drive the expensive car away. He would then change the motor serial number, and all other assembly numbers by means of which the car could be identified. Next, he would procure license plates under assumed names giving fictitious addresses. He would then drive the car to another state where he would dispose of it for several thousand dollars. On Sunday, January 17, 1924, a sheriff in the town of Pecos, Texas, noticed a green Cadillac parked nearby. When questioned, the driver proved a smooth operator. Durkin, the driver of the vehicle told the sheriff that he was a deputy sheriff back in Los Angeles and had the cars papers back at his hotel. The sheriff was stalled by the strangers confident manner. By the time he checked out the alibi, Durkin had performed the disappearing trick into the vast expanse that was the state of Texas, an area approximately ten times the size of Ireland. Before Durkin had a chance to make a break for his weapons, luggage and overcoat, he was dragged from the train and placed in irons At daylight on the morning of January 20, special agents at the Saint Louis City Detective Bureau were notified that Durkin and a mysterious woman were travelling on the Texas Special train that was due to arrive that morning at 11am. With the team of detectives in place, arrangements were made to have the train halted at a small town outside Saint Louis where in open country they would have little chance of escape. Before Durkin had a chance to make a break for his weapons, luggage and overcoat, he was dragged from the train and placed in irons. Because it was not a federal offense to kill a special agent until 1934, Durkin was tried and convicted in state court for the murder of Agent Shanahan and was sentenced to serve a term of 35 years in the penitentiary at Joliet, Illinois. He also was tried in the federal court at Chicago for the interstate transportation of numerous automobiles in violation of the National Motor Vehicle Theft Act. Durkin was 25 years of age when he entered the Statesville Penitentiary in Joliet, Illinois in 1926 He was convicted on all these charges and was given a term of imprisonment in the federal penitentiary totalling 15 years. Durkin was 25 years of age when he entered the Statesville Penitentiary in Joliet, Illinois in 1926. In 1946, he was taken to Leavenworth Federal Prison. He was 53 when he was released upon expiration of sentence on July 28, 1954. He died in 1981. Martin James Durkin served a total of 28 years in prison. The day after the trial, Betty married another man, but later divorced him saying that she would forever wait for Marty. David McCord has been returned to jail so many times for breaking the rules its beyond a joke, said the source. Escaped killer David McCord was sent back to prison for having sex with the daughter of a prison officer, we can reveal. The 54-year-old, who brutally stabbed his ex-partner Nichola Dickson to death in a jealous rage 21 years ago, sparked a manhunt last weekend when he failed to return to the prison unit where he was supposed to be staying in north Belfast while hed been out on a pre-release scheme. He was recaptured two days later but in the eyes of his victims family the incident has once again highlighted just how unsuitable he is to be set loose on the community. The family of his victim revealed this week they had been told McCord was deemed to pose a serious risk to the public just six weeks before prison chiefs set him loose on the community. But we can reveal killer McCord was once returned to jail after being deemed fit for release for having sex with the daughter of a prison officer. In fact, the dangerous thug has been returned to prison at least a half a dozen times for breaking the rules of his release scheme. Those rule breaks included taking illegal drugs and starting relationships with women, and even assaulting other women. A source inside the Prison Service told the Sunday World there has been a lot of anger within the service that McCord keeps getting so many chances. Nichola Dickson who was found stabbed to death at Ballycarry, County Antrim. David McCord has been returned to jail so many times for breaking the rules its beyond a joke, said the source. Hes clearly a danger to women and he clearly doesnt believe he should abide by the rules of his release. The amount of money the Prison Service have put into this prisoner to try and get him fit for permanent release is crazy. When he went AWOL last week nobody was surprised. Youd think after what he has done hed think himself lucky to be given a chance to be released so soon but he has done the opposite. He has been returned to jail twice for assaulting two different girlfriends one from the Shankill and another girl from east Belfast. He has also been returned another two times for drug test fails, and another for having an affair with the daughter of a prison officer. She was going through some issues in her relationship and so she was vulnerable, and McCord took complete advantage of that. It was an absolute disgrace that it was allowed to happen it put a vulnerable woman in a very dangerous position. But McCord cant help himself when it comes to women he thinks hes Gods gift. Hes a danger to any woman mad enough to go out with him with his record. The family of Nichola Dickson were furious from the moment he was sentenced to a minimum of just 11 years and they campaigned to push for longer minimum tariffs for murderers. Convicted Killer David Thomas McCord pictured walking the streets of Belfast on 19th July 2024. Gareth Smyth, Nicholas brother, also revealed how they were told last September in writing by the Parole Board that McCord couldnt be released because he continues to pose a serious risk of harm to the public. Yet six weeks later they got another letter from the Department of Justice telling them he had been released. How can that happen? Gareth asked us. How can someone deemed to be a serious risk to the public one month suddenly be set free into the community? It makes no sense and it makes even less sense when you know that by the time of that letter he has already been released and sent back several times for breaking the rules. McCord, from Tullycarnet in east Belfast, savagely murdered Nichola Dickson in 2003 after she told him she was going back to her husband. After strangling her in the bedroom of her Ballycarry home in Co Antrim he then stabbed Nichola with a 12-inch kitchen knife. Nicholas body was found by her mother, Linda Brown, who told the Sunday World in 2006 how she discovered her daughters body with the large knife still sticking out of her chest. As soon as I walked in I knew she was dead, she told us back then. There was a carving knife sticking out of her chest. McCord was lying on top of her so I threw him off her and started to scream. He had strangled her with his hands and then put a belt around her neck. The buckle pierced her windpipe yet it still didnt kill her. He made a cup of tea before going out in the car. He must have realised that he couldnt have got away with it because he came back and slashed her wrists and her throat. He then stabbed her four times with a 12-inch carving knife. After he was convicted of the murder and sentenced to just 11 years minimum of a life sentence, Nicholas family protested and campaigned for stiffer sentences for killers. Back in 2004 the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, ruled that the sentence was NOT unduly lenient. I think its an affront to humanity, the sentence, her father Philip said at the time. What the guy got doesnt merit what hes actually done. If you put the thing into perspective, he actually didnt murder Nicola as such, he slaughtered her, he butchered her and the sentence doesnt reflect that. Speaking this week, the family believe they have been proven to be right after McCord was returned to jail once again for breaking the rules of his release scheme. Gareth Smyth told the Sunday World: We have been saying it for years that this man is not safe to be out with the rest of society. And unfortunately we have been proven right because McCord keeps breaking the rules, getting into trouble and then he gets yet another chance. Gareth says he believes the justice system is not acting with one voice either. We got a letter from the Parole Board in September 2023 telling us McCord couldnt be released because he continues to pose a serious risk of harm to the public and they wouldnt even be considering him for release for at least another 12 months, explains Gareth. But then less than two months later we got a letter from the Department of Justice (DoJ) telling us he had been released. How does that make any sense? The Sunday World has seen that letter from the Parole Board which states: It is clear to Panels view that given everything it had to read in the dossier of materials including updates from PBNI (Probation Board) that Mr McCord continues to pose a risk of serious harm to the public. It is also abundantly clear that that risk cannot be safely managed in the community even with extensive licence conditions... Less than two months later they received a letter from the Victim Information Unit at the DoJ to tell them McCord had been released to live and work in the community. Gareth said: I have tried to just assume he is out because they arent allowed to tell us where he is living and hes taken enough of our lives stressing about him. But people dont realise the impact him being out free and on the loose has on the whole family. My mum has been terrified of going into Belfast in case she bumps into him or his family but last week wed convinced her to go in with all the kids and then on Friday afternoon we got a call telling us he had gone AWOL in Belfast. It was like something out of a movie. It means Oasis will now play five nights at Heaton Park, five at Wembley and th ree at Murrayfield, along with two nights at Croke Park and two at Cardiffs Principality Stadium Oasis has announced a further three UK dates for its much-anticipated reunion tour but no new ones have been added for Ireland despite huge demand. The Gallagher brothers announced their comeback on Tuesday, with 14 dates across the UK and Ireland. They will play two dates in Croke Park on August 16 and 17 next year, the end of a 14-date tour for which tickets will go on sale this Saturday, August 31, at 8am Irish time through Ticketmaster. And the band has subsequently added three additional dates in Heaton Park, Manchester, Murrayfield, Edinburgh and Wembley London. It means Oasis will now play five nights at Heaton Park, five at Wembley and three at Murrayfield, along with two nights at Croke Park and two at Cardiffs Principality Stadium. The Britpop group abruptly disbanded in 2009 after years of tension between the pair, though fans never gave up their hope of a reunion. One of the UKs best regarded bands will now make a return to the stage following news that the feud between the brothers, who have both toured separately in the years since, has thawed. This is it, this is happening, the band said in an announcement this morning, sharing a video of the band through the years as they revealed they would come together for Oasis Live 25. "The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over, the band said. Come see. It will not be televised. Plans are underway for the reunion tour, which will coincide with the 30th anniversary of (Whats The Story) Morning Glory?, to go to other continents later next year. A respected lawyer is being remembered as a good guy and for the immense contribution he made to the Tauranga community often under the radar. Proud boy from the Bay Michael James Cooney, 80, died in Tauranga Hospital on August 13 after suffering a heart attack on August 9 while taking one of his regular 30km bike rides, daughter Margaret Cooney says. A former partner of family law firm Cooney Lees Morgan, which was founded by his grandfather Hugh Cooney in 1918, Tauranga-born Michael joined the firm in 1970 and worked alongside his father, uncle and brother Paul. He was made a partner of the firm two years later and officially retired in 2019. Cooney Lees Morgan partner Paul Tustin says Michael played an immense leadership role in the firm and his legacy lived on in its values today. Michael certainly followed in his grandfathers footsteps, in terms of his immense contribution to the legal fraternity and the development of Tauranga in general. Michael James Cooney, one of Tauranga's most respected lawyers, in the early days of his stellar legal career. Photo / Cooney Lees Morgan. He says as a property and contract law expert, Michael was the trusted advisor to generations of families but undoubtedly it was his good works in the community that had the greatest impact. His contributions included 30 years as Taurangas Coroner, helping to establish Aquinas College, and 13 years as chairman of the Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust (Tect) from 2001 helping to distribute millions of pivotal funds for community projects, Paul says. Michael was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2013 in recognition of his service to the community. He was a man of great integrity who took a genuine interest in people and the community. He was astute, honest, hardworking and caring. He is deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Tect chairman Bill Holland says Michael was chairman of the trust during a critical time in its history and did a wonderful job. I have huge respect for Michael and his contribution to the Tauranga community was huge, most of it under the radar because that was his style. Michael never sought acknowledgement for what he did, and none of us will truly know how much he has done for Tauranga. He was a good guy, a doer rather than a talker, and our community owes him a huge debt of gratitude. Highly respected Tauranga lawyer and former partner in Cooney Lees Morgan law firm Michael Cooney died on August 13. Photo / Cooney Lees Morgan. Michael is survived by his three brothers Paul, Patrick and Tim, sister Bridget, wife Sandra, five daughters and 11 grandchildren. He was farewelled at a requiem mass at the St Mary Immaculate Church in Tauranga on August 16, celebrated by Reverend Richard Laurenson, the Catholic Bishop of Hamiton. Aquinas Colleges choir led the singing and senior students formed a guard of honour and performed a haka. Aquinas College principal Matt Dalton says Michael was an instrumental figure in establishing the school in 2003 and was a Board of Trustees member until 2017, continuing to help even after his formal service ended. Dalton says Michaels deep commitment and support to the college over many years was hugely appreciated. Michael was the eldest of five children raised by Jim and Margaret Cooney. Daughter Margaret says her fathers sudden death came as a huge shock as the family had just gathered for a big celebration in June to mark his 80th birthday. Michael Cooney with his wife Sandra. Photo supplied. Margaret says her father started every day racing the sunrise as he climbed to the summit of Mauao or took a 30km ride on his 20-year-old mountain bike. Our consolation is that Dad was so full of life and right to the end he was doing what he loved, both physically, and quite a few other things in the community. He was a proud boy from the Bay, who loved Tauranga and loved his family for him his best days involved family and he was blessed with great faith. Margaret says her father was a man of decency and sincerity, and was a much-loved, supportive and generous father, grandfather and husband. As our mum always says, one of Dads best qualities was his patience and calm confident support of people. Growing up we often saw that when he was Taurangas coroner helping people navigate some of the most trying situations in their lives. She says her father took greater satisfaction from helping create opportunities for other people and groups to do well but never sought recognition for doing so. We are immensely proud of all Dads achievements and miss him deeply. A life in service Michael Cooneys many achievements and contributions to his community included: 30 years as Taurangas Coroner 13 years as Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust (Tect) chairman Aquinas College Establishment Committee member and Board of Trustees member (2003-2017) Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the community Solicitor to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton Life member of Western Bay of Plenty Life Education Trust Director of Trustpower for 12 years Chairman of Equality Bay of Plenty - a charitable trust supporting people with disabilities. Awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary International in 2010. Board of Trustees chairman at Taurangas St Marys Catholic School. -Bay of Plenty Times Te Pukes Jerrie-Lee Ngareta Hill has become a bit of a jet-setter. She went to a beauty pageant in Dubai late in 2023 and walked the catwalk in New York earlier this year. But she says her most recent trip, to the Women Of Wonders pageant in Mauritius, was one of the most amazing international experiences Ive had. I did the pageant, but also got to experience the country and thats what made it so memorable. She was invited to the pageant after meeting its organiser Devina Mungur in Dubai. Jerrie-Lee was taking part, and Devina was supporting participants, in the Ms Woman of the Universe pageant. We sort of hit it off and got along really well and in the midst of doing the event she did mention what she did. We left the conversation at that and six months later she contacted me and, because shed already met me and knows Im a representative of New Zealand, she offered me the opportunity to represent our country in Mauritius which I happily jumped at. I love to travel and love to positively represent our country and have wonderful new experiences. She says friends were saying it sounded like an amazing opportunity and she would regret it if she didnt take it. She confesses when she accepted the invitation, she didnt actually know where Mauritius was. Now she knows that and a whole lot more As well as the pageant itself, the 20 participants were taken to an adventure park, went zip lining to a waterfall, had a quad bike tour and spent time at sea on a large yacht. Jerrie-Lee Ngareta Hill flying the flag for New Zealand in Mauritius. They saw giant tortoises, and learned about Mauritian history, food and culture. There was also a lot of sharing. I was the only one from New Zealand and I made sure they learned about our culture. They were really interested. She had a cultural outfit she wore during the pageant and demonstrated the poi. I was also speaking to them in te reo, so I got to share my Maori culture, but also Kiwi culture in general. A script read out as part of the contest described what it means to be a New Zealander. I was sharing our different cultures, celebrating we are multicultural, and adding a bit of our Kiwi humour as well. She says everyone loved hearing about Kiwi culture. Lots of them were asking if they could come to New Zealand for a visit and if I could make them a boil-up and a hangi. To make the trip even better she has returned with the title of World Island Cultural and Tourism Ambassador 2024 and with the ability to give others the same opportunity she has had. I am the new international director for Women of Wonders for New Zealand and all the surrounding countries. She will be able to select others to experience what she has. For me, its been such an empowering and wonderful experience, and it means I get to bring along candidates from New Zealand, Australia and the Polynesian Islands to future events and they get to share the same experience I got to. I get so many people say to me, Im so jealous you get to travel. Now I can say, if youd like to you can apply and we can possibly send you overseas. She says she might organise a mini pageant in New Zealand to select candidates. The pageants are in three different age categories so are open to people aged between 20 and 65. -Te Puke Times New rules came into force on Monday making emergency housing harder to get into - and harder to stay in. Ministers signalled in March changes were on the way as part of their goal to largely get rid of emergency housing. A report from government officials to ministers obtained by RNZ has revealed exactly what has changed. It's titled "Tightening the gateway into emergency housing" and details how the government is slashing the number of people living in emergency housing. Here's what you need to know. Who is emergency housing for? Emergency housing is for people who have nowhere else to go. They can apply to the Ministry of Social Development to be put up in emergency housing. Once an application has been accepted, MSD pays for someone to stay in emergency housing through an "Emergency Housing Special Needs Grant", or EH SNG. Getting in has got harder To be eligible for emergency housing, a person must: have an immediate housing need, which means they cannot stay where they are, and they do not have access to other adequate accommodation (MSD decides what is considered adequate) earn below the weekly income threshold, which varies: for example, it is $1,020.90 for a couple with or without children, or $898.56 for a solo parent with two or more children have no more than $1,338.90 in the bank (for someone who is single without children), or $2,230.96 (for couples or sole parents) be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident None of these are new. But here's what is: people now have to prove they meet that criteria with "supporting evidence". If they cannot, their application could be declined. MSD can also consider whether the applicant has caused or contributed to their need - for example, if they cannot stay where they are due to bad behaviour. It is not a compulsory consideration, though, because assessing whether someone is at fault is subjective and "risks excluding people with genuine need," MSD says. Harsher consequences for not following the rules People in emergency housing have to meet certain obligations, which kick in after an their eighth night - to give them a bit of time to get sorted. An applicant must: engage with support services if they have been referred to any make "reasonable efforts" to find somewhere else to stay pay a contribution towards the emergency housing - 25 percent of either their income or the Jobseeker Support benefit they would qualify for - whichever is higher. Again, these already existed - but MSD was rarely able to enforce them, because of a rule that says they could not decline someone emergency housing if it worsened their situation, caused them hardship, or risked their life. "A decline will almost always worsen an applicant's position in the short term," MSD officials advised ministers. That rule is now gone, so MSD can be stricter about declining people emergency housing if they do not meet their obligations. However, MSD will consider whether there are "good and sufficient reasons" for someone not meeting those responsibilities - for example, if someone is escaping a violent or unsafe situation, was physically or mentally ill, or had childcare or transport arrangements fall through. A new warning system If those obligations are not met, a new warning system will now kick in. It's two strikes, and you're out. If someone applies for a stay in emergency housing, and they did not met their obligations last time around, they will get a first warning. If that happens again, they are given a final warning. Next time, they will be declined emergency housing, and will not be allowed to apply again for 13 weeks. Those warnings will not be held against them in their next application, though. Being declined If someone is declined emergency housing for failing to meeting their obligations, MSD will connect them with government and community support services, and help them find other options - including the accommodation supplement, which covers a portion of someone's rent. Applicants can seek a formal review, and if it's found they should not have been declined, the "failure" is not counted. Why are the changes being made? Housing minister Chris Bishop labelled emergency housing one of the biggest public policy failures in the country's history, leaving thousands of children effectively growing up in motels. And he's committed to ending the "motel generation". The number of people living in emergency housing spiked during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the government shuffled those with nowhere else to go into motels amid nationwide lockdowns. It's worth noting they've been dropping since then - more rapidly in the last few months. They've more than halved in the last year: in July 2024 there were 3,330 people in emergency housing, down from 7,554 in July 2023. But it's still expensive - as at March the government was spending about $340 million each year for emergency housing places. And the government and housing advocates alike are adamant no-one should be living in motels long-term. But opposition parties criticised proposed changes to the emergency housing system, saying [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/510999/government-confirms-emergency-housing-plan-shake-up] it would leave people sleeping on the street. Indeed, RNZ reported last week that MSD officials warned ministers making these changes now - before there are enough other housing options - risked making more people homeless. And one Wellington charity says that was already happening But associate housing minister Tama Potaka says the government had mitigated that risk, and maintained those who needed support would get it. "As long as people have a genuine housing need and continue to meet their responsibilities, they will continue to be eligible for emergency housing support." -RNZ As cases of bird flu mount overseas, New Zealand officials are bolstering their plans in case the virus arrives on our shores. Hundreds of millions of birds have now been destroyed around the globe due to infection with the highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza, mostly the H5 and H7 strains. In June, the first human case of H5N2 died in Mexico, and this month, pet cats have been confirmed infected in the United States. Overseas officials are ramping up testing amid fears of infected beef being eaten by humans, while experts here at home are vaccinating native manu against the deadly virus. Here's what you need to know. Bird flu's spread overseas Avian influenza has been recorded as far back as 1878, but the current outbreak of highly pathogenic forms of the virus began in 2020 on turkey farms in the United States. Wild birds then spread the virus to Europe, and from there to the Middle East, parts of Africa and Asia, according to the US Centers for Disease Control. In February 2024, bird flu was detected in Antarctica, then entered Australia - where it spread to numerous poultry farms - a few months later. In June, more than one million birds were slaughtered across Victoria to try to halt the spread of the virus. In July, ABC News reported nearly 10 percent of Australia's egg laying hens had been affected by the outbreak. McDonald's stopped serving breakfast early to conserve its egg supply and supermarkets imposed restrictions on how many cartons of eggs could be purchased in one transaction. Meanwhile, bird flu has spread from birds to at least 26 species of mammals, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Among them are mice, bears, foxes, dolphins, otters, alpacas, goats and hedgehogs. In Denmark, millions of mink have been culled after the virus spread through fur farms, and tens of thousands of seals and sea lions have died throughout the Americas, the BBC reported. This month, the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association reported six domestic cats in the US state had been diagnosed with the virus. This is not the first time it has threatened pets - in 12 cats died of bird flu in Poland and nearly 40 in South Korea. Their deaths were traced back to raw pet food that contained infected chicken and duck. The BBC estimates at least half a billion farmed birds have been slaughtered due to the H5 strains of bird flu. In the United States, nearly 200 dairy herds have been infected since March, when the virus jumped from wild birds to cows. The country's Department of Agriculture will in September begin testing beef entering the food supply over concerns the virus could be infecting meat, according to Reuters. Human cases of bird flu Compared to bird flu's spread in animals, relatively few people have been infected so far, and the risk to human health is still classified as low. In 2020, there were 13 human cases of bird flu reported - mostly in China, with one each in Russia, Hong Kong and Senegal, according to the US Centers for Disease Control. The following year, 2021, was the deadliest of the epidemic for humans. There were 62 human cases reported in China, of whom 19 died, World Health Organization figures show. All but one of the deceased had the H5N6 strain. Over the next two years, human cases were reported in the United States (where the majority have been dairy farm workers), the United Kingdom, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Mexico and Spain, according to the World Health Organization. Two further cases in China died in 2022, while a person from Mexico - the first confirmed human case of H5N2 - died in June. Australia reported its first human case of the H5N1 strain in May - a child who had likely contracted the virus while on holiday in India. A digitally colourised microscopic image of H5N1 virus particles (seen in gold), grown in epithelial cells (green). Photo: CDC/ Cynthia Goldsmith, Jacqueline Katz, Sherif R Zaki. That development led New Zealand public health experts to issue a warning, saying Aotearoa needed to update its national pandemic plan in response to the "evolving threat" posed by bird flu. According to the World Health Organization, there have not yet been any cases of H5N1 that have been transferred from person to person. However, the virus is "constantly evolving" and could potentially become transmissible in that way. "If this occurs, it could be the start of a new influenza pandemic, as was the case with the 1918 and 2009 H1N1 pandemics." The situation in New Zealand New Zealand has never had a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, but the Ministry for Primary Industries has been monitoring its movement around the world for more than 20 years, chief veterinary officer Dr Mary van Andel says. "New Zealand's geographical isolation has protected us from HPAI in the past, but we can't rely on it forever. Given the unpredictable journey of wild birds who can travel with HPAI, it may still arrive here." The ministry is developing a response plan alongside the Department of Conservation, Ministry of Health, Te Whatu Ora and key sector groups, van Andel says. That will cover surveillance, biosecurity, wild bird populations and human health. This month, representatives from the ministry and the poultry industry visited the United Kingdom to meet with experts and learn about the British response to the virus. A small delegation visited Victoria in July. Some takahe have been vaccinated against bird flu. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver. "Both trips will be used to sharpen ongoing operational planning and building of sector resilience at home," van Andel says. The ministry meets regularly with representatives from the poultry and egg farming sectors to raise awareness about bird flu and the need for good biosecurity practices, she says. "We are also working closely with New Zealand's wildlife hospitals, poultry industry groups, veterinarians, wildlife hospitals and rehabilitation centres on monitoring and awareness to enable early detection." The Dunedin Wildlife Hospital is surveilling migratory wild birds and shorebirds and sampling for bird flu, and the ministry is working with Fish & Game to conduct summer surveillance programmes for waterfowl, she says. Meanwhile, the Department of Conservation has vaccinated 50 native birds, including takahe, kakapo, tuturuatu, kaki and kakariki, as part of a trial to see if it is an effective line of defence, The Guardian reported. The birds, which are about to undergo six-month efficacy tests, are all part of DOC's breeding programmes. Meanwhile, van Andel says, anyone who sees a sick or dead bird is encouraged to report it to the Exotic Pest and Disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66. Samples will be taken to rule out bird flu. -RNZ Concerns about the lack of cultural understanding and respect in police interactions with Maori have been highlighted in a two-year report. The report, Understanding Police Delivery, which was initiated by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster in March 2021, was released a week ago, and included key findings on "equity and fairness" in policing. Andrew Coster Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone. One of the evidence reports included an analysis of police complaints data, which revealed "significant" issues in police interactions with Maori. It found that Maori make up over half of complaints related to police use of force. "The rates of overall complaints by Maori for the three-month period is approximately 20 percent of the data. However, in complaints regarding the use of force, 55 percent of the submissions are from Maori." Complaints also highlighted concerns about police behaviour and the lack of respect towards Maori. One wahine Maori described a road stop incident and said, "The officer seemed like he enjoyed putting a Maori woman with a moko in her place". Many complaints also discussed the impact of police actions on whanau who were not the focus of the investigation but were still affected by officers' behaviour. A kaumatua complainant felt his tikanga was violated during a search incident when police entered his property without permission: "I was the elder. I was put on the ground, detained illegally". Complaints of harassment The report found complaints of harassment were also predominantly from Maori. In some cases, force was used inappropriately while the complainant was in custody. "He removed me to a space where there was no camera he spat in my face and physically assaulted me. I said I was going to make a complaint, and the officer stated, 'Go on, lay another complaint'. There are issues with the officer in the community. I know of multiple people making complaints," a Maori man says. The report also found a pattern of force being used during bail checks or search warrants, including incidents where property was damaged and doors were smashed, even when the person in question had not been bailed to the address. "Armed Offenders pointed their guns at my children, who are aged four years old and 13 years old, whilst executing a search warrant. Yelling at my 13-year-old who had his hands in the air while the lasers were over his body. This is disgusting and has left my children traumatised," a wahine Maori complainant says. Complaints of cultural sensitivity The report revealed that 81 percent of complaints regarding cultural sensitivity were from individuals who identified as Maori, Maori/Samoan, or Maori/European. Although these complaints did not explicitly use the term "racism," they addressed their interactions from a cultural perspective. One wahine Maori felt disrespected during a police investigation and says, "I asked to speak with a Maori officer, and he stated I couldn't. I felt he didn't respect my request or consider my culture". A small proportion of complaints referred to the broader police-Maori relationship and a lack of understanding. "This is why they need more police in (town) and Maori ones who understand our people," another wahine Maori says. "Police attitude towards us Pacific peoples and Maori people in the community is just one too many complaints getting ignored just because police have power," a Maori-Samoan woman says. Recommendations The report made several key recommendations to improve fairness and equity in policing, particularly regarding cultural competency and engagement with diverse communities. It said police should analyse how characteristics such as race/ethnicity, gender/sexualities, socio-economic status, and disability influence police behaviour and interactions with diverse communities. Police PR won't help Maori - academic Emmy Rakete Photo: RNZ / Mabel Muller. A lecturer in criminology at the University of Auckland and spokesperson for People Against Prisons Aotearoa, Emmy Rakete, says the issue of police-Maori relations was not about cultural understanding or respect. "The police exist in order to punish transgressions of the law, a law established on the back of the conquest of Maori and written to keep the poor, poor." Rakete says no amount of public relations campaigning from the police would change their "fundamental purpose", which she believed harmed Maori communities. "It doesn't matter if the police speak our language, it doesn't matter if the police put our words on the sides of their cars, it doesn't matter if the police know how to behave at a powhiri. It matters that the police terrorise poor neighbourhoods and take individuals who need help and support to concrete cages where they are left to suffer. "No amount of public relations campaigning from the police is ever going to be able to change that." Police declined to comment in response to Rakete's statements. So far, police have committed to progressing eight of the report's 40 recommendations over the next six months. Coster earlier said community trust was fundamental to policing. "With this research from the independent panel, I believe we have found, possibly for the first time, a way to talk about these issues together and to find ways to lift trust in the future." Speaking to Mapuna last week, Sir Kim Workman, the founding chair of the independent report panel, said police were open to implementing the recommendations. "I believe that this whole research is based on the clear understanding that if we don't engage with the community and with Maori and other diverse groups, fairly and equitably, then we will not gain trust and confidence." -RNZ The Maori King, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, has died. A Kiingitanga spokesperson say he had been in hospital recovering from heart surgery, days after celebrating the anniversary of his Coronation. The Kiingitanga has confirmed he passed away peacefully on Friday morning surrounded by family. Follow all the updates and reactions on the live blog: BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 29. Special voter cards have been prepared for voters who will cast their ballots for the first time in the extraordinary election to the Azerbaijani Parliament on September 1, the Deputy Chairperson of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Rovzat Gasimov, said at today's session of the CEC, Trend reports. He mentioned that 372 voters who will vote for the first time will celebrate their birthday on September 1. They will also be presented with special birthday greeting cards, he emphasized. Meanwhile, the chairperson of the CEC, Mazahir Panahov, stated that these cards may be stamped with a special seal of the CEC. On June 28, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and calling for an extraordinary election. The snap parliamentary election in Azerbaijan is scheduled for September 1, 2024. Nuria Triguero Malaga Thursday, 29 August 2024, 13:11 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads Malaga received good news from China this week: multinational Hygreen Energy, a leading manufacturer of the machines needed to produce green hydrogen, known as electrolysers, has chosen Malaga to set up a components factory to supply the European and American markets. The announcement was made during the regional government's official trip to China. For the time being there are no full details and there had been some mixed messages prior to the visit. Initially there was some talk that Malaga was going to be the site of a green hydrogen production plant, but this latest announcement at least makes it clear that the project is focused on the technology necessary to obtain this fuel, not on production of the fuel itself. Related news Business World's largest producer of green hydrogen set to open component factory in Malaga and create 1,000 jobs Nuria Triguero The physical remoteness of the place where the announcement was made, the scarce information provided and also the general lack of knowledge about this energy source have no doubt contributed to this confusion. These are some of the questions raised by this project and the answers that can be provided at this stage: What is green hydrogen? The term 'green hydrogen' refers to the production of hydrogen generated by low-emission renewable energies. In other words, green hydrogen is just ordinary hydrogen that is produced by environmentally friendly methods. These methods differ from those that have been used in the past as these are based on fossil fuels and are therefore polluting. For example, what is known as grey hydrogen is the hydrogen obtained by steam methane reformation of natural gas (but without capturing the greenhouse gases made in the process) and accounts for 95% of the hydrogen produced today. One of the formulae for producing green hydrogen is the electrolysis of water, that is, separating the water molecules into their two elements - oxygen and hydrogen. To sum up, hydrogen has been used as an energy source for a long time. In fact, the first functional combustion engine invented in 1863 was powered by hydrogen. The key to whether it is green or not is how that hydrogen is produced. If it is produced from fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas or methane), it generates pollutant emissions, but if it is produced from renewable sources (solar, wind, hydro), it gives rise to so-called green, or clean, hydrogen. What is green hydrogen for? Green hydrogen is neither an energy source nor a fuel in itself, rather it is an energy carrier. What does this mean? It is a means of storing energy that has been produced by primary energy sources (light, heat, electrical energy or combinations of these sources) for transporting and releasing it when and where it is needed. It is like a battery, an energy transporter that allows energy to be moved from the primary energy source to where it is needed. Both the European Union and the Spanish government are committed to green hydrogen as a tool to accelerate the decarbonisation of the economy. Some of the specific uses of green hydrogen are... Electricity generation: can be used in fuel cells or batteries to generate electricity cleanly. These cells combine hydrogen with oxygen from the air to produce electricity, water and heat with no pollutant emissions. Transport: green hydrogen is used as a fuel in hydrogen vehicles, including cars, buses, trucks and trains. It offers an alternative to fossil fuels and electric batteries, especially in long-range, energy-demanding applications. Industry: can be used for steel and ammonia production, processes that currently rely on fossil fuels. Green hydrogen can decarbonise these sectors by replacing hydrogen produced from natural gas with hydrogen from renewable sources. Energy storage: surplus renewable energy (solar, wind) can be stored in the form of hydrogen. This energy can then be converted into electricity or used in other processes where appropriate. Heating and air conditioning: can be used in heating and air-conditioning systems for buildings and homes, providing a clean alternative to natural gas. Synthetic fuel production: by combining green hydrogen with captured carbon dioxide, synthetic fuels can be produced that can replace fossil fuels in aviation and other hard-to-electrify sectors. How is green hydrogen made? The main method of obtaining green hydrogen right now is the electrolysis of water, which is nothing more than separating water molecules (HO) into oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) using electricity. This process is carried out in a device called an electrolyser, which consists of two electrodes (anode and cathode) and a membrane that allows ions to pass through. What distinguishes green hydrogen is that the electricity used during the electrolysis process comes from renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind or hydroelectric, which ensures that there are no carbon emissions (greenhouse gases). In this process, the only by-product is oxygen, making the process extremely clean. Will a green hydrogen production plant be set up in Malaga? No. Chinese company Hygreen Energy is a manufacturer of electrolysers and what it has planned to install in Malaga is a production plant for certain components for these electrolysers. In other words, Malaga will form part of the green hydrogen value chain through its contribution to the technology needed to produce it, but hydrogen will not be produced here. That will be done in Huelva, where a whole production set-up for this branch of energy is being planned, and several production plants are already in the pipeline. In fact, Hygreen has also announced this week a green hydrogen production plant in Huelva with the company Kemtenia at an estimated investment of 2 billion euros. What is the Hygreen factory in Malaga intended to make and when will it start up? What has been announced this week in Beijing is the installation in Malaga of a manufacturing plant for components destined to form part of the electrolysers or green hydrogen production plants. No further information is available at this stage. Nor have the deadlines for this project, the estimated investment or its precise location been detailed. The only detail that the company has communicated, according to Europa Press, is that it will provide 1000 jobs. At what stage of development is this technology? It should be noted that the development of green hydrogen is very recent. In 2020, 99% of hydrogen was still produced from carbon-based sources. We are now at a critical stage for its expansion and evolution thanks to significant technological and infrastructural advances and government support within energy transition plans, but there are still significant challenges to overcome. By 2030, a production capacity of 45 million tonnes of clean hydrogen is expected globally. However, much of the planned infrastructure is still in the early planning stages. Green hydrogen faces several key challenges if it is to become a globally dominant energy solution, such as the need for specific regulations, reducing production costs and expanding the storage and transport infrastructure. The key is to make green hydrogen competitive with other energy sources. The European Union aims to become the world's most hydrogen-intensive region by 2030. It estimates that it will need 20 million tonnes to meet its decarbonisation needs. Half of this sum is intended to be imported from third countries. To boost the green hydrogen industry, it has made more than 25 billion euros available through the various funding mechanisms set up for hydrogen projects. Regarding Spain, the European Court of Auditors (ECA), has recently issued a report on green hydrogen that takes Spain to task for its renewable hydrogen strategy. Its target of reaching 4 GW of installed electrolyser capacity by 2030 reflects a moderate ambition compared to other European countries such as Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland and Greece. The European authority acknowledges that the total number of projects announced so far (totalling 45.9 gigawatts of generating capacity) suggests strong interest and growth potential, but almost half of them (12.6 GW) are still in the feasibility and planning stages. Does green hydrogen have no negative environmental effects? Green hydrogen is considered a clean energy solution, but its development is not without potential negative environmental effects. The production of green hydrogen by electrolysis requires large quantities of ultrapure water. To generate one tonne of hydrogen requires approximately 11,000 litres of water. Environmental organisations also fear the environmental and landscape impact of the manufacturing infrastructure and, above all, of the renewable energy plants that are needed to power the electrolysis process. In February 2021 some 30 companies announced the H2med project, a trans-European initiative to connect the Iberian Peninsula's hydrogen transport network with northwest Europe and provide the continent with an affordable green hydrogen supply by 2030. However, European environmental organisations expressed their opposition to the project as being based on an export model that could compromise a reasonable energy transition. These groups pointed out that the project could generate significant environmental impacts within Spain due to the need to develop large renewable energy facilities and the demand for water for the electrolysers. They also questioned the need for such an infrastructure, claiming that transporting hydrogen over long distances is costly and inefficient. Nuria Triguero Malaga Wednesday, 28 August 2024 | Updated 29/08/2024 13:13h. Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads Malaga city will be home to a new component manufacturing facility belonging to the world's leading producer of green hydrogen, the Chinese company Hygreen, and it's set to create 1,000 jobs. It was announced this Wednesday 28 August during a visit by Junta's president Juanma Moreno, to several tech companies in Beijing. Hygreen has also signed an agreement with Huelva-based company Kemtecnia to develop green hydrogen fuel in the region, which will involve an investment of around two billion euros, with the capacity to produce 5,000 megawatts to supply the European and American markets. The Andalusian president expressed his "satisfaction" with the agreement reached between the companies Hygreen and COX Abengoa to develop technology related to the production of green hydrogen in the region. Speaking to the media, Moreno described the agreement for the production of equipment at the COX Abengoa factory in Seville as "a very important step in a strategic sector for Andalucia", which "wants to be on the map" in the development of a "fundamental" technology for the present and future. In the past four years, Andalucia has been able to "double the production capacity" of clean energy, Moreno said. Now, the "strong commitment" has been made in the field of green hydrogen, where Andalucia aspires to "lead" production in Europe, Moreno added. Moreno's visit to China had started with a visit to the renewable energy technology park Daxing International Zone, located on the outskirts of Beijing, and a meeting with representatives of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). Moreno said tourism was also a priority on his trip to Beijing. "We have not yet recovered the numbers we had before the pandemic," he said. He pointed out Andalucia's interest in Chinese tourists, who visit the region outside the summer months. Another positive factor of the Chinese tourism market is their medium-high purchasing power, Moreno added. Andalusian delegation in China The Andalusian president's trip to China will last until Thursday 5 September, where he is accompanied by the Andalusian ministers of economy, finance and European funds, Carolina Espana; tourism and external Andalucia, Arturo Bernal; and industry, energy and mines, Jorge Paradela. The Andalusian delegation is also completed by representatives and managers of Andalusian companies. They make up a "large trade mission" whose "fundamental" objective is to "position Andalucia for future investment, and also as a top tourist destination in the Asian market", according to the Junta. This Wednesday 28 August, the president is also due to hold a meeting with representatives of the Chinese Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). At this meeting, in which Moreno will be accompanied by a director of Santana Motor, the group plans to present to the Andalusian president "the sector's interest in opening foreign markets, as well as its plans to establish itself in Europe", according to the Junta. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 29. A delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev has attended the opening ceremony of the Termez International Trade Center, which took place in Termez city, Uzbekistan, Trend reports. During the event, Mustafayev met with Uzbekistan's Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov. At the meeting, both parties highlighted the rapidly growing friendly and brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, driven by the foresighted policies, mutual visits, and regular contacts between President Ilham Aliyev and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. They emphasized that the signing of the Agreement on Allied Relations during President Ilham Aliyev's state visit to Uzbekistan on August 2223 marked a new chapter in bilateral relations, elevating them to the highest level. The importance of decisions made during the first meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, held during the visit, was also underscored. It was noted that both governments must unite efforts to fulfill the tasks set by their respective heads of state. The compilation and signing of a new five-year roadmap to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership were regarded as one of the most critical tasks by both countries' leaders. Additionally, the successful outcomes of joint projects between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan in various sectors, including investment, industry, agriculture, transport, and oil and gas, were acknowledged. The importance of launching new joint projects during President Aliyev's state visit was also highlighted. The sides expressed satisfaction with the dynamic growth of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, noting a 28 percent increase in trade turnover from January through July 2024. They also praised the level of cooperation in the transport and transit sectors, with a 37 percent growth in transit transportation volumes between the two countries in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period the previous year. The newly opened Termez International Trade Center was recognized as an essential step in expanding trade relations and implementing joint projects. During his visit, Mustafayev also met with Afghanistan's acting Prime Minister, Abdul Ghani Baradar. At the meeting, they acknowledged the historical and cultural ties uniting Azerbaijan and Afghanistan. Azerbaijan's continuous contributions to promoting stability and development in Afghanistan as well as addressing humanitarian issues both bilaterally and within international organizations were noted. Discussions also focused on the prospects of trade-economic and investment relations between the two countries, with mutual interest expressed in expanding relevant cooperation. The possibilities for collaboration in the transport and transit sectors were also considered, with particular emphasis on the development of the Lapis-Lazuli international transport corridor. There was optimism that the opening of the Termez International Trade Center would further enhance trade and economic ties with Afghanistan. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel When he calls it a career as an NFL quarterback, Mike White might have a future in comedy. In his first meeting with the media following Wednesdays practice, White discussed how excited he was about potentially joining the Buffalo Bills following his release from the Miami Dolphins. Before he signed his name on the dotted line, however, White wanted to make sure the team was willing to meet his only condition. Keep him away from linebacker Matt Milano. My one condition for signing here was I just cant be locker mates with Matt Milano, White said tongue-in-cheek. White, 29, broke the ice with local media following his first practice with Buffalo by joking about one of his past experiences facing off against the team in 2022 when he was the starting quarterback of the New York Jets. White showed off his toughness in the 2022 Week 14 matchup by taking a sack from the linebacker. prayers up for Mike White's ribcage, or whatever remains of it pic.twitter.com/TgWYAwkKeB Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) December 11, 2022 He added that, following the hit, he was pretty sure a part of his rib was on the 30-yard line at Highmark Stadium due to his no-fear mentality. That hit knocked White out of the game in the third quarter, which the Bills won 20-12. White is currently on the Bills practice squad, but could backup quarterback Josh Allen as soon as Week 1. Mitch Trubisky, the Bills No. 2 quarterback, is currently dealing with a knee injury. His status for the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals is unknown. Neil Young is finally opening up about why his band Crazy Horse canceled their summer tour. Young and Crazy Horse members Micah Nelson, Ralph Molina and Billy Talbot announced in June that they were taking an unplanned break firm their first tour together in a decade. The announcement only said a few band members got sick and needed time to recover, but Rolling Stone reports Young gave more details in a new Zoom Q&A with paid subscribers of the Neil Young Archives. A couple of us really hit a wall, he said. I just woke up one morning on the bus and I said, I cant do this, I gotta stop. I felt sick when I thought of going onstage. My body was telling me, You gotta stop. And so I listened to my body. Then it gets into all the legal matters: You got this, you got that, people bought tickets, they did this, they did that. I understand that. What matters to me is the art of playing, and the music. Thats what matters. Thats what people loved. Thats what they come to see. But if thats not there, my going isnt happening. My body told me to not do it. Young didnt elaborate on his health issues, but hes returning to performing next month at Farm Aid 2024, scheduled for Sept. 21 at the Broadview Stage at SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Other scheduled performers include Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews (with Tim Reynolds), Mavis Staples, and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Young, 78, is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, plus solo projects featuring hits like Harvest Moon, Heart of Gold, Rockin in the Free World and Old Man. Rolling Stone reports Young is planning a smaller U.S. theater tour with Crazy Horse guitarist Micah Nelson and the Promise of the Reals drummer Anthony Logerfo and bassist Corey McCormick. Crazy Horse will be back, God willing, Young said in the Q&A. Im sorry to all the people who bought tickets who couldnt go, but I listened to my body. MORE BUZZ: Nikki Glaser to lovingly mock Hollywood as Golden Globes host ( RS Kehlani drops While We Wait 2 mixtape ( BB Freeform reveals 31 Nights of Halloween lineup ( E! Apartment 7A trailer: Julia Garner stars in Rosemarys Baby prequel ( V First look at Scott Stapp playing Frank Sinatra in Ronald Reagan biopic ( BB Kerry Washington leads all-Black, female Army Corps in new movie trailer ( RS Nobody Wants This trailer: Kristen Bell, Adam Brody in new rom-com ( DL Nick Cannons 7-year-old son has skipped two grades ( BB Neil Young explains Crazy Horse tour cancellation: I listened to my body ( RS Buzz is a daily roundup of entertainment news about movies, TV, music and celebrities. Montezuma, N.Y. A 50-year-old woman died Sunday after she had a stroke and crashed a car in Cayuga County, her family said. Alicia R. Farr was driving at about 10:05 p.m. when her Honda Civic went off Fuller Road and struck a tree, state police confirmed. She was trapped inside her wrecked car for over an hour after having a stroke, her daughter Erica Helmick told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. The stroke caused Farr to become unconscious and smash the Civic into a tree, her daughter said. It took 70 minutes for first responders to extract her from the car. The car was demolished, New York state troopers said in a news release. Farr was airlifted to Upstate University Hospital, where she later died, police said. Farr leaves behind four children and six grandchildren. The family has created a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs. Alicia Farr, 50, of Port Byron, died while driving in Montezuma when she had a stroke on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024.Erica Helmick Staff writer Timia Cobb covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at tcobb@syracuse.com. Fernando Alba contributed to this report. Syracuse, N.Y. -- A 26-year-old man was arrested in Syracuse Tuesday after fentanyl, cocaine and a gun were found on him and in his car, according court documents. Jahlil T. Williams was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. New York State Police said they found a black satchel behind the passenger seat that contained 10 bricks of what appeared to be a heroin and fentanyl mixture. Court documents provided the following details: New York State Police were in an unmarked car Tuesday, patrolling around Destiny USA when they noticed a black Toyota Highlander with a Georgia license plate in the mall parking lot. Troopers said they could smell marijuana coming from the vehicle and decided to follow. The Toyota drove south on Interstate 81 when it crossed over a solid fog line, a traffic violation for failing to maintain its lane. State police pulled the vehicle over to investigate a possible driving while ability impaired violation. Troopers and investigators approached the vehicle and saw Williams in the driver seat. Troopers said they saw what appeared to be ashes and other paraphernalia consistent with marijuana cigarettes. Troopers noticed Williams eyes were bloodshot and asked if he had smoked marijuana. Williams admitted he had smoked earlier that day. Williams was asked to exit to vehicle to perform a sobriety test while other troopers searched his vehicle. Inside they found a black satchel behind the passenger seat that contained 10 bricks of what appeared to be a heroin and fentanyl mixture. They also found several small baggies with a white powdery substance packaged for sale, about $6,000, a scale and various packaging materials such as glassine envelopes and rubber bands. A white powdery substance on the scale was later tested and found to be cocaine. Troopers also searched Williams and found a Glock 43X 9mm caliber pistol in the waistband of his pants. Williams was previously convicted on gun charges and assault in 2022 and was not permitted to posses a firearm, according to the court documents. Williams is being held in the Onondaga County Justice Center on $150,000 cash bail and $250,000 bail bond. Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com Liverpool, N.Y. A motorcyclist is in critical condition Wednesday after crashing into a car in Liverpool, sheriffs deputies said. The crash was reported around 8:59 p.m. in the 1200 block of Tulip Street, according to Onondaga County 911 Center dispatches. The motorcyclist, a 21-year-old man, was taken to Upstate University Hospital with injuries to his lower body, said Tom Newton, a sheriffs office spokesperson. Hes expected to survive, Newton said. Three people in the sedan were taken to a hospital for an evaluation. Las Vegas annual music festival, Life Is Beautiful, will look a little different this year, with the festival presenting a new kind of festival: A Big, Beautiful Block Party. The two-day event will take place on September 27-28 from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Downtown Las Vegas Arts District. With no overlapping sets, festival-goers will have the chance to catch every one of the 14 electronic acts across two stages. Headliners include Justice, LCD Soundsystem and Peggy Gou, while other notable performers include James Blake, Jungle, Jamie xx, Neil Frances, LP Giobbi, Thundercat, Badbadnotgood and others. See the full lineup and where to buy tickets below. Where to buy A Big, Beautiful Block Party tickets Single-day and two-day tickets are now available for purchase online on the Life Is Beautiful ticketing page. However, general admission two-day passes are already sold out. Greater availability is available on secondary market platforms like Vivid Seats, SeatGeek and StubHub, where prices may be below or above face value depending on demand. Traveling from out of state? Find cheap flights on Expedia and discounted hotels on Hotels.com. Related: Sea.Hear.Now 2024: How to get tickets to the sold-out music festival in Jersey Two rock legends, ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd, are bringing their co-headlining tour, The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour, to the Darien Lake Amphitheater, about 30 miles east of Buffalo, on Thursday, September 12. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m., with special guest The Outlaws opening. Where to buy ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd concert tickets Limited standard admission tickets are available online through Live Nation, where prices start at $41.30 for lawn general admission. However, greater availability and deals are offered by secondary market platforms like Vivid Seats, SeatGeek and StubHub. Heres a look at the best resale prices available (including fees): Prices and availability are noted at the time of publishing and are subject to change. What are ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrds setlists? Based on past setlists from previous tour dates, according to setlist.fm: ZZ Top: Got Me Under Pressure I Thank You (Sam & Dave cover) Waitin for the Bus Jesus Just Left Chicago Gimme All Your Lovin Pearl Necklace Im Bad, Im Nationwide I Gotsta Get Paid My Heads in Mississippi Sixteen Tons (Merle Travis cover) Just Got Paid Sharp Dressed Man Legs Brown Sugar Tube Snake Boogie La Grange Lynyrd Skynyrd: Workin for MCA Skynyrd Nation Whats Your Name That Smell I Know a Little Down South Jukin Saturday Night Special The Ballad of Curtis Loew Tuesdays Gone Simple Man Gimme Three Steps Call Me the Breeze (J.J. Cale cover) Sweet Home Alabama Free Bird Where else are ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd playing? Darien Lake will be ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrds final show in Upstate New York after previously performing in Syracuse and Bethel. The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour is set to come to an end on September 28 in Colorado Springs, CO. A complete list of their tour dates is available here. Lynyrd Skynyrd, known for Southern rock anthems like Sweet Home Alabama, Freebird and Simple Man, previously did a farewell tour in 2019 but still show no signs of slowing down. Bluesy rock group ZZ Top have also had their fair share of hits in the 70s and 80s, including La Grange, Tush, Sharp Dressed Man, Legs, Gimme All Your Lovin and Cheap Sunglasses. Cant get enough live music? ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd arent the only touring artists. Check out other upcoming shows at the Darien Lake Amphitheater, including Pitbull on September 6, Falling In Reverse on September 10 and Creed & 3 Doors Down on September 27. Join NY Cannabis Insider for its next full-day conference in Albany on Sept. 25, 2024. Tickets available now. Jeffrey Hoffman is a New York City-based attorney who hosts Ask Me Anything about Cannabis Legalization in New York each week on LinkedIn. Hoffman and NY Cannabis Insider have partnered to bring those sessions into print in a Q&A format. Hoffmans practice focuses on cannabis industry clients, including licensees in the adult-use market, practitioners in the medical cannabis space, and cannabis adjacent product and service providers. He has a particular interest in social and economic equity cannabis license applicants, and he also informs and assists those convicted of cannabis offenses in getting such convictions expunged from their record. He can be reached at info@420jurist.com. The following AMA has been edited for length and clarity. Can discounts be offered on cannabis if the discount is for everyone and not to a select group? Soon! To date, our regulator has not allowed any discounting in New Yorks cannabis industry. However, recently proposed regulations would remove that prohibition as well as various others (rewards programs, billboards, etc). Its still not a free-for-all, so make sure you check out the new regs so you understand what you can and cant do. Can you explain what the ROD license for registered organization is? Registered organization with dispensing. These are the medical cannabis operators that have now been allowed to open adult-use dispensaries which can vertically integrate into their operations, unlike all the other dispensaries in the state. There is also a ROND which is registered organization nondispensing which is a medical operator that doesnt have their own dispensary but can flow their products to standard adult-use dispensaries. Sign up for the NY Cannabis Insider Newsletter Enter your email address to get exclusive reporting on NY's cannabis market delivered to your inbox: How important is it that a cannabis executive or cannabis event attendee attend cannabis conferences and events every year? Are conferences worth attending or are they a waste of time? I find events to be super useful. Even with all of our technology, there is definitely something about meeting folks in person. People want to work with and do business with people they like. And meeting people in person is the best way to build that kind of relationship. Has there been any talk about opening up for more licenses for people who missed the original deadline? Not really. We still have a long way to go with the queues from Fall 23. There are still licenses for which we dont have any regs yet, much less licenses with regs for which we havent given out licenses yet. Its still (very) early innings in New York regulated cannabis. And as the gentleman with 10 fingers / 10 rings like to say, its very, very difficult to make predictions, especially about the future. What are the regulations for cannabis lounges in regards to zoning and licensing? As mentioned in a pervious answer, there are licenses we dont have the full regs for yet, and the onsite consumption or lounge license is the big one. I believe this has the potential to be a huge license, especially for New York City. To compare the cannabis industry to the liquor industry, the dispensaries we are opening now are the liquor stores, while the on-site consumption licenses will be the bars, clubs, music venues, and event spaces (and more). DHARAMSHALA, India (AP) The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, returned to the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile in northern India on Wednesday after undergoing a knee replacement surgery in New York. Hundreds of followers in colorful, flowing robes, waving scarves and flowers, cheered the Dalai Lama at the airport and his residence. Several of them beat drums and performed traditional dances. Tibetan and Buddhist flags adorned poles and railings. The Dalai Lama, 89, flew to Dharamshala after six weeks of recovery at the Nappi Farmhouse in Syracuse, New York, following the surgery on June 28. The Nappis first met the Dalai Lama in 2011 while traveling in India, and brought the spiritual leader to Syracuse a year later for a two-day peace symposium at Syracuse University capped by the One World Concert in what is now the JMA Wireless Dome. His Holiness is a dear friend, Sam Nappi told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. We keep in touch by visiting (him) in India every few years. Dr. David Mayman, chief of the adult reconstruction and joint replacement service at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, said after the surgery that the Dalai Lama was recovering well and was expected to continue improving over the next six to 12 months. Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama greets a welcoming crowd from inside his car as he arrives in Dharamshala, India, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)AP Dr. Tsetan D Sadutshang and Dr. Tsewang Tamdin, physicians to the Dalai Lama, said last month that the surgical incision had completely healed without any complications. The physiotherapists said they were happy with the speed of his improvement. The Dalai Lama has made Dharamshala, the hillside town in northern India, his headquarters since fleeing Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. Representatives of a Tibetan government-in-exile also reside there. The Dalai Lama formally relinquished his political and administrative powers in 2011 and handed his political responsibilities to the communitys elected leadership. But he has remained the spiritual leader of the Tibetan community. His followers see him as capable of uniting and mobilizing Tibetans inside and outside China. Over 100,000 Tibetan refugees live in India, Nepal and Bhutan, according to Tibetan organizations. Their number in India is estimated at around 85,000, while many have also moved to countries such as the U.S., Canada, Germany and Switzerland. Exiled Tibetans wait with ceremonial scarves to welcome their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama before he arrived in Dharamshala, India, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)AP China exercises rigid control over all religions and, in recent years, has stepped up a campaign of cultural assimilation targeting Tibetans, Turkic Muslim Uyghurs and other minority groups. China castigates the Dalai Lama as an advocate for Tibetan independence and has not had direct contact with his representatives for more than a decade. The Dalai Lama says he merely advocates for Tibets substantial autonomy and protection of its native Buddhist culture. Alexander Marion serves as Syracuse City Auditor. Maurice Mo Brown is an Onondaga County Legislator representing the 15th District, within the city of Syracuse. When you think of homelessness, what do you see? A panhandler on a highway ramp? A line of people outside a shelter? A person sleeping on a bench? You should be thinking of children. According to the Housing and Homeless Coalition of Central New York, since 2021 homelessness has increased over 40%. 75% of those individuals have never been homeless, and 65% are families with children. Rents in Syracuse are up more than 22% year over year. In court, two-thirds of eviction cases result in warrants to throw people families with children onto the streets or into shelters. This is a crisis. We know there are solutions out there increasing housing supply, improving housing quality but these are long-term and require substantial investment. The eviction crisis is on our doorstep today, and Syracuse demands a solution that will create an impact immediately. That solution is a Good Cause Eviction law for the city of Syracuse. Good Cause Eviction eliminates no-fault evictions removing a tenant just because a landlord wants to and gives tenants the right of basic due process during an eviction. Contrary to popular belief, it does not ban evictions. Rather, it requires a landlord to present to a court of law a good reason to evict a tenant, like criminal violations, failure to pay rent, or preventing a landlord from accessing the property. Good Cause also caps rent increases to approximately 10% each year enough to continue improving properties, but without forcing a low-income tenant out. Additionally, it guarantees tenants who do not violate their lease the right to an automatic renewal. This is crucial; it prevents landlords from evicting tenants as retaliation, for example, for calling Code Enforcement to report problems. Evictions take both a social and fiscal toll on our communities, and the two are deeply intertwined. We need to examine the cost to our local governments: when people are evicted from their homes, where do they go? Couch-surfing. Shelters. The streets. That means an uptick in public dollars needed to stabilize their lives more social services, more caseworkers, more support to transition children between schools. While historically, charities have played much of this support role, we cannot expect them to fill the current need that exists and we have a moral obligation to house our communities. Evictions are a civil, not criminal proceeding: Currently, there is no guaranteed right-to-counsel in Housing Court, leaving tenants in a chaotic situation dealing with legally and financially sophisticated landlords. Good Cause evens the playing field and guarantees tenants have important due process rights. Good Cause has also been shown to reduce the number of evictions overall, which clears the docket and speeds up other important housing court proceedings. When New York State enacted Good Cause Eviction earlier this year legislation sponsored by Syracuse Assembly Member Pam Hunter and Sen. Julia Salazar it required Upstate communities to opt-in. The legislation allows for localities to decide two important factors, which will determine to whom this law applies: affordability percentage and the portfolio size. Syracuse now decides what units will have Good Cause protections applied to them. The cities of Albany and Ithaca set their affordability threshold at 345% of market rate, capturing a wide range of units. Localities are allowed to carve out landlords who own a smaller portfolio of properties. We believe the portfolio size should be set to one unit. Unscrupulous landlords have used legal techniques to hide the ownership of properties behind anonymous Limited Liability Corporations (LLCs) instead of a real estate company or individual owning a host of properties, each property is recorded as its own individual LLC, but ultimately under the control of a single owner. This privacy shield creates yet another barrier to tenants, likely experiencing some of the worst days of their lives during an eviction, to navigate without legal representation. Tenants should not have to become private investigators to determine who actually owns their apartments. Were not alone in supporting Good Cause: an initial proposal has been introduced by Common Councilors Corey Williams, Jimmy Monto, Patrona Jones-Rowser and Rita Paniagua. We look forward to a robust public conversation. In 2022, a supportive Council Resolution was passed 8-1, including by current Councilors Chol Majok and Rashaeda Caldwell. Were also joined in support locally by County Legislator and housing activist Palmer Harvey. Good Cause is endorsed by organizations including the Greater Syracuse Labor Council, Citizen Action, Housing Justice for All, the Syracuse Tenants Union, Syracuse DSA, and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Stable, quality housing is the bedrock of stable communities. Passing Good Cause Eviction protections in Syracuse now will make a difference in the years to come as we take continued steps to improve the housing landscape for all our residents. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 29. Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan Mazahir Panahov has met with a delegation led by Deputy Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Omer Kocaman, who is visiting Azerbaijan to monitor the upcoming parliamentary election, Trend reports. Panahov expressed his satisfaction with the meeting and welcomed the Organization of Turkic States' mission to observe the election. He highlighted that for the first time, a parliamentary election would be held across all sovereign territories of Azerbaijan, ensuring that all participants would have the necessary conditions and opportunities to engage in the electoral process. Kocaman thanked Panahov on behalf of the delegation for the warm reception. He expressed his pleasure in participating as an observer in the parliamentary election and emphasized his commitment to actively monitoring the proceedings. The international observers also showed interest in the preparations made for the upcoming election. During the meeting, the parties exchanged views and discussed various issues related to the election process. On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling a snap election for September 1. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Donald Newhouse, his family and the Syracuse University community gathered Wednesday outside of the Newhouse School of Public Communications to commemorate its 60th anniversary. The school, which now houses some of the top communications programs in the country, was dedicated by President Lyndon B. Johnson on Aug. 5, 1964 in the same location. At todays ceremony, Donald Newhouse recounted a meeting between his father, Samuel Irving Newhouse, and William Tolley, SUs former chancellor, that ended with S.I. Newhouse giving $15 million to the school. PHOENIX (AP) Michael Lacey, a founder of the lucrative classified site Backpage.com, was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison and fined $3 million for a single money laundering count in a sprawling case involving allegations of a yearslong scheme to promote and profit from prostitution through classified ads. A jury convicted Lacey, 76, of a single count of international concealment money laundering last year, but deadlocked on 84 other prostitution facilitation and money laundering charges. U.S. District Judge Diane Humetewa later acquitted Lacey of dozens of charges for insufficient evidence, but he still faces about 30 prostitution facilitation and money laundering charges. Authorities say the site generated $500 million in prostitution-related revenue from its inception in 2004 until it was shut down by the government in 2018. Laceys lawyers say their client was focused on running an alternative newspaper chain and wasnt involved in day-to-day operations of Backpage. But Humetewa told Lacey during Wednesdays sentencing he was aware of the allegations against Backpage and did nothing. In the face of all this, you held fast, Humetewa said. You didnt do a thing. Two other Backpage executives, Chief Financial Officer John Brunst and Executive Vice President Scott Spear, also were convicted last year and were each sentenced on Wednesday to 10 years in prison. The judge ordered Lacey and the two executives to report to the U.S. Marshals Service in two weeks to start serving their sentences. Prosecutors said the three defendants were motivated by greed, promoted prostitution while masquerading as a legitimate classified business and misled anti-trafficking organizations and law enforcement officials about the true nature of Backpages business model. Yvonne Ambrose, whose 16-year-old daughter Desiree Robinson was trafficked in Chicago on Backpage and killed in 2016 by a man who answered an online sex ad, told the judge on Tuesday about the pain she feels from her daughters death. I suffer every day from the loss of my baby, Ambrose said. Prosecutors said Lacey used cryptocurrency and wired money to foreign bank accounts to launder revenues earned from the sites ad sales after banks raised concerns that they were being used for illegal purposes. Authorities say Backpage employees would identify prostitutes through Google searches, then call and offer them a free ad. The site also is accused of having a business arrangement in which it would place ads on another site that lets customers post reviews of their experiences with prostitutes. The sites marketing director has already pleaded guilty to conspiring to facilitate prostitution and acknowledged that he participated in a scheme to give free ads to prostitutes to win over their business. Additionally, the CEO of the company when the government shut the site down, Carl Ferrer, pleaded guilty to a separate federal conspiracy case in Arizona and to state money laundering charges in California. Two other Backpage employees were acquitted of charges by a jury at the same 2023 trial where Lacey, Brunst and Spear were convicted of some counts. At trial, the Backpage defendants were barred from bringing up a 2013 memo by federal prosecutors who examined the site and said at the time that they hadnt uncovered evidence of a pattern of recklessness toward minors or admissions from key participants that the site was being used for prostitution. In the memo, prosecutors said witnesses testified that Backpage made substantial efforts to prevent criminal conduct on its site and coordinated such efforts with law enforcement agencies. The document was written five years before Lacey, Larkin and the other former Backpage operators were charged in the Arizona case. A Government Accountability Office report released in June noted that the FBIs ability to identify victims and sex traffickers had decreased significantly after Backpage was seized by the government because law enforcement was familiar with the site and Backpage was generally responsive to requests for information. Prosecutors said the moderation efforts by the site were aimed at concealing the true nature of the ads. Though Lacey and Larkin sold their interest in Backpage in 2015, prosecutors said the two founders retained control over the site. Washington President Joe Biden on Thursday approved federal disaster assistance for Upstate New York after the remnants of Hurricane Beryl swept through the region last month. The presidents major disaster declaration unlocks federal dollars for Cortland, Essex, Hamilton, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. BAKU. Azerbaijan. August 29. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of IDEA Public Union, attended a ceremony for the release of rare animals into the wild in the Ismayilli section of Shahdag National Park, Trend reports. The ceremony featured the release of noble deer, Dagestan turs, and crested porcupines into specially selected natural areas. In 2022, four noble deer were initially released into the park with Leyla Aliyevas participation for an adaptation period. Their population has now increased to 10. Additionally, two more deer were transferred from Baku Zoo Park, bringing the total to 12. Alongside with these, 10 crested porcupines and 3 Dagestan turs, raised at Baku Zoo Park, were also released. This event is part of the Biodiversity Development project, a collaborative effort between IDEA Public Union, Baku Zoo Park, and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. uditanshh BHPian Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Bhopal Posts: 117 Thanked: 595 Times Re: Canada to impose 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles Quote: GTO Originally Posted by No one can compete with Chinese mass manufacturing on costs. Not just costs, but technologically too, the big Chinese brands (e.g. BYD) are ahead of similarly priced competition. Elon Musk said something on the lines of, allow Chinese EVs and they will wipe the existing players out. The BYD Seagull @ $10,000 has shocked the wits out of Auto CEOs. The auto industry is way too big a contributor (a top 4 contributor to our GDP). China doesn't allow foreign carmakers without local partners. India is doing the same (case in point = MG & Jindal). I have to admit, I agree with some level of protection for local & MNC players from Chinese automakers because they compete at an entirely different level, can dump products and have a lot of financial subsidies from the government. Let me be the first to say that I will happily buy an MG ZS EV or BYD Seal. But I would really need to see a lot of local commitment & investment from the manufacturer. BYD wanted to invest a billion dollars here & the government rejected it due to geopolitical tensions. I have to admit, I have mixed emotions about Chinese EVs. I truly respect their ambition, progress & how they have achieved a leadership position without a long history of carmaking in the country. But at the same time, I don't want Chinese EVs to wipe out every other EV maker in the market. Similar to what I believe too! However, I think now is the time for India to allow Chinese FDI in the auto industry but with two conditions: Chinese Partner firms should be a minority stakeholder something along the lines of JSW-MG JV. Quote: In December it was reported that JSW Group would own 35 percent in a newly created joint venture (JV) with SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd (which owns MG Motor India) that would focus on electric vehicles (EVs), with a plan to turn majority shareholder in two years. According to a senior government official, It will become an Indian entity, instead of a Chinese one, with an eventual India listing in the next few years." Make it mandatory for the Chinese partner to do TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER and not just assembly in India, employ and educate local vendors and mechanics who work directly on the car throughout its lifetime. As rightly said in a CNA report, despite the strong domestic demand, Chinese firms need emerging markets to absorb all the export inventory. Therefore, India needs to maintain a striking balance between liberalising the sector and maintaining caution. The new EV policy was a good move, now India needs to double down on that in order to accelerate New Energy Vehicles adoption. Allowing a Majority Indian JV with chinese firms would allow Indian companies to learn new tech, and procure at low cost which may help drive down cost while simultaneously improving the quality and variety of cars which we get and hence even the consumer is a winner here. The chinese firms did this with VW and other manufacturers where they learned to make cars from Germans and Americans but the chinese learned and improved so much that they are now driving the germans and americans out of the chinese market. This video is a must watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DLw...BjaGluZXNlIGV2 Similar to what I believe too! However, I think now is the time for India to allow Chinese FDI in the auto industry but with two conditions:As rightly said in a CNA report, despite the strong domestic demand, Chinese firms need emerging markets to absorb all the export inventory. Therefore, India needs to maintain a striking balance between liberalising the sector and maintaining caution. The new EV policy was a good move, now India needs to double down on that in order to accelerate New Energy Vehicles adoption.Allowing a Majority Indian JV with chinese firms would allow Indian companies to learn new tech, and procure at low cost which may help drive down cost while simultaneously improving the quality and variety of cars which we get and hence even the consumer is a winner here. The chinese firms did this with VW and other manufacturers where they learned to make cars from Germans and Americans but the chinese learned and improved so much that they are now driving the germans and americans out of the chinese market.This video is a must watch. Last edited by uditanshh : 27th August 2024 at 14:11 . Making better use of educational technology is a goal that both software and hardware companies are aggressively pursuing. Keeping students engaged in todays distraction-filled world is no easy feat. Teachers often have to contend with competing gadgets like tablets and smartphones distracting students from group instruction. However, when used correctly, technology such as smartboards and AI-powered presentation devices reshape learning and create positive learning environments for students. The trick is to grab their attention and keep them engaged. Many companies are dedicated to creating and selling solutions that accomplish those tasks. According to Maryam Hassani, acting head of trends and innovation at the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), reports show the global EdTech market is set to grow at a compound annual rate of 12.9% by 2032. In 2022, North America led this charge with a 36% revenue share. This surge in EdTech is reshaping learning journeys, offering innovative solutions to challenges like sparking curiosity in STEM [science, technology, engineering, and math] fields and providing tailored lessons for children with special needs, she told TechNewsWorld. Early and special education students are not the only beneficiaries of innovative teaching technology. The rapid technological revolution is transforming nearly every aspect of our lives, and education on all levels is no exception. Tech ed tools with AI features increasingly help educators make complex concepts easier to grasp and more relatable at all instructional levels. EdTech Driving Latest Learning Trends EdTech is continually evolving, with some exciting trends emerging, offered JQ Sirls, co-founder and CEO of Storytailor, whose product personalizes content to fit students unique experiences. Personalized learning through AI is making education more tailored to individual needs, he told TechNewsWorld. Gamification turns learning into an engaging experience. A growing focus on inclusivity and accessibility ensures modern learning tools are available to all students, regardless of their background or abilities. These trends are reshaping how we approach education, making it more dynamic and inclusive, Sirls added. Smart Technologies is a prime example of how computer-based methodologies make ed tech more effective. This company pioneers learning solutions that enable educators worldwide to build connections that matter using a full range of products. To be more effective, schools must approach the process of adopting innovative technology more thoughtfully. It is a two-step process that first identifies the needed software tools. It only then seeks the ideal hardware to make it accessible in classrooms, according to Jeff Lowe, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Smart Technologies. The formula is quite simple. You start with teaching and learning practices, and then the next step is to look at software. See what software aligns with the desired outcome and can help enable those teaching and learning practices, he told TechNewsWorld. Three key factors are involved in making this work, he added. His companys product developers discuss with client schools the need to choose the right ed tech tools for students, identify their specific needs, and select tools that align with curriculum goals. The state of EdTech is not that efficient, or ripe, with results because this formula is often not adhered to. It is looked at in the opposite direction. We are a hardware company with hardware and software, so we are part of this equation as well, cautioned Lowe. Putting EdTech to Better Use Takes Practice, Training Sometimes, schools adopt the latest and greatest piece of tech without a clear idea of what teachers and students will do with it or how it maps to the teaching and learning practices, according to Lowe. It is often a haphazard hardware-first decision. School admins must decide how it will be applied and what software will run on it. The last step in the tech onboarding process is training and professional development. Training should focus on how the technology supports teaching and learning practices, not just how to use the tech. I think everybody realizes the importance of training, but often the training is around the tech, he added. Instead, it needs to focus on the desired outcome for the student and teacher and how the technology makes that better, which is a different type of training. Lowe noted that Smart Technologies products are mainly trained by teachers for teachers. The company has a large staff of current and former educators, which results in a wide range of skills in technology adoption that help customers. The challenge lies in scaling that insight. Training cannot be effective if only presented as a one-and-done professional day event. Lowe warned that this is a barrier to success. Most of the time, it is more of a teach-the-teacher approach, where you get real advocates within a school or an academic department that get trained very deeply, maybe by us, then take it as their mission to train a number of the other teachers within a school, he said. Scaling the training is the key to success, according to Lowe. School officials must roll this out to include the principal level and the tech directors within the school. So, all of that needs to be coordinated. But if you do not think through that process, you are not going to get the full benefit. Otherwise, it just becomes a crowded space, and there is more pressure on teachers, on their time, not just with new technology, but with everything else that is going on in their lives, Lowe suggested. Ensuring EdTech Success and Adoption That is the real nut schools need to crack. Smart Technologies helps achieve that goal with its ambassador program. The companys products are used globally, so thousands of teachers worldwide are part of an online community the company sponsors to help each other. Teachers can post questions, and everybody using the various software programs and hardware tools provides a mutual aid society. According to Lowe, community-level experts worldwide who support each other in different languages have been very effective. Not just with training but also with best practices for using the technology and building websites with self-paced learning. The usefulness is not something to gloss over. It is critical for success. Once an educator can see that this is not different from what he or she is doing, using ed tech does not become another add-on to the endless list of things teachers are expected to do, Lowe said. Kingston SSD Manager is an application that provides users with the ability to monitor and manage various aspects of their Kingston Solid State Drive. With Kingston SSD Manager you will be able to: Monitor drive health, status, and disk usage View drive identification data including model name, serial number, firmware version, and other relevant information View and export detailed drive health and status reports Update drive firmware Securely erase data Manage TCG Opal and IEEE 1667 Overprovision with Host Protected Area (HPA) (DC400 series only) Supported Operating Systems: Windows 11 Windows 10 Windows 8.1 Windows 8 Windows 7 SP1 System Requirements One or more Kingston SSDs AHCI mode set in BIOS Administrator privileges in Windows Installation Process: What just happened? Pavel Durov, the CEO of messaging app Telegram, has been charged by French authorities over allegations he allowed criminal activity on the app. Durov was arrested in France on Saturday. He is barred from leaving the country and only avoided being held in custody by paying a 5 million euro ($5.56 million) bail. Durov must also report to a police station twice a week. Durov was arrested by the Air Transport Gendarmerie (GTA) on the tarmac of Le Bourget airport around 8 p.m. on Saturday, shortly after stepping off his private jet. The Russian-born billionaire, who became a French citizen in 2021, was arrested on the authorization of the OFMIN (Office to Combat Violence Against Minors). His charges include operating a platform that facilitates the spread of sexual images of children and is used by organized crime for drug trafficking and fraud. It's also claimed that Telegram refused to cooperate with investigators when asked to share documents and information. French authorities said earlier this week that Durov's arrest was part of an investigation into Telegram's failure to moderate alleged criminal activity on the app. In France, preliminary charges against an individual mean that while authorities strongly believe a crime has been committed, more time is allowed for further investigation. "Telegram's CEO, Pavel Durov, has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe," Telegram said in a statement. "It is absurd to claim that a platform, or its owner, are responsible for abuse of that platform." "Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as means of communication and as a source of vital information. We're awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all." Telegram said in February that it has 41 million users in the EU, but some believe it is purposely lowering this number to avoid being classed as a "gatekeeper" under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA). Those services with 45 million monthly active users such as Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft fall into this category, and are subject to tighter EU regulations. Telegram was supposed to provide updated user figures this month, but it only declared that its average number of monthly active users was "significantly fewer" than 45 million. Durov's arrest is causing outcry in Russia, with some government officials claiming the move was politically motivated. The Russian embassy in France issued a statement on Facebook that read: "Following the media reports about the detention of P Durov, the French authorities were immediately requested to clarify the reasons for the detention and to provide for the protection of Mr Durov's rights and facilitate consular access." "As of today, the French authorities are, at the present time, not co-operating on this issue." Russia says the arrest illustrates the West's double standards when it comes to freedom of speech. Russia ordered a ban on Telegram in 2018, a week after state communications regulator Roskomnadzor filed a lawsuit aimed at limiting access to the app within the country. The ban was lifted in 2020 after Russia failed in its efforts to block Telegram. Something to look forward to: Intel is reportedly developing a lineup of mobile processors with powerful graphics to compete with AMD's upcoming Strix Halo. Dubbed "Arrow Lake Halo," these next-gen chips are designed for high-end laptops and feature a larger GPU compute tile, catering to both gamers and creators. Arrow Lake Halo was first rumored two years ago, but there has been little information since then until now. A 2022 report mentioned that these processors would feature 14 CPU cores, a 320EU GPU chipset, and a dedicated Adamantine L4 cache. The moniker has recently reappeared on a shipping manifest from China's NBD website, suggesting that the chips are already in transit. According to the manifest, Arrow Lake Halo is designed for enthusiast mobile workstations and was tested on a Reference Evaluation Platform (RVP) in India. One listing also suggests they were manufactured in September 2023, although the only two entries are from last month. While details remain scarce, more information is expected in the near future. In addition to Halo, the Arrow Lake lineup is expected to include the "S" series for desktops and the HX/H/U series for laptops. While Intel has not yet announced a definite launch date for the Arrow Lake processors, a recent leak suggests they could be officially unveiled on October 10. The lineup is rumored to be led by the flagship Core Ultra 9 285K, which recently appeared on Geekbench, showing a boost clock of up to 5.7GHz. Alongside the 285K, Intel will likely introduce the more mainstream Core Ultra 7 265K and Core Ultra 5 245K, both of which will feature unlocked multipliers for overclocking. Additionally, Intel's motherboard partners are expected to announce their flagship LGA 1851 boards on the same day. Meanwhile, AMD's Strix Halo lineup is anticipated to be more powerful than the current Strix Point CPUs. While the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU offers 12 Zen 5 cores and 24 threads, the Strix Point Halo flagship is rumored to feature 16 Zen 5 cores and 32 threads, likely running at higher clock speeds. The Strix Halo chips will also likely include an RDNA 3.5 iGPU with 40 compute units, a significant upgrade over the regular Strix Point chips, which feature RDNA 3.5 GPUs with up to 16 compute units. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 29. Azerbaijani amphibious aircraft continues to extinguish forest fires in Turkiye, the statement of the press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan said, Trend reports. Following the order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the Be-200ChS amphibian airplane of the aviation detachment of the Ministry of Emergency Situations was sent to help the Republic of Turkiye to combat severe forest fires. Over the past 24 hours, the airplane operated in the direction of Balikesir-Edremit. At present, the firefighting activities continue. A hot potato: A new survey has confirmed what most people already believe: contrary to what managers and executives say, the overwhelming majority of workers feel more productive in hybrid/remote environments than when stuck in the office or on-site full-time. The results also challenge the theory that being away from the office lessens connections with co-workers and bosses. Video-conferencing giant Zoom conducted a survey alongside Reworked INSIGHTS focusing on employee work models. The bottom line result is that 83% of employees feel more productive while working remotely or in hybrid environments. One could argue that feeling more productive and being more productive are two different things. A study last summer claimed to show that productivity declined 18% amongst those working from home. Another study in 2021 determined that remote/hybrid work results in less communication and collaboration between teams, which could impact productivity and innovation though it's worth noting that Microsoft was behind that particular study. Many managers and execs like to claim that one of the reasons working from home impacts productivity is the loss of connectivity between workers and their teams and bosses. However, 82% of participants in the Zoom survey said they felt very or moderately connected to their manager, whereas only 72% of in-person respondents felt the same. This suggests that the old narrative of requiring face-to-face interactions to form bonds with people isn't necessarily true. Company leaders say their working setups have become less rigid since the pandemic, with 50% saying employees' work schedules have become much more flexible, while 45% say it's become slightly more flexible. Given all the stories we hear about firms dragging workers back into the office, it's somewhat surprising to learn that 82% of leaders plan to make their working styles more flexible in the next two years. Hybrid work models are the most preferred among leaders, with 64% saying their workplace has implemented this style. While workers certainly prefer hybrid to being in the office full time, we've seen plenty of outcry when formerly fully remote employees are forced back to the office several days a week. Amazon and Dell are just a couple of examples. The survey illustrates just how strongly people feel about returning to the office full-time. Tech company Nothing recently told employees to get back into its London HQ 5 days a week or find somewhere else to work, a policy also found at Elon Musk's companies. Elsewhere in the survey, 94% of leaders say they use AI in their organizations, and 84% say that integrating AI has positively impacted productivity. Moreover, 64% of employees strongly or slightly agreed that "generative AI makes it easier to do my job," while three-quarters said their organization's technology and remote work tools need improvement. In context: Switchblade drones are precision-guided missiles that can loiter over the battlefield for up to 40 minutes while relaying video feeds back to troops before smashing into targets kamikaze style. The US Army has been working to procure them to give ground forces a new capability for taking out armored vehicles, tanks, and even enemies hiding behind cover. AeroVironment has landed a hefty $990 million contract to supply the US Army with its combat-proven Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS) over the next five years. It represents the Army's first push to outfit soldiers with man-portable loitering munitions at scale. A company representative told The War Zone that while they couldn't disclose exact numbers, this deal covers deliveries of two drone variants the Switchblade 300 and 600. AeroVironment expects deliveries to begin in a few months. "AV is proud to have been selected to provide Switchblade for this critical and urgent Army requirement," said AeroVironment Senior Vice President and General Manager of Loitering Munition Systems Brett Hush. "This latest contract underscores the unmatched maturity and effectiveness of our system, as well as AV's strategic positioning to rapidly produce and deliver these cutting-edge solutions to operators in the field." Launched from a small tube system that foot soldiers can easily transport, the smaller Switchblade 300 model can loiter for 20 minutes out to 30 km. Troops can deploy it from land, sea, or mobile platforms. Due to its low acoustic signature, the system remains hard to detect, identify, or follow even when nearby. The Switchblade 600 variant can loiter for 40 minutes, has a range of up to 40 km, and has the same anti-tank warhead as the shoulder-fired Javelin missile. While the smaller model is capable enough, the larger variant ups the ante with the ability to take out tanks. Both models come equipped with electro-optical and infrared cameras that let operators get a bird's eye view for recon or manually guide the munitions to impact if needed. The drones also feature automated target tracking and engagement smarts, giving them multi-mission and multi-domain capabilities. While AeroVironment is happy about the deal, it's worth mentioning that the company has been delivering these drones to the Army for a while now under previous contracts. The military has already used them in neutralizing Russian military assets in the Ukraine war. However, this new $990M award signals that the Army is more serious than ever about making such munitions a standard part of its arsenal. Safety in the cryptocurrency sector is a concerning topic despite the blockchain's resilience. Given crypto's surging popularity, safeguarding assets is critical regardless of individual usage. While some crypto users only keep enough for small payments at a time, others conduct large trades or make substantial investments with considerable value. Many people invest in crypto by searching for the best coins to buy now, carefully deciding on their purchases based on several factors, including functionality, earning opportunities like staking, price history, and future potential. However, despite all of these opportunities in crypto, inadequate security can have far-reaching effects on individuals and organizations alike. What is Cryptojacking? Cryptojacking is a type of cyber attack where criminals remotely hijack devices to use their computational power for crypto mining. Ordinarily, the process of crypto mining is cost-intensive because it requires heavy computing power from specialized and expensive mining hardware. In addition, these machines consume a substantial amount of electricity, much more than many households need. Cybercriminals use cryptojacking to avoid mining costs. Instead of acquiring their own devices and paying the high electricity costs, they use malware to compromise unsuspecting user devices to secretly seize computational power. Cryptojacking Prevalence Cybersecurity platform SonicWall published figures that show the increasing rate of cryptojacking over the years. According to the publication, there was a 43% year-over-year (YoY) increase in cryptojacking attempts in 2022. This pushed the volume of attacks to a new record high of 139.3 million by the end of the year. The figure is a 43.2% increase from the 97 million attempts recorded the year before and the first time the volume of cryptojacking attempts crossed the 100-million mark. At the time, the report attributed the increase to a change in interest from ransomware groups, with at least one publicly announcing their decision to abandon ransomware operations for cryptojacking. Interestingly, there was a 21% YoY reduction in ransomware attacks in 2022, suggesting that other ransomware groups did the same. The report also indicated increases measured by targeted regions. For instance, the volume of cryptojacking attempts in North America rose by 340% in the first half of 2022, with incidents in Germany and the UK rising 139% and 479%, respectively. Reported figures were much worse in 2023, as the number of attempts in the year had surpassed 2022's total by April. For the first half of 2023, cryptojacking attempts hit a staggering 332.3 million, representing a 399% increase. In January alone, a group of cybercriminals created 130,000 accounts across several cloud service providers (CSPs) and virtual private server (VPS) providers to exploit GitHub Actions workflows for cryptojacking. SonicWall also reported that there were 77.6 million hits in May 2023, more than the full-year totals for 2018 and 2019 and the mid-year totals for 2020, 2021, and 2022. By industry, the average percentage of retail customers targeted monthly in the first half of the year more than doubled in the retail sector, from .06% to .3%. While attempts at finance customers jumped 4.7x, healthcare and government customers rose 69x and 8x, respectively. The education sector had the largest spike, with customers targeted in 2023 320 times more than they were in 2022. Factors Contributing to Increased Cryptojacking Attempts Detection Difficulty: One of many reasons cryptojacking is now prevalent is the difficulty in detection. In many cases, victims are alerted to the presence of malware in ransomware attacks. However, cryptojacking malware can operate silently in the background for a long time without detection. Victims are usually unaware until there is a significant reduction in performance or a spike in energy costs. In 2018, hackers hijacked Tesla's cloud system and used it to mine cryptocurrency. They gained unauthorized access to the carmaker's Kubernetes administration console (a cloud optimization application) as it was not passworded. They then installed a crypto mining software program, Stratum. Cybersecurity firm RedLock, who announced the breach, said it was impossible to identify the culprits or determine how much they mined. Crypto Popularity : The crypto sector is enjoying increased attention as the value of digital assets rises. Unfortunately, this makes the industry a prime target for cybercriminals exploiting unsuspecting users in different ways. In addition to other forms of hacks and breaches, criminals interested in earning via mining prefer to hack devices remotely instead of incurring associated costs. : The crypto sector is enjoying increased attention as the value of digital assets rises. Unfortunately, this makes the industry a prime target for cybercriminals exploiting unsuspecting users in different ways. In addition to other forms of hacks and breaches, criminals interested in earning via mining prefer to hack devices remotely instead of incurring associated costs. Relative Ease of Attacks : Cryptojacking attacks are easier on average, especially when compared to other types of cyber crimes. People familiar with the dark web can purchase cryptojacking kits to launch attacks without extensive technical knowledge. : Cryptojacking attacks are easier on average, especially when compared to other types of cyber crimes. People familiar with the dark web can purchase cryptojacking kits to launch attacks without extensive technical knowledge. Lack of Awareness: Many individuals and organizations are aware of threats and scams in the crypto sector but do not know how pervasive cryptojacking is. This lack of awareness means that the entities do not deploy adequate security measures to defend against these attacks. One of the largest cryptojacking incidents is the spread of the Smominru botnet first discovered in 2017. The botnet infected more than 500,000 devices (some estimates say it is closer to one million) globally, with Windows servers as its primary targets. The Smominru botnet was used to mine Monero (XMR) and successfully earned millions of dollars worth of crypto for the culprits. Remote Work: In recent years, remote work has become a lot more popular. Many employers allow staff to work from home some days of the week, while others do not require an employee's physical presence at all. This means that there is an increasing number of personal and official devices connected to several networks for work purposes. Unfortunately, remote work increases the risk of a security breach and gives cryptojackers a larger range of targets. Protecting Against Cryptojacking Due to the increase in cryptojacking attempts, individuals and organizations must be proactive in protecting their devices and networks by following some of the following strategies: Monitor Network Traffic : Cryptojacking malware can be difficult to prevent or detect. However, regular network traffic monitoring can help users identify abnormal network patterns. : Cryptojacking malware can be difficult to prevent or detect. However, regular network traffic monitoring can help users identify abnormal network patterns. Educate Employees : Companies must raise awareness among employees and educate them on the risks of cryptojacking. There should also be regular training to help employees learn effective cybersecurity practices, especially the quick identification of unusual network or device patterns. : Companies must raise awareness among employees and educate them on the risks of cryptojacking. There should also be regular training to help employees learn effective cybersecurity practices, especially the quick identification of unusual network or device patterns. Deploy Robust Security : High-end antivirus or antimalware software can help users detect and block cryptojacking scripts before they are installed. Users and companies must also conduct extensive research to find software designed to detect cryptojacking malware and install these programs on all networks and devices. : High-end antivirus or antimalware software can help users detect and block cryptojacking scripts before they are installed. Users and companies must also conduct extensive research to find software designed to detect cryptojacking malware and install these programs on all networks and devices. Software Updates : Regularly updating all security software with up-to-date patches is critical to protect against vulnerabilities. Many cryptojacking malware exploit known vulnerabilities to gain access to devices before installing the malware. Keeping all systems secure is an excellent way to prevent cryptojacking attempts and unauthorized access. : Regularly updating all security software with up-to-date patches is critical to protect against vulnerabilities. Many cryptojacking malware exploit known vulnerabilities to gain access to devices before installing the malware. Keeping all systems secure is an excellent way to prevent cryptojacking attempts and unauthorized access. Resource Management Limitations : Organizations can implement resource management strategies that limit the amount of processing power a device can use. IT administrators can install programs that help enforce resource restrictions such that devices do not surpass predefined limits or trigger alerts when they do. : Organizations can implement resource management strategies that limit the amount of processing power a device can use. IT administrators can install programs that help enforce resource restrictions such that devices do not surpass predefined limits or trigger alerts when they do. Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): Artificial intelligence can be applied as a powerful tool to detect cryptojacking malware by analyzing large amounts of data to identify anomalies. Through ML, systems also improve their ability to detect these attempts even as attack methods evolve. Conclusion: The Future of Cryptojacking The likelihood of increased cryptojacking attempts is high, especially as crypto's popularity increases and the value of several assets rises. Organizations and individuals must consider a multi-pronged approach that includes network security, extensive monitoring, and in-depth education to defend against threats. The healthcare industry is on the cusp of a technological revolution, with artificial intelligence (AI) poised to reshape everything from diagnostics to surgical procedures. But the path to widespread AI adoption is fraught with challenges, from evolving regulatory landscapes to complex intellectual property considerations. Jason Novak, partner-in-charge at the San Francisco office of Norton Rose Fulbright, an IP and data rights attorney, and Thomas Kluz, a distinguished venture capitalist and Managing Director of Venture Lab, share insights that healthcare leaders need to consider. Together, they offer their insights on the innovation of AI in healthcare and the evolving regulatory environment shaping its future. The Rise of Robotic Surgery Robotic surgery, which was previously limited to specialized procedures, is poised for substantial growth thanks to advancements in AI, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). Thomas Kluz envisions a future where these technologies enable surgeons to perform operations remotely, potentially transforming healthcare accessibility in underserved areas. "The ability to leverage computer vision in real-time during surgical procedures is incredibly exciting," Kluz noted. "I believe this is the future of the industry." "Robotic surgery has been around for a few years now, but the integration of AI, AR, and VR is set to revolutionize the field," said Jason Novak. "The question is, where will this lead us? In the next few years, I see the value proposition of robotic surgery expanding significantly within the US healthcare system," Novak added. Data Rights: The Foundation of AI Innovation Jason Novak highlights the essential role of data rights in driving AI innovation: "In the AI world, you don't have innovation without data rights. You need the rights to use the data to build, create, and train your models." Data rights, which differ from data compliance, involve the ownership and use rights associated with data as a valuable asset. The ability to access third-party data for commercial purposes and specific fields of use is vital for advancing AI technology. However, the current state of diligence regarding data rights among investors, lawyers, and AI companies is not sophisticated, potentially leading to breaches of data rights agreements or the absence of such agreements altogether. Data rights are closely intertwined with innovation and intellectual property (IP), as they fuel the AI-trained models that produce groundbreaking results. Therefore, prioritizing data rights over IP may be necessary for companies due to their significance as the foundation of future intellectual property. Intellectual Property in the AI Era Protecting intellectual property in the age of artificial intelligence comes with its own set of unique hurdles. Jason Novak highlighted the concept of "divided infringement," stating: "The concept of divided infringement deals with situations where multiple parties are needed to carry out all the steps of a patented process, making it unlikely to attribute infringement to a single entity. In the context of remote surgical procedures, this scenario could play out with more than one party supplying the technology or software, managing the robotic tools, and performing some aspect of the procedure from a remote location." While the breadth of divided infringement has increased via case law in the last few years, the multi-party nature of the legal concept can pose obstacles to safeguarding intellectual property. Moreover, indirect infringement principles such as induced infringement and contributory infringement should also be considered in developing a strategy, as those can become involved in a remote surgery situation. However, these principles also have standards that make proof difficult. To mitigate these challenges, companies should implement a comprehensive strategy using very sophisticated IP counsel experienced in this industry. This involves drafting patents strategically to encompass both the complete method, sub-methods, and physical individual components, among other considerations, all to implement and/or avoid the above concepts in favor of standard direct infringement burden of proof. The Hesitation Towards Dynamic AI in Healthcare In the healthcare sector, embracing change, especially on the software side, has not always been a swift process. The trajectory of digital health took a massive turn based on need, not want, with COVID-19 acting as the catalyst. While experts had foreseen substantial growth in digital health between 2015 and 2025, the sector did not see significant expansion until the pandemic forced the industry's hand. Static models, known for their predictability and transparency in upholding patient safety through predefined and unchanging parameters, have been preferred. On the other hand, dynamic AI technologies like deep learning models are often viewed as "black boxes" due to their complex internal workings. While these models can improve performance by adapting to new data, concerns may arise about potential unintended consequences and lack of human control. These concerns, which again can stem from a lack of education and experience, can impede their adoption in the healthcare industry. Challenges in the Evolving Regulatory Environment The primary issue in the changing regulatory landscape for AI, particularly concerning the FDA, is the FDA's discomfort with the ambiguity inherent in AI. The FDA prefers static, unchanging algorithms that are easier to understand and regulate. "The FDA is understandably cautious about new technologies, but I think there's a lack of comfort and understanding specifically around AI," said Thomas Kluz, highlighting the FDA's preference for static models. However, AI algorithms, especially those utilizing deep learning, are dynamic and develop over time as they analyze more data. This adaptability, essential for AI's efficiency, presents a challenge to the FDA's conventional regulatory framework tailored for static products. Furthermore, as AI algorithms undergo updates and enhancements, it remains uncertain how the FDA will manage the approval process for these new iterations. The Balancing Act: Innovation vs. Regulation To strike a balance between fostering innovation and complying with regulations in AI-driven healthcare solutions, it is important for companies to actively collaborate with regulatory bodies to keep up with changing expectations. They should implement strong data management protocols to ensure clarity in ownership and access rights, which are key for advancing AI technology. Maintaining transparency and clarity in AI algorithms is crucial for building trust and aiding regulatory comprehension. Given the ever-evolving nature of AI, it is necessary to have version control and iterative development processes in place to facilitate effective regulatory monitoring. Emphasizing clinical validation and evidence collection is vital to showcase the safety and effectiveness of AI solutions. Working closely with industry peers and following established standards can influence regulatory frameworks and encourage best practices. Lastly, businesses should embrace flexible business models that can navigate diverse regulatory demands and payment structures across various markets. In a brutal escalation of the war in Ukraine, Russia launched a devastating barrage of missiles and drones on Monday night, targeting critical energy infrastructure across the country. The attacks resulted in significant damage, casualties, and widespread disruption. At least four civilians died, with reports suggesting the death toll could be as high as seven. Scale of the Attack: Over 200 Missiles and Drones Launched According to Mykola Oleshchuk, the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia unleashed a staggering 127 missiles, of which 102 were successfully intercepted by Ukrainian defense systems. In addition to the missiles, Russian forces deployed 109 drones in a coordinated effort to cripple Ukraine's infrastructure. The assault began around midnight and continued relentlessly until daybreak, marking one of the most extensive attacks in recent months, according to Interesting Engineering. Related Article : US Long-Range ATACMS Missiles Likely to Be Sent to Ukraine Amid Raging War With Russia Strategic Timing: Post-Independence Day Aggression This devastating strike occurred just two days after Ukraine celebrated its Independence Day and revealed its first domestically produced long-range drone, the Palianytsia. Ukrainian sources indicate that the drone attacks were meticulously planned, with strikes hitting various regions across the country, including northern, southern, eastern, and central Ukraine. The missile barrage that followed, possibly including Russia's advanced hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, added to the destruction. Widespread Devastation: Power and Water Supplies Targeted The intensity of the attacks was felt throughout Ukraine, with explosions reported in several cities, including the capital, Kyiv. The attacks were so powerful that they successfully knocked out power and water supplies in multiple locations. As per the Associated Press, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal condemned the assault, stating, "The energy infrastructure has once again become the target of Russian terrorists." In response to the damage, Ukraine's state-owned power grid operator, Ukrenergo, had to implement emergency power cuts to prevent further destabilization of the grid. Ukraine's Plea for Long-Range Weapons In the wake of the attacks, Ukrainian leaders have renewed their calls for increased military support from their allies. Prime Minister Shmyhal urged for the provision of long-range weapons and their authorized use against targets within Russia, emphasizing the need to strike back at the sources of these missile launches. According to Shmyhal, it's high time to destroy the places where Russian military forces launch the missiles to halt the "barbaric shelling of Ukrainian cities." He also vowed that Ukraine, with the support of its allies, would hold Russia accountable for the destruction and loss of life caused by these attacks. Russia's Justification: Targeting Military-Industrial Complex The Russian Defense Ministry justified the attack by claiming that it targeted critical energy infrastructure facilities that support Ukraine's military-industrial complex. They asserted that all designated targets were successfully hit, a statement that underscores the ongoing strategy of targeting essential services to weaken Ukraine's ability to defend itself. A Continuing Cycle of Destruction The latest missile and drone attacks highlight the brutal and unrelenting nature of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Even then, the Kremlin warned the US of World War III risks, citing that the West is "playing with fire" with them, as per South China Morning Post. Back in June, the Biden administration banned the sales of Kaspersky antivirus after a source claimed its ties with Russia. Meta is now lowering the age of eligibility to access its famed VR platform, Horizon Worlds, and is now making it available for preteens to enjoy what it has to offer. This latest update will now accept kids ages 10 to 12 years old to the platform. Still, it will have specific safeguards for these users, including the ability to set up parental controls on their experiences. Initially, Meta launched Horizon Worlds for users at the legal age of 18, and its recent change focused on allowing those from 13 to 17 years old to join the virtual world. Meta Horizon Worlds Opening Its VR Platform to Preteens A recent blog post from Meta Quest is now welcoming adolescents from ages 10 to 12 to join Horizon Worlds, its renowned virtual community which is also its first step into the metaverse. However, it would have specific safeguards that will help protect the preteens from various online harms and potential risks, assuring their parents that they will be kept safe throughout the experience. First off, preteens would have no access to the Voice chat, and they would be displayed as offline by default unless allowed by their guardians. Additionally, Horizon Worlds for preteens would have the personal boundary setting turned on at all times and help keep them away from other users. Parental Controls are Available for Adolescent Accounts According to Meta, preteen users could only join Horizon Worlds via a parent's account where they would have to ask for access. That being said, there are parental controls available for legal guardians to set on these preteen accounts. This includes the ability to access various worlds like being asked for approval before joining or automatically allowing them to enter age-appropriate worlds. What Does Meta Horizon Worlds Offer For Users? Meta, Quest, and its famed Reality Labs are known for their massive focus on delivering the world's first metaverse experience, but the company is still far from this offer. The closest experience they have available is the Horizon Worlds which Meta introduced in 2021 making it available for public access to users 18 years of age and older. There are many experiences available on Horizon Worlds, and among these is its main feature of connecting users to their friends, families, colleagues, or online pals through the virtual platform. Additionally, it also focused on offering safety features that will prevent online abuse or harassment with its introduction of 'Safety Bubbles' in 2022 which offer personal boundaries. It was only a year ago when Meta lowered the age of eligibility for users looking to join Horizon Worlds, allowing teens from 13 to 17 to access it and explore the virtual community. Now, Meta is expanding Horizon Worlds' access to adolescents from 10 to 12 years of age, allowing younger users to experience it, but could only be done so through a parent-managed account. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 29. Rivers in the territories liberated from the occupation are polluted by Armenians, the Deputy Head of the Environmental Policy Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan Rafig Verdiyev told Trend. He emphasized that pollution in local rivers in these areas is also higher than normal. This is, of course, due to years of inefficient utilization of natural resources and dumping of harmful substances and wastes into the rivers. On the Okchuchay River and our other rivers, regular monitoring is carried out. Thus, hydrological points along the Okchuchay River and other transboundary rivers have been restored, and an automatic station and quality sensors have been installed. This also allows us, if there is any impact on the rivers, to take certain measures against it, Verdiyev noted. The representative of the Ministry also mentioned that the territories liberated from occupation are rich in water resources. There are also other rivers in these territories, such as Hakari, Bargushad, and Tartarchay. Unfortunately, during the occupation of our territories, we were not able to fully utilize our water resources. Water reserves in the liberated territories are sufficient for irrigation and other purposes. Once our lands were liberated, it became possible to use the rivers of these territories for water supply of the region and adjacent territories, he added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel 16 dead in Yemen floods as search goes on: rebel media Dubai, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 At least 16 people have been killed in flash floods in a rebel-held district of Yemen, rebel media reported Thursday, as search efforts continued for others still missing. Civil defence teams recovered the bodies of 16 of the 38 people posted as missing in Al-Mahwit province west of the capital Sanaa, the Iran-backed Huthi rebels' Al-Masirah television reported, citing a local official. Landslides triggered by torrential rains had crashed through homes and businesses in the province's Melhan district on Tuesday night burying some of their occupants. The rebel administration's deputy prime minister Mohammed Miftah, told Al-Masirah that "road closures due to the floods hindered the arrival of rescue teams for several hours." The heavy rains that have been falling in highland provinces for a week have also affected neighbouring Hodeida province on the Red Sea coast. In the government-held town of Hais, Ahmed Suleiman and his children survived, but he told AFP "the floods swept away our homes, our livestock, all our belongings, our blankets, everything we had in the house." Another resident, Saud Majashi, said "our belongings, our beds, our food... the floods took everything." The mountains of western Yemen are prone to heavy seasonal rainfall. Since late July, flash flooding has killed 60 people and affected 268,000 across Yemen, according to the United Nations. "In the coming months, increased rainfall is forecast, with the central highlands, Red Sea coastal areas and portions of the southern uplands expected to receive unprecedented levels in excess of 300 millimetres (12 inches)," the World Health Organization warned on Monday. Earlier this month, the United Nations warned that $4.9 million was urgently needed to scale up the emergency response to extreme weather in war-torn Yemen. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of seasonal rains in the Yemeni highlands, much of which are controlled by the Huthi rebels. A decade of war with the internationally recognised government propped up by a Saudi-led coalition has ravaged healthcare infrastructure and left millions dependent on international aid. UK govt says will not fight Rosebank oil field legal challenge London, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 Britain's Labour government on Thursday said it would not fight legal challenges brought against development of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields in the North Sea. The decision means the future of the oil fields are now in the hands of the courts. The Rosebank oil field 145 kilometres (90 miles) off the Shetland Islands was approved by the previous Conservative government in September 2023. It is the UK's largest untapped oil field, estimated to contain up to 300 million barrels. Drilling was expected to begin between 2026 and 2030. The Jackdaw gas condensate field is being developed 155 miles east of Aberdeen and is expected to start production in 2025. Rosebank is owned by Equinor and Ithaca Energy, and Jackdaw is owned by Shell. "The government will not challenge the judicial reviews brought against development consent for the Jackdaw and Rosebank offshore oil and gas fields in the North Sea. This decision will save the taxpayer money," the government said in a statement. Energy Minister Michael Shanks said the government was "committed to making Britain a clean energy superpower" but that while making the transition "the oil and gas industry will play an important role in the economy". The government, however, said it would not withdraw the licences agreed by the last government. Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed before the July election that brought Labour to power after 14 years in opposition that his government would uphold existing oil and gas licences, while banning any new ones. The government said it would now "consult at pace" on the implementation of its manifesto position not to issue new oil and gas licences, in light of a Supreme Court ruling requiring regulators to consider the climate impact of new projects. If the courts back the ecological groups over the projects, operators would need to resubmit environmental assessments, adding costs to the projects. The government's decision was welcomed by Greenpeace. Mel Evans, UK climate team leader at Greenpeace, said not defending legal action brought against the new oil and gas sites was "absolutely the right decision". "These permits should never have been granted without being properly assessed for their impact on the climate, and following the Supreme Court ruling earlier this year, conceding these cases is the logical course of action. "The two new fields combined would generate a vast amount of emissions while doing nothing to lower energy bills," he said. A Shell spokesperson said: "Jackdaw was approved in 2022 and we are carefully considering the implications of today's announcement by the government." har/pdh/gv Equinor Weeks of floods kill nearly 200 in Nigeria Lagos, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 Floods have killed at least 179 people and displaced around 200,000 more in parts of Nigeria after a "few weeks" of intense rain, an emergency official said on Thursday. Most of the serious flooding has been in the north of Nigeria so far. At least 107,600 hectares (265,885 acres) of farmlands have also been affected, figures published by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) showed. Most of the deaths were in the country's northern region, but NEMA spokesman Ezekiel Manzo said the central and southern parts of Nigeria may be hit harder as rain intensifies. He did not say exactly when the deaths and displacements had occurred. "The collection of water from the northern part flowing downward will also mean that the situation being witnessed the same in central and southern parts of the country will become worse," Manzo told AFP. Communities along the banks of major rivers Niger and Benue are at higher risk. Some parts of the country previously not known to be flood-prone have seen floods, Manzo said. Flooding, usually caused by abundant rains and poor infrastructure, has caused large-scale destruction in Africa's most populous country in the past. More than 360 people died and more than 2.1 million were displaced in 2012. In 2022, more than 500 people died and 1.4 million were displaced in the worst floods in a decade. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said in a statement on Wednesday that authorities would provide warnings to mitigate the impact of environmental mishaps. Manzo said emergency officials have mapped out plans to forestall a recurrence. "We don't have time to waste any longer so people will not be caught unaware," he told AFP. Missing Dutch tourist found dead on Greek island Athens, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 A Dutch tourist who went missing on the Aegean island of Samos has been found dead, Greek police said on Thursday, the latest holidaymaker fatality in an especially sweltering summer. An autopsy conducted at the remote part of the island where the body was discovered confirmed the women's identity as Brigitte van Gennip, 65, who police said had been declared missing since August 22. The police said it was a Belgian tourist who chanced upon the body on Wednesday, in a ravine far from where her mobile phone was last detected. No evidence for the moment points to criminal action, according to the police. Dutch authorities had sent teams of rescuers with eight dogs to Samos to help their Greek counterparts find the woman. At least seven foreign visitors to popular Greek island destinations have died this summer, amid higher temperatures than usual. On June 9, the body of BBC presenter Michael Mosley was discovered on the island of Symi as the country faced its earliest-ever heatwave, with the mercury topping 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). The body of another Dutch citizen of 74 had already been found on Samos on June 15, followed by a 55-year-old American man on the island of Corfu the following day. Two Frenchwomen, aged 73 and 64, also disappeared on the island of Sikinos. The Greek health authorities have repeatedly issued warnings about the risk of exposure to the heat, advising against staying outdoors during the hottest hours of the day. Scientists have long warned that man-made climate change driven by burning fossil fuels is making periods of extreme heat more likely and more intense. 24 dead in Yemen floods as search goes on: UN Dubai, Aug 29 (AFP) Aug 29, 2024 At least 24 people have been killed in flash floods in western Yemen, a United Nations agency said on Thursday, as search efforts continued for those still missing. Landslides triggered by torrential rains crashed through homes and businesses in Al-Mahwit province's Melhan district on Tuesday night burying some of their occupants. The United Nations Population Fund in Yemen said on social media platform X that there were 24 dead and 17 missing in "devastating floods after rains and three dams burst" in the area controlled by the Huthi rebels. The UN agency said 1,020 families have been affected and dozens of homes have been destroyed. An earlier toll issued by the Iran-backed Huthis' Al-Masirah television, citing a local official, said 16 people have been killed in Al-Mahwit, west of the capital Sanaa. The rebel administration's deputy prime minister Mohammed Miftah, told Al-Masirah that "road closures due to the floods hindered the arrival of rescue teams for several hours". Al-Masirah made no mention of dam collapses as had been reported by the UN. The heavy rains that have been falling in highland provinces for a week have also affected neighbouring Hodeida province on the Red Sea coast. In the government-held town of Hais, Ahmed Suleiman and his children survived, but he told AFP "the floods swept away our homes, our livestock, all our belongings, our blankets, everything we had in the house." Another resident, Saud Majashi, said "our belongings, our beds, our food... the floods took everything." The mountains of western Yemen are prone to heavy seasonal rainfall. Since late July, flash flooding has killed 60 people and affected 268,000 across Yemen, according to the United Nations. "In the coming months, increased rainfall is forecast, with the central highlands, Red Sea coastal areas and portions of the southern uplands expected to receive unprecedented levels in excess of 300 millimetres (12 inches)," the World Health Organization warned on Monday. Earlier this month, the United Nations warned that $4.9 million was urgently needed to scale up the emergency response to extreme weather in war-torn Yemen. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of seasonal rains in the Yemeni highlands, much of which are controlled by the Huthi rebels. A decade of war with the internationally recognised government propped up by a Saudi-led coalition has ravaged healthcare infrastructure and left millions dependent on international aid. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, August 29. Kazakhstan has joined the ranks of countries playing a key role in the global oil market, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said, Trend reports. He spoke at a special meeting dedicated to the 125th anniversary of Kazakhstan's oil and gas industry. Oil and gas are strategic resources, the backbone of the national economy. This has become possible thanks to the hard and dedicated work of oil workers. Today, about 250,000 people work in this sphere. The industry itself is moving forward. Innovative technologies are introduced into production, and new standards of environmental safety are approved. In addition to the extraction of raw materials, Kazakhstan has established its processing. We produce the majority of fuels and oil products. Undoubtedly, a great merit in this belongs to the KazMunayGas national company. We have also created world-famous brands. The energy security of the country has been strengthened, he said. The president also noted the contribution made to the development of the industry by the world's leading oil and gas corporations, such as Chevron, ExxonMobil, CNPC, Eni, Shell, LUKOIL, Total, and Sinopec. The development of Tengiz, Kashagan, Karachaganak, and the realization of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium project are vivid examples of mutually beneficial cooperation between the state and investors. Kazakhstan is tightly integrated into the global economy and attracts a large volume of investment thanks to an open and verified policy in this area, the president of Kazakhstan added. Meanwhile, the volume of crude oil production in Kazakhstan amounted to 44.9 million tons from January through July 2024, which is 0.9 percent less compared to the same period last year (45.3 million tons). BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, August 29. Kyrgyzstan exported 99,133 tons of oil products worth $64.477 million in the first half of 2024, Trend reports. According to the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the volume of these exports increased by 45.9 percent compared to 67,961 tons in the same period in 2023. The value of the exports rose by 40.2 percent compared to $45.980 million in JanuaryJune 2023. The majority of Kyrgyzstan's oil exports50,173 tons valued at $34.295 millionwent to Turkiye. Uzbekistan was the second-largest recipient, importing 30,410 tons valued at $8.846 million. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover reached $7.6 billion from January through June 2024. The figure increased by 9.4 percent compared to the same period in 2023. Within this turnover, exports accounted for 16.9 percent, while imports made up 83.1 percent. Exports from Kyrgyzstan in JanuaryJune 2024 decreased by 3.2 percent year-on-year, totaling $1.3 billion. The value of imported goods into Kyrgyzstan was $6.3 billion, which is a 12.4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Photo: Administration of the President of Kyrgyzstan BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, August 29. Special Representative of the President of Kyrgyzstan for mountain regions development Dinara Kemelova and Hugh Riddell, Country Manager for World Bank in Kyrgyzstan, discussed mountain area advancement, Trend reports. The meeting focused on promoting mountain products and tourism, as well as protecting mountain ecosystems, including the snow leopard. They also addressed issues related to preventive measures and responses to natural disasters and climate-related challenges in mountainous areas, and adapting agriculture and communities to climate change. Kemelova briefed Riddell on the Five Years of Action for Mountain Region Development plan for 2023-2027 and Kyrgyzstans international initiatives related to mountain issues. On December 14, 2022, the UN General Assembly endorsed Kyrgyzstan's initiative to launch the Five Years of Action for Mountain Region Development 20232027. The action plan aims to encourage mountain countries to implement a comprehensive range of joint actions to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change, advance the green economy and technologies, create financial mechanisms for strengthened cooperation, develop science and education in sustainable mountain development, conserve biodiversity, and prevent natural disasters in mountain regions. MUSIC/ BIOGRAPHY Radio Birdman: Retaliate First Murray Engleheart Allen & Unwin, $36.99 You really had to see Radio Birdman. Maybe you have some other favourite band but nah, theyre not as good. It really was a cult, one eyewitness recalls inside these pages bristling with the extreme prejudice of hard rock devotion. If you were a fan of Birdman, you pretty well werent allowed to like almost anything else. Full disclosure: I never saw Radio Birdman. Not on their original incendiary streak of 1975 to 1978 anyway. Not many did, in the grand scheme of things. The task of canonising this spiky frontline militia of Sydneys underground revolution falls to a select few. Our prime minister swears by them. So does veteran rock writer Murray Engleheart. According to Murray Engleheart, few acts on the planet ever held a torch of internal animosity quite as high. Its chiefly the authors passion, throbbing like a pulsing jaw beneath the dramatic weight of his prose, that suspends disbelief on this latest death-or-glory mission to secure the Birdman cult its rightful place in history. SO LONG, FAREWELL Farewell Shakes, youll be sorely missed. Credit: John Shakespeare We cant wait any longer to bring you the bittersweet news, our brilliant illustrator John Shakespeare leaves this space today. For about 35 years, Shakes has drawn cartoons for this column and its predecessors, where his deft touch, generous wit and unique style was beloved by both readers and even the subjects of his visual takedowns. Many cartoon subjects lined up to become purchasers: former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has a cartoon of him and wife Vikki Campion hanging in their living room. Ex-defence minister Christopher Pyne has a few, as does defamation silk Sue Chrysanthou, SC. Customers also included Australias richest person and discerning portraiture critic Gina Rinehart, and Qantas, who we hear, used to buy all Shakes prints of their executives. Rinehart was a favourite subject of Shakes as was Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and dog Toto. The PM has his own Shakespeare, a cartoon of his proposal to fiancee Jodie Haydon. Ive had so much fun doing CBD, from ANZs Mike Smith hiding his meat pies in the attic to Gina mimicking the Nevermind album cover, Ive had a ball, Shakes said. Ill miss it! It goes without saying but we shall say it anyway: well miss Shakes too. TO BE FRANK Kanye West, meet Warrnambool Racing Club committee member Frank McCarthy. Just as West had his moment storming the stage back in 2009, so did McCarthy on Saturday night at the $200-a-head Country Racing Awards at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. While West gained global infamy when he snatched the microphone from Taylor Swift mid-speech during a music awards night and rudely insisted his love Beyonce was more deserving of the best female video award, McCarthys intervention had a different vibe. It came while comedy duo The Nelson Twins performed, prompting some in the 700-strong crowd to take umbrage at their jokes. Certainly, McCarthy did. He jumped on stage mid-act, took a microphone from one twin and told them both in no uncertain terms that their material was an absolute joke. And not in a funny way. I just casually walked up and had something to say to the two entertainers, McCarthy told CBD. As I said to them, Do your research. The failure with their performance was the entertainers did not do their research about the crowd they were entertaining to. The Nelson Twins (identical twin brothers and qualified teachers Chris and Justin Nelson from the NSW country town of Walbundrie) sounded somewhat bruised in a statement where they said that they would consider their options. We had been churning out dick jokes for 18 minutes of a scheduled 20-minute performance and at no time did anyone from Country Racing Victoria ask us to stop, those mad bastards were loving it, the twins said. We are on a journey to make sure that people never lose their sense of humour, keep laughing legends and come and see us at a real show soon. Country Racing Victoria apologised to those who were offended while both the twins and the racing official criticised what they called inaccurate media reporting in the days following the awards night. Final word to McCarthy: At the end of the day the one thing worth writing about is that Warrnambool Racing Club walked away with a significant award. We have to admit we liked his style. PLAZA DRAMA We didnt think former North Sydney mayor Jilly Gibsons tempestuous farewell to her old council would drag into a third day, but drag on it has. When the meanies at the council voted down a motion to rename a small plaza after Gibson, the good people of the harbourside suburb of Kirribilli took matters into their own hands. Luxury car owners across Sydney are waking up to find expensive damage to their vehicles: spray-painted badges on the bonnets. Some badges are painted bright red, others blue. Mercedes-Benzes, BMWs, and Porsches have all been targeted. Police have launched Strike Force Opelika to investigate damage to luxury cars in Sydneys east. From Annandale in the inner west to Paddington and Darlinghurst east of the city, owners of the German-made cars have been left wondering who vandalised their vehicles and why they did so in such an oddly specific way. Beyond the distinctive painting of just the bonnet badges, the only thing linking the crosstown graffiti spree appears to be the cars country of origin. A former NSW Australian of the Year has accused authorities of an appalling failure to protect citizens from cancer-linked forever chemicals in drinking water and has threatened to lead a class action against the government unless Australian standards are overhauled. The threat follows the shock closure that a Blue Mountains dam which forms part of the drinking water catchment showed elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS). The delay in shutting down a contaminated dam has outraged former Australian of the Year Jon Dee. Credit: Glenn Hunt Authorities belatedly tested drinking water supplies following pressure from a Herald investigation in June. The discovery has outraged Jon Dee, a former Australian of the Year for NSW and founder of Planet Ark, who lives in the Blue Mountains. Warning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers: This story contains images and references to a deceased person. The mother of an Indigenous woman, whose needless death on remand sparked an overhaul of the states bail laws, says she is disgusted by a WorkSafe decision not to lay any charges over her daughters death. In an email seen by this masthead, WorkSafe reveals it completed an investigation into Veronica Nelsons death at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in 2022, finding there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the Department of Justice or prison operator Correct Care Australasia. Veronica Nelsons partner, Percy Lovett, and mother, Aunty Donna Nelson, are surrounded by supporters in January. Credit: Joe Armao WorkSafe acknowledged it received a request in May 2022 to investigate possible occupational health and safety breaches, with coroner Simon McGregor recommending the matter also be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration. The self-immolation of a 23-year-old asylum seeker will pressure Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke to resolve the visa status of more than 8000 people whose futures have been uncertain since they arrived by boat more than a decade ago. Mano Yogalingam, a father-of-one and factory worker who was 11 when he left Sri Lanka with his family, spent his final weeks camped outside the Home Affairs offices in Melbourne while protesting against Australian immigration policy. He died in hospital on Wednesday after lighting himself on fire at a skate park in Melbournes south-east on Tuesday night. Protesters outside the Department of Home Affairs Office in Melbournes Docklands on Thursday display portraits of a 23-year-old asylum seeker who died in Melbourne on Wednesday after setting himself on fire. Credit: Eddie Jim The Tamil Refugee Council said Yogalingams shocking death was a consequence of the psychological torment inflicted by the Australian governments cruel and inhumane policies and that it feared more deaths could follow in a community that has grown increasingly desperate. At just 23 years, Mano had his whole life ahead of him. His blood is on the hands of the Labor Party. Twelve years is too long to wait for an answer, it said in a statement. Well-off parts of Sydney and Melbourne have lost tens of thousands of residents since COVID-19 as regional Australia bears the brunt of the nations ageing population. Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday reveals some of the countrys most established suburbs are also becoming increasingly feminised, while regional communities are rapidly greying and putting pressure on specialist health and support services. The Northern Beaches Council area is one of many well-off parts of Sydney to have lost residents since the pandemic. Credit: Janie Barrett Both Sydney and Melbourne lost residents in the early stages of the pandemic as people moved to regional areas while prospective immigrants found themselves blocked from shifting to Australia. The ABS figures show that by 2023 there had been a recovery in population growth for the nations two largest cities, but that was not being spread evenly across their suburbs. Whatever one thinks of Harris, it is astonishing to see how quickly her elevation to the top of the Democratic ticket has transformed the 2024 election. According to her campaign, she has raised more than $US540 million ($795 million) worth of donations in just over a month including $US82 million during the convention in Chicago last week. Loading Hundreds of thousands of volunteers have signed up to join the Harris-Walz campaign, including 90,000 last Thursday and Friday alone after the vice president hit the stage to formally accept her presidential nomination. The atmosphere inside the United Centre was truly electric even exceeding the giddy enthusiasm of the Republican National Convention a few weeks earlier, when emboldened delegates rallied around Trump after the attempted assassination on him. Indeed, from the moment DJ Cassidy hit the decks in Chicago for the ceremonial roll call paving the way for an unforgettable cameo by US rapper Lil Jon as Georgia cast its votes democracy became an unbridled celebration. Jubilant Democrats danced and cheered in their seats. People waved the American flag and chanted USA! USA! the kind of patriotism youd expect to see at a Trump rally. The roar of the crowd was at times deafening, most notably when Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and Oprah Winfrey took the stage to deliver three of the best speeches of the convention. Oprah at the Democratic National Convention Credit: AP Let us choose joyyyyyyyyyyyyy! Winfrey sang on the third night, using what has fast become the buzzword of the election. And that they did. But what strikes me about this stunning turnaround is that it is less about Harris herself whom most Americans are still getting to know and more about voters immense dissatisfaction with the prospect of a Trump-Biden rematch. This is something I saw first-hand, over and over, as I travelled around battleground states this year. In South Carolina, for instance, I met former Democrat Chris Salley, who left the party last October outraged by Bidens stance over the war in Gaza. Loading In North Carolina, university student Alexander Denza expressed similar frustrations, adding that the fact that we have more of the same or the status quo is tiring students out. And in New Hampshire, Kris Make cast her vote in the Democratic primaries for Bidens longshot challenger, Dean Phillips, due to fears about the presidents age and ability to do the job. Harris ascension has offered these kinds of voters what they had been longing for: something new, different and younger than the two pale, male, and stale candidates they had to choose from four years ago. The big question is whether Harris can sustain the momentum. With just over two months until election day, the latest RealClearPolitics poll of averages has Harris leading Trump at a national level, 48.3 per cent to 46.6 per cent. Polls have moved against Trump since Harris replaced Biden as the Democratic nominee. Credit: nna\Jorgebranco But when you drill down to individual battleground states, the race remains extremely tight, with Trump very narrowly ahead in Arizona, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia and Nevada, and Harris with a small edge in Wisconsin and Michigan. Her first post-convention test will come on Thursday night when the often-scripted vice president finally sits down for a proper interview on CNN, alongside running mate Tim Walz. A much bigger test, however, will take place on September 10, when she goes head-to-head with Trump in their first presidential debate in Philadelphia. Park City, Utah: A Utah mother of three who published a childrens book about grief after her husbands death and was later accused of fatally poisoning him will stand trial, a judge has ruled. Utah state judge Richard Mrazik ruled on the second day of Kouri Richins preliminary hearing that prosecutors had presented enough evidence against her to proceed with a jury trial. Kouri Richins, who has been accused of fatally poisoning he husband, looks on during a court hearing. Credit: AP She faces a slew of criminal charges for allegedly killing her husband with a lethal dose of fentanyl in March 2022 at their home in a small mountain town near Park City. Prosecutors say Kouri Richins, 34, slipped five times the lethal dose of the synthetic opioid into a Moscow mule cocktail that Eric Richins, 39, drank. Kouri Richins appeared stoic as the judge delivered the news that a jury would soon decide her fate. She was adamant in maintaining her innocence, entering pleas of not guilty to all 11 counts on Tuesday. Her trial is due to begin on April 28. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, August 29. The launch of a transport corridor from China through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, extending to Turkmenistan and ultimately the Caspian Sea, is expected to significantly boost the transit, transport, and logistics potential of the region, Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Daniyar Amangeldiev said during the meeting with Turkmenistan's ambassador to the country Nury Golliev, Trend reports. Amangeldiev discussed the ongoing efforts to launch the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad construction project and addressed the prospects for cooperation in the industrial sector. In response, the ambassador emphasized the successful cooperation between the countries in the energy and agriculture sectors, noting the positive growth in mutual trade. The parties underscored the importance of implementing the agreements reached during the 6th meeting of the Kyrgyz-Turkmen intergovernmental commission on trade-economic, scientific-technical, and humanitarian cooperation, which took place on July 24-25, 2024. The construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad is estimated to cost approximately $8 billion. The 486-kilometer-long railroad will pass through Kashgar (China) Torugart Makmal Jalalabad (Kyrgyzstan) Andijan. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Starting August 29, 2024, Chicagoans Can Enjoy A Sky-High Hello Kitty Experience TAIPEI, Aug. 29, 2024 -- EVA Air, a leading carrier in the aviation industry, is thrilled to announce the launch of its newest Hello Kitty Besties Jet. The jet departed its inaugural flight BR55 on August 29, 2024, from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and is en route to Taiwan Taoyuan Intl (TPE). EVA Air prepared exclusive commemorative gifts for every passenger on board the first flight, and the aircraft will continue to serve this route departing from Chicago every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday during the summer schedule, and Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in winter. There was a special ceremony last evening at Chicago O'Hare International Airport to witness the Hello Kitty Besties Jet arrival BR56 from Taipei, which was greeted by a water salute, followed by a reception with live music. "Chicago is a vital leisure and commercial hub in the United States, and we're excited to launch Hello Kitty Besties Jet on the Chicago-Taipei route. Our Hello Kitty jets have earned a range of awards and accolades, and we look forward to continuing to deliver the exceptional care and high standards our passengers have come to expect when flying with EVA Air," said EVA President Clay Sun. From the moment passengers step aboard the Hello Kitty Besties Jet, they will be immersed in a sweet and joyful atmosphere, surrounded by Hello Kitty elements throughout the cabin. The plane will have both interior and exterior designs of the beloved Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty, My Melody, and the popular character Kuromi. There will also be specially designed headrests and custom-designed place settings during the meal service. Hello Kitty Besties Jet design is crafted with the vision that every passenger can embark on a journey with their loved ones, exploring the world together and creating unforgettable memories along the way with EVA Air. EVA Air will now have four routes that feature Hello Kitty Jets. Hello Kitty Besties Jet will be flying the Chicago route (U.S.). BAD BADTZ-MARU Travel Fun will be flying the Clark route (Philippines) while Celebration Flight and Joyful Dream will alternate on the Bali and Cebu routes (Indonesia & Philippines). As an added treat for the travelers flying on the other days of the week for these Special Livery Jets, the in-cabin amenities will remain the same Hello Kitty theme so they can still have a Hello Kitty experience on board an EVA plane. Travelers can learn more about EVA and its Hello Kitty and Sanrio Family jets at https://www.evaair.com/en-global/fly-prepare/our-fleets/eva-special-livery-jets/ The EVA Air North America route operates 87 flights per week, making it one of the leading Asian carriers with the highest capacity for Trans-pacific routes. Their extensive network across Asia ensures easy access to a wide range of destinations, making it a breeze to explore the continent via their hub in Taipei, one of the easiest transit airports in Asia. Whether you're traveling to vibrant cities like Tokyo, serene destinations like Bali, or cultural hubs like Bangkok, EVA Air provides the perfect gateway to Asia, making your journey as enjoyable as the destination. About EVA Air: A Star Alliance member, EVA Air was founded in 1989 as Taiwan's first privately owned international airline. It is a sister company to global container-shipping leader Evergreen Line. It flies a fleet of more than 80 Boeing and Airbus aircraft to over 60 international destinations throughout Asia, Oceania, Europe and North America where gateways are Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver. Travelers can learn more about EVA and schedule, book and buy tickets at www.evaair.com. SOURCE EVA Air BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 29. The planned initiatives under the "Trade Facilitation in Central Asia" project, commissioned by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) in Tajikistan, focus on simplifying and improving trade procedures, a source at GIZ told Trend. The source noted that it is a regional project with regional objectives and a team of experts working across all five Central Asian countries. The budget is allocated according to the needs of each country. The project aims to simplify and streamline trade procedures, making it easier and faster for goods to cross borders. This will involve adopting international standards and best practices. As part of this initiative, representatives from the relevant ministries of the five countries meet twice a year on the regional platform of the National Committees on Trade Facilitation to discuss and create a unified regional concept for transit and transportation. Additionally, the project will focus on creating digital solutions to facilitate trade, training, and capacity building, strengthening public-private partnerships, and supporting improvements in transport and logistics infrastructure. A trade facilitation agreement was signed on June 5, 2024, between the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan and GIZ. The project, which runs from January 2024 through December 2026, has a total budget of 6.5 million euros, distributed among Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan. These initiatives are expected to enhance trade dynamics and economic integration in the region. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, August 29. Tajikistan's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ilhom Abdurahmon and Azerbaijan's Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev discussed the increase of cargo transportation along the Middle Corridor, the Tajik Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports. During the meeting, the sides also discussed the exchange of experience in the field of introduction of e-government and digital technologies, coordination of interaction within the framework of regional transport communications, and resumption of flights on the Dushanbe-Baku-Dushanbe route. In the course of the talks, the participation of representatives of the industry segment of Tajikistan in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku in November this year was touched upon. The Middle Corridor links the networks of rail containerized cargo transportation from China and European Union countries through Central Asia, Caucasus, Turkiye, and Eastern Europe. The route train along this corridor delivers cargo from China to Europe in an average of 20-25 days, and this is one of the main advantages of this transport corridor. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. Army to get73,000 more SIG716 rifles NEW DELHI : INDIA has ordered an additional 73,000 SIG716 rifles from US firearms maker Sig Sauer, the company has said, asserting that it is proud to be a partner in the modernisation effort of the Indian Army. The move comes amid a lingering border row between India and China in eastern Ladakh. The Defence Acquisitions Council (DAC) had given the nod for the procurement for the additional 73,000 SiG716 rifles last December. In a statement issued in the US, Sig Sauer said, it is honoured to announce a second procurement contract with the Government of India, Ministry of Defence to supply an additional 73,000 SIG716 rifles. When completed, 1,45,400 SIG716 rifles will be in service with the Indian Army, it said. India first awarded Sig Sauer a contract for the SIG716 in 2019 for 72,400 riles. The successful fielding and overwhelming soldier acceptance led to this follow-on award for an additional 73,000 rifles, the statement said. The SIG716 is an enhanced AR platform chambered in 7.62 NATO featuring a 16-inch barrel, M-LOK handguard, and a 6-position telescoping stock, the company said. We are proud to be a partner in the modernisation effort of the Indian Army, and prouder still that the SIG716 rifle achieves the Ministry of Defences modernisation goals with the second largest army in the world, Ron Cohen, President and CEO, SIG SAUER, Inc., was quoted as saying in the statement. Since the initial fielding of the SIG716, we have received phenomenal end-user feedback on the performance and reliability of the platform. Throughout this time, we have strengthened and further solidified our partnership with the Indian Ministry of Defence and are honoured to earn their continued trust equipping their frontline infantrymen, it said. Sig Sauer designs and builds the SIG716 rifles for the Indian Army and for all of its customers in the US, firearms maker said. The Sig Sauer assault rifles procurement is a step in the direction to replace the indigenously manufactured INSAS rifles. The Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) was inducted in the army 1988. In 1993, the design of the rifle was changed before being introduced in the army in 1996. The rifle was put to use during the 1999 Kargil war. ASL level security for RSS chief NEW DELHI : THE Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has strengthened RSS chief Mohan Bhagwats security by upping his existing Z+ armed protection to the more robust Advanced Security Liaison (ASL) protocol. This upgrade involves augmenting the security measures currently provided by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel. The ASL status brings Bhagwats security level on par with that of Home Minister Amit Shah. Officials told ANI that the new directions wereissued on August 16 considering fresh threat analysis report submitted to the MHA by theIntelligence Bureau. They said that the ASL protocol was previouslyrequired only during Bhagwats visits to certainsensitive locations. Bangladeshs interim Govtlifts ban on Jamaat-e-Islami DHAKA : BANGLADESHS interim Government on Wednesday revokedabanon therightwing Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir, less than a month after it was imposed on the Islamist partybyformerPrimeMinister SheikhHasina,whowas forced to resign following massive protests against her Government. It (lifting theban)willcome under effectimmediately, the HomeMinistrysaidinagazette notification, noting that there was no particular evidence against the organisation. The erstwhileAwamiLeague governmentledbyHasina had imposed a ban on Jamaat on August 1, 2024, accusing the Islamistpartyasamilitantand terrorist organisation. The government blamed Jamaats studentwing forincitingchaos over a quota system for government jobs. Thenotificationsaid theban under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009 has been lifted as there was no particular evidence against the organisation. The government believed that Jamaat and its associate bodies, including its student front Chhatra Shibir, were not involved in terrorist activities and violence. The decision, formally published in a gazette notification onWednesday,representsasignificant change from the decision taken by the erstwhile Awami League government earlier this month, just days before its ouster. Thedevelopmentcameaday after Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman urged the High Court to summarily reject a writ petition seeking an order on the government tobanHasinasAwami League as a political party and scrap its registration. The current (interim) government has no intention to bananypoliticalorganisation, the governments top law officer tolda two-judgeHighCourt bench, which setAugust 29 for its decision on the writ filed by one Sarda Society as a public interest litigation. The interim governments law adviser, equivalent to a minister, Asif Nazrul on Wednesday told reporters he was opposed to the call for a ban on Awami League or any other political parties unless there was any strong evidence of their involvement in terrorist activities. Awami League is the party which led Bangladeshs independencemovement andcontributed to different democratic movements. (But) what they did in the past 15 years doesnot gowith theirheritage, thespiritof theLiberationWar, Nazrul said. He said the party had established the most barbaric fascism in Bangladeshs history forwhichsomeonemighthave individual or its leaders might have collective responsibility but I dont think it will be a wise decision to ban it as a political party. Secretary General of ex-premierKhaledaZiasBangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Mirza FakhrulIslamAlamgirsaid that anyone should be able to form an independent political party, that is the main goal of democracy. We arenotin favour of banning any political party; any party and any individual has the right to form an independent party. But they must be on the side of freedom and sovereignty. Those who do not believe in freedom cannot be supported, he said at a media briefing on Tuesday CORRUPTION UNVEILEDCBI registers case against Ex-DGM,firm Partner in Bhilai contract scam The Hitavada State Bureauss RAIPUR/BHILAI, CENTRAL Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its crackdown on corruption by registering a case against Intakhab Alam, the former Deputy General Manager (DGM) of Engineering Projects (India) Limited (EPIL), Bhilai, and Manoj Kumar Soni, a partner in a Bhilai-based private firm, M/s SPS Construction and Engineering Works. The investigation targets serious allegations of fraudulent practices related to a highvalue civil construction contract at Bhilai Steel Plant, prompting extensive searches at the accused individuals residences and offices in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, and Bhilai, Chhattisgarh. The CBIs registration of this case follows an agreement dated 30th April 2010, between Bhilai Steel Plant, a unit of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), and EPIL, a Government of India enterprise. The contract, valued at an enormous Rs 550.82 crore, was intended for the augmentation of the Raw Material Receipt and Handling Facilities, including the construction of a new Ore Handling Plant (OHP), as part of Package-61 at Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP). This project was expected to enhance the operational efficiency and capacity of the plant significantly. As part of the project execution, EPIL floated several Notices Inviting Tender (NIT) for various civil construction works, attracting bids from multiple companies, including M/s SPS Construction and Engineering Works. The firm, where Manoj Kumar Soni served as a partner, successfully secured contracts under the PKG-061 package. However, it is now alleged that Soni, in collusion with the then DGM of EPIL, engaged in fraudulent activities to secure undue financial gains, said the official sources privy to the investigation. According to the CBIs investigation, Sonis firm allegedly submitted forged documents, including Gate Material Entry Challans (Form CISF-157), store-issued slips, and fabricated invoices to EPIL. These documents were crucial in the approval and processing of payments related to the supply and placement of reinforcement steel. It is further alleged that these fraudulent documents were verified and approved by Intakhab Alam, who was serving as the DGM at the time. This approval facilitated the wrongful gain of RS 84.05 lakh to Sonis firm, resulting in a corresponding financial loss to EPIL. The investigation, which led to todays searches at multiple locations, underscores the CBIs commitment to uncovering and addressing corruption within government enterprises, particularly in crucial sectors such as steel and power. By focusing on the involvement of high-ranking officials and private entities, the agency aims to dismantle the networks of corruption that undermine the integrity of public sector projects, the sources averred. As the investigation progresses, as per the sources, more details are expected to emerge, providing further insights into the mechanisms employed to perpetrate the fraud and the extent of the corruption. The CBIs ongoing efforts in this case are likely to lead to significant consequences, including potential arrests and further legal actions, depending on the findings. This case has already attracted substantial attention due to the high profile of the involved parties and the significant financial implications. The CBIs proactive approach is seen as a critical step toward ensuring transparency, accountability, and integrity in the execution of large-scale public projects, the sources maintained. Kolkata rape-murder: CBI starts polygraph test New Delhi : THE CBI onWednesday began the process of conducting a polygraph test on Kolkata Police ASI Anup Dutta to decipher his alleged links with SanjayRoy,arrestedin therape and murder case of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, officials said. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had taken permission from a Kolkata court to conduct thepolygraph testonAssistantSub-Inspector Dutta, who was earlier questioned by the agency in the case.Dutta will be the eighth person toundergoapolygraph test in this case. According to the officials, Dutta, posted in the Kolkata Police Welfare Committee,had allegedly extended a number of favours to Roy,a traffic police volunteer.The CBI is trying to find out if Roy informed Dutta about the crime he allegedly committed and whether he sought any favours for covering up the crime, the officials said. The information revealed during the polygraph test may not be used as evidence during the trialbut the agencymay gather corroborative evidence which could be used in court, they said CBI TRACKS SANDIP GHOSHS PHONE CALLS AFTER RECOVERY OF DOCTORS BODY: THE Central Bureau of Investigation probing the rape and murder of a womandoctoratstate-runR.G. KarMedicalCollege&Hospital is now tracking the mobile phone calls made by former principal Dr Sandip Ghosh immediatelyafter thebodywas detected in the seminarroom. Sources said that by tracking the phone calls made or received by Ghosh then, the investigating officials are trying to figure out what exactly transpired. To be more precise, sources added, the investigating officials are keen to track whether Ghosh passed on any informationor gave anyinstruction on the tragedy to anyone or viceversa from anyone on that morning. The Central probe agency has alsosought thepermission of a lower Court in Kolkata to conduct the same testonAnup Halder, an assistant subinspectorofKolkataPolice and a close associate of the sole accusedin thecase,SanjayRoy, acivicvolunteerattached to the State police. Sources said that preliminary investigation through interrogation of differentpersonshasrevealed that the woman doctor was quite popular among her fellowjunior doctors, medical students and even some of the supporting medical staff. The victim,however,wasnot in the good books of a section of her seniors in the hospital, especially those who are the confidants of Ghosh. Man gets life imprisonment forkilling two-year-old daughter Special Correspondent : ADDITIONAL Sessions Judge Ms M V Deshpande on Wednesday sentenced Kishor Sukhdeo Soyam to life imprisonment for brutally killing his two-year-old daughter. The horrifying incident had taken place at Ganeshpur in Hingna taluka in March 2021 stemming from Soyams suspicions regarding his wifes fidelity. Soyam (26), originally from Uttiumarwahi, taluka Sindewahi taluka, district Chandrapur, had been in a relationship with Puja (23), a fellow villager, for four years before they married in 2017 at the Sindewahi court. The couple relocated to Ganeshpur and found work as labourers in a Butibori factory. However, their relationship deteriorated after the birth of their daughter, Radhika, in 2018. Soyam, who became increasingly suspicious of Puja, doubted that Radhika was not his biological child. His mistrust led to violent behaviour and after Puja gave birth, he misbehaved with her, prompting her to leave for her native village with her mother and the newborn. She eventually returned to live with Soyam, but his alcoholism and abusive behavior continued forcing Puja to work in an oil factory to support the family. The horrifying incident unfolded on March 1, 2021, when Soyam returned home in an inebriated condition and demanded Rs 1,000 from Puja to buy more alcohol.When she refused, he assaulted her, leading Puja to seek help from the MIDC Bori Police Station. Upon her return with the police, they found the door of the house latched from the inside. Once the door was forced open, the police found that Soyam had slit his daughters throat with a razor. He also attempted suicide by slitting his throat but survived. The police rushed the critically injured Radhika and Soyam to the hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival. Following Pujas complaint, Soyam was arrested after receiving medical treatment and charged under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. Police investigated the case filed a chargesheet against Soyam. The court examined as many as 14 witnesses during the trials. As the charges were proved against Soyam, the court sentenced him to life imprisonment with a fine of Rs 5,000. Additional Public Prosecutor Adv Pankaj Tapase represented the State. MMRCLs solar expansion plan stalledas MSEDCL sits upon 5 MW demand By Kaushik Bhattacharya : Despite submitting demand nine months ago by Nagpur Metro, MSEDCL failed to take any step Received a letter for the expansion plan but no further process has been carried out by Metro officials, claimed MSEDCL On completion of the expansion project, Nagpur Metro can meet 50% of its total energy requirements THE 5 megawatts (MW ) solar project expansion plan of Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) for Nagpur Metro has been stalled from last nine months due to delay in clearance from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL). The electricity consumption of Nagpur Metro is 9 MW per day. At present, it is generating 1.6 MW electricity per day through rooftop solar panels. With 4.5 MW solar photovoltaic (PV ) installed capacity, Nagpur Metro has plans to increase it upto 10 MW. To meet the demand, Nagpur Metro plans to add 5 MW to its existing solar power generation in next 12 months. The project aims to minimise operating expenses as a major chunk of Nagpur Metros revenue is spent on meeting the energy demands. Nagpur Metro plans to meet 50% of its total power requirements from solar energy with net-metering arrangement.We are expecting to achieve the milestone in a couple of years, a senior officer of Nagpur Metro told The Hitavada on the condition of anonymity. The officer claimed that MSEDCL is delaying commissioning of additional capacity by not implementing 5 MW net-metering regulation by Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission(MERC).MSEDCL is bound toimplement the 5 MW netmetering regulation of MERCbut it continues to sit upon the proposal since November 26, 2023, alleged the senior officer. MERC has increased the net metering cap for rooftop solar power projects to either 5 MW or the consumers contract demand/sanction load, whichever is lower on November 1, 2023. Netmetering in the State was earlier capped at less than 1 MW. The increase in the netmetering cap comes across as an effort to encourage the adoption of commercial and industrial rooftop installations. The amendments are a part of the latest Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (Grid Interactive Rooftop Renewable Energy Generating Systems) (First Amendment) Regulations, 2023. We subbmitted a written request to MSEDCL as well as to the MERC many times for the project. In reply, we heard nothing from the electricity distribution company so far, said the senior officer. On the Nagpur Metros allegations, a senior officer of MSEDCL, on the condition of anonymity, said, We just received a letter about the expansion plan for 5 MW solar project by Nagpur Metro. The letter had no mention about the procedure to implement the project by Nagpur Metro. As per their expansion project, Nagpur Metro plans to install solar PV atop all its metro stations, depot buildings and track walls (boundary walls). In a move to promoteAtmanirbhar Bharat, all the existing solar panels installed by Nagpur Metro are Made in India. Similar panels will be use for the expansion project. PEACE PROSPECT! GOOD signs are available of improved prospects of peace between Russia and Ukraine, thanks to the role Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi is playing as a mediator acceptable to all sides. Handling the complicated process of mediation with aplomb, Mr. Narendra Modi moved to Poland and thence to Ukraine a few days ago trying to promote peace process and raising expectations of all sides that a negotiated settlement may be possible provided every side agrees at least to take a purposeful pause in hostility. And as an extension of that trip, Mr. Modi engaged United States President Mr. Joe Biden and Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin to explain to the two leaders the details of the discussion he had with Ukrainian leader Mr. Zelenskyy. At this stage, some positive signs have appeared on the horizon that a dilution in hostilities may happen and prospects of peace may improve. This is no mean an achievement in the current scenario -- with Mr. Modi as a peace-maker. Of course, there is no actual let up in military engagement in between Russia and Ukraine. The Russians have intensified their drone and missile attacks and the Ukrainians have responded with equal ferocity. Despite this, Mr. Zelenskyy urged Prime Minister Mr. Modi to insist upon Russia to halt their attacks. Naturally, the Russians, too, expect a similar initiative from Ukraine as well. In this situation, the leader who can help the most happens to be US President Mr. Joe Biden as a representative of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) interests. Hence Mr. Modis telephonic connect with Mr. Biden upon his return from Ukraine. Fortunately, Mr. Biden has openly recognised Mr. Modis contribution as the messenger of peace and humanitarian interest. Mr. Putin also has recognised the merit of Mr. Modis effort, thanks to the substance in his argument in favour of peace and settlement, and also to the long-standing friendship between Russia and India. Mr. Putin has recognised the strength in Indias friendship as Mr. Modis Government chose Russia over the world -- though without sacrificing the multiple Indian interests. These realities bring the world closer to a negotiated settlement of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In the given moment of intense international tensions, therefore, the effort of Indian Prime Minister have their own importance. For, Mr. Modis efforts appear to have the world closer to the negotiating table. In the past, too, some such efforts were made by representatives of some other interests -- but did not produce any sensible outcome. This time, the situation is quite different. It has raised hopes of peace in whatever manner. The path from here onwards may be arduous, so to say. Yet, the fact that everybody is sensing some prospects of peace -- no matter how slim -- is a good sign for an improved global order. It is important to note at this stage that the world is taking Mr. Narendra Modi and India seriously, something that the country did not have in the past in such abundance. Indias goodwill in the global community has improved tremendously over the past some years -- thanks to the delicate balance India has been able to achieve and maintain over time between various conflicting interests. This has become possible because India has been able to define its own interests very clearly and precisely -- which did not happen previously in such a manner. This is the direct impact of the clear-visioned leadership of Mr. Narendra Modi on various global issues vis-a-vis Indian interests. Of course, the road ahead towards peace between Russia and Ukraine is long and hard. Yet, India has been able to open the doors for good prospects to peep in Regional Industry Conclave, Gwalior Adani promises Rs 3,500 cr investment in MP By Bhavana Aparajita : Cement factory in Guna, defence system factory in Shivpuri soon Shukla BIG investment continue to pour into the State as countrys top industrialists committed to making huge investment in Gwalior Regional Industry Conclave on Wednesday. Nine industry sectors have expressed keen interest in establishing operations in northern parts of the State. In this series of investments, the Adani Group has announced to set up major facilities, including a cement factory in Guna, a defence system factory in Shivpuri, and a womenoperated jacket factory in Badarwas. Karan Adani, Managing Director, Adani Port and SEZ Limited, announced that the Adani Group plans to invest Rs 3,500 crores in two major projects in the State. Today, I am proud to announce two more projects. The Adani Group plans to set up a 2 million-tonne cement grinding unit in Guna and a state-of-the-art propelling unit in Shivpuri. These two projects will result in an investment of Rs 3,500 crore and create over 3,500 direct and indirect jobs, he said. Under Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Madhya Pradesh is becoming a standout example of economic growth. I am proud to say that the Adani Group is deeply committed to this vision at the both national and State-level. In Madhya Pradesh, we have already invested Rs 18,250 crore and created 12,000 jobs. Gwalior is fast becoming a tourism hotspot a pool of high-quality talent, and a key transportation hub. These developments will make Gwalior a key economic centre. Adani Defence facility in Gwalior is the countrys largest small-arms plant and has positioned Madhya Pradesh as a global hub for small-arms manufacturing, Mr Adani said. The Gwalior-Chambal region, strategically positioned with seven major road corridors of the country passing through or near it, has attracted significant interest from industry leaders. This was the third edition of the Regional Industry Conclave run by Dr Mohan Yadav government held at the Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Agricultural University in the Historic City of Gwalior. Talking about the event industry departments official says aiming to foster balanced and equitable development across the state by promoting industrial growth, which not only enhances economic prosperity but also generates local employment opportunities. Previously, similar conclaves were held in Jabalpur in July and Ujjain in February. The conclave saw participation from over 4,000 attendees, including 15 international delegates from 6 countries such as Canada, Netherlands, Togo, Zambia, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Investors from more than 15 Indian states such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, Haryana, West Bengal and Telangana also took part, along with more than 150 distinguished guests from sectors such as tourism, IT, footwear, agriculture, and food processing, all showing interest in investing in the State. Transforming industrial landscape 12 projects worth Rs 28,602 cr getCabinet nod; to create 40 lakh jobs Delhi Bureau & Agencies NEW DELHI, 12 projects worth Rs 28,602 cr get Cabinet nod; to create 40 lakh jobs IN A landmark decision, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved 12 new project proposals under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) worth Rs 28,602 crore. The decision is expected to generate significant employment opportunities, with an estimated 1 million direct jobsand up to 3 million indirect jobs through planned industrialisation. These industrial nodes will act as catalysts for achieving$2 trillion in exports by 2030, reflecting the Governmentsvision of a self-reliant and globally-competitive India. With this decision, the country is set wear a grand necklaceof industrial smart cities on thebackbone of Golden Quadrilateral. Spanning across 10 States and strategically planned along six major corridors, the industrial areas will be located in Khurpia in Uttarakhand, Rajpura Patiala in Punjab, Dighi in Maharashtra, Palakkad in Kerela,Agra and Prayagrajin Uttar Pradesh,GayainBihar, Zaheerabad in Telangana, Orvakal and Kopparthy in Andhra Pradesh and Jodhpur-Pali in Rajasthan. The move is set to transform the industrial landscape of the country, creating a robust network of industrial nodes and cities that will significantly boost economic growth and global competitiveness. The CCEA said thatNICDP isdesigned to fostera industrial ecosystem by facilitating investments from both large anchor industries and micro, enterprises. According to the Government, thenewindustrial cities will be developed as greenfield smart cities of global standards, built ahead of demand on the plug-n-play andwalk-towork concepts. Three Rly projects worth Rs 6,456 cr get approval NEW DELHI, Aug 28 (IANS) THE Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved three projects of Ministry of Railways with a total estimated cost of Rs 6,456 crore and to be completed by up to 2028-29. The projects will also generate direct employment for about114lakh mandays during construction. The 3 projects cover seven districts in four States -- Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh and will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 300 kms. With these projects -- the result of PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan formulti-modal connectivity -- 14 new stations will be constructed, providing enhancing connectivity to two aspirational districts .New line projects will provide connectivity to approximately 1,300 villages and about 11 lakh population.Multi-tracking project will enhance connectivity to about 1,300 villages and nearly 19 lakh population, the CCEA said. Two Govt docsserved noticesfor engaging in private practice Our Corrrespondent KORBA, TWO senior doctors, Dr Vedprakash and Dr Shashikant Bhaskar, have been accused of violating government regulations by engaging in private practice during their official duties. This has raised serious concerns about the integrity of healthcare services in the region. Dr Vedprakash, an Assistant Professor and MD in Medicine at a government medical college, recently made headlines for allegedly making an inappropriate remark to the family of a Dengue patient, saying that death is inevitable for dengue patients. Following this incident, it was discovered that Dr Vedprakash has been providing his services at a private Nursing Home during hours that he is supposed to be fulfilling his government duties. Similarly, Dr Shashikant Bhaskar, another senior doctor from the same medical college, has also been found working at a private Nursing Home during his official duty hours. Both doctors have allegedly violated government rules, which strictly prohibit government doctors from practicing at private clinics or nursing homes. Dean of the Government Medical College, Dr Avinash Meshram, said that a notice has been issued to two doctors in connection with a NonPracticing Allowance (NPA) violation. The notice follows complaints that the two doctors were engaged in private practice at a nursing home, which is against the established norms. Dr Meshram emphasized that the doctors are required to respond to the notice promptly. Besides there are allegations that several other government doctors in Korba are also involved in private practice, in violation of regulations. These doctors are not only neglecting their official duties but are also receiving the NPA from the government, which is specifically intended for those who refrain from private practice. This dual practice of drawing NPA while engaging in private practice represents a serious breach of trust with the government. The situation has reached a point where immediate and strict action is required. The health department must enforce regulations to ensure that government doctors fulfill their responsibilities to the public. The continued private practice by these doctors is not only a violation of rules but also a direct threat to the quality of care that patients receive in government hospitals. Immediate intervention is needed to restore faith in the public healthcare system and ensure that patients receive timely and adequate medical attention. Tashkent, Uzbekistan, August 29. The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) and the International Apparel Federation (IAF) announced the program of a joint conference, which will be held in Samarkand on September 8- 10, Trend reports. According to the ITMF and IAF, the Innovation, Cooperation, and Regulation Driving Forces of the Textile and Apparel Industry conference will highlight the worlds most pressing issues and trends in the global textile industry through expert discussions and multiple panel sessions. The event, organized in cooperation with the Uztextileprom Association, will bring together over 500 industry professionals, including representatives of leading international textile companies, brands, financial institutions, and retailers. The first day will be devoted to fibers, with the production and processing of raw cotton at the core of the discussion. During the panel, experts from Indorama Corp. (Singapore), Global Textile (Uzbekistan), and Cotton Analytics (the US) will discuss the path of cotton from field to fashion, as well as Uzbekistan's journey from tradition to innovation and the changes that have occurred in the global cotton industry over the past 50 years. The second part will focus on manmade fiber production and the scarcity of natural materials in the global textile industry. The second and main day of the conference will address a wide range of topical issues and global trends. Euratex (Belgium) will present the EU Strategy for Sustainable Textiles and prospects for international cooperation, while Steve Lamar from the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) will highlight the regulatory outlook in the US. The emphasis will be on digitalization, the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the textile production chain, and addressing the skills shortage in the textile industry. Participants will discuss digital labeling with AAFA and the digitalization of distribution with Christian Lott from DMIx (Germany). Additionally, the role of AI in resolving the skills shortage in the textile industry will be covered during this session. The second day will conclude with a vibrant light and fashion show at the Registan Complex. The joint conference will conclude with the ITMF Awards and ITMF Start-up Award ceremony, recognizing outstanding achievements and start-ups in the global textile industry. The final session on collaboration will bring together representatives from Inditex (Spain), Epic Group (China), and the International Finance Corporation to discuss the future of sustainability and waste reduction measures. At the end of the business agenda, delegates will enjoy a rich cultural program, including visits to local textile factories and the ancient city of Bukhara, one of the key hubs of the Great Silk Road. As a follow-up to the international dialogue of textile industry leaders, the Global Textile Dialog forum will be held in Tashkent on September 13, 2024, where local and international organizations will gather again. BAKU. Azerbaijan. August 30. Their cost varies from $20.000 to $1 million. US citizens are increasingly purchasing private bunkers in case of major armed conflicts, new pandemics or nuclear disaster, Trend reports. This was reported by Fox News, which spoke with Ron Hubbard, director of the bunker manufacturer Atlas Survival Shelters. "Business is booming. We are building bunkers all over the place, their cost varies from $1 million to $20.000. Most of our bunkers cost about half a million dollars because our customers are wealthy people," he said, noting that nearly half of Americans fear civil war. Hubbard added that he sells at least one bunker a day. "The atmosphere inside is reminiscent of home. That's why I work with premium clients. They understand that they would not like to suffer from being in a metal box, they want some kind of elite bomb shelter, he explained. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (TSE:AEM Get Free Report) (NYSE:AEM) Director John Merfyn Roberts sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$111.84, for a total transaction of C$223,680.00. John Merfyn Roberts also recently made the following trade(s): Get Agnico Eagle Mines alerts: On Tuesday, June 25th, John Merfyn Roberts sold 1,000 shares of Agnico Eagle Mines stock. The stock was sold at an average price of C$89.27, for a total transaction of C$89,267.00. Agnico Eagle Mines Stock Performance The firm has a market cap of C$54.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 68.40, a PEG ratio of 22.97 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.94, a current ratio of 1.51 and a quick ratio of 0.89. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited has a 1-year low of C$59.36 and a 1-year high of C$112.70. The firm has a fifty day moving average of C$100.94 and a 200 day moving average of C$88.81. Agnico Eagle Mines Increases Dividend Agnico Eagle Mines ( TSE:AEM Get Free Report ) (NYSE:AEM) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported C$1.46 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$1.27 by C$0.19. The business had revenue of C$2.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$2.36 billion. Agnico Eagle Mines had a return on equity of 3.10% and a net margin of 8.49%. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be given a $0.547 dividend. This is an increase from Agnico Eagle Miness previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. This represents a $2.19 annualized dividend and a yield of . The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. Agnico Eagle Miness payout ratio is currently 138.22%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts have recently weighed in on AEM shares. Canaccord Genuity Group increased their price target on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from C$105.00 to C$118.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. Cormark increased their price objective on Agnico Eagle Mines from C$110.00 to C$115.00 in a research report on Monday, June 24th. National Bankshares set a C$104.00 target price on Agnico Eagle Mines and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, June 24th. Finally, Eight Capital increased their price target on Agnico Eagle Mines from C$105.00 to C$115.00 in a report on Thursday, July 11th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, Agnico Eagle Mines has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$105.14. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Agnico Eagle Mines Agnico Eagle Mines Company Profile (Get Free Report) Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. It explores for gold. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors lifted its stake in shares of iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:BYLD Free Report) by 111.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 27,868 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 14,691 shares during the quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors owned 0.35% of iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF worth $618,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Retirement Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF by 33.3% during the 1st quarter. Retirement Group LLC now owns 2,000 shares of the companys stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Mendota Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF in the first quarter worth about $52,000. Principal Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $162,000. Hartline Investment Corp bought a new stake in shares of iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $211,000. Finally, Savvy Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $318,000. Get iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF alerts: iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF Price Performance NYSEARCA:BYLD traded down $0.02 on Thursday, hitting $22.67. The company had a trading volume of 166,717 shares, compared to its average volume of 68,523. iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF has a 52 week low of $20.90 and a 52 week high of $22.76. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $22.37 and a two-hundred day moving average of $22.23. iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF Company Profile The iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in broad credit fixed income. The fund is a fund-of-funds that tracks a broad index of debt securities optimized for yield and mean variance. BYLD was launched on Apr 22, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ashtead Group plc (LON:AHT Get Free Report) has earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the eight ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and six have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 4,933.13 ($65.06). A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price target on shares of Ashtead Group from GBX 6,800 ($89.67) to GBX 6,500 ($85.72) and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, June 24th. Barclays reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a GBX 6,600 ($87.04) target price on shares of Ashtead Group in a research note on Wednesday, May 15th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and set a GBX 6,150 ($81.10) price objective on shares of Ashtead Group in a report on Wednesday, June 12th. Get Ashtead Group alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on AHT Ashtead Group Trading Up 1.9 % Ashtead Group Increases Dividend Ashtead Group stock opened at GBX 5,352 ($70.58) on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 5,264.67 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 5,472.27. Ashtead Group has a 52 week low of GBX 4,437 ($58.51) and a 52 week high of GBX 6,180 ($81.50). The stock has a market cap of 23.35 billion, a PE ratio of 1,855.83, a P/E/G ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 150.69. The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 8th will be given a $0.89 dividend. This is a positive change from Ashtead Groups previous dividend of $0.16. This represents a dividend yield of 1.28%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 8th. Ashtead Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 2,897.53%. Insider Activity at Ashtead Group In other news, insider Brendan Horgan sold 37,063 shares of Ashtead Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 5,112 ($67.41), for a total value of 1,894,660.56 ($2,498,563.31). In other news, insider Brendan Horgan sold 37,063 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 5,112 ($67.41), for a total value of 1,894,660.56 ($2,498,563.31). Also, insider Lucinda Riches sold 4,000 shares of Ashtead Group stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 5,480 ($72.27), for a total transaction of 219,200 ($289,067.65). 0.66% of the stock is owned by insiders. About Ashtead Group (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. ASM International NV (OTCMKTS:ASMIY Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 500 shares, a decrease of 44.4% from the July 31st total of 900 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 8,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. ASM International Trading Down 0.8 % OTCMKTS:ASMIY traded down $5.45 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $658.96. 2,244 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,234. The firms fifty day moving average price is $704.61 and its 200 day moving average price is $669.20. ASM International has a 52-week low of $375.35 and a 52-week high of $813.23. The company has a market cap of $32.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 55.19 and a beta of 1.64. Get ASM International alerts: ASM International (OTCMKTS:ASMIY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $3.58 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $4.17 by ($0.59). The business had revenue of $760.07 million during the quarter. ASM International had a net margin of 21.26% and a return on equity of 17.74%. Equities analysts expect that ASM International will post 16.41 EPS for the current fiscal year. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of ASM International from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, June 20th. View Our Latest Analysis on ASM International About ASM International (Get Free Report) ASM International NV, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, manufacture, marketing, and servicing of equipment and materials used to produce semiconductor devices in Europe, the United States, and Asia. The company's products include wafer processing deposition systems for atomic layer deposition (ALD), epitaxy, silicon carbide, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), and vertical furnace systems, including low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD), diffusion, and oxidation products, as well as provides spare parts and support services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for ASM International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ASM International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aspen Aerogels, Inc. (NYSE:ASPN Get Free Report) traded up 4% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $31.65 and last traded at $31.47. 560,225 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 56% from the average session volume of 1,270,333 shares. The stock had previously closed at $30.26. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Craig Hallum lifted their target price on shares of Aspen Aerogels from $33.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, June 14th. Barclays initiated coverage on shares of Aspen Aerogels in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. They issued an overweight rating and a $27.00 target price on the stock. Roth Mkm reissued a buy rating and set a $36.00 price objective on shares of Aspen Aerogels in a research report on Wednesday, August 21st. Benchmark reissued a buy rating and set a $14.00 price objective on shares of Aspen Aerogels in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their price objective on shares of Aspen Aerogels from $18.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, May 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $29.70. Get Aspen Aerogels alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on ASPN Aspen Aerogels Trading Up 0.7 % The stock has a market cap of $2.19 billion, a P/E ratio of -65.00 and a beta of 2.15. The company has a current ratio of 4.01, a quick ratio of 3.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $24.54 and its 200 day moving average price is $22.17. Aspen Aerogels (NYSE:ASPN Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The construction company reported $0.21 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.05 by $0.16. Aspen Aerogels had a negative net margin of 10.73% and a negative return on equity of 6.35%. The firm had revenue of $117.80 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $101.99 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted ($0.22) EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 144.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Aspen Aerogels, Inc. will post 0.12 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity In other news, CFO Ricardo C. Rodriguez sold 32,465 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.14, for a total transaction of $978,495.10. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 20,790 shares in the company, valued at approximately $626,610.60. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 4.30% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Aspen Aerogels A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ASPN. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its stake in Aspen Aerogels by 38.5% in the 4th quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 12,971 shares of the construction companys stock worth $205,000 after purchasing an additional 3,607 shares in the last quarter. McAdam LLC bought a new position in Aspen Aerogels in the 4th quarter worth about $191,000. WealthTrust Axiom LLC bought a new position in Aspen Aerogels in the 4th quarter worth about $296,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Aspen Aerogels in the 4th quarter worth about $452,000. Finally, Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in Aspen Aerogels in the 4th quarter worth about $12,015,000. Institutional investors own 97.64% of the companys stock. Aspen Aerogels Company Profile (Get Free Report) Aspen Aerogels, Inc designs, develops, manufactures, and sells aerogel insulation products primarily for use in the energy infrastructure and sustainable insulation materials markets in the United States, Asia, Canada, Europe, and Latin America. It operates in two segments, Energy Industrial and Thermal Barrier. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Aspen Aerogels Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aspen Aerogels and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Edison International (NYSE:EIX Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of Hold by the eleven brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have assigned a hold recommendation and six have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $80.73. Several brokerages recently commented on EIX. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Edison International from $86.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Guggenheim lifted their target price on shares of Edison International from $80.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Edison International from $62.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd. UBS Group downgraded Edison International from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $83.00 to $82.00 in a report on Friday, July 19th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on Edison International from $75.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Get Edison International alerts: Get Our Latest Report on EIX Insider Buying and Selling at Edison International Institutional Investors Weigh In On Edison International In other news, CEO J Andrew Murphy sold 32,505 shares of Edison International stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.12, for a total value of $2,604,300.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 19,660 shares in the company, valued at $1,575,159.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . In related news, SVP Caroline Choi sold 10,004 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.77, for a total transaction of $758,003.08. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 26,918 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,039,576.86. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, CEO J Andrew Murphy sold 32,505 shares of Edison International stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.12, for a total value of $2,604,300.60. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 19,660 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,575,159.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 99,103 shares of company stock valued at $7,981,345 over the last three months. 1.03% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of EIX. Equitable Trust Co. lifted its stake in Edison International by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 15,424 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,108,000 after purchasing an additional 132 shares in the last quarter. TIAA Trust National Association raised its position in shares of Edison International by 2.0% in the second quarter. TIAA Trust National Association now owns 6,723 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $483,000 after buying an additional 134 shares in the last quarter. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. boosted its stake in Edison International by 53.8% during the second quarter. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. now owns 400 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 140 shares during the period. Asset Dedication LLC grew its position in Edison International by 37.5% during the second quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 550 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Carson Advisory Inc. grew its position in Edison International by 0.3% during the first quarter. Carson Advisory Inc. now owns 54,625 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,864,000 after buying an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. 88.95% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Edison International Price Performance Shares of NYSE:EIX opened at $85.01 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.04, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.03. Edison International has a 52 week low of $58.82 and a 52 week high of $85.96. The firm has a market cap of $32.71 billion, a PE ratio of 37.29 and a beta of 0.91. The firms fifty day moving average is $77.62 and its 200-day moving average is $73.24. Edison International (NYSE:EIX Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The utilities provider reported $1.23 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.05 by $0.18. Edison International had a return on equity of 13.01% and a net margin of 6.60%. The firm had revenue of $4.34 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.12 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.01 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Edison International will post 4.94 earnings per share for the current year. Edison International Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 31st. Investors of record on Monday, July 8th were paid a $0.78 dividend. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.67%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 8th. Edison Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 136.84%. Edison International Company Profile (Get Free Report Edison International, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation and distribution of electric power. The company supplies and delivers electricity to approximately 50,000 square mile area of southern California to residential, commercial, industrial, public authorities, agricultural, and other sectors. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Edison International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edison International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Doxa introduces its new Sea Emerald green across five major SUB collections, marking a vibrant evolution for the brand's dive watch line-up Doxa, the Swiss brand famed for its iconic orange-dialled dive watches, is making waves with the extended roll-out of its latest colourway: Sea Emerald green. This vibrant verdant hue first introduced on the SUB 200T earlier this year now graces five of Doxas major collections: the SUB 200, SUB 300T, SUB 300, SUB 600T and SUB 300 Carbon. Since Jan Edocs became CEO in 2019, Doxa has become recognised for its bright, standout dials. Until recently, the brands modern line-up offered a palette of seven striking dial colours: Professional orange, Sharkhunter black, Searambler silver, Caribbean blue, Aquamarine turquoise, Whitepearl white and Divingstar yellow. The introduction of an eighth colour, Sea Emerald green with sunburst finish, was initially intended exclusively for the SUB 200T launched in March. However, following its resounding success, Doxa has decided to roll out this shimmering tone inspired by the shifting hues of the ocean across much of its collection. SUB 300 Carbon Sea Emerald DOXA The Legacy Continues While this latest colour brings a fresh dimension to Doxas line-up, these new verdant models retain all the technical features that have cemented the SUB series as dive watch icons. Certain models bear refined design touches to complement the new green face: The Sea Emerald green models in the SUB 300T and SUB 300 collections are adorned with subtle gold accents, like their SUB 200T sibling, while the SUB 600T, which typically comes on a colourful NATO strap, now arrives on a deep green NATO. The addition of this colour marks a significant aesthetic milestone for the brand, aligning with the recent trend for green dials and reinforcing Doxas enduring connection to the marine world. SUB 600T Sea Emerald DOXA Global Splash Available now on Doxa's e-commerce site and arriving in retailers worldwide by November 2024, the Sea Emerald green divers are set to cause a splash. And with prices starting at CHF 1,090 for the SUB 200 and reaching CHF 3,890 for the SUB 300 Carbon, theres a Sea Emerald green model to suit every Doxa fans wrist! Shares of Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of Buy from the fifteen brokerages that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $604.29. ELV has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $600.00 price target on shares of Elevance Health in a report on Monday, August 19th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Elevance Health from $600.00 to $620.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, July 15th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Elevance Health from $575.00 to $585.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Elevance Health from $628.00 to $631.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Finally, Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Elevance Health in a report on Monday, June 24th. They issued an overweight rating and a $643.00 price target on the stock. Get Elevance Health alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on ELV Insider Transactions at Elevance Health Hedge Funds Weigh In On Elevance Health In other news, Director Ramiro G. Peru sold 753 shares of Elevance Health stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $531.52, for a total value of $400,234.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 8,744 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,647,610.88. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . In other Elevance Health news, Director Ramiro G. Peru sold 753 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $531.52, for a total value of $400,234.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 8,744 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,647,610.88. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . Also, CEO Gail Boudreaux sold 34,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $500.98, for a total value of $17,033,320.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 126,709 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $63,478,674.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 35,058 shares of company stock valued at $17,588,116 in the last quarter. 0.35% of the stock is owned by insiders. Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Elevance Health by 12.3% during the 4th quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 994 shares of the companys stock valued at $469,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC increased its position in shares of Elevance Health by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 6,060 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,858,000 after purchasing an additional 140 shares during the last quarter. Marks Group Wealth Management Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Elevance Health during the 4th quarter valued at about $217,000. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC increased its position in shares of Elevance Health by 7.4% during the 4th quarter. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,542 shares of the companys stock valued at $727,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Alaska Permanent Fund Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Elevance Health during the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.24% of the companys stock. Elevance Health Stock Up 0.5 % Shares of NYSE ELV opened at $551.09 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. Elevance Health has a 52 week low of $431.38 and a 52 week high of $555.35. The firms fifty day moving average is $531.23 and its 200 day moving average is $524.30. The company has a market cap of $128.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.83, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.84. Elevance Health (NYSE:ELV Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 17th. The company reported $10.12 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $9.99 by $0.13. Elevance Health had a net margin of 3.89% and a return on equity of 20.64%. The company had revenue of $43.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $42.99 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $9.04 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Elevance Health will post 37.25 earnings per share for the current year. Elevance Health Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 10th will be given a $1.63 dividend. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.18%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 10th. Elevance Healths dividend payout ratio is presently 24.64%. Elevance Health Company Profile (Get Free Report Elevance Health, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a health benefits company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Health Benefits, CarelonRx, Carelon Services, and Corporate & Other. It offers a variety of health plans and services to program members; health products; an array of fee-based administrative managed care services; and specialty and other insurance products and services, such as stop loss, dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental health insurance benefits. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Elevance Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Elevance Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prosperity Bancshares (NYSE:PB Free Report) had its price target lifted by Hovde Group from $80.50 to $82.50 in a research report report published on Monday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the banks stock. Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Prosperity Bancshares from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Morgan Stanley upgraded Prosperity Bancshares from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their target price for the stock from $75.00 to $86.00 in a report on Monday, August 5th. Compass Point boosted their price objective on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $73.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Stephens upgraded shares of Prosperity Bancshares from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 26th. Finally, DA Davidson boosted their price target on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $78.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $76.04. Get Prosperity Bancshares alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on PB Prosperity Bancshares Stock Up 1.4 % NYSE PB opened at $73.34 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.04 billion, a PE ratio of 16.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.91. Prosperity Bancshares has a 12-month low of $49.60 and a 12-month high of $74.67. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $67.14 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $63.96. Prosperity Bancshares (NYSE:PB Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The bank reported $1.22 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.02. Prosperity Bancshares had a net margin of 25.10% and a return on equity of 6.32%. The business had revenue of $458.95 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $290.06 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.21 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Prosperity Bancshares will post 5.07 EPS for the current year. Prosperity Bancshares Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be given a $0.56 dividend. This represents a $2.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.05%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. Prosperity Bancsharess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 51.61%. Institutional Trading of Prosperity Bancshares Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in shares of Prosperity Bancshares by 59.6% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 474 shares of the banks stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 177 shares during the period. Quarry LP raised its holdings in Prosperity Bancshares by 533.3% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 494 shares of the banks stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 416 shares during the period. Quest Partners LLC grew its holdings in Prosperity Bancshares by 3,147.1% in the 2nd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 552 shares of the banks stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 535 shares in the last quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC acquired a new position in shares of Prosperity Bancshares during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $43,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in Prosperity Bancshares in the 2nd quarter valued at $46,000. Institutional investors own 80.69% of the companys stock. About Prosperity Bancshares (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; term loans and lines of credit; and consumer durables and home equity loans, as well as loans for working capital, business expansion, and purchase of equipment and machinery. Featured Stories 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. Direct Line Insurance Group plc (LON:DLG Get Free Report) insider Neil Manser purchased 80 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 27th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 188 ($2.48) per share, for a total transaction of 150.40 ($198.34). Direct Line Insurance Group Price Performance DLG traded up GBX 1.40 ($0.02) during trading on Thursday, reaching GBX 191.20 ($2.52). 1,770,866 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,352,195. Direct Line Insurance Group plc has a 1 year low of GBX 149.25 ($1.97) and a 1 year high of GBX 240.10 ($3.17). The company has a market capitalization of 2.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,186.48, a P/E/G ratio of 3.49 and a beta of 0.45. The businesss 50 day moving average price is GBX 189.33 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 192.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.89, a current ratio of 8.31 and a quick ratio of 0.28. Get Direct Line Insurance Group alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have commented on DLG. Berenberg Bank reduced their target price on Direct Line Insurance Group from GBX 220 ($2.90) to GBX 215 ($2.84) and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a GBX 195 ($2.57) price objective on shares of Direct Line Insurance Group in a research note on Monday, June 24th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Direct Line Insurance Group currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of GBX 208 ($2.74). About Direct Line Insurance Group (Get Free Report) Direct Line Insurance Group plc engages in the provision of general insurance products and services in the United Kingdom. The company operates through Motor, Home, Rescue and Other Personal Lines, and Commercial segments. It offers motor, home, van, landlord, rescue, pet, tradesperson, business, creditor and select, and travel insurance products, as well as commercial insurance for small and medium-sized enterprises. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Direct Line Insurance Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Direct Line Insurance Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EPP Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $45.74 and last traded at $45.65, with a volume of 59029 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $45.38. iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF Price Performance The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $43.66 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $43.15. Get iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Resolute Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Resolute Advisors LLC now owns 19,992 shares of the companys stock valued at $868,000 after acquiring an additional 432 shares during the period. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF by 19.4% during the 1st quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 18,907 shares of the companys stock valued at $809,000 after purchasing an additional 3,076 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF by 2,272.1% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 144,319 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,178,000 after buying an additional 138,235 shares in the last quarter. OLD Mission Capital LLC increased its stake in iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF by 14.9% in the 1st quarter. OLD Mission Capital LLC now owns 212,277 shares of the companys stock worth $9,088,000 after buying an additional 27,575 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Flow Traders U.S. LLC raised its holdings in iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF by 19.4% during the first quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC now owns 225,221 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,642,000 after acquiring an additional 36,540 shares during the period. 74.75% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ET (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of publicly traded securities in the aggregate in the Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore markets, as measured by the MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index (the Index). Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pine Cliff Energy Ltd. (TSE:PNE Get Free Report) Director Amber Foulkes Hilary purchased 20,000 shares of Pine Cliff Energy stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was bought at an average price of C$0.95 per share, with a total value of C$19,000.00. Pine Cliff Energy Price Performance Shares of TSE:PNE remained flat at C$0.96 during trading on Thursday. 16,463 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 273,513. The company has a current ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 81.31. Pine Cliff Energy Ltd. has a 52-week low of C$0.85 and a 52-week high of C$1.68. The firm has a market cap of C$343.58 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -96.00 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$0.95 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$1.01. Get Pine Cliff Energy alerts: Pine Cliff Energy Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be paid a $0.005 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $0.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.25%. Pine Cliff Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -600.00%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on shares of Pine Cliff Energy from C$1.20 to C$1.10 in a research report on Thursday, May 9th. Canaccord Genuity Group downgraded Pine Cliff Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating and dropped their price target for the stock from C$1.20 to C$1.10 in a research note on Wednesday, June 5th. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on PNE Pine Cliff Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Pine Cliff Energy Ltd. engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of natural gas and crude oil in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. The company primarily holds interest in oil and gas properties in the Viking and Ghost Pine area of Central Alberta, as well as in the Southern Alberta, Southern Saskatchewan, and Edson areas. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Pine Cliff Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pine Cliff Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sensata Technologies Holding plc (NYSE:ST Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the ten research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $44.10. ST has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Evercore ISI raised shares of Sensata Technologies from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $44.00 to $60.00 in a report on Monday, May 6th. Oppenheimer lowered their target price on Sensata Technologies from $50.00 to $47.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Vertical Research initiated coverage on Sensata Technologies in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. They set a buy rating and a $55.00 target price on the stock. Bank of America lowered their target price on Sensata Technologies from $44.00 to $41.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Truist Financial lowered their target price on Sensata Technologies from $46.00 to $38.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Get Sensata Technologies alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Sensata Technologies Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sensata Technologies Sensata Technologies Stock Performance Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Quarry LP increased its position in shares of Sensata Technologies by 227.1% during the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,063 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 738 shares during the period. Algert Global LLC bought a new stake in shares of Sensata Technologies during the second quarter valued at about $4,581,000. Scientech Research LLC bought a new stake in shares of Sensata Technologies during the second quarter valued at about $517,000. Millennium Management LLC increased its position in shares of Sensata Technologies by 84.8% during the second quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 5,059,047 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $189,158,000 after buying an additional 2,321,782 shares during the period. Finally, D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. increased its position in shares of Sensata Technologies by 58.1% during the second quarter. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. now owns 668,622 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $25,000,000 after buying an additional 245,670 shares during the period. 99.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. NYSE ST opened at $37.88 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $37.91 and a 200 day simple moving average of $37.48. Sensata Technologies has a 12-month low of $30.56 and a 12-month high of $43.14. The company has a current ratio of 1.77, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. The company has a market cap of $5.70 billion, a P/E ratio of -344.36, a PEG ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 1.26. Sensata Technologies (NYSE:ST Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 29th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $0.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.93. The firm had revenue of $1.04 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.04 billion. Sensata Technologies had a net margin of 0.21% and a return on equity of 17.57%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.97 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Sensata Technologies will post 3.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Sensata Technologies Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 28th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 14th were paid a $0.12 dividend. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.27%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 14th. Sensata Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently -436.36%. About Sensata Technologies (Get Free Report Sensata Technologies Holding plc develops, manufactures, and sells sensors and sensor-rich solutions, electrical protection components and systems, and other products used in mission-critical systems and applications in the United States and internationally. It operates in two segments, Performance Sensing and Sensing Solutions. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Sensata Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sensata Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shaftesbury Capital PLC (OTCMKTS:CCPPF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 600 shares, a drop of 95.8% from the July 31st total of 14,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 10,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Shaftesbury Capital Price Performance OTCMKTS CCPPF remained flat at $1.87 on Thursday. Shaftesbury Capital has a fifty-two week low of $1.31 and a fifty-two week high of $1.91. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $1.77 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $1.75. Get Shaftesbury Capital alerts: About Shaftesbury Capital (Get Free Report) Featured Stories Shaftesbury Capital PLC ("Shaftesbury Capital") is the leading central London mixed-use REIT and is a constituent of the FTSE-250 Index. Our property portfolio, valued at 4.8 billion at December 2023, extends to 2.9 million square feet of lettable space across the most vibrant areas of London's West End. Receive News & Ratings for Shaftesbury Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shaftesbury Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shaker Investments LLC OH decreased its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM Free Report) by 0.5% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 13,293 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 67 shares during the period. Shaker Investments LLC OHs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $2,310,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Olistico Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. NewSquare Capital LLC bought a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. First Community Trust NA bought a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. LifeSteps Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, North Star Investment Management Corp. grew its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 670.4% during the 1st quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. now owns 208 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 181 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 16.51% of the companys stock. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Price Performance TSM stock traded down $2.17 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $169.11. The company had a trading volume of 9,592,068 shares, compared to its average volume of 16,018,054. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $171.21 and a 200 day moving average price of $153.11. The company has a quick ratio of 2.21, a current ratio of 2.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The company has a market capitalization of $877.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.21, a P/E/G ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.14. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a 12-month low of $84.01 and a 12-month high of $193.47. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The semiconductor company reported $1.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $20.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.33 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 37.85% and a return on equity of 25.54%. The businesss revenue was up 34.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.14 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited will post 6.45 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 12th will be given a dividend of $0.4871 per share. This represents a $1.95 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.15%. This is a boost from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 12th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio is currently 32.57%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth TSM has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $130.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. Needham & Company LLC lifted their target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $168.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $150.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 5th. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $150.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, June 20th. Finally, Susquehanna restated a positive rating and set a $250.00 target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $200.00. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Profile (Free Report) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TSM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Berkeley Group Holdings plc (OTCMKTS:BKGFY Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 236,200 shares, a decrease of 33.1% from the July 31st total of 353,200 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 206,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.1 days. The Berkeley Group Trading Down 1.0 % BKGFY stock traded down $0.13 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $13.22. 47,655 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 57,494. The Berkeley Group has a 1-year low of $9.54 and a 1-year high of $14.58. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $12.93 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $12.67. Get The Berkeley Group alerts: The Berkeley Group Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 7th. Investors of record on Friday, September 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.3949 per share. This is a boost from The Berkeley Groups previous dividend of $0.07. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 6th. About The Berkeley Group The Berkeley Group Holdings plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the residential-led and mixed-use property development and ancillary activities in the United Kingdom. The company is involved in land selling activities. It operates under the Berkeley, St Edward, St George, St James, St Joseph, and St William brand names. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for The Berkeley Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Berkeley Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER Get Free Report) were up 1% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $73.28 and last traded at $72.55. 2,223,725 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 88% from the average daily volume of 18,557,869 shares. The stock had previously closed at $71.85. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Bank of America restated a buy rating and set a $88.00 price objective on shares of Uber Technologies in a research report on Friday, August 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $80.00 price objective on shares of Uber Technologies in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and issued a $90.00 target price on shares of Uber Technologies in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Uber Technologies from $90.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. Finally, Roth Mkm lifted their price objective on Uber Technologies from $89.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirty have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $87.50. Get Uber Technologies alerts: View Our Latest Report on UBER Uber Technologies Stock Up 0.7 % The companys 50-day moving average is $69.40 and its two-hundred day moving average is $71.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 1.21. The company has a market cap of $151.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 117.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 1.36. Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The ride-sharing company reported $0.47 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.31 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $10.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.57 billion. Uber Technologies had a return on equity of 17.06% and a net margin of 5.02%. Uber Technologiess revenue was up 15.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.18 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Uber Technologies, Inc. will post 1.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Transactions at Uber Technologies In other Uber Technologies news, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi sold 500,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.91, for a total transaction of $35,955,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,266,114 shares in the company, valued at approximately $91,046,257.74. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi sold 500,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, July 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.91, for a total transaction of $35,955,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 1,266,114 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $91,046,257.74. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Tony West sold 28,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.67, for a total value of $1,978,760.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 96,945 shares in the company, valued at $6,851,103.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 617,234 shares of company stock worth $44,017,734 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 3.84% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in UBER. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Uber Technologies by 222.7% during the second quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 355 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 245 shares in the last quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. raised its holdings in Uber Technologies by 111.6% during the first quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 383 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 202 shares during the period. WR Wealth Planners LLC lifted its position in shares of Uber Technologies by 563.9% in the second quarter. WR Wealth Planners LLC now owns 405 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 344 shares in the last quarter. J.Safra Asset Management Corp bought a new position in shares of Uber Technologies in the first quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, MCF Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Uber Technologies by 1,038.5% during the second quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 444 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 405 shares in the last quarter. 80.24% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Uber Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Uber Technologies, Inc develops and operates proprietary technology applications in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia excluding China and Southeast Asia. It operates through three segments: Mobility, Delivery, and Freight. The Mobility segment connects consumers with a range of transportation modalities, such as ridesharing, carsharing, micromobility, rentals, public transit, taxis, and other modalities; and offers riders in a variety of vehicle types, as well as financial partnerships products and advertising services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Uber Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Uber Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Armin Strom celebrates the 15th anniversary of its manufacture by releasing the Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition a supremely elegant 39mm limited-edition that reimagines the brands signature resonance complication Independent Swiss watchmaker Armin Strom is celebrating 15 years of its fully-integrated manufacture in style with a bold new creation: the Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition. This 25-piece limited-edition marks a significant milestone for the Bienne-based outfit by marrying the brands historic resonance complication with a dual time zone display that is powered by the newly developed ARF22 manufacture calibre. The cherry on the cake is that this ensemble is housed within a perfectly proportioned 39mm white gold case. The Magic of Resonance A phenomenon first studied by horological legends like Christiaan Huygens, Abraham-Louis Breguet and Antide Janvier, Resonance occurs when two oscillating systems transmit vibrations to each other through their shared environment, gradually synchronising to improve accuracy. Armin Stroms unique take on this phenomenon uses a patented, butterfly-shaped resonance clutch spring that allows two balance wheels to communicate and synchronise in just minutes, enhancing timekeeping while providing a stunning visual spectacle. Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition Armin Strom Spectacle and Symmetry That mesmerising spectacle is in full force on the dial of the new Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition, where the synchronised motion of two balances in resonance is matched by the rhythmic pulsing of the clutch spring as it breathes, transmitting vibrations between them. Below that theatre of isochronism lies two independently settable time displays that really look the part with their sky-blue grenage centres and black azurage outrer rings. Each is endowed with its own engraved and mirror-polished day/night indicator, and these displays stand out splendidly against the anthracite background of the PVD-treated mainplate underneath. The majority of dual time zone movements only allow independent adjustment of the hours, and just a select few offer to-the-minute settings to take into account half-hour time zones. In contrast, the Dual Time GMT Resonance enables users to set both the hours and minutes to any preferred time on each of its two dials via separate crowns. The ARF22 Calibre The Dual Time GMT Resonances dial is characterised by a remarkable symmetry made possible thanks to the new manually-wound manufacture ARF22 calibre, the 18th movement developed in-house under the direction of Claude Greisler, master watchmaker and one of the modern-day brands two co-founders. And two is indeed the magic number as regards several elements of this movement: In addition to the two mirrored oscillators operating in anti-phase, there are two mainspring barrels providing a power reserve of 42 hours, wound by the crown at 4 oclock and partially visible dial side; two separate gear trains driving the independent displays; and, of course, the two crowns. There is also an innovative dial-side ratchet click mechanism that brings the watch to life during winding. Departing from traditional designs, this three-dimensional mechanism connects to a pinion placed between the two barrels, ensuring balanced load distribution. With its two-part construction a Breguet-toothed bottom gear and a spring-linked top element it delivers smoother function, enhances energy transfer, minimises friction and wear, and ultimately boosts the system's durability and performance. Though the dial side showcases many of the most visually captivating elements, the display back offers an additional glimpse into the movement's striking symmetrical architecture. Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition Armin Strom Exquisite Decoration Both front and back of the watch display an abundance of exquisite hand-finishing, featuring meticulously polished bevels, screws and countersinks, alongside circular graining, perlage and Geneva stripes. The interplay of anthracite and silvered tones enhances the visual depth and creates a striking contrast. Notably, for the first time Armin Strom has made its twin balance bridge from steel, with a flat surface that has been hand-polished to a mirror-like finish, adhering to the highest haute horlogerie decoration standards. A Legacy Refined The release of the Dual Time GMT Resonance naturally invites comparisons to Armin Stroms original Dual Time Resonance that first appeared in 2018. Both models share key characteristics, including two independent regulation systems connected by the brands signature resonance clutch spring, along with fully independent time displays for both hours and minutes. Each watch also boasts a symmetrical design language and features two crowns for independent adjustment. However, there are some significant differences between the two models. The most obvious is size: while the Dual Time Resonance features a broad elliptical case measuring 52.55mm by 39.95mm by 11.67mm, the new Dual Time GMT Resonance is more wearable, with a compact 39mm round case and a slim 9.05mm height. Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition Armin Strom In terms of power reserve, the earlier model boasts 110 hours, powered by four mainspring barrels, while the Dual Time GMT Resonance offers a 42-hour power reserve from its two mainspring barrels. The complexity of the movement also varies between the two. The Dual Time Resonances movement comprises 419 components, compared to the 231 components in the Dual Time GMT Resonance, making the latter more streamlined. This reduction in size and complexity is reflected in the price: while the Dual Time Resonance starts at CHF 180,000, the Dual Time GMT Resonance is priced at a more accessible CHF 115,000. Pleased as Punch To complement its polished and brushed 18K white gold case, which is water-resistant to 50 meters, the Dual Time GMT Resonance is delivered with two straps: a matte-grey alligator strap with sky-blue stitching and a light-grey alligator strap with pearl-grey stitching, both secured by an 18K white gold pin buckle. To top it all off, the watch comes with an impressive 10-year warranty. Serge Michel, owner and co-founder of the contemporary brand, couldnt be more satisfied with the celebratory release of the Dual Time GMT Resonance. He explains: Having two completely independent watch movements in a single timepiece creates the logical demand for an iteration that displays two time zones. The success of our first Dual Time inspired us to build a smaller and more elegant Dual Time Resonance watch. To do this, we further developed our concept and arranged the two movements vertically. And we couldnt be happier with the result. Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition Armin Strom Broad Appeal While Armin Stroms first Dual Time Resonance may have appealed to a more niche audience due to its bold size, unconventional shape and higher price tag, the Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition offers a broader allure. With its refined proportions, lower price point and relatively classic aesthetic, this fresh timepiece is likely to captivate a wider range of collectors who appreciate both innovation and timeless elegance. For more information, please visit the Armin Strom website. Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:VGK Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The company traded as high as $71.00 and last traded at $70.99, with a volume of 368557 shares. The stock had previously closed at $70.55. Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF Price Performance The company has a market capitalization of $20.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.09 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a 50 day moving average of $67.99 and a 200-day moving average of $67.42. Get Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of VGK. POM Investment Strategies LLC grew its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF by 69.5% in the 2nd quarter. POM Investment Strategies LLC now owns 378 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 155 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF in the second quarter worth about $27,000. Mitchell Sinkler & Starr PA bought a new stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Tidemark LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Independence Bank of Kentucky grew its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF by 1,957.1% in the 1st quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky now owns 720 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 685 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF Company Profile Vanguard European Stock Index Fund is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of stocks issued by Companies located in the markets of Europe. The Fund on focuses indexing investment approach by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the common stocks included in the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. trimmed its position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL Free Report) by 3.2% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 30,903 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,026 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in Colgate-Palmolive were worth $2,999,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive during the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. Union Savings Bank raised its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 76.6% in the 4th quarter. Union Savings Bank now owns 309 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 134 shares during the last quarter. PSI Advisors LLC raised its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 4,971.4% in the 1st quarter. PSI Advisors LLC now owns 355 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 348 shares during the last quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC raised its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 46.5% in the 2nd quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 394 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Colgate-Palmolive in the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. 80.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Colgate-Palmolive alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms recently commented on CL. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Colgate-Palmolive from $95.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on Colgate-Palmolive from $104.00 to $107.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Citigroup upped their price objective on Colgate-Palmolive from $103.00 to $112.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. TD Cowen upped their price objective on Colgate-Palmolive from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Colgate-Palmolive from $92.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $101.11. Insider Activity at Colgate-Palmolive In related news, insider Sally Massey sold 15,850 shares of Colgate-Palmolive stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $103.28, for a total transaction of $1,636,988.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 13,942 shares in the company, valued at $1,439,929.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Colgate-Palmolive news, insider Sally Massey sold 15,850 shares of Colgate-Palmolive stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $103.28, for a total transaction of $1,636,988.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 13,942 shares in the company, valued at $1,439,929.76. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Martina Hundmejean sold 2,313 shares of Colgate-Palmolive stock in a transaction on Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.86, for a total value of $240,228.18. Following the transaction, the director now owns 11,755 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,220,874.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 43,490 shares of company stock worth $4,486,063 over the last ninety days. 0.34% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Colgate-Palmolive Trading Up 0.0 % CL traded up $0.02 on Thursday, hitting $105.81. 928,161 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,315,807. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $99.57 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $93.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.90, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a current ratio of 1.06. Colgate-Palmolive has a 12 month low of $67.62 and a 12 month high of $106.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $86.81 billion, a PE ratio of 33.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.54 and a beta of 0.39. Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 26th. The company reported $0.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.87 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $5.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5 billion. Colgate-Palmolive had a return on equity of 470.19% and a net margin of 14.21%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.77 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Colgate-Palmolive will post 3.57 earnings per share for the current year. Colgate-Palmolive Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Investors of record on Friday, July 19th were given a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 19th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.89%. Colgate-Palmolives dividend payout ratio is presently 63.29%. Colgate-Palmolive Profile (Free Report) Colgate-Palmolive Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells consumer products in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. The Oral, Personal and Home Care segment offers toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, bar and liquid hand soaps, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants and antiperspirants, skin health products, dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners, and other related items. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Colgate-Palmolive Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Colgate-Palmolive and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. raised its stake in Infosys Limited (NYSE:INFY Free Report) by 126.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 3,029 shares of the technology companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,693 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in Infosys were worth $56,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new stake in Infosys in the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Hilltop National Bank increased its stake in Infosys by 50.8% during the 2nd quarter. Hilltop National Bank now owns 2,979 shares of the technology companys stock worth $55,000 after acquiring an additional 1,004 shares during the period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp acquired a new position in Infosys in the 4th quarter valued at $56,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Infosys by 113.4% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,130 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $58,000 after acquiring an additional 1,663 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hennessy Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Infosys during the 4th quarter valued at $123,000. 10.89% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Infosys alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. StockNews.com downgraded Infosys from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Macquarie upgraded shares of Infosys from an underperform rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, July 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $19.27. Infosys Price Performance INFY stock traded up $0.17 during trading on Thursday, reaching $23.17. 3,440,768 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 9,588,263. Infosys Limited has a twelve month low of $16.04 and a twelve month high of $23.48. The company has a market capitalization of $95.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.61, a P/E/G ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a 50-day moving average of $20.78 and a two-hundred day moving average of $19.03. Infosys (NYSE:INFY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The technology company reported $0.18 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.18. The company had revenue of $4.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.67 billion. Infosys had a return on equity of 32.01% and a net margin of 17.18%. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.17 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Infosys Limited will post 0.75 EPS for the current year. Infosys Company Profile (Free Report) Infosys Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides consulting, technology, outsourcing, and next-generation digital services in North America, Europe, India, and internationally. It provides digital marketing and digital workplace, digital commerce, digital experience and interactions, metaverse, data analytics and AI, applied AI, generative AI, sustainability, blockchain, engineering, Internet of Things, enterprise agile DevOps, application modernization, cloud, digital process automation, digital supply chain, Microsoft business application and cloud business, service experience transformation, energy transition, cyber security, and quality engineering solutions; Oracle, SAP, and Saleforce solutions; API economy and microservices; and Topaz, an AI-first set of services, solutions, and platforms using generative AI technologies. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding INFY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Infosys Limited (NYSE:INFY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Infosys Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Infosys and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. reduced its holdings in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWS Free Report) by 1.3% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 18,143 shares of the companys stock after selling 238 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF were worth $2,191,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of IWS. Financial Advocates Investment Management lifted its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 63.8% in the 2nd quarter. Financial Advocates Investment Management now owns 3,132 shares of the companys stock worth $378,000 after purchasing an additional 1,220 shares in the last quarter. Whitaker Myers Wealth Managers LTD. lifted its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 77.3% in the 2nd quarter. Whitaker Myers Wealth Managers LTD. now owns 23,491 shares of the companys stock worth $2,836,000 after purchasing an additional 10,241 shares in the last quarter. Conning Inc. lifted its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 8.8% in the 2nd quarter. Conning Inc. now owns 59,127 shares of the companys stock worth $7,139,000 after purchasing an additional 4,791 shares in the last quarter. WealthShield Partners LLC lifted its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 20.3% in the 2nd quarter. WealthShield Partners LLC now owns 2,405 shares of the companys stock worth $290,000 after purchasing an additional 405 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hapanowicz & Associates Financial Services Inc lifted its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Hapanowicz & Associates Financial Services Inc now owns 170,787 shares of the companys stock worth $20,621,000 after purchasing an additional 3,238 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF alerts: iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF Stock Performance NYSEARCA IWS traded up $1.24 on Thursday, hitting $130.14. The stock had a trading volume of 118,875 shares, compared to its average volume of 434,651. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF has a 52-week low of $97.40 and a 52-week high of $130.50. The company has a market capitalization of $13.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.15 and a beta of 0.97. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $124.05 and a 200-day moving average of $122.17. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF Company Profile iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell Midcap Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell Midcap Value Index (the Value Index). The Value Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization value sector of the United States equity market. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bulgaris new launches at Geneva Watch Days make themselves heard Theres a theme to be discerned amongst the watches that Bulgari is officially presenting this year at Geneva Watch Days, and you should brace yourself for a multisensorial horological experience. If we were encountering these watches for the first time on a social media platform, this is where wed see a little flashing sticker GIF telling us to turn the phone VOLUME UP because for these watches specifically, if you cant hear them, you miss the entire point. Thats right, the theme that Bulgari is exploring at Geneva Watch Days 2024 is music, and a Bulgari sonnerie is always something to get excited about. First up on the playlist is the Octo Roma Grande Sonnerie Tourbillon, a stunning display of technical expertise and a testament to the profundity of watchmaking savoir-faire at Bulgari. The Grande Sonnerie Tourbillon is a four-gong horological colossus, making it a prestigious carillon, a term that describes any chiming watch with more than two gongs. Although Bulgari have made four-gong sonneries before, this new model distinguishes itself in one crucial sense through its melody. Unlike previous four-gong Grande Sonnerie watches from Bulgari, which featured the famous Westminster chime (the melody chimed by Londons Big Ben), the new Octo Roma Grande Sonnerie Tourbillon plays a custom melody devised by Swiss orchestral conductor Lorenzo Viotti, a melody featuring the musical interval otherwise known as the tritone. Octo Roma Grande Sonnerie Bvlgari On the diatonic music scale, an interval spanning six semitones occupies an interesting position in musical theory; being at once symmetrical and dissonant. Its symmetry arises from the fact that the six-semitone interval perfectly bisects a full octave, whilst its dissonance stems from its auditory qualities. Although we might associate symmetry with harmony, the tritone is the musical exception to this rule, since harmony is detected in the interval known as the fifth, which spans an additional semitone compared to the tritone. The difficulty that musicians historically had with the tritone led to it being nicknamed the Devils interval. The diabolism of the tritone comes entirely from its dissonant and challenging nature, however, not any ecclesiastical reasons (as commonly assumed). This concept of challenge and complexity obviously lends itself extremely well to the practice of building a horological sonnerie, and Bulgari have reinforced this idea with their second carillon release for Geneva Watch Days the Octo Roma Carillon Tourbillon. The Carillon Tourbillon has an impressive history at Bulgari, first released in 2011 and widely acknowledged to be one of the finest sounding repeaters on the market at the time. The Octo Roma Carillon Tourbillon also adopts the tritone as its acoustic motif, delivering a chime that may strike the ear in an unfamiliar (perhaps even slightly perturbing) way. However, that is of course entirely the intention behind this unsettling chime keeping us aware of the fact that such levels of watchmaking expertise are never easy to attain, and that sonnerie savoir-faire is not something to be taken for granted. Octo Roma Carillon Tourbillon Bvlgari Still on the same musical track, but in a slightly different gear, is Bulgaris collaboration with legendary guitar brand Fender, starring the Bulgari Aluminium watch that was reintroduced exactly three years ago. The Bulgari Aluminium GMT x Fender is a limited edition of 1,200 watches that celebrates iconic design and the spirit of craftsmanship, with a golden-brown sunburst dial that evokes the classic Fender Stratocaster aesthetic. Bvlgari Aluminium GMT x Fender Limited Edition Bvlgari Whilst not a completely new reference, strictly speaking, the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater Carbon is freshly available in its recognisable carbon-fibre composite housing, now with titanium case accents that accentuate its monochrome splendour. Although by now we may be used to the idea that Bulgaris in-house capabilities well encompass such feats of virtuoso watchmaking such as ultra-thin chiming watches, we should remember that it wasnt too long ago when the first Octo Finissimo timepieces caused no small amount of seismic shock in the watch world. The Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater Carbon serves as a slim, but powerful, reminder that audacious high complication is here to stay at Bulgari a message were hearing loud and clear. The world-famous Swedish music band ABBA drew attention to Donald Trump's use of their music in his presidential campaign. He turned on the song The Winner Takes It All to allegedly hint at his upcoming victory, but only angered the band's representatives and forced them to ban the scandalous man from using their hits for political purposes. ADVERTISIMENT This happened after the track was played at a rally in support of Donald Trump in Minnesota, USA. According to Svenska Dagbladet, 8,000 Americans who gathered at the event sang along to The Winner Takes It All, and it was through them that representatives of the band's label learned about the violation. People posted videos of the singing at the stadium online, and that's how it reached ABBA's members. The video for the song was shown on a huge screen. Another important factor in the outrage was the slogan "Make America Great Again," which Trump has used as a slogan for his entire political career. ADVERTISIMENT "Together with the members of ABBA, we have discovered that videos have been released in which ABBA music has been used at Trump events and demand that such use be immediately taken down and removed," the ABBA record label said in a statement. It is worth noting that during the last election campaign, Trump also used the song The Winner Takes It All. As the Daily Express wrote, ABBA member Bjorn Ulvaeus accused Trump of improperly using his song. "I think he did, I can't remember. It was probably The Winner Takes It All. He totally misunderstood it [the song]. Thank God it didn't work," Ulweus said. It is known that Celine Dion, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, the Rolling Stones, Ozzy Osbourne, and Neil Young have also banned Trump from using their songs in the 2024 election campaign. On August 23, the politician turned on the Foo Fighters' hit song My Hero at a rally in Arizona, USA, and was criticized by the band's representative. ADVERTISIMENT "The Foo Fighters were not asked for permission, and if they had, they would not have granted it," the representative said in a statement, CNN reported. Celine Dion has also criticized Donald Trump for using her hit song from Titanic, My Heart Will Go On: "This use is in no way authorized and Celine Dion does not approve of this or any similar use." Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! ADVERTISIMENT Ukraine and Israel have been similar to each other for the past few years because both countries are living in a time of war. However, according to Andrey Makarevich's wife, Einat Klein, a native Ukrainian and professional traveler, there are several other similarities between the two countries. ADVERTISIMENT She also advised to be attentive to the enemy and believe him if he starts threatening. This will help to accept the fact that armed aggression is not far off, and a clear example of this is Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Einat Klein told OBOZ.UA about this advice in an exclusive interview. The Ukrainian woman recalled the important words of Golda Meir, the only woman who became prime minister of Israel and survived anti-Jewish persecution as a child. She was the person who participated in the creation of Israel as a state and its recognition among world leaders. Golda became prime minister at a difficult time for the country, during the war. ADVERTISIMENT "Here I cannot but agree with Golda Meir, who said: "If your enemy threatens to kill you, you have to believe him." Unfortunately, a surprising number of people did not believe the threats in 2014, and did not believe them in 2022. Now, I think the narrative in Ukraine has changed," the traveler reflected. Now a native Ukrainian woman with a young son, Eitan, and a Russian husband who supports Ukraine in its war with Russia, she lives in Israel, a country where there is a constant threat of Hamas rocket attacks. She has realized how cruel the enemy can be, so she says she believes him when he threatens to kill. "The same goes for Israel. On October 7, 2023, the worst catastrophe for Jews since the Holocaust occurred. I believe those who threaten to kill me, and I am completely devoid of illusions about the possibility of a settlement with an enemy whose coordinate system is different from mine. An enemy whose main goal is my death, an enemy who acts irrationally. In my opinion, in this situation, Ukraine and Israel have a lot in common, so there should be a special understanding between our countries," said Einat Klein. ADVERTISIMENT Read the full interview with Einat Klein on OBOZ.UA on Sunday, September 1. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Why is Delhi so smitten with the SoO pact ? Meaningful questions | Everyone, including Imphal, is confused over the status of the Suspension of Operation pact, which has been in force since 2008, but this does not mean that certain questions, however uncomfortable they may be, need not be raised. There is a reason why Manipur has been raising the call that the SoO pact must be abrogated but it is more than obvious that Delhi is smitten with the idea of inking a sort of a ceasefire pact with armed organisations which have never ever raised the call of revolt against the Government. A point which even the Kuki armed outfits stick to, taking refuge under the line that they are not secessionists. As a gentleman questioned on his Facebook status the other day, When Kukis (the armed groups) are not secessionists, as claimed, do they need to have armed groups for any political demand under the Constitution ? A question replete with logic and universality. If what the Kuki armed groups demand is within the ambit of the Constitution, then where is the need to have armed groups and that too which have signed a sort of a peace pact and which has led to political dialogue ? As the gentleman put it on his FB post, if at all the demand is within the ambit of the Constitution of India, then where is the need to sign a peace pact ? This is where the very reason why the SoO pact was inked in the first place falls flat on its face. And this is where it becomes more and more likely that to New Delhi there could be more politics at work behind the signing of the peace pact. As repeatedly pointed out here, the validity of the SoO pact expired on February 29 this year with no official statement on whether it has been extended or not. And when a pact is not extended then its validity is over and hence the pact should no longer be in force. This is putting common logic into words but this was negated by the very statement of Chief Minister N Biren on the floor of the Assembly when he said that the SoO pact is still in force. The said gentleman in his Facebook post continued with the question on whether the ten Kuki-Zo MLAs have stayed away from the proceedings of the State Assembly for security reasons and if yes whether they have sought security from the Government or not. Or if it is a case of not trusting the State Government, then what is stopping them from asking for special security cover from the Central Government ? Or better still if the ten Kuki-Zo MLAs have collectively decided to stay away from the Assembly proceedings in protest against the brutal attack on one of the Kuki-Zo MLAs, then isnt mass resignation from the Assembly a better option, is another poser raised by the said gentleman. This would be a much more morally and procedurally acceptable mode of protest, suggested the said gentleman. Questions which the State Government should have raised within itself and accordingly taken action, but as things stand right now, the BJP led Government at Imphal has deemed it better not to muddy the water further with doing what is morally expected of from them. The questions raised on the FB post may have been directed towards the Kuki-Zo MLAs and the SoO groups, but it could very well have been directed towards the State Government too. For all its tall talks, which have not gone beyond the buffer zones, it is more than clear that Imphal has not been able to assert its stand and accordingly lay down certain lines before Delhi with spunk and conviction. A tough Government, a Government which is there to represent the wishes and aspirations of the people should have managed to work out the finer points that could and should be laid before Delhi with conviction. Over a year now and till date the Government at Imphal has not been able to take any action against the ten Kuki-Zo MLAs, out of which eight are from the BJP, including those who defected from the JD (U). Delhi has been playing politics at the cost of Manipur for too long and as the Government chosen by the people to rule at Imphal, it is only expected of the BJP led Government here to take up things which concern the people and Manipur. Even today it is unable to get a clear picture on the status of the SoO pact, a pact signed with armed groups, but which ironically have not raised any demand in violation of the Constitution. And armed groups to pursue demands which are then legal ? Goes against logic, but then this is the politics that Delhi prefers it seems. CM reviews | IMPHAL, Aug 29: Chief Minister N Biren today held review meetings with officials of MSPDCL, MSPCL and MANIREDA one after the other. Power Minister Thongam Biswajit was also present at the review meetings held at the Chief Ministers Secretariat. According to a post shared by the Chief Minister on his Facebook page, the review meetings discussed augmenting the power infrastructure and improving power supply in the State. N Biren also chaired another review meeting with officials of the Cooperation Department. The meeting deliberated on different strategies to improve the performances of cooperative societies. The meeting discussed streamlining the activities of the Cooperation Department and delivering the benefits of cooperative policies and programmes to people at grassroots level, the Chief Minister wrote on his Facebook page. On August 28, the Chief Minister chaired a meeting of MAHUD. 4 cops, 1 other held for allegedly looting arms from BJP MLAs farmhouse | Imphal, Aug 29 : Four Manipur police personnel and one other individual were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the arms snatching incident that allegedly took place on Tuesday night at Sekmai Leikinthabi in West Imphal district, officials aware of the matter said. Officials said that on Tuesday around 8 pm, some unknown armed miscreants broke into the farmhouse of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Joykishan Singh located at Sekmai Leikinthabi and, by overpowering three village defence force (VDF) personnel who were securing the farmhouse, snatched three SLR rifles along with four loaded magazines containing 80 live rounds of ammunition. On 27.08.2024, unknown armed miscreants had forcibly snatched 03 (three) rifles and 04 (four) magazines containing 80 (eighty) live ammunition rounds from police personnel at Leikinthabi under Sekmai PS, Imphal West District. In follow up action to the arms snatching case, Manipur Police on 28.08.2024 arrested 04 (four) police personnel and 01 (one) individual in connection with the case, Manipur police posted on X. The arrested individuals have been identified as Meisnam Krishnadas, 57; Maibam Shanjit Singh, 34; Longjam Jayenta Singh, 52; Oinam Banti Singh, 30; and Mainam Bomcha, 45, who is the caretaker of the farmhouse. Police said that a case was registered at Sekmai police station against the accused, and they have been remanded to 10 days of custody for further questioning after being produced before the Magistrate, said officials. The All Manipur VDF Welfare Employees' Association (AMVDFWA) has also condemned the Awang Leikinthabi incident. Following the incident, the Manipur police launched a major operation on Wednesday at Sekta Awang Leikai and recovered several arms and ammunition. Manipur police shared the information on X. In follow up to the above incident, today (28.08.2024), in a major operation by Manipur Police, the following arms and ammuntions were recovered at Sekta Awang Leikai, Imphal East03 (three) INSAS Rifles along with 03 (three) magazines, 01 (one) S. Calibre Rifle along with magazine, 01 (one) INSAS LMG Rifle along with magazine, 02 (two) AK-56 Rifles along with 02 (two) magazines, 130 (one hundred and thirty) live ammunition rounds, 02 (two) mobile phones and 09 (nine) miscellaneous items including military fatigues from Sekta Awang Leikai, Imphal East District. Hindustan Times On September 19, the Netflix streaming platform will premiere the series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, based on the true story of the murder of their parents by two brothers. The brothers are still alive today, but will be behind bars for the rest of their lives. ADVERTISIMENT The new series was created by the creators of the movie based on real events, Dahmer the Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. Due to the fact that the previous project was a hit with the audience, fans have high hopes for an interesting movie about the killer brothers. According to USA Today, "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story" is the second part of Ryan Murphy's anthology "Monsters" and is a continuation of the above series. "In the second installment of the Monsters anthology, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan take on another high-profile case that captured the nation in the '90s. On September 19, Netflix will release "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story" tells the story of the two brothers who murdered their parents on August 20, 1989, and the events surrounding the brutal murder. (Both were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole)," Netflix said in a statement. ADVERTISIMENT In the teaser for the premiere, the creators briefly described what the viewer should expect and what issues the series will address. At first, the whole Menendez family appears in the frame, posing awkwardly for a photo. At this moment, a dialog between the mother and father is heard, where the woman tries to find out what is happening in the relationship between her husband and sons, and he answers: "It's over. Stop it. I will fix this family." In the next shot, two brothers appear with their torsos exposed, as if to show their vulnerability. They embrace, and then a shot is heard and drops of blood appear on the face of one of them. ADVERTISIMENT Another teaser showed two men (the Menendez brothers) driving up to the mansion at night in a car, entering it and heading for the big door behind which their parents are presumably sleeping. After they cross the threshold of the room, two shots are heard one after the other. What is known about the real case On August 20, 1989, more than 15 shots were fired at a wealthy estate in Beverly Hills. According to the source, Jose Menendez (father) was shot 6 times with a shotgun, and Kitty Menendez (mother) was shot 10 times. Out of fear, sons Lyle and Erik later threw away their weapons and bought tickets to a movie to create an alibi. After the police arrived, this did divert law enforcement's attention from the brothers for a while, but they still remained the main suspects. ADVERTISIMENT Later, through Erik's psychiatrist, the police learned that the brothers committed the murder. During the trial, the jury claimed that the reason was the sons' desire to take over their parents' wealth, but the men claimed that it was actually revenge. According to them, their parents committed sexual, physical and moral violence. However, the confessions failed to reduce their sentences, and the men have been serving life sentences in various prisons in California since 1996. ADVERTISIMENT How society reacts After the official trailer of the series was published online, future viewers of the movie stood up for Lyle and Erik and began to claim that the men were only defending themselves. Such a resonance after almost 30 years since the conviction could change the history of the case. "Something tells me that the monsters in this story will not be what we think they are." "The brothers are not monsters, free them!" "I like the symbolism. Kitty and Jose were obsessed with the image of their family. Everything had to be perceived in a certain way. And now that they are dead? The facade is gone, and the boys are naked. They are vulnerable." "The monsters are the parents and the judicial system, which protected the rapists and repeatedly refused to consider the brothers' appeal to protect their decision." ADVERTISIMENT "I remember this case, the trial and how no one wanted to believe these guys. The father was a monster, and the wife was a worthless doormat. I cannot respect a woman who does not protect her children." "The parents were so messed up in the head. These boys were scarred for life, I think the parents are the real monsters in this story." "When I googled their case, I felt deeply sick and disturbed. The fact that one of the boys said that he felt safer in prison than at home speaks volumes!" This gives clues as to who the "monsters" are in this episode. It was clearly shown when he didn't want to touch his shoulder. I really hope this helps the brothers and not portray them as villains. I really hope that one day they will be free." ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that a horror series starring the star of Chornobyl was released on Netflix. When the multi-episode story about the tragedy of 1845-1846 premiered, it found its audience, but did not bring the thriller to the top, despite good reviews from critics. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Trinanul Congress national general secretary and MP from Diamond Harbour Abhishek Banerjee said he would move a private member Bill in the Lok Sabha on for a stringent anti-rape law and threatened to launch a movement in Delhi if the Centre does not make a stringent anti-rape law within three or four months. He was addressing a rally celebrating foundation day of Trinamul Chhatra Parishad on Mayo Road this afternoon. I will move a Private Member Bill on stringent anti-rape law in the Parliament soon and will organize a movement in Delhi if the Centre does not make stringent anti-rape law, he maintained. Advertisement He said the BJP Which talks big, will never bring stringent anti-rape law as many of their leaders are involved in crimes like rape. In the past 10 years 41,733 rapes were been committed in Uttar Pradesh, 36,144 rapes in Madhya Pradesh followed by Rajasthan with 28,000 incidents, and Maharastra with 25,000 rape incidents. Everywhere you get a double engine government. The state BJP, instead of asking the chief minister of Bengal to resign, should ask the chief ministers of these states to resign first, he remarked. He said to bring down the incidents of rape, the law should be stringent and the trial and conviction should be completed within 50 days. Lambasting the BJP for the 12-hour Bangla bandh and demanding resignation of Mamata Banerjee, he said, If the leaders from Bengal have the guts they should organize a march to Parliamewnt in Delhi demanding stringent anti-rape laws. They do not have the guts and will try to create trouble in Bengal. He said an unfortunate incident had taken place at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital and the state government and city police arrested a person and the investigation was on. The High Court had ordered a CBI inquiry and the state government had to submit all the papers. In the past two weeks, the CBI has been unable to make any breakthrough. The attendance in the industrial region of Asansol and Durgapur has remained normal today and there has been very little effect of the bandh, claimed state labour minister Moloy Ghatak today. The bandh, called by the BJP, passed off peacefully baring a few stray incidents in West Burdwan district. A sub-inspector has suffered injuries in Ballavpur in Raniganj during scuffle with yuva morcha leaders. Talking to The Statesman today, Moloy Ghatak, the MLA of Asansol North said that the attendance is cent per cent in Durgapur Steel Plant (DSP) of SAIL, the largest industry in Durgapur sub-division. Advertisement Similarly, the attendance is normal and productions in the coal mines of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) in Asansol and Durgapur sub-divisions. Attendance and productions are also normal in IISCO Steel Plant (ISP) of Sail in Burnpur, Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) and the divisional railway managers (DRM) office, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) Divisional Office, banks in Asansol and Durgapur today, added Moloy Ghatak. The minister himself went to Durgapur today along with trade union leader Prabhat Chatterjee. Asansol Durgapur is the largest industrial belt of West Bengal. In the private sector too, attendance has been normal. In the industrial park of WBIDC at Panagarh, productions remained unaffected. The bandh also had no impact in the operations of flights in Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport in Andal, the only privately operated airport in the state. However, the bandh supporters and the police and TMC supporters clashed at Ushagram in Asansol, Raniganj, Jamuria and in Bhiringi and City Centre in Durgapur. A few local BJP leaders have been injured in the district. The TMC supporters chased away BJP MLA Lakshman Ghorui in Durgapur. BJP Yuva Morcha leaders in Ballavpur were beaten by anti-bandh supporters and were admitted to hospital in Raniganj with head injuries. The government on Wednesday approved the roll-out of 730 FM radio channels in 234 new cities and towns with an estimated reserve price of Rs 784.87 crore. Many of the approved cities and towns are in Aspirational Districts, left-wing extremism (LWE)-affected areas and border districts, and FM radio channels in these areas will further strengthen the government outreach in these areas. The Cabinet greenlighted the proposal for the third batch of ascending e-auctions for 730 channels under the Private FM Radio Phase Ill Policy. Advertisement The move is also set to boost local content in mother tongue and create new employment opportunities The Cabinet also approved the proposal to charge annual license fee (ALF) of FM channel as 4 per cent of gross revenue, excluding goods and services tax (GST), which will be applicable for 234 new cities and towns. The FM radio rollout will fulfil the unmet demand in new cities and towns, which still remain uncovered by the private FM radio broadcasting and bring new and local content in mother tongue, said the government. The move will also lead to creation of new employment opportunities, boost to local dialect and culture and vocal for local initiatives. There are nearly 400 private FM radio channels functioning in the country. Last year, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) reportedly started working on a proposal allowing private FM radio channels to broadcast news. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has also made several recommendations related to FM radio broadcasting in the recent past. Last month, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated Indias 500th community radio station at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) in Aizawl, Mizoram. This milestone in Indias community radio journey will bring a substantive change in the lives of people in the coverage area of Apna Radio station, said Minister Vaishnaw. Agitating junior doctors, including postgraduate trainees (PGT), house staff, interns and medical students on Wednesday threatened to continue their ongoing cease-work in outpatients departments (OPDs) in government medical colleges and hospital across the state despite the chief minister Mamata Banerjees appeal to withdraw the strike. Junior doctors this afternoon brought out a huge protest rally from Shyambazar close to the R G Kar Medical College Hospital where the woman PGT doctor was raped and killed. The procession demanding justice for the heinous incident reached Esplanade around 2.30 pm. More than a fortnight has lapsed since the incident that occurred on 9 August but we dont know why the CM is not aware of our demands. We also demand the resignation of the Kolkata Police commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal, said Dr Aniket Mahato. Advertisement We would continue our cease-work programme till our demands are not met. Our movement demands justice for the heinous incident at R G Kar Hospital. We want transparent investigation. Evidence in connection with the case has already been tampered, said junior doctors, attached to different state-run medical colleges. The motif of the crime has not yet been detected by the investigating agency, the CBI. No further arrests besides the civic volunteer have been made so far, they said. We know people suffer because of our strike but is there any guarantee to stop such crime forever in future. We want safety and security in our workplace, a PGP protestor said. The 12-hour state bandh, called by the state BJP demanding resignation of chief minister Mamata Banerjee, had a lukewarm response and had least impact in the suburbs. In Kolkata, life was normal with the schools, colleges and universities remaining open. Banks, both nationalised and private and the financial institutions functioned normally. Train services were normal and the flights from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport left and arrived in the city as usual. The important markets like the Lake Market, Sarat Bose Road Market, Koley Market, Harisha Market, Manicktala market functioned normally. The wholesale fish market at Patipukur functioned normally. Most of the shops were open. The petrol pumps across the remained open and loading and unloading at the Kolkata Port was normal. In Haldia, the port functioned normally and the factories in different districts functioned as usual. The BJP supporters tried to block Shyambazar five-point crossing and were chased away by the police. They shouted slogans demanding resignation of chief minister Mamata Banerjee. BJP supporters clashed with police in Burrabazar and pelted stones at the policemen. Advertisement The state government made arrangements and there was a huge deployment of police at the strategic points like Shyambazar five-point crossing, Manicktala, Posta, Burrabazar, Senior police officers were seen patrolling the road. In the districts, the police resorted to lathi-charge and burst tear gas shells when BJP supporters tried to put up blocks on the railway tracks. The police first chased away the BJP workers, who were trying to assemble on the railway stations. Five policemen were injured when the BJP supporters pelted stones at them. The long-distance and local trains reached Howrah, Sealdah, Kolkata and Santragachi stations on time. Traffic was normal in Kolkata with the private and public buses plied as usual. The app cabs and yellow taxis also plied normally. Mamata Banerjee lambasted the BJP for calling the bandh. When we came to power in 2011, we put an end to the bandh culture, which the CPM had brought to Bengal. We do not support bandh. The BJP had called the bandh just to create trouble. They want to create chaos in Bengal by hook or crook. Their sole purpose is to defame Bengal. But Bengal cannot be defamed by calling bandhs and making sporadic clashes. I congratulate my policemen for maintaining cool, yesterday and today. We are proud of them. They had countered every provocation with intelligence and did not fall into the BJPs trap. She added, Even today, policemen were attacked. This is unfortunate. We do not support violence and it will be dealt with seriously. It is unfortunate that the Modi media are repeating the same incident throughout the day and giving wrong messages to the people. She urged people to maintain cool and do not get swayed by the false videos. On the night of August 29, during another Russian attack on Ukraine, one of the Shaheds again flew into the territory of Belarus in the Yel district. This is the first time the country has used aviation to shoot down an attack drone. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the Telegram channel Belarusian Hajun. The channel noted that after 03:30 when the UAV entered the airspace of Belarus, a fighter jet chased the offender for about 20 minutes. At around 03:55, according to the channel, residents of the Yelei district of the Gomel region heard at least two explosions and saw a bright flash in the sky. "This is probably the first recorded case when a fighter jet of the Belarusian Air Force attempted to destroy a real military target in the sky a Russian Shahed-type kamikaze drone," the channel noted. As a reminder, during the Russian drone attack on Ukraine on August 26, several Shahed-136s of Putin's army also passed through Belarusian airspace. Belarus sent its aviation into the sky. ADVERTISIMENT The enemy drones, which were moving through the Chernihiv region of Ukraine, crossed the border in the Gomel region of Belarus. Previously, at least three Russian attack UAVs have shortened their routes in this way. As reported by OBOZ.UA: On August 10, self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko accused Ukraine of violating the airspace of his country in the Kostyukovytsky district. "He said there were "about a dozen targets" probably attack drones. The monitoring group Belarusian Hajun stated that on August 9, no drones were detected in the airspace of Belarus during flights of the Belarusian military aviation. There were also no missile launches from SU-30 fighter jets or MI-24 helicopters. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! ADVERTISIMENT Deputy speaker and chairman of Tarapith Rampurhat Development Authority (TRDA), Ashish Banerjee held a high-level security arrangements meeting in Birbhum for the upcoming biggest festival of Tarapith temple. Top officials of Birbhum district police, Tarapith Rampurhat Development Authority and Tarapith Hotel Owners Association participated in the meeting. It is learnt that besides providing a large number of cops, about 200 close circuit television sets will also be installed in the Tarapith temple complex to ensure security of the pilgrims. Advertisement The Kaushiki Amavasya is the biggest festival of Tarapith temple and attracts lakhs of pilgrims from all over the country in the temple town. The festival will begin next Monday. The private vehicles will be allowed from a day before the festival and will be parked besides the Mansuba Mor on national highway. About 27 drop gates will be set up by Birbhum district traffic police and over 1,800 men and women police forces will be deployed. Construction work to set up nine watch towers has started. Drone cameras will also be used to monitor the temple complex and surrounding locations, besides 15 police assistant booths will also be set up in various parts, said Ashish Banerjee. The Quick Response Team (QRT) and Women Police team will be deployed to guard the area riding scooties to avoid any crime on women. Plain Clothes policemen will also be deployed to monitor any problems during the festival. These teams will be deployed in the crowd to prevent snatching of cell phones, purses and gold ornaments. The Dwaraka riverside will be sealed with iron fencing to prevent pilgrims from entering the river banks. The hotel owners have also been alerted to deploy adequate security personnel inside their premises. Two BJP supporters were allegedly injured at Bhatpara in North 24-Parganas following political clashes between BJP and Trinamul Congress supporters over a 12-hour bandh call by the BJP this morning. The injured were admitted at a private nursing home around 11.30 am. Police said they were shot at, having bullet injuries on the head, following political clashes at Bhatpara on Wednesday morning. Doctors are assessing their condition and keeping them under close observation at the ICU. In the morning, as the bandh was called by the BJP in West Bengal, BJP leader Arjun Singh alleged that shots were fired at the cars of two BJP leaders, leading to growing tension in Bhatpara. By Wednesday afternoon, the situation escalated with a standoff between BJP and Trinamul supporters, while the police tried to control the situation. Arjun Singh, former BJP MP from Barrackpore, claimed that at least six rounds were fired at the car of one of his party leaders, injuring three people, including two BJP leaders and the driver. Arjun stated, The bullet grazed the drivers forehead. Theres still blood on the car. He also accused the police of inaction, stating that despite the violence, the police were merely spectators, alleging that they were acting in favour of the TMC. The incident occurred around 9.30 am on Wednesday. The injured were first taken to Barrackpore State General Hospital and later to a private hospital. Upon receiving the news, Mr Singh rushed to the scene. He accused the TMC of orchestrating the attack, claiming that the two BJP leaders, Ravi Singh and Priyanku Pandey, were on their way to meet him when their car was stopped and fired upon by TMC-affiliated miscreants near Ghoshpara More. Arjun further alleged that in addition to the gunfire, bombs were also thrown in front of the BJP leaders car. He detailed, Six rounds were fired. Seven to eight bombs were thrown. Just look at how much blood Ravi Singh has lost. Despite this, he claimed that the police did nothing, accusing them of merely standing by and watching. This incident followed a protest by students on Tuesday at Nabanna in response to an incident at R G Kar Medical College. Advertisement The state government had declared the bandh illegal, urging the people to maintain normalcy. Despite this, BJP activists took to the streets to enforce the bandh, attempting to forcibly close Metro stations, and disrupt local train services, with reports of clashes from several areas. Amidst this chaos, the shooting incident in Bhatpara occurred. Union minister and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar today wrote to Union home minister Amit Shah demanding action against chief minister Mamata Banerjee over her if Bengal burns remark. Stating that the remarks threaten unrest across states and are deeply concerning, Sukanta said that Ms Banerjee no longer deserves to hold such an important position. She must resign immediately, he added. In a warning to the Modi government during her address, Mamata Banerjee said, If Bengal burns, then Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi will also burn. Reacting to her remarks, in a letter to Shah, Sukanta accused Mamata Banerjee of shamelessly making anti-national remarks. This isnt the voice of someone holding a constitutional position; its the voice of an anti-national. I am writing to bring to your immediate attention the recent statements made by CM Mamata Banerjee during her address to the Student Wing of TMC today in Kolkata where she shamelessly incited a gathering, declaring, I never sought revenge, but now, do what needs to be done. This is nothing less than a blatant endorsement of revenge politics from the highest office in the state, added Sukanta. The West Bengal BJP chief said that the CMs statement is a clear attempt to threaten, incite violence, and sow hatred among the people. Advertisement It is the fundamental duty of every public servant, especially someone in a position of such high authority, to promote peace and discourage any form of violence, said Sukanta. A fire broke out in an air conditioner cluster bus carrying 40 passengers near A-Block Bus stand in Jagatpuri area, police said on Thursday. According to police, information was received about a fire in a blue coloured CNG bus operating on the central secretariat to Seemapuri route. Based on the call, three fire tenders reached the spot immediately and the fire was extinguished. Advertisement The police added that the bus was carrying 40 passengers and it was CNG operated so for the safety of the passengers, the area was cordoned off and the passengers were rescued timely. The cops said that there were no casualties and no passenger was hurt. The police further said that the probable cause of fire was a short circuit in the AC system of the bus. In recent weeks, rumors have been swirling about Mandar Chandwadkars departure from the beloved sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC). Speculation about the actor, who portrays the much-loved character Atmaram Tukaram Bhide, leaving the show has been making the rounds. However, Mandar Chandwadkar has taken to Instagram to address these rumors and set the record straight. In a candid Instagram reel, Mandar Chandwadkar expressed his frustration with the unfounded reports and reassured fans that he remains an integral part of the show. Please do not believe or spread these rumors, Chandwadkar urged his followers. TMKOC has been a source of joy since 2008 and will continue to entertain in the years to come. I wanted to clear the air and express my gratitude for your unwavering support. Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mandar Chandwadkar (@realmandarchandwadkar) Mandar Chandwadkars video follows similar clarifications from his co-star, Sharad Sankla, who plays Abdul in the series. Sankla had previously addressed similar rumors about his characters fate, emphasizing that although Abduls screen time might vary, he is still very much part of the show and will return soon. Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, which airs on Sony SAB, has become a staple of Indian television since its debut. The series is set in the fictional Gokuldham Co-operative Housing Society, a vibrant community that resembles Mini India due to its diverse residents. The show depicts the everyday lives of the Gokuldham residents, highlighting their various cultural backgrounds and the issues they face in a comedic light. The shows charm lies in its portrayal of unity in diversity, as the residents, who come from different walks of life, live together like one big family. Whether dealing with personal dilemmas or celebrating festivals, the Gokuldham residents support each other, underscoring the series message of communal harmony. Mandar Chandwadkars character, Mr. Bhide, is popular for his strict yet caring nature, often finding himself in humorous situations alongside Dilip Joshis Jethalal. Their on-screen chemistry is a significant draw for the show, contributing to its enduring popularity. As the rumors dissipate, fans can continue to enjoy the comedic escapades of the Gokuldham residents, confident that their favorite characters will remain part of the beloved series. On August 8, Telugu star Naga Chaitanya and Made in Heaven fame Sobhita Dhulipala got engaged. Superstar Nagarjuna, Naga Chaitanyas father annouced the happy news on on social media. Since the announcement, fans have been buzzing on social media, eager to learn more about the upcoming wedding. Recent rumors suggest that the couple will tie the knot in Rajasthan in 2025. As speculation grows, Naga Chaitanya has addressed the upcoming celebrations. Earlier this week, Naga launched the wedding collection of a new brand and discussed his marriage plans during a media interaction. The actor expressed his happiness about this new chapter in his life and the bond he has formed. When asked if this event was a rehearsal for the wedding with the Monkey Man star, Naga wittily responded, Perhaps you could think so, that its a countdown kinda for my marriage. He was also asked whether he prefers a classic big fat Indian wedding or an intimate ceremony. The actor replied, Marriage is about the people who mean a lot to me. It doesnt have to be a big fat wedding, but it should be in keeping with our cultures and traditions. Thats how I want it to be. Advertisement Also Read: Sobhita Dhulipala, Naga Chaitanya celebrate engagement with heartfelt photos and poem When pressed for details about the wedding date and venue, Naga Chaitanya stated that nothing has been decided yet. However, he promised to share the details soon. The couple got engaged in a traditional, intimate ceremony on August 8. Superstar Nagarjuna announced the news on X, welcoming Sobhita to the family. On the microblogging site, he wrote, We are delighted to announce the engagement of our son, Naga Chaitanya, to Sobhita Dhulipala, which took place this morning at 9:42 a.m.! We are overjoyed to welcome her into our family. Congratulations to the happy couple! Wishing them a lifetime of love and happiness. God bless! 8.8.8. A beginning of infinite love. Dating rumors about Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala began circulating in 2022 when snapshots of the two stars from a restaurant in London went viral. The rumors gained traction in June after photos from their holiday in Europe surfaced on social media. On the acting front, Naga Chaitanya will next be seen headlining the film Thandel, while Sobhita has the film Sitara in the pipeline. The Netflix series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, released today, chronicles the event that shook the nation. On Christmas Eve 1999, Indian Airlines Flight 814, bound for Delhi from Kathmandu, Nepal, was hijacked by five masked men. The crisis lasted seven days and remains the darkest chapter in Indias aviation history. As the nation was gripped by the crisis, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government faced massive backlash for the way the situation was handled. What happened on December 24, 1999? On December 24, 1999, five masked terrorists hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC 814, 40 minutes after it took off from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The aircraft was en route to Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport. Captain Devi Sharan, the pilot on board, was coerced into flying the hijacked plane to Lahore. However, Pakistan denied landing permission. Advertisement Low on fuel, the flight was subsequently diverted to Amritsar to refuel. While Indian authorities tried to stall the take-off, the hijackers grew suspicious and threatened the pilot to take off. The hijackers wanted to land the plane in Pakistan. Authorities, however, were reluctant to let the aircraft land. They even turned off all lights and navigational support at the airport. As the aircraft was running low on fuel, Captain Sharan attempted a desperate crash landing. Eventually, Pakistan allowed the plane to refuel in Lahore on the condition that it would depart immediately after. After refueling, the flight was taken to Dubai but was denied permission to land there as well. As India attempted to resolve the situation, the aircraft was allowed to land at Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE. Here, the terrorists released 27 passengers, including the body of 25-year-old Rupin Katyal, who had been fatally stabbed by Zahoor Mistry, one of the hijackers. The plane was then finally landed at the hijackers original destination, Kandahar in Afghanistan, which was under Taliban rule and not recognized by India. The remaining passengers were held hostage for six days. Also Read: Kangana compares Emergency to Nolans Oppenheimer and Shakespeares Macbeth The string of negotiations While the passengers were held at Kandahar airport, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government negotiated with the terrorists. The terrorists demanded that India release 36 prisoners in exchange for the hostages and a ransom of $200 million. A senior Ministry of External Affairs official told India Today in 2000, For us, it was one of the most difficult assignments in recent times. We were expected to develop a rapport with the Taliban, with whom we hardly had any communication, let alone a relationship. The five hijackers were identified as Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, and Shakir. They belonged to Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM), a Pakistan-based Islamist terror group. Despite some reluctance over releasing the prisoners, the government was pressured to negotiate, with the Taliban mediating between the government and the hijackers. After lengthy deliberations, the Indian government managed to convince the hijackers to release the hostages in exchange for three prisoners. The hijackers demanded the release of HuM members Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and Masood Azhar, as well as the Pakistan-backed Kashmiri militant Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar. Subsequently, then Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh flew to Afghanistan on the evening of December 30 with the militants on board to exchange them for the hostages. As reported by The Independent, the Indian government assumed that the Taliban would arrest the hijackers. However, the Taliban granted them passage to Quetta in Pakistan. Who were the released prisoners? All three terrorists who were released have since been associated with major terror attacks. Masood Azhar founded Jaish-e-Mohammed, the group responsible for the 2001 Indian Parliament attack and the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh was later arrested for the abduction and murder of The Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. Political criticism The BJP government faced severe backlash for its handling of the crisis. Notably, criticism was levelled for allowing the aircraft to leave Indian soil while it was in Amritsar. A.K. Doval, the former Intelligence Bureau Chief who led the four-member negotiating team to Kandahar, described the event as a diplomatic failure and a bloody disgrace for India. The Netflix series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is directed by Anubhav Sinha. It has been written by Adrian Levy and Trishant Srivastava. It features an ensemble cast including Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Varma, and Pankaj Kapur. The series is an adaptation of Captain Devi Sharans book Flight into Fear. The Adani Group will invest more than Rs 3,000 crore in Madhya Pradesh by setting up three different industrial units in the Gwalior region of the state. The Adani Groups Mr. Karan Adani informed an Investors Summit in Gwalior that the group would start a defence-manufacturing unit worth Rs 2,500 crore in Shivpuri, a cement grinding unit worth Rs 500 crore in Guna, and a jacket manufacturing unit at Badarwas. Praising the efforts of the Madhya Pradesh government and Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav to boost industrial growth in MP, Adani said such steps would enhance the states economic growth. He pointed out that the jacket-manufacturing unit would provide employment opportunities for many women. Advertisement Addressing investors at the summit on Wednesday, Dr Mohan Yadav asserted that favourable policies, a supportive environment, and administrative cooperation have helped industries grow well in Madhya Pradesh, and several industrial units are being established with a positive mindset. Dr Yadav inaugurated and laid the foundation for 47 new industrial units in the state involving a cost of Rs 1586 crore during the Regional Industry Conclave. These units are expected to create 4752 jobs. Land allocation letters were symbolically handed over to 5 industrial units during the event. Besides, letters of intent were issued for 120 industrial units, with 268 acres of land allocated. This would involve an investment of over Rs 1680 crore and provide 6600 jobs. It was announced to open eight district-level industry facilitation centers in the Gwalior-Chambal region. These centers started functioning on Wednesday in Gwalior, Morena, Bhind, Sheopur, Shivpuri, Datia, Guna, and Ashoknagar. Dr Yadav said that a huge private hospital would be established in Gwalior. The CM emphasized that entrepreneurship development is now possible in a favourable environment in MP. The CM informed that the state government has ensured the payment of dues to the workers of the Hukamchand Mill in Indore. He highlighted the issues related to sick industrial units, saying that they should be resolved and positive decisions would also be taken for resolving pending matters in such units. The CM assured that the problem of JC Mill in Gwalior would also be addressed like that of the Hukamchand Mill. Dr Yadav also paid homage to the late Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia at the Agriculture University campus and visited an exhibition focused on the development prospects of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. Under the MSME department, the inauguration and foundation laying of 19 units were completed, involving an investment of over Rs 265 crore and creating approximately 1000 jobs. Representatives from Mexico and Zambia also attended the conclave. Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan planted saplings at the IARI Campus, PUSA, on Thursday as part of the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (Plant4Mother) campaign. Chouhan informed that the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare will establish a Matri Van on about 1 acre of land. He informed that all subordinate offices of DA&FW, ICAR institutions, CAUs, KVKs, and SAUs across the country also organised a similar tree plantation programme at their respective places at the same time. The Union Minister also informed that over 800 institutions under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare participated in the event on Thursday, during which around 3,000-4,000 saplings were planted. Advertisement He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the global campaign Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam# (Plant4Mother) on World Environment Day on June 5. To support the Prime Ministers resolution, our Ministries have now initiated the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (Plant4Mother) campaign as a mass movement. Chouhan requested all officers, employees, and school students present at the event to participate in the movement and pay their respect to their mothers and Mother Earth by planting trees. Calling the claims made by Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on the citys pollution situation as false and misleading, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva claimed that the pollution situation in Delhi during 2023 was worse as compared to the year 2016. He said 2023 was the darkest year in Delhis history in terms of pollution and alleged due to dust and increased pressure of stubble burning in Punjab, pollution during winter was the worst, and even the air quality during the summer was very poor. He said even in 2024, after January and February, the pollution level remained high during the summer months of May and June, and added that the Kejriwal Government completely failed to improve the air pollution situation. Advertisement Delhis air only clears for a few days when there is heavy rain or strong winds, Sachdeva added. Taking a dig at Rai, Sachdeva said while the environment minister makes statements about winter pollution daily, he remains silent on the biggest contributor to the issue, which he alleged was the stubble burning in Punjab. The Delhi BJP chief further said that Rai should answer whether he has held any meeting with his own partys Chief Minister in Punjab Bhagwant Mann on the issue. He demanded that the Kejriwal Government should answer what action plan it has to reduce pollution caused by dust. Easter, the biggest holiday in the Christian calendar, has one peculiarity. Believers of the Eastern rite (Orthodox, Greek Catholics) and the Western rite (Catholics, Protestants) celebrate it on different dates. But not always. ADVERTISIMENT In 2025, the entire Christian world will celebrate Easter on the same day. OBOZ.UA explains why the dates usually differ and how often they coincide. And when the holiday will be celebrated in 2025. Why different Christian churches celebrate Easter in different ways It's because different churches follow different calendars. Western Christians use the Gregorian calendar, while Eastern Christians use the Julian or New Julian calendar, like the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The key difference between these calendars is the method of calculating the date of Easter. Both methods are based on the date of the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Easter occurs on the first Sunday after this astronomical event. However, according to the Julian or New Julian calendar, the vernal equinox falls on April 3, while according to the Gregorian calendar, it falls on March 21. Thus, for Orthodox Christians, Easter cannot come before April 4. ADVERTISIMENT It is noteworthy that this approach brings the Orthodox tradition of celebrating Easter closer to the Jewish approach to determining the date of Passover. These holidays are linked by the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was arrested and crucified just as he arrived in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. So, logically, the Jewish holiday should be celebrated earlier. The Julian calendar enforces this rule. The Gregorian calendar does not always. However, from an astronomical point of view, the Gregorian calendar is more accurate. This means that Catholic Easter is always closer to the actual vernal equinox. When will Christians celebrate Easter in 2025? The coincidence of the date of Easter according to the Julian (New Julian) and Gregorian calendars occurs every few years. And in 2025, it will happen again. The entire Christian world will celebrate the Resurrection of Christ on April 20. ADVERTISIMENT The last time such a coincidence happened was in 2017. Then the holiday for all Christian denominations fell on April 16. And the next time it will happen in 2028, when we will celebrate the holiday again on April 16. And in 2031, the holiday will fall on April 13. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. India and China on Thursday decided to jointly uphold peace and tranquility on the ground in border areas in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two governments. It was reiterated that the restoration of peace and tranquility, and respect for LAC are the essential basis for the restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations. The 31st meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held this evening in Beijing. Mr Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs led the Indian delegation. The Chinese delegation was led by Mr. Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary & Ocean Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Advertisement In line with the guidance provided by the foreign ministers of the two countries after their meetings in Astana and Vientiane in July to accelerate their discussion, and building on the WMCC meeting held last month, the two sides had a frank, constructive and forward-looking exchange of views on the situation along the LAC to narrow down the differences and find early resolution of the outstanding issues. For this, they further agreed for intensified contact through diplomatic and military channels, the Ministry of External Affairs said. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday accused the Narendra Modi government of not doing anything concrete in the last 10 years to prevent crimes against women. Expressing concern over the incidents of crime against women in the country, Kharge in a post on X wrote, Any injustice done to our women is intolerable, painful and highly condemnable. We need to ensure equal rights for the daughter, not Beti Bachao (campaign). Women do not need protection, they need a fear-free environment. Every hour 43 crimes against women are recorded in the country. Every day, there are 22 crimes that are registered from women and children of the most vulnerable Dalit-Tribal community of our country. There are countless crimes that go unreported due to fear, intimidation and social reasons, he said. Advertisement In an apparent reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modis Independence Day speeches, the Congress chief said, Prime Minister Modi ji has talked about womens safety many times in his speeches from the Red Fort, but his government has not done anything concrete in the last 10 years to prevent crimes against women. Will painting Beti Bachao on every wall bring social change, or will governments and law and order become efficient? Are we able to take preventive steps? Has our criminal justice system improved ? Are the exploited and deprived sections of the society now able to live in a safe environment?, he questioned. Referring to the Nirbhaya case, the Congress chief said, We have to think that when the incident with Nirbhaya happened in Delhi in 2012, the recommendations of the Justice Verma Committee were implemented. Today are we able to implement those recommendations completely? Are the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act passed in 2013 being followed properly, so that a fear-free environment can be created for our women at the workplace?. Pointing out the Constitution has given equal status to women, he said, Crime against women is a serious issue. Stopping these crimes is a big challenge for the country. We all have to come together and find solutions for this by taking every section of the society along. Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, further said, Be it Gender Sensitization Curriculum or Gender Budgeting, Women Call Centers or basic facilities like Street Lights and Women Washrooms in our cities, or our Police Reforms or Judicial Reforms, now the time has come that we take every step that will ensure the rights of women. A fear-free environment can be ensured. Another wolf has been captured from a Bahraich village in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday morning, thanks to swift action of the Forest Department officials. Around seven people, mostly women, have been killed by the wolves in the villages of the UP district. After the capture of the wolf, the most ferocious of the four wolves caught so far, that had struck terror among the residents of over 35 villages; the local population took a big sigh of relief. Of the four wolves caught so far from the Bahraich area, the latest is set to be relocated to Gorakhpur Zoo. Advertisement Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath commended the efforts of the Forest Department officials to ensure the safety of the local community. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Sanjay Srivastava, informed that the wolf was first detected by a thermal drone at 11 pm on Wednesday night. It was monitored again through a drone around 5 am the following morning. After spotting the footprints of the wolf, local Forest Department officials sprang into action and after much effort, successfully captured the wolf from the floodplain of Sisayya village at around 10:45 am. The search for two other wolves is on, he said. Drone mapping was carried out, and efforts were made throughout the day on Wednesday. By continuously tracking its movements, the wolfs location was identified from its footprints on Thursday morning. The team then resorted to physico-chemical immobilization and successfully captured the wolf using a net, he added. Earlier, following the instructions of Chief Minister Adityanath, Forest and Environment Minister Dr. Arun Saxena, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Department Sudhir Kumar Sharma, and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Sanjay Srivastava arrived in Bahraich on Wednesday. After visiting the affected villages and reassuring the residents of safety, the forest minister confirmed that the departments team was fully equipped to capture the wolf, with the chief minister personally overseeing the situation. Within 24 hours of the ministers arrival, the man-eater was successfully captured. After considerable effort, the hard work of the Forest Department bore fruit. The dedicated efforts of the team, who have been working for several weeks, proved successful. Additional Principal Chief Conservator Renu Singh remained on-site throughout, while Bahraichs DFO Ajit Singh, Devipatans Forest Conservator Manoj Sonkar, the campaigns nodal officer, and Barabankis DFO Akash Badhavan, along with their teams, were all consistently prepared to carry out Operation Bhediya. Rae Bareli MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday wrote to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and demanded action against killers of dalit youth Arjun Pasi. Amethi MP KL Sharma, senior party leaders Pramod Tiwari and Aradhana Mishra on Thursday went to the CM office in Lucknow and handed over this letter to Additional Chief Secretary (home) Deepak Kumar. In his letter, Rahul Gandhi wrote that there is fear in the Dalit community due to non-arrest of criminals even after 2 weeks. Recently, after meeting the victims family, Rahul had also met the district DM and SP. Advertisement Arjun Pasi was shot dead on August 11 in Salon area of Rae Bareli. Vishal Singh, the main accused in this case, has not been arrested yet. Rahul Gandhi had also visited Arjun Pasis house recently. Meanwhile, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has directly attacked the recently introduced social media policy of the UP government. She tweeted, You will say whatever you like. If you call day as night, we will also have to call it night. Priyanka asked, In which category will the voices of women demanding justice fall in the social media policy of the Uttar Pradesh government? In which category will the questions raised in the 69,000 teacher recruitment reservation scam? In which category will the exposing of the BJP government by BJP leaders and MLAs fall?. The policy of If you call the day night then it will be night, otherwise jail is another way of suppressing the truth. Cant the BJP think of anything more than crushing democracy and the Constitution?, she said. The central government on Thursday told the Supreme Court that a certificate of identity issued by a district magistrate under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 will be treated as a valid document for applying for a PAN card. A bench of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah said the Union of India has in principle accepted this request and the Union government may consider incorporating it in the rules as well in order to bring clarity. During the pendency of this petition, we sought a reply from Union of India, who has been very supportive in this matter and by and large has accepted all the demands which have been raised in the present petition including the one, that the certificate to be issued under Section 6/7 of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 will be acceptable, if it is given by the district magistrate, the bench said. Advertisement Trinamool Congress, which has five MLAs in the 60-member Meghalaya house urged Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma on Wednesday to give the Leader of Opposition (LoP) post to the party as it is claiming the support of the lone Congress legislator. Speaker Sangma said former Chief minister and Trinamool leader Mukul Sangma (2010-2018) formally submitted to him for the LoP post. Mukul Sangma, demanding the LoP post, claimed that the Trinamool has the support of lone Congress MLA Ronnie V Lyngdoh. I am now examining the proposal as per the rules of procedure of the house and will take a decision at the earliest, the Speaker said. Advertisement In February last years Assembly polls, Trinamool and the Congress had secured five seats each. However, of the five Congress MLAs, three recently joined the ruling National Peoples Party (NPP) headed by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma while another legislator Saleng A Sangmaone got elected to the recent Lok Sabha election from the Tura Parliamentary constituency reducing the number of party member in the Assembly to just one. The Speaker quoting the rules said that to get the LoP post the members strength has to be 10 per cent of the 60-member assembly. Trinamool with the support of the Congress MLA has fulfilled the minimum 10 per cent criteria for the LoP post, but other things have to be considered to allot the LoP post to the Trinamool. Trinamool also requested the Speaker that the post of opposition chief whip be given to the lone Congress MLA. On August 19, three Congress MLAs, Celestine Lyngdoh, Charles Marngar, and Gabriel Wahlang, joined the NPP in the presence of the Meghalaya Chief Minister. Meghalaya Congress President Vincent Pala accused the NPP of being involved in a cash transaction for taking away three Congress MLAs to the ruling partys fold. The Uttarakhand government will implement the QR Code-based Digital Deposit Refund Scheme (DDRS) across the state to make hill areas plastic-free. Launching the scheme in Dehradun on Wednesday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said it would require tourists coming to Uttarakhand to deposit their used plastic materials at the DDRS centres. The Dhami Government in the state will open the DDRS collection centres in the hill areas to collect plastic waste, carrying QR codes, from the tourists and local public. Advertisement The decision was taken after the success of a pilot project in Rudraprayag town, on the way to Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines, implemented a couple of years ago. The Rudraprayag district was also declared one of the best and proficient users of the Digital Deposit Scheme for the collection of plastic materials and was rewarded Digital India Award 2022. Although the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board has not disclosed the number of DDRS centers it plans to set up, officials confided that tourists carrying plastic materials to the hills would have to deposit their plastic items at these centres. As per the scheme, people carrying waste plastic items will have to scan QR Codes on them to detect the nearest collection center. They will be paid back a fixed amount of the cost of their materials on scanning the barcode at the plastic collection centers. According to UPCB officials, implementation of the DDRS will help bring back plastic wastes in circular economy loot and ensure the conservation of natural resources and the environment. The chief minister said, DDRS is an important step to protect the environment, reduce plastic consumption and maximum possible recycle of the plastic materials. The initiative will help create a clean environment and minimise garbage collection in the Char Dham Yatra routes and other tourist places in the hills. Dhami added that rivers, forests, and mountains are the heritages and identities of the Himalayan state but massive use of plastics has run the risk of their deterioration. Schemes like the DDRS will prove a long-term solution for their safety. Ahead of the 16th Central Finance Commission, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said that he will strongly demand to increase the tax share during the commissions meeting. Grievances regarding the injustices faced by Karnataka under the 15th Finance Commission will be detailed in the meeting. Karnataka has been one of the most neglected states and there will be a strong demand to increase the tax share from 41 per cent to 50 per cent, the Chief Minister said. The 16th Central Finance Commission is scheduled for Thursday (August 29). Advertisement He said that the Centre is indifferent towards the southern state and the people must raise a voice against this injustice. We are raising the issue of discrimination against Karnataka and other southern states of India by Centre. We must voice our concerns against this injustice. We are not advocating for weakening the federal structure but we are against the injustice, the Chief Minister said. He said that the state will also insist that a portion of the revenue from cesses and surcharges should be allocated to the states. It will be emphasised to the chairman of the Finance Commission that while cesses and surcharges have been increasing, the tax allocation to the state has been decreasing, the Chief Minister said. Siddaramaiah had earlier urged the Central government to change the criterion for the 16th Finance Commission concerning the allotment of tax money to states. He made this plea while addressing a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi organised by the Karnataka government, highlighting the alleged injustice to Karnataka in the Interim Budget in February 2024. Siddaramaiah had emphasised the need for the central government to release the Rs 1.87 lakh crore loss incurred by the state since 2014. Under the devolution of taxes, Karnataka was initially given a 4.71 per cent share, which subsequently decreased to 3.64 per cent. This reduction resulted in a 1.07 per cent loss, amounting to Rs 62,098 crore for the state in tax devolution. Should we not protest against this injustice? The 15th Finance Commission considered the 2011 Census, the Chief Minister said. He said that North Indian states did not control population growth, while South Indian states did. Consequently, the population of North India increased, and that of South India decreased. Unfortunately, controlling population growth turned out to be a curse for us. I am not suggesting that poorer Indian states should not be allocated more funds, the Chief Minister said. Why did Commonwealth Secretary Philip Noel Baker take such an anti-India stand? Was he acting with the support of Attlee? After all, of all the UNSC members, Britain had the longest experience of dealing with the affairs of the Indian sub-continent. Moreover, as Commonwealth Secretary, Noel-Baker must have had access to the information sent by the British High Commissioner in New Delhi, as well as to the Reports sent by Lord Mountbatten, then Governor-General of India, to the King. Then why this blatant partiality? Was it because of his own antipathy towards Nehrus India or the advice given to him by some pro-Pakistan elements in the Commonwealth Relations Office (CRO), as allegedly happened in 1965 when Harold Wilson was the Prime Minister? The proceedings in the Security Council greatly disappointed India. Expressing his feeling of dismay, Nehru said on 15 February 1948: Instead of discussing and deciding on our reference in a straightforward manner, the nations of the world sitting in that body got lost in power politics. He was not alone in voicing such disappointment. Even The Times (London) wrote on 14 February 1948: a prolonged shock has been administered to Indian opinion by the course which the discussion at Lake Success has followed. According to Alan Campbell-Johnson, Lord Mountbatten also felt that Attlee and Noel-Baker did not seem to be sufficiently aware of the psychological influences of this dispute and that their attempt to deal out even-handed diplomacy is producing heavy-handed diplomacy. Perhaps as a reaction to such criticisms, or maybe because of Nehrus request to the British Prime Minister, conveyed to him by Lord Mountbatten, it seems Attlee did intervene at this stage in a way which was favourable to India. As much was claimed later by Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan, the former Foreign Minister of Pakistan. Advertisement What is significant, in a strictly personal and confidential letter to Attlee, Krishna Menon wrote on 1 September 1948: The Kashmir business at New York was a great shock to us, perhaps far more than I have been able to convey to you. Thanks to your intervention, it has somewhat improved, but it is a running sore which has affected good relations between our two peoples. (Italics added). This remained a running sore in Indo-British relations during the 1950s, especially because of the anti-India posture of the British government in the UNSC debates on Kashmir in 1957. Even Aneurin Bevan, the Labour Party leader, was quite critical of the British governments action. It is possible to argue that the personal relations that some of Indias foreign policy elites had developed with the leaders of the British government during the initial years of Indias independence did help in arresting the deterioration in Indo-British relations. In the post-Nehru years, however, very few Labour leaders had that sort of relationship with their Indian counterparts and the changes in Britains domestic politics and foreign policy orientations led to a decline in Indo-British relations in the second half of the 1960s that was triggered by the British governments partisan attitude to the India-Pakistan war of 1965. The year 1965 began with India and Pakistan complaining against each other for violation of the cease-fire line (CFL) in Jammu and Kashmir. But a change could be seen in Pakistans public posturing. The first signs of Pakistans aggressive designs could be seen in the Rann of Kutch on and from 9 April 1965, when in a calibrated move Pakistan escalated the conflict from what were clashes between the patrolling parties of the two sides till the end of March, to a military confrontation. However, further escalation was avoided by the timely intervention of the British and US governments. The armed conflict ended with Britains mediatory efforts, with the two British High Commissioners in New Delhi and Islamabad working for de-escalation of the conflict. Finally, it was Prime Minister Harold Wilsons personal initiative to bring about a reconciliation between Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and President Ayub Khan, on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conference in London (June 1965), assisted by Arthur Bottomley, then Commonwealth Secretary, that led to the signing of a ceasefire agreement by India and Pakistan on 30 June. The two sides agreed to restore the status quoante as on 1 January 1965. The Rann of Kutch dispute was ultimately settled through international arbitration in which India was awarded ninetenths of the territory in the Rann. For Pakistan, the Rann of Kutch adventure was a low-cost test of Indias willingness and ability to fight. Its ultimate aim was to have a settlement of the Kashmir issue by using force, before further accretion to Indias military stren gth through procurement of arms. Pakistan started sending armed men, generally not in uniform, across the CFL to Jammu and Kashmir from 5 August 1965, for the purpose of armed action on the Indian side as stated by the Secretary General in his report to the UNSC. The Press and the radio in Pakistan started a disinformation campaign alleging the outbreak of a popular revolt in Kashmir, to prepare the ground for military intervention by Pakistan. On 1 September 1965, the Pakistani Army launched a massive attack on the Chhamb-Jaurian sector in Jammu, with an estimated 70 to 90 tanks, in a bid to cut off the Indian supply line to Kashmir. The attack was launched at a point where the international border in Punjab met the CFL (now the LoC) in J&K. Unable to dislodge the Pakistani forces from areas occupied by them, the Indian Army launched a counter-of fensive on 6 September, across the India-Pakistan international border in Punjab towards Lahore in a bid to relieve Pakistani pressure in Jammu and to prevent any possible attack on India across the international border in Punjab. The armies of the two sides were locked in a see-saw battle along the international border in Punjab and Rajasthan, with limited air offensives, until a ceasefire was brought about by the UNSC on 25 September. Although none of the parties gained an outright victory, as happened in 1971, India succeeded in foiling Pakistans attempt to wrest Kashmir by force. One of the diplomatic casualties of the India-Pakistan war was Indias relations with Britain because of the attitude of the British press as well as of the British government. After the war ended, there was considerable soul searching by British commentators and journalists. The New Delhi correspondent of The Times (London) wrote on 28 September 1965 that in British comments on the war there remained a thin but persistent note of malice against India English gibes about nonviolence reveal ignorance as well as spite. But it was the role of British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, particularly the statement issued by him on 6 September 1965 that caused more harm to Indo- British relations. On 3 September, two days after the Pakistani attack, he had sent personal messages to Prime Minister Shastri and President Ayub expressing concern over the deteriorating situation. These messages were identically worded and non-condemnatory. But after the Indian forces crossed the international border in Punjab, the British Prime Minister issued a statement that caused serious resentment in India. He said: I am deeply concerned at the increasingly serious fighting between India and Pakistan and especially at the news that Indian forces have attacked Pakistani territory across the international frontier in the Punjab. This is a distressing response to the resolution adopted by the Security Council on September 4, calling for a ceasefire. I have therefore appealed in most urgent terms to both President Ayub and Mr. Shastri to respond to the Security Council resolution and bring the present fighting to an immediate end. This statement was certainly anti-India as there was no mention of the fact that Pakistan had initiated the conflict in August, by sending armed infiltrators to Jammu and Kashmir and then launching, on 1 September, a massive attack in the Chhamb-Jaurian sector of Jammu. Indo-British relations reached a new low. (The writer is Professor (Retired) of International Relations and former Dean, Faculty of Arts, Jadavpur University) The visit of US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to China underscores the strategic importance of the US-China relationship. Despite the Biden administrations focus on other global challenges, such as the war in Ukraine and the crises in West Asia, it is clear that managing ties with China remains a priority. This visit, which follows several high-level meetings between Mr Sullivan and Chinese officials, comes at a time of continued tensions between the two nations. It signals that even in the twilight of President Joe Bidens tenure, the administration is keen to lay the groundwork for stable relations with Beijing. The timing of this visit is significant. With the US presidential election on the horizon and Mr Biden stepping back in favour of Vice President Kamala Harris, there is a sense that Washington is seeking to secure its diplomatic legacy with China. Mr Sullivans trip, therefore, serves not only as a continuation of Mr Bidens foreign policy but also as a potential bridge to the next administration. This is crucial, as the next US president, whether it be Ms Harris or former President Donald Trump, will inherit a complex and delicate relationship with China that will require careful management. For China, this visit represents what its foreign ministry has described as a critical juncture in its relationship with the United States. Beijing is keenly aware of the potential for further deterioration in ties, especially if a more hawkish administration takes over in Washington. The spectre of Mr Trumps return to the White House, with his promises of increased tariffs and a tougher stance on trade, looms large over these discussions. As such, China is likely using this opportunity to assert its priorities and test the waters for future engagement with the US. One of the central issues at play is Taiwan. For China, Taiwan remains a non-negotiable red line, and any perceived support for Taiwanese independence by the US is met with strong opposition. Advertisement High-profile diplomatic visits and recognition of Taiwans elections are seen as provocations by Beijing, and Mr Sullivans visit will likely include discussions on how to manage this sensitive issue without escalating tensions further. Chinas stance on Taiwan, coupled with its concerns over US tariffs and military presence in Asia, will undoubtedly shape the tone of the talks. From the US perspective, the relationship has become increasingly complicated by Chinas actions in Asia and its support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict. Mr Sullivan is likely to press Beijing on these issues, particularly the supply of microchips and other materials to Russia. The Biden administrations strategy has been to manage the rivalry with China through diplomacy and strategic competition, rather than outright confrontation. However, this approach has been challenged by recent events, and Mr Sullivans visit will test whether this strategy can still be effective. As both sides engage in these critical discussions, the outcome could set the tone for US-China relations for the immediate future Handbags were a must-have female accessory as far back as 12,000 years ago. Researchers have discovered ancient wall carvings depicting square objects with short semicircular handles that resemble modern ladies' accessories. ADVERTISIMENT Scientists assume that handbags were among women's items long before makeup, perfume, and even hair combs. Some scientists argue that the idea of a handbag could have been created by ancient civilizations, writes DailyMail. The earliest images of something that looks like a handbag were discovered in Turkey among the ruins of Gobekli Tepe. This is an ancient megalithic temple that had large stone pillars engraved with images of animals and handbags. ADVERTISIMENT Gobekli Tepe was built in 9000 BC with large T-shaped stone pillars arranged in a circle that were used for public events and rituals. Some of the images in the temple look like clothing, belts, loincloths, and handbags. Although experts don't know exactly what these motifs mean, they have suggested that ancient people saw the pattern in connection with space. For example, the square "bag" could mean the Earth, and the connected circle was a symbol of spirituality. After all, ancient texts have shown that past civilizations considered the Earth to be flat, so perhaps they depicted it as a square in their art. However, some researchers argue that this design was a connection between our planet and the sky. ADVERTISIMENT Archaeologists have found similar drawings in Mexico, Iraq, and some parts of South America. Here, scientists have even more questions about the meaning of the motif, i.e. how ancient civilizations imagined the same object. The images found are almost identical to modern wallets or small handbags. But some researchers see baskets in those drawings. Huge stone statues found in the ancient Toltec capital of Tula, Mexico, also show figures clutching a handbag to their side. These monumental monuments were created in 750 AD. ADVERTISIMENT Another early example of the clutch was found in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics made about 5000 years ago. They depict gods carrying a small square purse symbolizing prosperity. Archaeologists have made similar discoveries in Iraq. Huge rock slabs found among the ruins of an Assyrian palace built between 883 and 859 BC depicted a genie with wings carrying a purse. Many experts agree that the accessory was created to carry the magic potion that the genie splashed around the halls. "They carry what people call handbags, but they are actually buckets. They are buckets for carrying water from the sacred date palms," said historian Dr. David Miano. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! A total of 31 people were killed in unprecedented floods caused by seasonal rains in parts of Bangladesh, a government report said on Wednesday. According to the report by the National Disaster Response Coordination Center under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, 12 deaths were reported in Cumilla district, some 96 km east of the capital Dhaka. The ongoing devastating floods have left 1.23 million people marooned in about a dozen southeastern and northeastern districts. Nearly 6 million people were affected by the sudden flash flood and water congestion in 11 out of the countrys total 64 districts, said the report. Advertisement In addition, over half a million people have taken shelter in 4,003 centres, according to the ministry, Xinhua news agency reported. Bangladeshi interim governments Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus urged all concerned to continue their efforts in rescuing stranded people, providing emergency healthcare and extending cooperation for the victims. The authorities have sent teams of disaster response forces to carry out rescue operations, distribute relief materials and supervise centers where the flood-affected people have taken shelter. Unknown gunmen on Wednesday shot dead three family members and burned their bodies in Iraqs Salahudin region, a provincial police source said. The attack occurred after the gunmen stormed the house of Safaa al-Janabi in the town of Baiji, some 200 km north of Baghdad, killing al-Janabi, his wife, and their 10-year-old child, said Mohammed al-Bazi from the media office of the provincial police command. The gunmen also burned the victims bodies and their house before fleeing the scene, Mohammed al-Bazi said, Xinhua news agency reported. Advertisement Iraqi security forces rushed to the scene and launched a search operation in the area looking for the attackers, the official added. On October 26, 2021, Islamic State (IS) militants killed 11 people including a woman in an attack on a village in Diyala province, Iraq. On October 30, 2019, masked gunmen had opened fire at Iraqi protesters in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, killing 18 people and injuring hundreds others. Olga Harlan, the most titled athlete in the history of Ukraine, admitted that after the 2012 Olympic Games she was offered to change her citizenship and play for the Russian national team. As an incentive, our fencer was promised "big money". ADVERTISIMENT "Any specific amounts? I don't remember, to be honest. I remember that I didn't even think about it. I said: "No, I can't do it". The main thing is that I can't be against my team. I didn't have the idea that I was going to fence there, it was just business - no, I can't do it. I want to be at home, I want to be in Ukraine and represent our country. That's it," Harlan said in an interview with Anatoliy Anatoliyovych on the Ze Interviewer YouTube channel. As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Olga Harlan won gold in the final of the 2024 Olympic Games in team sabre fencing, becoming the sixth Ukrainian athlete to win an Olympic medal. This made her the most titled Ukrainian athlete in the history of our country's performances at the Olympics. ADVERTISIMENT On August 22, 2024, Harlana was awarded the National Legend of Ukraine award. Olga came to this solemn ceremony in an exquisite embroidered dress from a Ukrainian brand called 2KOLYORY. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Job Title: Senior Human Resource Officer Employee Relations Organisation: Bank of Africa Uganda Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda About the Company: Bank of Africa Uganda Limited is part of GROUPE BANK OF AFRICA (BOA) comprising 16 Commercial Banks, 3 Leasing Companies, 2 Investment Companies, a Stock Brokerage Company, an Asset Management Company and a Mortgage Bank. It spans 15 African countries and France, employing over 5,000 people. Job Summary: The Senior Human Resource Officer is in charge of ensuring that HR function operates within the specified Bank guidelines in line with operations and relations to the productivity and morale of the work force. The role provides support with regards to HR Operations, Employee relations /internal relations and Employee welfare. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Responsible for handling and management of disciplinary matters in the Bank. This shall include adherence to the disciplinary management framework. The SHRO shall also manage Court/Legal Cases with the Banks Legal department under supervision of the Head of Human Resources. Ensure implementation of Bank ethics policy and ensure regulatory compliance of HR Operations and staff. Support Talent management through recruitment and selection, carrying out interviews, preparation of interview reports in line with the Banks service level agreements. Support review of Bank Human Resource Management Policy and Manual to ensure that it is line with the laws and regulations that govern employment. Support performance management process of the Bank, this includes yearly performance reviews, confirmations and contracts reviews. Manage leave for all staff in the Bank. This shall include ensuing that the right allotted leave is booked in the Banks Human Resource Management System, leave schedules are prepared by staff and submitted to HR, leave reminders are made on a monthly basis and preparation of leave reports. Process staff loans in compliance with the Banks policy and procedures governing loan process and service level agreements. Management of grievances raised by staff ensuring that proper and documented feedback (where necessary) is given to the staff. Manage staff welfare by managing the Banks medical scheme, provident fund, workmans compensation, health club and any other benefits that may be approved by Management from time to time. Monitor staff costs that are within HRs mandate to ensure that they are within the departments approved budget. Drive employee awareness campaigns in pursuit of employee engagement. This covers management of available engagement activities and initiation of new engagement activities. These shall include but not limited to periodic climate surveys, internal Bank campaigns, staff get together events, Branch visits. Manage contracts between HR and both internal and external parties to ensure that they are within the agreed timelines. Manage HR relations with external parties. These include HR service providers, Federation of Ugandan Employers, Labour Office KCCA among others. Prepare month on month reports for Management review in the areas of discipline and grievance, leave, service level standards and engagement activities. Carry out any other duties as may be assigned from time to time. Advertisement Qualifications, Skills and Experience: Bachelors degree from a reputable institution is an essential Post graduate diploma / Masters in Business Administration or Human Resource is an added advantage Understanding of employment legislation Professional Experience 3 or more years working experience in a modern HR environment. 3 or more years experience of financial institutions will be an added advantage Proficient in various applications (i.e. MS Office, excel, internet use) Personal Specifications Ability to organize, prioritize with a pro-active can do attitude Good strategic and conceptual skills Good interpersonal skills Good communication skills (written and oral) Good report writing skills Ability to coordinate and deliver Good listening skills Good analytical skills How to Apply: All candidates who wish to join Bank of Africa should apply online at the link below. Click Here Deadline: 6th September 2024 For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline Date Posted 2024-08-29T15:57 Valid Through 2024-09-07T00:00 Employment Type FULL_TIME Hiring Organization Bank of Africa Group BMCE Africa Job Location Kampala, Kampala, Kampala , 0256, Uganda Related Jobs Rumors about the N Vision 74 update have been circulating among car enthusiasts for a long time. Hyundai has finally confirmed plans to put its very popular N Vision 74 concept into production. The announcement was part of Hyundai's plans to launch 21 new models by 2030. ADVERTISIMENT The auto giant will introduce the N Vision 74 as one of its future high-performance electric vehicles. The details were revealed by Motor1 publication. Currently, there is very limited information about the future novelty. The manufacturer has not released any data about the drivetrain or performance characteristics for the production N Vision 74. We can only speculate whether Hyundai will retain the concept's 671 horsepower hydrogen fuel cell or switch to an all-electric drivetrain. Given the lack of mass adoption of hydrogen power, experts are betting on the latter. Back in December 2023, there were rumors that Hyundai was planning to launch the N Vision 74 in very limited numbers, only 100 planned units (70 for road use and another 30 for racing). ADVERTISIMENT The production N Vision 74 will develop 800 hp through a hydrogen powertrain with dual electric motors. Another report from The Korean Car Blog claims that the figure will be closer to 775 hp. Either way, the car's speed will be pretty decent. Hyundai has not released any details regarding the production timeline, except that the car will be produced by 2030. The Korean Car Blog suggests that production will begin in 2026, and that research and development of the car is already gaining momentum. Subscribe to the channels OBOZ.UA in Telegram and Viber to be aware of the latest events. If it was oil and chemicals that propelled Reliance Industries to being the large behemoth in the 1990s and 2000s, new energy and new technology are set to be the next big drivers. Addressing shareholders at the 47th post-IPO annual general meeting on Thursday, Mukesh Ambani, the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries (RIL) said the size of the oil-to-telecom conglomerate would more than double before the end of the decade and growing faster in the decades ahead. The company also separately announced that its board would meet on September 5 to consider the issue of bonus shares in the 1:1 ratio. This announcement cheered investors, with the RIL stock closing 1.5 per cent higher at Rs 3,040.85. Focus on new energy business A key focus of Ambani's AGM speech was the update on its new energy business. It was at the AGM in 2021 that Ambani announced RIL's plans to enter the new energy business with an investment of Rs 75,000 crore. He is now confident that in the next 5-7 years the business could deliver the earning capacity, what its O2C business achieved in 40 years. RIL's telecom arm Jio and Reliance Retail are also expected to double their revenues and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) in the next 3-4 years, according to him. Sharing his update, he informed shareholders on Thursday that the production of their own solar photo-voltaic modules would commence by the end of this year. "In the following quarters, we will complete the first phase of our integrated solar production facilities. This includes modules, cells, glass, wafer, ingot, and polysilicon, with an initial annual capacity of 10 GW," he noted. According to Ambani, the giga-factory is designed for modular expansion at minimal cost and in the shortest time possible. RIL has also significantly enhanced its research and development capabilities by establishing a prototyping, testing and validation lab in India and the company is also expanding its advanced solar technology lab in Singapore. This would provide a path to upgrade its first-generation products through cost reductions, optimisation of supply chains and improvements in efficiency, he said. Separately, RIL has also begun construction of an integrated advanced chemistry-based battery manufacturing facility with an annual capacity of 30 GWh at Jamnagar, the production of which will commence by the second half of next year. The modular design will allow it to rapidly expand annual capacity in multiples of 30 GWh, catering to domestic and global demand. Shri Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited, welcomes all the shareholders to the 47th Annual General Meeting (Post-IPO) of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) #RILAGM #WeCare #RelianceForAll pic.twitter.com/C2eO1ktKFf Reliance Industries Limited (@RIL_Updates) August 29, 2024 "We will start by assembling battery energy storage systems (BESS) for utility-scale applications and pack solutions for residential, commercial, industrial, telecom, and mobility markets. Progressively, over the next few quarters, we will integrate backwards into cell manufacturing and eventually into battery chemicals production. This will create the world's only fully integrated battery giga-factory, driving synergies across the value chain," said Ambani. Groups plan to set up biogas plants At the AGM in 2023, Ambani announced the group's plans to set up biogas plants. Sharing the update at this year's AGM, he noted that the company was rapidly expanding its investments in bioenergy and from two demo units a couple of years ago, the aim was to reach 55 operating compressed biogas plants by 2025. The biogas initiative, he claimed, would increase the income of farmers and generate over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs in rural areas. RIL has also initiated an energy plantation pilot on 1,000 acres of arid wasteland to establish a first-of-its-kind integrated compressed biogas plant. Reliance is more than just a company. It is a proud national institution, an institution that belongs to the people of India. #RILAGM #WeCare #RelianceForAll pic.twitter.com/tYwTKJSdC0 Reliance Industries Limited (@RIL_Updates) August 29, 2024 Jamnagar in Gujarat will become the "cradle" of its new energy business by next year and the Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy giga manufacturing complex will be the world's largest most modern, modular and integrated ecosystem at a single location, envisioned Ambani. "We are on track to fully commit and invest up to Rs 75,000 crore to establish this manufacturing ecosystem, extensively enabled by all emerging technologies including AI, IoT, Machine Learning, and Robotics. Our complete ownership and automation of the integrated value chains will allow us to maximise margins that are higher than those of stand-alone, non-integrated players," said Ambani. To support the investments, RIL was committed to partnering with global technology companies, building R&D capabilities and expanding its large dynamic talent pool, he added. Meanwhile, RIL has secured access to nearly 2,000 acres of land at Gujarat's Kandla port, complementing its existing marine infrastructure at Jamnagar and this integrated coastal infrastructure will provide the company with a competitive advantage for the production, storage, evacuation, and shipping of green fuels to various domestic and global markets, pointed Ambani. "We believe that our New Energy business will be truly uniquedelivering cash flows that are less cyclical and more predictable. I am, therefore, confident that in the next 5 to 7 years, our New Energy growth engine can aim to deliver an earning capacity, like what our existing O2C business earns and what it has achieved over the last four decades," Ambani proclaimed. Apart from new energy, new technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) was also a major focus of the AGM today. To streamline AI adoption, Jio is developing a suite of tools and platforms that span the entire AI lifecycle, which it calls Jio Brain. "Jio Brain enables us to accelerate AI adoption across Jio, driving faster decisions, more accurate predictions, and better understanding of customer needs. We are also starting to use Jio Brain to drive a similar transformation across other Reliance operating companies, and to fast-track their AI journey as well," said Ambani. He added that by perfecting Jio Brain within RIL, it could create a powerful AI service platform that could be offered to other enterprises too. It plans to establish gigawatt-scale AI-ready data centres in Jamnagar powered by RIL's green energy. "We also plan to create multiple AI inference facilities across our captive locations throughout the country, which we will scale up to support the growing demand. In parallel, we will partner with leading global technology companies and innovators to bring the most advanced AI models and solutions and tools to India," said Ambani. As a part of a welcome offer, Jio users will get 100 GB of free cloud storage to store and access their photos, videos, documents and other digital content and data. This Jio AI-Cloud welcome offer is planned to be launched starting Diwali this year. Upcoming features for Jio TV and Jio phone users At the AGM, Akash Ambani also threw light on various new features coming to Jio TV and Jio phone users. This includes Jio Phonecall AI, which lets users use AI to record and store any call in the Jio cloud and automatically transcribe voice to text. This feature is also capable of summarising the call and transcribing it into another language. RIL also continues to expand its existing businesses like retail and O2C into newer segments. For instance, in jewellery, Reliance Retail has ambitious plans to enter the luxury jewellery segment. It is also exploring the fashion jewellery and accessories segment to broaden its market reach, noted Isha Ambani. Separately, RIL aims to leverage its exploration and production expertise to develop low-carbon energy solutions, including geothermal energy, underground coal gasification, natural hydrogen, and helium. RIL is building India's first world-class integrated carbon fibre plant at Hazira, which it says will rank among the top three units globally. Ambani further said that RIL's new integrated facilities in the Vinyl value chain will add 1.5 million tonnes per annum of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and CPVC (chlorinated PVC) at Dahej and Nagothane by the year 2026-27. It is also adding a million tonnes of speciality polyester capacity by the year 2026-27, which will be further integrated backwards with a 3 million tonne PTA (purified terephthalic acid) capacity by 2027. A rape case filed against actor-turned-politician and CPI(M) MLA M. Mukesh has placed the ruling party in a more difficult position. The FIR against the MLA has been registered at Maradu Police Station under IPC Section 376 (rape), a non-bailable offence. Additionally, Sections 354 and 509, which pertain to assault or criminal force intended to outrage a woman's modesty and insulting a woman's modesty through words, gestures, or acts, have also been filed against him. Mukesh is the third high-profile figure from the Malayalam cinema industry to face an FIR in the wake of the #MeToo movement, which was triggered following the Hema committee report that exposed widespread sexual exploitation, assault and abuse within the industry. Despite the charges, Mukesh is still part of the film policy formulation committee formed by the state's culture ministry. Since the scandal broke, Mukesh has withdrawn from public events and refrained from making statements. However, on Tuesday, he took to social media to call for an impartial investigation into the allegations against all film professionals, including himself. He also claimed that the person who accused him had attempted to blackmail him for money. Earlier, a group of 100 prominent women cultural figures and activists released a joint statement demanding that Mukesh resign from his position as MLA and step down from the film policy committee. Prominent women leaders from the Left, including Brinda Karat and Annie Raja, also condemned Mukesh, with Raja explicitly calling for his resignation as an MLA. However, Left Democratic Front convenor E.P. Jayarajan dismissed the demands for Mukesh's resignation, questioning whether other MLAs accused of similar offences had stepped down. He referenced the 2017 case against Congress MLA M. Vincent, who was charged with sexually abusing a 51-year-old homemaker, and the 2022 case against another Congress MLA Eldose Kunnappillil, who faced charges of rape and attempted murder. Jayarajan emphasized that these legislators did not resign and reiterated that the left government is committed to protecting women and will not shield abusers. After Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra, a Kerala man has accused Malayalam film director Ranjith of sexually abusing him. The accused said the incident happened in 2012 in a five-star hotel in Bengaluru. The man revealed to a local Malayalam channel that he met the director for the first time in Kerala's Kozhikode when the latter was shooting for a movie titled 'Bavuttiyude Namathil'. He managed to meet Ranjith and told him about his interest in acting in movies. Ranjith responded by giving him his contact number with instructions to text and not call. He texted Ranjith and was invited by the filmmaker to meet him at a hotel in Bengaluru. When he arrived at the hotel, the receptionist informed him that the visit hours were over, but Ranjith asked him to get in via the back entrance. He met Ranjith inside the room and found him in an inebriated state. The man alleged that Ranjith forced him to drink alcohol before urging him to strip. "The director said he wanted to see how I looked without clothes in a mirror and wanted to take some pictures to show his girlfriend who was also an actor and stayed in the same room," the man charged. The victim said he was sexually abused by the director, who avoided him after the incident. The man said he was traumatised by the assault and decided to come forward with a complaint after the Hema Committee report was released. He added that he complained to a prominent actress in Malayalam about the incident but she ignored his laments. The latest allegations come just two days after a case was registered against Ranjith after Sreelekha Mitra filed a complaint against him with the Kochi City Police Commissioner. Mitra alleged that Ranjith had touched her inappropriately with sexual intent after inviting her to act in the movie Paleri Manikyam in 2009. Kochi Police Commissioner S Syamsundar said a case under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty) has been registered against Ranjith. Veteran Malayalam actor Siddique, who is being probed for sexually assaulting an actor in 2016, had reserved a room in the Thiruvananthapuram Mascot Hotel, police found out. The hospitality establishment's registry showed that Siddique had checked in on January 28, 2016. This date matches the period mentioned by the survivor in her complaint. Following the release of the Hema Committee report, a young female actor had alleged Siddique of sexual misconduct in 2016. ALSO READ | Mollywood MeToo allegations: Kerala police file 17 cases against Malayalam artistes including Siddique The complainant had said it was in January or February of 2016 that she was sexually assaulted by the actor during the preview of a movie. The data gathered from the establishment confirmed that the preview did take place, and Siddique was present for the event, ManoramaOnline said in a report. The Kerala Police will record statements of hotel staff, the parents of the survivor and other attendees of the preview show as part of the probe against Siddique, the news report added. According to the survivor, she was 21 years old, when the senior actor invited her to Mascot Hotel for a discussion. Siddique is accused of sexually assaulting the woman in his room before locking her up. She managed to flee later and was not let out intentionally, the complaint says. According to her complainant, many women in the industry had had similar "bad experiences" from Siddique. ALSO READ | Minu Muneer files sex abuse complaints against Malayalam actors, other victims too come forward Thiruvananthapuram Museum Police is investigating Siddique under IPC 376 and 506 for the rape of the woman. The 61-year-old actor had resigned as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (A.M.M.A) after the allegations surfaced. A Denmark court on Thursday rejected India's request to extradite the Danish national wanted over the 1995 Purulia weapons smuggling case. India has for years sought to have Niels Holck, also known as Kim Peter Davy, extradited to stand trial on suspicion of supplying a West Bengal rebel group with around four tons of weapons. A Latvian Antonov An-26 aircraft flew over Indian airspace in December 1995, dropping weapons over the village of Joupur in West Bengals Purulia district. Citing violation of the extradition act, Denmark rejected Indias request. The court ruled that sending Holck to India would violate the countrys extradition act due to a risk that he would be subjected to treatment in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights. India is yet to take a decision on going for an appeal on the courts ruling. Meanwhile, Davy's lawyer Jonas Christoffersen told Reuters, "It's been six years of negotiating the conditions between the public prosecutor and India. Now the court says that his safety can't be guaranteed." Holck had admitted in the court that he was onboard a Russian cargo plane with six others, smuggling weapons into West Bengal in 1995. Kim Davy was allegedly the mastermind behind the operation. According to Holck, the arms were supplied for people associated with Ananda Marga, a rebel movement that needed weapons to defend against soldiers of the communist party in power in West Bengal at the time. However, the weapons landed elsewhere than planned and were discovered by the Indian authorities. The whole crew in India was prosecuted and imprisoned, except for Holckwho escaped to Nepal and returned to Denmark in 1996. The trial in Denmark did not rule on whether Holck was innocent or not so far. Did AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge's family get priority over 72 Dalit entrepreneurs in the seniority list for land allotment? BJPs Chalavadi T Narayanaswamy, leader of the opposition in Karnataka Legislative Council, who on August 27 petitioned the Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot to dismiss IT-BT minister Priyank Kharge from the state cabinet, has alleged Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) allotted the land in a haste within a month to favour the Kharge family. The Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka is once again facing allegations of corruption and nepotism in the allotment of land. After Siddaramaiah, it is now Rajya Sabha member Mallikarjun Kharge and his son Karnataka IT-BT minister Priyanka Kharge who are under the scanner over the allotment of five acres of land in Bengaluru to a trust run by the Kharge family. Earlier, BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Lahar Singh Siroya had alleged that Siddhartha Vihar Trust run by the Kharge family has been allotted five acres of the 45.94 acres in the Hi-tech Defence and Aerospace Park by Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) under the Scheduled Caste (SC) quota in March this year. When did Kharge family turn into aerospace entrepreneurs to be eligible for KIADBs civic amenities (CA) site? How did industries minister MB Patil allot this land?," demanded Siroya adding that the Trust comprised Mallikarjun Kharge, his wife Radhabai, his son-in-law Radhakrishna and sons Priyank and Rahul. Launching a fresh attack on the Congress government, Narayanaswamy said, "The allotment of land was made in haste and by flouting the norms. Some rules were changed to commercial site into civic amenity (CA) site." The process of site allotment takes months. But the KIADB completed the process in one month just ahead of Parliamentary elections," alleged the MLC. "KIDAB issued notification on February 5, 2024, for 193 CA sites measuring 377.69 acres across 12 districts. The applications were made available online from February 8 and the last date was February 23. The Single Window agency scrutinised the applications on March 4, and the next day, all allotments were made. The process was done in haste and only 283 applications were received due to the short time. Kharge family was given preference even as some entrepreneurs have been waiting for the land since 2022 after paying the initial deposit (10 per cent of land cost). The Kharges got five acres while a majority of Dalit entrepreneurs who were lucky to get the allotment this time were given five guntas to a quarter acre. The social welfare department had also sought land to set up SC, ST, and OBC hostels and training centres, but the application was also not honoured. It is clear that Priyank Kharge has used his privilege to get the allotment," said Narayanaswamy, a prominent Dalit leader accused the minister of criminal breach of trust. Elaborating on the case, the MLC said the CA site is meant for setting up R & D centre, innovation centre, technical institutes, skill development centres, govt PSU, educational institutes, hospital, air cargo, housing for employees among others, but was given away for commercial purposes like hotels, private apartments at CA site rates. "An acre of commercial sire costs Rs 12 crore to Rs 15 crore. But they were given away at Rs 2.5 crore per acre causing a huge loss to the states exchequer," lamented Narayanaswamy. Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy alleging nepotism said, "The Siddhartha Vihara Trust was supposedly established to build a Buddha Vihara, a religious institution. However, it is now being used to run businesses and set up factories," Kumaraswamy alleged. The Siddartha Vihara Trust, established in 1994 is a public trust founded by Mallikarjun Kharge to carry forward the philosophy of Siddartha and is registered under the Indian Trust Act. The Trust built the Buddha Vihara a Buddhist temple and spiritual centre at Kalaburagi on the 70-acre campus adjoining the Gulbarga university in 2009. Priyank Kharge slammed the BJP saying the site allotted was not an industrial plot meant for industrial or commercial purposes, but educational purposes. "The Trust intends to set up a multi-skill development centre and the trustees have a background of establishing quality education institutions. KIADB has not given any price concessions to the Trust and there is no price subsidy on civic amenities site allotted to SC/ST organisations. Even after following due process, you single us out with malafide intention of maligning us," said Kharge who demanded to know how the previous BJP government had managed to give away government land to RSS-backed Rashtrotthana and Chanakya University. The alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, Asias first private medical college, has put the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal on the back foot. After securing a huge public mandate in 2021, the party had also performed well in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, increasing its seat share despite facing allegations of job and PDS scams, multiple charges of molestation in Sandeshkhali, and unlawful land grabbing. The party received strong support from women voters, largely due to welfare schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar introduced by Mamata Banerjee-led government. Why is the TMC troubled? On August 9, when the crime occurred, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was in Jhargram for government meetings. Upon learning about the heinous crime, she promptly stated that the West Bengal government would not oppose a CBI inquiry if the victims family requested it. Her nephew and the TMC national general secretary and second-in-command in the party Abhishek Banerjee immediately sought capital punishment for the accused. At first, the government appeared to manage the situation effectively. However, as days passed and the victims parents shared their experiences of harassment to the media, questions were raised about the actions of the police and the hospital authority. The traumatised parents revealed that they were initially informed by the assistant superintendent of the hospital that their daughter had committed suicide. But on reaching the hospital, they were horrified to learn that their daughter had been brutally raped and murdered. Adding to their trauma, the hospital authority and the police made the grieving parents wait for three long hours before taking them to their daughters body. A video has surfaced in the public domain, revealing several outsiderslawyers and doctors from other hospitalswho were purportedly associated with the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, gathering at the crime scene after the incident, while the victims parents were made to anxiously wait outside. From protest to mass movement The incident sparked widespread protests across West Bengal, other parts of India, and abroad as well. Apart from doctors and other medical professionals, people from all sections of society, especially women, demanded justice for the victim and better safety measures for them. On August 14, research scholar Rimjhim Sinhas call for the Reclaim The Night protest saw people turning out in large numbers. Not just in Kolkata, her call mobilised millions of women from all walks of life through social media across India. They took to the streets at midnight to demand justice for the victim and to call for a safe and secure society. Meanwhile, despite the seriousness of the situation, Kolkata Police failed to prevent unidentified individuals from vandalising RG Kar Medical College and Hospital that night. The protests also laid bare the inefficiency of the hospital authority, and the government and Kolkata Police. Questions were raised by protesters and common people against their insensitivity in handling the case, hurriedly burying the body, downplaying the incident as a suicide, and mishandling the crime scene. The only arrested person in the case, Sanjoy Ray, who was nabbed by Kolkata Police, was a civic volunteer employed on a contractual basis by the police. Initially, the police attempted to hide his identity, which only heightened the mistrust among the protesters. The government failed to understand the gravity of the situation. Every step taken by the hospital authority and the police since the incident came to light was questionable, Dr. Abhijit Chowdhury of IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital told THE WEEK. Their unwarranted hurry to bury the body and their way of managing the entire situation deeply hurt the family members as well as the general public. However, the MC also added its voice to the protests and call for justice. Jay Prakash Majumdar, a senior TMC leader and party spokesperson told THE WEEK, We raised the demand of capital punishment of the culprits from the very beginning. We did not try to stop the CBI investigation. Kolkata Police did its best and arrested the main accused within 24 hours. The CBI has not been able to make any arrests so far. Then, why are people questioning us? The political play The entire incident highlighted the poor working conditions of the medical professionals in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, a state government-owned institution and one of the most prestigious medical colleges in the country. As a result, Mamata Banerjees administration was also questioned by protesters, who lost faith in the overall investigation. Social media influencers played a key role in turning the protests into a mass movement. The role of the then principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh, who was already facing several charges, including financial irregularities, was also questioned. Protesting students demanded his immediate removal from the hospital. His reappointment as the principal of the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital (CNMCH) within four hours after his resignation from his previous position further reflected the complete failure of the health department. Professor Dr. Chowdhury wondered, When his activities and roles were questioned and he had himself resigned, then what was the need to reappoint him in another government institution? Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court took the case from Kolkata Police and put the CBI in charge of the investigation. During this period, the focus gradually shifted from seeking justice for the victim and ensuring womens safety to a broader battleground of partisan politics. The opposition accused the government of interfering in the investigation, alleging attempts to shield certain individuals. Concerns were raised about Dr. Ghoshs close relationship with Mamata Banerjee, as he had treated her leg injury sustained during the 2021 assembly election campaign in Nandigram. READ MORE: Kolkata: Mamata, Abhishek jointly bat for strict anti-rape law Subhamoy Maitra, a political analyst, told THE WEEK, The Trinamool Congresss failure to handle the situation might be due to the existence of internal feud and infighting within the party. As a result, the party failed to arrive at a single-point decision on how to manage the situation. He added, The most natural question is, are the steps taken by the administration in the aftermath of the incident reflecting the influence of the party on the governments decision-making? The ruling party refuted the claims of any differences of opinion within the party. Our only stance is that whoever is responsible for this heinous crime must be punished. Kolkata Police swiftly arrested one person. If the CBI investigation shows others are involved then we hope they get arrested and convicted, Majumdar, the TMC spokesperson, told THE WEEK. TMC in turning pitch Opposition parties, including the CPI(M), BJP, and Congress, argued that the situation resulted from the failures of the police and health departments. Consequently, they demanded the resignation of Mamata Banerjee, who holds both portfolios. They claimed the vandalism incident on the night of August 14 was planned by the TMC cadre to destroy evidence from the hospital. ALSO READ: Nabanna Abhijan violence: BJP calls for 12-hour Bangla bandh on Wednesday Mamata countered saying it was a joint conspiracy by the BJP and CPI(M). She also mentioned that DYFI flags were visible among the crowd who attacked the institution. Abhishek Banerjee demanded immediate arrest of all the culprits involved in the attack. Mamata also took out a rally with women leaders and workers of her party to demand death penalty for culprits involved in the brutal rape and murder incident. We want capital punishment of the culprits. The state government provided all kinds of help to Kolkata Police. The police did its investigation after listening to the demands of all students (in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital). The police conducted multiple tests, sent the dog squad, and collected CCTV footage and all other evidence. I was in touch with them till 2 am, she said at the end of the rally. READ MORE: Kolkata rape: Mamata Banerjee goes on the offensive; says would have ensured capital punishment if... She also flagged the issue of misinformation and fake news being spread on social media about the incident. The TMC supremo claimed, "Certain people are making false videos to provoke people. Not all news is true. Fake news is being circulated to make money on social media and to spread political agendas. They are using AI to commit cybercrime. The TMC further highlighted that both the CPI(M) and BJP echoed the same slogan, demanding the chief ministers resignation with a unified voice: Dofa ek. Dabi ek. Mukhyomontrir podotyag [One agenda. One demand. Chief Ministers resignation]. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the RG Kar incident, claiming that efforts to shield the accused cast serious questions on the hospital and local administration. Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party (SP), a key INDIA bloc ally of the TMC, defended Mamatas actions. The Aam Aadmi Party condemned the incident but cautioned against its politicisation. Supreme Court questions The overall activities of the police didnt go unnoticed in the Supreme Courts suo motu pursuit of the case. The police were heavily criticised for the significant delay in filing the First Information Report (FIR), which is crucial for starting an investigation. During the Supreme Court proceedings, judges particularly raised questions about the timing of the FIR and expressed disappointment with the responses from the learned counsel representing the West Bengal government. The apex court also criticised the state government for its approach to ensuring the safety of medical professionals. Subsequently, the Calcutta High Court also gave the CBI the responsibility to investigate the allegations of financial irregularities in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital during the tenure of Dr. Ghosh as the principal. The West Bengal government had earlier formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the allegations. Visuals from 'Reclaim the Night' protest | Salil Bera Simultaneously, the police crackdown on protesters and issuing intimidating notices to anyone who criticised the government, including doctors and TMC MPs and spokespersons, added fuel to the political fire. Kolkata Police claimed notices were sent to students, content creators on YouTube and political leaders for allegedly spreading misinformation about the RG Kar incident. Notices were issued against 280 people, including social media profile owners from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, and some who were using VPNs of Bangladesh and Pakistan to run fake profiles. Although social media and influencers played a crucial role in exposing the hospital authorities and Kolkata Polices misconduct, it is equally true that social media became inundated with various forms of misinformation that created a false and graphic representation of the incident in the minds of common people. Who is Sandip Ghosh? Dr. Ghosh had been facing multiple allegations along with charges of financial discrepancies during his tenure as the head of the administration. He had been accused of misusing public and academic funds, money laundering during procurement of equipment, scam in biomedical waste management, etc. Students had protested against him earlier as well and a former staff of the hospital had brought forward these charges a year ago. Akhtar Ali, former deputy superintendent (non-medical) of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, told THE WEEK, Students protested against him for allegedly demanding money from them to give them passing marks. On digging further, I realised his activities were far worse. Ali had registered a case with the Anti-Corruption Branch of the West Bengal governments vigilance department a year ago. Recently, in the aftermath of the brutal rape and murder incident, he approached the High Court demanding an ED investigation. The state government did not look into my complaint. Instead, Sandip Ghosh used his influence in transferring me to Murshidabad Medical College. The ruling TMC, however, doesnt see this as the failure of the health department. Allegations of financial discrepancies against Sandip Ghosh have nothing to do with the rape and murder incident. We were already probing it but then the high court handed the investigation to the CBI. If he is found guilty, he will be punished. He has nothing to do with Trinamool, said Majumdar. Meanwhile, the CBI has interrogated Ghosh for over 10 days regarding the alleged rape and murder case. During its investigation into suspected financial irregularities, the agency raided more than 10 locations in and around Kolkata, including the former principals residence and homes of several others involved, collecting numerous documents. In the rape and murder case, the CBI conducted polygraph tests on Ray, the sole arrested individual, Ghosh, and five others. Parents quest for justice However, the victims parents have been left frustrated as the CBI is yet to put the accused in the case on trial even 17 days of the incident. We hoped for a fair investigation and a speedy trial. All we wanted is justice for my daughter, the victims disappointed father told THE WEEK. As electioneering for assembly polls heats up in Jammu and Kashmir, Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad has decided to stay away from campaigning for the party candidates due to health reasons. The veteran politician from Jammu and Kashmir, who launched DPAP after ending his five-decade association with the Congress, said in a statement that on August 25, he suffered acute chest pain in Srinagar. "The following morning, I took the earliest available flight to Delhi and was admitted to AIIMS hospital, where I stayed for two days," the statement added. The DPAP leader mentioned that he has other health concerns that require rest and medication. "These unforeseen circumstances have forced me to step back from the campaign trail," he said. He expressed regret for not being able to mobilise support for his party candidates during the elections. Azad has asked his colleagues contesting the polls whether they can carry on without his presence. "If they feel my absence would impact their chances, they have the freedom to withdraw their candidacy," he said. When DPAP was launched in September 2022, many political leaders, especially from Congress, joined the party. Initially, DPAP created a buzz, and it seemed the party would emerge as a strong force, especially in Jammu. However, the perception that DPAP was backed by the BJP dented the partys image and many of its members and leaders quit the party; some of them rejoined the Congress. Recently, there were reports that Azad could return to Congress, but his spokesman Salman Nizami refuted these claims. The failure of DPAP to impress during the Lok Sabha polls suggested the party has struggled to win public support. It was widely believed that DPAP candidate G.M. Saroori from Udhampur Lok Sabha was fielded to divide Muslim votes to benefit the BJP. Saroori performed poorly and even trailed in his assembly segment, from where he had won in previous elections. Sensing the public mood against DPAP, Saroori had quit the party and filed nominations from Indherwal as an independent candidate. The failure of Azad to rally support for his candidates is another setback to his political prospects in Jammu and Kashmir and is likely to benefit the Congress and other secular parties. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday urged the 16th Finance Commission to address the imbalances in resource sharing between the Centre and the states, and stressed on the need for a balanced approach that rewards efficiency and performances. The Constitution provides for redistribution of the tax proceeds among the states. The Finance Commission, however, needs to carefully examine the impact of extremely high emphasis given to equity on the incentives of well performing states, Siddaramaiah said. Moreover, the taxpayers of such states expect their taxes to work for them. This creates public trust. The Finance Commission therefore needs to do a tightrope walk while balancing equity with efficiency and performance, he said, while addressing the meeting of the 16th Finance Commission, in Bengaluru. He emphasised that Karnataka has been central to India's growth story and contributes 8.4 per cent to the national GDP with only five per cent of the population. The state ranks second in total GST contribution in the country. But despite Karnataka contributing Rs 4 lakh crore to the gross tax revenue of the Centre every year, the state gets only Rs 45,000 crore as devolution and Rs 15,000 crore as grant-in-aid. This means, for every rupee Karnataka contributes, only 15 paise is returned to the state, said the CM, who submitted the states memorandum to the Commission chairman Arvind Panagariya. The chief minister reiterated that the state had been deprived of grants amounting to Rs 79,770 crore. The 15th Finance Commissions award had reduced Karnatakas share sharply from 4.713 per cent to 3.647 per cent, which led to a loss of Rs 68,275 crore for the period 2021-26. The Commission was conscious of the drastic cut and recommended state-specific grants of Rs 11,495 crore. But the Centre rejected the recommendation. So, the total losses amount to Rs 79,770 crore, said Siddaramaiah, adding that Karnataka had effectively transferred revenue of Rs 35,000-40,000 crore per year to other states, which was 1.8 per cent of its GSDP, during the 15th Finance Commission period. The CM pointed out that the net transfers outside of Karnataka was 50 to 55 per cent of the total revenue it generated. Karnataka and similarly placed states end up getting penalised for their good performance, both fiscally and demographically, due to the disproportionate weightage given to equity. Drawing attention to the cess and surcharge not being part of the divisible pool, Siddaramaiah said that, over the years, the Centre had increased its reliance on cess and surcharge, which led to the divisible pool not growing in the same proportion as the gross tax revenue and causing substantial losses to the states. The loss to Karnataka on account of the non-sharing of cess and surcharge is Rs 53,359 crore during the period 2017-18 to 2024-25. Reasserting the states commitment to capital expenditure, the CM said that despite the reduction in central transfers, the state had funded its flagship schemes like the five guarantee schemes, and without compromising on capital expenditure, as it recognises the multiplier effect of capital expenditure. Karnatakas capital expenditure is at two per cent of its GSDP since 2013-14 and ranks first in the country. However, the reduction in central financial transfers is limiting the ability of the States to invest in physical and human infrastructure, said Siddaramaiah, adding that Karnataka recommends that 60 per cent of contribution of a state to the divisible pool, be given back to the state as devolution. Stating that the economically advanced states were committed to supporting the poorer states, but not at the expense of their own residents or economic efficiency, Siddaramaiah urged that a larger share of the resources generated by the states be given to them. Highlighting that states face regional imbalance, the CM noted that the development of the backward Kalyana Karnataka region and the challenges of urbanisation were some of the challenges facing the state and hoped for higher devolution by the Centre. Recommendations The chief minister said that Bengaluru needs an investment of Rs 55,586 crore over the next five years for its development and we urge the Centre for a grant of Rs 27,793 crore. The state is investing Rs 25,000 crore for the equitable development of the Kalyana Karnataka region and we request for a matching grant of Rs 25,000 crore over five years from the 16th Finance Commission. Also, we seek a grant of Rs 10,000 crore to ensure effective disaster mitigation and timely relief and rehabilitation measures in the highly vulnerable region of Western Ghats, he said. Siddaramaiah, who has the unique distinction of having tabled 14 state budgets, recommended that the vertical devolution be at least 50 per cent of the divisible pool, and the cesses and surcharges to be capped at five per cent of gross tax revenue and anything exceeding that should be part of the divisible pool. All non-tax revenues of the Centre should be included in the divisible pool of taxes by bringing the necessary Constitutional amendment. The meeting was attended by state representatives and 16th Finance Commission chairman Arvind Panagariya and members Ajay Narayan Jha, Annie George Mathew, Manoj Panda and Soumya Kanti Ghosh. The Karnataka High Court on Thursday dismissed the petitions filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal challenging the state government's decision to withdraw consent for a CBI probe into the disproportionate assets (DA) case allegations against deputy chief minister D.K. Shivakumar. A division bench of Justice K. Somashekhar and Justice Umesh M Adiga. on August 12, had reserved its order on the petitions filed by the CBI and Yatnal and on Thursday ruled that the present writ petitions were not maintainable as the dispute was between the CBI representing the Union government and the state government. Such disputes involving the central government's authority and the state governments autonomy are more appropriately addressed by the Supreme Court. The petitioners are granted liberty to pursue appropriate remedies before the Supreme Court, the court added. It may be recalled that the Income Tax department had carried out raids in August 2017 across the various premises belonging to Shivakumar in New Delhi and other places and recovered Rs 41 lakh. Subsequently, a case was registered against Shivakumar before the Special Court for Economic Offences under the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and the Directorate of Enforcement also registered a case. The ED filed a case under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, based on the IT departments chargesheet. The BJP government in Karnataka had sanctioned the CBI for the investigation. Shivakumar was arrested on September 3, 2019, and released on bail after spending 50 days in Tihar jail. After the high court refused to quash CBI's disproportionate assets case against him, Shivakumar challenged it before the Supreme Court. But the case was dismissed. In May 2023, when the Congress party came to power in Karnataka, the Congress government withdrew its consent for the CBI probe in November 2023. On January 5, 2024, the CBI had moved the high court questioning the state government order withdrawing consent to CBI probe in the DA case. Another petition was filed challenging the state government decision to withdraw consent to CBI probe by BJP leader and Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal. Welcoming the court verdict, Shivakumar said I have lawfully earned my wealth. I have faith in the courts of this country. The BJP had filed a PMLA case and sent me to jail. I dont understand Ytanlas interest in this case. The CBI had claimed that it had completed 90% of the investigation, when they had not even interrogated me, said Shivakumar, adding that he would keep fighting as there would always be conspiracy against him until he dies. Meanwhile, Yatnal, on X said, I respect the courts decision and will pursue the matter in the Supreme Court. This fight against corruption will not end here. A languid siren is not an image, it is a state of mind. And it can be recreated in makeup, which has been a fan of Italian actress Monica Bellucci since the nineties. ADVERTISIMENT She has always been praised for her penchant for natural beauty, skillfully emphasized with the help of cosmetics. The main features of the star have always been tanned skin and lips of a juicy berry shade. To repeat the makeup of the star, which she did at the height of her fame in the nineties, you need to create brown smoky eyes in combination with soft lips and satin skin. The essence of the trend Having starred in such cult films as The Matrix and Malena, Monica Bellucci has become the living embodiment of Italian beauty. No wonder modern influencers are trying to recreate her sophisticated and refined elegance as an Italian siren. ADVERTISIMENT After a whole summer of minimalist beauty trends, this look is both a breath of fresh air and a nostalgic bow to the glamor of the 90s. Confident and seductive, the Italian siren knows her worth and is not afraid to take matters into her own hands. She lives la dolce vita in her own way. Sometimes she's a glamorous villain that we secretly worry about. Her makeup is a reflection of this, luxuriously velvety and a little intoxicating. How to do Italian siren makeup The main nuance of this look is well-tinted velvety skin with a matte finish. And don't forget about bronzer and subtle taupe blush with a pink undertone. They should be applied to the protruding parts of the cheeks to lift the face. Of course, the center of attraction in this makeup is a smoky look. The eyes should be lifted and stretched to add drama and volume. Letizia Carnevali, a makeup artist who has been working with Bellucci for 20 years, spoke about the star's eye makeup as follows: "I always use a brown pencil to create deep, enchanting eyes topped with eyeshadow that is sometimes champagne, sometimes dark gold." Then she applies eyeliner to the inner line and around the lash line. For more drama, you can always blend the eyeliner a little. ADVERTISIMENT As for the lips, nothing works better for the Italian siren look than a nude pink lipstick. Add a drop of balm on top for a moist glow. And finally, a little trick from Carnevale - apply a little concealer on a cotton swab and circle your lips with it to give them more definition. Subscribe to the OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. Pakistan on Thursday formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting to be held in Islamabad. The two-day in-person SCO Heads of Government meeting will be taking place on October 15-16. Pakistan currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the SCO (CHG). Invitations have been sent to the heads of countries to participate in the meeting. Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch at a weekly press briefing said that an invitation has been sent to India PM Narendra Modi as well. Some countries have already confirmed participation (for the meeting), which will be informed in due course, she said. The official list of the attendees is yet to be released. India is yet to respond to the invitation. On asked about the ties with India, Baloch said that Pakistan does not have direct bilateral trade with India. India hosted the SCO Summit last year and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif attended the meeting in a virtual format through a video link. With speculations and reports of India rejecting the SCO invitation by Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the ministry has not commented on this matter and would request speculative news in this regard be avoided. The SCO, comprising India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, is an influential economic and security bloc that has emerged as one of the largest trans-regional international organisations. As part of this key regional group, both Pakistan and India can hold summit meetings. Pakistan's then foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited India in May 2023 to attend the in-person two-day meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers in Goa. Zardari became the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India in nearly 12 years. For years India and Pakistan had strained relations. Pakistan downgraded its ties with India after the Indian Parliament abrogated Article 370 on August 5, 2019. In response to the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's speech at the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) foundation day rally on Wednesday, protesting doctors and students at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital asserted that her "threat" would not diminish their spirit. CM Mamata Banerjee must remember that its not a mere protest by junior doctors of RG Kar anymore. Its a mass movement where people from all sections of life are now involved, Dr Sourav Roy, a protesting junior doctor, told THE WEEK. READ HERE | Mamata, Abhishek jointly bat for strict anti-rape law The government will commit a big mistake if it decides to threaten us and oppress us. It will only motivate us to continue our struggle. Dr. Shreya Shaw, a resident doctor at RG Kar, expressed the collective stance of all protesters, stating that the movement will persist until the motive and modus operandi of the events that took place on August 9 are made public. Yes, the CBI is now investigating the matters. But we made some demands to the state government as well. Why hasnt the CM taken any action against Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal? His force couldnt stop evidence tampering on the campus, Dr. Shaw said. She also asserted that the West Bengal government is yet to fulfil their demand of ensuring the safety and security of doctors in their workplaces. The state is asking us not to work night shifts. Its an admission that the state government cannot provide us security during the night, she said, referring to one of the guidelines in the West Bengal governments newly-launched Rattirer Sathi program, which focuses on enhancing womens safety in their workplaces. ALSO READ | 'City of Joy' on edge: How the Kolkata rape case shook TMC and West Bengal's political landscape On Wednesday, CM Banerjee urged the striking junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, as well as those at other institutions, to return to work to ensure that poor people do not lose access to medical care. She said, "I always supported junior doctors and it will continue. They provide many essential services." However, she added, "You have protested, and I haven't taken any action against you, nor do I intend to. I understand you may feel anger or sadness, and that you seek justice. But, it's time to gradually return to work. Although the Supreme Court has empowered the state government to act, I choose not to, as I want you to focus on your studies." She said filing an FIR against someone could ruin their future as they wont have opportunities elsewhere, wont be able to get a passport, and won't secure a visa. Our government, however, has a compassionate approach. We aim to nurture more doctors with this humane perspective, the Trinamool supremo said. READ HERE | Never threatened medicos; BJP trying to create anarchy in West Bengal: Mamata On Thursday, the West Bengal Chief Minister clarified via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that her statement was not intended against students but against the BJP. But the protesters at RG Kar responded to her speech by saying that had the state government taken action on August 9 and during the night of August 14 when the institution was vandalized, the situation might not have turned to what it has become today. Senior doctors are also firmly standing behind their pupils. You have to continue the movement no matter what. We will manage both indoor and outdoor services, said Dr Dilip Kumar Das of general surgery department at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, during a convention on Thursday. Dr Das, however, urged the students to find a way to partially resume their duties in the Emergency department while continuing their movement. Typhoon Shanshan lashed southwest Japan on Thursday, causing havoc with heavy rains and strong winds. Hundreds of people were ordered to evacuate their homes, and life in Japan came to a standstill. At least three people were killed so far and many got injured as the typhoon hit the city causing power outages, affecting air traffic and forcing the factories to close. Domestic flights connecting southwestern cities and islands were cancelled. The storm also affected bullet trains and some local train services. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters that three people had died and one person was missing in incidents relating to the typhoon. The disaster management authorities said at least 45 people suffered injuries. OVER 250,000 HOMES WITHOUT POWER AS TYPHOON SHANSHAN HITS JAPAN The typhoon, with wind speeds of up to 78 mph, has begun to hit southern Japan, sparking fears of flooding, landslides, and extensive damage to buildings. Authorities have issued evacuation orders to millions pic.twitter.com/CNMPvJBV8O ChoosyBluesy (@ChoosyBluesy) August 29, 2024 Injuries were reported in Miyazaki, Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures. After hitting Kyushu, typhoon Shanshan is expected to approach the central and eastern regions, including the capital Tokyo, the weather agency said. More than 5.2 million people have been issued evacuation notices across the country, authorities said. Some areas of central Japan, hit by the storm, also ordered evacuation. TYPHOON SHANSHAN HITS #JAPAN ! Made landfall earlier this morning near Satsumasendai city 3 dead, 39 injured, 255,000 homes without power, flights & trains cancelled Winds of up to 252 km/h & heavy rains cause destruction in #Kyushu #disaster https://t.co/D51Fix4mVr pic.twitter.com/vEt41ptSHj GlobeUpdate (@Globupdate) August 29, 2024 Landslide was reported in several regions including Gamagori, killing three residents and injuring two others. Train services have been suspended in many areas of Kyushu, while hundreds of bus and ferry services have also been halted. After the typhoon Ampil earlier this month, Shanshan was the latest harsh weather system to hit Japan. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Shanshan was moving north at 15 kph and its winds had weakened to 126 kph. Disaster Management Minister Yoshifumi Matsumura said the typhoon could cause unprecedented levels of violent winds, high waves, storm surges and heavy rain. At a task force meeting on Wednesday, he urged people, especially older adults, not to hesitate and to take shelter whenever there is any safety concern. Since the arrival of OTT platforms and binge-watching, Indian series have shown a marked improvement in craft and skill at telling fictional stories. But when it comes to mounting real-life stories for OTT, most have floundered, sometimes because they follow Netflixs formulaic template, and sometimes because of who is telling the story. Delhi Crime, for example, the riveting show on the Nirbhaya rape case, was made with the help of Delhis former commissioner of police, Neeraj Kumar, and it naturally made heroes out of cops when it should have interrogated them. Director Anubhav Sinhas 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' is different. Based on the 2000 book, 'Flight Into Fear: The Captain's Story', by Captain Devi Sharan and journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury, and also aided by its own team of researchers and writers, Sinhas series tells the story of the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Kathmandu-Delhi flight with as much honesty as is permissible these days. Over six episodes, beginning with five terrorists wresting control of the plane on Christmas eve, the series meticulously pieces together the eight-day national crisis with facts, and historical and geopolitical context and makes us view the hijacking from the perspective of all those involved. The series' foundation its story, screenplay, and dialogue is strong, intelligent, sharp, and rich with interesting, relevant details. We get the personal stories of passengers and a peek into the mindset of the hijackers. We get frustrated with the indecision of politicians and watch how the egos and biases of bureaucrats can trip the best intentions. In between all the worrying and tension, we get some light moments that add layers to characters and enhance our understanding of how the world and India's bureaucracy work. The series, shot partly in Jordan, packs in a lot, has no flab, and is like a stunning symphony of writers, camerawork (by Ewan Mulligan and Ravi Kiran Ayyagari), a stellar ensemble of actors and editor Amarjit Singh conducted by Sinha. The show is scripted, plotted, and directed like a thriller. The opening scene itself gets your heart racing and each episode ends on a hair-raising cliffhanger with a freeze frame. But the shows tone and pace are several notches below the chest-thumping, flag-waving rescue missions we have been subjected to by Bollywood in the recent past. 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' has many reasons to be enragedat Pakistan, at Islamic terrorism, at the Indian government but it is neither angry, nor hyper or sensational. The series does not turn the hijackers into filmy villains, nor does it pin the blame for the hijacking on any one person, institution, or organisation. It doesnt cast anyone as the hero either, except the crew of IC 814. Its focus stays on telling us what happenedlapses, screw-ups, warts and allwithout getting too sentimental or jingoistic. Its brilliance lies in its cinematic craft, elegant storytelling, and humanist politics. And thats why 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' is one of the best based on real life series to date, and not just from India. 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' opens in Kathmandu where a RAW operative is keeping an eye on an ISI operative. Something is brewing and a report suggests this was dispatched to Delhi earlier. But no one took note. Its Christmas eve, and at around 4.05 pm, Indian Airlines flight takes off from Kathmandu airport with 178 passengers and 11 crew on board, including Captain Sharan Dev (Vijay Verma). A few minutes later, five men, brandishing guns and grenades, barge into the cockpit and hijack the plane. They were referred to as Chief (Rajiv Thakur), Doctor (Harminder Singh), Burger (Diljohn), Shankar and Bhola. As news reaches Delhi, the countrys top intelligence officers and bureaucrats get into a huddle to monitor and manage the crisis. There's external affairs minister Vijaybhan Singh (Pankaj Kapur), MEA secretary DRS (Arvind Swami), Cabinet secretary Vinay Kaul (Naseeruddin Shah), IB associate director Mukul Mohan (Manoj Pahwa), RAW chief V.K. Agarwal (Aditya Srivastava) and his senior officer Ranjan Mishra (Kumud Mishra), among others. There are no demands yet, but the hijackers want to take the plane to Kabul. Since there isnt enough fuel, almost three hours after taking off from Kathmandu, the plane lands at Amritsar airport for refuelling. What transpires here is, perhaps, the most tragic display of India's political stasis. As the pilot, with a gun to his head, begs for fuel, he is repeatedly told that the bowser is on its way. Passengers and crew pray, waiting to be rescued, and Punjab Police commandos have a plan and are waiting for a go-ahead to launch the rescue operation. But for 49 minutes, the only instruction that comes from Delhi is not to refuel the plane. Inside the plane, with rising tension and no fuel, hijackers stab two passengers and the plane takes off. To give us simultaneous, live dispatches, the series flits between several places. We are with the crisis management group in Delhi which is trying to figure out who is to blame and who can help. We watch the foreign minister lean on Islamabad, Dubai and America to intervene, and the foreign secretary as he tries to establish contact with Afghanistans Taliban government. The IB additional director, however, is repeatedly talking of shooting and not arresting terrorists. We are in the cockpit where the pilot is trying his best to save the passengers, while distraught passengers are being made to sit with their heads down. We watch family members grieving and demanding the return of their loved ones; while in Nepal, we run after the RAW operative who is trying to find out the contents of a mysterious bag thats on board. We also visit a jail cell where Maulana Masood Azhar is being questioned, and watch a feisty newspaper reporter (played by Amrita Puri) who has all the dope and files sensational stories, but editor Shalini (Dia Mirza) insists on restraint. After a brief refuelling stop in Lahore, the plane heads for Dubai where 26 hostages some women and children are allowed to deplane, and the body of Rupin Katyal is dropped on the tarmac before the plane takes off again. In Kandahar, soon after the plane is escorted by a biker to a parking spot on the tarmac and is then surrounded by armed gunmen, Indian negotiators arrive and begin talking to the hijackers. Their demands are humiliating even to consider. As negotiations drag on, passengers and crew learn to live with the unbearable stench rising from the toilets, which are clogged and overflowing with human excreta. 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' doesnt satisfactorily answer who planned and funded the hijacking, but it shines light on the circumstantial evidence and throws enough hints that ISI and General Pervez Musharraf were behind it all. The Kandahar hijacking exposed how the then coalition government, led by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, which had just a year ago flexed its muscle with the Pokhran nuclear tests, floundered and was ineffective when it came to making decisions to save lives. Even the terrorists-for-hostages deal struck marked a deeply embarrassing defeat for India especially because the terrorists who were released from Indian prisons Maulana Masood Azhar, Omar Sheikh and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargarwere later, separately, responsible for attacks on India, including the Indian Parliament, for financing one of the hijackers of the 9/11 attacks and the murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl. Despite all this, the series goes easy on the government over its major screw-ups, and unlike the book, casts the exchange as the only choice available to the government. PM Vajpayee and his home minister L.K. Advani are, in fact, entirely missing from the show. The only mantri we see is Jaswant Singh, the then minister of external affairs. But the series writing, camerawork, acting, and editing make us forget these lapses. The shows writing credits are shared by Anubhav Sinha, Trishant Srivastava (who co-wrote Jamtara) and Adrian Levy (who, along with Cathy Scott-Clark, has written 'The Siege', on the 26/11 Mumbai attacks). To give places, events, and people a context, the series sometimes interjects its narrative with grainy, archival footage to explain who, why, and what. We get lessons on the two factions in Afghanistan Taliban led by Mullah Omar and Al Qaedas Osama Bin Laden the geopolitics in the aftermath of India's 1998 nuclear tests at Pokhran, the 1999 Kargil war, Gen Pervez Musharrafs coup and watch news clips of protests, press conferences in Delhi. Usually, breaking the narrative is risky. But 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' pulls this off with confidence and these brief explanatory videos, often with a voiceover, add heft to the show and give it a stamp of authenticity. The series has cleverly framed shots that make us feel as if we are present on the site, but with a partial view of what is going on. A lot of the show is about slow diplomacy and bureaucracy at work, with stock scenes where officials are talking. The show's cinematographers lift these scenes with cinematic flourishes, as their camera moves around like a dizzy spectator. The series has an excellent, fresh ensemble of actors. All of them are very good, but a few stand out. The two air-hostesses Indrani (Patralekhaa Paul) and Chhaya (Additi Gupta Chopra) two terrorists, Burger played by Diljohn, and Chief played by Rajiv Thakur, as well as Arvind Swami, Manoj Pahwa and Pankaj Kapur. Together they bring the humanity of their characters to the fore. The series takes a lot from the book, including the nitty-gritty of events, conversations with the hijackers, and what went on in the plane. But it also leaves out a lot. I suggest that you binge-watch 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' and then read the book to soak in heartwarming anecdotes of human perseverance. On board IC 814 was an air hostess who continued to wear her attractive bindis throughout, as if reassuring herself and others that all will be well. Captain Sharan writes in his book of the quiet dignity of a Japanese passenger who would freshen up and get dressed every day and then look for a place to smoke. He also shares that as passengers began leaving the plane in Kandahar, he instructed his crew to stand at the gate with folded hands. Anubhav Sinha's 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' honours the captain, his crew, and the passengers. Movie: IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack Cast: Vijay Verma, Manoj Pahwa, Arvind Swami, Kumud Mishra, Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah, Aditya Srivastava, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Anupama Tripathi, Dia Mirza, Amrita Puri, Patralekhaa Paul, Additi Gupta Chopra, Rajiv Thakur, Harminder Singh, Diljohn Directed by: Anubhav Sinha Rating: 4/5 A federal grand jury in Washington, DC, re-indicted former president Donald Trump on four felony charges over his attempt to subvert the results of the 2020 presidential election. Prosecutors filed an amended indictment to comply with the Supreme Courts recent order granting broad immunity to presidents for their official acts. In August 2023, Trump approached the courts claiming immunity against the federal charges of participating in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The case finally reached the Supreme Court, which made a 6-3 decision on July 1, largely on ideological lines, granting Trumps claim to a certain extent, by making it clear that not all charges made by special counsel Jack Smith could proceed, as some of them were covered by presidential immunity. It also had an impact on other cases against Trump as well, including the Stormy Daniels hush money case by the Manhattan district attorney, in which Trump was found guilty. It was a landmark judgment, clearly demonstrating the power of the courts conservative majority and the right-ward shift evident in the courts jurisprudence. The judgment was widely criticised by many legal scholars as they felt that it went against the spirit of the constitution and the intent of the founding fathers by making presidency almost autocratic. Following the Supreme Court intervention, Smith got the superseding indictment from a grand jury that did not previously hear evidence in the case. The move was somewhat surprising and it shows that the department of justice plans to pursue the case vigorously. "The superseding indictment reflects the government's efforts to respect and implement the Supreme Court's holdings and remand instructions," said a justice department spokesperson. The facts and the circumstances of the case and the four original felony charges, meanwhile, remain unchanged: conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, attempt to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights. A key feature of the superseding indictment is that it removed all possible allegations that could be construed as being part of Trumps official acts as president. It draws a clear distinction between Trumps private actions, which can be prosecuted if found illegal, and actions that flow from his official powers, which are immune from prosecution. So, much of the language of the indictment has been changed to focus on Trumps actions as a candidate, not as the sitting president. The biggest change between the 36-page superseding indictment and the 45-page original version appears to be the removal of Trumps conversations with justice department officials in which he is alleged to have asked them to support his false claims of election fraud. Notably, the new indictment omits all references to co-conspirator four, who was mentioned more than 30 times in the original indictment. Co-conspirator four is former DOJ official Jeffrey Clark, who held a senate-confirmed post as head of the departments environmental and natural resources division and was serving as the acting head of the civil division at the time of the January 6 riots. As Clark supported all of Trump's claims, the White House was inclined to name him as acting attorney general, replacing incumbent Jeffrey Rosen. Trump was angry that Rosen and several other officials he appointed had refused to send letters to local election officials claiming fraud in the presidential election. Clark was a willing participant, so Trump wanted to put him in charge. Ultimately, Trump backed off after senior DOJ officials threatened to quit. Clark no longer features in the indictment as the Supreme Court held that Trumps interactions with justice department officials could be considered as part of his official duty and, therefore, enjoys immunity. Prosecutors also omitted references to Trumps interactions with the White House and other administration officials. The superseding indictment, however, has kept references to vice president Mike Pence and his role during the events of January 6, 2021, the day of the Capitol riots. But the focus is now completely on his role as president of the senate, as the Supreme Court ruled that the vice presidents job of presiding over the senate was not an executive branch function, thereby not covered by immunity. The charges against Trump for interfering with the functions of state election officials who certify their states presidential election results, and of obstructing the certification of the electoral college results by the Congress have been retained in the new indictment. The prosecution has made it clear that such interference has nothing to do with Trumps official responsibilities. The president, the indictment points out, has absolutely no role in certifying the election results, so his interference is not covered by immunity. The new indictment also retains much of the false claims Trump made about the election result, especially on social media, calling it rigged and stolen, despite officials belonging to both Republican and Democratic parties guaranteeing that it was fair and legitimate. Prosecutors say that while Trump may have been using social media platforms like Twitter to communicate with the public as president about official actions and policies, he also regularly used it for personal purposes,... making false claims... with deliberate disregard for the truth. The decision by the prosecutors to revive the case as the presidential election has entered the homestretch makes it politically interesting. The case was more or less frozen following the Supreme Court verdict on immunity. It has since been returned to US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who was dealing with the case. She had asked the defence and the prosecution to file a joint status report by August 30, outlining their proposed schedules. By filing a superseding indictment, Smith has thrown down a legal as well as political challenge to the Trump team. Chutkan, who was appointed by president Barack Obama, still has the power to decide on the maintainability of the new indictment as she needs to evaluate it against the Supreme Courts immunity ruling and to decide which evidence remains admissible. The Trump team is certain to fight hard to delay the proceedings as much as possible, perhaps even returning to the Supreme Court. As far as the political fallout of the new indictment is concerned, it could be a mixed bag for both the Trump and the Kamala Harris campaigns. When a number of civil and criminal indictments were brought against Trump in the past year, Democrats had hoped that it would hurt him politically. But it really did not affect Trumps ratings or his standing among the Republican voters as evident from his sweeping victory in the primaries. Even his conviction on 34 felony counts in the hush money case and in a massive fraud case did not have any major impact. So it remains to be seen how the superseding indictment could hurt him electorally. The Democrats, however, hope that the fundamentally altered dynamics of the election could help them make use of the new indictment. With Harris as their candidate in the place of Joe Biden, they are likely to play up the perp versus prosecutor dichotomy. With the new indictment coming so close to the November polls, they hope it will finally have an impact as it will help push issues like Trumps alleged criminal behaviour and autocratic tendencies back into the limelight. While the case will not go to trial before the elections, there could be evidentiary hearings by Judge Chutkan which will be covered widely by the media. Trump, meanwhile, has blasted the new indictment as a direct attack on democracy. Maybe he is even relieved that the spotlight is back on him, after losing the upper hand to the surging Harris campaign. His team has already sent out a fundraising email urging supporters to "stand with Trump" by donating money. On social media, Trump alleged that the White House was orchestrating a new campaign against him. This ridiculous political hoax, which most thought was already won by me, comes right out of the White House and the DOJ, wrote Trump. It is being pushed by Kamala Harris and Crooked Joe Biden against their political opponent, ME. Kolkata, Aug 29 (PTI) The Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA) on Thursday hailed the Cabinet's approval for a new pricing methodology for jute bags used in the packaging of food grains. "The new pricing methodology is designed to provide better pricing for jute mills, encouraging modernisation and diversification within the industry. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to purchasing jute bags for the compulsory packaging of 100 per cent of food grains and 20 per cent of sugar, guaranteeing a stable market for jute producers," IJMA said in a statement. With an annual government purchase of jute bags worth Rs 12,000 crore, the new pricing methodology ensures a guaranteed market for the produce of jute farmers and workers, providing much-needed economic relief and stability to the industry. The decision is expected to benefit approximately 4 lakh workers employed in jute mills and associated trades, improving their livelihoods and working conditions. The compulsory packaging norms also continue to support the livelihoods of around 40 lakh farmer families involved in jute production. The revised pricing will further enhance their economic security and well-being, IJMA said. IJMA sources said a new pricing methodology was a long-standing demand from the mill owners. SAN JOSE, Calif. and BENGALURU, India, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ColorTokens Inc., the leading enterprise microsegmentation company, today announced it was named a Leader in The Forrester Wave: Microsegmentation Solutions, Q3 2024 evaluation. This report is the result of a rigorous qualitative evaluation of 11 vendors measured along 23 criteria. A complimentary copy of the extensive analysis can be found here. ColorTokens Logo According to the Forrester report, "ColorTokens' strategy is guided by a refreshingly honest vision: to make its customers 'breach ready.' Its past innovation and future roadmap are full of features to get customers there." The report also stated, "ColorTokens was one of the first vendors to provide broad horizontal policy across infrastructure to quickly reduce the threat surface. Operators can view all untagged assets, which is a powerful policy administration feature that most other vendors in this evaluation don't have." ColorTokens makes customers breach ready with its capable Xshield solution. ColorTokens' Xshield has software agents and agentless solutions to push flows and telemetry to a cloud-managed service for full remote administration. Each policy is enhanced by AI and pulled down to enforce host-level (and even process-level) microsegmentation. The UI is unified across all policy types and offers multiple flow views. Overall horizontal policies can be set quickly with a slider, and the results can be simulated with visualization. Policies are versioned every day and can be quickly rolled back if necessary. Forrester gave ColorTokens the highest possible scores in the following criteria: Flow and Asset Discovery, Visibility, Policy Management, Microservices, OT, Healthcare and IoT, ZTNA Integration, Administrative Experience, Incident Response, Other Integrations, Vision, and Supporting services and offerings. Forrester further noted, "Reference customers specifically called out the superlative support ColorTokens provides, which can include onsite engineers and quick feature requests. ColorTokens is a great fit for midsize to large organizations looking for a dedicated partner for their microsegmentation project." "We are proud of our Leader status in the new Forrester report, and I believe it reflects our commitment to continuous innovation to produce the best possible solutions to defend our client's critical digital operations from cyber-attacks," said Rajesh Khazanchi, CEO and Co-founder of ColorTokens. "Our comprehensive zero-trust microsegmentation protects all possible points of a breach beyond traditional IT infrastructure, including Internet-of-Things, containerized microservices, legacy systems and Operational Technology/Industrial Control Systems leaving no dangerous gaps in our customer's security strategy." This recognition by Forrester comes on the heels of ColorTokens being named to the Constellation Shortlists for Microsegmentation and Healthcare IT Security for Q3 2024. To learn more about ColorTokens Xshield, click the link here. About ColorTokens ColorTokens, the premier enterprise microsegmentation provider, specializes in making organizations "breach ready" by halting the lateral spread of ransomware and malware within intricate network infrastructures using its innovative ColorTokens Xshield platform. The platform visualizes traffic patterns between workloads, devices, and users, enabling organizations to enforce granular micro-perimeters, swiftly isolate critical assets, and respond to breaches effectively. By thwarting ransomware and malware attacks, ColorTokens safeguards businesses, ensuring significant savings in potential disruptions. For more information, visit www.colortokens.com. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2492365/ColorTokens_Logo.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 29: Board of directors of Mumbai based Vaishali Pharma Ltd (NSE VAISHALI) has recommended issue of bonus equity shares in the ratio of 1:1 (1 Bonus share equity for every 1 equity share held in the company as on the record date) in the meeting held on August 28, 2024 along with stock split, subject to necessary regulatory and shareholders approvals. Company approved sub-division of 1 equity share of Rs. 10 face value into five equity shares of Rs. 2 face value each. The bonus issue is aimed at reward existing shareholders, enhance liquidity, and expand the shareholder base. The board also considered proposal for raising of fund by way of equity shares, debentures or other securities through rights issue, private placement, qualified institutions placement (QIP), preferential issue or any other method. Catering to semi-regulated and non-regulated markets across the world, the company had recently obtained 19 registrations across Southern Africa, West Africa, the Gulf region, Latin America and ASEAN region. These registrations are poised to contribute around Rs. 100 million to the companys annual revenue. Backed by strong product portfolio and distribution network, the Company had reported robust financial performance for Q1FY25. For the quarter ended on June 30, 2024, the Companys sales increased by 34.70% to Rs 18.08 crore in Q1FY25 compared to Rs 13.42 crore during Q1FY24. Net Profit of the company rose 7.13% to Rs 1.70 crore as against Rs 1.59 crore during the previous quarter ended June 2023. Highlights Bonus issue is aimed at to reward existing shareholders, enhance liquidity, and expand the shareholder base. Consideration of stock split and bonus shares are in line with the companys vision to reward the shareholders and earn their long-lasting trust and confidence Company had recently obtained 19 registrations across Southern Africa, West Africa, the Gulf region, Latin America etc, expected to contribute around Rs. 100 million to the companys annual revenue. Mumbai-based pharma company has over 250 + formulation brands marketed in multiple countries and a robust pipeline of around 250 Dossiers Commenting on the development, Mr. Atul Vasani, Chairman and Managing Director, Vaishali Pharma Ltd said, We are proud to inform our stakeholders that the company is making significant strides in its long-term growth strategy, delivering excellent operational and financial results. Consideration of stock split and bonus shares are in line with the companys vision to reward the shareholders and earn their long-lasting trust and confidence. This move will not only reward our existing shareholders for their continued support but also increase the company's equity base, thereby enhancing liquidity. With a focus on growth and innovation, the company is making its mark through strategic initiatives, promising to become a significant presence in the evolving pharmaceutical sector. Established in 1989, Vaishali Pharma Limited specializes in the production and marketing of a diverse range of pharmaceutical products, including APIs, formulations, surgical products, veterinary supplements, herbal items, nutraceuticals, and oncology products. Their portfolio serves both human and animal healthcare needs. The company has over 250 + formulation brands marketed in multiple countries and a robust pipeline of around 250 Dossiers. The companys synergistic collaboration with WHO-GMP manufacturing facilities is backed by an excellent rapport with clients. Company is one of the fastest-growing and most versatile company in the pharmaceutical industry. It has a strong presence in both the domestic and export markets and is currently supplying to all leading Indian and international companies. As an emerging force, Vaishali Pharma is poised to contribute substantially to the pharmaceutical landscape in India. The company had recently announced the launch of its new brand HealthE for local online market. The first product in this lineup is HealthE Biotin and Multivitamin Gummies is a revolutionary product designed to enhance hair, skin, and overall health. These delectable gummies combine the power of biotin, essential vitamins, and natural extracts to support hair growth, promote radiant skin, and boost overall vitality. All the products launched are backed by food scientist. This exciting development is a testament to the company's ongoing commitment to delivering health and wellness solutions that improve lives and promote lasting well-being. The company plans to add many more products in near future. "Our venture into the Nutraceutical Products segment, in addition to our ongoing collaborations and alliances, is poised to serve as pivotal growth catalysts in the future. We eagerly anticipate the continuation of our journey towards excellence, with the utmost focus on delivering value to our stakeholders and making significant contributions to the enhancement of healthcare worldwide. Our unwavering dedication to innovation, commitment to maintaining high-quality standards, and the strategic expansion of our global footprint through valuable partnerships have been instrumental in driving our success", added Mr. Vasani. With a vision To be a well-recognised Indian MNC in the pharmaceuticals and healthcare industry, the company continue to work on its mission to contribute substantially towards well-being and health of the society by providing high quality products and service. For more details please visit: www.vaishalipharma.com (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Hyderabad (karnataka) [India], August 29: BSM, one of Hyderabads leading business schools, recently conducted a ceremonial orientation program to welcome its founding class of students for the 2024-26 academic year. These students will embark on the institute's flagship PGDM programme, known for its innovative and industry-focused curriculum. The three-day orientation programme commenced at the BSM Campus where students were welcomed warmly by the BSM team, followed by the Deans address. Day 2 involved community-focused activities like culture-building exercises, a discourse on entrepreneurial ideas, and a tree plantation drive at the state-of-the-art campus. The event concluded on Day 3 with a session of self-reflection, case study discussions, and an exuberant gala night. Addressing the students, Mr. Sri Kishan Badruka, Secretary of the Badruka Educational Society, said As you begin this new chapter at BSM, remember that you are part of a community that believes in you and your potential. Together, we will shape the future, where innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development converge harmoniously, and where you will thrive on creativity, embrace ethical practices, and lead us toward a sustainable and prosperous tomorrow. We assure you that we take your learning journey seriously, cultivating an environment where you can grow, explore, and succeed. Dr. Prabhu Aggarwal, Dean of Badruka School of Management, further added, At BSM, we believe that education is the catalyst for personal and professional growth. We are committed to shaping the next generation of business leaders who can thrive in a rapidly changing world. I encourage you to embrace the values and seize the opportunities, resources, and experiences available to you, emerging as a responsible leader who can drive positive change and make a lasting impact. Other notable speakers included Dr. Pramath Raj Sinha, the Founding Dean of ISB Hyderabad, who inspired students with his insights on leadership and the evolving landscape of management education. Additionally, industry leaders like Mrinalini Shastry, Founder of Six Yard Plus and Vice President of Impact Partnerships, Rang De and Nitin Kashyap, SVP, Head of Product, Samagra and Former Group Product Manager, Google shared valuable perspectives on careers post-PGDM, giving students a glimpse into their potential futures. This orientation programme for the founding PGDM class offered an introduction to the academic journey ahead, as well as a glimpse of the culture that awaits the students. The programmes comprehensive approach ensures that students are well-prepared to excel and make the most of their experience. For more information, please visit: https://www.badrukaschoolofmanagement.edu.in/ (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR SINGAPORE, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Smartee organized the GS Mandibular Repositioning Therapy Conference in Singapore, gathering top dental professionals from across Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The conference was led by orthodontic experts, including Prof. Gang Shen, Chief Orthodontist at Taikang Bybo Dental and Smartee's Chief Scientist in R&D, along with Dr. Jingting Lu, a core member of Prof. Shen's orthodontic team. Together, they unveiled insights into the application of Smartee GS Technology for treating malocclusion, with a focus on facial concavitya condition that has long posed challenges in the orthodontic community. Innovative Solutions for Complex Orthodontic Challenges Prof. Shen introduced an original clinical system to classify malocclusions based on patients' facial profiles and a predictive growth model for facial concavity (Class III malocclusion), emphasizing the complexities of this condition. Unlike facial convexity, facial concavity presents more severe jaw discrepancies and dynamic changes in malocclusion, making accurate growth predictions challenging. However, through mandibular morphology analysis, Prof. Shen demonstrated how Smartee Mandibular Repositioning Technology can predict treatment outcomes. His approach identifies mandibular shapesranging from flat rectangular, which offers a better prognosis, to triangular shapes with varying degrees of concavity, where the prognosis becomes increasingly challenging. This work not only provides a foundation for developing effective treatment plans, but also enables assessment of the need for additional interventions such as tooth extractions or surgery. A New Era in Non-Invasive Orthodontic Treatment Dr. Jingting Lu further highlighted the clinical advantages of Smartee GS aligners, presenting case studies that underscore its effectiveness. She detailed how this technology allows for precise diagnostic and treatment processes, offering a new approach to orthodontic and orthopedic corrections without the need for invasive surgery. Global Impact and Future Vision One participant remarked, "Prof. Shen's innovative classification system and the mandibular repositioning technology developed with Smartee address critical clinical challenges, especially in cases involving TMJ malocclusion. This technological system gives me new confidence in tackling real-world clinical issues." Smartee Dental continues to earn international acclaim for its work in treatment plan design and invisible orthodontic solutions. As the company looks to the future, it remains committed to driving the global advancement of invisible orthodontic technology, delivering high-quality, innovative solutions and products to doctors and patients around the world. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Ukrainian MP Artem Dmytruk, who illegally crossed the Ukrainian border, has been officially put on the international wanted list. He is suspected of assaulting a soldier and a law enforcement officer. ADVERTISIMENT A motion to take the current MP into custody has also been sent to the court. This was reported on August 29 by the Office of the Prosecutor General and the State Bureau of Investigation, which is conducting a pre-trial investigation. It is noted that during his stay in Odesa, the suspect and his accomplices attacked a law enforcement officer who was performing his official duties at the time. The MP deliberately inflicted bodily harm on the law enforcement officer and tried to steal his weapon. In another case, which occurred in Kyiv, Dmytruk had a dispute with a citizen, during which he struck him several times, including in the head. According to the expert's opinion, the man sustained moderate bodily harm as a result of the MP's unlawful actions. The victim was a defender of Ukraine, an assault rifleman who fought in the hottest spots of the frontline. ADVERTISIMENT Thus, the MP of the IX convocation is currently suspected of: intentional infliction of light bodily harm to a law enforcement officer by a group of persons in connection with the performance of his official duties (Part 1 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 345 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine); theft of firearms by a group of persons (Article 15(2), Article 28(1), Article 262(1) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine); intentional infliction of bodily harm of moderate severity (Article 122(1) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine); a gross violation of public order on the grounds of manifest disrespect for society, accompanied by particular audacity (Article 296(1) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). ADVERTISIMENT Procedural control is carried out by the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine. What is known about Dmytruk's escape On August 25, several Ukrainian media outlets reported that the scandalous MP Artem Dmytruk had left Ukraine: he was allegedly seen in Moldova. The State Bureau of Investigation confirmed that the current MP had illegally crossed the border in Odesa Oblast and entered the neighboring country, and criminal proceedings were opened over the incident. Later, it was reported that Dmytruk crossed the border on foot and entered Moldova. Local law enforcement officers did not detain him at the request of Ukraine, as they had no reason to do so. The head of the UCP, Andrii Kostin, said the day before that the MP had been helped to leave Ukraine. The assistants may very likely include officials from various agencies. The Prosecutor General said that if Dmytruk does not appear voluntarily for interrogation in Ukraine on August 29-30, he will be put on the wanted list and extradition will be requested. ADVERTISIMENT We would like to add that MP Artem Dmytruk supported the narratives of pro-Russian politicians and promoted such theses himself. He spoke negatively about the MPs who supported the adoption of the bill "on the ban of the UOC-MP," calling them "Nazis who support the genocide of the Ukrainian people." The MP himself has long been a parishioner of the UOC-MP, and in July 2024 he even became a subdeacon. For this "joyful event," Dmytruk thanked Metropolitan Onufriy himself. As reported by OBOZ.UA, in October 2023, non-factional MP Artem Dmytruk and his colleague from the SN party started a swear fight in the Rada over the UOC-MP. Both threatened "God's punishment" to parliamentarians who voted in favor of a bill banning religious organizations affiliated with Russia and its propaganda narratives. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Mumbai, Aug 29 (PTI) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday cautioned against fraudulent activities in its name and asked the public not share account login details, OTP, or KYC documents with unidentified persons. It has come to the notice of the RBI that unscrupulous elements are using various methods to defraud members of the public by using the name of RBI in some capacity, the central bank said in a statement. The RBI also listed various modus operandi employed by fraudsters. Fraudsters use fake letter heads and fake email addresses of the RBI, impersonating as employees of the central bank, and lure people with fictitious offers such as lottery winnings, fund transfers, foreign remittance, and government schemes. Targeted victims are made to part with money in the form of currency processing fee, transfer/remittance/procedure charges. Another tactic that has come to our notice is of small/medium businesses being approached by fraudsters posing as government/RBI officials and made to pay a "security deposit" under the garb of a government contract or scheme, with the promise of attractive payments. Fraudsters also use intimidating tactics wherein victims are contacted over IVR calls, SMS, and emails. They impersonate as RBI officials and threaten to freeze/block/deactivate bank accounts of recipients and convince or coerce them to share certain personal detail or install some unauthorised/unverified application using a link provided in the communication. RBI further said it has come across some websites and apps of entities such as unauthorised digital lending apps and other supposed financial services providers. The RBI reiterated that it does not maintain any account in the name of individuals, companies, or trusts in India to hold funds for disbursal. It also does not open accounts for individuals or ask them to deposit money in those accounts. Further, the RBI does not send emails intimating award of lottery funds or any SMS, letter, or email to communicate fictitious offers of lottery winnings or funds received from abroad. "Beware of calls, emails, and any other communication by cybercriminals posing as officials from government agencies/RBI, asking for transfer of money under the pretext of any enticing offer or alarming issue," the RBI said. "Do not share" account login details, personal information, copies of KYC documents, card information, PIN, password, and OTP with unidentified persons or agencies, it said. Public should also not such details through unverified/unauthorised websites or applications. In case one receives any such requests, he or she is requested to get in touch with their bank/branch, the RBI said. The central bank advised the public to report suspicious communications to law enforcement agencies. New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) The finance ministry on Thursday said there are no restrictions for persons of the LGBTQ community to open a joint bank account and to nominate a person in a queer relationship as a nominee. This is to clarify that there are no restrictions for persons of the queer community to open a joint bank account and also to nominate a person in the queer relationship as a nominee to receive the balance in the account in the event of the account holder, the finance ministry said in an advisory dated August 28. The advisory for Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community (LGBT community) from the ministry comes in view of the Supreme Court order dated October 17, 2023, in the case of Supriyo@Supriya Chakraborty and another vs Union of India (Writ Petition Civil No. 1011/2022). A clarification in this regard has also been issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to all the scheduled commercial banks on August 21, 2024, the advisory by the Department of Financial Services under the finance ministry said. The RBI, in 2015, directed banks to include a separate column 'third gender' in all their forms and applications to help transgender persons open bank accounts and avail of related services. Following the 2015 order, several banks launched services catering to transgender. ESAF Small Finance Bank Ltd, in 2022, launched a 'Rainbow Savings Account' exclusively for the transgender community, offering a host of features, including high savings rates and advanced debit card facilities. Following the Supreme Court judgment dated October 17, 2023, the Centre in April 2024 constituted a six-member committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary to examine the various issues relating to the queer community. The panel was tasked to examine measures that can be taken to ensure there is no discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in access to goods and services and measures that can be taken to ensure that the LGBTQ+ community does not face any threat of violence, harassment or coercion. Colombo, Aug 29 (PTI) Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday offered the continuation of his economic recovery path with the cash-strapped island nation's international partners as the cornerstone of his election manifesto for the presidential election scheduled for next month. The 75-year-old incumbent president is in the fray for reelection in the September 21 polls to continue the recovery programme with his legacy of ending miles-long queues for essentials and guaranteeing livelihoods in a painful reform process. We must operate within the framework of these agreements," Wickremesinghe, also the finance minister, said, referring to the economic bail-out agreement with the International Monetary Fund, the official creditor committee comprising 17 countries, China, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Sri Lankas bankrupt economy has recorded positive growth under Wickremesinghe's leadership after the island nation reported six quarters of negative growth following the unprecedented economic crisis caused by massive forex shortages in 2022. The public protests due to shortages of essentials, power and cooking gas led to the ouster of Wickremesinghes predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa who resigned following mass protests in 2022. The IMF-led reform programme has made the president unpopular, resulting in the lead of other front runners -- the main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and the Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake -- in unofficial polls. His rivals have pledged to revise the IMF programme to provide more relief from rigid reforms. Now is the time for action, not just for discussion. We should avoid debating new policies or engaging in protracted negotiations with the IMF over new policies. Should we forget the hardships faced by people? Wickremesinghe asked. In his manifesto, released on Thursday, Premadasa said: We will strengthen fiscal discipline as per the IMF agreement and continue with difficult but necessary reforms to meet the targets of revenue, primary balance and debt. However, we will amend the current programme to guarantee relief to those below the poverty line and improve the quality of life for Sri Lankans." Bengaluru, Aug 29 (PTI) Economically advanced States are committed to supporting poorer States, but this should not come at the expense of their own residents or economic efficiency, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Thursday. In his address to Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission Arvind Panagariya and its members at a meeting here, he said the panel needs to carefully examine the impact of extremely high emphasis given to equity on the incentives of well performing states. "Moreover, the taxpayers of such states expect their taxes to work for them. This creates public trust. The Finance Commission therefore needs to do a tightrope walk while balancing equity with efficiency and performance," Siddaramaiah said. Noting that cesses and surcharges are not part of the divisible pool, the Chief Minister said over the years, the Union Government has increased its reliance on them. This has led to the divisible pool not growing in the same proportion as the Gross Tax Revenue, he said. This has caused substantial loss to all the States. The loss to Karnataka on account of the non-sharing of cesses and surcharges from the divisible pool is Rs 53,359 crore during the period 2017-18 to 2024-25, according to him. The Chief Minister said reduction in central financial transfers is placing severe limitations on the ability of the States to invest in physical and human infrastructure, adding, this issue must be addressed urgently. "Economically advanced States are committed to supporting poorer States, but this should not come at the expense of their own residents or economic efficiency," Siddaramaiah said. "A larger proportion of resources generated by the States should be shared with them." The Chief Minister said all non-tax revenues of the Centre should be included in the divisible pool of taxes by bringing the necessary Constitutional amendment. He requested the Commission to take a bold view and approach, whereby equity considerations are balanced with sufficient reward for efficiency and performance. Karnataka recommends that 60 per cent of contribution of a state to the divisible pool, for inter se allocation among states, should be given to that state, Siddaramaiah said. Karnataka, the Chief Minister said, has been central to India's growth story, adding, it contributes approximately 8.4 per cent to the national GDP with only about five per cent of the population. The State ranks second in total GST contribution to the country. Despite Karnataka's substantial contribution of about Rs four lakh crore to the Gross Tax Revenue of the Union every year, the state gets about Rs 45,000 crore in the form of devolution and about Rs 15,000 crore grant-in-aid. "This means that for every rupee Karnataka contributes, only 15 paise is returned to the state," he pointed out. Bengaluru, Aug 29 (PTI) Karnataka requires greater devolution by the Centre as it faces regional imbalances, especially in the Kalyana Karnataka region, and the challenges of urbanisation, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Thursday. In his address to Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission Arvind Panagariya and its members at a meeting here, he said Bengaluru needs an investment of Rs 55,586 crore over the next five years out of which the State requested for a grant of Rs 27,793 crore. Similarly, for the equitable development of the Kalyana Karnataka region, the State is investing Rs 25,000 crore and requested a matching grant of Rs 25,000 crores over five years from the 16th Finance Commission. To ensure effective disaster mitigation and timely relief and rehabilitation measures in the highly vulnerable region of Western Ghats, the State requested a grant of Rs 10,000 crore. According to him, the 15th Finance Commissions award reduced Karnatakas share sharply from 4.713 to 3.647. This has led to a loss of Rs 68,275 crore during the five-year period from 2021-26, he said. The Finance Commission was conscious of the drastic cut Karnataka received and recommended state specific grants of Rs 11,495 crore, the Chief Minister said, adding, the Government of India, however, has not accepted the recommendation. "So, Karnataka was deprived of these grants as well. The total of all the losses amount to Rs 79,770 Crores during the 15th Finance Commission period,", Siddaramaiah said. Karnataka, he said, has seen a revenue transfer of Rs 35,000-40,000 crore per year to other States, amounting to 1.8 percent of its GSDP, during the 15th Finance Commission period. "The figure is astounding because the net transfers outside of Karnataka amount to about 50 to 55 percent of the total revenues it generates." Due to the disproportionate weightage given to equity, Karnataka and similarly placed States ended up getting penalised for their good performance, both fiscally and demographically, the Chief Minister said. Mumbai, Aug 29 (PTI) Actors Aparshakti Khurana and Ishwak Singh-starrer Berlin is set to release on September 13 on ZEE5, the streaming platform announced Thursday. The spy thriller is directed by Atul Sabharwal of Class of 83 fame. Set in the politically-charged atmosphere of 1990s New Delhi, the film unfolds when authorities arrest a deaf-mute young man (Singh) on suspicion of being a foreign spy. The case takes a complex turn as a skilled sign language expert (Khurana) is brought in to interpret, only to find himself drawn into a web of intrigue. Khurana said Berlin would present him in a never-seen-before avatar. Berlin is a film with which I am emotionally connected as it brought out the best in me. Atul Sabharwal pulled me out of my comfort zone and threw me into such a challenging world. It's like being the wildcard in a high-stakes poker game where every player holds a secret. "Trust me, this isn't your typical binge-watch it's a mind-bending puzzle that'll have you playing detective from your couch. Its a character and a role I have never explored before so, get ready for a surprise. 'Berlin' is where the laughs stop, and the intensity begins, the actor, who is basking in the success of Stree 2, said in a statement. Singh, best known for his nuanced performance in the series Pataal Lok, said working on Berlin has been an extremely rewarding experience for him. "From the word go I knew this was a special film. I found the character and the story very intriguing and much like the plot it was a mystery how I would crack it. I trusted my instincts and believed in Atul Sabharwals vision and things just fell in place. "Playing Ashok who is deaf has without a doubt been the most challenging character Ive ever played. I had to be fluent in sign language and comfortable enough with it so I naturally go for signing and not speak while performing the scenes. The deaf community takes pride in sign language and doesnt see it as a handicap. That also had to come through. Actor Rahul Bose, who portrays an intelligence officer, said Berlin is one of those rare projects that challenge one's perspective on storytelling. The movie has won accolades for its compelling narrative and stellar performances across the globe at various film festivals including MAMI, Stars Asian International Film Festival in Los Angeles and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. Berlin, which is a collaboration between Zee Studios and Yippee Ki Yay Motion Pictures, also stars Rahul Bose, Anupriya Goenka, and Kabir Bedi. Rio de Janeiro, Aug 29 (AP) A Brazilian Supreme Court justice has threatened to shut down the local operations of X, formerly Twitter, unless its billionaire owner Elon Musk names an in-country legal representative within 24 hours. The order from Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Wednesday is the latest development in an ongoing feud with Musk's platform. The company has clashed with de Moraes earlier this year over free speech, accounts associated with the far-right and misinformation, and it claims to be a victim of censorship. Earlier this month, X said it was removing all remaining Brazil staff in the country effective immediately, saying de Moraes had threatened its legal representative with arrest. The Supreme Court on Wednesday notified X of de Moraes' order in a reply to a post from the company's global government affairs account on the social platform. In case of non-compliance with the determination, the decision could bring about suspension of the social media network's activities in Brazil, the court said in a statement. In the United States, free speech is a constitutional right that's much more permissive than in many countries, including Brazil, where de Moraes in April ordered an investigation into Musk over the dissemination of defamatory fake news and another probe over possible obstruction, incitement and criminal organisation. Brazil's political right has long characterised de Moraes as overstepping his bounds to clamp down on free speech and engage in political persecution. His defenders have said his actions are lawful, supported by at least the majority of the court's bench, and have served to protect democracy at a time in which it is imperiled. (AP) SCY SCY Beijing, Aug 29 (AP) Beijing and Washington will plan for a phone call in the coming weeks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden, the White House said Wednesday after National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. Sullivan's first trip to China as national security adviser was aimed at keeping high-level communications open and stabilising bilateral relations to avoid conflict. The White House statement said both sides would keep lines of communication open, including planning for a leader-level call" in the coming weeks. There was no indication the two leaders might meet in person before Biden leaves the Oval Office. The White House said the two sides also planned to hold a military theater commander telephone call in the near future. China has rapidly expanded its military, and there are concerns that Taiwan and the South China Sea are becoming flashpoints. Wang told Sullivan that Taiwan's independence poses the greatest threat to stability in the immediate region. He demanded that the US stop arming the island but support China's peaceful unification," according to a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy that split from authoritarian communist China in 1949, has rejected Beijing's demands that it accept unification with the mainland by peace or by force. The US is obligated under a domestic law to provide the island with sufficient hardware and technology to deter invasion. The White House statement said Sullivan underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Sullivan planned to meet with China's Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia on Thursday morning, according to a senior Biden administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the yet to be publicly announced meeting. Zhang has spoken in the past of Beijing's determination to take control of Taiwan. At an international naval gathering earlier this year in northeast China, Zhang said China would strike back with force if its interests came under threat. He said China's territorial sovereignty brooks no infringement and its core interests cannot be challenged. We do not provoke trouble, but we will never flinch in face of provocation. The Chinese military will resolutely defend the reunification and interest of the motherland. Beijing also warned Washington not to support or indulge the Philippines to infringe upon China's rights and interests in the South China Sea. China and the Philippines have clashed over the Second Thomas Shoal and lately the Sabina Shoal. The US military has pushed back against China's claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, saying this week it would be open to consultations about escorting Philippine ships in the disputed sea amid a spike in hostilities between Beijing and Manila on the issue. The White House said Sullivan reaffirmed the US commitment to defending its Indo-Pacific allies and expressed concern about Beijing's destabilizing actions against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea. The Philippines has called for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to do more. The 10-nation Southeast Asian bloc includes the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, which have South China Sea claims that overlap with each other as well as China's and Taiwan's. The US has shifted its policy with China from engagement to competition. The Biden administration has made it a priority to prevent the competition from spiralling out of control, while seeking to collaborate with China in areas such as climate change, artificial intelligence and enforcement against illicit drugs. John Podesta, the senior adviser to the president for international climate policy, will travel to China, and Sullivan and Wang discussed next steps to reduce the flow of illicit synthetic drugs and continue repatriation of undocumented migrants," the White House said. The US Border Patrol in July made 1,851 arrests of Chinese immigrants on the border with Mexico, down from the December high of 5,951. The two sides also agreed to hold a second round of dialogue over artificial intelligence, the Chinese foreign ministry said. Sullivan raised continued concerns about China's trade policies and non-market economic practices, the White House said. Wang demanded the US stop suppressing China in the areas of trade, economic and technology," the Chinese foreign ministry said. By resorting to protectionism, the US would only hurt the global green development and affect the global economic growth, Wang told Sullivan. (AP) SCY SCY Moscow, Aug 29 (AP) After three weeks of fighting, Russia is still struggling to dislodge Ukrainian forces from the Kursk region, a surprisingly slow and low-key response to the first occupation of its territory since World War II. It all comes down to Russian manpower and Russian priorities. With the bulk of its military pressing offensives inside Ukraine, the Kremlin appears to lack enough reserves for now to drive out Kyiv's forces. President Vladimir Putin doesn't seem to view the attack or at least, give the impression that he views it as a grave enough threat to warrant pulling troops from eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, his priority target. Putin's focus is on the collapse of the Ukrainian state, which he believes will automatically render any territorial control irrelevant, wrote Tatiana Stanovaya, senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre. Putin's priorities Months after launching the full-scale invasion in 2022, Putin illegally annexed the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson as part of Russian territory, and their full capture has been a top priority. He declared in June that Kyiv must withdraw its forces from parts of those regions it controls as a condition for peace talks, a demand that Ukraine rejects. In marshalling forces to meet Ukraine's incursion, Russia is doing all it can to avoid drawing units from its own offensive in the Donbas, said Nigel Gould-Davies of the International Institute of Strategic Studies. Russia currently judges that it can contain the threat on its own soil without compromising its most important goal in Ukraine." Even as Ukrainian forces pushed into Kursk on August 6, Russian troops continued their slow advance around the strategic city of Pokrovsk and other parts of the Donetsk area. Russia is very keen on continuing the attacks toward Pokrovsk and not taking resources away from Pokrovsk to Kursk, said Nico Lange, senior fellow at the Washington-based Centre for European Policy Analysis. Unlike Pokrovsk, where Ukrainian forces have built extensive fortifications, other parts of Donetsk still under Ukrainian control are less protected and could be significantly more vulnerable to the Russian onslaught if Pokrovsk falls. Speaking about Kursk in televised meetings with officials, Putin described the incursion as an attempt by Kyiv to slow the Russian campaign in Donetsk. He said the Russian advance there only has accelerated despite events in Kursk. In pressuring Ukraine to meet his demands, Russia also has launched a steady barrage of long-range strikes on the power grid. An attack Monday on energy facilities was one of the largest and most devastating of the war, involving over 200 missiles and drones and causing widespread blackouts. It highlighted loopholes in Ukraine's air defences that are stretched between protecting front-line troops as well as infrastructure. Playing down the incursion Focused on capturing Ukraine's four regions, Putin has sought to attach little importance to Kyiv's foray into Kursk. Rather than rallying the population against a threat to the motherland, the Kremlin is anxious to downplay the incursion, said Gould-Davies of the London-based IISS. Faced with the reality of the occupation of Russia's territory, the state propaganda machine has sought to distract attention from the obvious military failure by focusing on government efforts to help over 130,000 residents displaced from their homes. State-controlled media cast the attack on Kursk as evidence of Kyiv's aggressive intentions and more proof that Russia was justified in invading Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Stanovaya noted that while many Kursk residents could be angry at the Kremlin, the overall nationwide sentiment could actually favour the authorities. While it's certainly a blow to the Kremlin's reputation, it is unlikely to spark a significant rise in social or political discontent among the population, she said. The Ukrainian attack might actually lead to a rallying around the flag and a rise in anti-Ukrainian and anti-Western sentiments. A limited Kremlin response Ukraine's chief military officer, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, said his forces control nearly 1,300 square kilometres and about 100 settlements in the Kursk region, a claim that couldn't be independently verified. With the combat situation in Kursk in flux, unlike the static front lines in Donetsk, Ukrainian units could roam the region without establishing a lasting presence in many of the settlements they claim. Observers say Russia does not have enough well-coordinated resources to chase the Ukrainian forces in Kursk. Moscow's efforts to counter the new Ukrainian offensive appear limited to sending units from all over Russia, including a proportion of militia and irregular forces, said Ben Barry, senior fellow for land warfare at the IISS, in a commentary. Until the Kursk incursion, Putin has refrained from using conscripts in the war to avoid a public backlash. Young conscripts drafted for a compulsory one-year tour of duty have served away from the front, and those deployed to protect the border in the Kursk region became easy prey for Ukraine's battle-hardened mechanized infantry units. Hundreds were captured, and 115 were exchanged for Ukrainian troops over the weekend. Commentators observed that Putin also is reluctant to call up more reservists, fearing domestic destabilisation like what happened when he ordered a highly unpopular mobilization of 300,000 in response to a Ukrainian counteroffensive in 2022. Hundreds of thousands fled Russia to avoid being sent to combat. Since then, the Kremlin has bolstered its forces in Ukraine with volunteers attracted by relatively high wages, but that flow has ebbed in recent months. It would take tens of thousands of troops to fully dislodge the Ukrainian force, estimated at 10,000, that used the region's dense forests as cover. Clearly lacking resources for such a massive operation, Russia for now has focused on stemming deeper Ukrainian advances by sealing roads and targeting Kyiv's reserves tactics that have been partially successful. Ukraine, meanwhile, has confounded the Russian military by destroying bridges across the Seym River, disrupting logistics for some Russian units in the region and creating conditions for establishing a pocket of control. Lange predicted Ukrainian troops could use the river to carve out a buffer zone. I would expect the Ukrainians to find some few more choke points for Russian logistics and infrastructure, not necessarily only bridges, and take them under control, he said. The risks for Ukraine By capturing a chunk of Russian territory, Ukraine has embarrassed the Kremlin and reshaped the battlefield. But diverting some of the country's most capable forces from the east is a gamble for Kyiv. This all carries considerable risk, particularly if an effort to over-stretch Russian forces results in overstretching the smaller Ukrainian forces, according to Barry of the IISS. An attempt to create a foothold in Kursk would further extend the more than 1,000-kilometre front line, adding to the challenges faced by the undermanned and outgunned Ukrainian forces. Defending positions inside Russia would raise serious logistical problems, with the extended supply lines becoming easy targets. The Russian system is very hierarchical and stiff, so it always takes them a significant amount of time to adapt to a new situation," Lange said, "but we will have to see how Ukraine can sustain there, once Russia has adapted and comes with full force. (AP) GRS GRS Beijing, Aug 29 (AP) United States National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met Thursday with a top Chinese military official as the two countries strengthen communication in an effort to prevent differences over the South China Sea and Taiwan from spiralling into conflict. The meeting came one day after the White House said that both countries would plan for a phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden in the coming weeks. Sullivan was wrapping up a three-day trip to China, his first as national security adviser and one aimed at stabilising bilateral relations to avoid conflict. His main talks were held over the past day and a half with Wang Yi, the foreign minister and the ruling Communist Party's top foreign policy official. The meeting Thursday was with Gen. Zhang Youxia, one of two vice chairs of the Central Military Commission, an organisation that Xi personally heads. It was a rare meeting with a US official that came at a time when both sides are eager to keep relations on an even keel ahead of a change in the US presidency in January. Your request to meet with me shows the value you attach to military security and the relationship between our militaries, Zhang told Sullivan in opening remarks. A White House statement after the talks said the two had recognised the progress in sustained, regular military-military communications over the past ten months and noted the agreement announced Wednesday to hold a telephone call between commanders at the theatre-level in the near future. China suspended communication between the two militaries and in a few other fields after a senior US lawmaker, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, visited Taiwan in August 2022. Talks were only gradually resumed more than a year later, after Xi and Biden met outside San Francisco in November. A theatre-level call would be between Adm. Samuel Paparo, who heads the US Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii, and his Chinese counterpart, said Danny Russel, a vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York. This theatre command-level dialogue is critical for crisis prevention but something the Chinese military has been resisting, Russel said. A White House statement after talks with Wang concluded Wednesday said both sides would keep lines of communication open, including planning for a leader-level call in the coming weeks. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Wang and Sullivan discussed a new round of interactions between the two countries' heads of state to take place in the near future. There was no indication whether the two leaders might meet in person before Biden leaves the Oval Office. (AP) GRS GRS Russian filmmakers have once again expressed their defiance of the "unfriendly West" and decided to create a series about US President Joe Biden. According to propagandists, the American politician will come to Russia to understand the "Russian soul." ADVERTISIMENT The main role went to Russian actor and avid Putinist Dmitry Duzhev, who fanatically glorifies his dictator and the bloody war in Ukraine. According to the Russian media, the plot of the "masterpiece" revolves around Biden, who flies to Russia and loses his documents. Due to a "genius and original" coincidence, instead of the American president, an ordinary "pensioner Ivanych" is sent back to Washington. As if now the politician has to live in an ordinary Khrushchev apartment and earn his bread by teaching English. ADVERTISIMENT Biden's best friend is none other than a Putinist fanatic, which is called a "true patriot" in Russian. The director of The Interns will be in charge of the filming process of the miracle series. The Russians themselves, to put it mildly, did not appreciate the "creative" idea: "The bottom has been broken." "Cool. I wish we had something like this about Putin." "What a shame". "They're filming, and I'm ashamed." "It's a joke, right? A joke?" "Somehow it looks... scary. Are you sure it's not a horror movie?" "Mmmm... I feel like we're going to laugh with the whole village... Joe Bidenovich is changing his profession, it turns out..." ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, OBOZ.UA told about how Dmitry Duzhev came to the temporarily occupied Donetsk last fall. The Putinist, along with his colleagues, performed at a celebration dedicated to the "80th anniversary of the liberation of Donbas from Nazi invaders." Even Russians found the artist's overly expressive behavior strange, which is why he was actively hacked online. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! Islamabad, Aug 29 (PTI) Pakistan will launch the second phase of the repatriation of Afghan refugees, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced, emphasising the need for the role of the UN and the international community in their rehabilitation. During a meeting on Wednesday with a UN delegation led by Special Representative for Afghanistan Indrika Ratwatte, Naqvi said Pakistan has been hosting Afghan refugees for decades, and the phase-wise repatriation of illegal foreigners has already started. Naqvi, who welcomed the UN delegation at the Ministry of Interior, said the second phase of the repatriation of Afghan refugees will be started soon, according to a press release by the Interior Ministry. Pakistan launched the first round of repatriation of what it called "undocumented aliens" in November last year after a spike in suicide attacks, which the government believes were carried out by Afghan nationals. Islamabad also blamed them for smuggling, militant violence and other crimes. Around half a million Afghans are believed to have been expelled under this phase. In phase two of the repatriation plan, Afghans holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACCs) will be expelled, while phase three is expected to target those with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)-issued Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, the Dawn newspaper reported. Naqvi also emphasised the need for the role of the United Nations and the international community in the rehabilitation of Afghan refugees. He said that no action is being taken against individuals holding legal documents but added that no one can be allowed to stay in Pakistan without a visa or other legal documents. Asserting that terrorism was a global issue, the minister claimed that Pakistan was the most affected country. He informed the UN delegation about the involvement of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the terrorist attacks in Pakistan and said the banned terrorist organisation is using Afghan soil for these attacks, which must be stopped. He said Pakistan was desirous of peace and stability in Afghanistan and is providing all possible support in this regard. Ratwatte said the UN is closely working with the Afghan government for the permanent rehabilitation of Afghan refugees. The UN special representative also condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan, in which as many as 70 people were killed, including 37 security personnel and civilians, by the Balochistan Liberation Army. According to the UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, there are 2.18 million documented Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. Disclosing that at least 44,000 Afghans approved for relocation to Western nations following the Talibans return to power were still waiting in limbo in Pakistan, the Foreign Office had last month asked these countries to expedite the process. Afghans make up the largest portion of migrants, many of whom came after the Taliban took over Kabul in 2021, but a large number have been present since the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. In October 2023, Pakistan announced the first phase of the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan with a 30-day deadline for undocumented aliens to leave the country or be ready to face action. Jakarta, Aug 29 (AP) Indonesia and Australia signed a defence agreement on Thursday that both sides described as a significant upgrade to their military relationship. Indonesia's president-elect Prabowo Subianto, who also serves as defence minister, signed the Defence Cooperation Agreement with Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles at Indonesia's National Military Academy in Magelang, Central Java province. Marles said the agreement, whose text has not been published, is "an important piece of international architecture, a treaty-level agreement but not a military alliance. He added that the two countries plan to hold the largest joint military exercise in their history in November, which will be Australia's largest overseas exercise of the year. The bilateral relationship is becoming increasingly important to Australia in face of growing tensions with China in the region. New Australian prime ministers typically make Jakarta one of their first overseas destinations. Subianto has vowed to continue Indonesia's long-standing policy of non-alignment as president. We did it to work together, as neighbours who are in direct contact, to increase cooperation to help each other overcome various security threats and promote sustainable peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region, Subianto said on Thursday. Australia's defence ministry said that the agreement will include enhanced practical cooperation and interoperability between our defence forces in areas such as maritime security, counter terrorism, humanitarian and disaster relief, logistics support, education and training, as well as across defence industry. The defence cooperation agreement between our two nations is the deepest. It's the the most significant defence agreement in the history of our bilateral relationship, Marles said on Thursday. Indonesia's Defence Ministry said that the agreement that would help prevent future security threats in the Asia-Pacific region through collaborative efforts to maintain peace and stability. (AP) GRS GRS Beijing, Aug 29 (AP) Chinese President Xi Jinping met with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday in Beijing, on a visit with the stated aim of keeping communications open between the two powers, as the relationship between China and the United States has become increasingly tense in recent years. Sullivan, on his first trip to China in his capacity as the main adviser to President Joe Biden on US national security issues, has met with senior Chinese officials including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a senior general of the Central Military Commission. China and the US have become increasingly at odds over various issues, starting with a trade war dating back to 2018, and which now encompasses global security matters, such as China's claims over the South China Sea, and industrial policy on things like automobile and solar panel manufacturing. Both sides said Thursday that they remain committed to managing the relationship. Xi and Biden met in San Francisco last November in an effort to improve ties. Although the situations of the two countries and China-US relations have changed greatly, China's goal of being committed to the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US relations has not changed, Xi said, according to state broadcaster CCTV. President Biden is committed to responsibly managing this consequential relationship to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict or confrontation, and to work together where our interests align, Sullivan said. Beijing and Washington will also plan for a phone call in the coming weeks between Xi and Biden, the White House said on Wednesday. The White House statement said that both sides would keep lines of communication open. There was no indication that the two leaders might meet in person before Biden leaves the Oval Office. The White House said the two sides also planned to hold a military theatre commander phone call in the near future. China has rapidly expanded its military, and there are concerns that Taiwan and the South China Sea are becoming flashpoints. Wang, China's top diplomat, told Sullivan that Taiwan's independence poses the greatest threat to stability in the immediate region. He demanded that the US stop arming the island but support China's peaceful unification", according to a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy that split from authoritarian communist China in 1949, has rejected Beijing's demands that it accept unification with the mainland by peace or by force. The US is obligated under a domestic law to provide the island with sufficient hardware and technology to deter invasion. The White House statement said Sullivan underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Sullivan planned to meet with China's vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Youxia, on Thursday morning, according to a senior Biden administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the yet to be publicly announced meeting. Zhang has spoken in the past of Beijing's determination to take control of Taiwan. At an international naval gathering earlier this year in northeast China, Zhang said China would strike back with force if its interests came under threat. He said that China's territorial sovereignty brooks no infringement and its core interests cannot be challenged. We do not provoke trouble, but we will never flinch in face of provocation. The Chinese military will resolutely defend the reunification and interest of the motherland. Beijing also warned Washington not to support or indulge the Philippines to infringe upon China's rights and interests in the South China Sea. China and the Philippines have clashed over the Second Thomas Shoal, and lately the Sabina Shoal. The US military has pushed back against China's claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, saying this week that it would be open to consultations about escorting Philippine ships in the disputed sea amid a spike in hostilities between Beijing and Manila on the issue. The White House said that Sullivan reaffirmed Washington's commitment to defending its Indo-Pacific allies and expressed concern about Beijing's destabilizing actions against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea. The Philippines has called for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to do more. The 10-nation Southeast Asian bloc includes the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, which have South China Sea claims that overlap with each other as well as China's and Taiwan's. The US has shifted its policy with China from engagement to competition. The Biden administration has made it a priority to prevent the competition from spiralling out of control, while seeking to collaborate with China in areas such as climate change, artificial intelligence and enforcement against illicit drugs. John Podesta, the senior adviser to the president for international climate policy, will travel to China, and Sullivan and Wang discussed next steps to reduce the flow of illicit synthetic drugs and continue repatriation of undocumented migrants", the White House said. In July, the US Border Patrol made 1,851 arrests of Chinese immigrants on the border with Mexico, down from the December high of 5,951. The two sides also agreed to hold a second round of dialogue over artificial intelligence, the Chinese foreign ministry said. Sullivan raised continued concerns about China's trade policies and nonmarket economic practices, the White House said. Wang demanded that the US stop suppressing China in the areas of trade, economic and technology", the Chinese foreign ministry said. By resorting to protectionism, the US would only hurt the global green development and affect the global economic growth, Wang told Sullivan. (AP) PY PY Tulkarem (West Bank), Aug 29 (AP) The Israeli military said it killed five more militants, including a local commander, early Thursday in the West Bank as it pressed ahead with what appeared to be the deadliest military operation in the occupied territory since the start of the war in Gaza. Israel says the simultaneous raids across the northern West Bank which have killed a total of 16 people, nearly all militants, since late Tuesday are aimed at preventing attacks. The Palestinians see them as a widening of the Israel-Hamas war aimed at perpetuating Israel's decades-long military rule over the territory. The Islamic Jihad militant group confirmed that Mohammed Jaber, known as Abu Shujaa, was killed during a raid in the city of Tulkarem. He became a hero for many Palestinians earlier in the year when he was reported killed in an Israeli operation, only to make a surprise appearance at the funeral of other militants, where he was hoisted onto the shoulders of a cheering crowd. The military said he was killed early Thursday along with four other militants in a shootout with Israeli forces after the five had hidden inside a mosque. It said Abu Shujaa was linked to numerous attacks on Israelis, including a deadly shooting in June, and was planning more. The military said another militant was arrested in the operation in Tulkarem, and that a member of Israel's paramilitary Border Police was lightly wounded. Israel launched a large-scale operation in the West Bank overnight into Wednesday. Hamas said 10 of its fighters were killed in different locations, and the Palestinian Health Ministry reported an 11th death, without saying whether he was a fighter or a civilian. The overall toll of 16 killed in less than two days would make it the deadliest Israeli operation in the West Bank since Hamas' October 7 attack out of Gaza ignited the war there. The Palestinian Health Ministry says over 650 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the start of the war. Most appear to have been militants killed in gunbattles during Israeli operations like the one this week, but civilian bystanders and rock-throwing protesters have also been killed, and the territory saw a surge of settler violence. Israel says the operations are required to prevent attacks on its citizens, which have also risen since the start of the war. Israel captured the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war, and the Palestinians want all three territories for their future state. The 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank live under seemingly open-ended Israeli military rule, with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority administering towns and cities. Over 500,000 Jewish settlers, who have Israeli citizenship, live in well over 100 settlements across the territory that most of the international community considers illegal. The raids have focused on refugee camps that date back to the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation, in which around 700,000 Palestinians fled or were driven out of what is now Israel. Many of the camps are militant strongholds. Hamas repeated its calls for Palestinians in the West Bank to rise up, calling the raids part of a larger plan to expand the war in Gaza. The militant group has called on security forces loyal to the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which cooperate with Israel, to join the sacred battle of our people". Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has also condemned the Israeli raids, but his forces were not expected to get involved. The war in Gaza erupted when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel and rampaged through army bases and farming communities, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. The militants are still holding 108 hostages, around a third of whom are believed to be dead, after most of the rest were released during a November cease-fire. Israel responded with an offensive that has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many were militants. Around 90 per cent of Gaza's population has been displaced, often multiple times, and Israeli bombardment and ground operations have caused vast destruction. The United States, Qatar and Egypt have spent months trying to mediate a cease-fire that would see the remaining hostages released. But the talks have repeatedly bogged down as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed total victory over Hamas and the militant group has demanded a lasting cease-fire and a full withdrawal from the territory. (AP) PY PY Dhaka, Aug 29 (PTI) Bangladesh on Thursday signed the UN convention against forced disappearance, two days after it formed a commission to trace and identify "each and every" case of forced disappearance during deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasinas nearly 16-year regime. It is a historic occasion, the press wing of the interim government chief Muhammad Yunus quoted him as saying after he inked the Instrument of Accession to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances. The development comes a day ahead of the UN-declared International Day for the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, observed on August 30, for the convention adopted by the United Nations on December 20, 2006. Now, therefore I, Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser, declare that the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, having considered the above-mentioned Convention, accedes to the same and undertakes faithfully to perform and carry out the stipulations therein contained," the instrument reads. Yunus, 84, who comes from the development sector, took over as the Chief Adviser of the interim government in the country on August 8 after Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India on August 5 after protracted violent demonstrations. Later, Yunus posted on X from his official account of the Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh: Bangladesh on Thursday signed the instrument of accession to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, demonstrating its commitment to investigate each and every case of enforced disappearances. With this, Bangladesh is now party to all nine core human rights treaties, manifesting people's aspirations to uphold freedom and justice for everyone, the post added. Yunus interim government on Tuesday formed the five-member Commission that has been entrusted with the task of tracing and identifying the missing people and investigating the circumstances under which they were forcibly disappeared by various intelligence and law enforcement agencies. The Commission has been asked to investigate the cases of forced disappearance between January 1, 2010, and August 5, 2024, when Hasinas regime was ousted in a student-people mass upsurge. The commission has been asked to submit its report to the government in 45 working days. Police and military forces and their intelligence and related agencies including National Security Intelligence (NSI) and Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) would come under the purview of the investigations for their alleged role in the cases of forced disappearance. Global rights watchdog Human Rights Watch referring to Bangladeshi rights groups alleged that the countrys security forces have committed over 600 enforced disappearances since 2009. After the ouster of the Hasina government, several civil and former military people including a former diplomat came out of secret jails dubbed earlier as aina ghar or mirror room, and alleged that they were kept in complete isolation with no link with the outside world for years. They also alleged during their secret captivity they were exposed to torture as well. Islamabad, Aug 29 (PTI) Pakistan on Thursday invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisations Council of Heads of Government meeting to be held here in October. Pakistan holds the rotating chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) and in that capacity, will be hosting the two-day in-person SCO Heads of Governments Meeting in October. Invitations have been sent to the heads of countries to participate in the meeting which will take place on October 15-16. An invitation has also been sent to the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi (too), Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told the weekly press briefing. Some countries have already confirmed participation (for the meeting), which will be informed in due course, she said. When asked about ties with India, the spokesperson said, Pakistan does not have direct bilateral trade with India. The Islamabad summit meeting will be preceded by a ministerial meeting and several rounds of senior officials meetings focused on financial, economic, socio-cultural, and humanitarian cooperation among the SCO member states. The SCO, comprising India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, is an influential economic and security bloc that has emerged as one of the largest trans-regional international organisations. As part of this key regional group, both Pakistan and India can hold summit meetings. India hosted the SCO Summit last year, organised in a virtual mode, and attended by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif through a video link. However, Pakistan's then foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited India in May 2023 to attend the in-person two-day meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers in Goa, which was the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India in almost 12 years. Islamabad and New Delhi have a long history of strained relations, primarily due to the Kashmir issue as well as the cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. India has been maintaining that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan while insisting that the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment that is free of terror and hostility for such an engagement. Pakistan downgraded its ties with India after the Indian Parliament abrogated Article 370 on August 5, 2019. Islamabad, Aug 29 (PTI) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday pledged to eradicate the threat posed by terrorism from Balochistan after the restive province this week suffered large-scale violence by militants. The prime minister visited the insurgency-inflicted province following multiple attacks early on Monday by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) -- a terrorist outfit that killed more than 50 people, including 14 security personnel. The security forces in retaliatory strikes claimed to have killed at least 21 terrorists. Soon after he arrived in Quetta, the provincial capital, Shehbaz chaired a high-level meeting on security, which among others was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti. Addressing the meeting, he said that terrorist organisations and the khawarij, a term used for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) rebels, devised a wicked scheme to launch attacks and kill innocent people. There has been a wave of great concern among the people across Pakistan due to the recent heartrending incident that occurred in Balochistan. Everyone is aggrieved by this incident, the prime minister said. However, I think that at the moment, we have to decide that we must fully eradicate terrorism from Balochistan through our collective vision, power, and unwavering determination, the premier asserted. He declared that the sacrifices made by the civilians and security forces would not go to waste and expressed the resolve to eradicate terrorism under the leadership of General Munir and Bugti. He also pledged the full support of the federal government in eliminating militancy and vowed to root out terrorism that has surged again since 2018 from not just Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but from the entire country. The visit of the prime minister comes as the province faces the daunting task of tackling the growing threat of militancy by the Baloch insurgents and the TTP rebels, the two main groups involved in terrorism. Balochistan is Pakistans largest province but, although it has more resources than other provinces, it is the least developed. The BLA and other Baloch separatists have intensified attacks on Punjabis and Sindhis from elsewhere in Pakistan working in the region. They have also targeted foreign energy firms they accuse of exploiting the region without sharing profits. There were at least 170 militant attacks in Balochistan last year which killed 151 civilians and 114 security personnel, according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies. London, Aug 29 (PTI) The University of Southampton was on Thursday granted approval by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish a branch campus in India, making it the first global top 100 and UK Russell Group university to set up a campus in the country under the 2020 National Education Policy. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan handed over the Letter of Intent (LoI) in New Delhi as part of the internationalisation at home vision under the NEP 2020. Jaishankar said the move is part of the goal of elevating the countrys educational standards to the highest global levels and delivering on the education pillar of India-UK cooperation. Confident that such endeavours will further make our youth world ready and foster a spirit of global understanding and cooperation, he said. Pradhan said the move taps into the potential of India as a global education and talent hub of the future, with globally renowned higher education institutions (HEIs) keen to establish multi-faceted collaborations with top Indian institutions. Establishment of campuses of foreign universities in India and Indian HEIs abroad is not just about expanding educational opportunities, it is about creating a vibrant ecosystem of research, knowledge exchange and global collaboration. Educational institutions across countries have a responsibility to produce global citizens with global ethos who can provide solutions to global challenges, said Pradhan. The new university campus is expected to be located in Gurugram, within the National Capital Region (NCR), to provide world-class teaching and learning opportunities for students across a range of top degree programmes. The university said it will build on the strategic objectives, leadership and expertise of the University of Southampton India Centre established in March 2019 as part of the institution's long-standing engagement in and with India. The University of Southampton is privileged to be approved to establish a campus in India. Building on our long-standing and deep ties, a campus is the logical next step in developing a closer partnership with India, said Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice-President of International at the University of Southampton. We have worked closely with the India Business Group (IBG) on certain strategic matters and stakeholder engagement, and we look forward to doing so as the campus develops, and we build even stronger ties with businesses, partners and stakeholders in India, he said. IBG said its expertise as a strategic advisory consultancy working in the UK-India corridor will assist the University of Southampton with stakeholder engagement, industry liaison and fostering business links. This is truly a landmark moment for the rapidly evolving UK and India relationship. IBG is delighted to be working with Southampton as one of its strategic advisory partners, said Amarjit Singh, IBG Chief Executive and an alumnus of the UK university. We acknowledge that education, research and innovation are key pillars of the bilateral relationship, and this exciting development will promote academic excellence, engagement with industry and government and strengthen the living bridge between our two great nations, he said. IBG said it is already working closely with the universitys senior leadership team and the International Office to support deeper in-country engagement with academia, industry and government. NEP 2020 published a commitment to enhance the higher education landscape across India, with new policy developments and innovations in transnational education offering exciting avenues for global institutions to collaborate and develop new models of engagement in-country. According to experts, as one of the worlds fastest-growing economies with over 25 per cent of the worlds student population, India is well positioned to become a global talent hub for skilled workforce. In setting up a comprehensive campus, the University of Southampton says it will adopt a phased expansion leveraging its triple helix strategy, which integrates education, research, enterprise and knowledge transfer. Recognised as one of Europes most entrepreneurial universities, Southampton claims strong industry partnerships with globally leading businesses such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Microsoft. Dhaka, Aug 29 (PTI) A Dhaka court on Thursday issued a travel ban on 14 former Awami League ministers and lawmakers in connection with corruption allegations brought against them by the interim government in Bangladesh, according to a media report. The development comes after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League resigned and fled to India on August 5 following the mass movement against her government. An interim government replaced her regime and 84-year-old Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was named its Chief Adviser - a position equivalent to prime minister. The Daily Star newspaper reported that the travel ban has been issued against former social welfare minister Dipu Moni, former health minister Zahid Maleque, former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, former food minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder, former industrial minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun and former industrial deputy minister Kamal Ahmed Majumder. Former lawmakers Salim Uddin, Mamunur Rashid Kiron, Kujendra Lal Tripura, Kajim Uddin, Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury Liton, Shahjahan Khan, Kamrul Islam and Ziaur Rahman have also been barred from leaving the country. Judge Mohammed Ash-Shams Joglul Hossain of the Metropolitan Senior Special Judges Court in Dhaka passed the order after Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Deputy Director Abu Hena Ashiqur Rahman, who is also conducting the investigation, submitted an application. ACC Public Prosecutor Mahmud Hossain Jahangir had moved the petition on behalf of the ACC. In the application, Jahangir said the former ministers and lawmakers, who have graft allegations against their names, were trying to flee the country. So, a travel ban is needed to prevent them from leaving the country. The ACC informed the court that an investigation is underway into the allegations that they all amassed huge amounts of money through illegal means during their tenure. Meanwhile, a top adviser of the interim government on Thursday said that over 1,000 people have been killed during the protests against the Sheikh Hasina-led government in Bangladesh while more than 400 were blinded by police fire, with some of them losing sight in one or both eyes. Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum disclosed this during a visit to the Central Police Hospital in the capital's Rajarbagh where she interacted with the police personnel injured in clashes and spoke to those at the surgical department to ask about their condition. "So far 1,000 people have been killed and more than 400 students and members of the general public have lost their sight. Many have been blind in one eye, while others are blind in both," Nurjahan was quoted as saying by the bdnews24.com news portal. An anti-discrimination student movement against the government started in mid-July over a controversial quota system in jobs. The protests turned violent after a crackdown by the forces. Several protesters were killed and injured during clashes with the police in different parts of the country. The protest movement then transformed into an anti-government movement, demanding prime minister Hasina's resignation. Copenhagen (Denmark), Aug 29 (AP) A strong wave was likely responsible for the capsizing of a Viking ship replica earlier this week off Norway's coast that killed a US citizen, police said on Thursday, describing it as a tragic accident that did not constitute a criminal matter. The wooden replica, called Naddodd, was crossing the North Atlantic from the Faeroe Islands to Norway with an international team of six people. The 10-metre (33-feet) double-masted vessel built on the Faeroes had departed the islands located halfway between Scotland and Iceland on Saturday. On Tuesday, it sailed into strong winds and high waves and late that night, the ship capsized off the coastal town of Stad, about 346 kilometers (215 miles) from the capital of Oslo. Survivors told police that the weather "suddenly turned significantly worse than predicted with very high waves. Rescuers said some of the waves were up to 5 metres (16 feet) high at the time. The five survivors had managed to get into an inflatable life raft and were were later airlifted to safety by helicopter. A sixth person, who had been trapped underneath the vessel, drowned, police said. The victim's body was found on Wednesday. Police have not released the name of the victim but Norwegian and Faeroese media identified her as 29-year-old archaeologist Karla Dana, from Florida. Thrilled to be a part of this crew, fearlessly embarking on this Nordic voyage on a Viking ship replica across the North Sea, pushing through physical and mental limits to sail into history, Dana had posted on her LinkedIn profile before the trip. (AP) PY PY The UN reports that the world ' s population will peak in the mid-2080s at about 10.3 billion people. It will then drop to a level much lower than expected a decade ago. ADVERTISIMENT The current population of 8.2 billion will rise to that maximum over the next 60 years and then drop to 10.2 billion by the end of the century. This is according to the World Population Prospects 2024 report, ScienceAlert writes. A UN report says the world population in 2100 will be six percent lower, or 700 million fewer people, than expected in June 2013. "Demographics have changed significantly in recent years," said Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. He said the population decline was due to several factors, among them lower birth rates in some of the world's largest countries, especially China. ADVERTISIMENT According to the UN, more than a quarter (28%) of the world's population now lives in one of 63 countries or territories where the population has already peaked, which are China, Russia, Japan and Germany, the report said. And nearly 50 other countries are likely to join that group over the next 30 years, including Brazil, Iran and Turkey. But population growth will continue in more than 120 countries after 2054. They include India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Nigeria, Pakistan and the United States, the UN said. Researchers note that growth in life expectancy worldwide, interrupted by the Covid pandemic, has resumed. In 2024, life expectancy was 73.3 years. And in 2054, it will average 77.4 years. ADVERTISIMENT The study predicts that by the end of the 2070s, the number of people aged 65 years and older will be 2.2 billion, exceeding those who are under 18 years old. Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Kathmandu, Aug 29 (PTI) Nepal's President Ramchandra Paudel Thursday certified the Transitional Justice (TJ) Bill to amend the contentious legislation to address the enforced disappearances allegedly perpetrated by state forces that occurred in the Himalayan nation during the 1996-2006 civil war. President Paudel authenticated the Bill to amend the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act (TRC Bill), his office said in a statement. The President assented to the Bill in accordance with Article 113 (2) of the Constitution. The Bill was submitted to the President for authentication following its endorsements by both Houses of Parliament earlier this month. Meanwhile, nine countries and the European Union (EU) have welcomed the endorsement of the Investigation of Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act 2071 (Amendment) Bill, also known as the TRC Act. A joint statement by the US, Switzerland, Australia, the UK, Norway, Japan, Finland, the EU, Germany and France welcomed Nepals efforts to take the nearly two-decade-long peace process to a logical conclusion. "The undersigned welcome the Investigation of Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act 2071 (Amendment) Bill passed with consensus by both houses of the Federal Parliament of Nepal," said the statement. "While we are in the early stages of the process, in order to assess possible future actions, the undersigned look forward to hearing from the Government of Nepal about specific needs to support effective delivery by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on the Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons, it said. Now is the time for all stakeholders to band together in support of bringing this segment of Nepals history to a successful conclusion, the statement added. Ending nearly a decade of uncertainty, the House of Representatives passed the Bill on August 14, followed by the validation from the National Assembly on August 22. The bill was forwarded to President Paudel after Speaker Devraj Ghimire certified it on Wednesday. With the President's authentication, the Bill is ready for implementation once it is published in the Gazette. The amendment to the Act was necessitated after the Supreme Court in February 2015 struck down provisions that allowed amnesty for serious human rights violations, directing the government to make necessary revisions. Nepal witnessed a civil war from 1996 to 2006, during which gross human rights violations were reported to be committed on a widespread and systematic scale by all parties involved, including extrajudicial killings, sexual violence and torture. In particular, the widespread practice of enforced disappearances of persons taken under control or arrested by the State forces was documented, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Around 17,000 people, including security personnel, were killed during the decade-long Maoist insurgency that ended with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2006. Kathmandu, Aug 29 (PTI) Nepal and the United Kingdom have signed two separate memorandums of understanding (MoU) relating to grant aid amounting to approximately Nepalese Rs 13 billion. One of the grants with funding of around Nepalese Rs 6.5 billion is for the programme focused on resilience, adaptation, and inclusion in Nepal, while another amounting to Nepalese Rs 6.58 billion is related to gender and human development outcomes, officials said on Wednesday. "Resilience, Adaptation, and Inclusion in Nepal (RAIN) programme is a six-year initiative to be implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Forest and Environment to strengthen disaster risk management and climate change adaptation, respectively," according to officials. The RAIN programme will operate in Karnali, Lumbini, and Madhesh provinces. The second agreement, Samartha, is a seven-year programme designed to enhance the systems and capacities of provincial and local governments to expand access to and deliver quality social services, with a particular focus on the education and health sectors. This programme would be implemented by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health and Population. Samartha will operate in the Lumbini and Madhesh provinces. The MoUs were signed by Dhani Ram Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Nepal government and Pippa Bird, Development Director and Deputy Ambassador at the British Embassy in Kathmandu, on behalf of the UK government, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance. "These two MoUs are a testament to the cordial and steadfast development cooperation between our two countries. I believe that the relevant government agencies will coordinate effectively to achieve the objectives of these programmes," Sharma said. Islamabad, Aug 29 (PTI) Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan on Thursday alleged that the removal of former spymaster Faiz Hameed from his post on the demand of former premier Nawaz Sharif resulted in the termination of planned talks with the Afghan government to tackle security issues. Lt Gen (retd.) Hameed was removed as ISI chief in October 2021, resulting in differences between the then-prime minister Khan and the army that resulted in his ouster from power in April 2022. The former spy chief, who had been close to Khan, was arrested this month to face court-martial proceedings. In his latest interaction with journalists in the Adiala Jail Rawalpindi, Khan talked about links between the removal of Hameed as ISI chief and the deterioration of ties with the Afghan government and the consequent spike in cross-border terrorist attacks. "In August (2021), America left Afghanistan and in September we talked to the Afghan government to eliminate the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)," he said. The former prime minister said that the Afghan government was ready to fully cooperate with us. "Hameed also gave a briefing to the opposition, he said. He said that now the government has been saying that terrorism is happening because of PTI. Khan said that the country was badly hit by terrorism and I condemn all types of terrorism. He said that the current situation in Balochistan, attacks by dacoits in Punjab riverine areas and street crime is bringing a bad name to the establishment. "In our era, secret agencies were busy stopping terrorism," Khan said, adding that the same secret agencies were behind his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party due to which differences and hatred were increasing. He also targeted Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, saying after the top judge's retirement, the government would collapse. "As soon as Qazi Faiz Isa leaves, four constituencies will open, then the government will fall by itself." He accused Isa and the government were conspiring to steal the mandate of his party. Khan also warned that if their [establishments] 'Plan B' is implemented, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will become a 'missing person' the moment he steps down from office. He, however, did not explain his statement. Khan also denied claims that he had instructed any hidden PTI member to come out into the open. I categorically deny this news," he said. He expressed frustration over his unfulfilled plans to introduce electronic voting machines (EVMs), blaming former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), and the Pakistan Peoples Party for blocking the initiative. He also lamented the country's economic situation. "No investment is coming in. The economy is sinking, and the government keeps borrowing. With no income, how will we repay these loans?" he said. Mumbai, Aug 29 (PTI) As many as 342 special trains will be operated for the next month's Ganesh festival, Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Thursday. Lakhs of people travel to their native places in Konkan from Mumbai every year during the ten-day festival, slated to start from September 7. There was a demand for 300 Konkan-bound Ganpati special trains, but the Indian Railways has decided to operate 342 special trains, the minister said, speaking through video link at the flagging off of the inaugural run of a bi-weekly train between Bandra Terminus in Mumbai and Madgaon in Goa. Union commerce minister and local MP Piyush Goyal flagged off the train that provides direct connectivity between Mumbai's western suburbs and the coastal Konkan region. The suburban train network in Mumbai will improve considerably with the completion of 12 ongoing infrastructure projects, Vaishnaw said on this occasion. "The 16,240 crore investment in Mumbai's suburban system (through these projects) will be hugely beneficial for Mumbaikars, and it will be a big relief for all Mumbai citizens," he said. These projects include CSMT-Kurla 5th and 6th line (Rs 891 crore), Mumbai Central-Borivali 6th line (Rs 919 crore), extension of Harbour Line from Goregaon to Borivali (Rs 826 crore), Borivali-Virar 5th and 6th line (Rs 2,184 crore), Virar-Dahanu 3rd and 4th line (Rs 3,587 crore), Panvel-Karjat Suburban Corridor (Rs 2,782 crore), Airoli-Kalva Elevated Suburban Corridor (Rs 476 crore), Kalyan- Asangaon 4th line (Rs 1,759 crore), Kalyan-Badlapur 3rd and 4th line (Rs 1,510 crore), Kalyan-Kasara 3rd line (Rs 792 crore), Naigaon - Juhichandra Double Chord Line ( Rs176 crore) and Nilaje-Kopar Double Chord Line (Rs 338 crore). The budgetary allocation for the development of railway network in Maharashtra was Rs 1,171 crore before 2014, but in 2024-25 it was increased to Rs 15,940 crore, 13 times more, Vaishnaw further said. New tracks of 1,830 km have been laid in Maharashtra in the last ten years, "more than the entire railway network of Sri Lanka," he said, adding that at present 41 railway projects spanning 5,877 kilometers with an investment of Rs 81,580 crore are being constructed in the state. The planned redevelopment of the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai will turn it into an internationally appreciated and visited destination, Vaishnaw said. As many as 318 railway flyovers and underpasses are being constructed in Maharashtra currently at the cost of Rs 5,600 crore, he noted. Mumbai, Aug 29 (PTI) Former Union minister and BJP leader V Muraleedharan on Thursday slammed the Kerala government for "not acting in a timely manner" over the Justice K Hema Committee report, which studied issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. He accused the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government of trying to protect the persons mentioned in the report, including a Communist Party of India (Marxist) MLA, despite countrywide protests over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in a Kolkata hospital. "Kerala is a state where women are considered equal to men, in every field of activity. In the film industry of such a state, if women are treated as second grade citizens, it is the duty of the government to take action," Muraleedharan told PTI. The report by the Justice Hema Committee, constituted by the Kerala government post the 2017 actress assault case, has revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry, prompting calls for action against the guilty. The Justice Hema panel report is based on the atrocities against women in the Malayalam film industry. It has stirred the Malayalam film industry, with the Kerala government facing flak for not acting earlier. In the wake of the committee report that shed light on workplace harassment in the Malayalam film world, many women actors, including a Bengali actress, have gone public with allegations of sexual harassment against some of the well-known faces of Malayalam cinema, including eminent director Ranjith and actors Siddique and Mukesh. Muraleedharan said, "Law stipulates that when such an incident (of sexual harassment) happens...when something comes out, nobody is required to submit a written complaint. The Supreme Court has said that whenever such a cognisable offence happens, the government can take action if it comes to its knowledge." "The ministers to whom the report was submitted, including the chief minister who handles the home portfolio, decided not to act on it, even after submission of the report, which contains the names of people who are responsible for such atrocities," he added. "The state government did not act in a timely manner over the report. It tried to protect the persons mentioned in it, including a CPI(M) MLA," the former minister claimed. The people of Kerala are agitated over the stand taken by the government. The government instead of acting on the report as per the law was trying to sidestep the whole issue, he alleged. "The government is saying that we will organise a conclave, but a conclave is useful for finding future solutions. When a crime happens, an FIR should be filed, the victim should be allowed to make a statement before a magistrate within 24 hours. After an FIR is filed and then the inquiry, investigation should happen. If the culprit is required to be taken into custody, that also should be done," Muraleedharan said. He also demanded the resignation of the state's culture minister, alleging that he kept the report under wraps for four-and-a-half years. The senior BJP leader is in Mumbai ahead of the assembly elections scheduled to be held in October-November this year. He met Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. Muraleedharan claimed that the ruling Mahayuti alliance will sweep the elections and come to power in the state again Mumbai, Aug 29 (PTI) The Ajit Pawar-led NCP, which is part of the Maharashtra government, on Thursday staged silent protests across the state over the collapse of Shivaji Maharaj's statue and demanded action against those responsible, while the party's state chief asserted that everyone has the right to agitate. The 35-foot statue of the 17th century Maratha empire founder installed at Rajkot fort in Sindhudurg's Malvan tehsil collapsed on August 26, nearly nine months after it was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The incident has snowballed into a major political controversy with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) targeting the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government over it. The opposition leaders on Wednesday announced that on September 1, the MVA will take out a protest march in Mumbai against the statue collapse, while the ruling NCP also said it would stage silent protests in every district and tehsil of the state on Thursday and demand the installation of a stronger and larger statue of the warrior king at the same spot. Accordingly, party workers staged protests across the state. The local leaders also submitted a memorandum of demands with the tehsildars and district collectors seeking stringent action against the artist and others who were responsible for the poor quality of the statue. The NCP's protest assumes significance given that the party is one of the three constituents in the Mahayuti government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and considering the potential political ramifications amid huge outrage caused by the collapse of the statue. Speaking in Nanded during Ajit Pawar's Jansanman Yatra, NCP's Maharashtra president Sunil Tatkare said the collapse of Shivaji Maharaj's statue was painful, and added that his party decided to protest against the incident as everyone has the right to do so. "In democracy, everyone has a right to agitate. The incident of Shivaji Maharaj's statue in Malvan is unfortunate and painful. We are also agitating against it and demanding strong action against the culprits by submitting memorandums to the authorities." Referring to the reported remarks passed by BJP leader Narayan Rane during a clash between his supporters and the workers of Shiv Sena (UBT) during Aaditya Thackeay's visit to the Rajkot fort on Wednesday, Tatkare said, "Rane's statement is improper. Though the statue collapse incident is painful, this kind of language does not befit a responsible leader. This is not in sync with the culture of Maharashtra." In Pune, the city unit of the NCP staged a protest near the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Shivajinagar area. Speaking during the protest, NCP's city unit president Deepak Mankar urged the state government to reconstruct the statue as early as possible. "For us, Chhatrpati Shivaji Maharaj is a matter of pride and a symbol of our identity," he said. Mankar said action should be taken against those responsible for the statue collapse. Stating that party chief Ajit Pawar had also condemned the incident, he said the Pune unit of the party will submit a memorandum to the district collector in this regard. Pradeep Deshmukh, NCP Pune unit's working president sought to know how the contract for the statue was given to someone who had no experience in constructing the huge statues. "Action should be taken against the responsible people, including officials," he said. When asked why the NCP was protesting despite being a constituent of ruling Mahayuti alliance, he said Deshmukh said, "For the sake of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, we can sacrifice hundreds of such governments." Panaji, Aug 29 (PTI) A Rs 2,500-crore pollution control vessel built by Goa Shipyard Limited for the Indian Coast Guard was launched on Thursday, with Union minister Sanjay Seth asserting that it would be an asset for the maritime security agency. The Union Minister of State for Defence launched the newly built Pollution Control Vessel, GSL Yard 1267, for the Indian Coast Guard in a ceremony held at Vasco in Goa. This ship is 72 per cent atmanirbhar and has the capability to fight coastal pollution, Seth told reporters. The Union minister said the ship will be an asset for the Indian Coast Guard, which patrols our shores to keep them safe from unwanted elements. Seth said that during his last 85 days as minister of state for defence, he spent much time learning about our forces. After learning about our forces, I can say that the Indian defence sector is robust, he said. He called the launch of the pollution control vehicle a significant step forward in the efforts to protect the countrys marine environment and mitigate oil pollution. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, this vessel will play a vital role in preserving marine life, he said. Seth said the achievement is a testament to the country's progress towards becoming Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). I am proud to say that our Indian Coast Guard is among the best in the world, and this vessel will further enhance its capabilities, he added. The ship, built at Rs 2,500 crore, was launched in the presence of Inspector General of the Indian Coast Guard Bhisham Sharma, Commander Coast Guard Region (West). Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary of Defence Production and other dignitaries were also present. Mumbai, Aug 29 (PTI) The Indian Coast Guard on Thursday rescued two Karnataka-based fishermen off Maharashtra's Ratnagiri coast by launching an aerial operation after their boat started sinking, officials said. A Coast Guard chopper successfully winched them on board amid extremely rough weather conditions, said a release A distress message was received at 4.23 pm from the fishing boat 'Mauli' that it was sinking around 12.7 nautical miles from Ratnagiri after developing a hole, following which the local ICG station launched the rescue operation, the Coast Guard release said. The Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) also alerted vessels passing through the area about the boat and requested them to keep a lookout and render assistance. Within an hour, the indigenous ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) Mk-1 chopper was launched. The crew spotted the two fishermen shouting desperately for help from their boat which was struggling against strong currents, and they were winched safely aboard the helicopter with precise maneuvering amidst challenging weather conditions, the release said. The fishermen, hailing from Malpe in Karnataka, were transported to the Air Station where they received immediate medical care, the Coast Guard added. The crew, however, could do little to save the fishing boat due to the rough weather. The boat is suspected to have sunk, the Coast Guard said. Guwahati, Aug 29 (PTI) The Assam Assembly on Thursday passed a bill to repeal a law to register marriages and divorces of Muslims. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Jogen Mohan had on August 22 tabled The Assam Repealing Bill, 2024 in the Assembly to abolish The Assam Moslem Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935 and the Assam Repealing Ordinance 2024. Taking part in the discussion, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said: "Our aim is not only to abolish child marriages, ... also to get away with the Kazi system. We want to bring registration of Muslim marriages and divorces under the government system." He said that registration of all marriages has to be done as per a Supreme Court order, but the state cannot support a private body like that of Kazis for this purpose. Mohan in the Statement of Object and Reasons of the Repealing Bill said, "There remains a scope of registering marriages of intended person below 21 years (in case of male) and 18 years (in case of female)." It hardly had any provisions for monitoring the implementation of the Act throughout the state and it attracted huge amounts of litigation in the court, he added. "There is a scope of misuse by both authorised licensee (Muslim marriage Registrars) as well as by citizens for underage/minor marriages and forcefully arranged marriages without the consent of the parties," Mohan said. Besides, the registration of marriages and divorces were not mandatory, and the registration mechanism was informal that left a lot of scope for non-compliance of the norms, he added. "It is a pre-independence Act adopted by British India government for the then Province of Assam for Muslim religious and social arrangements," the minister said. The Assam government on Tuesday introduced The Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriage and Divorce Bill, 2024. Last month, the Cabinet had approved the Repealing Bill to abolish The Assam Moslem Marriages and Divorces Registration Act and Rules of 1935, which permitted underage marriages under specific conditions. The Assam Cabinet had approved the decision to repeal the Act on February 23, in a bid to end the social menace of child marriage in the state. The opposition parties had decried the decision, terming it "discriminatory against the Muslims" brought in to polarise the voters in an election year. Imphal, Aug 29 (PTI) The Manipur Police conducted a search operation in Sekta Awang Leikai area in Imphal East district and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition, according to a statement. Three INSAS rifles, two AK-56 rifles along with magazines, live ammunition and several other items, including military fatigues, were recovered during the operation, it said. The operation was conducted after some gunmen allegedly snatched three rifles and ammunition from police personnel in Leikinthabi area in Imphal West district on Monday. Four police personnel and one person were arrested and remanded to police custody for ten days in connection with the incident, the police statement said. In a separate seizure, security forces recovered arms and ammunition from Wabagai Natekhong in Kakching during search operations and area domination activities in the fringe and vulnerable localities of hill and valley districts, it said. "Five guns, 10 grenades, a bulletproof jacket and a wireless set were recovered during the operations. Over 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence in Manipur between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjacent hills-based Kukis since May last year. A parasitic "vampire fish" that frightens with its scary teeth was caught in the Potomac River in Virginia. Since this water body in the American city of Alexandria is highly polluted, the presence of the fish in it is evidence that the river is cleaner than previously thought. ADVERTISIMENT Lamprey are quite sensitive to pollution. Therefore, the residents of Alexandria greeted the news of the vampire fish in their reservoir with joy, Dailymail reports. A local resident of Alexandria pulled a sea lamprey from the Potomac River with his bare hands, which looks like an eel. However, if you look into its suction cup mouth, which is covered with sharp teeth, it becomes frightening. The lamprey sucks on its victim and slowly sucks out all the liquids from it. Sea lampreys are an invasive species that were originally indigenous to the Atlantic Ocean. But in the 1800s, these creatures invaded lakes and rivers through artificial channels and marine docks. But after lampreys reach maturity at four to five years of age, they leave freshwater rivers to live the rest of their lives in the ocean. ADVERTISIMENT The Potomac River has been polluted for a long time, and government agencies have taken many measures to clean it up. Therefore, the appearance of sea lamprey, which is very sensitive to toxins, indicates that the pollution is finally subsiding. "The resurgence of the sea lamprey is another indication that water quality is improving," said Jim Cummins, deputy director of the Potomac Bay Reporter's Living Resources Division. Since 1989, the Alice Ferguson Foundation has led an annual cleanup of the Potomac River watershed, and the Washington Clean Rivers Program has invested $2.6 billion to reduce pollution. Studies are underway to determine if the river will be clean enough to lift the swimming ban within the next two to three years, according to the Potomac Conservancy. ADVERTISIMENT It is true that lampreys can accidentally suck on people swimming in the water. Although the bite is not fatal, it is painful, and untreated wounds can cause infection. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Kolkata, Aug 29 (PTI) Kolkata is set to witness a series of rallies and demonstrations on Thursday to protest against the alleged rape and murder of a doctor with political parties and several civil society organisations planning to hit the streets during the day. Despite attempts by police to "stop BJP's movements", the party would go ahead with its protest programme in Esplanade area in central Kolkata on Thursday, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar said. The BJP demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for "sustained efforts to divert the probe and shield the main perpetrators" in the alleged rape and murder of the postgraduate trainee doctor, Majumdar, the party's state unit president, said. Senior BJP leader and party's West Bengal co-incharge Amit Malviya on Wednesday said, "Despite Calcutta High Courts explicit order, Kolkata Police is not allowing @BJP4Bengal to erect stage for tomorrow's dharna at Dorina Crossing, Dharmatala. The protest will happen at the designated place as per schedule, but Mamata Banerjee and Kolkata CP will have much to answer." Pradesh Congress Committee president and former MP Adhir Choudhury will be at the forefront of a rally by the party from College Square to Shyambazar in the northern part of the city to press the demand for justice for the deceased woman doctor. An organisation 'Pather Davi' will take out a rally of rights activists, students and professionals from different fields to protest against atrocities on women. "From Manipur to Hathras, from Unnao to Kamduni and R G Kar, we will demand for justice for all the rape victims in one voice," Aditi Roy, one of the organisers, said. The rally will begin at College Square in the northern part of the city and culminate in Esplanade area. These rallies were planned in the wake of the 'Nabanna Abhijan' on August 27 to protest against the alleged murder of the doctor and a 12-hour bandh called by the BJP the next day. Meanwhile, the ceasework by junior doctors at state-run hospitals in West Bengal entered its 21st day on Thursday as they rejected Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's appeal to join duty. "We will carry on our protest until the main perpetrators of the heinous crime are arrested," an agitating doctor said. The agitating medics also demanded elections in colleges, participation of junior doctors and students in all decision-making committees of the medical facilities and security measures at workplaces. Addressing a rally organised by Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad on Wednesday, Banerjee said, "I have remained sympathetic towards the cause of the doctors from the very beginning since they were seeking justice for their colleague. We did not take any action against them although so many days have passed since the incident. We understand your pain. But please come back to work now since patients are suffering." On August 9, the police recovered the body of the woman's postgraduate trainee doctor from the seminar hall of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) An IMA study has revealed that one-third of its respondent doctors, majority of them being women, felt "unsafe" or "very unsafe" during their night shifts, so much so that some even felt the need to start carrying weapons for self-defence. A duty room was not available to 45 per cent of respondents during night shifts, found the online survey undertaken by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to evaluate safety concerns during night shifts among doctors in the backdrop of recent alleged rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. With 3,885 individual responses, it is the largest study from India on this topic, the IMA claimed. The survey findings, compiled by Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Chairman, Research Cell, Kerala State IMA, and his team, have been accepted for publication in IMA's Kerala Medical Journal October 2024 issue. The respondents were from over 22 states with 85 per cent of them being under 35 years while 61 per cent were interns or postgraduate trainees. Women constituted 63 per cent, aligning with the gender ratio in some MBBS courses. "Several doctors reported feeling unsafe (24.1 pc) or very unsafe (11.4 pc), totalling one-third of the respondents. The proportion of those feeling unsafe was higher among women," the survey findings showed. Doctors of age 20-30 years had the lowest sense of safety and this group largely consists of interns and postgraduates. A duty room was not available to 45 per cent of respondents during night shifts. Those with access to a duty room had a greater sense of safety. The survey found that duty rooms were often inadequate due to overcrowding, lack of privacy and missing locks, forcing doctors to find alternative rest areas and one-third of available duty rooms did not have an attached bathroom. "In more than half the instances (53 per cent), duty room was located far from the ward/casualty area," the findings stated. "Nearly one-thirds of the available duty rooms did not have an attached bathroom, which means that the doctors needed to step outside during late hours to access these facilities," it said. Suggestions to enhance safety included increasing the number of trained security personnel, installing CCTV cameras, ensuring proper lighting, implementing the Central Protection Act (CPA), restricting bystander numbers, installing alarm systems and providing basic amenities such as secure duty rooms with locks were given by the doctors. "The online survey was sent to doctors, both government and private, across India through a Google form. There were 3,885 responses within 24 hours," said Dr Jayadevan. Doctors across the country, particularly women, report feeling unsafe during night shifts, the study said, highlighting there is substantial scope for improving security personnel and equipment in healthcare settings. Modifications to infrastructure are essential to ensure safe, clean and accessible duty rooms, bathrooms, food and drinking water. Adequate staffing, effective triaging and crowd control in patient care areas are also necessary to ensure that doctors can provide the required attention to each patient without feeling threatened by their work environment, it stated. Several additional factors were highlighted by doctors who participated in the survey. The lack of sufficient numbers of trained security personnel, inadequate lighting of the corridors, absence of CCTV cameras and unrestricted entry of unauthorised individuals into the patient care areas were among the most frequent remarks, the study said. Some doctors indicated the need to start carrying weapons for self-defence. One doctor admitted that she always carried a foldable knife and pepper spray in her handbag because the duty room was located at the far end of a dark and deserted corridor. Doctors who worked in casualty reported verbal and physical threats from people who were drunk or under the influence of drugs. Another doctor reported that she repeatedly experienced bad touch or inappropriate contact in a crowded emergency room. The situation is worse in some smaller hospitals where there is limited staff and no security. Several doctors reported apathy from the administrators when security concerns were raised, a common excuse being that the seniors also had endured similar working conditions. Violence is predominantly experienced by junior doctors, who, being on the frontline, are particularly vulnerable but have limited involvement in administration or policy-making. Senior faculty members bear the responsibility of implementing policies to improve patient care delivery as well as enhancing security measures, thereby creating a safer work environment for the junior doctors. Doctors across the country have called for a Central Protection Law to prohibit violence in all healthcare settings and enforce airport-like security measures, ensuring a safer working environment and better patient care. Such a law would standardise security arrangements across the sector, ultimately benefiting patients as well as doctors, the study stated. "The survey findings have significant implications for broad policy changes, some of which have already been addressed by the Government of India in response to the Kolkata incident," the IMA said. The Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognisance, assuring that "doctors and medical professionals shall stand assured that their concerns are receiving the highest attention from the highest court, with input from a diverse range of experts". New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) Senior BJP leaders, including Union minister Amit Shah, met at party president JP Nadda's residence here on Thursday to discuss the names of probable candidates for the upcoming Haryana assembly polls. This came ahead of the BJP's central election committee (CEC) meeting in the evening, during which the panel could finalise the names of its nominees for the polls to be held on October 1. BJP chief Nadda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union ministers Shah and Rajnath Singh, among others, are part of the CEC. Besides Shah, Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, who is the BJP's in-charge for elections in Haryana, and Manohar LaL Khattar, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and BJP Haryana unit president Mohan Lal Badoli were part of the core group meeting at Nadda's residence to scrutinise the names of probable sent from the state. Before this, Pradhan held a meeting with the Haryana BJP leaders at his residence. Jaipur, Aug 29 (PTI) A former CRPF officer was arrested here Thursday after he allegedly manhandled Congress MLA Rafeek Khan while he was holding a meeting at his residence, police said. Vikas Jakhar, who alleged that the MLA had been harassing his wife, was caught and thrashed by people present at Khans home in Adarsh Nagar area in Jaipur. Jakhar, a Shaurya Chakra recipient, was stopped before he could attack Khan, who is the MLA from Adarsh Nagar and the chief whip of the Congress in the Vidhan Sabha. SHO of sadar police station Balbir Kaswan said that Jakhar, an assistant commandant of CRPF, reached Khan's residence where he was holding a meeting. Kaswan said Jakhar grabbed the MLA by his collar during a heated argument with him. Before he could attack Khan, people present there caught him and thrashed him, he said. The SHO said Jakhar, a resident of Jhunjhunu, resigned from the CRPF in 2021. "He has alleged that the MLA was harassing his wife, therefore he acted in a fit of rage," he added. Jammu, Aug 29 (PTI) Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General M V Suchindra Kumar visited the troops along the Line of Control (LoC) and hinterland in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri sector on Thursday and asked them to maintain comprehensive operational readiness. The Army commander is undertaking visits to the border areas to review the security measures in place ahead of the three-phase assembly elections in the Union territory commencing on September 18. "Lt Gen M V SuchindraKumar, Army Commander Northern Command accompanied by WhiteKnight Corps Commander visited forward areas along the line of control in Sunderbani Sector to review the prevalent security situation," the Army's Northern Command said on X. It said he was briefed on the synergy between security forces and operational preparedness in the region. The Army commander also visited supporting units of the formation and exhorted all ranks to maintain comprehensive operational readiness. The general officer commanding-in-chief also visited troops in the hinterland and was briefed on the operational preparedness and the security situation in the region. The Army commander complimented the troops and exhorted all ranks to maintain high morale and professionalism for future challenges. Nahan (HP), Aug 29 (PTI) The mortal remains of grenadier Ashish Kumar, who was killed in an accident in Arunachal Pradesh, were consigned to flames with full state and military honours at his native village on Thursday. Three Army personnel, including Kumar, died and several others were injured when their truck skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Subansiri district on Tuesday. The body was brought to Bharli -- Kumar's native village -- in Sirmaur district from Delhi in a military convoy. The last rites were performed on the banks of the Yamuna River in the Paonta sub-division. Hundreds of people turned up to pay tributes to the soldier while SDM of Paonta Sahib Gunjit Singh Cheema laid a wreath on the body on behalf of the Himachal Pradesh government. Former Paonta Sahib MLA Kirnesh Jung too paid respects to the fallen soldier. Born on March 14, 1999, Kumar joined the Army six years ago and was serving in the 19 Grenadiers Unit. He is survived by his mother Santro Devi, twin brother Rohit, elder brother Rahul and elder sister Pooja. Gurugram, Aug 29 (PTI) A supervisor of the Municipal Corporation, Gurugram was kidnapped and beaten to death by a man who suspected he was having an affiair with his wife, police said on Thursday. The victim was identified as Naresh Kumar, working as a supervisor for the sanitation workers at MCG, they said. Kumar's brother, in a complaint, said that Ramveer along with his associates kidnapped Naresh Kumar on their bike from Madanpuri Road and thrashed him on Wednesday. The accused left Kumar seriously injured. He later succumbed to his injuries during treatment, police said. During the investigation, the police found Ramveer, who is a scrap dealer, suspected Kumar of having illicit relations with his wife. Following this, he along with his associates kidnapped Kumar and beat him up, they said. Several police teams have been formed to arrest the accused in the case. The police are questioning Ramveer's family, a senior police officer said. New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) India has targeted to train 175 civil servants from Maldives through tailor-made programmes in specific disciplines, according to an official statement issued on Thursday. A bilateral meeting was held on Thursday between National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) Director General V Srinivas and Maldives Civil Service Commission President Mohamed Nasih to firm up the implementation modalities of the India-Maldives MoU for imparting training to the civil servants of Maldives over a period of five years 2024 -2029, it said. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed and renewed between the NCGG, government of India, and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Republic of Maldives, for capacity building programs for 1,000 Maldivian civil servants on August 9 in Male, Maldives. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Maldives' Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer renewed the MoU for the period 2024-2029 as part of the development partnership discussions between both nations, said the statement issued by the Personnel Ministry. In view of the need of the CSC Maldives, the NCGG agreed to having customised programmes for middle level civil servants and senior civil servants of Maldives, it added. "The CSC Maldives requested for tailor made specialised programmes in specific disciplines for which NCGG will be designing need-based modules. Five (5) programmes will be held in the year 2024-25 targeting a total of 175 civil servants," the statement said. In 2024, the NCGG had achieved the remarkable milestone by fulfilling the mandate of training a total of 1,000 civil servants, including Permanent Secretaries, Secretary Generals and high-level delegates from Maldives over a total of 32 capacity building programmes in field administration for the civil servants of Maldives, including programmes for Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and for Information Commission Office of Maldives (ICOM) under the MoU signed on June 8, 2019. Recognising the success of this collaboration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maldives, had requested for the renewal of the MoU for another five years, the statement said. This renewed partnership will continue to enhance the capabilities of Maldives civil servants in public policy, governance and field administration, further strengthening the ties between India and the Maldives, it added. The NCGG is committed to fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration on public policy and governance across several countries. Its mid-career capacity building programs emphasise citizen-centric governance, improving service delivery and promoting innovations in governance. These programs also showcase India's best practices in digital empowerment of citizens and digital transformation of institutions. Faridabad, Aug 29 (PTI) A two-storey house in Ballabgarh in Faridabad collapsed due to rains on Thursday, police said. According to police, the residents woke up due to rainwater leakage and saw cracks around the house. They immediately vacated the house and escaped the collapse unhurt. Four brothers -- Shravan, Biru, Sanjit, and Rohtash-- lived with their families in the house in Chandpur village. The area received heavy rains on Thursday morning, police said. Following this, the family woke up early to feed the animals. However, seeing the rainwater filling the house, they suspected a crack in their wall. They took their children and rushed out of the house. Soon after, it collapsed, police added. The belongings of the family were buried inside the house and destroyed. Village sarpanch Surajpal alias Bhura said that there were three rooms and a kitchen in the house. The family falls under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category and are labourers by profession. Block Development and Panchayat Officer of Tigaon, Ajit Singh said they will visit the spot on Friday. He said that if there is a BPL family, then it will be included in the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and a proposal of help will be sent to the government. New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) Norwegian ambassador May-Elin Stener on Thursday thanked 'Bharat' as she completed one year of her tenure and said she was thrilled by the "strides" made in Norway-India relations. She shared a post on X laced with Hindi and also a video showing her dressed in a saree and engaging in a rapid-fire-style conversation about her life in India. "Completed one year today as an Ambassador of Norway to India. I'm thrilled by the strides we've made in Norway-India relations as I also immerse into #IncredibleIndia!," she said in the post. The envoy also urged people to see the short video she shared and wrote, 'Dhanyawad Bharat'. In the video, she is asked about which Indian she would want to visit Norway, and the envoy replies, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi". Asked about the "peak moment" achieved in India during this period, she said the signing of the India-EFTA agreement. The ambassador shared other aspects of the bilateral ties and some joint projects. She also tried her hand at naming three types of mangoes and named the saree as her favourite Indian dress. The envoy said Diwali was her favourite Indian festival and signed off by saying that her favourite dialogue from a Bollywood film is 'Picture abhi baki hai mere dost' from 'Om Shanti Om'. During the Soviet era, interfering with ecosystems, changing river flows and cutting down forests were considered quite progressive actions. The authorities even wanted to interfere in the Bering Sea ecosystem and to cut off Alaska. ADVERTISIMENT The initiative to erect a barrier separating Russia and the United States was actively considered in the 1970s. OBOZ.UA tells about the details of the grandiose plan. The Bering Strait was considered by engineers as a "height" that can and should be taken. In the days of the Russian Empire, ideas about connecting the continents by bridge or tunnel sounded. But it wasn't just a question of building a bridge. Additional thousands of kilometers of roads were needed. And the Bering Sea combines not the most populated parts of both Russia and the US. A typically Soviet idea was voiced by engineer Voronin, who decided that it was necessary to "improve" the climate of the Far East by blocking cold water from the Arctic. The approach was really radical - no bridges or tunnels, it was necessary to cut off from the United States and completely fill in the Bering Strait. ADVERTISIMENT Another Soviet scientist, Borisov, demonstrated his climate change plan. The new project was global - Borisov proposed to "pull the entire Russian Arctic Circle out from under the ice." This required "only" curbing the Gulf Stream. According to this "ingenious" plan, the current should have gone "to the depths," and cold waters would have dominated the Arctic Ocean on the surface. Now instead of plans to fill in the strait, there were ideas of building a dam to then pump water out of the northern part. Giant volumes of water were to be loaded by nuclear pumps. The calculations were as follows: the level of the Chukchi Sea would gradually decrease, and the warm currents of the Gulf Stream would rise in about 6 years. ADVERTISIMENT Fortunately, the nature of underwater currents at that time was still insufficiently studied, and it would have taken decades and considerable financial investments to build the dam. So the authorities never took up the "grandiose" project of climate change. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to be aware of the latest events. Bengaluru, Aug 29 (PTI) The Karnataka High Court on Thursday held as "non-maintainable" a petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging the Congress government's decision to withdraw consent to it for investigating a disproportionate assets (DA) case against Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. A division bench, comprising Justices K Somashekar and Umesh M Adiga, also dismissed the plea challenging the State government's December 26, 2023 order referring the Rs 74.93 crore DA case to the Lokayukta for investigation. In a 67-page judgment, the High Court stated that the issues raised in the petition should be addressed by the Supreme Court. The bench had reserved its judgment on the matter on August 12. The CBI had earlier alleged that Shivakumar amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income between 2013 and 2018. He was a minister in the previous Congress government during this period. The previous BJP government had granted sanction to the CBI to prosecute Shivakumar, following which an FIR was lodged against him and investigation undertaken on charges of disproportionate assets. The current Karnataka cabinet headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on November 23 held that the previous BJP government's move to give consent to the CBI to investigate the DA case against Shivakumar was not in accordance with law and decided to withdraw the sanction. Kochi, Aug 29 (PTI) A rape case has been registered against prominent Malayalam actor and ruling CPI(M) MLA M Mukesh following a female actor's allegation that he sexually assaulted her years ago, police said on Thursday. An FIR under IPC 376 (rape) was registered against the actor at Maradu police station in Kochi city on Wednesday night, a police officer said. The case was registered under the IPC as the offence allegedly occurred before the new Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita came to force, he said. This is the third FIR against a high profile Malayalam film personality following allegations of sexual harassment against various directors and actors in the wake of revelations in the Justice K Hema Committee report. On Wednesday, Thiruvananthapuram museum police had booked actor Sidhique for allegedly raping an actress in a hotel eight years ago. The first case, under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty), was against director Ranjith on a complaint by a female actor from West Bengal regarding an incident which occurred in 2009. She had alleged that the director had touched her inappropriately with sexual intent after inviting her to act in the movie Paleri Manikyam. Following the allegation by the actor, Ranjith had resigned from his post as chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy. Sidhique had also resigned as general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) following the allegations against him. The Justice Hema Committee was constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case and its report revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry. Amidst allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation cropping up against several actors and directors, the state government on August 25 announced the establishment of a seven-member special investigation team to probe them. Subsequently, more complaints surfaced. New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) A head constable of Delhi Police died probably of a heart attack he suffered from while dancing in the farewell party of the station house officer of Roop Nagar Police Station in north Delhi, an officer said on Thursday. According to police, Head Constable Ravi Kumar was originally from Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, and had joined the Delhi Police in 2010. The Roop Nagar SHO had been transferred recently and a farewell party was thrown in his honour on Wednesday. Kumar, while dancing at the party, suddenly fell down and complained of chest pain. He was rushed to Bara Hindu Rao Hospital, where the doctor declared him dead, a police officer said. Kumar had had an angiography done about 45 days ago. He is survived by his wife and two children, police said. A video from the party, shot minutes before the incident, appeared on social media showing Kumar dancing. Beijing and Washington will plan for a phone call in the coming weeks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden, the White House said Wednesday after National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. Sullivans first trip to China as national security advisor was aimed at keeping high-level communications open and stabilizing bilateral relations to avoid conflict. The White House statement said both sides would keep lines of communication open, including planning for a leader-level call in the coming weeks. There was no indication the two leaders might meet in person before Biden leaves the Oval Office. The White House said the two sides also planned to hold a military theater commander telephone call in the near future. China has rapidly expanded its military, and there are concerns that Taiwan and the South China Sea are becoming flashpoints. Wang told Sullivan that Taiwans independence poses the greatest threat to stability in the immediate region. He demanded that the U.S. stop arming the island but support Chinas peaceful unification, according to a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy that split from authoritarian communist China in 1949, has rejected Beijings demands that it accept unification with the mainland by peace or by force. The U.S. is obligated under a domestic law to provide the island with sufficient hardware and technology to deter invasion. The White House statement said Sullivan underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Beijing also warned Washington not to support or indulge the Philippines to infringe upon Chinas rights and interests in the South China Sea. China and the Philippines have clashed over the Second Thomas Shoal and lately the Sabina Shoal. The U.S. military has pushed back against Chinas claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, saying this week it would be open to consultations about escorting Philippine ships in the disputed sea amid a spike in hostilities between Beijing and Manila on the issue. The White House said Sullivan reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to defending its Indo-Pacific allies and expressed concern about Beijings destabilizing actions against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea. The Philippines has called for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to do more. The 10-nation Southeast Asian bloc includes the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, which have South China Sea claims that overlap with each other as well as Chinas and Taiwans. The U.S. has shifted its policy with China from engagement to competition. The Biden administration has made it a priority to prevent the competition from spiraling out of control, while seeking to collaborate with China in areas such as climate change, artificial intelligence and enforcement against illicit drugs. John Podesta, the senior advisor to the president for international climate policy, will travel to China, and Sullivan and Wang discussed next steps to reduce the flow of illicit synthetic drugs and continue repatriation of undocumented migrants, the White House said. The U.S. Border Patrol in July made 1,851 arrests of Chinese immigrants on the border with Mexico, down from the December high of 5,951. The two sides also agreed to hold a second round of dialogue over artificial intelligence, the Chinese foreign ministry said. Sullivan raised continued concerns about Chinas trade policies and non-market economic practices, the White House said. Wang demanded the U.S. stop suppressing China in the areas of trade, economic and technology, the Chinese foreign ministry said. By resorting to protectionism, the U.S. would only hurt the global green development and affect the global economic growth, Wang told Sullivan. (AP) Two German boys, who got buried in the sand after digging a hole in a dune in northwestern Denmark on Sunday, have died, police said Wednesday. The boys, 9 and 12 who were on holiday with their family from Munich died late Tuesday, officers said. They have not been named. They were digging a hole in a dune on the beach on Sunday when the dune collapsed, and burying them. The boys were pulled out by firefighters and police with the help of local people, after being buried for 40 minutes. They were flown by helicopter in critical condition to the university hospital in Aarhus, Denmarks second-largest city, where they died. Central and West Jutland Police said Wednesday they considered the case a tragic accident and had no further comments. (AP) A 33-year-old man faced terrorism charges over an arson attack on a French synagogue last weekend that he said was aimed at defending Palestinians and changing Israeli policy, prosecutors said Wednesday. The attack revived concerns about antisemitism in France, notably linked to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, and led to heightened security at Jewish places of worship around the country. A police officer was injured after the suspect set multiple fires around the Beth Yaacov synagogue Saturday in the Mediterranean resort town of La Grande Motte. The suspect, identified by prosecutors only by his initials EHK, fled the scene but was later arrested. He was injured in the thorax, arm and face during the arrest, Frances national counterterrorism prosecutors office said in a statement. EHK, an Algerian with French residency, was presented to a judge Wednesday. Prosecutors said they are seeking preliminary terrorism charges against him including attempted murder and arson committed for reasons of race or religion, as well as armed violence against police. Two other people suspected of providing him help are also facing potential charges. Under questioning, the suspect admitted staging the attack, and told investigators he acted to support the Palestinian cause and make Israeli authorities react, the statement said. He said he did not have any homicidal intent but wanted to scare people. Based on questioning by police and his social media posts, EHK appears to have become more radical in his religious beliefs in recent months, and told acquaintances that he wanted to go fight in Gaza, prosecutors said. He also has for a long time nursed a hatred toward Jews, specifically focused on the situation in Palestine, the statement added. In recent weeks he purchased a firearm and conducted internet searches about synagogues in the region, Jewish holidays and Sabbath practices, according to the statement. He went alone to the Beth Yaacov synagogue Saturday with a handgun, several plastic bottles full of fuel, and an axe upon which he had written statements about Palestine, Gaza and Muslim blood, prosecutors said. They asked for him to be jailed pending further investigation. Once again, French Jews have been targeted and attacked because of their beliefs, caretaker Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said after visiting La Grand Motte. We are outraged and repulsed. (AP) Guatemalan authorities are currently investigating serious allegations of child abuse within the Lev Tahor cult, a community already facing accusations of forced marriages. This past Friday, authorities attempted to check on the condition of children living on a farm owned by Lev Tahor in Oratorio, located southwest of Guatemala City. Despite having a court order, officials reported that access to the premises was restricted by members of the cult. Were very concerned about the situation within the community, said Lucrecia Prera, a lawyer representing the state in matters concerning children and adolescents. There are reports that there are (forced) marriages, that there are pregnant girls, that there is abuse within the community. One of the most alarming allegations involves a teenager who was reportedly forced into marriage at the age of 13. According to Prera, the girl sought help earlier this year to return to her home country. Following a court hearing on Friday, Lev Tahor sect took to social media to accuse authorities of engaging in a reprehensible campaign of persecution against our community, motivated solely by religious intolerance and discrimination. The cult also accused Israel of playing a role in instigating these actions. Authorities estimate that around 100 minors are currently living within the community, which comprises roughly 50 families from Guatemala, the United States, Canada, and other countries. Despite a judge being granted access to the premises on Friday and observing 29 children, Prera noted that the investigation remains inconclusive. We cannot be certain whether the allegations (of abuse) are true or false, since we have not been allowed to carry out our work properly, Prera said. In response to accusations of persecution, Prera firmly denied that the investigation was politically or religiously motivated. Its very important that people know that its not political persecution, its not religious persecution. What we are seeking is to ensure the comprehensive protection of the rights of children and adolescents within the community, she said. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) President Joe Biden ordered the construction of a temporary pier to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza earlier this year even as some staffers for the U.S. Agency for International Development expressed concerns that the effort would be difficult to pull off and undercut the effort to persuade Israel to open more efficient land crossings to get food into the territory, according to a USAID inspector general report published Tuesday. Biden announced plans to use the temporary pier in his State of the Union address in March to hasten the delivery of aid to the Palestinian territory. But the $320 million military-run project known as the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore system, or JLOTS, would only operate for about 20 days. Aid groups pulled out of the project by July, ending a mission plagued by repeated weather and security problems. Multiple USAID staff expressed concerns that the focus on using JLOTS would detract from the Agencys advocacy for opening land crossings, which were seen as more efficient and proven methods of transporting aid into Gaza, according to the inspector general report. However, once the President issued the directive, the Agencys focus was to use JLOTS as effectively as possible. High waves and bad weather repeatedly damaged the pier, and the U.N. World Food Program ended cooperation with the project after an Israeli rescue operation used an area nearby to whisk away hostages, raising concerns about whether its workers would be seen as neutral and independent in the conflict. The watchdog report also alleged the United States had failed to honor commitments it had made with the World Food Program to get the U.N. agency to agree to take part in distributing supplies from the pier into Palestinian hands. The U.S. agreed to conditions set by the WFP, including that the pier would be placed in north Gaza, where the need for aid was greatest, and that a U.N. member nation would provide security for it. The watchdog report said that step was meant to safeguard WFPs neutrality among Gazas warring parties. Instead, however, the Pentagon placed the pier in central Gaza. WFP staffers told the USAID watchdog that it was their understanding the U.S. military chose that location because it allowed better security for the pier and the military itself. Israels military ultimately provided the security after the U.S. military was unable to find a neutral country willing to do the job, the watchdog report said. A U.S. official said the USAID staffer concerns about the project undercutting overall aid efforts were raised early in the process. Bidens deceptive show of aiding Palestinians with the pier was built on another deception that Israel was starving Gazans. Multiple reports about the fake famine in Gaza showed that Gazans had ample food throughout the war, with one report even saying that there was even more food available in Gaza during the war than before the fighting began. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem & AP) New details have emerged about the rescue of Kaid Farhan Al-Qadi from Gaza on Tuesday after 326 days in captivity According to reports, the IDF did not have specific intelligence information about Qadi but did not find him by chance, as some outlets reported. IDF forces were operating in the area for days and were on the outlook for hostages. As the forces were searching a tunnel network, they unexpectedly found Qadi, in a tunnel 65 feet underground, alone and unguarded. Channel 12 News reported that when Qadi heard people talking Hebrew, he called: Its me, Farhan, dont shoot! Even after the soldiers realized that there was an Israeli hostage in the tunnel, it wasnt a simple operation to extricate him from the tunnel. His captors had fled the area so they didnt encounter resistance but reaching him was complex as he was located inside a network comprised of several tunnels, in a side room. The soldiers feared that it was a terror trap and proceeded with great caution. The first person to speak to Qadi after he was extricated from the tunnel was Lt. Col. Ahsan Deksa, a Druze commander who speaks Arabic. Army Radio reported on Wednesday that from what Qadi said after he was rescued, he has been held alone for months, estimating that he was separated from the other hostages toward the end of December. He was left alone in the last week, with food in the tunnel, after his captors fled the area due to the presence of IDF soldiers. I never stopped believing that I would get out of there alive, he said after he was rescued.The IDF soldiers called to me before they entered. I was afraid that the tunnel was booby-trapped so I walked slowly. Qadi also repeatedly said: You dont understand, theres the Gaza above ground and then theres the underground Gaza. Former Rahat Mayor Ata Abu Madighem told Israeli media outlets on Tuesday that Qadi told him that a Jewish fellow captive died next to him in Gaza. The information has not yet been confirmed by an official source. It broke his heart, Abut Madighen said. He has many horrific memories. Abu Madighem added that Qadi did not have better conditions due to his status as a Muslim and he was treated just like an Israeli. On Wednesday evening, Kan News reported that Qadi told security sources that the terrorists left the tunnel two weeks earlier, when they heard the IDFs bulldozers at work near the tunnel. But before they fled, they booby-trapped the tunnel to turn it into a death trap for IDF soldiers. When the soldiers reached the tunnel and heard Qadi, they ordered him to identify himself and undress [to ensure he wasnt a terrorist carrying weapons or an explosive belt]. When they were convinced he was an Israeli captive, they instructed him how to leave the tunnel without detonating the explosives. The huge celebration awaiting Qadi in his hometown: (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Farhan al-Qadi, the 52-year-old Israeli-Bedouin man rescued on Tuesday from Hamas captivity, has returned to his home near Rahat in southern Israel to a jubilant welcome. Surrounded by family, friends, and media, al-Qadi was greeted with cheers and celebration as he arrived in a convoy of honking cars. In a tent set up to accommodate the crowds, al-Qadi addressed the press, appearing healthy and composed. I feel 100 percent, he declared, before calling for the release of the remaining hostages still held by Hamas. Earlier in the day, al-Qadi was discharged from Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, where staff members lined the halls to bid him a triumphant farewell. The joyful homecoming marks a new chapter for al-Qadi, who was held captive for weeks before his daring rescue by Israeli forces. The aggressor country of Russia has deceived more than 90 Indian citizens into fighting in Ukraine, and at least eight of them have already been killed. Many of them realized that they were in the war only after arriving at the front - this is how the Russian recruitment scheme works. ADVERTISIMENT Vikramjit Singh Sahneib, a member of the Indian parliament, told Rain. According to him, out of 83 surviving Indians, 13 have already left the Russian armed forces. "But we still have 69 or 70 people there. We have not yet been able to return the bodies of the dead or identify them, because these people are in a hot spot, and we do not even know where they are," the politician said. Sahneib said that Russia began such illegal recruitment of young Indians to the combat zone even before the outbreak of a full-scale war in Ukraine - they were recruited under the pretext of being transported abroad to work. After February 24, 2022, the fraudsters became more confident, some of them coordinating the recruitment of Indians while in the Russian army. Prices for transportation abroad range from one to 12 thousand euros. Upon arrival in Russia, foreigners are forced to sign a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry without an interpreter and then sent to the front. ADVERTISIMENT "In July, Modi met with Putin, who promised to release Indian citizens, but this did not affect the situation of Indians who were fighting. In addition, Russia has promised compensation and citizenship to the families of the victims," the journalists report. However, Indians do not want to live in the country where they lost their loved ones. As reported by OBOZ.UA, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin, during which they discussed the war in Ukraine. Modi shared his impressions of his recent visit to Ukraine. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Hamas is reportedly losing control over smaller terrorist factions within Gaza, according to a report by The Jewish Chronicle, citing Israeli military sources. The splintering of command signals growing discontent among Gazas smaller terror organizations, which include the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the Mujahideen Brigades, the al-Nasser Salah al-Deen Brigades, and the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. These groups have increasingly distanced themselves from Hamas leadership, particularly Yahya Sinwar, the de facto ruler of Gaza. According to the report, these smaller factions are no longer adhering to Sinwars directives and are operating independently, further complicating an already volatile situation in Gaza. These groups are believed to be holding an unknown number of hostages, adding to the complexity of negotiations. While Hamas is said to be holding around 20 hostages alive, other terrorist factions hold the rest. Among the hostages, 22 living hostages are believed to still be alive in Gaza and are reportedly being used as human shields by Hamas leadership to prevent direct military strikes on Sinwar. Israel has had several chances to eliminate Sinwar but has refrained from doing so due to the risk posed to the hostages surrounding him. Recent reports say that Sinwar has demanded guarantees for his safety as part of any potential ceasefire and hostage-swap agreement. Meanwhile, deepening internal disagreements among Gazas terror factions have further destabilized the situation. The smaller groups are reportedly dissatisfied with Hamas negotiation tactics, particularly regarding the prioritization of Hamas-affiliated prisoners in any prisoner-swap deal with Israel. These smaller factions have been planning a coup for months, according to the Jewish Chronicle, due to their opposition to Hamas willingness to consider a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. They are demanding that any agreement must include the release of all convicted terrorists held in Israeli prisons and are rejecting Israels stipulation that released prisoners be deported. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Senior Hamas official Khaled Mashal, once considered a leading contender to replace the assassinated Ismail Haniyeh, has called for a resumption of suicide bombings in the West Bank and urged Palestinians and their supporters to engage in actual resistance against Israel. His remarks, reported by Arabic media, were made during a conference in Istanbul, Turkey. According to Sky News Arabia, Mashal expressed the desire of the Hamas terror group to return to [suicide] operations. He framed the ongoing conflict with Israel, including the war in Gaza and frequent IDF raids in the West Bank, as a situation that necessitates open conflict. They are fighting us with open conflict, and we are confronting them with open conflict, Mashal said. Mashals comments also referenced the assassination of former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, an event for which Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility. The enemy has opened the conflict on all fronts, seeking us all, whether we fight or not, he said. I repeat my call to everyone to participate on multiple fronts in the actual resistance against the Zionist entity, he added. Mashals statements come amid a period of heightened tension and violence. Earlier in August, Hamas claimed responsibility for an explosion in Tel Aviv, which it described as a suicide bombing carried out in collaboration with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The August 18 attack injured one person moderately and killed the bomber instantly when the bomb detonated prematurely inside his backpack. While suicide bombings in Israel have been rare since the Second Intifada in the early 2000s, Israeli security forces have recently identified attempts by Hamas and other terror groups in the West Bank to revive such tactics. In March of this year, a would-be suicide bomber was killed while attempting to infiltrate Israel from the West Bank, and other planned attacks have been foiled in their early stages. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) As Israeli security forces continue Operation Summer Camps, the largest counterterrorism operation in the Shomron in decades, IDF soldiers and Border Police officers overnight Wednesday killed five terrorists hiding in a mosque in the Nur al-Shams refugee camp near Tulkarm, including Muhammad Jaber Abu Shajaa, the head of of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist network in the area. Abu Shahjaa was involved in numerous terror attacks against Israeli targets, including a shooting attack last June that murdered Israeli civilian Amnon Muchtar, Hyd. The security forces also arrested a wanted Islamic Jihad terrorist. Israeli security forces also discovered an explosive manufacturing laboratory and terror command room in a mosque in the Fara refugee camp in the Jordan Valley. According to the IDF, the explosive devices posed a great risk to the security forces and nearby Palestinian civilians and were too dangerous to even move. Instead, they destroyed them on the spot in a controlled explosion. A Yamam Border Police officer was lightly injured during the operation and was evacuated to the hospital for treatment (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) It was revealed on Thursday that Aryeh Zalmanovich, Hyd, 85, was the Jewish captive who was murdered next to Kaid Farhan Al-Qadi, the Bedouin-Israeli captive rescued from Gaza on Tuesday. Qadi, who was held with other captives in the first two months after his abduction, told security forces, relatives, and former Rahat Mayor Ata Abu Madighem that he experienced a great emotional crisis when a Jewish captive was murdered next to him. Channel 12 News reported on Thursday that the IDF connected Qadi with Zalmanovichs family. Qadi told Zalmanovichs son that he and his father were held in a Gazan hospital for a period of time until Zalmanovich, Hyd, was murdered. He added that shortly after the murder, he was moved underground where he was held alone until his rescue. Aryehs son Boaz, told Kan News: Abba was in the hospital in the southern Gaza Strip with Farhan throughout the entire time of captivity, about 40 days, and they developed a special bond. Farhan was also wounded but took care of Abba and supported him. Dad was old and sick and didnt receive proper medication and treatment. He was murdered in physical and mental agony they didnt always just shoot them. Abba told Farhan that he loves us and was worried about the members of the kibbutz, he knew what happened to them. Qadi recounted his experience, saying that he saw Zalmonvich, Hyd, dying as Hamas terrorists filmed the scene. Right after, they filmed me as well, and I saw how he was killed. During that time, they operated on me to remove a bullet from my leg, with almost no anesthesiait was excruciating. After about two months, they moved me to a tunnel, where I was kept alone, surrounded by guards, unable to tell day from night. Zalmanovich, zl, one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz, was abducted on October 7 from his home on the kibbutz, the oldest Israeli to be taken into captivity. Forty days later, Hamas released a cruel video showing him lying on a bed, connected to a monitor and complaining he didnt feel well. He was then seen completely still and wrapped in a white sheet. The IDF confirmed Zalmonichs murder in December. About a week and a half ago, a video circulated on Palestinian social media showing Zalmanovich during his abduction to Gaza. The video shows a cruel scene of Zalmanovich, bleeding and bruised and being driven on a motorcycle with his abductors sitting in front and behind him and surrounded by jubilant innocent Gazan civilians trying to reach the motorcycle and beat him. In front of the motorcycle, terrorists [or perhaps innocent civilians] can be seen driving a stolen Israeli agricultural tractor. Zalmanovich, a father of two and a grandfather of five and an experienced agriculturist, was abducted from his safe room in his home, where he was hiding alone. When the terrorists found him, they beat him with a stick, including on his head, and abducted him to Gaza without his glasses and hearing aid. Hostages who were held with him and released from Gaza in the November hostage deal said that he became extremely weak in captivity without his medications and had difficulty eating. Before his abduction, he was an independent and healthy man for his age. Every day, he donned work clothing every morning and went out to the fields and drank coffee with the other farmers. Hashem Yikam Damo. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Shlomi Ziv and Almog Meir Jan, two of the hostages rescued from Gaza in Operation Arnon, have opened up for the first time about their harrowing ordeal in captivity. They were interviewed as part of the Government Press Offices national documentation project. Andrey Kozlov, who was held together with Ziv and Jan, has spoken to numerous media outlets, (including the GPOs project earlier this month) about the physical and emotional abuse he and his fellow captives endured. Their hands and feet were bound for the first two months, they were locked in the bathroom buried under blankets in the summer heat, and were told time and time again that Israel and their loved ones had abandoned them. Recently, he described more harrowing scenes in which his captors forced him to use the bathroom with bound hands while laughing at him. Jan said that their main captor was particularly cruel: Lets just say he had an issue with us moving around. If he caught one of us standing, hed say suddenly: Oh, you stood up? Fine. Now I want you sitting for a week. If you need the bathroom crawl. I dont want to see you on your feet.' Ziv said: But wed wear him down after about four days. We did our best to comply. Wed win him over by playing the role of obedient children. Almog added: We were itching to retaliate, but we suppressed it, detaching ourselves emotionally. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Talks aimed at achieving a Gaza ceasefire and securing a hostage-release deal have made significant progress, according to US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. Speaking to reporters in Beijing, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Sullivan provided an update on the ongoing negotiations, emphasizing that the discussions have entered a critical phase. The negotiators are bearing down on the details, meaning that we have advanced the discussions to a point where its in the nitty-gritty, and that is a positive sign of progress, Sullivan said. The discussions, involving officials from the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Israel, took place in Doha on Wednesday, following a weekend of high-level talks in Cairo. Jerusalems delegation, which included representatives from the Israel Defense Forces, the Mossad, and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), returned to Israel on Tuesday after participating in the Cairo negotiations. While the high-level talks in Cairo ended on Sunday without a deal, lower-level discussions continued on Monday as negotiators sought to resolve the remaining differences. In Doha, the Israeli delegation is expected to continue talks with representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. These discussions are aimed at finalizing the terms of a ceasefire and securing the release of hostages held by Hamas. US Special Coordinator for the Middle East Brett McGurk also engaged in preparatory talks on Tuesday with senior Qatari leaders ahead of Wednesdays negotiations, according to a US official cited by the Associated Press. Despite the progress, challenges remain. Hamas has publicly rejected the current terms of the deal, accusing the United States of siding with Israeli demands. Egyptian officials have also expressed doubts about the likelihood of a breakthrough. At the end of the day, nothing is done until its done. And so were just going to keep working at this until we finally get the ceasefire-and-hostage deal across the line, Sullivan concluded. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) It was back in 1965 when the great Rabbi of Tosh ZTL founded the town and Yeshiva of Tosh outside of the city of Montreal, Canada. The Rebbe, a descended of the dynasty of Tosh, dreamed of establishing a place dedicated to pure Torah and Chasiddus, and that is what he did. It would be be beyond this short article to describe all the mesiras nefesh the Rabbi had for his town and Yeshiva, but there is one small point that I would like to address here and that is the Rebbes mesiras nefesh for the precious children with the establishment of THE TALMUD TORAH BAIS YIDA From the outset the Rebbe dedicated himself to building the Talmud Torah. They started with less than 15 students who were divided in 2 groups, those under the age of ten formed one group and all the older students learned in the second group. In the beginning the Talmud Torah was stationed in the main Yeshiva building , but as it steadily grew the Talmud Torah was moved into few trailers on the grass to accommodate the need of a Cheder. The Melamdim recall the challenges of teaching at that time. Since there was such a range in the ages of the boys it was difficult to address each students individual needs. While one boy needed to learn Alef Beis and kriah, another boy needed help with Chumash, and yet another boy needed to be taught Gemara, and so on. The Rabbi was fully involved in the Cheder and in setting up the standards for the Cheder. The rabbi would regularly observe the Cheder from the main window and so he would know everything going on there. It is no wonder that former students recall how the Rabbi treated each of them with so much love. The Rebbe would make each of them feel valued as if he was the Rabbis own child. One time the Rebbe learned that one teacher had in his classroom more students than the limit allowed. The Rabbi didnt hesitate, he walked into the class and pulled out a few students to a separate room and started teaching them himself. There were guests who had just arrived at the Rabbis house but they could not find him. A search was started until they discovered that the Rebbe was in cheder teaching a class of students. Today Baruch Hashem, the holy town of Tosh has gained renown and has flourished with a community of over 500 families. The Talmud Torah is now attended by close to 700 students with grades divided by ages and with 2 classes per grade. As the community grew there became a need for a separate building for the Cheder. On Purim Katan 1980 the Rabbi put down the Even Hapinah and the foundations of the building. The Rabbi spoke fiery words declaring that by supporting the Talmud Torah we are bringing us closer to Moshiach The construction took many years until it was finally completed. There are countless stories of miracles and Yeshuos Yidden were having by giving the rabbi their donations for the cheder. We will just quote one story from the Menahel R Moshe Mayrovits who went around to solicit funds for the building. Once he found a Yingerman who was already few years after his wedding and he did not have children. R Moshe offered him a deal: you sponsor a classroom in the building and Hashem will bless you with a child. The Yingerman grabbed the deal, and upon Reb Moshes return to Tosh he told the Rabbi that he promised someone a child on the Rabbis account. The Rabbi agreed and gave his Brocha and by the end of the year the Yingerman held a Ben Zachar The building was completed and opened on the day of the yartzeit of the Rabbis grandfather. The Rabbi then for the first time uttered this holy promise- MY GRANDFATER PROMISED THAT WHOEVER WILL HELP HIM WILL BE ANSWERED AND HELPED WITH HIS NEEDS, AND SO IT IS WITH US, WHOEVER WILL HELP US MUST BE HELPED. NOW AS WE APPROACH THE HOLY YARTZEIT PLEASE TAKE PART AND SUPPORT THE RABBIS CHEDER. HELP THE RABBIS KIDS AND YOU WILL BE ANSWERED IN YOUR TEFILLOS. MAKE SURE THAT THE KIDS ARE MENTIONING YOUR NAME BY THE RABBIS TZION TODAY WITH YOUR CONTRIBUTION WE WILL BE ABLE TO UPHOLD THE CHEDER, AND THE ZECHUS OF THE TORAH THAT THE CHILDREN LEARN WILL STAND AS A MERIT FOR YOU FOR BRACHOS AND YESHUOS. For the first time ever, ArtScroll is offering significant discounts focused primarily on their all-Hebrew seforima rare opportunity that anyone who stocks their shul, school, or home library cant afford to miss! For a limited time only, ArtScroll is now offering a large selection of their all-Hebrew siddurim, chumashim and Mikraos Gedolos at prices that havent been seen in years! From now until September 16th only, these timeless classicsessential for every librarywill be on sale, with free shipping in the USA on orders over $49! So whether youre looking to replenish your shuls collection of well-used maroon Tefilas Shlomo and Yitzchok Yair siddurim, replace its worn blue Jaffa chumashim, or stock up on other shul classics, now is the time to act. Most notably, this sale includes entire sets or single volumes of Mikraos Gedolos, as well as all-Hebrew Womens or Sephardic siddurim for use in shul or at home. Also, with many of the siddurim now available in magnificent hand-tooled leather, and the ability to easily customize every book on sale with gold-stamping, the time to gift your organization or loved ones couldnt be better. And for those seeking an over-the-top gift that will provide the recipient with an invaluable set of seforim to learn from and cherish, the now discounted ALL-NEW deluxe large size and exquisite leather hand-tooled sets of Mikraos Gedolos, make for the ultimate in next-level gifting. This sale is available at your local Hebrew bookseller, at artscroll.com/Categories/HSSC.html or by calling 1-800 MESORAH (637-6724). Dont miss itthis sale ends September 16th! Drax Group has agreed to pay 25million to Ofgem's voluntary redress fund after an investigation by the energy watchdog found it had failed to report data properly. It follows an investigation into the firm's profiling data. Annual profiling data is the reporting of 'additional biomass characteristics' and is not used for the issuing of Renewable Obligation Certificates. Ofgem said Drax, which receives Government subsidies from burning biomass wood chips, lacked required data governance and controls, meaning it failed to give the regulator accurate and robust data on the type of wood it uses. Payment: Drax Group has agreed to pay 25m to Ofgem's voluntary redress fund The investigation found Drax did not have adequate data governance controls on biomass imported from Canada during the period from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. But Ofgem said it had not found any evidence the biomass did not meet its sustainability requirements. British renewable power generators can receive renewable obligation certificates, which can then be sold to energy suppliers who use them to sell renewable electricity products to customers. 'The investigation found that the misreported data was technical in nature and would not have impacted the level of subsidy Drax received under the RO (renewable obligation) scheme,' Ofgem said. Drax said it would resubmit its Canadian data for the period and produce an independent audit of its biomass profiling data for the most recent reporting period, April 2023 to March 2024. 'We recognise the importance of maintaining a strong evidence base and are continuing to invest to improve confidence in our future reporting,' Drax chief executive Will Gardiner said in a separate statement. Drax said it only uses wood residuals or byproducts from trees primarily used for lumber and that demand for wood from sustainable managed forests can help to increase forest growth. Green groups have criticised the practice, arguing that it is not a renewable form of energy generation and that pellet production can contribute to deforestation. Drax, Britain's largest renewable power generator by output, has converted four coal-power units to use biomass and operates hydro power projects. Ofgem's redress fund is used to help charities support vulnerable energy customers. Drax shares rose 0.73 per cent or 4.76p to 660.26p on Thursday, having risen over 18 per cent in the last year. Shell is planning to cut hundreds of jobs around the world. In a move that will affect countries including the UK, the US, the Netherlands and Brazil, the energy giant wants to reduce its oil and gas exploration and development workforce by 20 per cent compared to 2022. It is part of Shells wider strategy to cut between 1.5billion and 2.3billion across the entire company by the end of next year. Job cuts: Shell wants to reduce its oil and gas exploration and development workforce by 20% compared to 2022 The latest proposal will reduce staff within two businesses under the groups upstream division. The unit, which explores for and extracts crude oil and natural gas in countries including the UK and Nigeria, as well as the Gulf of Mexico, contributed more than a third of Shells 21billion profits last year. Staff consultations will take place before any final decisions are made. A Shell spokesman said that the company aims to create more value with less emissions by focusing on performance, discipline and simplification across the business. Under Wael Sawan, who became chief executive in January last year, the group has focused on its most profitable businesses and catching up with its more valuable US rivals. Shell has also watered down some of its green pledges for the end of the decade while pledging to invest further in gas fields in the UK North Sea. Earlier this month the group revealed its second-quarter profits fell from 6billion to 4.9billion due to lower oil and gas prices. At the request of our country's leadership, a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council was held. The topic of the meeting was the massive missile attacks by Russian invaders on Ukrainian cities and, accordingly, the need to strengthen Ukraine's air defense. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov spoke in more detail about the meeting via video link. "Two days ago, the terrorist state launched more than 200 missiles and drones into Ukraine, killing innocent people and destroying critical infrastructure. I informed our partners about the current situation. We discussed further plans to supply air defense systems and missiles to them. We need to strengthen our air defense," Umerov said. According to him, consultations continue, including in bilateral formats, "on the creation of an air defense shield, the so-called security belt over the western regions of the state." "I am grateful to our allies for the promised assistance. More and more allies support the lifting of restrictions on the use of long-range weapons for Ukraine's self-defense within the framework of international law," the Defense Minister added. ADVERTISIMENT Neither Umerov nor Zelenskyy said what kind of assistance the partners promised. The NATO-Ukraine Council is a body that coordinates relations between Ukraine and the North Atlantic Alliance. It was established at the Vilnius Summit in 2023. As reported by OBOZ.UA, on August 26, Russia launched at least 230 strikes against Ukraine. According to Volodymyr Zelensky, "our defense system worked, but nevertheless, there was serious damage to the power system." The Ukrainian government clarified that Russia had attacked Ukrainian energy facilities with cluster munitions, and this was the first time it had done so. The Russians targeted Ukrainian distribution substations. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! HSBC's head of wealth and personal banking Nuno Matos is stepping down Senior HSBC executive Nuno Matos is to leave after missing out on the top job. Matos, head of wealth and personal banking, has decided to step down to pursue other opportunities after nine years at the lender, the bank said. He is one of three senior managers whose departure was announced yesterday ahead of Georges Elhedery taking over as chief executive on Monday. Matos was among the favourites to succeed Noel Quinn when he announced his departure this year but was beaten to it by Lebanese-born finance chief Elhedery. Hong Kong-based Matos, who is Portuguese, joined in 2015 from Santander. He told staff in an internal memo: This is the right time for me to embrace new opportunities. A member of the banks 18-strong executive committee, Matos will stay on as an adviser before leaving in 2025. He is being replaced by Barry OByrne, head of the commercial banking division. John Hinshaw, chief operating officer, and Elaine Arden, chief human resources officer, are also leaving. Multinationals see potential, opportunity in Chinese market Xinhua) 08:09, August 29, 2024 Guests attend the opening ceremony of the fifth Qingdao Multinationals Summit held at Qingdao International Conference Center in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) JINAN, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- The fifth Qingdao Multinationals Summit commenced on Wednesday in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, drawing over 500 attendees from more than 450 multinational corporations to exchange insights on their experience and strategies in the Chinese market. "China's new quality productive forces are on the rise, and we believe that multinational companies must actively engage and contribute to this growth to truly benefit," said Leon Wang, executive vice president, international and China president of British biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. "We are committed to enhancing our independent research and development in China and fostering deeper cooperation to help bring China's innovations to the global stage." AstraZeneca has announced additional investment in its Qingdao production and supply base, bringing the total to 750 million U.S. dollars. "AstraZeneca is in sync with China's reform and opening-up, feeling the vitality of the market, the resilience of manufacturing and the continuous improvement of its business environment. These factors bolster our confidence and create opportunities," Wang said, emphasizing that the company has invested over 1.2 billion U.S. dollars in China in the past two years. Many entrepreneurs expressed their resolve to further expand in the Chinese market during the event, indicating an eagerness to collaborate with Chinese partners to realize a brighter, shared future. Kuniharu Nakamura, a special advisor at Sumitomo Corporation, said that increasing global instability and economic uncertainty have underscored the importance of extending dialogue and promoting mutual understanding, which the summit aims to facilitate. "China's remarkable achievements and economic transformation are influencing the world. We see the long-term growth potential of China, which is why we continue to increase our investments," said Yasser M. Mufti, executive vice president of the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco). "We aim to be China's partner of choice." Delegates from industries such as new-generation information technology, biomedicine, new energy and high-end equipment also expressed optimism about China's emerging industries. They said they believe that the resilience of China's economy and its high-quality development are creating new market space and investment opportunities for multinational companies. "I have been looking forward to visiting Qingdao for five years, and I deeply appreciate the remarkable achievements made here," said Keita Ishii, president of ITOCHU Corporation. "China is leading the world in many new industries, including artificial intelligence and green energy, and we remain highly interested and expectant of China's development." A report released during the summit by the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce indicates that multinationals are active participants in China's development, important supporters of the country's pursuit of high-quality development, and key links in its deep integration into global industrial and supply chains. Multinational companies have also benefited from increased profit margins, improved cost structures and optimized resource allocation through their operations in China, according to the report. Data from the Ministry of Commerce shows that 53,766 foreign-invested enterprises were established in China in 2023, up 39.7 percent year on year. And another 31,654 were established from January to July this year, an 11.4 percent year-on-year increase. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Last night in Belarus, the Belarusian Air Force did something that neither the Romanian nor Polish air forces have done before... They shot down a Shahed-136 kamikaze drone. ADVERTISIMENT That is, Russian drones, Iranian-made, which regularly flew into the airspace of Belarus, were shot down by the Belarusian Air Force for the first time. Several conclusions can be drawn from this case. The first is that if the transit overflight of the territory of Belarus was agreed upon, the downing of the kamikaze drone could have been caused by the fact that the object itself lost control and, after agreement with the "curators," a mutual decision was made to destroy the potentially dangerous uncontrolled object. Secondly, the leadership of the Republic of Belarus was not informed that a Shahed-136 kamikaze drone would be flying over the airspace that night and took an unauthorized step to neutralize the object. People who are well versed in terminology will note that "several" means more than two, i.e. "pairs," and I gave two specific examples of a possible situation. In other words, was there perhaps some other factor? Yes, but who knows. ADVERTISIMENT I wonder if Minsk will call the Russian ambassador "on the carpet" in connection with the incident. More likely than not, but Belarusian pilots have proven to be much more productive than their NATO colleagues, who are either hampered by weather conditions or cockpit cramping that prevents them from shooting down kamikaze drones. Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi came from the Pokrovsk direction and told us about what was happening there. He spent several days working with the brigades that are defending the most difficult area. ADVERTISIMENT Oleksandr Syrskyi spoke about the situation in the Pokrovsk sector on his Telegram channel. He said where the fiercest fighting is taking place. "The most intense fighting is taking place on the eastern outskirts of Hrodivka, further along the border of Kamianyi and Krasnyi Yar, directly in Novohrodivka, lower down, near the eastern outskirts of Mykhailivka, which is located in front of Selydove. The fighting is extremely fierce. The enemy is throwing everything that can move and advance into the battle, trying to break through the defense of our troops," said Syrskyi. According to him, the work at the headquarters continues almost around the clock, and non-standard decisions have to be made all the time. ADVERTISIMENT Syrskyi emphasized that the Ukrainian military is showing courage and heroism in battles with superior enemy forces. The soldiers of the 25th separate airborne brigade, whose actions cause significant losses to the occupiers, are showing extraordinary resilience. In addition, Syrskyi noted the servicemen of the 68th separate hunting ranger brigade named after Oleksa Dovbush and the 150th separate mechanized brigade, who leave no chance for the enemy to return alive and unharmed from the battlefield. "In such circumstances, our main task is to strengthen the defense of our troops in the most difficult areas of the front, to provide the brigades with sufficient ammunition and other material and technical means. Actually, my work was devoted to solving these issues," noted Syrskyi. As reported by OBOZ.UA: ADVERTISIMENT Since the beginning of the day on August 29, our defenders have repelled 66 attacks in the Pokrovsk sector. More than half of them were in the areas of Hrodivka and Novohrodivka. On Thursday, August 29, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held two important meetings on strategic issues at the front and operational tasks. In particular, they discussed the situation in the Pokrovske and Toretske directions and the Kursk operation. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! A group of 1500 thousand Belarusian army soldiers concentrated near the Ukrainian border is not enough for a large-scale offensive. However, the "extremely important element" is that self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko does not have control over all the processes taking place in the country. ADVERTISIMENT This forecast was voiced by military expert Vladiylav Selezniov in an exclusive interview with OBOZ.UA. "Some border conflicts, episodes of the tactical level - this option cannot be ruled out. However, the Belarusian army does not have the resources to conduct full-scale operations in the north of our country," he said. The expert emphasized that a grouping of 1000-1500 soldiers is not capable of fulfilling the task of a large-scale offensive. The enemy can use it to "create a certain track of tension, in particular, by involving subversive reconnaissance groups and conducting provocative shelling with artillery and mortars." Selezniov added that self-proclaimed President of Belarus Lukashenko is probably aware of all the consequences of the Belarusian army's offensive in Ukraine. "Lukashenko is acting with his own forces and means quite carefully, knowing full well how catastrophic the consequences could be for him personally and for the Belarusian army in the event of direct aggression against Ukraine," the expert said. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, he emphasized that there are processes in Belarus that Lukashenko does not control, and this is "an extremely important element" in making forecasts. "It is quite possible that some things may happen against his will and desire, beyond his knowledge and competence," the expert suggested. As OBOZ.UA previously reported, in mid-August, Belarus began deploying tanks to the border with Ukraine, which was explained by the need to respond to "provocations" from Ukraine. Self-proclaimed President Lukashenko said that this was allegedly a "forced decision." Chavismo on Wednesday celebrated one month since the National Electoral Council (CNE) proclaimed Nicolas Maduro the winner of the presidential election in Venezuela. Since that announcement nothing has changed: the authorities have not yet presented the vote tallies from July 28 amid growing suspicions of fraud that have led a large part of the international community not to recognize the announced victory of the incumbent president. Today we can say that the truth and the love of the immense majority of the people have triumphed, Maduro affirmed. What would have happened if violence had prevailed on those days of July 29, 30, and 31 or if the criminals had won? How many hundreds of wounded and dead would there have been? That is why the common man and woman are grateful that we have triumphed. The president also took the opportunity to attack the opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, again and to speculate that he will leave the country. He is hiding. Today marks a month since he hid, he is not showing his face, Maduro said in front of an audience of supporters. He ordered suitcases [...] He is sleeping somewhere in Altamira and is preparing to escape, he added, claiming this was information that had reached him. If they had to make a complaint, why didnt they go to the National Electoral Council or the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ)? Why didnt he go to the appointment with the Attorney Generals Office? This man has the gall to ignore the electoral power, the TSJ, and the Attorney Generals Office. Maduro also criticized the protest called Wednesday by opposition figurehead Maria Corina Machado, whom he again accused of being involved in a satanic pact with the United States and Elon Musk, owner of the social network X, one of the disinformation narratives that Chavismo has deployed after the disputed election. They have given up, she [Machado] believes she is above the law and the Constitution, she believes that only with the support of the North American empire it is enough. Thirty days, and where is Elon Musk? The Venezuelan people have knocked out Elon Musk and the satanists. He then accused them of having caused a partial blackout on Tuesday afternoon. The Chavista leader also criticized the efforts of the international community to resolve the political crisis in the country, such as those promoted by leftist leaders in the region and the United States. Dont stick your noses in Venezuelas internal affairs, he warned. Despite the messages of disqualification against the opposition, Maduro called for the unity of the country. I will never tire of calling for dialogue and understanding, because we have the experience, the people, the civil-police-military union, and we are the embodiment of the sacred forces of the homeland. These people were blessed to have a father like Hugo Chavez; we are the sons and daughters of Chavez. We have the moral right, because of everything we have fought for and resisted, to call all Venezuelans to unity. During the ceremony, Maduro swore in the new officials of his Cabinet, which he called the Revolutionary Council of Ministers. I swear to begin this new stage of transition to socialism with strength and greater dialogue. I swear to go to the neighborhoods and communities and govern with the people and make direct, radical, and communal democracy a reality, and build a new system of eminently popular government, he said. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition It is a calm and quiet night at the McDonalds franchise embedded in the pedestrian artery of Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul, Turkey. Aima Tahir, a student living in the city, is one of thousands of Turks who avoided eating at McDonalds during the first two weeks of the war in Gaza. We are all hoping that the boycott will have an impact on stopping the genocide, and even if it doesnt, I personally dont want to spend my money on brands that sponsor war. In addition to maintaining their boycott of multinationals with a presence in Israel, Aima and her friends donated several head of cattle and goats to Gaza during the Eid al-Adha holiday last June. This trend is on the rise in Turkey and other countries in the region, where 60% of the 1,752 consumers surveyed by the state-run Areda Surveys agency say they have stopped buying Israel-related products. This movement is not unique to Turkey. From New York to Jakarta, thousands of young people are expressing their solidarity with pro-Palestinian movements by boycotting companies with alleged ties to Israel in response to the continuing conflict in Gaza. Ten months since the start of the Israeli invasion of the Strip, the impact of the veto is already being felt in some Starbucks coffee shops and McDonalds restaurants. Companies targeted by activist organizations and frequently cited on boycott lists include McDonalds, Starbucks, Burger King, Coca-Cola, and KFC, although the brands tend to vary from country to country. European companies are also included on these boycott lists, although they suffer to a lesser extent. Among them are the French supermarket chain Carrefour, the German technology company Siemens, and the French insurer Axa, which this week withdrew its investments from Israeli banks. Consumer boycotts of brands are becoming increasingly popular. A survey of 18,103 people worldwide by the consultancy YouGov found that Indonesians are the most likely to boycott a brand for geopolitical reasons, with 53% of the total, followed by Denmark (52%), Sweden (49%), the UK (47%) and Australia (44%). The boycott of large multinationals with ties to Israel has spread most notably in Middle Eastern countries, where some consumers responded last October to appeals from Boycott, Divest, Sanctions (BDS), a pro-Palestinian organization whose main motive was to push for trade sanctions against multinationals with operations in Israel. The organization, which has been staging such campaigns for over two decades, has risen to prominence in recent months through calls to boycott large U.S. companies with a presence in Israel through its social networks. It has moved its campaigns to North America, Asia, and other markets. BDS and its Spanish delegation declined to participate in this report and have not provided comment to this newspapers questions. An affordable first step Aima joined the BDS-driven boycott in the first two weeks of the war. Since then, she only supports local businesses and does not plan to go back to purchasing from the big global chains, although she recognizes that the move is largely symbolic. The young student has also stopped buying Coca-Cola products and has opted to drink alternatives such as Le Cola at one of the 11,203 franchises of BIM a discount supermarket chain scattered around Turkey. On the other side of the world, in Vancouver, Canada, another 23-year-old, who prefers to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions at her job, joined the boycott of companies like Pizza Hut, Walmart, and Dominos as an affordable first step in January 2024, although she doesnt believe it was enough to make a noticeable difference. I think a lot of people are looking for ways to help, but they feel like theyre falling short. In Toronto, Katrina Ghali, 24, has gone from being a daily customer at Starbucks to boycotting it as of November 2023. I used to go every day, but then I found out they were supporting the Israeli state she says. Sales plummet McDonalds is among the most-affected companies hit by political boycotts. The fast-food giant has been criticized for allegedly offering discounts and about 100,000 free meals to the Israeli army. It has plunged 3% on the stock market since 2023. Chris Kempczinski, McDonalds CEO, acknowledged in early May that the war has had a negative impact on its business in the Middle East, among other markets. Through a LinkedIn post he dismissed the move as disheartening and ill-founded. This drop in sales led Alonyal, the brands Israeli subsidiary, to declare its intention to sell 225 of its franchises to the parent company. In every country where we operate, including in Muslim countries, McDonalds is proudly represented by local owner operators who work tirelessly to serve and support their communities while employing thousands of their fellow citizens, Kempczinski said. In Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, McDonalds sued BDS for $1.3 million in January and explained that although they respect the act of boycotting, they believe that it should be based on facts and not allegations. Perhaps the multinational company most punished by the boycott is U.S. coffee chain Starbucks, although the trigger in this case was not calls by activist groups but a lawsuit against its union, Workers United. The lawsuit arose after the union expressed its solidarity with Palestine on social media platform X. Starbucks, in addition to noticing a drop in its profitability in the second quarter of the year, with global sales down 4%, also lost up to 27% of its share price on the U.S. stock market in May. The firms former CEO, Laxman Narasimhan, insisted that Starbucks is pro-humanity and that the company does not have a political agenda. Narasimhan, in charge of the chain for just one year, was replaced a week ago by Brian Niccol, the former CEO of the Tex-Mex fast food chain Chipotle. Niccols strategic hiring has reduced the companys stock market losses over the past year to just 3%. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A Thai court has sentenced the Spanish citizen Daniel Sancho to life in prison over the murder of the Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta, whose remains were found at the beginning of August 2023 on the holiday island of of Koh Pha-ngan. Both men had been spending a few days on the island coinciding with the Full Moon festival, which attracts travelers from around the world for all-night raves. Sancho is known as a YouTube chef and he is the son of Spanish actors Rodolfo Sancho and Silvia Bronchalo, both of whom were present at the court hearing in Bangkok on Thursday. The court found Sancho, 30, guilty of premeditated murder, of concealing or damaging a body, and of destroying another persons documents (the victims passport). Police Col. Paisan Sangthep, deputy commander of the Surat Thani Provincial Police, told the Associated Press that the court initially handed down a death sentence, but commuted it to life imprisonment due to Sanchos cooperation during the trial. Sancho has also been told to pay around 106,000 (4 million bat) to the victims relatives, who were financially dependent on the 44-year-old plastic surgeon. The court decision may still be appealed in a process that could take up to a year, according to legal sources. Time to keep fighting, said Rodolfo Sancho, Daniels father, as he walked out of the Koh Samui Provincial Court. Following his arrest, Sancho initially confessed to the crime, but later changed his version of events and held that Arrieta had accidentally hit his head against a bathtub as he fell following a scuffle between the two men. Sancho claimed that Arrieta had tried to sexually assault him. Sancho had pleaded not guilty to charges of premeditated murder, but acknowledged dismembering the victims body and disposing of the parts on land and at sea. The case came to light when trash collectors found what the Bangkok Post newspaper described as a sawed-off pelvis and intestines weighing about 5 kilograms (11 pounds) in a fertilizer sack at a garbage dump. Shortly after that, Sancho reported to police that Arrieta was missing, and police then gathered evidence linking the two men that led them to detain and interrogate him. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Outgoing SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has been praised for his years of work to restore the Stormont powersharing institutions by Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill. Irish premier Simon Harris, DUP leader Gavin Robinson and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn were also among those paying tribute to Mr Eastwood, who has announced he will step down at his party conference in October. Delivering her tribute, Ms ONeill focused on the work of Mr Eastwood during the years when the Northern Ireland Assembly were suspended and following Brexit. She said: I want to wish Colum Eastwood and his family well as he steps down as leader of the SDLP today. We have worked together as leaders for many years now, to restore the political institutions in the north and in protecting the Good Friday Agreement and the all-island economy against efforts to impose the hardest possible Tory Brexit. I look forward to working with his successor as leader of the SDLP in a constructive manner for the good of all our people. Sinn Fein will continue to work with all parties in the Assembly and Executive to deliver for workers, families and public services. Mr Harris said Mr Eastwood had served with distinction and had been a progressive, responsible and pragmatic voice on all issues, but especially the challenging ones.The Taoiseach added: As a leader he has been accessible, on the ground and close to his constituents in Derry and the issues that affected them. During Brexit, Colum served the entire island of Ireland with distinction in Westminster with passionate, timely and informed interventions in debates that otherwise neglected the peace process. For that, we all owe Colum a debt of gratitude. He added: I spoke to Colum last night and was glad to hear he still has a lot more to give to politics and will continue to serve as an MP after his successor as leader is appointed. Finally, I would also like to wish Colums family well and hope todays decision means more time together. Mr Benn thanked Mr Eastwood for the great contribution you have made over nine years as SDLP leader. I know your Foyle constituents and Parliament will continue to benefit from your wisdom and passion. I look forward to working with your successor, he posted on the social media network X. Mr Robinson said Mr Eastwood would continue to champion Foyle in Westminster. In a post on X, he added: As before, we will work together on mutually benefitting Northern Ireland. Fianna Fail TD Jim OCallaghan praised Mr Eastwood as having led the SDLP with distinction during very challenging times. He added: He was a strong leader of nationalist Ireland, following in the great tradition of Hume and Mallon. I wish him well in the future and hope he remains actively involved in politics. Illustrator Karla Ortiz, author of this work and one of the plaintiffs in the case, has seen that some generative AI tools make drawings in a style very similar to hers. One of the big, unresolved issues surrounding generative artificial intelligence revolves around copyrights. In order to function, the tools require billions of texts, images and videos, from which they extract patterns that allow them to create apparently original images. Many creators and artists complain that the companies responsible for the AI models use their work without their consent some have even recognized their personal style in specific AI creations. Between 2022 and 2023, a group of programmers, authors, scriptwriters and artists filed four class-action lawsuits against major generative AI developers, including Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI. One of the suits, which was filed by illustrators, clocked a relevant victory two weeks ago. Judge William H. Orrick III of the district court for the northern district of California dismissed some claims regarding the defendant companies Stability AI, which runs Stable Diffusion, Runway AI, Deviant Art, and Midjourney but did allow the plaintiffs core complaint to proceed. That means that the case will proceed to the so-called discovery phase. Now is the time that we are allowed to request documents from the accused companies and gather declarations and testimonies. We will ask the companies that trained the AI image-generating models to share information about how they copied the work of the defendants and in what manner they used them in the development of their tools, Matthew Butterick, an attorney for the plaintiffs, told EL PAIS. Puerto Rican illustrator Karla Otriz, one of the defendants, didnt hide her euphoria. Now we are potentially one of the biggest copyright infringement cases in history. We are excited for the next phase of our struggle! she announced on social media when she heard the news. Rodrigo Cetina, a law professor at the Barcelona School of Management, Universitat Pompeu Fabras business school, is an expert on the U.S. legal system. He says that the fact that the lawsuit is being allowed to proceed is a sign that the judge believes there will probably be an affirmative response to its key questions: whether copyrights were infringed by AI training and whether it is an infringement to use billions of images from the internet to train your model. More concretely, the judge has decided to evaluate possible copyright violations on the part of Stability AI, Runway AI, Deviant Art and Midjourneys fraudulent use of the distinctive names and visual styles of the plaintiff artists. To decide whether the companies must compensate the illustrators, the judge will need to establish whether they have copied their works or, at least, have passed an acceptable threshold of copying, in ways that cannot be considered fair use, says Cetina. What will the judge look at to decide whether the copying of the works was significant? Usually, they apply a jurisprudence test that has been developed and that considers four factors: the nature of the protected work, the purpose for which it was used, how substantial of a portion of the work was used, and the effect of that use when it comes to the market potential of the protected works, says Cetina. Its a complex process, and its difficult to anticipate how the judge will evaluate the different factors. According to Cetina, Californian judges tend to be protective of creative industries, as in the case of Napster, the online exchange portal for musical archives that was closed due to a court decision in 2001. A very important part of the substantive copy test is whether you have had access to earlier works and whether there is a high degree of similarity between the original and the alleged infringement. If the AI-generated work is sufficiently similar, there could be something there, says Cetina. The future of AI is up to the courts The potential of generative AI came to the attention of the general public in November 2022, when OpenAI presented its star product: ChatGPT. Suddenly, we were able to converse with a machine that seemed to understand us, that responded fluently to our questions, that was able to carry on a conversation and, after a few months during which it seemed to lie more than tell the truth, proved to be relatively trustworthy. That was just the beginning. Soon, other tools appeared like Dall-E, Stable Diffusion, and Midjourney, which were able to create sophisticated, realistic images through a series of written instructions. The latest to arrive has been hyper-realistic video generators like OpenAIs Sora, whose potential is technologically fascinating and ethically terrifying. Some people smelled danger from the beginning, while the world was largely still in awe of the possibilities that the new technology offered. Buttericks own alarms went off in the summer of 2022, even before the arrival of ChatGPT. The catalyst was the launch of Microsofts GitHub Copilot, an AI-assisted programming tool that was trained on a large quantity of open source software. The U.S. lawyer, who is also a programmer himself, filed a lawsuit that year that has yet to be resolved against Microsoft, accusing the company of violating the terms of open-source licensing agreements. That was the first legal challenge to generative AI. In January of 2023, the illustrators filed their lawsuit, which was the subject of the recent court decision. In July, it was a group of writers turn. They sued OpenAI and Meta for including books they had written in their database training. Last October, various record labels, including Universal Music Group, sued Anthropic for having trained its algorithms with the use of copyright-protected materials. Since then, the battles have only multiplied. Getty Images sued Stability AI for using images from its archives without permission. The New York Times brought OpenAI and Microsoft to court over having used millions of its articles to train ChatGPT, and other writers (among them, George R. R. Martin and Jonathan Franzen) have sued OpenAI on similar grounds. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Mexican by birth and a resident of the United States since she was three years old, Guadalupe Gutierrez, 21, got married this past June in California, after two years of dating her partner. And the excitement of being a newlywed was quickly followed by a pleasant surprise: two days later, President Joe Biden announced a path to regularization for half a million undocumented migrants who are married to American citizens. Gutierrezs husband is from California. As she doesnt have legal resident status, she met all the necessary conditions to benefit from the program. Along with her marriage license, she had received a precious gift: a promise of the long-awaited papers that, after 18 years, would allow her to legally reside in what has been her country almost all her life. We were very excited because, without knowing it, we [qualified to] request it, Gutierrez recalls. To enter the Keeping Families Together program, also known as Parole in Place, beneficiaries had to have gotten married before June 18, 2024, the day Biden introduced the legislation. Under the program, legal status would be granted to migrants who, having entered the country illegally, were married to American citizens and had been living in the United States for at least 10 years. This time around, Gutierrez was luckier than during her previous attempt to regularize her status. The DACA program, which granted residency to migrants who arrived irregularly as children, ended when her process was underway. She wasted no time and, on June 19, the first day that the deadline for receiving applications was open, she submitted hers. But a judges suspension order has cut her luck short. Now, Im in the same situation [as last time]. I applied and its on hold again, she laments. Shes referring to the decision made by a federal judge in Texas. On the night of Monday, July 26, a week after Guadalupe Gutierrez submitted her application, U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker temporarily halted the program that would have given Gutierrez the legal status she so longs for. Behind the court order is the lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who along with prosecutors from 15 other Republican-governed states asked to block the program on the grounds that it was unconstitutional because it hadnt been authorized by Congress. For 18 years since she was brought over from her native Mexico at the age of three Gutierrez has been suffering the consequences of having crossed the border in an irregular manner. She studies business and cosmetology, but her status as an illegal resident prevents her from accessing financial aid for her education. I dont have the same opportunities as other people who were born here, because I cant qualify for funding for my studies, she explains. With my papers in order, I would also have opportunities to find work and help my family, she adds. I felt sad [when the program was stopped]. Its the same situation Ive already been through. Its very unfair, because undocumented people who live here help the country financially. They work, pay taxes, lead a quiet life. And they think we come here to cause problems, she sighs. Those who oppose immigration reform think otherwise. In the lawsuit that caused the suspension, Paxton claimed that the program has an obvious political interest and that the regularization of undocumented immigrants incentivizes illegal immigration and will irreparably harm the Plaintiff states. President Biden criticized the judges order and warned that his administration will continue the fight to have it reversed. Nothing I did changed the requirements people have to meet to adjust their status under immigration law. All I did was make it possible for these long-time residents to file the paperwork here, together with their families. Before the reform, if Gutierrez wished to obtain the residence permit that applies to her because she married a U.S. citizen, she would have had to leave the country, wait 10 years and apply for it from a consulate. An unattractive prospect for someone who has just gotten married and whose home has always been in the United States. The same day that the judge issued his order, Gutierrez had received the notification for the next step in the process: the taking of fingerprints. Now, she is hesitating whether to go or not, but her lawyer from CHIRLA (the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights) advises her to go, because if the process is reactivated, they would already have my data, she shrugs. CHIRLA has joined other organizations that defend migrants to ask that the voice of those affected be heard. We dont understand why a united family becomes a threat to Texas and other states. Its important that the community knows that the pause in granting these permits doesnt stop the process: applications can still be submitted. The community is urged to seek assistance from trusted organizations and experts on the subject, advises Angelica Salas, executive director of CHIRLA. Everything is confusing and complicated, Kali Pliego admits. A 43-year-old native of Minnesota, Pliego has been married to a Mexican man for 17 years. Like Guadalupe Gutierrez, she and her husband filed the application last week to regularize his status. Hes also received the notice to have his fingerprints taken and doesnt know what to expect. Days after filing for parole-in-place, Pliego gave an interview to EL PAIS, in which she expressed hope for the initiative. Now, two and a half months later, she understands why her husband was distrustful. He knows that theres an anti-immigrant sentiment in a part of the society in this country. He has to measure his hopes by taking into account that there are people who are against him, she says. Regularizing her husbands status would mean, among many other advantages, that he could access a better job than the one he currently has. He has to put up with things because he doesnt feel he has the right to complain if someone treats him badly. Our goal is for him to have the option to choose, because right now, he doesnt have that freedom, she explains. Additionally, their son could visit his family in Mexico. He has never been to the country and he doesnt want to travel without his father. Pliego emphasizes that the judges decision to suspend the program as pure politics, because she doesnt believe theres anything illegal about it. The fact that he stopped it before hearing the arguments from each side is a sign of his political ideology. Despite their displeasure, the couple isnt afraid of the possibility that the suspension of the program could be definitive, because it wouldnt change the life theyve led for the last 17 years. It would affect us morally, but not in our daily life, she says. What does scare them is that the Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump, could get re-elected. My biggest fear is that Trump wins, she admits. Then, theyll knock on my door to get my husband out of the country. She recalls that the anxiety they suffered during the four years of the Trump administration was horrible. Pliego says that she knows many people who are awaiting the results of the presidential election to request regularization, because they believe that their future depends on who will be the next occupant of the White House. And shes outraged by those responsible for pausing the process. Its a disgrace. It makes me very sad that there are people in my country who show their hatred against my family in this way, she laments. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Donald Trump is not only campaigning to return to the White House and regain power on November 5. It is possible that what is really at stake for him is to avoid going to jail for the dozens of charges in two different cases leveled against him by a special counsel appointed by the Department of Justice. Both cases appeared to be in limbo: the one claiming Trump mishandled classified documents that he took with him to his residence in Mar-a-Lago had been shelved by the judge in a surprise move; another case regarding electoral interference in Washington was on hold due to the ruling on presidential immunity by the Supreme Court. Both have resurfaced this week, just over two months before the presidential election. A few decades ago, criminal charges like the ones faced by Trump would have ended the career of any politician. No president or former president had been indicted by a grand jury until Trump, who has been indicted in four different cases on dozens of charges. A jury found him guilty of 34 counts for falsifying invoices, checks and accounting records to hide payments to the porn actress Stormy Daniels so that she would remain silent and not harm his electoral chances in the 2016 presidential election. In addition, other juries have found him guilty of fraud, sexual abuse and defamation in civil cases. Despite this history, Trump masterfully manages his communication skills, his lies and his propaganda networks to present himself as a martyr and a victim of political persecution. That is the script that has been followed this week. Two cases that seemed to be on hold are back in the spotlight, although neither of them will go to trial before November 5. Federal Judge Aileen Cannon, who was appointed by Trump, decided in July to dismiss the Mar-a-Lago papers case on the grounds that the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith was illegal because he had not been appointed by the president (the Attorney General did so instead) nor had he been ratified by the Senate. Trump welcomed the judges decision, which broke with all precedent in this regard. However, Smith filed an appeal on Monday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, which has already dealt several legal blows to the judge for her decisions favoring Trump. The case, therefore, is still alive and kicking. The other case involves Trumps alleged attempts to alter the results of the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe Biden. The trial was scheduled for early March, but the former presidents lawyers appealed again and again, claiming presidential immunity. The Supreme Court, with a conservative majority, granted him broad immunity for acts carried out while president, rendering part of the initial indictment void, but leaving the lower courts to continue with the case and draw the line on which allegations could go to court. The prosecution has obtained a new indictment voted by another grand jury that considers that the new allegations fit into the new doctrine. The revised indictment leaves out acts that appear to be protected by the Supreme Courts ruling, mainly Trumps interactions with the Department of Justice. Trump and his lawyers believe that the new accusation continues to violate his immunity. Judge Tanya Chutkan, appointed by Barack Obama, will have to decide. Awaiting sentencing The same Supreme Court ruling on immunity led Judge Juan Merchan to postpone sentencing in the hush money case, which was initially scheduled for July 10. The judge postponed it until September 18 to give the parties time to argue whether the high courts ruling affected their case or not and to make a decision, which is scheduled for September 16. Trumps lawyers asked the judge last week to postpone sentencing until after the election. In theory, Merchans decision could put Trump behind bars for years, although the most common outcome would be for him to receive probation or conditional discharge. Trumps preference for a delayed sentencing is a sign that he believes it could hurt him electorally, although the effect on voters is not entirely clear. The former president fell somewhat in the polls after being found guilty in late May, but has frequently used his legal troubles to mobilize his supporters and attract donations for his campaign. Following the special counsels decisions, Trump has insisted without foundation that it is a witch hunt. He has said that Washingtons accusation is ridiculous and should be dismissed immediately and that it is all an attempt to interfere in the election. Curiously, the Democratic campaign, which is usually very aggressive against Trump, has remained silent on Smiths latest decisions. During last weeks convention in Chicago, several party leaders drew a contrast between prosecutor Kamala Harris and convicted felon Donald Trump. It is a comparison that many in the party expect to emerge in the debate on September 10. However, the Democrats have not touched the wound this week, perhaps afraid of giving credibility to the Trumpist theory of political persecution. This weeks rallies will serve as a gauge of how the candidates approach the issue. Harris is campaigning by bus through Georgia, one of the key swing states, with her vice presidential candidate, Tim Walz, and will hold a rally in Savannah on Thursday. Trump has a rally scheduled in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on Thursday and another one in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on Friday, in two other key swing states. Harris has also finally agreed to her first interview since President Joe Biden withdrew from the race more than a month ago. It will be broadcast on CNN on Thursday at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Her vice-presidential candidate Walz will be with her, a fact that has already been mocked by the Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance, who said it was like a teenager bringing his mother or father to their first job interview. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Si quieres compartir tu cuenta, cambia tu suscripcion a la modalidad Premium, asi podras anadir otro usuario. Cada uno accedera con su propia cuenta de email, lo que os permitira personalizar vuestra experiencia en EL PAIS. En el caso de no saber quien esta usando tu cuenta, te recomendamos cambiar tu contrasena aqui. Si decides continuar compartiendo tu cuenta, este mensaje se mostrara en tu dispositivo y en el de la otra persona que esta usando tu cuenta de forma indefinida, afectando a tu experiencia de lectura. Puedes consultar aqui los terminos y condiciones de la suscripcion digital. KYODO NEWS - Aug 29, 2024 - 16:24 | All, World, Japan South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said Thursday that he will continue to work for the future of relations with Japan regardless of who succeeds Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida next month. During a press conference at the presidential office, Yoon said, "I would like to talk about maintaining cooperation and synergy for the future, regardless of which leader is in charge of state affairs," referring to Kishida's successor to be selected late next month. When asked about Kishida's expected visit to South Korea in early September, Yoon said the trip has not been confirmed yet but added that he is ready to welcome him. Yoon also underscored that a new era of trilateral partnership between South Korea, the United States and Japan that was agreed at a summit in Camp David near Washington last year will continue, saying it is critically important for global economic security as well as for the Indo-Pacific area. Under the agreement, the three countries committed to consult with each other swiftly to coordinate their responses to "provocations" and "threats," amid China's increasingly aggressive actions and North Korea's escalating belligerence. At a press conference in May to mark the second anniversary of his inauguration, Yoon noted that historical disputes may pose challenges to the bilateral relationship between South Korea and Japan but emphasized the need to move forward based on mutual trust for the sake of future generations. Related coverage: Outgoing Japanese PM mulls skipping speech at U.N. General Assembly Japan PM Kishida eyes visit to South Korea in early Sept. South Korea, U.S. begin joint military exercise amid North Korea threat Tonight's latest homicide report is going to be heart breaking for a lot of people and the story is unfolding right now online by way of the rumor mill and some verified comments. As always, during this kind of tragic news we turn to people we can trust. Here's a quote that summarizes what we know right now about the tragedy . . . Conservative Talker Pete Mundo quote as this tragic story unfolds: "I can report that the victim was a Brookside bar owner who was trying to stop a carjacking in front of his business." Also . . . For tonight's discussion on this story as we will update as soon as we have more info . . . What readers might consider is that this horrific crime was preceded by weeks of outcry from Brookside/Waldo residents regarding a rise in property crime. Update . . . Here is the first report with more detail: Homicide 63rd and Rockhill Early this evening at around 5:18 PM officers responded to 63rd and Rockhill on a reported shooting. Upon arrival officers located an adult male victim in a back parking lot adjacent to several businesses. The victim was suffering from gunshot wounds and the officers began performing life saving measures. Emergency medical personnel responded and transported the victim to a local hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced deceased. This is being investigated as a homicide. Preliminary investigation revealed the victim was taking out trash when he observed multiple subjects by a vehicle. An interaction between the victim and subjects occurred that led to the victim being shot. Detectives are interviewing several witnesses and reviewing any available surveillance footage. Crime scene personnel are processing the scene for physical evidence. If anyone has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline. We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency. We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents. ########## Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . KCPD investigating shooting death on Rockhill Road Police in Kansas City are investigating a shooting death in the area of 63rd Street and Rockhill Road. Prominent Irish Fest chef killed in Kansas City shooting Multiple sources have told FOX4 the victim is Shaun Brady, of Brady & Fox near E. 63rd and Rockhill. He was also a father. Fatal shooting under investigation in Kansas City at 63rd, Rockhill Kansas City police are investigating a fatal shooting at 63rd and Rockhill Road. Developing . . . The moderate Missouri political legend doesn't go full RINO in his latest remarks but instead focuses on sharing a mostly passive-aggressive rebuke against the front-runner. Check-it . . . John Danforth, a retired GOP senator and Hawley's former mentor, reportedly said after Jan. 6 that his support of Hawley was the "worst mistake" of his life. Now, he's backing Independent U.S. Senate candidate Jared Young, according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch's report on Thursday. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . There's a lot of news to catch up on right now and so we share more than a few resources regarding cowtown charges, ongoing investigations and continued community outreach amid rising crime. Check TKC news gathering . . . Trial date set for Kansas City Chiefs Rashee Rice for role in Dallas crash Two people injured in the multi-vehicle crash on 75 are seeking up to $11 million in damages. The lawsuit is set fort June of next year. Lender behind stalled KC hotel projects faces federal fraud charges - Kansas City Business Journal Two high-profile Kansas City-area hotel projects are at the heart of two federal indictments of a purported Florida lender who promised big bucks - but never delivered. Federal indictment accuses Independence man of distributing, receiving, possessing child pornography Law officers arrested a man Wednesday after a federal indictment was unsealed charging him in a child pornography case. Shawnee County dispatchers raise the alarm over staffing issues Dispatchers in Shawnee County are voicing concerns over what they call alarmingly low staffing levels and the potential threat it poses to public safety. 1 injured in shooting Tuesday afternoon in Raytown, police say One person suffered serious injuries in a shooting Tuesday afternoon near East 87th Street and Raytown Road, police said. Federal indictment: Man sold fentanyl, illegally possessed firearms A federal grand jury handed up an indictment Tuesday that accuses an Independence man of selling fentanyl and illegally possessing firearms. A judge heard the case of a death row inmate who claims innocence, weeks before he's scheduled to be executed | CNN A Missouri judge is holding held an evidentiary hearing Wednesday over the innocence claim of death row inmate Marcellus Williams, whose quest to prove he did not murder a woman in 1998 has been complicated by contaminated DNA evidence. Kansas Man Exonerated After Saying He Was Framed for Murder By Woman Who Took Care of His Elderly Dad | Oxygen Official Site Find out what really happened to Kathleen and Carl Schroll and how Pete Coones, the son of an elderly man Kathleen had taken care of, was wrongfully convicted. Atchison, Kansas woman charged with murder in chase that killed 1-year-old A Kansas woman has been charged with multiple offenses, including murder, after a 1-year-old child was killed in a police pursuit. Court docs: Lee's Summit woman uses child to shoplift more than $1k in clothes A Lee's Summit woman is charged, accused of using an 11-year-old boy to shoplift more than $1,200 worth of clothes from a Kohl's store. Olathe police identify 77-year-old woman killed in crash over weekend Police identified a woman killed in a crash Saturday evening in Olathe. Judith E. Smith, 77, of Gardner, died from injuries suffered in the crash near east Old 56 Highway and South Lone Elm Road. John Manard, who escaped Lansing Correctional Facility in dog crate, dies in prison A Kansas man who escaped the Lansing Correctional Facility in a dog crate died in prison over the weekend. Reward up to $150,000 for information on Grandview USPS robbery "What happened to one of our letter carriers is very unfortunate, and it really shouldn't happen," said Anthony Ealy, letter carrier. "I don't want it to happen anymore." Celebrating with gunfire in Missouri? Think again, because Blair's Law is now in effect The law was finally passed after one family fought for years for legislative change following the death of their loved one, Blair Shanahan Lane, from Kansas City, who was killed in 2011 by a stray bullet during the 4th of July. She gives everything to Kansas City victims of violence. We can help her do more | Opinion Rosilyn Temple founded KC Mothers in Charge after her son was shot and killed. Today, she works to keep other families from experiencing that tragedy. | Opinion Developing . . . There's really only one story to talk about today amid rising Kansas City violence in Brookside & Waldo which has culminated in the deadly shooting of a beloved local chef who was trying to intervene during a car robbery. Shaun Brady has hundreds of people who loved him and will cherish his memory far better than what readers will witness on this blog. Instead, it's our job to try and provide more context along with an opportunity for readers to speak out. What news watchers will consider . . . From many anti-social and racially divisive pundits . . . There will be outcry that homicides in the Black community aren't mourned with the same level of outrage. THAT ARGUMENT IS COMPLETELY FALSE. This situation is somewhat similar to a food truck operator killed on Prospect earlier in August. That story garnered headlines across the metro and even sparked outrage amongst the readers on this blog . . . It's always exceptionally tragic when someone is killed while merely trying to do their job. Again . . . This horrific killing is tragic and shocking but the brutal slaying was preceded by outcry, warnings and public meetings from residents of Brookside & Waldo which pleaded with police & politicos in the midst of worsening car break-ins, robberies and assorted property crime. Finally . . . Those who would response to local outrage regarding worsening crime by citing this year's statistical drop in KCMO crime stats not only ignore the horrific toll of record-breaking homicides over the past five years but also offer a false sense of accomplishment. Kansas City doesn't feel safer in 2024. This tragic killing is just one story out of many which proves that local violence is out of control when people can't even do their jobs without fearing deadly gunfire. Epilogue . . . Just like those who might use this story to create racial divisions . . . During campaign season 2024 there will also be those who want to co-opt this tragedy for their political benefit . . .That kind of cynical argument only worsens the quotient of human misery in the world and never really convinces thoughtful people. While we always welcome comments and analysis from our blog community . . . Neither marching orders nor attempts to persuade seem appropriate during this time of mourning. And so we merely share more info and resources in the aftermath of KC's latest local homicide . . . Unofficially, #104 so far this year . . . The victim is Shaun Brady, of Brady & Fox near E. 63rd and Rockhill. He was also a father. Kansas City police confirmed his identity early on Thursday morning, he was 44 years old. Witnesses said Brady had been trying to stop someone breaking into a car. More info . . . Shaun, who is survived by his wife, Kate, was well-loved across the community and was known as an important figure in the Irish community of Kansas and participated in Kansas Citys Irish Fest. A spokesperson for the restaurant said in a post on social media: "Our hearts are broken. There are no words to express our sadness, anger and frustration. Our community is with Shaun's family - forever. We appreciate the outpouring of support, offers to help, and your love. "Together we are united. Together we will grieve. Together we will heal. We ask that you show compassion and aid in our healing by respecting the privacy of Shaun's family. Thank you. Ar scath a cheile a mhaireann na daoine." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Fox4: Prominent Irish Fest chef killed in Kansas City shooting Irish Mirror: Irish chef shot dead outside of own Kansas City restaurant KSHB: 'Absolutely broken': Irish community mourns loss of slain chef Shaun Brady Developing . . . KYODO NEWS - Aug 29, 2024 - 13:34 | All, Japan, World Nippon Steel Corp. said Thursday it will make an additional investment of over $1.3 billion in United States Steel Corp., in an apparent bid to help clinch its planned acquisition of the iconic American steelmaker. The move comes amid opposition to the deal from United Steelworkers, a major labor union. The latest investment, intended for two U.S. Steel plants, will add to the $1.4 billion Nippon Steel already promised to invest in the U.S. firm, the Japanese company said. Nippon Steel will invest at least 1 billion in Mon Valley Works in Pennsylvania to improve the plant's competitiveness by upgrading facilities to produce high-grade steel for cars and create more jobs, it said. The remaining $300 million will be spent on Gary Works in Indiana to revamp its blast furnace, extending the facility's operational life by up to 20 years. "We seek to provide the highest-quality American-made steel products to American customers, fueled by American workers, while also securing American steel supply for the future," Nippon Steel Vice Chairman Takahiro Mori said in a statement. Nippon Steel announced a $14.1 billion acquisition plan for U.S. Steel in December last year as it seeks to expand operations in the United States, where demand for steel is expected to grow. But the move has been met with United Steelworkers' strong opposition as they are concerned about job security, as well as from Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for the November presidential election. Related coverage: Nippon Steel delays U.S. Steel purchase until after presidential race Nippon Steel says buyout ensures U.S. Steel to remain American icon Biden promises U.S. Steel will remain "totally American" Search News Archive : Fast Travel News Promotion Via Search, Social Media + Email Follow Us On : EXHIBITION TRAILER HIRE WALES: YOUR PARTNER FOR EXCEPTIONAL EVENT SPACES Industry: Events Exhibition Trailer Hire Wales offers customizable and cost-effective mobile spaces tailored to elevate any event, ensuring your brand stands out. (TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - August 28th, 2024 - Welshpool, UK August 28, 2024 - Planning a significant outdoor event or exhibition in Wales? Whether it's a county show, a trade exhibition, or a bustling jobs fair, finding the right space to showcase your brand is essential. Exhibition Trailer Hire Wales offers the perfect solution - a fully customizable, branded mobile space that ensures your event stands out, regardless of the British weather. Why Hire an Exhibition Trailer? Hiring an exhibition trailer presents a cost-effective, flexible alternative to purchasing one. Owning a trailer involves hefty expenses, including transport permits, storage, and ongoing maintenance. With our service, you can eliminate these concerns. Our hire options allow you to select the ideal trailer for each event, ensuring a perfect fit every time. Additionally, our team manages the delivery, setup, and takedown processes, providing you with a hassle-free experience and allowing you to focus on engaging your audience. Customization Options Our trailers are fully customizable to meet your branding needs. Whether you need a vibrant exterior that reflects your brand's colors and messaging or a more subtle design, weve got you covered. The exterior branding of the trailer can be designed to your exact specifications, and we offer options to reuse these branding elements for future events. This not only helps save on rebranding costs but also contributes to sustainability, ensuring your brand makes an impact at every event. To further enhance your visibility, we provide options for eye-catching signage and flags that can be tailored to your specific requirements. These features ensure that your brand stands out, attracting more visitors and maximizing your events impact. Choosing the Right Trailer When selecting the perfect exhibition trailer, several factors come into play. Consider the event location, the expectations of your audience, and the nature of the products or services you intend to showcase. Our range of trailers caters to various needs, from compact units ideal for smaller gatherings to larger, more complex setups for extensive roadshows or exhibitions. Each trailer is designed to provide a comfortable, professional environment where you can engage with your audience effectively. Whether you're conducting live product demonstrations, hosting interactive displays, or simply welcoming guests, our trailers offer the space and facilities needed to ensure a successful event. Professional Setup and Support We pride ourselves on providing comprehensive support to ensure your event runs smoothly. Our experienced team handles all aspects of the trailers delivery and setup, ensuring its ready for use well before your event begins. We also provide a thorough walkthrough, so youre fully prepared to utilize the space to its fullest potential. Once your event concludes, we manage the takedown and collection, allowing you to focus on following up with the contacts youve made and the business youve generated. Logistical Considerations in Wales Wales presents unique logistical challenges, from rural locations to busy urban centers. Our teams regional expertise ensures that these challenges are managed seamlessly. 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Share Release : CONTACT INFORMATION Name: Exhibition Trailer Company: C.S.G Phone: 1938556695 Email: solaranels273@reliable-mail.com Web: PRESS RELEASE TAGS Mahlatini Luxury Travel, a leading specialist in luxury African and Indian Ocean travel, proudly announces its certification as a B Corporation (B Corp). This milestone makes Mahlatini the first independent African specialist tour operator to achieve this prestigious recognition, underscoring its unwavering commitment to sustainability, responsible travel, and positive community impact. (TRAVPR.COM) UK - August 28th, 2024 For nearly 25 years, Mahlatini has been at the forefront of creating transformative travel experiences that not only delight but also contribute positively to the destinations and communities they touch. From its inception, Mahlatini has championed the ethos of experiential travel, focusing on authentic, customised journeys that leave a lasting, positive impact. "Our journey to become the first independent African specialist B Corp certified tour operator is a natural next step to provide formal recognition, but also accountability, of our commitment to the highest standards of social and environmental impact. Said Greg Fox, co-founder of Mahlatini. Sustainability has always been rooted in Mahlatini's DNA. Our mission is centred on creating unique travel experiences that have a positive impact on the places and people our clients visit." We Go Further At Mahlatini, "we go further" is more than just a slogan. Beyond crafting bespoke journeys across Africa and the Indian Ocean, the company is dedicated to being a force for good. Every journey with Mahlatini directly supports the well-being of the communities visited and the conservation of the wildlife encountered. The company's commitment extends to its team, offering competitive salaries, pension plans, and healthcare benefits that often exceed industry standards. Mahlatini fosters an inclusive work environment that promotes equality, ethics, and a strong sense of belonging while also balancing work with personal growth and development. B stands for Benefit for All B Corp Certification means that Mahlatini has been verified as meeting high standards for social and environmental impact. Chris Turner, Executive Director of B Lab UK, commented, "We are delighted to welcome Mahlatini Luxury Travel to the B Corp community. This is a movement of companies who are committed to changing how business operates and believe business really can be a force for good. Travelling with Mahlatini provides peace of mind that clients are supporting the communities in which they stay, helping conserve the wildlife they witness, and ensuring that their unique travel experiences are ethically and environmentally responsible. Pioneering Regenerative Travel As the first independent African specialist tour operator to achieve B Corp certification, Mahlatini is leading the way in proving that commercial success can go hand-in-hand with benefiting people, communities, and the planet. The company's approach includes: Partnering with select suppliers and properties that share their dedication to sustainable and responsible tourism Supporting critical conservation projects and community initiatives Empowering their team to volunteer and make a meaningful impact beyond the workplace Looking Ahead As Mahlatini continues to expand its portfolio, the company remains steadfast in its mission to create positive change through the joy of experiential travel. This B Corp certification is not just a badge of honour but a pledge to maintain and elevate its standards of social and environmental responsibility. "We exist to create positive change through the joy of travel," added Fox. "B Corp certification is just the next step in our journey to provide our clients with the most thoughtful, conscious, and memorable travel experiences possible." For more information on our B Corp certification click here ENDS ABOUT MAHLATINI LUXURY TRAVEL Mahlatini Luxury Travel is one of only a few specialist African tour operators in UK, with a passion and expertise for tailor-made safari and wildlife travel. For close to 25 years, Mahlatinis dedicated team of travel consultants have crafted unique journeys for clients; sharing an in-depth knowledge of, and passion for, the breath-taking landscapes, wildlife and cultural experiences that Africa and the Indian ocean offers in abundance. Mahlatini operates from Belfast, Northern Ireland and Cape Town, South Africa. Responsible travel is central to Mahlatinis ethos we only partner with those who share our passion for ecotourism. We offer our clients life-changing journeys, which in turn help conserve Africas spectacular biodiversity and share ecotourisms benefits with indigenous communities. www.mahlatini.com Link to B Corp Images here Hi-Res Team Image here PR Contact Adele Cutler adele@pindroppr.com +44(0)7976 578988 ### KYODO NEWS - Aug 29, 2024 - 17:46 | World, All, Arts A Taiwanese award-winning sake maker has expressed eagerness to cooperate with various Japanese sake breweries and share fresh perspectives that he believes could benefit the Japanese alcoholic beverage industry. Jiang Wayne, a Taipei sake bar operator in his 50s, received in June the platinum award in the "junmai" category at France's Kura Master sake competition. The event focuses on "food and drink compatibility," reflecting the host nation's rich culinary heritage. The historical win generated a buzz in Taiwan as it was the first time a sake made on the island won the award. "Whether it is rice cultivation or sake brewing, I believe my perspectives of a consumer and a foreigner (Taiwanese) will be very helpful to Japanese drinks," Jiang said. Even though Taiwan does not grow sake rice, the island has abundant varieties of general table rice, Jiang pointed out. Following the advice of an agricultural expert, he opted to use a cultured sample branded "Tainan No. 16," which is genetically similar to Japan's famed Koshihikari rice, to make his lauded "Taiwan to go Sake No. 1." The name is derived from the Chinese word "tugou," which means a native dog, and was inspired by Jiang's beloved pet. Jiang said the unpasteurized sake rolls off the palate with a fresh and sweet taste that appeals to people who do not usually drink sake. A total of 380 bottles were made after a brewery in Taichung, central Taiwan, one of the only three breweries capable of producing sake on the island, agreed to help. Jiang said his background was in motorcycle parts and modification. He became interested in sake after spending time in Japan and doing motorcycle-related business there about a decade ago. During his stays, he drank sake of various types and from different regions before opening up his current bar in Taipei. The sake producer made a full-fledged entry into the brewing business in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he had more free time to get the ball rolling by meeting with manufacturers. Jiang said his goals include having his own brewery. In the near future, he wishes to produce another sake with the abbreviation "No. 2" to compliment his "No. 1" sake. Related coverage: Hokkaido town aims to create local specialty by aging sake underwater Japan's Nikka whisky maker ramps up investment to increase exports FEATURE: Struggling sake breweries getting revamped, eye on overseas markets In this episode of Morning Edition, We discuss the issue of bullying following the suicide o How Raila's salary will outshine Rutos if elected AUC chairperson Udaku Special Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga stands to earn a substantial salary and benefits if elected as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). Kenya officially launched Odinga's campaign at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday in a ceremony attended by various presidents and former heads of state. Salary and Benefits Should Odinga secure the position, he will receive a monthly salary of approximately Sh2 million ($15,576.75). This amount is consistent with what the current chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has been earning since 2017. In addition to his salary, Odinga will be entitled to several benefits. Child Allowance: A monthly allowance of $250 (approximately Sh32,187) for each eligible child. Rental Budget. A monthly rental budget of $6,000 (Sh772,500) to cover housing and utility expenses. Education Benefits. The AUC covers 100% of school fees for dependent children studying in Africa. If the children are studying in Europe or North America, the annual fee coverage is up to $15,000 (approximately Sh1.9 million). Spousal Allowance. Odinga's wife, Ida, would also receive a monthly allowance equivalent to 5% of his basic salary, provided she does not earn more than $500 (Sh64,375) per month. 5% of Sh15,576 is about $778 (Sh100,167). President Ruto's Salary Raila's renumeration is set to trump President William Ruto's salary as head of state. President Ruto's salary structure includes a basic salary, housing allowance, and additional benefits. As of 2024, he earns a basic salary of Sh866,250 per month, housing allowance of Sh350,000 per month and a salary market adjustment of Sh227,500 per month This brings his total gross monthly salary to Sh1,443,750 ($10,873), which is about Sh500,000 less than what Raila could earn as AUC Chairperson. The Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security pursues efforts to provide a brief explanation to foreign audiences on the current topics of particular interest as regards Ukraine. Honoring the fallen soldiers On August 29, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Remembrance of Defenders of Ukraine, who died in the struggle for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The date of August 29 is timed to the Ilovaisk tragedy of 2014, when Russian troops shot the convoys of ATO forces leaving Ilovaisk through the green corridor provided by the Russian Federation. Ilovaisk is a page of Ukrainian indomitability, despite the loss and deception of the enemy, our soldiers did not give up but continued to break out of the trap and fight. This day also reminds us of the insidiousness and treachery of the aggressor. And about the fact that Russian so-called peace initiatives cannot be trusted under any circumstances. Since the time of Ilovaisk, the Ukrainian army has become stronger and repels regular Russian troops. Two years ago, a counteroffensive operation began in the south of Ukraine, which ended with the liberation of Kherson. On this day, we remember those who died in the Ilovaisk tragedy, as well as all defenders who died in the Russian-Ukrainian war. While the war continues, we cannot voice our losses, but we will do our best to honour each one. 2. Ukraine-NATO council On August 28, a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council convened at Kyiv's request was held. The Ukraine-NATO Council was established at the NATO summit in July2023 and serves as a forum for joint consultations, decision- making, and activities between NATO and Ukraine. This time, the reason for convening a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council was a massive Russian missile and drone attack on August 26. Allies strongly condemned Russia's indiscriminate strikes and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Ukraine's defences. The participants discussed further plans for the supply of air defence systems and missiles to Ukraine. The issue of creating an air defence shield, the so-called security belt over the border (western) regions of the state, was also discussed. More and more allies support the lifting of restrictions on the use of long- range weapons for Ukraine's self-defence within the framework of international law. 3. Water condition The media, with reference to the State Agency of Melioration and Fisheries, reported that on August 14, the Russians began dumping toxic substances into the Seim River, which belongs to the Desna and Dnipro basins. The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine controls the entire length of the Ukrainian border; no movements of Belarusian military equipment or personnel in the immediate vicinity of the border, nor any unusual or provocative actions on the part of the neighboring country have been recorded. The spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, Andrii Demchenko, said this on the national television, as reported by Ukrinform. "We control the entire length of our border, and to the moment, no non-standard or provocative actions on the part of the neighboring country have been recorded along the Ukrainian state border," he said. The spokesperson emphasized that this direction is extremely important for us in terms of strengthening defense. When asked where Belarus can concentrate its forces, Demchenko answered that it is within tens of kilometers from the Ukrainian border. "The situation there is constantly being monitored. We are soberly looking at the situation. Ukraine is in a state of war, is defending itself and therefore is strengthening its border to prevent invasion forces," he said. Demchenko noted that Belarus constantly conducts military training and redeploys forces, this is due to the fact that they play along with the Russian Federation and do everything possible to make us keep our troops deployed in this direction. At the same time, the spokesperson does not rule out that Belarus, under the guise of exercises or under pressure from the Russian Federation, concentrates a certain number of its units deep in the distance from the border. Read also: At least six Russian drones fly into Belarus overnight Tue As reported by Ukrinform, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported that the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus are concentrating military forces on the border with Ukraine under the guise of exercises and called on Belarusian officials not to make tragic mistakes under pressure from Moscow. KYODO NEWS - Aug 29, 2024 - 20:48 | All, Japan Typhoon Shanshan made landfall on Japan's southwestern main island of Kyushu on Thursday, the weather agency said, bringing heavy rain and strong winds that left at least 80 people injured across the island's seven prefectures and three people dead in central Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency urged residents in affected areas to remain on high alert for natural disasters, while public transport operators canceled trains and flights, and some homes were left without power as the storm advanced. Central Japan Railway said Thursday evening it will halt all Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train services for the rest of the day as a rain gauge installed along the route continues to exceed the regulatory threshold. Kyushu Railway, which already suspended part of its shinkansen bullet train operations Wednesday night, said service disruptions would continue through Friday due to the slow-moving nature of the typhoon. Sanyo Shinkansen bullet trains will also be canceled throughout Friday on the section from Hakata in northern Kyushu to Hiroshima in western Japan, West Japan Railway said. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways said some flights to and from regional airports will also be canceled Friday. The typhoon made landfall near Satsumasendai in Kagoshima Prefecture around 8 a.m. A rare special typhoon warning issued for most parts of the prefecture was downgraded at 10:30 a.m. At 8 p.m., it was located near the city of Shimabara in Nagasaki Prefecture and was moving slowly north-northeast with winds of up to 162 kilometers per hour, the agency said. It had an atmospheric pressure of 985 hectopascals at its center. In central Japan's Aichi Prefecture, the city office of Gamagori confirmed that three people died and two others were injured when a landslide hit their house after heavy rain brought by the typhoon. Over 260,000 residences in the Kyushu region's seven prefectures temporarily lost power, Kyushu Electric Power Co. said. Some landlines in Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures were also temporarily disrupted, but service was restored by around 2 p.m., according to Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corp. Major automakers said they would suspend operations at some of their factories Thursday, primarily in areas affected by the typhoon. Toyota Motor Corp. said 14 of its plants will be halted until Friday. Store and restaurant operations were also affected, with Seven-Eleven Japan Co. and two other major convenience store chains shutting about 900 of their outlets in Kyushu, while McDonald's Co. (Japan) closed 98. Residents in typhoon-hit areas have been warned to prepare for strong winds and dangerous waves, with the weather agency urging people to be ready to evacuate before conditions worsen. As much as 600 millimeters of rain over 24 hours was forecast in some areas of Kyushu. The storm's sluggish pace could increase the danger, as strong winds and heavy rains could linger in some areas for prolonged periods, the agency said. Special typhoon warnings are declared in cases of extraordinarily powerful storm systems. As Typhoon Nanmadol approached in 2022, a special warning was issued for Kagoshima Prefecture, the first in the country for an area other than Okinawa. Related coverage: 3 die, 2 of 5 family members rescued after central Japan landslide Japan issues special typhoon alert for Kagoshima Pref. Transport disrupted as typhoon expected to hit western Japan The Lithuanian Migration Department confirmed that the new temporary residence permits issued to Ukrainian refugees on the basis of temporary protection will be valid until March 4, 2026. This is according to Delfi, as reported by Ukrinform. According to the Migration Department, this decision was made on the basis of the decision of the European Council to extend the mechanism of temporary protection of Ukrainian refugees for another year and the relevant resolution of the Lithuanian government. According to the latest data, digital temporary residence permits in Lithuania based on temporary protection have been issued to 44,921 Ukrainian refugees. This document was issued to them before the aforementioned government decree, so it is valid until March 4, 2025. Therefore, after the expiration of the specified period, Ukrainian citizens should have the document replaced. At the same time, chief adviser for the Migration Department, Rokas Pukinskas, explained to the Lithuanian broadcaster LRT that those Ukrainian refugees who are currently arriving in Lithuania are immediately issued a temporary residence permit valid until March 2026. Accordingly, they will not have to do anything by the end of the year. Pukinskas specified that in the fall, the Migration Department will distribute special information with clarifications regarding the replacement of permits issued earlier and valid until March 2025. According to him, Ukrainian citizens may have to appear at the Department physically to do this. These digital documents provide Ukrainian refugees who left Ukraine as a result of the Russian invasion with collective protection and access to housing, employment, health care, education, and other services. Over the past few weeks, an average of 50-60 newly arrived Ukrainian refugees have registered with the Department of Migration's customer service departments every day. As reported earlier, last week the Lithuanian authorities decided to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees for another year. facebook like button Tweet tweet button for twitter Published August 28, 2024 CAPTION:Scott Finch (left) and April Baham (right) from Percent for Art speak at the commemoration of Here We Go, a new public art sculpture adjacent to Sandel Hall. MONROE, LA The University of Louisiana Monroe held a press conference on August 21, 2024, to commemorate the installation of a new public art sculpture on its campus. The sculpture, titled Here We Go, was created by Kansas City artist Beth Nybeck. The 12-foot-tall steel sculpture has been installed next to Sandel Hall on Northeast Drive. Speakers at the press conference included Scott Finch, the Director of Percent for Art, and April Baham, Project Manager for Percent for Art, the program whose funding made the sculpture possible. Other speakers included ULM Vice President for Enrollment Management and University Relations Lisa Miller, ULM President Dr. Ron Berry, and Director of the ULM School of Visual and Performing Arts Dr. Nicholas Bratcher. Here We Go incorporates handwritten responses by ULM students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. Participants responded to the prompt I am going to ______ and were encouraged to fill in the blank with their future aspirations or goals striving towards personal, professional, or global impact. Nybeck collected the responses in 2022 and 2023. The sculpture is created by many stacked layers of text taken from participants responses to the prompt. Nybeck says she collected hundreds of responses. The form is a human head which is indicative of education. Every statement is reflective of a person or many people who wrote similar responses, said Nybeck. Part of my process in creating public art is creating an element of community engagement. Instead of having a reflection of just my voice, it becomes a reflection of the community, said Nybeck. "The reason I fell in love with public art was that I want for my own life to have a lot of inclusion. I think a successful piece of public art wakens us up and gets us to think about things differently, added Nybeck. The piece has been made possible thanks to the states Percent for Art Program. For more than 20 years, the Percent for Art law reserves one percent of state money to be invested in public art when more than $2 million in state funds is spent by a state agency for newly constructed or renovated state buildings. The funds for Here We Go came specifically from the Sandel Hall renovation project, which was completed in 2016. A committee of university stakeholders selected Nybecks proposal from a pool of 64 applicants after a call for art. Click here to view a video of Beth Nybeck describing the sculpture and its installation. | By Mary Therese Phelan The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has been awarded a five-year, $5 million Health Equities Resource Communities (HERC) grant from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (MCHRC). This grant builds on the success of the West Baltimore RICH Collaborative, an initiative supported by a $2.4 million Pathways for Health Equity Grant from MCHRC awarded two years ago. That effort focused on reducing social isolation and inequities in cardiovascular health in West Baltimore. As with the original initiative, the new project, West Baltimore Reducing Inequities in Cardiovascular and Mental Health Collaborative-Stronger Together (RICH 2.0), in collaboration with community, faith-based, academic, and health care organizations, aims to reduce cardiovascular health disparities, improve health outcomes, improve access to primary care, and reduce health care costs. This project extends into three additional ZIP codes in West Baltimore and expands beyond social isolation to other aspects of mental health. The project is led by Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD 11, MS 05, BSN 04, NNP, FNAP, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, with support from Janette North-Kabore, MPH, and Asunta Johnson, MSHCM, project directors. Co-investigators on the project include: Kelley Robinson PhD, CNM, CNE, assistant professor, UMSON assistant professor, UMSON William Mangana, DNP 20, CRNP, FNP-C, assistant professor, UMSON assistant professor, UMSON Kelly Doran, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor and co-director, Biology and Behavior Across the Lifespan Organized Research Center, UMSON; director of health and wellness, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Community Engagement Center associate professor and co-director, Biology and Behavior Across the Lifespan Organized Research Center, UMSON; director of health and wellness, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Community Engagement Center Abree Johnson, MS, MBA, director, pharmaceutical research computing, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) director, pharmaceutical research computing, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) Laundette Jones, PhD, MPH, associate professor, University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) associate professor, University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) Stacey Stephens, LCSW-C, clinical assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW); director, Bmore for Healthy Babies Collective power is needed to advance health equity and its impact on community health, Ogbolu said. The West Baltimore RICH Collaborative-Stronger Together not only aims to improve health outcomes but also demonstrates that multisectoral organizations can work together toward eliminating health disparities. I am proud to be partnering with trusted community organizations and health equity promoters that are committed to collaborating to improve cardiovascular and mental health and address the social determinants of health so that communities are stronger, safer, and healthier. The partner organizations composing West Baltimore RICH 2.0 include: A Better Tomorrow Starts Today counseling agency American Heart Association Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital ATOSK Health Care Services, Inc. Bmore for Healthy Babies The Community Builders, Inc. Coppin State University Helene Fuld School of Nursing Druid Heights Community Development Corporation LIGHT Health and Wellness Comprehensive Services, inc. Ministers Conference Empowerment Center CDC Robertas House UMB Community Engagement Center UMSON UMSOP UMSSW UMSOM University of Maryland Medical Center (Downtown and Midtown) West Baltimore RICH 2.0 will integrate activities and resources across these multiple organizations to improve mental (social isolation, stress, and anxiety) and cardiovascular outcomes and social determinants of health (SDOH), such as food, transportation, and economic security. Its goals are to reduce cardiovascular and mental health disparities, improve access to primary care, promote primary and secondary prevention services, and reduce health care costs for West Baltimore residents. The program includes five strategic interventions: A health equity collaborative Nurse-led clinics Self-monitored blood pressure programs and mobile health programs Primary and secondary events A community outreach worker model to support and address social determinants of health. Through the original West Baltimore RICH Collaborative, several UMSOM and UMSOP students worked with the initiative to gain skills and insight related to addressing SDOH barriers. Four community-based youth ambassadors were recruited to assist with community activities and learn about addressing complex community needs with wraparound resources. Over the past 13 months, the West Baltimore RICH Collaborative and its partners have: Engaged with 7,725 residents Attended 546 mobile health events Enrolled 2,001 participants into the program Distributed 925 blood pressure cuffs Established four nurse-led clinics at the UMB Community Engagement Center, Coppin State University, McCullough Homes public housing, and Family NP at Garwyn Medical Center Provided health screenings to 1,124 participants, of whom 96 percent reported at least one SDOH need and received immediate resources Building on the success of the original project, West Baltimore RICH 2.0 will: Expand partnerships with organizations to meet the need for mental health services and place-based care in senior housing facilities Expand two mobile health programs for implementation in senior housing sites Continue community outreach to address SDOH, with a central team at UMSON and additional support hired by and placed at partner sites Maintain the nurse-led clinics Measure community assets and strengths assessing perceptions of hope and their association with social isolation, mental distress, stress, and anxiety. By the end of the five-year grant period in 2029, 4,000 additional individuals will have been served. Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, meets with a delegation led by Toshihiro Nikai, chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) BEIJING, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, met with a delegation led by Toshihiro Nikai, chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union, in Beijing on Wednesday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China and Japan are neighbors separated by a narrow strip of water. He noted that adhering to a general path of peaceful coexistence, lasting friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation conforms to the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and is the only correct choice. He said that the leaders of the two countries have reaffirmed their commitment to the comprehensive promotion of the strategic, mutually beneficial relationship, and agreed to build stable, constructive China-Japan relations that meet the requirements of the new era, providing strategic guidance for the development of bilateral relations. Noting that China-Japan relations are currently at a critical stage, Wang expressed China's hope that Japan will establish a correct, objective understanding of China, pursue a positive, rational policy on China, and put plans for the comprehensive promotion of strategic, mutually beneficial relations into practice. China is ready to work with Japan to use history as a guide and promote the sustained, sound and steady development of China-Japan relations on the right track, Wang said. Nikai and other representatives of various parties expressed willingness to continue working to stabilize and improve Japan-China relations, promote people-to-people and legislative exchange, enhance mutual understanding and friendship from generation to generation, and promote the common development and progress of the two important neighbors. Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, meets with a delegation led by Toshihiro Nikai, chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) Four pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested Wednesday at the University of Michigan during the annual student organization and campus involvement fair. During the event, a group of about 50 demonstrators gathered at the Diag to protest against Israel. Despite being asked to disperse, four individuals refused to leave, leading to their arrest, school officials told the Detroit Free Press. "For more than an hour, they were given multiple warnings that made clear they were blocking pedestrian traffic and violating university policy," Colleen Mastony, assistant vice president for public affairs, told the outlet. "Most eventually dispersed although some refused to leave and, as a result, four people were arrested." None of those arrested were students. In response to the incident, Sarah Hubbard of UM's Board of Regents wrote on X: "At the University of Michigan, we are very familiar with protests. They are part of our history. But they must not interfere with the rights of others rights to protest, disrupt official events or make others feel unsafe. ... We have been clear that we will enforce our policies related to protests and will hold individuals accountable for their actions." At the University of Michigan, we are very familiar with protests. They are part of our history. But they must not interfere with the rights of others rights to protest, disrupt official events or make others feel unsafe. Sarah Hubbard, Regent @umich (@RegentHubbard) August 29, 2024 The gathering was organized by the TAHRIR Coalition, a group of about 100 pro-Palestine organizations. "We will not celebrate back to school as UM invests in and funds genocide," the group wrote in an Instagram post. The latest arrests mirrored similar actions taken by police last spring, when protesters set up a monthlong encampment to urge the university to divest from any groups or investments associated with Israel. Recent protests have also included withholding student club funding. Pro-Palestinian students, running under the "Shut It Down" platform, won 24 out of 45 student government seats last spring. They had campaigned on the promise to stop all funding for student organizations until the university divested from Israel and sufficiently funded student groups. They have largely kept their promise. The newly elected CSG president, Alifa Chowdhury, vetoed the summer budget, effectively cutting off funding to student groups. It remains uncertain whether she will take similar action with the fall budget or future funding requests. However, the group took steps this week to restore some past spring and summer funding for campus organizations. During the Tuesday meeting, students discussed the impact of the spending freeze on their clubs, while also criticizing the university for not providing adequate financial support. UM's student government is funded by a student fee of $11.19 per semester. "Quite frankly, the university does not fund student organizations as it should. A lot of orgs here rely on SOFC funding," said Ryan Grover, president of the men's rugby club. "... Student orgs play such a huge role at the university. Without the funding, it can make student's lives worse. Yes academics are important, but student orgs are also important for students. So without that funding, there are students that won't be able to find their groove so they'll be worse off mentally and physically. I want to urge you to continue student funding." Another student, Teddy Masterson, urged the CSG to separate political issues from the need to fund student organizations. "I get it. You have political views you want to push, but don't screw other students while doing that. I sympathize with the cause, but that pales in comparison to students facing food insecurity and more. What are we going to do about it? We are the student government, not the Pentagon. Don't withhold student funding." The university's Board of Regents has maintained it will not alter its investment policies. RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Aug, 2024) Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) while conducting raids in different areas managed to arrest three drug dealers including a woman and recovered 1.5 kg heroin, said an ANF Headquarters spokesman here on Thursday. He informed that ANF in an operation succeeded in busting a gang by arresting three drug dealers including a ringleader and a woman allegedly involved in supplying drugs to students of educational institutions. The drug dealers under the guise of human rights activities, working under an NGO were supplying drugs to the students in the Landhi area. The accused during the investigation revealed that they were involved in supplying drugs to the students of universities and hostels in Karachi. The group used to supply drugs to students in Karachi, Hyderabad, and its adjoining areas through women. The spokesman informed that acting on a tip-off, a drug carrier woman was arrested with drugs when she reached Karachi from Tando Adam. On the pointation of the arrested accused, other accomplices were also arrested. ANF recovered 400 grams heroin from the possession of a woman and 500 grams heroin from the possession of another group member. After a preliminary investigation, the ringleader was also arrested along with illegal weapons and drugs. A total 1.5 kg heroin was recovered from the possession of the arrested accused. Various press cards, press monograms, fake number plates, and other items were also recovered during a search of the vehicle. The arrested accused revealed that they were working as an organized gang and also supplying drugs in Hyderabad. The spokesman informed that raids were being conducted to arrest other members of the group. He said ANF is committed to making educational institutions drug-free and all-out efforts were being made to net drug smugglers and those supplying drugs to students of different educational institutions. Cases have been registered against the accused under the Anti-Narcotics Act and further investigations are under process. BEIJING, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, held the latest round of China-U.S. strategic communication with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday, conducting candid, substantive and constructive discussions. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that China-U.S. relations have experienced ups and downs, and that reviewing this experience and its lessons will help forge a better future and find the right way for the two major countries to get along with each other. First, in order to keep China-U.S. relations on the right direction, it is crucial that the two countries' presidents steer and guide bilateral relations. The two sides should uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, and promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations. Second, abiding by the three joint communiques is key for China and the United States to avoid conflict and confrontation. The political foundation that led to the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries must be maintained. China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, its political system and development path, and the legitimate development rights of the Chinese people must be respected. Third, treating each other as equals is key to ensuring China-U.S. interactions are smooth. Acting from the position of strength is not the right way of interaction between countries. Fourth, cementing the foundations of public opinion is key to pursuing the steady, sustained development of China-U.S. relations. The two countries should build more bridges and pave more roads for people-to-people exchange, rather than raising obstacles. Fifth, establishing correct perception is key for China and the United States to achieve peaceful coexistence. China is committed to ensuring better lives for its people at home, and to making greater contributions to world peace and development abroad. The United States should not speculate about China based on its own historical path, nor should it assume that China will follow the path taken by past world powers that sought hegemony. Briefing Sullivan on the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, Wang said that the meeting marks a new milestone in China's reform and opening-up, providing a new window for the outside world to understand China and new opportunities for the common development of all countries. Wang stressed that Taiwan belongs to China and that China will be reunified. He noted that "Taiwan independence" poses the biggest risk to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The United States should act on its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence," adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, cease arming Taiwan, and support the peaceful reunification of China, he said. Wang noted that national security should be common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable, and that one country's security should not be built upon the insecurity of others. National security requires clear boundaries, particularly in the economic domain, where scientific delineation is crucial, he said. Wang urged the United States to end its suppression of China in the economic, trade and sci-tech fields, and refrain from undermining China's legitimate interests. Using "overcapacity" as an excuse to pursue protectionism will only harm global green development and impede world economic growth, he added. China is firm in upholding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests over the Nanhai Zhudao (South China Sea islands), as well as the gravity and effectiveness of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, Wang noted. He said that the U.S. must not undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity under the pretext of bilateral treaties, nor should it support or condone the Philippines' acts of infringement. Sullivan said that differences and competition exist between the United States and China, and that there are also many areas in which the two sides need to cooperate. He noted that the United States agrees that the two countries should treat each other as equals and that competition should be healthy and fair, and said the U.S. side has no intention of decoupling from China. He said that the United States adheres to the one-China policy and does not support "Taiwan independence," "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan." The United States and China will coexist peacefully on this planet for a long time, and the goal of U.S. policy is to find a way to make the U.S.-China relationship sustainable, Sullivan said, adding that the U.S. side is willing to continue maintaining strategic communication with China to enhance mutual understanding and reduce misunderstanding and miscalculation. The two sides also exchanged views on issues concerning Ukraine, the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula. Reiterating that China is always committed to promoting peace talks and pushing for a political solution to the Ukraine crisis, Wang said China will continue to do the right thing. The U.S. should not shift responsibility to China on the Ukraine issue, and it should certainly not impose illegal, unilateral sanctions, Wang said. Wang and Sullivan also discussed a new round of interactions between the two countries' heads of state to take place in the near future. The two sides agreed to continue implementing the important consensus reached between the two heads of state at their San Francisco meeting, and to maintain high-level exchange and communication at all levels. They also agreed to continue carrying out cooperation on drug control, law enforcement, the repatriation of illegal immigrants and climate change mitigation. Wang and Sullivan agreed on institutional arrangements for a video call between theater leaders of the two militaries, and for a second round China-U.S. intergovernmental dialogue on artificial intelligence to be held at an appropriate time. PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Aug, 2024) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Anti-Corruption, Musadaq Abbasi on Thursday said that a high level committee had been constituted to look into the matters relating to purchase of medicines during caretaker setup. He said that committee had been constituted under the directives of KP Chief Minister to investigate purchase of medicines. He said that certain circles are presenting a picture on social media that corruption has been done in medicine purchase and added that these purchases were made by caretaker government under MCC 2023-24 from July 1st 2023 to 30th June 2024. He said that existing provincial government would purchase medicines under MCC 2024-25 from July 1st 2024 to 30th June 2025. He said that all the purchases would be made abiding by policy of merit and approved procedure. The provincial minister said that purchase procedure has been decentralized and demand would be made by end user while vendor would transport medicine to designated place. He said that it would be ensured that medicines should be effective and purchased on minimum rates. (@FahadShabbir) RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Aug, 2024) City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi, Syed Khalid Hamdani has urged the students to work hard and play an active role for the development of the country. During a visit to Punjab Art Council (PAC) Rawalpindi, the CPO inaugurated, Digital Art Exhibition titled Beautiful Pakistan as chief guest. Member Punjab Assembly, Shazia Rizwan was also present on this occasion. Syed Khalid Hamdani took special interest in digital artworks, displayed in the Arts Gallery. The exhibition showcased over 100 artworks created on the historical places of Pakistan by male and female students of Art Council, Digital Graphic Department. Member Provincial Assembly, Shazia Rizwan said that Rawalpindi district police were striving hard to eliminate criminals under the command of CPO, Syed Khalid Hamdani. The CPO said that the young generation has the best abilities and urged them to enlighten the name of the country and the nation with their hard work, dedication and commitment. Appreciating the digital art work of the students, Syed Khalid Hamdani said that Rawalpindi Police are always ready to encourage and support the talented youngsters. Focus and attention lead to success, he said adding, the set targets could only be achieved with hard work. He invited male and female students to come and participate in Police Internship and Friends of Police programs. He further said that the efforts of the teachers of the Arts Council are also praiseworthy. There are many challenges for the police and Rawalpindi district police are making all-out efforts to protect life and property of the citizens. He said, We are working day and night to create a safe and secure environment for the citizens according to the vision of Chief Minister Punjab. On the special instructions of Chief Minister Punjab, Rawalpindi Police are playing an active role for the protection and welfare of women and children. The CPO also distributed certificates among the students, participated in the exhibition and also planted a sapling in the Arts Council. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Aug, 2024) The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has chalked out schedule for the training of district monitoring officers and monitoring officers for the bye-election of local government election for the chairman of Tehsil Council Jamrud. As per the schedule, training of one district monitoring officer and two monitoring officers has already been completed on August 29, said a press release issued here Thursday. Moreover, a four-day training program for grade 18 to 19 was organized from August 26 to August 29 for the capacity building of Election Commission officers at the Election Commission Secretariat, Islamabad. The training aimed at informing the Election Commission officers about the Secretariat instructions. This training was given by the trainer of Secretariat Training Institute Islamabad. This training program will enhance the professional skills of Election Commission officers and they will be able to perform their duties better. This initiative of the Election Commission is part of its continuous efforts to enhance the professional skills of its staff LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Aug, 2024) An accountability court on Thursday acquitted former Punjab University vice chancellor Prof. Dr. Mujahid Kamran and others in an illegal appointments reference. Accountability Court Judge Qamar-uz-Zaman passed the orders while allowing an application, filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for withdrawal of the reference. The bureau stated that no evidence was found against the accused following a thorough inquiry, and requested the court to allow withdrawal of the reference. Former PU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mujahid Kamran, former PU Registrar Prof. Dr. Liaqat Ali, two additional registrars, and others were accused of 550 illegal recruitment at the Punjab University and of awarding scholarships to ineligible students. Dr. Kamran served as the PU vice chancellor from January 2008 to December 2016. (@Abdulla99267510) Pakistan Metrological Department says deep depression (DD, a very strong low-pressure area) has been slowly moving westward and southwestward over the past 12 hours from the Rann of Kutch in India, and is now approximately 270 kilometers southeast of Karachi KARACHI: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-August 29th, 2024) Meteorological Department has issued a tropical cyclone alert owing to deep depression over Rann of Kutch and potential sea storm in the northeastern Arabia sea. The MET office said that deep depression (DD, a very strong low-pressure area) has been slowly moving westward and southwestward over the past 12 hours from the Rann of Kutch in India, and is now approximately 270 kilometers southeast of Karachi. It is likely that this system will continue to move west and southwest, potentially reaching the northeastern Arabian Sea along the Sindh coast by late tonight or tomorrow morning. The cyclonic storm is initially expected to move westward and southwestward, affecting Karachi Division, Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, Sajawal, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, and Dadu with thunderstorms and heavy rains until August 31. The winds are likely to reach speeds of 50 to 60 kilometers per hour, causing the sea to remain rough and very rough. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until August 31. The Meteorological Department is monitoring the cyclone warning center and the Karachi system. Authorities are requested to stay informed through the Meteorological Department's advisories. Once the storm forms in the Arabian Sea, it will be named "Isna," which is the proposed name by Pakistan and means elevated or higher. Given the favorable environmental conditions, sea surface temperatures, and upper-level divergence, there is a likelihood that this system will intensify into a tropical cyclone by Friday (tomorrow). ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Aug, 2024) A four-member delegation of students from Italys Milan University called on Coordinator to Prime Minister on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam to discuss the pressing issue of climate change and its impacts on Pakistan. During the meeting held here on Thursday in the climate change and environmental delegation ministry, the students delegation was also apprised of the various socio-economic impacts of climate change and the governments policy measures for building the countrys climate resilience, a news release said. On the occasion, the PMs climate aide welcomed the students delegation and said, "As we all know, climate change is one of the most critical challenges facing our world today, and its effects are increasingly evident in Pakistan." Romina Khurshid Alam told the students that ranked among the worlds top ten climate-vulnerable country, Pakistan had been experiencing a rise in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, particularly unprecedented floods, intense monsoon rains, intense devastating heatwaves, rapid glacial melting and consequent glacial lake outburst floods. The recent heatwave in June 2024 saw temperatures soar to record highs, impacting public health and agriculture, she highlighted. She further said, "Floods, which are becoming more intense and frequent, displace thousands of families, damage infrastructure, and disrupt livelihoods, especially in rural areas." For resource-poor the country, managing these fallouts of climate change has become a grave challenge because of the frequency and magnitude at which they are occurring and inadequate financial and technical resources, the PMs climate aide said. Talking about impacts on agriculture sector, Romina Khurshid Alam told the students that climate change was also affecting crop yields and food security. "Unpredictable weather patterns and extreme temperatures are harming crops and reducing productivity to an extent that crop failures and fall in productivity of different crops had become new normal in the country, with significant implications for food prices and rural economies," Ms Alam explained. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns were aksi disrupting local ecosystems, badly affecting bio-diversity. Such changes in weather patterns caused due to climate change, included shifts in bio-diversity and the health of key habitats such as mangroves and wetland, which provide environmental protection and livelihoods for the resource-dependent community. The present government was implementing various adaptation strategies, including flood management projects, improved water resource management, and early warning systems. There are also initiatives to promote climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable land use practices. Sharing details about the governments coping strategy, she said that for addressing these climate risks and for building climate resilience of the people, their livelihoods, ecosystems and public infrastructure, the present government was implementing various adaptation strategies, including flood management projects, improved water resource management, and enhancing network of early warning systems across the country for improved and more reliable weather and disaster forecast. There were also initiatives to promote climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable land use practices to enhance the agriculture sectors climate resilience. She apprised of the climate change and environmental coordination ministrys various measures to secure funding for implementing various adaptation and resilience-building measures plans. The ministry is working with international organizations and donors to secure funding and technical assistance for climate adaptation and mitigation projects. Efforts include collaborations with the UN and various environmental NGOs to address the immediate and long-term impacts of climate change, she said. Talking about community awareness and engagement in various climate risk mitigation initiatives of the government, Romina Khurshid said that local communities were being increasingly engaged in climate action, with grassroots organisations working on disaster preparedness, reforestation, and sustainable farming practices. Besides, education and awareness campaigns through media, schools and other channels were also being conducted time to time to inform and empower individuals to take climate action, the PMs climate aide added. Romina Khurshid Alam highlighted that climate change was the gravest global issue of the present century, which required international cooperation. However, as a responsible country, Pakistan would continue to engage with global partners for boosting climate action through implementation of the climate initiatives and advocating for the fair and effective climate action on the international stage. The students thanked the PMs climate aide Romina Khurshid and her team for informative briefing about the climate risks being faced by the country and the coping measures being taken by the present government for making Pakistan climate-resilient country. They said that Pakistans commitment to global climate action was inspiring and a remarkable example for other countries to follow. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Aug, 2024) The Pakistan-Iraq Parliamentary Friendship Group (PFG) here on Thursday held its inaugural meeting with Hamid Abbas Lafta, the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to Pakistan. Chaired by Sehar Kamran, MNA and Convener of Pakistan-Iraq PFG, the meeting was also attended by group members, Mehtab Akber Rashdi, Shehla Raza and Muhammad Moein Aamer Pirzada MNAs. While welcoming the Ambassador of Iraq, Sehar Kamran said that Pakistan and Iraq were intertwined in eternal bonds of religion, brotherhood and culture. She said that the bonds of brotherhood could further be cemented through Parliamentary Friendship Group. The Ambassador underscored the necessity of regular high level engagements between Pakistan and Iraq, expressing optimism that exchange of visits will contribute to the diversification and enhancement of bilateral cooperation in diverse fields. The Ambassador of Iraq underscored that Pakistan and Iraq had great opportunity in terms of bilateral cooperation in fields of energy, petroleum, trade and business. He also said that Iraq valued high its ties with Pakistan and was looking forward for more cooperation in term of trade and business. The Ambassador expressed the desire to facilitate a meeting between Civil Aviation Authorities of Pakistan and Iraq, with the aim of fostering greater cooperation and collaboration in the aviation sector. The Iraqi envoy was informed that Pakistan would soon create commercial section in Baghdad. Further, 9th session of Pakistan Iraq JMC is scheduled to be held in September 2024; Joint working group on trade and investment is likely to be established in same session. It was mutually agreed that in order to strengthen trade relations and identify new avenues of economic collaboration, more meetings would be arranged with the business community and chambers of commerce of Pakistan and Iraq, facilitating a dialogue between key stakeholders from both nations. The Parliamentary Friendship Group reiterated Pakistans commitment to fostering stronger relations with Iraq and emphasized the need for regular interactions between the two nations. Both sides agreed that Parliamentary Friendship Groups can play a pivotal role in promoting parliamentary diplomacy, people to people contact and promoting parliamentary relations between two countries. (@FahadShabbir) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Aug, 2024) The Senate Standing Committee on Interior has expressed satisfaction with the working of the Safe City project and recommended that the project should be digitalized to cope with modern demands. Chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman at Pak Secretariat here Thursday, the Committee also recommended providing details of crimes occurring in ICT territory and the steps taken by ICT for the prevention of such crimes. Earlier, the Committee was briefed on the workings of the Safe City Command and Control Centre and its effectiveness in combating modern-era crimes. Inspector General ICT, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, informed that the Safe City project was the brainchild of NADRA and was established and operated by NADRA until 2019. It is currently being managed by the ICT police. The project is established to monitor law and order in the city and to ensure the quality of life for the residents of Islamabad, he said and told that the sanctioned strength for the Safe City project was around 463, and as of now, 38 technical posts were vacant, which would be filled soon. The Committee recommended that vacant posts should be filled as the department holds critical importance. The IG further added that ICT was working to reshape the Safe City into a Smart City Project by keeping in view the needs of the time. The meeting was attended by Senator Irfan ul Haq Siddiqui,Senator Shahadat Awan,Senator Saifullah Abro,Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri,Senator Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan,Senator Jam Saifullah Khan,Special Secretary for the Ministry of Interior Waqas Ali Mehmood,Inspector General ICT Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi and other senior officials from the Ministry of Interior. Erie, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Aug, 2024) Tom Eddy has a message for Republicans on how they can put Pennsylvania in Donald Trump's win column in November. The only problem is that the candidate keeps spoiling the script. For more than a year in Erie County, in the swing state's northwestern corner, Eddy has tried to persuade people to vote by mail. At first, he was laughed at or ignored, with Trump supporters at rallies echoing the former president's long-debunked claims that postal ballots are fraudulent. But Eddy didn't take it personally. As the Republican Party chair in Erie, the determined 75-year-old has not given up, volunteering every day to change people's minds, with only one goal in his own: winning. Unlike last time. "That's what lost the race for Trump. We got clobbered," he says of the 2020 election, recalling how he watched mail-in votes for Joe Biden outnumber those for Trump by as much as 100 to 1 in some batches. Surrounded by Trump placards, flags and other paraphernalia in his office, Eddy -- a retired high school teacher -- explains how skeptics often will accept a mail-in ballot by the end of a conversation. He tells people it eliminates the risk of them being unable to show up on Election Day, if they or a family member is sick, or if they get delayed or given last-minute overtime at work. "It's our main effort," he says of the campaign. Trump blamed mail-in ballots for his 2020 defeat, and although he has sometimes toned down his rhetoric about them being "totally corrupt," he frequently goes off message when questioned on the topic. With Kamala Harris replacing Biden as the Democratic standard-bearer, the latest polls show her ahead of Trump in Pennsylvania, meaning a marginal gain from early voting in places like Erie may be what ultimately seals victory. In 2020, Biden had a more than three-to-one overall advantage with mail-in ballots in Erie -- 32,929 to Trump's 9,279 -- overcoming Trump's polling day lead of more than 20,000. The upshot was a reversal of the 2,348-vote margin by which Trump beat Hillary Clinton in 2016, resulting in an even tighter 1,319-vote victory for Biden. Eddy wants to ensure that Team Trump does not suffer the same fate this time. Erie County has picked each presidential election winner since 2008. And where Erie's urban center, rural towns and farms go, so goes Pennsylvania -- America's largest must-win swing state, pollsters say. Long seen as blue-collar, its industrial footprint has shrunk. An insurance company replaced General Electric as the largest employer, the population has fallen for more than a decade, and factories have either closed or gotten smaller. Such mixed fortunes have contributed to the county's "boomerang" status, with voters flipping between Republican and Democratic presidential candidates. Discontent over Biden's presidency is a factor for voters, but Harris's elevation has removed the old age problem from the table. Trump's ongoing legal jeopardy, particularly about the January 6, 2021 insurrection, remains a talking point -- but not a dominant one. Erie's urban to rural contrast can be stark. While Biden won all 63 precincts in Erie City last time, Trump dominated rural areas. In Corry, a picturesque but poor town 33 miles (53 kilometers) east of Erie City that Trump won strongly in 2020, an already bruising 2024 race has hardened some views. DJ Terrill, a 47-year-old coiled springs maker, is scathing about both political parties -- and certain of one thing. "I don't trust any government. Fraud," he says of voting anywhere other than a polling station, agreeing with Trump's claims about why he lost to Biden. "I need to show ID to buy cigarettes -- you should have to show it to vote." Winning the turnout battle is what Jim Wertz, then Erie County's Democratic Party chair, did in 2020, largely by expanding mail-in voting. Wertz, who is running for the Pennsylvania state senate this time around, believes that advantage can be replicated. "It's nice that they have come around," Wertz says of Republicans such as Eddy. "It sure makes a change to 'stolen' and 'fraud' and worse terms they've used." Beyond Republicans (40 percent) and Democrats (46 percent), 14 percent of Erie County's registered voters are classed as independent. They may be the final deciders. For Eddy, the race is still anyone's game. "There's my man," he says excitedly, as a UPS driver draws up outside his office. The source of his enthusiasm -- 3,000 newly arrived mail-in ballot application forms. "I've got 2,000 more in the cupboards back here," he adds. "For Republicans, whether for Trump, Congress or Senate, to win in Pennsylvania, we've got to get people to use this method of voting." (@ChaudhryMAli88) Colombo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Aug, 2024) Sri Lanka had no option but to agree to an International Monetary Fund bailout that required tough austerity measures, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said Thursday as he launched his re-election campaign. An unprecedented economic crisis two years ago led to months-long food and fuel shortages, triggering street protests that forced Wickremesinghe's predecessor to briefly flee the country. The 75-year-old president said the $2.9 billion IMF rescue package he negotiated last year required reforms that the island must implement or risk a repeat of those struggles. "The agreements with the IMF and by our bilateral lenders cannot be changed," he said at a campaign event to launch his manifesto ahead of September 21 polls. "Some candidates think they can renegotiate, but that is only going to be a waste of time." His main rivals, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, 57, and Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, 55, have vowed to open fresh talks with the IMF to rewrite the agreement. Premadasa has pledged to cut income taxes, which were doubled by Wickremesinghe. "We will strengthen fiscal discipline as per the IMF agreement. .. However, we will make amendments," Premadasa's manifesto said. Dissayanaka's party says it will halt touted privatisations of state enterprises. Wickremesinghe said he had agreed with the IMF to ease the tax burden on middle and low income groups from next year, but did not give details. Sri Lanka is still negotiating with international bondholders after defaulting on its $46 billion foreign debt in 2022, a year when the economy shrunk by 7.3 percent. Wickremesinghe is also facing a challenge from the largest party in parliament which had backed his ascension, but where his predecessor's family still wields great influence. Lawmaker and Rajapaksa clan scion Namal, 38, is among the 38 other candidates challenging Wickremesinghe in next month's poll. Wickremesinghe is also under fire for refusing to fund a local government election last year, saying the country had no money to pay for it. The Supreme Court ruled last week that he was guilty of violating the fundamental rights of Sri Lankan voters as a result and ordered it to be held as soon as possible. Staff members monitor passengers' body temperature at the Terminal 1 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Aug. 28, 2024. Malaysia has rolled out measures aimed at combating the spread of monkeypox including thermal scanners at international entry points such as airports, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said on Wednesday. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua) KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia has rolled out measures aimed at combating the spread of monkeypox including thermal scanners at international entry points such as airports, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said on Wednesday. At a press briefing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Dzulkefly said static and mobile thermal scanners have been activated to screen passengers, with four such scanners being placed at the airport's Terminal 1. He added that all 34 suspicious cases so far have been confirmed as negative, including 33 Malaysians and one Thai national, with a total of 3.2 million people having been screened since Aug. 16. A total of nine cases were reported in Malaysia last year. No new cases were reported this year. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on Aug. 14 following an outbreak in parts of Africa. A staff member operates a thermal scanner to check passengers' body temperature at the Terminal 1 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Aug. 28, 2024. Malaysia has rolled out measures aimed at combating the spread of monkeypox including thermal scanners at international entry points such as airports, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said on Wednesday. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua) Thermal scanners are installed to check passengers' body temperature at the Terminal 1 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Aug. 28, 2024. Malaysia has rolled out measures aimed at combating the spread of monkeypox including thermal scanners at international entry points such as airports, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said on Wednesday. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua) Video messages for monkeypox prevention are played at the Terminal 1 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Aug. 28, 2024. Malaysia has rolled out measures aimed at combating the spread of monkeypox including thermal scanners at international entry points such as airports, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said on Wednesday. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua) Caracas, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Aug, 2024) Venezuelan opposition supporters gathered in Caracas on Wednesday, chanting "Liberty!" as their leader came out of hiding to conduct a protest against President Nicolas Maduro's reelection, which they denounce as fraudulent. Maria Corina Machado, who has kept a low profile amid threats from Maduro after the July 28 presidential vote, vowed in front of followers to not stop fighting until the opposition's claim to victory is recognized. "They say that the regime will not yield. You know what: we are going to make it yield and (that) means respecting the will expressed on July 28," Machado told a rally that attracted hundreds of supporters in an atmosphere of fear. "This protest is unstoppable," she added. Machado arrived at the demonstration hiding her face under a black hoodie, which she took off only when she clambered onto the truck that served as her stage. "Brave! Brave!" supporters chanted as the truck passed them. "I'm fighting for Venezuela, to recover our democracy. We don't want to live in a dictatorship," demonstrator Laidy Molina, a 60-year-old nutritionist, told AFP. "We are afraid. We fear that they will put us in prison, that they will not respect the constitution but we must continue the struggle," she added. Maduro has called for the arrest of Machado and the opposition's presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who replaced her on the ballot after the regime barred her from running. Venezuela's CNE electoral council -- with most of its members loyal to 61-year-old Maduro -- declared him the winner hours after voting closed, giving him 52 percent of ballots cast without providing a full breakdown. The opposition has published its own polling station-level records, which it says show that Gonzalez Urrutia, a 74-year-old retired diplomat, won by a landslide. Spontaneous protests erupted in the hours after Maduro's claimed victory, with at least 25 civilians killed and more than 2,400 arrested. Several Latin American countries, the United States and the European Union have called on the CNE to release voting data that proves Maduro's reelection to a third, six-year term until 2031. The CNE said it was unable to provide the data due to a computer hack, though election observers said there was no evidence of this. Wednesday's rally was the fourth organized protest called by the opposition to denounce Maduro's election "fraud." "We have to protect ourselves, take care of ourselves," Machado told supporters. "Every passing day we are making progress... We have succeeded in turning the cause for freedom in Venezuela into a global cause." The ruling "Chavista" movement, named after Maduro's socialist predecessor Hugo Chavez, had also called for demonstrations on Wednesday to mark its "victory." "I am marching to accompany this whole crowd that shows the country and the world our support for the reelected president Nicolas Maduro," Yendry Suarez, a social worker, told AFP. Those at the opposition march, unsurprisingly, had a different view. "Edmundo won and Maduro lost," said Zaida Mujica, 59. Nearby, a banner read: "We are not the opposition, we are the government." Gonzalez Urrutia, last seen in public at an opposition rally on July 30, ignored summons on two successive days this week in an investigation by Maduro-aligned prosecutors into his alleged "usurpation" of official powers. He is also charged with disseminating false information and incitement of insurrection. A third summons has now been issued. The probe stems from the opposition publishing election results that the CNE claims only it has the right to release. The opposition coalition says Gonzalez Urrutia is the target of "judicial harassment." The charges against him carry a potential 30-year sentence. On Tuesday, Maduro reshuffled his cabinet and named two of his closest allies to key positions. Diosdado Cabello, the number two in the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), will now head the interior ministry, which is responsible for policing and security matters. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez will take over the role of oil minister in a country with the world's largest crude reserves -- and an industry bent under US sanctions. Also on Tuesday, Machado accused the regime of "kidnapping" her lawyer. The authorities have not commented on the reported arrest, which would add to the more than 100 opposition activists taken into custody in recent months. Six of Machado's most trusted collaborators, including her campaign chief, have taken refuge in the Argentine embassy in Caracas. Meeting in Washington, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights denounced on Wednesday "practices of institutional violence in the context of the electoral process in Venezuela, including violent repression, arbitrary detentions, and political persecution." Registrations are now being accepted for the popular World Language and Culture Program (WLCP) at the University of Wyoming this semester. A total of 20 nonformal world language and culture sessions are available free via Zoom. The WLCP is a volunteer and service-learning program that offers free world language and culture sessions to members of the UW community and to those interested throughout the state. The WLCP is committed to 21st century linguistic and cultural literacy to cultivate lifelong learning, appreciation and enthusiasm for world languages and cultures. The program views language and culture as being inseparable and strives to integrate the teaching and learning of both simultaneously. The mission is to provide access to adults who want to learn world languages and gain awareness of world cultures in a nonformal setting. Informal sessions in Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Burmese, Chinese, Georgian, German, Hebrew, Japanese, Kazakh, Russian, Sinhala, Spanish, Turkish, Uzbek and Yoruba -- along with aspects of culture -- begin Monday, Sept. 9, and end Tuesday, Dec. 10. Classes will be offered virtually throughout the day and early evening, generally once a week. To view the schedule or to register for a class, go to www.uwyo.edu/wlcp/index.html. The schedule also can be found on Facebook. Dilnoza Khasilova, a UW graduate who earned her doctoral degree in literacy studies and is now a permanent visiting scholar at UW, developed the WLCP in 2013. The program was launched in 2014 with the help of both UWs local and international communities, including UWs graduate students, faculty, staff and undergraduate exchange students who volunteered to teach their target languages and cultures. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent health guidelines, the WLCP successfully transitioned to a virtual format in 2020. This adaptive measure has not only ensured the continuity of its educational offerings, but it also has yielded unexpected benefits. The shift to virtual sessions via Zoom, initially necessitated by the pandemic, has evolved into a strategic advantage for the WLCP, Khasilova says. By embracing digital platforms, weve significantly expanded our reach and inclusivity. The WLCP provides opportunities to build a lifelong learning community of learners; develop cross-cultural understandings; provide service learning and teaching; develop volunteerism; leverage engagement and internationalization efforts; and bring language and cultural exposure, Khasilova says. The volunteer WLCP facilitators include both local and international students, faculty and staff, exchange students, Fulbright scholars, visiting scholars, community members, UW international alumni and UW members who travel overseas or speak world languages. Collaborators include the Associated Students of UW; the UW Center for Student Involvement and Leadership; the College of Education; the Global Engagement Office (International Students and Scholars, Education Abroad, Center for Global Studies); the Department of Modern and Classical Languages; the School of Politics, Public Affairs and International Studies; and the Arabic and Middle East North Africa Studies Program. For more information, email wlc@uwyo.edu or go to www.uwyo.edu/wlcp/index.html. Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam. BAGHDAD, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Iraq exported about 108.053 million barrels of crude oil in July, the country's Oil Ministry announced Thursday. During the month, about 106.125 million barrels were exported from oil fields in central and southern Iraq via the Port of Basra and more than 1.928 million from the Qayyara Oil Field in the northern province of Nineveh, said the ministry in a statement, citing statistics from the State Organization for Marketing of Oil, an Iraqi company. In June, Iraq exported about 102.31 million barrels of crude oil, according to the ministry. Iraq's economy heavily relies on crude oil exports, which account for about 90 percent of the country's revenues. Three years of Taliban rule in Afghanistan has brought misery upon that nations girls and women, say critics of the hard-line regime. Both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris this week marked the third anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal but advocates want to see Washington push harder against the egregious human rights situation. VOA White House correspondent Anita Powell reports from Washington. The hardships and heartbreak of three years of Taliban rule are reflected in the shining brown eyes of schoolgirl Parwana Malik. And on the anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, advocates say Washington should take a harder look at the plight of countless young girls who have suffered under the hard-line regime. In 2021, as the last U.S. troops were leaving after two decades in the country, Maliks father sold her into marriage to a much older man. She was 9 years old young even by local standards, which see many Afghan girls married off in their teens. In 2021, the U.N. Childrens Fund sounded the alarm about a drastic rise in child marriage as Western forces and aid organizations withdrew, and as desperate Afghan families lost the safety net those groups provided. Some betrothals, they said, involved infant girls as young as 20 days old. And local media have reported that girls as young as 7 have been married off to Taliban commanders. What the Taliban is doing to women and girls is absolutely a crime against humanity, said Stephanie Sinclair, a photographer and founder of the nonprofit group Too Young to Wed. And Afghan girls and women inside the country are really suffering, unlike anywhere else in the world. Earlier this month at an event marking the anniversary, a Taliban official gave a defiant speech criticizing foreign interference. The new leadership eliminated internal differences and expanded the scope of unity and cooperation in the country, said Deputy Prime Minister Maulvi Abdul Kabir. No one will be allowed to interfere in internal affairs, and Afghan soil will not be used against any country. Neither he nor the other three speakers at the event spoke about the day-to-day struggles of civilians. Women including female journalists were barred from the event. And this month, the regime passed a law that restricts womens movements and requires them to cover their bodies and silence their voices in public. The U.N.s human rights body condemned the law as egregious and demanded its repeal. "The newly adopted law on the promotion of virtue and the prevention of vice by the de facto authorities in Afghanistan cements policies that completely erase women's presence in public, silencing their voices and depriving them of their individual autonomy, effectively attempting to render them into faceless, voiceless shadows, said Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Taliban are not officially recognized as Afghanistan's leaders by the U.N. or by most countries. Yet this regime has been slowly gaining recognition. China this year became the first country to accept credentials from a Taliban-appointed ambassador. And Russias foreign minister recently called the Taliban the real power in the country. We never removed our embassy from there, and neither did the People's Republic of China, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Afghan ambassador presented his credentials to Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing along with other ambassadors. Kazakhstan recently decided to remove them from the list of terrorist organizations. We're planning to do the same." Washington has refused to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government, and has kept its distance, though the White House has repeatedly mentioned that it maintains leverage over the group and has over the horizon capabilities to strike. U.S. President Joe Biden did not mention the Taliban in his statement this week marking the anniversary of the chaotic U.S. withdrawal. He likes to describe Afghanistan as the graveyard of empires so called because of the stubborn resistance to foreign influence by its lionized protectors. Near the top of that ladder is late resistance fighter Ahmad Shah Massoud, dubbed the Lion of the Panjshir. The anti-Soviet guerrilla leader slain by Taliban sympathizers in 2001 is memorialized everywhere in the vivid green valley of that name. Panjshir was the last of the nations 34 provinces to fall in 2021. From exile, Massouds eldest son now leads the nations resistance movement. This week, Ahmad Massoud, head of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, argued that trampling the human rights of half of the population is not just bad policy but also bad politics. They do not represent the will of the population, he said. Afghanistan's youth, especially young girls, have dreams and aspirations no different from their peers around the globe. Vice President Kamala Harris also issued her own statement on the anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal. Like Biden, she did not mention the regimes dismal treatment of girls and women though her campaign for her nations top job is a strong repudiation of the Talibans rule that girls cannot be schooled past sixth grade. Republican presidential challenger Donald Trump also focused on the deaths of 13 American servicemembers in criticizing the Biden administrations pullout. "Caused by Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, the humiliation in Afghanistan set off the collapse of American credibility and respect all around the world, he said. And the fake news doesn't want to talk about it. Sinclair urged American leaders to focus not on the men in charge but on the female voices they have silenced, and to impose harsher consequences for it. I saw those statements, and I really think that we really need to put more accountability, make more accountability, for the Taliban about addressing their crimes, she said. She and other advocates are urging foreign powers to further squeeze the regime. Otherwise, we're inching towards normalization little by little, she said. The next thing we're going to hear is that primary schoolgirls are going to be out of school. It's only going to get worse. Its been clear that this is not Taliban 2.0. This is the original hardline stance that they had in the late '90s. And we really need to do better. And now, amid these dismal discussions: a plot twist. Too Young to Wed persuaded Parwanas aged husband to return her to her family. Her story inspired the group to launch a fund in her name, which now feeds about 1,000 Afghan families per month and provides essential supplies like blankets and infant supplies. And Parwana is now back where she belongs, Sinclair says: in school. She's quite the character, Sinclair said. She has a lot of big opinions, and she wants to be a teacher or a doctor, and she wants to do something, and she's got the power to do it. The problem is, she's not living in a society that is permitting it under this regime, and unfortunately, there are millions of Parwanas right now. And as Parwana nears sixth grade where most girls worry not about husbands but schoolwork, friends and the gale-force winds of puberty she carries a heavy burden on her young shoulders: the knowledge that, unless something changes, her education will soon end. But in the few years she has left, her smile wide and deep brown eyes shining with hope and joy, she clutches something else close to her chest: schoolbooks. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press. Most mornings, when the weather cooperates, angler Mike Sielicki can be found out on the water in Fredericksburg, Virginia about an hours drive from Washington trying to hook a species of fish that was once considered a dangerous threat to the surrounding aquatic wildlife. To me, it's the best fish that ever hit the United States, Sielicki says. I hope it winds up going in every body of water so everybody can enjoy it. Sielicki has fished for northern snakeheads for 20 years, since they first showed up in Potomac Creek, a shallow inlet that feeds into the Potomac River, a major Washington-area waterway. Through his company, Apex Predators Potomac Creek, he takes paying customers out on his boat to fish for the invasive predator, which originally came from Asia. I have a fair amount of people that come from out of the state, out of the United States, that come fish with me, he says on a quiet August morning when the snakeheads are proving elusive so far. The water here is very shallow, gets very grassy, and that's their perfect habitat. Snakeheads first appeared in the Washington area in 2002. Almost immediately, local wildlife officials sounded the alarm. Scientists worried that snakeheads would decimate this areas native predator fish populations, including the prized largemouth bass. The Potomac River is a renowned destination throughout the country for bass tournaments and sport bass fishing. It's huge, says John Odenkirk, a fisheries biologist with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. And so, that was the concern, that this fish [snakehead] was going to destroy that, because they were kind of the same level at the top of the food chain. Snakeheads, which can grow to more than 83 centimeters long, have pointy teeth and can breathe air, which means they can survive out of the water for several days as long as their skin remains moist. Snakeheads also spawn twice a year, while similar level fish only spawn once a year. Officials worried these unique qualities would give snakeheads the edge over native top-level predators. So, on paper, it's like, Wow, they got some competitive advantage here. What was driving the fear was that the abundance of snakeheads would get so high they would just overwhelm the system. That never happened, Odenkirk says. They never got to the point where they could threaten the stature of the bass, because there weren't enough of them. Odenkirk says snakeheads arent dominating their environment in part because predators, including birds and other large fish, found them. And he says the snakehead's natural prey, including smaller fish, instinctively adjusted to its presence. The fish populations that snakeheads prey on have not declined, which suggests the snakeheads arent having a negative impact on the environment, Odenkirk adds. The fish is also popular with anglers, which has also kept the snakehead population in check. Their firm, mild-tasting white meat makes them a sought-after delicacy. Like swimming chicken, Sielicki says. It's the most hardiest piece of meat that you'll ever get. Despite this suppression, in the United States the snakehead population has become most abundant in the Washington-areas Potomac River and its tributaries, and in the southern state of Arkansas, where the fish used to be bred for food until 2002, when federal officials banned the practice. Russia on Thursday warned France not to turn the investigation of Pavel Durov, the boss of Telegram, into a political persecution after the billionaire 39-year-old CEO was put under formal investigation relating to activities on his social media platform. Moscow has implied there are political motivations behind the arrest of Durov, who was detained Saturday as he disembarked his private jet at Paris-Le Bourget airport, near the French capital. The main thing is for what is happening in France not to run into political persecution, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Thursday. Of course, we consider him a Russian citizen and, as much as possible, we will be ready to provide assistance. We will be watching what happens next, Peskov said. France strongly denies there are any political objectives behind his arrest and maintains the investigation is being conducted according to the rule of law. Durov holds joint Russian, French and United Arab Emirates citizenship. He was released from police custody Wednesday evening on $5.6 million bail. He is banned from leaving France and must report to a police station twice a week. TJ McIntyre, an associate professor at University College Dublins School of Law and an expert on technology law and cybercrime, said Durov faces a range of preliminary charges, ranging from failure to take action on the sale of drugs on Telegram, failure to prevent the distribution of child sexual abuse material on Telegram, failure to provide information on users when requested as part of criminal investigations, going so far as to include accusations of money laundering. McIntyre added that it was unusual for the CEO of a social media website to be held liable for the content it hosts. Now, he has, himself, been indicted, which takes the investigation to the next level. The preliminary charges, which were outlined Wednesday in a statement by Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, also appear to concern allegations involving organized crime, including complicity in the administration of an online platform to enable an illicit transaction. Speaking outside the courthouse in Paris on Wednesday, Pavel Durovs lawyer rejected the allegations. Firstly, Telegram complies in every respect with European digital regulations and is moderated to the same standards as other social networks, lawyer David-Olivier Kaminski told reporters. I'd like to add that it's totally absurd to think that the head of a social network could be involved in criminal acts that don't concern him either directly or indirectly, Kaminski said. Durov founded Telegram a decade ago. After reportedly facing regulatory pressures in his native Russia, Durov chose Dubai as the companys headquarters, gaining UAE citizenship in 2021. Local media report that he was given French citizenship later the same year. His wealth is estimated by Forbes at upwards of $15 billion. While other social media platforms have frequently been accused of harboring illegal content, French investigators say Telegram repeatedly failed to engage with regulators or to comply with laws on moderation. They are widely perceived as being a scofflaw when it comes to taking down illegal content posted by users. And if that's true, if they were notified of specific content by users that violated the law and they didn't take it down, then they've forfeited immunity under the big EU law on this, the Digital Services Act, said Daphne Keller, director of the Program on Platform Regulation at Stanford Law Schools Cyber Policy Center. Telegram made a point of refusing to comply with laws on content moderation, said McIntyre. You have a lot of aggressive rhetoric from the owner saying in essence that this is a service which is dedicated to freedom of expression, [and] it will set out to refuse a lot of state requests. And that I think has come back to bite him now. Other social media platforms will be watching closely, according to Keller. I think we should assume that most ordinary big platforms, the Facebooks, the YouTubes, etc., are not endangered by this. They have massive teams operating content moderation systems and ... removing illegal content if they're notified about it. I don't think they could be subject to charges like this. Now it may be that X, Elon Musk's platform, actually has been dropping the ball on doing these things. Certainly, that's something that EU Commissioner [for Internal Market and Services] Thierry Breton has alleged. Elon Musk, the owner of X formerly Twitter posted online in support of Durov this week, reposting comments he made in a March interview that moderation was a propaganda word for censorship. Musk is likely worried about the implications of Durovs arrest, said McIntyre. I think Mr. Musk shares a lot of his views with this particular defendant, and I think he would be rightly worried as to the implications of this for him and for his service in Europe in general. But it might not be as extreme a case as Telegram. Certainly, there are issues with Twitter [X] failing to respond to government requests, failing to take proper steps to moderate its content. And it's not impossible that you'd see a similar action taken against him personally, McIntyre told VOA. Telegram has more than 900 million global users, including in Russia and Iran. It is widely used by the Russian and Ukrainian militaries in Moscows war on Ukraine. The platform does not use end-to-end encryption. To some extent, it gives this defendant a good deal of leverage in that if he were to promise cooperation on some of these fronts, there would be a lot of very valuable information that he would have that could be made available to, for example, the French authorities. As a lawyer, I can only speak to the judicial procedure, but what happens behind the scenes may be as influential as the judicial procedure itself, McIntyre said. French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X that the arrest of Durov was in no way a political decision. France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship. Russia has in the past blocked access to Telegram after it refused to give state security services access to private conversations, and that move prompted large street protests in Moscow in 2018. Additionally, some Russian lawmakers are now accusing France of censorship. U.S. President Joe Biden is looking forward to talks with Xi Jinping in the "coming weeks," top White House aide Jake Sullivan told the Chinese leader Thursday as they met for rare talks in Beijing. Sullivan, the first White House national security advisor to visit China since 2016, met Xi as he wrapped up three days of talks in Beijing which also saw him sit down with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other high-ranking officials. His visit came as China was embroiled in security rows with US allies Japan and the Philippines. At a meeting with Xi in Beijing's ornate Great Hall of the People Thursday, he said President Biden "looks forward to engaging with you again in the coming weeks." "President Biden is committed to responsibly managing this consequential relationship to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict or confrontation, and to work together where our interests align," he said. Chinese state media said Xi told Sullivan that in spite of "great changes," China and the U.S. could still enjoy good ties. "China's commitment to the goal of stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations hasn't changed," Xi said. "We hope that the U.S. will work with China to meet each other halfway," he added, according to CCTV. On Wednesday, Sullivan and top diplomat Wang discussed plans for their leaders to talk in the coming weeks. They also clashed over China's increasingly assertive approach in disputed maritime regions. Taiwan 'red line' On Thursday morning, Sullivan met with senior Chinese army official Zhang Youxia at the Beijing headquarters of the Central Military Commission, where the two discussed Taiwan and other flashpoint issues. "It's rare that we have the opportunity to have this kind of exchange," Sullivan told Zhang in opening remarks. The officials agreed to hold a call between the two sides' theatre commanders "in the near future," a readout from the White House said. Sullivan also raised the importance of "freedom of navigation" in the South China Sea, where China and the Philippines have clashed in recent months, and "stability" in the Taiwan Strait, Washington said. Zhang, in turn, warned that the status of the self-ruled island was "the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations". "China has always been committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," he said, according to a readout by Beijing's defense ministry. "But 'Taiwan independence' and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are incompatible," he said. "China demands that the U.S. halts military collusion with Taiwan, ceases arming Taiwan, and stops spreading false narratives related to Taiwan," Zhang added. He also asked Washington to "work with China to promote communication and exchanges between the two militaries and jointly shoulder the responsibilities of major powers". 'Avoid miscalculation' China has kept up its sabre-rattling since the inauguration this year of President Lai Ching-te, whose party emphasizes Taiwan's separate identity. Thursday's talks also saw Sullivan express "concerns about (Chinese) support for Russia's defense industrial base," the readout added -- echoing longstanding US claims that Beijing has rejected. He also raised "the need to avoid miscalculation and escalation in cyber space, and ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza," the White House said. Sullivan's visit comes months ahead of U.S. elections in November. The Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, would be expected, if she wins, to continue Biden's approach of seeking dialogue with China while also maintaining pressure. Her Republican rival Donald Trump has vowed, at least rhetorically, to take a harder line, with some of his aides seeing a far-reaching global showdown with China. Britain has revived its attempt to give police wider powers to impose conditions on street protests, a decision that a civil rights group said showed a worrying disregard for the rule of law. The group, Liberty, successfully challenged the changes to public order laws made by the country's previous Conservative government. London's High Court ruled in May that the government exceeded its powers by lowering the threshold for police to impose conditions. The interior ministry's appeal against the ruling was delayed in July - shortly after Labor won a parliamentary election - to allow for talks with Liberty about the change. Britain's new government this month decided to pursue the appeal which Liberty director Akiko Hart said was a disappointing decision. A spokesperson for the interior ministry said all public order legislation had to be balanced against the fundamental right to protest. "However, we disagree with the court's ruling in this case and have appealed their decision," the spokesperson said. Liberty's case focused on the Public Order Act, under which police can impose conditions on a protest which could cause "serious disruption to the life of the community." The law was amended last year to allow police to impose conditions where a protest could cause "more than minor" disruption. Liberty said the new powers gave police almost unlimited powers to shut down protests, citing the arrest in Britain of Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was later acquitted. The High Court ruled the new powers were unlawful, but put the quashing of the new powers on hold pending appeal. Journalists in Cameroon say attacks on reporters have surged as the country prepares for next years presidential elections. Ninety-one-year-old President Paul Biya, who has ruled the country for over four decades, may run again. Rights groups say six journalists have been assaulted by gunmen in the past weeks, while several reporters and a radio station have been ordered to stop broadcasting. The Network of Cameroon Media Owners, or REPAC, says four of its members have been brutally attacked by men armed with rifles and machetes in Cameroon's capital, Yaounde, in the last three weeks. Emmanuel Ekouli, publisher of the weekly newspaper La Voix du Centre and Cameroon correspondent for Reporters Without Borders, which promotes and defends press freedom, was attacked by armed men in front of his home last week, according to REPAC. Ekouli told VOA he was stabbed several times and that his telephone, recording equipment and laptop were taken. REPAC said that last week armed men also tried to abduct its president, Francois Mboke, the publisher of the newspaper Diapason, but that his neighbors raised an alarm and the armed men escaped. Xavier Messe, publisher of the Le Calame newspaper and Arsene Nkonda, publisher of the Identities newspaper, were also attacked by men with machetes this month. Besides the physical attacks on journalists, Cameroon media professionals say they are increasingly being silenced as Cameroon prepares for next years vote. President Biya, who has ruled Cameroon for over four decades, has not said whether he will run in the October polls, but his supporters have called on him to seek reelection. REPAC says Biyas supporters, especially government ministers, are trying to intimidate the media organizations that criticize the presidents long tenure in power. At RIS FM radio in the capital Yaounde, a guard told VOA that staff members, including journalists, have not been coming to work since armed policemen closed the station this month. Innocent Tatchou, the stations information director and editor-in-chief, says he is certain that government officials, uncomfortable with RIS FMs strong denunciation of endemic corruption, ordered Cameroonian police to close the media outlet without prior notice. He says RIS FM has filed a court complaint for the seal to be lifted so that the station can resume broadcasting. Cameroon's National Communications Council says RIS Radio and its station manager, Sismondi Barlev Bidjoka, were suspended for six months for broadcasting what the council claimed were unfounded and offensive statements against Biyas top aide, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh. Bidjoka has accused Ngoh of corrupt practices, a claim Ngoh denies. Council President Joseph Chebongkeng Kalabubse denies allegations the government is using the council to silence journalists. However, he says some journalists need a refresher course on ethics. "In the days ahead, we will deploy council members to organize workshops and seminars to be able to sensitize and educate our peers on what is at stake and the expectations from them, he said, speaking on Cameroon state Radio CRTV. All these are measures which the council is taking to ensure that as we gear up towards the 2025 presidential elections, we will be able to live up to expectations." Cameroons Union of Journalists reports that two presenters of political TV programs were also attacked by unknown men this month. Eyong Tarh, secretary general of the Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, says African journalists and media organizations are often attacked before, during and shortly after elections because governments do not want reporters to expose the continents rampant corruption and theft. "Whenever elections take place in Africa, international media, like the BBC, like the Voice of America and private media houses expose malpractices, he said. As a result, journalists, the media houses that are involved in such reporting usually go through so much intimidation from the governments." Human Rights Watch said in July that it is becoming increasingly difficult to speak freely in Cameroon, adding that as elections approach, authorities should fully respect Cameroonians freedom of expression. Chinese lending to Africa rose for the first time in years in 2023, new research by Boston Universitys Global Development Policy Center showed Thursday. But the $4.61 billion loaned last year is still far less than Chinas commitments to the continent pre-pandemic. In the heady early days of Chinese President Xi Jinpings global infrastructure project, the Belt and Road Initiative, or BRI, Chinas loans to Africa surpassed $10 billion each year. That lending dropped sharply at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and stayed low as China experienced its own economic slowdown. The decrease in loans also came as some African borrowers entered drawn-out debt overhauls. Lucas Engel, a data analyst who co-authored the Boston University study, explained why he thinks lending was up somewhat in 2023 despite Chinas troubles. Investment should be viewed in the context of Chinas overall economic heft and the importance China attaches to its relationship with Africa, Engel said, especially strategically important long-term borrowers that China has developed close relationships with. The Boston University paper found a couple of trends when analyzing Chinas loans to eight African countries and two regional financial institutions last year. The researchers said one thing that was unique was that more than half the money was loaned to African multilateral banks. They said this was likely a form of risk mitigation, and Cobus van Staden, managing editor at the China Global South Project, a thinktank based in Pretoria, agreed. If youre lending to African multilateral institutions, that means you are in a mix of lenders and there are de-risking mechanisms in place, partly because the risk is also separated across many actors, van Staden said. If youre lending bilaterally, particularly to a government, then you the risk impact is higher. Despite this growing risk aversion, the researchers noted China was still lending to three major longtime borrowers: Angola, Nigeria and Egypt. Critics have accused China of ensnaring African countries in debt traps, by which large sums owed to Chinese companies make African governments beholden to Beijing economically and politically. However, economists have widely debunked the "debt trap" theory. Another thing the Boston University research found was that China was once again committed to energy lending after a two-year hiatus. China committed loans to three renewable energy projects in Africa in 2023, in solar and hydropower. This is in line with China moving away from the large infrastructure projects of the past to so-called small is beautiful projects and a green BRI. Lauren Johnston, associate professor of China studies at the University of Sydney, said it was not surprising that despite the 2023 uptick, Chinas loans to Africa hadnt rebounded to anywhere near previous levels. She noted that initially China was financing large projects like the building of dams, roads and railways. Now, thats done. Maybe this is like a period of consolidating those investments rather than just carrying on and building the next big investment, Johnston said. Its a period to consolidate and grasp the economic value and imbed the returns and successes, and learn from any issues with those earlier loans. Next week, Xi will address African leaders gathered in Beijing for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Van Staden said some new loan announcements may be made, but he added a caveat. I dont necessarily expect a single big number, he said. I think the announcements will probably be more diffuse. Boston Universitys Engel said it was difficult to estimate the volume of financing that would be announced at the summit, but he expected pledges in diverse areas of cooperation. The Chinese embassies in Pretoria and Washington, D.C., did not immediately respond to VOAs request for comment. Beijing has adopted a conciliatory tone in its reporting on this weeks visit by White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, emphasizing cooperation and open communication channels while claiming that Washington remains "incorrect" on its China policies. Sullivan's tightly scheduled three-day trip to Beijing ended Thursday after he met with Chinese officials, including the country's top leader, Xi Jinping. In a readout of Sullivan's meeting with Wang Yi, China's top diplomat, the Foreign Ministry of China on Wednesday called the conversation "candid, substantive and constructive," a phrase that was echoed by a White House statement regarding the meeting. Sullivan was the first White House national security adviser to visit China in eight years, a period that saw contacts between the countries grow increasingly contentious over issues that included military-to-military relations, cybersecurity, espionage and the war in Ukraine. It was Sullivan's fifth in-person meeting with Wang since May 2023. The two had previously held talks in Bangkok, Vienna, Washington and Malta. But Wednesday's meeting marks the first time in this series of talks that Beijing included some of the U.S. side's views in its readout. "The U.S. and China will coexist peacefully on this planet for a long time," Sullivan was quoted as saying in the Chinese readout. "The goal of U.S. policies is to find a way that allows for a sustainable development of the U.S.-China relations." According to Beijing's readout, Sullivan defined the two countries' ties as a mixture of cooperation and competition, a characterization that's been the core principle of the Biden administration's China strategy. Some experts say the fact that China allowed space in its readout for U.S. talking points signals Beijing's increased openness to working with Washington. Dali Yang, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, told VOA Mandarin Service that China used to reject the Biden administration's characterization of the U.S.-China relationship. "But it looks like the China side is now relatively more accepting of the U.S. side's view," Yang said. "Or at least Beijing has accepted that this is the kind of U.S. position that China must deal with." After Wang, Sullivan met separately with Xi and senior military official Zhang Youxia. These meetings focused on topics that included Taiwan, the South China Sea, trade policies, U.S. sanctions on Chinese businesses and entities, conflicts in Gaza and the war in Ukraine. The meetings appeared to be cordial. Photos and footage released by Chinese state media show Sullivan shaking hands with a smiling Xi and a smiling Zhang. US 'incorrect' in Beijing's narrative Smiling faces and words of cooperation aside, however, Beijing continues to paint the U.S. as the one that needs to adjust its policies and move closer to Beijing's positions on issues. Xi told Sullivan the U.S. should "work with China in the same direction, view China and its development in a positive and rational light, see each other's development as an opportunity rather than a challenge, and work with China to find a right way for two major countries to get along." Zhang urged the U.S. to "correct its strategic perceptions of China" and respect China's "core interests" by halting arms sales to Taiwan and to "stop spreading false narratives on Taiwan." Prior to Sullivan's arrival in Beijing, the Global Times, China's state media outlet, published a commentary criticizing Washington's "incorrect" understanding of China. "The U.S. needs to fundamentally change its perception of China and its strategic positioning toward China," according to the article. The Global Times told Sullivan that "truly listening to and understanding Beijing's words and making a proper contribution to establishing the correct understanding between China and the U.S. should be one of the standards to evaluate the success of his visit to China." China's political commentators have gone even further, calling on Beijing to remain tough. In a commentary, Shen Yi, an international relations professor at Fudan University in Shanghai who has a huge following on social media, wrote that the U.S. is in no position to make any demands toward China because of the domestic economic difficulties in which he contends Washington is trapped. "China should be sufficiently confident that it's the U.S. who needs help from China," he wrote. "Under this new frame of understanding, we have reasons to believe that China does not need to compromise with the U.S." This kind of tough narrative, often pushed by Beijing and adopted by online commentators during the past decade, remains popular on social media. But Yang of the University of Chicago told VOA Mandarin Service that Beijing seems to be moving away from this kind of rhetoric. "When China is facing a variety of challenges, and when the leaders of China have to maintain and manage China-U.S. relations, they have to think beyond just making tougher and tougher talks" and relying on this type of approach to be effective. "The two sides actually have a lot of common interests," he said. VIENTIANE, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) pledged to toughen their stance against transnational crime during the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime and related meetings here, according to a Lao National Radio report on Thursday. The ASEAN ministerial meeting and its related meetings are scheduled to be held in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, from Tuesday to Thursday. The ASEAN ministerial meeting on transnational crime is intensifying its efforts to shape ASEAN's collective agenda to combat current and emerging transnational crimes. It needs to take a more proactive role in leading the implementation of future strategic action plans, according to the media report. It was agreed during the meeting that the evolving nature of transnational crime in the digital age underscores the importance of effectively adapting strategies to address new threats. Today's landscape of transnational crime is increasingly complex, driven by the rapid evolution of cyberspace and its interconnected nature with various forms of crime. Addressing these challenges requires a continuous adaptation of strategies and a multifaceted approach, including enhanced international cooperation, the development of robust legal frameworks, capacity building, and leveraging technological innovations to stay ahead of evolving threats. China pledged support for Pakistans anti-terrorism campaign after Baloch insurgents, with a history of opposing Chinese investments in the region, carried out a series of attacks in the southwestern Baluchistan province Monday. More than 40 civilians and military personnel were killed. The military reported killing more than 20 attackers. The province is home to China-funded mega projects, including the strategic deep-water port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea. Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, condemned the latest attacks. "China stands prepared to strengthen counterterrorism and security cooperation with Pakistan in order to maintain peace and security in the region, Lin said during a Tuesday briefing in Beijing. The insurgent group, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), claimed responsibility for the attacks. The multiple attacks in the resource-rich but impoverished Baluchistan province coincided with a trip to Pakistan by Li Qiaoming, the Chinese commander of the People's Liberation Army ground forces, who met with Pakistan's army chief General Syed Asim Munir. The meeting afforded an opportunity for in-depth discussions on matters of mutual interest, regional security, military training, and measures to further augment bilateral defense cooperation, said a press release issued by the Pakistani army. Baloch separatist groups have strongly opposed the China-Pakistan alliance in Baluchistan, launching their third major secession campaign since 2006. They have targeted Chinese interests within and beyond the province. No Chinese were targeted in the latest attacks. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told his Cabinet the attacks aimed to disrupt a multibillion-dollar set of projects in the province known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said in a statement, these attacks are a well-thought-out plan to create anarchy in Pakistan. Growing violence in cash-strapped Pakistan, especially attacks targeting Chinese nationals and interests, have been a concern for Beijing. Pakistan has been facing a prolonged debt crisis and has put all its eggs in Chinas basket. Beijing had invested around $26 billion in Pakistan under CPEC, said Donald Lu, the U.S. State Departments assistant secretary for South and Central Asian affairs, during a congressional hearing last month The recent attacks have apparently worried China, but what we see is that China kept pressuring Pakistan in the wake of [a past] attack, instead of helping it out in its fight against militancy," Pakistani analyst Murad Ali told VOA. He was referring to an attack by an Afghan citizen in March that killed five Chinese engineers. These attacks are particularly troubling for China, which has invested heavily in CPEC. The government is not doing enough to stop the violence, Abdullah Khan, an Islamabad-based security expert, told VOA. Last month, weeks-long violent demonstrations in Pakistans Gwadar port city aggravated concerns about the countrys security situation and its impact on the Chinese projects in the province. China called on Pakistan in March to eliminate security risks to its nationals following the suicide attack that killed five Chinese engineers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistans northwestern volatile province. Following that attack, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian asked Pakistan at a news conference to conduct speedy and thorough investigations into the attack, step up security with concrete measures, completely eliminate security risks, and do everything possible to ensure the utmost safety of Chinese personnel, institutions, and projects in Pakistan. Speaking in Islamabad in October Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong said CPEC had brought more than $25 billion in direct investments to Pakistan, created 155,000 jobs, and built 510 kilometers (316.8 miles) of expressways, 8,000 megawatts of electricity, and 886 kilometers (550.5 miles) of core transmission grids in Pakistan. This story originated in VOAs Deewa Service. Ihsan Muhammad Khan and Malik Waqar Ahmed contributed to the story from Pakistan. China says it is ready to engage with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, or OHCHR, after the U.N. body called this week for a comprehensive review of Beijings laws and policies in Xinjiang. Speaking at a regular briefing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, "China is willing to engage in constructive exchanges and cooperation with OHCHR but added that a review should be conducted on the basis of mutual respect. China and its policies in Xinjiang have been a persistent point of tension in recent years for the international community and Beijing. The Chinese government has been blamed for incarcerating more than 1 million Uyghurs in Xinjiang, with some accusing it of genocide, a charge that Beijing strongly denies. In a 2022 report, Michelle Bachelet, then-U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, detailed alleged abuses in Xinjiang. The report cited abuses such as mass arbitrary detentions and forced labor and concluded that these practices might amount to crimes against humanity. The report also urged the Chinese government to address these violations and implement meaningful reforms. On Tuesday, just days ahead of the anniversary, OHCHR released an update to the report and renewed its call for a thorough review of Chinas laws, especially those impacting ethnic and religious minorities in Xinjiang. Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, urged Beijing to conduct a full review, from the human rights perspective, of the legal framework governing national security and counterterrorism, and called for enhanced protections against discrimination for minorities, including in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong. We understand that many problematic laws and policies remain in place in Xinjiang, Shamdasani said. China says the measures are necessary to combat extremism, terrorism and separatism. While Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China was willing to engage, he also warned against the "politicization of human rights and divisive confrontational actions." We believe that the OHCHR needs to fulfill its mandate in a just and objective manner, respect countries sovereignty, respect facts, conduct constructive dialogue and cooperation with countries, Lin said. He also highlighted Chinas historical achievements in human rights in Xinjiang. Xinjiang today enjoys social stability and economic growth, and the people there live a happy life, he said. It is at its best in history, where people of all ethnic groups are working together for a better life. Persistent concerns The U.N. Human Rights Offices latest call for reform follows a June visit by a U.N. human rights team to China, where they engaged with authorities on counterterrorism policies and the criminal justice system. Despite those discussions, concerns persist. Allegations of human rights violations, including torture, need to be fully investigated, the update stated. The OHCHR still faces challenges related to limited access to information in Xinjiang and risks of reprisals against those engaging with the United Nations. We continue to follow the current human rights situation closely, despite these challenges, Shamdasani noted. The U.N. has been actively raising individual cases of concern with the Chinese government, urging the release of arbitrarily detained individuals and seeking clarity on the status of those whose families are inquiring about them. Shamdasani emphasized the high commissioners commitment to continuing engagement with China and advocacy on behalf of victims. \Our goal remains to improve human rights protections for all individuals on the ground, she added. Calls for accountability Rayhan Asat, a human rights lawyer and nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, described the high commissioners update as a crucial acknowledgment of China's failure to implement U.N. recommendations or halt its repressive policies against Uyghurs. Despite the high commissioners years of engagement, progress remains absent as the laws underpinning mass imprisonment remain in place, Asat told VOA. The need for a renewed approach, combining public and private pressure, is evident. Asat is a co-author of a study released earlier this month by the Genocide Studies Program at Yale University. The report says Chinas mass imprisonment of Uyghurs constitutes both a crime against humanity and a crime of genocide. The Yale report estimates that if this mass incarceration in Xinjiang continues, Uyghurs could suffer a cumulative 4.4 million years of incarceration. Asats brother, Ekpar Asat, who has been arbitrarily imprisoned by Chinese authorities in Xinjiang, is among the many cases studied in the report. Ekpar, a Uyghur media tech entrepreneur, was detained in 2016 after returning to China from a U.S. State Department exchange program. He was later sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges of inciting ethnic discrimination and ethnic hatred. In a statement on Tuesday, Human Rights Watch urged the U.N. and its member states to intensify their efforts to pressure the Chinese government to end its abuses in Xinjiang. Beijings brazen refusal to meaningfully address well-documented crimes in Xinjiang is no surprise but shows the need for a robust follow-up by the U.N. human rights chief and U.N. member states, Maya Wang, associate China director at Human Rights Watch, said in the statement. Contrary to the Chinese governments claims, its punitive campaign against millions of Uyghurs in Xinjiang continues to inflict great pain, she said. Raphael Viana David, China program manager at the International Service for Human Rights, welcomed the high commissioners commitment to working with civil society and advocating for the implementation of all U.N. recommendations to China. Beijing does not get to cherry-pick: U.N. human rights findings are indivisible and, altogether, chart the only genuine path forward for China to achieve meaningful human rights change, he said in a statement on the ISHR website. David added that any deviation from adhering to U.N. recommendations is deceitful and demonstrates a lack of commitment to being a responsible global actor. U.S. universities are welcoming international students as the academic year begins. But while the total number of foreign students is steadily growing, the top sending country, China, is showing signs of leveling out or shrinking. Industry analysts say the negative trend is mainly due to higher costs amid Chinas struggling economy, with a growing number of students going to less expensive countries like Australia and Britain, and tense ties between Washington and Beijing. The number of foreign students studying in the U.S. in 2022-23 passed 1 million for the first time since the COVID pandemic, said Open Doors, an information resource on international students and scholars. While the U.S. saw a nearly 12% total increase year-on-year for that period, the number of international students from China, its top source, fell by 0.2% to 289,526. Thats 600 fewer students than the 2021-22 academic year, when their numbers dropped by nearly 9%. The COVID pandemic saw Chinese student numbers drop in 2020-21 by nearly 15%, in line with the world total drop. While its not yet clear if the drop is a leveling out or a fluctuating decline, analysts say Chinas struggling economy and the high cost of studying in the U.S. are the main reasons for the fall in student numbers. Vincent Chen, a Chinese study abroad consultant based in Shanghai, said although most of his clients are still interested in studying in the U.S., there is a clear downward trend, while applicants for Anglophone universities in Australia and Britain have been increasing. "If you just want to go abroad, a one-year master's degree in the U.K. is much cheaper, Chen said. Many people can't afford to study in the U.S., so they have to settle for the next best thing." Data from the nonprofit U.S. group College Board Research shows that in the 2023-24 academic year, the average tuition and fees for a U.S. private college four-year education increased 4% to $41,540 compared with the previous academic year. The British Council said three to four years of undergraduate tuition in Britain starts as low as $15,000. The number of Chinese students in Britain was 154,260 in 2022-23, according to the U.K. Higher Education Statistics Agency, HESA, up from 121,145 in the 2018/19 academic year. Australias Home Affairs office said in the 2023-24 program year, China was the top source foreign country for new student visa grants at 43,389, up slightly (1.5%) from the previous year. Chen said Chinese state media's negative portrayal of the United States and concerns about discrimination have also contributed to the shift. Bruce Zhang, a Chinese citizen who received his master's degree in Europe after studying in China, told VOA Mandarin he had such an incident occur to him after he was admitted to a U.S. universitys Ph.D. program. When he entered Boston's Logan International Airport last year, Zhang said customs officers questioned him for more than an hour about his research, and if it had any links to the military, and took his computer and mobile phone for examination. "Fortunately, I had heard that U.S. customs might be stringent in inspecting Chinese students, so I had relatively few study-related data and documents on my personal computer," he said. Zhang was allowed to enter the U.S. for his studies in materials science, but the questioning left him so rattled that he has encouraged other Chinese to study elsewhere. Cui Kai, a study abroad consultant in Massachusetts told VOA Mandarin that experiences like Zhangs or worse happen for a reason. "Students who were questioned or their visas were revoked at the customs are usually those who completed their undergraduate studies in China and come to the U.S. for a master's or doctoral degree in a sensitive major," said Cui. Former President Donald Trump signed Proclamation 10043 in June 2020, prohibiting visas for any Chinese student who has been employed by, studied at, or conducted research at or on behalf of, an entity in the PRC that implements or supports the PRC's military-civil fusion strategy. The U.S. says China has been using students and scholars to gain access to key technology and, under Proclamation 10043, revoked more than 1,000 visas issued to Chinese nationals and has denied thousands more. Critics say the policy is costly to the U.S. and is encouraging Chinese students to look to European and other universities. Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report. A former Russian defense official was detained Thursday on fraud charges, according to Russian state-run media. The detention marks the latest arrest of a senior military official in Russia. Former Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Popov was detained on suspicion of committing fraud, and he faces up to 10 years in prison if charged and convicted, Russian state media reported Thursday. Popov served as a deputy defense minister from 2013 until June 2024 when he was dismissed by presidential decree. Popovs arrest appears to be part of a broader crackdown on abuse of office in the upper echelons of Russias military. The former official is now the eighth top military figure to be arrested on charges related to bribery, fraud and abuse of office in recent months. The case against Popov is linked to business activities at Moscows Patriot Park. Created to foster patriotism among younger Russians, the park features an air base, museums and a Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces. Popov led development of Patriot Park. He is accused of renovating his own properties in the Moscow area at the parks expense, according to Russian state media. He is also accused of forcing contractors to do work for him for free. Svetlana Petrenko, from Russias Investigative Committee, told the state news outlet Tass that Popov forced Patriot Park contractors to work on out-of-town apartments without paying for them. Popovs various properties are worth $5.5 million, and investigators are determining whether they were acquired legally, Petrenko said. Some information in this report came from Reuters and The Associated Press. French authorities handed preliminary charges to Telegram CEO Pavel Durov on Wednesday for allowing alleged criminal activity on his messaging app and barred him from leaving France pending further investigation. Both free-speech advocates and authoritarian governments have spoken out in Durov's defense since his weekend arrest. The case has also called attention to the challenges of policing illegal activity online, and to the Russian-born Durov's own unusual biography and multiple passports. Durov was detained on Saturday at Le Bourget airport outside Paris as part of a sweeping investigation opened earlier this year and released earlier Wednesday after four days of questioning. Investigative judges filed preliminary charges Wednesday night and ordered him to pay 5 million euros bail and to report to a police station twice a week, according to a statement from the Paris prosecutor's office. Allegations against Durov, who is also a French citizen, include that his platform is being used for child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking, and that Telegram refused to share information or documents with investigators when required by law. The first preliminary charge against him was for ''complicity in managing an online platform to allow illicit transactions by an organized group,'' a crime that can lead to sentences of up to 10 years in prison and 500,000 euro fine, the prosecutor's office said. Preliminary charges under French law mean magistrates have strong reason to believe a crime was committed but allow more time for further investigation. David-Olivier Kaminski, a lawyer for Durov, was quoted by French media as saying "it's totally absurd to think that the person in charge of a social network could be implicated in criminal acts that don't concern him, directly or indirectly." Prosecutors said that Durov is, "at this stage, the only person implicated in this case." They did not exclude the possibility that other people are being investigated but declined to comment on other possible arrest warrants. Any other arrest warrant would be revealed only if the target of such a warrant is detained and informed of their rights, prosecutors said in a statement to the AP. French authorities opened a preliminary investigation in February in response to ''the near total absence of a response by Telegram to judicial requests" for data for pursuing suspects, notably those accused of crimes against children, the prosecutor's office said. Durov's arrest in France has caused outrage in Russia, with some government officials calling it politically motivated and proof of the West's double standard on freedom of speech. The outcry has raised eyebrows among Kremlin critics because in 2018, Russian authorities themselves tried to block the Telegram app but failed, withdrawing the ban in 2020. In Iran, where Telegram is widely used despite being officially banned after years of protests challenging the country's Shiite theocracy, Durov's arrest in France prompted comments from the Islamic Republic's supreme leader. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei weighed in with veiled praise for France for being "strict" against those who "violate your governance" of the internet. French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that Durov's arrest wasn't a political move but part of an independent investigation. Macron posted on X that his country "is deeply committed" to freedom of expression but "freedoms are upheld within a legal framework, both on social media and in real life, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights." In a statement posted on its platform after Durov's arrest, Telegram said it abides by EU laws, and its moderation is "within industry standards and constantly improving." "Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as means of communication and as a source of vital information. We're awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation,'' it said. In addition to Russia and France, Durov is also a citizen of the United Arab Emirates and the Caribbean island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis. The UAE Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that it was "closely following the case" and had asked France to provide Durov "with all the necessary consular services in an urgent manner." Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said he hoped that Durov "has all the necessary opportunities for his legal defense" and added that Moscow stands "ready to provide all necessary assistance and support" to the Telegram CEO as a Russian citizen. "But the situation is complicated by the fact that he is also a citizen of France," Peskov said. Telegram was founded by Durov and his brother after he himself faced pressure from Russian authorities. In 2013, he sold his stake in VKontakte, a popular Russian social networking site which he launched in 2006. The company came under pressure during the Russian government's crackdown following mass pro-democracy protests that rocked Moscow at the end of 2011 and 2012. Durov had said authorities demanded that the site take down online communities of Russian opposition activists, and later that it hand over personal data of users who took part in the 2013-14 popular uprising in Ukraine, which eventually ousted a pro-Kremlin president. Durov said in a recent interview that he had turned down these demands and left the country. The demonstrations prompted Russian authorities to clamp down on the digital space, and Telegram and its pro-privacy stance offered a convenient way for Russians to communicate and share news. Telegram also continues to be a popular source of news in Ukraine, where both media outlets and officials use it to share information on the war and deliver missile and air raid alerts. Western governments have often criticized Telegram for a lack of content moderation. Authorities in Indias northern Uttar Pradesh state Thursday said they captured one of what is believed to be a pack of wolves that have killed at least seven people in recent weeks, including six children, in the states Bahraich district. In a video provided by the state forestry department, a small wolf can be seen in a cage as people gathered around it. Officials said the wolf was later tranquilized and taken to a local zoo. Officials said the attacks took place in about 30 villages over the past two months in the district. In hot summer months, it is common for people to sleep on mats on floors, and some homes in lower-income areas have no doors all of which makes them more vulnerable to wolf attacks. Bahraich District Magistrate Monika Rani said forestry officials and police have been working together to address the wolf issue. As many as 16 teams and drones equipped with cameras have been deployed to track the wolves. The officials also were using elephant dung and urine to divert wolves away from villages. An official told New Delhi Television that wolves tend to avoid other large animals while hunting, and that the scent could drive them away. Rani said doors are being installed at houses that don't have them, and night patrolling is being conducted in all villages. The Reuters news service reports that while leopard and tiger attacks are regularly reported in India, wolf attacks in these numbers are unusual. On its website, the International Wolf Center reports there were similar cases of attacks by wolves in Uttar Pradesh state in 1996, when more than 50 children were killed in 76 attacks. The Wolf Center said such attacks can occur in densely populated, low-income areas where there is little wild prey for wolves to hunt. Some information for this report was provided by Reuters. Iran's president ordered an investigation Thursday into the death of a man in custody after activists alleged he had been tortured to death by police officers in the country's north, the latest such fatality to gain the nation's attention. The order came from reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, elected last month, who campaigned on a promise to halt such deaths in custody. In 2022, the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the morality police for allegedly not wearing her headscarf correctly, sparked nationwide protests. In the latest case, five police officers have already been temporarily detained as the investigation is ongoing. Activists identified the dead man as 36-year-old Mohammad Mir Mousavi from the city of Lahijan in Gilan province, near the Caspian Sea. They say he was arrested on Saturday following a street brawl and died on Tuesday. Police and the government offered few details on why the authorities chose to investigate Mousavi's death. However, the rights group Hengaw reported that Mousavi had been detained at a police station in the neighboring city of Langarud. There, they allege, Mousavi was "severely beaten and suffered from bleeding." They published a blurred video of what they described as Mousavi's back after his death, soaked in blood and bearing wounds. They alleged he had been killed while his feet and hands were tied. Mousavi "was killed under torture in the detention center of the Special Unit of the Law Enforcement Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran after being arrested," Hengaw said. "The family of this young man has been pressured by Iranian security agencies to refrain from making this crime public." Hengaw identified Mousavi as belonging to Iran's Gilak minority, who have their own language and live mainly in the northern provinces. Activists say Mousavi's death is likely to lead to a flare-up in inter-communal tensions both in Gilan and across the country. Deaths in security force custody have been repeatedly documented by human rights activists, particularly after years of mass demonstrations challenging the country's Shiite theocracy. In the case of Mahsa Amini, United Nations investigators found Iran responsible for the "physical violence" that led to her death in September 2022. Israel launched a large-scale operation Wednesday in the occupied West Bank, where the army said it killed Palestinian fighters. We talk to Michael DiMino with Defense Priorities about what this may mean for the cease-fire talks. Scientists studying the new mpox strain that has spread out of the Democratic Republic of Congo say the virus is changing faster than expected making it harder to fight. And children of war getting the chance to build a more secure future and make friends with the enemy. Israels military said Thursday it killed five more Palestinian militants in the occupied West Bank, including a local commander, as it carried out a second consecutive day of counterterrorism operations. Israel said the raids across the northern West Bank which have killed a total of 16 people, nearly all militants, since late Tuesday are aimed at preventing attacks. The Palestinians said they see them as a widening of the 10-month Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip and aimed at perpetuating Israel's decadeslong military rule over the West Bank. Meanwhile, Israel said it has agreed to at least three days of "humanitarian pauses" in Gaza fighting starting Sunday to allow United Nations health officials to administer polio vaccinations in the territory, the World Health Organization said. Hamas welcomed the humanitarian pause for the polio vaccine program, Hamas official Basem Naim told Reuters Thursday. Also on Thursday, the deputy U.S. envoy to the United Nations said Israel told the United States that a communication error between Israeli military units was to blame for shots that were fired at a World Food Program vehicle in Gaza. "We have urged them to immediately rectify the issues within their system," Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood told a U.N. Security Council meeting on Gaza. "Israel must not only take ownership for its mistakes, but also take concrete actions to ensure the IDF does not fire on U.N. personnel again." The World Food Program temporarily suspended movement of its employees across Gaza on Wednesday after at least 10 bullets struck one of its clearly marked vehicles while approaching an Israeli military checkpoint. No one was injured in the incident. The recent Israeli raids drew alarm from the U.N. and neighboring Jordan, as well as from British and French leaders, who stressed during meetings in Paris the urgency of jump-starting stalled cease-fire negotiations to halt Israeli-Hamas fighting in Gaza. The Islamic Jihad militant group confirmed that Mohammed Jaber, known as Abu Shujaa, was killed during a raid in the city of Tulkarem. He had become a hero for many Palestinians earlier in the year when he was reported killed in an Israeli operation only to make a surprise appearance at the funeral of other militants, where he was hoisted onto the shoulders of a cheering crowd. Israel said Abu Shujaa was killed Thursday along with the four other militants in a shootout after the five had hidden inside a mosque. Abu Shujaa had been linked to numerous attacks on Israelis, including a deadly shooting in June, and was planning more, Israel said. Israel launched search-and-arrest raids for hours on Thursday, with soldiers storming several northern West Bank militant strongholds, including the city of Jenin. The army also said it uncovered caches of weapons, explosive devices and other military equipment inside a mosque in Fara'a, a Palestinian urban refugee camp in the foothills of the Jordan Valley, where the Israeli army said it struck and killed a group of militants traveling in a car. The number of people killed in that airstrike and their militant affiliations were not immediately clear. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate halt to the raids, asking Israel's government to comply with its obligations under international law and to take measures to protect civilians. "These dangerous developments are fueling an already explosive situation in the occupied West Bank and further undermining the Palestinian Authority," he said in a statement. Israeli officials have been bracing for a promised retaliatory attack by Iran in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month. But U.S. officials believe U.S. actions have convinced Iran to hold off. "I think we certainly got into the headspace of Iran and how they're making their calculations," Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters Thursday, citing the presence of two U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups in the region, as well as U.S. fighter jets and other military assets. "We have said both very publicly and privately that we are there to protect our forces, and we'll, of course, always stand in the defense of Israel should we need to, she said. "I think it has affected their decision-making." "We're going to continue to take the steps that we need to, to send a message of deterrence, Singh added. We, the United States, do not want to see a broader regional war. And we've said that from the very beginning." Israeli forces killed at least nine people Wednesday as the raids and airstrikes started in and around Jenin. The Hamas militant group said 10 of its fighters were killed. Israeli troops and settlers have killed more than 650 Palestinians in the West Bank since the war in Gaza began last October, while Palestinian attacks have killed at least 19 Israelis. Hamas has urged Palestinians in the West Bank to rise up, calling the raids part of a larger plan to expand the war in Gaza and blaming the escalation on U.S. support for Israel. The war started after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and captured about 250 hostages in an October 7 attack on Israel. Israel says it believes Hamas is still holding 108 hostages, about a third of whom are believed dead. Israels counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to the territory's health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. In May, Israel estimated the death toll at around 30,000, and that most of the dead are combatants. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesperson for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the raids as a "serious escalation" and called on the United States to intervene. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department released a statement Wednesday condemning what it characterized as "extremist [Jewish] settler violence in the West Bank." The U.S. announced sanctions on the Israeli nongovernmental organization Hashomer Yosh, which, according to State Department officials, thwarted the return of Palestinian residents to their West Bank settlement earlier this year. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said, "Israel views with utmost severity the imposition of sanctions on citizens of Israel. The issue is in a pointed discussion with the U.S." Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want all three for a future state. Israeli citizens have built scores of settlements across the West Bank, now home to more than 500,000 Jewish settlers. They have Israeli citizenship, while the 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank live under Israeli military rule, with the Palestinian Authority exercising limited control over population centers. VOA's national security correspondent Jeff Seldin and U.N. correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Breakthroughs providing for greater humanitarian access that were achieved in the first round of U.S.-mediated peace talks on Sudan are holding and expanding, the United States special envoy for Sudan said. The talks wrapped up in Geneva last Friday. We were able over a couple of weeks working intensively around the clock and with other partners and back in our capitals around the world for this ALPS [Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan] group to be able to produce some very significant breakthroughs, Tom Perriello told journalists at an online news conference Thursday. He credited the ALPS group, which includes Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, the African Union and the United Nations, for negotiating the opening of two of three vital access routes into areas of famine and acute hunger. We were able to get agreement on the opening of the Adre border, agreements from the RSF [Rapid Support Forces] and SAF [Sudanese Armed Forces] to guarantee access along those routes, he said, adding that negotiators received similar pledges from the warring parties of guarantee of access across the Dabbah Road coming east from Port Sudan. Both of those remain active and open now with dozens of trucks crossing. Nearly 6 million pounds of food and emergency relief are reaching areas in need. We need that to continue and to accelerate, Perriello said. And we are actively negotiating on a daily basis for additional expansions, including access through Sennar State into the heartland of Sudan. The negotiators estimate that the opening of the three routes combined would reach 20 million people with lifesaving food, medicine and other crucial aid. The World Food Program reports that more than half of Sudans population 26.5 million people is suffering from acute hunger, including more than 755,000 people on the verge of famine. Since the rival parties went to war in April 2023, the United Nations reports, more than 18,800 people have been killed and more than 33,000 injured. The U.N. calls Sudan the worlds largest displacement crisis, noting that more than 12 million people have been uprooted from their homes 10.7 million displaced inside Sudan and another 2 million as refugees in neighboring countries. Considering the multiple dangers the bombings, shelling, violence and abuse to which the Sudanese people are subjected every day negotiators sought and were able to achieve another breakthrough on civilian protection. We were able to get a commitment to a code of conduct by the Rapid Support Forces with a deadline by the end of the month of being able to put that out publicly to all those fighting under their auspices, Perriello said, adding, We have made that same request of the army. Still no peace accord However, he noted that the Geneva talks failed to reach an agreement on the cessation of hostilities. We, unfortunately, we see a lack of political will at the time for the parties to stop fighting, and in fact are accelerating. We have to find a way to get the parties together to find an end to this war that is leading to the suffering of millions inside Sudan, as well as spilling over increasingly into neighboring countries, Perriello said. While the Rapid Support Forces sent a delegation, the Sudanese Armed Forces stayed away, citing concern about the presence of the United Arab Emirates at the negotiating table. The SAF alleges the UAE sent arms to the RSF, a claim the UAE denies. Perriello acknowledged the difficulty of reaching a peace agreement with only one of the warring parties present. He said that despite this handicap, agreements on humanitarian issues have been reached because he has been in regular contact with SAF representatives by telephone. These efforts "are continuing, and the engagement with both the RSF and the army is a daily engagement, he said. Given the level of urgency presented by the crisis in Sudan, Perriello said, nonstop negotiations to improve the desperate plight of the Sudanese people are continuing virtually 24/7 with all participants. I do think in addition to the stark scale of humanitarian suffering, you also now have a crisis that represents a real regional threat to instability, he said. We do believe ultimately there is no military solution to this conflict, and a mediated solution is the quickest way to ensure a stable and sovereign Sudan. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at the Great Hall of the People here on Thursday. Xi pointed out that in this changing and turbulent world, countries need solidarity and coordination, not division or confrontation. People want openness and progress, not exclusion or regress. As two major countries, China and the United States should be responsible for history, for the people and for the world, and should be a source of stability for world peace and a propeller for common development. Xi stressed that when China and the United States, two major countries, engage with each other, the No. 1 issue is to develop a right strategic perception, and they need to first and foremost find a good answer to the overarching question: Are China and the United States rivals or partners? China's foreign policy is open and transparent and its strategic intentions are aboveboard, both of which have been highly consistent and stable, Xi said, adding that China is focused on managing its own affairs well and will continue deepening reform comprehensively to further improve and develop the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics that suits its national conditions. China follows a path of peaceful development. While realizing its own development, China is also ready to work with other countries for common development and to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, he said. Xi pointed out that China's U.S. policy is highly consistent. While great changes have taken place in the two countries and in China-U.S. relations, China's commitment to the goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship remains unchanged, its principle in handling the relationship based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation remains unchanged, its position of firmly safeguarding the country's sovereignty, security and development interests remains unchanged, and its efforts to carry forward the traditional friendship between the Chinese and American people remain unchanged, he said. Xi expressed the hope that the United States will work in the same direction with China, view China and its development in a positive and rational light, see each other's development as an opportunity rather than a challenge, work with China to find a right way for China and the United States -- two countries with different civilizations, systems and paths -- to coexist in peace and achieve common development on this planet, and work to maintain the stability of China-U.S. relations and, on that basis, improve and take forward the relationship. Sullivan conveyed the regards of President Joe Biden to President Xi, and thanked President Xi for meeting him. He said that since the San Francisco summit meeting between the two presidents, the two sides have earnestly implemented their common understandings and achieved positive progress. This round of strategic communication in China was in-depth, candid, substantive and constructive. He reiterated that the United States does not seek a new Cold War, it does not seek to change China's system, the revitalization of U.S. alliances is not against China, the United States does not support "Taiwan independence," and it does not seek conflict with China. The one-China policy of the United States has not changed, and it has no intention to use Taiwan as a tool to contain China. The United States hopes to maintain strategic communication with China and find a way for the United States and China to coexist in peace and for U.S.-China relations to develop in a sustainable way. President Biden looks forward to having communication again with President Xi soon, Sullivan added. Xi asked Sullivan to pass on his regards to Biden, and expressed readiness to stay in touch with Biden to guide and steer the development of China-U.S. relations. Wang Yi attended the meeting. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) A military court in Myanmar has jailed a journalist for life and sentenced another to 20 years in prison after convicting them under a counterterrorism law, their editor said on Thursday. Myo Myint Oo and Aung San Oo, who work for the independent online news service Dawei Watch, were sentenced after being denied the right to legal defense and not being allowed to speak in court, editor Ko Kyaw told AFP. Since overthrowing Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government in February 2021, Myanmar's military junta has waged a sweeping and bloody campaign against dissent, including targeting independent journalists. The two journalists were arrested at their homes in the coastal town of Myeik, about 560 kilometers south of Yangon on December 11. Myo Mynit Oo, 40, was handed a life sentence on May 15, while Aung San Oo, 49, was handed a 20-year jail term on Feb. 16. They were "violently interrogated" for four days in a detention center before being transferred to the Myeik Prison, a statement from Dawei Watch said. Ko Kyaw said he learned about the sentences earlier this year but delayed announcing them for the security of the journalists' families, without providing further details. The court has not given a detailed explanation of the case, Ko Kyaw said. Myanmar is now one of the world's biggest jailers of journalists with 62 detained, second only to China, according to the Paris-based campaign group Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Myanmar now ranks 171 out of 180 in RSF's 2024 World Press Freedom Index. Last September a Myanmar journalist was jailed for 20 years after being indicted on several charges, including breaching a natural disaster law and a telecommunications law while covering the aftermath of a deadly cyclone. Several foreign journalists have been detained, including U.S. citizen Danny Fenster, who was jailed for 11 years in 2021, before being pardoned and released days later. In the shadow of Myanmar's brutal and bloody civil war, a rebel army with close ties to China and the illicit drug trade is spreading out and bulking up without a fight. Since the start of the year, the United Wa State Army, the largest and most powerful of Myanmar's many ethnic armed groups, has been moving hundreds of its soldiers into new positions across the central part of Shan State, in the country's east next to China, Laos and Thailand. Officially, the UWSA says it is only trying to contain the fighting that has been spreading across Shan between the Myanmar military and other rebel groups since last year, and to shield its own properties and satellite offices. A spokesman for the group did not reply to VOA's request for an interview. With the junta's control waning, analysts tell VOA the group sees a golden opportunity to build on its already formidable might, and that its growing footprint is likely both to advance China's interests in Myanmar and give an already booming drug trade a boost. "Part of what the UWSA strategy is here is to basically expand its power, influence and territorial control at very low cost," said Jason Tower, Myanmar program director for the United States Institute of Peace, a U.S.-government funded think tank. The UWSA is by far Myanmar's biggest and best-equipped rebel army with some 30,000 soldiers. Tucked away in the rugged hills of the eastern part of Shan State, it controls two enclaves on the Chinese and Thai borders over an area greater than that of Belgium, running them much like an independent state for the ethnic minority Wa. Secure in its remote strongholds, the UWSA has largely stayed out of the civil war that has followed the military's 2021 coup, even after a trio of ethnic armed groups it allies with joined the fight on the side of those across Myanmar vying to oust the junta. In January, though, the UWSA quietly took control of two towns recently seized from the junta by its rebel allies north of the Wa's enclaves. In the last two months, it has moved hundreds more soldiers into other towns to the west, some recently seized by allied rebel groups, others still held by the junta. The moves give the UWSA valuable new footholds west of the Salween River, which splits Shan in two from north to south. Having built and nurtured relationships with all sides in the conflict, from business deals with the military to arms trades with other rebels, the UWSA has pulled it all off without having to do any of its own fighting. "They do not have [to fire] a single shot and they already occupy two [new] townships at least, and they have more influence in at least three to four," said Amara Thiha, a Myanmar analyst at the Peace Research Institute Oslo in Norway. Now, he added, "they can try to use this leverage to extend their influence. And they are playing a role in providing logistics, in providing all these armaments, and they can gain all the economic benefit out of it, so they are probably the biggest winner, without losing anything yet." Anthony Davis, a security analyst with the Jane's intelligence company, says the UWSA has been creeping into south and central Shan since the coup, but in the guise and support of another allied rebel group, the Shan State Progress Party. What is new, he adds, is how big and bold its moves have become. "The scale of Wa military movement west of the Salween is certainly something new, but perhaps as important is the fact that it's public, in the open, in their own uniforms," Davis told VOA. "They see the [Myanmar military] as in a historically weak position, so I don't think this is necessarily aimed at putting their finger on the scales, if you like, one way or the other. They're basically taking advantage of a situation which is to their own benefit while remaining ostensibly neutral," he said. The analysts say the UWSA's growing reach may also end up working to the advantage of China, which has billions of dollars invested in energy and mining projects across the country. While Beijing has publicly stood by the junta, it is widely believed to be frustrated with its abject failure to end the fighting. It is also known to have long-running political and military ties with some of the armed groups on its border, none closer than with the UWSA. Given the close ties, Tower said, the UWSA's recent expansion could help give China more influence over eastern Myanmar, the overlapping Mekong River system, and the notorious Golden Triangle, where the crime-riddled borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet. He said China could gain especially if the UWSA can realize its longtime goal of linking its two enclaves on the Thai and Chinese borders. Davis says the growing reach of the UWSA could, for one, help China move forward on planned hydropower dam projects if and when Myanmar is stable enough, a prospect, he adds, is probably some years away. If a long-stalled Chinese dam project in the far north, the Myitsone, continues to flounder, for example, he said damming the Salween would look that much more attractive, and feasible, with the Wa in a position to help. "If the UWSA is dominant along both banks of the Salween through much of Shan state, that can hardly be bad for China's infrastructure objectives in the long term," said Davis. The UWSA is also known for playing a major role in the multibillion-dollar illegal drug trade radiating out of the Golden Triangle, which has only grown since the coup, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The UWSA has repeatedly said it abandoned the drug trade long ago. But in 2008 the U.S. Treasury Department called the group "the largest and most powerful drug trafficking organization in Southeast Asia." Davis too says the UWSA has remained deeply involved, with most of its methamphetamine business set up east of the Salween. "But there are indications that the expansion of Wa influence west of the river via the close relationship with the SSPP [Shan State Progress Party] may already have seen some production outsourced to the west, and in future this is only likely to grow," he said. Tower too said the UWSA's growing reach could serve the crime syndicates it protects. "The Wa are one of the main players in terms of providing an umbrella and protection to that trade, and so the expansion of Wa power, the expansion of Wa territory would give individuals involved in that trade new spaces to exploit," he said. Militants in northwestern Pakistan released video Thursday of an army colonel and his brother, a senior civilian security officer, showing them in captivity and requesting authorities help secure their freedom. The officers are part of a group of four people, including their third brother and a nephew, whom gunmen abducted Wednesday evening while attending their father's funeral in the militancy-hit Dera Ismail Khan district. The outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for kidnapping the four men but did not share their demands publicly. We are safe and well and in the custody of the Taliban in a remote area where the Pakistani government has no control," Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Amir stated in the 35-second video. Two men dressed in traditional attire, holding assault rifles, are seen in the background with their faces deliberately kept out of the video frame. We appeal to the government and our higher authorities to promptly accept the Talibans demands for our release, Amir said without elaborating. The brother of the army officer, Asif Amir, a police assistant commissioner, made a similar statement and urged his relatives to pressure Pakistani authorities to secure their freedom. Area security officials confirmed the identities of the hostages and the authenticity of the video to VOA on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to discuss the matter with the media. The fate of the other two hostages was not immediately known. The TTP sources claimed that they do not produce videos of civilian captives who are not associated with the Pakistani military and law enforcement agencies. The Pakistani Taliban routinely carry out hit-and-run attacks against security forces and government targets in Dera Ismail Khan and other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan. Pakistan maintains that the TTP, a globally designated terrorist group, orchestrates deadly cross-border attacks from sanctuaries on Afghan territory and receives growing support from the Islamist Taliban leaders of the neighboring country. The violence has killed hundreds of Pakistanis, primarily security forces, in recent months, straining Islamabads ties with Kabuls de facto Afghan rulers. Taliban officials reject the Pakistani allegations, saying the TTP is not present in Afghanistan. However, recent United Nations security reports disputed Taliban claims and described the TTP as the largest terrorist group in Afghanistan, being trained and equipped in al-Qaida-run training camps in areas near the border with Pakistan. The U.N. assessments also noted that Afghan Taliban fighters are participating in TTP-led cross-border attacks in Pakistan. Russia said Wednesday it has added 92 people to its list of Americans banned from entering the country, including journalists from The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and several U.S. officials. Russias foreign ministry said the ban was applied "in response to the Russophobic course pursued by the Biden administration with the declared goal of 'inflicting a strategic defeat on Moscow." "We remind the current U.S. authorities of the inevitability of punishment for hostile actions," the ministry statement said. The banned journalists, the ministry said, represent leading liberal-globalist publications involved in the production and dissemination of fakes about Russia and the Russian armed forces. Wall Street Journal Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker, who hounded Russia about the arrest and conviction of Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, was among the banned journalists. The Putin regime is farcically consistent in its all-out assault on free press and truth. This laughable list of targets is no exception, a Journal spokesperson said. Gershkovich was imprisoned in Russia for more than a year and was recently released in a Russia-West prisoner exchange. Last week, the U.S. announced new sanctions on more than 400 entities accused of supporting Russia during its war with Ukraine. The sanctions focused on firms in Russia, Europe, Asia and the Middle East accused of helping Russia avoid U.S. sanctions and enabling its war in Ukraine, according to the Treasury Department. The timing of Russian ministrys announcement also follows the recent news that the U.S. is moving to supply Ukrainian soldiers with defense weapons for Ukraines campaign against the Russian incursion. Some information provided by the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Ukraine's air force said Thursday that one of the F-16 warplanes that Ukraine had received from its Western partners has crashed. The fighter jet crashed on Monday, when Russia launched a significant missile and drone attack against Ukraine, according to a military statement on Facebook. The jet crashed while repelling a Russian airstrike. The pilot died in the incident. This marks the first reported loss of an F-16 in Ukraine. The warplanes arrived in the country at the end of July. Ukraine's Defense Ministry is investigating the crash. Earlier Thursday, Ukraine's military said that Russia attacked overnight with 74 drones and three guided missiles, with Ukrainian air defenses shooting down 60 of the drones. The intercepts took place over the Cherkasy, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Poltava and Sumy regions, the military said. Officials in Kyiv said the Ukrainian capital faced its third round of drone attacks in four days. Serhiy Popko, head of the city's military administration, said on Telegram that air alerts were in place for almost six hours and that none of the drones hit their targets. Popko reported debris from downed drones hitting residential buildings in three districts in Kyiv, but he did not report any casualties. Serhiy Lysak, governor of Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, said air defenses shot down five Russian drones. He said Russia also attacked the region with artillery, and that a post office, cathedral and power lines were damaged. Also on Thursday, at least one person was killed and six were injured during Russian shelling of the eastern Ukrainian town of Kostiantynivka, the local governor said. Just miles from the front line, the town comes under enemy fire almost every day, Donetsk Governor Vadym Filashkin wrote in a statement on the Telegram messaging app. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told reporters in Brussels ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers Thursday that Ukraine is asking allies that provide weapons to Ukraine to allow Ukrainian forces to use the weapons to strike "legitimate military targets" inside of Russia. Kuleba said Ukraine's main goal is to be able to strike airfields that Russia uses to launch bombers for attacks on Ukrainian forces and infrastructure. "If we are supplied with sufficient amount of missiles, if we are allowed to strike, we will significantly decrease the capacity of Russia to inflict damage on our critical infrastructure and we will improve the situation for our forces on the ground," Kuleba said. Kuleba is also pushing for allies to shorten the gap between when they pledge military aid and when that aid is delivered to Ukrainian forces, saying sometimes the wait is "excessively long." European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters he would push member states to fulfill their commitments and try to increase support for Ukraine. "It's clear that Ukrainian forces well-equipped can change the course of the war, not only defending themselves but pushing back the invasion," Borrell said. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will meet with Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov at the Pentagon on Friday. Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters on Thursday that Austin will get a battlefield update, including on the offensive into Russias Kursk region, and will reaffirm the United States' unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Russia's Defense Ministry reported shooting down six Ukrainian drones Thursday, with intercepts taking place over the Belgorod and Bryansk regions and the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula. The ministry also said it thwarted an attempted attack by sea drones that were headed toward Crimea. VOA Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb contributed to this report. Some information for this story came from Agence France-Presse, Reuters and The Associated Press. The Russian propaganda tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda in Moldova, along with several other Russian news sites, recently accused Moldovan education officials of brainwashing students to hate Russia. The publications reported that starting September 1, Moldovan schools will introduce Russophobia lectures under the guise of solidarity with Ukraine, and prepare students for war. "How schoolchildren in Moldova will be brainwashed starting from September 1: The Ministry of Education has scribbled down a manual on instilling hatred towards Russia in children, Komsomolskaya Pravda in Moldova reported on August 22. This is misleading. The Russian propaganda outlets refer to a new addition to Moldovas public schools curricula: an annual lecture called "Together for Peace." Moldovan officials say the lecture is designed to promote solidarity, compassion, and peaceful coexistence, not hatred. Scheduled for September 1, it is intended to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe as well as Moldovas launch of its European Union Uccession process earlier this year. Despite propagandist claims, there is no evidence that the lectures incite anti-Russian sentiment or prepare students for war. The "Together for Peace" lecture has eleven different versions, each tailored for various grades. Only one version, "Grades: VIII-IX (version 3)," mentions Russia. In its Annex 1, the lecture provides an example of how EU countries united to support Ukraine when it became a victim of Russian aggression. Appendix 1, entitled E.U. Solidarity with Ukraine, states the obvious historical facts, including that on February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and that the EU responded with swift sanctions, isolating Russia economically and supporting Ukraine. Ukraine gained EU candidate status in June 2022. The EU provided aid to fleeing Ukrainians, allocated 100 million to rebuild schools, and initiated a campaign for school bus donations. Moldovan education officials say that the main objectives of the version that mentions Russias invasion of Ukraine, and the EU response, are to teach the competencies of democratic culture, such as respect for human dignity and human rights, responsibility, analytical and critical thinking skills, the ability to listen and observe, and empathy. Moldovas Ministry of Education and Research recommends that teachers adapt the objectives and activities to suit students needs. The activities aim to foster critical thinking and understanding of European values and Moldova's integration, without delving into specific political debates. The document also says that teachers should encourage students to form their own conclusions rather than imposing any political views. A court in Thailand on Thursday found Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, a member of a famous Spanish acting family, guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced him to life in prison, in a lurid case that involved the victim being dismembered. The Koh Samui Provincial Court issued an initial sentence of death for Sancho but commuted it to life imprisonment due to his cooperation during the trial, said police Colonel Paisan Sangthep, deputy commander of the Surat Thani Provincial Police, who attended the hearing. Sancho, a 30-year-old chef with a YouTube channel, had been charged with the murder of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, a 44-year-old plastic surgeon from Colombia, when both were vacationing on the Thai holiday island of Koh Pha-ngan in August last year. The island is famous for its monthly "Full Moon" beach parties, attracting travelers from around the world for all-night raves. The convicted man is the son of Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre, a prominent Spanish actor, and Silvia Bronchalo, who has also been in acting. Both parents attended Thursday's court session. The court also ordered Sancho to pay more than 4.2 million baht ($125,000) in compensation to the victim's family. Lawyers representing the family at the trial had asked for 30 million baht ($882,000), Spain's EFE news agency reported. EFE also quoted Sancho's father telling media after the verdict that he intended "to always keep fighting, to keep fighting." At his trial on the island of Samui, Daniel Sancho had claimed he got into a fight with Arrieta for allegedly trying to sexually assault him. He said that Arrieta fell as they scuffled and hit his head on a bathtub, losing consciousness and then dying. He had pleaded not guilty to charges of premeditated murder. Sancho acknowledged dismembering the victim's body and disposing of the parts on land and at sea. For the charge of concealing or damaging a body, he received a four-month prison sentence, reduced to two months for acknowledging the act, said Paisan. He had also pleaded not guilty to the charge of destroying another person's documents the victim's passport for which he received a two-year prison term. The elements of the case violent death on a holiday island, the celebrity connections and the lurid details attracted huge coverage in Spanish media. HBO produced a Spanish-language documentary on the events. The case came to light when trash collectors found what the Bangkok Post newspaper described as a sawed-off pelvis and intestines weighing about 5 kilograms (11 pounds) in a fertilizer sack at a garbage dump. Shortly after that, Sancho reported to police that Arrieta was missing, and police then gathered evidence linking the two men that led them to detain and interrogate him. Police established a narrative, claiming to the press that Sancho had confessed to the murder and saying he had planned it because Arrieta threatened to disgrace him and his family by revealing their alleged sexual relationship. Sancho, through his father and his lawyers, said that was a distorted version of what he told police and denied having a sexual relationship with Arrieta. Police obtained surveillance video showing Sancho allegedly purchasing a knife, rubber gloves, garbage bags and cleaning solutions at a convenience store before Arrieta's death, which prosecutors claimed bolstered the charge of premeditated murder. In his closing statement earlier in his trial, Sancho told the court he regretted his actions, the Spanish newspaper El Pais reported. "I am sorry that a life has been lost and that parents have lost a son," Sancho said. "I am sorry that his family was not able to bury him properly. I'm sorry for what I did after the death." Under certain conditions, Sancho can apply to be repatriated to serve the remainder of his prison term back home after several years of incarceration in Thailand, according to a treaty between Thailand and Spain. The handful of Spanish nationals in Thai prisons includes another man convicted of premeditated murder and dismembering his victim. Artur Segarra Princep was convicted of the 2016 killing of fellow Spaniard David Bernat. Police suspected that Segarra robbed the victim, whom he was said to have known. The body was kept in a freezer in Segarra's Bangkok apartment until parts were tossed into Thailand's Chao Phraya River. His 2017 death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 2020 by Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The entry of Elon Musks Starlink into the Botswana market this week has been hailed as a "game-changer." Analysts concur the introduction of the satellite internet service provider will improve internet access but there is concern over subscription costs and the service potentially pushing local internet providers out of business. Starlink this week announced it had begun operations in Botswana, three months after the company received approval from the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority, known as BOCRA. The Space-X operated broadband service enters a market dominated by Botswanas major mobile network operators. Tavonga Muchuchuti, president of the industry group Fintech Association Botswana, says the introduction of Starlink will make the internet more widely accessible. "It is a very big step for our market, especially when it comes to improving digital access across the country as well as it coming in to help us with bridging the digital divide that we have seen over the years, he said. By leveraging these constellations of low earth orbit satellites, Starlink can actually deliver high speed internet to even some of the most remote areas across the country, where the traditional ISPs have generally struggled with connectivity. Ewetse Khama, the country manager for Zamlim, a foreign direct investment consulting firm, says Starlinks launch heralds a new era in the local internet market. He says local ISPs have to change strategy to remain competitive. They have to figure out another way of battling this coming reality, he said. ISPs in Botswana do have the advantage at the moment on the cost element because setting up an infrastructure like Starlinks is incredibly cash heavy and they need to recoup the costs. So ISPs for the short term, are not going to be struggling as much as assumed. Starlink is rapidly expanding across Africa. Zimbabwe-based digital expert Sean Ndlovu says this is a positive shake up. The advent of Starlink on the continent is a big game changer, he said. It gives [internet] access to the underserved populations in the rural areas and even in high density areas. It is going to bring about innovation. The more access our people have to the internet, they can learn. Ndlovu also says Starlinks satellite service will lead to better, more reliable internet connections. Concerns, however, remain over Starlinks pricing structure, with fears it could be expensive for rural dwellers and low-income earners. For domestic use, Starlink users in Botswana pay $363 for the hardware and a monthly subscription fee of $52. Muchuchuti says the impact of Starlink in Botswana will depend on the balance between innovation and inclusiveness. This would mean that the kind of people that we will be targeting for in these rural areas and low-income areas, that pricing might be out of reach for them because they have got to invest in that initial purchase, he said. To be truly transformative, there will be a need to really have efforts to make that technology more and more affordable. Starlink faced initial licensing challenges but Botswanas regulatory body granted permission after President Mokgweetsi Masisi met with the companys directors in the United States in May. The U.S. Army says a female Arlington National Cemetery official was abruptly pushed aside by a campaign staffer for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump as she was trying to ensure that rules prohibiting political activities there were followed. This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked, an Army spokesperson said in a written statement on Thursday. The Trump campaign has pushed back, saying that the former president was granted permission to bring campaign designated media to Section 60 of the cemetery by Gold Star families. The fact is that a private photographer was permitted on the premises and for whatever reason, an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trumps team during a very solemn ceremony, Trumps spokesperson Steven Cheung said earlier this week. Another top Trump aide, Chris LaCivita, issued a written statement saying, For a despicable individual to physically prevent President Trumps team from accompanying him to this solemn event is a disgrace and does not deserve to represent the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. Whoever this individual is, spreading these lies are dishonoring the men and women of our armed forces. However, rules at the military cemeteries in Arlington, Virginia, clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds, the Army said. In other words, the Gold Star families who told the Trump campaign that media representatives could be there did not have the authority to allow campaign media to film the event. The Army says the Trump campaign and participants in the August 26 ceremony had been made aware of the relevant federal laws before the incident in which the cemetery employee was pushed. Consistent with the decorum expected at ANC, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption. The incident was reported to the JBM-HH (Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall) police department, but the employee subsequently decided not to press charges, the Army said. The Army now considers the matter closed. Arlington National Cemetery hosts public wreath laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for individuals and groups who submit requests to do so in advance. ANC conducts nearly 3,000 such public ceremonies a year without incident, the Army spokesperson said. Its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nations fallen deserve. Vietnam's minister of national defense, Phan Van Giang, is set to visit Washington next month for a high-level meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, U.S. and Vietnamese officials tell VOA. The minister is expected to visit Washington from September 7-9 to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries, according to a Vietnamese defense ministry official and a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the trip has not been officially announced. During the talks, the sides are expected to discuss a range of defense-related topics, including training initiatives and the lingering legacies of the Vietnam War. Giang is also expected to sign an agreement to purchase military equipment from the U.S., though Vietnamese officials said the details of the deal are still being work out. The Vietnamese Embassy in Washington has yet to comment on the visit. This meeting marks the first encounter between the defense chiefs of Vietnam and the U.S. since the two countries upgraded their bilateral relations to a Strategic Comprehensive Partnership a year ago, coinciding with U.S. President Joe Biden's historic visit to Vietnam. It also signals a strengthening of military ties and could pave the way for further cooperation between the two nations in the future. The expected visit follows the 13th Political, Security, and Defense Dialogue held in Hanoi on August 26, the first such dialogue since the relationship upgrade. U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Bonnie Jenkins, who led the U.S. delegation at the dialogue, emphasized the U.S. commitment to enhancing defense and security cooperation with Vietnam. This cooperation includes programs on military training, medicine, peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and cybersecurity. The last face-to-face meeting between Giang and Austin took place in November 2023, during an ASEAN defense ministers meeting in Jakarta. During that encounter, the two discussed measures to boost bilateral defense cooperation, with a particular focus on efforts to address war legacies and provide humanitarian assistance. Topics covered included demining and the removal of unexploded ordnances, dioxin cleanup, and accounting for Missing in Action (MIA) soldiers. Vietnam's defense minister also extended an invitation to U.S. defense companies to participate in Vietnam's second international defense exhibition, scheduled for late 2024. This article originated in VOAs Vietnamese Service; Carla Babb is VOA's Pentagon correspondent. BEIRUT, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed on Wednesday Lebanon's gratitude to the members of the UN Security Council for renewing the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for a year. "The UN Security Council voted unanimously a short while ago on the resolution to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for an additional year," Mikati was quoted as saying in a statement released by the Lebanese Council of Ministers. "I thank the friendly and sisterly countries that supported the extension, especially Algeria, which led the campaign to support the extension resolution and continues to stand by Lebanon in all fields. We thank all members of the Security Council who voted in favor of the extension," Mikati said. The renewal of the UNIFIL's mandate is essential to maintaining stability in southern Lebanon, he noted. Mikati said Lebanon is committed to working closely with UNIFIL to address the challenges to stability in the south, and implementing relevant international resolutions, foremost among which is UN Resolution 1701. The mandate for the operation of UNIFIL, which has been holding patrols along Lebanon's southern border with Israel since its establishment in 1978, is renewed annually. The extension would allow the peacekeeping mission to operate for another year until Aug. 31, 2025. A senior World Health Organization official said Thursday that Israel has agreed to a series of daily nine-hour humanitarian pauses for the duration of a massive polio vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip, where the first case of the disease was found in a baby earlier this month. "The campaign will start on the first of September in central Gaza for three days," Rik Peeperkorn, WHO's representative for the Palestinian Territory, told reporters in a video call from Gaza. "There will be a humanitarian pause during the vaccination for three days." He said they had agreed to a humanitarian pause from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily during each vaccination day with COGAT, the Israeli agency that coordinates access for humanitarians in Gaza. Peeperkorn said their teams would evaluate after the first three days whether an additional one to two days more were necessary to reach enough children in central Gaza. Then the teams would move to southern Gaza and finally northern Gaza, with each area expected to take three to five days. More than 1.2 million doses of the polio vaccine have already been delivered to Gaza and an additional 400,000 are on the way. The virus was detected last month in environmental samples in southern and central Gaza. At least one case has been confirmed, in an 11-month-old baby the first case in Gaza in 25 years raising fears of a larger outbreak. "Israel will work with WHO and other organs to support all the campaigns to bring vaccines into Gaza," Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon told reporters on Wednesday. WHO says that Gaza had a high level of vaccination coverage before the escalation of hostilities in October but that the war has disrupted routine immunizations, including polio. Peeperkorn said at least 90% of children need to be vaccinated to stop transmission of the poliovirus, which can cause irreversible paralysis in children. The virus is spread from person to person, mainly through feces, but also through contaminated food and water. Gaza's water, sewage and sanitation systems have collapsed during the 10-month-long conflict, and living conditions are desperate. More than 2,000 health care workers and community volunteers will be aiming to reach 640,000 children under age 10 during the campaign with a double dose of the novel oral polio vaccine type 2. The second dose will be administered four weeks after the first one. Peeperkorn said the humanitarian pauses are vital to allow health workers and families to reach the vaccination sites. "We need these humanitarian pauses, and that has been very clear. There is an agreement on that, so we expect that all parties will to stick to that," he said. "Otherwise, indeed, it is actually impossible to do a proper campaign because you will definitely not reach your 90% [coverage]." WHO, along with the U.N. children's agency UNICEF, and UNRWA, the agency that assists Palestinian refugees, will be implementing the vaccination campaign. There will be 392 sites across Gaza where families can take their children for the polio vaccine. Nearly 300 other mobile units will be in the field to reach those who cannot access a vaccination site. Israel has issued 16 separate evacuation orders to Gaza residents during August, displacing more than a quarter of a million Palestinians. Peeperkorn said Israel has agreed not to issue any evacuation orders on the days the vaccination campaign is in progress. At a U.N. Security Council meeting on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the U.S. envoy expressed support for the vaccination campaign. It is especially important for Israel to facilitate access for agencies carrying out the vaccination campaign, and for it to ensure periods of calm and to refrain from military operations during vaccination campaign periods, Ambassador Robert Wood said. We urge Israel to avoid further evacuation orders during this period. The Vice-President of the European Commission has moved to sanction Israeli leaders. More Russian attacks across Ukraine as The Netherlands allows Kyiv to use F-16s its donated anywhere on Russian territory. VOA speaks with Alsu Kurmasheva, the Russian American journalist wrongfully detained in Russia and released in a massive prisoner exchange last month. The American National Security Advisor is in China and Japan is developing heat-resistant rice. A look at human rights in Afghanistan and the World Food Program is investigating two of its top officials in Sudan on suspicion of corruption. Small Rain is out September 3 from Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Photo: Bryan Schutmaat for New York Magazine This article was featured in One Great Story, New Yorks reading recommendation newsletter. Sign up here to get it nightly. On a muggy July afternoon in Iowa City, I went grocery shopping with the writer Garth Greenwell. We hit up the towns 1971-founded co-op armed with a short list from his partner, the poet Luis Munoz. I was going over for dinner the next day, and ingredients needed to be acquired. Greenwell is one of the more respected practitioners of American fiction working today. His first novel, What Belongs to You, the story of a love affair between a young Bulgarian hustler and an expat teacher from Kentucky, was nominated for the 2016 National Book Award and will be adapted as an opera this fall. His second novel, Cleanness, mines the same American-in-Sofia premise to create a deeper, more layered work. Cleanness is full of sex and feeling, painstakingly unfolding the desire and alienation that underpin one gay mans life; it was widely celebrated by critics and a finalist for multiple awards. But on this days errand, in the New Pioneer produce aisle, Greenwell could be mistaken for someone a little more quotidian: an obliging, slightly flustered midwestern husband. Good fresh lettuce hmmm. Will you help me pick a good fresh lettuce? he asked, peering at the handwritten list. A couple of tomatoes. Yellow and red. Thats perfect. Oh my gosh, Im so glad youre here. In their household, Munoz does more of the cooking, while Greenwell often shops and cleans, an arrangement with roots in one of their early dates 11 years ago, when Greenwell showed up at Munozs apartment and found him pressing the water out of tofu with heavy books of poetry. As we wandered the aisles like pilgrims in search of potato bread, Greenwell told me that his doctor had recently put him on Zepbound, one of these weight-loss drugs, for the sake of his health. It has been a startling experience for him, even at a very low dose. Ive always had a difficult relationship with food, he said, and it just totally shuts down what they call food noise, food anxiety. The complications of desire and the mysteries of the body are at the heart of Greenwells new novel, Small Rain, his warmest and most accomplished work yet. It begins with an unnamed poet living in Iowa City who suddenly experiences a terrifying and consuming bodily malfunction, a pain that defies description and sends him to the ER. He is suffering from a progressive tear in his aortic wall that has brought him close to death. This event, inspired by a similar crisis in Greenwells life during the summer of 2020, makes the narrator a medical mystery to the staff of this midsize midwestern hospital. The narrator is cared for by a coterie of nurses who range from professional and devoted to dangerously incompetent. He FaceTimes and visits with his partner of seven years, L. The narrator fights for his quality of care, reflects on his family and American precarity during the George Floyd protests, and, in one pages-long, audacious, likely divisive flex of a passage, teaches the reader a poem by George Oppen. Throughout Small Rain, Greenwells massing, vascular prose, arranged in paragraphs that span many pages, deftly forces the reader to slow down and concentrate. His sentences are parataxic and branching, as organic and surprising as a network of veins. When reading them, I felt as though I were traveling in a car along a road, taking in new landscapes alien to my life and often noticing with fresh eyes my own reflection in the windowpane: I promised myself I would never make L cry again. But theyre inevitable, the little cruelties of intimate life. L had been guilty too, maybe not of cruelty but of thoughtlessness, dismissiveness, he could be exasperating, he had hurt me too; so that the key to a long life with another, the key that kept it from being a prison, wasnt devotion, which I had a talent for, but forgiveness, which was something I had to learn. Greenwell operates in an aesthetic tradition: the novel of consciousness. The way longing slides into us like a blade. The worry that the flame of horniness will gutter in us with age. How long-buried memory vaults up within us with a gymnasts force. What it means to be alive, choosing, observing and wanting, wanting, wanting. This is Greenwells great gift: finding forms for the representation of thought, much as the Impressionist painters, more than a century ago, found new forms for the representation of light. Photo: Bryan Schutmaat for New York Magazine Hours before grocery shopping, I talked with Greenwell in Prairie Lights, Iowa Citys venerable indie bookstore and cafe. In person, hes tall with a delicate, dreamy face. He wore a blue chambray shirt, black New Balances (chosen by Munoz), and an Apple Watch (chosen by his doctor to monitor potential heart arrhythmias). Over his lip is the pale trace of a scar, the relic of a bad bike accident when he was 11. Greenwell was born in 1978 in Louisville, Kentucky, one generation removed from the tobacco farm on his mothers side. He remembers his father, a lawyer, wanted his children to be visibly middle class and worked to discipline any note of a country accent and any hint of nonnormativity out of them. From when he was quite young, Greenwell knew that he was gay; the masculinity embodied by men like his father did not feel accessible to him. He remembers spending time on the farm with his great-grandmother. She was an incredible Kentucky woman, he said, born in 1898. She taught me to crochet. I spent hours sitting with her crocheting. Im so interested if she was aware of making room for clearly this sissy boy on the farm. Once a poor student with a string of Cs and Ds on his report cards, he had a transformative experience in high school when he joined the choir and discovered a talent for singing. He gained admission to Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan and later studied vocal performance at Eastman School of Music in Rochester. While at Eastman, he developed a passion for poetry, which, coupled with dissatisfaction over what he was able to do musically, led him to change course. After a period at SUNY-Purchase, earning an M.F.A. in poetry in St. Louis, and beginning a Ph.D. in English literature at Harvard, he decided he could try to be a scholar or an artist, not both. He chose artist, but making the decision did not set up some kind of instant, lepidopterous transformation. He was in his late 20s, in debt, and struggling with his health. I weighed 365 pounds and had become so estranged from my body, Greenwell recounted. He began to work with a personal trainer, which did not help with the debt. It was time to leave Boston. He did, teaching English at Greenhills, an independent prep school in Ann Arbor, where he worked for three years. In 2009, he moved to Bulgaria. He taught English there and began to write prose. In 2013, he left Bulgaria to study fiction at the Iowa Writers Workshop. Placid, literary Iowa City with stints in other places, most recently New York has been his home base ever since. In 2020, he suffered the aortic tear. He wasnt in the hospital for as long as Small Rains narrator is, but the experience did give him a sense of urgency around making work: I remember in the hospital feeling like my experience was so vague and shapeless. There was nothing to hold on to. It offered none of the satisfactions of narrative. He knew he wanted to write more. Three books in, my experience of my life is still sometimes one of precarity, Greenwell said. I dont have a tenured job. Im hustling all the time. And so even when things are going well, you still really feel how contingent everything is. Because his subject matter loosely follows his own life, some people have read his novels as naked autobiography, a variant on memoir with sexier sentences and plausible deniability. Greenwell contends that his books, including Small Rain, are fiction. The book is a novel. Its very clear to me that its a novel, he said. It is in no way a transcription of my own experience. Its not a memoir; its full of invention. He eschews the term autofiction in general. I just dont think it has meaning, Greenwell said, quipping that the contemporary cultural tendency to conflate writers lives and their novels is like seeing a barrel of oil and an oil painting as the same. What its describing to me seems to be just the oldest game in literature, which is how invention and the found material of experience or reality interact in art. The novels epigraph is a line from Elizabeth Bowen: To have turned away from everything to one face is to find oneself face to face with everything. And about half an inch above this, we read the words for Luis Munoz. Munoz is as compact as Greenwell is stately, radiating a soft and easy warmth. He has published ten books of poetry, runs the Spanish-language M.F.A. program at the University of Iowa, and makes a mean tortilla espanola. As the narrator in Small Rain does with his fictional partner, Greenwell and Munoz alternate speaking in English and Spanish at home each day. Today was an English day. In their spacious white Dutch Colonial, we ate tofu curry with leeks, tortilla, and a salad of red and yellow tomatoes. I asked Munoz if he had read drafts of Small Rain, given that parts of it are inspired by their lives together. Greenwell had offered to let him read the manuscript and give him feedback before he sent it to his editor, but Munoz demurred. I prefer not to read it until it is set, he said warmly. He turned to his partner and said, proudly, Youre making literature. A literature from our lives. He wanted Greenwell to write his fiction unimpeded, to have the freedom to invent and borrow from life alike. In key moments, Small Rain touches upon its narrators wrestling with the circumstances of his life, including his long-term relationship in a small midwestern city. In ones 20s and even 30s, one can imagine countless possibilities for the future. For most people, these narrow with age. Life shrinks. The narrator, at times, feels constrained by, even resentful of, this reality. It had been some time since wed had sex, some time before I went into the hospital, I mean; what happened to most couples had happened to us, sex had become an event, something remarkable. But right at the beginning of the book, the narrator is struck down. Hes confined to a hospital bed, unsure if hell ever leave it. In a paradoxical way, having the world taken from him delivers it to him. By committing to the particularity of his life, he finds a new expansiveness of existence. And his body-threatening, life-changing calamity, as the pages of Small Rain turn, ultimately becomes a deep, transformative gift. Where his first two books take Bulgaria as backdrop and a certain kind of soft-skinned, deeply feeling libertinism as narrative vehicle, Small Rain functions as a midlife sequel, one that is quietly, unabashedly romantic. If the banquet of eroticism in Cleanness caused me to on occasion hold my breath, Small Rains single sex scene made me wipe my eyes. Its enclosed and high-stakes choice of settings and situations the ER and ICU during the height of COVID, the hard-won house and loving life partner, the glancing brush with death grant the novel a blazing universality and grace. In a way, the entire book is a message to my partner, Greenwell said softly. It says something about my whole approach to art, which is this hyperdevotion to the particular. Which is a way of turning toward the biggest questions we can ask about human life. To have turned from the world to a single face is to turn ones face to everything. BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- China will work with the rest of the world to improve the industrial and supply chains of clean energy and contribute to global sustainable energy development, said a white paper issued on Thursday by China's State Council Information Office. Noting that the international situation has become increasingly complex, with various forms of green barriers on the rise, the white paper titled "China's Energy Transition" highlighted the challenge to keep global energy industrial and supply chains stable and maintain energy security in an open environment. In response to these challenges, China is committed to improving bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms in the energy sector, strengthening the exchange of policy ideas and best practices in energy transition, and advancing cooperation and capacity building on green and low-carbon technologies, it said. China opposes overstretching the concept of national security and imposing baseless restrictions on normal international development cooperation, and all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, said the white paper. China rejects all forms of decoupling, any severing of industrial and supply chains, and the "small yard and high fence" approach, it added. The country is ready to work with other countries to implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aiming to help less developed countries in strengthening their energy supply capacities while supporting their efforts to promote clean and renewable energy, the white paper said. It urged developed countries to provide funding, technology, and capacity-building support for renewable energy deployment in developing countries, and help address the dual challenges of energy supply security and the green and low-carbon energy transition. China will contribute to global efforts to uphold the principle of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, while working towards the targets outlined by the Paris Agreement, according to the white paper. Traveling to Peru, exploring ancient Greece, or taking an expedition to Antarctica are new opportunities coming to the student classrooms at Wahkiakum School District this fall. Thanks to the WSU Wahkiakum Extension Service and their work to secure Career-Connected grants, students can use innovative technology from two rounds of grant monies awarded. Round one of the grants supported the robotics program and provided a 3D printer in the robotics technology classroom. The Round two award was $183,858 to grow Career-Connected learning using robotics and technology. It was partially used to purchase twenty-five sets of virtual reality (VR) googles at a cost of $13,733.72. Other funds are earmarked for additional programming. Wahkiakum and Naselle School Districts are reaping the benefits of the Career-Connected grants. Career exploration opportunities will be coming to the classroom with representatives from various careers sharing their experiences. When asked about the value of the partnership between the school district and the WSU Extension service, Carrie Shofner, the local agent is excited about the opportunities. Weve experienced community-wide support to grow new opportunities for Wahkiakum students and prepare them to enter the workforce. Area businesses, ESD112, WSU, 4-H, Wahkiakum County Commissioners, parents, teachers, principals, superintendents, students, and volunteers have all contributed to make a positive difference. Were grateful for this powerful collaboration. In addition, the funds purchased Lego robotics kits for both schools, which are one of the most popular activities in the school. The benefit of robotics education in developing young minds has proven successful as Wahkiakums Mecha Mules have won several state and national awards in recent years. The new VR google sets are an exciting opportunity for students to see places around the world, teach about landforms, geography, and historical sites. The expedition and Odyssey experiences are not only geography related though. Music, the arts, and science are also topics that have lesson plans ready for staff to adapt into their curriculum. Another opportunity is for students and teachers to build their own VR experiences and to share their content in the virtual library. A team of school staff have worked with Jessica Vik, the WSU Extension 4-H liaison, to familiarize themselves with the VR expeditions platforms and learn the basics of their operation. A training will take place to assist teachers in integrating the platform into the classroom soon. Photo taken on Aug. 27, 2024 shows asphalt pavement works on Malawi's M5 Road in Nkhotakota district, Malawi. China Railway 20th Bureau Group (CR20) on Tuesday started asphalt pavement works for the rehabilitation of a 60-km stretch on Malawi's M5 Road to ease transportation pressure of goods and people along the lakeshore districts. (China Railway 20th Bureau Group/Handout via Xinhua) LILONGWE, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- China Railway 20th Bureau Group (CR20) on Tuesday started asphalt pavement works for the rehabilitation of a 60-km stretch on Malawi's M5 Road to ease transportation pressure of goods and people along the lakeshore districts. The project involves constructing asphalt pavement from Kaphatenga in Salima district to Benga in Nkhotakota district on the M5 Road along Lake Malawi, the third largest freshwater body in Africa. The M5 Road is a crucial route in Malawi as it joins the southern, central, and northern regions, before feeding into M1, the country's backbone road, which runs up north to the border with Tanzania. Cheng Jun, manager of the project, told Xinhua that CR20 has already deployed equipment to the construction site where an asphalt mixing plant is established for continuous production of asphalt mixture, while other equipment includes one asphalt paver, one asphalt distributor, 10 dumping trucks, and rollers. According to Cheng, the design of the asphalt pavement is two-lane with a width of 3.35 meters each, and a shoulder width of 1.5 meters on either side, bringing the total width of the road to 9.7 meters. "We have purchased a large intelligent asphalt mixing plant and a paver from China, and hired professional personnel for asphalt pavement construction to guarantee the quality of asphalt pavement construction," Cheng said. "Meanwhile, all the materials for asphalt pavement have been tested and qualified. The parameters of pavement construction will be collected through the trial section of the asphalt pavement, and it will be optimized to ensure that the pavement construction process meets the project construction specification." The construction works on the ground include clearing and grubbing, earthwork, culvert, bridge, asphalt concrete pavement, drainage, road signs, and marking. The Kaphatenga-Benga Road Reconstruction project has employed thousands of locals and trained more than 100 road construction technicians, with nearly 50 local employees promoted to the management team, according to the contractor. Overton Mfune, one of the local employees, is the laboratory manager of the project, leading a laboratory team of eight people who are responsible for all the test work of the project. Mfune is optimistic that the expertise of the Chinese company will produce quality work that Malawians are looking forward to. "From the selection of raw materials to the asphalt mixture proportion test, we have repeatedly done tests and demonstrations. During the whole construction process, the laboratory team strictly tracks and checks all the parameters, and I hope that we will make great efforts with the Chinese company to build a high-quality road for my hometown," said Mfune. Another local employee named Emmanuel Gwazantini said: "When completed, the road will strengthen traffic flow and support the development of agriculture, fishery, and tourism in nearby villages and towns." Photo taken on Aug. 27, 2024 shows asphalt pavement works on Malawi's M5 Road in Nkhotakota district, Malawi. China Railway 20th Bureau Group (CR20) on Tuesday started asphalt pavement works for the rehabilitation of a 60-km stretch on Malawi's M5 Road to ease transportation pressure of goods and people along the lakeshore districts. (China Railway 20th Bureau Group/Handout via Xinhua) By Cillian Sherlock and Rebecca Black, PA SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said it has been a great privilege to lead the party and tipped fellow MP Claire Hanna as his successor. Mr Eastwood is set to resign at the partys conference in October after nine years at the helm of the party he joined as a teenager. Speaking at a press conference in Derry on Thursday, Mr Eastwood said he wants to become a voice for change and developing a new Ireland, describing the post-Brexit environment as a moment of opportunity. He insisted it had been his decision to resign as SDLP leader. Colum Eastwood and Claire Hanna. Photo: PA Images This is absolutely my decision. I have taken time to make that decision, I have spoken to others about it, Mr Eastwood said. You dont often get to pick your own moment and Ive been glad that Ive been able to do that. You can play different roles in politics. I have been a party activist and, first and foremost, I am committed to the principles of the SDLP. Almost more importantly to the cause of delivering a new Ireland. It just is an awful lot of work over nine years to have to deal with all of the day-to-day issues of running a political party. I feel much freer now to be able to do that work, which is the work of this generation, to deliver a new united Ireland for all of our people. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood was re-elected to Westminster on July 4th. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Mr Eastwood also said that South Belfast MP Claire Hanna was far and away the best candidate to replace him as SDLP leader. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that Claire Hanna has what it takes to be the leader of the SDLP, he said. She would be far and away the best option for the members. This is my opportunity to be the first to endorse Claire Hanna. It is up to Claire but I hope she puts her name forward, and I hope the party endorse her. Mr Eastwood became the partys youngest ever leader in 2015, having taken over from Alasdair McDonnell following a leadership contest that he won by fewer than 40 votes. The 41-year-old father of two also previously served as the mayor of Derry. While Mr Eastwood led the party as it consolidated its position in Westminster, the SDLP has failed to make progress at the Northern Ireland Assembly. In the last Assembly election in 2022, the party trailed in fifth leaving it without a sufficient number of seats to be eligible for a place in the Northern Ireland Executive. Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill and DUP leader Gavin Robinson paid tribute to Mr Eastwood. Ms ONeill said: I want to wish Colum Eastwood and his family well as he steps down as leader of the SDLP. We have worked together as leaders for many years now, to restore the political institutions in the north and in protecting the Good Friday Agreement and the all-island economy against efforts to impose the hardest possible Tory Brexit. I look forward to working with his successor as leader of the SDLP in a constructive manner for the good of all our people. Sinn Fein will continue to work with all parties in the Assembly and Executive to deliver for workers, families and public services. As @columeastwood prepares to pass on the baton of leadership, I wish him well. Hell continue to champion Foyle in Westminster and as before, we will work together on mutually benefitting Northern Ireland. Gavin Robinson (@GRobinsonDUP) August 29, 2024 Mr Robinson said: I wish him well. Hell continue to champion Foyle in Westminster and as before, we will work together on mutually benefiting Northern Ireland. Former Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith said on social media: Really sorry to read that Colum Eastwood is stepping down from the SDLP. Whilst many differences on many issues, he is an exceptional communicator and I am certain will remain a key player in the UK and Ireland political fray. Ar aghaidh! [Forward!] Colum Eastwood, right, is announcing his decision to leave the SDLP leadership after UUP leader Doug Beattie, left, said he will quit his position. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Fianna Fail TD Jim OCallaghan praised Mr Eastwood as having led the SDLP with distinction during very challenging times. He added: He was a strong leader of nationalist Ireland, following in the great tradition of Hume and Mallon. I wish him well in the future and hope he remains actively involved in politics. SDLP councillor Seamas de Faoite said Mr Eastwood gave leadership and voice to the partys vision and values during the chaotic Brexit years. He added: The foundation of the New Ireland Commission has helped us to chart a path towards a country free from the divisions of sectarianism, poverty and partition. Colum secured the first NI Assembly majority for equal marriage. He helped to bring about real progressive change in SDLP policy so we could truly be a party of civil rights again. He helped to bring forward more women, young people, LGBT+ and ethnic minority local leaders. Mr Eastwoods decision to step down follows the recent announcement that UUP leader Doug Beattie will also be leaving his post. By Jonathan McCambridge, PA When he launched his campaign to become leader of the SDLP in 2015, a young Colum Eastwood made his pitch to party members by telling them he was fed up losing. Now the Foyle MP has stepped down almost a decade later, seemingly bruised by his inability to stop Sinn Fein from continually eating into the shrinking vote of the moderate nationalist party. Mr Eastwood, 41, resigns as the second longest serving leader of his party. Only his political mentor and fellow Londonderry native John Hume was in charge for a longer period. However, while Humes stature stands unchallenged as a political giant, Mr Eastwood will be remembered by many as an effective communicator and campaigner who ultimately failed to revive the fortunes of the party which once had been the dominant force in nationalism. Colum Eastwood defeated Alasdair McDonnell for the SDLP leadership in 2015. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Born in Derry in 1983, Mr Eastwood was educated at St Columbs College. He joined the SDLP when he was still a teenager and was elected to Derry City Council in 2022, later becoming the citys youngest ever mayor. He was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2011. When he became leader in 2015, after he challenged the incumbent Alasdair McDonnell, the SDLP had already suffered years of decline. Worse was to follow in the 2017 general election, when under Mr Eastwoods leadership, the party suffered a disastrous result in losing all three of its MPs. However, he rebounded two years later in the 2019 general election when the party recaptured two seats, including Mr Eastwood regaining the Foyle seat in a stunning personal success with a huge majority of more than 17,000 ahead of Sinn Fein. The party held both seats in this years General Election. However, it is at Stormont that the SDLPs decline has been most keenly felt. There was a bruising result in the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election with the party finishing with just eight seats, meaning it had to go into opposition. Sinn Fein, by contrast, emerged from that election with 27 seats, becoming the first nationalist party to claim the position of First Minister. Colum Eastwood attended a PSNI station as part of an investigation into a walk with Bloody Sunday families Photo: Jonathan McCambridge/PA. Mr Eastwood has mostly avoided controversy during his political career although he was criticised in 2012 when he carried the coffin of a personal friend at a paramilitary-style funeral before he was SDLP leader. Mr Eastwood said he had acted in a personal capacity and would do the same thing again. Some of his most difficult moments as leader came following his announcement of a formal link with Fianna Fail in 2019. While Mr Eastwood championed the partnership, it was criticised by some within his party. Claire Hanna, the SDLPs other big beast and who is tipped to succeed Mr Eastwood as leader, later revealed she had discussions about forming a new political party, such was her opposition to the Fianna Fail deal. The partnership between the two parties was later quietly dropped. Last year Mr Eastwood was investigated by police after he took part in a walk to a court hearing with families of Bloody Sunday victims. The PSNI submitted a file to the Public Prosecution Service which said it was not in the public interest to charge the Foyle MP and a number of other people. Mr Eastwood later said the police had apologised to him for the investigation. During his time as leader, Mr Eastwood frequently excelled during public debates with rival parties and was often praised for his contributions at Westminster. However, his inability to reverse the electoral decline of his SDLP, combined with accusations that he had failed to modernise party structures or resolve geographical rivalries continued throughout his years in charge. Colum Eastwood will remain as MP for Foyle. Photo: UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA. Mr Eastwood maintained his talent for creating political headlines right to the end of his tenure. This year he refused to attend the White House St Patricks Day celebrations in Washington DC in protest at the US response to the Gaza-Israel war. On being sworn in as an MP in July, Mr Eastwood described the oath of allegiance to the King as an empty formula which he said he took under protest. Mr Eastwood has indicated he intends to remain as an MP and is expected to continue to contribute to the New Ireland commission he helped to establish to facilitate communications around Irish unity. After holding its two Westminster seats this year, and with a three-year break ahead in the cycle of Northern Ireland elections, the SDLPs youngest leader seems to have decided it is the right time for a change at the top. Attention will quickly turn now to the search for his successor. Ardscoil na Mara in Waterford held its Debs Ball recently and Waterford News & Star photographer, Joe Evans, was on hand to capture the glitz, glamour and style of those attending. For more photos from the Debs Ball look up this week's print edition of Waterford News & Star and hard copies of the photos can be purchased through the papers office on Gladstone Street, Waterford. The St Joseph & St Benildus and St Mary's Parish in Waterford has revived a long-standing city and county tradition of assisting families in developing countries by forging a partnership with a poor parish in Kenya. Parish priest Fr Liam Power, who is a columnist with Waterford News & Star, said the aim of the partnership is to assist the Good Shepherd Parish in Ishiara, which is a semi-arid region where the year-round growing of crops and raising of livestock is not possible due to lack of resources to harvest sufficient water during the rainy seasons. A cheque for 7,000 being presented to representatives of the Ishiara Parish Partnership. Pic: Katerina Siviene St Joseph & St Benildus and St Mary's Parish is assisting the Kenyan parish in the area of water security and education at present. Through donations, the parish is currently putting three students through secondary education and the organising committee is hoping that other families, groups or small companies will come forward to help other students. The program is called 'Support a student in Ishiara' (SASI for short). However, the committee would also welcome with open arms any help from larger companies and their employees. Secondary education in Kenya is not free - it costs about 600 per annum to put a child through school. Such a sum is impossible for most local people and the St Joseph & St Benildus and St Mary's committee is seeking a commitment to sponsor a child for the full six years which, it is estimated, will cost about 50 a month for the duration. A cheque for 7,000 being presented to representatives of the Ishiara Parish Partnership It is a significant commitment, said Fr Power. "But for a group of people, a small business or even some families, it would be possible and would be a wonderful, generous thing to do as it would totally transform the life of a boy or girl in Kenya, enabling them to earn their own living after school and to then contribute to their own community," he added. "We in Ireland learned long ago that education was the way forward out of poverty. We understand the enormous benefits it brings and, hopefully, we will be able to change the lives of more boys and girls in Ishiara by sending them to secondary school. Fr Power went on to comment: "We appreciate that there are numerous calls on peoples money today but, if we can think of children who have no chance of progress if not assisted by the likes of us, we will be doing a noble and Christian service to those with very little hope. It was recently announced that two nice local shops are to close their doors. One, Finders Keepers in Michael Street is retiring from business as far as I know and the other Beibhinn on Parade Quay is shutting up shop temporarily due to refurbishment works on the buildings owned by the council in that area. It is not clear who, if anyone, in the council's Economic Policy area or indeed in Waterford Chamber is responsible for understanding the closure rationale, the impact on the citys retail profile, or in lobbying national retailers to secure a local presence. Several factors are combining to make life difficult for those trying to access the historic city centre. The layout of the city like a fan with all the main routes radiating from Reginalds Tower, the huge increase in private car ownership from something like 750K in 1990 to 2.2 million currently poses massive challenges, and the tolled bypass, which is not really fulfilling its function. Anyone using the Outer Ring Road from Ardkeen to the Cork Road can see huge traffic volumes. The toll bridge section is a massive disincentive to wider use. The obvious result of these factors is that traffic through the city and along the quays by those who simply want to pass through is still very high and increasingly obvious. Public transport, which is a vital part of the solution, is fine but not easily realisable, but the city centre has developed a reputation of inaccessibility, especially for those wishing to drive into the city centre for shopping, leisure or business. Some people blame pedestrianisation for the current situation but if Barronstrand Street, Michael Street and John Street were reopened to traffic it would do little except make the urban environment in those areas very unattractive. Going back is not an option. Making the quay four-lane simply moves traffic from one area to another. Difficulties in Lombard Street would remain. The problem is exacerbated by the continuing development of housing on the Dunmore Road, in the Lacken area, in Ferrybank and in Tramore. Every house built in Ballygunner means a three-mile journey into the city centre. Using Kavanaghs bus service finds you sitting in interminable traffic at Park Road, William Street and Lombard Street. Journeys from Slieverue or Abbey Park to the city centre can be lengthy. Similarly with those travelling from Tramore to the city centre. Traffic volumes can mean long delays for buses all along Parnell Street, The Mall and the Quays. The only people who can travel easily by public transport to 'the cross', the historic heart of the city at Michael Street/ Patrick Street, are those living in the older parts of the city from Ballybricken westwards. Something has to be done by council road engineers. They are responsible for traffic movement. The end result of difficult access is visible damage to the already very fragile business and retail core of the city. Some blame a perceived lack of focus on the city in recent years, post amalgamation with the county, while the development of the North Quays took precedence over everything else. The North Quay project is vital to the citys future, but the problems which affect the historic city centre retailing, office space, hotel, restaurant, pubs, housing and access are complex and not easily solved. The council is doing its bit to deter urban dereliction by issuing Compulsory Purchase Orders. This is having an effect as proposals have emerged to convert some empty pubs and other property into accommodation, which must be beneficial in the long run. The more people we can get living in the city centre, the more vitality will ensue. In the interim, from an access viewpoint, the closure, for instance, of New Street car park is incredibly difficult to justify. The notion of easy access to parking in the city has to be fostered while the chicken and egg situation with retail supply and variety in the city centre is being solved. The bottom tier of City Square car park is regularly closed because of high prices. Multi-storey car parks in the Glen and Railway Square are rarely full. Meanwhile, the system of vacant car parking space notification, put in place nearly two decades ago, has been broken and out of use for many years. The big broken sign on the centre of Rice Bridge that is held together by a cargo strap symbolises a lack of awareness, as does the grubby and unloved nature of the bridge itself. Signage indicating where car parks are is small, not visible or does not exist. This has fostered conspiracy theories that the council is deliberately deterring people from driving into the city centre to divert passing traffic to the bypass! It is self-evident that direction signage to car parking must be visible and there must be clear signage indicating that spaces are or are not available. Meanwhile, the new pedestrian bridge at the Clock Tower will make Ferrybank to the Clock Tower actually walkable. There is demand for a European-style plaza along the quays, instead of the current car parks, and this is a wonderful idea, but many people will still want to use their cars to come into town while we wait for public transport nirvana. Where will they park? Bordeaux in France has a riverside location much like Waterford, albeit much bigger. They have made a lovely boulevard along the river, which is easily accessed by public transport, but there are also expensive public underground car parks everywhere. Nearly all the main off street car parking in Waterford is privately owned, which creates its own dynamic. Some people have suggested a park and ride service but this has not worked anywhere in Ireland except Dublin at the Red Cow Luas station, and population size and demand may not support it in a small city like Waterford. We are in a very difficult situation with the historic city centre. While tourism is developing in the Viking Triangle, perceived and real difficulties in accessing the historic core have to a greater or lesser extent undermined the vitality of the city centre. There are probably no easy answers. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This story is part of the August 31 edition of Good Weekend. See all 11 stories . As years go by as a dog owner, you hone and craft your answers to the most frequent comments and questions. In my time with Reuben and Archer, when someone said, Beautiful dogs, Id reply, Thanks, theyve ruined my life. If the person was taken aback, I would prove I was joking with a follow-up. In the best possible way, of course! Wed laugh and continue walking. When people asked what breeds Reuben and Archer were, I would often point to Archer and say, Well, that ones probably a lab-greyhound cross. Then Id wave at Reuben. And hes at least eight different dogs, I reckon all of them cranky. If I was in a particular mood, Id form a composite answer. Theyre a special kind of breed, Id say, designed to destroy your life. But again, Id be smiling, half-laughter. Loves not always kind. The more I think about Reuben now, all these years later, after his life and epic death, Im sure he was many and varied percentages of six main possible prototypes: great dane and mastiff. Wolfhound and German shepherd. Greyhound and possibly werewolf. He made noises like Chewbacca. I remember one afternoon in the valley of Centennial Park, near our home in Sydney. There was a mother and her young daughter a little blonde girl in school uniform. They couldnt get their German pointer back. Reuben was doing what he always did, rousting with other dogs, but never straying too far. He ran with the German pointer, and as the mother and daughter kept calling her, growing more frustrated, I whistled for Reuben to come, and when the pointer followed, I grabbed her. I returned her and they were incredibly grateful. Next day, things were different. Advertisement When a dog gets all talkative near another dogs throat, it doesnt help when he looks like Reuben. The pair were in the park again, and Reuben and the pointer were chasing each other. Reuben started up some noise one of his more casual versions of Chewbacca. In terms of its menace-metre, it was probably around mid-range, somewhere between a calm conversation in Wookie with Han Solo and his strangling of Lando Calrissian. Hey, your dogs being vicious! called the woman. You have to do something about him! You remember me, dont you? I wondered. I called and Reuben came. Then I apologised, quietly seething. This is what I get for helping you yesterday. Im sorry he got a bit noisy, I said, and we walked up into the forest. I guess its hard to know the difference sometimes between a vicious dog and a vocal one, and I realise it never sounds good. When a dog gets all talkative near another dogs throat, it doesnt help when he looks like Reuben. When we left, he sauntered beside me, like the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood. What tall and rugged ears he had. What a galactic, terrorising growl! He blended into the shade. His teeth showed when he smiled. Advertisement Markus Zusak with Archer and Reuben. Even the painful moments with his dogs were gifts that just keep giving, says the writer. Credit: Courtesy of Markus Zusak Fast forward to the following summer, and really, theres no non-humiliating way to put this: in January of 2011, Reuben knocked me out in the park. He busted my knee. I was knocked out cold. Even to this day, all these years later, I love Reuben and miss the hell out of him but honestly, what a prick. As background, one of the nicer things about writing books, between the doubts, the fears and non-completions, is that you learn what your obsessions are, both the obvious and the hidden. There are certain threads that appear in almost everything Ive written. Running and training. Colours and sky. Stories within stories. Advertisement And animals and by animals, I mostly mean dogs. Look at my first three book titles: The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, When Dogs Cry. Across almost everything Ive published, there have been dogs, both central or as cameos. Ive had a coffee-drinking dog called the Doorman in The Messenger. (One of my favourite characters Ive written, the fact that I was poisoning him with caffeine notwithstanding.) There was the Pomeranian heart attack victim named Miffy in the Wolfe trilogy. Then Rosy the border collie, who rounds up the clothes line in Bridge of Clay. Loading Perfectly enough, its only The Book Thief that doesnt have a dog just the brief appearance of a bent-whiskered cat, modelled on Brutus, one of our cats. That aside, dogs have been an essential part of my writing personality. Ive rendered them with care and devotion, Ive written them with love and joy, which brings us to the necessary question. What does that owe me in life? The answer, of course, is nothing. Previous to having my own dogs, Id always conjured up images of optimism of dogs who lived only for loyalty. Dogs who followed me everywhere. Dogs who were great and golden. And Ive received that, I really have, but its not the entire picture. As it stands now, the gifts have been far greater, because perfect dogs, identical to perfect lives, are pretty dull. Do you want your dog to be uncultured, unkempt, uncivilised? Of course not. Do you want him to roll in human waste in those haunted bushes in the park? No way on this planet, believe me Ive scrubbed those necks and collars. Advertisement And of course, the moment Ive been leading to: do we want our nearly 40-kilo, fit, formidable mongrel of a dog to come crashing into us from the side, while were holding our six-month-old child? Answering that one is pointless. Reubens head was more lethal than kryptonite; I went down, hit the ground, knocked out. The morning it happened was cloudy. When accidents happen, I have a tendency, probably like most people, to wonder if things might have gone differently if I hadnt made one small decision. On that morning, just before six oclock, I made two. First, I had coffee before I took Reuben out, whereas normally Id wait till we returned. Second, whenever I took our son Noah with me, which was rare, I carried him on my right arm, walking Reuben on-lead with the left. Then Id let him off in the park. (We never had problems bringing Noah along, and carrying him was easier than pushing the pram, dealing with the grass, the tree roots, the rocks.) This time, though, Id finally figured out how to work the BabyBjorn carrier, and Noah was strapped to my chest. That dog was born for stories, says Zusak of Reuben. Credit: Courtesy of Markus Zusak Maybe if I hadnt made either of those decisions, Id have made it through that morning conscious. Around quarter past six, we walked down to the valley of dogs, maybe 50 metres from the monument. There was a handful of people and their charges. I was talking to a woman named Valerie, who was also talking to Noah. Usually, I kept a good eye on Reuben, but that morning I was distracted. Advertisement A 27-year-old aged care worker who describes himself as a secret homosexual has been sentenced to two years in prison after being caught on camera forcing a vulnerable Parkinsons and dementia sufferer to touch him indecently. James NgAngA Irungu, who moved to Australia from Kenya where he was a mechanical engineer, was arrested and charged with three counts of indecently dealing with an incapable person last March. James NgAngA Irungu was sentenced to 24 months in prison. Irungu was employed as an aged care worker at The Queenslea in Claremont and was assigned to care for an 83-year-old with significant assistance needs. The mans daughter had CCTV motion-sensor cameras installed in his home, Perths District Court heard on Thursday, and when she reviewed the footage, she witnessed her father being forced to perform a sex act multiple times. Alcoa must provide the information authorities need on time, or risk facing stricter conditions on its bauxite mining in WAs jarrah forest, the West Australian Environmental Protection Authority has warned. The independent authority is assessing Alcoas planned mining up to 2027 as opposed to the usual consideration behind closed doors by a committee of state bureaucrats because of a referral from WA environmental group WA Forest Alliance. Alcoa has cleared 28,000 hectares of the northern jarrah forest, which is under pressure in a drier, warmer climate and experiencing more bushfires. Credit: Anonymous Normally, it is illegal for an activity to continue while being assessed by the EPA, but the state government granted Alcoa an exemption to safeguard continued production and the jobs of the US miners 3000-odd WA employees. This masthead revealed the governments move went against the advice of Water Corporation, which warned of irreversible damage to the forest and certain contamination of South West WA water supply. In the heart of Changsha in southern China, the essence of Africa is alive and thriving. Kenyan flowers, Egyptian perfumes and South African diamonds have found a special place here. Just as Chinese electronics, EVs, and fashion brands are making their mark across Africa. This is more than just trade. It's a beautiful exchange of cultures and dreams. Nukualofa, Tonga: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has accused a New Zealand journalist of behaving unethically for recording his conversation with a senior Biden administration official about a landmark policing pact on the sidelines of a major Pacific forum in Tonga. As Albanese returned to Australia on Thursday afternoon after spending a day on a private retreat with Pacific leaders on a remote Tongan island, the opposition accused him of behaving in an unedifying way by blaming the young reporter for the hot mic-style incident. In his candid chat with US President Joe Bidens Indo-Pacific guru, Kurt Campbell, Albanese expressed his delight at locking in support for the Pacific Policing Initiative from members of the Pacific Islands Forum, joking about the US paying half of the $400 million Australia will spend on the pact. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was caught on a live camera discussing policy with Kurt Campbell. Credit: AAP The policing project was widely seen as a blow to Chinas efforts to woo countries in the Pacific to work with its law enforcement as it competes with the US for influence in the strategically significant region. As part of the WCO Women in Customs campaign, on 19 August 2024, the WCO Secretariat spoke to Laura Chao Onyambu, Chief Manager of Trade Facilitation at the Customs and Border Control Department of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). With over 20 years experience working in Customs, Laura has held multiple positions, navigating through challenges and leadership roles with determination and resilience. In this interview, she shares her journey, the obstacles she overcame and her vision for the future. WCO: What led you to join the Kenya Revenue Authority? Laura Chao Onyambu: It was somewhat accidental, or perhaps serendipitous! I grew up on the Kenyan coast and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce Marketing degree from the University of Nairobi. Working for the government, particularly in Customs, had never crossed my mind. Then, one day, I saw an advertisement in the newspaper announcing that the Kenya Revenue Authority was hiring, and I thought to myself, That sounds intriguing Ill give it a go! My siblings teased me for finding a job through a newspaper ad, but I applied, went through the interview process, and was offered a position as a graduate trainee in 2003. The two-year training programme involved shadowing KRA officers across various departments. We rotated through Customs (then known as Customs and Excise), domestic taxes and road transport. At the end of the training, we were randomly assigned to various departments within the KRA, and I found myself in the Investigation and Enforcement Department of the Customs unit. WCO: At the time, was there a policy to hire more women? Laura Chao Onyambu: Im not certain, but I do believe being a woman worked in my favour, along with my background from a minority tribe. Kenya has over 40 tribes, each with its own history, traditions and attributes. Some tribes are underrepresented in public institutions, and there was a policy to offer civil servant jobs to members of these minority tribes. This policy continues to this day. WCO: Did you encounter any discrimination or challenges as a woman? Laura Chao Onyambu: When I joined the KRA, there were far fewer women in Customs than today. Some men doubted our capabilities, especially when we had families. They often made unfounded assumptions, denying us opportunities based on outdated assumptions. Another challenge was dealing with transfers. As a KRA officer, you might be asked to relocate to another town or region, which happened to me while I had young children. My husband was working in Nairobi, and he couldnt always follow us. Later, when I was appointed Chief Manager in charge of the Container Freight Stations in Mombasa, I had to leave Nairobi again. This time, my family stayed in the capital, and I commuted every weekend. From the beginning, I knew I had to speak up, prove myself and stand out. Im proud to say that Ive always put my heart into every task. My dedication paid off when I was recognized as the first runner up in my department for exemplary performance in 2008, and I also received a WCO Certificate of Merit for exceptional service to the KRA. However, it took six years before I was promoted to a supervisory position. Realizing I needed guidance, I sought out female mentors in managerial roles who guided me on my self-growth journey. Today, there are about as many women as men in senior management positions at the KRA, including our Commissioner, Lilian Nyawanda, who leads the Customs and Border Control Department. WCO: What do you think women have brought to the Administration? Laura Chao Onyambu: It may sound biased, but I believe women bring a sense of fairness and inclusivity to leadership. Having faced challenges in being taken seriously, women understand the importance of giving everyone a voice. They have also come up with new ways of doing things. Now that we have women in leadership positions, we are seeing options such as flexible working hours being brought in. Such a measure would be really beneficial to women with a family. WCO: Are there any achievements that you are especially proud of? Laura Chao Onyambu: During my time as a tax investigator, some of my investigations led to successful prosecutions. This work required not only a deep understanding of regulations and the ability to analyse data but also strong negotiation and communication skills. In 2021, I was promoted to Chief Manager and joined the Customs and Border Control Department. Transitioning from investigations to operations was challenging but exciting. I had to manage a team of 261 officers and focus on revenue collection, trade facilitation and stakeholder engagement. We worked on building trust and streamlining processes by establishing open communication channels between all stakeholders, collecting feedback from taxpayers and significantly reducing red tape. I worked with government agencies, the Kenya Ports Authority, the National Registration Authority and the Kenya Bureau of Standards, as well as various business entities. Today, as Chief Manager in charge of trade facilitation, I oversee programmes and initiatives to enhance taxpayer compliance through education and engagement. My marketing degree is finally coming into play! Weve improved transparency, and people are now better informed about the regulations. Were also working on simplifying tax declarations for small and medium taxpayers, with an upcoming mobile app to make the process easier. WCO: How did you manage to balance your career with family responsibilities? Laura Chao Onyambu: It wasnt always easy with three children, but I had a supportive husband. Early on in our marriage, we agreed that his career would take priority, so he worked long hours while I maintained a more predictable schedule. As I advanced in my career, he took on more responsibilities at home, and we hired domestic staff to help out around the house. I always made sure to spend quality time with my children in the evenings and at weekends. I lost my husband to COVID when I was working in Mombasa, so I am now a single parent. My children, two of them now teenagers, still need my support. One of them is actually interested in following in my footsteps and pursuing a career in Customs. WCO: We are so sorry to hear that. It must have been a really difficult time for you and your family. Laura Chao Onyambu: Thank you. The Commissioner kindly arranged for my return to Nairobi to be with my children. I was deeply touched by the support I received from the Commissioner, my team and others. WCO: What advice would you give to young professionals? Laura Chao Onyambu: Ive had the opportunity to mentor both men and women. My advice is not to shy away from challenges. Be confident, embrace your uniqueness and dont be afraid to stand out. Ive seen many young professionals, including two I mentored, rise to very high positions even higher than mine! Women in particular often struggle with impostor syndrome and are overly critical of themselves. Its important to work on ones attitude and mindset. But this applies to men as well. Ive encouraged male officers in my team to challenge themselves and seek mentors, reminding them, with a smile, not to let women have all the success! Continual learning is also crucial. Ive taken numerous courses on financial investigations, leadership and management, and even earned an MBA in Strategic Management in 2015. WCO: What does leadership mean to you, and what is your approach to it? Laura Chao Onyambu: Leadership is about influencing people towards a common goal. I make sure that everyone in my team feels involved and accountable, ensuring that everyone understands their role in achieving our departments objectives. I empathize with those at the lower grades because Ive been there myself. I share my experiences and the challenges Ive faced, fostering a sense of solidarity. Engagement with staff is essential. I take the time to visit my team members at their desks, and I genuinely care about their well-being. As a leader, its also important to address personal issues that affect work. Ive dealt with cases of alcoholism and depression within my team, ensuring that those affected received the support they needed. Ive also taken several leadership courses, starting in 2010, and I most recently completed the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators Senior Leadership Programme in 2023/2024. WCO: Do you have any hobbies or activities outside of work? Laura Chao Onyambu: My kids and I support Childrens Home, an NGO that helps orphans and destitute children. We donate clothes and food, and one of my children teaches music to the kids there. Its important to share our skills and give time and attention to others. WCO: It truly is. Thank you for taking the time to share your career journey and life experience with us. Laura Chao Onyambu: Its a great honour to be part of a campaign celebrating women and Customs. I hope my story encourages both women and men in Customs to aim high and give their all, no matter what obstacles they may face. BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities will carefully study expert opinions and suggestions on increasing tariffs for imported fuel-powered cars with large-displacement engines, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Thursday. Such proposals will be researched in accordance with procedures, MOC spokesperson He Yadong told a press conference, noting that green and low-carbon transition of the auto industry will be supported to ensure high-quality development. He said that experts who put forward the suggestions believe they are in line with World Trade Organization rules and will be beneficial to the green transformation of the auto industry. Representatives from relevant industry organizations, think tanks, research institutions and automotive companies attended a meeting held by the MOC last week to hear opinions and suggestions, the spokesperson noted, adding that China is committed to green and low-carbon development. Commenting on the European Union (EU)'s anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles, he described it as a typical protectionist move, which is not conducive to China-EU auto industry cooperation, the stability of the global automobile production and supply chain, the EU's green transition, and global efforts to combat climate change. The first C919 aircraft of China Southern Airlines arrives at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Aug. 29, 2024. China Southern Airlines announced on Thursday that it expects its first C919 passenger aircraft to enter commercial service by mid-September. The first C919 aircraft of the Guangzhou-based airline officially joined its fleet after landing at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport on Thursday morning. The C919 passenger plane is scheduled to fly its maiden commercial flight from Guangzhou to Shanghai on Sept. 19. (Xinhua/Tian Jianchuan) GUANGZHOU, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- China Southern Airlines announced on Thursday that it expects its first C919 passenger aircraft to enter commercial service by mid-September. The first C919 aircraft of the Guangzhou-based airline officially joined its fleet after landing at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport on Thursday morning. The C919 passenger plane is scheduled to fly its maiden commercial flight from Guangzhou to Shanghai on Sept. 19. China Southern's first C919 features a three-class layout with 164 seats, including 8 in business, 18 in premium economy, and 138 in economy. The airline will deploy the C919 aircraft it receives this year at the Guangzhou airport, with flights covering destinations including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Xi'an. In April, China Southern signed a deal to buy 100 C919 aircraft from the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). The deliveries are scheduled to last till 2031. China Southern and Air China on Wednesday received their first C919 aircraft in Shanghai, marking a pivotal moment as the country's first domestically produced large passenger aircraft enters a new phase of multi-operator deployment. To date, COMAC has delivered nine C919 aircraft, all to three leading Chinese airlines. China Eastern Airlines, the launch customer for the C919, has reported consistent operational performance since its entry into service 15 months ago, covering five regular routes with over 3,600 commercial flights. The first C919 aircraft of China Southern Airlines flies from Shanghai to Guangzhou, Aug. 29, 2024. China Southern Airlines announced on Thursday that it expects its first C919 passenger aircraft to enter commercial service by mid-September. The first C919 aircraft of the Guangzhou-based airline officially joined its fleet after landing at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport on Thursday morning. The C919 passenger plane is scheduled to fly its maiden commercial flight from Guangzhou to Shanghai on Sept. 19. (Xinhua/Tian Jianchuan) The first C919 aircraft of China Southern Airlines receives a ceremonial water salute on its arrival at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Aug. 29, 2024. China Southern Airlines announced on Thursday that it expects its first C919 passenger aircraft to enter commercial service by mid-September. The first C919 aircraft of the Guangzhou-based airline officially joined its fleet after landing at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport on Thursday morning. The C919 passenger plane is scheduled to fly its maiden commercial flight from Guangzhou to Shanghai on Sept. 19. (Xinhua) Crime scene investigator builds on years of experience by pursuing degree at WSU August 29, 2024 OGDEN, Utah Criminal justice student Nick Jensen has been the lead investigator on more than 400 crime scenes. He currently works as a detective in the Davis County Sheriff's Office crime lab, where hes one of four crime scene investigators serving Davis County and, occasionally, other cities or counties that call for backup. This is a really tough job, and its tough for a bunch of reasons, Jensen said, noting the demanding schedule and emotional toll of some investigations. For Jensen, those challenges made it important to choose a school that would help him excel in such a difficult field. He had strong on-the-job training and experience but wanted to expand his knowledge and abilities by getting a degree. That brought him to Weber State. Learning from people whove done this for decades, people who understand the job, is really, really helpful, Jensen said. Theyre hitting on the things that matter and theyre hitting on the importance of doing things the right way every time. WSUs crime scene investigation program has three full-time faculty members who have more than 65 years of collective experience. Since joining the program, Jensen said hes added to his expertise, becoming a better crime scene investigator along the way. Hes also left his own mark on the department, contributing to a key feature of the departments CSI house, which provides students an elevated learning experience by simulating scenarios they might encounter in the field. Jensen helped create a trajectory wall removable drywall panels with bullet holes created from different caliber firearms for the house, located on WSUs Ogden campus. Students can study the varying angles and distances to analyze bullet paths. As someone who has experience with both real-life and simulated crime scenes, Jensen knows the importance of having a space to practice and apply concepts. WSUs CSI program ensures students have opportunities to take what theyve learned and effectively use that outside of the classroom. Putting together a mock crime scene is always going to be a little lacking compared to the chaos of a real scene, Jensen said. But getting experience in a more realistic space is really helpful in bridging the gap between the academic and the practical. Jensen has even visited Salt Lake Citys Capitol Hill to advocate for legislative support and interest in the CSI house. After graduating, he plans to continue working as a crime scene investigator. He knows its a job that isnt for everyone, but thats what keeps him coming back. There are things in this career that Im able to do, like allow families or victims closure and justice, that might not happen otherwise, Jensen said. This is something Ive chosen to do, and taking on that responsibility is a powerful motivator for me. Posters of candidates for parliamentary elections are seen on a bridge in Amman, Jordan, on Aug. 26, 2024. Jordan is preparing for parliamentary elections scheduled for Sept. 10, following the introduction of a new electoral law in 2022 designed to improve representation. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua) AMMAN, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Jordan is preparing for parliamentary elections scheduled for Sep. 10, following the introduction of a new electoral law in 2022 designed to improve representation. The law increases the number of lawmakers from 130 to 138 and includes provisions to boost the inclusion of women and younger candidates. Under the new law, each political party's candidate list must include at least one woman for every three candidates and one individual under 35 among the top five positions. Additionally, the minimum age for parliamentary candidates has been lowered from 30 to 25, aiming to enhance youth participation in governance. The upcoming elections are viewed as a critical step in Jordan's political transition, with both experts and voters hopeful for significant reform. The House of Representatives, the elected lower house of Jordan's parliament, will work alongside the Senate, which consists of 65 members appointed by the king through royal decree, as outlined in the Jordanian Constitution. In April, King Abdullah II highlighted the importance of this electoral process as Jordan enters a new phase of party-based and programmatic parliamentary work. He emphasized the need for electoral integrity and the prevention of violations. Political analyst Rouman Haddad described the elections as "very important" in Jordan's gradual shift towards party-based governance. With economic challenges and regional instability mounting, Haddad anticipates that voters will scrutinize candidates' ability to address economic, social, health, and educational issues. He predicts voter turnout will be comparable to previous elections. Amjad Jala, political analyst and editor at the Jordan Press Foundation, expects increased representation of youth and women in the House. Jala urged voters to exercise their democratic rights, noting that local economic conditions are likely to be a top concern. University graduate Rama Haj Abed expressed hope that young candidates will focus on key issues such as unemployment. "I have been unable to find a job for over two years, and I hope more young representatives will address these issues," said the 24-year-old. Garment store owner Khaleel Theyab from downtown Amman voiced hope for a change, stating, "I have voted many times and hope this election will be different, with more political party members winning. We need reduced taxes and plans to support small businesses." According to the Independent Election Commission, 36 of the 38 licensed political parties will participate in the elections. The number of registered voters has surpassed 5.1 million, including approximately 2.7 million women and 2.4 million men. A recent survey by NAMA, an Amman-based research firm, predicts a voter turnout of around 35.0 percent, up from 29.9 percent in the last parliamentary election in November 2020. Posters of candidates for parliamentary elections are seen on the street in Amman, Jordan, on Aug. 26, 2024. Jordan is preparing for parliamentary elections scheduled for Sep. 10, following the introduction of a new electoral law in 2022 designed to improve representation. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua) By Cillian Sherlock, PA Colum Eastwood is to quit as leader of the SDLP, the PA news agency understands. Mr Eastwood is expected to announce the decision when he makes a personal statement about his future on Thursday, a senior SDLP source said. The MP for Foyle became the partys youngest ever leader in 2015, having taken over from Alasdair McDonnell following a leadership contest that he won by fewer than 40 votes. The 41-year-old father of two also previously served as the mayor of Derry. While Mr Eastwood led the party as it consolidated its position in Westminster, the SDLP has failed to make progress at the Northern Ireland Assembly. In the last Assembly elections in 2022, the party trailed in fifth leaving it without a sufficient number of seats to be eligible for a place in the Northern Ireland Executive. Claire Hanna, the MP for South Belfast and Mid Down, is considered to be among the front runners to be the new leader. Ms Hanna currently acts as the partys deputy leader. Claire Hanna is SDLP deputy leader (Liam McBurney/PA) Mr Eastwood was returned as the MP for the Foyle constituency at the beginning of July, claiming a majority of just over 4,000 votes. At the time, he said: Im very grateful, mostly to the people of Derry, who have once again said that they want their voice to be heard in Westminster. I will gladly continue to be your voice. I will stand up for the people of our city, of our constituency. We wont be quiet. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood at a count centre at the 2024 Westminster election. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Following reports of Mr Eastwoods decision, former Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith said on social media: Really sorry to read that Colum Eastwood is stepping down from the SDLP. Whilst many differences on many issues, he is an exceptional communicator and I am certain will remain a key player in the UK and Ireland political fray. Ar aghaidh! [Forward!] SDLP councillor Seamas de Faoite said Mr Eastwood gave leadership and voice to the partys vision and values during the chaotic Brexit years. UUP leader Doug Beattie and SDLP leader Colum Eastwood at the Ireland Funds 31st National Gala in Washington DC. Photo: Niall Carson/PA He added: The foundation of the New Ireland Commission has helped us to chart a path towards a country free from the divisions of sectarianism, poverty and partition. Colum secured the first NI Assembly majority for Equal Marriage. He helped to bring about real progressive change in SDLP policy so we could truly be a party of Civil Rights again. He helped to bring forward more women, young people, LGBT+ and ethnic minority local leaders. Mr Eastwoods decision to step down follows shortly after the announcement that UUP leader Doug Beattie will also be leaving his post. A new Charlestown cafe has introduced a special item to their menu this week as the music world exploded to the news of the reunion of Noel and Liam Gallagher, with 14 concerts scheduled for next summer. Jennys Cafe From the Ground Up seized the moment within hours of the big announcement with their special Oasis Soup being added to their new menu. With the tagline You get a roll with it, the local cafe in the ancestral hometown of the Gallagher brothers has shown great marketing initiative which is sure to capture peoples imagination. The east Mayo town is a well-known haunt for the rock celebrities, and they spent many summers of their childhood on holidays with their grandmother who lived locally. They have returned to Charlestown since coming to world fame in the mid-1990s, and have been known to frequent local bars and restaurants on their visits. There is speculation that Noel and Liam might well return to the town when they revisit Ireland in the future. When asked if they would be tasting the new Oasis Soup now being served at Jennys Cafe, one local said: Definitely, not maybe. This photo taken on July 24, 2024 shows the Kubuqi Desert Ordos Central-Northern New Energy Base project located in Dalad Banner, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Wang Jing) HOHHOT, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Viewed from above, 196,000 blue solar panels form a dynamic silhouette of a horse, galloping through the Kubuqi Desert. Strolling around the solar power station in Chaideng Village, Ordos City, tourists marveled at the green vegetation and tracking solar panels that spun like sunflowers, and hardly believed that this was once a barren land called the "sea of death". The solar power station of Junma, which literally means horse in Chinese, is part of the "great photovoltaic wall," an ambitious solar energy desert reclamation project, stretching along the northern edge of the Kubuqi Desert and south of the Yellow River. Spanning about 400 km in length and averaging 5 km in width, upon completion, this solar marvel is set to have an installed capacity of 100 million kilowatts. The benefits of solar-powered desert reclamation are substantial. The panels cut groundwater evaporation by 20 to 30 percent, provide shade, and reduce wind speeds, all of which support plant growth. This helps vegetation, like forage grasses that help combat dust and sand, thrive. In arid areas, integrating solar-powered water pumps with drip irrigation has proven to be an effective method for greening desert landscapes. The "photovoltaic power generation plus desert reclamation" model -- where solar panels generate clean energy above while plants and livestock thrive below -- is also opening new income opportunities and transforming local livelihoods. Locals are finding various ways to boost their income, such as leasing their desertified land, participating in project construction, and engaging in contract farming. New energy and ecological management companies are encouraged to hire local farmers and herders during both the construction and operation phases. Li Kai, an official with Dalad Banner Energy Bureau, highlighted the Kubuqi Desert Ordos Central-Northern New Energy Base project as a notable example. In 2023, the project installed 2.18 million solar panels and employed over 3,000 workers, most of whom were local farmers earning between 300 (about 42 U.S. dollars) and 500 yuan per day. Solar energy desert reclamation projects typically feature a protective forest system established around the photovoltaic power station, combining grass grid sand barriers (using materials like wheat straw, rice straw, and reeds arranged in grid patterns to mitigate wind erosion and retain moisture) with sand-fixing flora to better keep the shifting sands in check. Wang Ming is a farmer in Pingyuan Village, Dalad Banner, who relies on agriculture for his livelihood. In the past, his annual income was only a few thousand yuan. However, the sand control and afforestation work at the new energy base has provided him an extra income source, increasing his annual earnings by nearly 10,000 yuan. This spring, he spent nearly a month supporting the construction project, managing over 30 workers and several machines. "I now have stable work right on my doorstep. I'm really happy," Wang said. He also mentioned that the project is set to install 8 million kilowatts of solar power. To him, sand control and tree planting offer stable employment. The city of Ordos, with vast sunflower fields, previously faced challenges with disposing of post-harvest straw. Inner Mongolia Three Gorges Mengneng Energy Co., Ltd., developer of the Kubuqi Desert Ordos Central-Northern New Energy Base project, has turned this challenge into an opportunity by using the straw to build sand barriers as part of their solar-powered desertification efforts. Each year, the company buys large quantities of sunflower straw from local farmers, using it to combat desertification. This eco-friendly solution also provides an additional income stream for the local farming community. Liu Tianyun, deputy director of the forestry and grassland bureau of Ordos, said that by 2030, the "great photovoltaic wall" project will provide 50,000 stable jobs, increase average income per capita by over 20,000 yuan annually, and boost the annual output of the ecological industry by 1 billion yuan. 40 TUDOR VALE, ORANMORE, CO. GALWAY ASKING PRICE: 549,000 A spacious 4/5 bedroom detached home in a mature, highly regarded development just a few minutes walk to Oranmores main street is on the market. The home is set on a private corner within Tudor Vale, one of Oranmores most popular developments and is close to shops, cafes, schools and creches. For more details: CONTACT: DERMOT GILCHREST - TEL: 091 569 123 Olivia Kelleher Two years ago, Shaun Brady told the Kansas City Star that he and his friend Graham Farris had worked twenty hour days in order to open their restaurant on time for Patricks Day of that year. Mr Brady said that he grew up in a family of four and started making meals when he was a young man in order to help his mother Mary. He told the paper that he had honed his skills by watching his grandmother cook. He also enjoyed hanging out in the kitchens of family friends who were in the business being nosey. He said that his friends at the CBS in Nenagh had wanted to join the fire brigade or became guards. However, the owner of Brady and Fox Restaurant and Lounge stated that his dream from an early age had been to train as a professional chef. My mammy was very, very against me being a chef. It took her quite a few years to come around. "We werent put up on the pedestals like we are now. Chefs had a history of drug and alcohol problems. It was just a different time. Shaun moved to Dublin as a teenager and worked his way up the ladder in restaurants in the city. He was one of the youngest in his class when he graduated as an executive chef having completed a course in the Dublin Institute of Technology. He said that he bounced around at restaurants in Europe and Asia. While traveling, if I found a restaurant I really liked, I would go back to the restaurant the next day and knock on the door, Do you need help? he said. I would offer to work for free and watch what was going on in the kitchen. Mr Brady met his wife, Kate, while she was travelling in Ireland. Kate is a native of Wichita in Missouri. The couple lived in Chicago before relocating to Kansas City in 2013. Shaun worked as executive chef at the Ambassador Hotel in downtown Kansas and then became corporate chef. He then opened Bradys Public House and Restaurant. A hugely successful spot, it came under pressure and closed during the pandemic. His next big venture was Brady and Fox. In a statement online, management and staff at Brady and Fox said that their hearts are broken following the death of Shaun. There are no words to express our sadness, anger and frustration. Our community is with Shaun's family - forever.. We appreciate the outpouring of support, offers to help, and your love. "Together we are united. Together we will grieve. Together we will heal. "We ask that you show compassion and aid in our healing by respecting the privacy of Shaun's family. "Thank you. Ar scath a cheile a mhaireann na daoine. Meanwhile, KC Irish Fest is due to get underway in Kansas City this weekend. Pat ONeill, who was a friend of Mr Bradys, told FOX4 last night that he and others are trying to come to grips with what happened. He was a really beloved figure in our community. He was a native of Tipperary in Ireland and just a generous do anything for anybody kind of guy. A lot of us are just stunned, crying, angry, wondering why? Fox 4 said that Sean had featured on their channel on a number of occasions in order to promote Irish food for Patricks Day and the KC Irish Fest. In a statement the KC Irish Fest board offered their heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of Shaun. The Kansas City Irish Fest mourns the loss of our dear friend Shaun, tragically taken from us too soon. His extraordinary culinary gifts and easy Irish charm made his table the favorite gathering place of Kansas Citys Irish community. He will be sorely missed. The board described Brady as a large part of the KC Irish Fest family, head chef and creator of the Kansas City Irish Breakfast. The breakfast was supposed to take place after mass next Sunday.The breakfast has been cancelled as a mark of respect to Mr Brady. Sean lived in Overland Park in Kansas City. He and his wife Kate got married in 2005. Nenagh Councillor Seamus Morris (NP) said that the late Shaun Brady was a great ambassador for his home town and Ireland. It was a shocking end (for Shaun). He had moved to Kansas about ten years ago. He got so involved in the community over there. "He was involved in the Irish Fest which is coming up shortly. He ran a business. Whatever happened, and I dont know what happened, but to disturb something (a theft). And then to be shot. "I am a postman to many of his cousins and to his grandmother, Lillian, and they are all in absolute shock that a life could be ended so needlessly. "I met his cousin this morning and I sympathised with them. It is an awful tragedy for his family and of course his family in Kansas. He was a great ambassador for us all which a lot of our young people are. Labour councillor in Nenagh Cllr Louise Morgan Walsh said that locals wereshocked and saddened to hear of the unlawful killing of Mr Brady. I remember Shaun from school. He was a really lovely guy. To think that his life has ended so tragically while he was trying to do good. This is so wrong. "My thoughts and prayers are with his mum, Mary, and his sisters and all his family and friends here in Nenagh, Ardcroney and in Kansas City in the US at this very difficult time. Meanwhile, Mayor of Kansas Cllr Quinton Lucas said that he was heartbroken to learn of the death of Shaun Brady. He posted on social media that he had enjoying meeting Shaun and laughing with him. I heard just a bit of his and his familys story and was inspired by the business and the community he was building in Kansas city. "I grieve for and express my sincerest condolences to his family and all who knew him. More distress comes in knowing how he died--due to violence arising once more in our community. For years now, but more acutely in recent months, business owners in Brookside and Waldo, but also along Prospect, in the Crossroads, and throughout too much of our city have expressed serious concerns about a rise in property and nuisance crimes plaguing their stores, their parking lots, and their customers. A co worker posted online that he had lost friends who were chefs to overdose, suicide, health complications, and (for the lucky few) old age. But he said that it was sickening to lose a wonderful friend, great father, husband, and extraordinary and creative chef to murder. Anthony's Italian Restaurant and Lounge in Kansas city posted on Facebook that they were in mourning following the loss of one of best chefs in the city. Shaun Brady was an icon and a staple in Kansas City for his Irish cuisine. Irish Festival will never be the same without him. BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- China has worked with Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries to deepen the energy transition, advance green cooperation, and achieve sustainable development, said a white paper issued on Thursday by China's State Council Information Office. Under the BRI framework, China has devoted to open, green and clean cooperation that pursues high-standard, people-centered, and sustainable development, said the white paper titled "China's Energy Transition." In 2021, China pledged to stop building new coal-fired power plants overseas, and focused on green and low-carbon energy projects in its energy cooperation with its partner countries, the white paper said. The country has collaborated with over 100 countries and regions on green energy projects and launched a number of key projects and some "small yet smart" projects that effectively address the accessibility and affordability of power supply in those areas, and provided them with clean, safe and reliable energy supply solutions, it said. The white paper cited Pakistan's Karot Hydropower Station as an example, which is a priority project for energy cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Built and operated by Chinese enterprises, the hydropower station boasts a total installed capacity of 720 MW and generates an annual average of 3,200 GWh of clean electricity, meeting the power demand of over 5 million people. The country is also working on jointly building platforms for high-level energy cooperation, including the Belt and Road Energy Partnership, with its member countries reaching 33, according to the white paper. Focusing on energy security, energy transition, energy access, and sustainable energy development, China has contributed its solutions to the reform of global energy governance, it added. HONG KONG, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Seminars were held recently in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on guiding principles of the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), inspiring development momentum in the HKSAR. During the seminars, the guiding principles were elaborated to audiences from all walks of life. "History has shown that Hong Kong has always played a positive role in the country's reform and opening-up drive," said Chief Executive of the HKSAR John Lee. Hong Kong will work hard to promote the high-quality development of the country and itself, and the Chinese-style modernization, he said. The HKSAR government will make vigorous efforts to make Hong Kong an international talent hub, said Chan Kwok-ki, chief secretary for administration of the HKSAR government. Financial Secretary of the HKSAR government Paul Chan underscored the need to advance coordinated sci-tech innovation with the mainland, and urged a sense of responsibility, while working in a down-to-earth manner. Hong Kong business community should play an active role in further deepening reforms comprehensively and make greater efforts to strengthen international connections, said Wingco Lo, president of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong. Hong Kong is well-positioned to spearhead the development of new quality productive forces and new industrialization, said Sunny Tan, chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, stressing the need to promote high-end, intelligent and green transformations of industries. TAIPEI, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The occupancy rates for hotel and guesthouse rooms in Taiwan decreased by 2.9 and 3.84 percentage points, respectively, in the first half of 2024 year on year, according to the latest statistics released by an official booking website taiwanstay.net.tw. The occupancy rates for hotels and guesthouses in the first half of the year were 47.3 percent and 22.69 percent, respectively, down from 50.2 percent and 26.53 percent in the same period last year, the website announced on Wednesday in a press release. In particular, Hualien in the eastern part of the island saw a significant decline in occupancy rates, with only about 10 to 20 percent of rooms occupied, compared to 40 to 60 percent in the same period last year, due to the impact of a serious earthquake in April and low travel confidence. Meanwhile, the average nightly rates for hotels and guesthouses in the first six months were 2,885 and 2,488 New Taiwan dollars (about 90 and 78 U.S. dollars), down 2.4 and 1.78 percent year on year, respectively. Among the 3,438 hotels surveyed, approximately 78 percent had room rates below the average. According to the island's regulations, a legally-registered guesthouse normally has a maximum eight rooms with a total area of no more than 240 square meters. During the summer vacation, many tourist spots in Taiwan did not experience the usual peak season boom. The beaches in Kenting of southern Taiwan, which saw monthly visitors exceed 20,000 before the COVID-19 pandemic, only had slightly over 10,000 visitors per month from January to June this year. Local hotels reported that summer occupancy rates were below 50 percent. Additionally, the annual Taiwan International Balloon Festival, held in Taitung from July 6 to Aug. 19, attracted 660,000 visitors this summer, down nearly half from last year's 1.16 million. RAMALLAH, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army on Thursday killed five Palestinians, including a commander, in an exchange of fire in the Tulkarm refugee camp in the West Bank, Palestinian and Israeli sources said. Mohammed Jaber, also known as Abu Shujaa, a commander of Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), was killed after exchanging fire with Israeli forces who besieged the building he was in with other Palestinian militants, Palestinian sources told Xinhua. Avichai Adraee, the spokesperson of the Israeli army, said in a press statement that under the direction of the Shin Bet, and after an exchange of fire, members of the special police unit eliminated five militants, including Abu Shujaa, who were hiding in a mosque in Tulkarm. Abu Shujaa was involved in several operations and "directed the shooting operation in June that resulted in the death of the Israeli Amnon Mukhtar," Adraee said. He added that one of the members of the police unit sustained minor injuries and was transferred to a hospital in Israel for treatment. For the second day in a row, the Israeli army has launched a large-scale military operation in Tulkarm, Jenin and Tubas refugee camps in an attempt to arrest wanted persons accused of involvement in operations against Israel. TOKYO, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Typhoon Shanshan, which made its landfall on Thursday in the southwestern Japanese prefecture of Kagoshima, has brought heavy rain and strong winds that left three people dead, 82 injured and one missing. A landslide in Gamagori city of the central prefecture of Aichi, caused by the warm, moist air from the typhoon on Tuesday night, left three people dead and two injured, according to local media reports. As of 5:50 p.m. local time on Thursday, the powerful storm had injured 79 people in the prefectures of Miyazaki and Kagoshima, and one person in Mie prefecture. Meanwhile, a man in his 60s fell overboard while seeking refuge near Kagoshima and remains missing. Shanshan, which weakened after making landfall at around 8 a.m. local time, has disrupted communication services, and caused widespread power and water outages. It has led to train service suspension of the Kyushu Shinkansen, parts of the Sanyo and Tokaido Shinkansen, and numerous flight cancellations. The typhoon also significantly impacted logistics and delivery services, with more than 50 supermarkets and over 900 convenience stores temporarily closed in Kagoshima and Miyazaki. Also on Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida convened a cabinet meeting urging citizens to remain vigilant against potential hazards like heavy rainfall, landslides and river flooding. Typhoon Shanshan is expected to move slowly eastward starting Friday and potentially cause further disruptions, and authorities have advised the public to stay alert for severe weather conditions including heavy rain. NANCHANG, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, met on Wednesday with a delegation led by Andrew Hsia, vice chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, in Lushan, east China's Jiangxi Province. In his remarks, Song pledged further efforts to improve relevant institutional mechanisms and policies to boost cross-Strait integrated development. Song said that based on the common political foundation of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence," the mainland is willing to work with the KMT to oppose "Taiwan independence" separatism and external interference, promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and advance national reunification and rejuvenation. Noting that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the same Chinese nation, Hsia said that based on the common political foundation of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence," the KMT is willing to safeguard peace and stability across the Strait, boost cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, and promote the positive growth of cross-Strait relations. HANOI, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's electronics exports earned 77.4 billion U.S. dollars as of Aug. 15 this year, increasing 20 percent year on year, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs. The sector has witnessed vigorous recovery, posting a double-digit growth over seven and a half months, and is expected to hit 130-132 billion dollars in 2024, Vietnam News Agency reported Thursday. Computers, computer devices, electronic products and components brought home 42.59 billion dollars while phones and components 33.8 billion dollars, respectively rising 30 percent and 11 percent from a year earlier, said the report. Big investments from electronic giants have helped rapidly expand Vietnam's smartphone market share globally to 13 percent, the second largest after China, according to the Vietnam Electronic Industries Association. BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- A public prosecution has been initiated against Zhang Hongli, former vice president of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), on suspicion of taking bribes. Following the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP)'s designation, the Hangzhou Municipal People's Procuratorate in east China's Zhejiang Province recently filed a lawsuit against Zhang with the Intermediate People's Court of Hangzhou, according to an SPP statement released Thursday. The lawsuit comes following the conclusion of an investigation by the National Commission of Supervision into Zhang's case. Zhang has been charged by the procuratorate with abusing his position to secure benefits for others and illegally accepting substantial bribes in the form of money and valuables. Click the photo and watch the video. * Thirty years ago, the central government of China decided to rally national support for Xizang. * The paired-up assistance policy has helped transform Xizang into a region featuring economic prosperity and happiness of people. * The feat demonstrates the country's political and institutional advantages. LHASA, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) After two failed attempts to apply for work in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, thousands of kilometers away from his hometown, Li Dong finally succeeded in 2022, following his father's footsteps in aiding the construction of the plateau region. Li's persistence stemmed from a summer vacation trip in 1997, when he visited his father, one of the first cadres in Shandong Province assigned to Bainang County in the region to assist local development. "The history and the culture in Xizang that I learned about during that trip and the stories told by my father lingered in my memory, pushing me to come and work here just like my father," said Li, serving as deputy head of the county now, who is among the 10th batch of cadres assigned by Shandong to work for a three-year term in Xizang. Benefiting from the aiding efforts of Shandong, a renowned vegetable production base in China, Bainang has developed into "a vegetable basket" on the plateau. More than 2,200 greenhouses produce over 60,000 tonnes of vegetables and fruits every year, and the sector's annual output reaches nearly 300 million yuan (about 42.1 million U.S. dollars). Thirty years ago, the central government decided to rally national support for Xizang. Under the paired-up assistance policy, some central state organs, provincial-level regions and centrally administered state-owned enterprises were designated to assist in specific areas in the region. Since then, cadres from government and enterprise units in more developed areas have taken turns stationed in Xizang, greatly contributing to its development. A grand gathering is held to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Xizang at the Potala Palace square in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 19, 2021. [Xinhua/Sun Ruibo] The unswerving drive has helped transform a once poor, backward Xizang into a region featuring economic prosperity and the happiness of its people -- a feat that demonstrates the country's political and institutional advantages, which would have been impossible without the leadership of the Communist Party of China. New Look At an average altitude of over 4,500 meters, Nagqu is paired with the economic hub of Zhejiang Province in east China, which helps with Nagqu's development. Statistics show that over the decades, a total of 645 cadres from Zhejiang have been assigned one batch after another, and more than 6 billion yuan has been poured from the province to Nagqu. Students have meals at the canteen of Baingoin County Sinopec Primary School in Baingoin County, Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 22, 2024. [Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida] In a small village in the rural area of Nagqu, a 143-million yuan program supported by the Zhejiang team to aid Xizang's construction started in 2021, turning the village into a community with concrete roads and neatly distributed new Tibetan houses equipped with tap water. "Gone are the days when we had to carry water home from several kilometers away," said local villager Tsogyel Wangmo, 57, adding that they now have a flush toilet in their new house. Also in the city, a smart clothing manufacturing project of a company introduced by officials from Zhejiang began trial operation in mid-June with a total investment of 50 million yuan. Pieces of cloth traverse through several sections when they are automatically made into school uniforms and outdoor jackets. Ye Wanhua, the company's general manager, said it is the first smart factory in Nagqu. The company, which has been settled in Nagqu for four years, has expanded its investment in cold-chain logistics and hotel businesses, creating jobs and securing an output value exceeding 100 million yuan in 2023. Improving Livelihood On the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, the thin air leads to high hemoglobin concentrations, thick blood and a heavy burden on the heart and lungs in the human body. In 2020, under the assistance of doctors from south China's Guangdong Province, a national chest pain center was inaugurated in the city of Nyingchi -- the first one at the prefecture level in Xizang that meets the national standard. In this center, the doctor team completed the first heart valve surgery in Xizang. Huang Xiaozhong, a cardiologist based in Guangzhou, volunteered to stay in Nyingchi for three years to help establish the center. Huang recalled that before the center was in place, local patients hit by acute myocardial infarction had to be transferred to the regional capital Lhasa or even farther places outside Xizang for treatment with a long time on the way, posing a threat to their lives. "Many of them passed away on the way," said Huang. Now, one to two operations are held in the center daily and doctors also guide hospitals in remote counties in thrombolytic therapies. "The patients hit by myocardial infarction in the remote mountainous areas no longer have to helplessly wait for death," said Purbu Tashi, a local doctor who learned medical skills from Huang. Wang Tongxu, doctor of a medical team from a hospital in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, treats a patient at a village in Mainling City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 12, 2023. [Xinhua/Jigme Dorje] Relevant data shows that during the "13th Five-Year Plan" period (2016-2020) alone, 17 provinces and municipalities planned and arranged 1,260 projects with a total investment of 20 billion yuan to support the development of Xizang. Schools, hospitals, and kindergartens built by various units from other parts of China have been established on the plateau. Due to his poor health, Li Jiqian, Li Dong's father in Shandong, cannot visit Bainang County again. His son often video calls him, showing him the latest progress in the county where he used to work. Many greenhouses now have sensors and cameras for smart plantations. "Aiding the construction of Xizang is a continuous project. I hope my son can carry on the deeds that I couldn't finish," said the senior Li, 69. (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Wang Shasha Robert Telles, a former Clark County Public Administrator, was charged in the murder of Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative journalist Jeff German. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at the Great Hall of the People here on Thursday. Xi pointed out that in this changing and turbulent world, countries need solidarity and coordination, not division or confrontation. People want openness and progress, not exclusion or regress. As two major countries, China and the United States should be responsible for history, for the people and for the world, and should be a source of stability for world peace and a propeller for common development. While great changes have taken place in the two countries and in China-U.S. relations, China's commitment to the goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship remains unchanged, the principle of handling the relationship based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation remains unchanged, its position of firmly safeguarding the country's sovereignty, security and development interests remains unchanged, and its efforts to carry forward the traditional friendship between the Chinese and American people remain unchanged, Xi said. Xi expressed the hope that the U.S. side will work with China in the same direction, view China and its development in a positive and rational light, see each other's development as an opportunity rather than a challenge, and work with China to find a right way for two major countries to get along. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Game of Thrones director shares industry insight with Coleg Cambria students A renowned movie director was put under the spotlight by Coleg Cambria students. Neil Marshall, whose credits include Hellboy, Game of Thrones, Westworld, and Dog Soldiers, paid a visit to the colleges Creative Media department for a Q&A with learners in Deeside. A Best Director winner at the Saturn Awards and British Independent Awards for The Descent, he spoke about his career in the industry and provided the cohort with advice and guidance on how to pursue their dreams. Cambria Lecturer Edward Evers-Swindell wrote and directed the movie Dark Signal, which Neil supported as Executive Producer. He said it was an inspirational and informative session for the students and staff. Neil discussed his route into film and his personal journey as well as answering questions on a range of topics, said Edward. What made this even more valuable for the students is that he is self-made, rather than knowing anyone in the industry he started from scratch with no more than a passion for films to sustain him. He added: Neils journey has been long and hard, but hopefully gives inspiration to learners who didnt know how to get started in the movie business. His talk was fascinating and went into detail about each of his projects and how they came about, while being incredibly honest about projects that were, in his own words, successes and failures, as well as the differences in working in film vs television. The students asked some brilliant questions that demonstrated a real interest in what they had listened to, and their feedback was really positive, so it was a fantastic event for all of us. Neil also recorded a podcast with Edward and the team, where he discussed the importance of engaging with academia and the next generation of talent, on and off camera. I think its vital, we never had anything like this when I studied film, he said. Nobody came from the business to talk to us; it would have been an eye opener and refreshing and bolstered our enthusiasm. I like coming to these things and talking to students because I want to inspire people. Thats what we aim to do as filmmakers, inspire people. Guests communicate outside the venue of the fifth Qingdao Multinationals Summit held at Qingdao International Conference Center in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 28, 2024. The fifth Qingdao Multinationals Summit is convened from Aug. 27 to 29 in Shandong Province, continuing its established "Multinational Corporations and China" theme. The summit features a slate of events, including an opening ceremony, a multinationals exchange conference, a closed-door policy meeting organized by various ministries and commissions, special promotional events for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization demonstration area, and showcase activities for the guest province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) The opening ceremony of the fifth Qingdao Multinationals Summit is held at Qingdao International Conference Center in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 28, 2024. The fifth Qingdao Multinationals Summit is convened from Aug. 27 to 29 in Shandong Province, continuing its established "Multinational Corporations and China" theme. The summit features a slate of events, including an opening ceremony, a multinationals exchange conference, a closed-door policy meeting organized by various ministries and commissions, special promotional events for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization demonstration area, and showcase activities for the guest province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) Guests attend the opening ceremony of the fifth Qingdao Multinationals Summit held at Qingdao International Conference Center in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 28, 2024. The fifth Qingdao Multinationals Summit is convened from Aug. 27 to 29 in Shandong Province, continuing its established "Multinational Corporations and China" theme. The summit features a slate of events, including an opening ceremony, a multinationals exchange conference, a closed-door policy meeting organized by various ministries and commissions, special promotional events for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization demonstration area, and showcase activities for the guest province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) A research report titled "Multinationals in China: Sharing New Opportunities of Chinese Modernization" is released by the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce of China during the opening ceremony of the fifth Qingdao Multinationals Summit held at Qingdao International Conference Center in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 28, 2024. The fifth Qingdao Multinationals Summit is convened from Aug. 27 to 29 in Shandong Province, continuing its established "Multinational Corporations and China" theme. The summit features a slate of events, including an opening ceremony, a multinationals exchange conference, a closed-door policy meeting organized by various ministries and commissions, special promotional events for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization demonstration area, and showcase activities for the guest province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) Guests communicate during the fifth Qingdao Multinationals Summit held at Qingdao International Conference Center in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 28, 2024. The fifth Qingdao Multinationals Summit is convened from Aug. 27 to 29 in Shandong Province, continuing its established "Multinational Corporations and China" theme. The summit features a slate of events, including an opening ceremony, a multinationals exchange conference, a closed-door policy meeting organized by various ministries and commissions, special promotional events for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization demonstration area, and showcase activities for the guest province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) Guests attend the opening ceremony of the fifth Qingdao Multinationals Summit held at Qingdao International Conference Center in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 28, 2024. The fifth Qingdao Multinationals Summit is convened from Aug. 27 to 29 in Shandong Province, continuing its established "Multinational Corporations and China" theme. The summit features a slate of events, including an opening ceremony, a multinationals exchange conference, a closed-door policy meeting organized by various ministries and commissions, special promotional events for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization demonstration area, and showcase activities for the guest province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) According to the latest Global Employment Trends for Youth (GET for Youth) report, published by the UNs International Labour Organisation (ILO), a massive 256 million (20.4 percent of the worlds 1.2 billion youth population) were not in employment, education or training (NEET). The NEET rate for young men was 13.1 percent, while the rate for young women was twice as high at 28.1 percent, meaning that two out of three NEETs are young women. NEET status is also a much more permanent situation for young women than for young men. It is higher in rural areas than in urban areas and in low-income countries than in high-income countries. Global Employment Trends for Youth (GET for Youth) report, published by the UNs International Labour Organisation [Photo: International Labour Organization] The International Labour Organisation (ILO) tries to paint the best picture it can of the grim future for the youth, pointing to a general recovery in youth unemployment following the height of the COVID-19 pandemica measure that ignores the widespread casual labour and hawking that forms the employment of most people in low-income countries. But this recovery was not universal. The youth unemployment rate in 2023 in the Arab States, East Asia and South-East Asia and the Pacific was higher than in 2019. Furthermore, while youth unemployment had continued rising in the Arab States, this increase was a reversal for the Asian sub-regions that had previously seen economic growth and jobs for youth. The reality for most youth around the world, if they do find work, is one of having to scratch a living rather than having a secure job and decent work. That so many cannot obtain their just share of the distribution of the worlds wealth created by the international working class and condemned to a life of grinding poverty, is a searing indictment of the capitalist system of production for private profit that has attained an unprecedented level of global integration. The ILO cannot help but note somewhat lamely, With uncertain times ahead, the well-being of youth is a growing concern. It points out that due to the COVID-19 pandemic few countries had met their Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 8.6 that called on countries to By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training. The NEET rate of 20.4 percent in 2023 was only marginally better than 2015s rate of 21.3 percent, with progress stalling even before the pandemic. Moreover, the global figure masks enormous regional variations. While NEET rates have improved in some regions, several regions that already had some of the worlds highest rates are showing a regressive trendthe Arab States (33.2 percent NEET), North Africa (31.2 percent), South Asia (25 percent) and Sub-Saharan Africa (20 percent). The unemployed in the youth NEET rate include both the unemployed and those outside the labour force (OLF)neither working nor looking for work (the OLF inactive NEET status). It is the OLF inactive that represents the largest share of youth unemployment and is particularly pronounced among young women. The ILO expects the youth NEET rate to remain at 20.4 percent in 2024 and 2025 and to increase in three subregions where they have been relatively low: East Asia, Eastern Europe and North America. In South Asia, where rates were already among the worlds highest, youth NEET rates are expected to rise to 26.6 percent in 2025, with only slight improvements for the Arab States and North Africa. Surveys show that many young people are anxious about the economy and their job prospects, amid fears about losing their jobs, job stability, a lower standard of living than their parents, the lack of opportunities and a decline in the general level of happiness, in the regions marked by grinding poverty, savage worker exploitation and gaping social inequality. There are 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 years, accounting for 16 percent of the 8 billion global population. By 2030the target date for the SDG Target 8.6the number of youths is expected to approach 1.3 billion. Young people will form an ever-larger proportion of the worlds wage-labor workforce, currently around 3 billion, that rose from 1.2 billion in 1980 as part of the transition from farm to factory. The largest population of youth (60 percent) is concentrated in Asia and the Pacific. Around 90 percent live in low-income countries where they make up a large proportion of the population. By 2025, one third of global youth will be in Sub-Saharan Africa. Africa has the youngest population worldwide, with 60 percent of its 1.25 billion population under the age of 24, 40 percent under the age of 15 and less than three percent above 65, a savage index of the low life expectancy. In 2023, in sub-Saharan Africa around three in four working young adults were in precarious forms of work; one in three earned less than the median wage; and more than one in two eked out an existence in the agricultural sector. These conditions testify to the powder keg that is Africa and indeed vast parts of the world. As the ILO says, How African countries will create decent jobs for so many labour market entrants is a matter of global concern. The United Nations says, As youth are increasingly demanding more just, equitable and progressive opportunities and solutions in their societies, the need to address the multifaceted challenges faced by young people (such as access to education, health, employment and gender equality) have become more pressing than ever. The concerns of these institutions set up by US imperialism and its European allies in the wake of World War II to regulate international affairs in their interests is not with the atrocious conditions that young people are forced to endure. Rather, they fear the threat this poses to the stability of capitalist rule as the authorities lose control over the sprawling slums and shanty towns to be seen across the developing world. Youth-led protests have broken out in several African countries over recent months calling for political change. For weeks, young people in Kenya took to the streets in protests against the rampant corruption and high taxes levied by President William Rutos regime. In Uganda, mass protests against the soaring cost of living, poverty and government corruption in July were violently suppressed by police after President Yoweri Museveni warned that those thinking of such protests were playing with fire. Protesters block the busy Nairobi -Mombasa highway in the Mlolongo area, Nairobi, Kenya., July 2, 2024 [AP Photo/Brian Inganga] Earlier this month, young people hit the streets across Nigeria to protest the soaring cost of living, the removal of the electricity subsidy, high unemployment and the rampant corruption of President Bola Tinubus government. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo warned that Africa was staring at the abyss. Speaking in an interview with CNN affiliate Citizen TV, he said, All over Africa, we are sitting on a keg of gunpowder, adding, Theres virtually no exception (country) in Africa where the youth are not angry. They are unemployed unempowered and they see nothing other than hopelessness. Obasanjo warned that if no adequate attention is paid to the needs of the youth in Africa it will be very ugly for all of us. As he was speaking, mass protests by students in Bangladesh over job quotas and rising social inequality prompted the military to bundle long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina out of the country in a bid to stabilise bourgeois rule. The ruling elites are conscious that they have no Nelson Mandela-like figures who can be wheeled out to head off the youth and the working class, preserve capitalism on their behalf and prevent its collapse that would set off a chain reaction in neighbouring countries. Indeed, the record of Mandela and the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa, the most well-known of the bourgeois-nationalist movements, shows that defeating the depredations of imperialism requires building a revolutionary alternative in the working class. The basis for this is the defence of Permanent Revolution by the International Committee of the Fourth International. Trotskys theory of Permanent Revolution explains that the capitalist class can no longer lead the struggles for democracy as it did in the bourgeois revolutions of the eighteenth century in the United States and France. Fearful of the proletariat andin the former colonial countries in Africa and Asiadependent on foreign imperialism, the capitalists must suppress democratic rule. Democracy and social equality, including the right to decent paying work, can only be established by the working class seizing state power and placing all the resources of the economy under the control of the workers and oppressed masses, as part of the struggle for world socialist revolution. Work at Dakkota, Ford or in the auto industry? Fill out the form below this article to get involved with the Autoworkers Rank-and-File Committee Network at your plant. All submissions will be kept anonymous. Dakkota auto parts workers on strike in Chicago on the picket line on August 27, 2024. Dakkota parts workers in Chicago have courageously been on strike for nearly a month. They have rejected four separate UAW-company sellout agreements that would impose poverty wages on them, despite threats of lockouts and job cuts by the UAW and the company. The rebellion of Dakkota workers has won support among Ford workers, workers in Dakkota plants in Michigan and among other Big Three auto workers. On Wednesday afternoon, in a development of immense significance in the class struggle, Dakkota workers sought to break the isolation imposed by the UAW bureaucracy and go on the offensive by picketing the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant during the shift change. The workers handed Ford workers the recently published statement of the Dakkota Workers Rank-and-File Committee titled, Support the Dakkota auto parts strike! An injury to one is an injury to all! Ban the use of scab parts from Dakkota! Currently, the UAW bureaucracy and UAW Local 551 have forced workers at the Ford plant to continue handling scab parts from Dakkota. But there has been growing opposition among Ford workers to handling parts produced by strikebreakers, which the UAW has completely ignored. The picketing outside the Ford plant by Dakkota workers is the first of its type in decades. It expresses the objective strivings of workers to expand their strike against poverty wages in the auto industry and link up their struggle with the fight against job cuts and layoffs. The picketing by the Dakkota workers outside the Ford Chicago Assembly plant has already begun to have an impact, with Ford workers responding in anger on social media. One Ford worker responded, International is leaving you guys to hang. An CAP/551 shouldnt have taken one scab part! This goes against everything UAW stands for! Wheres the solidarity for [Dakkota workers in] 3212!? On the picket line on Tuesday, Dakkota workers had a clear message to workers at Ford: Stop using scab parts! Workers demanded, Leave the scab parts alone! We need the cost of living just like you all did. We stood out there a few months with you supporting you the same way, and we didnt get paid for it, but we were out there. One worker appealed, Brothers and sisters of the UAW, period. Do not use them scab parts. Another worker said to Ford workers, If they shut Ford down, it costs this company money. Support our strike! We supported you guys when you went out on strike. We were out of jobs. We didnt get any strike pay when they went out on strike. You should not be using these parts. Workers are not shy about expressing their anger at UAW officials. UAW President Shawn Fain, other UAW International executives and UAW Local 3212 officials have responded to the repeated defeat of their sellout contracts by threatening workers, telling them that if they do not accept Dakkotas demands, they will be fired. They are just trying to get us to go back to work, one worker told the World Socialist Web Site on Tuesday. They are not trying to reason with us or hear what we want. They just want us back in there. The union people, they only come out here to try to convince us to take a contract. The offers are terrible, she continued. The union is not fighting for what we want. They are only trying to bargain to get us back on the line. A veteran Dakkota worker said, We have no representation. On a strike you usually see a union person somewhere. They have been here only to convince us to go back to work. He added, They want to threaten us that if we dont go back, well get fired. Other workers spoke to the massive disparity in their pay compared to the massive profits of the company. They made $1.1 billion in 2023thats $366,667 per employee, one worker said. And they employ 3,000 people throughout the entire company. We are getting paid a pittance, and they are raking the profits. Thats not right. We are the ones doing the work. We are the ones sitting in that hot building frying. Its unfair working conditions. For two workers, one of the biggest sources of frustration has been the attempts by the UAW bureaucrats to make workers vote on the same contract proposal multiple times. To add insult to injury, they have done it without giving workers time to study the contract and discuss it with one another. Within seven days we voted three times, one worker related. There was no explanation about any parts of the contract. The paperwork was given to us the date of the vote. We didnt have time to think about what we were going to do. I mean, its a type of intimidation. Workers reported that since the contract was rejected by the rank and file, the UAW is punishing them, pulling out even the most basic support to the strike. They are stalling us out. No water. We dont have any ice. Its wearing everybody down. Referring to the $1.1 million that the UAW donated to the Democratic Party, a worker commented, They are giving the money away right in front of us! Workers were angry to learn that Fain, after speaking at the Democratic National Convention, was in Chicago again to attend the UAW Womens Conference. At the meeting he met with Bidens Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su who sanctioned Fains installation as UAW president in an illegitimate election in which 90 percent of the UAW membership was excluded. On June 25, a federal judge in Michigan ruled that Sus refusal to act on complaints of systematic voter suppression brought by rank-and-file autoworker Will Lehman was arbitrary and completely illegitimate. A striking worker commented: Ive been here seven years. I dont know who he is. He [Fain] could walk right past me, and I wouldnt know. He hasnt been here. Another point of anger for workers towards the UAW bureaucracy is that workers groups on social media have been censored or shut down by union officials, making it difficult for workers to share information and coordinate action in the strike. Following the fourth contract rejection, the UAW shut down the locals Facebook page, where workers expressed outrage over being forced into a shotgun vote. The app is gone. We had a UAW app. They put it up, and then they got rid of it. We had a UAW page with the union representatives. They deleted that after our third vote over seven days. They stopped us from responding to it. Another worker added, The whole reason for it to be up there was for us to share our comments and concerns. But you restricted us from doing that! Work at Dakkota, Ford or in the auto industry? Fill out the form below to get involved with the Autoworkers Rank-and-File Committee Network at your plant. After President Emmanuel Macron finished a round of talks with leaders of Frances parliamentary parties on Monday, he refused to select a prime minister to try to assemble a majority in parliament. Instead, the Elysee presidential palace issued a communique stating that Macron would not name a prime minister from the New Popular Front (NFP) led by Jean-Luc Melenchon, which won a plurality in the July 7 elections. Macrons trampling on the election results has exposed the intractable crisis of French democracy and his own deep ties to neo-fascism. His refusal to allow the election winners to try to assemble a majority in parliament has left France without a government for nearly two months. To explain this position, however, the Elysee stated that the NFP is unacceptable to legislators from the far-right National Rally (RN) and Macrons own Ensemble coalition, pledging that they would band together to bring down any government the NFP formed: A government based only on the program and the parties proposed by the alliance with the most legislators, the New Popular Front, would be immediately censured by all the other groups represented in the National Assembly. Such a government would thus immediately have a majority of over 350 deputies against it, effectively blocking it from acting. Given the views of the political leaders that were consulted, the institutional stability of our country therefore compels us not to take this option. Macrons pledge to work with the RN to block an NFP government is setting into motion an explosive confrontation with the working class. Macron is despised among workers for ruling against the people, after pushing through pension cuts last year, sending riot police to assault mass protests and strikes against the cuts. Fully 91 percent of French people reject Macrons cuts, and a similar proportion oppose his call to send French troops to Ukraine for war with Russia. The constant diversion of social wealth by the capitalist class towards imperialist war and massive bank bailouts in the face of deep popular opposition, above all, in the working class, is leading to a breakdown of democratic forms of rule. Outgoing Prime Minister Gabriel Attals caretaker government has reportedly begun preparing an austerity budget to freeze social spending. Since caretaker governments traditionally cannot take budgetary decisions, this only underscores the illegitimacy of the Macron regime. It will provoke bitter opposition in the working class against austerity, global imperialist war, and French and NATO backing for the Israeli regimes genocide in Gaza. A debate is raging in the French ruling class over what coalition government to assemble to try to suppress and politically strangle this opposition. In the run-up to the July 7 elections, Macron carried out extensive discussions with the far-right RN to prepare for the installation of a far-right government. However, the elections led not to a victory of the RN but of the NFP, as millions of workers, particularly in the major cities, voted for the NFP to block the neo-fascists. The Elysee communique issued an appeal to Melenchons allies in the NFPprimarily, the big business Socialist Party (PS) and its traditional allies, the Stalinist French Communist Party (PCF) and the Greens. It called upon them to split the NFP, abandon Melenchon and join the parties of Macrons coalition in a governmental alliance backed by the traditional right. Imploring the PS, PCF and Greens to cooperate with other political forces, the communique stated: Discussions with the LIOT group and the EPR, MoDem, Horizons, Radicals and UDI sketched a path towards a coalition and possible collaboration between different political sensibilities. These groups have made clear they are open to supporting a government led by a personality that would not come from their own ranks. But for now, the PS and its allies have rejected Macrons appeal and denounced his refusal to let the entire NFP form a government. The PS attacked Macrons intolerable policy as a coup and the rejection of a left-wing government, because he rejects and has contempt for its program. Green Party leader Marine Tondelier denounced Macrons dangerous democratic irresponsibility as a shame, pledging to keep fighting for the will of the French people: three-quarters of them want to break with the Macron regime. PCF National Secretary Fabien Roussel said he would only meet publicly with Macron to build a broad government led by Lucie Castets, the 37-year-old Finance Ministry bureaucrat Melenchon has approved as the NFPs proposed prime minister. Melenchon for his part repeated the threats made by his France Unbowed (LFI) party to present a motion in the National Assembly to impeach Macron. The popular and political response must be rapid and firm, he tweeted, pledging: The motion for impeachment will be presented. Tuesday, the Union of University Students (UE) and the National High School Students Union (UNL) called for nationwide protests against Emmanuel Macrons autocracy. Shortly afterwards, LFI issued a call to join the UE-UNL protests. For now, the PS has not issued a statement of support or a call for participation in the UE-UNL protests, however, which are called for September 7. A powerful movement must be built among the youth and, above all, to mobilize the working class to bring down Macrons police-state dictatorship. The military aggression abroad and class war at home waged by Macron in France and the governments of all his NATO allies must be stopped. A critical warning must however be addressed to the workers and youth: This cannot be done on a national perspective of building a capitalist government led by the NFP and, in particular, by the PS, a bourgeois party deeply hostile to socialism and the working class. For all of the proclamations of unbridgeable differences between various political parties that are supposedly blocking the formation of a government, the differences of policy separating these different parties are in fact relatively minor. The NFP has endorsed in its program calls to send troops to Ukraine and to build up the military police and intelligence services at home. On the basic agenda of imperialist war abroad and class war at home, the PS and Melenchon do not represent a fundamentally different policy than Macron. Moreover, despite Melenchons threats to impeach Macron, and Macrons insistence that he will not accept a NFP government, the basic form of the government they are proposing is also similar. The NFP has 193 of the 577 seats in the National Assembly. Under these conditions, Melenchons threatened impeachment motion is set to fail, as have repeated censure motions LFI submitted against Macron earlier in his presidency. Moreover, whatever government the NFP might form, even if it included LFI and Melenchon, would depend on reaching an agreement with Macron and the raft of small, right-wing parties allied to himas Macron is currently proposing. Indeed, by offering to back a PS-led government in which LFI would have no ministers, Melenchon has signaled that he is open to a compromise on the issue most clearly separating Macron from the NFP: whether Melenchon and his party would participate in the government. Because they do not have fundamental differences with Macron, Melenchon and the NFP have refused until now to call protests or strikes against Macrons trampling of the election results. As protests against Macron begin again, the critical question is for youth and workers to take control of their own struggle away from the NFP bureaucracies. The protests and strikes of the recent period against the Gaza genocide, pension cuts and wage austerity must be developed into a movement of the international working class against imperialist war and for socialism. Tens of thousands of building industry workers rallied across Australia on Tuesday, protesting the federal Labor governments assault on the construction division of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU), which has been placed under administration. State control over a large section of workers has been imposed with extraordinary speed, in a massive attack on democratic rights. Sketchy claims of union corruption, broadcast in the corporate media and entirely untested, are clearly only a pretext for a measure aimed at disciplining a militant and significant section of the working class. A section of the Melbourne rally against state control of the CFMEU, August 27, 2024 The largest rally was in Melbourne, where some 40,000 workers took part, while protests in Sydney, Brisbane and other major cities numbered in the thousands. The mass rallies highlighted the determination of workers to fight a sweeping attack on their democratic rights that is ultimately directed at slashing wages and conditions. They also expressed mounting hostility among the working class to the Labor Party, amid a deepening cost-of-living and social crisis. But the demonstrations also exposed the complete bankruptcy of the ousted CFMEU leadership, which has no perspective to fight the administration or the Labor government that ordered it and no plan to mobilise workers against them. In even attending the rallies, workers defied threats, censorship and isolation by the political establishment and the union apparatus. Under draconian Fair Work industrial legislation, the walk-offs and rally were essentially illegal. That was emphasised by the Labor government, which threatened workers with repercussions if they walked off the job to attend the rallies. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned Tuesday morning: If there is unprotected industrial action, then there are consequences for that. Albanese repeated the infamous catch-phrase of arch-conservative, anti-working class British Tory Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, declaring, the government is not for turning. This followed a statement from the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) Monday, that employers were required to dock workers at least four hours pay if they walked off the job to attend the rallies. Social media posts advertising the demonstrations in Sydney and Melbourne were quickly taken down from the CFMEUs official accounts as one of the first acts of the administrator. Almost all unions in the country boycotted the rallies. Along with the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), they have lined up in full support of Labors anti-democratic moves against construction workers and the CFMEU. Only a handful of unions, including the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), which is the maritime division of the CFMEU, promoted and encouraged members to join the demonstrations. The protests showed that workers are furious over Labors attempt to neuter the CFMEUs construction division and see it as part of a broader attack on the working class. Ben, who has worked in the building industry for 30 years, told World Socialist Web Site reporters at the Melbourne rally: What is happening to the CFMEU can happen and will happen to other Australian unions. Another worker, Anthony, said We need to look outside Labor to find affiliations. A break with the ALP should be an option. Bruce, a worker at the rally, asked: What have Labor and Liberal done for us in the last decade? Things should have gotten better in the last 50 years, not worse. I agree, we need a revolution. Workers rally in Sydney against Labor governments appointment of an administrator to the CFMEU, August 27, 2024 Speakers to the rallies, most of whom were leading figures in the recently deposed CFMEU bureaucracy, acknowledged this opposition to Labor only in the form of demagogy. In Sydney, ousted CFMEU NSW secretary Darren Greenfield denounced the rotten, stinking Labor Party, and vowed, next election, were gonna vote these bastards out. Rob Kera, his second-in-charge, declared Were gonna campaign for the absolute destruction of the Labor Party. This is so much bluster and hyperbole. Whether Labor is voted out at the next election or not, the union leaderships main aim is to ensure the rightful anger and hostility to the Labor governments assault is confined within the straitjacket of the parliamentary process. Within this anti-democratic and pro-business framework, the only alternative to the anti-working class program of Labor that can result from an election is the equally right-wing program of the Coalition government. At the Brisbane rally, Greens member of parliament Max Chandler-Mather was given the platform. He declared: This is an attack not just on construction workers but on every worker in this country because Labor has set a dangerous precedent. He outlined no way to fight the measure, however. Nor did he explain why the Greens continue to collaborate with the Labor government and aspire to some sort of power-sharing arrangement after the next election. The Greens are a capitalist party of the upper-middle class. Their posturing on this issue, as with their rhetorical condemnations of the Gaza genocide, are aimed at channelling discontent back behind the parliamentary set-up. Denis McNamara, introduced as a rank and filer, but in fact a member of the unions committee of management until he was removed on Friday, said, These politicians and [ACTU secretary] Sally McManus will be remembered as traitors of the working class. None of the speakers offered any explanation for the unprecedented attack by Labor or its support by the ACTU, both of which were presented as coming totally out of the blue. CFMEU NSW President Rita Mallia made passing reference to the very clear agenda of the Master Builders Association to target your pay rises. But she insisted the unholy alliance between Labor, the ACTU and the Liberal Party to crush this mighty union had come without any warning, without notice. This is a fraud. The CFMEU bureaucracy has been an integral part of Labor for decades, channeling millions of dollars of members dues to the party and promoting it in one election after another. The union aggressively campaigned for Labor in the 2022 election, and is thus directly responsible for the right-wing program Albanese has implemented, including the assault on workers rights, wages and conditions. The ousted CFMEU leadership is promoting the illusion that this pro-business assault is an aberration or something unexpected, both to cover over its own filthy record and to divert workers from the conclusion that a political alternative is required. At the Melbourne rally, a resolution was passed that the CFMEU officials who are no longer allowed to represent their members in the workplace should retain their positions in the leadership of the industry superannuation funds jointly controlled by the union and major corporations. This exposes the real agenda of the CFMEU apparatus. Firstly the rallies were called only after the administration was imposed. They did not lift a finger against Labors assaultnot one strike action was organised. Instead, behind closed doors, they engaged in backroom negotiations with the FWC to organise the administration of the unions branches, with the main perspective of preserving their own positions. Only after they were officially cut out of the industrial relations framework when the legislation was pushed through parliament, leaving them with no other option, did these bureaucrats look to their membership to restore their own lucrative positions. Tuesdays rallies were not called to build opposition to the Labor government, but to contain it. Stripped of their titles, but still inextricably tied to Labor and the union apparatus, the ousted CFMEU leaders are terrified that workers opposition will bypass them. This was expressed in the declaration by Kera that the elected leaders will remain leadership in exile, and Greenfields appeal for workers to stay with uswere only getting warmed up. But staying with the now exiled CFMEU bureaucracy, which has tied workers to Labor, the ACTU and the Fair Work framework, is what has led to the situation construction workers now confront. To fight the dictates of the administrator, and oppose further attacks on wages and conditions, workers need democratic organisations of their own. Rank-and-file committees, independent of the CFMEU or any other union, must be established in workplaces throughout the construction industry and more broadly. These committees must prepare a concerted campaign of political and industrial action to abolish the administrator and defend pay and jobs. That requires a turn to other sections of workers, for a joint struggle, which can only occur in opposition to the union bureaucracy as a whole, which has overwhelmingly supported the administration. This is a political fight against the Labor government, its aligned union bureaucracy and the property developers and corporations, at whose behest this attack has been carried out. Above all, what is posed is the need for a socialist strategy, directed against the subordination of construction and every other industry to the profit demands of the ultra-wealthy. Due to widespread opposition to the pro-war policy of the federal coalition government and the social devastation for which all parties are responsible, the fascist Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) are predicted to make strong gains in the upcoming state elections being held in eastern Germany. In Thuringia, the AfD is polling around 30 percent, putting it almost 8 points ahead of the second-placed Christian Democratic Union (CDU), while the BSW is scoring 18 percent. In Saxony, where state elections are also taking place on Sunday, the AfD is neck-and-neck with the CDU at just over 30 percent. Here, the BSW is in third place with around 14 percent. In Brandenburg, where the state parliament will be elected on 22 September, the AfD is also in first place with 24 percent, and the BSW is in fourth place with 17 percent, just behind the Social Democrats (SPD) and CDU. BSW election poster: War or PeaceYou now have the choice The AfD is winning not because there is mass support for its fascist programme, but mainly because the vast majority reject the pro-war policy and social cuts of the governing parties. The AfD is exploiting widespread anger for its reactionary agenda, which in reality aims to further escalate German militarism. That is why it is being built up and courted by the ruling class. After the attack in Solingen last Friday, the establishment parties are taking this far-right campaign to a new level. The BSW, a split-off from the Left Party, does not offer a progressive alternative to the federal coalition government comprising the SPD, Greens and Liberal Democrats (FDP). Like the AfD, it is deflecting social anger at the incredible wealth of the rich towards the weakest in society, the refugees. It defends war and militarism, but, like the AfD, wants to give them a different aim. The BSW can win support because it officially rejects the war in Ukraine and because it is taking a stand against the social catastrophe for which the majority of its representatives were responsible as former Left Party politicians. The SPD, Left Party and Greens have repeatedly betrayed their voters politically, organised one social catastrophe after another and transformed themselves into angry warmongers. It began with the industrial devastation wreaked across the former East Germany after reunification in 1990, which destroyed 8,000 companies and cost millions of jobs. It then continued with the Agenda 2010 policies of the SPD-Green federal government between 1998 and 2005, which transformed East Germany into a huge experimental field for low-wage work. Finally, it culminated in the consequences of the Russia sanctions and the war in Ukraine. The Left Party, which initially presented itself as an alternative to the SPD and the Greens, supported these policies wherever it entered into government. The social consequences are palpable. Even 34 years after German reunification, the standard of living in the east is significantly lower than in the west. Especially in rural areas, aging, crumbling infrastructure, a shortage of doctors and teachers, and bitter poverty are widespread. Even so-called industrial flagship projects, which were subsidised with a great deal of taxpayers money, repeatedly collapsed. Now, auto factories, chip manufacturers and numerous other factories are in danger of going under in the maelstrom of the global economic war. In Saxony alone, 14 larger companies experienced a severe crisis last year, went bankrupt or closed their locations. The SPD, the Greens and the Left Party are now so hated and discredited throughout eastern Germany that they must fear for their entry into the state parliament. The SPD, the Chancellors party, is barely polling 6 percent in Thuringia and Saxony, barely above the 5 percent hurdle for parliamentary representation. In Thuringia, where it has provided the prime minister for the last ten years with Bodo Ramelow, the Left Party stands at 14 points. Five years ago, it was still at 31 percent. At 4 percent in Saxony, it is expected to miss out on entering the state parliament for the first time. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance With her decision to leave the Left Party after 35 years membership and found a new party, Sahra Wagenknecht is trying to fill the gap left by the SPD and Left Party. The Left Party has long played a key role in defending capitalism and suppressing the class struggle in eastern Germany. The BSW is now trying to take on this role. It is trying to prevent the growing outrage at the AfD fascists from combining with a mass movement against capitalism and war. It is not weakening the AfD but strengthening it. The BSW promises a change of policy, but has already signalled its willingness to form a coalition state government with the CDU, SPD or Left Party after the elections. With the BSW polling between 14 percent in Saxony and 18 percent in Thuringia, it is likely to be difficult or impossible to achieve a government majority without its participation, as long as the AfD does not enter the government. Preparations for a coalition with the BSW have long been underway in the background. On 21 August, the weekly Der Spiegel reported: Behind the election campaign scenes, [the Saxony CDU prime minister] Kretschmer has long been secretly exploring with the BSW what might be possible in the future. Officials from Christian Democrat-led ministries are already working on papers for coalition negotiations. The BSW promises more social justice, but refuses to touch capitalist private property and the power of banks and corporations. It attaches great importance to being neither left nor socialist. The BSW promotes peace in Ukraine but rejects a mass movement against the war. Instead, it appeals impotently to the warmongers for peace. It is not even prepared to clearly name NATOs responsibility for organising a right-wing coup in Kiev in 2014 and for provoking the Russian invasion by arming Ukraine. Instead, its Saxony election programme declares: We condemn Russias attack on Ukraine, which is contrary to international law. This is followed by demands for a ceasefire and negotiations, for a lasting peace architecture for Europe, for the resolution of conflicts through diplomacy, etc. There is only one sensible way out of the dangerous spiral of confrontation: de-escalation and new disarmament treaties. The logic of war must finally be replaced by the objective argument of balancing interests. This is to deliberately deceive the electorate. The war in Ukraine, which has already claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and threatens to result in a nuclear catastrophe, cannot be ended by pacifist appeals to the warmongers. Washington and Berlin are fuelling the war not because they are unreasonable, but because they are pursuing tangible imperialist interests. They want to crush Russiaas they once did Yugoslaviain order to divide up its vast resources among themselves. Like the AfD, the Wagenknecht party also criticises NATOs war against Russia because it wants to free Germany from its dependence on the USA. She calls for a Bundeswehr (Armed Forces) that can fulfil its constitutional mission and is adequately equipped to do so. In particular, former SPD and Left Party leader Oskar Lafontaine, Wagenknechts husband and closest adviser, accuses the German government of being a vassal of the USA. As if German imperialism had not proved that it is capable of the most brutal crimes even without American help! Otherwise, the election programme of the Wagenknecht party combines set pieces from the worst traditions of Stalinism with portions of the AfD programme: nationalism, agitation against migrants, increasing police powers, and rejecting COVID protective measures. The first demands of her Saxony state election programme are: Community-oriented police; swift and effective justice; stopping uncontrolled migration; reviewing the Coronavirus period. When it comes to agitating against migrants, Wagenknecht never misses an opportunity to outdo the AfD. She rails against uncontrolled migration, calls for an asylum about-turn and the deportation of criminal refugees. She commented on the attack in Solingen by saying, Allowing uncontrolled migration leads to uncontrollable violence. This is where the reactionary character of the BSW is most clearly evident. Right-wing agitation against migrants serves the ruling class everywhere to promote fascist movements, to step up the powers of the police, to divide the international working class and to scapegoat the weakest for the crimes of capitalism. That is also the goal of the AfD. Anchored in the existing power structures Wagenknecht and Lafontaine are the public face of the BSW. They appear regularly in the media. In the second row, there are numerous experienced politicians who are deeply rooted in the existing power structures. Most of them come from the Left Party. In addition, there are also managers, small business owners, well-known journalists and other representatives of the so-called Mittelstand (well-off middle-class layers). In Saxony, the trade union official Sabine Zimmermann is the lead candidate for the BSW. She has been working full-time for the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) since 1992 and has been chairwoman of the DGB in Eastern Saxony since 2002. In 2005, she left the SPD for the Left Party, for which she sat in the Bundestag (federal parliament) until 2021. Katja Wolf, the BSWs lead candidate in Thuringia, also comes from the Left Party. She was the mayor of the city of Eisenach for twelve years and, according to the Tagesschau, is networked and recognised across party lines. Wolf is flanked by Steffen Schutz, an entrepreneur in the marketing industry, and Steffen Quasebarth, a longstanding television presenter at broadcaster MDR. The CDUs lead candidate in Thuringia, Mario Voigt, says he respects Katja Wolf as a person and has never known her to be a stubborn ideologue. Voigt considers a coalition government with the BSW to be possible, while Wolf, for her part, emphasises that she wants to end the experiment of minority government, whichif the AfD does indeed remain outsidewould be most likely to happen through an alliance between the CDU and the BSW. But the BSW also does not rule out closer cooperation with the AfD. In July, it spoke out against a cordon sanitaire in the European Parliament, with which other factions wanted to prevent the election of far-right MEPs to leading positions. Michael von der Schulenburg, a member of the BSW, called this an abuse of the parliamentary majority. The BSW has fundamental differences of opinion with the parties affected by these firewalls and their parliamentary groups, he said. But one must recognise that they were elected and thus represent different parts of the European population in this parliament. When asked by Der Spiegel, BSW General Secretary Christian Leye confirmed this line applied to Germany as well. There will be no coalitions or cooperation with the AfD, he said. However, they would no longer go along with voting against every AfD motion on principle, even if it is correct in content. From Stalinism to the BSW Sahra Wagenknecht has undergone numerous transformations in her 35-year political career, but one thing has remained constant: her nationalism, her commitment to the existing state power and her hostility towards any mass movement from below. When mass protests against the regime in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) broke out in 1989, the 20-year-old joined the Stalinist state party SED (Socialist Unity Party). When the SED supported the dissolution of the GDR and the introduction of capitalism, she remained in the party, which now called itself PDS (Party of Democratic Socialism), and she became the mouthpiece of the Communist Platform faction. However, this platform had nothing to do with communism. It was an alliance of die-hard Stalinists who justified the worst aspects of the SED dictatorship. They were bitterly hostile to the perspective of world socialist revolution, which the Trotskyist movement had defended against Stalinism. After the PDS entered several East German state governments, Wagenknecht left the Communist Platform. In 2011, she published the book Freiheit statt Kapitalismus (Freedom Not Capitalism), in which she sang the praises of post-war West German capitalism and economics minister and later chancellor Ludwig Erhard (CDU), who was hated among workers. Karl Marx, whom she had previously liked to quote, was no longer mentioned. Wagenknecht had finally converted to capitalism. Wagenknechts paean to competition, the meritocracy and Ludwig Erhard is an unmistakable signal to the ruling class that the Left Party is prepared to defend capitalist rule by any means necessary, while ever broader layers of workers come into conflict with it, we commented at the time. Wagenknecht was now part of the inner circle of the Left Party and its parliamentary group in the Bundestag. In 2021, she attacked the party leaderships increasing orientation towards better-off urban middle-class layers and the identity politics prevalent in that group, in her book Die Selbstgerechten (The Self-Righteous). Wagenknecht did not lead this attack from the left, from the international class standpoint of the working class, but from the right, from a socially reactionary, nationalist standpoint. She railed against cosmopolitanism and cultural open-mindedness, campaigned for protectionism and a strong state, denounced migrants and refugees as wage suppressors, strikebreakers and culturally alien elements, and appealed to the Mittelstand, to small and medium-sized companies and the self-employed who suffer from the effects of the world market. The book anticipated the BSW programme, which combines social demagogy and peace rhetoric with core elements of the AfD programme and explicitly defends capitalism. Workers must reject Wagenknechts attempt to save capitalism on the basis of extreme right-wing politics. Fascism, war and exploitation can only be combatted by mobilising the working class against their cause, capitalism. No problem can be solved without breaking the power of banks and corporations and putting them under democratic control. Such a movement must be independent of all bourgeois partiesincluding the BSW and the Left Partyand the trade unions, which have been transformed into representatives of corporate interests. And it must be international, uniting workers worldwide on the basis of their common class interests. The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP) and its sister organisations in the International Committee of the Fourth International stand for this perspective. We call on all workers and young people who want to fight against war and the rise of the AfD: get in touch with the SGP, study the World Socialist Web Site and our programme and join the SGP. The University of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England, is facing growing opposition to its pro-Zionist witch-hunt against a distinguished member of faculty, Professor James Dickins. An investigation by the university has recommended stripping Professor Dickins of his emeritus status, on the grounds that he encouraged a protest on campus against a pro-Israel event. A professor who retires from an educational institution in what is considered good standing may be given the title professor emeritus as a mark of distinguished service. James Dickins [Photo: Anja Komatar/change.org] Dickins is an advocate for Palestinian human rights and was until recently chair of the Leeds branch of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and a supporter of the University of Leeds Palestine Solidarity Group (PSG). Although retired in 2023, he has continued to supervise PhD students. Staff and students at the University of Leeds have amassed over 10,000 signatures in just a few weeks for a petition calling for his defence. On July 17, the University of Leeds branch of the University and College Union (UCU) published a statement, Solidarity with Professor Emeritus James Dickins, declaring that the recommendation to revoke his emeritus status is unwarranted. The persecution of Dickins stems back to January this year, when the Jewish Society (JSoc) at the University of Leeds advertised an event organised by StandWithUs (SWU). Also known as Israel Emergency Alliance, SWU is a pro-Israel advocacy organisation, which has a significant presence on university campuses across the UK, US, Canada, South Africa, Australia and Brazil. The event was billed as part of a SWU UK campus tour to be addressed by US/Israeli rapper and hip-hop artist Noah Shufutinsky, whose brother Dimitri Shufutinsky is a member of the right-wing lobbying group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and has served in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). Dickins sent WhatsApp messages on February 2 to the WhatsApp chat of the Palestine Solidarity Group, regarding the proposed event, saying in one: I think a co-ordinated response is needed from Leeds PSC, Leeds University PSG, and staff at Leeds University. A scurrilous campaign was launched attempting to link Dickins with the daubing of graffiti on a Leeds campus building, Hillel House, which is used by JSoc to hold meetings. The graffiti, which read Free Palestine and IDF off campus, was written on the building on February 8almost a full week after Dickins messagesand was denounced as antisemitic by the pro-Zionist Jewish News. The Jewish News posted screenshots of Dickins social media messages on its website in a February 12 article, as if these were some kind of evidence of criminal activity. The President of Leeds JSoc [Jewish Society], Emma Levy, responded that her main priority was ensuring the university cut ties with James Dickins. One student submitted a complaint to the university about Dickins messages triggering an investigation and leading to the threatened removal of Dickins status as emeritus professor. By his messages, Dickins did notas other leading academics have notedintend to encourage a protest or demonstration but had in mind an open letter. The event in question passed off without incident. Indicating the spurious nature of the attack on Dickins, a July 16 article by the British Committee for the Universities of Palestine (BRICUP) noted of the affair, After threats of legal action, Jewish News removed all reference to Dickins in its 12 February 2024 repor.t. On July 29, BRICUP announced that 21 Fellows of the British Academy (FBA) had signed a letter calling on University of Leeds management to end their victimisation of Dickins, resulting from an evidence-free attack on the Professor by pro-Israel students and others. The letter, in part, read: Professor Dickinss crime, it appears, is being critical of the State of Israel, for we have seen no other evidence whatsoever of wrongdoing on his part, adding there is no substance to the allegations. The letter clarified: Professor Dickins is accused of having leaked the address of the Hillel House for the purpose of encouraging protest that endangered the residents, and which resulted, putatively, in vandalizing graffiti on the Hillel House. In actuality, the address of the Hillel House is nowhere in the WhatsApp messages Professor Dickins exchanged with others--but is in the public domain for all to obtain. He did not encourage any protest connected with the Hillel House, and in fact, no such protest ever took place. The FBA letter concluded: The proceedings against Professor Dickins are based on the complaint of a single student and have neither merit nor factual base, and Dickins messages were a political expression of his views endorsing anti-Zionism, not antisemitism. The letter explained that the moves to strip Dickins of his emeritus status violated not only due process, but also the Universitys duty to protect and foster both free speech and academic freedom. On August 20, the Committee for Academic Freedom (CAF) published an article detailing the witch-hunt being conducted against Dickins, in which it said: There are no grounds, whatsoever, to believe that Dickins incited violence or did anything else which might justify a restriction on the right to protest. Thus, the universitys punishment of Dickins is, in effect, punishment for advocating for protest simpliciter. This is an appalling violation of freedom of speech. It is also almost certainly illegal. Universities have a duty to secure freedom of speech under the 1986 Education Act. The attack on Dickins is part of an escalating assault on protest and free speech. The British government, Tory and now Labour, alongside the US and other NATO powers, has fully backed and armed Israels genocidal assault on Gaza. It has responded to mass demonstrations against the butchering of Gazas Palestinian population with an assault on the right to protest and free speech seeking to criminalise left-wing, socialist and anti-war opposition. The persecution of Professor Dickins is in particular an attempt to silence widespread opposition to war on campus among staff and students. This was made clear when thousands of academics declared their opposition last October in an open letter to the then Torys attempts to brand academics who opposed the Gaza onslaught as holding extremist views. The letter to the UK Research and Innovation that funds and directs academic research in the UK denounced the current wave of repression and attempts at censorship led by the government against lawful expressions of solidarity with Palestinians and criticisms of the Israeli militarys heavy bombardment of the Gaza Strip since 7 October. With the incoming Labour government as slavish in support of the Israeli regime as were the Tories, the attack on opponents of Israels slaughter of the Palestinians is only being stepped up. Earlier this month the Court of the University of St Andrews in Scotland dismissed rector Stella Maris, a vocal opponent of the Gaza genocide. Maris was targeted because of an email she sent on November 21 last year to all 10,000 St Andrews students calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Maris told St Andrews student newspaper The Saint, I have faced the full force of the University all because I made a statement supported by the overwhelming majority of students, calling for an end to a genocide. Earlier this month seven students at the University of Londons School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) were suspended and are threatened with expulsion. They were involved in a campus encampment protesting Israels genocide on Gaza. The university has previously suspended four students and three alumni for holding a Palestine solidarity event on campus last October when Israel invaded Gaza. In February, police raided the home of a SOAS student, arresting her under the Terrorism Act for protesting in defence of the October 7 Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation. Management at several universities deployed security and the police and took legal action to tear down dozens of encampments set up last term. Today just two encampments remain ahead of the start of the new term next month. Labour Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, utilising riots by far-right forces earlier this month to strengthen the state, said the government will conduct a rapid analytical sprint on extremism, to map and monitor extremist trends. Its aim is to identify any gaps in existing policy which need to be addressed to crack down on those pushing harmful and hateful beliefs and violence. Railroad workers: Fill out the form below to tell us what you think about this contract! All submissions will be kept anonymous. A CSX freight train in downtown Pittsburgh Saturday, November 19, 2022. [AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar] On August 21st, the US railroad CSX announced a tentative agreement with three unions representing approximately one-quarter of its unionized employees. The deals are with the the Transportation Communication Union (TCU), the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen (BRC), and train service employees in SMART-TD. Two days later, CSX declared a further two unions, SMART-MD, representing mechanical workers, and the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA), have moved to accept the tentative agreement. Deals with the remaining rail unions will likely follow, making this a pattern agreement for the other five Class I railroads in the United States. These agreements arrive four months before the expiration of the current agreement on December 31st. According to CSX and the union officials, details will be released shortly to the membership for ratification. The deal is the first since President Biden and Congress intervened in late 2022 to ban a strike and unilaterally impose a government-mediated deal which workers had already rejected. This was a major experience in the class struggle, which pitted railroad workers not just against management intent on imposing ruthless working conditions, but against the capitalist state and the trade union bureaucracy, which worked with the government to prevent a strike. The Biden administration, which calls Biden the most labor-friendly president in US history, intervened to continue slave-like conditions in the industry. Railroaders, many of whom are on call 24/7 and can work 80 hours a week or more, were not even guaranteed any sick leave under the deal. In reality, it showed that the White House is relying on the trade union bureaucracy to suppress strikes and impose substandard deals. This was confirmed throughout 2023, with more sellouts on the West Coast docks, at UPS and in the auto industry. TCU released some aspects of the agreement, which already make clear it is another massive sellout. It contains a 17.5 percent wage increase over five years, an average of 3.5 percent per year. They also claim unspecified improvements in vacation and health and welfare benefits and changes to work rules. It also maintains a 15 percent cap on monthly employee health benefit contributions. In a statement praising this pathetic deal, TCU claimed, This is the largest wage increase received on CSX in any round of bargaining outside of a Presidential Emergency Board in over 20 years. But put another way, this means that workers received better contracts through endless rounds of government-mandated talks aimed at blocking strike action. It is not uncommon for talks to reach PEB mediation on the railroads, which are governed by the anti-worker Railway Labor Act. SMART-TD also published a press release with scant details of the agreement, stating ...as other discussions on national bargaining items quickly broke down, we were pleased to find that CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs and his team at CSX were willing to step up to the plate and not play games. This statement underscores the cozy relations between the bureaucracy and management. Hinrichs oversaw the company during the last contract struggle, when his friends in Washington rammed through a deal without sick days. A few months later, when CSX voluntarily granted a pathetic four days of sick leave, the union bureaucrats which had blocked a strike praised CSX for its responsible corporate governance. The bureaucrats supported this cynical maneuver because it helped them deal with simmering resentment from railroaders and promoted dead-end illusions in begging the railroads to act responsibly. At the time, particularly fawning praise for CSX came from BMWED president Tony Cardwell, who had reacted furiously to rank-and-file calls for strike action in 2022. In a recent statement on August 16, Cardwell told workers that [t]o date, the BMWED bargaining team has been actively engaging with any willing and serious Class 1 freight railroads ahead of the November moratorium. The moratorium is in reference to the serving of Section 6 notices, staking out the bargaining positions of the unions and railroads under the anti-worker Railway Labor Act. The timing of the deal is unusual in comparison to past negotiations, where agreements are generally made years after the previous one expires. There can be little doubt that the motivation for getting these deals through early is to preempt another drawn-out contract fight which triggers a full-on rank-and-file rebellion, this time totally escaping the bureaucracys control. CSX CEO Hinrichs made this clear when he declared: CSX and our labor partners [emphasis added] understand our employees dont want to wait for several years for their next pay raise. Echoing this, Cardwell declared: The leadership is aware that members often feel frustrated by the prolonged pace of previous rounds. As a matter of fact, what they really are frustrated about is not the pace with which the sellouts take place, but that the union bureaucrats work with management and the government to block their First Amendment-protected right to strike, and to throw back working conditions by a century. Workers must reject this contract and prepare for the next battle for decent wages and conditions. This requires they continue to build upon the rebellion from 2022, when the Railroad Workers Rank-and-File Committee was founded to mobilize opposition to the government-union-corporate conspiracy against them. The Committee issued statements read by thousands of railroad workers, organized public meetings with hundreds of attendees and organized informational pickets at major yards throughout the country. This played a major role in the shock defeat of the White House-brokered deal in voting over the fall, in spite of attempts by the bureaucrats to demoralize and confuse workers and even stuff the ballot. This is a global struggle. This August, Canadian railroaders were first locked out by Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City, before the Liberal government of Justin Trudeau intervened to impose binding arbitration, robbing workers of the right to vote on their own contract. A major enabling role is being played by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC), which first delayed strike action and then retreated before government threats. The Canadian governments move to shut down the work stoppage came after the White House intervened, indicating Washingtons fear that a major strike would not only impact profits south of the border, but encourage railroad and other workers as well. American railroad workers should reject this agreement and link up with their Canadian brothers and sisters in a continent-wide fight. This requires the development of new, rank-and-file leadership, opposed to both countries corporate governments and the union bureaucrats in each country. The British monarchy, hypocritical British conservatism, religiosity, servility, sanctimoniousnessall this is old rags, rubbish, the refuse of centuries which we have no need for whatsoever. Trotsky, 1924 Scoop fictionally recounts the circumstances surrounding the November 2019 interview conducted by Emily Maitlis of the BBCs current affairs program Newsnight with Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, the younger brother of the current king of England. The interview was intended by the princes handlers to limit the damage created by Andrews well-publicized relations with financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, by then already deceased. Instead, as the WSWS noted at the time, the maneuver backfired in spectacular fashion. The conversation was meant to humanize the prince. But he was not nearly a good enough actor for that. In the end, Prince Andrew was either unwilling or unable to be anything but himself: indifferent to the feelings and suffering of others, snobbish, stupid, spoiled. Gillian Anderson and Rufus Sewell in Scoop The interview was the most watched in Newsnights history. Only days after the program was aired, Buckingham Palace announced that Andrew was stepping back from royal duties. In January 2022, he was stripped of his honorary military titles and royal patronages. In a humiliating blow, the Times reported, Prince Andrew, 61, will also no longer use the style of His Royal Highness in any official capacity. In February 2022, Andrew settled a lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually abusing her when she was under age, as the result of being trafficked by Epstein. The prince did not admit liability but reportedly paid Giuffre as much as 12 million pounds [$US 16 million]. Scoop, released on Netflix, is directed by Philip Martin and written by Peter Moffat and Geoff Bussetil, based on the book by Samantha McAllister, a BBC producer at the center of the efforts to organize the interview with Prince Andrew, in the scoop of the title. The film concerns itself with various aspects of the Andrew-Epstein-BBC episode, some quite secondary and most of the latter not very enthralling. Sam McAllister (Billie Piper) is presented (or presents herself, through her book and the ultimate screenplay, on which she no doubt had some influence) as something of a populist troublemaker, a hip maverick in the rather rarefied, highbrow domain of the BBC and Newsnight in particular. In a recent Hollywood Reporter article, This Is How I Made That Crazy Prince Andrew Interview Happen, McAllister describes her on-screen persona as magnificently bedecked in my everyday attire (think black faux leather, fake fur, snakeskin boots, lashings of lip gloss, huge handbag, even huger sunglasses). In one of Scoops early scenes, McAllister (Piper) sneers at the news programs being discussed in All the dinner parties in [middle class] North London Did you see Newsnight last night? Wasnt it amazing how Emily Maitlis said all the great things we all agree with? Were mistaking talking to ourselves for news, Freddy, and its killing us. A healthy portion of the proceedings is taken up by friction and conflict in the newsroom and by McAllisters various relationships, with her wise mum (Amanda Redman), her adorable son Lucas (Zach Colton), her no-nonsense local kebab vendor, etc., etc., and those sequences, as noted, do not light up the sky. The films advertising and to a certain extent the screenplays structure present Scoop as an examination of the roles of three women in bringing about the interview and presumably Prince Andrews exposure and downfall: McAllister, Maitlis (Gillian Anderson) and Amanda Thirsk (Keeley Hawes), Andrews private secretary. The attempt to turn this into some sort of #MeToo exposure, spearheaded by courageous females (publicity claim: The film is a behind-the-scenes story of the women who negotiated with the Buckingham Palace establishment to secure the scoop of the decade that was the public catalyst for the downfall of Prince Andrew), doesnt make much sense. McAllister, as she would seem to be the first to concede, wasnt especially interested in the Epstein scandal or its socio-political implications and simply regarded the booking of Andrew as a career coup. Scoop marketing The real-life Thirsk, who had worked at Buckingham Palace for 15 years, was strenuously, if quite misguidedly, attempting to defend the queens younger, apparently favorite son. Hawes-Thirsks presence and her various (mostly unhappy facial) reactions as events spin out of control amount to a large red herring. What are we to make of hersome sort of unwitting traitor to the #MeToo cause, a slave to the patriarchy? It remains murky. (Thirsk lost her job as a result of the interview-fiasco.) Maitlis (Gillian Anderson), according to Scoop, has something more of a political agenda. Asked at one point why she is doing the interview with Prince Andrew, she replies: Monica Lewinsky. I feel like I let women down by not asking Clinton about her. Sex with that woman was actually consensual. She was 21. He was the president of the United States. He got his life back. She got decades of vicious misogyny. This seems a bit strained and never gets another mention. To what extent the BBC officialdom, an essential component of the British capitalist establishment, hoped that the interview would improve Andrews reputation and standing is not clear. Maitlis, within definite limits, appears to have been determined to expose the prince as a disreputable, dishonest, possibly criminal individual, which, given the damning circumstantial evidence and Andrews general obtuseness and flat-footedness, was not so demanding a task. The broader significance of the Epstein affair, what it demonstrated about the character and depravity of global ruling elites, is largely missing in Scoop. In an early exchange with a photographer about Epstein and his activities, Sam asks: How do we not know about this? Because its young girls no one cares about going in and out of a house. And hes rich. You know, he went to jail. Now hes out. Frankly, hardly anyone gives a shit. Later, its left to a montage of television anchors to report that [anchor 1] Mr. Epstein, arrested just over a month ago, was found dead this morning in his cell at the Metropolitan [anchor 2] He once counted among his friends Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew [anchor 3] He was in cardiac arrest and pronounced dead [anchor 4] charged on trafficking dozens of girls for sex [anchor 5] six underage victims [anchor 6] involving underage girls [anchor 7] including Donald Trump, liked beautiful women [anchor 8] categorically denied by the royal family. Billie Piper in Scoop In numerous articles posted since July 2019, the WSWS has offered the most insightful commentary on the Epstein affair, including his alleged suicide and the role of Prince Andrew. These articles would be a starting point in any consideration of the case: The case of Jeffrey Epstein and the depravity of Americas financial elite, July 2019 Who wanted Jeffrey Epstein dead?, August 2019 Epstein scandal engulfs Britains Royal family after BBC interview with Prince Andrew, November 2019 Prince Andrew settles out of court with Jeffrey Epstein sexual abuse victim, February 2022 Prince Andrew and a monarchy in crisis, February 2022 The coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla: The terminal crisis of the British monarchy, May 2023 Notes on the financial oligarchy: Jeffrey Epstein and the criminality of the ruling class, May 2023 Justice Department report fails to substantiate the suicide narrative of Jeffrey Epsteins death in federal custody, June 2023 Court documents list Jeffrey Epsteins associates among political, corporate, celebrity elite, January 2024 In 2019 we commented: There seems little doubt that Epstein is guilty of serious crimes. This is not an instance of over-sensitivity on the part of alleged victims or a case involving sexually ambiguous or confusing situations, much less outright #MeToo-type witch-hunting for career advancement, revenge or other motives. By all accounts, Epstein, to satisfy his and others sexual or psychological needs, deliberately set out to prey on the poor and defenseless. Courtney Wild, who says she was 14 when she met Epstein, told the Miami Herald, Jeffrey preyed on girls who were in a bad way, girls who were basically homeless. He went after girls who he thought no one would listen to and he was right. And further: We were stupid, poor children, said one woman, who did not want to be named because she never told anyone about Epstein. At the time, she said, she was 14 and a high school freshman. We just wanted money for school clothes, for shoes. I remember wearing shoes too tight for three years in a row. We had no family and no guidance, and we were told that we were going to just have to sit in a room topless and he was going to just look at us. It sounded so simple, and was going to be easy money for just sitting there. Epstein, despite the seriousness of his crimes, was protected for years by his influential friends and maintained his connections to the rich and powerful. Epsteins rise says a great deal about American society in the past four decades in particular, and what it says amounts to an ugly and harsh indictment. Unsurprisingly, Martins film largely sidesteps these issues. Whats most interesting and valuable in Scoop, above all, is the portrait of Prince Andrew rendered by the talented Rufus Sewell. Keeley Hawes, Rufus Sewell and Charity Wakefield in Scoop Here art does what political analysis cannot do, present the truth in the form of concrete imagery. Sewell is remarkable at bringing out the mix of stifled, upper class repression and, inevitably, more malevolent, crueler qualities, a stuffed shirt capable of genuine coldness and callousness, all of this qualifying him for friendship with the Machiavellian Epstein. Sewells Duke of York is someone who has never grown up and expects always to have his way, an individual calamitously out of touch with others and himself, arrogant, self-indulgent and thoughtless. From the interview itself: So, in 2006, in May, an arrest warrant was issued for Epstein for sexual assault of a minor. Yes. He was released in July of 2010. And within months, you went to stay with him at his New York mansion. Why? Why were you staying with a convicted sex offender? I was doing a number of other things while I was there. But you were staying at the house of a convicted sex offender. It was a convenient place to stay. And as to whether Virginia Giuffre was lying about having sex with him on three separate occasions, aged 17, once in a London house when she was trafficked to you in Maxwells house, once in New York a month or so later in Epsteins mansion, and once on his private island, in a group of seven or eight other girls? Thats a difficult thing for me to, um answer because I dont know what shes, um, trying to achieve. But I can tell you uh categorically, I dont remember meeting her at all. I do not remember a photograph being taken, and Ive said, consistently and, um frequently, that we never had any sort of sexual contact whatever. Bizarrely, in reply to Giuffres allegation that Prince Andrew bought her drinks and danced with her at a London night club, he answers: No, that couldnt have happened because on that particular date, I was, um, at home. I was with the children. And I had taken Beatrice to a Pizza Express in Woking for a party, I think round about 4:00, 5:00 in the afternoon. Why would you remember that so specifically? Because going to Pizza Express in Woking is an unusual thing for me to do. A very unusual thing for me to do. And so forth. The image of Andrew, following the broadcast of the BBC interview, fresh from a palace bath tub, naked, standing awkwardly, frozen in place as he reads denunciations of himself and his conduct, a semi-pathetic figure thoroughly taken aback by the hostile public reaction, disgraced and friendless, privileged as ever, will stay with the viewer. One thinks at that moment of Trotskys comment that the office of kingship is an interrelation between people. The king is king only because the interests and prejudices of millions of people are refracted through his person. When the flood of development sweeps away these interrelations, then the king appears to be only a washed-out man with a flabby lower lip. TEHRAN, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and 10 others injured due to a gas leak in a workshop belonging to Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in the central Iranian province of Isfahan, the semi-official Fars news agency reported early Thursday. The workshop was located at one of the corps' centers, Fars quoted a statement by the IRGC's Saheb al-Zaman Corps in Isfahan, without specifying the date of the incident or providing further details. The petty-bourgeois Pabloite Anticapitalistas tendency is championing the recent agreement between Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of the Socialist Party (PSOE)-Sumar government and the Catalan nationalist Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), backed by the right-wing Catalan-nationalist Junts party. This pact led to the formation of a pro-union regional government in Catalonia, headed by the PSOEs Salvador Illa, ending over a decade of rule by pro-separatist Catalan nationalist parties. Salvador Illa walks out of the Catalonia parliament after being sworn in as the new president of Catalonia during a plenary session in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday Aug. 8, 2024. [AP Photo/Joan Mateu] The deal, in the final analysis, represents a closing of ranks of the Spanish and Catalan bourgeoisie for war, austerity and attacks on democratic rights. It comes as the PSOE-Sumar government prepares new rounds of austerity at home against the working class and arms the far-right Kiev regime in Ukraine against Russia and the Zionist regime in its genocide against Palestinians. Anticapitalistas covers up the deeply reactionary politics underlying the agreement. It tries to present the deal as part of ongoing attempts by democratic factions of the Catalan and Spanish bourgeoisie to resolve conflicts between Madrid and Barcelona. This is the character of the article written by Marti Caussa in Anticapitalistas magazine Viento Sur, titled Puigdemont dulls Salvador Illas investiture. Caussa states: The agreement consists of a series of proposals to improve and develop [Catalan] autonomy, which is the only thing that PSC [the Catalan affiliate of the PSOE] and PSOE can accept, but there is no reference to a self-determination referendum, a proposal that remains the majority preference within Catalan society. The most advanced proposal is to immediately promote the creation of a National Convention with the goal of addressing the resolution of the existing political conflict and presenting its conclusions to Parliament. On the other hand, the agreements narrative recognises the existence of the Catalan nation, the political conflict with the State, the origins of October 1st, the need for amnesty, the defense of the Catalan language and the Catalan school system, the necessity of a change in financing, and a series of proposals in the economic and social spheres that the PSC previously rejected (such as reviving the pilot plan for a universal basic income). Overall, the text represents a significant shift in the discourse of both PSC and PSOE. This is a lie. There is no significant shift in the discourse of the PSOE. Cataloniathe second richest region in the countryis to control the taxes generated within its territory, except for a percentage allocated to state services and a solidarity fund for Spains other regions, the exact amount of which has yet to be determined. Meanwhile, the ERC is expected to support PSOE-Sumars budgets, which will channel billions into the military and the weapons industry at the expense of education, healthcare, and social spending. As with all deals among regional capitalist cliques across Spain, this comes at the expense of budgets in other regions. This will enable the right-wing PP and the neo-fascist Vox party to pose as defenders of the equality of all Spaniards against the selfish Catalans. The PSOEs Salvador Illa has been installed as the regional Catalan premier and is preparing for a showdown with the working class. Illa has promised to increase the Catalan police force from 18,000 to 22,000 officers by 2030. He has recruited Ramon Espadaler, former regional Interior Minister from 2012 to 2015 under the right-wing Catalan nationalists, as the new regional justice minister, with a track record of attacking workers and students protesting against austerity and hikes in student fees. The installation of the Catalan government takes place, however, as the PSOE-Sumar government further escalates war abroad. Sanchezs minority government relies on the support of Catalan nationalists in the Spanish parliament to continue enforcing austerity measures demanded by Brussels, which target the working class at home, and simultaneously, to keep increasing defence budgets and supplying weapons to far-right regimes, such as Ukraine in NATOs war against Russia in Eastern Europe, and Israels genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Last week, Spains Defense Minister, Margarita Robles, defended the use of Spanish weapons by the Kiev regime in its attack on the Russian province of Kursk. Robles stated, This is a war, and Ukraine will use all the material it considers necessary at any given moment. We have nothing to say on this. In the same week, Iran leaked drone footage showing the Spanish aircraft carrier Juan Carlos I, the flagship of the Spanish Navy, patrolling alongside US naval vessels in the Persian Gulf. This development highlights the alignment of Spain with Biden administrations escalating war preparations targeting Iran, a key ally of Russia and China in the Middle East. With empty references to self-determination, Caussa seeks to obscure reality: the Catalan nationalists are signing up to the PSOE-Sumar government lurching towards a war involving nuclear-armed powers with catastrophic consequences. Significantly, separation from Spain is not the majority sentiment in Catalonia. According to the latest poll by Catalonias Centre dEstudis dOpinio, 40 percent support secession, while 53 percent oppose it. This only further raises the question: who are the voices within the Catalan establishment advocating for a self-determination referendum? Junts and ERC, are both pro-war parties that have supported the NATO-backed separatist movements in the Balkans that led to the breakup of Yugoslavia, as well as interventions in Afghanistan, Libya, and the regime change attempt in Syria. They have made it clear that their vision of an independent Catalonia would involve membership in both the European Union and NATO. No one personifies this better than former Catalan regional premier Carles Puigdemont, a fervent Zionist whose party has supported Israels genocide against Palestinians. Recently, Junts aligned with the PP and Vox, in voting against ending arms trade with Israel. Puigdemont has hailed the Zionist project of creating an ethnically exclusive state, stating it has a national and cultural project very similar to Catalonias and that two nations are persecuted for protecting their language and fighting against empires that want to neutralise it. Caussa mentions Puigdemont only to likewise promote him. Puigdemont made a surprise return to Spain during Illas investiture debate. He gave a short speech to crowds in Barcelona and then disappeared, successfully evading a police operation ostensibly intended to arrest him for his role in organizing the October 2017 Catalan independence referendum. Caussa states that Puigdemonts speech was a dramatic move and his denunciations [on the repression to the Catalan nationalist movement] were necessary and important. But his disappearance after a five-minute speech was a surprise. While respecting his decision and recognising that everyone has the right to avoid arrest, I must say that I do not clearly see the political rationale behind his actions. Caussa again obscures reality: in reality, Puigdemonts trip aligned neatly with the political agenda of the Spanish and Catalan bourgeoisies. Neither PSOE-Sumar government wanted to arrest Puigdemont, nor did the former Catalan premier want to be arrested. Had this occurred, it could have provoked mass protests in Barcelona in opposition to police state repression, like in 2017 and 2019, and created calls among Puigdemonts supporters to use Junts six lawmakers in the Spanish parliament to bring down the minority PSOE-Sumar government. Puigdemont has in fact accepted the deal with Spanish imperialism, stating that the installation of Illa as Catalan regional premier is the result of legitimate decisions. After the Catalan nationalists lost its parliamentary majority last May a phase has ended, he declared. Caussa finishes his piece promoting the PSOE-Sumar government as the bulwark against the far-right, an argument repeatedly deployed by the PSOE and its pseudo-left allies as a political weapon to suppress rising social and political discontent against the government. He states: Sanchez faces the choice of either respecting the right to self-determination of Catalonia and all the peoples that make up the Spanish state or reverting to a fundamentalist view of Spains unity.\ If he chooses the latter, the consequences will be worse than before: mass mobilisations and repression will return, but this time it is very likely that it will open the door of the government to the PP and the neo-fascist Vox. Because with Spanish fundamentalism, repression will extend to all those who are different: racism against immigrants will intensify, there will be a regression in the rights of women and LGTBI people, and everyone who thinks or acts differently than the good Spaniards will be considered an enemy. Sanchez should be aware that he himself has been marked as an enemy to be politically defeated. necessity should advise him to promote a common front in defense of democracy. This is a political whitewash of the role of Spanish social-democracy and its pseudo left allies. Sanchez, first under PSOE-Podemos government (2019-2023) and now the PSOE-Sumar government, has not been a bulwark defending democracy against the far-right. Indeed, the rehabilitation of Francoism by Spains top courts, the growth of far-right Vox and coup plot threats stemming from the army, have only grown under his rule. In 2020, after mass strikes in Spain against official inaction in the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of high-ranking former officers wrote to Spanish King Felipe VI, appealing for him to launch a coup. Top officers linked to Vox called to shoot 26 million people as in Francos 1936 coup. In 2021, the Constitutional Court ruled that Franco did not commit crimes against humanity during either the civil war or his bloody 40-year dictatorship. As for the repression of the Catalan nationalists, it was under the PSOE-Podemos government that nine Catalan leaders were sentenced to over a decade in jail over fraudulent charges. When mass protests erupted against this, the government savagely repressed them. As to migration policy, Sanchez has implemented the policy advocated by the neo-fascist Vox party, including deploying the army against refugees in the border, allowing makeshift boats with migrants to sink on their way to the Canary Islands and terrorising migrants at the border. In 2021, the PSOE-Podemos government committed one of the worst massacres against refugees in modern European history. On June 24, Spanish border police fired tear gas canisters and rubber bullets to drive thousands of desperate refugees from the fences of Melilla. At least 100 refugees died. The turn by the ruling elites toward fascism and dictatorship is rooted fundamentally in the extreme growth of social inequality and the escalation of imperialist war. It will be halted not by the PSOE and deals with the Catalan nationalists, which are deeply implicated in these policies, but through the development of the expanding class struggle throughout the world into a conscious political movement for socialism. Anticapitalistas record underscores that the decisive strategic question is building the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) as the revolutionary leadership in the working class to break the political obstacle posed by these middle class parties to the working class. This requires building sections of ICFI in Spain and internationally, based on the colossal political experiences embodied in its defence of Trotskyism against middle class groups like Anticapitalistas. With the toll of new COVID-19 infections regularly topping 1 million a day and weekly deaths creeping toward the 1,000 mark, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched a campaign aimed not at protecting the public from this ongoing pandemic, now in its fifth year, but at washing its hands of responsibility. CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen held a press conference August 23 to review the state of the COVID-19 pandemic and encourage the public to get their winter COVID-19, RSV and flu vaccines once they are made available. While bluntly acknowledging that COVID is with us, she tried unconvincingly to assure reporters and viewers that we have the tools to protect ourselves. She then added, as a way of shifting the blame, We just need to use them! Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since July 10, 2023 [AP Photo/Bryan Anderson] Dr. Cohen was silent on who was responsible for the failure of most Americans to get booster shots or otherwise protect themselves from a disease, which can be fatal for many and cause lifelong debilitation for many more. She could have named the Democratic administration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, which ended the COVID-19 emergency more than a year ago and treats the pandemic as a thing of the past. She could have named Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, the promoter of quack remedies like ivermectin and bleach, who recently welcomed into his campaign the anti-vaxxer and enemy of science and public health, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. And if she had been equipped with a mirrorand a conscienceshe could have pointed to herself and other top CDC officials, who have collaborated in the anti-scientific rampage to shut down both mitigation efforts and even elementary data collection on cases of illness, hospitalization and death. Most importantly (and therefore least likely) she could have acknowledged that within the framework of the capitalist system, the profits of giant banks and corporations are far more important than the lives of human beings. That is the meaning of the incessant claims that schools, factories, public transportation and facilities must be kept open, to save the economy, despite the inevitable spread of the infection as a result. Dr. Cohen, like her predecessors and colleagues at the top of the public health establishment, puts political pressures above science and medicine. The nearly hour-long briefing was simply political theater, where a panel of experts attempted to place the public health agency in the best light despite acknowledging the monumental number of daily infections that have seen hospitalizations and fatalities climb. Meanwhile, schools across multiple states have announced closuresaffecting thousandsjust as the new academic year has begun, in response to mass infections among faculty and students. So far this year, more than 26,000 Americans have died from acute COVID-19 complications, and more than 800 per week are being killed by a preventable infection, a figure 20 percent higher than last year this time. At the current rate, it is expected that between 50,000 to 60,000 Americans will die from COVID-19 in 2024, a rate two to three times higher than fatalities from flu. However, these do not take into consideration excess deaths, and given the complete dismantling of the reporting systems, these figures are known undercounts. Such figures could only appear low in comparison to the colossal death toll of the first three years of the pandemic, when 352,000 died in 2020, 464,000 in 2021 and 260,000 in 2022. In 2023, 76,000 COVID-19 deaths were recorded. All these numbers are underestimates, as excess mortality figures are considerably higher. The cumulative death toll from COVID-19 is likely well over 1.4 million in the United States and approaching 30 million worldwide. Neither did the panel address any concerns over the fact that millions continue to suffer from Long COVID, which has taken a significant toll on the health of Americans and the world over. It bears mentioning that a recent study noted that 410 million people across the world have had Long COVID with a $1 trillion impact on global GDP. Yet, no treatment for this condition exists. Without health insurance and means, issues of brain fog, chronic fatigue and sleep disturbances become part of ones physiognomy. Much about Dr. Cohens characterization of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is deeply flawed and should have been taken up by the press, who remained silent on the matter. First and foremost, her claim, in response to a direct question that COVID-19 is endemic, is completely misleading. An infection is endemic when it is contained, not spreading uncontrolled and not causing significant impact on the society. COVID-19 is none of these. It remains a pandemic, with new waves of infections where millions are being infected daily by a virus whose mutation far outstrips the efforts of public health agencies and pharmaceutical companies to provide vaccines, medicines and mitigation practices. It continues to cause large-scale social disruption, economic loss and general hardship. The opposition of both capitalist parties to any significant effort to fight the pandemic was on display last week. The Democratic National Convention, like its Republican counterpart in July, was a massive superspreader event, with thousands of delegates and media personnel congregating in an enclosed arena, where there was continuous cheering, shouting and singing. There are already anecdotal reports of widespread sickness in state delegations returning from Chicago. As for the Republicans, Trump staged his appearance with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Friday afternoon, beaming as Kennedy announced he was folding up his independent presidential campaign and endorsing the ex-president and would-be dictator. Kennedy said he was working with Trump on staffing agencies like the CDC, NIH, FDA and USDA from the standpoint of ending the chronic disease crisis. By this he means, of course, ending efforts to fight diseases and letting children, the elderly, and the entire American population suffer the consequences. Fundamentally, all large epidemics and pandemics are serious social issues that require broad-scale infection control in place to disrupt and prevent disease. And with respect to COVID-19 and all future pandemics, these require an international collaborative perspective. In 2024 so far, 179 million people were infected in the United States, a total that is eventually expected to surpass 2023, when more than 248 million Americans, or three-quarters of the population, caught COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 wastewater levels throughout the pandemic suggest that there have been more than 1.1 billion infections in the United States, between three and four for every person in the country. This begs the question how are those most vulnerable, such as the elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic disabling medical conditions, which represent a significant portion of the population, to protect themselves from perpetual mass infection? For the CDC director to present public health efforts as a matter of individual, personal choice is a gross falsification of reality. The policy of mass infection has been forced on the population. As for having the tools to protect themselves, what is being offered are simply vaccines and more vaccines as a means to prevent COVID-19. As the WSWS recently noted, Despite the limitations, the uptake of the vaccines is vital for the health of the population. The shots have a strong, proven safety record and do prevent severe disease and potentially reduce the risk of Long COVID, as studies have indicated. However, they do not prevent infections and the immunity they offer is short-lived given the constant mutation of the virus. The vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna carry a cost of $120 to $130 per shot. In some regions, these can be as high as $160 or even $200. However, the rescinding in March of $4.3 billion from the Department of Health and Human Services in COVID-19 supplemental funding means access to free vaccines for the 26 million uninsured and tens of millions more underinsured, essentially all from working class families, will only mean that the vaccination campaign will simply languish as it did last year when only 7 million Americans accepted the boosters within six weeks of their delivery to pharmacies. As for other tools in their toolbox, Cohen refers to anti-viral treatments like Paxlovid, which are regularly being denied to patients by their physicians or when they actually are given a prescription, face the daunting price tag of $1,300 to $2,400 per course because their insurance denies them coverage. Meanwhile, repurposed medications like Metformin, a drug that treats diabetes, which has shown anti-viral properties and shown in randomized trials to reduce COVID-19 viral loads and decrease risk of Long COVID, remain unmentioned. In particular, this raises the question of why there are so few tools in the toolbox, and why some are being removed, such as the ability to wear N95 masks in public. The arrest of an 18-year-old New York man in Nassau County on Tuesday who was wearing a black ski mask utilizing the recently passed mask-ban legislation will only embolden police departments and threaten the public who face possible detentions and arrest simply on charges of police suspicion. At the Democratic National Convention, guidance was issued forbidding mask wearing by attendees unless it was necessary due to a disability and this at the discretion of security. A bulldozer from the Israeli forces moves on a street during a military operation in the West Bank refugee camp of Al-Faraa, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. [AP Photo/Nasser Nasser] Israel has launched a new phase of its ethnic cleansing operation in Palestine targeting the West Bank. On Tuesday and Wednesday, hundreds of Israeli troops, along with armored vehicles and bulldozers, supported by drones and helicopters, launched the largest raid into the occupied West Bank in two decades, targeting the cities and camps of Jenin, Tubas and Tulkarem. The city of Jenin, with a population of 39,000, has been surrounded and sealed, and Israeli forces have blocked access to hospitals throughout the West Bank. Israeli media have reported that the attack on the West Bank will last for several days, with the death toll expected to continue to rise. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz made clear that the goal is the ethnic cleansing of the West Bank: We must deal with the threat just as we deal with the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza, including the temporary evacuation of Palestinian residents. The goal of this operation, like that of the Gaza genocide, is the killing of as many Palestinians as possible and their displacement from their homes and villages, with the aim of formally annexing the land Israel has illegally occupied since 1967. In July, the International Court of Justice ruled that the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, is illegal. The Israeli assault on Gaza, now 10 months old, has created a nightmare for its population. According to the official figures, more than 40,000 people are dead, with another 10,000 presumed missing under the rubble. The official death toll includes 17,000 children. Once the victims of Israels deliberate famine and promotion of disease are added, the real death toll could be 186,000 or more, according to an estimate published in The Lancet medical journal last month. The remaining population of Gaza, most of whom have been forced to flee over and over, now face Israeli evacuation orders covering 89 percent of the territory. The land onto which the population is crammed is just 41 square kilometers, with no infrastructure to supply food, running water or sanitation. Israel has waged a concerted campaign to force international aid organizations to shut down their operations. The UN announced it was suspending food distribution this week after it was forced to evacuate its headquarters in Deir al-Balah, and its World Food Program said it had to shut down operations after one of its clearly-marked vehicles was fired on by Israeli forces Wednesday. Nine out of 10 people in Gaza are now forced to go 24 hours without food, with preventable diseases surging. Now, this nightmare is being brought to the West Bank. Israeli attacks on the West Bank have dramatically accelerated since the return to power of the far-right regime of Benjamin Netanyahu in 2022. The Netanyahu government has enabled and encouraged settler violence against Palestinians and has accelerated the construction of illegal settlements. There are now 517,000 settlers living in the West Bank, nearly double the total 20 years ago, and more than 200,000 in East Jerusalem. Netanyahu has appointed Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to control construction within the West Bank, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is responsible for policing it. Both of these right-wing extremist government ministers are themselves West Bank settlers and have repeatedly called for the ethnic cleansing of Palestine. In January, June and July 2023, Israel launched major assaults on the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. The July raid, which killed 12 Palestinians, was condemned by the United Nations for including egregious violations of international law and standards on the use of force and may constitute a war crime. These and other outrages preceded the October 7, 2023 attacks, of which the Netanyahu government had advance knowledge and which it facilitated by withdrawing security forces from the Gaza border. The Netanyahu regime seized the opportunity to initiate a genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Gaza Strip. The Gaza genocide has been accompanied by an upsurge of settler attacks and raids by the Israeli military on the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Over the past 10 months, 652 Palestinians have been killed in these areas. This massive crime is being funded, enabled and politically defended by the United States and its imperialist allies. The assault on the West Bank comes just one month after the return of Netanyahu from an address to a joint session of the US Congress, in which he vowed to expand Israels war against the Palestinian population into a conflict throughout the Middle East, centrally targeting Iran. Netanyahu received a standing ovation from Democratic and Republican members of both houses of Congress, followed by separate meetings with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. After her meeting with Netanyahu, Harris declared, I will always ensure that Israel is able to defend itself, including from Iran and Iran-backed militias, such as Hamas and Hezbollahan effective green light to expand the war beyond Gaza. Earlier this month, the US approved a $20 billion arms sale to Israel, including 50 F-15 fighter jets, Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, or AMRAAMs, 120 mm tank ammunition, high explosive mortars and tactical vehiclesspecifically aimed at providing Israel with the resources necessary to expand the war beyond Gaza. The US is supporting the genocide within the framework of its escalating global war against Russia and China. Israel is the linchpin of the Middle Eastern front of this global war, serving as the USs attack dog against Iran and its allies in the region. The expansion of the genocide to the West Bank demonstrates the utter failure of the perspective of the organizations that have up to this point dominated mass protests. In the United States, they have sought to pressure President Biden and his chosen successor Kamala Harris to stop supporting Israel. Harris, however, has completely rejected any limitations on US aid to the Netanyahu regime, declaring in her remarks at the Democratic National Convention, I will always stand up for Israels right to defend itself, and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself. The total support of all sections of the US political establishment for Israels genocide against the people of Palestine flows from the drive by American capitalism to prop up its global hegemony through military means, of which the neo-colonial subjugation of the Middle East is a critical element. At the July 24 demonstration against Netanyahus appearance at the US Capitol, members of the Socialist Equality Party explained that all efforts to place demands on capitalist politicians to stop the genocide were doomed to failure. With Israels massive assault on the West Bank, these warnings have proven correct. The mounting global opposition to the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestine requires an entirely different strategy. It must be united with the struggle against all imperialist wars, including US imperialisms war against Russia and China, and fused with the growing struggle of the working class to defend their jobs, wages and living standards. It must be organized on the basis of a socialist perspective, aimed at overthrowing the capitalist system that is the root cause of imperialist war and barbarism. After last weeks murderous knife attack in Solingen, one could be forgiven for thinking there was only one party in Germany: the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Politicians from across the entire political establishment outdid each other with right-wing demands for more deportations, tighter asylum laws, more powers for the police and the stigmatisation of entire peoples. Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits the scene of a knife attack, in Solingen, Germany, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. [AP Photo/Henning Kaiser] On Friday evening, during the 650th anniversary of the founding of the city of Solingen, a man in the crowd suddenly attacked several people with a knife. He killed three visitors and injured eight others, four seriously. The city festival was immediately cancelled. A 26-year-old Syrian man was arrested as the alleged perpetrator. He had received subsidiary protection in Germany after his deportation to Bulgaria failed. Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attack and posted a video on the internet to this effect. However, it is not clear whether the shrouded man seen in the video is the arrested Syrian. On Saturday and Sunday, numerous people gathered in Solingen to mourn together. Many declared that they did not want to abandon the city to the right-wingers. The knife attack was an attack on the open society, on the diversity of the city, one woman told the press. But on Monday, in Solingen, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) called for more and faster deportations. A rally of about 30 supporters of Junge Alternative, the youth organisation of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), shielded and protected by two rows of police, was met by at least ten times as many Solingen residents from the initiative Solingen is colourful, not brown (a refence to Hitlers Brown Shirts). Thousands of people live in Solingen, a city in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and have been fighting against racism and xenophobia since the 1993 arson attack carried out by right-wing extremists that cost the lives of five members of the Genc family, of Turkish descent. However, politicians of all Germanys establishment parties reacted by launching violent agitation against foreigners, as if they had been waiting for an excuse. Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz held all refugees from Syria and Afghanistan collectively responsible for the assault, even though many of them have fled from IS terrorism. We will not accept any more refugees from these countries, Merz declared. Refugees would have to be deported back to Syria and Afghanistan, regardless of the mortal dangers they face in these countries, he said. Merz called for much broader powers for the federal police. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) took the same line. Its leader, Lars Klingbeil, called for better control of the internet and Islamic communities to stop radical hate preachers. The security authorities at federal and state level must once again put everything to the test, he said, adding that they would have to be given even more extensive powers. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also supported granting more powers and more personnel to the security authorities. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) announced: We as a state will respond to this terrorist act with all the necessary severity. Faeser told the daily newspaper WAZ: We are intensively discussing which instruments we need to further sharpen to combat terror and violence, and what powers our security authorities need in these times. Sahra Wagenknecht, who heads the BSW split-off from the Left Party, on the campaign trail in eastern Germany, is calling for a turnaround on asylum and a stop signal to the world: dont make your way to Germany. She agitated on X/Twitter: Those who allow uncontrolled migration will face uncontrollable violence. On Monday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) visited Solingen and immediately announced more deportations. These would be further accelerated if necessary, with legal regulations. At the same time, consistent, practical enforcement action was needed, he declared. Six months ago, on the cover of Germanys leading weekly, Der Spiegel, Scholz was already demanding: We must finally deport on a large scale. He met with CDU leader Merz Tuesday to discuss how to proceed. Alice Weidel, leader of the AfD, said that migrant violence against Germans had become a horrific new normality. As soon as the AfD was in government, she declared, these people would not even be allowed into our country. She called for a stop to immigration, admission and naturalisation for at least five years. The construction of a totalitarian police state, which all politicians are now calling for, will not prevent acts of violence like those in Solingen. In reality, such authoritarian measures are directed against the working class and all those who oppose the governments pro-war policies and social attacks. What is completely missing from the debate on Solingen is the question of the cause of terrorist violence, which not only in Germany, but also in France, Britain, Russia and numerous other countries, repeatedly claims many victims, as it did in 2016 on Berlins Breitscheidplatz, which claimed the lives of 12 people visiting a Christmas market. IS and similar organisations did not appear out of nowhere. They are a product of the brutal wars that the imperialist powers have been waging in the Middle East for decades, from the war against Russia in Afghanistan in the 1980s to the genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. They were, like Osama bin Ladens al-Qaeda, often built up by Western intelligence services, and they are manipulated and controlled by them. The Islamic State emerged in Iraq after the destruction of the country and the overthrow of Saddam Husseins regime by US imperialism. In 2011, it helped the imperialist powers to overthrow the government of Muammar al-Gaddafi in Libya. After that, IS was deployed in Syria with the support of the Central Intelligence Agency, where it fought against the government of Bashar al-Assad. Here, it gained independence and established a caliphate in parts of Syria and Iraq, which was then crushed by Washington at the cost of hundreds of thousands more deaths. But IS continues to exist and has not cut its ties to the secret services of Western powers and their allied governments in the region. For example, a particularly brutal offshoot of ISIS, Islamic State-Khorasan, is organising terrorist attacks against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. It also claimed responsibility for the attack on Crocus City Hall in Moscow in April this year, which killed 137 people and injured over 180. In 2017, following a series of bloody attacks in Tehran, Manchester and London, the WSWS described the modus operandi of the collaboration between Western intelligence services and terrorists in the article Understanding the geopolitics of terrorism, which was based on known facts about several attackers. It is worth quoting a longer passage from it in light of the current law-and-order campaign: What has become clear after 16 years of the so-called war on terrorismgoing all the way back to the hijackers of 9/11is that these elements move in and out of the Middle East, Europe and the US itself not only without hindrance, but under what amounts to state protection. ... If from time to time these elements turn against their sponsors, with innocent civilians paying with their lives, that is part of the price of doing business. In the aftermath of terrorist actions, governments respond with stepped-up measures of repression and surveillance. Troops are deployed in the streets, democratic rights are suspended, and, as in France, a state of emergency is made the overriding law of the land. All of these measures are useless in terms of preventing future attacks, but serve very well to control the domestic population and suppress social unrest. Nothing that the media and politicians are currently saying about the attack in Solingen should be taken at face value. The involvement of imperialist intelligence agencies cannot be ruled out. Even if the arrested Syrian man is the culprit, the question remains of who created the conditions in which such a crime could be carried out. One thing is certain: the arming of the state apparatus and the sealing off of the borders will not stop such murderous actions. The genocide against the Palestinians, the bombing of Lebanon, the threats of war against Iran and other imperialist crimes are producing more recruits for such attacks. Such attacks can only be prevented if the swamp in which they flourish is dried up. This requires the fight against imperialist war and for democratic rights. The Socialist Equality Party (SGP) vigorously opposes the anti-refugee agitation. We call on all class-conscious workers: Defend with us the rights of refugees and migrants! Their rights are our rights. A report by Climate Analytics, a non-profit policy institute, has found that the exports of the Australian fossil fuel industry generate more than three times as many CO2 emissions as those produced domestically. Climate Analytics report, August 2024 [Photo: Climate Analytics] The report does not explicitly name the current Labor government. Nonetheless, the results point to the pivotal role it is playing in facilitating the climate crisis, which endangers the health and lives of billions of people around the world, primarily the poor and working class. Titled Australias global fossil fuel carbon footprint, the report was funded by the Australian Human Rights Institute of the University of New South Wales. Its primary aim was to determine the true climate impact of Australian fossil fuel production. The report concluded that Australia is the third largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world, behind only Russia and the United States. The emissions from these exportsprimarily coal and liquified natural gas (LNG)released a collective 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere in 2023. This is approximately 78 percent of total CO2 emissions attributable to fossils fuels produced by corporations in Australia, with the other 22 percent occurring from domestic burning of those fuels. The CO2 emissions released after those fuels are burned in other countries actually meant that Australia ranked second in terms of climate change damage from fossil fuel exports. Australia trailed only Russia, a country with over five times the number of inhabitants. This is largely due to the fact that coal, a particularly emissions-intensive fuel, is the primary export from Australia. Coal makes up 65 percent of the countrys total energy exports (with 29 percent from LNG, and the remaining 6 percent a mix of petroleum coke, crude oil, and liquefied petroleum gas). This toxic record has lasted for decades. The report states: From 1961 to 2023 Australias fossil fuel exports have been responsible for emitting 30 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Far from decreasing, however, the emissions are growing. The report projected that current government policies, which continue these exports, would result in a further 15 billion tonnes of emissions by 2035. To put that another way, the study estimates that the next 11-year period will result in half as many CO2 emissions from fossil fuel exports as the previous 63-year period. These emissions will increasingly eat into what climate scientists call the carbon budgetthe remaining amount of CO2 that can be emitted worldwide, while still keeping global temperatures from going above 1.5C of warming compared to pre-industrial levels. Hunter Valley open cut coal mine in New South Wales 2022 [Photo by Wikipedia/Max Philliips / CC BY 2.0 This is an important climate target necessary to stave off the worst impacts of global warming. The study found that when fossil fuel exports are combined with those fuels that are burned domestically, the Australian emissions from 20242035 would consume around 9.1 percent of the remaining global carbon budget. As the report states: The emissions that would arise from the governments projected fossil fuel exports, in terms of both domestic production and end-use emissions, are clearly not consistent with a global 1.5C compatible trajectory. The Labor governments policies therefore represent a grave danger to the environment and the lives of billions of people. In the words of the studys lead author Hannah Grant: The government is intent on a deliberate strategy that will see its gas exports soar, exporting billions of tonnes of emissions, inconsistent with achieving net zero, and completely inconsistent with the science. Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses government is set to increase the amount of exports leaving the country. For example, as stated in the report: Despite a clear need to phase out fossil fuels from the global energy system, Australia is doubling down on fossil gas production and LNG exports, sanctioning several largescale projects in 2021 and 2022. These include the massive Scarborough development and linked Pluto LNG plant expansion (Woodside), Crux LNG (Shell), Barossa backfill to Darwin LNG (Santos), and Jansz-Io backfill to Gorgon LNG (Chevron). Most recently, Labor announced in July that it would award permits to companies such as Woodside and Chevron to begin exploration of new gas reserves off Australias west and southeastern coasts. This latest action is in line with Labors May 2024 Future Gas Strategy, which outlined a commitment to increase extraction of natural gas until 2050 and beyond, in the words of Resources Minister Madeleine King. That strategy is in stark contrast to the warnings of scientists that gas cannot be used as a transitional fuel but must be phased out immediately, along with all other greenhouse-gas producing fuels. Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has green-lit the construction of at least four new coal mines and a gas fracking project since 2022. She has also allowed existing fossil fuel projects to continue for decades, such as the Gregory Crinum Coal Mine in the Bowen Basin, which she approved to keep running until 2073. This is despite years of warnings by scientists that there must be no new fossil fuel developments if global temperatures are to remain less than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. The overall outcome of the Albanese governments supposed ambitious action on climate change is that it will be responsible for producing seven times as much coal and gas emissions than it has pledged to cut by 2030. Furthermore, the government continues to line the pockets of large conglomerates and their investors, providing $14.5 billion worth of spending and tax breaks in 202324 to the fossil fuel industry, as noted by the Climate Analytics report. The report warns that in order to keep global warming below 1.5C, Australia would have to reduce its domestic emissions by 67 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. This further confirms the total inadequacy of Labors 2022 climate targets, which pledged only to reduce emissions by 43 percent in that same timespan. The report has not been mentioned at the time of writing by either Labor or the Greens, who backed Labors 2022 targets. Even if their targets were met, which is unlikely given the fossil fuel expansion, these parties do not present any way forward to address the grave environmental issues humanity faces. That is because the Greens, no less than Labor, are completely wedded to the capitalist corporate profit system that is responsible for creating the climate crisis. As the World Socialist Web Site wrote recently, climate change cannot be attributed primarily to the short-sightedness and corruption of individual politicians, parties, or even governments at large. The root cause of climate change is the capitalist mode of production, which subordinates all social needs to private profit and divides the world into rival nation-states. Members of the Democratic Party-controlled Baltimore City Council held the first of a series of hearings into working conditions at the Department of Public Works on August 21, following the death of Ronald Edward Silver II. On August 2, Silver collapsed while working in extremely unsafe heat when temperatures soared above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), triggering a Code Red heat advisory. The Baltimore skyline. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) [AP Photo] For government officials, the hardly-advertised hearings were an exercise in face-saving. But this contrasted with the powerful opening testimony from Silvers mother, Faith Johnson. Flanked by family members, Johnson shared how she still wakes up every morning and out of habit to say goodbye to her son on his way to work. Her eldest childmy favorite first, she saidSilver was the pillar and foundation of the family. Silver, who was 36, is survived by both of his parents, a fiancee, sisters, children and other relatives and loved ones. Following Johnsons gut-wrenching testimony, the council hearing largely settled into a typical pattern, in which DPW officials step forward to be chastised by local officials, the latter wringing their hands while doing nothing to change the conditions. However, some important factual material did emerge. Deputy Inspector General Matt Neil provided a devastating overview of DPW facilities in his portion of the hearing. The Office of the Inspector General visited 10 facilities over several weeks and found conditions at all of them resembling medieval dungeons. At Silvers site in Cherry Hill, OIG inspectors found ice machines not working for over a year, with no working air conditioning or fans in the employee locker room. Hot water came out of the cold-water faucets. Moreover, the trash trucks had no working air conditioning. Other site visits in June and July, including trips during trash collection routes, found employees were not given water, ice or Gatorade during their 10-to-12-hour shifts. One so-called cooling station, set up outside the facility after an earlier OIG visit, had thermostats reading between 83 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (28-29 Celsius) at 6:00 AM in the morning before the sun even rose. The temporary air conditioning units installed were not working. While DPW said it was providing bottled water and Gatorade to workers, in reality supervisors kept the water in locked areas rather than making it freely available. This prompted a council member to state that DPW was rationing water. In the washrooms and shower areas, the OIG found toilet paper withheld by supervisors as a form of punishment or bullying. Filthy shower areas were oftentimes used as storage space. DPW officials at the hearing said there are no regular deep cleans of the facilities and could not remember the last time they had occurred, if ever. Silver is not the only DPW worker to die on the job in recent years. Almost exactly four years ago, in August 2020, DPW employee Donald Savoy, a 12-year veteran of the solid waste division, died while working his route. Two other city employees have died on the job since 2018. At the hearing, DPW Director Khalil Zaied blamed the agencys internal culture for the state of working facilities and negligence that led to Silvers death. This formless claim was used to distract from the obvious, that increased funding, worker safety regulations or resources might address the situation. The agency is severely understaffed and employees like Silver have been called to work for double and triple overtime for years, going back to before the COVID pandemic. It is not unusual for sanitation workers in Baltimore to be out past midnight completing their routes. Sanitation workers in Baltimore have the lowest pay among DPW workers on the East Coast, earning less than McDonalds workers, making the words wage slavery vividly spring to mind. For reference, the city approved a budget of almost $600 million for the Baltimore City Police Department in fiscal 2024. Various other officials offered phony gestures of shock at the conditions, while providing mealy-mouthed commitments to review procedures, improve facilities, and provide training for workers. When Zaied told council member Odette Ramos that he visits DPW facilities regularly and more than any of his predecessors, she said it was disturbing that the director did not care to notice the lack of air conditioning or cold water, as well as the rationing of water and Gatorade by supervisors, which was found to have happened at every DPW facility. Ramos brought up how $20 million has been set aside since 2022 for facility and truck improvements, but the basic problems of a hazardous workplace have not been solved, calling it a systemic issue we have to address in our city government. We put in incremental money for projects that will happen in six or seven years. Council members Antonio Glover and Zeke Cohen questioned why the DPW has signed an engagement agreement with law group Conn Maciel Carey, a firm notorious for defending companies in cases related to workplace fatalities, rather than investigating Silvers death internally. During the hearing, emotions were tense in the audience. At several points during the proceedings, those present in the two-story Du Burns Chamber reacted in real time to vent their frustrations. At one point, there was such an outburst of frustration from the upper gallery that Committee Chair Isaac Schleifer had to bang the gavel and call for order. After the Council members took turns pointing the blame for the deplorable conditions that caused Silvers death on the DPW administration and supervisors, officials from the City Union of Baltimore and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Maryland Council 3 gave a presentation on the need for heat standards in Baltimore City. There are currently no state or federal heat safety standards. Despite this presentation, the only concrete resolutions agreed upon at last Thursdays hearing were for members of the City Council and DPW officials to do ride-alongs with sanitation workers on their trash routes, and for DPW to hold more safety meetings, toothless gestures which will also likely go unfulfilled. Notably, several members of the council are former DPW workers. Despite having firsthand experience, they said nothing about raising wages to recruit more workers and alleviate staffing shortages. Regardless of their background or career history, the hazardous conditions at DPW are a product of the capitalist system which the Democratic Party defends. Far from being a problem of culture, unsafe workplaces such as DPW are an expression of the conditions that the working class in all countries faces. The decrepitude of the sanitation facilities only mirrors the disregard for safety visible in other, more spectacular catastrophes to have occurred in Baltimore, such as the Key Bridge collapse earlier this year, a product of lax safety standards and a reckless pursuit of profit. Members of the public were also able to speak and enter their public testimony into the record. The first person to speak was one DPW worker with more than 10 years of experience, Stancil McNair. McNair said bluntly, Everything you just heard him [Zaied] sayhes lying. McNair denounced the AFSCME union, which is the collective bargaining agent for Baltimore DPW workers. Im representing the people that dont believe in the union, human resources, or the administration, so its kind of sad to sit back and listen to some of the things theyre coming up with Im speaking for a whole, Im not just speaking for myself. McNair testified that he was completely ignored two years ago when he almost died on the job. Most of these people we have not seen until Mr. Silver died. We didnt even know they worked here. McNair said the COVID pandemic has been one of the worst times of my life. We sat back and watched how everybody got recognitionexcept for us. It was terrible. Even down to this day, we dont feel that were being respected because of situations like this. Even down to the union, people dont know thisthey have votes without us. Like Ms. Dorothy Brown and Trevor [Taylor, both of AFSCME Local 44], they got voted in without our vote. How did they become the President and Vice President without our vote. That just goes to show you the lack of engagement we have with these individuals above us. McNair said DPW workers are ready to prosecute a struggle against their conditions. Were coming, he said, We started a whole new movement, and were not going to stop until we see equality all the way round the board. And were going to continue to move in solidarity too, but try to understand, anybody that sits back and watches us get treated bad, youre a part of the problem, and were going to get rid of you. Its as plain simple as that. The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in the United States held its Eighth National Congress from August 4 to August 9, 2024. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Congress was held online. The Congress unanimously adopted two resolutions, The 2024 US elections and the tasks of the Socialist Equality Party, which elaborates the programmatic basis of the SEPs presidential election campaign of Joseph Kishore and Jerry White, and Free Bogdan Syrotiuk! These resolutions were the subject of extensive and detailed discussion by the delegates throughout the six days of the Congress. The Congress was an international event, with substantial delegations from all the sections and sympathizing groups of the International Committee of the Fourth International. Greetings were delivered to the Congress by leading members of the ICFI from the UK, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Brazil. David North was unanimously re-elected by the Congress delegates as the partys national chairman. The newly elected National Committee re-elected Joseph Kishore as the partys national secretary. Kathleen Martin was elected as the partys assistant national secretary. Lawrence Porter, who served as the partys assistant national secretary since the SEPs Founding Congress in 2008, announced his retirement from the position and remains in the leadership of the party. Martin, 32, joined the SEP in 2014 and has been on the National Committee of the SEP since 2018. The incoming National Committee appointed three co-national editors of the World Socialist Web Site: Barry Grey, Andre Damon and Niles Niemuth. Press Release August 29, 2024 EDCOM 2:Eight-week long learning recovery plan to begin this school year, to focus on math, reading, science - DepEd On August 29, 2024, the House Committee on Basic Education adopted House Resolution 1805, calling on the Department of Education (DepEd) to suspend its regular academic program in favor of an eight to twelve-week literacy and numeracy recovery initiative. DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching Gina Gonong presented the department's plan, which includes a special science program alongside a targeted literacy and numeracy curriculum for 1.6 million learners from Grades 7-10. The initiative is set to begin in the first half of School Year 2024-2025 and aims to prepare students for the 2025 Programme for International Assessment, which will focus on Science. DepEd will be using the Revised Philippine Informal Reading Inventory and Rapid Math Assessment as pre-and post- assessment tools. Specialization mismatch in half of HS teachers A significant concern raised during the committee discussion was the adequacy of teacher training for the recovery program. ACT Teachers Partylist Representative France Castro questioned whether all teachers, regardless of their subject area specialization, would be expected to teach reading and math as part of the initiative. She emphasized the need for specialized training to ensure that teachers are equipped to handle these core competencies effectively. EDCOM 2 findings reveal that 62% of high school teachers in the Philippines are teaching subjects outside their college specializations. More than half of science teachers do not have a background in the subject. EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee highlighted this issue, asking, "How will DepEd implement the special science program for next year's PISA if more than half of our science teachers do not specialize in science?" The mismatch between teacher specialization and their assigned subjects has long been a concern. Despite efforts like the Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) Balik Scientist Program, which encourages math and science specialists to teach, many are assigned by DepEd to subjects outside their areas of expertise. "Sinasabi nila sa amin, bumabalik naman sila at willing sila magturo. Kaso pagdating sa DepEd, ibang subject area sila inaassign." Committee Chair Rep. Roman Romulo said. Solutions to procurement woes sought In addition to concerns about teacher training, the timely availability of learning materials for the learning recovery program was another key issue discussed. Muntinlupa Representative Jaime Fresnedi inquired about the status of DepEd's procurement process for the necessary resources. Usec. Gonong responded that for this program, DepEd has decentralized the procurement process, particularly for printing materials, to expedite delivery to schools. Historically, DepEd's procurement process took up to three years, but recent approaches have shortened this timeline to one year. With the newly approved title-based approach by the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), DepEd aims to deliver learning materials within six months. "Following EDCOM's recommendation, we will be initiating a title-based approach, and forward to GPPB the textbooks that we will be needing. We will be meeting with publishers soon to ensure that books are ready for timely distribution," Gonong explained. Several committee members, including Rep. Maria Bernadette Escudero of Sorsogon's 1st District, supported the move toward decentralization, emphasizing that the availability of learning materials when classes start is more important than the length of the procurement process. DepEd is also scheduled to meet with publishers to ensure that books are ready for timely distribution, further emphasizing the department's commitment to improving the efficiency of learning material delivery. Further reiterating the purpose of the House Resolution, Basic Education and Culture Chairperson Representative Roman Romulo emphasized that the House Resolution is not intended for better PISA results but for quality education. "This is why the resolution asks for the suspension of the regular academic program. Because we have the National Learning Camps now, at ginawa n'yo rin yung Catch-Up Fridays, lahat yan, hindi talaga effective. Kaya ang sinasabi namin, itigil na muna natin. Let's put a halt to the regular programming." EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Rep. Roman Romulo said. Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, also secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, meets with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Civil Service Minister Hun Many in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Civil Service Minister Hun Many in Beijing on Thursday, with both sides pledging to enhance communication and cooperation for better bilateral ties. Li, also secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, noted that China and Cambodia are good neighbors and partners looking out for each other, and their bilateral relations have maintained high-level development for a long time. China is ready to work with Cambodia to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two parties and countries, strengthen strategic communication, deepen experience sharing in party and state governance, promote practical cooperation in various fields, strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, and jointly build a high-quality, high-level and high-standard China-Cambodia community with a shared future, Li said. Li also briefed Hun Many on the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, as well as the work on comprehensively exercising rigorous governance over the Party and fighting against corruption. Hailing the tremendous development achievements made by the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC, Hun Many said Cambodia firmly adheres to the friendly policy towards China and is willing to carry forward the traditional friendship with China, deepen exchanges between political parties and experience sharing on governance, strengthen cooperation in civil service affairs and other fields, and build closer bonds and amity among the young people. MOSCOW, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Russia has banned entry to its territory for 92 Americans, including journalists and security officials, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. The move was in response to the so-called "russophobic" course pursued by the United States, which included sanctions of Russian figures, the ministry said in a statement. The list of those banned from entering Russia includes employees of U.S. media as well as U.S. security officials, heads of key military-industrial complex companies and financial institutions that supply weapons to Ukraine, it noted. The ministry added it would continue to expand the list to include those "who are directly involved in anti-Russian activities." by Xinhua writer Xu Ruiqing NAIROBI, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- From Senegal, the "gateway to West Africa," to Kenya in the East African savannah, and from Tanzania, renowned for its sisal and cloves, to Rwanda, the "land of a thousand hills," thousands of wells drilled by China are providing safe drinking water to millions and irrigating extensive farmlands, nourishing the hopeful continent. At the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in December 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced 10 major plans to boost China-Africa cooperation. For years, China has implemented the rural well-drilling project in African countries, a key initiative in this collaborative effort. These wells, dubbed "wells of happiness" by local communities, have transformed the locals' daily life, supported agricultural production, and invigorated African people in pursuit of prosperity. They stand as a vivid testament to the practical cooperation and shared development efforts between China and Africa. IMPROVING LIVING QUALITY "Having gone through thick and thin together, China, Senegal and the vast African countries are bound by a similar historical experience, the same development tasks and a shared aspiration for a better life," Xi said in a signed article ahead of his state visit to Senegal in July 2018, highlighting the deep bond between China and Africa. In the article, Xi specifically mentioned that the China-funded rural water supply project would "benefit one seventh of Senegal's population." In March 2017, the rural well-drilling project was launched in Senegal, covering 12 of the country's 14 regions. Each water supply system includes wells, water towers, distribution pipelines, and supply facilities, with a maximum daily water supply capacity of 80,000 cubic meters. The project has also generated over 3,000 local jobs. Mamadou Dieng, a 41-year-old Senegalese man, said that the water pipes now reach almost every household in the village. "It was unimaginable in the past," he said. Located in West Africa, Senegal is adjacent to the Sahara Desert, with most of its central and eastern regions being semi-desert areas where temperatures during the dry season can reach up to 45 degrees Celsius. Like many remote areas, Dieng's village of Tenefoul Toucouleur in the Diourbel region had long faced severe water shortages. "In the past, we had to walk 1.5 km every day to fetch water from a 25-meter-deep well in the neighboring village, sometimes queuing from dawn to midnight," Dieng said. When the Chinese well-drilling team arrived at Tenefoul Toucouleur in 2018, Dieng joined the team as a well-driller. After it was completed, Dieng was hired as a coordinator responsible for the well's maintenance. Now he inspects the equipment in the machine room every morning and ascends the nearly 20-meter-high water tower to clean the reservoir on a regular basis. "This 'well of happiness' has given us clean water and improved our lives," Dieng said. From being a well-driller to a well-keeper, Dieng has witnessed the tremendous changes the China-funded well has brought to the entire village. He said he hoped that "the friendship between China and Senegal will last forever," and that China-Africa cooperation will "create a beautiful and happy future for (our) children." Abdoulaye Ba, general secretary of the Foreign Press Association in Senegal, said: "I have personally visited those villages and seen how the China-funded wells have greatly enhanced the local water supply and truly improved the villagers' lives, making a significant contribution to Senegal's livelihood." IRRIGATING LAND FOR PROSPERITY On July 22, in Mahusekwa, a town in Zimbabwe's Mashonaland East Province, the roar of machinery was met with cheers from villagers as groundwater gushing out from below. This marked the drilling of the first well as part of China's project to build 300 wells in Zimbabwe. "We are very happy because we now have access to clean and safe water," said Titha Chainga, a local villager who witnessed the drilling, adding that the well also provides a valuable water source for irrigating farmlands. Affected by the El Nino phenomenon, southern African countries are once again grappling with severe drought this year. Zimbabwe, an agricultural powerhouse often referred to as the "breadbasket of Africa," is confronted with a serious challenge to its food security. In Mashonaland East Province, a key agricultural and livestock region, the ongoing drought has left local farmers almost desperate. Vegetable farmer Tatenda Chimbwanda from Mahusekwa said that due to the lack of water, she had to walk a long distance every day to fetch water to irrigate her vegetables. To combat the drought, China has initiated a project to drill 300 wells across the hardest-hit provinces, including Mashonaland East, Manicaland, Masvingo, and Midlands. It is no easy task. Liu Guangcheng, the onsite management team leader of China Geo-Engineering Corporation's post-disaster well-drilling project in Zimbabwe, said that prolonged drought and reduced rainfall have severely depleted groundwater supplies, making it time-consuming to find suitable drilling locations. Meanwhile, the challenging road conditions and lack of mobile communication in remote areas are further complicating the construction efforts. However, the Chinese team has been working diligently to address the issue. Daniel Garwe, Zimbabwe's minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, said the wells will ease the water crisis in the four hardest-hit provinces, enhancing resilience against the current El Nino-induced drought and saving livestock. "The China-funded well drilling project is a symbol of cooperation, compassion, and unwavering support from our all-weather friend the People's Republic of China, to ensure access to safe water for all Zimbabweans," the minister said. Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding said that over the past decade, China has drilled more than 1,000 wells across Zimbabwe, providing drinking and irrigation water for nearly 400,000 people and creating thousands of jobs. Zimbabwean economist Paul Musodza said that for the Zimbabwean people, China has always been a true friend that extends a helping hand when needed and remains the most reliable partner in addressing urgent needs. The implementation of the well-drilling project in Zimbabwe "embodies President Xi's principles of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith for China's Africa policy," he said. STRENGTHENING CHINA-AFRICA COOPERATION The water supply projects have transformed the infrastructure and public services in African countries, making a tangible difference in the lives of local people. In Rwanda, China's drilling of 200 wells has ensured a steady supply of clean water for drinking and agriculture. In Kenya, the Karimenu Dam water supply project, which started operation in 2022, greatly alleviates water issues for nearly one million people in the capital Nairobi and surrounding towns. "China fully respects the actual needs and priorities of African countries. The planning and execution of the project are based on thorough communication with local governments and communities, ensuring that the project genuinely addresses real problems," said James Mdoe, deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology of Tanzania. "This pragmatic approach to cooperation not only demonstrates China's sincerity towards African nations but also reflects respect and understanding for its partners," Mdoe said. Mdoe highlighted that China not only provides financial and technical support, but also focuses on training local professionals to ensure the sustainability of the projects. This equips African countries with the capacity for long-term, self-reliant development while helping solve current issues. Humphrey Moshi, director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, pointed out that China's approach, where friendship takes precedence over interests, "reflects China's genuine concern for Africa, surpassing mere economic considerations and earning widespread acclaim from African nations." Moshi said the principles of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith in China's Africa policy "have not only injected new vitality into China-Africa cooperation but also provided a new model for global governance. The deepening of China-Africa relations not only promotes mutual development but also makes a positive contribution to world peace and prosperity." Enditem (Xinhua reporters Wang Zizheng in Dakar, Xu Zheng in Harare, Hua Hongli in Dar es Salaam, Jin Zheng and Yan Ran in Nairobi, and Ji Li in Kigali also contributed to the story.) This is the story that never dies. Netflix has released its newest documentary, "Untold: Sign Stealer," which focuses on the NCAA allegations against Michigan and its former staffer, Connor Stalions' in-person scouting operation. The documentary is pretty boring overall, Stalions denies everything and just chalks his ability up to good old fashioned genius. The most interesting part though is when his lawyer details that he believes that Stalions' private data was breached by someone who did not have permission. His lawyer went on to say, "If thats true, thats certainly a violation of civil law and its maybe a bigger crime. If its true that came from somebody associated or tied to the Ohio State University, and we think it was, if I was going to try to do right, I might be focused on that." Its still so odd that despite blatantly breaking the rules and finally being busted, the finger gets pointed back at Ohio State. Maybe the Ohio State staff also hacked into Matt Weiss' and Alex Yood's data as well. I wanted to hear more details before really having a strong opinion on what Michigan did. But it's clear: They clearly cheated. They have been blatantly lying about the extent of it. They deserve harsh punishment. The entire Harbaugh era at Michigan is tainted. Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) August 27, 2024 Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Josh Keatley on X. This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Connor Stalions' lawyer thinks Ohio State hacked information Nikki Garcia asks for privacy for family after husband Artem Chigvintsev's arrest, her rep says Nikki Garcia, the wife of "Dancing with the Stars" pro Artem Chigvintsev, is asking for privacy following his arrest for domestic violence. "This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time," a rep for Garcia said in a statement Friday to "Good Morning America." Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev get married: 'We both can't stop smiling' PHOTO: Nikki Bella is pictured in Century City Park on Feb. 12, 2022 . Artem Chigvintsev is seen going to the 'Dancing with the Stars' rehearsals, Nov.29, 2023. (Getty Images, FILE) Chigvintsev was arrested for felony domestic violence on Thursday just before 10 a.m., according to Napa County, California, jail records. The 42-year-old, who was released on $25,000 bail, was booked on California penal code 273.5(a), which makes it illegal to injure a spouse, cohabitant or fellow parent in an act of domestic violence. The Napa County Sheriff's Department shared Chigvintsev's mugshot on Thursday afternoon and told ABC News that they received a call around 10 a.m. for domestic violence in Yountville. Napa County Sheriff's deputies arrived within minutes and arrested Chigvintsev. They said that he did not resist arrest and was booked at the Napa County Jail on suspicion of domestic violence. PHOTO: In this booking photo released by the Napa County Sheriff's Office, Artem Chigvintsev is shown. (Napa County Sheriff's Office) After making bail, he was released around 2:15 pm PT and is no longer in custody. Sheriff's deputies said he was cooperative in the process. The Sheriff's department has not shared details on who the alleged victim is, but told ABC News that they are giving the person "adequate time to deal with what unfolded before making the person talk more to detectives." They added that the alleged victim has been forthcoming with initial information to deputies. The Russian-born dancer has competed on 12 seasons of "Dancing with the Stars" to date. PHOTO: Artem Chigvintsev is seen going to the 'Dancing with the Stars' finals rehearsals on November 29, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Mega/GC Images/Getty Images) He won the Mirrorball Trophy in season 29 alongside "Bachelorette" alum Kaitlyn Bristowe and most recently competed with "Bachelorette" alum Charity Lawson in season 32, finishing in fourth. Chigvintsev and Garcia competed together on season 25 of "Dancing with the Stars" and married in August 2022. They share a child, 4-year-old son Matteo. Nikki Garcia shares glimpses into life with Artem Chigvintsev and son in birthday tribute The couple celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary mere days ago, with Garcia sharing a video to Instagram of the day they said "I do" set to the song "Can't Help Falling in Love." "This song is our love story. I'll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem. Having a conversation with He & God. How my feelings felt too soon. It all felt too fast," she wrote. "And then this song came on. And that's when I knew that I was falling in love with him and that it was all meant to be." PHOTO: Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella attend Brie and Nikki Bella's live edition of SiriusXM's The Bellas Podcast on February 08, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM) "Happy Anniversary @theartemc I love you!" she concluded. Chigvintsev also shared a post to Instagram, one featuring their wedding photos, captioning it: "Happy anniversary my love, can't see my life with out you. You are my everything." ABC, which airs "Dancing with the Stars," had no comment on the arrest. Disney is the parent company of both ABC, ABC News and "Good Morning America." Nikki Garcia asks for privacy for family after husband Artem Chigvintsev's arrest, her rep says originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com Gordon Ramsay's wife says he wasn't there for the births of their first 4 kids: 'It didn't ever really bother me' Gordon Ramsay's wife says he wasn't there for the births of their first 4 kids: 'It didn't ever really bother me' Gordon Ramsay wasn't in the delivery room for the births of his first four kids, his wife said. "It didn't ever really bother me and I actually felt quite happy when we talked about it," Tana Ramsay said on a podcast. However, the celebrity chef was present for the births of his two youngest children, she added. Gordon Ramsay wasn't in the delivery room when his four eldest children were born, his wife Tana Ramsay said. During an episode of the 'Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast,' hosted by Giovanna Fletcher, Tana opened up about her IVF journey and what it's been like to raise six children. She also shared that her celebrity chef husband decided not to be in the delivery room when she gave birth to their first four kids. Instead, she had her mother with her. "It is very controversial but it just felt right," Tana told Fletcher on the podcast. "He would've gotten all squeamish and probably fainted and all the attention would've been on him, and this is my moment." The TV broadcaster and cookbook author said she was glad she had that discussion with her husband. "It didn't ever really bother me and I actually felt quite happy when we talked about it," she said. "He said, 'What do you think?' I said, 'If you don't want to be in there, then don't.'" However, Gordon was there when she gave birth to their two youngest kids. "I don't know what changed; it's just he wanted to be there. I felt it would be nice," Tana said. "I think it was after what we went through with losing Rocky, our little boy." The couple, who has been married since 1996, has six children together: Megan, Holly, Jack, Tilly, Oscar, and Jesse, who was born in 2023. In 2016, Tana miscarried a son, whom the couple named Rocky. Whether spouses are present in the delivery room during labor and delivery varies depending on personal preferences. Sometimes, the primary labor support person can be a female relative, a friend, or even a doula. The labor duration also varies from person to person, and the primary labor support person should know what to expect. Some ways that a primary labor support person can help include being an advocate for the patient by helping them weigh their medical options, and offering words of encouragement during the birth process, per parenting resource platform BabyCenter. A representative for the Ramsays told Business Insider that the couple has no further comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Inside the relationship of billionaire venture capitalist Josh Kushner and model Karlie Kloss, the power couple with unconventional ties to Trump Billionaire entrepreneur Josh Kushner is married to supermodel and coding advocate Karlie Kloss. Kushner's brother is Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law and a former White House advisor. Kushner and Kloss have each revealed they didn't vote for Donald Trump in the 2016 election. Model Karlie Kloss and venture capitalist Josh Kushner may seem like an odd pairing on the surface, but they've been together since 2012 and have become partners in both life and business. The couple has kept their relationship under the radar since they first started dating. Kloss and Kushner got married in October 2018 and held a second Western-themed wedding eight months later. Kushner also happens to be the younger brother of former White House advisor Jared Kushner, whose father-in-law is former President Donald Trump. Josh and Jared Kushner's father, real estate developer Charles Kushner, was also pardoned by Trump in 2020. Charles Kushner pleaded guilty to tax evasion, retaliating against a federal witness, and one count of lying to the FEC in 2005 and served two years in prison. As chairman of Kushner Companies, Charles Kushner admitted to filing false tax returns and recruiting a prostitute to seduce the husband of his sister, who cooperated with authorities, and film the encounter. Although Kushner and Kloss haven't publicly spoken out against Trump, they have said they didn't vote for him in the 2016 election. Here's a look at the relationship between Josh Kushner and Karlie Kloss, including their ties to former president Donald Trump and real-estate portfolio. This story was originally published in March 2018. It was updated in 2020 and 2024. Josh Kushner, 39, founded a venture capital firm called Thrive Capital in 2009 that helped make him a billionaire. Josh Kushner. Getty / Dimitrios Kambouris Thrive Capital has made some of its biggest investments in tech startups like grocery delivery service Instacart, stock-trading app Robinhood, and insurance company Lemonade, according to PitchBook. Because of his investments, Kushner sits on the boards for shaving product maker Harry's and wedding planning platform Zola. The firm has also invested in companies like Instagram, Stripe, and ClassPass. Kushner's savvy investments have made him a billionaire with an estimated net worth of $3.8 billion, Forbes reported. Thrive Capital was valued at $5.3 billion in January 2023. Kushner has also helped start two companies: He cofounded health-insurance startup Oscar in 2012 and real-estate investment company Cadre in 2014. Josh Kushner. Alo Ceballos/GC Images Oscar, which aims to use tech to provide a more consumer-friendly insurance option, secured $375 million from Alphabet, Google's parent company, in 2018. It is now the third-largest for-profit health insurance company in the US, Forbes reported. Meanwhile, Cadre was valued at $800 million in 2019, according to Forbes. Kushner founded it with his brother, Jared Kushner. Meanwhile, 32-year-old Karlie Kloss began working as a model in her teenage years and went on to become a coding advocate. Karlie Kloss. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Kloss skyrocketed to prominence as a Victoria's Secret Angel and became one of the highest-paid supermodels in the industry, Forbes reported. She also runs a free coding camp for girls. In 2015, Kloss started Kode With Klossy, a charity that encourages girls to get involved in coding and tech. Kloss and Kushner met and began dating in 2012. Karlie Kloss and Josh Kushner. Jackson Lee/GC Images On June 8, 2016, Kloss shared a photo on X, formerly known as Twitter, of her and Kushner revealing that she had met Kushner exactly four years before, placing their first encounter on June 8, 2012, although it's not known exactly how they met. Their relationship became public when Kushner was spotted on Kloss' arm at a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show after-party in November 2012, Us Weekly reported. They have tried to keep their relationship relatively private since then. In 2013, Kloss said she appreciates Kushner is "so not in fashion" in an interview with People. Karlie Kloss and Josh Kushner at a Met Gala after-party. Rebecca Smeyne/Getty Images "It's really refreshing to leave all the fashion shows and shoots and chaos totally behind," Kloss told People magazine. Kloss deflected questions about her relationship in a 2016 interview with Elle. Josh Kushner and Karlie Kloss attend a New York Knicks game in New York City. James Devaney/GC Images Elle magazine's Lotte Jeffs asked Kloss if she and Kushner have a "no phones in the bedroom" rule. Kloss answered by shaking her head and saying, "I keep my phone pretty close to me." She added that she tries to digitally detox once a week. When asked if technology ever causes arguments in their relationship, Kloss "deftly deflects the question," Jeffs wrote. The couple has largely avoided talking about politics, which is notable given their ties to the Trump family. Jared Kushner (left) and Josh Kushner. Chance Yeh/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images Kushner is the younger brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law to former president Donald Trump and former senior White House advisor. Josh Kushner told Forbes in April 2017 that he and Jared Kushner spoke every day, but refused to comment for an Esquire article about his brother in 2016 because he "did not want to say anything that might embarrass him." However, the couple has publicly stated they didn't vote for Trump in 2016. Josh Kushner and Karlie Kloss at the Sandy Hook Promise Benefit. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images Kloss posted a photo of herself on Instagram in November 2016 filling out an absentee ballot. She included the hashtag #ImWithHer in support of Clinton. Kushner's spokesperson told Esquire he's a lifelong Democrat and that he didn't vote for Trump. "It is no secret that liberal values have guided my life and that I have supported political leaders that share similar values," Kushner told Forbes in 2017. Neither Kushner nor Kloss was present at Trump's inauguration in 2017. Instead, Kushner was spotted at the Women's March in Washington, DC, that weekend. Protesters walk during the Women's March on Washington, DC. Mario Tama/Getty Images Kushner told other marchers he was there to observe, The Washingtonian reported. Kloss also posted a photo on Instagram from the same Women's March, along with an Audre Lorde quote: "Women are powerful and dangerous." In a 2018 interview with Vogue, Kloss made it clear she doesn't agree with the Trump family's conservative political views. Karlie Kloss, Zendaya, Freida Pinto, and Michelle Obama take a selfie during NBC's International Day Of The Girl event. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images "At the end of the day, I've had to make decisions based on my own moral compass forget what the public says, forget social media," Kloss told Vogue. "I've chosen to be with the man I love despite the complications." Kloss also pointed out the sexism in the questions she's frequently asked about her relationship with Kushner. "It's frustrating, to be honest, that the spotlight is always shifted away from my career toward my relationship," she said. "I don't think the same happens in conversations with men." Kloss and Kushner have also shown their support on social media for gun control. Josh Kushner at the March For Our Lives protest in 2018. Noam Galai/WireImage The couple was spotted in March 2018 at the anti-gun-violence March for Our Lives protest in Washington, DC. Kloss and Kushner didn't hide their presence at the march: They posted photos on Instagram from the March for Our Lives rally. A few weeks earlier, Kushner made a $50,000 donation to the anti-gun-violence group, Axios reported. While Trump's presidency was unpopular in Silicon Valley, Kushner's proximity to the White House didn't appear to slow his career as an investor. Josh Kushner in New York City. Gotham/GC Images "There is a lot of discussion in the Valley about political tests on both who you'll take money from and who you'll work with," the venture capitalist Marc Andreessen told Forbes in 2017. "Having said that, I haven't yet seen an instance of anyone hesitating to take money from Josh because of the affiliation with his brother." In July 2018, Kloss and Kushner got engaged after six years of dating. Karlie Kloss and Josh Kushner in New York City. Alo Ceballos/GC Images Kushner proposed "during a romantic weekend together in upstate New York," People magazine reported at the time. "I love you more than I have words to express," Kloss captioned a photo on X announcing their engagement. "Josh, you're my best friend and my soulmate. I can't wait for forever together. Yes a million times over." Kloss converted to Judaism shortly before getting engaged to Kushner, who is Jewish. Josh Kushner and Karlie Kloss attend an NBA event in Chicago. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images Kloss confirmed she had converted to Judaism in a March 2019 appearance on Andy Cohen's "Watch What Happened Live." The couple got married in October 2018 in upstate New York. Karlie Kloss and Josh Kushner at the Whitney Gala. Lexie Moreland/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images The wedding was a small Jewish ceremony with fewer than 80 people in attendance, including Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. "So much love for you both as you begin forever together," Ivanka Trump wrote in a post on X. Kloss wore a custom Dior wedding gown with lace sleeves and a flowing train. "The wedding was intimate and moving," a friend at the ceremony told People magazine. "The couple was beaming with happiness." In June 2019, the couple held a second wedding celebration at a ranch in Wyoming. Karlie Kloss with Princess Beatrice, who attended Kloss' second wedding ceremony in 2019. Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Berggruen Institute Kushner and Kloss' second wedding celebration was held at Brush Creek Ranch, an all-inclusive ranch resort near the Wyoming-Colorado border. The weekend included activities such as horseback riding, paintball, and off-road ATVing. Photos shared from the wedding show that guests wore Western-themed outfits instead of traditional gowns and tuxedos. Attendees included Diane Von Furstenberg, Orlando Bloom, Katy Perry, Ellie Goulding, Princess Beatrice, and Ashton Kutcher. Kloss and Kushner's relationship was publicly flamed on a 2020 episode of "Project Runway," which Kloss hosted for two seasons. Karlie Kloss on "Project Runway." Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Brandon Maxwell, a judge on the fashion design reality competition show, criticized contestant Tyler Neasloney's creation. The assignment had been to design a look for Kloss to wear to a fashion event in Paris, but Maxwell told Neasloney that he couldn't see Kloss wearing the outfit "anywhere." "Not even to dinner with the Kushners?" Neasloney replied, eliciting gasps from other contestants. "Keep it to the challenge," Kloss responded. "You really missed the mark here, on all accounts." When asked about the viral moment on "Watch What Happens Live" with Andy Cohen, Kloss said "the real tragedy of this whole thing is that no one is talking about how terrible that dress was." She added: "Andy, I'm sure I'm not the only person in this country who does not necessarily agree with their family on politics. I voted as a Democrat in 2016 and I plan to do the same in 2020." The couple has two sons, Levi and Elijah. Josh Kushner and Karlie Kloss depart for the Met Gala. Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for The Mark Kloss and Kushner welcomed their first child, Levi, in March 2021. Kloss revealed her second pregnancy on the red carpet of the 2023 Met Gala while wearing a black Loewe dress designed by Jonathan Anderson. Their son Elijah was born a few months later in July 2023. Kloss occasionally shares photos of Kushner on Instagram, where she has more than 12.6 million followers, but she doesn't show her children's faces. Joshua Kushner and Karlie Kloss snap a selfie. James Devaney/Getty Images Kloss has posted photos of the couple traveling the world and celebrating Kushner's birthday, but she doesn't share much else about their relationship. She also keeps the faces of her young sons hidden in photos. "I know in my life what really matters to me," Kloss said in an interview with Harper's Bazaar in 2018. "I'm not trying to hide that from the world. I just really like having a more private life." In 2024, Kushner and Kloss bought Life magazine and announced their plans to revive the iconic photography publication. Josh Kushner and Karlie Kloss in Paris. Edward Berthelot/Getty Images Kushner and Kloss bought the publication rights to Life magazine through Bedford Media, their media startup that also acquired i-D Magazine. They plan to revive the brand as both a print and digital publication. "We see Life as an uplifting and unifying voice in a chaotic media landscape," Kloss, who serves as CEO of Bedford Media, said in a statement. "While Bedford is a new media company, we are deeply inspired by Life's iconic legacy and ability to connect diverse audiences with universal narratives of humanity." They also purchased a $29.5 million beachfront house in Malibu. Josh Kushner and Karlie Kloss expanded their real-estate portfolio. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images The six-bedroom home is known as Wave House because its architect, Harry Gesner, designed the exterior to look like cresting waves. It was previously owned by Rod Stewart and Mo Ostin, a record executive who signed artists including Jimi Hendrix, Prince, and Madonna. Read the original article on Business Insider Italys Minister of Culture claims that he has been passionate about cinema his whole life. Gennaro Sangiuliano, a former Rai executive who was appointed culture minister by right-wing Premier Giorgia Meloni in 2022, said he plans to keep investing heavily in grants to the Venice Film Festival, and through a generous program of tax credits he also wants to promote Italy to international producers. More from The Hollywood Reporter In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sangiuliano said he is satisfied with Italys investment of nearly $800 million a year in a program of tax credits and selective grants for TV and film producers. When it emerged last year that some Italian producers had been abusing the system, Sangiuliano took steps to tighten the rules. But the fund is still large, and it provides producers with up to 40 percent of the production budget of many films shot in Italian territory. As Scott Roxborough and Giammaria Tammaro reported in THR on August 27, under the newest Italian government rules, international co-productions will face an 18 million ($19.7 million) cap on tax credit payouts for projects where at least 30 percent of the production is made in Italy. Local productions will be capped at 9 million ($10 million). The overall fund for film and audiovisual investments in 2024. however, remains unchanged at about 700 million ($782 million). The Minister of Culture, meanwhile, provides more than half of the Venice Film Festivals annual operating budget, spending about $15 million a year. Sangiuliano calls cinema the form of art that is closest to people, the one that really excites people, and especially the younger generations. He brags that this year the Venice Film Festival is once again a star-studded international showcase. Just scrolling through the list of participants of the stars who come to Venice, one gets a sense of how important and relevant this event is, he says. As a government, we are working hard to support the film industry. We have worked to rationalize, and to make more ethical, the mechanisms for allocating resources to cinema, such as the tax credit, but also our selective contributions. We are satisfied with the work we have done. Cinema is a great dream, and each of us relives his life through the films he has appreciated over the years, the minister said when asked how committed he was to tax credits and incentives for film production. The Italian minister, naturally, also probably wanted to mention Paolo Sorrentino, Luca Guadagnino and Matteo Garrone, but he restrained himself and instead said that Italy is proud of the excellence of those in the Italian film industry, and we want to support this sector. Today, Italy is producing extraordinary and talented directors who are making a name for themselves worldwide. Best of The Hollywood Reporter As Journey continues its stadium tour with Def Leppard and Steve Miller, two of its members have finally settled a legal dispute. Jonathan Cain announced Wednesday that the Delaware Chancery Court has appointed a third independent director, former Vice Chancellor Joseph Slights, for his and bandmate Neal Schons Freedom 2020 business subsidiary. More from Deadline Mr. Schon is prohibited from unilaterally acting on behalf of the Company and all future deadlock between Mr. Cain and Mr. Schon will be broken by the vote of the Custodian, Cains legal team shared in a statement. Mr. Cain is elated with the outcome and looks forward to moving beyond this matter so that Journey can continue the bands 50th Anniversary Freedom Tour. After Schon agreed last week to Cains request to appoint a third party tiebreaker to manage the ongoing tour, Cains attorney Kasey H. DeSantis accused Schon of now seeking to inappropriately limit the role of the custodian in a recent petition. With each owning a 50% stake in the company, Cain previously said in a petition that he and Schon fundamentally disagree on how to manage the company. Bassist Ross Valory, keyboardist/guitarist Jonathan Cain and guitarist Neal Schon of Journey Cain accused Schon of taking a $1.5 million advance from promoter AEG to cover tour expenses, despite Cains request for a more modest $500,000 advance, in addition to ignoring the company limit of $1,500 per night for hotel accommodations and spending up to $10,000 per night for hotel rooms for him and his wife. The legal resolution comes as Journey performs Wednesday in San Francisco, moving onto San Diego on Friday. Among the bands hits are Dont Stop Believin,' Wheel In The Sky and Any Way You Want It. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Back in fall 2021, Kanye West doled out a whopping $57.3 million in cash for an oceanfront Malibu house designed by noted Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Shortly afterward, the music mogul-turned-Yeezy fashion designer controversially gutted the residence in preparation for a redesign, ripping out all the windows, doors, and interior finishes before changing his mind and flipping the vacant and uninhabitable concrete shell back on the market this past January at a steep $53 million. Alas, there were no takers, and within a few months the price had been slashed all the way down to $39 million. Now, after nearly three years languishing and exposed to the elements, the property is finally in escrow to be sold for $21 milliona staggering $36 million less than West paid. As first reported by The Real Deal, the discount-minded buyer is Belwood Investments, a California-based real estate crowdfunding firm thats been flipping homes since 2018. The new owner plans to raise at least $5 million to restore the unfinished property to its original state during the next 12 to 16 months and then put it back up for sale at around $40 million. More from Robb Report We are incredibly excited about the acquisition of this property, said Belwood founder and owner Steven Bo Belmont via a press release. This is not just a phenomenal real estate investment; it is an opportunity to revitalize and preserve an architectural gem by the renowned Tadao Ando, ensuring it remains a jewel of Malibu. This acquisition exemplifies Belwood Investments commitment to transforming properties with historical and architectural significance while delivering exceptional returns for our investors. The Malibu Road home before West stripped it of windows, doors and all interior fittings. Originally designed and built for financier and art collector Richard Sachs by the Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect, the 4,000-square-foot residence was completed in 2013 in collaboration with the architecture firm Marmol Radziner using 1,200 tons of concrete and 200 tons of reinforced steel. Though current photos are scarce, listings show the house was designed with four bedrooms and five baths in just over 4,000 square feet, with roughly 1,500 square feet of outdoor decks providing ocean views, but its currently devoid of plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and interior finishes. A broker price opinion report prepared for Belwood by Rugiero estimates the propertys final value once restored will top $50 million, while other brand-new or freshly rehabbed homes along this same stretch of sand typically go for around $20 million. However, the Brutalist structure is one of only a handful of U.S. buildings designed by the 82-year-old Ando, whos been called Hollywoods favorite starchitect and whose homes are regarded as the hottest must-have among the super wealthy. In 2023, Jay-Z and Beyonce paid $190 million for a much larger Malibu estate designed by Ando in a deal that remains one of the most ever paid for a California home. Kim Kardashian is planning to build an extravagant Ando-designed vacation mansion near Palm Springs, and Slack co-founder Stewart Butterfield and his wife Jen Rubio bought Tom Fords Ando-designed ranch in New Mexico in 2021 for $40 million. West, who remains a successful record producer and one of the best-selling musicians of all time, seems to be shifting away from real estate ownership. His other L.A. property, in Calabasas, where his now shuttered Donda Academy was located, has fallen into a state of neglect, and when hes not out traveling the globe with his typically scantily clad wife Bianca Censori, he frequently bunks up for months at a time in some of the poshest hotels in Los Angeles, including the Chateau Marmont and the oceanfront Nobu Ryokan in Malibu. Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robbreport's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Luis Ortegas absurdist comedy Kill the Jockey, which plays in Venice competition, is set in Argentinas horse-racing community. Its a wild, wild world, he tells Variety. I encountered some very exotic jockeys and horse owners and I thought its so great. Theyre so crazy and exciting, and [the jockeys] risk their life every race. The central character, Remo Manfredini, is clearly psychologically damaged abusing drugs and alcohol to the extent that we see him fall off his horse even before it leaves the gate but nonetheless he retains the self-possession and panache of a matador. There is a lot of pride in that attitude, says the Argentine filmmaker, whose previous film El Angel, about a baby-faced killer, premiered in Cannes Un Certain Regard. More from Variety Remo, played by Nahuel Perez Biscayart, always keeps his race-track cronies at a distance and can seem aloof. The only way I could relate to that is being a director in this industry and how you feel alienated and completely lost in relation to what everyone else is talking about and what it really is to make a movie, or ride a horse in his case, he says. Kill the Jockey Talking about Perez Biscayart, a Cesar winner with 120 BPM (Beats Per Minute), Ortega says: Hes the best Argentinian actor we have definitely. Hes on a completely different level. Hes a genius. He just understands the madness of everything, and hes comfortable with being ridiculous. The film is imbued with a satirical tone that portrays Argentinian society as being a snake pit of corruption and violence. I use that a lot because I just cant take life too seriously if I want to get through it. Thats like a survival mode that is very useful for me, and I try to have the character have that point of view in order to get through all his own things, he says. Although set in Buenos Aires, the film isnt a typical Argentine film. I have this city in my blood, but I could have done this in Russia. Its just people. Its about people, Ortega says. So, Im okay with the fact that it doesnt belong anywhere. The D.P. is from Finland, Timo Salminen, and hes done every Aki Kaurismaki film, and he gave a completely personal look to the film, and that was amazing. It just looks very particular, and it doesnt look a lot like other Argentinian films. So, Im okay with not having an identity in that respect. Luis Ortega, second from left, with cast members Mariana di Girolamo, Nahuel Perez Biscayart and Ursula Corbero at the Kill the Jockey photocall in Venice. One of the surreal aspects of the film is the recurring appearance of babies. Remos mobster boss is always carrying a baby, and Remos girlfriend Abril played by Money Heists Ursula Corbero is pregnant. This chimes with one of the films themes, which is how birth and death are linked, an idea borrowed from William S. Burroughs. He talks about how there has to be death in order for there to be birth, Ortega says. The baby obsession also was driven by his own experience. I was about to be a father, and I was very crazy about that. It was just something that was haunting me, you know, all the baby things, he says. It is one of the films ironies that Remo only finds freedom when he is incarcerated. I guess when youre not in the hassle of trying to fit in or having to relate to the world you live in, you free yourself from all these obligations and that happens naturally. I have friends that have been in prison, and that has happened to them. They became completely different people, he says. Next up for Ortega is a film about a crack-smoking priest in Bolivia. Its about a priest who meets a crazy actress, and they fall in love, and she gets him into smoking crack, Ortega says. Then he goes to Bolivia to work with the guys who work underground. They believe in God when theyre on the ground, and when they go underground, they have this statue of the Devil, because underground, thats where the Devil reigns. So they believe in God and the Devil, and thats a very interesting world. And theres a lot of dynamite. You know, in Bolivia, they sell dynamite like you can buy cigarettes. And I love that. I love that. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. WARSAW, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Polish government has approved its 2025 budget, allocating nearly PLN 190 billion (49.3 billion U.S. dollars) for defense, a historic high. The spending represents 4.7 percent of Poland's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025 with a robust increase in defense spending and key investments in infrastructure. During a press conference held on Wednesday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk outlined the major aspects of the budget, highlighting the government's commitment to national defense and security. The budget also includes provisions for a real increase in the minimum wage and the initiation of critical infrastructure projects, particularly in the energy and railway sectors. In addition, the budget allocates PLN 222 billion (57.6 billion dollars) to healthcare, representing a significant increase from the previous year. Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski, who also spoke at the press conference, noted that the budget was formulated amid accelerating economic growth. He projected a GDP growth rate of 3.1 percent for 2024 and 3.9 percent for 2025. He further outlined expectations for increased public and private investments, along with a state budget deficit of PLN 289 billion (74.9 billion dollars) in 2025. Matt Lauer's daughter Romy has been implicated in a hit-and-run car crash that occurred over the weekend of the Fourth of July. Page Six reports that the 20-year-old has been issued a summons for leaving the scene of an accident, her involvement in which was discovered after she left her license plate behind. She has also reportedly been ticketed, though it's not clear what the citation or fine is. According to the publication's sources, Romy crashed her Jeep Wrangler into a fence and sign in the Hamptons over the holiday weekend. Her license plate fell off the car as a result, with Southampton Town police later discovering it at the scene. A nearby resident called 911 at approximately 4 a.m. on July 5 after hearing the crash, expressing concern that someone may have been hurt as a result. When police arrived, they found a fence and sign knocked over, along with the plate. It doesn't appear as though there were any other vehicles involved in the incident, though the publication's police sources did not expand upon the accident investigation. Edward Burke Jr., whom the publication describes as a "local powerhouse attorney," is currently involved in the case and resolving this for Ms. Lauer. He previously represented Justin Timberlake during his Hamptons DUI case and is said to have a roster full of other famous clients, including Romy's father. The former Today co-anchor shares Romy with his ex-wife, Annette Roque. The two are also parents to Jack, 23, and Thijs, 17. Next: Matt Lauer Runs Into Former 'Today' Co-Stars 6 Years After Firing Melania Trumps musings about New York City left social media users giggling and scratching their heads. New York City captivated my heart the moment I arrived, 28 years ago today. This electrifying town isnt just my home; its a colorful canvas where dreams come alive. New Yorks iconic skyline and vibrant culture inspire me every day, the former first lady wrote Tuesday on X (formerly Twitter). Her X account is only lightly active, posting from time to time to mark holidays, sell products and share statements. Donald Trump and his wife changed their primary residence from Manhattan to the former presidents Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2019. Their son, Barron Trump, will be attending college in New York in the fall. Melania Trump, who has largely been absent from the public eye throughout her husbands 2024 campaign, immigrated to the U.S. in 1996. She was working as a model in New York when she met her future husband at a party. Melania Trumps view of the city apparently differs from that of the Republican nominee, who has called it dirty & unsafe. In recent years, Donald Trump and his right-wing allies have trashed the Democratic stronghold. Me drunk in the back of an uber, one social media user quipped, sharing Melania Trumps commentary about the city. Others invoked Carrie Bradshaw, wondered if the post was written with artificial intelligence, and raised their eyebrows at the use of home. Check out the reactions below. me drunk in the back of an uber https://t.co/571HJscqJI Andrew Strauss (@straussanator) August 27, 2024 I cant tell if AI wrote this or she discovered https://t.co/r8G7aMdmQThttps://t.co/9B3kdn5tCF Liz Wasser (@TheLizWasser) August 28, 2024 interesting post, given that: - effusive praise for big coastal cities is completely out of step with right-wing rhetoric du jour - NYC reviles her family - isn't the official line that they live in Florida now??? - these two spend no time together and she's barely campaigning https://t.co/UqoS8uV4Ad Natalie Shure (@nataliesurely) August 29, 2024 Carrie Bradshaw the last 2 minutes of the episode: https://t.co/zabMznxiJG natalie (@xxd4rkshr1mpxx) August 28, 2024 I thought you live with your husband in Florida? https://t.co/EGujzxiIkn Ziggy Stardust (@ZiggyTheNazz) August 27, 2024 NYC is her home? Her husband lives in Florida. Heckuva way to announce a separation! https://t.co/ecdcQ4aSDM Eric Columbus (@EricColumbus) August 27, 2024 Related... Is there anything worse than an actor with a cause? asks an annoyed Jane Wyman, Ronald Reagans first wife, early in Reagan, the new biopic starring Dennis Quaid. Well, after watching two more hours of this story, an adoring look back at the man who served two terms as our 40th president, we can report that there is definitely one thing worse: An actor without a movie. Lets not blame the star, though. Quaid, who has played more than one president, has certainly got the charismatic grin, the pomaded hair and especially that distinctive, folksy voice down close your eyes, and it sounds VERY familiar. If he were to appear on Saturday Night Live in the role, it would feel like a casting coup akin to Larry David as Bernie Sanders. But this is not an SNL skit, despite the fact that Jon Voight appears throughout with a heavy Russian accent as a KGB spy, but well get to that. This is a 135-minute film that demands a lot more depth. And, so, to co-opt a political phrase from Bill Clinton, whom Quaid also has played: Its the script, stupid. Lovingly directed by Sean McNamara with a screenplay by Howard Klausner, Reagan begins with a chilling event (and a parallel to a recent one): the assassination attempt on Reagan in Washington in March 1981, only two months after he became president. There are those who say Reagan cemented his relationship with the public by surviving that attempt; he famously told wife Nancy from his bed: Honey, I forgot to duck. In any case, the filmmakers use the event to set up their story, and will return to it later on, chronologically. But their early point is that Reagan came away from the scare with a divine plan. My mother used to say that everything in life happens for a reason, even the most disheartening setbacks, he says. And as he will tell Tip ONeill, the House speaker, everything from then on will be part of that divine plan. The yet broader point here is that Reagan, according to this film, was basically solely responsible for the eventual downfall of the Soviet Union, because he showed the people of the world what freedom meant. I knew that he was the one, says Viktor Petrovich, the retired spy played by Voight as a narrator figure throughout meaning the one who would bring it all down. The script is based on Paul Kengors The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism, and Kengor has said Viktor is based on a number of KGB agents and analysts who tracked Reagan for years. That point is made early and often. The rest is a history reel, with lots of glorious, loving lighting around our star. We go back to his younger years, learning about his mother and what she taught him about faith, and then his Hollywood years as an actor, Screen Actors Guild president (and a Democrat) before fully committing to politics, and the GOP. We also see a newly divorced Reagan meet a winsome Nancy Davis, who will become his second wife, loving partner and constant companion. Like Quaid, Penelope Ann Miller is a perfectly fine actor who has little nuance to work with here. Together, they embark on the path to political stardom, starting with the California governorship. When they arrive at a neighbors home to campaign, the housewife at the door hears Reagan's RR initials and thinks he's Roy Rogers. But a decade and change later, Reagan is sworn in as president, beginning his eight years in office. It became my obsession to understand what was beneath the facade, says Voights Petrovich, explaining why Reagan was so consequential. Maybe, then, he could let us know? Because when this movie ends, with the presidents death in 2004 a decade after announcing he had Alzheimers disease, we dont know a lot more than when we began about a figure so influential in American politics. Sure, we get all the great hits. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall! we see him say in 1987 in Berlin, a scene with much buildup. And its fun to see the famous debate lines, like There you go again, to Jimmy Carter in 1980, and of course his famously deft deflection of the age issue in 1984, with Walter Mondale. I will not make age an issue of this campaign, the 73-year-old president told his questioner. I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponents youth and inexperience. The line, which made Mondale himself laugh, got Reagan back on track in the race. The movie, not so much. History is never about when, why, how it always comes down to who, says Voights Petrovich. However historians feel about that, we would have gladly taken a more incisive look at when, why, how or anything else that would give us real insight, instead of an extended and glowing commercial, into who this man really was. Reagan, a Showbiz Direct release, has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association for violent content and smoking. Running time: 135 minutes. One and a half stars out of four. Its a tricky thing to use the foundations of something familiar to build something unexpected. Without sounding too grand, the history of human storytelling is based on repeating familiar structures, alluding to well-known myths and fables as a way to make the outlandish make sense. Netflixs new Greek mythology-tinged drama KAOS bases its wide-ranging story in legends most of its audience likely already knows, but dont expect a straight retelling. The world of KAOS is one where the gods are real and myths play out in real time, and not in the way you think. The show is set entirely within a modern-day alternate version of Greece, where the ancient pantheon of gods hold sway over the real world in a way similar to The Boys depiction of superheroes: Zeus, Hera, and the rest are pop-culture icons as well as very real beings who feed off of human worship; sacrifice is commonplace; and everyone is born with a vaguely worded prophecy foretelling their fate. It cunningly weaves ancient mythology into the plot, taking the familiar legends of Ariadne and the Minotaur, Orpheus and Eurydice, the Trojan War, and the doomed thief Prometheus and turning them inside out, combining them all into a complex story about fate and free will whose every episode is full of surprises. Stephen Dillane plays omniscient narrator Prometheus, chained to his rock and tortured by his liver-eating eagle, and nonetheless poised to set in motion a series of events that will shake the foundations of Mount Olympus. Atop that great mountain, Zeus (a terrifyingly charming Jeff Goldblum) struts around in velour tracksuits and wonders if humanity isnt due for a population-thinning natural disaster or two. On Earth, Trojan rebels deface a monument erected in the gods honor, and Ariadne (Leila Farzad), the daughter of Kretes President Minos (Stanley Townsend), is forced to sort out the mess. Local pop superstar Orpheus (Killian Scott) is touring a new album, and his girlfriend and muse Riddy (Aurora Perrineau) is thinking about leaving him. Zeus hedonist son Dionysus (Nabhaan Rizwan in an endless supply of garishly patterned shirts) is bored with constant partying and wants to prove himself worthy of his powerful lineage. One sudden disaster (if youre acquainted with your Greek tragedies, you can guess which) will give him the opening he needs to help a human defy the boundary between life and death, with ramifications far beyond what any human or god can predict. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Doesnt DisappointBut Should Be Way Wackier I wont spoil the best parts of the show, so that description, while long, barely scratches the surface of how KAOS operates. Creator Charlie Covell, whose equally daring previous Netflix project The End of the F***ing World follows a young aspiring murderer and the would-be victim he falls in love with, has clearly dedicated a lot of thought to how stories so old theyve become cliche can be led in other directions, creating a world where the familiar takes on new and distinct shapes. Mythology retellings are all the rage right now, especially Greek ones (Percy Jackson, Lore Olympus, The Song of Achilles, etc.), and the way that KAOS allows its characters to follow fresh directions within their ascribed mythological framework nods toward the shows structure: subverting audience expectations while treading usual ground. You know the stories, but you dont know how theyll go this time. Jeff Goldblum as Zeus Justin Downing/Netflix The show also lives up to the promise of its incredible cast, which feels like a relief considering all the other streaming series that waste their actors talents. David Thewlis as a crotchety Hades! Janet McTeer as steely spurned wife Hera! Eddie Izzard as one of the Fates! Billie Piper as Cassandra, the prophet no one ever listens to! One of the best threads follows a young man named Caneus played by Misia Butler, whose role I wont reveal except to say that it handily reframes modern perceptions of a certain group of gender-segregated people from Greek myth in a way that feels satisfying. Rings of Power Season 2 Is So Much Better Than House of the Dragon Its also very funny, but there is a darkness to the humor that sets KAOS apart from Netflixs more obnoxiously funny comedy-adventures (a third of the characters in this one are dead in the Underworld by the midpoint of the show). There is time set aside for levity between scenes of characters wrestling with the inevitability (or not?) of death in a world ruled by prophecies that are just nebulous enough for their outcomes to be unpredictable. KAOS winks at you while you watch it, introducing things you think you know before snatching the rug out from under your feet, just as its characters are repeatedly shown how knowing your fate doesnt necessarily show you the future. Its an addictive type of storytelling, and KAOS is a pomegranate well worth trying. 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. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images Following an extremely successful royal tour of Colombia, Prince Harry has announced his next official trip. In September, the Duke of Sussex will travel to New York City solo, where he will support a number of patronages and philanthropic organizations. Notably, Harry's visit pays tribute to his late mother, Princess Diana, in a number of important ways. A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex confirmed to MarieClaire.com that Harry will be attendance at UN General Assembly High-level Week and Climate Week, both of which take place in New York in late September. Prince Harry "will be in town to advance a number of his patronages and philanthropic initiatives," the Duke of Sussex's spokesperson said. Sharing the causes Harry will support during his visit, the Sussexes' spokesperson said, "He will participate in engagements with African Parks, The HALO Trust, The Diana Award, and Travalyst." Princess Diana and Prince Harry at VJ Day Commemorative Event. In 1997, Princess Diana visited Angola in support of The HALO Trust, a humanitarian organization dedicated to clearing landmines and other dangerous devices. In 2019, Harry followed in his late mother's footsteps by visiting Angola and walking across an area of land that had been cleared of landmines. As Harry's New York trip includes engagements in support of The HALO Trust, it's clear that the Duke is continuing the crucial work his mother started all those years ago. Princess Diana visits a landmine minefield on behalf of The HALO Trust in Huambo, Angola. Also mentioned by Harry's spokesperson is The Diana Award, a charitable organization founded in tribute to Princess Diana's dedication to furthering the lives of young people. Since stepping down from his senior royal family role, Harry has continued to support The Diana Award. Earlier this year, the Duke attended the organization's annual event, which was held in London, via a video call from California. Regardless of where he is in the world, Prince Harry has made it clear that the charity founded in honor of his mother remains a priority. Harry will travel to New York without wife Meghan Markle, or the couple's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. But royal fans will be delighted to learn of the Duke of Sussex's commitment to continuing the charitable work his late mother was so passionate about. The past few months, Ive been in a real dining frenzy. Im working on compiling a 2024 Top Restaurants package and have been busy making the rounds to places all across the area to see which places will make the cut. Suffice it to say, Ive had a lot to eat: Theres been good, theres been bad and theres been a little bit of ugly. And there are some dishes that I just cant seem to get out of my mind. From creamy pimento cheese croquettes to a luscious lamb vindaloo pasta, here are 10 plates to put on your list the next time you head out for a meal. Mushroom tartine at Mise en Place Last week, I dropped into Mise en Place for dinner with a friend. Every bite of our meal was lovely and the service was excellent. Honestly, Id expect nothing less from a team thats been at it since 1986. But the dish I cant stop thinking about was the barbecue spice-roasted mushroom tartine ($17.37), which featured a meaty mushroom medley on top of thick planks of grilled sourdough bread. A smooth layer of whipped goat cheese provided a luscious canvas and the plate was finished with a drizzle of Alabama white barbecue sauce, a shower of crispy-fried cipollini onions and a thick ribbon of charred scallion. Rich and over-the-top, yes but still a dish that Id order a thousand times over. 442 W. Grand Central Ave., Tampa. 813-254-5373. miseonline.com. Prime-a-nite roll at Ocean Prime This off-the-menu special ($34) at Tampas Ocean Prime is a mash-up of two of the spots most popular rolls, the Prime Roll and the Dynamite Roll. What does that mean? A hearty roll toppling with tempura-fried shrimp tossed in spicy mayo paired with cream cheese, scallions and beef carpaccio delicious and so decadent. 2205 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa. 813-490-5288. ocean-prime.com. Monicas Cornbread at Juno & The Peacock The restaurant has barely been open a month, but theres already plenty of hype surrounding this St. Petersburg newcomer. During a media dinner, a server recommended we try the spots signature cornbread ($10), a stellar suggestion that featured three thick, golden slices of sweet cornbread served with a hot honey butter we couldnt get enough of. 400 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. 727-258-4222. junoandthepeacock.com. Agnolotti at Rocca Theres good pasta and then theres really good pasta. Its hard to pick which contender in that genre is my favorite at this Tampa Heights stunner, but if pressed to choose one Id probably opt for the agnolotti, which has for several years now graced the menu, and for very good reason. A spicy salame Calabrese and ricotta mixture fills the chewy, perfectly al dente pockets of pasta, which are tossed with juicy, just barely cooked cherry tomatoes and a dusting of buttery breadcrumbs. 323 W. Palm Ave., Tampa. 813-906-5445. roccatampa.com. Pimento cheese croquettes at Edison: Food + Drink Lab For the last 12 years, this Tampa standby has managed to stay contemporary and exciting, impressing diners (including this one) with creative, envelope-pushing menus. On a recent visit, I couldnt get enough of the pimento cheese croquettes ($18), and the genius pairing with a sweet and jammy short rib marmalade. Rolled in a salty cracker crust and served with a tangy Carolina mustard slaw, this might just be one of the best bites Ive had all summer. 912 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 813-254-7111. edison-tampa.com. Cedar Key clams at Steamers No, Cedar Key isnt in the immediate Tampa Bay area, but it is home to the best clams in the state and a drive up north is well worth it to savor these directly from the source. While working on a story about clam farmers facing an uncertain future (Cedar Key was hit by two hurricanes within the last year), I stumbled upon Steamers, a restaurant overlooking the water. Cooked in a super flavorful garlic and white wine broth, this might have been one of the best bowls of clams ($14.99) Ive ever had. And if youre not feeling that long of a drive, dont fret: Those very same Cedar Key clams are easy to find on restaurant menus and seafood markets much closer to home. 420 Dock St., Cedar Key. 352-543-5142. steamerscedarkey.com Vindaloo Pappardelle at Rooster & The Till Last winter, the celebrated Seminole Heights restaurant celebrated its 10th anniversary a well-deserved milestone that feels particularly impressive in todays volatile market. On a recent visit I fell hard for the spots lamb vindaloo pappardelle ($27), which paired thick noodles with hunks of stewed lamb neck, tamarind tomatoes and a punchy pistachio pistou on a bed of preserved lemon yogurt. Its a dish that fuses warm Mediterranean spice with bright notes of acidity and plenty of texture a perfect plate I havent been able to stop thinking about. 6500 N Florida Ave., Tampa. 813-374-8940. roosterandthetill.com. Salt cod croquettes at Small Bar Get em while you can: These tasty, crispy-fried salt cod croquettes ($18) have enjoyed a good deal of time on the temporary, always-changing menu at Small Bar, and its anyones guess how long theyll be around. Paired with a creamy mayoketchup aioli and garlicky chimichurri, these were gone in an instant. Like the concept itself (Small Bar is a pop-up restaurant in the back of Bandit Coffee Co.), the menu here is constantly in flux. 2662 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. instagram.com/smallbarstp/ Sunday snack tostadas at Streetlight Taco A sleeper hit at this South Tampa newcomer, these crazy delicious, if slightly unorthodox, crab tostadas ($13) hit all the right sweet-savory notes by combining lump crab meat, a generous schmear of cream cheese, fresh mangos, and a bright and citrusy mango salsa. 4004 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. 813-217-9158. streetlighttacos.com/ Apricot pastry at Tous les Jours (inside Lotte Market) Theres a lot to love at this Asian grocery store in New Tampa, but Im particularly smitten with the treats sold at Tous les Jours, the South Korean bakery and pastry shop tucked inside the spots stellar food hall. Whatever you do, dont skip the poached apricot Danish ($3.95), which combines poached apricots with a sweet custard base, strawberry jam and cream. 17605 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa. 813-392-1107. lotteplaza.com. Consumer Reports has put out its first-ever brand ranking on used vehicles as well as its 10 top picks of the best individual used cars priced under $20,000 two of which are General Motors models: the 2020 Buick Envision won in the Luxury SUV category and the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze won for small sedan under $10,000. But when it comes to the best overall brand in used cars, Consumer Reports gave the top honor to Lexus, followed by Toyota, both of which had a commanding lead over third-place Mazda. Acura and Honda were near the top, too. Rounding out the bottom of the list were Ford, GMC, Ram, Jeep, Tesla, Dodge and Chrysler, which was dead last. Brands like Lexus and Toyota have a history of conservative redesigns, incrementally improving their entire product line, rather than introducing many all-new systems, Steven Elek, Consumer Reports program leader for auto data analytics, said in a statement. Our data consistently shows over time that new cars from those brands are reliable when new and they continue to be reliable as they age. A 2020 Buick Envision was selected by Consumer Reports as a top-rated used vehicle in the category of "Best Luxury SUV Under $20,000." Elek said the lower-ranking brands tend to have much less consistent reliability across their model lines. For example, only the 2018 and 2019 Chevrolet Equinox SUVs have above-average reliability among the six years that model was offered. But, Elek said, the entire 2014 to 2019 Chevrolet Silverado pickup generation proved to have below-average reliability. This is why it's best to check the reliability ratings for each model year when buying a used car, Elek says. Making assumptions can prove both costly and inconvenient. The methodology The used car market is hot right now, with 40% of car shoppers saying they are considering only used cars, according to a June 2024 American Experiences Survey by Consumer Reports of 2,032 U.S. adults. For that reason, Consumer Reports a nonprofit research, testing and advocacy organization is expanding its ratings and recommendations beyond new vehicles to include used car insights. Consumer Reports said it based its new brand ranking for used cars on the reliability of 5- to 10-year-old cars as informed by the organization's annual auto surveys. The organization asks its members each year about problems theyve had with their vehicles in the previous 12 months. For this study, Consumer Reports said it focused on the problems reported on 2014 to 2019 model year vehicles, from a survey sample of about 150,000 vehicles. The data showed that buyers can limit costly repairs, reduce the risk of problems, and get more life out of a vehicle by focusing on certain brands over others. More: Shopping for a used car? Why now may be the time to buy. Top used car picks Toyota and Mazda were not just in the top used car brands, but their models accounted for half of the top 10 used vehicles Consumer Reports singled out. Consumer Reports has historically named its 10 Top Picks among new cars, which highlighted the cars, SUVs and pickups that performed best in the organizations extensive road tests and member surveys. It is now using similar processes to select the top used vehicle models for its first 10 Top Used Car Picks. All of the top used cars selected are valued under $20,000 and had earned Consumer Report's recommendation when tested as new. They are rated above-average for reliability and come standard with electronic stability control, Consumer Reports said. Although prices have come down from their pandemic highs, the average cost of a used car is nearly $30,000. Thats why we placed a big emphasis on value in selecting these 10 vehicles, looking for the hidden gems that offered the right blend of reliability, performance, and safety at the most budget-friendly prices, said Alex Knizek, Consumer Report's associate director of auto test development. Consumer Reports has historically named its 10 Top Picks among new cars, which highlighted the cars, SUVs, and pickups that performed best in the organizations extensive road tests and member surveys. It is now using similar processes to select the top used vehicle models for its first 10 Top Used Car Picks. More: GM's Cruise partners with Uber to offer self-driving ride-hailing service Two hybrids made the list: The 2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid for best Hybrid Small Sedan under $20,000 and the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid for best Hybrid SUV under $20,000. Best pickup under $20,000 went to the 2015 Toyota Tacoma. If you can't find that exact used vehicle model year, don't fret. Consumer Reports said it studied from a "generation perspective," meaning the years that a single design was offered, to identify the best options. It then narrowed the field by targeting specific price categories. Consumer Reports said within the price range, its top choices are based on the newest model year because they tend to have fewer miles on them. Car shoppers who cant find the exact model year as one of our Top Picks should check if theres a reliable model within the same generation," Knizek said. "They'll find much the same quality, possibly even cheaper, by considering older versions of the same car. They may even find a particularly good deal on a newer model." Contact Jamie L. LaReau: jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Read more on General Motors and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Consumer Reports lists first-ever ranking of most reliable used cars to buy Aug. 30 is National Beach Day, and Florida has some of the best beaches in the country. We're kinda famous for it. And until recently, Florida was happy to provide a list of the best LGBTQ+ beaches in the state until sometime earlier this year when the "LGBTQ TRAVEL IN FLORIDA" section vanished from the official tourism site, VisitFlorida.com without warning or explanation. Officials have not commented on the change, but the GOP-led state has been gradually removing LGBTQ+ recognition from public education and government policy where it hasn't been banned outright. However, there are still plenty of LGBTQ+ people living in or visiting the Sunshine State, despite the state's efforts and several travel advisories from civil rights groups, and a guide to the best beaches is still a useful thing. So, thanks to the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, let's see which beaches Florida used to promote in "Out in the Sun: Florida's Top 10 Gay Beaches." 1. South Beachs 12th Street Beach, Miami Beach "Just look for the rainbow flags flying amid the rental chairs and lifeguard stations," VisitFlorida.com once said. Considered the most popular gay beach in Miami, it's across the street from the Palace Restaurant & Bar, a legendary LGBTQ+ hangout. WHERE: 12th St. and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach BEST TIME TO VISIT: In March, for the Winter Party, the biggest gay beach party in North America INFO: Miami Beach LGBTQ Visitor Center 2. Smathers Beach, Key West Smathers Beach is the largest public beach on the tiny island of Key West and is one of the "nations top destinations for gay travelers," Visit Florida said. The beach is on the island's south side and begins at mile marker zero, where State Road A1A begins. WHERE: Along South Roosevelt Boulevard BEST TIME TO VISIT: March for the Winter Party Festival, September for Womenfest, October for Bear Fest or June for Key West Pride INFO: Gay Key West Visitor Center 3. Sebastian Street Beach, Fort Lauderdale "The most popular gay beach in Fort Lauderdale is across the street from the Ritz-Carlton and within blocks of some of the citys gay resorts and guesthouses," Visit Florida said earlier this year. While you're in the area, check out the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, which houses the largest circulating LGBTQ+ book and film program in the country. WHERE: Sebastian Street and North Fort Lauderdale Beach Drive (A1A). BEST TIME TO VISIT: March for PrideFest Week, October for the OUTShine Film Festival takes place or in June for Stonewall Summer Pride INFO: Visit Lauderdale 4. Sunset Beach, St. Petersburg Visit Florida called Sunset Beach "one of the west coasts premiere gay beaches" and according to St. Pete's tourism site, it's been nicknamed "the gay beach" for its "mostly LGBTQ+ beachgoers." The white-sand beach loaded with tiki huts is on the southern tip of St. Pete's Treasure Island in the string of barrier islands in the Gulf of Mexico west of St. Petersburg. WHERE: 9000 W. Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island BEST TIME TO VISIT: October for the Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, or June for St. Pete Pride INFO: VisitStPeteClearwater.com, Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Films Festival, St. Pete Pride. 5. Pass-a-Grille Beach, St. Pete Beach The quirky community of Pass-a-Grille Beach south of St. Pete Beach has a renegade history of rum- and drug-smuggling. Today, its public beach welcomes families with expansive widths of sand, a gradually sloping sea bottom and mellow Gulf of Mexico waves. Pass-a-Grille is on the southern end of St. Pete Beach south of the Don Cesar Hotel. "Quiet and narrow its only one-block wide the island is charming, with white sand and pink shells," Visit Florida said. If you time your visit right, you can hit St. Pete Pride, which organizers say is Florida's largest Pride celebration. St. Pete Pride had its 20th anniversary this year. WHERE: Along Gulf Way, from 22nd Avenue to the end of the island BEST TIME TO VISIT: October for the Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival or in June for St. Pete Pride INFO: Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Films Festival, St. Pete Pride. 6. Fort De Soto Park, Tierra Verde Fort de Soto Park's eponymous century-old Spanish-American War fort serves as a centerpiece for the multi-faceted county park with two separate white-sand beaches. Don't just believe us (or Visit Florida), the beach at Fort De Soto Park is so good it was named No. 1 in the entire country in Dr. Beach's Americas Best Beaches in 2005. The park, located at the southern tip of Pinellas County near St. Pete Beach, covers five islands and 1,136 acres and offers miles of peaceful coastline. LGBTQ+ visitors hang out in the northern expanse near the end of the island, Visit Florida said. WHERE: 3500 Pinellas Bayway BEST TIME TO VISIT: June for St. Pete Pride INFO: VisitStPeteClearwater.com Dr. Beach''s 2024 best beaches: Did Dr. Beach pick Florida again in 2024 for best beach in the US? Here's the new list 7. North Lido Beach, Sarasota Sarasota has a strong LGBTQ+ community with multiple events happening in Pride Month including the Big Gay Beach Party at North Lido Beach. The white sand key is quiet and secluded, with the 22-acre North Lido Park nearby, and is "popular with gay sunbathers in Sarasota," Visit Florida previously said. WHERE: 400 Ben Franklin Dr. BEST TIME TO VISIT: October for Sarasota Pride INFO: Sarasota County Parks 8. Guana Tolomato Reserve, Ponte Vedra Beach The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve includes more than 73,000 acres between Jacksonville and St. Augustine and some of that is Old Florida beaches, sand dunes, lagoons and more. "Theres an unofficial gay meet-up at Guanas first beach access point," Visit Florida helpfully advised as of earlier this year, "reached by a boardwalk that winds down a 40-foot-tall dune system to a pristine stretch of secluded sand." WHERE: Along A1A BEST TIME TO VISIT: October for River City Pride in Jacksonville INFO: VisitSt.Augustine.com 9. Pensacola Beach "Pensacola Beach City near the Alabama border may not seem like the most gay-friendly spot," Visit Florida once said, "but its been a beach getaway for LGBTQ folks from the South for a long time, particularly for Gay Memorial Day Weekend." "The eastern end of Pensacola Beach is awash with tents, kites and rainbow flags," read a description on Pensacola's tourism site. "The sides of the beach road are stuffed with cars that bear tags from all over the South Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee as well as Florida." WHERE: The friendliest beach, according to Visit Florida, is on County Road 399, two miles past the Gulf Islands National Seashore sign BEST TIME TO VISIT: May for the Pensacola Gay Memorial Day Weekend INFO: VisitPensacola.com 10. Haulover Park Beach, Sunny Isles Though there are many topless beaches in Miami, those who want to take it a step further can head over to Haulover Beach. "If you really want to sun your buns, this nude beach in northern Miami-Dade County is your choice," Visit Florida said. Gay-friendly Haulover Park Beach, a 1 -mile stretch about 20 minutes north of South Beach, is one of the better-known clothing-optional beaches in Florida. But just the north part of the beach. LGBTQ+ sunbathers head north of the lifeguard tower, the site said. WHERE: 10800 Collins Ave. BEST TIME TO VISIT: When it's warm INFO: MiamiAndBeaches.com If you're looking for more suggestions, some cities such as Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, St. Petersburg, and Key West still have vibrant LGBTQ+ sections on their own tourism sites, and websites such as outcoast.com and gaytravel.com still have Florida guides. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida tourism site removed this list of top 10 LGBTQ+ beaches These Broward siblings struggled visiting their dad in prison. Heres what they did about it Every Saturday morning without fail, siblings Joshua, Ava, and David Martoma used to wake up before sunrise, get dressed and pile into their moms car to drive down to the Federal Correctional Institution in southwest Miami-Dade to visit with their father in prison. They would often spend the ride asleep in the back seat. The family would arrive at the prison gates before they opened waiting for half an hour before going in and visiting with their father, Mathew Martoma, who was serving a 9-year sentence. After going through the prison security screening, the siblings and their mom would enter the waiting room and spend the next hours seated on the hard plastic chairs inside the visitation room, talking to their father. Their visit would end abruptly at 10:30 a.m. when inmates were called back for an official count. There wasnt much to do in the visitation room in those early years. The kids, who were ages 9, 7 and 5 when their father went to prison, couldnt bring anything with them to the visitation area no books, no toys, no games. The area had a small shelf with a few tattered old books and encyclopedias. The families would use the books as lap tables to eat their snacks from the vending machines high-sugar treats like Honey Buns and Big Texas Cinnamon Rolls. They would avoid the moldy hoagies. The lack of activities available in the room could make the visits feel tedious, so Ava and Joshua wanted to know how they could get games and books into the prison. They were told that donations could only be accepted from nonprofits, so thats when they decided to start one. We were like, okay, lets jump the hurdle, said Ava, who is now 17. With the help of their mom, they created KidsMates and got their first book donations from the library at their own school, Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale. The nonprofit has since expanded to be an online resource for parents, children and educators, and the siblings have partnered with other organizations to educate the public about how best to cope with having an incarcerated parent, as well as push for criminal justice policy reforms. After dropping off their first book donations, kids were no longer running around the visiting room getting in trouble. Now, kids sat quietly and read with their parents, an activity that research shows has many benefits including cognitive development and familial bonding. I loved having the books there because I love to read, and I love that other people were also enjoying being able to read in the prisons, said Ava. Since forming KidsMates, the group has donated 5,000 books, games, and movies to federal prison visiting rooms in 23 states. Our love of education is the whole reason KidsMates started, said Ava. The Martoma siblings pose for a photo near books they plan to donate to prison waiting rooms. Their love of education also kept them close to their father while he was incarcerated. The siblings would mail their schoolwork to their father in prison so he could go over it and during the visitation sessions, they would discuss it. They would tell him about their lives and days and give each other hugs. Criminal justice reform advocates say that children with incarcerated parents often struggle in school because their home lives become unstable. But through visits and and other strong adult relationships, the Martoma children were able to manage the trauma of having a parent in prison. Part of their organizations mission is to give children tools to be resilient. Ava is now in her senior year of high school at The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey and spent part of her summer in Boston at an MIT program focused on engineering and STEM. Her younger brother David is 15 and entered his freshman year of high school. He is the youngest youth fellow at Worth Rises!, a national nonprofit that works to expand the discourse around the commercialization of the criminal legal system. He has partnered with a professor to research the pros and cons of allowing prisoners to access modern technology. KidsMates has a website to provide kids with incarcerated parents a place to find stories from others who have gone through the same thing. The organization also works to end the stigma around having incarcerated parents by launching public awareness campaigns, often with larger non-profits such as the Osborne Association, an organization that provides support to people who have been in conflict with the law and their families. They helped create a Children of Incarcerated Parents Bill of Rights, which includes, I have the right to be kept safe and informed at the time of my parents arrest, and I have the right to speak with, see, and touch my parent. Their website also offers resources for teachers, counselors, and caregivers on how to create a learning environment free of stigma. The Martoma siblings contributed to The Children of Incarcerated Parents Bill of Rights, created for the New York Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents. Allison Hollihan, who works for the Osborne Association and directs the New York Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents, said that Martoma childrens experience is important to share. Hollihan began working with Ava and Joshua when they joined the See Us, Support Us youth team. The project provides resources to educators such as how to use humanizing language and lists of books about children with incarcerated parents. Ava has created artwork for the project, and spoken on panels with other youth discussing what helps and hinders their educational success and well-being. They are passionate and they have really great ideas for policy and practice changes because they understand the challenge of having an incarcerated parent and they know how important visiting is, she said. Kids can feel that theyre responsible The Martoma siblings father Mathew Martoma was convicted of insider trading in one of the most lucrative schemes of all time, according to a Department of Justice report from the time. Martoma was a hedge fund trader who was found guilty for advising his clients to sell shares of pharmaceutical companies based on insider tips. But the Martoma children do not speak much of the crime their father was convicted for, emphasizing that their fathers actions do not define them. One of the goals of their organization is to allow children to feel less alone. In the United States, a sizable number of children have had a parent or guardian incarcerated. Although the data relies heavily on self-reporting, and thus is largely an undercount, data from 2019 shows that about 4.9 million children in the nation lived with a parent or guardian who served jail or prison time, according to The Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Center. Its research found that 12 percent of Black children had an incarcerated parent. Those numbers are even more stark for American Indians and Alaska Natives at 16 percent. Only 6 percent of white children had a parent that was incarcerated. About 15-20 percent of children in the child welfare system have an incarcerated parent, according to a study from Rutgers University National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated. Shame and stigma are some of the biggest challenges for those children they are often afraid to tell their friends or teachers for fear of judgment. There is so much learned shame, so for them to come out and just be authentic, and to live their truth, has done so much for other young people who can see themselves in Josh and Ava, said Hollihan. According to Hollihan, there are many instances where young children do not fully understand what it means for their parent to be incarcerated and will blame themselves. Joshua Martoma, founder of the non-profit called KidMates is photographed at the Federal Correction Institution Miami where his father was once incarcerated in south Miami-Dade on Wednesday, June 6, 2024. KidMates supports children who parents are incarcerated. Hollihan said one child who came to the Osborne Association was told his mother was in the hospital, instead of in detention. The young child would hurt himself on the playground because he wanted to go to the hospital because he believed his mom was there. During their visits and phone calls, the Martomas father never shared any details about any difficulties he was having inside. He always kept things to himself, sheltering his children from the harsh realities of prison, they said. As they got older, they began to learn more about the criminal justice system and saw the lack of resources for children with incarcerated parents. And they were able to see that, though their family was suffering through the stress of having an incarcerated parent, there were other children whose families had fewer resources that were going through the same experience. Thats when they expanded their nonprofit beyond book donations. Now, the nonprofit partners with other organizations that advocate for national legislation to support children with incarcerated parents. Those drafting legislation were interested in hearing directly from children who knew first-hand what it was like to have a parent in prison, so Ava and Joshua were able to share their story to inform the policy-making. They advocated for the proximity bill in New York which works to place inmates in prisons in closer proximity to their children decreasing the long travel often required to visit parents who are in prisons in remote areas. Ava worked on legislation that aims to abolish the loophole in the 13th Amendment which allows unpaid labor from those who have been convicted of crimes. They advocated for New Yorks Bail Elimination Act, which works to remove bail requirements for non-violent crimes. They worked to secure free prison phone calls in Miami, Milwaukee, California, and Connecticut in partnership with another nonprofit. They also advocate for the right to be able to have in-person visits. Since the pandemic, many prisons and jails across the country have not opened up for in-person visitation, instead relying on video and phone visits. In Florida, prisons are open for family visits but Miami-Dade County jails are completely closed to family members. Ava and Joshua have also served as youth representatives on multiple boards, including the Family Based Justice Centers Advisory Board. Brother and sister, Ava, left, and Joshua Martoma, right, stand across the street of the Federal Correction Institution Miami where their father was once incarcerated. As kids, they would visit their father every weekend in prison. They were very mature, they were very confident in how they spoke, said Isabel Coronado, who also served on the board. When Joshua and Ava were young, they remember feeling awkward when friends would ask them to have a play date on the weekend, and they had to explain that their father was in prison. When Joshua lost a friend, he recalls wondering whether it was because of his fathers incarceration. I fell victim in the beginning of trying to not talk about it because I knew it was probably not the most pleasant school lunch conversation, said Joshua, now 18, who started UC Berkeley this fall on a Regents and Chancellors Scholarship. But their mother Dr. Rosemary Martoma, a pediatrician, taught her children that they did not have to feel ashamed of their fathers incarceration. I think a lot of kids can feel that theyre responsible in some way when their parents goes away, said Ava. Thats why at KidsMates a lot of our advocacy work is being honest with the children and separating the idea that their parent being in prison is the core of their identity. Israeli troops are seen on a street during a military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on Aug. 29, 2024. According to Palestinian and Israeli sources, the Israeli army on Wednesday launched a large-scale military operation in Tulkarm, Jenin, and Tubas refugee camps in an attempt to arrest wanted persons accused of involvement in operations against Israel. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army withdrew from the city of Tubas in northern West Bank after a 30-hour military operation, Palestinian security sources said Thursday. The army withdrew from the Far'a refugee camp south of Tubas following its raid that killed four Palestinians and destructed homes and infrastructure, the sources told Xinhua. Meanwhile, the Palestine Monetary Authority said in a press statement that banking services were disrupted in some bank branches in the city of Jenin as the Israeli army destroyed Internet cables in the city. The bank branches will resume services once the fiber cables are repaired and Internet services are restored, it said. According to Palestinian and Israeli sources, the Israeli army on Wednesday launched a large-scale military operation in Tulkarm, Jenin, and Tubas refugee camps in an attempt to arrest wanted persons accused of involvement in operations against Israel. The West Bank has been experiencing increasing tensions between Palestinians and Israelis since Oct. 7, 2023, when the Hamas-Israel conflict broke out. People gather at a building damaged by Israeli army in Far'a refugee camp, northern West Bank, on Aug. 29, 2024. The Israeli army withdrew from the Far'a refugee camp south of Tubas following its raid that killed four Palestinians and destructed homes and infrastructure, the sources told Xinhua on Thursday. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) People gather at a building damaged by Israeli army in Far'a refugee camp, northern West Bank, on Aug. 29, 2024. The Israeli army withdrew from the Far'a refugee camp south of Tubas following its raid that killed four Palestinians and destructed homes and infrastructure, the sources told Xinhua on Thursday. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) People gather at a building damaged by Israeli army in Far'a refugee camp, northern West Bank, on Aug. 29, 2024. The Israeli army withdrew from the Far'a refugee camp south of Tubas following its raid that killed four Palestinians and destructed homes and infrastructure, the sources told Xinhua on Thursday. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) People are seen at a building damaged by Israeli army in Far'a refugee camp, northern West Bank, on Aug. 29, 2024. The Israeli army withdrew from the Far'a refugee camp south of Tubas following its raid that killed four Palestinians and destructed homes and infrastructure, the sources told Xinhua on Thursday. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) A man with a Palestinian flag stands in front of Israeli military vehicles on a street during a military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on Aug. 29, 2024. According to Palestinian and Israeli sources, the Israeli army on Wednesday launched a large-scale military operation in Tulkarm, Jenin, and Tubas refugee camps in an attempt to arrest wanted persons accused of involvement in operations against Israel. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Israeli military vehicles are seen on a street during an Israeli military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on Aug. 29, 2024. According to Palestinian and Israeli sources, the Israeli army on Wednesday launched a large-scale military operation in Tulkarm, Jenin, and Tubas refugee camps in an attempt to arrest wanted persons accused of involvement in operations against Israel. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) An Israeli bulldozer is seen on a street during a military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on Aug. 29, 2024. According to Palestinian and Israeli sources, the Israeli army on Wednesday launched a large-scale military operation in Tulkarm, Jenin, and Tubas refugee camps in an attempt to arrest wanted persons accused of involvement in operations against Israel. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Israeli military vehicles are seen on a street during an Israeli military operation in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on Aug. 29, 2024. According to Palestinian and Israeli sources, the Israeli army on Wednesday launched a large-scale military operation in Tulkarm, Jenin, and Tubas refugee camps in an attempt to arrest wanted persons accused of involvement in operations against Israel. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Happy National Beach Day! If ever a holiday was designed for Florida, Aug. 30 is the one. Started in 2014 by Colleen Paige who also started National Dog Day, National Cat Day and National Puppy Day it's a day to celebrate beaches and the importance of keeping them clean. And there are 825 miles of them in Florida. Odds are you'll head to the one closest to you, but are there better beaches you should be seeking out this Labor Day weekend? If only there was an expert... Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, a.k.a. Dr. Beach, a professor in the Department of Earth & Environment at Florida International University, has been ranking beaches all over the U.S. for years, and he's picked out some great ones in the Sunshine State. Here's a look at some recent winners. Dr. Beach uses 50 criteria to evaluate beaches, including water and sand quality, safety and environmental management practices. Beaches receive bonus points for not allowing smoking. Caladesi Island State Park is No. 4 on Dr. Beach's list in 2024 The northern tip of Caladesi Island State Park is virtually deserted Friday afternoon, July 11, 2008. Frequent Dr. Beach top-tenner, Caladesi Island State Park, was fourth in the U.S. this year, maintaining its same spot from 2023. Caladesi is reachable mainly by ferry and private boat, but a person in good shape watching the tides could walk there from Clearwater Beach. Caladesi isn't a true island any longer because an inlet closed off, Leatherman said. The white beach is composed of crystalline quartz sand, which is soft and cushy at the water's edge, inviting one to take a dip in the sparkling clear waters, he said. Caladesi has boardwalk nature trails and kayaking through mangroves that are home to numerous species of fish, birds and other animals. The ferry drops visitors off in the middle of the island so anyone looking for a more secluded environment need only walk a short distance north or south. "My favorite is the kayak and canoe trails through the mangroves to see the large blue herons and other birds that frequent this wonderful natural area," Leatherman said. Dining by the sea: What's the best waterfront restaurant in Florida? 17 favorites for food, drinks and fun! Naples' Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park secures spot on Dr. Beach's 2024 list Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park on June 29, 2023. The popular beach reopened in May 2023 after suffering major damage during Hurricane Ian. Securing the eighth spot on Dr. Beach's annual list this year, the Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples was highlighted for its beautiful white sand beaches and crystal-clear Gulf waters. "Activities include swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, shelling, and fishing. Wildlife in the park includes bald eagles, ospreys, and manatees. Pine trees provide welcome shade," Leatherman said. He does note the park is still recovering from Hurricane Ian in 2022, but officials encouraged people to visit. "The beach experience is more rustic but the sand is soft and the sunsets are still glorious," they wrote when the park reopened in 2023. Best beach bar in Florida? Top 10 we love for drinks, food, views and waterfront fun! St. George Island Beach was Dr. Beach's top pick for 2023 Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park is nestled at the far east end of the 22-mile long barrier island along the Panhandle in Franklin County, about a two-hour drive from Tallahassee. It's a favorite of Dr. Beach, regularly landing in his top ten with a brief drop after Hurricane Michael devastated the area. It's not hard to see why, and St. George Island has made Dr. Beach's top 10 again and again over the years. Protected from development, with plenty of activities available including fishing, swimming and kayaking in the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf, bird-watching, beachcombing, shelling, camping and what Letterman called an unparalleled view of the night sky for stargazers make the beach a favorite for Tallahassee daytrippers. Tourists fill the public beach on St. George Island early Saturday morning, Oct. 12, 2019. The park is the longest beachfront state park in Florida, covering about 2,000 acres (810 hectares) on the east end of the island, which is connected by a bridge to the mainland across Apalachicola Bay. The other sections of the island contain a small village, restaurants, rental homes and motels, but not a whole lot else, which is a big part of the appeal for Dr. Beach. People can have the best of both worlds there, just miles and miles of unspoiled beaches, Leatherman said. Snubbed! 5 Florida beaches to check out that didnt make this 2024 10 best beaches list Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota has been No. 1 twice For 25 years, whenever a beach earned a No. 1 rating Dr. Beach would remove it from contention to give other beaches a shot. In 2015 he reset the top beaches list, and Siesta Key Beach won for a second time the next year. "With some of the finest, whitest sand in the world, this beach attracts sand collectors from all over," Leatherman said. "Siesta Beach has clear, warm waters ideal for swimming. The beach is hundreds of yards wide in the shape of a crescent due to anchoring of onshore rocks to the south. This beach is great for volleyball and other types of recreational fitness." The sand on most Florida beaches is made of pulverized coral, but Siesta's sands come from quartz minerals carried down through rivers from the Appalachian mountains. Its almost like a sin to walk out here with your shoes on," Leatherman said. "If you cant feel that cushy sand under your feet, youre missing a lot of the experience. What are the best beaches in Florida? Here are 10 of our favorites from across the state Grayton Beach State Park was No. 1 in 2020 "This beach boasts of its sugar-white sand and emerald green water where development has been restrained so big sand dunes still dominate the landscape," Leatherman said when he named Grayton Beach on Western Lake in the Florida Panhandle. "At the same time, all the amenities of great restaurants and accommodations are close by in the old town of Grayton Beach or Seaside. Many people choose to camp in this wonderful state park that also features tidal lakes and freshwater ponds. "Former Governor Bob Graham told me that this was his favorite beach," he said. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: National Beach Day: These beaches were rated the best in Florida If you saw a church floating on the St. Johns River in Jacksonville you weren't alone If you thought you saw a church floating down the St. Johns River on Thursday, your eyes werent deceiving you. There it was, floating on the river, between the Mathews and Hart bridges during the lunch hour, a picturesque white building with a slanted blue roof, steeple and stained-glass windows, making its way towards the heart of downtown. It was the latest floating oddity to pass beneath the city's iconic bridges on its way to a permanent home elsewhere. In April 2013, the last of NASA's orange Space Shuttle external fuel tanks was transported from the Kennedy Space Center through downtown Jacksonville and on to Green Cove Springs. Heres what we know about the building that sparked some attention on social media. Chapel by the Bay is a former wedding venue that was located on Floridas West Coast Known as Chapel by the Bay, it was originally designed as a floating wedding chapel and underwent a $1.3 million renovation transforming it into a livable houseboat, according to an Architectural Digest. Its been docked in Palmetto on Floridas west coast. That is until recently. Chapel by the Bay sold, moving to new location The unusual house went on the market earlier this year for just under $700,000. It was listed with Special Finds, which has unique homes for sale. The price dropped significantly before it recently sold for $250,000. The 1,800-square-feet building no longer resembles a church on the inside. The pews are gone, replaced with two bedrooms, a modern kitchen and a spiral staircase leading to a loft area. Remnants of the church remain with the stained-glass windows and a 30-foot steeple. The sale price included all the furnishings. If the new owners want to move, not a problem. They can just fire up the homes two Cummins Diesel engines and off they go. Who bought Chapel by the Bay and where is it going? The former floating chapel is headed to Palatka in Putnam County. Its journey from west to east coast went south to Fort Myers, across Lake Okeechobee, up the Intracoastal to Jacksonville and then south to Palatka. The trip is expected to take about 20 days and cost roughly $20,000. Its expected to be parked at Crystal Cove Marina & RV Resort by Labor Day. Mary Costello, a professional executive search recruiter living in New Smyrna Beach, is the boats new owner. Shes renamed it The Archangel and plans to turn it into a floating bookstore where she can offer story time for children. There also are plans to host wellness renewal retreats for mind, body and spirit. There is interest in people wanting to stay in the home, especially by couples who were married in it when it was a chapel. Costello said she will likely offer it as a rental home at some point. While Costello enjoys water, she told FLORIDA TODAY she is not a boat person at all. She found the unique dwelling when she was helping her pastor search online for a church. This whole process has been a bit overwhelming, but the Lord put it on my heart to buy this boat, so I did, Costello said. God is on the move. Spitzer is a Trending Reporter. She can be reached at MSpitzer@Floridatoday.com. The Times-Union contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Chapel by the Bay houseboat floats down St. Johns in Jacksonville All skin, all freedom, all day long - most holiday resorts aren't particularly welcoming to the naturist approach. And yet islands of what Germans call "free body culture" can be found all around the world, like here in Spain. What's it like going on a nude holiday? Soeren Stache/dpa Going naked is a way of life for Wolfgang Weinreich - on holidays too. "I don't recall ever taking a holiday in adulthood and being clothed," he says. So his job fits him perfectly: He works for Miramare Reisen, Germany's only tour operator that organizes naturist holidays. And he recommends that everybody try one. "Go into the water sometime without swimming trunks clinging to your body. Walk around in a gentle breeze sometime without having any clothes on. It's simply wonderful - a feeling hard to describe," enthuses Weinreich. Holidaying in your birthday suit - that's the stripped-down idea behind nude camping grounds and hotel complexes. They can be found all over the world, including European countries such as Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Croatia and the Scandinavian nations. "In Europe, you can easily move from one to another," says Michaela Toepper, vice president of public relations at the German Naturism Association (DFK). She singles out Istria in particular, a peninsula in northern Croatia bordering the Adriatic Sea that she calls the cradle of au naturel holiday spots. Between Porec and Rovinj, for example, lie Koversada Naturist Park and Valalta Naturist Camp - "gigantic holiday resorts," says Toepper. France also has a very liberal attitude towards naturism, she notes. It boasts several extensive nude camping grounds, one being the Euronat Naturist Resort, which dubs itself as the largest such facility in Europe. Situated north of Bordeaux on the Atlantic coast, Euronat covers 335 hectares, has nearly 1,500 pitches, 1.5 kilometres of private beach and several pools. Its operator, France 4 Naturisme, also runs six other large nude holiday resorts in France that attract "people from all over the world," Toepper says. The website of the International Naturist Federation (INF-FNI) provides information about naturism and places around the globe where you can enjoy it. Predominantly Muslim countries aren't among them, warns Weinreich: "Don't even think about taking off your swimming trunks or swimsuit there." In countries open to nudism in certain areas, you should always show consideration for those around you and do as they do, he remarks. "If nudism is tolerated on a beach, you can naturally sit naked on your towel and bathe," but provocative behaviour such as caressing your partner is out. People who book a holiday with Miramare Reisen tend to be aged 50 and over, Weinreich says. "This is partly because there aren't as many offers for young families as needed," especially in the high-end segment, he explains. There's a greater selection of simple camping and caravan holidays. Overall demand at the tour operator for naturist holidays outpaces supply, according to Weinreich. What's it like at a naturist complex? "It's fairly simple," says Toepper. "When the weather's fine, everyone's usually undressed. When everyone's nude, no one stands out. Someone who's dressed then stands out." There can be guidelines, but nothing is compulsory, she says, although all bathers are expected to go into the water nude. However, "if, for example, children in puberty are uncomfortable about being naked around others, no one says anything." The many naturist clubs in Germany are good points of contact for people who'd like to "dip their toes" into naturism, for instance a one-day stop during a camper trip. "You can call most of them on short notice or simply drop by," says Toepper. They're scattered across the country, mostly in the western part. At naturist resorts where everyone's nude, then it's only the people who wear clothes that stand out. Jan Woitas/dpa Want to rent a tiny house with a view of water? They're coming to Mississippi state parks Do you want to go camping in style at a place where you can relax and enjoy a view of the water? Well, Mississippi's state parks have you covered and you don't even need a fancy camper. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks is rolling out tiny houses for rent at state parks and the first one is expected to be available in September. "They're really nice," said Andre Hollis, MDWFP director of State Parks. "We've got one at Buccaneer and we've got another one coming. We're hoping to get it open by mid-September." The tiny homes are 300 square feet and will have a bedroom with a queen-size bed, bathroom and open living area. They will be fully furnished and include a television and a kitchenette with a refrigerator and coffee maker. Hollis said they will not have stoves, but they will have grills for cooking outside. "They'll be able to have the camping experience, but stay in a really nice tiny home," Hollis said. Tiny homes like this one at Buccaneer State Park will soon be available to rent at a number of Mississippi state parks. 'I walked in and said, 'Wow!'': Take a look at these Mississippi state park makeovers Tiny homes with a view of water And outside is probably where you'll want to spend a lot of your stay. The tiny homes will have a deck with patio furniture where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful view. "We're trying to get them in premium locations by water," Hollis said. "Most people want a view of the water, so we're trying to make them lake-view. The one at Buccaneer is Gulf-view." Hollis said the department's plan is to purchase 15-20 of the units. Hollis said they'll rent for about $190 per night with a minimum stay of two nights. They will be located at parks with larger campgrounds throughout the state and the process will be completed relatively quickly. "We're hoping by December 2025 we'll have them all in place," Hollis said. More: MDWFP to unveil new state park campground and cabin renovations. Here's where it is Tiny homes part of bigger picture at MS state parks The tiny homes are part of a more comprehensive plan to update the state's aging park system. Brian Ferguson, MDWFP chief of staff of the Parks Division, told the Clarion-Ledger in August 2023 the budget was $50 million with additional funding expected. Hollis said renovations are going on at Clarkco, Natchez, Paul B. Johnson, Percy Quinn and Roosevelt state parks with more to come. Hollis said the upgrades, including campground and cabin renovations, have been well received. "We're getting a lot of good feedback, so people are excited," Hollis said. "I've been doing this 27 years and this is the most excitement I've seen in parks." Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS state parks are getting water-view tiny homes You can listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify each week. Follow this link if you're listening on Apple News. In the second installment of our solo travel series, we hear from Christie Bowers, who spent six months backpacking across South America, stopping everywhere from the Amazon to Argentina. She shares how she planned the trip, budgeted for it, and navigated both the joys and challenges of going it alone far from home. Lale Arikoglu: Hi there. I'm Lale Arikoglu and welcome to the second part of our series on solo travel. This week we share the highlights and challenges of a bold journey to South America. Christie Bowser went to seven countries in six months. We'll hear how she planned and budgeted, how she juggled solitary days with sociable times, and we'll find out if her life actually changed when she got home to New York. Christie Bowser: I flew into Bogota and then I went down to Leticia, which is at the crossroads of Peru, Brazil, and Colombia. I took a boat from Leticia along the Amazon to Manaos. That was basically my starting point. It was like a 36-hour speedboat ride. From there, I was in Brazil for nine weeks. I did Argentina for a couple weeks, Chile for about a month. Then I went to Bolivia for three to four weeks, Peru for only a week or two because I had done it before and then I ended in Ecuador. LA: Christie's plan to go on a South American journey was triggered by a classic New York scenario. Her landlord gave her notice to leave her Brooklyn apartment. For Christie this looked like an opportunity for a reset. CB: I guess my reaction was like, well, if I can't live in this apartment, I'm leaving the country. So I thought about it for a couple months, but then it just Landed on the decision of it felt like a good time. I felt like I had enough money saved anyway, my thought was I can get a new job when I got back. LA: I get the impression you were a pretty experienced traveler to begin with if you were going into this, but how long did you spend planning? CB: I bought the Lonely Planet, just South America book just to get started. I spent a lot of time just reading that and getting excited more than anything else. But then I wanted to be a little spontaneous. LA: I'm sure a lot of people are listening to this right now and thinking, "Oh my God, I would love to do something like that, but how do I even start? Where do I begin? Do I really just go to a bookstore and buy a travel guide?" Is there anything you wish that you knew before you started planning that you would offer as advice? CB: I think if you're excited about a place, if there's a place you really want to go. Also, I'm not married, I don't have kids. I don't have a mortgage. I was in a pretty good position to do that, but even if you have some of those things, I think if you're feeling like you're going to do it, you should, now's the time. I just remember hanging out at my apartment, just reading about Brazil, especially in South America, and I was like, I've wanted to go there for years. I did my study abroad in Spain, but I'd never done South America. LA: My Spanish is non-existent, but I've been to a handful of South American countries and I've always had the most wonderful time, but I have found myself wondering what I'm missing out on, and I don't even know what it is, but I'm like, there's stuff I'm not accessing simply because I can't speak the language. CB: I mean obviously I've been to other countries where I don't speak the language and it's hard. You just don't know what you don't know kind of thing. But that was a big reason why I wanted to do South America, if I was doing a trip of that length was because I can get by and meet people and brush up on my language skills. So that was an important reason. LA: Now, this wasn't a hopping from hotel to luxury hotel kind of trip. CB: I set out with an initial budget of $75 a day. I think people could do it for far less. I like to eat out. I think that's an important part of a city. I like to get the vibe, especially when I'm alone. So I ended up eating out quite a bit, and so I know a lot of people who cooked and things. You could do it for cheaper, but my initial budget was $75 a day. I went over, Chile is more expensive. I spent more there. Bolivia is a lot cheaper. I spent less there, so it kind of evened out. I've had a kind of intense budget tracker and kept spreadsheets for everything, and my budget tracker was definitely the most used, so I could tell you what I spent in every country like that. LA: Did the $75 include accommodation? CB: It did. Included accommodation, included flights and things. I would average out a week, and so obviously I would go over on a day, but I would average it out on a week, but it included everything. LA: I do love that you still found ways to prioritize things that were important to you when you're traveling and that it wasn't about deprivation, it was about actually you're like, "I don't care about shopping" or "I don't care about a fancy hotel, but eating well and experiencing the country through its food is important to me, and so that's what I'm going to make work." CB: Absolutely. Yeah, I had a big backpack, obviously. I couldn't fit more clothes in it. I wasn't shopping, I was staying in hostels almost the whole time. But yeah, I prioritized kind of experiences and restaurants and things like that. So I like to scuba dive. That can be expensive in places like Brazil, but I made a point to do that if that's what I wanted to do. LA: Were you by yourself most of the time, and how much were you meeting people along the way and tacking onto their trips or them tacking onto you? CB: I had a friend come from the States. We did our study abroad together, her name's Alexandra. She came for five weeks of my trip, but for all intents and purposes, in terms of the logistics of travel, unless it was the five weeks Alex was with me, I was solo traveling LA: Coming up, how Christie's route overlapped with other backpackers doing similar trips and some utterly magical moments in different countries. Welcome back. More from Christie on her adventures in South America. I guess traveling for a long time throughout a continent or a series of countries, you start to realize people are doing similar routes and it usually lends itself more to backpacking. And it sounds like you were out there running into people taking buses. What was your trick for starting up conversations? CB: It was just everyone has this kind of major thing in common with your other European travelers. Everyone's doing a big trip, so it's kind of like, "Where'd you come from? Where are you going?" All of that. And you either hit it off or you don't, and it's just such an easy conversation starter. And to your point, everyone's kind of doing roughly the same route, especially once I got to Chile. It's kind of just one way up, and so you're just running into people constantly and swapping stories and tips and things like that. LA: Are there any memorable characters that you'd come across? CB: Yeah, there was this Italian guy who I met doing the W Trek in Patagonia. He's a big traveler. He might be listening to this. Hi Luca. He was kind of like a professional, that's not the right word, but constantly itinerant was my understanding. He hadn't had a place for three years, he was just kind of bouncing around and he would volunteer at hostels for months at a time, that sort of thing. So he had always had a lot of cool stories. LA: In the five weeks Christie spent in Brazil, she visited a beach that's hidden and protected by sand dunes in a national park. CB: Once I got my groove in Brazil, I would say that started in Jericoacora, which is on the Atlantic Ocean and kind of the northeast part of Brazil. The vibes in Jericoacora were so awesome, and I met people there. We would go out and drinking Caipirinhas and just felt like I was integrating in the culture a little more and just found my feet. Honestly, from there through the rest of Brazil, that was just a high. Brazil, I can't say enough good things about it. It was just a wonderful pLAce to be. I met my friend Alex came, we did Carnival in Rio. LA: Oh, tell me a little bit about that. CB: There's a lot to know and we did not know anything. LA: So you don't just rock up and dance. CB: You could and we tried, but it's a huge city. Think about New York City and there's what they call Blockos, like there are block parties that are everywhere, so it's not just one centralized place for the most part. You'd be like, "Oh, I have to go to the equivalent of Bushwick. I have to go to Harlem for these." So it's like we were in cabs searching for Blockos, kind of a lot, but covered in glitter. LA: You're like all dressed up, not quite sure where we're going. CB: Literally. And we'd search, we'd follow the crowd, the trash on the ground of glitter looking for the blocko. We went to an early morning one that we knew about from someone I had met that lived in Rio that ended up being the most fun. We got up early. It was at 8:00 a.m. Everyone's just dancing in the streets. It was awesome. And then some of the bigger Blockos, like the more famous Blockos were a little less fun because the local ones ended up being our favorites. And then we did the famous kind of parade, it's called Sambadrome, this huge, auditorium is not the right word, but just pavilion where they do the famous dancing and everyone's dressed up, kind of what I think Americans would think of when they think of Carnival. That started 10:00 P.M. on a Sunday and went till, I think 6:00 A.M. We left at three, so we were tapped, but it was a spectacle of... Yeah, it was amazing LA: That obviously you were with a friend and you were surrounded by people, as many people as you can imagine, going to something like Carnival. Was there another high point that was just you, where you felt really by yourself? CB: I went to the Galapagos toward the end of my trip in Ecuador, which was kind of a dream come true. And, like I said before, I scuba dive. So I did this dive with, we were searching for hammerheads, and the whole dive week didn't find any, and actually we didn't see much else. We were just kind of in the blue waters searching for these hammerheads. But right toward the end of the dive, I was about to signal to our guide that I was low on air and I saw a hammerhead swim by, so I attracted his attention and pointed and we followed it. And I look up at one point and it's like the sun is shining through the water and it's like 30 or 40 hammerheads circling above us. It was like a National Geographic thing. It was amazing. Definitely one of the coolest things I've ever experienced. LA: What did you feel like in that moment? CB: I just felt awe, to be honest. I was like, "I can't believe I'm here and I'm seeing this." And also I've told that story to some people and they're like, "You didn't feel unsafe, you weren't alarmed?" But they didn't care about us. They were circling. It was a very serene sharknado. It was very cool. LA: A serene sharknado. CB: Yeah. I did this glamping thing in Chile north of Santiago where the stargazing is supposed to be some of the best in the world. The U.S. has a big observatory there, so it's like this gorgeous gLAmping thing kind of in the desert mountains and everyone else there was Chilean, so they were all speaking Spanish, and I was the only person who wasn't Chilean. And honestly, Chilean Spanish is a little hard for me, so I didn't understand everything they said, but I was able to get to know them, hang out around the fire while we're cooking dinner and stuff before we started to stargaze. I think if you didn't speak Spanish, it would just be a little more isolating. It would've been welcoming regardless. LA: The joy of hanging out with a group in such a dramatic setting is obviously going to be unforgettable. But to make alone time invigorating is a challenge for most solo travelers. Were their days when you just didn't talk to anyone? CB: There were probably days where I didn't talk to other travelers, but I never spent a day doing nothing unless it was going to the beach. And I consider that a very important activity. So there was never a day where I just didn't do something. That's kind of where I get my energy. I like being on the move. I like going out and checking out what's around me. So even on days where I wasn't feeling super social necessarily, I was out with my book at a cafe or wherever, if I was in a city. LA: Were you always happy with your own company or is that something this trip learned you? CB: I'm very comfortable hanging out by myself. I'm a big reader, so I'm pretty happy just, I got a Kindle, especially for this trip. So I was pretty happy regardless. LA: I feel like being a reader is a really, really positive attribute if you're traveling alone, because I'm a big reader too, and I don't know, then I'm kind of fine. CB: Totally. If I have a good book, I'm good. LA: Christie's favorite hike was in one of my favorite trekking spots, Patagonia. An extremely beautiful vista, paired with a ham sandwich after the break. Welcome back. And now Christie on some of her favorite natural spots. Is there one moment or pLAce that you really kind of experienced the natural world and felt sort of truly present in it? CB: I did the W Trek in Patagonia. It's in Chile, it's called that because of the route. It's a five-day route and it makes the shape of a W. I wasn't a big hiker before this trip. I had done day trips in Colorado and things like that, but I'd never done an overnight trek. So it was kind of a new territory for me, but it was like every day was just mind-boggling. The first day was a glacier, the second day was this gorgeous lake, the third day where you hike to this big lookout point where you're just literally surrounded by mountains and it was fall in Chile, so the leaves were all turning. And you're also, because it's a through hike, you're just experiencing literally every step of the way and seeing how the LAndscape is changing and shifting as you move through it. And that was, it was probably the highlight of my whole trip was the chance to be in Patagonia and see the amazing LAndscapes they have there. LA: Was there a specific view that really blew you away? CB: Yeah, it's called Mirador Britanico. It was a pretty hard hike to this lookout point, but once you're there, it was just like 360 mountains. We saw an avaLAnche at one point also. And yeah, just all the leaves were turning. And I also had a really good group. Everyone's doing the same direction and on the same timetable, so you meet people on the trail and you're spending the night in these refugios, I think there were 10 of us, and it was one person's birthday, so we sang happy birthday to her at the top, and it was just a really cool moment in time. LA: When you were at the top, what were you looking out on? What did it feel like and smell like and just the whole experience? CB: Yeah, it was cold that day. We're all wearing jackets. I rented a big jacket in town before the trip. So you're kind of getting up there. You're flushed, but still a little chilly. You can see your breath, you get to the top of this rock, but it's not a summit because you're surrounded by peaks that are higher than where you are, but just like the point of view you get from climbing up this rock is just like you're ringed by these mountains, and then they're kind of equal with where the tree line ends, and just all the trees around you are touched by fire. The fall colors and everything. And we all got up there and shared ham sandwiches and it was just... It our biggest day for sure, just several hours to get to that point. And you just kind of breathe a sigh of relief and you're just like, no matter where you look, it's just like one of the most beautiful vistas I've ever seen in my life. LA: And I am sure that ham sandwich was the best ham sandwich you've ever eaten. CB: It sure was. It sure was. LA: That's quite the contrast with a bout of food poisoning earlier on in the trip, which led to a much shorter boat trip than intended on the Amazon. And additionally, there were a few uncomfortable encounters. CB: One of my lowest single moments was I was doing a canyon hike in Peru, Canyon Coca. I had done a couple treks at that point already, but I just did not prepare properly for this one. I brought my actual backpacking backpack and took a few things out, but it was still too big. I had a filtered water bottle everywhere I went, and I was used to just being able to fill it up at any source. But this canyon didn't have water until you got to the bottom, so I ran out on my way down. And so I was just hot, tired, thirsty, and lost. I got lost toward the end. And so I finally found a stream. I'm like crouching over it, kind of like a little gremlin with my huge backpack on filling up my water bottle, and this man appears out of nowhere and I asked him where my hostel was. He told me where it was, and then he started talking a little bit. We started talking a little bit more and he asked me if I wanted to come home with him, and- LA: I was really hoping that this story was going to prove me wrong. CB: No, unfortunately not. LA: And that this man was going to have been great, given you your directions, asked if you needed some water and then left. CB: No, I wish that it had been what happened, but predictably it was not. He wasn't super forceful. He just said that, and then he said that I was mamacita y gorda, which is kind of hot and LArge, which in Spanish is a different meaning, but the moment I was not feeling it, I was just like, "You could have stopped at mamacita, man. Why did you have to do the gorda?" LA: Like, "Mate, I'm crouching over a street trying to get water. Just leave me be." CB: Leave me be. Leave me be. But I was like, also, you already told me where I needed to go before you asked me. So I was just like, I peaced out. And it was funny, even as I walked away, I was like, that was a funny encounter, but in the moment I was just like, I wish- LA: Perspective's the wrong word. You can I think spin something into an anecdote in your head pretty quickly. But when it's happening, it's really hard. And that must've been a really hard moment. CB: It was, but yeah, it was funny later at least. LA: And you made it and you got to your hostel. CB: Exactly. LA: It's no surprise that a trip over six months to so many regions is bound to, in retrospect, fall into distinct chapters. CB: I feel like the first part of my trip, Brazil is just so bright and colorful and fun. And then I did Argentina with my friend Alex, and then we did Patagonia for a couple weeks. I kind of consider my midpoint to be that time in Chilauea. After that, I felt like just being on what I recognized as now the back end. There was kind of a mindset shift. It took me a couple weeks to shake. I did feel like when I look at those two parts, if I partition the trip that way, it does feel like different people were doing them. LA: I feel like solo travel at this point kind of gets sort of almost kicked into these tropes where it's empowering and transformative and glamorous, and it's some woman standing on a cliff finding herself. It does sound like you had some of those moments, but what does solo travel actually look like to you? How would you describe it? CB: I would not call it gLAmorous, at least not the way I do it. I guess at the risk of sounding buzzwordy, I do think it's centering. I guess the best answer to that question is I've never felt more alive than when I was there. Every day, something new. Every day was something different. Something I did learn about myself is that I really crave those moments to see what the planet's got to offer. LA: Do you find that after you got back you wanted to change certain ways that you were living to allow those things to enter into it? CB: I honestly planned to alter my lifestyle a little bit more than I actually did. LA: It's like an extended version of when you get back from holiday and you think you're going to change everything. CB: Literally. Yeah, literally. I came back with very low funds. I was going to try to take the opportunity to maybe find a different career path or maybe live somewhere else, and then real world logistics just came into play. I'm not upset with how I ended up, but my life looks pretty simiLAr to what it looked like before I left. LA: Christie is planning a short trip to Guatemala later in the year with her friend Alex, but is it too soon to start planning for another extended trip? CB: I would love to do six months again. I think three months might be a good sweet spot. If I can get to that at some point, I would love to do India. That's pretty high on my list. And I would really like to do, Egypt and Jordan are also pretty high on my list. So I'm always looking for places where I can dive. LA: Christie, thank you so much for sharing your stories and your tips. CB: Thank you. LA: And I hope that people listening feel inspired to plan their own trips, big or small. If people want to follow along with your travels, is there anywhere on the internet they can find you? CB: Sure. Yeah. I'm on Instagram @Christie.bowser as in the Mario Kart character. So you can see some of my South America trips, and I'm happy to provide tips for anyone thinking of doing something similar. LA: Love it. Next week, our third and final solo travel story is about world record-breaking Explorer Preet Chandi, who skied solo across Antarctica. 700 miles in 31 days. Thank you for listening to Women Who Travel, I'm Lale Arikoglu and you can find me on Instagram @LaleHannah. Our engineers are Jake Lummus, James Yost, Vince Fairchild, and Pran Bandi. The show is mixed by Amar LAl at Macrosound. Jude Kampfner of Corporation for Independent Media is our producer. Stephanie Kariuki is our executive producer, and Chris Bannon is Conde Nast's, Head of Global Audio. Originally Appeared on Conde Nast Traveler The Latest Stories from Conde Nast Traveler There is a lot at risk for our communities in the 2024 presidential election, from access to the ballot box to reproductive justice to financial support for Black farmers. Borrowing a page from their Republican rivals book, Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have framed the contest as a battle for freedom. In a CNN special broadcasting at 9 p.m. ET today, Harris and Walz will appear in their first major television interview since their lightning-fast bid for the White House began. The special will air from Georgia, where Harris and Walz are on a two-day bus tour in the southeast corner of the crucial swing state, and it will give voters an opportunity to hear the two Democrats answer questions about their policy vision for the country. Whether the interview will directly address Black voters top concerns is anyones guess. Thats why weve compiled a list of some of the questions that you, our readers, would ask Harris and Walz a list of what youre hoping the duo will talk about. Here are 10 of the best responses: How will you protect voting rights? What are your plans for student loan forgiveness? Our housing situations, from purchasing to repairs, are huge problems. You stated that you will provide $25,000 (to new homebuyers). Will this include everyone, or just families? What, if anything, are you planning to do to address the school-to-prison pipeline? Why was not a single Palestinian representative allowed to speak (at the Democratic National Convention)? What is your vision for a fair and just criminal justice system? And how would you balance the need to hold violent criminals accountable and ensure justice for victims, with the reality that our current system disproportionately harms people of color and (most) often fails to reduce recidivism? There has been the development of cop cities or designated training grounds for police to train in urban warfare. Given your record and career in criminal justice, do you see the need for such institutions that essentially are designed to form a police state? Are you concerned about the steep environmental, social, and racial implications of building cop cities? What are your thoughts on expanding the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline to include peer counselors in the community who can respond in person, or incorporate postpartum doulas? Will you do an interview on a Black news media station? How can an 88-year-old Black farmer, who plowed up their own cotton, be denied financial assistance under the recent $2.2 billion discrimination program that participated in the (Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933), which the U.S. Supreme Court said is unconstitutional? The post 10 Questions Capital B Readers Have for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz appeared first on Capital B News. KANSAS (KSNT) More than 110,000 Kansans have lost healthcare coverage during the post-pandemic Medicaid unwinding process, according to new state data. Christine Osterlund, Medicaid Director and Deputy Secretary told a Kancare oversight committee on Aug. 26 that Kansas finished its unwinding process in May this year. Unwinding data released in April 2024 indicated that 526,976 Kansans were sent renewal notices. During this period, Medicaid enrollment was reduced by 114,000. Osterlund said the reduced enrollment number was well within our range that we thought. A new tool was implemented in July 2024 to help expedite the renewal process. You can read up on eligibility by clicking here. Earlier this year, Kansas Capitol Bureau spoke with April Holman, Executive Director of Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, a coalition of organizations that support KanCare expansion. Holman said some people could face obstacles during the unwinding process, as the state returns to pre-pandemic policies. People receiving Medicaid would need to have their eligibility re-determined, Holman said. That was put on pause during the pandemicthats going back into effect now. Individuals who are receiving care through Medicaid have not had to do this in three years in some cases. KanCare doesnt have their updated address to communicate with them and people are just out of the practice of doing this. Topeka gun recoveries jump 14.5% from year prior Health policy research outlet KFF has been keeping track of Medicaid enrollment during the unwinding process. According to KFF, at least 25,061,000 Americans were disenrolled from Medicaid throughout the process. In Kansas, there was a 34% disenrollment rate. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. A 13-year-old student was arrested after the Knoxville Police Department said they received a report he threatened to bring a gun to Ridgedale School. He faces a charge of making a threat of mass violence. Police say the student threatened to shoot someone at the school. Police agencies worked together to identify and locate the student, whom they did not name because he is a minor. The student was interviewed Aug. 28 and arrested at his home, according to a KPD news release. We will have zero tolerance for those who make threats of violence towards our schools, Chief Paul Noel said in a news release. I am grateful for the quick intervention of our officers and law enforcement partners after being notified of this threat." This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville student arrested, faces charge of making a threat of mass violence MILLCREEK, Utah (ABC4) Five suspects are in custody after allegedly gunning down a 14-year-old boy outside a Millcreek apartment complex on Sunday, Aug. 25. In a press release, the Unified Police Department said John Mula, 14, of Millcreek, was shot by multiple people while walking through an apartment complex located near 4100 South and 400 East. Meanwhile, a brown Chevy Impala, carrying multiple people was seen driving in the area. Three of the individuals exited the vehicle, all wearing black hoodies, black and white bandanas, and opened fire on the victim and then fled the scene, the press release states. Mula was reportedly taken immediately to a local area hospital where despite life-saving measures, he died due to his wounds. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox calls for Day of Prayer in new declaration This senseless act of violence has deeply affected our community and the Unified Police Department and Millcreek Mayor and City Council extend its deepest condolences to the victims family, UPD said in a statement. Violence of this nature is never the answer, and a family is now mourning the loss of a loved one due to these tragic actions. The Unified Police Departments Violent Crimes Unit and Direct Enforcement Unit apprehended all five suspects after a thorough investigation following numerous tips and interviews. All five are currently in custody and pending charges. Their identities have not been released. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. The four victims killed and the other 10 injured in a single-vehicle Wise County crash on Wednesday have been identified by authorities, according to a news release from the Texas Department of Public Safety. The van crash happened just before 8 a.m. in the northbound lanes of U.S. 287 in Alvord, according to the DPS. The preliminary investigation determined a Chevrolet Express 3500 van was traveling on the highway when the driver veered off the left side of the road. The driver overcorrected and lost control, causing the vehicle to roll over, the release states. Multiple passengers were ejected from the van, designed to hold 15 passengers, the DPS reported. Only one passenger was wearing a seatbelt, investigators said. The three men who were pronounced dead at the scene were identified as Diony Antoine, 46; JN Irard Vixamar, 42; and Ledene Pierre-Louis, 36. Antoine was driving the vehicle, according to the report. A fourth female passenger, 28-year-old Geneve Louis, was pronounced dead at Medical City Denton hospital, according to the DPS. The other 10 passengers who were injured were sent to hospitals in Fort Worth and Denton. They were identified as: Noel Fednel, 35 Dieudyrat Eliassaint, 33 Walnick Desir, 33 Reginald Neptune, 34 Marc Jean Lorkens Baptiste, 25 Vincola Lecean, 52 Junior Louis, 35 Jean Edson, 35 Jean Philippe Durock, 47 Manius Vines, 44 The victims were Florida residents of Haitian descent and were traveling from Florida to New Mexico, according to the release. Authorities have not stated the purpose of their trip,, but the DPS investigation confirmed the travelers were not victims of human trafficking or smuggling, the release states. The investigation is ongoing. NEW DELHI, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Indian government forces killed at least three Naxals on Thursday in a fierce gunfight in the central state of Chhattisgarh, local police said. The gunfight broke out when the government forces were conducting searches in the area on specific intelligence information suggesting the presence of Naxals, a police official said. According to the official, the operation was underway in the area. Currently, Naxals are active across the central and eastern parts of India. Reports said since the beginning of this year, 145 Naxals have been killed in separate gunfights with government forces in the state. (THE CONVERSATION) Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election not only failed, but some of them also rested on a misreading of the U.S. Constitution, as our new analysis argues. The relevant constitutional provision dates back to just after the Civil War, and contemporaries recognized it as a key protection of American democracy. In November 2020, as it became clear that Trump had lost the popular vote and would lose the Electoral College, Trump and his supporters mounted a pressure campaign to convince legislatures in several states whose citizens voted for Joe Biden to appoint electors who would support Trumps reelection in the Electoral College votes. Trump and his allies contacted Republican lawmakers in Michigan, Georgia and Pennsylvania to induce the state legislatures to overturn the results of the popular election. Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, emailed GOP legislators in Arizona, encouraging them to ensure that a clean slate of Electors is chosen. These efforts were relying on a provision of the Constitution, in Article II, Section 1, that states, Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors. Trump and his supporters wanted state lawmakers to discard their citizens votes and simply appoint electors who would back Trumps reelection bid. As part of their efforts, Trump and his supporters claimed that the Constitution allowed state legislatures to directly choose a slate of electors without a popular vote. But they were wrong. There was a safeguard already in place and it remains today, defending against this approach being used to subvert the 2024 presidential election. An effort to protect voters power In almost every state, the candidate who gets the most popular votes for the presidency receives all of that states electoral votes. Nebraska and Maine have slight exceptions but those states laws still deliver the majority of their electoral votes to the person who wins the popular statewide vote. In the late 1860s, when the 14th Amendment was written and ratified, the same was true though the right to vote was limited to men until 1920, and states have often denied or abridged the voting rights of some citizens, particularly racial minorities. After the Civil War, Congress sought to remove barriers to Black mens voting, especially in the South. In 1866, when Congress debated the 14th Amendment, its drafters wrote Section 2 in an effort to force reluctant white Southerners to allow Black men to vote. Section 2 of the 14th Amendment provides that when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States is denied or in any way abridged the basis of representation for that state in the U.S. House of Representatives shall be reduced in proportion to the abridgment. So if a state took away the voting rights of any of its citizens, it would immediately lose the same percentage of seats in the House as the percentage of people whose right to vote was taken away. Just weeks after ratification, this provision faced its first challenge. The Republican-dominated Reconstruction Legislature of Florida decided to choose presidential electors without a popular election. Democrats at the time, the party supporting the disenfranchisement of Black men were apoplectic. Many Southern newspaper writers, still angry about the ratification of the 14th Amendment, saw an opportunity to turn the amendment against its Republican authors. The plain conclusion is that if in any State the election of Presidential electors is taken out of the hands of the people and placed in the hands of the Legislature, the whole number of citizens of the State will be excluded, wrote the Charleston Daily News on Aug. 10, 1868. This was not a rare or local view: Nine days later, the Anderson Intelligencer, a South Carolina newspaper, published a short article credited to the New York Herald, similarly declaring: When the right of voting for Presidential electors is denied to all voters of a State, then the basis of representation in such State must be reduced by the number of all the voters, which is to say that it is to have no basis of representation at all. These opinion articles have no legal authority, but they reflect a common though contested understanding of the 14th Amendments provisions at the time of its passage. No one brought a legal challenge, so no court had an opportunity to issue an opinion. And the Republican-dominated Congress had no qualms about accepting electoral votes even without a popular vote for the Republican presidential candidate. The right to have your vote counted In the wake of the 2020 election, Congress took steps to make clear that the voters must be the ones who choose presidential electors. Legislation passed in 2022 revised the federal law governing the selection of electors to specify that state legislatures must determine their states method of choosing electors before Election Day and cant change it after the votes are cast. That clarification lines up with and indeed reinforces the provisions of Section 2 of the 14th Amendment. As our analysis notes, if a state legislature were to directly choose electors, that would disenfranchise all of the states voters. The right to vote, after all, is the right to have ones vote counted, not the right to have ones preferred candidate win. So even if the legislature chose a slate of electors that received significant support in the popular election, the act of the legislature making the choice would abridge the rights of every voter in the state. Disenfranchisement depends on whether the people or the legislature chooses the electors, not which electors are selected. If all of a states voters have their right to vote taken away, Section 2 requires that the states House representation immediately and automatically be reduced to zero. The Constitution elsewhere specifies that each states representation in the Electoral College is the sum of the states House and Senate delegations. Thus, if a state has no representatives in the House, it would have only two presidential electors, rendering its influence over the presidential election minuscule and largely irrelevant. A lone exception To date, besides Florida in 1868, the only other instance of a state legislature choosing presidential electors without a popular election came in 1876. Election fraud, political violence and voter intimidationundermined the integrity of the 1876 presidential election. The constitution of Colorado, newly admitted as a state, provided that the Legislature would choose the states presidential electors without a popular vote in 1876. Overshadowed by an exceptionally acrimonious election, the Legislatures selection of Colorados presidential electors generated relatively little attention or debate. The overall conclusion is that the Southern newspapers in 1868 correctly read the text of Section 2. The writers may have been cynical opportunists working to defend an indefensible racist hierarchy, but their interpretation of the text is sound. The plain meaning of Section 2 is clear, and it imposes strong penalties if a state does not allow its citizens to vote for presidential electors. The 14th Amendment continues to protect American democracy more than 150 years after its ratification. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/how-the-14th-amendment-prevents-state-legislatures-from-subverting-popular-presidential-elections-232970. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. The high school student was reportedly attacked while spearfishing on Aug. 26 Getty A stock image of a tiger shark A 16-year-old boy has died in Jamaica after reportedly being attacked by a shark while spearfishing. On Monday, Aug. 26, Jahmari Reid, of Falmouth, Trelawny, went into the water alone, before his decapitated body was found the following day, per local media outlets Jamaica Observer, Loop Jamaica News, and the Jamaica Star. The teenager was a grade 10 student at William Knibb Memorial High School, and was getting ready to go into grade 11, his mother, Lavern Robinson, told the Jamaica Star. "Right now [I] don't know what to say. Jahmari has been going to sea from him small," she added to the publication. The outlet reported Jahmari's head and left hand had been bitten off in the attack. Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Trelawny Police Division, and William Knibb High School did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Getty A stock photo of the beach in Falmouth, Jamaica Related: Mom of Teen Who Lost Hand and Leg in Shark Attack Speaks Out: She Was Lifeless' Per the Jamaica Observer, fisherman Christopher Reynolds said a group of divers had discovered Jahmari's remains and brought him to Falmouth Fishing Beach on Tuesday morning. Reynolds said he'd been told a "big" tiger shark had been spotted in the water near where Jahmari's body was located, but divers hadn't managed to catch the animal, the outlet stated. Getty A stock image of a tiger shark I cant believe that he went to sea by himself ... and that was the outcome. Sad to know. I feel so bad, Jahmari's father, Michael Reid, told the publication. Another fisherman told Loop Jamaica News, "I have been fishing for years and this never happened in Falmouth. If you are spearfishing and you have a string of fish and a shark start circling let go of the string and give him." Related: Pirates of the Caribbean Actor Tamayo Perry Killed by Shark While Surfing in Hawaii President of Falmouth Fisherfolks Benevolent Society, Fritz Christie, said this was the first time in recent history that a person had been killed in the Trelawny area, per the Jamaica Observer. Christie thinks the shark might have followed a cruise ship in, and "did not leave the area," the outlet reported. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Jahmari's school's vice principal, Audrey Steele, described the late teen as "just a quiet boy," per the Jamaica Star. "He has never been before me for any disciplinary problem," she told the outlet. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. 16-year-old Jamaican teenager killed by a shark while fishing alone, reports say A 16-year-old boy was attacked and killed by a shark in Jamaica earlier this week, reports say. The teen left home and went spearfishing alone early Monday in Trelawny, a northern parish about 20 miles east of Montego Bay, a popular tourist destination, CBS reported. He was identified as Jahmari Reid, a tenth grader at William Knibb Memorial High School in Falmouth, Jamaica, according to reporting by the Jamaica Star. Jahmari's whereabouts remained a mystery until Tuesday morning, when a group of fishermen spotted a body in the water with injuries consistent with a shark attack, according to CBS. According to the Jamaica Star, Jahmari's head and left hand were bitten off by the shark. Robert Robinson, Jahmari's uncle and a fisherman, said the family began to "grow concerned" when his nephew failed to return from the sea at his "usual time," organizing a search party in an effort to locate him. The Trelawny Police Division were investigating the incident. How common are shark attacks in the US? Take a close look at the latest data. USA TODAY has reached out to the Constabulary Communications Network and the Trelawny Police Division for additional information. Family 'in shock' over loss Michael Reid, Jahmari's father, told the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday that he couldnt believe his son had gone out onto the water by himself and that his ultimately death was the outcome. Sad to know. I feel so bad, Reid told the outlet. His sons spearfishing hobby was often a source of conflict, with Reid discouraging his son from practicing it regularly. It is something that we argue about, we fight about. Hes not doing it for a worthy cause, hes not doing it for needs or anything, Reid told the Jamaica Observer. It is what it is still. Can you believe it? Are shark attacks common in Jamaica? There have only been three confirmed cases of "unprovoked shark attacks" in Jamaica, according to The International Shark Attack File, a comprehensive database of all known global shark attacks by the Florida Museum of Natural History. However, there was an increase in both the number of unprovoked shark attacks and the number of fatalities in 2023 compared to the previous year around the world, according to the ISAF. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jamaican teenager killed by shark while fishing alone, reports say After completing the first ever transatlantic airship flight in October 1928, the majestic Graf Zeppelin, a 776-foot gleaming dirigible, was greeted with fanfare wherever it flew; its lighter-than-air design captivated onlookers as it effortlessly circled city skylines. In its later years, the vessel became a tool of Nazi propaganda, with swastikas emblazoned on its 65-foot fins, transforming it into a symbol of war, terror, and aggression, like many of its World War I predecessors. But in 1929, the Graf Zeppelinalso known by its serial number LZ-127, which stood for Luftschiff (airship) and the name of its creator, Ferdinand von Zeppelinwas still in the early days of its pre-Nazi chapter. On August 29, 1929, it became the first human-made craft to circumnavigate the globe by air, using Lakehurst, NJ as the port where its American journey began and ended. (The trip was strategically planned with a transatlantic overlap that allowed Germany to claim the flight had begun and ended in Freidrichshafenthe airships home port.) Earlier that year, in January 1929, Popular Science profiled the Graf Zeppelins pilot, Hugo Eckener. (The article is reproduced following this introduction.) More than just the airships captain, Eckener was also head of the Zeppelin Works at Freidrichshafen, a scientist and aeronautical engineer, with doctorate degrees in economics and psychology. He designed and built the Graf Zeppelin, which Popular Science writer Arthur Stuart described as embodying all of Eckeners theories of dirigible transportation. Stuart wrote, It is the fruit of his quarter-century of experience as a builder of great aircraft. Into it, he has poured all his skill as an engineer and his genius as a designer of lighter-than-air vessels. Eckeners career spanned most of the golden age of airships, a period that lasted roughly two decades and ended shortly after the Hindenburg exploded in a ball of fire while docking at Lakehurst, NJ in 1937a tragedy that spotlighted the perils of airship travel. During their heyday, however, Eckener had set his sights on creating a reliable transoceanic commercial airship passenger service. The Graf Zeppelin became the first to achieve Eckeners vision, ferrying thousands of passengers in luxurious accommodations across the Atlantic, mostly between Germany, Argentina, and Brazil. The trips took three to four days, much faster than traveling by train and ocean liner, which could take weeks. The Hindenburg later became the Graf Zeppelins North American counterpart, traveling between Europe and the United States in two to three days. It was publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst who funded the Graf Zeppelins journey around the world. The flight departed Lakehurst, NJ on August 7, 1929, making stops in Freidrichshafen, Tokyo, and Los Angeles before returning to Lakehurst on August 29th. With the conquest of the air new realms of romance loom in the clouds, Stuart wrote in 1929. If traveling by airship seems like a dreamy way to explore the world, efforts are underway by airship enthusiasts to resurrect such possibilities. For a cool $200,000 (for a 2-passenger cabin), OceanSky Cruises plans to offer roundtrip voyages to the North Pole from Norways Svalbard islands and a separate air-expedition called Capricorn that will glide above the African continent. But sky yachting is just one way in which airships may return. Google founder, Sergey Brin, has invested in prototypes that could be used to ferry humanitarian aid into difficult-to-reach places. And UK-based Hybrid Air Vehicles, which manufactures the Airlander, touts the climate-friendly features of its airships, including 90 percent fewer CO2 emissions than conventional aircraft. Even though it may take a few days longer than a plane (not to mention the six-figure ticket), when traveling by airship, youll at least definitely have time to catch some Zs and adjust to your new timezone while in flight. The original 1929 profile is republished below. SAFELY stored in its home hangar at Friedrichshafen, Germany, the Graf Zeppelin, largest aircraft in existence and the worlds first commercial dirigible, rested after her record-breaking eastward Atlantic crossing from America. Greeted with booming of cannon and ringing of bells following a trans-oceanic flight accomplished in seventy-one hours and twelve minutes, the great airship inspired an elated German population with hopes of the speedy establishment of a regular Zeppelin service between the Fatherland and this country. The Grafs arrival in Friedrichshafen occurred just three weeks after her de- parture on a trip to the United States and back. Reviewing the journey, which had been undertaken to demonstrate the possibilities of lighter-than-air craft as passenger and freight carriers, Dr. Hugo Eckener, designer, builder, and commander of the huge air liner, while confident of a rosy future for great aerial ships, did not appear to share the unqualified enthusiasm of his countrymen. His experiences on both the out- ward and homebound courses had shown him, Dr. Eckener announced upon landing, that quicker and strong- er dirigibles will have to be built before regular passenger service can be established with fair expectation of continued safety and success. This opinion of his tallied with views he expressed to me shortly after his arrival on this side of the Atlantic. Desirous of seeing the latest wonder of the air, and more especially of meeting the man who constructed her and piloted her safely across the water, I went to Lakehurst, N. J., where the huge Naval hangar, harbor of the proud Los Angeles, was to house the Graf during her stay in America. Credit: Popular Science IT WAS 5:88 oclock of a bleak and chilly autumn evening, when the Zeppelin touched American soil after a storm-ridden voyage from Germany, during which she covered 6,300 miles in one hundred eleven and one-half hours of record-breaking nonstop long distance flight. The builder and skip- per of this new leviathan of the air and of her sister, the Los Angeles, before her, stepped down on terra firma and quickly crossed the field to the hangar. Of generous proportions, gray-thatched, ruddy-cheeked, Dr. Eckener resembled a sailor more than a flyer, an admiral rather than an aviator. With his jaunty, clipped moustache and diminutive chin-whisker, his merry blue eyes and ready smile; with his air of well-fed solidity that did not dull a definite sense of thorough-going efficiency, he needed but an opulent velvet costume, sword, and buckled shoes to an incarnation of one of Rem- brandts or Van Dycks portraits of seventeenth century Dutch burghers. This portly man, radiating power and good nature, is the master skipper of the air, the idol of the German people, and the hero of two continents. As he entered the huge naval hangar, he caught sight of the Los Angeles, which, as the ZR-3, he piloted to this country four years ago. He made a gesture of greeting toward the airship the United States won as a war prize. And a broad smile overspread his features as he exclaimed: Da ist mein Schatz! Literally translated, the German words meant: There is my treasure. But colloquially, Schatz is often used in the sense of sweetheart. And so, in the American vernacular, what Dr. Eckener really said was: Yes, sir, thats my baby! His eyes caressed the babya 656-foot one! with a glance as proud and tender as any father ever bestowed on his child. THE gesture, the words, the affectionate look-they all were typical of the big, jovial Commodore, who, despite his many university degrees, his commanding position as head of the Zeppelin Works at Friedrichshafen, his achievements as a scientist and engineer, and his unique accomplishments as builder and master of the largest aircraft ever conceived, has remained so thoroughly human that thousands of little Gretchens and Fritzes in the German schools volunteered their pfennigs when it became known that der grosze Luft Kapitaen (the great air captain) had appealed to his people and government for financial aid in building the Graf Zeppelin. A kindly soul offered him a huge cigara veritable Zeppelin among weeds. Lighting it with elaborate care and drawing the first puff, he sighed with intense contentment and said: Ah! The first in four and a half days! Seldom have I seen so much relish and enjoyment expressed in a human countenance. Then he was ready to tell the story of the historic flight, for though he had slept only eight hours out of the one hundred eleven and one-half the trip required, he appeared fresh and unwearied. HE TOLD how he undertook the voyage regardless of bad-weather warnings to prove the air-worthiness of his great ship as a passenger liner and mail and freight carrier. And proudly he emphasized that the little accident, as he called the ripping of the port horizontal stabilizer in a storm 2,000 miles out over the Atlantic ocean, had served to help him prove his point! For the most part, he spoke in correct English with a strong Teutonic accent. But every so often our language proved a bit too much for him and he slipped back into his native tongue. Well, you know, he began, that the weather over the Atlantic in the last few weeks had been very bad. So I had to make a special kind of trip. I could not go right out straight across the Atlantic, and yet I felt I must go, once our ship was completed. He took couple of puffs at his cigar and went on: I was bold. I was bold enough to say that the weather would not keep me from starting out as soon as the ship was finished. That put me in the position of either being a liar or making the trans-Atlantic voyage. So go we did. But because of the weather over the ocean, we had to go by way of Spain and Gibraltar, and that added 1,200 statute miles to the journey! From Gibraltar by the way we came, near the Azores, it was a little more than 5,000 miles to our destination in America. I WANTED to know the details of the accident that tore the fabric from the lower side of the port fin, in the repair of which four members of the crew, led by Dr. Eckeners own twenty-four-year-old son, Knut, covered themselves with glory. It was evident that the Commodore did not deem this occurrence worthy of much mention. The storm Dr. Eckener called a squall, and to the mishap which brought a message to the United States Navy to stand by with rescue ships he referred as a little accident. Well, he said, we were struck by wind as we went along smoothly at seventy-five miles an hour, with every motor turning perfectly. There was a sudden increase in the wind and rain came with it-a real squall. The Graf Zeppelin shot upward to an angle of forty degrees or so. The young helmsman on duty tried to bring her back to a horizontal plane, and in doing this he put a sudden strain on the stabilizer and that burst the fabric. The stuff caught in the wind. It was ripped away for something like a hundred square yards. Of course, it had to be repaired at once or more of the covering would go. It was a little accident, Dr. Eckener continued. It never happened before in the history of Zeppelins and it can never happen again! Naturally, we were handicapped by it. It happened at eight oclock in the morning and the trouble was fixed at one oclock in the afternoon. In those five hours, we stood al- most entirely still. And even after the repairs had been made we could only proceed at half speed. Credit: Popular Science HERE I interrupted. Tell me about the repair job! Wasnt your son one of the riggers who went up to fix it? I asked. The Commodores face glowed with unmistakable parental pride and pleasure. All right, then, he smiled; all right. But this was a rather personal matter, and the English words refused to come easily. So he told me in the most polished German how Knut and the three others had repaired the damage. As he talked, I saw an intensely dramatic picture of four young fellows running up the cat-walk into the tail of the ship, scampering up the girders of the frame that meets the fin at that point, and then, one by one, armed with shears and knives, mere pygmies in com- parison with the monster whose wound they set out to bind up, climbing out over the ocean on the spars that make up the frame of the fin, clear out thirty feet along the duralumin beam, with nothing between them and the roaring, storm-swept Atlantic but 1,500 feet of air! Clinging desperately to their perilous perch, beaten by storm and rain, tossed up or down fifty or a hundred feet and climbing back and forth as the tail of the Zeppelin swung on the fickle wings of the wind, they succeeded in cutting away the hanging shreds. They never stopped for a moment until the job was finished-fully five hours with no let-up in the storm. But Captain Flemming, who was at the controls in that soul-trying hour, told me a slightly different tale. Knut was the first to volunteer. When he and the three others had crawled way back to the damaged fin and the Graf was practically standing still, Flemming turned to the Commodore and said: We must start two engines. Dr. Eckener knew that if he ordered the motors started the wind might tear his son, and perhaps the others, too, off that precarious place and hurl them to the waves below. But the stern of the ship was beginning to sag under the deluge of rain, and so he also knew that he must move to try to maneuver out of the squall. MUST have two motors, Flemming repeated. The Commodores face suddenly grew very old. He looked out of the window in his favorite corner of the bridge. He swallowed hard. There was no telephone communication be- tween the bridge and the fin, where Knut hovered between clouds and water. Then he said huskily: Start the motors! What Dr. Eckener went through from that minute until his son climbed down to the con- trol room five hours later to report that the repairs had been made, only he and Heaven know. Were the passengers frightened? I asked Dr. Eckener. To tell you the truth, was his reply, this time again in English, I was so busy on the bridge that I hadnt time to go into the passenger-cabin to find out how the passengers felt. I did so as soon as we were under way once more. I found them calm, and reassured them as to the rest of our trip. Then we got out a bottle of nice wine and had a little toast and we all felt happy again. But a somewhat different version of what happened right after the fin had been fixed was given me later by one of the passengers. You know, said this man, Dr. Eckener bad a pet canary aboard, whose double function it was to sing to him and to act as a gas-detector. The Commodore seemed unusually attached to this bird. Now, the moment Knut had come down and reported that the stabilizer was all right again, Dr. Eckener left the control cabin and went aft to look after his canary. He found the bird in high spirits, singing away at the top of his voice, and he calmly fed him. As a matter of fact, we passengers had been greatly upset, but when we heard about this, our fears were put to rest. As Dr. Eckener was finishing his story of the voyage in the flight office, somebody handed him a slip of paper. It was a radiogram, but as it was penciled hastily in English, he handed it to one of the bystanders for translation. It proved to be a message from Dr. Eckeners wife. She sends love and congratulations on your birthday, said the interpreter. It then developed that the radiogram had been delayed for some reason and that the Saturday when the little accident in mid- ocean occurred had been Dr. Eckeners sixty-fifth birthday! Dr. Eckener told me of his views regarding the future of trans-Atlantic dirigible transportation and of the lessons his recent experience taught him. He predicted the establishment of a regular airship service between the United States and Germany in three or four years, with a dirigible leaving from each side of the Atlantic every five days and making the crossing in between forty-five and fifty hours! But to make such a service possible, he said, a capital of $14,000,000 will have to be raised for the building of four Zeppelinstwo in this country and two in Germanyand the construction of two hangars, each large enough to harbor two of the giant ships at one time. Of the required sum of $14,000,000, the building of the dirigibles would take $8,000,000, and the balance of $6,000,000 would be necessary to erect the hangars. THE Commodore then stressed the factwhich he was to emphasize again in Germany later that his voyage in the Graf Zeppelin had shown him that speedier ships will be required for regular transoceanic traffic. The airship of the future, he told me, will only be slightly larger than the Graf Zeppelin, but it will be more swift. It will develop an average speed of eighty or eighty-five miles an hour, preferably eighty-five. It will carry but few passengers and will be chiefly used for carrying mail and merchandise. Dr. Eckener also admitted that the trip had taught him that stronger fabric must be used for the stabilizing fins and the tail. The Commodores forecast regarding the creation of a regular Zeppelin service, though perhaps not quite so sanguine, was in line with enthusiastic views he expressed a little more than a year ago, when he made his last previous visit to the United States. At that time he came and went by steamer and remained in this country only a short while to complete some business arrangements. Then he visualized a dirigible trip around the world in twelve daysa dream that may well have caused the late Monsieur Jules Verne to turn in his grave! Although his short sojourn in the United States in 1927 was little known publicly, Dr. Eckener is by no means a stranger to America and Americans. When, in October 1924, the time came for the delivery flight of the ZR-3, now the Los Angeles, to the United States, Commodore Eckener himself took the controls and acted as commander of the ship on the voyage from the hangar at Friedrichshafen to the Naval hangar at Lakehurst. This was the longest nonstop trip ever made by aircraft up to that time. UPON his arrival here, the Commodore won instant popularity, and on his return to his native land, he found himself received with all the enthusiastic honor and acclaim usually reserved for a triumphant war lord! He was repeatedly mentioned for the German ambas- sadorship to the United States and even for the Presidency of the German Republic. But he smilingly though steadfastly declined these high distinctions. My life, he said, is bound up in the building of airships. I am not a diplomat nor a politician. And he was right. At least, the last twenty-eight years of the Commodores remarkable career have been devoted to the development of the dirigible as a means of safe and swift transportation. It was in 1900 that the meeting took place that proved the turning point in Dr. Eckeners life. On the shores of Lake Constance, near the Swiss-German border, where he had decided to settle down as a writer and publicist on subjects related to economics, his specialty up to that time, the Commodore became acquainted with Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, inventor of the dirigible that bears his name. There began a friendship that endured until the Count died seventeen years later. On almost daily walks along the beautiful blue lake, the Count, who already had begun to build rigid airships, expounded his theories and hopes. For a long time, Dr. Eckener, an eminently practical soul, remained skeptical. But at last he became convinced of the soundness and practicability of the Grafs ideas, and he joined the Zeppelin organization. Now Dr. Eckener, though an economist, was a navigator by nature. His talents along this line and his extraordinary gifts as a meteorol- ogist became of great value to Count Zeppelin, and the subsequent development of airship operation was largely due to his efforts. HUGO ECKENER was born in Flensburg, in Schleswig-Holstein. As a boy, his passion was the sea, and much of his leisure was devoted to navigating a small sailboat over the choppy waters of the Baltic Sea. Even as a lad of high school age, he enjoyed some fame for his courage and resourcefulness as a sailor and his skill as a meteorologist. For this youth, in some unknown fashion, had developed an unusual and almost uncanny ability to forecast the weather. But the sea was not to be his career. The Eckener parents had determined that Hugo should become a man of sciencea Herr Professor!and to college he was sent. Here he specialized in economics, in which subject he took his doctorate with honors, a circumstance that explains his present thorough grasp of business and financial problems. He also studied psychology at the University of Leipzig, which conferred a doctors degree upon him in that subject. All of the airship pilots in Germany were trained by Dr. Eckener, and in 1912 his work was extended to cover the commercial oper- ations of the Zeppelin organizations under a subsidiary company called Delag, of which he was made director. During the two years just previous to the World War, Delag ships carried some 35,000 passengers and many tons of freight and ex- press without a single accident. COUNT ZEPPELIN died in 1917 and was succeeded by his nephew, Baron von Gemmingen, who passed away in the spring of 1924, when Dr. Eckener was made the third pre- siding head of the Zeppelin organization. During the war, the Friedrichshafen plant had been built up to a capacity of one dirigible every two weeks! The technical problems surmounted at that time by Dr. Eckener, who throughout the period was Count Zeppelins right-hand man, were the more complex because of the shortage of materials in Germany. Immediately after the war, it was thought at first that the Zeppelin plant would be destroyed. It was shut down, and Commodore Eckener was heartbroken. It was not until after the famous flight of the ZR-3 that the fate of the plant was finally decided. France insisted that it be destroyed. The German patents passed to the Goodyear-Zeppelin Company, of Akron, Ohio, at that time, and the Zeppelin works lost many of its secrets. But the last few years of phenomenal aircraft development gave Dr. Eckener new hope of a real future for the plant, and on the wave of world-wide enthusiasm for aviation, he began the construction of his masterpiece the Graf Zeppelin. The enormous sky-ship embodies all of Dr. Eckeners theories of dirigible transportation. It is the fruit of his quarter of a century of experience as a builder of great aircraft. Into it he has put all his skill as an engineer, all his genius as a designer of lighter-than-air vessels. 2 arrested for alleged involvement in October 2023 murder of Portland mother PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Two people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the murder of a mother of three back in October 2023. On October 15, 26-year-old Portland resident Cali Durbin was shot and killed at the corner of Southeast Foster and 86th. Two other people were seriously injured in the shooting. Man shot by Portland police released from hospital, faces charges On Saturday, Portland police, U.S. Marshals, and officials from Joint Base Lewis-McChord arrested 32-year-old William Watson and 34-year-old Candice Hicks in Washington. Watson was arrested on charges of second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, second-degree attempted murder, and second-degree assault with a firearm. OSHA to investigate Cirque du Soleil after performer fall Hicks was arrested on charges of second-degree attempted murder and unlawful use of a weapon. Both are currently awaiting extradition to Oregon, officials say. No further information has been released at this time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. A suspected shooter was convicted of murder in connection with the death of a 20-year-old woman in 2022, authorities announced Thursday. The Mecklenburg County District Attorneys Office says Michael Fulwiley, 21, pled guilty to second-degree murder for the death of Ceyonna Morris. Fulwiley was sentenced to 192-243 months in prison, the district attorneys office announced. Previous coverage - Oct. 2, 2023 Police arrested two people in connection with a deadly north Charlotte shooting in December. According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department investigators, on Dec. 17, 2022, 20-year-old Ceyonna Morris was shot on Valeview Lane. She was taken to the hospital where she later died, police said. On Monday, police said they identified two suspects in the case. Michael Fulwiley, 20, was found on Friday and arrested in Columbia, South Carolina. He has been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. PREVIOUS: Woman killed in north Charlotte shooting, CMPD says Detectives said Saniya Heard, 20, turned herself in to CMPD headquarters on Saturday. Shes been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and accessory after the fact of murder. Police said the investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information can call 704-432-TIPS. Det. James is the lead detective on the case. You can also leave information anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or by clicking here. (WATCH BELOW: Taco Bell employee shot multiple times by customer, officials say) SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) An indictment unsealed this week says 2 foreign nationals are charged in a years-long conspiracy of swatting attacks and bomb threats. 26-year-old Thomas Szabo of Romania and 21-year-old Nemanja Radovanovic of Serbia are facing a list of charges, including conspiracy and threats and false information. The indictment says the 2 were involved in the conspiracy with others from December 2020 through January. Tribal officers set to graduate They would get their victims personal information and would report false emergencies provoking a police response to their homes. Szabo was allegedly the organizer. Officials add that Szabo was responsible for a threat at the School of Mines in Rapid City in 2022. The case was handled on a national level. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WPRI) Two people were forced from their home following a fire Thursday afternoon in Attleboro. The fire broke out around 12:30 p.m. at a three-story home on Carpenter Street. The district chief told 12 News the fire likely started in the basement or the first floor. He said firefighters had to tear through the walls to fully extinguish the flames. The Red Cross is assisting two residents from the first floor who were displaced. No injuries were reported, according to the district chief. The cause of the fire is under investigation. This embedded content is not available in your region. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. NANNING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chen Jixing, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Guangdong Provincial People's Congress, on Thursday stood trial for suspected bribery-related crimes at a court in Guilin, in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Chen was indicted for accepting bribes worth nearly 280 million yuan (about 39 million U.S. dollars), according to the indictment. Prosecutors accused Chen of taking advantage of his positions to provide assistance to others in matters related to real estate development, land transfer and the handling of economic disputes. In return, he illegally accepted money and gifts worth over 278 million yuan, either directly by himself or via other people. Also, after retiring, the defendant continued to exploit the advantages derived from his previous positions to seek undue benefits for others in matters such as loan approval, project advancement, subsidy application and land transfer, illegally accepting money and gifts worth more than 1.15 million yuan, the indictment said. At the trial, prosecutors presented evidence and the defendant and his lawyers examined it. The two sides gave their respective accounts, according to a court statement. Chen pleaded guilty and expressed remorse in his final statement. The verdict will be announced in due course. Two teenage boys were arrested within an hour after the popular Kansas City chef Shaun Brady was fatally shot outside the Irish restaurant he owned in the Brookside neighborhood, a police spokesman said Thursday. The teens, along with the vehicle believed to have been used in the killing, were found a short distance away in Kansas Citys Midtown, said Sgt. Phil DiMartino with the Kansas City Police Department. The teens were being held pending further investigation. Investigators were working with prosecutors to determine applicable charges, DiMartino said. The investigation into Bradys killing is ongoing. Brady owned and operated Brady & Fox Restaurant & Lounge, at 751 E. 63rd St., with chef and friend Graham Farris. He was taking out trash Wednesday just after 5 p.m. when when he encountered several people standing around a parked car, DiMartino said. Brady was shot as an interaction between the group of suspects escalated, police said. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. The day after popular Kansas City chef Shaun Brady was killed in a shooting outside his Brookside restaurant, Mayor Quinton Lucas called for more to be done to address the citys violent and property crime. Lucas, who first expressed his condolences to Bradys family and other victims, said the city is not where it needs to be when it comes to crime. Another concern the fact that two teenagers have been arrested in connection with the killing. This is not the first, its not the second, its not the third, probably not the last tragedy this year that will be committed at the hands of young assailants, Lucas said during a Zoom meeting Thursday afternoon with members of the media. The fact that these are teenage juvenile suspects who were picked up for this offense, I think should be concerning to each and every one of us. When kids this age commit these type of crimes, Lucas said the response needed is more than just enforcement. A multi-faceted approach is needed to address the root cause and prevention, he said. We need to understand how a kid that age starts to engage in this type of behavior, why they were not stopped before, how they got firearms and frankly, what we can do to prevent others from engaging in this sort of behavior in the future, Lucas said. One of the biggest challenges the city faces with break-ins, burglaries and car thefts is that teenagers are often the ones doing them, he said. Its important to make sure that those youths do not become repeat offenders. Melesa Johnson, Lucas director of public safety, spoke about the work the city has been doing to provide alternatives to young people, including the mayors Night Hoops, Night Nets and Night Kicks programs. To deal with young people gathering on the Country Club Plaza over the summer, Johnson said she and members of KC Common Good and KC 360 canvassed the area on weekend evenings to engage with the youth. The new anti-crime initiative SAVE KC, a focused deterrence strategy, held its first call-in in May and a lot of the clients the program was focusing on are juveniles, Johnson said. Addressing crime throughout the city Lucas said that he met with Kansas City Police Chief Stacy Graves, who said that theres been more patrols in the Brookside and Waldo area and other areas recently to address the increase in crime. Lucas mentioned he heard from one person in the Historic Northeast neighborhood of Kansas City, saying the city seems to care about Brookside and Waldo, but wonders what about the other parts of the city that have been asking for intervention. We are working to enhance property crimes enforcement throughout the city, said Lucas, who added that staffing issues shouldnt be an excuse. We need to make sure that were deploying where we see concerns. According to his discussion with KCPD Thursday, police leaders are looking at redeploying officers wherever they can to address the issues, Lucas said. He added that there have been arrests and there will continue to be arrests. Lucas said residents will see more foot patrol officers in the core of the city and will continue to see more collaboration with the prosecutors office and Jackson County juvenile office to make sure that when there are serious charges, we are actually seeing those serious charges stick. The police department and prosecutors office are working hard, but the city needs to continue to make clear to the public that property crimes matter and that businesses matter. Kansas City is not a city that only looks at homicide numbers and doesnt do other policing work or other enforcement, Lucas said. Still, he acknowledged that the city is obviously not where it needs to be. Weve got too much crime. We got too much property crime, Lucas said. I wont sugarcoat it. We are not where we need to be. But that does not mean there arent police officers out working hard; there arent prosecutors out working hard. However badly your day is going, spare a thought for the ancient sea cow that's the subject of newly published research from an international research team. Dragged by a crocodile before its body was later chewed on by a shark some 20 million years ago, it wouldn't have been a pleasant end for the dugong. But a study of its remains gives modern day experts a fascinating insight into the marine food chain of the Early to Middle Miocene epoch which, it seems, worked in a similar way to how it does now. "Today, often when we observe a predator in the wild, we find the carcass of prey which demonstrates its function as a food source for other animals too, but fossil records of this are rarer," says paleontologist Aldo Benites-Palomino, from the University of Zurich in Switzerland. "We have been unsure as to which animals would serve this purpose as a food source for multiple predators." The story starts with the discovery of some unusual rocks by a local farmer, south of the city of Coro, in northern Venezuela. When the researchers were called in, they found the minerals contained parts of a skeleton fossil, including a section of a skull and 18 different vertebrae. The sea cow was reconstructed from its fossilized remains. (Benites-Palomino et al., Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 2024) Analysis showed that they were left by an individual from the extinct sea cow genus Culebratherium which met a most unfortunate end. A study of bite marks found on the fossils helped the researchers reconstruct its final hours. It seems to have been attacked by a crocodile that tore into the sea cow, and quite possibly took it down in a death roll. The team also found marks across the skeleton consistent in shape and size with the teeth of an extinct tiger shark (Galeocerdo sp), apparently scavenging meat from the dead or dying animal. They even confirmed the shark species G. aduncus from the tooth it left behind in the sea cow's neck. It appears that once the crocodile had had its fill, then another carnivore came along to pick at whatever was left. By analyzing the sediment around the area where the remains were discovered well away from previous fossil finds in the region the researchers were able to date the fossil back around 20 million years. "Our findings constitute one of the few records documenting multiple predators over a single prey, and as such provide a glimpse of food chain networks in this region during the Miocene," says Benites-Palomino. Being able to build up such a complete picture of this sea cow's demise is testament to the hard work of the research team: in total, several months of effort were involved in identifying the fossil and determining what had happened to it. "Evidence of trophic interactions are not scarce in the fossil record, yet these are mostly represented by fragmentary fossils exhibiting marks of ambiguous significance," the researchers write in their published paper. "Differentiating between marks of active predation and scavenging events is therefore often challenging." The research has been published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. Related News The propaganda surrounding Russias 2014 invasion of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts has been so pervasive that, even a decade later, people continue to parrot lines about the need to "protect the Donbas people from the Kyiv regime." Its time for the voices of people from both regions to be heard and their words to be widely disseminated in English. Many already do, albeit through more literary forms such as Lyuba Yakimchuks poetry collection The Apricots of Donbas and Volodymyr Rafyenkos novel Mondegreen. Thanks to Harvards Ukrainian Research Institute, another important book relating to the start of Russias war is now available for English-language readers in Annie Fishers translation. Olena Stiazhkinas Ukraine, War, Love, a diary documenting the start of the events in 2014, can perhaps be best summarized by the line: Whats it like when Russians come to save Russian speakers, and then kill them? In the weeks following the EuroMaidan Revolution, which led to the ousting of pro-Kremlin President Viktor Yanukovych, Russia illegally annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula and launched an invasion of the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. As Stiazhkina notes, these events didnt unfold overnight and it was difficult for some on the ground in Donetsk and those observing from afar to understand the gravity of it all. Additionally, the disruptive events leading up to the occupation occurred over a long enough period of time for Russian television to distort them and present them as an authentic local boycott of the revolution in Kyiv. The catastrophe of occupation unfolded gradually, hour by hour, day by day. Thats probably why, at first, we couldnt believe it; then we couldnt stop it. For the entire world, this part of the Russians war against Ukraine was invisible, hidden behind the smoke screen of a crudely cobbled-together suffering people of Donbas, Stiazhkina writes. We I have reasons for self-reproach, she adds. Being unaware doesnt mean you dont care; it means youve been stupid." While some of (Donetsks) own idiots were involved, Stiazhkina describes how the overwhelming majority of the people who wiped Donetsk off the face of the earth were actually from Russia. One clear indicator of who was who back then was the language difference. This might seem somewhat unusual to outside observers given Russian is widely spoken in Ukraine, but Ukrainians from the eastern regions who speak Russian have noticeably different accents and word choice compared to those from Russia. In one scene, Stiazhkina recalls a man in camouflage saying: Hey, you. Im talking to you. Get back behind the porebrik. The word porebrik means curb in Russian, but it is not used by Russian-speaking Ukrainians in Donetsk they use the word bordyur. According to Stiazhkina, (People from St. Petersburg) think the bordyur is one of those architectural excesses on walls. Noting the language difference from these armed people in military gear causes bewilderment. Puts us in a stupor, even Many of the armed rebels had no clear understanding of the geographic layout of Donetsk, either. When they marched on March 9, 2014, to take Donetsk Oblasts State Administration building by force, they were off by a whole block, Stiazhkina writes. Could you imagine people (in Paris) marching out to take the Bastille but ending up on the Place de la Concorde (which is nearly five kilometers off) instead? Stiazhkina is adept at unraveling the complicated questions of identity that one is forced to confront in the middle of an existential war. In the introduction, which was written after the beginning of Russias full-scale war against Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, she acknowledges that she used to be one of those people who believed that it was Putin, not Pushkin who was guilty of what was happening. Like some of her peers, Stiazhkina also wrote in Russian, which brought her recognition in both Ukraine and Russia. In 2014, her work was shortlisted for the Russian Prize, a prestigious award given in Moscow for the best texts written in Russian by foreigners. She later notes that such awards were one of the ways for Russia to maintain its soft power over other countries, even after they gained independence from the Soviet Union, as it helped to legitimize the so-called Russian world abroad. While many Ukrainians like Stiazhkina, who once predominantly spoke Russian, grapple with changes in their worldview, their acquaintances in Russia are being drawn further into the past. This deceptive nostalgia is most evident today in the distortion of World War II history, with Russian leader Vladimir Putin framing his war against Ukraine as another fight against Nazism. Russia does not exist. Russia was tempted back into the past, where it dissolved, Stiazhkina explains. She goes on to recall an incident when someone from Russia called her during the fall of Donetsk to wish her a happy International Womens Day on March 8. While the holiday is used abroad to highlight womens rights and gender equality, in former Soviet republics, including Ukraine and Russia, it has often been used to do the opposite reinforcing the patriarchal idea that women are inherently delicate and fragile. The holiday is still celebrated in Ukraine today, but many women have called for its cancellation. Portraits and uniforms of Ukrainian prosecutors burn outside the Prosecutor's Office as Russia-backed militants attempt to capture the city and other parts of Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, on May 1, 2014. (Alexander Khudoteply/AFP via Getty Images) The typical March 8 greetings about love, health, and family feel meaningless during awar. Stiazhkina shouts into the phone, This is my country. What are you doing to us? Meanwhile, the Russian caller on the other end replies that their homeland meaning both Ukraine and Russia was the Soviet Union. When Stiazhkina calls them the enemy, they respond indignantly, asking why she is acting like that. Back then, I still thought you should talk to Russians because it wasnt meaningless, she confesses. My concept of Russian civil society was false from the get-go. As for Pushkin... No. I dont want him to save me, Stiazhkina continues. Not him, and not any other kind of great Russian culture may it rot, seeing how it has created, and continues to create, monsters who rape children and steal washing machines. Several analogies in the book effectively highlight the severity of the Russian occupation of Donetsk for foreign readers. For instance, while speaking to the person from Russia who called her on March 8, Stiazhkina asks them to imagine themselves as someone enduring the first winter of the Leningrad Blockade during World War II and receiving a well-wishing call from someone in Berlin. Stiazhkina also draws parallels between Russian aggression against Donetsk with the sexual assault of a woman: They beat her with checkpoints and sandbags. Every day they tore off her dress, which had once been yellow and blue. Like any other rape victim, she thought she was to blame. If my Donetsk had been a man, we wouldve easily made it through any amount of mockery. Wed have had the strength, she continues. But here she is, a woman. And Im not sure if a century of love will be enough for her to stop remembering, and feeling shame, and trembling at the slightest touch. While "Ukraine, War, Love" offers a somber account of the onset of Russia's war against Ukraine, the "love" in the title should not be overlooked. Throughout the book, Stiazhkina reflects on finding strength in the Ukrainian language and culture which makes you free and becomes the language of safety and life for those living through a slow descent into hell. This love also encompasses a considerable amount of dark humor, a hallmark of Stiazhkina's work and arguably a significant aspect of the Ukrainian mentality that allows so many to process the horrors of war on a daily basis. In one passage, Stiazhkina notes a friend's remark: having lost his mother, wife, and one of his children to the war, he expresses a desire to visit Moscow "once it looks like Mariupol," one of the Ukrainian cities largely destroyed and then occupied by Russia at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. I almost agree with him, its just that Im not willing to actually go there, Stiazhkina writes. A few good pictures will be enough for me. Note from the author: Hi, this is Kate Tsurkan, thanks for reading this article. There is an ever-increasing amount of books about Ukraine available to English-language readers, and I hope my recommendations prove useful when it comes to your next trip to the bookstore. Ukrainian culture has taken on an even more important meaning during wartime, so if you like reading about this sort of thing, please consider supporting The Kyiv Independent. Read also: 10 books to better understand wartime Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. 21-year-old man in critical condition after motorcycle crash in Liverpool LIVERPOOL, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) A 21-year-old male motorcyclist is in critical condition at Upstate Hospital after crashing into a car in Liverpool around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28. The crash happened in the area of Tulip Street and Commerce Boulevard. This embedded content is not available in your region. A family of three, including a child, was in the car that was involved in the crash. They were taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure, according to the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. Officials in North Carolina are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the disappearance of Madalina Cojocari, Gov. Roy Cooper announced on Thursday. Madalina Cojocaris mom leaves jail after failing to report daughter missing The girl, who was 11 years old at the time, was last seen publicly on Nov. 21, 2022, getting off her school bus at her home on Victoria Bay Drive in Cornelius. She was reported missing on Dec. 15, 2022. Her mother and stepfather have since been convicted of failing to report her missing. Anyone having information concerning this case should contact the Cornelius Police Department at 704-892-1363 or the State Bureau of Investigation at 919-662-4500. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 29 cats found trapped in van during extreme heat in Mason City MASON CITY, Iowa Twenty-nine cats were rescued after being trapped in a van in extreme heat in Mason City on Monday. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa assisted the Mason City Police Department with rescuing the cats. The ARL said when rescue crews arrived on scene the temperature outside was in the 90s, making the temperature inside the van life-threatening. Untreated wastewater found in Des Moines River after contractor hits main in Fort Dodge According to the ARL, the cats didnt have access to food or water, and tests also showed that the ammonia levels inside were dangerously high. The cats were transported to the shelter in Des Moines for treatment. The ARL said two of the cats had something wrapped around their necks, causing deep painful wounds. Some of the cats also hade upper respiratory and eye infections. Photo courtesy of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. Photo courtesy of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. Photo courtesy of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. Photo courtesy of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. Mason City Police arrested 64-year-old Andres Enrique Guilartes Martinez in connection to the case. He has been charged with three counts of animal neglect. Those who would like to donate to help the cats can do so by visiting the ARLs website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Police arrested three people Wednesday at two South Side homes while serving search warrants investigating drug activity. Read next: Crash backs up traffic along Interstate 80 At about 4:15 p.m., Damion Foster, 27, was arrested at a home in the 300 block of Ferndale Avenue on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, a third-degree felony; possession of fentanyl, a third-degree felony; and possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. Reports said police found two semiautomatic handguns, two magazines of ammunition, fentanyl, pills and suboxone strips. Foster is not allowed to have a gun because he is under indictment for possession of cocaine, reports said. Reports said Foster matches the description of the person who is alleged to be selling drugs out of the home. At about 3:55 p.m., two people were arrested at a home in the 100 block of E. Lusius Ave. Tyrone Withers, 50, is facing four fifth-degree felony charges of possession of drugs. Stephanie McCourt faces two fifth-degree felony counts of possession of drugs, as well as a third-degree felony count of illegal conveyance of drugs into a detention facility. Reports said police found methamphetamine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, pills and crack pipes inside the home. Withers matches the description of the person alleged to be selling drugs out of the home, reports said. McCourt, who was there when police arrived, was found to have 12 pills in her bra as she was booked into the county jail, reports said. All three are expected to be arraigned Friday in municipal court. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. At least 3 people were killed and 82 injured as Typhoon Shanshan made landfall in Japan. Photo by Jiji Press/EPA-EFE Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Typhoon Shanshan made landfall in southwestern Japan Thursday, bringing heavy winds and rain that prompted a deadly landslide. At least three people died and two more were injured by the landslide in Gamagori city. Authorities said 79 were injured in the Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures and one more was injured in the Mie prefecture. A man was also missing after seeking refuge near Kagoshima. The Japan Meteorological Agency told residents to remain vigilant because of the continued threat of landslides and flooding. Some homes were left without electricity while train traffic and flights were cancelled in the affected areas. Bullet train services at Tokaido Shinkansen were stopped Thursday while the Kyushu Railway suspended its service to the region through Friday because the storm was moving so slowly. More than 260,000 Kyushu Electric Power customers across seven prefectures lost power during the storm. Meteorologists said 23 inches of rain fell over 24 hours in some areas of Kyushu as the storm's slow pace threatened to add to that number. 3 wrongfully obtained loan to pay legal expenses of man in jail on child porn charges, police say 3 wrongfully obtained loan to pay legal expenses of man in jail on child porn charges, police say PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (WFLA) Three people wrongfully obtained a loan to pay legal expenses for a man who is in jail on child porn charges, according to the Pinellas Park Police Department. Lisa Falcon, 53, of Clearwater, Derrick Epstein, 25, of St. Petersburg, and Ryan Ives, 31, of Pinellas Park, allegedly conspired to falsely obtain a loan to pay for Ivess legal expenses, police said. In July, Epstein pretended to be Ives who was in jail on 20 counts of possession of child pornography to secure a loan to cover Ivess attorney fees and bond, police said. Ives was initially arrested on June 18. Falcon, Epstein, and Ives were reportedly caught conspiring to get the loan by creating false documents on jail-recorded phone calls, according to police. All three were taken into custody on Tuesday on charges of crime act against a mortgage company, police said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. by Mahmoud Fouly, Yao Bing CAIRO, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese investments have been growing in Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), highlighting a promising future for the trade hub around the vital Suez Canal, chairman of the General Authority of the SCZone Waleid Gamal El-Dein said in a recent interview with Xinhua. "We were very happy to attract a lot of investments in the last two years, worth more than 6 billion U.S. dollars, 40 percent of which are coming from China," Gamal El-Dein said. Noting that he has visited China several times in the past 18 months, the chief said he would make more trips to China to attract investments for the zone in the automotive and pharmaceutical industries. He added that visiting China "was a great opportunity to showcase the opportunities, the ecosystem, the infrastructure, and the incentives provided by the SCZone." Chinese investors can benefit from the nearshoring activities and the foreign trade agreements that Egypt enjoys with multiple economic blocs, as well as the SCZone's location, uniqueness and proximity to markets, according to the chief. More than 160 Chinese companies are working in various sectors in the SCZone, Gamal El-Dein said, adding that the sectors covered by Chinese investments include the manufacturing of fiberglass, new building materials, petroleum equipment, high and low-voltage gear, machinery and others. Chinese giant industrial developer TEDA is a key SCZone partner. It developed a vast area of desert in the Ain Sokhna district of Suez province and built the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in 2008. "Working with TEDA is very important. TEDA now has approximately 7.2 square kilometers of land for industrial areas. About 5.2 square kilometers have already been used for investments, and the remaining 2 million square meters are expected to house new investments very soon," said the SCZone chairman. "Now we are in talks with TEDA to extend their land by another 3 million square meters to be able to accommodate new industries," he noted. Gamal El-Dein said Egypt's SCZone and Suez Canal are vital hubs for the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). "I think Egypt in general and the SCZone in particular would be playing a huge part in the BRI," Gamal El-Dein told Xinhua. "We believe the integration between our industrial areas and our ports is helping with integrating the SCZone within the BRI and helping investors in the zone achieve their objectives," he added. The official is expected to visit Beijing in early September to attend the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. "For us, this is a very important forum to discuss with our partners in Africa how to better serve them and also to discuss with Chinese investors how they can better serve Africa from Egypt," Gamal El-Dein said. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The 30th annual ArtSplash is set to take place in just a couple of days here in Sioux City. This years event will be held in the downtown area at the Sioux City Art Center campus. Theres expected to be a variety of artwork by local, regional, and national artists. More than 70 artist booths are expected to be set up. There will also be a kids fun zone for children to see balloon artists and face painters. AC/DC tribute band returning to Sioux City Hard Rock Officials say there will be something new at this years ArtSplash. One new thing were doing this year, which were really excited about, is offering all free art activities for kids and adults actually, coordinator Summer Amman said. We are introducing adult art activities this year. Its all free, all of the art activities and yeah, were very thankful to our sponsors for that. The event takes place on Aug. 30 and Sep. 1 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on both days. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. $326K in back wages, damages recovered for Pittsburgh-area residential homes employees, DOL says The Department of Labor recovered over $326,000 in back wages and damages for employees of a Pittsburgh-area residential homes operator. A U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation found that Passavant Memorial Homes failed to include non-discretionary bonuses when calculating overtime wage rates for 504 employees. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, bonuses have to be included when computing overtime wages, the DOL said. The DOL said $163,418 was recovered in back wages for 504 employees. The same amount was recovered in liquidated damages. Passavant Memorial Homes workers deliver essential care and enable people in need to live with dignity. Yet, too often, they are shortchanged their hard-earned wages by employers that dont include non-discretionary bonus payments in overtime calculations, explained Wage and Hour Division District Director John DuMont in Pittsburgh. Were committed to protecting these workers and ensuring they get their full pay. Passavant Memorial Homes operates 140 residential homes that offer direct care and support services to individuals with intellectual disabilities throughout western Pennsylvania, as well as provides support and companion care in personal residences. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Man vandalized Robinson businesses, then set truck on fire, ran from officers with knife, police say Local school implements 4-day school week Pittsburgh man advances to semifinals of Americas Got Talent VIDEO: Arson investigation underway after multiple police cars set on fire in McKeesport DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts A Dayton man arrested this week by Montgomery County Sheriffs deputies could spend the rest of his life in prison if he is convicted of the federal charges accusing him of making and receiving child pornography. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] News Center 7 Investigative reporter John Bedell worked this story all day and was the only reporter in federal court when the suspect appeared. The accused is David Snell, 35, who is the focus of a federal investigation into child pornography. He was arrested Wednesday at a house on Brookline Avenue in Dayton. According to hearing today for Snell in U.S. District Court in downtown Dayton, Snell is charged on single counts of production of child porn, coercion and enticement involving child porn and receipt of child porn. Snell has held positions of public trust and HSI wants to identify any other victims/survivors, an unnamed spokesperson with Homeland Security Investigations Michigan and Ohio said in a prepared statement released Thursday afternoon. If convicted as charged, Snell could be sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison and fined $250,000 on the first count, 10 years to life and a $5,000 fine on the second count, and 5 to 20 years in prison and a $35,000 fine on the third count. Two of those counts also carry mandatory sex offender registration and notification requirements, according to federal court. Federal prosecutors asked the court to keep Snell in jail before his trial. A pre-trial detention hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 4, with a preliminary hearing set for Sept. 10. TRENDING STORIES: The case has been sealed, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. Snells wife and attorney declined comment when approached by News Center 7. HSI Security, the primary investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is asking you to call them if you have any information that may help with its investigation of Snell and child pornography. The number is 877-4-HSI-TIP. And if you have any information you would like News Center 7 to investigate, please leave a message on our I-Team Tip Line, 937-535-7777. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) Nearly 400 Washington County homeowners will pay less in property tax after successful hearings to lower their taxable home values. The County Board of Equalization (CBOE) heard requests from more than 1,000 property owners after last years reappraisal resulted in an average residential value increase of 68% compared to the 2019 appraised values. That, and a tax increase levied by Washington Countys commission, put property taxes top of mind for a lot of people this year. When youre starting to mess with someones pocketbook, they get emotional, CBOE Chairwoman Jennifer Hyder told News Channel 11. Shed sat through 51 days of hearings, averaging almost 20 a day. Washington County homeowners who successfully appealed their property tax appraisal amounts and live in the Johnson City limits will save an average of almost $700 in their combined property tax bills. (Photo: WJHL) Once we we talked about the process, and if they gave us the evidence and we were able to help them or change it based on that information, they were happy with that, Hyder said. CBOE members granted value reductions in 57% of cases, with the average decrease amounting to nearly 18% of the value that had been determined by the Washington County Property Assessors Office. A total of 390 residential owners and 184 commercial property owners saw reductions. The average successful homeowner will see their tax bill slashed by hundreds of dollars as a result. The 184 successful commercial property owners will see their county property tax bills alone reduced by an average of more than $2,000. Hyder said the CBOE used a data-driven process. If property owners came into the 15-minute meetings saying its just too high, but no brokers opinion, recent sales nearby, photos showing structural data or some other data, their arguments didnt hold much water. That took out the bias, it took out the unfairness, Hyder said. Washington County Property Assessor Robbie McGuire said this years CBOE took the use of data and professionalism to a new level. They actually gave us the numbers of what (Johnson City) changed and what the county changed and Jonesborough, McGuire said. They broke it down on how many appointments that they had and how many no shows, how many people brought appraisals, how many people didnt, and so it really helps us with the process of how accurate we are. Impactful numbers for owners, negligible impact to local governments The impact on Washington County, Johnson City and Jonesborough revenues will be minimal. The changes reduce the overall taxable property value countywide by 1.65%, but new growth within the county since that reappraisal was done has made up for most of the decrease. We actually did not lose the amount of value that you would think, McGuire said. In the county, the change will reduce tax revenues owed by about $535,000. McGuire said new growth in the past nine months, since the reappraisal ended, has added enough to the tax rolls to decrease that gap to only about $234,000. Thats a drop in the bucket of the overall expected Washington County property tax revenue of $94 million. That says the process was somewhat fair, Hyder said of the initial reappraisal conducted by McGuires office. We did see some changes and we did see some discrepancies, and thats what the purpose of the board is to find those discrepancies, to fix those. So it is fair. So that tells us the process works. For the average homeowner who successfully contested their appraisal, though, the difference is significant. The 390 homeowners seeing reductions had an average appraised home value of $459,967. As a whole, that average was lowered to $369,432 almost 20%. That means the average successful appeal knocked $387 off the property tax bill of a county resident. That average would be $693 for someone who lived in Johnson City, with city property tax dropping by $306. The decrease for a Jonesborough resident would be $220, or $607 for both city and county taxes. The 184 commercial property owners who successfully appealed had an average decrease of $305,199. That equates to an average county property tax decrease of $2,088, plus another $1,653 if that average property was also in Johnson City. Three quarters of the commercial properties affected were in Johnson City. McGuire said County Trustee Rick Storey should be able to send tax bills out by mid-September or so because his office wrapped up its work early. The CBOE will meet annually until the next scheduled reappraisal in 2029, and McGuire said property owners can contest their values during any of those years. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Arizona bank employee Denise Prudhomme, 60, died at work and her body wasn't discovered in her work cubicle until four days later. Police in Tempe, Ariz., said Thursday there was no evidence of foul play. Police said she scanned into work for her Wells Fargo job on Aug.16. Security at the building found her dead Aug. 20. Wells Fargo said in a statement, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague at our Tempe office. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and loved ones during this difficult time. Counselors, through our Employee Assistance Consulting service, are available to support our employees. We are fully cooperating with the Tempe Police Department in their investigation and will direct all further questions to them." The investigation into circumstances of her death is ongoing, but it is not yet clear how she could have gone unnoticed for days. NBC News reported that an anonymous Wells Fargo employee told KPNX that a co-worker found Prudhomme dead at her desk while walking around the building. Several workers in the building had smelled a foul odor but thought it was bad plumbing. A worker quoted anonymously told Tempe's 12 News, " It's really heartbreaking and I'm thinking, 'What if I were just sitting there? No one would check on me?" Wells Fargo workers said the building has around-the-clock security and Prudhomme should have been found sooner. "That's the scary part," a Wells Fargo employee told 12 News That's the uneasy part. It's negligence in some part." JACKSON, Miss. (AP) The use of force was justified in four fatal shootings by Mississippi law enforcement officers last year, Attorney General Lynn Fitch said Wednesday. Fitch based her findings on investigations conducted by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. One shooting happened May 16, 2023, and involved four Meridian Police Department officers, the attorney general said. A man entered the lobby of an assisted care facility and threatened employees with a pistol before officers were called. The man barricaded himself inside the facility, and officers killed him after encountering him with a weapon, police said. Three found dead in Leake County On June 3, 2023, a Union County Sheriffs Department deputy responded to a call about a domestic disturbance in Myrtle and killed a man who had a shotgun. Sheriff Jimmy Edwards said the deputy fired multiple shots and retreated. On July 13, 2023, a Harrison County Sheriffs Department deputies responded to a call about a burglary in Saucier, north of Gulfport. A sergeant killed a person who pointed a weapon at deputies, said Bailey Martin, the state Department of Public Safety spokesperson. On July 16, 2023, two Adams County Sheriffs Department deputies responded to a call about a woman who said she had been kidnapped and assaulted by her boyfriend. Sheriff Travis Patten said the boyfriend shot the woman in the stomach, and an officer then killed the man. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. 4 injured after 2 Muni buses collide with each other in SFs Bayview SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Two Muni buses collided with each other in San Franciscos Bayview neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon. Four were taken to the hospital, SFFD told KRON4. The San Francisco Fire Department received calls about the collision at Third and Palou Streets just before 4 p.m. Firefighter personnel arrived at the scene and located the two buses. SFFD believes one endured an oil spill while the other struck an electrical box. Two bus drivers and two pedestrians waiting at the bus stop were taken to the hospital for minor injuries. SFFD said the two pedestrians were not struck by the bus during the collision. Nearby drivers were to expect delays. SFFD said units were on the scene until services resumed. Arrival time predictions may not be available at this time. We are reaching out to our vendor. We apologize for the inconvenience, SFMTA said on X. Services resumed at about 6:20 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Four nuclear power units at two different power plans were disconnected during Russia's mass aerial strike on Ukraine on Aug. 26, the Presidential Office head, Andriy Yermak, said on Aug. 29. "We are talking about the power units 1, 3, and 4 of the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant, as well as the power unit 3 at the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant (in Mykolaiv Oblast)," Yermak said on Telegram, publishing a letter by Ukraine's diplomatic mission in Vienna to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Russia launched its largest aerial strike against Ukraine to date on Aug. 26, firing over 230 missiles and drones and yet again targeting energy infrastructure. The most recent Russian attack necessitated energy restrictions and rolling blackouts after a relatively stable energy situation in much of August. Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said that nuclear generation currently covers up to 60% of the country's electricity consumption. Apart from the Rivne and South Ukraine plants, the country also operates the Kmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest nuclear facility in Europe, has been under Russian occupation since March 2022. Kyiv has repeatedly accused Russia of using the plant for nuclear blackmail and endangering its safety. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russia launches largest aerial attack on Ukraine so far Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. This is a locator map for Pakistan with its capital, Islamabad, and the Kashmir region. (AP Photo) DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (AP) Suspected militants kidnapped four people, including an army officer who was sitting in a mosque in a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban to receive mourners after attending his father's funeral, officials said Thursday. No one claimed responsibility for Wednesday's kidnapping of Lt. Col. Khalid Khan and three others in Dera Ismail Khan, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwest Pakistan. Local authorities said a video of Khan, showing him in the custody of the Pakistani Taliban, was sent anonymously to his family. In the video, Khan is seen sitting in front of armed men and urging the government to accept the demands of the Pakistani Taliban. It was unclear what were their demands. There was no immediate comment by the military or the government. A local police official, Ikram Ullah, said efforts were underway to trace and recover the abducted persons: Khan, his two brothers who are also government officers, and one of his nephews. Though the Pakistani Taliban often targets security forces in the northwest, such kidnappings are rare. The group, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, have a strong presence in the restive northwest. It is separate from the Afghan Taliban but allied to it, and it has been emboldened since the Afghan Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021. The kidnappings came days after Baloch separatists, who are allies of TTP, shot and killed more than 50 people, including 14 security forces, in one of the deadliest attacks in the southwestern Balochistan province. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif traveled to Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, on Thursday where he received a briefing about ongoing operations against insurgents, officials said. Later, Sharif vowed to eliminate terrorism in televised remarks, saying those terrorists who orchestrated the recent attacks in Balochistan are enemies of Pakistan and would be dealt with an iron hand. ___ Associated Press writer Riaz Khan contributed to this story from Peshawar, Pakistan. TOPEKA (KSNT) The Kansas Secretary of States (SOS) office is releasing its final count for the 2024 Primary election Thursday. The State Board of Canvassers, made up of the secretary of state, governor and attorney general, have reviewed the results of the Primary collected from all 105 counties in Kansas, according to the SOS. In total, 17% of Kansas voters, amounting to a little more than 336,000 people, participated in this years primary. This was the second of three elections to be conducted in 2024, the first being the Presidential Preference Primary in March, Schwab said. Our trained county election professionals continue to demonstrate their proficiency and knowledge in conducting elections in a safe and secure manner. Schwab calls the Pony Express faster than voting by mail A low amount of voters participated in the Primary, which is attributed to factors like a lack of a U.S. Senate race and no statewide election officials on the ballot. Other details of this election include the following: Just over 40,000 mail-in ballots were returned out of the 58,300 issued to voters. Nearly 63,000 ballots were cast advance in-person. Sixteen Kansas Senate primaries were contested out of 40 districts. There were 25 contested primaries out of 125 districts for the Kansas House of Representatives. A close-race audit was completed for the Kansas House District 51, Republican Primary. The outcome of the race was not changed by the results of the audit. A recount was done for district magistrate judge, District 17, position one. The outcome was not changed by this recount. To find the full official Primary election results, click here or check out the document below: 2024 Primary Official Vote Totals by Matthew Self on Scribd This embedded content is not available in your region. Kansas food supply chain strengthened with $5.6 million investment For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. ISTANBUL, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- One person has died and 38 others were injured after two metrobuses collided in Turkiye's largest city here, local authorities said on Thursday. The Istanbul Governor's Office reported that the accident occurred during rush hour in the Kucukcekmece district on the European side of the city, resulting in one fatality and 38 people injured, including two seriously. The driver, who failed to notice a road construction warning, entered the wrong lane. To avoid hitting a construction vehicle, the driver swerved and collided with another metrobus, the NTV Broadcaster said. As the vehicles involved in the accident were being towed from the scene, traffic that had been halted for a long time in both directions could partially resume, the broadcaster added. The metrobus is a popular mode of transportation in Istanbul, used by millions of commuters each day to bypass the city's heavy traffic. These buses operate on dedicated bus lanes, providing a rapid and efficient means of traveling across the city. 40 Russian assaults on Pokrovsk front and 30 on Kurakhove in one day Russian troops have carried out 40 assaults and offensives on the Pokrovsk front since the beginning of the day. There have been 30 combat clashes on the Kurakhove front. Source: report from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 22:00 on 29 August Details: A total of 156 combat clashes have taken place since the start of the day. Russian forces have launched three missile attacks using three missiles and 43 airstrikes, dropping 60 guided aerial bombs, have deployed more than 500 kamikaze drones, and have fired about 3,000 times on Ukrainian positions and settlements using various types of weapons. Pokrovsk remains the front where the largest number of combat clashes is occurring. Quote: "The aggressor has conducted 40 assaults and offensive actions here during the day. The greatest intensity of the Russian occupiers' attacks is observed in and around Vozdvyzhenka, Zelene Pole, Miroliubivka, Hrodivka, Novohrodivka, Karlivka, Marynivka and Mykhailivka. In total, Ukrainian defenders have repelled 32 attacks on this front, and eight others are still ongoing. The situation is difficult, but our soldiers are doing all they can to prevent the enemy from advancing deep into Ukrainian territory." Details: Russian activity is also significant on the Kurakhove front. "As of now, there have been 30 combat clashes. The invaders remain very active as they attempt to advance in the areas of Krasnohorivka, Kostiantynivka and Heorhiivka. Units of the defence forces repelled 26 of the enemy attacks, and four attacks are still ongoing," the General Staff reported. Support UP or become our patron! Kyle Austin, a trail monitor, took this photo of his friends hiking on the Lake Marion Passage of the Palmetto Trail two miles south of Mill Creek County Park on Jan. 15, 2023 (Provided by Kyle Austin) COLUMBIA Kyle Austin has been hiking the Palmetto Trail for about 20 years. Austin, 38, started hiking it when he was a student at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. When he returned home to Sumter, where he teaches high school science, he kept hiking the cross-state trail thats still a work in progress. Now he also works as a monitor, one of the volunteers who helps maintain the system. Kyle Austin poses for a photo with a sign along the Lake Marion Passage of the Palmetto Trail in the Manchester State Forest on Oct. 8, 2022 (Provided by Kyle Austin) The main section Austin monitors the 36-mile Lake Marion Passage includes fields, hardwood forest and swamp. The scenery can change every quarter mile he said. He hikes it regularly, doing minor maintenance and reporting major issues. Twice a year, he takes local students out to clean up the trail. I thoroughly enjoy looking at the flora and the fauna along the trail, he said. I love nature, its also a time to unwind and exercise for your body kind of meditation and peace for your mind. The Palmetto Trail, started 30 years ago, is run by the nonprofit Palmetto Conservation Foundation. The organization has finished about 400 miles of a planned 500-mile trail stretching from the Upstate to the Lowcountry. By December, the trail will be connected continuously from Columbia to the coast. The Legislature has contributed over $8 million since 2014, when it gave the project $150,000 in guaranteed annual funding, according to records from the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. A year later, legislators doubled the designation to $300,000, an amount that remained consistent until this year, when the Legislature increased recurring funding by $700,000. That brings to $1 million the amount that will continue into future state budgets. Legislators also provided an additional $500,000 in one-time funding this year. The increase was to cover growing maintenance and staffing needs, said Sen. Nikki Setzler, D-West Columbia, who chaired the Senate Finance subcommittee that oversees parks and tourism spending. Sign marking the Palmetto Trail route across the Statehouse grounds in Columbia on Thursday, Aug. 29. 2024 (Abraham Kenmore/SC Daily Gazette) I believe weve done a good job in the state, Mary Roe, executive director of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, said about the budget increase. I believe (legislators) see the value behind what trails can do for ecotourism and also the big health and wellness benefits. The organization is small consisting of four full-time and seven part-time employees with an annual budget of $1.8 million, Roe said. Much of the work happens through volunteers like Austin. Connecting the pieces The trail forms a broken line across the state of established passages, one that is gradually becoming solid as new connectors are added. It is built on a patchwork of systems including agreements with private landowners, public land and purchased land, so expanding can be complicated. But there are always new opportunities. In the spring, the Palmetto Trail formed an agreement with the Foothills Trail, filling another gap in the Upstate. The new Interstate 95 bridge will also carry the trail over Lake Marion, replacing the aging span that currently carries the trail. Roe said the organization is currently focused on adding two stretches. One is north of Columbia towards Newberry. The other is in the Upstate, where the trail is set to cross the Tyger River and will need a new bridge. And the maintenance projects are constant. The (state) funding has come at a really great time for us, Roe said. Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto is an enthusiastic supporter of the trail, although not directly involved in securing this years appropriation. Students from Sumter High School pick up litter along Packs Landing Road, which the Palmetto Trail runs along, on Feb. 25, 2023 (Provided by Kyle Austin) Its just an asset that we probably couldnt put together in the future. Were lucky we have the footprint pretty much put in, the Orangeburg Democrat said. Its hard to be against the trail. Hutto is trying to hike the whole length of the trail one section at a time. He often brings his Boy Scout troop along. He has stories of seeing swimming wild hogs, osprey, quail, and on one memorable occasion about five alligators on the trail he was trying to hike with the Scouts. Its just a true asset for South Carolina, and Im proud we were able to give them some funding, he said. William Buddy Jennings ran the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism before retiring in 2000 and returning to his roots as a civil engineer. Now he contracts as a project manager for the Palmetto Trail. Jennings joined the state agency in 1971, just two years after it was established. In 1969, he said, one of the biggest tourism attractions in the state was South of the Border, a roadside stop in Dillon County just below the North Carolina border. Since then, tourism has grown into a multibillion-dollar economic driver for the state. But in the last 20 years there have been relatively few new attractions to bring people into South Carolina. The Palmetto Trail is a notable exception, Jennings said. While the trail has received steady state funding, Jennings said the additional recurring commitment will help not only with finishing the trail but also keeping the current sections in shape. Its a game changer for the Palmetto Trail, he said. After 30 years, the maintenance and the upkeep has really become a chore. Adding new trail is expensive. The cost varies widely depending on location. But a rough average is $100,000 per mile, he said. Even though the trail is unfinished, a few people do hike the whole thing, threading together the established passages with roadside hikes. About a dozen people do end-to-end through-hikes every year, Roe said. Hidden gem Jason Brocar while hiking the Palmetto Trail in 2022 (Provided by Jason Brocar) Jason Brocar, 52, hiked the whole thing in spring of 2022, taking about 30 days to walk across the state as a warmup for the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. He was on that trail in northern California when he spoke to the SC Daily Gazette on Tuesday. After spending 24 years in the Marines and the Army his trail name is Mav, for Marine Army Veteran Brocar now works at a cement plant in his native South Dakota when he is not out hiking. He has done all kinds of different trails across roughly 25 states, he said. The Palmetto Trail brought one of the strangest things he had seen while hiking, he said a wildfire burning in Francis Marion National forest. He called 911 to report it. Since the Palmetto Trail is unfinished, Brocar said he had to stealth camp a few times meaning he found a depression in the ground or an old, vacated building to get a few hours of sleep. But he liked that the trail was so different from many long trails. Its not just woods, but also country back roads and peach orchards, cities, swamps and the sea. From South Dakota, we dont have large bodies of water, so walking to the ocean was pretty majestic, he said. I really enjoyed it. It was very different from your typical spending a week in the woods (hike). Another unique thing to the trail is the amount of history along the way, he said. A fire in the Francis Marion National Forest, spotted by Jason Brocar on his through-hike of the Palmetto Trail. He left from the trailhead on Highway 52. (Provided by Jason Brocar) The Swamp Fox Passage, the longest section of the trail, is named after Revolutionary War leader Francis Marion, who used the area as a hideout when fighting the British. Another section runs along Blackstock Battlefield, the site of another Revolutionary War battle. Brocar thought the South Carolina state parks that he crossed on the trail were impressive, and he appreciated the support system of the trail. When I hiked through the urban areas, I ran into people who are like, What are you doing here with that backpack? Brocar said he told them. This right here is the Palmetto Trail, like right in front of their house, and they dont know that. Most users, though, just enjoy a day trip. Marguerite Girard has been biking the Palmetto Trail ever since moving to Newberry from Atlanta after retiring from law enforcement seven years ago. Now she owns a bike shop and rides one particularly smooth section every Monday. In cooler weather, she brings her 8-pound dog Tiny along in a backpack. Its super easy, so I started taking other group riders out there who were not as experienced and did not want the challenge, she said. Although not an official trail monitor, Girard brings some tools with her when she rides and tries to move branches or pick up trash. When the people she rides with complain about the maintenance of the trail, she reminds them that its all volunteer maintenance. Sometimes they want to volunteer, too. Still, some sections of the trail are rough to ride on, she said, including the Enoree Passage. I rode that once, it was too much for a 68-year-old woman, she said. Never truly done Roe, the executive director, estimates connecting the rest of the trail will likely take another eight to 10 years. But the project will never be truly done, she said. Once the trail is connected, there will be spurs to add to connect into other areas. She is hoping to eventually connect to the Congaree National Forest and potentially the Appalachian Trail too. Major maintenance projects include repairing trails after all the rain this summer. And old train trestles on the Peak to Prosperity passage need new ties. Roe said they are exploring long-lasting resin in place of decaying wood, even if the upfront cost is more. Roe did not say if her group would seek additional state funding next year. I think our representatives have identified how multi-faceted a recreational trail can be for people of South Carolina, she said. It can also bring people in from outside to experience the trail. Gov. Doug Burgum and governor's office staff meet with Senate Majority Leader David Hogue and Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan, who appeared virtually, to discuss candidates for an open seat on the North Dakota Ethics Commission. The three leaders settled on five top candidates. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor) Attorneys, former chiefs of police and a small business owner are among the five applicants selected as top picks to fill the open seat on the North Dakota Ethics Commission. Gov. Doug Burgum met with Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, R-Minot, and Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan, D-Fargo, on Thursday morning to select favorites from a pool of 29 candidates. They settled on the following names: Leslie Bakken Oliver, a Bismarck resident and private practice lawyer who is Burgums former general counsel Murray Sagsveen, also of Bismarck, who is the attorney for the Western North Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Arland Rasmussen, who served as West Fargo chief of police from 1995 to 2014 Michael Reitan, also a former West Fargo police chief from 2014-2017 Charleen Gust, who formerly served on Casselton City Council and is a freelance writer, marketing specialist and style consultant Before the meeting, Burgum, Hogan and Hogue independently reviewed the applications and selected their top handful of candidates. Three names ended up on everyones shortlist: Bakken Oliver, Sagsveen and Rasmussen. Gust was also a top pick for both Hogan and Hogue. Hogue specifically requested that Reitan be included in the next round, as well. The next step is for the committee to pick a date to hold public interviews. Hogan also suggested that the selection committee prepare three or four questions for the applicants and seek written responses. Their answers will provide the commission additional information about how the candidates think about complex ethics issues, she said. The questions will be finalized at a later date. Appointments to the Ethics Commission are made based on a consensus vote by the governor, Senate majority leader and Senate minority leader. The top candidate will fill the seat left by Chair Paul Richard, who announced he was retiring earlier this year. Richard will stay on the commission until his replacement is appointed. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX YORK COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) Five gang members have now pleaded guilty after a woman was abducted in Richmond and murdered in York County back in 2023. The Department of Justice announced Thursday that Hezekiah Carney, of Norfolk; Jamica Langley, of Richmond; Donnisha Goodman, of Portsmouth; and Acacia Jackson, of New York; and Resident resident Jayquan Jones all pleaded guilty to federal charges in the case. All were linked to the Black P. Stone Nation gang. Carney, Goodman, and Jones pleaded guilty to using a firearm causing death, and now face a minimum of 35 years in prison and up to 45 years in prison as part of their plea agreement. Jackson and Langley pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and now face up to life in prison. The charges all stem from the murder of Tyosha Mitchell, who was found dead on Old Williamsburg Road in York County on May 6, 2023. Mitchell was shot eight times, and shell casings with an S&B headstamp at the scene were linked to the suspects. You can read more about the case here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Will Palmetto General, North Shore Medical Center and other South Florida hospitals owned by troubled Steward Health Care System get a new owner? It looks like employees and patients will have to wait a bit longer to find out. None of the court documents filed Thursday indicate whether Steward Health has received any qualified bids for its Miami-Dade and Broward hospitals, even though the deadline for interested buyers to bid on Stewards hospitals was Aug. 26. Steward also hasnt made any announcements, nor answered Miami Herald questions, on whether the company has found buyers for its five South Florida hospitals up for sale as part of a plan to thin debt during Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The companys three Space Coast hospitals have found a buyer in Central Floridas Orlando Health, with the hearing to finalize the sale scheduled for September. If Steward has found buyers for its South Florida hospitals, the expected sale hearing would also be scheduled for September. Steward Health has previously extended the bid deadline for its hospitals in Florida and other states, but theres no word yet on whether it will do so again. The company previously told the Miami Herald it wanted to emerge from bankruptcy more stable and focused on the Florida market, which its attorneys have described as the most profitable in its portfolio. However, theres another factor in this bankruptcy saga that could affect the future of Steward Healths Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah, Coral Gables Hospital, Hialeah Hospital, North Shore Medical Center in North Miami-Dade and Florida Medical Center in Lauderdale Lakes. Steward Health has asked the judge to free the company from a lease with the company that owns the land under the hospitals in Florida and several other states. Steward says the millions in payments it has made under the lease agreements are substantial and have crippled operations for years. The health company also said that nearly every bidder for hospitals in Florida and other states has asked the landlord for significant rent concessions or to acquire the underlying real property at a significant discount to the lease base. Hospital landlord Medical Property Trust, in court filings, said if Steward wants to get out of its lease, the health system must be ready to surrender the properties immediately and pay rent in full until their rejection is effective. It is frivolous for the Debtors to claim that they can continue to operate their businesses in MPTs property, generate revenue for the benefit of the estate and secured lenders, but not pay any rent, the landlord wrote in response to Stewards request. The landlord says Steward has not paid any rent in August for its Florida hospitals and said it has no intention of paying rent in the foreseeable future. What will happen to Stewards South Florida hospitals? Medical Property Trust said kicking out Steward doesnt mean the hospitals have to close and stop serving patients and communities. The landlord, in court filings, said its ready and willing to help find replacement operators for as many hospitals as possible and to facilitate a safe and orderly transition to those interim operators. It also believes the interim operators for various hospitals could be identified in a short time and that certain state authorities would support transitions to interim operators as an alternative to closures. Steward Health has made clear that they are no longer capable of operating hospitals in a safe and appropriate manner, and doesnt have enough money to improve conditions, the landlord added, listing problems at Stewards hospitals across the country. The landlord cited a catastrophic failure of an HVAC system at an Arizona hospital that led to the state suspending the facilitys license due to dangerously high temperatures and a bat infestation at one of its Space Coast Florida hospitals, which has since been fixed. While the companys Florida hospitals have signs of disrepair, no risks were found in patient care, according to recent reports filed by two experts appointed to monitor care during the Chapter 11 process. READ MORE: Are there bedbugs and busted equipment at your Florida hospital? What inspectors found The dispute over the lease is the latest bad blood between the health giant and Medical Property Trust, one of the largest hospital landlords in the nation. Steward sold the real estate of its Florida hospitals to Medical Property Trust several years ago and has since paid rent to the landlord to operate hospitals on property it used to own. It made similar real estate deals with the landlord for hospitals in other states. Then in May, Steward filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with $9 billion debt. Steward, which fell behind in rent payments last year, initially found support in its landlord. Medical Property Trust gave Steward millions in financing to help support restructuring, which included plans to sell all of its U.S. hospitals. The landlord says it even made an agreement with Steward to let it delay paying one-half of lease payments for its operations in Florida and several other states as long as the remaining lease payments were made on time. But Stewards feel-good relationship with the landlord has come to a bitter end. Because Steward doesnt own the land its Florida hospitals sit on, potential buyers need to make a deal with Steward for its hospital buildings and operations and also strike a lease or purchase agreement with Medical Property Trust for the real estate. And thats led to problems, with both Steward and the landlord accusing each other of interfering with the hospital transactions to try and make more money, including with the sale of Stewards northern Florida operations to Orlando Health. Steward sued Medical Property Trust last week in Houston bankruptcy court, saying that the landlord had engaged in calculated efforts to undermine the health systems sale process by attempting to siphon all value from its hospitals into its own coffers. The landlord disputed the claims and accused Steward of delaying hospital sales and violating court-approved procedures during the sales process with Orlando Health to exclude it from the negotiating table to make more money. The landlord, Steward and Orlando Health have since reached an agreement to lock in the sale. A court hearing to finalize the sale of Stewards Space Coast hospitals to Orlando Health is scheduled for Sept. 10, just a few days before Stewards CEO Dr. Ralph de la Torre is expected to respond to a subpoena and testify in front of Congress about the healthcare systems financial crisis. READ NEXT: Elaborate Ponzi scheme. CEO of Miami-area hospitals to get subpoena, part of new probe About 50k people will get letters about lead pipes. Here's what to know Greater Cincinnati Water Works has been urging customers with lead pipes to replace them for eight years. Now, it will redouble that effort, at the federal governments direction. The utility next week starts sending letters to owners of 35,000 properties it believes have lead in water pipes from the property to the curb. Greater Cincinnati Water Works is aiming to replace 3,600 private lead lines a year, up from 1,200 a year now. It will send 50,000 letters in all to cover renters along with property owners. New fed regs behind new push The new push comes in advance of an Oct. 16 change in federal regulations. New rules in the Safe Drinking Water Act require water utilities to notify every customer it believes has a lead pipe or ones made of galvanized steel, which can contain lead. The work is supposed to be done by 2037. Customers who get letters are asked to contact Water Works about replacing their pipes. The utility began covering 100% of the cost of replacement in December 2021. Customers can reach Water Works at (513) 651-5323 or lead@gcww.cincinnati-oh.gov. Replacements not first-come, first-serve Water Works created its lead pipe replacement program in 2016 when it had 42,000 lead lines in its service area. That included public lines maintained by Water Works and private ones, from properties to street curbs. The city of Cincinnati initially covered 40% of the cost, up to $1,500, for customers who replaced their private lead lines. The citys decision to cover the full cost triggered complaints from property owners who replaced their pipes earlier and absorbed part of the bill. Through this month, Water Works contractors have removed 5,892 private lead lines about 1,200 a year. With the push from the federal government, the utility is aiming to complete 3,600 replacements a year. But replacements will not be first-come, first-serve. Instead, the utility will use what it calls an equity tool, developed by the University of Cincinnatis College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning to prioritize jobs and complete them in more efficient groups. The tool uses data from the utility and U.S. Census Bureau to determine which homes and businesses are most at risk from lead pipes. The utility will give priority to properties with children, customers with broken pipes and neighborhoods getting new water mains. "Really, the goal is to go where we can get the biggest public health impact first," said Cathy Bernardino Bailey, Water Works executive director. About 200 customers who earlier joined a wait list for replacement will also get attention. The list closed about a year ago. Cathy Bernardino Bailey joined Greater Cincinnati Water Works in 1992 and become executive director in 2015. Replacement work slow going Replacement work has been slow under the current model. Thats because contractors are hard to find, staff is stretched thin and the utility is reluctant to tear up too many properties at once. Customers have been slow to step forward, too, Bailey said. Some are leery of government promises. Some live outside of Ohio. Some dont want to disrupt their yards. There are customers who say, Hey, out front is grandmas gorgeous rose bush ... and were not touching that, Bailey said. To counter those factors, Water Works is searching for more contractors, adding staff and working through community groups to reach and motivate property owners. "There's a lot going on behind the scenes to make sure we can ramp up to meet our future goals," said Kevin Kappers, Water Works' lead replacement program manager. Whats the danger of lead? Lead lines do not pose an immediate threat to customers, Water Works said. The utility also said chemicals in its water coat the interior of lines to minimize the risk of lead leaching into water. But its letters to customers with lead pipes also says there is no safe level of lead in drinking water. The letters say lead can be especially harmful to children, decreasing IQs and attention spans, and contributing to learning or behavior problems. In adults, lead can increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney and nervous system problems, according to the letters. Greater Cincinnati Water Works explains its program to replace lead water pipes. How to learn more Water Works maintains a frequently updated map that shows properties with lead pipes. Homeowners who have replaced their pipes on their own should notify the utility if the map is inaccurate. The utility will update its website devoted to the lead replacement program next month to make it easier to use. It will also stage monthly online open houses starting in September. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Water Works pushing lead pipe replacement. Weve seen some absurd gun rulings recently, including a Trump-appointed Kansas judges decision dismissing machine-gun charges under the Second Amendment and Supreme Court precedent. A new ruling out of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals which has handed down its share of wacky opinions on all sorts of issues, including guns shows that the Supreme Courts firearms jurisprudence, however illogical it is, can lead to a more sensible result. That ruling came Wednesday in the federal case of Paola Connelly, described by the 5th Circuit panel as a non-violent, marijuana smoking gunowner. One of the laws she was charged with violating in Texas was 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(3), for allegedly possessing firearms and ammunition as an unlawful user of a controlled substance. The three-judge panel summarized the facts this way: El Paso police came to her house in response to a shots fired call. When they arrived, they saw John, Paolas husband, standing at their neighbors door firing a shotgun. After arresting him, they spoke with Paola, who indicated that she would at times smoke marijuana as a sleep aid and for anxiety. A sweep revealed that the Connellys home contained drug paraphernalia and several firearms, including firearms owned by Paola. There was no indication that Paola was intoxicated at the time. To figure out whether her Second Amendment rights were infringed upon, the panel had to decide, under recent Supreme Court precedent, whether the law is consistent with our history and tradition of firearms regulation. The panel concluded that history and tradition may support some limits on a presently intoxicated persons right to carry a weapon, but not disarming a sober person based solely on past substance usage. So the 5th Circuit agreed with Connellys challenge as it applied to her case specifically (whats called an as-applied challenge) while rejecting her challenge to the law itself (whats called a facial challenge). Just as there is no historical justification for disarming citizens of sound mind, there is no historical justification for disarming a sober citizen not presently under an impairing influence, Judge Kurt Engelhardt wrote for the panel. The Trump appointee was joined by Judges Jerry Smith and Irma Carrillo Ramirez, who are Reagan and Biden appointees, respectively. Government prosecutors had analogized drug use to historical restrictions on the mentally ill, but the appeals court rejected that comparison, reasoning that: While intoxicated, she may be comparable to a severely mentally ill person whom the Founders would disarm. But, while sober, she is like a repeat alcohol user between periods of intoxication, whom the Founders would not disarm. The court likewise rejected the governments reliance on the historical disarming of dangerous people: Marijuana users are not a class of political traitors, as English Loyalists were perceived to be. Nor are they like Catholics and other religious dissenters who were seen as potential insurrectionists. While true and seemingly supporting a logical result here, such an observation highlights the absurdity of the analysis in these cases in modern times. Its an analysis that the likes of Hunter Biden will want to harness in his own case, after he was found guilty in Delaware federal court in June on multiple counts, including the 922(g)(3) charge. Bidens case falls under a different appeals court, and it would take another Supreme Court ruling to set a national standard. In the high courts most recent Second Amendment ruling this past term, United States v. Rahimi, the court upheld gun restrictions on people subject to domestic violence restraining orders. The ruling suggested that the court isnt prepared to take its 2022 Bruen precedent, which laid out the historical analysis test, as far as it can go. The drug-related issue is one of multiple important questions raised by recent Supreme Court rulings, but as the Rahimi case showed, it will be up to the justices to handle each specific issue as it comes to them. Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for updates and expert analysis on the top legal stories. The newsletter will return to its regular weekly schedule when the Supreme Courts next term kicks off in October. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com 7 of the best and 7 of the worst cocktails to order, according to bartenders and beverage directors Business Insider asked drink experts about the best and worst cocktails to order at a bar. Classics, like an old-fashioned or a Negroni, are hit staples and easy to make. House margaritas and daiquiris are often too sugary and syrupy to actually enjoy the alcohol. If you're looking to enjoy a great-tasting cocktail, there are classics and new concoctions that are sure to please. But that also means there are others that may disappoint. Business Insider spoke with bartenders, beverage directors, and hospitality workers to find out which cocktails you should (and shouldn't) order at restaurants and bars. An old-fashioned is easy to make and delicious Alisha Kaplan, a bar manager at Wolf's Ridge Brewing, told BI that a classic old-fashioned typically made with sugar, bourbon, and bitters gets you the most for your money. "If you're looking for a boozy, spirit-forward cocktail, go with an old-fashioned," she said. "It's a simple, three-ingredient, bang-for-your-buck cocktail that can be easily altered according to your taste." Kaplan suggested asking the bartender for whiskey recommendations or mixing things up with an Oaxaca old-fashioned, which uses tequila and mezcal instead. Order a Negroni if you're looking for consistent quality Negronis are a well-known cocktail. Alison Millington Corey Phillips, the beverage director at Nina and Rafi, told BI that Negronis are likely familiar to any bartender you sit in front of and odds are they're going to have all the ingredients. "In my opinion, a Negroni is a great way to get a consistent, delicious, and sophisticated cocktail," he said. The cocktail is easy to throw together since it's made by combining equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. You can't go wrong with a Tommy's margarita made with quality tequila Kim Haasarud, a professional bartender and beverage consultant, told BI that simple margaritas with fresh ingredients can't be beaten. "A Tommy's margarita is a full 2 ounces of tequila, fresh lime juice, and agave nectar," she said. "Call out a good tequila when you order it. It's simple but delicious." If you're unsure what a good tequila might be, ask your bartender for recommendations. If you like sweet drinks, a mai tai is a classic choice Mai Tais are usually sweet. Yuruphoto/Shutterstock Kaplan told BI that mai tais are a great option for people who like their drinks sweet, yet strong. "This tiki classic is not only delicious but sneaky with its booze," she said. "It may not taste strong, but you're definitely getting your money's worth." The bar manager added that the orgeat syrup a sweet addition made with almonds, sugar, and orange-flower water is what gives the drink a complex and rich flavor. Old Cubans are an underrated drink that nearly every bar can make Shawn Soole, a cocktail-book author and the owner of Soole Hospitality Concepts, recommended Audrey Saunders's old Cuban if you're looking to steer away from the classics. "A mix of rum, lime, mint, and sparkling wine served up, it's a hybrid daiquiri-mojito-royale cocktail that most bars should have all the ingredients for and is always a crowd-pleaser," he told BI. Soole added that old Cubans are especially refreshing in the summer. Most restaurants have unique mojitos Mojitos are easy to switch up. Gana Martysheva/Shutterstock Chef Omar Torres, the food and beverage director at Bonsai at Hilton Pensacola Beach, said citrus-based cocktails, like mojitos, are a surefire hit. "Mojitos are versatile, elegant, pleasant to the palate, and most bars will have a different version of it," he told BI. Although you can order a specialty mojito to switch things up, the beverage director said options like Moscow mules and French 75s offer similar flavor profiles. When in doubt, order a drink from the specialty cocktail menu Haasarud told BI that the trick to getting a high-quality spirit at a lower price is to order a drink from the bar's featured cocktail menu. "The bar may have worked out a special deal with the distributor or supplier, so you may be getting some liquor that is much more expensive at a lower cost," she said. She added that bartenders also typically have more training in making the drink, so you're more likely to get an excellent pour. On the other hand, Long Islands will cost you more for less Kaplan called Long Islands "the amalgamation of everything terrible in a cocktail" that will "guarantee you the worst hangover of your life." On top of all that, she said the classic cocktail is overpriced and poorly made at most bars. Amaretto and whiskey sours can pose a health risk if made incorrectly You can usually ask for drinks without egg whites. Kondor83/Getty Images Austin Carson, the founder and co-owner of Restaurant Olivia, told BI that he doesn't recommend any drink made with egg whites, like classic amarettos or whiskey sours. He doesn't think it's worth the potential risks of consuming the raw ingredient. "I'll generally stay away from egg-white drinks," Carson said. "Doing so implies a sanitary wherewithal that I have to trust as well as proper execution." Many bars and restaurants now make these drinks without egg whites or will accommodate special requests. Miami Vices are often filled with less wholesome ingredients Torres said that although he understands the appeal of a Miami Vice, a frozen drink layered with strawberry daiquiri and pina colada. He doesn't think it's a great option for those who want a quality cocktail experience. "Enjoying a cocktail at a bar or restaurant should be fun, fresh, pleasant to the palate, and good for you," he said. "Unfortunately, there are many bars out there that use syrups and many other chemicals to make their cocktails." Manhattans should only be ordered at specialty cocktail bars The alcohol used in Manhattans can spoil. Melissa Janda/Shuttershock Kaplan recommended steering clear of vermouth cocktails, like Manhattans, in order to save yourself from drinking spoiled alcohol. The fortified wine doesn't really age well and can go bad. "If you see an old dusty bottle of vermouth on the back bar, run for the hills," she said. The bar manager added that ordering the drink at bars or restaurants that are not cocktail-focused is especially risky. House margaritas are usually made with low-quality ingredients Many house margaritas use mix out of a gun. Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Tequila Herradura Haasarud recommended avoiding house margaritas to skip the potential hangover from sickly sweet mixers and bottom-shelf tequila. "Not all house margaritas are made with fresh lime juice," she said. "Rather it's usually the cheapest version of a margarita made with a sour mix out of the gun and with a cheap tequila." Don't order an Adonis unless the bar specializes in the cocktail Carson told BI that, similarly to a Manhattan, an Adonis is made with ingredients that can be spoiled easily, making it a bad choice at dive bars and restaurants that aren't known for their cocktails. The old-school drink is made with sweet vermouth and sherry. "I'd stay away from cocktails built upon ingredients that oxidize quickly, like sherry and vermouth," he said. "It's sort of a 'don't order seafood at a restaurant that doesn't sell a lot of seafood' bit of advice." The alcohol in blended cocktails is not the focus of the drink You're better off ordering the martini version. KALA.LAURA/Shuttershock Montes told BI that you should skip popular poolside blends, like strawberry daiquiris and pina coladas, if you want to truly enjoy the alcohol in your drink and get the most for your money. He added that they're often diluted by whatever sugary mixture the bar is using. "As perfect as they are by the pool and as beautiful as they look in photos, I would overlook having a blended drink," Montes said. The bartender recommended ordering the martini version of the drinks instead for a similarly sweet and tropical option. This story was originally published in June 2021 and most recently updated on August 29, 2024. Read the original article on Business Insider BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A 70-year-old driver was killed following a collision with a dump truck Wednesday afternoon in Lockport, according to New York State Police. Police responded to the intersection of Beattie Avenue and Hamm Road around 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, where it was determined that a Honda Civic being operated by Laurie J. Wright of Lockport failed to yield the right of way while turning left onto Beattie and was hit by the dump truck. Wright was pronounced dead at the scene. The operator of the dump truck was not injured. The crash is still under investigation. Latest Local News Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. 89-Year-Old Woman Survives 4 Nights in Italian Wilderness, Drinking from Puddles and Using Vegetation as Cover She spent many years of her life, particularly when she was young, in the mountains and she is built for it, Giuseppina Bardelli's son told a local newspaper Vigili del Fuoco/X Italian authorities announced that an 89-year-old woman was found alive after spending four days in the wilderness alone on Aug. 25, 2024 An 89-year-old woman survived four nights in the Italian wilderness by drinking puddle water and using vegetation as protection from the elements, according to multiple reports. The woman, identified as Giuseppina Bardelli by The Times and La Vanguardia, went missing in the area of Passo della Forcora a mountain pass near Lake Maggiore on Aug. 21, Vigili del Fuoco, Italys fire and rescue agency, in a post on X. Bardelli was reportedly searching for mushrooms in a forest accompanied by her son when they were separated moments later, per the outlets. The woman became dizzy, fell 20 feet into a gully, and broke her ribs before regaining consciousness. Related: Family, Including 3-Month-Old Baby, Rescued After Getting Stranded on Mountain Bardellis son, Sergio, alerted authorities about his missing mother, but first responders couldnt find her, according to The Times. Her other son, Roberto, later said that his mother occasionally heard the rescuers calling for her but could not get their attention. However, Bardelli was familiar with the surroundings based on her previous knowledge of the terrain, reported La Vanguardia. My mother is like that you cant hold her back, Roberto told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, per The Times. She spent many years of her life, particularly when she was young, in the mountains and she is built for it. Related: Man Left Behind by Co-Workers During Office Retreat Survives Night Alone on Colorado Mountain During her ordeal, Bardelli drank from puddles left over from the rain and assembled a bed of ferns to cover her, Roberto told the outlet. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. He also told Corriere della Sera that a fox approached his mother several times. They had become almost friends, Roberto said. My mom said to her: 'Don't do anything to me.' " Finally on Aug. 25, , Bardelli was found alive, Vigili del Fuoco announced in a social media post. Dopo 4 giorni di ricerche e stata ritrovata in vita, da una squadra di soccorso mista tra cui #vigilidelfuoco, l'anziana 89enne dispersa dal 21 agosto nell'area del Passo della Forcora, territorio di Maccagno con Pino e Veddasca#Varese #25agosto pic.twitter.com/oGjWnjT9Cn Vigili del Fuoco (@vigilidelfuoco) August 25, 2024 Ive made a mess, Bardelli reportedly said after being reunited with her family, per La Vanguardia. She was taken to the hospital with broken ribs and a slightly punctured lung but otherwise in good condition, according to medical professionals. "The greatest thanks go to the many, even inhabitants of the community, who were close to us and helped us," Roberto told Corriere della Sera. PEOPLE contacted Vigili del Fuoco on Thursday, Aug. 29, for additional information. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Over 70 young people from China's Taiwan recently visited a shipbuilding cultural complex in the Mawei District of Fuzhou City to learn about the shipbuilding history and the development of shipyards. #Fuzhou 911 Centers in local counties work with the Hatfield McCoy Trail System to add a system to increase response times on trails MCDOWELL COUNTY/MERCER COUNTY/WYOMING COUNTY, WV (WVNS) 911 centers in McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming counties worked with first responders to figure out a way to help with accident response times on trails. According to a press release from the Kimball Volunteer Fire Department, local first responders and McDowell, Mercer and Wyoming County 911 centers worked together with The Hatfield McCoy Trail System to add the what3words app on their cell phones to help ensure faster response times for trail related accidents. Cass Scenic Railroad and Lost River State Parks to receive upgrades, including new campgrounds The Hatfield McCoy Trail System is supporting our first responders by placing signage along high-traffic areas throughout the trail system to inform riders of the app. In addition, information about the app is being made available at their trailhead facilities and local businesses where trail passes are sold. Chris Zeto | Director of Communications for the Hatfield and McCoy Trail System Photo Courtesy: Kimball Volunteer Fire Department The press release stated that the need for the app came from needing a way to find people who need help on the Hatfield McCoy Trail System, as well as an increase in trail riders in southern West Virginia. Locating injured or lost persons on the trail system provides many challenges. The what3words app allows us to obtain a location within feet of where a person is, which allows us to get to them quicker. This means lives can be saved by getting them to appropriate medical care faster. Jimmy Gianato | Chief of the Kimball Volunteer Fire Department New River Gorge NPPs Fire and Vegetation Management Plan Environmental Assessment period open for public comment The what3words app is a revolutionary new technology that is going to be an invaluable life-saving tool for rural communities like ours. We take comfort in the knowledge that we have another powerful tool at our disposal to keep our community safe and secure. Robert Hoge | Mercer County 911 Director According to the press release, the what3words app splits the world into a grid of 10-foot squares, which are then referred to by a combination of three words to create a what3words address.. The combinations are unique, as the word selections are randomized, such as the location of Hatfield McCoy 29 near Kimball in McDowell County being referred to as ///relaxing.converter.misled. The press release stated that the app could be found on Android and iOS devices and is free to download. According to the press release, the app can be used on an online map, and also works off-line, which can be helpful on trails and other off-road areas that could have unreliable service. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A 93-year-old man serving a life sentence in Tulare County was denied parole for a 1973 murder of an advertising executive from Los Angeles, according to the Tulare County District Attorneys Office. District Attorney Tim Ward said a virtual hearing was held Wednesday where prosecutors secured a three-year denial of parole for Gerald Daniel Walker for murder. Gerald Daniel Walker Ward says on February 27, 1973, deputies with the Tulare County Sheriffs Office received a call from Beverly Hills that something terrible had happened at River Valley Ranch in Springville. When deputies responded they found the body of William Ashlock, an advertising executive from Los Angeles, in a bedroom wrapped in a bedspread shot in the head. Investigators say Ashlock, Walker and Hope Nivens Masters were at the ranch. According to the DAs office, Walker was pretending to be a photojournalist profiling Ashlocks status as an eligible bachelor in Los Angeles and Masters was the daughter of a partial owner of the ranch. After the murder, the DAs office said Walker and Masters traveled to Beverly Hills where Walker used a fake name of Tyler Taylor as his name and told Tulare County authorities that Masters had witnessed a murder and that her life was in danger. Masters contacted her parents, telling them she had witnessed a hit and had been raped by the killer. Walker was located in early March using Ashlocks credit cards at a Howard Johnsons hotel in North Hollywood. Masters later testified against Walker at his trial. He was found guilty of first-degree murder in 1974 and sentenced to life in prison. This was Walkers 15th parole hearing. The District Attorneys Office says it regularly attends life parole hearings and a Supervising Deputy District Attorney argued against the inmates release in this case. At the hearing, commissioners noted Walkers recorded lack of programming and self-reflection while in custody. Walker refused to be part of the proceedings. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambulas new bill was passed and has been sent to the governors desk -but how could this bill support undocumented homebuyers in the Central Valley? Assembly Bill 1840, introduced by Assemblymember Arambula for the first time in January, will not create a new home ownership assistance program but would allow undocumented immigrants who could qualify for the California Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loan to have a chance at homeownership. According to the programs website, borrowers must meet California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) income limit criteria for the county they are purchasing in. In Fresno County, the income limit is $139,000. For a list of all counties and income limits, click here. If passed into law, Arambula says his bill would allow undocumented immigrants to apply to the California Dream for All lottery, allowing them to secure a bank loan or mortgage if selected, only if they meet all the criteria. Successful applicants would have to repay the loan, without interest, when (and if) they sell the home. AB 1840 is about providing an opportunity to hard-working, responsible people who dream of owning a home and passing that legacy to their children a dream that we all have for all our families in California. And, that includes undocumented immigrants who have lived here for decades and pay their taxes. They have Social Security numbers or ITINs, which are Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers. They are people who pay millions of dollars into our systems and should be able to receive the same benefits as everyone else. Assemblymember Arambula. Arambula describes his bill as a bill about fairness and says California is a place where everybody can pursue their dreams. We are a nation of immigrants, and we should remind ourselves of the value and humanity of the people coming here who make our economy better an economy that is the fifth-largest in the world. I believe in a California where we all can pursue our dreams and we can do it together. And we can be successful, together. Assemblymember Arambula. To learn more about the program and its requirements, visit the CalHFAs webpage. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) If you didnt get a chance to catch Back in Black the last time they visited Siouxland, youll get a second chance in December. The AC/DC tribute band will take the Anthem stage on Dec. 14. Tickets go on sale on Aug. 30 and can be purchased online or in-person at the Rock Shop. Shows inside the Anthem are limited to guests 21 or older. Le Mars hosting free concert event in September According to a release, Back in Black will bring a high-energy performance to Sioux City with the look and feel of AC/DC. The group stands above other AC/DC tributes because they include tribute performances of both Bon Scott and Brian Johnson, the release says. For other local events happening in Siouxland, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. The Maryland Green Party met the 10,000 signature requirement to get recognized as a political party in Maryland, which lets it put candidates on the November ballot. File photo by Angela Breck. Even though the Maryland Green Party first won official recognition in the state in 2000, party chair Brian Bittner was happy to call it the new party in the state this week. Thats because state election officials certified that the party had collected more than the 10,000 petition signatures needed to be officially recognized by the state as a political party, a designation that allows it to place candidates on the ballot without having to go through a petition process for those. It was close: The party submitted more than 17,000 signatures, but state officials verified just 10,134 of those. But Bittner is not looking back. Thats enough for this year, Bittner said. So we are a new party. With its newfound status, the Maryland Green Party was able to put presidential nominee Jill Stein and her running mate, Butch Ware, on the ballot in Maryland. They join Republican nominees Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, Democrats Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, and the Libertarian slate of Chase Oliver and Mike ter Maat in the race for president. Voters in Maryland will also have a chance to vote for the unaffiliated ticket of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Nicole Shanahan, who collected enough signatures to make the ballot but who suspended their campaign in 10 battleground states on Friday. Another 10 candidates will not appear on the ballot but have filed the paperwork with the Maryland State Board of Elections to be considered as write-in presidential candidates. Its the latest in the Green Partys on-again, off-again history as a recognized political party in the state. A partys recognition lasts for two years, unless its candidate wins at least 1% of the vote in the next general election or has 1% of the states voters registered as members. Barring that, it has to collect petition signatures again. Marylands Greens were first recognized in 2000 and have petitioned themselves back into official recognition five times since then. The latest recognition lapsed in 2022, when Bittner said COVID-19 made it challenging to collect signatures. Maryland is one of several states that allow political parties other than the Republican and Democratic parties to petition to be on the ballot, though the requirements differ, according to a 2020 summary from the National Association of Secretaries of State. Louisiana only requires that 1,000 voters register with a party for it to be recognized, while Massachusetts and Missouri require 10,000 petition signatures, like Maryland. In states like Wyoming and Idaho, a candidate or party needs to enough signatures to equal 2% of voters from the previous election to win recognition. Bittner believes that in a Democrat-heavy state like Maryland, third-party efforts are often an uphill battle and even getting on the ballot is a challenge. Its an antiquated system. A new party has to collect 10,000 signatures from registered voters in Maryland. Every signature has to be on a sheet of paper. It has to be signed with a pen, he said. He noted that something as simple as people signing their names differently than whats on their voter registration forms, or accidentally putting in the wrong date, can cause a petition signature to be rejected. Bittner said that getting signatures took up a majority of the partys time this year, time that could have been used for recruiting candidates for office. We think, maybe at some level, the folks who keep these laws on the books know that it takes all of our time, he said. And knows that were not able to recruit and build up candidates when were busy just trying to get on the ballot. So that kind of limited our recruitment for 2024. As it is, the party which is considered a progressive alternative to the Democrats, focusing on environmentalism and the effects of climate change has been able to recruit a handful of candidates for 2024 in addition to Stein. Maryland Greens are putting forth Claudia Barber for circuit court judge in Anne Arundel County, Nancy Wallace for the House seat currently held by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-8th), and Renaud Brown for Baltimore City Council District 14, now held by Councilmember Odette Ramos. Bittner understands that growing the Maryland Green Party is a long-term vision, and he doesnt suspect that the presence of Green Party candidates will greatly sway the election this fall. I dont see the Green Party having a substantial impact on the election in terms of whos going to win for president, anyway, he said. I think its more important that were committed to building this movement. Changing the ways that laws are written, the was that elections are run and votes are counted. A recent poll from the AARP surveying 600 likely voters showed that Stein garnered 1% of support from those choosing a presidential candidate, far behind Harris, who had 64% of voters in the poll, and Trump, who had 32%. But without the burden of collecting petition signatures for the next election, Bittner thinks the party will have more time to recruit candidates for the 2026 election. In 2026 were looking to run a strong candidate for governor and were looking to run local candidates statewide so thats what were trying to recruit for right now, Bittner said. In the long term, we have a vision of multiparty democracy. Where its not two parties battling for 99% of the votes and four or three parties fighting for 1%, but we want a system where theres five to six parties who roughly share equally. And that forces legislators to get together and do actual work, he said. COLDWATER, Mich. (WOOD) A Branch County man who was recently extradited from Florida will stand trial on sexual assault charges from 2016, the Michigan Department of Attorney General says. Alex New, 54, was bound over to trial Thursday on two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, according to a release from the AGs office. Man extradited to Michigan to face 2016 sex assault charges New is accused of sexually assaulting a minor, the release says. It says the Branch County prosecutor filed the charges in 2016, but New fled, managing to elude investigators until this year. In June, authorities tracked New down in Florida and brought him back to Michigan, according to the AGs office. It was part of a partnership between the Department of Attorney General, the U.S. Marshals Service and local prosecutors that works to return fugitives with outstanding sexual assault warrants to Michigan. New is expected to appear in court in September, the AGs office says. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Dead child found in vehicle of man fatally shot by police on bridge after woman killed, NH AG says A man suspected of killing his wife at a home in southern New Hampshire overnight was fatally shot by police after he drove nearly 100 miles to the Piscataqua River Bridge, where a dead child was found in his vehicle, law enforcement officials said Thursday morning. Piscataqua River Bridge, which connects Maine to New Hampshire, reopens hours after officer-involved shooting The suspect, whose name hasnt been released, is believed to have killed his wife at a home in Troy before driving to the bridge, which connects New Hampshire to Maine, New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella and New Hampshire State Police Colonel Mark B. Hall said in a joint news release. Police engaged the suspect on the bridge early Thursday morning and shot him to death, Formella and Hall said. The Maine Attorney Generals Office is investigating the officer-involved shooting Investigators said that police on the bridge also found an 8-year-old child fatally shot in the mans vehicle. It wasnt immediately clear when the child had died. Troy is located about two hours away from the Piscataqua River Bridge. The Piscataqua River Bridge was closed for more than six hours in both directions on Interstate 95 at the Portsmouth, New Hampshire-Kittery, Maine state line. The northbound and southbound sides of the bridge were reopened shortly after before 9:45 a.m. The Piscataqua River Bridge is now fully open. Traffic is flowing but moving slow. Drivers should anticipate delays, New Hampshire State Police wrote in a post on X. #UPDATE: The Piscataqua River Bridge is now fully open. Traffic is flowing but moving slow. Drivers should anticipate delays. New Hampshire State Police (@NH_StatePolice) August 29, 2024 Traffic was diverted to the two other local bridges in the area during the early morning and morning rush hours. Motorists were advised to seek alternate routes. Video captured by a Boston 25 News Photographer showed troopers gathered on the New Hampshire side of the bridge as the investigation unfolded. Piscataqua River Bridge, which connects Maine to New Hampshire shut down Police said that additional information will be released as it becomes 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 AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) Aiken Technical College is preparing students for careers in construction with a new pre-apprenticeship program this fall. An Aug. 28 press release from ATC states that The Savannah River Site and at least 15 local trade unions have partnered with college for the five-week program set to begin Oct. 7, with coursework topics including employability skills, mathematics, blueprint reading, hand tools and safety practices. Students will receive a certificate of completion, have the opportunity to earn an OSHA-10 certification and be invited to interview with the local partner trade unions for further training and employment upon completing the program. Program tuition is free for South Carolina residents as a result of state-funded grants. Tuition costs $1,000 for those out-of-state. According to Aiken Technical College, registration for the pre-apprenticeship construction program is currently open, and a high school diploma or GED is needed to enroll. Those who are interested in signing up are asked to contact Patricia Whitfield in the Office of Continuing Education at (803) 508-7362 or whitfiep@atc.edu. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. Ukraine's air defence downed 60 kamikaze drones and two guided air missiles out of 79 targets that Russia launched on the night of 28-29 August. Source: Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of Ukraine's Air Force, on Facebook Details: The Russians attacked Ukraine with three Kh-59/69 air-to-surface missiles from the airspace of the Kursk and Belgorod oblasts of the Russian Federation, two more missiles of a currently unidentified type from the same direction, and 74 Shahed-131/136 attack drones from the areas of Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Kursk, and Yeysk, on the night of 28-29 August. To repel the air attack, aircraft, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and other units of Ukraines defence forces were involved. Two Kh-59/69 air-to-surface missiles and 60 Shahed-131/136 attack drones were shot down. Another 14 attack drones were lost (crashed) in various locations on Ukrainian territory. Air defence was deployed in Kharkiv, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Sumy, and Donetsk oblasts. Support UP or become our patron! In a recent podcast with Nini Shengelia, German Ambassador Peter Fischer stated that Georgia cannot join the European Union as long as the Russian-influenced "foreign influence" law remains in place. Fischer explained, "If a country adopts laws that contradict the fundamental principles of the European Union, then it cannot join. The law on 'foreign influence' is precisely such a contradictory piece of legislation, as it blatantly interferes with the fundamental rights guaranteed by the European Union."Fischer also criticized the Georgian government's recent rhetoric towards Western partners, describing it as "unfriendly". He noted, "There has been very unfriendly rhetoric towards former best friends: Germany, the EU, other EU member states and the US, towards whom many things have been said that are not typical of partner countries." He refuted accusations that the EU funds terrorism, stating, "The EU does not finance terrorism; the EU fights terrorism," and expressed disbelief at claims about threats against European officials, saying, "We don't kill people, and we somehow get mentioned in discussions about the Global War Party, liberal fascism, the revolution, the second front. We figure in a context where we don't belong."Fischer also addressed misinformation about the EU, remarking, "If all this is true, then why are so many Georgians going to the European Union? Actually, I would say that the European Union is the best place to live."Finally, the ambassador encouraged Georgians to participate in the October 26 parliamentary elections, urging citizens to express their positions during this critical time for the country.State Department press spokesperson Matthew Miller has refuted accusations from the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service that the US is orchestrating a "color revolution" in Georgia. In a statement reported by journalist Alex Raufoglu, Miller labeled the allegations as "categorically false."Miller reiterated the US's commitment to supporting Georgia, saying, "We have a proud record of working together with the people of Georgia to build a more peaceful, prosperous, democratic Georgia."He further criticized Russian actions, noting, "The Kremlin orchestrated the 2008 invasion and today occupies 20% of sovereign Georgian territory, while continuing its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. We stand with Georgia against Russia's aggression." GAZA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least 31 Palestinians were killed on Thursday by Israeli bombing across the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. An Israeli drone targeted a gathering of Palestinians east of Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip with at least one missile, Palestinian security sources said. Medical sources told Xinhua that the raid killed seven Palestinians and dozens of others wounded. Meanwhile, three young men were killed in an Israeli drone attack on a motorcycle in the industrial zone north of Rafah city, according to medical sources. In Gaza City, eight Palestinians were killed in an Israeli raid on a house in the vicinity of the Al-Amal Hotel west of the city, according to local sources and eyewitnesses. The Civil Defense Authority in Gaza said in a brief statement that its crews retrieved the bodies of the victims and a number of the wounded from the house and are still searching for those trapped. In addition, Palestinian medical sources told Xinhua that the bodies of 13 dead people arrived at hospitals in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip, as a result of Israeli shelling of several areas in the city. The Air Force wants to expand its international exchange program for enlisted airmen to improve cooperation between allies in case of a major war in the Pacific. Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David Flosi said at the Senior Enlisted Leader International Summit in Washington that the expanded international exchange for enlisted airmen would start with nations in the Five Eyes alliance with the United States Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. And work is already under way to expand the U.S. partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force, Flosi said. Flosi and his Australian counterpart, Warrant Officer of the Air Force Ralph Clifton, have been working already on a plan inside the Royal Australian Air Force to find opportunities for us to not only learn from each other, but to become interchangeable, Flosi said. Were looking to expand that rapidly. Details regarding how such international enlisted exchanges will work are still being sorted, and an implementation timeline has not yet been set, Flosis office said. The Air Force and other U.S. services in recent years have been shifting focus from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to a potential war in the Pacific, which is requiring the military to dramatically rethink how it fights. In the Middle East, the Air Force operated in relatively uncontested environments, Flosi said, with comfortable runways, assured supply chains, robust communications networks and complete air superiority. In that environment, we could roll in deep, Flosi said. That environment does not exist in the Indo-Pacific theater. All of those capabilities are contested. The U.S. is working to expand partnerships with allied nations such as the trilateral AUKUS alliance with Australia and the U.K. to prepare for a conflict if China attempts to reunify with Taiwan by force. The enlisted international partnership plan is not an AUKUS effort, but it is similarly intended to strengthen cooperation between the nations militaries before a conflict erupts, Flosis office said. The Air Force also sent a bomber task force of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers to Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley on Aug. 16 to train alongside allies and partners. Flosi pointed to growing cooperation with enlisted members of the Saudi Arabian and Jordanian air forces as other examples of strengthened partnerships. There have also been recent opportunities to work with Finland and Sweden as NATOs newest members. Additionally, the new Inter-Pacific Air Forces Academy graduated its first class in November 2023, which consisted of six American noncommissioned officers and 13 NCOs from European and Indo-Pacific countries. Being able to learn from each other was a great opportunity for us, and we believe it was mutually beneficial for our partners in the region, Flosi said of the relationships with the Saudis and Jordanians. By David Lewis (Reuters) - An al Qaeda-linked group said it killed nearly 300 people in Saturday's devastating attack in north-central Burkina Faso, but said it targeted militia members linked to the army, not civilians, the U.S. consultancy Site Intelligence Group reported. The attack outside the town of Barsalogho was one of the deadliest in nearly a decade of Islamist violence in the West African country. A group of victims' relatives said at least 400 were killed when jihadists opened fire on civilians digging defensive trenches on orders of the military. Al Qaeda affiliate Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin said soldiers and militia members were excavating the trenches when it attacked. "Those who were eliminated in this attack are nothing but militias affiliated with the Burkinabe army ... not as they lied and said that they were civilians," JNIM said in a communique translated by Site on Thursday. Several videos apparently filmed by the militants and released on social media showed dozens of bodies in trenches, most of them in civilian clothing. The bloodshed highlights the danger of the authorities' growing reliance on civilians as they struggle to combat jihadist groups that have destabilised swathes of the Sahel region since an insurgency took root in neighbouring Mali in 2012. "Civilians are playing a significant role in the conflict," said Ryan Cummings, director of analysis at Africa-focused risk-management company Signal Risk, referring to their recruitment into militia or in fortifying towns, as they appear to have been doing in Barsalogho. "But civilians that are assisting the military are seen as collaborators. This has made them targets of attacks," he said. Burkina Faso's ruling junta has not said how many people were killed, but said civilians, soldiers and volunteer army auxiliaries known as VDPs were among the victims. State television reported that the attackers struck while Barsalogho locals were engaged in unspecified community work. On Wednesday, citizen advocacy group Collectif Justice pour Barsalogho said the authorities were negligent for using the military to force the community to build trenches, "which turned out to be mass graves." "Our parents were led to the slaughter," it said in a statement. Frustrations over worsening violence led to two coups in Burkina Faso in 2022, but the new authorities have failed to stem the bloodshed. Over 6,500 civilians have been killed since the start of 2020, the nongovernmental organisation Armed Conflict Location and Event Data showed in July. More than half died under the current government. (Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Rod Nickel) MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) Whether through driving or delivering groceries, app-based workers earn their wages like other employed Alabamians. However, lawmakers say these workers dont receive benefits like other employees in the state. Independent contractors do not get retirement benefits or paid time off under federal law. If they do, it can be more of a hurdle than helpful. This issue extends to app-based workers employed by companies like Lyft, Shipt and Uber. State Rep. Neil Rafferty (D-Birmingham) Rafferty, co-chair of the legislative Portable Benefits Task Force, says he knows many who rely on app-based work for income. Financial security for Alabama families is a bipartisan issue. I dont think that is anything thats a red or a blue issue, said Rafferty. I think both sides of the aisle tend to see that this is a growing part of the economy that we need to be addressing. Alabama Department of Environmental Management awards $2.5 million in recycling grants State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) is one of those people across the aisle. He says lawmakers are collaborating with attorneys and app-based workers on the task force. What wed like to do is set up a mechanism where the company contracting with these individuals can provide some level of benefits, Orr said. He explained that, for some major brands, this has become an issue. Its a big problem in the Birmingham market for Shipt across its national footprint. How we can solve this issue? Orr said. So were looking forward to the work ahead because it will help here in Alabama over 80,000 people. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. The Alabama State Board of Education during its regular meeting on February 9, 2023. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) ANNISTON Members of the Alabama State Board of Education Wednesday discussed the possibility of changing a test score threshold that determines whether a student can advance to fourth grade. The 2019 Alabama Literacy Act, which was fully implemented this year, aims to have students reading on grade level by the end of third grade. Part of the law requires that students who dont meet the cut score by the end of third grade and do not attend a summer reading camp or use other ways to address the score will be held back for another year. About 6.5% of the third graders tested this spring were below grade level after the summer camps. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The board members discussed changes to a factor known as conditional standard error of measurement (CSEM), calculated into a test score to ensure that a students performance is accurately captured. CSEM is a range where a students score would be expected to land if that student took the same test over and over again. For the 2024 reading tests, CSEM stood at -2.00. The closer the factor gets to zero, the more students will be found to be reading below grade level. According to a chart provided to the board members, a -2.00 CSEM correlates to 91.02% of students on or above grade level, while a -.025 CSEM would be 77.18% students on or above grade level. Tracie West, a Republican who represents District 2 on the board, said that there was a perception that the reading test was too easy. Would the perception in going from a -1.5 to a -1.25, would we be pushing a little harder to do that in a one year period of time? she said to Juan DBrot, senior associate with the Center for Assessment, and part of the Alabama State Department of Educations technical advisory committee. At a work session earlier this year, Mackey said that they use the term sufficiency internally but that the law refers to grade level. Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, the spnos sponsor of the act, told the Reflector at the time that she felt sufficiency was below grade level. State Superintendent Eric Mackey said that the current -2.00 CSEM provides 95% confidence that a student is truly below grade level. Moving the CSEM to -1.00, he said, would mean there is a 68% confidence, or a 32% not confident those are the right students. Going from 95% confidence to 68% confidence is a big jump, he said. DBrot said that changing the cut score would depend on the risk that the board was willing to take. The question, I think, that you have to weigh is, whats the greater risk promoting students that should have been held back, or holding back students that should have been promoted, and that, I think, gets into some kind of legal questions about, where do you want to hold things steady? he said. Wayne Reynolds, a Republican who represents District 8 on the board, said that he was more concerned about a false positive, where a student who is not ready is advanced. He said that he does not want to pass somebody who does not have the skill sets, whether its a lawyer or a doctor or a drivers license. Mackey said that he thinks its best if those changes are made gradually, and that they have an obligation to let districts and other school leaders in the next couple of months. I worry about us not telling districts until February and theyre giving a test in March, he said. The State Board of Education went on a two-day retreat in Anniston, the second one of the year. The board also discussed further restrictions on cell phones in schools, which was a discussion at the earlier retreat. Mackey said that their resolution encouraging districts to have stricter policies was working. Another topic of discussion was school safety, with Mackey saying Wednesday in a budget discussion that they would need money to implement a series of school safety measures required under a bill that passed in the last session. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST (Bloomberg) -- Alberta expects to end the fiscal year with a larger surplus than it previously forecast as higher-than-expected oil prices and a surging population generate more tax revenue. Most Read from Bloomberg The surplus at the end of the 2024-25 fiscal year will total C$2.93 billion ($2.17 billion), eight times the size of the C$355 million surplus originally projected in the budget, the province said Thursday. Revenue is forecast to be C$2.7 billion more than budgeted as income taxes rise and higher-than-expected oil prices and production boost resource revenue. Alberta, home to the worlds third-largest crude reserves, is benefiting from stronger local oil prices and higher output, helped by the startup of the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline. At the same time, the provinces population is growing rapidly as people seek jobs and cheaper housing than in urban centers such as Vancouver and Toronto. Expenses are expected to be C$101 million more than budgeted, due to higher education costs and disaster relief following a fire that burned down parts of the iconic mountain town of Jasper. The newly expanded Trans Mountain pipeline, which began operation in May, added almost 600,000 barrels a day of extra oil export capacity to the British Columbia coast. West Texas Intermediate oil prices will average $76.50 a barrel over the fiscal year, $2.50 higher than budgeted, Alberta said. Here are more highlights from the budget update: Gross domestic product is expected to rise 3.3% this year, up from 1.8% last year The provinces population will jump 4.6% in 2024, faster than the 4.1% rate last year Taxpayer-supported debt is expected to be C$86.1 billion by the end of March, C$1.7 billion less than budgeted Debt-servicing costs will be C$3.2 billion, or C$181 million lower than expected The province is using C$3.7 billion half of the surplus cash from the 2023-24 fiscal year to pay debt coming due, with C$1.8 billion repaid in 2023-24 and C$1.9 billion to be repaid in 2024-25. Of the remainder, C$2 billion will be deposited into the provinces Heritage Fund, and the remaining C$1.7 billion will be used to limit new borrowing in 2024-25. Alberta expects to have a cash deficit at the end of 2024-25 and will need to borrow C$600 million. The Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund grew to a market value of C$23.4 billion in the first quarter, earning a 2.1% return with a net investment income of C$509 million. The province aims to build the Heritage Fund to between C$250 billion and C$400 billion by 2050 to reduce reliance on resource revenue Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. ORLANDO, Fla. The 96-year-old woman whom Regina Hill is accused of scamming is suing the now-suspended Orlando city commissioner and a nonprofit organization she controls, asking a judge to order the sale of two properties that tether the woman to Hill. Though a judge ordered Hill to stay away from the elderly woman earlier this year, the womans name still appears on the deeds for two Orlando-area homes closely tied to Hill, including one that has become a key piece of the criminal case against her and one whose ownership status the Orlando Sentinel recently disclosed. The suits, filed this week in Orange County, ask a judge to order the sale of homes on Baywood Avenue and Domino Drive. The elderly womans name appears on the deed for both of those homes, and attorney Jason ONeal said he filed the suits on her behalf in hopes that the proceeds from the sale of the home could be used to reimburse the elderly woman for some of the money that Hill is accused of stealing from her. Hill helped herself to improper benefits from the elderly woman, including her money, credit, and identification, the suits allege. But attorney Fritz Scheller, who is representing Hill in her criminal case, dismissed the allegations on Wednesday in an emailed statement. To paraphrase Dorothy Parker, the complaints filed against Ms. Hill are not pleadings to be lightly tossed aside, he wrote. They should be thrown with great force. As the product of limited facts and a biased investigation, I hold the allegations in little regard. They are, in the end, another effort inspired by state-led actors to destroy an individual who has done so much for her community. Hill and her alleged victim first met in early 2021 after city enforcement officers reported deplorable conditions at the elderly womans residence in west Orlandos Lake Mann neighborhood. Alerted to the problem, Hill worked to clean up the home, but a former Hill aide later told authorities of her suspicions that Hill had begun to take advantage of the woman. After a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation that spanned more than a year, Hill was indicted on several felony counts related to elder abuse in late March. In addition to stealing money from the elderly woman, Hill is accused of leveraging her credit in order to obtain a mortgage to buy a home on Domino Drive, on the shore of Lake Mann in Hills district that Hill subsequently listed as her primary residence. The elderly woman, who suffers from memory loss, did not appear to understand her own involvement in the purchase of that home, FDLE says. The Orlando Sentinel is not naming her because of her age and vulnerability. ONeal wrote in his complaint that Hill ensured she would inherit the property after the elderly womans death because Hill, 59, believed she would outlive her. The second suit concerns a home on Baywood Avenue that Hill used to own and live in. The Sentinel revealed in a story published August 19 that the home was deeded in May to a nonprofit organization controlled by Hill, along with the elderly woman, even after Hill was prohibited by court order from going to any of her alleged victims properties. Hill is listed as the president and registered agent on state business records for Arvonni House of Hope and Refuge, the nonprofit organization that is named on the deed along with the elderly woman. Hill previously owned the home for 25 years before selling it to two LLCs in 2022 while she was going through bankruptcy. She last claimed a homestead exemption on the property, which is in unincorporated Orange County, in 2008, before she was elected to the city commission. Subsequently, it appears, Hill used the Baywood Avenue property as a family home. Five people, including two of Hills sons, were arrested there in a 2015 raid when deputies recovered methamphetamine, cannabis and cocaine, as well as two handguns, one of which was stolen. Earlier this year, the LLCs transferred the Baywood Avenue property for $10 to Arvonni House of Hope and Refuge as 70% owner and the troubled former commissioners alleged victim as 30% owner. The legal mechanism they used, known as a quitclaim deed, is generally reserved for transactions among family members or close friends, and not used for arms-length transactions. Its not clear why the elderly womans name also appears on the deed. But ONeal said it appears Hill took massive advantage, of the elderly woman and he hopes to make it right by ensuring the woman is reimbursed for the money that was taken from her. Justice comes in a lot of forms, ONeal said. It looks like there were injustices here, and I want to get justice relating to these two houses. _____ Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said during a press conference on Aug. 28 that allies advised Poland to exercise restraint when dealing with unidentified violations of Polish airspace. Tusk admitted it is difficult to determine whether a target is a civilian object or not, according to Rzeczpospolita newspaper. Allies also recommend Poland exercise restraint when shooting down objects when there is no threat or aggression. Warsaw, an alliance member, frequently scrambles fighter jets to protect Polish airspace as Russian forces launch large-scale aerial attacks on Ukraine. They have never been used to destroy Russian missiles or drones. The final decision to shoot down an aerial object in peacetime falls on Operational Commander Maciej Klisz. Tusk said he is open to changing legislation on who is responsible for such a decision, and claimed Poland can change the rules as soon as it needs to. A Russian drone flew into Polish airspace early on Aug. 26 amid a mass attack on Ukraine. This was not the first time Polish airspace has been violated since Russia began its full-scale war against Ukraine in Feb. 2022. Russia targeted 15 of Ukraine's 24 oblasts on Aug. 26, launching over 200 missiles and drones as part of the largest-ever aerial attack against Ukraine. Ukrainian Air Force reported later that day that Ukraine downed 102 missiles and 99 drones of the 127 missiles and 109 drones launched by Russia during the attack. Read also: Russian POWs on their capture in Kursk Oblast: Commanders just disappeared Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Allstate, one of Californias largest insurers, is set to raise rates by an average of 34.1% after receiving approval from the California Department of Insurance. The rate hike would impact more than 350,000 policyholders statewide come November. This home insurance rate approval allows us to continue protecting our existing customers as we work with the California Department of Insurance to improve coverage availability and create a more viable and sustainable homeowners insurance market for consumers in the state. Higher home values and repair costs coupled with more frequent, severe weather lead to higher payments to help customers recover, so we need to adjust rates to better reflect the cost of protecting our customers, company officials said in a statement to KTLA. Allstate is the states fourth-largest property and casualty insurance provider, representing about 5.5% of the overall market as of last year, according to the Department of Insurance. San Bernardino County calls for emergency declaration over Californias homeowners insurance crisis The companys latest price hike comes amidst a broader insurance problem in California. Some companies, including Allstate, stopped accepting new insurance property applications last year. Others, like Tokio Marine America Insurance Co. and Trans Pacific Insurance Co., have decided to limit business in California altogether, halting new home and personal insurance applications. In March, State Farm General Insurance Company announced plans to non-renew about 72,000 policies in California, which will impact property insurance and commercial apartment policies. Last September, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said he would write new rules allowing insurers to consider climate change when setting their rates. He has also pledged to consider regulations allowing them to consider some of their reinsurance costs. The rules requiring insurance companies to get permission from the state to raise their rates would not change, according to the Associated Press. The state will only let companies use these new rules if they write more policies for people who live in areas threatened by wildfires. This means companies must write policies in these areas for at least 85% of their statewide market share. Some consumer groups, including the Consumer Watchdog, fear that allowing insurance companies to consider climate change in their rates will lead to dramatically higher coverage costs for homeowners. Lara said insurance companies could also consider improvements that owners have made to make their homes more resistant to wildfires and the billions of dollars in public money that the government has spent to better manage forests and reduce wildfire risks, ultimately benefiting homeowners. State Farm seeks major increase in home, insurance rates, sparks concerns Allstate told KTLA that its offering discounts to customers who have taken action to mitigate wildfire risk on their property. The rapid decrease in insurance companies offering services to California residents has resulted in many new and existing homeowners turning to Californias FAIR plan for coverage. The plan covers basic hazards but is described as a temporary safety net since it was never meant to replace insurance coverage companies can offer. The state doesnt require potential homeowners to have insurance; however, many mortgage lenders may require some proof of insurance as a loan condition. Consumer Watchdog criticized the insurer for not disclosing the computer model used to determine surcharges based on wildfire risk in a blog post. Allstates rate increase proposal was initally challenged by the group, demanding the insurer provide more data. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday said China is committed to properly managing differences with the Philippines through dialogue and consultations, "but tolerance has a limit," demanding the Philippine side to withdraw its ship and personnel from Xianbin Jiao as soon as possible. Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media query about recent moves by the Philippines around China's Xianbin Jiao and relevant comments by the Philippine side on the issue. A Philippine coast guard ship has been anchoring in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao for a period of time and the Philippines has made multiple attempts to send supplies to the ship. Since August 19, Philippine coast guard ships have repeatedly intruded into adjacent waters of Xianbin Jiao, and have deliberately taken dangerous maneuvers to ram China Coast Guard vessels, Wu said. "The Chinese side took necessary measures in accordance with the law. Our maneuvers on the spot were professional and appropriate," Wu said. Noting that China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and its adjacent waters, Wu said the intrusion and illegal anchoring of the ship seriously violated China's sovereignty and breached international law and the stipulations of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, undermining regional peace and stability. Wu asked the Philippine side to immediately withdraw its ship and personnel from Xianbin Jiao. "The Chinese side will continue to take resolute and strong measures to safeguard our territorial integrity and maritime rights and interests." Wu also stressed that it is the United States' support and endorsement that has emboldened the Philippine side in making reckless provocations in relevant area, calling the U.S. side the biggest troublemaker in the South China Sea. Relatives of the Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks, mourn as they receive the dead bodies from the morgue of Al-Aqsa Hospital for burial in Dair El-Balah. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Dozens of people have been killed in ongoing fighting in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials have said. A total of 68 people were killed within 24 hours, the Gaza health authority, whose figures don't distinguish between civilians and combatants, said. The Israeli military said it forces had eliminated dozens of militants in close combat and in airstrikes during the past day, including a commander of the intelligence unit of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militia. It was not possible to independently verify the claims by either side. The Israeli army said the man had been involved in the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, which resulted resulted in 1,200 deaths and triggered the current conflict. Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, at least 40,602 people have been killed and 98,855 injured in the Palestinian coastal area, according to Gaza health authorities. Relatives of the Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks, mourn as they receive the dead bodies from the morgue of Al-Aqsa Hospital for burial in Dair El-Balah. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Freed Israeli hostage Qaid Farhan Alkaldi arrives home and welcomed by his family at the unrecognizable village outside Rahat fter he was rescued following nearly 11 months in captivity in Gaza. Ilia yefimovich/dpa ALTON, Ill. Six days ago, a K9 with the Alton Police Department was killed in the line of duty as his human colleagues attempted to arrest an armed suspect. On Wednesday, the department shared the obituary of its fallen furry comrade, Odin, on the departments Facebook page. Odin, a Belgian Malinois-German shepherd mix, was born in Hungary in January 2023. In January 2024, he received his passport and relocated to Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania. The Alton Police Department picked Odin to join their K9 team in February 2024. On February 26, Odin and his handler began their training at the Illinois State Police K9 Academy in Pawnee, Illinois. Odin and his handler graduated the program on May 3, 2024. Over the next three months, K9 Odin helped officers apprehend violent offenders and locate illegal narcotics and stolen vehicles. Around 6 a.m. on August 22, Alton police requested K9 Odin and his handler to assist officers in finding and arresting a suspect who injured a woman earlier. Odin located the suspect but was shot, along with another officer. Officers returned fire and fatally wounded the armed suspect. Odin was rushed to Hawthorne Animal Hospital in Glen Carbon, Illinois, where he later died of his injuries. He was 20 months old. The wounded officer was treated at a local hospital. The Alton Police Department said the public can make donations to officially support its K9 program in one of two ways: by writing a check payable to the Alton Police Department K9 Program and by donating to the MustacheMarch4PD (MM4PD). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. The body of an American woman has been recovered from the sea in Norway after the replica Viking boat she was sailing in capsized during an expedition from the Faroe Islands, police have confirmed. The US State Department confirmed the death of a US citizen off the coast of Norway. The woman, identified by Norwegian media as archaeologist Karla Dana, was declared missing after the Norwegian Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) rescued the other five passengers she was travelling with on Tuesday evening, a spokesperson for Norwegian Western District Police told CNN on Thursday. The six were participating in the Legendary Viking Voyage project, which involved sailing from the Faroe Islands to Trondheim in Norway aboard the Naddoddur, a replica Viking ship, according to Sail2North expeditions, which organized the trip. In social media posts ahead of departure, Sail2North, described Dana, 29, as the youngest member of the crew who embodies both the curiosity of a field researcher and the boldness of an adventurer. Karla epitomizes the spirit of exploration and commitment to future generations, the online post added. At approximately 5:45 p.m. local time on Tuesday, the boat sent out a distress signal, JRCC told CNN. After a delayed response, a rescue team arrived about 50 minutes later, where the crew onboard signaled that they were safe, prompting the team to turn back, JRCC continued. At around 8 p.m., another distress call was issued from the vessel. Local civilian boats arrived at the scene and reported that the boat had capsized and five people were found on a life raft, according to the JRCC. The survivors were airlifted to safety at around 8:50 p.m. local time, they added. Emergency workers searched through the night and found a body on Wednesday morning after weather conditions improved, according to the JRCC. Norwegian police said the surviving crew members included one Faroese and four Swiss nationals. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased, a US State Department spokesperson said Thursday. Out of respect for the privacy of the family, we have no further comment at this time, they said. The chairman of The Explorers Club, of which Dana was also a member, was quoted by the BBC saying her death was a reminder that we make these dangerous Expeditions and Explorations look easy but they are not. This brave Explorer left this planet doing something she loved entirely too early, the clubs Florida chapter chairman Joseph Dituri told BBC News. Her exploration spirit was evident in everything she did as well as her zest for life! It is a better world having had her in it, he added. CNNs Jennifer Hansler contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) The pursuit of justice has been agonizingly slow for the family of Aniah Blanchard, who continue to wait nearly five years after her tragic death. The 19-year-old Southern Union student was reported missing 1,770 days ago. Her alleged killer, Ibraheem Yazeed, has spent nearly five years in the Lee County Detention Center, awaiting trial. Blanchards mother tells WRBL, We miss her every second of every day and are anxiously awaiting a trial and justice. Aniah Blanchard Yazeed, who was out on bond for previous alleged kidnapping and attempted murder charges, was captured on surveillance video at the Auburn Chevron on South College Street on October 23, 2019, the same night Blanchard was last seen alive. The footage, now etched into the memories of many in the community, shows Blanchard in a dress, casually walking into the store to buy a bag of chips. Prosecutors say Yazeed noticed her, and the encounter marked the beginning of a harrowing ordeal ending with the discovery of her body a month later, on November 25, in a wooded area of Macon County. The Attorney General office presented evidence to a Macon County grand jury on November 4, 2022, resulting in Yazeeds indictment on three counts of capital murder on November 14, 2022. Specifically, the indictment charges Yazeed with one count of capital murder during a kidnapping in the first degree, one count of capital murder during a robbery in the first degree, and one count of capital murder involving a victim in a vehicle. The indictment charges Yazeed did intentionally cause the death of Blanchard by shooting her with a gun during abducting her and robbing her of a vehicle and cell phone. The indictment also charges Yazeed intentionally caused Blanchards death while she was inside her vehicle, a 2017 Honda CR-V, said the Attorney Generals Office in a statement. Ibraheem Yazeed If convicted, Yazeed faces the death penalty or a sentence of life imprisonment without parole for each of the three charges of capital murder. WRBL has reached out to Yazeeds defense attorney William Whatley for a comment. On Thursday, WRBL reached out to the Attorney Generals Office for an update on the case, specifically inquiring about the possibility of a trial date in the near future. While a spokesperson acknowledged the inquiry, a statement has not yet been provided. Mike Segrest, the Macon County District Attorney, directed WRBL to the Attorney Generals Office for further details. In the wake of Aniahs death, her family channeled their grief into advocacy, leading to the passage of Aniahs Law in 2022. The law, passed overwhelmingly by Alabama voters, grants judges greater discretion in denying bail to suspects charged with severe offenses, potentially preventing them from committing further crimes while awaiting trial. Prosecutors have praised the law, noting that while its impossible to quantify how many lives it has saved, its impact in protecting the innocent is undeniable. Beyond legislative change, Blanchards legacy lives on through Aniahs Heart, a nonprofit organization dedicated to offering self-defense classes and raising awareness for other missing persons cases. The nonprofit, alongside a constant social media presence, ensures that Aniahs memory continues to inspire and protect others. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. WHO says its deal with Israel will allow limited pauses in Gaza fighting for polio vaccinations CAPTION CORRECTION: Displaced infant Abdel-Rahman Abu El-Jedian, 11-month-old, who suffers from polio, is carried by his mother, center, at a makeshift tent camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) UNITED NATIONS (AP) The U.N. World Health Organization said Thursday that it has reached an agreement with Israel for limited pauses in fighting in Gaza to allow for polio vaccinations for hundreds of thousands of children after a baby contracted the first confirmed case in 25 years in the Palestinian territory. The vaccination campaign will start Sunday in central Gaza, with a humanitarian pause lasting from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. for three days that can be extended by an additional day if needed, said Rik Peeperkorn, WHOs representative in the Palestinian territories. The effort which has been coordinated with Israeli authorities will then move to southern Gaza and finally northern Gaza for similar pauses, he told a U.N. press conference by video from Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. Im not going to say this is the ideal way forward. But this is a workable way forward, Peeperkorn said. The vaccination campaign is targeting 640,000 children under 10, who will each receive two drops of oral polio vaccine in two rounds the second to be given four weeks after the first. Peeperkorn said the humanitarian pauses are critical so families can bring their children to get vaccinated and get back to where they are staying by 3 p.m. We have an agreement on that, so we expect that all parties will stick to that, he said. WHO said health workers need to vaccinate at least 90% of children in Gaza to stop the transmission of polio. The campaign will involve more than 2,100 health workers from U.N. agencies and the Gaza Ministry of Health, working at hundreds of sites across Gaza and with mobile teams. The humanitarian pauses are not a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that mediators U.S., Egypt and Qatar have long been seeking, including in talks that are ongoing this week. Hamas is ready to cooperate with international organizations to secure this campaign, according to a statement from Basem Naim, a member of Hamas political bureau. An Israeli official said before the plan was announced that there was expected to be some sort of tactical pause to allow vaccinations to take place. The official had spoken on condition of anonymity before the plan was finalized. Israel didnt immediately comment Thursday. The Israeli army has previously announced limited pauses in limited areas to allow international humanitarian operations. Robert Wood, U.S. deputy ambassador to the U.N., urged Israel to avoid further civilian evacuation orders during the pauses and said workers need security to vaccinate children. It is especially important for Israel to facilitate access for agencies carrying out the vaccination campaign and for it to ensure periods of calm and refrain from military operations during vaccination campaign periods, he said. The campaign comes after 10-month-old Abdel-Rahman Abu El-Jedian was partially paralyzed by a mutated strain of the virus that vaccinated people shed in their waste, scientists say. The baby boy was not vaccinated because he was born just before Oct. 7, when Hamas militants attacked Israel and Israel launched a retaliatory offensive on Gaza. He is one of hundreds of thousands of children who missed vaccinations because of the fighting between Israel and Hamas. Polio was eliminated from most parts of the world as part of a decadeslong effort by the WHO and partners to wipe out the disease. Health care workers in Gaza have been warning of the potential for a polio outbreak for months, as the humanitarian crisis unleashed by Israels offensive grows. Displaced Palestinians often live in crowded tent camps, near heaps of garbage and dirty wastewater flowing into the streets that aid workers describe as breeding grounds for diseases like polio, spread through fecal matter. The polio strain that the 10-month-old contracted evolved from a weakened virus that was originally part of an oral vaccine but had been removed from the vaccine in 2016 in hopes of preventing vaccine-derived outbreaks. Public health authorities knew that decision would leave people unprotected against that particular strain, with scientists saying the case is the result of an unqualified failure of public health policy. ___ AP writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed. Customers will no longer be able to stock up on cigarettes and tobacco products at Stop & Shop as the retail chain announced plans to nix the products from its shelves. The Massachusetts-based grocery store chain made the announcement Monday, noting that tobacco products will no longer be sold in any of its 360 stores. The chain has stores in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey and plans to stop selling the products in all stores by Saturday. Stop & Shop isnt the first store to stop selling cigarettes and tobacco products. Target stopped selling the products in 1996, according to the Associated Press, followed by Wegmans in 2008 and CVS in 2014. Walmart announced in 2022 that it would stop selling cigarettes in some stores as well. Stop & Shop said in a news release that the decision is part of Stop & Shops commitment to community wellness. Stop & Shop aims to support the health and well-being of the neighborhoods we serve and this exit from tobacco is one more way were accomplishing that goal, said Gordon Reid, Stop & Shop President, in the announcement. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarette smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths a year in the United States. Smoking also causes about 90% of all lung cancer deaths and more women die from lung cancer each year than from breast cancer, the CDC said. Smoking can lead to cancer in multiple parts of the body, including the bladder, blood, cervix, colon, rectum, esophagus, kidney, stomach and more. Grocery retailer offers trade-in deal for those trying to quit smoking In addition to pulling tobacco products from the stores shelves, Stop & Shop also hosted two cigarette buyback events Wednesday in the Boston area and on Staten Island. A community member at a Stop & Shop trade-in event for tobacco items and cigarettes on Aug. 28, 2024. According to the company, both locations are located in areas with higher rates of smoking and health-related issues. The first 100 customers to stop by with an unopened pack or carton of cigarettes got a Stop & Shop gift card, as well as SkinnyPop popcorn and other snacks, mints, materials to help them quit smoking and $10 off coupons for nicotine-replacement therapy products. A spokesperson for the company said there was a good turnout and several customers turned in cigarettes for loved ones, hoping to help their loved ones quit smoking. A community member at a Stop & Shop trade-in event for tobacco items and cigarettes on Aug. 28, 2024. Stop & Shop worked with the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network to put on the events. From state and local governments to schools and businesses, we can all play a part in protecting public health, said Karen Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in the announcement. We urge state lawmakers to prioritize tobacco control program funding so that those inspired to quit by this effort have the resources they need to help them succeed. Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stop & Shop stops selling tobacco, cigarette products at 360 stores AUSTIN (KXAN) On Thursday, the Austin Police Department identified the man killed Monday during a shooting at an east Austin apartment complex. MAP: Where have Austins homicides occurred in 2024? According to APD, at 2:08 p.m., officers responded to the Waterloo Flats apartment complex located at 1300 S. Pleasant Valley Road. The caller stated someone had run up to him and began attacking him. APD said officers arrived and found a man, later identified as 39-year-old Adrian Lopez, on the ground of the parking lot with an apparent gunshot wound. Police said he later died. One person is dead after a shooting happened at an apartment complex in east Austin, Austin Police Sgt. Lee Knouse said during a media briefing Monday. (Andy Way/KXAN News) One person is dead after a shooting happened at an apartment complex in east Austin, Austin Police Sgt. Lee Knouse said during a media briefing Monday. (Andy Way/KXAN News) One person is dead after a shooting happened at an apartment complex in east Austin, Austin Police Sgt. Lee Knouse said during a media briefing Monday. (Andy Way/KXAN News) One person is dead after a shooting happened at an apartment complex in east Austin, Austin Police Sgt. Lee Knouse said during a media briefing Monday. (Andy Way/KXAN News) APDs preliminary investigation found Lopez allegedly assaulted an employee out of nowhere and threatened him with pepper spray. Police said it ultimately led to the employee shooting his attacker. According to police, no charges were currently being filed; however, the case is still under investigation. This case is being investigated as Austins 42nd homicide of 2024. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The annual Salvation Army program that helps families during the holidays is getting ready to begin accepting applications for assistance in Mahoning County. Registration begins Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 9 a.m. and will close Thursday, Oct. 31. You can register online at www.SAangeltree.org. Questions can be directed to the Salvation Army office at 330-270-5999. Applicants must provide the following information: Valid Drivers License or State ID One of the following for all children in the household a. Birth certificate OR b. Proof of Guardianship OR c. Custody Papers Valid Drivers License or State ID for all adults in the household ONE of the following to verify income a. Paystub for last 30 days with YTD income listed OR b. ODJFS printout dated within the last 30 days OR c. SSI/SSD award letter ONE of the following to verify residency a. Rent or lease agreement OR b. Utility statement dated within the last 30 days OR c. Mortgage statement Last year, the Salvation Army provided toys and gifts to over 1,655 children throughout Mahoning County. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. A boomer who bought land 25 years ago thought he was set for retirement. Then someone sold it without him knowing. More than $145 million was reported lost in real-estate scams in 2023. Westend61/Getty Images In 1999, William Gordon bought a lot in Arizona, planning to build a home where he could retire. But in March 2023, Gordon found out a complete stranger had sold the lot for $200,000. Gordon had to fight to get his land back as real-estate scams became more common. In March 2023, William Gordon received a letter in the mail from his title company congratulating him on the $200,000 sale of his property in Tucson, Arizona. The catch: He'd never listed it for sale. Then Gordon noticed the congratulatory letter was off. "I noticed the last four digits of the Social Security number were not mine and the address was wrong the mail shouldn't have even gotten to me," Gordon told Business Insider in 2023. Pima County property records show that Gordon, 66, bought the undeveloped 3 1/3-acre property in 1999 for $76,500. He said he was paying regular mortgage payments on the land and had about $9,000 left to pay on the loan when he got the letter telling him it had been sold. Gordon, who most recently worked in technology risk at a major financial-services firm, is one of many property owners who have experienced real-estate-related fraud. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, in 2023, 9,521 people in the US reported losing more than $145 million from real-estate scams. Home-title theft a crime where someone steals a homeowner's identity to take ownership of a property leaves property owners like Gordon without many options for quick reconciliation. And it's been happening with greater regularity in recent years. In Gordon's case, he was pulled in many directions over countless phone calls and had a hard time getting a straight answer about how to move forward. "The county said all you have to do is just undo this," he said. "But nobody seemed to know how to undo this." Tracing how a stranger sold his retirement land Gordon noticed several red flags in the congratulatory letter he received from the title company that he said it should have noticed, too. "There were several really odd things that had been ignored," he said. "The notary that they used was 5 1/2 hours away in an entirely different county from where the documents were signed." Gordon lives in Phoenix, but the warranty deed recorded by the county which BI reviewed had "Arizona" and "Pima" crossed out and replaced by "Texas" and "Bexar," a county almost 900 miles from Tucson. "I was not in Texas," Gordon said. "I could prove that I was in Arizona at the time that the paperwork was signed by a notary in Texas." It's unclear who impersonated Gordon, but the notary stamp gave the name of Penny Davis of Texas. William Gordon. William Gordon Gordon spoke with Title Security Agency, the Arizona company that handled Gordon's title work when he purchased the property in 1999. (The entity came under new ownership in 2020 after being acquired by First American Financial.) Gordon said the company quickly realized someone was impersonating him. It directed him to his county recorder, whose job it is to record and index documents for the area. The Pima County recorder's office told Gordon that it records documents but doesn't verify them, he said, and it sent him back to the title company. The Pima County recorder, Gabriella Cazares-Kelly, told BI in 2023 that she wasn't sure why the title company referred Gordon to her, saying the recorder's office is essentially a library. "We rely on title companies, on notaries which is why they are required to have insurance because it is ultimately up to those companies to have the safeguards to ensure that they're dealing with the correct property," she said. Notaries and real-estate agents usually confirm the identity of the parties involved in a transaction while title companies confirm ownership of the land, but Gordon said none of that happened before his land was sold. He said he was miffed that a document as crucial as a deed wouldn't have a rigorous identity-verification process. First American Financial did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Business Insider. "I can't go and cash a check in a bank for $20 without two forms of identification," Gordon said. "And you're doing hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial transactions, and you have zero processes or feel any responsibility to confirm identities?" Some real-estate brokers are witnessing more fraud and trying to stop it Some real-estate agents in Arizona said they'd seen a rise in fraud in recent years especially for vacant land. "In the last three or four months we've seen a huge uptick, and it caught everybody by surprise," Eric Gibbs, the designated broker for Realty One Group Integrity, told BI about title fraud in 2023. "I'm not saying it never happened before, but not like this." Gibbs didn't represent the buyer in Gordon's case, but his brokerage did. He told BI that in this instance, the seller was found to be fraudulent soon after the deal closed. Cases like these, Gibbs said, are getting harder to sniff out. He told BI he spoke with a broker who had four fraudulent incidents in one day. But Gibbs said he'd instituted measures within his own firm like asking for copies of photo IDs and having Zoom meetings with clients to minimize fraud in vacant-land sales. Gordon's vacant land in the desert near Tucson, Arizona. Michael Van/Getty Images "We have a situation going on not only here, but other places where deed fraud is on the rise," he said. "We're trying to get a handle on how we can minimize the risk, because the people that are doing the fraud have gotten very, very good." Jeff Murtaugh, the CEO and designated broker for Realty Executives Arizona Territory, which brokered the sale of Gordon's property, said he adopted a new procedure after seeing what Gordon went through. He now sends a letter to the property that must be signed by the seller and returned in order to confirm their identity. But he said the question of whom the responsibility to catch fraud falls to was still hazy. "The question is who's got the liability," Murtaugh told BI in 2023. "Is it the title company? Is it the agents? I don't think anybody knows that yet." Gordon eventually got his land back, but it cost him Gordon hired a legal team that he has since dismissed in an attempt to get his land back. He said it cost about $9,000. He ultimately got his property back, but it wasn't easy. After the buyers were refunded their $200,000 from Old Republic Title Insurance, the title-insurance company they used in the transaction, they signed a quitclaim deed that relinquished the right to ownership of Gordon's property and granted the county the ability to transfer the title back into Gordon's name. It sounds easy enough, but Gordon said dealing with the title-insurance company was tricky. Gordon said Old Republic paid off his remaining mortgage balance and property taxes during the sales process and demanded he pay it back $11,000. Gordon added that he ended up taking money out of his retirement account to pay back Old Republic. Old Republic, which also goes by the abbreviation ORNTIC, could not be reached for comment. But a report from the NBC affiliate News 4 Tucson in July 2023 said the company emailed a statement to Gordon's former legal team: "ORNTIC has no contractual relationship with Mr. Gordon and declines to issue a title policy to Mr. Gordon. ORNTIC furthermore owes no duty of care to Mr. Gordon as ORNTIC was neither the escrow nor the title company handling this transaction. I understand that you allege that the escrow company failed to exercise due diligence, but that company is completely unrelated to ORNTIC." Gordon said he was disturbed that this happened to him but more upset with how little the title companies did to help him. "They could have filed some paperwork with the county, reversed it, and all of this would've been fine," he said. "But instead they made my life a living nightmare and then said, 'Well it's not our responsibility.'" Other victims of real-estate fraud have faced dire consequences While Gordon had to spend additional money to get his land back, it could've been worse. Daniel Kenigsberg, a doctor in Fairfield, Connecticut, discovered that a developer built a house on land he owned in 2022. The developer said it had bought the land from a fraudster claiming to own it. Kenigsberg sued the developer for $2 million in 2023 and, CT Insider reported, received an undisclosed amount as part of a settlement. Vacant-land transactions, like in Gordon's and Kenigsberg's cases, are often easier targets because no one lives on or monitors the land every day. Still, there are other ways that scammers can take advantage of homebuyers. Regina Smith, a Tennessee-based director working in supply chain at a Fortune 100 company, sent $60,000 in down-payment funds to a scammer instead of her title company after receiving a fraudulent email with wire-transfer instructions. She was able to get the money back, but she lost out on the house she was trying to buy. "The first thing I felt was complete and utter despair," Smith told BI in March. "I just could not believe this was happening to me. I sat on the floor and I cried for maybe 45 minutes." Laurie and Rich Ramelow had a similar situation with the reverse outcome: They got the house but lost the money. The Ramelows were moving from California to Texas to be closer to their daughter. While completing the steps to buy their Texas house, they wired $63,000 to someone they thought was their escrow officer. It turned out to be an imposter. Not wanting the deal to fall through, the couple dug into their retirement funds to ensure they wouldn't lose the house and they didn't. But they haven't recovered their stolen funds. "It was pretty devastating," Rich Ramelow said. "We had to liquidate some funds from IRAs from retirement. It did have to cost penalties and that sort of thing, but we didn't want it to drastically fall through so we could still move on." Read the original article on Business Insider BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday urged the United States to reduce its nuclear arsenal substantively, cease its proliferation of nuclear materials and technology, and refrain from extending nuclear deterrence or expanding a nuclear alliance. Wu Qian, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said that China firmly opposes the United States' expansion of its nuclear arsenal and shirking of its nuclear disarmament responsibilities under the pretext of a non-existent "China nuclear threat." China pursues a self-defense nuclear strategy and maintains its nuclear force at the minimum level required for national security, Wu said. It is common knowledge that the U.S. is in possession of the largest nuclear arsenal in the world, and that it follows a nuclear policy that permits the first use of nuclear weapons, he said. In recent years, the U.S. has invested heavily in the miniaturization of nuclear weapons for real combat and exercised double standards on nuclear proliferation, which is a severe threat to global strategic stability, he said. The leader of the Arizona State Senate has sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday expressing concern over proposals to further regulate the oil industry. Our state relies on California for over 1/3 of our fuel supply, and Im concerned that the rush to pile on policies without considering implications to states like ours will further burden our citizens, the letter from Senate President Warren Petersen said. While I recognize Californias right to regulate refineries in the state, these facilities should be viewed as critical national assets that are essential far beyond Californias borders. According to a report from the Institute for Energy Research, a nonprofit organization, Arizona and Nevada rely heavily on California refineries for transportation fuel, with high prices in California often reflected in Arizona and Nevada. Arizona has no significant oil reserves and no petroleum refineries while Nevada has just modest oil production and only one small refinery that processes 2,000 barrels of oil per day, producing just asphalt and road oil. Nevada gets its additional petroleum products from refineries in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay area and Salt Lake City, while Arizona receives its petroleum products by pipeline from Southern California and Texas, the report said. In the letter, Petersen noted concerns about refinery inventory requirements, turnaround times and maintenance limitations, and other proposed policies. Earlier this month, Newsom announced a new proposal requiring oil refineries to keep a minimum supply of fuel reserves to avoid future supply shortages and price hikes for consumers. The governors plan would direct the California Energy Commission to require petroleum refiners to follow the new guidelines. Newsom hopes the proposal will help keep supply and prices stable even when refineries undergo maintenance. Penalties would be imposed on refiners who fail to follow the new guidelines. Given the dire impact these policies could have on states like Arizona and Nevada, we should, at minimum, have a dialogue to ensure your policies are based on sound economic principles and recognize our needs for reliable and accessible fuel supplies, the letter said. Newsom has proposed a special session this fall for lawmakers to address a package of energy bills he wants to be passed before the Legislature sessions adjourn on Saturday, according to the Los Angeles Times. Newsom has not spoken publicly about the letter. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. State Board of Election Commissioners Jamie Clemmer and Bilenda Harris-Ritter during a meeting on July 15, 2024, to consider a permanent rule requiring "wet signatures" on Arkansas voter registration forms except at select state agencies. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) The Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners on Wednesday approved the use of favorable language regarding electronic voting machines for a future press release, despite pushback from one member. The language was written in the executive summary portion of the agencys first audit report of primary elections, which is now required under Act 620 of 2023. The agency audited 15 randomly selected Arkansas counties after the March primaries and found perfect accuracy from election machines and discrepancies in hand-counted results. Requested by Commissioner William Luther, and approved by all other present members except Jonathan Williams, the section of the report reads: The result of the audit shows that counties utilizing voting equipment had confirmed 100% accurate results. The county that chose to utilize a hand-count process did not achieve 100% results and identified ballots that it failed to count. Executive Summary of audit report The information is expected to be included in a future press release issued by the State Board of Election Commissioners. The release date was not stated. Williams, who phoned into the commissioners meeting, said he thought including the information in a press release would be making a statement without making a statement. If we publish that, and play it logically forward, were going to ask that we would be inferring we want everybody to do electronic, Williams said. Is that what were saying? Commissioner Bilenda Harris-Ritter responded, No, were just simply saying what works. Were making a statement about what the results were from our audit. When Williams questioned what the motive behind making the statement was, Harris-Ritter said, Its just a statement about our audit. The audit found several discrepancies in Searcy County, a rural North Central Arkansas county that hand counted ballots, including a calculation error in the vote tallies and several ballots that were properly cast but not counted. In total, 11 ballots should have been counted but were not. The results of Searcy Countys hand-counted ballots were discussed at a legislative Joint Performance Review Committee in June. During the meeting, county election commission Chairwoman Laura Gross admitted to lawmakers that the hand counting process was imperfect and had a learning curve. Gross expressed concerns that voting machines could be manipulated. Election officials assured her, and have said many times before and since, that the machines are impossible to hack. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Searcy County has a population of nearly 8,000 people. Gross said fewer than 10 voters chose to use voting machines in November when presented with the option of using paper ballots instead. Approximately 1,700 votes were cast in the county in the March primary election. Approximately 30 people helped count ballots, which took the entire day following the election. Paper ballot lawsuits Arkansas voters typically cast their ballots on a machine, which then prints out a receipt documenting the vote. If the ballot is void of errors, it goes into a tabulator where it is counted. The tabulator contains a special flash drive that the secretary of states office receives after the election noting the results. But some residents, including those represented in recent lawsuits regarding paper ballot petitions, prefer hand-counting ballots and consider it more secure. Nine lawsuits have been filed this month over failed ballot-counting petitions. A judge this week ruled that the county clerks in Cleburne and Independence counties must certify petitions to put a proposed paper-ballot ordinance before voters in November. The county clerks have 30 days to appeal the decision to the Arkansas Supreme Court. Rulings have yet to be filed for the Hand-Marked, Hand-Counted Paper Ballot Ordinance of 2024 petitions in Conway, Van Buren, Sharp, Saline, White, Perry and Johnson counties. In 2023, Sen. Ken Hammer, R-Benton, passed a law that required counties to bear the financial burden of hand counting ballots. The Searcy County primary election cost the county more than $3,000. Officials in more populated counties said the price tag could be higher, and the process could require multiple days of counting. Other business A lawsuit challenging a rule requiring Arkansas voters to put pen to paper on their voter registration forms will go before a federal judge Thursday in Washington County. The voter advocacy group Get Loud Arkansas, joined by Vote.org and two Arkansas voters, in June filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas against Secretary of State John Thurston, the Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners and the county clerks of Benton, Pulaski and Washington counties. Lawmakers gave final approval of the rule barring electronic signatures except when completed at certain state agencies last week. They also approved up to $250,000 for the State Board of Election Commissioners to hire outside legal counsel to defend itself in the suit. The agency would typically be represented by the attorney generals office, but they have recused their services because of a previous opinion that conflicts with the case. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misstated the amount the State Board of Election Commissioners received to hire outside legal counsel. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE KINGS COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A 22-year-old man from Arkansas died in a crash in Kings County Wednesday night, according to the California Highway Patrol. CHP says around 10:30 p.m. officers responded to a crash on Highway 41, north of Nevada Avenue. CHP investigators say a 26-year-old man from Hanford was driving a tan Toyota Tacoma on northbound Highway 41. At the same time, CHP says a 22-year-old man from Arkansas was driving a white Toyota Rav4 southbound on the highway. Investigators say the Arkansas man veered into the northbound lane directly into the path of the Tacoma, causing the truck to overturn. Officers say the man in the Rav4 died at the scene. The driver in the overturned vehicle had minor injuries and was treated on the scene. Theres no word yet on why the driver from Arkansas veered into the opposite lane, but officers say alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor in this crash. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. As the 2024 presidential election inches closer, Arkansas is seeing a significant increase in voter registration. According to data from the secretary of states office, there were 8,692 voter registrations turned in during the month of May followed by 9,483 in June. In July, that jumped up to 12,696. So far in August, there have been 13,722 new registered voters. Harris, Trump neck and neck in 4 critical swing states: Survey According to the secretary of states office, the jump in voter registrations can be attributed to multiple factors. One factor is the fact that this is year is a a presidential election. Officials said Arkansas always has a spike in registrations as the election gets closer. Additionally, voter registration drives are happening all over the state and registrations come in from multiple agencies and from around the state. Thirdly, officials said people are always moving into and out of state, so registrations consequently fluctuate. Democrats associate the voter registration uptick with the major event that happened in July: President Joe Biden dropping out of the race and Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the Democratic presidential nominee. I mean I was at the DNC, the enthusiasm was so real. Everyone is so excited. We are thrilled to support Harris in this campaign, Arkansas delegate Kennedy Kasten said. People were ready for someone new, they wanted someone they could relate to and weve really seen that from the Harris campaign, so I think thats exactly why were seeing numbers jump up. Arkansans Democrats, former Gov. Asa Hutchinson visiting Democratic National Convention Kasten said she believes there is a new enthusiasm among young voters as well, specifically in the Democratic party. She added that while she wishes the abortion measure was going be on the November ballot in Arkansas, she believes the potential of it being up for consideration by voters this election cycle, if nothing else, increased awareness about the upcoming election. Republican Party of Arkansas Executive Director Seth Mays said he has seen firsthand the uptick in voter registrations that lean conservative. He said the party has been registering a lot of voters who have moved from one county to another or are new to Arkansas. He said he believes the added number of voters this election cycle will not impact the outcome of the election in the Natural State and we will see the same trends we have seen for years. The American public always responds to strength, Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks on Trump amid last day of RNC I dont think theres going to be any surprise at 7:31 pm on election night when Arkansas is called for President Trump and JD Vance as vice president, Mays said. I think the question is just going to be by how much. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. CHEROKEE VILLAGE, Ark. Arkansas State Police are investigating the death of a Cherokee Village woman. On July 8, authorities said the Cherokee Village Police Department requested Arkansas State Police to investigate the death of 54-year-old Dana Deprow. Little Rock man facing murder charge in connection with Saturday deadly shooting According to ASP officials, ASP special agents obtained a search warrant for a home on Saginaw Circle and found the remains of Deprow inside the home. Investigators said Deprows remains were taken to the Arkansas State Crime Lab in Little Rock where they will determine the cause of death. The investigation is ongoing Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. A version of this story appeared in CNNs What Matters newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. Donald Trumps campaign is co-managed by the man who engineered the swift boating of John Kerry in 2004, so it should come as no surprise that 20 years later, military service and treatment of veterans are turning into uncomfortable political issues. Trump pivoted from a visit to Arlington National Cemetery earlier this week to an attack on President Joe Bidens Afghanistan policy a turn that apparently followed a dustup with an official at the cemetery over the campaigns attempt to use cameras in Section 60, an area where American troops who were killed in recent wars are buried. The story was first reported by NPR, but Trumps campaign, the cemetery and the US Army have since issued statements. The Armys statement, released Thursday, included a strong rebuke of Trumps campaign and pointed out that participants at the event Monday were made aware of federal laws regarding political activity at the cemetery and abruptly pushed aside an employee of the cemetery, according to CNNs report. A cemetery official who made a report about the incident has decided not to press any charges, and the Army considers the matter closed. An earlier statement from the cemetery also made clear that federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries. Trumps campaign noted that he was invited into Section 60 by Gold Star families. There was a moving moment earlier in the summer when Gold Star families whose loved ones died in the Abbey Gate attack in Afghanistan gathered on stage at the Republican National Convention and condemned the Biden administration. Setting aside the unknown details of what exactly transpired at the cemetery, Trumps trip to Arlington certainly played into a political context since it was woven into a day of campaigning focused on the military and the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021: The cemetery trip coincided with the third anniversary of the suicide bombing that killed 13 American service members in Afghanistan. On social media and later during a speech to a National Guard conference in Detroit, Trump criticized Bidens decision to finalize the military withdrawal from Afghanistan although Trump didnt mention he had accelerated that withdrawal during his final months in the White House. Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard endorsed Trump at that speech. Gabbard, an Iraq War veteran, has been a vocal critic of US military policy. The family of a Green Beret who is buried next to one of the service members killed in Afghanistan expressed concern in a statement to The New York Times that their loved ones headstone, alongside the one Trump was visiting, was filmed by Trumps campaign and posted to TikTok. Trumps previous visit to Section 60 also led to criticism Its notable that the summer is ending with controversy over Trumps decision to visit Section 60 as a candidate, since the summer began with Bidens look back at criticism of Trumps decision as president not to visit a US military cemetery in France in 2018 and comments he reportedly made during a visit to Arlington National Cemeterys Section 60 in 2017. At the CNN presidential debate in June that was the beginning of the end of Bidens presidential campaign, the president recalled a 2020 report in The Atlantic that Trump refused to visit a cemetery near Paris honoring Americans who died in World War I because they were losers. Trump denied using that term, which came from a recounting of the incident by retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, his former White House chief of staff. Kelly later confirmed elements of the Atlantic story to CNNs Jake Tapper and also discussed a Memorial Day ceremony in 2017 when the two were in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery. I dont get it. What was in it for them? Trump said at the time, according to Kellys recollection, which Trump denies. Trump waves to people while walking through Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, May 29, 2017. - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/FILE Kelly also had choice words for Trump recently when the former president tried to compare the Congressional Medal of Honor, awarded to war heroes, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which honors civilians and which Trump gave to a Republican megadonor. Not even close, Kelly told Tapper. Trump has a history of mocking or verbally attacking veterans. He repeatedly criticized the late Sen. John McCain for being taken as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, including in remarks this year. He tried to start rumors about the absence of former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haleys husband from the campaign trail during the Republican primary this year even though Haleys husband was deployed overseas. Haley condemned Trumps comments at the time, while she was still in the race, but she later spoke on his behalf at the RNC in July. Attacks on Walz Military service had already emerged as a campaign issue after Trumps campaign engaged in a concerted effort to question the 24-year military service of Democrats candidate for vice president, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The public face of that effort is Trumps running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, who was enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in Iraq. See CNNs fact check of Vances claims. Asked Wednesday about the Arlington controversy, Vance deflected back to his criticism of Walzs military record and said Vice President Kamala Harris can go to hell for the Biden administrations Afghanistan policy. Either Walz, who did not deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan, or Vance would be the first former enlisted person to be elected nationwide since Al Gore, who enlisted in the Army and was a journalist in Vietnam before he was Bill Clintons vice president, and former Army Cpl. Walter Mondale, who served as former Navy officer Jimmy Carters vice president. Trump campaign co-manager Chris LaCivita, the operative behind those Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ads that hurt Kerry two decades ago, smugly compared the treatment of Kerry and Walz in an interview with RealClearPolitics. Birds of a feather will be tarred together, he said of Walz and Kerry. Democrats, for their part, teased Trump at the Democratic National Convention last week for draft deferment due to bone spurs that exempted Trump from Vietnam service. With Trump at 78 years old and most Vietnam War-era Americans in retirement, its safe to say that no person who served in Vietnam will be elected US president. Its an astonishing detail considering the importance of that war in US history and the fact that it included a draft and the protests it sparked. For comparison, every president, Republican or Democrat, from Dwight D. Eisenhower through Richard Nixon, served in World War II. So did George H.W. Bush. Carter enrolled at the Naval Academy during the war. A slew of Vietnam War veterans, including McCain, Kerry and Gore, were on the losing end of presidential campaigns. A rising generation of veterans in office There are signs of a resurgence of lawmakers who served. Both parties today are showcasing their rising stars who served in either Iraq or Afghanistan. Democrats have Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and a host of House members, many of whom gathered on stage at the DNC last week. Republicans have Vance, Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas and many, many others. This story has been updated with additional developments. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com OWEGO, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) A man accused of burglarizing a property in the Village of Owego was taken into custody after stealing numerous vehicles while fleeing from police. On Thursday, the Owego Police Department announced the arrest of Nicholas Cron, 30, from Athens, PA. On Monday, at approximately 10:15 a.m., police were investigating a Burglary at an industrial property at 200 West Avenue. During the investigation, Cron, while allegedly burglarizing the building, was confronted by a civilian. Cron then brandished a firearm and fled on foot. While searching for the fleeing suspect, officers located Cron at about 11:15. Cron ran to a nearby vehicle at the intersection of Fox and McMaster Streets and displayed the firearm before carjacking the driver. He allegedly fled the area in the stolen vehicle. An active search and pursuit of the suspect continued. The police department was assisted by New York State Police and the Tioga County Sheriffs Department. Owego Police utilized the K9 Units while State Police and Sheriffs Deputies launched aerial Drones in the search. The pursuit continued throughout south Owego, Nichols, Waverly and Pennsylvania. During the chase, Cron allegedly stole numerous vehicles and property from several victims. On Wednesday, at approximately 6 p.m., New York State Violent Felony Warrant Squad were able to locate Cron in the area of Pennsylvania Turnpike and Gould Road in the Town of Owego. He was confronted by law enforcement and began to flee the scene in a stolen UTV. Cron then crashed the vehicle and was captured and arrested after a brief struggle. No officers were injured during the incident. Cron was charged with Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B Felony; Criminal Use of a Firearm in the First Degree, a Class B Felony; Burglary in the Second Degree, a Class C Felony; and Criminal Possession of a Firearm in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony. Cron was arraigned and remanded to the Tioga County Jail on a $100,000 Cash or $200,000 Bail Bond or $1,000,000 Secured Bond. Additional charges are pending. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. Army officials criticized former President Donald Trumps campaign staff for violating decorum rules at Arlington National Cemetery and abusing a cemetery worker earlier this week, but no further actions will be pursued after the involved employee declined to press charges. The statement, from an unnamed Army spokesperson, contradicts denials from Trumps re-election team that no physical altercation took place between his staff and cemetery workers during the former presidents visit to the memorial site on Monday. Trump and his team opted to go ahead with photos and videos with Gold Star family members, despite the objections of Arlington staff and after having been made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DOD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds, the Army said. Federal law prohibits politicking at Army National Military Cemeteries, to include photography and video collection. An Arlington National Cemetery employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside, the statement said. Consistent with the decorum expected at [Arlington National Cemetery], this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption. Trump campaign denies fighting with Arlington National Cemetery staff Trump visited the cemetery as part of a ceremony honoring the third anniversary of the deaths of 13 U.S. servicemembers during a suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport, during the chaotic final days of the American military presence in Afghanistan. The Republican Party nominee for president took part in a wreath laying ceremony at the cemetery, then visited Section 60 of the cemetery, where many troops killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are buried. Shots of Trump smiling and giving a thumbs-up sign alongside service members tombstones were later used in campaign spots. NPR reported on Tuesday that during the visit, a cemetery official tried to prevent Trump staffers from filming and photographing there, but the individual was verbally abused and shoved aside. The Armys Office of Army Cemeteries oversees Arlington, and officials have declined to publicly identify the staffer, for fear of retaliation. On Wednesday, Trump campaign adviser Chris LaCivita released a statement insisting that the president and his team conducted themselves with nothing but the utmost respect and dignity for all of our service members, especially our beloved children. For a despicable individual to physically prevent President Trumps team from accompanying him to this solemn event is a disgrace and does not deserve to represent the hollowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, he said in a written statement provided to The Associated Press, misspelling the word hallowed. Whoever this individual is, spreading these lies are dishonoring the men and women of our armed forces, LaCivita added. Family members of some of the 13 service members killed in Afghanistan also released a statement supporting Trump and his actions at the cemetery. Army officials said the assault on the cemetery staffer was reported to police but the employee subsequently decided not to press charges. Therefore, the Army considers this matter closed. This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked, the Army statement said. ANC is a national shrine to the honored dead of the Armed Forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nations fallen deserve. The U.S. Army has disputed a claim from Donald Trumps campaign that nobody on his staff got physical with an employee of Arlington National Cemetery on Mondayand slammed his aides for attacking the woman. Instead, the military branch confirmed Thursday that a member of Trumps staff abruptly pushed a woman employee after she sought to ensure adherence to cemetery rules that bars recording for political purposes. The Army said the woman reported the incident to local cops but ultimately decided against pressing charges. It remains unclear who in Trumps orbit did the alleged pushing. Trump Posts TikTok From Controversial Visit to Arlington National Cemetery The ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked, the Army said in a statement. ANC is a national shrine to the honored dead of the Armed Forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nations fallen deserve. The clash got physical in Section 60 of the cemetery, a 14-acre area where U.S. service members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan are laid to rest. Only cemetery staff members are authorized to take photographs or film in the area, but Trumps campaign has insisted they received approval to have cameras there. The Army, which oversees the countrys national cemeteries, said it considers the matter closed. Donald Trump was slammed for throwing up his signature hand gesture and smiling next to the graves of soldiers killed in action. Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox Trumps visit to Arlington has proved to be quite the headache for him this week. The former president was first criticized for smiling and giving a thumbs up next to fallen soldiers graves. A prominent veterans group slammed him for his cemetery decorum, and a loved one of a soldier whose headstone was photographed told NPR they did not give permission for the marker to appear in photos. Allison Jaslow, the CEO of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, told NPR he was in disbelief that Trumps team brought cameras into such a sacred section of the cemetery. Its hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that anyone who is expecting to be an elected official would think of doing something like this, he said. Criticisms against Trump went into overdrive after allegations emerged about the physical altercation with cemetery staff, however. Trumps campaign confirmed that an incident occurred between staff and a cemetery employee but insisted it did not involve anything physical. A spokesperson for Trump, Steven Cheung, told The Daily Beast in a statement Wednesday that there was no physical altercation as described and we are prepared to release footage if such defamatory claims are made. He did not respond to The Daily Beasts request to share that footage, however. In a separate statement to NPR, Cheung also made a point of disparaging the worker who the Army says was just doing her job to protect the sanctity of Arlingtonthe largest resting place for U.S. veterans and soldiers killed in action. Donald Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery on Monday. It was the third anniversary of the final day of the U.S.s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, which left 13 American soldiers killed in action. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images The fact is that a private photographer was permitted on the premises and for whatever reason an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trumps team during a very solemn ceremony, Cheung said. Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser to Trump, took the nastiness to another level and called the woman a a despicable individual. Gold Star Father: Trump Exploited Sacred Ground for His Ego Arlington has long had a strict rule in place against politicians politicizing their visits to the sacred site. Yet Trumps campaign quickly turned his visit into a TikTok this week in which a voiceover, narrated by the former president, took subtle jabs at Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as footage of Trump at Arlington was played. We lost 13 great, great people, Trump says in the clip. What a horrible day it was. We didnt lose one person in 18 months and then they took over that disaster, the leaving of Afghanistan. The scandal adds to Trumps history of flubs when dealing with the military and veterans. He was accused by those formerly close to him of dodging the Vietnam War draft by making up an injury. He also infamously disparaged the intelligence of service members and asked that wounded veterans be kept out of military parades, The Atlantic reported in 2020. That report, which has had its allegations publicly confirmed by some in Trumps orbit, also alleged that Trump referred to the more than 1,800 Marines who died at Belleau Wooda WWI battleas suckers for getting killed. In a separate conversation on the matter, he reportedly referred to soldiers killed in action as losers. Why should I go to that cemetery? he was accused of saying. Its filled with losers. John Kelly, photographed in the Oval Office in 2018, was Donald Trumps longest-serving chief of staff. Jonathan Ernst/Reuters The retired four-star Marine general John Kelly, who was Trumps longest-serving chief of staff, is among those whove spoken out about the former presidents flippant remarks about war veterans. Kelly was once on the receiving end of one of those comments himself in 2018. Thats when Trump, during a Memorial Day visit to the grave of Kellys son inside Arlington, I dont get it. What was in it for them? 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. (Bloomberg) -- The US Army defended a staff member who confronted Donald Trumps campaign staff during a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, saying she had been abruptly pushed aside and then was unfairly attacked after the incident. Most Read from Bloomberg The Armys statement Thursday came three days after Trumps team touched off a furor over his visit to the cemetery with some family members of the 13 US troops killed in a suicide bombing during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan three years ago. Trump said he was there at the families invitation, while his critics said he exploited the tragedy for the sake of his campaign. The statement which didnt mention Trump by name said participants who joined a visit to the cemeterys Section 60, where recent war dead are buried, were made aware of laws that clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. An employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside, the Army said, adding that the staffer wouldnt file charges and the matter was closed. This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked, the Army said. Sabrina Singh, a Pentagon spokeswoman, told reporters that we stand by the Army in considering this matter closed. The rules and regulations are very very clear. What happened earlier this week is very unfortunate. Public Rebuke The statements by the Army and Pentagon amounted to a rare public rebuke of a former president and commander-in-chief, whose campaign went on the attack after the altercation. In a post to his Truth Social network Tuesday, Trump shared a statement from relatives of the fallen servicemembers who accompanied him, saying they had given their permission to take photographs and expressing gratitude for the former president taking the time to honor our children. His staff went further. Campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement that there was no physical altercation. For whatever reason an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trumps team during a very solemn ceremony, Cheung said. Trump campaign adviser Chris LaCivita said the official was a disgrace and does not deserve to represent the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. Trumps critics have seized on the incident, citing it as only the latest example of the former president disrespecting US service members. His defenders, such as vice presidential candidate JD Vance, have shot back, saying family members invited Trumps campaign staff to take photographs. It is amazing to me that you have, apparently somebody at Arlington Cemetery, some staff member, had a little disagreement with somebody, and the media has turned this into a national news story, Vance said. The Afghanistan withdrawal has become a talking point for Trumps campaign. The former president has repeatedly blamed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for the servicemembers deaths, saying that weakness demonstrated in the hasty US evacuation prompted Russias attack on Ukraine and Hamass attack against Israel last year. (Updates with Pentagon comment in sixth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. GUIYANG, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- China had by the end of June 2024 directly invested over 43.5 billion yuan (about 6.1 billion U.S. dollars) in the construction of eight computing hubs forming part of its mega data project dubbed "east data, west computing," an official said Thursday. Liu Liehong, head of the National Data Administration, speaking at a big data expo in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, said total investment driven by the construction of the hubs had surpassed 200 billion yuan, while the number of data center racks had exceeded 1.95 million. As a key part of China's digital infrastructure, the project is designed to develop the capacity of inland regions to store and process data transmitted from economically advanced eastern areas. Initiated in 2022, the project has seen the full steam advance of the construction of the eight national computing hubs. In addition, China also plans to have 10 national data center clusters as part of the project. Highlighting the steady progress of the project, Liu said network latency between the eastern and western hubs has generally met the 20-millisecond (ms) requirement, while the Power Usage Effectiveness of newly established data centers has been reduced to as low as 1.04. The computing power demand in the east is being met in the west, and the effects of computing power aggregation have begun to emerge, Liu added. As computing power represents a new quality productive force in the age of digital economy, Liu said China will encourage cities to pilot different technical routes over the next two to three years in pursuit of the best solution to national data infrastructure construction. China aims to form a preliminary comprehensive computing power infrastructure system by the end of 2025. The China International Big Data Industry Expo 2024 is currently being held in Guiyang and will end on Friday. It has attracted over 21,000 guests and secured the participation of 414 domestic and international companies. Participants include domestic industry leaders such as Huawei, Alibaba, Tencent, Baidu and JD.com, as well as 77 overseas companies from more than 30 countries and regions, including the United States, Germany and Canada. Army says Arlington National Cemetery staffer was 'abruptly pushed aside' during Trump campaign visit this week. Here's what's happened in the days since. The U.S. Army on Thursday said that an Arlington National Cemetery employee was "abruptly pushed aside" earlier this week during a dispute with members of the Trump campaign. Former President Donald Trump visited the cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Monday to attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He was with the families of the 13 American troops who were killed when the U.S. military pulled its troops from Afghanistan in 2021. Heres whats happened this week. What happened on Monday After the wreath-laying ceremony, Trump accompanied the families and two Marines who were injured in the attack, Sgt. Tyler Vargas-Andrews and Corporal Kelsee Lainhart, to Section 60 of the cemetery. Its an area thats mostly reserved for U.S. veterans who have been killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The service members Trump was honoring were killed in a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate at the airport in Kabul on Aug. 26, 2021. Two members of Trumps campaign staff reportedly had an altercation with a cemetery official who tried to prohibit the Trump staffers from filming and photographing in Section 60, NPR reported. At that point, Trumps campaign staff allegedly verbally abused and pushed the official aside. A defense official told the Associated Press that the Trump campaign was warned ahead of Mondays visit that they could not film or take photographs in Section 60 due to the cemeterys media policy. Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, to include photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes or in direct support of a partisan political candidates campaign, the cemetery said in a statement. Despite the federal law, the Trump campaign posted a video of Trumps visit to Arlington National Cemetery, including Section 60, to the former presidents TikTok account after the visit. Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, who was also at the cemetery, posted a photo of Trump along with the family members of the deceased veterans, giving a thumbs-up in the cemetery. There is no greater sacrifice than giving ones life in defense of our country. It was my solemn privilege to stand alongside the family of Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover at Arlington National Cemetery today as we paid tribute to his legacy and the 12 others who lost their lives pic.twitter.com/tR6dhpMYsB Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) August 26, 2024 Trump teams response to the altercation Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung disputed the reports of a physical altercation in a statement to NPR and added that the campaign was prepared to release footage of the incident if such defamatory claims are made. "The fact is that a private photographer was permitted on the premises and for whatever reason an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trump's team during a very solemn ceremony," Cheung said. Meanwhile, Trump campaign manager Chris LaCivita claimed that Trump was invited by the Abbey Gate Gold Star Families to attend Mondays ceremony to honor their loved ones. For a despicable individual to physically prevent President Trumps team from accompanying him to this solemn event is a disgrace and does not deserve to represent the hollowed [sic] grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. Whoever this individual is spreading these lies are dishonoring the men and women of our armed forces, and they are disrespecting everyone who paid the price for defending our country, LaCivita said in a statement to CNN. Reaction from the U.S. Army Arlington National Cemetery confirmed that "an incident" did occur during Trumps Monday visit to the cemetery and a report was filed. In an official statement released Thursday, the Army defended its Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) staff member who was trying to enforce the no photography or filming policies in the altercation with the Trump campaign staffers. An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside [...] the employee subsequently decided not to press charges. Therefore, the Army considers this matter closed. Veteran reactions Mondays incident is drawing condemnation from veterans, some of whom have called what happened a new low. Several members of Congress who are also former veterans, including Democratic Reps. Ted Lieu from California and Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts, called out what they say is Trumps disrespect of fallen veterans on social media. The nonpartisan nonprofit group Veterans for Responsible Leadership called the political stunt gross and a new low. A progressive veterans nonprofit, VoteVets, condemned the incident, saying in a post on X, With an election coming up, Donald Trump pretends to care about all those who died in service to America. JD Vance tells Kamala Harris to 'go to hell' over Trump's cemetery visit Trump has blamed President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for the bombing that happened amid the U.S.s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Harris on Monday said that it was the courageous and right decision to end Americas longest war. When Trumps running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, was asked about Trumps visit to Arlington on Monday, he condemned the Biden administration's handling of the U.S.s withdrawal. Vance said at a rally on Wednesday: Kamala Harris is so asleep at the wheel that she wont even do an investigation into what happened, and she wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up. She can, she can go to hell. The United States Army on Thursday confirmed that a member of Donald Trumps team pushed an Arlington National Cemetery employee during the former presidents visit to the grave sites of deceased service members earlier this week. The Army noted in a statement that the cemetery conducts nearly 3,000 public ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier a year without incident, and that ahead of its visit to Section 60 of the cemetery, which is reserved for recently deceased service members, Trumps team was made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside by a member of Trumps staff, the statement continued. Consistent with the decorum expected at ANC, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption. The Army added that the employee subsequently decided not to press charges, and that the matter is now closed. In a new, official statement, the Army is defending its staff member who found herself in a confrontation with Trump campaign employees at Arlington National Cemetery: pic.twitter.com/mUUk8vwv6Z Dan Lamothe (@DanLamothe) August 29, 2024 Military officials separately told The New York Times that the employee had declined to press charges for fear of retaliation and harassment by Trumps supporters. Following a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Monday, Trump accompanied the families of several service members who were killed in the 2021 Kabul airport attack during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan to their burial places in Section 60 of the cemetery. NPR reported that when cemetery staff attempted to prevent Trumps staff from entering the area in order to film and photograph the visit, they were verbally abused and physically pushed aside. New reporting from The Washington Post indicates that before the visit, Arlington National Cemetery officials had told Trumps team that he could visit the grave sites personally, but not as part of a campaign event. The cemetery instructed that while the media could document Trump in his visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier a more public space within the grounds campaign staff could not accompany him to Section 60, and that the use of hats, signs, or banners containing campaign materials were not allowed. On Thursday, The Daily Caller reported that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) personally intervened on the familys behalf when the cemetery was reluctant to let Trump visit the graves. After allegedly forcing their way into Section 60 to visit the grave of Staff Sergeant Darin Taylor Hoover with his family, the Trump campaign posted footage from the encounter on their social media accounts. The Washington Post noted that the Trump campaigns use of the footage marked a flagrant violation of the law against partisan actions at military cemeteries, citing defense officials. The rules in Arlington National Cemetery prohibiting campaign activity and the gratuitous gathering of film and video exist to protect the dignity and privacy of those interred at the cemetery and their families. In the aftermath of the incident, the relatives of Master Sgt. Andrew Marckesano a Green Beret whose burial plot is adjacent to Hoovers said they were not consulted by the campaign before Marckesanos grave was featured in photos. We fully support Staff Sergeant Darin Hoovers family and the other families in their quest for answers and accountability regarding the Afghanistan withdrawal and the tragedy at Abbey Gate, Marckesanos sister, Michele, said in a statement to The New York Times. However, according to our conversation with Arlington National Cemetery, the Trump campaign staffers did not adhere to the rules that were set in place for this visit to Staff Sergeant Hoovers gravesite in Section 60, which lays directly next to my brothers grave. We hope that those visiting this sacred site understand that these were real people who sacrificed for our freedom and that they are honored and respected accordingly, she added. Several veterans groups and veterans serving in Congress have also condemned the incident as a disrespectful campaign stunt by a man with a storied history of bashing members of the military. As for the Trump campaign, the former presidents staff have gone on offense. In a statement to NPR, Trump Campaign Spokesperson Steven Cheung accused the cemetery staffer involved in the incident of clearly suffering from a mental health episode and deciding to physically block members of President Trumps team during a very solemn ceremony. Cheung also claimed that the campaign was prepared to release footage if such defamatory claims are made. No such footage has been released. CORRECTION: A previous version of this article incorrectly identified Andrew Marckesanos sister, Michele, as Abby. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for Rollingstone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Army issued an extremely rare rebuke of the Trump campaign on Thursday, saying that it was warned not to turn a visit to Arlington National Cemetery into a political event. But he did. As with so much that Donald Trump touches, the event immediately became extremely political, in wanton violation of both unspoken norms and the law. Trump held an event at the cemetery on Monday to mark the three-year anniversary of the Kabul Airport bombing, in which a suicide bomber affiliated with ISIS-K killed 13 U.S. servicemembers and 170 Afghan civilians. At the event, Trump initially laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, flanked there by servicemembers who were wounded in the attack and their families. The Trump campaign released a TikTok video of that portion of the event. Per federal regulations, military cemeteries cannot be used to stage partisan political events. From there, Trump and his entourage moved to Section 60 a division of Arlington National Cemetery that contains the graves of recent casualties. There, per the Army statement, a cemetery employee tried to ensure that visitors complied with what they had been told: that political activities were prohibited on cemetery grounds. At that point, the employee who attempted to ensure adherence was abruptly pushed aside, the Army said. Consistent with the decorum expected at ANC, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption, the statement reads. The employee filed a report with Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall, an attached military installation, but declined to press charges, the statement said. In the intervening days, various Trump campaign officials went out of their way to smear and intimidate the employee who, the Army said, tried to ensure that the Trump event proceeded like the 3,000 public ceremonies that take place each year at the cemetery: without incident. When NPR reported the altercation, citing an unnamed source, Trump spokesman Steve Cheung accused the person of suffering from a mental health episode, and made the predictably hollow claim that they would release video to disprove the defamatory allegation of a physical altercation. Trump campaign co-chair Chris LaCivita called the employee a disgrace. The Trump campaign did not release any video of the incident. The Army, through its statement, has now further backed up the claim that there was a physical altercation, while placing the blame entirely on the Trump campaign. This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked, the statement reads. ANC is a national shrine to the honored dead of the Armed Forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nations fallen deserve. After Trump and his entourage made it past the employee into Section 60, they stopped to pose for a photo. Trump beamed and gave a thumbs up, per a photo posted by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R), a member of the group: There is no greater sacrifice than giving ones life in defense of our country. It was my solemn privilege to stand alongside the family of Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover at Arlington National Cemetery today as we paid tribute to his legacy and the 12 others who lost their lives pic.twitter.com/tR6dhpMYsB Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) August 26, 2024 Read the Army spokespersons full statement: Arlington National Cemetery routinely hosts public wreath laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for individuals and groups who submit requests in advance. ANC conducts nearly 3,000 such public ceremonies a year without incident. Participants in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent Section 60 visit were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside. Consistent with the decorum expected at ANC, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption. The incident was reported to the JBM-HH police department, but the employee subsequently decided not to press charges. Therefore, the Army considers this matter closed. This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked. ANC is a national shrine to the honored dead of the Armed Forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nations fallen deserve. OWEGO, N.Y. (WETM) An Athens man is behind bars on $100,000 cash bail after police said he was responsible for a string of armed carjackings and robberies in Owego. According to the Owego Police Department, 30-year-old Nicholas Cron was arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 28, after he had been on the run from police for nearly 10 days for crimes that occurred on Aug. 19. Cron was located and arrested on Wednesday on the following charges: Robbery in the first degree, a class B felony. Criminal use of a firearm in the first degree, a class B felony. Burglary in the second degree, a class C felony. Criminal possession of a firearm in the Third Degree, a class D felony. Police say that on Monday, Aug. 19, police were investigating a burglary at an industrial property at 200 West Ave. in Owego. Police say that while Cron was burglarizing a building, a civilian confronted him, but Cron showed a gun at the person and fled from the area on foot. Watkins Glen man arrested after Schuyler County standoff Around 11:25 a.m. on the same day, police say they located Cron, who ran to a nearby vehicle at the intersection of Fox and McMaster Street, showed a gun, and then took over and stole the vehicle. He then fled the area in the stolen vehicle. After fleeing again, an active search continued for Cron by Owego Police with assistance from New York State Police, the Tioga County Sheriffs Department, K-9 units, the NYSP Violent Felony Warrant Squad, NYSP Community Stabilization Unit, Waverly Police and Sayre Police. This search continued throughout south Owego, Nichols, Waverly and Pennsylvania. Police say that during this time, Cron had stolen numerous other vehicles and property from several other victims. Lockwood man arrested after incident involving machete On Wednesday, Aug. 28, around 6 p.m., police say that the Violent Felony Warrant Squad discovered Crons location in the area of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Gould Road in Owego. Owego Police and its K-9 unit then arrived at the scene to assist NYSP in Crons arrest. At this time, police say that Cron was confronted by police, at which time he attempted to flee from police again on a stolen UTV, but then crashed. He was then captured and arrested by police after a brief struggle, which resulted in no injuries. Following his arrest, Cron had his charges read to him at the Tioga County CAP court and was returned to the Tioga County Jail on a $100,000 cash or $200,000 bail bond or $1,000,000 secured bond. Additional charges are also pending for Cron by agencies that participated in his search and arrest. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. An Atlanta Man Was Wrongfully Accused of Killing His Parents...And He Just Got Payback Updated as of 9/17/2024 at 3:35 p.m. ET Nothing can truly make right the unbelievable injustice Keith Sylvester faced back in 2018, but now, the City of Atlanta just took the final step towards righting their wrongs after a tragic double murder resulted in the false imprisonment of a grieving son. According to Fox 5, the city has approved a $1.5 million settlement for Sylvester following a appellate court ruling reversing his conviction. The argument goes, a jury could find that Detective Barnett either intentionally lied to the state judge or was so reckless with the truth that he misled the state judge into thinking there was probable cause, according to the courts ruling. Sylvesters world was turned upside down when he learned his mother, Deborah, 65, and her husband, Harry Hubbard, 67, had been murdered in their Georgia home back in July 2018, according to 11 Alive. The Hubbards home was set ablaze after they were both strangled. But what was even more shocking is who would take the fall for the tragedy. In the months following his parents deaths, Sylvester quickly became the familys spokesperson, even assisting police and hanging up arson posters in the neighborhood, according to Fox 5. As the investigation into the murders deepened, however, Sylvester not only found himself in deep grief, but also in deep trouble when police arrested and charged him with two counts of murder and arson six months after the incident, per WGRZ. The then 47-year-old maintained his innocence, even telling Fox 5, I am innocent and had nothing to do with my mother and stepfathers death, at the time. Keith Sylvester mugshot - Screenshot: Fox News Sylvesters pleas sadly went unheard as he spent 14 months in Fulton County Jail for a crime he did not commit, according to Fox News. It wasnt until 2020 when investigators finally caught the man who was actually responsible for the Hubbards murders. The case against Keith Sylvester was dismissed after the matter was independently investigated by the Major Felonies Unit of the Fulton County District Attorneys Office, said former Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard. He continued, The result of this investigation shows that an assailant, who was unnamed in the original police investigation, was, in fact, in the house of Deborah and Harry Hubbard 20 minutes before a 911 call was placed regarding the fire that caused their deaths. Cornelius Muckle - Screenshot: Fulton County Sheriffs Office The man responsible, Cornelius Muckle, has since been charged with the murders and currently awaits trail starting on Oct. 3, according to 11 Alive. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Attorney for man charged in death of HPD officer motions to withdraw HUNTSVILLE, Ala (WHNT) One of the lawyers for Juan Laws, the man charged in the shooting death of Huntsville Police officer Garrett Crumby, is asking to withdraw from the case. In a motion filed Monday, Defense Attorney Bruce Gardner asked to be allowed to withdraw as second chair in the case. Gardner said the motion came after he received a second letter from Laws dismissing him as counsel. Madison County DA: Officer that shot man saved lives In a handwritten letter filed by Gardner with his motion, Laws said he wrote to Gardner to inform you on my decision to withdraw for your [Gardners] counsel. The letter is dated August 16. Laws is facing capital murder charges for the shooting death of Huntsville Police Department Officer Garrett Crumby on March 28, 2023. Crumby, along with fellow officer Albert Morin, was shot when HPD responded to a shots fired call at the Governors House Apartments. There they located a female victim. The department said two responding officers, Crumby and Morin, were shot by Laws and taken to Huntsville Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Crumby later died from his injuries. Morin was later released from the hospital after recovering from his injuries. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) charged 24-year-old Laws with capital murder of a law enforcement officer. He was booked into the Madison County Jail just before 11 p.m. that night. In an order on Monday, Circuit Court Judge Alison Austin set a hearing to discuss the motion to withdraw on Sept. 3 at the Madison County Courthouse. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. The Tulsa County Courthouse pictured Aug. 20 in downtown Tulsa. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY Attorneys for Tulsa County convicted killer April Rose Wilkens are asking a court to set her free after 26 years following the passage of a new law. Senate Bill 1835, known as the Oklahoma Survivors Act, lets domestic violence victims seek a sentence modification if they can show their abuse contributed to the crime. Wilkens was convicted of going to the home of her former fiance Terry Carlton, an auto dealer, and shooting him eight times in 1998. She said she was raped and assaulted. The pair had a history of domestic violence, according to court records. She claimed battered womans syndrome. Wilkens received a life sentence with the possibility of parole. She has been unsuccessful in her appeals and before the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. She was actually handcuffed and being held captive in his basement at the time of the offense and he was threatening her life, said her attorney, Colleen McCarty, executive director of the Appleseed Center for Law and Justice. She was able to get one of his guns away, and when he lunged at her, she fired and his life was ended. It was purely self defense, and also she was a victim of domestic violence for over two years from him. McCarty said Thursday was the first day victims could apply for relief. The center has 12 other clients seeking relief under the new law. Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler was provided a copy of Wilkens request to apply for resentencing based on the Oklahoma Survivors Act. The initial request is sent to the judge and doesnt trigger participation from Kunzweilers office. Once the District Judge determines whether Wilkens is eligible to apply, further settings may become necessary, his office said. If that happens we will bring forward whatever relevant information is necessary for the trial court to make its decision. McCarty said if the request is successful, Wilkens sentence will be reduced to 25 years or less,. She has been in prison for 26 years, so she would get to go free, McCarty said. If released, she would like to advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, and go on a pilgrimage to Israel, she said. I think she just wants to live a normal life, she said. I think she just wants a chance to rebuild. Wilkens has a son and grandchild, she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST AUSTIN (KXAN) Austin City Council voted Thursday to move forward with a resolution that formally condemns Senate Bill 4 and directs the city manager to work with certain stakeholders to enact policies intended to protect immigrant communities, and provide a report to Council, according to council documents. The resolution was brought forward by Council Member Vanessa Fuentes and aims to protect Austinites against the outcomes of SB4, should the law clear the legal challenges its facing. SB4 may eventually allow Texas peace officers to arrest people suspected of illegally crossing the border. Maybe Texas went too far: 3 takeaways from SB 4s big day in court We really want our police officers focused on investigating violent crime. Thats where their time and resources should be spent. Not carrying out this policy that we know leads to racial profiling, that will separate families and could potentially lead to deportations, Fuentes said. Council Member Mackenzie Kelly was the lone no vote on the resolution, she said on the dais that she did not believe the city level of government was the place to have the conversation versus having it at the state or federal level. Even among law enforcement, SB4 has been controversial and the challenges against it are still playing out in court muddying the law even further. Local law enforcers question their role under SB4 Supporters say its a tool to curb illegal crossings, pointing to the Biden administration for not doing enough to secure the border. Austins move Thursday adds to the long list of challenges Austin has poised to state lawmakers. I would rather their time be spent on fully funding our schools and expanding access to healthcareabsence of state leadership we will continue to bring forward policies that refute and condemn harmful legislation that we know is divisive and stoking fear in our community, Fuentes said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, delivers a speech to the 2024 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) CHENGDU, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road was held on Wednesday in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Aimed at deepening media cooperation and promoting common development, the event brought together over 200 delegates from media organizations in nearly 80 countries, as well as officials, scholars and business people. Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a keynote speech to the conference. Delegates at the forum expressed the belief that media organizations should better tell stories of win-win cooperation in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries and report about both the practices and contributions in jointly building the BRI. Noting that the BRI has experienced flourishing development since it was proposed in 2013, the guests called on media organizations to promote information connectivity, step up efforts to be enabled by digital and smart technologies, and deepen cooperation to showcase the charms of different civilizations. The conference was jointly hosted by the People's Daily and Sichuan provincial authorities. An initiative concerning BRI media cooperation was issued at the forum. (Bloomberg) -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has brushed aside suggestions of US involvement in a new Pacific security accord after he was recorded privately discussing the deal with a senior Biden administration official. Most Read from Bloomberg In the clip recorded on the sidelines of a Pacific forum in Tonga, Albanese is shown speaking candidly with Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell about the Pacific Policing Initiative unveiled on Wednesday. Under the terms, Australia will spend A$400 million ($271 million) to help boost domestic security in the island states. Albanese tells Campbell it has been a cracker of a day at the forum, with the US diplomat replying that the new agreement is fantastic. After the Australian prime minister says how important the new policing pact will be, Campbell responds that he had earlier spoken with Australias Ambassador to Washington Kevin Rudd about the US undertaking an unspecified initiative. He asked us not to, so we did not. Weve given you the whole lane, so take the lane, Campbell said. Albanese says with a laugh, you can go us halvies on the cost if you like. Under the policing plan, Australia will work with Pacific nations to build training colleges to improve domestic security, coordinated in part through a hub in the northern city of Brisbane. The announcement represents a blow to Chinas diplomatic efforts in the region, where Beijing has frequently offered assistance with policing and security as part of its outreach to the Pacific. Albanese has repeatedly insisted in recent days that the deal is Pacific led, though his candid comments with Campbell may inflame perceptions that Australia is operating as a US proxy. Asked about the clip on Thursday, Albanese accused the journalist who recorded it of acting unethically and denied Campbell had said the US withdrew its initiative at Australias request. It is Pacific led, this has been led by police ministers who have been meeting about this for a year, he said, adding no one in the Pacific Island Forum has raised concerns with him over attempts to keep China out of the region. Contacted for a response, the US embassy in Canberra said it doesnt comment on private conversations, according to a spokesperson. Meg Keen, a senior fellow at the Lowy Institute think tank, said the recording is likely to raise pressure on Canberra to ensure the policing agreement is seen to be rolled out jointly with the Pacific island nations involved. Now Australia is really going to have to deliver on the line that this is Pacific led, Australia financed, she said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Anthony Albanese, Australias prime minister, has been caught on a hot mic joking with a White House official about going halvies to fund a Pacific security plan. Mr Albanese played down his remarks to the US deputy secretary of state as a jovial and friendly conversation with a mate of mine. But it has raised suspicions that Australias 206 million multi-national regional police force, announced on Wednesday, is in fact part of a wider US-backed geopolitical strategy to edge China out of the Pacific and diminish its influence there. US-China relations have been framed during the Biden administration by rising military and economic competition and friction over Beijings threats against democratic Taiwan, its territorial claims in the South China Sea and US accusations of Chinese support for Russias war in Ukraine. Click here to view this content. In recent months, the sparring superpowers have sought to dial back these tensions, including through talks in Beijing this week between Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, and Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister. Their meeting resulted in an agreement to hold a final phone call between Joe Biden, the US president, and Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader, in the coming weeks for a further attempt to stabilise relations. Mr Sullivan also met with Mr Xi on Thursday, with the Chinese leader stressing his countrys goal to develop stable and healthy ties with the US and to coexist as two great powers. It is hoped that the United States will meet China halfway, look at China and its development in a positive and rational manner, see each others development as an opportunity rather than a challenge, Mr Xi was quoted as saying. However, suspicion of each others intentions run deep between the two nations, and the latest video of an unguarded chat between Mr Albanese and Kurt Campbell, on the fringes of a major forum of Pacific leaders in Tonga, is likely to feed into a long-held narrative in Chinese state media of Australia acting as deputy sheriff to Washington in the region. We had a cracker today getting the Pacific Policing Initiative through. Its so important. It will make such a difference, Mr Albanese was heard telling Mr Campbell in a video published by a New Zealand journalist. The US official replied: Its great... I talked to Kevin about it and we were going to do something and he asked us not to, so we did not. Weve given you the lane, so take the lane. The Australian leader responded with a light-hearted quip: You can go halvies on the cost if you like. It will only cost you a bit. Mr Campbells comments, in particular, have raised questions about whether Canberra and Washington have been coordinating their actions on security in the Pacific or whether a similar US plan had been derailed. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, meets with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan - NG HAN GUAN/REUTERS In a later press conference, Mr Albanese told journalists to chill out and brushed aside the idea that the US had been planning to create a Pacific police force or that Kevin presumably a reference to Kevin Rudd, the Australian ambassador to the US had talked them out of it. The fallout from the video distracted attention from Australias flagship regional policing plan to improve training and create a multinational crisis reaction force of about 200 officers, which was endorsed by Pacific leaders at the summit. The plan would set up four training centres across the Pacific with a separate hub in the Australian city of Brisbane and was announced by Mr Albanese as he was flanked by the leaders of Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Palau. Australia and New Zealand have long been at the forefront of security support for the region, leading peacekeeping missions and training for Pacific Island nations, but China has in recent years stepped up its own security ties as it expands its economic, military and diplomatic footprint. A secretive security pact with the Solomon Islands in 2022 triggered alarm in Western capitals that it could pave the way for a Chinese naval base within easy reach of Australias coastline. The Australian policing initiative has been viewed as an effort to put China on the back foot over its plans to boost regional law enforcement, although some Beijing-friendly Pacific leaders raised concerns that Canberra should not seek to bolster its own strategic interests by cutting China out. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Authorities find boy who failed to make it to bus stop in Putnam County PUTNAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Authorities in Putnam County said an 11-year-old who never made it to the bus stop Thursday morning has been found safe. The Putnam County Sheriffs Office requested the publics help in finding 11-year-old Paxton Elliot just after 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Approximately 30 minutes later, officials announced the 11-year-old was found. No additional information was released. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Authorities find missing womans body under firepit in Myrtle Beach, charge man with her murder MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) An Orangeburg, South Carolina, man is facing a murder charge after a missing womans body was recovered in June from under a firepit in Myrtle Beach. Sheridan Dirk Fogle, 54, was arrested Thursday morning after authorities in Orangeburg served a warrant in the 1000 block of Broughton Street. He was being transported back to Myrtle Beach late Thursday afternoon and is expected to appear in magistrate court sometime on Friday. Penni Whiteside, 51, was last seen in the spring of 2022, the Horry County Coroners Office said Friday afternoon. Myrtle Beach police said Friday that she and Fogle had been living together. Earlier Friday, police said the arrest warrant for Fogle in Orangeburg stemmed from a missing persons case and incident that happened on May 11, 2022, in the 600 block of 1st Avenue South. Due to statements made by her neighbors, there was reason to believe that she may have been buried near the residence, in the backyard under a firepit, police said in a Facebook post. Authorities recovered Whitesides remains after getting a warrant and searched the property on June 12, police said. This is a tragic loss of life and a senseless crime of violence, police said. Please continue to pray for the family and friends of the victim. Orangeburg is about 140 west of Myrtle Beach and about 50 miles south of Columbia. The U.S. Marshals Service Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety assisted in the investigation. No additional information was immediately available. This is a developing story. Count on News13 for updates. * * * Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. DES MOINES, IOWA The Iowa State Patrol is releasing more information about a fatal accident in downtown Des Moines that began with a police chase, including the name of a teenager killed in the crash. The incident began around 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday when an Iowa State Trooper tried to stop a vehicle on I-235. The driver reportedly exited the highway then sped off down Grand Avenue, eventually crashing into another car at the intersection of 7th Street and Grand Avenue and then careening into the Ruan Center. There were five people in the car at the time of the accident. A passenger, 16-year-old Chad Nicholson, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two 16-year-olds including the driver as well as a 15-year-old and 20-year-old Christopher Lame, Jr. were also injured in the crash. None of them were wearing seatbelts. The car was reportedly stolen. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Authorities in Wisconsin investigating shooting scene that left two women, one man injured RACINE, Wis. (WFRV) Authorities in southeast Wisconsin are investigating a shooting that left two women and one man injured on Sunday. According to a release, on August 25, just after midnight, the Racine Police Department responded to a shooting scene in the 1200 block of Douglas Avenue. The community must intervene: Milwaukee Police Chief pleading for change regarding stretch of felonies amongst teenagers On scene officers discovered two women had been shot and were suffering from non-life-threatening injuries. A third individual, identified as an adult male, was located at an emergency room, also suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The scene was several blocks long and the Racine Police Department is asking anyone with information to contact the department at 262-635-7756. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Boise police sent out a Code Red Alert early Wednesday evening while trying to make contact with a suspect who had an outstanding arrest warrant, asking residents to avoid a neighborhood or shelter in place. Not long after, the person was safely taken into custody, Boise Police Department spokesperson Haley Kramer told the Idaho Statesman. BPDs Crisis Negotiation Team and Special Operations Team were at the scene near Allumbaugh Street north of Douglas Street, Kramer said. The alert went out to residents in the surrounding area, not far from the Flying Wye where Interstate 84 meets the I-184 Connector. (The teams) are on scene working to bring the incident to a safe resolution, Kramer said in a text message to the Statesman shortly before the suspect was apprehended. We are asking everyone to avoid the area. If you are unable to, please shelter in place until the situation is resolved. Police did not say what the warrant was. Away at college but want to vote? What students need to know before the election When college kids leave home to move into dorms and student housing, parents and grandparents quickly learn where to mail care packages. But what of other vital mail like election ballots? If away-from-home voters want to make their voices heard in this falls presidential general election and the local races on the ballot, how do they? Per Election Code 2021 and 2025, students can still receive a ballot from their home county. College can be considered a temporary location. The student can give the county a mailing address to receive their ballot at college and then mail it back to the home county, Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Donna Linder told The Bee. Californians living away from home can register to vote in their new place of residence or use their traditional home address. They will receive a ballot based on their home address, but will need to update their mailing address so the ballot is sent to their new dormitory. But no one may register to vote in two places during the same election. For example, Modesto students who go to school in Sacramento have the option to either use their dorm address, if they receive USPS mail, or their family home address in Modesto. If they wish to vote for local races in Modesto, they will write their home address. Students will have to update the mailing address to the dorm so the state can mail the Modesto ballot to them. If students wish to vote for the local races in Sacramento, they will write their dormitory as both their home address and mailing address. To vote, Californians must register at least 15 days before Election Day, which is Tuesday, Nov. 5. If the registration deadline has passed, some students may be able to register to vote through Same Day Voter Registration. All registered California voters will be mailed a vote-by-mail ballot ahead of Election Day. The ballot will be sent to the address where the person is registered to vote. If they are living at home, they will have the option to fill out the ballot and mail it back or vote in person. If students are attending college in California: To receive their mail-in ballot at their college address, they can update their voter registration information by visiting the My Voter Status tool. If the dorm does not have a specific mailing address, students will have to connect with the specific college to examine their guidelines for mail-in and absentee ballots. To make sure it is sent to them on time, they need to check their voter registration is up to date with their new address by visiting the state My Voter Status tool. If students are attending college outside of California: They can still vote in the California election but have to update their voter registration address by visiting the state My Voter Status tool. They might be able to register to vote in their new home state but need to check the states voter eligibility rules. However, you may not register to vote in two places during the same election cycle. He Lifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs, meets with Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese official He Lifeng on Thursday met with Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, in Beijing. He, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs, briefed Dalio on the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, China's economic situation, and the reform of the capital market. Noting that China is further deepening comprehensive reform and promoting Chinese modernization, he said that since the beginning of this year, the economy has continued to rebound and show positive signs and solid progress has been made in advancing high-quality development. He expressed the hope that Dalio will continue to play a bridging role and promote U.S. companies to seize opportunities and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China. Dalio expressed full confidence in China's economy and future development and said Bridgewater is willing to make new contributions to promoting U.S.-China friendly cooperation. He Lifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs, meets with Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Democratic strategist David Axelrod said Republican Larry Hogan is defying gravity in the Maryland Senate race against Democrat Angela Alsobrooks. Its testimony to fmr @GovLarryHogans popularity in MD that hes in a tie race for the U.S. Senate, according to a new Anzalone and Fabrizio poll, while @KamalaHarris is beating Trump by 32 points. Id still bet on the Dem, Angela Alsobrooks, but Hogan, an R, is currently defying gravity, Axelrod wrote on social platform X. Axelrod appeared to be responding to a new AARP poll, which was conducted by Fabrizio Ward and Impact Research, that found Alsobrooks and Hogan tied at 46 percent support each, with 7 percent of respondents undecided and 1 percent saying they plan to support another candidate. Hogan was elected to two terms as governor of Maryland and was one of the most popular governors in the country. He has garnered support among non-Republicans, according to the poll, which found 55 percent of independents back him. While the poll showed a tight Senate race in the state, the presidential contest was not close. Vice President Harris has a 32-point lead over former President Trump, according to the poll. Hogan has fueled some hope among Republicans that they could flip Marylands Senate seat this November by stressing his independence and rejecting an endorsement from Trump. Hogan previously served as a co-chair of the political organization No Labels, which was considering putting forward a unity ticket with one candidate from both parties before it ultimately abandoned the effort. He stepped down earlier this year ahead of launching his bid for the Senate race. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Backpage sentence handed down: Yesterday, Backpage co-founder Michael Lacey was sentenced to 60 months in prison. Lacey, who has been dragged through this legal ordeal for years (an ordeal which contributed to the suicide of his longtime partner/co-founder, Jim Larkin), was found guilty last fall of one count of international concealment of money laundering. Lacey and Larkin long ago began to attract the scrutinyand worseof federal prosecutors for their roles in running the classified ad site, Backpage, which prostitutes used to advertise their services. "This is not a case where the defendant went off on his own to hide an asset," wrote Lacey's lawyers. "Instead, in the years that preceded the international wire transfer at issue, federal law enforcement officers had visited his banks and suggested to those banks that it would be bad for their reputation to have him as a client, which then resulted in the banks terminating their relationship with him. This occurred when there were no charges pending." After being denied access to the U.S. banking system, turning elsewhere seems like rational behaviorand it was behavior his whole legal team was aware of, Lacey's lawyers claim. "The entire transaction was papered and executed by counsel. Michael did not hide anything from his counsel, explaining to them that the funds at issue were from the sale of Backpage. As his counsel, [John] Becker, explained at trial, he believed and still believes the transaction to be fully lawful. There was no intent to conceal, and no actual concealment, but rather, an intent to disclose and actual disclosure." Big picture: For their part, prosecutors say that Lacey and the others who created and maintained Backpage "made a calculated decision to pursue a livelihood built on prostitution ads, and maintained that path, year after year, supporting a succession of criminal users of their website." They charged Lacey with 85 total counts, including "using Backpage to knowingly facilitate prostitution, in violation of the U.S. Travel Act." Lacey maintains that Backpage was protected by the First Amendment. The prosecutors in this case "helped create a playbook for suppressing online speech, debanking disfavored groups, and using 'conspiracy' charges to imprison the government's targets," wrote Elizabeth Nolan Brown, who has been following this case for years, in an article from April. (Note Kamala Harris' starring role.) That it has now culminated in five years in prison for an elderly man who has already lost so much as a result of the federal government's persecution comes as no surprise. The jury was hung on 84 count & a judge later dismissed many of these. But prosecutors plan to try Lacey again on the unresolved counts which involve actions they urge the judge *this time* to consider at sentencing So Lacey could wind up sentenced TWICE for the same activity Elizabeth Nolan Brown (@ENBrown) August 27, 2024 "Flight by suicide". Consider the sickness and evil of any mind which could not only voice such a phrase aloud in court, but also demand it prevented lest the intended victims escape the State's torture. The depth of depravity to which these prosecutors have sunk is nauseating. https://t.co/TUe0sdDzrX Maggie McNeill (@Maggie_McNeill) August 28, 2024 Scenes from New York: Beyond parody. Watch illegal cannabis go up in smoke as we incinerate illegal products confiscated in New York City: https://t.co/g00e5M0MO7 Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) August 28, 2024 QUICK HITS The surgeon general says that four in 10 American parents are so stressed they can "barely function" and that "government aid, in the form of child tax credits, universal preschool, early childhood education programs, paid family and medical leave, paid sick time and investments in social infrastructure, can help," per Politico. I think this is more than a little misguided. More here. Fair point: NEW: Why should Kamala Harris sit down and take questions from the press and public? Not because it's good for her. It probably isn't. Not because it's good for ratings. Who cares? Because it's what you do in a democracy. Do we want one or not?https://t.co/nF9YOP8bSt Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) August 28, 2024 "After a roadside bomb killed a Marine in the town of Haditha in November 2005, the rest of his squad shot dead 24 unarmed Iraqi men, women, and children, many of them inside their own homes," writes Reason's Matthew Petti. "The Marine Corps then lied about it, claiming that the victims were all killed by the bomb or by running gun battles with insurgents. Only dogged reporting by Time Magazine forced the military to open an investigation. No one was ever jailed for the killings or the coverup. Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, the commander of the squad, pleaded guilty to one count of dereliction of duty and was demoted. The military avoided a public relations disaster, Gen. Michael Hagee would later brag, because graphic photos of the massacre were never published. Until now." A great compilation from The New York Times: 12 times Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticized former President Donald Trump. (RFK Jr. recently dropped out of the presidential race and was appointed to Trump's transition team.) "Sex work has gotten so rampant again in S.F.'s Mission District, residents are suing the city," reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Pavel Durov, the founder of messaging app Telegram, was charged yesterday by French authorities with "complicity in managing an online platform to enable illegal transactions by an organized group, which could lead to a sentence of up to 10 years in prison," as well as "complicity in crimes such as enabling the distribution of child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking and fraud, and refusing to cooperate with law enforcement," reports The New York Times. Durov's case is the latest example of authorities trying to punish the founder of a platform for conduct that occurs on or via the platform. (Haven't we heard this one before?) "The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily grounded SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets on Wednesday after a booster failed to land upright and exploded following the successful launch of Starlink satellites," reports Axios. The post Backpage's Michael Lacey Gets 5-Year Sentence appeared first on Reason.com. Ballot battle: What to know about Pflugerville ESD 2 this November PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) A ballot battle is brewing in Pflugerville. This November, voters there will ultimately decide whether to continue a 1% sales and use tax. It helps fund Emergency Services District Two, otherwise known as the Pflugerville Fire Department. RELATED: Travis County ESD No. 2 opens new Pflugerville fire station The Pflugerville Fire Department Chief Nick Perkins said it will affect response times, and staffing, if approved. A group of locals claims the department is wasting taxpayers money. Chief: This would defund the fire department [Passing] this would defund the fire department. This would reduce our budget by approximately 40%, Perkins told KXAN. Hes worried about what will happen if the current 1% sales and use tax is rolled back a half-percent. That would result in us having to eliminate 130 positions, wed have to lay off over 80 firefighters. Without having those firefighters we would have to close at least three fire stations, he said. Not the only ESD in central Texas The city of Pflugerville is nearly the same size as nearby city of Kyle. The difference is only about 10,000 people. Both cities use Emergency Service Districts (ESD) to perform emergency services for residents. RELATED: Williamson County connects multiple agencies for faster emergency response Perkins said the city would have to find other ways to fund critical and essential services, adding the only thing we have left at that point is property tax. Local group differs on chiefs opinion When asked if this would defund the fire department, David Rogers, who is the spokesperson for Pflugerville Residents for Responsible Taxation (PfRRT), denied that claim. [This is] absolutely not [defunding the department.] Defunding implies youre taking all the money away. That is not true, Rogers said. When [the fire department] projected it was going to be completely out of money they have gone on a wild spending spree, he said. Rogers added, ESD 2 falsely claimed impending bankruptcy. Despite having the funds to provide ambulances, [ESD 2] opted to cease service. ESD 2 has actually experienced record net surplus, debunking [its] financial distress narrative. Rogers: Pretending something theyre not Rogers said ESD 2 is also pretending to be something theyre not. PfRRT claims language on the ballot could end up confusing voters beside its listed as Emergency Services District Two, also known as the Pflugerville Fire Department. There is no Pflugerville Fire Department. The city of Pflugerville doesnt run a fire department. There is an Emergency Services District that covers a wide area that includes Pflugerville, but it also includes Wells Branch [and other areas], Rogers said. The group claims it is also one of the largest cities in Texas that does not have their own fire department. However, the fire departments website said many cities of similar size and population do not have their own fire department, including places like Waco, Temple and Fort Worth. Chief explains where money has gone When voters granted that sales tax to us in 2014, what weve done since weve received that money is weve trained more than 50 firefighters as paramedics. Weve also been able to add the necessary resources, Perkins said. Rogers argues faulty financial projections that have been pointed out to [ESD] over and over again, often times not corrected, and they havent gone back to say hey, we made a mistake, we thought [ESD] couldnt afford it, we were wrong, well provide you the service.' If they had done that, voters wouldnt have had to say its time. You can provide the service or you can take the taxes, but you cant not provide the service and take the taxes, Rogers said. City of Pflugerville breaks ground on wastewater treatment plant I dont know what you can say to people who refuse to correct their mistakes over and over again except Im not paying you again for the job youre not doing, Rogers added. Chief: Its been a challenge already Were limited as an ESD. We are limited to 10 cents property tax ad valorem, Perkins said. Thats not enough money to run an adequate fire department. What you see with most fire departments in central Texas, theyre upwards of 30 cents ad valorem in order to run a fire department. He adds Its been a challenge already, and thats why the sales tax offset and be able to provide the level of services we have today. We would be removing that ability with the sales tax [change], Perkins said. Where to learn more information For more information on Pflugerville FDs stance, view more about the petition on the fire departments website. To read more about PfRRTs stance on the petition, it can be viewed on its website here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Bank employee found dead in her cubicle 4 days after last clocking in A Wells Fargo employee in Arizona was discovered dead in her cubicle last week, four days after she was last seen clocking into the office, officials said. Security at the Wells Fargo branch located in the 1100 block of West Washington Street contacted the Tempe Police Department after 60-year-old Denise Prudhomme was found dead in her cubicle on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Prudhomme had last scanned into work on Friday, Aug. 16, at around 7 a.m. and never checked out. Police reported that Prudhomme was found on the third floor of the building, in a cubicle that was not in a main walkway, and there were no immediate signs of foul play. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner has yet to determine the cause of her death. An anonymous employee told KPNX that coworkers had noticed a foul odor but assumed it was related to a plumbing issue. Prudhommes body was eventually discovered by another employee passing by. Its really heartbreaking, and Im thinking, What if I were just sitting there?' another worker, who also requested anonymity, told ABC News 12. To hear shes been sitting at the desk like that would make me feel sick, the employee added. And nobody did anything. Thats how she spent her last moments. In a statement, Wells Fargo expressed their sorrow over the loss. We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague at our Tempe office. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and loved ones during this difficult time. TMX contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. When a New York bank manager wanted her brother-in-law dead, she tried hiring his longtime friend for the job and then planned to hire a hitman for $10,000, according to court documents. The friend, who belonged to a foreign police force, went undercover to build evidence against Reshma Massarone while she kept urging for her brother-in-law to be killed, federal prosecutors said. The friend helped reveal her plot, leading to her eventual guilty plea, according to prosecutors. Massarone devised a chilling plan to have a member of her own family murdered for the low price of ten thousand dollars. Her plan was unthinkably heartless, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in an Aug. 28 news release announcing her sentencing. Massarone, 40, of Pine Bush, was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison on a murder-for-hire charge on Aug. 27, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York. Her potential motive wasnt specified by prosecutors. Massarones brother-in-law told authorities that he and Massarone were involved in ongoing civil litigation in New York, according to an affidavit written by a federal officer who investigated the case. Criminal trial lawyer Matthew D. Myers, who represented Massarone, told McClatchy News on Aug. 29 that this case is the consummate example of a person being pushed to the brink after years of suffering. Ms. Massarones actions were completely out of character. Tragically, it is Ms. Massarone who will suffer even further, Myers said. Although we recognize the severity of the charges we believe enough mitigation was provided to the Court to receive a far less severe sentence. The evidence against Massarone included social media messages and phone calls she exchanged with her brother-in-laws friend, in which she discussed the murder plot, and bank surveillance footage of her wiring a $2,500 down payment for her brother-in-laws killing, according to prosecutors. Lets get it done In a July 2023 Facebook message, Massarone first contacted her brother-in-laws friend about killing him, court documents say. She plotted with the friend for about a month without knowing he was working undercover, according to prosecutors. The friend was with her brother-in-law and the brother-in-laws wife in Guyana, where he worked as a police officer and was providing security services for the couple at the brother-in-laws request, the affidavit says. Massarone told the friend, referred to as Individual-1 in court documents, that because of his preexisting friendship with her brother-in-law, Massarone believed that (her brother-in-law) and his wife would never expect that Individual-1 would murder him, according to the affidavit. The man told Massarone he wouldnt kill him and offered that he knew someone else, a hitman, who would carry out the job, the affidavit says. At the time, Massarone was a branch manager at the Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union in Woodstock, about a 105-mile drive north from New York City, according to her LinkedIn profile. In Massarones messages to her brother-in-laws friend, according to prosecutors, she swore on her kids lives that (he) would get paid if he (got) rid of the Victim for her. She eventually wired $2,500 to him, believing he would give the money to the hitman as a down payment, for her brother-in-laws killing, prosecutors said. Massarone was seen wiring the money at a Western Union kiosk inside of a Walgreens in Orange County in surveillance footage from July 21, the affidavit shows. By July 24, 2023, her brother-in-law had reported to the U.S. Embassy in Guyana that his friend told him Massarone placed a hit on him, according to the affidavit. Meanwhile, the friend continued to speak with Massarone about the murder plot and recorded their phone conversations, the affidavit says. As Massarone kept planning, she became impatient, according to prosecutors. She urged Individual-1 to murder the Victim, suggesting that rat poison can do a great job and warned him that she would find someone else, telling him: Either way, if I find somebody to do the job youre going to get blame, so cut the (expletive) and lets get it done, prosecutors said. Massarone was indicted in the case on Aug. 29, 2023, court records show. Her prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release, according to prosecutors. Woman offered to pay hitman $5,000 in bitcoin to kill her exs new girlfriend, feds say Hitman kills three people, including woman who was working as police informant, feds say Woman sought hitman on dark web to kill her lovers wife and his daughter, feds say Double murder-for-hire plot unravels when mastermind is caught, Mississippi cops say BARBOURVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) Frustration is mounting among Barbourville community members as the construction of the new Knox County Public Library remains stalled. The proposed site, an empty lot that has been vacant for years, currently features only two signs indicating future development. I dont know about other people but I would be willing to pick up a shovel and break groundI mean, its been a long, long, long road, said one community member. Dolly Parton talks family, literacy, and legacy with Gov. Beshear The existing library is reportedly at full capacity, underscoring the urgent need for a new building to accommodate expanding programs for children and adults. Carolyn Valentine, who formerly served on the librarys chair, explained, When we have children programs, adult programsand the rooms are always just full to capacity. So we are past time for a new library. The librarys expansion project began in 2019 with the purchase of the land. By 2020, library officials sought proposals from an engineering firm to move forward. However, progress was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Compounding the delay, Senate Bill 167, passed in 2023, requires local fiscal court approval for construction projects exceeding $1 million. It remains unclear if this new legislation affects the librarys plans. Library staff reportedly reached out to the Attorney General to determine if a fiscal court opinion is necessary. If he says it isnt necessary, then that would be the end of itif he says there is a grandfather clause, said Knox County Attorney Gilbert Holland. To expedite the process, community members attended a fiscal court meeting on Wednesday to voice their concerns and frustrations. Although the library issue was not on the meeting agenda and no action was taken, organizers said local residents expressed their discontent. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: I hate to see our county pay taxpayer money to fight for a community resource that they know that we need and I really hope that all of our constituents will just remember thisremember all of the people who fought against this resource that everybody knows we need, said Josh Cole, a Knox County resident. As of now, there has been no resolution, and the community is waiting for further developments regarding the new librarys construction. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Beautiful brindled boy looking for his loving, active family SAINT JO (KFDX/KJTL) Just over one year old, our friend Waylon from the Easy Street Animal Shelter in Saint Jo, is ready to enjoy some fun in the sun. He was brought to Easy Street as a stray but fit right in. He gets along very well with other dogs and loves everybody. Early Head Start seeks donations through Texoma Gives While Waylons breed is unknown, his beautiful brindle coat makes him look a lot like a Dutch Shepherd. He is very smart and active and loves being outdoors. Shelter volunteers said he would be great around kids and an active family with ample space for Waylon to run around in. If you are interested in this beautiful boy, give Easy Street Animal Shelter a call at (940) 613-6865 to set up an appointment to meet Waylon. Easy Street will hold a big celebratory Open House on September 7, 2024, in honor of Clear the Shelters and its 10th Anniversary. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. Are You Being 'Spoofed'? This Specific Type Of Scam Is Hard To Catch. Spoofing scams are all too common, and they work because they take advantage of our trust. rob dobi via Getty Images Scammers win when they trick you into divulging personal information and one of the simplest ways they can get you to do this is by impersonating someone you know. When a bad actor pretends to be someone you trust or a legitimate retailer, this type of scam is known as spoofing. With spoofing, scammers take advantage of the fear and the curiosity that we have that this is somebody we know, said Amy Nofziger, the director of victim support for the AARP Fraud Watch Network. One common tactic in a spoofing scam is to make an email address, text message, website or phone number appear like its the real deal. But even though it might have a similar or exact same display name, domain address or use the same call-to-action button as a trusted business, politician or boss, its actually all a deceptive act to convince you into downloading malware or giving up your financial information. Often, the trickery can only be revealed through minor details. Here are some of the most common ways you will encounter spoofing and what to watch out for: Phone Spoofing Phone spoofing can be hard to spot because there are apps that can replicate caller IDs so that they can carry the display name of people you know, as well as the local area codes that you are familiar with. Dont trust what you hear, either. In a 2023 60 Minutes segment, an ethical hacker used an app to create an AI-generated recording that mimicked the voice of one of the shows correspondents. Through this eerie likeness, the hacker was able to successfully ask a colleague to share that correspondents passport number in a phone call. In these cases, the best thing you could do is say, I gotta call you right back, even if its just one minute, said Cliff Steinhauer, the director of information security and engagement for the National Cybersecurity Alliance. In the example of the 60 Minutes colleague who got fooled, if the [co-worker] had hung up and called her boss back, she would have gotten her boss, not the attacker. To help prevent this kind of spoofing, set up a code word you can ask for as a verifying test, Steinhauer suggested. Overall, the big telltale sign that the caller is a scammer is not in how legitimate they appear or sound, but in what they are telling you to do. It can be normal to receive a random call that shares information with you like a prescription available for pickup from the pharmacy. But you should be suspicious if the caller urgently needs you to give up sensitive information in order to continue the conversation. If theyre saying, Your child is hurt and you need to send us an insurance payment right now with prepaid gift cards or cryptocurrency, theyre asking you for something, and thats the biggest red flag, Nofziger said. Email Spoofing Upon first glance, a spoofed email may look reliable. Scammers will often use sender addresses that look like its coming from a known company or authority figure. Sometimes, a tiny typo can be the biggest clue that something is amiss, so watch out for emails that have misspellings or unusual syntax. Steinhauer shared an example where an email attacker was using actual vendors domain name, with the same name and signature, but the only thing that was different was the spelling of the companys name. The good news is that email authentication technology that many businesses use can block emails from suspicious senders or confine them to a spam folder. But if those things arent set up correctly, then its possible for attackers to spoof your email addresses, Steinhauer said. What can be tricky too in these cases is how there can be no obvious typos at all and the email can have the same addresses, logos and branding that you would be familiar with. So watch out if the email is supposed to be internal, but you get an alert that it appears like its coming from an external sender. Mail being marked as junk or being marked as spam that could be an indication that somebody has compromised the DNS of the mail service, and theyve somehow tricked it into sending an email from another domain, Steinhauer said. URL Spoofing Sometimes, the email or text may be worded correctly, but the attachment or hyperlink you are being asked to click is the suspicious sign. Many times, scammers will create look-alike URLs that appear legitimate until you look more closely at the punctuation or wording. Drive-google.com is an insecure imitation domain, for example, while drive.google.com is not. Usually, when youre on a computer, you can hover over the link with your mouse, and you can see the URL that youre going to be taken to. Be wary if the email or website has a link that has been shortened through a service like Bitly so you cannot see where the link will go, Steinhauer said: It can mask the actual destination of the link. In these cases, its better to avoid clicking. Steinhauer gave the example of a random text from a politician that is asking you to donate to their campaign with a link. Instead of clicking a suspicious URL that has been shortened, its better to just go to that candidates website directly, he suggested. And if you get an unsolicited email from a business you interact with like an airline, just go directly to the website that you want to visit, Nofziger recommended, instead of clicking links within that email. There are a few steps you can take to protect your information if you believe you've been spoofed. Tara Moore via Getty Images What To Do If You Get Spoofed If you do end up clicking that fraudulent link or you reply to someone you thought was a real authority figure, your next steps depend on where it happened and what you ended up sharing. Report it. Immediately let your IT department know you got fooled if it happens at work, Steinhauer suggested. If you realize youve clicked a link, hopefully you stop there, close out of it, and then send your help desk a ticket, he said. If it involves your finances, report what happened to your bank or credit card, too, because they can put a temporary freeze on your accounts. You can also report the spoof to the FTC. Reset passwords and update your computer. If you believe you may have shared more than you should have with a potential scammer, you need to bolster your online security. For good cybersecurity, you should continue to install the latest patches and updates on your computer network, authorize multifactor authentication if you have not, and reset your passwords. If you think you put your password in on a fake website, the first thing you should do is absolutely reset that password, because the attacker is going to ... try to reset it before you can, Steinhauer said. Train yourself to be better at spotting spoofs. To be better at distinguishing from spoofed URLs or domains, try Googles quiz. It can help you see how one typo or one unusually worded email address can tip you off to a larger scam taking place, Steinhauer suggested. When in doubt about an incoming call, let it go to voicemail. Do not pick up your phone unless you absolutely know whos calling, Nofziger said. And if you do answer, stay mum if you start getting detailed requests for information. Never give out personal information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, mothers maiden names, passwords or other identifying information in response to unexpected calls or if you are at all suspicious, the Federal Communications Commission warns on its website about spoofing. Avoiding spoofs means treating every email or call with some healthy caution. It can be annoying to seek out extra verification when you feel doubt, but the consequences of dealing with a stolen identity are worse. Related... Belarusian aircraft shot at stray Russian drone for first time, monitoring group says A Belarusian fighter jet attempted to down a Russian Shahed-type drone that flew into Belarus' airspace during an overnight attack against Ukraine on Aug. 29, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group said. The Kyiv Independent could not immediately verify the claim. While Russian attack drones have reportedly veered off course toward Belarus during air raids on Ukraine on multiple occasions, this would be the first known case of a Belarusian Air Force plane attempting to shoot one of them down. According to Belarusian Hajun, the drone flew into the Yelsk district of the Homel region at around 3:30 a.m. local time. After it entered the Belarusian airspace, a scrambled jet pursued it for roughly 20 minutes. At least two explosions could be heard in the Yelsk district at around 3:55 a.m., and a bright flash was visible in the sky, the monitoring group said. "This is probably the first recorded case when a fighter jet of the Belarusian Air Force attempted to destroy a real military target in the sky," Belarusian Hajun wrote. The monitoring group did not specify the ultimate fate of the drone or whether its wreckage had been discovered. Aviation was used for the first time in Belarus to shoot down a Shahed drone According to @Hajun_BY, last night, during another Russian attack against Ukraine, one of the Shahed drones again flew into the territory of Belarus in Yelsk district. It happened at 03:30. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/QwfqEvR4rI Belarusian Hajun project (@Hajun_BY) August 29, 2024 The Belarusian Defense Ministry has not commented on the alleged incident. According to Belarusian Hajun, there have been multiple cases of Russian Shahed-type drones flying off course to Belarus over the past weeks. At least six Russian drones reportedly entered the Belarusian airspace during a recent mass attack on Ukraine on Aug. 26. Minsk has never publicly raised objections to Moscow its key ally over the reported incidents. Instead, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko alleged that his country's forces downed several Ukrainian drones over its airspace, a claim denied by Belarusian Hajun. The statement came amid surging tensions between Belarus and Ukraine as the Belarusian military moved a significant force to the border, allegedly for exercises. While supporting Russian aggression against Kyiv, the Belarusian Armed Forces have not taken a direct part in the war. Read also: Belarus gathering significant number of troops, weaponry along Ukraines border under guise of exercises, Ukraine says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The second vice-ministerial meeting of the China-U.S. commercial and trade working group will be held on Sept. 7 in north China's Tianjin Municipality, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) announced Thursday. China International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen will co-chair the meeting with the U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago, MOC spokesperson He Yadong told a press conference. The two sides will engage in in-depth discussions on a wide range of topics, including their respective concerns about economic and trade policies, corporate demands, and pragmatic cooperation. The first vice-ministerial meeting of the China-U.S. commercial and trade working group was held in April this year. Throughout my career, I have worked in federal, state, and local government. I have served as New Castle County Executive, Delaware State Auditor, in executive positions at the White House and the United States Department of Justice, and as an advocate for stronger gun safety laws. During this time, I have met many different people from all over and I have seen the good and bad sides of public service. Bethany Hall-Long shows us the good side. Politics, as they say, can be a contact sport. It can be very harsh, but it doesn't have to be. In Delaware politics, we have always made it a point of honor to rise above petty, personal attacks to focus on issues that matter. However, this election cycle has revealed a negativity and distortion unlike anything we've ever seen before. I have known Bethany Hall-Long for more than 15 years. She's a career nurse and educator who got into politics because of the number of homeless veterans facing mental health challenges whom she met in the course of her work and for whom she needed to find help. She began by volunteering to register people to vote. She served on local Democratic committees and then was approached to run for office. Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long answers a question during the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League's debate on Monday, May 20, 2024, at Canaan Baptist Church near New Castle. As a person, Bethany is one of the most empathetic and caring people you'll find. There are countless stories across our state about her helping people. She brings supplies and provides care to the unhoused. She checks in on people who are struggling. She's helped numerous people find housing and get the professional care they need. And she's done all this quietly, away from the cameras - because that's who Bethany really is. And yet, this election cycle has seen unprecedented amounts of money being used to damage Bethany's reputation and call into question her record of service. Please do not be fooled by these big-dollar lies. These groups make their living by slinging mud, using half-truths, rumors and innuendo. For instance, there is a group in Delaware soliciting donations by attacking Bethany's position on gun safety. Their mailers allege Bethany isn't a champion on gun safety laws, and they are misleading. Let me be clear: I have been privileged to work for and with gun safety groups in Delaware for the past decade. These include Giffords, Everytown, Brady and the Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence. I know who stands up to the NRA and who backs down. Bethany stands up. Bethany has been there for Delaware families on gun safety laws. In the state Senate, she voted for stronger background checks, to close the gun show and Charleston loopholes and to protect domestic violence victims from abusers who own firearms. After she was elected lieutenant governor, she continued to speak out, working for Delaware's first red flag law, the Beau Biden Gun Violence Prevention Act, the assault weapons ban, the permit-to-purchase law, the law banning large capacity magazines, raising the age to buy long guns to 21, among others. She also supported keeping guns off school, college, and university properties, and out of polling places. That's the truth. No one should doubt her commitment to passing strong gun safety laws. The Carney Hall-Long Administration has enacted 23 gun safety bills, more than any other administration in the states history. Bethany has also received a Gun Sense Candidate designation from Moms Demand Action. Look at who is backing Bethany in this election: union workers, educators, healthcare professionals, the LGBTQ+ community and the Delaware Democratic Party, to name a few. These Delawareans know Bethany. They know her character, and they know what kind of governor she will be. That's why I will be joining them on Sept. 10, in blocking out the noise and voting for Bethany Hall-Long in the Delaware Democratic Primary. Dennis E. Greenhouse is former Delaware State Auditor and former New Castle County Executive. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Bethany Hall-Long should be elected as Delaware's next governor Graduating students participate in commencement exercises at City College where First lady Michelle Obama delivered the commencement speech after being presented with an honorary doctorate of humane letters on June 3, 2016. in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Graduating students participate in commencement exercises at City College where First lady Michelle Obama delivered the commencement speech after being presented with an honorary doctorate of humane letters on June 3, 2016. in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday slashed the Biden administrations latest efforts to provide student debt relief to millions of borrowers to go forward while the appeals process unfolds. The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan provided lower monthly loan payments for borrowers and lessened the time it takes to pay off their debt. The program came shortly after the Supreme Court struck down an earlier student loan forgiveness plan from the administration in June 2023 that would have canceled more than $400 billion in debt. But the SAVE plan was quickly met with a wave of legal challenges from a coalition of GOP-led states in two lawsuits stemming from Missouri and Kansas. Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, North Dakota, Ohio and Oklahoma filed a federal lawsuit alongside Missouri in April against the administration over the plan. The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed an August ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit that temporarily halted the plan to remain in effect. The appellate decision followed a federal judge in Missouri issuing a preliminary injunction blocking the plan in late June. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In its decision, the nations highest court said it expects the 8th Circuit to render its decision with appropriate dispatch. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey praised the Supreme Courts decision in a statement Wednesday, calling it a huge win for every American who still believes in paying their own way. On the other hand, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Education said we are disappointed in this decision, particularly because lifting the injunction would have allowed for lower payments and other benefits for borrowers across the country, per a statement shared with States Newsroom. The spokesperson said the department will work to minimize further harm and disruption to borrowers as we await a final decision from the Eighth Circuit, adding that the Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to supporting borrowers and will continue to fight for the most affordable repayment options for millions of people across the country. In a statement, Mike Pierce, executive director of the Student Borrower Protection Center, said in rejecting this appeal, the Supreme Court perpetuates the 8th Circuits bogus legal fiction that pausing affordable payments is preserving the status quo. This is ludicrous. Millions of people were repaying their student loans. Now they are in limbo, Pierce added. Meanwhile, Kansas, Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Texas and Utah also filed a lawsuit over the plan in March. A federal judge in Kansas dismissed eight of those states allowing only Alaska, South Carolina and Texas to move forward with their challenge and issued a preliminary injunction. In late June, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit allowed parts of the SAVE plan to go forward forcing Alaska, South Carolina and Texas to file an emergency request to the Supreme Court to vacate the stay. But the Supreme Court rejected this attempt from the states attorneys general on Wednesday, saying that applicants represent that they do not require emergency relief from this Court as long as the Eighth Circuits injunction is in place. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Big loss to our family: Charges filed in Christmas Eve traffic fatality in Mascoutah Reckless homicide and aggravated DUI charges have been filed against a man in connection with a Christmas Eve crash that took the life of a 51-year-old woman who grew up in Mascoutah and was known for her legal work at the Chicago Housing Authority. Cale H. Dees Jr., 21, was charged with multiple felony offenses and is considered a fugitive, the Mascoutah Police Department said in a news release Wednesday. Pamela Denise Meekins died from injuries suffered in the Dec. 24 crash on Illinois 4 at Fuesser Road, according to the news release. Her sisters, Carole Meekins and Janice Meekins, also were injured in the crash. They were returning home from last-minute Christmas shopping, according to another sister, Beverly Meekins. Dees also was injured in the two-vehicle, head-on crash, which was reported at about 3:50 p.m. First responders found that a GMC Terrain driven by Dees had collided head-on with a Honda CRV, in which the Meekins were riding. Upon conclusion of the investigation, it was determined Cale H. Dees Jr. had swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid colliding with a vehicle waiting to make a westbound turn onto Fuesser, the Mascoutah news release stated. Dees faces the following six charges filed Tuesday by the St. Clair County States Attorneys Office: Aggravated driving under the influence/death. Reckless homicide. Two counts of aggravated driving under the influence/great bodily harm. Two counts of aggravated reckless driving. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Dees is asked to call the Mascoutah Police Department. Prosecutors have filed a petition for a pretrial detention hearing that will be conducted after Dees is arrested. The department was assisted by the Illinois State Police Accident Reconstruction Unit in the investigation leading to the charges. Beverly Meekins, who lives in Chicago, said it was a lengthy process waiting on toxicology results regarding Dees but she credited the Mascoutah Police Department with keeping the family updated on the investigation. She said Janice Meekins has permanent problems from her injuries suffered in the crash while Carole Meekins has largely been able to recover. Pamela Meekins was a Chicago resident and was senior assistant general counsel for the Chicago Housing Authority, according to her obituary posted by the Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah. She graduated from Mascoutah High School, Harvard University and Harvard Law School. Despite her many talents, Pamela was quiet and humble, her obituary states. She never flaunted her academic achievements, downplaying her accomplishments. She was a gifted musician and actress. Beverly Meekins described her sister as kind and very gentle. She worked hard as an attorney to do the right thing and help other people. Its a big loss to our family. (KRON) A bill to ban the use of a controversial restraint technique in California schools has advanced to the desk of California Gov. Gavin Newsom for signing and adoption. Senate Bill 483, introduced by State Sen. Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), would ban the use of the prone restraint in schools. The technique is used to physically or mechanically restrain a person in a facedown position. The U.S. Department of Education has recommended banning this type of restraint in schools. Vapes caused psychosis for Bay Area teen who tried to fly away, lawsuit claims According to disability rights advocate Eric Harris, the technique is disproportionately used against students with disabilities and students of colors. This old-fashioned and dangerous practice has harmed and even killed students, said Harris. SB 483 is necessary and we are grateful that the legislature has moved the bill forward through the process. SB 483 is about protecting our children and youth while under the care of school staff, said Sen. Cortese. It bans the archaic and deadly practice of prone restraint from being used in California schools. It will encourage schools to identify, adopt, and implement evidence-based rehabilitative intervention and prevention strategies to de-escalate situations with students who have behavioral health issues. SB 483 has been named Max Bensons Law, after Max Benson, a 13-year-old student with autism who died at an El Dorado Hills school after being held in a prone restraint for over an hour. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been a staple in Black American culture. With touted alums like Vice President Kamala Harris, Chadwick Boseman, Shannon Sharpe, Taraji P. Henson, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., HBCU graduates have positively influenced and impacted several industries. Despite the challenges, HBCUs have shown remarkable resilience. Their deep cultural histories and the long list of influential alums stand as a testament to their enduring importance in the Black academic experience. Why Are Black Males Enrolling Less? However, recent data shows a decline in enrollment among Black males. According to the American Institute for Boys and Men, HBCUs have seen a general enrollment decline of 11% since 2010, a trend that mirrors whats happening across higher education. However, the drop in enrollment among Black male students is more significant, with a 25% decrease at HBCUs compared to a 22% decline at all institutions. Although the percentage difference at HBCUs is marginally higher, the effect is more profound on these campuses because Black male students constitute a larger portion of their student population. This trend has been pervasive, impacting some of the nations largest institutions. A separate report from The Washington Post noted that although Howard University gained more than 3,000 students since 2016, only one in six of that growth were male students. The current decline has gone below the former lowest percentage of men at HBCUs of 38% in 1976. Conversely, the decline in Black men comes with the increase in enrollment of non-Black students, per the American Institute for Boys and Men. While the data shows historic lows, the decline is not based on haphazard decisions from men determining that HBCUs arent the best fit. Some of the decline is attributed to a K-12 pipeline issue that disproportionately impacts Black male students. The 2015 academic paper, Who Believes in Me? The Effect of Student-Teacher Demographic Match on Teacher Expectations, provides data that supports the United Negro College Funds (UNCF) belief gap theory. This theory suggests that non-Black teachers have lower expectations for young Black students than they do for non-Black students, which can influence Black mens perception of school, causing them to be disinterested and disengaged. An Anamoly Among The Data However, not all HBCUs are seeing a decline, and Morehouse College admission advisor Jacory Bernard says he has found hope when presenting the opportunity to prospective male students. For these young Black boys growing up in our world, it is a challenge just existing. They had these preconceived ideas and notions of their identity in the context of the world. It is harder, Bernard told The Washington Post. You have the entirety of your life to spend as a minority in America; there is something profound about choosing for four years to be the majority. Bernard describes how this perception has aided in the enrollment increase of Black male students at Morehouse College, the only all-male HBCU, and Fisk University from 2016 to 2021. Whats Next? Although Morehouse and Fisk have seen increases in Black male enrollment, other HBCUs have intentionally increased that demographic of students. Because of the belief gap, HBCUs have been a critical part of the continued cultivation of Black men. The decline in those enrollments now can possibly negatively impact the overall cultivation of Black men who do not have the resources of HBCUs. As further noted by The Post, experts share that some Black men who have not had positive school experiences are drawn to immediate job opportunities rather than pursuing higher education, even though HBCU graduates can expect to earn 56% more than they would without a degree or certificate from an HBCU, according to UNCF. School administrators are not sitting idle with this information and evolving data. In response, some HBCUs are making targeted efforts to recruit more Black male students by hiring specialized recruiters and promoting the sense of community that an HBCU offers. They are also working to address the pipeline issue that has contributed to the decline in enrollment. Claflin University has partnered with fellow South Carolina institution Clemson University to train and recruit more male teachers of color to work in public schools. Additionally, these schools are forming partnerships with businesses to provide larger scholarships, addressing concerns about college affordability and student debt, which deter many prospective students. In the 2020-2021 academic year, the net cost for students living on campus at private HBCUs was over $30,000, while the on-campus net cost at public HBCUs was $23,000, according to The Post. As represented by data from the Education Data Initiative, Black college graduates carry an average of $25,000 more in student debt compared to their white counterparts. Sandstone cliff walls of Labyrinth Canyon are seen near Moab, Utah. (Photo by Arthur Grumankin via Getty Images) A number of oil and gas leases in southern Utah, one of which was so controversial that seven Democratic U.S. senators urged the federal government to cancel it, are now the subject of an environmental lawsuit. Filed Wednesday by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, an environmental nonprofit, the lawsuit is the latest in a yearslong saga surrounding oil and gas development in Emery County and what is now the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness Area, just north of Canyonlands National Park. In the complaint, the group alleges the federal government violated the National Environmental Policy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act when it reaffirmed 35 oil and gas leases in southern Utah earlier this year among them, the lease located in the heart of Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness near the Green River. The lawsuit names the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, and Christina Price, BLM Utahs deputy state director for lands and minerals. A spokesperson for the BLM told Utah News Dispatch it could not comment on ongoing litigation, but they encourage the publics involvement and feedback in all forms. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The leases in question date back to former President Donald Trump and his energy dominance policies, a series of executive orders that, among other things, directed the U.S. Department of Interior to revise its rules and regulations to boost domestic oil and gas production. That included an attempt to speed up the approval for oil and gas leases, a move that was applauded by some politicians and companies for easing the regulatory burden, but criticized by environmental groups like the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance for making public participation more difficult. One of the leases was located in Labyrinth Canyon. In February 2019, BLM issued the lease, and one month later, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act was signed into law, a massive omnibus public lands bill that designated swaths of Utah as wilderness areas, including Labyrinth Canyon. Had the law been signed a month earlier, the lease would have been invalid, as it would be located in a wilderness area where oil and gas production is not allowed. That timing drew the ire of environmental groups and several U.S. senators, who wrote to then Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt that the BLM rushed to issue this lease in February 2019 with full knowledge that the public lands it encompassed were set to be designated as Wilderness. These oil leases threaten environmentally sensitive and culturally rich lands throughout Utah that Congress has worked to protect. Given the significance of these lands, we request you cancel these leases, the senators wrote. The letter, sent on Dec. 21, 2020, was signed by Democratic Sens. Richard Durbin of Illinois; Martin Heinrich of New Mexico; Dianne Feinstein of California; Debbie Stabenow of Michigan; Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin; Jeff Merkley of Oregon; and Cory Booker of New Jersey. Thats not common. U.S. senators dont weigh in that often on a specific oil and gas lease, said Landon Newell, an attorney for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. The day before Christmas Eve in 2020, as Trump was leaving office, the BLM issued a decision allowing an operator, Twin Bridges, to drill on the parcell. Environmental groups sued to stop the decision, but a court allowed the operator to proceed. According to the lawsuit, the well turned out to be a dry hole and was subsequently plugged and abandoned. SUWA filed an amended complaint, and in 2022 the BLM agreed to prepare an additional environmental analysis for the other leases, a process that included a public comment period. In May, the BLM reaffirmed the legitimacy of the 35 leases. By reaffirming these leases including in the heart of the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness the Biden administration is blessing one the Trump administrations most controversial oil and gas leases, Newell said. That May decision is now the subject to the most recent lawsuit. In the 38-page complaint, attorneys for SUWA say federal agencies violated the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, because they didnt fully analyze the impact the leases could have on the area. Whats more is the Biden administration has spent considerable time revising Trumps energy dominance policy, questioning its legitimacy and legality, the complaint reads yet the Biden administration reaffirmed a decision that stems from policies it now claims were illegitimate. And, the lawsuit argues that the BLM failed to give a reasoned explanation for its decision to reverse course on policies that once prevented oil and gas leases from being issued in the area, a violation of federal law. The complaint asks the court to set aside and vacate the thirty-five leases at issue in this litigation. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) There has been an increase in food product recalls in the past several years, according to a study of USDA and FDA data by Traceone. Researchers found recall alerts increased 20% between 2020 and 2023. Legislators on Capitol Hill said they are growing frustrated by the current safety regulators, and they are considering forming a new agency that would focus solely on food safety. It would transfer power away from the FDA. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut is one of the outspoken supporters of making a change to the current food monitoring process. These widespread recalls are a sign of failure, a sign of lackadaisical and lagging action at the federal level, Blumenthal said. At least nine people have died after being infected with listeria from Boars Head deli meats tied to a massive recall last month, federal health officials said Wednesday. The new food poisoning toll includes two deaths in South Carolina plus one each in Florida, New Mexico, Tennessee, and New York, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Three deaths were previously confirmed in people who lived in Illinois, New Jersey, and Virginia. At least 57 people have been sickened and hospitalized in the outbreak. Illnesses were reported starting in late May and have continued into August, the agency said. It is the largest listeria outbreak in the U.S. since 2011, and Boars Head has recalled more than 7 million pounds of deli products. The AP contributed to this article Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. A staff member checks voting boxes at a polling station in Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 28, 2024. Azerbaijan will conduct early parliamentary elections on Sept. 1, with 991 candidates vying for 125 seats at the National Assembly, known as the Milli Majlis. (Photo by Tofik Babayev/Xinhua) BAKU, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijan will conduct early parliamentary elections on Sept. 1, with 991 candidates vying for 125 seats at the National Assembly, known as the Milli Majlis. This election comes after a resolution passed by the Azerbaijani Parliament on June 21, requesting President Ilham Aliyev to call for early elections. In response, President Aliyev dissolved the sixth convocation of Parliament and set the election date on Sept. 1 through a decree signed on June 28. The decision was influenced by the upcoming 29th session of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) and other major international events scheduled for November 2024. This upcoming election marks the second instance of snap parliamentary elections in the country's history, following the previous elections held on February 9, 2020. To ensure transparency in the electoral process, Azerbaijan will host 604 international observers from 50 organizations across 69 countries. Rovzat Kasimov, Deputy Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan, also announced that over 109,000 local observers, including 65,000 from political parties, will monitor the elections. In addition, a record number of over 5,100 observers from non-governmental organizations and civil society are expected to participate. Around 60 representatives from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will be present as well. The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will deploy a long-term mission consisting of 11 international experts, along with 280 short-term observers. The election campaign, which began on Aug. 9, will conclude on August 31, followed by a "day of silence" when all campaigning activities will be prohibited. The Milli Majlis is a unicameral legislative body, and its 125 deputies are elected every 5 years through a majoritarian system, with one representative from each of the 125 electoral districts. Candidates can be nominated by political parties, political party blocs, or by citizens residing in the electoral district with active voting rights. According to the constitution, regular parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan are held every five years on the first Sunday of November. A staff member checks ballots at a polling station in Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 28, 2024. Azerbaijan will conduct early parliamentary elections on Sept. 1, with 991 candidates vying for 125 seats at the National Assembly, known as the Milli Majlis. (Photo by Tofik Babayev/Xinhua) Staff members have a discussion on voting work at a polling station in Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 28, 2024. Azerbaijan will conduct early parliamentary elections on Sept. 1, with 991 candidates vying for 125 seats at the National Assembly, known as the Milli Majlis. (Photo by Tofik Babayev/Xinhua) New boat permits required for Lake Norman. How are they being enforced? With Labor Day weekend upon us, many families will venture out on our lakes, including Lake Norman. But in an effort to prevent so many tragedies weve seen there, the Lake Norman Marine Commission implemented some new rules earlier this year. After hearing concerns from people who live and work on the lake, 9 Investigates how well those rules are being followed. The rules The pristine waters of Lake Norman draw people in from all over. Its a great time, said Matt Ryan, a captain for Carolina Cruising Charters. Its over 100 feet deep in the deep parts, and it gets wavy and it gets rough. Ryan knows the waters well. His company has four permitted charter boats. Theyre boat rentals with a captain we pay for. We have everything included, he said. If you want to drive a rental boat yourself or pay a captain for a charter boat, you need to have a permit on Lake Norman. The permit from the Lake Norman Marine Commission comes with a sticker. If you want to drive a rental boat yourself or pay a captain for a charter boat, you need to have a permit on Lake Norman. The permit from the Lake Norman Marine Commission comes with a sticker. The permits are part of new regulations the commission put in place last year. They help keep people safe on what the Lake Norman Marine Commission calls the states most dangerous body of water. John Johnson is on the commission and said the permit ensures the rental company has met all requirements: A safety inspection of the vessel Insurance A hired captain (who must have a captains license with the U.S. Coast Guard) We found that more than half of our fatalities are involving rental vessels either charters or rentals, more than half, Johnson said. Ryan said his captains see dangerous scenarios all the time. Its anything you can imagine. Boats cutting everywhere, boats riding too close, near-misses. We see boat crashes all the time, he said. Enforcement Channel 9s Hunter Saenz asked Ryan what hes seen since the regulations have been put in place. I think theyre great, Ryan said. The only problem is, theres not a lot of enforcement on them. We know of hundreds of illegal charters, he added. Saenz found the same online: Boats available for rent but not on the list of permitted boats. He called several rental companies not on that list to ask why. The requirement for the sticker is only Mecklenburg County its not Lake Norman-wide, a representative for one company said. But thats not true. A permit is needed on all of Lake Norman. Ryan and Johnson said compliance wouldnt be an issue if there was more enforcement from agencies all around the lake. But with more than 500 miles of shoreline on Lake Norman, officers have to respond to all sorts of incidents and cant be everywhere all the time. Ryan said some rental companies that are breaking the rules know exactly which ramps to use where they wont be caught. Theyre moving up the lake to maybe Beattys Ford access area in Denver, maybe moving up to Hager Creek, their pinnacle access area, Ryan said. Theyre moving positions to try to still be able to do what theyre doing. And Saenz heard that in one of his calls with an unpermitted charter. From what we were told, it was only for Mecklenburg County locations that youre docking out of, they said. Gotcha, so, if you were to put in in Iredell, you wouldnt need it? Saenz asked. Right, if you put in in Iredell, no one bothers you, they said. Moving forward Johnson said something needs to change to keep the waters and those on them safe. Weve seen an improvement so far this year, Johnson said. Now, has that stopped it from happening? No. Has it reduced? Yes. As of Aug. 1, the lake commission only has 12 charter companies registered with permits. But they know there are dozens more companies operating boats. A person can be fined up to $500 for renting a boat that doesnt have one of the two permits. The people renting them out could face the same fine or jail time if theyre caught without them. So how can someone be sure the company theyre renting from is legitimate? No matter what, if you dont see one of the two permit stickers one for a boat rental or one for a charter rental then, its not permitted. Youll see it right on the side of the boat. (WATCH BELOW: Divers recover body of man who drowned in Lake Norman) Boeing Might Not Get Starliner Working Before the Space Station Is Destroyed Clock Ticking Over the weekend, NASA officially decided that it was too risky to return its two stranded astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore on board Boeing's plagued Starliner. The decision came as a massive blow to Boeing. After many years of development, the company still doesn't have a successful crewed test flight under its belt. And whether the much-maligned capsule will ever be able to deliver and safely return a crew to and from the International Space Station remains an open question. That's because NASA is already planning to decommission the orbital outpost in 2030 with SpaceX's help, giving Boeing roughly five years to get its act together and it's already been around five years since the company's failed uncrewed test flight. "Boeing is going to need to grapple with the consequences of the failure of this mission to achieve its test objectives," space industry veteran Todd Harrison told NPR. Uphill Battle Instead of running out of time, Boeing may dump its plagued spacecraft long before the ISS is taken out of orbit. Harrison told NPR that he thinks it's "fairly likely" that Boeing may choose to "step back" from Starliner "within a few weeks or months." "This program kind of sticks out as something that doesn't fit with the rest of their business," he added. Boeing has already lost a staggering $1.6 billion on the development of Starliner. That's on top of getting more than $4 billion worth of funding through NASA's Commercial Crew Program in 2014. Meanwhile, SpaceX has done far more with far less funding from the space agency, having completed just shy of a dozen crewed missions to the ISS. One way to look at the situation is that NASA would have been out of luck if it weren't for the fact that it signed up both SpaceX and Boeing to develop spacecraft. "If they had only selected one provider, it would have been Boeing, because SpaceX was the risky prospect at the time," space industry consultant Laura Forczyk told New Scientist. "So in a way, this is a triumph of the Commercial Crew Program." Boeing's Starliner has been docked at the station since early June, and NASA has yet to announce a date for its uncrewed return a journey that comes with its own risks. It's also unclear when or if Starliner will fly again. As of right now, the company is seemingly keeping all of its options open. "Boeing continues to focus, first and foremost, on the safety of the crew and spacecraft," a Boeing spokesperson told Futurism when asked if Starliner might get canceled. "We are executing the mission as determined by NASA, and we are preparing the spacecraft for a safe and successful uncrewed return." More on Starliner: Starliner Is Such a Disaster That Boeing May Cancel the Entire Project Boise homeowners could get even more property tax relief than Idaho promised. Heres why In our Reality Check stories, Idaho Statesman journalists seek to hold the powerful accountable and find answers to critical questions in our community. Read more. Story idea? Tips@idahostatesman.com. Homeowners in Boise can expect to see another round of tax relief this year after Idaho legislators passed a law that provided property tax reductions in the coming years. On top of the guaranteed tax credits provided by the state law, Idaho will be sending unspent money back to property owners this year because of a surplus in the states budget. Last years law estimated $122.5 million in property tax relief this fiscal year and directed the state to allocate additional surplus money to more tax reductions. Gov. Brad Little boasted about the savings in a news release and called the states conservative approach encouraging for economic prosperity. The state law aimed to reduce the taxes landowners pay by redirecting sales tax revenue toward schools, freeing up money that historically has been used for education needs. This year, the state set aside $110 million for that purpose, with part of it going to a schools fund and another part to a tax relief fund, according to the Governors Office. The idea is that both funds reduce taxes for property owners. The law also takes unexpected surpluses and sends them back to residents. When the state spends less than it predicted it would, it uses the leftover money up to $150 million of it as property tax relief. That happened this year. What Idaho is doing is working, Little said in his news release. Our conservative approach to governing means we encourage economic prosperity, we rein in government spending, and we manage our budget with money to spare. The state had a $52.5 million surplus in the last fiscal year, which ended June 30, according to the Governors Office. Officials also added another $24 million in unspent funds that were appropriated to agencies. Most of the $76.5 million will be directed to a property tax relief account, while the rest will go to the school relief fund, spokesperson Madison Hardy told the Idaho Statesman by email. But how much should homeowners expect to get off their bills from the surplus? It may be hard to see. Counties and cities in Idaho set budgets each year, which are part of the equation that determines an individuals property taxes. Growing communities may ask for more in taxes to pay for new infrastructure, services, public transit, firefighters or other services. By law, local governments are allowed to increase their annual property tax budgets by 3% every year, or more if they havent raised property taxes that much in years past. Relief dollars from the state, while potentially lessening how much counties need to ask for from their residents, could have a limited impact on tax bills. Neither the Governors Office nor the Ada County Assessors Office had an estimate on what the additional property tax reductions would look like. It is difficult for us to predict how homeowners will see these savings because it is also based on county budgets, Hardy said. If counties increase their budgets, less relief through these state investments will be realized. Gender Queer, a graphic memoir by Maia Kobabe, was the most challenged book in America in 2022, according to the American Library Association. (Photo by New Jersey Monitor) A cohort of book publishers and award-winning authors have filed a legal challenge to the 2023 Florida law that enables challenges to books in school libraries. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Orlando, alleges that the process of removing books from school libraries spelled out in HB 1069 is overbroad and has caused a chilling effect. The action names members of the Florida Board of Education and Orange and Volusia County school board members as defendants. HB 1069 has enabled parents to seek removal of materials from schools if school boards deem them to be pornographic or contain sexual content, in line with Gov. Ron DeSantis parental rights agenda. The publishers and authors are asking the court to deem the states interpretation of pornographic and content that describes sexual conduct unconstitutional. The State has mandated that school districts impose a regime of strict censorship in school libraries, the plaintiffs argued in a 93-page complaint. HB 1069 requires school districts to remove library books without regard to their literary, artistic, political, scientific, or educational value when taken as a whole. The plaintiffs are Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan Publishing Group, Simon & Schuster, Sourcebooks, and the Authors Guild, plus authors Julia Alvarez, John Green, Laurie Halse Anderson, Jodi Picoult, and Angie Thomas. Two parents joined the suit, one from Orange and the other from Volusia, arguing for their children to be able to check out books that have been removed by challenges permitted by the law. They argue the law does not specify a level or amount of detail to determine if a book describes sexual conduct. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Overbroad The law has created a chilling effect, the plaintiffs argue. The term describes sexual conduct is so broad that it would require removal of the Oxford English Dictionary which defines sex as physical activity between two people in which the touch each others sexual organs, and which may include sexual intercourse from school libraries. The Oxford English Dictionary, however, is not obscene, the lawsuit reads. This vagueness and ambiguity result in overbroad interpretations of [the laws] prohibition on content that describes sexual conduct and chill protected speech. In an email response to the Phoenix, Department of Education communications director Sydney Booker said the lawsuit is a stunt. There are no banned books in Florida. Sexually explicit material and instruction are not suitable for schools, she said. The publishers call for the state government to keep hands off, even in school libraries. Authors have the right to communicate their ideas to students without undue interference from the government, the plaintiffs wrote. Students have a corresponding right to receive those ideas. Publishers and educators connect authors to students. If the State of Florida dislikes an authors idea, it can offer a competing message. It cannot suppress the disfavored message. Not remotely obscene The plaintiffs argue that they do not wish to prevent schools from ensuring school libraries do not have obscene materials. Instead, their problem is with removing books deemed to be pornographic that are not remotely obscene resulting from the Florida State Board of Educations unconstitutional construction of the term pornographic.' The plaintiffs list several books they believe should not have been deemed inappropriate by school boards, including Alvarezs How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, Greens Looking for Alaska, Andersons Speak, Picoults Nineteen Minutes and Change of Heart, and Thomass Concrete Rose and The Hate U Give. As publishers dedicated to protecting freedom of expression and the right to read, the rise in book bans across the country continues to demand our collective action, the publishers said in a joint statement. Fighting unconstitutional legislation in Florida and across the country is an urgent priority. We are unwavering in our support for educators, librarians, students, authors, readers everyone deserves access to books and stories that show different perspectives and viewpoints. The publishers have also taken Iowa to court over a similar law and challenged the constitutionality book removals in Escambia County. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BOSSIER PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The Bossier Parish Clerk of Court wants to prepare residents for a successful election season. Theres no reason to be intimidated or nervous to call you registered voters. Theyre all such nice people and their job is to ensure that youre able to vote and that your vote counts just like mine, and we want to make that happen for you, said Bossier Parish Clerk of Court Jill Sessions Most registrars suggest voters check their registration status ahead of time; which can also be done on a mobile app. Its very important that you know where to go to vote that day and whats on your ballot. And there is an easy answer for all of that. Our secretary of state has an app for your iPhone or any phone, actually, and it is a geaux vote app, said Sessions. it can tell you what is on your ballot and what, exactly, where, exactly you go to vote at your precinct. The registrar wants to remind voters to confirm their voting precincts as they can tend to change. The reasons they change is that theyve moved or if they move states or just move addresses, and, you know, and maybe they havent moved out of the parish, but theyve moved streets, and that puts them in a different precinct, said sessions. The registrar also wants to remind voters to familiarize themselves with different voting methodssuch as early voting, in person, or by mailand make sure to know the deadlines for the method they choose to participate in and how to ensure their vote will not be thrown out. Those who do the mail-in ballots, to make sure they do have a witness sign, they have to have a witness sign and verify their signature, or their vote will not count, said Sessions. They also shared must-haves and rules for the day of in-person voting. They have to have an ID that has a signature on it, so be sure to be prepared to have your ID when you go to the voting polls that day to vote. said Sessions. Make sure you dont wear any of your election paraphernalia, such as any t-shirt or hats that endorse any particular candidate that is not allowed at the polls.such as early voting, in person, or by mail The bossier parish clerk of courts says a very prominent precinct has changed within the last year. Voters who cast their ballots at Cypress Baptist must now vote at Benton High School. Early voting is from October 18 through October 29, from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. excluding Sunday, October 20, and Sunday, October 27. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. WASHINGTON (AP) After a long summer of technical glitches, most of America's prospective college students finally applied for federal financial aid an annual process upended by a redesign-gone-bad. The number of high school seniors who have completed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid is down 9% compared with this time last year, according to the National College Attainment Network. That number was as high as 40% in the spring, when students usually must submit their forms to give schools enough time to assemble an aid package. How much the FAFSA problems will impact the number of students attending college remains to be seen, counselors and advisers say. But the delays certainly have changed where students enrolled, with many students forced to pick a college with limited information about their financial picture. As one of the few Black girls at her suburban Chicago high school, Adjovi Golo looked forward to college as a time when it would not be so hard to be seen and heard. She was hoping to attend Spelman College, a historically Black womens college in Atlanta. The federal financial aid calculators told her she would likely be eligible for $15,000 in loans, grants and work-study, but her FAFSA had not been processed before a May 1 deadline to commit to a college. She called the FAFSA hotline 11 times to resolve a glitch, getting a different suggestion each time. DePaul University in Chicago, meantime, offered her the most in merit scholarships. Without a complete financial aid package from either school as her FAFSA remained in limbo, she chose to enroll at DePaul, rather than risk taking on more debt. In August, Golo moved into DePauls dorms. She loves her roommate, the campus and her professors. But she wonders what might have been different. I felt like I was just backed into a corner, she said. A part of me, like 75% of me, doesnt regret it. I love it here. But another part of me wishes I waited. The plunge in FAFSA completion rates was especially sharp for students who already face hurdles to enrolling in postsecondary education, including low-income students and students of color. Advocates worry the delays on top of a Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action in higher education will affect where and whether many go to college. Theoretically, said Katharine Meyer, a fellow at the Brookings Institution think tank, Were going to see a less racially diverse college enrollment cohort, a less socioeconomically diverse college enrollment cohort." Areas with a high percentage of people living in poverty and places with a larger share of Black and Latino residents saw a 20% larger decline in FAFSA completions compared with higher-income areas, according to the Century Foundation, a progressive think tank. Its analysis also found students in those areas were twice as likely to have submitted an incomplete FAFSA. Its too soon to know how bad college enrollment declines will be, but its not too early to recognize the risks, said Peter Granville, a fellow at the Century Foundation. For students who cannot pay for their entire tuition and fees out of pocket, nearly all forms of financial support institutional, state and federal, including eligibility for federal loans require completion of the FAFSA. A 2020 law directed the Education Department to simplify the FAFSA form, which had been criticized for being tedious and difficult, especially for families without college experience. But the launch of the simplified form in 2023 ran into error upon error it launched months overdue in December, and students encountered glitches and hours-long waits for helpline assistance. Emmily Almaraz, a junior at Texas Christian University, said she breezed through the form in under 20 minutes this year. But the students she helped as an intern with Tarrant To & Through Partnership, a college access organization, did not all have the same luck. Despite spending hours on the phone, one student could not get past the verification process for parents who lack a Social Security number, which is the case for some immigrants. Ultimately, the student decided to delay enrolling until the spring, Almaraz said. It's just really discouraging for certain kids that end up finding out that just because theyre missing one piece of information, it may delay them," Almaraz said. "It may cause them to pay for an education that they cant fully pay for. College housing became an additional hurdle for students whose families were unwilling to put down deposits without knowing more about financial aid, said Jesse Hendrix, executive director of College Possible Texas. Many were stuck with expensive, off-campus options or could not secure housing at all. Some students admitted to four-year colleges are choosing more affordable two-year colleges closer to home, counselors say. Chandra Scott, executive director of the nonprofit Alabama Possible, said she reached out to the state's community colleges urging them to prepare for a last-minute influx of students. Theyre going to hold out as long as they can, because they may really want to go to that four-year institution, Scott said. But if they dont have the financial aid resources that they need to go in a timely manner, theyre going to have to begin to make hard decisions on whether to sit out a year, which we hope they dont do. Students who don't continue directly on to college from high school tend to face more barriers to pursuing higher education, counselors and advocates said. While some states have programs to help students return to school, only four in 10 students who do not immediately begin college after high school do so in the next decade, Granville said. After you decide to wait a year, that becomes more of a lonely journey, he said. That can hinder someones likelihood of ultimately completing a degree. Some students are still working through FAFSA issues even after enrolling. In Chicago, Golo filed a paper FAFSA in June to try to get a finalized aid package from DePaul, but was told that the agency had a backlog of paper filings. Golo said the school has not required her to start paying until the paperwork is processed. Im kind of just scared to take out money, knowing that I might be able to lower that in a few weeks or so, because I dont know when its going to come, Golo said of her financial aid package. It can come tomorrow. It can come in a few weeks. It may not come for a few more months. But my future right now is just very unknown. ___ The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. Boy who was born at 26 weeks beats the odds, goes home from hospital for 1st time A New York boy got to go home for the first time nearly two years after his birth. Nathaniel was discharged from Blythedale Children's Hospital in Valhalla, New York on Aug. 20 after a 419-day stay. PHOTO: After spending the first two years of his life in the hospital, Nathaniel was able to be discharged from Blythedale Childrens Hospital in Valhalla, New York. Nathaniel went home with his parents Sandya and Jorge Flores on Aug. 20, 2024. (WABC) Doctors, nurses and staff lined up to applaud Nathaniel as he left the building with his mom and dad, Sandya and Jorge Flores. To celebrate the milestone, Sandya Flores shook a golden bell as they took one last trip down the hospital hallway together. Nathaniel and his twin brother Christian were born at 26 weeks back on Oct. 28, 2022, at Stony Brook Children's Hospital in Stony Brook, New York, but Christian died three days after birth. Nathaniel was later transferred to Blythedale Children's on June 28, 2023. 'Miracle' baby born at 26 weeks goes home from hospital after 10 months Sandya Flores told "Good Morning America" she and her husband turned to in vitro fertilization to start their family. The couple learned they would be expecting twins but 17 weeks into her pregnancy, Sandya Flores said doctors told them they noticed the twins' growth was restricted and started closely monitoring her and the babies. By 26 weeks, Sandya Flores said doctors told them that the twins needed to be delivered early via cesarean section. "He was born at 385 grams, which is under one pound, and he was 26 weeks. So his main issue, that still remains today, is prematurity of his lungs," Sandya Flores explained to "GMA." The Floreses worked closely with Nathaniel's doctors and medical team to help him overcome the odds. PHOTO: Nathaniel smiles for a photo taken during his last week at Blythedale Childrens Hospital. (Courtesy of Blythedale Childrens Hospital) "We just needed him to grow. So we spent months fine tuning things like his feeding schedule, the different vitamins and things that he needed to get those lungs to grow," Sandya Flores recalled. Among the surgeries and treatment Nathaniel needed was getting a tracheostomy tube or trach and an endotracheal tube or ET tube to help with breathing and a gastrostomy tube or g-tube for feeding, according to his parents. Over time, Nathaniel did grow and at Blythedale Children's, he received more care and underwent various therapies, including speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy. But the Floreses also received customized training at Blythedale Children's and learned how to use and clean all of Nathaniel's equipment and how to respond in case of an emergency or mishap when at home. PHOTO: While Nathaniel was in the hospital, his mother, Sandya Flores, kept a scrapbook full of photos, milestones and more. (Courtesy of Sandya Flores) "They teach you to be ready for any scenario possible and be comfortable with your baby in any scenario possible. But it's all like a gradual thing," Sandya Flores said. "It's not something you could just pick up a book and do for the first time." Baby girl born at 1 pound, 5 ounces goes home for 1st time in 9 months Dr. Dennis Davidson, an attending neonatologist at Blythedale Children's, was one of Nathaniel's doctors. "Nathaniel made significant progress while he was here at Blythedale," Davidson said in part in a statement to "GMA." "In order to go home safely, we had to be sure his parents knew how to take care of every aspect of his complex care. During Nathaniel's admission to Blythedale, he had a dedicated nurse educator who worked with the family on all aspects of care through our innovative Parent and Family Education program. This ensures that if there are gaps in nursing care at home, his parents are prepared to respond to emergencies because they've been trained in myriad scenarios. We're so confident in Sandya and Jorge and are thrilled that Nathaniel is home at last." PHOTO: The Flores family smile for a photo after two-year-old Nathaniel was discharged from Blythedale Childrens Hospital in Valhalla, New York. (Courtesy of Sandya Flores) Despite all the difficulties, challenges and uncertainties throughout the last 22 months, the Floreses said they couldn't be more grateful to have Nathaniel by their side. "There have been tons of tears in every hospital that we've been in, but he's also a joy," Sandya Flores said. "For every bad moment, there's a good moment, and it makes us super appreciative of him." PHOTO: Nathaniel is all smiles with his father, Jorge Flores. (Courtesy of Sandya Flores) "Going into the hospital and seeing him and him just looking at us and smiling or just him being him, it's like, 'No, this isn't bad. He's going to be OK.' And that gives you fortitude," Jorge Flores added. The Floreses call Nathaniel their "miracle baby" who is also a "fiesty, ball of energy," apparent from the minute he stepped foot inside their home. "Everyone, including us, was really worried that he would get in the car, first time in the car, he would get home and be anxious or terrified no! he walked in like he lived here," Sandya Flores said. The new parents said they wanted to shine a light on their beloved son's story to offer hope for other parents navigating a newborn in the hospital. "If this is your situation, it'll be OK," Sandya Flores said. "There's help for you. There's support. You will get through it. It's not the end of the world." Boy who was born at 26 weeks beats the odds, goes home from hospital for 1st time originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com Boy who drowned in Yellow Breeches was not wearing a life vest: Fish and Boat Commission A 10-year-old boy who drowned in the Yellow Breeches Creek in northern York County earlier this month was not wearing a life jacket, said Mike Parker, communications director for the state Fish & Boat Commission. Matthew Coffroth Jr.'s body was found in the morning of Aug. 14 in Fairview Township after a 3.5-day-long search and recovery along the creek, which borders York and Cumberland counties. The Lancaster County boy was kayaking with family and friends on Aug. 10 when they ran into heavy debris, including some from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby. Most of the party was able to get out of the creek, but the youth was swept away. About 250 first responders from seven counties and two states helped with the search for the missing boy. The state Fish & Boat Commission regulations require children 12 and under to wear a life jacket on boats that are 20 feet or less as well as kayaks, paddleboards and canoes, Parker said. Some life jackets were present within the group that day, Parker said. From Nov. 1 through April 30, all individuals are required to wear a life vest on canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and boats less than 16 feet in length, according to the Fish & Boat Commission. Individuals who wear a life jacket have a better chance of survival if they fall into the water, Parker said. National statistics show that victims in 80 percent of boating fatalities were not wearing one. In the 10 boating-related fatalities in Pennsylvania so far this year, seven were not wearing a life jacket and one is unknown, he said. Matthew Coffroth Jr. "was known for his kind heart, quick wit, and infectious smile," according to his obituary. The accident remains under investigation, Parker said. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: 10-year-old boy who drowned in Yellow Breeches was not wearing a life vest: Pa. official Brazil did not warn Ukraine about its intention to present joint peace plan with China Ukraine's Ambassador to Brazil Brazil did not warn Ukraine about its intention to present a peace plan together with China to end Russia's war against Ukraine. Source: Ukraine's Ambassador to Brazil Andrii Melnyk in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda Quote: "The Brazilians did not share this idea with us. And this is a challenge for us - the lack of trust when you go to a diplomatic adviser, have a great conversation, ask what the plans are and what the position will be (at the Peace Summit - UP), but only then do you see that they are actually preparing an alternative way." Details: Melnyk believes that a joint peace plan to end the Russian-backed war in Ukraine is mutually beneficial for China and Brazil: China "understands that any plan it prepares will not be supported by the collective West if it is exclusively a Chinese plan", and Brazil wants to play a role as a world leader with China's help. Background: China and Brazil have jointly announced a "six-point consensus" to promote a "political solution to the war in Ukraine". The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China stated that this plan "has received a positive response from more than 110 countries". Brazil is one of the countries that did not sign the final communique of the Global Peace Summit held on 15-16 June in Switzerland. Support UP or become our patron! BAGHDAD, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi air defense on Thursday shot down a Turkish drone when it entered the airspace of the northern province of Kirkuk, Iraqi security sources said. "A large drone entered Kirkuk's airspace," and the air defense weapons shot it down without causing casualties, Fatah al-Khafaji, Kirkuk's police commander, was quoted as saying by the Iraqi News Agency. A provincial security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that the drone was a Turkish one and was shot down at about 10:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) in the Tese'in neighborhood in the namesake provincial capital Kirkuk, some 250 km north of Baghdad. The source said that Iraqi security forces rushed to the site to investigate the incident while explosive experts dismantled a missile found in the wreckage of the drone. Updated Aug 30, 2024, 8:34am EDT tech South America The News A Brazilian Supreme Court justice on Wednesday threatened to suspend X in the country if the social media platforms owner Elon Musk failed to appoint a legal representative for the site within 24 hours. It is the latest clash in a months-long legal war of words between Justice Alexandre de Moraes and Musk, who has accused the judge of attacking free speech on his platform. This judge has repeatedly broken the laws he has sworn to uphold, Musk wrote on X just hours before de Moraes issued the compliance order. Earlier this year, de Moraes asked X to block certain accounts that were accused of spreading fake news and hate messages during former President Jair Bolsonaros administration. A series of legal disputes followed until Brazils ultimatum. Brazilians had mixed reactions to the threat of Xs suspension, with topics such as Twitter will end, Elon Musk and Alexandre de Moraes trending on X in the country on Thursday, Reuters reported. Many made light of the situation and posted memes about the public spat, but others, including some far-right users, echoed Musks concerns about censorship. De Moraes supporters, meanwhile, said the justices actions were lawful and supported by at least the majority of the courts bench. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Brazils ultimatum is a test for Musk Sources: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal Musk faces a test as he decides to comply with Brazils request, The New York Times noted. The billionaire has attempted to mold the platform in line with his ideology of free speech absolutism, and his decision will prove how far he is willing to take his stated commitment to protecting his social network from what he calls censorship, the outlet noted. After months of legal wrangling between the court and X, Musk last month said he was removing the sites remaining staff in Brazil after accusing de Moraes of threatening to arrest Xs legal representative; but the tone later changed, with the social network saying it was dedicated to preserving our Brazilian office and operations while preserving free speech, The Wall Street Journal reported. Debate over censorship on social media gathers steam Sources: Bloomberg, Axios Musks insistence that X is a democratic marketplace for free speech is a fallacy because power on social media networks lies with the platform and the algorithm not the people, Bloomberg columnist Adrian Wooldridge argued. Sensational tweets travel further and faster than sober ones. Polarizing figures attract more followers than judicious ones. The mechanisms available for debate posting replies and correction are weaker than the mechanisms for publicity, he wrote. Its not only Musk who is pushing back in the debate over content moderation Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg accused the Biden administration this week of pressuring Facebook to censor content during the COVID-19 pandemic by asking it to remove misleading information, Axios noted. (Bloomberg) -- Brazils top judge issued an order on Wednesday to block Elon Musks X if the social media platform doesnt appoint a legal representative in the country within 24 hours, escalating a clash between the billionaire and Latin Americas largest economy. Most Read from Bloomberg The decision came days after the platform formerly known as Twitter said it would close its operations in Brazil, while keeping the service available to its estimated 20 million active users in the country. The supreme court published the ruling on its official X account Wednesday, in a reply to a post detailing Xs plan to pull out of Brazil. Its the latest twist in a clash between the worlds richest man and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is spearheading efforts to combat fake news and hate speech in Brazil. Brazils supreme court has issued a plethora of rulings suspending social media accounts since thousands of supporters of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro broke into major government buildings in early 2023. It ordered the suspension of prominent users, forced the removal of posts, and even cautioned to temporarily shut down entire platforms such as Telegram and X. Musk has challenged the orders, which led Moraes to open an investigation against the Tesla Inc. chief executive officer. On Aug. 17, X said Moraes threatened to arrest its legal representative in Brazil if they didnt comply with his censorship orders. Musk said on X that the decision to close the companys office in the country difficult. Moraess decision is intended to ensure the platform respects Brazilian legislation, which requires representation in the country, the court said in Wednesdays post. Musk responded to the order with an apparently AI-generated picture of a man resembling Moraes behind bars. One day, Alexandre, this picture of you in prison will be real. Mark my words, Musk posted. (Updates with Musk comment in the seventh paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. One of the F-16 fighter jets recently delivered to Ukraine crashed while repelling a Russian mass attack, Ukraine's General Staff confirmed on Aug. 29. The confirmation came after earlier media reports that the aircraft crashed during Russia's drone and missile strike on Aug. 26. According to the military, the F-16 shot down four Russian cruise missiles during the attack, demonstrating "high efficiency." "During the approach to the next target, communication with one of the jets was lost. As it turned out later, the plane crashed, the pilot was killed," the General Staff said. The crash site was not disclosed. Earlier the same day, Ukraine's Air Force announced that pilot Oleksii Mes with the call sign "Moonfish" had been killed on Aug. 26. Read also: Ukraine strikes Russian airfields with homemade weapons in hopes of preventing devastating attacks at home "Oleksii destroyed three cruise missiles and one attack drone while repelling a massive Russian combined air and missile attack," the Western Air Command said. Ukraine's Defense Ministry has established a special commission to investigate the causes of the crash. Ukraine received its first F-16s by the beginning of August, a year after its allies formed the fighter jet coalition at the NATO summit in Vilnius to support Kyiv with training and aircraft. Just 10 jets have been delivered so far, according to media reports. Kyiv has been promised at least 79 F-16s from the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium. Russia launched 200 missiles and drones on Aug. 26 as part of the largest-ever aerial attack against Ukraine. Strikes hit several civilian, energy, and fuel facilities, including part of the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant, killing seven people and injuring at least 47 others. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Aug. 27 that F-16 jets had been used to repel the attack on Aug. 26. Ukraine downed 102 missiles and 99 drones of the 127 missiles and 109 drones launched by Russia during the morning attack. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp doesnt think that Donald Trumps attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in his state was a big deal, calling it a distraction in a Fox News interview. Speaking to Fox & Friends on Thursday, Kemp was pressed by Steve Doocy to explain what happened between Trump and himself to resolve enmity between the two. Well, look, there was a little distraction, obviously, on their side when it came to Georgia. To me, thats in the past, Kemp said. I have been saying that guys, literally for over a year now, that I was going to support our nominee, that we had to win Georgia, the road to the White House runs through Georgia. And I still believe today, we cannot afford four more years of Kamala Harris and Joe Biden. Trump attacked Kemp at an Atlanta rally earlier this month for refusing to overturn the 2020 election, saying, Hes a bad guy. Hes a disloyal guy. And hes a very average governor. Little Brian, little Brian Kemp. Bad guy. Trump also attacked Kemps wife, Marty Kemp, for saying that she wouldnt vote for Trump, and would instead write in her husbands name on the presidential ballot in November. At the time, Kemp responded on X, telling Trump to leave my family out of it and to stop engaging in petty personal insults, attacking fellow Republicans, or dwelling on the past. Kemp didnt vote for the convicted felon and Republican presidential nominee in Junes primary elections in Georgia, but has endorsed Trump for November. However, Kemps office has said that the governor will be looking into ethics violations from three new pro-Trump members of the states election board, signaling that he may once again thwart Trumps efforts to interfere in Georgias voting process. Trump infamously told Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger, to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have in January 2021. The Trump teams efforts to stop democracy in the state resulted in felony charges for election interference against the former president and 17 co-defendants. The case is currently stalled thanks to Republican efforts to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis as prosecutor, even though she originally filed the charges. Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto's push for criminal charges against a man she suspected was among protesters caused friction between her office and the Los Angeles Police Department, according to a memo by one of her deputies. Feldstein Soto told then-Police Chief Michel Moore to assert that Ricci Sergienko was involved in the protest, in which activists sprayed red paint and set off smoke devices at the home of a prominent Jewish civic leader. But police officers said Sergienko could not be identified in video footage from the scene. "For reasons unknown, the City Attorney expressed inordinate interest in the progress of a mass protest investigation, going so far as to suggest the identification of a specific individual for prosecution to the Chief of Police," wrote Dennis Kong of the city attorney's office. In a meeting with police officials, members of Feldstein Soto's staff admitted she may have implicated Sergienko without probable cause. Sergienko is an activist with the People's City Council, a left-wing group that has long been critical of Feldstein Soto. The post Brickbat: The Usual Suspect appeared first on Reason.com. ISLAMABAD, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has helped Pakistan address development gaps in energy infrastructure, industrialization and job creation with a small debt, said Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs here on Thursday. Spokesperson of Pakistan's Foreign Office Mumtaz Zahra Baloch rejected a foreign media report about CPEC, underlining, "CPEC is a transformational project that has contributed positively and transparently to Pakistan's national development." The spokesperson said the CPEC has been enjoying support and popularity in all provinces of Pakistan and across the political divide in Pakistan. Highlighting the success and importance of the CPEC, the spokesperson said, "We also believe that regional economic connectivity will provide a critical stimulus for creating broad-based growth across the region." Launched in 2013, the CPEC is a corridor linking the Gwadar Port in southwest Pakistan's Balochistan province with Kashgar in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport and industrial cooperation in the first phase, while the new phase expands to fields of agriculture and livelihood, among others. Budapest against 'more weapons in Ukraine,' Hungarian foreign minister says Hungary does "not want more weapons in Ukraine" and does not want "an escalation of the war," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto wrote on Facebook on Aug. 29 after an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers. Prior to the meeting, EU Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell repeated his call for Ukraine's partners to lift restrictions on Ukraine's ability to strike targets inside Russia with Western-supplied weapons. The weaponry is "useless" if delivered with restrictions, Borrell argued. "We do not want more weapons in Ukraine, we do not want more deaths, we do not want an escalation of the war," Szijjarto said in response. "Today, we continue to stand for common sense and peace," he added. "The dangerous run of the Chief Foreign Affairs Minister must be stopped." The meeting was attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who said he welcomed the "readiness of member states to advocate for the lifting of restrictions on strikes on legitimate military targets in Russia." According to Kuleba, the EU will speed up the delivery of weapons, as well as equipment for Ukraine's energy system. The meeting in Brussels came days after Russia's largest-ever aerial attack against Ukraine. While Ukraine downed 102 missiles and 99 drones of the 127 missiles and 109 drones launched by Russia during the attack, strikes hit several civilian, energy, and fuel facilities, killing seven people and injuring at least 47 others. Hungary has been long considered the most Kremlin-friendly country within the EU, repeatedly obstructing sanctions against Russia and military aid to Kyiv. Szijjarto has visited Russia at least six times since February 2022. Read also: Russian oil flow to Hungary, Slovakia stable in July despite Lukoil ban, Bloomberg reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Bullets that killed UPS driver and bystander linked to four Miami-Dade cops, report says The six bullets that killed a carjacked UPS truck driver and a bystander stuck in traffic in a busy Broward intersection came from guns fired by four Miami-Dade police officers, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcements investigative summary report. The document, obtained by the Miami Herald Thursday, outlines the events leading up to the Dec. 5, 2019, shooting, which began with a jewelry heist in Coral Gables and led to the hijacked UPS truck and a high-speed chase that ran up Floridas Turnpike and Interstate 75. The report ties the bullets to Miami-Dade police officers Jose Mateo, 32, Rodolfo Mirabal, 39, Richard Santiesteban, 33, and Leslie Lee, 57. The officers, who were indicted in Broward on manslaughter charges in June, have pleaded not guilty. READ MORE: Whats next for the Miami-Dade officers charged in shootout that killed a UPS driver? Frank Ordonez, the UPS driver and a 27-year-old father of two, and Rick Cutshaw, a 70-year-old union worker, were fatally struck by the hail of bullets fired in a packed intersection during the 5 p.m. rush hour at Miramar Parkway and Flamingo Road in southern Broward County. Frank Ordonez, driver of the UPS truck that was hijacked Thursday, was killed in the chase and shootout that followed. The four fired nearly 90 bullets in the raging gun battle, which involved more than a dozen police officers from four agencies and was filmed live by news choppers. Five bullets were uncovered during Ordonezs autopsy. Two were linked back to Santiesteban, and the rest to Lee, Mateo and Mirabal, according to the FDLE report. A single bullet was recovered during Cutshaws autopsy. That one was tied to Mirabal, the report states. Rick Cutshaw, 70, was killed in the shootout between cops and robbers in Miramar traffic Thursday. He was a union representative from Pembroke Pines. The report also concludes that Santiesteban fired up to 44 rounds; Mirabal up to 19; Mateo up to 18 and Lee up to six. A total of 20 Miami-Dade officers, three Miramar officers, one Pembroke Pines officer and one Florida Highway Patrol trooper were involved in shootout. The events leading up the shooting began earlier that day when two men robbed Regent Jewelers on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables and hijacked the UPS truck driven by Ordonez. That ignited the high-speed interstate chase up Floridas Turnpike, Okeechobee Road, Interstate 75 and the streets of Pembroke Pines before ending in the gunfight that killed the two innocent men as well as robbery suspects Lamar Alexander and Ronnie Jerome Hill. More details emerge Documenting the bullets and their trajectories, FDLE investigators found nine from Santiestebans gun and one from Lees weapon inside the UPS truck, according to the report. Some fired by Mirabal also struck two vehicles, hitting a dashboard and a car seat, the report states. Four others from Mateos weapon reached the rear bumper of another vehicle. Body camera footage also shed more light on the officers response that fateful day. Mirabal, investigators say, stopped his cruiser behind the passenger side of the UPS truck, opened the drivers door and shot toward the truck. He stopped firing and placed his car in park but then continued to shoot. Mateo, the report states, exited his car and walked toward the passenger side of the UPS truck, shooting. On police radio, Santiesteban reported that shots were fired at the officers from the drivers side of the truck. The footage, the report says, captured Santiesteban hopping out of his vehicle and continuously firing. He also told a sergeant on camera that he had fired his weapon. In December 2019, Lee identified himself to FDLE investigators as a witness, according to the report. He said, in a voluntary sworn statement, that he observed multiple officers shooting and no one from the UPS truck returning fire. Lee also stated that he hadnt fired his weapon at any time that day. Miami Herald Staff Writer Charles Rabin contributed to this report. A retail burglary ring that targeted cannabis dispensaries across the state stole about 1,000 pounds of cannabis products before the ring was busted and nearly two dozen suspects were arrested. (State of California Department of Justice) A retail burglary ring that targeted cannabis dispensaries across the state stole about 1,000 pounds of cannabis products before the ring was busted and nearly two dozen suspects were arrested, California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta announced Thursday. Bonta alleged that suspects broke into more than a dozen cannabis stores overnight, stealing products such as edibles and plants that were valued at about $1 million then resold. Our message to those involved in these crimes has been unwavering, Bonta said. If you organize coordinated retail thefts, if you steal from our businesses and put people, our people, in harm's way, if you try to make an easy buck off other people's hard work, we will come for you. We are fed up with organized retail crime, he added. The thefts, Bonta said, took place last summer and continued into July. In all, he said, the thieves were involved in about 15 incidents that occurred across nine counties that included Monterey, Solano, Kern, San Luis Obispo, Merced, Sonoma and San Diego. He said half of those crimes took place in Santa Cruz County. Read more: California seizes 2.2 million illicit cannabis packages designed to look like candy, sweets Just to be clear, we are not talking about shoplifting a couple of packs of THC gummies, he said. Were talking about coordinated schemes, organized efforts that hurt our businesses and pose a threat to our communities. The suspects, he said, face dozens of criminal charges for engaging in organized retail crime, commercial burglary, conspiracy and grand theft. Most of the suspects have been arraigned in court, some have been released on bail, he said. Frederick Shavies, deputy chief of the Oakland Police Bureau of Investigations, said his department formally initiated an investigation in February into marijuana trafficking and burglaries that occurred at marijuana dispensaries and cultivation sites. He said investigators determined that the suspects involved in the crime spree not only had ties to Oakland street gangs but had targeted several businesses across the state. Investigators then reached out to the California State Attorney Generals Office to request assistance in investigating the thefts, dubbed operation Sticky Fingers. We coordinated with local law enforcement [agencies] in these various jurisdictions and contacted victims to get a better understanding of the breadth of this criminal enterprise, Shavies said. Read more: A new threat to cannabis users: Smuggled Chinese pesticides He said the investigation would not have been possible without the cooperation of the various police agencies and the state attorney generals office. This operation not only made the city of Oakland safe, Shavies said, "but it made the entire state safe. Santa Cruz County Undersheriff Chris Clark echoed that sentiment. That collaboration and coordination is what the public should expect in terms of good law enforcement service and keeping our community safe. 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. Above: Bioluminescent waves at a beach in Southern California. (KTLA) A lake in Northern California is getting a dye job, but its not to improve its aesthetic. No, this makeover will serve an important function. Researchers from the California Department of Water Resources are dyeing McLeod Lake in downtown Stockton, turning it from its greenish-blue hue to a muted pink. Scientists from the California Department of Water Resources added rhodamine dye to Lake McCleod in Stockton to study how water moves throughout the lake in hopes of learning more about harmful algal blooms on Aug. 27, 2024. (CA DWR) Its part of a study that researchers hope will shed some light on a question theyve been unable to answer: Why do harmful algal blooms happen some years but not others? In 2022, McLeod Lake was the site of a harmful algal bloom that turned the waters into a vibrant shade of green. But in 2024, the lake has been fine much to the surprise of researchers. So, what gives? Lake McCleod was the site of a harmful algal bloom in 2022, but no such bloom has taken place in 2024, much to the surprise of researchers. (CA DWR) Lake McCleod was the site of a harmful algal bloom in 2022, but no such bloom has taken place in 2024, much to the surprise of researchers. (CA DWR) This year is an above-normal water year type, and we did expect to see blooms out here. Were a little bit surprised that we havent, and so were not quite sure why, but were hoping that this study can help inform that, said Ellen Preece, senior environmental scientist at DWR. DWR scientists added rhodamine dye to McLeod Lake earlier this week to track how water flows in and out of the lake and how it behaves differently at various depths. Video shared by DWR on social media showed the progress of the harmless pigment as it spread throughout the lake. It was expected to turn the entire Stockton waterfront into a fuschia-esque color before dissipating throughout Thursday, officials said. Grand Canyon National Park halts overnight stays after significant breaks in water supply McLeod Lake is considered a hotspot for cyanobacteria and harmful algal blooms, Preece said. She hopes that by tracking the dye as it spreads throughout the lake, scientists will be able to have a better understanding of these blooms and one day develop a forecasting model to predict when and where they might form in the future. Algal blooms are of concern because they can produce toxins that are harmful to pets and humans and aquatic life, and we want to try to find ways to mitigate them or prevent them from occurring, Preece said. DWR plans to dye the lake again in early 2025, hoping to compare how the dye moves throughout the lake in both a dry time of year now versus the wetter months. For more information on algal blooms in California, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula ( D-Fresno), left, shown last year, is the lead author of the mortgage aid legislation. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The California Assembly gave final appoval Wednesday to a bill that could help undocumented immigrants in California buy homes, despite opposition from Republicans who said it would encourage more Mexican immigrants to cross the border illegally. Elon Musk went as far as posting on his social platform X that "half of Earth should move to California, given all the incentives to do so." Assembly Bill 1840, which now goes to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk, would allow undocumented immigrants to apply alongside other qualified applicants for the California Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loans program. The program offers no-interest loans of up to $150,000 to cover down payments and fees. As the bill made its way through the state Senate and Assembly this week, lawmakers debated whether undocumented people, and specifically Mexican immigrants, should be eligible for a program that doesn't have enough money to meet the demand. According to the California Housing Finance Agency, no new applications are being accepted for the program currently because all of its funding has been allocated. Republican Assembly members argued Wednesday that the bill's expansion would unfairly take away loans from U.S. citizens. "What is not right is, you are going to overshadow many eligible people who really, really, really are having difficulty themselves," Assemblymember Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) said. "And they happen to be documented.... People who have followed all the rules in life are going to be displaced." Read more: Newsoms budget plan saves vital programs for immigrants, but kids and hungry seniors may suffer Another argument made by Assemblymember Kate A. Sanchez (R-Rancho Santa Margarita) was that the program would encourage "more illegal, not legal, immigration into this state." "This isn't rocket science. If you're giving out free stuff, more people are going to come," Sanchez said. Democrats countered that the program was intended to help all eligible first-time home buyers, including immigrants "in good standing." The measure would simply clarify that undocumented immigrants who have a state taxpayer identification number and pay taxes are eligible, they said. That would include Cambodian, Korean, Haitian, and Nigerian immigrant populations, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) said. "I believe that we can focus on our immigrant populations and take care of our native born populations here in California," Bryan said. The bill's lead author, Assembymember Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno), said lawmakers needed to remind themselves that the nation and the state is made up of immigrants who "come here and make our economy better." "So for those who have a good credit score and who qualify for a loan, we are saying that we want you to set roots here in our great state if you qualify, only if you qualify," Arambula said. The Assembly passed the bill on a 45-15 vote. What is the California dream loan program? The California Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loans program was launched last year by CalHFA to aid low- and middle-income first-time home buyers and support the goal of generational wealth. It offered qualified buyers a loan worth up to 20% of the purchase price of a house or condominium, capped at $150,000. These loans don't accrue interest or require monthly payments. Read more: California offers affordable loans again to first-time home buyers, with a catch Instead, when the mortgage is refinanced or the house is sold again, the borrower pays back the original amount of the loan plus 20% of the increase in the home's value. The program initially received $300 million in taxpayer funds, which financed nearly 2,200 loans, CalHFA says. The Legislature then provided $225 million more, which is going to about 1,700 additional applicants. Who is currently eligible to apply for the home loan program? Eligible people must be either low- or middle-income and a first-time mortgage borrower. The annual income limit for qualified borrowers is 120% of the area median income, which varies by county. For example, it's $155,000 for borrowers in Los Angeles County, $204,000 in Orange County and $198,000 in Ventura County. The program's definition of first-time, or first-generation, borrower is a person who has not held a stake in a house in the U.S. in the last seven years. Their parents also could not have a current stake in a house. If there is more than one buyer involved in the purchase of the home, at least one must be a first-generation home buyer. The program's initial borrowers were limited to U.S. citizens and noncitizens authorized to be in the country, such as legal permanent residents, according to the CalHFA manual. Borrowers also had to make the home they bought their main residence within 60 days after purchasing it. Eligibility based on immigration status was obscure in the program's fine print, supporters argue, and AB 1840 proposes to clarify that and expand on who can apply for this program. How would Assembly Bill 1840 change the program? Arambula introduced AB 1840 at the start of the year to expand eligibility to include undocumented individuals. To apply for a loan, undocumented applicants must meet requirements set by the Federal National Mortgage Assn., also known as Fannie Mae, which include having a taxpayer identification number or Social Security number. Under Fannie Mae rules, applicants must have a valid employment authorization or a certain type of documentation, such as a green card or work visa. Arambula previously told The Times that the existing program's eligibility requirements were ambiguous for undocumented individuals, "despite the fact that they're qualified under existing criteria, such as having a qualified mortgage." Without the explicit inclusion, undocumented individuals may be discouraged or left out of the opportunity to participate, Arambula said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. California school districts will be required to adopt policies that limit or prohibit the use of smartphones by students under a bill passed Wednesday by the state Legislature. The measure, Assembly Bill 3216, received overwhelming and bipartisan support from legislators and it will now head to Gov. Gavin Newsom. Earlier in the summer, the governor called for a statewide ban on cellphones in schools and just two weeks ago urged schools to restrict their use in classrooms before the academic year. We all care about our kids, and we care about everyones kids, and we really feel strongly that as parents, this bill needed to happen, said Folsom Republican Josh Hoover, the bills author, after the final vote. Hoover has three children under 16 years old. If the governor signs off on the bill, districts will have until July of 2026 to adopt policies and will be required to update them in future years. The Los Angeles Unified School District, one of the largest in the country, has banned cell phone use during school days. Sacramento area school districts have also implemented policies limiting their use. Several other states currently have laws that restrict or ban cellphone use in schools. Sen. Angelique Ashby, a Sacramento Democrat, opposed the bill. The mother of three, who has a daughter in middle school, said she was uncomfortable with her child not being able to have her phone in the event of a shooting or another emergency on campus. I dont think kids should be on their phone in class and distracted, Ashby said in an interview Tuesday. But a bill that could potentially give districts permission to ban kids from bringing their smartphones to school gives me pause. The California School Boards Association also was against the measure, saying it stripped authority from districts to decide what is best for their schools. It was supported by the California Teachers Association, which said phones were a significant distraction for students in classrooms. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond has also called on school districts to limit cell phone use. The Bees Nicole Nixon contributed to this story. California Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Setting 2 People, Including Mother of His Children, on Fire Joshua Kaiser, 33, was found guilty of arson, attempted murder and domestic violence in the June 18, 2023 attack in San Bernardino County San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office Josh Kaiser Sentenced to Life for dousing ex-girlfriend and stranger with gasoline A California man was sentenced to life in prison after allegedly setting two people including his ex-girlfriend, who is also the mother of his children on fire as they sat in a pickup truck. Joshua Kaiser, 33, was found guilty of two counts of arson, two counts of attempted murder and one count of domestic violence in the June 18, 2023 attack in San Bernardino Countys Johnson Valley, according to a press release shared by the San Bernardino County District Attorneys Office on Aug. 26. The shocking events began on June 18 when the male victim, 29, went to clean up a rural property in the 52000 block of Cholla Road in the unincorporated community of Johnson Valley. According to the press release, he went to the five-acre parcel that contained a house and various trailers, RVs and outbuildings to help a friend who was out of town. The male victim borrowed a truck and headed out to the property, the press release states. He was unaware that Kaiser, the defendants mother and several others were living on the property. Per prosecutors, the man recognized Kaiser from a previous encounter" and "helped Kaiser months earlier with his motorcycle when it ran out of gas. Prosecutors alleged that at one point Kaiser and his mother left the property to get gas. While away, Kaisers ex-girlfriend and mother of his two children approached the man and asked him to drive her off the property because she and Kaiser had been arguing earlier in the day. However, his truck wouldnt start. San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office Kaiser and his mother eventually returned to the property with a can full of gas. The male victim was initially relieved that someone was there that could possibly help him jump start the truck, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors alleged Kaiser became angry when he spotted the two in the truck and told his ex-girlfriend: Youre not going to like whats going to happen next. As they sat in the cab of the truck, Kaiser allegedly walked away and then returned with the gasoline. 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. "Without warning, Kaiser doused both victims with gasoline and intentionally struck matches at them," prosecutors alleged. "Kaiser continued to intentionally light them and the interior of the truck." Kaiser walked around to the passengers side of the truck and using expletives said, Happy Fathers Day, per prosecutors. In a cold, calculated manner he continued throwing gasoline on the male victim. According to prosecutors, both victims were able to escape and taken to the hospital for treatment. The male victim, who spent 13 days in an induced coma, suffered burns on nearly eighty percent of his body. Kaisers ex-girlfriend suffered burns to half of her body. Kaiser was arrested on July 5, 2023 and found guilty on March 13, 2024, KTLA 5 reported. At his recent sentencing, Judge Rasheed Alexander said he believed in mercy but Ive got to do what I think is right, per the Hi-Desert Star. I dont like sentencing a man to that amount of time in prison, but thats my job if its what is appropriate. Kaisers attorney Jason Whiteside told the judge he planned to appeal the conviction, according to the Star. Whiteside could not be reached for comment. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.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. California moves toward helping undocumented immigrants with down payments in home loan program Gov. Gavin Newsom will soon determine if undocumented immigrants in California can qualify for a popular state-backed home loan program. The Democrat-supermajority Legislature passed the contentious measure, Assembly Bill 1840, on Wednesday afternoon. The bill now heads to the desk of Newsom, who will have to weigh the political risk of signing a bill associated with immigration policies during an election year. The program California Dream for All began last year with the intention of helping address the states ethnic and racial wealth gap. Roughly $550 million has been allocated in its two year existence, but the future of the program is unclear. Funding was fully exhausted earlier this year, said California Housing Finance Agency spokesperson Eric Johnson. The Legislature and governor would need to appropriate future funding for the program to continue. Even if Newsom signs the bill and the Legislature provides more funding, undocumented immigrants would likely still face challenges accessing the program. We do have a pretty lengthy waitlist, Johnson said. Under AB 1840, undocumented immigrants, who have been purchasing homes for years, would become eligible for this highly sought after program. The home loan program uses a shared appreciation lending model and provides homebuyers with money toward a down payment 20% of the homes purchase price or up to $150,000. Homeowners are required to repay the loan and a share of the appreciation value whenever it sells again. Supporters of the bill, including bill author Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno, maintain the legislation should not be conflated with broader immigration issues and merely expands eligibility. Participants must meet specific requirements, including income thresholds, minimum credit scores and certain debt-to-income ratios. Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno, argues Wednesday on behalf of his bill AB 1840, which would give undocumented immigrants in good standing the opportunity to purchase a home, on the Assembly floor in the final week of the legislative session at the state Capitol. This has been an interesting debate where Fox News anti-immigration propaganda collides with housing policy, said Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, during Tuesdays Senate discussion of the legislation. Lenders have worked with undocumented homebuyers for decades as the U.S. does not restrict foreigners from buying real estate. Around 22% of the undocumented population in California, or 604,000 people, owned homes in 2019, according to the Migration Policy Institute. In recent weeks, the bill has sparked national controversy with critics using it to further blast Californias immigration policies. Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, a Republican from San Diego, appeared on FOX Business last week to share his concerns about the bill. On Monday, Elon Musk criticized the measure on X while referencing the states Medi-Cal expansion for undocumented residents. Seems like half of Earth should move to California, given all the incentives to do so, wrote Musk. On Tuesday, Republican lawmakers in the Senate continued their opposition of the bill. Their arguments ranged from highlighting the state budget deficit to saying noncitizens should not be eligible for state programs and calling such legislation unfair to veterans. I do not support that in any way, shape or form, especially when there are so many Americans standing in line waiting for a housing opportunity to open up, said Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield. The debate continued into Wednesday before its final Assembly vote. Assemblywoman Kate A. Sanchez, R-Rancho Santa Margarita, argues Wednesday against AB 1840. Republicans reinforced the states already large housing shortage and fear that this bill would attract more undocumented residents, while Democrats reemphasized that the legislation solely opens eligibility. It is unclear how many undocumented immigrants would qualify for the programs multiple requirements, but the population makes up about 6% of the states residents. This is not a bill about immigration, Arambula said. This is not a bill about the housing crisis. We all know that no single bill can solve those areas. This is a bill about fairness. The program has been in high demand since applications opened. Last year, the programs $300 million in loans were claimed in just 11 days. CalHFA has since replaced its first-come, first-served model with a lottery system and added a new rule that requires at least one borrower to be a first-generation homebuyer meaning neither the individual nor their parents could have owned a home. All this does is provide an opportunity for you to get in line if you can afford to buy a house, said Sen. Anna Caballero, D-Merced, on Tuesday. SEOUL, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Thursday offered to increase pension premium at a difference pace for age groups in a bid to make the pension program acceptable to the younger generation. "It is necessary to differentiate the rate of increase in pension premiums between the younger and the middle-aged generations," Yoon told a televised policy briefing. Yoon vowed to push for pension reforms that are acceptable to the younger generation who pays the most premium for the longest period and receives the pension at the very last. "It should be stipulated in laws that the government guarantees the (pension) payment. Only then the young people can be assured that they will receive it," Yoon noted. Worries remained severe over a fast depletion of the national pension fund amid the rapidly aging population and the chronically low birth rate. The state-run National Pension Service forecast that the national pension fund would record its first decline in 2041 before being depleted in 2055. Yoon also pledged to reform the basic, retirement and private pension programs based on three principles, including sustainability, inter-generational fairness and after-retirement income security, adding that detailed reform plans will be announced at the earliest possible date. (KRON) A federal court paused the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations (CDCR) no beard policy for peace officers this week, claiming the policy did not accommodate peace officers wanting to grow facial hair for religious or cultural reasons. SF to send Dear John letters to people soliciting prostitution Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) CEO Hussam Ayloush believes these religious observances are integral parts of ones identity. No employee should have to choose between their job and their sincerely held religious beliefs. CAIR and the ACLU in Northern California represented Mubashar Ali, one of the plaintiffs who was named in the action. According to Managing Civil Rights Attorney Layli Shirani, Ali shaved his beard for nearly 18 months at great spiritual harm. Accommodation for these beliefs is not just a courtesy, it is a fundamental right that must be respected in every aspect of public service, Ayloush said. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) a federal agency has been investigating complaints that CDCR does not accommodate POs who wear beards for religious reasons. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) also asked a federal judge in Sacramento to stop CDCR from enforcing its no-beard policy. The court agreed to pause the policy on Wednesday. preliminary_injunction_order_in_us_v_cdcr_case_0Download While this is a provisional victory, it is a very positive step toward restoring respect for religious freedom for men of the Muslim and Sikh faiths at the CDCR, Shirani, Mubashars attorney, said. According to the CDCR, affected peace officers will be allowed to either continue their duties or receive paid leave until a permanent decision has been made. Moving forward, the DOJ will update the court when the EEOC completes its investigation. If CDCR is following the law, the pause might end. If CDCR breaks the law, the DOJ will consider taking additional steps. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Should California regulate AI? The decision will soon be in Gov. Gavin Newsoms hands A new biological weapon. An electrical grid shutdown. A banking system meltdown. Those are catastrophes artificial intelligence could one day become capable of initiating, warns California state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, author of a bill that would implement a new set of AI regulations designed to prevent just such emergencies. The California Assembly approved Wieners SB 1047 Wednesday with a vote of 41-9. It requires one more procedural vote before landing on Gov. Gavin Newsoms desk. Wiener and supporters of the bill describe it as a light touch measure that would require large companies developing AI to add guardrails and testing to their models. It would also give the state attorney general authority to take action against AI developers whose models cause critical harm. I am very supportive of AI innovation, Wiener, who represents tech-heavy San Francisco, said during a press conference earlier this week. AI has the potential to make the world a better place but as with any powerful technology, there are also risks. We should try to get ahead of those risks instead of playing catch up, which we have done all too often around technology. The bill has sharply divided tech innovators and politicians in the Bay Area and nationally. Google, Meta and OpenAI are among the tech giants opposing Wieners bill, arguing it would slow innovation and push companies and their workers out of state. In a July letter to lawmakers, Google warned the regulations in SB 1047 risk making California one of the worlds least favorable jurisdictions for AI development and deployment. All three companies have argued that AI should be regulated nationally, rather than at the state level, and have expressed support for federal legislation, including the bipartisan Future of AI Innovation Act, which they claim would be more evenly applied than the California rules. Other Democrats also oppose the bill. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who represents San Francisco in Congress, called the bill well-intentioned but ill-informed, and noted that Congress is studying potential AI regulations. Bay Area Democratic Reps. Anna Eshoo, Ro Khanna and other California representatives have urged Newsom to veto the bill if it lands before him. Meanwhile, some tech pioneers support Wieners legislation. Yoshua Bengio, known as a godfather of AI, has said the bill would simply require companies uphold policies that many have voluntarily committed to already. We simply cant let them grade their own homework and hope for the best, he said. Bengio, a 2018 Turing Award recipient, said researchers have recently revised estimates for when computers might achieve human or beyond-human levels of broad cognitive competence. Previously thought to be decades or centuries away, many now believe, among the researchers, that it could be developed within the next two decades and possibly in just the next few years, he said. Advocating for laissez-faire in the face of this certainty is dangerous. Wieners bill was even endorsed earlier this week by Elon Musk, the Tesla founder and X owner who has often warred with Democratic elected officials over California regulations regarding business, climate and LGBTQ rights. Lawmakers hope the legislation will spur Congress to act. Given the magnitude of the risk, how can we say we dont want to do even a little, light touch? said Assemblymember Steve Bennett, D-Oxnard. This is the most appropriate legislation that I can imagine someone bringing forward at this point. Newsom has not indicated where he falls on the issue, but last year issued an executive order allowing state agencies to utilize AI under certain guidelines. He has also been wary of being seen as stifling technological innovation. The governor has until September 30 to sign or veto bills. Even before the bill passed the legislature, advocates and tech companies in opposition began heavily lobbying him to veto it. In a letter to Newsom, a coalition of industry advocates including Chamber of Progress, NetChoice and the Bay Area Council argued the bill aims to address theoretical harms. In contrast, the damage to Californias innovation economy is all too real, the letter reads. SB 1047 would introduce burdensome compliance costs and broad regulatory uncertainty as to which models are in scope. Sen. Wiener was on the Assembly floor to witness the bills debate and passage. Afterward, he said he will make the case for the governor to sign it. Newsom is a pro and he is used to having bills where he gets a lot of pressure on both sides, Wiener said after the vote. He will do what he always does, which is to look at the facts and make a thoughtful decision. Lawmakers are also considering a number of other bills on artificial intelligence, including measures that would ban AI-generated pornography of children. Other bills would outlaw AI in political messaging within several months of an election and require large generative AI developers to provide tools for consumers to be able to identify AI-generated content. California schools may be required to restrict students smartphone use on campus California school districts could soon be required to adopt policies that restrict or prohibit students use of smartphones during the school day after a bill passed the state Legislature on Wednesday. Assembly Bill 3216 received bipartisan support from lawmakers and is now headed to Gov. Gavin Newsoms desk. Earlier in the summer, Newsom announced that he wanted to work with state legislature to restrict students from using smartphones at school. If the governor signs the bill, school districts will have until July 2026 to develop and adopt a smartphone usage restriction policy for students. The bill also states that the policy must be updated every five years. California Senate passes bill allowing undocumented immigrants to get homebuying loans The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest school district in the nation, voted to ban cellphone use during the school day in June. The new rule will take effect in January 2025, though the Los Angeles Times notes the details still need to be approved in a future meeting by the Board of Education. Supporters of the ban say it would lead to less bullying, more meaningful communication among peers and adults and improved learning. However, according to the L.A. Times, some parents who want their children to have cellphone access for safety and communication reasons are against the ban, while other school officials say it would be difficult to enforce. Elon Musk backs California AI safety bill, but critics voice concerns The statewide proposal also received some opposition from the California School Boards Association and support from the California Teachers Association and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond. The current legislative session ends on Aug. 31 and Newsom has until Sept. 30 to sign any bills passed by the Legislature. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Call it Suzies Law. Currently known as Senate Bill 1386, by Sen. Anna Caballero, D-Merced, the bill would strengthen Californias historic Rape Shield Law and protect the privacy of survivors by prohibiting courtroom probes into their sexual histories in an attempt to discredit them. Opinion For Suzie not her real name the story behind the bill is a deeply personal one that spans decades, and is still ongoing. (Suzie is being granted anonymity by The Sacramento Bee because she was a minor at the time the abuse happened, and is named as a Jane Doe in the lawsuit.) Her story starts in 2002 when she was a typically bright and happy fourth grader, placed in Joseph Baldenebros classroom at Miramonte Elementary School in South El Monte, in Los Angeles County. But during the next school year, Suzie says her teacher began to molest her. It was dirtiness. I will always think of it as dirtiness, Suzie said. Your mind is the complete opposite of rose-colored glasses. Everything is gray. According to court documents, Suzie is now involved in a civil lawsuit against Baldenebro and the Mountain View School District alleging that the trusted teachers abuse of her caused multiple emotional and psychological problems, including anger, anxiety, depression, feelings of helplessness, insomnia, and significant trust and control issues. Baldenebro previously faced a criminal suit by Suzie, as well as by other students. He was convicted and sent to prison for a total of 20 years. But the school districts legal defense has argued that a second instance of abuse in Suzies life is to blame for her trauma, and is fighting to get the case dismissed. If Suzies Law doesnt pass during this legislative session, the district could win. The abuse started in the classroom Baldenebro worked at Miramonte Elementary School for 21 years, where he had a history of sexually abusing students. In 2018, Baldenebro was sentenced to eight years in prison for lewd or lascivious acts with minors and was ordered to register as a sex offender for life. He was sued again in 2020 by two female students who were both just 12 years old at the time, and cited a number of other instances of child sexual abuse in their felony complaint that led to his arrest, including Suzies case. Baldenebro was then sentenced to an additional 12 years in prison. I thought (Baldenebro) was showing me love. I remember he hugged me in a grown-up type of way, Suzie said. It felt wrong to not allow myself to be loved; he was bigger. Theyre just thoughts you think of as a child. Suzie said she began to dread going to school and showed classic signs of abuse like wetting the bed and having suicidal thoughts. The sexual abuse also ruined the relationship between Suzie and her father and brothers. I hated my brothers for simply being boys. I didnt want (my father) to love me, she said. If I did what (Baldenebro) wanted and I allowed myself to be loved, it would make him happy, but also, your mind goes into a survival mode so it doesnt get worse. Suzies mom thought her daughters depression and anxiety were due to bullying at school. When she tried to speak with school administrators Suzies mom only speaks Spanish, so her daughter had to be the translator the principal and others blew her off. Ultimately, Suzie says she was transferred to another school, but under the label of suspension, which caused problems for her throughout the rest of her education. A reassurance that I deserved it For years, Suzie didnt tell anyone what Baldenebro had done. As more time passed, it began to feel like it was too late to tell anyone what had happened in her fourth-grade classroom, she said. But then a second incident happened at a family members house during a birthday party when she was about 12. Suzie said she had fallen asleep on a couch in a guest room when one of the party guests a teenage boy began to touch her inappropriately. (I know) no one asks for it, but I was at the most lowest of my whole life because of that incident, she said. I blamed myself. I thought Id asked for it. The second incident was a reassurance that I deserved it. It was only years after the second incident that Suzie confided what happened to a friend, who told her mother the story. Only then did she begin to recognize the damage childhood sexual abuse had caused, and seek help for her mental health. Ive been abused multiple times, she said, but my (fourth) grade teacher, it felt like he completely violated me. He took away something Ill never get back: my innocence. A loophole in the law In suing her former school district, Suzie is seeking compensation for the years of abuse she says she suffered at the hands of Baldenebro and school administrators, who she accuses of doing nothing to protect her. But when the case went to trial last year, the defense discovered the second case of molestation and moved to introduce the evidence to the judge, arguing that the episode could have contributed to her psychological injuries. The judge allowed it. Suzies legal team had to ultimately appeal to the California Supreme Court to get the evidence removed. The Supreme Court found that the trial judge didnt conduct a thorough enough hearing about whether the evidence would be relevant and that the trial court also failed to write an order stating exactly what evidence the defendant could introduce and what questions could be asked, according to an analysis of the case by Legal Newsline. As of now, the testimony and evidence about Suzies second molestation could still be entered as evidence when the case goes back to court next March especially since they still have the same trial judge on the case. However, if Suzies Law is passed, the second incident of molestation would be inadmissible as evidence in the case against the school district. Rape Shield Law protects Californians SB 1386 would extend the states Rape Shield Laws prohibition on entering evidence of a plaintiffs past sexual conduct for purposes of attacking their credibility with a jury or judge. Currently, a defendant in a rape case is not allowed to introduce evidence into a trial about the alleged victims past sexual conduct to prove that they consented to the sexual act, but they can introduce evidence about the victims sexual past to show their testimony is untrustworthy. However, a child cannot consent to a sexual act, regardless of their sexual history, so examples of later abuse shouldnt prove anything about a childhood abuse victims trustworthiness. Suzies Law would extend the current restrictions in the shield law and rework the language of the legal code around sexual battery cases involving a minor. I know what its like to go into a courtroom and talk to juries, and try to get the average, everyday person to understand how the legal system works, said Sen. Caballero, who attended UCLA Law School and previously served as an attorney for California Rural Legal Assistance. The court made (its) decision based on the code section as it was written, and I thought that it was very cruel, she said. It flew in the face of our Rape Shield Law that has been on the books for a very long time. No one including Suzie, who will be back in court come March should have her unrelated sexual history thrown in her face as evidence against her abuse claims, or face arguments that her later abuse was somehow proof that she consented to the molestation at just 8 years old. No child should go through what Suzie suffered, and no adult should be faced with the insulting defense tactics that shes been forced to endure. Our state must enshrine in its laws that brave people like Suzie can come forward to hold their abusers accountable in court without fear of retaliation or exposure. The bill will go to the governors desk next, and Gov. Gavin Newsom must sign this legislation to make sure all sexual abuse survivors in California are treated with dignity. SACRAMENTO, California A California proposal to impose first-in-the-nation safety standards for powerful AI models passed a major hurdle by clearing the state Assembly on Wednesday, overcoming fierce resistance from tech companies and leading California House Democrats. Senate Bill 1047 by San Franciscos state Sen. Scott Wiener would require the largest AI models to certify safety testing before deployment with the aim of protecting people from potential dangers like the creation of bioweapons. The bill has divided Silicon Valley with top figures such as Elon Musk supporting the measure as a way to help mitigate potential risks to the public, while opponents such as OpenAI argue its requirements would unduly burden developers, especially small startups. Wiener has also faced strong opposition from Democrats in Congress who represent areas around Silicon Valley. San Francisco Bay Area Reps. Zoe Lofgren and Ro Khanna have voiced their dissent, along with former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, marking a major blow to Wiener, who intends to run for her seat after she retires. One of his closest allies, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, warned the measure would undermine the citys economy. Lofgren, Khanna and Pelosi all suggested California should leave AI regulation to the federal government, but a bipartisan group of state lawmakers on Monday said they cant wait for the gridlock in Washington to give. If we dont do it, Congress is not going to act, said Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, a Los Angeles-area Democrat. They have failed to act to date and this is why California must take leadership in the first step to regulate AI. Lofgren countered that argument in an interview before the vote on Wednesday, saying Wiener and other lawmakers who have assailed congressional inaction don't know what theyre talking about. There is a lot that has gone on and theres more thats going to happen, Lofgren said. The lower chamber approved the bill on a vote of 41 to 9, with many Democrats not voting and Republicans lending a pair of crucial votes. The bill now goes back to the state Senate for approval of amendments before heading to Gov. Gavin Newsoms desk. The tech-friendly governor has not publicly weighed in on the bill, but has previously voiced concerns about overregulating the states homegrown tech industry and is facing pressure from Silicon Valley to veto it. Wiener, after the vote in the Assembly, told reporters hes grateful for the diverse support on a very, very reasonable piece of pro-innovation, pro-safety legislation, adding that he expects Newsom to seriously consider it. Newsom is a pro, and he is used to having tough bills where he gets a lot of pressure on both sides, Wiener said. And so I know that the governor is very used to this, and he will do what he always does which is to look at the facts and make a thoughtful decision. Jeremy B. White contributed to this report. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Two California teenagers were arrested after allegedly bullying a middle school student in a video thats been circulating on social media. The video shows the teens and the victim, identified by his family as Carter Lashaul, standing in a driveway in a Bakersfield neighborhood on Monday, Aug. 26. Get down on the floor and lick that (expletive), one of the teens said in the video. Lashaul was then allegedly forced to lick the bottom of one of their shoes. Middle schooler dies after hard hit at football practice Adina Alaniz, whose home security cameras recorded the incident, rushed outside to help Lashaul as he sobbed. Are you okay? she asked him in the video. Alaniz told Nexstars KGET that by the time she ran outside, the incident was over. I thought I had got out there fast enough to prevent it, but turns out it had already happened, she said. I can only imagine what he felt in that moment. Lashauls grandmother, Bobbie Moorehead, said that her grandson will no longer walk home. Look what they did to him. How are you going to make someone lick your feet? Why would you do something like that? Thats not right, she told KGET. The suspects, ages 14 and 15, were booked into a juvenile hall on suspicion of battery, false imprisonment and conspiracy. Police did not release their names since they are minors. Both of the teens reportedly attend Golden Valley High School, which is part of the Kern High School District. The district released a statement Tuesday calling the video deeply disturbing. We stand firmly against such behavior and do not tolerate bullying, the statement reads. We are actively investigating this matter and are working closely with the Bakersfield Police Department and Kern High School District Police to address it appropriately. Also on Tuesday, students and parents held a rally on the high school campus in support of Lashaul, who attends Leon H. Ollivier Middle School. There should be no bullying allowed, no violence, said rallygoer Persaias Hollinquest. There should be no reason to belittle a person when were all humans at the end of the day. The Greenfield Union School District, which oversees Leon H. Ollivier, said it has also initiated an investigation into the incident. We would like to encourage families at this time to have a conversation with their students about anti-bullying, the Greenfield Union School District said in a statement. School safety is a shared responsibility. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. (WTVO) Calls for postal worker protections grow louder following the deadly shooting of a mail carrier in Chicago. Chicago is not the only city that is upset about the amount of protection mail carriers have. Rockford citizens have also had enough when it comes to violence against mail carriers. Thursday, the Illinois State Association along with Rockford United Labor will be hosting the Enough is Enough rally. On July 19th, Octavia Redman, 48, was making her deliveries on Chicagos South Side when she was shot. Police released video of the suspect wearing all black during the incident. The Letter Carriers Union wants federal lawmakers to pass the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act, which would, among other things, enhance sentencing guidelines for anyone convicted of committing a crime against a letter carrier. We need some help out here, said National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 111 President Elise Foster. And all the people who can figure it out need to figure it out because we cant keep having our letter carriers attacked. A $250,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in this case. The Enough is Enough rally will take place at Davis Park at 6 p.m. tomorrow. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) Accusations of theft and vandalism have been dismissed against Bob Harshbarger, the father of state senate candidate Bobby Harshbarger, after allegations that he pushed down and stole signs campaigning for State Senator Jon Lundberg ahead of the August primary election. An order of dismissal with prejudice was granted on Wednesday. Documents filed in Sullivan County General Sessions Court state there was insufficient evidence to support the conviction, resulting in the dismissal of the affidavit of complaint and criminal summons against Bob Harshbarger. PREVIOUS: Lundberg: Bobby Harshbargers father stole, vandalized campaign signs An affidavit previously sought charges of vandalism of $1,000 or less and theft of property of $1,000 or less against Bob Harshbarger. The court order of dismissal states it was granted after a motion was filed and all parties involved consented. In July, Lundberg swore an affidavit accusing Bob Harshbarger of pushing over a sign near a Dollar General. The affidavit also claimed a video showed signs in the rear of his vehicle [that] clearly demonstrate theft. On Thursday, both Lundberg and Bobby Harshbargers campaign manager provided the following statements to News Channel 11 regarding the dismissal of the case: I believe the video provides clear evidence but understand why prosecutors did not want to take the case further. State Senator Jon Lundberg Its alarming that Jon Lundberg would resort to tactics that echo the disturbing trend we see with Democrats like Joe Biden, who have been weaponizing the government and legal system against political opponents. This baseless accusation against Bobby Harshbargers father was nothing more than a desperate attempt to undermine our campaign. We are pleased that the charges were dismissed, which only confirms our faith in the legal system and our commitment to fighting for the values that matter to the people of Tennessee. Caleb Rose, campaign manager for Bobby Harshbarger Bobby Harshbarger defeated incumbent Lundberg in the Republican primary in Tennessee Senate District 4 on Aug. 1. He will face independent candidate Dalia Price in November for the state senate seat. News Channel 11 has reached out to Bobby Harshbargers campaign office, Lundberg and the district attorney general pro tem for the case for statements on the dismissal of the case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) Before state Rep. Gloristine Brown committed to running for the General Assembly, she described feeling really scared. Brown spoke about her experiences as a female politician and trying to empower other women to run for office Wednesday at the North Carolina Womens Conference. What will I have to do? she said. The fight that you have to deal with when you come into this arena because its mostly men. Spending in North Carolina governor race on track to set new records When state Rep. Gloristine Brown took office in 2023, she was part of the largest group of female legislators in state history. When the session began, women held 29% of all seats in the state legislature. A report by the North Carolina Council for Women found it may not be until 2084 that women achieve parity with men in the General Assembly. I think its going to take women realizing it can be done, Brown said. After the election, state Rep. Erin Pare told CBS 17, The key takeaway here is we have women who have such a diverse background of experience and talents and skill sets and that is all contributing to a better debate. Maggie Barlow, co-founder of the political consulting firm Maven Strategies, pointed to a variety of challenges faced by female candidates that can be barriers to recruiting more to run, such as fundraising, family obligations, and finding support. Delegate says North Carolina back in play ahead of Democratic National Convention Women feel like theyve got to take all these steps first, make sure its their time to run, she said. We try to encourage women to say now is their time to run. As those women run for local office, it encourages other women to run for all levels of office. In the 2020 presidential election, female voters outpaced male voters when it comes to participation, according to data from the NC State Board of Elections. About 77% of registered females voted that year compared to 74% of males. Overall turnout that year was about 75%. The NC Council for Womens report found between 2015 and 2020 that even though women were voting at slightly higher rates, their representation in elected office declined. Among other steps, the council called for more recruitment of female candidates to run office and giving them support through education, training, and mentoring. More candidates on NC ballot following key court rulings State government should look like the people it serves and protects, Gov. Roy Cooper told the crowd at the conference. Cooper also spoke about efforts to appoint a diverse cabinet to lead state agencies. Nida Allam, who became the first Muslim American woman elected in North Carolina when she won a seat on the Durham County Board of Commissioners, said she wants to help others follow the path she did. Being able to learn all of this and be able to carry it on and build that roadmap for other Muslim women is really a big goal of mine, she said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. * Northeast China, historically recognized as a traditional industrial base, gave birth to China's first automobile, first jet aircraft and first 10,000-tonne ship. * Now, the region is not only a hotspot for foreign investment but is also increasingly seen as a research and development hub. * Foreign companies are developing cutting-edge technologies and deploying advanced production lines in the region. CHANGCHUN, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- At a workshop of German gelatin manufacturer Gelita in Liaoyuan City, northeast China's Jilin Province, over 100 workers are diligently installing and commissioning equipment. An expansion is underway for a new production line that is set to manufacture an impressive 6,500 tonnes of gelatin annually. Last year, Gelita made a significant investment of over 700 million yuan (about 98 million U.S. dollars) in Liaoyuan, elevating the local production capacity to an internationally top-tier standard. "Upon full operation, the project is anticipated to yield an annual output value of 800 million yuan. We are very optimistic about the development potential of the manufacturing industry in northeast China," said Kevan Zhang, director of Public Relations for Gelita China. A worker operates the equipment at a workshop of German gelatin manufacturer Gelita in Liaoyuan City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Aug. 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Tang Chengzhuo) Northeast China, historically recognized as a traditional industrial base, gave birth to China's first automobile, first jet aircraft and first 10,000-tonne ship. However, during its transformation, it encountered challenges such as resource depletion and talent outflow, which led to the moniker "Rust Belt." The growth of Gelita Liaoyuan Gelatine Co., Ltd. mirrors China's ongoing initiatives to revitalize its northeastern region. The positive changes have significantly bolstered foreign investors' confidence in the development potential of Jilin, Heilongjiang and Liaoning provinces. Official data indicate that in 2023, the actual utilization of foreign capital in Jilin and Heilongjiang saw an increase of 23.2 percent and 11.8 percent year on year, respectively. Liaoning welcomed 959 new foreign-funded enterprises and attracted an actual foreign investment of 3.38 billion U.S. dollars in the same year. Northeast China, with its robust industrial foundation, has achieved remarkable results in automation and digital transformation in recent years. This has drawn numerous multinational companies to seek investment or expand their investments in the region in various sectors such as new energy vehicles, high-end equipment manufacturing and biopharmaceuticals. This photo taken on April 26, 2024 shows a scene at the signing ceremony for deepening strategic cooperation between BMW and Shenyang, in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong) In April, German automaker BMW announced an additional investment of 20 billion yuan to localize the manufacturing of a new generation of BMW models by 2026 at its production base in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning. German automaker Audi established its first Chinese factory dedicated to producing pure electric vehicles in Changchun, capital of Jilin. With an expected investment exceeding 35 billion yuan, the factory is scheduled to commence production by the end of the year. Northeast China is not only a hotspot for foreign investment but is also increasingly seen as a research and development hub. Foreign companies are developing cutting-edge technologies and deploying advanced production lines in the region. In July, German automotive parts supplier Vitesco Technologies commenced serial production of its battery management electronics in Changchun. The first large-scale production is planned for a leading Chinese car manufacturer, which will equip its new electric vehicle models with state-of-the-art battery management technology. Guests watch an introduction video of the Audi FAW NEV Co., Ltd. in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, Jan. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang) Last August, Vitesco inaugurated a new research center covering nearly 8,000 square meters, housing 500 researchers, and featuring 12 laboratories in Changchun. Moreover, attractive talent policies have enhanced investor confidence. In 2023, Jilin and Liaoning experienced net population inflows of 43,400 and 86,000, respectively, reversing a decade-long trend of net outflow. Heilongjiang achieved its best performance in five years for retaining and attracting university graduates. A staff member operates at a workshop of Vitesco Automotive Changchun Co., Ltd. in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, April 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Si Xiaoshuai) CNH, an equipment, technology and services company, has a long heritage in China dating back to the early 20th century. "Our plant in Harbin, which was opened 10 years ago, has been our largest industrial investment in the world over the last 30 years. We have localized here and have invested more than 250 million U.S. dollars into the site since then," said Luca Mainardi, president of Asia Pacific at CNH. Bing Zheng, director of the northeast revitalization development research institute at Jilin University, believes that northeast China has seized the opportunity presented by the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry, continuously expanding external cooperation. "The region's solid industrial foundation, strong talent pool and ongoing optimization of the business environment are key factors in attracting foreign investment," Bing said. (Video reporters: Shao Meiqi, Tang Chengzhuo, Gao Ming, Sun Xiaoyu; Video editors: Li Ziwei, Zhao Xiaoqing, Wang Han) CANTON, Miss. (WJTV) A Canton man pled guilty to felony driving under the influence 4th offence. Madison and Rankin Counties District Attorney Bubba Bramlett, Jr., said Calvin Francis, 50, was sentenced to 10 years without the possibility of parole. On April 18, 2023, a Madison police officer stopped Francis for carless driving. The officer smelled alcohol on Francis and asked him to step out of the vehicle. Francis told the officer that he had just been released from prison for a felony DUI 3rd offense in December 2022. Crews respond to fire at Jackson elementary school After conducting field sobriety tests and preliminary breath tests, Francis was arrested and transported to the Madison Police Department where he blew into the Intoxilyzer machine and registered a .13% which is above the legal blood alcohol content limit of .08%. On February 24, 2024, a Ridgeland police officer stopped Francis for careless driving. The officer smelled alcohol on Francis, and after conducting field sobriety tests, police said Francis refused to blow in the machine. A search warrant was obtained for his blood, and his BAC was .15% which is almost twice the legal limit. Francis has remained in custody since his February 24, 2024 arrest. According to Bramlett, Francis has at least four prior DUI convictions including one for a felony DUI 3rd offense in Madison County from 2018. He served five years for the DUI third offense. Francis was indicted for two counts of felony DUI 4th offense in April of 2024. He pled guilty to felony DUI 4th offense as a non-violent habitual offender on August 28, 2024. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A Canutillo man will be spending 38 years in prison after accepting a plea deal. On Aug. 27, Juan Manuel Guzman plead guilty to the murder of his estranged sister, Karla Mariela Marroquin. Marroquin was found dead in the apartment she shared with Guzman on Feb. 3, 2022. Guzman was arrested and booked by the El Paso County Sheriffs Office after confessing to the crime. According to District Attorney Bill Hicks, Marroquin was given up for adoption in Guatemala where she lived with her adopted mother up until Guzman smuggled Marroquin and her two children to the United States at an unknown date. Mr. Guzman had, shortly after they moved in, started to become controlling. He began a romantic relationship with her and the domestic violence followed shortly thereafter, said Hicks during a news conference to discuss the negotiations. Mr. Guzman, on the second day of February, 2022, became very enraged. He believed that Ms. Marroquin had had a sexual relationship with another individual, and he beat her with a bat. He also had a theres a large handheld massage or that was a plug in the wall kind of massager that he also beat her with. Pieces of that massager were found inside the apartment, and he beat her to death, leaving her body inside the apartment. He fled the scene, was later apprehended and eventually gave a confession to the facts of the case, he said. In entering into the plea agreement, he has waived his appeal, he waived his motions to suppress. He has waived all other issues. This case is finalized with this entry of a plea agreement. He will be going away to prison and there will be no appeal. This case is finalized, said Hicks. Hicks said the DAs Office had initially offered 40 years, despite feeling a trial by jury would give a verdict in excess of that number. The defense countered that with a sentencing of 30 to 35 years, ultimately both parties agreed to the final 38. I think that it is fair to understand the plea-bargaining process. Of course, with so many cases being filed, 8,000 cases on average in our felony courts a year and 11 felony courts, we have to negotiate cases. We have to offer plea agreements in order to keep the dockets moving, explained Hicks. The children of Mr. Marroquin are relieved that they do not need to travel all the way from Guatemala to El Paso. They do not have to relive the abuse that they witnessed, and they are relieved that justice was served with Mr. Guzman going away to prison, he said. The Center Against Sexual and Family Violence provides services for victims of sexual and domestic violence regardless of their legal status. Assistance is available 24/7 through CASFVs bilingual Hopeline at (915) 593-7300 Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Five people were arrested Thursday afternoon in Rochester after a chase involving New York State Police. This began near Goodman Street in Rochester, where troopers had tried to stop a Jeep. According to state police, the driver of the Jeep never stopped, and a chase ensued through the city. The chase ended when the Jeep slammed into an uninvolved Acura Sedan, which then hit another car in the area of Lake Avenue and Driving Park Avenue. The Jeep rolled over as a result of the crash. The drivers of the uninvolved cars were left with minor injuries. One person in the Jeep was also injured, troopers said. Five people were taken into custody two 18-year-olds and three 17-year-olds. New York State police charged the following suspects: 18-year-old Jahari Wilson was charged with five counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon: defaced for concealment, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon: ammunition feeding device, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. 18-year-old Cameron Porchea was charged with four counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon: defaced for concealment, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon: ammunition feeding device, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree unlawful fleeing of a police officer, and multiple traffic violations. The three 17-year-old boys were charged with four counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon: defaced for concealment, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon: ammunition feeding device, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The investigation is ongoing. This is a developing story, be sure to check back later for more updates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A Clark County School District Employee accused of contacting or attempting to contact a minor for sex was actively messaging the victim while police were interviewing her, according to an arrest report. On Friday, Aug. 23, at around 11 a.m., an officer with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was contacted by Eldorado High School administration regarding a possible teacher-student relationship. Upon arrival, a staff member told police that an anonymous student wanted to provide information about an ongoing teacher-student relationship, according to the report. The student told police her ex-boyfriend was in a relationship with a teacher at the school, Jerusalem Garcia, 20. The student said she was told by a family member of Garcia who attends the school. Jerusalem Garcia, 20, was arrested on Friday, Aug. 23, and taken to the Clark County Detention Center. (CCSDPD) Garcia faces one count of contacting or attempting to contact a minor by a person of authority for the purpose of sex, CCSD police said. (CCSDPD) Garcia is a Specialized Program Teacher Assistant assigned to Eldorado High School and has been employed by the District since August 2021. When police spoke to the victim, he said he was in a relationship with Garcia since May 2024. The victim told police he met Garcia at a party on May 26, where the two exchanged Instagram usernames and began talking on social media, the report stated. The victim told police he went on roughly 12 to 15 dates and during the date nights, the two would make out in secluded locations, according to the report. When police spoke with Garcia, she told them she was in a loving relationship with the victim and said she had urges to have sexual intercourse with the victim but refrained due to [the victims] age and the fact that she was a teacher, the report stated. Garcia told police they would go to secluded locations because she was afraid of being caught or seen by other staff members or students, according to the report. While Garcia was talking to police, she was messaging the victim on Instagram. When police read the messages, it appeared the two were discussing the incident and aligning their stories, the report stated. Garcia also admitted to deleting messages between the two. Garcia faces a charge of contacting or attempting to contact a minor by a person of authority for the purpose of sex. According to court records, Garcias next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 30. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. VALLEY MILLS, Texas (FOX 44) As National Red Wine Day is celebrated, wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs are raising their glasses to honor a drink that has evolved from ancient practices to modern craftsmanship. Red wine, known for its diverse range of flavors from fruit-forward notes to rich, powerful undertones has a long history dating back to ancient Greece and other early civilizations. In Central Texas, Valley Mills Vineyard stands as a testament to this tradition, combining historical winemaking techniques with contemporary technology. While ancient methods involved stomping grapes by foot, todays vineyards employ advanced machinery to streamline the process, ensuring efficiency and consistency. Valley Mills Vineyard, a prominent name in the region, boasts a production process that includes aging red wine in barrels for periods ranging from 36 months to over two years. The vineyard utilizes fermenting tanks that can hold up to 5,000 bottles of wine, underscoring the scale of their operations. Sarah Holder, Tasting Room Manager at Valley Mills Vineyard, notes that while red wine remains a staple for their 900-member wine club, the recent scorching temperatures in Texas have driven an increased demand for white wines and roses. I would say red, Holder remarks about the prevailing preference, However since we are in Texas and its been very, very hot the last few months, weve gone through quite a bit more of our whites as well as some rose, said Sarah. The extreme heat has posed challenges, causing many grapevines to dry out during the harvest season. Despite these conditions, Valley Mills Vineyard has continued to thrive, catering to the persistent demand of their dedicated clientele. I love red wine. You get to taste the year and you go back in time in history to taste what that season, what that weather was like. Its something very special that no other drinks get you, says Nathan Prado. Wine-making is as much an art as it is a science, with barrels costing between $500 and $1,200 each and fermenting tanks capable of producing over 400 cases of wine. The process requires patience and a deep appreciation for craftsmanship. A lot of patience. A lot of craftsmanship. It really comes down to the winemaker and the team that we have here, said Holder. As red wine continues to bring people together, whether for celebrations or relaxation, its clear that its legacy endures through the dedication of those who craft it. For those celebrating National Red Wine Day, take a moment to savor a glass of red wine. Remember to enjoy responsibly and appreciate the rich history that each bottle represents. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) A man is facing charges in Centre County for allegedly assaulting and strangling a young child. Christopher Cicchino, 38, is accused of punching and strangling a child at least twice between August 2023 to April 2024. Christopher Cicchino Centre County Jail It was reported to the State College Police Department that a 4-year-old child told a family member that Cicchino had previously assaulted them. In April, the victim had asked their family member if Cicchino was coming home after being arrested for a separate matter. Charges show that the relative said no, so the victim opened up about two assaults, which prompted the relative to contact police. While interviewed, the victim told police that one time Cicchino threw them onto a bed and proceeded to punch them in the stomach before choking them, according to the affidavit. Ciccihino also put a pillow over the victims face, according to the victims report to police. Pennsylvania man found in stolen car in Huntingdon County The other incident happened in a bathroom where Cicchino allegedly held the victim up against a wall by his throat and slapped them in the face, according to the criminal complaint. The victims relative recalled taking a photo in December 2023 when they thought the victim had a rash on their face. According to the charges filed, a medical doctor was able to examine the photo and determine the redness was consistent with being strangled. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. Ciccihino is in the Centre County Jail with bail set at $25,000. He is charged with two felony counts of strangulation and one of endangering the welfare of a child, along with three misdemeanor counts of simple assault. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. FAIRBORN, Ohio (WDTN) A new exhibit in honor of the Civil Air Patrol is set to open soon at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Our partner at the Fairborn Daily Herald reports a ceremony to recognize CAPs work on 9/11 will occur at 1100 Spaatz St. in Dayton on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. The Air Force Museum claims CAP played a substantial role by providing resources to emergency officials on 9/11. On Sept. 12, a CAP Cessna 172, the only nonmilitary aircraft allowed in the nations airspace, provided emergency management officials the first high-resolution images of the World Trade Center site, said the NMUSAF. Nationwide, CAP volunteers transported blood and medical supplies, provided communication and transportation support and assisted state and federal officials. Although tickets for the event are free, you must register here to request a ticket. Space for the event is limited. The ceremony is being held in preparation for a new exhibition honoring the support of the work of the group on 9/11. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. A historic property is gone and a community is worried about other properties and the citys process. Its a messy and confusing situation but it is clear the city, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, councilmembers, and neighbors are not on the same page. The Manse Home stood for 110 years, providing housing for ministers from the Steele Creek Presbyterian Church. Local historians called it one of the finest examples of the Colonial Revival style. The house, which is on city-owned property, was demolished this month. The demolition and questions about the process were first brought to light by the Charlotte Ledger. Its a travesty. Im upset about it, neighbor Stephanie Lasne said. My neighborhoods upset about it. ALSO READ: Historic Morganton clock being restored by community Stephanie Lasne lives in the Steeleberry Acres neighborhood next door and calls the loss of the home a gut punch. She isnt just upset about the demolition, but has issues with the process. Last December, the Historic Landmarks Commission designated the house as a landmark. If Charlotte City Council approved that designation, demolition could have been potentially pushed off for a while and the home might have been saved or moved. But city staff never placed it on the agenda and claimed the move was authorized by a council action taken in December 2018. Councilmember Tiawana Brown represents the area and is furious that council was left in the dark. Im upset because Im the representative and everything falls back on my shoulders, she said. To not know is ignorance. Because of how this situation was handled, Charlotte City Council members hit pause on taking away the Historic Landmark designation for part of the neighboring Steele Creek Presbyterian Churchs land. A developer wants to sell 23 acres and put the proceeds into preserving the church, cemetery and a house on site. Brown says nothing will happen without more community input. Were going to be intentional, full engagement, knocking on doors, as if Im running a campaign, talking to residents, she said. ALSO READ: Local man who saves old, historic homes to be featured on national TV show Lasne is grateful for Councilmember Brown but has doubts about the City of Charlotte. Im so worried about our neighborhood. Charlotte City Council will consider changes to the Steele Creek Presbyterian Church site in October. Statement from Charlotte Douglas International Airport: In 2020, Aviation issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking feedback from the development community regarding the SCPC site and 70+ acres of surrounding property for the preservation, reuse, and development of the buildings and land. Based on the feedback received from the RFI, Aviation issued a Request for Proposal in March 2021 seeking offers for the purchase of the land including permanent preservation of the Sanctuary. In November 2021, the City and Foundry Commercial LLC (Foundry) contracted for the sale of former SCPC Sanctuary, buildings, and land. City Council approved the sale in December 2021. Foundry has worked closely with the City, North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Mecklenburg County Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC), and former leaders of SCPC on identifying and implementing a mutually acceptable method to preserve the Sanctuary with permanent protection of the building and adjacent cemetery (owned and maintained by SCPC). Foundry has an identified reuse for the Sanctuary. She Built This City, a workforce development 501c3 focused on providing training and job placement for women into the construction and skilled trades industry, is very interested in receiving the sanctuary from Foundry and preserving it. They plan to begin a workforce development program around preservation reconstruction with the building serving as their learning lab. The Manse property is part of the larger non-residential, airport-compatible development of surrounding land, in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines. Those plans are in development. Specific to your question about a Council vote, Council voted on May 30, 2018 to approve the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Federal Aviation Administration, the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, and City of Charlotte for historic structure preservation activities (attached, along with referenced map). This was subsequent to the Council Action for the initial purchase of the Manse property in June 2017. On Monday (8/26/24), there was a Council Action that included retaining the historic designation of the SCPC Sanctuary, and would help pave the way for the Foundry project (supported by City staff, HLC, and community partners) the Action was deferred by Council. (WATCH BELOW: Mayor Lyles asks permission to build new home in historic McCrorey Heights) VIENTIANE, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Hospitals across Laos are set to offer free human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations to girls aged 10 to 14 to prevent cervical cancer. The nationwide campaign is expected to begin in October, according to a report from the Center of Information and Education for Health under the Ministry of Health on Thursday. Lao health officials emphasized that the campaign would be available at hospitals across Laos. They encouraged schools to begin identifying eligible girls in September to ensure smooth and widespread participation. The vaccination campaign is open to both students and non-students. Vaccines in the campaign specifically target four high-risk types of the virus, types 6, 11, 16 and 18, which are particularly prevalent in Southeast Asia, including Laos. Lao authorities urged parents to ensure their daughters receive vaccinations, reinforcing Laos' commitment to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health issue. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Charlotte leaders held a roundtable event to highlight Vice President Kamala Harris proposal to lower housing costs for North Carolinians. Mayor Vi Lyles, along with other Charlotte city council members and state representatives, focused on the proposal that includes a $25,000 first-time homebuyers tax credit as well as millions of dollars pledged to build affordable housing. Weve been working on trying to get people housed, Mayor Lyles said. The most important things that we need to do is to give people a place to work, but more importantly, they need a home that they can live in with dignity and respect it is an investment in our future. Lyles also criticized former president Donald Trump and the Project 2025 plan. Trump has worked to distance himself from the conservative think-tank program crafted by the Heritage Foundation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. On Oct. 19, 2022, an official with the Miami-Dade County Elections Department conducts a comprehensive examination of the voting equipment that will be used in the Nov. 8th general election. Elections, from campaigning to voting systems, are under great scrutiny this year. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) An official with the Miami-Dade County Elections Department conducts a comprehensive examination of the voting equipment that will be used in the Nov. 8th general election. Elections, from campaigning to voting systems, are under great scrutiny this year. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Except for small, private group elections, Ive never voted using anything other than a machine. I always trusted that my vote on mechanical or electronic devices would be counted appropriately and accurately and I still do. But a lot of folks have swallowed the canard that voter fraud is rampant and that the machines that tally their votes cant be trusted. That distrust has been simmering in Arkansas, where a group called Arkansas Voter Integrity Initiative tried unsuccessfully earlier this year to get a measure on the statewide ballot to require votes to be cast in ink on paper ballots and counted by hand. Since then, weve seen Republican lawmakers try mightily to put the virus back in its test tube. At least two legislative panel sessions have been devoted to showing skeptics that the states electronic vote tabulators are totally accurate and that hand-counting votes is not only time-consuming and expensive but prone to human error. Yet, folks who dont trust elected officials of their own political party or the accuracy of machines are trying to force a handful of county clerks in Arkansas to put a measure on the Nov. 5 ballot requiring voters in those counties to mark their ballots by hand and for those votes to be counted by hand in future elections. Citizens in at least nine counties filed identical petitions in early August seeking to place The Hand Marked, Hand Counted Paper Ballot Ordinance of 2024 on those counties general election ballots. The clerks in those counties rejected the petitions for a number of reasons, including not having enough signatures, using paid canvassers who arent Arkansas residents or having a misleading ballot title. In mid-August, attorney Clinton Lancaster filed lawsuits against the nine county clerks, asking circuit judges to order the clerks to accept the petitions and forward the ballot measure to the county election commissions for placement on Novembers ballots. In a court filing, Lancaster split a very fine hair by saying canvassers who signed as residents of another state mistakenly put their address of domicile. All the canvassers were residing in Arkansas while acting as canvassers, he wrote, submitting affidavits attached to the filing that showed the canvassers as residing in Arkansas, all of them at a Home2Suites in Conway. That argument strikes me as ludicrous; the canvassers hadnt made the hotel their permanent residence. An attorney representing Saline County in the identical lawsuit there argued in court papers that Lancasters assertions about residency under Arkansas law lack a factual and legal basis. But a circuit judge on Monday accepted Lancasters argument and gave Cleburne County Clerk Rachelle Evans 72 hours to count all the signatures on all the petitions submitted, including those that were later cured by the new affidavits of residency. If, after counting the signatures, Evans determines the number meets the laws requirements, the judge further ordered her to certify the ballot measure to the Cleburne County Board of Election Commissioners. In the identical case in Independence County, where Clerk Tracey Mitchell had rejected the paper ballot initiative on the basis of its title, the judge ordered the clerk to immediately certify the measure to the county election commissioners. That leaves seven more cases to be heard. As of Wednesday, hearings were set Thursday in Saline and White counties. Not yet set were hearings in Conway, Johnson, Perry, Sharp and Van Buren counties. This seems an awful waste of time and energy on an issue that shouldnt even be an issue. Most voters have been using mechanical or electronic devices to cast ballots for decades. Miscounted or missed votes are exceedingly rare. My own aversion to paper ballots and hand counts comes from a visceral distrust of human counters, especially after the election of 2000 and the nightmare of hanging chads. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A Missouri election official who experimented with full hand counts reported that modern voting systems are faster, accurate and more efficient to get the job done and allow election officials to ensure there is no fraud and everything is accurate in a timely manner for our citizens. A Georgia election official tweeted (when X was still Twitter): The push by a tiny minority of activists to move to hand counting ballots for all elections is, well, how to say thisthe dumbest idea possible. Like it would be hard to do a dumber thing. It is more expensive, less accurate (by a lot), delays results, puts outcomes in doubt. Yet, here we are, with a group of hard-core conspiracists that couldnt get a statewide hand-count ballot initiative approved, pushing the same idea at the county level. (A 2023 state law requires counties to foot the bill on their own if they decide to move to paper ballots and hand counts.) On one hand, its a wonderful exercise in direct democracy. Voters in at least two of the nine counties (at this writing) will get to decide whether they will require votes cast with pen on paper to be counted by hand in future elections. On the other hand, its still a dumb idea, fueled by conspiracy theories and baseless scare tactics, according to Arkansas Times writer Matt Campbell. Hand counts do have a place in elections for audits testing the accuracy of the machine count and for recounts in tight races. But the push for full hand counts at the county and state level also further undermines democracy in Arkansas by adding to the level of distrust in the institutions that support our fragile society. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Chester man gets 17 years for 2021 block party shooting after self-defense claim failed A South Carolina judge on Wednesday sentenced a Chester man to 17 years in prison for a deadly 2021 block party shooting, prosecutors said. Sundrez Dashaune Gregory, 28, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter at the Chester County Courthouse in the shooting of Wayne Alexander Caldwell, said Candice Lively, 6th Circuit deputy solicitor. Judge Brian Gibbons sentenced Gregory Wednesday on the manslaughter charge that carries a range of two to 30 years. Gregory receives credit for more than 1,000 days of time he was in jail and under house arrest waiting for his case to go to court. Caldwell, 42, was shot in the head and body after a dispute at a neighborhood event Oct. 9, 2021 in Chester. Gregory had originally been charged with murder, records show. His stand-your-ground immunity claim concerning the shooting was previously denied by another judge, Lively said. After helming oversight of Chicago Public Schools during the tumult of the COVID-19 pandemic and amid a sea change in the districts handling of sexual misconduct complaints, Will Fletcher resigned as CPS inspector general, effective last Friday. Under Fletchers four-year tenure, the Office of the Inspector General uncovered multiple patterns of fraud and financial mismanagement in CPS and expanded its Sexual Allegations Unit, which is devoted to investigating alleged adult-on-student sexual misconduct. While tension between CPS leaders, the teachers union and Mayor Brandon Johnson has recently escalated into calls for a new CEO, and a mediator as CPS and CTU negotiate a new contract, the IGs office has remained independent of district politics and the personnel change is only due to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take on a new role, Fletcher said. The Board of Education will vote on a resolution Thursday acknowledging that Deputy Inspector General Amber Nesbitt has stepped into Fletchers role as acting inspector general. Fletcher said he will next launch a new inspector generals office, responsible for overseeing the Gateway Development Commission, an agency created by the states of New York and New Jersey to manage a group of infrastructure projects that will cost at least $16 billion and entail bridge, rail and tunnel projects among both states. I loved being the inspector general for Chicago Public Schools, said Fletcher, a CPS alumni and parent. Over the last four-plus years, weve been able to build a team and build an office that has responded to the volume of complaints that we receive and has been able to do impactful investigations that really matter to the school district. Revelations involving district finances that the IGs office has brought to light in recent years include Paycheck Protection Program fraud among CPS employees; the loss of tens of thousands of technology devices, cumulatively worth millions; failures to verify fraudulent requests for extra pay; and nearly $30 million in payments CPS made without conditions to bus vendors who laid off drivers at the onset of the pandemic, rather than paying to keep them on staff, as CPS had intended. The OIG also formed its Sexual Allegations Unit, known as the SAU, in 2018, after a Chicago Tribune report exposed conflicts of interest in investigations formerly helmed by the CPS Law Department. Citing appalling districtwide failures in CPS handling of sexual abuse allegations, the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights entered the district into a legally binding agreement in 2019, mandating reforms and federal monitoring. The OIG now investigates all adult-to-student sexual misconduct complaints and refers cases involving alleged student-to-student sexual misconduct to CPS Office of Student Protections. Fletcher noted that CPS is the only K-12 school district that has formed an investigative unit that addresses the gulf between the types of incidents that the police or that law enforcement will investigate, and the types of incidents that are still serious enough to be investigated and handled in a responsible, thorough way. Fletcher, who was appointed by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot in June 2020, said hed like parents to know that every complaint is taken seriously. There is a lot of attention paid to each and every allegation. There are a lot of resources invested in getting to the bottom of each and every allegation, Fletcher said, noting theres been a major change in elevating the sense of responsibility that all CPS employees have to report suspected misconduct. Fletcher said there remains what he calls a stubbornly resilient subset of adults affiliated with CPS who continue to be the subject of allegations more often involving inappropriate interactions with students than major crimes. Thats going to take a lot of work, Fletcher said, expressing confidence in Nesbitts leadership and the districts respect for the independence of the OIG. Even if the investigations that we present to the board represent systemic difficulties, challenges, problems, Ive always believed that they understood where were coming from, and that it makes sense why were raising the issues that were raising, Fletcher said. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Kansas City Chiefs President Mark Donovan is watching his calendar closely. Donovan, who spoke with reporters on Wednesday at the Chiefs annual kickoff luncheon, said he would like to deal with outgoing Missouri Governor Mike Parson on a new stadium deal. Parson is set to leave office in January. His successor will be chosen by Missouri voters on November 5th. Donovan said the Chiefs are in talks with a variety of parties on both sides of the state line. He also looks ahead to 2031, when the Chiefs current deal to remain at Arrowhead Stadium expires. Former Chiefs players auctioning off Super Bowl rings this weekend Jackson County voters, as well as the county legislature, have rejected sales tax items that would support a stadium. We do have a timeline. We dont have a deadline, Donovan said on Wednesday. Donovan said he cant see a stadium deal in Kansas City, Missouri moving forward without strong support from the state, and from Jackson County. On Monday, Jackson Countys legislators voted against including a one-quarter cent sales tax geared toward the Chiefs on Novembers ballot. Weve been very clear with the governor and very clear with the county that if we go forward with another public vote, it will be with the support of the state. It will be with the support, specifically, of the county executive, and hopefully, of the entire legislature, Donovan said. Despite that, Donovan said Jackson County Executive Frank White and his team are cooperative in negotiations. Some county legislators have expressed their concerns about Whites transparency. Whatever they do, its going to take time. Its not like you can wait until the last year or two on their contract of their lease to say hey, were going to make a change. Theyre going to need to make decisions in the near future, Parson said. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, who was also in attendance on Wednesday, said her office has no official position on this issue. Kelly said the Chiefs hired their own lobbyists in the early going, and theyre working directly with members of the Kansas Statehouse. Im actually kind of agnostic about it. Like I said, I feel like we already have the Chiefs. Theyre very much a part of our state and our culture and our fanbase. I dont have a strong feeling about it, Kelly said. End Zone Extra: Get the top Chiefs news and insider features all season long Donovan also mentioned hes had encouraging conversations with Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, who is the Republican nominee for governor. He didnt mention other gubernatorial candidates. Donovan might also feel pressure because Kansas STAR bonds expire at the end of June 2025, unless the program is extended. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Getty Images With childhood vaccination rates in Michigan on a downward trajectory, state public health officials are stepping up to urge parents to get their children caught up on vaccinations prior to returning to classes this fall. Parents should know their childs risk going into the new school year. Were seeing some of the lowest vaccination rates in more than a decade, which puts our schools and communities at risk, said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the state of Michigan. According to July data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry, vaccination rates for Michigan children ages 19 to 36 months have fallen below 70% in more than half of the state (47 of 83 counties), setting up the potential for outbreaks of serious communicable diseases including measles, mumps and chickenpox. The 10 areas of the state with the lowest vaccination rates for children ages 19 to 36 months are: Keweenaw County (36.8%), Oscoda County (38.2%), Mackinac County (54.2%), Houghton County (55.4%), Gladwin County (55.6%), the City of Detroit (55.7%), Lake County (57.8%), Clare County (58.8%), Sanilac County (58.9%) and Baraga County (59.1%). The city of Detroit has its own health department located within Wayne County. When less than 70% of children are vaccinated in a particular community, health officials say pockets of low vaccination create an environment where diseases can take hold and spread. In February, Michigan reported its first case of measles in five years, when an Oakland County child who had traveled internationally tested positive for the virus. Since then, Michigan has reported another six cases of measles in 2024, with annual reported cases of whooping cough double what they were for all of 2023. Meanwhile, vaccination rates of younger children dropped during the pandemic with the most recent data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) indicating only 70.2% of children aged 19 to 36 months have completed their recommended doses in the primary childhood vaccine series. That is especially alarming for public health officials, who say they are most concerned when children who have not yet received all school-required vaccines are clustered together in the same school building. The number of Michigan elementary schools with kindergarten vaccination rates below 70% increased from 2015 to 2023 (from 86 to 109 schools). During those same years, the number of Michigan middle schools with 7th grade vaccination rates below 70% more than doubled (from 48 to 110 schools). This means that kids attending school this year are more susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases. This not only could have severe health impacts for under-vaccinated children, or those with medical vulnerabilities, but also means schools, children and parents are more likely to experience disruption of routine instruction this school year, said Bagdasarian. Michigan tracks each schools vaccination data, which can be accessed by parents and others seeking to assess their childs risk. We can send our kids to school safely this year by getting them caught up on the CDC-recommended vaccination schedule before the first day, so we can minimize the spread of preventable diseases, said Veronica McNally, president of the Franny Strong Foundation and founder of the I Vaccinate campaign. As a mother myself, Im asking parents to take this opportunity before school begins to protect their children, as well as their classmates, through vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends the COVID-19 vaccine and an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as part of the recommended vaccination childhood and adolescent schedules. Two years after the United Nations human rights office issued a dire warning that Chinas mistreatment of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in its northwestern region of Xinjiang could constitute crimes against humanity, a spokesperson for the agency said that many problematic laws and policies remain in place. Both Volker Turk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, and his office have had detailed exchanges with the Chinese government on a range of critical issues, including policies that impinge the human rights of ethnic and religious minorities in Xinjiang and Tibet, Ravina Shamdasani said on Tuesday. Regarding Xinjiang, the office has urged authorities to conduct a full review, from a human rights perspective, of the legal framework governing national security and counter-terrorism so that it doesnt discriminate against minorities. More from Sourcing Journal We hope to continue our active engagement with the government, as well as with civil society actors, to seek tangible progress in the protection of human rights for all in China, Shamdasani said. We are also continuing to follow closely the current human rights situation in China, despite the difficulties posed by limited access to information and the fear of reprisals against individuals who engage with the United Nations. Shamdasani said she was responding to multiple questions about the agencys work in China ahead of the second anniversary of its assessment, which concluded that the arbitrary and discriminatory detention of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in the name of combating counter-terrorism and counter-extremism have resulted in interlocking patterns of severe and undue restrictions on a wide range of human rights. The report was a long-awaited one and its delay, coupled with what appeared to be conciliatory comments from Michelle Bachelet, Turks predecessor, drew furious criticism from activists and some Western governments that the office was trying to whitewash conditions in Xinjiang. Minutes before its release, Bachelet resigned from her four-year post, citing personal reasons. It was notable for not using the term genocide, as other agencies, organizations and governments have done. These include the United States, whose Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act effectively bans products derived in whole or in part from the province. But Beijings actions meet the criteria for genocide, according to a report published this month by Yale Universitys Genocide Studies Program. Its systematic imprisonment of Uyghurs, at a scale not seen since World War II, in particular, has a chilling effect that must concern humanity. Incarceration rates for Uyghurs have drastically increased, with what essentially amounted to concentration campsbut euphemistically known as reeducation centersnow replaced by newer and more permanent institutionalized detention centers, i.e. prisons, the report said. If current mass imprisonment trends continue, its authors estimate, the Uyghur population is set to be sentenced to a cumulative 4.4 million years behind bars. As Chinas mass incarceration campaign continues, the total number of victims will grow, the report said. It is only a matter of time before such a conspiracy or attempt to commit genocide becomes a widespread genocide of even more irreversible deaths. Given Chinas increasingly genocidal actions, languages, and intent, it is more urgent now than ever for the global community to mobilize to prevent a more horrific genocide from unfolding completely. The UN human rights office said that it continues to call on authorities to take prompt steps to release all individuals arbitrarily deprived of their liberty and to clarify the status and whereabouts of those whose family members have been seeking information. Any allegations of human rights violations, including torture, must also be fully investigated, Shamdasani said. We are continuing to advocate for [the] implementation of these and other recommendations made by us, as well as those made by other human rights mechanisms and during the Human Rights Councils universal periodic review process, she said. The high commissioner is committed to sustained engagement with the government of China and to advocating on behalf of victims. Beijing said on Wednesday that its willing to engage with the UNjust as long as the human rights office fulfills its mandate in a just and objective manner and refrains from being used by political forces aiming at containing and vilifying China. China always puts the people front and center in all our work, views respecting and protecting human rights as an important part of governance, and has made historic achievements in this aspect, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press briefing. Xinjiang today enjoys social stability and economic growth and the people there live a happy life. It is at its best in history where people of all ethnic groups are working together for a better life. But more than a dozen Uyghur rights organizations, including the Uyghur Human Rights Project and the World Uyghur Congress, are urging the UN Human Rights Council to take urgent action at its upcoming 57th session, which opens on Sept. 9. Writing in a joint letter on Wednesday, they said that 17 HRC members voted in support of a debate on the human rights offices findings in October 2022, paving the way for an independent investigation into the alleged atrocities, but that Beijing reportedly mobilized 19 members to vote against the initiative and 11 to abstain. The organizations said that HRC members should invite Turk to brief the council on the agencys efforts to advance protections and accountability for human rights violations committed against Uyghurs as documented in the 2022 report during this session, and a similar briefing should also be provided to the Third Committee of the General Assembly in New York later this year. The Chinese government continues to commit widespread and systematic abuses across the Uyghur region: individuals are still held in formal and arbitrary detention despite the lack of legitimate charges or due process, human rights NGOs continue to document severe repression in the region and senior government officials publicly declare their intent to eradicate Uyghur culture, faith and language, the organizations said. A UN member state committing violations of this scope and scale, alongside abuses against numerous other communities, has no place serving on the United Nations Human Rights Council and should be held accountable. China will not impose anti-dumping measures on EU brandy for now A bottle of St-Remy XO Brandy is displayed at the Remy Cointreau SA headquarters in Paris By Casey Hall, Alessandro Parodi and Emma Rumney SHANGHAI (Reuters) -Beijing said on Thursday it would not impose provisional tariffs on brandy imported from the European Union despite finding it had been sold in China below market prices, giving both sides room to breathe in tense trade talks. China's commerce ministry said in a statement it had found that European distillers had been selling brandy in its 1.4 billion-strong consumer market at a dumping margin in the range of 30.6% to 39% and that its domestic industry had been damaged. "Provisional anti-dumping measures will not be taken in this case for the time being," the ministry said, leaving open the possibility Beijing may act in the future. Previously, the ministry had said the probe was expected to end before Jan. 5, 2025, but that it could be extended "under special circumstances". China has been canvassing the bloc's 27 member states to reject the European Commission's proposal to adopt additional duties of up to 36.3% on Chinese-made electric vehicles in an October vote, and the decision not to impose tariffs on brandy could be seen as helpful to its case. "This looks like a negotiation tactic from China," Barclays analyst Laurence Whyatt said, expecting to see a link between EU tariffs on Chinese EVs and Chinese action on EU brandy imports. "Can they persuade the EU to roll back some of the measures that have been imposed?" An EU Commission spokesperson said the development would not influence its decision on EV duties, describing the two investigations as "separate tracks". In a statement, the EU executive said it was following the investigation "very closely" while its detailed assessment showed the merits of the investigation were "questionable." "The Commission will therefore follow the investigation carefully to ensure WTO rules are being followed ... and will not hesitate to take all necessary actions to defend EU exporters," the statement said. FRENCH TARGET France was seen as the target of Beijing's brandy probe due to its support of tariffs on China-made EVs. It also accounted for 99% of China's brandy imports last year. French exports to China of dairy products that Beijing is investigating totalled 179 million euros ($198 million) last year, about 35% of the EU's total, according to Eurostat. French cognac association Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) said China's provisional decision did not put its concerns about eventual tariffs to rest. Duties if imposed would "heavily impact" cognac exports to China, which accounts for a quarter of its exports, it said. "An entire sector would thus become the collateral victim of a conflict beyond its control ... We expect France and the European Union to immediately negotiate for the non-application and abandonment of these duties," the statement added. SPIRITS RALLY Shares in French spirit makers jumped about 8% after the announcement, though they later pared gains as the market digested the full statement. If implemented, imports of Martell, which is owned by Pernod Ricard, could incur import tariffs of 30.6%, Hennessey, owned by LVMH, 39% and Remy Martin which is part of Remy Cointreau 38.1%, based on a list of dumping margins per firm published by China's Commerce Ministry. That is better than the 50% feared by investors, according to Citi analysts. At 1400 GMT, Pernod traded 2.7% higher, Remy was up 3.67%, LVMH was up 1.2% and Italy's Campari was 1.04% higher. Pernod Chief Executive Alexandre Ricard said the company would remain prudent on China given the tariff decision appeared to only apply "for now," but did not elaborate further. Remy said in a statement it would continue to cooperate with authorities and invest in China, but would also assess "all options and growth opportunities" to mitigate any negative impact from Beijing's final decision. LVMH said the BNIC was representing it in this case. Citi analysts estimated that Chinese retail prices for Pernod and Remy would increase by about 16% and 20% and cut their Chinese sales by 13% and 16% respectively, if the tariffs were imposed. That would hurt their earnings per share (EPS) by about 2% and 8%. Beijing announced its anti-dumping probe on EU brandy in January. Cognac makers have maintained that the probe is linked to a broader trade row rather than the liquor market. As well as the brandy probe, Beijing has opened anti-subsidy investigations into dairy and pork products from the EU. The dairy probe was launched last week, the day after Brussels published its revised tariff plan for Chinese-made EVs. The Spanish government, which had supported the EU EV probe in a preliminary vote in July, declined to comment on Thursday. ($1 = 0.9011 euros) (Reporting by Casey Hall in Shanghai, Joe Cash in Beijing, Emma Rumney in London, Philip Blenkinsop in Brussels, Alessandro Parodi and Ozan Ergenay in Gdansk; Additional reporting by Harry Robertson in London, Andrey Khalip in Lisbon and Mimosa Spencers in Paris; Editing by Christian Schmollinger, Mark Potter, Josephine Mason, Tomasz Janowski, Alexander Smith and Barbara Lewis) Chinese leader Xi Jinping made a plea for less fractious U.S.-China ties in a meeting with national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday, according to a statement from Beijing. Xi touted the U.S.-China traditional friendship and told Sullivan that Beijing wants to maintain the stability of China-U.S. relations [and] improve and take forward the relationship, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry statement. Xi also veered from his normally frosty public persona with a request that Sullivan pass on his regards to President Biden and expressed a readiness to stay in touch with Biden. Xis tone suggests an effort by Beijing to try to slow the slide in U.S.-China relations over issues including U.S. restrictions on high technology exports, tensions across the Taiwan Strait, Chinas support for Russias war on Ukraine and what Sullivan called Beijings destabilizing actions toward the Philippines in the South China Sea. The Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said that Sullivan reassured Xi that the U.S. also seeks to maintain stable U.S.-China ties. The Biden administration has long described its desired relationship with China as one of competition but not conflict. Still, as the U.S. election approaches, Democrats and Republicans alike are focusing on the threat posed by China to both U.S. national security and economic growth. Sullivan told reporters after the meeting that he pressed Xi for de-escalation in the South China Sea and for direct discussions between Beijing and Manila to address Beijings aggressive incursions into Philippine waters. Sullivan said he also raised concerns about possible Chinese interference in the U.S. presidential election by laying down a clear marker that it's unacceptable. The effectiveness of Xis outreach is questionable given the more hawkish comments from Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Sullivan in their two day meeting earlier this week. Wang laced rhetoric about the need for the two countries to coexist peacefully with accusations that the U.S. is damaging China's legitimate interests. And while Xi didnt criticize U.S. support for Taiwan, General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chair of the Central Military Commission accused Sullivan on Thursday of U.S.-Taiwan military collusion and of spreading false narratives about Taiwan in a Chinese Defense Ministry statement. Still, Sullivan also said he discussed with Xi the plans for a phone call between Biden and Xi in the coming weeks. The two leaders are also likely to have final in-person meetings on the sidelines of two international summits before Bidens term ends in January. It is likely that both President Biden and President Xi will be at APEC and the G20 [meetings] later this year and if they are, it would only be natural for them to have the chance to sit down with one another, Sullivan told reporters in the briefing. Sullivan also made a point of praising Vice President Kamala Harris as a key player in the Biden administrations China policy during his press briefing. Harris has been part of the design and execution of the overall strategy in the Indo-Pacific and is known to both of the top leaders in China through past meetings with both Xi and Premier Li Qiang, Sullivan said in response to a question about a possible Harris administrations China policy. Harris met briefly with Xi on the sidelines of an APEC summit in Bangkok in 2023 and with Li at an East Asia summit in Jakarta that same year. Sullivan said that China policy under a possible Harris administration would likely be a continuation of Bidens. Harris shares the view that maintaining high level, open lines of communication is the way that you can achieve that responsible management of U.S.-China ties, he said. PHNOM PENH, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia will host the sixth Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Environment Ministers' Meeting from Sept. 10 to 13 in the capital Phnom Penh, said a Cambodian Ministry of Environment's news release on Thursday. The meeting will bring together environment ministers or their representatives from the six GMS countries, namely Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. "They will review and discuss important strategic documents aimed at enhancing cooperation to fully realize the GMS vision for the Mekong region," the news release said. Cambodian Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth said the forthcoming meeting will "contribute to environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources in the region and the globe." The meeting is a subregional cooperation program focused on its fundamental strengths of community, connectivity, and competitiveness while embracing the core principles of environmental sustainability and resilience, internal and external integration, and inclusivity, for building a GMS community with a bright shared future. The fifth meeting was held in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2018. Updated Aug 29, 2024, 2:17pm EDT politics The News US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met Thursday with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who stressed that Beijing was committed to a stable US-China relationship. In this changing and turbulent world, countries need solidarity and coordination...not exclusion or regress, Xi said after the meeting. Sullivan also emphasized Bidens commitment to avoid a conflict. In a sign of the two superpowers trying to avoid conflict despite rising tensions over the South China Sea and Taiwan, Sullivan also held rare talks with senior Chinese military official Gen. Zhang Youxia, as he wrapped up his three day trip to China. The meeting was the first time since 2018 that a US official met with the vice chair of the Central Military Commission, an organization led by Xi that oversees Chinas military. The US and China agreed on Wednesday to hold calls between military commanders, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said, something the US has been proposing for some time to reduce military tensions in the South China Sea and avoid misunderstandings. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. US and China seek to put military ties on an even keel Sources: The New York Times, Semafor China watchers saw the military talks as a rare chance for Beijing and Washington to discuss the increased tensions over the South China Sea and Taiwan. A meeting with Zhang Youxia is very significant, and an indication that China is prepared to meaningfully re-engage with the Department of Defense, Drew Thompson, who researches US-China military relations, told The New York Times. Still, crisis communications with China tend to be limited in their usefulness because every single thing that is said by the PLA, at any level, has to be vetted, approved, and run up the chain in Beijing, Lyle Morris, a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, told Semafor previously. Both sides prepare militaries for possible conflict Sources: The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Nikkei Even as both countries emphasized stability during the Beijing talks, they are remaking their militaries to prepare for potential conflict. In July, the US announced it will set up a new military command in Japan to strengthen Americas presence in the Indo-Pacific, while its armed forces are adapting strategies around a potential conflict in Asia. The Marines, for example, have restructured in anticipation of a possible China conflict, focusing on small island-hopping forces and doing away with its tanks. Meanwhile, China is readying itself for a protracted war in the Indo-Pacific, a military analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies told Nikkei. US-China relationship is stabilized but precarious Sources: The Wall Street Journal, Brookings Institution, GZERO Media The efforts to improve the US-China relationship have led to some concrete policy outcomes, including Beijings moves to reduce exports of chemicals used to produce fentanyl, which causes tens of thousands of deaths in the US every year, and has been a yearslong contentious issue between the two superpowers. Even so, their relationship remains stabilized but precarious, US-China expert Patricia Kim argued, saying that the focus on both sides remains primarily risk management. Eurasia Groups Ian Bremmer made the case that the relationship continues to be better managed and more stable than weve seen in a long time. BEIJING (Reuters) - China's embassy in the Philippines on Thursday said it had sent a diplomatic note of protest to the Japanese embassy in the Southeast Asian country concerning "irresponsible" remarks its ambassador made regarding the South China Sea's Sabina Shoal. In a statement, the Chinese embassy said the comments displayed "ignorance of the facts and contained unwarranted accusations against China" after Japan's ambassador on Monday tweeted a video of a Chinese coastguard vessel under the words "another unacceptable development around Sabina Shoal". (Reporting by Joe Cash; Editing by Christopher Cushing) A top Chinese general on Thursday told White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan that the U.S. must stop its collusion with Taiwan, during a high-stakes meeting in Beijing. Gen. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of Chinas Central Military Commission, told Sullivan that Taiwan is at the very core of Chinas core interests, the bedrock of the political foundation of China-US relations, and the first red line that must not be crossed, according to a readout from the Chinese Ministry of National Defense. The PLA will definitely take countermeasures against the provocations of the Taiwan independence forces, the readout said Zhang had told Sullivan, using an acronym for Chinas military, the Peoples Liberation Army. China urges the US side to stop military collusion with Taiwan, stop arming Taiwan, and stop spreading false narratives on Taiwan. A White House readout said Sullivan told Zhang that both countries have a responsibility to prevent competition from veering into conflict or confrontation. Mr. Sullivan also raised the importance of cross-Strait peace and stability, the readout said, referring to the Taiwan Strait. Sullivan also raised concerns about Chinese support for Russia in the war in Ukraine and the U.S. commitment to defending free navigation in the South China Sea, a major point of contention as China continues to clash with the American-backed Philippines over disputed reefs. Both Sullivan and Zhang agreed on maintaining military-to-military communications, a line that was restored last year after President Biden met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in San Francisco Zhang agreed to a theater commander telephone call in the near future, according to the White House. Sullivan, who was to depart Beijing on Thursday, also met with Xi and Chinas foreign minister in the high-level trip. The U.S. has unofficial relations with Taiwan, which China claims as its own, but commits to supporting and arming the self-governing island nation. Intimidating Chinese drills and military exercises around Taiwan have increased in recent years, and accelerated after the inauguration earlier this year of pro-U.S. Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te. Xi told Biden in the San Francisco summit that he would reunify with Taiwan, by force if necessary. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. This is an adapted excerpt from the Aug. 28 episode of All In with Chris Hayes." If theres one thing we know about Donald Trump, its that hes going to be exactly who he is all the time, every day, no matter what. Nothing ever really seems to stick to him politically. Trump was just indicted all over again by another federal grand jury and hes celebrating an endorsement from a suspected whale decapitator, but there is a scandal that has the former president and his aides scrambling for cover. It has to do with a bizarre photo op he did on Monday at Arlington National Cemetery. Trump can be seen grinning and giving the camera a thumbs-up over the grave of a Marine killed in Afghanistan. That appearance was off-putting enough by itself. But then, NPR reported that Trump campaign staff at Arlington had gotten into an altercation with a worker at the cemetery over their filming among the graves of the dead. The Trump campaigns top spokesperson downplayed the incident in a statement to NBC News: For whatever reason an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trumps team during a very solemn ceremony. But the worker had a good reason, Arlington National Cemetery suggested, telling NBC News that a report has been filed on the incident and adding in a statement: "Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, to include photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes, or in direct support of a partisan political candidates campaignArlington National Cemetery reinforced and widely shared this law and its prohibitions with all participants. Trumps co-campaign manager, Chris LaCivita, told NBC News that Trump went to the cemetery to honor Gold Star families not to film a political campaign ad and Trumps running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio tried to play it off, saying it wasnt a political ad and there just happened to be a camera there. There just happened to be a camera? Trump went to a military cemetery to film a video reminding viewers of the U.S. deaths during the withdrawal from Afghanistan, blaming his successor for them without mentioning that Trump tied his successors hands by agreeing to a withdrawal timeline set by the Taliban. But thats not a political ad, right? But Trump wasnt the only politician capitalizing off of that Arlington visit. He was accompanied by Republican Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah. Cox used photos of the event to solicit donations in a campaign email a violation of federal law and something the governor now acknowledges was a mistake. Trumps team, however, isnt admitting any mistakes. Instead, theyve got Vance, the member of the Republican ticket with some military experience, responding on the campaign trail. Vance chastised the media for turning the altercation into a national news story and noted that Trump was invited by the family of the fallen marine: "They wanted Donald Trump there, and thank God that we have a president who stands with our veterans instead of one who runs away from them. Its true Trump was invited but not by all the families of all the 400,000 veterans and dependents buried at Arlington who didnt and cant consent to being used as props by a few other bereaved families. Beyond Vance disparaging someone who works at Arlington National Cemetery for enforcing the rules, is Trump really a president who stands with our veterans instead of one who runs away from them? Donald I dont like losers, I like people that werent captured Trump? The Donald Trump who spent much of his first presidential campaign attacking the parents of an American Army officer who died in Iraq in 2004? The Donald Trump who, as president, fumbled the name of a fallen soldier in a condolence call to his widow then bickered with her and knocked her in interviews? The Donald Trump, who according to his chief of staff a retired four-star Marine general refused to pay his respects at a veterans cemetery in Europe, saying, Why should I go to that cemetery? Its filled with losers. And who, on that same trip, called the more than 1,800 Marines who died at Belleau Wood suckers for getting killed. Or was it the Donald Trump who reportedly hated being filmed or photographed with wounded veterans? At Army General Mark Milleys welcoming ceremony as chairman of the Joint Chiefs in 2019, the general had chosen a combat-wounded soldier, Luis Avila, to sing God Bless America at the ceremony. Milley claimed that afterward, the president told him, Why do you bring people like that here? No one wants to see that, the wounded. Less than two weeks ago, Trump used war-wearied American service members as a punchline to talk up one of his biggest political donors. Recalling the moment Miriam Adelson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Trump told the crowd: "Thats the highest award you can get as a civilian. Its the equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor, but civilian version. Its actually much better because everyone gets the Congressional Medal of Honor theyre soldiers, theyre either in very bad shape because theyve been hit so many times by bullets, or theyre dead. She gets it and shes a healthy, beautiful woman. So you could be forgiven for looking at all of this and thinking that Trump only has respect for the most revered American institutions the military, the justice system, the free elections only when theyre working for him. Join Chris Hayes, Rachel Maddow and many others on Saturday, Sept. 7, in Brooklyn, New York, for MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024, a first-of-its-kind live event. Youll get to see your favorite hosts in person and hear thought-provoking conversations about what matters most in the final weeks of an unprecedented election cycle. Buy tickets here. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com A rendering of the McKinney Texas Temple. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints A town councils vote to reject the plans for the McKinney Texas Temple filed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, according to a letter to the council from the attorney representing the church. The Fairview Town Council unanimously denied a conditional use permit for the temple after a four-hour meeting on Aug. 6. Fairview and McKinney are neighboring suburbs within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and the proposed temple site is in Fairview. Fairviews conditional use permit process is highly subjective and creates a substantial burden to the religious exercise of the church and its members that runs afoul of the First Amendment, federal and state law and court precedents, according to the letter from the churchs attorneys, Richard Abernathy and Jared Pace of McKinney law firm of Abernathy Roeder Boyd Hullett. Nothing in the Town of Fairviews Code of Ordinances would justify denying the churchs application, the attorneys wrote in the letter, which was sent to the mayor and each member of the council. The towns staff report correctly concludes that the church meets all legal requirements necessary for approval. The churchs spokesperson for the temple project said the church is considering its next step. The churchs application for the temple meets all zoning requirements for a place of worship in this community, Melissa McKneely said in an email. Due to the outcome of the vote, the church will explore other avenues to ensure the temple proposal receives the due process it is entitled to under the law. Future updates from the church will be posted on: mckinneytexastemple.org. Fairviews decision, legal or not, is a window into the intersection of zoning ordinances, federal and state religious liberty laws and the way courts have interpreted them and the First Amendment. The church says it wants to be treated fairly. What has the church proposed for the Fairview Texas Temple? The churchs membership in the Dallas area is expanding, and the number of Latter-day Saints in Texas has grown from 132,000 in 1985 to 385,000 today. The churchs Dallas Texas Temple, built directly in the midst of single-family homes and near to two other houses of worship, has been the only temple serving the area since it opened in 1984. President Russell M. Nelson announced the McKinney Temple, named for Fairviews neighbor, in October 2022. The church announced the site location in December 2023. A map of the McKinney Texas Temple site. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints McKneely said church membership in Dallas-Fort Worth has quadrupled since 1984. The church plans to build what for it is a medium-sized temple of 44,000 square feet on 8 acres. The plans call for the temple to be 65 feet and a 108-foot steeple, for a total height of 173 feet. Fairview Mayor Henry Lessner and others on the council said the steeple is too tall and the town would not issue a permit unless the church reduced the total height to 68 feet. Church representatives approached the town this summer and offered to rename the temple for Fairview and reduce the steeple by 15 feet. That would make it similar in total height to the 154-foot tower the Fairview Town Council approved in 2006 for the Creekwood United Methodist Church. The Methodist church so far has not erected the tower. The proposed temple would be located on Stacey Road, a four-lane state highway, along a section colloquially known as Church Row and across the street from a shopping center. From west to east, Church Row consists of the Sloan Creek Campus of the Chase Oaks Church, a Latter-day Saint meetinghouse, the proposed temple site and a 5-acre parcel where the the Twin Creeks Church of Christ plans to build. Twin Creeks is expected to apply for a conditional use permit later this year. What do Fairviews zoning laws say about churches? Fairviews zoning ordinances include a provision for sexually-oriented businesses but no zone in the city includes churches as a permitted use. A church cannot build a chapel or synagogue or mosque without going before the town council to seek a conditional use permit. Most American cities and towns anticipate the construction of churches in neighborhoods in their zoning laws. The church applied for a conditional use permit to build the temple in an area of Fairview that is zoned One-Acre Ranch Estate. The zone caps building heights for homes at 35 feet, but the town has provided conditional use permits in residential zones for cell towers, water tanks and churches. RE-1 zoning is used for single-family homes and facilities that pertain to them, which includes churches, the churchs attorneys wrote. Municipalities grant conditional uses when builders agree to mitigate the effects bigger, taller structures may have. Ordinances regularly expect churches that build on land abutting residential property to provide a landscape buffer. Church representatives said the McKinney Temple plans do that. Most neighbors wont be able to see the temple at all due to the height of the trees surrounding the property, and those who can see it will see only a portion of the thin spire, they said. The church published images that showed how tall the temple would look from various nearby locations. The temple is practically invisible from the surrounding neighborhoods, the churchs attorneys wrote. They added, Its visibility will be reduced when the Twin Oaks Church of Christ builds its house of worship on the lot immediately to the east. From the churchs perspective, Fairview is a residential Dallas suburb with eight churches in an area with substantial commercial buildings. If built, the temple would sit 1.6 miles from the Fairview Town Center mall, which sits on 65 acres and includes more than 900,000 square feet in stores. Those opposed to the temple say Fairview is rural. Some opponents wore green T-shirts with the words Keeping it country to the Aug. 6 council meeting. Town council members said their decision to deny a permit to the Church of Jesus Christ was based on Fairviews existing zoning ordinances, not religion. Wed be happy to have the temple if you can compromise on the building height and steeple height, a council member said. The councils decision was made without prejudice, which means the church can return to seek a permit again in the future, but council members told church representatives not to come back until the proposal was for a smaller temple. One council member said the church must keep the temple to 42 feet and the steeple below 68 feet, apparently because that is the height of the Latter-day Saint meetinghouse. What legal reasons could Fairview use to deny a permit for the temple? Church attorneys said Fairviews ordinances allow it to take 10 factors into consideration when the town council votes on a conditional use permit. Those factors include transportation and fire safety, flood concerns, noise and lighting, parking and environmental and economic impact. The attorneys said the church satisfied all 10, leaving the town one option for denying the application: To find that the proposed temple doesnt meet the 10th factor: aesthetic appearance of the use, and other sensory effects that may have on the established character of the neighborhood, its property and the property within the town as a whole. The proposed temple is consistent with the neighborhood for five reasons, the church attorneys said. 1. Churches are inherently consistent with residential neighborhoods. The Texas Supreme Court declared in 1944 that excluding churches from residential neighborhoods does not promote the health, the safety, the morals or the general welfare of the community. Churches in residential neighborhoods are a common feature of American life and have never been considered inconsistent with the character of a neighborhood, the attorneys wrote. The churchs own experience confirms this. Most of the temples built by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United States are in residential neighborhoods. 2. The temple lot is not in the middle of a residential neighborhood but on a busy road across from a shopping center. 3. The temples size is consistent with the character of the neighborhood because it is similar in height to several structures in Fairview and next to other churches. The town has water towers that reach 165, 155 and 123 feet and are far larger at the top than the temples proposed spire, which thins as it rises. Fairview also has a cell tower that reaches 155 feet. 4. The temples size is consistent with other churches in residential neighborhoods in the nearby areas. For example, the steeple of the McKinney Baptist Church, which is in the same zip code, reaches 170 feet. 5. The temple would be practically invisible from surrounding neighborhoods. The temple could not be any more consistent with the established character of the neighborhood, the churchs attorneys wrote. Does a temple need a spire? Is it legal for a town or city to restrict how tall a spire is? Church representatives told the city that temples are where Latter-day Saints perform their highest rituals. The walls in a temples celestial room are taller to depict what it would be like to live with God. Spires are symbolic of reaching toward heaven and drawing closer to God. They also said that for Latter-day Saints, the choice of a temple site is a matter of determining Gods will and that temple architecture reflects the churchs belief that the temple is literally the house of the Lord. The churchs attorneys said that relying on the aesthetic argument is prohibited by two significant laws the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act passed unanimously by Congress in 2000 and the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1999. They also said courts have repeatedly rejected efforts to use aesthetics and sensory effects to trump religious freedom. Those laws and court decisions, the attorneys said, prohibit any land-use decision that imposes a substantial burden on religious exercise. One of those decisions said municipalities may not second guess a religious groups description of its religious exercise. In short, under TRFRA and RLUIPA, a substantial burden exists when government action prevents the use of real property in a manner motivated by sincerely held religious beliefs, the churchs attorneys wrote. They cited 20 court decisions from across the country that supported that position. For example, a New York appellate court in 2002 reversed a citys denial of a temple steeple in a residential district despite the steeple representing a 77% increase over permitted height. The court said the evidence did not prove the proposed temple would have a negative visual impact on the surrounding residential area. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2014 that a decision imposes a substantial burden if it interferes with the ability of the [church] to conduct [itself] in accordance with [its] religious beliefs. Interestingly, the churchs attorneys noted the recent opposition to proposed temples in Las Vegas and in Heber City, Utah, noting that both cities councils unanimously approved the churchs applications despite the fact that both temples reach higher than the one proposed for Fairview. The Lone Mountain Temple in Las Vegas was approved with a 196-foot steeple and the Heber Valley Temple was approved at a height of 200 feet. The Dallas Morning News published a letter last month from a reader who supported Latter-day Saint temples in Texas though he is not a church member. The writer, David Haymes, said the Fairview controversy surprised him because he lives near the Dallas Texas Temple and feels its 95-foot steeple to my eyes is a thing of beauty. I am not a Mormon but I have no objection with Moroni, who sits atop the steeple keeping watch over our neighborhood, he added. The suspects in the foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concerts in Vienna earlier this month wanted to kill "tens of thousands" of the artist's fans, CIA Deputy Director David Cohen said Wednesday at a security conference in Maryland. "They were plotting to kill a huge number tens of thousands of people at this concert, including, I am sure, many Americans and were quite advanced in this," Cohen said, according to The Associated Press. "The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our partners in the intelligence community provided them information about what this ISIS-connected group was planning to do." Swift's Vienna concerts, which would have begun on Aug. 8, were canceled by the events' organizers, Barracuda Music, when they were informed of the foiled plot by Austrian authorities. Fans of singer Taylor Swift gather in Vienna, Austria, on August 8, 2024, after concerts were canceled at the last minute. / Credit: ROLAND SCHLAGER/APA/AFP/Getty The move left tens of thousands of Swift's fans, many of whom had traveled to Vienna from elsewhere in the country or abroad specifically to see a show, devastated. "I won't be able to see Taylor again with these resale prices so I am pretty devastated," one social media user named Caroline said shortly after the shows were canceled. "This was supposed to be my 'you beat cancer' trip so losing it hurts." Another social media user named Sarah wrote that she had been "waiting to see taylor in my home country since i was 9 years old, i'm now 25... to have all this taken away by some men being so fueled by hatred for no reason at all makes me so beyond angry i can't put it into words." The main suspect in the alleged plot, along with a 17-year-old, were taken into custody on Aug. 6, the day before the cancelations were announced. Austrian officials said the primary suspect, who they have not named due to Austrian privacy laws, was inspired by ISIS. They said he had planned to attack outside the stadium with knives or explosives. A third suspect, who was 18 years old, was arrested on Aug. 8. At the security conference Wednesday, CIA Deputy Director Cohen praised the CIA's work, saying counterterrorism "successes" often go unheralded, according to the AP. "I can tell you within my agency, and I'm sure in others, there were people who thought that was a really good day for Langley," he said, referring to the location of the CIA headquarters in Virginia. "And not just the Swifties in my workforce." Trump ramps up social media attacks on Kamala Harris as questions remain over Arlington incident Record travel expected for Labor Day as gas prices, flight costs dip from 2023 Kamala Harris campaigning in Georgia beyond Atlanta American singer Taylor Swift walks the red carpet at the MTV Europe Music Awards in front of the PSD Bank Dome. Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa The suspects plotting the foiled attack targeting a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna were looking to kill "a huge number" of people, according to CIA Deputy Director David S Cohen. "They were plotting to kill a huge number - tens of thousands of people at this concert, including I am sure many Americans - and were quite advanced in this," Cohen said at an intelligence and national security summit held in Washington on Wednesday. The CIA official also confirmed that the US foreign intelligence service provided information to Austrian authorities to help thwart the attack. "As a result, hundreds of lives undoubtedly were saved," he added. US superstar Taylor Swift was scheduled to play three concerts in Vienna as part of her record-breaking Eras Tour in August, but they were cancelled on short notice after authorities arrested two young men suspected of having planned a terrorist attack. According to investigators, a 19-year-old man who is said to have pledged allegiance to the terrorist militia Islamic State had planned to drive a car loaded with explosives into the crowd of Swift fans waiting to enter the stadium ahead of the concert. The second person is believed to be a younger accomplice. More than 60,000 people would have been inside the stadium during the sold-out concert had it not been cancelled, with tens of thousands more without tickets likely to have gathered nearby to celebrate. The two suspects, who have been remanded in custody, are being investigated on suspicion of membership of a terrorist organization and a criminal organization. Cincinnati Zoo elephant Sabu to be a father, expecting babies with not 1, but 2 females A beloved elephant at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden will soon be a father twice! The bull elephant Sabu impregnated two Asian elephants at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium after a nearly two-year stint in the state capital, the Cincinnati Zoo said in a press release Thursday. Cincinnati zookeepers sent Sabu to Columbus in November 2022 in hopes he would breed with the female elephants there. The move was based on a recommendation from the Species Survival Plan, a program coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to maintain the genetic diversity of threatened and endangered species in professional care. Sabu, an Asian elephant at the Cincinnati Zoo. 'Missed your handsome face': Cincinnati Zoo elephant returns after years in Columbus The International Elephant Foundation estimates there are only 40,000 to 50,000 Asian elephants left in the world, the zoo said in a release. Zoos are working together to increase these numbers while maintaining genetic diversity for long-lasting species' survival. Sabu is considered "one of the most genetically valuable elephants in North America," Christina Gorsuch, Cincinnati Zoos director of animal care, said in the release. He has no living offspring. He previously sired two calves, but both animals died from the virus Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus EEHV. Were all breathing a sigh of relief to know that he can contribute to the survival of his species [by] making baby elephants and ensuring his legacy in multiple herds," Gorsuch said. Sabu at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, where he spent the last two years. Sabu's offspring are expected to arrive in 2025 at the Columbus Zoo. The gestation period for elephants is 22 months. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Zoo is hoping Sabu will mate with their female elephants. Keepers have already started introducing him to the females in the new habitat Elephant Trek. Visitors can see Sabu and the rest of Cincinnati Zoos elephant herd when the Elephant Trek opens this Fall. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Zoo elephant impregnates two females in Columbus The Austin City Council violated the Texas Open Meetings Act when it placed 13 city charter amendments on the Nov. 5 general election ballot, state District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble ruled on Thursday. Guerra Gamble temporarily blocked the placement of those charter amendments on Austin ballots, but it remains to be seen whether voters will still see those propositions when they go to the polls this fall. The city could agree with the judge's temporary injunction, leaving the amendments off the ballot until a trial on the Open Meetings Act violations can be held in January, or the city could appeal Guerra Gamble's decision. As of 4:30 p.m. Thursday, online county records showed no appeal had been filed. A city spokesperson said the city could not provide comment on the ruling Thursday afternoon. The city charter is the governing document for the city of Austin. The proposed charter amendments include raising the threshold of signatures needed for a recall election of a City Council member, giving the City Council the authority to appoint and remove the city attorney, and changing the timing of certain types of elections. At the heart of the case is the Texas Open Meetings Act a set of rules and regulations governing bodies must follow to keep meetings and official government business open to the public in the interest of transparency. The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed against the Austin City Council by the Save Our Springs Alliance, an environmental nonprofit. The lawsuit asserts that the city's governing body violated both the public participation requirements and the public notice requirements of the act when it authorized the election at a hearing Aug. 14 because all of the proposed amendments were compressed into one agenda item, rather than each one being taken up individually. This limited the amount of time a person could speak on the amendments and did not give substantial public notice on what the amendments would change, the lawsuit claims. Attorney Bill Aleshire filed the lawsuit on behalf of the alliance; its executive director, Bill Bunch; and Joe Riddell, a former staff attorney in the Texas attorney general's office. Aleshire is a former Travis County judge. The suit was filed in Travis County District Court on the last day Texas municipalities could order an election, Aug. 19. Guerra Gamble agreed with the alliance during Thursday's court hearing that the City Council violated the state's Open Meetings Act, calling the Aug. 14 hearing in which the City Council called the election "a pretty blatant violation of a well known law." "It is very clear to me that the Austin City Council chose to violate the Open Meetings Act with its title of the meeting, with its description in the agenda of the meeting," Guerra Gamble said during Thursday's hearing. The meeting calling the election occurred on the same day as the annual budget adoption. The title of the meeting on the city's website reads "budget adoption reading of the Austin City Council." In the agenda, which included items other than just those related to the budget, was one item calling the general election for several City Council seats and Austin mayor as well as a special election for "proposed charter amendments." The City Council is expected to discuss the matter in executive session Thursday, according to the City Council agenda. When asked by the Statesman who is responsible for the final language and posting notification of Austin City Council agenda items, city spokesperson David Ochsner provided a statement Thursday from the law department that said: "While the ordinance that outlines the agenda process authorizes the city manager to compile the agenda, it is a collaborative effort that involves many departments within the City. One essential step in that process includes a legal review to confirm compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act." Dan Richards, attorney for the city of Austin, said Thursday that the city did not violate the state's Open Meetings Act because the propositions were on the city website, and the council held several public meetings discussing the amendments. Citing several Texas Supreme Court decisions, Richards also argued that courts do not have the authority under state law to preemptively keep a question off the ballot. If someone questions the legality of a ballot item, he said, that person should file a lawsuit after voters have spoken. The temporary injunction comes a week after state District Judge Daniella DeSeta Lyttle issued a temporary restraining order pausing the charter amendment election after she also found the City Council had violated the Open Meetings Act. The temporary restraining order was set to last until Sept. 5 or until a ruling from Thursday's hearing. Given the impending voting deadlines to finalize ballots in Travis, Williamson and Hays counties, prior to Thursday's hearing Aleshire asked the Texas Supreme Court for an order prohibiting the city from moving forward with placing the charter amendments on the November ballot. The state's highest court did not issue an opinion on the matter but on Thursday denied Aleshire's request, meaning the case could go through the appeals process. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Temporary order pauses Austin charter amendment election Shi Taifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, meets with a delegation of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan led by Katsuya Okada, secretary general of the Constitutional Democratic Party, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Shi Taifeng, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met with a delegation of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan led by Katsuya Okada, secretary general of the Constitutional Democratic Party, in Beijing on Thursday. Shi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, noted that at present, China-Japan relations are at a critical stage. The CPC attaches great importance to exchanges between political parties of China and Japan, and is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and other ruling and opposition parties in Japan, implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and work together to build China-Japan relations that meet the requirements of the new era, Shi said. Katsuya Okada said that the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is willing to take this visit as a new starting point to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the two parties, especially the younger generation, and earnestly promote the improvement and development of Japan-China relations. Shi Taifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, meets with a delegation of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan led by Katsuya Okada, secretary general of the Constitutional Democratic Party, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Photo by Hill Street Studios/Getty Images. This August, Minnesota marks a significant milestone as Gov. Tim Walz declares it Civic Health Month, making the state the fourth to honor this crucial initiative. This designation shines a spotlight on an often overlooked aspect of our health: civic engagement. If youve been in your doctors office recently, you might have encountered a new but profoundly impactful question: Are you registered to vote? Its a question that underscores a growing recognition among health professionals, including the American Medical Association, which in 2022 officially recognized voting as a social determinant of health, that our well-being extends beyond the confines of medical treatment. During Civic Health Month, hospitals and clinics across the country are transforming into hubs of civic engagement, with Minnesotas leading health institutions at the forefront. Since 2022, M Health Fairview, Hennepin Health and Childrens Minnesota have begun integrating civic engagement into their care models. From hosting community voter registration drives to fostering conversations that link health with civic participation, a civic health checkup is becoming standard practice in health care. This work has been spearheaded by health care professional-led community organizations like Healthy Democracy Healthy People and Minnesota Doctors for Health Equity. But why is this so crucial? Civic health is a fundamental component of overall well-being. Research shows that communities with high levels of civic engagement experience better health outcomes. When hospitals ask about voter registration, they are addressing a vital social determinant of health our ability to influence the policies that affect our lives. Minnesotas move to join Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in recognizing Civic Health Month reflects a bipartisan commitment to this cause. Its a recognition that voting and civic involvement can have a tangible impact on our health and the health of our communities. It is little surprise to see Minnesota on the leading edge of Civic Health Month. After all, we are known for our deep-rooted sense of civic duty and we take pride in our nation-leading 80% voter participation rate in 2020. At the same time, this high participation rate masks disparities: as of 2016, there was a 15 percentage point gap between Black and white Minnesotans voter participation rate. These gaps mirror Minnesotas disparities in health outcomes, ranging from poverty to vaccine access, highlighting the important role health care professionals play in ensuring all Minnesotans have a chance to have their voices heard. Health care professionals have proven uniquely able to engage these underrepresented populations, based on a study of the 2020 election. Additionally, Minnesotas recent expansions in voting access, including to formerly incarcerated individuals, mean that there are many Minnesotans who have the right to vote for the first time and need information on how to participate, providing even more urgency to these efforts. As a physician, I see firsthand the effect of civic engagement on our health through the policies that affect my patients ability to access care, obtain healthy food, afford their medication, and live in a clean and safe environment. Participating in civic life enhances our sense of agency and strengthens our connection to the community, both of which are essential for overall health and well-being. Public policies influence every aspect of our existence, and our ability to shape and participate in them is crucial to both our mental and physical health, as well as the health of our communities, especially historically marginalized ones. This proclamation acknowledges the vital role civic engagement plays in creating a healthy and just society. Declaring August as Civic Health Month will promote positive health outcomes for all Minnesotans and help cultivate a more engaged and vibrant Minnesota. As Secretary of State Steve Simon put in a press release announcing Civic Health Month, In Minnesota, we know that healthy communities dont happen by accident they are created by thoughtful policies and programs led by people who consider the diversity of our great state. Through voting and civic engagement, Minnesotans make their voice heard to determine the kind of communities they want to live in now and into the future. Civic Health Month is an acknowledgement of the critical role our health care providers and advocacy organizations play in keeping our communities strong. So how can you participate in this Civic Health Month? Wed suggest a straightforward approach: Get your civic health checkup. Ensure your voter registration is up to date and make your plan to vote in the upcoming elections by visiting MNVotes.gov. As we celebrate Civic Health Month, its important to recognize that our health and democracy are deeply interconnected. Engaging in civic life is not just about fulfilling a civic duty; its about contributing to the collective well-being of our communities. When we vote, we take an active role in shaping the policies that impact our health, our families, and our future. This August, lets commit to strengthening our civic health, knowing that in doing so, we are investing in the long-term health of our society. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A claim seeking more than $5 million has been filed against the city in connection with the death of a man struck by a Bakersfield Police Department vehicle in June. The claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, says the officer drove at excessive speed and without emergency lights or siren activated when he hit and killed a man crossing South Union Avenue. Students speak out after viral video shows apparent bullying, forcing victim to lick shoes Brandon Elliott Gabriel Flores, 27, died at the scene of the June 17 crash. The claim was filed last month by Los Angeles-based Law Offices of Larry Rabineau on behalf of Flores 3-year-old daughter. The city has 45 days from the date of filing to respond. Police say Flores was hit around 3:30 a.m. near the 1500 block of South Union Avenue by a patrol car driven by Officer Julian Garcia. Garcia and Officer Zachary Ward, the vehicles other occupant, were headed to a report of an auto theft in progress downtown. Police confirmed soon after the crash that the vehicles emergency lights and siren had not been activated. Shafter Police confirms death of Sergeant Moises Martinez The area was dark and the driver of said police vehicle failed to drive in a reasonably safe manner given the conditions of the area, the claim says. Moreover, the city of Bakersfield failed to maintain the subject roadway in a reasonably safe and non-hazardous manner. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) At a community outreach event focused on addressing homelessness in Clark County, a former unhoused veteran remarked, As an Army Marine, they kind of trained us to be homeless. Veteran Allan Nunag, a member of U.S. Vets, joined the Clark County Social Service Department and various other local organizations on Aug. 28 to provide a range of services for individuals struggling with homelessness at Charlie Frias Park in Las Vegas. Our goal is to connect our unhoused neighbors with vital services and show that our community cares, Clark County Social Service director Jamie Sorenson said. By bringing these resources directly to those in need, we hope to make a significant impact on their well-being and quality of life. Those resources included HELP of Southern Nevada, PrimeCare Dental, U.S. Vets, Southern Nevada Health District, and many more. This outreach event is made possible through the collaboration of several dedicated organizations. (KLAS) This outreach event is made possible through the collaboration of several dedicated organizations. (KLAS) Nunag shared his personal experience of being homeless in Sacramento, California. He explained that, despite their service in the Marines, veterans often do not receive the resources needed to sustain a stable life after leaving the military. As an Army Marine, they kind of trained us to be homeless, Nunag said. Nuang explained that while in the Army, soldiers receive housing benefits, but during their time away from home, they arent learning leadership skills at home or understanding how to support themselves outside of the military. Nuang then got back on his feet by reaching out to various organizations and programs. Before I moved here, I had no idea about GPD which is a Grant Pier Diem thats transitional housing, or SSVS which is Support Service for Veteran Families, Nunag said. These are all programs to help us and I didnt know anything about them, so what were trying to do is go out into the community and make sure individuals and veterans know that. Theres more than this, theres hope. One homeless 40-year-old who graduated college came to seek assistance at the event in hopes of being reunited with her daughter, who is living with her father. Housing is just so expensive, and our jobs arent paying enough, even if I went back to work right now I wouldnt be able to afford my place, she said. Attendees had access to healthcare professionals, health screenings, dental services, HIV testing, resources for food and shelter programs, and much more. In early May of 2024, the homeless population stood at 7,928 in Clark County. This marks a 10-year high for Clark County, according to preliminary data from a survey conducted on Jan. 25, 2024. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The two apartment towers of College Court, Milwaukee. (Photo | Isiah Holmes) We are tired, we are beyond tired of the consistent bed bug infestation here at College Court, said Stacy Ream, whos lived at the property one of the roughly 5,000 rental units owned by the city of Milwaukees Housing Authority for the past nine months. Wednesday afternoon, spurred by an increasingly intolerable bedbug and rodent infestation, Ream took time off from studying human services and social work to join other residents in announcing a class action lawsuit, filed against the Housing Authority. The lawsuit calls on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court to hold [the Housing Authority] to the very basic standard required of every other landlord in our city. Ream spoke in front of College Court, with the propertys two brown, water-stained brick towers looming several stories high, lined with rows of dark windows. From one of those windows, a large piece of cardboard used as improvised insulation by a resident fell to the grass below during the Wednesday press conference. Some of the residents whod gathered with Ream noticed a public safety security vehicle pull into the parking lot. A police officer stood by College Courts main doors, watching the press conference from afar. College Court resident Stacy Ream speaks about her experiences in the building. (Photo | Isiah Holmes) We are asking the Milwaukee County Circuit Court to declare that our buildings bedbug infestation materially affects the health and safety of every tenant, Ream said to a brief applause, and to abate rent if the bedbugs are not immediately exterminated. Other residents accompanied Ream at the press conference, some of whom were members of the organization Common Ground. In March 2023, Common Ground launched a Tenants United campaign, which has helped residents speak out about their living conditions in properties owned by the Housing Authority. Prior to moving to College Court, Ream said that she lived at another Housing Authority property for 12 years. While living there, Ream said she experienced problems, including my apartment being flooded, I saw drug deals, prostitution, trash, and rodents everywhere. She also said the Housing Authority overcharged her for fees. After becoming paralyzed in 2019, Ream had to wait three years before being moved to another unit which had disability accommodations. I was finally transferred here to College Court, and once again I am paying rent for a unit that I cannot sleep in, said Ream. The bed bugs, which Ream said she noticed immediately after moving in, forced her to live with her mother. According to the complaint filed in circuit court, Ream found bedbugs out of the baseboards, in the bathtub, and all over towels in the bathroom. Like other residents, Ream made numerous attempts to request a work order to address the infestation, the court filing states. A document listing work orders, obtained through open records requests by the activist organization Common Ground, lists over 4,100 work orders requested since 2019 as work completed. Over 2,500 work orders were for pest control, including dozens of mentions of bedbugs, mice and nearly 400 for roaches. Carmella Holloway shows media the bedbugs she's found in her house, and in her body. (Photo | Isiah Holmes) Its a reality Carmella Holloway has lived with for 18 of the nearly 68 years she has spent living at College Court. About four months ago, I kept feeling something crawling around in my ear, she said during the press conference. I was extremely uncomfortable. Imagine feeling a lump of something deep in your ear, making it harder, and harder to hear. I picked, and picked, and I couldnt get it out. Finally, I took my finger nail and pulled two dead bed bugs out of my ear. They had turned a different color. I was disgusted. Holloway saved the insects in a plastic pill container and plastic bag, which she displayed during the press conference. This morning, I picked one out of my ear, said Holloway. I should not have to live like this! I pay rent faithfully every month, Im not behind in nothing, and yet they treat me like Im not even here. For months, Holloway said, shes struggled with the bites from the bedbugs. Earlier this year, Holloway went to the emergency room because she was bleeding all over. Although she feared it was shingles, doctors told Holloway that it was from the bed bugs. Do you know how that make me feel?! Degraded! Last year, shortly before Christmas, Holloways 1-year-old niece sustained bites during a nap. I cant imagine of her on her head, if they got in her ears or anything, said Holloway. Other family members and friends refuse to visit Holloway due to the infestations. I am ashamed, said Holloway, I dont want to get them to get bitten by these bed bugs, so I isolate myself. The emotional and physical toll on Holloways life has caused her to contemplate suicide, she said. My apartment is uninhabitable! The bugs are everywhere. Theyre coming through the drains, the toilet, the baseboards and the kitchen pipes! Another resident, 75-year-old Marion Moore, has seen College Court decline over her decades of living there. It was really nice when I first moved here 44 years ago, said Moore. But the building has gone downhill, she added, over the last 15 or 20 years. Moore feels that Willie Hines Jr., secretary-executive director of the Milwaukee Housing Authority, should face up to the plate, and do what he was supposed to do. Moore told Wisconsin Examiner that, if he did what he was supposed to do, there wouldnt be Common Ground or nobody else, if he was doing his job. But he not doing his job. Hes just getting paid. Moore stressed that Hines, brought this on himself. The longtime resident also wants Mayor Cavalier Johnson to stop covering up for Hines. Joining the Housing Authority as its Associate Director in 2015, Hines was appointed to lead the Housing Authority in 2022. The position is not appointed directly by the mayor, but the Housing Authoritys seven-member board whose members are appointed by the mayor selects who will lead the organization. Residents of College Court and members of Common Ground gather to announce a class action lawsuit filed against the City of Milwaukee Housing Authority. (Photo | Isiah Holmes) Over the past year, the Housing Authority has been rocked with controversy after a federal audit found risk of serious fraud, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Certain properties, and particularly the decades-old high rise apartments like College Court, are notorious for their structural disrepair, pest infestations, and prevalence of crime. College Court and another high rise apartment tower called Locust Court collectively generated over 800 calls to the Milwaukee Police Department between January 2023, and March 2024. Residents reported drug sales, prostitution and people sleeping in hallways. Specializing in low-income, elderly, disabled, and veteran Milwaukeeans, the Housing Authority serves about 15,000 people across the city. A major city landlord and a key distributor of millions of dollars in federal section 8 rental vouchers, the Housing Authority also performs contracting, property management and real estate consulting through a branch organization called Travaux. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the average property owned by the Housing Authority is 50 years old. A Housing Authority spokesperson declined to comment for this story due to pending litigation. Mayor Johnson, at an unrelated press conference held a few blocks down Highland Avenue, said he was aware of the lawsuit. Well let that process play itself out in court, said Johnson. I can tell you from my perspective, weve worked with individuals, with organizations, with residents that wanted more enforcement from the city. When we found that we had the ability to have the Department of Neighborhood Services to go in and to inspect units, I said, Yes, lets use my executive authority, and thats exactly what we did. Johnson also said that the city has supported the Housing Authority in a number of other ways, including making appointments to the agencys board. Thats my statutory obligation, said Johnson. Now, those qualified individuals are sitting over at the Common Council. Johnson called on the Common Council to confirm his appointees, so that things can get moving forward. Johnson made appointments after his election in 2022 that have still not been confirmed, he emphasized, something he said has not been acknowledged enough. Residents of College Court and members of Common Ground gather to announce a class action lawsuit filed against the City of Milwaukee Housing Authority. (Photo | Isiah Holmes) Johnson shot down the claim that he is protecting Hines. The mayor also said that rather than residents making that claim, its really certain organizations behind the attacks. And I think that theyre Trumpian really in some of their responses to that. Johnson cited a letter from Common Ground accusing him of protecting Hines just long enough for him to retire, and collect a city pension for his role leading the Housing Authority. I dont know how old Willie Hines is, or when hes going to retire, or anythingThat is silly. And I think its Trumpian just throwing things at the wall, no matter if theyre true or not, just seeing what sticks. That unfortunately is just It is not true. Residents of College Court seemed to anticipate the mayors response to their charges at their press conference, which was held before the mayors. Attorney Michael Cerjak, who is representing the plaintiffs in the class action, explained during the press conference that the legal action is rather novel. Cerjak was unable to find another similar example of litigation in the City of Milwaukee. Ideally, Cerjak hopes the court will find the Housing Authority responsible for improving and maintaining conditions at College Court, without any monetary judgement, discovery phase, or trial needed. If the Housing Authority chooses the fight the lawsuit, then further steps will need to be taken, Cerjak told Wisconsin Examiner. We have emailed Willie Hines about this five times since March. He didnt even respond to us. No reply. No answer to our request to meet. Nothing. Hes hiding from us, and Mayor Johnson is protecting him, says Holloway. Hes left us no choice but to sue, concluded Ream. See you in court, Willie. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX CLINTON, Ill. (WCIA) The Clinton School District was placed on a soft lockdown Thursday morning after the police chief said a mistake was made by the Illinois Department of Corrections. The Clinton School District said on Facebook that around 9:30 a.m., the high school, junior high and elementary schools were notified by the Clinton Police Department to begin soft lockdown procedures. There was no imminent threat within the schools, officials said, but there was a concern within the outside community UPDATE: Missing man with dementia found in Champaign Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers told WCIA that his department received an alert from the Department of Corrections, which prompted them to notify the school. However, the IDOC later informed the department that a clerical error had been made and there was no actual emergency. The soft lockdown was lifted after about 50 minutes, the school district said. Safety is our primary concern at all times and we appreciate our trained staff for implementing this protocol, school officials said. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to your building administrators or the Unit Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. CMPD: Man accused of stealing tires off cars at CLT is driver who died in chase A man accused of stealing tires off a car at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport is also the same man who died after leading a police chase last week, investigators said. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said between Aug. 18 and Aug. 20, they found three BMWs stripped of their wheels and tires on the drivers sides. This was along Old Dowd Road and Josh Birmingham Parkway, both of which are at the airport. An American Airlines pilot told Channel 9 that after the wheels were stolen off his car, he was concerned about break-ins and crime at Charlotte Douglas. His car was in an open-air, fenced-in lot on Old Dowd Road. PREVIOUS STORIES: Seeing that that pilot came back to his car, sitting literally on its brake rotors with no wheels on it, that infuriated a lot of people, Erik DeWinne, the Charlotte vice chair of the American Airlines Pilots Union, said last week. Then on Aug. 22, troopers tried to stop a speeding car whose driver wasnt wearing a seatbelt. The driver, later identified as Alexander Komthongpane, 33, refused to stop and lost control of his car. He ran off the road and hit a tree near the intersection of Fred D. Alexander Boulevard and Freedom Drive. A witness told Channel 9 the car quickly burst into flames. Troopers performed CPR on the driver but it was too late. They said Komthongpane died at the scene. CMPD detectives determined Komthongpane was also the suspect in the car part thefts. They discovered the wheels on Komthongpanes car were taken from the cars at the airport. Komthongpane was already known to CMPD because he was involved in several catalytic converter thefts and larceny of motor vehicle theft cases across Charlotte, they said. Car thefts here are down 44% this year compared to last year, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Airport Division. Those crimes are also down an average of 22% over the past five years, despite a big increase in passengers. They also said there have been three car break-ins in the lot for flight crew members and employees this year, which were isolated, police said. (WATCH PREVIOUS: It was tragic: Troopers pull man from fiery crash in west Charlotte after chase) CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Joel Medina was arrested twice in less than a monththe first time for sextortion and the second time for crimes against another officer. Both times judges let him out of jail. The details in the warrant accuse Officer Medina of slashing the tires on another officers patrol car and that officers personal car. PREVIOUS: CMPD officer indicted on sextortion charges, facing new charges for slashing tires The arrest warrant indicates Medina sought out his fellow officer and was caught on camera outside the officers home last week. An investigator says Medina slashed two tires on the officers personal vehicle and one tire on his CMPD patrol car. When the officer contacted Medina, the warrant said he admitted to his fellow officer that he slashed his tires on both cars and even told the officer hed pay for the damage to avoid getting CMPD involved. Hes not thinking rationally and then to think another officer is going to say, Yeah, lets forget it, you engaged in this violent behavior, destroyed my property and the police departments property, would be quite some explanation. Its just irrational thinking, a man spiraling down, said Michael Tabman, a former FBI special agent-in-charge. Earlier this month, Medina was arrested for felony extortion and felony disclosure of private images. A 22-year-old man claims that Medina communicated with him through social media and tried to get him to pay $10,000 so that Medina would not release explicit photos and videos of the victim to the victims friends and family. In that case, a judge let Medina out of jail on a written promise that he agreed to show up for court. And even though Medina was arrested again, twice in the last month, this latest time court records show District Judge Fritz Mercer let him out on a $1,000 unsecured bond. I think it was a bad decision to release him, I dont think hes a flight risk, but I do think hes a danger to society now that he engaged in such behavior and by letting him go, he might feel Im getting away with this, Im going to keep doing this and Im going to keep getting out, said Tabman. Queen City News reached out to CMPD about the new charges against Medina and received the following statement from Chief Johnny Jennings late Wednesday afternoon. I am disheartened by the recent arrest of Officer Medina. An officers arrest is not just a personal failure but a breach of public trust. The trust of our community is paramount, and we will not tolerate any conduct that undermines that trust. Im proud of the diligent and thorough work by our detectives who investigated this case. Our badge gives us the authority to enforce the law, not immunity from the law. This arrest is a necessary step to ensure accountability and uphold the integrity of our department. CMPDs Internal Affairs unit is conducting investigations separate from the criminal investigations into both of Medinas arrests. Medina remains on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of those investigations. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. CNN anchor Pamela Brown said Wednesday that Donald Trumps sharing of an odious sexual joke about Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton makes my stomach feel sick. (Watch the video below.) Trump, who has been accused of predatory behavior by dozens of women and found guilty of sexual abuse in a civil court case, reposted an old photo of Democratic nominee Harris and former Secretary of State Clinton. The caption provided by a social media user read: Funny how blowjobs impacted both their careers differently. Donald Trump posts disgusting sexual and misogynistic meme on Truth Social. This is the kind of person he is, remember that when its time to vote. pic.twitter.com/OoLb7CmVFX Mike Sington (@MikeSington) August 28, 2024 With all the subtlety of a third-rate comic, the post jabbed at the vice presidents relationship in the 1990s with Willie Brown who would later become the mayor of San Francisco and former President Bill Clintons affair with Monica Lewinsky. On The Source, CNNs Brown and commentator Maggie Haberman of The New York Times tried to make sense of it. Trump, for his part, went on a reposting spree today, as I know youve seen, Maggie, including one that kind of makes my stomach feel sick, Brown said. It involves both Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris with a crude sexual reference that suggested that Harris used sexual favors to advance her career. We are not gonna show that post. And the Harris campaign responded to all his truthing, saying, quote, Donald Trump is out of his mind. But what does this signal to you about Trumps thinking and how Kamala Harris is getting under his skin? Haberman said Trump hopes that people will talk about it while using it to amplify misogynistic claims about his Democratic opponent. I think he has been trying to bait Kamala Harris and her supporters into a fight about race, a fight about gender, Haberman continued. And thats what this speaks to. And I think that they have for the most part ignored it. CNN host Anderson Cooper deemed Trumps vulgar repost on brand. h/t Mediaite Related... What Were Tracking Cold front arrives Storms tonight Seasonable temperatures this weekend Yet another warm start in the morning with temperatures in the middle 70s. The sky is mostly clear and we hold on to a south wind at 5-10 mph. We are looking at one last hot day before relief finally arrives. Much of today will still be much like what we have seen the last couple of days. Highs climb into the middle 90s under a mostly sunny sky. A cold front arrives tonight and that sparks the chance for storms. Storms move across northeast Kansas late this evening into the overnight hours. Some storms could be on the stronger side with some gusty winds. The rain continues into early Friday morning and it leaves us with a cooldown. Friday looks beautiful with highs only getting into the lower 80s. This cool-down looks to last through the weekend and into next week! KSNT Storm Track Meteorologist Ely Millard Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. The participating forces of China and Singapore gather at a military port in Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, Aug. 29, 2024. China and Singapore will hold a joint maritime exercise near Zhanjiang in Guangdong Province, south China.(Photo by Wang Wenbin/Xinhua) GUANGZHOU, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- China and Singapore will hold a joint maritime exercise near Zhanjiang in Guangdong Province, south China. The participating forces, including China's guided-missile frigate Sanya and minesweeper Hejian, and the Singaporean navy's No. 72 frigate, gathered on Thursday at a military port in Zhanjiang. The China-Singapore Exercise Cooperation 2024 is the first bilateral joint exercise held between the Chinese and Singaporean navies in China. During the event, the two sides will carry out professional exchanges and training on subjects covering mine countermeasures, submarine rescue, joint strikes, replenishment operations, search and rescue and inspections. The exercise is expected to consolidate the regular mechanism for the navies of China and Singapore to alternately host joint exercises every year. This photo taken on Aug. 29, 2024 shows the Singaporean navy's No. 72 frigate at a military port in Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province. China and Singapore will hold a joint maritime exercise near Zhanjiang in Guangdong Province, south China.(Photo by Liu Boyu/Xinhua) The participating forces of China and Singapore gather at a military port in Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, Aug. 29, 2024. China and Singapore will hold a joint maritime exercise near Zhanjiang in Guangdong Province, south China.(Photo by Chen Hongqing/Xinhua) U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, speaks during the kick-off event for the Women for Allred coalition in Dallas on Aug. 24, 2024. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune Six years after Beto O'Rourkes electrifying Senate campaign set the standard for Texas Democrats seeking statewide office, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred is taking a completely different approach in his own bid to oust U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. Allred, a third-term Dallas congressman, has been far less visible on the campaign trail, opting for events with smaller and more curated audiences in the major cities and select suburbs, rather than the casual town hall-style rallies O'Rourke held in every corner of the state. And instead of ORourkes unapologetic liberal stands which activated legions of young voters, Allred has adopted a more calibrated message aimed at winning over moderates. Hes running ads that portray him as "tough" on the border and willing to work across the aisle, while keeping his distance from his party's standard-bearers, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Allred's sharp divergence from O'Rourke's more active and freewheeling style has stirred dissent and even signs of panic among a segment of Texas Democratic activists who say Allred should be holding more rallies, small-dollar fundraisers and other publicly accessible events. The more buttoned-up approach, they argue, is unlikely to inspire the sort of grassroots energy that helped O'Rourke build a juggernaut volunteer turnout operation and come within three points of ending Texas Democrats statewide drought. I'm going to vote for him as the nominee but don't really feel compelled to do anything else for him, said Jen Ramos, a member of the Texas Democratic Partys governing executive committee, who warned that Allred is taking his base for granted by catering to moderate voters and showing tepid support for Harris. It's very much taking advantage of a base that exists, Ramos said. The opportunity to mobilize and engage a base is there, but the fact that he hasn't done so, it just feels short-sighted. Cruz, meanwhile, has blasted Allred for "hiding in his basement" and accused the Dallas Democrat of trying to conceal a liberal record that belies the moderate image he is trying to project. Allred's allies note this is a different election than ORourkes 2018 midterm fight. His was the marquee race that year, while Allred will benefit from Democratic turnout driven by the presidential election and his bases contempt for former President Donald Trump freeing up Allred to focus more on swing voters who could decide a close election, his supporters argue. A recent statewide poll recorded Allred trailing Cruz by 2 percentage points, within the margin of error and ahead of Harris' 5-point deficit to Trump. Allred has also raised money at an eye-popping clip easily outpacing ORourkes then-record haul from the same point six years ago and his supporters argue he is deploying it efficiently by focusing his ads and campaign events in large urban areas, where most voters live. The fundraising boon allowed Allred to start running TV ads for the general election in May, earlier than usual for a statewide Democratic campaign and three months ahead of when ORourke first went on TV in 2018. Allred has swamped Cruz on the airwaves thus far, outspending him nearly 10-to-1 on ads as of last week, according to the media-tracking firm AdImpact. While he has not been as active on the stump, Allred is not exactly camping out in his basement. Over the weekend, he held a women for Allred rally in Dallas, attended by some 850 people, where he touted his support for abortion rights and accused Cruz of trying to avoid talking about Texas abortion ban, which does not exempt cases of rape or incest. Allred has also held a number of smaller public events in places like Galveston, Plano, Corpus Christi, Tyler and others over the last month or so. Paige Hutchinson, Allreds campaign manager, said Allred is building a winning campaign that will beat Cruz and give Texans the leadership they deserve in the Senate. In the last six years, Ted Cruz has made himself more vulnerable than ever, Hutchinson said in a statement. By championing a statewide abortion ban that forces women to flee their state for lifesaving health care, abandoning Texans during a statewide freeze for a Cancun vacation and voting no on capping insulin costs Texans know they cant count on Ted Cruz. Allred also has made a number of stops at predominantly Black churches in the Dallas and Houston areas as part of a concerted faith outreach effort that, his supporters say, may be less visible to online critics. Matthew Wilson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University, gave Allreds strategy some credit. For all its acclaim, he said, ORourkes campaign-everywhere approach failed to make a dent in the GOPs lopsided margins in rural Texas, which remained a bright red firewall in 2018 and again in 2022, when Republican Gov. Greg Abbott defeated ORourke by a comfortable 11-point margin. "My sense is that [Allred] has concluded that Texas is not a retail politics state," Wilson said. "It's sprawling, it's diverse. You can't shake enough hands in diners and kiss enough babies to win a statewide race in Texas." Ginny Goldman, a senior adviser for O'Rourke's 2018 campaign, said Bidens exit from the presidential race offers a chance for Allred to recalibrate his strategy to ride the freedom and joy wave, referring to the surge of momentum surrounding Harris presidential bid. With two Black candidates atop the Democratic ticket in Texas, Goldman said, Allred should be trying to maximize turnout among blocs like the nearly 3 million Black Texans who are eligible to vote but are not registered or have little to no voting history. Theres tremendous enthusiasm among young voters, women voters and Black voters due to Kamalas campaign, Goldman said. "Wed love to see Colin barnstorming in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth and East Texas and embracing the messaging that fires up folks who would otherwise sit home in November. Theres no benefit to focusing on the illusive swing voter. So far, Allred has failed to recreate the energy that surrounded ORourkes 2018 candidacy at the grassroots level, Ramos said, describing how that campaign inspired people to open up offices in their homes and kind of take on the burden. It was almost like the Obama model. If you want to get involved, you can. People will give you the basic steps to do it, Ramos said, referring to former President Barack Obamas robust ground game from his 2008 and 2012 campaigns. That [level of] infrastructure has not been developed for the Colin Allred campaign. Allreds campaign has pointed to the $1 million he raised in the 24 hours after his convention speech as a sign of grassroots enthusiasm. In a press release announcing the haul, the campaign noted that more than 443,000 individual contributors had donated to Allred, with an average donation of under $36. Allred also launched a coordinated campaign with the Texas Democratic Party to organize phone-banking and block-walking volunteer events around the state. David Wysong, who ran ORourkes 2018 campaign, said he thinks Allreds team is probably taking the right approach this year and should not feel obliged to re-run the 2018 playbook, given the inherent differences between midterm and presidential election cycles. He noted that in 2018, ORourke faced his own share of criticism from those questioning why he was not trying to appeal more to moderate voters the flip side of the criticism now being lobbed at Allred. Those are calculations you make, said Wysong, who now oversees ORourkes voter registration PAC, Powered By People. We made a calculation of trying to turn out as many Democrats as humanly possible who typically didn't vote, and they're playing more to moderates. They're certainly going to have to outperform the presidential [ticket], so that undoubtedly is going to involve persuasion. Cruz, asked to compare 2018 to this years race, offered a rare note of praise for his vanquished 2018 rival. Beto O'Rourke and Colin Allred are very different candidates, Cruz said after a campaign rally last week in Waco. Beto O'Rourke was charismatic. He was tireless. He campaigned all over the state, and he became a phenom. He went viral. Colin Allred, by contrast, is running a Joe Biden basement campaign. Still, Cruz acknowledged the race is very, very dangerous for him, in part because coastal Democratic donors have made money rain in from the sky to back Allreds campaign. Look, it's not complicated. If you're a really partisan left-wing Democrat, after Donald Trump, there is nobody in the country you want to beat more than me, Cruz said, citing the chants of Beat Ted Cruz that erupted throughout the Chicago convention hall after Allreds speech last week, in which he voiced his most explicit support yet for Harris. Cruzs campaign has spent the last several weeks raising tongue-in-cheek questions about Allreds whereabouts and accusing him of evading questions from voters and the media likening it to Harris 39-day spell without a press conference or interview after she began her presidential campaign. (Allred has not held nearly as many press conferences as Cruz, though he has fielded numerous media interviews throughout the campaign, including with the Texas Tribune after events this month.) Wilson, the SMU political science professor, said Cruz may be fighting an uphill battle trying to tie Allred to Biden and now Harris with the basement campaign jab. It's much harder to make that stick to Colin Allred, because Allred is not elderly and infirm, and people don't have concerns about his physical or mental capacity for the job, Wilson said, adding that whenever the White House is up for grabs, people are so focused on the presidential race that it's hard to cut through that noise and make attacks stick further down ballot. Disclosure: Southern Methodist University has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. The Texas Tribune answering reader questions about 2024 elections. To share your question or feedback with us, you can fill out this form. Time is running out to get your TribFest tickets! Be there Sept. 57 for 100-plus unforgettable conversations featuring more than 300 speakers, including Stacey Abrams, Colin Allred, Liz Cheney, Richard Linklater, Nancy Pelosi, Rick Perry, Gretchen Whitmer and Glenn Youngkin. Hurry - buy your tickets today! AUSTIN (KXAN) With class back in session for many local universities, the Better Business Bureau said it is on high alert for scams targeted at college-aged students. According to the BBBs 2023 Scam Tracker Risk Report, 18 to 24-year-olds reported the highest median losses to scams across all age groups for the second year in a row. The report said young adults are most susceptible to the following scams: Employment Online purchase Investment/cryptocurrency This is kind of the first generation that has really grown up with all the devices, and so they are very comfortable being on the phone, being on the laptop, and conducting everyday business there. So scammers, of course, are going to take advantage of them in that way too, said BBB Director of Education and Community Engagement Katie Galan. Galan said its important to take a minute to look through any messages and offers. She said search for things that stick out like bad grammar, misspellings and wrong punctuation. Those things might indicate it is a scam or a junk email. Also, if a proposal seems too good to be true, Galan said it probably is. Employment scams When it comes to employment scams, the BBB said college students are a prime target because it fits with their needs. Typically it will be a remote work opportunity with flexible hours and high pay, according to the BBB. They want your full name, your birth date, your social security number. Katie Galan, Better Business Bureau Along with the financial cost, theres a risk of providing sensitive personal information to a fraudulent employer. That can open someone up to the risk of identity theft. Typically framed as a requirement to begin work, fraudulent employers collect tax or banking information, which can lead to various identity-related issues, such as Stolen Identity Return Fraud, a release from the BBB said. According to the BBB, some of the most common positions for employment scams include: Package reshipment Data entry Secretarial work Online purchase scams In an online purchase scam, someone could purchase items that are never received, counterfeit or are unusable. They know youre on social media, so theyre going to start sending you those targeted ads, emails, even text messages, Galan said. Some of the most popular products in an online purchase scam are: Clothing Pet products Travel mugs Electronics In nearly all cases, victims do not realize theyve encountered a scam until attempts to contact the company regarding the status of an order go unanswered, the received product does not reflect the advertisement, or they discover multiple additional charges on the provided payment method, the BBBs release said. Investment/cryptocurrency scams The BBB said investment and cryptocurrency scams are now the riskiest. It reported that last year, there was a median loss of $3,800 with this type of scam. The organization said con artists will take to social media and create engaging content to make themselves seem like an expert source of information. Theyll then capitalize on confusing financial terms and unclear processes, according to the BBB. Cryptocurrency is fairly new, so its kind of difficult, Galan said. A lot of people dont know as much about it, and so it kind of makes it a little bit easier for scammers to entice people with making a lot of money or big returns. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials release one of five gray wolves onto public land in Grand County, Dec. 18, 2023. This wolf is known as 2302-OR. (Courtesy of Colorado Parks and Wildlife) Following months of attacks on livestock in and around Grand County, state wildlife officials said Wednesday that they have begun an operation to relocate the first wolf pack to be established as part of efforts that began last winter to reintroduce gray wolves to Colorado. The animals being relocated include two mated adults and the three pups they had this spring. By reproducing in the wild, the wolves, which were captured in Oregon and released by Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials late last year, became the first established wolf pack to result from the states reintroduction program, and were named the Copper Creek pack. The decision to capture and relocate the Copper Creek pack was made with the careful consideration of multiple factors and feedback from many different stakeholders, CPW Director Jeff Davis said in a press release. Our options in this unique case were very limited, and this action is by no means a precedent for how CPW will resolve wolf-livestock conflict moving forward. The states wolf reintroduction program fulfills a voter-approved 2020 ballot initiative to reintroduce the animals in Colorado in the name of restoring ecological balance. The measure, Proposition 114, was passed by a narrow 51% to 49% margin, and though it includes provisions to compensate livestock producers for depredations, it has been bitterly opposed by Colorados ranching industry. At least 15 cattle and nine sheep are confirmed to have been killed by wolves in Grand and Routt counties following last years reintroductions, according to CPW data. The agency and local livestock producers say that many of the depredations were caused by the Copper Creek pack. Last month, CPW denied a request submitted in May by the Middle Park Stockgrowers Association for a permit to kill wolves deemed to be chronic depredators. In an Aug. 14 letter to CPW and Gov. Jared Polis, the Colorado Cattlemens Association and local livestock organizations criticized that decision and wrote of their deep concerns regarding the current direction and implementation of Colorados wolf reintroduction and management program. Since the inception of the wolf reintroduction program, we have actively engaged and cooperated in good faith while also expressing our concerns throughout the process, the letter read. However, our concerns have been consistently overlooked. If the current trajectory of wolf management persists, it will become increasingly difficult for us to continue our cooperation. The advocacy group Defenders of Wildlife sharply criticized the states decision to relocate the pack, calling it a risky, short-term solution and accusing livestock producers and CPW officials of not pursuing more effective means of nonlethal control and deterrence. This decision is being driven by politics, is not rooted in science-based management and stands to significantly delay the progress of the reintroduction program, Mike Senatore, Defenders of Wildlifes senior vice president of conservation programs. All parties involved in the events that led to this deeply flawed decision should be held accountable for failure to effectively utilize proven coexistence tools. A total of 10 reintroduced wolves were released in Grand and Summit counties in December 2023, and have ranged widely in the mountains north of the Interstate 70 corridor since then. CPW said it would not disclose additional details of the Copper Creek packs relocation for the safety of these animals and staff. The ultimate goal of the operation is to relocate the pack to another location while we assess our best options for them to continue to contribute to the successful restoration of wolves in Colorado, Davis said. This article was first published by Colorado Newsline, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Colorado Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Quentin Young for questions: info@coloradonewsline.com. Follow Colorado Newsline on Facebook and X. House Speaker Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat, speaks on the floor of the Colorado House of Representatives alongside Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, a Colorado Springs Republican, on Aug. 28, 2024. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline) A special legislative session on property taxes is nearing its conclusion as the Colorado House of Representatives voted through the sessions main bill and the Senate gave a provisional approval on Wednesday evening. That sets the course for a Thursday finish on the second special session concerning property taxes in less than a year. The House voted 45-18 on House Bill 24B-1001, with many progressive Democrats siding with three of the chambers most conservative lawmakers against it though their reasoning was very different. The circumstance of the session and process for how the bill was researched and written did not sit well with some Democrats. I am happy to come here any time we have a chance to do the peoples business. But this bill isnt that. Were here doing this special session because a decision was made to negotiate with oligarchs, Rep. Stephanie Vigil, a Colorado Springs Democrat, said on the floor ahead of the final vote. This is a deal that was drafted and stakeholdered in a back room by people who will never have to answer to you for the outcomes. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The bill at hand was presented as a compromise deal to persuade backers of two property tax initiatives to remove them from the November ballot. The conservative groups Advance Colorado and Colorado Concern are behind Initiative 50, which would set a cap on how much property tax revenue can grow per year, and Initiative 108, which would sharply cut assessment rates across the state. Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, and other lawmakers feared a substantial loss of property tax revenue because of those initiatives, which if passed in a statewide vote would threaten school districts, fire districts, local governments and other taxing entities that rely heavily on that type of revenue. In exchange for modest cuts and other provisions in HB-1001, the conservative groups pledged to withdraw the initiatives and not submit similar ones for six years. The bill is essentially an extension of Senate Bill 24-233, which lawmakers passed in May. It cuts residential assessment rates further, cuts some non-residential rates that werent included in SB-233 and sets revenue growth caps that are not as stark as the one proposed in Initiative 50. The average homeowner would see less than $100 in savings. This floor needs to be respected. We only work for the people. We may work with others, but we only work for the people. Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon Polis called for the special session after he and others negotiated the deal, not wanting to risk passage of those two initiatives as backers prepared an expensive marketing effort to appeal to voters. Lawmakers then had an ultra-compressed timeline to review the bill and introduce other legislation. It is our job to make law. This floor needs to be respected. We only work for the people. We may work with others, but we only work for the people, said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, a Denver Democrat who voted against the bill. A vote for this or a vote against this it is not a vote against the people on this floor. It is a signal to understand that if we are ever put in this position again, there are people willing to not be pushed. The Republicans who voted against the bill said they think voters should be able to decide on the two initiatives. House Speaker Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat, and Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, a Colorado Springs Republican, defended the bills process and necessity. Is it a move to play defense right now? You bet it is, McCluskie said. In addition to staving off the initiatives, the bill would also provide additional though minor relief to homeowners experiencing sharp increases in their property tax bills, they said. After the House passed the bill, it moved over to the Senate. The Senate Appropriations Committee passed it unanimously. The Senate Finance Committee also approved a bill that makes a property tax exemption for agricultural equipment permanent. But that committee then killed a proposed ballot measure that would have dissuaded backers of property tax ballot initiatives by giving more local control to property tax decisions. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Mike Weissman, an Aurora Democrat, would have required voters in a local jurisdiction to independently approve any statewide initiatives that affect property tax revenue. It passed the House by the narrowest margin possible it needed two-thirds support because it was a constitutional amendment but the Senate committee then killed it by request of sponsor Sen. Chris Hansen, a Denver Democrat, because it did not have the necessary support in that chamber. The Senate began debating HB-1001 around 5 p.m on Wednesday and wrapped up around 7 p.m. They passed both that bill and the agricultural equipment bill on second reading. That means they can vote on their final passage on Thursday and wrap up the special session in time for Labor Day Weekend. Editors note: This story was updated at 8 p.m. on Aug. 28 to show that the Senate voted on the two bills. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Democratic Sen. Chris Hansen of Denver and Republican Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer of Weld County speak on the Senate floor on Aug. 29, 2024. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline) The Colorado Legislature gave final approval on Thursday morning to a property tax deal bill that will give some relief to homeowners and prevent a pair of consequential initiatives from heading to voters in November. The state Senate voted 30-4 in favor of the bill. It cleared the House on Wednesday morning with a 45-18 vote. Both votes were largely bipartisan. Sen. Mark Baisley, a Woodland Park Republican, and Democratic Sens. Nick Hinrichsen of Pueblo, Sonya Jaquez Lewis of Longmont and Lisa Cutter of Littleton voted against it. Shortly after the Senate vote, both chambers adjourned the four-day special session. The bill now heads to Gov. Jared Polis desk to be signed into law, but he has pledged not to do so until Initiatives 108 and 50 are withdrawn from the ballot. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advance Colorado and Colorado Concern promised they would pull the initiatives if the Legislature passed the deal. Those initiatives, if passed by voters, would sharply reduce residential assessment rates and put a 4% annual growth cap on property tax revenue. The resulting cuts would have provided savings to homeowners, but also would have jeopardized funding for public schools, fire districts and other local taxing bodies. Polis called the special session to pass legislation that would satisfy initiative supporters and provide additional property tax relief to the states homeowners, who are facing spiking tax bills as home values rise. Initiatives 108 and 50 would result in a $2.4 billion tax cut, compared to the $255 million cuts the deal bill provides. Lets get what I believe to be the best deal that we can do right now for homeowners, seniors, small businesses, for all property owners and local governments, Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, a Weld County Republican who sponsored the bill, said ahead of the final Senate vote. I am not willing to roll the dice and still not willing to gamble peoples future. The bill builds off a $1.3 billion tax cut that lawmakers approved during their regular session earlier this year. It trims residential assessment rates, extends rate cuts to some non-residential properties and puts two-year revenue growth caps on local governments and school districts. The state sets assessment rates for property taxes, but city and county governments, school districts and special jurisdictions like fire or sewer districts determine local rates by setting mill levies. The effect of the bill will vary on where a homeowner lives and how much their property is worth. An analysis from the left-leaning Bell Policy Center predicts that an average Denver County homeowner will save an additional $72 annually because of the special session bill, on top of $343 in savings from the regular session bill. An average Pueblo County homeowner will see another $39 reduction and a Weld County homeowner will get $47 off. Todays vote marks a huge win for Colorado taxpayers who have been hit with 30 percent average property tax increases, Advance Colorado President Michael Fields said in a statement. For two years, we have said the solution taxpayers need is to cut taxes significantly and then put a cap in place so Colorado can avoid this crisis in the future. This bill gets that job done. Representatives from Advance Colorado and Colorado Concern helped negotiate the deal ahead of the special session, but no one from either organization publicly testified during committee hearings for the bill this week. Initiative proponents say they are coordinating with the governors office for the timing of a bill signing and initiative withdrawal. They have until Sept. 6 to do so. Opposition to the bill was primarily over the circumstance of the session to appease those conservative groups over their desire for further property tax relief and a lack of legislative focus for owners of low-value homes, renters and people with lower incomes. Lawmakers who voted against it were also concerned with how further property tax cuts would impact special districts, especially fire districts. Lawmakers also approved a bill that would make a property tax exemption for agricultural equipment permanent. The Legislature will reconvene for its 2025 regular session in January. Its makeup will be determined by November elections, but Democrats are favored to hold on to the majority in both chambers. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Colorados special session on property taxes has ended. What did legislators pass? DENVER (KDVR) The Colorado legislatures 2024 special session ended Thursday after a whirlwind four days, with lawmakers approving a bipartisan bill to reduce the assessment rate for residential properties. The bill passed the Colorado House on Wednesday, but not without some pushback. The measure had been serving as negotiations between state lawmakers and supporters of the statewide ballot initiatives 50 and 108. The pre-negotiated measure was designed to slow property tax increases. Doug Emhoff to visit Colorado for fundraiser The measure passed with a vote of 45-18 in the House, with 15 Democrats and three Republicans voting no. Two representatives were excused. It passed the Colorado Senate with a vote of 30-4, with one senator excused. Three Democrats and one Republican voted against the measure. Now the bill is headed to Gov. Jared Polis desk for his signature. Senate Democrats applauded the bills passage in a press release, saying the bill introduces new flexibility for school districts and local governments by allowing them to carry forward unused growth capacity into the next assessment cycle while shielding taxpayers from dramatic spikes in value growth. The bill also: Reduces the local government revenue cap to 5.25% annual growth (previously 5.5%), or 10.5% over one assessment cycle Changes the school revenue sharing ratio to a 6% annual revenue growth cap, or 12% in one assessment cycle Allows voters to override the local government revenue cap through ballot measures Allows school districts to override the cap at the state level Extends backfill for local government entities most impacted by this measure through 2025 The Property Tax Commission has also been tasked with evaluating the property tax changes made in SB24-233 and HB24B-1001 and reporting on how the tax code does or does not deliver relief to the people who need it most, according to the Senate Democrats. One of the bills primary sponsors, Sen. Chris Hansen, a Democrat representing Denver and Chair of the Commission on Property Tax, said the bill represents the culmination of more than six years of work. This legislation is the product of partnership, compromise, and a shared commitment to the people of Colorado. The Commission on Property Tax, local governments, schools, and countless other stakeholders all have been involved in a public discussion of an extremely complicated problem resulting in policy that provides both meaningful relief to taxpayers and stability for essential community services, Hansen said. Video shows group of men carrying guns at troubled Aurora apartment complex In recent years, we have been able to secure a stronger future for Colorado by ending the negative factor, creating a stable foundation for education funding, establishing sustainable funding paths for higher education and Medicaid providers, and now with this policy, we can avoid the devastating impacts of Initiatives 50 and 108 and protect the progress weve already made, Hansen said. Once ballot initiatives are pulled, governor plans to sign It appears that Polis will sign the bill into law. In a release, the governor said he plans to sign the bill once ballot initiatives 50 and 108 are pulled. Today we took an important step for Colorado to end the property tax wars, Polis said in a release following the special session. With this bipartisan effort, we are saving hardworking Coloradans money on property taxes, saving households money on utility bills, making our small businesses more competitive, and protecting funding for our schools. I thank our legislative leaders for coming together to deliver savings for Coloradans. I look forward to seeing the risky ballot measures pulled down and signing this legislation into law so mall businesses and homeowners can keep more of their hard earned money, Polis said. To withdraw the measures, proponents of both measures will need to sign notarized letters to the Department of State requesting the measures be withdrawn. The deadline to withdraw ballot measures is Friday, Sept. 6. Polis said the measure will reduce residential assessment rates to 6.25% unless the statewide value growth exceeds 5% between 2024-2025. In that case, the rate would drop to 6.15%. A similar measure was set up for school districts mill levies: the assessment rate was lowered to 7.05% and could drop to 6.95% if the statewide value growth exceeds 5%. Harris, Trump lay out plans for the economy In a release, the governors office declared Coloradans will save hundreds of dollars on their property taxes. The office shared examples for various areas of the state: Denvers median home price is $709,920 Average savings for Denver residents would be $233.47 in tax year 2025 and $259.91 in tax year 2026. Adams County median home price is $556,660 Residents will see an average savings of $324.22 in the 2025 tax year and $366.42 the year after Garfield Countys median home price is $540,700 Residents will save on average $188.52 in tax year 2025 and $214.03 in tax year 2026 Pueblo Countys median home price is $326,260 Residents will save an average of $173.26 in tax year 2025 and $196.36 in tax year 2026 on their property taxes Advance Colorado and Colorado Concern, which have lobbied in favor of ballot initiatives 50 and 108, applauded the passage of the legislation on Thursday, saying the measure brings total annual tax relief for Colorado property owners to $1.6 billion. Todays vote marks a huge win for Colorado taxpayers who have been hit with 30 percent average property tax increases, said Advance Colorado President Michael Fields in a release. For two years, we have said the solution taxpayers need is to cut taxes significantly and then put a cap in place so Colorado can avoid this crisis in the future. This bill gets that job done. Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather The two lobbyist groups have agreed to not bring similar ballot measures for the next six years if the states rulemakers do not go back on the provisions of the bill. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. The man suspected of killing ten people in a Boulder, Colorado, grocery store in 2021 has been deemed fit to stand trial, a judge ruled Friday, and he will remain in custody at a state hospital to ensure he takes medication to maintain his competency. Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa is accused of opening fire on March 22, 2021, at a King Soopers and killing 10 people, including a store manager and a police officer. He faces a total of 64 charges, including 10 counts of murder and 47 counts of attempted murder. Colorado District Judge Ingrid Bakke initially ruled Alissa incompetent to stand trial in December 2021 after he was evaluated by a defense expert, two doctors from the state hospital and a doctor selected by the prosecutors, according to court documents filed by Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty. The doctors determined Alissas condition got worse while at the Boulder County Jail, and he was then sent to the state hospital for treatment. In her order Friday, the judge restored his competency and noted Alissas evaluators have diagnosed him with schizophrenia, but concluded he isnt suffering from delusions that interfere with his ability to stand trial. CNN has reached out to Kathryn Herold, Alissas state-appointed defense attorney, for comment on the order. Bakke acknowledged her court doesnt have the authority to order Alissa remain housed at the Colorado Mental Health Institute (CMHI) in Pueblo after he is found competent to stand trial, but she strongly urged the state hospital to retain him due to the gravity of this case. Shortly after the order was filed, the CMHI granted the request to keep Alissa in its custody, deeming it necessary while his case is ongoing, according to the district attorney. Dougherty said in a statement his office is pleased with the courts decision, saying it provides some hope for the victim families that this case will move forward and that justice will be done. We will never stop fighting for the right outcome in this case. Alissa was able to purchase a Ruger AR-556 on March 16, which he used in the shooting, after passing a background check, John Mark Eagleton, the owner of Eagles Nest Armory in Arvada, said in 2021 after the attack. Nothing in the federal system would have prevented Alissa from passing a background check and buying a firearm, a law enforcement source had previously told CNN. The suspect pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of third-degree assault in 2018 after attacking a high school classmate one year earlier, according to court documents and a police report. He was sentenced to one year probation, 48 hours of community service and anger response treatment, court documents said. Suspect had impoverished speech Evaluators at the state hospital said Alissa had impoverished speech and thoughts when he arrived at the state hospital for treatment in December 2021. Impoverished speech is often linked to brain disorders and hinders someone from talking very much due to a mental illness, injury or disease, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Alissa had been in the hospital for more than a year in March 2023 when his functioning began to decline after refusing to take his antipsychotic medication, the order says. He was then forced to take medication and undergo individual and group competency sessions, during which he started to open up more, which the judge said marked a turning point in his restoration to competency. Alissas condition improved significantly when he began court-ordered medication, which he was forced to take while in treatment at the CMHI, the judge wrote. Several doctors who evaluated and treated Alissa testified during a restoration hearing last week. Independent and state psychologists testified Alissa should not be sent back to the Boulder County Jail because he would likely deteriorate if he refused his medications at the jail, and not all jails have the capacity or ability to maintain involuntary medications. The doctors testified for the duration of Alissas time at the hospital, he has demonstrated a solid factual and rational understanding of the proceedings against him, which is crucial to his competency. While there are still concerns about the suspects tendency toward isolating himself and his impoverished speech, Bakke wrote, the judge determined he has shown significant improvement in hospital reports from May to August. DA agrees suspect should remain in hospital In court documents filed by Dougherty in August, the Colorado Department of Human Services determined in a competency re-evaluation report that Alissa doesnt currently have a mental disability or developmental disability preventing him from being fit to stand trial. The agency concluded Alissa had a rational and factual understanding of the criminal proceedings, noting his medication regime and stable therapeutic environment at the state hospital is vital to his competency. The Boulder County Jail is not a mental health hospital and is not well equipped or able to administer care, medication, or the same level and methods of treatment, as the hospital, the prosecutor wrote. Harold, Alissas attorney, argued during last Wednesdays restoration hearing Alissa does not have a good attention span, cannot fully understand court proceedings and should not be deemed competent. In her order, Bakke agreed with his doctors and evaluators that his competency remains tenuous and is contingent on him taking medication. The judge highlighted a time in June of this year when Alissa specifically said that if he were found to be competent and is returned to jail that he would stop taking his medication. The jail does not have the qualified staff and equipment to force him to take his medication, Bakke wrote, and if Alissa is transferred back and forth from the jail to the hospital, it could jeopardize his ability to be restored back to competency. Such a result would be an injustice to everyone who has been impacted by this case, Bakke wrote. A preliminary hearing during which prosecutors will present evidence and witnesses to prove he is most likely competent to stand trial has been scheduled for November 14. CNNs Jeremy Harlan, Mallika Kallingal and Raja Razek contributed to this report. Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the number of charges Alissa faces. He is charged with 64 counts, including 10 counts of murder and 47 counts of attempted murder. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com DENVER (KDVR) One of Colorados reintroduced gray wolves made its way into Rocky Mountain National Park over the past month, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The gray wolf movement map for July 23 through Aug. 27 shows that all of the wolves have remained north of Interstate 70. CPW said one of the wolves spent some time inside the boundaries of RMNP. The park is located west of Estes Park and contains portions of Boulder, Grand and Larimer counties. Colorado wildlife officials to relocate Copper Creek wolf pack While that may seem close to some of the Front Ranges communities, the movement map shows no movement close to Boulder County, and the wolf would have likely been inside portions of the park in Larimer County. There are nine reintroduced, adult wolves still alive in Colorado, alongside two others that migrated into the state naturally. The state released five wolves into Grand County and five wolves into Summit County in December. One of the 10 reintroduced wolves was killed earlier this year in an attack that officials have attributed to a mountain lion. There are also new wolf pups in Colorado at least three which CPW biologists have confirmed and named the Copper Creek pack. This map shows collared gray wolf activity recorded by CPW from July 24 through Aug. 27. (Courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife) This map shows collared gray wolf activity recorded by CPW from May 21 through June 25, 2024. (Courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife) This map shows collared gray wolf activity recorded by CPW from April 23 through May 21. (Courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife) This map shows collared gray wolf activity recorded by CPW from March 26 through April 23, 2024. (Courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife) This map shows collared gray wolf activity recorded by CPW from Feb. 28 to March 25, 2024. (Courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife) Colorado Parks and Wildlife is tracking two wolves that have made their way into Moffatt County. A map shows where 12 collared wolves have been over the last month. (Map: Colorado Parks and Wildlife) This map shows collared gray wolf activity recorded by CPW from Dec. 18, 2023 to Jan. 22, 2024. (Courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife) The National Park Service was prepared for the eventuality of wolves returning to RMNP, where wolves are native. According to the RMNP website, the extirpation of wolves was one of several environmental stressors that led to the degradation of the parks wetland ecosystem. Wolves inside RMNP are under the federal authority of the National Park Service while working alongside CPW. The news comes shortly after CPW said it would be capturing and relocating the Copper Creek pack of wolves, citing livestock depredations, or loss or injury of livestock from wolf attacks. The decision to capture and relocate the Copper Creek pack was made with the careful consideration of multiple factors and feedback from many different stakeholders, said CPW Director Jeff Davis in a statement released Tuesday. Our options in this unique case were very limited, and this action is by no means a precedent for how CPW will resolve wolf-livestock conflict moving forward. The ultimate goal of the operation is to relocate the pack to another location while we assess our best options for them to continue to contribute to the successful restoration of wolves in Colorado. Colorado ranchers wary after video of wolf pups surfaces Where CPW will relocate the wolves was not shared, which CPW said was for the safety of wolves and biologists. CPWs monthly movement map of the wolves uses the general watersheds that the collared wolves have been tracked in, which allows the state to share information while keeping specific wolf locations a secret. CPW says on its wolf movement website that once wolf populations become established, the agency will develop territory maps showing where wolf packs have primarily inhabited the state. Anyone who thinks they may have spotted a wolf can report the sighting to CPW online here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. White House coronavirus advisor Dr. Scott Atlas, who advocated a discredited "herd immunity" approach to COVID, speaks as then-President Trump listens during a 2020 news conference at the White House. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) We're living in an upside-down world, aren't we? It's a world in which scientists whose research findings that COVID-19 probably originated as a spillover from wildlife have been validated by dozens of scientific studies, but got them hauled before a Republican-dominated House committee to be brayed at by the likes of Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and accused of academic fraud. Meanwhile, the purveyors of claims that COVID's danger was overstated and could be met by exposing the maximum number of people to the deadly virus in quest of "herd immunity" have been offered a platform to air their widely debunked and refuted views at a forum sponsored by Stanford University. This is awful, a full on anti-science agenda (and revisionist history), tone deaf to how this kind of rhetoric contributed to the deaths of thousands of Americans during the pandemic by convincing them to shun vaccines or minimize Covid. Vaccine expert and pseudoscience debunker Peter Hotez The event is a symposium on the topic "Pandemic Policy: Planning the Future, Assessing the Past," scheduled to take place on campus Oct. 4. No one can doubt that a sober examination of the policies of the recent past with an eye toward doing better in the next pandemic is warranted. This symposium is nothing like that. Most of its participants have been associated with discredited approaches to the COVID pandemic, including minimizing its severity and calling for widespread infection to achieve herd immunity. Some have been sources of rank misinformation or disinformation. Advocates of scientifically validated policies are all but absent. The event is shaping up as a major embarrassment for an institution that prides itself on its academic standards. It comes with Stanford's official imprimatur; the opening remarks will be delivered by its freshly appointed president, Jonathan Levin, an economist who took office Aug. 1. The problem with the symposium starts with its main organizer. He's Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford professor of health policy. Bhattacharya is one of the original signers of the Great Barrington Declaration, a manifesto for herd immunity published in October 2020. The university didn't respond to my question about Bhattacharya's role. He didn't respond to my request for comment. The core of the declaration is what its drafters call focused protection, which means allowing those who are at minimal risk of death to live their lives normally to build up immunity to the virus through natural infection, while better protecting those who are at highest risk chiefly seniors, who would be quarantined. Read more: Column: The COVID lab leak claim isn't just an attack on science, but a threat to public health Focused protection, the promoters wrote, would allow society to achieve herd immunity and return to normalcy in three to six months. The quest for herd immunity from COVID has several problems. One is that infection with one variant of this ever-evolving virus doesnt necessarily confer immunity from other variants. Another problem is that COVID can be a devastating disease for victims of any age. Allowing anyone of any age to become infected can expose them to serious health problems. Bhattacharya's name doesn't appear in the event announcement, but he has identified himself on X as its "main organizer." Among the announced speakers is epidemiologist Sunetra Gupta of Oxford, another of the declaration's original signers. Several other speakers have advocated fewer restrictions on schools and businesses while predicting that COVID would be manageably mild, like the flu predictions that were consistently and catastrophically wrong. The date of the symposium, by the way, is the anniversary of the signing of the Great Barrington Declaration. It's also Rosh Hashanah, one of the High Holy Days of the Jewish calendar. Stanford says the "overlap" with the holiday is regrettable, but it hasn't offered to reschedule. Stanford responded to my request for comment about the event by simply reproducing language from the event announcement. "The conference was organized to highlight some of the many important topics that public health officials and policymakers will need to address in preparing for future pandemics," the university said. "The speakers, including those already listed and others who will be added over the next several weeks, represent a wide range of views on this issue. We look forward to a civil, informed, and robust debate." That won't do. Stanford's argument that it's merely providing a platform for "robust debate" among speakers with a "wide range of views" is belied by the roster of speakers, in which members of a discredited fringe of pandemic policy advocates are heavily overrepresented. The event announcement has elicited skepticism and dismay among scientists seriously concerned about pandemic policy. Read more: Column: Anatomy of a smear Fauci faces the House GOP's clown show about COVID "Knowing who the speakers and panelists are," wrote the veteran pseudoscience debunker David Gorski, "I know that 'assessing the past' will likely consist of highly revisionist history ... claiming that public health interventions didnt work." The description of some of the daylong symposium's sessions should give one pause. The precis of a panel titled "Misinformation, Censorship, and Academic Freedom" states as fact that "governments censored information contrary to public health pronouncements in social media settings." It asks rhetorically, "Does the suspension of free speech rights during a pandemic help keep the population better informed or does it permit the perpetuation of false ideas by governments?" Yet who among the panel speakers lost their "free speech rights"? On the contrary, several, including Bhattacharya, have ridden their discredited claims to regular appearances on Fox News, op-eds in the Wall Street Journal and appointments to blue-ribbon government committees in red states. A look at the speakers list should tell you where this event is heading. On a panel titled "Evidence-Based Decision Making During a Pandemic" is Anders Tegnell, the architect of Sweden's pandemic policy. Sweden has been held up by critics of school closings and lockdowns and advocates of herd immunity as a success story, the theme being that by keeping schools and restaurants open, the country beat the pandemic. The truth is just the opposite. As I've reported, the Tegnell record is disastrous. Sweden's laissez-faire approach sacrificed its seniors to the pandemic and used its schoolchildren as guinea pigs. Swedish researchers concluded in retrospect that its policies were "morally, ethically, and scientifically questionable." The death toll rose so high that the government was eventually forced to tighten up the rules. Sweden's death rate from COVID was much worse than that of its Nordic neighbors Denmark, Norway and Finland, which all took a tougher approach. If Sweden's death rate had only matched Norway's, it would have suffered only about 4,400 COVID deaths, rather than its toll of 18,500. Then there's Scott Atlas, a radiologist and former professor at Stanford medical school, who is currently a fellow at the Hoover Institution, the right-wing think tank housed on the Stanford campus. Atlas was recruited to join the Trump White House as a COVID advisor in July 2020 after having volunteered to Medicare Administrator Seema Verma that the government's pandemic policies were a massive overreaction that was inciting irrational fear in Americans. Read more: Column: Two Rutgers professors are accused of poisoning the debate over COVID's origins. Here's why Atlas estimated that the coronavirus would cause about 10,000 deaths, which would be unnoticed in a normal flu season. By the end of 2020, as it happens, COVID deaths in the U.S. exceeded 350,000. As of today, the toll is more than 1.2 million. At the White House, Atlas promoted scientifically dubious prescriptions for the pandemic. He pushed for reduced testing for COVID and dismissed masking as a countermeasure. Most damaging, he called for a herd immunity policy. Atlas' prescriptions disturbed his Stanford colleagues, about 110 of whom wrote an open letter in September 2020 alerting the public to "the falsehoods and misrepresentations of science" that Atlas was preaching. "Encouraging herd immunity through unchecked community transmission is not a safe public health strategy," they wrote. "In fact, this approach would do the opposite, causing a significant increase in preventable cases, suffering and deaths, especially among vulnerable populations, such as older individuals and essential workers." The Stanford administration also formally disavowed Atlas' statements and prescriptions. "Dr. Atlas has expressed views that are inconsistent with the universitys approach in response to the pandemic," the university said. "We support using masks, social distancing, and conducting surveillance and diagnostic testing." Yet now Atlas appears to be back in the university's good graces, judging from his presence on the roster. Stanford didn't respond to my questions about Atlas' role, and he didn't reply to my request for comment. Allowing this symposium to proceed along the lines laid out in the announcement will be a black mark for Stanford in the scientific community. "Whats happening at Stanford?" asked vaccine expert and disinformation debunker Peter Hotez on X. "This is awful, a full on anti-science agenda (and revisionist history), tone deaf to how this kind of rhetoric contributed to the deaths of thousands of Americans during the pandemic by convincing them to shun vaccines or minimize COVID." Stanford's claim to be a neutral host of a scientific symposium falls short as a fair description of its duties as an academic institution. No university claims to be open to the expression of any or all views, no matter how unorthodox or counterfactual; they make judgments about the propriety of viewpoints all the time; the level of discernment they practice is one way we judge them as serious educational establishments. By that standard, Stanford deserves an "F." On the evidence, neither the university nor its medical school, which is a sponsor of the symposium, exercised any judgment at all before greenlighting an embarrassing gala for the pandemic fringe. Get the latest from Michael Hiltzik Commentary on economics and more from a Pulitzer Prize winner. Sign me up. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A demonstrator holds a sign aimed at Donald Trump outside a Washington, D.C., courthouse last year after the former president was indicted on election interference charges. (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) When Hillary Clinton referred to Donald Trumps 34 criminal convictions during last weeks Democratic National Convention, a loud chant of Lock him up! arose from the crowd. Clinton, the target of countless Lock her up! chants stoked by Trump eight years ago, permitted herself a nod and a smile. Theres no gainsaying the hunger of many in the crowd at Chicagos United Center, and of Democrats across the country, to see Trump behind bars. They wish it for many reasons: as condign punishment for his crimes against democracy, the subject of a new federal indictment filed Tuesday; payback for his exploitation of the criminal justice system for his own ends; petty vengeance against an obnoxious antagonist; and a means of ridding the country of his toxic presence. The yearning to see Trump brought down is one component of the wave of enthusiasm that has so dramatically boosted Kamala Harris candidacy over the last month. In fact, Harris has stoked that desire in at least a limited way. Her standard stump speech includes the sure ovation bait, I took on perpetrators of all kinds. So hear me when I say: I know Donald Trumps type. Read more: Litman: What kind of prosecutor was Kamala Harris? The answer could be pivotal to her campaign Speaker after speaker at the convention likewise brought up Trumps list of proven and alleged crimes. They also repeatedly invoked Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation agenda suggesting Trump intends to convert the Department of Justice to an instrument of political retribution against his enemies. But for Harris, a top official in the government carrying out two of Trumps prosecutions, her supporters lust to see Trump locked up is a tricky topic. There is a fine but crucial distinction between calling out Trumps criminal conduct and calling for him to be locked up. To date, she has been able to walk that tightrope effectively. When the vice president confronted the same chant at political rallies in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania earlier this month, she was quick with a response that was markedly different from Clintons: Were gonna let the courts handle that. Our job is to beat him in November. Politically and ethically, that was precisely the right answer. Read more: Litman: After the Supreme Court's immunity ruling, can Donald Trump still be tried for Jan. 6? Its right partly because of the clear contrast with Trump. It immediately puts Harris on the opposite side of the spectrum from Trumps animating spirit of petty nastiness. More than that, calling for the imprisonment of ones political opponents particularly when, as with Clinton, they have not been charged with or convicted of any crime is a defining trait of a banana republic. And as the scholars Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt have persuasively documented , Trumps first term pulled the United States sharply in that direction. In addition, even the slightest tangible sign of official support for incarcerating Trump is likely to breed complications in the actual cases. Trump would seek to leverage it to support his claim that the charges against him amount to a political railroading. Most important for the current campaign, Harris careful retort to the crowd brandishes her institutionalist credentials. Our democracy is designed to depend on neutral arbiters namely, the courts to deprive citizens of liberty, not the say-so of a ruler. That principle is especially fundamental to a prosecutor the professional experience Harris is leading with as a candidate who must not confuse her zeal with the laws judgment. It's particularly fitting for Harris to insist on confidence in the courts. Their reputation especially the Supreme Courts has declined precipitously in the Trump era based on the growing perception that they can be bent to the will of the powerful. Harris is announcing to the country that although she is seeking power, she believes her power should be constrained by the checks and balances that Trump openly flouted even if her supporters might wish it otherwise for the purposes of punishing an adversary. Harris stance is not a given. Unlike Clinton in 2016, Trump is a convict as well as a criminal defendant in three additional cases. Harris could take the position that now that a jury has decided his guilt, a judge should impose a certain sentence or that he deserves to be convicted in the other cases against him. But that too would put her in the role of telling the courts what they should do. Avoiding that appearance is more important and more commendable than revving up Trump haters. Harris has been performing other delicate balancing acts in her young campaign: talking tough on borders but welcoming legitimate asylum seekers; affirming Israels right to exist but calling for an end to hostilities in Gaza; embracing President Biden while presenting herself as the change candidate. Of course, one problem with walking a high wire is that your opponent can try to knock you off. And we can expect Trump and his surrogates to continue to suggest that Harris is trying to lock him up for political purposes. But as a longtime prosecutor, Harris is well practiced at leveling harsh accusations while insisting on the indispensable institutional role of juries and courts in the ultimate decisions. That experience should continue to serve her well. Harry Litman is the host of the Talking Feds podcast and the Talking San Diego speaker series. @harrylitman 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. BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Director General Yang Tao of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefed the media on U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's visit to China on Thursday evening. Yang said that at the invitation of Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan visited China from August 27 to 29 for a new round of China-U.S. strategic communication. This is the first visit to China by a national security advisor to the U.S. President after eight years, the first visit to China by Sullivan in his term, and an important step taken by the two sides to implement the common understandings of the two presidents. Yang said that President Xi Jinping met with Sullivan on the afternoon of August 29. President Xi emphasized the following. First, when China and the United States, two major countries, engage with each other, the No.1 issue is to develop a right strategic perception, and they need to first and foremost find a good answer to the overarching question: Are China and the United States rivals or partners? China's foreign policy is open and transparent and its strategic intentions are aboveboard, both of which are highly consistent and stable. China is focused on managing its own affairs well and will continue deepening reform comprehensively to further improve and develop the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics that suits China's national conditions. China follows a path of peaceful development. While realizing its own development, China is also ready to work with other countries for common development, and to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind. Second, in this changing and turbulent world, countries need solidarity and coordination, not division or confrontation. People want openness and progress, not exclusion or regress. As two major countries, China and the United States should be responsible for history, for the people and for the world, and should be a source of stability for world peace and a propeller for common development. Third, China's commitment to the goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship remains unchanged, its principle in handling the relationship based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation remains unchanged, its position of firmly safeguarding the country's sovereignty, security and development interests remains unchanged, and its efforts to carry forward the traditional friendship between the Chinese and American people remain unchanged. President Xi expressed the hope that the United States will work in the same direction with China, view China and its development in a positive and rational light, see each other's development as an opportunity rather than a challenge, and work with China to find a right way for China and the United States, two countries with different civilizations, systems and paths, to coexist in peace and achieve common development on this planet. These remarks provide strategic and overarching guidance critical to the direction of China-U.S. relations, and are China's most authoritative statement on China-U.S. relations. Yang said that Wang held strategic communication with Sullivan on August 27 and 28. The two sides had six sessions, totaling more than 11 hours, and discussed the China-U.S. relations, sensitive issues and major international and regional hotspots. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, also met with Sullivan, Yang said. Yang said that this is the fourth round of strategic communication between Director Wang and Sullivan. The first three rounds were held in Vienna, Malta and Bangkok, and they also had a meeting in Washington, D.C., which all produced positive outcomes. Held in Yanqi Lake this time, their communication has come closer and closer to Beijing, and become more and more in-depth. Both sides believe that this round of communication is candid, substantive and constructive. Yang stressed that head-of-state diplomacy always provides strategic guidance for China-U.S. relations. This is a view shared by both sides. In the past four years, the two presidents have steered the course and provided the anchor for the bilateral relationship. From the Bali understandings to the San Francisco vision, head-of-state diplomacy has provided a ballast as the relationship navigates through wind and rain, and will continue to be a source of propellant that moves the relationship forward. The strategic communication channel between the Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission and the U.S. National Security Advisor was established according to the common understanding between the two presidents. Its primary task is to support head-of-state diplomacy and follow up on the important common understandings reached by the two presidents. In this round of strategic communication, the two sides discussed having a new round of interaction between the two presidents in the near term. This will be conducive to further leveraging the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, and bringing stability and certainty to China-U.S. relations and to a changing and turbulent world. The two sides took stock of how China and the United States engaged with each other in the past few years. Wang summed up the experience and lessons as "five keys": First, the key to keeping the China-U.S. relations to the right direction lies in the guidance and stewardship of the two presidents; Second, the key to avoiding conflict and confrontation between China and the United States lies in abiding by the three joint communiques; Third, the key to smooth interactions between China and the United States lies in treating each other as equals; Fourth, the key to a steady and sustained China-U.S. relationship lies in cementing the popular foundation; Fifth, the key to peaceful coexistence between China and the United States lies in developing a right perception. These "five keys" will help the two sides chart a better future and find a right way for the two major countries to get along with each other. Yang said that last November, the two presidents reached a future-oriented San Francisco vision at their summit meeting, which pointed the direction and drew the blueprint for China-U.S. relations. During this round of strategic communication, the two sides took stock of the progress made in implementing the important common understandings of the San Francisco meeting, and agreed to continue the implementation. The two sides also agreed on a number of specific matters, including to maintain high-level exchanges and communication at various levels; to continue cooperation in such areas as anti-narcotics, law enforcement, repatriation of illegal immigrants, and tackling climate change; to hold in due course a theater commander-level video call between the two militaries and the second round of intergovernmental dialogue on AI, among other institutionalized arrangements; and to maintain communication on international and regional hotspots including the Middle East, Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula. These new outcomes will help the two sides remove interference, overcome obstacles, and move toward the San Francisco vision, and jointly promote a healthy, stable and sustainable China-U.S. relationship. Taiwan, democracy and human rights, path and system, and right to development are the four red lines China has drawn in China-U.S. relations. The Chinese side raised serious concerns, articulated its position and laid out serious demands on these issues. The Chinese side stressed that the Taiwan question is the first and foremost red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations; Chinas political system and development path must not be challenged; and the Chinese people's right to development must not be deprived of. Touching these red lines would take away the floor for China-U.S. relations, and render the guardrails useless. "Taiwan independence" is the biggest risk to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Since the U.S. side stated many times that the United States is committed to the one-China policy, it does not support "Taiwan independence," and it does not support "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan", it should honor its commitments with real actions, abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, stop arming Taiwan, and support China's peaceful reunification. Both sides believe that under the strategic guidance of the two presidents, the channel of strategic communication between the Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission and the National Security Advisor to the U.S. President is very important, and agreed to continue leveraging the role of this channel. Yang also took questions from the media. On questions related to economic, trade and technological issues, Yang said that the so-called "small yard with high fences" of the United States has kept expanding and become limitless. The so-called "national security" has become a basket in which anything can be put. The narrative of so-called "overcapacity" is but another excuse for protectionism. Behind these are still the U.S. misperception of China, and its hegemonic mentality of seeking absolute security and absolute advantage. The United States should know that it is impossible for China to permanently stay at the medium and low end of the industrial chain. China has the capability, the need and the right to climb up toward the medium and high end. The United States should also know that China-U.S. economic and trade relations are mutually beneficial in nature, and suppressing Chinas economic and technological advancement hurts itself as well as others, and will not succeed. On the South China Sea issue, Yang pointed out that China is steadfast in its resolve to defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and committed to upholding the seriousness and effectiveness of the DOC. Developing alliances and partnerships is something up to the United States itself, but it should not use it to hurt Chinas interests. The Philippines should keep its word, and the United States should also do things that are conducive to regional peace and stability. On Ukraine, Yang stressed that China's position is aboveboard and transparent. It boils down to promoting peace talks and political settlement. We do not seek gains from the conflict, still less do we fuel the flames. We will continue doing the right things. China follows an independent foreign policy of peace, and does not seek alliance nor bloc confrontation. This is our basic principle in handling relations with all countries. The United States should stop spreading the false narrative of "China supporting Russia's defense industrial base," and stop smearing, scapegoating or shifting the blame onto China. Still less should it wield illegal, unilateral sanctions. The Kansas Department of Commerce issued a statement denouncing claims by a deceased former agency employee that Lt. Gov. David Toland, who serves as commerce secretary, used political factors to influence allocation of $150 million in infrastructure grants. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA The Kansas Department of Commerce issued a blanket statement Thursday describing as categorically false the allegation attributed to a recently deceased former agency employee that Lt. Gov. David Toland influenced distribution of state infrastructure grants based on political factors. The statement issued by agency spokesman Patrick Lowry said the death of Jonathan Clayton in an apparent traffic accident was unfortunate, but the Department of Commerce believed it necessary to provide clarity regarding allegations made publicly in an email released to coincide with Claytons disappearance in early August. That email took on greater urgency when a body was found Sunday in a smashed truck registered to Clayton, 42, of Peabody. On Thursday, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Harvey County Sheriffs Office and Kansas Highway Patrol positively identified the deceased man as Clayton. An autopsy was conducted, the KBI statement said, but investigators hadnt found evidence of foul play. This email linked to Clayton included an assertion Toland, a Democrat who serves as secretary of the Department of Commerce, put a political spin on the scoring system for applications for grant funding from the Build a Stronger Economy, or BASE, program. Allegedly, the distortion was part of a deal with Republican Senate President Ty Masterson of Butler County and now-former GOP House Speaker Ron Ryckman of Johnson County. The death message claimed resulting awards from both rounds of the program are inaccurate due to the orders from Toland to alter the application scores after a pre-selected group of awardees were determined. Lowrys rebuttal statement said Claytons allegation that Toland undermined integrity of BASE grant awards was inaccurate. The statement likewise said a claim that Toland forced Clayton to serve on a volunteer theater board was categorically false. While there is no evidence of any impropriety at the Department of Commerce, as an extra precaution an independent third-party contractor is doing a full review of all ARPA grants, Lowry said. The third-party entity selected to examine grant awards wasnt identified. The governors chief of staff, Will Lawrence, said the independent investigation would focus on American Rescue Plan grants that Clayton was involved with in Kansas. Lieutenant Governor Toland has conducted himself at the highest ethical standards throughout his entire career and has brought important reforms to the Kansas Department of Commerce, including the creation of the incentive transparency database, strong incentive clawback policies and strict reporting requirements for all programs, Lawrence said. He has worked to bring more, not less, accountability to the agency. Lawrence said Clayton managed to conceal information about his criminal past. He said Kelly and Toland would recommend changes to the states background-check law during the 2025 legislative session to address shortcomings in the vetting of applicants for state jobs. Senate President Ty Masterson debates tax proposals during an April 4, 2024 Senate floor discussion. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector) Meanwhile, Masterson spokesman Mike Pirner said the Senate president never requested or even had a conversation about altering the departments scoring. Its important to emphasize that legislative leaders had no role in the departments scoring of BASE projects, Pirner said. The president was involved merely in his capacity as a member of the SPARK executive committee. He was referring to the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas, or SPARK, committee that was assigned the job of issuing grants made with federal COVID-19 pandemic appropriations. BASE infrastructure grants were made in two rounds in Kansas. In the first round, 35 grants were issued from a pool of $100 million. Johnson and Butler counties received 47% of that funding. Concerns were expressed about geographic distribution of the money. In the second round, 38 recipients shared $50 million available through the program. Butler County received nothing in the second round, while Johnson County secured 8% of that total. The Aug. 8 email to news organizations and others, which was attributed to Clayton, said he was forced to resign from the commerce department because he refused to distort scoring on the second round of BASE grants. Clayton was placed in charge of the agencys COVID-19 grants in 2021. Clayton left the department in late 2023, but commerce officials said they didnt know when hiring him in early 2020 that he had been convicted of financial offenses in Pennsylvania. He was placed on probation in 2018 in a check-fraud case and reportedly still owned $195,000 in restitution. Under existing Kansas law, we are unable to perform national level criminal background checks for the position that Clayton held, said Lowry, the commerce department spokesman. Our process for vetting prospective employees included online searches, social media reviews and reference checks, which unfortunately failed to uncover his felony convictions. He would not have been hired by commerce had we been aware of these convictions. Lowry said the state agency would assist local, state and federal agencies investigating Claytons work at community-based organizations in Kiowa and Marion counties that could have been victims of fraud. Clayton, who accepted a job in June as Peabodys interim clerk, vanished in early August about the time information became available that Clayton might be involved in problems with a $425,000 Department of Commerce grant to the Mullinville Community Foundation. In addition, the state agency raised an alarm about documentation gaps associated with part of a $1.5 million grant to Peabody that could involve Clayton. Clayton also claimed in the email to reporters that allegations he might be responsible for misuse of BASE grant awards in Mullinville or Peabody were unilaterally unfounded and I believe to be a form of retaliation. The Montana Women's Prison in BIllings (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan). A week after confirming the Montana Department of Corrections had quietly amended its contract with private prison company CoreCivic to send another 120 state prisoners to Arizona, Director Brian Gootkin told the legislative committee in charge of addressing the states prison capacity Tuesday that he would be happy with any plan under consideration so long as it expands prison capacity. The Select Committee on Corrections Facility Capacity and System Development is in the process of finalizing its report on how to do just that, and the draft report presented at Tuesdays meeting contains several options, including building more capacity at the Montana State Prison, building a new womens prison, and possibly putting more inmates at contracted prisons like the Saguaro Correction Center in Arizona. When Rep. John Fitzpatrick, R-Anaconda, asked Gootkin which of the recommendations the Department of Corrections would prioritize, he did not commit to any of them, saying he sees needs for both male and female populations, which both are projected to grow during the next decade. The simple answer and the brutally honest answer is well take whatever we can get. Were hurting that bad, Gootkin said. But as far as a priority, thats tough to say because the men are our biggest number, but the female are our biggest issue and challenge. He told the committee that jail holds are higher than ever, with 474 state inmates in county jails as of Tuesday and 178 of them who are awaiting transfer to prisons. He said that was part of the reason for sending 120 more prisoners to Arizona this month, along with the contract for additional beds between the department and Missoula County expiring because the two sides could not come to an agreement. He apologized to the committee for not telling members about the changes to the contract, which now runs through July 2026, and the additional Arizona prisoners, however. I had 144 beds that I had to take care of immediately, so I made that decision. And knowing there was no additional money that was in our base we were figuring out how to do that within our budget and to work on getting those people moved to lessen the impact on the local sheriffs, he said. And, so, my apologies for not communicating that to the legislators. Thats on me. However, I made that command decision that we had to get people moved to lessen the impact. Much of the rest of the meeting involved what the Department of Corrections needs money-wise to continue moving forward with the ongoing expansion of lower-security housing at the state prison approved during last years session, and options to expand prison capacities for both the male and female populations beyond that. According to the committees draft final report, the male offender population has grown 57% since 2000, while the female population has grown by 170% during the same period. That means the overall offender population has grown about 65% since 2000, while Montanas overall population has grown by 26% in comparison. The committee has discussed during the interim, which is reflected in the report, that part of the increase is due to an increase in more violent and serious crimes being committed that carry longer prison sentences even though overall crime is down in Montana. The number of first-time offenders going to prison also rose sharply after 2019. The committees report also estimates there will be an additional 600 prisoners in the system through Fiscal Year 2034 as criminals continue to receive longer sentences for more violent offenses. But that goes up to 900 more prisoners when accounting for state inmates still at county jails awaiting a bed at a prison. Last years legislature appropriated $170 million for the replacement of the low-side housing units and the renovation of another at the Montana State Prison, which will create an additional 117 beds. A construction official on the project said Tuesday the design phase is nearly complete and crews will hopefully start construction next spring. But the draft report says the project will need another $41 million to fund infrastructure for the buildout, including replacing the water distribution system, a wastewater lagoon system, and an old electrical system. There is also a request for another $6 million to upgrade the perimeter at the prison. The draft report also considers building out two more 256-bed housing units and a programming facility adjacent to the three new low-side units that would use the same infrastructure and would expand the number of beds available from 768 to 1280. If that option is chosen by lawmakers and the department next year, it would cost an estimated $128 million if budgeted next year for completion by 2029. But waiting until 2035 to budget such a project would cost an estimated $202 million, according to the draft report. Another committee proposal is to fund construction of a new Montana Womens Prison that would increase the capacity from 240 beds to between 450 and 500 beds, as the female population has recently been growing more quickly than the male population. It would also free up those 240 beds at the existing womens prison. The report estimates that would cost between $283 million and $400 million. Gootkin said the Department of Corrections has had initial discussions with Yellowstone County about sharing space for a female prison and a new county detention center. He said he had also spoken with the Cascade County sheriff about finding a way to open up beds at a prison in Great Falls and with CoreCivic to expand the number of beds available at the Crossroads Correctional Facility in Shelby. The final option in the committees draft report would be to send more prisoners to privately owned prisons like the one in Arizona so around 600 Montana prisoners would be housed at contracted facilities. But the report says that would cost an estimated $232 million during the next decade about $104 million more than it would cost to continuing building out beds at the Montana State Prison. Several lawmakers said while they are performing their statutory duties as a select committee to figure out how to expand the states prison capacity, they would like to hear more specific priorities from Gootkin and his department instead of a well take whatever approach. You were asked what the priority would be for the department. I think you should put some thought into that between now and (Sept. 17) because I dont think were going to be able to do everything on this list, committee chairperson Sen. John Esp, R-Big Timber, told Gootkin. But what is the most pressing need and whats the best way to address that need? He added that the department is managing the population and should have a clear view of what their priorities should be. And Fitzpatrick noted that the legislature will not have a $2 billion budget surplus to work with this coming year like it did last session and will have to be pickier in terms of what projects it is funding. I think we have to go forward with at least some recommendations. To simply list options is, in my mind, a way of saying we cant make up our mind, and we simply have to make up our mind, he said. We have a situation with our prisoner population, both male and female, thats fundamentally out of control. Theres not very much that were going to be able to do to stop it given the epidemic of crime not only in Montana, but across this country, and we have to deal with the issue. Esp will have a first chance to present the initial draft report to the Law and Justice Interim Committee on Sept. 10, then the committee will meet again on Sept. 17 to hear again from the Department of Corrections, CoreCivic and possibly others before finalizing its report so it can presented to the Legislative Finance Committee and the governor. HB5-Final-Report-Draft A committee gathered to identify potentially defunct boards and commissions encountered little opposition on Aug. 28, 2024. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) In less than 45 minutes, a dozen committee members swiftly moved through a Wednesday agenda analyzing nine government commissions to determine whether the boards still existed functionally or only on paper. The reason for the speed was almost immediately clear: only one of the nine boards, committees and commissions or councils had current members show up to testify. Some had apparently dissolved and been absorbed into other appointed bodies. Others appeared to have expired after meeting their statutory duty. One is part of a multi-state council that meets semiannually. But a representative from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission told a legislative staff member it still met and just hadnt updated its website. That came as a surprise for committee member Sen. Greg Taylor, who is also supposed to be a member of that commission. Taylor, the Senate Minority Leader, said hes been the bodys appointed member of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission for at least four years but has never been contacted for a meeting. I dont know what the commission is talking about but would love to know when theyre meeting and what theyre talking about, Taylor told his fellow committee members. Taylor, an Indianapolis Democrat, is one of 14 lawmakers on an interim study committee identifying defunct government-appointed committees. In particular, the committee focused on the following committees: Taylor said he believed the commission, which was created in 1996, honoring the late civil rights leader should exist and continue to plan celebrations. According to its website, the body hasnt met since Oct. 26, 2021. Prior to that it met on Dec. 17, 2020. Aim of the committee Rep. Doug Miller, R-Elkhart, said the purpose of the interim group was to determine whether a group had met within the last two years and still needed any of the state resources dedicated to it, whether it was staffing or funding. The items that are on the agenda today are those entities that have not been working to fulfill their charge. I would like to stress that today and in our next meeting were not going to be judgmental, Miller said. Were going to look at anything pertaining to the viability of each entity and make sure that theyre carrying out that charge. Two other Republican lawmakers Sen. Brian Buchanan of Lebanon and Rep. Mike Aylesworth of Hebron testified that they were members of the Interstate Rail Passenger Advisory Council, a multi-state effort with other midwestern neighbors. Meetings occur twice a year but often conflict with the legislative calendar Aylesworth said one meeting occurred on Nov. 21 last year, which was Organization Day for the General Assembly. Much of the talk centered around federal funding, Aylesworth said, including a recent grant application to study high-speed rail options connecting Indianapolis to Chicago. The council gets $500,000 in state funding annually. At the end of the meeting, Miller said 66 other commissions existed in code to review. The decision to scrutinize such bodies stems from 2023 legislation authored by Rep. Steve Bartels that failed to advance but seeks to repeal, merge, consolidate and change various entities. My intent is to reduce government, unnecessary government. We still want some government, Bartels told the Indiana Capital Chronicle after the meeting. But the bottom line is these people arent doing things. If you havent met in two years, you probably are not necessary. Its hard for somebody to come and justify, he continued. Taylor pointed to some issues he saw with specific boards, such as dissolving the Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority, which was established to finance, design, construct and own Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, according to its website. Taylor wondered if the group still had ongoing debt obligations that would need to be addressed before it could be absorbed by the Indiana Finance Authority, as suggested by Bartels. Additionally, Bartels told the committee about 18 other boards throughout the state that have members appointed by the governor. He pointed to one he served on as an appointee the Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission as one that could operate better without such appointees. Theres no real need to have state government appointees on these boards and commissions, he told the committee, adding that hed consulted with the executive branch as well. Miller said the committee would next meet on Sept. 9, but didnt yet have a set time. He indicated that the committee would meet at least one other time before concluding its business. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WFRV) Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman issued a statement to the community on Wednesday following the number of arrests the department is making of teenagers committing severe felonies. In the letter to the community, Norman said that every morning, hes briefed on major crimes that have occurred in the last 24 hours, and recently, teenagers have been among the most arrested. DHS: Two Wisconsinites confirmed dead, another hospitalized due to West Nile virus I have had many sleepless nights over the arrests we are making of youth, many who are 14, some older, and some even younger at 11, 12 years of age, said Police Chief Norman. These kids are brazenly using firearms to take cars and other property from strangers. This complex me to call our community to intervene. On Tuesday night, the Milwaukee Police Department arrested seven teenagers ranging from 13 to 17 years old. All seven teenagers were in a stolen vehicle, attempting to steal another vehicle. The teenagers reportedly had guns, and when a security guard tried to stop them from stealing the vehicle, they shot at the guard. Many teenagers reportedly had prior arrests and convictions for taking cars without the owners consent. This is not intended to raise the alarm that the City of Milwaukee is a dangerous place, stated Police Chief Norman. In fact, our crime numbers are down. Crime and people causing harm to one another has been around since the beginning of humanity. Norman continued to say that the letters purpose toward the community is to raise awareness about the trends hes seeing in reckless youth behavior. Recently, the Milwaukee Police Department arrested a 14-year-old who had robbed a family at gunpoint, stolen multiple vehicles from others, and, while driving a stolen vehicle recklessly, killed an innocent motorcyclist who crossed his path. Fourteen, emphasized Police Chief Norman. Not old enough to drive, yet doing so with complete disregard for the people around him. He, too, was a kid who had multiple prior offenses for this same type of behavior. The letter says that the Milwaukee Police Departments role is to respond to crimes when they occur and arrest those who cause harm to others. They also work hard to prevent crimes through patrol, education, and outreach. We are committed to innovative new approaches, added Police Chief Norman. We are always open to new ideas, but even with unlimited resources, we cant be everywhere, and our primary and priority role in crime is to enforce the law. If crime occurs, the Milwaukee Police Department arrests. Police Chief Norman emphasized that the consequences the teenagers are receiving from these dangerous crimes are both changing behavior. The kids theyre arresting are reoffending. The community must intervene. Police Chief Norman also directed a statement toward the media. To the media, I ask that your coverage of crime includes an exploration into why individuals are committing these crimes, stated Police Chief Norman. Instead of asking why the Milwaukee Police Department is pursuing vehicles, ask why are people not stopping when the Milwaukee Police Department tries to pull them over. Instead of asking why MPD doesnt write more citations for unlicensed drivers, ask why so many people are driving without a license. Why are kids or young adults using guns to steal, instill fear, and cause harm? What have their parents done to address this behavior? The public has a right to know what is driving the actions of those who are causing harm to others. It is easier to report out on how law enforcement responds when a crime occurs, but it is indeed a more difficult task to get to the heart of what compels the reckless behavior. I challenge you to make that a focus. Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman Police Chief Norman also asked the community to step up to the plate, pleading toward youth organizations, organizations that work with parents, healthcare professionals, legislators, parents, faith leaders, aunts, uncles, neighbors, and everyone in between to try and help educate teenagers not to bring harm to others. This call to action isnt new, said Police Chief Norman. Ive held press conferences and participated in interviews. Ive been at community meetings. I am trying to get this message out in any space I can. We need you at the table. Our youth needs you at the table. Be part of the solution. What are you doing to help? Three baggies of cocaine found during traffic stop in Wisconsin, driver arrested Police Chief Normans letter to the community has garnered hundreds of interactions on social media, all in the hope of reducing the crime rate among teenagers. For more on the letter to the community, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Heres how the community can pay respects to fallen Carroll County investigator today Family, friends and co-workers will say their goodbyes to a fallen hero on Thursday. Carroll County Sheriffs Office Investigator Taylor Bristow died last week after he was shot in the line of while serving a warrant. Bristows procession and funeral services are set for Thursday afternoon. There is a processional route where the public can pay their respects to the fallen deputy. The procession will leave the Hightower Funeral Home at 1:30 p.m. and travel south on Hamilton Ave, then cross over Hwy 78 to Alabama Ave. The route continues along Hwy 27 south to Mount Holly Church, where the funeral will begin at 2 p.m. The Carroll County Sheriffs Office asks any officers who wishes to drive in the processional to line up at Bremen First United Methodist Church by 12 p.m. and motorcycle units to park in front of the funeral home. Channel 2 Action News will live stream the funeral services. You can watch here on the WSB-TV News app. At the sheriffs office, a memorial grows every day for Bristow. Hundreds have shown up over the past week to pay their respects and support to the sheriffs office. Bristow was shot while helping the GBI serve a child exploitation search warrant. The suspect, identified as Christopher Bly, shot himself and the deputy with the same bullet. Bly died at the scene. Bristow, who worked for the sheriffs office for six years, is survived by his wife, 10-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son. Its been a heavy week for law enforcement across the area. Bristow died at Grady Memorial Hospital on the same day the Paulding County community laid Deputy Brandon Cunningham to rest. Both deputies were just 30 years old. The West Georgia First Responders nonprofit has set up a donation fund for Bristows family. Shane Davis says his organization has already raised more than $35,000 and he hopes to keep the donations coming in through Christmas. You can click here to donate. RELATED STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Caddo Parish School Board held a special session on August 27th, to narrow the search for their next superintendent, from six finalists. During the visitors section of the meeting, many citizens said they were astonished by the list of finalists. Shreveport resident Joan Glover said, I looked at all six resumes. All six of them, and the deck is stacked, its stacked. Its tainted. And anyone who says that its not, theyre not being realistic. Citizens spoke on the reality of closing school with D and F scores that serve predominately Black communities. They said they want a superintendent who will pull students and neighbors out of the deficient, because when schools are closed and torn down, they leave sore spots in neighborhoods. Finalist chosen in Caddo Parish Schools superintendent search Former State Representative Barbara Norton said, at the end of the day I believe without a doubt, these are all of our children. I have no children in the system, I have no grandchildren in the system, but I love each and every one of these children. McPherson & Jacobson, LLC conducted the national search and considered input from various stakeholders such as: parents, staff, students, and community members. There were 29 applicants which was narrowed down to six finalists. School Board member Jasmine Green echoed a sentiment from many citizens, she wished there had been more local candidates to understand Louisiana schools. School Board member Terence Vinson questioned why only nine candidates from the 29 were interviewed. The LLC said they used the school boards criteria to cut the list, and they could not provide the application packets of the rejected candidates. This the most important job that we can do, and I am on my soap box, so for me it is important for me to look over those persons and just feel comfortable in myself because I dont know where you live but youre going back home and the pressure still will be on us, said Dr. Vinson representing District 3. A segment of each finalists interview was played, and school board members were also provided resumes to make their picks. Caddo schools offers help for families of chronically truant children One candidate stood out, Keith Burton, the Chief Academic Officer of Caddo Parish Public Schools with 58 votes. The motion passed seven to five to only interview Mr. Burton. A public interview will take place on September 11th based on the candidate. The schoolboard attorney says the law has changed and interviews can no longer take place in a private executive session. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. It was becoming tradition. When members of Kansas Citys tightly knit Irish community died, it was at Shaun Bradys restaurant in Brookside that loved ones celebrated the life of the one who passed. When 101 The Fox radio host Brian Slacker Adams died in April, they went to Brady & Fox Restaurant & Lounge. When longtime Irish community and parade supporter Brain Joseph OMalley died last year, they went to Bradys. Bradys and the Irish Center. Those were the places. Now it is Brady, 44, married with young children, who is being mourned, shot and killed Wednesday evening outside his restaurant, at 751 E. 63rd St. east of the Brookside shops. Along with tears, there is frustration and anger. The community is reeling, said Mary Kate Gliedt, executive director of the Kansas City Irish Center. No one is sure what to do or what to say next. Its awful. Shauns was the place Id have meetings. I brought volunteers there for Christmas lunch. I brought family there. The fact that Shauns place was not safe for Shaun is tragic. The fact that he passed away there is like an extra twist of the knife. The shooting occurred shortly after 5 p.m. when Brady left his restaurant to take out trash and reportedly came across a group gathered around a car. A fight erupted, and security cameras would capture the moment. Gun shots rang out. Brady, with multiple bullet wounds, was rushed to an area hospital, where he died. Kansas City police on Thursday announced that they arrested two teenage boys within an hour of the shooting, not far away and with the car nearby. The boys are in custody pending further investigation. Jackson County prosecutors are working to determine charges. For prosecuting attorney Jean Peter Baker, Bradys death is personal. My husband and I are shocked and heartbroken over the senseless loss of our friend, Baker wrote to The Star. How could one not become Shauns friend? His personality was infectious, he was gregarious, warm and genuinely funny. He told great stories about growing up in Ireland and his affection for that beautiful place. He always offered a landing spot for me and my family for any occasion. . . . His death is a loss to us and to the surrounding community. Shaun was the kind of guy who would always jump in to help you and you meant anyone needing help. He was community. . . .we promise that his loss will not be forgotten. News of Bradys death immediately reached far from Kansas City, reported almost instantaneously by The Irish Times. The Times story noted how Brady, after graduating from Technological University Dublin, then known as Dublin Institute of Technology, met his wife from Kansas while she was traveling in Ireland. The Times said they married in 2005. Bradys father, the site reported, ran a well-known pub in Nenagh called The Brady Carmel, formerly known as The Moon & Sixpence, in the Summerhill area. His family came from Ardcroney, outside of Nenagh. Our friend. Our friend, Virginia OMalley, widow of Brian OMalley, lamented Thursday over Bradys death. He was so kind. He would do anything for you. OMalley recalled Bradys immediate reaction after hearing that her husband was sick. He offered to throw a party. He would later also host the wake. Shaun said, Whatever you want to do. We will do it here, OMalley recalled. I was in there last week. He came to the table and said, Whats new? I said, Well, you know, I have a new grandson. His name is Brady. The man started to cry. He put his hand over his heart. He cried. Hed give away the store Brady has, for years, been deeply involved in the annual Kansas City Irish Fest, set to begin Friday and extend over the Labor Day weekend. He hosted an often sold-out Irish breakfast following a Sunday morning Mass, this year to be held Sunday morning at the Crown Center Ice Terrace. Out of respect for Brady, the breakfast has been canceled, and refunds will be offered to those who purchased tickets. The 9:30 Mass, however, will commence. We are using the time afterwards to do an Irish toast and blessing and letting people who knew Shaun come together, festival director Keli ONeill Wenzel said. Wenzels father and Bradys friend, Pat ONeill, a founder of the festival, spoke of Bradys outsized personality. He spoke his mind. He was funny. He minced no words, ONeill said. But I also think he had, probably, the softest heart of any man Ive ever known. He supported so many of us when we lost a family member. I mean hed give away the store, whatever it took. Bradys restaurant is housed in a building owned by Kansas City developer Butch Rigby. I was over at a dinner when it happened, Rigby said. I came here from there. I, of course, have seen it on videotape. We have a very clear videotape. The whole thing on cameras. It was just tragic. It was just unnecessary. . . . It was horrible. Echoing others, Rigby described Brady as a hard person to forget. . .a fun, gregarious personality who used every drip of his Irish brogue. Unfortunately Rigby said, he also, I mean, he wasnt going to let anybody break into his car. From Rigbys telling, based on his view of the video, Brady stepped from his restaurant at very moment people were jiggering with a vehicle, presumably his. Confrontation ensued, Rigby said. Fisticuffs ensued. Then, of course, some monster gets out and decides to execute somebody just because they dont like somebody fighting him over a car. Calls to address crime in Brookside Frustrated, Rigby said that Bradys death is the consequence of increasing break-ins and car thefts by individuals, often minors, carrying guns. Law enforcement, he said, needs to step up. I do believe that this is limited to a small subset that are out there doing this and continuing to do this, Rigby said. I think they have to target them. They have to put them off the streets. They have to make it safer for the rest of us. In August, some 200 residents of Waldo and Brookside met with community leaders and the Kansas City police to address car thefts and property crimes, both on the rise since 2021. Capt. Justin Pinkerton, who hires for the department, noted that the Metro Patrol Division had lost a quarter of its staff in the last 15 years. Take roughly 25% away from the workforce of any organization, anybody, its going to detract from the product, Pinkerton told the residents. Were not saying thats acceptable, but we also only have this much staff to deal with that big of a problem. We can only do so much and the calls just keep coming. Sean Ackerson is the executive director of the Southtown Council. He also is the district manager for the Brookside Community Improvement District and the Troost Community Improvement District. Sean was such a vibrant guy and so well-liked, he said. To lose his life because somebody was trying to steal his car. . . Ill be relieved when they put them away as adults. . . . All I can think is how senseless this was. Shaun was just a guy trying to run a business, trying to put food on the table for his customers and his family. He lost his life because a bunch of kids felt like they could take it without consequence. . . .Weve been saying it for a while. It cant continue to go on the way its going on. ConCon Commissions report is done. Now its up to the voters. The exterior of the Rhode Island State House on Aug. 28, 2024. (Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current) After a little over a month of collecting testimony, the bipartisan commission needed just 26 minutes to review and approve its report weighing the pros and cons of Rhode Island holding a constitutional convention. I thought it was a good, concise evaluation of what was presented in testimony and reflective of our charge, Rep. Arthur Corvese, a North Providence Democrat, said at the commissions final meeting Wednesday. Indeed, the report lists many of the concerns and suggestions members of the public brought up during the three meetings that allowed testimony. The report itself does not make any recommendation on whether a constitutional convention should be held, which the 12-member volunteer panel is not mandated to do though the commissions chairs already seem to know how theyll vote come November. Proponents for holding a convention argue that changing Rhode Islands governing document gives the public a chance to update how the state operates. Possible reforms the report lists are establishing a fundamental right to education, limitations on solitary confinement, and the removal of the lifetime tenure for Rhode Island Supreme Court justices. Opponents, meanwhile, say a convention opens the path for well-funded special interest groups to roll back many of the states civil liberties and reproductive rights. The report acknowledges that there would be no limit on campaign spending for or against the ballot measure or any constitutional questions that may come out of a convention. State campaign finance law requires political action committees that spend more than $1,000 to report spending and donations. Rhode Islands convention question goes on the ballot in years ending in the number four, but voters have not agreed to convene one in over three decades. The Rhode Island General Assembly may also propose constitutional amendments during any election year. Should voters approve holding a constitutional convention, the commissions report notes that the state would likely incur expenses over at least the next two years executing that mandate. Cost estimates for the convention range between $2.6 million and $4.6 million, which includes an estimated $1.3 million toward a special election to select 75 convention delegates to represent each district in the Rhode Island House of Representatives. The commissions report is meant to inform voters ahead of the Nov. 5 ballot measure, but just how many it will actually reach is in question. The panel was told during its Aug. 21 meeting the guidebook issued by the Rhode Island Department of State would only include a link for it to read online. I just dont see people taking advantage of the hyperlink, Rep. David Place, a Burillville Republican, said at Wednesdays meeting. Weve wasted a lot of peoples time and a lot of taxpayer money to do this we could have asked the state librarian to put something together like this. No cost was associated with the commission, House spokesperson Larry Berman said in an email after the meeting. The work was performed by existing staff, Berman added. Corvese countered that a state librarian would not have been able to provide updated public testimony. I dont look at this as us spinning our wheels, he said. I think the report is certainly reflective of the testimony and the times. Place suggested a QR code to the commissions report be put in the guidebook. Corvese also recommended physical copies of the report be made available in every town/city hall, along with each of the states public libraries. Commissioners agreed with the idea, but did not put it up to a vote, nor did they discuss the cost associated with such an endeavor. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Israeli military vehicles are seen during an Israeli operation in the Far'a refugee camp, to the south of the northern West Bank city of Tubas, on Aug. 28, 2024. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said these dangerous developments were fueling an already-explosive situation in the West Bank, further undermining the Palestinian Authority, and called for the immediate cessation of these operations, the spokesman noted. UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate cessation of Israel's operations in the West Bank, his spokesman said on Thursday. The UN chief was deeply concerned by the latest developments in the occupied West Bank, including Israel's launch on Wednesday of large-scale military operations in Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas governorates, involving the use of airstrikes, which resulted in casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, at a daily briefing. The secretary-general "strongly condemns the loss of lives, including of children," Dujarric said. Guterres said these dangerous developments were fueling an already-explosive situation in the West Bank, further undermining the Palestinian Authority, and called for the immediate cessation of these operations, the spokesman noted. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 15 people were killed in the governorates of Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas in less than two days, with many others injured. The Israeli army launched a large-scale military operation on Wednesday in the Tulkarm, Jenin, and Tubas refugee camps to arrest people accused of involvement in operations against Israel, according to Palestinian and Israeli sources. Benita Lewis of the USDA's Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) for the Small Tribes of Western Washington (STOWW) and her mother Alice Richotte inspected the shelves at the FDPIR Distribution Center in South Lakewood, WA on July 31, 2013.(Photo: Bob Nichols, USDA via CC BY 2.0). On Monday, congressional leaders from the powerful Senate and House appropriations committees ramped up pressure on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), seeking answers and swift action to address food shortages impacting Native American communities. In a detailed letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers demanded an explanation for the USDAs handling of the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), which they say has resulted in months of delayed, inconsistent, and incomplete food deliveries to tribal communities across the country. [Editor's Note: This article was originally published by Tribal Business News, Native News Online's sister publication. Used with permission. All rights reserved.] The letter today follows an earlier one sent Aug. 23 by a bipartisan group of seven senators who expressed their alarm over disruptions to FDPIR deliveries since April, when the USDA consolidated its tribal warehouse operations to a single contractor, Kansas City, Mo.-based Paris Brothers Inc. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Tribes are deeply worried about when food will arrive and when USDA will resolve this situation, Senate and House lawmakers wrote in Mondays letter. It is the federal governments responsibility to uphold its trust and treaty obligations to Tribes, and this situation must be resolved immediately. Todays letter requests information and documentation regarding the transition to one contractor, timelines of events, communication with stakeholders, impact on Tribes, accountability of the contractor, and actions being taken to resolve the situation. The congressional members urged immediate action to rectify the food shortage crisis and emphasize the importance of upholding trust and treaty obligations to tribal communities. They also inquired about potential impacts on other food distribution programs, such as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), which serves low-income seniors. The lawmakers have set a deadline of September 9 for the USDA to provide a comprehensive response to their questions, along with any relevant documentation. The letter was signed by a group of high-ranking members from both chambers, including House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) and Ranking Member Rosa Delauro (D-CT), as well as Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), and Senate Appropriations Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-ME). In a statement, Cole, an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma and the first Native American to serve as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said the disruptions to vital safety net programs were unacceptable and failed to uphold our trust and treaty obligations. Tribes voices have been heard and will continue to be at the forefront as Congress further investigates this crisis, Cole said. The FDPIR serves more than 50,000 Native American households each month, providing essential food assistance to income-eligible families. Mary Greene Trottier, president of the National Association for FDPIR, told Tribal Business NewsTribal Business News on July 13 that the situation had been dire for months. Were hearing from almost every tribe participating in the program that theyve been impacted in some way, Trottier said. People are going without. About the Author: "Brian Edwards is the associate editor of Native News Online and Tribal Business News. " Contact: bedwards@indiancountrymedia.com This Connecticut city tops U.S. News list of most expensive places to live HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Two Connecticut cities are among the countrys top five most expensive places to live, according to a U.S. News and World Report. The list ranks Hartford as the countrys most expensive place to live, with New Haven at No. 4. Based on the median gross rent and annual housing costs for mortgage-paying homeowners, these cities require the most wealth to live comfortably, the report said. Number of 401(k) millionaires reaches record high: Fidelity Hartford scored high for quality of life (7.0)higher than Los Angeles (6.1), Miami (6.6), New Haven (6.6) and New York City (6.8)but held the lowest value (3.3) on the list, meaning costs are high. Like other cities in Connecticut, housing affordability is a challenge were working to meet head-on by investing in affordable housing and homeownership opportunities for our residents, a statement from Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam read. At the same time, costs of living are a fraction of what they are in other major cities, which is one reason almost half of our new downtown residents are from either New York or Boston. The data for this report does not match the reality of what were seeing on the ground in Hartford. CSP to conduct DUI patrols through Labor Day weekend New Haven scored 6.6 for quality of life and had a value of 3.7. When asked to comment on the ranking, the mayors office referred to the cost of living in New Haven compared to New York City and Boston. Some expenses in New Haven, including groceries, transportation and utilities, are higher than the national average, the report read. Yet the cost of living remains fairly consistent with the rest of Connecticut, and New Haven is more affordable than nearby New York City and Boston. Click here to view the list of the Most Expensive Places to Live in the U.S. in 2024-2025. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Conservative opponents of DEI may not be as colorblind as they claim Critics of diversity, equity and inclusion programs, commonly referred to by the acronym DEI, are increasingly using boycotts and bans to fight against their use. People often argue that this anti-DEI backlash is motivated by race-neutral concerns for example, that DEI practices are irrelevant to work performance or are too political. But our recent research, published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, suggests that conservative critiques of DEI often boil down to one thing: anti-Black racism. As psychology researchers, we wanted to understand why people react to DEI the way they do. So, we recruited more than 1,000 people to take part in three related studies. For each study, we measured participants conservatism on a seven-point scale ranging from extremely liberal to extremely conservative. Single-item measures such as this are often used by researchers. We also measured participants anti-Black racism using the symbolic racism scale, which is a well-validated and commonly used measure of anti-Black racism. Research suggests that as overt racism has become less acceptable, people tend to direct racism toward symbols of racial equality, like DEI. That meant the symbolic racism scale was an ideal measure of anti-Black racism for our purposes. How we did our work In the first study, we asked participants to read a job advertisement from either a company that emphasizes DEI or a company that emphasized teamwork and good professional relationships. Then, participants rated their interest in the job and how fair they thought the company was. In later studies, they also indicated how well they thought theyd fit in. We found that participants who scored higher on our measure of conservatism expressed significantly less interest in pursuing a job at the company promoting DEI, and viewed it as less fair compared with the company promoting teamwork. We then added symbolic racism to our statistical model. Once we did that, our measure of conservatism no longer predicted job interest or perceived fairness in the pro-DEI company condition. In other words, symbolic racism accounted for the effect of conservatism on outcomes in the DEI condition. This suggests that conservative participants reactions to DEI arent independent from symbolic racism. We expanded on these findings in our following studies. In the second study, participants were randomly assigned to read descriptions of similar pro-DEI or pro-teamwork companies. Additionally, half of the participants were told why the organization supported either DEI or teamwork, and the other half were not. We found that participants who scored higher on conservatism expressed less interest in applying for a job at the pro-DEI company and viewed it as being less fair, regardless of whether DEI or teamwork was clearly tied to job-related criteria. We estimated statistical models similar to the ones we built in the first study. And we again found that when we added symbolic racism to our statistical model, negative views of the DEI company disappeared. Thus, negative reactions to the pro-DEI organization seemed to reflect race-related rather than job-related concerns. In the third study, participants read job advertisements for a pro-DEI, pro-teamwork or pro-family-values company. The pro-family-values company was described as seeking to preserve traditional values. We found that participants who more strongly endorsed conservatism were more interested in applying for a job at that company, and viewed it as more fair and a better fit in the pro-family-values scenario. The opposite was true of reactions to the pro-DEI company. When we added symbolic racism to our models, we found that positive views of the pro-family-values company remained significant, but negative views of the pro-DEI company disappeared. This suggests that opposition to DEI is rooted in anti-Black racism, not concerns about politics. Why it matters Given the fraught political environment, organizations will need to address criticisms of DEI programs. Successfully responding to these criticisms requires addressing the underlying motive which our research suggests is often anti-Black racism. Whats next As part of the hiring process, many companies and organizations ask job applicants about their views on DEI or what theyve done to promote it. In our study, we included requests for similar statements. However, no one has tested whether peoples answers to these statements actually predict performance related to DEI. Thats what our team plans to examine next whether someones stated views on DEI can forecast job outcomes like collaborating effectively in diverse teams. The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Abigail Folberg, University of Nebraska Omaha; Laura Brooks Dueland, University of Nebraska Omaha, and Mikki Hebl, Rice University Read more: Abigail Folberg receives funding from the National Science Foundation and has previously received funding from the Society for the Psychological Study for Social Issues, the American Psychological Foundation, and The Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Laura Brooks Dueland is a co-founder of Inclusion Analytics, LLC. Mikki Hebl does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Our content must align with the state: Visit Florida CEO responds to removal of LGBTQ section on its website Our content must align with the state: Visit Florida CEO responds to removal of LGBTQ section on its website TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The CEO of Visit Florida responded on Tuesday to the removal of the LGBTQ section of its website. Visit Florida, the states official tourism site, has been under fire after a section dedicated to LGBTQ travel disappeared from the website. However, the state-backed agency finally shared a response during its board of directors meeting on Tuesday. Its fairly simple, said Dana Young, president and CEO of Visit Florida. Visit Florida is a taxpayer-funded organization and, as such, Visit Florida, our marketing strategy, our materials, and our content must align with the state. However, Youngs statement is under scrutiny. It doesnt make sense, said Maryann Ferenc, owner of Mise en Place in Tampa. That was not an answer. I really believe the people of Florida and all of the hardworking people in the state of Florida deserve an answer. Ferenc addressed the Visit Florida Board of Directors during the public comment portion of the meeting at the Tampa Convention Center. She spoke about her strong ties to the tourism industry, including her prior experience as a board member of Visit Florida. However, Ferenc also voiced serious concerns about the removal of the LGBTQ page from the site. If were talking about the number one industry and if this is an economic decision, I cant see how this is a good one, Ferenc said. Several organizations have also been critical about the decision. From a personal standpoint and LGBTQ standpoint, I felt wed been erased, Rachel Covello said. Covello is the creator of Outcoast.com, an online travel blog featuring LGBTQ-friendly activities in Florida. In 2021, she collaborated with Visit Florida to showcase content on the website. Covello has also been a guest speaker at the Governors Convention on Tourism. She lives in St. Petersburg, and found out the travel page was gone about a month ago. Were standing in one of the most LGBTQ-inclusive destinations in Florida, if not in the country, Covello said. So I think people need to come to Florida and need to support these destinations that are so diverse and doing the right thing. But these destinations rely on our state platforms to market our state as a brand. According to Visit Floridas About Us section, it is not a government agency but instead a not-for-profit corporation created as a public/private partnership by the Florida Legislature. It sends a strong message that LGBTQ travelers arent wanted in Florida, Covello said. Thats not the case in these inclusive destinations. Equality Florida is also keeping a close eye on the developments and worried that the changes will send a negative message to future travelers. This is just the latest in an ongoing campaign to erase LGBTQ people from schools and history books, said Nadine Smith, co-founder and CEO of Equality Florida. Will the Visit Florida board, which is made up of real titans in the hospitality industry, let this go unrepaired? The site still includes travel recommendations for people with special needs, African American heritage, and Hispanic heritage. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. BEAUFORT, S.C. (WSAV) A Shell Point man imprisoned for the murder of his disabled neighbor will remain behind bars after being convicted for rape. Brian David Walls On Wednesday a Beaufort County General Sessions jury found Brian David Walls, 43, guilty of first-degree criminal sexual assault as well as kidnapping and use of a vehicle without permission. Walls automatically received a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for the sexual assault due to South Carolinas two-strikes law. He also received life for kidnapping and three years for the use of vehicle charge. He will serve these sentences consecutively. Walls was serving a 40-year sentence for the murder of 56-year-old Teresa Siegler. The murder occurred days before the sexual assault, the 14th Circuit Court says. Sean Thornton is chief deputy solicitor and the leader of the Solicitors Office Career Criminal Unit In the span of a few days, Brian Walls murdered a neighbor and raped a family friend, said Sean Thornton of the 14th Circuit Solicitors Office, who prosecuted the case. He is the worst sort of predator someone who repays kindness with brutality. Walls has a broad criminal history that includes convictions for simple assault, fraud, multiple counts of simple possession of marijuana, multiple counts of assault and battery, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. Cook Out is Gov. Tim Walzs first stop on his first trip to NC. What did he order? Its Cook Out Time! Gov. Roy Cooper exclaimed as he stepped out of a motorcade Thursday afternoon. He was joined by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, as the pair of Democrats arrived together at one of the Greensboro-based chains Raleigh locations. Walz is making his first trip to North Carolina since becoming his partys nominee for vice president. Hes in town for a political event and campaign reception. Cooper greeted him upon his arrival in Raleigh. And before doing anything else, they drove to the fast food restaurant that boasts 40 flavors of milkshakes. Walz ordered a mint chocolate chip, while the governor ordered M&M. President Joe Biden, a notorious ice cream lover, was also a frequent visitor of the franchises when he came to the Tar Heel State. But despite having so many flavors to choose from, he often ordered off-menu and got a Black and White. Its unclear whether Cooper influenced those trips. On Thursday, Walz told reporters that he had never had Cook Out, but Gov. Cooper told me this is the place to go for shakes. Under the Dome Get the latest news about North Carolina politics from The News & Observer's award-winning team. Get the free digest sent to your inbox by signing up here. LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) A Corbin man was arrested after leading Laurel County Sheriffs Office deputies on an early morning chase in a stolen vehicle. It began when deputies noticed a black vehicle with no rear lights or a license plate turn around in the middle of the road near County Farm Road, per court documents. When deputies attempted to pull the vehicle over, the driver sped off. Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news The chase continued onto Hal Rogers Parkway, according to court documents, and it was there that the driver began to slam on his brakes and repeatedly rammed the patrol car. While doing so, the vehicle spun out and flipped, and the driver refused to get out. He was later identified as 45-year-old Jeremy Owens and was taken to an area emergency room. Owens reportedly refused a blood test, but appeared very intoxicated, according to authorities. As the investigation continued, deputies found that the vehicle was reported as stolen. Inside the vehicle, deputies noted that they found a clear bag that contained suspected methamphetamine. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Owens was arrested and charged with the following: Speeding 15 mph over limit First-degree fleeing or evading police First-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer Reckless driving Receiving stolen property Operating a motor vehicle under the influence First-degree possession of a controlled substance Resisting arrest Driving DUI suspended license He was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center on a $25,000 bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Cornel West doing press outside the Democratic presidential debate in Detroit, Aug. 1, 2019 | Susan J. Demas Updated at 6:20 p.m. 8/29/24,; 9:36 a.m., 9/13/24 The independent presidential campaign of Cornel West, a self-described socialist who was a surrogate for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders presidential campaign and has fought for progressive causes like Occupy Wall Street, has ties to well-known conservative figures in Michigan and beyond. Hes just lost his way, election lawyer Melvin Butch Hollowell told the Michigan Advance. Hollowell, a former co-chair of the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) also served as corporation counsel of the city of Detroit under Mayor Mike Duggan. Its sad to see him fall so far from where he was to the caricature that we see today, he said. West most recently won a preliminary victory to appear on Michigans ballot this November when the Michigan Board of State Canvassers voted 3-1 Monday to certify his petitions, although litigation alleging forgery and petition fraud remains outstanding. In addition to claiming that Wests petition sheets showed no evidence of the normal wear that accompanies circulation, and that there were sets of sheets in which two or three distinct handwriting styles appeared on multiple sheets, the complaint claimed nearly 50 of the West campaigns circulators forged or permitted the forgery of at least 18,775 signatures through round-robining and other means. Its to try to steal votes from the [Vice President Kamala] Harris campaign, said Hollowell. West also has been represented by a slew of attorneys with connections to Republican politics. In Michigan, West has received representation from John Bursch, a former state solicitor general under GOP former Attorney General Bill Schuette. Bursch, a member of the Republican National Lawyers Association (RNLA), appeared on Wests behalf Aug. 22 before the Michigan Court of Claims where the campaign successfully contested being disqualified from the ballot due to deficiencies in the candidates affidavit of identity. Bursch has a track record of representing right-wing causes, including anti-LGBTQ+ rights when he argued in 2022 to the Michigan Supreme Court that the states anti-discrimination act should not be interpreted to include protections for sexual orientation and helping to lead an anti-abortion coalition that was opposed to Proposal 3, which enshrined abortion rights in the state constitution. Bursch also received $25,000 for legal consulting on recount issues from former President Donald Trumps 2020 presidential campaign. Its just hugely disturbing to me as a former general counsel of the NAACP, and I still advise the NAACP on election law matters. Hes just a willing pawn of far right-wing sources. Just look at his lawyer, John Bursch, said Hollowell. He was the one that filed the case to invalidate affirmative action in Michigan. He was the one that when I was representing Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald and Gov. [Gretchen] Whitmer in the abortion trial in Oakland (County) Circuit (Court), Bursch was on the other side trying to deny Michigan women the right of control over their bodies. This is Wests lawyer. Bursch told the Advance that he routinely represents and defends individuals and organizations who get pushed around by government officials and powerbrokers, noting his representation of Black voters in a lawsuit filed in March 2022 alleging the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) had violated the Voting Rights Act (VRA) by predominantly drawing several voting districts on the basis of race. A federal judicial panel agreed and ordered new maps be drawn. As we proved at trial, Secretary of State Benson influenced the Commission to hire one of her own campaign contributors as VRA counsel, and he then directed the commissioners to use race in drawing district lines in violation of federal law, said Bursch, who said his representation of Wests campaign was no different. That opinion was strongly contested by Bruce Adelson, the VRA counsel Bursch referred to. Burschs comment is abjectly false, as is your repetition of his comment, said Adelson in an email to the Advance. The MICRCs record contains nothing to support this scurrilous allegation of non-existent influence. Adelsons contributions to Bensons 2018 campaign totalled $325, according to the Michigan Campaign Finance Database. Suggesting that I acted improperly in advising the MICRC because of my monetarily tiny contribution is false and evinces willful disregard of the objective truth, wrote Adelson. Publishing a quote that contains false and potentially defamatory information is similarly cognizable. In addition, I advised, NOT directed, the commission to use race in redistricting pursuant to federal law, notwithstanding the courts objectively erroneous reading of Supreme Court precedent and the VRA. As to his assistance for West, Bursch says he is trying to make sure the candidates are treated fairly under the law. I am assisting Black presidential and vice presidential candidates after the Michigan Democratic Party and the secretary of state tried to keep them off the ballot even though they collected well more than the necessary number of signatures. The primary reason for the exclusion? That an individual who notarized Dr. Wests affidavit of identity put her notary stamp on a separate page than his signature so as not to cover up any of the text, said Bursch. Its frightening that a Michigan official and one of its two major political parties would try to keep an all-Black slate off the ballot for such an absurd reason. And its embarrassing that anyone would call a respected scholar and advocate like Dr. West a willing pawn simply to advance the Michigan Democratic Partys agenda. Thats precisely why Dr. West and Dr. [Melina] Abdullah [Wests running mate] are running for office: to speak for those suppressed by major political machines. Hollowell said that whats frightening is the depths to which Republicans will stoop to try to illegally suppress the votes of African Americans, here in Michigan and across the country, which is what their spoiler candidate West who lost his way long ago is all about. Edwin DeJesus, a West campaign spokesman also sent a statement to the Advance. Its truly fascinating to hear an election attorney suggest that the best way to preserve democracy is to discourage voting, said DeJesus. Thats like saying the best way to save a drowning person is to let them sink. And to imply that Cornel West, who has been a morally consistent voice on critical issues like Gaza, is somehow a GOP pawn? Its almost as if the idea of real change scares them more than the thought of another status quo election. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported earlier this month that other attorneys with deep ties to the Republican Party worked to get West onto the ballot in Arizona, an effort that ultimately failed. Among those attorneys was Brett Johnson, also a member of the RNLA, who the AP reported was involved in communicating with Arizona electors for the West campaign. Johnson is also a partner at Snell & Wilmer, which according to Federal Elections Commission (FEC) records, has done work this election cycle for the Republican National Committee (RNC), the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), the Charlie Kirk-run Turning Point USA political action committee (PAC), and American Values 2024, a super PAC supporting the presidential campaign of independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who recently dropped out of the race and endorsed former Trumps campaign to regain the White House. Another Snell & Wilmer attorney is Amanda Reeve, a former Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives, who said her firm represented the Cornel West campaign, in Arizona. The AP asked West about the right-wing connections. So much of American politics is highly gangster-like activity, West told the AP. I have no knowledge of who they are or anything none whatsoever. We just want to get on that ballot. And thats the difficult thing. More recently, West leaned into pandemic denialism when he posted a video to social media calling for a COVID-19 Truth Commission and joined with Kennedy in sowing anti-vaccine rhetoric. So grateful to you Cornell, for (sic) commitment to ending the corruption, responded Kennedy Jr., who is now a member of Trumps transition team. Also applauding West was Roger Stone, a longtime Trump operative convicted of obstructing Congress in the first of two impeachments of the former president, and also implicated in helping to organize the Jan. 6 insurrection. Something significant is happening in American politics when I wholeheartedly agree with @CornelWest, said Stone on social media. Something significant is happening in American politics when I wholeheartedly agree with @CornelWest Roger Stone (@RogerJStoneJr) August 26, 2024 Other attorneys for West with GOP connections include Bryan Tyson, also a member of the RNLA, who has represented Wests interests in Georgia. Tyson is a partner with the Atlanta-based Election Law Group, which has received $60,000 this year for services to the Republican National Committee. In North Carolina, RNLA member Phil Strach filed litigation last month seeking to force West onto the ballot there after the elections board refused to certify his petitions. Strach is a partner at the Nelson Mullins law firm in Raleigh, which has been paid for services this election cycle by the RNC, and the North Carolina Republican Party. North Carolina is also where individuals associated with the Trump campaign worked to get petition signatures for West to get on the ballot. As The Washington Post reported in April, pro-Trump activist Scott Presler was gathering signatures for West outside a Trump rally in North Carolina. This helps take away votes from Joe Biden, The Post reported Presler told a rallygoer. Were helping the Trump team whos trying to get him on there, a woman assisting Presler added. In Pennsylvania, Matthew Haverstick, a managing partner at Kleinbard LLC, argued that the secretary of states office under Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro was wrong to reject Wests paperwork. Haverstick declined to tell the AP who hired him or why. However, Kleinbard has been paid for services by several Republican entities, including the RNC and NRSC. West also received a maximum individual contribution of $3,300 in 2023 from billionaire Harland Crow, whose gifts of travel and other items of value to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas have come under scrutiny. When asked when or why he thought West, an honorary chairman of the Democratic Socialists of America, had embraced right-wing political figures, Hollowell said he couldnt point to any particular date, but said there was no doubt he had turned a corner. Back in the day, I think he articulated some philosophies that people felt were worthy of consideration for race relations in this country, said Hollowell. But I think people get too enamored with themselves. Others might even say its a form of narcissism. You began to believe that you are the be-all, end-all of whats going on in this world. I think hes been in a spiral for many, many years, a downward spiral. This story was updated to add a statement from the West campaign. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST The Counteroffensive: How Ukraine uses The Lord of the Rings to frame its battle for survival Editors Note: This article was published by the twice-weekly newsletter The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak on Aug. 20, 2024, and has been re-published by the Kyiv Independent with permission. To subscribe to "The Counteroffensive," click here. An isolated land in the East is shrouded in darkness. An evil lord, worshiped as a deity, rules over it. Those who serve him live only for war, bringing nothing but death and destruction. Ukrainians may associate this description with Russia, but its actually an image of Mordor, a fictional country from J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, inhabited by barbarians who serve evil forces known as orcs. The word "orc" has been widely used as a synonym for a Russian soldier since the full-scale war against Ukraine began. Such associations existed long before but became a national narrative in response to Russian atrocities and war crimes in 2022. Information warfare is as crucial as combat on the battlefield, and military narratives play a significant role. Ukrainians were not the first to use literary allegories to boost morale and motivation during a war, but this is one of the first examples of using fantasy heroes to express the horrors of modern warfare by civilians, the military, and government officials alike. Ukrainians see their struggle as a battle between a free people and the embodiment of sheer darkness, reminiscent of Tolkien's tales. To them, Russians are brutal invaders wreaking havoc on another nation. In the early days of the war, these vivid images helped unite Ukrainians and strengthen their resistance. People are very fond of allegories, and The Lord of the Rings is a good source of material for that. The fantasy world is familiar there you face war and fear. And, after reading this story, people want to have faith that there will be a happy ending, Volodymyr Kushnarov, a true fan of The Lord of the Rings, told The Counteroffensive. Volodymyrs fascination with Tolkiens world began when his stepfather took him to a Kyiv cinema to see The Lord of the Rings as a child. Later, as a law student, he read the trilogy and returned to it repeatedly. His deeper interest in Tolkiens universe took root when he began working at a company that distributed Warner Brothers and Disney films in Ukraine. Now 30, Volodymyr collects rare editions of The Lord of the Rings and runs a TikTok blog that immerses Ukrainians in Tolkiens Middle-earth. For me, The Lord of the Rings and all of Tolkien's other works are a pure form of escapism, lore-digging, and comfort-reading, Volodymyr Kushnarov told The Counteroffensive. Same with the movies, which most people are familiar with in such tough times during the war you look for something familiar, known to you, with a happy ending. The events of The Lord of the Rings unfold on the central continent of Middle-earth, Tolkien's fictional world. To the east lies Mordor, a land encircled by mountains and inhabited by orcs, goblins, trolls, and other evil creatures. Sauron, the land's ruler and a master of dark magic, created the One Ring to conquer the free peoples of the West: Elves, Hobbits, and the neighboring human kingdoms. Read also: Opinion: How Oleksandr Dubovyks bouquet philosophy is shaping a global Ukrainian renaissance Comparisons between Mordor and Russia date back to the Soviet era, when Tolkiens works were seen as politically subversive. The USSR banned his books, interpreting orcs as an analogy for the Soviet people. Orcs were creatures without high intelligence who valued quantity over quality in their armies. Isolated and antagonistic toward the rest of the world, they were likened to Soviet citizens. Some scholars, like Mike Fielden, have interpreted Saurons Ring of Power as an allegory for the nuclear weapons that the U.S. and USSR built during the Cold War. Tolkien himself resisted such direct associations. In the foreword to the second edition of The Lord of the Rings, published in 1966, he clarified that the war for the ring was not a reference to World War II, nor was Mordor an allegory for the Soviet Union. "Tolkien doesn't object to such comparisons it's the reader's choicebut he opposed directly linking his work to real-world events. Each reader will find their own experiences in the story," Volodymyr explained. Even after the Soviet Union collapsed, comparisons between Russia and Mordor persisted. In the late 1990s, Russian writer Kirill Yesskov published The Last Ringbearer, which reimagined The Lord of the Rings as a Cold War allegory from the orcs perspective. Yesskov reshaped Tolkiens world, turning orcs into a technologically advanced society battling a "decaying West." The novel won a literary award around the time Russian President Vladimir Putin rose to power. Read also: Opinion: Ukraines oligarchs were once kingmakers. Where are they now? In the early 2010s, Russian publicists Maxim Kalashnikov and Yuri Krupkov encouraged Russians to identify as orcs in their book Orc Wrath. Russian forums and the social network VKontakte were filled with memes jokingly comparing Russia and Moscow to Mordor. Thus, Ukrainians werent the first to draw parallels between Russians and the dark forces of Tolkiens world, but they embraced the comparison. During Ukraines 2013-2014 EuroMaidan Revolution, sparked by then-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovychs decision to pivot toward Russia, Euromaidan protests were seen as a stand against Mordor. The viral video The Hobbit Uprising further cemented this perception, blending footage of the protests with scenes from Peter Jacksons The Lord of the Rings films. Seizing on Ukraines vulnerability amid the revolution, Russia invaded Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Ukrainian soldiers and civilians on the front line began comparing Russian troops to orcs, or creatures who had great hatred for all things free. In 2016, these allegories extended beyond internet jokes. Google Translate famously mistranslated "Russian Federation" as "Mordor" when translating from Ukrainian to Russian. Google attributed the error to an algorithm glitch or hack. The recruitment poster for the Ukrainian military's Third Separate Assault Brigade reads, "Fight in the Third Separate Assault Brigade." (facebook.com/ab3.army)4o Russias pipelines, especially those controlled by Russian gas giant Gazprom, have also been linked to Saurons rings of power, as symbols of control and influence. The Eye of Sauron, representing omnipotence, has been compared to the gas flame. The use of "orcs" for Russian soldiers and "Mordor" for Russia became widespread during the full-scale invasion in 2022. The day after the full-scale invasion began, one of the first Facebook posts by the Ukrainian Armed Forces said: Orcs from Mordor suffer terrible losses! Millions of Ukrainians have since used these terms on social media. In March 2022, then-Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov urged Ukrainians to withstand the onslaught of Mordor. Zelensky also used the term "orcs" to refer to Russians. For example, when Ukraine became a candidate to join the European Union, he remarked that Ukraine was no longer seen as a "border between orcs and elves." Zelensky himself has been compared to a hobbit, a peaceful creature smaller than a dwarf, while Ukrainians are likened to elves fighting orcs in The Lord of the Rings. Goblins, the weakened descendants of orcs who fought alongside Mordor, are associated with Belarusians. It was from Belarusian territory that Russia launched its full-scale war against Kyiv in 2022. Whether through humor or escapism, Tolkiens fans in Ukraine have found solace in the fantasy world created by the series. Mankind will never move beyond war, and thats probably why people love The Lord of the Rings. In the end, there's an irresistible force that saves everyone. All the characters, although they went through terrible things, survived, said Volodymyr, the Tolkien fan. Editors 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. BEIRUT, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah claimed on Thursday afternoon that it had launched a suicide drone attack on the headquarters of the 210th Golan Division of the Israeli army, achieving a "direct" hit. "In response to the enemy's attacks and assassinations that targeted the Bekaa and Masnaa regions, our fighters attacked with squadrons of suicide drones the headquarters of the 210th Golan Division in the Nafah barracks, northern Israel, hitting targets accurately," the Shiite group stated. Hezbollah added in separate statements that its fighters also attacked the Israeli sites of Ruwaisat al-Alam and Al-Samaqa, as well as the barracks of Zar'it and Dovev. Meanwhile, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua that Israeli drones and warplanes on Thursday launched nine raids on four Lebanese border towns and villages, destroying nine homes and damaging about 20 others. Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. The incident happened in the early hours of Wednesday, Aug. 28, according to authorities CBS Philadelphia/Youtube The car being lifted out of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia An amorous couples quality time together took a strange turn after their car rolled into a river in Philadelphia. The incident happened in the early hours of Wednesday, Aug. 28 in Fairmount Park, according to local media outlets NBC10 Philadelphia, CBS News Philadelphia and FOX 29 Philadelphia, citing local police. Per the authorities, the vehicle, which was parked along the roadway, was found in the water of the Schuylkill River at around 4:27 a.m. local time. A police representative told NBC10 Philadelphia they believed the pair were "getting busy" when the vehicle was accidentally shifted into gear and rolled into the water. Getty Fairmount Park in Philadelphia The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! A spokesperson from the Philadelphia Police Department's Public Affairs Office also told CBS News Philadelphia that the couple were "enjoying each other's company" at the time of the incident. Per the outlet, both individuals inside the car were able to safely get out of the vehicle while it was in the water and no one was injured. According to CBS News Philadelphia, dive crews began pulling the car out of the river around 8:30 a.m. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Police Department and the Philadelphia Fire Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for additional information. This is the second car to end up in the Schuylkill River over the last two weeks, per CBS News Philadelphia and FOX 29 Philadelphia. Per the outlets, police said the vehicle was pulled from the river but they found no one inside or any passengers in the area. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. A Fulton County couple is suing Emory University Hospital Midtown and Emory University Healthcare claiming that a lack of treatment at the hospital led to the death of their unborn son. Crystal Bealing and Joshua McCreary filed the lawsuit in Fulton County court on Aug. 22, accusing Emory Healthcare staff failed to provide medical treatment to Bealing, who at the time was 38 weeks pregnant. On Aug. 22, 2022, Bealing and McCreary say in their court filing that theyd gone to a prenatal medical exam performed by an Emory doctor, who said that both Bealing and the baby were fine at the end of the exam. Following the exam, Bealing went home and went to bed to rest. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] That evening, the lawsuit says she woke up and took a shower, when she started to feel sharp contractions in her stomach which caused her so much pain she was unable to stand properly. After crawling out of the bathroom and calling for her godfather for help, he helped her get dressed and called McCreary. Bealings lawsuit says she then got on the couch in the living room, still in excruciating pain and noticed she was bleeding heavily, which increased her feeling that she needed immediate emergency medical attention. Bealing and McCreary arrived at Emory Midtown Hospital around 9:30 p.m., with the lawsuit saying they immediately went to the emergency room for treatment. Bealing says she was having trouble breathing and was in severe, consistent pain in her stomach area. TRENDING STORIES: At the hospital, the lawsuit says The stomach pain was so severe Mrs. Bealing was unable to walk or sit in an upright position. and that she continued to bleed heavily while also feeling like she would vomit. Bealing and McCreary claim that because she was pregnant and had specific conditions which deserved immediate medical attention, she expected to immediately receive treatment or examination by Emory staff, even requesting it. Instead, the couple says in the lawsuit that they were completely ignored by hospital staff before being asked to fill out an intake form 20 minutes later. The form contained what Bealing said was a voluntary agreement to alternative dispute resolution, which Bealing refused to sign, according to the court document. While waiting for treatment, Bealing continually ignored, according to the lawsuit, even while she continued to bleed from her lower regions and vomited twice in view of hospital staff. Eventually, the lawsuit claims a staff member brought over a wheelchair to take Bealing to the Maternity ER, where she was placed along a hallway against a wall, and did not receive treatment because a staff member said there was a shift change of the employees and no beds available for her. After seeing new staff come into the maternity waiting area, Bealings lawsuit says they failed to offer any treatment, examination, aid or evaluations. Bealings lawsuit claims that before going to the hospital, she had been able to feel her unborn child kicking, but while waiting for treatment at the Emory Hospital in Midtown, she felt the kicking suddenly stop. The court record says the continuing bleeding and pain, combined with the lack of treatment and sudden stopping of her unborn childs kicking, Bealing asked McCreary to take her to another hospital. Two hours after leaving Emory Midtown and arriving at Piedmont Hospital, Bealing was treated immediately and taken to the hospitals Maternity Emergency Unit. In the early hours of the following morning, Piedmont staff announced that Bealings son had passed while she was undergoing treatment. Bealing said in the lawsuit that her unborn child died of a placental abruption, or a premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall. Eventually, Bealing had her unborn son removed from her womb via induced delivery and the baby, who the parents chose to name Carmelo Arthur McCreary-Bealing, was born dead, according to the lawsuit, on Aug. 24, 2022. Five days later, Bealing and McCreary cremated their child. As a result of their experience at Emory, Bealing and McCreary are suing the hospital and healthcare system for claims of gross negligence, negligence and vicarious liability, accusing them of failing to exercise a standard of care or skill expected under the conditions of what the couple and their unborn child were going through. Along with the lawsuit, Bealing and McCreary included an affidavit from Dr. Shoal P. Pittman, an OB/GYN working for Kaiser Permanente. Pittmans affidavit is focused on a post-treatment review of Bealing by Emory University Hospital, Piedmont Hospital and Emory Womens Center at Saint Josephs Hospital. There is no record of any care or treatment being provided to Crystal Bealing by any qualified healthcare provider throughout her time as a patient at Emory University Midtown Hospital, Pittman wrote in her affidavit. There is also no record that Crystal Bealing was ever advised to remain and wait for treatment. Emory University Midtown Hospitals doctors and staff failed to recognize, evaluate, and treat Crystal Bealings obstetric hemorrhage and placental abruption, leading to her injuries and the death of her unborn son. Multiple unnamed defendants are listed as additional parties accused of taking part in the alleged medical malpractice. Bealing and McCreary are demanding a jury trial and compensatory damages in excess of $10,000 per defendant. Channel 2 Action News has reached out to Emory University Healthcare for comment. A spokeswoman said Emory Healthcare is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care to our patients, their families and our community. Because of federal privacy laws, we are unable to comment on any specific patients care. We also do not comment on pending litigation. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: A county prosecutor in St. Louis, Missouri, presented DNA evidence Wednesday alleging that a death row inmate convicted of first-degree murder is innocent in a case that has drawn opposition from the state attorney general. Marcellus Williams, 55, who has maintained his innocence, is scheduled to be executed on Sept. 24 for the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle, according to court documents. He was charged in 1999 and found guilty in 2001. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, headed by Wesley Bell, told ABC News in a statement Wednesday that the lead prosecutor and investigator who initially tried the case two decades ago handled the knife used to kill Gayle without gloves and their DNA was found on the evidence. "DNA from two members of the trial team were found on the murder weapon in testing we did for this hearing," Bell's office told ABC News in a statement Wednesday. "In open court today, a DNA expert testified that their improper handling of the weapon could have eliminated other DNA evidence. Williams' DNA was never recovered from the knife." Bells office did not address whether they are asking the judge to invalidate the knife as evidence because of improper handling. Williams was set to enter an Alford plea after a circuit court judge, and Bell agreed to it last week. An Alford plea would allow him to accept the consequences of a guilty plea but would not require him to admit specific wrongdoing to get his sentence reduced to life in prison without parole, according to the county prosecutor's office. PHOTO: Marcellus Williams, 55, pled guilty to first-degree murder to avoid an execution sentence for the 1998 killing of Felicia Gayle. (Courtesy of Marcellus Williams' Legal Team) Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey argued that the move to vacate Williams' death sentence should not have been allowed, saying in a statement that the "defense created a false narrative of innocence in order to get a convicted murderer off of death row and fulfill their political ends." Wednesday's hearing came after the Missouri State Supreme Court ruled last Thursday in favor of a request from Bailey for the circuit court to first hold an evidentiary proceeding before considering vacating the death sentence. "It is in the interest of every Missourian that the rule of law is fought for and upheld every time, without fail," according to a statement from Bailey last Thursday. "I am glad the Missouri Supreme Court recognized that. We look forward to putting on evidence in a hearing like we were prepared to do yesterday [when the circuit judge agreed to vacate Williams' death sentence]." The State Attorney General's Office did not respond to ABC News' request for further comments after the evidentiary hearing. MORE: Wife of Missouri man who says he was falsely imprisoned for 33 years speaks out The county prosecutor's office submitted the 63-page motion on Jan. 26 to vacate Williams conviction. "Despite the fact that no reliable evidence has ever connected Mr. Williams to the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle," The Innocence Project, who is representing Williams, told ABC News in a statement Wednesday. "Attorney General Andrew Bailey has vigorously fought to prevent the court from vacating Mr. Williams conviction and to execute him on September 24." In the summer of 2024, Bailey has litigated against three wrongful-conviction claims opposing local prosecutors and judges, according to The New York Times, including the Christopher Dunn case, in which the state attorney general did not accept the recanting of testimonies of two witnesses who previously tied Dunn to the murder of a teenager in 1990. Dunn was released from prison after Bailey appealed the ruling of a circuit court judge who vacated Dunns conviction. PHOTO: Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey arrives to testify during the House Homeland Security Committee hearing on 'Havoc in the Heartland: How Secretary Mayorkas' Failed Leadership Has Impacted the States' in Washington, DC, Jan. 10, 2024. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) Williams was convicted on June 15, 2001, of first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, armed criminal action and robbery connected to events at Gayles home in suburban St. Louis, according to court documents. Gayle was found murdered with more than 43 stab wounds in her home on Aug. 11, 1998, according to the county prosecutor's motion. The kitchen knife used in the killing was left lodged in Gayles body, according to court documents. Blood, hair, fingerprints and shoe prints believed to belong to the perpetrator were found around the home. Gayles purse and her husbands laptop were declared missing after the attack, according to county prosecutor's motion. "None of this physical evidence tied Mr. Williams to Ms. Gayles murder," according to the motion filed by Bells office. "Mr. Williams was excluded as the source of the footprints, Mr. Williams was excluded by microscopy as the source of the hairs found near Ms. Gayles body and Mr. Williams was not found to be the source of the fingerprints." About a year after Gayles death, Henry Cole, a man who had been recently released from jail, told authorities that he had been Williams cellmate and heard him admit to the murder, according to court documents. In November 1999, Laura Asaro, Williams girlfriend at the time, told police that Williams confessed to her that he killed Gayle, according to Bells motion. The prosecutions case was largely dependent on these two witness accounts, the motion said. MORE: The fight for exoneration: Over 29,100 years 'lost' in prison in wrongful convictions, database finds In court documents, Bells office claimed there were significant issues with the credibility of Cole and Asaros accounts, which they said were inconsistent over time and contained testimony that didnt line up with physical evidence. Bells office also alleged that both witnesses had incentives to testify, including a possible cash reward to find Gayle's killer and, in Asaro's case, an offer of help from police with her outstanding warrants. Williams pawned the laptop stolen from Gayles home, but the motion alleges the buyer of the computer told investigators that Williams explained to him that Asaro had given him the laptop to sell for her. The jury who convicted Williams was not allowed to hear testimony that Williams said he received the laptop from Asaro because the testimony would have been hearsay. Williams was convicted in June 2001 and sentenced to death. In 2017, when Williams was hours away from execution, then-Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens granted him a reprieve so a panel could evaluate his conviction. Last year, Gov. Mike Parson disbanded the panel, according to court documents. A day after the governor dissolved the panel, Bailey asked the State Supreme Court to schedule an execution date. Parson said that he is open to discussing clemency for Williams, according to a statement on Monday obtained by ABC News. "One of the defenses own experts previously testified he could not rule out the possibility that Williams DNA was also on the knife. He could only testify to the fact that enough actors had handled the knife throughout the legal process that others DNA was present," read a statement from Bailey last week. PHOTO: St. Louis County prosecutor and congressional candidate Wesley Bell speaks during a campaign stop at a Ward meeting held at the American Czech Center in St. Louis, Mo., July 11, 2024. (Michael B. Thomas/The Washington Post via Getty Images) The county prosecuting attorney's office said the state's claim that one of their expert witnesses could not rule out Williams's DNA on the weapon was insignificant. "The AG (attorney general) is arguing about a motion that was not taken up by the court today and has no bearing on the matter," read the statement from Bell's office. The circuit court has until Sept. 13 to make a ruling on Williams' case after the evidentiary hearing, according to court documents. ABC News' Davi Merchan and Deena Zaru contributed to this report. Court holds evidentiary hearing for Missouri death row inmate claiming innocence before execution date originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The new COVID vaccine is here. Why these are the best times to get immunized With the new COVID-19 vaccinations for the 202425 season arriving in California and across the nation, an important question arises: When is the best time to get the shot? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says September and October are generally the best times for most people to get the COVID immunization. But which month is better for your particular situation? Should you rush to get the shot now, considering the high levels of COVID circulating in California? Or should you wait till closer to Halloween in hopes that doing so will extend more robust protection against infection through Christmas and into the New Year? And what about people who got infected recently or got the old immunization formula a couple of months ago? Providers in California began administering COVID-19 immunizations using the latest formulation this week. Appointments are available at CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Ralphs, Vons, Albertsons, Pavilions and Safeway stores. Kaiser Permanente expects to begin making vaccines available by mid-September and possibly earlier in some locations. Sutter Health is also aiming for a mid-September rollout. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months old and older get the updated COVID-19 vaccination, which was authorized for distribution by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week. Read more: As COVID wave wallops California, new vaccines arrive this week. Will it be a turning point? Here are some factors to consider: The case for October The head of the CDC suggested that the most important decision is not when to get the vaccination, but just getting it. "The important part is getting it done, CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen said at a briefing. If September, from a calendar perspective, works better for folks, great. October gets you closer to the winter season. But the important part is getting it done. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a UC San Francisco infectious disease expert, makes the case for an October dose. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine now or in October will offer good protection against severe disease for at least a year, he said. But the best protection against infection is roughly within six to eight weeks after getting vaccinated although that window can be wider if the vaccine is a close match to circulating subvariants, Chin-Hong said. To me, the sweet spot is always October, he said, as its closer to the peak of the late fall and winter respiratory virus season, as well as major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. Based on wastewater data during the last two winters, COVID peaked in California and nationally either the last week of December or the first week of January. Read more: 'A much more infectious' COVID variant fueling Californias relentless surge The case for September But Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious diseases for Kaiser Permanente Southern California, suggested that people get the vaccine as soon as they can. "The way that COVID is looking now with just the sheer volume of cases this is not a year that you want to wait," Hudson said. "As soon as you are able to get the vaccine, you should get it." COVID-19 continues to circulate at a very high level nationally and in California. Depending on the region, health officials are "potentially seeing some indication of a plateauing of the summer increase in COVID-19, said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, who heads the CDCs National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Still, were not out of the woods yet, he added. Trends wont be clear until there are a few weeks of sustained declines, and that hasn't happened yet. Not only is the hyperinfectious KP.3.1.1 subvariant gaining dominance nationwide, doctors also are closely watching a new upstart subvariant, XEC, that has been getting attention in Europe. Dr. Peter Marks, the FDAs vaccine chief, said in an Aug. 23 briefing that he has scheduled his vaccine appointment. Getting vaccinated now probably gives you the maximum amount of protection that you can get against whats currently circulating, and that will last for several months, at least, he said. What about seniors and immunocompromised people? Chin-Hong said there are certain people he would urge to get the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible. That includes those who are older or immunocompromised and havent been vaccinated in more than a year. Those groups are at highest risk for being hospitalized with COVID, Chin-Hong said. I would love them to get protected," he said. Dr. Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in San Diego, offered some questions people should ask themselves to determine whether they should get vaccinated now versus in October. "How long has it been since you had a booster? If it's been more than six months, you know your immunity has waned," Topol said. "How is your risk? Are you older greater than 65? Are you immunocompromised? Are you somebody with a lot of comorbidities? You might want to just go now [if so], because you're vulnerable." "For people at risk, I don't think it's a good idea to delay," Topol said. Another question: Are you getting vaccinated to reduce your chance of long COVID? "Because the studies in totality suggest up to a 50% reduction of long COVID" following vaccination, he said. "In fact, that's people in their 30s and 40s that are at the highest risk for long COVID after a mild infection, and a lot of people tend to forget that issue." Another consideration is whether you are about to go on a trip or planning an unmissable event or experience. Right now, if they want to prevent infection, its a good time to get something because its so closely matched to whats going around, Chin-Hong said of the new vaccine. But if you're doing lower-risk activities now and would rather save your time of enhanced protection against infection for the late fall and winter holidays, some doctors say it's reasonable to wait until October to get vaccinated. Already, it appears that XEC, the new subvariant detected in Europe, may be a contender for a late autumn and winter COVID wave, Topol said. "Waiting a couple extra months so you're closer to whatever the next wave/wavelet is like, that's a reasonable plan," Topol said. Topol said he got his COVID-19 vaccination Friday, in part because he's going on a cross-country trip and he'll be indoors with crowds and unable to avoid exposure to the virus, he said. Masking remains important to avoid infection, but there are some situations where people may not be able to wear a mask all the time. Overall, though, there isn't any one simple answer as to whether September or October is better for timing your COVID vaccination. "It's really up to the person," Topol said. Read more: California COVID surge is surprisingly stronger, longer-lasting than experts had expected What about people who had COVID-19 recently? After infection, people may consider waiting three months to get the latest COVID vaccination, according to the CDC. In terms of when to start counting the three-month period, Hudson said a good rule of thumb would be from when your symptoms began or, if asymptomatic, when you were diagnosed. Part of that reason, the CDC says, is that "the risk of getting COVID-19 is less likely in the weeks to months following a SARS-CoV-2 infection," using the formal name of the virus that causes COVID. Besides potentially being able to benefit from some natural immunity, "there are also some studies that show that waiting for a few months after youve had COVID to get your COVID vaccine may increase your overall level of protection," Hudson said. But this advice applies only to people who are at lower risk for COVID and its complications, Hudson added. For those at higher risk such as seniors 65 and older and those who are immunocompromised or anyone in frequent contact with people at higher risk, "they should get their vaccine as soon as they're feeling better," she said. What about people who got the old vaccine this summer? A number of people who weren't up to date on their vaccinations may have gotten the old vaccine formula originally released in September 2023 over the summer. Those people should wait two months before getting the newer shot, Hudson said. What are possible side effects of the COVID vaccine? As has been the case since the vaccines were first released in late 2020, some people feel no side effects. Others may feel tired afterward, or experience aches, chills, nausea or fever. They "generally go away in a few days and tend to be mild and temporary," the CDC says, and are nowhere near as bad as the symptoms that can accompany a COVID illness. Some doctors suggest scheduling your COVID vaccination when you will have time to rest afterward. What about the flu shot? This season's flu shots are widely available, and the CDC recommends everyone age 6 months old and older get them in September or October. Since flu, like COVID, is a respiratory illness that tends to be particularly active during the colder winter months, officials say similar considerations apply when weighing when best to roll up your sleeve. You can get a flu shot at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. What about RSV? A vaccine is also now available for respiratory syncytial virus the third leg of the "tripledemic" that strained hospitals in recent years. The CDC has simplified recommendations on who should get vaccinated for RSV. The agency now recommends the shots for all adults age 75 and older, as well as those ages 60 to 74 who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease. Those risk factors include having chronic heart or lung disease, a weakened immune system, certain medical conditions like severe obesity and severe diabetes, and living in a nursing home. The RSV vaccine is not annual, meaning people who got one last year dont need to get another one at this time, the CDC said. The RSV, flu and COVID shots can all be administered during the same doctor's visit. An RSV vaccine is also available for expectant mothers at weeks 32 to 36 of pregnancy to pass protection to their fetuses. An RSV antibody is available for babies and some young children, too. 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 new COVID vaccine is out. Why you might not want to rush to get it. Peter Marks, the FDAs top vaccine official, is urging everyone eligible to get immunized, saying the risk of long COVID is greater in the un- and undervaccinated. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) The FDA has approved an updated COVID shot for everyone 6 months old and up, which renews a now-annual quandary for Americans: Get the shot now, with the latest COVID outbreak sweeping the country, or hold it in reserve for the winter wave? The new vaccine should provide some protection to everyone. But many healthy people who have already been vaccinated or have immunity because theyve been exposed to COVID enough times may want to wait a few months. COVID has become commonplace. For some, its a minor illness with few symptoms. Others are laid up with fever, cough, and fatigue for days or weeks. A much smaller group mostly older or chronically ill people suffer hospitalization or death. Its important for those in high-risk groups to get vaccinated, but vaccine protection wanes after a few months. Those who run to get the new vaccine may be more likely to fall ill this winter when the next wave hits, said William Schaffner, an infectious disease professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and a spokesperson for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. On the other hand, by late fall the major variants may have changed, rendering the vaccine less effective, said Peter Marks, the FDAs top vaccine official, at a briefing Aug. 23. He urged everyone eligible to get immunized, noting that the risk of long COVID is greater in the un- and undervaccinated. Of course, if last years COVID vaccine rollout is any guide, few Americans will heed his advice, even though this summers surge has been unusually intense, with levels of the COVID virus in wastewater suggesting infections are as widespread as they were in the winter. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now looks to wastewater as fewer people are reporting test results to health authorities. The wastewater data shows the epidemic is worst in Western and Southern states. In New York, for example, levels are considered high compared with very high in Georgia. Hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID have trended up, too. But unlike infections, these rates are nowhere near those seen in winter surges, or in summers past. More than 2,000 people died of covid in July a high number but a small fraction of the at least 25,700 covid deaths in July 2020. Partial immunity built up through vaccines and prior infections deserves credit for this relief. A new study suggests that current variants may be less virulent in the study, one of the recent variants did not kill mice exposed to it, unlike most earlier COVID variants. Public health officials note that even with more cases this summer, people seem to be managing their sickness at home. We did see a little rise in the number of cases, but it didnt have a significant impact in terms of hospitalizations and emergency room visits, said Manisha Juthani, public health commissioner of Connecticut, at a news briefing Aug. 21. Thriving in hot weather Unlike influenza or traditional cold viruses, covid seems to thrive outside the cold months, when germy schoolkids, dry air, and indoor activities are thought to enable the spread of air- and saliva-borne viruses. No one is exactly sure why. COVID is still very transmissible, very new, and people congregate inside in air-conditioned rooms during the summer, said John Moore, a virologist and professor at Cornell Universitys Weill Cornell Medicine College. Or maybe COVID is more tolerant of humidity or other environmental conditions in the summer, said Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University. Because viruses evolve as they infect people, the CDC has recommended updated COVID vaccines each year. Last falls booster was designed to target the omicron variant circulating in 2023. This year, mRNA vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer and the protein-based vaccine from Novavax which has yet to be approved by the FDA target a more recent omicron variant, JN.1. The FDA determined that the mRNA vaccines strongly protected people from severe disease and death and would do so even though earlier variants of JN.1 are now being overtaken by others. Fewer get vaccinated Public interest in COVID vaccines has waned, with only 1 in 5 adults getting vaccinated since last September, compared with about 80% who got the first dose. New Yorkers have been slightly above the national vaccination rate, while in Georgia only about 17% got the latest shot. Vaccine uptake is lower in states where the majority voted for former president Donald Trump in 2020 and among those who have less money and education, less health care access, or less time off from work. These groups are also more likely to be hospitalized or die of the disease, according to a 2023 study in The Lancet. While the newly formulated vaccines are better targeted at the circulating COVID variants, uninsured and underinsured Americans may have to rush if they hope to get one for free. A CDC program that provided boosters to 1.5 million people over the last year ran out of money and is ending Aug. 31. The agency drummed up $62 million in unspent funds to pay state and local health departments to provide the new shots to those not covered by insurance. But that may not go very far if the vaccine costs the agency around $86 a dose, as it did last year, said Kelly Moore, CEO of Immunize.org, which advocates for vaccination. People who pay out-of-pocket at pharmacies face higher prices: CVS plans to sell the updated vaccine for $201.99, said Amy Thibault, a spokesperson for the company. Price can be a barrier, access can be a barrier to vaccination, said David Scales, an assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. Without an access program that provides vaccines to uninsured adults, well see disparities in health outcomes and disproportionate outbreaks in the working poor, who can ill afford to take off work, Kelly Moore said. New York state has about $1 million to fill the gaps when the CDCs program ends, said Danielle De Souza, a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Health. That will buy around 12,500 doses for uninsured and underinsured adults, she said. There are roughly one million uninsured people in the state. Treat vaccinations like flu vaccines CDC and FDA experts last year decided to promote annual fall vaccination against covid and influenza along with a one-time respiratory syncytial virus shot for some groups. It would be impractical for the vaccine-makers to change the COVID vaccines recipe twice every year, and offering the three vaccines during one or two health care visits appears to be the best way to increase uptake of all of them, said Schaffner, who consults for the CDCs policy-setting Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. At its next meeting, in October, the committee is likely to urge vulnerable people to get a second dose of the same COVID vaccine in the spring, for protection against the next summer wave, he said. If youre in a vulnerable population and waiting to get vaccinated until closer to the holiday season, Schaffner said, it makes sense to wear a mask and avoid big crowds, and to get a test if you think you have COVID. If positive, people in these groups should seek medical attention since the antiviral pill Paxlovid might ameliorate their symptoms and keep them out of the hospital. As for conscientious others who feel they may be sick and dont want to spread the COVID virus, the best advice is to get a single test and, if positive, try to isolate for a few days and then wear a mask for several days while avoiding crowded rooms. Repeat testing after a positive result is pointless, since viral particles in the nose may remain for days without signifying a risk of infecting others, Schaffner said. The Health and Human Services Department is making four free COVID tests available to anyone who requests them starting in late September through covidtest.gov, said Dawn OConnell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response, at the Aug. 23 briefing. The government is focusing its fall vaccine advocacy campaign, which its calling Risk less, live more, on older people and nursing home residents, said HHS spokesperson Jeff Nesbit. Not everyone may really need a fall COVID booster, but its not wrong to give people options, John Moore said. The 20-year-old athlete is less at risk than the 70-year-old overweight dude. Its as simple as that. KFF Health News correspondent Amy Maxmen contributed to this report. Healthbeat is a nonprofit newsroom covering public health published by Civic News Company and KFF Health News. Sign up for their newsletters here. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF. UPDATE 8/28/24 9:00p.m. The Columbus Police Departments Violent Crimes Unit is investigating Tuesday nights deadly shooting at the Grove Park Apartments. Tuesday around 8:55 p.m., police found the victim, 24-year-old Jabreia Burston, in the parking lot injured from being shot. Burston was taken to Piedmont Columbus Regional, where she died Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. Police urge anyone with information on this case to contact Cpl. C. Alexander at 706-225-4263 or by emailing calexander@columbusga.org. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) The Muscogee County Coroner has confirmed one person has died after a shooting Tuesday night. Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan says 24-year-old Jabreia Burston was pronounced dead by a ICU Physician after suffering multiple gunshot wounds. This is a developing story, this article will be updated when more information is available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. Crime Stoppers: 1 wanted, 3 requests for information LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) This week on Crime Stoppers, police need your help in locating one person wanted on a warrant and identifying suspects in three separate crimes. If you have information regarding the cases below, call Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan at (517) 483-STOP. You can remain anonymous. Those who contact Crime Stoppers with information can receive up to a $1,000 award. Identify suspects in school break-in The Jackson County Sheriffs Department is asking for any information that could help identify three suspectsone female and two malewho broke into Vandercook Lake High School, both stealing and damaging school property on Aug. 27, 2024 at 3:15 a.m. (JCSD) (JCSD) (JCSD) Identify suspects in church break-in The Lansing Police Department is asking for any information that could identify three people who broke into a church in the north end of Lansing and damaged property inside of the building on July 14, 2024 between 5:005:45 a.m. (LPD) (LPD) (LPD) Identify suspect in larceny The Lansing Police Department is asking for any information that could identify an individual who committed larceny on the 300 block of E Jolly Rd. on Aug. 21, 2024. (LPD) (LPD) (LPD) Cornelius Dupri Jackson Cornelius Dupri Jackson, 48, is wanted on multiple felony warrants for shoplifting out of Eaton County. He is 65 and 300 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. (Courtesy Eaton County law enforcement) (WLNS) Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. One unknown day millions of years ago, a prehistoric manatee relative was attacked by a hungry crocodile. After it was killed by the crocodile, the seacows remains were scavenged by a tiger shark. This prehistoric food chain anecdote is based on new fossil evidence detailed in a study published August 29 in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. The findings suggest some similarities between the key players in the Miocene food chain and those living on Earth today. Prey, predator, and scavenger Scientists have found other evidence of animals eating one another in the fossil record that can tell them a great deal about where organisms belonged on prehistoric food chains. The mighty megalodon snacked on sperm whale snouts and may have even competed with great white sharks for resources. About 508 million years ago, Tokummia katalepsis captured soft prey with claws that worked like can openers. In this new study, a team of paleontologists digging in present day northwestern Venezuela found the fossilized skull of a dugong sea cow from the extinct genus Culebratherium. The fossil dates about 23 million to 11.6 million years to the Early to Middle Miocene epoch. [Related: Meet the extinct sea cow that cultivated Pacific kelp forests.] Some conspicuous deep tooth impacts focused on the sea cows snout, suggest that the crocodile first attempted to grasp its prey by the snout to suffocate it. Two further large incisions indicate that the crocodile then likely executed a death roll while grasping the sea cow. This behavior is still commonly observed in modern crocodiles. Additionally, the team found the tiger shark tooth in the sea cows neck. There were also shark bite marks throughout its skeleton that the team believes show how the remains were picked apart by the scavengers. Modern tiger sharks are also well known scavengers who will eat pretty much anything. Today, often when we observe a predator in the wild, we find the carcass of prey which demonstrates its function as a food source for other animals too; but fossil records of this are rarer, Aldo Benites-Palomino, a study co-author and paleontologist from the University of Zurich in Switzerland, said in a statement. We have been unsure as to which animals would serve this purpose as a food source for multiple predators. Our previous research has identified sperm whales scavenged by several shark species, and this new research highlights the importance of sea cows within the food chain. While evidence of predator-prey interactions can be found in the fossil record, they tend to be in the form of broken-up fossils with marks whose significance is not entirely clear. This makes differentiating marks of active predation and scavenging events challenging, according to Benites-Palomino. Our findings constitute one of the few records documenting multiple predators over a single prey, and as such provide a glimpse of food chain networks in this region during the Miocene, said Benites-Palomino. A paleontological rescue operation The international team of scientists found the fossil in outcrops of the Early to Middle Miocene Agua Clara Formation, south of the city of Coro, Venezuela. The remains included a fragmentary skeleton with a partial skull and eighteen associated vertebrae. The preservation of the fossils cortical layerwhich defined how the brains gray matter was structuredalso helped them observe such detailed evidence of prehistoric predation. Study co-author and University of Zurich palaeobiologist Marcelo R Sanchez-Villagra called the discovery remarkable, partially because it was found 62 miles away from other fossils and how they found it. [Related: This tiger-sized, saber-toothed, rhino-skinned predator thrived before the Great Dying.] We first learned about the site through word of mouth from a local farmer who had noticed some unusual rocks. Intrigued, we decided to investigate, Sanchez-Villagra said in a statement. Initially, we were unfamiliar with the sites geology, and the first fossils we unearthed were parts of skulls. It took us some time to determine what they weresea cow remains, which are quite peculiar in appearance. The team consulted geological maps of the areas and examined the sediments in this new area. That helped them determine the age of the rocks in which these fossils were uncovered. It took several site visits to completely unearth the remains, since these were relatively sizable animal remains. After locating the fossil site, our team organized a paleontological rescue operation, employing extraction techniques with full casing protection, said Sanchez-Villagra. The operation took about seven hours, with a team of five people working on the fossil. The subsequent preparation took several months, especially the meticulous work of preparing and restoring the cranial elements. Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Chairman Peter Lengkeek takes media questions after a roundtable about public safety on tribal lands with Sen. Mike Rounds, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and other tribal leaders on Aug. 14, 2024, in Wagner. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Chairman Peter Lengkeek takes media questions after a roundtable about public safety on tribal lands with Sen. Mike Rounds, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and other tribal leaders on Aug. 14, 2024, in Wagner. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe has expanded state law enforcements ability to assist federal officers on the central South Dakota reservation, agreeing this month to a unique partnership between the state and a tribal nation. The agreement allows the South Dakota Highway Patrol to respond to calls on the Crow Creek Reservation upon the tribes request, said Crow Creek Chairman Peter Lengkeek. The original agreement only allowed Highway Patrol to help with law enforcement over one weekend, for the tribes annual powwow, or wacipi. Highway Patrol troopers will not attempt to enforce or apply state laws on the reservation while assisting tribal law enforcement, the agreement reads, but officers can assist with the enforcement of Crow Creek Sioux tribal law and federal law. Officers are not allowed to serve state warrants, Lengkeek said. He envisions troopers performing sobriety checks or saturation patrols when theres a large event drawing people to the reservation. Theyre not able to take that person into custody, because they cant detain a tribal member, Lengkeek said. They can stand there and make sure the person doesnt run off, but ultimately its tribal law enforcement that will make arrests. An Oglala Lakota Nation police vehicle parks at the Wounded Knee Memorial site on July 30, 2024. Three tribal members sell artisan crafts in the parking lot to tourists. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) Although this is the only current law enforcement partnership of its kind between the state and a tribal nation, according to the state Department of Public Safety, there is precedent for cooperation at the county level. In 2022, the Oglala Sioux Tribe signed an agreement with the Pennington County Sheriffs Office allowing the office to provide mutual aid when requested. Partnership similar to Noem proposals but made without her involvement, tribal leader says The amended agreement comes seven months after Gov. Kristi Noem gave a speech to lawmakers linking illegal U.S.-Mexico border crossings to alleged drug cartel activity on reservations. Lengkeek and other tribal leaders pushed back on the speech and Noems later comments suggesting that some tribal leaders are personally benefiting from a drug cartel presence on their lands. Representatives of all nine tribes in the state have since voted to ban Noem from their reservations. Noem sent letters to all tribal leaders in February and March asking them to enter into a law enforcement agreement similar to the one Crow Creek has now signed, so South Dakota Highway Patrol officers could assist in enforcing tribal law upon request without encroaching on tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction. Noem praised the new partnership. This mutual aid agreement recognizes the sovereignty of the tribe and ensures cooperation between tribal and state law enforcement officers to work together to uphold tribal law and help make their communities safer, Noem told South Dakota Searchlight in a statement. The amended agreement Lengkeek signed this month was something he began considering a year ago, he said, when he called a public safety state of emergency on the Crow Creek Reservation after the fatal shooting of a young man in 2023. Crow Creek is one of the few South Dakota tribes that doesnt operate its own police force with federal funding. Officers with the federal governments Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Office of Justice Services provide law enforcement services for Crow Creek and the neighboring Lower Brule Reservation. But Crow Creek leaders have argued that BIA officers arent always able to respond to calls in a timely fashion. Its not adequate, Lengkeek said. We are undermanned, under-resourced, under-funded. Crow Creek worked to take public safety into its own hands after the shooting last year, including establishing security checkpoints at reservation entrances, creating a public safety task force, and carrying out a gun buyback program. The task force was disbanded earlier this year. A tribal police car drives past a boarded up apartment complex on Main Street of Eagle Butte, South Dakota on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. (Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight) Lengkeek said he worked directly with the Highway Patrol on the new agreement and did not work with the governor. We handled this on our own, Lengkeek said. We dont need the governor to do this. None of the eight other tribal nations within South Dakota have taken up Noem on her partnership agreement. Tribal leaders, state hope to see success, more public safety partnerships Lengkeek hopes the new agreement will continue even if tribal law enforcement becomes fully staffed. Tribal leaders from all nine nations attended a roundtable discussion this month with U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, where they discussed inadequate federal funding for tribal law enforcement. I dont foresee this relationship ever ending. Hopefully were able to strengthen it, Lengkeek said. I want my people not to be afraid anymore. Thats what Im working toward. He also hopes the agreement can serve as a model of public safety partnership between the state and tribal nations. Noem agreed, saying she looks forward to more tribes using this agreement as a model. Yankton Sioux Tribal Chairman Robert Flying Hawk said he is interested in an agreement similar to the Crow Creek-Highway Patrol partnership, whether its with the Highway Patrol or with other law enforcement agencies near the reservation. Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairwoman Janet Alkire said all tribal leaders have to consult with tribal members before proceeding. None of us can make any decisions unless we take it to our people, Alkire said. Its an ongoing education process for them to understand the exercise of true sovereignty and that we hold the key to that. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The New Mexico Office of the State Auditor (OSA) is officially investigating the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) for potential fraud, waste and abuse, the New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC) announced in a news release sent Wednesday, Aug. 28. Investigation request submitted against CRRUA on behalf of New Mexico communities CRRUA provides water and wastewater service to Sunland Park and Santa Teresa. NMELC said that on Monday, Aug. 19, OSA responded to Sunland Park and Santa Teresa community members request for an investigation into CRRUA. CRRUA is being investigated for any and all violations of environmental protection laws; consumer protection laws; the New Mexico Open Meetings Act; and waste, fraud, and abuse of state and federal funds, according to NMELC. In the document attached below, OSA informed NMELC that it already has initiated the CRRUA investigation. 2024-0819-OSA-Letter-in-Response-to-NMELC_FINAL-2-1Download As we previously reported, the utility has been under fire for months over concerns about water quality and discolored water. Some residents have told KTSM that the issues have been going on for years. CRRUA under scrutiny again for water quality issues It was definitely a surprise to hear that the New Mexico State Auditors Office had already begun an investigation into CRRUA. The New Mexicans who have been suffering from arsenic contaminated drinking water, excessively high monthly charges are entitled to know what their state government is doing to remedy the situation. They deserve better than the same paternalistic course of, Dont worry we are taking care of it, Daisy Maldonado, director, Empowerment Congress NM said. The OSA said it would incorporate the communitys input and allegations in the request into the OSAs investigation, as well as refer all allegations of state law violations for compliance testing during this years annual comprehensive audit of CRRUA, according to NMELC. Each year, the OSA requires all independent public accountants performing audits on behalf of the OSA to test for state law compliance. This includes compliance with the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Act and New Mexico Drinking Water Regulations, which apply the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, as well as consumer protection laws and the New Mexico Open Meetings Act, read the news release. CRRUA says it has passed 11 arsenic sample tests since January Many people have encountered high bills for the past three to four years, some in the thousands. We need this investigation to see what is going on. It seems like everything is being swept under the rug about CRRUAs finances. Where did all the federal and state funding that CRRUA has received in the past go? Certainly not to the two arsenic treatment plants that were down for a year and a half, Vivian Fuller, a Santa Teresa resident and CRRUA customer said. Additionally, the OSA agreed to consider holding a public meeting for the community members to directly meet with and share their concerns with the OSA regarding their experiences with and services provided by CRRUA. Community members and NMELC have since responded to the OSA in order to coordinate on a time, place, and location for the OSA to meet with community members in Sunland Park, but the OSA has yet to reply, according to NMELC. I think hiring another company to run the water should be considered in order to gain trust with the community. The landfill is located near water wells, and I am concerned about the potential health impacts from that. I also wonder, when it comes to increasing revenue, why dont they charge all the commercial trucks coming from El Paso who dump their trash in the landfill instead of hitting up the water customers? The costs associated with this bad water are too much. I installed a water softener 4 months ago and the filter is yellow and slimy within 3 days! The filters are meant to last six months and cost $50 each. I will bypass the water softener because they are too expensive to be replacing them every week, Jose Saldana, a Sunland Park resident and CRRUA customer said. NMELC said community members would also like to invite Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to this meeting to hear directly from both community members and her state agencies on the matter, given the Governor has yet to host her own public meeting in Sunland Park that she publicly committed to last month. Residents call on NM governor on commitments to fix water issues More transparency and accountability are needed from our state agencies and leaders responsible for ensuring CRRUA serves the public in a fair, compliant, and safe manner. If the OSA is conducting an investigation into CRRUA, it behooves the OSA to be in contact with, be informed by, and directly work alongside the community members who have and continue to experience harms caused by this public utility and the local government, NMELC Staff Attorney Kacey Hovden said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Photo released on Aug.25, 2024 shows a worker of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) prepares for delivery of polio vaccines to Gaza. (Photo credit: UNICEF) The WHO official said 2,180 workers in 295 teams would administer the oral vaccines to 640,000 children under 10 years of age at 392 sites. UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Israel and Hamas have agreed to halt hostilities in the Gaza Strip for a World Health Organization (WHO)-led polio vaccination campaign, a WHO official said on Thursday. Rik Peeperkorn, head of the WHO office for the West Bank and Gaza, told reporters in a video briefing that the UN health agency, the Hamas health ministry and the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees, known as UNRWA, would launch the campaign on Sunday. He said the first two rounds of the vaccines would be administered from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time in Gaza's central region for three days, followed by three days in the southern region and finally three days in the north. The pause in hostilities for each three-day campaign may be stretched to a fourth day if necessary. The WHO official said 2,180 workers in 295 teams would administer the oral vaccines to 640,000 children under 10 years of age at 392 sites. The vaccine is to be delivered in two doses about four weeks apart. Peeperkorn said if some children could not be brought into the planned 392 sites in hospitals and other medical points, "we will try to get to them." After a 10-month-old girl was found to have contracted polio, partially paralyzing her left leg, the WHO announced plans for the Gaza vaccination campaign. Also in Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Israeli authorities announced that displaced people could return to specific areas in Deir al-Balah, the first time where return is officially allowed to an evacuated area. People flee from the eastern districts of the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Aug. 8, 2024. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) OCHA said the evacuation orders are also severely constraining aid efforts. Recently, they have displaced many humanitarian colleagues and lost access to warehouses, water wells, other critical facilities and humanitarian routes. "UN colleagues assessed the water, hygiene and sanitation conditions in two sites hosting over 1,200 families in Rafah," the office said. "People are struggling with drinking water as no trucking is currently available. They report skin diseases being the main morbidity among women and children, with no treatments available when they go to the medical points." OCHA also said sea water floods the tents of those living directly on the beach in Mawassi. In the West Bank, the office said there are reports of displaced families, particularly in urban areas where Israeli forces have repurposed homes as military positions. In multiple locations, military bulldozers have heavily damaged infrastructure and electricity and telecommunication outages continued. "Military operations near hospitals also continue, effectively besieging these facilities and limiting the movement in and out, including that of medical staff," OCHA said. The office said the UNRWA clinic in the Al Far'a refugee camp had to suspend operations on Wednesday, resuming on Thursday only when Israeli forces left the area. UN agencies warned of the risk of unexploded munition in some areas. Cruise cabin cleaner took video of undressed kids in bathroom. He was just sentenced A former crew member on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship was sentenced Wednesday by a judge in Fort Lauderdale federal court to 30 years in prison on charges of producing child pornography. Arvin Joseph Mirasol pleaded guilty in June to placing cameras in guest rooms and taking video of people in various states of undress. Mirasol worked as a stateroom attendant on ships owned by Royal Caribbean. He routinely entered their rooms to clean and change the sheets and towels. According to court documents, on Feb. 25, a guest on the Symphony of the Seas found a camera attached to the sink while she was using the toilet. The camera could capture the shower. The ship had departed Port Everglades in Fort Lauderale a day earlier. After she called security, Mirasol was detained for the rest of the cruise. When the ship returned on March 3 to Port Everglades, Mirasol was searched and arrested. Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection boarded the ship and seized his electronics equipment. They said they found several videos of undressed kids. . The people in the videos are thought to be 2 to 17 years old, according to court documents. In June, Mirasol, Philippines national who is about 34, pleaded guilty to producing child pornography. Authorities say he earlier admitted that he had been placing cameras in passengers rooms since December 2023. South Florida U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe and Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of HSI Miami, announced the sentencing. HSI Fort Lauderdale investigated the case with assistance from Customs and Border Patrol and Royal Caribbean Group security. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Koontz prosecuted the case. Mirasol was terminated by Royal Caribbean in March after he was arrested. At that time, Jonathon Fishman, a spokesman for Royal Caribbean, told the Miami Herald that we immediately reported this to law enforcement and terminated the crew member, and we will continue to fully cooperate with authorities. The company has since said it does background checks on all employees and conducts training. CSRA closures for Labor Day on Sept. 2 CSRA (WJBF) In recognition of Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 2, many county offices around the CSRA will be closed. Heres a list for each of the counties in our viewing area: Richmond County: Augustas government offices will be closed, including the Municipal Building, Augusta 311 Center, Augusta Transit, Augusta Utilities and Augusta Landfill. Columbia County: All county libraries (Evans Library, Grovetown Library, Harlem Library) and county offices will be closed. Aiken County: All Aiken County Government Offices will be closed. Burke County: All county offices will be closed. Lincoln County: All county offices will be closed. McDuffie County: All county offices will be closed. Saluda County: All county government offices will be closed. Jenkins County: All county offices will be closed. McCormick County: All county offices will be closed. Jefferson County: All county offices will be closed. Wilkes County: All county offices will be closed. Edgefield County: All county offices will be closed. Emmanuel County: All county offices will be closed. Washington County: Washington County Government will be closed for the holiday. Warren County: All county offices will be closed. Glascock County: All county offices will be closed. Offices will resume usual hours of operation on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. The CTA has begun testing technology that uses artificial intelligence to identify guns in its L stations. The technology, from company ZeroEyes, automatically detects guns that have been brandished. Images are sent to a ZeroEyes operations center where they are reviewed by staffers who determine what the object is, then alert relevant authorities like police, CTA officials and Chicagos Office of Emergency Management and Communications. The goal, CTA officials said, is to alert police quickly to any situation arising at the transit agencys stations. Often the alert can be made in under a minute, they said. The test program comes as the CTA has grappled with concerns about personal safety, both real and perceived, in recent years, and as the use of different types of technology to address public safety concerns has grown. ZeroEyes technology has at times been used on other public transit systems, and the company touts the use of its program in schools, businesses and other places. But a separate gunshot detection technology used in Chicago, ShotSpotter, became a political flashpoint earlier this year. Supporters have said the technology which uses audio sensors to determine the location of potential outdoor gunfire, while ZeroEyes relies on images helps police arrive quicker at crime scenes and helps critical aid reach gunshot victims more quickly. Opponents, including Mayor Brandon Johnson, labeled it a costly impetus for overpolicing, and the mayor has nodded to studies questioning its effectiveness as a tool to curb crime and catch criminals. ACLU Illinois spokesman Ed Yohnka said technology like ZeroEyes demands transparency from the CTA, and could lay the groundwork for further intrusive technologies to be used. CTA cameras were marketed as a way to make the system safer, but now another technology needs to be added, he said. There are solutions to security issues. Im not sure that an opaque system being marketed by a company to make money, and not done with sort of citizen input as to how it should work and where people want it to work, Im not sure any of that is the answer, he said. On the CTA, information about the prevalence of specifically gun-related crimes, such as the type that could be detected by ZeroEyes, was not immediately available. The CTA referred questions about crime statistics to Chicago police, and the Police Department said Wednesday it could not immediately provide gun-specific statistics. The department did say 626 instances of violent crime had been reported on the CTA this year through Aug. 27, up from 547 through the same time period last year. One gun on the system is too many, which is why were interested in exploring ways to increase our safety on top of the measures that are already in place, CTA spokeswoman Maddie Kilgannon said. The technology will join the CTAs use of unarmed security, K-9 teams and Chicago police to patrol the system. The agency has boosted its security spending in recent years as it has added guards and dog teams, budgeting nearly $65.2 million to purchase security services in 2024. Security service spending was running overbudget through June. The $200,000 ZeroEyes test run, which has been in place for about a month, will run through summer 2025 to start, CTA Vice President of Security Kevin Ryan said. The program uses the CTAs existing cameras to detect guns once they have been exposed, and is now installed on more than 250 of the agencys roughly 30,000 cameras, he said. ZeroEyes is now being used in CTA train stations across the system, though Ryan declined to specify which stations or train lines have the technology, citing security concerns. He anticipates the program will expand if the test run goes well, which will be determined based on whether the technology works as expected, if law enforcement can respond to any gun reports quickly enough to intervene, or if it works as a deterrent to would-be gun carriers. So far, the program has detected guns carried openly by law enforcement officers and toy guns, including large electronic water guns, he said. ZeroEyes alerted Chicago and CTA officials to the toy guns, noting they were not believed to be lethal weapons, and then it was up to local officials to determine how to respond, Ryan said. One of the reasons I really like ZeroEyes is it has a human component to it, he said. Its not relying on AI or computers to completely do the work. Ryan, who once worked for the Chicago Police Department, said officers responding to a call of a person with a gun almost always want more information about what theyre heading to. A picture of the person helps them know what to expect, and helps managers know how best to direct their resources, he said. Stuff like that, weapons, it doesnt happen everyday, Ryan said. But when it happens, it has big repercussions to public transit for obvious reasons, so I want a way to mitigate that to the quickest extent possible. The technology has been used by other transit agencies, including Philadelphias Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, which operates a metro, along with buses and regional rail. But the agency ended a yearlong pilot program with ZeroEyes. The technology wasnt compatible with SEPTAs analog cameras, and the agency decided to reallocate funding toward other needs, according to reporting from the Philadelphia Inquirer and the local ABC TV station. Kilgannon said CTA did not anticipate the same issues. The Chicago agency uses a different camera system that so far has been high-enough quality to be effective, she said. MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) A locally owned bakery in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, was recently awarded a grant to help support its upcoming expansion project. Talking Breads is owned and operated by Cumberland County natives Shana and Joseph Amsterdam, who first debuted their bakery business back in 2014 out of their farm home in Perry County. After several years of serving their sweet and savory baked goods at various Midstate farmers markets, the Amsterdams decided to open their very own storefront bakery at 1619 Lisburn Road in Mechanicsburg in 2020. Talking Breads is best known for offering a wide variety of homemade artisan breads as well as sweet & savory pastries. The local bakery also offers cheeses, meats, fresh-squeezed juices, local jellies, jams, and more! To check out what else Talking Breads has to offer, you can click here. Following years of success at their new location, the owners of Talking Breads conducted a survey with their customers to see how they could improve. As a result of the survey, they learned that most of their customers wanted additional indoor seating and a larger retail space. We are just totally out of space in our current building, Shana Amsterdam explained. People are right on top of each other and sometimes we have lines going out the door. Earlier this month, Talking Breads announced on Facebook that they had been awarded a $236,000 Tourism Product Development Grant from the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC) for its expansion project. Although this grant wont cover the entire expansion, it does cover about half the cost of the $472,000 project. According to Shana Amsterdam, the expansion project is going to connect their current bakery building, to an existing house right next door that is currently used as storage. Once completed, this project will create a 1,000 square foot retail space, and it will turn the existing bakery into Talking Breads main production facility. Additionally, this project will create indoor-seating for about 20 guests at a time. Rendering of upcoming expansion project at Talking Breads in Mechanicsburg. It is important to note that the project will include the purchasing of new bakery equipment, such as a mixer and a walk-in freezer. Talking Breads expansion project is expected to break ground this winter once their plans receive full approval from the Township. The Amsterdams then hope to wrap up the project by the Spring of 2025. Talking Breads will remain operational during the renovations, but will likely close for a couple weeks after construction wraps up, in order to officially set up their new space. Moving forward, Talking Breads hours of operation are: Tuesdays Fridays // 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays // 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays // 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. I am still a little in shock that we got this grant, Shana Amsterdam added. I worked on the grant paperwork for about a year, so it was a struggle since I never did that before. When I got that call and they said we got the grant for the project, I was overwhelmed. I am just so grateful for the communitys support! abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Czech President on using F-16 jets to strike targets in Russia: Ukraine is the one to decide When asked by French journalists about Ukraines potential use of Western-supplied F-16 fighter jets to strike targets in Russia, Czech President Petr Pavel has said that Ukraine is the one to decide how to use the weapons it has been given, including the F-16 fighter jets. Source: European Pravda, citing Novinky, a Czech media outlet Quote from Pavel: "If, in accordance with UN Charter Art. 51, we want to help Ukraine fend off the aggression and we are helping it with material supplies rather than direct involvement in combat, then its up to Ukraine how to use these weapon supplies." Details: According to Pavel, Ukraines strikes against targets in Russia are completely legitimate. "If it wasnt for Russia unleashing aggression and the fact that it has been striking targets in Ukraine for a long time now, Ukraine would not have to hit a single target in Russia," he stressed. "President Putin is the one who holds trump in this case. He can put an end to this war overnight," Pavel said. Background: Ukraine has received or will receive F-16 fighter jets from Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Norway. Earlier on 29 August, General Onno Eichelsheim of the Royal Dutch Air Force stated that Ukraine could use the F-16 fighter jets provided by his country to strike targets in Russia. On 4 August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the first F-16 fighter jets had arrived in Ukraine and showcased them at a secret airfield. On 1 August, Western media reported that six fighter jets had arrived from the Netherlands, with several more expected from Denmark in the near future. Support UP or become our patron! DES MOINES, IOWA For the second time on Wednesday, authorities are investigating a crash at the intersection of Grand Avenue and 7th Street in downtown Des Moines that began with a police pursuit. One person was killed and six others were injured in a crash early Wednesday morning that started with an attempted traffic stop of a speeding car on I-235, according to the Iowa State Patrol. The car was reportedly traveling the wrong way on Grand Avenue when it hit another vehicle then crashed into the Ruan Center. Police say the car was stolen and the teen driver, who was carrying a weapon, had outstanding warrants. On Wednesday afternoon, Des Moines Police found themselves at the same intersection as another pursuit came to an end with a crash. Police began pursuing a vehicle on the north side of the city around 2:00 p.m. according to police scanner traffic. The pursuit eventually led to 7th Avenue was traveling southbound when it apparently collided with a USPS truck at Grand Avenue the same scene as the morning fatal accident. A WHO 13 crew at the scene covering the earlier accident was able to capture the moments just after the crash as officers took the driver into custody. Police said officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the 1100 block of University Avenue for a wanted person when the vehicle sped off, initiating a pursuit. This is a developing story. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, Son of Spanish Actor Rodolfo Sancho, Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder in Thailand Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, a Spanish YouTube chef, was sentenced Thursday to life in prison for a gruesome murder and dismemberment in Thailand. The case was documented in a Spanish-language HBO documentary. Sancho is the son of prominent Spanish film and TV actor Rodolfo Sancho and Silvia Bronchalo, who has crew credits and is reported to have acted as well. More from Variety The judgement was announced in the Koh Samui Provincial Court and related to a case in which Sancho was accused of murdering Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, chopping up his body and disposing of the body parts. The two men were on holiday on Koh Panang, a nearby island known for its full moon rave parties. The court initially sentenced Sancho to death for the premeditated murder of Arrieta, but it reduced the sentence to life imprisonment as he had cooperated with the court. Sancho claimed that he and Arrieta had got into a fight after Arrieta had tried to sexually assault him. Sancho said Arrieta had hit his head on a bathtub and died. While Sancho pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder, he acknowledged dismembering Arrietas body and scattering the body parts on land and at sea. He received a four-month prison sentence, reduced to two months. Additionally, he received a two-year jail sentence for destroying Arrietas passport, a charge which he denied. The Associated Press agency reports that Thai police obtained surveillance video showing Sancho allegedly purchasing a knife, rubber gloves, garbage bags and cleaning solutions at a convenience store before Arrietas death. The prosecutors said that supported the charge of premeditated murder. I am sorry that a life has been lost and that parents have lost a son, said Sancho in his closing remarks to the court, according to the Spanish-language El Pais newspaper. I am sorry that his family was not able to bury him properly. Im sorry for what I did after the death. Both of his parents were in court on Thursday to hear the verdict. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) A Danish court on Thursday rejected the extradition request from India of a Danish national accused of being involved in an arms smuggling case 29 years ago, going against Denmarks top prosecuting authority which had given the green light to sending Niels Holck abroad. Holck admitted taking part in dropping assault rifles, rocket launchers and missiles from a cargo plane in eastern India in 1995. Indian police said they were meant for a revolutionary group in the country. The Hilleroed District Court said that despite the additional diplomatic guarantees given by India there is a real risk" that Holck will face torture or other inhumane treatment in India. Holck, 62, said he feared for his life. if extradited. I would like to be held accountable in front of a judge because I believe it is a justified emergency, but I would rather not die from it, Holck told Danish radio DR Thursday morning before the ruling was announced. While a British citizen and five Latvians were arrested by Indian authorities after they dropped arms, Holck previously known as Niels Christian Nielsen escaped. India first asked Denmark to extradite Holck in 2002. The government agreed, but two Danish courts rejected his extradition, saying he would risk torture or other inhumane treatment in India. That led to tense diplomatic relations between the countries. In June 2023, Denmark again looked into a 2016 Indian extradition request, saying that the requirements in the extradition act had been met. HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) The Daviess County Sheriffs Office sent out a press release warning the public of potential effects of Senate Bill 47, which legalizes recreational marijuana in Kentucky. Officials are concerned some patients will drive while impaired and have taken steps to ensure community safety. After almost a year of training, every DCSO deputy is certified in Advanced Roadside Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) as of July 2024. The training focused on seven crucial areas: field sobriety, drug categories, signs and symptoms, drug physiology, drug combinations, courtroom testimony, and writing reports. DCSO Corporal Jacob Gould was certified as a Law Enforcement Phlebotomist (LEP) to help the sheriffs office with blood tests. LEPs are relatively new, with Kentucky being one of 12 states that allow authorities to perform phlebotomist duties. Corporal Gould is one of only four certified LEPs across the Commonwealth. Data from the annual Kentucky Traffic Collision Report showed 744 people were killed in 693 collisions in 2022. Almost twice as many deaths were caused by drivers under the influence of drugs compared to alcohol-related deaths. Daviess County Sheriff Brad Youngman says he feels confident the county is in the best shape possible to handle the upcoming changes. SB 47 will take effect on January 1st, 2025. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Nazrin Abdul In the first half of 2024, Azerbaijan exported a total of 5.68 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Turkiye, according to the Turkish Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDC), Azernews reports. This represents a 6.3% increase compared to the same period in 2023. In June alone, Azerbaijan's exports surged to nearly 997 million cubic meters, marking a substantial 34.06% rise from June 2023. This strong performance solidified Azerbaijan's position as the leading natural gas supplier to Turkiye for the month, providing 43.07% of Turkiye's total gas imports. Overall, Turkiye imported 2.31 billion cubic meters of natural gas in June, which is a slight decrease of 0.75% from the previous month. Of this total, pipeline gas accounted for 1.95 billion cubic meters (84.27% of the total supply, up by 4.3%), while liquefied natural gas (LNG) made up 364.1 million cubic meters (15.73% of the total supply, down by 21.2%). Gas was imported from four countries in June: Azerbaijan, Russia, and Iran through pipelines, and the USA and Algeria in the form of LNG. A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced a Davis woman for beating her 2-year-old daughter in May while on board a Delta Airlines flight from Mexico to Seattle as she deterred other passengers from intervening. Breanna Rae Mistler, 33, on Wednesday pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of assault by beating, wounding or striking as part of a plea agreement, the U.S. Attorneys Office in Seattle announced in a news release. U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian Tsuchida sentenced Mistler to time already served in custody, about three weeks, at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac in Seattle. She was released from custody May 24 after posting a bail bond pending the conclusion of her federal criminal case, custody records show. As part of her sentence, the judge ordered Mistler to serve a year of parole under the supervision of federal probation officers. Tsuchida said Mistler also will be supervised by Child Protective Services, along with serving parole under the supervision of California probation officers for a recent Solano County conviction. Mistler was arrested May 1 after arriving at Sea-Tac Airport on a Delta Airlines flight from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Federal prosecutors said passengers on the flight saw Mistler physically abuse her daughter, who was in a window seat. Her mother was in an aisle seat. Witnesses who were on the plane told investigators the child woke up Mistler, and then the mother turned and kicked the child. In her plea agreement, Mistler denied she kicked her daughter but admitted to hitting and shaking the little girl, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Prosecutors said the witnesses also told investigators that Mistler struck the child multiple times with her hand, and one witness reported Mistler shook the child like a rag doll. Mistler persisted in the abuse, prosecutors said, despite the other passengers attempts to intervene, telling them to mind their own (expletive) business. Even by the horrific standards of child abuse cases, this is shocking, the federal prosecutors have said in filed court documents. It is also the second time in six months that Mistler is charged with endangering her child. At the time of the reported child abuse, Mistler had been prohibited to travel outside the United States after the Solano County District Attorneys Office charged her with burglary. Solano Superior Court records show Mistler was charged with burglary and arson in December from an incident that occurred in Dixon. Mistler was accused of burglarizing her mothers home by climbing through her bedroom window and bringing her then-1-year-old daughter with her, according to filed court documents in the county criminal case. The Solano County Sheriffs Office said Mistler and her sister slashed tires on their mothers car and stole three custom-made sweaters worth about $100 each. They also took motor oil, before Mistler and her sister barricaded themselves inside a storage unit and later surrendered to authorities, according to the Sheriffs Office. Federal prosecutors said that Mistler will begin serving a four-month California prison sentence in September for the arson conviction. Mistlers federal parole will begin after she completes her state prison sentence. Mistler was participating parenting and anger management classes, the U.S. Attorneys Office said Wednesday. The federal prosecutors noted in court the childs extreme vulnerability, telling the judge that the girl was two years old and trapped in the window seat on an airplane. Given her young age and her physical confinement, she had no recourse to resist or avoid being hit, kicked, or shaken by her mother, the prosecutors said in a document submitted to the court. At Wednesdays sentencing hearing, Mistlers attorney Dennis Carroll told the judge that the assault came when Mistler hit her lowest point, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. The defense attorney also told the judge Mistler is now sober, reflective and remorseful and currently has supervised visits with her daughter. At her sentencing, Mistler told the judge: I hit rock bottom. I am a better person now. I want to continue to be better. Judge Tsuchida told Mistler: You are taking steps ... I hope you start over with a more stable life you have a very young child, and she deserves that. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Forstein prosecuted the case against Mistler. The Bees Ishani Desai contributed to this story. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Happy birthday to one of the unheralded legends who helped make Michigan the automotive capital of the world, Charles Kettering. Names like Ford and Dodge are synonymous with the car industry, but Ketterings inventions arguably made just as big of an impact. Flint museum returns sculpture tied to accused art smuggler Kettering was born on Aug. 29, 1876, in Ohio and had a mind for science. Even before getting into the auto industry, Kettering was moving industries forward. He was credited with developing the first cash register equipped with an electric motor to open the registers drawer. Charles Kettering, left, looks under the hood of a 1911 Cadillac Motor Car at a luncheon to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his electric self-starter. He is pictured alongside GM head Alfred P. Sloan Jr. and Nicholas Dreystadt, President of Cadillac Motor Car. (Getty Images) Alongside his business partner, he went on to form Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company, better known as DELCO, later as ACDELCO. A big part of DELCOs success was Ketterings key-operated electric self-starting ignition system. They were first used in Cadillac vehicles starting in 1912 and soon patented. Within years, the easier and safer electric systems became standard in all automobiles. Are submarine cables through Lake Michigan the best way to help Michigan go green? United Motors Corporation, soon to be known as General Motors, bought DELCO in 1916. Kettering was installed as vice president and the director of research. In that role, he pushed the technology forward, developing new lighting systems, engine cooling systems and eventually a high-compression engine. His true passion wasnt automobiles but rather advancing science and technology. In 1919, he helped found The School of Automobile Trades, which is now known as Kettering University. Decades later, alongside former GM head Alfred Sloan, the two established the Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, still considered one of the worlds most dynamic programs of cancer research. Charles Kettering poses with a model of his first electric self-start at the 1934 Chicago Worlds Fair. (Getty Images) Unfortunately, one of his inventions also poisoned the planet with incalculable consequences. Kettering worked with Thomas Midgely Jr. on tetraethyl lead, a fuel additive that made gas more effective and much cheaper. TEL was a massive success and became an industry norm. However, TEL proved to be toxic and was widely used for decades. Several countries, including the U.S., started phasing out leaded gasoline in the 1970s and it was banned in most countries by the 2000s. Lead exposure from gas was likely a factor in tens of millions of deaths worldwide and caused a sharp rise in cognitive development issues and maladies. University of Michigan archaeologist finds hoard of gold coins in Turkey Kettering left GM in 1947. When he died in 1958, he owned 186 U.S. patents. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Will never be forgotten: DC police chief releases statement after officer dies in accidental shooting WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is mourning the loss of one of its police officers, who died after accidentally shooting himself while in the line of duty on Wednesday. The shooting took place, just before 6 p.m. when police said they were trying to stop a suspicious person in the 4500 block of Coral Street Northeast. Thats when their car stopped and a man got out and started running. He then jumped onto Interstate 295 South where officers saw him drop a gun in the storm drain, according to MPD. The man fled the scene on the back of a motorcycle. Former US Attorney weighs in on Mamta Kafle Bhatt case, husband heads back to court In response, additional officers were called to the scene to recover the gun from the drain. MPD said Investigator Wayne David grabbed the gun and it went off, hitting him in his upper body. He was taken to the hospital where he died. Investigator Wayne David (Photo Courtesy: MPD) David joined the MPD in December of 1998 and was assigned to the Third District after he graduated from the police academy. As he continued his career, he went to the Gun Recovery Unit in 2007. In 2021, David was assigned to the Violent Crime Suppression Division. MPD said he dedicated over 20 years of his life to the force and was a veteran police officer. Police Chief Pamela Smith released the statement below on Wednesday night. His commitment and dedication to the MPD will never be forgotten. Our hearts are heavy tonight after the tragic loss of one of our own. Investigator Wayne David, a veteran MPD officer, lost his life while serving in the line of duty. There are few words to express the hurt and pain that Officer Davids family and the entire MPD is feeling right now. Investigator David was the epitome of a great officer. He was a dedicated and highly respected member of the department, and this is a tremendous loss for all of us. For more than 25 years, Investigator David dedicated his life to protecting and safeguarding the District of Columbia. He served with passion and honor and had the utmost respect of his peers. I will be forever grateful for Investigator Davids service to the Metropolitan Police Department and his life will never be forgotten. Pamela Smith, Metropolitan Police Department Chief The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia also released a statement saying, in part, We were honored to have worked with Investigator David, and his tragic loss is a sobering reminder of the dangerous but important work that our law enforcement partners engage in every day. To honor Davids memory, the Council of D.C. announced on X that the flag at the John A. Wilson Building will fly at half-staff on Aug. 29. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Motorcyclist hit, killed by driver who ran red light, CMPD says A woman died and a man has been charged for a deadly motorcycle crash in east Charlotte on Wednesday night, police said. LINK: TRAFFIC MAPS The wreck happened around 8:15 p.m. at the intersection of North Sharon Amity Road and Shamrock Drive. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said Christine Williamson Miller, 55, was on a motorcycle when the driver of a Honda Pilot Jairo Zapet Garcia, 29, failed to stop at a red light. Garcia made a left turn from North Sharon Amity Road onto Shamrock Drive and hit Miller, CMPD said. Police charged Garcia with misdemeanor death by vehicle, no operators license, and a red-light violation. (WATCH BELOW: 1 seriously hurt in north Charlotte crash, MEDIC says) CHICAGO The death of a man who was electrocuted by the third rail at a Chicago Transit Authority L station earlier this week has been ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County Medical Examiners Office. The 31-year-old man, who was not publicly identified, reportedly fell onto the tracks at the Red Lines 79th Street station in the citys West Chatham neighborhood at about 1 a.m. Tuesday. The injured man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he was pronounced dead more than 22 hours later, at 11:22 p.m., officials said. More: Traffic & Transit News A Wednesday autopsy determined the cause of his death was electrocution by the third rail. Officials said the death was suspicious. Police said their investigation continues. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. When is the debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris? What to know American voters seem to be asking if there will be a debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris accepted the Democratic nomination in Chicago weeks after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race following a poor debate performance against Trump. Trump formally accepted the Republican nomination earlier this summer in Milwaukee. The home stretch of the presidential campaign will begin after Labor Day with a debate between the Democratic and Republican candidates. Texas, with a huge load in 40 electoral votes, is not one of the seven swing states up for grabs but it is still competitive. The states expected to decide the election are Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia. Here is what to know about a debate between Trump and Harris. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Will Kamala Harris debate Donald Trump? President Joe Bidens campaign came to an agreement with Trumps: There would be two debates one on CNN on June 27 and a second one in September. The second debate between Biden and Trump was scheduled to occur Sept. 10, hosted by ABC. Harris has agreed to that schedule. But details on the debate are still being worked out. POLITICO is reporting that the Trump and Harris campaigns disagree over whether mics will be live when the other candidate is speaking. What date will the Trump vs. Harris presidential debate happen? The Trump vs. Harris debate is planned for Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. What time will the presidential debate be in El Paso? The debate would begin at 6 p.m. MT/7 p.m. CT. Where can I watch the debate between Trump and Harrs? The debate is planned to be broadcast on ABC. Who will be the moderators? Linsey Davis, host of "ABC News Live Prime," and David Muir, host of "World News Tonight," are scheduled as moderators. What could prevent the debate from happening? Disputes over the format could derail the Sept. 10 debate. Trump has proposed additional debate days and times on different networks and different formats. How many presidential debates were there in 2020? There were two debates in 2020 between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. A third was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Will there be a vice-presidential debate this year? Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz shook hands with a Savannah State University student before boarding the campaign bus for a tour with Vice Presidential Kamala Harris Aug. 28. Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance are scheduled to debate on Oct. 1 in New York City, hosted by CBS. When is the election? The election is Nov. 5. More: El Paso Dems celebrate as Kamala Harris becomes first Black woman nominated for president Source: Arizona Republic. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump presidential debate: Where to watch During Wednesday's episode of The Beat on MSNBC, host Ari Melber accused newly rehired Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski of lying about him, warning that if he continued to do so then the two would be entering a "defamation situation," Mediaite reported. Contention between two men developed into a cacophony of overlapping talk but the essence was simple: Melber believed the former Trump 2016 campaign manager, brought back earlier this summer, was consciously lying about comments he made concerning the attempted assassination of the former president. During the interview, Melber pressed Lewandowski about a September 2019 House hearing in which he admitted to lying to MSNBC in an interview in February of that year, claiming he did not recall ever being asked to serve as a conduit between Trump and the Department of Justice. At the time, Lewandowski told lawmakers he had lied during the interview as he had no obligation to be honest with the media because theyre just as dishonest as anybody else, The Daily Beast reported. Avoiding Melber's questions, Lewandowski instead chose to criticize Melber himself, highlighting comments he made about Trump during the Republican National Convention, prompting the host to threaten legal action. What Lewandowski referenced was Melbers comments concerning the attempted assassination of the GOP candidate, when he read part of a New York Times article, saying: On the first night of this convention, Trump was his own biggest prop. [He] entered the VIP box a large white bandage on his injured right eat, Mediaite reported. The host later added, in his own words, that the moment is an image for political mobilization, a spectacle for this candidate who, we know is, by his own admission, obsessed with assorted spectacles. Ari, if were going down this road, are you going to state that Donald Trump had a bandage on his ear just for a spectacle? Are you going to state that that was false? Lewandowski asked. The guy got shot in the head, and you said the only reason he had a bandage on his ear I could read you the quote if you want that you said it was just for a spectacle. So if you want to apologize, Ari Corey, youre not answering the question, Melber stated. Im putting you on notice: If you continue to repeat falsely that I said that, you will be potentially in a defamation situation, because I didnt say that. But I understand that youre working off the internet, which has a lot of false information. Delaware has agreed to transfer some $102 million to a coalition of states that went to court to challenge the First State's claim to the proceeds from unclaimed MoneyGram checks. The state announced Wednesday that it will transfer the money to settle a lawsuit that ultimately pitted Delaware against 30 other states in years of litigation that saw the U.S. Supreme Court rule against Delaware last year. The lawsuit centered on the state's unclaimed property collection practices, which contribute hundreds of millions of dollars\ to state government operations each year. As the corporate home to almost 2 million companies, Delaware receives unclaimed property from all over the country. It amounts to one of Delaware's largest government revenue sources and is part of the reason Delaware is a rare state that doesn't assess sales taxes and more generally has low taxes compared with other states. What is unclaimed property? Sometimes money gets lost: checks that go uncashed, refunds that never find their home, stocks that go forgotten. This can include unclaimed bank accounts, unused gift cards and orphaned stock dividends. That money eventually makes its way to state governments under a legal principle built on the idea that the state will hold the money until its rightful owner comes looking for it later. Legislative Hall in Dover on January 12, 2023 Each state has different rules for when property is considered dormant and must be handed over (in Delaware, after three years for securities and after five years for other property types). Some states set the property aside in perpetuity, but most add it to their general funds with the promise they will pay out whatever is claimed down the line. Such funds ultimately underpin the function of Delawares government. In fiscal year 2023, unclaimed property accounted for some $400 million in state government revenue, 6% of all government revenue. It is a disproportionate amount compared with other states because Delaware is the legal home to almost 2 million companies more than any other state and Delaware officials lean on unclaimed property possessed by companies in its legal domain. What was the lawsuit about? Delaware has a long history of jealously guarding those revenues when other states go to court seeking what they feel is their rightful cut. This recent case dealt with money issued by MoneyGram, one of the largest money transfer companies in the world. Pennsylvania sued Delaware in 2015, ultimately arguing that unclaimed MoneyGram funds should go to the state where they originated, not Delaware, where the company is incorporated. Other states joined Pennsylvanias cause and the Delaware versus everyone legal fight eventually made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court last year. Read more: How a Supreme Court case over unclaimed property could affect your taxes Delaware contended it could keep the money because MoneyGram is incorporated in the state, despite the fact the company is headquartered in Texas and issues the checks in question around the country. What did the US Supreme Court rule last year? In a unanimous opinion issued last year, the Supreme Court sided against Delaware. The legal arguments leaned on complicated assessments of how to define the subject MoneyGram checks under decades of previous case law. But the ruling was clear: the states where those checks were issued are entitled to the unclaimed funds, not Delaware. Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity estimated in September 2022 that Delaware could owe as much as $400 million in escheated funds to other states, including $19 million to Pennsylvania. The Supreme Court ruling then moved the litigation into a penalty phase where a specially appointed accountant would decide how much Delaware should have to fork over to other states. WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 07: (L-R) U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, retired Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy, Chief Justice John Roberts, Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Elena Kagan, Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch and Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh attend U.S. President Joe Biden's State of the Union address during a joint meeting of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol on March 07, 2024 in Washington, DC. This is Bidens last State of the Union address before the general election this coming November. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776087421 ORIG FILE ID: 2067180103 That phase concluded with Wednesdays announcement of a settlement between Delaware and the coalition of 30 states that had joined the litigation. The settlement mandates Delaware transfer $102 million of unclaimed MoneyGram funds it took possession of between 2011 and 2017. It represented about half the years disputed in the litigation. Another $89 million deposited by MoneyGram in an escrow account while the litigation was pending since 2018 will also be divvied up by the different states. Read more: Delaware loses Supreme Court case with millions at stake over unclaimed property What does this mean for Delaware? It is unclear what the implications of both the payout and settlement could be on the funding of Delaware's state government. While the litigation was pending, state officials characterized the potential impact as limited. Brenda Mayrack, the state official over the office that collects unclaimed property, argued that the lawsuit deals with one particular type of property issued by a single company. Academics have argued that the successful legal challenge could spur more states arguing that Delaware's reach over unclaimed property should be more limited. Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware settles lawsuit over unclaimed checks with $100M payout Pennsylvania. Utah. New Jersey. Michigan. Connecticut. Virginia. Oklahoma. Colorado. California. Minnesota. New York. Delaware. Can you guess what these states have in common? They all have enacted Clean Slate laws that give justice-involved individuals who have committed low-level, nonviolent offenses a second chance and a clean slate. Even after serving their time and paying their debt to society, too many still face significant barriers in reentering the workforce. The economic impact of this legislation alone is staggering; Clean Slate has the potential to add $87 billion to the U.S. economy. Having spoken with business owners up and down our state about workforce shortages, I believe Clean Slate can help ease these challenges across our economy. While I'm proud that Delaware's Clean Slate law, inspired by my work in Congress, took effect on August 1st, I urge my colleagues to support my bipartisan effort to pass the federal Clean Slate Act in Congress. U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Peoples Settlement Renovation project in Wilmington on Monday, July 15, 2024. The Clean Slate Act was one of the first bills I introduced when I came to Congress. In fact, Ive introduced it every term Ive served in the House, and it has always been a bipartisan bill. This legislation would remove major barriers for justice-involved Americans by automatically sealing federal records for low-level, nonviolent drug offenses after their sentence is completed, making it easier to find employment, secure housing, and access education. It would also create a related petition process for other nonviolent offenses. Clean Slate is about a simple proposition: those who have served their time and paid their debt to society deserve a second chance. To me, Clean Slate is both a jobs and justice bill. Creating good jobs has been the connective tissue of my entire career. Ive been fortunate to serve our state in a variety of positions from Secretary of Labor to Head of State Personnel to Member of Congress. As Secretary of Labor, it became clear to me that jobs and justice are intertwined a simple marijuana possession offense shouldnt mean you can never work again. This is especially true for minority communities that continue to be disproportionately impacted by simple marijuana possession charges with higher rates of arrests. In fact, Black people are almost four times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana possession. Having also served as the CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, I saw how disparities in incarceration rates across Delaware have grown. Employment is key to driving that down. Research shows that employment has the potential to reduce recidivism which helps make our communities safer and families stronger. However, nine out of ten employers conduct a background check, nine out of ten landlords conduct a background check, and three in five colleges conduct a background check, making it challenging for people with records to find jobs, housing, and access education. It is also reported that four in 10 children across the country live in a household with a justice-involved individual, which can impact childrens mental and behavioral development, school performance, and economic stability. Having a record shouldnt mean you cant find a place to live. It shouldnt mean you cant get an education. And it shouldnt mean that our kids the next generation of leaders should suffer. We all should have equal opportunities to not just survive but thrive. Building on my jobs-focused work, I made it a priority to include the Clean Slate Act as one of the core tenants of my comprehensive Jobs Agenda that I unveiled last year. The agenda focuses on strengthening our economy, our workforce, and our communities by creating more affordable housing, making our supply chains more resilient, investing in job training programs of the future, and reducing barriers to entering the workforce. The Clean Slate Act has garnered a broad coalition of support from across the political spectrum, including having both Democratic and Republican cosponsors, and endorsements from organizations such as the Clean Slate Initiative, Right on Crime, American Conservative Union, Brennan Center for Justice, Business Roundtable, and more. Our legislation even inspired Delawares Clean Slate law that is now being implemented in Delaware. Thanks to the efforts of State Senator Darius Brown who sponsored Clean Slate in the Delaware General Assembly and Governor John Carney who signed it into law in 2021, an estimated 290,000 people with eligible criminal histories in Delaware have the potential for their records to be sealed. Clean Slate provides a path for returning citizens to join our workforce, grow Delawares economy, and perhaps most importantly, support our young people so they can reach their full potential. We must keep the momentum going. We must ensure that everyone gets fair shot at a fresh start. We must pass my Clean Slate Act into federal law. Lisa Blunt Rochester serves as U.S. Representative for Delaware's at-large congressional district. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Clean Slate legislation should be enacted by Congress Delta Worker Killed in Atlanta Airport Tire Explosion Was Nearing Retirement, His Wife Says: 'I'm in Disbelief' "He had a big heart, a big smile. He would help anybody, Scottie Ann Marweg said of husband Mirko Marweg Mirko Marweg/Facebook Mirko Marweg The widow of a Delta Air Lines worker who was one of two people killed in a reported tire explosion at the Atlanta airport earlier this week says her husband was less than a year away from retirement. Scottie Ann Marweg told local TV station WANF in an interview that Mirko Marweg, 58, of Stone Mountain, Ga., was planning on retiring from his job of two decades in June 2025. The couple was married for 28 years. Mirko was the father of four children. I dont know how Im feeling. Im in disbelief, Scottie Ann told the station. Its so weird. Weve been together so long. Related: Identity of Woman Found Dead in Baggage Area at Chicago OHare Airport After Getting Trapped in Machinery Confirmed She also said of her late husband: He had a big heart, a big smile. He would help anybody. He loved his family. He was a planner. He was smart. Mirko and a fellow Delta worker, Luis Aldarondo, 37, of Newman, Ga., died in the incident at a maintenance facility at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Tuesday, Aug. 27. The Associated Press and local media outlets described what happened as an explosion at the facility. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and local station WSB reported the victims identities, citing the medical examiners office. Another person was seriously injured, Delta officials previously said. Andre Coleman, Mirkos son, told TV station WXIA that he had wanted to view his fathers body because he didnt believe the news of the death was true. However, a medical examiners official told the family it was not possible because their loved ones body was "unrecognizable." "We identified him by tattoos and his Mississippi State lanyard around his neck," Coleman told WXIA. John Spink/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP Multiple Atlanta Fire Rescue Department units and police park outside a Delta Maintenance facility near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Aug. 27, 2024 Coleman said that he was in a state of shock upon hearing the news of his fathers death. "If I could tell him something right now, Coleman said, I would tell him no more suffering. You had your time here with us now it's time for you to be with God. Delta has said the incident happened when wheel components were being taken apart for maintenance at a wheel and brake shop, the AP reported. The airline said that the components were not affixed to an aircraft at the time of the explosion. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Officials with the airline characterized the incident as an accident. In a statement, Delta wrote: "We have extended our full support to family members and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. The Delta family is grateful for the quick action of first responders and medical teams on site. We are now working with local authorities and conducting a full investigation to determine what happened." Related: American Airlines Employee Killed After Service Vehicle Strikes Jet Bridge at Austin Airport Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport earlier told PEOPLE that the incident didnt affect its operations. In an X post, the airport expressed its condolences, writing: Our prayers are with the families affected by the tragic incident at Delta Air Lines's Technical Operations Maintenance facility this morning. In a previous statement to PEOPLE, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it was aware of the incident and in communication with the airline. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), a union that represents more than 100,000 members in the airline industry in North America, posted a news release about the explosion on its website, expressing condolences to the victims families. Related: Baggage Handler, 26, Dies After Hair Caught in Airport Machinery: 'Everybody Loved Her' As a union dedicated to the well-being and safety of our members and the broader community, we will offer our resources to all those impacted by this tragic event, the IAM wrote. We stand in unity with Delta workers during this difficult time and we call on Delta and the relevant authorities to quickly launch a thorough investigation into how this happened, the union's statement concluded. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Zambian Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga (2nd L) cuts the ribbon at a ceremony unveiling the equipment and machinery transported from China in Kabwe, Zambia, Aug. 26, 2024. A China-Zambia textile joint venture in central Zambia has recently celebrated the arrival of the first batch of new equipment and machinery, which marked a significant step toward resuming production after a 17-year hiatus. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun) LUSAKA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- A China-Zambia textile joint venture in central Zambia has recently celebrated the arrival of the first batch of new equipment and machinery, which marked a significant step toward resuming production after a 17-year hiatus. At a ceremony attended by hundreds of people on Monday, Zambian Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga said that the reopening of Mulungushi Textiles will boost economic development in Central Province and nearby areas by directly creating about 500 jobs and revitalizing Zambia's cotton industry. Wang Chuanyuan, chairman of Mulungushi Textiles, said the company will usher in a new chapter in its development and improve livelihoods. Albert Halwampa, director-general of the Zambia Development Agency, said the factory's reopening is "a milestone" for the Zambian government and people and looks forward to the mutually beneficial cooperation between Zambia and China. Located in the town of Kabwe, Mulungushi Textiles began construction in 1978 and was once one of Zambia's largest textile companies. It ceased operations in 2007. The consensus on redeveloping Mulungushi Textiles was noted in a joint statement on establishing a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, during Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema's state visit to China in September 2023. Albert Halwampa, director-general of the Zambia Development Agency, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Kabwe, Zambia, Aug. 26, 2024. A China-Zambia textile joint venture in central Zambia has recently celebrated the arrival of the first batch of new equipment and machinery, which marked a significant step toward resuming production after a 17-year hiatus. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun) Zambian Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga speaks during a ceremony unveiling the equipment and machinery transported from China in Kabwe, Zambia, Aug. 26, 2024. A China-Zambia textile joint venture in central Zambia has recently celebrated the arrival of the first batch of new equipment and machinery, which marked a significant step toward resuming production after a 17-year hiatus. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun) Wang Chuanyuan, chairman of Mulungushi Textiles, speaks during a ceremony unveiling the equipment and machinery transported from China in Kabwe, Zambia, Aug. 26, 2024. A China-Zambia textile joint venture in central Zambia has recently celebrated the arrival of the first batch of new equipment and machinery, which marked a significant step toward resuming production after a 17-year hiatus. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun) Containers of equipment and machinery transported from China are seen in front of the office building of Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe, Zambia, Aug. 26, 2024. A China-Zambia textile joint venture in central Zambia has recently celebrated the arrival of the first batch of new equipment and machinery, which marked a significant step toward resuming production after a 17-year hiatus. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun) Dem candidate claimed he was being targeted with hate speech on social media. Police say he was behind the posts Dem candidate claimed he was being targeted with hate speech on social media. Police say he was behind the posts A Democratic candidate for county commissioner in Texas is under investigation after being accused of using fake online accounts to hurl racist attacks against himself. Taral Patel, 30, is running as the Democratic candidate for Fort Bend County Precinct 3 commissioner. He was initially detained on June 12 for online impersonation and misrepresentation of identity, a class A misdemeanor, according to KTRK. Search warrants have since shown connections to other fake identities, such as impersonating a district judge and one using the photo of a realtor from Pennsylvania. Court records state that the incumbent in the race, Andy Meyers, asked in October last year that the Fort Bend County District Attorneys Office investigate the source behind racist social media posts towards Patel, whos accused of using fake Facebook accounts using others photos. Patel previously served as the chief of staff to Fort Bend County Judge KP George. The investigation started not long after a long Facebook post in which Patel accused Meyerss supporters of being behind the racist attacks. Patel turned the posts into a collage and sent them out in a press release, seemingly in an effort to garner support. Taral Patel has been accused of making fake online accounts to make racists posts directed at himself (Fort Bend County Jail) Was he even born here? Probably communist, one of the comments says. I am against fake gods and their worshippers winning office in [a] Christian Nation, another adds. I am with Meyers ALL THE WAY because he serves Jesus unlike Patel and his followers who worship Monkey and Elephant. Investigators with the DAs office connected one of the accounts using the name Antonio Scalywag after they sent subpoenas to Facebook and Google. Search warrants state that Patel also impersonated a Fort Bend County staffer and created another Facebook account that had interactions with the Scalywag account, using the real name of Surendran Patel, a district court judge. In one of the warrants, investigators connected Taral Patel to the email address theonlydangerdog@gmail.com. The address was used to open a Facebook account under the name Jane Donnie, using the photo of the Pennsylvania realtor. The realtor told ABC13 that the account wasnt his. Patel hasnt spoken out about the allegations and remains in the race for commissioner. The Independent has attempted to contact Patels attorney for comment. Democrats are defending Vice President Harris for not diving too far into policy during her condensed campaign, arguing the short timeline lends itself to a focus on broad themes. The Democratic National Convention focused on topics from freedom to patriotism, was heavy on biography and history, and emphasized building on the momentum behind Harriss campaign. But Harris has faced criticism for how light it was on policy specifics. Democrats argue she can afford to not get too far into the weeds on policy because Americans want to hear about her priorities. Were actually in the final stages of a campaign. Were both at the beginning and the final stages, and so policy pages are for spring. Voters want to know what direction youre going, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) told reporters at the Capitol this week. I truly think its more honest to the voters to say here are the 10 things Im going to work on, than to engage in false precision and post a 700-page document with [legislative] text all done because the truth of it is that good presidents do what Biden did, for instance, and say, I want to do an infrastructure bill, you guys figure it out and Ill sign it. The job of the chief executive is to set national priorities, to work with the legislature, and figure out what the market will bear, Schatz continued. This idea that were supposed to post bills as if they are in final form is for 12 people who run podcasts. Republicans have jumped on the criticism. Harris doesnt have a policy page on her website and the Trump campaign mockingly created kamala2024policies.com, which outlines things like abolish borders and eliminate private health insurance. Harris allies consider criticism to be a double standard. Republicans have called on Trump to focus more on policy over personal jabs at Harris, but the former president has continued his personal attacks. The fact that there is even a conversation about this shows the double standard between Vice President Harris and Donald Trump. In just one month, Vice President Harris has run an impressive campaign of vision and substance, where she has laid out her plans to build the middle class and fight for freedom, said Rachel Palermo, former deputy communications director and associate counsel to Harris in the White House. The vice president on Thursday will sit for her first interview since launching her presidential campaign. CNNs Dana Bash is sure to press her on hot button issues, from immigration, the economy and Gaza. Harris also released proposals aimed at lowering costs earlier this month and touting them in remarks in Raleigh, N.C. Harriss housing plan calls for constructing 3 million new housing units, a tax incentive for homebuilders to construct starter homes to sell to first-time homebuyers and a $40 billion innovation fund for local governments to build housing. Her child care plan would restore and expand the child tax credit, which was introduced in the 2021 American Rescue Plan and expired that year. She would push to provide up to $3,600 per child in tax credits and call for providing up to $6,000 in tax relief for middle-and-low income families for the first year of their childs life. And she called for a federal ban on price-gouging by pushing the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general to investigate corporations that break such rules. One of the main challenges in rolling out policy items comes down to pure timing, according to Democratic operatives, as the truncated time frame forces tough decisions for Harris and her team. We dont have time for that s, one Democratic operative said about the idea of lengthy policy proposals. The reason you talk about policy is to bring the race back to values, and this race is about values now, so why distract. One of the quirks of a 100-day long campaign is that the Harris camp has the ability to be quite surgical about the policy proposals they put out there. They dont need to boil the ocean on the progressive wishlist, the operative continued. They need to be very smart and deliberate about talking specifically about policy ideas that address voters top concerns, whether thats bringing down the cost of housing, cost of groceries, fixing the tax system so it works for everyday working people and keeping healthcare affordable. Still, Republicans have heaped criticism on Harris since the convention ended for avoiding questions about how her policy stances have shifted since her 2020 presidential campaign. Among those changes are on Medicare for All and fracking, two issues Republicans are using to bludgeon her campaign. Thats one reason why she needs to address the American people and speak to these questions, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) told ABCs This Week on Sunday. Because the only basis they have to conclude what she will be like as president is what shes done for four years in this administration and what she said in her own voice in the last campaign. Former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has called on Republicans to go harder at Harris on policy, focusing on her change on some issues like fracking, which she doesnt support a ban on after saying in 2019 that she does. GOP members also believe that they have policy on their side, especially on the economy and the border. Policy is your friend as how to win this race, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said on CNN. Nothings going to change with Vice President Harris. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Wake County parent Jennifer Slusser worries about candidate Michele Morrows push to reject federal funds and ban some books from NCs public schools. (Photo: Screengrab from live stream of press conference) A coalition of Democratic elected officials, educators, parents and progressive advocates gathered in Raleigh on Thursday to sound alarm bells over what they say is a profound threat to public education posed by North Carolinas Republican nominees for governor and superintendent of public instruction. The group, which calls itself the Coalition Against Robinsons Extremism (C.A.R.E.) held a press conference in front of the North Carolina Education Building in which speakers sought to tie superintendent nominee Michele Morrow to Robinsons candidacy, which polls indicate has been struggling. Morrow and Robinson have both embraced a host of controversial right-wing positions and debunked conspiracy theories related to public education. Senator Jay Chaudhuri (D-Wake) said Morrow is neither a serious leader nor a role model for children. She was at the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 and has repeatedly called for political violence, including the televised execution of President Barack Obama, said Chaudhuri. In fact, Morrow is so extreme that Republican state superintendent Catherine Truitt said that she would not support her. Tamika Walker-Kelly, President of North Carolina Association of Educators, said anti-public school politicians labeling classroom as broken and indoctrination centers does nothing to help students or teachers as the new school year gets underway. We need lower class sizes, not wild conspiracy theories. We need more teacher assistants and school nurses, not cameras in bathrooms. We need access to more technology and consistent internet, not banning library books, Walker-Kelly told reporters. Wake County parent Jennifer Slusser said she was taken aback by a section of Morrows campaign website that suggested public schools were trying to program children that America is and has always been a horrible country run by bad, racist and misogynistic people. After reading Morrows tirade about teaching critical thinking, you can imagine how shocked I was to find out that Morrow was part of a group of parents who sued Mecklenburg County in an attempt to ban books, Slusser said. Banning books has never led to progress, never. But beyond that, censorship is not an American value. Parent Susan Book said she was distressed that both Morrow and Robinson would reject federal funds for the states public schools. My heart breaks on what that action would actually do to my family. My family relies on the Department of Education, not only for the funds it provides our schools for special education programs, but equally important to us is our civil rights protections that it grants my son. Book said it was difficult to express what it feels like to see candidates callously disregard students with disabilities their right to a free and appropriate public education. Our schools face real issues, and it isnt about a few peoples narrow view of Christianity, Book said. Yolanda Taylor, an attorney for Advanced Carolina, said rejecting those federal dollars also would jeopardize the education of those attending public charter schools, like her ten-year-old and 13-year-old. There are two main funding programs that are at jeopardy of being cut based on the express educational policies of both Mark Robinson and Michelle Morrow. These are funds from Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and Title VI of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. So, if you have a child with a disability, you should be alarmed too, said Taylor. Special education teacher Christina Spears, who is president of the Wake County chapter of the North Carolina Association of Educators, said she is encouraging voters just like her students to do their homework on the candidates and the issues. Catherine Truitt Talk to your neighbors, other parents, people in your church, any voter you know and share about whats at stake for us in this election, said Spears. Public schools are the heart of our communities and the heart of our democracy. On Wednesday, the current state Superintendent Catherine Truitt told WCNC that she could not endorse Morrow, a fellow Republican, to succeed her in an agency that is responsible for an $11 billion budget and 2,500 public schools. Its always been a mystery to me why someone who has never trusted her own children with the public school systems, and someone whos never worked in public schools in any capacity at all, would want to be the states leader of our public schools, Truitt said. Commissioner Martin E. Moore of Buncombe County speaks to an audience at the North Carolina Democratic HQ in Raleigh Commissioner Martin E. Moore of Buncombe County calls on state Supreme Court Justice Phil Berger, Jr. to recuse himself from cases involving his father, Senator Phil Berger, Sr. at a Thursday press conference. (Photo: Ahmed Jallow) Democrats are again calling for Justice Phil Berger Jr. to recuse himself from two high-profile cases involving his father, state Senate leader Phil Berger. Their calls follow a ruling by the North Carolina Supreme Court on Friday, which denied Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers motion seeking Berger Jr.s recusal. In the two cases, Cooper is challenging laws passed by the General Assembly that remove his authority to appoint members to various boards and commissions. One of these laws, currently under injunction by a lower court, would significantly redesign state and local election boards, transferring all appointments to legislative leaders, including Senator Berger, who is named as a defendant in both cases. Phil Berger, Jr. By trying to take control of them, Senator Berger is trying to further rig our election system against the voters, said Anderson Clayton, the North Carolina Democratic Party chair, during a press conference Thursday morning. They see the writings on the wall that theyre going to lose their supermajority and lose the governors race in November, and now they are hell bent on passing and locking in legislation and court rulings that take away the power of our vote and coronate themselves. Republicans hold a supermajority in the North Carolina General Assembly, allowing them to override any vetoes from the governor. Rep. Marcia Morey (D-Durham), a former chief district court judge, said she ordered recusals even if judges were Facebook friends with lawyers involved in cases before them. Morey said Justice Berger Jr.s involvement in the case damages public confidence in the judicial system. When you have a justice sitting on that court listening to his father, who is a party in a case, argue his side should win, that is not impartial, that is not unbiased, that is a real detriment to the fairness of our system, Morey said. There is no reason that [Berger Jr.] should not recuse himself, and the rest of the Republican majority on that court should not take cover because he refuses to. Ethics are most at stake in our courts, and theyre being sorely questioned right now. Even if Berger Jr. had recused himself, the cases would still have been heard by a majority of Republican justices, as the party currently holds a 5-2 majority on the states high court. Earlier this year, Justice Anita Earls, one of the two Democrats on the court, rejected a request from Republican legislative leaders for her to recuse herself from the 30-year-old Leandro school funding case. Earls had been involved in the case before her 2018 election to the court. But Anderson said that Justice Earls situation is different because she does not have a family member before the court who would directly benefit from her decisions. What I think is important here is that Anita Earls did not have someone, a member of her family, that was before the court that would benefit from any of the decisions that were made by that court. Phil Berger, Sr. is in direct alignment with the decision thats made from this court today, and he would personally benefit. The law in question does not represent the first time Republicans have sought changes to election boards. Following Coopers election in 2016, Republican lawmakers introduced a similar bill, which the state Supreme Court struck down, ruling that it violated the state constitutions separation of powers clause. In 2018, Republicans proposed a constitutional amendment to restructure election boards, but more than 61% of voters rejected it. And last year, Republicans overturned Coopers veto and enacted a bill that overhauled the boards. Cooper sued, and in March, a panel of Superior Court judges blocked the law from taking effect. Justice Berger, Jr. has long faced calls to recuse himself from cases. In 2021, plaintiffs filed a motion to disqualify he and another justice from hearing a lawsuit challenging two constitutional amendments on a voter ID law and an income tax cap. The North Carolina Code of Judicial Conduct states that a judge should disqualify themselves when a person within the third degree of relationship to either themselves or their spouse is a part of the proceeding. Critics have long argued that Berger, Jr. and his father are within a first-degree relationship. Commissioner Martin E. Moore of Buncombe County, who is also a candidate for the North Carolina Court of Appeals, reiterated that position at Thursdays press event. The courts decision that a sitting member of the bench does not have a conflict of interest when its own father sits as President Pro Tem of the state Senate is not only disappointing, it leaves the people of North Carolina to wonder if extremism once again prevails over transparency in an independent judiciary, said Moore. The court has an opportunity to restore peoples confidence in our judiciary by simply asking a colleague to recuse themselves from a case involving his father as a party, Moore added. When Bill Clinton took the stage on the third night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, he wasnt scanning the crowd to gauge their reaction the way he usually does. Instead, he was constantly glancing down at the dais. Clinton wasnt reading from the teleprompter; his speech had been printed out. Bill Clinton is reading ... pages of actual paper, the longtime political reporter Susan Milligan tweeted. Which, for those of us who started covering him in the 92 campaign, means he didnt finish his last version of his speech in time to load it on the teleprompter. Clinton wasnt just fiddling with syntax. After observing the first two days of the convention, he had decided to rewrite his remarks with a more fun, youthful, joyful approach that fit the mood he had witnessed inside the United Center. Take it from a man who once had the honor to be called in this convention the Man From Hope, he concluded. We need Kamala Harris, the president of joy, to lead us. So, Ill be doing my part. You do yours. Ill see you when were making a real joyful noise when the votes are counted. It was, to be blunt, not one of Clintons better speecheslong and droning, it resembled his disastrous 1988 address more than career highlights such as his reelection-shifting 1996 speech or his effusive case for Barack Obama in 2012. (It was also Clintons thirteenth convention speech, so its hard to fault him too much.) But it was yet another testament to the former presidents well-honed ability to read the room. The theme of the 2024 convention was joy; Clinton simply put his own spin on it. Much of that joy was Kamala Harriss. Democrats had rightly decided that exuberance was her defining characteristic, and spent four days making the case that in her the party had, at long last, its own happy warrior. But joy was also present in the United Center itself. It belonged to the delegates, too. The mood at the 2024 DNC was jubilant because everyone was well aware of how funereal things would have been if Harris wasnt the nominee. Had Biden held on, the convention would have likely taken place with Donald Trump rollicking toward a landslide return to the White House; moreover, there likely would have been massive protests against Bidens role in Israels ongoing murder of civilians in Gaza. The media would have labeled it a reprise of the disastrous 1968 convention. Instead, Harris was the nominee; the protests were present but muted; and the Democrats, though still facing a tight election, were favorites. All of this was un-imaginable just one month earlier. The sense of unity inside the United Center was just as improbable. In mid-July, the party felt like it was on the brink of civil war. By late August, all of that had been forgotten: The party was in lockstep behind Harris. Indeed, some of the best speeches of the convention came from progressives, particularly Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who made an impassioned case that electing Harris was necessary to improve the lives of working people. Full of love for unions, denunciations of billionaires and corporations, and calls for crackdowns on corporate greed, the convention was a monument to the legacy of Sanderss failed 2016 presidential bid. If Sanderss and Ocasio-Cortezs speeches served as reminders of the surprising success of the Democratic Partys progressive wing over the last eight years, it was also clear that the party had largely subsumed that movement, rather than the other way around. There was, at the same time, a sense that many of the partys dominant figures were, well, quite old. Several speeches had a distinctly valedictory feel: Clinton (who is 78), Sanders (who is 82), Biden (who is 81), and Nancy Pelosi (who is 84) were all received as if they were delivering a final address. Biden, in particular, elicited a solemnity that sharply contrasted with the otherwise buoyant spirit of the convention: His speech was treated as if it were a farewell, and not one of many addresses a sitting president will deliver in his final five months in office. The old order was dying. Where was the new one? In Chicago, it wasnt always obvious. The Democratic Partys retreat from neoliberalism has never been clearer. These Democrats are vociferously pro-union; they spent the convention cheering on Bidens embrace of full employment, domestic manufacturing, and use of legislation to remake the American economy. There was more talk of egalitarianism than at any recent conventionbut it was hardly socialistic. Instead, the convention broadly reflected the Biden administrations own approach to policy, which represents a fusion of the finance-heavy approach favored by Obama and Clinton and the more academic approach of Elizabeth Warren (with a dash of Sanderss populism). This fusion may very well be the future, but it still feels transitory. The Democrats are headed somewhere, but no one quite knows where yet. Harris, who has largely eschewed policy, doesnt appear to have an answerindeed, her lack of a vision for the party is one reason her 2020 presidential campaign fizzled. For now, her indistinctness is appealing. In Chicago, most voters could see in her whatever they wanted to see. The party is united behind her, a candidate who is a little bit of everything without being too much of anything. But at some point, the party will once again have to get down to the tough business of existential politics. Till then, there is joy. Much of it comes from the simple fact that Harris is the nominee. But some of it comes from the understanding that those questions can waitfor a few months, at least. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, center, Minister for Community Safety and Preparedness Torsten Schack Pedersen, right, Minister for Green Tripartite Jeppe Bruus, 2nd right, European Minister Marie Bjerre, left, Minister for Digitalisation Caroline Stage Olsen, 2nd left, Tax Minister Rasmus Stoklund, 4th right, and Social and Housing Minister Sophie Haestorp Andersen, 3rd right, are presented as new minister in front of Frederik VIII's Palace, Amalienborg Palace, in Copenhagen, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen Thursday appointed six new ministers in a major reshuffle of her three-party centrist government, bringing the number of ministers to 25 the largest ever in 30 years. One of the ministers will head a new government office of emergency preparedness, climate change and cyber crimes. The world has become more troubled, Frederiksen said as she announced that Torsten Schack Pedersen will be in charge of the new ministry, after the reshuffled cabinet was formally presented to King Frederik X. Denmark now joins Sweden to have such a department. Besides the new emergency office, the government now has two other new ministries, bringing the total to 25, the largest since the 1993-1994 Cabinet of Social Democratic Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen who had 24 ministers. Marie Bjerre left her job as minister for digitalization and gender equality, to become in charge of the European Union affairs, ahead of Denmarks rotating EU presidency in the second half of 2025. Jeppe Bruus, the outgoing taxation minister, was brought in to head a brand new ministry, which will be coordinating Denmarks green policy. The Scandinavian country has a goal of 70% emissions reductions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050. Bruus was replaced by Rasmus Stoklund while Bjerre's previous job was given to Caroline Stage Olsen, who became the digitalization minister. The gender equality portfolio was handed over to Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke. In one of the major surprises, Copenhagen mayor Sophie Hstorp Andersen was appointed as minister in charge of social affairs instead of Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil, who left the government. Frederiksen, who is the leader of the Social Democratic Party, announced Wednesday that she was doing a government reshuffle and creating three new ministries. In 2022, she presented the current majority government, consisting of her center-left Social Democrats, the center-right Liberal Party and the newly created centrist Moderates party. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Many childcare facilities across Missouri rely on faith to do their jobs because they say the state isnt doing theirs. Only through the grace of God have we been able to maintain and keep our doors open, Linda Franklin Lynn the Administration Assistant at The Downtown Childhood Development Center said. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are sitting in Missouris bank account as daycares weigh if they can stay open or not. Woman charged after 1-year-old boy killed in Atchison, Kansas crash FOX4 first told you about this at the beginning of the month. Now, the Missouri House is opening an investigation into the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The light company wants all they money or your lights will be turned off. These kids need care but the childcare providers need the funds to do that Franklin Lynn said. The fact that were even having this conversation is mindboggling, but I think what we need to do is apply more pressure to those in charge, Crystal Quade, the Democrat Minority Leader in the Missouri House of Representatives, said. A crisis with a big price tag that has Jefferson City on high alert. Were seeing so many of our childcare providers having to close their doors because they cant make payroll, they cant keep the doors open, Quade said. That reality is very real for Linda Franklin Lynn and her team here at The Downtown Childhood Development Center. Give us our money, we kept these babies and show them love and we will continue, but give us our money. Thats your word and we expect you to keep your word, she said. Crystal Quade says theres a pot of more than $215 million allocated to serve more than 23,000 kids, but only $24 million has been used. Some childcare facilities have been missing their childcare subsidies since November. Last time we spoke with DESE, they said they hoped to have the issue resolved in 90 days, however, many of these spaces will close by the time we get to 90 days. Get on it, get like Kansas, get like Kansas and itll be simple for you and simple for us too, Franklin Lynn said was her message to the state. Franklin-Lynn said they havent had to cut services yet, but theyre close. Kansas City man who shot and killed his son pleads guilty, sentenced In the midst of this, FOX4 reached out to DESE who followed with this statement: At any hearing that is scheduled with lawmakers, DESE plans to be transparent about the challenges that exist, and the work being done to address the issues. Additional information about the challenges and work being done is below. The new Child Care Data System (CCDS) allows families and providers to have a web-based, near real-time system to enter and view their information for child care subsidy . DESEs Office of Childhood launched the CCDS in December 2023. There have been a number of challenges during the transition to a new data system. DESE recognizes the importance of subsidy payments to the child care industry and the value the program provides to Missouris workforce, in particular for families who provide care to children in foster care. DESE and its contractors, World Wide Technology and MTX, are working hard to address these issues and sincerely apologizes to the child care providers and families affected by this transition. The ongoing challenges with system issues have created a backlog in family applications for subsidy assistance and provider contract applications. DESE and its vendors are committed to fixing these issues and processing all applications as quickly as possible. Here are the solutions we have put in place: Family Applications: DESE has contracted with a staffing agency to provide full-time staff to help clear the backlog of family applications. We expect the backlog in family applications to be cleared by mid to late September. Once approved for subsidy, we will ensure there is no gap in the familys eligibility and authorizations. Provider Contracts: DESE has cross-trained additional staff to help the subsidy team to clear the backlog of provider contract applications. We expect the backlog in provider applications to be cleared by early to mid-September. Once applications are processed, we will ensure there is no lapse in the providers contract. Provider Payments: Payments are being processed daily and providers are getting paid, though some are not receiving full payment due to ongoing technical issues. DESE has put the following resources in place to address the outstanding payment issues as soon as possible. DESEs current contractors who support the child care data system have doubled the number of staff working on issues preventing or delaying provider payments. DESE contracted with an agency to clear the backlog of subsidy payment corrections. DESE hired a team of part-time employees to assist with processing requests for missing payments. Parents and providers with questions may call 573-415-8605 to speak to a customer service representative during these hours: Monday through Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to Noon Parents and providers experiencing a longer wait time during the day are encouraged to call back during evening or weekend hours. FOX4 also reached out to Quades opponent, Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe who said, Access to safe and affordable childcare is critical for Missouri families. This delay in payments to childcare providers is unacceptable, and I will work with the Governors Office, the legislature, and DESE to ensure government bureaucracy does not continue to hurt these small businesses in providing essential services to hardworking Missourians. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. DNA evidence from a discarded cigarette has helped investigators finally solve the murder of a 33-year-old woman in Washington state after 44 years. Kenneth Kundert was arrested in Arkansas on a nationwide murder warrant out of Washington, police said. He is expected to be charged with first-degree murder, according to a spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. His bail is set at $3 million and he is awaiting extradition, according to police. MORE: Man charged 34 years after fatal hit-and-run in Charlotte On Feb. 23, 1980, after 10 p.m. Dorothy "Dottie" Maria Silzer left work at a pizza place to head home. That was the last time she was seen alive, according to police. She was reported missing by her co-workers three days later after she failed to show up for work two days in a row, which was "hugely unusual" for her, Kent, Washington, Police Chief Rafael Padilla said at a press conference. Police performed a welfare check at her condo, where she was found murdered, Padilla said. Evidence, including DNA, was collected from the scene and preserved. "It was their extensive and exhaustive work to collect and preserve that evidence that made the eventual identification of Dottie's murderer possible," Padilla said. PHOTO: The Kent Police Department holds a press conference regarding the arrest of a suspect in a 1980 murder, Aug. 28, 2024, in Kent, Wash. (Kent Police Department/Facebook) The Kent County medical examiner later determined the cause of death was asphyxia by means of cervical compression. There was also blunt-force trauma to her head, according to Padilla. Crime lab investigators determined that DNA evidence collected at the scene of the crime belonged to an unknown man. In 1996, additional DNA evidence from the case was examined, but investigators still came up empty. Over the years, DNA from persons of interest were submitted to compare, but none were a match, Padilla said. The case dragged on unsolved for so long that many of the officers who worked on it had retired and a couple of them had even died, he added. MORE: Texas nursing student's kidnapping, murder solved after 44 years: Police Finally, a breakthrough came in 2022, when the rapidly advancing field of genetic genealogy, in which DNA is submitted to public databases to find familial connections, identified 11 potential suspects. Investigators said they then began to collect DNA samples to eliminate suspects from the group. Two of the suspects identified were Kurt and Kenneth Kundert, brothers who lived in Arkansas, police said. Investigators discovered the brothers were both in custody on unrelated charges stemming from an assault. PHOTO: Chief of Police Rafael Padilla speaks at a Kent Police Department press conference regarding the arrest of a suspect in a 1980 murder, Aug. 28, 2024, in Kent, Wash. (Kent Police Department/Facebook) Kurt Kundert agreed to provide police with a DNA sample voluntarily, but Kenneth Kundert did not, police said. Kurt Kundert's DNA did not match the sample. Investigators said they were able to determine Kenneth Kundert had ties to Washington and worked in the state in 1987. The brothers also lived in an apartment complex about 1,200 feet away from where the murder took place, authorities said. In March, police were able to obtain a discarded cigarette belonging to Kenneth Kundert and it was compared to the DNA sample found at the crime scene and came back a match. MORE: California cold case murder from 1986 linked to serial killer with 13 other victims On Aug. 20, police found and arrested Kenneth Kundert in Arkansas. He is now at a Van Buren correctional facility awaiting extradition. Silzer was originally from North Dakota where she graduated from high school before working at a school district in the state. She later moved to Washington and lived in the Seattle area for about 12 years, police said. She had just purchased a condo in Kent, Washington, just before she was killed. Silzer was a training supervisor at Boeing and worked at a pizza place on weekends, according to police. Discarded cigarette helps solve Washington murder after 44 years originally appeared on abcnews.go.com MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) The City of Midland kicked off its lineup of town hall meetings with council members who are meeting directly with locals in their respective districts. These town halls purpose is to give locals insights into what is happening currently and the future in their district. In addition, locals are also able to ask their district representative questions and have conversations on plans or updates. Its been a while since Ive held a town hall, said Councilman John Norman. I think its due time that you know come to the community and people know the things that have been going on and things we have going on in the future. We were elected by the people and so I think its very important we do get out and speak to the people and address concerns that may be out there. District two kicked off the series of these town halls with its representative, Councilman John Norman. Norman said that he enjoys having these type of events where he can directly speak with those in his district. The councilman also said that before he took the position, he would speak with community members and listen to concerns that they had. On Wednesday nights agenda for district two, topics included roadway safety, crime updates, Midland streets and road projects, parks and recreation projects, and citizen information and requests. For some of the things that we can address its good to have different constituents come in with different concerns and stuff that we may not have addressed in the past or some news that may have popped up because the city is constantly growing, said Norman. Constant changes across the city and within the district. Mayor Lori Blong was in attendance at District Twos town hall and said that communication is a priority. Communication is a priority for me and our city council and we know that we have to put good information out there through all the different outlets and we also want to have face-to-face interaction, said Mayor Blong. And so these town halls are our effort to accomplish that. The next town hall will be held on September 10 for District Three with Councilwoman Amy Stretcher Brooks at Fasken Elementary. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. JAKARTA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia, through its Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment, will host the 2nd Indonesia Sustainability Forum (ISF) at the Jakarta Convention Center on Sept. 5-6. The event is expected to draw nearly 9,000 delegates from around the world, making it the second-largest climate-related event in the Asia-Pacific region after COP29 in Azerbaijan last November. The forum will bring together world leaders, CEOs and sustainability experts to discuss strategies for advancing the green economy while promoting decarbonization efforts. Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan told a press conference on Thursday that the forum aimed to produce agreements on how to build green industries through downstreaming, green electricity, mineral processing while balancing decarbonization and saving the environment. This includes actions related to the use of renewable energy sources and waste management. "This is an important forum to show the world Indonesia's leadership and initiative for sustainable development. Indonesia has become a success model in sustainability improvement, including through our nickel downstreaming, The forum must be followed by real follow-ups," Pandjaitan said. The ministry's Deputy for Infrastructure and Transportation Coordination Rachmat Kaimuddin said that as of Thursday, more than 8,000 participants had registered, including high-level officials from Malaysia, Singapore and Vatican. He said the event would present 10 plenary sessions, 15 thematic discussion sessions and some roundtable discussions where the participants would discuss how to align economic growth and build a green industry through new and renewable energy sources, as well as to protect the environment from air pollution and waste management. "The forum will highlight five main pillars: green economy, energy transition, nature conservation and biodiversity, sustainable lifestyles, and ocean economy," Kaimuddin said. Does UNC System policy require DEI offices to close? What we know about campuses plans. Public universities in North Carolina have just days left before they must finalize and certify their plans to comply with the UNC Systems repeal of diversity, equity and inclusion requirements. Under the new DEI policy, approved by the UNC System Board of Governors in May, all 16 public universities and the North Carolina School of Science and Math the public high school that is part of the system must submit reports to system President Peter Hans on or before Sunday, Sept. 1. Those reports, which will be public documents, must include information about any cuts to jobs or spending that university leaders have implemented as a result of the policy, as well as how any savings from those actions will be spent on student success efforts. The new policy, titled Equality Within the University of North Carolina, emphasizes nondiscrimination and institutional neutrality the idea, enshrined in state law, that campuses and their leaders should not weigh in on political or social issues over the previous policys ideals of diversity and inclusion. Legal guidance on the policy, published in July, did not explicitly call for DEI offices to be eliminated. But the document made clear that the offices and their employees would be scrutinized as campuses worked to implement the policy, and at least two campuses have justified closing their DEI offices by expressly saying the guidance required them to do so. But other campuses have taken another approach, keeping some aspects of their DEI offices intact under new names and reorganized structures. As the Sept. 1 deadline approaches, heres what we do and dont know about how the policys impacts so far. UNC System President Peter Hans speaks during a meeting of the Board of Governors on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. DEI offices close at some campuses At least three campuses have completely closed their DEI offices as a result of the policy: UNC Wilmington Chancellor Aswani Volety announced in a campus message on Aug. 8 that the university would close its Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion and eliminate its chief diversity officer position. Volety said the decision was based on policy requirements and consistent with System Office guidance. Donyell Roseboro, who held the CDO position before it was eliminated, will return to the faculty in the universitys Watson College of Education. Volety said Roseboro allowed him to share information about her employment changes, but information about changes for other employees would be kept confidential until details are finalized. Volety said all affected employees were offered employment opportunities in Academic Affairs or Student Affairs. When asked by The News & Observer for additional information about the status of the remaining employees, UNCW spokesperson Sydney Bouchelle said the university would wait to comment until after the universitys report to Hans was finalized. The universitys cultural and identity centers for African American, Hispanic, LGBTQ+ and Asian American communities will relocate to the Division of Student Affairs, but will remain in their physical locations on campus. The centers staffing and programming could change as a result of the policy, Volety said, but he did not provide details on those changes. The centers will continue to focus on creating and sustaining a sense of belonging for historically marginalized students while also providing support, service and educational programs to benefit all students, Volety said. UNC Charlotte closed its three DEI offices as a result of the policy: the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Office of Identity, Equity and Engagement and the Office of Academic Diversity and Inclusion. No employees were laid off as part of the changes. Instead, 11 full-time employees were reassigned to new positions at the university, The Charlotte Observer reported. Faculty who held part-time duties in the offices no longer have those responsibilities, Provost Jennifer Troyer and Vice Chancellor Kevin Bailey wrote in an Aug. 8 campus message. Troyer and Bailey explained the decisions to close the offices and reassign employees by saying the new system policy does not allow any institution in the System to have offices that focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. A university Q&A website about the policy also directs employees to remove or revise statements about DEI from campus websites, and states that university departments may no longer have DEI liaisons. WUNC reported that Appalachian State University closed its DEI office. When asked by The N&O to confirm that report, App State spokesperson Anna Oakes said the university would not share information about the universitys efforts to comply with the policy until after the Board of Governors September meeting. The system policy only requires Hans, the UNC System president, to review the compliance reports from campuses not the Board of Governors. Agendas for the boards September meetings have not been released, making it unclear whether the board intends to discuss or review the reports at that time. Oakes did not respond to additional requests for comment. N.C. State junior Naila Din raises a fist while exiting a UNC System Board of Governors meeting on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. following the boards approval of a policy that repeals DEI requirements across the university system. DEI offices reorganized, renamed Other campuses have reorganized and renamed their DEI offices, often giving them a new mission but keeping other aspects of the units in-place. Those campuses include: NC State University, where the former Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity is now the Office of Equal Opportunity. Provost Warwick Arden originally announced in an Aug. 1 campus message that the office would be called the Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity, but sent an update on Aug. 16 saying that Institutional Equity would be dropped from the new name. The change was effective immediately. Sheri Schwab, formerly vice provost for institutional equity and diversity, will remain at the university under a new title vice provost for equal opportunity and will lead the renamed office. The renamed office will oversee a portfolio that focuses solely on equal opportunity and related compliance areas, Warwick said in his Aug. 16 message. That includes the universitys Disability Resource Office. The universitys four cultural and community centers will move from the former equity and diversity office to the Division of Student Affairs and will be overseen by Carrie Zelna, senior associate vice chancellor in that division. The centers are: the African American Cultural Center, the LGBTQ Pride Center, Multicultural Student Affairs and the Womens Center. These changes help ensure that NC State programs and units are optimized for student success, Warwick wrote on Aug. 1. They will also strengthen NC States ongoing commitment to equal opportunity and to combatting unlawful discrimination and harassment, he wrote. For the most part, Warwick said in his Aug. 1 message, staff who formerly worked in the equity and diversity office will move to either student affairs or the new Office of Equal Opportunity. When asked by The N&O for more details on how employees were affected by the changes, NC State spokesperson Mick Kulikowski said the university may share additional information after it submits its compliance report. NC State has also suspended all DEI-related trainings, effective Aug. 16, while we review them to ensure that they are in alignment with the new policy, Warwick said. Trainings that are required by state or federal law or UNC System policy will continue. UNC School of the Arts, where the former Division of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging is now the Division of Institutional Engagement. Along with the change to the divisions name, there are also slight differences to the divisions stated mission and purpose. On its website, the new version of the division no longer promotes a vision statement that previously read, in part: ... we commit to an explicit and continual process of identifying and dismantling systems and practices of bias, exclusion and oppression. Education and art making can be transformational forces for change and we are working so that change leads toward justice. A group of students from UNC-Chapel Hill wait outside of the Alex Ewing Performance Place building on the campus of UNC School of the Arts after a meeting of the UNC System Board of Governors University Governance committee went into closed session on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Winston-Salem, N.C. Instead, the Division of Institutional Engagement now promotes a vision of aligning services, curriculum, and programs with the broad goals of UNCSAs strategic plan, through advancing student success through support and advocacy, fostering community partnerships and empowering artistic endeavors that demonstrate commitment to equality of all persons, among other avenues. B. Afeni McNeely Cobham, formerly the schools vice provost for equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, is now the vice provost of institutional engagement. Some staff titles and job descriptions have changed under the new division, but UNCSA spokesperson Katherine Johnson confirmed to The N&O that no employees lost their jobs as a result of the changes. Johnson provided a statement to The N&O that read, in part: UNCSA remains committed to its core value of belonging, with student success and employee well-being as a top priority for its community, and there are no plans to withdraw support of those who work to achieve these goals. UNC Asheville, where the former Office of Multicultural Affairs is now reorganized into the Dean of Students office. The former multicultural affairs position will now be an associate dean of students role, Chancellor Kimberly van Noort announced in an Aug. 15 campus message. The Office of Multicultural Affairs provided spaces for student care, community, belonging, and success, van Noort wrote. Under the direction of the Dean of Students, and with the direct support of the new Associate Dean, this focus will continue. The Dean of Students office will remain located in the universitys student union, and its mission will also remain unchanged, van Noort said. As always, its mission centers a sense of belonging for historically marginalized students, along with services and educational programs that benefit the entire student body, she wrote. Be assured that a culture of kindness and belonging will always be key among our foundational values and central to the exceptional educational experience we offer, where every Bulldog has a place. One campus, East Carolina University, changed the structure of its DEI office prior to the Board of Governors vote to change the policy in May. Chancellor Philip Rogers announced in a campus message on March 26 that the universitys human resources division, personnel and financial administration office and the Office for Equity and Diversity would be consolidated into a unified administrative unit within the Division of Administration and Finance. As part of the changes, LaKesha Alston Forbes, formerly the universitys chief diversity officer, is now the chief people officer. The changes were effective May 1, more than three weeks before the Board of Governors May 23 vote. An ECU spokesperson did not respond to The N&Os request for comment regarding why the university changed its office prior to receiving a mandate from the Board of Governors. Part of Rogers March message read: Acknowledging the evolving needs of the workforce and the competitive environment for talent requires us to modernize our structures and systems to enhance the employee experience. The initial goals of this consolidation include more clarity regarding processes, reduced inefficiencies, and improved stakeholder experiences as well as enhancement of services across the spectrum of talent acquisition, learning and development, employee well-being and retention. UNC-Chapel Hill Interim Chancellor Lee Roberts, left, listens during a meeting of the UNC System Board of Governors on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. East Carolina University Chancellor Philip Rogers is to Roberts left. Impacts at some schools remain to be seen Other campuses told The N&O they would wait for their reports to be submitted on Sept. 1 before providing additional information about how they plan to comply with the new policy. Those campuses include NC A&T State University, NC Central University and the School of Science and Math. UNC-Chapel Hill spokesperson Kevin Best also told The N&O the university does not plan to announce its changes until after Sept. 1. But there are some clues about the universitys plans, gleaned from comments from Chancellor Lee Roberts and Provost Chris Clemens and public documents. In June, Clemens gave Leah Cox, the universitys chief diversity officer, a secondary appointment in which she was tasked, in part, with considering how to reposition Project Uplift and other student success initiatives within the provost office structure and developing a student success strategy, according to a contract obtained by The N&O through a public records request. The contract, which does not include additional compensation, is expected to continue for a year, the contract states. Project Uplift, a summer program that invites underrepresented high school students to the UNC campus, is a key offering from the universitys Office of Diversity and Inclusion. That the program is specifically listed in Coxs contract indicates that it is likely to remain part of the universitys offerings. Roberts has also indicated his support of Project Uplift, telling reporters after being elected chancellor on Aug. 9 that the program is not going anywhere and that he would love to see it expanded. But in an interview with The N&O on his first day as chancellor, he declined to comment on the potential fates of other programming housed in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. In a public meeting of the universitys Faculty Executive Committee on Monday, Clemens said signature programs will move to campus academic and cultural centers. That includes Project Uplift, which will now be housed under the Carolina Higher Education Opportunity Programs division of Clemens office. Clemens said administrators have already reassigned staff members from the diversity office to either the human resources division or the provosts office, but did not provide specific details. Roberts on his first day would not tell The N&O whether there might be layoffs as a result of the changes made under the new UNC System policy. But he offered this: If there are layoffs, we always make a practice of trying to see ... the affected folks have the opportunity to find other jobs here at Carolina. Clemens said Monday that administrators have been working to evaluate dozens of programs and positions and make thoughtful changes that will align us to the new policy, but also take care of our cherished colleagues and support an environment where everyone is welcome and included. Dolphin Who Keeps Attacking Swimmers May Be Motivated by Sex, Experts Say Cetacean Blues You've heard of yacht-sinking orcas (which are still at it, by the way). But there's another menace terrorizing humans at sea: a lonely, playful, and possibly horny dolphin. The cetacean, a male Indo-Pacific bottlenose, is being blamed for a recent series of over a dozen attacks on swimmers at a beach town in Japan, inflicting injuries ranging from bites to broken bones. The attacks have been going on for three years now, reoccurring each summer in the waters off Tsuruga, and several other towns, in Fukui Prefecture. This most recent spell, according to NBC News, has seen 18 dolphin attack victims since July 21, for a total of nearly 50 since 2022. Guys Being Dudes Researchers have determined that the culprit is the same male based on fin markings shown in footage of the attacks. According to Tadamichi Morisaka at Mie University's Cetacean Research Center, the "gentle biting" is common among male bottlenose dolphins as a way of maintaining friendships. "To me, he's seeking some kind of interaction with people," Morisaka told Nature. "If he really wanted to attack, he could have come tackling at full force and chomped down. But he's keeping the biting gentle for dolphin standards, so it's probably a friendly gesture rather than a full-on attempt to attack." These male dolphins hang out in pairs and can get quite intimate to show their affection to each other while playing. "This includes behaviors like chasing each other and rubbing the other dolphin with their pectoral fins which is thought to signal fondness and even sexual behaviors, such as pressing their penises against each other," Morisaka said. Simon Allen at the Shark Bay Dolphin Research project told the BBC that "hormonal fluctuations, sexual frustration or the desire to dominate might drive the dolphin to injuring the people it interacts with" so it's possible there's a carnal bent to its antics, too. Friends to Enemies The dolphin's solitude, however, is trickier to explain. Why dolphins leave their pods in general and whether this behavior could be considered "unusual" is a mystery, Morisaka said. While this dolphin may just be trying to be friendly for now, there's also potential for things to turn genuinely hostile. As Morisaka explains, human-dolphin interactions progress in phases, starting from "just sharing the same space," which we're already well past. "If the interaction progresses to the next stage, dolphins can start asserting dominance through aggressive behaviors such as tackling or mounting people," he told Nature. "We saw a bit of this last summer, so I was very concerned." The most recent attack took place on August 20, when a 50-something-year-old man was bitten on both hands while trying to shoo the dolphin away, according to NBC. And from what it sounds like, this probably won't be the last we hear from this persistent sea creature. More on marine life: Watch Thousands of Sleeping Sharks Form a "Carpet" on the Ocean Floor I know there is not much we can all agree upon these days, but I have to believe that all of us ALL of us believe that Arlington National Cemetery is our most hallowed ground. Earlier this week, the family of a soldier lost in a suicide bombing attack during the withdrawal from Afghanistan, Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, allowed Donald Trump to accompany them to Arlington on the third anniversary of the attack that killed him. There is nothing wrong with that, as long as the cemetery and those buried there are not used a political pawns. Which, sadly, is exactly what Trump did. Trump gave a thumbs-up next to soldiers' graves The group took video and photographs that included a ridiculous thumbs-up gesture, not only behind Hoovers grave but also the grave next to his, that of Phoenix-born Master Sgt. Andrew Andy Marckesano, a Green Beret and Silver Star recipient who died by suicide in 2020. Please, please tell me you are disgusted by this. The former president was visiting Arlington National Cemetery on the anniversary of deaths of 13 servicemen killed in the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan when he was photographed smiling and giving an awkward thumbs up. https://t.co/W92m271cLw The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) August 27, 2024 There was a dust-up between Trumps staff and cemetery officials, with the cemetery pointing out in a statement that federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, to include photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes, or in direct support of a partisan political candidates campaign. Retired Army general Paul Eaton saw the Trump pictures and told The Washington Post, I just havent seen anything this disgusting. It is completely inappropriate to do any kind of political activity on a federal installation, and it is immoral in my terms to conduct any kind of self-serving activity on a cemetery with the graves of our fallen. What it's like to be: Family of Arizona's fallen soliders Sgt. Marckesanos sister told The New York Times that she supports the Hoovers family quest for answers and accountability over the incident that killed their loved one, but added, However, according to our conversation with Arlington National Cemetery, the Trump campaign staffers did not adhere to the rules that were set in place for this visit to Staff Sergeant Hoovers gravesite in Section 60, which lays directly next to my brothers grave. We hope that those visiting this sacred site understand that these were real people who sacrificed for our freedom and that they are honored and respected accordingly. How to honor Marckesano, others at Arlington There is nothing lower than politicking in the most literal sense on the graves of the dead. Sgt. Marckesano served eight combat tours. According to the Green Beret Foundation, in addition to his Silver Star he received a Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal CS-5 and many other citations. There is also in his name the MSG Andrew Marckesano Suicide Prevention Fund (#AndysFund), meant to help provide for the mental health care needs of Green Berets and their families not covered by military health care or other benefits. The idea that any kind of campaign stunt would be held near his grave is I dont have to tell you. You know. Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com. For more opinions content, please subscribe. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Andrew Marckesano didn't deserve Trump's disrespect at Arlington HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Former President Donald Trump will visit Harrisburgs Farm Show Complex for a third time this year. Trump will hold a town hall-style event on Wednesday, September 4, at the Farm Show Complex, following two rallies there earlier this year. Information on how to attend the town hall has not been released at this time. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania The event comes on a day when Trump had previously announced he would debate the Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, in Harrisburg. However, that debate is not being held. In an Emerson College Polling/The Hill poll released on Thursday, Trump and Harris are tied in Pennsylvania with 48% support each. Trump lost Pennsylvania to Joe Biden in his 2020 re-election bid by about 80,000 votes after taking the 2016 election over Hillary Clinton by about 44,000 votes. This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Donald Trump Pleads With CNNs Dana Bash to Do the Right Thing in Kamala Harris Interview Donald Trump is seemingly hedging his bets ahead of Kamala Harris and Tim Walzs CNN interview Thursday night, attempting to goad interviewer Dana Bash into doing what he called the right thing with a tough interview that would be favorable to his candidacy. The vice president has been under pressure recently to sit for an interview with the press, as she hasnt done so since President Joe Biden withdrew his candidacy and Harris accepted the Democratic Partys nomination. Bash who has already played a role in the election cycle via her moderation of the first presidential debate in June will interview Harris and Walz from Georgia, scheduled to air as a primetime special on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET. Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social on Thursday morning, writing that Dana Bash of CNN has a chance at greatness today. If she gave a fair but tough interview of Comrade Kamala Harris, she will expose her as being totally inept and ill suited for the job of President, much as I exposed Crooked Joe Biden during our now famous Debate, the former president continued. How cool would that be for Dana and CNN??? Trump then echoed a recent right-wing talking point, calling for Harris to appear for an individual interview prior to the joint sit-down with her running mate. The interview should not have Tampon Tim present to help with the inevitable Kamala stumbles, Trump argued, using the widespread conservative nickname for Walz over making tampons freely available in public school restrooms used by students across genders. Former President Trump commended Bash and CNNs June debate co-moderator Jake Tapper for being firm but fair during the live event. This is a chance for Dana Bash to reach REAL stardom, while at the same time doing a great service to our now failing Country, Trump wrote. Good luck, Dana, do the right thing!!! The post Donald Trump Pleads With CNNs Dana Bash to Do the Right Thing in Kamala Harris Interview appeared first on TheWrap. Don't Say Gay Beach? Here are the top 10 LGBTQ+ beaches Florida used to promote Aug. 30 is National Beach Day, and Florida has some of the best beaches in the country. We're kinda famous for it. And until recently, Florida was happy to provide a list of the best LGBTQ+ beaches in the state until sometime earlier this year when the "LGBTQ TRAVEL IN FLORIDA" section vanished from the official tourism site, VisitFlorida.com without warning or explanation. Officials have not commented on the change, but the GOP-led state has been gradually removing LGBTQ+ recognition from public education and government policy where it hasn't been banned outright. However, there are still plenty of LGBTQ+ people living in or visiting the Sunshine State, despite the state's efforts and several travel advisories from civil rights groups, and a guide to the best beaches is still a useful thing. So, thanks to the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, let's see which beaches Florida used to promote in "Out in the Sun: Florida's Top 10 Gay Beaches." 1. South Beachs 12th Street Beach, Miami Beach "Just look for the rainbow flags flying amid the rental chairs and lifeguard stations," VisitFlorida.com once said. Considered the most popular gay beach in Miami, it's across the street from the Palace Restaurant & Bar, a legendary LGBTQ+ hangout. WHERE: 12th St. and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach BEST TIME TO VISIT: In March, for the Winter Party, the biggest gay beach party in North America INFO: Miami Beach LGBTQ Visitor Center 2. Smathers Beach, Key West Smathers Beach is the largest public beach on the tiny island of Key West and is one of the "nations top destinations for gay travelers," Visit Florida said. The beach is on the island's south side and begins at mile marker zero, where State Road A1A begins. WHERE: Along South Roosevelt Boulevard BEST TIME TO VISIT: March for the Winter Party Festival, September for Womenfest, October for Bear Fest or June for Key West Pride INFO: Gay Key West Visitor Center 3. Sebastian Street Beach, Fort Lauderdale "The most popular gay beach in Fort Lauderdale is across the street from the Ritz-Carlton and within blocks of some of the citys gay resorts and guesthouses," Visit Florida said earlier this year. While you're in the area, check out the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, which houses the largest circulating LGBTQ+ book and film program in the country. WHERE: Sebastian Street and North Fort Lauderdale Beach Drive (A1A). BEST TIME TO VISIT: March for PrideFest Week, October for the OUTShine Film Festival takes place or in June for Stonewall Summer Pride INFO: Visit Lauderdale 4. Sunset Beach, St. Petersburg Visit Florida called Sunset Beach "one of the west coasts premiere gay beaches" and according to St. Pete's tourism site, it's been nicknamed "the gay beach" for its "mostly LGBTQ+ beachgoers." The white-sand beach loaded with tiki huts is on the southern tip of St. Pete's Treasure Island in the string of barrier islands in the Gulf of Mexico west of St. Petersburg. WHERE: 9000 W. Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island BEST TIME TO VISIT: October for the Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, or June for St. Pete Pride INFO: VisitStPeteClearwater.com, Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Films Festival, St. Pete Pride. 5. Pass-a-Grille Beach, St. Pete Beach Pass-a-Grille is on the southern end of St. Pete Beach south of the Don Cesar Hotel. "Quiet and narrow its only one-block wide the island is charming, with white sand and pink shells," Visit Florida said. If you time your visit right, you can hit St. Pete Pride, which organizers say is Florida's largest Pride celebration. St. Pete Pride had its 20th anniversary this year. WHERE: Along Gulf Way, from 22nd Avenue to the end of the island BEST TIME TO VISIT: October for the Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival or in June for St. Pete Pride INFO: Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Films Festival, St. Pete Pride. 6. Fort De Soto Park, Tierra Verde Don't just believe us (or Visit Florida), the beach at Fort De Soto Park is so good it was named No. 1 in the entire country in Dr. Beach's Americas Best Beaches in 2005. The park, located at the southern tip of Pinellas County near St. Pete Beach, covers five islands and 1,136 acres and offers miles of peaceful coastline. LGBTQ+ visitors hang out in the northern expanse near the end of the island, Visit Florida said. WHERE: 3500 Pinellas Bayway BEST TIME TO VISIT: June for St. Pete Pride INFO: VisitStPeteClearwater.com Dr. Beach''s 2024 best beaches: Did Dr. Beach pick Florida again in 2024 for best beach in the US? Here's the new list 7. North Lido Beach, Sarasota Sarasota has a strong LGBTQ+ community with multiple events happening in Pride Month including the Big Gay Beach Party at North Lido Beach. The white sand key is quiet and secluded, with the 22-acre North Lido Park nearby, and is "popular with gay sunbathers in Sarasota," Visit Florida previously said. WHERE: 400 Ben Franklin Dr. BEST TIME TO VISIT: October for Sarasota Pride INFO: Sarasota County Parks 8. Guana Tolomato Reserve, Ponte Vedra Beach The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve includes more than 73,000 acres between Jacksonville and St. Augustine and some of that is Old Florida beaches, sand dunes, lagoons and more. "Theres an unofficial gay meet-up at Guanas first beach access point," Visit Florida helpfully advised as of earlier this year, "reached by a boardwalk that winds down a 40-foot-tall dune system to a pristine stretch of secluded sand." WHERE: Along A1A BEST TIME TO VISIT: October for River City Pride in Jacksonville INFO: VisitSt.Augustine.com 9. Pensacola Beach "Pensacola Beach City near the Alabama border may not seem like the most gay-friendly spot," Visit Florida once said, "but its been a beach getaway for LGBTQ folks from the South for a long time, particularly for Gay Memorial Day Weekend." "The eastern end of Pensacola Beach is awash with tents, kites and rainbow flags," read a description on Pensacola's tourism site. "The sides of the beach road are stuffed with cars that bear tags from all over the South Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee as well as Florida." WHERE: The friendliest beach, according to Visit Florida, is on County Road 399, two miles past the Gulf Islands National Seashore sign BEST TIME TO VISIT: May for the Pensacola Gay Memorial Day Weekend INFO: VisitPensacola.com 10. Haulover Park Beach, Sunny Isles "If you really want to sun your buns, this nude beach in northern Miami-Dade County is your choice," Visit Florida said. Gay-friendly Haulover Park Beach, a 1 -mile stretch about 20 minutes north of South Beach, is one of the better-known clothing-optional beaches in Florida. But just the north part of the beach. LGBTQ+ sunbathers head north of the lifeguard tower, the site said. WHERE: 10800 Collins Ave. BEST TIME TO VISIT: When it's warm INFO: MiamiAndBeaches.com If you're looking for more suggestions, some cities such as Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, St. Petersburg, and Key West still have vibrant LGBTQ+ sections on their own tourism sites, and websites such as outcoast.com and gaytravel.com still have Florida guides. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida tourism site removed this list of top 10 LGBTQ+ beaches DENVER (KDVR) Second gentleman Doug Emhoff is heading to Colorado for a political fundraiser for Vice President Kamala Harris presidential campaign. This is the second time in August that a presidential fundraising event has taken place in Aspen. Earlier this month, former president and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump held a sold-out fundraising dinner in the ski town. Tickets to that event started at $25,000 per couple. Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz also visited Denver on Aug. 14 for a private fundraiser. There were reportedly 150 people in attendance with tickets ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Emhoffs event will take place on Friday, Aug. 30. Tickets will not be as expensive as the two previous events in the state, with the lowest contribution at $500 and the highest at $25,000. The event host is Alexa Wesner, the former U.S. ambassador to Austria from 2013-17. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Draper Police: Woman tried to abduct infant from car seat in parking lot on State St. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. UPDATE, 4:46 p.m.: Draper officials say new information has been brought to light in their investigation of this mornings attempted child abduction after further interviews of both the victims and suspects. After concluding those interviews, detectives are still collecting evidence, stated a release. After the investigation, the case will be turned over to the Salt Lake District Attorneys Office for consideration of any charges. The Draper Police Department does not believe there is a threat to the public. ORIGINAL POST: DRAPER, Utah (ABC4) Draper Police have a man and a woman in custody after they said the woman attempted to take a one-month-old baby from a car seat in the parking lot of a business in the 11400 block of State St. The woman attempted to leave the scene in a minivan driven by the man. Both were located by police a short distance away and taken into custody without incident. No names have yet been released. Cast members of controversial Secret Lives of Mormon Wives ask viewers to give show a chance According to a press release from police, the mother was placing the baby in its car seat when the female suspect approached her. The two women did not know one another, but the mother was able to fight the suspect off and get away to contact police. The attempted abduction happened around 10 a.m. this morning, Thursday, Aug. 29. Officers and detectives are actively investigating this incident, stated the release. Additional details will be provided as they are available. Draper Police say that anyone who has had a similar experience should contact their local law enforcement agency to report it. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Driver who hit, dragged 9-year-old girl was 4x over legal limit for intoxication, police say Police say a man admitted on-camera to hitting and dragging a 9-year-old girl riding her bike. Now, theyre revealing how high his blood alcohol levels were at the time of the crash. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Police said on Wednesday that Jeffrey Atkinson, 55, had a blood alcohol level that was four times the legal limit when he plowed into a family legally in the crosswalk on Wayne Avenue in July. The collision trapped 9-year-old Ashley Escalante and dragged her for nearly a half mile. He then kept going. Witnesses helped police track Atkinson down miles away at the bar he owns, Cowboys Lido Bar. They cuffed him and, hours later, tried to give him a sobriety test which he declined. At the time of the crash, police believe Atkinsons blood alcohol level was .34. Thats more than four times Ohios legal limit for driving. Officers also discovered marijuana and a very strong prescription drug that causes drowsiness and dizziness in his system. Police say this whole situation was a tragedy that could have been avoided. A person got behind the wheel at four times the legal limit and now a girls life and her family, and the community, has changed forever because of that, Sgt. Gordon Cairns, Commander of Dayton Polices Traffic Services Unit, said. As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, Mike Campbell reached out to Escalantes family. Her mother said she is still in the hospital waiting for further surgeries. We still live that day like yesterday watching Ashley struggle to walk again during her therapies, Mayra Martinez, Escalantes mother said. It is very hard for us...we want justice for her. Atkinson is charged with vehicular assault and OVI, among other things. He remains in the Montgomery County Jail on a $250,000 bond. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] TOKYO, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- A total of 37,227 people living alone died at home in Japan in the first half of 2024, official data showed. Among the cases, 28,330 were elderly solo dwellers aged 65 and above, accounting for about 76 percent of the total, according to preliminary data released by the National Police Agency of Japan. In recent years, the number of people dying alone at home, widely known as "lonely deaths," has increased due to the rising number of single-person households and an aging population. By age, the highest number of lonely deaths was among those aged 85 and above, totaling 7,498, while the lowest was among individuals under 30, with 473 cases. The data released on Wednesday highlighted the trend that the older the age group, the higher the incidence of lonely deaths. By gender, about 25,600 were male, and 11,600 were female, and the phenomenon was particularly severe in metropolitan areas, including Tokyo, and prefectures of Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama, as well as Osaka, with Tokyo recording the highest number at 4,786. The increase in Japan's single-person households, changing social dynamics, livelihood challenges, and a growing suicide problem have exacerbated the issue of lonely deaths, according to Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun. To address the problem, Japan enacted the Act on Promotion of Policy for Loneliness and Isolation in April amid efforts to mitigate the worsening loneliness crisis. GREEN LAKE, Wis. (WFRV) Deputies and local authorities are continuing search efforts on Wisconsins Big Green Lake for a man who went missing after kayaking on August 11. According to the Green Lake County Sheriffs Office, a morning drone mission that focused on the west end of Big Green Lake was completed on Wednesday. DHS: Two Wisconsinites confirmed dead, another hospitalized due to West Nile virus Since Wednesdays drone search, another dive was completed by a volunteer diver in the area where a fishing rod was recovered. This was done in hopes that previous circumstances may have prevented the victim from being found during earlier searches. Deputies noted that on the morning of August 29, another drone mission was underway, although no new information has been uncovered in recent search efforts so far. On Sunday, August 11, authorities received a report advising that a kayaker, reportedly a 44-year-old man, had not returned home from the lake that evening. Fisherman saves 68-year-old Shawano County man after he crashed vehicle down embankment into the Wolf River After checking the west end of Big Green Lake near Dodge Memorial Park following the initial report, deputies found an overturned, unoccupied kayak with a life jacket attached. The mans vehicle was also located near Dodge Memorial Park. Thank you to the friends and family of the victim and the community as a whole for the continued support, stated a Facebook post from the Green Lake County Sheriffs Office. Local 5 will continue to update this story as more information is released. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. BERLIN A series of suspicious events near military bases and critical infrastructure throughout Germany has put policymakers and military officials on edge. This month, nocturnal drone flights were repeatedly spotted over an area packed with critical infrastructure in the countrys far north. The unmanned vehicles were seen seemingly spying on a defunct nuclear power plant, a large chemical factory and a liquefied natural gas terminal, German public broadcasters reported. The LNG facility was hastily constructed to help wean Germany off Russian gas following Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Prosecutors are keeping tight-lipped about the case, but Schleswig Holstein state police have asked the countrys military for assistance. The intruding drones escaped at speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour, outrunning the police drones, the German newspaper Der Spiegel reported. The military has provided prosecutors with radar data and other information, a spokesman for the German Defense Ministry told German news agency DPA. The public prosecutors office in Flensburg, the northern states capital, has launched an investigation into the case on suspicion of espionage for sabotage purposes, the French news agency AFP reported. Last week, the NATO air base in Geilenkirchen in western Germany was temporarily put on the second-highest alert level after foreign intelligence suggested a threat may be imminent. German media reported that the danger was allegedly drone-based, though German authorities have not publicly confirmed this. A spokesperson for the base told reporters last week that nothing flew over the base, calling speculations to the contrary absurd. Officials at U.S. European Command, which oversees Americas force posture in Germany and elsewhere on the continent, declined to discuss specific threats. The command routinely implements and adjusts appropriate force protection measures to ensure the security and safety of our personnel and our equipment, a spokeswoman wrote in a statement for this article. As always, USEUCOM advises personnel in the European theater remain vigilant and report suspicious activity and implement prudent personal risk mitigation measures. The safety and security of our military communities is paramount. Unidentified drones have been reported over military training grounds, including those where Germany instructs Ukrainian soldiers. The flights and suspicious activities have been going on for well over a year, though little progress on countermeasures or investigations into their origin appears to have been made. German intelligence agencies have, however, said that they suspect Russian involvement. Two Germans of Russian heritage were arrested in Bavaria in April for allegedly planning to carry out sabotage attacks for Moscow in Germany. The prosecutors allege that they had already scouted out railroad tracks, military training areas and defense infrastructure for this purpose. The Munich-based newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung reported this week that in 2023 alone, more than 400 drone flights over or near restricted German military areas were reported. The Defense Department, meanwhile, expects to get new counter-drone technology soon, with Thomas Hitschler, the agencys parliamentary state secretary, writing to lawmakers earlier this summer that new system would be delivered to the Bundeswehr, Germanys armed forces, by the end of the year. He clarified that defending against drones in and above military installations is the Bundeswehrs job, while state police officials are responsible for doing so outside of bases. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there has been a significant uptick in investment in the German military. Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared a watershed moment in the war, and his administration shored up defense budgets and started to address longstanding deficits in the countrys armed forces. Concerns surrounding possible Russian acts of sabotage have spread throughout Western Europe. Earlier this year, a critical communications cable was cut in a deliberate act, as Norwegian authorities called it, at an air base in the Nordic country. Cables were also cut for Norways hydrophone system, which Oslo uses to surveil movements in the North Sea. Other, as of yet unsolved cases of apparent sabotage, such as cases of apparent arson in countries like Poland, the U.K. and the Baltic States, suggest that a foreign actor with a gripe against the West may be stepping up its unconventional warfare activities. The German domestic secret service has issued repeated public warnings of hybrid warfare, including recently in July: The cases observed across Europe since 2023 and increased evidence of possible activities in Germany are currently leading to an adjusted assessment, warned the so-called Office for the Protection of the Constitution. There is an increased risk of sabotage activities or corresponding preparatory acts in Germany. The intelligence agency said in its most recent annual report that hybrid threats such as cyberattacks and espionage, particularly by the Russian regime, were at the center of its attention. Noah Robertson in Washington contributed to this report. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A major drought is underway in portions of Middle Tennessee with dry conditions likely to persist as meteorological fall begins. On Thursday, the U.S. Drought Monitor was updated to reflect the dry conditions in region. The area with an extreme drought is centered over Lewis county, but also includes parts of Decatur, Hickman, Lawrence, Maury, Perry, and Wayne counties. SEE ALSO| Dangerous heat and poor air quality through the week Also of note, the drought conditions are increasing to the northeast, almost encompassing the entire Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky region. The drought is increasing due to intense heat and dry conditions. First, the amount of rain received since July 30, 2024 is very little for most areas in Middle Tennessee. The southwest counties have had well under one inch of rain (even less than half an inch or a quarter of an inch). Soil moisture due to the heat is also drying up. The U.S. Drought Monitor officials said the heat and dryness of this August have resulted in flash drought conditions. In Tennessee, drought impacts include pastures providing little to no feed, drying or dried up ponds, creek levels very low, complete or near crop failure. RELATED: Its pretty much a disaster: Middle TN farmers devastated by drought, intense heat Fall season expectations Based off climatology, the fall season (meteorological fall is September, October, & November) is Nashvilles driest months. It is very likely that drought conditions will worsen in our region due to the lack of plentiful rainfall. The Climate Prediction Centers outlook for the fall season calls for an equal chance of above normal, below normal, or normal rainfall. Temperatures are projected to be above normal. FORECAST: Middle Tennessee & Southern Kentucky Weather Dont forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. A Fort Worth police affidavit reveals new details about the suspected drunk driver arrested in a crash last week that killed a family of five on Interstate 35W. Eduardo Gonzalez, 19, is charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter. Two adults Willie Gunn and Amber Hopewell and three of Hopewells children ages 2, 4, and 9 were killed after Gonzalezs black Chevy Camaro rear-ended their sedan near the East Seminary Drive exit, causing it to catch fire, according to Fort Worth police. The teen was traveling at a high rate of speed when he hit the victims vehicle, police said. Gonzalez showed signs of intoxication and officers found alcohol containers inside of the Camaro at the scene, authorities said. An arrest warrant affidavit reveals Gonzalez told police that he was not feeling right, so he pulled over on the freeway. The arrest warrant does not specify where he was coming from. Gonzalez said he stopped on the side of the highway and turned on the cars hazard lights. He told police that he did that because he did not want to crash, but investigators said the crash had already occurred, according to the arrest warrant. Police and firefighters observed the five victims in the sedan. There were no survivors in the familys car. An officer reported finding an open beer can in the center console of Gonzalezs vehicle, with three more alcoholic drinks in the left passenger seat, and a box with the name of the alcohol. Gonzalez was transported to the hospital via MedStar to be treated for injuries sustained in the collision, according to authorities. At John Peter Smith Hospital, where Gonzalez again spoke with an officer, he said he was driving on the freeway and was pulled over by an officer, the warrant states. When asked about the Camaro, Gonzalez said there was no damage to the car and became uncooperative with the officer, according to the warrant. He displayed red, watery eyes and slurred speech, and officers detected an alcohol-like odor coming from his breath. Gonzalez agreed to be tested for alcohol intoxication and officers confirmed he lost normal use of his mental and physical faculties, the warrant says. Results of his blood test have not been released. He was arrested that same day and was transported from the hospital to the Fort Worth City Jail. The teen paid a portion of his $750,000 bond to secure his release on Friday, Tarrant County records show. The conditions of his bond require him to wear an ankle monitor that tests for alcohol, submit urine samples, and have a camera-equipped ignition interlock device installed on any vehicle he operates. Two days after severe thunderstorms knocked out power to a half-million Michigan customers, some of them are wondering whether they will receive the $38 utility credit that the Michigan Public Service Commission has set to help compensate them. The short answer: Probably not. There is still uncertainty about how and when the outage will be resolved, but the PSC confirmed with the Free Press on Thursday that it is likely if the utility outage estimates and repair forecasts stay on track neither DTE Energy nor Consumers Energy will be issuing many credits. Both companies, when asked Thursday about credits by the Free Press, mostly sidestepped the issue. Whats more, the lack of compensation adds to the concerns already swirling around the PSC, a state agency charged with regulating public utilities, and whether it is too close to the companies it is supposed to oversee and should do more to track, investigate and act on complaints. Consumers Energy has said it hopes to have most repairs done Thursday; and DTE said Friday at the latest. Workers from Thayer Power and Communications work on a power line off of North Campbell Road in Royal Oak on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, following a storm that swept through the area. As of 6 p.m., both utilities had made considerable progress on restoring power. Detroit-based DTE reported it was down to about 43,000 customers without power out of an estimated 300,000 on Tuesday, and Jackson-based Consumers Energy had about 18,000 more customers to reconnect out of about 200,000. Customers are eager to have their power back on, but the thought of receiving no compensation isnt sitting well with many of them who already feel that a $38 credit which they explain doesnt begin to cover what they lose in a power outage, especially during a heat wave is insufficient. "Into our second day of no power and now need to discard food from (the) freezer/refrigerator," Doug Lombardi, of Livonia, wrote in an email he sent to the Free Press. "Suggest you do a follow up story on how and where to seek compensation for tossed food." And his reaction to the power outage was among one of more measured ones. Michigan utilities under pressure In the past few years, DTE and Consumers Energy have come under increasing fire from the public, nonprofit watchdog groups and even the state attorney general for a lack of energy reliability, which, in the freezing cold of winter or the boiling hot summer, puts Michiganders at risk. Last year, the Free Press reported the two utilities were among the worst-performing utilities in the nation, ranked by how long it took them to get the lights back on after a power outage. At the same time, Michiganders also were paying more for electricity than their neighbors around the Great Lakes. The criticism forced the Public Service Commission to change its utility credit guidelines, boosting the credit from $25 to $35, and now, $38, and requiring the utilities to pay them automatically, instead of making customers apply for them. Moreover, an in-depth Free Press investigation found the PSC tends to lack decision-making transparency and, as a potential conflict of interest, gets 80% of its funding from DTE and Consumers Energy, which hold a near monopoly on providing electricity to Michigan residents. Thursday, another Free Press investigation concluded that thousands of informal complaints lodged annually arent tracked well, and "most formal complaints against Michigan utilities are dismissed, and a handful of consumers have reached confidential settlements." The challenge now for Michiganders to get credits after this week's ongoing outage is tied to the formula the PSC set for issuing them. The higher the percentage of customers caught in an outage, the more time a utility is allowed to restore power before a credit is required. The measure gives utilities a grace period 16 hours to four days to make repairs. The thinking behind this caveat is that more widespread outages require more effort to fix. The new guidelines, which rely on numbers reported by the utility companies, also call for utilities to credit more per day past the grace period when the grace period is exceeded. But in this outage, based on the two utilities early estimates of how many people lost power about 13% for DTE and more than 10% for DTE and when it will be back on, there is a good chance each utility might avoid big credit payouts. DTE said its goal is "to never have our customers in a situation where they incur the hardships that an outage brings or where reliability credits would have to be issued," and Consumers Energy said "the discussion around outage credits really goes to a bigger issue over how well we keep the lights on for customers." Years of unclaimed credits Outage credits have been around since the 1980s, as one of the measures the PSC has used to encourage utilities to enhance reliability. But until last year, customers had to apply for them. A worker cuts a tree branch near a sign posted warning of a downed power line on Palmer Avenue in Madison Heights on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, following a storm that swept through the area. That meant millions in credits that customers were eligible for after frequent and long power outages didnt get applied because customers either didnt know the process or didnt have time to apply and the money went unclaimed, according to a 2000 report by the Lansing State Journal. That same year, the nonprofit Citizens Utility Board of Michigan also released a study that found when it came to reliability, Michigans utilities ranked among "the worst in the country." It took days, for example, to restore power to DTE and Consumers Energy customers caught in a 2019 storm. The Lansing State Journal which, in addition to the Free Press is part of the Gannett network noted the nonprofit study and interviewed the groups executive director who called for changes to the credit policy. A year later, yet another storm knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of customers. And this time, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel weighed in. The states top law enforcement officer asked utilities to voluntarily credit customers affected by the outage and provide increased credits the amount, then, just $25 to help those who lost hundreds of dollars or more on food and hotel costs. Adding to the pressure on the utilities, Nessel also published the results of a survey that ever since has been used by news outlets and consumer groups to question whether the credits are enough. It found 90% of the utility customers in the outage "lost between $100 to $500" and 35% "lost between $500 to $1,000." Amid the growing criticism, DTE said that it agreed to voluntarily issue $100 credits. More: DTE: Power reliability must improve, outage cost estimate at more than $50M It's unclear whether the company would offer voluntary credits again. When asked Wednesday by the Free Press about it, one of the corporate vice presidents acknowledged it could do better and said the company would have to have internal discussions, but did not commit to customer credits that weren't required or rule it out. Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan utilities may avoid paying credits for latest outage DUCHESNE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A Duchesne County man, who was already convicted of child sex crimes and is a registered sex offender, was arrested on allegations of child exploitation according to a press release from the Duchesne County Sheriffs Office. Robert C. Bird, 35, was arrested back in June of this year, according to the affidavit of probable cause released by Duchesne County. READ NEXT: 13-year-old found padlocked in makeshift cell in Kearns home, 2 arrested Bird was convicted of unlawful sexual activity in 2008. Unlawful sexual activity with a minor is a felony in the third degree, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety. He was noted on the DPS website as having been released in December of 2012. At the time of his most recent arrest, he was already being investigated for a possible rape. One of the victims reported that Bird allegedly had images of another victims private parts in his possession. Robert Bird is 35 years old and is a registered sex offender charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor, the affidavit said. Robert stated during the interview that [he] had received five nude images of [a second victim], Robert had received these images on Snapchat, the affidavit continued to state. Bird claimed not to know who one of the victims was. He also claimed, according to the affidavit, that he destroyed evidence of the images, which authorities found to be false. Bird was then arrested on June 14 by the Duchesne County Sheriffs and charged with five counts of exploitation of a minor. At the time of this arrest, Bird was a registered sex offender convicted of unlawful sexual activity in January of 2008, according to the affidavit of probable cause. In a previous case, he was found with what authorities stated was paraphernalia. The last time Bird was released, police said he violated parole and used methamphetamine within a week of being released from prison, the affidavit states. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Dutch Air Force General: Ukraine can use our F-16s for strikes on Russia General Onno Eichelsheim of the Royal Dutch Air Force stated that Ukraine could use the F-16 fighter jets provided by his country for strikes on Russian territory. Source: Eichelsheim in an interview with NOS, as reported by European Pravda The general said the Netherlands "has not imposed any restrictions on the use or range of the F-16s". "Ukraine can use the resources we provide as it wishes, provided that it adheres to the laws of war," Eichelsheim emphasised. Overall, the Netherlands has promised to supply Ukraine with 24 F-16 aircraft. Eichelsheim did not specify how many of them have already been deployed in the country. He also commented on Ukraine's advance into Russia's Kursk Oblast, calling the operation by Ukrainian forces "brilliant on a practical level". "They quickly occupied a large area in a positive sense, using new technologies. In doing so, they created a dilemma for Putin," Eichelsheim said. As known, the F-16 fighter jets are being provided to Ukraine by Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway. Background: On 4 August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the first F-16 aircraft had arrived in Ukraine and showcased them at a secret airfield. Before this, Western media had reported that six fighter jets had arrived from the Netherlands, with several more expected from Denmark in the near future. Support UP or become our patron! WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) Through Texoma Gives, one local early childhood education program is looking to raise funds. Early Head Start is a no-cost early childhood education program that focuses on preparing students for success in the public school system. It serves 96 families in the area with children ranging from newborns to three years old. Newly founded local non-profit assisting those in need The program is run by the North Texas Parent and Child Development Board. Samantha Forester, board president, said the families they provide care for wouldnt be able to afford it otherwise. Their instruction and care are crucial for these children to go on to thrive in the public school system. Early childhood education is very important. You want to get those kids different fundamentals, Forester said. If they dont have that at that young stage, it does impact them as they go further in their education. With Texoma Gives, which is now open for early giving, a tiered campaign supports both locations in Wichita Falls. There are six different fundraising levels, ranging from $15 to $500, and each one is tailored to cover a specific need, such as diapers, lunches, or classroom supplies. For a full breakdown of each campaign, more information, or to donate, visit the Texoma Gives webpage. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. East Providence prepares for traffic as students head back to school EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) As students across East Providence return to the classroom this week, the city is outlining plans to alleviate traffic during the school year. East Providence City Council President Bob Rodericks acknowledged potential traffic challenges, especially in the wake of last Decembers Washington Bridge debacle. Kent Heights Elementary, located on Pawtucket Avenue, is particularly affected, as the road is known to experience heavy congestion. Expect delays sign near Kent Heights Elementary To help ease the situation, Rodericks told 12 News the city is working to expand parking at several schools. One potential solution involves acquiring a vacant parking lot at the now-closed Bennys on Pawtucket Avenue. Were in negotiations with the current owner to purchase the lot at a reasonable price, get it paved, and hopefully get some of these cars off the street, Rodericks said. Rodericks also highlighted the ongoing post-pandemic bus driver shortage and the increasing number of parents driving their children to school, both of which have contributed to the congestion. ALSO READ: Warwick school bus drivers picket for fair contract amid negotiations More parents bring their kids to school now than ever before. So even without the bridge, thats an issue, he said. While East Providence Police reported no significant traffic issues on the first day of school, Rodericks cautioned that delays are expected. Even though weve had a smooth opening today by all accounts, I know there are people that will say But I had a delay and my kids bus was late.' Rodericks said. Have some patience. Thats going to happen and we just need staff. NEXT: Where are school zone speed cameras located in RI? Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. (L-R) Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz, Minister President of Saxony Michael Kretschmer and Minister President of Bavaria Markus Soeder stand on stage at a campaign event of the Saxon CDU for the state election in Saxony at the "Weisser Hirsch" concert venue. Robert Michael/dpa Elections in three states in the former East Germany in September could shift the political landscape across the country, as populist forces led by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) lead the polls. The three parties in Chancellor Olaf Scholz's squabbling and unpopular national coalition, meanwhile, appear headed for further miserable results that could deepen fractures among ministers, with a year to go until the next nationwide parliamentary elections in September 2025. Thuringia and Saxony are both due to hold elections this coming Sunday, while voters in the state of Brandenburg go to the polls on September 22. All three states were once part of the former communist East Germany, where voting patterns remain distinct more than three decades after reunification. Big gains for the AfD would still likely leave the far right shut out of government, since polls show the party well short of an absolute majority, and mainstream political parties have vowed not to even consider coalition talks with the AfD. But breakthrough victories would nonetheless send shock waves through the country and increase pressure on mainstream political parties particularly the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) to find ways of addressing the insurgent challenge from the AfD. A far-right party has not won a state election in Germany since the Nazi period. State parliaments in Germany hold considerable power over regional matters in each of the country's 16 states, and the leaders of each state control a seat in Germany's Bundesrat, which serves as the upper chamber of parliament. Populists on the rise In Thuringia, where polls show the AfD leading by a wide margin, the party is led at state-level by far-right firebrand Bjorn Hocke, who has become a household name across Germany for his extreme rhetoric, hardline views and willingness to break long-held taboos in discussing the country's shameful Nazi past. The possibility of victory for Hocke, who sits on the far right even within the AfD, has already made national headlines in Germany. He was recently convicted twice for knowingly quoting a banned Nazi slogan in political speeches. National CDU boss Friedrich Merz has repeatedly denounced Hocke and last week reiterated that his conservatives would not under any circumstances cooperate with the AfD to form a government. The election outcome will be "incredibly close," Merz said at a campaign rally in the Thuringian capital Erfurt. "If you want to prevent Hocke from getting a foot on the ground, you have to vote CDU." The upstart populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), which broke off from the hard-left Die Linke (The Left) party in January, has also been polling well in all three states. The party's founder and namesake, Sahra Wagenknecht, has been campaigning on a mix of left-wing economics and anti-immigrant positions. Die Linke, which absorbed parts of the old East German ruling communist party as well as smaller left-wing blocs, has historically been far stronger in the former East than elsewhere in the country. But the party is now fighting for its existence after the contentious split with Wagenknecht and her followers. National issues dominating local campaigns Migration and Germany's support for the war in Ukraine have both been major topics on the campaign trail, even though state parliaments have very little influence over policy on either issue. Both the AfD and BSW oppose Germany's support for Ukraine in its fight against the ongoing Russian invasion, rallying voters around calls for peace, while members of both parties have expressed some support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The deadly knife attack at a festival in the western German city of Solingen last weekend has renewed a caustic nationwide debate over asylum policy, playing into the hands of far-right politicians. The suspected Solingen attacker is a 26-year-old Syrian with alleged ties to the Islamic State terrorist group who had evaded a deportation order. Rough polls for Scholz's coalition In June's European Parliament elections, Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) faced their worst showing in a national vote in more than a century. His partners, the Greens and the pro-business liberal Free Democrats (FDP), also slipped badly. All three parties may be in for another miserable night on Sunday. Polls put support for the SPD in Thuringia and Saxony in the single digits, and within only a couple of percentage points of the 5% threshold needed to take seats in German elections. The Greens and the FDP are in similarly rough shape, with the FDP's poll numbers so low that pollsters have taken to lumping the party into the "other" column. For decades, German politics has been dominated by two parties, the centre-right CDU and the centre-left SPD. But their grip on voters has faded in recent years, and a wipe-out for the SPD in the eastern state elections would be a stark sign of the further fracturing of Germany's once-stable political scene. Tough coalition talks may loom In Saxony, popular CDU incumbent state Premier Michael Kretschmer has helped buoy his party with his re-election campaign and hopes to squeeze ahead of the AfD in the final results. A recent poll put the CDU at 30% in Saxony, close on the heels of the AfD at 32%. The post-election arithmetic could be far more difficult in Thuringia, where Bodo Ramelow of Die Linke has been leading a cobbled-together minority government. Expected gains by the AfD and BSW there could force the mainstream parties to consider some strange bedfellows in order to form a functioning government. In Brandenburg, where the SPD has historically been a stronger force and currently leads the government, polls aren't as bleak, with support for the party hovering around 20%, trailing the AfD. But that would still be a setback from the 2019 elections, when the SPD took home more than 26% of the vote. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) election campaign event. A new state parliament will be elected in Thuringia on September 1, 2024. Hannes P. Albert/dpa Rene Aust Member of the European Parliament, attends an election campaign appearance for Alternative for Germany (AfD) on the market square in Bad Frankenhausen. A new state parliament is elected in Thuringia. Heiko Rebsch/dpa By Maria Spiliopoulou MORNOS, Greece, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Mornos artificial lake, located around 150 km northeast of Athens, has served as a key reservoir for the Greek capital's water supply for decades. When a dam was constructed on the Mornos River in 1979 to create the lake, the village of Kallio had to be evacuated and submerged under water. But this summer Kallio has risen from the depths, becoming partly visible again as the water level has dropped. In July 2023, the surface area of the lake was around 16.6 square km, according to data released by the National Observatory of Athens. However, this July it was just 12.8 square km. Equally disheartening figures have been reported for water resources across Greece, with several islands already facing water shortages. However, the problem is also looming on the horizon in other regions due to prolonged drought and decreased rainfall and snowfall. The Environment and Energy Ministry announced on Tuesday that in the last two years, the water reserves at Mornos and the other three main reservoirs for the greater Athens area have declined by some 30 percent to about 703 million cubic meters. With half of the country's population living in the greater Athens area, the figure is worrying. "There was low rainfall, and in particular snowfall, during the winters of 2022-2023 and 2023-2024," Dimitrios Emmanouloudis, professor of Mountain Water Management at the Democritus University of Thrace in northern Greece, told Xinhua on Tuesday. Snowfall helps create underground water reserves which can be used during the summer, he said. Greece has also experienced unusually high temperatures since March this year, which increased demand for water consumption, the expert added. The problem was exacerbated by a rapid increase in tourism arrivals in recent years, he said. A country of some 10 million people receives over 30 million visitors each year, according to official statistics. The pressure on water resources in popular tourism destinations is no longer sustainable, Emmanouloudis underlined. In the Greek capital which receives more visitors, the state-run Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP S.A.) has activated additional sources of water to support the network. These include Lake Yliki, an hour's drive northeast of Athens. Officials said that in the worst-case scenario, if the lack of adequate rainfall and snowfall persists in the coming years due to climate change, water reserves for Athens will reach the red zone in four years. "We are maybe reaching the yellow zone, but there is no way the capital will be left without water," Emmanouloudis said. Meteorologists have forecast a return to normality in the next few months, with more rainfall this autumn and winter, he added. A government road map to address the challenge foresees investment in more infrastructure to tackle leakages and save water, the construction of more desalination plants, and better management of recycled water for agriculture irrigation. For now, officials are advising people to save water. However, restrictive measures on consumption have not been imposed as in the early 90s, when Greece faced a prolonged drought. "Approximately once in a decade, the lake (Mornos) goes through such a phase. The worst crisis was in 1993," Kostantinos Koutsoumbas, deputy mayor of the municipality of Dorida (which includes Mornos), told Xinhua on Wednesday. Currently, the water level has dropped by some 40 meters. However, the mayor said he worried more about the future than about the present due to the climate change's impact. The key word is conservation, meaning better management of water resources as demand increases, Emmanouloudis said. "We must develop a culture of water conservation on an individual basis and ask tourists to act likewise." "As consumers, we should also realize that there is a problem and we should consume water wisely. We have a share of the responsibility," Koutsoumbas said. FILE - Waorani Indigenous women take part in a demonstration in Quito, Ecuador, Aug. 20, 2024, demanding authorities comply with the decision to halt oil drilling in a national park in the heart of the country's share of the Amazon where they live. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa, File) BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) Ecuador's government says it has started dismantling infrastructure on a controversial oil drilling block in Yasuni National Park, just as Friday's court-imposed deadline for completion looms. The Ministry for Energy and Mines said in a statement Wednesday evening that it shut one of 247 wells in the 43-ITT block the Ishpingo B-56 well. Its been a year since the historic referendum to halt oil drilling in the national park in the countrys Amazon, but the Waorani Indigenous people who live there and rights groups say nothing has been done. The government last week asked the constitutional court for an extension of five years and five months for the state-run oil company Petroecuador to cease operations and get out. I have come to verify that the decision of last years referendum, where the citizens voted in favor of the closure of this field, is being complied with," said head of the ministry, Antonio Goncalves, in the statement. To comply with the closure of the ITT is not an easy job, it requires special and technical planning. The wells should all go offline by December 2029, the government has previously said. The announcement of the B-56 well closure came hours after an Associated Press story about the frustrations of the Waorani people and others who complained the government has taken no action over the past year. The AP has received no response to requests for comment from the ministry and Petroecuador over the past three days. The Ecuadorian government does not get to set its own timeline and has shown little political will to close operations, said Kevin Koenig, climate and energy director for the nonprofit Amazon Watch, in response to the government statement. The government is bound by its obligations to the constitutional court, which gave it a year to close 227 wells. ... The fact that they closed one yesterday does not mean that they are complying with the court order," Koenig said in a call from Yasuni National Park. They're not meeting their judicial obligation to the court, they're not fulfilling the mandate of the Ecuadorian people and they're not respecting the rights of the Waorani, he said. Yasuni National Park is one of most biodiverse regions on the planet. Besides the Waorani, its home to two of the worlds last Indigenous communities living in voluntary isolation, the Taromenane and the Tagaeri people, according to the nonprofit Amazon Frontlines. Ending oil drilling at the 43-ITT oil block could cost $1.3 billion, according to government estimates. Oil accounts for nearly one-third of Ecuadors GDP, and its economy is struggling to meet its domestic debt obligations. ___ Follow Steven Grattan on X, formerly Twitter: @sjgrattan ___ The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. Special counsel Jack Smith turns from the podium after speaking about an indictment of Donald Trump on Aug. 1, 2023. Smith has taken new steps to hold the former president to account over election interference. (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) This week special counsel Jack Smith took new steps in the two federal criminal cases in which Donald Trump is the defendant. Contrary to Trumps claim that Smith is deranged and trying to interfere in the election, the special counsel is acting responsibly in trying to ensure that, like any other criminal defendant, Trump will face a jury for alleged crimes. On Monday Smith filed an appeal with the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals of a wrongheaded decision by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon. She dismissed charges connected with Trumps alleged unlawful retention of sensitive national defense documents after he left office, on the specious grounds that Congress hadnt authorized Smiths appointment. On Tuesday Smiths office revealed that a grand jury had approved a superseding indictment related to Trumps attempt to overturn an election he lost. The new indictment omits references to actions that the Supreme Court has said constitute official acts for which Trump enjoys immunity. Read more: Editorial: Trump immunity ruling has troubling implications for the election and democracy The former president remains charged with the same four offenses described in the original indictment: 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. Unless one believes that running for president confers immunity from prosecution an absurd idea that would turn every declaration of presidential candidacy into a Get Out of Jail Free card Smith is right to persevere in his prosecutions despite the timing. It is not the special counsels fault that this comes so close to the presidential election. Trump lawyers have prolonged the process with their legal objections. Read more: Column: Lock him up? Donald Trump's crimes present a challenge for Kamala Harris' campaign The Supreme Court is also complicit in the delay, having slow-walked the immunity case before issuing a convoluted and unconvincing ruling in July that said former presidents are entitled to either absolute or presumptive immunity for official acts. It generally left to a lower court the determination of which acts fall into the official category. But Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote that Trump was absolutely immune from prosecution for alleged conduct involving his discussions with Justice Department officials. The new indictment accordingly strips out allegations related to Trumps interactions with Justice Department officials. But it retains references to other actions by Trump, including a conversation with Georgia s secretary of state when he said, I just want to find 11,780 votes to overturn Joe Bidens victory in that state and conversations in which he pressured Vice President Mike Pence to reject lawfully cast electoral votes for Biden. Read more: Editorial: Even before guilty verdict, Trump was unfit to serve The revised indictment also retains an allegation that Trump violated a law against obstructing an official proceeding, despite a Supreme Court ruling in June narrowing that offense to situations that involve tampering with or destroying documents. The indictment suggests that Trump cant benefit from that decision because of his alleged link to the creation of fraudulent elector certificates. The superseding indictment presents a robust, detailed and shocking case against Trump. It deserves to be considered by a jury. Unfortunately, it is almost certain that the Nov. 5 election will take place before Trump is acquitted or convicted of either the election-related charges or (if they are revived by an appeals court) the charges connected to the retention of documents. That wouldnt change the fact that he was unfit for office before Smith's recent actions, and before a jury convicted him of falsifying business records in May. Whether or not he is found criminally responsible, Trumps undeniable attempts to overturn the 2020 election and cling to power disqualified him for another term as president. But the delay in these cases is related to the election in one way: If Trump wins, he might shut down the prosecutions or perhaps even attempt to pardon himself (something Trump has said is very unlikely). Thats another reason among so many others for voters to reject him. 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. MISSOURI Many childcare providers and low-income families across Missouri are still waiting for state subsidy money to come through after the state says changes to their computer system threw things out of whack late last year. The Missouri House Education Committee announced today they will be holding a hearing on Sept. 10 to investigate the causes and impact of this delay within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Its just a big issue, said State Representative Brad Pollitt. And I think this will give representatives chances to answer, ask questions, and well get the department the opportunity to explain whats happened, why its happened and what theyve been doing to try to rectify it. Jamie Ward is a foster parent in Ozark. It feels like its just never going to remedy itself, Ward said. OzarksFirst crews spoke with her back in June. She said at that time DESE owed her childcare provider $6,000. Now, some payments have come through but she says DESE still owes several thousand dollars in subsidy payments. Weve had care since February, and I think only a few months have been paid out, Ward said. Other than that, theyre still waiting for subsidy for two of our foster kids for several months. She tells me she hopes families and providers will be part of that hearing next month. It seems like almost like the provider needs to be the one thats like kind of advocating in the hearings and then they just submit their bills, Ward said. House Minority Leader and candidate for governor Crystal Quade says shes asked DESE to send $75,000 to all providers, then level out payments as issues get fixed. I asked them to go ahead and send the money anyway, Quade said. You know, the legislature has allocated $215 million to pay for child care for this fiscal year. And weve only spent about 24 million of that. So the department literally has the money just sitting there. Quades opponent, Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe, called the delays unacceptable and vowed to help find a solution. Access to safe and affordable childcare is critical for Missouri families. This delay in payments to childcare providers is unacceptable, and I will work with the Governors Office, the legislature, and DESE to ensure government bureaucracy does not continue to hurt these small businesses in providing essential services to hardworking Missourians. Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe Pollitt, the chair of the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, says hes hopeful by the end of September the payments will be all caught up. (Missourians) government should work better than this and they should expect their government to work better than this, Pollitt said. The hearing on Sept. 10 will be held at 2 p.m. in Jefferson City at House Hearing Room 3. The public is encouraged to attend. At any hearing that is scheduled with lawmakers, DESE plans to be transparent about the challenges that exist, and the work being done to address the issues. Additional information about the challenges and work being done is below. The new Child Care Data System (CCDS) allows families and providers to have a web-based, near real-time system to enter and view their information for child care subsidy. DESEs Office of Childhood launched the CCDS in December 2023. The ongoing challenges with system issues have created a backlog in family applications for subsidy assistance and provider contract applications. DESE and its vendors are committed to fixing these issues and processing all applications as quickly as possible. Here are the solutions we have put in place: Parents and providers with questions may call 573-415-8605 to speak to a customer service representative during these hours: Parents and providers experiencing a longer wait time during the day are encouraged to call back during evening or weekend hours. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. EEE virus: What is the mosquito-borne disease affecting the US and how deadly is it? The virus is most commonly found near freshwater swamps and lakes, where mosquitoes thrive - BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images The US is currently battling a surge in eastern equine encephalitis, a rare but extremely dangerous virus that is spread by mosquitoes. One person has already been killed by the disease in New Hampshire, while neighbouring Massachusetts has introduced a partial curfew, shutting parks and other outdoor public spaces between dusk and dawn to reduce the risk of people being bitten by the virus-carrying mosquitoes. Heres everything you need to know about EEE. What is eastern equine encephalitis virus? Eastern equine encephalitis, commonly known as EEE or Triple E, is a virus transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus causes brain inflammation and affects the brain and nervous systems functionality. EEE naturally resides in certain birds and rodents in the United States mostly on the East Coast and has also been found in Central and Latin America, Canada, and the Caribbean. Mosquitoes become carriers of EEE after feeding on an infected bird or rodent. These mosquitoes can then transmit the virus to humans and other animals. It cannot be spread directly between humans, and neither humans nor horses circulate enough of the virus in their bodies to pass it back to mosquitoes. The virus is most commonly found near freshwater swamps and lakes, where mosquitoes thrive. People who work outdoors in these areas are at the highest risk. First detected in horses in the 1830s, hence the name, EEE affects both horses and humans with acute symptoms. The US records an average of 11 human cases of EEE each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The largest recorded outbreak occurred in 2019, with 38 cases and 12 deaths in Massachusetts. What are the symptoms? EEE has a very high fatality rate of at least 30 per cent, meaning that around one in three people who contract the disease will die, according to the CDC. Some people may be infected without showing any symptoms, although data is limited due to a lack of surveillance and testing. Those most at risk include individuals over 60 and children under five, but the virus can affect people of any age. Symptoms often begin with fever, chills, body aches, vomiting, diarrhoea, and fatigue. The infection can then progress to encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, and meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Survivors of EEE can be left with lifelong mental and physical disabilities due to the damage caused to the brain and central nervous system. Effects can range from behavioural changes and memory loss to paralysis and permanent brain damage. Where have cases been reported? How is EEE treated? Currently, there are no medicines or vaccines available to treat EEE. There are clinical trials in the works for an EEE vaccine, developed by Bavarian Nordic. The jab would also protect against two other closely related diseases western and Venezuelan equine encephalitis. Phase 2 of the trial is set to start later this year. If successful, it could still be several years before a safe and effective jab is ready for clinical use. Antibiotics are ineffective against EEE, as it is caused by a virus, not bacteria. Most patients will require hospitalisation and pain management. In cases where brain inflammation leads to increased pressure within the skull, a craniotomy, a type of brain surgery, may be performed to relieve the pressure. How can you prevent contracting EEE? Due to the lack of available treatments, prevention is crucial. If a person avoids being bitten by an infected mosquito, they cannot contract the virus. Public health authorities in several Massachusetts counties have advised citizens to avoid outdoor spaces after 6pm during peak summer months, when mosquitoes are most active. Some local health departments have also begun spraying pesticides in areas with high mosquito activity. Wearing long sleeves and trousers during peak mosquito hours dusk until dawn and applying insect repellent are also effective preventive measures. Draining standing water from items like car tyres and plant pots can reduce mosquito populations around the home, as the insects thrive in stagnant water. Is the virus peaking? Five human cases of EEE have been recorded so far this year in New Hampshire, Vermont, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. So far the numbers arent particularly out of the ordinary last year the US recorded seven cases. But that might change in the coming years as a result of climate change, which is altering environmental conditions that influence the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Climate change is leading to generally warmer temperatures, which can extend the mosquito season. Mosquitoes thrive in warm weather, and as temperatures rise earlier in the year and stay higher for longer, mosquitoes have more time to breed, increasing the risk of EEE transmission. Other mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus, dengue, and Zika have caused significant outbreaks around the world this year and spread to new geographical areas due to the effects of climate change. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Egyptians Were Obsessed With the Sky. Ruins of a Massive Observatory Are Showing Just How Obsessed. Archaeologists uncovered a massive observatory in Egypt they say is the largest ever found from the sixth century BC. The site included multiple sun dial stones and inscriptions tied to astronomy. Egypt is known for creating one of the worlds first solar calendars, aided by their attention paid to the sun and its patterns. Ancient Egyptians studied the sun and astronomy at an intense level, and a sixth century BC observatory that archaeologists recently uncovered puts that all into a bit more perspective. Teams discovered what the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is calling the largest-ever observatory from the sixth century in Kafr El-Sheikh at the Buto Temple in Tell el-Farain. The 9,150-square-foot site, according to information from a translated statement, features multiple sun dials, artifacts relating to astronomy, and a view into the ancient cultures fascination with the sun and mapping the night sky. The massive site, which begins with a main entrance facing east, toward the sunrise, includes an open, L-shaped hall, four mud-brick rooms, and a small stone room that once housed the observatory tower, according to the statement. Among the remains of the observatory was a stone sun dial the team is calling the sloping shadow clock. The shadow clock features 15-foot-long limestone slabs topped with five limestone blocksthree standing vertically and two horizontally. The archaeologists believe, according to Asyman Ashmawy, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, that the clock once contained inclined lines used to measure the inclinations of the suns shadow to monitor the movement of the sun during daylight hours. The excavation team found another stone block installed on the floor of a circular hall and two more circular stone blocks positioned to the north and to the west, respectively, likely to take additional measurements of the sun. The stone platform in the middle of the hall featured inscriptions representing astronomical views, mostly of the sunrise and sunset during Egypts three seasons. The inscription also notes measurements of the temple gates and other signs that indicate astronomy was the main function of the site. The Egyptians were one of the first groups to introduce the world to a 365-day calendar system and a 24-hour day, and they likely used the solar calendar to date religious and official rituals, such as the coronation of kings, the agricultural year, and key environmental changes. Among the additional artifacts found at the site were measuring tools, necklaces, and pottery. Statues were also discovered throughout the temple-like site, including ones made from bronze, terra-cotta, and granite. The four smaller, mud-brick rooms likely served as storage areas, while the stone room was probably the base of the observatory tower. The large hall included yellow mortar walls with the remains of a large mural, including a blue ritual boat with eight bows and two oars still visible. On the front of the boat were drawings of the god Horus and goddess Wadjets all-seeing eye, both meant to link the site to the sun and moon. You Might Also Like FILE - El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele gives a speech during the inauguration of an industrial data center in Ciudad Arce, El Salvador, July 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Salvador Melendez, File) SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) Nearly 2 years into a state of emergency that has suspended key civil liberties in El Salvador, President Nayib Bukele says the security advances achieved are sustainable without what was supposed to be a temporary measure. Each month, El Salvadors congress, which is comfortably controlled by Bukeles New Ideas party and its allies, approves another extension of the state of emergency. The justification from officials is that more needs to be done to eliminate the countrys once-powerful street gangs. In the near future, we hope to lift the state of exception, return to normal constitutional processes, and maintain the peace weve achieved through regular judicial and law enforcement activities, Bukele told Time magazine in an interview published Thursday. More than 81,000 people have been arrested and jailed without due process. Human rights organizations have denounced deaths in custody of people and many arrests of people without gang ties. But improved security has changed people's lives in El Salvador after years of living under the thumb of gangs. In the interview, Bukele put some numbers on the path to lifting the suspension of some civil liberties, including access to a lawyer, being allowed to gather and to be informed of ones rights. The president said his administration estimated there were 8,000 to 9,000 gang members left, noting that some of those may have fled the country. Once there were only 3,000 or 4,000, Bukele said the gangs wouldnt be able to muster enough people to re-form. Bukele is very active on social platforms and has an extensive communications team to get out his message, but rarely sits for interviews. Bukele also said that he would not seek reelection to a third consecutive term. El Salvadors constitution bars reelection, but Bukele received a favorable interpretation from the Supreme Court in 2021 that cleared the way for his reelection in February. We have an agreement with my wife that this is my last term, he said in the interview. MARQUETTE, Mich. (WJMN) As part of a statewide tour, representatives from two non-partisan Michigan organizations visited Marquette and Escanaba on Wednesday in a collaborative effort to educate voters on the elections process. Representatives from Keep Our Republic (KOR) and Michiganders for a Civic Resilience (MCR) are making five stops on the tour from August 27-29. Their first stop was Traverse City. Former Michigan House Democrat Leader Christine Greig and former Michigan Republican Senator and House Representative Tonya Schuitmaker are representing MCR. Representing KOR is Executive Director Ari Mittleman. Joining the representatives in conversation is Kent County Clerk Lisa Posthumus Lyons. As we embark on our Northern Michigan Community Conversation Tour throughout Michigan, we hope citizens will find renewed energy and restored faith about the election process, said Mittleman. Tour conversations focus on election integrity and transparency. Marquette attendees raised questions about student voters, the Qualified Voter File, safeguarding against ballots cast for deceased people, and early voting and voter pre-registration. Another focal point of the conversation in Marquette was election results reporting. There are never any results reported or transmitted to the county prior to the polls closing [on Election Day], said Posthumus Lyons. Waiting for results isnt a delay in the process. It is the process, she added. After meeting with Marquette residents from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Marquette Township Hall, the representatives traveled to Escanaba for an evening event from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Ludington Park Pavilion. There are two stops remaining on the tour: Cheboygan and Alpena. Representatives will visit with residents there August 29. From noon to 1:30 p.m. August 29, Cheboygan residents can meet with the representatives for their tour stop at Cheboygan Opera House. In the evening, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., the tour will make its final stop at Alpena Community College. The tour is free and open to the public. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com. For the second time in as many months, a high-powered Republican member of the Oklahoma Legislature crashed and burned on election night, an indication that infighting among the GOP is increasing and the party's far right-wing is now a major voice in state elections. The defeat of state Rep. Kevin Wallace, chairman of the powerful House Appropriations and Budget Committee, comes after Ada voters ousted state Sen. Greg McCortney, who had been tapped to be the next leader of the Oklahoma Senate. Both men had plenty of campaign funds, were well organized and held high profile positions that kept their names in front of the voters. McCortney was the Senate's majority floor leader before he became its heir-apparent leader. Yet both still lost. McCortney fell in an ugly primary battle that involved the governor and a dark money group charged with painting him as a liberal whose sole goal was to defund the police. Wallace lost Tuesday in an even uglier primary runoff that turned on issues such as human poop as fertilizer, land owned by non-U.S. citizens and wind power. Rep. Kevin Wallace is pictured April 6, 2023, during a LOFT meeting announcing an investigation into improper use of state credit cards by agency employees at the Capitol. Wallace was defeated Tuesday in a primary runoff election. McCortney's loss in June threw the Senate into a leadership battle, the echoes of which are still moving through the Capitol. Wallace's loss is now reverberating throughout the House of Representatives. Wallace's race, which could add up to the most expensive state legislative race in the history of Oklahoma, saw more than $1 million spent between both candidates. Unlike McCortney, who had Gov. Kevin Stitt as a critic, Wallace was supported by the Republican governor, who even came to Wallace's district and knocked on doors. This summer, Wallace and other lawmakers have been pushed to address the state's controversial school Superintendent Ryan Walters. And though it's unclear whether or not Walters is popular in Wallace's district, Wallace's loss now clouds the issue of an investigation by the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency into Walters and his agency, the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Majority Floor Leader Sen. Greg McCortney is pictured July 15 during the Senate special session to confirm Jennifer Callahan to the OSU Board of Regents. So why are powerful Republicans like Wallace and McCortney getting the ax? More: Senate endorses LOFT investigation of Walters but will remain neutral in case "we have to act" No easy answer to why powerful incumbents lost The answer isn't easy. Understanding the defeat of Wallace and McCourtney involves a lesson in dark money groups, political spin, outrage from the governor, the personalities of both lawmakers, their relationship to their legislative districts, tax cuts, past legislate votes, public fear, redistricting, and the types of hyper-local issues that can swing elections. "This may be the only time in the political history of this state, that the pro tempore, speaker, the floor leaders in both the House and the Senate, the appropriations chairman in both the House and the Senate all are departing the same year, so against their will and some because they are term limited," said Cal Hobson, a former Senate pro tempore. The current political climate in Oklahoma, Hobson said, "is quite a story." While Hobson said Wallace's defeat surprised him, he said the loss can't be pinned on a single issue but to several. "There are a bunch of local issues," Hobson said. "Including the spreading of human fertilizer." That fertilizer, known as biosolids, was a hotly contested issue in the district. In a story published by Investigate Midwest, Wallace acknowledged he had used biosolids on his farm. According to the online news outlet, Wallace was confronted during a candidate forum in June by some constituents who asked why he wouldnt come out against the fertilizer, which they called humanure. The biosolids sludge is regulated by the Department of Environmental Quality, I have used it twice it has been legal to use in this state for eight years now, Wallace said at the forum. Wallace acknowledged he had received complaints from his neighbors, but property rights is what Im for (and) Im not breaking the law, he told the audience." Wallace could not be reached for comment on this story. District issues played a role in Wallace, McCortney's losses The poop problem, plus questions about Wallace's relationship with his district quickly became issues in the campaign. Other issues came into play, too. One of those issues, Iowa Tribe Chairman Jacob Keyes said, was wind turbines. "Honestly, part of that loss in Lincoln County was the battle over the turbine farms trying to come in," he said. "I think people in the county didn't view him (Wallace) as being strong enough against the wind turbines. Most of the negativity about him I saw was on that topic." Wallace also faced criticism from his opponents about what they viewed as a lack of pushback against Chinese ownership of land in Oklahoma. Outgoing House Majority Leader Jon Echols said the race highlighted the differences in what government officials and elected leaders believe voters are interested in and what the voters, themselves, say they are interested in. "Those differences are stark," Echols said. More: Edmond lawmakers ask school district to reconsider policy on display of American flags Like others, McCortney, the former Senate majority leader, said there is more than one answer to the question of why voters ousted their incumbent leaders. "When you're in a runoff, it's expected to be a fight," he said. "I don't think anyone knows the full answer," he said. "It's not consistent ideologically, it's not just different groups who went in here or lose in there," McCortney said. "I don't know that anyone has really figured out the pattern. Except, perhaps, low-turnout elections are bad for incumbents." Since his loss in June, McCortney said he's been contacted by as many voters who didn't believe there was a problem in his race, and therefore stayed home. "In my race I have had an incredible number of people the people that I worked with, the people that were engaged, the people I was shoulder to shoulder fighting on issues with who, on some level admitted to me they didn't think there was any way I would lose, and so they didn't vote," he said. Low voter turnout continues to be an issue Hobson, Echols and McCortney all agreed that low voter turnout has been and continues to be a problem in Oklahoma elections. "It affects elections, there is no doubt," McCortney said. Data underscores this. Several studies have shown Oklahoma has some of the lowest voter turnout rates in the nation. In 2020, Michael McDonald, a political science professor at the University of Florida told Tulsa television station KTUL that Oklahoma was "near the bottom of the pack" for voter turnout. Solving the problem will be difficult, Echols said. "Primaries are family fights," he said. "One thing that became clear is that voter turnout in a lot of these races was abysmally low and its what decides the races. We have to find a way to increase engagement inside the political process." Both Wallace and McCortney's races, Echols said, went extremely negative. Those types of races need to be analyzed to help prepare for future campaigns, Echols said. "We need to go back and learn lessons from these races about what gets out voters and what doesn't," he said. "That's the only thing left to do." And what about next year? With new leadership guaranteed in both chambers of the Legislature, the 2025 session could be contentious. Even though the Senate and House are both expected to have GOP supermajorities, not only will they have new leaders, the will have new chairpersons of what is considered the most powerful legislative committee: Appropriations. House Democrats say they have their concerns, too. Wallace's loss raises questions about the recently announced investigation of the Oklahoma State Department of Education by the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency, state Rep. Mickey Dollens said. "I'm not sure what's going to happen there," Dollens said. "Since 2016, Chairman Wallace has always been the one to present the budget to Democrats. He's been available to answer questions about the budget. Now we have new players." The leadership of the House will go to Republican Rep. Kyle Hilbert, of Bristow. Dollens said he expects Hilbert to do well, but that the fallout from the elections could cause the GOP caucus double down on cultural war issues and possibly move the caucus further to the right in an effort to avoid future primary confrontations. More: Oklahoma GOP names Rep. Kyle Hilbert to be state's new speaker of the House next session "I think this is another really good reason on why we need open primaries in Oklahoma," he said. "It gives candidates the chance to campaign to a broader electorate and not have to worry about pandering to the fringe bases in order to win a primary." Open primaries, Dollens said, would eliminate the continued election of far right fringe candidates being elected. In addition to all he legislative changes, Stitt is expected to push hard for his agenda during his final two years in office. The governor has already gone public with another call for additional tax cuts and what some lawmakers call, legacy building legislation. Still, even with a difficult session expected, both McCortney and Echols say they expect that the Legislature, in the end, will do the right thing, without saying what, exactly, that meant. "The degree of difficulty has gone up, but I think there will be strong leadership on both sides," McCortney said. And even though neither he nor Wallace will be in office next year, McCortney said he remains positive. "I think everything will be OK," he said. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Wallace's primary loss will have longterm effects LONDON, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The number of suicides in England and Wales has reached its highest level in 25 years, according to statistics released Thursday by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The ONS reported a total of 6,069 suicides in England and Wales in 2023, or 11.4 suicide deaths per 100,000 people, compared to 10.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2022. The data revealed that while the suicide rate among males was higher than that of females, the rate for females rose to 5.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2023, the highest rate since 1994. Suicides were most common among males aged 45 to 49, and females aged 50 to 54. Meanwhile, the suicide rates in North-West and North-East England were reported to be twice as high as those in London. Keith Baker, a social scientist at Glasgow Caledonian University, told Xinhua that the cost of living crisis is one of the contributing factors. "It's still the same underlying problems: the cost of living, the difficulty in finding work, not just any work, but work that provides a sense of pride and purpose," Baker said. "Part of the issue is that men often avoid discussing health issues, especially mental health. This problem is pervasive, and we haven't truly addressed it." Baker added that he was not surprised that the highest rates were in Northern England, which includes traditionally poorer and working-class areas. "These regions haven't been well-supported by the government in terms of social services and support networks," he explained, noting that the closure of traditional working men's clubs has cut off a vital source of support for men facing challenges. Baker underlined the need for political action to address the issue of suicide. "I don't think the complete cut to the winter fuel payment is a good example of support," he said. "We have long waiting times in the NHS for mental health services. It can take months to get help, yet providing immediate support and reassurance to someone in crisis can make all the difference," Baker added, emphasizing the importance of timely intervention. Vahe Nafilyan, head of data and analysis for social care and health at the ONS, said: "Suicide leaves a devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities, and we will continue to monitor suicide registrations closely." He added: "Many people feel they've been discarded by the time they reach 40 or 45, with very few opportunities to retrain. The decline of lifelong learning and the disappearance of adult education colleges have only worsened this situation." Eli Bremer, a former El Paso County GOP chairman, speaks to a crowd intent on ousting Colorado GOP Chair Dave Williams, on July 27, 2024. (Andrew Fraieli for Colorado Newsline) Eli Bremer and a group of newly selected leaders in the Colorado Republican Party are moving forward with plans to rectify the damage done by the previous members of the executive board, even as those same people reject the results of the party central committee vote that sought to oust them, Bremer said. I dont believe they will go quickly or peacefully. Were expecting them to exhaust all of their legal resources, Bremer told Colorado Newsline. Bremer was elected chair by a group of Colorado Republican Party central committee members on Aug. 24 right after that group voted to remove former state Rep. Dave Williams as head of the party. It was the culmination of a months-long effort by a pair of disenchanted Republicans to get rid of Williams and his executive committee. The group also voted to remove and replace the partys vice chair and secretary during the meeting. The result is that Bremer and Williams are simultaneously calling themselves the duly elected chair of the state GOP. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Williams, who was elected to the chairmanship in March 2023, has called the Aug. 24 meeting illegitimate, leaning on an opinion from a parliamentarian who has worked with the national Republican party. An Aug. 31 meeting in Castle Rock, William says, is the only valid venue for a vote on his removal to take place. Your State Party Leadership will respect the results of August 31st no matter how you choose to move forward. Youre the boss, Williams wrote in an email to Republicans on Wednesday. An emailed agenda lists an item for Consideration of Removal of Elected Officers at the Aug. 31 meeting. But Bremers camp claims their meeting and subsequent election are legally sound and follow party bylaws. El Paso County Republican Party Vice Chair Todd Watkins and Jefferson County Republican Party Chair Nancy Pallozzi gathered enough signatures to force a meeting to consider Williams leadership, they say. At that meeting, an overwhelming majority of the credentialed members present about 180 people of the 400-plus central committee membership decided to remove Williams. They also voted to cancel the Aug. 31 meeting. Bremer, former chair of the El Paso County Republican Party, does not have access to the state partys bank account, Greenwood Village headquarters or official email. That is not preventing him, however, from reaching out to Republican candidates and campaigns and acting as chair. There will be a fight in court at every step of the way. They will have to be evicted. Theyre basically squatters at this point, he said of Williams and the ousted executive committee. We dont need to get the email account. I have the email list of all the chairs in the state and were already communicating. So whether it comes from my personal email or the one that says Chairman of GOP, they know Im the chairman, he said. There will be a fight in court at every step of the way. They will have to be evicted. Theyre basically squatters at this point. Eli Bremer He has set up what he calls a satellite office in Colorado Springs and is working with county chairs to order yard signs and handouts for former President Donald Trumps campaign. He sees his role as working with and supporting candidates so Republicans are elected this November, and he has met with the National Republican Congressional Committee to begin coordinated efforts. The NRCC has its eyes on Colorados 8th Congressional District, where Republican state Rep. Gabe Evans is running against Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo. Under Williams, the Colorado GOP endorsed and financially supported primary candidates, including Evans opponent, for the first time. The NRCC recognizes the results of the Aug. 24 meeting and Bremer as chair. (Candidates) feel like theyre always looking behind them to see if theyre going to get stabbed in the back, and theyre waiting for that email to come from the state party that is going to derail them for the day and cost them donors, Bremer said. The state party has sent a series of emails under Williams leadership that target LGBTQ people, including a message in June that railed against Pride Month and encouraged people to burn Pride flags. Many elected officials and other Republicans encouraged Williams to step down in the wake of that email. Then, this month, the party sent another email misgendering and deadnaming a Democratic state Senate candidate without approval from the Republican in the race. Its as if they were trying to cause problems for our candidates, Bremer said. The Republican National Committee could become the arbitrators of the issue, as they did in Michigan earlier this year when a former state party chair did not accept the results of a vote to remove her from office. In that case, the RNC formally recognized former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra as state party chair about one month after members voted out Kristina Karamo. A court then affirmed Hoekstra as chair. Karamo is appealing the decision. The RNC still listed Williams as state chair as of 3 p.m. Wednesday. In an email to party members Wednesday, Williams wrote that he plans to file criminal charges against Bremer and his allies over a false social media post of (his) account that attempted to mislead our members and the public. It is unclear what the social media post consisted of. Williams did not immediately return a request for comment. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Elm Grove residents will see referendum question on the 'daylighting' of Underwood Creek Elm Grove residents will decide this November if the village should complete a longtime stormwater management plan by daylighting Underwood Creek in a $8.5 million project that village officials say would not cost taxpayers more money. The village will ask voters to greenlight this project which has been almost 20 years in the making through a referendum on the Nov. 5 ballot. Here's what to know. What does 'daylighting' a creek mean? Stream daylighting brings buried waterways that have been diverted underground, in most cases for development, back to the surface. The result is an uncovered, restored stream. In downtown Elm Grove, about a 900-foot portion of Underwood Creek that once flowed freely was confined by concrete so what is now the Sendik's building and parking lot could be developed over it. The stream flows through a box culvert underground, which is now failing, according to the village. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has indicated they won't permit a repair of that box culvert, so if the city doesn't do anything, costs would be the responsibility of property owners, mostly businesses in the downtown, according to Village Manager Tom Harrigan. The village is taking charge of the project because it's a major step in flood mitigation planning for the whole community, Harrigan said. Daylighting the creek would be a good financial, environmental and recreational benefit for the village and its residents, according to Harrigan and other village leaders. The village of Elm Grove is again exploring the idea of daylighting Underwood Creek, which currently runs underground through a section of the village. In this image from July 29, 2015, the creek is shown after it comes out from underneath a parking lot. Why must part of Underwood Creek be brought back to the surface? Long before downtown Elm Grove was developed, Underwood Creek was in its natural state as a long, winding channel that took up a lot of space and was surrounded by a wetland, according to Village Trustee John Schindler, who has a background in hydrogeology. "This wetland acted like a giant sponge, absorbing water during heavy rainfall, and letting water out slowly during dry spells," Schindler describes in a video educating residents about the daylighting project. By 1958, part of the stream in Elm Grove was developed over, and routed into a concrete culvert which no longer absorbed the water as the wetland did. Downtown flooding became a regularity, including a deadly flood in August 1998 in which two boys drowned. The village took flood management measures in 2005, but paused one of the final steps bringing the creek to the light of day until it secured grants to fund the project. This last effort to mitigate flooding will affect dozens of communities both upstream and downstream in the Menomonee River watershed for the better, according to Schindler. What would the new part of Underwood Creek look like? Currently, Underwood Creek starts to flow underground near Watertown Plank Road and goes under the parking lot and Sendik's before emerging just southeast of the grocery store's building. The daylighted stream would meander along the railroad tracks east of the Sendiks on what is now parking spaces, according to the proposal. Plans show how Underwood Creek could be rerouted back to above ground in downtown Elm Grove. The daylighting project would bring a naturalized stream back to downtown and include a walking path that connects to the Hank Aaron Trail. Plans also call for the demolition of a railroad bridge and the construction of a new parking lot. Its a once in a lifetime opportunity to change the downtown for the better," Schindler told the Journal Sentinel. The rerouted stream would also benefit the wildlife who call the creek home. Once the stream is naturalized and their path is no longer blocked, salmon and northern pike may swim all the way upstream from Lake Michigan to Brookfield to spawn, according to Schindler. Why is the project going to referendum? The project must go to referendum because it exceeds $1 million. All public works projects that exceed that cost must be decided on by voters in a referendum, something residents in the village decided in a spending limit referendum in April 2022. How would the village of Elm Grove pay for the daylighting of Underwood Creek? Village officials have long discussed the possibility of sending this project to a referendum. The estimated cost of $8.5 million will be covered by the tax increments generated in TID No. 2, grants and stormwater user fees residents already pay, meaning taxpayers will not see any increase on their bills for this project, according to Harrigan, the village manager. Harrigan also said the actual project cost will likely be lower than $8.5 million, but officials wanted to estimate higher to account for changes in construction costs and other fees. According to Harrigan, more than $3.4 million of the project will be covered by Tax Incremental District No. 2, which is mostly made of commercial properties and created to help flood control implementation. Stormwater User Fees, which property owners already pay, would be reallocated to cover about $5 million of the project, he said. The village has a $300,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation that must be used on construction and restoration by the end of 2025. Officials have also applied for more grants, according to Schindler. These two grants have already been used in the project: $175,000 grant for engineering from Fund for Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District $250,000 for property acquisition from Fund for Lake Michigan Board of Trustees voted on resolution after meetings with opportunities for public input Village President James Koleski and Village Clerk Katie Panella signed the resolution to submit the question regarding the creek to a referendum during a special Board of Trustees meeting Friday, Aug. 23. The board had discussed the referendum question at length in previous meetings and gave the opportunity for the residents to give input in a public hearing and in public comments earlier in the week, Koleski said in the meeting. The resolution passed 6-0, sending the referendum to the November ballot. What's the referendum question on Elm Grove residents' ballots? Here's what the question will look like on the ballot, according to the resolution: Shall the Village of Elm Grove complete the Stormwater Management Plan developed in response to severe flooding by daylighting and realigning Underwood Creek south of Watertown Plank Road through the downtown area? The existing creek enclosure located under the Park and Shop parking lot and the Sendiks building is failing, and will not receive permitting for significant repair from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Village will acquire land and easements and construct a naturalized streambed for the purpose of Village stormwater management. This project will protect public safety, create public space, connect pedestrian pathways and enhance the economic viability of the downtown. The project will be paid for with funding from Tax Incremental Financing District #2, existing storm water fees, and grants. The total project cost SHALL NOT exceed $8,500,000. ____ YES ____ NO" This embedded content is not available in your region. Contact the reporter at bfogarty@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Elm Grove residents to vote on restoration of Underwood Creek Smog Hog Elon Musk is in trouble with Memphis, Tennessee locals because his AI datacenter has been accused of polluting the air with unauthorized gas-burning, electricity-producing turbines, according to CNBC. Shelby County, where Memphis is located, already has abysmal air quality issues. Now, local health and environmental activists have sent a letter to health officials about the gas turbines powering Musk's startup xAI, which is busy training AI models with scores of Nvidia chips. "Against this background of untenable levels of smog, Elon Musks artificial intelligence supercomputer project, xAI, recently sprung up in southwest Memphis," reads the letter. "This plant requires an enormous amount of electricity." In the letter, local advocates say that Musk's startup may not have the required air permits to operate the gas turbines and call for "enforcement action" if the datacenter is found to be illegally operating these gas combustion machines. Needless to say, CNBC's request for comment from xAI about the gas turbines didn't solicit a response which, let's face it, seems to be pretty typical for how Musk has responded to critics and the larger public. Air Apparent Installing and operating gas turbines without a permit would be par the course for Musk, whose tendency is to bulldoze people standing in his way. For example, Musk's SpaceX has polluted and destroyed the fragile wetlands environment around its launch site in Texas. SpaceX has also used trickery to run roughshod over federal wildlife officials. But Musk isn't the only person in the tech industry who ignores or just pays lip service to the public's concerns. Getting back to AI datacenters, which are hugely expensive to run, Microsoft facilities have gobbled up enormous amounts of electricity and water from surrounding communities like in Arizona and Iowa, both places stricken with drought issues. And besides Microsoft, AI datacenters writ large are testing the limits of our power grid. The problem with AI datacenters is that they exemplify the late capitalist concept of privatizing profits and socializing losses because regular folks will have to pay for the damage these datacenters are doing to our communities whether through their health or pocketbooks. More on AI datacenters: Microsoft's Emissions and Water Use Shoot Up as It Goes All in on AI Datacenters Elon Musk, who has already pledged eye-popping sums to support former President Donald Trumps re-election bid, is hiring his own Republican political operative to push his agenda further. Chris Young, a Republican political strategist, will join Musks personal team, seemingly in an effort to expand the billionaires far-right field organizing and get-out-the-vote efforts. Young a senior political official at PhRMA who came up under Louisiana former Gov. Bobby Jindal and worked as the national field director for the Republican National Committee has directed efforts to turn out voters, advise deep-pocketed donors and wield political power for conservatives for a decade. The strategist role will allow Musk to more closely direct the America PAC, a group he finances that was caught scraping user data and misdirecting swing state residents attempting to register to vote earlier this year. Musk, whose Tesla and SpaceX companies have faced hurdles from federal safety and labor regulators in recent months, pledged $45 million a month to boost Trumps campaigning efforts and endorsed the former president in a post to his social media platform X in July. Per the New York Times, Musk sees field organizing as a must in the upcoming race, dismissing traditional advertising and urging the PAC he funds to directly engage voters ahead of the November race. For the South African-born Musk, the stakes in November are high. Not only has the executive blasted liberal positions on social issues making anti-trans comments about his daughter and platforming racist rhetoric he's also leading a charge against the tax increases and increased regulatory scrutiny on his various companies. Harlan High School still has a choir, but its no longer the well-known Harlan Boys Choir, which sang for a U.S. president and governors and won acclaim in performances around the country and internationally. This school year, for the first time in 59 years, the boys choir and the counterpart for girls, the Harlan Musettes, are combined at the high school. Participation by high-school students had dropped over the last several years to a point that didnt justify separate choirs, said C.D. Morton, superintendent of the Harlan Independent school system. Im heartbroken, said Marilyn Schraeder, 77, who directed the Harlan Boys Choir and the Musettes before retiring after the 2023-24 school year. Its the end of an era. David Davies, left, was the original direcor of the Harlan Boys Choir, while Marian Maxwell, center, was the original accompanist. Marilyn Schraeder, right, was the accompanist for more than 40 years. A high-class, sophisticated choral organization The Musettes, founded at Harlan High in the fall of 1944, had a longer history than the boys choir, started by David Davies in 1965, but the boys choir received wider recognition. It was best known for performing in January 1989 at the inauguration of President George H.W. Bush. The ensemble, 78 members strong that cloudy, breezy day, sang This Is My Country from a balcony at the Capitol directly above the new president. Then-U.S. Sen. Wendell Ford of Kentucky, who recommended the choir for the occasion, said at the time hed heard nothing but praise. I think they kind of captured this inauguration, Ford said. Davies, who directed the boys choir for more than 40 years, taught participants how to sing well but also how to conduct themselves, said James Greene III, who was instructional supervisor for the Harlan Independent system for many years and is organizing archival materials for the district. The Harlan Boys Choir was founded at Harlan High School in the fall of 1965. The photo shows the members at the first performance. It was really intended to be a high-class, sophisticated choral organization, Greene said. The choirs were premier programs at one time. Terry Harris, a member of the boys choir from 5th grade until he graduated high school in 1974, said there were 70 to 100 members in that period. Boys could join the choir program as early as the 4th grade. In Harris time, the boys choir performed everywhere from Anaheim, Cal., to Graz, Austria. You wanted to be in the boys choir. You wanted to be in the Musettes, said Harris, 68. His daughter, Mary Beth Hamilton, directed the boys choir for several years and his son, Sam Harris, was a member. In the 1970s the founder of the Harlan Boys Choir called them the Singing Sons of Appalachia and they wore miners hard hats at times in performances. The Musettes, made up of high-school girls, traveled widely as well, both in the U.S and internationally. In 1974, for instance, the Musettes won a gold medal at a competition in Rome, Schraeder said. The two groups sometimes performed together, said Schraeder, who worked with both choirs for 54 years. She recalled joint performances by the boys choir and Musettes on a 1994 trip to Washington, D.C., where the venues included the Pentagon and a veterans hospital. There wasnt a dry eye in the place at the hospital, she said. Alumni said both groups received great support from the community, including fundraising to pay for trips and other needs such as equipment. A marker on the bypass in Harlan, Ky., pays tribute to the Harlan Boys Choir and the Harlan Musettes. The separate choirs for boys and girls at Harlan Independent schools performed around the U.S. and internationally. Both programs are esteemed in terms of their heritage, said Ryland Pope, who was in the choir program from the 4th grade until he graduated in 2003, and later led the boys choir for a year. Through ups and downs in the coal industry that underpinned Harlans economy for decades, the choirs brought positive attention to the small mountain city. The boys choir was nicknamed the Singing Sons of Appalachia. It was a shining light for the county, something that people could take pride in, Pope said. Dwindling interest Morton, the superintendent, said the move to combine the high-school choirs was not motivated by finances. The school system, which has 800 students total and 220 at the high school, invests as much, or more, in arts and humanities as other districts its size, and was unique for many years in having separate boys and girls choirs at the high school, Morton said. But Schraeder said membership dwindled last school year to five students in the Musettes and 22 in the boys choir, with just a few high-school boys taking part. Marilyn Schraeder, right, worked with the Harlan Boys Choir and the Harlan Musettes for more than 50 years. Here she is shown with members of the Musettes at a concert in the spring of 2024. Some alumni said they believe one factor in the drop in interest was high-school students choosing other courses over choir in order to burnish their high school transcripts. They were trying to compete for valedictorian, said Deron Major, who was in the choir from 4th grade until he graduated in 2007 and now keeps up the Facebook page of the Harlan Alumni Association. Tiffany Hampton, who graduated from Harlan High in 2017 and was president of the Musettes her senior year, said she knew girls who left the Musettes so they could take other classes. Hampton said she cried over the decline in the Musettes. It was my life in high school, she said. A photo copied from a reunion book shows the Harlan Musettes during a trip to Washington, D.C. in 1987. Some former members of the choirs hope more students will get involved and revive the boys choir and Musettes as separate groups. Harris and other former members are working to start an alumni choir. The group could show the possibilities for staying involved beyond high school and revive interest among students, he said. Weve gotta get the interest back in the high school, he said. Thats my dream. Increased precipitation is also generating more runoff, laden with nutrients and other pollution. Photo by Dave Harp/Chesapeake Bay Journal By Karl Blankenship Chesapeake Bay Journal The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is warning states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed that they are significantly off track in meeting goals to reduce stormwater pollution and that the agency may exert greater oversight of those efforts. The warning came in the EPAs most recent evaluation of state-written plans that will guide their actions through 2025, the regions voluntary deadline for meeting goals to reduce pollution in the Bay. State and federal officials now acknowledge that the target, established in 2010, will be missed by a large margin, mostly because of shortfalls in the agricultural sector, the largest source of water-fouling nutrients to the Bay. But runoff from developed lands also contributes a significant amount of nutrient pollution which includes both nitrogen and phosphorus to the Bay and its rivers. And, according to computer models, the load is increasing as more land is turned into buildings, roads and parking lots. Although stormwater runoff has steadily increased since 2010, the evaluations released Aug. 14 mark the first time that the EPA issued a warning to all Bay states that their programs could be subject to greater scrutiny. The warning was not given to the District of Columbia, which has met its goals. The reviews did not say exactly what actions the EPA might take. But Adam Ortiz, administrator of the agencys mid-Atlantic region, said he wanted to see meaningful progress from the states. Ortiz said the agency had not warned of possible actions over stormwater programs in past reviews because of the need to focus on agricultural runoff, which states are counting on for the vast majority of future nutrient reductions. But state and federal agencies have greatly ramped up spending for farm conservation efforts in recent years, he noted. Agriculture is now going in the right direction overall, and stormwater has been the stubborn one for a variety of reasons, Ortiz said. Its the toughest and most expensive, and its where were seeing the most growth with our populations and impervious surfaces. Ortiz said Bay states need to be more timely in issuing stormwater permits and demonstrate that they have enough staffing and funding to oversee their programs. Much of the stormwater runoff is addressed through state-issued permits, which cover densely developed urban and suburban lands. But a growing amount of runoff comes from development in rural and dispersed areas that arent currently required to have stormwater permits. Ortiz said the EPA could begin recommending that permit programs be expanded to such areas. Kristin Reilly, director of the Choose Clean Water Coalition, which represents more than 300 organizations in the Chesapeake watershed, said she welcomed the stormwater emphasis, noting that it is an area her members have highlighted for years. Were happy to see that its finally being called out, she said, but added that the EPA had been unclear in its reviews about exactly what it would do to increase oversight. She noted that states often have been late in issuing new permits and that those permits often dont contain the specific measures needed to reduce runoff. Its less about whether [the permit] was reissued, Reilly said, Its more about what is in the permit. Is it a strong permit? The EPAs evaluations covered plans written by each Bay jurisdiction outlining the nutrient reduction actions they plan to take in 2024-25, and it also included a review of state progress toward targets set for 2022-23. The plans, or milestones, are written in two-year increments as part of an effort to ensure that states are on track to meeting their goals. If the EPA concludes that states are not showing adequate results, it can take a variety of actions to prod greater progress, such as withholding clean water grant money or forcing wastewater treatment plants to make up for shortfalls in other sectors, such as agriculture and stormwater. The agency has historically been reluctant to take such actions, though. In its reviews, the EPA said all Bay states need to demonstrate that they are accelerating efforts to reduce agricultural runoff. Ortiz acknowledged there is still a big gap in meeting agricultural goals, but he said, the bleeding has stopped, and were moving in the right direction. The EPA reviews also show that Delaware is particularly far off track. The state has achieved only 9% of the nitrogen reductions needed to meet its goals. Were in conversations with Delaware, the results have been concerning, Ortiz said, adding more to come. Among other jurisdictions, all but the District of Columbia and West Virginia were falling short of at least some targets they had set for 2023: Pennsylvania, Delaware and New York did not meet targets for nitrogen, phosphorus or sediment. Virginia did not achieve targets for nitrogen or phosphorus but it did for sediment. Maryland did not achieve targets for nitrogen but did for phosphorus and sediment. The District of Columbia has met its nutrient and sediment goals, thanks to upgrades at the Blue Plains wastewater treatment plant. It also has undertaken massive upgrades to fix its combined sewer overflow system, which used to send untreated sewage into the Anacostia and Potomac rivers during heavy storms. Most states are further off track than the EPA review indicates, though. The agency used an older version of a computer model to evaluate nutrient reduction progress. Had a newer version been used, states would have had even less progress. The EPA said it would begin using the newer model to evaluate state progress beginning next year. Erie, PA (WJET/WFXP) Erie County is widely considered a critical battleground in the race for the Whitehouse. Many see winning the region as integral to a presidential win in November. And local voters said theyre honored to play that important role. Local Dems respond to JD Vances visit to Erie Erie County is critical to winning the state of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania is critical to winning this election. Thats according to Mercyhurst University political analyst Joe Morris. He said Republican Vice Presidential Candidate JD Vance stopped here for a reason, and candidates on both sides will do so before November 5. Erie County is probably the epicenter of American politics right now. It is the place to be if you want to know how this presidential campaign is gonna turn out, Morris said. Local residents we spoke to are happy to be living in a bellwether county. JD Vance holds Erie rally highlighting the American economy, trucking industry Do you think Erie County could be the difference? I hope. Id like to have that pride that Erie County could be the difference, said Jim Dematters, an Erie resident. Its exciting. I would just really encourage people dont be on the fence. You need to take a stand. Look at the issues, said Linda Kennedy, a Harborcreek resident. But Morris said more is at play than issues when candidates choose their campaign stops. He said people want to be seen and heard. And nowhere is that more true than in Erie County. Morris said Erie Countys industrial past plays a big part into why Erie County voters feel like their struggles havent been recognized or addressed. I feel like Erie County voters for the last several decades have felt like theyve been left behind. Weve been in the midst of this long, slow and painful economic transition, Morris explained. I think visits like this go a long way toward making people feel heard. Educational toolkit aims to provide voters important info. regarding upcoming election The voters we spoke to listed the economy, border security, and health care as critical issues in this election. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. FILE - Filmmaker Errol Morris poses for a portrait to promote his film, "The Pigeon Tunnel" a documentary about John le Carre, during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Sept. 12, 2023. Morris' latest film, "Separation," premiered at the Venice Film Festival on Thursday. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP, File) VENICE, Italy (AP) Filmmaker Errol Morris turned his lens toward the U.S. governments border policies and family separation in the documentary Separated, which premiered at Thursday at the Venice Film Festival. The Trump administration separated thousands of migrant parents from their children as it moved to criminally prosecute people for illegally crossing the Southwestern border. Minors, who could not be held in criminal custody with their parents, were transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services. Facing strong opposition, Trump eventually reversed course in 2018, days before a federal judge in San Diego halted the practice and ordered immediate reunification in a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union. According to figures released by the Department of Homeland Security, 3,881 children were separated from their families from 2017 to 2021. The film, which is not in competition at the festival, is based on journalist Jacob Soboroff's book Separated: Inside an American Tragedy. Morris, the Oscar-winning documentarian behind the Robert S. McNamara film The Fog of War, made Separated in collaboration with NBC News Studios, Participant, Fourth Floor and Moxie Pictures. Though focused on what transpired during the Trump administration, it begins with several voices of American presidents speaking about immigration. This is not just a problem of the Trump administration, though Trump escalated it to new levels of horror, Morris said. There has to be a better way. The film was intended it to be both an exploration of the terrible misdeeds of our recent past and a cautionary tale for the future, he wrote in a directors statement. Soboroff, a correspondent with NBC News, said that as a journalist hes not here to advocate for one particular policy decision or another. Their hope, though, is for it to not happen again. Separated includes a dramatic recreation of a family separation, brought to life by actors Gabriela Cartol and Diego Armando Lara Lagunes, as well as interviews with Elaine Duke, the former acting head of the Department of Homeland Security, an employee of the Office of Refugee Resettlement and whistleblower Jonathan White. We want people to be able to remember what happened and internalize the truth, Soboroff said. On his first day in office in 2021, President Joe Biden issued an executive order to reunite families that were split up. Two years later, the task force had reconnected nearly 700 children with their families; nearly 1,000 remained separated from their families. The film, which runs only 93 minutes, does not yet have distribution. The moderator asked if they hoped that it might be acquired, and seen, before November's U.S. presidential election. To me its essential that this comes out before the election, Morris said. I want this to come out before the election with the hope that it could make a difference. ___ For more coverage of the 2024 Venice Film Festival, visit https://apnews.com/hub/venice-film-festival. Oscar-winning documentarian Errol Morris (Fog of War) and acclaimed NBC journalist NBCs Jacob Soboroff took aim at the immigration policies of the previous administration of Donald Trump in their press conference for Separation at the Venice Film Festival on Thursday. Morris documentary adaptation of Soboroffs book of the same name looks at the Trump administrations mandate that ordered the separation of migrant families who crossed the Mexican border into the U.S. Before Trump ended the policy, some 5,500 families had been pulled apart. As depicted in dramatized sequences of the documentary, the hardship endured by the families was, frankly, inhuman, with children taken from their parents, and kept in detention cages. Some were infants. More from The Hollywood Reporter The idea that somehow you would hurt children as a matter of policy seemed unthinkable. It seemed just wrong, morally wrong, Morris said, speaking at a press conference for Separation at the Venice Film Festival, where the movie has its world premiere. These are policies that could happen again, and we must ensure that they never, never happen again. Soboroff noted that the combination of his reporting with Morris skills as a filmmaker, particularly in the movies dramatic reconstruction sequences where we watch a mother and her son flee to the United States, only to be brutally separated at the border got to an emotional truth of the story impossible to do in a television news report. There is no footage of the separations happening inside the detention centers, and Errol and the whole team were able to capture the essence, said Soboroff, in a way that impacts people, in the way that only Errol can. While Soboroff was careful to note the film is not solely about Trump Trump did this, but none of this would have been possible were it not for decades of bipartisan Democrats and Republicans pushing for a deterrence-based punishment-based immigration policy that was designed to hurt people but the potential for a second Trump term was obviously on their mind. Morris called out Trumps vice presidential running mate, for his silence on the issue of child separation. J.D. Vance seems so concerned about children, families with children [suggesting] that perhaps only people with children should have the right to vote in America, said Morris. Well, how does he feel about policies that deliberately hurt children? Is that okay? Is that permissible? Is that something that we want to endorse? Morris said it was essential Separation comes out in the U.S. before the election. To date, the documentary, a production of NBC News Studios, Participant, Fourth Floor and Moxie Pictures, has not found a domestic home. You dont know what the effect of anything is going to be, noted Morris, but I want this to come out before the election with the hope that it could make a difference. Best of The Hollywood Reporter EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Texas Representatives Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, and Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new El Paso VA health care center. VA to break ground for new health care center at Fort Bliss The ceremony took place on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at Fort Bliss, 18549 Heavy Medics. This historic investment in VA Health Care marks an exciting new chapter for Southwest Texas and Southern New Mexico Veterans, said Froy Garza, El Paso VA Health Care System executive director. The construction of this state-of-the-art health care facility will build upon our commitment to meet the health care needs of those who have given so much in service to our country. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was awarded $617,499,000 to design and build the new VA healthcare center in El Paso, according to the news release by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Fort Bliss VA health care center groundbreaking ceremony. Photo taken by KTSM Congressman Tony Gonzales attends groundbreaking ceremony for new VA health care center. Photo courtesy to Tony Gonzales. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar attends groundbreaking ceremony for new VA health care center. Photo courtesy to Veronica Escobar. New Fort Bliss VA health care center product. Photo taken by KTSM New Fort Bliss VA health care center product. Photo taken by KTSM Fort Bliss VA health care center groundbreaking ceremony. Photo taken by KTSM Fort Bliss VA health care center groundbreaking ceremony. Photo taken by KTSM Congresswoman Veronica Escobar attends groundbreaking ceremony for new VA health care center. Photo courtesy to Veronica Escobar. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar attends groundbreaking ceremony for new VA health care center. Photo courtesy to Veronica Escobar. Todays groundbreaking marks a new chapter for veterans in West Texas, said Congressman Tony Gonzales. When I was elected to serve in Congress, I was fresh out of the U.S. Navy, taking care of our troops has always been personal for me. The men and women who answered the call to serve deserve access to the best quality of care. I am incredibly proud that the $700 million I helped secure for this new VA facility will be used to provide enhanced healthcare services to tens of thousands of West Texas veterans. According to the news release by the VA, the new 492,996-square-foot facility will support and improve access care to for over 54,000 veterans in the region. The care will include primary care, mental health, specialty care and ancillary services. It is an honor to work for our veterans and help break ground on the new VA Health Care Center. This new facility will provide primary and specialized care, mental health support, surgery, and more to over 50,000 veterans enrolled in the El Paso VA Health System, said Congresswoman Veronica Escobar through her X account. El Paso has four members of Congress (2 senators, 2 House reps.), and Im proud to have voted yes for this transformational investment along with Texas Senator John Cornyn. Along with the Pact Act, which I also supported, we are seeing historic investment in healthcare for our veterans. The new VA health care center project is expected to open for patient care in 2028, according to the VA. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. MOSCOW/KIEV, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Russian forces have destroyed four Ukrainian drones and three unmanned surface vehicles near Sevastopol, Sevastopol city governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said Thursday. "The Black Sea Fleet and air defense forces repelled a Ukrainian attack in Sevastopol," Razvozhayev said in a Telegram post, adding that according to preliminary information, the Russian military destroyed the targets over the water at a significant distance from the shore. He said that no civilian targets in the city were damaged. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian air defense shot down 60 out of 74 drones and two out of five missiles launched by Russia overnight, the Ukrainian Air Force said Thursday. The targets were destroyed over nine regions in eastern, central, southern and northern Ukraine, it said in a post on Telegram. ---- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that the Ukrainian troops have taken further areas in Russia's Kursk region. "The Commander-in-Chief (Oleksandr Syrskyi) also reported on our operation in the Kursk region. We continue to expand the territory under our control in the designated areas near the border of Ukraine," Zelensky said in his daily video address on Wednesday evening. ---- Russian National Guard (Rosgvardiya) troops have defused an unexploded HIMARS cluster munition near the Kursk nuclear power plant. "Upon arrival ... the Rosgvardiya officers discovered a missile fragment filled with 180 unexploded strike elements," said a Rosgvardiya statement on Wednesday, adding that the munition was found 5 km from the Kursk plant. Russian forces successfully neutralized the munition while observing safety measures, it said. EU Ambassador to Ukraine agrees with need to allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russia Katarina Mathernova, Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine, has shared the opinion of EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell on granting Ukraine permission to strike at Russian territory. Source: Mathernova in an interview with Ukrinform, as reported by European Pravda Details: Mathernova mentioned the latest large-scale Russian missile attack on Ukrainian cities and stressed that "it's time for all of us to get together and help Ukraine defend itself", in particular by providing more air defence assets and the capacity to repel Russian strikes. When asked whether she believed Ukraine should be allowed to strike military targets on Russian territory using Western-supplied weapons, Mathernova replied: "I can only echo the words of my boss, EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell, who has very openly called for the lifting of restrictions on the use of long-range missiles." Quote: "Because Ukraine should be allowed to defend itself effectively and in accordance with international law. So I can only agree with my boss on this point." Background: On 29 August, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Kyiv expected to obtain the consent of its partners to use long-range missiles against targets in Russia and to obtain such assets in time. Allowing strikes on Russian territory will make it possible to put the Russians into strategic uncertainty, and the arrival of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine and the authorisation to shoot down air targets over Russia using these aircraft will significantly increase Ukraines ability to defend its skies. Such authorisations open up new prospects for the Ukrainian defence forces, including, according to a number of military analysts, limiting Russian aircraft activity in the event of a strike to a depth of at least 80 kilometres. The media also reported that the UK supported the idea of striking targets in Russia with UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles, but did not publicly call for it, fearing a deterioration in relations with the US. Recently, it was unofficially reported that Ukraine planned to provide the White House with a list of targets in Russia for ATACMS missiles in an attempt to convince Biden. For his part, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov said that Kyiv continues to talk with foreign partners on the possibility of creating an air defence shield over Ukraines west. Support UP or become our patron! EU calls for humanitarian pauses in Gaza for polio vaccine campaign EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell (C) chairs the EU Foreign Ministers' informal meeting in Brussels. Francois Lenoir/EU Council/dpa The 27 member states of the European Union called on Thursday for humanitarian pauses in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza to allow a vaccination campaign against polio to begin. For 25 years Gaza has been polio-free, the joint EU statement said and "it is alarming that poliovirus was detected and that the first case was confirmed there again in July affecting children." The EU joined calls from the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) for immediate humanitarian pauses to allow health officials to vaccinate children. The 27 EU countries also welcomed the delivery of more than 1.2 million polio vaccines as well as Israel's cooperation in delivering the vaccines to Gaza. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell chairs the EU Foreign Ministers' informal meeting in Brussels. Francois Lenoir/EU Council/dpa EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell speaks during a press conference after the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting in Brussels. The European Union's foreign affairs chief on Sunday released a statement saying the bloc "remains extremely concerned about the deepening political crisis in Venezula," following a disputed presidential election in the country. Francois Lenoir/EU Council/dpa The European Union's foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, has proposed imposing sanctions on Israeli government members to the 27 EU member states. The proposed sanctions target Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, dpa learned from EU officials shortly before an EU foreign ministers' meeting on Thursday. Both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have recently caused outrage with anti-Palestinian statements. They are far-right coalition partners of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both officials are advocates of the settlement policy in occupied territories, which the highest UN court considers illegal. Ben-Gvir recently called for an end to aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip in order to pressure the Palestinian militant organization Hamas. Smotrich made a similar statement, suggesting a possible blockade of aid until all Israeli hostages held by Hamas were released. He described this as morally justified, even if it meant risking the lives of 2 million people in the Gaza Strip. According to Israel, Hamas still holds 107 hostages in Gaza. At least a third of them are believed to be no longer alive. The Gaza war was sparked by the Hamas-led attack in which 1,200 people, largely civilians, were killed on October 7. Since then, Isreali military bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 40,000 people, among them thousands of children, according to local health officials. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell chairs the EU Foreign Ministers' informal meeting in Brussels. Francois Lenoir/EU Council/dpa The European Union's foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, has proposed imposing sanctions on Israeli government members to the 27 EU member states. Israeli ministers have been "launching hate messages, unacceptable hate messages against the Palestinians," Borrell said before a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Thursday. Some of the things proposed by Israeli ministers go "clearly against international law," Borrell said, and encourage the committing of "war crimes." The proposed sanctions target Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, dpa learned from EU officials shortly before the meeting. The EU must not consider anything taboo when it comes to ensuring that humanitarian law is respected, Borrell said, stressing that it is up for EU countries to decide. Hungary and Germany are viewed as Israel's strongest EU supporters, however, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock did not rule out German approval of the proposal to sanction Smotrich and Ben-Gvir. Baerbock said before the meeting that she believes only the legal requirements and allegations against the politicians should be considered in approving the sanctions. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on X he was working with EU supporters against the sanctions "pushed by anti-Israel elements." "Our message is clear: In a reality where Israel faces threats from Iran and its proxy terror organizations, the free world must stand with Israel, not against it," Katz said. Both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have recently caused outrage with anti-Palestinian statements. They are far-right coalition partners of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both officials are advocates of the settlement policy in occupied territories, which the highest UN court considers illegal. Ben-Gvir recently called for an end to aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip in order to pressure the Palestinian militant organization Hamas. Smotrich made a similar statement, suggesting a possible blockade of aid until all Israeli hostages held by Hamas were released. He described this as morally justified, even if it meant risking the lives of 2 million people in Gaza. According to Israel, Hamas still holds 107 hostages in Gaza. At least a third of them are believed to be no longer alive. The Gaza war was sparked by the Hamas-led attack in which 1,200 people, largely civilians, were killed on October 7. Since then, Israeli military bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 40,000 people, among them thousands of children, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority in Gaza. Multiple EU foreign ministers expressed their horror at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called on Israel and the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement to agree to a ceasefire. "This is essentially now a war against Palestinians, not just against Hamas," Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said, describing the civilian casualties as "unconscionable." "The immense suffering of the civilian population in Gaza must end," Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said. Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib described the fighting in Gaza as a "tragedy, a humanitarian catastrophe" and warned about violence escalating in the West Bank. Baerbock joined calls for a ceasefire and said the situation in the West Bank "must not be allowed to explode." Sigrid Kaag, a senior United Nations official coordinating humanitarian efforts in Gaza, said the destruction and human suffering has not been "seen in the 21st century to this extent." EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell (C) chairs the EU Foreign Ministers' informal meeting in Brussels. Francois Lenoir/EU Council/dpa Multiple EU foreign ministers expressed their horror at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called on Israel and the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement to agree to a ceasefire. "This is essentially now a war against Palestinians, not just against Hamas," Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said, describing the civilian casualties as "unconscionable." "The immense suffering of the civilian population in Gaza must end," Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said. Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib described the fighting in Gaza as a "tragedy, a humanitarian catastrophe" and warned about violence escalating in the West Bank. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock joined calls for a ceasefire and said the situation in the West Bank "must not be allowed to explode." Sigrid Kaag, a senior United Nations official coordinating humanitarian efforts in Gaza said the destruction and human suffering has not been "seen in the 21st century to this extent." EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell (L) talks with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during the EU Foreign Ministers' informal meeting in Brussels. Francois Lenoir/EU Council/dpa EU foreign ministers will meet in Brussels on Thursday to discuss the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as the disputed presidential election in Venezuela. The meeting is an informal one, meaning the ministers are not expected to make any official decisions. It will be chaired by EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell. The gathering was originally due to be held in Budapest, but ministers moved it to Brussels to protest Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in early July. A discussion of the Russia-Ukraine war with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is the first item on the agenda. Two-and-a-half years on from Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kiev this month surprised the world by invading Russia with an offensive in the Kursk region. Ministers will then have lunch with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss EU-Turkey relations and "global issues of shared interest," according to a statement by the EU's diplomatic service. The third matter to be discussed is the efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. The ministers will be joined by Sigrid Kaag, who coordinates the United Nations' humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Finally, foreign ministers will discuss the political crisis that engulfed Venezuela after its July 28 presidential election. The country's Supreme Court last week ruled that incumbent President Nicolas Maduro was re-elected. But countries including the United States, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Panama, Uruguay and Costa Rica say the results are fraudulent, and that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez is the true winner. On Sunday, Borrell issued a statement on behalf of the EU calling on Venezuelan authorities to publish polling stations' voting records. Earlier this month, a United Nations report said at least 1,260 people had been detained and 23 killed since the election amid "fierce repression by the state." Maduro himself said on August 3 that 2,000 people had been detained and would be punished. "This time there will be no pardon," he told his supporters. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell speaks during a press conference after the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting in Brussels. The European Union's foreign affairs chief on Sunday released a statement saying the bloc "remains extremely concerned about the deepening political crisis in Venezula," following a disputed presidential election in the country. Francois Lenoir/EU Council/dpa EU foreign ministers will meet in Brussels on Thursday to discuss the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as the disputed presidential election in Venezuela. The meeting is an informal one, meaning the ministers are not expected to make any official decisions. It will be chaired by EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell. The gathering was originally due to be held in Budapest, but ministers moved it to Brussels to protest Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in early July. A discussion of the Russia-Ukraine war with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is the first item on the agenda. Two-and-a-half years on from Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kiev this month surprised the world by invading Russia with an offensive in the Kursk region. Ministers will then have lunch with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss EU-Turkey relations and "global issues of shared interest," according to a statement by the EU's diplomatic service. The third matter to be discussed is the efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. The ministers will be joined by Sigrid Kaag, who coordinates the United Nations' humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Finally, foreign ministers will discuss the political crisis that engulfed Venezuela after its July 28 presidential election. The country's Supreme Court last week ruled that incumbent President Nicolas Maduro was re-elected. But countries including the United States, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Panama, Uruguay and Costa Rica say the results are fraudulent, and that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez is the true winner. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell (C) chairs the EU Foreign Ministers' informal meeting in Brussels. Francois Lenoir/EU Council/dpa EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels are being urged to make good on promises they have made to Ukraine. Arriving at the meeting on Thursday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he intended to urge allies to deliver the air defence systems they have promised. Air defence systems - such as the widely-used, US-made Patriots or the Italian SAMP/T system - have been a top priority for Western military aid to Ukraine in recent months. Several countries have promised to supply Ukraine with such systems. However, "some Patriot systems were announced and not delivered yet," Kuleba told reporters on Thursday. "I will urge all partners who have made their pledges to finally deliver these systems." Kuleba said the waiting times between announcement and delivery are "sometimes excessively long." That hurts Ukrainian military planning, he said. "You cannot calculate what you can count on and what you cannot count on." The latest round of commitments to supply air defence systems to Ukraine came at a NATO summit in Washington in July. All of the European Union's member states are members of NATO except for Ireland, Austria, Malta and Cyprus. "So far no Patriot batteries that have been promised to Ukraine in Washington have been delivered," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told reporters as he arrived at the meeting on Thursday. "No new ammunition packages have been delivered since June," he added. "It sounds like a joke, but we are protecting Russian skies more. Russian planes are better protected by the Western guarantees than Ukrainians." Two-and-a-half years on from Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kiev this month surprised the world by invading Russia with an offensive in the Kursk region. On Thursday, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said that by invading Kursk, Ukraine had shown "a lot of strategic audacity." The move "has dealt a blow to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's narrative about this war," he said. Thursday's informal meeting of the 27 EU foreign ministers was originally due to be held in Budapest. Ministers moved it to Brussels to protest Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's meeting with Putin in early July. As it is an informal gathering, ministers are not expected to make any official decisions. Another item on the meeting agenda is the political crisis that engulfed Venezuela after its July 28 presidential election. The country's Supreme Court last week ruled that incumbent President Nicolas Maduro was re-elected. But countries including the United States, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Panama, Uruguay and Costa Rica say the results are fraudulent, and that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez is the true winner. On Sunday, Borrell issued a statement on behalf of the EU calling on Venezuelan authorities to publish polling stations' voting records or "actas," which can be used to verify the results. However, arriving at the meeting on Thursday, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that was unlikely to happen. "A more-than-prudent amount of time has already passed," Albares said. "The 27 of us have to face the situation that we will probably not be able to know [what the actas show], and the opposition, for its part, will not be able to analyze those actas." Nevertheless, the reports of observers on the ground raise "very serious doubts about what happened at the time of the recount." Earlier this month, a United Nations report said at least 1,260 people had been detained and 23 killed since the election amid "fierce repression by the state." Maduro himself said on August 3 that 2,000 people had been detained and would be punished. "This time there will be no pardon," he told his supporters. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell chairs the EU Foreign Ministers' informal meeting in Brussels. Francois Lenoir/EU Council/dpa EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell (L) and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba speak to the media ahead of the EU Foreign Ministers' informal meeting in Brussels. Francois Lenoir/EU Council/dpa Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has said that many member states present at an informal meeting of foreign ministers supported the Ukrainian Armed Forces operation in Russia's Kursk Oblast. Source: Borrell at a press conference following the meeting in Brussels on Thursday, 29 August, as reported by European Pravda Quote: "Ukraine has shown strategic audacity and has made Putin's narrative about a special operation completely useless." [The "special military operation" is what Russian propaganda calls the war ed.] Details: Borrell said that "many member states expressed support for the Kursk operation" at the foreign ministers meeting as part of Ukraine's inherent right to self-defence under the UN Charter. Borrell also referred to the speech by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who stressed that the offensive in Kursk Oblast had undermined the myth of Russia's "invincibility". "In February, two and a half years ago, Putin launched the war, believing that it was going to last a couple of weeks. And it has lasted for more than a couple of years. And he is not in Kyiv, and even Russian territory is being attacked," he concluded. Background: On 29 August, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces operation in Russias Kursk Oblast would change the course of the war and is supported by Western countries. Also on 29 August, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze said that under the UN statutes, Ukraines self-defence encompasses Kyivs right to strike military targets in Russia, and therefore the Kursk operation is part of Ukraines self-defence strategy. Earlier, the Washington Post reported that amid the operation in Russias Kursk Oblast, Ukraine has renewed its request that the Biden administration authorise the use of ATACMS long-range missiles to strike airfields in Russia. Support UP or become our patron! EU to Move Forward With Russian Asset Plan Regardless of US (Bloomberg) -- The European Union will press forward with a commitment to secure aid for Ukraine from frozen Russian central bank assets regardless of issues raised by the US, the blocs top diplomat said. Most Read from Bloomberg A Group of Seven agreement to leverage proceeds of the blocked assets has faced delays as Washington seeks firmer assurances that the EU will be able to renew sanctions measures in the face of the opposition from Hungary. The US wants to ensure that the plan, which aims to generate $50 billion in loans for Kyiv, moves forward before seeking approval from Congress. We will do whatever we can to support Ukraine, regardless of decisions in Washington, Josep Borrell told reporters in Brussels ahead of an EU foreign ministers meeting Thursday when asked about US reluctance. Ukraine needs to boost their defense capacities and they need it now. Ukrainian officials are growing wary over delays in finalizing the Russian asset deal, Bloomberg reported last week. The G-7 plan, established at a summit in June, foresaw the funds flowing by the end of the year. EU ministers in Brussels will be presented with two options to freeze the Kremlin assets for an extended period in an effort to reassure the US, Bloomberg reported earlier. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who attended the meeting, voiced frustration over delivery delays for military equipment, as he urged member states to send in the air-defense systems they have pledged. Russia continues to pound the war-battered nations energy infrastructure as winter approaches. He obtained pledges of new support and informal nods from most EU members that provided Ukraine with long-range weapons to use them to hit specific targets inside Russian territory, according to Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze. Countries committed to new packages for ammunition and energy support, Braze said in an interview in Brussels. Kuleba reassured allies that, if granted wider targeting permission, Ukraine would only hit military targets and focus on limiting Russias capacity of attack. We need bold decisions from our allies, and if you are not able to take these decisions, dont blame it on Ukraine blame it on yourselves, Kuleba told reporters in Brussels. In a separate interview, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said his country plans to meet its pledge of delivering half a million ammunition shells by the end of the year and plans to launch a new plea to countries for additional support for Ukraine under the so-called Czech initiative. Borrell also said that he is looking for a way to circumvent Hungarys opposition to unlocking another 6 billion ($6.7 billion) in aid to Ukraine, which was discussed previously by member states. We dont want more weapons in Ukraine, we dont want more deaths, we dont want the escalation of the war, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in a Facebook post during the meeting of the envoys. --With assistance from Zoltan Simon. (Updates with comments from Latvian, Czech foreign ministers starting in seventh paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. SACRAMENTO, the United States, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- As students across the United States are returning to classrooms for the new school year, the specter of gun violence looms large over American communities, with recent data and events highlighting the ongoing crisis, and some cities and organizations launching new efforts to address the issue. In Indianapolis, Indiana, more than 100 residents participated in a peace walk on Saturday to raise awareness about youth gun violence. The event, which took place on the city's far east side, marked the fifth anniversary of the tragic murders of two teenagers who were shot and killed by another teenager in 2019. "Our children are hurting," said Antonia Bailey, the mother of the slain siblings, to The Indianapolis Star. "They're being raised by parents that are hurting and have no clue what to do." The peace walk came at a time when youth homicides in Indianapolis were steadily rising. According to data from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, 25 homicides of individuals 17 years or younger were investigated in 2023, with additional cases handled by neighboring police departments. Meanwhile, in Seattle, Washington, city officials and the school district announced a combined 14.5 million investment to protect youth from gun violence. The funding, unveiled last week, aimed to implement safety measures before the start of the new school year on Sept. 4. Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones outlined some planned improvements, including new cameras, additional signage, fencing, and access control measures. The district also doubled security specialist staff at key schools and creating a new position called "executive director of student and community safety." The investment came in the wake of recent tragedies, including the shooting death of a 17-year-old student in a school parking lot in June and the fatal shooting of another 17-year-old high school student in 2022. Despite significant budget shortfalls, city and district leaders emphasized the importance of investing in school safety. Recent national data underscored the urgency of addressing youth gun violence. According to an analysis by Everytown for Gun Safety, gun violence in schools rose by 31 percent last year. Even more alarmingly, firearms have become the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 17 in the United States, surpassing other causes such as traffic accidents and cancer. The impact of gun violence on Black children is particularly severe. The Giffords Law Center, citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reported that gun violence had been the leading cause of death for Black children since 2006. In 2022, Black children were more than 18 times more likely to be killed in a gun homicide than white children. The pervasiveness of firearms in U.S. society continued to be a subject of debate and research. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association examined the association between the start of deer hunting season and shootings in rural U.S. counties. The study found that the first week of deer hunting season was associated with a significant increase in shootings relative to the week prior. The researchers concluded that their findings "align with a body of research showing that firearm prevalence is associated with an increase in the risk of firearm violence." As the gun violence crisis persists, some advocates are calling for more comprehensive approaches to address the issue. In Tennessee, where educators are allowed to carry guns in schools, some parents expressed concern about the presence of firearms on school grounds, regardless of who is carrying them. Rebekah Schuler, an 18-year-old survivor of a school shooting in Michigan, has become a volunteer for Students Demand Action, advocating for laws requiring background checks for handguns, secure storage for firearms, and other measures to keep children safe. "We've normalized this crisis for too long, and it doesn't have to be this way," Schuler told the USA Today newspaper. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell (C) chairs the EU Foreign Ministers' informal meeting in Brussels. Francois Lenoir/EU Council/dpa EU member states "cannot accept the legitimacy of (Nicolas) Maduro as elected president" of Venezuela, the European Union's foreign affairs chief said on Thursday. Josep Borrell said in a press conference after an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels that while Maduro would remain the "de facto" president of the South American country, he "has not the democratic legitimacy as president." Venezuela's Supreme Court last week ruled that the incumbent Maduro won the presidential election held on July 28. But countries including the United States, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Panama, Uruguay and Costa Rica say the results are fraudulent, and that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez is the true winner. On Sunday, Borrell issued a statement on behalf of the EU calling on Venezuelan authorities to publish polling stations' voting records or "actas," which can be used to verify the results. An earlier official statement on July 30 said that "until voting records are made public and are verified, the election results as already declared cannot be recognised." But after the foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels on Thursday, Borrell said "there is no hope for Maduro presenting the actas. It is too late to continue asking for that." "Since there [are] no actas, there is no verification and we are afraid there never will be. We cannot accept the legitimacy of Maduro as elected president." Borrell later clarified that not recognizing Maduro's democratic legitimacy does not mean cutting diplomatic ties with his government. As an example, he pointed to the fact that the EU maintains relations with Daniel Ortega's Sandinista regime in Nicaragua. "We deny democratic legitimacy based on a result that cannot be verified," Borrell said. Earlier this month, a United Nations report said at least 1,260 people had been detained and 23 killed in Venezuela since the election amid "fierce repression by the state." Maduro himself said on August 3 that 2,000 people had been detained and would be punished. "This time there will be no pardon," he told his supporters. Besides Venezuela, EU foreign ministers also discussed Ukraine on Thursday. Two-and-a-half years on from Russian President Vladimir Putin's all-out invasion of Ukraine launched in February 2022, Kiev this month surprised the world by invading Russia with an offensive in the Kursk region. "Ukraine's counter offensive operation in Kursk has dealt a blow to Putin's narrative," Borrell said. He also warned that Russia was attempting to disable Ukraine's power grid "to put the whole of Ukraine in the darkness and the cold" this winter. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also attended the meeting. Arriving before the start, he told reporters that he intended to urge allies to deliver the air defence systems they have promised. Air defence systems - such as the widely-used, US-made Patriots or the Italian SAMP/T system - have been a top priority for Western military aid to Ukraine in recent months. Several countries have promised to supply Ukraine with such systems. However, "some Patriot systems were announced and not delivered yet," Kuleba told reporters on Thursday. "I will urge all partners who have made their pledges to finally deliver these systems." Kuleba said the waiting times between announcement and delivery are "sometimes excessively long." That hurts Ukrainian military planning, he said. "You cannot calculate what you can count on and what you cannot count on." The latest round of commitments to supply air defence systems to Ukraine came at a NATO summit in Washington in July. All of the European Union's member states are members of NATO except for Ireland, Austria, Malta and Cyprus. "So far no Patriot batteries that have been promised to Ukraine in Washington have been delivered," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told reporters as he arrived at the meeting on Thursday. "No new ammunition packages have been delivered since June," he added. "It sounds like a joke, but we are protecting Russian skies more. Russian planes are better protected by the Western guarantees than Ukrainians." Thursday's informal meeting of the 27 EU foreign ministers was originally due to be held in Budapest. Ministers moved it to Brussels to protest Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in early July. EU to speed up arms, energy equipment deliveries to Ukraine, Kuleba says The European Union will speed up the delivery of weapons and equipment for Ukraine's energy system, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said after an informal meeting with EU counterparts in Brussels on Aug. 29. His statement came days after Russia's largest-ever aerial attack against Ukraine. Strikes hit several civilian, energy, and fuel facilities, including part of the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant, killing seven people and injuring at least 47 others. "I appreciate the readiness of my colleagues to take measures to speed up the delivery (of promised military aid, including air defense systems)," Kuleba said. "I welcome the readiness of member states to advocate for the lifting of restrictions on strikes on legitimate military targets in Russia during bilateral negotiations with other members of the coalition." When Ukraine launched its Kursk Oblast incursion in early August, Western countries have largely allowed Ukraine to use their arms in the incursion. But the U.S. and the U.K. have maintained their restrictions on the use of long-range arms like ATACMS or Storm Shadow. Despite reports that Russia has redeployed 30,000 troops to the sector, Kyiv's forces in the east of Ukraine say the situation there remains dire as Moscow continues its advance near Pokrovsk and Toretsk. Kuleba also said that Ukraine is fulfilling its obligations on the path to EU membership, mentioning the recently ratified Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). "We count on your support in advancing the EU accession negotiations," he added. Read also: Systems are there, what is lacking is final go Kuleba urges partners not to delay Patriot deliveries Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Each EU state will decide on restrictions on Ukraine's strikes on Russia Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has said that EU foreign ministers discussed the possible lifting of Ukraine's restrictions on strikes on targets in Russia at a meeting in Brussels on Thursday, 29 August, and concluded that the decision would be up to each EU country. Source: Borrell at a press conference following the meeting in Brussels on Thursday, 29 August, European Pravda reports Quote: "In the end, the conclusion is mainly that it is a national decision, and the member states want to keep it as a national decision. And each one will make the decision that it considers appropriate." Details: The top EU diplomat noted that some EU member states do not provide Ukraine with long-range missiles, "so this is not a decision in which they have any practical participation". "So this is not a decision at the European level," Borrell stated. Before the meeting, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Kyiv expected to obtain the consent of its partners to use long-range missiles against targets in Russia and to obtain such assets in time. Background: Recently, it was unofficially reported that Ukraine plans to provide the White House with a list of targets in Russia for ATACMS missiles in an attempt to convince Biden. Support UP or become our patron! EU urged to rethink ties with Israel over Gaza and impose sanctions against some ministers Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, right, speaks with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell during a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) BRUSSELS (AP) The European Union must rethink its relations with Israel as the death toll mounts in Gaza and the West Bank and impose sanctions on some Israeli government ministers accused of fomenting racial hatred, Ireland and the blocs top diplomat said Thursday. At a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Irelands foreign minister accused Israel of deliberately targeting civilians as well as Hamas militants with the military campaign it launched almost 11 months ago. This is a war against Palestinians not just against Hamas. The level of civilian casualties and dead is unconscionable, Micheal Martin told reporters. Its a war on the population. No point in trying to fudge this. Israels offensive in Gaza has killed over 40,000 people, according to local health officials, displaced 90% of the population and destroyed its main cities. Hamas has lost thousands of fighters and much of its militant infrastructure. Violence has also surged in the West Bank since Hamas Oct. 7 attack inside southern Israel ignited the war there. Israel launched a large-scale operation in the West Bank this week, in which Hamas said 10 of its fighters were killed in different locations. Martin said a legal opinion issued by the International Court of Justice that Israels occupation of Gaza and the West Bank is unlawful obliges the EU to take action. The Palestinians have hailed it as a watershed moment for Palestine, for justice and for international law. It cannot be business as usual, Martin told reporters. It is very clear to us that international humanitarian law has been broken. Ties between the EU and Israel which are major trading partners are governed by a so-called Association Agreement. Ireland and Spain have been pressing their EU partners to examine whether Israel has broken the rules. The EU is the worlds top provider of aid to the Palestinians but holds little leverage over Israel, notably because the 27 member countries are deeply divided in their approach. Austria, Germany and Hungary are staunch backers of Israel, while Ireland and Spain are more vocal in their support for the Palestinians. Nonetheless, the bloc does have credibility as a European project founded on peace. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, with the backing of Ireland, urged the ministers to consider imposing sanctions on certain members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus right-wing Cabinet over their remarks about the war in Gaza. Some Israeli ministers have been launching hateful messages, unacceptable hateful messages, against the Palestinians and proposing things that go clearly against international law and is an (incitement) to commit more crimes, Borrell said. Borrell did not name the ministers, but earlier this month he criticized Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for suggesting that the starvation of Gazas population of more than 2 million people might be just and moral until hostages captured in the Oct. 7 attack are returned home. Borrell said there should be no taboos to prevent the EU from ensuring that international humanitarian law is respected. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock did not take a clear stand either way, saying only that things should be examined carefully on a case-by-case basis to assess what are the allegations? Are these allegations enough to list to sanction? She underlined that any decision to impose sanctions would require unanimous support. After the meeting, Borrell conceded that the move did not receive unanimous backing, but he said that he has launched the technical work required to impose sanctions, should the EU finally agree. The ministers will decide, its up to them as always, but the process has been launched, he told reporters. Borrell also said he is preparing a high-level meeting on the war at the U.N. General Assembly next month, and that Arab countries and the United States have said they will take part. He said that Israel is welcome to attend. Koda Farms is changing. The fields of this family farm just outside of Dos Palos in our San Joaquin Valley will be different. Ross and Robin Koda are harvesting their last rice crop, ending a century of feeding my family and our history. The brother-and-sister team mark the end of an era of growing some of the best rice that fed many, especially Japanese American families like my own. Their rice was part of a food culture I grew up with. I can recall my father purchasing sacks of their rice and pouring it into a large metal can (later I learned it was a clean two-foot high, 20-gallon trash can solely dedicated to storing our monthly supply of uncooked rice) kept in a closet near our kitchen. It was a daily ritual to scoop cupfuls of the white grain, wash the rice and begin cooking it on a stove top. Every day. Every dinner. Every meal. Koda Farms and their Kokuho Rose rice brand defined and bonded us to a taste of our cultural roots. Opinion Koda rice captured the flavors of an immigrants history. My baachan (grandmother) savored the simple taste of her homeland Japan. She ate Japanese rice at almost every meal, but she was also American, and survived an immigrants tale of hard work, struggle and poverty as our family worked the fields of this Valley. My grandmother, my entire family and over 100,000 other Japanese Americans were branded as the enemy during World War II much like the Koda family. Yet many, including the Koda family, returned to this land. Despite being uprooted, they chose to replant roots here in this valley. This was home for my baachan. The Kokuho Rose rice remained part of who she was: a taste of her Japanese heritage, and the flavors of her chosen homeland, America. As Koda Farms ends an era, I can sense the passing of history, and, yet, hold close a taste of culture. Food and simple culinary practices and eating habits remain part of my memories. I remember using Koda Farms old cloth rice sacks as dish towels and storage bags. We still have one that was made into a work bonnet that many women wore out in the fields to protect them from the Valleys harsh sun. Yet, as a small family farm ourselves, we, too, can understand the shifting dynamics of growing food. Costs have increased, and inputs such as labor, water and fertilizer challenge our daily operations. Climate change instills a growing uncertainty as we end an era of so-called normal weather and enter a new norm of extremes. This past July, the hottest on record for Fresno, we averaged over 110 degrees, with some days as high as 115 degrees, for 10 straight days. Koda rice may live on with others growing their brand. Yet, the end of this family farm estate marks the passage of time. I can sense my own mortality as a farmer and the mortality of our old organic peach and nectarine trees. Change happens. I feel like Im writing my own obituary as I wander into a future of unknowns. The relationships Koda Farms created and fostered have left a profound impact. Their rice was not just a product or a transaction, it was and remains something more: relationships and values. Koda Farms leaves a legacy behind. They live on in our memories. Yes, this is a eulogy to Koda Farms. I breathe in the fragrance of a steaming pot of rice, and smile with the joy it brings. It fills my soul with emotions. Then, I let go. I will miss them. This one moment, however, feels timeless. David Mas Masumoto is an organic peach farmer outside of Fresno and the author of 13 books, including National Book Critics Circle Award finalist, Secret Harvests. From eurosceptic to anti-immigration: The rise of the German AfD Bjoern Hoecke, lead candidate of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Thuringia, speaks during his campaign appearance at the market square in Bad Frankenhausen. Thuringia state elections will be held on September 1, 2024. Heiko Rebsch/dpa The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party was founded by eurosceptics a decade ago, but has become more radical and firmly far right in its politics since its focus on the euro, the common European currency launched in 1999, has faded. A stridently hardline anti-immigration stance, developed during the European migration crisis of 2015-16, is now the party's signature issue. The AfD is seen to have profited from years of concern among many German voters over the huge numbers of refugees seeking asylum in the country from war-torn countries such as Syria and Ukraine. The AfD's manifesto states as the party's goals: "We want to permanently preserve human dignity, the family with children, our Western Christian culture, our language and tradition in a peaceful, democratic and sovereign nation state of the German people." Critics see the party as anti-democratic and warn that Germany could again fall under the influence of extremist ideologies. The firebrand regional leader of the AfD in the state of Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, a former history teacher, has been convicted and fined twice this year for using a banned Nazi slogan. He is still facing another pending criminal case on a charge of incitement. Domestic intelligence has categorized the AfD in Thuringia and Saxony as right-wing extremist, and is monitoring the party as a suspected extremist group in both Brandenburg and the national level. Most other parties represented in Germany's federal and state parliaments have erected a so-called "firewall" between them and the AfD. This means they refuse to set up or discuss forming a governing coalition with them, or allowing them to contribute to legislation. Such cooperation is still essentially taboo, but nevertheless comes under regular scrutiny as the AfD rises in the polls, particularly in the former East German states where the party is more popular. At the federal level, in this year's European Parliament elections and subsequent polling the AfD is consistently challenging Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats for second place, behind the conservative CDU/CSU opposition. Incarceration has played only a tiny role in this drop, and an important study has concluded that since 2000, the increase in incarceration has played almost no role at all. (Getty Images) Youve got to stand for somethin, or youre gonna fall for anything! This Mellencamp lyric made a big impression on me as a kid. A lifelong Hoosier born in one small town and raised in another, Ive struggled for years to allow myself the space to change my mind about big questions. Silly as it might seem, the well-worn Scarecrow cassette tape in my mind is still the soundtrack to that struggle. Maybe its not that silly. Simultaneously playing on innate hopes and fears, the call to stand for something is a powerful rallying cry. We want to fight for right, and we fear failing to rise to the challenge, of not measuring up. We dont want to be indecisive, weak, or impressionable. Most people want to be seen as principled. Alexander Hamilton is celebrated for endorsing his political nemesis because Jefferson has beliefs. Burr has none. And the audience isnt fully onboard with Han Solo until he gives up his roguish ways and commits to the Rebel Alliance. But standing up can go too far. It can tap deeply and dangerously into tribalist tendencies and calcify thinking. It causes us to rationalize continuously revising arguments to justify a particular idea, cause, or group irrespective of our doubts or the facts. This stubborn dedication is fine when rooting for the Hoosiers against the Boilermakers, but its a problem in the realm of ideas. Its especially problematic in formulating public policy. Standing for something shouldnt require sticking with the same policy year after year expecting a positive result despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Some would say this is the definition of insanity. Tough on crime? Yet, this often happens when voters and policymakers talk about crime. Tough on crime is the operative cliche. According to the Pew Research Center, most registered voters say the current criminal justice system is too soft. This isnt a big surprise. Voters have been saying the same thing for decades, and, as you would expect in a democracy, politicians take the same view. From right (Richard Nixon) to left (Bill Clinton), candidates tell voters that in a so-and-so administration, streets will be safe because every criminal will be guaranteed hard time in prison. The implicit message is that we stand for being tough on crime lest we fall for a more compassionate approach. Apparently, it goes unnoticed that we have been extremely tough on crime for generations. While prison population numbers are down from their peak, Indianas incarceration rate is still well above the national (and global) rate. Moreover, time spent in prison has increased for many years. Whatever you think of these numbers, it seems clear that we arent exactly mollycoddling folks on the wrong side of the law. Perhaps more to the point, almost zero evidence exists to support the tough-on-crime stance. Even with the recent spike in violence (which is returning to pre-pandemic levels), crime has been trending downward for thirty years. Incarceration has played only a tiny role in this drop, and an important study has concluded that since 2000, the increase in incarceration has played almost no role at all. In other words, we are not standing for something when we wave the tough-on-crime flag. Instead, were falling for our slogans and rationalizing beliefs. Reform over incarceration The good news is that not everyone is being taken in. Many have led the charge for important reforms. A decade ago, state legislative leaders enacted a major criminal code reform. A few years ago, the supermajority passed juvenile justice reform, and recent efforts to grapple with the long-standing intersection of mental illness and our criminal courts are a true breath of fresh air. Another positive sign is the recent (albeit sporadic) reluctance to pass criminal statutes and raise penalties for every problem we face. As the Interim Committee on Correction and Criminal Code will soon examine, the tendency to add new crimes and sentences has continued since the 2014 reforms. Some legislators appear to have noticed, and a few might even believe its counterproductive. Several criminal law bills taking an unjustified tough-on-crime approach from enhanced sentences for habitual offenders to new varieties of reckless driving have failed or been sharply curtailed in the last few sessions. Heres hoping that trend is real and will continue. There is no reason it shouldnt. From poverty reduction measures to evidence-based community violence intervention, we know there are better ways to address crime. We only need the courage to change our minds and the willingness to try new things. Thanks in part to a fear of looking foolish, it took me a long time to come around. But, eventually, the evidence of failure became more important that the unjustified fear. Those who wont change and continue to preach punishment remind me of another Mellencamp lyric. Chastising the banker foreclosing on the family farm, he says, Hey, calling it your job ol hoss, sure dont make it right. The same can be said for business-as-usual criminal justice policy. The record shows that we cant punish our way out of our problems. Continuing to try, or what is worse believing its your job to stand up for tough policies, doesnt make it right. Its just wishful thinking. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Evidence of Marcellus Williamss Potential Innocence Came to Light in 2017. He is Slated for Execution in 26 Days A judge in St. Louis County, Mo., is now reviewing DNA evidence for the first time Marcellus Williams' Legal Team Marcellus Williams has been on Missouris death row since 2001 but his defense team and some prosecutors agree he's not guilty of Felicia Gayles 1998 stabbing murder Potentially exonerating DNA evidence available for 7 years has never been reviewed by a judge until now Both Gov. Mike Parson and Attorney General Andrew Bailey have worked to keep Williamss execution date despite potential evidence of his innocence The bloody fingerprints on the wall and footprints by her body werent his. The DNA found on the knife and inside the Missouri womans home did not match his. The hairs found clutched in her hands did not belong to him. Both county prosecutors and his defense counsel agree that the man behind bars for more than two decades for the 1998 stabbing death of newspaper reporter Felicia Gayle likely had nothing to do with it, according to a motion to vacate his death sentence filed by prosecutors and reviewed by PEOPLE. But Marcellus Williams is slated for execution on Sept. 24, 2024, at 6 p.m. The potentially exonerating DNA evidence reviewed by three prosecution experts who agree that it does not likely belong to Williams first came to light seven years ago. Missouri Department of Corrections via AP; Missouri Department of Corrections Marcellus Williams in mugshots taken in 2014 and 2023 during his more than 20-year incarceration. But a Missouri judge heard that evidence for the first time on August 28 in a last-ditch effort by William's lawyers to save him from execution next month. St. Louis County prosecutors and defense lawyers each spoke for two hours, urging the judge to set aside Williams's execution, while the Missouri Attorney General's Office argued to move forward with it. The judge requested final filings by Sept. 4, per the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Gayle, a journalist at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, was found brutally murdered inside her gated community home in University City, Mo., on Aug. 11, 1998. Her husband, Dr. Daniel Picus, found her with a knife lodged in her neck and wearing only a purple shirt, according to prosecutors 63-page motion filed in January under a new Missouri law allowing the state to intervene in a past conviction if the integrity of that conviction is questionable. Investigators later determined that Gayle had been stabbed at least 43 times, dying from 16 wounds to her head, neck, chest and abdomen. The killer who took her purse and a laptop among other items but left her wedding ring and jewelry had used one of her own kitchen knives during the assault. Over the course of the investigation, police noted bloody shoe prints near the knife sheath in the kitchen and on the rug near her body. Bloody fingerprints ran along the wall and hairs were collected from her hands, t-shirt and the floor. Two neighbors recalled that morning seeing a dark colored minivan driven by a White man. (Williams is Black.) But despite media attention surrounding the womans death, police made little progress in the investigation until two informants came forward, naming Williams. Marcellus Williams' Legal Team Marcellus Williams writes poetry and serves as the imam for Muslim prisoners at Potosi Correctional Center in Washington County, Mo., where he is affectionately known as "Khaliifah." Williams, who struggled with drug addiction, had been arrested on Aug. 31, 1998 for robbing a donut shop. His girlfriend around that time, as well as someone he had been incarcerated with, gave inconsistent stories to investigators who nevertheless used those narratives to arrest Williams in 1999 and put him on trial two years later. A jury of 11 White people and 1 Black person convicted him in 2001 of first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, armed criminal action, and robbery. The prosecutor had removed six qualified Black prospective jurors from the pool using peremptory challenges, according to the Innocence Project. In his motion to vacate the sentence, current Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell referred to the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Office's history of excluding Black jurors as no secret and said the practice had violated Williamss constitutional rights. In 2015, the Missouri Supreme Court stayed an earlier execution date for Williams and appointed a special master to review DNA evidence that ultimately determined that the DNA on the murder weapon did not belong to Williams, according to prosecutors and the Innocence Project. Two years later, that special master who did not make any findings on the test results sent the case back to the Missouri Supreme Court, which rescheduled Williams's execution for Aug. 22, 2017 without considering the new evidence. Just hours before his set execution, then-Governor Eric Greitens stayed the execution, appointing a Board of Inquiry which in accordance with Missouri law was to issue a formal report following its review to look further into the case. AP Photo/David A. Lieb Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (left) with Gov. Mike Parson (right) at a press conference regarding unregulated psychoactive cannabis products at the state Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo. Aug. 1, 2024. Instead, in June 2023, Governor Mike Parson dissolved the board ahead of any report or recommendation. Attorney General Andrew Bailey quickly called for a new execution date. Williams sued the governor, claiming his constitutional rights had been violated with the dissolution of the board, according to the Innocence Project. The governor went to the state supreme court, which dismissed the lawsuit this June, and Williamss execution date was set for Sept. 24. Parson who declined through his office to answer questions from PEOPLE, citing pending litigation said in a recent statement that he was following standard practice" and that his decisions were "not unique to Mr. Williams case." Then on Aug. 21, Williamss defense learned that prosecutors had inadvertently gotten their own fingerprints on the knife, both sides confirm to PEOPLE, with Chris King of the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Office acknowledging that it reflected improper handling of evidence. The two sides agreed upon an Alford plea which allowed the state to keep its conviction while Williams, who was not admitting guilt, would be taken off death row. 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. That same day, Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a writ application, blocking the courts ability to resentence Williams to life without parole and leading the circuit court judge to schedule the Aug. 28 evidentiary hearing. It is in the interest of every Missourian that the rule of law is fought for and upheld every time, without fail, Bailey said in a statement. At the Aug. 28 hearing, Prosecuting Attorney Bell told the court that his office had mishandled the murder weapon and that the state had also destroyed bloody fingerprints at the crime scene and removed Black jurors based solely on race all constitutional errors that Bell said undermined the conviction, according to a press release by the Innocence Project. Today, we saw two different approaches to prosecution, one committed to serving justice, the other intent on winning at any cost," the Innocence Project's Bushnell said in a statement after the hearing. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Advisory: This article included graphic descriptions of violence. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with a suicidal crisis or emotional distress, call the National Suicide & Crisis Prevention Lifeline at 988. An El Paso man accused in a brutally horrific attack that critically wounded his ex-wife, whom he allegedly believed was an "evil witch," sobbed and wiped away tears at a jail bond hearing over the weekend. Marcus Anthony Payne, 40, a U.S. Army combat veteran struggling with mental health problems, is being held on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on a $150,000 bond at the El Paso County Jail in Downtown. Courts: 'I can't breathe without my sunlight': Mother addresses man convicted of killing son The extremely violent episode last Thursday, Aug. 22 described by Magistrate Judge Ruben Nunez as "horrific" was recounted in a criminal complaint and a teleconference bond hearing for Payne on Sunday. Payne is accused of brutalizing his ex-wife, who went knocking on neighbors' doors seeking help after escaping from his home on Tierra Mision Drive, where she had been locked in a dog kennel while bleeding heavily from bladed blows to her head and having a finger severed, the complaint stated. "The defendant (Payne) made a statement that he thought he was fighting with a witch. So, he might have been under some type of delusion at the time of the alleged offense," Nunez said at the hearing. The hearing, which takes place 48-hours after a person is jailed to determine whether a bond amount should be lowered or kept the same, was eventually reset for Friday after the judge ordered that Payne undergo a mental health evaluation. The family of Jennifer Lambert seeks financial help on a GoFundMe page after she was seriously wounded in an attack allegedly by her ex-husband on Tierra Mision Drive in El Paso, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2024. The victim was identified as Jennifer Lynn Lambert at the hearing. "Jennifer is a loving and dedicated veteran. She has always been strong and independent but this tragic event has turned her world upside down," her brother, Travis Lambert, posted on a GoFundMe page. Lambert's family is from San Antonio and is seeking donations to help with medical, travel and other related expenses. Mental health issues surface for 'witch' assault suspect During the hearing, Payne's voice cracked with emotion as he sobbed and wiped away tears while answering questions from public defense attorney A. Marcelo Rivera. Payne said he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army after serving in the military from 2005 to 2013, including two combat tours in Iraq and in South Korea "during the missile scare." "I did my time honorably," he said. Crime: El Paso man in gruesome cat killing released from jail, receiving mental health treatment Payne, who sported a long goatee beard and wore an orange-and-white striped jail jumpsuit, said in a voice breaking with emotion that he didn't have a job and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, a serious brain disorder that can include delusions and hallucinations. Payne told the court that he lives alone with his two dogs at a home in the 3300 block of Tierra Mision Drive, near Sgt. Roberto Ituarte Elementary School in the Eastview section of the far East Side. His ex-wife is "not supposed to be at that house," he commented. Man claims he took cannabis instead of VA meds Payne mentioned he attended DWI court. Records show Payne is on probation after pleading guilty to a felony charge of driving while intoxicated third time or more on Oct. 28, 2020 in 120th District Court. Judge Maria Salas-Mendoza issued a six-year suspended jail sentence with six years of probation, a $1,000 fine and 300 hours of community service, according to court records. At the hearing, Payne said, "Judge Salas-Mendoza granted me permission to use cannabis, marijuana products instead of the slew of medications that I was on at the VA (Veterans Affairs Department) because they were shutting my organs down and killing me. Judge Salas-Mendoza is the one who approved that." Magistrate Judge Nunez responded to him, "All right, I will discuss that with Judge Salas-Mendoza, that seems very unusual and highly unlikely." Salas-Mendoza did not reply to an opportunity for comment made to her office. Judges don't normally discuss cases in their courts. El Paso police show up, decide to leave On Aug. 22, some time prior to the assault, El Paso police were dispatched to a call of gunshots fired on Tierra Mision Drive, the complaint affidavit stated. A caller reported hearing five to six gunshots and that Payne was at their front door rambling. When officers arrived, they saw Payne yelling and throwing objects before he ran back into his home, the affidavit stated. El Paso police at a crime scene. File art. Officers spoke with Payne's mother over the phone and learned that he had mental health issues and that the presence of the police would only aggravate him further, the affidavit stated. Payne's mother notified his ex-wife, who showed up and was able to calm him down, though he refused to step outside the house to meet with officers, the affidavit stated. The ex-wife stayed with him. "Due to the circumstances, the decision was made to break down the perimeter and leave the Defendant (Payne) inside his residence," the police affidavit stated. Bleeding woman knocks on neighbors' doors for help It was about 6:13 a.m. when several neighbors called 911 to report a disturbance and yelling. One neighbor reported that he could see through his doorbell camera, a woman bleeding and banging on his door, the affidavit stated. Paramedics arrived and rushed Payne's ex-wife to a hospital, where she was intubated and underwent emergency medical procedures, Assistant District Attorney Kevin Marcantel said at the bond hearing. Her current condition has not been disclosed. The affidavit stated that the woman had about six lacerations to her head, a broken skull with exposed brain matter and multiple defensive wounds to her arms and hands. Her left-hand middle finger was missing and appeared to have been cut off. "The blood trail goes from his (Payne's) home to several neighbors. It looks like she must have been going to try to get help," Marcantel said. The first two police officers arrived to find Payne standing in the front yard with a pitbull. He was given commands to stop, complied and was taken into custody without incident, the affidavit stated. Bloody house scene on Tierra Mision Drive After being detained, Payne told officers that he was fighting with a "witch" and that he was able to trick her into getting into a "cage," the affidavit stated. Officers did a safety sweep of the home looking for any additional victims and found blood throughout the inside of the residence along with a small axe with blood on it on top of a mattress, a machete, a handgun, unfired bullets and spent casings, the affidavit stated. This embedded content is not available in your region. The investigation was taken over by detectives with the Crimes Against Persons Unit, who obtained a search warrant to search the home further. Investigators found a portion of the woman's finger that had been severed and a trail of blood throughout the house along with clusters of hair. A dog kennel with a large pool of blood allegedly corroborated Payne's comments about placing a "witch" in a cage by placing someone inside the kennel, the affidavit stated. El Paso man claims he battled 'evil witch' in dream When interviewed at El Paso police headquarters, Payne told detectives that he did not remember what had happened that night, but recalled having a dream where he was fighting an "evil witch." He dreamed he landed several blows with two swords he used to fight the witch, the affidavit stated. Archives: El Paso lawyer killed by man with delusions of 'satanic abortions' at Memorial Park mourned Payne told detectives that he had a machete and an axe inside his house. The sandals that Payne was wearing belonged to his ex-wife, who he believed was at his house earlier. When asked by detectives if Payne believed that the "witch" he was fighting was actually his ex-wife, Payne allegedly stated that it must have been, according to the affidavit. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 'Evil witch,' mental illness and horror at a home in far East El Paso In 2025, the ancient city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan will host the UNESCO General Assembly, marking a significant shift from its long-standing tradition of being held in Paris. This will be the first time in over 40 years that the UNESCO General Assembly will take place outside the French capital since the event was last held in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1985. Samarkand, one of Central Asia's oldest and most storied cities, is renowned for its stunning architectural landmarks and rich history. The city played a crucial role in the Great Silk Road, linking the East and West. Notable sites in Samarkand include the Registan, the Ulugbek Observatory, and the Shahi-Zinda Mausoleum. These historical monuments, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, showcase the citys architectural brilliance and scientific accomplishments from the past. They also symbolize the cultural exchanges that have shaped world civilization. The UNESCO General Assembly is a pivotal event where member countries discuss key issues in education, science, culture, and communication. It influences global policies, fosters new initiatives, and sets international standards. UNESCO, established in November 1945 and headquartered in Paris, comprises 193 member states. Uzbekistan joined UNESCO as a full member in 1993, and the organization opened a representative office in Tashkent in 1996. Hosting the General Assembly in Samarkand highlights Uzbekistan's significant contribution to global cultural and educational advancements and emphasizes the importance of preserving historical and cultural heritage. This event will offer a unique platform for discussing the future of international cultural exchange and sustainable development. By hosting the assembly, Samarkand will reaffirm its status as a vital center of global culture and science. How 7-Eleven Became a Beloved Fixture in Japan's Daily Life This Day in World History: Japan Declares War on Germany in World War I Kamikawa Yoko's New Delhi Visit: Key 2+2 Talks to Strengthen India-Japan Relations Ex-detective accused of strangling pregnant woman he abused as teen and trying to make death look like suicide Ex-detective accused of strangling pregnant woman he abused as teen and trying to make death look like suicide A former Massachusetts police detective accused of strangling a woman who had recently told him she was pregnant with his child and then staging the scene to appear as a suicide has been charged in her 2021 death, federal prosecutors said Wednesday. They allege that Matthew Farwell killed Sandra Birchmore years after he began grooming and sexually abusing her as a youth in the Stoughton Police Explorers Academy. Farwell was an instructor in the program designed to foster an interest in police work and worked for the Stoughton Police Department from 2012 to 2022. Sandra Birchmore sought direction in law enforcement. Farwell, 38, began having sex, including while on duty, with Birchmore when she was 15, acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy said at a news conference Wednesday. She survived years of grooming, statutory rape and then sexual violence, all at the hands of Matthew Farwell," Levy said. Farwell befriended her, contacted her online and went to the library with her before he began committing statutory rape, Levy said. Prosecutors said Farwell killed Birchmore, 23, on Feb. 1, 2021, in her Canton, Massachusetts, apartment when he could no longer control her and as word began to get out that he had been having sex with her for years. He allegedly silenced her permanently, Levy said. Authorities initially ruled Birchmores death a suicide. Farwell has been charged with one count of killing a witness or victim. The FBI arrested him in Revere, Massachusetts, on Wednesday. A lawyer for Farwell did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In October 2020, Birchmore told Farwell she wanted to have a baby and he agreed to try and impregnate her if she stayed silent about his past behavior and their relationship, according to a motion prosecutors filed arguing for pretrial detention. Birchmore wanted to have a child and was excited about her pregnancy, but Farwell was not, and his behavior grew more erratic and dangerous, Levy said. Birchmore told Farwell the child was his and began asking him about doctors appointments, ultrasounds and what information would be on the birth certificate. 'Losing control' A month before Birchmore was killed, one of her friends told Stoughton police that Farwell had been having sex with Birchmore, the indictment said. Mr. Farwell was losing control in late 2020, early 2021, and the information that Sandra Birchmore possessed about his illegal conduct was in danger of slipping out. In fact, word started to get out about their relationship less than two weeks before she was found dead, Levy said. After the friend came forward, 6-foot-4 Farwell allegedly became violent with 4-foot-10 Birchmore. He pushed her and put her in a chokehold, Levy said. Prosecutors said Farwell killed Birchmore hours before his wife delivered their third child. Birchmore was strangled as a blizzard approached the Boston region, which prosecutors said would give Farwell cover for Birchmore's absence from work for days. Farwell concealed evidence in Birchmore's death, according to prosecutors, by telling her to delete evidence on her phone that they had sex before she was 16, repositioning her lifeless body and staging her apartment to look like the scene of a suicide, the motion said. He also lied to detectives with the Massachusetts State Police, the agency that initially investigated Birchmore's death, by telling investigators their sexual relationship began in 2020, not seven years earlier, and by saying he only had sex with her a few times, prosecutors said. He also allowed only "limited consent" to search his cellphone, the detention motion said. Troubling allegations Birchmore's alleged sexual abuse as a part of the police Explorers club was included in a Marshall Project investigation, published in partnership with NBC News in May, about abuse allegations in law enforcement Explorer posts across the country. The program, created by the Boy Scouts of America, aims to teach teens and young adults about policing. The news of Farwell's arrest comes two years after Stoughtons police chief announced that Farwell and two other former officers at the agency, including Farwell's twin brother, William, had inappropriate relationships with Birchmore. William Farwell has denied the allegations. That conclusion came from a lengthy internal affairs investigation prompted by Birchmore's death, said Chief Donna McNamara, who called the former officers' behavior "deeply disturbing." Through a sustained and deliberate combination of lies, deceit and treachery, they violated the policies and the core values of the Stoughton Police Department, McNamara said at the time. "Not to mention human decency. McNamara said the Farwell brothers began as youth participants in the Explorers club under Robert Devine, the third former officer accused of having had an inappropriate relationship with Birchmore. Devine has denied the allegations. Devine, a former deputy chief at the Stoughton Police Department, had transformed the Explorers program from a scouting club into a paramilitary group that taught aspects of policing to young people, McNamara said. Like Matthew Farwell, William Farwell was also an instructor in the program in the town about 25 miles south of Boston, McNamara said. Before Birchmore entered the Explorers club as a young teenager, shed had a difficult childhood but developed a deep admiration for police, according to a wrongful death suit her family filed against the Farwell brothers and Devine in 2022. "People with oaths and duties to protect and serve led her to form relationships with men who were willing to take advantage of her," McNamara said. McNamara said Matthew Farwell was 27 when is alleged to have begun his sexual relationship with Birchmore when she was 15. The internal affairs investigation uncovered hundreds of messages and explicit exchanges between them that spanned years, McNamara said. The probe also showed that William Farwell introduced Birchmore to other men, she said. McNamara said all three men resigned before they could be interviewed. Asked about the other former officers Wednesday, Levy would not comment. The department recommended that their certifications as police officers be permanently revoked so they cannot serve in law enforcement anywhere in the country, McNamara said. Lawyers for William Farwell and Devine did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the status of their decertifications. In a statement Wednesday, McNamara said it had been her priority for the last three years to ensure justice in the case. "Sandra Birchmore received no justice during her life," she said. "It is imperative that justice be served in her death, and todays actions appear to bring our society one step closer to justice. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A former Las Vegas politician has been found guilty of murdering an investigative journalist whose stories exposed wrongdoing within his department. Robert Telles, 47, was given a life sentence for stabbing Jeff German to death outside his home two years ago. He will be eligible for parole in 20 years. Throughout the two-week trial, prosecutors said the 69-year-old investigative reporter wrote articles critical of Telles and the Clark County public administrators office, alleging Telles was a nightmare boss and a bully who had an inappropriate relationship with one of his subordinates. Telles reacts to the guilty verdict in his murder trial at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas - Las Vegas Review-Journal Telles said he was 'not the kind of person who would stab someone' - Las Vegas Review-Journal He was on the cusp of publishing a story with fresh allegations of the relationship when he was fatally attacked on his doorstep. The trial heard that DNA found underneath Germans fingernails matched Telles. The prosecution also played security footage of the assailant in a straw hat, trainers and carrying a grab bag items similar to those found chopped up in Telles home. CCTV footage shows assailant in a straw hat and trainers carrying a bag Prosecutors argued that Germans stories destroyed Telless career and provided the clear motive for Germans murder. Telles, who claimed he was innocent and the victim of an elaborate framing operation, shook his head slowly as the jury delivered its verdict after 12 hours. I am not the kind of person who would stab someone. I didnt kill Mr German, he had told the court. I am innocent. A straw hat and trainers similar to those in CCTV footage of the assailant were found cut up in Telles's home - KM CANNON/POOL LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL Telles reportedly blamed German, who spent more than four decades covering crime, corruption and mobsters in Las Vegas, for wrecking his career after he failed to be re-elected for a second term after a series of exposes in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Christopher Hamner, the chief deputy district attorney, had told jurors that finding Telles guilty would be like connecting the dots based on a vast amount of evidence. The murderer drove a car that resembled the one owned by Telles, and video footage showed the car travelling between Telless house and Germans home. Mr Hammer told the court that the journalist had tried to fight off the assailant, who blamed him for ruining his career and threatening his marriage. The prosecutor said Telles killed German just hours after he found out the reporter was about to make public electronic communications between Telles and the subordinate with whom he was alleged to be in a relationship. Jeff German, left, had written damning articles about Robert Telles, right, purporting he was a bully who had an inappropriate relationships with a subordinate Telles, who took the stand during the trial, claimed that the killing had been carried out by a professional hitman as part of an elaborate plot to frame him. He suggested that local businessmen wanted to stop Telles investigating them and that the police and district attorney were involved in the conspiracy. Robert Draskovich, his defence lawyer, argued that police had failed to consider evidence that may have pointed to other suspects, including an image of a man driving a red SUV, similar to Telless car, whose profile did not look like Telles. Robert Telles, a former Clark County public administrator, has been incarcerated since 2022 awaiting trial - LVMP/REUTERS Mr Draskovich also said that none of Germans blood or DNA was found on Telles, in his vehicle or at his home. He told the jury to ask itself: What evidence is missing. These articles were not a motive for a murder, Mr Draskovich added. And we all know, killing a journalist does not kill a story. Telles nodded in agreement. Telles had also received threatening messages from Telles, but Glenn Cook, Germans editor, said he had not been concerned with these as he had spent 40 years spent scrutinising elected officials. Jeff German had dedicated his career to uncovering cases of crime, corruption and mobsters in Las Vegas - ELIZABETH BRUMLEY Mr Cook added in a statement: Jeff was killed for doing the kind of work in which he took great pride: His reporting held an elected official accountable for bad behaviour and empowered voters to choose someone else for the job. German was the only journalist killed in the US in 2022, according to press rights groups. Before his death, he was in the middle of an investigation into a Las Vegas lawyer accused of running a $500 million (379 million) Ponzi scheme. The Washington Post continued his investigation and published it last year. Steve Wolfson, the Clark County prosecutor, said: Justice has been served. Todays verdict should send a message, and that message is a clear message that any attempts to silence the media or to silence or intimidate a journalist will not be tolerated. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A jury in Nevada found former Clark County official Robert Telles guilty Wednesday for the 2022 murder of a Las Vegas journalist who wrote articles that were critical of him. Jurors deliberated for nearly 12 hours after hearing evidence in the trial that started Aug. 12 connected to the stabbing death of Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German, The Associated Press reported. Telles was arrested several days after German was found stabbed to death on Labor Day weekend in 2022. Telles, 47, was sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility at 20 years by the jury later Wednesday. Months before his death, German wrote an article describing employees experiences with Telles, the former Clark County public administrator. He reported on complaints of administrative bullying, showing favoritism and a romantic relationship with another employee in Telless office. Telles lost his June 2022 primary shortly after some of Germans reporting was published. Prosecutors made their case to the jurors by emphasizing how German fought his attacker and suggested Telles blamed him for damaging his career, according to the AP. Prosecutor Christopher Hamner emphasized during closing arguments the evidence prosecutors already presented to the jury, including the discovery of DNA underneath Germans fingernails that matched Telles, the AP reported. They also showed other evidence, including Telless SUV apparently leaving his own house that day and later driving on streets near Germans house. Telles testified last week that he was innocent and maintained he did not kill German. I didnt kill Mr. German, Telles said, according to the AP. When I share an opinion with you, thats my right. And its your right to decide whether or not you agree with my opinion or not, whether you want to doubt my opinion or not. Im just hoping that Im not stopped from sharing with you what I have to say. Defense attorney Robert Draskovich said Telles will appeal, the AP reported. The Associated Press contributed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. A former assistant prosecutor admitted on the stand that he touched a murder weapon repeatedly without gloves prior to the trial that ended in Marcellus Williams death sentence. The evidence, which lawyers for Williams now consider contaminated, represented the final blow in a series of violations by the state, attorney Jonathan Potts told St. Louis County Circuit Judge Bruce Hilton during a daylong hearing Wednesday. Williams is scheduled to be executed Sept. 24. His legal team, including attorneys with the St. Louis County Prosecutors Office, filed a motion in January to have his conviction overturned and the death penalty reversed, based on a new Missouri law allowing prosecutors to challenge past convictions. Their case culminated in the evidentiary hearing Wednesday as experts raised concerns about the way DNA evidence was handled, the veracity of witnesses and alleged infringements on Williams rights in his initial trial. Williams watched the proceedings in the courtroom. There is no forensic evidence tying him to the fatal stabbing of Felicia Gayle in August 1998. Gayles husband, Daniel Picus, also attended the hearing Wednesday, but declined to comment. Court documents said Gayles family supports life without parole and does not want the death penalty to be carried out. Williams has twice faced execution dates, which were halted for further investigation and DNA testing. Former prosecutor takes stand The recent round of testing identified DNA from Keith Larner on the knife used to kill Gayle. He was an assistant prosecutor on Williams 2001 trial. When he took the stand Wednesday, he appeared combative to the line of questioning and, at times, made bombastic assertions. I touched the knife at some point before the trial, said Larner, who was with the prosecutors office from 1982 to 2014. Without gloves? Potts asked. Yes, Larner said. He went on to list the five times he recalled touching the knife, including once to affix an exhibit sticker to it and four times while showing it to witnesses. He said he believed it was not a problem to handle the knife because it had been checked for fingerprints, and he was told that the killer was allegedly wearing gloves. I knew that knife was irrelevant, Larner said. During the trial, Larner said, the defense didnt say anything when he handled the knife. The Missouri Attorney Generals Office argued that at the time, touch DNA technology was still in its early stages of use and understanding. Potts questioned Larner on other issues, including two key witnesses who pointed to Williams as Gayles killer. Both were known to have used drugs. An expert testified that the two witnesses, who are now dead, were incentivized by reward money. Some of their statements conflicted with each other or with the evidence. But Larner called them the two strongest witnesses ever and also said one of them did not know about the reward money before coming forward. He became defensive when Potts asked if he had excluded potential jurors based on their race. The Missouri Supreme Court rejected those claims in previous appeals. They said my strikes were lawful, he said. But he went on to testify that he rejected one prospective juror because he thought he looked like Williams. They looked like brothers familial brothers, not Black brothers, Larner tried to clarify. Closing arguments, next steps This case is about contamination, Matthew Jacober, an attorney for the St. Louis County Prosecutors Office who argued on behalf of Williams, told Judge Hilton as the hearing concluded. Evidence, including a fingerprint, had also been destroyed before it could be tested. The prosecutors office has conceded there were constitutional errors in the mishandling of evidence, Jacober said. Michael Spillane, a lawyer with the Missouri Attorney Generals Office, which opposes Williams claims, said, This case is about the rule of law. Of the destruction of evidence, he said, There is no bad faith here. He also defended Larner, saying he did everything right. Potts said Williams legal team has welcomed every round of DNA testing. They could not fathom the level of disregard and disrespect for the rule of law, he said. Last weeks test results were infuriating, he said. He went on to say that there were flagrant violations of protocols and that Larner appeared remarkably unrepentant. Of the exclusion of several potential Black jurors, Potts said, We all know whats going on. He concluded by saying a recent Missouri statute allowing prosecutors to intervene in cases of possible wrongful convictions presents an opportunity for the justice system to recognize mistakes and restore the communitys faith in the system. The law created a unique dynamic, aligning prosecutors with defendants and their attorneys. The attorney generals office has opposed all of the cases brought under the statute since it passed in 2021. Earlier Wednesday, Hilton said the statute created uncharted waters. Williams conviction is the first death penalty case to be tested under the new law. His life now rests in Hiltons hands. As the execution date nears, Hilton will have to rule on whether Williams conviction should stand or be vacated. By Jason Lange and Bo Erickson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Democrat Kamala Harris leads Republican Donald Trump 45% to 41% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Thursday that showed the vice president sparking new enthusiasm among voters and shaking up the race ahead of the Nov. 5 election. The 4 percentage point advantage among registered voters was wider than a 1 point lead Harris held over the former president in a late July Reuters/Ipsos poll. The new poll, which was conducted in the eight days ended Wednesday and had a 2 percentage point margin of error, showed Harris picking up support among women and Hispanics. Harris led Trump by 49% to 36% - or 13 percentage points - among both women voters and Hispanic voters. Across four Reuters/Ipsos polls conducted in July, Harris had a 9 point lead among women and a 6 point lead among Hispanics. Trump led among white voters and men, both by similar margins as in July, though his lead among voters without a college degree narrowed to 7 points in the latest survey, down from 14 points in July. The findings illustrate how the U.S. presidential race has been shaken up over the summer. President Joe Biden, 81, folded his flailing campaign on July 21 after a disastrous debate performance against Trump sparked widespread calls from his fellow Democrats to abandon his re-election bid. Since then, Harris has gained ground against Trump in national polls and those in critical swing states. While national surveys including Reuters/Ipsos' give important signals on the views of the electorate, the state-by-state results of the Electoral College determine the winner, with a handful of battleground states likely to be decisive. In the seven states where the 2020 election was closest - Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, Michigan and Nevada - Trump had a 45% to 43% lead over Harris among registered voters in the poll. A separate Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll published later on Thursday showed that Harris was either leading or tied with Trump in each of those states. That poll showed Harris led Trump by 2 percentage points among registered voters across the seven states and was ahead by 1 point a statistical tie among likely voters. The margin of error was 1 percentage point across the seven states. "It's obvious that running against Harris is more challenging for Trump given the shift in these numbers, but it's certainly not insurmountable," Matt Wolking, a Republican campaign strategist who worked on Trump's 2020 campaign, said in response to the Reuters/Ipsos poll results. He said Trump needs to stay as focused as possible in his campaign "so he's not scaring" away voters who were leaning his way because they didn't like Biden. Since formally accepting the Democratic nomination last week, Harris has embarked on a tour of battleground states including Georgia, where Biden had been hemorrhaging support before he ended his campaign. RISING ENTHUSIASM Some 73% of Democratic registered voters in the Reuters/Ipsos poll said they were more excited about voting in November after Harris entered the race. And while a March Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 61% respondents who intended to vote for Biden were doing so mainly to stop Trump, 52% of Harris voters in the August poll were voting to support her as a candidate rather than primarily to oppose Trump. "We see it in this poll that people are more motivated about the future than the past," said Aimee Allison, founder of She the People, a liberal group that aims to grow the numbers of women of color in elected office. "They see Kamala Harris as the future, and Republicans see this election as just about Trump. Voters are more likely to be engaged when given the option of 'more than' beating Trump." But Trump voters also voiced enthusiasm about their candidate, with 64% saying their choice was more motivated by backing Trump than opposing Harris. Voters picked Trump as having a better approach to managing the U.S. economy, 45% to 36%, a wider margin than Trump had in another Reuters/Ipsos poll this week. Harris, by contrast, had a 47% to 31% advantage on abortion policy. The issue is salient for Democrats after the conservative U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 struck down women's national right to abortion. Trump nominated three conservative justices to the court during his 2017-2021 presidency. Some 41% of voters in the poll - and 70% of Democrats - said they were worried the next president might sign a national ban on abortions. The latest poll's survey period partially overlapped with the Aug. 19-22 Democratic National Convention in Chicago where Harris formally accepted her party's nomination, and it remains to be seen whether the same level of enthusiasm for Harris will continue. The poll was conducted nationally and gathered responses from 4,253 U.S. adults, including 3,562 registered voters. Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who suspended his campaign on Aug. 23 while the poll was still being conducted, had the support of 6% of voters in the survey. (Reporting by Jason Lange and Bo Erickson; Additional reporting by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Scott Malone, Kieran Murray and Jamie Freed) News Center 7 has been following the case of Riverside mom, Cheryl Coker, since she vanished in October of 2018. It would be four more months before police would publicly name her husband, William Coker, their suspect. As News Center 7 first reported in April, prosecutors declined to approve charges against William Coker, [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] News Center 7 obtained the entire investigation through an open records request, and this is what we learned was going on within days of Cheryl Cokers disappearance. Margie Keenan, Cheryls sister, was seen on police body cam video saying, I know shes 46, but its usual for her to be gone this long, No one has seen Cheryl since she dropped her 15-year-old daughter off at school that morning. William Coker was seen on police body cam video saying, Ive been calling, texting, no answers. We always talk after I get off work, Officer Mike Brewer then asks William Coker where his wife could be. He said on police body cam video Were getting a divorce. She has a boyfriend. I have a girlfriend, William Coker said he and their daughter had just returned from a trip to Florida late the night before. Cheryls family found her SUV the next night in the Kroger parking lot less than a mile from her home with her purse and cell phone still inside. Detectives brought William Coker in for an interview one week after his wifes disappearance. They told William that he was not being arrested and was not being detained. RELATED STORIES: Det. In an interview, Travis Abney asked William Coker to write a timeline of his actions the day Cheryl vanished. Abney said, Im just going to tell you man to man some of the things that bother me about this. He wanted to know why William Coker never made any calls to police from the time his wife was last seen until her car was found. 37.5-hour time period, we werent getting the level of concern from you that we would have expected out of a husband of 19 years, Abney told William Coker. I would say under normal circumstances that would be correct, but we werent under normal circumstances. She was seeing people. Thats what my thoughts were that she was with someone, William Coker said. Abney also asked why William didnt tell police that his girlfriend had also gone on the trip to Florida with him and his daughter. And, I dont like being surprised in an investigation and I didnt find out that Erin had even gone with you and Mikayla until I did a search on her phone the other day, Abney said. William Coker admitted that he was home the morning Cheryl disappeared, but said he never saw her. He said he got up briefly around 8 am to try to start her work van, while Cheryl was in the shower and went back to bed until around noon. Abney said a neighbor had seen Cheryls car in the driveway at 10:45. The only person that we know she was with during that three hour and twenty-minute time period or even a portion of that period is you, Abney told William Coker. We have to take a long hard look at you. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The detective said he noticed big scabs on William Cokers elbows the night Cheryls car was found. Abney asked, Okay, what happened there? William replied, I hit the brick wall when I was cutting the grass. Abney brings up William Coker getting served with divorce papers two weeks earlier and how the couples daughters told police their mom spent the night in a hotel. In the interview, Abney said, Both of them said, My dad has a really, really, really bad temper and mom was afraid. Abney indicated that Cheryl sent texts to that effect to her coworkers. I have never ever laid a hand on Cheryl, William Coker said. In fact, the only time he has talked to News Center 7 was when reporter Mike Campbell reached him by phone the day police named him the suspect in 2019. Three weeks later, on October 30, detectives bring William Coker in for a second interview and this time they tell him they believe Cheryl is dead and they suspect him. We know everything you did that day. We know your timeline doesnt match what youre telling us, Abney said told William Coker. A hiker found Cheryls remains in April of 2020. The coroner ruled she died from homicidal violence but could not determine how. As News Center 7 reported, Montgomery County Prosecutors last year declined to file charges against William Coker, citing insufficient evidence. We reached out to William Coker, asking for an interview but have not heard back yet. Again, he told News Center 7 in 2019 that he did not kill Cheryl. Stay tuned for more in-depth coverage of the disappearance of Cheryl Coker as News Center 7 talks to several key players in the weeks to come. By Trevor Hunnicutt BEIJING (Reuters) -The United States is pushing China to break a longstanding resistance to nuclear arms talks, seeing a "limited opportunity" for early two-way conversations on the superpowers' approach to the issue, a senior Biden administration official said. The renewed U.S. push for nuclear talks comes as U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met top Chinese officials in Beijing to try and resolve gaping differences on a broad range of issues. "We saw some limited opportunity to open, at least the beginnings of conversation on the subject in the last months, but it's been fits and starts, and I think it will continue to be fits and starts," said the official, who sought anonymity because the matter is a sensitive one. "They've signalled some willingness to start nibbling around the margins of arms control, but then they're not very forward-leaning about following through on that," the official said. "So, I would say in 2024 the conversation is slightly more ripe than it was in 2022. But there's a long way to go for us to be in the type of rigorous dialogue that we should be in." The Biden administration's assessment of the possibility and scope for such conversations has not previously been reported. The subject was not addressed in White House-released summaries of Sullivan's meetings. China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Referring to tension over the disputed South China Sea between China and a U.S. treaty ally, the Philippines, the official said decisions on long-term missile deployments to Manila would depend in part on China's actions. Nuclear strategy remains a sticking point, however. The two countries briefly resumed official-level talks over nuclear arms in November but those negotiations have since stalled, with a top U.S. official publicly expressing frustration regarding China's responsiveness. Formal nuclear arms control negotiations had not been expected any time soon, despite U.S. concerns about China's rapid nuclear weapons build-up, even though semi-official exchanges have resumed. The U.S. defence department estimated last year that Beijing has 500 operational nuclear warheads and will probably field more than 1,000 by 2030. That compares to 1,770 and 1,710 operational warheads deployed by the United States and Russia, respectively. The Pentagon said that by 2030, much of Beijing's weapons would probably be held at higher levels of readiness. Since 2020, China has also modernised its nuclear program, starting production of its next-generation ballistic missile submarine, testing hypersonic glide vehicle warheads and holding regular nuclear-armed sea patrols. Weapons on land, in the air and at sea give China the "nuclear triad" - a hallmark of a major nuclear power. China has not formally detailed its arsenal but officially maintains a policy of no first use and maintaining a modern nuclear deterrence that is minimal. Officials this year urged other powers to adopt the same stance. In recent semi-official exchanges with U.S. scholars and retired officials, Chinese academics said its policies remained unchanged and described Western assessments as "exaggerations". The Biden administration updated classified nuclear guidance this year, and a White House spokesperson previously said the update was "not a response to any single entity, country, nor threat," despite oft-expressed concern about the nuclear arsenals of China, North Korea and Russia. "We will continue to focus our efforts on reducing nuclear risk by enhancing deterrence and our preference for resolving differences through arms control diplomacy," said White House spokesperson Sean Savett. The U.S. official, who declined to speak on the record, said the scope of U.S.-China talks could initially be narrow, unlike the prior arms reduction treaty talks between the United States and Russia. "It doesn't have to be New START-like arms control reduction conversations," the source said, referring to the Russo-American treaty aimed at limiting deployed strategic nuclear arsenals. "But let's talk about doctrine. Let's talk about strategic warning. Let's talk about risk reduction measures that each side can take to reduce the possibility of a catastrophic miscalculation. "The fact that is not happening is not a good thing for the world, and we'll continue to reinforce that." The topic is just one area where Washington wants to tamp down the potential for conflict with Beijing, among those on the agenda during three days of meetings Sullivan and other U.S. officials held in China. In the South China Sea, China's vessels have repeatedly clashed with Philippine ships. Washington and Manila are bound by a mutual defence treaty, and the United States has pushed for freedom of navigation in areas of the disputed waters. Asked about the possibility of long-term missile deployment in the Philippines to aid in their defence, the U.S. official said, "with the Philippines, we've had capabilities as part of exercises," referring to joint military exercises. "We don't, I think currently, have plans to go beyond that, but I say currently, because obviously our decisions about deployments of capabilities are informed by the context and by the actions that we see from (the People's Republic of China)." Chinese officials strongly condemned the deployment of a U.S. intermediate range missile system in the northern Philippines during exercises in April, saying they brought "huge risks of war into the region". Economic security issues also ranked high on the countries' agenda for talks. Ahead of a deadline for confirming steep new tariff increases on certain Chinese imports, the U.S. official signalled there would be no major softening of the initial plan. The U.S. administration was expected to announce its final plans this week after President Joe Biden unveiled sharply higher tariffs in May on Chinese goods from electric vehicles to lithium-ion batteries, to shield U.S. firms from Chinese excess production. But U.S. industry has pressured the administration to soften the initial proposals. "I can't tell you exactly, but I have nothing to say with respect to softening of tariffs," the official said. "I think we've been very transparent in signalling our intentions. And my expectation is we'll follow through on our intentions." And ahead of the November presidential elections, the U.S. official said a clear message was being sent to the Chinese about election interference: they were "unequivocal that that would be intolerable to us." (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Greg Torode and Clarence Fernandez) Executions in SC would continue monthly until at least March under AGs suggested timeline The South Carolina Supreme Court in Columbia. (Mary Ann Chastain / Special to the SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA Calling inmates request to schedule executions 13 weeks apart an unnecessary delay, attorneys for South Carolina instead suggest intervals of no more than 28 days. The state Supreme Court said Friday it will not schedule any more executions until it rules on the motion from inmates attorneys to space out their deaths. Freddie Owens is still set to die Sept. 20 in the states first execution since 2011. Five other death row inmates face an imminent death warrant. The timing will depend on the high courts decision. State law does not set any mandatory time between executions. In fact, over a seven-week span in December 1998 and January 1999, South Carolina executed six inmates two of them on the same day, the state attorney generals office highlighted in its response to the inmates attorneys. If the court agreed to 13-week intervals, only one more execution could be scheduled this year. It would take all next year to complete executions that have been on hold pending the high courts ruling last month that upheld the states options for carrying out a death sentence, reads the response signed by Attorney General Alan Wilson and two deputy attorneys general. They suggested four-week spans as a compromise. Whether within one day, one week or two weeks, nothing supports the necessity of three months between each execution as inmates now request, they wrote in the response filed Monday. No state has executed more than four people so far this year, the inmates attorneys replied Wednesday. Last year, the only states to execute more than four people were Texas, with eight, and Florida, with six, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. The inmates attorneys argued that scheduling consecutive executions, such as five executions in five weeks, would raise multiple problems. For one, executions in quick succession could increase the possibility of an error, potentially causing one of the condemned men to suffer as he died. Executioners would not have time to learn from mistakes during one execution and adjust protocols if necessary before the next. An inmate might also change his mind after learning that one method of execution had unexpected problems, the inmates attorneys wrote. Staff members carrying out executions could also suffer physically and mentally from the toll of having to put multiple people to death in a short period of time, the attorneys continued. The state called those concerns speculation, pointing out that none of those problems have come up in South Carolina. The Department of Corrections staff stand ready to accomplish their duty as required by our law with professionalism and dignity, Wilsons office wrote. South Carolina has not executed anyone since 2011. Two years later, the states supply of lethal injection drugs expired. In 2021, after the high court began halting executions due to the lack of available drugs, legislators made electrocution the default method and added firing squad as a possibility. Four condemned inmates challenged the law as unconstitutional, but the state Supreme Court disagreed with them in a split opinion issued July 31, allowing executions to resume. The state is prepared to execute Owens by any of the three available methods, Corrections Director Bryan Stirling testified in front of a judge Wednesday, as required by law before an execution. Staff members tested all three methods and determined none had any problems, Stirling testified. Lethal injection became an option again after a law making everything about the drug purchase secret enabled the prisons agency to restock. The state acknowledges that executions are resuming after a long delay, and that several notices may be issued at this time, but that is not so unheard of as would warrant the considerable delay requested, Wilsons office wrote, noting that the federal government executed 10 inmates in 2020 following a 17-year hiatus. Exhausted appeals Inmates attorneys also asked the court Wednesday to clarify the execution lineup. Owens was not the first of the condemned men to exhaust his appeals process, the inmates attorneys noted, pointing to the attorney generals list. So, theyre unsure why the high court scheduled Owens first. It appears from the scheduling of Mr. Owens for execution that this Court is employing a different rubric than date of exhaustion when issuing execution dates, the inmates attorneys wrote. In total, eight men on death row have exhausted their appeals processes, according to Wilsons office. Beyond Owen, four others have no pending petitions or litigation. A sixth inmate, Steven Bixby, has one pending petition with the Supreme Court. However, it is not part of the normal appeals process, so the court could still issue a death warrant for him, according to Wilsons office. Bixby was convicted in 2007 of killing two police officers during a 12-hour standoff after transportation officials tried to use eminent domain to expand a highway over part of his familys property. Two more are waiting for judges to rule whether they are mentally competent for execution. Richard Moore was the first of the 32 men on death row to run out of appeals. Moore was convicted in 2001 of shooting and killing a convenience store clerk in Spartanburg with the clerks gun two years before. Brad Sigmon, who was convicted of killing his ex-girlfriends parents in 2001, ran out of appeals next. Owens, who was the third to run out of appeals, was convicted in 1999 of killing gas station clerk Irene Graves two years prior as part of a crime spree because she didnt know how to unlock the safe. He and his accomplice took $37.29 from the cash register. The night after Owens was convicted, he killed another inmate at the Greenville Detention Center, then confessed his crime in court the next day. The Supreme Court affirmed his death sentence in 2008 after twice sending it back to juries for resentencing. Both times, juries again recommended the death penalty. Another question on the courts plate is whether Owens should be allowed to let his attorney decide how he will die. Owens signed his decision-making powers to his attorney Aug. 14, more than a week before the court issued his execution order. Stirling, director of the prisons agency, asked the court Monday to decide whether the attorneys decision would be valid in that scenario, since state law doesnt specifically address that question. Attorneys for Owens and the state have until Friday to submit their responses to Stirlings question. As global markets celebrate the prospect of upcoming interest rate cuts, with major indices like the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 Index nearing record highs, investors are increasingly looking for growth opportunities. In this environment, companies with high insider ownership and strong earnings growth can offer compelling investment prospects. Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth Lavvi Empreendimentos Imobiliarios (BOVESPA:LAVV3) 11.9% 21% Atlas Energy Solutions (NYSE:AESI) 29.1% 42.7% Gaming Innovation Group (OB:GIG) 26.7% 31.9% On Holding (NYSE:ONON) 28.4% 24.4% Laopu Gold (SEHK:6181) 36.4% 41.4% KebNi (OM:KEBNI B) 37.8% 86.1% Credo Technology Group Holding (NasdaqGS:CRDO) 14.3% 60.9% Calliditas Therapeutics (OM:CALTX) 12.7% 51.9% Vow (OB:VOW) 31.7% 97.7% Adocia (ENXTPA:ADOC) 11.9% 63% Click here to see the full list of 1563 stocks from our Fast Growing Companies With High Insider Ownership screener. Underneath we present a selection of stocks filtered out by our screen. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Trina Solar Co., Ltd. engages in the research, development, production, and sales of photovoltaic (PV) modules globally and has a market cap of CN35.30 billion. Operations: The company's revenue segments (in millions of CN) are derived from photovoltaic (PV) modules across China, Europe, North America, South America, Japan, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and North Africa. Insider Ownership: 33.2% Earnings Growth Forecast: 21.2% p.a. Trina Solar exemplifies a growth company with high insider ownership, leveraging its integrated solutions to drive significant revenue and earnings growth. Recent expansions into New Zealand and Thailand highlight its innovative approach, such as the Rangitaiki Solar Farm's agrivoltaics. Despite a high debt level and unstable dividend history, Trina Solars forecasted earnings growth of 21.19% per year outpaces the Chinese market average. Its strategic buyback program further underscores managements confidence in long-term prospects. SHSE:688599 Ownership Breakdown as at Aug 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Zangge Mining Company Limited produces and sells potassium chloride under the Blue Sky brand in China, with a market cap of CN37.49 billion. Operations: The company's revenue segments include Lithium Carbonate Production and Sales at CN1.49 billion and Potassium Chloride Production and Sales at CN2.67 billion. Story continues Insider Ownership: 13.2% Earnings Growth Forecast: 20.4% p.a. Zangge Mining demonstrates key attributes of growth companies with high insider ownership, despite recent revenue declines. Its earnings are forecast to grow significantly at 20.37% annually, outpacing the Chinese market average. The company's Price-To-Earnings ratio (13.9x) is below the market average, suggesting good value. Recent initiatives include a share repurchase program worth up to CNY 300 million and strategic moves discussed in an extraordinary shareholders meeting, indicating management's commitment to enhancing shareholder value. SZSE:000408 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Aug 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co., Ltd offers contract research organization services both in China and internationally, with a market cap of CN39.29 billion. Operations: The company's revenue segments include Clinical Trial Solutions at CN2.50 billion and Clinical-related Services at CN1.20 billion. Insider Ownership: 27.8% Earnings Growth Forecast: 34.7% p.a. Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting exhibits characteristics of growth companies with high insider ownership, despite recent declines in sales and net income. Earnings are forecast to grow 34.71% annually, surpassing the Chinese market average of 16.8%. The company trades at 52.7% below its estimated fair value, indicating potential upside. Recent activities include a share buyback worth CNY 184.46 million and proposed amendments to the Articles of Association, reflecting active management engagement in corporate governance and shareholder value enhancement strategies. SZSE:300347 Ownership Breakdown as at Aug 2024 Where To Now? Access the full spectrum of 1563 Fast Growing Companies With High Insider Ownership by clicking on this link. Have a stake in these businesses? Integrate your holdings into Simply Wall St's portfolio for notifications and detailed stock reports. Simply Wall St is your key to unlocking global market trends, a free user-friendly app for forward-thinking investors. Ready To Venture Into Other Investment Styles? This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.The analysis only considers stock directly held by insiders. It does not include indirectly owned stock through other vehicles such as corporate and/or trust entities. All forecast revenue and earnings growth rates quoted are in terms of annualised (per annum) growth rates over 1-3 years. Companies discussed in this article include SHSE:688599 SZSE:000408 and SZSE:300347. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Explosions occurred in Kyiv during a Russian Shahed UAV attack on the night of 28-29 August. Source: an Ukrainska Pravda reporter; Ukraine's Air Force Details: At the same time, the Ukrainian military reported that an attack UAV was flying in the direction of Kyiv. Background: A large-scale Russian Shahed UAV attack continues, with air-raid warnings being issued in most of Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Extra police, fire at Butler High School for training Thursday If you live near Butler High School, you may see extra police and medics on Thursday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Staff will participate in districtwide safety training sessions from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., Vandalia-Butler City Schools wrote on social media. Training was held at Smith Intermediate School on Wednesday. Vandalia and Butler Township officers and firefighters will assist in the drills. TRENDING STORIES: The district says people should not be alarmed if they see police and fire presence at Butler High School. It is to help for training purposes. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was one of the most popular television shows in 2005 and its cast and crew were among the first groups to help South Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Coast. Less than a month after the storm, First lady Laura Bush and one of the shows designers, Preston Sharp, filmed a segment of the ABC television program on Sept. 27, 2005, as part of a two-stop trip to Biloxi. We wanted, from the moment that hurricane hit, to get down there and do what we do, which is build, said the shows executive producer at the time, Tom Forman. Its probably a little too soon for that, but were itching to get started. Before they built, the company sent supplies. In the meantime, we wanted to do what we could. So we talked to our vendors and suppliers and lined up things that people need. Sears, a sponsor of our show through their Sears American Dream campaign, has loaded a convoy of trucks with items the American Red Cross has told them these two shelters need desperately: mattresses, bedding, linen, sleeping bags, tents, clothing and some other things, Forman said. Host Ty Pennington and the Extreme Makeover cast let the country know the hurricane wasnt over in Mississippi when the episode aired six months after the storm. Believe me, they still need your help, Pennington said. Instead of remodeling of one home, as they did on most episodes of the show, the team and volunteers rebuilt and equipped Coastal Family Health Center clinic in Biloxi. The medical facility was treating patients in a trailer after the non-profits building was destroyed. They also built a monument on the Biloxi Town Green memorializing the hour and day that Katrina swamped South Mississippi, according to an account in the Sun Herald. Hundreds of people, some emotionally overwhelmed, turned out for a candlelight vigil and watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition debut its gift to the Coast, the article said. A Hurricane Katrina memorial, built as a part of ABCs Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in 2006, stands at Town Green in Biloxi. The memorial has since been vandalized. The Extreme gift Some of those people at the dedication ceremony contributed to the memory case. They contributed items that were all they found left when they returned to their homes or had special significance. The memories were encased in the safety glass display that stands between a mosaic memorial wave and a granite wall etched with the names of Katrinas victims. A Hurricane Katrina memorial, built by ABCs Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in 2006, stands at Town Green in Biloxi.. The memorial has since been vandalized. Coast artist Elizabeth Veglia created the Katrina wave mosaic in the great room of her home on Rotten Bayou near Kiln, which was flooded by eight feet of Katrinas storm surge. Architect Dennis Cowart of Ocean Springs, who designed the Camille memorial, also designed this Katrina memorial. The 12-foot height of the wall is the same height of Katrinas surge at the Town Green. Roy Anderson III, left, meets ABC Hit Show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Ed Sanders at the Biloxi Town Green on Saturday Feb. 11, 2006. Roy Anderson Corp partnered with the ABC hit televison show to construct a Hurricane Katrina Memorial on the Town Green. The Hurricane Katrina Memorial was completed and unveiled on Feb. 15, 2006. What a mess and whats next? Now 19 years later, thousands of people have admired the memorial but they arent as impressed today. While the wave and memorial wall remain intact, the display case looks like someone shot it. It was hit several times and moisture seeped through a hole, making it almost impossible to see anything inside. They damaged that three times already, said Biloxi Mayor Andrew FoFo Gilich. It wasnt a teenage prank, he said, but the work of vagrants throwing stones at the case. Just malicious, he said. A shattered glass panel on the Hurricane Katrina memorial at Biloxi Town Green makes it nearly impossibly to see whats inside. This is the third time in 19 years the memorial was vandalized. Gilich said the city wont repair that memory case a third time. My last instructions are whatever remains in good shape is to be moved to the Visitors Center, he said. People will be able to see the memorial and the memorabilia inside, he said, but not necessarily in an outdoor display. Biloxi Visitors Center was built a few blocks to the west of the Town Green after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the historic Dantzler House on the site. The visitors center contains a museum as a tribute to the city and its diverse people. The wave and the wall of names will remain at Biloxi Town Green, the mayor said, and the lights installed at ground level, which get rain inside, will be raised to shine down. Saving memorials For the 55th anniversary of Hurricane Camille, another monster storm that devastated South Mississippi on Aug. 17, 1969, Biloxi partnered with others to move the Camille memorial. The flagpole bent by the hurricanes winds at the site of the former Church of the Redeemer and a granite wall inscribed with the names of the victims, now are displayed next to the Golden Fisherman statue. All are outside the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum at the eastern tip of the Biloxi peninsula. The Hurricane Camille memorial is in its new location next to the Maritime and Seafood Museum at Point Cadet in Biloxi. The memorial was previously located along U.S. 90. The Camille Hurricane mosaic, created by Veglia over six months to look like the satellite image of the hurricane, wasnt part of the move that cost $52,000 as it was, Gilich said. Its intricate design was considered to be too difficult to move, he said, and it remains at the beachfront site, where a hotel will be built. ExxonMobil is betting that the world will use about as much oil in 2050 as it does now, or maybe even more. Despite a scorching summer and drumbeat of worrying stories about just how hot the planet is getting, climate hasnt been a major topic of conversation in the U.S. election cycle. The United States is still ostensibly committed to doing its part to reduce emissions by 50 percent below 2030 levels by 2030the pledge it made under the Paris climate agreementbut few experts expect that to happen. Models from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC, suggest that oil use would need to fall to 65 million barrels per day in 2050 in order to meet the Paris Agreements goal of limiting global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Exxon, by contrast, predicts in their recently released annual forecast, called Global Outlook, that demand will still be above 100 million barrels per day by that time, slightly higher than it is now. According to Exxons projections, nearly all of that demand will come from growing lower- and middle-income countries. Thats not a controversial point, exactlyacross global energy models, growing fossil fuel demand is expected to come from emerging economies in the Global South. Whats unique about Exxons projection is that declines in gasoline demand due to the proliferation of electric passenger vehicles would be almost entirely offset by demand for oil from other places. The report states that demand for liquid fuels by commercial transportation and feedstocks for the chemicals industry (presumably including the Exxon-made plastics showing up in human brains, blood, and placentas) will fill the gas-guzzler-shaped hole in their balance sheet. This isnt just wishful thinking on Exxons part, and the company isnt wrong to say that the world is not on track to get to net-zero by 2050. Despite the last few years of flashy pledges and initiatives, countries around the world, including the U.S., are mostly failing to enact the kinds of policies and regulations that would put the goals of the Paris Agreement within reach. Projecting current policies into the future could see the world warm by 2.5 degrees Celsius. Neither are wealthy countries making much effort to provide the kinds of financial support and debt relief necessary to make more sustainable, less fossil-fueled development possible for poorer parts of the planet. ExxonMobil portrays itself in this report and elsewhere as a humble supplier of ever-growing demand. Thats a little disingenuous, of course. The company has cultivated a ballooning market for its products and worked to stymie efforts to reduce emissions at just about every level of government, pouring money into sophisticated lobbying efforts and the pockets of politicians who can be expected to vote against climate measures. More than 60 percent of the companys donations to federal candidates this election cycle have flowed to Republicans. Parts of Exxons recent report read like threats to those same politicians. Specifically, the report paints a terrifying picture of what could happen if there were no new investment in oil and gas. Global oil supplies would fall by 15 million barrels per day in the first year, the report states. By 2030, oil supplies would fall from 100 million barrels per day to less than 30 millionthats 70 million barrels short of whats needed to meet demand every day, according to Exxons projections. The results of that would be dire, creating severe energy shortages within a year of the imagined end of investment in oil and gas. The company warns that oil prices could quadruple in just one year, and thatwithin 10 yearsunemployment rates would likely reach 30 percent, higher than during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Avoiding such a hellscape, Exxon warns, requires sustained investment so that companies like Exxon can continue to meet growing demand and invest billions to lower the greenhouse gas emissions associated with its own operations and help other industries lower theirs. Given that there are no serious proposals on the table to end all investments in oil and gas production overnight, its hard to read Exxons theatrical projections here as anything other than needless fearmongering about so-called environmental, social, and governance, or ESG, investing. The image Exxon conjures here is of a conspiracy of woke investors suddenly deciding to withdraw their support from the industry on climate activists advice, letting oil fields run dry and sparking global economic chaos. Theres no evidence that this conspiracya favorite right-wing bogeymanactually exists. These theatrics, however, serve as a convenient distraction from the larger danger of whats likely to happen if fossil fuels grow unchecked; if excess emissions continue, and the world has no capacity to suck enormous amounts of carbon out of the atmosphere; if plastics continue to accumulate in the environment, overwhelming our blood-brain barriers; if large parts of the planet become too hot to inhabit. Its well within ExxonMobils mandate to tell a story of the future that suits its own bottom line. Governments ostensibly committed to keeping their constituents alive, healthy, and financially stable probably shouldnt keep standing by as that story keeps coming true. A rendering of the $800 million data center under construction in Aiken County by Facebook parent company Meta (Provided by Meta) GRANITEVILLE Facebook parent company, Meta, is behind a $800 million data center breaking ground in Aiken County, an economic development deal thats been years in the making, the tech giant announced Thursday. The 715,000-square-foot center is expected to employ 100 workers in western South Carolina. It marks Metas first data center in the state and will power the companys efforts related to artificial intelligence, as well as its multiple social media platforms. Metaphorically, were connecting the entire world, in many ways, right through Aiken County, said Rep. Bill Taylor, R-Aiken. The data center will be Metas 22nd in the U.S. and 26th in the world. It is expected to be operational in spring 2027. The announcement comes a week after a state Senate panel began work to address the future of energy in the Palmetto State. South Carolina, like much of the country, is wrestling with a need for more electricity, driven by a swelling population, a growing manufacturing sector and advances in technology. And data centers, with their often massive energy and water needs, are part of the conversation. Weve got plenty of water, Gov. Henry McMaster said while speaking about the states resources during the Meta event. Were working on the power as well. The governor called the announcement a major win for South Carolinas thriving technology industry. Metas data center is expected to draw 200 megawatts, economic development officials told the Aiken County Council last year, similar to several other major projects previously announced around the state. The company wants to power the center with 100% renewable energy, said Kevin Janda, Metas director of data center strategy. Meanwhile, to keep up with growing electricity demands, state-owned utility Santee Cooper is seeking legislative permission to partner with Virginia-headquartered Dominion Energy on a 2,000-megawatt, natural gas-fired power plant on the site of a former coal plant in Colleton County. At the same time, legislation to allow the partnership introduced sweeping regulatory changes criticized by environmental and consumer groups. The bill ultimately stalled during the regular legislative session, with Senate leadership promising to consider the issue further this fall. Among those concerned was Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey. The Edgefield Republican attended Metas announcement for the data center that its building about 11 miles from the Senate GOP leaders home town. Society has evolved and were much more technologically based, said Massey, who has acknowledged the need for more data centers. I am concerned, however, looking at the amount of electricity and water these facilities use, and I think going forward were going to have to come up with a different way to manage that, he added. Massey and other senators heard from the heads of South Carolinas major utilities last week that data centers make up 65% to 70% of the growth in power demand expected in the state within the next decade. Metas data center, he said, is bringing a relatively sizable number of high tech jobs. It also will increase the property tax base, though the center will be taxed at a reduced, 4% rate usually reserved for homeowners for 40 years under a deal passed in April 2023 by the county council. The company also plans to get involved with area schools to promote and support science and technology education, said Janda. Were going to have more of these and thats not a bad thing, Massey said. But we do have to figure out how we best use our resources. Other data centers operating or announced in South Carolina include: Google and DC Blox, which are both operating large data centers with plans to open more, bringing the companies joint total to six centers three each. IT company DartPoints, which has four smaller centers around the state, including one in Greenville that it has operated for more than 15 years. The worlds largest cryptocurrency company, GDA, which opened three small centers in the Upstate in 2023. And QTS, which has bought land for a $1 billion center in York County. A Florida school board has voted against a chaplain policy for a second time, and even a Gov. Ron DeSantis-appointed member said more time was needed to address legal concerns. DeSantis has signed and vocally supported a new law that gives public schools the OK to allow chaplain services for students. This week's move by the Osceola County School Board is further evidence of local leaders' wariness in doing so when faced with threatened First Amendment fights and satanic chaplains. "I 100% agree with the chaplain program, but I do understand there's a lot of concerns up here," said Scott Ramsey, who DeSantis appointed to the school board. He ultimately voted in favor of the program. "I'd like to ask staff if they could send a survey to the school administrators and teachers on how we can apply this in our policy when we rewrite it," Ramsey said. The school board also temporarily pulled its consideration of the program earlier in August, after getting last-minute emails expressing constitutional concerns and interest from The Satanic Temple. Lucien Greaves, co-founder of The Satanic Temple, spoke during the Tuesday meeting's public comment period. He criticized the policy but pledged his group would make sure it had chaplains participating if it was implemented. "You're voting on a policy that is unpopular, divisive, poorly planned, obviously dishonest in its goals, unnecessary, and introduces new risks to children, even if you are allowed to implement it," Greaves said. "The reality is, you'll have to accommodate religious identities you may not agree with. You will end up with Satanist chaplains." The Satanic Temple is an IRS-recognized religious group, but its adherents do not necessarily worship Satan. It's known for its advocacy for the First Amendment and religious freedom and even warned Florida lawmakers that it planned to participate in any programs if they passed the chaplain legislation. DeSantis has vowed that Satanists would be excluded from participation. If that happens, it would likely lead to First Amendment litigation. Public comment at Tuesday's meeting lasted more than an hour. While those against the chaplain policy outnumbered those in support, emotions flared on both sides. And the school board itself wasn't immune, with one conservative member repeatedly insulting his colleagues. "Wow, if that's the way you fight for your community, I'd hate to see the way you fight for your family in need," said Jon Arguello, who recently lost a Republican primary for a state Senate seat, right after Ramsey's remarks. Ramsey, who will be in a November school board runoff election, said in a phone interview that he had no comment on that: "I'm there to serve the students, teachers, staff and citizens of Osceola County in a respectful manner." "At the end of the day, they're the ones that have to do it," Ramsey continued, explaining his survey request. "I just want (the policy) to be more airtight, to keep us out of lawsuits. ... If a parent wants their child to speak to any religious affiliate ... they have that right." The law allows volunteer chaplains to provide support services for public K-12 students. It requires parental consent before a student meets with a chaplain, who must undergo a background check. It also mandates that districts publish a list of the chaplains on their websites and for school principals to inform parents about them. The rest of the rollout is left to local school officials if they choose to have a program. But last week the Florida Department of Education released a model school chaplain policy. It was immediately met with opposition and questions over its constitutionality, including from the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and The Satanic Temple. Greaves said it would exclude satanists as well as Buddhists, Humanists and other groups. Arguello, who'll be off the board when new members are sworn in later in the year, said he would try to get the state model adopted at the next meeting. "This is a purely volunteer process," he said. "No student is going to be force-fed any thought of religion or anything else." But Heather Kahoun, the board chair, said more discussion was needed on the policy. "I have my own ideas on how we think we can implement this," Kahoun said. "What I'd like to do is workshop this and do this through rule-making." DeSantis had signed the chaplain measure at a high school in Osceola County, during a press conference where the superintendent himself spoke in support. This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule can be reached at DSoule@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Satanists, First Amendment: Florida school board rejects chaplain plan Claim: An image shows U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris' membership card to the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Rating: Rating: Fake Context: The image purportedly sourced from Soviet archives actually comes from a website that allows anyone to create Soviet-era identification cards. In late August 2024, a purported photo of a membership card identifying U.S. presidential candidate Kamala Harris as a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) was shared on multiple social media platforms and websites: The image was often shared alongside a photograph of printed text explaining that the membership card was "a unique document" recently released by the State Archives of the Russian Federation: On August 19, the official Telegram channel of the State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) published the CPSU party card of US presidential candidate Camille [sic] Harris, which she received during her first visit to the USSR in 1984. It turned out that the American politician at the age 16 joined the Communist Party of the USA and in the mid-1980s she came to Moscow and Voronezh at least three times through the All-Union Komsomol Organization. "To dispel all the controversy surrounding Comrade Harris, today we will publish a unique document from our archival fund - her party card, which was personally presented by the second secretary of the Komsomol in June 1984," senior researcher at GARF Matvey Streltsov told reporters. Harris herself refused to comment, but according to The New York Times, her campaign headquarters will not demand a refutation - the US presidential candidate was indeed a member of the CPSU and paid party dues until 1991. These claims have no basis in reality. The documentary evidence provided as proof that Harris is or was a communist this alleged Soviet-era membership card is actually conclusive proof of a forgery. Images of purported CPSU membership cards carrying the same ID number and payment record (the columns on the right side of the image) have been shared on social media for nearly a decade. That's because it's the number used on an image produced by a Russian website that allows users to put anyone's name and face on such a card about as far from "a unique document" as one could get: The photograph used in the Harris forgery, which was purportedly from 1984, was taken at Howard University in 1986. There is no evidence outside of this forgery that Harris traveled to the Soviet Union or joined any communist organizations at this time. A search performed by Snopes of recent New York Times articles about Harris revealed that no articles match the one described in some social media posts as additional evidence for the legitimacy of the claim. Because this image originated from a website that produces variants of the same "membership card" used in this claim and not, as alleged, the State Archives of the Russian Federation, the claim is rated as a "Fake." Snopes has written several stories about similar false claims concerning Harris' and her campaign's alleged support of communism. Sources: BOOOOM!!! Bombshell: Communist Party of Russia Membership Card of the HARRIS Kamala, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (Voronezh) The Scandal That Could Destroy Her 2024 Presidential Campaign - Amg-News.Com - American Media Group. 27 Aug. 2024, https://amg-news.com/boooom-bombshell-communist-party-of-russia-membership-card-of-the-harris-kamala-russian-soviet-federative-socialist-republic-voronezh-the-scandal-that-could-destroy-her-2024-presidential-ca/. Liles, Jordan. "Fox News Aired Graphic Listing 'Tim Walz's Communist Agenda,' with a Tax on Couches?" Snopes, 9 Aug. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/fox-walz-communist-agenda/. ---. "Harris and Walz Posed with Revolutionary Communists of America Sign?" Snopes, 12 Aug. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/harris-walz-communist-sign/. Palma, Bethania. "Copypasta Falsely Claims Kamala Harris Is 'Marxist by Association.'" Snopes, 19 Jan. 2021, https://www.snopes.com//news/2021/01/19/kamala-harris-marxist/. PressReader.Com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions. https://www.pressreader.com/usa/orlando-sentinel-for-pr-sunday/20201018/281633897719474. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024. . https://www.stalinanavas.net/kpss/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024. Claim: As of late August 2024, four U.S. federal agencies the Department of Defense, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of State and the Department of Veterans Affairs had donated six-figure sums to Kamala Harris' presidential campaign. Rating: Rating: False Context: The donations did not come from the agencies themselves, but from individuals who work for them. As the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign gathered momentum in late August, a claim that four U.S. federal agencies had donated to Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign spread online. One X user claimed the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of State (DOS) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) had all contributed six-figure sums to the Democratic candidate's cause by late August (archived). The X user also shared a TikTok video of a woman making the same claim (archived). Together, the X post and TikTok video had amassed more than 2.6 millions views as of this writing. "Why are our tax dollars funding campaigns," one TikTok user commented. "Isn't that against the law?" another asked. Asked if she could provide a source for her claims, the TikTok user who posted the in-question video then published another recording where she claimed to quote Open Secrets, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization dedicated to tracking money in politics (archived): However, an email exchange with Open Secrets and further evidence revealed the claims were false. Listed Agencies Didn't Donate to Harris Campaign Government agencies are prohibited from making monetary contributions, according to the Hatch Act of 1939, as are federal contractors and federally chartered corporations (emphasis below ours): 734.503 Allocation and reimbursement of costs associated with political activities. The costs associated with the political activities described in 733.502(c) of this chapter may not be paid for by money derived from the Treasury of the United States. Costs associated with a political activity are deemed not to be paid for by money derived from the Treasury of the United States if the Treasury is reimbursed for the costs within a reasonable period of time. The Hatch Act also prohibits federal employees from taking part in certain political activities to ensure a nonpartisan administration of the programs they carry out. But while some employees are subject to more restrictions than others, the Hatch Act does not prevent federal employees from voting, registering to a party, putting a political sign in front of their houses or making monetary contributions, according to the list of political actions federal employees can and cannot take. Open Secrets tracks donations and outlines the organizations they come from. On pages that detail donations that come from federal agencies, it included the disclaimer: NOTE: Organizations themselves cannot contribute to candidates and party committees. Figures on this page include contributions and spending by affiliates. By "affiliates," Open Secrets described organizations that depend on a given federal agency. For example, affiliates of the DOD include the Air National Guard or the Defense Health Agency, among others. A request for clarification from Open Secrets showed that the donations listed under each federal agency came from its employees. "It's safe to assume that 100% of the money described here is coming from employees of these various government agencies," Open Secrets individual contributions researcher Alex Baumgart wrote in an email. "There really isn't any other way for money affiliated with a government agency to make its way to a political candidate." Therefore, donations from individuals are legal. In fact, donations from federal employees can go to either party and either presidential candidate. For example, as of this writing in the 2024 election cycle, DOD employees had collectively donated $242,906 to former U.S. President Donald Trump and $206,429 to Harris. However, as a whole, Democratic federal candidates had received 56.87% of the donations, while Republican federal candidates had received 43.13% of the donations from DOD employees. Meanwhile, a large majority of HHS employees had donated to the Democratic party (94.3%) giving $194,717 to Harris and $28,307 to Trump. The picture at the DOS was more complex. While employees had made a large donation to the Republican National Committee ($708,510) the largest they made by far they had given more to Harris ($191,972) than Trump ($18,475). Lastly, VA employees had donated nearly twice as much to Harris ($203,508) than to Trump ($117,718). Open Secrets can keep track of donations because the law states parties and campaigns must keep receipts and records of all contributions. Sources: Hatch Act Guidance. https://www.dla.mil/General-Counsel/Ethics/Hatch-Act/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024. Open Secrets. https://www.opensecrets.org/. Political Activity Quick Guide. Defense Logistics Agency, https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/PublicAffairs/Political%20Activity%20Quick%20Guide%20for%20Civilians.pdf?ver=-IgfvPAJqmupEfkF9aHZLQ%3d%3d. 'Who Can and Can't Contribute to a Party Committee'. FEC.Gov, https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/taking-receipts-political-party/who-can-and-cant-contribute-party-committee/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024. Fact Check: No, Trump Didn't Brag on Social Media He Was 'Greatest President Ever on Military' Claim: A screenshot documents a social media post in which former U.S. President Donald Trump wrote that he visited Arlington National Cemetery to "remind everyone that I was the greatest president ever on military." Rating: Rating: Fake On Aug. 27, 2024, a screenshot circulated online that purportedly showed an X post by former U.S. President Donald Trump in which he boasted about his recent visit to Arlington National Cemetery to honor fallen Marines killed in a 2021 suicide bombing during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The screenshot image was shared on Facebook along with the caption, "Is this real?!?! If it is, he has absolutely lost his mind!" The full text of the screenshot read: Today I visited Arlington Cemetary [sic] to honor victims. I want to remind everyone that I was the greatest president every [sic] on the military. I am the best on the militrary [sic] on the planet, PROBABLY IN HISTORY. Soldiers and Veterans love me. Once a Civil War solider [sic] came to me, with tears in his eyes and said, "Sir, thank you for building the United States military from scratch. You remind me of General Patton because you are such a strong fighter and master in strategy. If you did not have devastating bone spurs you would have been a great soldier and probably General. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10228864158682457&set=gm.8192356560880311&idorvanity=441333919315986 The screenshot was fabricated. We have rated the image "Fake" for the following reasons: First, the X handle displayed in the post was "@realDonaldTrimp." Trump's official X handle is @realDonaldTrump. Second, we found no evidence of any such post on either Trump's X or Truth Social account on the date of Trump's visit to Arlington. Although Trump has made numerous social media posts with spelling and grammatical errors, some of the statements in the one above were so outlandish that they were evidently intended to mock Trump's authorial idiosyncrasies. Trump did post this message on Truth Social on Aug. 26: This is the third anniversary of the BOTCHED Afghanistan withdrawal, the most EMBARRASSING moment in the history of our Country. Gross Incompetence - 13 DEAD American soldiers, hundreds of people wounded and dead, AMERICANS and BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT LEFT BEHIND. You don't take our soldiers out first, you take them out LAST, when all else is successfully done. Russia then invaded Ukraine, Israel was attacked, and the USA became, and is, a laughing stock all over the World. THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA REMAINS SILENT IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE WORST ADMINISTRATION IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY! MAGA2024 And this message, seemingly written by Trump, was posted on the Trump campaign's Truth Social account the same: PRESIDENT TRUMP: Early this morning, Tulsi and I were at Arlington National Cemetery with the families of servicemembers who lost their lives in the catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Today marks the 3-year anniversary of the terrorist attack at Abbey Gate that left 13 American servicemembers dead, dozens more badly wounded, with many innocent civilians also killed and injured. We will never forget those brave warriors who made the supreme sacrifice for our countrythey will live in our hearts FOREVER. And to all the Gold Star families, our gratitude is everlasting. We will honor their memory by restoring a government that puts the American People FIRST. We have covered previous controversial claims around Trump's attitude towards U.S. service members, including an alleged instance in which he called fallen soldiers "suckers" and "losers," a quote we were unable to independently verify as genuine. Sources: Ibrahim, Nur. "Trump Really Said Fallen US Soldiers Were 'Suckers' and 'Losers'?" Snopes, 18 Apr. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/04/18/trump-soldiers-suckers-losers/." target="blank">https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/04/18/trump-soldiers-suckers-losers/.">https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/04/18/trump-soldiers-suckers-losers/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024. (Reuters) - Here are some statistics about Pope Francis, 87, who is in the midst of a 33,000-km (20,500-mile) tour of four Southeast Asian nations. WHEN WAS POPE FRANCIS ELECTED? The former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected pope on March 13, 2013. He is the 266th pontiff and the first from Latin America, as well as the first to take the name Francis. HOW LONG HAS FRANCIS BEEN POPE? At more than 11 years, Francis' reign already exceeds the 7-1/2-year average. He is also the oldest incumbent since Leo XIII, who was 93 at his death in 1903. Francis' predecessor, Benedict XVI, died at 95, but was 85 when he retired as pope. HOW MANY FOREIGN TRIPS HAS FRANCIS UNDERTAKEN? The trip to Southeast Asia will be Francis' 45th outside Italy. By its end, he will have visited more than 64 states and territories, for a tally of more than 460,000 km (285,000 miles). His first overseas trip as pope, in 2013, was to Brazil. In September, after returning from Asia, he is due to visit Belgium and Luxembourg. HOW IS THE POPE'S HEALTH? In early 2024, Francis had checks in hospital after weeks of what was variously described as a cold, bronchitis and influenza, but he has appeared to be in better health since the end of March. He had operations in 2021 and 2023 to remove a section of his colon because of painful diverticulitis and to repair an abdominal hernia. But he said last year the diverticulitis had returned. Francis has also had mobility problems for several years, and generally walks with a cane when he is not using a wheelchair. He has long suffered from sciatica, a chronic nerve condition that causes back, hip and leg pain, and has more recently had knee problems. HOW MANY SAINTS HAS FRANCIS NAMED? Francis has named more than 900 new saints, including his predecessors John XXIII, Paul VI and John Paul II, as well as Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero, who was killed in 1980. ENCYCLICALS An encyclical is the most important form of papal document. Francis has authored three: - "Lumen Fidei" (Light of Faith) on the importance of Christian faith, based partly on the work of his predecessor Pope Benedict, in 2013. - "Laudato Si" (Praised Be), which called for urgent action on climate change, in 2015. - "Fratelli Tutti" (Brothers All), in 2020, tackled solidarity among people in the post-pandemic world. (This story has been refiled to correct Francis' name in paragraph 12) (Compiled by Crispian Balmer and Joshua McElwee; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Clarence Fernandez) Fatima Latifova Military lawyers from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan held a working meeting in Baku within the current military cooperation between Defense Ministries of the two states, Azernews reports. The sides exchanged opinions on experience in the field of organization of legal service, military legislation and service activity of military lawyers. Discussions were held on matching the military legislation of both states within the framework of international law and principles, as well as on a range of other issues. The Switzerland market ended on a firm note on Wednesday, buoyed by optimism about a potential interest rate cut by the Swiss Central Bank next month. With the SMI gaining 0.42% to close at 12,348.70, investors are increasingly interested in stable dividend stocks that can provide reliable income amidst fluctuating market conditions. In this context, identifying top dividend stocks becomes crucial for those looking to balance growth and income in their portfolios. Top 10 Dividend Stocks In Switzerland Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Cembra Money Bank (SWX:CMBN) 5.12% Vaudoise Assurances Holding (SWX:VAHN) 4.82% St. Galler Kantonalbank (SWX:SGKN) 4.52% EFG International (SWX:EFGN) 4.52% Julius Bar Gruppe (SWX:BAER) 5.21% Helvetia Holding (SWX:HELN) 4.68% Holcim (SWX:HOLN) 3.47% Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank (SWX:BLKB) 4.68% DKSH Holding (SWX:DKSH) 3.30% Banque Cantonale Vaudoise (SWX:BCVN) 4.73% Click here to see the full list of 26 stocks from our Top SIX Swiss Exchange Dividend Stocks screener. Here's a peek at a few of the choices from the screener. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Jungfraubahn Holding AG, with a market cap of CHF1.13 billion, operates cogwheel railway and winter sports facilities in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland. Operations: Jungfraubahn Holding AG generates revenue from several key segments, including Winter Sports (CHF41.26 million), Experience Mountains (CHF45.94 million), and Jungfraujoch - TOP of Europe (CHF188.24 million). Dividend Yield: 3.2% Jungfraubahn Holding's dividend payments are well covered by earnings (47.8% payout ratio) and cash flows (61.7% cash payout ratio). Despite a 10-year history of increasing dividends, the yield (3.2%) is below the Swiss market's top tier (4.31%). The Price-to-Earnings ratio of 14.3x indicates good value compared to the market average of 22.1x, but an unstable and volatile dividend track record raises concerns about reliability for income-focused investors. SWX:JFN Dividend History as at Aug 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Swiss Re AG, with a market cap of CHF33.99 billion, offers wholesale reinsurance, insurance, various risk transfer solutions, and related services globally. Operations: Swiss Re AG's revenue segments include Property & Casualty Reinsurance ($25.39 billion), Life & Health Reinsurance ($18.71 billion), and Corporate Solutions ($6.10 billion). Story continues Dividend Yield: 4.9% Swiss Re's dividend yield of 4.89% places it in the top quarter of Swiss dividend payers. The dividends are well-covered by earnings (55.8% payout ratio) and cash flows (50% cash payout ratio), suggesting sustainability despite a volatile 10-year history of payments. Recent H1 2024 earnings showed net income rising to US$2.09 billion from US$1.79 billion, indicating strong financial health, though past dividend cuts may concern some investors seeking stability. SWX:SREN Dividend History as at Aug 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Vaudoise Assurances Holding SA, with a market cap of CHF1.32 billion, offers insurance products and services primarily in Switzerland. Operations: Vaudoise Assurances Holding SA generates revenue through various insurance products and services primarily within the Swiss market. Dividend Yield: 4.8% Vaudoise Assurances Holding pays a high and reliable dividend of 4.82%, placing it in the top 25% of Swiss dividend payers. The company has consistently increased its dividends over the past decade with minimal volatility. Recent earnings for H1 2024 showed net income rising to CHF 81.17 million from CHF 70.02 million, reinforcing its financial health. With payout ratios of 48.1% (earnings) and 30.3% (cash flow), the dividends are well-covered and sustainable, trading at a significant discount to estimated fair value. SWX:VAHN Dividend History as at Aug 2024 Summing It All Up Embark on your investment journey to our 26 Top SIX Swiss Exchange Dividend Stocks selection here. Shareholder in one or more of these companies? Ensure you're never caught off-guard by adding your portfolio in Simply Wall St for timely alerts on significant stock developments. Maximize your investment potential with Simply Wall St, the comprehensive app that offers global market insights for free. Interested In Other Possibilities? This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include SWX:JFN SWX:SREN and SWX:VAHN. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com FAIRFAX COUNTY Va. (DC News Now) The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia announced on Thursday that a Great Falls man pleaded guilty on July 23 to wire fraud. Court documents revealed 56-year-old Rick Tariq Rahim, deceived customers who wanted to invest using his automated trading bots, some of which traded forex, as well as copy his supposed trading activities on Discord. Rahim promoted his products through BotsforWealth, TradeAutomation.com, ProChartSignals.com, OptionCopier.com, CopyAndWin.com, SnipeAlgo.com, and QQQtrade.com. $4.3M in goods stolen Pittsburgh man found guilty of money laundering He persuaded customers to subscribe to his products through social media platforms including TikTok and YouTube. Rahim charged customers a subscription fee to access his bots, software and to copy his supposed trade activities. Rahim also offered a lifetime membership. The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Rahim traded stocks for at least two people claiming that Well hit home runs and make $500k+ per day very very often. However, he lost over $300,000 of his clients funds in a span of eight months. On March 15, Rahim pleaded guilty to failing to pay the IRS the taxes withheld from his employees paychecks. He has not filed a personal income tax return since 2012. He is scheduled to be sentenced for both the wire fraud scheme and his tax fraud on Dec. 20. The DOJ said Rahim faces up to 20 years in prison for the wire fraud scheme and five years in prison for his tax fraud conviction. 33-year-old Ian Taylor Higgins, from Florida, was also sentenced on Wednesday for his role in the wire fraud conspiracy. He was sentenced to three years in prison and will be ordered to pay restitution. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Famed filmmaker Oliver Stone is returning to Texas for special screenings. Heres where Lights, camera, action! Longtime filmmaker Oliver Stone is returning to Texas this time not to shoot movies, but to showcase them. Stone recently announced his plans to visit Texas Theatre in Dallas this October, where he will screen four of his films. Three of these films, including the iconic 1991 JFK, were shot in the Lone Star State. Here's what you need to know about the upcoming screenings. Schedule: When Stone's films are showing Thursday, Oct. 3: "Natural Born Killers" (two screenings) Friday, Oct. 4: "JFK" Saturday, Oct. 5: "Talk Radio" Sunday, Oct. 6: "Born on the Fourth of July" For showtimes and tickets, here is a look at Texas Theatre's calendar. Oliver Stone returns to Dallas for screenings where history meets Hollywood Stone, known for his gripping political thrillers, gained widespread acclaim for his 1991 film JFK. Filmed in Dallas, the movie follows New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrisons investigation into the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy at Dealey Plaza. Adding to the historical significance, Texas Theatrewhere Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for Kennedy's assassinationwill host the screenings. At each showing, Stone will participate in a live discussion with Dallas native and film critic Matt Zoller Seitz, who authored The Oliver Stone Experience, a book that explores Stones life and career. 'Natural Born Killers': Special screening According to WFAA, Stone will host two special 30th-anniversary screenings of his 1994 film Natural Born Killers. Based on a story by Quentin Tarantino, the film stars Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis as lovers-turned-serial killers. One screening will feature the film in 35mm, while the other will showcase a digital version. Both screenings will occur simultaneously, giving audiences the unique opportunity to experience Natural Born Killers in different formats and gain a deeper appreciation for its visual and thematic impact. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 'JFK' screening in Dallas: Oliver Stone to host special screenings A family of three, including an infant just 3 months old, was rescued in Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas on Aug. 20 after running out of water. The parents, both 23, alerted park rangers of their distress sometime around 4:15 p.m., according to a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) press release. They were experiencing signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion when they were discovered. The family set out sometime mid-morning from the Pine Springs Trailhead along the Tejas Trail, according to park rangers. The hike is strenuous, rated as Hard on AllTrails, and connects to the Hunter Peak Loop. By 3 p.m., they had run out of water in the 90-degree heat. Rangers quickly dispatched a Pilatus PC-12 aircraft to search for the family following their call for help. They discovered them and sent an Airbus H-125 helicopter to assist in the rescue. A Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) performed an on-site medical examination of the stranded family. All three were loaded into the helicopter and flown to safety for further medical evaluations. Texas DPS has yet to release an update on the familys condition. Family rescued guadalupe mountains national park While the initial press release stated that the family had hiked 9 miles out along the trail, when GearJunkie called Guadalupe Mountains National Park and spoke with a ranger who had been on the scene, she said that was not the case. According to her, the family was a lot closer than they had initially thought. Hiking in the desert, especially in the summer, can be a dangerous endeavor. Places like the Guadalupe Mountains can sustain temperatures of 80 to over 90 degrees for many hours throughout the day. It can be extremely dangerous if you are unprepared or unaware of the risks. Earlier this year, a man died in Death Valley National Park after hiking just 1 mile in 118-degree heat. Here are a few tips from GearJunkie and the National Park Service for hiking in the desert (or anywhere its hot) and avoiding heat exhaustion and dehydration. Stay Cool, Stay Hydrated, Stay Safe: Hiking in Hot Weather trail sign on the Guadalupe Peak trail Water, Water, and More Water It sounds obvious, but drinking a lot of water while hiking, especially in the heat of summer and/or in an arid environment, is essential. People are supposed to drink half a liter of water an hour during moderate exercise in moderate heat. For strenuous exercise in hotter temperatures, it should be closer to a full liter per hour. That may sound like a lot of water, but its what your body needs to stay cool and hydrated. Hike Early or Late, But Not in Between Deserts reach peak heat between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The coolest times of day are in the early morning and late evening. Hiking in the middle of the day and afternoon is generally not recommended. Even if you are prepared with a lot of water, exercise in 80+ degree temperatures with high sun exposure can be dangerous. Consider the time of year youre hiking as well. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, for instance, recommends hiking there in the spring or fall. Plan Your Route Spontaneity can be a lot of fun when it comes to dinner plans or movie nights. However, on the trail, it can lead to some dangerous situations. Know where you are going ahead of time, what trail youll be hiking, how far it is, and the difficulty level. Use apps like onX or AllTrails and have your route pulled up when you disembark. Getting lost is the first step toward needing a rescue. Having a map is an easy way of avoiding that. Know Your Limits Dont try to hike trails that are beyond your physical abilities. Overexertion is a huge contributor to heat exhaustion. Watch the Weather Part of planning any hike is checking the weather before you go. Forecasts arent always perfectly accurate, but they can help you decide what to bring, where to hike, and how long you should be out. Whether youre looking at a cloudless day, broken thunderstorms, or a blizzard, knowing what kind of weather to expect is a huge advantage for staying safe. The post Family With Baby Rescued From Desert After Running Out of Water in Texas National Park appeared first on GearJunkie. A combine at work in wheat fields in the Walla Walla region, during 2018. (Washington State Department of Agriculture) Farmers and truckers are appealing a lower court ruling in a case that would have required the state to rethink its fuel exemption process under Washingtons cap-and-trade program. Farm fuel users have pushed the Department of Ecology to find fixes, saying under the Climate Commitment Act theyve paid unfair surcharges on fuel that is supposed to be exempt. The Washington Farm Bureau and the Washington Trucking Association took Ecology to court in hopes that a judge would force the state to reopen rulemaking for the exemption process, but a Thurston County judge dismissed that case earlier this month. Now, theyre asking the state Supreme Court to step in. Judge (Chris) Laneses decision to dismiss the case without explanation leaves agriculture with no other option but to pursue an appeal, said Bre Elsey, the Washington Farm Bureaus director of governmental affairs. We are committed to fighting for a solution that will relieve our farmers, ranchers, and transporters from these unlawful fees. Under the Climate Commitment Act, the agricultural, maritime and aviation sectors are supposed to be exempt from the laws cap on emissions and any fees fuel companies might pass along to customers to cover the cost of buying pollution allowances. Fuel used for trucking crops and other agricultural goods is supposed to be exempt through 2027. But once the program launched last year, farmers, fishermen and fuel distributors were quick to say the exemptions program was a mess, citing difficulties with tracking whether diesel fuel was being used for exempt purposes. They also said the process where exempt fuel buyers had to present certificates to fuel sellers was cumbersome and faulty. In response, the state set up a work group of more than 30 farmers, fuel distributors, climate advocates and others to discuss how to come up with a better system. Ecology then issued new guidance on how to report and document emissions that should be exempt. After the superior court ruling, the department said it would be responsive to concerns with the exemption process and work with fuel suppliers to track and report exempt fuels accurately. The Legislature also set aside $30 million to give rebates to farmers who say theyve paid the surcharges on their fuel. The application to receive that funding opened this week. Despite these steps, however, the Farm Bureau and the Washington Trucking Association say that without judicial intervention, the damage to agriculture and consumers will persist, according to a press release. The release adds that failure to fix the process will result in financial strain for those who rely on the exemptions. There is no specific timeline that the court has to decide if they want to take up a case, and it could take months before it moves forward. Faulty AC units keep shutting Wake schools down. It wont be easy or cheap to fix. This weeks heat wave is causing more Wake County schools to shut down early because of their air conditioning systems breaking down. Students at Sanderson High and Wakefield Middle were sent home early on Wednesday due to not having air conditioning at either Raleigh school. Both schools reopened Thursday morning. The early dismissals come as school administrators reported this week that the district has $140 million in HVAC needs and a severe shortage of technicians to maintain the equipment. School board members told staff that more needs to be done to address the situation and to communicate the extent of the problems to the public. We want great instruction, and were obligated to pay for that, said school board chair Chris Heagarty. But if kids cant be in school because its either too hot or too cold, theyre not going to get that great instruction. But maintenance staff warned theres only so much they can do given their limited resources. My pie is finite, said Nate Slavik, senior director for maintenance and operations. We cut it up to provide all sorts of services, not just to HVAC, and I dont want to limit any of those services so that we can do any one thing. Were trying to do our best with the resource we have to get everybody everything. Its just a struggle. A student walks by the front entrance of Sanderson High School in Raleigh, N.C., in this file photo. Sanderson students were dismissed early on Aug. 28, 2024 due to air conditioning problems. Schools feel problems are ignored Over the past year, schools across the district have sent students home early or closed for the day because air conditioning systems were not keeping classrooms cool enough. Administrators briefed the school boards facilities committee this week on the status of HVAC systems across the county. Wake has 5,600 pieces of HVAC equipment at more than 200 facilities. Half of the 5,800 emergency work orders over the past 12 months have been related to HVAC issues. There have been another 2,300 HVAC work orders over the past year that were labeled as urgent. At least one principal has stopped submitting HVAC work orders because she feels theyre being ignored, according to school board vice chair Monika Johnson-Hostler. She lost teachers because theyre in rooms that dont have adequate heating and air, Johnson-Hostler said. We talked about people leaving for schools that may be harder to teach in. We have people leaving for schools that dont have an HVAC issue. 50% HVAC technician vacancy rate Administrators said Wake doesnt have enough staff to adequately maintain the districts aging HVAC equipment. Wake only has eight of the 15 HVAC technician positions filled. Both of the specialized chiller technician positions are vacant. The district now heavily relies on contractors to do much of the HVAC work. Insufficient pay was cited for the vacancies, so board members asked about making the salaries more competitive. Higher pay is under consideration, but Superintendent Robert Taylor warned that will only go so far. If we get into a bidding war with private industry, were going to lose every time, Taylor told board members. $140 million in HVAC needs Staff estimated Wakes HVAC needs to be around $140 million. Wake now spends $22.5 million a year on major HVAC repairs. Chiller units at eight schools are under repair. More than 20 schools have HVAC designs that dont adequately dehumidify classrooms. Work on HVAC projects at 42 schools is in various stages. Administrators said they need 16 months of lead time on projects because it takes that long for some chiller equipment to arrive. The work takes people, and if you increase the budget by $50 million next year, well have $30-35 million still sitting in the pot because we dont have the manpower to do it, said Tony Champion, director of lifecycle and facility assessments. Wake blames the state In North Carolina, the state is responsible for providing the money to operate public schools. Counties are primarily charged with providing the money to build and maintain schools. Heagarty, the board chair, accused state lawmakers of not providing enough money to operate schools. He said its caused the school system to rely on the county to help with operational needs such as providing higher salaries for teachers. The cost is that those are resources that arent available for what local governments are supposed to do, which is take care of the bricks and mortar and all these important systems, Heagarty said. Board members asked staff to improve communication with the public about what it would take to improve the HVAC situation. You have a board that would like us to be more aggressive in finding the funding, with an understanding that while we do that weve got to increase the staffing levels, said board member Sam Hershey, chair of the facilities committee. Otherwise finding that funding is not going to be impactful. A person holding a flag representing the transgender community. The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday upheld Alabama's ban on gender-affirming medical care. (Getty) The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday refused to reconsider a three-judge panels decision to allow Alabamas ban on gender-affirming medical care. Ten of the circuits 11 judges participated in the ruling, including U.S. Circuit Judges Barbara Lagoa and Andrew Brasher, both appointed by former President Donald Trump and members of the panel that allowed the ban to go into effect last year. The 173-page decision featured five separate opinions, including a concurrence from Lagoa, who wrote the panels original opinion. In that opinion, Lagoa cited the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Medical Center, where Justice Samuel Alito wrote that the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution does not protect any right not deeply rooted in the nations history and traditions. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Lagoas concurrence said that there is no historical record affirming a parental right for gender-affirming health care for minors and that Alabamas law did not violate the 14th Amendments equal protection clause. Lagoa also cited reports that had been issued since she first wrote her opinion. While we must evaluate the district courts work on the record that it had in front of it at the time, recent revelations confirm the danger that comes from hastening to afford constitutional protection in this area, the judge wrote. Lagoas reasoning and her citing of additional data after the original decision drew criticism from U.S. Circuit Court Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum, appointed by former President Barack Obama. In a dissent joined by U.S. Circuit Court Judge Jill A. Pryor and partially joined by U.S. Circuit Court Judge Adalberto Jordan, also Obama appointees, Rosenbaum wrote that Lagoas initial opinion applied an unprecedented methodology that would require judges to look at how treatment was considered in 1868, when the 14th Amendment was ratified. So in the states of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, blistering, blood-letting, and leeches are in, but antibiotics, antivirals, and organ transplants are out, she wrote. U.S. Circuit Court Judge Charles R. Wilson dissented in a separate opinion, joined by Jordan. Jordan also wrote a dissenting opinion, joined by Rosenbaum and Pryor. Alabamas 2022 ban makes it a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, for physicians to prescribe puberty blockers or hormones to a transgender person under the age of 19. The law also bans genital surgeries, which doctors have stressed are not performed on minors in the state. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall wrote in a social media post Thursday that the law continues to be enforced. This is a big win to protect children from these untested and life-altering chemical and surgical procedures, he wrote. A message was left with the Attorney Generals Office Thursday. Transgender youth and their families sued to block the law, arguing that it unconstitutionally deprived them of treatments necessary for their physical and psychological well-being. During a hearing on the ban in May 2022, those who worked with transgender youth said the treatments were safe and effective and highlighted the multiple rounds of counseling and parental consultation that take place before a youth is prescribed the treatments. The Southern Poverty Law Center; the National Center for Lesbian Rights, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders and the Human Rights Campaign, which represented the plaintiffs in the case, wrote in a Wednesday statement that they were disappointed by the ruling but encouraged by the dissents. Families, not the government, should make medical decisions for children, they wrote. The evidence presented in the case overwhelmingly showed that the banned treatments provide enormous benefits to the adolescents who need them, and that parents are making responsible decisions for their own children. We will continue to challenge this harmful measure and to advocate for these young people and their parents. Laws like this have no place in a free country. A message was left with King and Spalding LLC and with attorneys from Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC, who are co-counsel for the private plaintiffs. U.S. District Court Judge Liles C. Burke blocked the medication ban in 2022 after a hearing. Burke wrote that at least 22 major medical associations in the country endorsed transitioning medicines as safe and well-established for minors with gender dysphoria and that Alabama had failed to present evidence otherwise. In the three-judge panel opinion overturning Burke last year, Lagoa wrote that previous due process cases do not establish a fundamental right to gender-affirming care. In her Wednesday opinion, Lagoa wrote that the panel was correct to conclude a lack of fundamental right, but she had wanted to write further about her doubts about the plaintiffs arguments. In her dissent, Rosenbaum wrote that the Lagoa Statement now tries to engage in a do-over. She wrote that the panel did not find the district courts findings to be clearly erroneous. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Updated at 3:01 p.m. to correct Steve Marshalls title to Alabama attorney general. An earlier version listed him as U.S. attorney general. A federal judge ruled a lawsuit against a metro-east coal plant can move forward, saying an environmental groups allegations are sufficient for the case to proceed. The Sierra Club sued Prairie State Generating Company over its operation of a coal-fired power plant in Washington County in the hopes to shut the plant down. The plant sits about 45 miles from downtown St. Louis and 30 miles southeast of Belleville. The national environmental group alleges the plant has been operating and emitting harmful air pollutants without necessary permits required by the federal Clean Air Act. The Sierra Club filed the lawsuit last year. Prairie State, a coal plant that provides energy to 180 communities across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, has ranked as one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases in the state, which trap heat in the atmosphere and cause climate change, according to records from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Sierra Club also said the plant emits high levels of other air pollutants including ozone, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Alyssa Harre, a spokeswoman for the coal plant, said the company is operating legally under a permit required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. While the company is disappointed the court did not dismiss the lawsuit, it remains committed to working with state regulators. Sierra Clubs California-based Environmental Law Program is bringing this politically motivated suit in an attempt to circumvent the Illinois regulatory process, which could introduce instability to the electric grid to the detriment of the consumers we serve, Harre said in a statement. Attorneys for the coal plant hoped to dismiss the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Illinois. The defendants argued that the Sierra Club had failed to prove the coal plant broke any laws and the Oakland-based environmental group does not have the legal grounds to sue. In the ruling on Aug. 9, Magistrate Judge Reona Daly said the allegations are sufficient to move forward with the case. Daly acknowledged that this effectively accepts the allegation that the plant has been operating for a decade without a permit, and that the state and federal governments have simply ignored the facilitys existence. But Daly went on to say, while the dismissal raises certain issues, they are not before the court. The undersigned could only speculate as to why [Prairie State] can continue operating without a permit, in seeming contravention of federal and state statutes, Daly wrote. The undersigned further acknowledges that the ultimate relief sought by [the Sierra Club] halting the operations of a power source for millions of people is an extraordinary request, by any standard. In a statement, a representative for the Sierra Club said an operating permit is a fundamental requirement of the Clean Air Act to ensure proper oversight. No power plant is above the law, especially one that is among the most polluting and deadly coal plants in the country, said Christine Nannicelli, Illinois senior campaign representative with the Sierra Club. This legal development comes at a time of change and transition for the coal industry in the state of Illinois. Thanks to legislation passed by the Illinois Legislature and signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker in 2021, Prairie State and other publicly-owned plants will be required to become 100% carbon free by 2045. Other coal plants, owned by private investors and not municipalities, will be required to shut down by 2030 under the legislation, dubbed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. You screw around, you find out: Detectives fire shots at federal suspect who tried striking them with car in Pasco RIVER RIDGE, Fla. (WFLA) A federal suspect was hospitalized following an officer-involved shooting in Pasco County on Thursday afternoon. The Pasco County Sheriffs Office with the United States Marshals Task Force said that they were trying to locate a man for federal warrants after receiving a tip Wednesday night that the man was in New Port Richey. Man dies in workplace accident in Tampa involving auger, officials say Detectives attempted to pull over the suspect, identified as 40-year-old Tom Rose when they were led on a brief pursuit. He knew law enforcement was chasing him, Sheriff Chris Nocco said on Thursday in a press conference. Shortly after, Rose was found at a Home Depot in the area of River Ridge. As officials worked to apprehend the suspect, Rose attempted to strike and kill authorities with his vehicle. Thats when authorities fired shots back. You screw around, you find out, the Sheriff added. You screwed around today, you tried to hurt Pasco detectives, you found out whats gonna happen. Were going to shoot at you. Rose was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Definitely a dangerous situation, Sheriff Nocco said. He is a very violent individual. On Wednesday evening, Rose made a statement to an unknown individual saying that if anyone contacts the police, they would have to answer to him and that he would take cops with him. Nearby schools were put on a precautionary controlled campus status, but deputies said this was an isolated incident and that there was no threat to the public. This remains an ongoing investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Key Insights Insiders appear to have a vested interest in Brazilian Rare Earths' growth, as seen by their sizeable ownership A total of 7 investors have a majority stake in the company with 56% ownership Ownership research, combined with past performance data can help provide a good understanding of opportunities in a stock A look at the shareholders of Brazilian Rare Earths Limited (ASX:BRE) can tell us which group is most powerful. With 37% stake, individual insiders possess the maximum shares in the company. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company. So, insiders of Brazilian Rare Earths have a lot at stake and every decision they make on the companys future is important to them from a financial point of view. In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Brazilian Rare Earths. Check out our latest analysis for Brazilian Rare Earths What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Brazilian Rare Earths? Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index. Institutions have a very small stake in Brazilian Rare Earths. That indicates that the company is on the radar of some funds, but it isn't particularly popular with professional investors at the moment. So if the company itself can improve over time, we may well see more institutional buyers in the future. We sometimes see a rising share price when a few big institutions want to buy a certain stock at the same time. The history of earnings and revenue, which you can see below, could be helpful in considering if more institutional investors will want the stock. Of course, there are plenty of other factors to consider, too. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Brazilian Rare Earths. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Kuda Huraa Mining Ventures And Global Investments Corp with 11% of shares outstanding. Todd Hannigan is the second largest shareholder owning 10.0% of common stock, and Bernardo Sanchez da Veiga holds about 7.1% of the company stock. Note that the second and third-largest shareholders are also Top Key Executive and Member of the Board of Directors, respectively, meaning that the company's top shareholders are insiders. We did some more digging and found that 7 of the top shareholders account for roughly 56% of the register, implying that along with larger shareholders, there are a few smaller shareholders, thereby balancing out each others interests somewhat. Story continues While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. While there is some analyst coverage, the company is probably not widely covered. So it could gain more attention, down the track. Insider Ownership Of Brazilian Rare Earths The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO. I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions. Our most recent data indicates that insiders own a reasonable proportion of Brazilian Rare Earths Limited. Insiders have a AU$239m stake in this AU$656m business. We would say this shows alignment with shareholders, but it is worth noting that the company is still quite small; some insiders may have founded the business. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling. General Public Ownership The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 34% stake in Brazilian Rare Earths. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders. Private Company Ownership Our data indicates that Private Companies hold 20%, of the company's shares. It's hard to draw any conclusions from this fact alone, so its worth looking into who owns those private companies. Sometimes insiders or other related parties have an interest in shares in a public company through a separate private company. Public Company Ownership We can see that public companies hold 6.9% of the Brazilian Rare Earths shares on issue. This may be a strategic interest and the two companies may have related business interests. It could be that they have de-merged. This holding is probably worth investigating further. Next Steps: While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with Brazilian Rare Earths (at least 1 which can't be ignored) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. (BCN) A controversial owner of several towing companies in San Francisco has been charged again by federal prosecutors with insurance fraud, three weeks after a similar case, along with other various criminal complaints, was filed against him. In a statement Wednesday, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of California said that towing company operator Jose Vicente Badillo along with co-defendants Kirill Afanasyev, Jason Naraja, and Jaime Respicio were charged in an indictment with various crimes related to two schemes to defraud auto insurance companies. Based on the indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Aug. 20, San Francisco residents Afanasyev and Badillo, and Pleasant Hill resident Respicio conspired to defraud a car insurance company by filing a hoax insurance claim on a wrecked car that Afanasyev bought in May 2019. 4 injured after 2 Muni buses collide with each other in SFs Bayview When Afanasyev bought the car, it was allegedly not drivable with serious front-end damage. Based on the indictment, Respicio obtained an insurance policy and took title to the car before Afanasyev, posing as Respicio, falsely reported to the insurance company in August 2019 that Respicio had been in a single-car crash in it in San Francisco. Afanasyev allegedly made fake statements and misrepresentations to the insurance company, which sent Respicio an insurance reimbursement check for $47,856.34. Federal prosecutors said Badillo agreed to falsely document that his towing company had towed the wrecked car from the purported crash location. This was their first insurance fraud scheme, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Federal prosecutors said Afanasyev, Badillo, and Hayward resident Naraja then allegedly engaged in a second conspiracy and scheme to defraud another insurance company by submitting a fake insurance claim regarding a crash involving multiple vehicles that had been staged by Badillo in San Mateo County. Badillo and Afanasyev allegedly planned the staged crash in which the towing company operator loaded a vehicle carrier with four vehicles most of which were undriveable or had pre-existing damage and purposefully drove them off the road on Guadalupe Canyon Parkway in San Mateo County in August 2019. California ordered to pause its No-Beard Policy on peace officers Federal prosecutors said Badillo reported this crash to his insurance company, and along with Afanasyev, Naraja and another individual, made hoax or misleading statements to an insurance company representative. The insurance company reportedly denied Badillos claim as a hoax but paid one of his towing companies $5,210 for its recovery, towing and storage of vehicles involved in the staged crash. Authorities said that at the time of the alleged offenses in 2019, Badillo owned or controlled at least two companies engaged in the business of towing vehicles: Joses Towing LLC and Auto Towing LLC, both of which operated out of San Francisco. In the first conspiracy and scheme to defraud case, Afanasyev, Badillo and Respicio are charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud. Afanasyev and Respicio are also charged with one count of money laundering. In the second similar case, Afanasyev, Badillo and Naraja are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and four counts of wire fraud. Naraja and Respicio were arrested in Hayward and Pleasant Hill, respectively, on Tuesday, and were released on $50,000 bonds at their initial appearances on Wednesday. Prosecutors said Naraja is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday at 10:30 a.m., while Respicio will also appear in court on Sept. 5 for arraignment and identification of counsel. Badillo, who was previously arrested and made his initial appearance in another fraud case on Aug. 8, is set for arraignment and identification of counsel in both cases on Friday at 10:30 a.m. The U.S. Attorneys Office said that if convicted, Afanasyev, Badillo and Respicio each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, plus restitution, if appropriate, on each of counts 1 through 3, which charge mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit the same. Afanasyev and Respicio face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the amount of criminally derived property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater, plus restitution, if appropriate, on count 4, which charges money laundering. Afanasyev, Badillo, and Naraja each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, plus restitution, if appropriate, on each of counts 5 through 9, which charge wire fraud and conspiracy to commit the same. Last August, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu initiated debarment proceedings against Auto Towing, and in February they were officially prohibited from bidding on or receiving city contracts. Badillo also co-owned another towing businesses in San Francisco between 2018 and 2023, namely Specialty Towing and Recovery. All of his towing companies reportedly generated over $2 million in gross annual income. Chius office said Badillo was debarred for illegally towing cars of vulnerable individuals from a private commercial parking lot, limiting the times vehicles could be retrieved, and pressuring vehicle owners to pay in cash. He has previously been charged by San Francisco prosecutors for fraud scheme. Last October, Chius office charged Badillo and his partner Abigail Fuentes with multiple felonies stemming from an alleged welfare fraud. According to Chiu, Fuentes and Badillo allegedly lied about their substantial income and assets in order to receive public benefits they were not eligible for. Both suspects both received benefits under Medi-Cal, and Fuentes received additional benefits from CalFresh and CalWORKs, prosecutors said. Copyright 2024 Bay City News, Inc. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Rivian Electric Delivery Vehicles (EDV) are seen connected to electric chargers during a launch event between Amazon and Rivian at an Amazon facility on July 21, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Mustafa Hussain/Getty Images) Rivian Electric Delivery Vehicles (EDV) are seen connected to electric chargers during a launch event between Amazon and Rivian at an Amazon facility on July 21, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Mustafa Hussain/Getty Images) Oregon, California and Washington are getting a major boost from the federal government to advance the shipment of goods by zero-emission trucks on Interstate 5. The U.S. Department of Transportation is giving the three states $102 million to create a network of charging and fueling stations to power battery and hydrogen-fuel cell semitrucks, according to a news release from Oregons congressional delegation on Tuesday. Additional federal funding will also pay Oregon $17 million to create two small-scale electric vehicle charging networks for standard vehicles. West Coast Truck Charging and Fueling Corridor Project map. (California Department of Transportation) Officials from Oregon, Washington and California transportation agencies pitched the idea of the West Coast zero-emission truck fueling corridor on I-5 to the U.S. Department of Transportation last year. They proposed to use federal money to build at least 34 medium and heavy-duty electric vehicle charging stations and five hydrogen fueling stations primarily along 1,400 miles of I-5 5 connecting highways to major freight hubs in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle. Its unclear how much of the $102 million will go to Oregon, or how many vehicle chargers or hydrogen fueling stations the state will be able to purchase. Matt Noble, a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Transportation, said the agency is waiting on those details from the federal government. Medium and heavy-duty trucks account for nearly 30% of the U.S.s total greenhouse gas emissions, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Transportation, including freight shipments, is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon, the state Department of Environmental Quality said. Local projects receiving additional grant funding include a network of vehicle charging stations in the central and northern parts of the Willamette Valley. For one of them, the city of Albany will get about $1.9 million to install EV chargers at four spots: in its historic downtown area, at a park-and-ride lot connected to the citys bus system, at a commercial area near I-5 and Oregon 99 east and at a city-owned parking lot serving the still dormant Mid-Willamette Valley Intermodal Center off of I-5. Another $15 million will go to the Neighbors Charging Up program, or TANC-UP, to bring EV chargers to communities in the northern Willamette Valley. TANC-UP is a coalition led by the city of Tualatin, with participation from 16 neighboring cities, including Portland, Beaverton, Gresham, King City and Lake Oswego. The group hopes to bring 1,000 EV charging ports to the area, with a priority on installations in low- and middle-income neighborhoods and multi-family housing and apartments. Chargers will also be installed at libraries, parks and community centers. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Felon arrested for shooting up parked car in Batavia ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Police arrested a man in Batavia for allegedly shooting a parking car on the street. The New York State Police responded to the Babcock Mobile Home Park on Clinton Street Road Wednesday night and found an unoccupied Ford Explorer parked on the street shot in the windshield several times. After determining where the gunshots came from, troopers arrested 48-year-old Robert Talbot in a nearby home. Troopers said he is a convicted felon. A search of the home uncovered a rifle and a shotgun. Talbot was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree criminal mischief, and two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was taken to the Genesee County CAP Court for arraignment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Georgia voting rights advocates are encouraging members of the public who oppose recent changes to the states election rules to make their voices heard at Gov. Brian Kemps office and during the next State Election Board meeting on Sept. 20. Three Donald Trump-supporting members of the State Election Board Janelle King, Rick Jeffares, and Janice Johnston have faced widespread criticism from the voting rights community for approving new election rules less than three months before the Nov. 5 general election matchup between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Democrats and some Republicans including Georgia GOP Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger have sounded the alarm. The proposed rules include allowing county election board members to conduct a reasonable inquiry before certifying election results in November and requiring ballots be hand-counted to ensure their totals match the number of people who voted on Election Day, a stipulation metro Atlanta election board leaders have complained may be impossible to complete within six days, as required by state law. The rule changes violate state ethics guidelines, according to multiple election law experts and Democratic lawmakers, who filed a related lawsuit on Monday after calling on Kemp to force the three State Election Board members who approved the changes to step down. Kemp has sought clarification from Attorney General Chris Carr as to whether the governor has the power to take action against the board members, who Trump named and called pit bulls fighting for honesty, transparency, and victory during a recent campaign rally in Atlanta. Fair Fight Action CEO Lauren Groh-Wargo says these rule changes could disproportionately impact Black Georgia voters. She added that people who oppose the rule changes are not powerless to stop them, and advocated for folks to contact Kemps office and let him know where voters stand on the matter. Call Governor Kemp and tell him to shut down the certification challenges at the State Election Board, Groh-Wargo told reporters during a Wednesday morning press conference. You can also submit public comment to the State Election Board, and weve been doing big pushes on public comment. Georgia residents can submit public comments for the next State Election Board meeting via email at SEBPublicCommments@sos.ga.gov. They can also attend the State Election Board meeting in person inside the state Capitol on Sept. 20. A pro-Trump conspiracy? Fair Fight Action says Georgians who believe Trumps claims about widespread voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election have spent the past four years making their voices heard at State Election Board meetings and inside the Gold Dome. That push led to the passage of controversial election integrity laws like Senate Bill 202 and Senate Bill 189. It also motivated State Election Board members to approve rule changes in recent weeks that critics argue will create legal chaos on Election Day. Thats exactly what Trump and his supporters want, according to a recent Rolling Stone report that notes similar efforts by pro-Trump operatives to take control of county election boards in other battleground states. Emails between some pro-Trump election board members and their contacts, which were obtained by Rolling Stone, show a coordinated effort to disrupt the election certification process. The apparent goal, according to multiple voting rights advocates, may be to take the election out of voters hands and put it into the hands of courtroom judges the same thing that happened in Bush v. Gore in 2000. Its very likely that these issues end up before the Supreme Court, attorney Allegra Lawrence-Hardy, who specializes in election law, told reporters on Wednesday. The question is whether that happens sooner rather than later, whether these issues end up getting resolved before the election or after. Lawrence-Hardy said she worked on the Bush v. Gore case during the 2000 presidential election cycle. She acknowledged the current 6-3 conservative lean on the Supreme Court, which, in recent years, has undone decades of legal precedent to rule against federal abortion rights, affirmative action, and the Chevron Doctrine. The latter ruling undermined the power of federal agencies like the FDA and the EPA to regulate major corporations. The Supreme Court also sided with Trump in its Trump v. United States ruling, which determined a president should receive presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. Skepticism about whether the Supreme Court will uphold and enforce long-standing precedent is understandable in this climate, Lawrence-Hardy said. When it comes to certification, however, both the law and the practical realities of administering elections dictate that certification should remain a nondiscretionary function of our officials. If pro-Trump county election board members in Georgia refuse to certify election results, Lawrence-Hardy said, a judge could fine them or even throw them in jail. Judges have broad discretion, particularly if someone defies a court order, like an order to certify, by holding that person in contempt of court, she said. The Black vote in Georgia The effort to change election rules less than three months before the next presidential election is an attempt by pro-Trump Republicans to undermine the electoral power of Black voters in Georgia, according to Groh-Wargo. She noted that votes cast in majority-Black Clayton County, which is part of civil rights legend John Lewis former congressional district, have been credited with securing Joe Bidens victory over Trump in the Peach State. Biden received more than 94,000 votes in Clayton County in 2020 nearly 85% of all votes cast in the district. He won Georgia that year by 11,779 votes. This is, full stop, an election denial, voter suppression conspiracy meant to set the table to be able to successfully do what they failed to do last time, which was, throw out 11,700 votes of Black Georgians, Groh-Wargo said. The public discourse over that winter was about the power of Georgias Black voters in the most African American battleground state. Vote early and bring a friend Groh-Wargo said the most important move for voters to make this fall is to cast their ballots and tell others to do the same. She encouraged Georgia residents to participate in early voting so they have time to correct any problems they may encounter before Election Day on Nov. 5. Voting rights advocates are encouraging voters to check their voter registration status often online and make sure theyre registered by Georgias Oct. 7 deadline. Early voting in this years presidential election begins on Oct. 15 and ends on Nov. 1. The post How to Fight Back Against Controversial State Election Board Rule Changes appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta. In a city known for its private members clubs battling for exclusivity, one gilded room in Manhattan reigns supreme: a powerful club of countries within the United Nations headquarters that has resisted adding a new member for nearly eight decades. The UN Security Council has been dominated by just five countries (the United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom) since its inception from the ashes of World War II, when much of the world was still under colonial rule. Today, countries around the world get to take turns in the council as non-permanent members, but no country in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America or the Caribbean has the permanent members crucial veto power. The veto allows permanent members, known as the P5, to block any resolution, ranging from peacekeeping missions to sanctions, in defense of their national interests and foreign policy decisions. But there is a renewed push to reform this colonial-era world order. As world leaders prepare to return to the UN headquarters for the annual General Assembly this September, Sierra Leones President Julius Maada Bio has reiterated Africas longstanding pitch to reform the council, including two new permanent member spots for African countries. African issues take up nearly 50% of the councils daily business, and the bulk of its resolutions concerning peace and security. The continent is also home to more than a quarter of UN member states and more than a billion people but remains grossly underrepresented in this vital organ of the UN, Bio told a high-level meeting in August. Sierra Leone represents the African Group at the United Nations, comprised of the 54 countries from the continent. A senior diplomat at the UN told CNN that Africa currently holds a lot of sway among the P5 countries, the final arbiters on any reform, as Russia and America scramble for influence in the continent. The council, responsible for maintaining global peace and security, has the power to deploy peacekeeping missions, authorize the use of force, impose sanctions, and pass resolutions many of which have enjoyed great effectiveness despite high-profile deadlocks on Russias invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war. More than a dozen peer-reviewed studies have found that the bulk of UN peace-keeping missions have helped curb violence and reduce conflict in countries such as Sierra Leone. The yearslong push to reform the UNs most powerful body is gaining political momentum: US President Joe Biden even made the case for permanent seats for Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean during a speech to the UN in 2022. Some diplomats are optimistic that Septembers general debate when national leaders address the assembly and which the UN hopes will be used as a critical moment to reflect on the future of the multilateral system will see consensus around a roadmap for Security Council reform. Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio addresses the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York City on September 20, 2023. - Eduardo Munoz/Reuters The summits draft document, Pact for the Future, acknowledges the need to fix the historical injustice against Africa as a priority and Africas special status in negotiations going forward. For the first time, we are now seeing movement, says Alexander Marschik, Austrias UN envoy, who co-chairs an intergovernmental group on negotiations for the Security Council. The group has been discussing reform for up to 20 years, he told CNN. While September is unlikely to bring an expansion of the council, we might see a track, a blueprint on how to get the expansion done in reasonable time, according to Marschik. On Tuesday, the General Assembly adopted an oral decision reaffirming its central role concerning council reform, and voted to include the issue in the upcoming sessions agenda. Growing stalemate Deep divisions among the permanent members have led to growing frustration with the Security Councils inability to stem the worlds biggest problems, from bloody conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, to the threat of nuclear weapons and climate change. US and Russia often exercise their veto to either protect a client state, in the case of Israel or Syria, or to protect their own national interests, as in the case with Russia vetoing on Ukraine, Anjali Dayal, a UN expert and an international politics assistant professor at Fordham University, told CNN. France and the United Kingdom have limited their use of veto power since 1989. But the post-Cold-War years have seen the US, Russia, and China use the chamber to exonerate their allies and shield themselves from the consequences of their unpopular foreign policy decisions, she added. Sierra Leones foreign minister believes more equity in the council would help break the gridlock and lend it more credibility. There are many conflicts where the UN Security Council has actually come up with resolutions that are not readily implemented, which shows the inefficiency of the council at the moment, Timothy Musa Kabba told CNN at the countrys UN mission office in New York. He added that in a world that is more diverse, that is more globalized, interconnected, there is need for the council to be democratized for representation based on geography. The Security Council is responsible for maintaining global peace and security and has the power to deploy peacekeeping missions. - Amaury Falt-Brown/AFP/Getty Images Beyond the five veto-wielding powers, there are ten non-permanent seats, three of which go to Africa, on the council. The non-permanent seats dont have veto powers, and they are elected by region by the General Assembly for a two-year term. Theres agreement among the councils permanent members and diplomats in the halls of the UNs iconic midtown Manhattan complex that it is time to evolve. But rivalries and national interests among the UNs 193 member states have blocked attempts to change as they struggle to agree on which countries to include, the scale of the enlargement of permanent and non-permanent members; and what their powers on the council will look like. Brazil and India, for example, would like permanent spots on the council, a prospect that would not go down well with Indias longtime rivals, Pakistan and China, or Argentina and Mexico in Brazils case, said one UN diplomat. Decades-long debate Beyond the African Union push for two permanent and an additional two non-permanent seats on the council, there are at least five other constellations of UN member states that have their own separate ideas on what reform should look like. This is a conversation thats been happening for decades, Daniel Forti, Senior Analyst for UN Advocacy and Research at the Crisis Group, told CNN. Diplomats havent agreed on a formula on how to expand the council in a way that gets a two-thirds majority plus Washington, Moscow, and Beijing to all agree on the same formulation. Theres more political momentum to this, but it doesnt mean were necessarily any step closer to achieving reform, he added. For example, any attempt to remove veto powers from the P5 would be non-starter and is not something the big three would ever agree with, a senior UN diplomat told CNN, meaning the US, Russia and China. But what could work is lowercase reform, say experts and diplomats, who point to a 2022 initiative tabled by Liechtenstein that was adopted by the General Assembly. It mandates that any veto case by the P5 be debated in the General Assembly. While the process cannot overturn a veto, it raises the political cost of the P5 exercising their unilateral power. Enlargement is possible, say advocates, pointing to 1963 when the council was enlarged from 10 to 15 member states. So maybe, on the other hand, maybe this is an opportunity, said a senior diplomat at the UN. I think the fact that people are talking about it, means theres more traction, the diplomat added. But were a long way away from real, operationalized Security Council reform. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russian troops in the Pokrovsk sector of Donetsk Oblast is "exceptionally brutal," Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Aug. 29. The Pokrovsk sector has been the scene of heavy battles for several months and a focal point of Russia's offensive in Donetsk Oblast. The town is an important logistical hub for the Ukrainian forces that supports their operations in the region. Pokrovsk had a pre-war population of around 80,000. The most intense fighting in the Pokrovsk sector is taking place on the eastern outskirts of the village of Hrodivka, along the border of Kamianyi Yar and Krasnyi Yar, and near Mykhailivka, located on the way to Selydove. The battle is also ongoing in the town of Novohrodivka, according to Syrskyi. "The fighting is exceptionally brutal. The enemy throws everything that can move and advance into the battle, trying to break through the defenses of our troops," the general said after visiting the eastern front. According to Syrskyi, Ukraine's main goal is to strengthen the defense "in the most difficult areas of the front" and to provide brigades with sufficient amount of ammunition and other equipment. President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier that Pokrovsk had become Russia's main target after its Kharkiv Oblast offensive failed. The military administration of Pokrovsk called on residents on Aug. 15 to evacuate immediately, as the Russian army was about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the town's outskirts. One of the objectives of Kyiv's ongoing Kursk Oblast operation was to divert a significant number of Russian forces from other sectors, primarily from the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions, Syrskyi said. Moscow has redeployed about 30,000 of its troops from other sectors to the Kursk direction, but keeps its most combat-ready units in the Pokrovsk sector, he added. Read also: Russian advance towards Pokrovsk slowed down after Ukraines Kursk incursion, Zelensky claims Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The mother of Palestinian boy Abdul Rahman Abu Al-Jidyan, who is the first person to contract polio in Gaza in 25 years, looks after him in their tent, in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip The mother of Palestinian boy Abdul Rahman Abu Al-Jidyan, who is the first person to contract polio in Gaza in 25 years, looks after him in their tent, in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Mohammad Salem CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinians in Gaza were waiting on Thursday to see if there would be a pause in fighting to allow a polio vaccination campaign to begin, as the conflict raged across the besieged enclave, killing at least 34 people. The United Nations is preparing to vaccinate an estimated 640,000 children in Gaza, where the World Health Organization confirmed on Aug. 23 that at least one baby has been paralysed by the type 2 poliovirus, the first such case in the territory in 25 years. The UN, which called for a humanitarian truce earlier this month, hopes to begin the vaccination campaign on Sept. 1, said Juliette Touma, communications director of UNRWA, the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency. The World Health Organization named the baby as Abdul-Rahman Abu Al-Jidyan. He will turn one year old on Sept. 1. His mother Nivine Abu Al-Jidyan said she feared for her son after she was told by health officials they could do little to help him. "I was shocked that my son got this disease amid the war and the closure of border crossings, under these conditions and lack of medicine for him, it's a shock. Would he remain like this?" Abu Al-Jidyan told Reuters on Thursday. "He is my only baby boy. It's his right to travel and be treated; it's his right to walk, run and move like before...It is unfair that he stays thrown in the tent without care or attention," she said from a tent in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. At Nasser Hospital, in the southern city of Khan Younis, Umm Eliane Bakr fears her 19-month-old daughter may be vulnerable to polio due to ill health brought on by malnutrition. She hopes her baby will be vaccinated soon, but said she is worried about moving safely in an area where there have been repeated Israeli strikes. "I cannot walk in the street and get bombed, or have something happen to my daughter, or have a targeted (attack). I need a truce, a ceasefire so I can give my daughter this injection (vaccine)," she told Reuters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week denied media reports Israel was preparing for a generalised humanitarian truce, saying that a more limited plan had been presented. "These are not pauses in the fighting to administer polio vaccines but only the allocation of certain places in the Gaza Strip," he said in a statement. Senior Hamas official Izzat El-Reshiq reiterated the group's support for the UN and international organisations' initiative for an urgent humanitarian truce across the enclave to allow the polio vaccination campaign. He described Netanyahu's statement as an attempt to thwart the process by refusing the UN call. FAMILY 'CONSUMED' BY FIRE On Thursday, Israeli forces continued to bombard areas across the Gaza Strip in their battle against Hamas-led militants. Palestinian health officials said Israeli military strikes have so far killed at least 34 people. One strike on a house in Gaza City killed eight Palestinians, including children, they said, while three others were killed when an Israeli missile hit a motorcycle in Rafah, near the border with Egypt. A neighbour of the bombed Gaza City house said they had managed to lower a ladder into the building to rescue a family trapped inside, but had only managed to extract one young girl. "After that, the fire consumed them and we could not reach them," he said. The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on Oct. 7 when Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's subsequent assault on the enclave has killed over 40,600 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry, while also displacing nearly the entire population of 2.3 million, causing a hunger crisis and leading to genocide allegations at the World Court that Israel denies. (This story has been refiled to update the toll to 34, not 20, in bullet point 3) (Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo and Mohammed Salem in Gaza. Additional reporting by Dawoud Abu Alkas in Gaza and Angel Maytaal in Jerusalem; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Ros Russell) A Thai court jailed a famous Spanish actor's son for life on Thursday for the grisly murder of a Colombian plastic surgeon on a tropical holiday island in a case that has gripped Spain. Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, a 30-year-old chef with a YouTube channel, was found guilty of the premeditated murder of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga on the tourist island of Koh Phangan last August. Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, the son of Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre is escorted while assisting Thai police with investigations after he was arrested on charges of murder in the death and dismemberment of his Colombian traveling companion Edwin Arrieta Arteaga on the tourist island of Koh Phangan, Thailand on August 7, 2023. / Credit: STRINGER / REUTERS The case has generated enormous interest in Spain because the defendant's father, Rodolfo Sancho, is a well-known actor, and scores of Spanish reporters flew in for the trial. Sancho's mother, Silvia Bronchalo, has also been in acting and both parents were at the sentencing, The Associated Press reported, adding that both are 49. Bussakorn Kaewleeled, a lawyer for the victim's family, said the family members were happy with the outcome. "The plaintiff is satisfied with the sentence because he will be put in prison for life and they receive some financial compensation," Bussakorn told reporters outside the court on the island of Koh Samui. "The verdict has been delivered, both sides have the right to appeal according to Thai law," Bussakorn added. When asked about Sancho's reaction, she said: "He is sad, but we can't forget the loss of the dead one." The court at first sentenced Sancho to death but commuted that to life imprisonment due to his cooperation during the trial, the AP reported, citing Police Col. Paisan Sangthep, deputy commander of the Surat Thani Provincial Police, who attended the hearing. Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho leaves the Koh Samui Provincial Court on August 29, 2024 after his son, Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, was handed a life sentence for the murder of Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga on the island of Koh Pha Ngan in August 2023. / Credit: LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA / AFP via Getty Images Lurid details of Arrieta's death Sancho claimed he killed Arrieta, 44, in self-defense and admitted hiding the body but denied destroying the Colombian's passport. The trial had testimony that Sancho chopped up Arrieta's body and put the parts in plastic bags before distributing them around Koh Phangan. Sancho led police to seven sites where he allegedly disposed of the victim's dismembered body in plastic bags, CBS News partner network BBC News reported. While Thailand still has the death penalty for some crimes, including premeditated murder, it rarely carries out executions -- the last being in 2018. Arrieta's family said before the verdict that they favored a sentence of life imprisonment. "Let him be left in Thailand so he can take time, all the time that God gives him to live, to think about what he did," Darling Arrieta, the victim's sister, said in an HBO documentary about the case. "He not only dismembered my brother, he dismembered a family." A picture of the Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, murdered by Daniel Sancho in Thailand, is displayed during a ceremony at a church in Monteria municipality, Cordoba department, Colombia, on August 10, 2023. / Credit: Photo by JOSE PERDOMO / AFP via Getty Images Disputed versions of events Sancho and Arrieta agreed to meet in person after getting to know each other online. Sancho's father said in the same HBO documentary that Arrieta had threatened his son, and then "there was a fight, and in this fight, there was an accident." The defense argued that Sancho acted in legitimate self-defense after Arrieta tried to force him to have sex. "He tried to rape me, and we fought," Sancho said in a statement quoted by the Spanish daily El Mundo. Sancho testified that Arrieta fell as they fought and hit his head on a bathtub, lost consciousness and died, the AP reported. Another lawyer for the victim's family, Juan Gonzalo Ospina, said in a recent interview with El Mundo that Sancho was living a "false reality." Ospina said it was proven at the trial in April that Sancho had bought knives, plastic bags and cleaning supplies before the crime and kept them in the room where the killing took place. According to IMDB, Rodolfo Sancho has dozens of film and TV credits to his name and starred in "El Ministerio del Tiempo" ("The Ministry of Time"). Major violations found at Boar's Head plant linked to listeria outbreak The nationwide push to get more electric school buses into circulation Appeals court revives lawsuit against TikTok over girl's death in "blackout challenge" This article looks at the 50 drunkest counties in every state in the US. You can skip our detailed analysis about excessive drinking in the country and head over directly to the 10 Drunkest Counties in Every State in the US. Drinking Alcohol Boon or Bane? The alcohol beverage industry in the United States was valued at $270 billion in 2022, with more than 3.4 billion cases sold. Beer/FMB/hard seltzer represented 44% of the share, followed by spirits at 40%, and wine at 16% share. The industry generates around $70 billion in tax revenue and sustains four million jobs across the country. While alcohol consumption in the US contributes significantly to the American economy, there is also an obvious downside to heavy drinking. READ ALSO: 20 Drunkest States in the US and 30 Drunkest Countries in the World. Excessive alcohol consumption accounts for around 178,000 deaths in the United States each year. It shortens the life expectancy of those who die by about 24 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Damages related to excessive drinking including healthcare costs, crashes, property damage, lost labor, lower productivity at work, and criminal justice needs cost the American economy close to $249 billion each year. Over $100 billion of the amount is paid for by the federal and state governments, primarily through Medicaid and Medicare payments. Shift in Drinking Habits While the booze industry continues to remain strong, health and fitness risks associated with drinking have resulted in a noticeable shift in alcohol consumption behavior both in the US and globally driven by Millennials and Generation Z who have become more conscious about the drinks they consume. There has been an increase in demand for low and no-alcohol beverages, and several companies are jumping on the bandwagon and producing drinks with all of the taste, but those that are low on or without alcohol. One such company is Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) which launched Budweiser Zero in 2022. This new zero-alcohol beverage was the companys first non-alcoholic beer, which offered a full flavor of the brew to enthusiasts who wanted to enjoy the beer, but without alcohol. The drink became a major sponsor during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The Arab country had announced a ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages in all eight of its football stadiums and restricted them only to private hospitality boxes and fan zones away from the stadium. That left football fans in Qatars stadiums with only one choice of beer Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD)s Budweiser Zero, which is not only non-alcoholic but also sugar-free. According to multiple reports, the company paid FIFA $75 million for sponsorship during the mega event. The brewing giants also recently secured sponsorship for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Story continues That said, alcoholic beverages remain the strong suit for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD), and Insider Monkey recently listed the company as one of the best alcohol stocks to buy now. During the second quarter of 2024, the company reported a revenue of $15.33 billion, which was 1.4% higher compared to the same period in 2023. EPS for the quarter was recorded at $0.90, up 25% from last year. The management owed these strong results to its megabrands that led to growth and increased market share in different global markets. You can read about other top-performing stocks in the industry by heading over to Beer Loses Fizz as Spirits Gain Popularity: Top 10 Stocks to Buy. While we acknowledge the potential of BUD as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than BUD but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. 50 Drunkest Counties in Every State in the US Pixabay/Public Domain Methodology We have picked counties in each state with the highest rate of excessive drinking among adults to rank the 50 drunkest counties in every state in the US. These counties are listed in ascending order of their excessive drinking rates. In cases where two or more counties had the same rates of excessive drinking, we resorted to using their percentage of driving deaths with alcohol involvement as a tiebreaker. In rare cases where they remained tied, we outranked the county having a higher population because that meant a large population of drunk people. Data for this article has been sourced from the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps and is for the year 2023. At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here). Lets now head over to the list of the drunkest counties in every state in the US. 50 Drunkest Counties in Every State in the US: 50. Summit County, Utah Excessive Drinking Rate: 15% Summit is a mountainous county in the state of Utah, with a population of around 42,000 residents. It has an excessive drinking rate of 15%. 49. Preston County, West Virginia Excessive Drinking Rate: 15% Preston is the drunkest county in West Virginia with an excessive drinking rate of 15%. Half of all accident-related deaths in the county are linked to drunk driving. 48. Ellis County, Oklahoma Excessive Drinking Rate: 16% Ellis County is the fifth least populous county in Oklahoma, with a population of close to 4,000 people. It has the highest rate of heavy drinking in the state. 47. Sandoval County, New Mexico Excessive Drinking Rate: 18% Sandoval is the drunkest county in New Mexico, with an excessive drinking rate of 18%. 36 alcohol-impaired driving deaths were reported in the county in 2023. 46. Harrison County, Mississippi Excessive Drinking Rate: 19% Mississippi has an excessive drinking rate of 16%. In Harrison County, it is reported at 19%, making it the drunkest county in the state. It is followed by Jackson County at 18%. 45. New Castle County, Delaware Excessive Drinking Rate: 19% New Castle is the drunkest county in the state of Delaware, with an excessive drinking rate of 19%. Around 23% of all accident-related deaths in the county are alcohol-influenced. 44. Williamson County, Tennessee Excessive Drinking Rate: 19% Williamson is the wealthiest county in Tennessee and is also its drunkest with a 19% excess drinking rate. There were 85 deaths caused by accidents in Williamson County in 2023; of them, 21 were alcohol-impaired. 43. Baldwin County, Alabama Excessive Drinking Rate: 19% Baldwin has an excessive drinking rate of 19%, which is three percentage points higher than Alabamas state average of 16%, making it the drunkest county in the state. 42. Cleburne County, Arkansas Excessive Drinking Rate: 19% Cleburne is a county in Arkansas with a population above 24,000 people. According to the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, the county has an excessive drinking rate of 19% among adults. 41. Piatt County, Illinois Excessive Drinking Rate: 19% A staggering 64% of all accident-related deaths in Piatt County are linked to drunk driving. With an excessive drinking rate of 19%, it is the drunkest county in the state of Illinois. 40. Pickens County, Georgia Excessive Drinking Rate: 20% One-fifth of the adult population in Pickens County indulge in excessive drinking, making it the drunkest county in Georgia. 39. Hancock County, Indiana Excessive Drinking Rate: 20% Six counties in Indiana, including Hancock, Dubois, Montgomery, Monroe, Morgan, and Spencer have a high excessive drinking rate of 20%. Hancock edges out the rest as it has a higher drunk driving rate of 27%. The county has a population of 83,000 residents. 38. Kenton County, Kentucky Excessive Drinking Rate: 20% Kenton County in Kentucky has a population of approximately 172,000 residents. It is the drunkest county in the state with an excessive drinking rate of 20%. 37. Arlington County, Virginia Excessive Drinking Rate: 21% Arlington is the drunkest county in the state of Virginia, with over one-fifth of the population being excessive drinkers. Around 30% of accident-related deaths in the county in 2023 were influenced by drunk driving. 36. Brunswick County, North Carolina Excessive Drinking Rate: 21% Brunswick is the southernmost county in North Carolina and is the drunkest county in the state with an excessive drinking rate of 21%. 35. Blaine County, Idaho Excessive Drinking Rate: 21% Blaine County has an excessive drinking rate of 21%, which is substantially higher than the state average of 17%. It is the drunkest county in Idaho, followed by Nez Perce, Latah, Clearwater, and Ada at 20% each. 34. Wabaunsee County, Kansas Excessive Drinking Rate: 21% An estimated 41% of all deaths caused by accidents in Wabaunsee County in 2023 were linked to drunk driving. It is the drunkest county in the state of Kansas. 33. Talbot County, Maryland Excessive Drinking Rate: 21% The Talbot County in Maryland has a population of over 37,500. Around 21% of the adults in the county indulge in heavy drinking, according to a 2023 report by the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. 32. Mohave County, Arizona Excessive Drinking Rate: 22% Arizona has an excessive drinking rate of 17%. The percentage is significantly higher in Mohave County, where an estimated 22% of the adult population drinks heavily, making it the drunkest county in the state. 31. Litchfield County, Connecticut Excessive Drinking Rate: 22% Litchfield is the drunkest county in Connecticut, with 22% of the adults reportedly heavy drinkers. Reportedly, 31 people lost their lives to drunk driving in the county last year. 30. Hawaii County, Hawaii Excessive Drinking Rate: 22% Hawaii County, also called the Big Island, is a county in the state of Hawaii with a population of over 200,000 people. It is the drunkest county in the state. 29. Medina County, Ohio Excessive Drinking Rate: 22% An estimated 19% of Ohios population indulges in excessive drinking; the share is even higher in Medina County, where the figure is reported at 22%. 28. Sublette County, Wyoming Excessive Drinking Rate: 22% Sublette is the drunkest county in Wyoming. Heavy drinking was the cause of 40% of all accident-related deaths in the county in 2023. 27. Skagway County, Alaska Excessive Drinking Rate: 23% Skagway is known for being a port for Alaska cruise ships. It only has a population of over 1,200 residents. The county has the highest excessive drinking rate in the state. 26. Whatcom County, Washington Excessive Drinking Rate: 23% Whatcom County in Washington is known for its breweries, bars, and pubs. It is the drunkest county in the state. Around 18 alcohol-related accident deaths were reported in Whatcom last year. 25. Deschutes County, Oregon Excessive Drinking Rate: 23% Deschutes has long had a drinking problem and is the drunkest county in Oregon, with 23% of the adults reportedly indulging in excessive drinking. 24. St. Charles County, Missouri Excessive Drinking Rate: 23% Missouri generally has a high rate of heavy drinking, recorded at 20% in 2023. The share is even higher in St. Charles County, where around 31% of all deaths caused by accidents last year were linked to drunk driving. 23. Knox County, Maine Excessive Drinking Rate: 23% Knox is the drunkest county in the state of Maine with an excessive drinking rate of 23%. It is closely followed by Lincoln at 22% in the second spot. 22. Armstrong County, Pennsylvania Excessive Drinking Rate: 23% Armstrong County in Pennsylvania has a population of around 64,000 people. It is the drunkest county in the state with a high rate of excessive drinking. 21. Rockingham County, New Hampshire Excessive Drinking Rate: 23% Last year, 109 accident-related deaths were reported in Rockingham County, of which 48 were caused by drunk driving. It is the drunkest county in New Hampshire. 20. Washington County, Rhode Island Excessive Drinking Rate: 23% Washington County has an excessive drinking rate of 23%, which is higher than Rhode Islands state average of 20%. 19. Rensselaer County, New York Excessive Drinking Rate: 24% Rensselaer County reported that 24% of its adult population drank excessively last year. It was considerably higher than New Yorks state average, 18%. It beat Herkimer, which also has an excessive drinking rate of 24%, due to a higher percentage of alcohol-related accident deaths. 18. Sussex County, New Jersey Excessive Drinking Rate: 24% Sussex leads New Jerseys counties in drunkenness with an excessive drinking rate of 24%. Approximately 23% of all accident-related deaths in the county last year were caused by drunk driving. 17. Douglas County, Nevada Excessive Drinking Rate: 24% Douglas is the drunkest county in Nevada, with an excessive drinking rate of 24%, which is substantially higher than the state average of 20%. 16. Bay County, Michigan Excessive Drinking Rate: 24% The Bay County in Michigan has a population of over 100,000 residents. It is the drunkest county in the state. Reportedly, 13 people died due to drunk driving in the county last year. 15. Lafourche Parish, Louisiana Excessive Drinking Rate: 24% Lafourche Parish is home to the most excessive drinkers in the state of Louisiana, with an excessive drinking rate of 24%. It is followed by Allen, Ascension, Beauregard, Cameron, Lafayette, La Salle, Livingston, St. Tammany, and West Feliciana at joint second with 23%. 14. Amador County, California Excessive Drinking Rate: 24% Amador is the drunkest county in California. It has a high prevalence of excessive drinking (24%) and alcohol-related driving deaths (35%). 13. Charleston County, South Carolina Excessive Drinking Rate: 24% Around 24% of Charlestons adults were reported as excessive drinkers, making it the drunkest county in South Carolina. 12. Loving County, Texas Excessive Drinking Rate: 24% Excessive drinking rate for Texas was recorded at 19% in 2023. In Loving County, the rate is considerably higher, making it the drunkest county in the state. 11. Dukes County, Massachusetts Excessive Drinking Rate: 24% Dukes County is the second most populous county in Massachusetts, with a population of over 26,000 people. It is the drunkest county in the state, with a high rate of excessive drinking. 10. Routt County, Colorado Excessive Drinking Rate: 24% Nearly one in four adults in Colorados Routt County indulge in excessive drinking, making it the drunkest county in the state. 9. Monroe County, Florida Excessive Drinking Rate: 25% Monroe County in Florida is the southernmost county in the United States having a population of nearly 83,000 residents as per the 2020 Census. It has an excessive drinking rate of 25%. According to reports, 17 people lost their lives due to drunk driving in the county last year. 8. Washington County, Vermont Excessive Drinking Rate: 25% Washington County is the drunkest county in the state of Vermont with an excessive drinking rate of 25%. It is followed by both Lamoille and Orange with rates of 24%, each. 7. Marshall County, South Dakota Excessive Drinking Rate: 25% Around 21% of the adults in South Dakota indulge in excessive drinking. In Marshall County, the rates are much higher at 25%, making it the drunkest county in the state. 6. Meeker County, Minnesota Excessive Drinking Rate: 25% Lake, Le Sueur, Meeker, and Winona counties all have a 25% excessive drinking rate among adults. However, Meeker has a higher prevalence of deaths by drunk driving, representing 47% of all road accident deaths in 2023. 5. Mercer County, North Dakota Excessive Drinking Rate: 25% Mercer County is the drunkest county in North Dakota, with one-fourth of its population reportedly involved in excessive drinking. This is two percentage points higher than the state average of 23%. Only two counties in North Dakota have an excessive drinking rate of under 20%. 4. Saunders County, Nebraska Excessive Drinking Rate: 27% Saunders County in Nebraska has a population of over 22,200 people. Of all the adults in the state, an estimated 27% indulge in heavy drinking, making it the drunkest county in Nebraska. 3. Dubuque County, Iowa Excessive Drinking Rate: 27% Around 27% of the adults in Iowas Dubuque County drink heavily. This is two percentage points higher than the state average of 25%. Dubuque beat Buchanan County, which also had a 27% excessive drinking rate, due to a higher share of driving deaths with alcohol involvement. 2. Sheridan County, Montana Excessive Drinking Rate: 28% Sheridan County is the drunkest county in Montana, with a high prevalence of excessive drinking, recorded at 28% in 2023. Montanas state average is 24%. Drunk driving is one of the greatest threats to public safety in the county, where 67% of all deaths in road accidents last year were influenced by alcohol overdose. 1. Ozaukee County, Wisconsin Excessive Drinking Rate: 29% Ozaukee is the drunkest county in Wisconsin, with a high excessive drinking rate of 29%. According to reports, 35 people lost their lives in road accidents last year in the county; of them, 11 deaths were linked to drunk driving. Wisconsins state average was estimated at 26%. No county in the state included in its report by the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps had a heavy drinking rate of less than 25%. READ NEXT: $30 Trillion Opportunity: 15 Best Humanoid Robot Stocks to Buy According to Morgan Stanley and Jim Cramer Says NVIDIA Has Become A Wasteland. Disclosure: None. 50 Drunkest Counties in Every State in the US was originally published on Insider Monkey. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) The third and final defendant charged in connection to a fire in Warren that killed Chassidy Broadstone, 16, will spend a lifetime behind bars. Zackary Gurd was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison with parole eligibility after 30 years with credit for time served. Prosecutors say Gurd is the one who poured the gasoline and lit the fire at the home on Nevada Ave. NW on January 19, 2023. He, along with co-defendants Brendan Daviduk and Patricia Zarlingo, were charged following the investigation into the deadly fire. Chassidy Broadstone was killed. Two of her sisters managed to escape the home but were hurt. My sister literally suffocated and burned to death alive, said Jazmine Dickey. Broadstones other sister Laila also addressed Gurd. I dont know why you did that. I suffer every day over that, Laila Broadstone said. Gurd was the only of the three defendants to apologize to Broadstones family saying hell never forgive himself. If I could trade my life to bring her back, I would, Gurd said. Broadstones mother Rose Richards said she would only forgive Gurd so she could heal. Today I can say I forgive you. I still have anger towards you, yes, but in order to heal, I have to forgive you and I hope you find God, said Richards. Many other members of Broadstones family addressed the court along with Gurds supporters who also apologized to Broadstones family. I hope you rot in Hell for what you did. I have to carry my baby around my neck because of you, said Chassidys father Roger Broadstone. Christina Butch, a member of Broadstones extended family, called all three defendants monsters. The sentences you guys received Im not satisfied with because each and every one of you escaped the death penalty, the easy way out. But if I had it my way, your punishment would be much worse, said Butch. All three of you claim you went into the house that night to steal a TV and a game system instead you stole the life of an innocent child. Lisa Palmer, Gurds family friend, said he was forced into the situation that night. I am sorry for what had happened. It shouldnt have happened but I can guarantee Zackary never would have done this if he hadnt been forced into it, Palmer said. We raised him better than that, said family friend Erin Pozy. Assistant prosecutor Chris Becker thanked the detectives who worked on the case. Thanks to this detectives hard work and detectives just like him, this was really an easy case to present to a jury. If it had gone to trial, they would have been convicted. Thats why they all took plea deals, said Becker. We still lost Chassidy Broadstone. Its still a tragedy. I would rather have never investigated this, never had to investigate it. You know this family is gonna have to live with this for the rest of their life, said Detective Michael Altiere. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. SALINA, Kan. (KSNW) Firefighters were at the scene of a business fire in Salina. Viewers tell KSN it is at Stryten Energy, the former Exide Plant, on the south side of town. This embedded content is not available in your region. KSN News is working to get more information from first responders and Saline County dispatch. We will update this story as details become available. According to the Stryten Energy website, the company provides energy storage solutions for transportation, motive, and essential power industries. Our stored energy solutions power everything from forklifts in warehouses and distribution centers to cars, trains and trucks to microgrids and vast telecom networks. In addition to manufacturing high-quality advanced lead, lithium, and vanadium batteries and intelligent chargers, we offer cloud-based software for smart fleet design decisions, the website says. Do you have any pictures or videos? Email them to us at news@ksn.com! Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A local bakery has been forced to temporarily shut its doors after a minor blaze. Smales Pretzel Bakery reports Pablo, a neighbor near the business, called 911 on Aug. 25 after noticing smoke. Pablos call helped dispatchers send firefighters to the business, located in the 200 block of Xenia Avenue in Dayton. 80-question surveys hitting 13K Dayton mailboxes The Dayton bakery says the fire was small, but has caused staff to clean and replace parts. It is reported by Smales that the fire was restrained to the oven. And of course, the Dayton Fire Department did a wonderful job and were so kind, said the business. We had to promise them that we would reopen, and we will. According to the business, it is anticipating to reopen soon. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. An attorney for the fired Florida sheriffs deputy charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of an Air Force senior airman defended his clients actions as reasonable Thursday, shortly after a judge decided he could be released on bond until his trial. Former Okaloosa County deputy Eddie Durans actions were reasonable and appropriate given the information he was provided and what he feared to be a potentially dangerous domestic situation, John Whitaker said in a statement. For months now Mr. Duran, his wife, and his six children have been waiting for this opportunity to tell a jury not so much what happened on May 3rd but rather why it happened, Whitaker said. In hindsight everyone, especially Mr. Duran, wishes with all their hearts that this incident had never occurred. Duran, 38, shot Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson multiple times on May 3, moments after Fortson, 23, opened the door of his Fort Walton Beach apartment. Fortson, who was home alone, was holding a gun pointed to the ground, body camera video shows. Duran had been responding to a call of a domestic disturbance. Duran was charged with manslaughter with a firearm Friday, more than three months after he fatally shot Fortson and days after Sheriff Eric Aden was re-elected. The felony charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. Duran turned himself in Monday. Circuit Judge Terrance Ketchel set his bond at $100,000 and other conditions, including that he not have contact with Fortsons family or possess a firearm, Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said. As of Thursday afternoon, Duran was no longer listed as an inmate on the website of the Escambia County Jail, where he had been detained. Fortsons mother, Chantemekki Fortson, who has criticized the sheriffs office and how long it took the state attorney to announce whether Duran would face charges, said she was disappointed he was released. On the day of the shooting, Duran had been directed to apartment 1401, where Fortson lived, by a woman at the apartment complex, body camera video shows. Fortsons family and their attorneys have insisted Duran went to the wrong apartment, because Fortson was home alone with his small dog on a video call with his girlfriend when he was killed. Records of 911 dispatch calls show deputies had never been called to his apartment before but had been called to a nearby unit several times in the previous year, including once for a domestic disturbance. Fortson was stationed at Hurlburt Field Air Force Base in Okaloosa County. The Fortson family is from DeKalb County, Georgia. The body camera video also shows that when Duran arrives at Fortsons apartment, he stands outside and listens for more than 15 seconds, but no voices inside can be heard on his body camera. Duran then knocks on Fortsons door without identifying himself. He moves to the side of the door before he knocks again and announces himself. Seconds later, he moves in front of the door, knocks and again says: Sheriffs office. Open the door! Fortson answers the door with a gun in his right hand pointed at the ground, and Duran shoots him almost immediately. After he shoots him multiple times and Fortson collapses, he instructs him to drop his gun. About two weeks after his killing, Fortsons girlfriend told WSB-TV of Atlanta, where she lives, that they had been making weekend plans when Duran knocked on the door. She said that neither she nor Fortson was aware Duran was law enforcement and that they had not heard him identify himself. Fortsons girlfriend, who has asked not to be identified, his family and their attorneys never disputed he was armed and have said he retrieved his legally owned gun to protect himself. The same month, Ben Crump, the prominent civil rights attorney who is representing the Fortson family, released video that Fortsons girlfriend recorded in the moments after he was shot. He can be heard groaning and saying, I cant breathe. A deputy yells back at him, Stop moving! The phone is pointed at the ceiling. Nothing can ever bring Roger back, and our fight is far from over, but we are hopeful that this arrest and these charges will result in real justice for the Fortson family, Crump said after Duran was charged. Durans attorney rebutted the Fortson familys account in his statement Thursday, saying that after Duran announced himself, he heard a response from a voice inside the apartment which featured an expletive questioning why the police were at his door. He also said Duran drew his weapon only after Fortson confronted him. The outcome would have been different, Whitaker said, if Fortson had not decided to open his front door and step towards a law enforcement officer while armed with a deadly weapon. After the charges were announced last week, the sheriffs office said that it stood by its decision to terminate Duran as a result of its administrative internal affairs investigation and that it has been fully accountable and transparent," including by releasing the body camera video and other records and making numerous public statements. The department said it also continues to wish Mr. Fortsons family comfort and peace as Durans case proceeds. The sheriffs office had initially said Duran reacted in self defense. On May 31, nearly a month after the killing, Aden announced that Duran had been fired following an administrative internal affairs investigation that concluded Fortson did not make any hostile, attacking movements, and therefore Durans use of deadly force was not objectively reasonable under sheriffs office policy. Aden said in a statement May 31, the day the sheriffs office released the findings of its investigation: The objective facts do not support the use of deadly force as an appropriate response to Mr. Fortsons actions. Mr. Fortson did not commit any crime. By all accounts, he was an exceptional airman and individual. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis firefighters are battling a residential fire in Midtown Memphis. Flames could be seen coming out of the roof of a large house at Poplar Avenue and Montgomery Street. Crews have blocked off traffic to the area as they fight the fire. There are no reports of any injuries at his time. This is a developing story. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) The first hearing for Dr. Brian Hyatts civil lawsuit regarding accusations by hundreds of former patients alleging they were falsely imprisoned by him and Medicaid fraud was held on August 28. Brian Hyatt, 51 (Courtesy of Benton County) The number of alleged victims continues to grow from the original 5 dozen claimants, to well over 200. William VanWhy was a previous patient at Northwest Medical Center in Springdale. He appeared in court this morning to see what the next step is for the case. I feel that I was unjustly wronged and I want to see that through. We were listening for the judges decision, on whether how theyre going to try the cases going forward, if theyre going to group them or not, said VanWhy. KNWA Investigation: Old audits and complaints question Rogers doctors billing practices VanWhy is one of the 214 patients trying to have their day in the courtroom. VanWhys representation Bryant Crooks appeared before Judge Doug Martin of Washington County presenting a proposal for the trial management plan. Theyre having a hearing today with the court about the trial management process and how were going to try these 214, said Crooks. His purpose Wednesday morning was to see what Martin thought was an adequate plan for trial. Crooks is planning on getting justice for the 214 plaintiffs which could ultimately be 300 different cases. I talked with the judge about the best way to do that and what he thought the most effective way was to get justice in a reasonable amount of time, said Crooks. The plaintiff proposed to give each of their clients their day in court. Were asking the court to allow clients to have consolidated trials so that we can offer a mechanism to give them a reasonable chance to have their case heard and have justice done, said Crooks. KNWA Investigation: NWA doctor, hospital sued for false imprisonment Although the plaintiffs had a proposal, so did the Northwest Medical and Hyatt representation. However, the plaintiffs dont agree with the defendants proposal. We think the defendants Bellwether plan is designed to benefit the defendants and to deny our clients their day in court, said Crooks. Vanwhy is ready for a decision to be made, The goal for me is to try this case in whatever form the judge decides is fair and as quickly as possible, so that we have justice and a fair trial. Hyatts attorneys denied a request for a comment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. Gov. Tim Walz visits Raleigh campaign office, raises money in first NC visit as VP candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visited Raleigh Thursday to greet volunteers, raise money and order a milkshake, making his first trip to North Carolina as a candidate for vice president. Walz arrived in Raleigh from Georgia after recording his and Vice President Kamala Harris first on-air interview together with CNNs Dana Bash. N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper greeted his fellow Democrat when he arrived and immediately took him to get milkshakes at Cook Out. This is my first time at Cook Out, but Gov. Cooper told me this is the place to go for shakes, Walz told nearby reporters. He ordered a mint chocolate chip shake, and Cooper got M&M. They then traveled to a campaign office in Raleigh where volunteers were making calls for Harris and Walz. Winning NC Cooper told the volunteers that Walz is a great friend, and said he understands everyday people. Cooper and Walz know each other from their work as governors. Walz was chair of the Democratic Governors Association when Harris selected him as her running mate. He has since resigned as chair of the association to focus on the campaign and was succeeded by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly. I think Vice President Harris made the absolute perfect choice in selecting Walz as her running mate, Cooper said before introducing Walz to the phone bank volunteers. At one point, Cooper also was considered a contender for that position, but he removed himself out of consideration. That is high praise coming from Roy Cooper, Walz said as he stepped to the center of the room to speak to volunteers. Democratic Vice Presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks with volunteers at a campaign office during a visit to Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Walz chatted with the 30 volunteers who were gathered around a handful of tables. Walz brought them decorated cookies he picked up in Savannah, Georgia, from Cookie Queen Savannah. Walz called the state an economic miracle, saying it has a dual ability to value middle-class people while also recruiting business. He also praised North Carolina for expanding Medicaid, and gave Cooper the credit. On a chalkboard wall of the campaign office that was covered with sayings, Walz added his own: Never underestimate public school teachers, a nod to his career before going into politics. Democratic Vice Presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz writes a message on a chalkboard during a visit to a campaign office in Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. As the governors worked the room, Walz took over a phone call from one volunteer and began talking to the voter himself. Cooper followed Walzs lead and also began talking to the voter. Walz told the volunteers that the campaign aims to reduce the margins in some areas that lean more Republican as part of their effort to win the state. And I think we know, its very difficult for a Republican presidential candidate to win the White House if they cant win North Carolina, Walz said. Its that simple. He added that the campaign expects to win here. Its great to be in a room full of people who put North Carolina in play, Walz told volunteers. Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz delivers cookies to the Harris-Walz campaign headquarters in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, August 29, 2024. Walz on Trump Walz made one more stop in Raleigh: a fundraiser where he thanked around 100 people for their support. It means the world to us, because we can translate that into talking to folks, Walz said. We can translate that into a power of a politic that moves beyond us. He said he knew there were a lot of places people could be instead Thursday night, like watching that football game. UNC plays Minnesota Thursday night in Minneapolis in both teams first game of the season. Walzs visit Thursday came just hours before CNN aired Harris and Walzs first televised interview. The Harris campaign has been repeatedly criticized over the last month for failing to do any interviews with reporters, making this a highly sought-after event by national reporters. Walz said he trusts the elections to be fair. I trust the American peoples judgment in this, Walz said. I know in North Carolina that youve got good, solid election returns, and well get the votes counted fairly, because thats all we ask. He added that the campaign has seen new interest from young voters, as well as renewed interest from older voters who want to stand against the ideals that he said former President Donald Trump promotes, like being a dictator on day one and forsaking those that are least among us. If you think Donald Trump wakes up thinking about anybody but himself, you are sadly deluded on that, Walz said. Democratic Vice Presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz orders a Cook Out milkshake with Gov. Roy Cooper during a visit to Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Harris advancing in polls Walzs trip marks the Harris campaigns first visit since multiple political analysts moved North Carolina from a state that leans Republican to a toss-up in the presidential race. Recent analysis of North Carolina polls has found that Harris has done better than President Joe Biden among white, college-educated voters. Trumps supporters are staying with him, but Harris is making gains among formerly undecided voters. What Kamala Harris has done is brought back the joy to politics, brought back the decency to politics, Walz said. Walz said he wants to get back to a time when people can go to Thanksgiving dinner and not have stupid fights about politics. He said he wants people to have decent conversations that result in solutions. Those are things that dont have to be that difficult, Walz said. And Im telling you what: The vast majority of Americans know that. As the fundraiser ended, Walz walked off the stage to Small Town, by John Mellencamp. History is going to be made right here in North Carolina, Walz said. NC is a toss-up state Democrats spent the past 15 months heavily investing in North Carolina, hoping to flip the state blue for the first time since 2008, when President Barack Obama won against former Sen. John McCain. Cooper has said several times over the past several weeks that he has a 2008 feeling about this election. When Biden was running for reelection, he had difficulty overcoming Trumps support in North Carolina. Despite winning his 2020 election, Biden lost to Trump in North Carolina by 1.3% of the vote. And Trump led Biden in nearly every North Carolina-focused poll this election cycle. But after Biden ended his campaign on July 21, following a dismal debate performance against Trump on CNN, he passed the torch to Harris, who became the Democratic Partys presidential nominee, and has led Trump in many North Carolina polls since. Both Cook Political Report and Sabatos Crystal Ball took note and moved North Carolina from a state that leans Republican to a toss-up in their analysis. Harris campaign launch seems to have motivated Trump to pay more attention to the state. Trump, who had largely ignored North Carolina, has visited the state three times on July 24, Aug. 14 and Aug. 21. The latter was his first outdoor rally since an assassination attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania, just days before the start of the Republican National Convention. Harris, on the other hand, has visited North Carolina eight times in 2024, and surrogates from her and Bidens former campaign have been in the state almost weekly. Both Harris and Walz had planned to stop in North Carolina the week she selected Walz as her running mate, but Tropical Storm Debby made them both cancel their appearance. Under the Dome Get the latest news about North Carolina politics from The News & Observer's award-winning team. Get the free digest sent to your inbox by signing up here. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Its the largest community college in the state, offering 2 to even 4-year degrees. With more than 30,000 students in attendance every semester, the College of Southern Nevada just keeps growing. Students 8 News Now spoke with said the College of Southern Nevada is their top choice to kick start their college journey before switching to a 4-year university. Josh Ortiz said he has a busy schedule and enrolling at CSN is a much cheaper option. I am saving a lot of money, so hopefully Ill be able to take UNLV classes after I do everything here, Ortiz remarked. I really want to be in the music industry and just make music and perform. With classes available during the morning, nights and weekends, Dan Corsi, associate VP for Academic Affairs said theres an option for everyone. Our cost for credit hour including fees is a third of the cost than other universities which is great for individuals looking to take a couple of classes while theyre working part-time or full-time, Corsi said. This year, CSN is rolling out 10 new certificate programs which speaks to their booming student population and their needs. Were about 6% up from where we were at from last year in terms of our enrollment, so were excited about that. That includes all of our campuses, Henderson, North Las Vegas and here in West Charleston, Corsi said. Austin Wirig, Olivia Cyrus and Leilani Chung are all college freshmen this year. Theyll finish with a high school diploma and an associates degree upon graduation. It makes it more flexible so if I have plans I can coordinate it with my college schedule, versus high school where you go every single day, Cyrus said. I cant do the day-to-day high school, it was horrible for me so hopefully this will be slightly better with how I learn and my learning style, Leilani Chung added. While itll take a lot of hard work, they know itll be worth it in the end. Its very stressful, I dont think I can say that enough. Its really hard to figure out but once you figure it out, its definitely a game changer going to college, Austin Wirig said. Corsi said CSN is continuing to develop new programs within highly sought industries to ensure our graduates are employed and to stabilize our economy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Toy giant Fisher-Price is recalling hundreds of thousands of dumbbell toys due to a potential choking hazard. The dumbbell toys were included in the Fisher-Price Baby Biceps Gift Set, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the recall on Thursday. About 366,200 recalled units were sold in the United States, with another 37,850 sold in Canada. Fisher-Price states on its recall website that the gray caps on the dumbbell toys can separate, leading to a potential choking hazard for infants. The company recommends taking away recalled toys from kids immediately. Is the baby product recall process failing parents? Some experts say yes The CPSC states that the dumbbell toys were sold between April 2020 through August 2024 and were part of Fisher-Price's Baby Biceps Gift Set, which includes three additional toys and is marketed as suitable for children ages 3 months and up. According to Fisher-Price and the CPSC, the dumbbell component features a plastic gray bar and red and orange plastic "weights" with gray caps on each side of the bar. The recalled dumbbell toys bear the model number GJD49 on the back of the kettlebell toy in the gift set. PHOTO: Fisher-Price is recalling over 366,000 dumbbell toys that were sold as part of the brands Baby Biceps Gift Set. (United States Consumer Product Safety Commission) PHOTO: Fisher-Price is recalling over 366,000 dumbbell toys that were sold as part of the brands Baby Biceps Gift Set. (United States Consumer Product Safety Commission) The toys were manufactured in China and Vietnam and sold in the U.S. at stores nationwide, according to the CPSC. The toys were sold at Buy Buy Baby, Fred Meyer, Hobby Lobby, Kohls, Marshalls, Target, TJMaxx and Walmart stores and online at Amazon.com, Target.com, Walmart.com, Zulily.com and other websites, retailing for about $18. Fisher-Price recalls about 21,000 Thomas & Friends truck toys Fisher-Price says it has received seven reports of incidents where the gray caps separated from the toy, but has not received any reports of injuries as a result of the incidents. Customers with the recalled dumbbell toys can reach out to Fisher-Price for a $10 refund on the company's recall website, which also provides instructions on how to dispose of the recalled toys. Fisher-Price says a receipt or proof of purchase is not required to receive a refund for the dumbbell toy. ABC News has reached out to Fisher-Price for comment. Fisher-Price recalling over 366K dumbbell toys due to potential choking hazard originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com 5 things to watch in Harriss first big interview as the Democratic nominee Vice President Harriss first major interview since becoming the Democratic nominee will air Thursday evening. Harris will be joined by her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), for the event, which will air on CNN. Dana Bash will interview the duo during the day as they tour Georgia. The interview will hit TV screens at 9 p.m. EDT. The sit-down will be the highest-stakes moment for Harris since last weeks Democratic National Convention. It will also help set the political atmosphere in advance of the first and perhaps only debate between Harris and former President Trump, which is scheduled for Sep. 10 on ABC News. Here are five things to watch from the CNN interview. Are there any gaffes? This is the biggest question of all. From the Harris campaigns perspective, the imperative on Thursday is simple: Do no harm. The vice president and her allies wont shed any tears if they fail to make big news. The main danger is that something goes awry. This is an especially acute problem because Harris has enjoyed an extended honeymoon period. She wrapped up her party nomination quickly and with minimal drama after President Bidens decision to abandon his reelection bid. Her selection of Walz as her running mate has been well-received within the party, keeping progressives on board while not alienating moderates. The momentum from the Walz pick carried Harris into and through the Democratic convention, where major figures including former Presidents Obama and Clinton spoke on her behalf. The long run of plain sailing virtually guarantees that any big error from Harris will get blanket coverage from a media hungry for a new storyline. Does the decision to include Walz work or not? Some conservative commentators have characterized the decision to do a joint interview with Walz as evidence of Harriss weakness when it comes to unscripted encounters. Democrats and other supporters counter that it is commonplace for the presidential and vice-presidential nominees to do joint interviews. In July 2016, Trump appeared on CBS Newss 60 Minutes with his running mate Mike Pence. Last month, Trump and vice-presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (Ohio) conducted a joint interview with Jesse Watters of Fox News. That said, Harris is in a highly unusual position because of the circumstances in which she became the nominee. She did so without contesting a primary, which would have exposed her to months of scrutiny. It is at least plausible to argue a solo Harris interview would have been more effective in rebutting the criticism that she is dodging the media. There are additional complications. First, Walz could make some news, for good or for bad, that would take the spotlight off Harris. Second, if the vice president struggles during any contentious exchanges, Walz has a tricky in-the-moment choice of whether to interject. How tough are the questions? Another conservative line of attack emanates from Harriss choice of CNN as the venue for her big interview. The network fiercely defends its objectivity, but it was a frequent target of Trump, especially during his time in the White House. It has been a subject of hostility from the right for much longer. During the Clinton presidency, conservatives derided it as the Clinton News Network. These days, there seem to be broader doubts too. During a recent appearance by CNNs Kaitlan Collins on CBSs Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the studio audience laughed in apparent mockery when the host told Collins he believed CNN was objective and trying to report the news as it is. All of this ups the stakes for Bash. But she is also one of the networks most experienced and respected figures. Virtually everyone expects Bash to press Harris on her shifts of position on topics, including fracking and health care. But one intriguing question is the extent to which Bash adopts an adversarial tone or not. Does Harris get defensive, as she has in the past? The most notable TV interview of Harriss career was a 2021 misfire with Lester Holt of NBC News. The clash took place during a visit to Guatemala part of Harriss role in trying to tackle the long-term drivers of migration during the early days of the Biden administration. Holt asked Harris why she had not personally visited the U.S.-Mexico border during her first months as vice president. The question was predictable, yet Harris reacted with a defensiveness that left even some in the White House scratching their heads. When Holt said, You havent been to the border, Harris responded, clearly piqued, And I havent been to Europe. I mean, I dont understand the point that youre making. The strange response cast a pall over her trip and reportedly made her reticent about doing more high-profile TV interviews. That said, Harris loyalists note the vice president acquitted herself well in extremely challenging circumstances during an interview with Anderson Cooper, also on CNN, right after Bidens catastrophic June 27 debate performance. Does Harris signal any differences with Biden? Harris is the first sitting vice-president to become a major-party nominee since Democrat Al Gore in 2000. Its an inherently difficult position because it obliges the nominee to signal ways in which they are different from what has gone before, without displaying outright disloyalty to the president with whom they have served. The knot is even tighter in Harriss case because polls show Bidens economic management earning widespread disapproval, and his policies on Israel and Gaza have divided the Democratic base. Harris has been gracious toward Biden both before and after becoming the nominee. But Thursday will give her one of her best opportunities to signal what would be different about a Harris presidency. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Ellen Zhang and Marius Zaharia BEIJING/HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's local governments have fallen behind on their debt issuance plans as scrutiny mounts over potentially wasteful infrastructure investment, fuelling talk that such funds could be used in other areas to stimulate growth back towards target. Investment at a municipal level has for years been one of the most efficient tools to stabilise growth in the world's second-largest economy, whose poor performance in recent months calls for another injection of government stimulus. But not all such investment has been productive, as evidenced by debt rising faster than growth in the past decade Large sums were spent on rail, roads and bridges that draw little traffic and are expensive to maintain. To rein in wasteful spending, authorities have tightened scrutiny on investment projects, especially in China's 12 most indebted provinces. As a result, in the first seven months of this year, local governments have issued only 45.5% of their 3.9 trillion yuan ($546 billion) special debt quota versus 65.7% in the same period of 2023 and 95% in 2022. The softer-than-expected fiscal impulse risks pulling economic growth away from this year's roughly 5% target, which is threatened by sluggish household consumption and a severe property sector downturn. "It has been difficult to find projects that are profitable in the near term," said Jack Yuan, senior analyst at Moody's Ratings. "Many provinces will have difficulties trying to meet their growth targets in the absence of greater state-led investment." Chinese officials said in March that local special bonds would fund projects with "sufficient preparation" in regions with high investment efficiency. Yuan and other analysts expect debt issuance to pick up in coming months as authorities prioritise reaching the growth target, as pledged at key political meetings in July. But this may require Beijing to greenlight new ways for cities and provinces to spend the funds, which are typically used for transportation, water, energy, urban landscaping and other infrastructure. Analysts say new areas could include buying empty apartments for social housing or repurchasing undeveloped residential land. Such moves would inject cash into the crisis-hit property sector, providing a lifeline for developers to resume or accelerate construction of behind-schedule residential projects and improving homebuyer confidence. "The government needs to expand the scope for these bonds," said Larry Hu, chief China economist at Macquarie, who sees real estate as a potential new destination for such funds. Story continues "We will see issuance accelerating, the fiscal support for the economy will rise and then we may still be able to achieve the growth target." Chinese newspaper Economic Observer reported in June that the Ministry of Natural Resources had proposed that local governments use special bonds to repurchase idle land. Alternatively, municipal bonds could be used to swap higher-yielding debt issued by local government financing vehicles to ease their funding strain and reduce spillovers to the real economy as they deleverage, Yuan from Moody's said. WASTE Infrastructure investment grew 4.9% year-on-year in January-July, slower than the 6.8% rise in the same period of 2023. One government source from Lanzhou, the capital in the indebted Gansu province, said one area local authorities are spending less on is urban landscaping. While special bonds can be spent on expanding green areas, in many cases that meant replanting a perfectly good park lawn or roadside flowers and greenery, rather than creating new green spaces, the source said. This generates temporary jobs. But it does not improve living standards long-term, nor offer any returns, while committing the government to debt repayments. Such spending no longer occurred this year, the source said. "That was a waste," the source said, asking not to be named as they were not authorised to speak to media. "The principle was to spend the money, otherwise it would be taken away." A source in the Beijing municipal government said "in the past, it was easier to apply for funds. When anyone applied for projects they would ask for as much as possible." Now "we need to figure out why the project must be done. They say every project is a cost." One policy adviser, who also requested anonymity due to the topic's sensitivity, said leaning on government investment to fuel growth has resulted in debt and corruption. Local officials need to find projects that produce enough income to repay debt interest, the adviser said. "But such projects don't exist every year," the adviser said, explaining the slow debt issuance. "It's better to give the money to low-income groups to boost consumption." (Graphic by Kripa Jayaram; Editing by Shri Navaratnam) Flight diverted to Memphis after passengers hurt from turbulence MEMPHIS, Tenn. A United Airlines flight from Cancun, Mexico, en route to Chicago was diverted to Memphis on Wednesday after multiple passengers were injured in flight. United Airlines said that Flight 1196 experienced a brief period of severe turbulence while the seatbelt sign was on. Paramedics met the aircraft at the gate, and one passenger was taken to the hospital. The Memphis Fire Department said six other passengers were treated and released, Were grateful to our crew for their efforts to ensure the safety of our employees and customers, and we expect the flight to depart for Chicago soon, said a United Airlines spokesperson. There were 172 passengers and seven crew members on the flight. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. OVIEDO, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida day care worker is behind bars after she left a child in a hot bus for more than an hour and then lying about checking the bus, according to an arrest report. The Oviedo Police Department responded to the day care facility, All About Kidz, on Tuesday at 3 p.m. for an open DCF case from Monday regarding a 6-year-old girl. Man dies in workplace accident in Tampa involving auger, officials say The document said 49-year-old Barbra Ledbetter left the child alone, sleeping on the day care bus in the heat, while it was turned off and unattended for an hour and two minutes in the parking lot. Officers said Ledbetter was supposed to physically go to the back of the bus and visually check all of the seats after letting off all of the kids. However, she did not check the bus, despite signing a log stating she did. The young girl was asleep in the back and had woken up due to the heat and difficulty breathing. Thats when she began banging on the windows. A parent, who was passing by, saw the child, and reported the incident, as seen on nearby surveillance video. Middle schooler dies after hard hit at football practice NBC affiliate WESH reported that thankfully, the child did not have to receive medical treatment following the incident. The person in charge of All About Kidz released the following statement: to WESH: The childrens safety has always and will always be our top concern. We have cooperated fully and will continue to do so with law enforcement. Mrs. Barbra is no longer employed at our center. David Jackson, All About Kidz Ledbetter is charged with child neglect without great bodily harm and is being held on a $2,500 bond. Her next court date is scheduled for Oct. 1. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris, as seen earlier this month at an event with Gov. Ron DeSantis. Florida lawmakers now have filed close to $70 million worth of what are called "claim bills" for next year's legislative session to compensate families for alleged negligence by the state's child welfare agency. The five bills, all filed by state senators, take aim at the Florida Department of Children and Families, and were filed on behalf of five Florida families. One bill, for example, seeks millions for a child DCF left in the care of the child's mother, who later stabbed the child 14 times. These cases are all unique but theyre very important to the families that are involved, said Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota. State Sen. Joe Gruters, as seen in 2023 at a Sarasota-area legislative delegation meeting in the Sarasota County Commission chambers. Gruters, also a former chair of the Republican Party of Florida, is sponsoring two of the bills, which together ask for almost $43 million in relief. "I tried to pass a bill to reform the claims process so we dont have to go through this charade in Tallahassee, he explained, but the damage was done, the cases are over, (and now) the state has a responsibility to pay. But the sheer amount of damages filed for, if not a first, is a rarity in the legislative process, especially against an executive branch agency under Gov. Ron DeSantis, to whom lawmakers have been acquiescent in recent years. A request for comment to a department spokesperson is pending. Claim bills have vexed legislators for years It's no secret the claim bill process has long been a source of angst to victims and legislators, who have been subject to flak from local governments, the source of many claims, and their insurance companies that usually have to pay them out. Generally, the legal doctrine of sovereign immunity protects a government from being sued or held liable in court without its consent. But in the U.S., that protection has been chipped away by governments themselves, who decades ago began allowing suits, most often related to negligence or other wrongful acts committed by their workers or officials. Florida law, however, limits the amount government agencies can pay in damages to $200,000. Anything more than that and a lawmaker must file a claim bill, or a relief act, for more money for a victim. But in some years, legislative leadership wouldn't allow any claim bills to be heard. And in 2013, a blue-ribbon legislative panel studied and recommended changes to the process. Its suggestions were never adopted. Moreover, the Department of Children and Families has been under fire almost since its creation in 1996 out of the old Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS), especially after a high-profile death of a child that was under its care. That notoriety came to a head ten years ago, when the Miami Heralds Innocents Lost investigative series revealed a system that was clearly broken, leaving children unprotected and at risk. More recently, the department has come under scrutiny for its call centers, which were found to have blocked 54% of calls from people seeking to connect with a representative. The call centers hung up on more than 700,000 calls in April alone, the Florida Phoenix has reported. Here's more about the individual claims, all of which were filed this week: About the bills Senate Bill 2: Filed by Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, R-Doral, the claim is for $20 million for a Fort Myers boy, C.C., who overdosed on his mothers methadone at 13 months of age. DCF failed to investigate seven complaints against the mother, the bill says. The child, now 9, suffers from seizures, neurological impairments, vision and hearing impairments and learning disabilities, among other health problems. Senate Bill 12: Filed by Gruters, the claim would provide relief to the grandparents of L.P., a minor who was stabbed 14 times by the child's mother after DCF left the child in her care. Following a two-week trial in 2022, a jury found DCF was negligent and awarded L.P. $28 million in damages, according to the bill. Senate Bill 18: Filed by Gruters, the bill would set aside almost $15 million to compensate H.H., reportedly abused by her mother and stepfather when she was 18 months old. After DCF failed to thoroughly investigate, H.H. was admitted to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and now suffers from permanent brain damage, including the inability to walk or talk, inability to sit up independently, needing of a feeding tube, posttraumatic epilepsy and seizures, according to the bill. Senate Bill 32: Filed by Sen. Alexis Calatayud, R-Miami, the claim would provide $3.8 million in relief for L.E., who was placed back into her mothers care after the department determined the child would be in present danger if left in the care of her parents, the bill says. After DCF closed the investigation against L.E.s parents, the child was admitted to the hospital, reportedly with injuries from child abuse. L.E. was diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome, which caused seizures and cerebral palsy, and malnourishment. Senate Bill 34: Filed by Calatayud, the legislation would provide almost $300,000 in relief for Michael Barnett, whose child, R.B., was wounded from being shot in the neck by the estranged husband of their mother. In 2010, Patrick Dell fatally shot R.B.s mother and four other siblings in their home, according to the bill. The department did not find the children were at significant risk in the home, even though the police had responded to 34 calls to service at the home in four years. Eleven of those calls were for domestic violence, the bill says. Ana Goni-Lessan, state watchdog reporter for the USA TODAY Network Florida, can be reached at agonilessan@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Lawmakers hit Florida child welfare agency with $70M in 'claim bills' TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida man was sentenced Wednesday for threatening a federal judge over a ruling regarding a challenge to Floridas so-called Dont Say Gay law. Stephen Jay Thorn, 66, of Pensacola, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Florida. Threatening harm against public officials, or their families, is an intolerable offense, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg said in a statement. My office takes such threats seriously and is committed to investigating and federally prosecuting anyone who threatens this sort of violence. Thorn made several phone calls in 2022 to the judges office and left profanity-laced tirades on voicemail recordings after he read a news report about a ruling he disagreed with, according to court documents. Tampa dentist charged with sending violent, racist messages to dozens of victims, feds say Thorn, who in one of the messages said he was a retired teacher, called the judge a rotten piece of **** and accused the judge of playing to the bases of Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump, because the judge was appointed by Trump. You have no ******* idea what LGBTQ kids go through, Thorn said in a message that was transcribed in court documents. Im a retired teacher. Ive taught in Florida. Ive taught in California. I have seen the sheer hell those kids are put through and you have the gall to say thats part of middle school or high school is to be picked on. In another message, Thorn threatened the judges family members and said they should have to suffer. A third message left by Thorn indicated that he knew the judges personal information, including an address, according to the documents. This is for that stupid redneck, ****, judge, [redacted], Thorn said in one message. You are a cruel person. You think that its okay for LGBTQ kids to be bullied, which is what that law is allowing, thats what its saying that theyre second-class citizens. Listen dumb***, youre easy to track you down. Thorn added, Im not a vindictive person and I wouldnt hurt anyone just like youve hurt a whole community, thousands of LGBTQ kids in the state of Florida, a state of 22 million people, you ******* vicious ****. Before Thorn made the calls, he used *67 to block his number, court records show. Court records show Thorn pleaded guilty on May 13. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. One person in Florida has died from eating Listeria-contaminated Boars Head deli meat as the outbreak spreads into more states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reported Wednesday. Florida health officials did not release the name of the city or store where the deli meat was purchased. Along with the death, three people in Florida have been hospitalized from eating contaminated deli meat. Overall, 57 people have been hospitalized and eight have died from what federal officials call the largest listeriosis outbreak since 2011. The CDC reported that, as of Aug. 8, the Boars Head deli meat outbreak had sickened people in 18 states. An investigation into cases of Listeria linked to deli meat began in July when health officials found Boars Head brand liverwurst was making people sick. Boars Head has since recalled 71 products produced between May 10, 2024, and July 29, 2024, under the Boars Head and Old Country brand names. The recall list includes hams, bologna, bacon, sausage, salami and frankfurters. Turkey has not been recalled. The CDC now is recommending everyone check their homes for any remaining recalled Boars Head products, since they can have long a shelf-life. Look for EST. 12612 or P-12612 inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels. Some of the products have sell by dates into October 2024. It can take up to 10 weeks for some people to have symptoms of listeriosis. Listeria can cause severe illness (known as invasive listeriosis) when the bacteria spread beyond the gut to other parts of the body. Symptoms of severe illness usually start one to four weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria but may start as early as the same day or as late as 70 days after. Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, diarrhea, or other gastrointestinal symptoms. It is particularly dangerous for anyone pregnant. The infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. Older people or anyone with weakened immune systems also are at higher risk. Listeriosis typically is treated with antibiotics. Health officials encourage consumers to check their fridges, discard any recalled products listed on the Boars Head website, or return them to the store where they purchased them for a full refund. Anyone with contaminated meats should thoroughly clean and sanitize their refrigerators to prevent contamination of other foods. The CDC notes that Listeria is a hardy germ that can remain on surfaces, like meat slicers, and foods, even at refrigerated temperatures. In July, a Publix spokesperson said the grocery chain had removed all products from the impacted Boars Head facility from every Publix location. The company did not break out which locations sold the potentially contaminated meats. _____ Florida teacher uses legs to put 3-year-old in headlock during storytime, deputies say TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida teacher was arrested Saturday after she allegedly used her legs to put a 3-year-old boy with autism in a headlock during class. Vilma Otero, 59, is facing child abuse charges after a paraeducator assigned to her classroom witnessed the incident unfold and filed a report with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), an arrest affidavit said. Credit: Volusia County Sheriffs Office The paraeducator in Oteros classroom at Forest Lake Elementary told Volusia County deputies she was setting up an activity during the childrens storytime when she heard a child start to scream and cry from the other side of the room. When the paraeducator turned around, she saw Otero sitting in a chair with the 3-year-old between her legs in a chokehold. According to the report, the boys face was turning red from crying and screaming as he tried to free himself. Deputies said the paraeducator took photos of the incident, which showed Oteros legs and feet placed on both sides of [the childs] neck appearing to hold him in place on his back, while Otero continues reading to other children in the classroom. Mother wants answers after son comes home from school with hair cut According to the Volusia County Sheriffs Office, deputies later spoke with the childs family and the toddler after receiving the DCF report. Since the boy is so young and also has autism, authorities werent able to communicate much with him. However, the affidavit showed he was able to tell deputies he got in trouble at school and said, She hurt me. While speaking with the toddler, deputies also noticed a slight redness on his neck. After speaking with the boys family, deputies arrived at Oteros home, where she told officials she has been a teacher for 36 years with the majority of her experience working with special needs children, the affidavit said. Sheriff: Cherry bomb fireworks placed in mailboxes, closing highway for hours She also told deputies she had received specialized training for teaching children with special needs, adding that the most common practice was to move the child to a different room when they needed to calm down. According to the arrest report, the 59-year-old teacher denied physically restraining the child in the way the paraeducator described even after deputies showed her photos that the paraeducator provided. Due to deputies observing physical marks on the boys neck and being told by the paraeducator that the child tried to escape the position he was put in, the sheriffs office said there was probable cause to arrest Otero. Otero faces a felony charge of child abuse without great bodily harm. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Florida teacher uses legs to put 3-year-old in headlock during storytime, deputies say TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida teacher was arrested Saturday after she allegedly used her legs to put a 3-year-old boy with autism in a headlock during class. Vilma Otero, 59, is facing child abuse charges after a paraeducator assigned to her classroom witnessed the incident unfold and filed a report with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), an arrest affidavit said. Credit: Volusia County Sheriffs Office The paraeducator in Oteros classroom at Forest Lake Elementary told Volusia County deputies she was setting up an activity during the childrens storytime when she heard a child start to scream and cry from the other side of the room. When the paraeducator turned around, she saw Otero sitting in a chair with the 3-year-old between her legs in a chokehold. According to the report, the boys face was turning red from crying and screaming as he tried to free himself. Deputies said the paraeducator took photos of the incident, which showed Oteros legs and feet placed on both sides of [the childs] neck appearing to hold him in place on his back, while Otero continues reading to other children in the classroom. WATCH: Student attacks school bus driver in Colorado According to the Volusia County Sheriffs Office, deputies later spoke with the childs family and the toddler after receiving the DCF report. Since the boy is so young and also has autism, authorities werent able to communicate much with him. However, the affidavit showed he was able to tell deputies he got in trouble at school and said, She hurt me. While speaking with the toddler, deputies also noticed slight redness on his neck. After speaking with the boys family, deputies arrived at Oteros home, where she told officials she has been a teacher for 36 years with the majority of her experience working with special needs children, the affidavit said. She also told deputies she had received specialized training for teaching children with special needs, adding that the most common practice was to move the child to a different room when they needed to calm down. According to the arrest report, the 59-year-old teacher denied physically restraining the child in the way the paraeducator described even after deputies showed her photos that the paraeducator provided. Due to deputies observing physical marks on the boys neck and being told by the paraeducator that the child tried to escape the position he was put in, the sheriffs office said there was probable cause to arrest Otero. Otero faces a felony charge of child abuse without great bodily harm. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Autry Stephens became an oil tycoon in his forties. Endeavor Energy Resources Autry Stephens sold his oil company for $26 billion but died before the deal was completed. The Texan farm boy became an oil tycoon by betting big, minimizing costs, and working tirelessly. Here's a closer look at Stephens' life and the monster deal he struck months before his death. Autry Stephens spent 45 years building one of the nation's largest private oil producers and finally agreed to sell it for $26 billion this year but died before the deal closed. The Texas farm boy became an oil tycoon by taking big risks, pinching pennies, hustling hard, and finding ways to survive when others failed. Here's the story of his life and his last big deal. Drilling down Stephens was born in 1938, raised on a fruit-and-peanut farm in the Texas town of DeLeon, and studied petroleum engineering at the University of Texas at Austin's engineering school, according to a profile on its website. His first job after graduating was at Humble Oil, an ExxonMobil predecessor. He promptly took two years out to join the US Army Corps of Engineers as a lieutenant and platoon leader in charge of installing pipelines before rejoining Humble for five years. His next gig was as an appraisal engineer for a bank in Midland, Texas. Next, he struck out on his own as an independent consulting engineer. Stephens was in his forties by the time he drilled his first well in 1979. He plowed his life savings into the prospect, which "wasn't very smart," he told The Wall Street Journal in February. Over the next 45 years the wildcatter established Big Dog Drilling Company, which had a single rig at first, and then Endeavor Energy Resources. He built his business into one of the biggest oil exploration and production companies in the Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico. Endeavor now owns 410,000 net acres across multiple basins, boasts thousands of wells, and produces more than 420,000 gross operated barrels of oil equivalent per day, according to its website. Striking oil Stephens competed with the oil majors as an underdog, purchasing wells they deemed too costly to bring online. He drove down costs by drilling one well at a time, and buying or setting up his own fracking, trucking, construction, and oil services companies. When rivals faltered during industry downturns, Stephens bought cheap mineral rights and acquired businesses for his stable. He stayed afloat when crude prices plunged in 2008 and 2014 by shutting down his rigs, flogging assets, and securing new lenders, per the Journal. He also issued long-term bonds and stabilized the selling prices for his oil using futures contracts, per Bloomberg. Story continues Endeavor has been riding high on the US shale wave since 2016, when it shifted its focus to fracking and horizontal drilling. Stephens told the Journal that he'd been fending off buyout offers from ExxonMobil and Shell for years. He finally accepted a $26 billion deal for Endeavor from Diamondback Energy in February. One big reason was that he'd been diagnosed with cancer, and the disease was taking a physical toll on him, he told the Journal. Work hard, spend little Stephens was renowned for his zealous work ethic. The Journal reported that he often went to Endeavor's offices at weekends, and marched up and down the staircases for exercise. He also took a leaf out of Warren Buffett's frugal billionaire playbook. He flew cheaply with Southwest Airlines, drove a beaten-up Toyota Land Cruiser, and didn't take any money out of Endeavor for many years, sources told the Journal. Stephens also kept a low profile. One of his few moments in the spotlight was on a truTV documentary called "Black Gold," which followed workers on one of his rigs as they scrambled to complete four wells in 50 days. Missing out Diamondback is set to buy Endeavor for $8 billion in cash and 117 million shares. The merger promised to quadruple Stephens' net worth to more than $23 billion on paper, vaulting him to 85th place on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index and making him America's wealthiest oilman. Stephens has now been removed from the rich list following his death on August 16 at the age of 86. He was previously listed as gaining some $17 billion this year more than Elon Musk (up $4.2 billion), Microsoft's Steve Ballmer (up $11.8 billion), and Asia's richest person, Mukesh Ambani (up $16 billion). The wildcatter died shortly before the deal's expected fourth-quarter close. But given Stephens' disinterest in living large, it's unlikely he felt bitter about missing out. His family is set to receive the payment instead. Stephens told the Journal in February he had "mixed emotions" about selling the company he'd built over more than four decades. He viewed his workforce as a "kind of a little family" and would miss them. Read the original article on Business Insider FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WVNS) The West Virginia Hive and New River Gorge Regional Development Authority have been awarded a large sum in federal funds. $301,000 grant given to West Virginia for specialty crop block grants The money is going towards the creation of a food innovation hub in Fayette County. The West Virginia Hive food innovation hub is the signature project of the Rural Partners Network (RPN). RPN is comprised of government and non-profit leaders from 12 different southern West Virginia counties. This project is becoming a reality with the awarding of $750,000 from the United State Department of Agriculture Rural Developments Rural Community Advancement Program. The hub will feature an enormous commercial grade kitchen and focus heavily on food and agriculture based businesses. More than $70 million announced by U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito for projects in West Virginia Judy Moore, Executive Director of West Virginia Hive, said this is a great opportunity. So, we will work with food businesses to help enrich their knowledge about running a food-based or agriculture-based business, and they can actually experiment within that commercial kitchen, said Moore. Ten to twelve businesses will be able to utilize the kitchen to prepare food for restaurants or food trucks. Experts in the food and agriculture industries will be brought in to assist local businesses with expanding their knowledge and range of products offered. Ryan Thorn, West Virginia State Director for USDA Rural Development, said this is just the start of the benefits the new hub will offer. We hope this will act as a catalyst for additional food, hospitality businesses that support the tourism economy, because in Fayette County with the presence of the New River Gorge Region, the New River Gorge National Park, theres always gonna be a need for unique restaurants, unique food products that folks coming into our state want to take advantage of, want to consume, want to experience, said Thorn. The location for the hub has not been determined yet but it will be in Fayette County for centralization reasons. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Ford Motor Co. told employees it will no longer participate in an annual survey from an LGBTQ advocacy group and would not use quotas for minority dealerships and suppliers, the latest company to make changes to its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as corporate America faces growing pressure from a conservative activist whose anti-DEI campaign is gaining momentum. We are mindful that our employees and customers hold a wide range of beliefs, Ford CEO Jim Farley wrote in an internal email shared with USA TODAY by Robby Starbuck. The external and legal environment related to political and social issues continues to evolve. When reached for comment, Ford told USA TODAY: "The communication to our global employees speaks for itself. We have nothing further to add." Starbuck said he was investigating Fords DEI policies before the carmakers announcement. This week Starbuck claimed credit when home improvement chain Lowes scaled back DEI initiatives and he launched a campaign against Lowe's rival, Home Depot. Ford said it will no longer take part in the Human Rights Campaigns Corporate Equality Index and best places to work surveys. It also opened its employee resource groups to all workers. It was unclear how extensive the changes were to Fords overall DEI policies and programs. This isnt everything we want but its a great start, Starbuck wrote on X. Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said the organization "could not be more disappointed to see Ford Motor Co. shirking its responsibility to its employees, consumers, and shareholders." "By failing to support women leaders, employees of color, and LGBTQ+ employees, Ford Motor Co. is abandoning its financial duty to recruit and keep top talent from across the full talent pool," Robinson said in a statement. "In making their purchasing decisions, consumers should take note that Ford Motor Company has abandoned its commitment to our communities." Lowes and Ford adopted preemptive changes before Starbuck rallied his social media followers to boycott the companies. Were now forcing multibillion-dollar organizations to change their policies without even posting just from fear they have of being the next company that we expose, he said. Stories of justice and action across America. Sign up for USA TODAY's This is America newsletter. Starbuck told USA TODAY he does not release details of his campaigns ahead of time, but incremental change like at Ford will not affect our focus on pursuing larger change. Activists harness anti-DEI backlash In a nation riven by cultural issues around race, gender and family, Starbuck belongs to a new wave of agitators pressuring corporate America to back off commitments to DEI, climate change and issues affecting LGBTQ+ people. Emboldened by a Supreme Court decision last year banning affirmative action at the college level, conservative activists like anti-affirmative action crusader Edward Blum and former Trump administration official Stephen Miller have taken aim at the private sector with a wave of legal challenges against companies, government agencies and nonprofits. Corporate diversity database: A USA TODAY investigative series inside the nations most powerful companies Starbuck turns to his nearly 600,000 X followers to generate outrage and put pressure on corporations. The Ford logo is seen on a sign at a dealership in Hudson, Wis. A series of companies including Tractor Supply, John Deere, Harley-Davidson and Jack Daniels whiskey maker Brown-Forman have made changes to DEI programs after scrutiny from Starbuck. Farley sits on Harley-Davidsons board. John Deere CEO John May sits on Fords board. Why some companies pull the plug on DEI Publicly, most business leaders who made commitments following the 2020 murder of George Floyd say they remain dedicated to DEI. But privately, they are scrutinizing DEI investments and backing away from initiatives like hiring targets conservatives claim are illegal quotas. Fellowships and internships that once were open only to historically underrepresented groups are now increasingly open to everyone. A growing number of companies have dropped mentions of diversity goals in shareholder reports. Some even list DEI as a risk factor in regulatory filings. Diversity advocates say business leaders are trying to steer away from the nations cultural fault lines while continuing to embrace DEI initiatives that are popular with many consumers and employees. Driving that shift is the charged political climate in the run-up to the 2024 election. If he wins the White House, GOP nominee Donald Trump has promised to reverse the Biden administrations woke equity programs. J.D. Vance, the GOP senator from Ohio who is Trumps running mate, introduced a bill the Dismantle DEI Act that would end all federal DEI programs and funding for government agencies and contractors that have DEI programs. Increasingly, Americans are indicating they would prefer businesses stay out of public policy. Fewer than 4 in 10 U.S. adults (38%) believe businesses should take public stances, a decline of 10 percentage points since 2022, according to a recent survey from Gallup and Bentley University. The only groups to express majority support for businesses taking public stands are LGBTQ+ adults (55%), Black adults (54%) and Democrats (53%), the Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Report found. DEI is political wedge issue in 2024 election In this volatile political environment, Starbuck sees himself as a corporate watchdog. He frames his campaign as getting politics out of business. He credits his success to targeting brands with broad appeal among conservatives that he says have fallen out of alignment with their customers. Tractor Supply, his first target, ended its DEI programs while the other companies did not make wholesale changes. When a company does a full turnaround like Tractor Supply, then we very strongly support people rewarding those types of companies, Starbuck told USA TODAY. Diversity advocates argue that DEI initiatives are popular in corporate America because they drive business success. A recent study from the Global Black Economic Forum and the Korn Ferry Institute found that building diverse teams and inclusive workplaces boosts innovation and other business goals. Opponents of DEI seek to dismantle initiatives because they work, Andrea Abrams, executive director of Defending American Values Coalition, a member of the Stacey Abrams-founded American Pride Rises Network, said in a statement. Rather than bowing to the pressures of anti-DEI activists, companies should speak up about the economic successes of DEI and stand firm in their support for programs that increase the talent pool and expand the bottom line. With anti-DEI rhetoric catching fire in conservative-leaning corners of the internet and talk of "woke mind virus" from prominent business figures like Elon Musk, Shaun Harper, a professor of business, public policy and education at the University of Southern California, says companies must be more transparent about their efforts to make their workforce and leadership better reflect the customers they serve. It demands companies show their work and show that their work is not the outrageous, divisive, indoctrinating versions of DEI that are talked about on Fox News and in other conservative media outlets and on conservative social media, Harper said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ford is latest high-profile American company to tap brakes on DEI Chung Pui-kuen, the former chief editor of Hong Kong's now-shuttered outlet Stand News, walks outside on bail after he was found guilty in a landmark sedition trial under a colonial-era law, in Wanchai District Court in Hong Kong on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok) HONG KONG (AP) The convictions of two Hong Kong journalists who led a now-shuttered online news outlet have deepened concerns of media groups and foreign governments over the citys press freedom, though local officials say there are no restrictions when journalists stick to the facts. Stand News former editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen and former acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam were found guilty of conspiracy to publish and reproduce seditious publications, with the judge saying their outlet had become a tool for smearing the government. Their sedition trial was Hong Kongs first involving media since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Here are some of the reactions from governments and media groups: United States U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller wrote on X that the convictions were a direct attack on media freedom and undermined the city's international reputation for openness. We urge Beijing and Hong Kong authorities to restore and uphold rights guaranteed in the Basic Law," he said, referring to the mini-constitution which adopted by China to govern Hong Kong after its handover from Britain in 1997 and which was aimed at preserving the territory's capitalist system and way of life until 2047. Britain Journalism is not a crime, Britains Indo-Pacific minister, Catherine West, wrote on X, adding that Chung and Lam were convicted for doing their job. She urged Hong Kong authorities to end politicised prosecutions of journalists and uphold press & publication freedoms as spelled out by the Basic Law. European Union The European Union said in a statement that the conviction is another sign of the dwindling space for press freedom, guaranteed in the Basic Law. The ruling risks further inhibiting the pluralistic exchange of ideas and the free flow of information, both cornerstones of the economic success of Hong Kong, it said. China The office of China's Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong firmly opposed the criticism from U.S., Britain and European Union in a statement, saying they have degraded right and wrong. It said Stand News is a political organization, and politicians in the West has long held double standards on the issue of press freedom. While they turn a blind eye to their own countries records of suppressing news media, they repeatedly use press freedom as a political tool to make excuses for groups that are anti-China and destabilizing Hong Kong," it said. Hong Kong Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan said the government respects press freedom, as guaranteed by the law. He said when journalists conduct their reporting based on facts, there won't be any restrictions on such freedom. Criticizing the government is not something that is banned," he said. Reporters Without Borders Reporters Without Borders condemned the verdict, saying it set a dangerous precent and dealt another blow against the city's shattered press freedom. Cedric Alviani, the global media watch dog's Asia-Pacific bureau director, called the judicial decision appalling." From now on, anyone reporting on facts that are not in line with the authorities official narrative could be sentenced for sedition, he said. Hong Kong Journalists Association Hong Kong Journalists Association, a leading media professional group in the city, said the case against Stand News exemplified the decline of the city's press freedom. The damage done to the citys press and to a media company is irreversible, long before the verdict was handed down today, it said. Amnesty International Amnesty International's China director Sarah Brooks said the verdict is one more nail in the coffin for the city's press freedom. The courts judgment that 11 articles on the Stand News website were seditious will invariably force journalists working in Hong Kong to think twice about what they write and further entrench a climate of fear in the city, fueled by a succession of repressive national security laws," she said. Brooks was referring to the 2020 national security law imposed by Beijing and a new security law enacted in March. A circuit court judge granted a former Florida deputy $100,000 bond for pre-trial release on Thursday in connection with the shooting death of U.S. Air Force Sr. Airman Roger Fortson who was killed in his own home in May. Eddie Duran, 38, was denied pretrial release in his first court appearance on Tuesday at the Okaloosa County Circuit Court. In Thursday's hearing, Duran, who appeared before a judge in person, avoided the $250,000 bond amount asked by the state but was denied the $10,000 requested by his attorneys. The Okaloosa County Circuit Court ruled that Duran cannot possess any firearms, come into contact with Fortson's family or leave the First Judicial Circuit area of Florida, outside of special circumstances that may be allowed by the court if they come up, according to the judge. MORE: US Airman Roger Fortson, killed by deputy in his own home, honored at funeral Duran was arrested on Monday after the Florida state attorney filed one count of manslaughter with a firearm against him last Friday. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years. Fortson, 23, was in his home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, on May 3 when Duran responded to the apartment for a call reporting a domestic disturbance, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. Fortson was alone in the apartment at the time, police said. PHOTO: U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson was shot in his home by a Florida sheriff's deputy. (Air force ) In body-worn camera footage released by the sheriff's office, Fortson is seen holding a gun in his right hand with his arm extended downward and the muzzle pointing at the floor as he opens the door in response to the deputy, who can be heard announcing twice that he's with the sheriff's office. The footage, reviewed by ABC News, also shows Fortson had his left hand up, palm showing, gesturing towards the deputy when he opened the door. Duran shot Fortson within seconds of the door opening, according to the footage. Fortson died of his injuries. The deputy said he saw Fortson armed with a gun and claimed that Fortson took a step toward the deputy and had a look of aggression in his eyes, according to an interview Duran conducted with the sheriff's office during their subsequent investigation. "Former Okaloosa Deputy Eddie Duran, his family, and our entire defense team extends condolences to the family and friends of Airman Roger Fortson as they mourn his tragic death," Rod Smith, Duran's attorney, said in a statement to ABC News after the hearing Thursday. "There will be no doubt that on May 3, 2024, Airman Fortson knew of, and was plainly angered by, the presence of law enforcement at the front door of his apartment. It was Airman Fortson who, after being made aware that a law enforcement officer was at his door, chose to arm himself with a semi-automatic pistol before responding to the deputy." MORE: Mother of Roger Fortson, airman killed in his own home, speaks out after deputy who shot him is fired Duran was terminated in May, according to a May 31 sheriff's department statement obtained by ABC News. "We believe very strongly that he's entitled to a good defense, and we look forward to our day in court," Smith, who joined the case as part of the defense team for the nonprofit Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association, told ABC News in a phone call prior to the hearing on Thursday. "We strongly dispute the decision by the office of the state attorney to file on this case. Our view of the evidence does not support that he committed a crime defending himself, standing his ground while trying to enforce the law." Fortson's girlfriend, who asked not to be identified due to fears for her safety, spoke in May to Atlanta ABC affiliate WSB-TV, telling the station her and Fortson were having a conversation on the phone when the shooting occurred. "We continue to wish Mr. Fortson's family comfort and peace, as the former deputy's criminal case proceeds," the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office previously told ABC News in a statement. "We stand by our decision to terminate Mr. Duran as a result of the administrative internal affairs investigation that found his use of force was not objectively reasonable." A sweep of the home did not find another person in the apartment besides Fortson, police said. In the body camera video, a woman, presumed to be a building manager, explains to the officer that someone in the building notified her of the disturbance and that she called police. Fortson's family said in a statement to ABC News last Friday that the charges marked a "first step towards justice" in the case. "Nothing can ever bring Roger back, and our fight is far from over, but we are hopeful that this arrest and these charges will result in real justice for the Fortson family," the statement said. "Let this be a reminder to law enforcement officers everywhere that they swore a solemn oath to protect and defend, and their actions have consequences, especially when it results in the loss of life." Duran will post bond later Thursday, according to Smith. ABC News' Sabina Ghebremedhin contributed to this report Former deputy granted $100,000 bond in court hearing in fatal shooting of Airman Roger Fortson originally appeared on abcnews.go.com NEWINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) A Chester man pleaded guilty on Thursday to a $2 million embezzlement scheme. Newington landscaper fined $1.75M Evan Bobzin, 39, allegedly stole the money from Hoffmans Gun Center in Newington, where he was the head of information technology. In 2016, Bobzin allegedly would arrive at work before other employees, disconnect ethernet cables from the companys computers to the cameras and steal money from the safe. He continued to do this until 2023. He faces up to 15 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 26. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Shiite cleric Mohammad Hadi Mofatteh, former head of the Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH), speaks at a press conference at the IZH. Five weeks after the ban on the Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH), which was classified as extremist, its former director is now to leave Germany. Christian Charisius/dpa Five weeks after the ban on the Hamburg Islamic Centre (IZH), which was classified as extremist, its former head must now leave Germany. The Hamburg Interior Authority issued a deportation order to 57-year-old Mohammad Hadi Mofatteh this week, a spokeswoman in Hamburg said on Thursday. She initially provided no information on whether the man is still in the country. The letter instructs him to leave Germany within 14 days. Otherwise, he faces deportation to his country of origin, at his own expense. According to the authority, this must happen by September 11, 2024. Additionally, he is banned from re-entering Germany or staying in the country. Should he do so, he faces up to three years in prison. Mofatteh had been the head of IZH since the summer of 2018. According to findings from the Hamburg domestic intelligence agency, officially known as the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution, he was considered the official representative of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Germany until recently. For Hamburg's Interior Senator Andy Grote, the deportation following the ban on the IZH is the next consistent step the authority is taking, as he stated upon enquiry. "As the highest religious representative of the inhumane regime in Tehran, his time in Germany is over. We will continue to fight Islamic extremism with full force and utilize all means of residency law to do so," Grote said. Shiite cleric Mohammad Hadi Mofatteh, former head of the Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH), speaks at a press conference at the IZH. Five weeks after the ban on the Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH), which was classified as extremist, its former director is now to leave Germany. Christian Charisius/dpa Five weeks after the ban on the Hamburg Islamic Centre (IZH), which was classified as extremist, its former head must now leave Germany. The Hamburg Interior Authority issued a deportation order to 57-year-old Mohammad Hadi Mofatteh this week, a spokeswoman in Hamburg said on Thursday. She initially provided no information on whether the man is still in the country. The letter instructs him to leave Germany within 14 days. Otherwise, he faces deportation to his country of origin, at his own expense. According to the authority, this must happen by September 11, 2024. Additionally, he is banned from re-entering Germany or staying in the country. Should he do so, he faces up to three years in prison. Mofatteh had been the head of IZH since the summer of 2018. According to findings from the Hamburg domestic intelligence agency, officially known as the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution, he was considered the official representative of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Germany until recently. For Hamburg's Interior Senator Andy Grote, the deportation following the ban on the IZH is the next consistent step the authority is taking, as he stated upon enquiry. "As the highest religious representative of the inhumane regime in Tehran, his time in Germany is over. We will continue to fight Islamic extremism with full force and utilize all means of residency law to do so," Grote said. In late 2022, the deputy head of IZH, Seyed Mousavifar, was deported from Germany due to connections with the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia. He had previously failed in an appeal against the deportation at the Hamburg Higher Administrative Court in the second instance. The pro-Iranian terrorist organization has been banned in Germany since 2020. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser banned the IZH on July 24, calling it a "significant propaganda centre of Iran in Europe." The justification stated in the prohibition order claimed that the association and operator of the mosque were controlled by the Iranian government, pursued goals in opposition to the German constitution and spread the ideology of the Islamic Revolution in Germany, which IZH representatives called an "allegation" against which they intended to file a lawsuit. At the end of July, police nationwide confiscated assets and facilities belonging to the IZH and five associated sub-organizations. Since then, Hamburg's Blue Mosque has also been under federal administration. For weeks, hundreds of believers have been gathering for Friday prayers and demonstrating for the reopening of the Blue Mosque, which sits on the shore of Hamburg's Outer Alster Lake. Former Massachusetts detective indicted on federal charges he killed a young woman who claimed he fathered her unborn child A former Massachusetts police detective has been indicted in connection with the killing of a young pregnant woman federal prosecutors say he began sexually exploiting when she was a teen in a law enforcement youth program. Matthew Farwell, 38, who was a detective in the town of Stoughton, was indicted on a count of killing a witness or victim relating to the 2021 strangulation death of 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore, according to the US Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts. He is also accused of staging her body and apartment to make it appear as a suicide, the office said. Farwell was arrested Wednesday and pleaded not guilty during an initial court appearance. His next appearance is September 10. CNN has reached out to his attorney for comment. Farwell is accused of killing Birchmore to prevent anyone from reporting a federal crime to law enforcement, including coercing or enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity, according to the indictment. When it became clear that Mr. Farwell could no longer control Sandra Birchmore, he allegedly silenced her permanently, acting US Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua Levy told reporters Wednesday. He allegedly attempted to cover his tracks to literally try and get away with murder. And he almost did. An officer with the Stoughton Police Department since 2012, Farwell was an instructor with the departments Police Explorers Academy law enforcement program for young people, according to the indictment. Birchmore had joined the program in 2010 at the age of 12, and Farwell allegedly used his authority and access to groom, sexually exploit and ultimately sexually abuse her by the time she was 15, a court affidavit said. Some of his sexual contact with the minor occurred while he was on duty, according to the indictment, and Farwell is accused of continuing to have sex with Birchmore until her death in February 2021. Federal prosecutors said the young woman learned she was pregnant in December 2020. She told family members she was happy and started making doctors appointments and purchasing items for her unborn child, according to the court documents. In January 2021, a friend of Birchmores called the police department and told an employee about the officers sexual contact with Birchmore. A department employee later alerted Farwell, who was married, to the call, the documents said. Prosecutors say when Birchmore told Farwell he was the father of the unborn child and expected him to be involved, he became violent, including one assault in which he placed her in a headlock and told her that he wished she were dead. On February 1, 2021, Farwell went to Birchmores apartment in Canton, with his face covered in a Covid-19 medical mask, according to court documents. Once inside, he killed her and staged her body and apartment to make it appear that Birchmore had died by suicide, the affidavit said. Her body was discovered during a wellness check on her apartment three days later. A medical examiner ruled her death a suicide. After Birchmores death, law enforcement agents went over her cell phones and a laptop and discovered messages between her and Farwell, according to court documents. The messages revealed Farwell had sex with Birchmore when she was a minor, the documents said. There were also exchanges about having unprotected sex. In court documents, prosecutors accuse Farwell of killing Birchmore the pregnant woman he had exploited and used for years, by strangling her to death. Within minutes of silencing Birchmore, video surveillance footage shows him leaving her apartment. The count of killing a witness or victim has a mandatory sentence of death or life in prison, according to prosecutors. Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara said in a statement Wednesday that after Birchmore was killed, she ordered a lengthy and aggressive internal affairs investigation, the instructions of which made it clear that no stone should be left unturned. The alleged murder of Sandra is a horrific injustice, McNamara said. The allegations against the suspect, a former Stoughton Police Officer, represent the single worst act of not just professional misconduct but indeed human indecency that I have observed in a nearly three-decade career in law enforcement. CNNs Celina Tebor contributed to this story. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Former Phoenix New Times editor sentenced to prison in Backpage trial that centered on prostitution Michael Lacey, the former top editor of the New Times tabloid, was sentenced to five years in federal prison Wednesday for laundering proceeds from the sale of Backpage.com, the website he co-founded and that prosecutors said became an online brothel. That financial crime was the only guilty verdict for Lacey returned by a federal jury in November. It followed weeks of testimony at the federal courthouse in Phoenix that laid out the governments theory on how Backpage worked with prostitutes and pimps to post thinly-veiled ads for prostitution. The jury found Lacey guilty of a single charge for setting up a trust in Hungary to benefit his sons. Prosecutors said Lacey did so to conceal the source of the funds. Trial testimony showed Lacey had intended to shield the money from seizure by the government. In addition to the prison sentence, Lacey was fined $3 million. Prosecutors had argued for a prison sentence of 20 years. They also asked that Lacey be placed in custody immediately. Lacey, 76, asked for probation. Also sentenced Wednesday were Scott Spear and Jon Brunst, former executives who ran Backpage. The government sought 20 year prison sentences for those men, too. They were convicted on many more charges and were each sentenced to 10 years in prison. Neither was fined. All three men were ordered to turn themselves in to the U.S. Marshals Service by Sept. 11 at noon. They were ordered confined to their homes and to have ankle monitors affixed before they left the courthouse Wednesday. Attorneys for the three men said in court they planned to appeal the convictions. In a statement released ahead of the two-day sentencing hearing Tuesday, Lacey said he had little to do with the operations of Backpage. It was a business and I did not work in business, he wrote. I ran the journalists and editors. During the sentencing, Judge Diane Humetewa said Lacey was put on notice that the funds earned from Backpage came from illegal prostitution ads, including for underage girls. Backpage.com co-founder Michael Lacey leaves a hearing at Sandra Day O'Connor U.S. Courthouse in Phoenix on Aug, 18, 2023. She said it was ironic that she received letters in defense of his character from former New Times reporters that praised Laceys journalism for defending the voiceless and powerless. The powerless were those many, many individuals who were posted on Backpage.com, Humetewa said. The judge said Lacey showed an inability to at least acknowledge what this was all about. Lacey was a college student when he founded New Times, an alternative weekly whose mission was to cure injustice and celebrate the arts through long-form journalism. Decades later, after leading a chain of alternative newspapers nationwide, Lacey co-founded Backpage to compete with the online classified website, Craigslist. That website had upended a lucrative and reliable revenue source for the print newspapers Lacey owned and cherished. In 2010, Craigslist shut down its adult section, which had ads for escorts and massages that law enforcement and advocates said were used for prostitution. Backpage made a concerted effort to be the new home for those ads, prosecutors said. Internal emails released to a U.S. Senate subcommittee under subpoena showed what prosecutors said was collusion among pimps, prostitutes and Backpage executives. That included editing ads and images to help disguise what prosecutors said was the true intent. The site generated $150 million annually by 2013, according to trial testimony. More than 90% of the sites revenue came what prosecutors contended were barely-disguised prostitution ads. The former chief executive officer of Backpage, Carl Ferrer, pleaded guilty to prostitution-related crimes on behalf of himself and the website. The government seized and shut down the website in March 2018, the day it arrested Lacey at his home. Besides Lacey's sole financial crime conviction, the jury in November also found the two other Backpage executives, Spear and Brunst, guilty of conspiracy to facilitate prostitution through the ads. It also found both men guilty on several counts of money laundering. Spear also was found guilty on 17 charges related to specific ads the government said were for prostitution. 'I understand their grief and I pray for their healing' On Tuesday, Brunst told the court that his role as chief financial officer was limited to accounting and did not include decisions of how the company was run. I would never take part in a conspiracy, he said. Brunst expressed remorse that Backpage was misused and caused harm to some women who were advertised on the website. I understand their grief, he said, and I pray for their healing. An attorney for Spear, Bruce Feder, said the federal prison system was overcrowded and not designed to deal with three men in their 70s with health issues. He likened it to a death sentence. These are men who had a business that sold ads for $5, Feder said. The ads served to facilitate possible bad acts by others, he said, but the website and these men did not cause direct harm. Spear refused to address the court. Lacey also refused to speak. Although a question from the judge asking if he wished to address the court produced some hushed conversation among Lacey and his attorneys. The jury in November could not reach a verdict on the charges accusing Lacey of aiding sex trafficking through the website. It also couldnt reach a verdict on more than 30 charges of money laundering. But it did return a guilty verdict on a charge related to a single transaction at a bank in Hungary. That transaction started when Lacey, along with Spear and Brunst, sold Backpage to Ferrer for some $600 million. Of that, Lacey received $115 million, court testimony showed. That money flowed through two companies that prosecutors described as shells before being sent to Lacey, who then placed it in five separate accounts, court documents show. In January 2017, Lacey arranged to have $16.5 million put into an account in Hungary, intending it as a trust for his sons. In a letter to his attorney quoted in a judges ruling, Lacey said he was doing so not to evade taxation but so that litigious parties, including government parties, cannot access my accounts. Humetewa, in a previous ruling upholding the guilty verdict, said there was enough evidence to show Lacey made the transfer in part to conceal that the true source of the funds stemmed from the sales of Backpage prostitution ads. The judge dismissed several of the sex trafficking and prostitution charges against Lacey in April, citing lack of evidence at trial. She also dismissed some charges and convictions against both Brunst and Spear. Prosecutors have told the court they intend to put Lacey on trial again for the charges that remain. 'They made so many errors and so much money' Lacey, along with James Larkin, partnered to make New Times a groundbreaking tabloid in Phoenix. The brand franchised to other cities, eventually taking over the Village Voice in New York. The pair were arrested in March 2018. The case initially went to trial in 2021, but a judge declared a mistrial after a few days of testimony. Larkin died by suicide in August 2023, days before the second trial was to begin. According to a memo Laceys attorneys filed with the court ahead of sentencing, Larkin and Lacey had a phone conversation the day before he died. In that call, according to the filing, Larkin told Lacey: Mike, youll be OK. You didnt have anything to do with Backpage. Lacey argued through the proceedings that he was removed from Backpage, concentrating on the journalism. Prosecutors pointed out that Lacey had no newspapers to edit after selling them in 2012, but he still maintained control of Backpage. Lacey, in a draft of an opinion column quoted in the indictment, wrote that Backpages existence meant that for the very first time, the oldest profession in the world has transparency, record keeping and safeguards. Larkin, according to prosecutors, flagged that paragraph and asked it to be removed. On Tuesday, some women who were advertised for sex work on Backpage testified. Destinee Ortiz, who is now 27 and said she was advertised on the site from ages 14 to 20, stayed at the hearing through the rest of the day to hear Laceys defense attorneys argue for leniency. She was not swayed. They made so many errors, she said following Tuesdays testimony. And so much money. Republic reporter Jimmy Jenkins contributed to this article. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former Phoenix New Times editor Michael Lacey gets prison sentence Former Russian deputy defense minister, ex-assistant to Shoigu arrested on suspicion of fraud Pavel Popov, a former Russian deputy defense minister, was arrested on suspicion of fraud related to an ongoing scandal over Moscow's "Patriot Park," the state-run media outlet TASS reported on Aug. 29. Popov also served as an assistant to Sergei Shoigu, secretary of Russia's Security Council, who was the defense minister until his dismissal in May 2024. Popov was dismissed from military service by Russian President Vladimir Putin in June 2024. The arrest of Popov follows earlier episodes related to alleged corruption at the Patriot Park. Vyacheslav Akhmedov, the park's director, and Major General Vadim Shesterov were detained earlier in August for allegedly skimming state funds intended for the park. Popov is accused of using construction companies contracted for work on the park to construct a private residence. According to Russia's Investigative Committee, Popov forced contractors to do work on his residence and did not pay them. After constructing the estate and landscaping the area, Popov allegedly continued "to provide technical and economic maintenance" to his three hectare property with state funds. The Investigative Committee also said Popov and his family own property in "prestigious" areas of the capital and Moscow and Krasnodar oblasts worth more than 500 million rubles ($5.5 million). Investigators are determining the circumstances and legality of the properties' acquisition, the committee said. A man and a boy ride in a toy tank at Patriot Park in the Moscow region on July 24, 2022. Photo for illustrative purposes. (Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images) The Patriot Park, a military-themed tourist attraction in a Moscow suburb, opened in 2016 and features displays related to the Russian army and the Soviet Union's victory in World War II. It has since expanded to include propaganda related to the full-scale war in Ukraine, such as displays of captured military equipment. Popov's arrest was the latest in a series of investigations and detentions of former and current officials from Russia's Defense Ministry, in what some have characterized as a "purge." Earlier in August, Vladimir Pavlov, the head of the Russian military's clothing and food supplier Voentorg, was detained on fraud charges. The previous month, Dmitry Bulgakov, who formerly served as a Russian deputy defense minister until September 2022, was arrested on corruption-related charges. The day before, Andrei Belkov, the head of the military construction company linked to Russia's Defense Ministry, was arrested on suspicion of corruption. Belkov was previously supervised by former Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, who is currently also under investigation on corruption-related charges. In May, Lieutenant General Yuri Kuznetsov, the head of the personnel department of the Russian Defense Ministry, was detained on criminal charges, and Lieutenant General Vadim Shamarin, a deputy chief of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff and head of the Main Directorate of Communications, was arrested for allegedly receiving a large bribe. Read also: Another Russian ex-defense official arrested on corruption charges Sign up for our newsletter WTF is wrong with Russia? Sign up Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. We recently published a list of 15 Best Stocks to Buy According to Hosking Partners. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) stands against the other best stocks to buy according to Hosking Partners. Hosking Partners was established in 2013 by Jeremy Hosking as an independent partnership that offers a single global equity strategy. The firm appeals to investors seeking long-term returns and innovative thinking employing a capital cycle approach to investing. It has a diverse set of stocks in its portfolio that belong to a variety of industries consisting of AI, shipping, and financial services, among others. Jeremy Hosking earned an MA from the University of Cambridge, after which he served Marathon Asset Management 26 years as a founding partner and lead portfolio manager. There he contributed to developing the capital cycle approach to investment. In its recent blog about shipping, Hosking Partners believes that understanding the cycles in different classes of shipping and global trends is essential for successful investment in the industry. Currently, Shipping (covering the container, dry bulk, product tanker and LNG sub-sectors) represents 1.25% of the portfolio. Global trade has declined as a percentage of GDP since 2010 caused by deglobalization, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical instability from the Russia-Ukraine war. This trend, coupled with the energy transition, is expected to constrain future supply and increase commodity price volatility, benefiting shipping by enabling cross-border trade. Furthermore, shipping is a significant emitter of CO2, accounting for about 3% of global emissions. Environmental regulations aim to reduce emissions, but uncertainty over future fuel technology deters investment in new ships, leading to a tighter supply. The industrys efficiency, measured by emissions per tonne-km, remains high compared to other transport modes. The shipping industry is at a pivotal juncture, with significant transformations driven by AI, the energy transition, and ESG considerations. Another industry that Hosking Partners talks about is copper mining. Copper is often seen as a barometer for economic health and is crucial for the energy transition, including electric vehicles, power grids, and wind turbines. Wall Street banks are optimistic about copper prices, forecasting significant gains. Citi analysts suggest that prices could surge to over $15,000 per ton in the next 2-3 years if a strong economic recovery occurs, while their base case projects a rise to $12,000 per ton with modest demand growth through 2025 and 2026. Bank of America has also increased its 2024 copper price target to $9,321 from $8,625, citing tight mine supply and high demand driven by the energy transition as key factors. Story continues However, some experts are cautious. Colin Hamilton of BMO Capital Markets argues that commodity markets tend to self-correct, and if supply issues persist, demand may adjust, potentially leading to lower prices. Hamilton suggests that while high price targets might be temporarily achievable, adjustments in demand could follow. The market may see a modest surplus due to increased mined supply, which is projected to grow by 4-4.5%. This is largely driven by new greenfield and brownfield projects. Despite the near-term surplus, long-term scarcity is anticipated as regulatory and political challenges in South America could impede the development of new mines. At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here). Is Bank of America Corporation (BAC) Best Stock to Buy According to Hosking Partners? A professional banker providing consultation to a customer in the security of his office. Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) Hosking Partners Stake Value: $65,278,001 Percentage of Hosking Partners 13F Portfolio: 2.41% Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 92 Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) in Q2 of 2024 reported net income of $6.9 billion after tax, or $0.83 in diluted EPS. Earnings were evenly split between consumer and GWIM businesses, and institutional-focused global banking and markets business. Revenue growth from the second quarter of 2023 was driven by a rise in non-interest income, which offset the decline in net interest income. Fees increased by 6% year-over-year, making up 46% of total revenue, with a notable 14% rise in asset management fees in our wealth management sector. Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) was able to add 278,000 net new checking accounts this quarter, totaling over 500,000 in the first half of 2024. Wealth management gained 6,100 new relationships, and the commercial sector expanded by thousands of small business accounts and hundreds of commercial banking relationships. Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) now manages $5.7 trillion in client balances, loans, deposits, and investments in the consumer and wealth management segments, with $58 billion in flows over the past year. Investment banking fees grew by 29% year-over-year, sales and trading revenue increased by 7%, and card and service charge revenue in its consumer business also grew by 6%. While the analysts expect BACs EPS to decline by 4.7% to $3.26 on a diluted basis for the current fiscal year, the company has consistently exceeded consensus estimates over the past four quarters. On July 30, analyst Betsy Graseck of Morgan Stanley maintained a Buy rating for Bank of America with a $49 price target, suggesting a 21.6% upside potential Overall BAC ranks 9th on our list of the best stocks to buy according to Hosking Partners. While we acknowledge the potential of BAC as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than BAC but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: $30 Trillion Opportunity: 15 Best Humanoid Robot Stocks to Buy According to Morgan Stanley and Jim Cramer Says NVIDIA Has Become A Wasteland. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. (Bloomberg) -- Former Taiwan presidential candidate Ko Wen-je said he was temporarily stepping down as leader of the opposition party he founded, a move that comes as authorities probe his handling of election funds. Most Read from Bloomberg Ko said during a press briefing on Thursday that the leave of absence from the Taiwan Peoples Party would last three months. He apologized for misreporting campaign expenses, an issue that prompted prosecutors in Taipei to launch an inquiry earlier this month. Ko also said that it was inconsiderate to use an election subsidy to buy an office unit that he has said was for the TPP. Ko, a former trauma surgeon, was a surprisingly popular third-party candidate for president in the island at the center of China-US tensions. He finished with nearly 27% of the vote in January, behind the eventual winner, President Lai Ching-te, and runner-up Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang. Ko and Hou flirted with the idea of establishing a joint ticket but never clinched a deal. The TPP and the KMT later formed a coalition in the legislature that passed a law bolstering the power of lawmakers to probe the executive branch. Tens of thousands of supporters of Lais Democratic Progressive Party took to the streets of cities around Taiwan to condemn the bill earlier this year, saying it would disrupt the work of the government. Lai has said companies and foreign chambers of commerce expressed concern over the controversial legal changes. The backers of the law, which the Constitutional Court has suspended during a review, say it introduced badly needed reforms. Also, the Taipei Times has reported that prosecutors searched offices and questioned people over possible preferential treatment of developer Core Pacific City Co. while Ko was mayor of Taipei City. Theres no indication that Ko has done anything wrong regarding Core Pacific City. He said at the briefing on Thursday that he hoped prosecutors thoroughly investigated the case. Core Pacific City said in a statement that its operations and finances were normal, and that it would follow guidelines for corporate governance. --With assistance from Betty Hou. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. CHICAGO (CBS) -- A former University of Chicago student from Massachusetts is facing federal charges after allegedly setting off an explosion in his dorm room last year, and lying to federal agents months later when his bags set off explosive alarms at Logan International Airport in Boston. Aram Brunson, 21, of Newton, Mass., is charged with one count each of falsifying, concealing and covering up a material fact by trick, scheme or device; and making false statements to federal officials. Federal prosecutors in Massachusetts said, in January 2023, Brunson triggered an explosion in his dorm room at the Woodlawn Commons at the University of Chicago while trying to build a large black powder device. The explosion caused a fire which prompted officials to evacuate the dorm. At the time, he claimed he was just trying to recreate a prank he'd seen on the internet, according to prosecutors. Aram Brunson is accused of setting off an explosion at his University of Chicago dorm while trying to build a large black powder device. Federal prosecutors said he created videos teaching others how to make explosives and rig doors with grenades, and was seeking to engage in revolutionary action and terrorism in support of Armenian causes. / Credit: U.S. Attorney's Office An investigation later revealed Brunson, who is of Armenian descent, was seeking to engage in revolutionary action and terrorism in support of Armenian causes, and made videos of himself teaching others how to make explosives and rig doors and desks with grenades, prosecutors said. Investigators discovered a video of him "plainly seeking to assist Armenian speakers in the formation and operation of an armed militant terrorist organization," according to the charges. Months after the explosion in his dorm, in August 2023, Brunson went to Logan International Airport in Boston to fly to Armenia, when his bags set off explosive alarms. Prosecutors said he told Customs and Border Protection officials that he had no idea how traces of explosive materials ended up on and in his bags. A search of his home later revealed a notebook in which he had written up a recipe for making HMTD explosive compound. A bomb dog used to sweep the home alerted on three locations in his bedroom, according to the charges. Court records show an arrest warrant for Brunson was issued on Tuesday. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's office in Masachusetts said Brunson is believed to be living in Armenia and attending the American University in the Armenian capital city of Yerevan. If convicted, Brunson faces up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the charges. Virginia pushes to ban cellphones in schools New GOP-backed Georgia election rules raise concerns Boy's heroic actions save stepfather's life after crash ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Sibley Square, the 1.1 million square foot mixed-use development in a former department store, was vacant less than 10 years ago when WinnCompanies, based in Boston, bought it. Their projects including 190 businesses and hundreds of apartments all fall within their vision of innovation, education, and incubation. Once the next round of developments is completed by spring, Ken Greene, commercial development director of the Sibley Square project, says that 1,000 workers, residents, and shoppers will use the old mega-store daily. We wanted to leverage the history, the romance, and the emotions people have with this building, and figure out how we bring it into the next century, he said. Those four developments, totaling 100,00 sq. ft. are: UltraPhil, an antiseptic bottling prototype plant, on the first floor Haley & Aldrich an environmental engineering firm (moving from Henrietta) on the second floor SWBR, an architecture firm, on the fourth floor Bandwidth, a cloud-based communications company, on the fifth floor But theres more work to be done. Greene says there are 65,000 sq. ft. left to lease, which can be used for one business, or it can be subdivided. Its (asking) do they fit what were trying to create here, are they part of the community, and do they fit within our silos of innovation, education, and incubation, Greene said. Many of these new offices have built-in storage, showers, and other amenities, alongside the Mercantile On Main, a grocery store, and more in the building. There arent a lot of opportunities in life to recreate a city block for a generation, Greene said. In some ways, thats what were doing here Were taking what used to be a department store, that had a bakery, grocery store, fur store, clothing, and manufacturing, it was vertically integrated And weve recreated it into a different kind of meeting place, with similar synergies for the next generation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Four nuclear units disconnected from grid during Russia's latest large-scale attack on Ukraine Four nuclear power units were temporarily disconnected from the grid during the Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine on 26 August. Source: Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the International Organisations in Vienna in an official note to the IAEA. Details: It is noted that at 08:58, power units 1, 3 and 4 at the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant were switched off. At 17:05, due to fluctuations in the national power grid caused by the Russian attack, power unit No 3 at the South Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plant also shut down. At the same time, at 09:05 Eastern European time, the power units of the South Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plant reduced their capacity to a total of 1,800 MW. The Permanent Mission of Ukraine asked the IAEA to immediately relay this information to all members of the organisation. Background: Energoatom, the Ukrainian state-owned nuclear company, is preparing to implement a project to complete the unfinished Chyhyryn Nuclear Power Plant. The first steps towards it have already been taken. Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated that a "threat of nuclear incident" emerged in Kursk Oblast, and the fighting near the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) causes concern. Support UP or become our patron! Fox News anchor Jesse Watters, bickering with "The Five" co-host Jessica Tarlov, insisted that Vice President Kamala Harris had a "terrible" week and that far from receiving a post-convention bounce was "down in all the battleground states." RealClear, check it out, right now, in the break, Ill prove you wrong," he said, referring to the polling and political news aggregate RealClearPolitics, which actually shows Harris leading in swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Less than hour after Watters made his claim, Fox News' Bret Baier reported on a post-convention poll by the network itself that showed Harris leading Trump in most of the Sun Belt battlegrounds as well. The poll, conducted August 23-26, shows Harris ahead of Trump by 2 points in Georgia and Nevada and 1 point in Arizona among registered voters, while Trump leads Harris by 1 point in North Carolina. Previous Fox News surveys showed Biden trailing Trump by 5 to 6 points in those states. Harris' improvement is buttressed by 79% support from Black voters, a group Democrats feared might move in Trump's direction as Biden struggled to make headway against Trump. Trump still retains much better numbers among Black voters than he did in 2020, nearly tripling his support from 7% to 19%, but lost 6% of his support among white evangelical Christians. Democratic candidates in down-ballot races hold an even wider lead than Harris, with Rep. Ruben Gallego leading Republican Kari Lake by 15 points in Arizona's U.S. Senate race. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nevada, is also ahead of Republican Sam Brown by 14 points in her re-election bid. Fracking is being forced onto some Ohio property owners' land: Here's why it's legal When Jill Antares Hunkler purchased land in Belmont County, Ohio, in 2007, she never envisioned her home would be surrounded by 78 oil and gas fracking wells a decade later, she said. "I wanted to build my home where I had roots," Hunkler, a seventh-generation Ohio Valley resident, told ABC News. "It was a place where I could live a more traditional, natural life." Hunkler's three-acre property at the headwaters of the Captina Creek Watershed was one of hundreds in the area that she said became a magnet for fracking. PHOTO: Jill Hunkler is a seventh-generation Ohio Valley resident who says her home was affected by fracking well unitization. (Jill Hunkler) Her property sits on the Utica and Marcellus Shales in the Appalachian Basin, geologic formations known to hold large reserves of oil and natural gas. As of April 2024, the Marcellus Shale contained about 120 million barrels of oil, while the Utica Shale contained 2.3 million barrels, according to the United States Geological Survey. MORE: Trump says 'drill, baby, drill,' but the record for US oil production isn't his There are 1,625 fracking wells in Belmont Country this year, which marks a 25% increase from 2023, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), which oversees unitization orders in the state. Hunkler said when oil and gas representatives called "landmen" came knocking on her door, calling her home and sending repeated notices, she learned of the state's unitization laws. The fate of her land was largely out of her hands, she said. "To be perfectly honest, it makes me cry even now," Hunkler said. What is unitization? Unitization is the consolidation of multiple land parcels into a single operational unit for fracking, according to ODNR. Instead of drilling multiple wells on separate properties, which can be inefficient, unitization combines adjacent properties over a pool to allow for a more coordinated approach to extracting oil or gas. Because it's multiple properties, most neighbors in the area must apply to lease their land, according to state law. PHOTO: Jill Hunkler is a seventh-generation Ohio Valley resident who says her home was affected by fracking well unitization. (Jill Hunkler) In Ohio, 65% of property owners in a project area must sign an application to lease their property for drilling before going forward, according to ODNR. This leaves a population of dissenting or "non-participatory" landowners forced into fracking in the area, even if it's not on their property. Unitization has been legal in Ohio since 1965, however, the last decade has seen unitization orders surge to meet fracking demands. The ODNR enacted 112 unitization orders in 2022 and nearly 100 in 2023, according to ODNR records. Before 2021, which saw 73 unitization orders, ODNR enacted less than 50 orders per year between 2012 and 2020, according to records. Negotiating a lease Proponents believe fracking brings jobs back to the region, which historically relied on coal and steel manufacturing, and gives residents the opportunity to make passive income by leasing land. "Natural gas production has been tremendously profitable for Ohio," state Sen. George Lang and two researchers said in a 2023 press release posted on the Ohio Senate website. "The shale revolution has been the greatest driver of the state's economic progress since the late 1990s. Ohio now ranks sixth among states in natural gas production, exporting to our neighbors and the world." Ohio law states landowners must make "just and reasonable" compensation for leasing sites, which can vary based on location, under state law. In 2024, some local drillers reported paying landowners an average of $500 per acre, but lease bonus payments in southeast Ohio can range from $3,000$6,000 per acre, according to McCleery Law Firm, which provides consultation and legal services to landowners considering entering, or impacted by, a leasing agreement. "It is also an area where landowners are chronically exploited," the firm says in their "Landowner's Guide." "This is because landmen usually offer significantly less per acre if they suspect you lack knowledge of the market. Without knowledge of fair market value, an increase of two thousand dollars per acre might seem advantageous, when in reality, the starting offer was simply egregiously low," the firm claims. PHOTO: The Marcellus Shale drill site sits several miles from the the home of Bob Hickle in Toronto, Ohio. (Jason Cohn/MCT/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) Property owners also receive royalties on the gas produced, which typically begins at 12.5%, according to ODNR. Echoing Hunkler's story, a study published this month in Nature Energy reviewed detailed records of landmen's dealings with 37 property owners in Ohio to investigate how they may be disadvantaged in lease negotiations. The records spanned from January 2014 and April 2021, which saw a boom of fracking increases in the state, according to the study. Researchers found that companies used persistent and personal strategies to overcome landowner reluctance, such as repeated in-person visits, calls and in some cases, contacting their family members and neighbors. The study cited a log of contact between a landman and a property owner in Noble County, Ohio. "When their calls go unanswered, they send letters. When those are returned with 'REFUSED' handwritten across them, landmen drive to her house. When she refuses to answer the door, they speak to her neighbours and family members," according to the study. When property owners refused all requests, the study found widespread use of compulsory unitization. "In roughly 40% of the wells drilled in Ohio, compulsory unitization applications were used because voluntary consent from landowners was not obtained," according to the study. In a statement to ABC News, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources said the role of the agency is "to follow and administer the law, as written." "The Division does not have jurisdiction to regulate landmen," ODNR said. Changed way of life "People that don't live in southeast Ohio have no concept of what it's like," Randi Pokladnik, a lifelong resident of the Ohio River Valley and retired research chemist, told ABC News about fracking in the area. "It sounds like a jet engine in the middle of the night and you can smell the emissions. It's a constant barrage of sand trucks and fracking trucks with brine in them," Pokladnik said. She unaffectionately calls the nightly traffic the "brine truck parade." PHOTO: The Rice Energy fracking pad in St. Clairsville, Ohio, Feb. 25, 2020. (Justin Merriman/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Pokladnik and her husband own property in Tappan, Ohio, and despite denying leasing requests from oil and gas representatives for over a decade, in February, Pokladnik's property was "force pooled" to participate without their consent. "It made me sick to my stomach when I first got the notice in the mail that they were going to be doing this," Pokladnik said. "This is like the ultimate slap in the face for somebody who's an environmentalist," she added. Environmental and health effects In 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency found scientific evidence that fracking can potentially impact drinking water resources under some circumstances. Chemicals used for fracking may travel through cracks in the rock into an underground drinking water source and contamination could also occur if a well is improperly installed, if chemicals are spilled from trucks or tanks or if flowback is not effectively contained, according to the agency. MORE: What a Kamala Harris presidency could mean for electric vehicles The Yale School of Public Health found that fracking has led to heightened concerns about its impact on the environment and human health due to wastewater and greenhouse gas emissions. In response to health and environmental concerns, Rob Brundrett, president of the Ohio Oil & Gas Association said companies work to ensure the safety of the properties they work on and the record stands for itself. Speaking about conventional fracking wells Brundrett told Energy News Network, "The fact that there have been only three major incidents since 2018 is a testament to the industry's rigorous safety standards and practices," Brundrett said. PHOTO: In this Aug. 4, 2023, file photo, a farmer bails hay right next to a well pad in Guernsey County, Ohio. (Courtney Hergesheimer/Columbus Dispatch via USA Today Network, FILE) "Considering that only .004% of Ohio oil and gas operations have had a major reportable incident during that timeframe, I would put our industry's safety numbers against any other manual industry in Ohio," he added. The incidents include a gas leak, crude oil spill and a combustor fire, according to the outlet. ODNR says it has addressed water well complaints since 1983 and none of the investigations revealed groundwater quality problems due to fracking, the department said in a fracking fact sheet. However, Pokladnik believes that the effects of fracking in the Ohio River Valley are not in a bubble and should be considered by everyone. "There's not a dome over these well pads and everything that we do here is eventually going to cause more climate change," Pokladnik said. "So even though you're not living here and you won't have to worry about drinking contaminated water or breathing these emissions directly, it is affecting your life," she added. Fracking is being forced onto some Ohio property owners' land: Here's why it's legal originally appeared on abcnews.go.com French prosecutors on Wednesday charged Telegram messaging app founder Pavel Durov with crimes related to allowing criminal activity on his popular messaging app. Photo by Nick Lubushko/Wikimedia Commons Aug. 28 (UPI) -- French law enforcement indicted Russia native and billionaire Pavel Durov for allegedly permitting criminal activity on the Telegram messaging app that he founded. Durov, 39, founded Telegram in 2013 and has gained more than 900 million users who use the messaging app and its encryption technology to communicate without governmental interference. The app also has become popular among those involved in criminal activities and who post content that could lead to harm to others. Many law enforcement agencies in the United States, France and other nations have said the app is used as a communications tool by terrorist organizations, gun runners, drug dealers and extremist groups. The app enables users to create messaging groups of up to 200,000 members and offers secret chats and self-destructing messages. Officials in England recently accused Telegram of hosting far-right and extremist organizations that organized riots throughout the nation in July. Telegram initially was based in Russia, but Durov left the nation in 2014 and moved the app's headquarters to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Durov is banned from leaving France and is under judicial supervision, the Paris Prosecutor's Office said. Durov paid a 5 million euro bond, which is equal to about $5.5 million, and must check in with a police station twice a week until the matter is resolved. French officials announced the indictment Wednesday after arresting Durov Saturday when he arrived in Paris on a private jet. Durov's arrest raises issues regarding free speech. Forbes estimated the Telegram app enabled Durov accrue a net worth of about $15.5 billion. Police officers stand near a synagogue after an explosion outside the building. Following the explosion outside a synagogue in La Grande-Motte in the south of France, the anti-terrorism prosecutor's office has taken over the investigation. The authorities confirmed this to the German Press Agency in Paris. Pascal Guyot/AFP/dpa French authorities have launched preliminary proceedings against three men in connection with the suspected terrorist attack on a synagogue in southern France last week. The main suspect is accused of attempted murder with a terrorist motive, while two others are under investigation for aiding and abetting the perpetrator, France's counter-terrorism prosecutor said on Thursday. Two of the men have been remanded in custody, while the third was released, subject to certain conditions. The attack on Saturday targeted a synagogue in La Grande-Motte, near the southern city of Montpellier. Two doors of the synagogue were set on fire along with two vehicles in front of the building. A gas bottle exploded in one of the vehicles, injuring a police officer. The five people who were in the synagogue at the time were unharmed. The alleged perpetrator, a 33-year-old Algerian, was captured after a manhunt and reportedly confessed to the crime, saying he wanted to support the Palestinian cause and trigger a reaction from Israel. Public prosecutors said the man had long been anti-Semitic and became further radicalized in recent months. During the attack, he was carrying a hatchet and a firearm and had a Palestinian flag tied around his waist. Prosecutors accused the two other suspects of helping the alleged perpetrator to flee from police. One is also said to have known about the man's plans for the attack. The attack marks the first counter-terrorist proceedings launched in France for anti-Semitic acts since the October 7 attacks that prompted the latest war in Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron, left, reviews the honor guard along with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic during a welcoming ceremony in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron starts a two-day state visit to Serbia with the focus on a possible sale of 12 Rafale multi-purpose fighter jets to a country that has maintained close ties to Russia despite its aggression on Ukraine. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday announced a $3 billion deal to buy 12 French warplanes, in a move that shifts his country away from its dependence on Russian arms. The announcement about the Rafale multi-purpose fighter jets was made during a joint news conference in Belgrade with French President Emmanuel Macron during a two-day visit to Serbia as part of what French officials have called a strategy of bringing Serbia closer to the European Union. Macron called called the deal historic and important, and said it demonstrated Serbia's "strategic courage." "The European Union needs a strong and democratic Serbia at its side and Serbia needs a strong, sovereign Europe to defend its interests," Macron said. Serbias place is in the EU, and it has a role to play to be an example for all the region." Serbia is formally seeking European Union membership, but under Vucics increasingly autocratic rule it has made little progress in the fields of rule of law and democratic reforms, which are the main preconditions for membership in the 27-nation bloc. Selling Rafales to Russian ally Serbia, which has occasionally expressed an aggressive stance toward its Balkan neighbors, has raised some concerns, one of which is how France plans to prevent sophisticated Rafale technology from being shared with Russia. Asked about whether the warplane deal includes restrictions on Serbias sharing of Rafale technology to its ally Russia, or the use of the military hardware in the Balkan region, Macron said the deal included full guarantees like any defense agreement, without elaborating. Russia has been a traditional supplier of military aircraft to Serbia, which has refused to join international sanctions against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. Vucic described the purchase of the Rafale jets as a big development. It will contribute considerably to improving operational capabilities of our army, a completely different approach and we are happy to become part of the Rafale club, Vucic said. Vucic dismissed any concerns among Western nations of the possibility that Serbia would transfer technology to Russia because of the Balkan country's traditional close ties with Moscow. For the first time in history Serbia has Western jets, Vucic said. You wish to have Serbia as a partner and then you voice suspicions? The French maker of Rafale, Dassault Aviation, said in a statement that Serbia's decision to buy the warplanes confirms Rafale's operational superiority and its proven excellence in serving the sovereign interests of a nation. Serbia had been considering the purchase of the new Rafale jets for more than two years, since neighboring Balkan rival Croatia purchased 12 used fighter jets of the same type for about 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion). The acquisition allows Serbia to modernize its air force, which consists mainly of Soviet-made MiG-29 fighters and aging Yugoslav combat aircraft. ___ AP writers Angela Charlton in Paris and Jovana Gec in Belgrade contributed to this story. Mineral Resources boss Chris Ellison says the company has designed its offices and perks in an effort to keep employees 'glued in there' - Trevor Collens/Australian Financial Review via Getty Images A billionaire mining boss who has already banned home-working has said he wants to stop staff at the company walking down the road for a cup of coffee. Chris Ellison, the chief executive of the Australian miner Mineral Resources, said he was trying to make its Perth headquarters as appealing as possible as he does not want staff leaving the building. He said: I want to hold them captive all day long. I dont want them leaving the building. I dont want them walking down the road for a cup of coffee. We kind of figured out a few years ago how much that costs, wandering out around lunch time. He said the head office has a restaurant, a gym and other facilities that keeps them glued in there. Mineral Resources' Perth headquarters features a restaurant with top chefs as well as a gym and a creche - Sharyn Cairns Photography Mr Ellison, who is worth $1.2bn (900m) according to Forbes, told analysts on an earnings call: I have a no-work-from-home-policy. I wish everyone else would get on board with that, the sooner the better. We cant have people working three days a week and picking up five days a week pay. As well as on-site nurses and doctors, the company has nine psychologists on its payroll to tackle mental health problems and a A$20-a-day creche (10.34) to help parents juggle busy schedules and childcare costs. Drop the little tykes off next door, said Mr Ellison. Were going to feed them, but mom and dad will be working in our office. The office is said to have a top chef serving seafood, Asian fusion and sushi for around A$10, a special air filtration system which minimises germs, water which meets organic and pesticide-free thresholds and an art gallery. Mr Ellison, who is from New Zealand, co-founded Mineral Resources in 2006 as part of a merger of three mining companies. The son of a pig farmer, Mr Ellison started his career as a crane driver after leaving school aged 15. Companies around the world are hiring so-called experience consultants to make their offices more inviting as employees push back on returning to their desks after the pandemic. One employer is infusing its office with essential oils to reduce staff stress levels, the BBC said this year, while another is looking at which colour schemes motivated workers. Mr Ellisons stance is unusual in Australia, where around four in 10 staff work from home at least once a week, according to official statistics. Click here to view this content. However companies in Australia, which this week introduced a right-to-disconnect rule so staff can ignore bosses late-night messages, are starting to crack down on remote work. Australian bank ANZ last year warned that staff could be paid lower bonuses if they dont spend at least half of their working week in the office. Story continues Similar trends are taking place in the UK as bosses fear home working is damaging productivity and team culture. While some companies force workers back, others including major law firms and accountants are starting to monitor office attendance. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. By Aleksandar Vasovic BELGRADE (Reuters) -Serbia on Thursday signed a landmark agreement with France's Dassault Aviation for the purchase of 12 new Rafale fighter jets for 2.7 billion euros ($2.99 billion). The agreement, signed by Serbia's Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic and Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier, also includes a complete auxiliary logistics package, spare engines and parts, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic told a news conference. "A dozen of brand new aircraft will be owned by Serbia ... this will contribute to a significant increase in the operational capabilities of our army," Vucic said. "We are happy to become a part of the Rafale club." The acquisition, made during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Belgrade, signals a major shift in Serbia's security and political stance, moving away from Russia, its traditional ally and weapons supplier. Macron said Europe needs a strong and democratic Serbia, while Belgrade needs a "strong and sovereign EU." "Choice of Rafale jets by Serbia is in this context a clear choice of long-term alliance between our two countries," Macron said. The purchase of Rafales is the single biggest weapons deal since Serbia became independent from its state union with Montenegro in 2006. Vucic said Serbia would pay two tranches of 421 million euros each in 2024 and 2025 for the planes. He did not specify when Serbia would receive its first Rafales, but said they would be delivered with MICA air-to-air medium-range missiles manufactured by France's MBDA, instead of more sophisticated Meteor missiles which have longer range. Belgrade curtailed military cooperation with Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine and it has condemned the invasion, but unlike the EU, which it wants to join, and other Western countries, it has not imposed sanctions on Moscow. Serbia's military and air force are loosely based on Soviet technology, but it has also purchased helicopters and transport planes from Airbus, radars from Thales and France's Mistral surface-to-air missiles. Vucic also sought to assure that Serbia will not share Rafales technology with Moscow. "We are not Russian spies to transfer technology, we paid for this with Serbian citizens' money," Vucic said. Serbia also operates Chinese missiles and drones. Its defence budget amounts to around 2% of gross domestic product (GDP). This is Macron's second meeting with Vucic this year and follows the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Belgrade in May, highlighting Serbias strategic position on the edge of the EU, with ties to the east and west. The EU remains Serbia's single biggest investor and hundreds of thousands of Serbs work in Western-owned companies. But Belgrade, which seeks to diversify its gas supplies, is also dependent on Russian gas and has the Kremlin's support in its opposition to the 2008 independence of Kosovo. Before it joins the EU, Serbia would have to improve democracy, the rule of law and judiciary, root out corruption, red tape and organised crime and mend ties with Kosovo. It must also align its foreign policies with those of Brussels, including the introduction of sanctions against Russia. ($1 = 0.8988 euro) (Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic, Daria Sito-Sucic and Piotr Lipinski; Editing by William Maclean) COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A local bike shop had to shut down operations after a car crashed into the side of it early Sunday morning. The executive director of Franklinton Cycle Works, Jonathan Youngman, said this incident has taken an emotional toll on him, but he is thankful the building is still standing. The accident happened around 2 a.m. It seems like someone lost control of their vehicle and just kind of careened into the front of our bike shop here and took out kind of the western corner of our retail space, Youngman said. The bike shop is now assessing what its next steps are. The crash caused significant damage to the buildings foundation that will be costly to repair. Chief disturbed after database naming undercover Columbus officers found in leak So, were still in the early stages of putting together a cost estimate, but it looks like a lot of the front there of the shop is going to have to be replaced as well as the western wall, Youngman said. There is some cracks going all the way up to the roof. So, I dont know. I think its a big deal. The store has been closed for three days and will stay closed until further guidance from the city on when it will be safe to reopen,. That will take a monetary toll on the business. The staff remains hopeful that it will be up and running again soon. The city is looking out for public safety and so theyll tell us when they think the building is safe to welcome the public back in, Youngman said. So for now, were sitting tight and trying to do what we can to move forward with construction. But yeah, you know, obviously the loss of business is a, you know, is rough on us and were looking forward to being able to welcome our customers back in. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. You can get free N95 masks (+ COVID tests) delivered to your door in Charlotte. Heres how As COVID cases surge in North Carolina, a Charlotte group is distributing free N95 masks for those who want to protect themselves against the virus. CLT Mask Bloc, a nonprofit organization dedicated to distributing free masks, says their goal is to provide respiratory protection to all who need and want it, especially when the resources we expect support from fail us. COVID case counts are the highest theyve been in a year, Dr. David Weber, an infectious disease specialist at the UNC School of Medicine, told The Charlotte Observer last week. We have increases in cases, hospitalizations, deaths countrywide, including here in North Carolina. Our hospital, the UNC Medical Center, is running 25 to 30 patients a day with with COVID, he said. Though cases are on the rise, wearing masks can help slow the spread of COVID, according to Mayo Clinic. Heres how to get free N95 masks (and COVID tests) in Charlotte and who should be wearing them. How to get free N95 masks in Charlotte Charlotte residents can fill out a Google form on the CLT Mask Bloc website. The form requires you to enter your name, contact information, the general area you reside in, your preferred delivery method (home delivery or no contact pickup) and the number of people you need masks for. You can pick from four types of masks: 3M Aura 9205, 3M VFlex 1804, 3M KN95 9501 bifold and Jackson Safety Duckbill N95. N95 masks offer the highest level of protection against COVID, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The form also requires you to enter your home address or desired meeting spot, preferred dates and times for delivery and whether your need is urgent. The group has been distributing free COVID tests with each mask request, but since they come from county health departments, there is no guarantee that tests will be included in every order, a spokesperson for the group told the Observer. Learn more at cltmaskbloc.org. Who should wear a mask? The CDC says you should wear a mask in indoor public places to protect yourself against COVID if you are: Not fully vaccinated Fully vaccinated and in an area with substantial or high transmission Fully vaccinated with a weakened immune system Masks are generally not required in outdoor settings, but you should consider wearing one in areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases or for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated, according to the CDC. Ask the North Carolina Service Journalism Team Have a question about your community youd like answered? Or maybe a tip or story idea youd like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you. If you have a question about the Charlotte area , send The Charlotte Observer team a question by submitting questions to this form . If you have a question about Raleigh or a Triangle area community, send The News & Observer team a question by submitting questions to this form. Where to get COVID, flu + RSV shots in NC (and when doctors say you should get vaccinated) The FDA just approved new COVID vaccines. When should you get one? We asked an NC doctor French President Macron says he was not aware of Telegram's Durov's arrival in France BELGRADE (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron was not aware of Telegram owner Pavel Durov's arrival in France on Saturday and had not been scheduled to meet him, he told a news conference on Thursday during a two-day visit in Serbia. "I was absolutely unaware of Mr Durov's arrival in France, and that is quite normal because I'm not aware of the comings and goings of citizens from all over the world, whether they have French citizenship or not," Macron said. Durov was arrested by French police after his jet landed at an airport near Paris. On Wednesday, a French judge put Durov, who has French and UAE citizenship, under formal investigation for suspected complicity in running an online platform that allows illicit transactions, child sex abuse images, drug trafficking and fraud. Macron also defended France's decision in 2021 to give Durov French citizenship under a rare procedure for high-profile individuals. "It's part of a strategy to allow women and men, whether artists, athletes or entrepreneurs, when they make the effort to learn the French language and that they develop wealth, innovation ... to be given French nationality," Macron said. (Reporting by Piotr Lipinski, Aleksandar Vasovic, Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Ingrid Melander) Which Fresno grocery store has the cheapest prices? We compared 5 popular shops Why are groceries so expensive in California? The average American household spends $270.21 a week on groceries, or, about $1,080 a month, according to a study by HelpAdvisor, a health and personal finance website. California residents spend the most in the nation on groceries, shelling out $297.72 per week on average, the study found. Thats $27.51 more then a standard U.S. household. Were a high cost-of-living state, from housing to gas prices to labor costs, said Derek Stimel, associate economics professor at University of California, Davis. That is unlikely to change anytime soon. When prices in general, and cost of living in general in the state rise that pushes up the cost of pretty much everything in the state along with it, he told The Fresno Bee via phone. In Fresno, the cost of living is 21% lower than the state average and 9% higher than the national average, according to the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research. Food prices in Fresno are 8% lower than the state average, the Cost of Living Index indicated. Chobani vanilla yogurt cost $5.99 for 32 ounces at Save Mart in Fresno on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Why are food prices so high in California? Food prices have slowly been increasing Stimel said, but they really spiked in 2022. The cost of food that year was probably the highest in at least 30 years, he said. According to Stimel, a lot of factors can affect an increase in food prices including having an oversupply or shortage of an item as well as international conflicts such as wars. If China produces too much pork than consumers need, he explained, That would cause worldwide pork prices to come down. Egg prices were higher than normal in 2022 because an outbreak of avian influenza affected the number of poultry laying eggs, Stimel said. Although food prices have started to decrease, they remain high in California, which has one of the highest minimum wages in the nation. Although the minimum wage in California is $16 per hour, fast food workers in the state make a minimum of $20 an hour. In California, labor costs are quite high., Stimel said. In terms of states, were the second highest minimum wage behind Washington. Bags of carrots cost $2.99 for a pound at Save Mart in Fresno on Monday Aug. 19, 2024 Which Fresno grocery stores have the best prices? The Fresno Bee visited five different local grocery stores Grocery Outlet, Save Mart, Target, Trader Joes and Vons and priced 10 different items to discover where the best deals are. All total sales were calculated before sales tax. The city of Fresnos sales tax is 8.35%. The front of Save Mart grocery in Fresno is seen on Monday Aug. 19, 2024. How much do groceries cost at Save Mart, FoodMaxx? Founded and headquartered in Modesto, Save Mart Supermarkets owns and operates 194 stores in California and Nevada under the Save Mart, Lucky, and FoodMaxx brands. There are 19 Save Mart stores and six FoodMaxx stores in Fresno. Prices at local Save Mart stores were significantly more expensive than those at general retailers such as Target. Save Marts rewards program is different from the other supermarkets because members receive rewards depending on how much money they spend as opposed to other grocery store rewards programs. The Sacramento Bee previously reported. Ground beef costs $5.99 per pound at Save Mart in Fresno on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Members earn a point for every $1 they spend on qualifying purchases. Once enough points have stacked up, they can be converted into money off. Members dont earn points from a list of products that include, prescriptions, dairy, tobacco alcohol, lottery tickets and more. It cost a total of $57.26 to buy the following 10 items at Save Mart, 659 E. Nees Ave. in Fresno, on Aug. 19. One gallon of whole milk: $4.49 Six bananas: $1.84 Oroweat whole wheat bread: $5.99 for 24 ounces Kelloggs Froot Loops cereal: $4.99 for 8.9 ounces One dozen large white eggs: $6.49 80% lean ground beef: $5.99 per pound Tide laundry detergent: $14.99 for 84 fluid ounces Chobani vanilla yogurt: $5.99 for 32 ounces Organic carrots: $2.99 for 1 pound Tree Top apple juice: $3.50 for 64 fluid ounces There is a total of two Trader Joes stores in Fresno and Clovis. Trader Joes Trader Joes, which is headquartered in Monrovia, has 571 stores across the United States. There is a total of two Trader Joes locations in Fresno and Clovis. Trader Joes doesnt typically carry the brands that are available at other grocery stores, offering its own store brands instead. Although prices for popular grocery items are cheaper at Trader Joes compared to Save Mart, Vons and Target, the store often offers smaller sizes than its competitors. We have low prices, every day, the supermarket chain said on its website. No coupons. No membership cards. No discounts. A carton of large white eggs at Save Mart in Fresno costs $6.49 for one dozen on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Trader Joes doesnt sell products online, the website said. We do not offer curbside pickup or delivery, and we dont work with third party delivery services like Instacart or Dumplin. Substituting store brands for bigger name items, a 10-item grocery list cost $43.45 at Trader Joes, North Friant Road in Fresno, on Aug. 25. Heres how that broke down. One gallon of whole organic milk: $6.79 Six bananas $1.74 0.29 cents per banana Whole wheat sliced bread: $2.49 for 22 ounces Tiny Fruity Cuties cereal: $3.99 for 16 ounces One dozen large white eggs: $4.49 Ground beef patties: $6.49 Free and Clear liquid laundry detergent: $5.99 for 50 liquid ounces Trader Joes Greek Yogurt Vanilla bean: $5.49 for 32 ounces Organic carrots: $1.99 for 2 pounds Organic apple juice: $3.99 for 64 fluid ounces There are eight Grocery Outlet stores in the Fresno area. Grocery Outlet Advertised as a high-growth, extreme value retailer, Grocery Outlet has more than 400 stores across the nation and more than 1.5 million shoppers hitting the aisles each week. There are eight Grocery Outlet stores in the Fresno area. While Grocery Outlet may not carry certain brands, the store offers some great deals on groceries. Grocery Outlet offers a loyalty program as well as an app where customers can see special offers and promotions according to the stores website. Oroweat whole wheat bread costs $4.49 a loaf at Target in Fresno on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. At Grocery Outlet, 3566 West Shaw Ave. in Fresno, 10 grocery items cost a total of $43.89 on Aug. 24. These were the prices for individual items: One gallon of whole milk: $2.49 Six bananas: $1.18, 59 cents per pound Oroweat whole wheat bread: $3.99 for 22 ounces Kelloggs Froot Loops $5.49 for 16.6 ounces One dozen large white eggs: $3.79 Ground beef patties $6.49 Tide laundry detergent: $11.99 for 92 fluid ounces Chobani strawberry yogurt: $4.99 for 32 ounces Organic carrots: $1.99 for 2 pounds Tropicana apple juice: $1.49 for 10 fluid ounces Target has eight stores in the Fresno area. Target Target is one of the nations largest retail chains with stores in all 50 states, according to its website. That includes eight Target stores in the Fresno area. Target has competitive prices on most grocery staples. The chain offers a reward system called Target Circle. When you become a Target Circle member for free, youll get access to deals automatically applied at checkout, the website said. Customers can also earn Target Circle Rewards, save with personalized deals, redeem free trials and link to other rewards programs. Tide laundry detergent costs $12.99 at Target in Fresno on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. It cost a total of $47.11 to purchase 10 items at Target, 7600 N. Blackstone Ave. in Fresno, on Aug. 19. Heres how that broke down: One gallon of whole milk: $4.59 Six bananas: $1.50 Oroweat whole wheat bread: $4.49 for 24 ounces Kelloggs Froot Loops cereal: $4.29 for 8.9 ounces One dozen large white eggs: $2.99 Ground beef: $6.49 per pound Tide laundry detergent: $12.99 for $84 fluid ounces Chobani vanilla yogurt: $5.59 32 oz Carrots: 99 cents for 1 pound Tree Top apple juice: $3.19 for 64 ounces Six bananas cost $1.50 at Target in Fresno on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Vons Vons, a supermarket chain owned by Albertsons, has 191 locations most of them Southern California and the Las Vegas Valley. It has four Fresno locations. It cost $18.88 more to complete The Bees grocery list at Vons, compared to Target. Vons loyalty program, Vons for U, offers members weekly personalized deals on groceries, a welcome offer, annual birthday treat, free item every month and more, its website said. Members can earn points on all eligible purchases and use points towards free products, discounts on gas, and cash off. Kelloggs Froot Loops costs $4.29 for a 8.9-ounce box at Target in Fresno on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. At Vons, 8949 North Cedar Avenue in Fresno, 10 grocery items for non-members cost $65.99 in total on Aug. 25 while the same items for members cost $59.70. Heres how that broke down: One gallon of whole milk: $4.99 Six bananas: $1.58, 0.79 cents per pound Oroweat whole wheat bread: $5.99 for 24 ounces ($4.99 for members) Kelloggs Froot Loops cereal: $6.79 for 8.9 ounces ($5.79 for members) One dozen large white eggs: $4.89 Ground beef: $9.99 per pound Tide laundry detergent: $15.99 for 84 fluid ounces ($13.99 for members) Chobani vanilla yogurt: $6.99 for 32 ounces Organic carrots: $3.49 for 2 pounds Tree Top apple juice: $5.29 for 64 ounces Whats the best way to save money while grocery shopping? A lot of factors come into play when choosing the best grocery store prices, location and quality of the food. While some stores are less expensive others have a better brand selection and higher quality products. Here are a few tips that might help you on your next trip to the supermarket, courtesy of Stimel: Be aware of current grocery store sales and promotions Sign up for loyalty programs Have a list and stick to it Look up prices of items online ahead of time Check for sales and coupons Fresno State vice president of administration and chief financial officer Debbie Adishian-Astone, who oversees a beleaguered Title IX department and has a wide reach across campus, will retire at the end of the year, according to university sources. Adishian-Astone oversees the division of administration and finance, which includes the newly-formed Office of Compliance and Civil Rights and its Title IX and Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation (DHR) departments, as well as human resources, the university police, accounting services, auxiliary operations, health and safety/risk management and facilities management. She also serves as executive director of the nonprofit Fresno State Foundation and chair of the Fresno State Association and Fresno State Athletic Corporation. The sources, who requested anonymity so they could speak about the planned retirement, did not indicate why Adishian-Astone was leaving the university. The Fresno State graduate has worked on campus since 1983, when she was a student assistant. She did not respond to a phone message left Tuesday morning and could not be reached later before publication time. It is unclear at this time who will handle her duties in the short term. Debbie Astone, Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Auxiliary Services at Fresno State, gives the welcome message during the grand opening of The Square at Campus Pointe Friday, July 17, 2015. The universitys Title IX and DHR operations have been under a microscope for the past two years, since Fresno State was found to have mishandled sexual misconduct allegations against a former high-ranking administrator and to be deficient in its record-keeping, documentation and investigative processes. Joseph I. Castro resigned as chancellor of the CSU following a February 2022 USA Today report detailing allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation and bullying made over a period of six years against Frank Lamas, the universitys former vice president of student affairs. An investigation by Los Angeles-based attorney Mary Lee Wegner that was commissioned by the CSU found Fresno State officials took action to explore and address each report, but while some responses substantially complied with system policies prohibiting discrimination and sexual harassment, others did not. Castro was the president at Fresno State at the time. Lamas, who has denied the allegations, left the university with a $260,000 settlement, as well as a promise for letters of recommendation toward future employment. A subsequent assessment of Title IX in the CSU and on its 23 campuses by the law firm Cozen OConnor cited a severe lack of trust in Fresno State, its leadership and processes. Leaders of the four major unions representing CSU faculty, employees and staff questioned whether it was possible to rebuild or gain trust without major changes at the administrative level on campuses and greater oversight. We saw what happened at Fresno State where top administrators, including the president, turned a blind eye when faced with evidence of multiple workplace abuses against students and staff, said Catherine Hutchinson, president of the California State University Employees Union, in a September 2023 story in The Bee. Yet, in restructuring its Title IX and Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation departments under the newly-formed Office of Compliance and Civil Rights this year, the university left the department under Adishian-Astone. State legislators also have expressed little confidence in the CSU and its campuses to properly address sexual harassment and discrimination complaints, drafting 12 bills to hold public universities in the state accountable for Title IX compliance in a package lawmakers are calling A Call to Action. Adishian-Astone, who last year interviewed for a cabinet-level position at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, also was involved in the development of the Save Mart Center as project coordinator. She oversaw the environmental impact report, the design of the facility, and selection of a builder. She also worked with legal counsel to develop contract documents and with the bond underwriter and bond counsel to develop a project financing plan, and with legal counsel to negotiate corporate sponsorship agreements, according to the resume she submitted with her UNLV application. The university, which made interest-only payments on Save Mart Center debt for a decade, still owes more than $35 million for its multi-purpose arena, which is now more than 20 years old and was built at a cost of $103 million. In 2024-25, it must make a $10.3 million principal and interest payment on the building, according to the most recent financial documents from the California State University Fresno Association, the nonprofit auxiliary organization that oversees the Save Mart Center. The debt is not scheduled to be retired until Nov. 1, 2031. Adishian-Astone started working at the university in 1983 as a student assistant in the office of facilities planning. She was hired on a full-time basis in July 1988 and worked her way up from an assistant facilities planner to facilities planner, interim director of facilities planning, director of facilities planning, assistant to the vice president for administration and Save Mart Center coordinator, associate vice president for auxiliary operations to vice president of administration and chief financial officer. She has been a VP and the CFO since 2016 after serving in an interim basis for more than one year. In 2021, she was honored by the Craig School of Business at Fresno State with an outstanding alumna award. "Friendly fire" by Ukrainian air defence among lines of inquiry into F-16 fighter jet crash Voice of America Ukraine's military command is considering different lines of inquiry into the F-16 fighter jet crash, including pilot error and friendly fire from Ukrainian air defences. Source: Ukrainian Service of the Voice of America, citing an unnamed representative of the Ukrainian Air Force Details: Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said that various lines of inquiry are being considered, including "friendly fire" from Ukrainian air defences, a technical malfunction and pilot error. "But the exact reasons will be known only after the completion of the investigation," he said. Earlier, an official statement from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that during an air fight, "communication was lost" with an F-16 aircraft while it was approaching the next target. "As it turned out later, the plane had crashed, and the pilot was killed," the General Staff said in a statement. The same statement said that a special Defence Ministry commission has been appointed to investigate the causes of the crash, and is working at the site of the crash. Background: On 29 August, The Wall Street Journal, citing sources, reported that an F-16 fighter jet was destroyed in a plane crash in Ukraine on Monday, 26 August. Also on 29 August, Air Command Zakhid (West) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that Ukrainian pilot Oleksii Mes was killed while repelling a large-scale Russian combined missile and drone attack on 26 August. Later, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed that an F-16 fighter jet crashed while repelling a Russian missile strike. The pilot was killed. Support UP or become our patron! Fugitive sentenced to 25 years for attempt to stab US Marshals Tasks Force Member WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) A fugitive wanted out of Okaloosa County was sentenced to 25 years in prison after attempting to stab a member of the US Marshals Tasks Force during his arrest. According to a news release, 22-year-old Steven Alexander Jamison was apprehended in November 2023 on a felony warrant out of Okaloosa County, facing charges of sexual assault on a child and child abuse. Florida to execute man convicted of 1994 killing of college student in national forest Walton County officials said during an arrest Jamison attempted to stab a member of the USMS Task Force multiple times. However, deputies said the knife failed to penetrate the officers protective vest. The officer was left unharmed, officials confirmed. Jamison was booked into the Walton County Jail. On August 22, Jamison was sentenced to 25 years in the Florida Department of Corrections with a minimum mandatory sentence of five years for aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. With funding secured, here's when Detroit Lake marina excavation could get underway People have been so anxious for the dredging under the two marinas in Detroit Lake to begin that they assumed construction was starting this fall. And this is a year when people are allowed to keep their boats at Kanes Marina and Detroit Lake Marina into September, much longer than the past couple years. The reality is the construction of the project, which will move 162,000 cubic yards of dirt from under the marinas and create a peninsula, is expected to start during the fall of 2025 after more than a decade of planning. The Marion County Commissioners on Wednesday voted to accept $2 million from the federal department of Housing and Urban Development through its Community Project Funding Program. Its another step forward toward extending the recreation season in Detroit. I think this has been a long time coming project, Marion County Commissioner Kevin Cameron said. Its still a long time out there. When will the excavation project start at Detroit Lake? The first phase of the project, which included developing the design and figuring out what to do with the excavated dirt, was completed last year. Now, Marion County is applying for permits and creating the engineering for the project. Construction is expected to start in fall 2025 and be completed by spring 2026, prior to the start of the boating season. The construction is expected to take place during a time when the marinas would already be closed for the season. All of the dirt will be used to form a U-shaped 2,400-foot, 120-foot wide peninsula that would extend toward Piety Island south of the city. Piety Island is seen at Detroit Lake. A dredging project under the lake's two marinas aims to extend how long the marina can stay open when the water is as low as 1,525 feet above sea level. The project aims to enable the marinas to operate when the water is as low as 1,525 feet above sea level. That is expected to make it so that the marinas could operate from May 1 through Oct. 1. The design of that is to allow the tourist-dependent community of Detroit to earn more from the tourist season. This year, boats have to be out of Kanes Marina by Monday, which is longer than in some years. Last year, boats had to be removed by Aug. 21 because of low water levels in Detroit Lake. In 2021, it was July 11. Its a wonderful investment for that community, said Lari Rupp, an economic development specialist for Marion County. How is the $5 million Detroit Lake project being paid for? The $2 million in HUD funding is coming from the federal government's appropriations from late 2022. That money has to be used for costs associated with excavation and transportation. Marion County has allocated $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds. It also has $60,000 in money from the Business Oregon Brownfields Redevelopment Fund. And Marion County has allocated $50,000 in economic development lottery dollars. The project has been discussed for years, but much of the delay was due to the lack of funds. After the COVID-19 pandemic and the Labor Day wildfires of 2020 wiped out much of Detroit, more money has become available to help in the recovery. It takes a long time to get projects done, Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell said. Cameron said that community members had asked him if the project had been scaled back from initial plans. But they were informed the project is unchanged. Weve been following through from the same permits that were submitted in 2017 when they tried to excavate a certain area, Rupp said. Bill Poehler covers Marion and Polk County for the Statesman Journal. Contact him at bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Detroit Lake marina excavation project set to begin in fall 2025 WASHINGTON Some veterans reacted with alarm to reports of an altercation between a member of Donald Trump's entourage and a top official at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, with a retired Army general calling the incident "repugnant." Two sources told USA TODAY the incident occurred when a member of Trump's team pushed his way into recording in a part of the cemetery, known as Section 60, where photography is prohibited. Video from Section 60, where recently buried U.S. service members are interred, later appeared in a Trump campaign Tik Tok in which he criticizes President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic rival for the presidency. "Donald Trump has no right to use our most hallowed ground for his political aims," Fred Wellman, a 22-year Army combat veteran, said Wednesday. "For a lot of us, and I'm not the only one, people are aptly furious." More: Trump staff in altercation with Arlington Cemetery official The incident occurred Monday after Trump laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honor the 13 Americans slain in a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport three years ago during the chaotic U.S. pullout from Afghanistan. After laying the wreaths, Trump and members of his team accompanied family members of a slain soldier to his graveside in Section 60, where the cemetery's public affairs director tried to stop them from filming. Nearly 400,000 people are buried at the cemetery, which is maintained by the U.S. Army. The Trump campaign's insistence on using the setting to shoot campaign material is a "new low," said former Army undersecretary and Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick Murphy. What's true? What's false? Sign up for USA TODAY's Checking the Facts newsletter. ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - AUGUST 26: Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump (R) observes a changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier alongside Arlington National Cemetery Deputy Chief of Staff Bob Quackenbush (L) at the Arlington National Cemetery on August 26, 2024 in Arlington, Virginia. Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery to participate in a wreath laying ceremony to mark three years since the August 26, 2021, suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport, which killed 13 American service members. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Wellman said Trump's team should apologize for using the grounds to create a political ad instead of attacking the cemetery official who tried to prevent them from breaking a federal regulation governing photography at the site. Trump's spokesman said the group had permission to film in Section 60. Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said a cemetery official "clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trump's team."Arlington National Cemetery confirmed that "an incident took place" over photography inside Section 60. No charges have been filed, a police official told USA TODAY. The campaign's response attacking the mental health of a respected cemetery official only prompted further backlash from veterans and veterans' groups. Thoughts on the Trump team assaulting Arlington National Cemetery staff yesterday for a photo op. pic.twitter.com/O7Chz1fshP Veterans For Responsible Leadership (@VetsForRL) August 28, 2024 Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Paul Eaton, a senior adviser at the progressive political action committee VoteVets, called the campaign's actions at the cemetery "nauseating." Eaton, whose father is buried in Section 60, noted previous reports, repeatedly denied by Trump, that the former president once referred to American World War One casualties interred in a French cemetery as "suckers" and "losers." "They see no issue bringing partisan politics there, even if it means getting into physical altercations with cemetery staff.," Eaton said in a statement to USA TODAY. "I truly cannot think of something more repugnant than starting a political fracas on land where Gold Star families mourn. Someone who would do that should never be Commander in Chief. Relatives of some of the service members who died in the bombing invited Trump to the wreath-laying ceremony Monday. They released a statement thanking and defending the former president Tuesday. We are deeply grateful to the president for taking the time to honor our children and for standing alongside us in our grief, they wrote. Wellman said Trump's desire to honor the fallen still had to conform with the law. "There's an actual federal law on the books saying it cannot be used political purposes," he told USA TODAY. "The families put out a statement saying, 'Oh no, we authorized it.' They don't get that right. The families don't get the right to make decisions for the other people buried there." Trump has long claimed to be an ally to veterans but different comments have landed him in hot water with members of the military community over the years. Earlier this month, he angered veterans when he said the civilian Presidential Medal of Freedom is "much better" than the military Medal of Honor because recipients of the latter are often badly wounded or dead. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's Arlington National Cemetery visit angers veterans Wendy Jones says she and her husband are just scraping by, given their medical costs. Wendy Jones Wendy Jones, 71, and her husband, who has disabilities, face financial struggles despite Social Security. Jones, a former paralegal, stopped working after a brain-tumor diagnosis in the mid-2000s. They rely on a reverse mortgage and part-time work but worry about further medical costs. Wendy Jones, 71, has been her husband Roy's caregiver for the past three decades even after her brain-tumor diagnosis. But the couple, who live in Palm Beach County, Florida, are running low on cash and are worried about how they'll put food on the table. Jones, who worked as a paralegal for decades, stopped working in the mid-2000s after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Her husband was permanently disabled in a workplace accident in 1992. Even though both get Social Security payments, their savings have fallen over the years as they've paid thousands of dollars out of pocket in medical expenses, even with insurance, according to financial documents viewed by Business Insider. Jones is one of millions of older Americans with health issues who are relying on Social Security to get by. Dozens of older Americans have told BI in recent months that they must continue working to supplement their Social Security and pensions, though it's difficult for Jones and many others to hold a job given their medical conditions. Jones, who works part time, said she and her husband resorted to buying only frozen food and getting a reverse mortgage loan. Still, she's fearful that one more emergency medical expense could put them into the red. Breadwinner of the family Jones grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with three siblings, and she had a "very happy, normal, healthy upbringing," she said. She became a civil trial paralegal in West Palm Beach, married, and had four children. Her husband worked as a mechanic and liked to hunt in his free time. Jones said they were both very active and healthy for the first two decades of their careers. In 1992, however, Roy was injured in a workplace accident and then got into a car crash. He was left permanently disabled and wasn't able to return to work, receiving income from Social Security Disability Insurance. He had multiple major surgeries and took various medications, some of which they paid for out of pocket. Jones was the sole breadwinner of the family, and her employer was accommodating when she needed to tend to her husband, she said. She received bonus payments, one of which she used for a down payment on a new home. She said she made between $70,000 and $90,000 a year, including bonuses, in the 1990s and early 2000s. Story continues Still, she and her husband were worried about making ends meet. She said they always had food when her children were teenagers, but there were times when they would resort to ramen noodles or mac and cheese. Once her children were in college or moved out of the house, she felt better about her and her husband's finances, she said, adding that their 401(k)s, insurance, mortgage, and other financial components were "very secure." Her children now range from 43 to 51 years old, and three went to college on full-ride scholarships or with help from their grandparents. "They all went off on their own, got married, went to college, and so we thought things would get slower and easier for us," Jones said. "The way things worked out, that didn't happen." A devastating diagnosis In the mid-2000s, Jones started having vision and concentration problems. She would sometimes pass out at her desk or blank out for minutes at a time. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor, but she said the cost of the insurance co-payments wasn't a "horrible burden." Eleven months after her first surgery, however, she got agonizing migraines again that felt like "a sword going through my head," and she had to take more medication. After three years of working on and off between medical appointments, she was forced to leave her job and went on disability. She said she was lucky to get approved on her first attempt, though it typically takes six to eight months for an initial decision after months of collecting all the paperwork. "Somehow, I thought it would be the same as what I was making, but it was two-thirds of the income, so a huge cut there," Jones said. "The insurance didn't cover so much, so that's when I had to start eating into my savings. The 401(k) went really quickly. I have really good health insurance, but nothing covers everything, apparently." She also waited two years after being approved for SSDI before she became eligible for Medicare, meaning she had to pay $500 a month out of pocket for one medication. She spent hours on the phone trying to get affordable insulin for her husband, who has diabetes, and the attorneys at her previous firm helped her secure additional assistance. They had to declare bankruptcy during this period. "If I wasn't educated and didn't speak English, I couldn't imagine ever getting any of this assistance," Jones said. "I struggle with the forms and applications. I don't know how people do that. People my age often don't know how to use a computer." She said preparing for unexpected medical costs from the various forms of cancer she'd been diagnosed with over the past two decades had been perhaps the most difficult aspect of their finances. Recently, she's had multiple ambulance bills charging her as much as $900 with insurance. Recently, they got a letter saying their Medicare premiums weren't being covered by the state of Florida anymore. Jones suspects it's because she put money her mom gave her before she died into a savings account to pay for their home and car for this year. Though she gets $2,200 a month in Social Security, and her husband gets about $1,000, they're forced to buy frozen entrees and vegetables, as cooking is a challenge, and they can't afford meat. They also cut back to one car to save money. Just scraping by Though their credit is good now, Jones said a few years ago, she would get calls from bill collectors many times daily. She and her husband live much leaner now than a few years ago. Despite everything, they were able to keep their "very tiny" house, though the cost of living in Palm Beach has risen fast over the past few years. They got a reverse mortgage loan, which lets older homeowners access some of their home's equity for tax-free payments. Jones said it was their only option to cling onto their house she estimated their mortgage would have been $1,500 to $2,000 a month. They haven't been able to afford to fix their sprinkler system, and when they had a pipe burst, they shelled out nearly $1,200. She said it was "horrendous" having to pay her car insurance, property tax, and homeowners insurance in the same month. Their homeowner's insurance is $4,000 yearly, their property tax is nearly $2,000, and their car insurance is $1,900. "People have suggested we move, but we have lived here 35 years," Jones said. "Besides emotional and social support, moving is very expensive." Jones works a minimum-wage, part-time job at a bird clinic one of the few jobs she could do given her medical conditions. She gets at most $300 a month, which she said was handy. She knows if she quits her job, she will qualify for extra assistance, but she said she would rather work for her money and get discounts on food for her birds at home. "It's a catch-22: People say, just get a job, but I tried that, and everything else was taken away from me," Jones said, adding that she would work as long as she could drive, walk, and answer phones. "I didn't get ahead. I wasn't able to save or progress in any way whatsoever." Her children have helped her fund vacations, allowing her to attend a memorial service for her mother in the Outer Banks or travel to Alaska. Her children give them financial advice and frequently check in on them. Jones said she was taking one day at a time, especially because her oncologist gave her a worrisome update at her last appointment. She said her goal going forward was to make sure her husband was taken care of, as he was dealing with depression and pain. "I'm trying to find a way that we can live comfortably without making somebody else uncomfortable," Jones said. Are you worried about retirement? Reach out to this reporter at nsheidlower@businessinsider.com . Read the original article on Business Insider GA police officer assisting with Harris motorcade seriously injured in motorcycle wreck A Savannah police officer who was part of Vice President Kamala Harris motorcade was seriously injured on Wednesday after crashing. According to the Savannah Police Department, Cpl. David Bates crashed around 7 p.m. on Interstate 516. It happened while Harris was doing a campaign swing through southeast Georgia and into Savannah. According to a police spokesperson, Bates was injured after he lost control of his motorcycle. RELATED STORIES: The Savannah Police Department is supporting Corporal Bates and his family as he begins his recovery from injuries sustained in this vehicle accident, Savannah Police Chief Lenny B. Gunther said in a statement. We will be by his side every step of the way. Bates was taken to Memorial Health University Medical Center where he was listed in stable condition. We are thankful for the support of our law enforcement partners and wish Corporal David Bates a full and speedy recovery, The Secret Service said. RELATED NEWS: Gabby Petito's Father Marks Third Anniversary of Her Murder: 'We Can't Stop Crying' "There is no waking up from this nightmare, Petito's father Joseph shared on social media on Aug. 27 Joseph Petito/Instagram Joseph Petito and daughter Gabby Petito Gabby Petitos father is remembering his late daughter. On Tuesday, Aug. 27, Gabby's dad Joseph shared an emotional tribute to mark the third anniversary of her death. 3 years ago this evening you were taken from us, his caption read alongside a photo of himself and Gabby at Fish Spa Therapy. We cant stop crying when we think of you. There is no waking up from this nightmare. He added, We push forward for you and all those you have inspired and nothing can make us stop. I ask anyone who reads this, please share a #missingperson flyer today. #EveryoneDeservesTheSameAttention #GabbyPetito #DomesticViolence #TogetherWeCan. In the image, Gabby and her father laughed with one another as they placed their feet in containers filled with water and fish at a fish pedicure spa. FBI Denver/ZUMA Press Wire Service/Shutterstock Gabby Petito Related: Timeline of Gabby Petito Tragedy 1 Year After Killer Brian Laundrie's Body Was Found Gabby was last heard from in August 2021 while on a cross-country road trip with her fiance Brian Laundrie. Laundrie quietly returned to his parents' Florida home without Gabby on Sept. 1 and 10 days later she was reported missing. Laundrie was named a person of interest in Gabby's disappearance on Sept. 15. Her body was found in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on Sept. 19 and her death was ruled a homicide by a coroner, who determined that she had died of manual strangulation. She was 22 at the time. The body of 23-year-old Laundrie was found at a North Port, Fla. park on Oct. 20. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Laundrie was named Gabby's killer in January 2022 after a notebook found near his remains included a written confession taking responsibility for her death. Related: Gabby Petito's Stepdad, a Firefighter, Aims to Help First Responders Recognize Domestic Violence (Exclusive) Joseph also marked what would have been Gabbys 25th birthday back in March by sharing the same photo of them at Fish Spa Therapy. Happy 25th birthday #GabbyPetito our angel. We love and miss you. , his caption read. Meanwhile, in June, Joseph shared with PEOPLE how the Gabby Petito Foundation was supporting missing people of color. Theres a hierarchy when it comes to missing person fliers being shared, he said. Kids go first, then White women and then women of color. 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. We want to help all missing people,he added. If the media doesn't continue doing this for all the people then that's a shame because it's not just Gabby that deserved that." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) A flavorful festival celebrating a commonly used vegetable is coming to the Ross Park Zoo. The American Civic Association is hosting the 20th annual Garlic Festival on Saturday. The festival is the ACAs largest fundraiser of the year. It will feature a record number of vendors offering garlicky foods, snacks, and drinks as well as crafts and gifts. The ACA is also bringing back its garlic ice cream, which has been a crowd favorite over the years. Marketing and Event Coordinator Mary Neufeld says the festival serves as an important reminder to acknowledge the cultural diversity that is present in our community. She says garlic brings us together. Garlic is a key ingredient in food all around the world. People love garlic in their food in all of the different cultures pretty much. So, this is a way for us to unite all of the different cultures and celebrate that, said Neufeld. Neufeld says a variety of different cultures will be represented through food, music, and activities. The Garlic Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children. Those in attendance will also receive discounted zoo entrance tickets. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. CANDLER COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV)The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested and charged four Candler County residents with trafficking methamphetamine. Following a joint investigation by the GBI Southeastern Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the Metter Police Department and the GBIs Atlanta Gang Task Force, the following individuals were booked into Candler County Sheriffs Office Jail on Thursday: Efram Todd Donaldson, age 55, of Candler County, GA, charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine, Use of a Communication Facility to Commit a Felony, and Conspiracy to Commit A Felony. Justin Aldrich, age 38, of Candler County, GA, charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine and Conspiracy to Commit A Felony. Nakia Donaldson, age 34, of Candler County, GA, charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine, Use of a Communication Facility to Commit a Felony, and Conspiracy to Commit A Felony. Byron Brown, age 35, of Candler County, GA, charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine and Conspiracy to Commit A Felony. A multi-agency drug investigation began in February 2024 and led to two search warrants, according to the GBI. Police executed a warrant at a home located in the 600 block of Marcus St. and the other was for a truck located in the 700 block of Kevin Ln. in Metter. During the search warrant, police seized three vehicles, three rifles, four handguns, over $30,000, approximately 3 pounds of suspected marijuana and 1 ounce of suspected methamphetamine, the GBI said. Over the course of the investigation, the GBI said law enforcement bought approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine in undercover buys. Multiple GBI work units, along with Metter Police Department (MPD), the Treutlen County Sheriffs Office (TCSO), Statesboro Police Department (SPD), Rincon Police Department (RPD) and the Candler County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) executed the search warrants and made the arrests. Meanwhile, the Southeastern Regional Drug Enforcement Office and the Metter Police Department need your help. If you have information related to drug activity, you are encouraged to call SRDEO at (912) 685-5345. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect the number of people who died from a March drug overdose at the Georgetown County Detention Center. GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A series of conscious failures by Georgetown County Detention Center staff resulted is to blame for the lethal March drug overdose of a 23-year-old inmate, her family said in a newly filed lawsuit. Shelby Ashby was found unresponsive in her cell March 15, dying four days later at a local hospital. The women were allegedly given the drugs by Kelly Lambert, 45, of Andrews, who has been charged with bringing a controlled substance into a facility and possession of contraband, Sheriff Carter Weavers office said. At the time Ashby, Lambert was serving a sentence on weekends for a traffic charge. Georgetown-wrongful-death-suitDownload The overdoses prompted Weaver to immediately launch a criminal probe to determine how contraband and illicit drugs were brought into the jail and to hold any and all persons responsible in this matter. The 11-page complaint filed Aug. 20 in Georgetown County Common Pleas Court outlines a series of alleged missteps and communication lapses that allowed the drugs to enter a secure facility, including: inadequate searches of people during the booking process failure to perform required security checks of detainees every 30 minutes improper training and monitoring of correctional staff Lambert was booked into the detention center around 6 p.m. on March 15 to begin serving a weekend sentence, but was able to smuggle a heroin/fentanyl mix into the cell block, according to the lawsuit. Additionally, (Ashby) and Lambert were not properly checked on by any security staff for at least two hours. These actions were conscious violations of the Detention Centers policies and procedures with regard to booking, security checks and search procedures. Guards responded to Ashbys cell about 8:45 p.m., after they were alerted by other inmates that both women were unconscious. By 9:15 p.m., EMS crews arrived to take over Ashbys care. She died the afternoon of March 19. Had the Defendants properly followed their training, policies, and procedures, it is likely that the contraband would not have been allowed to enter the facility, the lawsuit claims. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. GEORGETOWN, Ky. (FOX 56) A Christian nonprofit in Scott County looking to bring hope to the community received a huge gift Wednesday. The Gathering Place Mission is a homeless shelter and community kitchen, a mission that the organization Boots and Pearls wanted to help out with, which led them to raise $18,500 to go towards a new emergency shelter for The Gathering Place. They currently have an emergency night shelter, but it can only hold 25 people. This resource will provide 32 more beds. Executive director Heather Johnson was overjoyed to get the help. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Thats 32 more people that have a place thats safe, thats warm. They can shower, they can use the laundry, they can eat. Those are things we take for granted every day. When I just think about people and how thats going to help them, It makes my heart open, Johnson said. Jay Wontor was a former resident at the Gathering Place. Wontor said hes glad to see this organization that meant so much to him get a boost to help even more community members in the same way he was helped. I always use the word grateful. Once you lose that, you lose that language of happiness. To come in here and have people really be that level of success for you, its huge, Wontor said. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: There currently isnt a set date for the construction or completion of the new shelter. To donate and help out even more, visit this link. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. A group of federal lawmakers from Georgia announced millions of dollars in funding was coming to the state to help expand its network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock, along with Reps. Sanford Bishop and Nikema Williams, said $15 million would go to the Middle Georgia Regional Commission and $11.8 million to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to install hundreds of chargers across the state and a fast charging hub at the airport. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Im pleased to help deliver this investment through the bipartisan infrastructure law alongside Senator Reverend Warnock, Congressman Bishop, and Congresswoman Williams to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Georgia. Every day, the bipartisan infrastructure law is upgrading transportation, energy, sewer and water, and broadband internet across our great state, Ossoff said. For the airports DC Fast Charging Hub, the lawmakers said in a statement on Monday that it would be used for to provide charging opportunities for rental car companies, ride-share drivers, airport shuttles for hotels, employees, Atlanta city EV light to heavy-duty fleet vehicles, plus EV drivers going to the airport or traveling on the TRENDING STORIES: Both of the U.S. Senators said the investment would help expand EV infrastructure in Georgia and that the bipartisan law theyd both supported was a boon to the state. Georgia is on the frontlines of our nations clean energy economy thanks in part to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law I was proud to champion, Warnock said. This latest investment will help alleviate the burden of finding ample charging ports around our state. I believe we are called to be good stewards of our planet and its resources, and I will continue to do all I can in the U.S. Senate to support common sense solutions that will benefit both our ecology and our economy. Leaders across the Atlanta area and Middle Georgia shared similar sentiments, thanking the Biden-Harris Administration for the investment. We are thrilled to receive this grant and will use it to enhance our position as a leader in the industry, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) Interim General Manager Jan Lennon said. Expanding charging accessibility options for rental car companies, ride-share drivers, and ATL employees allows us to pursue our sustainability goals while improving air quality in traditionally underserved communities. By engaging in those communities, we aim to promote the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future. Funding will be coming for both projects from allocations in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which will allow more than 200 public EV chargers to be installed in the following cities: Milledgeville Macon Lizella Roberta Warner Robins Perry Bonaire Centerville Hawkinsville Kathleen Perry Gray Culloden Juliette Forsyth Byron Fort Valley Hawkinsville Eatonton Jeffersonville Allentown Irwinton Toomsboro Gordon [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: A Georgia police officer sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle crash Wednesday evening while he was assisting in the motorcade for Vice President Harris, the Savannah Police Department said in a statement Thursday. The incident, which took place around 7 p.m. EDT, was a single-vehicle accident, police said, meaning no other vehicle was involved in the crash. Savannah Police Cpl. David Bates was subsequently transported to a local hospital, Memorial Health University Medical Center, where he continued to undergo treatment on Thursday, according to the statement. He is in stable condition. The Savannah Police Department is supporting Corporal Bates and his family as he begins his recovery from injuries sustained in this vehicle accident, Savannah Police Chief Lenny Gunther said in a statement. We will be by his side every step of the way. The special agent in charge of the U.S. Secret Services Atlanta Field Office, Frederick Houston, said the Secret Service is aware of an incident that occurred during a motorcade movement yesterday, in a statement included in the press release. The movement was not affected by the incident, Houston continued. We are thankful for the support of our law enforcement partners and wish Corporal David Bates a full and speedy recovery. Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), embarked on a two-day bus tour on Wednesday through southeast Georgia as part of an effort to reach voters in more rural pockets of the battleground state. The visit to Georgia marks the first time Harris and Walz traveled to the pivotal battleground state together. Harris earlier this month spoke in Atlanta to a crowd of thousands prior to selecting a running mate. The Vice President and Governor were grateful to hear that Corporal Bates is doing okay, a spokesperson for the Harris-Walz campaign said in a statement. They are thankful for his service and wish him a quick recovery. Story was updated at 6:44 p.m. ET Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Georgia Department of Corrections Director Tyrone Oliver testified at two Senate committees in August about the impact that understaffing, aging facilities, and a more dangerous inmate population is having on a rash of violent incidents at state prisons. Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder The Georgia Department of Corrections continues to struggle with an onslaught of drones that are being used to deliver contraband, such as drugs, cell phones, and potentially even the firearm used by an inmate of Smith State Prison to kill a food service worker in June. Department of Corrections Director Tyrone Oliver told a state Senate panel Wednesday information obtained during the ongoing investigation into the June 16 murder-suicide indicates that someone flew a drone to deliver the gun used by Jaydrekus Hart to kill 24-year-old Aramark employee Aureon Grace while she was working in the prison kitchen. Georgias state prison officials spent several hours Wednesday testifying before the Georgia Senates Department of Corrections Facilities Study Committee, which is tasked with making recommendations on how to deal with troubles arising from overcrowded and outdated detention facilities. According to the corrections department, Hart and Grace had a personal relationship and that Hart left a suicide note. Hart had been serving a 20-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter and aggravated battery committed in 2013 in Carroll County. In Georgias state prisons, drones are increasingly used to smuggle contraband, resulting in more violence against inmates, correctional officers and other staff. The study committees hearing on Wednesday also delved into the potential role that aging prisons in disrepair, understaffing and other issues are contributing to the rash of violence in facilities like Smith State Prison, which houses about 1,500 of the states most dangerous inmates. During a year-long stretch that ended in June, the Georgia corrections department arrested 69 staff members, 204 inmates and 554 civilians and tallied over 430 reports of drones. The vast number of arrests made for staff members and the general public is tied to attempts to bring illegal contraband into prisons. Nearly 15,000 cell phones were confiscated from June 2023 to June 2024 inside Georgia prisons, double the number from 2019, according to the DOC. Oliver said that even if there was full staffing inside prisons, inmates often use methods such as causing a disturbance to distract officers in order to sneak in contraband. Oliver said that the rise in problems has correlated to an increase in the number of inmates sentenced for violent offenses. Whenever we built the prisons back then, it was conducive to the population that we were potentially housing then, not now, so thats one of the reasons why we have to harden it, Oliver said. And then its ongoing maintenance. Theyre constantly finding ways to get to the infrastructure, to make any type of weapons, to get on the roof, to whatever. A $17.5 million increase in this years budget for capital maintenance is helping pay for some much needed repairs and upgrades to prison infrastructure, Oliver said. The majority of our contraband that gets retrieved is due to our aging infrastructure, he said. Sometimes they pop out of the locks, they go through the pipe chases, get up on the roof of the prison and retrieve the contraband. A greater emphasis has also been placed on prison officials conducting random searches for contraband inside prisons. The number of jail shakedowns has increased significantly from 70 in 2019 to 287 this year, Oliver said. Its just a constant battle that were fighting, Oliver said about drones. Sen. Kim Jackson, a Democrat from Stone Mountain, said that while there is much discussion about the need to repair aging and deteriorating facilities, she wondered why correction department officials didnt flag staffing levels as a larger factor. Maybe weve never been fully staffed in our prisons, perhaps Im wrong Jackson said. How does the crime and the problems with contraband today compare with a time and a season in which we were more fully staffed? Sen. Randy Roberson, a Cataula Republican, said that its a sad situation that part of the blame for weapons, drugs and cell phones other contraband being smuggled inside prisons is because inmates are able to use the subpar building conditions to access the contraband. When I start thinking about people having to use the infrastructure of the building to get up to the roof, this sounds very much Shawshank kind of fantasy, Robertson said, referring to the 1994 movie The Shawshank Redemption. That we would still have to worry about people using our own buildings against us to bring in stuff, especially now, when we have an incident where they brought in a deadly weapon and used it against an employee, thats concerning. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Georgias prisons are seeing surge in smuggled cellphones, often delivered by drones Reduced staffing and aging infrastructure are contributing to an influx of contraband that is driving an increase in criminal activity inside Georgia prisons, the head of the state Department of Corrections said Wednesday. Correctional officers confiscated 14,497 cellphones inside state prisons last year, double the 7,224 seized in 2019, Commissioner of Corrections Tyrone Oliver told a Georgia Senate study committee formed to examine safety and security issues affecting the states prisons. Many of those cellphones are being smuggled into the prisons by drones, some carrying payloads of up to 200 pounds, Oliver said. These are huge drones were seeing, he said. Its a constant battle were fighting. Prison inmates are using contraband cellphones to coordinate the distribution of illegal drugs inside and outside prison walls. Last week, 23 current or former inmates and outside conspirators were indicted in federal court on charges of using drones to deliver large quantities of methamphetamine and marijuana as well as cellphones to Smith State Prison in Glennville, Telfair State Prison in McRae and various other state prisons. Contraband cellphones also are being used in connection with violent crimes, said Senate Majority Whip Randy Robertson, R-Cataula, the study committees chairman. Weve had murders take place outside of prisons that were orchestrated inside of prisons, Robertson said. Oliver said staffing losses are spreading the agencys workforce thin. The Department of Corrections lost more than 2,000 employees during the COVID pandemic but has since rebounded by 500 to 700, he said. This is by far the toughest mission in public safety when you walk into a prison, he said. (And) there are a lot of jobs out there that pay more. Oliver said the condition of prison infrastructure is contributing to the problem with drones. Inmates are able to get on the roofs of crumbling prison buildings to receive drone deliveries, he said. Inmate deaths inside prison walls from homicides, suicides, accidents, and natural causes have not risen dramatically in recent years, and violent incidents actually are trending down, Oliver said. However, the nature of todays prison population is resulting in the violent incidents that do occur causing more harm to the victims, he said. Criminal justice reform has resulted in fewer non-violent offenders being sent to prison, Oliver said. As a result, 75% of todays inmates inside Georgia prisons are violent offenders, he said. Theyre not fighting anymore, he said. Theyre using homemade weapons and other things to cause more harm. Octavious Holiday, a former inmate who spent 16 years behind bars in Georgia for a series of armed robberies, praised the Department of Corrections for increasing the number of programs it offers to help inmates turn around their lives since he entered the system in 2004. For example, 25% of the high school equivalency diplomas awarded in Georgia every year go to state prison inmates, said Jay Sanders, the departments assistant commissioner of inmate services. Oliver said recent pay raises targeting the states public safety employees have raised the starting salary for correctional officers to $44,000 a year, comparable to salaries neighboring states are offering. But more needs to be done, said Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta, a member of the study committee. Weve got a lot of work to do to get you guys the resources you need, Beach told Oliver and several colleagues who attended Wednesdays meeting. Robertson said the committee will hold several more meetings before formulating recommendations to the full Senate by a deadline of Dec. 1. PeopleImages / iStock/Getty Images We all need financial guidance from time to time. But the type of advice you need can depend on your age. Baby boomers, for example, often need support with stretching their funds in retirement and creating spending plans. If youre part of this generation and looking for a financial advisor, your search should reflect your goals. This article will lead you through a process that will get you to the right match. Check Out: Im a Retired Boomer: Here Are 3 Debts You Should Definitely Pay Off Before Retirement Learn More: 7 Reasons Boomers Must Speak To a Financial Advisor Before Spending $10,000 or More Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week. The 5 Types of Financial Advisors First, its worth reviewing how financial advisors earn money from their clients. There are a few different pricing models, and the one you choose could impact the kind of advice you get. For instance, if an advisor earns a commission on every trade you make and then recommends an unusually large number of trades, thats a red flag. You might not spot something like that if you ignore how your advisor makes their money. With that in mind, there are five main types of advisors, based on Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. Fee-only: These advisors are paid based on the assets they manage for you. They may charge a percentage of those assets, an hourly rate or an annual fee. Commission-based: These advisors earn a commission based on the products they sell you but may not charge you much, if anything, directly. Fee-based: These advisors charge fees based on the assets they manage and may still earn a commission. Registered investment advisors: These firms generally charge an annual account fee or a percentage of assets invested. Robo-advisors: These automated online platforms offer low-cost investing advice and earn money through various account and trading fees. You can find financial expertise across each of these pricing models. However, if you want your advisors incentives to align fully with your own, its a factor to consider. Read More: Im a Financial Advisor: 5 Things the Middle Class Wastes Money On How To Choose a Financial Advisor as a Boomer The baby boomer generation spans 18 years, from 1946 to 1964. That means the youngest boomers are nearing retirement, while the oldest may have already been retired for a decade. Given this gap, its no surprise that even people within the boomer generation have substantially different financial needs. However, with the right process, youll end up with a great advisor regardless of your needs. Heres how to get there. Story continues 1. Define Your Goals Start by deciding what you hope to achieve through your work with a financial advisor. It might be: Preparing for retirement financially Paying off credit card debt and loans Making your retirement savings last longer Improving the performance of your investments Preparing for major expenses Adjusting to a new financial situation Doing this can help you choose a well-matched financial advisor. It shows you what traits to look for when evaluating candidates. For example, if you want help preparing to retire within the next three years, you would choose an expert who specializes in that transition. 2. Consider Your Preferences Next, consider how youd prefer to work with your advisor and what resources youd like from them. According to a recent survey, baby boomers generally care most about resources like: Educational programs that teach them how to become stronger financially Debt repayment tools Budgeting tools Predictive insights Automatic savings options You might also prefer to meet face to face with an advisor instead of online. Or maybe you prefer working with a respected company instead of an individual practitioner. These preferences can influence what you search for in an advisor. 3. Create a List of Potential Advisors Now that you know what you want in an advisor, its time to begin looking for one. That process starts with a list of candidates. Yours could include local firms, solo practitioners, large corporations or all of the above. The easiest way to start gathering your options is to search for them online. Type something like financial advisors near me, and youll likely find plenty of firms in your area. Then, as you browse the results, some will naturally align more with your goals and preferences than others. These are the ones that should make your list for further investigation. For example, you might be able to cut your list in half just by eliminating online-only firms. 4. Read Online Reviews About 89% of global consumers check online reviews before making purchasing decisions, according to Trustpilot. Consider doing the same before picking your next financial advisor. Reviews from any single customer may be biased. But read through a few to see if any issues keep coming up. For example, one advisor may have a reputation for pushy sales tactics. Thats something youd want to know before moving forward. 5. Schedule Consultations Now, youre ready to start scheduling consultations with the remaining options on your list. At this point, youll likely have eliminated some candidates based on the factors covered previously. Consultations, whether in person or online, are an opportunity to see whom you connect with. You may be communicating with your new financial advisor quite a bit. Its important to choose someone who makes that easy to do. These meetings also give you the chance to ask personalized questions about strategies, fees and other concerns. For instance, you might want to know how each advisor would handle a particular portfolio or asset. 6. Double-Check Their Credentials Before Finalizing Once you go through your consultations, a few candidates will likely emerge as the final choices youre deciding between. At that point, circle back and check their financial advisor credentials. You want to work with a team of professionals who truly possess the expertise youve been searching for. Credentials help prove that either negatively or positively. The easiest way to verify a financial advisors credentials is by visiting the Financial Industry Regulatory Authoritys website. The nonprofit organization offers a BrokerCheck service, which shows financial advisor certifications, licenses, employment history and even previous violations. Its a simple check you should always complete before trusting someone with your money. Otherwise, you could end up wasting all of the effort you put into finding an ideal advisor. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Boomers: Here Are 5 Types of Financial Advisors and How To Choose the Right One for You ATLANTA (AP) Georgia voters are likely to be able to choose from six candidates for president after Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Thursday put Cornel West and Claudia De la Cruz back on the ballot and ruled that the Green Party's Jill Stein had qualified by another route. Raffensperger, an elected Republican, overruled findings made last week by an administrative law judge that removed West and De la Cruz. West is running as an independent. De la Cruz is the nominee of the Party for Socialism and Liberation but has qualified as an independent in Georgia. The Democratic Party wanted to restrict the choices available to Georgia voters because they didnt want to compete with a socialist campaign that offers real solutions to the huge problems facing working people," De la Cruz said in a statement. "We are proud to have stood up for our rights and the right of everyone in Georgia to vote for the candidate of their choosing. Challenges to independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were dismissed as moot after Kennedy sent papers to Georgia on Monday to officially withdraw his name. Kennedy last week said he was suspending his campaign, withdrawing from the ballot in the most competitive states and endorsing Republican Donald Trump. Democrats who are trying to knock West, De la Cruz and Stein off the ballot said they were considering appealing the decision. A judge affirmed that none of these candidates were qualified to be on the Georgia ballot," Democratic Party of Georgia Executive Director Tolulope Kevin Olasanoye said in a statement. "The secretary of state ignored the judges ruling that found each party failed to play by the rules. State election law is clear, and we are exploring our options. Time is running short, though: Georgia mails out military and overseas ballots starting Sept. 17. If the decisions stand, Georgia voters will have six choices for president: Trump, West, De la Cruz, Stein, Democrat Kamala Harris and Libertarian Chase Oliver. It would be the first time since 1948 that Georgians would have more than four choices for president. Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians automatically qualify for elections in Georgia. Democrats legally challenged West, De la Cruz, Kennedy and Stein, seeking to block candidates who could siphon votes from Harris after Joe Biden won Georgia by fewer than 12,000 votes in 2020. Judge Michael Malihi had agreed with arguments made by the state Democratic Party that petitions for independent candidates must be filed in the name of the 16 presidential electors, and not the candidates themselves, citing a change made to Georgia law in 2017. But Raffensperger, who makes the final decision, said one petition in De la Cruz's or West's name met the requirements of both state law and a 2016 court decision that limits the state to requiring only 7,500 signatures on a petition for statewide office. Counties have found that De la Cruz and West each collected more than the required 7,500 signatures. Georgia is one of several states where Democrats and allied groups have filed challenges to third-party and independent candidates. Republicans in Georgia intervened, seeking to keep all the candidates on the ballot. Raffensperger ruled that Stein qualified under a new Georgia law awarding a ballot place to candidates of a party that qualifies in at least 20 other states. That's even though Raffensperger agreed with Malihi that the separate Green Party of Georgia had not qualified Stein for the ballot. This is democracy at work, despite the best efforts of the Democrat Party to deny us access to voters, Stein campaign manager Jason Call said in a statement. We look forward to November. ___ An earlier version of the story incorrectly reported that the Green Party's Jill Stein had not qualified for Georgia's presidential ballot. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger ruled that Stein qualified for Georgia's ballot through another route even though he upheld a decision that the separate Green Party of Georgia had not qualified. Nancy Faeser (C), Germany's Minister of the Interior and Home Affairs, Marco Buschmann, Germany's Minister of Justice, and Anja Hajduk, State Secretary in the Ministry of Economics, talk after the presentation of a security package following the knife attack in Solingen. Kay Nietfeld/dpa Berlin has agreed to tighten weapons rules, crack down on irregular migration and take other steps to combat the threat of Islamist terrorism in the wake of a deadly knife attack in the western city of Solingen, dpa learned from government sources on Thursday. An existing ban on carrying knives in public spaces will be expanded, while social benefits for some asylum seekers who initially registered in other EU countries will also be cut, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced in Berlin on Thursday afternoon. The tighter weapons laws include absolute bans on switchblades or carrying knives at public events such as festivals, sporting matches, exhibitions, markets and other gatherings. Faeser said the measures will include bans on carrying knives on long-distance buses and trains, while the requirements for a firearms license will be increased. Police and security officials will also receive expanded powers to counter potential Islamist threats, and the government will take more action to ban Islamist groups in the country, the minister said. Faeser described the proposals as "far-reaching" and "tough measures." Justice Minister Marco Buschmann called the package a sensible and useful response to improve the security situation in Germany and to implement an even stricter pragmatic policy on migration. A knife-wielding attacker killed three people and wounded eight others on Friday evening at a festival on the market square in Solingen, a mid-sized city in western Germany located just east of Dusseldorf. The suspected attacker, a 26-year-old Syrian citizen identified by authorities as Issa Al H, was supposed to be deported from Germany to Bulgaria last year but had nonetheless remained in the country. The Islamic State terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack, a connection that remains under investigation by German authorities. The suspect's continued presence in Germany despite the deportation order has fuelled an intense ongoing debate in the country over migration and asylum policy. It has also renewed focus on EU rules that are supposed to allow countries like Germany to send migrants back to their first EU country of arrival. Work on the package of measures began in the immediate aftermath of the attack. Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday announced talks with the conservative opposition CDU/CSU alliance as well as the leaders of Germany's 16 federal states over policy responses to the attack. A working group is expected to meet for the first time next week. Nancy Faeser (R), Germany's Minister of the Interior and Home Affairs, Marco Buschmann, Germany's Minister of Justice, and Anja Hajduk, State Secretary in the Ministry of Economics, present a security package following the knife attack in Solingen. Kay Nietfeld/dpa Nancy Faeser (R), Germany's Minister of the Interior and Home Affairs, Marco Buschmann, Germany's Minister of Justice, and Anja Hajduk, State Secretary in the Ministry of Economics, present a security package following the knife attack in Solingen. Kay Nietfeld/dpa The German government on Thursday proposed stricter rules on weapons, tight new limits on benefits for asylum seekers and greater police powers to address suspected Islamist threats in the wake of a deadly knife attack in the western city of Solingen. Asylum seekers who initially registered in other EU countries would no longer be eligible for social benefits in Germany under the proposal, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced in Berlin on Thursday afternoon. An existing ban on carrying knives in public spaces would be expanded to include absolute bans on switchblades or carrying knives at public events such as festivals, sporting matches, exhibitions, markets and other gatherings, according to Faeser. The proposal would also ban knives on long-distance buses and trains, and increase the requirements for a firearms license, the minister said. Police and security officials will also receive expanded powers to counter potential Islamist threats, including by accessing biometric images, and the government will take more action to ban Islamist groups in the country, Faeser said. The changes would also make it easier to deport foreigners from Germany if they have committed a crime with a weapon, according to a paper obtained by dpa. Criminal records could also lead to asylum claims being denied. Faeser described the proposals as "far-reaching" and "tough measures." Justice Minister Marco Buschmann called the package a sensible and useful response to improve the security situation in Germany and to implement an even stricter pragmatic policy on migration. Both Faeser and Buschmann urged quick action to implement the proposals. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he was pleased that the proposal had been devised "so quickly" and "so precisely." "I am glad that these measures could be presented today," he said on the sidelines of a meeting with citizens in the town of Seelow east of Berlin. The chancellor was not present when the proposal was announced. Suspect was ordered deported before Solingen attack A knife-wielding attacker killed three people and wounded eight others on Friday evening at a festival on the market square in Solingen, a mid-sized city in western Germany located just east of Dusseldorf. The suspected attacker, a 26-year-old Syrian citizen identified by authorities as Issa Al H, was supposed to be deported from Germany to Bulgaria last year but had nonetheless remained in the country. The Islamic State terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack, a connection that remains under investigation by German authorities. The suspect's continued presence in Germany despite the deportation order has fuelled an intense ongoing debate in the country over migration and asylum policy. It has also renewed focus on EU rules that are supposed to allow countries like Germany to send migrants back to their first EU country of arrival, which is responsible for processing asylum applications and providing any benefits. Such migrants will have their social benefits in Germany "reduced to zero" under the proposal and will only have access to aid for return travel, Faeser said. But she added: "In Germany, no one will starve to death or sleep on the streets." Political talks scheduled for next week Work on the package of measures began in the immediate aftermath of the attack. Scholz on Wednesday announced talks with the conservative opposition CDU/CSU alliance as well as the leaders of Germany's 16 federal states over policy responses to the attack. A working group is expected to meet for the first time next week. Hesse state Premier Boris Rhein, a centre-right Christian Democrat (CDU) who currently chairs the conference of state leaders, expressed some scepticism about the meeting. "We don't need a brainstorming session," Rhein told dpa. "We need a turnaround in migration policy - and we need it now." Alexander Dobrindt, a leading lawmaker with the opposition CDU/CSU block, promised to take a close look at the government's proposals and suggested that Scholz's coalition finally appeared to be open to policies pushed by conservatives in the wake of the attack. "The decisive factor for us remains that the numbers of illegal migration must fall and the deportation figures must rise," he told dpa on Thursday. Nancy Faeser (C), Germany's Minister of the Interior and Home Affairs, Marco Buschmann, Germany's Minister of Justice, and Anja Hajduk, State Secretary in the Ministry of Economics, talk after the presentation of a security package following the knife attack in Solingen. Kay Nietfeld/dpa Nancy Faeser (R), Germany's Minister of the Interior and Home Affairs, Marco Buschmann, Germany's Minister of Justice, and Anja Hajduk, State Secretary in the Ministry of Economics, present a security package following the knife attack in Solingen. Kay Nietfeld/dpa German Foreign Minister accuses Putin of preparing new "cold war" against Ukraine German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of preparing for a new "cold war" against Ukraine. Source: Tagesschau, as reported by European Pravda Details: In recent weeks and months, heat and water infrastructure has been deliberately attacked, Baerbock said during consultations with her counterparts in Brussels. "With the aim that people freeze to death in winter," she said. In her opinion, Putin seeks an even larger "cold war" than in previous years. According to Baerbock, the EU's response should include a new protective shield for Ukraine. She stated that Germany intends to deliver four additional IRIS-T air defence systems and Gepard anti-aircraft systems by the end of the year. Air defence "is still the most important thing to protect human lives on the ground in Ukraine", Baerbock said. Background: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that some of the Patriot systems promised to Ukraine were being delayed and urged partners to accelerate the process. Patriot air defence systems were announced, for instance, in the July US military aid package. At the end of July, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that a Patriot air defence system provided by Germany had arrived in Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Nancy Faeser (R), Germany's Minister of the Interior and Home Affairs, Marco Buschmann, Germany's Minister of Justice, and Anja Hajduk, State Secretary in the Ministry of Economics, present a security package following the knife attack in Solingen. Kay Nietfeld/dpa Germany's government has agreed to tighten weapons restrictions, crack down on irregular migration and take other steps to combat the threat of Islamist terrorism in the wake of a deadly knife attack over the weekend in the western city of Solingen, dpa has learned from government sources. An existing ban on carrying knives in public spaces will be expanded, and social benefits for some asylum seekers who initially registered in other EU countries will be cut, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced in Berlin on Thursday afternoon. A knife-wielding attacker killed three people and wounded eight others on Friday evening at a festival on the market square in Solingen, a mid-sized city in western Germany located just east of Dusseldorf. The suspected attacker, a 26-year-old Syrian citizen identified by authorities as Issa Al H, was supposed to be deported from Germany to Bulgaria last year but had nonetheless remained in the country. The Islamic State terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack, a connection that remains under investigation by German authorities. The suspect's continued presence in Germany despite the deportation order has fuelled an intense ongoing debate in the country over migration and asylum policy. It has also renewed focus on EU rules that are supposed to allow countries like Germany to send migrants back to their first EU country of arrival. Nancy Faeser (R), Germany's Minister of the Interior and Home Affairs, Marco Buschmann, Germany's Minister of Justice, and Anja Hajduk, State Secretary in the Ministry of Economics, present a security package following the knife attack in Solingen. Kay Nietfeld/dpa President of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) Siegfried Russwurm speaks at the German Industry Day 2024 of the Federation of German Industries (BDI). Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party's xenophobic and anti-business rhetoric will exacerbate the existing shortage of skilled labour and severely damage the country's economy, the president of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) has said. In an interview published on Thursday with Die Welt newspaper, Siegfried Russwurm also sharply attacked Bjorn Hocke, the AfD's leader and top candidate in the state of Thuringia, where voters go to the polls on Sunday. There is also an election in neighbouring Saxony on the same day. Both states are in the former east Germany. Hocke had attacked companies supporting the "Made in Germany - Made by Diversity" initiative and wished those firms economic harm. Russwarm said such statements showed the AfD's incompetence and are alarming for the economy. "The AfD's participation in government would massively damage the economy and prosperity in eastern Germany," he said. The Scoop German government officials are exploring ways to push social media platforms to add authentication tools that disclose whether an image is real or manipulated. The discussions are still in the very early stages, Benjamin Brake, head of digital policy in Germanys Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, told Semafor. Ministry officials havent yet approached social media platforms about the idea, but have met with a company that provides image authentication tools, he said. Its likely the issue may ultimately need to be addressed on a European Union level, rather than just Germany, he added. We would like to try to find a way that people actually can identify if something is real, Brake said. Its too early to say how such a tool would work in practice, and whether it would be legally required, but Brake said it would likely be a kind of metadata tag that accompanies photos and would be different from watermarking, a practice in which a signal is embedded into an image that identifies it as generated by artificial intelligence. Were trying to talk to huge online platforms, [about] why they are not using it, if there are any obstacles, and in that way, try to push them a bit into at least working with the images that are proliferating over their platform, he said. Know More Governments globally have sounded the alarm about fake or manipulated images circulating on social media, especially during elections. Germany is holding three closely watched state votes in September two of them on Sunday and a federal election is scheduled for September 2025. EU regulators are trying to crack down on misleading or harmful content through the Digital Services Act, which requires so-called very large online platforms to have systems in place to handle misinformation, hate speech, and terrorist activity. But mandatory image authorization tools arent part of the EUs current rules. Fake AI-generated content has been a particular challenge. Russian influence campaigns spread deepfakes ahead of European Parliament elections in June, and more recently, unknown actors used the identities of European influencers to push pro-Donald Trump messaging in the US, CNN reported Wednesday. Some platforms, like TikTok, and Metas Instagram and Facebook, require users to add a label to AI-generated content, and have recently deployed tools aimed at identifying when AI is used. Sahra Wagenknecht, BSW Federal Chairwoman, speaks on stage at the Schlossplatz during a BSW Saxony campaign event for the state elections. Robert Michael/dpa Sahra Wagenknecht, long an icon of Germany's far left, has been campaigning to shake up the country's political spectrum with her own upstart party built around a populist appeal she dubs "left conservatism." Her newly launched party, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), broke from the hard-left Die Linke (The Left) party in January and scored 6.2% of the vote in Germany during June's European Parliament elections. But the first real test for Wagenknecht's brand of populism will be in upcoming state parliamentary elections in the German states of Thuringia, Saxony and Brandenburg. Polls have put the BSW above 15% in all three states - ahead of the federal government's coalition parties, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) the Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP). Voters in Thuringia and Saxony are due to cast their ballots on Sunday, while Brandenburg's election is scheduled for September 22. All three states are in the former communist East Germany, where Die Linke - which was formed partly from the remnants of the former ruling communist party - has long been strongest. Wagenknecht and the politicians she has recruited to the BSW have fused a traditional left-wing economic position with hardline anti-immigration stances and conservative views on hot-button social issues such as gender policy. Germany's "'welcome culture' for immigrants is over," Wagenknecht declared on Tuesday in the wake of a deadly knife attack last weekend in the western city of Solingen. The suspected attacker is a Syrian citizen who had evaded a deportation order. Wagenknecht said the Solingen attack must be "a turning point for refugee policy" and demanded far tougher treatment of migrants, especially those whose asylum claims have been rejected. Wagenknecht and her BSW have also been strident critics of Germany's military support for Ukraine in its defence against the Russian invasion, and have called for better relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. That stance puts her at odds with all of Germany's mainstream parties - but on the same page as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Observers and experts have been unsure how the BSW's arrival might upset electoral politics in Germany, with some suggesting the upstart party might win back disaffected voters who have backed the far-right AfD. Polls, however, have suggested that the biggest loser from the BSW's rise has been Die Linke, which has slipped dramatically in all three states. Wagenknecht has long been a fixture on national television talk shows, but strong election results in Thuringia and Saxony on Sunday would cement her new party's presence on the political scene - and suggest a strong support base ahead of national parliamentary elections in 2025. The results could also put BSW in a key position to broker the political future in eastern Germany. All mainstream parties have ruled out working with the far-right AfD, which means support from the populist BSW could be key to cobbling together a coalition. Germany to slash benefits for migrants who arrive from other EU countries to bed, bread and soap Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, is reportedly about to get tough on illegal immigration - Getty Images/Christoph Reichwein Olaf Scholz is poised to remove benefits from refugees who arrive in Germany through other EU countries, leaving them with the bare essentials of bed, bread, and soap. Following the Islamic State-inspired terror attack in Solingen last Friday, the German chancellor is said to be preparing new measures to tackle illegal migration. According to reports from various German media outlets, Mr Scholz will cut all welfare payments for migrants previously registered in other EU countries. Under EU law refugees must apply for asylum in the first country they enter. However, many migrants continue their journey to Germany and other northern European nations after arriving on the Mediterranean coast. For the past decade, Berlin has largely ignored the so-called Dublin regulation and allowed migrants to file a second asylum application in Germany. Mr Scholz will reportedly cut all welfare payments for migrants previously registered in other EU countries - AFP/Odd Andersen Cases where the country has tried to enforce the rules have frequently been thwarted by legal challenges. German courts have often ruled that countries such as Greece fail to meet the EUs basic requirements for migrant care, including adequate shelter, food, and hygiene. Additionally, attempts to deport migrants have been hampered by the reluctance of other EU members to take them back. Last year, Berlin suspended its participation in a pact to distribute migrants arriving in Italy, citing Romes refusal to implement the Dublin rules. Mr Scholz is facing mounting pressure to clamp down on illegal migration after a Syrian man killed three people with a kitchen knife at a street festival last week. The assailant, who arrived in Germany in 2022 after being registered in Bulgaria, had been on a deportation list for over a year. Last Friday, three people were killed in the Islamic State-inspired terror attack in Solingen - Shutterstock/Christopher Neudorf Migration authorities, however, only made one attempt to detain him, which failed because he wasnt in his room in an asylum centre when they arrived. German law at the time forbade the officers from searching through further rooms in the centre. Within Scholzs coalition, the Green Party are calling for a Zeitenwende in public safety a reference to the chancellors declaration of a new era of defence spending following Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Complaining that Germany remains stuck in old ways of thinking, the Greens advocate handing police increased powers to investigate covertly on social media platforms while also rationalising the countrys tangled web of federal and state police services. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. US gold mining and exploration company Borealis has completed its first gold pour of the year at its on-site adsorption, desorption and recovery (ADR) facility in Nevada. According to a statement from the company, the first pour resulted in dore bars (a semi-pure alloy of gold and silver) weighing 651ozt containing 21.968% gold and 20.169% silver, as determined by an independent assay of a pin sample. This produced approximately 143ozt of gold and 131ozt of silver. According to Borealis, this production was executed by pressure stripping 2.5 of the companys ten carbon columns, which were loaded from residual leaching with a highly dilute cyanide solution. Borealis intends to strip the remaining 7.5 carbon columns and then introduce fresh cyanide to a section of the leach pad that has previously not been leached. The company expects this to result in a higher gold percentage dore compared with the material generated through residual leaching. The company also recently submitted several super sacks of spent carbon fines to mining service provider Just Refiners in Reno, Nevada, which contained 76.504ozt of gold and 305.012ozt of silver. Borealis CEO Kelly Malcolm, said: "We are in the process of seeking contractors to crush our 330,000 ton stockpile of ore, which should generate meaningful gold production for the company." Borealis open-pit heap leach mine project is comprised of 751 unpatented mining claims of approximately 20 acres each, totalling 15,020 acres and one unpatented mill site claim of around five acres in western Nevada. Nevada is home to the worlds largest gold mine, the Goldstrike Mine, which is owned by Nevada Gold Mines. Other major gold projects in the state include Barrick Golds Carlin Mine and reserves in the Cortez District, which has a significant history of gold production. "Borealis announces first gold pour in 2024 at on-site Nevada facility" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. (Bloomberg) -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs ruling coalition agreed on a package to strengthen regulations on weapons including knives and to lower hurdles to deport criminal asylum seekers following a deadly knife attack last week. Most Read from Bloomberg A Syrian man identified by prosecutors as Issa Al H., who had eluded deportation after a failed asylum application, is in custody accused of carrying out the attack at a festival in the western German city of Solingen on Aug. 23. Three people were killed and eight injured. The suspect is also accused of being a member of the extremist Islamic State. Knives have no place at festivals, sporting events or other public events. That is why there will be a knife ban here, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, a senior member of Scholzs Social Democrats, told reporters on Thursday. The package also includes tougher migration rules that would allow authorities to deport teenage asylum seekers if they attack or threaten other people, Justice Minister Marco Buschmann, a member of the co-governing Free Democrats, said at the press conference. Anyone who is motivated by Islamism, jihadism or is otherwise extremist cannot be granted asylum in Germany or be recognized as a refugee, Buschmann said. That is why we will expand the exclusion criteria for asylum eligibility. The government also wants to cut social benefits for certain asylum seekers. Faeser said this would apply to migrants for whom another European country is responsible under the European Unions joint migration and asylum rules. Scholzs three coalition parties have invited members of the opposition conservatives and representatives of Germanys 16 states for further talks next week to discuss the proposed package and possible additional measures, Faeser added. The knife attack in Solingen has sparked a heated debate in Germany about migration and security days before elections in two eastern states on Sunday, in which the far-right Alternative for Germany party is projected to come in first place. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Germany's far right predicted to make biggest gains since Nazi era in key state elections Bjoern Hoecke of the far-right Alternative for Germany party speaks at a rally in Suhl, Germany, this month. A German court last month found Hoecke guilty of using a Nazi slogan. (Markus Schreiber / Associated Press) Its become a painful pattern for Germanys political mainstream: Once again, a far-right party that for many evokes the countrys Nazi past is poised for an unprecedented show of electoral strength. The populist-nationalist Alternative for Germany, or AfD which in a little over a decade has gone from a stridently anti-immigrant fringe movement to a growing force in local and national politics is forecast to perform strongly or even place first in two state elections Sunday in the former East Germany. A third vote in another eastern state is set later in September. If the AfD takes the largest vote share in any of the balloting, as public opinion polling suggests is likely, it would mark the first such triumph at the state level for a German far-right party since World War II. Hoecke poses for a photo with a supporter at a rally in Apolda, eastern Germany. (Jens Schleuter / AFP/Getty Images) Its definitely a dramatic shift, said Constantin Wurthmann, a professor of comparative politics at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, referring to the expected trouncing of parties aligned with the governing coalition of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Analysts say the AfD is likely to benefit from both the location and timing of the votes. All three states Saxony and Thuringia, which vote Sunday, and the rural state of Brandenburg, surrounding Berlin, where balloting will be held Sept. 22 lie in the eastern heartland, where the party enjoys its greatest support. Read more: Europe turns from Trump-proofing to hope as Kamala Harris is anointed Democratic candidate And just nine days before the first of those votes, tensions over immigration spiked sharply over a grisly stabbing spree in which a Syrian man has been charged. Depending on the outcome, the trio of votes could be the AfD's second big jolt to the German political establishment this year. The party, which is under monitoring by the country's domestic intelligence agency for suspected extremism and anti-democratic leanings, surged to a second-place finish in the countrys European Parliament vote in June. Although that vote was largely symbolic, as the European legislative body wields relatively little power compared with the national parliaments of European Union member states, it was nonetheless seen as a wake-up call signaling anger against centrist governments and mainstream parties. That anger was crystallized by the Aug. 23 knife attack at a festival in the western town of Solingen, which left three people dead and eight others injured. The 26-year-old suspect, who had entered the country as an asylum seeker, had been under a deportation order since last year. And a claim of responsibility from the extremist group Islamic State raised fears of a potential new wave of terrorist attacks in Europe. People place flowers near the scene of a deadly Aug. 23 knife attack in Solingen, Germany. Analysts say the attack plays into the far-right's anti-immigration agenda; the suspect had entered the country as an asylum seeker. (Henning Kaiser / Associated Press) Analysts said the episode played into the far-right agenda of depicting immigrants as dangerously violent and the government as complacent in the face of a potent threat an echo of U.S. political discourse in this presidential campaign season. My hunch is that AfD will do even better than expected now after the Solingen attack, said Sabine Volk, a political science researcher at the University of Passau. Scholzs center-left party supports the right to seek asylum a contrast with AfD, whose national leaders have called for a total halt to all immigration but the chancellor said after the Solingen attack that irregular migration must be more tightly controlled, and deportations carried out faster when asylum claims are denied. Read more: Why some residents of European hot spots just want tourists to stay away Analysts predict the immigration issue will continue to drive a wedge. Established parties need to address concerns about immigration or else the far-right [parties] have a monopoly on them, Katja Hoyer, an author and scholar of the former communist East Germany, wrote on the social platform X. The upcoming votes underscore a persistent sense of political grievance and alienation in the countrys east, nearly 35 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. A recent poll by the German economic institute IW said one-fifth of easterners felt left behind economically, even though financial statistics suggest their region has been closing the gap with the richer west. That helps fuel voter support for populist parties, whether those on the far right, such as AfD, or the far left, such as the Reason and Justice party, known by its German initials BSW, which is also expected to do very well in the upcoming state elections. Read more: German court convicts prominent far-right politician for using a Nazi slogan again Even if it wins the biggest share in the upcoming votes, the AfD is unlikely to capture a majority. It would need support from another party or more to form a ruling legislative coalition, but so far, others have balked at allying with it. Among the party faithful, though, feelings of resentment remain and grow. Lots of things that were promised to eastern Germans were not successful, said the analyst Wurthmann. And if you look at the influence of the Soviet times, some in the east have not entirely accepted democratic values. Courts and German law enforcement authorities have cited precisely that the undermining of democratic values, the use of hateful rhetoric in formally designating the AfD as a suspected extremist organization. Many Germans shudder at the party's reintroduction, even in oblique fashion, of banned speech and symbols associated with the Nazi era. In July, a German court found Bjoern Hoecke, who leads the AfD in Thuringia, guilty of using a Nazi slogan. He uttered only part of the phrase in question "Everything for Germany!' but was found to have encouraged a rally crowd to complete it. It was his second such offense, and the penalty was a fine. 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 billboard featuring Jeremy Allen White stretches across the front of four properties in Hackney, east London - GAVIN RODGERS/PIXEL GRG A giant Calvin Klein billboard featuring the actor Jeremy Allen White has sparked a planning row in London after locals complained that it was blighting the area. The 20 by 8-metre flood-lit hoarding stretches across the front of four properties in Hackney, east London, and shrouds three storeys of terraces in darkness. The local council has branded the billboard, which shows the American actor lying down in a sleeveless denim jacket, unlawful but has been unable to force the owner of the buildings to remove it. A Hackney council spokesman said: The council investigated this matter in autumn 2020 and concluded that the advertisement was unlawful. A removal notice was issued in October of the same year, but an appeal was made against the notice to the magistrates court. We will follow the process through and take appropriate action in due course. In Hackney, we have seen previous cases of advert installed illegally, with owners failing to remove them despite enforcement attempts, showing not just the greed of some landlords but also the challenges councils face preventing this kind of advertising. Landlords and building owners can use income from advertising to challenge planning enforcement notices in the courts, it has been alleged. In November 2019, Hackney council enforced the removal of a wraparound billboard on a corner building located on the same road. Jeremy Allen White stars in the FX-Hulu TV series The Bear - CHUCK HODES/FX-HULU One local said Mr Allen is a great actor but these adverts are a blight on the area. He added: Think of the poor people who live in the flats behind them. They wont be getting the money but have to live in a dark home. The advertising space on Kingsland Road, a busy high street, was first approved in June 2012, planning documents indicate. It is sold to companies by blowUPmedia, a firm which manages billboards across Britain. The companys website claims that the hoarding is viewed by 27,897 people every day and that it has previously been used by Puma, Asahi beer and Inchs cider. Hackney council planning documents show permission was initially granted for a period of five years, ending in 2017. The advertisement has remained in place since then despite no further applications to extend the permission having been made. BlowUPmedia, Calvin Klein, Puma, Asahi and Inchs were approached for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH) A giant mural in Grove City is one of the first to celebrate a watershed moment in American history. The United States marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. And that has artist Scott Hagan known as The Barn Artist going to new heights on a cherry picker outside the American Nitrile building in Grove City. The company commissioned a mural honoring the country and the military. Its one of the first in a string of giant murals planned throughout the country to mark the upcoming anniversary. Hagan started working on it Sunday night, and hes already almost done. Drivers can see the mural from the road. The building is located on 3500 Southwest Boulevard in Grove City. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. The News Back in July, Joe Biden was in the race and Republicans were feeling good. So good that Donald Trumps pollster, Tony Fabrizio, argued at the RNC that their map was expanding into states like Virginia, where public polls showing a tight race were initially dismissed as outliers, but had grown too common for election analysts to ignore. But then Biden dropped out and Kamala Harris took his place, rallying the base and narrowing Trumps lead, both in the traditional swing states and nationwide. And yet, somehow there are still polls showing a tight race in Virginia and Republican leaders in the state are urging the national GOP to take notice. A Roanoke College poll last week, for instance, found Harris up 3 over Trump. A second poll by Quantus Polls and News found the same result. The latest public poll has Kamala up a bit, but in the margin of error, so Virginia is competitive, lets be serious, Gov. Glenn Youngkin argued in an interview with Fox News Brian Kilmeade on Wednesday. And the fact that were having this conversation that Virginia is competitive, when Joe Biden won by 10 points in 2020, is stunning, and I think its reflective of the fact that key issues on voters minds are the economy and the border. Those are big issues in Virginians minds. The Trump campaign, at least publicly, agrees with that stance although it hasnt yet translated into major spending in the state as they prioritize the Rust Belt and Sun Belt swing states. They dispatched Eric Trump to the state this month albeit to the family winery to make the case theyre paying attention. They also reportedly plan to open 15 offices, according to the Republican Party of Virginia. Were doing far better in some bluish states that are beyond the core seven battlegrounds, and Virginias one of them, Trump spokesman Brian Hughes said. Theres been a couple polls in just the past week showing Virginia within the margin of error, and thats consistent with what weve said for months, which is that the dynamics of this campaign [are] based on the issues and the candidates show that theres a playing field for better performance from President Trump than would be expected other Republican candidates. Republicans in Virginia see Youngkin, who won in 2021 and has remained popular in polls, as key to this tight race. Zack Roday, who worked for Youngkins Spirit of Virginia PAC, told Semafor that his influence cant be discounted, adding that Youngkin speaks with Trump often and that the two camps are in constant communication about strategy writ large, and certainly in Virginia. Roday predicted that post-Labor Day polling would provide more insight into where the party truly stands in the state from a presidential election standpoint. I would say its right there on the edge, and the reason that it is remains the same from where Biden was in to where we are today and thats the governors success in the state, that very easy contrast between the Trump years [being] better than where we are today, Roday said. If Im a Democrat, I have pause. Theyre definitely not pleased by this, so well see where it shakes. The View From Democrats Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe recently discounted the Roanoke College polling as one thats never been correct in their life, and Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott speculated that Youngkin wouldnt even bet me a dollar, let alone any money, that Trump will win Virginia. Team Harris already has 25 offices across Virginia, and plans to expand that in the coming months. Their campaign has also focused heavily on the issue of abortion a topic where Republicans have been vulnerable since the overturning of and one that could play into Democrats hands come November. Shelbys view Im skeptical of the red Virginia argument, to say the least its one thing for campaigns and pundits to say a state is in play, and another for them to actually begin significant investments in a state they truly believe is in play. Even some Republicans Ive spoken to have scoffed at the notion that the state is an option for Trump this campaign cycle. That said, Youngkins influence is worth monitoring: Many Republicans had written off the state before his victory, which suggests theres still some room for a properly calibrated GOP to make inroads. Room for Disagreement Youngkins brand of politics is very different from Trumps, and may also be reaching the limits of its appeal in Virginia. A Politico Magazine profile in June noted that his national star had diminished somewhat after he failed to win a majority in the legislature in a heavily abortion-centered election cycle. The longtime champion and beloved executive director of the American Space Museum and Space Walk of Fame passed away on August 11 after a three-month battle with stage-four lung cancer. Karan Conklin was 65 years old. Conklin was born in Miami, but her heart was in Titusville. She served as the museum's president for the past six years but was involved with the museum for 21 years, starting off as a volunteer. "Karan was truly the glue that held the museum together through two decades of incarnations," Mark Marquette, community liaison at the museum, said in an email. "Karan's spirit will live on as her vision will continue to touch those who enjoy the triumphs of the American Space Program. Humble, kind and compassionate are usually not the traits of leadership, but Karan was an exception. Her big heart attracted the right people at the right time to execute her ideas and programs that moved the museum forward. Karan's presence will be felt in the soul of the American Space Museum for a very long time." Conklin had passion for STEM education Marquette said that it was Conklin who influenced him to move to Florida. He first visited the museum while on a business trip from his home in Ohio. "Every time I came to the museum, I felt like I belonged here," said Marquette. "When I got up after that interview with her, and we looked at our watches, two hours (had gone by). I gave her my card, and I said 'I'm going to be involved with this museum someday.'" "She managed a lot with her heart. She never wanted to be confrontational. She'd see the positive side of people," he said. "The one mission of hers I know will continue at the museum is STEM or STEAM education, he said, referring to education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics with the "a" adding in the art. "From the beginning, she was always about that out of 1,000 kids, (if) one comes in and says they want to be an astronaut whether they become an astronaut or not. That's what she was striving for," said Marquette. To continue Conklin's vision for an education program, the museum will need to find additional funding. Conklin's creative mind fueled brainstorming sessions "Her maiden name was Petty," said Marquette, making reference to NASCAR driver Richard Petty. He told FLORIDA TODAY that although the two were unrelated, the racecar driver's handwriting looked exactly like Conklin's. When is the next Florida rocket launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA rocket launch schedule from Florida "She and I would get these ideas, and the first idea was to have a celebration series every month ... like March is women's month," said Marquette. "We'd come in and we'd have shower thoughts. I'd go, 'When I was in the shower, I was thinking about this', and she was like, 'I was in the shower too, and I was thinking to do this ... I know so and so." They'd also have "spaghetti sessions" where they'd throw out ideas like noodles thrown at the wall to see which stuck. One day those creative brainstorm sessions stopped, as Conklin became ill. "We will miss Karan every single day, our hearts are truly broke. You don't replace a person like her," a museum worker wrote in remembrance of their leader. "We have a tribute to our fallen heroes of Challenger and Columbia on our walls, and just like them, we know Karan has gone to a place among the stars where she knows peace," another added. Brevard space industry reacts to loss Her presence will be missed greatly in the local space industry. Local space company, VayaSpace, expressed their condolences in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), which read: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Karan Conklin, leader of the American Space Museum. Karans 21 years of dedication shaped the museum into a historic landmark and her support meant a lot to us and countless others." We are deeply saddened by the loss of Karan Conklin, leader of the American Space Museum. Karans 21 years of dedication shaped the museum into a historic landmark and her support meant a lot to us and countless others. https://t.co/a977EEgvm8 VayaSpace (@VayaSpace) August 21, 2024 Conklin is survived by her husband, Mark, her daughter, Melissa Johnson, and granddaughter. She was predeceased by her daughter, Megan. Her obituary described her as a "a cherished wife, mother, sister, and grandmother whose vibrant spirit and loving nature left an indelible mark on her family and community." A memorial service is planned at 2 p.m. Saturday at North Brevard Funeral Home, located at 1450 Norwood Ave in Titusville. Afterwards, a celebration of life will be held at the American Space Museum at 308 Pine St in Titusville. Conklin's family requests that in her memory, donations be made to the museum. Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: American Space Museum director honored: "Karan's spirit will live on" From the father of an uncommonly brave Army captain who died protecting his troops from an Iraqi car bomb comes a question regarding the recent confrontation between staffers on Donald Trumps campaign and an official in the same section of Arlington National Cemetery where his son is buried: Why did he go there? Khizr Khan is the father of 27-year-old Army Captain Humayun Khan, who was awarded a Bronze star following his death in 2004 and now occupies grave 7986 in Section 60. Khans only conclusion is that Trump visited the cemetery on Monday primarily for personal political gainsomething prohibited by federal law. Khan figures Trump and his entourage could not have arrived at Section 60 to pay actual respect to the 13 soldiers killed by a suicide bomber outsaide Bagram Airport during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan three years ago on Monday. Yes, Trump joined several family members of the fallen, along with two survivors who had been critically wounded. They appeared to accept his somber words and gestures as genuine. Donald Trump was photographed smiling and giving an awkward thumbs up Monday at the graves of fallen Marines in Arlington National Cemetery. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox But Khan remembers reports of a question Trump asked on Memorial Day of 2017 in Section 60, the burial place for those who died in Afghanistan and Iraq. Trump was standing next to retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, at the time his homeland security secretary and subsequently the White House Chief of Staff. The surrounding tombstones included the one for Kellys son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Kelly, who had stepped on a landmine in 2010. I dont get it. What was in it for them? Trump reportedly asked. Kelly has since confirmed that account, along with remarks Trump reportedly made in France when explaining why he did not want to visit the resting place of 1,800 American Marines who died during World War I. He reportedly called them losers and suckers. He has proven his disrespect, Khan noted on Wednesday. Somebody needs to ask him, You have shown that contempt multiple times and yet again, you go there. The regulation headstone at grave 7986 bears a crescent moon and a star in keeping with Humayun Khans faith. A MAGA supporter would likely note that Khizr Khan incurred Trumps wrath when he and his wife took to the podium at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in 2016 to decry Trumps anti-Muslim bigotry. Veterans Groups Condemn Trumps Arlington National Cemetery Photo Op We are honored to stand here as the parents of Capt. Humayun Khan, and as patriotic American Muslims with undivided loyalty to our country, the father said. Donald Trump, you are asking Americans to trust you with our future. Let me ask you: Have you even read the U.S. Constitution? I will gladly lend you my copy. In this document, look for the words liberty and equal protection of law. Khan went on, Have you ever been to Arlington Cemetery? Go look at the graves of the brave patriots who died defending Americayou will see all faiths, genders, and ethnicities. You have sacrificed nothing and no one. Trump did not come to Arlington on the first anniversary of the Bagram attack, nor on the second. But he was there on Tuesday for a ceremonial wreath laying marking the third. One differencehe is now running for office and has sought to blame the Biden administration for the carnage. Biden was only completing a withdrawal agreement that Trump entered into before being voted out of office. And the official Army review has found that little could have been done to prevent the attack in which a lone member of ISIS-K detonated a 25-pound suicide vest that killed some 200 Afghans along with the unlucky 13 American service members. But, as the Trump campaign has pointed out, there was only one commander-in-chief at the time of the attack. Trump was seeking to further that narrative on Tuesday, when he arrived with a campaign entourage that included a photographer. Former U.S. President Donald Trump departs Arlington National Cemetery after an event to honor the lives of those who died at the Abbey Gate Bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. Kevin Carter/Getty Images A cemetery official quickly moved to preserve law and order in a hallowed placebut was reportedly rebuffed by campaign staffers in Trumps group. "Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, to include photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes, or in direct support of a partisan political candidate's campaign," a cemetery statement reported. Arlington National Cemetery reinforced and widely shared this law and its prohibitions with all participants. As reported by NPR, one of Trumps entourage shoved the cemetery officials. The Trump campaigns communications director, Steven Cheung, insisted there was no physical altercation as described. We are prepared to release footage if such defamatory claims are made, his statement read, The fact is that a private photographer was permitted on the premises and for whatever reason an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trump's team during a very solemn ceremony. Donald Trump visits Arlington National Cemetery to pay tribute to the 13 service members killed during the U.S. evacuation of Afghanistan. Andrew Leyden/NurPhoto via Getty Images On Wednesday evening, Trumps folks released a narrated ad-like video showing part of the cemetery visitbut nothing that showed any confrontation with a cemetery official. A photo shows that at one point Trump posed with several family members and two wounded warriors by the headstone for Staff Sergeant Darien Hoover at the edge of Section 6. A number of those present joined Trump in smiling and giving a thumbs up. As Khan sees it, [Trump] disrespected the rules and regulations of the entire Arlington Cemetery He went there to exploit the sentiments of the people for political gain. Defense Officials: Trump Campaign WAS Warned Before Arlington Incident Khan had a ready answer when asked whats in it for Trump. It is appetite and ego, wherever he goes, whatever he does, wherever he stands, Khan said. Khan reported that he visits the cemetery regularlyparticularly on holidays. I visit not only my son, he said. I stand at the edge of Section 60 with my head bowed in recognition of the sacrifices of all the men and women. I am extremely respectful. I walk with my head down, showing my respect. They gave their all for my freedoms, and that thought overwhelms me. Most other visitors seem to feel the same. I have seen how respectful they are, how respectful they are, how mindful they are of the dignity and the sacredness of the place, he said. He then spoke of the man who arrived at the cemetery seeking re-election. Yet again, Donald Trump shows no such respect or dignity, Khan said. Hes there to exploit. 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. Credit - OLIVIER MORINAFP via Getty Images Google has officially been named a monopoly. On Aug. 5, a federal judge charged the tech giant with illegally using its market power to harm rival search engines, marking the first antitrust defeat for a major internet platform in more than 20 yearsand thereby calling into question the business practices of Silicon Valleys most powerful companies. Many experts have speculated the landmark decision will make judges more receptive to antitrust action in other ongoing cases against the Big Tech platforms, especially with regards to the burgeoning AI industry. Today, the AI ecosystem is dominated by many of the same companies that the government is challenging in court, and those companies are using the same tactics to entrench their power in AI markets. Judge Amit Mehtas ruling in the Google case centered on the massive sums of money the company paid firms like Apple and Samsung to make its search engine the default on their smartphones and browsers. These exclusive agreements offered Google access to scale that its rivals cannot match and left other search engines at a persistent competitive disadvantage, Judge Mehta wrote. By effectively freezing the existing search ecosystem in place, the payments reduced the incentive to invest and innovate in search. Today, a similar type of arrangement is cropping up in the AI sector. Companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have cemented numerous partnerships in which developers agree to usesometimes exclusivelythe companys cloud services in exchange for resources like cash and cloud credits. Given the high cost of computing hardware and developers incessant demand for this infrastructure, the tech giants can often negotiate additional concessions like equity, technology licenses, or profit sharing arrangements. Though these cloud partnerships are structured differently than the deals at issue in the Google case, they similarly serve to lock up revenue streams and possibly exclude disruptive rivals from lucrative distribution channels. Big Tech companies are also using more traditional tactics to entrench their power in the AI market. In a forthcoming report, my colleagues at Georgetown Universitys Center for Security and Emerging Technology and I found Apple, Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Amazon have collectively acquired at least 89 AI companies over the last decade, and those acquisitions tended to target younger startups, a signal that the tech giants may be targeting innovative AI firms before they pose a competitive threat. The companies integration across the AI supply chain also offers opportunities for self-preferencing and other problematic behaviors that they have allegedly used in other digital marketplaces. Should the courts continue to rule against tech giants in ongoing antitrust cases, they would equip U.S. authorities with powerful ammunition to challenge the companies in the AI industry. Effective enforcement could help foster a new generation of startups looking to build types of responsible, socially beneficial AI tools that may not otherwise reach the market. But while the Google decision opens the door for much-needed antitrust scrutiny in the AI industry, even the most effective enforcement regime cannot single-handedly foster a competitive AI sector. Antitrust suits take years to work through the courts, and even if judges find a company behaved illegally, it may be impossible to reverse its damage to competition and innovation. Consider the timeline of the Google case. Google made its first agreement with Apple in 2005, and the Justice Department did not bring its antitrust suit until 2020. Judge Mehtas ruling earlier this summer did not the end of the matter either; it could take years to decide on remedies and complete the appeals process. And it is unclear whether any remedy will change internet search all that much. Policymakers cannot wait so long when it comes to the AI market. Companies and governments are eager to adopt AI systems, and today it is virtually impossible to build and scale one of those tools without using infrastructure controlled by Big Tech companies. Giving the tech giants years to tighten their grip on the industry could permanently hamper AI startups ability to succeed and irrevocably undermine innovation. If policymakers hope to keep the market for AI systems from becoming as stagnant and uncompetitive as that for search engines, they will need to use other tools. These may include regulating cloud platforms like utility companies and creating public infrastructure to offset developers reliance on private firms. Creative interventions like these, in addition to effective antitrust enforcement, will help maintain an open AI ecosystem that benefits us all rather than just Big Techs business models. We will never know how many technological breakthroughs died on the vine thanks to Googles monopoly over internet search. But with the right approach to competition policy, we can promote a healthier, more dynamic ecosystem for AI. Contact us at letters@time.com. Gov. Greg Abbott's brag about a mass voter purge in Texas is not what it seems Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said this week that more than 1 million people have been removed from the state's voter rolls over the past three years, touting the removals as part of an effort to protect voting rights and prevent voter fraud an already illegal and exceedingly rare occurrence that Republicans have made a centerpiece of their attacks on immigration. In a statement on Monday, the Republican governor attributed the mass purge of ineligible voters from state records which he said included noncitizens, deceased voters, and people who moved to another state to election legislation he signed in 2021. Illegal voting in Texas will never be tolerated, Abbott said. We will continue to actively safeguard Texans sacred right to vote while also aggressively protecting our elections from illegal voting. But his statement doesn't hold up under scrutiny. Election experts have said that such removals are simply routine voter roll maintenance (not to mention a requirement under federal law) and warned that Abbott's remarks could reinforce distrust in the election process. (A spokesman for Mr. Abbott referred questions to the secretary of states office, The New York Times reported.) A coalition of voting rights groups in the state have also raised concerns that eligible voters may have been wrongly flagged as noncitizens and removed from voter rolls which is already happening in other states, as NBC News reported. Abbott's claim that he is protecting voter rights is also suspect, given that Texas Republicans have been accused of creating unnecessary burdens for nonwhite and disabled voters by limiting access to the ballot box, especially in blue pockets of the state. Just last week, state Attorney General Ken Paxton ordered raids on the homes of prominent Latino Democrats and members of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), a nonpartisan Latino civil rights groups. Paxton claimed that the operation is part of an "election integrity investigation," but his office did not explain why specific homes were targeted. LULAC said that it had not been informed of the details of the allegations against any of its members. The group has asked the U.S. Justice Department to open a probe into Paxton's office for potentially violating the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Nazrin Abdul The Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, designated President of COP29, Mukhtar Babayev, met with Mike Freelander, the head of the Australia-Azerbaijan interparliamentary friendship group, in Sydney within the framework of cooperation in global efforts to combat climate change, Azernews reports, citing the post shared by COP29 on its official "X". It was reported that at the meeting, the parties discussed the main areas of cooperation and the role played by both countries in solving global climate problems. --- BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazilian Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes on Thursday ordered the blocking of the financial accounts of billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink due to the lack of legal representatives in the country for social media platform X, a Supreme Court source told Reuters. Moraes and Musk have been in a public feud for months, after X failed to comply with legal orders to block certain accounts accused of spreading "fake news" and hate messages. (Reporting by Ricardo Brito in Brasilia; Editing by Christian Plumb) Gov. Jim Pillen, center, hosts a news conference at Oak Barn Beef in West Point announcing new regulations and future legislation to crackdown on "fake" or "lab-grown" meat in Nebraska on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Behind him are, from left: Hannah Klitz, co-owner and co-operator of the family led Oak Barn Beef; Jeanne Reigle of Madison, a livestock producer and 2024 legislative candidate; and Director Sherry Vinton of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) WEST POINT, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture announced new regulations Thursday against lab-grown meat or fake meat, with Pillen eyeing 2025 legislation to prohibit the sale of such products within the state. On top of new regulations, standards and the potential legislation, Pillen signed an executive order Thursday that prohibits state agencies from procuring lab-grown or other meat alternatives. The order also requires entities that contract with the State of Nebraska to promise not to discriminate against natural products in favor of laboratory or cultivated meat producers. Were being proactive and making sure that silly things arent happening, because they are happening on the Coasts, Pillen said, speaking at Oak Barn Beef, a local family beef operation. If we sit back and wait until the grocery stores are full, thats not the way we want to lead. Labeling regulations Nebraska Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton said her agency will be launching new labeling regulations simply to protect consumers from being misled. Similar to recent regulations in Iowa, manufactured protein or lab-grown meat would be required to be clearly and distinctly separated from natural, real meat under the future regulations and be labeled as such with a conspicuous and prominent label, Vinton said. Standards will also be developed to determine when manufactured food, cell-grown or lab-grown meat is being falsely advertised or misbranded, she said. Pillens family owns a major hog operation in Nebraska. He and University of Nebraska-Lincoln officials have highlighted that the livestock industry contributes more than $6 billion to the states economy each year. Banning fake meat sales In May, Florida and Alabama became the first states to outlaw the sale of meat alternatives, and Pillen seeks to hold true to a promise he made that month that Nebraska would join the list. When Nebraska sued California and the federal government over new emissions rules in May, Pillen said the Cornhusker State can play that game, too, when it comes to state regulations. The fake-meat, petri-dish-meat folks, theyre not going to have a place in Nebraska, just mark that down on your calendar, Pillen told reporters May 13. Its time for us to roll up our sleeves and fight and defend Nebraska, and thats what were doing. Pillen said Thursday he will ask lawmakers to propose and prioritize such legislation. We can etch it in stone so nobody has a chance, Pillen said. If there are Nebraskans that want to buy lab-grown meat, good for them, theyre just not going to do it in Nebraska. Putting us out of business Jeanne Reigle, a livestock producer southeast of Madison, and a 2024 legislative candidate, also spoke at Thursdays news conference. She said that, like Pillen, she has been very appalled about the so-called smart people that think they know more than we know, whove been doing this for generations in the ag industry. She pointed to three common arguments in favor of meat alternatives: less greenhouse gas emissions, the absence of pathogens and lack of cruelty to animals. Reigle said the ag producers take care to prevent greenhouse gas emissions, pathogens and animal cruelty. She also said that the energy it takes to run bioreactors producing such alternatives probably far outweighs gas emissions in traditional ag, that there are several failure points in the lab to introduce bacteria and that the proponents havent seen the true cruelty-free process producers utilize in Nebraska. The only way that fake meat will go from a niche market to a mass market, Reigle said, is if the government subsidizes the process. She said that would mean putting us out of business. With that in mind, the thing that keeps me up at night and scares me thinking about the future of our children, our grandchildren, is that the government could get involved and have more control over this new so-called food, Reigle said. Order heads to secretary of state The governor directed much of his criticism, as he has in the past, on Bill Gates and other people from the Coasts who have advocated for alternative meats. Theres a guy that made some money in building computers, Pillen said, pointing to Bill Gates. He needs to stay in the computer space and knock this stuff off thinking that hes going to promote lab-grown meat. Hes lost his brains. Pillen described the new efforts as a big deal as Nebraska enters a full-blown attack on lab-grown meats and fake meat. He campaigned on the promise to tackle fake meat and dairy in 2022 and said Thursday he should have embraced the changes on his second day. Secretary of State Bob Evnen received and signed the executive order Thursday afternoon, so it took effect right away. EO 24-09 Prohibition on the Procurement of Lab-Grown Meat SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Grand Canyon visitors move to hotels outside the park after unprecedented breaks in water pipeline A sign denoting park lodge closures hangs on the door as a guest exits the Bright Angel Lodge, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Grand Canyon, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) Sharon Ellison and Fred Jernigan spent four days hiking and camping from one end of the Grand Canyon to the other, with plans to relax at a hotel within the park on Thursday. But when they reemerged from the jagged canyon at the South Rim, they soon learned they were without accommodations for the night. A series of breaks in the Grand Canyon's only water pipeline prompted park officials to take unprecedented action with what they call Stage 4 water restrictions, forcing the sudden shutdown of overnight hotel stays during one of the busiest times of the year. It's a precious resource, and we understand that, Jernigan said Thursday morning. It's not really a shock to us. Since July 8, the park has faced challenges with its water supply and has been implementing various levels of water restrictions. Now, officials said, no water is currently being pumped to the canyons south or north rims. The 12.5 mile-long (20 kilometer-long) Transcanyon Waterline, originally built in the 1960s, supplies potable water for facilities on the South Rim and inner canyon. Park officials say it has exceeded its expected lifespan. Under the current water restrictions, visitors won't be able to stay overnight starting Thursday, including at the El Tovar Hotel, Bright Angel Lodge, Phantom Ranch and Maswik Lodge, where Jernigan and Ellison had booked a room for the night. The North Carolina residents haven't showered since Sunday, and they will have to find a new place to sleep Thursday night. But after coming up rim to rim, we can roll with the punches, Ellison said, laughing. Hotels outside the park in the nearby town of Tusayan, as well as the North Rims Grand Canyon Lodge will remain open. The park will stay open during the day, and visitors still have the option to camp, as did Barbara Badger, who was visiting for two nights from Fontana, California. Badger said she decided a few weeks ago to spend the first anniversary of her husbands death at the Grand Canyon, a spot they visited together. We loved it. He loved it so much, Badger said, tearing as she spoke of her late husband, Douglas. Even though they didn't hike or camp during their visit together, she said a voice in her head told her to get a sleeping bag and other gear. So I did all of that and, when I got here, I was prepared to camp out and with no reason why, she said. Except thats just the way it worked. Carved by the Colorado River and known for its vast desert landscapes, the Grand Canyon welcomed nearly 523,000 visitors last August and more than 466,000 visitors last September. At Yavapai Lodge, about 970 reservations for the weekend were canceled, according to spokesperson Glen White. Guests will be refunded for all deposits and payments, he said. A spokesperson for Xanterra Travel Collection, which operates other affected hotels and lodging inside the park, didnt respond to a request for comment. Park officials hope to make repairs and welcome back overnight guests on the South Rim as quickly as possible. But restoration efforts won't be easy for an aluminum pipe that isn't insulated and sits above the ground near hiking trails in some areas. Here, to be exposed to the elements, that brings in a whole new level of complexity, said Darren Olson, who chairs the American Society of Civil Engineers Committee on Americas Infrastructure. He pointed to potential rock slides and extreme heat. Since 2010, more than 85 major breaks have disrupted water delivery, but none have forced Stage 4 water restrictions. That is, until four recent significant breaks. Park officials say the damage occurred down in the depths of the canyon in a narrow area known as the box" that is highly susceptible to rock fall and dangerous heat this time of the year. A photo of one of the recent breaks released by officials shows the pipe spitting out a funnel of water across the slim canyon. "Youre having to put in a water main providing services that we all take for granted, but youre providing it in locations where, really, mother nature wasnt meant to have fresh water delivered there," Olson said. It makes for a challenge. The pipeline issues continued as park officials on Thursday announced what is believed to be the sixth fatality at the canyon in a month and the 14th this year. They said a 60-year-old man from North Carolina who was backpacking alone was found dead Wednesday morning on a remote trail. Other fatalities included a 33-year-old woman who was swept away last week in a flash flood while on a hiking trip, and another North Carolina man who fell to his death July 31 at the South Rim. ___ Yamat reported from Las Vegas. A Monroe County grand jury issued a damning report Thursday detailing accusations against three high-level county officials who were indicted earlier this month over the alleged theft of drugs from the Florida Keys air ambulance service. The 13-page report, part of an ongoing criminal investigation, states the actions and inactions of these officials not only facilitated the drugs theft by a high-ranking Monroe County Fire Rescue officer but also allowed a caustic and cronyistic environment and culture to exist for many years within her department. The report focuses on former Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi, Dr. Sandra Schwemmer, who up until this month was the countys medical director, and Capt. Andrea Thompson, who headed the countys Trauma Star emergency helicopter program until being suspended without pay after she was charged on Aug. 9. Gastesi and Schwemmer were also indicted in August. The long standing, underlying problem has been that various individuals placed in leadership roles who have abused the power given to them and created an unhealthy almost tyrannical environment, the grand jury report states. All three were charged as part of the investigation by the Monroe County Sheriffs Office and State Attorneys Office into the alleged theft of drugs from the Trauma Star program by former Chief Flight Nurse Lynda Rusinowski, 58, a highly decorated nurse practitioner who was arrested in July 2022 on grand theft and fraud charges. Accused of stealing fentanyl to fuel drug habit Rusinowski is accused of stealing vials of medications, including opioids fentanyl and Dilaudid and the pain drug ketamine, recently linked to Matthew Perrys death, to feed her drug addiction. In July, a grand jury indicted Rusinowski on 36 additional counts 14 counts of grand theft of a controlled substance and 12 counts of official misconduct. A county audit in 2023 concluded that more than 600 medications had been stolen in a little more than a years time. Rusinowski has pleaded not guilty, and her attorney, Edward McGee, declined to comment Thursday. Gastesi, 63, is charged with one one count of official misconduct, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi addresses a Big Pine Key audience in January 2018. Gastesi was indicted by a Florida Keys grand jury in August 2024, charged with one count of official misconduct. The grand jury report states that he intervened and stopped HR and Employee services from conducting an internal investigation by an outside third-party independent firm of Thompsons handling of Rusinowskis alleged theft for the drugs. Gastesi technically retired as county administrator in February, but it was really an eight-month leave of absence, and he was expected to return to the job in September. He stayed on with the county on a volunteer basis so he could receive full compensation from the Florida Deferred Retirement Option Program, which encourages highly paid municipal employees to step down to qualify for the lucrative pension benefits. Before retiring, his annual salary was $288,759, said county spokeswoman Kristen Livengood. The County Commission terminated its relationship with him this month after his indictment. Gastesis attorney, Ramon de la Cabada, when reached Thursday, said he had not read the full grand jury report, but that his client is innocent. Im waiting to see evidence of criminal behavior on behalf of Mr. Gastesi. My client is adamant that there has been no criminal wrongdoing. He was trying to do his job, he said. County commission slammed by grand jury The report is critical of the Board of County Commissioners for keeping Gastesi on as the top unelected official since 2008, despite being part of a previous grand jury investigation into the theft of county-owned cell phones and iPads in 2012 by another employee. That grand jury recommended his termination, as the report notes. The question is posed as to whether Mr. Gastesi serves at the pleasure of the BOCC, or does Mr. Gastesi control the actions of the BOCC? The proverbial tail wagging the dog. What is certain, through the testimony of the various witnesses, is that Mr. Gastesi has used what appears to be boundless power and authority in manners not consistent with the best interests of Monroe County as a whole, but rather for select individuals that align themselves with him, or otherwise not against his agenda, the report states. Thompson, 45, is accused of covering up Rusinowskis alleged theft when it came to light in the summer of 2022. Shes charged with two counts of official misconduct, one count of providing false information to law enforcement, two counts of evidence tampering, three counts of witness tampering and one count of altering patient records. She placed her personal friendship with Chief Flight Nurse Rusinowski ahead of public safety, improperly inserted herself in the investigation into narcotics theft by Rusinowski and thwarted law enforcement attempts to discover all the facts and evidence surrounding the crime committed by her friend, the report states. Thompson has pleaded not guilty. We look forward to a jury trial in which Division Chief Thompsons overwhelmingly favorable evidence will be presented, the weakness of the prosecution case will be exposed, and she will be completely vindicated, her attorney, Sean Parys, said in a statement Thursday. Report critical of fire chief The grand jury was critical of Thompsons bosses, including Gastesi and Fire Chief James Callahan, for not disciplining or firing Thompson, despite other incidents when drugs went missing from the Trauma Star program, going back to 2010. Mrs. Thompson has been directly involved with several of the incidents and instead of being terminated or disciplined as recommended by MCFR officials, she has consistently been promoted throughout the years until she was most recently been serving as MCFR division chief of [Emergency Medical Services] and Trauma Star Division at the time of her arrest on August 9, 2024, the report states. Thompsons salary at the time of her suspension was $151,127 a year. Callahan did not respond to a request for comment from the Herald. The grand jury recommended the county fire him. Toxic workplace at Monroe County Fire Rescue The report also accuses Thompson of being a main architect of the toxic workplace that existed at MCFR, actively participating in intimidation, threats and coercion to keep those she manages under her control. Yet, Thomson was rewarded for her loyalty to service by being promoted multiple times.... Schwemmer, 72, who as county medical director is in charge of all medications controlled and distributed by Fire Rescue, is charged with one count of official misconduct, one count of providing false information to law enforcement and one count of altering patient records. The grand jury report said Schwemmer rarely appeared in County and would delegate her various responsibilities to other EMS/Trauma Star personnel, including but not limited to Andrea Thompson, Lynda Rusinowski and others. The grand jury received testimony that narcotics, including fentanyl, morphine and other controlled substances, regularly went missing without remedial actions being taken. However, she [Schwemmer], did not institute any real change to the inventory process during her tenure that would ensure such drugs did not go missing or unaccounted for, the report states. The county hired Schwemmer in 1987, and she earned an annual salary of $124,842 before she was fired this month. Her attorney, Kader Scull, issued a statement saying she is innocent. She steadfastly maintains that she has not done any wrongdoing in this matter and looks forward to clearing her name in court. I would encourage people not to rush to judgment on these allegations and allow the justice system to run its course, Scull said. The county responded with a statement Thursday that it was reviewing the more than a dozen recommendations included in the grand jury report. The number one priority now is to regain the trust of our community, Monroe County Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein said in a statement. We will continue to be accountable and transparent while implementing the appropriate recommendations in the Grand Jurys report and will have staff present regular updates at BOCC meetings into the foreseeable future. Greece PD: Two men found in stolen car with drugs and weapons ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Two men were arrested in Greece after they were allegedly found inside a stolen car with weapons and drugs. Officers were told about a stolen car on Center Place Drive and said two men were inside the vehicle 42-year-old Sean Swan of Palmyra and 36-year-old Christopher Lee of Albion. During the investigation, police found a loaded revolver, brass knuckles, and drugs inside the vehicle. Both men were arrested, Greece police said they found this revolver in a stolen car, which was allegedly occupied by suspects Christopher Lee and Sean Swan (Photo/Greece Police Department) Swan and Lee were both charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Swan faces additional charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the second, third, and fourth degree. Swan was sent to the Monroe County Jail and Lee was issued an appearance ticket. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. U.S. Army Green Berets covertly hijacking a WiFi network to disable a building's security systems so their companions can sneak inside, grab intel, and leave after using electronic warfare gear to conceal they were ever there sounds like the opening scene to a Mission Impossible movie or Call of Duty video game. Very real Army Special Forces soldiers executed this exact scenario during a training exercise in Sweden earlier this year. U.S. Army Green Berets covertly breaching a WiFi network to disable a buildings security systems so their companions can sneak inside, complete their mission, and leave after using electronic warfare gear to conceal they were ever there sounds like the opening scene to a Mission Impossible movie or Call of Duty video game. Very real Army Special Forces soldiers executed this exact scenario during a training exercise in Sweden earlier this year. This is another example of specialized intelligence-gathering capabilities that are getting new attention as Americas special operations community shifts focus away from counter-terrorism missions to preparing for high-end fights. Two Operational Detachment Alphas (ODA), or A-Teams, from the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), conducted the mock cyber infiltration operation during Exercise Swift Response 2024 back in May, the Army recently disclosed. The Army-led Swift Response exercises center on demonstrating the ability of U.S. and allied airborne forces to rapidly respond to potential crises. Army Green Berets in a CH-47 Chinook helicopter prior to a military freefall parachute jump as part of the cyber-enabled mock raid during Swift Response 2024. US Army Sgt. 1st Class Tim Beery During the exercise, [one] ODA team identified a target building and used a remote access device (RAD) to identify the networks coming from the facility. They were able to crack the WiFi password, enumerate the network, and run exploits on the target computer inside the building, according to an official Army news item. This enabled the team to manipulate security cameras, door locks, and other security systems in the building. While one team was in charge of manipulating the building through cyber disruption, a second ODA team conducted an infiltration operation on the facility, the Army news story adds. They conducted a military free fall (MFF) jump and marched seven miles to access the building, which they were able to enter easily due to the cyber disruption. From there they placed signal jamming equipment to clear any trace of the attack and exited the premises. A picture the Army released, seen below, shows a Green Beret in plain clothes sitting in a truck or SUV during the initial cyber attack, suggesting that the first A-Team had conducted a mock covert infiltration of the area at the very start of the training mission. US Army Sgt. 1st Class Tim Beery Another picture shows a member of the second ODA using an electronic warfare system inside the target building before exiting the area. A laptop is also seen nearby with a still image from the music video for Rick Astleys 1987 hit song Never Gonna Give You Up (or possibly the full video playing) on the screen. Since the late 2000s, this music video has been the centerpiece of online pranking wherein people are tricked into viewing it via bogus hyperlinks or other means, which has become known as Rickrolling. It is unknown whether or not Army Special Forces soldiers included this as part of their larger cyber disruption of the faux enemy network. A Green Beret assigned to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) places signal jamming equipment inside a target building while participating in a cyber infiltration operation as part of Swift Response 24. US Army Sgt. 1st Class Tim Beery US Army In a real-world situation, this would allow us to gain information in a way that we havent always had, the commander of the A-Team in charge of the initial cyber intrusion, who the Army did not name, did say in a statement accompanying the recent news item. If we have a specific target or objective we need to reach, we now have the capability to glean critical information in a way that is undetectable if we do our jobs right. We are able to see whats happening, and we know what the INFIL team is doing, that individual added. We have eyes on the whole scenario. Remotely neutralizing enemy defenses and providing added situational awareness could be valuable for various kinds of special operations missions, including recovering intelligence, rescuing captured individuals, or conducting direct action raids to kill or capture high-value individuals or neutralize critical materiel. As was demonstrated during Swift Response 2024, cyber attacks could be more directly combined with other capabilities like electronic warfare and signals intelligence systems to support whatever the mission objectives might be, as well. Man-portable localized jamming capabilities are also become increasingly commonplace, even proliferating to criminal enterprises in the United States where they have been observed in use as part of burglaries and home invasions. Drones could potentially be employed to help map out a target network. Marine special operators, one of which has a backpack-mounted signals intelligence system (further indicated by a white arrow), during a mock raid as part of training unrelated to Swift Response 2024. USMC The idea of integrating cyber warfare capabilities into tactical military operations, whether carried out by special operators or conventional forces, is not new. At the same time, the steady and often rapid pace of developments in computing and adjacent technologies continues to open up new opportunities on and off traditional battlefields. The increasingly networked nature of warfare globally, as well as the growing military and other governmental use of wireless networks for routine and more sensitive work, presents new potential vectors for cyber attacks. This capability is something that we need to train on, and keep current with, another unnamed member of the first ODA that took part in the cyber infiltration training mission at Swift Response 2024 also said. Because its evolving so rapidly, the devices we use today could be obsolete next year. Its been five years since I first went to school for this its changed so much in that time, I feel like its a whole new world. In addition, the cyber-enabled training scenario highlights the often blurry line between covert and clandestine military intelligence-gathering efforts and espionage activities more traditionally associated with intelligence agencies. Historically, intelligence organizations like the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have also often worked together with military special operations forces to carry out missions. Localized hijacking of WiFi networks for intelligence and other malign purposes is a specific tactic that Russian agents have been observed employing in the past. Russia, as well as China, North Korea, Iran, and other potential adversaries, have a long history of conducting cyber attacks and cyber espionage more broadly against the United States and its allies and partners. An annotated image the Dutch Ministry of Defense released in 2018 showing WiFi hacking equipment authorities in that country found after seizing a vehicle belonging to Russian GRU agents. Dutch Ministry of Defense For the U.S. special operations community, all of this comes amid a transition toward preparing for high-end conflicts, especially a potential one against China in the Pacific, after decades of focusing on counter-terrorism and other lower-intensity operations. As The War Zone has highlighted in the past, espionage-like capabilities employed covertly or clandestinely would be one important way that special operations forces could contribute in future major fights. Back in 2021, the U.S. Armys 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) notably released a white paper that included a very relevant fictional vignette describing how Green Berets might even conduct such operations targeting major global competitors like China outside of the context of an all-out shooting war. The scenario involved Army Special Forces soldiers surveilling a Chinese construction project in a foreign country and subsequently helping local partners discreetly recover blueprints showing secret plans to enable the site to be used for military purposes. The revelation prompts the local government to put a halt to the construction work. This is all very much in line with what the 10th Special Forces Group demonstrated during Swift Response 2024. Theres a really interesting nexus that we see emerging of how SOF [special operations forces] can create strategic effects, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson, Director for Joint Force Development within the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, said during a panel talk on SOF Roles in Great Power Competition at the SOF Week convention earlier this year. And so how do we bring that together across the spectrum and not just focus on the CT [counter-terrorism], direct action piece? Using localized cyber attacks to help enable covert or clandestine raids to grab key intelligence without the enemy ever knowing is certainly one example of how special operations skill sets could fit into planning for future high-end fights going forward. Contact the author: joe@twz.com WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV (WVNS) In a statement from The Greenbrier, employee health benefits will continue for the foreseeable future. The announcement from Americas Resort comes after employees were sent a letter in August that laid out the potential loss of their health and welfare coverage. The statement read as follows: The Greenbrier Initially, a letter had been sent to employees from Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP who represents the Amalgamated National Health Fund, otherwise known as the Health Fund. The notice said The Greenbrier Hotel Corporation was four months behind in contributions to the Health Fund. The four months of delinquent contributions equals $2.4 million, according to the notice sent to employees. Employee healthcare coverage was set to expire on August 27, 2024, before an extension was implemented to give until the 31st of August. This comes after Governor Jim Justice assured employees that their benefits would indeed continue during a press briefing. Stick with 59News for more updates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Cars drive past a sign noting the entrance to The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (Chris Jackson | West Virginia Watch) After much uncertainty, employees at The Greenbrier Hotel will not see a lapse in their health insurance coverage, according to a statement released by The Greenbrier on Thursday. The health insurance coverage for hundreds of the resorts employees was initially set to end on Tuesday. When the public auction for The Greenbrier Hotel which is owned by Gov. Jim Justice, who is running a Republican campaign for Senate was averted last week, however, the end date was extended to Saturday. The termination of coverage was first reported last week when employees at the hotel received letters from attorneys representing the Amalgamated National Health Fund stating that the Greenbrier Hotel Corporation was four months delinquent in contributions to the health fund. The company owed about $2.4 million in delinquent contributions, with another $1.2 million soon to be due, according to the letter. The corporation, the letter continued, was collecting money from employees paychecks for coverage without remitting it to the health fund. In Thursdays statement which was first reported by MetroNews representatives for The Greenbrier denied that there were ever any delinquent payments or that contributions were not being made. The employee contributions that were withheld from employees paychecks were always timely remitted to the Health Fund, and not a single time was a penny of those contributions used for any purpose other than funding the healthcare coverage of The Greenbrier employees, the statement from the resort reads. Representatives for The Greenbrier did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday. Ronald Richman, an attorney with Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP representing the Amalgamated National Health Fund, confirmed to West Virginia Watch in an email Monday that The Greenbrier Hotel Corporation was still four months delinquent on its contributions to the fund. Richman could not be reached for comment Thursday. Justice, during a press briefing last week, also denied that there had been any lapses in payment to the health fund. And Ill promise you to the good Lord above that insurance payments have been made and were being made on a regular basis just like weve done in the past in many ways, Justice said. On Thursday, in response to a question from MetroNews Brad McElhinny who was granted access to this weeks briefing following weeks of being denied Justice reiterated that denial. He said assertions that money was taken from employees and not put into the health fund were so false its off the charts. The worst [part] of the whole thing from my standpoint, Brad, its not taking the crap on my side, Justice said. The problem is just this, its the worries of the employees. These are good people Peter Bostic, the chairman of the Greenbrier Council of Labor Unions, said in an emailed statement Thursday that the unions were pleased and relieved that a settlement agreement was reached between the health care fund and The Greenbrier. No details for that settlement have been shared publicly. We are hopeful that The Greenbrier will honor all commitments and contractual obligations moving forward so that our Members are not forced to endure any uncertainties in the future, Bostic wrote. Our Members hard work and dedication is what truly makes The Greenbrier the destination that it is renowned for. Editors note: This story has been updated with comments from Gov. Jim Justices weekly administration briefing. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Gov. Andy Beshear hasn't called on state Rep. Daniel Grossberg to resign outright amid allegations of inappropriate behavior. But at a press conference Thursday, he said the embattled Louisville Democrat who has been barred from local party events as an investigation takes place in Frankfort should consider leaving office. Hours after the Louisville Democratic Party's executive committee publicly asked Grossberg to avoid its events and meetings while the Legislative Research Commission investigates claims against him, Beshear said the representative should give "serious thought" as to whether holding a public office is "the best or most appropriate place for him to be at this time" in response to a question at his weekly Team Kentucky briefing. "These allegations are very concerning and have only become more concerning as more allegations have come forward," Beshear said. "Everybody deserves to be free of harassment of any kind, and every workplace should be professional." Anna Whites, an attorney representing Grossberg, told The Courier Journal he is "not resigning at the present" and believes Beshear, like her client, "has not had an opportunity to see the evidence or determine whether it is accurate or taken out of context." Grossberg, a Louisville Democrat who represents House District 30, is wrapping up his first term in Frankfort as one of 20 Democrats in the 100-member Kentucky House of Representatives. Beshear endorsed him this spring before the allegations were public, ahead of a primary race Grossberg won by 50 votes. Grossberg is now running unopposed in November's general election for another two-year term. While the LRC, the General Assembly's administrative and research branch, has not publicly confirmed an investigation and is not subject to open records requests, the Lexington Herald-Leader has spoken to unidentified women who have accused Grossberg of sending inappropriate text messages and, in one instance, drinking alcohol in his office and asking a woman with him questions about her sex life. He has previously been suspended from the House Democratic Caucus and pulled from interim committee assignments by party leaders. That list expanded Thursday morning to include the Louisville Democratic Party. In a statement Thursday morning, the party said it is "unwavering in its commitment to creating a safe and respectful environment for everyone" and believes "every individual deserves an environment free from harassment, and we are resolute in our efforts to ensure this standard is met." "Though we understand the claims against Representative Grossberg are allegations at this point in time, we are asking that he temporarily refrain from participating in LDP events and meetings while the Legislative Ethics Commission investigation is in process," the statement said. Our statement on Representative Daniel Grossberg. pic.twitter.com/kJkUrd65bR Louisville Democratic Party (@LouKYDemParty) August 29, 2024 Logan Gatti, chair of the Louisville Democratic Party, declined to comment further Thursday, calling the statement "sufficient." Grossberg has faced calls to resign from a number of party members and organizations, including the Kentucky Young Democrats. "Several members" of that political group have also experienced "inappropriate behavior" by Grossberg, it said in a statement earlier this month, with organization president Allison Wiseman doubling down on that call Thursday morning. Still, attorney Whites has repeatedly said Grossberg does not plan to leave office. She pushed back against the allegations in an open letter two weeks ago, arguing text messages she'd reviewed "do not constitute sexual harassment" and that Grossberg has not crossed any other ethical boundaries. Reached Thursday morning, Whites said Grossberg has not been attending Louisville Democratic Party events since the allegations emerged in late July and provided a statement from the representative, saying he appreciates the organization's "concern for all parties in this matter." "I will continue to focus on serving constituents while the Ethics Commission completes its review," the statement said. This story may be updated. Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Andy Beshear says Daniel Grossberg should consider leaving office RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) A Brazilian Supreme Court justice on Wednesday threatened to shut down the local operations of X, formerly Twitter, unless its billionaire owner Elon Musk names a legal representative in Brazil within 24 hours. The order from Justice Alexandre de Moraes is the latest development in an ongoing feud with Musks platform. The company clashed with de Moraes earlier this year over free speech, accounts associated with the far-right and misinformation on the platform, and it claims to be a victim of censorship. Earlier this month, X said it was removing all remaining Brazil staff in the country effective immediately, saying de Moraes had threatened its legal representative in the country with arrest. The Supreme Court on Wednesday notified X of de Moraes order in a reply to a post from the companys global government affairs account on the social platform. In case of non-compliance with the determination, the decision could bring about suspension of the social media networks activities in Brazil, the court said in a statement. In the United States, free speech is a constitutional right thats much more permissive than in many countries, including Brazil, where de Moraes in April ordered an investigation into Musk over the dissemination of defamatory fake news and another probe over possible obstruction, incitement and criminal organization. Brazils political right has long characterized de Moraes as overstepping his bounds to clamp down on free speech and engage in political persecution. His defenders have said his actions are lawful, supported by at least the majority of the courts bench, and have served to protect democracy at a time in which it is imperiled. ___ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america Rep. Daniel Grossberg, D-Louisville, speaks on the Kentucky House floor, Feb, 15, 2024. (LRC Public Information) The Louisville Democratic Party is asking Rep. Daniel Grossberg to temporarily refrain from participating in the partys events amid a Legislative Ethics Commission investigation. Meanwhile, the executive director of the state Democratic Party said situations involving a few state representatives from Louisville have certainly been concerning but pushed back on suggestions that they could hurt the state partys overall image. Plus, Gov. Andy Beshear said in his weekly press conference Thursday afternoon that Grossberg should seriously consider if a public office is the best or most appropriate place for him to be at this time. Grossberg, a freshman legislator from Louisville, has sought to dismiss a complaint to the commission filed against him by House Democratic leadership that alleges inappropriate behavior and communications toward women. Hes also been removed from his interim committee assignments following the allegations, which were first reported by the Lexington Herald-Leader. Grossberg has previously denied any impropriety in a statement to the newspaper. In its statement shared online Thursday morning, the Louisville Democratic Party said its executive committee is unwavering in its commitment to create a safe and respectful environment for everyone. It also reaffirmed that the party is committed to ending all forms of harassment by fostering a culture of inclusivity, providing robust support systems, and holding ourselves accountable. The party added that every individual deserves an environment free from harassment and wants to ensure this standard is met. Though we understand the claims against Representative Grossberg are allegations at this point in time, we are asking that he temporarily refrain from participating in LDP events and meetings while the Legislative Ethics Commission investigation is in process, the partys statement said. Grossberg said in a statement shared by his attorney, Anna Whites, that he appreciated the Louisville Democratic Partys concern for all parties in this matter. I will continue to focus on serving constituents while the Ethics Commission completes its review, he said. Kentucky state law makes the ethics commissions proceedings, including complaints and other records related to a preliminary inquiry, confidential until the commission makes a final determination. However, Grossbergs response to seeking dismissal of the complaint gave insight into allegations against him, which included refuting text messages highlighted in media reports and helping another lawmaker navigate unwanted communications. The controversy around Grossberg is one of several embarrassing situations involving Louisville Democrats in the Kentucky House. This week, Rep. Beverly Chester-Burton was arrested for driving under the influence in Jefferson County early Tuesday morning. Rep. Nima Kulkarni was disqualified from the primary election by the Kentucky Supreme Court after an issue with her candidacy papers, though she appears to have a path onto the November ballot. In a Wednesday press conference about labor policies, Kentucky Democratic Party Executive Director Morgan Eaves responded to suggestions that the state partys overall image is at risk, adding that she was more concerned with making sure the individuals involved have support. Eaves said the allegations that have come out recently against different representatives have certainly been concerning and that we are in conversations with those folks. Safety in the workplace, personal dignity those are tenets of our party, Eaves said. We are always concerned when either a candidate or an elected official appears to skirt some of those tenets, but we also respect the due process of folks, and when you have investigations involved, I think we need to see those through while having serious conversations amongst ourselves about what that means for the party and what that means for individuals affected. Beshear said in response to a reporters question on Thursday that he hoped Grossberg is giving serious thought and having discussions with family members about whether a public office is the best or most appropriate place for him to be at this time. Previously, the executive board of Kentucky Young Democrats called on Grossberg to resign after reviewing evidence it had seen at the time and the experiences of multiple board members. In a statement earlier this month, it said some of its members had related their own stories detailing Rep. Grossbergs inappropriate behavior toward them. This story was updated Thursday afternoon. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Former Stand News editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen (C) leaves the District Court in Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island after being found guilty, along with acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam, of conspiracy to publish and reproduce seditious publications. Photo by Bertha Wang/EPA-EFE Aug. 29 (UPI) -- A Hong Kong court convicted two journalists of conspiracy to commit sedition Thursday, the first time members of the press have been found guilty of the offense since the city-state returned to Chinese rule 27 years ago. Stand News' former editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen, 54, and acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam, 36, face prison sentences of up to two years and a $640 fine after Judge Kwok Wai-kin ruled that 11 articles the pair published in 2020 and 2021 in the since-shuttered not for profit online news outlet were seditious. "The court rules that the political atmosphere was extremely heated at the time of the case. Many residents were dissatisfied with or even opposing the [Hong Kong] and [central] governments," Kwok wrote in his judgment at the end of a two-year trial. The court ruled that within the febrile context of mass anti-government unrest in the territory over a new national security law, "Article 23," handed down from Beijing, it found 11 of the 17 articles presented by the prosecution to have "seditious intentions." "[Chung and Lam] knew of and agreed with the seditious intention of the articles. They provided Stand News as a publication platform" to promote antipathy toward authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing while advocating "autonomy" for the territory, wrote Kwok. He said Stand News became "a tool to smear and slander" the central and Hong Kong governments during protests in 2019, despite Hong Kong people at the time citing Stand News as one of the news sources they trusted the most. Chung was found to be responsible for all but one of the 11 articles. Counsel for Chung and Lam had argued that they were bona fide journalists covering public issues also being reported on by other local news media, accusing the prosecution of cherry-picking articles and bringing in new evidence it had not shared with the defense during discovery. "Journalists do not have to be loyal to anyone or take sides against anyone. If we have any true allegiance, it is to the public and only the public, because we believe in freedom of the press and freedom of speech," Lam, who was not present due to health issues, said in a letter read out in court by Senior Counsel Audrey Eu. Condemning the outcome of the case, the Hong Kong Journalists Association said Thursday that the guilty verdict "exemplifies the worrying decline of the city's press freedom." Prosecutors "microscopically scrutinized its editors and reporters' intent," HKJA said in a statement. Interviews with activists who have since been imprisoned and opinion pieces that the prosecution alleged advocated "radical political ideologies" and incited hate against the national security law were among the articles found to be illegal. One was an interview with activist and former Stand News journalist Gwyneth Ho -- one of 14 people convicted in May of conspiring to subvert the state over holding unofficial primary elections. Others included op-ed articles written by journalism lecturer Allan Au and student protest leader and one-time lawmaker Nathan Law, now living in exile in London. Authorities shut Stand News, wiped all online content and froze its assets in Dec. 2021 after national security police arrested Chung and Lam in a raid on its offices. Reporters Without Borders, which ranked Hong Kong 135th out of 180 countries in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index down 65 places from 2018, said the guilty verdicts set a benchmark of what subjects were permissible and were a warning to journalists not to overstep it. "It was very difficult for them to say what can trigger the authorities, national security police to prosecute them, or to arrest them, or basically even to threaten them with any other means," RWB's Aleksandra Bielakowska told NBC News. Chung and Lam's convictions "could open the door," she said, for Hong Kong authorities to use the sedition sections of Article 23 "as another tool to basically threaten and prosecute journalists and media workers who are trying to report on some topics that are not in line with what authorities want." The 1984 Sino-Britsh Joint Declaration that paved the way for the return of Hong Kong to China stipulates a 50-year buffer period during which freedoms and protections and the economic system that existed under British rule would be maintained, guaranteed by a "Hong Kong Basic Law" mini-constitution. The Hong Kong government insists press freedom and freedom of speech remain protected under the mini-constitution and Bill of Rights but "are not absolute," with its Beijing-appointed Chief Executive John Lee warning of "evil elements" in the industry that media workers would do well to keep their distance from. Chung and Lam who are both free on bail after spending 11 and 10 months in pre-trial detention, respectively, are scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 26. PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) Over 200 people gathered Wednesday morning to watch the turtle be released by the Gulf World Marine Institute rescue team. Poink Dexter, a subadult loggerhead turtle, was first brought into gulf world on July 6 after a fisherman on the M.B. Miller County pier hooked one of its fins by accident. The fishermen quickly contacted pier management who got in touch with Panama City Beach Turtle Watch and Gulf World. In just a few hours, Dexter was transported to their property. 5 sea turtles released at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Lauren Albrittain, Gulf World stranding coordinator, said Dexter had multiple past injuries. Part of the reason that we always encourage folks who accidentally catch a sea turtle to bring it in is because more often than not, they might have other problems, in addition to the reason that they were hooked. So even if you only get a light hooking on the flipper, especially if its at a pier, theyve probably been there before and they have other hooks, Albrittain said. Despite the rescue and release of Dexter, Albrittain said they have had a quiet summer when it comes to turtle hooking incidents. A lot of what we do is based on people reporting it. So we are constantly working to educate to make sure the word is getting out there. So it could be that people just arent reporting them as much, could be that theres just not as many turtles hanging out at our particular pier, Albrittain said. She also emphasized that the public should never try to rescue animals on their own, even though its a common occurrence. Two sea turtles released into the Gulf of Mexico We know people see videos and pictures of folks rescuing on their own, both turtles and I think more of the marine mammals. You know, we do understand the drive to do that. We appreciate the desire to help. We just ask that, you please dont do those things and instead stay with the animal, contact us and well help you through the proper way to assist us to get that animal in where it needs to go, Albrittain said. Gulf World Marine Institute doesnt have any future releases planned right now. They said they will post updates about releases on their Facebook page. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. About Half of SCs 3rd to 8th Graders Read on Grade Level. Math Scores are Worse This article was originally published in South Carolina Daily Gazette. COLUMBIA Fewer than half of South Carolina third- through eighth-grade students can do math as expected for their grade level, according to test scores released Friday. State education officials hope to improve scores with a new $10 million program to hire math tutors, improve training and pay for resources. A similar program has helped improve reading scores in recent years, though across the board, test scores are still not where we need to be, period, said Sherry East, president of the South Carolina Education Association. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter On average, the percentage of students who ended last school year reading on grade level was barely over half, according to the state Department of Education. Students scores on the math portion of the required annual SC READY test remain behind where they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, 45% of third- through eighth-graders statewide could perform grade-level math, compared to 2024, when 42% of students met expectations. The scores also worsen the older students get. In third grade, about 54% of students were ready to advance to the next grade level, while only 30% of eighth graders met that benchmark. That leaves high school teachers trying to catch students up to speed, since math skills build each year, said East, a high school science teacher in Rock Hill. Meanwhile, reading scores have surpassed their pre-pandemic levels, though they remain low. This year, 53% of students met expectations in reading, compared with 45% before the pandemic. State education officials have set a goal that 75% of students test on grade level in both subject areas, though theres no longer a year for meeting that goal. Statewide improvement in reading may have come from the Palmetto Literacy Project, East said. Starting in 2019, a clause in the state budget directed the department to set aside up to $14 million each year to hire reading specialists, train teachers and provide more resources to schools with particularly low scores. The department hopes to boost math scores using a similar program. With $10 million in this years budget, education officials plan to hire math-specific tutors, buy better textbooks and resources, and improve training for teachers at schools where at least one-third of students fall in the lowest category of scores. South Carolinas mathematics scores have consistently lagged and remain stubbornly below even anemic pre-pandemic levels, the department wrote as the reason for the program when requesting the money. Whether or not that program proves effective will depend on how the department spends the money and how long it continues, said Patrick Kelly, a lobbyist for the Palmetto State Teachers Association. Math scores are not likely to improve immediately as schools work to implement the program and students learn the skills, he said. Turning around math scores isnt as easy as turning on a light switch, Kelly said. While virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic likely played a role in students low test scores, its not the whole story, East said. In math, which remains below pre-pandemic numbers, part of the dip could come from residual effects of students not learning fundamentals online. But most students should have had the time to recover, East said. Weve been back at school for two years now, East said. I dont know that we should still see scores where they are. Another likely culprit is an ongoing shortage in teachers, she said. The state had more than 1,300 open positions for teachers, counselors, librarians and other education professionals in February, according to a report from the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement. That was down from a record high of more than 1,600 vacant positions when the school year started. As teachers take on bigger classes, students are more likely to miss out on one-on-one instruction, said Kelly, whos also a high school teacher in Richland Two. Other classrooms may rely on a long-term substitute who doesnt always know the subject material or how to teach it, he said. You have large pockets of students in this state that are either in overcrowded math classes or in classrooms without a certified teacher at all, Kelly said. Poorer districts are more likely to feel those effects. Fewer resources often means fewer certified teachers, fewer options for struggling students and larger class sizes, leading to lower test scores, East said. Some districts react to low test scores by requiring more tests, but that should not be the case, Kelly said. Testing often takes away time during which students could actually be learning skills, and the scores are not always an accurate reflection of how well a student is performing. Instead, schools should focus on proven ways to best teach the material, he said. The goal is not to reach an abstract number, Kelly said. The goal is to help each student reach their potential. Students in Fort Mill (York 4) posted the best scores in the state. Across fourth through eighth grades, at least 75% of the districts students could read on grade level, and 76% of third-graders met math expectations. The fast-growing school district just south of Charlotte also posts the states lowest poverty rate, with 21% of students living in poverty compared to a statewide average of 62%, according to state agency data. SC Daily Gazette is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. SC Daily Gazette maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Seanna Adcox for questions: info@scdailygazette.com. Follow SC Daily Gazette on Facebook and X. We need all hands on deck. How could lawmakers help the Fort Worth school district? The Fort Worth school districts unacceptable student achievement has the attention of state lawmakers, who say action needs to be taken for improvement. Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and other leaders sent a letter to district leadership on Tuesday, demanding better academic performance. The letter follows the release of state test scores that show the district lags other large urban districts. The unacceptable results on state tests narrow students opportunities and have long-term workforce, economic development, poverty and public health consequences, Parker wrote. State Rep. Craig Goldman, a Fort Worth Republican whose district includes part of the school district, said he hopes the letter serves as a wake-up call. Its everyones role to pitch in and make sure that happens, he said. Goldman is running for Congress and will not return to the Texas Legislature when it meets in January. State Sen. Kelly Hancock said he was thrilled to see the letter. He said hes known for years that Fort Worth schools were under performing. Until you acknowledge you have a problem, you typically dont have a chance of correcting or addressing those problems, said Hancock, a North Richland Hills Republican who represents part of the district. Its also something Parker has known. This is not a finger-pointing, Parker said. Its not one persons problem. Its not anyones fault, but lets just put it aside and fix it. And I dont know how else to do that without ripping the Band-Aid off, which is why I spoke on Tuesday. In a statement, board President Roxanne Martinez said the district would work with the city to address its challenges. Together, we can rise to the challenges before us and strengthen our public education system for the betterment of our students, families, and community, Martinez said. Superintendent Angelica Ramsey acknowledged in a statement that the district is not where we want to be with student achievement and that shes committed to making Fort Worth an outstanding district. We firmly believe that Fort Worths success is intrinsically linked to the success of our schools, Ramsey said. To truly achieve this, we must move beyond simple engagement and actively work together, recognizing that we cannot do it alone. Our district remains laser-focused on our core mission: delivering excellent Tier one instruction so that all students can reach their highest potential. This mission drives every decision we make. A review of district leadership The district is going to have to take very, very bold, stark action to turn the situation around, said Sen. Phil King, a Weatherford Republican whose legislative district includes part of the Fort Worth school district. King noted that he has discussed the districts test results with Education Commissioner Mike Morath. A public review of district leadership is needed, King said. In any organization, when you have this level of failure, then you have to look at the top, King said. You have to look at the board of directors, in this case trustees. You have to look at the superintendent and the ... senior positions in that organization. King didnt go as far as calling for any district leaders to step down. Rep. Charlie Geren, a Fort Worth Republican who also represents a portion of the school district, said Ramsey needs to establish goals for the district that she and the districts administration will be held accountable. That comes down to the board, he said. The board has to hold her feet to the fire. Goldman said if elected he would like to ask the Department of Education what it could do to help educate students in his district. Goldman said hes called for eliminating the department on the campaign trail. Im afraid the answer is not going to be the one Im looking for, he said hence his call for the departments elimination, he added. Its important that elected officials who represent school districts be given the autonomy to carry out their duties, said State Rep. Nicole Collier, a Fort Worth Democrat whose legislative district spans part of the district. But its also up to the state to fully fund schools, she said. The state has not fulfilled that, she said. Theyre not getting sufficient dollars for the new enrollment. But that doesnt mean just because they didnt get the money, they still have a duty to provide a quality education for the students. Collier said shes not giving the Fort Worth school district a pass. There are challenges within the district that need to be and can be addressed with existing resources, she said. But its also important to remember that there are things that are out of a districts control that will impact a students performance factors like abuse, neglect, hunger or a family member who is unemployed or underemployed, Collier said. I think that the state can do more in addressing or identifying those needs and provide resources to help offset some of those negative factors, Collier said, offering examples like housing, increased mental health support and access to employment opportunities. School funding and vouchers Rep. Ramon Romero, Jr., a Fort Worth Democrat representing part of the district, said districts have varied in their performance post pandemic and that its difficult to read into the numbers because each different is district. But what is clear is that the Legislature could be doing more, he said. Romero said Texas lags in per student funding and that billions are being held hostage that districts could have used. During the last legislative session Democrats and some Republicans, as well as the House and Senate, were at odds over whether to pass education savings accounts, a priority of Gov. Greg Abbott. The voucher-like program would let parents use state dollars for their childs private education. Ultimately, proposals for school vouchers and increased school funding, including teacher pay raises, didnt make it to Abbotts desk. Texas AFT in May called on Gov. Abbott to release more than $4 billion that wasnt distributed to schools when lawmakers last met. Money isnt the only answer but would make a big difference in teacher retention and in supporting students learning options, Romero said. I just think that the state needs to stop playing games with the privatization of schools, Romero said, adding that public school students are listening to us when we tell them that theyre in a bad school. Hancock doesnt think the Fort Worth school districts performance is tied to state funding levels. You can see districts that get less per student achieving greater things, Hancock said. And you can see that within Tarrant County. So you cant use funding as an excuse for poor performance. Theres a need for support from the community to boost achievement, Goldman said, noting that the state does plenty to help districts, including funding them millions each year. Yes, money is an important part of it, and yes, Id love to see teachers get paid a lot more, Goldman said. But if we dont have buy in from parents on making sure their kids are educated or a community in making sure that their schools are performing well, no matter how much money the state gives, youre never going to be able to make improvements. King thinks Fort Worths performance is an example of why school choice is needed, advocating for Education Savings Accounts. He also said he supports teacher pay raises from the Legislature. Whatever is going on in Fort Worth ISD right now is not going to be corrected overnight, King said. Struggles like this take years to improve, and I think that makes school choice an even more important option, because parents who are in failing schools or whose kids are just not working out right, for whatever reason, in their particular setting, those parents need to have the option of moving their child to another school. Geren, who opposed Education Savings Accounts in the House last time lawmakers met in Austin, doesnt think the achievement scores will bolster the voucher push. You take one failing school, one failing high school in Fort Worth a D or an F school theres not enough money to take all those kids out and put them somewhere, if they wanted to go, put them somewhere that might be higher achieving outside the public school system, Geren said, later adding, If you only take the cream of the crop out of those schools, then youre just going to have a poorer performing schools than you have today. A Fort Worth ISD takeover? According to state law, if a campus has an unacceptable performance rating for five consecutive school years the the education commissioner must close the campus or appoint a board of managers to govern the district. Schools in the Fort Worth school district is have not met that threshold. The latest ratings in Texas have not been released, as a court battle plays out . The state has taken over the Houston school district. Parker highlighted the Houston and Dallas districts in her letter for improving achievement in different ways. I dont think intervention is right for the city of Fort Worth, Parker said, adding, I believe we can avoid takeover that is best for our families and our city, and I think we can do this in a community led model, similar to what theyve done in Dallas ISD. The takeover in Houston has caused pain among communities and teacher groups, Romero said. You can point to a test and say that, well, look its succeeding, but I think if you ask the people on the ground, there not happy about the way its gone down, Romero said. Romero appreciates Dallas model, which he said focuses on academies and taking kids that were doing really well and creating public schools within their system to focus in on those kids that were really performing at a high level. Everybody can do more to help students, Romero said. What I heard by the mayors point is, we need all hands on deck, he said. Im ready to have the state do their part. Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker on Legislative fixes The main feedback Parker hears from community members around education, as it pertains to the Legislature, is questions about where education funding is going, concerns about deficits across school districts, and concern or excitement depending on who you ask over the potential of school vouchers. I very much feel ... that weve got to put our politics aside and admit to ourselves that what we currently see in public education is not working. Even the highest performing districts can do better, she said. Im not prescriptive in what Im asking them to do you have to do X, Y and Z, Parker said. I think we just need more partnership to understand that every district is different and unique. Districts complain that they dont see enough funding, Parker said. However, I think before its fair for us to go to the Legislature and ask for more money, we really have to get our own house in order, Parker said. And thats true for every district. Its particularly right now with Fort Worth ISD. Parker said she would support an education savings account proposal from lawmakers, but also supports full funding and support that public schools need to be successful. I try to put myself in the shoes of some of moms and dads I have personally gotten to know and talk to that dont understand what vouchers or school choice is or anything, Parker said. They just know that their neighborhood school is failing, or they just know that their neighborhood school is not right for their child. Parker called it unfathomable that in Texas, one of the largest economies in the world, a family can only receive a high quality education if they have the resources to provide that for their child. Thats where the argument for school choice comes in, she said that a parent should be able to put their child in the school where theyre best suited. On the flip side, Parker said, theres the argument that if that same money and resources went toward a failing school, school choice wouldnt be needed. But that kid only gets one chance, one chance at third grade, Parker said. So what are we going to do as a community to rally around families differently? You can do both at the same time. You can offer families a better opportunity for their child, at the same time you also lift up your public ISDs, your traditional public schools, and make sure that they are successful and focus on student achievement and outcomes. Texas Republicans are once again raising questions over how Harris County, the state's most populous, runs elections. Credit: Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribune This coverage is made possible through Votebeat, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Sign up for Votebeat Texas free newsletters here. Texas Republicans are clashing again with the states most populous county over voting. This time, theyre criticizing Harris Countys plan for outreach to eligible but unregistered voters ahead of the registration deadline. County commissioners were set to consider the proposed outreach effort at a meeting Tuesday, but took it off the agenda without explanation after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a Harris County Republican, put out a statement describing the proposal as an attempt to bypass a law passed last year restructuring the countys elections. Bettencourts statement claimed without evidence that the plan would have a very high probability of registering non-citizens to vote. In an interview, Bettencourt said he objects to the county commissioners proposing the outreach after the Legislature passed a law last year eliminating the countys election administrator position and assigning all election duties to the county clerk and tax assessor-collector. You should not have commissioners court instructing the voter registrar to do anything. That's not their role, Bettencourt told Votebeat, adding that under the new law, they do not have any authority there. Texas law bars election officials from mailing out unsolicited mail-in ballot applications which is not part of the Harris County proposal. Mailing out unsolicited voter registration applications, which is part of the Harris County plan, is not against the law, but Bettencourt told Votebeat hes asking the Texas Attorney Generals Office whether it should also be prohibited. The Harris County proposal first discussed at a commissioners court meeting on Aug. 6 had multiple parts. Commissioner Rodney Ellis, who brought up the item for discussion, aimed to use county data to identify areas where eligible but unregistered potential voters live, then contact them by text message and also mail them voter registration applications. According to the proposal initially on the agenda for Tuesdays meeting, the county administrator, the county attorney, and the tax assessor-collector departments would have been responsible for working together to carry out the plan. Ellis later told Votebeat he pulled the proposal to improve it, especially in the effective use of county resources to increase voter registration. Ellis added that his office will continue to work with the tax assessors office to develop a successful plan for greater registration and participation. When the item was first brought up on Aug. 6, Tom Ramsey, the sole Republican commissioner, said he opposed what he described as a last-minute attempt to do voter outreach. He said the tax assessors office should be the only county agency handling anything to do with voter registration. We spent a lot of effort in the Legislature to return responsibilities of voter registration and elections back to the county clerk and the tax assessor collector, Ramsey said. It appears to me we're trying to reinvent a revamped elections administrator through the county administrator's office. Harris County elections have been under scrutiny The 2023 law restructuring the way elections are administered in Harris County was the result of a long series of skirmishes between the Republican-dominated Legislature and the heavily Democratic county over its elections, which have a history of problems. In addition to turning election duties over to the county clerks office and voter registration duties to the county tax assessor-collector, another bill authored by Bettencourt gave the secretary of state authority to investigate election irregularities after complaints are filed, but only in counties with more than 4 million people that is, only Harris County. Last week, the Secretary of States Office released an audit critical of the countys failures to follow state-mandated rules and other procedures during its 2021 and 2022 elections, but noted that current officials, who didnt oversee those elections, have worked to fix the problems. The state will send election inspectors to Harris County in November, the office said. In a social media post Monday, Bettencourt said Harris Countys planned voter outreach would result in very high probability of registering non-citizens to vote, a claim he also made in his statement with Patrick. When asked if he had data to support the claim, Bettencourt directed Votebeat to recent numbers released by Gov. Greg Abbott, also a Republican. Abbotts numbers said 6,500 people identified as potential noncitizens were among the million people removed from the states voter rolls over a nearly three-year period. Voting rights groups are concerned, however, that the state incorrectly removed eligible voters. Bettencourt said sending out unsolicited voter registration applications creates more opportunities for people to make errors. Bettencourt also said in an interview his evidence that noncitizens would be very likely to register to vote through the countys mailing was based on his experience as Harris Countys tax assessor-collector and registrar in 1998-2008, when he found 35 noncitizens who had tried to register to vote or were already on the voter rolls, whose registration and applications he canceled and rejected. If voter registrations are mailed out, he said, there's no way for the tax office to say, Oh, look, you're not a citizen. You shouldn't be doing this. That's part of the problem, he said. There are important checks in the system, though. When voter registrars receive voter registration applications, they send them to the Texas Secretary of States Office, where they are checked for eligibility against Department of Public Safety and Social Security Administration data. In addition, local voter registrars work with their county district attorneys office to check citizenship status using responses from jury summons questionnaires. Outreach effort approved in Travis County For his part, Ramsey said on social media that the Harris County proposal was a scheme to adversely affect voter outcome in the November election. Ramsey did not respond to a request for comment on how the program would affect election outcomes. In Travis County, another Democratic stronghold, officials have approved a program to identify new county residents who are eligible to vote but have not yet registered. Those voters will receive information on how to register and a voter registration application. The campaign does not include sending out text messages as the Harris County plan would. Bruce Elfant, the countys tax assessor-collector told Votebeat that the program has not had any pushback from any state Republicans. Bettencourt said he found out about the Travis County program only this week and does not know details of how it works. Republican lawmakers have targeted Harris County efforts to promote voter registration and voter participation before. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the county sent out absentee mail-in ballot applications to eligible voters and provided 24-hour drive-thru voting. The following year, Republicans passed an overhaul of election laws that banned both of those activities in the state. A ruling by a federal judge is pending on whether those changes enacted through Senate Bill 1 discriminate against people of color in Texas by making it harder for them to vote. Natalia Contreras covers election administration and voting access for Votebeat in partnership with the Texas Tribune. Contact Natalia at ncontreras@votebeat.org. Disclosure: Texas Secretary of State has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Time is running out to get your TribFest tickets! Be there Sept. 57 for 100-plus unforgettable conversations featuring more than 300 speakers, including Stacey Abrams, Colin Allred, Liz Cheney, Richard Linklater, Nancy Pelosi, Rick Perry, Gretchen Whitmer and Glenn Youngkin. Hurry - buy your tickets today! Clarification, Aug. 29, 2024 at 5:40 p.m. : This article has been updated to clarify comments made by state Sen. Paul Bettencourt in both a published statement and an interview with Votebeat and The Texas Tribune. (Bloomberg) -- Californias legislature approved a controversial artificial intelligence safety bill that requires companies to make sure their technology doesnt cause major harm. Most Read from Bloomberg The bill, SB 1047, has drawn both criticism and praise from a series of national figures. It now moves to Governor Gavin Newsoms desk after passing the state Assembly Wednesday, with the Senate granting final approval Thursday. SB 1047 mandates that companies developing powerful AI models take reasonable care to ensure that their technologies dont cause severe harm such as mass casualties or property damage above $500 million. The bill, which was introduced by State Senator Scott Wiener and passed the state Senate in May, would require companies to take precautions such as implementing a kill switch that could turn off their technology at any time. It also calls for the models to be submitted to third-party testing to ensure they are minimizing grave risk. Additionally, the bill would create whistleblower protections for employees at AI companies who want to share safety concerns. Companies who are not in compliance with the bill could be sued by the California attorney general. Innovation and safety can go hand in hand and California is leading the way, Wiener said in a statement. With this vote, the Assembly has taken the truly historic step of working proactively to ensure an exciting new technology protects the public interest as it advances. He also called the bill a light-touch, commonsense measure that codifies safety commitments that many large companies have already made. In the past several months, the bill has received fierce opposition from many major tech leaders, startups and venture capitalists who say it represents government overreach focused on a technology still in its infancy, and could stifle tech innovation in the state. Last week, OpenAI publicly voiced its opposition to the bill, arguing that such policy should be implemented at the federal and not state level. Politicians including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, US Representative Ro Khanna, San Francisco Mayor London Breed and others have also voiced opposition to the bill, echoing concerns from the tech industry that it could impede upon Californias leadership in AI innovation. But the bill also earned some support from major names in the AI sector in the final lead up to this vote. On Tuesday, Elon Musk unexpectedly voiced his support, even though he said its a tough call and will make some people upset. OpenAI rival Anthropic, which has a reputation for being safety-oriented, also cautiously supported the bill, saying last week that the benefits likely outweigh the costs, and that it could feasibly implement the provisions. Anthropic became more supportive of the legislation after Wiener implemented several of the amendments that the company had suggested. Story continues Wiener has defended the bill against critics, stressing that its provisions only apply to companies that spend more than $100 million on training large models or $10 million fine-tuning models, which would exempt most smaller startups. The lawmaker has also said that while he would support federal legislation, Congress has been historically slow to regulate tech and that in the absence of national action, he believes California has a responsibility to lead. The battle over SB 1047 will continue now that the bill is being sent to Newsoms desk. OpenAI, tech incubator Y Combinator, and VC firm Andreessen Horowitz critics of SB 1047 all have registered lobbyists working on the bill. (Updates with state senate passage in second paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Kamala Harris is now in a tight race with Donald Trump in four Sun Belt states where President Joe Biden was struggling just before he dropped out of the race, according to a Fox News poll released Wednesday. The vice president had a narrow lead, within the margin of error, against Trump in Georgia, Arizona and Nevada while the former president had a similarly slight edge in North Carolina in a poll that came after the Democratic convention and suggests momentum in her campaign. The poll comes as the vice president was at the start of a bus tour of rural Georgia with her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, in hopes of repeating Bidens 2020 win in the battleground state. Trumps campaign quickly dismissed Fox News for atrocious polling in a statement that said the candidate is ahead of where he was in 2020 in Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina and elsewhere. The Fox poll, conducted Aug. 23-26, found Harris up among registered voters by 1 percentage point in Arizona and 2 points in Nevada. It said Trump was ahead by 1 point in North Carolina. Previous Fox surveys showed Biden trailing Trump by 5 or 6 points in each Sun Belt state. The new poll found that Trump has lost 6 percentage points of support among white evangelical Christians in Sun Belt states since he ran in 2020, dropping from 83 percent to 77 percent. His support among Black voters, however, nearly tripled, from 7 percent to 19 percent. Harris improvement in the poll for the Democratic ticket is driven by a large margin 79 percent among Black voters, a key demographic where Bidens support had eroded since 2020 and whose support, particularly among women, is key to a Democratic victory. In down-ballot races in Arizona, Nevada and North Carolina, Democratic candidates hold big leads in the Fox poll. In the Arizona Senate race, Democrat Ruben Gallego leads Republican Kari Lake by 15 points. Democrat Jacky Rosen is ahead of Republican Sam Brown by 14 points in the Nevada Senate race. In the governors race in North Carolina, Democrat Josh Stein leads Republican Mark Robinson by 11 points. The Fox battleground polls surveyed 4,053 registered voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points for each individual state. The combined sample has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.5 percentage points. LANSING, Mich (WLNS) New poll results from Emerson College show current Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris leading over former president and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Michigan. The poll was conducted in seven battleground states for the November election, including Michigan, Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Georgia. When asked who they would vote for if the presidential election was held today, 50% of Michigan respondents chose Harris, with 47% choosing Trump and 3% choosing a different answer or remaining undecided. This combination of photos shows Vice President Kamala Harris, left, on Aug. 7, 2024 and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump on July 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) In this poll, Michigan joins Georgia and Nevada in leaning toward Harris. Arizona, Wisconsin, and North Carolina lean toward Trump. Of the states polled, Michigan had the highest percentage of Harris supporters and the lowest percentage of Trump supporters. Women voters in Michigan were far more likely to choose Harris over Trump, with 56% choosing the former and 41% choosing the latter. However, 54% of Michigan men chose Trump and 43% chose Harris. Harris is leading in Michigans pool of independent voters with 46% compared to Trumps 43%, and overwhelmingly in voters under 30 with 62% of respondents choosing her and 32% choosing Trump. When asked if Project 2025 makes them more or less likely to support Trump, 15% of Michiganders said it would make them more likely, 39% said less likely, 34% said it made no difference, and 12% said they were not familiar with Project 2025. Michigan voters were split on their opinions of President Joe Biden and how he will go down in history, though 39% believe him to be a poor president: Outstanding: 20% Above average: 16% Average: 15% Below average: 13% Poor: 39% The poll of 800 likely voters in Michigan was conducted by Emerson College for WLNS and our parent company and has a credibility interval (which is similar to a margin of error) of plus or minus 3.4 percent. The race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump continues to be tight, within each states margin of error, Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. Vice President Harris will try to clear a hurdle in her presidential campaign Thursday when she and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), sit for an interview with CNNs Dana Bash. Its a crucial moment for the Democratic nominee for president, who has come under repeated criticism from Republicans for not doing an interview where she might be asked tough questions. Harris has done no solo interviews since replacing President Biden as the likely Democratic nominee for president in July. She was coronated as the Democratic nominee at last weeks party convention. Harris is likely to be asked tough questions by Bash, a veteran reporter who hosts Inside Politics and is a co-host of State of the Union. Bash also co-hosted the June debate between Biden and former President Trump. Walz, Harriss vice presidential candidate, will be at her side, which could help the presidential nominee in various ways. Since becoming the Democratic nominee, Harris has only briefly answered questions from reporters traveling with her. She told reporters last month that she would schedule a full interview by the end of August. Republicans have been pressing for Harris to take tougher questions from the media in the hope that this could change the direction of the presidential race. Since Harris entered the battle, former President Trumps healthy lead over then-presumptive Democratic nominee President Biden has all but disappeared. The Decision Desk HQ/The Hill updated analysis of the presidential race released Monday found Harris has a 55 percent chance of defeating Trump, a sharp turn up from Bidens 44 percent chance of winning when he left the race and endorsed Harris on July 21. Harris has also tilted the battles for the House and Senate toward Democrats, though the Decision Desk HQ/The Hill analysis shows the GOP as the favorites to win majorities in each chamber. Republicans reacting to Tuesdays news that Harris would hold a major interview but with a wingman in Walz offered scorn for that decision. Kamala is clearly scared to do an interview on her own and its pre-taped so they can clean it up, the Trump campaign said Wednesday in a post on the social platform X. Republicans unfriendly with Trump also offered some criticism. I dont know if Democrats fully realize how damaging the image of the possible first woman president being incapable of giving an interview alone without the presence of a man to help her is, said Meghan McCain, the daughter of the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). McCain is a frequent critic of Trump. Republicans have been happy to point out that Trump did take tough questions from journalists when he took the stage at the National Association of Black Journalists in late July, shortly after Harris took over for Biden. That appearance did show Trump was willing to walk into the fire of tough questioning, though the event seemed damaging to the former president. Trump courted controversy by mocking Harriss racial background. Democrats, responding to criticism of the Harris-Walz joint interview, noted Trump and Sen. JD Vance (Ohio), the GOP vice presidential candidate, did a joint interview with Fox Newss Jesse Watters, who is very friendly to the former president, after the Republican National Convention. Harriss rocky interview with NBCs Lester Holt in 2021 has been repeatedly raised as the weeks have gone by without a major interview by the Democratic nominee. Holt pressed the vice president about why she hadnt visited the border after Biden tasked her with addressing the root causes of migration. Harris was widely seen as defensive in the interview and at one point said she also hadnt been to Europe. Jamal Simmons, a former communications director for Harris, acknowledged the Holt interview was challenging while adding that it was also three years ago and that people should grow up. The vice presidents an experienced politician, shes been around for decades. Shes done a lot of interviews. You can go back and look at her history and see lots of interviews, both on camera and in print. But like everybody, she has a bad day from time to time. But what we cant do is hold her to a standard because of one interview she did three years ago that wasnt great, and then use that as the model for her entire history of media interactions, Simmons said. Harris was later interviewed on NBCs Meet the Press in 2022, when she created news by saying that internal threats to democracy make the U.S. weaker. She went on CBSs 60 Minutes in 2023 for an interview focused on the Biden administrations pro-Israel stance a month after the Oct. 7 attacks. Harris has also participated in interviews with print reporters, including from The New York Times and Washington Post. But The Washington Post faced criticism after it included in a 2019 profile of Harris that she compared campaigns to prisons while talking to her sister, Maya, and then removed the quotes two years later. The outlet claimed they updated some biographical pieces ahead of Bidens inauguration, Fox News reported at the time. Some of the best reviews for Harris came when she did media interviews after Bidens dismal debate performance, including with CNNs Anderson Cooper immediately after the debate. Harris adamantly defended Biden, arguing that the president had a slow start but a strong finish. Shes very detailed in her thinking; shes a lawyer so she knows how to argue a case. And I think were gonna see in this interview somebody who is much more comfortable in her job and very confident in her ability as a candidate for president, Simmons said. How much of a difference the CNN interview makes will depend on Harris, Walz and Bash, who all face different kinds of pressure. Bash will take heat if she doesnt ask some tough questions to Harris about her record, her defense of the Biden administration and tough issues such as the border. Trumps campaign suggested 10 questions for Bash to ask, including why housing affordability isnt a priority for Harris now and why the Biden administration hasnt successfully lowered prices for Americans. Harris and Walz will both need to be highly prepared, aggressive and charismatic among other things. Still, some Democrats downplayed the importance of Thursday night. Its just an interview, said Ivan Zapien, a former Democratic National Committee official. Im not sure how many people will tune in and decide who they are voting for based on this. Good, bad, or indifferent, this too will pass, he added They have no time to dwell. The interview is more attractive to the press and elites than ordinary people. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Harris and Trump will be busy with campaign events as Labor Day approaches With Labor Day approaching, the 2024 presidential campaign is entering a crucial phase. Both the Harris-Walz and Trump-Vance campaigns are ramping up their efforts, crisscrossing the country to connect with voters in key battleground states. Harris and Walz Target Georgia, Wisconsin and Michigan Vice President Kamala Harris kicks off a two-day bus tour in Georgia on Wednesday. Joined by her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris will travel through southern Georgia, engaging with rural, suburban, and urban voters, including many Black and working-class families. The tour will culminate in a rally in Savannah on Thursday night. More: More than 200 Bush, McCain, Romney alums endorse Harris for president | The Excerpt Harris is expected to focus on economic issues, including housing affordability, and contrast her vision with her opponent, former President Donald Trump. The campaign released a new ad highlighting her ambitious plan to create three million new homes over four years. Harris will appear alongside President Joe Biden on Labor Day for their first joint campaign event since her nomination. She also plans to appear in Detroit. Meanwhile, Walz will head to Wisconsin, another battleground state Democrats must secure in November. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump campaigns for the first time with his chosen running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, in Grand Rapids, Mich., on July 20, 2024. Trump and Vance Ramp Up Campaign Events The Republican nominee is ramping up his campaign schedule in response to Harris' growing momentum. After facing criticism from within his party for not adapting to the changing dynamics of the race, Trump is now taking a more aggressive approach, focusing on multiple events each day, particularly smaller, issue-driven gatherings in battleground states. This week, Trump and Senator JD Vance will hold several rallies and a town hall in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on Thursday. Vance will visit Pennsylvania and Wisconsin on Wednesday, while Trump will be in Michigan and Wisconsin on Thursday. The Trump campaign is emphasizing the importance of these "blue wall" states, which Harris likely can't afford to lose. Trump has also been conducting podcast interviews and increasing his activity on social media, including X, formerly Twitter. Jeremy Yurow is a politics reporting fellow based in Hawaii for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach him at JYurow@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter @JeremyYurow This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump, Harris heat up campaign trail in mad dash toward Election Day WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The candidates are hitting Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan and Wisconsin Thursday. Both vice presidential candidates spoke at a firefighters union in Boston to different receptions. Governor Tim Walz spoke to the union on Wednesday to cheers, while Senator JD Vance spoke to the group on Thursday and was booed. Vance made the Trump campaigns pitch to union members and working-class voters. He is a different kind of Republican. And under his leadership, the Republican party is the party of the American worker, said Vance. The crowd was skeptical of Vances claim. President Trump and I are proud to be the most pro-worker Republican ticket in history, said Vance. Vice President Harris and Governor Walz continued their two-day bus tour through Georgia ending with a rally in Savannah. Harris husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, spoke in battleground Michigan. Empathy is her superpower. Her ability to understand what people are going through, that is her strength, Emhoff said. Former president Donald Trump is also targeting towns in Michigan and Wisconsin where he lost ground between 2016 and 2020. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Vice President Harris and former President Trump are locked in a tight race across seven battleground states as the race for the White House enters the home stretch, according to polling released Thursday. The new survey from Emerson College Polling and The Hill found Harris edging out Trump in Georgia (49 percent to 48 percent), Michigan (50 percent to 47 percent) and Nevada (49 percent to 48 percent). Meanwhile, the polling shows Trump slightly ahead in Arizona (50 percent to 47 percent), North Carolina (49 percent to 48 percent) and Wisconsin (49 percent to 48 percent). In Pennsylvania, the two are tied at 48 percent each. In all cases, the poll numbers fall within the margin of error, meaning the race is essentially tied in each of the swing states. The race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump continues to be tight, within each states margin of error, Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said in a statement. Harris leads Trump among independent voters in six out of the seven states polled. The one exception is Nevada, where Trump leads Harris among independents. Trump does slightly better with female voters in Arizona. But Harris performs better than the former president with women in the other six battleground states. Harris also fares better with voters under 30 years old in every swing state. Trump, meanwhile, performs better across the seven states with male voters. There is also a stark gender divide, similar to that of 2020, Kimball said. In six of the seven swing states, Harris leads Trump among women, however, in Arizona, Trump has a two-point edge on Harris among women voters, a group that broke for Biden by about three points in 2020 according to exit polling. The polling shows how Democrats fortunes have rapidly changed more than a month since President Biden withdrew from the presidential race. Democrats fretted about their viability in states like Michigan with Biden at the top, but with Harris as the nominee those states appear more competitive again. Harris is riding a wave of momentum following the Democratic National Convention, which was held last week in Chicago, and observers are watching closely to see if that translates to better poll numbers for her. But the Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey suggests that even with the newfound energy at the top of the Democratic ticket, the race for the White House is still a nailbiter. An aggregate of national surveys compiled by Decision Desk HQ shows Harris leading Trump roughly 50 percent to 45 percent. The new polling also reinforced the strength of downballot Democrats, a trend seen in previous surveys. In Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin all of which are holding competitive Senate races this year the Democratic Senate candidates are leading their GOP rivals. In Arizona, Rep. Ruben Gallego leads Republican Kari Lake 49 percent to 42 percent. In Michigan, Rep. Elissa Slotkin is leading Republican Mike Rogers 47 to 41 percent. In Nevada, incumbent Sen. Jacky Rosen is ahead of GOP rival Sam Brown, 50 to 40 percent. In Pennsylvania, Sen. Bob Casey leads David McCormick 48 to 44 percent. And in Wisconsin, Sen. Tammy Baldwin edges out Eric Hovde, 49 to 48 percent. Meanwhile, in the North Carolina gubernatorial race, Democrat Josh Stein leads GOP Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, 47 to 41 percent. The polling from Emerson College Polling and The Hill was conducted Aug. 26-28. In Arizona, 720 likely voters were polled with a margin of error of 3.6 percentage points. In Michigan and Georgia, 800 likely voters were polled in each state, with a margin of error for each of 3.4 percentage points. In Pennsylvania, 950 likely voters were surveyed with a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points. In Nevada, 1,168 likely voters were surveyed with a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points; 775 likely voters were polled in North Carolina with a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points. In Wisconsin, 850 likely voters were polled, with a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Vice President Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), embarked Wednesday on a two-day bus tour through southeast Georgia as part of an effort to reach voters in more rural pockets of the battleground state. Harris and Walz stopped at Liberty County High School in Hinesville, a town of roughly 35,000 people, where they addressed a group of students who are part of the school band. Walz, a former teacher, and Harris spoke about the importance of lifting up younger generations to be future leaders. Its not a cliche. This is truly about building toward the future, and youre that future, Walz said. Your generation, all that you guys stand for, everything you have at stake, is what is going to propel our country into the next era of what we can do and what we can be, Harris said. Harris told the students she was also a member of her school band growing up. The visit to Georgia marks the first time Harris and Walz traveled to the pivotal battleground state together. Harris earlier this month spoke in Atlanta to a crowd of thousands prior to selecting a running mate. The bus tour will wind through southern Georgia and conclude with a rally in the Savannah area with Harris, after Walz leaves the state Thursday night. The two will also sit for a joint interview with CNN while in the state. The campaign is investing heavily in the Peach State, with more than 170 Democratic staffers in 24 coordinated offices across the state. President Biden carried Georgia in 2020 by fewer than 12,000 votes, becoming the first Democrat since 1992 to win the state. The state will be pivotal for former President Trump in November because it is one of the clearest pickup opportunities on the map as he charts a path to 270 electoral votes. Trump and his team have sought to present a united front with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R), whom Trump previously ridiculed and attacked for refusing to question the 2020 election results. A Decision Desk HQ/The Hill average of polls from Georgia showed Trump leading Harris by roughly 3 percentage points in the state. Georgians are united behind one thing they know America cannot afford another four years of Kamala Harris failed, weak, and dishonest leadership, GOP Chair Michael Whatley said in a statement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. California lawmakers passed a sweeping artificial intelligence bill, SB 1047, that seeks to establish safeguards for tech firms developing large AI models. If signed into law, SB 1047 would dramatically alter the way top AI firms operate, leading to pushback from prominent players like OpenAI, Meta (META), and Google (GOOG, GOOGL). Governor Gavin Newsom has not indicated whether he plans to veto SB 1047. In an interview with Yahoo Finance's Brian Sozzi on Wednesday, Salesforce (CRM) CEO Marc Benioff weighed in on the importance of regulation. "Looking at AI safety it has to be the highest of everybodys interest to make sure that these AI models do not get out of control," Benioff said. "And I think that these kinds of ideas are incredibly interesting and need to be fully evaluated. And its worthwhile." Democratic state Senator Scott Wiener, who co-authored the bill, says the bill codifies voluntary safety evaluations that large AI labs, such as Meta, have already committed to. The bill requires developers spending over $100 million to build an AI model to perform safety testing before releasing it. They are required to mitigate the risks if testing finds a model has the potential to cause "catastrophic harm." Supporters of the bill, including the 'godfathers of AI,' Yoshua Bengio and Geoffrey Hinton, say the regulation is crucial to addressing potential harms posed by AI models. They say the government has not done enough to address the threat. SB 1047 is a much-needed step towards advancing both safety and long-term innovation in the AI ecosystem, especially incentivizing research and development in AI safety," Bengio, a professor of computer science at the University of Montreal, told Yahoo Finance. California's artificial intelligence bill SB 1047. Tesla (TSLA) chief Elon Musk, who also owns xAI, voiced his support this week on X, but said it was a "tough call." "I think California should probably pass the SB 1047 AI safety bill. For over 20 years, I have been an advocate for AI regulation, just as we regulate any product/technology that is a potential risk to the public," he wrote. Musk has previously urged AI labs to pause the development of systems that can compete with human-level intelligence, citing potential risks to society. However, he's also been highly critical of state officials in California. SB 1047 is co-sponsored by the Center for AI Safety Action Fund, Economic Security California Action, and Encode Justice. It is long past due that we hold Big Tech accountable for their outsized influence and unchecked power, Teri Olle, director of Economic Security California, said on the assembly floor. Story continues We need legislative solutions like SB 1047 to flip the script and ensure the public can decide how critical technology benefits society as a whole. A poll released this week by the Artificial Intelligence Policy Institute, a nonprofit that advocates for safe AI development, found that 7 out of 10 Californians support the bill and over 60% of respondents said they would partially blame Gov. Newsom for future AI-related incidents if he vetoes it. Wiener's longtime ally, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, announced that she's against the bill. I share your desire that AI develops in a safe and sustainable way, and I agree with the overall intention of your legislation, Breed wrote in a letter to Wiener. With additional time and collaboration, I am confident we can find a solution that addresses many of the concerns raised in recent months, while still enabling this emerging field to grow in a safe and sustainable way. Breed joins a growing list of California Democrats in Congress who oppose the measure, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Reps. Ro Khanna, Zoe Lofgren, Anna Eshoo, Scott Peters, Tony Cardenas, Ami Bera, Nanette Diaz Barragan, and Lou Correa. The bill was amended several times to assuage the fears of AI opponents, including Amazon-backed (AMZN) Anthropic. Some of the major amendments include removing the state regulatory body formerly called the Frontier Model Division and removing criminal penalties, while civil penalties remain. Additionally, if an open-source developer spends less than $10 million fine-tuning an existing model, the liability would rest with the model's original developer. The attorney general's ability to seek civil penalties has been limited to situations where "a harm has occurred or there is an imminent threat to public safety." Governor Newsom has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto the bill. When asked whether he's confident it will become law, Wiener said, "The governor has made statements that are very consistent with my own thinking that regulation could be appropriate here and we want to make sure were fostering innovation as well. Yasmin Khorram is a Senior Reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow Yasmin on Twitter/X @YasminKhorram and on LinkedIn. Send newsworthy tips to Yasmin: yasmin.khorram@yahooinc.com Click here for the latest technology news that will impact the stock market Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Harrisburg Police to crack down on illegal commercial vehicle parking HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Police in one Midstate city are reminding tractor trailers and other large vehicles to park in their designated spots. The Harrisburg Bureau of Police said theyve noticed a growing number of such vehicles parking in illegal areas. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Daily Digest We are starting to see issues when it comes to emergency vehicles like fire trucks being able to access more narrow streets, Deputy Chief Kenny Young said. We are also noticing kids running between cars, and if a large truck is parked on the street, it proves to be a sight obstruction for not only pedestrians, but other drivers coming down the street. Those vehicles are allowed to park in spots designated as commercial or industrial and a map of such spots can be found on the citys website. Instead, theyve been parking for extended periods of time, or overnight, in residential areas. In one case, police said there have been up to five per block parked, often uptown along Division Street, 6th Street, and 4th Street. Police are planning to increase ticketing on such vehicles. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. NEW HARTFORD, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) Over a year after Senator Charles Schumer announced the building of a new cell phone tower, the Senator announced that the tower is officially online. Senator Schumer personally visited the affected area in April of 2023 to announce that Verizon was in the process of building the tower. The tower will serve Oneida Street in the City of Utica, a part of the city business owners complained was a dead zone for Verizon customers. I stood with South Uticans and New Hartford residents at their wits end last year, fed up with a cell phone dead zone that couldnt seem to be brought back to life. I turned up the volume on Verizon in hopes that they would get the message and today I am proud to say: Verizon heard me and Utica loud and clear. The New Hartford cell tower is officially built, fully up and running, and connecting residents to the long-desired cell service Oneida Street has desperately needed, Senator Schumer said in a statement. Nobody should ever be put in harms way because they cant call 911 because of a cell phone dead zone. I thank Verizon for heeding my calls and expediting construction to deliver for the community like they promised me they would. I will keep fighting to make sure we address these cell dead zones across Upstate NY so residents have access to reliable, high-quality mobile service. The tower located near the New Hartford Recreation Center on Mill Street will also serve the Ridgewood neighborhood in Utica, as well as the village of New Hartford. The village approved the construction last July. Construction on the tower was completed last week, according to Schumers office. After many years and countless local complaints gone unanswered, as a resident in the dead zone, I would like to thank Senator Schumer for taking up our cause, holding Verizons feet to the fire, and making sure they fixed the South Utica dead zone. With the Verizon dead zone finally patched, local businesses like Ridgewood Market can better access wireless connection to help them grow, and local homeowners can sleep more soundly knowing their call to emergency services will go through if needed while in their homes or simply walking with our families in the neighborhood, Utica Mayor Mike Galime said in a statement. On behalf of all the Utica residents, businesses, and members of our community plagued by Verizons South Utica dead zone, I reiterate our profound appreciation to Senator Schumer for making this game changing new tower a reality and delivering for the City of Utica time and time again. This is true advocacy at work. According to Schumers office, dead zones are usually created because the signal is being blocked, or the nearest cell phone tower is too far away. This was the case on Oneida Street, and now, according to Ridgewood Market owner Andy Weimer, small businesses will benefit. I am grateful that Verizon cell service has been restored to the Ridgewood neighborhood and my business, Weimer said in a statement. All of the businesses in the Ridgewood neighborhood will benefit from the restored service, as well as the neighborhood having access to emergency services if the need should arise. We all appreciate Senator Schumers help making this happen. For years, complaints of wireless dead zones in the Village of New Hartford lodged by residents and businesses fell on deaf ears at Verizon. Yesterday, I drove through the village talking on my cell phone and my Verizon connection was crystal clear in areas that had been dead zones for as long as I can remember, New Hartford Mayor Donald Ryan said in a statement. The Village of New Hartford, the City of Utica, and all of New York State are lucky to have a representative like Senator Schumer who not only takes on the issues that affect our lives every single day, but who follows through and fixes them. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. Harvest man sentenced to 70 years in prison for online sexual exploitation of children HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) A Madison County man has been sentenced on charges related to sexual exploitation of children. U.S. District Judge Madeline Haikala sentenced Michael Shaun Hill, 43, of Harvest, to 70 years in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release. As part of his sentence, Hill was ordered to pay $40,500 in restitution to the victims of his crimes. Jury finds Frederic Rogers guilty of multiple charges in Seven Deadly Sins case Hill pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography, advertising child pornography and possessing child pornography. Hill is a registered sex offender after being convicted in 2007 for sexual misconduct involving a minor. Protecting those most vulnerable from predators is a vital part of keeping society safe, U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona said. Our law enforcement partners continue to do outstanding work in identifying and locating these predators and putting them behind bars where they belong. According to the plea agreement, in the summer of 2020, Hill was talking with someone he believed was a 14-year-old female but who was actually an undercover agent with the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force in Jacksonville, Florida. The communications by Hill were sexual in nature. Huntsville man sentenced to one year in prison for possession of child pornography FBI Birminghams Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force carried out a search warrant at Hills home. He admitted he was attracted to girls 15 to 19 years of age. Still, he denied that he had participated in online groups dedicated to the exchange of child sexual abuse material or had downloaded any such material. However, after further investigation, it was revealed that Hill had distributed child pornography online and had advertised child pornography in a social media group of about 50 other people. A forensic examination of Hills electronic devices revealed over 250 videos and 700 images of child sexual abuse material. FBI Birminghams Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force investigated the case along with FBI Jacksonville (Florida), the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Madison County Sheriffs Office and the Huntsville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Leann White prosecuted the case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT) Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker and other city officials dedicated the Public Safety Complex in honor of former Mayor Johnny L. DuPree on Thursday. The ceremony marked the renaming of the state-of-the-art facility, which first opened its doors on September 27, 2022, at the corner of Hall Avenue and Edwards Street. DuPree, who served as Mayor of Hattiesburg from 2001 to 2017, was the citys first African American mayor and its longest-serving mayor to date. DuPree also made history as the first African American to win a major party nomination for Governor of Mississippi since Reconstruction. It is our privilege to dedicate the Public Safety Complex to Mayor Dupree, whose career is a testament to lifelong service in our city, said Barker. He stands as an example to future generations of what people can accomplish when they work hard, treat others with kindness and love their community. Southern Miss receives $3.8 million grant The Johnny L. DuPree Public Safety Complex houses the Hattiesburg Police Department and Municipal Court. The complex features modern amenities and cutting-edge technology designed to meet the needs of a growing and forward-thinking police force. Additionally, it preserves a piece of Hattiesburgs history by incorporating the original Methodist Hospital building, which served as the home for the police department and municipal court program from 1982 to 2016. The Public Safety Complex is a testament to Mayor Duprees unwavering commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our community, said Hattiesburg Police Chief Hardy Sims. We honor his legacy today and every day by continuing to strive for excellence in all that we do, ensuring that this complex is a symbol of the strength and unity of our community as well as our commitment to public safety. The Hattiesburg City Council voted to approve naming the Public Safety Complex in honor of DuPree on July 5, 2023. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Headed out of town for Labor Day weekend? See these travel tips for California Heading out of town for Labor Day weekend? Dont be surprised if you run into a crowd. AAA recently released its travel trends and expectations for the holiday weekend, which marks the close of a record-breaking, blockbuster summer travel season. Americans see the extended Labor Day weekend as an opportunity to say farewell to summer with one final trip, Debbie Haas, AAA vice president of travel, said in a news release. Since many kids are already back in school, regional road trips tend to be the most popular option for families. According to the automobile association, domestic travel over Labor Day weekend is expected to be up 9% in 2024, compared to 2023. A major California city is among the most popular destinations in the nation, AAA said. Where are people traveling for Labor Day holiday? AAA rounded up a list of the top 10 travel destinations in the United States for the 2024 holiday weekend. Heres where people are headed, according to the automobile association: Seattle Orlando Anchorage, Alaska New York City Boston Las Vegas Denver Chicago Juneau, Alaska San Francisco When are the best times to drive on Labor Day weekend? AAA found the best and worst times to travel by car over the long weekend. Heres what to know if you plan to hit the road on these days: Thursday Best times: Before 11 a.m. Worst times: 1 to 7:30 p.m. Friday Best times: Before noon or after 7 p.m. Worst times: 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday Best times: After noon Worst times: 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday Best times: Before noon Worst times: 2 to 8 p.m. Monday Best times: Before 10 a.m. Worst times: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday Best times: After 1 p.m. Worst times: 8 a.m. to noon 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. Peter Roberts is to leave after 18 months as headmaster of Ampleforth College, York - Lorne Campbell/Guzelian The head of a top private boarding school who was brought in to save the college following sex abuse allegations has stepped down for medical reasons. Peter Roberts, headmaster of Ampleforth College in York, has resigned a year and a half after taking up the role. Alumni and parents at the school received an email on Thursday informing them of Mr Roberts departure, just days before the pupils are set to return from the summer holidays. Edward Sparrow, chairman of governors at Ampleforth, said the move was unexpected, and came after Mr Roberts notified him at the end of June that he had received medical advice to step down. This was very sad news indeed. Peter joined Ampleforth in January 2023 with an agreed mission to re-establish the college as the leading Catholic boarding school in Europe, he said. In his two years with us, he has built confidence, increased numbers and is making excellent progress on this mission which he was keen to complete. We owe him much and are very sorry to lose him, but he must put his health first. Ampleforth College in York is said to be the the leading Catholic boarding school in Europe - Richard Burdon/Alamy Mr Roberts joined Ampleforth, which charges 46,740 a year in fees, in January 2023 to oversee a new chapter for the school after it was dogged by sex abuse allegations. He will be replaced by Jon Mutton, the schools deputy head of pastoral care, who joined the school as head of classics in 2011. North Yorkshire Police set up Operation Ellipse in 2004 to investigate allegations of child sex abuse at the school dating back to the 1960s. The inquiry, which concluded in 2006, led to the convictions of Fr Piers Grant-Ferris on 20 counts of indecent assault with boys in his care, and of Fr Gregory Carroll for offences against 10 pupils between 1979 and 1987. During the investigation, several other allegations against monks and lay members of staff came to light relating to sexual abuse and inappropriate behaviour towards children at the school. In 2018, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) on Ampleforth found that leaders hid allegations of appalling abuse against pupils as young as seven to protect the churchs reputation. Investigators suggested the true number of those who were abused was likely to be considerably higher. The Department for Education (DfE) ordered the school to cease to admit any more students in 2020 following an inadequate Ofsted rating. Ampleforth College is said to be in the English public school tradition Ampleforth was saved from closure the following year when officials said after a subsequent Ofsted inspection that they were satisfied with the schools progress. As part of the assessment, DfE officials signed off an action plan by the college setting out their long-term commitment to safeguarding excellence. Mr Roberts, the former head teacher of the Kings School, Canterbury, said he hoped it would usher in a new chapter for the school [that] will be one of consolidation and confidence. Mr Roberts became the first school leader in the UK to pledge not to pass on VAT to parents in an interview with The Telegraph. He later rescinded the offer and said that while the school would do all it could to avoid passing on VAT to parents, it couldnt make any promises. It comes after the headmaster of Eton College also announced this week that he will take time off on medical grounds. Simon Henderson, who has led the school since 2015, wrote to families on Wednesday to say that he had been advised to remain off work for several months over health reasons. Paul Williams, Etons lower master, will take over as acting head until January 2025. The 584-year-old school, which charges up to 52,749 in fees, has yet to announce how it intends to deal with the Governments VAT charge on private schools which will come into force that same month. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. The Springfield-Greene County Health Department (SGCHD) has named its new communication coordinator. According to a release from SGCHD, Anna Kremer will be the organizations communication and outreach coordinator. She joins the administrative team and will be responsible for developing and implementing the departments communication and outreach strategy, media relations and more. Kremer joined the department in 2023 as a Health Policy Analyst, where she developed communication about legislation and other health topics and educated the community, health leaders and policymakers about public health. Local developer plans to reopen Hollywood Theater SGCHD says Kremer brought nine years of experience to the department, and in her first year helped the new maternal-child health program (Family Connects) get $1 million in funding from the state of Missouri. In my time at the Health Department, I have enjoyed building relationship with our stakeholders and members of the community, Kremer said. I am grateful to Health Department leadership for this opportunity, and I am excited to continue working alongside the public and our partners to promote and protect community health. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. Rain and thunderstorm chances increase for parts of New Mexico through the end of this week. However, our weather is trending drier this weekend. An area of low pressure in eastern Arizona/western New Mexico has kept rain and a few rumbles of thunder ongoing since early this morning in parts of New Mexico today. This brought rain into the Albuquerque Metro early this afternoon and has kept some much cooler air in place today. It has also brought heavy rain to the Ruidoso area again where there was some minor flash flooding. While most of the rain will continue to end tonight, a few spotty showers will stick around until early Thursday morning across parts of the state. Better chances for rain will move into eastern New Mexico Thursday afternoon, with isolated storms still capable of heavy rain. Storms will be more hit or miss in the western half of the state as some drier air moves in. Thursday will also be a warmer afternoon. A backdoor front will increase the amount of moisture in the air across New Mexico as it moves into the state Thursday night. This will bring widespread showers and storms Friday afternoon across almost all of New Mexico. Locally heavy rain will be possible again, with the heaviest rain likely across southeast New Mexico. Forecast models are trending much drier this weekend. Scattered storms may still be possible across southeast New Mexico Saturday afternoon, but even that is not guaranteed. Drier air is looking a lot more likely, with the best chances for rain staying across the mountain ranges, and even that chance for rain is much lower. The drier air will continue into next week as well with warmer weather on the way. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Anthropologist Helen Fisher: 'We know quite a lot about sex drive, which is associated with very high levels of testosterone, and there are plenty of scientists looking into oxytocin and vasopressin, two of the neurotransmitters behind [long-term] attachment, but I wanted to know what was behind romantic love' - Alamy Helen Fisher, who has died of cancer aged 79, was a biological anthropologist who researched the chemical nature of human love in all its shapes and forms, by scanning the brains of people in love, and distilled her conclusions in a series of bestselling books. Love, she concluded, comes in three flavours: lust, romantic love and long-term attachment. There is some overlap but, in essence, these are separate phenomena, with their own chemical triggers and motivational systems which have evolved to enable, respectively, mating, pair-bonding and parenting. It was the second of these categories, romantic love the obsessive attachment to another person that particularly interested Helen Fisher. We know quite a lot about sex drive, which is associated with very high levels of testosterone, she told The Guardian in 2005, and there are plenty of scientists looking into oxytocin and vasopressin, two of the neurotransmitters behind attachment, but I wanted to know what was behind romantic love. The feeling of being in love, she said, was like someone camping out in your head characterised by obsessively focused attention, mood swings, high levels of energy and separation anxiety. These, she hypothesised, were all symptoms of elevated levels of dopamine the reward chemical. Helen Fisher To investigate her hypothesis, Helen Fisher and her colleagues scanned the brains of 17 college students, men and women, who claimed to be newly and madly in love. When she showed them photographs of their loved ones, the areas of the brain that produce and receive dopamine, notably the ventral tegmental area, lit up. Similar brain areas light up during the rush of euphoria after taking cocaine. Romantic love, she concluded, is a drive rather than an emotion a potent chemical kick to set you moving towards reproduction: It enables us to focus our energies on one person, thereby conserving courtship time. But when she later scanned the brains of 15 students who had recently been dumped, she found a more worrying story. The dopamine receptor areas lit up even more than they did for people in the early stages of romantic love, but there was also activity in parts of the brain associated with risk-taking, physical pain, obsessive-compulsive behaviour, anger and theory of mind (imagining what the other person is thinking). It made me understand a little bit more about why people become so depressed, she told The Independent. Youre intensely in love, you have just been rejected, but you are still in love, if not even more so, and you are willing to take enormous risks... You are obsessing about this person, you are trying to control your anger and youre trying to evaluate what to do next. You are in a very uncomfortable state. No wonder so many crimes of passion take place. Romantic love, she concluded, is much more powerful than lust and is very difficult to control. After all, she said, if you casually ask someone to go to bed with you and they refuse, you dont slip into a depression, commit suicide or homicide but around the world people suffer terribly from romantic rejection. Helen Fisher went on to publicise her research in a series of TED talks, watched by more than 21 million viewers, and in 2005 the dating site Match.com appointed her its chief science adviser. She developed a questionnaire, the Fisher Temperament Inventory, to which some six million people responded. From this she concluded that there are four basic personality types, which are controlled by different chemicals in the brain and influence how we are attracted to others: The Explorer, a sensation-seeker, is ruled by dopamine; the Builder, a cautious respecter of authority, is driven by serotonin; the Director, self-confident and analytical, is ruled by testosterone; and the Negotiator, intuitive and consensual, is fired by oestrogen. She found that Explorers tend to be attracted to other Explorers, Builders to other Builders, while Directors are more likely to attract Negotiators, and vice versa. In 2010 she launched an annual survey, Singles in America, for Match.com, in collaboration with the Kinsey Institute, of which she was a senior research fellow, in which 5,200 single people were asked about their attitudes to love and sex, and sexual behaviour. One conclusion from the survey was that casual sex was helping single people to find more compatible partners. Freed from many of the sanctions around pre-marital sex but wary of the fallout from divorce, people were increasingly looking to make a connection with a partner quickly and then to commit slowly. We are incorporating a long precommitment stage into the courtship process and fast sex is part of that. It means Im interested in you, and I want to know what youre really like, and if its worth taking this any further, Helen Fisher explained. You get to know a lot about somebody very quickly from sleeping with them. A spokeman for Match.com has said that Helen Fishers research informs everything we do. One of identical twins, Helen Elizabeth Fisher was born on May 31 1945 in Connecticut to Roswell Fisher, a publishing executive, and Helen, nee Greeff, a floral artist. After a degree in anthropology and psychology at New York University, she took a masters degree and PhD at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She worked at various times as a research editor at Readers Digest General Books and research associate in anthropology at the New School for Social Research, the American Museum of Natural History and Rutgers University. Her first book, The Sex Contract: The Evolution of Human Behavior (1982), examined the development of human female sexuality and the nuclear family. In 1992 she published Anatomy of Love: A Natural History of Monogamy, Adultery and Divorce, in which, among other things, she found that divorce rates tended to peak around the fourth year of marriage. Her other books include Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love (2004) and Why Him? Why Her? Finding Real Love by Understanding Your Personality Type (2009). Helen Fisher was briefly married in her early twenties and had several long-term relationships before 2020 when she married John Tierney. He survives her with a stepson. Helen Fisher, born May 31 1945, died August 17 2024 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Prosecutors have submitted an indictment to the court against five officials from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) regarding the helicopter crash in Brovary on 18 January 2023. Source: Prosecutor General's Office; State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Details: The pre-trial investigation was completed by a joint interagency team from the Main Investigative Department of the SBI and the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) in November 2023. Until now, the suspects, their defence attorneys, and the victims have been reviewing the case materials. The indictment will now be considered in court on its merits. The investigation established that the accused violated flight safety rules for the helicopter carrying the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. Foreign experts were involved in the investigation, including representatives from the French company that manufactured the helicopter, the SBI noted. Background: In January 2023, a visit by the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine to the Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts was planned. Officials from the SESU used a helicopter that was on standby for potential emergency response to transport the delegation. The aircraft did not have the required permits for other types of flights. Due to challenging weather conditions, the helicopter was flying at an extremely low altitude. The crew commander spotted an obstacle and, while manoeuvring, lost orientation, resulting in a collision with the ground. When the helicopter crashed, it damaged a kindergarten, nearby buildings, and parked cars. A total of 14 people were killed, and 31 were injured with varying degrees of severity. In addition to high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, four women and a young child who had come to the kindergarten also lost their lives. Among the injured were 13 children. Support UP or become our patron! NEW DELHI/BENGALURU (Reuters) -India's aviation watchdog said it has placed budget airline SpiceJet under enhanced surveillance with immediate effect after a recent audit revealed "certain deficiencies". Thursday's move came three weeks after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation conducted a special audit following reports of flight cancellations and financial troubles. "This would entail increase in number of spot checks/ night surveillance with a view to ensure safety of operations," the DGCA said in a statement, citing the airline's past record and the special audit. The watchdog did not disclose the exact issues it found. The DGCA had conducted a special drive of spot checks on the carrier in 2022 and put it under enhanced surveillance again in 2023. A SpiceJet spokesperson sought more time to comment on the latest action. The Hindu daily reported earlier in the day that SpiceJet had to operate empty flights from Dubai as passengers were not allowed to check in because of the airline's unpaid airport dues, marking at least the second such disruption this month. The current disruption is the latest in a long list of troubles for SpiceJet, which has struggled to fully restore operations despite multiple fundraises over the last year. A SpiceJet spokesperson said the cancellations were "due to operational issues" and affected passengers were accommodated on subsequent SpiceJet flights, on other airlines or provided with a full refund. All scheduled flights from Dubai were now operating as planned, according to the spokesperson. Dubai Airports declined a Reuters request for comment. Some of SpiceJet's lessors took it to court to settle unpaid dues and also requested that India's aviation regulator de-register its planes. This led to the airline's aircraft being grounded and has weighed on its results, including in the first quarter. (Reporting by Aditi Shah, Hritam Mukherjee, Nandan Mandayam, Manvi Pant and Ashna Britto; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee, Sonia Cheema, Mrigank Dhaniwala, Dhanya Skariachan and Pooja Desai) Senator JD Vance said Vice President Kamala Harris can go to Hell at a recent campaign event. Vances comments came during a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania on Wednesday afternoon while speaking about President Joe Bidens withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in 2021. Kamala Harris is so asleep at the wheel that she wont even do an investigation into what happened and she wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up, she can go to Hell, Vance said at the campaign rally. Vances comments came as he responded to a reporters question about an incident at Arlington National Cemetery earlier this week. The Trump campaign visited the site for the third anniversary of Abbey Gate, where 13 American troops and 170 Afghan civilians died in a terrorist attack in August 2021 as the US pulled out of Afghanistan. A recent NPR report claimed a Trump campaign staffer verbally abused and pushed a cemetery official who tried to stop them from filming and photographing in Section 60, where troops who have recently died are buried. JD Vance told Kamala Harris to go to Hell at a recent campaign event in Erie, Pennsylvania (Getty Images) There is verifiable evidence that the campaign was allowed to have a photographer there, Vance said. Theres verifiable they were invited to have a photographer there. Theres verifiable evidence that the families of these poor people, who had their loved ones die three years ago at Abbey Road, they had excuse me, Abbey Gate those 13 Americans, a lot of them were there with the president, they invited him to be there and to support them, Vance continued. Arlington National Cemetery confirmed in a previous statement to The Independent that there was an incident, and a report was filed. A US Army spokesperson also confirmed on Thursday morning that a cemetery employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside. That employee has decided not to press charges, according to the spokesperson. This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked, the spokesperson said. When previously reached for comment by The Independent, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung denied that there was any physical altercation and vowed to release video to back up his claim. Vance later told NBC News his comment that Harris should go to Hell came amid a wave of frustration. Sometimes I get frustrated, and sometimes I get pissed off, Vance told the outlet. And I think Kamala Harris failure of leadership at Abbey Gate is something to get frustrated and angry about. Meanwhile, Harriss campaign released a statement commemorating the anniversary. I will fulfill our sacred obligation to care for our troops and their families and I will always honor their service and sacrifice, Harris said in a statement. President Biden made the courageous and right decision to end Americas longest war, she continued. Her Death Was Ruled A Suicide. Now A Former Officer Is Charged With Killing Her To Hide His Abuse. A former Stoughton, Massachusetts, police detective this week was charged with killing a pregnant woman whom he had allegedly sexually exploited since she was 15 and part of a youth vocational program. The death of 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore in 2021 was initially ruled a suicide, but her family and supporters spoke out about her death for years, claiming to local media, in posts online and in a lawsuit that Matthew Farwell allegedly the father of her unborn child was responsible. Then on Wednesday, federal authorities dropped the bombshell that Farwell had been indicted on a count of killing a witness or victim and alleged that he had staged Birchmores death as a suicide to keep her from speaking up about his potential commission of crimes. Farwell was taken into custody; his attorneys did not immediately respond to HuffPosts requests for comment. Matthew Farwells gun and badge did not grant him authority to violate the Constitution, and it certainly didnt entitle him to sexually exploit, abuse and rape a child before killing her and her unborn baby in an attempt to cover up his alleged crimes, Stephen Kelleher, an FBI assistant special agent in charge, told reporters. Sandra Birchmore is shown in a photo, via a "Justice For Sandra Birchmore" website. Justice For Sandra Birchmore According to a bail motion obtained by HuffPost, Birchmore first applied for a local Police Explorers program in March 2010 when she was 12. Farwell was a volunteer for the vocational program before joining the Stoughton Police Department in 2012, and then became a Police Explorers instructor. Prosecutors said that Farwell began communicating with Birchmore online by 2012, when he was 26 and she was 15, and would meet her at the Stoughton Public Library where he would sexually groom her under the guise of providing academic tutoring. His sexual abuse began in 2013, prosecutors said, but a text message cited in the bail motion appeared to show Farwell telling Birchmore that he would have liked to have sex with her when she was even younger. And when Birchmore became a legal adult, Farwell allegedly cultivated a controlling and sometimes abusive relationship. Some sexual encounters happened while he was on duty, according to prosecutors, who said that Farwells acts could be violations of federal laws including coercion and enticement, deprivation of rights under color of law and wire fraud. In October 2020, Birchmore told Farwell that she wanted to have a child. The two came to an agreement for Farwell to impregnate Birchmore in exchange for her silence about the criminal sexual encounters, prosecutors said. But when Birchmore told him that she was pregnant that December, the bail motion said that he responded poorly. He became physically violent with Birchmore, prosecutors wrote. She told multiple friends that Farwell had pushed and shoved her, grabbed objects from her hands, and put her in a chokehold. One of Birchmores friends called the Stoughton Police Department in January 2021 and allegedly spoke up about the sexual abuse. An employee with the department later informed Farwell of the call, with prosecutors saying that he then angrily demanded that the employee never tell anyone about the information. Farwell allegedly confronted Birchmore, texting her: what else do I have to worry about now? Which other friend will do something tomorrow. It was at this point that prosecutors said he began plotting to kill her. On Feb. 1, 2021, Farwell told Birchmore that he was going to her apartment and he then entered wearing a face mask, prosecutors said. He allegedly strangled Birchmore before repositioning her body. First responders later found Birchmore in a seated position with a strap around her neck and door knob, the bail motion said. The state medical examiners office ruled her death a suicide months later. But her family members believed Farwell was responsible, and thousands of people joined a Facebook page about Birchmores death. Her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in December 2022, accusing Farwell and two other Stoughton officers Robert Devine and Farwells brother William Farwell of pushing the 23-year-old to suicide. The family alleged in the suit that the men engaged in sex acts with Birchmore while she was a minor and part of the Police Explorers program. In response, all three either denied or claimed to not have enough knowledge to confirm or deny their responsibility in the death. Litigation remains ongoing. The three men voluntarily left their jobs with Stoughton police in 2022, The Boston Globe reported. Earlier this year, a forensic pathologist hired by Birchmores family said that her death was a homicide, according to the Globe. A message on a Justice for Sandra Birchmore website described this weeks indictment of Matthew Farwell as an important move. This is not the end. It is just the beginning to getting Sandra and her unborn child the justice they deserve. It is also important to note that this indictment could save countless other women from the evil of Matthew Farwell, the site said. And what about the others? Only time will tell if William Farwell and Robert Devine will be charged, as well. Donna McNamara, the chief of Stoughton police, praised the federal indictment of Matthew Farwell, calling Birchmores death a horrific injustice. The allegations against the suspect, a former Stoughton Police Officer, represent the single worst act of not just professional misconduct but indeed human indecency that I have observed in a nearly three-decade career in law enforcement, McNamara said. Dive deep into true crime cases and follow the latest headlines with HuffPosts Suspicious Circumstances newsletter. Sign up here. Related... Hickory Fair has something for everyone The gates opened Thursday afternoon for the 111th Annual Hickory Fair where its success could hinge on this weekends weather. Saved my life: Man credits good Samaritans with his escape from Hickory house fire Thousands of people go to the Catawba County Fairgrounds and the veterans who run it told Channel 9s Dave Faherty that weather is the No. 1 factor on whether people show up. Veteran Gary Price said that despite the nearly 100-degree heat index Wednesday night, people came out on opening night to enjoy all the rides. The North Carolina Department of Labor inspected the 33 rides on the grounds, organizers said. They told Faherty the fair offers food, live music, local agricultural products, a craft barn, and more. The fair runs through Labor Day and veterans and seniors can get in at half price Friday night. An insurance underwriter who was rescued on a central Colorado mountain after allegedly being left behind by his co-workers was hiking to raise money for World Central Kitchen, according to his company. The hiker, 46-year-old Steve Stephanides, was rescued on Saturday after enduring a night stuck on 14,230-foot Mt. Shavano during a freezing rain storm, officials said. Contacted by ABC News on Wednesday, Stephanides said his company, the Beazley global insurance firm, was still gathering facts about the expedition and referred all questions to his company's spokesperson. Beazley CEO Adrian Cox, who is based in London, released a statement Thursday morning to ABC News, praising the Chaffee County Search and Rescue -- South, an all-volunteer rescue team in Colorado, for saving his employee's life. PHOTO: Volunteer rescuers carry hiker Steve Stephanides, who became disoriented and lost on a 14,230-foot mountain in central Colorado after his work colleagues allegedly left him behind alone on an office charity hiking trip. (Chaffee County Search and Rescue South/Facebook) "We are very grateful to the Chaffee County Search and Rescue South who came to the aid of one of our employees after he encountered difficulties during a charity hike. Chaffee County SAR's swift response and brave actions, during adverse weather conditions, ensured that our colleague was rescued and returned safely," Cox said. A spokesperson for Beazley confirmed to ABC News that company employees were on Mt. Shavano as a part of an annual charity hiking trip to raise money for World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit humanitarian organization founded in 2010 by celebrity chef Jose Andres to deliver meals in disaster areas around the globe, including war zones in Ukraine and Gaza. PHOTO: Volunteer rescuers carry hiker Steve Stephanides, who became disoriented and lost on a 14,230-foot mountain in central Colorado after his work colleagues allegedly left him behind alone on an office charity hiking trip. (Chaffee County Search and Rescue South/Facebook) "This charity hike has been running for over a decade and many individuals have participated on multiple occasions," Cox said. "We are proud of their commitment to their fundraising efforts and will continue to work with those involved to ensure they fully recover from this incident and get the support they need." Cox did not provide additional details on how the near tragedy occurred on the annual office charity hike. "In what might cause some awkward encounters at the office in the coming days and weeks, one member of their party was left to complete his final summit push alone," Chaffee County Search and Rescue -- South said in a statement. Previous online posts and photos from Beazley colleagues indicate that this was at least the second year in a row Stephanides has participated in the charity hike. The office outing gone wrong unfolded Friday on Mt. Shavano in central Colorado's San Isabel National Forest, according to Danny Andres, president of the volunteer rescue group. "Our subject was getting close to the summit and took a break, and some of the people who were in his group were starting to head down," Danny Andres told ABC's "Good Morning America" Thursday. "He decided to carry on up the summit." While 14 employees made it down the mountain safely, rescue officials said one was left to complete the summit solo. Andres said the worker made it to the summit at 11:30 a.m., but when he tried to descend, he became "disoriented as to where the trail was." The hiker used his cellphone to pin-drop his location to his co-workers, who informed him that he was on the wrong route and instructed him to hike back up to the summit to get to the correct trail down, rescue officials said in a statement. "In his initial attempts to descend, he found himself in the steep boulder and scree field on the northeast slopes toward Shavano Lake," according to officials. PHOTO: Volunteer rescuers carry hiker Steve Stephanides, who became disoriented and lost on a 14,230-foot mountain in central Colorado after his work colleagues allegedly left him behind alone on an office charity hiking trip. (Chaffee County Search and Rescue South/Facebook) MORE: 89-year-old hiker missing in Idaho Just before 4 p.m. local time on Friday, Stephanides sent another location pin-drop to his colleagues that he was near the correct trail. Shortly after that message, a strong storm passed through the area with freezing rain and high winds, rescue officials said in a statement. "Being in those kind of cold, freezing rain, winds -- it takes a toll on you," Andres said. At least seven different rescue teams from across Colorado were involved in the search for Stephanides. Stephanides also lost his cellphone reception on the way down the mountain, and following his rescue, told lifesavers he had fallen at least 20 times on the steep slopes and was unable to get up the last time he fell. PHOTO: The rescue helicopter used in the rescue of hiker Steve Stephanides, who became disoriented and lost on a 14,230-foot mountain in central Colorado after his work colleagues allegedly left him behind alone on an office charity hiking trip. (Chaffee County Search and Rescue South) Making matters worse, Stephanides' colleagues had inexplicably collected belongings left in a boulder field to mark the path down, officials said. When his colleagues didn't hear from him, they reported Stephanides missing at 9 p.m., some eight-and-a-half hours after he started his descent, officials said. MORE: 13 hikers, including several children, rescued after getting lost on Arizona trail amid high heat Rescue teams found Stephanides in a gully near a drainage creek and carried him down the mountain on a gurney, officials said. He was and taken to a hospital in stable condition, officials said. Rescuers said Stephanides was "phenomenally lucky" that the weather cleared on Saturday and he regained enough cellphone service to call 911. All of the teams that were involved are all volunteer rescuers," Andres said. "Its tiring, but its rewarding when we go out and find people and are able to reunite them with their loved ones. Its fantastic." ABC News' Laryssa Demkiw and Emme Marchese contributed to this report. Hiker allegedly stranded by co-workers on Colorado mountain was raising money for World Central Kitchen originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Homeless count dips in Miami Beach amid arrests. Is that related to an uptick in Miami? Miami-Dade Countys unsheltered homeless population has held relatively steady since last summer, hovering around 1,000 people. But a breakdown of the numbers recently released by the countys Homeless Trust shows a decrease in Miami Beach from 152 people last August to 132 now and an increase in Miami from 534 people to 619 that caught the attention of Homeless Trust Chairman Ron Book. Book said that, while its too soon to draw definitive conclusions, the figures raise questions about whether heightened enforcement of an outdoor sleeping ban in Miami Beach may be resulting in homeless people migrating across the bay. I think its too early to answer that, but clearly theres a population shifting from the Beach, Book said. Data from the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust compares unsheltered homeless overnight counts in August 2023 and August 2024. The countywide total of unsheltered people in an Aug. 22 overnight count was 1,004, up from 980 last August. The Homeless Trust has not yet released updated data on how many people are staying in homeless shelters countywide. As of last August, that number was 2,740. Our shelters are bursting at the seams, Book said. The Homeless Trust does two counts of the unsheltered population per year, one in January and another in August. The organization prefers to compare its August point-in-time counts with past years August counts, saying its the best way to measure changes in the homeless population over time. In January, the unsheltered count was 631 people in Miami and 154 in Miami Beach. Despite the number of unsheltered people in Miami decreasing slightly from January to August, Book said the overall trend indicates an uptick in Miamis homeless population. The bottom line is, Miami clearly had the only real increase, Book said. The stress of being unsheltered is overwhelming as a woman, left, speaks with Homeless Trust Chairman Ron Book, right, about her needs. The Homeless Trust and Miami Beach officials canvassed Lincoln Road Mall on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Miami Beach, Florida, to attempt to count the unsheltered population as part of a broader Miami-Dade count. Miami Beach police have made more than 200 arrests for illegal camping under the revised ordinance that took effect in October, according to a city memo issued last week. Under the ordinance, police must give people experiencing homelessness a chance to accept shelter before making an arrest. There are no shelter beds in Miami Beach, but the city has contracts for more than 70 beds at shelters in Miami. READ MORE: It is inhumane: Miami Beach ramps up enforcement of sleeping law aimed at homeless In late July, Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner announced an initiative, Operation Summer Relief, with a goal of not having any homeless person living on our streets in August. Meiner has called the citys approach compassionate and a form of tough love, saying it gives homeless people a chance to accept shelter and other services and only imposes penalties if they refuse to do so. Homeless advocates disagree, arguing that the citys offerings dont include permanent affordable housing and that making arrests just perpetuates the cycle of homelessness once the person is released. You cant arrest your way out of homelessness, Book said. The canvassing teams reflections are cast off a storefront window on Lincoln Road as they stop to regroup before continuing the count of the homeless unsheltered population on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Miami Beach, Florida. Officials in Miami are taking note of the aggressive posture in Miami Beach and, like Book, are wondering if its having an effect on their city. Miami City Commissioner Damian Pardo, whose district includes downtown, said Wednesday that reducing homelessness requires a collaborative effort between municipalities. This should be a regional issue, and we should approach it with regional policy, Pardo said. If youre just moving a situation to different parts of an area, no one wins. That means working in tandem instead of acting in silos, Pardo said, though he said he doesnt know enough about the full impact of Miami Beachs policies to independently determine if they have contributed to an increased homeless population in Miami. The canvassing team pauses as Ron Book, center, engages in conversation during the count of the unsheltered population on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Miami Beach, Florida. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who vowed to prioritize reducing homelessness in his State of the City address in January, said in a statement Wednesday that he was encouraged by the latest figures showing a slight decrease in the citys homeless population since January. Suarez said the city has allocated about $2 million and plans to allocate an additional $2 million to support organizations that serve individuals who are homeless or are suffering from homeless situations, in addition to the citys regular budgetary allocations. Thanks to these measures our count has decreased, Suarez said. We are seeing progress in our 631 number from January 2024 to 619 in August 2024. We will continue to monitor and interact with other municipalities to see if theres any correlation in the steps being taken to address homelessness. A Miami Beach spokesperson did not respond to questions Wednesday about the latest Homeless Trust figures. Last week, as he observed the overnight homeless count on Lincoln Road Mall, Miami Beach City Manager Eric Carpenter told the Herald the city is trying to do what we think is best for both the constituents that are homeless as well as the rest of the city. Were trying to constantly strike that balance, he said. I do think that we are giving people every opportunity to choose to accept our services and hopefully get themselves in a better place in life. Miami Beach police officers escort a team conducting a homeless point-in-time count on Lincoln Road Mall on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Miami Beach, Florida. The Homeless Trusts point-in-time counts are seen as the best available estimate of the countys population of people without housing. But the process is far from scientific. Last Thursday, Homeless Trust staff, city officials and police split into teams across the county, walking the streets to identify individuals who appeared to be homeless or who officials recognized from their work in the community. In Miami Beach, the teams were instructed to determine whether people were homeless based on their judgment and expertise without asking them directly about their situations, in an effort to make the process more efficient. The goal is to make sure we are counting everybody thats out there, Book told workers who gathered at Miami Beachs Homeless Outreach office in South Beach before the count. The unsheltered population in Miami-Dade County pales in comparison to that of many other large metro areas. In San Francisco, for example, a recent point-in-time count indicated there were more than 4,300 unsheltered people citywide. Miami-Dades total population is more than three times that of San Francisco. Still, a new Florida law is putting pressure on local governments to further reduce their unsheltered populations. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1365 into law in March at a news conference in Miami Beach, forbidding cities and counties from allowing people to sleep or camp in public spaces beginning Oct. 1. The law will allow people, businesses and the attorney general to sue local governments to force them to remove homeless people from the streets starting Jan. 1. Those communities could instead create camps away from neighborhoods and businesses approved by the Department of Children and Families. Most communities would have to offer security, sanitation and behavioral health services to people staying at the camps. Alba Tarre, director of Miami Beachs Office of Housing and Community Services, helps with canvassing in Lincoln Road Mall on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. Book, who works as a powerful Tallahassee lobbyist in addition to running the Homeless Trust, voiced support for the legislation earlier this year, saying he was encouraged by state leaders tackling the issue of homelessness despite his opposition to establishing mass encampments. He was more critical of the law in an interview with the Herald on Wednesday. The encampment law is not a good law, Book said. We dont think its good, and we dont like it. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. A federal grand jury in Springfield has indicted a Honduran national for the sexual exploitation of a child on Wednesday, August 28. A federal criminal complaint was initially filed against 22-year-old Celso Noe Chacon-Arriaga on August 8, 2024, which was replaced by the two-count indictment on Wednesday. West Plains man accused of stalking 17-year-old girl From Nov. 21 to Dec. 30, 2020, Chacon-Arriaga allegedly produced child pornography with a minor victim along with receiving and distributing child pornography while he was living in Springfield. An affidavit filed with the original complaint states that Chacon-Arriaga sent and received sexually explicit messages with an 11-year-old victim on Facebook Messenger and received sexually explicit images and photos from the child victim. Homeland Security Investigations, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force and the Springfield Police Department investigated the case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. The latest attempt by the United States alongside Qatar and Egypt to find an agreement for a cease-fire has again failed to produce a breakthrough. A well-respected Palestinian TV commentator, Nasser Laham, argued that in the last 40 years, every time the United States has tried to mediate in the Middle East conflict, it has failed. He noted that the Oslo accords were reached without U.S. involvement, and he quoted top Israeli and Palestinian leaders agreeing not to tell the Americans, otherwise they might thwart the effort. This is not to say that the Americans are not genuine in pursuing the current effort for a cease-fire. Certainly, a cease-fire would be a dream come true for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. But it is logically impossible to be a strong ally to one party and an honest broker at the same time. When President Biden says he is a Zionist and Secretary of State Antony Blinken reminds everyone on his first visit to Tel Aviv that he is coming to Israel as a Jew, it is hard to expect people with deep bias to be able to dissuade an Israeli leader intent on the war continuing as long as possible so he can stay in power and out of jail. American officials, including Blinken, have violated and ignored clear U.S. law about the use of defensive weapons in an offensive way that kills children and women indiscriminately. No wonder Americans opposed to the Israeli war on Gaza are calling for an arms embargo on a country accused of war crimes and possible genocide. Even President Biden agreed that the protestors outside the Democratic convention had a point, yet no weapons embargo was decided upon. Sure there are domestic pressures on the White House, but that is exactly why the U.S. is in a difficult position of being an ally and a neutral arbitrator at the same time. The Biden administration has also violated U.S. law that forbids sending funds to any government that impedes the delivery of basic humanitarian supplies. That is what is happening in Gaza without U.S. officials insisting on the honest execution of American law. The Americans are also abandoning their trusted Arab allies as the Israelis insist on violating the U.S.-sponsored 1977 Camp David accords and the succeeding annexes after the U.S.-supervised 1993 Declaration of Principles. The presence of Israeli troops on the Philadelphi corridor between Egypt and Gaza is a clear violation of those agreements, yet the U.S. is allowing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to suggest that Israel need only withdraw one kilometer from the 14-kilometer border area. Instead, Washington should side with its Egyptian ally and with signed peace agreements. The failed efforts to reach a cease-fire are also happening because of the way the talks are being conducted and the spin that they are getting. The powerful U.S. and Israeli media machines continuously claim that Hamas was the party that rejected the latest cease-fire proposal. However, a careful reading of the official statement of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) shows that they have in fact accepted the earlier Biden proposal, which was also approved by the United Nations Security Council. The problem that has been dogging any breakthrough is that of trust and the efforts of Netanyahu to constantly move the goalposts in a clever effort to always blame Hamas for rejecting the proposal. U.S. and Arab mediators always begin with the Israeli proposal and then offer it to Hamas to get the Islamic movement to take the blame for its rejection. The major sticking point is important. Hamas as well as all Palestinians and the entire world (and indeed many voices within Israel) want this war to end. Any proposal without a clear end of war and Israeli military withdrawal will ultimately fail. Wars end with a cease-fire that is well observed, an exchange of prisoners, and a sincere effort aimed at tackling the root causes of the violence. Netanyahu, who is hobbled by corruption cases and a mandatory neutral investigation of Israeli actions surrounding Hamass October 7 attack, doesnt want to end the war without his version of a victory, which includes the (probably impossible) annihilation of a deep-rooted Palestinian resistance movement and the unilateral release of Israeli soldiers and civilians. Americans and many well-respected Israeli experts and veteran retired military officials keep telling him that this will not happen. The United States and its weak Arab negotiators have a clear path that they can follow but have resisted doing so. The United Nations Security Council is the worlds top body for peace and security. The UNSC has ordered a cease-fire, but Israel has refused to even pay attention to the mandatory decision of the Security Council. The United Nations Charter has a special chapter (Chapter VII) that deals with what to do with parties that refuse to implement mandatory decisions by its Security Council. If negotiators for an end to the war are serious, they can simply pass a resolution that details steps to ending the war that doesnt include any vague opening for the Israeli army to stay in Gaza. Such a resolution would include a prisoner exchange (including the release of remaining hostages), an observation mechanism for its implementation, and a path to the globally accepted two-state solution. It should also include a mention of Chapter VII sanctions to any party that refuses to implement its provisions. The United States, whose president began the current process with a proposal that both Israel and Hamas have accepted, should want to make sure that both parties know that they mean what they say by agreeing on a text that the world community can support and will end this carnage. Doing the same thing over and over will not resolve the problem even if the head of the CIA is involved. The time has come for a global cease-fire offer that is fair and that includes a clear clause for an immediate end of the war and an Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. Continuing the current process is playing into the hands of the Israeli prime minister, whose interests are focused on his own political survival. Allowing Israel to get away with its unending revenge war in which so many thousands of Palestinians have been killed and are suffering is a formula for disaster and an invitation for the widening of a conflict that everyone wants to end immediately. (Bloomberg) -- A Hong Kong court found two former editors guilty for publishing articles about pro-democracy activists that were deemed seditious, convicting journalists of sedition charges for the first time in decades and deepening press freedom concerns. Most Read from Bloomberg The citys District Court on Thursday announced the conviction of Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, top editors at the shuttered pro-democracy publisher Stand News, and its parent company. The sedition case is the first involving a media outlet since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule. The trial was seen as a barometer for press freedom in the once-freewheeling finance hub after Chinese authorities crushed dissent with a national security law in response to massive protests in 2019 advocating for greater democracy. Chung and Lam were charged with taking part in a conspiracy to publish and reproduce seditious publications, an offense punishable by up to two years in jail. They pleaded not guilty when the trial began in 2022. Prosecutors cited 17 articles published by Stand News in 2020 and 2021 as evidence, such as interviews with pro-democracy activists, including those who were found guilty in a separate case under the Beijing-imposed national security law. The court ruled that 11 of the articles had seditious intentions, including some that attacked the national security law and others that reviled Beijing authorities without objective basis. It alleged that Stand News sought to promote Hong Kong local autonomy and became a tool to smear and vilify the central and local authorities. The decision, announced to a courtroom packed with members of the public and the media, has prompted criticism from a local press union and Western governments. Journalism is not a crime, said a spokesperson for the US consulate, who observed the ruling alongside representatives from the UK and EU missions. The Hong Kong courts conviction of the former chief editors of Stand News for sedition is a direct attack on media freedom. The EUs diplomatic service said the ruling risks further inhibiting the pluralistic exchange of ideas and the free flow of information. A UK foreign office minister called on Hong Kong authorities to end politicised prosecutions of journalists in a post on social media platform X. A Hong Kong government spokesperson said the ruling signifies justice being firmly upheld in a statement released late Thursday. Claims by individual media organisations which disregard facts, as well as anti-China and destabilising individuals, foreign politicians and organisations with vicious motives, which accused the verdict of suppressing freedom of the press are utterly unfounded, they said. Before Beijings crackdown on liberties raised concerns over Hong Kongs status as a financial hub, the city was known as a haven for free speech and home to a vibrant media landscape that set it apart from mainland China, where such freedoms are unheard of. Hong Kongs independent legal system remains a major draw for global firms, but an unprecedented wave of departures of top foreign judges has added to worries over the future of the rule of law in the city. Its top court, established in 1997 after the handover, has seen about half of its 15 overseas judges step down from a 2019 peak. Chung and Lam were charged under a colonial-era sedition law revived in recent years to target critics, including a radio host who was found guilty of uttering seditious phrases. Hong Kong Journalists Association said the case exemplifies the decline of press freedom in the city. We strongly oppose using sedition laws including those set out in the new Safeguarding National Security Ordinance to prosecute people exercising their constitutional right to conduct journalism, the organization said in a statement, referring to new national security legislation the city introduced in March that raised the maximum penalty for sedition to as many as 10 years in prison. Stand News, which extensively covered the 2019 protests, folded at the end of 2021 after authorities raided its office and froze its assets. That followed similar raids of the office of Apple Daily and its parent company Next Digital, whose former editors and founder Jimmy Lai have also been accused of publishing seditious materials. Lai will take the stand to defend himself in a major national security case later this year after a court dismissed his bid to quash charges that could see the 76-year-old locked up for life. Lais lawyers will defend the pro-democracy tycoon when the hearing resumes on November 20. Two dozen governments have criticized Hong Kong and Chinese authorities for attacks on press freedom and the suppression of independent local media in the city, citing the cases of Stand News and Apple Daily. Hong Kong ranks 135 out of 180 places in the World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders, declining from 18th place in the span of two decades. (Updates with comments from Hong Kong and UK officials.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Updated Aug 30, 2024, 8:33am EDT The News A Hong Kong court convicted two editors at the now-defunct pro-democracy outlet Stand News for conspiring to publish seditious articles Thursday, in a landmark case illustrating the citys crackdown on dissent in light of its national security law. Media advocacy groups condemned the ruling; a US State Department spokesperson wrote on X that it was a direct attack on media freedom. Stand News, which shut down shortly after the editors arrest in 2021 to avoid broader consequences, had become a prominent outlet after it covered Hong Kongs 2019 pro-democracy protests, Reuters reported. I think of Stand News as a point of no return because it was very free, and with great ideals, a former reporter for the outlet told Reuters. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. China has broken its promises to preserve freedom Sources: Council on Foreign Relations, The New York Times, Semafor When Hong Kong was handed back to China from Britain in 1997, Beijing promised to preserve the citys freedoms for 50 years but has since systematically cracked down on them, the Council on Foreign Relations noted. The Stand News case is seen as a huge blow to press freedom in the city that had already been severely restricted since China imposed its draconian national security law in 2020, in an attempt to quash dissent. Local news organizations self-censor to avoid scrutiny from authorities, The New York Times reported, and some foreign outlets have left. The remaining ones are fighting a quiet battle under pressure from Beijing, Semafor reported after the firing of a Wall Street Journal reporter in July. Press freedom declining around the world Source: Reporters Sans Frontieres Once among the highest-ranking countries for journalists in Asia, Hong Kong has experienced a steep decline in press freedom dropping to the 135th out of 180, according to French nonprofit Reporters Sans Frontieres. But press freedom is dwindling outside of Hong Kong, too, as countries tighten restrictions and international bodies like the UN show a clear lack of political will in enforcing principles to protect journalists, the organization added. The nonprofit estimates that conditions for journalists were satisfactory only in one quarter of the worlds countries and good in only eight of them. Beijings crackdown affecting Hong Kongs reputation as an economic hub Sources: DW, Semafor Chinas sweeping crackdown on dissent is affecting Hong Kongs reputation as an Asian financial hub, Semafors Liz Hoffman and DW reported. The city is at an economic crossroads, Hoffman wrote, as it walks a fine line between maintaining its status of being a center for trade with the West while still showing loyalty to Beijing. If youre trying to restrict freedom of association, assembly and expression, youre going to have a spillover effect on rule of law and economic freedom, a fellow at Canadas Fraser Institute told DW. This has left room for other Asian hubs to take a bigger share of business, the outlet added, like Singapore, which has benefited from the US policy of friendshoring prioritizing supply chain production in countries it sees as allies. We recently published a list of 15 Best Stocks to Buy According to Hosking Partners. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Elevance Health, Inc.s (NYSE:ELV) stands against the other best stocks to buy according to Hosking Partners. Hosking Partners was established in 2013 by Jeremy Hosking as an independent partnership that offers a single global equity strategy. The firm appeals to investors seeking long-term returns and innovative thinking employing a capital cycle approach to investing. It has a diverse set of stocks in its portfolio that belong to a variety of industries consisting of AI, shipping, and financial services, among others. Jeremy Hosking earned an MA from the University of Cambridge, after which he served Marathon Asset Management 26 years as a founding partner and lead portfolio manager. There he contributed to developing the capital cycle approach to investment. In its recent blog about shipping, Hosking Partners believes that understanding the cycles in different classes of shipping and global trends is essential for successful investment in the industry. Currently, Shipping (covering the container, dry bulk, product tanker and LNG sub-sectors) represents 1.25% of the portfolio. Global trade has declined as a percentage of GDP since 2010 caused by deglobalization, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical instability from the Russia-Ukraine war. This trend, coupled with the energy transition, is expected to constrain future supply and increase commodity price volatility, benefiting shipping by enabling cross-border trade. Furthermore, shipping is a significant emitter of CO2, accounting for about 3% of global emissions. Environmental regulations aim to reduce emissions, but uncertainty over future fuel technology deters investment in new ships, leading to a tighter supply. The industrys efficiency, measured by emissions per tonne-km, remains high compared to other transport modes. The shipping industry is at a pivotal juncture, with significant transformations driven by AI, the energy transition, and ESG considerations. Another industry that Hosking Partners talks about is copper mining. Copper is often seen as a barometer for economic health and is crucial for the energy transition, including electric vehicles, power grids, and wind turbines. Wall Street banks are optimistic about copper prices, forecasting significant gains. Citi analysts suggest that prices could surge to over $15,000 per ton in the next 2-3 years if a strong economic recovery occurs, while their base case projects a rise to $12,000 per ton with modest demand growth through 2025 and 2026. Bank of America has also increased its 2024 copper price target to $9,321 from $8,625, citing tight mine supply and high demand driven by the energy transition as key factors. Story continues However, some experts are cautious. Colin Hamilton of BMO Capital Markets argues that commodity markets tend to self-correct, and if supply issues persist, demand may adjust, potentially leading to lower prices. Hamilton suggests that while high price targets might be temporarily achievable, adjustments in demand could follow. The market may see a modest surplus due to increased mined supply, which is projected to grow by 4-4.5%. This is largely driven by new greenfield and brownfield projects. Despite the near-term surplus, long-term scarcity is anticipated as regulatory and political challenges in South America could impede the development of new mines. At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here). Is Elevance Health, Inc.s (ELV) Best Stock to Buy According to Hosking Partners? A medical professional working at a computer, utilizing the company's digital solutions to improve care quality for consumers. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) Hosking Partners Stake Value: $56,076,008 Percentage of Hosking Partners 13F Portfolio: 2.07% Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 73 Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE: ELV) operates as a health benefits company in the United States through its subsidiaries, managing Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in 14 states and holding licenses to sell health insurance nationwide. The company offers various health plans, including employer-sponsored and individual plans, Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplements, and Medicaid. Recently, Elevance partnered with private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) to expand its primary care services. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) for the second quarter reported GAAP diluted earnings per share of $9.85 and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $10.12, which indicates a year-over-year growth of 12%. At the conclusion of the second quarter, the company had 45.8 million members, primarily due to a decline in Medicaid membership. The commercial fee-based segment experienced an increase of 354,000 lives compared to the previous year, underscoring the significant value offered to self-insured employers and the robust reputation of the Blue Cross Blue Shield brand. Furthermore, the strategic positioning of Elevance Health, Inc.s (NYSE:ELV) individual ACA products has effectively facilitated strong and profitable growth. Baron Health Care Fund stated the following regarding Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) in its Q2 2024 investor letter: We added to the position in Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV), a leading managed care company. We think Elevance Health is well positioned to grow earnings double digits driven in part by its growing health care services business. Managed health care stocks continued to be weighed down by Medicare Advantage utilization and reimbursement concerns. Lack of near-term visibility on utilization trends was exacerbated by the Change Healthcare cyberattack, which disrupted payors normal utilization review and claims adjudication processes while new CMS rules are restricting the number of lower cost hospital observation stays in favor of full inpatient admissions. We believe our managed care holdings are likely to perform better in the second half of the year as investors look to 2025. Elevance Health, Inc., with its more balanced member mix, has its own unique and unappreciated growth drivers which include the ongoing scaling of its PBM and Specialty Pharmacy and the continued growth of its Carelon Services. We note a Republican win in the upcoming election could result in a more favorable environment for Medicare Advantage companies after two years of adverse Medicare Advantage rate updates under the Biden administration. Overall ELV ranks 12th on our list of the best stocks to buy according to Hosking Partners. While we acknowledge the potential of ELV as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ELV but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: $30 Trillion Opportunity: 15 Best Humanoid Robot Stocks to Buy According to Morgan Stanley and Jim Cramer Says NVIDIA Has Become A Wasteland. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. TYLER, Texas (KETK) Jasilyn Schaefer is the true definition of an Apache Belle and after 13 years she is leaving behind a legacy. I will never forget this place: TJC tennis star talks journey from India to East Texas Its amazing how quickly our years go, Schaefer, the director of the Apache Belles, said. Schaefer joined as a student on the line back in 1996. Then served as a graduate assistant for the team, before serving as their director for 13 years. Now its time for her to step down. Photos courtesy of Jasilyn Schaefer Photos courtesy of Jasilyn Schaefer Photos courtesy of Jasilyn Schaefer You know, it sounds strange to say youre excited to leave them, but I really feel a sense of peace that my mission and my time with this organization has been complete, Schaefer said. Photo courtesy of TJC Apache Belles As director, it has meant giving up Thanksgiving, spring breaks, and weekends but now, she is turning her focus to her first family. Just pour back into my family that has been incredibly supportive during this very demanding job, Schaefer said. During her time as director Schaefer has restored traditions part of the belles 75-plus year history, like old uniforms, helping create a full-ride scholarship and re-introducing the Belles to the world. We visited Japan, South Korea, Ireland twice, Costa Rica, we performed aboard two cruise ships that made multiple stops outside of the United States, Schaefer said. To Schaefer, her job was more than just being director, and will never forget time spent with the hundred of girls that have come through. Worth more than gold: Event celebrating children battling cancer takes place in Tyler We say, Apache Belles, Apache Belles, Belles number one, we are Apache and we end it with, oh, how I love Apache Belles, hey, and so I think Ill miss hearing that at the end of practice every day, but it is so true, oh, how I love Apache Belles, Schaefer said. Photo courtesy of TJC Apache Belles Above all other bittersweet emotions, Schaefer is proud of her time with the Apache Belles. An honor, its been an honor to serve, Schaefer said. Schaefers last day will be Thursday, August 29th, and she says the hunt for a new director for the Apache Belles has started. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Nurses in a Riverside County hospital say theyre worried about their pregnant patients, many of whom are from underserved communities, after learning that the facilitys labor and delivery department will be shuttered in the coming months. Officials at Hemet Global Medical Center delivered the news that the obstetrics department would be suspended for at least a year in a Friday meeting last week, telling the nurses assigned to the unit that women who need to deliver will be referred to the hospitals emergency department. As for staff that work in the labor and delivery facility, including some who have been there for decades, they say theyre basically left unemployed. They said they were letting us all go, Andrea Lunetta, a registered nurse in the facility, told KTLAs Shelby Nelson. However, if there were any positions in the hospital in other departments that were open, we could take those. Hemet hospital closing labor and delivery department Lunetta has been a postpartum nurse at Hemet Global Medical Center for years and says there is a lot more than just delivering the baby that is involved in the work. For example, giving birth can come with complications during delivery, hemorrhaging can be an issue or premature births. There is also the treatment care of the child and mother after delivery. Another issue, according to Lunetta who said the closure is set for Oct. 31, is that their jobs in labor and delivery are highly specialized. So, for many of the nurses, it doesnt make sense to move to a cardiac or surgical department where they have never worked before. Officials at the hospital explained the decision was due to low volume and a shortage of physician coverage. While many of the nurses are concerned about their jobs, theyre also worried about the impact the decision will have on the surrounding community, much of which is underserved in relation to healthcare. Hemet hospital closing labor and delivery department The hospital frequently cares for high-risk pregnancies and many of the patients are low-income, making it difficult, if not impossible, for them to travel to other hospitals that are miles away and hard to access. Nurses say some of their patients never receive prenatal care and come to the hospital ready to deliver their baby. I think, too, that the closure was announced without a comprehensive plan, Lunetta explained. What happens when a mother has an emergency cesarean section immediately to save her life or the life of the baby? There are a lot of moving parts. There will not be an OB doctor. So, whos going to do those surgeries? Whos going to take the role of caring for the newborn? In a statement from National Nurses United, the organization says in part that, The RNs demand that the obstetrics department remain open. The department is a critical and irreplaceable resource for Hemet residents. The hospital says its emergency department will remain available to women who need to give birth, but the nurses concerns are related to needed specialized care or, in this case, the potential lack of it. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres (N.Y.) on Wednesday criticized three major U.S. airlines for the continued suspension of flights to Israel, stating it is effectively boycotting the country. In a letter to the CEOs of American, Delta and United Airlines, Torres said the prolonged suspension of the airlines flights to Israel has made air travel to Israel less accessible and more expensive. The lack of competition has made air travel to Israel less available and less affordable, putting customers at the mercy of a de facto monopoly that can easily gouge prices with impunity, Torres wrote to American Airlines CEO Robert Isom, Delta CEO Ed Bastian and United CEO Scott Kirby. Jewish Insider was the first to obtain Torress letter. All three airlines stopped flying to Israel shortly after the Oct. 7 Hamas assault that sparked the ongoing war in Gaza. Delta announced last week it would extend the suspension of flights through Oct. 31 due to ongoing conflict in the region. American extended the halt in flights through March 29 of next year. United reinstated the indefinite suspension of flights to Tel Aviv after temporarily resuming some direct flights between the U.S. and Tel Aviv earlier this year. A spokesperson for the company said it looks forward to resuming flights as soon as its safe for our customers and crew. Torres noted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not issued a travel ban to Israel since the Oct. 7 attacks, as it did in 2014 for 36 hours for U.S. carriers traveling to Tel Avivs Ben Gurion Airport. It is one thing to temporarily suspend air travel to Israel on security grounds as defined by the FAA. But to unilaterally suspend air travel indefinitely until mid-2025, as American Airlines has done, has the practical effect of a boycott, he wrote. The New York Democrat later quipped the length of the suspension suggests the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions or BDS movement had taken over the American aviation industry without anyone noticing, much less crying foul. By what logic and in what universe is it safe for El Al to travel to Israel but too dangerous for American Airlines, Delta, and United to do so? It is worth noting that UAE airlines like Etihad, FlyDubai, and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi continue to fly to Israel without incident, he wrote. EI AI is an Israeli airline that has continued to offer direct flights from America to Israel. Torres has been a longtime supporter of Israel and left the Congressional Progressive Caucus in February after splitting with members over their stance on the Israel-Hamas war. The Hill reached out to American for further comment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A new Army-made software application is allowing soldiers to identify a target and send a fire mission in under a minute when it used to take 15 minutes. Those same soldiers have rigged cheap drones with a cheap, off-the-shelf circuit board and sensor to make electronic decoys of their command posts, throwing enemy fires off target. This brave new world in Army electronic warfare was on display recently during the 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Divisions rotation this month at the Joint Readiness Training Center. The U.S. military in general, from the Pentagon to each service branch, is prioritizing such capabilities, both how to use artificial intelligence and drones and how to defend against an enemy using the same technology. During the 101s recent rotation, soldiers used a new app called Shrike, which identifies targets with minimal information and spits out a ready-to-go, call-for-fire mission. The app is the brainchild of Army Futures Command, featuring software that uses an artificial intelligence capability mounted on any fielded drone. Each drones small circuit board draws on a large-language model backbone. Soldiers flew the drone with the attached device and software over their enemys motor pool to scan their adversarys vehicles. Once data has been processed, a subsequent flight can identify a netted and camouflaged vehicle from an exposed wheel, bumper or part of a windshield and recognize what kind of vehicle it is, said Maj. Gen. Brett Sylvia, 101st Airborne Division commander. This system may allow small Army teams to probe 1,000 targets an hour The program then generates a call-for-fire mission automatically for the human user to approve or disapprove. But the application has another layer. Once the fire mission is complete, the drone can scan the area immediately, conduct a battle damage assessment and generate another fire mission to destroy the target, Sylvia said. The Army standard is five to eight minutes to identify and get rounds on target in a traditional fire mission, though some take as long as 15 minutes, the two-star said, but 101st soldiers using this software have done so in less than a minute. More tech tricks are in the toolkit of soldiers headed to training and deployment as part of the Armys Transformation in Contact, an effort focused on injecting five years worth of modernization into three separate brigade combat teams, including brigades from the 101st, the 25th Infantry Division and the 10th Mountain Division. The Armys professional opposition force, or enemy troops, in combat training center rotations such as the one here use homemade sensors to detect an electromagnetic reading or snapshot of the Army units they fight. During this August rotation, the 101st took some notes and brought their own sensors, drones and even homemade decoys. Soldiers took $30 circuit boards and used them as decoys to mimic electronic signatures with fake names such as command post laptop or Garmin smartwatch, tricking the adversary into thinking that what theyre scanning is an actual headquarters. In one of the first fights, soldiers mimicked the electronic signature of their own command post using these decoys and placed the decoys in the opposite direction of their actual command post. The trick worked. The enemy spent 50% of their artillery against the dirt, where we had those decoys, 2nd Brigade commander Col. James Stultz told reporters here. The brigade brought 250 such decoys with it on its 500-mile air assault from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, down to Louisiana for the training, he said. And even in new-era training, the enemy learns too, pushing the soldiers to play a kind of cat-and-mouse game with the enemys reconnaissance drones. During the first week of the exercise, an enemy drone locked onto the brigades mobile, Humvee-based command post. Soldiers with the brigade set up a kind of invisible net of counter-drone defense gear and tried to lure the enemy drone into the net using their command post as bait. The colonel said they didnt trap the drone, but the soldiers did manage to shake the drone off the Humvees tail and avoid a strike that would have taken out the headquarters. Housing Authority tenants filed more than 4,000 complaints about bed bugs and pests. Now they are suing. Public housing residents are suing the Milwaukee Housing Authority, accusing the agency of letting a bed bug infestation fester inside College Court, a pair of apartment towers on the city's near west side. The class-action lawsuit, filed in Milwaukee County Circuit Court on Wednesday, claims conditions inside College Court are "uninhabitable," and asks a court to grant tenants rent relief if the Housing Authority doesn't "swiftly address" the infestation. "For months, and months, I've been scratching and scratching bites on my arms and legs," said College Court resident Carmella Holloway, 66, at a news conference announcing the lawsuit. "I went to the emergency room at Mount Sinai earlier this year. I was bleeding all over. I thought maybe I had shingles, but I was told it was bed bug bites." Holloway one of five named plaintiffs in the suit shared her emotional testimony to a crowd of reporters and tenant organizers gathered on College Court's front lawn on Wednesday. The apartments are in the 3300 block of West Highland Boulevard. Holloway and her College Court neighbors are being represented by attorney Michael Cerjak, who has handled high-profile class action lawsuits, including a claim against Kia and Hyundai, and another against the developer of a contaminated affordable apartment complex. The lawsuit also has the organizational backing of Common Ground, a coalition of Milwaukee-area churches, businesses and other organizations that has been demanding change inside Housing Authority properties for the past year and a half. Housing Authority spokesperson Amy Hall declined to comment, citing pending litigation. Thousands of calls for pest control inside notorious apartment complex About 4,000 requests for pest control have been filed inside College Court since July 2019, according to the Housing Authority's work order logs. The apartment complex, which was originally built in 1968, has become one of the Housing Authority's most notorious properties. This spring, the Washington Post ran an in-depth story about College Court on the Sunday front page, documenting residents' concerns about crime, trespassing and management. In the past year, reports of fraud risk and hazardous conditions inside Milwaukee's public housing have pushed city officials to more closely scrutinize the Housing Authority. More: Federal inspectors find Milwaukee's Housing Authority in disarray, 'at risk for serious fraud' In May, the Milwaukee Common Council ordered city building inspectors to begin investigating reports of code violations inside Housing Authority properties. For decades, Milwaukee building inspectors did not respond to complaints from Housing Authority tenants, believing, mistakenly, that they lacked the authority to police another public agency. The Housing Authority operates about 5,200 units across the city, making it one of Milwaukee's largest landlords. Rift between Mayor Johnson and Common Ground grows Housing Authority residents, organized by Common Ground, have been ratcheting up pressure on public officials in the past several months, demanding that Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Biden Administration officials intervene. Johnson has been hit for his continued support of the Housing Authority's top executive Willie Hines, who has been widely criticized for his management of the Housing Authority's finances and properties. Hines a former Common Council president is a close ally of Johnson and other top Milwaukee officials. In an open letter to Johnson earlier this month, Common Ground organizers and residents questioned whether he was defending Hines in order to let him retire with his full pension when he turns 60 at the end of the year. At the news conference outside College Court, residents and organizers renewed their criticisms of the mayor. "We emailed Willie Hines about five times since March," Holloway said. "He didn't even respond to us. No reply. No answer to our request to meet. He's hiding from us while Mayor Johnson protects him." More: Milwaukee Housing Authority leader Willie Hines criticized for secrecy, high pay On Wednesday afternoon, Johnson fired back, calling Common Ground "Trumpian" and accusing the organization of "just throwing things at the wall, whether they're true or not." Johnson said he recently toured College Court and spoke with residents himself, which left him with a different picture of the conditions inside. "It seems as if Common Ground would lead the public to believe that every single person in the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee is living in squalor, and in conditions that they don't appreciate," Johnson said. "That's not the case." In a statement, Common Ground responded by saying its organization "is on the side of the low-income residents, seniors, people with disabilities and folks of color fighting for decent and safe housing," and asked: "Whose side is Mayor Johnson on?" Council President Perez says mayor's comments left him 'speechless' Johnson also said "there are issues we have to solve" inside the Housing Authority, and it's now up to the Common Council to approve his new, "solutions-oriented" nominees to the Housing Authority's oversight board. When the council returns from its August recess, however, it's unlikely to let those nominees sail through the confirmation process. In June, when Johnson put forth his nominees, 10 of the council's 15 members wrote an open letter to Johnson, criticizing him for not consulting them in the vetting process. Common Council President Jose Perez has called for the removal of the Housing Authority's top leadership including, but not limited to, Hines. Any nominees who don't support "complete reform" of the agency will not have his support, Perez has said. Johnson's comments about Common Ground on Wednesday drew criticism from Perez, who told the Journal Sentinel: "To invoke Trumps name in reference to a group like Common Ground, Im frankly speechless." Common Ground represents "religious principles, and they take on big challenges on behalf of the downtrodden," Perez said. "And I stand on behalf of the residents, and the residents Ive met are decent people that deserve to be heard." As for the board nominees, Perez said the council will take its time and move deliberately. "Weve waited a long time for nominees, and this is our only chance, and we want to get it right," he said. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: After 4,000 bed bug complaints ignored, tenants sue Housing Authority Houthi operatives placed explosives on a tanker and detonated them, risking a catastrophic oil spill in the Red Sea The Houthis attacked a merchant tanker last week, forcing the crew to evacuate. The Iran-backed rebels have since seized the vessel and detonated explosives on the deck. The US and EU have warned that the Houthis' actions threaten to cause a catastrophic oil spill. Houthi operatives filmed themselves detonating explosives that they placed on an abandoned merchant tanker in the Red Sea, setting the ship ablaze and risking a catastrophic oil spill. The Houthis attacked the Greek-flagged MV Sounion multiple times last week, leaving the tanker without power and stranded in the water and forcing a French warship operating in the area to rescue its crew. The Sounion, which was transporting the equivalent of 1 million barrels of crude oil from Iraq to Greece, has been on fire since Friday, threatening to cause what the US and European Union have warned could be an environmental disaster. The Houthis published footage on Thursday showing rebel operatives on board the Sounion. Several holes on the vessel's exterior are visible in the footage, suggesting it was struck by multiple explosives. The MV Sounion on fire in the Red Sea. European Union's Operation Aspides In the video, Houthi rebels can be seen walking across the vessel with fires in the background. One shot shows an operative preparing what appears to be an explosive charge before zooming out to show several blasts across the ship at once. It was not clear when the footage was taken, and Business Insider could not independently verify the details. The Houthis repeatedly claim that their ongoing attacks on merchant vessels are in support of Palestinians and protest of Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, although US officials frequently push back on this claim. "These are simply reckless acts of terrorism which continue to destabilize global and regional commerce, put the lives of innocent civilian mariners at risk, and imperil the vibrant maritime ecosystem in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the Houthis own backyard," Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters on Tuesday. A close-up of fires on the MV Sounion over the weekend. European Union's Operation Aspides The EU's counter-Houthi mission, known as Operation Aspides, said Thursday that there are multiple fires in several locations on the main deck of the Sounion. "Operating assets in the area have confirmed that there's no oil spill, and the ship is still anchored and not drifting," Operation Aspides said in an update on the Sounion's status. The EU said it is trying to facilitate the vessel's salvage to avoid a "catastrophic environmental crisis." Satellite imagery captured by Maxar on Thursday shows what the company says is an oil slick on the water near the vessel, which is in line with recent US assessments. Multiple fires and an oil slick can be seen in this image captured on Thursday by Maxar. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies The US State Department has said that Houthi attacks on the Sounion threaten to spill 1 million barrels of oil into the Red Sea, an amount four times the size of the notorious 1989 Exxon Valdez incident, which was known as one of the worst environmental disasters in American history. Since November 2023, the Houthis have consistently launched missiles and drones into the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to strike vessels transiting key merchant shipping lanes. The US Navy and its European counterparts have stationed warships in the region to help facilitate safe passage for commercial vessels, as well as deter other hostile actors. However, the American naval presence in the Red Sea has scaled down in recent weeks. Read the original article on Business Insider It is no secret Hulk Hogan is one of Donald Trump's biggest supporters, and so are his fans. The former professional wrestler has been killing two birds with a stone by promoting his new business venture, "Real American Beer," while campaigning for the former US President. Hulk Hogan doubled down on his endorsement of Donald Trump at a recent stop on his beer tour just days after making controversial comments about Kamala Harris. Hulk Hogan Gets Crowd Hyped To Vote For Donald Trump MEGA On Tuesday, August 27, the WWE icon continued his "Real American Beer" promotion at the Moonshine Alley in Providence, Rhode Island. But he couldn't help but switch from talking about the brew to the ongoing presidential elections. A video from the night captured Hogan on stage with a microphone, hyping the crowd up before asking if they came there to vote for Harris. The VP's name was met with loud boos and jeers, but the audience did a 180 when Trump was mentioned. The screams and hoots for the former POTUS were unsurprising as TMZ noted several audience members were dressed in Trump's campaign merch. Their positive response showcased the fruits of Hogan's nonstop promotion for the Republican. Hogan Slammed Kamala Harris On His Beer Tour MEGA Tuesday's beer tour stop wasn't the first time Hogan had campaigned for Trump, with The Blast reporting he made controversial comments about Harris days earlier. While visiting the Thirsty Cowboy in Medina, Ohio, the 71-year-old asked the crowd: "Want me to body-slam Kamala Harris? Want me to drop the leg on Kamala?" The crowd seemed okay with his comments, encouraging Hogan to make bolder statements. He bashed Harris's Indian heritage and made a racist gesture before realizing he might have taken things too far. Despite his epiphany, Hogan didn't apologize to Harris but excused his comments as the beer talking. The night continued with him chugging more cans and signing a few shirts for fans. The Former Wrestler Participated In The Republican National Convention MEGA Hogan played an active role at the recent Republican National Convention, stepping out on the final night as one of the event's speakers. He was there to endorse Trump, who accepted his party's presidential nomination. Trump and Hogan go way back, with their connection playing a crucial role in the 71-year-old's 2013 lawsuit against Gawker Media. He sued the outlet for invasion of privacy over the publication of an excerpt from his leaked sex tape. Hogan's lawsuit was reportedly funded by capitalist Peter Thiel, who supported Trump's running mate, JD Vance, by donating $15 million to his vice presidential nominee campaign. Donald Trump Shaded Harris As A Poor Choice For President MEGA Like Hogan, Trump has been vocal about his displeasure over Harris's presidential candidacy. The Blast noted he repeatedly bashed her in a viral interview on X with the platform's billionaire owner, Elon Musk. Trump claimed Harris was too soft to lead the country, saying: "There's some real tough characters out there. And if they don't think the American president is tough, they will do what they want to do." The former POTUS further argued that Harris would be a worse president than Biden, citing her past political records. "She is a San Francisco liberal who destroyed San Francisco, and then as attorney-general, she destroyed California," Trump claimed. Kamala Harris Defended Her Political Achievements MEGA Following Trump's claims about her political record, Harris defended her image on X with a lengthy rebuttal. She stressed that as a U.S. Senator, Attorney General, district attorney, and courtroom prosecutor, she always served the people. "In those roles, I took on predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, and scammers who broke the rules," Harris penned. Her official campaign page on X also bashed Trump in a statement, writing: "Trump's extremism and dangerous Project 2025 agenda is a feature, not a glitch of his campaign." The statement claimed Trump's campaign was "in service of people like Elon Musk and himself self-obsessed rich guys who will sell out the middle class and who cannot run a livestream in the year 2024." As the November elections draw closer, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump's teams may continue to clash. Waco, TX (FOX 44) Members of the community showed up at an Animal Welfare Board meeting with concerns about the dogs at risk of possibly being euthanized now that the city is taking over. One community member, Ian Camacho, is a member of what he calls the Waco Animal Group. They are new, and their goal is to make sure the Animal Welfare Board takes this seriously. The three main things we work on our education, economics, and try to make sure that the financial aspects are covered for the shelter as well as people and enforceability, says Camacho. So, what to do with the more than 200 dogs in the shelter and the 600 in foster care? Humane Society Interim Executive Director Tom Lupfer says the city wants to get the shelter at 80 percent capacity. Which is a great goal and healthy for the animals, but where the concerns arises is how are they going to get to that 80 percent capacity. Even without the building, Lupfer says they will continue to expand their services by finding dogs a home and to collaborate with the city as much as possible. They have big plans in the works that will include working alongside the city in a new capacity. We intend to be vigilant as well, as the Animal Welfare Board mentioned, be vigilant about the outcomes here and watch carefully how the city manages this process, says Lupfer. The Humane Society is reaching out to the community looking for fosters, volunteers and shelters outside of Texas. Well continue to operate food pantries for pets and well continue to operate large scale adoption events. As well as large scale chip and vaccination events, whether its in partnership with the city or whether we do it on our own, says Lupfer. The Humane Society says they encourage the community to join them in advocating and to actively support the shelter in enhancing its lifesaving impact and continuing the no-kill mission. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. By Michael Martina WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Defense Department, NASA and other government agencies funded research that led to more than 1,000 U.S. patents for China-based inventors since 2010, including in sensitive fields such as biotechnology and semiconductors, data from the U.S. patent agency showed. The U.S. patent data, which was reviewed by Reuters and has not been reported previously, will amplify calls to cancel or renegotiate the landmark U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement, a cooperation deal that critics say disproportionately benefits Washington's top geopolitical rival. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office supplied the data this month to the House of Representatives' select committee on China. In June, it asked the agency whether U.S. funding resulted in Chinese breakthroughs, aiming to highlight what it views as the risks of renewing the pact. According to the patent office, the agency granted 1,020 patents from 2010 through the first quarter of 2024 that were both funded at least in part by the U.S. government and involved at least one China-residing inventor. The data does not detail whether U.S. entities or individuals share the patents. The patents included 197 in pharmaceuticals and 154 in biotechnology, both strategic industries for China and the United States. Funding from various U.S. government agencies supported the research, leading to 92 patents through Pentagon funding, 175 from Department of Energy money and four from NASA financial support. The U.S. space agency faces prohibitions under U.S. law from cooperating with China or Chinese companies. Funding from the Department of Health and Human Services yielded 356 such patents, the most of any agency. "It's alarming that U.S. taxpayers have unwittingly funded over 1,000 patents claimed by Chinese entities, with the Department of Defense accounting for nearly 100 of these patents," the select committee's chairman, Republican Representative John Moolenaar, said in an email to Reuters. The patent office, NASA and the departments of defense, energy and health did not respond to requests for comment. The State Department, which is responsible for renegotiating the China agreement, said it remains in communication with China about the accord. "The United States remains committed to advancing and protecting U.S. interests in science and technology," a department spokesperson said. Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington, said science and technology was an "open business." Story continues "We hope that some officials in the U.S. will abandon the Cold War mentality," Liu said. The data provided by the patent authority to the House committee in a letter dated Aug. 14 did not disclose specific projects or patents. There was no indication that the funding was the direct result of the agreement, which after its signing in 1979 laid the foundation for a boom in U.S.-China academic and commercial exchanges. The patents covered advances in fields including semiconductors, molecular chemistry and polymers, chemical engineering, nanotechnology and medical technology. Such patents dropped from an annual high in 2019 of 99, to 61 in 2023. In 2024, 16 were recorded in the first quarter despite heightened U.S. government concern that Chinese science and technology advances present a national security threat. POSSIBLE EXTENSION OF CHINA PACT Once hailed as a stabilizing force in U.S.-China relations, the cooperation agreement has come under fire from lawmakers concerned about Beijing's growing military power and alleged theft of U.S. intellectual property. Proponents of renewing the deal argue that ending it would stifle academic and commercial cooperation and prevent the U.S. from learning about China's technical advances. A second six-month extension to the agreement, which expired in August 2023, ended on Tuesday. Another short-term extension could occur in the coming days as both sides have sought to renegotiate its terms. The patents identified by the U.S. patent office represent a small fraction of China's global patents. Patents grant exclusive legal rights to inventors but also publicly disclose technical information about those inventions. In one measure of global innovation, China has in recent years surpassed the U.S. to become the world's leading filer of patent applications. (Reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Don Durfee and Cynthia Osterman) Inside Look is a Sacramento Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories. Inspection work began this week using ultrasonic testing equipment to examine nearly 300 welds on Californias highest bridge to make sure the half-mile-long span remains safe for travelers in Placer County. The Foresthill Bridge, just east of Interstate 80 near Auburn, is undergoing the tests to ensure its 282 welds are secure. A team of about 25 people, including Placer County employees, private consultants and Caltrans, will examine and double-check each weld on the steel cantilever bridge for quality and structural integrity. County officials on Wednesday invited The Sacramento Bee and other news outlets to get an inside look at the inspection work thats expected to continue for another six to nine months. The Foresthill Bridge, which first opened to vehicle traffic in 1973, stands about 730 feet above the North Fork of the American River between Auburn and Foresthill. Its the highest bridge in the state and the fourth-tallest in the nation. Placer County Deputy Director of Public Works Matt Randall said Foresthill Bridge, like many others throughout the United States, is inspected at least once every two years; sometimes annually by Caltrans. The inspection work that started this week, mostly funded by the federal government, however, has never been done. There are things you cant see with the naked eye, Randall said. The inspection work is being done with whats called a snooper truck that is driven on the bridge. The truck has a large mechanical arm that reaches out over the side of the bridge, lowering inspectors to look at the structure underneath. Ultrasonic testing is done by certified inspectors who use a single-element probe around welds to detect any flaws that might go unseen, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Randall said if any flaw is spotted, its likely repairs can be made on the spot during the project. Thats actually what were expecting, that any repairs will be simple, Randall said. A snooper truck uses its use long mechanical arms to lower a bridge inspector below the roadway of the Foresthill Bridge on Wednesday near Auburn. The inspector will use ultrasonic testing to assess 282 welds on the 730-foot-tall structure. If more extensive repairs are needed, Randall said additional work projects can be launched to complete the work. We want the bridge to be open and safe, not only for people driving between Auburn and Foresthill, but also for pedestrians who want to come out here, Randall said. The views are iconic. In December, authorities closed the Jennings Randolph Bridge over the Ohio River, connecting Ohio and West Virginia, because it had cracking welds that required four months to repair. That bridge had similar welds and was built with the same T-1 steel as the Foresthill Bridge, which led to officials decision to test the bridge as preventative maintenance. An inspector checks welds on the Foresthill Bridge in near Auburn on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. Randall has said the Federal Highway Administration issued a letter to Caltrans, saying that any bridge that used butt-welds constructed with T-1 steel would require ultrasonic testing. The Foresthill Bridge inspection work is part of a nationwide program to perform preventive maintenance for these types of bridges. The project on the 51-year-old bridge, approved by the Placer County Board of Supervisors in late June, will cost $6.3 million, with 80% of the funding coming from the Federal Highway Bridge Program. The remaining 20% will be funded by Californias SB 1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program, a gas tax that was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2017. The inspection process is non-destructive, and the bridge remains safe and open during the inspection. Inspection work will be done weekdays, ending each afternoon before continuing the following morning. Randall said they have no plans to conduct inspections on the bridge on the weekends, but it could be necessary if weather conditions or other issues create delays. While the inspection work is being done, authorities will close two lanes over the bridge, leaving two others open for vehicle traffic in both directions. One side of the pedestrian path over the bridge also will remain open. The Placer County Department of Public Works inspects the integrity of the Foresthill Bridge on Wednesday near Auburn. The Foresthill Bridge has gained notoriety for the dangerous behavior of thrill-seekers. The Placer County Sheriffs Office in 2015 began a crackdown on girder hangers, dozens of young people who illegally climbed the bridges narrow metal catwalk. Despite the sheriffs crackdown, people have continued to trespass and placed themselves in dangerous situations. In 2017, a Sacramento woman was hospitalized after she fell about 60 feet while trying to get a selfie as she walked along the girders beneath the Foresthill Bridge. An Elk Grove woman in 2020 was rescued after falling off a girder. Last year, a 19-year-old man was being recorded on video swinging from the underside of the bridge, before his equipment failed and got stuck hanging about 30 feet underneath the catwalk. We ask that people let us do our work, Randall said Wednesday, and dont do anything illegal or unsafe out here. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers free, anonymous help to anyone in crisis and their loved ones. Access the 24-hour hotline by calling or texting 988. A live chat is available at 988lifeline.org. WellSpace Health, which operates the universal service in the capital region, can also be reached at 916-368-3111 or by texting HOPE to 916-668-4226. The wheels of justice turn slowly, and it's not cheap to keep them grinding. Still more than nine months before Bryan Kohberger's capital murder trial is scheduled to begin -- and still without a definitive answer on where in Idaho it will be held -- local government leaders in the area where four students were stabbed to death in 2022 do know one thing: The trial will cost taxpayers a lot of money, so the county requires a cash infusion, officials have decided -- wherever it ends up taking place. To that end, Latah County District Court has been granted a significant increase for next year: The county's Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved boosting the trial expense budget to $150,000 for fiscal year 2025 -- more than 40 times their 2024 budget of $3,500. MORE: University of Idaho murders: The timeline of events It's not the first time the financial impact of the case has come up. In 2023, prosecutors leading the case against Kohberger requested a $135,000 budget. Even then, they said, their part could cost more than eight times what's typically allotted annually. Prosecutors allege that in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, Kohberger, then a criminology Ph.D. student at nearby Washington State University, broke into an off-campus home and stabbed four University of Idaho students to death: Ethan Chapin, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21. After a six-week hunt, police zeroed in on Kohberger as the suspect, arresting him in December 2022 at his family's home in Pennsylvania. He was indicted in May 2023 and charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. At his arraignment, he declined to offer a plea, so the judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. PHOTO: A photo posted by Kaylee Goncalves only a few days ago shows University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Goncalves. The four were found dead at an off-campus house on Nov. 13, 2022. (Kaylee Goncalves/Instagram) His lawyers have said Kohberger was driving around alone and not near the crime scene on the night the killings occurred, and say they'll have expert cellphone analysis to back that up. The trial is currently set for June 2025. Kohberger could face the death penalty, if convicted. With the pretrial process creeping forward, the financial line items associated with the case continue to accrue. MORE: Idaho college murders case prompts prosecution ask for big budget hike Once the trial kicks off, according to the approved Latah County budget, expenses could include travel and lodging costs for jurors and bailiffs. Since jurors in the complex and high-profile case will need supplies, including meals, the court also requested a large increase in its jury supplies budget: from $3,500 to $50,000. The approved budget to cover witness fees is also substantially higher than last year's, primarily to pay for the travel costs of witnesses scheduled to testify in court, according to the budget. The commissioners also approved $20,000 in contracts and labor in preparation for a trial in Latah County. PHOTO: Bryan Kohberger is escorted into court for a hearing in Latah County District Court, Sept. 13, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (Ted S. Warren/AP,POOL, FILE) If the trial is held in Latah County, this money would be used to hire extra workers for jury management, according to Latah County Clerk Julie Fry. But whether the trial will stay in Latah County remains to be seen, and has become a point of pretrial contention. Kohberger's lawyers argue the "pressure to convict" their client in the area showed to be "so severe," those jurors couldn't possibly be impartial. In fact, they argue, the "mob mentality" of the tightknit community is the "exact reason" the trial should be moved to another area of Idaho, where it could be heard by people with less of an emotional connection to what has been nearly two years and counting of news coverage about it. "The traumatized town of Moscow is understandably filled with deeply held prejudgment opinions of guilt," Kohberger attorney Elisa Massoth said in a recent court filing in their push to move the trial to Ada County, and the state capital of Boise. Prosecutors, meanwhile, contend that people in Boise have TVs and newspapers too, so moving it would be futile -- and the focus instead should be on "crafting remedial measures" to ensure a fair and impartial jury can be seated right where they are. Both sides have attempted to cite frugality to support their opposing positions. "Any consideration related to costs of prosecution and defense make Ada County a logical choice with the largest airport in the state," Kohberger attorney Anne Taylor said in a July filing. "There will be a number of witnesses traveling into Idaho and Ada County is a more cost-effective option," she said, adding that keeping the trial in more far-flung Moscow "will require most witnesses to travel to Spokane, Washington and rent a car to drive to the Latah County Courthouse." MORE: Idaho college murders: House demolished despite some families' objections In arguing against the change of venue, prosecutors have also pointed to court coffers. "The transfer of trial to Ada County would come at an extraordinary cost," prosecuting attorney Bill Thompson wrote in a filing earlier this month. "Whether out-of-state witnesses fly into Lewiston, Spokane, or even Boise, the cost of rental vehicles for a handful of out-of-state witnesses is only a fraction of the total cost picture." Were the trial to move to Boise, he said, the need for more witness hotel rentals would skyrocket, as would pulling police and emergency dispatch witnesses from their work "for days, rather than hours, creating a ripple effect of inconvenience." "While Defense counsel took this case on a contract basis and will have to travel whether the trial is had in Ada County or in Latah County, the same is not true for the Court, the court reporter, the court clerk, and the Court's staff attorney," Thompson said. "The State, which has the burden of proof and must deal with the logistics of juggling witnesses and trial exhibits would have to relocate both of its lead attorneys, as well as its support and victim services staff, for weeks and likely months," Thompson continued. "This would come at great expense for lodging, transportation, and per diem." A hearing on whether to change the trial's venue is set for Thursday. Idaho college murders: Bryan Kohberger trial budget gets big hike originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Idaho murder suspect wants trial moved after survey results say town will burn the courthouse down if hes acquitted Lawyers for Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022, argued Thursday to move his trial out of Latah County, which they said would be unable to provide an unbiased jury for the long-awaited trial. The hearing is the latest update in a grinding two-year legal battle to get Kohbergers case before a jury, which has seen numerous pretrial hearings and complaints of slowness from the victims families. The trial, which could see Kohberger face the death penalty, is currently set for June 2025. Kohberger has pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder. Attorneys for Kohberger, 29, argued in a court filing the trial should be moved out of Latah County due to a mob mentality threatening the safety of their client and the courthouse. Theyre hoping to move the trial more than 300 miles away to Ada County, home of Boise, the states capital and largest city. The traumatized town of Moscow is understandably filled with deeply held prejudgment opinions of guilt, the defense wrote. Thursdays hearing ended without a decision by Judge John Judge, who said he is going to review everything and go through the law again, which he said will take time. Ill do my best. Its a challenge, the judge said at the end of the hearing. The defense states anonymous residents of Latah County, where the killings took place, told defense experts in telephone surveys if Kohberger is not convicted: Theyd burn the courthouse down. Outrage would be a mild description. They would probably find and kill him. There would likely be a riot and he wouldnt last long outside because someone would do the good ole boy justice. This story has legs Defense witness Amani El-Alayli, a social psychology professor at Eastern Washington University, told the court that finding potential jurors in Latah County not tainted by media coverage of the case would be virtually impossible. I think it would be so hard to be a member of that community and be able to come in and be objective arguably impossible. We dont have a known method for undoing things, El-Alayi said. El-Alayli said jurors exposed to pretrial publicity are more likely to convict because they superficially process the media coverage, including fear-inducing headlines. Additionally, the professor said, people in small communities like in Latah County are more likely to be influenced by statements from figures of authority. The police chief publicly expressing certainty about capturing the right suspect is automatically accepted as true, she said. Do you mean that when we walk into trial in the room full of potential jurors, theres going to be a great majority of them that before we sit down, are going to have a feeling of bias against Mr. Kohberger? defense attorney Anne Taylor asked. Yeah, I do. And weve seen the pictures, these ominous headlines. That connection cant help but be made, El-Alayi said. Another defense witness, James Todd Murphy, president of the media monitoring and analysis service Truescope, said the firm has been gathering data on the case from numerous news sources and markets since February 2023. Murphy told the court his analysis showed media coverage in Latah County on the Kohberger case offered twice as many opportunities to be seen per person than in Ada County. Thats due to the higher volume of coverage in the county coupled with the smaller pool of eligible jurors. You may have heard the phrase this story has legs a story that is extreme, unique, atypical has greater legs than say, high school football scores you hear on the 10 oclock news on a Friday night, he said. This type of story will remain on the mind and be of interest up to and beyond the conclusion of this case. Media coverage of the Kohberger case from January 2023 through August 2024 in Ada County lagged behind Latah County by volume of coverage in most cases by 50% or more, Murphy said. And the interest in the story isnt waning, he added. Under questioning by prosecutor Ashley Jennings, who referred to charts from his research, Murphy acknowledged Ada County at times had more coverage of the case than Latah County. So for the first six months on this chart of volume of media coverage over time for Latah and Ada County, Ada County had more intense media coverage in January, February, March, April, May, and then June, she said. So its fair to say for that first six months, Ada County did have, at times, fairly significantly more media coverage from Latah County? Correct, Murphy said. The defense argued the prosecution recognizes an enormous venue problem exists and Kohberger has a Constitutional right to a fair trial with an impartial jury. Latah Countys media coverage of the case is the highest in the state and the coverage is often inaccurate and inflammatory, the defenses filing stated. His attorneys said the survey found the more media accounts a potential juror knew of, the higher the prejudgment for guilt. The defenses argument is based on survey work conducted by defense expert Bryan Edelman of the consulting firm Trial Innovations in four Idaho counties, including Latah, where the Moscow killings took place and Ada County. At one point during Edelmans testimony Thursday afternoon, after the defense scrolled through many Facebook and other social media posts about the killings that were on the livestream for more than two minutes, the judge interjected. I dont think we need to advertise all these, honestly. Weve been trying to protect from this kind of stuff, the judge said. Im aware of it. I dont look at it, I dont read it. We know its there, he added, referring to the posts. The defense then asked for a break in the hearing, which the judge granted. Edelman surveyed 400 residents in Latah County about their knowledge and prejudicial opinions of the case. Truescope, a media monitoring company, also looked at media coverage available to residents in Moscow and Boise but could not determine the amount of untraceable media reaching Idaho citizens in those cities from YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, or podcasts. The filing noted while respondents in Latah County said there would be outrage from the community if Kohberger was not convicted, respondents in Ada County said community members would go on with life as always and take it well. During his testimony, Edelman said Ada County was selected for the survey because its the largest county in the state, with a population size of 406,068 people over the age of 18 while Latah County has 32,515 of the same demographic. We know in large counties, its less of a big deal when a case moves there. It doesnt become the biggest story in that community, he said. The defense argued Moscow does not have the proper facilities to accommodate an intensely publicized three-month trial and cited the changing of venue to Ada County in high-profile cases like the murder trials of Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell. Vallow was sentenced to life in prison and her husband, Daybell, to death for murdering Vallows two children and Daybells first wife. Prosecutors, on the other hand, have argued a fair and impartial trial can be held in Moscow, and intense media coverage of the case extends beyond Latah County. They criticized the survey findings, arguing they show Latah County residents who have heard about the case were, overall, statistically less likely to prejudge the Defendant. Additionally, other strategies could be used to ensure a fair and impartial trial, like convening a large jury pool and thoroughly screening them, say prosecutors. Moving the trial hundreds of miles away would be inconvenient for witnesses as well as the victims families, according to prosecutors. Edelman also described the jury selection process for identifying those who have case-specific attitudes and knowledge about a case after learning details in the media rather than in court, with rules of evidence being applied, cross examination and experts offering counter opinions. When I hear it as evidence, its just confirming what I already know. Its not new, Im not processing it for the first time, he continued. So thats one of the big problems you need to identify the people who have that content and information. Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen were killed Sunday, November 13, 2022 off campus at the University of Idaho. - Obtained by CNN One of the biggest challenges in high-profile cases is figuring out what potential jurors know already. The people surveyed who were asked what theyve read, seen or heard about the Kohberger case responded with an average of between one and two pieces of information they learned from the media. But 96% of those respondents failed to mention at least one additional detail about the case that they later recognized in the course of the study, according to Edelman. We know theres a high level of recognition in the community, but when you ask in jury selection what youve read, seen or heard about the case, very few people mention it, he said. Seating an impartial jury in Latah County is not attainable because the crime has been seared into the communitys consciousness and many residents have indirect or direct connections to the tragedy, Edelman said. People here have demonstrated they would experience fear, stress, panic in this community. Theres significant rumors and misinformation that have been spread and people have been exposed to in this community. Theres a feeling of pressure to convict, he said. Four college students killed in the night The case stems from the murders on the morning of Sunday, November 13, 2022. Police in Moscow, Idaho, were called to a home near the University of Idaho and inside found the bodies of four students: Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Ethan Chapin, 20; and Xana Kernodle, 20. All four had been stabbed to death. The slayings and the ensuing manhunt for a suspect rattled the small college town of Moscow, prompting fears about students safety and subsequent attacks. Kohberger, then a graduate student at Washington State Universitys Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, was arrested at his parents home in Monroe County, Pennsylvania on December 30, a little over a month after the killings. Law enforcement zeroed in on Kohberger partially through linking him to a white Hyundai Elantra seen in the immediate area of the killings. His DNA also matched DNA recovered from a tan leather knife sheath found laying on the bed of one of the victims, according to court documents. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com CHICAGO The state of Illinois will begin accepting submissions for a new state flag design on Sept. 3 as a commission decides whether Illinois current flag needs to be replaced. Gov. JB Pritzker approved a measure last year creating the 20-member Illinois Flag Commission, which is tasked with deciding whether a flag makeover is necessary. The commission was created from legislation sponsored by state Rep. Kam Buckner of Chicago and state Sen. Doris Turner of Springfield, both Democrats. It grants the commission the power to determine whether a new state flag would better represent the states diversity of urban, suburban and rural communities and inspire renewed state pride among Illinoisians, according to a statement about the commission from the Illinois secretary of states office. After the submissions are made, the commission will choose 10 designs it feels most appropriately reflect the identity of Illinois. The commission also will create an online survey for the public to vote on their favorite designs or to keep the current flag, which features a bald eagle with the state motto in its mouth standing on a rock bearing the year of the seals creation, 1868, and of the states incorporation, 1818. Its almost a carbon copy of the state seal. Illinois first state flag was adopted in 1915 but more than 50 years later, Bruce McDaniel a chief petty officer from downstate Morgan County, who was serving in Vietnam at the time urged a newer flag be adopted to include the states name. In 1969, the new design was passed by the legislature and approved by then-Gov. Richard Ogilvie, who then appointed a committee to come up with specifications for the new flag. The flag became official on July 1, 1970. The commission will accept design ideas from the public, via online or through mail, until Oct. 18, according to a statement about the commission on the secretary of states website. Voting on the new flag designs or keeping the current flag will begin Jan. 1 and last six weeks, according to the website. After public feedback, the commission will report its findings to the Illinois General Assembly, which will vote on whether to adopt a new flag or retain the current flag design. Through a similar process earlier this year, Minnesota got a new state flag that shows, on its left side, an eight-pointed star enclosed in a dark blue shape that represents the states general outline and the night sky, while on the right it features light-blue coloring representing the states many bodies of water. Last year, Utah also underwent the process of getting a new state flag, which was changed to pay homage to its nickname, The Beehive State. Locally, Cook County changed its flag in 2022, adopting a design created by a Glenbrook South High School student. In order to submit a draft for a new Illinois flag, designers are asked to incorporate elements such as the states natural features or anything that represents Illinois history and culture. Theres also no limit on flag shape, but designs may be edited by the commission. Theres also no limit on colors but less than three colors are recommended for clarity of design. Designs also cannot be generated by artificial intelligence. _____ Illinois wants to redesign its flag. Heres why and how you can give your input Illinois will begin taking submissions from the public to redesign the state flag starting next week. The Illinois Flag Commission made up of political appointees and representatives from the state archives, state museum and state superintendent will accept ideas online or by mail until Oct. 18, according to an announcement Wednesday from Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. This is a great opportunity to ensure our flag truly embodies Illinois and celebrates our great state, Giannoulias said. The General Assembly created the commission last year after passing Senate Bill 1818, which outlined the redesign process. Illinois is the latest of a number of cities and states that either redesigned their flag, like Minnesota, or are also considering new proposals, like Michigan and Maine. City flags and state flags often have been adopted to represent governments, which is why seals end up on so many of them. But folks are beginning to understand that the flag should represent the people, not the government, said Ted Kaye, secretary of the North American Vexillological Association, whos helped in many flag redesigns. Kaye made his comments during an appearance on St. Louis on the Air last year. After examining submissions from the public, flag commission members will select 10 entries based on how they reflect the identity of Illinois. The public will then vote for two months starting on Jan. 1, the secretary of states office said. Ultimately, the decision will be left in the hands of state lawmakers. The commission will present its findings to the General Assembly, whose members will vote on whether to adopt a new flag or keep the current one. Over the next couple of weeks, the commission will work with schools and local libraries to help solicit ideas from everyday Illinoisans. Design elements can include natural features of the state, history and culture. Submissions may be edited by the commission. Fewer than three colors are recommended, and artificial intelligence should not be used, according to details outlined by Giannoulias office. I strongly encourage anyone who is interested to let your creativity flow and run your idea up the flagpole, Giannoulias said. I couldnt be more excited about this contest, and I look forward to seeing your designs. Those who enjoy seeing Ohio senator and Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance portrayed negatively must be thoroughly enjoying The Enquirer. A columnist in the Aug. 25 Forum mentioned a quote from Kentucky's Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear that Vance "ain't from here," discounting Vance's association with the people of Appalachia. Beshear said this even though Vance's grandparents were from eastern Kentucky, and he often visited there in his youth. Those familiar with Vance's life history know he grew up in less-than-ideal conditions. Although he was born in Middletown, Ohio, he had a strong connection to the people of Appalachia through his grandparents who had moved to Middletown from the Appalachian region of Kentucky. Vance's parents divorced when he was a toddler. His mother battled substance abuse and Vance experienced many of the same negative issues as those living in the Appalachian region. Fortunately, Vance's grandmother had strong values and a significant influence on his life. He became an author, a Marine, a graduate of Ohio State University and Yale Law School, a successful businessman, a U.S. senator, and now the Republican nominee for vice president of the United States. He should be an example for others to show that it is possible to overcome the challenges and adversity of their circumstances to lead a successful life. How was Beshear's early life, and what is his connection to and experiences with the people of Appalachia? His father was a lawyer, politician, and a previous governor of Kentucky. Beshear was born in Louisville (outside of the Appalachian region) and raised in Lexington (on the westernmost edge of the Appalachian region). Does anyone consider the big-city environment of Lexington a part of the Appalachian region that Vance experienced? I contend Vance has more of a personal connection to the people of Appalachia and their hardships than Beshear. JD Vance says he 'felt terrible' for donut shop employee after filming video Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. JD Vance There has been a host of other letters, columns and stories portraying Vance unfavorably. Where are the columns, commentaries, and letters criticizing Minnesota Gov. and Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz? Sadly, many American voters couldn't tell you who Walz is, but you have surely heard about a certain side of Vance in The Enquirer. Walz has seemingly adopted the policy of his running mate, Kamala Harris, to avoid any meaningful, objective, substance-based interviews with the media. Instead, they have done many friendly, media-covered campaign rallies. Walz presided over the "mostly peaceful protests" (also known as riots) when violence, looting, and arson consumed Minneapolis in 2020. He later acknowledged the "abject failure" of the response to the violent protests. 'She can go to hell': JD Vance attacks VP Kamala Harris over withdrawal from Afghanistan Walz once claimed to have carried weapons of war into war, a claim that has since been proven to be false. A Politifact article dated Aug. 7, 2024 stated "Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, in a 2018 video the Kamala Harris campaign circulated on social media in August, said he wanted to get 'weapons of war that I carried in war' off the streets. Walz served 24 years in the Army National Guard, winning honors for sharpshooting and weapons training, but he has acknowledged he didn't see combat duty." So, we have seen JD Vance "highlighted" in The Enquirer. I wonder when we will see similar coverage of Tim Walz? Glenn Harmeyer, Colerain Township This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: JD Vance gets all the hate. Where's all the criticism for Tim Walz? Click here to view this content. As Angela Rayner prepares for what the Government claims will be the biggest overhaul of workers rights in a generation, confusion reigns. Corporate chiefs are still unclear precisely what the new system will look like and are particularly concerned about one proposal: the right to switch off. Such a right would enshrine staffs ability to ignore emails or take calls outside of strict working hours. Falling foul of such rules could prove severe. In France, where the right to switch off is legally binding, British pest control and hygiene giant Rentokil Initial was ordered to pay a former employee 60,000 (53,000) in 2018 because it failed to respect his right to disconnect from his phone and computer outside office hours. British businesses could be at risk of similar fines if they repeatedly fall foul of the rules and are taken to tribunal, according to reports. Theres a bit of incredulity about it, says one executive. Most business leaders think legislating for it is completely absurd. Even union chiefs fear the new system may be unworkable. I work 50 hours in a 36.6-hour week, one official admits, adding that ignoring emails just wouldnt be viable in his job. Britain will be following in the footsteps of France, Germany, Portugal, Ireland and as of this week Australia. Australian workplaces with more than 15 staff now have to adhere to new laws on after-hours contact. Nervous bosses in Britain will be watching Australia closely. Dr Gabrielle Golding, a senior lecturer from the University of Adelaide, says everyone is waiting for a test case to truly understand the boundaries of whats reasonable and unreasonable contact. As The Telegraph has reported, Rayner is expected to water down the rule on late-night contact from a legal right to simply a code of practice. Many advisers expect a soft model like the one introduced in Ireland in 2021, which is not legally binding. A government spokesman insists that a range of approaches are still on the cards. I suspect Labour may say it is introducing the right by way of soft law as in a code of practice but if this does not change general practice, it will consider enforceable legislation, predicts James Davies, a lawyer at Lewis Silkin. The threat of a crackdown has already had a chilling effect, with companies letting staff rewrite the rules of their work weeks. Bosses addicted to evening work have been told to schedule their emails so that they dont pester anyone until the morning. Some staff are being trained on how to set boundaries, swotting up on phrases such as the language in your message made me feel pressure to respond. The first step is setting that tone I might email but do not expect you to respond, explains Verity Creedy, who works for leadership consultancy DDI. A manufacturing giant being advised on the changes has told staff they can set their own schedules from next month. The new system will kick in from September 1. Some companies, such as PwC, already do this. While it suits me to email now, I do not expect a response or action outside of your own working hours, reads an email signature from one partner. Such disclaimers are set to become commonplace as businesses look to protect themselves from potential complaints. Creedy notes that companies are in a really tricky spot. Amanda Rajkumar, Adidas former global head of human resources, says the plans to punish bosses for contacting staff outside of working hours will trigger a fundamental shift in the world of work. Even if Labour go for a softer, Irish-style model, attitudes around communication are already changing. The scene is being set and we need to start to rethink the way decisions and responsibilities are viewed, she says. Click here to view this content. While many workers will no doubt cheer the rebalancing of power, there could be some unintended consequences. Creedy warns that a right to switch off rule could encourage a return to the traditional nine-to-five workday, a lifestyle which many are pleased to see the back of. People who previously needed to finish at 3pm and clock back on at 8pm might no longer be able to do that. Thats the risk. Theres been a shift towards that in countries which have already done this. Perhaps the heaviest burden will fall on the shoulders of entrepreneurs. Tina McKenzie, policy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, says extra paperwork and an overly-formalised system risks smothering her members enterprises. What suits a corporate office wont necessarily work for a small retail shop or a design studio, she says. Of course, workers should not be on call 24/7. Many small firms already have on-call rotas to prevent emergencies from disrupting personal time, especially in industries like IT support and security. Rajkumar says that while the policy is not controversial in principle, the pragmatic reality is that this is indeed challenging at the senior end. Many situations, she points out, require senior staff to be on and so the line between home and work is blurred. Then there are unspoken challenges. One investment chief thinks that the harsh reality is that those who dont switch-off will get promoted faster. This will likely be the case in high-earning sectors such as banking, where there has already been a crackdown on staff using work mobiles on holiday. Sara Silvonen, a senior consultant at Great Place to Work UK, says: If employees cant get their tasks and job demands done in their contracted working hours, theres a bigger issue in the structure of their roles. Is it enough to prevent burnout across the country as intended? Not on its own, but it will certainly lay the foundations for it in organisations less well versed in matters of employee wellbeing. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. India has reportedly introduced to service its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, or SSBN, INS Arighat, marking a significant development in the countrys burgeoning strategic nuclear capability. The new submarine, armed with indigenously developed ballistic missiles, is understood to incorporate improvements over its predecessor, although Indias SSBN fleet, and its nuclear forces in general, continue to be hugely outstripped by those of China, its main strategic rival. India has introduced to service its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, or SSBN, INS Arighat, marking a significant development in the countrys burgeoning strategic nuclear capability. The new submarine, armed with indigenously developed ballistic missiles, is understood to incorporate improvements over its predecessor, although Indias SSBN fleet, and its nuclear forces in general, continue to be hugely outstripped by those of China, one of its main strategic rivals. INS Arighat was commissioned into the Indian Navy today at the Ship Building Center (SBC) at Visakhapatnam in the southern coastal state of Andhra Pradesh. The commissioning was apparently a low-key affair, befitting the secretive status of the Indian SSBN program, although reports indicate that the countrys Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh was present at the event. BREAKING Big day! India commissions 2nd nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine INS Arighat into service. A vastly improved sister to INS Arihant, the submarine joins India's sea-based nuclear deterrent under the Strategic Forces Command. Shano Varuna! (Rep pic) pic.twitter.com/e6ZHsAJPXf Livefist (@livefist) August 29, 2024 The new SSBN, INS Arighat a name that means destroyer of the enemy in Hindi has the pennant number S3 and is the second of its kind for India after the INS Arihant, or S2, which was commissioned in August 2016. INS Arighat was launched at the SBC in 2017 and has since undergone extensive at-sea testing, reportedly being declared fully ready for service earlier this month. From a friend on a morning walk on RK beach. Thats the closest well get to the #Arighaat. pic.twitter.com/PYznttHB1w Sandeep (@SandeepUnnithan) August 29, 2024 In keeping with the cloak of secrecy that surrounds much of the Indian SSBN project, the specific improvements that the new boat offers over its predecessor have not been disclosed in detail. However, one puzzling claim is that it carries more submarine-launched ballistic missiles, or SLBMs, than INS Arihant. References have otherwise been made to more refined capabilities in the new submarine. While INS Arighat is of the same size, length, and displacement as INS Arihant, she can carry more K-15 missiles. The new boat is much more capable, efficient, and stealthy, an unnamed source told The Times of India. The implication of this claim is unclear since both the INS Arihant and Arighat are reported to have four missile launch tubes, each normally accommodating a single K-15 SLBM. It may be the case that INS Arihant actually goes to sea with a bigger load of K-15s, which would involve some significant design changes, such as larger-diameter tubes able to accommodate multiple missiles, perhaps as many as three, according to some accounts. Alternatively, it may refer to the ability of the INS Arighat to carry other types of missiles. A test of an Indian SLBM, launched from a secret location in the Bay of Bengal from a depth of around 160 feet. Photo by Pallava Bagla/Corbis via Getty Images As for the K-15 SLBM, this has a reported range of around 466 miles, making it a short-range ballistic missile, a category of weapons normally classified as those able to strike targets within a radius of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles). The missile is powered by a two-stage solid propellant motor. The K-15 missile carries a nuclear warhead, although a conventional alternative is also thought to be available. In addition to SLBMs, the Indian SSBNs are also armed with torpedoes. Bearing in mind the missiles range, the K-15 could target much of Pakistan Indias traditional regional adversary, and also possessing nuclear weapons when fired from relatively safe waters. In such a scenario, targets would include Karachi, Pakistans largest city, as well as Lahore and Faisalabad. However, Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, or the city of Rawalpindi would likely only be reached by the K-15 if the SSBN was operating much closer to Pakistans coast, which would be highly risky. In terms of targeting China, the K-15 is even more limited. Critical targets in that country would only be threatened if the missile was to be launched from an SSBN operating in the South China Sea, an area that China keenly observes and patrols. With that in mind, the K-15 is generally seen as an interim SLBM, its primary role being to expand the Indian Navys experience in operating such weapons. The Soviet-built nuclear-powered submarine, Chakra, with its crew standing on top during a review of the Indian fleet. The Akula class nuclear-powered attack submarine was leased by India between 2012 and 2021 to gain experience in operating nuclear-powered subs. Photo by Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images Robert Nickelsberg A follow-on SLBM, the K-4, is now being envisaged for INS Arighat. While a load of four SLBMs is still significantly smaller than on comparable SSBNs, the K-4 does offer the advantage of a much greater range, reportedly in excess of 2,175 miles. Otherwise, in terms of specifications, the INS Arihant and Arighat are reportedly 366 feet long, with a displacement of around 6,600 tons. The two SSBNs share the same propulsion system: a locally developed pressurized light-water reactor generating 83 megawatts of power. This reportedly provides a speed of 12 to 15 knots when surfaced and 20 to 24 knots when submerged and allows the SSBNs to remain submerged for months on end. Still, even the newly commissioned INS Arighat is considered a stepping-stone toward even more capable SSBNs. These first two boats have been described in the past as pocket boomers, being considerably smaller than other nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, although still larger and much more capable than the conventionally powered ballistic missile subs operated by North and South Korea. The South Korean Dosan Ahn Changho class conventionally powered submarine is the countrys first vessel capable of carrying SLBMs. DSME The Indian Navys next boomer, INS Aridhaman, will be larger than the first two, with a displacement in the region of 7,720 tons and with K-4 SLBMs as its primary weapon. Presumably, a larger number of K-4s will be carried, reportedly between eight and 12, although there are also suggestions that a new SLBM, with a range of over 1,864 miles, could be earmarked for Indias next ballistic missile submarine. There are reports that the third Indian SSBN, also known as S4, could be commissioned as early as next year. A fourth SSBN is also under development, under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) program, although details of its planned capabilities are scarce. This boat is sometimes known as the S4* design. Taken together, however, Indias SSBN developments indicate that the country is now prioritizing its sea-based nuclear deterrent, which for many years has been somewhat neglected in favor of land-based and air-launched strategic nuclear weapons. These include the Agni series of ballistic missiles and freefall nuclear bombs delivered by combat jets such as the Jaguar and Su-30MKI. An Indian Air Force SEPECAT Jaguar strike fighter. Angad Singh Angad Singh A viable submarine-based nuclear deterrent is traditionally most survivable leg of the strategic nuclear triad and one that fits with Indias stated policy of no-first-use, a commitment to not using nuclear weapons unless they are first employed against it. Having a fleet of hard-to-detect SSBNs makes it much harder for an aggressor to knock out Indias nuclear weapons delivery systems in a surprise first strike, with submarines and SLBMs offering the best chance of launching retaliatory strikes, which is known as a second strike capability. As noted before, however, the current K-15 missile offers only a limited range, making it considerably less potent than comparable SLBMs fielded by China, for example, as well as by France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the only other nations that currently field SSBNs. In this way, the K-15 is a less-survivable strike option in scenarios involving China, which India hopes to address with the K-4 and its next two, larger and more capable SSBNs. The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) currently operates six Type 094 Jin class SSBNs that can each be armed with 12 JL-3 SLBMs that could have a range of up to 7,500 miles, or 12 JL-2 SLBMs thought to have a range of between 4,970 and 5,592 miles. Construction of the Type 094 is continuing and the PLAN has a new Type 096 SSBN in development, which will also carry JL-3s. A Type 094 Jin class SSBN of the PLAN participates in a naval parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the service on April 23, 2019. MARK SCHIEFELBEIN/AFP via Getty Images A Chinese Type 094 ballistic missile submarine. Mark Schiefelbien/AFP via Getty Images Clearly, the Indian Navys SSBN fleet is vastly outmatched by Chinas, not only in terms of numbers and operational experience but also in terms of the range of its missiles and the number of strategic targets that it can hold at risk. Nevertheless, the service entry of Indias second SSBN, and its secretive improvements, is a major advance for the country. Speaking to TWZ, Angad Singh, an Indian defense journalist and contributor to this website, noted that Any forward movement is good. The commissioning confirms the maturing and expansion of the most survivable leg of Indias nuclear triad. But while Arighat is a welcome addition to the fleet, theres a long way to go even to match Indias chief rival, China, let alone surpass it. Longer-range SLBMs and bigger, more capable boomers are in development, but it will be some time before Indias undersea nuclear capabilities can be considered sufficient for the countrys security challenges and global power aspirations. However, New Delhis commitment to a viable sea-based deterrent should see additional nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines fielded in the coming years and, with them, further improvements in capabilities that will bolster its strategic nuclear triad. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com BRASILIA (Reuters) - A Brazilian Supreme Court justice on Friday ordered the country's telecommunications regulator Anatel to shut down Elon Musk's social media platform X after the billionaire failed to comply with an order to name a legal representative in Brazil. WHAT IS THE CONFLICT ABOUT? Justice Alexandre de Moraes and Musk have been in a public feud for months, after X failed to comply with legal orders to block certain accounts accused of spreading "fake news" and hate messages. X, formerly known as Twitter, claims Moraes threatened to arrest one of the company's legal representatives in Brazil if it did not comply. Musk's platform had shut all of its Brazil offices due to what it called "censorship" by the judge, though its service had remained available for users in the country. WHEN WILL THAT TAKE EFFECT? Moraes ordered the social media giant to be taken down immediately in Brazil. Shutting down the messaging platform could take hours or days as Anatel has to communicate with telecommunications carriers to drop X traffic. Moraes also froze financial assets of Musk's Starlink by issuing an order to block the accounts of the satellite internet network that has rapidly expanded the number of its users in Brazil. The judge's motive was to cover unpaid fines amounting to 18.5 million reais ($3.28 million) he had previously slapped on X for ignoring judicial orders. Responding to a post that mentioned reports that Starlink accounts had been blocked, Musk called Moraes a "dictator" on X. HOW WILL PLATFORM X BE SHUT DOWN? Under Brazilian laws governing the internet, social media must have a representative based in the country. The judge said companies that breach Brazilian law can have their activities temporarily suspended. Regulator Anatel has begun to notify carriers to ensure they drop X. Users could still be able to dodge the blockage by using VPNs. But to avoid that loophole, Moraes said that individuals or companies who tried to keep access to the social network that way could be fined up to 50,000 reais ($8,909) a day. WHAT IS THE POSSIBLE IMPACT? X is widely used in Brazil and is an important means of communication, especially for politicians as a means to put out their views and attack their rivals. The country is about to enter the campaign phase for local municipal elections in October that will decide the mayors of 5,568 towns and cities. RIGHT-LEFT DIVIDE ON THE ISSUE? Reactions to the feud between Moraes and Musk are divided. Some X users shared Musk's criticism of the judge's decisions, saying he was undermining freedom of speech in Brazil. Others agree with the judge's view that Musk should not be above Brazilian law. Story continues Supporters of former hard-right President Jair Bolsonaro see Musk as an ally in their opposition to Moraes' investigations into so-called digital militias that have been accused of spreading "fake news" and hate messages during Bolsonaro's government which extended from 2019 to 2022. ($1 = 5.6121 reais) (Reporting by Anthony Boadle in Brasilia; Editing by Matthew Lewis) MIDVALE, Utah (ABC4) A 4-month-old infant is at a local area hospital in critical condition after she was found to be suffering from two skull fractures and a significant brain bleed earlier this week. Sgt. Aymee Race with the Unified Police Department said officers were called out to the Midvale Road Home shortly before 8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 25. Upon arrival, the infant was not breathing and first responders quickly initiated CPR and life-saving measures. She was then taken to the local hospital where Race said medical staff are tirelessly working to save her life. Special Victims Detectives promptly began an investigation with the Midvale Road Home and have taken into custody one man identified as Zachary Walton, 29, of Midvale. Investigators said Walton was not an employee of the road home but a family friend who was responsible for watching the baby at the time of the incident while her mother was at work. During an interview with detectives, Walton allegedly confessed to causing the injuries. Magna mother, roommate each face 29 charges over child abuse allegations According to court documents, Walton became frustrated while watching the infant, saying that she would not stop crying. Describing his frustration as an 8 on a 10 scale, Walton told investigators he took the baby to the roof of the building where he planned to vape and destress. Walton allegedly admitted to knowingly causing trauma to the babys head while in the elevator to the roof. Afterward, police say that Walton had thought to himself What had I done? After 17 minutes on the roof attempting to resuscitate the infant, Walton notified a bunkmate at the Road Home. The bunkmate reportedly told Walton to take the baby down to the lobby where staff immediately called 911. Walton was taken into custody and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on two counts of second-degree felony intentional aggravated child abuse and one count of second-degree felony attempted murder. The Unified Police Department said an investigation is ongoing and the focus remains on the critical condition of the child and the efforts to save her life. Unified Police Department along with the Midvale City Mayor and City Councils thoughts are with the family of this 4-month-old child as they endure these difficult circumstances, UPD said in a press release. Walton has been ordered to be held without bail, pending a pretrial hearing. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Valley fever cases are on the rise in California. The fungal infection can cause severe disease. Experts share the signs and symptoms of Valley fever. The California Department of Public Health is investigating an outbreak of Valley fever in people who attended a music festival at Buena Vista Lake in early summer, leading many to wonder about Valley fever symptoms. The condition is an infectious disease caused by the Coccidioides fungus that grows in the soil and dirt in some areas of the U.S. and other parts of the world, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The fungus can infect the lungs and cause a range of respiratory issues. In rare cases, it can spread to other parts of the body and lead to severe disease. Five people who attended the Lightning in a Bottle music festival were diagnosed with the condition and three were hospitalized, according to a press release from state health officials. In 2022, there were 17,612 cases of Valley fever reported to the CDC, mostly from Arizona and California. California health officials note that the illness seems to be on the rise, with cases tripling between 2014-2018 and from 2018-2022. Meet the experts: Thomas Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York; infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security But what are the major symptoms of Valley fever and what should you do if you suspect that you have it? Heres the deal. Valley fever symptoms Many people who are exposed to the Coccidioides fungus do not get Valley fever, according to the CDC. However, those who do may have these symptoms: Fatigue Cough Fever and headache Shortness of breath Night sweats Muscle aches or joint pain Rash on upper body or legs Symptoms usually appear between a week and three weeks after you breathe in the spores, and can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, per the CDC. It is a common cause of pneumonia, says infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. Up to 10% of people with Valley fever will develop serious or long-term problems with their lungs, according to the CDC. Some may experience complications in other parts of their body, including the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), skin, or bones and joints. How do you get Valley fever? People get Valley fever by breathing in spores that live in the soil and dust, per the CDC. Activities that disturb the dirt and soil, like windstorms and construction, increase the risk, explains Thomas Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York. In rare cases, people can get Valley fever through an organ transplant from an infected person, by inhaling spores from an infected wound, or by contact with contaminated objects like rocks or shoes, according to the CDC. Worth noting: Valley fever does not spread from person to person. How is Valley fever diagnosed? The symptoms of Valley fever can be similar to many other respiratory-type viruses like the flu or COVID, Dr. Russo says. But people with Valley fever symptoms tend to have chest pain and shortness of breath, which is more common with severe versions of the flu and COVID-19, he points out. If you go to the doctor with Valley fever symptoms, its likely that theyll test you for more common respiratory viruses first, Dr. Russo says. But, if you live in an area where Valley fever is more common, a doctor may also order a blood test to look for antibodies to the infection, he says. (If you have a characteristic skin rash, your doctor may order the test sooner, Dr. Russo points out.) But Dr. Adalja says that the initial infection is not usually detected. Instead, its only when someone becomes more severely ill that they get a proper diagnosis. Valley fever treatment Not everyone is treated for Valley fevermost infections go away on their own without treatment, Dr. Russo says. However, some people are treated early on. Treatment is reserved for those individuals who are immunocompromised, Dr. Adalja says. If someone has disseminated diseasemeaning, its spread throughout their bodythey would also be treated, he says. Treatment usually includes three to six months of an oral antifungal medication like fluconazole, Dr. Russo says. How to prevent Valley fever It can be tricky, especially given that there is no vaccine for Valley fever. If one lives in the endemic areas, it is very difficult to avoid infection as the fungal spores are literally blowing in the wind, Dr. Adalja says. However, he notes that there tends to be a higher-than-usual risk after earthquakes since the spores are stirred up. Wildfires may also kick up spores, Dr. Russo says. If youre able, you want to avoid the environments that are dry and dusty where you can inhale the spores, particularly if you fall into a high-risk group, Dr. Russo says. The CDC also recommends staying inside during dust storms and closing your windows, using air filtration measures inside (like the best air purifiers), cleaning skin injuries well with soap and water, and wearing a mask (like a KN95 or N95) in areas with a lot of dust, like construction sites. Dr. Russo stresses that Valley fever isnt a big concern for many Americans. But if you live in California, Arizona, Nevada, or New Mexico, he says its a good idea to at least have the condition on your radar. You Might Also Like Green Hill School. (Department of Children Youth and Families) Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has directed the Department of Corrections to send staff to Green Hill School in Chehalis as the juvenile detention facility faces safety issues resulting from overcrowding. The Department of Children, Youth and Families announced Inslees directive on Aug. 13. It followed the agencys July 8 decision to suspend intakes at its two juvenile detention centers, leaving convicted youth in county jails. That decision was overturned in an agreement between Washingtons counties and the state agency on Aug. 9 after the counties sued. We cannot focus on rehabilitation without first ensuring safety, said the agencys director, Ross Hunter. Additional staffing and collaboration benefit young people and staff, by supporting our ongoing security efforts and helping us resume programs and treatment for young people at GHS. Hunter faced calls to step down from state lawmakers and Washingtons juvenile justice advisory council amid the issues at Green Hill. In an interview with FOX 13, he shifted blame to other entities for failing to accurately predict the number of youth that would be sent to his agencys facilities, but admitted that he failed to warn counties of his subsequent moves. While the departments initial announcement said there would be 10 Department of Corrections staff members sent to Green Hill, a Department of Children, Youth and Families spokesperson, Nancy Gutierrez, told the Standard on Aug. 27 that 20 adult corrections staff are working at the facility. The Department of Corrections brings a unique skill set and is doing an excellent job, said Mike Faulk, a spokesperson for the governors office. They are present solely to provide support to DCYF for the safety of everyone at Green Hill. This has helped to resume a number of activities that werent possible before. This is the first time the Department of Corrections and the Department of Children, Youth and Families have entered an agreement known as unified command, said Gutierrez. A unified command is what the state calls it when multiple agencies come together to respond to emergency situations, according to an Aug. 16 letter sent to Green Hill School staff and residents by Felice Upton, the agencys juvenile rehabilitation assistant secretary. DOC is involved because they have a team of nationally trained and credentialed incident and significant event managers, Uptons letter reads. This team provides support across the state and country to other agencies and is widely respected for its expertise. Chanel Rhymes, a criminal justice advocate whose son is in custody at Green Hill, said she has mixed feelings about Department of Corrections staff arriving at the facility. It feels like the staff at Green Hill specifically is very young and does not have a lot of experience, Rhymes said. In a sense, having people from DOC if theyre coming in to show them basic how to operate a facility, its kind of like, okay, good. But then on the flip side, this is DOC, Rhymes said. Theyre used to dealing with adults. This is supposed to be a different form of incarceration. So are they equipped to be dealing with youth? Upton said the Department of Corrections staff are not there to run Green Hill, but have arrived on a temporary basis to collaborate with DCYF on our shared mission to enhance the safety and security. Gutierrez said the Department of Corrections staff will assist with contraband searches and organized, safe movements of residents. This past week, their focus was cleanliness, Uptons mid-August letter said about the unified command. We are so pleased to already see one additional success from this week with the return to using the cafeteria for meals starting this evening. Uptons letter said residents previously had not been able to use the cafeteria for four years. Gutierrez said the cafeteria was closed during the pandemic and had remained closed due to inadequate staffing. Rhymes said the cafeteria closure was shocking to her. She was under the impression her son was able to use the cafeteria, as it is open during family visitation events, like for Christmas. Shes been having difficulty getting in contact with her son, she said, as the facility appears to still largely be in lockdown due to the crowding issues. They are not able to get out of their cells and have programming, education, Rhymes said. This is the time in their lives where theyre supposed to be going to college or learning some sort of skill so they can be productive citizens, and were damaging them. Rhymes said her son was able to call her for the first time in a week Tuesday night and told her it was the only time he had been out of his cell all day. We know that current conditions are challenging and will take time to resolve, Uptons letter said. We have teams actively exploring options for reducing the overcrowding at GHS and are collaborating with legislators on resources for additional facilities. Until we have more space to accommodate more people, safety issues will persist and access to services will be limited. This story has been updated with additional comments from DCYF regarding the cafeteria closure. Ukraine could strike at least 245 targets inside Russia with ATACMS if the US would let it, new interactive map shows Ukraine could strike at least 245 targets inside Russia with ATACMS if the US would let it, new interactive map shows A new interactive map made by war analysts shows 245 targets inside Russia that Ukraine could hit with ATACMS. The US and Western allies have forbidden Ukraine from using their weapons on targets inside Russia. Ukraine has repeatedly asked for the green light, even preparing a list of targets to convince Washington. A new interactive map shows hundreds of targets inside Russia that Ukraine could hit with its US-provided ATACMS if the White House gave it the green light to do so. The presentation comes after months of debate between Washington and Kyiv, with the former repeatedly saying that lifting the restrictions on how and where Ukraine uses its US-provided weapons won't make a difference on the battlefield. The US long withheld ATACMS from Ukraine over concerns they would be escalatory before finally relenting and sending them late last year. According to the map, which was created by the Institute for the Study of War and the American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threats project, there are 245 military targets inside Russia within range of the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems Ukraine has available in its arsenal. A static map also shows the targets, as well as the ranges of different variants of ATACMS compared to Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS). Both the ATACMS and GMLRS can be fired by the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). The targets are defined as being military and paramilitary, including air bases. As the map says, no Russian military air bases are within range of GMLRS, which are not subject to the same restrictions as the ATACMS. For deep strikes, Ukraine has had to rely on indigenous systems, such as long-range drones or homegrown missiles. A map from the Institute for the Study of War and the American Enterprise Institute shows the targets Ukraine could hit inside Russia with US-provided weapons. The Institute for the Study of War/American Enterprise Institute Per the target map, the extended range of the ATACMS puts a host of potential Russian targets within reach that were previously untouchable by other Western-provided weapons. ISW also detailed the targets and their approximate locations in a list format. All of this, per ISW, is "to illustrate the extent to which US restrictions on Ukraine's use of ATACMS constrain Ukraine's ability to strike important military infrastructure." US soldiers launch ATACMS from a HIMARS launcher in 2023. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Dickson Ukraine and the US have been in a monthlong debate over the potential use of ATACMS to strike targets in Russian territory. The US has maintained a stance that allowing Ukraine to do this wouldn't change the status of the war or help Ukraine's ground forces, primarily because Russia has moved many of its most important targets and assets back from the border and out of the range of ATACMS. But Ukraine has repeatedly asked for permission, noting that key targets are still within range and arguing that since Russia strikes targets within Ukraine, Kyiv should be able to as well. Just Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that "there should be no restrictions on the range of weapons for Ukraine, while terrorists have no such restrictions." The next day, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters that Ukraine has some cross-border strike permissions, but "as it relates to long-range strike, deep strikes into Russia, our policy has not changed." This week, Ukrainian officials will be presenting the US with a tailored list of potential Russian targets, US officials told Politico, as a last resort to convince Washington to lift the weapons restrictions the country says are holding it back. Read the original article on Business Insider Burlington, VT- The Intervale Center has canceled this seasons last two Summervale events due to the risk of exposure to mosquitos carrying EEE. Summervale is an event with live music and local food vendors held from 5:30 to 8 p.m., and health officials are recommending people limit their time outdoors between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. in high-risk areas, which includes Burlington. In a statement posted to social media, the Intervale Center said, Thank you to our sponsors, vendors, and guests for an amazing 2024 Summervale season. See you next year! According to the Vermont Health Department, high-risk areas currently include Alburgh, Burlington, Colchester, and Swanton. The recommendation that people limit their risk to mosquito bites will be in place until the first hard frost kills mosquitoes. Health officials say 47 groups of mosquitoes have tested positive for EEE across 11 towns, compared with 14 groups across 3 towns that tested positive in 2023. EEE is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus spread to people through bites from infected mosquitoes. Most people infected may not show symptoms, but those who do experience flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, body aches, and joint pain, and should reach out to their healthcare provider. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. (PUEBLO, Colo.) The potential charges a man could face after he allegedly assaulted a woman at the Scotty McCreery concert at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo last weekend have been referred to the Pueblo County District Attorneys (DA) Office. According to Olga Robak, the Director of Communications and Public Awareness for the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the victim in the incident that happened on Saturday, Aug. 24, was evaluated onsite by EMTs and paramedics and declined to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance. The man who allegedly assaulted her was identified by the Colorado State Fair Police that night, wrote Robak, who further stated that charges in the case have been referred to the Pueblo County DAs office. On Saturday, videos and photos began to circulate across social media and online after country music artist and former American Idol winner Scotty McCreery briefly stopped his concert at the State Fair after a man in the crowd allegedly assaulted a woman. In our previous coverage on Monday, Aug. 26, Robak told FOX21 that security with the State Fair assisted with crowd control after the incident. Viewer video from Jessica R. obtained by FOX21 News can be viewed above. FOX21 News has reached out to the DAs Office for further comment on the case and will update this article once we know more. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Standing in the back of the TGI Fridays at East Flamingo and Spencer in the late 1980s Jeff German mingled with a whos who of Las Vegas city officials, casino execs, and federal agentson the hunt for the next big story. Not far from the restaurant bar stood Jeff Burbank, former Las Vegas Sun reporter, scanning the crowd alongside German who sipped his diet coke and rum, a moment he remembered nearly four decades later. Jeff German loved that place, Burbank said. Wed stay there much longer than happy hour. He would meet sources there and we just had a lot of fun imbibing. The two desk-mates at the newspaper would listen into each others phone calls, according to Burbank. The calls with sources would sometimes invite one of the reporters, typically German, to cut in if the story sounded exciting. Hed wait for me to finish, and no longer then when I put the receiver down, hed say, I want in on that story, Burbank said. We had a lot of co-bylines until I couldnt take it anymore. Moving to Las Vegas from California in 1987 Burbank said German was one of his few counterparts in the newsroom. The ego of German, who also worked as a columnist, sometimes would draw contention, but at the end of the day, it was about the story. He was boastful, but he had great sources, Burbank said. There was a kind of a friendly rivalry, you know, and Jeff was a personality. Hank Greenspun, former head of the Las Vegas Sun, and Mike OCallaghan, former Nevada governor, would prove to be powerful sources for German, according to Burbank. The caveat, though, was he had to write in favor of their friends and against their enemies, he said. Eventually, German left The Las Vegas Sun and moved to the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2010. Germans boastful nature would lessen over time according to Burbank who said he still remembers his former desk-mates humor and knack for finding a lie. He would talk to somebody on the phone, put the phone down, and then start talking about how they were lying to him, Burbank said. Those were really fun years. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Jamie Orozco-Nagel and her family attended the House public hearing on a bill making changes to Iowa's Area Education Agencies on Feb. 21, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa Democratic lawmakers released a report Thursday showing there has been a reduction of more than 400 staff at Iowas Area Education Agencies for this school year in the wake of a new law making changes to the system of agencies. AEAs are the entities that provide special education support and other services to Iowas K-12 schools. According to information submitted to Democratic lawmakers by the AEAs on Aug. 15, there has been a total reduction of 429 staff at Iowas nine AEAs compared to the previous school year. Prairie Lakes AEA saw the largest proportion of staff leaving, with 44 departures and roughly a 18% total reduction in staff, while Keystone AEA saw the smallest at 9.3% with 22 fewer staff members. Grant Wood AEA had the highest total staff reduction at 84 staff members a nearly 16% drop in staffing. Rep. Lindsay James, D-Dubuque, said at a news conference Thursday that this reduction means that there will be fewer professionals at Iowas public K-12 schools providing vital services for students through special education, crisis intervention and mental health provisions, in addition to education support and professional development services. While Gov. Kim Reynolds named the law as her top priority during the 2024 legislative session, it encountered significant pushback from the public and some lawmakers during the session. After months of negotiations, the governor and GOP legislative leaders reached an agreement on the measure. It was scaled back from Reynolds original proposal to allow all state and federal special education funding that previously went directly to AEA to go public school districts instead. In its final form, the law has 90% of school districts special education funding going to AEAs after first being allocated to school districts, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, and allows districts discretionary control over the remaining 10% of special education funds. This school year, the law will split the funding for general education and media services previously going to AEAs, with 40% going to AEAs and 60% to school districts. Beginning in the second year of implementation, schools districts will also have full control over funding for general education and media services. Critics have said the 2024 law will mean that school districts especially those in rural areas will have less access to services currently provided by AEAs, as the previous funding model provided smaller school districts access to services that would come at a higher cost through an outside provider or individual contract. Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, said the previous AEA funding model was created so funding would be distributed equitably to better help students with special education needs, regardless of where they lived. She said the changes to the AEAs supported by Statehouse Republicans and Reynolds were not made with with the best interest of our students and our educators in mind. What the governor and the Republicans have done is created a system that is now very unstable, uncertain, Jochum said. It has created winners and losers, and we are now headed for a real urban-rural divide in educating our children. Reynolds said at a news conference earlier in August that the law has not changed school districts ability to work with AEAs as they have in previous years. She said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow has been in contact with numerous school districts about implementation of the law in the lead-up to the beginning of the school year. If they want to continue to use the AEAs in the same manner that they did before, then they can continue to do that, Reynolds said at a news conference last week. Nothing has changed. James said the staff reductions reported by AEAs show that Reynolds saying nothing has changed is not true. The governor is being disingenuous, she is being dishonest, James said. The governor is misleading the public, because the data shows us otherwise 429 fewer staff as a result of this legislation. Many of the staff reductions are from people leaving the AEA system, seeking other employment. While Reynolds and Republican supporters of the measure said these staff members can be hired by school districts or the Iowa Department of Education which now oversees the AEA system through the Division of Special Education Democrats argued that many of the professionals previously at AEAs would leave the Iowa education workforce. Roughly 20 people left Grant Wood voluntarily after the 2023-2024 school year, Jochum said, and 56 total special education service providers left, Jochum said. So far, she said Grant Wood has only been able to hire for 15 of the 56 special education positions. Most of them are not leaving voluntarily, Jochum said. Theres maybe 20 that retired early, but most are just moving. Theyre leaving. And so, its really is having an impact on the education of our children. (Reuters) -Ratings agency Fitch said on Thursday the U.S. fiscal profile is likely to remain largely unchanged regardless of who wins the upcoming presidential election, as it affirmed the United States of America's credit rating at "AA+", citing structural strengths including high per capita income and financial flexibility. Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' late entry in the presidential race after President Joe Biden's withdrawal in July tightened the race against Republican candidate Donald Trump. A Reuters/Ipsos poll this week showed she leads 45% to 41%. "The outcome of the upcoming Nov. 5, 2024 presidential and congressional elections will be important for U.S. economic and fiscal policies," Fitch said in a statement. "However, Fitch believes the underlying fiscal position will remain largely unchanged despite the differing economic objectives, tax policies, and spending priorities of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump." The agency said it expects most of the tax cuts introduced by Trump in 2017 to be extended under either candidate, impacting revenues and contributing to wider budget deficits. "The government has failed to meaningfully tackle large fiscal deficits, the growing debt burden and looming increases in spending associated with an aging population," it said. Fitch cut the U.S. government's top credit rating by one notch last year, drawing an angry response from the White House. The downgrade came after Democratic President Joe Biden and the Republican-controlled House of Representatives reached a debt ceiling agreement that lifted the government's $31.4 trillion borrowing limit, ending months of political brinkmanship. On Thursday, the agency said it maintained its rating, with a stable outlook, due to the U.S. economic strength and financial flexibility coming from the issuance of U.S. dollars, the world's leading reserve currency. Still, it said high fiscal deficits and the debt burden put the country below the median of equally rated sovereigns. "The U.S. standards of governance are also below its 'AA' rated peers," it said. (Reporting by Raechel Thankam Job and Davide Barbuscia; Editing by Pooja Desai, Krishna Chandra Eluri and David Gregorio) ONAWA, Iowa (KCAU) A bridge connecting two communities in Siouxland is showing its age. Department of Transportation (DOT) officials in Iowa and Nebraska are looking at options to replace the over 70-year-old structure. On Wednesday, residents near the Decatur Bridge shared what they thought of the options for the project. Iowa Utilities Commission issues pipeline permit for Summit Carbon Solutions We are looking at getting public feedback on our Decatur Bridge, Nebraska DOT District 3 engineer Kevin Domogalla said. Weve got a number of alternatives that we have put together with the citizens advisory group so that we can start our next startup process from here. The bridge was built back in 1955, leaving many residents to wonder if its still safe to drive on. We just recently finished an inspection on the bridge, Domogalla said. Were getting that information together on that now. Any construction needs regular maintenance, and well continue doing that. As of right now, the bridge is structurally sound. Residents expressed concerns over funding for the bridge project, but DOT officials stressed that the beginning phase of the project is still a ways off. Arbys donates $140K to Siouxland nonprofits Weve explained that both states will look at our federal and state funding, Iowa DOT District 3 engineer Jessica Felix said. We have it in federal fiscal year 30, but that means construction would start in 2029. Thats kind of how it looks calendar-wise, and we work with Nebraska DOT quite a bit so we will line together to make sure that were fully funded for whatever alternative is chosen. More public input meetings are planned for next year. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) The Iowa Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal of a ruling that declared Orange Citys rental inspection ordinance unconstitutional. The Iowa District Court for Sioux County made the ruling back in Aug. 2023, saying the ordinance violates the state constitution. Court documents indicate the city enacted the ordinance back in Feb. 2021, which requires landlords and tenants to submit to mandatory inspections of rental properties within the city every five years. Looking at unhoused statistics in Sioux City However, those inspections may happen sooner if the city receives complaints of a possible violation during that time frame. City officials could get an administrative search warrant to get into the homes if tenants refused to give them access. There has not been a date set for the oral argument. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Summit Carbon Solutions wants to sequester the carbon dioxide of more than 50 ethanol producers in five states. (Courtesy of Summit Carbon Solutions) The Iowa Utilities Commission has issued a construction permit for Summit Carbon Solutions proposed hazardous liquid pipeline across Iowa. The commissions decision on Wednesday was not unexpected given a June 25 order in which the panel issued a final decision approving the project while requiring Summit Carbon to submit numerous filings demonstrating compliance with regulatory requirements before a construction permit would be issued. The commission also required the company to secure and maintain a $100 million insurance policy, and agree to compensate landowners for any damages that result from the pipelines construction. On August 5, Summit Carbon submitted the required compliance filings, clearing the way for the permit to be issued. The commission issued the permit without modifying the previously imposed conditions Summit Carbon must meet in order to begin construction the most significant of which is that the project must be approved by regulators in North Dakota and South Dakota. The company hopes to begin construction next year with the goal of making the pipeline operational in 2026. The pipeline, which would be the largest of its kind anywhere in the world, would carry liquified carbon dioxide from ethanol plants in Iowa and surrounding states to a site in North Dakota, where the company still hopes for approval of a previously denied permit. The pipeline would cross more than 2,000 miles across five states, including nearly 700 miles in Iowa. In planning the pipeline, Summit has partnered with 57 ethanol plants and the company says it has signed voluntary easement agreements with 75% of the Iowa routes landowners. In giving its approval to the project, the Iowa Utilities Commission has stated that Summit will be able to use eminent domain in Iowa to force the sale of land from property owners who are opposed to the use of the property for the project. The Iowa House approved legislation the past two sessions that would have given landowners more leverage over pipeline negotiations. In 2023, the House passed a bill requiring pipeline companies to obtain voluntary easements for 90% of their routes before they could use eminent domain for the rest. This year, the House voted to allow landowners who are subject to eminent domain requests by carbon dioxide pipeline companies to challenge the legitimacy of those requests in court earlier in the permit proceedings. Neither bill advanced in the Senate. The proposed pipeline has been the focus of intense public debate over the past 30 months, with farmers, environmentalists and pipeline safety advocates voicing their opposition. In August 2023, Summit was denied permits in North Dakota, and one month later it was denied permits in South Dakota. In the two and half years since the Iowa Utilities Commission first began weighing Summits permit application, the panel has filed tens of thousands of pages of testimony and exhibits, heard testimony from more than 200 witnesses, and considered 4,180 comments, objections, and letters of support for the project. Summit Carbon Solutions wants to sequester the carbon dioxide of more than 50 ethanol producers in five states. (Courtesy of Summit Carbon Solutions) The Iowa Utilities Commission has issued a construction permit for Summit Carbon Solutions proposed hazardous liquid pipeline across Iowa. The commissions decision on Wednesday was not unexpected, given a June 25 order in which the panel issued a final decision approving the project while requiring Summit Carbon to submit numerous filings demonstrating compliance with regulatory requirements before a construction permit would be issued. The commission also required the company to secure and maintain a $100 million insurance policy, and agree to compensate landowners for any damages that result from the pipelines construction. On Aug. 5, Summit Carbon submitted the required compliance filings, clearing the way for the permit to be issued. The commission issued the permit without modifying the previously imposed conditions Summit Carbon must meet in order to begin construction, the most significant of which is that the project must be approved by regulators in North Dakota and South Dakota. The company hopes to begin construction next year with the goal of making the pipeline operational in 2026. The pipeline, which would be the largest of its kind anywhere in the world, would carry liquified carbon dioxide from ethanol plants in Iowa, Nebraska and other surrounding states to a site in North Dakota, where the company still hopes for approval of a previously denied permit. The pipeline would cross more than 2,000 miles across five states, including nearly 700 miles in Iowa. In planning the pipeline, Summit has partnered with 57 ethanol plants. The company says it has signed voluntary easement agreements with 75% of the Iowa routes landowners. In giving its approval to the project, the Iowa Utilities Commission has stated that Summit will be able to use eminent domain in Iowa to force the sale of land from property owners who are opposed to the use of the property for the project. The Iowa House approved legislation the past two sessions that would have given landowners more leverage over pipeline negotiations. In 2023, the House passed a bill requiring pipeline companies to obtain voluntary easements for 90% of their routes before they could use eminent domain for the rest. This year, the House voted to allow landowners who are subject to eminent domain requests by carbon dioxide pipeline companies to challenge the legitimacy of those requests in court earlier in the permit proceedings. Neither bill advanced in the Senate. The proposed pipeline has been the focus of intense public debate over the past 30 months, with farmers, environmentalists and pipeline safety advocates voicing their opposition. In August 2023, Summit was denied permits in North Dakota, and one month later it was denied permits in South Dakota. In the 2 years since the Iowa Utilities Commission first began weighing Summits permit application, the panel has filed tens of thousands of pages of testimony and exhibits, heard testimony from more than 200 witnesses and considered 4,180 comments, objections, and letters of support for the project. This article first appeared in the Iowa Capital Dispatch, a sister site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network. Update: This story has been updated to reflect PHill's capture A water buffalo that went rogue and became an overnight celebrity in the Des Moines metro area after it escaped its owner moments before it was destined for slaughter was caught alive Wednesday. The water buffalo, who has been nicknamed PHill by residents, was sent to the Iowa State University Large Animal Hospital in Ames where he will be transferred to the care of the Iowa Farm Sanctuary, Shawn Camp, the sanctuary's founder, told the Des Moines Register a part of the USA TODAY Network. The incident began Saturday in rural Polk County, Iowa, just north of Pleasant Hill city limits, when the water buffalo jumped onto its owner just before it was about to get shot and slaughtered and made its escape. PHill was shot and injured Saturday after it became aggressive when confronted by police, according to a Pleasant Hill Police Department Facebook post. The rescue plans to treat the water buffalos gunshot injury. We dont have word yet on how bad the injury is, Camp told the paper. That will be determined when he arrives to the hospital. The gunshot wound and dehydration have been the biggest concern. Animal rescue taking in PHill the water buffalo, asks for companions The Animal Rescue League of Des Moines signed over custody to the sanctuary when PHill was captured, Camp said. Im honestly so thankful for the community that has shown compassion for what is essentially a cow in the middle of Iowa, Camp said. I think its remarkable. It started off with Des Moines rooting for him, then the state of Iowa and now its gotten even bigger. I think theres people across the country for him. Everyones rooting for one cow that escaped slaughter. The rescue also has asked to take custody of two other water buffalos that live on the property from which PHill escaped. What happened? On Saturday, Pleasant Hill police were dispatched to the area where a caller said they saw a loose animal in the street. Police identified the animal as a water buffalo and began coordinating with the Animal Rescue League and Des Moines Animal Control to apprehend it. The water buffalo had escaped its owners property, officials said. The owner told police that the mammal was aggressive. When officers spotted the water buffalo, it became aggressive, and an officer shot it once with a shotgun, the news release said. The Animal Rescue League and Des Moines Animal Control did not have tranquilizers to sedate a mammal of the water buffalos size, officials said. The water buffalo was tranquilized after officials found him on the east side of Des Moines and given antibiotics by veterinarians when captured. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'PHill:' the aggressive water buffalo captured in Des Moines. Iowa (Bloomberg) -- Irans nuclear-fuel levels rose over the last three months, the United Nations watchdog said, potentially ratcheting up tensions that have threatened to spill into a regional war. Most Read from Bloomberg Monitors from the International Atomic Energy Agency reported Thursday that Irans stockpile of highly enriched uranium increased by 16% between June and August, according to a 13-page restricted report circulated among diplomats and seen by Bloomberg. Thats enough to fuel a handful of warheads, should Iran make a political decision to pursue weapons. The continued production and accumulation of high enriched uranium by Iran, the only non-nuclear weapon state to do so, adds to the agencys concerns IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said in the report, also noting the country continues to stonewall monitoring. The IAEAs safeguards report is the first since new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was elected in July. The reformist leader has said hes keen to revive diplomacy over the countrys nuclear work, even as Middle East observers voice concern over a potential military clash with Israel. Israels ongoing war with Hamas and tit-for-tat missile strikes with Tehran-backed Hezbollah have added urgency to the IAEAs years-long search to uncover the scope of Irans nuclear ambitions. Concerns of a regional war grew after the Islamic Republic blamed Israel for the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, vowing to retaliate. Israel hasnt taken responsibility for the assassination. While the IAEA carries out daily inspections of declared atomic facilities, suspicions linger over whether Iranian engineers could be concealing work used for military purposes. Tehran has blocked the agencys investigation into uranium particles detected at undeclared locations. While Iran insists it isnt looking to produce nuclear weapons, international mistrust prompted a negotiated compromise in 2015 that restricted atomic activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Recent statements by current and former Iranian officials that the country could revisit its nuclear doctrine and potentially build a weapon prompted Grossi to renew attempts at diplomacy on a visit earlier this month. The IAEA report was published ahead of a Sept. 9 board meeting in Vienna, where Iran is facing mounting diplomatic pressure to cooperate with inspectors. The board slapped Iran with a resolution of censure in June in a step that could eventually lead to a referral to the UN Security Council for further action. Irans stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% levels of purity a level indistinguishable from weapons-grade fuel rose to 165 kilograms from 142 kilograms June, the IAEA inspectors concluded. Inventories of 20%-enriched fuel grew to 814 from 751 kilograms. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. This photo released by the European Union's Operation Aspides shows fires burning aboard the oil tanker Sounion in the Red Sea on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024. The EU mission said Monday that there were no signs of an oil spill emanating from the Sounion, which came under repeated attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels amid their campaign targeting shipping over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. (European Union's Operation Aspides via AP) UNITED NATIONS (AP) Yemens Houthi rebels have agreed to allow tugboats and rescue ships to assist a Greek-flagged oil tanker that remains ablaze in the Red Sea in consideration of humanitarian and environmental concerns, Irans mission to the United Nations claimed late Wednesday. However, the Houthis did not offer specific details and are believed to have blocked an earlier attempt to salvage the vessel and continue to attack shipping across the Red Sea. Last weeks attack on the Sounion marked the most serious assault in weeks by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who continue to target shipping through the Red Sea corridor over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. The attacks have disrupted the $1 trillion in trade that typically passes through the region, as well as halted some aid shipments to conflict-ravaged Sudan and Yemen. Irans U.N. mission said Wednesday that following the fire on the Sounion and the subsequent environmental hazards, several countries it didnt identify reached out to the Houthis requesting a temporary truce for the entry of tugboats and rescue ships into the incident area. Ansar Allah has consented to this, the Iranian mission said, using another name for the Houthis. It offered no further details, nor did the Houthis, who have repeatedly attacked ships in the Red Sea, detained aid workers, deployed child soldiers and cracked down on dissent since holding Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in 2014. Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam, in comments carried by the Houthi-controlled SABA news agency, said late Wednesday that the attack showed how serious the rebels took their campaign against shipping. "After several international parties contacted us, especially the European ones, they were allowed to tow the burning oil ship Sounion, Abdul-Salam said, without giving further details. The Pentagon said Tuesday that attempts by an unidentified third party to send two tugboats to the stricken Sounion were blocked by the Houthis. Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters that the Houthis actions demonstrate their blatant disregard for not only human life, but also for the potential environmental catastrophe that this presents. Ryder said the Sounion appears to be leaking oil into the Red Sea, home to coral reefs and other natural habitats and wildlife. However, the European Union's Operation Aspides, whose mission is to protect shipping in the area, said as recently as Wednesday the ship was not leaking oil. The Houthis in their campaign have seized one vessel and sank two in the campaign that also killed four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a U.S.-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets. The rebels maintain that they target ships linked to Israel, the U.S. or the U.K. to force an end to Israels campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran. In the case of the Sounion, the Houthis have claimed the Greek company operating the vessel had other ships serving Israel. The Joint Maritime Information Center, a multinational organization overseen by the U.S. Navy, assessed that the Sounion has no direct association with Israel, U.S. or U.K. within the company business structure though other ships had visited Israel in the recent past. Weissenstein reported from New York DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered an investigation into the death in custody of a defendant in the northern city of Lahijan, state media reported on Thursday. "Following the tragic incident in Lahijan, the president ordered the interior minister to form a committee to investigate all aspects of this incident and report its results to the cabinet as soon as possible," the head of government public relations Elias Hazrati said. Five policemen were arrested by the judiciary in relation to the case, according to the judiciary's Mizan news agency, which did not reveal the deceased's name, the charges he was facing, or the date on which he died. "Following the violation of a citizen's rights, necessary follow-ups were carried out and defendants related to the case were imprisoned based on a temporary arrest warrant," Lahijan's prosecutor, Ebrahim Ansari, said according to Mizan. Ansari added that forensic pathologists carried out follow-ups to determine the cause of death of the accused, without providing additional information. Iranian activist rights group Hengaw reported that the deceased, who it identified as 36-year-old Mohammad Mirmousavi, was arrested on Aug. 24 following an altercation and tortured to death on the same day. Hengaw said this was the seventh case of a death in custody since the start of the year. Reuters could not verify this allegation. A blurred video was circulated on social media showing the lacerated back of a topless man. Reuters could not verify the authenticity of the video. The respect of citizens' rights, including women and minorities, was one of the electoral promises of the relatively moderate Pezeshkian, who won the presidency in July. In 2022, the death in custody of young Kurdish-Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for flouting Iran's strict hijab laws, sparked months of nationwide protests in what became a major challenge to the Islamic Republic. (Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Alex Richardson) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Iran's president ordered an investigation Thursday into the death of a man in custody after activists alleged he had been tortured to death by police officers in the country's north, the latest such fatality to gain the nation's attention. The order came from reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, elected last month, who campaigned on a promise to halt such deaths in custody. In 2022, the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the morality police for allegedly not wearing her headscarf correctly, sparked nationwide protests. In the latest case, five police officers have already been temporarily detained as the investigation is ongoing. Activists identified the dead man as 36-year-old Mohammad Mir Mousavi from the city of Lahijan in Gilan province, near the Caspian Sea. They say he was arrested on Saturday following a street brawl and died on Tuesday. Police and the government offered few details on why the authorities chose to investigate Mousavi's death. However, the rights group Hengaw reported that Mousavi had been detained at a police station in the neighboring city of Langarud. There, they allege, Mousavi was severely beaten and suffered from bleeding. They published a blurred video of what they described as Mousavi's back after his death, soaked in blood and bearing wounds. They alleged he had been killed while his feet and hands were tied. Mousavi was killed under torture in the detention center of the Special Unit of the Law Enforcement Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran after being arrested, Hengaw said. The family of this young man has been pressured by Iranian security agencies to refrain from making this crime public. Hengaw identified Mousavi as belonging to Iran's Gilak minority, who have their own language and live mainly in the northern provinces. Activists say Mousavi's death is likely to lead to a flare-up in inter-communal tensions both in Gilan and across the country. Deaths in security force custody have been repeatedly documented by human rights activists, particularly after years of mass demonstrations challenging the country's Shiite theocracy. In the case of Mahsa Amini, United Nations investigators found Iran responsible for the physical violence that led to her death in September 2022. Israel has agreed to a series of pauses in fighting in Gaza in September to allow young children in the enclave to be vaccinated for polio, according to United Nations and Israeli officials. The polio campaign, which will aim to vaccinate around 640,000 children across Gaza, comes after the highly infectious virus was found in sewage samples in the Strip in June. Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organizations (WHO) representative for the West Bank and Gaza, told a press briefing from a video link Thursday that the pause would start September 1 and will be split into three 3-day phases. We have a preliminary commitment for area-specific humanitarian pauses during the campaign, he said, adding that the pauses will roll out first in central Gaza for three days, followed by south Gaza and then followed by north Gaza. The vaccination drive comes as aid agencies reported Israeli attacks on their convoys. One charity said an Israeli strike on a humanitarian vehicle in Gaza killed several employees of a transportation company. The Israeli military said it targeted armed men who had taken over the convoy. The return of polio to Gaza is a measure of the destruction wrought by more than 10 months of Israeli bombardment. Polio vaccine coverage in the enclave was estimated at 99% in 2022, but had dropped to below 90% at the start of this year, according to WHO data. Peeperkorn warned that more than 90% coverage was needed to stop the outbreak. The virus mostly affects children under five years old, and can cause irreversible paralysis and even death. Its highly infectious and there is no cure; it can only be prevented by immunization, WHO says. More than 2,000 health workers have been recruited in Gaza to take part in the ambitious vaccination campaign. So far, 1.26 million doses of vaccines have been delivered to the Strip, with 400,000 more on their way. An Israeli official confirmed to CNN that polio vaccinations will begin in Gaza on Sunday. Each phase of the vaccination campaign is expected to take around seven hours, and during those hours, the vaccines will be able enter the area on pause and be distributed. Vaccinations will begin in the central Deir Al-Balah region from September 1 to 4, then in the southern Khan Younis region from September 5 to 8, and in Gaza City and northern Gaza from September 9 to 12, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah said. The ministry also published maps showing the locations of each vaccination center. A source familiar with the vaccination rollout told CNN that the major challenge will be whether IDF soldiers on the ground honor the pauses in fighting. There are concerns that they will not, the source said, adding that the IDFs standard operating procedure is to go after a Hamas target no matter what. Hamas knows about the pauses and is expected to take advantage of them to move critical personnel and assets. The work now is to make sure the Israeli soldiers know that they cannot engage militarily during the pause, the source said. Very little is known about the epidemiological profile of this strain of polio the working assumption is that 500 people in Gaza are carrying it, the source added. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said two doses of vaccine will be given in two rounds, four weeks apart suggesting that further pauses may be arranged later. Peeperkorn warned, however, that due to the damage to roads, infrastructure and the constant displacement of people caused by Israels assault, conducting the campaign for just three days in each area is unlikely to be sufficient to achieve adequate vaccination coverage. A worker unloads a shipment of polio vaccines through the Karm Abu Salem crossing at a Gaza health ministry depot, on Sunday. - Eyad Baba/AFP/Getty Images Basem Naim, a member of Hamas political bureau, said the militant group welcomed the push for a pause in Gaza to implement the vaccination drive. We are ready to cooperate with international organizations to secure this campaign, he added. Earlier this month, Abdul Rahman, an 11-month-old boy, was diagnosed with the disease Gazas first recorded case of polio in 25 years. His mother, Niveen Abu al-Jidyan, told CNN how her child went from feverish and vomiting to partially paralyzed. My child started to move and crawl at an early age. But suddenly everything went backwards. Suddenly, he was no longer crawling or moving or able to stand on his feet or even sit, she said. He will be one next month. He should be walking by now, but he suddenly stopped moving. Israels offensive not yet relenting Ahead of the expected pauses, Israels offensive in Gaza has continued. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had carried out an airstrike on a humanitarian aid convoy in Rafah, which it claimed had been taken over by armed men. Anera, the US-based charity that organized the convoy said several employees of the transport company it was working with were killed in the strike. Sandra Rasheed, Aneras country director for Palestine, told CNN the convoy was carrying medical supplies and fuel to the Emirati Red Crescent hospital in Gaza and condemned the shocking incident. The IDF said it launched the strike after it had confirmed that only the vehicle of the armed men could be attacked, adding that the Anera employees had reached their destination safe and sound. In a later statement, Anera said four Palestinians had been killed in the airstrike. No Anera staff were injured but one of its employees, in the second vehicle of the convoy, witnessed the incident at close range. Anera said that shortly after the convoy left the Kerem Shalom crossing, four community members with experience in previous missions and engagement in community security with the transport company had asked to take command of the first vehicle, citing concern that the route was unsafe and at risk of being looted. The NGO said the Israeli airstrike had been carried out without any prior warning or communication. In a separate incident, the World Food Programme (WFP), which delivers aid throughout the Strip, said on Wednesday it is halting the movement of its employees after one of its vehicles, which it said was clearly marked, was targeted with repeated gunfire just meters from an Israeli checkpoint. On Friday, US Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations said an Israeli investigation into the attack had found it was caused by a communications error. CNN has asked the Israeli military for more information. Kate Phillips-Barrasso, the vice president of global policy and advocacy at Mercy Corps, a humanitarian group, told CNN Thursday that the success of the Gaza polio vaccination campaign rests on real and reliable guarantees of safety ones that have not been provided by the parties to this conflict over the last ten months. Put simply, Gaza has become the most dangerous place in the world to be a child or a humanitarian worker, she said. Three-day periods might not be enough WHO representative Peeperkorn said that as the three-day periods might not be enough to reach all those targeted, it has been agreed, when needed, the campaign will be extended by one day per zone, or even more when necessary. The Hostages Families Forum, which campaigns for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, has also asked the WHO and the UN childrens agency, UNICEF, to include the hostages in the ongoing polio vaccination campaign and all other health interventions. A United States official told CNN that Secretary of State Antony Blinken pushed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in their meeting last week on the polio vaccinations, telling Netanyahu it had to be a top priority and it had to get done. Netanyahu agreed to work with the US on the details, the official said. US Special Envoy Lise Grande for Middle East Humanitarian Issues has been leading that effort, working to finalize the details between the Israeli government and the UN, including what the pauses would like and how the vaccines would be delivered. WHO is joined in the vaccination effort by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the United Nations Childrens Fund, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees and other partners. Each organization has been assigned a role in the technical and strategic microplan to execute the vaccine campaign. For weeks, the organizations have emphasized that some kind of ceasefire what they are calling a polio pause would be crucial to the efforts success, and even to contain the disease from spreading to the broader region. CNNs Jennifer Hansler, Irene Nasser, Christian Edwards, Radina Gigova, Dana Karni, Irene Nasser, Tim Lister and Sharon Braithwaite contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Phuong Nguyen and Francesco Guarascio HANOI (Reuters) -Alphabet's Google is considering building a large data centre in Vietnam, a person briefed on the plans said, in what would be the first such investment by a big U.S. technology company in the Southeast Asian nation. Google is weighing setting up a "hyperscale" data centre close to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's southern economic hub, the source said, declining to be named because the information was not public. The investment, the size of which the source did not specify, would be a shot in the arm for Vietnam, which has so far failed to attract major overseas capital in data centres due to its patchy infrastructure, with large tech companies preferring to house their centres in rival nations in the region. It was not clear how quickly Google would reach a decision on an investment, but the source said internal talks were taking place and the data centre could be ready in 2027. A spokesperson for Google declined to comment about the data centre plan. Hyperscale centres are the largest in the industry, with power consumption usually similar to that of a big city. A hyperscale data centre with power consumption capacity of 50 megawatts (MW) could cost between $300 million and $650 million, according to estimates based on data published by real estate consultant Jones Lang LaSalle in a report this year on data centres in Vietnam. Google's move was motivated by the large number of its domestic and foreign cloud services clients in Vietnam and the country's expanding digital economy, the source said, noting the Southeast Asian nation was one of the fastest-growing markets for YouTube, Google's popular online video sharing platform. Currently the top data centre operators in Vietnam, based on computing space, are industrial investment firm IDC Becamex and telecommunications company VNPT, both Vietnamese state-owned enterprises, according to an internal market report by an industrial park in Vietnam seen by Reuters. The Nikkei reported in May that Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba was considering building a data centre in Vietnam. Alibaba declined to comment on the matter on Thursday when contacted by Reuters. GROWTH STRATEGY Despite growing demand for digital services from Vietnam's 100 million population, foreign investors in the sector have largely shunned the country because of occasional power shortages, less attractive investment incentives and weak internet infrastructure which relies on a handful of ageing subsea cables, according to industry experts. Story continues In Southeast Asia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand are well ahead in the industry, and have attracted far bigger investments from global tech giants. Google said in May it would invest $2 billion in Malaysia to develop its first data centre and Google Cloud region in the country. Unattractive regulations on foreign ownership and data localisation have also long been a hurdle, but in a reform approved in November Vietnamese legislators decided to allow overseas data centre operators to retain full ownership. Vietnam has strict cybersecurity rules and has long clashed with foreign tech companies about storing data in the country a requirement that it has, however, not regularly enforced. Undeterred, Google is opening a representative office in Vietnam, and is already hiring dozens of engineers, marketing experts and other professionals, according to ads on LinkedIn. "We now have a team on the ground to better serve our Vietnam-based advertising customers and support the country's digital transformation," a spokesperson for Google told Reuters. Google is also offering 40,000 scholarships in Vietnam for basic AI courses and $350,000 each for 20 selected AI start-ups, Google Vietnam Managing Director Marc Woo said on LinkedIn last month. The company already has a large network of suppliers in Vietnam that assemble its products, including Pixel smartphones. (Reporting by Francesco Guarascio and Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Alex Richardson) Palestinians municipality workers check a damaged house following an Israeli military operation in the West Bank refugee camp of Al-Faraa, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser) The Israeli military says it has killed five more militants in a large-scale operation in the occupied West Bank, including a well-known local commander. There was no immediate Palestinian confirmation on Thursday of the death of Mohammed Jaber, known as Abu Shujaa, a commander in the Islamic Jihad militant group in the Nur Shams refugee camp on the outskirts of the city of Tulkarem. He became a hero for many Palestinians earlier this year when he was reported killed in an Israeli operation, only to make a surprise appearance at the funeral of other militants, where he was hoisted onto the shoulders of a cheering crowd. Israel launched a large-scale operation in the West Bank overnight into Wednesday. Hamas said 10 of its fighters were killed in different locations, and the Palestinian Health Ministry reported an 11th casualty, without saying whether he was a fighter or a civilian. Violence has surged in the West Bank since Hamas Oct. 7 attack out of Gaza ignited the war there. ___ Here's the latest: US rebukes Israel over attacks on UN vehicles in Gaza UNITED NATIONS In a rare rebuke, the United States has sharply criticized Israels attacks on U.N. vehicles and called for an end to assaults and threatening rhetoric against the United Nations and humanitarian organizations. U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood told a U.N. Security Council meeting on the humanitarian situation in Gaza that The rhetoric has placed and continues to place humanitarian actors under increased risk both in Gaza and globally. He singled out the Israeli militarys repeated firing at a clearly marked vehicle of the U.N. food agency which was hit by at least 10 bullets as it was moving toward an Israeli military checkpoint at the central Wadi Gaza bridge despite having received multiple clearances from Israeli authorities. In response, the World Food Program announced Wednesday it is pausing the movement of all staff in Gaza until further notice. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Thursday that all WFP convoys and staff remain on hold, though the staff was in contact with some humanitarian partners who deliver aid in Gaza. Wood expressed alarm at the WFP incident and said Israel has told the U.S. their initial review said it was a result of a communication error between Israeli military units. Almost 11 months into the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, Wood said, incidents like the shooting at a WFP vehicle remain all too common. He said the United States is also concerned about the Israeli military firing at a vehicle belonging to the U.N. childrens agency UNICEF. On July 23, UNICEF said two of its vehicles were hit with live ammunition while waiting at a designated holding point near the Wada Gaza checkpoint, waiting to reunite five children including a baby with their father. It was the second shooting involving a UNICEF car in 12 weeks. Israeli airstrike kills 9 members of same family in central Gaza DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Palestinian medics say that an Israeli airstrike that hit an apartment building in the central Gaza Strip killed nine members of the same family, including five infants and two women. Members of the al-Taweel family on Thursday lifted up the bodies of five dead babies wrapped in bloodstained shrouds, showing their pale gray faces to journalists gathered outside the hospital morgue. These are Israels goals! shouted Osama al-Taweel, as he wept over his grandchildrens swaddled remains. Medics at the al-Awda Hospital said that one of the women killed in the strike on the nearby Nuseirat refugee camp was pregnant, and her fetus was killed too. The Israeli military, which has come under mounting international criticism for the thousands of children that have been killed in Gaza, did not immediately offer comment on the target of its attack in Nuseirat. The Israel-Hamas war, now in its 10th month, has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians so far, according to the enclaves health authorities that dont distinguish between militants and civilians. Israel's public health physicians association calls on U.N. to include Israeli hostages in polio vaccination campaign JERUSALEM The head of Israels association of public health physicians is calling on the United Nations to make sure that Israeli hostages held in Gaza are included in a polio vaccination campaign. In a letter to the directors of the World Health Organization and UNICEF, Dr. Hagai Levine noted that two young brothers, Kfir Bibas, 1, and Ariel Bibas, 5, are among the hostages. He also said many of the adult hostages are overdue for booster shots. Given their vulnerable position and the lack of essential vaccinations, the hostages are at severe risk, Levine, who also serves as head of the health division for the grassroots forum representing hostage families, wrote in a letter. WHO announced that it will begin a campaign on Sunday to vaccinate hundreds of thousands of children after a baby contracted the first confirmed case of polio in Gaza in 25 years. The war erupted after Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage in an Oct. 7 attack. Over 100 hostages remain in Hamas captivity, though Israel believes about one third of them have died. Hamas has not allowed aid workers access to the hostages. Israel opposition leader says Netanyahu ignored warning signs ahead of Hamas' October attack JERUSALEM Israels opposition leader says that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ignored warning signs ahead of Hamas Oct. 7 attack. Yair Lapid, a former prime minister, said Thursday that he attended a joint security briefing with Netanyahu in August 2023 in which the prime ministers military secretary warned that things were heating up on Israels various fronts. I can tell you that the danger appeared in the intelligence materials, Lapid said, accusing Netanyahu of being bored and indifferent and ignoring warnings that divisions over his right-wing coalitions controversial judicial overhaul plan were hurting Israels deterrence capabilities. Netanyahus Likud party called Lapid a liar. The prime minister did not receive any warning of war in Gaza, it said. Netanyahu, Israels longest-serving prime minister, has so far refused to take personal responsibility for Israels policy and intelligence failures leading up to Oct. 7. Netanyahus rivals have accused him of putting his own political survival ahead of national security. Israeli military says it has made significant progress in southern city of Rafah JERUSALEM An Israeli military official says that Israeli troops have made significant progress in the southern city of Rafah, overpowering Hamas battalions and destroying most militant infrastructure. Speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media, the official told reporters on Thursday that Hamas Rafah brigade has been mostly dismantled and can no longer operate as a military structure. The official also said Israeli forces destroyed 80% of Hamas tunnels dug deep under the surface of Rafah. The official added that the 52-year-old Israeli Bedouin hostage rescued by Israeli commandos on Wednesday was found in the Hamas tunnel network under Rafah. The Israeli military estimates that it has killed at least 17,000 fighters the majority of Hamas forces. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant sought to highlight the militarys achievements after meeting with senior military officials Thursday. In Gaza, most of the Hamas brigades and battalions have been defeated, Gallant said. Some 90% of Gazas 2.3 million people have been driven from their homes, fleeing multiple times across the territory to escape ground offensives. The Israeli offensive has killed 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the enclaves health authorities that dont distinguish between civilians and militants. ___ Associated Press writer Josef Federman contributed to this report. Hostages' relatives broadcast messages of support along the frontier TEL AVIV, Israel Family members of hostages held by militants in the Gaza Strip gathered along the frontier to try to broadcast messages of support to their loved ones. They set up a giant sound system on Thursday, hoping the captives might hear them. Hersh, Hersh, its Mama, Hersh, yelled Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose 23-year-old son Hersh was among the roughly 250 people taken hostage in Hamas Oct. 7 attack that ignited the war in Gaza. Its day 328. We are all here, all the families of the remaining 107 hostages. Hersh, we are working day and night, and we will never stop! she said. Some family members, overcome with emotion, briefly entered a fenced-off zone along the border. Security forces brought them out after around 20 minutes, according to Israeli media. The event was the culmination of a large convoy of cars that had left from Tel Aviv on Wednesday evening. Family members are increasingly dismayed as negotiations over a cease-fire and the release of the hostages drag on with no sign of a breakthrough. Hamas has said it will release the hostages in return for a lasting cease-fire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of high-profile Palestinian prisoners. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he remains committed to destroying the militant group and returning all the captives. I will not give up until you return home, I will continue running to every place in the world until we bring a deal that will free you and all the hostages, Yehuda Cohen, father of hostage Nimrod Cohen, yelled across the border. US national security adviser cites progress in cease-fire negotiations BEIJING U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan says the negotiations over a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of hostages have made progress. Speaking to reporters in Beijing on Thursday, he said the negotiators are bearing down on the details, meaning that we have advanced the discussions to a point where its in the nitty-gritty, and that is a positive sign of progress. Officials from the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Israel have held several days of talks trying to hammer out an updated proposal that could be submitted to Hamas. But there has been no sign of a breakthrough, and Israel and Hamas remain far apart on key issues. U.S. officials have said they are closing in on a deal, while Hamas has accused the United States of adopting unacceptable demands by Israel and trying to force them on the militant group. Officials in Egypt, one of the key mediators, have also expressed skepticism. At the end of the day, nothing is done until its done. And so were just going to keep working at this until we finally get the cease-fire and hostage deal across the line, Sullivan said. Ireland's foreign minister says Israel is targeting Palestinian people and not just Hamas BRUSSELS Irelands foreign minister says Israel is targeting Palestinian people and not just Hamas with its military campaign in Gaza, and he wants the European Union to review its ties with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government. This is a war against Palestinians not just against Hamas. The level of civilian casualties and dead is unconscionable, Martin said Thursday at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. Its a war on the population. No point in trying to fudge this. He said a recent ruling by the International Court of Justice that Israels occupation of Gaza and the West Bank is unlawful obliges the EU to take action. It cannot be business as usual, Martin told reporters. It is very clear to us that international humanitarian law has been broken. Ties between the EU and Israel which are major trading partners are governed by a so-called Association Agreement. Ireland and Spain have been pressing their EU partners to examine whether Israel has broken the rules. Martin also said that Irelands transport department was looking into reports that Israel may have transported weapons through Irish airspace without permission. Any cargo planes carrying weapons must seek exemptions. Exemptions have not been sought in respect of any flights, he said. UN secretary-general calls for immediate halt to Israeli operation in West Bank UNITED NATIONS The U.N. secretary-general is calling for an immediate halt to Israel's large-scale military operation in the West Bank. Antonio Guterres also called on Israels government to comply with its obligations under international law and take measures to protect civilians, according to a written statement from his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric late Thursday. The United Nations says Israels use of airstrikes and other military means in the Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas governorates of the West Bank resulted in casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. Israels military says at least 10 Palestinian militants have been killed in the operation. The statement also called for injured people to be granted access to medical care and for humanitarian workers to be able to distribute aid to those in need. These dangerous developments are fueling an already explosive situation in the occupied West Bank and further undermining the Palestinian Authority, the statement said. EUs top diplomat says bloc should consider sanctions on Israeli ministers BRUSSELS The European Unions top diplomat says that the bloc should consider imposing sanctions on a number of Israeli government ministers over their remarks about the war in Gaza. Some Israeli ministers have been launching hateful messages, unacceptable hateful messages, against the Palestinians and proposing things that go clearly against international law and is an incitation to commit more crimes, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. Borrell did not name the ministers, but earlier this month he criticized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich over remarks suggesting that the starvation of Gazas population of more than 2 million Palestinians might be just and moral until hostages captured in Hamas Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel are returned home. Borrell said there should be no taboos to prevent the EU from ensuring that international humanitarian law is respected. Borrell was chairing a meeting of the blocs foreign ministers in Brussels on Thursday, and he wanted them to discuss possible sanctions. But the 27 EU member countries are divided over their approach to the war in Gaza and its unlikely that they would all agree on such a move. UN food agency 'pauses' movement in Gaza after its vehicle is hit by bullets UNITED NATIONS The U.N. food agency says it is pausing the movement of all staff in Gaza until further notice after one of its clearly marked vehicles was hit by at least 10 bullets as it was moving toward an Israeli military checkpoint at the Wadi Gaza bridge in the center of the territory. The World Food Program announcement Wednesday afternoon said the vehicle was struck Tuesday evening despite receiving multiple clearances by Israeli authorities to approach. None of the employees onboard were physically harmed, WFP said. The agency said two armored WFP vehicles were returning from the Kerem Shalom crossing after escorting a convoy of trucks carrying humanitarian cargo routed to Gazas central area. Though this is not the first security incident to occur during the war it is the first time that a WFP vehicle has been directly shot at near a checkpoint, despite securing the necessary clearances, as per standard protocol, the Rome-based agency said. It called the incident a stark reminder of the rapidly and ever shrinking humanitarian space in the Gaza Strip, where increasing violence compromises our ability to deliver life-saving assistance. WFP said this critical situation is exacerbated by restricted access and heightened risks which has led to a decrease in the amount of food reading Palestinians in desperate need. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the vehicle was struck by Israeli military gunfire, including with bullets targeting front windows. He said the incident shows the need for more U.N. armored vehicles, saying the two people inside the WFP vehicle were saved because it was armored. Israeli authorities recover body of a soldier abducted and killed by Hamas JERUSALEM Israeli authorities said Wednesday that they have recovered the body of a soldier who was abducted and killed by Hamas on Oct. 7 and who had since been held in the Gaza Strip. Israelis military and the Shin Beit internal security agency rescued the remains of the fallen soldier in a joint operation overnight and returned them to Israel, according to a statement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mourned the mans death, saying he had fallen in a heroic battle on Oct. 7 while defending Israeli communities near Gaza. The heart of the entire nation mourns the terrible loss, Netanyahu said. The soldier was not identified at the familys request. The war in Gaza erupted when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel and rampaged through army bases and farming communities, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. The militants are still holding 107 hostages, about a third of whom are believed to be dead, after most of the rest were released during a November cease-fire. The Israel Defense Forces said Thursday that troops had killed five more militants in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, including a senior commander of a Hamas-allied group, as eyewitnesses said the IDF operation there continued. Israel launched its largest West Bank military operation in years overnight on Wednesday, and says it has killed a total of 14 militants since then. The Hamas-allied Islamic Jihad group issued a statement Thursday confirming the death of its commander in the West Bank's Tulkarem area, saying Mohammed Jaber, also known as Abu Shujaa, died during a "confrontation with the occupation soldiers" in the Nur Shams refugee camp near Tulkarem. The group said his killing would increase "our people's steadfastness, resilience, and determination to continue," as Hamas warned in its own statement that his death and others in the West Bank would "explode the volcano of anger in the West Bank." Israeli soldiers operate during a raid in the Nur Shams camp for Palestinian refugees near the city of Tulkarem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Aug. 28, 2024. / Credit: JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP/Getty As it mourned Jaber, Hamas said 10 of its fighters had been killed across different West Bank locations in the Israeli raids. Palestinian health authorities, who do not distinguish between combatants and civilians, said at least 12 people had been killed, according to the Reuters news agency. The United Nations said Wednesday that children were among those killed. Violence has increased in the West Bank since on Israel from its longtime stronghold in the other Palestinian Territory, the Gaza Strip, killing some 1,200 people and taking about 250 others hostage. The war launched immediately by Israel against Hamas in response to that attack has killed more than 40,000 people in Gaza, according to health officials in the Hamas-run enclave. Palestinians have told CBS News they fear the raids are part of an Israeli campaign to bring the destruction seen for more than 10 months in Gaza to the occupied West Bank. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says more than 630 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since October, including around 136 killed and 41 injured in Israeli airstrikes. In the three years prior to October, OCHA said only six Palestinians were killed by Israeli airstrikes in the West Bank, all during 2023. At least 15 Israelis, including nine military personnel and five settlers, have been killed by Palestinians in the West Bank since October, while attacks by Palestinians launched from the West Bank have resulted in the killing of 10 Israelis, as well as seven Palestinians involved in the attacks, the United Nations said. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke out against the Israeli operation on Thursday. "I strongly condemn the loss of lives, including of children, and I call for an immediate cessation of these operations," Guterres said in a statement on social media. "Only an end to the occupation and a return to a meaningful political process that will establish a two-state solution will bring an end to the violence." What we know about the Boar's Head listeria outbreak with at least 9 people dead New numbers show U.S. economy grew 3% in Q2 Deadly large-scale Israeli raids in West Bank continue Israel says it killed Islamic Jihad commander in battle at mosque, as West Bank raid enters second day Israels military said Thursday it killed five Palestinian militants, including an Islamic Jihad commander, during an exchange of fire within and near a mosque in the occupied West Bank city of Tulkarem. The firefight came after Israel on Wednesday launched one of the largest assaults on the occupied territory in years, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz calling for a Gaza-style operation in the West Bank to root out what he called Islamic-Iranian terrorist infrastructure. After Israel mounted further raids early Thursday morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said among the five killed in the mosque was Muhhamad Jabber, known as Abu Shujaa, the leader of the local branch of the militant group Islamic Jihad. Jabber had carried out numerous terror attacks, the IDF said, including a shooting attack in the West Bank city of Qalqilya in June, when an Israeli civilian was killed. Later Thursday, the Islamic Jihad announced the martyrdom of Jabber, whom they said was the commander of the Tulkarem Battallion of the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the militant group. The four others killed along with Jabber were related to his terror network and one more person has been apprehended, the IDFs international spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said in a press briefing Thursday. The IDF said it killed 12 terrorists during the first day of its operations in Jenin and Tulkarem, both in the north of the West Bank, as well as dismantling dozens of explosive devices that were planted under the roads. Palestinians inspect the damage after Israeli soldiers raided the Nur Shams Refugee Camp in Tulkarem, West Bank, August 29, 2024. - Issam Rimawi/Anadolu/Getty Images The raid came after Katz warned that Iran was working to establish an eastern front against Israel to work alongside Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. We must deal with the threat just as we deal with the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza, including the temporary evacuation of Palestinian residents and whatever steps are required, he wrote on social media. This is a war for all terms and purposes and we must win it. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Thursday that Israels operation in the West Bank was deeply concerning. I strongly condemn the loss of lives, including of children, and I call for an immediate cessation of these operations, he said. Clashes in the West Bank have become more frequent since Israel began its war in Gaza in response to Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7. Israel has occupied the West Bank since seizing territory from Jordan in 1967. Since then, it has expanded Jewish settlements in the territory, considered illegal under international law. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported Tuesday that 652 Palestinians, including 150 children, have been killed in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem since October 7, with over 5,400 others injured. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Israeli military said a well-known local commander was among five militants killed after having "hidden inside a mosque" Thursday as it pressed ahead with the biggest operation in the occupied West Bank in more than 20 years. Israeli troops launched the sweeping raids early Wednesday, raising international alarm as the U.S. ally wages an assault on the Gaza Strip and engages in a standoff with Iran that has fueled fears of a widening regional conflict. The five deaths Israeli authorities reported in the city of Tulkarem, including that of a local commander, added to nine militants they said were killed the day before. Palestinian health officials had said Wednesday that at least 11 people had been killed, while Hamas had said 10 of its fighters have been killed across multiple locations, according to The Associated Press. In video shared on social media and geolocated by NBC News, Israeli troops move through a cloud of smoke in eastern Jenin, with birds appearing to scatter as gunshots ring out. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the violence "deeply concerning" in a post on X as he called for "an immediate cessation" of Israel's operations in the territory. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz drew international criticism when he said Israeli forces must implement measures similar to those being carried out in Gaza in the West Bank. Josep Borrell, the European Unions foreign policy chief, warned operations there cannot become an extension of Israels deadly monthslong offensive in Gaza. Borrell warned that Katzs comments threatened to fuel further instability in a region where the international community has sought to avoid an all-out war amid warnings from Iran that it plans to retaliate after the high-profile assassinations of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. Borrell said Thursday he had asked members of the bloc whether they wanted to impose sanctions on Israeli ministers for hate messages against Palestinians that he said had violated international law. The U.S. announced new sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank on Wednesday. The Israeli operation entered its second day. A damaged house after an Israeli military raid in Tulkarem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Thursday. Israeli authorities said in a statement Thursday morning that troops had killed at least five militants "following exchanges of fire." They identified one of them as Muhhamad Jabber, known as Abu Shujaa," who they said was the "head of a terrorist network in Nur Shams." They said Jabber was involved in "carrying out numerous terror attacks," including a shooting attack in which an Israeli man, Amnon Muchtar, was killed in June. Jabber became a hero among some this year after he was reported killed in an Israeli operation, only to make a surprise appearance at a funeral for other militants, where he was lifted onto the shoulders of a cheering crowd, the AP reported. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group confirmed his death. Sweeping raids in Jenin, Tulkarem and Al-Faraa appeared to be the largest Israeli operation in the West Bank since what Israeli officials called Operation Defensive Shield during the Second Intifada, or Palestinian uprising. Israeli soldiers take position during an operation in Tulkarem in the north of the occupied West Bank on Thursday. Israeli military excavators dig up a road during an operation in Tulkarem in the north of the occupied West Bank on Thursday. Israel has conducted near-daily raids in the West Bank, which it has occupied since 1967, since it launched its offensive in Gaza. More than 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to local health officials, since Hamas' Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, in which 1,200 people were killed and around 250 others were taken hostage. Israel's offensive in the coastal enclave also continued Thursday, with the Israel Defense Forces saying its troops had killed dozens of militants and found large quantities of weapons in central and southern Gaza over the past day. The IDF said in a statement that one of those killed was Osama Jadallah, a commander in the Islamic Jihads intelligence unit, who the IDF said took part in the Oct. 7 attacks. Many of the families of those who remain hostage in Gaza have sought to raise the pressure for a cease-fire deal that would end fighting in Gaza and lead to the releases of their loved ones. But so far, renewed talks have failed to yield a deal. On Thursday, some of the relatives of the hostages took part in a protest near the enclave's border but the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents hostage families, said that "in their immense grief, the families broke through the fence, running towards the Gaza border." Israeli security forces told them turn back, and they returned to the nearby Nirim kibbutz, the forum said. The IDF confirmed that several Israeli civilians had approached the border of area of the Gaza Strip but said they did not cross the border fence. "The forces have removed the civilians, and there is no concern about crossing into Gaza," it said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Yair Lapid, then Prime Minister of Israel, speaks at a press conference in the garden of the Chancellor's Office. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid rejected claims made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the Israeli leader had received no warnings of the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement's planned attack, the Jerusalem Post reported on Thursday. "I want to refute the statement that is made time and time again by the current government that, somehow, the political echelon was not aware that Hamas was not deterred," Lapid told the paper. "It was indeed informed. I was informed," he said, adding that the intelligence material he saw "was of course, also seen by the prime minister and ministers of the Cabinet." "It was clear what they [Hamas] wanted," he said. Lapid said he attended a security briefing on August 21, 2023, with Netanyahu and military adviser Major General Avi Gil who warned about Iran's so-called "axis of resistance" - proxy fronts in Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank. He said he thought the information was "extraordinary" but to him Netanyahu "seemed bored and indifferent to the subject and did not comment on it." Netanyahu's right-wing conservative Likud party shot back at Lapid. "Yair Lapd is lying again," it said, saying that Netanyahu had received no warning whatsoever before October 7, when Hamas invaded Israel, killing some 1,200 and taking about 250 hostage. Israel says it killed Islamic Jihad commander in gunbattle at West Bank mosque Israeli army members operate in an area given as Tulkarm Israeli army members operate in an area given as Tulkarm By Maytaal Angel and Ali Sawafta JERUSALEM/JENIN, West Bank (Reuters) -Israeli troops killed a local commander of the Iranian-backed Islamic Jihad movement in the West Bank and four other militants on Thursday in a gunbattle during one of the largest assaults in the Israeli-occupied territory for months. The military said it killed Muhhamad Jabber, known as Abu Shujaa, the head of a network of fighters in the adjacent Nur Shams refugee camp, during a "significant exchange of fire" around a mosque in the city of Tulkarm in which four other Palestinian fighters were also killed. The Tulkarm division of Islamic Jihad's armed wing confirmed his death, which brought the total number of Palestinians killed during the past two days to 17, and said fighters had attacked Israeli forces near the Abu Ubaida mosque. The operation began in the early hours of Wednesday with hundreds of Israeli troops backed by helicopters, drones and armoured personnel carriers raiding the flashpoint cities of Tulkarm, Jenin and areas in the Jordan Valley. There was also a complete network outage at Jawwal, one of the two main telecommunications companies in the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank, according to the Reuters witness. In Jenin earlier, Israeli bulldozers edged along empty, rubbish-strewn streets as the sound of drones pierced the sky. The troops searched ambulances on the streets and in front of Jenin's main hospital, having blocked off access to it on Wednesday to prevent fighters from seeking refuge there. United Nations Secretary general Antonio Guterres said Israel's launch of large scale military operations was "deeply concerning" and called for an immediate halt. In response, Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon said the operations had a clear goal: "preventing Iranian terror-by-proxy that would harm Israeli civilians." Clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank have escalated since Israel's war with Hamas militants began in Gaza nearly 11 months ago. More than 660 people - combatants and civilians - have been killed, according to Palestinian tallies, some by Jewish settlers who have carried out frequent vigilante-style attacks on West Bank Palestinian communities. ESCALATING CLASHES Israel says Iran provides weapons and support to militant factions in the West Bank and the military has, as a result, cranked up its operations there. Referring to the latest operation, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a post on X overnight: "This is a war in every sense, and we must win it." He accused Iran of working to destabilise Jordan and establish an eastern front against Israel, as it had done in Gaza and in Lebanon, where Israel has been trading almost daily fire with militants from the Iranian proxy group Hezbollah. Katz said that to address the threat of an eastern front, Israel would have to use "all necessary means, including, in cases of intense combat, allowing the population to temporarily evacuate from one neighbourhood to another to prevent civilian harm". In the Gaza Strip, evacuation orders have displaced nearly all of the coastal enclave's 2.3 million people several times, giving rise to deadly hunger and disease. Amnesty International said it is likely the intensified scale of Israel's West Bank operation would result in an increase in forced displacement, destruction of critical infrastructure and measures of "collective punishment", which have been key pillars of what it called Israels "system of apartheid". Israel denies having any practice of collective punishment or apartheid in the West Bank, saying it seeks only to defeat armed Palestinian militants threatening its security. The latest round of Israeli-Palestinian violence began on Oct. 7 after Hamas militants stormed from Gaza into southern Israel, killing 1,200 and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel's Gaza campaign has since demolished swathes of the enclave, and killed more than 40,500 people, Palestinian health officials say. (Reporting by Maytaal Angel and Ali Sawafta; Additional reporting by Jana Choukeir and Nidal Al Mughrabi; Editing by Christopher Cushing, Sharon Singleton, William Maclean) Back from the dead Islamic Jihad chief killed by Israeli special forces in mosque shootout A leading Islamic Jihad commander has been killed in a shootout with the Israeli army in a West Bank mosque. Special forces killed Muhhamad Jabber, also known as Abu Shujaa, during a second consecutive day of operations in the city of Tulkarm on Thursday morning. Four others, who were said to be hiding inside a mosque with him, were also killed. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said Jabber, who was the head of Islamic Jihads network in Nur Shams, was involved in carrying out numerous terror attacks, including a shooting attack in which an Israeli civilian, Amnon Muchtar, was murdered in June. Jabber was also involved in the planning of additional terror attacks. Another terrorist operative was apprehended by the forces, it added. He had reportedly been killed by Israeli forces earlier this year but then made a surprise appearance at someone elses funeral, according to Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper. Footage from Tulkarm showed damage to buildings in the aftermath of the shootout, while in Jenin bulldozers were seen looking for explosive devices. It came as Khaled Mashal, a leading Hamas official, said the terror group intended to return to [suicide] operations and warned that Israels operations in the West Bank could only be met by open conflict. Muhhamad Jabber was seen being lifted on to the shoulders of supporters during a Palestinian funeral in May Loss of lives condemned Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general, described Israels launch of large-scale military operations in the West Bank as deeply concerning. I strongly condemn the loss of lives, including of children, and I call for an immediate cessation of these operations, he said. Danny Danon, Israels ambassador to the UN, responded to Mr Guterress criticism by claiming that Iran was actively working to smuggle sophisticated explosive devices into the West Bank intended for use in suicide bombings in the heart of Israeli cities. Mr Danon said Israel would not sit idly by and wait for scenes of buses and cafes exploding in city centres. He added: The IDFs operations in Judea and Samaria [in the West Bank] have a clear goal: preventing Iranian terror-by-proxy that would harm Israeli civilians. Israeli soldiers during an operation in the West Bank on Thursday - JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP At least nine Palestinians were killed in several locations in the northern West Bank on Wednesday. Israel claimed all of them were members of terror groups. Israel Katz, Israels foreign minister, said that everything would be done to deal with the terror threat including the temporary evacuation of Palestinian residents and whatever steps are required. He added: This is a war for everything and we must win it. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) Indiana State Universitys overall enrollment numbers decreased compared to last fall, but officials said they remain encouraged by other promising statistics. Thats according to an ISU news release stating a total headcount of 7,895 for the fall of 2024 enrollment, reflecting a 4.94% decrease from last fall. When looking at previous enrollment, the total headcount is down from 8,305 enrolled in the fall of 2023, 8,658 in the fall of 2022, and 9,459 in the fall of 2021. The slight decline in overall enrollment is attributed to several factors, including a nationwide delay in FAFSA filing, lower birth rates from the early to mid-2000s (students at the current college age), and a declining college-going rate throughout Indiana. According to data from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, only 53% of graduating seniors choose to attend a college or university. Indianas college-going rate was 65% in 2015. Indiana State University media release In the fall of 2023, ISU showed an increase in freshman enrollment, with 1,568 first-time, full-time students; that number dropped to 1,419 this year. The freshman class represents 47.2% of first-generation college students, 53.2% of whom are Pell-eligible. Dr. Mike Godard, the president of Indiana State University, acknowledged the challenges higher education institutions face nationwide, including declining college-going rates and demographic shifts, but expressed confidence in the universitys resilience. As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of higher education, Indiana State University will focus on key opportunities: expanding our high-quality programs, strategic program growth to meet workforce needs, and enhancing the globalization of our campus by increasing online and flexible learning opportunities. ISUs new president focuses on the strength of a community Despite the steady decline, ISU shows growth in the Honors College, enrolling 347 freshman students in the program24.5% of the class. The students in the Honors College are students who could attend any university, yet they are disproportionately choosing Indiana State for the personalized and rigorous educational experience we offer and the unique opportunities for experiential learning with our world-class faculty in world-class facilities, stated Dr. Christopher Olsen, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Godard highlighted the Indiana State Advantage Program in his first semester as university president. The program is said to provide substantial financial aid, including free tuition for Pell-eligible students across the Midwest with at least a 2.75 GPA. Our focus remains on making high-quality education accessible and affordable for all students, Godard stated. I am excited to announce new initiatives to simplify the process for students to choose Indiana State University. According to the release, the new initiative includes eliminating the $25 application fee for domestic undergraduate students, automatic, preferred admission for undergraduate students with a 3.0 or above GPA, and reorganizing leadership in enrollment management with the reintroduction of the Vice President of Enrollment Management. ACLU files lawsuit surrounding new expressive activity policy at Indiana University The release noted the following numbers concerning the fall semester enrollment; Total enrollment for Fall 2024 is 7,895 Total undergraduate enrollment is 6,224. Total graduate enrollment is a 2.1% increase. Honors College enrollment is up by 5.3%. International student enrollment is up by 15.3%. 5,569 students are Indiana residents. Full-time undergraduate enrollment has experienced a decrease of 3.5%. Full-time graduate student enrollment is down by 2.4%. As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of higher education, Indiana State University will focus on key opportunities: expanding our high-quality programs, strategic program growth to meet workforce needs, and enhancing the globalization of our campus by increasing online and flexible learning opportunities, Godard said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com. China's top legislator meets chairman of Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union Xinhua) 08:25, August 29, 2024 Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with Toshihiro Nikai, chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BEIJING, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji met with Toshihiro Nikai, chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union in Beijing on Wednesday. Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that the four political documents between China and Japan are the political and legal basis for their bilateral ties. He emphasized that peace, friendship and cooperation are the only correct choices for the two countries. He said China is willing to work with Japan to continuously enhance mutual trust, deepen cooperation, properly handle differences and advance the bilateral relations along the right track of sound and steady development. The economic interests and industrial chains of China and Japan are deeply intertwined, and both sides have the conditions to, and should, strengthen cooperation and contribute to each other's success, Zhao said, adding the NPC of China is willing to carry out various forms of exchanges and cooperation with both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors of Japan. Japanese friends from all walks of life, including Japanese parliamentarians, are welcome to visit China and learn about a true, multi-dimensional and panoramic China, he added. Noting friendship among people boosts relations between two countries, Nikai said the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union is willing to contribute to the sound and stable development of Japan-China relations. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with Toshihiro Nikai, chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Tao) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) By Azernews Nazrin Abdul Bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia are advancing effectively, with increasing collaboration across multiple sectors, including agriculture, air transport, tourism, medicine, and transport infrastructure. This evolving partnership is evidenced by the deepening economic ties between the two nations. Recent discussions in Belgrade focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in tourism, expanding collaborative efforts within international organizations, and facilitating the exchange of crucial information related to tourism education. Fuad Nagiyev, Chairman of the State Tourism Agency, met with Huseyn Memic, Minister of Tourism and Youth of Serbia, to address these topics. During the meeting, Nagiyev informed Memic about the integration of tourism themes into the thematic program of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which Azerbaijan will host in November. He also invited Memic to participate in the "1st High-Level Meeting of Ministers on Improved Climate Action in the Field of Tourism," scheduled as part of "Tourism Day." At the conclusion of the meeting, which included the heads of the Tourism Bureaus of Azerbaijan and Serbia, a "Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism" between the Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau and the National Tourism Organization of Serbia was signed. This agreement builds on the discussions held during the 8th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Serbia last month. Kanan Gasimov, Chief of Staff of the State Tourism Agency, noted that the current volume of mutual tourist trips does not reflect the strong ties between the two countries. He identified the lack of direct air connections as a significant barrier. Gasimov announced that the Chairman of the State Tourism Agency plans to meet with Serbia's tourism minister during an official visit in early August to address these issues and finalize the long-awaited memorandum. Gasimov expressed optimism about the potential impact of this visit on tourism relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia, stating, "I am confident that it will mark a significant turning point for our bilateral tourism relations." Additionally, Azerbaijan and Serbia maintain a visa-free regime, and the introduction of direct flights is expected to further boost tourism exchanges. On August 28, Fuad Nagiyev also met with Nikola Selakovich, Minister of Culture and co-chairman of the Azerbaijan-Serbia Intergovernmental Commission. The meeting underscored the close connection between culture and tourism and highlighted the positive effects of expanding cooperation in these areas on tourist flows. Azerbaijans Ambassador to Serbia, Kamil Khasiyev, participated in the meeting, and the delegation visited several significant sites in Belgrade, including the monument to National Leader Heydar Aliyev in Tasmajdan Park and memorials dedicated to the children who died during the 1999 bombing of Belgrade and the Serbian writer Milorad Pavic. The role of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, established in 2011, remains crucial in the development of bilateral relations. The commission's most recent meeting was the 8th session, held on July 25, 2023, in Serbia. The ongoing collaboration between Azerbaijan and Serbia is demonstrating significant progress, particularly in the fields of tourism, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange. Recent developments, such as the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and discussions at high-level meetings, underscore the commitment of both nations to deepen their partnership. The integration of tourism into global climate initiatives and the planned increase in direct air connections are expected to further enhance bilateral relations and boost mutual tourism. As both countries work to address existing challenges and expand their cooperation, the future looks promising for continued growth and stronger ties between Azerbaijan and Serbia. Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM) is an energy sector powerhouse that works with immense resources and strategic investments to propel its growth for the long term. In an ever-changing market landscape, the stock brings stability and resilience to any type of investor. A decrease in oil prices following the conflict in Ukraine meant that revenue decreased in 2023 compared to 2022, but Exxon Mobil has continued to maintain its strong financial position as well as open up new growth opportunities. A strong balance sheet and cash on hand has allowed the company to increase its dividends for a record 41st year in a row. It also reversed four quarters of declining profits in the second quarter of 2024, which is impressive considering demand has been down this year. The company is the forerunner in the emerging Guyanese oil market and has increased its foothold domestically through strategic acquisitions in the Permian Basin. Exxon Mobil is mobilizing its resources toward the research and development and production of sustainable fuel initiatives to hedge against the real risk of climate change and the public's ever-increasing desire to move away from fossil fuels into renewable energy. How ExxonMobil will manage its global strategic initiatives as well as develop additional businesses to support the alternative fuel industry will determine its future growth story. Financial analysis The second quarter marked a turn after four consecutive quarters of declining revenue. 2023 was a year of reversion from the high revenue earned during 2022 that was primarily driven by the surge in oil prices due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Oil's inelastic demand allowed large corporations to generate higher revenue despite the increase in price. In the aftermath of the protracted nature of the conflict, oil prices reverted back to the levels seen in 2021, hovering in the $70 to $90 range. This brief drop in price resulted in decreased revenue for all major players. What worked in Exxon Mobil's favor was it has been able to generate higher revenue as well as decrease expenses compared to its performance in 2021, when commodity markets were similarly priced. The company has employed prudent financial management, exponentially decreasing its short-term debt over the last three years without adding on any in 2023. The company has increased its cash balances, driven by a strong year in 2022. The company has enough cash on hand to cover its long-term debt obligations and has a strong asset base that will allow it to take on additional debt in case potential business opportunities arise in the future. Story continues Evidence of a strong balance sheet can be seen when analyzing ratios that are relevant for the oil and gas industry. The interest coverage ratio for the second quarter was 50.42 and 62.17 for fiscal 2023, implying Exxon is more than capable of covering its debt obligations. The long-term debt-to-equity ratio was 0.13, where the industry standard ranges from 0.10 to 0.40. The company has a decreasing portion of long-term debt due for each of the next four years. This is crucial for Exxon as it is undertaking multiple developmental projects over the course of the decade. It is well-positioned to take advantage of low debt obligations over the near-term horizon, which will allow the company to act aggressively in order to get new projects functional. Free cash flow is an important metric to use while analyzing oil companies as it is not vulnerable to volatile earnings year over year and incorporates the capital expenditure component, which is huge for oil giants. The ratio for price-to-free cash flow per share was 13.69, which is similar in levels to its peers (15 for Chevron (NYSE:CVX) and 7.30 for Shell (NYSE:SHEL)). This indicates the company is not overvalued at its current level. Stock performance The stock performance of Exxon Mobil along with its industry peers has been stagnant since breakout levels were achieved during 2022. The upward swing was largely driven by the crises experienced at the start of 2022. Since then, the stock has tapered off, possibly due to the fall in revenue and net income in 2023. Investors may have seen this as an indicator that operations had returned to normalcy. The decline in revenue did not lead to a fall in price, though. A key reason for this could be that, as mentioned, revenue increased and expenses decreased compared with 2021 and the consistent payment of a dividend from management might have assuaged fears of a sell-off for investors. From an economies of scale perspective, this is impressive. To increase earnings by 20% (comparing 2021 to 2023) is not an easy task for an enterprise as large as Exxon. This may be the reason why investors are hesitant to sell the stock post the highs reached in 2022. The price of crude may have cooled off, but the company's ability to generate substantial growth under normal market conditions may have directed investors away from selling. Exxon Mobil has a history of increasing dividend payments stretching back 41 years. In addition to this, a $17.50 billion share repurchase plan bodes well for long-term investors. Even if the stock had not appreciated since 2022, dividends have, and although a shareholder loses out on capital appreciation, he gains greatly through dividends. A large share buyback program is usually a good indication that management is doing something right and that they would happily exchange cash for buying back more stock. This is an exciting prospect for a long-term shareholder, but it also injects fresh cash into the company that can be diverted away to the best possible use. This could indicate there is large growth potential on the horizon and the company believes more cash on hand is critical for realizing those goals. The share buyback program is also critical to keep the share price from being too volatile. As part of the merger with Pioneer Natural Resources, Pioneer shareholders received 2.3234 shares of Exxon for each share they held at closing. The buyback program can counter the effect of new Exxon shares created through the merger that would depress the share price. Currently, Exxon is valued at a modest price-earnings ratio of 12.82. This is a similar ratio to its industry peers as Chevron trades at 11.80 times earnings and Shell at 8.3, but also much lower than companies of similar size (in terms of earnings and market cap). Even if an investor loses out on capital appreciation due to the stagnant stock price, they would benefit from the dividends received and any future share buyback programs. Additionally, strong earnings for multiple years coupled with consistently lowering the company's debt profiles suggest that at its current price, Exxon Mobil seems to be undervalued. The effect of ever-increasing dividends can be seen in the total return performance of 109% between Exxon and the S&P 500 over the past five years. Since the lows of the Covid pandemic, dividends have driven the performance of the stock over the index. For a company like Exxon, total return is the preferred metric to use over price return because of the dividend component. From Guyana to the Permian Basin: How Exxon Mobil Is Positioning for the Future Guyanese growth Expansion into new markets is also benefitting the company. Oil was discovered off the coast of Guyana in 2015 by ExxonMobil Guyana Ltd. Since then, the small country has witnessed a boom in oil production and consequently its per capita income. As such, the developing country's government welcomes the drilling projects compared to more environmentally conscious and prosperous countries like Canada. This has led to an unprecedented period of wealth for the nation, fueled by its oil production. Exxon Mobil is at the forefront of this boom as it was the first and largest producer of oil in the region. Further, the region is of great significance for the future of oil production as reserves in the Middle East and elsewhere slowly dwindle. Guyana's energy development is supporting the fastest real gross domestic product growth in the world. With the full support of the Guyanese government to conduct drilling activities, Exxon Mobil is in a prime position to capitalize from this boom. Entering new markets can be painful for an oil company, so being the premier operator in this new market has allowed the company to break away from its peers. Global production in the second quarter surged by 21%, with Guyana contributing majorly with a gross production of 630,000 barrels per day, a record for Exxon. The company has commissioned a sixth offshore project in Guyana with production expected to begin in 2027 and has applied to the Guyanese Environmental Agency for a proposed seventh project starting in 2029, adding to its existing impressive portfolio in the region. Despite the country not being a major contributor to non-U.S. revenue, it is the fifth-largest long-lived asset holding for the company. It is clear the company is going all hands-on-deck with the Guyanese agenda and the success or failure of this endeavor will determine Exxon's trajectory in the coming years. Pioneer acquisition At home, Exxon completed a significant strategic move with the acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources, which became the largest merger in the petroleum industry in 20 years. This has significant implications for the company, doubling its portfolio in the region. Exxon Mobil has a key strategic presence in the Permian Basin and this acquisition has made it the largest producer both in the Permian Basin and the entire U.S. In the second quarter, the company topped 1 million barrels of oil produced in the Permian, largely owing to the merger with Pioneer. The combined company's Delaware and Midland basins have an estimated 16 billion barrels of oil equivalent resources. As illustrated below, the Permian Basin is the most important location for oil production in the U.S. in terms of overall output, but also as a share of U.S. oil and gas supply. From Guyana to the Permian Basin: How Exxon Mobil Is Positioning for the Future Exxon has identified possible growth opportunities at home and has capitalized on it. Small and medium-sized enterprises like Pioneer are responsible for 80% of the production from the Permian Basin, and Exxon's acquisition of the company gives it the biggest market share in an oil-rich region. Exxon stands to gain massively as a larger portion of the U.S. population depends on oil and gas produced in the area. From Guyana to the Permian Basin: How Exxon Mobil Is Positioning for the Future Outlook Exxon has performed well over the last two years and is modestly valued based on price-earnings and price-to-free cash flow ratios. Management has continued to increase dividends year over year and has bought back shares without compromising on strategic and growth opportunities. The company's presence in Guyana will be of immense importance in the coming years and the company's acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources has allowed it to have the largest presence of any oil company in the U.S. Exxon Mobil has a strong balance sheet and decreasing debt obligations over the near term. Global events have a cascade effect on oil prices, so rising tensions in the Middle East, with fears of an Iranian attack on Israel, provides a floor for the price of crude. Exxon has also entered the electric vehicle market by agreeing to supply .ithium to battery manufacturers. The company is positioned strongly for the long term and global tensions can potentially be of benefit for its near-term prospects as well. At this point, considering the modest price ratios, the strong balance sheet, earnings, increasing dividends and other critical factors mentioned above, I would suggest a long-term investor to hold or buy shares of Exxon Mobil as I believe the stock is slightly undervalued at its current price. Investors stand to gain from increasing dividends and share buyback programs. Conflicts in the Middle East have the chance of causing a ripple effect on oil prices, which can increase the share price of oil giants like Exxon Mobil in the near term. I believe the company is well positioned to tackle the challenges it will face in the future. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. The PS5 Pro will be announced in mid-September and will likely hit store shelves sometime during the holiday season, according to insider information published by VGC . The information was brought forth by a reliable Dealabs user called billbil-kun , who has a pretty good track record for leaking upcoming games and hardware. Heres what the leaker has laid out. Take all of this with a grain of salt, as its not coming from Sony. First of all, itll actually be called the PS5 Pro. This was assumed, based on the PS4 Pro, but we didnt have any actual naming details. The user claims to have access to the packaging design, but didnt feel comfortable sharing copyrighted images. Instead, they sketched out the packaging, as seen below. A sketch of the console based on the packaging. (Dealabs / billbil-kun) As you can see, the design is similar to the PS5 Slim, with a white colorway. We dont know if itll be available in other colors beyond white. There looks to be three black stripes across the middle, which is a new design element. These stripes could double as cooling vents but, again, we just don't know. The leaker also doesnt know if the console will have a disc drive, though it has been theorized that it could ship without a drive in order to keep costs down. Its equally unclear if there will be two versions of the PS5 Pro, one with a disc drive and a digital-only edition. Adidas x PS5... (no, just joking) The wait is over! It took me some time to finish the drawing, Here is the final design of PS5 Pro with many other details including: Announcement window All Digital? Included Controller#PS5Pro https://t.co/Egkav2XiV9 billbil-kun (@billbil_kun) August 29, 2024 The report also indicates that the console will ship with the same standard DualSense controller that comes with the original PS5 and the PS5 Slim. The leaker, however, offers no information regarding internal specifications. In other words, we are still (mostly) in the dark about the Pro part of the PS5 Pro. To that end, there have been other leaks that hint at the consoles power. Back in March, a YouTuber leaked official documentation from Sony that explained some of the consoles specifications. The document is believed to be legitimate by IGN and other sites, but the video has since been taken down at Sony's behest. The video suggested that the forthcoming console will have the same CPU as the standard PS5, but that there will be a High CPU Frequency Mode that pushes the chipset by ten percent to 3.85GHz. It has also been indicated that the GPU will be powered by 33.5 teraflops versus the standard PS5s 10.28 teraflops. This doesnt mean that the PS5 Pro will be three times better at rendering than the regular PS5. There have been recent changes in AMDs architecture that make it difficult to directly compare teraflops between the PS5 and the PS5 Pro, as indicated by The Verge . The leak suggests a 45 percent uptick with rendering. Sony has filed a copyright strike against the PS5 Pro leak video from Moores Law is Dead. The video has been removed from YouTube pic.twitter.com/lxv5jS9CMY Tom Warren (@tomwarren) April 15, 2024 In any event, it sure looks like we are mere weeks (or even days) away from an official announcement from Sony. Heres to hoping the PS5 Pro wont absolutely shred our bank accounts . Rome An 88-year-old woman was rescued alive and relatively well after being lost in the woods for four days and four nights in northern Italy, thanks to survival skills she learned in her younger days, her family says. Giuseppina Bardelli was rescued from a thicket of tall ferns about 25 feet below a road. She had been there without shelter and having brought no food or water for the duration of her ordeal. On Aug. 21, Bardelli and her youngest son were foraging for mushrooms in a mountainous area she knew well near Varese, in the Piedmont region. She became separated from her son, choosing to remain at a lower altitude while he climbed higher. After suffering a bout of dizziness, she became disoriented and fell about 25 feet into the ferns, and that's where she stayed until rescuers finally heard her cries for help on Aug 25. A photo provided by Italy's national fire and rescue service on Aug. 25, 2024, shows rescuers coming to the aid of Giuseppina Bardelli, 88, who was found alive four days after she became separated from her son in a wooded area near Varese, in Italy's Piedmont region. / Credit: Italian Fire Service/Handout Roberto Crugnola, Bardelli's eldest son, said his mother's past as a passionate mountaineer saved her. "My mother was a member of the Italian Alpine Club for decades and in recent days she has exploited all the knowledge accumulated over the years," he told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. "Paradoxically, perhaps a younger hiker wouldn't have made it." "At night I would prepare a bed with the ferns, underneath a beech tree," Bardelli told local online news outlet Luinotizie. "I remembered from the times in the Italian Alpine Club that it was best to sleep on my stomach, and so I did this. I drank water from puddles." "At night, when darkness came, I prayed the rosary. Every night a fox came to see me, but I heard the noises and the presence of other animals," she said. "Those days were terrible for the family," Grugnola said. "We almost lost hope." But his mother didn't. "I counted the days and knew that there were still rescuers around," she told Luinotizie. "I heard both the drones and the helicopter. Then when I heard them close by, I shouted and, luckily, they heard me." Dopo 4 giorni di ricerche e stata ritrovata in vita, da una squadra di soccorso mista tra cui #vigilidelfuoco, l'anziana 89enne dispersa dal 21 agosto nell'area del Passo della Forcora, territorio di Maccagno con Pino e Veddasca#Varese #25agosto pic.twitter.com/oGjWnjT9Cn Vigili del Fuoco (@vigilidelfuoco) August 25, 2024 Bardelli was brought to a nearby hospital where she was treated for dehydration and several broken ribs, but was otherwise unharmed. Her sense of humor was also still seemingly intact. "When I saw my children again yesterday afternoon, I said to them: 'This time I really messed up!'" she quipped with a smile. Deadly large-scale Israeli raids in West Bank continue Telegram CEO Pavel Durov facing up to 10 years in prison for alleged criminal activity on app TSA preparing for what's expected to be busiest Labor Day weekend on record J.D. Vance was greeted by loud boos during an address to the International Association of Fire Fighters in Boston on Thursdayand that was only the beginning of an incredibly rough speech for Donald Trumps running mate. Thank you guys Vance said as he grabbed the mic to speak, only to be interrupted by loud booing from the audience. Semper Fi guys, Vance said, seeming to signpost his background as a Marine to get the hecklers to stop. Sounds like weve got some fans and some haters, thats okay, he joked. Listen to what I have to say here, and Ill make my pitch, he said. here's a longer video of JD Vance getting booed in Boston by a firefighters group pic.twitter.com/dHcCKbiUpR Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 29, 2024 Vance asked his audience, which had voted to endorse Joe Biden in 2019, to ignore the campaign rhetoric and look at the record, before predictably diving into campaign rhetoric blaming undocumented immigrants for unsupported claims about increased crime and drug use. Vance touted projections of how much undocumented immigrants were costing different cities around the country, referring to New York, Chicago, Denver, and Washington, D.C., but didnt conjure a single number about Boston, where the speech was actually taking place. We shouldnt be forced to spend billions of dollars on people who arent even supposed to be here. We should be spending that money on schools, police and fire departments, and our citizens, and under President Donald J. Trumps leadership, we will, Vance said. The Ohio senators imagining of a world where by funding public institutions, you can somehow police the citizenship of those who receive their benefits, was met by a mix of claps and boos. If Vance thought his earlier plea would be enough to settle down the disruptions, he had another thing coming. Now, President Trump and I are proud to be the most pro-worker Republican ticket in history, and I want to talk about why were fighting for working people, Vance said, once again interrupted by loud booing from actual working people. WOW -- Vance gets booed in Boston when he claims he and Trump are the most "pro-workers Republican ticket in history" pic.twitter.com/hb6EvRl7kV Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 29, 2024 As Minnesota Governor Tim Walz pointed out to the IAFF the day before, during a much friendlier reception, Trump had blocked overtime benefits, opposed efforts to raise the minimum wage, and proposed slashing federal fire service budgets. Walz warned that under Project 2025, Trump would continue to weaken unions. On stage, Vances declaration that he was a populist, and proud of it, was again met by some claps and boos. Vances cold reception didnt prevent him from attempting jokes, although he brutally fumbled their delivery in the face of an indifferent crowd. Vance explained that Donald Trump is a different kind of Republican and under his leadership, the Republican Party is the party of the American worker, and asked his audience to take the Republican National Convention as an example. It says a lot who each party chose to put up on that stage. At the Republican convention we were featuring everyday American workersand of course, we had Hulk Hogan. And while its tempting, and Im sure it would make some big headlines, dont worry any-ev-everybody Im not going to try to take off my shirt here he said, stumbling slightly, to zero crowd response. Vance: We had hulk hogan. Don't worry. I will not try to take off my shirt here pic.twitter.com/pXZdsvs9pb Acyn (@Acyn) August 29, 2024 His rough way into a complaint that the Democrats had only invited celebrities fell flat, highlighting his awkward public speaking style and inability to divert from a prepared speech. As Vance departed the stage, he was met once again by deafening jeers mixed into some applause. more boos as JD Vance leaves the stage in Boston pic.twitter.com/KO5YKa1EY6 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 29, 2024 Vances team is already attempting to spin his dismal reception, lauding his bravery for stepping into hostile territory. Vances communications director William Martin posted his own video of the event, showing the massive round of applause for Vance as he walked on the stage, but stopped short of showing the booing that would begin once he opened his mouth. Donald Trumps running mate didnt receive the warmest of welcomes at a firefighters union conference in Boston on Thursday. Ohio Sen. JD Vance could clearly hear the boos when he took the stage in front of the International Association of Fire Fighters, a union both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are courting for an endorsement. Vance took the tepid reception in stride. Sounds like we got some fans and some haters, he quipped. Thats okay. ... Ill make my pitch. JD Vance is booed before he speaks in front of a firefighters union in Boston. "Sounds like we got some fans and some haters. That's okay." pic.twitter.com/IOsfr8oWWJ The Recount (@therecount) August 29, 2024 Vance has been described as a new breed of ostensibly pro-labor Republican, but it was clear many of the firefighters in attendance werent buying it. Trump was vehemently anti-union throughout his first term, stacking agencies with appointees hostile to labor and trying to break federal employee unions. That record has left Vance with a difficult rebranding assignment. On Thursday, Vance praised firefighters and emergency responders for their service, drawing applause at times. He shared a personal story of calling 911 as a 12-year-old, when his mother was in the middle of what he called a terrible, terrible addiction crisis, and credited the first responders for calming her and the children down. He said first responders saved his mothers life years later. If you ever feel like youre not making a difference, listen to this: From the sad and tearful 12-year-old, to a 40-year-old whos now asking to be your vice president, you do make a difference, Vance said. Vance declared Trump and himself "the most pro-worker" ticket in GOP history. ALEX WROBLEWSKI via Getty Images He also tried to make the case for a pro-worker Trump presidency. President Trump and I are proud to be the most pro-worker Republican ticket in history, Vance claimed. He insisted Trump cares for working people. Hes been fighting for them for his entire life in public service, Vance said. He loves our firefighters and our first responders, and he wants to make your lives better, and he wants to make your service easier. As HuffPost cataloged earlier this year, Trump pursued a slew of reforms while president that were meant to help employers at the expense of workers. He tried to put a fast-food CEO in charge of the Labor Department; made it easier for businesses to hide workplace injuries; tried to give restaurants more control over workers tips; and made it harder for workers to organize, among many rules and attempted reforms. Harris-Walz campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a statement that Vance tried selling firefighters on the Trump-Vance Project 2025 agenda to undermine workers, gut labor protections, and cut overtime pay and got hosed. This election, workers are fired up to elect Vice President Harris and Governor Walz, Chitika said. They wont be fooled by Donald Trump or J.D. Vances lies about their plan to undermine unions and Americas middle class. Most major unions quickly came out in support of Harris after President Joe Biden announced he was withdrawing from the race. The IAFF, however, has not yet said which candidate it will back, if any. Harris running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, addressed the firefighter crowd on Wednesday. He didnt appear to be booed during his introduction. This story was updated with comment from the Harris campaign. J.D. Vance is begging his old friend Peter Thiel to help Donald Trump win the 2024 election. The co-founder of PayPal and Palantir has helped swing elections in the past, but previously stated that he would sit this one out. However, Vance is trying to capitalize on their long-standing relationship to get Thiel off the sidelines and funding the Trump-Vance campaign, according to the Financial Times. Im going to keep on talking to Peter and persuading him thatyou know hes obviously been exhausted by politics a little bitbut hes going to be really exhausted by politics if we lose and if Kamala Harris is president, Vance told the FT in an interview published Thursday. He is fundamentally a conservative guy, and I think that he needs to get off the sidelines and support the ticket. Vance was once Thiels pupil in Silicon Valley, and when Vance started his own fund, he was financially supported by the PayPal founder, whom he considered a mentor. When Vance ran for Senate in 2022, Thiel shelled out a record-breaking $15 million to secure his victory. Trump and Vance reportedly initially met through a meeting put together by Thiel himself. The billionaire venture capitalist and Trump have fallen out in recent years, and Thiel did not financially support Trump in 2020. Last year, Thiel said he wouldnt give any money to Republican politicians in 2024, but left the door open, saying theres always a chance I might change my mind. Many have seen Trumps pick of Vance as a nod toward Silicon Valley right-wingers like Thiel, Marc Andreessen, and Elon Musk. In July, after Trump announced his V.P. pick, Thiel hinted that he could be swayed. I always try to resist getting swept up in excitement, he told The New York Times. But in spite of many misgivings I had earlier this year, it makes me more hopeful that a second Trump term will be better than the first. J.D. Vance Says Kamala Harris Can Go to Hell as He Attempts to Defend Trumps Arlington Cemetery Scandal The Republican vice presidential nominee later addressed his attack on Harris, saying, "Sometimes I get frustrated and pissed off" Andrew Harnik/Getty; Brandon Bell/Getty J.D. Vance and Kamala Harris Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance said Vice President Kamala Harris "can go to hell" while attempting to defend former President Donald Trump, after two of his campaign staffers allegedly got into an altercation with an Arlington National Cemetery official. Trump, 78, was visiting the military cemetery on Monday, Aug. 26, to participate in a private wreath-laying ceremony that honored the third anniversary of a deadly attack on U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan. NPR reported that while they were there, Trump's team allegedly tried taking photos and video in a restricted area of the cemetery called Section 60, where service members killed in action in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom are buried, per the cemetery's website. NPR and the U.S. Army said that when an official tried to prevent Trump's staff from staging a campaign promo in Section 60, the worker was shoved aside. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Two days after the incident in Arlington, a CBS News reporter asked Vance, 40, for a comment on his campaign's cemetery scandal. The Republican vice presidential nominee, 40, instead responded by criticizing how the Biden administration handled the 2021 withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, directly referring to a suicide bombing that killed 13 service members during the evacuation. "Three years ago, 13 brave, innocent Americans died, and they died because Kamala Harris refused to do her job, and there hasn't been a single investigation or a single firing," Vance said. "Kamala Harris is so asleep at the wheel that she won't even do an investigation into what happened, and she wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up." "She can go to hell," he added. Related: J.D. Vance Compares Kamala Harris to Jeffrey Epstein as Donald Trump Says Hes Better Looking Than She Is As CBS News notes, Biden's State Department and White House both investigated the chaos that ensued during the withdrawal from Afghanistan, and each concluded that Trump's administration shares part of the blame. PEOPLE reached out to the vice president's office as well as the Harris-Walz campaign for comment about Vance's remark. PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty J.D. Vance at the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Vance later defended his comments about Harris, 59, at an appearance in Wisconsin. "Sometimes I get frustrated and pissed off," he said, adding that in his opinion the Harris campaign was "trying to make a massive political issue" out of the Aug. 26 incident at Arlington. Related: J.D. Vance Said He's 'Really Disturbed' by Teachers Who Are Not Parents in Resurfaced 2021 Audio Trump's spokesperson has denied that a physical altercation occurred at the cemetery, as NPR first reported, and accused the cemetery official of "suffering from a mental health episode" when they turned the campaign's private photographer away. The spokesperson said that the photographer got approval to be at the cemetery and should have been allowed to accompany Trump into Section 60. Andrew Leyden/NurPhoto/Getty Donald Trump visits Arlington Cemetery. But Arlington National Cemetery told a different story in a public statement about the incident, saying that the campaign was advised of federal laws surrounding political campaign activity on the grounds. "Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, to include photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes, or in direct support of a partisan political candidates campaign," read the statement, which was shared with PEOPLE on Aug. 28. "Arlington National Cemetery reinforced and widely shared this law and its prohibitions with all participants." Related: Trump Says Highest Civilian Award Is Better than Military Equivalent Because Its Recipients Arent in Bad Shape On Aug. 29, a U.S. Army spokesperson released an update about the cemetery incident. "Arlington National Cemetery routinely hosts public wreath-laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for individuals and groups who submit requests in advance. ANC conducts nearly 3,000 such public ceremonies a year without incident," their statement began. "Participants in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent Section 60 visit were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds." The Army spokesperson then offered more detail on the alleged incident, saying that a cemetery employee enforcing the rules "was abruptly pushed aside." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer. "This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked. ANC is a national shrine to the honored dead of the Armed Forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nations fallen deserve," the Army's statement concluded. The spokesperson said that the ordeal was reported to the joint base police department, but the cemetery official declined to press charges. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. A statue of Jack Daniel stands in front of the limestone cave spring at Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg, Tenn. in January 2014. Credit - Luke SharrettBloomberg via Getty Images Responding to pressure from conservative groups threatening "anti-woke" boycotts, Jack Daniel's parent company, Brown-Forman, recently announced that it would end workforce and supplier diversity goals and no longer participate in the Human Rights Campaigns Corporate Equality Index, citing shifts in the "legal and external landscape." My connection to Jack Daniel goes back to a very different eraone defined by the man himself, Jack Daniel, and the inclusive environment he created at his distillery in the 19th century. The legacy I want to highlight is about his commitment to inclusion and equity, which Jack Daniel, the man, fostered in an improbable time and place: the post-Civil War South, just minutes from the Alabama border. His values of inclusion became a cornerstone of the distillery's early success and were carried forward by his descendants well into the 20th century. Jack Daniels approach to inclusion was groundbreaking for its time. In the heart of the rural South, where racial division was the norm, Jack Daniel built a distillery where half of his workforce was African American, even though African Americans made up less than 20% of the population in Lynchburg, Tenn. The jobs at Jack Daniel Distillery were some of the most coveted in the area, and it was known that Jack hired based on merit, not race, drawing African Americans from surrounding towns. His fair treatment of workers created an environment where diversity wasnt just accepted but sought after. Jack Daniel may not have been able to address the systemic or structural issues of the time, but he led with his heart, creating a culture of inclusion that was not only morally right but good for business. Read more: What the Civil Rights Movement Can Teach Us About Corporate Culture Wars What made Jack Daniels commitment to equality even more remarkable was his humanity beyond the distillery. Upon his death, thousands of unpaid loan notes were found in his possessiondebts owed by people of all backgrounds, races, and walks of life. His will was clear: not a single debt was to be collected. Jack Daniel understood that everyone needs a helping hand at some point, and his generosity showed his belief in giving without expecting anything in return. The fact that Jack Daniel Distillery was able to recover and thrive after Prohibition when so many other Tennessee distilleries closed their doors permanently can be attributed, in part, to the diversity Jack Daniel built into the fabric of his company. By pulling from a wide pool of talent and perspectives, Jack Daniel Distillery had the agility and strength to rebuild when others could not. It is this legacy of inclusioninitiated by Jack Daniel, the man, and continued by his familythat I have built upon at Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. At the heart of that legacy is Nearest Green, the African American distilling genius who became Jack Daniels first master distiller. Nearest Green taught Jack Daniel the craft of distilling, and the two men formed a bond that was much more than business: Nearest Green was a mentor and a father figure to Jack. After Nearest Green retired, his son, George Green, continued working with Jack as his right-hand man, further embedding the Green familys legacy into the foundation of the distillery. Read more: Why Master Distiller Nearest Greens Story Must Be Told Jack Daniel, the man, offers a model for the type of DEI we need today. Jack Daniel didnt need mandates or quotas to treat people equitably. His workforce at the distillery was diverse long before it was required by law. The fact that Jack Daniel was able to foster inclusion in the heart of the South, during an era when such practices were virtually unheard of, is a testament to the strength of his character and the values he lived by. This is the spirit of inclusion that guided Jack Daniel in his day, and its the spirit that guides Uncle Nearest now. As we discuss DEI today, it feels like were losing the plot. It shouldnt be an either/or debateits a matter of and. Women and people of color make up 70% of the population, and we are essential to the workforce. But we dont want special treatment; we want equalityequal pay and equal opportunities. To understand the backlash against DEI programs, we must acknowledge that the American Dream has eluded many. Often those who dont fit the typical narrative of disenfranchisement. As we talk about DEI, its time to expand the conversation to include socioeconomic status and geography. True diversity and equity must embrace a broader vision of inclusionone that acknowledges those who struggle regardless of race. It is worth noting that around one in five African Americans live in poverty in the U.S., equaling about 8.5 million peoplea disproportionate share of the American population. It is also vital to recognize the 15 million white Americans living in poverty. I dont believe most opponents of DEI programs are against diversity, equity, or inclusion. Their issue is with how DEI is currently being positioned. So the question becomes: how do we address historic injustices without creating new ones? Consider this: women in the United States still earn, on average, just 82 cents for every dollar earned by men, while Black women earn only 64 cents. Similarly, Black workers earn just 76 cents for every dollar earned by white workers, regardless of education or occupation. These disparities are not just statistics; they represent real people, people who continue to be left behind in a country that prides itself on equality of opportunity. To those who question DEI in its current form, I implore and challenge you: will you help us move toward equality? Help us find a better path forward. Jack Daniel gave us the answer long ago: treat everyone with equality, uplift those who are struggling, and help those who need it most. If people want to scrap the term DEI, fine. But lets not lose sight of the goal: equality. Maybe some current programs arent the answer, but what is? If we cant answer that, dismantling what we have only takes us back to a time when inequality was the rule of the land. Contact us at letters@time.com. From the The Collision on The Dispatch Welcome back, at long last, to The Collision! Regular readers will notice we took a discreet pause from this newsletter after our previous issue, which we filed way back in July during the Republican National Convention. Like the classified documents case against Donald Trump in Florida, our focus here at The Collision was put on ice. Since then, a lot has happened in the presidential race. But all was quiet at the intersection of the campaign and the criminal justice systemuntil this week. Well dive into special counsel Jack Smiths superseding indictment against Trump in his election interference case and what, exactly, that means for the prospects of an actual trial or conclusion for this case. And for those of you wondering what to expect from this newsletter in the future, while we may not have a new issue every week, be on the lookout for updates in your inbox when big news on this beat breaks. The Docket Jack Smith has been busy. In addition to the revised indictment in Washington, D.C., the special counsel on Monday filed an appeal to the decision by Judge Aileen Cannon in the Southern District of Florida to throw out the classified documents case against Trump. In a 60-page filing, Smith argued that Cannons dismissalon the grounds that Attorney General Merrick Garland had neither the authority from Congress to appoint Smith special counsel nor the appropriations to fund the special counseldeviated from binding Supreme Court precedent, misconstrued the statutes that authorized the Special Counsels appointment, and took inadequate account of the longstanding history of Attorney General appointments of special counsels. The rest of the filing points to the sources of that authority, from statutory (here, here, here, and here) to Supreme Court precedent (in United States v. Nixon), to the long history of more than 150 years of special counsels investigating cases of high sensitivity and consequence. These appointments, which predate even the creation of the Department of Justice, have been upheld by courts, Smith argued. Trumps legal team has roughly a month to reply to Smiths appeal filing. The former president, meanwhile, responded on Truth Social to both the appeal and the superseding indictment in Washington by declaring them an effort to resurrect a dead Witch Hunt against him. The Trump campaign promoted his posts in an email to reporters. President Joe Biden may not be running for reelection, but his son Hunters tax evasion trial is moving forward apace. The federal trial is set to begin in Los Angeles next Thursday, September 5, with opening statements likely to begin the following Monday. Based on estimates from both prosecutors and Hunters defense team, the trial should take less than two weeks. Whats Different, Whats the Same, and Whats Next in the New Trump Indictment Special counsel Jack Smith and former President Donald Trump (Photos by Mandel NGAN and JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP via Getty Images) While the rest of us were chugging Natty Light by the lake this summer, special counsel Jack Smith was locked in a windowless janitors closet with nothing more than an electrical outlet, some MREs, and a typewriter. (Or something like that.) And now, eight weeks after the Supreme Court hit the reset button on the federal election interference case against Donald Trump, Smith has emerged. First, lets catch up. In August 2023, Smith indicted Trump on four counts related to his attempts to secure a second term as president after he lost the 2020 election: Count 1: conspiracy to defraud the United States Count 2: conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding Count 3: obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding Count 4: conspiracy against rights. The facts and evidence that Smith used to support these charges were wide-ranging and included Trumps conversations with White House officials and his appointees at the Department of Justice. Some of those conversations were about whether to appoint a new acting attorney general who was more sympathetic to his claims of election fraud. Then, on July 1, 2024, the Supreme Court held that presidents enjoy some immunity from criminal prosecution after they leave office. As we wrote to you shortly after the ruling, Chief Justice John Roberts created three buckets in his majority opinion: 1) if its an unofficial act, like something everything you and I do every day, a former president can be indicted, just like us; 2) if its an official act thats part of the presidents core constitutional powers, like pardoning someone, he cannot be indicted; 3) if its a non-core official act, meaning something he could only do using the powers of the presidency, then he can be indicted only if the Government can show that applying a criminal prohibition to that act would pose no dangers of intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch. Specifically, the court held that Trump threatening to remove his attorney generalwhich Smith initially included in the indictmentwas core official conduct. To hold otherwise would leave presidents open to criminal prosecution for all sorts of political choices. For instance, a president could be charged with a crime for considering pardoning someone he believed was wrongly convicted but who also would support his reelection campaign, or for talking to aides about removing a secretary of defense who believed that certain enhanced interrogation techniques used against suspected terrorists were unlawful. The superseding indictment filed by Smith this week fixes a lot of these glaring problems with the first indictment. Its nine pages shorter, a lot of the more colorful storytelling has been pared down, and the indictment is now clearly focused on Trumps unofficial conduct as a candidate for political office and not his officialif ethically questionableconduct as president. And for those concerned that the Supreme Court let Trump off the hook, there is reason to be satisfied with this revised indictment. Trump is charged with the same number of crimes (four) and under the same statutes as before. In other words, Smith didnt need any of that legally murky material to bring these charges against Trump. This indictment, like the original, charges Trump with violating the law when he pressured state election officials to ignore legally cast votes in their states; when he supported the creation of illegitimate slates of electors; when he pressured the vice president, who was acting in his role as president of the Senate, to reject the state election certifications; and when he attempted to persuade members of Congress to delay the vote on January 6. Trumps team will now argue that its client is also immune from prosecution for these charges based on the Supreme Courts test. But thats a much steeper climb under this new indictment. During oral arguments before the Supreme Court in April, Trumps lawyer already conceded that several of these actions were unofficialand therefore indictableconduct. The problem, as it ever was, will be timing. There is no world in which Trump stands trial before the electionunless he wants to do so for some political reason that would be hard to fathom. If Trump wins the election, Smith will have until noon on January 20 to win his case. That is also highly unlikely. If Smith put the pedal to the metal, at best District Judge Tanya Chutkan will have ruled by then that Trump is not immune from any charges in the new indictment, and any appeals from Trumps team may have been rejected by both the D.C. Circuit Court and the Supreme Court. But to hold a trial on these matters, Smith will need more time. The question becomes whether a President Kamala Harris would authorize Smith to move forward. On the one hand, Democrats have claimed this investigation had nothing to do with Trumps decision to run for office, yet the Justice Department waited two and a half years to indict him and only brought charges after Trump announced his intention to run. On the other hand, the entire reason for appointing a special counsel is that the Department of Justice had a perceived conflict since Trump was running against its boss. Come January, that conflict will no longer exist and therefore the need for Smith to pursue this caseas opposed to a regularly appointed U.S. attorneywill also cease to exist. So a President Harris will have to pick: continue the case as is (a potential ongoing political distraction for her administration), drop the case entirely (risking the charge that this case was always more about defeating Trump politically than the rule of law), or allow the case to move forward but under DOJ prosecutors (opening up a whole new can of worms and delaying the case even further). Sarahs View This new superseding indictment is evidence that Jack Smith has no intention of letting the clock run out. It also gives a glimmer of the alternative universe of what the case may have looked like under a more disciplined, less aggressive team of prosecutors who prioritized speed over casting the widest legal net it could. In my opinion, this case could have gone to trial a year ago. It just would have required a narrow indictment like the one we saw this week that focused only on Trumps actions as a candidate, and that had been brought a year earlierin August 2022. Both were possible. Neither happened. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. Jack White rips Trump campaign for posting bands song: Dont even think about using my music you fascists Jack White is blasting former President Trumps campaign and threatening a lawsuit after an aide to the former president posted a clip that featured a song by The White Stripes. Oh.Dont even think about using my music you fascists, White wrote Thursday on Instagram. Law suit coming from my lawyers about this (to add to your five thousand others,) White, one-half of the rock duo The White Stripes, wrote to his nearly 700,000 followers. The legal threat came after Margo Martin, Trumps deputy director of communications, posted a video clip of the 45th president ascending the stairs of an airplane on his way to rallies in swing states Michigan and Wisconsin. As he walked up the stairs, the opening riff of The White Stripess 2003 hit Seven Nation Army played in the background. Have a great day at work today Margo Martin, White, 49, said. Martin didnt immediately respond to ITKs request for comment, and the post on the social platform featuring The White Stripes song appeared to have been removed Thursday afternoon. White also ripped Trump for a controversy involving the ex-commander in chiefs visit earlier this week during a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. An Army spokesperson said Thursday that an employee who was trying to enforce rules prohibiting political activities on cemetery grounds was pushed aside in an altercation that reportedly involved two members of Trumps campaign staff. And as long as Im here, a double f you DonOLD for insulting our nations veterans at Arlington you scum, White said. You should lose every military familys vote immediately from that if ANYTHING makes sense anymore, the musician said. Its far from the first time that a performer has contested the use of their music by Trumps campaign. Last week, the Foo Fighters said they did not give permission for the Trump campaign to use their song My Hero during a campaign rally. In a statement to The Hill, the bands spokesperson said any royalties earned from the song would be donated to Vice President Harriss campaign. Earlier this month, Celine Dion distanced herself from Trumps campaign after her famed song My Heart Will Go On was played at the former presidents rally in Montana. In no way is this use authorized and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use and really, THAT song? a statement posted on Dions Instagram account said of the mega-hit featured in 1997s Titanic. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rusty Reid is on the phone so often, his employees jokingly refer to his car as his office garage. No matter if its a call from a client or an employee, he answers. His hands-on approach is just one part of how Reid, the president and CEO of Higginbotham, has transformed the Fort Worth-based insurance brokerage into one of the industrys biggest names. For most of its 76-year history, the firm founded by Paul C. Higginbotham was a small, local provider of personal insurance. Reid was one of only 12 employees when he joined the company over three decades ago. Today, Higginbotham is the nations 20th largest independent insurance brokerage by revenue. It has more than 3,300 employees across at least 31 offices in 17 states and continues to expand at an impressively fast clip, including two acquisitions announced just this month. While the private company doesnt disclose numbers, an industry publication reported recently it was estimated to be worth more than $4 billion. Higginbothams meteoric growth wasnt always by design but its success under Reids leadership wasnt by chance, either. A young CEO When Reid joined the firm in 1986, the company was led by William Stroud, who was Higginbothams nephew. Stroud took Reid under his wing, becoming a mentor and father figure. When Stroud retired in 1989, Reid succeeded him as CEO at only age 27. By then, the firm had grown to 24 employees. Almost immediately, Reid introduced an employee stock ownership plan to give employees equity in the company, which he knew would help with retention. If I got people that had built this firm thus far, then built the firm prospectively with me, I wanted them to earn above and beyond a paycheck, hence this equity ownership Reid said. The company is still employee-owned today. Reid said about 3,100 of Higginbothams roughly 3,300 employees participate in the companys synthetic equity plan. About 1,500 employees own shares in Higginbotham directly, according to Reid. A great partner Now in his 35th year leading the company, Reid said Higginbothams values are an integral part of its success. Were kind of all about the people we take care of, hence our clients, or carrier partners, our communities. When we do that, well, it takes really good care of us, Reid said. Higginbotham Insurances CEO Rusty Reid sits inferno of their logo on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 in Fort Worth. Higginbotham has grown significantly over the past decade and has been working to expand their locations out side of Texas. Shortly after becoming CEO, Reid and his colleagues created the secret sauce of Higginbothams business model a single-source model that made the company a one-stop-shop for an array of services integral to business or personal finances. Today, Higginbotham is licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance as a managing general agency, surplus lines agency, risk manager agency, third-party administrator and general lines agency (for health and HMO, life, accident and property and casualty coverage). Story continues Higginbotham offers personal insurance and a range of financial services, including wealth management. Corporate clients can get business insurance, employee benefits programs and human resources services. Whit Perryman has been a Higginbotham client for roughly 30 years. He is CEO of Irving-based Vermeer Texas-Louisiana, a heavy-equipment distributor with 15 locations, and says it can be difficult to find insurance for all of them particularly in coastal areas. Despite the challenges, he said, Higginbotham has always found him coverage. A business like Vermeer Texas-Louisiana needs a variety of policies and employee services. Through Higginbotham, the company insures physical locations, gets medical insurance for employees and has some business insurance. Reid was an account manager for Vermeer Texas-Louisiana when Perryman first met him. Perryman said Higginbotham has maintained a strong relationship with clients throughout its rapid expansion. When Perrymans company was experiencing some financial difficulties in the early 2000s, Higginbotham worked with it to adapt coverage. Perryman said he knows that key people on his account will always answer the phone, even when natural disasters strike. They were a great partner, not just an insurance carrier, Perryman said. From insurer next door, to industry powerhouse By 2007, Higginbotham was one of the largest insurance firms in Texas. Reid said he received offers to buy Higginbotham, but he didnt want to sell the successful, relatively young company. Instead, the firm changed its strategy. In the late 2000s, Higginbotham began developing what Reid calls a dual-growth strategy. The company kept working to retain clients and find new customers, but also began acquiring other companies across the country. Higginbotham has acquired, merged or partnered with over 87 firms since 2000. More than half of those companies were acquired in the past four years. Higginbotham was among the countrys 28 most active acquiring insurance brokers in 2023, according to The Hales Report, a publication of the industry advising firm Dowling Hales. The acquisitions run the gamut of professional services and insurance specialties, including human resources and employee benefits. Higginbotham insurance company building on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 in Fort Worth. Higginbotham has 98 locations nation wide. Reid said the company first focused on growing its presence across the South. Now it is expanding into regions with similar insurance relationships, including the Midwest. A future IPO from the insurance titan is unlikely; Reid said the company has no interest in going public. I think sometimes you become something different when you become a public enterprise, and we dont want to become something different, Reid said. We love, love who we are. Reid declined to share Higginbothams current valuation. A 2014 Securities and Exchange Commission filing estimated the companys value at the time to be over $100 million. Stone Point Capital, a private equity firm, has owned a minority stake in Higginbotham since 2009. Reid said Stone Point helps the company with capital markets and has been a great partner. A recent transaction between Stone Point Capital and global asset management titan Blackstone suggested Higginbothams value is over $4 billion, according to trade publication Insurance Insider US. Blackstone purchased a minority stake in Higginbotham in early July. Blackstone and Stone Point Capital declined to comment on the deal. Were Texans, were born and raised here Higginbotham made headlines in 2023 when the company bid $440,000 to win Snoop Dog, the grand champion steer at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo smashing the previous record of $310,000. The bid was made through Higginbothams community fund, which supports local nonprofits and charities. Employees contribute to the fund and suggest where to donate. Since its inception in 2011, the fund has raised almost $8 million. Reid said the steer purchase, which goes toward entirely toward a young 4-H students college education, stemmed from wanting to do something special to celebrate Higginbothams 75th anniversary. Higgenbotham once again won the Stock Shows champion steer this year, paying $340,000. Reid said he isnt sure whether Higginbotham will go for the grand champion in 2025, but the company will continue to support the Stock Shows mission of educating youth in the livestock industry. Were Texans, were born and raised here, and that Stock Show is really a great view of what we do in our city that I think makes us culturally unique and different, Reid said. Higginbotham, along with Vermeer Texas-Louisiana and Hillwood, annually provide homes to wounded veterans through the Charles Schwab Challenge Military Home Donation program. The program has donated homes each year since 2011. Its something that (Reid) and I talk about, Perryman said. Were doing this every year, as long as were alive. Lets keep on doing this, its fun. We dont think our work is done Reid said Higginbothams growth hasnt changed how the company operates. The size of the firm doesnt stop him from looking for the best experts and trying new ways of doing things. I think if you really kind of build your business around values that are important to your constituencies, then how large you get as an organization really wont matter, because that becomes your guiding light of what you want to do, Reid said. Reid believes its important to support young talent. He created the chairmans council, a group of employees he mentors and believes could be future leaders. Reid said there are still opportunities for Higginbotham to grow in Texas. For now, the company is expanding to new markets across the country. In August alone, the company announced new acquisitions with Turner & Associates Insurance in Georgia, where Higginbotham already has 10 offices, and with Tampa-based Cassidy & Company, which serves high-net worth clients with estate planning and custom life insurance strategies. Both partnerships strengthen Higginbothams footprint in the Southeast. We dont think our work is done, Reid said. Attorneys said Nicholas Overfield first discovered he was HIV-positive when he was taken into custody at El Dorado County Jail in Northern California in 2017.In 2020, while he was living in the Lake Tahoe area, a doctor prescribed him Juluca, an antiretroviral drug crucial in controlling the virus and preventing life-threatening complications, according to excerpts of medical records reviewed by HuffPost. However, when Overfield was arrested for failing to appear in court in February 2022 and detained at that same jail, he was denied the medication even though staff with Wellpath, the company contracted to provide health care at the jail, had received records from his doctor that he was taking it, according to an ongoing lawsuit brought by his mother, Lesley Overfield, against the company and El Dorado County. He died after 63 days in custody, before he was ever sentenced for the burglary charge to which he ultimately pleaded no contest. He was 38 years old. He was just a good kid. He just did everything, and its just really sad that he didnt get to complete his life and do what he wanted to do, Lesley Overfield told HuffPost, describing her son as a kind, loving, generous father to two boys, ages 8 and 10. Nicholas Overfield and his mother Lesley Overfield. Family Handout Under a1976 Supreme Court ruling, jails and prisons cannot show deliberate indifference to the medical needs of people in their custody. Though Lesley Overfield said that she was concerned when her son was arrested in 2022, she believed he would be okay in the controlled environment of the jail. Instead, her lawsuit said Wellpath never treated her son for HIV, in spite of the records from his doctor that were received on the first day of his detention, his repeated pleas for his medication and jail staffs documentation in his patient files that his health was deteriorating. As a result, he developed AIDS and related complications that killed him, the lawsuit said. Wellpath declined to comment to HuffPost, and El Dorado County officials did not respond to a request for comment. They have not yet responded to the suits amended complaint, which was filed Aug. 21 in federal court, but in a previous court filing, El Dorado County said Lesley Overfields attorneys had not shown that jail policies violated Nicholas Overfields rights. Wellpath sought to have the suit dismissed and said its claims against the company had no merit. The newly amended complaint now also names a doctor, nurses, a health services administrator and law enforcement officers who it says are also responsible for Nicholas Overfields death. They also have not responded to the lawsuits claims and could not immediately be reached by HuffPost. Wellpath, which is the nations largest private, for-profit provider of health care services in prisons and jails, has in recent years come under fire for its alleged treatment of incarcerated people in multiple U.S. states. In December 2023, Democratic senators including Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Cory Booker (N.J.)wrote a letter calling out the companys alleged inadequate care at federal, state, and local prisons and jails. In adetailed response, Wellpaths executive vice president and chief legal officer Marc Goldstone pointed to the difficulties of providing treatment in jail and prison facilities to patients whose health has oftenbeen impacted by adverse environments or social conditions while also defending the quality of its care. Our company promotes rigorous standards of care, invests in innovation, and values compassionate service, Goldstone said at the time. The company also responded to a question about whether incarcerated patients medications are ever changed or not provided without approval from the original prescribing doctor. All medications are reviewed for clinical appropriateness by licensed medical professionals, Goldstone said. The company has also faced other lawsuits, including one in the2021 death ofMaurice Monk at the Santa Rita Jail that resulted in a $7 million settlement from Alameda County; the county did not admit wrongdoing. His familys civil suit against Wellpath is ongoing, and in court filings, the company has said it is not responsible for his injuries and death. The Alameda County District Attorneyis also investigating the case and has said evidence suggests Monk, who had mental health and medical issues, was dead for at least 72 hours before deputies found his body in his cell. According to Lesley Overfields lawsuit, a detainee who was housed in the same communal unit said in a deposition that he observed jail staff ignoring Nicholas Overfields request for his HIV medication multiple times and that Nicholas Overfield was suffering from painful, open ulcers on his feet. The detainee also said that he heard a Wellpath staff member tell Nicholas Overfield, Youre not taking care of yourself on the street, why should I take care of you in here? (An attorney for Lesley Overfield told HuffPost that her son was living at her home at the time of his arrest.) Several nurses employed with Wellpath had also documented Nicholas Overfields deteriorating health in his medical records while he was in jail, yet he was only given Tylenol, Imodium and Zofran, according to the lawsuit. He was able to meet with a doctor on March 10, weeks after he was detained. The doctor ordered the lab work necessary to confirm his need for Juluca, but medical staff repeatedly rescheduled his lab appointment, the lawsuit said. His condition continued to worsen and by April, he was falling over repeatedly, according to the lawsuit. The unnamed detainee said in his deposition that Nicholas Overfields skin had turned gray. The ulcers on his feet caused him so much pain that he struggled to walk and had meals brought to his cell, the inmate said. An email between two El Dorado County sheriffs deputies dated April 21, 2022, and cited in the lawsuit gives a grim depiction of the condition of Nicholas Overfields cell and described him as extremely frail. The cell was dirty and had urine on the floor. I had [two officers] assist Overfield up from his bed, the email read. Overfield had a very difficult time standing up and walking over to the wheelchair. Attorney Ty Clarke, who is representing Lesley Overfield, called her sons situation enraging in an interview with HuffPost. This isnt a case where someone suddenly got sick and died, Clarke said. This is a case where someone was deteriorating consistently over two months, in front of doctors, in front of nurses, in front of deputies, in front of sergeants, and they didnt do anything. Nicholas Overfield received a visit from his mother on her birthday, April 23. She told HuffPost that it had been two weeks since shed last visited her son, and that his condition had declined drastically since then. Lesley Overfield said she saw jail staff bringing her son into the visiting area in a wheelchair. He couldnt speak. He couldnt talk. He was so weak, he couldnt hold himself up, she said. The mother went back to the jail the next day to express her concerns to a Wellpath nurse and demand her son receive the medical care he needed, according to the lawsuit. She then said she learned from a nurse that her son was in the infirmary. They didnt take care of him like they should have, she said. They waited too long, and they didnt give him his medicine. They didnt see any concern for how he felt or what he was going through. Nicholas Overfield. Family Handout A nurse had called El Dorado County sheriffs deputies earlier that day for an emergency response after finding Nicholas Overfield on the floor of his cell in a pool of urine, according to the lawsuit. The nurse reported in her notes that he was showing muscle weakness and unable to use physical force to get back to his bed, and needed to go to the emergency room. In spite of the nurses report, Nicholas Overfield did not immediately go to the emergency room, according to the lawsuit. An El Dorado County sheriffs sergeant claimed that the office did not have a deputy available to escort him to the hospital, according to the complaint. Nicholas Overfield did not receive emergency care until 12 hours later, when he was taken to Barton Memorial Hospitalin an ambulance, according to the lawsuit. Clarke wrote in the lawsuits complaint that by that point, it was too late, and he was airlifted to an intensive care unit in San Francisco. More than a month of intensive care could not save Nick, Clarke wrote. Nicholas Overfield died almost two months later in hospice care. His immediate cause of death was determined to be from varicella-zoster virus encephalitis, an often deadly complication experienced by AIDS patients. Clarke said Nicholas Overfield contracted the condition around the time he was admitted into the ICU, but he argued that if Nicholas Overfield had been given the Juluca that was originally prescribed to him in 2021, he never would have developed AIDS and ultimately died. HIV shouldnt be a death sentence, Clarke said. Youve had incredible, incredible medical advances, but he alleged, Wellpath and the sheriffs office treated it like it was a death sentence. Instead of the sickness that marked the final months of his life, Lesley Overfield remembers her son as an outgoing father who enjoyed spending time with his sons. She added that she misses his creativity he wrote her several poems but most of all, she and her family miss having him part of their everyday life. I miss his smile, she said, and his mom hugs. Related... January 6 rioter no longer faces obstruction charge after Supreme Court ruling, will face trial on other charges A former Pennsylvania police officer whose US Capitol riot criminal case landed at the Supreme Court will go to trial next year, a federal judge said Wednesday. For months, Joseph Fischers case was on pause while the high court considered whether one of the charges he faced obstructing an official proceeding was being interpreted improperly when applied to riot-related criminal cases. In their ruling this summer, the nine justices narrowed the scope of the obstruction law, which the Justice Department used to bring obstruction charges against hundreds of January 6 defendants. The high court did not throw out the obstruction charge against Fischer but sent the case back to lower courts with instructions about how to assess the charge in light of its June ruling. When the case returned to federal district court on Wednesday, District Judge Carl Nichols said that what remains of this case will go to trial in February 2025. Prosecutor Alexis Loeb said Fischer will face trial on other charges not including obstruction. Fischer faces six other charges related to the riot, including assaulting law enforcement officers and civil disorder. Fischer is alleged to have recorded himself yelling charge! and running into the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, and said over text that that protesters should drag Democrats into the street and have a mob trial. Though Nichols acknowledged that bringing the case in front of a jury next year is a pretty long delay, he told attorneys on the case that he would try to accelerate the case should he have openings in his trial schedule. Nichols was the sole judge at the trial-court level to rule that a rioter like Fischer shouldnt face an obstruction charge because the law was intended to relate specifically to tampering with a document. Other judges determined that January 6 rioters could face obstruction charges because they broadly related to the congressional proceeding to certify the election. The Supreme Courts decision in Fischer was in line with Nichols ruling two years ago, tying the obstruction prosecutions to the need for prosecutors to show records, documents or other evidence used in the Congressional proceeding on January 6 was affected by the rioters. That has prompted Justice Department prosecutors to rewrite some cases against rioters theyve been working on for years, including by asking the court earlier this week to drop the obstruction conviction of another rioter, Ethan Seitz. And the judges in the DC District Court have been calling hearings this month to reconsider the rioter cases before them in light of the Supreme Court decision. Nearly 1,500 rioters have faced charges related to the Capitol riot, with 259 facing the obstruction count that the high court looked at in Fischer, according to the DOJ. All of the rioters who face charges are being prosecuted on counts in addition to the obstruction charge, meaning none are walking free from court proceedings because of the Supreme Court decision. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Direction of destruction: The typhoon, expected to reach southern Kyushu by Thursday, already caused three injuries and left three people missing due to a landslide and an accident. Forecast shows it could reach a Category 3 status as it approaches the coast. It is projected to make landfall on Shikoku before moving across southern Honshu, causing damages estimated between $6 billion and $10 billion. However, disaster modelers warn that if it directly impacts the Osaka-Kobe area, damages could soar to between $12 billion and $20 billion. (Bloomberg) -- The Japanese steel giant that helped China modernize its mills is worried that a glut of the metal in its neighbor could hurt its domestic market. Most Read from Bloomberg Nippon Steel Corp., the worlds fourth largest steelmaker, wants the Japanese government to impose an anti-dumping tariff on Chinese steel, according to Executive Vice President Takahiro Mori. The company is lobbying Tokyo, along with other Japanese mills, to take protective measures due to concerns that exports from China will increase further, he said in an interview this week. Chinas steel exports surged this year to their highest since 2016 as local demand has slumped due to a protracted crisis in the property market. Fears that other countries are becoming a dumping ground for Chinas excess product has led to increased trade measures against the worlds biggest producer. A lot of other countries, including in Europe, the US and South Korea have introduced defensive measures, which means that exports will pour into Japan if its the only one without them, Mori said. Steel mills globally, including those in China, are feeling the pressure of the markets downturn. The worlds biggest steel producer, China Baowu Steel Group Corp., earlier this month cautioned that the Chinese steel sector is in a harsh winter that may be more challenging than the conditions seen in 2008 and 2015. Nippon Steel is also bracing for what it calls an unprecedentedly harsh business environment. Nippon Steel helped kick-start Chinas industry in the late-1970s by providing technology and expertise. The company assisted Baowus listed unit in building its first major coastal steel mill in Shanghai, completed in 1985, and their cooperation helped ease often difficult relations between the two nations, which reached their nadir with Japans occupation in the Second World War. At a meeting with then-Chairman Yoshihiro Inayama, President Deng Xiaoping even called Nippon Steel the teacher and China the student. China has since replaced Japan as the worlds dominant producer and antagonism between the two countries continues to periodically flare. On a commercial level, thats included a lawsuit filed in 2021 by Nippon Steel seeking compensation for patent infringements by Toyota Motor Corp. and its supplier, Baowus unit Baoshan Iron & Steel Co. Nippon Steel exited a joint venture with Baosteel last month as Japanese automakers struggle to maintain market share in Asias biggest economy. The company will make decisions on other joint ventures it has in China on a case-by-case basis, Mori said, adding that the firms strategy is to expand investment in the US, India and the Asean region instead. Baosteel for its part is expecting to sell even more steel abroad. The company said on Thursday it aims to increase exports to more than 10 million tons by 2028, despite rising trade frictions, from as little as 6 million tons this year. US Deal Mori also said that Nippon Steel remains positive it can close its acquisition of US Steel Corp., a $14.1 billion deal that has become politically sensitive during this years US presidential race. If it wasnt an election year, this deal would have closed long ago, Mori said, adding that he is planning to visit the US and meet stakeholders next month. Nippon Steel Looks to Woo US Union With Extra $1.3 Billion The executive recalled that he spoke with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz before he was appointed as Kamala Harris vice presidential candidate, at an opening ceremony for a pellet production facility in the state in May. The governor was very positive about Nippon Steels investment in US Steel, Mori said. --With assistance from Alfred Cang. (Updates story with background throughout) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Japan urges 4 million to evacuate as lumbering Typhoon Shanshan threatens south with up to a meter of rain Almost 4 million people in southern Japan were urged to evacuate as Typhoon Shanshan made landfall Thursday, leaving thousands of residents without power and lashing Kyushu island with hurricane-force winds, torrential rain and dangerous storm surges. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a rare emergency warning for the slow-moving storm, saying it was expected to bring damaging flooding and landslides to most of Kyushu, the countrys southernmost main island, with record rainfall expected. Hundreds of flights have been canceled, bullet train services suspended and major companies like automaker Toyota have closed factories. Japanese authorities on Thursday warned that a life-threatening situation was imminent for towns in Kyushus Oita prefecture and urged 57,000 people to take live-saving actions as it issued its highest typhoon alert. A Level 4 evacuation advisory, the second-highest alert, was in place for all of Kyushu, affecting 3.7 million residents. At least one person is missing and dozens of people have been injured across the island as of Thursday morning, according to local government offices. Earlier this week, three people were killed in a landslide triggered by Shanshans destructive wind and rains. Typhoon Shanshan weakened as it slowly moved north through Kyushu as the equivalent of a Category 1 Atlantic Hurricane, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). By Friday, Shanshan had weakened into a tropical storm with its center almost stationary over northeast Kyushu packing winds of 70 kph (45 mph) after hitting the mainland with windspeeds of up to 185 kph (115 mph). A man walks past a fallen tree brought down by strong winds from Typhoon Shanshan in Usa, Oita prefecture, Japan on August 29, 2024. - Yuchi Yamazaki/AFP/Getty Images Video from Miyazaki, close to where the storm made landfall, showed downed electricity pylons and roads strewn with tree branches and other debris. Areas in Japan further away from the typhoon have also been affected by its bands of stationary heavy rains. In central Aichi prefecture, a family of five were buried in a landslide when it destroyed their house late Tuesday, according to Gamagori Citys Crisis Management Division. Three people, a couple in their 70s and a 30-year-old man, died in the incident. Two women in their 40s were pulled out of the debris and survived, one with severe injuries. On Thursday, Shanshan was moving at 10 kph (7 mph), dumping huge amounts of rain onto the island. Slower storms can be more destructive, with strong gusts or rainstorms that pound the same areas for hours or days. Rainfall reached over 0.5 meters (20 inches) in many areas and forecasters said totals could reach as high as 1 meter (40 inches) across some isolated and hilly regions. Kyushus Ebino Plateau saw a three-day rainfall total of almost 0.9 meters (35 inches) up to Friday. An object blown by strong winds caused by Typhoon Shanshan is stranded on a power line in Miyazaki, southwestern Japan, on August 29, 2024. - Kyodo/Reuters Japans Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said in a news conference Thursday that record-breaking rainfall is expected and authorities are trying to assess the state of damage and implement emergency disaster response measures. The storm forced more than 1,200 flights to be canceled at major airports across Japan, including more than 400 at Tokyos Haneda, according to flight tracking website Flightaware. Hayashi said dozens of sections of the major highways running through Kyushu have closed, and services on the Kyushu Shinkansen and Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen bullet trains were suspended. There are fears that the effects of the typhoon may spread further in the future, Hayashi said. More than 255,150 households on Kyushu were without power Thursday morning, according to Kyushu Electric Power. Automakers Toyota, Honda, Mazda and Nissan are among major firms that have suspended some operations at their factories in the path of the storm. Shanshan is expected to slowly move over Japans southwest, before crossing into central regions through the weekend and possibly into next week. The main threat across the rest of Japan will continue to be widespread significant downpours, with some areas in Shikoku and Honshu potentially seeing 0.4 meters (16 inches) of rain. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Taylor Ward, Nodoka Katsura, Lizzy Yee and Allison Chinchar contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com JD Vance Begs His Old Billionaire Boss Peter Thiel for Campaign Cash Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance is begging his billionaire former boss Peter Thiel to bankroll his bid for the White House. In an interview with the Financial Times, Vance made no secret about how much he has been talking to Peter and persuading him to donate to former President Donald Trumps presidential campaign as he falls behind Vice President Kamala Harris in funding. You know hes obviously been exhausted by politics a little bit, Vance told the Times about the PayPal co-founder. But hes going to be really exhausted by politics if we lose and if Kamala Harris is president. Thiel is connected to Vances successful Ohio Senate race win over Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan in 2022. Thiel has also been credited for single-handedly funding Republican Blake Masters failed 2022 run for Arizona Senate to the tune of a reported $15 million. Both Masters and Vance are Thiels former employees and have been touted as his proteges. Thiel was Vances boss at Mithril Capital venture capital fund in California, and then Thiel backed Vances Narya Capital before he decided to run for office. Vance has previously referred to Thiel as a pretty good mentor, but he knows Thiel has been an even better donor. After donating a reported $1.25 million to Trumps 2016 presidential campaign, Thiel expressed that he had been less than impressed by Trumps presidency and announced that he had no plans to give any money to Republican politicians in 2024. In a June interview at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Thiel said, If you hold a gun to my head Ill vote for Trump. However, Thiel told The Atlantic in November last year, theres always a chance I might change my mind. Vance said he is being persistent in talking to Peter and persuading him. During his recent campaign stop in Wisconsin, Vance commented that Thiel is a fundamentally a conservative guy. He added, I think that he needs to get off the sidelines and support the ticket. 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. JD Vance booed by firefighters union one day after they welcomed Walz: Sounds like we got some haters Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance was booed by a firefighters union in Boston one day after the group praised his Democratic counterpart, Tim Walz. As soon as the Ohio freshman Senator walked onto the stage Thursday at a convention for the International Association of Firefighters, representing firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, he was met with jeers. Semper fi, guys, said Vance, a Marine veteran, as the crowd erupted with boos. Sounds like we got some fans and some haters. Thats okay. Listen to what I have to say here. Ill make my pitch. Vance received a smattering of cheers after promising that the Trump-Vance administration would protect free speech, including criticism of Covid-19 vaccine mandates, as well as protecting pensions. The mostly negative reaction comes one day after the Minnesota governor was greeted with a warm round of applause when he walked into the same convention before giving remarks. After Vance was booed on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Harris-Walz said in a statement: JD tried selling firefighters on the Trump-Vance Project 2025 agenda to undermine workers, gut labor protections, and cut overtime pay and got hosed. This election, workers are fired up to elect Vice President Harris and Governor Walz. They wont be fooled by Donald Trump or JD Vances lies about their plan to undermine unions and Americas middle class. Vance appears to have more haters than fans these days. Not only is he considered the least popular vice presidential candidate in modern history, but he has been on the receiving end of many negative reactions since joining the GOP ticket. Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) walks on stage to speak to attendees at the International Association of Fire Fighters Convention on August 29 in Boston. He was met with boos from the crowd as soon as he walked onto the stage (AP) Past comments of Vance calling Vice President Kamala Harris a childless cat lady have come back to haunt him. The childless community, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoffs e- wife and Jennifer Aniston have condemned the remark. Resurfaced texts also emphasize his ideological pivot from once calling Trump Americas Hitler to becoming his running mate, which has angered former classmates and friends. Since becoming Trumps veep pick, Democrats have labeled him as weird a descriptor he has tried to ditch, but a number of strained social exchanges have made that effort more difficult. One of his recent jokes at a Wisconsin rally fell flat and backfired. Well, I found a good friend from back home who embellishes and lies a lot, Im having him stand in for Tim Walz, Vance said earlier this month. The internet was quick to speculate that his friend was Republican presidental nominee Donald Trump, who, according to the Washington Post, made more than 30,000 false or misleading statements during his presidency. In another painful exchange, Vance visited a cheesesteak joint in Philadelphia and wound up being accused of committing a crime against humanity. The Ohio Republican walked into Pats King of Steaks, which famously serves its cheesesteaks with only American cheese, provolone or cheez whiz. However, Vance dared to ask why they hate Swiss cheese so much? While Vance was seemingly referencing John Kerrys 2004 presidential campaign, when he asked for a sandwich with Swiss cheese at Pats, the internet thought the exchange hurt his campaign chances. Similarly, last week, Vance tried to have conversations with employees in a donut shop in Georgia before his remarks. But the exchange devolved into incredible depths of awkwardness, involving minimal responses, one employee asking to remain off camera, and Vance using the term sprinkle stuff. This article has been amended to include a statement from the Harris-Walz campaign and that Vance had received cheers at some points during his speech. ERIE, PA (WJET/WFXP) JD Vance visited Erie on Wednesday as supporters gathered to hear from the Ohio senator at the Team Hardinger warehouse. JET 24/FOX 66 reporter Tyler Gallagher went live at Team Hardinger on West 18th Street where the Republican vice president nominee spoke to a crowd this afternoon. Hundreds gathered in one of the companys garages and filled up every seat to represent the Republican Party with Trump signs and red hats. Vance was preceeded by five speakers before taking the stage to a huge applause. Erie voters highlight important political issues ahead of JD Vance rally He used his platform to talk about the economy, the border crisis and the trucking business. He said the rally celebrated American trucking and American industry and highlighted the importance of truckers in Pennsylvania. He pointed out the economic issues that people are under today. Being here at Hardinger Trucking has pushed out the idea that trucking really needs help from the federal government. This economy is based on trucking, said Tom Eddy, chairman of the Erie County Republican Committee. Vances motorcade left shortly after his speech finished and is traveling to another rally Wednesday night in Wisconsin. Well have more coverage on Vances Erie visit later on at JET 24 Action News @ 11 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. Senator JD Vance is urging his long-time supporter, Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel, to support Donald Trumps bid for the White House. Vance has a long-time relationship with Thiel, the former CEO of PayPal. The billionaire supported Vances run for Ohio senator in 2022 and was reportedly the one who introduced Vance to Trump. Im going to keep on talking to Peter and persuading him that you know hes obviously been exhausted by politics a little bit but hes going to be really exhausted by politics if we lose and if Kamala Harris is president, Vance told TheFinancial Times. He is fundamentally a conservative guy, and I think that he needs to get off the sidelines and support the ticket, Vance added. Vances comments come after Thiel said last year he does not want to give any money to Republican politicians in 2024 after disapproving of Trumps first presidency. Senator JD Vance speaking at a campaign rally. Vance urged his old friend, Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel, to donate to Donald Trumps campaign (AP) Theres always a chance I might change my mind, Thiel said, according to thenewspaper. Thiel and Vance first met when the senator attended Yale Law School, The Independent previously reported. Thiel spoke at the school and disparaged students job prospects in the traditional legal trade, urging them to consider jobs in tech instead. Vance later called it the most significant moment of his time at Yale. Vance then worked for Thiel at his San Francisco investment house, Mithril Capital, and then at two venture capital firms. The Independent has contacted a representative of Thiel for comment. The Trump campaign could be seeking more cash as the former president falls behind Harris in several national polls. Harris has a 3.5-point lead over Trump, according to an average of national polls taken on Thursday. A new poll from Fairleigh Dickinson University also shows Harris beating Trump by seven points when race and gender are considered by participants. When voters are made to think about the race or gender of the candidates, Harris lead grows substantially; when theyre not, support is essentially tied, the university said in a statement. Harris has also surged ahead of Trump following last weeks Democratic National Convention, a USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll released on August 29 shows. Harris is leading Trump 48 percent to 43 percent, which is an eight-point turnaround from June when the former president was ahead of Biden by four points. HACKENSACK Free resources are available to small businesses just starting out or looking to grow through a partnership among the New Jersey Small Business Development Center, Fairleigh Dickinson University and the Main Street Business Alliance in Hackensack. The Hackensack Success Hub program will provide no-cost, one-on-one consulting services to local small businesses, helping business owners with marketing, sales, finance, customer service and social media. Weve got hundreds of small businesses here. When you walk into one, the person behind the counter is most likely the person who runs the place. Most people are really busy running their business and dont have the time or resources to concentrate on growth, said John Peters, the director of the Main Street Business Alliance. This gives them free resources. You can go through the process and in a short amount of time be connected to experts in the area providing consulting services for free. Story continues below photo gallery. The Hackensack Success Hub, based in the Main Street Business Alliance office at 214 Main St., will serve as a satellite location of the New Jersey Small Business Development Center and bring the organizations resources directly into the community, said Kelly Brozyna, state director and CEO of the NJSBDC. This is a great opportunity to partner directly with a downtown to help these businesses and be in a downtown location where business owners can walk in and access these resources, she said. We want to let people know, if you have a lunch break and want some consulting or training, we can help. You can pop in and get some advice. Main Street in downtown Hackensack, NJ on Tuesday Nov. 7, 2023. The Hackensack Success Hub is particularly focused on small businesses that are women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and located in underserved communities, Brozyna said. The program is in Hackensack but is open to all New Jersey small businesses. The group is also planning a series of community events and workshops for business owners, including a legal summit in January at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center that will provide free legal advice from experts. Were there to help these businesses have a support system, and have somebody to lean on," said Matt Wells, regional director of the NJSBDC at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Typically, being a small business owner is kind of a lonely place to be. You do a lot of this yourself and theres not many people there to help you along. Fairleigh Dickinson University business students will be working alongside professional consultants to help the small businesses, said Rob Pignatello, senior vice president for Government Affairs/Community Relations & Strategic Initiatives at FDU. Story continues Its really a win-win for our students, for the community and for businesses that need assistance to grow and thrive, he said. This will benefit small businesses in the area and will give our students a great opportunity to leverage what they are learning in the classroom and put it into practice. Businesses that want to participate in the program can go to the Main Street Business Alliances website at downtownhackensack.org/successhub for more information and to fill out a qualification form. Business owners can opt for a virtual meeting or an in-person meeting at the office. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Small businesses in NJ can now get free consulting help. Here's how JD Vance claimed Wednesday that the media is manufacturing a story about whether someone in Donald Trumps campaign was involved in a physical altercation with a top official at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, and defended the former president over accusations that the campaign did not have permission to film at a gravesite. Vance, at a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, insisted theres no story to be told. The altercation at Arlington cemetery is the media creating a story where I really dont think there is one, Vance said. There is verifiable evidence that the campaign was allowed to have a photographer there. They were invited to have a photographer there. There is verifiable evidence that the families of these poor people who had their loved ones die three years ago at Abbey Roadexcuse me, Abbey Gatethose thirteen Americans, a lot of them were there with the president, they invited him to be there and support him, Vance continued. Thats not an insult to the memories of their loved ones. They wanted Donald Trump there, and thank God we have a president who stands with our veterans instead of one who runs away from them. Veterans Groups Condemn Trumps Arlington National Cemetery Photo Op Yet Vance didnt delve into the specific nature of the issue: how taking photos and videos isnt permitted in a certain area of the cemetery called Section 60. In a social post on X afterwards, progressive veterans group VoteVets labeled Vance a spineless, gutless fraud. Fuming over his defense of the former president, the statement continued, Political activity is and was always illegal at Arlington. Trumps campaign got physical with cemetery staff who were upholding the law and protecting the solemnity of all the graves. Rather than stand up for them, JD Vance betrays them to make Trump happy. Pathetic. The Trump campaign was warned before Trumps visit and again while he was there, a defense official familiar with the situation told The Washington Post on Wednesday. NPR first reported a physical confrontation in that area on Tuesday. The Trump campaign denies that version of events. There was no physical altercation as described and we are prepared to release footage if such defamatory claims are made, campaign spokesman Steven Cheung previously told the Daily Beast. Yet no such footage has since been released. The fact is that a private photographer was permitted on the premises and for whatever reason an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trumps team during a very solemn ceremony, Cheung added, without providing evidence. Vance later called Vice President Kamala Harris disgraceful for the U.S. militarys withdrawal from Afghanistan. If you want to talk about a story out of those 13 brave, innocent Americans who lost their lives, its that Kamala Harris is so asleep at the wheel that she wont even do an investigation into what happened, Vance said. And she wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up? She canshe can go to hell. 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. Utility customers in Atlantic and Neptune beaches could one day write their checks to a new utility provider for their wastewater services. A recent change in state law has JEA investigating the possibility of taking over water services in the cities. In 2021, state lawmakers implemented a new mandate for utility companies to eliminate non-beneficial surface water discharge and instead prioritize water reclamation and purification by 2032. The idea behind the state law, Jacksonville City Councilmember Rory Diamond (R-District 13) explained, is to conserve the states water resources. The Florida Aquifer is fragile, and its been diminished over time and so, if it ever goes too low, we need to have other sources of water, Diamond said. But coming into compliance could be too costly a lift for local city-run wastewater operations like those in Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Diamond, who represents the beaches, explained for Neptune Beach alone, upgrading wastewater infrastructure to comply with the looming state mandate could cost tens of millions of dollars. For a city like Neptune Beach with really, really bad infrastructure, $30 million to get Neptune Beach to where it needs to go, Diamond said. Due to the potential high costs, JEA is considering whether it may be cheaper for ratepayers if it were to take over wastewater operations in the two cities. Its currently working on a study aimed at calculating the potential cost savings. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] But ultimately, the municipalities would have to agree, and any official decision to shift utility providers is likely still a long way out. And Atlantic Beach is like, theyre very sensitive to this and I totally understand. Theyre very protective of their infrastructure and so itll be up to those voters and those community leaders to decide if that makes sense, Diamond said. JEA told Action News Jax it expects the results of the study to be finalized within the next three months. 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. Jeffrey Clark is pointing to his removal from former President Trumps latest indictment in the federal Jan. 6 case in a bid to keep his law license after a disciplinary board recommended it be suspended. A superseding indictment filed by special counsel Jack Smith on Monday stripped references to Clark, a former Justice Department attorney Trump mulled installing as attorney general so he could investigate Trumps baseless claims of election fraud in 2020. The filing, made in the wake of the Supreme Courts immunity decision, came after the court determined all of Trumps conversations with Justice Department officials were a reflection of his official duties as president and therefore not prosecutable. Clark is no longer among the unindicted co-conspirators in the case, something his attorneys wrote Wednesday means Mr. Clark is not just unindicted, but unindictable. The comment comes in a letter as part of Clarks fight to get a federal appeals court to review his disciplinary proceedings. A three-judge panel of the District of Columbia U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals already rejected the bid, and Clark is now asking for the full court to review the matter. The D.C. Bar in April found that Clark violated ethics rules in helping Trumps efforts to block the transfer of power and in August recommended his law license be suspended for two years. Though Clark was not charged in the federal Jan. 6 case, he is charged alongside Trump in a state-level election interference case in Georgia and has pleaded not guilty. He has also tried to have that matter removed to federal courts, where he would again argue he is similarly immune from prosecution. Updated at 1:24 p.m. EDT Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. What Jesus might look like, according to the Shroud of Turin and AI This Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010, file photo shows a replica of the Shroud of Turin, which some believe is Jesus Christ's burial cloth, at a church in Beirut, Lebanon. As a new study suggests the shroud is 2,000 years old, a new image of Jesus is making the rounds on social media. | Hussein Malla An ancient linen cloth that some people believe to be Jesuss burial shroud is in the news again, for reasons old and new. The old reason has to do with the age of the Shroud of Turin, which bears the faint image of a man who has been crucified, and which some people consider a clever fraud and others see as physical proof of Jesuss resurrection. The new is a striking image of Jesus that artificial intelligence generated using the shroud as a guideline. The image was created by a British tabloid, The Daily Express, using the AI tool Midjourney, which generates illustrations from prompts. The image quickly caught fire on social media. Amazing AI-generated image of Jesus Christ based on the (authentic) Shroud of Turin. Its a good reminder of the fact that God became a particular man at a particular moment in history. This is no myth. We worship the God who became one of us! pic.twitter.com/hb0AjKgpix Eric Sammons (@EricRSammons) August 21, 2024 While some people scoffed and said AI had produced a European Jesus, others noted the resemblance between this image and others that have been drawn of Christ throughout the ages, including those in Orthodox icons. Meanwhile, numerous news outlets have reported this month on a 2022 study that concludes that the linen cloth is approximately 2,000 years old, dating it roughly to the time of Jesus. Previous studies have concluded the linen shroud is much younger, with one dating it between the years 1260 and 1390, close to the time that it emerged. According to a report in Relevant magazine, the latest team to analyze a sample from the shroud used a technique called wide-angle X-ray scattering to examine the threads and their degree of structural degradation. Their findings revealed that the samples age was fully compatible with linen dating back to A.D. 55-74, suggesting that the Shroud could actually be a relic from the time of Jesus, Emily Brown reported. The researchers suggest that other studies using carbon dating could have been flawed due to contamination, because slight variations could produce different results, and its unknown what conditions the shroud was kept in prior to its existence becoming public knowledge. They note that for their results to align with a 2,000-year-old artifact, the Shroud would have needed to be kept in stable environmental conditions around 68-72.5F with 55-75% relative humidity for over 13 centuries of its unknown history. These precise conditions, they argue, could explain why the Shrouds radiocarbon dating appeared younger if it had been exposed to more volatile conditions later, Brown wrote. The researchers have called for further investigation. Its unclear why a two-year-old study is making news this week, but the AI image could be responsible The Daily Express made mention of the study in its article on the image. The actual shroud is maintained in a climate-controlled case at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy. While some have said that the authenticity of the shroud as Jesuss burial cloth can no longer be disputed, the Catholic Church has not taken a position on the matter, and it is rarely open to public viewing. That doesnt dampen the publics interest in the shroud, however there are traveling exhibits of shroud replicas and an international symposium on it planned next year in St. Louis, Missouri. There has also been reporting that the Catholic Church will offer public viewing of the shroud in 2025, but dates have not been announced. As Donald Trumps recent criminal trial drew closer, the former president lashed out at a variety of people across the legal system, including likely witnesses in his hush-money-to-a-porn-star case. It led Judge Juan Merchan, who oversaw the proceedings, to impose a gag order on the Republican to help protect the integrity of the process. Trump, who has an affinity for going after the family members of his perceived foes, responded by going after the judges daughter publicly and repeatedly. The GOP candidates allies, including House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik and Donald Trump Jr., soon followed down the same path. Four months later, the party is still at it. The Hill reported: The House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed the company that employs the daughter of Juan Merchan, the New York judge who is overseeing former President Trumps hush money trial. The subpoena escalates a brewing battle between the panels Subcommittee on Weaponization of the Federal Government and the company, Authentic Campaigns, which previously rebuffed lawmakers demands to turn over any communications the company had with Merchan, noting they simply dont exist. As things stand, Rep. Jim Jordan, the committees far-right and conspiratorial chairman, wants the companys CEO both to give a deposition and sign an affidavit that Authentic Campaigns was not in communication with Merchan. To be sure, to know the Ohio Republican is to know how irresponsible he is I made the case last fall that Jordan is the single worst member of Congress but even by his standards, these latest antics are tough to defend. The underlying conspiracy theory is that the judge in the Trump case might have somehow been in league with his daughter and her partisan campaign efforts. Its a difficult idea to take seriously. As my MSNBC colleague Lisa Rubin explained, The House Judiciary Committee has been told plainly that the digital strategy firm with which Judge Merchans daughter works has not done any work for the Biden or Harris campaigns this cycle and that she herself does not work with any relevant political clients. Theyve also been told about the death threats to her and the firms founder. Yet today, they subpoenaed the firm, as if it, as opposed to the committee or Trump himself, has engaged in misconduct. Whats more, Authentic Campaigns founder, Mike Nellis, has explained to Jordan, in writing, Authentic had no role, involvement, or influence whatsoever in those judicial proceedings, Nellis wrote, claiming that his company has had no contracts with Biden for President, Harris for President or the Democratic National Committee since January 1, 2023. A report in The New Republic went on to note, Nellis called Trumps claims that Loren Merchan had raised tens of millions off of Trumps trial unequivocally false. He also lambasted the committee for using valuable time and taxpayer dollars to perpetuate a false right-wing conspiracy theory, calling it a disgraceful misuse of power. Theres no reason to believe this Republican crusade will end anytime soon, but it certainly should. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Six major publishing companies and authors including John Green and Jodi Picoult have alleged that Florida's book bans are unconstitutional Getty(3) John Green, Jodi Picoult, and Angie Thomas are all plaintiffs in publishers' case against the State of Florida. A group of book publishers and renowned authors along with students, their parents and The Authors Guild are suing the state of Florida for its decision to implement the state's book-banning law. On Thursday, Aug. 29, Penguin Random House announced in a press release that it along with Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan Publishers, Simon & Schuster and Sourcebooks would be filing a suit against the state to challenge House Bill 1069. Also joining the suit are two students, two parents, the Authors Guild and the individual authors Julia Alvarez (The Cemetery of Untold Stories) Laurie Halse Anderson (Speak), John Green (The Fault in Our Stars), Jodi Picoult (By Any Other Name), and Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give). Related: Author Jodi Picoult Signs Letter Urging Ron DeSantis to End Dark Night of Censorship in Florida Schools Back in 2022, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 1069 into effect, giving parents a say in what books schools can and cant have in their libraries. The Associated Press reported at the time that the law would require Florida schools to provide a searchable list of all books in their libraries, and school boards have to give notice to the public if adding in new reading materials. A Tale of Two Cities. The law has resulted in hundreds of books being removed from school libraries indefinitely, and the AP also reported that a PEN America study found that 72% of objections to school library materials in the first half of 2024 came from Florida. According to Penguin Random House's press release, some of these titles include classic novels such as Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, as well as non-fiction titles such as The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. Related: New Coalition Against Book Bans Launches Nationwide With Support From Authors Like Judy Blume and Julia Quinn One of the attorneys representing the group of plaintiffs, Dan Novack said in the press release that the law's "complex and overbroad provisions have created chaos and turmoil across the state, resulting in thousands of historic and modern classics works we are proud to publish being unlawfully labeled obscene and removed from shelves." "Students need access to books that reflect a wide range of human experiences to learn and grow," Novack continued. "It's imperative for the education of our young people that teachers and librarians be allowed to use their professional expertise to match our authors books to the right reader at the right time in their life." Bantam Anne Frank's "Diary of a Young Girl," also named in the suit. The lawsuit, filed Thursday, alleges that HB 1069's book removal requirements violate a Supreme Court decision from 1973, which found that media works with obscene content should be reviewed in their entirety for their "literary, artistic, political and scientific value." The suit also argues that "trained educators" should be the ones making the decisions of what to include and not include in school libraries. Related: Sheila Nevins on Her Oscar-Nominated Documentary on Book Bans: We Have to Make This Film (Exclusive) "There is no greater gift than hearing that your words have deeply impacted someone's life," the authors wrote in a joint statement. "We share our stories in hopes that they will resonate with readers, help them feel understood and introduce them to new perspectives. Laws like HB 1069 in Florida deprive students of this opportunity and must be stopped." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The suit asks the U.S. District Court to rule that the prohibition of these books is unconstitutional, and asks for "just and proper" financial relief. Related: Dave Eggers Novel Was Banned From South Dakota Schools. In a New Documentary, the Community Fights Back (Exclusive) "Book bans censor authors voices, negating and silencing their lived experience and stories," Mary Rasenberger, CEO of the Authors Guild added in the release. "These bans have a chilling effect on what authors write about, and they damage authors' reputations by creating the false notion that there is something unseemly about their books," she continued. "Yet, these same books have edified young people for decades, expanding worlds and fostering self-esteem and empathy for others. We all lose out when authors truths are censored." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The man who escaped Lansing Correctional Institution in a dog crate 18 years ago has died in an out-of-state prison. John Manard had been in a prison outside of Kansas for the last seven years. Kansas City man who shot and killed his son pleads guilty, sentenced The Kansas Department of Corrections listed him as having died on Sunday, August 25. Manard was serving a life sentence for a deadly carjacking in 1996. But in 2006, while in a prison dog training program, Manard convinced a trainer named Toby Young to carry him out in a dog crate. The two were on the run for several days and lived in a cabin in Tennessee before a chase topping 100 mph ended with the couple smashing into a tree. Young was sentenced to 27 months in prison for aiding the escape. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Kansas sent Manard to a facility out of the state in 2017. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. This is an adapted excerpt from the Aug. 27 episode of "The ReidOut." Now that Donald Trump is trying to get elected again, hes pretending to care about Americas military service members and veterans or at least trying to get you to forget all the ways hes denigrated them. This weekend marked six years since Vietnam War hero Sen. John McCain died. It also marks six years since Trump had to be shamed into releasing a formal statement on the senators passing. Trumps pettiness in the wake of McCains death is just one example of his pattern of disrespect for Americas military. He has reportedly called fallen soldiers losers and suckers and told aides he didnt want to see disabled veterans at events. He recently said the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest presidential civilian award, is better since recipients of the Medal of Honor, the highest military award, are either dead or have combat wounds. Hes also denigrated the generals whove served under him, suggesting the execution of the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and calling his former White House chief of staff and retired Marine Gen. John Kelly stupid. Now, another general who served under Trump, former national security adviser H.R. McMaster, is giving his inside account of the former president's chaos. In a new book, McMaster writes about how Russian dictator Vladimir Putin manipulated Trump by playing to his ego and insecurities with flattery. McMaster also says Trump set the stage for the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 by entering into negotiations with the Taliban. Trump's threats to our country's military aren't just in the past. If he wins a second term, Trump has expansive and draconian plans for the military. Hes already plotting to fire top military leaders who dont share his vision an idea straight out of Project 2025: Theres woke at the top. They want there to be woke but these guys arent meant for woke.I would fire them. You cant have woke military.You need people that want to win. They want to win wars. Thats what their purpose is, to win wars not to be woke. Firing top officers is one of many ways Project 2025 seeks to rebuild a military it refers to as Barack Obamas general officer corps. In addition to calling for firing and freezing promotions for generals, Project 2025 also wants to rebuild and retrain the military. It would require all public schools to administer the military entrance exam for recruitment. The document also calls for the reinstatement of active-duty members who refused Covid vaccines and restoring their rank. Project 2025 pushes for abolishing diversity, equity and inclusion offices and staff ostensibly to make the military whiter and reduce womens roles. It also calls to expand support for the Department of Homeland Securitys border protection operations. In plain English, that means deputizing the military to round up migrants. Its clear Project 2025 would enable Trumps worst instincts when it comes to his role as commander in chief. The prospect of handing the reins of our military back over to him should terrify us all. Join Joy Reid, Rachel Maddow and many others on Saturday, Sept. 7, in Brooklyn, New York, for MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024, a first-of-its-kind live event. Youll get to see your favorite hosts in person and hear thought-provoking conversations about what matters most in the final weeks of an unprecedented election cycle. Buy tickets here. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com MANASSAS PARK, Va. (DC News Now) The husband of the missing Manassas Park mother, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, is back in court for a motion hearing. The judge accepted the motion from her husband Naresh Bhatt to waive his preliminary hearing and advance his court date. Mamta has been missing for more than a month and Bhatt is accused of concealing a body in connection to her disappearance. Naresh had the help of an interpreter during the proceeding. Supporters of Mamta showed up in full force to support the missing Manassas mother. I sit in my seat, I have my row. I stare at the back of his head, said Holly Wirth, a coworker of Mamta. I would gladly look him in the eyes on behalf of his wife. And theres probably a whole bunch of people behind me that would love to look at Naresh spot straight in the eyes. Manassas Park police execute more search warrants at home of missing mother Mamta Kafle Bhatt Mamtas immigration attorney confirmed with DC News Nows that her family flew in from Nepal. Her mother and brother are now helping to care for the couples one-year-old daughter. Missing Manassas Park mom: Husband charged with concealing dead body Nareshs defense argued that without a body, there is no probable cause. Manassas Park police conducted more search warrants on the couples home. But did not disclose what they found during the search. Mamtas supporters said this has been very painful for them but they want people to remember Mamta as a loving wife, a loving mother, and a proud registered nurse who cared for the community. I think understandable that they want to get him tried on this charge as soon as possible, said Wirth. And I know in my heart theres going to be more charges to come. So we cant consider this a setback. We have to consider this just a step until the more serious charges are levied now. The case will go before a grand jury. Naresh is still being held without bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. A judge allowed bond Thursday for a Florida sheriffs deputy who was fired and charged with manslaughter after shooting a U.S. Air Force senior airman at the Black mans apartment door. Former Okaloosa County deputy Eddie Duran, 38, faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of manslaughter with a firearm, a rare charge against a Florida law enforcement officer. Durans body camera recorded him shooting 23-year-old Roger Fortson on May 3 immediately after Fortson opened the door while holding a handgun pointed at the floor. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Thursdays hearing was before Judge Terrance R. Ketchel, who has been named the trial judge for Durans case. Ketchel set bond at $100,000 and said Duran cannot possess a firearm and cannot leave the area, though he will not have to wear a GPS tracker. Duran had been ordered held pending Thursdays pretrial detention hearing despite arguments from his lawyer Rodney Smith, who said theres no reason to jail him. He has spent his entire life ... his entire career and his military career trying to save people, help people, Smith said at Thursdays hearing. Hes not a danger to the community. Duran has been homeschooling his six children in recent months while hes been out of work and while his wife has been working full-time, Smith said. RELATED STORIES The Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office initially said Duran fired in self-defense after encountering a man with a gun, but Sheriff Eric Aden fired Duran on May 31 after an internal investigation concluded his life was not in danger when he opened fire. Outside law enforcement experts have also said that an officer cannot shoot only because a possible suspect is holding a gun if there is no threat. Duran was responding to a report of a physical fight inside an apartment at the Fort Walton Beach complex. A worker there identified Fortsons apartment as the location, according to sheriffs investigators. At the time, Fortson was alone in his apartment, talking with his girlfriend in a FaceTime video call that recorded audio of the encounter. Durans body camera video showed what happened next. After repeated knocking, Fortson opened the door. Authorities say that Duran shot him multiple times and only then did he tell Fortson to drop the gun. Duran told investigators that he saw aggression in Fortsons eyes and fired because, Im standing there thinking Im about to get shot, Im about to die. At Thursdays hearing, Smith said his team has cooperated with authorities, saying that weve turned him in. Hes not going anywhere. Smith acknowledged the video evidence of the shooting and national interest in the case. We know that we have defenses that were going to assert ... qualified immunity, stand your ground as applies to law enforcement, Smith said. The fatal shooting of the airman from Georgia was one of a growing list of killings of Black people by law enforcement in their own homes, and it also renewed debate over Floridas Stand Your Ground law. Hundreds of Air Force members in dress blues joined Fortsons family, friends and others at his funeral. Associated Press Writer Jeff Martin in Atlanta contributed. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] WOSCU conference endorses Samarkand declaration for a 'humane Islam' SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- International scientists and scholars have adopted a resolution supporting Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's call for "enlightenment against ignorance" and for an end to Islamophobia. They agreed that education on Islam should be the main objective for its forthcoming heritage project, agreeing that improved understanding is vital for addressing the irrational fear or hostility towards the religion of Islam and Muslims in general. Conference participants in front of the soon-to-open Centre for Islamic Civilisation in Tashkent Participants from 35 countries were attending the eighth annual Congress of the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan (WOSCU), with representatives of the International Organization of Turkic Culture, Muslim World Islamic League, the Al-Furqan Foundation, the International Turkic Academy, the Arab World Institute and others. "On behalf of more than 300 participants from 35 countries, including 15 academicians, 40 professors, 103 doctors of science, 54 directors of museums and libraries and others, we are firmly convinced that the work on studying and preserving cultural legacy is of paramount importance for the sustainable development and prosperity of not only Uzbekistan, but also the entire world community," their declaration states. In a letter to President Mirziyoyev, conference participants noted his broad support for the idea of a humane Islam that he expressed in an address to the United Nations and his emphasis on the importance of spiritual enrichment. "We fully support your initiatives and are ready to become the most active participants in large-scale projects to preserve the cultural legacy of Uzbekistan for world civilization," the letter said. The Congress, held partly in Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent and partly in ancient Samarkand, approved some 150 new WOSCU projects around the world 'aimed at revealing the great contribution of Oriental scholars who have made a significant contribution to world civilization'. Participants praised Uzbekistan's investment in Tashkent's Center of Islamic Civilization and the Imam al Bukhari Spiritual Center near Samarkand, both of which are currently under construction. "We consider it our most important task not only to join the activities of the Center of Islamic Civilization, but also to create a powerful and rapidly developing scientific and cultural platform that will become a bright beacon of enlightenment and knowledge in the East," the scholars concluded. The Declaration, adopted at the congress's plenary session, stated: "We recognize the importance of the initiatives of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to establish the Center of Islamic Civilization. This cultural and humanistic mega-project will give a powerful impetus to fundamental research dedicated to the worthy contribution of great scholars and thinkers of the East to the development of world science and civilization, including Islamic. We are concerned about the situation in the world and believe that the ideas of the President of Uzbekistan on the truly humanistic and educational essence of the religion of Islam, voiced from the high rostrum of the UN, are worthy of the closest attention." About WOSCU The World Scientific Society on Preservation and Popularisation of the Uzbek Heritage (WOSCU) works to highlight Uzbek cultural heritage around the world. Created in May 2017 in Tashkent and Samarkand, the organisation brings together scientists from more than 20 countries, and in August 2019 was registered with a headquarters in Paris. It is sponsored by Eriell Group and Enter Engineering. The organisation project is unique in terms of geographical coverage, research fields and organisation, and has created a global database that lists the historical and cultural objects of the peoples of Uzbekistan, that are currently housed in many countries worldwide. To date, many research trips have been organised to collect information on international collections of art objects that were originally created in Uzbekistan, and are now stored in various museums and private collections. Several books and albums devoted to Uzbek works that are held in museums globally have already been published, with contributions from more than 50 academics from different countries. WOSCU website: https://society.uz/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2492713/Participants_WOSCU.jpg Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-scientists-and-scholars-call-for-global-education-to-fight-islamophobia-302234200.html SOURCE WOSCU (World Scientific Society on the Preservation and Popularisation of the Uzbek Heritage) Gov. Katie Hobbs at an Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry event on Jan. 5, 2024. Photo by Gage Skidmore (modified) | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 A judge on Tuesday signed off on an agreement between Gov. Katie Hobbs and Republican legislative leaders, in which she consented to nominate directors for several state agencies early next year. The agreement followed a lawsuit filed in December by Senate President Warren Petersen, a Queen Creek Republican, who accused Hobbs of violating state law by circumventing legislative approval hearings for 13 of her appointees to head state agencies. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney agreed with Petersen in a June 5 ruling, confirming that Hobbs had illegally circumvented the Senate approval process, and ordered them to work out an agreement for new director nominations. Hobbs sidestepped the Senate approval process after she struggled to get many of her director nominees through a newly created Republican-led Senate approval committee last year. Prior to the creation of that committee, Senate confirmations occurred with little fanfare following brief interviews with relevant legislative committees. The Senate voted not to approve several of her nominees after the committee questioned them about culture-war issues that did not directly relate to their jobs, Andy Gaona, an attorney for Hobbs, wrote earlier this year in a failed request to dismiss the lawsuit. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Hobbs claimed that this forced her hand, spurring her to go around the chamber and appoint deputy directors who would effectively act as directors, but without the title. Agency directors are subject to Senate approval, but deputy directors are not. Blaney wrote in his June ruling that Hobbs had improperly, unilaterally appointed de facto directors for these 13 agencies, despite the actual job title she has assigned to each of them. Petersen and Hobbs already came to a nominations agreement on Aug. 12, but Blaney didnt approve it. The judge didnt like that the original agreement superseded his ruling, in which he said that Hobbs nominations broke the law. The amended agreement, which Blaney signed on Tuesday, did not supersede the earlier ruling. The agreement requires Hobbs to nominate directors for the open positions and transmit the nominations to the Senate by the first week of the next regular legislative session, which begins in January. The nominees must be approved by the Senate within a year or Hobbs will have to appoint new ones, which would also require the chambers approval. Christian Slater, a spokesperson for Hobbs, previously told the Arizona Mirror that, while the governor disagreed with the Senates take on the law, and was disappointed in the June ruling, she came to an agreement with Petersen to ensure stability for those who rely on the state agencies that currently have no formal directors. After the ruling, Hobbs asked the state Court of Appeals to review the case, but it declined to do so. Governor Hobbs won critical stability and security for veterans, small businesses, and working families who rely on state agencies for important services, Slater said in a written statement on Wednesday. And we expect to have fair hearings moving forward, not the political circus of the past. But Jake Hoffman, the head of the Senates nominations committee hes also leader of the far-right Arizona Freedom Caucus and one of the fake electors indicted for attempting to give the states electoral votes to Donald Trump in 2020 told Howie Fischer of Capitol Media Services that he has no plans to take it easy on the new nominees. Questions pertaining to the ideologies held by far-left politicians like Katie Hobbs and their nexus to the statutory and policy implementation of nominees is a reasonable and important area of vetting, given the substantial impact our state agencies and departments have on hardworking, everyday Arizonans, Hoffman told Fischer. In previous court filings, Gaona used the committee hearing for Martin Quezada as an example of how the committee slow-walked confirmation of Hobbs nominees. Quezada is a former Democratic state senator and was Hobbs nominee to lead the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, a small state agency that licenses and regulates construction contractors. Its the very definition of a non-political agency with a limited yet critically-important function, Gaona wrote. But during Quezadas hearing, committee members asked him about his opinions on polarizing political issues like transgender student athletes, white nationalism, racism and sexism in hiring, mass shootings, antisemitism, border security, the states school voucher program, critical race theory and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Of course, none of this had anything to do with Mr. Quezadas fitness to head up ROC, Gaona wrote. The committee voted along party lines not to approve Quezedas nomination, and Hobbs then withdrew his nomination. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE More than 200 supporters of the Idahoans for Open Primaries many wearing mustard yellow t-shirts rallied on the Idaho State Capitol Buildings front steps before turning in signatures for the ballot initiative. More than 200 supporters of the Idahoans for Open Primaries rallied on the Idaho State Capitol Buildings front steps before turning in signatures for the ballot initiative. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capitol Sun) This story was first published by Idaho Reports on Aug. 29, 2024. Fourth Judicial District Judge Patrick Miller granted a hearing on Thursday after the Attorney Generals Office filed a motion for summary judgment in the case against Idahoans for Open Primaries. Like in its original complaint to the Idaho Supreme Court, Attorney General Raul Labrador is asking for an injunction that would prevent the open primaries initiative from making the November ballot. Miller denied the AGs request for discovery, or more evidence, from Idahoans for Open Primaries, and called the situation extraordinarily unusual. However, the judge agreed to hold a hearing for arguments at 10 a.m. Wednesday on the motion for summary judgement, using his discretion to expedite the hearing. My initial reaction is that youve got a real uphill battle to climb, the judge told Solicitor General Alan Hurst. Idaho attorney general is seeking to nullify petition signatures for Proposition 1 Generally, a summary judgement is issued in a case after all the evidence is heard and more litigation has occurred. The Idaho Supreme Court dismissed the AGs case for procedural reasons earlier this month without hearing arguments. The AG is asking that the court grant all the signatures gathered in support of Proposition 1 to be null and void, which would either trigger the Secretary of State to remove the initiative from the ballot or force initiative sponsors to withdraw it from the ballot. The arguments focus on the Open Primary name of the initiative campaign, claiming it is misleading to petition signers and potential voters. The AGs office previously claimed the initiative would implement a top four primary that would abolish party-run primaries entirely. Parties would be free to endorse any candidates they wished, but they would no longer play any role in determining which candidates run in the general election. Deborah Ferguson, attorney for Idahoans for Open Primaries, said her clients have not had the opportunity gather discovery, and a summary judgment generally cant be requested until 21 days after a complaint is filed. She also pointed out that while the AGs office has four signatures from people saying they were misled, that should not invalidate the more than 74,000 signatures approved by county clerks across the state. Ferguson plans to file a motion to dismiss the case, she told the court. The voter initiative, appearing on the 2024 ballot as Proposition 1, would change Idaho primary elections by placing candidates from all political parties on a single open ballot. The initiative would permit all registered voters to vote for any primary candidate regardless of political party affiliation, whereas currently only registered Republicans may vote in the closed Republican primary. The top four candidates from the new primary system would advance to the general election. The initiative would also create a new instant runoff voting system in Idahos general elections, commonly called ranked choice voting. Attorneys in the case were told to file their legal arguments by noon on Tuesday, allowing the judge time to read them before the Wednesday hearing. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The judge handling the capital murder case of Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students, held back from making a decision on where the trial should take place after a full day of arguments and expert testimony. I would say this is probably, professionally, the most difficult decision Ive ever had to make, said Judge John Judge, who is overseeing the case in the 2nd Judicial District in Latah County. Kohberger, a former Washington State University graduate student, is scheduled for his trial to start in June 2025 in Moscow. Judge heard arguments Thursday from prosecutors and Kohbergers defense as to whether the trial should remain in the city where the crime occurred. Kohberger, 29, attended Thursdays hearing in a black suit with a light blue button-down shirt. He faces four first-degree murder charges in the November 2022 stabbing deaths of the U of I students at an off-campus home in Moscow. The four victims were Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, both 21, and Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, both 20. Just before concluding the nearly six-hour hearing, Judge said he would hold off on issuing a decision in court. Both the defense and prosecution demonstrated really solid positions, Judge noted. Ill do my best. Its a challenge, Judge said. Thats probably all I should say at this point. But I listened carefully all day, and I thought there were some really important things to think about (from) both sides. Led by attorney Anne Taylor, Kohbergers defense seeks to move his murder trial to the courthouse in Boise, about 300 miles south of Moscow. Idahos capital city, situated in the states largest county, gives Kohberger his best shot at an unbiased jury pool following a deluge of prejudicial media coverage against her client, she said. Mr. Kohberger has a constitutional right to fair trial by an impartial jury, and to guarantee that this court must change venue, Taylor told the court Thursday. Your Honor has to look at the content of the media and know that there hasnt been positive stories about Bryan Kohberger. Its negative stories. Latah County has become utterly corrupted, which has created a mob mentality within the community, Kohbergers defense argued in court filings leading up to Thursdays in-person showdown on the venue change issue. Results from a phone survey about the high-profile case conducted by hired trial consultant prove it must be moved elsewhere, Taylor said. The defense was backed at the hearing by testimony from four expert witnesses who specialize in jury selection, media analysis, surveying and personal bias through the lens of social psychology. They all came to the same conclusion: The impacts from news reports and social media about the case make Moscow an unsuitable location for Kohbergers trial. Its continuous, its every day: social media, books have been written, prime time television shows have happened in this case, Taylor said. It just doesnt stop, and you know that this is prejudicial coverage. Victims family prefers trial stay in Moscow Prosecutors oppose moving Kohbergers trial out of Moscow. They countered Thursday that Kohbergers defense had not met the burden required by Idaho law to justify a venue change for trial. Their expert survey data fell within the margin of error and showed that an impartial jury was just as likely to be found in Moscow as it was in Boise, where the defense prefers the trial be held, said Ingrid Batey, special assistant in the Idaho Attorney Generals Office and prosecutor on the case. The pervasive media coverage across the entire state has simply created some complications and difficulties. Those are not unique to Latah County, Batey said. The more productive conversation to have is, how can we craft questionnaires that will ask jurors factual questions that help us identify sources of bias? Prosecutors intend to seek a death sentence for Kohberger if he is convicted. Any possible challenges to the death penalty are scheduled for a court hearing in early November. But to land on 18 qualified people 12 jurors and six alternates the court could just as easily call an expanded jury pool of 1,800 residents of Latah County rather than move the trial all the way south to the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, she said. The question is, which community is the most likely to give Mr. Kohberger a fair trial? Batey argued. We believe those can be dealt with through other measures short of venue change. The decision is left to Judge. Should he choose to grant the defenses request to move the trial, he would stay with the case unless he opts to withdraw on account of the venue change, under Idaho criminal rules. The parents and brother of Kaylee Goncalves attended Thursdays hearing and have previously stated their desire for the trial to remain in Moscow. They live about 100 miles north of Moscow in Rathdrum, located in Kootenai County. Steve Goncalves, left, wipes tears from the cheek of his wife, Kristi Goncalves, as the two parents of victim Kaylee Goncalves attend the dedication ceremony for the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial at the University of Idaho on Aug. 21, 2024 in Moscow. It was a long day, but we hope that he keeps it here or says Kootenai County, Kristi Goncalves, her mother, told the Idaho Statesman in an interview following the hearing. Wed be good with that. Their family would still plan to attend the hearing, even if Judge chooses to move the trial as far as away as Boise,her father, Steve Goncalves, told the Statesman. But they are joined by some of the other victims families in their preference to keep the trial in Moscow, he said, though he declined to identify which ones. They also feel that the community that was insulted should have a say in whos held accountable, Steve Goncalves said. But moving it to Boise doesnt benefit anyone. Kohberger hearing paused over social media concerns Earlier in the day, Judge abruptly paused the hearing on the trials potential change of venue after an expert witness for the defense in a presentation showed content from social media in court. Bryan Edelman, founder of California-based jury consultancy Trial Innovations, showed Facebook posts in the courtroom during his testimony. Edelman searched Moscow murders on the platform and shared a screen recording of him scrolling through the results. You can see the extent of content thats out there from groups that are just talking about this case and sharing information and discussing what they think happens, and videos and posts, which may include anything from influencers and podcasters to sharing traditional news stories through local newspapers or television stories, Edelman said. A number of Facebook groups, posts and videos appeared on screen, many of which used sensationalized language or speculated about case details. Judge then stopped Edelman and paused the hearing, which was live-streamed to the public through YouTube. I dont think we need to advertise all these, honestly, Judge said. Weve been trying to protect from this kind of stuff. Im aware of it, I dont look at it, I dont read it. Kohbergers lead public defender asked for a break to discuss the situation privately. After a 30-minute in-chamber meeting between the two sides, the hearing resumed. A deal was brokered to continue, but not broadcast. The private court presentation became about 25 minutes of the hearing that considered prejudicial materials to Kohberger and could further spoil the local jury pool if disseminated to the public. Its kind of a compromise, Judge said. We thought there were certain things that maybe we dont want to send out to the public. I dont necessarily know what it all is, but I need to look at it and see it. Demonstrators and members of the Black Womens Collective gather around the Breonna Taylor memorial at Jefferson Square Park on Oct. 3, 2020 in Louisville. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images.) It is disappointing that a Kentucky federal judge dismissed felony charges against two former police officers charged in the death of Breonna Taylor during a 2020 raid. But the decision by U.S. District Judge Charles R. Simpson III to place blame for the 26-year-old emergency-room technicians death squarely on boyfriend Kenneth Walker III defies logic. And it reinforces the difficulty of holding police accountable, even when one detective has already pleaded guilty to lies and coverups. Walker shot once from his legally owned gun as Louisville police burst through Taylors apartment door unannounced on March 13 at 12:45 a.m. Police returned fire 32 times, with several bullets hitting Taylor. Her death added fuel to international protests over police killings that summer. Walkers decision to shoot is a superseding cause of her death, the judge said. There is no direct link between the warrantless entry and Taylors death. The link appears obvious: If officers had not lied that a drug dealer lived there, the shooting would not have happened. If they had just knocked on the door and said, Its the police, we would have opened the door, Walker said in an Instagram post on the ruling. Also, in a legal system that endorses stand-your-ground laws, why is Walker criticized for exercising his right to self-defense? Why single him out when prosecutors dropped charges against him for wounding an officer in the leg, and the city of Louisville reached a $2 million settlement with him over police misconduct? Will the next argument be that Taylor is responsible for her own death, just for being asleep in her bed when police showed up? Federal prosecutors intend to appeal the judges ruling, according to Taylors mother, Tamika Palmer. The only thing we can do at this point is continue to be patient, she said in a statement. The appeal will extend the life of the case but as weve always maintained, we will continue to fight until we get full justice. What this means right now is that former Louisville Police Detective Joshua Jaynes and former Sgt. Kyle Meany, who handled the warrant but were not at the shooting, face only misdemeanor charges that could end with fines. Jaynes and Meany were charged with depriving Taylor of her constitutional right to be free of unreasonable searches. Simpson, a senior judge appointed by President Ronald Reagan, said the facts did not justify the felony charge. Jaynes is still charged with conspiring with another detective to cover up the false warrant and of falsifying a document to mislead investigators. Meany is still charged with making a false statement to FBI investigators. This tragedy began with police efforts to arrest Taylors ex-boyfriend, DeMarcus Glover, for drug-dealing. He was arrested the night of the raid at another location. Former detective Kelly Goodlett pleaded guilty in federal court to lying on the warrant for Taylors apartment by saying it was Glovers primary address and that they had documented that he kept drugs and cash there. Officers also lied about the need for the more aggressive no-knock warrant, said Goodlett, expected to be sentenced in April. Two officers who did the actual shooting in the apartment have not been charged. A grand jury did not indict them, after then-Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron did not recommend charges. Another officer who shot 10 bullets into the apartment building, endangering other residents, was acquitted in a state trial and won a mistrial in federal court. He is expected to be retried in October. You wonder, wheres the accountability? Sadiqa Reynolds, a Louisville activist and attorney told WHAS11 after the judges ruling. What is in place to prevent an officer from making up a warrant and causing someones death? What do we do? Louisville government officials have taken some responsibility, at least. A $12 million settlement of a wrongful-death lawsuit included promises of improved crisis intervention, more citizen oversight, and an early warning system for troubled officers. The city also is winding down negotiations over a federal consent decree that would place a judge in charge of overseeing overdue police reforms in 36 areas of operation, including training, administration, community response and employee management. A two-year investigation into the department exposed violations of residents constitutional rights: illegal stops, detentions and arrests; excessive force with neck restraints, stun guns and dog bites; inadequate attention to sexual assault and domestic-violence cases; yelling and name-calling, which escalate conflicts. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland called the report an affront to the people of Louisville who deserve better. Kenneth Walker also deserves better. While it is well within the judges power and expertise to determine whether police actions were felonies, its unfair to brand Walker as Taylors killer when he tried to be her protector. Without his eyewitness testimony, Breonna Taylor would not be remembered as a promising life unfairly ended but written off as another drug-dealing casualty. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST It has been four years since Breonna Taylor was killed inside her home by a hail of bullets fired by three Louisville, Kentucky, police officers. It has also been nearly four years since Vice President Kamala Harris uttered Taylors name in agreement that the 26-year-old first responder had not received justice when a grand jury declined to charge any of the shooting officers for causing her death. Last week, Taylors family was hit with another devastating development in their journey for justice. U.S. District Judge Charles R. Simpson III dismissed a portion of the charges against former Louisville Metro Police Department Sgt. Kyle Meany and Detective Joshua Jaynes, who were accused of starting a chain of events that led to Taylors death. The remaining civil rights charges reduce the maximum punishment from life in prison to up to a year in jail. The judge concluded that Taylors boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, was responsible for her March 13, 2020, death because he fired a warning shot that hit an officer in the thigh. As a result, the injured officer and two other plainclothes officers returned fire for self-protection, the judge ruled negating Walkers constitutional rights as a legal gun owner, and his rights under the states Castle Doctrine, better known as the stand your ground law. The decision to blame Taylors boyfriend for her death, and not the officers, is another stark reminder of the need for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which includes ending qualified immunity, advocates said. Christopher 2X, a longtime community organizer, and friend of Taylors family, said, I was just thinking about her mother [Tamika Palmer] in regards to how she would interpret that particular ruling by the judge. Its just more pain on top of pain, and unfortunately, thats the way the court system goes, he said. During the campaign, Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have not been specific about their stance on criminal justice reform even though Harris co-authored the first draft of the Floyd bill when she served in the U.S. Senate. And the Democrats party platform hasnt veered from the messaging President Joe Biden had reducing mass incarceration, holding police accountable, and keeping students safe while theyre in school. At a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, former President Donald Trump pledged to combat police violence by giving police back their power, in part by limiting federal oversight over local police departments and strengthening qualified immunity. Christopher 2X said Harris should talk more on the campaign trail about policing reforms. With this ruling by Judge Simpson, the conversation of police reform keeps going on. Theres no backtracking in this conversation. People can, in the most civil way, have the conversation, debate about it, [especially] when these incidents are right in front of your face, the ruling is right in front of your face, the conversation doesnt stop, Christopher 2X said. The founder of Game Changers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating children about violence in order to end violence in the long term, Christopher 2X said Harris should answer questions about policing reform just like it was a question about the economy. Shes a former prosecutor. I believe, respectfully, that she should talk about it (police reform) with force, and with great understanding of the atmosphere thats still asking for that conversation, Christopher 2X said, adding, She should be willing and ready to address this whole issue that still, theres no answers to. Although robust policing reforms have stalled on the federal level, local governments across the country have turned proposals such as banning choke holds into law. When Taylors family settled their lawsuit against the city of Louisville and the officers who opened fire for $12 million, the settlement included agreed upon police reforms such as limiting the use of no-knock warrants The number of Black people killed by the police rose since 2020 Since 2020, the number of people, especially Black people, killed by the police has continued to rise, according to the Mapping Police Violence database. So far this year, 214 Black lives have been lost during encounters with police, nearing the 264 killed in 2020. Researchers behind Mapping Police Violence released a new database Wednesday that focuses on nonfatal police encounters in the United States between 2017 and 2022, the Guardian first reported. The database found that in each year, over 300,000 people experienced use of force by police that includes chemical sprays, K-9 dog attacks, neck restraints, stun guns as well as beanbags and baton strikes. Black people are more susceptible to nonfatal police violence than being killed by police, the report found. Hawk Newsome, co-founder of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York and Black Opportunities, wrote in an email to Capital B that the organizations Black Agenda 2024 consists of dozens of proposed policies created by a multigenerational group of leaders from across the country, and for people who dont attend your churches or community meetings, engage in local politics, or take your polls. The agenda addresses ending qualified immunity to allow families of police violence to personally sue an officer in question. It also calls to declare a war on poverty to reallocate funds from ineffective public initiatives including law enforcement to address the social determinants of health. If the latter goes in effect, it would prevent the necessity for cases like Breonna Taylors because we would be attacking the root cause of crime, which brings down crime rates, Newsome said, adding, Less crime means politicians are less likely to allow illegal and overzealous policing. The post A Judge Ruled That Breonna Taylors Boyfriend Caused Her Death, Not The Officers Who Shot Her appeared first on Capital B News. WASHINGTON (AP) The FBI has failed to report some child sexual abuse allegations to local law enforcement or social service agencies even after changes prompted by its handling of the case against former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, according to a Justice Department watchdog report released Thursday. In a review brought on by the FBI's failures to promptly investigate Nassar, the inspector general found serious problems persist that run the risk of child sexual abuse allegations falling through the cracks as overworked agents juggle dozens of cases at a time. In one case, a victim was abused for 15 months after the FBI first received a tip about a registered sex offender, the report said. This report makes clear that the FBI is simply not doing its job when it comes to protecting our children from the monsters among us who stalk them, said John Manly, a lawyer who represents victims of Nassar. Despite years of promises and numerous congressional hearings its now clear that the Larry Nassar scandal could happen again today. A senior FBI official acknowledged that the bureau has made mistakes in investigating crimes against children but said the vast majority of work has been handled appropriately. Ensuring the safety and security of children is not just a priority for the FBI; it is a solemn duty that we are committed to fulfilling with the highest standards. The FBIs efforts combating crimes against children are among the most critical and demanding undertakings we do, the FBI said in a statement. The inquiry follows a scathing 2021 report that found that FBIs failure to take action against Nassar allowed the doctor to continue to prey on victims for months before his 2016 arrest. The FBI put in place many changes, but the inspector general says more are needed to protect children. In a review of more than 300 cases between 2021 and 2023, the inspector general flagged 42 cases for the FBI that required immediate attention" because there was no evidence of recent investigative steps taken or because of other concerns, according to the report. The inspector general found no evidence that the FBI followed rules requiring allegations to be reported to local law enforcement in about 50 percent of the cases. When the FBI did report an allegation to law enforcement or social service agencies, it followed FBI policy to report it within 24 hours in only 43 percent of the cases, according to the report. The FBI accepted all of the findings and recommendations of the report. Among the changes the FBI is committed to is the development of a training program for investigators and supervisors focused not only on investigative techniques but also on the bureaus own policies and procedures. Most of the incidents that the inspector general flagged to the bureau reflected the failure to properly document completed investigative steps or involved investigations where no additional action was necessary, Michael Nordwall, FBI executive assistant director, wrote in a letter included with the report. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin said the panel will hold a hearing on the FBIs mishandling of child sexual abuse allegations later this year. The FBIs failures enabling Larry Nassars abuse of young victims continue to remain a stain on the Bureau," the Democrat from Illinois said. Even while acknowledging errors, the FBI cited the overwhelming burden on agents tasked with investigating crimes against children given the conduct involved, an influx in tips flooding in to law enforcement, increased use of encrypted technology to conceal the offenses and budget cuts. Citing one agent who was juggling about 60 investigations, the inspector general said special agents must constantly triage their caseload." The inspector general said the FBI needs to comes up with a plan to tackle the growing number of cases to ensure that agents are able to manage the cases on their plate. The report released in 2021 faulted the FBI for failing to treat Nassars case with the utmost seriousness and urgency, and then making numerous errors and violating policies when it did finally swing into action. Nassar pleaded guilty in 2017 to sexually assaulting gymnasts and other athletes with his hands under the guise of medical treatment for hip and leg injuries. The FBI has described the actions of the officials involved in the Nassar investigation as inexcusable and a discredit to the organization. In April, the Justice Department announced a $138.7 million settlement with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling the allegations against Nassar. ___ Associated Press reporter Ed White in Detroit contributed to this report BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The Birmingham Police Department announced a fifth arrest in a shooting that left a young woman dead last week. Public information officer Truman Fitzgerald stated a juvenile male was arrested in connection to the Monarch Ridge Apartments shooting. No further information, including what he was charged with, was released. Birmingham police investigating after man found dead in Ensley The shooting took place on Aug. 20, leaving 21-year-old Asia Poole dead and a man injured. The arrests of three suspects were announced Friday. A fourth suspect was taken into custody Tuesday. Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to contact the BPD at 205-254-1764 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. Ashley Allison was a senior adviser in the Obama administration and a senior adviser for the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris campaign in 2020. She has more than 15 years of experience building campaigns and political strategies. Illustration: HuffPost; Photos: Kirth Bobb, Getty Images This column is part of HuffPosts She the People series: stories by Black women exploring Kamala Harris historic candidacy. To read more, visit our hub. Its been almost two months since President Joe Biden announced he would not seek a second term in the Oval Office, and Vice President Kamala Harris has been busy. She consolidated the support of Democratic Party leaders in a single day, injected extraordinary enthusiasm into the base overnight, and in a few short weeks changed the narrative in a race that many viewed as Donald Trumps to lose. In the process, Harris also put to bed a narrative about herself. Once labeled a political under-performer whose main weakness was an inability to forge a connection with voters, she has proved that, given the chance, she is a charismatic campaigner whose personality resonates with Americans across the country. With each passing rally and viral meme, voters are responding to the vice presidents joyful, authentic, formidablepresence. The doubts about likability seem unhinged in retrospect. She looks equal to this task comfortable, even. The underdog is on the verge of becoming a movement candidate. The vibe shift is real, and its heading for the glass ceiling. Which should leave us all to ask: How did everyone so gravely underestimate this groundbreaking vice president, the first woman to serve as Californias attorney general, the winner of multiple high-profile elections? As one Indian-American mother and accomplished biomedical scientist might say, to answer this question we must look beyond the coconut tree and into the context of all in which we live and what came before us. I happen to know something about the context in which Harris career has flourished. To be a Black woman in politics is to know that simply showing up as your best self is seldom enough for people. That for every single yes you hear, you endure countless noes. That your opportunities will be few and far between and your doubters ever-present. That you will be relied upon constantly but rarely appreciated. That, most important, in spite of all of this, you will keep showing up every day, every election because Black women are the backbone of their communities and the Democratic Party. And to be clear, we show up not because we are sheep but rather because we understand what is at stake and that this is not a game so we stay at the ready. These past weeks leave no doubt that Harris knows something about staying ready. And what an opportunity she has before her. Her ascendance has left the Republican Party flat-footed. They see what we see: Harris star casts a harsh light on Trumps worst features. The contrast is conspicuous. The former prosecutor against the convicted criminal. The first woman to appear on a winning presidential ticket versus the twice-impeached, election-denying, one-term president who made his own claim on history by inciting a violent assault on the U.S. Capitol. A 59-year-old with a hopeful vision for Americas future against a 78-year-old who insists this country has failed. A campaign that talks about aspirations and solutions versus the one that speaks in put-downs and threats. At the Democratic National Convention last week, Democrats celebrated the opportunity before them and used the platform to drive home these contrasts. The choice voters face this November was made as plain as possible. But the DNC also illustrated one more fundamental contrast between Harris and Trump, and between the parties they represent. The Republican National Convention in mid-July revealed a party that has been remade to represent and serve the interests, impulses and small-minded views of one man. The DNC showed Harris as the leader and dues-paying member of a party that strives to represent, include and serve all Americans. It is this contrast that sets up Harris to defeat Trump. It is no surprise that in recent weeks Trump and his acolytes have become obsessed with turning the words diversity, equity and inclusion into a slur. This is because their political movement is neither diverse, inclusive or interested in equity, but also because Trump believes that everyone shares his bottomless cynicism the byproduct of nepotism and a privileged life. When confronted with political leaders who do not look like him yet had to work twice as hard to become his peer, he assumes these people must not have been appointed on the merits but rather as a cheap ploy to gain favor from a voting bloc. Harris a woman who worked hard for this moment, the daughter of a Black man from Jamaica and a mother from India draws bigger crowds and outperforms him in the polls, and Trump spirals. The diversity of the Democratic Party coalition is its strength, and it underscores Trumps biggest weakness. As an organizer and social justice advocate, I know that the Democratic Party must center diverse representation this election season because: (1) diversity is an essential American value, and (2) solutions to the problems that harm communities are always found most proximate to the pain. This leaves no room for selling gold sneakers and mug shot T-shirts. Instead, while Trump and Republicans shamelessly pander to voters, Harris has the opportunity to lean into a message about the Democratic Partys earnest commitment to the diversity of its coalition and how diverse voices are essential to a functioning democratic government. You cant maintain a coalition like ours with cheap talk and political stagecraft. You have to be willing to do the work. You have to deliver for the people. Luckily, on this score, the Democratic Party has a convincing story to tell. Its leaders have spent the last two years tirelessly organizing to protect reproductive rights in successful ballot initiatives in Ohio, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont, California and Montana with more such votes to come on Nov. 5. The Biden administration delivered historic victories for union workers, passed the most consequential climate legislation of any administration and appointed scores of women and minority judges to federal courts, including making Ketanji Brown Jackson the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Vice President Harris herself cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate to ensure passage of a bill that will lower drug prices for millions of Americans. And as governor of Minnesota, her running mate, Tim Walz, presided over historic investments in education, expanding early childhood education and establishing a universal breakfast and lunch program for all K-12 students. That is how you represent our coalition. That is how you win. A few weeks ago, I was honored to sit in Gloria Steinems living room surrounded by women leaders. The founder of Ms. magazine told us we were in the very same room where she worked with Rep. Shirley Chisholm, the first Black candidate and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party presidential nomination, to organize in advance of the 1972 Democratic National Convention. Able to get on the ballot in only 14 states, Chisholm said that she entered the race in spite of hopeless odds to demonstrate the sheer will and refusal to accept the status quo. We asked ourselves, Does it feel different this time? I know my answer. This November, Kamala Harris but, most important, voters will finish the job that Chisholm started. We are ready. Weve been ready all along. (WHTM) Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are tied in Pennsylvania nearly two months out from the presidential election, according to a new Emerson College Polling/The Hill poll. The survey, which was conducted after last weeks Democratic National Convention, found Harris and Trump both having 48% support in the critical Keystone State. Three percent of Pennsylvania voters said they were undecided and one percent said they support a third-party candidate. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania The polling was conducted after Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy dropped out of the race and endorsed Trump. Harris had significant support in the poll among Pennsylvanias Independents, female voters, and voters under 30, according to the poll. Harris led Trump by 8% among Independents, 12% among women, and 30% among younger voters. Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance coming to Hershey for Tucker Carlson show Trump led Harris by 14% among male voters in Pennsylvania and undecided voters 54% to 46%. A slim majority of voters said they had a somewhat very or somewhat favorable of Harris (51%) and 48% had the same feeling regarding Trump. A majority of Pennsylvanians (51%) said the economy was their top issue, followed by 11% who cited threats to democracy and 8% who said immigration was their biggest issue at the ballot box. Cornel West cant be on Pennsylvanias presidential ballot, court decides Health care, housing affordability, and abortion access rounded out the top issues for Pennsylvania voters. Harris and Trump were also within the margin of error in Emerson College Polling/The Hill polls conducted in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. Harris held slight leads in Georgia, Michigan, and Nevada while Trump led in Arizona, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. The sample size in Pennsylvania is n=950, with a credibility interval of +/-3.1%. Data was weighted by statewide voter parameters, including gender, age, race/ethnicity, education (US Census), and voter registration (state secretary of state) and turnout data (exit polling). The survey was administered by contacting respondents cell phones via MMS-to-web and landlines via Interactive Voice Response with respondents provided by Aristotle, along with an online panel provided by CINT. The survey was offered in English. Data was collected between August 26-28, 2024. The survey was conducted by Emerson College Polling and sponsored by Nexstar Media. It is important to remember that subsets based on demographics, such as gender, age, education, and race/ethnicity, carry with them higher credibility intervals, as the sample size is reduced. Survey results should be understood within the polls range of scores, and know with a confidence interval of 95% a poll will fall outside the range of scores 1 in 20 times. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. By Satoshi Sugiyama TOKYO (Reuters) - The Japanese government has upgraded its economic assessment for the first time in more than a year on signs of improved consumption, fostering optimism for a broader recovery. "The Japanese economy is recovering at a moderate pace, although it appears to be still pausing in parts," the Cabinet Office said in its monthly economic report for August, raising the assessment for the first time since May 2023. Consumption is picking up as the impact of shipping stoppage at some automakers is easing, the government said. The increase in household disposable income, coupled with temporary cuts in income and resident taxes, also helped consumption. However, the extreme heat this summer yielded mixed consumption results, the report said. While demand for air-conditioning, parasols and ice creamed increased, customer traffic at theme parks and restaurants declined. The report also anticipated a fall in import prices, primarily due to the recent correction in the yen's weak trend. The government also upgraded its assessment on housing construction to "almost flat" from "in a weak tone" for the first time in more than two years, attributing the change to a halt in the decline of owner-occupied house construction. Assessments for the remaining sub-sectors, including exports, remained unchanged. The report was presented at a meeting attended by relevant cabinet ministers and Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda. Earlier this month, government data showed Japan's economy expanded by a much faster-than-expected 3.1% annualised rate in the second quarter. The rebound, after a slump at the start of the year, was largely attributed to a robust increase in consumption. (Reporting by Satoshi Sugiyama; Editing by Jacqueline Wong) (Bloomberg) -- Kamala Harris faces a critical test of both her political abilities and broader campaign strategy as she sits down Thursday for her first in-depth, on-the-record interview since seizing the Democratic nomination. Most Read from Bloomberg The first interview of a campaign is always a challenge, as candidates are prodded about their policy positions and asked to weigh in on some of the tougher issues facing the nation. But Harris sit-down with CNNs Dana Bash, to air at 9 p.m. Eastern time, is unlike any in modern political history. The vice presidents last-minute ascension to the top of the Democratic ticket following President Joe Bidens decision to stand aside is unprecedented, and her frenzied but successful scramble to build out a campaign means many voters still harbor burning questions about her policy platform and approach to the presidency. That would be pressure enough considering theres less than 70 days until Election Day. But Harris decision to hold off an interview for weeks drew attacks from her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, who has pointed to past missteps by the vice president in unscripted settings to argue that shes ducking the media. Harris choice to include her running mate, Tim Walz, in Thursdays interview has only fueled additional Republican mockery while prompting questions about whether her campaign aides, some of whom spent years advising Biden to avoid media scrutiny, can pivot their strategy. Campaign Priorities Those close to Harris insist the scrutiny is overblown. They say it simply made sense to prioritize securing the partys nomination and planning last weeks widely heralded national convention in Chicago before pivoting to media interviews. Sitting jointly with Walz, they argue, is similar to joint interviews Trump has held with running mates JD Vance and Mike Pence. And members of the media, they say, tend to vastly overrate the importance of press access or a single television interview in the minds of voters. She had to compress what is normally a year-plus-long campaign into the course of weeks, said Kara Turrentine, a national Democratic strategist. The cadence of the last few months has been wild. Now that cadence has slowed down, the campaign is set and ready to go. Still, Trump has spent recent weeks badgering Harris to participate in more interviews and debates for a reason: any misstep or mistake could offer him a foothold as he seeks to reverse momentum in a race where polls show Democrats now in the lead. Shes not smart enough to do a news conference, Trump said earlier in August, taunting Harris. She wont do interviews with friendly people because she cant do better than Biden. Play to Win For Harris, who gained a reputation as a prickly and defensive interview subject during tough exchanges on immigration and foreign policy earlier in her vice presidency, Thursday will be the first time shes challenged publicly on some of the dramatic policy evolutions shes undertaken from her 2020 presidential campaign. The vice president needs to play to win by focusing on laying out her vision for the future and her career accomplishments, Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist, said Wednesday. Often politicians will find themselves trying not to make a mistake in certain situations, Seawright said. Shes got to run through the tape with this interview. The decision to appear alongside Walz at least fed Republican perceptions that Harris or her staff werent confident in her abilities. Arkansas Governor and former Trump White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said it showed they know Kamala Harris cant get through an interview all by herself. There is not a lot of confidence in somebody to become the leader of the free world and ask people to make her president of the United States, Sanders said in an appearance on Fox News. But, Turrentine said, the decision to appear alongside Walz would benefit Harris more than it hurt, with the pair appearing aligned and able to amplify each others best attributes. They represent this team that we dont see on the other side, she said. On the Trump-Vance side, we see a very disjointed ticket. Theres no seeming coordination or sync between them in terms of how they are approaching this campaign. CNN Picked The choice of CNN for the interview may play to Harris favor. Bash is widely seen as an even-handed and tough reporter, and the network earned praise including from Trump for their handling of the first presidential debate, which ultimately forced Biden from the race. The vice president also would have likely taken flack if she had opted for an interview with NBC considering MSNBCs liberal programming or ABC, where the news division is overseen by Walt Disney Co. executive Dana Walden, a longtime Harris friend. CNN is also headquartered in Georgia, a critical battleground state where Harris and Walz are conducting a two-day bus tour aimed at boosting their standing with rural and Black voters that could prove pivotal in November. But the interview is likely to reverberate far outside the state. Even Quentin Tarantino, the famed director of Pulp Fiction, weighed in on the strategy during a podcast interview with comedian Bill Maher earlier this week, saying Harris should not endanger her mad dash to Election Day by engaging unnecessarily with the press. She is running it shes not stopping to stumble, he said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. As rank-and-file Boilermakers cheer last weeks indictment of two former union presidents and five other staffers in an alleged $20 million embezzlement scheme, they warn that the charges alone wont fix the problems theyve complained about for years. Whats needed, they insist, is a legitimate process for electing their leaders. The way the system has been run which isnt by secret ballot and doesnt allow everyone to vote is the underlying issue that allowed things to spiral out of control and resulted in the mess the union finds itself in now, they say. Weve never had a voice in the election of leaders, said Adam Mendenhall, a longtime member of Kansas City-based Local 83. Absolutely not. (Former International President) Newton Jones had fixed it to where he was always going to be elected. Theres not very much union about the Boilermakers union. Its a scam anymore. Its just a giant scam. A federal grand jury returned the 57-count indictment on Aug. 21, charging the defendants with conspiracy to commit offenses under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, as well as other offenses including embezzlement, health care fraud, wire fraud and theft in connection with health care and retirement plans. The defendants are accused of enriching themselves by spending millions of dollars in union funds for personal gain. The money allegedly went toward salary and benefits for jobs they didnt show up for, tuition, rent, luxury international travel, meals, vacation payouts and unauthorized loans, the Justice Department said. Those charged are former union president Newton B. Jones, 71; his wife, Kateryna Jones, 32; and his son, Cullen Jones, 35, all of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; former secretary-treasurer William Creeden, 76, of Kearney, Missouri; former president Truman Warren Fairley, 59, of Chapel Hill; current secretary-treasurer Kathy Stapp, 53, of Shawnee; and former vice president Lawrence McManamon, 76, of Rocky River, Ohio. The indictments came a little more than a year after the unions executive council voted to oust Jones as international president, accusing him of misusing union funds for personal gain including funneling large sums of money to his Ukrainian wife for work she never performed. That led to a monthslong court battle over who controlled the union. In August 2023, a federal judge upheld the union executives June 2 decision to remove Jones as president and replace him with Fairley, who had recently retired as an international vice president. Warren Fairley, a retired Boilermakers international vice president, spoke with union members outside the Robert J. Dole Federal Courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas, in June 2023. Fairley announced his retirement as president on Aug. 20, effective immediately, according to a news release issued by the union. He was replaced by Timothy Simmons, one of the unions five international vice presidents. Members want election by secret ballot The Boilermakers constitution calls for the election of officers every five years at its Consolidated Convention. The president and his international vice presidents run together as a package deal and are elected in a public vote by the delegates who attend the convention. The rank-and-file say they have no input into the elections and want it to be a one person, one vote process carried out by secret ballot. They also say that this process is what allowed Jones to keep his yes-men in power and get away with embezzling millions. The rank-and-file never had any voice at all with what happened at the International, said Ed Lacey, a former business agent and president of Kansas City-based Local 83. The members have argued, but its to no avail. We want to be able to elect our own international vice president from our area. But no, no, no, they run as a ticket. Theres no separate vote. The international office sends the president and business manager of each local to the five-year convention, Lacey said, and the members vote for the delegates who will attend. The locals president and business manager automatically go, and theyre pretty automatically a vote for the international president, Lacey said. If youre a delegate and sitting at the table with your local, youre not going to go against who your local business manager and president vote for. Theres nothing democratic about anything they do. A history of the union in the Boilermakers constitution shows that Jones succeeded his father, Charles W. Jones, upon the elder Jones retirement in 2003. At the Consolidated Convention in 2006, it says, delegates re-elected Newton Jones and International Secretary/Treasurer William Creeden to their first five-year terms and returned all incumbent international vice presidents to office. At the next Consolidated Convention in 2011, the constitution says, delegates reelected all international officers by acclamation. The officers ran as a slate, it says, that included Jones, Creeden and seven vice presidents. The same thing happened at the 2016 Consolidated Convention, according to the constitution. Delegates again reelected all incumbent international officers, who ran on a slate they called the Proven Leadership Team. The offices of International President, International Secretary-Treasurer, International Vice President-Canada, and International Vice President-Northeast were contested, but all incumbents retained their positions by wide margins, it says. And in 2021, delegates again reelected all incumbent international officers. Only one office was contested, the document says, but the candidate won by a wide margin. The next convention will be in 2026 at a time and in a city to be determined by the Executive Council, the constitution says. One of the nations oldest unions, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers represents about 45,000 workers in the United States and Canada who assemble, install and repair boilers, fit pipes and build power plants and ships. The Justice Department called out the Boilermakers questionable election process in last weeks grand jury indictment, referring to those involved in the alleged conspiracy to steal from the union as the Jones Enterprise. Boilermakers International President Newton B. Jones talks to angry union members outside the federal courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas, after a hearing on July 27, 2023. It was further part of the conspiracy that members and associates of the Jones Enterprise and other conspirators would preserve their positions in the Boilermakers Union by ensuring that all international officers were selected for their positions by the International President rather than having them face an open and contested election for those positions among the membership, the document said. That process, it said, ensured that all international officers owed their positions as officers to the International President, Defendant Newton Jones. The indictment said that those conspirators would then preserve their positions in the union by making sure that all incumbent international officers stood for reelection in a single slate headed by Jones. Furthermore, it said, the election was conducted by means of a public voice vote of the delegates to the unions convention instead of by a secret vote of the delegates or the entire union membership so as to minimize any opposition to Jones and his slate of incumbent officers. How other unions elect officers Michelle Kaminski, a labor-relations professor at Michigan State University, said that historically, two election procedures have been commonly used by unions election of presidents by delegates, such as at a convention, or by a direct vote of the membership via secret ballot. If the membership wants to change the process by which officers are elected, they would need to change their constitution, she said. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the countrys largest labor unions with 1.3 million members, holds its officer elections by secret ballot, according to its constitution. At the unions International Convention, held every five years, delegates vote for the nominees by secret ballot, and then between four and six months after the convention, those candidates are elected by the rank-and-file members. All voting is by secret ballot. The United Auto Workers went through a scandal similar to the Boilermakers in the past few years, with more than a dozen officials convicted in a federal corruption case that involved embezzling millions in union funds. Kaminski said as a result of the federal oversight of the UAW that was ordered in the aftermath of the case, the union recently moved from a delegate system for electing the president to a direct vote by the membership. In an extremely close race, she said, Shawn Fain who represented the reform caucus was elected UAW President in March 2023. He is the first person to be elected UAW President by a direct vote of the membership. In a statement after his victory, Fain called the election a referendum on the direction of the UAW. For too long, the UAW has been controlled by leadership with a top-down, company union philosophy who have been unwilling to confront management, and as a result, weve seen nothing but concessions, corruption and plant closures, he said. We now have a historic opportunity to get back to setting the standard across all sectors, and to transform the UAW into a member-led, fighting union once again, and we are going to take it. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A new documentary, filmed over the course of five years in the Kansas City area, aims to bring awareness to a national problem. The work she does is so important. That was just a story that I had to tell, said Emmett Williams, the director of Sister Doula. His documentary focuses on Hakima Payne, a Kansas City-based nurse, doula, and advocate whos dedicated to improving maternity care and reproductive justice for Black families. Data from the Centers for Disease Control showed that in 2021 the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 70 deaths per 100,000 live births. Thats nearly three times the rate for White women at 26.6 deaths and Hispanic women at 28 deaths. The increases from 2020 to 2021 for all race and Hispanic-origin groups were significant, according to the CDC report. Hakima Payne previously worked as a labor and delivery nurse and experienced the problem firsthand. Missouri program working to add to construction workforce The problem is really multi-faceted, so theres a lot of reasons those statistics are the way they are, but primarily we dont do a good job of taking care of African American women. We dont listen to them, she said. Payne currently trains thousands of doulas across the country through her Kansas City-based nonprofit Uzazi Village, which is at 43rd and Troost. However, at one point in the hour-long documentary she recalled that while working in labor and delivery, she began journaling instances of doctors treating Black women differently, whether by stereotyping them or not taking them seriously. She did so because when she brought it up to the doctors attention they often didnt believe her or explained that she misinterpreted them. We [healthcare professionals] dont listen to them. Oftentimes in the healthcare setting we dont see them or hear them. We make assumptions about how they should be cared for, and a lot of that way of thinking just needs a complete overhaul, added Payne. Williams, the films director, said the thing that surprised him the most during production was that every Black woman he spoke with had a negative experience with the U.S. healthcare industry. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri That was the biggest shock for me: these stories, I could have made an hours and hours long film because everybody has these stories. My hope [with this film] is that all Black families and all families know they have options when they are making their birthing choices. The film is currently being screened privately across the country. For more information on the work at Uzazi Village and how Payne is making a positive impact in the local community, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The man who was charged last year in a deadly shooting of his own son has pleaded guilty and been sentenced. According to the Jackson County Courts, Jose Pilar, 54, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of voluntary manslaughter and a charge of armed criminal action. Pilar was sentenced to nine years on the manslaughter charge and three years on the armed criminal action charge. These sentences will be served consecutively. Shawnee parents continue fight for justice after sons deadly crash According to court documents, on April 1 2023, KCPD officers responded to a report of a shooting near E. 18th Street and Cambridge Ave. The person calling 911 claimed that a man had been shot, and family were taking him to the hospital. Court documents also reveal that witnesses told police Pilar and the victim, identified as 21-year-old Raul Pilar Sanchez, were arguing over a family friend coming to visit. One witness saw Pilar shoot Sanchez before running from the scene, hearing more shots ring out. Pilar then claimed he was going to turn the gun on himself before leaving the residence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Kansas City offering thousands of free trees to residents this fall KANSAS CITY, Mo. Leaders are trying to make Kansas City the greenest in the country with a new campaign. Canopy Cover KC is launching another round of free trees this fall to plant 10,000 trees by Summer 2026. Community Blood Center asking for blood donations ahead of Labor Day The program will give 1,000 free trees to Kansas City residents to support the citys tree canopy. It is being run in collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation and Bridging the Gap. This is a step the city is taking to make Kansas City the greenest city in the country. By planting 10,000 trees by Summer 2026, we are not only enhancing the beauty of our city but also taking crucial steps to improve air quality, reduce urban heat, and create a healthier environment for our residents, said City Manager Brian Platt. Together with our partners, we are committed to building a greener, more sustainable future for Kansas City. The city has already planted 5,500 trees to improve air quality, reduce urban heat and make Kansas City more beautiful. Did Travis Kelce just buy a racehorse? Here are some of the details for the Canopy Cover KC Campaign: Reservations Required: All residents reserve trees in advance through the portal at kcmo.gov/freetrees Eligibility: Each household is eligible to receive up to two free trees; Kansas City residents only. Distribution Events: In-person pick-up is preferred; home-drop-off options are available for select zip codes. These are the tree species that are available: Sugar Maple Kentucky Coffeetree Black Tupelo (Black Gum) Shumard Oak Sycamore American Hornbeam Redbud Yellowwood Downy Serviceberry Click here to reserve a tree. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Rep. Troy Waymaster, left, a Bunker Hill Republican who chairs the Legislature's interim state budget reform committee, said Kansas needed a more concise, analytical "budget process that better serves the taxpayers" by reducing spending. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) Rep. Troy Waymaster, left, a Bunker Hill Republican who chairs the Legislature's interim state budget reform committee, said Kansas needed a more concise, analytical "budget process that better serves the taxpayers" by reducing spending. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Kansas Republicans pressing to reform the Legislatures annual budget-writing process want to displace governors from the lead role in proposing state spending changes, alter a Statehouse culture that embraced the three-day workweek, and make it difficult for lobbyists to slip special-interest earmarks into bills. House Speaker Dan Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson, the Republicans who formed an interim legislative committee to work on the budgeting overhaul, said the plan involved formation of a powerful permanent committee of a dozen or so legislators who would start work on a version of the state budget as much as three months before the legislative session began in January. For years, legislators have waited to start until the Kansas governor presented detailed budget recommendations. The GOP legislative leaders said this newly empowered committee would produce a baseline budget that would be introduced in bill form on the first day of the legislative session. Under this scenario, Democratic Gov. Laura Kellys budget recommendations released in mid-January 2025 would become a supplemental source rather than the starting point for budget deliberations at the Capitol. Hawkins, who represents a Wichita district, said the Legislature had to reclaim budget authority ceded long ago to the executive branch. He cautioned skeptics of GOP maneuvering that it would be wrong to assume the objective was a personal attack on Kelly. This process has nothing to do with the governor, Hawkins said. If youre going to focus on the governor, probably not the wisest thing to do, because this process has happened over time with many, many different governors. I look at this as an opportunity for us to examine a process that probably is flawed, not badly flawed, but theres opportunities to make it better, the House speaker said. Just because weve always done something some way doesnt mean that thats the best way to do it. Grace Hoge, a spokeswoman for the governor, said Kellys handling of budget duties contributed to a state budget surplus and implementation of sustainable tax reductions. Just like Kansas families, Governor Kelly understands responsible budgeting, Hoge said. Every year her budget proposal is meticulously crafted and presented to the Legislature at the beginning of the session, as is required by law. Governor Kellys fiscal responsibility reversed years of financial instability and led to a record budget surplus that has resulted in substantial, sustainable tax cuts for all Kansans. The current budgeting process works. Masterson, of Andover, said the Legislatures early attention to details of the state budget would allow the House and Senate to move quickly on spending decisions during the regular session. He said the shift would enable legislators to dedicate more time to individual agency operations and, potentially, save tax dollars. I feel like our state is ready for some kind of reorganization, said Masterson, who made a distinction between budget recommendations of Republican and Democratic governors. Youll have a Republican governor, for example, or somebody you trust, and you trust the administration to build the budgets, and then you kind of rubber stamp stuff. And, then, you switch, and you have (the) opposition party and then theres all that same power. A 2021 report by the National Association of State Budget Officers indicated 36 states introduced the governors budget as a bill in the Legislature, which has been the practice in Kansas. The report said 14 states had a process in which drafting the budget was a responsibility of the legislature. Nailing budget earmarks The Kansas Legislatures interim committee assigned the task of piecing together a new process for shaping the annual state budget met last week and was expected to convene again in September. In this initial meeting, there was enthusiasm for imposition of boundaries to curtail influence of special-interest lobbyists who have proven adept at winning budget earmarks by evading the regular legislative process. It was suggested the six-person conference committees that negotiate finer points of the budget be forbidden from independently adding expenditure provisos pitched by lobbyists. Instead, lobbyists would be compelled to run their earmarks through a regular House or Senate budget committee and to secure endorsement of House and Senate Republican leaders. Rep. Troy Waymaster, the Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said it might irritate some legislators to learn the list of reform ideas included a change in the workday culture at the statehouse. He indicated legislators should expect to work on Mondays and Fridays, rather than just Tuesday through Thursday. The condensed schedule became the standard during height of the COVID-19 pandemic and didnt revert to the previous norm, he said. That is just exacerbating the problem, said Waymaster, a Bunker Hill lawmaker who has chaired the House Appropriations Committee for eight years. We need to go back to what the legislative session was like before COVID, where we have committee meetings on Mondays and Fridays and not pro forma days. If that change were adopted ahead of the 2025 session, it would coincide with implementation of significant increases in annual compensation of House and Senate members. Total compensation of rank-and-file legislators in Kansas will increase from $30,000 to nearly $58,000. Sen. Jeff Pittman, a Leavenworth Democrat on the interim budget reform committee with Waymaster, said developing a more efficient method of crafting the budget was worthy of debate. He cautioned against making the reform process partisan. He said attention should be given to avoid overwhelming legislative staff by duplicating budget reviews done by the governors staff. We have not ceded our control, but rather we have directed the CEO, the governor, and her staff or his staff, to do these things for us to get down into the weeds, Pittman said. Pittman and other legislators said state budget documents should be remodeled to make information more easily consumed by legislators and the public, especially as House and Senate negotiators made dozens of budget deals late in the session. Pittman urged colleagues in the Legislature to end their three-day workweek. There were a lot of days we could have been doing more, you know. We had a lot of days were we did not meet as a committee, said Pittman, who sits on the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Process questions, ideas During the initial meeting of the interim budget reform committee, there was no discussion by Republicans or Democrats about how activities of the new pre-session legislative budget panel would be transparent. This select group of legislators would apparently gain access to preliminary agency budget documents and meet with department officials to discuss spending requests. Its possible legislators would observe executive branch meetings on agency budget appeals not open to the public. It wasnt clear how state legislators running for reelection House members have two-year terms, while Senate terms last four years would participate in robust pre-session budget examinations during October before the general election in November. Rep. Will Carpenter, an El Dorado Republican, did suggest the Legislature move to a biennial budget format in which an expenditure plan for state government would be prepared and adopted for a two-year period. In 1993, a Kansas budget committee recommended 53 state agencies be moved to a biennial format. The 1994 Legislature passed a bill allowing 20 fee-funded agencies to work on a biennial basis. GOP Gov. Sam Brownback proposed a biennial budget for all state agencies for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. Kelly eliminated that approach for all agencies except those required to operate on two-year cycles under state law. The House, with 125 members, concentrates budgeting authority in the House Appropriations Committee. The House also runs six subject-based budget committees on higher education, K-12 schools, social services, transportation and safety, agriculture and natural resources and general government operations. The Senate has 40 members, but directs all budget work to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The Senate has a system of subcommittees, but theyre not staffed and dont operate like the subject-oriented standing House budget committees. If were going to seriously evaluate the budget and dig and take a dive deeper, it would be helpful for us to have that discussion about whether or not the Senate should go to that process as well, said Sen. Carolyn McGinn, a Sedgwick Republican who has chaired the Senate budget committee. McGinn, who didnt seek reelection in 2024, said she was concerned reform could speed consideration of the state budget in ways that limited the ability of Kansas to testify at the Capitol before the House or Senate. Kansas media pushes for cameras in proceedings against former Marion police chief charged in newspaper raid Kansas media pushes for cameras in proceedings against former Marion police chief charged in newspaper raid WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Fourteen different Kansas media organizations, including KSN News, are challenging a push to block cameras in the case of a police chief charged with raiding the Marion County Record. Gideon Cody is facing charges related to interfering with the judicial process in the case. Cody argues in a court filing that allowing cameras could jeopardize his right to a fair trial by increasing publicity. On Aug. 11, 2023, Cody and officers from the Marion Police Department raided the newspapers office and the home of the publisher, Eric Meyer, seizing equipment and even personal cell phones. Cody, the police chief at the time, claimed that he was investigating whether the newspaper committed identity theft or other crimes in assessing a local restaurant owners state driving record. The raid on the paper drew national attention. Found an arrowhead in Kansas? Archaeologist urges you to leave it alone Wichita Attorney Lyndon Vix filed a 14-page motion in the case on Tuesday on behalf of the media organizations, pushing for cameras to ensure transparency and public access to the proceedings. The media stance is supported by Kansas Supreme Court Rule 1001. The judge has not yet ruled on the camera issue. Cody now lives in Hawaii. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Oct. 7, to which the request for media access would apply. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW One Kansas veteran says he followed in his dads footsteps by enlisting in the United States Navy just days after graduating high school. Richard Humburg joined the Navy in 1997, spending 15 years in the service while making several trips to the Middle East. He says he enjoyed his time as a sailor from the moment he joined. From a young age, Humburg knew he wanted to be a Navy sailor. Vietnam Navy veteran traveled the world looking for Russian submarines Throughout high school, growing up, I always wanted to be in the military. My dad was in the military, was in the Navy, I had an uncle and a cousin in the Navy, he said. Three days after graduating high school, he enlisted, attending boot camp in Chicago and aviation electronic technician training in Florida. He deployed shortly after on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, where his main role was repairing the electronic components of aircraft, including the F/A-18. I did enjoy doing that all the time; I excelled on a couple of different pieces of equipment; that was my forte, troubleshooting that, and getting those back ready for issue, so they could put it back in the aircraft, so the aircraft could fly, said Humburg. He spent time on several other ships, including the USS George Washington and USS Enterprise, before returning to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower at the end of his time in the service. Humburg served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. I enjoyed it, the structure of being out to sea, and learning, and going to the different ports, being in the middle east and the persian gulf, it went by quick, now looking back, I wish it went a little bit slower, he said. By the time of retirement, he was the leading petty officer in his division responsible for training junior sailors in over a dozen different shops. Humburg says his plan was to spend more time in the Navy and says adapting to life back home was hard. I was caught in a reduction of manning in 2012, but I was lucky enough to have 15 years of service, to retire from the navy, so I did have a low point, from getting out of the Navy during the transition, he said. Oldest living veteran in Rush County celebrates 100th birthday Humburg has continued his passion for working on electronics at an energy company while spending more time with his kids. He says his experience in the Navy made him who he is today. My time in the navy was great; I loved it; I think everyone should join a branch for at least four years to kind of widen their experience, he said. Humburg now has three kids and one grandchild. He said he hopes to see some of them continue their family legacy of Navy service one day. If you want to nominate a veteran for our Veteran Salute, email KSN at news@ksn.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Kansas Rep. Marvin Robinson fought for Quindaro, costing his constituents along the way Looking north from the Quindaro Ruins Overlook: The Missouri River, with the slave state of Missouri to the east and the Free State of Kansas to the west. Looking north from the Quindaro Ruins Overlook: The Missouri River, with the slave state of Missouri to the east and the Free State of Kansas to the west. (C.J. Janovy/Kansas Reflector) A Pyrrhic Victory, the final entry in the P section of Words On Words by the late University of Kansas journalism professor John Bremner, references a victory that comes at too great a price. The reference explains the late state Rep. Marvin Robinsons complicated time in the Kansas Legislature. Robinson fought tirelessly for his beloved Quindaro historical site, seemingly to the detriment of his constituents other interests. Robinson, who died recently at age 67, sadly conflated devotion, which he had, and vision, which he seemed to lack. Anyone interested in learning about or writing about Quindaro eventually found themselves in front of Robinson, the unofficial mascot and supporter of the area. Quindaro has lost its most ardent advocate, but it remains a site of remarkable history and the foundation of what could be the next major tourist development in northeast Kansas. University of Kansas professor Shawn Leigh Alexander described Quindaro as perhaps the best example of a multiracial democracy, as white Massachusetts abolitionists, Wyandot Indians, and freed Black men and women fleeing Missouri enslavement founded the site. Others said that two founders of the Niagara Movement, the forerunner to the NAACP, had Quindaro addresses. Quindaro also served as a stop on the Underground Railroad and has remained a point of pride in Kansas. Robinson served as one of its most recognizable boosters. But as a legislator, Robinson disappointed many people by joining extremists pushing voter suppression and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. He became a darling of conservative pundits who praised his independence. His commitment to Quindaro was admirable. His votes, which he seemed to trade in exchange for Quindaro support, were not. He demonstrated a willingness to harm others in pursuit of a better Quindaro. Many mumbled about Robinsons seeming duplicity, but Rep. Ford Carr, D-Wichita, risked censure by condemning Robinsons voting record from the House floor. When Robinsons Republican colleagues steered Quindaro money to Robinson, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed it in May of 2023. Carr said he and Robinson voted present on the initial vote on barring transgender students from girls and womens sports. After the vote, Carr said, conservative lawmakers saw an opportunity to flip those votes. Carr growled. Robinson flipped. He succumbed to the pressure, Carr said of Robinson, and that so disappointed Carr that in remarks from the House floor, he referenced two kinds of slaves on a plantation, the house negro and the field negro. I would never want my constituents to look at me and assume I was a house negro, Carr recalled saying. When he returned to his seat near Robinson, he said that Robinson leaned over and said, Thank you for that. Members of the Black Legislative Caucus in Kansas from left, Rep. Brad Boyd, Sen. David Haley and Rep. Marvin Robinson discuss education policy and other issues after meeting with Gov. Laura Kelly in March 2023 Robinson, a Democrat, ultimately sided with Republicans to overturn Kellys veto of the transgender athlete ban. Kelly would later allocate $1 million to the Quindaro Ruins. Robinsons support for Quindaro paid dividends. Its too bad, though, that he could not widen his political aperture to accommodate more light for his supporters. Robinsons constituents chose educator Wanda Brownlee Paige as his likely successor in the primary Aug. 6. The vision for what that area could and should be should have been broader. There should be a federal museum on those historic Kansas slopes of the Missouri River. There should be an Underground Railroad path linking it to Lawrences Underground Railroad sites and to the Ritchie House in Topeka, as well as to the old Free State Capitol. Because federal funds helped ram Interstate 635 through Quindaros heart, a toll for drivers using the interstate could help fund these efforts. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a visit to Kansas City said Build Back Better infrastructure funds could be used to help reconnect Black communities disconnected by interstate construction. We should lure people with Quindaro-area roots back to the area with tax breaks. A new museum could anchor the homes and businesses around it. Special things were done to isolate it. Special things could be done to rescue it. We could rebuild the old facades from Western University and the Douglass Hospital for school tours. Our state hasnt sufficiently marketed our racial history. Quindaro needs a vision and a strategy, not just affection. Robinson just didnt seem to have a clear vision he could articulate. He seemed most focused on immediate needs, like the tall grass at the old cemetery. He could frustrate you endlessly but also engender sympathy. He typically seemed overwhelmed and out of place at the Statehouse. He swam in his oversized clothes. He partnered with legislative conservatives who in recent years simultaneously argued for and against the kind of racial history Quindaro presented. Robinson wasnt a bad man. Hed proudly served in the U.S. Navy. Hed talk to anyone about Quindaro. More people know about historic Quindaro because of him. But there was a cost. Constituents will remember him as someone who loved Quindaro and devoted much of his existence to spreading the word about its importance. But as with the King of Pyrrhus, whose victory over the Romans in 279 B.C. at Asculum led him to remark that one more victory like that and Pyrrhus is undone, Robinson had to absorb huge losses. Unlike Pyrrhus, hed no doubt do it all again. Mark McCormick is the former executive director of The Kansas African American Museum, a member of the Kansas African American Affairs Commission and former deputy executive director at the ACLU of Kansas. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here. KC police officer who held an unarmed man at gunpoint has left, but what happened? | Opinion Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. Nearly four years after a former Kansas City police officer at the center of a $1 million federal lawsuit allegedly held an unarmed Black man at gunpoint, we still dont know what punishment the officer faced. The ex-officer, Jonathan Lenz, left the department last January, according to police officials. And the reason why he quit the force remains a secret, too. Therein lies the problem with the Kansas City Police Department. When a Kansas City police officer violates department policy or procedure, the public would be hard-pressed to find out his or her identity. In the spirit of transparency and rebuilding trust between the department and the Kansas City community, that needs to change. Other cities such as Omaha routinely identify officers involved in deadly use-of-force or other high-profile incidents. Denvers Office of Independent Monitor is a civilian oversight agency with much more power than Kansas Citys Office of Community Complaints. Missouri lawmakers, take note of transparency laws in neighboring Illinois. Under state law there, police misconduct records are public, according to Invisible Institute, a nonprofit that tracks allegations of officer misconduct in Chicago. We cant say the same here. In most cases, Kansas Citians only learn the names of officers accused of wrongdoing through lawsuits or other legal actions. Under Missouris open records law, police officers disciplinary records are closed, a legal loophole used to help keep the public in the dark about repeat offenders. Therefore, officer malfeasance is protected from public scrutiny. And this isnt a knock on Kansas Citys rank-and-file officers. Policing is a tough job. In the name of public safety, officers must make split-second decisions. Surely, that isnt an easy task. Yes, state law limits what police officials can tell us about an officers personnel record. But it is not unlawful to release the names, positions, salaries and lengths of service of officers and employees of public agencies involved in serious use-of-force incidents, according to statutes. With broad immunity powers that shield them, police officers are expected to act with professionalism at all times. When they dont, we should know who they are and what policies were violated. Murder suspect sued KCPD Taquiza Johnson is another former Kansas City Police Officer whose reasons for leaving are unknown. He is accused of fatally shooting 71-year-old Ronald Barnett last week near a Walmart in Kansas Citys Northland. The charges Johnson faces second-degree murder and armed criminal action are serious. Johnson allegedly shot Barnett outside his car after a brief altercation between the two, according to court records. We hope to learn more about Barnett, the victim in this case, and how he lived. His death should not be forgotten. But the connection between Lenz and Johnson is palpable. In October 2020, while off-duty and out of uniform, Lenz held Johnson at gunpoint for no apparent reason, according to legal documents. Yet this incident was never made public until last year when Johnson, 47, filed a civil rights lawsuit in federal court, a happenstance we see far too often here. About a week before Johnson was arrested in connection to Barnetts death, attorneys met for mediation in the $1 million federal lawsuit making its way through U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. Lenz and the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners are defendants in the case, legal records show. Nothing in official documents indicates the two former officers knew each other before their encounter. The criminal and civil cases were not related, but provide another example of why a more transparent process on officers discipline is needed. What prompted Lenz to pull his weapon on Johnson anyway? On Oct. 19, 2020, while working as a self-employed repair man, Johnson made the mistake of knocking on the wrong door of a Northland home on the same street where Lenz lived. In the suit, Johnson claims Lenz used excessive force and committed other civil rights violations during the interaction. At the time, Johnson owned Getit2gether Repair, a Leawood-based electronics repair shop. After more than a decade as a police officer, Johnson left the KCPD in 2014, according to the department. Police officials would not say why Johnsons tenure ended or if he did something to expedite his departure. According to the lawsuit, a neighbor called 911 to report a prowler. Lenz, off duty at the time, responded and saw Johnson, who had done nothing other than mistakenly ring the wrong doorbell, the lawsuit contends. Lenz wore around his neck a commemorative police badge that celebrated the departments 145th anniversary. By doing so, he violated a department policy, the oversight agency Office of Community Complaints found. Off-duty officers arent allowed to display or use any badge other than their current department approved one. The lawsuit reports that Lenz held Johnson at gunpoint before other KCPD officers arrived. Prolonging the encounter with Johnson without evidence of a crime being committed was also against department policy, the OCC concluded. Edward Stump, one of the attorneys representing Johnson in the civil lawsuit, declined to comment on the criminal charges against Johnson. The civil case is ongoing, according to Stump. Why did ex-cop leave KCPD? This column is not intended to single out Lenz I dont know the ex-lawman, and attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful. But its not often that we learn the identity of an officer accused of violating department policy. Lenz left the department in January 2023. He was an eight-year veteran last assigned to the patrol bureau, Kansas City Police Sgt. Jake Becchina wrote in a recent email. He declined to comment on Lenzs departure. As you know, disciplinary matters are closed records per Missouri sunshine law, Becchina wrote. Lenz pulled his service weapon on an unarmed man and kept his job for a little over two more years. We dont know if that incident was Lenzs first violation of department policy or his last. To me, that isnt right. There is no public record on what consequences Lenz faced for his actions that led to him being sued in federal court. If he left because of reasons not related to the accusation, police should say so. According to minutes from a Board of Police Commissioners meeting on April 25, 2023, Lenz quit the force before he was fired. At the meeting, citing state law, police commissioners denied Lenzs request for an armed private security license. An applicant may be denied if the applicant has been terminated or resigned under investigation or threat of discharge from the Department, the minutes read. Mr. Lenz resigned from KCPD, pending termination, in January 2023. Do citizen complaints work? Johnsons formal complaint against Lenz was sustained by the Office of Community Complaints in 2021, according to a letter sent to him from Merrell Bennekin, OCC executive director. The correspondence, dated June 21, 2021, reads: It is the recommendation of the Office of Community Complaints that your complaint of improper procedure (inappropriate conduct and violation of policy and procedures) should be sustained; therefore, disciplinary action has been taken against the subject member regarding this matter. Please be advised that the Board of Police Commissioners and the Office of the Chief of Police have been apprised of your complaint and the outcome of this investigation. According to the OCC, after a complaint is proven factual, the agency only recommends discipline. The actual punishment is handed down by the police chief with backing from police commissioners, neither of whom make such decisions readily available to the public. I question this approach. Through the first three months of this year, not one of the 73 complaints filed against a Kansas City Police officer was sustained, according to the agencys quarterly report. The data is in line with the three previous years. In the first quarter of 2021, the OCC reported that just one complaint out of 40 was sustained. The following year, the number was one out of 61. Last year, through three months, 64 complaints were filed but only one found an officer violated department policy, OCC data shows. Because of these relatively low numbers, it would be easy to say the system doesnt work. In a lot of cases, it is hard to argue otherwise. But the lack of transparency in cases makes it difficult to judge, so I will withhold further views until all data is reported for this year. Anything beats a zero, but Kansas City clearly has more work to do in this area. The argument that Kansas Citians deserve more accountability from its police department is nothing new. We must continue to call on law enforcement officials to do whats right. In a city that allocates up to 25% of its general revenue budget on policing, doesnt the public have a right to know who the problem officers are? Woodford County, already home to several distilleries, will be gaining another one. Wes Henderson, who bought the Kentucky Castle in 2023 for $19 million, is planning to build a new $92.5 million distillery and tourism project at Edgewood, a 150-acre site in Versailles, according to a news release. Sign up for our LexGo Eat & Drink newsletters The latest on food, dining and bourbon delivered right to your inbox for free. See what's happening in the world of bourbon, including buying, tasting tips and more on Tuesday. Stick around for the biggest restaurant news in Central Kentucky on Thursday. Sign up here. Henderson, who was co-founder of Angels Envy Bourbon, a brand that was sold to Bacardi in 2015 for a reported $150 million, plans to develop another distillery under the name Saga Spirits Group, also known as TKC Distilling Co. The Edgewood Industrial Site is at 328 Crossfield Dr. in Versailles. Saga Spirits already has applied for labels for two whiskey products under the brand name True Story. This embedded content is not available in your region. The new owner of the Kentucky Castle, which sold in 2023, plans to build a distillery in Woodford County. The new project, which will include a visitors center, a tasting room, lodging and a restaurant and retail space, will be about four miles from the Kentucky Castle, which is on U.S. 60 and Pisgah Pike. Saga also plans to make improvements to the Kentucky Castle, which also includes event space, a restaurant, whiskey bar and guest rooms. The Kentucky Castle offers five different venue spaces and offers in-house staff, catering and bar services in Versailles, Ky, Tuesday, August 15, 2023. The Kentucky Castle also has 18 guest accommodations, a restaurant and spa. It has been a huge blessing to be members of the Kentucky bourbon industry for many generations. To begin this next chapter for the Henderson family, we have chosen Versailles and Woodford County. We are humbled and honored by the support we are receiving from government officials, tourism development, businesses and residents, said Henderson, CEO of Saga Spirits Group, in the news release. We are also looking forward to the groundbreaking this fall. Our team is composed of experts in distilling, distilling finance, supply chain and logistics, marketing, packaging and hospitality, with combined expertise of more than a century of success in the industry. Wonderful things are ahead for us and the entire community. On Aug. 29, the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority approved up to $4.192 million in tourism tax incentives. According to the news release, Saga Spirits in 2023 received approval for a separate $1.05 million in incentives. The distillery and tourism project is expected to create 89 jobs, paying an average hourly wage of $38.62 including benefits, according to the news release. People from all over the world travel to Kentucky for our bourbon, horses and hospitality, and this project from Saga Spirits will give our guests and our neighbors one more reason to visit and to fall in love with Kentucky, said Gov. Andy Beshear in the news release. Our home is a world-class destination with one-of-a-kind experiences, delicious food and the very best bourbon, and the offerings are continuing to grow as our tourism industry and economy thrive. Thank you to these partners for investing in our commonwealth, creating good jobs and helping us build a bright future for our new Kentucky home. Story continues Heaven Hill releasing new Parkers Heritage whiskey: When will it be available to buy? Worlds 2nd largest selling bourbon teaming up with top college programs, but not UK Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is coming. Details on how you could get a rare bottle. Like campfire dessert in a bourbon: Michters brings back a favorite release Lexington bar adding upstairs bourbon concept for UK alumni. Always more college kids New Four Roses limited edition Small Batch bourbon something youve never tasted before KCSO searches for 4 suspects involved in robbery at a shoe store BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The Kern County Sheriffs Office is searching for four suspects allegedly involved in a robbery at a WSS Shoe Store in east Bakersfield in July. Sheriff officials say the robbery was reported at the WSS Shoe Store located at 3000 Niles St. on July 20. Claim seeks more than $5M for fatal crash involving BPD The four suspect can be seen in the photo provided by the Kern County Sheriffs Office below. The Kern County Sheriffs Office shared no other information on the robbery. If anyone has any information regarding any of the suspects, they are asked to call Detective Leask by calling the Kern County Sheriff`s Office at 661-861-3110, or the Secret Witness line at 661-322-4040. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. TOPEKA (KSNT) A Kansas state agency has issued a statement regarding a former employee who was recently found dead earlier this month. The Kansas Department of Commerce (KDC) issued a statement in a press release on Thursday, Aug. 29 on the allegations involving former employee Jonathan Clayton of Peabody who was found dead recently. A 2011 Chevy Silverado was found just before 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 25 near the U.S. Highway 50 and Interstate 135 interchange in Harvey County, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Investigators believe the vehicle drove off the road and crashed into a tree on the property. Found an arrowhead in Kansas? Archaeologist urges you to leave it alone While the KBI didnt confirm the identity of the man at the time, investigators say the vehicle was registered to Clayton. Calling his death unfortunate, the KDC said it needed to provide clarity regarding allegations made against the agency by Clayton. Claytons allegations of wrongdoing by the Department of Commerce related to the awarding of BASE grants, along with his allegation that he was forced to serve on a volunteer theatre board, are categorically false. The Department of Commerce was not aware of Jonathan Claytons felony convictions in Pennsylvania when Clayton was hired in 2020. Under existing Kansas law, we are unable to perform national level criminal background checks for the position that Clayton held. Our process for vetting prospective employees included online searches, social media reviews and reference checks, which unfortunately failed to uncover his felony convictions. He would not have been hired by Commerce had we been aware of these convictions. KDC statement on Claytons death Heavy traffic, delays expected on I-70 as K-State football game approaches The KDC said while no evidence of exists of impropriety at the KDC, an independent third-party organization is conducting a review of all ARPA grants. The department is also requesting help from local, state and federal agencies investigating Claytons volunteer work with community-based organizations that may be the victims of fraud. These include organizations in Kiowa and Marion Counties. Kansas Governor Laura Kellys office released a statement regarding the situation around 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 29. The governors comments regarding Jonathan Claytons employment at the Kansas Department of Commerce were specifically referencing an independent review the Department of Commerce has requested to investigate any ARPA grants that Jonathan Clayton was involved in. Lieutenant Governor David Toland initiated this additional step several weeks ago as an extra precaution. Lieutenant Governor Toland has conducted himself at the highest ethical standards throughout his entire career and has brought important reforms to the Kansas Department of Commerce, including the creation of the incentive transparency database, strong incentive clawback policies, and strict reporting requirements for all programs. He has worked to bring more, not less, accountability to the agency. Clearly, Jonathan Clayton was able to avoid the discovery of his criminal convictions. His financial crimes coming to light, and questions about his involvement with local organizations that received ARPA grants, appear to have set off the chain of events that have occurred over the last several weeks. The governor and lieutenant governor will be pursuing changes to the background check statutes this upcoming legislative session. In the meantime, they will be working to sort out issues with those impacted at the local level and will provide whatever support they can to those communities. Will Lawrence, Office of the Governor chief of staff Mike Pirner, a spokesman for the office of Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, also issued a statement regarding Claytons death. The circumstances that surround Mr. Claytons apparent death and involvement on several boards and commissions as a KS Dept of Commerce employee are appropriately being investigated by law enforcement. Our office has and will continue to support law enforcement in their efforts to uncover the truth. Its important to emphasize that legislative leaders had no role in the Departments scoring of BASE projects and that the Senate President never requested or even had a conversation about altering the Departments scoring. The President was involved merely in his capacity as a member of the SPARK Executive Committee. Furthermore, any characterization that Butler County, the 8th most populous county in Kansas, received an inordinate amount of funding, is completely unsupported by the grant award data. Mike Pirner statement regarding Claytons death For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Keep going: Wish to ride horse granted for woman with cancer Keep going: Wish to ride horse granted for woman with cancer HUBER HEIGHTS, Ohio (WDTN) A Miami Valley woman with terminal cancer got a little help to check a goal off her bucket list. She wanted to ride a horse again. Wednesday afternoon, her wish was granted at the Carriage Hill MetroPark Riding Center. Brenda Garramone has stage four bone cancer. First diagnosed with lung cancer, it eventually spread to her arm, breast and spinal cord. Im out here for everybody else thats got cancer, Garramone said. A few weeks ago she was taken into the care of Grace Hospice. Garramone grew up around horses on a dairy farm in Oregon. Thats why after her terminal diagnosis, she wanted to have a chance to ride again. We learned through her interactions with her nurse that her last wish was to spend time with a horse again, Emily OFlynn, Grace Hospice office manager and social work intern, said. Her nurse, Kaitlin said, Ill get her on a horse one way or the other. So we started the journey and we actually didnt have to look very far. Grace Hospice nurses and staff set up the ride with Carriage Hill. Garramone was able to meet, pet and ride a horse, named Sassy, around the ring. A lot of people that we take care of are not well enough to really even like leave their home, so we thought it was nice to be able to seize this opportunity, OFlynn said. Garramone said shes a fighter and offered words of encouragement to anyone else going through cancer. Dont give up, Garramone said. You keep going and going and going. Dont let this stop you. Carriage Hill Metropark offers horseback riding and lessons. You can find out more information here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. A Benton County attorney, who runs a multi-state immigration and personal injury law firm, is being sued for allegedly harassing four of his legal assistants. Four former employees, all Latina, accused Brandon Ritchie of a pattern of sexual harassment, making racist, sexist and demeaning jokes and refusing to stop even after being told to. The suit filed in U.S. District Court in Richland names Ritchie, his partner Eric Reierson and the law firm. The women claim Ritchie and the firm violated federal civil rights laws, Washington state discrimination laws and inflicted emotional distress. The law firm has offices in Kennewick, Yakima, Tacoma and Moses Lake, along with sites in Oregon, Idaho and Arizona. Under the law, employees are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their race or gender, the womens attorney, Victoria Vreeland, said in a news release announcing that the case was filed. They have the right to be safe from sexual harassment which demeans and injures not only those who are targeted, but creates and unreasonably toxic and hostile workplace for all, she said. She claims Ritchies actions were made worse by the fact they cast themselves as trusted advocates for immigrant clients rights. The Tri-City Herald emailed Ritchie to ask for comment about the lawsuit but didnt receive a response on Wednesday. Ritchie, who has been an attorney since 2012, has focused his practice on personal injury law, according to the Washington State Bar Association. Reierson added his name to the firm in 2016, about five years after finishing law school. Their firm has actively pursued clients looking for help navigating immigration issues. That included sending employees to nearby farms with lunches for workers, advertising on Spanish-language radio stations and sponsoring Hispanic-focused events in the community, the lawsuit said. Sexual harassment claim The four women who sued Brenda Frias Perez, Gloria Guizar Negrette, Patricia Lozano and Oralia Gutierrez-Verduzco started with the firm in late 2021 or early 2022. Vreeland alleges that Ritchie liked to hire young Latinas to work as non-lawyer employees, receptionists and paralegals. He allegedly said they were more passive, wouldnt complain or press for higher pay. The four who are suing were younger than 30 and hired into the firms immigration department. On a daily basis and at times more than once a day, he repeatedly and openly leered and stared at their bodies, the complaint said about Ritchie. He was very obvious in his actions of locking into a stare and leering at womans chest and breasts for long periods of time, in nearly every encounter. Ritchie also allegedly asked them personal and intimate questions during their interviews, such as whether they planned to get married, if they had kids or in one case, whether the woman wore a ring to avoid getting hit on by guys, the complaint said. After they were hired, Ritchie would on a daily basis take every opportunity to peek, peer and stare at them, said the lawsuit. As it continued, the women felt naked, exposed and vulnerable and became scared, said the suit. Vreeland wrote that they tried to cover up as much as possible, changed the clothes they were wearing and tried to block his view of them. They also tried to avoid him entirely. The women learned from co-workers that his behavior was normal, according to the complaint. Demeaning, racist comments In addition, the suit claims he made racist and demeaning comments. He mocked immigrant laborers for wearing dirty clothes and held their lack of education in contempt. He insulted Mexican music and said Spanish speaking clients should learn English, said the suit. He also allegedly called Latina employees his burritos. When Frias and Guizar said they wanted to attend law school and said they were part of a Heritage University pre-law program, Ritchie allegedly told them several times that they would be admitted regardless of their test scores or abilities because of Affirmative Action. Ritchie told the women that he went to law school with five Mexicans and six Blacks and they were the dumbest people (he) ever met, according to complaint. Apology letter The women said they complained to their managers and other attorneys about the issues but nothing changed. Their direct manager, Richard Razo, allegedly said hed heard it before and that was just how Ritchie was, and that he was not going to change, said the suit. They sought help from the only Latina attorney in the firm, Jennifer Diaz, who was working in the Kennewick office at the time. She spoke to Reiersen on their behalf. He asked for a letter detailing the concerns. Three days after they handed over a letter, Ritchie sent an apology, said the complaint. He did not deny the conduct they described. He expressly acknowledged that he had crossed the professional line, but tried to claim his actions were not with malicious intent, said the suit. Ritchie met with the women and other attorneys and their manager the day after sending the letter. He reportedly praised the women and acknowledged that the behavior they complained about had been raised by other people. He said if they caught him staring at women inappropriately again to kick him in the shins, the complaint said. The suit claims his tone changed, however, after the women presented a list of demands that included hiring a human resources manager, changing their reporting structure and paying appropriate wages. They claim Ritchie became harsh and defensive, saying he couldnt afford to make those changes and they should just trust that he would change. Diaz allegedly told the women that she experienced the same harassment from Ritchie. When Ritchie asked what she would tell a federal agency if the women complained, Diaz explained that she would tell the truth, and hoped he would too. Within a few days, she was fired, leading to a lawsuit filed in King County that ended in a settlement. Treated as outcasts After that meeting, the women and other immigration paralegals were told they couldnt take breaks together and now would have weekly meetings to talk about their performance and assignments, said the suit. They said they were watched and tasked with preparing training materials for virtual legal assistants and paralegals that would replace them. After the meeting, Ritchie actively avoided the women and looked up at the ceiling when he had to speak with them. His behavior mocked the seriousness of their complaints and his behavior, she said. They were treated as outcasts and ostracized. It was humiliating and punitive. The suit claims while he stopped leering at the women who complained, he continued to stare at other women in the office. The women also claim they were assigned more work after other paralegals left in apparent attempt to get them to quit, said the suit. Within three months of the meeting, Frias resigned, followed by Guizar, a month later. Lozano left the firm in April, and Gutierrez-Verduzco was fired in March 2024. A Kentucky man who helped plan the insurrection of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 was sentenced to federal prison Wednesday, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Dan Wilson, 48, of Louisville, was sentenced to five years in prison by U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich. The U.S. Attorneys Office said Wilson will be on supervised release after his sentence for 36 months. Wilson also must pay $2,000 in restitution. Wilson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Wilson began planning the riot in the winter of 2020. The U.S. Attorneys Office said he sent multiple messages on an encrypted messaging application under the moniker Live Wire. One particular message said, I am ready to lay my life on the line. It is time for good men to do bad things. An FBI affidavit shows photos of a man who investigators believe is Daniel Edwin Wilson at the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Wilson is from Kentucky. Wilson went to Washington D.C. with co-defendant David Scott Kuntz and worked with others to coordinate their actions, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. He passed fencing and barricades and joined thousands of other rioters on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Wilson spent approximately 12 minutes inside the Capitol building while wearing a gas mask, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. He spent time in the Rotunda and Statuary Hall before exiting through the east Rotunda doors. During the insurrection, Wilson shared live messages with other rioters through Zello, saying Stop the Steal J6 and Hey, pass the word, Badlands, as fast as you can, the people are pushing on the Capitol. We need hands on deck, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. He also posted a message in a group chat called Oath Keepers general chat, saying, Hey, whoevers got ears on, even if you aint in D.C., pass the word, the people are pushing on the Capitol. We need all hands on deck. Wilson was arrested in May 2023, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. The FBI identified him through online communications and photos. Kuntz was arrested in March 2024. The U.S. Attorneys Office said his case is ongoing. How many people have been changed in Jan. 6 riots? How many are in jail? Since the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, over 1,488 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the riot, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Twenty-three of those individuals were arrested in Kentucky. Approximately 749 people have received sentences for crimes related to the riot as of Jan. 5, 2024, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. And 467 of those sentenced are serving a period of incarceration. The News NAIROBI Ride-hailing giants Uber and Bolt have raised their fares in Kenya amid pressure from drivers using the platforms, who are organizing themselves systematically to undercut the companies. Bolt announced a 10% increase to its fees in Kenya, barely a week after Uber announced a similar 20% price hike in the country. Little App, which also offers ride-hailing services in Kenya, last week announced a 15% price hike. Soaring operational costs including the cost of fuel have led frustrated drivers in Kenya to organize against the apps in recent months, putting them under pressure to raise prices. Some taxi operators have resorted to offering alternative price lists and renegotiating fares with customers, ignoring fares displayed on the app. Many drivers use the walkie-talkie app Zello to share information and mobilize in real-time. In some cases, drivers have coordinated action to forcibly ground vehicles with Uber and Bolt stickers. It is common to find drivers listening to Zello updates instead of music or the radio in Nairobi taxis. Bolt said its latest move would help drivers in Kenya earn a fair wage, which in turn will allow them to continue providing the reliable and safe transportation our riders depend on. Drivers in Nairobi told Semafor Africa that, while welcome, the price hikes remained inadequate. When you factor in the commissions taken by the app, the price of fuel, the cost of maintaining and servicing the car and the cost of living, many drivers are barely making ends meet, said Abel Musyoka, who drives with Bolt and Uber. We are still demanding higher prices. The changes brought the minimum fare for Uber drivers in Nairobi to 220 Kenyan shillings ($1.70) per kilometer, up from 200 Kenyan shillings ($1.55). Several drivers, however, told Semafor Africa that they wanted a minimum pay of at least 300 Kenyan shillings ($2.33) per kilometer. Know More Digital taxi operators in Kenya went on strike in July and are threatening to go back to the streets in coming weeks if the apps fail to meet their demands. In the most recent protest, the operators drove to Uber, Bolt and Little Cab offices to present the demands. They also drove to the industry regulator, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), to raise objections with the apps practices as well as value-added taxes on trip commissions, which further hurt their earnings. Some operators ferrying customers had their tires slashed for working during the protest. The drivers want the companies to stop offering regular discounts to customers, claiming the apps often fail to cover the discount cost despite promising to do so. They also want enhanced real-time support, including talking to real people as opposed to chat bots, and improved emergency response. Many of the drivers in Nairobi have organized themselves in unions such as the Organization of Online Drivers (OOD). Room for Disagreement Bolt Rides General Manager Linda Ndungu said the price hike followed discussions between drivers and the company. This fare adjustment is not just a price change but also a step towards acknowledging the value our drivers bring to the platform every day, she said. Ubers Head of East Africa Imran Manji said its price increase represented a good balance between an increase for the drivers while still being affordable for passengers. The View From South Africa Uber and Bolt drivers in South Africas Western Cape this month began a boycott of ride hailing apps including Bolt and Uber on specific days between August and December. The boycott is in response to what drivers claim to be the arbitrary deactivation or blocking of their accounts over allegations ranging from unsafe driving to fraudulent activity and poor customer service. The companies have maintained that the decisions are meant to enhance customer safety and improve their overall experience. But drivers say the decisions can be punitive and based on unverified claims. Bolt announced in June that it had blocked 6,000 drivers in South Africa over the previous six months for misconduct. (The Hill) Michigan and Wisconsin, two key battleground states, declined to remove former Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s name from their general election ballots this November despite his requests and withdrawal from the race. Kennedy announced last Friday that he was suspending his presidential campaign and would endorse former President Donald Trump. He said he would seek to remove his name from the ballots in states that could theoretically determine the outcome of the election but would keep his name on ballots that are either solidly Democrat or solidly Republican. The critical purple states, however, rejected that effort Tuesday. Minor party candidates cannot withdraw, so his name will remain on the ballot in the November election, Cheri Hardmon, senior press secretary for Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, told Axios in a statement Tuesday. Kennedy is slated to appear on the Michigan ballot as the nominee of the Natural Law Party. The Natural Law Party held their convention to select electors for [Kennedy]. They cannot meet at this point to select new electors since its past the primary, Hardmon added in the statement. Hardmon has not responded to a request for comment. Wisconsin similarly decided Tuesday it was too late for a change. The Wisconsin Elections Commission, after first deadlocking on the issue, voted 5-1 to keep Kennedys name on the ballot. Officials pointed to the state law that says unless a candidate dies, they must remain on the ballot after filing for office, The Associated Press reported. During the proceedings Tuesday, according to NBC News, the chair of the commission, Ann Jacobs, quoted the state law to another commissioner who had concerns about keeping Kennedy on the ballot, despite his request otherwise. The statute literally says, Any person who files nomination papers and qualifies to appear on the ballot may not decline nomination. The name of that person shall appear upon the ballot except in case of death of the person,' Jacobs said, according to the news outlet, which cited an archived recording of the proceedings. Youre giving me this touchy-feely: I feel like this shouldnt be the law. The law in this case is crystal clear, Jacobs added. I dont disagree with you its weird, but I dont see we have any discretion here. The Hill has reached out to the commission for comment. Five tough interview questions Harris could face While Kennedys withdrawal from the race has not dramatically changed the 2024 presidential race on a national scale, the decision does have the potential to move the needle in certain states where the margin is already so slim. According to The Hill/Decision Desk HQs polling average in Michigan, a three-way match-up has Vice President Kamala Harris (45.5 percent) leading Trump (42.5 percent) by 3 points, with Kennedy getting 5 percent. Without Kennedy, however, Harriss lead in Michigan shrinks to 2.3 points, with 48.4 percent to Trumps 46.1 percent suggesting Kennedys presence on the ballot would give a slight boost to Harris. The Wisconsin polling average, in hypothetical three-way match-ups, shows Harris (47.2 percent) leading Trump (42.9 percent) by 4.3 percentage points. Kennedy gets 4.3 percent. Without Kennedy, in Wisconsins head-to-head match-ups, Harriss lead over Trump shrinks to 3 percentage points. She would get 49.3 percent, and Trump would get 46.3 percent. The Hill has contacted Kennedys and Trumps teams for comment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Kirkland Police officers interrupted a sexual assault in progress at Juanita Beach Park Wednesday evening. They were called to the park at 9703 NE Juanita Drive at 5:30 p.m. When they arrived, the found both the female victim and the male suspect. The victim was taken to a hospital to be examined. The suspect was arrested and booked into the King County Jail for investigation of second-degree rape. Sexual assault is a grave and unacceptable crime that impacts individuals and communities deeply. The Kirkland Police would like to recognize the quick actions of the witness who called 911, which helped lead to police making the arrest, Kirkland Police said in a news release. What to Know About the Controversy Over Trumps Visit to Arlington Cemetery The Trump campaign on Tuesday posted a TikTok video of the former President and Republican nominee for President visiting Arlington National Cemetery. We lost 13 great, great people, Trump said in the video, over a montage of his visit. What a horrible day it was. But Trumps visit to the cemetery to commemorate the American troops who died in Afghanistan during the U.S. withdrawal from the country in 2021deaths which Trump has blamed the Biden-Harris Administration forhas become the subject of controversy over reports that Trump campaign staff tussled with cemetery staff and were intent on politicizing the event at the nonpartisan burial ground. To some, the incident reflects a pattern of insincerity and disrespect from Trump toward those who serve the country, while the Trump campaign has insisted that the story has been mischaracterized and blown out of proportion by the media. Heres what to know. Trump pays tribute to soldiers killed during the Afghanistan withdrawal. Andrew LeydenNurPhoto/Getty Images On Tuesday, one day after Trump participated in a wreath-laying ceremony with other Republicans and family members of the fallen soldiers, NPR reported that two of his campaign staff verbally abused and pushed a cemetery official who tried to stop them from bringing in an external photographer to Section 60, an area where the recently deceased are buried. At that point, the cemetery official decided not to escalate things out of respect for the Gold Star families, NPR reporter Quil Lawrence said on air on Wednesday. These staff are quite used to guiding visitors of all kinds around what they consider hallowed ground, he added. But our source told me that they have never seen this level of disrespectful behavior at Arlington, ever. The source told NPR that Arlington officials had made clear that only cemetery staff were authorized to take photos or film in Section 60. A defense official also told the Associated Press on Wednesday that, before the alleged altercation happened, Trumps campaign staff had been warned to not take photos. Arlington National Cemetery confirmed to NPR that there was an incident, and a report was filed, though it declined to share more details. The cemetery also said that according to federal law, political campaign or election-related activities are prohibited in military cemeteries. This includes photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes, or in direct support of a partisan political candidates campaign. According to the National Cemetery Administration, political or partisan activities of any nature, including filming of campaign ads, are not permitted on cemetery grounds. The Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing defense officials and internal messages, that Pentagon officials had been deeply concerned that Trumps visit to Arlington National Cemetery would become a campaign stop, but they also didnt want to block him from coming out of respect of veterans family members who wanted Trump there. An Army spokesperson said on Thursday in a statement to the media that the visitors to Arlington National Cemetery on Monday were made aware of the laws and regulations that prohibit political activities at the site. An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside. Consistent with the decorum expected at ANC, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption, the statement said. This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked. The statement also said that the incident was reported to the police but the cemetery official subsequently decided not to press charges, and so the Army considers this matter closed. The progressive group VoteVets called on Trump to fire the members of his staff involved in the reported confrontation with cemetery staff and said: This whole episode is sickening and [an] affront to all those hundreds of thousands of families who never agreed to allow their deceased loved ones to be dragged into politics. Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung denied that there was a physical altercation, telling NPR in a statement that the campaign was prepared to release footage if such defamatory claims are made. He also posted on X that the team was given permission to record media during the visit, including a screenshot of what appears to be guidance that said Trump could have an official photographer and/or videographer. "The fact is that a private photographer was permitted on the premises and for whatever reason an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trump's team during a very solemn ceremony," Cheung said in the statement to NPR. Trump and his allies have decried reports of the incident at Arlington National Cemetery as sensationalized. Trumps running mate Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance said on Wednesday at a campaign event in Pennsylvania that the altercation at Arlington Cemetery is the media creating a story where I really dont think that there is one. He characterized what happened as a little disagreement that the media has turnedinto a national news story. In a statement shared by the Trump campaign, family members of the deceased veterans who accompanied Trump at the ceremony said that the former President and his team conducted themselves with nothing but the utmost respect and dignity for all of our service members. According to the statement, the family members had given approval for Trumps videographer and photographer to attend the event, ensuring these sacred moments of remembrance were respectfully captured and so we can cherish these memories forever. Chris LaCivita, a senior Trump campaign adviser, who had posted videos on X of the wreath-laying ceremony, said in a statement: For a despicable individual to physically prevent President Trumps team from accompanying him to this solemn event is a disgrace and does not deserve to represent the hollowed [sic] grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, the AP reported. However, allegations that Trump and his allies were using the cemetery visit for political purposes were stoked further after a campaign fundraising email by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox included a photo from the visit, showing Cox and Trump at the wreath-laying ceremony. Cox, who had posted the same photo on X on Monday, said Wednesday on X that it was not a campaign event and was never intended to be used by the campaign. The photos inclusion in the fundraising email did not go through the proper channels and should not have been sent, he said, adding that his campaign would be sending out an apology. Michael Tyler, spokesperson for Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harriswho similarly visited Arlington National Cemetery in Maysaid in a CNN interview that the reports were pretty sad when its all said and done, and pointed to Trumps history of demeaning and degrading military service members. During his presidency, Trump had stirred controversy on multiple occasions for his leaked remarks on veterans to his staffers, including reportedly calling soldiers who died in battle suckers and losers and asking that wounded veterans be kept out of his military parade. And earlier this month, Trump was criticized for seemingly comparing the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which he gave to a campaign donor, with the Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to service members who have distinguished themselves through acts of valor. Its actually much better because everyone gets the Congressional Medal of Honor, Trump said of the Medal of Freedom. Theyre soldiers. Theyre either in very bad shape because theyve been hit so many times by bullets or theyre dead. Harris campaign said at the time that Trump knows nothing about service to anyone or anything but himself. Contact us at letters@time.com. Key Insights The projected fair value for Master-Pack Group Berhad is RM3.21 based on Dividend Discount Model Current share price of RM3.72 suggests Master-Pack Group Berhad is potentially trading close to its fair value When compared to theindustry average discount of -108%, Master-Pack Group Berhad's competitors seem to be trading at a greater premium to fair value Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Master-Pack Group Berhad (KLSE:MASTER) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example! Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for Master-Pack Group Berhad The Model As Master-Pack Group Berhad operates in the packaging sector, we need to calculate the intrinsic value slightly differently. In this approach dividends per share (DPS) are used, as free cash flow is difficult to estimate and often not reported by analysts. This often underestimates the value of a stock, but it can still be good as a comparison to competitors. We use the Gordon Growth Model, which assumes dividend will grow into perpetuity at a rate that can be sustained. The dividend is expected to grow at an annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.6%. We then discount this figure to today's value at a cost of equity of 8.5%. Relative to the current share price of RM3.7, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate) = RM0.2 / (8.5% 3.6%) = RM3.2 dcf Important Assumptions Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Master-Pack Group Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.5%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.892. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. Story continues Next Steps: Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Master-Pack Group Berhad, we've put together three further aspects you should further examine: Risks: Case in point, we've spotted 2 warning signs for Master-Pack Group Berhad you should be aware of. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! Other Top Analyst Picks: Interested to see what the analysts are thinking? Take a look at our interactive list of analysts' top stock picks to find out what they feel might have an attractive future outlook! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. What to know about Israel's large-scale military operation in the occupied West Bank A man waves a Palestinian flag as an Israeli armored vehicle moves on a street during a military operation in the West Bank refugee camp of Nur Shams, Tulkarem, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) Israel is carrying out large-scale military raids in parts of the occupied West Bank, where the decadeslong conflict with the Palestinians had worsened even before the outbreak of the war in Gaza. Israel says the operation, which appeared to be the largest since the start of the war, is aimed at preventing attacks on its citizens. Palestinians view such raids as part of an effort to cement Israeli control over the territory, where 3 million Palestinians live under military rule. The violence has escalated in recent years, particularly since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack out of Gaza ignited the war there. The Palestinian Health Ministry says over 650 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the occupied West Bank since then, the highest rate of casualties since a Palestinian uprising in the early 2000s. Most of the dead appear to have been militants killed during Israeli raids, which often set off gunbattles, but they also include civilian bystanders and rock-throwing protesters. Some have been killed in a parallel surge of settler violence, and there has also been a rise in Palestinian attacks on Israelis. What is the goal of the latest operation? Hundreds of Israeli forces took part in simultaneous raids launched late Tuesday across the northern West Bank focused on Jenin's urban refugee camp, which has been a major militant bastion in recent years, as well as camps in Tulkarem and the Al-Faraa refugee camp in the Jordan Valley. Armored vehicles blocked entrances and exits, bulldozers plowed up roads and set up sand berms, and soldiers on foot traded fire with militants. In Jenin, Israel said its forces surrounded hospitals to prevent fighters from sheltering in them. The army launched at least two airstrikes in the West Bank, a tactic that was rarely employed in the territory until a couple of years ago. The Palestinian Health Ministry said a total of 16 people were killed, without saying whether they were fighters or civilians. Israel said all of those killed were militants, and Hamas claimed 10 were its fighters. The dead also included a prominent local militant, Mohammed Jaber, known as Abu Shujaa, who was said to have survived previous attempts on his life. The military said its forces killed him along with four other militants in a gunbattle after they hid inside a mosque. The army said the operations in Al-Faraa had wrapped up but were ongoing in Jenin. Similar raids carried out on a near-daily basis have killed hundreds of militants over the years, including senior commanders who appear to have been quickly replaced. The violence has only worsened. Israelis have long referred to such operations, in both the West Bank and Gaza, as mowing the lawn, acknowledging that any security gains will be short-lived. You see something growing, you need to cut it. But it means that in two months, you will be there again, said Michael Milshtein, a former Israeli army intelligence officer who is now an analyst of Palestinian affairs at Tel Aviv University. Without a political plan or a strategic move we will be there again. How is the violence in the West Bank linked to the war in Gaza? Israel captured the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war. Palestinians want those territories for a future state and view them as parts of a single country under military occupation. Israel annexed east Jerusalem in a move not recognized internationally and considers the entire city its capital. It withdrew soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005 but, along with Egypt, imposed a blockade on the territory after Hamas seized power in 2007. In the West Bank, Israel has built well over 100 settlements housing more than 500,000 Jewish settlers, who have Israeli citizenship. The 3 million Palestinians in the territory live under seemingly open-ended military rule, with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority exercising limited control over cities and towns. Major human rights groups accuse Israel of the international crime of apartheid, allegations Israel rejects as an attack on its legitimacy. Israel's government refers to the West Bank by its biblical name, Judea and Samaria, and considers it the historical heartland of the Jewish people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is opposed to Palestinian statehood and has pledged to eventually annex the West Bank. Hamas, which is active across the Palestinian territories, cited Israel's actions in east Jerusalem and the West Bank as justifications for its Oct. 7 attack. The militant group has repeatedly called on Palestinians to rise up against Israeli rule. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas recognizes Israel and favors a two-state solution to the conflict. But he is deeply unpopular among Palestinians and has been largely sidelined during the war. His security forces cooperate with the Israeli military but rarely confront Palestinian militants. What are the refugee camps and why are they militant strongholds? The Israeli raids have been concentrated in built-up refugee camps that date back to the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation. Some 700,000 Palestinians a majority of the prewar population fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during that conflict and were not allowed to return, an exodus the Palestinians refer to as the Nakba, or catastrophe. Palestinian refugee camps across the Middle East resemble dense, urban slums and are home to millions of refugees and their descendants. Their despair has produced generations of militants who are waging what they see as an armed struggle to liberate their homeland. Israel views them as terrorists backed by its enemies in the region nowadays Iran. Palestinians believe they have the right to return to their pre-1948 homes. Israel refuses, because if that idea were fully implemented, it might result in a Palestinian majority living inside its borders. The fate of the refugees was one of the thorniest issues during nearly two decades of U.S.-backed peace talks, which last collapsed over 15 years ago. The war in Gaza has displaced well over twice as many people as the Nakba, though most have remained inside the besieged territory. Israeli officials have spoken of using some of the same tactics in the West Bank that they have employed in Gaza, raising fears among Palestinians of another mass displacement. ___ Eleanor Reich in New York contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) KELOLAND Media Group has made two promotions involving South Dakota natives taking over anchor positions in the newsroom. Lauren Soulek, who has been reporting at KELOLAND since 2019, has been promoted to the weekday evening news anchor. Soulek will anchor KELOLAND News at 6 and 10. Summer Raderschadt has been promoted to anchor on KELOLAND This Morning. Raderschadt has been a reporter at KELOLAND since 2023. South Dakota linked NFL players after roster cuts Both Soulek and Raderschadt were born and raised in South Dakota and shared what they enjoy most about living and working in their home state. Soulek said she enjoys the landscape of South Dakota, traveling both East River and West River. As cliche as it may sound, what I love most about South Dakota really is the people. No matter the differences or disagreements that people have, at the end of the day, everyone really is there for their neighbors, Soulek said. I always had some extra family love while growing up in Delmont and Tripp. That continued as I moved to Vermillion for college and now to Sioux Falls. Raderschadt, who came back to South Dakota after attending college in Missouri, said she feels a connection to people in KELOLAND. I love how close-knit South Dakota is, Raderschadt said. While South Dakota grows, the small town feel stays the same, and I think that is one of the many charms our state offers. While working at KELOLAND Media Group, both Soulek and Raderschadt said theyve grown as journalists. I always looked at KELOLAND as the celebrities of South Dakota, Raderschadt said. Once I started working here, I realized that these are real people. Everyone you meet is a real person. While you may see different sides of state leaders and business owners, all of them have real feelings, real stories, and are just as human as the rest of us. I also have learned that South Dakotans care. Soulek joked shes not scared to drive around in Sioux Falls anymore after growing up in Delmont. I think working at KELOLAND has really just helped me connect to so much more of South Dakota that I hadnt before, Soulek said. Ive learned that everyone has a story worth telling and I am always grateful whenever they trust me to help them tell it. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. A nurse adjusts his gloves in an mpox ward at the Kavumu hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Aug. 24, 2024. Credit - Glody Murhabazi/AFPGetty Images For the second time in two years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern. Mpox didnt disappear in between the two outbreaks, but the WHOs new announcement signals that it is again becoming a significant concern for global health. Right now, the mpox outbreak is concentrated in Africa, where the virus has long been endemic in certain areas. The illness is particularly prevalent in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but countries including Burundi, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and the Central African Republic also have cases. Sweden and Thailand have each reported a travel-associated case linked to the outbreak. Currently, the WHO says risk to people in other parts of the world is moderate. Heres what to know about mpox in 2024. How is this outbreak different from 2022? The current outbreak is more complicated than what the world experienced two years ago, says Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious disease physician who worked on the WHOs mpox response during the 2022 outbreak. That outbreak was linked to one clade (or strain) of the virus: clade 2b. That clade never went away completely, but many countries were able to contain its spread. Now, cases linked to clade 2b continue to be diagnosed in many places, while countries in Central and Eastern Africa are also reporting cases related to another strain, known as clade 1. Some countries, including the DRC, have also seen cases resulting from a recently identified subvariant of clade 1, labeled clade 1b. Were still learning about this new variant, Kuppalli says. Read More: 9 Weird Symptoms Cardiologists Say You Should Never Ignore Health authorities including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say clade 1 tends to be more severe than clade 2b, and some estimates have placed the new clade 1bs case fatality rate as high as 6%. But research findings released in August suggests clade 1 has a lower mortality rate than experts initially thoughtaround 1.7%when patients receive adequate medical care. A small study published in Nature Medicine in June also found that about 1.4% of patients infected with the new variant died. Kuppalli says emerging reports from the region suggest the rate may be even lower, around 0.7%, which is encouraging. How is mpox spreading? When someone has mpox, they often have flu-like symptoms before developing a blister-like rash. They are considered contagious until the rash has fully healed, according to the CDC. Mpox is often transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who is infected. But it can also spread via exposure to infected animals, contact with a sick persons bodily fluids, or from a pregnant person to their fetus, the CDC says. Read More: AI Could One Day Engineer a Pandemic, Experts Warn During the 2022 outbreak, sexual contact among men who have sex with men was a major driver of spread worldwide. Sexual contact is still contributing to a high percentage of cases, according to the WHO. But during the current outbreak in Africa, the virus also seems to be spreading through non-sexual forms of person-to-person contact, the agency says. Children have been disproportionately affected in the DRCpredominantly with the original clade 1 strain, which is known to affect kids, Kuppalli says. Reasons for shifting transmission patterns are probably multifactorial, she says. Possible reasons include decreased population-wide immunity since people are no longer routinely vaccinated against smallpox (which is similar to mpox), changes to the virus itself, increasing spillover from animals, or the prevalence of compounding health problemslike other infections or malnutritionthat make people more vulnerable. There also seems to be some animal-related transmission occurring in the DRC, according to CDC research. Are mpox rates going up in the U.S.? As of Aug. 22, the U.S. had not identified any cases linked to clade 1 mpox. But cases related to the strain that caused the 2022 outbreak continue to be diagnosed. People forgot mpox was still here, says Dr. Jason Zucker, an infectious disease physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Even though mpox left the news and we thought about it a lot less, that doesnt mean it actually went away. More than 1,700 mpox cases have been reported in the U.S. so far this year, according to preliminary CDC data. That's far lower than during the initial outbreak, when more than 30,000 cases were diagnosed from 2022 into the first half of 2023. Even with clade 2b continuing to spread, Zucker says hes optimistic that cases will not rise anywhere close to as high as they previously did. Mpoxs spread in 2022 was unexpected, leaving laboratories, physicians, and public-health systems scrambling to catch up. Now, Zucker says, people with symptoms are more seamlessly diagnosed, tested, and treated, and vaccines are available for those who need them. Should I get vaccinated? The CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends mpox vaccination only for people with certain risk factors, such as men who have or expect to have multiple male sexual partners. With risk of transmission currently low for the general U.S. public, theres no reason right now for anyone whos not in vulnerable populations to be running out to get a vaccine, Zucker says. Read More: What to Know About the KP.3.1.1 Variant of COVID-19 Researchers are still determining whether existing mpox vaccines will work against the new clade. Theres not much real-world data available yet, but theres good reason to think they will, says Alessandro Sette, co-director of the Center for Vaccine Innovation at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology. The currently used shots work against both smallpox and mpox, which suggests they have fairly broad efficacy, Sette says. Pox viruses also tend to mutate less dramatically than viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, he says. To help contain the outbreak, the U.S. has agreed to donate 50,000 mpox vaccine doses to the DRC, along with money to support rollout. Countries including Germany and Japan are also donating shots. Kuppalli says its also important to scale up surveillance, testing, and high-quality medical treatment on the ground. The focus really needs to be on where the outbreak is happening right now, which is in Africa, she says. In some cases, that [fact] has been lost a little bit. Write to Jamie Ducharme at jamie.ducharme@time.com. What you need to know about 'sloth fever' after 21 cases confirmed among US travelers Health officials are warning Americans about a rare insect-borne virus that has infected several travelers. As of Aug. 16, there have been 21 cases of Oropouche virus disease, sometimes called "sloth fever," detected among U.S. travelers returning from Cuba, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC said it wants clinicians and public health offices to be aware of the virus and to test for suspected cases, and for travelers to protect themselves from insect bites. Here's what you need to know about the virus: What is 'sloth fever'? Oropouche virus is an arthropod-borne virus, meaning a type of virus spread to people by the bite of infected arthropods, a group of insects. The virus is mainly spread to humans by infected culicoides prariensis, a species of biting midges, although it can be transmitted by certain mosquito species, according to the CDC. It is sometimes called "sloth fever" because scientists investigating the virus first found it in a three-toed sloth and the virus naturally lives in sloths, non-human primates and birds. MORE: Increased risk of dengue virus infections in the US: CDC "I think that really stems from the role of sloths as hosts in that natural transmission cycle," Dr. Chantal Vogels, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health, told ABC News. "But there's other animals involved as well." Oropouche virus is endemic to the Amazon basin -- including Bolivia, Colombia and Peru -- and was first discovered in a human in 1955 in a febrile forest worker in a village in Trinidad and Tobago. "The concern is that now it is spreading to Cuba and possibly elsewhere in the Caribbean, with imported cases in the U.S.," Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, told ABC News. "There is a possibility that it could gain a foothold in the southern U.S. especially in Gulf Coast states." What are the symptoms? The incubation period of Oropouche virus disease is three to 10 days and matches symptoms of similar diseases including dengue, Zika and chikungunya. Common symptoms include fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and joint pain, typically lasting about two to seven days and then disappearing. PHOTO: What to know about Oropouche Virus (cdc.gov) Patients may experience other symptoms including nausea, vomiting, rash, sensitivity to light, dizziness and pain behind the eyes. "This virus is an interesting one in that about a week later, 50% or more of people will have a recurrence of the symptoms," Dr. Michael Angarone, an infectious diseases specialist at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, told ABC News. "So, the symptoms will recur and, again, be present for around five days to seven days and then go away. So, I think that's a very interesting aspect of this virus." How is it treated? To be diagnosed with Oropouche virus disease, a health care provider will have to order laboratory tests. There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat Oropouche virus disease. Treatment mainly involves treating the symptoms including getting rest, preventing dehydration, and taking over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen, according to the CDC. MORE: Anthony Fauci recovering after hospitalization for West Nile virus The CDC advises against taking aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs until dengue can be ruled out to lower the risk of bleeding. How do I prevent the virus? The best prevention method is to prevent bites from midges or mosquitoes. The CDC recommends using insect repellent, having tight-fitting screens on windows and doors, wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants and using a fan when outdoors. Currently there is no evidence of local transmission in the U.S; the only cases have been travel-related. "Here in the U.S., I think travelers should be alert," Vogels said. "If they travel to areas where there is ongoing transmission, they should be aware of potential symptoms upon return." There have also been recent reports of possible vertical transmission, which is when a pregnant person passes the infection to their baby in utero. The infection may result in adverse pregnancy outcomes, including fetal deaths and congenital malformations. PHOTO: Stock photo of a biting midge. (STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images) "This has been demonstrated in South America, but also in, I think, a few of the cases that are being looked at now from Cuba," Angarone said. "There have been descriptions of fetal demise, so [miscarriage] or premature labor and congenital abnormalities, they have not been confirmed to be caused by the virus or the infection, and that's what's being looked into." The experts recommend that travelers -- especially those who are older or immunocompromised -- exercise further precautions when traveling to prevent infection. Those who are pregnant and are considering travel to countries with an Oropouche virus Level 2 Travel Health Notice, reconsider nonessential travel, the CDC says. What you need to know about 'sloth fever' after 21 cases confirmed among US travelers originally appeared on abcnews.go.com FILE PHOTO: Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov delivers a keynote speech during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Thursday that Telegram founder Pavel Durov's case should not turn into "political persecution" after a French judge put the Russian-born tech entrepreneur under formal investigation. The judge said he was suspected of complicity in running an online platform that allows illicit transactions, images of child sex abuse and drug trafficking. He is also being investigated for alleged money laundering and the refusal to cooperate with judicial authorities. A lawyer for Durov said it was "totally absurd" to suggest the head of a social network was responsible for any criminal acts committed on the platform. "I don't think we should continue making any judgements now," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "We have already said that he is a French citizen, he has everything needed to organise his legal defence. "The main thing is that what is happening in France does not turn into political persecution. We know that the president of France has denied any connection (of the case) with politics, but on the other hand, certain accusations are being made. We will see what happens next." French President Emmanuel Macron has said that there was no political motive in Durov's detention. Peskov also confirmed that Durov still holds Russian citizenship and said that Moscow would be ready to assist him, if necessary, as it would any Russian citizen. (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Mark Trevelyan) Kristi Noem's Jab About Kamala Harris Looking 'Crazy' Goes Left... And Woof South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) had many tongues wagging after her recent criticism of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. During an appearance on Wednesdays episode of Prime News on Newsmax, Noem suggested that the vice president might look crazy in her new interview with CNN, which is set to air Thursday at 9 p.m. Eastern time. Harris is appearing alongside her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, in the sit-down with CNN anchor Dana Bash. The pretaped conversation marks Harris first big interview as the Democratic presidential nominee. Noem took issue with Walz joining Harris for the CNN discussion. She said it was disappointing since women regularly take on tough challenges by themselves. We have a woman who wants to be the leader of the free world, and she cant get through an interview without being propped up by a man? she scoffed. Its insulting. It really is. The Republican governor then leveled accusations about why she believes Walz had signed on to participate in the CNN sit-down with Harris. I hope that everybody recognizes that Tim is there to help prop her up and, if it gets awkward or she starts giggling or looking ... crazy, that hes going to interrupt and take over, she said. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem speaks at the Republican National Convention on July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images But some people on X, formerly Twitter, thought Noem had dug herself in a hole with her shot at Harris. Noem, who was a contender to be Donald Trumps vice presidential running mate this year, had received widespread backlash in the spring after it was revealed that shed written in her memoir about shooting and killing her 14-month-old dog because it had behavioral issues and it killed a familys chickens. She also said in the book that she killed her familys goat in the same way that she killed the dog. The one who shoots her own dog is talking about looking crazy? What a hypocrite, one X user wrote Wednesday. Let me get this straight. Gov. Kristi Noem, who confessed to having killed her own dog, is accusing somebody else of being crazy, wrote another. Noem had doubled down on the decision to kill her dog amid the initial wave of criticism, writing on social media in April that tough decisions like this happen all the time on a farm. Check out more responses to Noems Newsmax interview below: Meanwhile, the backlash over Kristi Noem's puppy killing got so bad that she blamed the weather halfway across the country in order to bail on scheduled TV interviews.https://t.co/V6H6R9JbVGhttps://t.co/tHbRFE0mwu Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) August 29, 2024 Dakota Barbie has thoughts about crazy? Tim Murphy (@Murp1953Tim) August 29, 2024 No one cares what the puppy shooter thinks Auntie Smartassy (@AuntSassyAss) August 29, 2024 She won't be sh00ting any puppies so I'm quite sure she will be fine Leave No Doubt (@TrophyKingston) August 29, 2024 Lassie slayer says what??? UrbanistaRamon (@UrbanistaRamon) August 29, 2024 Looking crazy? This woman kills puppies...who is the crazy one??? Peggy Gabour (@peggy_gabour) August 29, 2024 Related... The Kursk operation is Ukraine's right of self-defense, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze said ahead of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Aug. 29. As Kyiv's incursion into Kursk Oblast entered its fourth week, Ukraine is in control of 1,294 square kilometers (around 500 square miles) and 100 settlements, including the town of Sudzha, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Aug. 27. The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims. According to Braze, Ukraine's right of self-defense is covered by Article 51 of the U.N. Charter the UN Charter includes Kyiv's right to strike at military targets on Russian soil. "And Ukrainians have been very, very careful and very, very diligent in not going after civilians (in Kursk Oblast), in not doing what Russians have been doing on the Ukrainian territory," the minister said. "This is the normal military counteractions, so this counteroffensive, in our view, is also covered by the right of self-defense." Moscow has redeployed about 30,000 of its troops from other sectors to the Kursk direction, "and this number is growing," Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Aug. 27. At the same time, Russia deployed its most combat-ready units in the Pokrovsk sector, he added. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the ongoing Kursk incursion is one part of a plan for victory that he would present to U.S. President Joe Biden during a meeting in September. Read also: Russia faces difficult fight to retake territory in Kursk Oblast, deputy CIA director says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. KY Rep. James Comer still wants Biden impeached. What are the odds it happens? In our Reality Check stories, Herald-Leader journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. Read more. Story idea? hlcityregion@herald-leader.com. Rep. James Comer still believes President Biden should be impeached in the waning months of his tenure. And Democrats are attempting to provoke Comer and his Republican colleagues to call a vote when Congress returns from its August recess. So what will result from Comers 292-page report alleging impeachable conduct of a president no longer standing for re-election? Very little, experts predict. It is an election-year stunt, said Michael Gerhardt, a University of North Carolina law professor who has testified in the impeachment hearings of former President Trump and former President Clinton. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to get all the Republican House members to vote for the resolution. Democrats in the House will vote against the resolution, so Republicans all need to follow into line on this a tough sell for any moderate Republicans still in the House. Last week, as Democrats kicked off their national convention in Chicago to nominate Kamala Harris, Comer dropped a report finding Biden and his family received $27 million from foreign entities during the past decade. It framed the business dealings as an abuse of his office to enrich his family, even though theres no direct evidence linking the president to those financial gains or a finding of criminal conduct. Still, Comer is leaving it up to his House colleagues for how to proceed. Chairman Comer has long said President Biden should be impeached, but its up to the House Conference to determine next steps, said Jessica Collins, the spokeswoman for Comers Oversight Committee. Its noticeable that not many House GOPers are clamoring for a vote to be called, including Comer himself. Speaker Mike Johnson encouraged Americans to read the report but has not proposed moving forward with formal articles on the House floor. This has left some hardline members of the caucus agitated, asking leadership when an impeachment vote will arrive. But with Republicans holding only a three-seat margin in the lower chamber, they have little room for defections in order to make an impeachment vote stick. Comer isnt lobbying his members either way, according to a Capitol Hill source, meaning theres no concerted effort to dislodge Biden from his final five months in the White House. Historically, impeachment inquiries have backfired politically by rallying the opposing partys base around their incumbent president. During the Democratic-led impeachment inquiries of Trump, GOP voters became more supportive of him. Former President Clintons approval ratings reached an all-time high of 73% in December of 1998, following the approval of two articles of impeachment against him. Additionally, with Harris now atop the ticket, theres less of an incentive for Republicans to take down Biden. Seeking an impeachment of Biden now is the dumbest thing Republicans can do leading up to the election, said Vin Weber, a lobbyist and former Republican congressman from Minnesota, who believes Comer has been a smart and effective committee chairman. If Republicans cannot solely focus on Kamala Harris liabilities for the next 60, 70 days, were going to lose. Republicans need to focus just on that. Thats likely the reason why Comer has shifted his attention to Harris and her running mate Tim Walz, raising questions about the Minnesota governors ties to China. Comer has requested documents and communications from the FBI between Walz and Chinese entities to probe Walz 30 visits to the country. Erin Marshall, the Democratic candidate challenging Comer in Kentuckys 1st congressional district, called it another unnecessary, partisan waste of tax dollars. Kamala Harris walks a line as a change candidate, and other takeaways from the DNC SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) If you plan to fly in or out of Shreveport this Labor Day weekend, it will likely be busier this year than last. Shreveport Airport Authority Business & Development Manager Mark Crawford told KTAL that on top of the holiday weekend rush, there is also an LSU game in Las Vegas this weekend. Will mail be delivered on Labor Day? Theres already more people traveling anyway over this year compared to last year, but with those additional flights to las Vegas this weekend for that LSU game, we know there will be more people just because of that, shared Crawford. He recommended arriving to the airport even earlier than normal. This weekend, Id recommend at least an hour and a half if youre flying American, Delta, or United. If youre flying Allegiant, their ticket counter opens two hours before the scheduled departure, and we definitely recommend being in line when that ticket counter opens. According to Crawford, the busiest days for travel will be Friday and Monday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. Thousands of hotel workers in a dozen U.S. cities are preparing to go on strike as early as Labor Day weekend as they battle for new contracts with major hotel companies. Roughy 15,000 workers who are members of the union Unite Here have voted to authorize strikes against Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and Omni properties. The union is warning travelers to be ready to encounter picket lines in the coming weeks, and possibly over the holiday weekend. The cities where workers may walk off the job are Baltimore, Maryland; Boston, Massachusetts; Greenwich and New Haven, Connecticut; Honolulu and Kauai, Hawaii; Providence, Rhode Island; Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose, California; and Seattle, Washington. Unite Here, which represents 265,000 workers in the U.S., says this is the first time hotel workers in so many different cities have given the green light to strike simultaneously. A lot of the fight is about the workload issues, the cutting of services, and just what the hospitality industry is going to be.Gwen Mills, president of Unite Here The union is demanding significant raises for housekeepers, food-service workers and other members, along with measures to limit their workloads. Staffing levels are also an issue: Workers have said many hotels cut back on services like daily housekeeping during the pandemic, making their jobs less stable and harder to survive on. Gwen Mills, the unions president, recently told HuffPost that the industry had largely recovered but was trying to make long-term cuts that could permanently change hotel work. A lot of the fight is about the workload issues, the cutting of services, and just what the hospitality industry is going to be post-pandemic, Mills said. [Workers] are going to do what it takes to get the economic standards they deserve. Contracts have already expired at most of the hotels in question, and the remaining ones are set to expire this Friday and Saturday. Strikes could start anytime thereafter. Hotel workers went on strike in California last year. Now the work stoppages could hit East Coast cities as well. Mario Tama via Getty Images Michael DAngelo, head of labor relations at Hyatt, said in an emailed statement that employees were the heart of our business, and noted that the company had contingency plans in place in the event of work stoppages. We remain optimistic that mutually beneficial agreements can be reached without strikes, and we look forward to continuing to negotiate fair contracts, DAngelo said. Hilton, Marriott and Omni did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. Lining up so many workers to strike at different properties could give the union more leverage, allowing it to play the different hotel operators off one another as they bargain at the same time. That was the case last year as Unite Here was negotiating dozens of new contracts at hotels in California. The union carried out a series of rolling strikes, with workers walking off the job temporarily at different hotels, making the work stoppages unpredictable for management. To prepare for widespread strikes the union has created a strike guide and map for travelers, asking them to cancel reservations and demand refunds anywhere workers end up holding picket lines. Hotel workers are at a breaking point, the guide states. Our wages arent enough to support our families, and workloads are harder and more painful than ever. Key Insights The projected fair value for SWS Capital Berhad is RM0.22 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity With RM0.20 share price, SWS Capital Berhad appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value SWS Capital Berhad's peers are currently trading at a premium of 143% on average Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of SWS Capital Berhad (KLSE:SWSCAP) as an investment opportunity by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow. We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you. See our latest analysis for SWS Capital Berhad Is SWS Capital Berhad Fairly Valued? We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM8.56m RM7.76m RM7.34m RM7.14m RM7.08m RM7.11m RM7.21m RM7.35m RM7.54m RM7.75m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -14.84% Est @ -9.32% Est @ -5.46% Est @ -2.76% Est @ -0.87% Est @ 0.46% Est @ 1.39% Est @ 2.04% Est @ 2.49% Est @ 2.81% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 13% RM7.6 RM6.1 RM5.1 RM4.4 RM3.8 RM3.4 RM3.0 RM2.7 RM2.5 RM2.3 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM41m The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 13%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2034 (1 + g) (r g) = RM7.7m (1 + 3.6%) (13% 3.6%) = RM84m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM84m ( 1 + 13%)10= RM24m The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is RM65m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM0.2, the company appears about fair value at a 7.1% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. dcf The Assumptions Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at SWS Capital Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 13%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.719. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for SWS Capital Berhad Strength Debt is not viewed as a risk. Weakness Shareholders have been diluted in the past year. Opportunity Has sufficient cash runway for more than 3 years based on current free cash flows. Current share price is below our estimate of fair value. Lack of analyst coverage makes it difficult to determine SWSCAP's earnings prospects. Threat No apparent threats visible for SWSCAP. Looking Ahead: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For SWS Capital Berhad, there are three important aspects you should look at: Risks: For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for SWS Capital Berhad that you should be aware of before investing here. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! Other Environmentally-Friendly Companies: Concerned about the environment and think consumers will buy eco-friendly products more and more? Browse through our interactive list of companies that are thinking about a greener future to discover some stocks you may not have thought of! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Labor Day Weekend expected to be a busy one with gas prices dropping CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) With the long Labor Day weekend approaching, gas prices are dropping. Many Americans are planning to take advantage of the opportunity. 22News has the latest on what travelers should know before embarking on their vacations. Its going to be cheaper for drivers this Labor Day weekend. The National average gas price is almost 50 cents lower than it was last year. The lower gas prices do seem to be helping, said Jack Soraghan of Salisbury. If your planning a long trip its great beacause it saves you, added Andy Cordero of Woburn. Many travelers excited to see relief at the pump. AAA Northeast Director, Jillian Young explains why gas prices are dropping so rapidly. While it was expected to be a very active hurricane season we have not had storm thats impacted refinery significantly so that has helped keep gas prices where they are, explained Young. And with lower gas prices means more people will be hitting the roads, experts say you should plan your trip strategically. According to AAA, the roads are expected to be most congested Thursday and Friday afternoon and evening, especially with the influx of college students moving back onto campus. We want to avoid the traffic, lots of traffic is going to be coming because of Labor Day, said Lisa Damiano of New York. Lisa has already left early for her Labor Day Weekend getaway. I am going to camping and have some parties with friends, she said. If you havent left for your getaway yet, AAA recommends traveling before 11 am on Thursday, either before noon or after 7pm on Friday, and at noon on Saturday. Its a good time to do some regular car maintence, get your car checked, especially if you havent in a long time thats just going to make sure if you are in traffic this weekend you dont have a car issue, said Damiano. Roads that are usually congested during travel times include the Mass Pike, I-495, and 295. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Its almost as though the Prime Minister is the only one that doesnt get it. Hes the only man in the room who doesnt realise that people are leaving, rolling their eyes, chatting amongst themselves and shaking their heads in disbelief. The new Labour government has not even been in power for two months, and already the wheels are coming off the beleaguered state machine. The PM hasnt even been immune from personal scandals: Starmer has been mired in a glasses for passes sleaze row which emerged when it was reported that a wealthy and influential Lord, Waheed Alli, had bankrolled the purchase of expensive suits and a few pairs of new glasses for the PM. Its a shame he couldnt have given his monotone voice a makeover while he was at it. This was a Prime Minister who vowed to do away with sleaze. To kick cronyism into the basket of history. Now we learn that not only was Lord Alli helping our illustrious leader with fashion tips, but that he also managed to obtain a pass to Downing Street. The removal of trust this scandal will engender amongst voters will haunt the government in the years to come. The public simply do not trust Labour, and they do not trust Sir Keir Starmer. But thats not even the biggest problem facing Labour after their seven week stewardship of the country and the economy. The real problem is around their credibility, and their understanding of how people in Britain actually feel right now. For a start, it is very clear that this government is embarrassed by a large proportion of people in Britain. Ordinary people who care about immigration and workers in the private sector have been sidelined in order to aid the groups that helped get them into power: public sector workers who have made out like bandits. As if the duplicity of the pay rises wasnt enough, as if taking money from pensioners didnt do the trick, Starmers worst crime against Britain occurred this week: his craven creeping to the European Union, first in Berlin and then in Paris. He spent years trying to undermine the Brexit vote, saying as shadow Brexit minister under Jeremy Corbyns leadership the party must keep open the option of a second referendum. His public pronouncements now about respecting Britains place outside the EU hardly hold up given his visible closeness to every Brussels bureaucrat under the sun, not to mention his flirtation with possible free movement schemes on a country by country basis. This is one U-turn too far. That he is flouting everything we hold dear in this country in order to suck up to his European masters is a sin most voters will not forgive. The Prime Ministers approval ratings are already lower than comparable leaders were in the same timeframe. Indeed, his party is more disapproved of now than the Conservatives were in the weeks after the Partygate story broke. As they say in America during barbecue season: stick a fork in him. Hes done. Mike Graham is the host of Talks breakfast show Morning Glory, every weekday from 6.30am Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Lawfare is big business in Britain, and it is about to get bigger. This month, equal pay campaigners won a massive victory against Next over the underpayment of cashiers compared to warehouse staff. This follows a similar case against Birmingham City Council which bankrupted the local authority. The effects of these cases will be far-reaching. Equal pay campaigners are crowd-funding for identical lawsuits against almost all major supermarkets at some point, the courts might realise why the market for warehouse staff is different to checkout cashiers and many more local authorities could face bankruptcy like Birmingham. It is evident that the market for jobs in warehouses is fundamentally different to that of jobs on supermarket tills. The hours, physical requirements, and locations of these types of jobs are distinct, and the boom in online-retail has increased the demand for warehouse staff and the complexity of warehouse work. The courts, unfortunately, do not seem to agree, and have decided that these types of work are in fact equal, and that the largely female retail workforce had been discriminated against compared to the marginally male warehouse staff. The court even suggested that Nexts description of the advantages of working in retail compared to a warehouse amounted to parody. If not overturned on appeal, these cases will impose extraordinary costs. The case against Next is worth 30 million. Some consequences are already visible. The growth in self-checkouts in supermarkets has been encouraged by these claims. Many have complained about the growth of automated tills, blaming them for a rise in shoplifting. But if courts might force potentially business-destroying payouts on supermarkets, it is hardly surprising many are choosing to replace people with machines. Whenever the law creates a distortion, businesses find a response. In this case, it seems likely that supermarkets might separate their logistics arms from their shop staff into separate companies to avoid equal pay claims in the future, encouraging a new boom in outsourcing. The judicial review nightmare of the last decade is about to get worse. The law firm, Leigh Day, who brought the equal pay claim against Next, triumphantly remarked that the tribunal has made it clear that relying on market rates in itself is not a valid defence in equal pay claims of this type. Have the courts jumped the shark or are they accurately interpreting existing law? It seems like a bit of both. The courts in the Next case seem to have taken on board the ridiculous notion that warehouse staff have trended male, and retail staff female for discriminatory reasons rather than individual choice, but the body of law allowing such judgements has been in place for a long time. That the Conservatives failed to reform or repeal the Equality Act in office, and replace it with something clearer which prohibits discrimination within the same job is one of the partys failures, and a Labour Government is about to make things far worse. The forthcoming Employment Rights Bill, and another bill devoted to race equality will create new opportunities for lawfare and rent-seeking. Ultimately, the public will pay the price: economic growth will deteriorate as companies either leave Britain or are never started in the first place, and business time is spent on compliance and administration rather than serving customers. Despite half-hearted attempts by the Conservatives to pare back the growth of judicial review, lawfare is booming. Already Britain is arguably the world capital for class action lawsuits. We dont just settle domestic claims, but international ones too. British courts are becoming the global hub of climate change litigation, and British businesses are being targeted by well-funded campaigns for the actions of their international subsidiaries, even if these cases are being addressed in courts overseas. In 2023, the Supreme Court granted permission for the largest ever class action suit in English legal history to go to trial, a case concerning the collapse of the Mariana Dam in Brazil in 2015. The extraordinary precedent set by the European Court of Human Rights against the Swiss governments climate policies this year has extended the reach of judicial review even further, bringing energy policy into the web of human rights law. The courts are an increasingly political arena, with economic policy, immigration and justice, and now climate policy being litigated again and again. New laws proposed by the government will make this worse, and the victims will be democracy and prosperity. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A property tax hike looms in Lackawanna County. As leadership continues to disagree on how to move forward, the taxpayers weigh in. County residents expressed Wednesday they want to see the commissioners working together, all three, the majority, and minority parties. Meanwhile, the county faces some serious financial problems as we near the end of the year. Commissioner Chermak was asleep at the wheel, so were the other commissioners thats the honest to God truth, said Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan. Commissioner Gaughan doubled down Wednesday on a comment he made quoted in a local newspaper Sunday. Why are we blaming Chermak? You got two guys in there, you should work together, Madison Township resident Joe Antidormi said. Blame the other guy, hes the minority commissioner you have two votes he has one vote the math doesnt work out, said Charlie Spano from Scranton. Some Lackawanna County residents expressed their frustration over the matter at Wednesdays commissioner meeting. Community fed up with trash on Carey Avenue Bridge The finger-blaming stems from the countys failing financial state. Facing a projected $11,300,000 shortfall by the end of 2024, Lackawanna County could see significant financial changes. The county needs to knuckle down we gotta make some tough decisions, said Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak. Just two weeks ago, the commissioners brought forward the findings by Philadelphia-based financial consulting firm, PFM Group, suggesting spending cuts which include the new hiring freeze, and reallocating federal funds. The friction lies with the suggestion of also increasing property taxes in Lackawanna County, but residents still want to hear more options brought forth from the commissioners, before a tax hike is implemented. I believe that one of our problems is fraud waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars. Are employee layoffs possibly on the table? said Scranton resident Joan Hodowanitz. Were trying to make it through the end of the year, were working with financial experts, were developing that plan which we will produce very soon to get us through the end of the year, and then also for next year in 2025 and looking forward five years, Commissioner Gaughan stated. Ive been saying this all along Ive been saying it for four years, we need to look at our expenses, and we need to make cuts and Im simply not going to raise taxes to simply cover the deficit Im not going to do it, Commissioner Chermak said. Theres no word on exactly how much the proposed property tax increase might cost residents. They plan to make it public by October. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. Lancaster man arrested for using counterfeit bills, possessing firearm in Walgreens LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A Lancaster man was caught with a loaded firearm after exchanging $400 in counterfeit bills for gift cards at a Lancaster County Walgreens, according to the Manheim Township Police Department. Police said Benito Israel Santiago, 32, exchanged $400 in counterfeit bills for gift cards at a Walgreens on Aug. 12. Santiago returned to the store 10 days later to activate one of the gift cards when police arrived. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania After Santiago attempted to flee, police say they apprehended him and located a firearm loaded with two 9mm magazines in his waistband. According to police, Santiago doesnt have a valid license to carry a firearm and was not eligible to obtain one due to an active warrant for a prohibited offensive weapons charge. Santiago admitted to using counterfeit bills at Walgreens and was taken into custody and transported to Lancaster County Prison, said police. He was charged with forgery, persons not to possess, and firearms carried without license. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. DENVER (KDVR) A Cherry Creek Schools bus driver was assaulted Wednesday after the bus broke down near Mission Parkway. According to Cherry Creek Schools, a Laredo Middle School bus ran late Wednesday after a mechanical issue caused the bus to stall. The Aurora Police Department told FOX31 that a student had an altercation with the bus driver after it broke down. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Shortly thereafter, police said a woman showed up at the bus and assaulted the driver. Police said she took the student and fled in a vehicle before officers arrived at the scene. The bus driver reportedly suffered minor injuries and was not transported to a hospital. Cherry Creek Schools said a second bus picked up the remaining students and transported them as usual. The incident remains under investigation by police. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Large scene at home where woman was killed before husband fatally shot by police, son found dead Large scene at home where woman was killed before husband fatally shot by police, son found dead A large crime scene remains in place at a home in southern New Hampshire where a woman was found dead hours before her husband, who is suspected of killing her, was fatally shot by police on the Piscataqua River Bridge. Troopers shoot, kill man wanted in wifes death on NH-Maine bridge before finding son dead in car Law enforcement officials responding to a home at 359 Monadnock Street in Troy at some point during the overnight hours launched an investigation into the suspicious death of a woman, according to New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella. The man who investigators believe killed the woman fled the home and drove about 100 miles away to the Piscataqua River Bridge on the Portsmouth, New Hampshire-Kittery, Maine line, according to Formellas office. Officers engaged the man on the bridge and fatally shot him. Those officers then found then mans 8-year-old son shot to death inside his vehicle. The north and southbound lanes of Interstate 95 that run across the bridge were closed shortly after 3 a.m. and didnt reopen until just before 10 a.m. as police investigated the officer-involved shooting death. State police troopers and Troy police officers were still gathered at the home at 359 Menadnock Street in Troy late Thursday morning. A Boston 25 News photographer captured video that showed a New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit van parked outside the home. The video also showed a bicycle with training wheels in the driveaway and what appeared to be Home Depot moving boxes in a garage area. Formellas office noted that the Maine Attorney Generals Office is leading the investigation into the bridge shooting. The names of the dead woman, man, and child havent been made public. 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 Large patch of the Atlantic Ocean near the equator has been cooling at record speeds and scientists can't figure out why When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: NASA / JSC For a few months this summer, a large strip of Atlantic Ocean along the equator cooled at record speed. Though the cold patch is now warming its way back to normal, scientists are still baffled by what caused the dramatic cooling in the first place. The anomalous cold patch, which is confined to a stretch of ocean spanning several degrees north and south of the equator, formed in early June following a monthslong streak of the warmest surface waters in more than 40 years. While that region is known to swing between cold and warm phases every few years, the rate at which it plunged from record high to low this time is "really unprecedented," Franz Tuchen , a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Miami in Florida who is tracking the event, told Live Science. "We are still scratching our heads as to what's actually happening," Michael McPhaden , a senior scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) who oversees an array of buoys in the tropics that have been gathering real-time data of the cold patch, told Live Science. "It could be some transient feature that has developed from processes that we don't quite understand." Sea surface temperatures in the eastern equatorial Atlantic were the hottest in February and March, when they exceeded 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) the warmest months on record since 1982. When June rolled in, temperatures began plummeting mysteriously, reaching their coolest in late July at 77 F (25 C), Tuchen recently wrote in a blog post . Forecasts showed the cooling event may be on the verge of developing into an Atlantic Nina, a regional climate pattern which tends to increase rainfall over western Africa and decrease rainfall in northeastern Brazil as well as countries hugging the Gulf of Guinea, including Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon. The phenomenon, which isn't as powerful as the La Nina counterpart in the Pacific , and hasn't occurred since 2013, would have been declared if the colder-than-average temperatures persisted for three months, until the end of August. Related: Gulf Stream's fate to be decided by climate 'tug-of-war' However, the cold pocket of water has been warming in recent weeks, so "the verdict is already quite certain that it's not gonna be classified as Atlantic Nina," said Tuchen. Nevertheless, figuring out just what caused the dramatic cooling would allow scientists to better understand the quirks of Earth's climate , which can eventually benefit weather forecasting, Tuchen said. But none of the expected processes stand out so far. A weather pattern map showing a cool patch in the middle of the Atlantic ocean between South America and Africa "Something else going on" Cooler surface waters are typically accompanied by stronger trade winds, which flow near the equator and are the most influential drivers of Ninas because they sweep away warm surface waters and allow deeper, cooler water to rise through a process known as equatorial upwelling. Puzzlingly, the recent cold region coincides with weaker winds southeast of the equator, which "are doing the opposite of what they should be doing if they were the reason for the cooling," said Tuchen. At the moment, we believe that the winds are actually responding to the cooling. McPhaden noted some anomalously strong winds that had developed to the west of the cold patch in May may have kickstarted the cooling at record speed, but those winds "haven't increased as much as the temperature has dropped," said McPhaden. "There's something else going on." Scientists have modeled a handful of possible climate processes to try to explain the observed cold region, such as enormously strong heat fluxes in the atmosphere or sudden changes in ocean and wind currents. "From what we see, these are not obvious drivers of this cooling event," said Tuchen. RELATED STORIES Scientists say they can now forecast El Nino Southern Oscillation years in advance Earth's weather is getting weirder. Here's why. There's a 2nd El Nino and scientists just figured out how it works While unprecedented, the recent dramatic cooling is not likely to be caused by human-driven climate change. "I can't rule it out," said McPhaden. "But at first blush, this is just a natural variation of the climate system over the equatorial Atlantic." Using data from satellites, oceanic buoys and other meteorological tools, Tuchen and McPhaden are among several climate scientists who are intently tracking the cold patch and any forthcoming effects it would have on the surrounding continents which could take months to become apparent. "It's potentially going to be a consequential event," said McPhaden. "We just have to watch and see what happens." READING, N.Y. (WETM) A large police presence at a Schuyler County home has left a road closed for hours. According to an 18 News Reporter at the scene, there is a large police presence on Cross Road in the Town of Reading as of about 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 28. A tent, trailer, and multiple vehicles from the Schuyler Counter Sheriffs Office and a SWAT team are outside the home. Authorities were also using a drone. Cross Road from Ray Roberts Road to Irelandville Road has been closed since about 11 a.m. on Wednesday morning, according to the Schuyler County Sheriffs Office. The sheriffs office says that the situation is contained to one area, and there is no threat to the public. This is an ongoing situation, and this story will be updated with more information as it becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. Large stash of counterfeit cash found in Adams County storage unit, one charged ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A large stash of counterfeit cash was discovered in an Adams County storage unit, and State Police say a man is facing charges. Close to $50,000 in fake cash was found in a storage unit, located along Hanover Road in Mount Pleasant Township, that used to belong to 56-year-old Jeffrey Hammond, 56, according to the charges filed by State Police. Troopers say the fake cash was found by the owner of the storage unit on April 29, after they sold it because Hammond stopped paying for it. When individuals were clearing it out, they found the fake money. Lebanon County constable charged after leaving gun in public bathroom Among the counterfeit money, there was the following: Marked replica bills Altered replica bills with the word replica scratched off One sided printed bills Counterfeit legal tender cash Sheets of misprint and uncut cash In total, there was $41,718 of cut cash and about $13,968 worth of uncut bills, according to the charges. Among the stash was a work ID badge, health insurance card, and access card that belonged to Hammond. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Morning Weather The Secret Service was then contacted to find businesses where the fake cash would have been used. According to the charges, it was discovered that the money was used at WellSpan, the countys prothonotary office for a landlord/tenant dispute, and Members 1st. Hammond faces multiple felony charges of trademark counterfeiting and forgery, along with a misdemeanor charge of theft. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man who had previously been accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from homeowners, including senior citizens has been sentenced. Guadalupe Derek Carbajal, 43, had been arrested, and accused of collecting approximately $250,000 from homeowners over the course of two years without doing any work. On Tuesday, Distrcit Court Judge Eric Johnson sentenced Carbajal for the crime of Engaging in Multiple transactions involving Fraud or Deceit in the course of enterprise or occupation; a category B felony. The judges sentence included the following: 12-90 months in the Nevada Department of Corrections (Suspended) 36 months probation with a search clause and numerous other conditions Pay a total of $245,264 in restitution Pay $113,534 at sentencing to be distributed to victims that were not covered by the Nevada State Contractors Board Residential Recovery Fund Pay the remainder $131,730 to the Nevada State Contractors Board Carbajal was arrested by authorities in April, he remains in custody. He had previously operated Lifetime Power a Las Vegas solar company as a general manager, according to the Nevada State Contractors Board. The NSCB revoked the companys license in 2023. The NV State Contractors Board recommends that homeowners get three bids for any work you plan to have a contractor do and to check each license on their website. If the contractor you are considering using is not licensed, the Board advises against using that person or paying that contractor any money. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The Democrat running against Colorado Republican Lauren Boebert challenged her to a debate at the scene of the scandalous Beetlejuice incident. Trisha Calvarese invited Boebert to a televised debate at the Buell Theatre, the Denver venue where the congresswoman was kicked out during the musical Beetlejuice last September after vaping, singing, taking flash photos and groping her date. Calvarese released an ad on X on Thursday in the style of the Beetlejuice 2 movie trailer. The video begins with someone asking: Is Lauren Boebert vaping? Then, the ad shifts into a parody of the cult classic film. On November 5, your worst nightmare tries to crawl back to Congress. Dont say her name, the new ad says. Boebert. Boebert. Boebert, newscasters can be heard saying. Lauren Boeber attends a press conference after attending Donald Trumps hush money trial in May 2024. Now she is being challenged to debate in the theater where her Beetlejuice scandal unfolded (REUTERS) Congresswoman Boebert, I know youre new to the district. And you clearly dont know how to act in a theater or in Congress. I think I can help. Lets get together for a debate on TV, Calvarese says while holding a bag of popcorn in a theater. After a series of controversies, Boebert switched districts from her seat in Colorados third district to its more conservative fourth district where a spot has opened up after Rep. Ken Bucks retirement. I know the last time you were arguing in a theater, it was with workers. And hey, maybe you wont get kicked out this time. Youre not scared are you? the Democrat said with a wink. On X, Calvarese wrote: Lauren Boebert as a member of Congress is truly frightening as is her behavior in theaters. But Im Trisha Calvarese, and on November 5th, Im going to become her worst nightmare and defeat her at the polls. Boebert has been haunted by the incident for nearly a year. Trisha Calvarese released a video challenging Boebert to a debate in the theater where the infamous Beetlejuice incident occurred (Trisha Calvarese for Colorado) While she initially denied it ever took place, she apologized after damning surveillance footage was released. In May, she was heckled by protesters chanting Beetlejuicewhen she visited George Washington Universitys campus amid pro-Gaza protests. The following month, during a Republican debate this June, the moderator confronted her over the incident. Boebert said she had already done the apology tour and had owned up to my night out in Denver. In the face of scandals, Boebert won the GOP primary in June in the new district. Its not immediately clear if the Colorado Republican accepted the invitation. The Independent has reached out to her campaign for comment. Many exhausted parents rely on weighted sleep products to help their little ones rest. Companies say they can help babies fall asleep and sleep longer. This was the kind of relief Alyssa was looking for with one of her kids. With our daughter, she was having a hard time connecting sleep cycles. She really loves to move, she said Were up every 45 minutes, trying to put the [pacifier] back, trying to calm her down. Alyssa is a mom of three. She didnt want to share her last name for this story. She said her youngest daughter had a hard time sleeping and after many sleepless nights, she decided to try a weighted sleep sack. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] I was so desperate to find something that would work for us, that when I found something that said, this will help your baby sleep, and you will sleep too selfishly, like, thats what I wanted, said Alyssa. Alyssa said she only used it once because her daughter had difficulty breathing while using the product. I could tell that the sleep sack did its job in that it prohibited her from moving so much so that she wouldnt wake herself up, she said. But it put so much weight and so much pressure on her little chest and on her lungs that she was having to work overtime to try to breathe. Fortunately, Alyssas daughter wasnt hurt. But the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) told Channel 2 Washington Correspondent Kirstin Garriss that it is aware of multiple fatalities associated with infant weighted products. The agency spokesperson said the investigations are ongoing, and the findings will be included as part of our information collection and larger examination of infant weighted products. We also found at least four reports to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission about safety concerns involving these products. In one report, a parent said their son died after using a weighted sleep sack from the company, Dreamland Baby. They wrote their sons face was visible when he went to sleep but they later found him face down, they believe unable to turn over because of the added weight. TRENDING STORIES: In response, Dreamland Baby wrote it is committed to product safety, and any incidents are investigated to ensure there are no larger safety concerns to address. As part of the report, the company added, Dreamlands weighted sleep sacks were designed in collaboration with pediatricians, NICU nurses and certified sleep consultants and are safe when used as intended. Now, Congressman Tony Cardenas, Congresswoman Kim Schrier and Senator Richard Blumenthal are introducing the Safeguarding Infants from Dangerous Sleep Act. It would ban weighted sleep products like swaddles, sleep sacks, and blankets that may limit movement and make it difficult for babies to breath while sleeping. Alyssa said she supports the bill. She believes there isnt enough information about these products. I think having that ban in place is only going to not only protect infants, but its going to protect parents to help make good decisions, she said. Dreamland Baby and Nested Bean are two of the major companies that design and sell these weighted sleep products. Both companies declined my request for an interview. But in a statement, a spokesperson for Dreamland Baby said these actions by Congress dont identify the root causes of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and unfortunately, show a disregard for the millions of families who have relied on gently weighted sleep products as safe and effective sleep solutions for over a decade. We firmly oppose this overreaching and misguided anti-science bill that is neither rooted in data nor aligned with the legitimate interest of infant safety, said Manasi Gangan, CEO of Nested Bean in a written statement. Earlier this year, Target, Walmart, Nordstrom, and Babylist announced they would stop selling weighted infant products after the CPSC Chairman wrote letters to those companies warning them about the potential dangers. The American Academy of Pediatrics also first warned against these products in 2022. The AAP says weighted sleep products are unsafe for infants. Full statement from Dreamland Baby: We are deeply disappointed that Senator Blumenthal has chosen to promote unsubstantiated claims about the causes of SIDS. As the American Academy of Pediatrics posted as recently as July 30, 2024: No one knows exactly what causes SIDS, so theres no guaranteed way to prevent it. The Senator should be supporting further research into the causes of SIDS, not insinuating that weighted products are at fault when no data supports this association. As a public figure, the Senator has a responsibility to ensure the accuracy of the information he shares rather than stating information that may mislead parents in Connecticut and nationally. The Senator knows that further research is needed in this area because, on May 22, 2024, I had a meeting with the Senator, during which he acknowledged to me personally that he knew of no incident data that would support a ban on weighted sleep products. In fact, the CPSCs data over the past ten years shows no hazard pattern with weighted products. Despite this, the Senator is attempting to ban these products instead of supporting real research. The Senators actions will not help identify the root causes of SIDS and, unfortunately, show a disregard for the millions of families who have relied on gently weighted sleep products as safe and effective sleep solutions for over a decade. Full statement from Manasi Gangan, CEO of Nested Bean: For over 13 years, Nested Bean has sold over 2.5 million products while maintaining an exceptional safety record, thanks to our commitment to rigorous safety designs and both mandatory and voluntary testing conducted under expert guidance. Our track record and commitment to safety speaks for itself. We firmly oppose this overreaching and misguided anti-science bill that is neither rooted in data nor aligned with the legitimate interest of infant safety. This bill, unfortunately, mirrors the CPSCs unfounded targeting of our minority-owned small business, driven by Commissioner Trumkas abuse of authoritycurrently under congressional investigation. Trumkas baseless and unwarranted claims about the safety of our products lack supporting science, data and undermine due process. We must correct the false information propagated by some government officials: Innovative Safety: Our products contain only a few ounces of filling designed to gently mimic a parents touch, weighing the same or less than an infant car seat chest clip or a parents palmtouches that infants are naturally accustomed to from birth. Our products are loved by babies and supported by parents and caregivers. Robust Testing: Our products successfully passed stringent mandatory and voluntary safety tests overseen by leading experts. Preliminary studies confirm that the gentle pressure applied by our products does not impede infants breathing, as evidenced by our impeccable safety record. Government Findings: In January 2023, the CPSC launched an extensive four-month evaluation of Nested Bean products to assess potential risks of suffocation or related hazards. The findings confirmed there were no grounds for further action under the Consumer Product Safety Act, and the report was closed in April 2023. Despite reckless and harmful statements made by certain government officials, our customersloving parents, grandparents, and caregiverscontinue to stand firmly with us. We are committed to delivering safe, high-quality products and will not be deterred by unfounded accusations. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Yahoo Sports Week 5 is in the books and oh my there's a lot of panic on these fantasy streets. Dalton Del Don joins Matt Harmon for another edition of the 'People's Panic Meter' to answer all of your listener submissions. The duo examines the situations for Breece Hall, Buffalo Bills, Bijan Robinson and many more. LAWRENCE (KSNT) Earlier this year Larence artist Stan Herd made a large earthworks portrait of Vice President Kamala Harris as a political message, now hes finished her running mate. In just over a month, Stan Herd started turning a plot of his land into a canvas. It now features Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. We waited and put the question mark in, and then when Tim was announced we came out here and started laying Tim out, Herd said. Herd started work on the portraits with Kamalas image after announcing her presidential run in July. Herd told 27 News that, unlike most art pieces, earthwork must constantly be tweaked and maintained. Marshall demands answers for overestimated job numbers I never really know what Im going to see when I get back, Herd said. Weve had a lot of rain which is good. Never wish away the rain. Then it just grows back in another ten days. Its almost seven inches tall, so I have to come every time and mow the face. The interesting thing is the faces are changing because Im mixing it up more and adding things. Herd said his ultimate goal is to get the attention of the Harris campaign with hopes of a visit while theyre on the campaign trail. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. The Nebraska Supreme Court, housed at the State Capitol. (Courtesy of Rebecca S. Gratz) Editors note: This story was updated at 4:15 p.m. to reflect the latest court action. LINCOLN The Nebraska Supreme Court on Thursday rejected fast-tracking a pair of lawsuits seeking to remove an abortion-rights constitutional amendment from the fall ballot. Time is short for either effort, one from a Douglas County woman funded by the socially conservative Thomas More Society and one backed by local abortion opponents. Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen has until Sept. 13 to finalize the November general election ballot. He announced on Aug. 23 that the measure qualified for the ballot. The second lawsuit was filed Wednesday, hours after the Nebraska Supreme Court declined to take up the first. Attorneys for the Douglas County woman, Carolyn LaGreca, tried to correct a mistake on the first lawsuit and refiled it. But the court again rejected the case Thursday. In the second lawsuit, filed Wednesday, Dr. Catherine Brooks, a Lincoln neonatologist, asked the court to remove the Protect the Right to Abortion measure from the ballot. Criticizes proposals language The proposed abortion-rights amendment would codify a right to abortion in the Nebraska Constitution until fetal viability, as determined by a health care provider, with later exceptions for the mothers health. Brooks was the public face of 30-plus medical providers who filed a complaint Monday with Evnens office, asking him to administratively reconsider his decision that the measure had legally qualified for the ballot. In a statement Thursday from her attorney, Brenna Grasz, Brooks criticized the abortion amendment for redefining the viability standard by extending the meaning into the late stages of pregnancy. She called the proposals language subjective, confusing and unworkable. It subjects women and medical professionals to vague, unscientific standards, and dangerously expands the scope of abortion practice, Brooks said. She said the measure expands who decides viability to a persons health care practitioner and called that unsafe. Non-physicians should not be making such determinations outside the scope of their education, training, and experience, she said. Her lawsuit largely mirrored what the complaint letter argued, that the measure put forward by Protect Our Rights contains more than one subject, in violation of a state constitutional rule that ballot measures can cover only a single subject. It argued that the petition seeks to create a new constitutional right to an abortion at the same time it seeks to define fetal viability and create an exception for a womans health. The filing repeated anti-abortion criticism of the initiative that it also seeks to restrict the states ability to legislate and regulate abortion. It also redefines legal terms in ways the lawsuit describes as problematic. The Initiative violates this requirement by containing multiple proposals that are dissimilar, unrelated, and separate purposes, the lawsuit said. These separate purposes also lack a natural and necessary connection. No immediate comment from either side Protect Our Rights had no immediate comment about the latest lawsuit or the Courts action. Allie Berry, campaign manager for Protect Our Rights, has said abortion opponents were doing everything in their power to undermine the process and lay the groundwork for their ultimate goal: a total abortion ban. Protect Our Rights, abortion-rights campaign, hosts a news conference The group has noted that Evnen certified the measure and said petition organizers had followed the appropriate processes every step of the way. Supporters said that the measure is legal and that voters deserve a say on reproductive health. Brooks lawsuit asked the Supreme Court to let it skip the step of going through District Court because time is short, similar to the appeal made in a separate lawsuit from a Douglas County woman that the court rejected for technical reasons. That lawsuit was refiled Wednesday by the plaintiffs attorney, who said he corrected a clerical error. The court reconsidered and still rejected it. Funded by the socially conservative Thomas More Society, this lawsuit argues similarly that the ballot measure seeking to cement abortion rights tries to do too much at once, in violation of the Nebraska Constitution. The court decided not to take either case as a so-called original action. Notes on the case files said the two applications were not supported by affidavit or positively-verified petition. If the ballot measure goes forward, Nebraska would be the first state since the U.S. Supreme Courts 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade to have competing abortion-related constitutional amendments on the same ballot. Abortion opponents are supporting a measure that would constitutionally limit abortion to the first trimester of pregnancy and still let the Legislature pass stricter bans. view-img.cgi-18 view-img.cgi-19 SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX By Gabriel Stargardter and Ingrid Melander PARIS (Reuters) -Telegram boss Pavel Durov's lawyer said on Thursday it was "absurd" to suggest he should be held responsible for any crimes committed on the app, amid growing frictions between governments and tech titans over content on their platforms. France's arrest of Durov - a first for a CEO of a major messaging platform - has sent a warning to social media bosses unwilling to tackle alleged illegality on their apps. It has also plunged French-Russia relations to fresh lows, according to Moscow, where some pro-Kremlin figures have accused Washington of being behind the detention of Russian-born Durov. A French judge put Durov under formal investigation on Wednesday for suspected complicity in running an online platform that allows illicit transactions, child sex abuse images, drug trafficking and fraud. The 39-year-old entrepreneur, who has French and UAE citizenships too, is also suspected of money laundering and providing encrypted messaging to criminals. Lawyer David-Olivier Kaminski, who is representing Durov in France, said on Thursday it was "absurd to say that a platform or its boss are responsible for any abuse" carried out on the platform, and that Telegram was abiding by European laws. Prior to his arrival on Saturday, Durov did not know about the arrest warrant that awaited him in France, a source at the Paris prosecutor's office said. Some commentators have speculated Durov must have known about the warrant, raising questions about why he did not stay away from France. "He deliberately came to France where he knew he would be arrested. Why?" Gerard Araud, France's former ambassador to the United States, wrote on X. The source added that the French probe into Durov has no connection with the United States. PRESIDENT SAYS HE WAS NOT AWARE French President Emmanuel Macron, who wants to position France as a tech hub, has said Durov's arrest was not politically motivated, and he reiterated this on Thursday. "I was absolutely unaware of Mr Durov's arrival in France, and that is quite normal," Macron told a news conference in Serbia. "This is an independent action by the French justice system." The Kremlin said that the prosecution against Durov, whose app has nearly 1 billion users, should not turn into "political persecution." Durov was granted bail on condition he pays 5 million euros ($5.6 million) and does not leave French territory. He will need to report twice a week to police and be at home at specific hours, a judicial source said. Being placed under formal investigation in France does not imply guilt or necessarily lead to trial but indicates judges consider there is enough evidence to proceed with a probe. Investigations can last years before being sent to trial or shelved. This is not the first time Telegram has had a run-in with police and judicial authorities. In 2022, Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes temporarily suspended Telegram in Brazil, saying it had repeatedly refused to adhere to judicial orders. At the time, Durov blamed any shortcomings on email issues and apologised. He voiced confidence that Telegram would soon be able to "efficiently process takedown requests for public channels that are illegal in Brazil." Other social media companies are also facing heat from authorities. In Brazil's latest battle against tech impresarios, Moraes on Wednesday ordered billionaire Elon Musk, who has criticized France's arrest of Durov, to name a legal representative for his messaging platform X in Brazil within 24 hours or face the site's suspension in the country. Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg said this week that U.S. President Joe Biden's administration had pressured the company to "censor" COVID-19 content during the pandemic, apparently referring to White House requests to take down misinformation about the coronavirus and vaccines. The debate over whether, and how, platforms should be held liable for content rages in many countries including the United States, where lawmakers have called for an overhaul of legislation that gives online services immunity from civil liability over content generated by users. In Britain, a newly introduced Online Safety Act has introduced the threat of criminal sanctions for senior managers who do not comply with media regulator Ofcom's enforcement notices. ($1 = 0.8980 euros) (Reporting by Gabriel Stargardter, Dominique Vidalon; Additional reporting by Piotr Lipinski, Aleksandar Vasovic, Martin Coulter, Sheila Dang, Alexander Cornwell and Gleb Stolyarov; Writing by Ingrid Melander; Editing by Helen Popper, William Maclean, Timothy Heritage and Cynthia Osterman) FILE - Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students, is escorted into court for a hearing in Latah County District Court, Sept. 13, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, Pool, File) BOISE, Idaho (AP) Attorneys for the man charged in the 2022 stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students asked a judge to move the trial to a larger city during a hearing Thursday, citing the widespread media coverage of the case and the impact that coverage can have on potential juror bias. Bryan Kohbergers defense team says strong emotions in the close-knit community and constant news coverage will make it impossible to find an impartial jury in the university town of Moscow, Idaho. They want the trial, set for June 2025, to be moved from Moscow to Boise or another large city. But prosecutors say any problems with potential bias can be resolved by simply calling a larger pool of potential jurors and questioning them carefully. Kohberger, a former criminal justice student at Washington State University, which is across the state line in Pullman, faces four counts of murder in the deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves. The four University of Idaho students were killed sometime in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, in a rental house near the campus. Police arrested Kohberger six weeks later at his parents home in Pennsylvania, where he was spending winter break. The killings stunned students at both universities and left the small city of Moscow deeply shaken. The case also spurred a flurry of news coverage, much of which Kohberger's defense team says was inflammatory and left the community strongly biased against their client. Defense attorney Elisa Massoth's first witness was James Todd Murphy, the president of media tracking company Truescope. Murphy testified that news coverage of the case has been more saturated in Latah County, where the university town is located, than it has been in other parts of the state. Latah County has about 3% of the states population but the media exposure to the case was measured at about 36%, Murphy said. That compares to Ada County, where Boise is located, which had about 34% exposure and roughly 26% of the states population. Amani El-Alayli, a professor at Eastern Washington University who researches social cognition and bias, told the judge that studies have shown that people who are exposed to publicity about a case are more likely to render a guilty verdict at trial because of the way the human brain processes information. That's partly because people are less likely to think critically about information when they are just casually consuming the news, she said, and partly because of classic conditioning, a type of unconscious learning where the brain creates associations between certain stimuli and responses. Conditioning can happen when people repeatedly see the defendant's name or photo next to words like murder or students killed, she said, or when they hear a name connected to something they had an emotional response too like the fear that another crime might happen, or sadness that someone died. We've seen the pictures with these ominous headlines that connection can't help but be created, El-Alayli said. People aren't trying to be biased. It's just that when we're in a mood, those moods filter the information that we take in. Seeing authority figures like a police chief or even someone with a commanding presence say that a person is a suspect can also create a bias, she said, particularly in small towns where potential jurors might personally know the authority figure making the claim. There's no known method to undo that bias once it is created, El-Alayli said, and carefully questioning jurors or giving them instructions to ignore things they have previously heard or read about the case generally isn't very effective. Defendants have a constitutional right to a fair trial, and that requires finding jurors that can be impartial and haven't already made up their minds about the guilt or innocence of the person accused. But when the defense team hired a company to survey Latah County residents, 98% percent of the respondents said they recognized the case and 70% of that group said they had already formed the opinion that Kohberger is guilty. More than half of the respondents with that opinion also said nothing would change their mind, according to defense court filings. Bryan Edelman, a trial consultant and the cofounder of Trial Innovations, which conducted the the study, also testified for the defense. He said that since November 2022, there have been roughly 440 articles published about the case in Latah County's local news outlets including The Moscow-Pullman Daily News, The Lewiston Tribune, and the University of Idaho's student newspaper the Argonaut. The local population is about only 40,000 people, he said. The defense attorneys provided more details about Edelman's survey in a court document filed earlier this month. Some of the respondents made dire predictions, saying that if Kohberger is acquitted, There would likely be a riot and he wouldn't last long outside because someone would do the good ole boy justice, They'd burn the courthouse down, and Riots, parents would take care of him. Prosecutors told the judge that the survey didn't provide strong enough evidence to justify moving the trial. Special Assistant Attorney General Ingrid Batey said the survey data showed that at some points, Ada County actually had higher levels of media coverage than Latah County. The fact is, your honor, this case has media coverage everywhere, Batey said, suggesting that bias and pressure could be handled by calling larger jury pools and by barring the public from some parts of the jury selection process and other hearings. The court can summon 1,800 potential jurors in Latah County just as easily as it can in Ada County, Batey told the judge. Moving the trial across the state would be expensive and force court staffers, witnesses, experts, law enforcement officers and victims' family members to make an inconvenient trip to the new location, she said. But Taylor reminded the judge that Kohberger's constitutional rights are at stake. His right to a fair trial is as important to our right to free speech, our right to bear arms, our right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, said defense attorney Anne Taylor, and the right to a fair trial cannot happen in Latah County. The judge said he would review the law and all of the evidence before making a ruling, saying it would likely be one of the hardest professional decisions he will ever have to make. I'll do my best, the judge said. It's a challenge." There was some really important things to think about on both sides, he said, "and that's what I'm going to do. BOISE, Idaho (AP) Attorneys for the man charged in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students in 2022 are attempting to move the murder trial to a new location. They say the pressure to convict is so severe that some Latah County residents are predicting lynch mobs or riots if he is acquitted. Bryan Kohbergers defense attorney Elisa Massoth made that argument in a document filed earlier this month, saying the only way he can get a fair trial is to move it to a new location. Second District John Judge is expected to hear arguments on the motion for a change of venue during a Thursday morning hearing. If he agrees, the trial could be moved from Moscow to Boise or another larger Idaho city. It is expected to begin in June 2025. Kohberger, a former criminal justice student at Washington State University in nearby Pullman, Washington, is charged with fatally stabbing four students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin at a rental home near campus in Moscow, Idaho, sometime in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022. Police arrested Kohberger six weeks later at his parents home in Pennsylvania, where he was spending winter break. Investigators said they linked Kohberger to the crime using DNA found on a knife sheath at the scene, surveillance videos and cellphone data. Kohberger has maintained his innocence. His defense lawyers have said in court documents that he was out driving alone the night of the killings, something he did often. He has pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Lawyers for man charged in deaths of 4 Idaho students say strong bias means trial should be moved Attorneys for the man charged in the 2022 stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students asked a judge to move the trial to a larger city during a hearing Thursday, citing the widespread media coverage of the case. Bryan Kohbergers defense team says strong emotions in the close-knit community and constant news coverage will make it impossible to find an impartial jury in the university town of Moscow, Idaho. They want the trial, set for June 2025, to be moved from Moscow to Boise or another large city. Kohberger, a former criminal justice student at Washington State University, which is across the state line in Pullman, faces four counts of murder in the deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves. The four University of Idaho students were killed sometime in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, in a rental house near the campus. Police arrested Kohberger six weeks later at his parents home in Pennsylvania, where he was spending winter break. The killings stunned students at both universities and left the small city of Moscow deeply shaken. They also prompted widespread media coverage, much of which Kohbergers defense team says was inflammatory and left the close-knit community strongly biased against their client. Defense attorney Elisa Massoths first witness was James Todd Murphy, the president of media tracking company Truescope. Murphy testified that news coverage of the case has been more saturated in Latah County, where the university town is located, than it has been in other parts of the state. Latah County has about 3% of the states population but the media exposure to the case was measured at about 36%, Murphy said. That compares to Ada County, where Boise is located, which had about 34% exposure and roughly 26% of the states population. Kohberger first requested a change of venue in January, when his attorney Anne Taylor wrote in a court filing that a fair and impartial jury could be found in Latah County owing to the extensive, inflammatory pretrial publicity, allegations made about Mr. Kohberger to the public by media that will be inadmissible at his trial, the small size of the community, the salacious nature of the alleged crimes, and the severity of the charges Mr. Kohberger faces. Defendants have a constitutional right to a fair trial, and that requires finding jurors that can be impartial and havent already made up their minds about the guilt or innocence of the person accused. But when the defense team hired a company to survey Latah County residents, 98% percent of the respondents said they recognized the case and 70% of that group said they had already formed the opinion that Kohberger is guilty. More than half of the respondents with that opinion also said nothing would change their mind, according to defense court filings. Some respondents also made dire predictions, according to the filings, saying that if Kohberger is acquitted, There would likely be a riot and he wouldnt last long outside because someone would do the good ole boy justice, Theyd burn the courthouse down, and Riots, parents would take care of him. Prosecutors wanted the judge to disregard the survey, saying it didnt include all the data about people who declined to respond to the survey. Prosecutor Bill Thompson and Special Assistant Attorney General Ingrid Batey said in court documents that there are other ways to ensure a fair trial short of moving the proceeding hundreds of miles away, including widening the pool of potential jurors to include neighboring counties. Any venue change would be expensive and also force court staffers, witnesses, experts, law enforcement officers and victims family members to make an inconvenient trip to the new location, the prosecution team said. The media coverage of the investigation into the killings wasnt limited to local and national news outlets. True crime-style television shows, books, podcasts and YouTube broadcasts also focused on the case, as have social media groups on sites like Facebook, Reddit and TikTok. Taylor said the media coverage has utterly corrupted the atmosphere in Latah County. Once the police arrested Mr. Kohberger the public was ready to, and has, proceeded to vilify him without regard to the Constitutional guarantee of the presumption of innocence and a right to an impartial jury and fair trial, Taylor wrote. The media focus on Mr. Kohberger has been relentless and highly inflammatory. Vion Food Group has revealed that around 165 jobs will be affected in the Netherlands as it continues to streamline its business. The Boxtel-headquartered company said in a statement there will be around 40 compulsory redundancies. It said changing market conditions require adjustments to the size of the organisation. The business is making moves to quit Germany to focus on the Benelux markets. Earlier this month, Vion sold its stake in two sites in Germany to fellow meat business Erzeugergemeinschaft Sudbayern. In January, the company closed one site in Germany and struck a deal to sell three others in the country. Five months later, Vion said it would exit the market entirely. In yesterday's (28 August) statement, Vion said: As a result of changing market conditions, it is necessary to make continuous adjustments. Vion has decided to focus more on strengthening chains in the Benelux. Vion benefits in this region from market leadership in pork and beef, as well as animal welfare and sustainability, its global sales network and advanced data-driven valorisation capabilities. The successful transformation programme and divestments in Germany lay a solid foundation for Vion's future growth and resilience, but will require adjustment of the indirect organisation. The meat and poultry group added these moves are unavoidable to leave a more efficient and thus future-proof overhead organisation. Vion said it entered talks with the workers unions but could not reach a social plan. However, it said it did reach a social plan with a works council and the redundancy process is currently going through with the utmost care. It added: Vion is fully aware that this is a difficult time for employees but is making every effort to limit the impact as much as possible. Just Food has contacted Vion and local trade unions for further details on the redundancies. "Meat group Vion to cut jobs in the Netherlands" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. A hotel housekeeper fell ill after being exposed to a chemical irritant in a guests room Thursday morning. The housekeeper, only identified as a woman, entered a room on the fifth floor of the Westin Los Angeles Airport hotel, 5400 W. Century Blvd., shortly before 9 a.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department said in a news release. Inside the unoccupied room, the housekeeper found a 16-ounce water bottle and the bathtub full of a yet to be identified or described liquid, fire officials said. In an update, fire officials said the bottle and bathtub contain[ed] a yet to be identified volume of brown liquid, the smell of which caused the housekeeper and a security guard she had called to become nauseous. Both were evaluated by paramedics and remain at the scene. By 11 a.m., officials had identified the liquid as an unspecified chemical irritant that did not pose an escalating on-site hazard. No other ill persons were identified. Los Angeles County Health HazMat officials will work with hotel staff to assure the guest room is returned to a safe and tenable state, fire officials said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. HONOLULU, HI - DECEMBER 11: A ziploc bag is used to cover Jamie Williams' bathroom faucet at her Aliamanu Military Reservation home in Honolulu, HI on December 11, 2021. Williams, like many other Hawaii residents, has been forced to contain the fuel leaking into their water supply. (Photo by Marie Eriel Hobro/For the Washington Post) In 2021, military families in Hawaii learned that thousands of gallons of jet fuel had contaminated the drinking water as a result from a spill at the WWII-era Red Hill fuel storage facility near Pearl Harbor and surrounding installations. The 2021 water crisis sparked an immediate and ongoing investigation from both military leadership and the families who have been affected. One group, the Red Hill Community Representation Initiative, recently hired Elin Betanzo, a drinking water expert who helped uncover the lead contamination in Flint, Michigan, to look at the data following the U.S. Navys fuel spills. Betanzo told Hawaii News Now that the Navys Safe Waters website showed more than 6,000 detections of lead in drinking water samples between 2022 and July 2024. Lead in drinking water can be caused by old faucets or pipes that need to be replaced. As of Feb. 1, 2024, all exceedances of lead found in the JBPHH water system have been cleared by updating fixtures and flushing water through the building, the Navys Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Safe Waters website states. But Betanzo has concerns. She found there were 26 samples that exceeded health action levels, including four local schools military children attend: Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary, Montessori Center of Pearl Harbor, Moanalua Pre-School, and Pearl Harbor Elementary. Safe water is a pervasive issue for military families across the world. In this photo, Liz Nashold, environmental director for Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, demonstrates how first-draw samples (250 milliliter) were collected from faucets at Hampton Roads Child Development Centers and Youth Centers. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends a lead screening level of 20 parts per billion or less. U.S. Navy photo/released Theres no reason for anybody to be drinking lead in their water, Bentanzo, who is also the president of Safe Water Engineering, told the outlet. EPA says the safe level for lead is zero. Because lead is an invisible contaminant, it cannot be seen or tasted. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), even small amounts of lead can be harmful, especially for kids, and can lead to behavior and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, lower IQ, anemia, and hyperactivity. Lead is particularly dangerous to children because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead, the EPA website states. Im concerned for the residents Everybody needs safe drinking water, Betanzo told Hawaii News Now. We havent regulated lead out of jet fuel yet, so that could potentially explain some of whats happening here. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the best way to reduce lead in your drinking water is to use an approved filter. Learn more about recommended water filters in their guide, here: how-to-id-filters-certified-to-reduce-lead-in-drinking-water-epa_june-2024Download At least 17 Texas Guardsmen have died while deployed during the contentious mission to secure the southern border in the past three years, a Texas military official told state lawmakers earlier this month. Family members of some of those service members have received $500,000 in compensation thanks to a recently authorized state death benefit, but several others were denied or have their claim remaining under review, according to Shelia Bailey Taylor, the Texas Military Department director of state administration, who revealed the death toll on Aug. 20. The troops served on Operation Lone Star, a mission consisting of Texas Guard members and other state law enforcement officials that Governor Greg Abbott said was enacted to stop drugs and or people from entering into Texas across the U.S.-Mexico border without authorization. In July, Border Patrol recorded just over 56,400 encounters between ports of entry along the southwest border, the lowest monthly total since September 2020, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. That followed an announcement in June by President Joe Biden that temporarily suspended the entry of certain noncitizens across the southern border. Southern border mission has no military value, Guard chief warns Thanks to the Bishop Evans Act, families of Texas National Guardsmen who die in connection with operations initiated to address criminal activity in the border region may now be eligible for financial compensation. The law is named after a Texas National Guard member who died in 2022 while trying to save two migrants, The Texas Tribune and Army Times previously reported. Others who died for a variety of reasons while serving on Operation Lone Star include a Guardsmen who suffered a medical emergency at his units hotel, at least two others who were killed in accidental shootings as well as at least four others who died by suicide. Between March 6, 2021 the date Operation Lone Star launched and Sept. 1, 2023, there were 10 claims submitted to receive a one-time lump sum payment of half a million dollars following the death of a service member, Taylor said. Of those, four of those claims met eligibility requirements, but only three were paid out, as the fourth did not have surviving dependents, she said. The other six claims were denied, she added. Taylor said another seven claims were submitted for deaths that occurred during state active duty after Sept. 1, 2023. Six of those deaths remain under review, she said, though one investigation recently concluded and determined the death was during state active duty orders. Seven of the claims were also separately submitted for additional workers compensation death benefits, though six have been denied as they were considered to not be on the job injuries within the course and scope of employment, she said. Texas state Rep. Ray Lopez, D-San Antonio, the vice chair of the Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee, encouraged Taylor and other officials at the meeting to speak up if gaps or other issues need to be addressed with the implementation of the new law. We know that it is a good attempt. Its intent is certainly perfect in the sense that we want to put legislation out there that is helpful to those folks that were serving. But we know that it isnt, he said. The Texas Military Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Military Times. Special counsel Jack Smiths surprise re-indictment of Donald Trump in the federal election subversion case Tuesday was a jarring reminder for the former president: Even though he has managed to stave off trials in three of his four criminal cases, he still faces legal landmines in his final two-month push to return to the White House. As the 2024 race approaches the post-Labor Day crunch, a few high-stakes hearings and key deadlines are likely to remind voters of the long list of felony charges he faces and could even briefly sideline Trump from the campaign trail. Most significantly, Trump could be sentenced in Manhattan next month when early voting begins in some states for his conviction on state fraud charges in the hush money case. Heres a look at where Trumps four criminal cases stand. Trump is scheduled to be sentenced in September in New York On Sept. 18, Trump is scheduled to learn whether his road to the White House could be derailed by a pit stop in prison. Less than two months before Election Day, Trump is set to be sentenced for his criminal conviction in Manhattan for falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to a porn star. Trump succeeded in getting the sentencing date moved from July to September after convincing Justice Juan Merchan to assess the potential effect of the Supreme Courts July 1 decision on presidential immunity in the hush money case Trump is now attempting to get the sentencing pushed again, arguing that he needs time to weigh appellate options once Merchan rules on the immunity issue. But if Merchan rejects Trumps bid for another delay, voters will learn in mid-September whether the Republican nominee faces a range of possible punishments, including community service, home confinement and up to four years in prison. Still, while the optics of prison time arent likely to boost his presidential prospects, the practical impact of the sentence may not take Trump off the campaign trail. Trump likely wont have to serve whatever sentence he receives until after he has exhausted the appeals process, which could take years. And if he wins in November, he almost certainly wont be required to serve his sentence until after he leaves the White House. Trump might have to appear in D.C. court after Jack Smiths latest indictment Aside from the potential for actual prison time in New York, only Trumps Washington criminal case in which hes charged with three conspiracies related to his effort to subvert the 2020 election carries the potential to disrupt Trumps campaign calendar. Smiths new indictment this week, an effort to adapt his case to the Supreme Courts recent ruling on presidential immunity, will ignite a new round of proceedings that will be directed by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan. The Obama-appointed judge has yet to schedule Trumps arraignment on the re-issued charges. Smiths team has agreed that Trumps presence is not necessary for the new arraignment particularly given the enormous security preparations it requires to ferry him in and out of the federal courthouse on Capitol Hill but the decision is Chutkans. Even if the judge allows Trump to skip his arraignment, she may seek further court dates in the case that could force Trump off the trail during crucial weeks of the campaign. Chutkan has repeatedly vowed not to let Trumps political calendar dictate her schedule. Her decision is likely to be influenced by a court filing due Friday from Smith and Trump proposing a path forward for the long-stalled case. Smiths new indictment makes clear he still intends for Trumps former vice president, Mike Pence, to be a star witness in the case. Though a trial is likely several months away, court fights over future testimony could drive significant media attention in the final stretch of the campaign. Jack Smith tries to revive the classified docs case U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon threw Trump a lifeline in what many legal observers have considered the most compelling case against him: Smiths case that the former president hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate after leaving office and then concealed them when the federal government sought their return. Cannons decision to dismiss the case last month, ruling that Smith was invalidly appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, ended speculation about the timing of a potential trial. But Smith is appealing her ruling to the Atlanta-based 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, with further briefs due over the next two months and a potential oral argument later in the year. Those filings and proceedings are sure to draw attention in the closing weeks of the 2024 campaign but are unlikely to be resolved before Nov. 5. No matter how the appeals court rules, the losing side can bring further challenges, perhaps to the Supreme Court, that are certain to kick the outcome of the case into 2025. Trump catches an extended break in Georgia The implosion of Trumps criminal case in Georgia now mired in a morass of allegations about lead prosecutor Fani Willis personal relationship with a top deputy and an alleged financial conflict of interest has largely rendered it an afterthought in the panoply of Trumps legal woes. For eight months, the case has been frozen while trial judge Scott McAfee, and now the Georgia state appeals court, weigh whether to disqualify Willis altogether, a result that could add to the already intractable delay. No matter the outcome, the case is sure to remain frozen into 2025. The appeals court has called for oral arguments in December and typically takes months to render opinions. Even if Willis is permitted to continue leading the case, it remains a long way from trial. The Fulton County district attorney will need to revise her criminal case against Trump and his allies to reflect the impact of the Supreme Courts immunity ruling, just as Smith did in Washington. And there is a long list of pretrial matters that McAfee has yet to resolve. Letters to the Editor: Hey, climate change doubters, how many more deaths will you tolerate? Death Valley National Park visitors walk near Zabriskie Point on July 8, when temperatures were as high as 125 degrees. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) To the editor: When politicians resist taking action to fight climate change, they often cite concern about loss of jobs. What about loss of lives? ("As national heat deaths rise, California girds for worsening bouts of extreme temperature," Aug. 26) How many deaths will it take for conservatives to address the problem? How many people must die? Jeffrey Howard, a public health professor in Texas, is quoted in your article as saying that the research finding rising heat deaths in the U.S. justifies "further investment in surveillance and better tools to understand what underlies these trends." We know what underlies these trends: climate change. What this finding justifies is an immediate and drastic shift away from fossil fuels. The heat deaths underscore what we mean when we say climate change affects the livability of our planet. The article talks about the expansion of hydrating and cooling centers, but people taking cars to get to these places will only exacerbate the problem. Murray Zichlinsky, Long Beach .. To the editor: The rising number of heat deaths is just one of the damaging effects of climate change that calls for an acceleration of our efforts to combat it. But it is game over for urgently needed climate change action if former President Trump gets elected in November. Trump has called climate change a hoax, and his past administration contemptuously refused to address the crisis. Now, in 2024, the GOP platform doesn't even mention climate change, and Trump would roll back the Biden administration's current climate change initiatives. We do hope that voters will not let Trump seriously degrade the futures of our children and grandchildren. Jack Holtzman and Irwin Rubenstein, San Diego This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Suzette Baker, who was head librarian at a Llano County library in Kingsland, has accused Llano County of firing her in 2022 because she refused to remove books in response to a pressure campaign. Baker also accuses the county of suppressing her First Amendment rights. A librarian who was fired amid a pressure campaign to remove books from Llano County public libraries can sue for wrongful termination and employment discrimination, a federal judge has ruled. Suzette Baker, who was head librarian at a county library in Kingsland, filed the lawsuit in March and accused Llano County of firing her in 2022 because she refused to remove books that a group of activists deemed inappropriate for children, some of which focused on race and LGBTQ+ experiences. The county eventually removed 17 books, ranging from the childrens book I Broke My Butt! to the nonfiction book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent. Baker also accused county officials of suppressing her First Amendment rights by barring her and other librarians from attending public Library Advisory Board meetings during their personal and vacation time. Baker, a 57-year-old veteran and mother of five adult children, now works as a cashier at a hardware store in Kingsland. U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman on Tuesday evening denied Llano County's motion to dismiss the lawsuit, allowing the case to advance toward a potential trial in Austin. The litigation could prove costly for Llano County, a rural Texas community in the Hill Country about 80 miles northwest of Austin, as it simultaneously defends itself against another federal lawsuit over the book removals. The Llano County Library displays childrens books on Aug 21, 2024. The library system is the subject of two federal lawsuits over book removals. The defendants in the case the county, the Commissioners Court, the county's library director and several community activists who were appointed to the Library Advisory Board during the push for book removals categorically rejected Baker's claims for legal relief in their June 4 motion to dismiss. As per Llano County Library Director Amber Milum's writeups, Baker was given a verbal warning and later fired for several instances of "insubordination" and "disruptive" behavior, including calling in sick to attend a library board meeting and falsely stating Milum had sent her. Baker also erected a library marquee that read, "We put the 'Lit' in Literature," a double entendre referring to book burning, according to court filings. "You are allowing personal biases, opinions and preferences to unduly influence your actions and judgment," Milum wrote in a March 9, 2022 memo noting she had terminated Bakers employment. The defendants largely declined to comment on Tuesday's order in response to individual requests sent by the American-Statesman, saying the county could not comment on ongoing litigation. "We respect the legal process and look forward to finalizing this litigation," Llano County Judge Ron Cunningham wrote to the Statesman on Wednesday. Commissioner Jerry Don Moss emphasized that the Commissioners Court did not vote for Bakers termination or order Milum to fire her in a phone call with the Statesman Wednesday. "We respect the legal process and look forward to finalizing this litigation," Llano County Judge Ron Cunningham, who is a defendant in two federal lawsuits over library book removals, wrote to the American-Statesman on Wednesday. Baker's case, and the situation in Llano, have drawn national attention as restrictions on books read by children in schools and public libraries generate fierce debate around the country. In June, the Author's Guild in New York City gave Baker the "Champion of Writers" award for her "brave defense of her community's right to read." For Baker, the judge's order signals that she and her lawyer are "going in the right direction." "I know what I did was right," Baker said. Denver-based attorney Iris Halpern, who is representing Baker, told the Statesman she hopes this initial order "sends a message" to libraries and government bodies that are considering placing restrictions on content. Halpern represented another Colorado librarian in a successful wrongful termination suit. "Libraries are playing politics with First Amendment and constitutional and civil rights, and it's time that that stops happening," said Halpern, a partner at Rathod Mohamedbhai, in a phone interview. "Librarians like Suzette Baker and other librarians across the country are heroes for protecting our rights and standing up to censorship and discrimination," she added. The defendants' attorneys Joanna Lippman Salinas and David Solomon of Austin-based firm Fletcher, Farley, Shipman & Salinas did not respond to a request for comment. Iris Halpern, partner at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC, right, looks through one of the books that was removed from the Kingsland Branch library in Llano County where her client Suzette Baker, left, was the head librarian before being fired in 2022. The events leading to Bakers firing According to the lawsuit, tension over library materials in Llano County began over the summer of 2021 when a group of community activists demanded that the libraries remove several specific titles from the children's and teens' sections, calling them "inappropriate" and "pornographic filth. They referred to some of the books as LBGTQ and CRT books in other emails. In November 2021, community member Bonnie Wallace sent a spreadsheet with about 60 books to Milum and requested that librarians remove "all books that depict any type of sexual activity or questionable nudity." The list was based on one compiled the month prior by Texas Rep. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth. Milum directed Baker to remove the books from circulation in Kingsland, but Baker refused, believing taking them out of the library would constitute a First Amendment violation, according to the complaint. At the time, she wrote in an email to Milum that the library system should counter parents concerns with information on how to effectively see what their children are doing and on how to choose those books. In a phone interview Tuesday with the Statesman, Baker noted that the library has a process for patrons to file formal challenges to books, but said that process was never used for the removals in 2021 and 2022. Amber Milum, Llano County library director, is a defendant in the Baker vs. Llano County lawsuit. In total, 17 books were removed. Some were children's books, such as "Larry the Farting Leprechaun." Some were related to puberty, like "It's Perfectly Normal." Others were award-winning adult nonfiction books, including "They Called Themselves the KKK: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group and Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents." The library serves community members of all ages and books are labeled to indicate their recommended age range. The county noted in its court filing that public employers have authority to limit speech and speech activities, such as attending public meetings, when that speech contradicts policies or impairs performance. "Plaintiff's speech was intimately connected with her professional duties and thus is not protected employee speech," Salinas argued in the motion to dismiss. The defendants note in their motion that neither the Commissioners Court nor the Library Board voted to authorize or order Milum, who oversees all three county libraries, to terminate Baker. "The Commissioners Court had nothing to do with the termination," Moss, a defendant in the lawsuit, told the Statesman in a phone call Wednesday. But Baker argues in the lawsuit that the defendants all "planned, authorized, and supported her termination, including by repeatedly pressuring Milum to have books removed. She also contends that the county terminated her employment to discriminate against minority groups through book bans and suppressed her First Amendment rights as well as those of other residents. Baker is seeking back pay, attorney's fees and an injunction ordering the county to cease behavior that discriminates against minorities and suppresses residents' First Amendment rights. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Llano County librarian's lawsuit can move forward, judge rules Rhode Island Hospital in Providence is one of five state hospitals operated by Lifespan Corp. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Rhode Islands largest hospital operator has sealed the deal to buy two Bristol County, Massachusetts hospitals from their bankrupt owner for a $175 million price tag. The tentative agreement announced by Lifespan Corp. on Thursday, pending approval by a federal bankruptcy court judge, would make the Ocean State hospital giant the owner of St. Annes Hospital in Fall River and Morton Hospital in Taunton. I am confident our team has the experience and know-how to rebuild the infrastructure of these two hospitals and operate them as successful and thriving not-for-profit organizations, Lifespan President and CEO John Fernandez said in a statement. Adding Saint Annes and Morton hospitals creates a unique opportunity to build our regional healthcare organization that will benefit the health of the communities in both states. The pair of Massachusetts hospitals are among the casualties of Steward Health Care, national, private hospital chain operator based in Dallas. Since filing for bankruptcy in May, declaring between $1 and $10 billion in debt to more than 100,000 creditors, Steward has been ordered to unload most of its hospital portfolio, including eight hospitals in Massachusetts, to secure new financing. Earlier this month, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey announced tentative deals in principle selling five of Stewards community hospitals to new owners, including the two sought by Lifespan, as part of efforts to save the safety net hospitals from going under with their bankrupt owner. This agreement accomplishes our goal of maintaining and protecting access to care and jobs in Southeastern Massachusetts and the Merrimack Valley, while removing Steward Health Care from Massachusetts once and for all, Healey said in a statement on Thursday. Another private hospital operator, Lawrence General Hospital, signed a deal to buy both campuses of Holy Family Hospital in Massachusetts on Thursday. Sales of other Steward hospitals in Massachusetts are still under review, including one the state plans to seize by eminent domain, Healey said Thursday. Massachusetts is spending an undisclosed amount to buy St. Elizabeths Medical Center in Brighton. The state is also dipping into its own coffers to help the other buyers through the transition, offering $30 million via a state bridge loan along with the promise of $80 million a year for the first three years through a combination of state funding, federal money and/or extra payments through the state Medicaid program. How much of the state funding will be carved off for Lifespan is still being finalized, according to Lifespans statement. Lifespan plans to pay for its purchases, which cover the buildings, land and operations, through debt financing, according to a statement. Other details of the planned financing were not immediately available. The deal comes a day after the states largest hospital operator posted its third-quarter earnings, showing $11.5 million in operating income for the quarter that ended June 30, according to an unaudited financial statement. The quarterly profits reflect a 30.6% increase in income compared with a year ago, driven by an increase in Medicaid-directed payments and pharmacy operations, the company said in its earnings statement. However, the major state employer has also seen expenses rise, including the $10.4 million cost to hire more than 300 full-time workers, alongside hikes in prices of drugs and medical supplies. Lifespan employs 17,000 workers in Rhode Island, with over 1,100 beds across five hospitals. Lifespan is also poised to boost its balance sheet through an expanded partnership with Brown University, which includes a $150 million investment from Brown to Lifespan over the next seven years, alongside a pending name change to Brown University Health. A Houston bankruptcy judge is scheduled to review the pending sales at a hearing on Sept. 4. The deals also require state and federal regulatory approvals, including, potentially, a review from the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General for state antitrust protections and Lifespans charitable assets, Attorney General Peter Neronha said in a prior interview with Rhode Island Current. Two other Massachusetts hospitals under Stewards ownership, Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center, will close by the end of the month because there were no qualified bids from prospective buyers, Healey said. Steward did not immediately return inquiries for comment on Thursday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A lightning strike ignited a fire at Turtle Back Zoo in Essex County Wednesday night, exposing sea turtles to heavy smoke. According to the Sea Turtle Recovery organization, the lightning damaged the Sea Turtle Recovery hospital, threatening the lives of several endangered sea turtles housed there. The West Orange Fire Department responded swiftly to the scene, battling flames that engulfed the building. Sea Turtle Recovery staff and volunteers, alerted by zoo staff, rushed to the facility to rescue the turtles exposed to heavy smoke. Among the rescued was Pickles, a critically endangered Kemps Ridley sea turtle that was already fighting a respiratory infection. During an emergency examination, Pickles' heart rate dropped to a dangerously low level, prompting immediate medical intervention by Dr. Hubert Paluch, STR's veterinarian. To stimulate deeper breathing, Pickles was placed in an emergency pool, where he eventually began to swim regularly and exhibit normal behaviors. Other turtles, including a Loggerhead, a Green Sea Turtle, and three additional Kemps Ridley turtles, were also stabilized. STR staff, along with the zoo staff, conducted thorough exams on all the turtles to ensure their well-being. The turtles were then taken to New York, where the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society prepared tanks for their arrival. The entire rescue operation extended into the early hours of the morning. "We cannot begin to assess the damage, and we do not know at this time all of the filtration and tank damage that was done," STR said in a statement. "Our animals are the current focus. All we can say simply is that seven years ago this hospital was a dream, and now 122 animals have been released. The turtles never give up, and they have taught us to never give up on them or ourselves." STR thanked the West Orange Fire Department, the Turtle Back Zoo staff, and the New York team for their support in the aftermath of the fire. The organization is now seeking donations to help with the recovery process, including setting up temporary tanks and purchasing supplies. Sea Turtle Recovery, the only long-term care hospital for sea turtles in New Jersey, remains committed to its mission. "We will not give up," the organization emphasized. Donations can be made at seaturtlerecovery.org or by texting "SEATURTLE" to 202-858-1233. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Turtle Back Zoo in Essex County struck by lightning The armed forces of Armenia again fired at the positions of the Azerbaijani army in the direction of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Azernews reports, citing Azeraijan's Defense Ministry that on August 28, at 6:30 p.m., the units of the Armenian armed forces opened fire on the positions of the Azerbaijani Army in the direction of the Shada settlement of the Shahbuz district of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic from their positions located in the direction of the Sultanbey settlement of Pashali district. Azerbaijan Army took retaliatory measures in the mentioned direction. MOUNT LAUREL Fulton Bank N.A. has announced plans to cut 111 jobs here as it eliminates redundant positions after acquiring the failed Republic Bank. The job losses also come during a previously announced restructuring of credit and commercial teams at the Lancaster, Pa.-based Fulton Bank, a spokesman said Thursday. The layoffs, which are occurring at an office at 533 Fellowship Road, will affect retail market managers and other positions, according to a notice filed with New Jersey's Department of Labor. "With the recent Republic Bank transaction, we brought in more than 300 team members, many with redundant roles to our existing corporate staff," Fulton spokesman Steve Trapnell said in an email Thursday. "As is typical with transactions of this nature, we eliminated redundant roles." The check's not in the mail: Men accused of stealing hundreds of checks from mailboxes Republic Bank, a long-struggling institution with offices across South Jersey, was closed in April by regulators who arranged its takeover by Fulton. It was the first U.S. bank failure this year, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. The collapse followed more than two years of financial problems and management turmoil at Philadelphia-based Republic. The company had 32 branches in South Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. "Fulton Bank remains a strong, stable organization committed to the customers and communities it serves," Trapnell said. With more than 3,500 employees, he added, Fulton Bank hopes to keep some workers whose positions are being eliminated. The layoffs are to take effect Nov. 22, Nov. 29 and Dec. 27, according to the notice. "Given the overlap in timing and number of displacements, we are required to provide employees and local and state officials with certain advance notices," Trapnell said. Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Layoffs at Fulton Bank following Republic Bank takeover If a picture's worth a thousand words, what are 154,000 comments worth? The Great Lakes region on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border may soon find out. Interested parties have until Aug. 30 to submit comments on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' environmental assessment of Enbridge's proposed Line 5 reroute project. And on Wednesday, tribal leaders, faith organizations, farmers, public health experts, businesses and environmental groups held a press conference to shine a spotlight on the controversial project. People from nearly every state have submitted comments, according to information from EarthJustice, an environmental law nonprofit organization. The nonprofit law organization stated that more than 154,000 comments were submitted through six nonprofit organizations, and the number will likely climb as more organizations make their numbers publicly available. Enbridge, the Calgary-based pipeline and energy giant, proposed a 41-mile reroute around the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa's land in 2020, but it has yet to be permitted by any agency. The pipeline must be removed from the Bad River Band's land by June 2026, as designated by court order. What comes next depends on the Army Corps. The agency will review the comments, and if it finds that the environmental impacts would be significant, the reroute project will need a federal environmental impact statement, a move that will push the oil company closer to its deadline to remove the pipeline from the Band's land. The reroute would sit just outside the Band's reservation and even further upstream of many waterways that flow through the Band's land into Lake Superior, which holds roughly 10% of the world's surface freshwater. Robert Blanchard, chairman for the Bad River Band, said during the press conference that the Band doesn't want the continued threat that Line 5 poses to the Band's land, waterways, fisheries, wild rice beds as well as Lake Superior. The Bad River at Elm Hoist bridge on the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa's reservation near Odanah, Wis., on June 16, 2024. Others at the press conference also talked about how the reroute project locks the country into a future with fossil fuels, the known driver of human-caused climate change. They also called on Governor Tony Evers and the federal government to stop the reroute project from moving forward. Line 5 is an investment in a future that doesnt exist anymore, said Isak Drangstveit, a freshman at UW-Madison who is activist with Action for the Climate Emergency. Alexander Waters, a beef farmer near Ashland, explained that Line 5 runs through his land. Waters said Enbridge has been difficult to deal with and he worries about the dozens of spills that have occurred across the length of pipeline. "Enbridge has not been a very good company to host," Waters said. According to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration database, Line 5 has leaked 35 times in its roughly 70-year tenure and released a total of more than 1.13 million gallons of oil into the environment. Line 5 supporters are also making their voices heard. More than 14,000 Line 5 supporters signed a petition organized by the Wisconsin Jobs and Energy Coalition, calling on the Army Corps to issue the reroute permits. According to the coalition, more than three dozen Wisconsin organizations that represent labor, business and agriculture sent letters to the federal agency outlining their support. More: Along Wisconsin's northern shores, Line 5 continues to pit tribal culture against Big Oil More: Controversy, legal fights over Line 5 pipeline keep it in the news. We break the issues down. The new 41-mile stretch of pipeline would go south of the Bad River Bands land further inland into Ashland and Iron counties. It would go through Iron County State Forest, around Copper Falls State Forest and cross more than 180 Lake Superior tributaries, including the Bad River. It's estimated to cost $450 million. The Army Corps of Engineers review is a requirement under the Clean Water Act. It released a draft of its environmental assessment earlier this year, drawing eight hours of contentious testimony during the public hearings. During the hearings, twice as many people spoke out against the reroute project as they did for it. The reroute project is estimated to have a $135 million economic impact in northern Wisconsin, creating jobs for 700 workers with a total labor income of $27.5 million, according to the oil company. But some would argue that tourism is a bigger economic driver. Together, Bayfield and Ashland counties brought in nearly $160 million in 2023, according to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. More: As Lake Superior wetlands become more vulnerable, tribe fears cultural guideposts could slip away The deadline looms for Enbridge Five years after the Band first filed its lawsuit against the Canadian company, litigation surrounding the case is ongoing. In 2019, the Band filed a lawsuit against Enbridge to get the Line 5 pipeline removed from its land. The fossil fuel company has been operating the pipeline illegally on 12 miles of the Band's land for more than a decade. In 2013, tribal officials with the Band chose not to renew the easement for fear of environmental damage from the aging pipeline. In June 2023, a federal judge ordered that Enbridge must remove the pipeline from the tribe's land within three years or face a shutdown. Both sides appealed the decision last year, and the federal appeals court heard oral arguments in February. A decision by the appellate court is expected later this year. While there are less than two years are left to meet the June 2026 deadline, Enbridge told the Journal Sentinel this month that the company is confident it will meet that deadline. More: Great Lakes tribes teach 'water is life. But theyre forced to fight for a voice in safeguarding it. Caitlin Looby is a Report for America corps member who writes about the environment and the Great Lakes. Reach her at clooby@gannett.com or follow her on X @caitlooby. Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to this reporting effort at jsonline.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Dr, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Line 5 reroute opponents submit 150,000 comments to U.S. Army Corps LIST: All the Fred Meyer stores impacted by strike in the Portland area PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Thousands of workers are on a week-long strike at 28 different Fred Meyer stores in the Portland area, leaving many customers asking where to shop. The strike began at 6 a.m. Wednesday after union members claimed the popular grocery chain used unfair labor practices. The union, UFCW Local 555, claimed Fred Meyer had refused to provide essential information for current negotiations, leading to the union filing a formal charge against the company on Aug. 20. DONT MISS: Fred Meyer employees begin week-long strike Union members expect the strike to last through Tuesday, Sept. 3. Until then, the union asks Fred Meyer customers to avoid shopping at the following 28 locations until the strike is over: Beaverton: 11425 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Burlingame: 7555 SW Barbur Blvd Canby: 1401 SE 1st Ave Clackamas: 16301 SE 82nd Dr Cornelius: 2200 Baseline St Division: 14700 SE Division St Gateway: 1111 NE 102nd Ave Glisan: 6615 NE Glisan St Gresham: 2497 NE Burnside St Happy Valley: 17005 SE Sunnyside Rd Hawthorne: 3805 SE Hawthorne Blvd Hillsboro: 6495 SE Tualatin Valley Hwy Hollywood West: 3030 NE Weidler St Interstate: 7404 N Interstate Ave Johnson Creek: 8955 SE 82nd Ave Oak Grove: 14700 SE Mc Loughlin Blvd Oregon City: 1839 Molalla Ave Peninsula: 6850 N Lombard St Raleigh Hills: 7700 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Sandy: 16625 SE 362nd Ave Scappoose: 51500 S Columbia Hwy Stadium: 100 NW 20th Pl Sunset: 22075 NW Imbrie Dr Tigard: 11565 SW Pacific Hwy Tualatin: 19200 SW Martinazzi Ave Walker Rd: 15995 SW Walker Rd Wilsonville: 30300 SW Boones Ferry Rd Wood Village: 22855 NE Park Ln If you see that line at one of our 28 Fred Meyers in the Portland metro area, dont cross it, Miles Eshaia with UFCW Local 555 said. Just shop somewhere else. KOIN 6 News visited three of the stores impacted by the strike on Wednesday and found fairly empty parking lots, posted hiring signs, and several honks in solidarity. Meanwhile, the union has created a web page to direct customers to other grocery chains in the area, such as Albertsons and Safeway. Ombudsman advises Portland Water Bureau to stop charging returned payment fees In a statement from Fred Meyer, the company said they respect their associates right to bargain and they shared that the Kroger and Albertsons merger would help ensure a future for unionized grocery stores. Protecting our associates right to collectively bargain is why it is so important to secure the future of unionized grocery stores in America, and that is exactly what Krogers proposed merger with Albertsons will do. Fred Meyer also said stores would remain open to serve the Portland community with access to fresh food, essentials, and pharmacy services during the strike. Oregon Sen. Elizabeth Steiner shared she would be out on the picket lines at the Hollywood Fred Meyer store to show the workers, and I stand with them to ensure that they have fair living wages, good benefits, and that theyre treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. Portland psychiatric hospital adds services to help people safely withdraw from hard drugs Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden also reacted to the strike on X (formerly known as Twitter) saying that he stands in solidarity with the striking employees. I love a Freddies rotisserie chicken as much as the next guy, but not even thats worth crossing the picket line for. I stand in solidarity with the workers striking today for better working conditions, Wyden said. Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. (WFLA) Governor Ron DeSantis spoke in Crystal River about the economic growth for Citrus County. DeSantis was joined by Florida Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly at the Citrus County Property Appraiser. The governors job growth grant fund, which is in place for workforce education, was awarded to Citrus County to grow Holder Industrial Park. According to DeSantis, Citrus County applied for an award under the governors job growth grant fund to attract more people and have more people invest in Citrus County. This has the opportunity, the potential to help facilitate some significant return on the investment, and we want to be able to empower communities to do that, DeSantis said. Citrus County was granted $2.8 million for Holder Industrial Park. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A University of Florida researcher was among six people who launched into suborbital space on a Blue Origin rocket Thursday morning to study how plants adapt to going to space. Rob Ferl, Ph.D., the UF Astraeus Space Institute director, flew in the New Shepard craft and perform the experiment himself, according to a release from the university. We envision plants will keep us alive in space or on the moon, Ferl said in a statement. What does it take to adapt to living in space? Wed like to know. This was rockets eighth human spaceflight. The launch took place at Blue Origins West Texas launch facility. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Loran K. Cole The 57-year-old man sentenced to death in the murder of a Florida State University student in 1994 is scheduled to be executed at 6 p.m. more than 30 years after the crime. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant for Loran K. Cole on July 29. Cole will be put to death by lethal injection at the Florida State Prison in Raiford, Union County. The Tallahassee Democrat's Elena Barrera, the newspaper's breaking and trending news reporter, is covering the execution today. Check back here throughout the afternoon and evening for updates: Death penalty opponents: Cole's death 'particularly calculated, particularly hypocritical' After Cole's execution, Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty released a statement calling his death by lethal injection "particularly calculated, and particularly hypocritical." "In Florida, the governor has the sole discretion on when, whether, and for whom to set an execution," it said. "The process is shrouded in mystery and secrecy. We have no way of knowing how or why Loran was chosen, and no way of knowing who might be next." The statement also said the group tried to take more than 7,000 signed petitions to spare Cole to the governor, but its members "were told that due to construction, there is no way for the public to access the Governors office. Not even a makeshift reception area to allow Floridians' voices to be heard." It went on: "A selection process shrouded in secrecy. No way for the public to make its voice heard. Key officials unavailable the week we are killing a human being. This is no system of orderly justice." The full statement is here. Loran Cole has been executed Thirty years after his crime, Loran K. Cole has been executed at Florida State Prison for the 1994 murder of John Edwards, an 18-year-old Florida State University student. His death came after a last-ditch legal effort to prevent his execution based on alleged abuse he suffered at a notorious and now-shuttered boys' reform school, as well as health conditions, including Parkinson's disease. He was declared dead at 6:15 p.m. by a prison doctor. He had no last words, saying "no, sir" when asked. Cole's body appeared to tremble for several minutes as he lay strapped to the gurney. There were 19 witnesses, two guards, four Corrections Department communications staff members, and seven journalists who observed Cole's death. A Florida execution and those left behind Reporter Elena Barrera, who is covering tonight's execution for the USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida, spent weeks talking to loved ones and sifting through the Tallahassee Democrat's archives and court records for a special report on the impact a savage murder and capital punishment has on those left behind. Friends and fraternity brothers of John Edwards, who was brutally murdered, spoke about all the missed moments they would have shared together from weddings to promotions. Barrett Atwood said he didn't process the pain for years. But one by one, everyone started to pick up the pieces and do the one thing they wished John could do live. Atwood became an attorney. One brother started a wealth management practice. Another became an ordained minister. Still another became a Marine. The tragedy "just taught me a lot about life," Atwood said. "And I'm sorry John had to lose his life to do that." Barrera also spoke with convicted killer Loran Cole's loved ones, who are still trying to separate the man from the monster portrayed in court records. In the eyes of the state of Florida and a jury of his peers, Cole is a murderer. But to his ex-wife, he was her head-over-heels first love. To his son, he is the father he wishes he could've grown up with. To his prison pen pal, he is a cherished friend. Read the two-part series here. Loran Cole 'compliant' on last day, had pizza and M&Ms as last meal, DOC says Cole woke up at 6 a.m. Thursday morning and has remained compliant since, said Florida Department of Corrections spokesman Ted Veerman. He declined a meeting with a spiritual adviser but was joined by his son, Ryan Cole, and his pen-pal friend of 4 years, Beth Evans, for his last meal: Pizza, ice cream, M&Ms and soda. Veerman said Cole was offered a sedative, but he cannot confirm whether or not he took it. An inmates family members are not permitted to witness his execution. Weve extended an invitation to the victims family, Veerman added. At this point, no one is slated to attend, but Ill have a statement that I will be reading ... after the execution. Previous executions had capital connections Two of the last few executions in Florida were Tallahassee-related cases: On Oct. 3, 2023, a drifter from Tallahassee who killed two women in the Florida Panhandle during a crime spree in 1996 was executed. Michael Duane Zack, 54, was sentenced to death in the 1996 Escambia County murder of Ravonne Smith during a crime spree that also included killing a woman, Laura Rosillo, in Okaloosa County. And on Feb. 23, 2023, Donald Dillbeck, 59, was executed for the 1990 murder of Faye Vann outside a Tallahassee mall. Dillbeck was the first prisoner executed in Florida since 2019, after a three-and-a-half year hiatus brought on by COVID-19. He was the 100th prisoner executed since the death penalty was reinstated in Florida in 1975, according to the Department of Corrections. Dillbeck's last words also were aimed at DeSantis. I know I hurt people when I was young. I really messed up, said Dillbeck, 59, as he was strapped to a gurney in the Florida State Prison death chamber. But I know Ron DeSantis has done a lot worse. Hes taken a lot from a lot of people. I speak for all men, women and children. Hes put his foot on our necks. What happens on a death row inmate's day of execution? The Florida Department of Corrections lays out the detailed protocol for a convict's execution day. Its guidance includes in part: "A food service director, or his/her designee, will personally prepare and serve the inmate's last meal. The inmate will be allowed to request specific food and non-alcoholic drink to the extent such food and drink costs forty dollars ($40) or less, is available at the institution, and is approved by the food service director." "The inmate will be escorted by one or more team members to the shower area, where a team member of the same gender will supervise the showering of the inmate. Immediately thereafter, the inmate will be returned to his/her assigned cell and issued appropriate clothing. A designated member of the execution team will obtain and deliver the clothing to the inmate." "A designated execution team member will ensure that the telephone in the execution chamber is fully functional and that there is a fully-charged, fully-functional cellular telephone in the execution chamber. Telephone calls will be placed from the telephone to ensure proper operation. Additionally, a member of the team shall ensure that the two-way audio communication system and the visual monitoring equipment arc fully functional. "The only staff authorized to be in the execution chamber area are members of the execution team and others as approved by the team warden, including two monitors from FDLE. A designated execution team member, in the presence of one or more additional team members and an independent observer from FDLE, will prepare the lethal injection chemicals as follows, ensuring that each syringe used in the lethal injection process is appropriately labeled...." Background on the case Cole, then 27, and William Paul, then 20, befriended John Edwards and his sister, who planned to spend a weekend camping in the Ocala National Forest in February 1994. John was an 18-year-old student at FSU at the time. Convicted murderer Loran Cole, shown here at his trial in 1995. Cole and Paul later attacked both siblings, according to court filings: Edwards died that night from a slashed throat and three blows to the head, causing a fractured skull. The sister was raped but got away. The men who committed these crimes are damnable animals, then-Marion County Sheriff Ken Ergle said at the time, according to news reports. In 1995, Cole and Paul were convicted of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping and two counts of robbery with a deadly weapon. Cole also was found guilty of two counts of sexual battery. Cole was sentenced to death and Paul was sentenced to life in prison. A state Corrections Department database on Thursday showed Paul is being held at Cross City Correctional Institution in Dixie County. How will Cole be executed? By 6 p.m. ET today, Cole will be strapped to a gurney in the death chamber at Florida State Prison, where, if all goes as planned, a three-drug cocktail will enter his veins through a needle. Floridas lethal injection cocktail consists of three chemicals: The first is an injection of etomidate, an anesthetic. The second injection is rocuronium bromide, a paralytic muscle relaxer. The third is potassium acetate, which causes the heart to stop, followed by an injection of a saline solution. The executioner also injects a saline solution to ensure the drugs enter the inmates veins. In 2000, then-Florida Gov. Jeb Bush signed legislation making lethal injection the states default method of execution amid controversy over the electric chair. The last inmate Florida executed by electrocution was Allen Davis in July 1999. Witnesses described blood streaming from Davis nose and onto his shirt, which drew widespread attention two years after an inmates mask burst into flames during a different Florida electrocution. U.S. Supreme Court denies request to postpone execution On Thursday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court released a brief statement that it had declined Cole's request to postpone his execution. "The application for stay of execution of sentence of death presented to Justice (Clarence) Thomas and by him referred to the Court is denied," the court said in a 10:33 a.m. email. "The petition for a writ of certiorari is denied." A stay is a court action that stops a legal proceeding, usually temporarily. More: 'He wasn't forgotten': Friends of John Edwards reflect on Loran Cole's impending execution More: 'He wasn't forgotten': Friends of John Edwards reflect on Loran Cole's impending execution Portions of this live blog contain previously reported material by staff of the USA TODAY Network Florida. Breaking & trending news reporter Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Live updates: Loran Cole execution at Florida State Prison Donald Trump has accused Mark Zuckerberg of 'plotting against the president' during the 2020 US election Donald Trump has warned that Mark Zuckerberg will spend the rest of his life in prison if Facebook illegally influences the outcome of the US presidential election. In a book to be published next week, Trump alleged that the billionaire tech chief steered Facebook against him during the 2020 campaign. Trump claimed in the book, titled Save America, that Mr Zuckerberg would visit the Oval Office and bring his very nice wife to dinners, be as nice as anyone could be, while engaging in a plot against the president. According to Politico, Trump wrote: He told me there was nobody like Trump on Facebook. But at the same time, and for whatever reason, steered it against me. We are watching him closely, and if he does anything illegal this time he will spend the rest of his life in prison as will others who cheat in the 2024 presidential election. Mark Zuckerberg has said he will not make any financial contributions in this year's campaign - NATHAN HOWARD/REUTERS During the 2020 campaign, the tech giant blocked adverts alleging election fraud and later banned groups such as Stop the Steal. It blocked Trump following the Jan 6 riots at Capitol Hill, before reinstating his account two years later. Facebook has since changed policies to allow adverts that include baseless claims by Trump and his supporters that the 2020 election was rigged. Mr Zuckerberg said he would not be making any financial contributions during the 2024 election. In the letter, he said: My goal is to be neutral and not play a role one way or another. It follows Mr Zuckerberg admitting to a US committee that Facebook had been repeatedly pressured by the Joe Biden administration to block disinformation about Covid-19, adding the calls to censor content were wrong. In a letter to Congress, he also added that in retrospect Facebook should not have demoted a damaging New York Post story about Joe Bidens son Hunter amid claims it may have been part of a Russian disinformation campaign. Its since been made clear that the reporting was not Russian disinformation, Mr Zuckerberg said, adding the company had since changed its policies. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Lobby at Childrens Hospital of Georgia getting a makeover AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF)- Thursday, construction will begin to renovate the lobby at the Childrens Hospital of Georgia. The Childrens Hospital was built in 1998 and hospital leaders say it hasnt been updated since. The lobby floor is cracked, the ceiling tiles are water stained and there is an old fountain in the corner that hasnt worked in 15 years. The furniture is old and needs replacing as well. The project will cost around $2 million and take around 6 months to complete. Crews will work to paint, replace the floor and ceiling tiles and remove that fountain. Artist rendering of the lobby at CHOG. Courtesy of Wellstar MCG Health. Dr. Ralph Turner, President at Wellstar MCG, said the furniture will be replaced with something designed to keep people healthier. To limit the spread of infectious diseases, your furniture-cant be ripped. It cant be shredded. It cant it has to be one continuous cloth. And you buy furniture now that goes in the health care facilities thats labeled as antimicrobial, meaning that disease material cant get into the material. So, somebody else come along to sit on it, they wont risk the opportunity to get infected. United Way of the CSRA kicks off annual fundraising campaign He added that it is well past time for the changes. Thats probably the most precious patient we take care of (children). And parents coming in and a high level anxiety. They dont want to walk into an environment where theyre not feeling like theyre coming to get the best care. And I dont think we quite represented that. So, our goal is to deliver world class health care to every person, every time and if you dont start with the environment that youre walking into, it can raise anxiety level even higher. Construction begins Thursday and they expect it to continue until next Spring. The lobby, first floor elevator and traffic circle will be closed starting today until further notice. Hometown History: The Silver Bluffs Instructions for alternate entrance to CHOG and Chick-Fil-A are as follows: For ease of access, please park in Medical Center Parking Deck 2 at 1461 Harper St. From the parking deck, enter the Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center through entrance F on Harper Street Take the F elevators to the second door. Follow signs to the Wellstar Childrens elevators to access patient doors. Pharmacy Pick-up: Reserved parking for pharmacy pick-up will remain available. Enter the Wellstar Childrens parking deck on Harper Street at the ground level. Turn right. Signs designating the reserved spaces will be straight ahead along the sidewalk. Chick-Fil-A Access-Chick-Fil-A will remain open and accessible during renovations. Enter Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center through the F entrance on Harper Street. Follow signs for Chick-Fil-A. Blue Coat Ambassadors are always available to assist. Find a team member wearing a blue blazer to answer any questions you have. Photojournalist: Dania Alawir. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) A court has ruled that a death row inmate convicted of a local crime cannot be executed at this time due to his mental condition. Read next: 3 arrested in Youngstown while serving warrants in drug investigation Thursday, a hearing was held before Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas Judge Sean OBrien regarding the murder conviction and death sentence of Sean Carter. During that hearing, evidence was submitted that three doctors who evaluated Carter found that his mental condition deteriorated while in custody, according to a news release from the Trumbull County Prosecutors Office. The hearing was on two motions presented by the defense regarding Carters mental state and competency to be executed under Ohio law, as well as the issue of his mental illness at the time of the offense. The court found that Carter is incompetent to be executed at this time and will set a hearing in two full years to review his competency again, according to the news release. If he is found competent, prosecutors say they plan to argue Carters claim of a serious mental illness at the time of the offense. As stated previously, this office has consistently fought, and will continue to fight in the future, the idea that this Defendant suffered from a serious mental illness at the time of the offense such that it affected his ability to control his conduct. The Trumbull County Prosecutors Office noted at the time of trial, his competency was evaluated by two psychiatrists and a psychologist, and Carter was found to be competent and sane, read a statement from the Prosecutors Office. Prosecutors say they are frustrated by the slow pace of the process and hope that Carter is held accountable for his crimes. Carter was convicted of the rape and murder of his adoptive grandmother, Veader Prince, in September of 1997. Investigators at the time said Carter beat her and stabbed her with a kitchen knife after she told Carter that he could not stay at her house anymore. Princes children found her body the next evening. The autopsy report said Prince was stabbed 18 times. Carter has been at the Warren Correction Institution since 1998. He is one of 11 inmates on death row, many of which have been there for years due to the states inability to obtain lethal injection drugs and the lengthy appeals process. The last execution in Ohio was in 1998. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. The Western Pennsylvania Harris/Walz Campaign held a news conference to respond to JD Vances visit. The chair of the Crawford County Democratic Committee was at the Erie County Democratic headquarters Wednesday morning. JD Vance holds Erie rally highlighting the American economy, trucking industry Lindsay Scott is a veteran and former Republican. She had this to say. JD Vances policies that he supports will lower the cost for multi-corporations and rich people but those things do not directly translate to people who live here every day and their programs the things that they need are not going to be supported. And the cost of them living with those things and keeping those benefits would be higher, Scott said. Erie voters highlight important political issues ahead of JD Vance rally No word from the Harris/Walz Campaign on when the Democratic presidential or vice presidential candidate will be in town. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. MIDLAND & ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) The Midland Police Department is closer to filling its ongoing police officer shortage. However, according to Sergeant Bianca Rodriguez, it still needs more than 20 officers to fill out its staff. So, right now, we are down about 24 officers, and comparing to two years ago, I can say we have increased our numbers, Rodriguez said. Rodriguez said that the reasons behind the shortage include potential police officers working in the oil industry and the scrutiny that comes with being a cop. Were always under a microscope, Rodriguez said. Anything that we do, everybodys looking at us. And its always, What did the officer do bad? Let me see this video. Let me dissect it and see what they did wrong. Rodriguez also discussed how the officer shortages affect current members of the local force. Their workload is so high that theyre just going call-to-call, Rodriguez said. Now, they would love to be more proactive and do other proactive things, but the call load just doesnt allow it. They will go to a call sometimes by themselves because we dont have a backup officer. Rodriguez said that to combat the shortages, MPD is going to local gyms and job fairs to find prospective officers, telling potential candidates that they dont need a college degree to apply. RELATED: MPD looking to identify CVS theft suspects The police shortage is not only affecting MPD but also the City of Odessas Police Department, according to Odessa Police Corporal Steve LeSueur; who said that although the department is experiencing a shortage, it isnt negatively impacting the community. Although we are short, its not affecting our calls for service, as far as our response time, he said. Because we have priority calls. If something serious is happening, were going to respond right away. Were not going to take a while just because were short-handed. LeSueur also said the police shortage is not only affecting the local areas but also police departments nationwide. Weve reached out to the City of Odessa for a more in-depth look at the officer shortage and will update you when the information is made available. If you are interested in becoming a police officer, here are links to join Midland and Odessa. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. Lockheed Martin honors Hometown Hero at the Fair on Armed Forces Day (WSYR-TV) Lockheed Martin celebrates the third year of the Hometown Hero program at the NYS Fair on Armed Forces Day, August 29. The Hometown Hero program is our way of honoring service members. This year they are honoring not just one, but two. The honorees names are John John Wayne Cordsen and James The Greek Sakezles. John Cordsen was a front-line Marine one of the famed Magnificent Bastards who participated in the 5th deadliest battle, the Battle of Dai Do in Vietnam. He spoke with Erik and Iris this morning about his service. He is the recipient of a Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and may other commendations. John Cordsen was joined by Chandra Marshall, vice president and Syracuse general manager for Lockheed Martin. The other honoree, James Sakezles, served in the U.S. Army in the 336 Engineer Combat Battalion C Company Demolition. He fought on D-Day, storming the beaches in Normandy, and his unit liberated Concentration Camps around Gerdelgen within Nazi Germany. The Hometown Hero celebration at the Fair is at 5 p.m. at Chevy Court on Armed Forces Day. Learn more about Lockheed Martin in our state by visiting LockheedMartin.com/NYS. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) According to a study conducted by Sioux City Neighborhood Services, in 2024, Sioux City has seen a total of 295 unhoused persons. Thats only 19 more than 2023, but quite an increase from 2022, where the numbers were as low as 212. In our official numbers we havent seen a great increase, so its been pretty consistent, but we have noticed that things are changing a little bit around the visibility of homelessness, outreach supervisor Clara Coly said. Weve seen a lot more folks panhandling, which doesnt necessarily mean that they are homeless, but weve seen that increase downtown. All FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers to close on Labor Day Neighborhood Services attributes part of the increase to the removal of COVID-19 assistance funding following the pandemic. A lot of people were relying on that kind of assistance, and I mean a lot of people, Coly said. There wasnt a replacement for those kinds of services, and that kind of funding for rental assistance, utility assistance, forbearance on rent, and that kind of thing, so weve seen a lot of people not able to get out of those holes. According to their stats, 74 adults on the coordinated entry list for homelessness assistance have an income, earning $500 $1000. Of those, 29 have earned income, 44 have Social Security, and the rest receive unemployment or child support. School districts across Iowa to address chronic absenteeism in new year Theres kind of an assumption on what homelessness is, but its really diverse in every way, Coly said. A lot of folks, it has to do with the assistance thats gone away, but then it could be because they lost a job, it could be that they still have a job but theyre underemployed and theyre just not able to make ends meet and theyre not able to continue renting at their apartment. According to their count, the age demographic that sees the most unhoused is the 35-44 years old group. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. With Lopanos exit, Tampas airport moves on from the man who transformed it When Joe Lopano looked out across Tampa International Airports main terminal in January 2011, the brand new chief executive wasnt impressed. Should I use the word Im thinking of? he said, pausing meditatively in a recent interview with the Tampa Bay Times. It sucked. But the imperfections were a ready canvas for Lopano, who craved an airport to call his own after 14 years as the No. 2 at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. He convinced his interviewers that he, with no prior experience as a CEO, could lead the regions travel hub to success. I was the only one interviewing for the job that was never a CEO, Lopano said. I said, Somebody has to make you a CEO. Youre not born a CEO. Thirteen years later, Lopano has ushered in changes that local leaders gush about. A new rental car center. The dawn of an international terminal, set to open in 2028. Coveted flights from South America, Europe and the West Coast. A revitalized main terminal adorned with a towering statue of a pink flamingo (named Phoebe) and a fresh wave of local vendors airside like Columbia Restaurant, Buddy Brew Coffee and Mise en Place. Now, Lopano is leaving the airport behind. In February, he announced hell retire in April 2025, when his contract ends. Since then, hes seen no shortage of rewards and praise. He received over $1.1 million in pay this year, his most ever. I personally dont know if Ive met anyone who is a better leader, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said in August. It wasnt always so. Lopano remembers more doubters than cheerleaders at the beginning. He took the role at a precarious time. His predecessor, Louis Miller, had abruptly resigned the year before when his decisions for the airport drew heat from his bosses, board members of the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority. Lopano remembers encountering the same skepticism. Heres a new guy that just came in who thinks he can do X, Y, Z. (I was) red meat, he said. Miller had bristled at an aviation authority board members plan to bolster Tampa Internationals meager roster of international flights, setting the stage for Tampa to compete with much larger airports in Orlando and Miami. But what got Lopano the job, from his perspective, was his confident answer to the question, Can you get international flights? Yes, he said. And Lopano didnt waste time. He wooed airline executives with a new message: Tampa wasnt a sleepy city of a little over 300,000, he told them. It was the gateway to the West Coast of Florida, a booming stretch of vacation spots with millions of residents and dozens of options within an hours drive. Orlando, Sarasota and Naples were all destinations Tampa International could offer to tourists, business people and residents. That courtship raised doubts, said Janet Scherberger, Lopanos director of communications from the beginning of his tenure to her retirement in 2020. Some wondered what Lopano would have to show for all his fancy dinners with airline executives. International flights The first payoff came six months into the job. Lopano, with the help of Chris Minner, his No. 2 whom he brought with him from Dallas, secured a nonstop flight to Zurich from Edelweiss Air. Lopano remembers throwing his arms around Minner in celebration. People saw that big, old, wide (plane) body on the ground, and theyre like, Maybe, right? Maybe this could work, he said. And another one came, and another one came, and the doubters went under the bed. A rush of new flights came in the first years of Lopanos tenure. For him, it was all a numbers game, Scherberger said. Where were people flying to and from Tampa? Where werent there nonstop flights already? Who could he convince? In December 2013, Copa Airlines began offering flights to Panama City, Panama the gateway to South America, according to Tampa International. In June 2014, Alaska Airlines launched a flight to Seattle. In 2015 came Lopanos biggest win: Lufthansa began flying from Tampa to Frankfurt, the gateway to Europe. Two years later, United Airlines launched a direct route to San Francisco. More victories came later. Portland, Oregon was added to Alaskas roster in 2021. This year, Aeromexico began daily direct flights to Mexico City. Redesigning the airport It wasnt just flights that Lopano wanted. He wanted an airport that looked modern and cool and in 2011, Tampa International was not that, he said. The main terminal was cramped by boxy storefronts. Rental car companies were split between an on-site facility that crowded the main terminal and an off-site garage. So began the master stroke that has defined Lopanos tenure. Ground first broke on the three-part plan a decade ago. In 2018, the first phase debuted with a main terminal expansion and redesign, 69 restaurants and shops and a rental car center. The Mitsubishi-built SkyConnect train could carry customers to the new center in less than five minutes, where theyd find 16 companies and up to 5,300 vehicles. With 55,000 more square feet, the main terminal felt open, airy, light. Everything Lopano wanted. Changes didnt stop there. A point of personal pride for Lopano is the 270,000-square-foot SkyCenter One office building where he works, with a prime view of planes lifting off above a glistening Tampa Bay. Before SkyCenter, which opened in 2021, the site served as storage for smashed rental cars. They were parked here so morbidly. Every once in a while Id drive by and say, Oh, that was a bad one, Lopano said. Lopano made good on a different vision. Now a pair of binoculars are perched on a table in his office, ready to catch a particularly beautiful jet gliding through the sky. Passing the reins Lopano, 69, has big plans for retirement. Hell split time between Indian Rocks Beach and Dallas, with a couple months in Italy and Hawaii in between. Hes hoping to get in touch with his Italian roots. Spend time with his six grandkids. Hide out in Michigans upper peninsula with a black-and-white film camera, reconnecting with his passion for photography. But before any of that happens, Lopano must wrap up a year-long farewell tour. The way you leave counts, he said. Lopano will hand off the capstone of his plan for the airport international terminal Airside D to the hands of a successor. A battle already is underway among four of Lopanos executive vice presidents, Minner included. Luckily, Lopano said, its not his choice to make. He wants the next CEO to embody a motto he repeats often: enabling greatness in others. Its a line Scherberger, a former Tampa Bay Times reporter, scoffed at when Lopano first said it in a 2011 interview. I was like, Really? Is that the truth? Scherberger said. But he really does. Lopano made employee-focused changes when he first arrived. He allowed staff to present at aviation authority meetings. He had all employees draft goals for the year. Scherberger credits Lopano for achieving a personal goal: quitting smoking. Ken Atwater, president of Hillsborough Community College, said besides Lopanos New York accent, thats what hell miss the most: Lopanos dedication to their mutual success. When the airport needed people to staff SkyConnect, Lopano hired Atwaters students. I want to see another Joe, Atwater said. Last Wednesday, Lopano stopped by his old office in the airports main terminal. Its now home to operations. He walked room to room, greeting each employee, asking how he could help. Are you guys hot? he said. Staffers nodded yes. We need to get some air conditioning in here. He dialed a number as he headed out. Hey, you got a minute? Minutes later, cool air wafted over employees backs. In our In the Spotlight stories, Herald-Leader journalists bring you continuing coverage of news and events important to our Central Kentucky community. Read more. Story idea? hlcityregion@herald-leader.com. State Rep. Daniel Grossbergs own local party has barred him from attending events or functions until an ethical investigation into his conduct has concluded. The Louisville Democratic Party met Wednesday evening, and on Thursday morning the party released a public statement via X, formerly Twitter, asking the Louisville lawmaker to not attend local party events while the investigation is in process. Though we understand the claims against representative Grossberg are allegations at this point in time, we are asking that he temporarily refrain from participating in (Louisville Democratic Party) events and meetings while the Legislative Ethics Commission investigation is in process, the partys statement reads. The move comes after multiple reports from the Herald-Leader, detailing allegations of inappropriate behavior and sexual harassment by Grossberg. In the most recent story, published last week, the Herald-Leader reported on the stories of two women either received inappropriate, harassing or sexually-tinged messages from Grossberg. A third woman in the story recounted an incident of alleged sexual harassment in Grossbergs office wherein he consumed multiple alcoholic drinks in front of her and asked about her questions about her genitals and sex life. The Herald-Leader is not publicly naming any of the women who have made claims against Grossberg due to their fear of retaliation in the tight-knit political world of Frankfort and the sensitive nature of the allegations. The Herald-Leader has cited messages or the experiences of six different women, as well as some of Grossbergs college writings, over the course of three weeks of reporting. Grossberg, a first-term legislator who is running unopposed in November, said in a statement Thursday morning through his attorney Anna Whites, I appreciate the Louisville Democratic Partys concern for all parties in this matter. I will continue to focus on serving constituents while the Ethics Commission completes its review. The partys statement indicated that it was making the move to bar him from events out of its commitment to creating a safe and respectful environment for everyone. We are dedicated to ending all forms of harassment by fostering a culture of inclusivity, providing robust support systems, and holding ourselves accountable, the statement said. We believe that every individual deserves an environment free from harassment, and we are resolute in our efforts to ensure this standard is met. Grossberg has steadfastly denied any impropriety or misuse of his power. He did, however, apologize to anyone hes made feel uncomfortable. I deny any allegations of sexual harassment or abuse of office, he wrote in a statement to the Herald-Leader. I sincerely apologize to anyone who felt uncomfortable because of something I said or wrote. Whites, in defending Grossberg, has also mentioned that the 45-year-old lawmaker has a neurodivergent diagnosis. Previous Herald-Leader reporting has prompted the Kentucky Young Democrats to call for his resignation and led to House Democratic leadership to ask for an ethics investigation, suspend him from the caucus and strip him of all interim committee assignments and his office space. Gov. Andy Beshear calls the allegations very concerning. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman said it is infuriating that women are still being subjected to the kinds of harassment that has been reported. Neither called for Grossberg to resign. A handful of other Democrats, including the Democratic candidate for Central Kentuckys Sixth Congressional District, have called on Grossberg to step down. In recent days, the calls have grown. Emma Curtis, a candidate for city council who was one of the leading protesters against Senate Bill 150 in 2023, and Teri Carter, a progressive writer and activist, both called for Grossberg to resign. Some within the Democratic ranks have expressed frustration that more havent joined in on calls for the legislator to step down. Kentucky Young Democrats President Allison Wiseman called organizations who stop short of calling on Grossberg to resign tepid. I am deeply disappointed in organizations from all political stripes who have chosen to not believe women & not call on Rep. Grossberg to resign. Their tepid non-actions and equivocation are a slap in the face to the women who faced this harassment, as well as those across the Commonwealth who experience it every day, Wiseman wrote on X. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) A man was shot by a Louisville Metro police officer after a chase, crash, and attempted carjacking on Wednesday. It started at 12:15 p.m. when a Kentucky State Police trooper was involved in a chase that ended in a crash on the outer loop of New Cut Road. According to the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD), one man was arrested at the scene of the crash but another armed man fled toward Walmart. Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news Interim Chief Paul Humphrey said in a press conference that the suspect was located inside the store before fleeing again. The man then allegedly attempted to carjack a woman in the pharmacy drive-thru. To stop the suspect, an LMPD officer shot the man multiple times. Humphrey said that he was taken to the University of Louisville Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. We are very grateful that nobody else was injured in this incident. Were talking about an armed suspect running from police in the middle of the afternoon, running through a crowd at Walmart, Humphrey said. What this did to this victim, who was just minding her business trying to pick up a prescription at the Walmart pharmacy when an armed man jumps in her passenger seat. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: LMPD said that body camera footage will be released in 10 business days, and the officer will be placed on paid reassignment as protocol. Were very proud of the actions this officer took to save this womans life today, Humphrey said. This type of behavior will not be tolerated, plain and simple. According to authorities, two guns were recovered at the scene and the victim was uninjured. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Love Devil's Lake, but not the crowds? Here are 18 other parks to try, based on your interests. There are many reasons to love Devil's Lake State Park. You can swim, paddle, picnic, rock climb or simply sit and take in one of Wisconsin's prettiest places. It's no wonder it's the state's most popular park. Around 2.5 million people visit the park each year, mostly in the summer months, resulting in crowded trails, little privacy and long lines to get in. Here's a list of others to try based on what you like most about a park. You might just find a new favorite. More: Devil's Lake is the 'jewel' of Wisconsin parks. But it's wearing down and hard to protect. If you're seeking impressive views If you can handle the trek up the 500-foot quartzite bluffs at Devil's Lake, you're rewarded with quite a view. But it's far from the only park with something to see. Travel southwest to Wisconsin's border with Iowa and try Wyalusing State Park near Prairie du Chien, which overlooks the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers. On the other side of the state, an observation tower at High Cliff State Park in Sherwood provides visitors with an expansive look at Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin's inland lake. The observation tower at Rib Mountain State Park in Marathon County is another winner, especially in the fall. If you want to take a dip There's not much better than swimming in Devil's Lake on a scorching day. If you're looking for good lakes elsewhere, though, Kohler Andrae State Park in Sheboygan County, Whitefish Dunes State Park in Door County and Big Bay State Park in Superior are just a few of your options for a dip in Lakes Michigan and Superior. Want something a little warmer? Try Governor Dodge State Park in Dodgeville, which has two lakes (plus a waterfall!) or Hartman Creek State Park in Waupaca for a relaxing beach. If you like a good hike Want to get your steps in on a less crowded trail? Try Perrot State Park in Trempealeau, where you can hike on towering bluffs above the confluence of the Trempealeau and Mississippi rivers. Nearby, Brady's Bluff technically a state natural area is a short but steep hike where you will work up a sweat. At at Interstate Park in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin's oldest state park, you can hike with views of a steep gorge called the Dalles of the St. Croix River, and walk along the western edge of the Ice Age Trail. If you want to stay in the area The sun sets over Mirror Lake outside Wisconsin Dells. Maybe you're spending a weekend in Wisconsin Dells, or you've got a dinner reservation at the famed Ishnala Supper Club in Lake Delton. If you want a park in the area, but don't have time for lines, here are a few others. Mirror Lake State Park in Baraboo may well be Devil's Lake's sister park. It's also home to a calm lake ringed by rocks (in this case, sandstone cliffs). Or try Natural Bridge State Park in North Freedom, where you can guess what the main attraction is a natural sandstone arch created by the eroding effects of wind and water. Tower Hill State Park in Spring Green is a bit farther, but it still showcases the unique and dramatic geology of the Driftless region. If you need to find peace in nature In theory, any park can offer you a little time to ground yourself. But if you want to be intentional about it, there are some especially good options. Newport State Park, on the Lake Michigan shore at the tip of the Door Peninsula, is a wilderness park with secluded trails and hike-in campsites. It's also Wisconsin's only international dark sky park, making it a prime spot for stargazing. If you really want to be alone, try a park that was among Wisconsin's least-visited in 2023, including Lizard Mound State Park in West Bend, Straight Lake State Park north of the village of Luck, and Mill Bluff State Park in Camp Douglas. Did we miss any of your favorite spots for these activities? Contact Madeline Heim, who writes about environmental issues in the Mississippi River watershed and across Wisconsin, at 920-996-7266 or mheim@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 18 Wisconsin state parks to try if Devil's Lake is too busy for you Lowes Home Improvement is rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, joining several other companies to do so amid conservative backlash targeting such initiatives following the Supreme Courts decision to ban affirmative action in college admissions. According to an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press, executive leadership said the company began reviewing its programs following the courts ruling. The retailer will now combine resource groups designed for individual groups representing diverse sections of our associate population into one. Lowes said it will also end any sponsorship and participation in events such as parades, festivals or fairs. In 2019, Lowes sponsored a Pride parade in Charlotte, N.C. As part of that change, the company will also no longer participate in the Human Rights Campaign annual survey measuring workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees despite earning a perfect score in the organizations most recent corporate equity index examining policies protecting LGBTQ workers. We may make additional changes over time, the memo said. What will not change, though, is our commitment to our people. Lowes did not respond to a request for comment from The Hill. Lowes joins fellow retailers Tractor Supply and John Deere in ending some diversity measures. Motorcycle conglomerate Harley-Davidson has also scaled back its DEI policies, though the company has said it has not operated a DEI function since April 2024. A growing number of anti-DEI activists have called for consumers to boycott companies promoting such policies. Conservative political commentator Robby Starbuck on Monday took credit for the changes Lowes made, writing in a post on the social platform X that he had reached out to a Lowes executive last week with plans to expose the company over its hiring policies, LGBTQ+ employee resource groups and funding for Pride events. Lowes denied these claims, according to The Associated Press. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Retail Watch | By Warren Shoulberg After a boom phase, the surge in corporate DEI initiatives in the U.S. appears to be receding. Lowes, the giant home improvement chain, is joining a growing list of companies scaling back their diversity, equity and inclusion programs, according to a memo obtained by Reuters. In June, Tractor Supply Co., the farming and home goods retailer, announced it was dialing back its DEI efforts, while major retailers such as Home Depot and Wayfair have done the same, according to reports in February by The Washington Post. Outside of retail, companies from JPMorganChase to John Deere to Harley-Davidson have also scaled back. Though the reasons behind these pullbacks are multifaceted, some have followed lobbying from conservative activist Robby Starbuck, a Nashville-based former music video director who unsuccessfully ran as a write-in for the U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee in 2022. Starbuck, a self-funded lobbyist with a team of two and a growing social media following, claimed credit for Lowes retrenchment, according to USA Today. Our movement against wokeness is a force that companies simply cannot ignore, he told the newspaper. In a statement to The Associated Press, Lowes spokesman Steve Salazar pushed back on the claim, saying that the company had already been making changes internally before Starbucks involvement. However, his broader efforts have made waves, prompting pushback from groups that advocate for corporate DEI initiatives. USA Today quoted Eric Bloem, vice president of programs and corporate advocacy at the Human Rights Campaign, claiming that Starbuck is a fringe figure out of step with most Americans and that the decision by any company to succumb to his pressure tactics is short-sighted: The future of business increasingly relies on an inclusive focus to not only be able to deliver products and services for diverse communities but to attract the best talent. Led by groups like the Human Rights Campaign, many American companiesincluding retailers from Walmart to Dicks Sporting Goodsadopted more assertive social stances and actively began promoting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives following the racial reckoning sparked by the 2020 murder of George Floyd. These programs often include actions such as promoting transparency around salary ranges and staff diversity statistics; hiring manager training; mentorship and sponsorship opportunities; and diverse-leadership initiatives. A recent Robin Report story on this movement cited a survey conducted by Littler, a law firm specializing in employment issues, which found that among 300 C-suite executives across diverse industries and company sizes, 57 percent remain committed to DEI and have increased their level of related activity. But even as support for DEI seems to remain strong in executive surveys, campaigns by Starbuck and others are pushing companies to, at the very least, rethink their policies. The Lowes memo obtained by Reuters said the retailer will no longer participate in surveys for Human Rights Campaign and is also combining its various business resource groups that represent diverse employees into one umbrella organization. [Lowes] will not be sponsoring or participating in community events such as parades, festivals or fairs and might also make additional changes to the policies over time. Lowesand other retailersface a complicated set of inputs when making decisions around DEI, ranging from the sentiment within their own workforce to public campaigns. Some commentators have pointed out that, while the rollback on policies has grabbed headlines, the substance of the actual corporate changes has been minimaland that Starbucks efforts have had little effect on companies stock prices, up or down. Whatever happens next with DEI, rest assured that, in addition to social and political factors, retailers will be keeping an eye on the bottom line. ____________ Warren Shoulberg is the former editor in chief for several leading B2B publications. He has been a guest lecturer at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business; received honors from the International Furnishings and Design Association and the Fashion Institute of Technology; and been cited by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN and other media as a leading industry expert. His Retail Watch columns offer deep industry insights on major markets and product categories. Want to stay informed? Sign up for our newsletter, which recaps the weeks stories, and get in-depth industry news and analysis each quarter by subscribing to our print magazine. Join BOH Insider for discounts, workshops and access to special events such as the Future of Home conference. By Arsheeya Bajwa (Reuters) - Nations building artificial intelligence models in their own languages are turning to Nvidia's chips, adding to already booming demand as generative AI takes center stage for businesses and governments, a senior executive said on Wednesday. Nvidia's third-quarter forecast for rising sales of its chips that power AI technology such as OpenAI's ChatGPT failed to meet investors' towering expectations. But the company described new customers coming from around the world, including governments that are now seeking their own AI models and the hardware to support them. Countries adopting their own AI applications and models will contribute about low double-digit billions to Nvidia's revenue in the financial year ending in January 2025, Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress said on a call with analysts after Nvidia's earnings report. That's up from an earlier forecast of such sales contributing high single-digit billions to total revenue. Nvidia forecast about $32.5 billion in total revenue in the third quarter ending in October. "Countries around the world (desire) to have their own generative AI that would be able to incorporate their own language, incorporate their own culture, incorporate their own data in that country," Kress said, describing AI expertise and infrastructure as "national imperatives." She offered the example of Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, which is building an AI supercomputer featuring thousands of Nvidia H200 graphics processors. Governments are also turning to AI as a measure to strengthen national security. "AI models are trained on data and for political entities -particularly nations - their data are secret and their models need to be customized to their unique political, economic, cultural, and scientific needs," said IDC computing semiconductors analyst Shane Rau. "Therefore, they need to have their own AI models and a custom underlying arrangement of hardware and software." Washington tightened its controls on exports of cutting-edge chips to China in 2023 as it sought to prevent breakthroughs in AI that would aid China's military, hampering Nvidia's sales in the region. Businesses have been working to tap into government pushes to build AI platforms in regional languages. IBM said in May that Saudi Arabia's Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority would train its "ALLaM" Arabic language model using the company's AI platform Watsonx. Story continues Nations that want to create their own AI models can drive growth opportunities for Nvidia's GPUs, on top of the significant investments in the company's hardware from large cloud providers like Microsoft, said Bob O'Donnell, chief analyst at TECHnalysis Research. (Reporting by Arsheeya Bajwa in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Henderson and Jamie Freed) (Bloomberg) -- Brazilian lawmakers approved a long-awaited financial aid plan for the airline sector that is expected to provide 5 billion reais ($914 million) in credit for troubled carriers. Most Read from Bloomberg The program, already passed by the Senate, was cleared in the lower house on Wednesday. It now needs to be signed by president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who campaigned on a pledge to restore prosperity in Brazil and wants to cut fares enough to allow the poor to fly regularly. The government expects airlines to use the funds to purchase and maintain aircraft as well as invest in training their workforces. Government aid has been under discussion since late 2023, when sharp fare increases prompted Lula to order his cabinet to seek solutions to help companies that have been struggling since the pandemic. A plane crash this month outside Sao Paulo, which killed all 62 people aboard, brought renewed attention to the issue. Lulas program will use funds from Brazils national civil aviation fund to back loans from the countrys development bank, BNDES. Airlines in Latin America have been facing significant financial turbulence. Santiago-based Latam Airlines Group SA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020 and has since emerged from the process. Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA, meanwhile, filed for protection from creditors in January after a dozen attempts to restructure its debt. In April, it started talks with rival Azul SA on a possible deal. Since Covid decimated the travel industry, ticket prices have skyrocketed amid high fuel costs, shortages of aircraft and lawsuits from unhappy costumers. The new government funds will be available for all airlines, but Gols eligibility remains a question mark. According to Brazilian law, companies that are restructuring their debts in court face restrictions when accessing credit from public funds. The government seeks to work on a solution for the carrier. One possibility for Gol would be accessing the funds through a private partner. We will have a meeting with BNDES and Gol and see how we can help, Ports and Airports Minister Silvio Costa Filho said at an Aug. 13 news conference. --With assistance from Daniel Carvalho. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. LUXEMBURG, Wis. (WFRV) Officers in Luxemburg are asking the public for any information related to a recent incident where the Luxemburg Feed Mill was broken into and graffitied overnight. A Facebook post from the Luxemburg Police Department states that sometime between 4 p.m. on August 27 and 7 a.m. on August 28, a person, or persons, broke into the Luxemburg Feed Mill in the 200 block of Cedar Street. It was noted that those responsible broke into the feed mill through a deadbolted door. The suspect, or suspects, then allegedly graffitied a grain bin. Manitowoc Police Department investigating suspicious object, could contain hazardous materials Luxemburg Police Department Luxemburg Police Department Anyone with relevant information related to this incident is asked to contact the Luxemburg PD through Facebook or (920) 845-5381. No other details were provided. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Vance was slick but my wife sees him as a bad car salesman: US families clash over election Pin badges in support of Donald Trump, the Republicans, Kamala Harris and the Democrats Following Tuesdays vice-presidential debate, The Telegraph has spoken to four pairs of US readers who are clashing over various issues and asked who they thought came out victorious in the head-to-head between Tim Walz and JD Vance. We will check back with our readers closer to the time of the November 5 election, to see if their views and voting intentions have changed. Mike, 68, and Ava, 41, share a vocation performing arts but hugely differ when it comes to politics and whom they will be voting for in the upcoming presidential election. However, they were both left unimpressed after Tuesday nights vice presidential debate. I found it profoundly depressing, says Mike, Walz looked old, panicky and out of his depth, especially when verbally tapdancing around being in Tiananmen Square Vance, although incredibly slick and extremely telegenic, reminded me of Justin Trudeau: good-looking, poised, speaking fluently, and campaigning with every sentence but saying very little of substance. He also argues Vance kept hammering the keyboard to produce a one-note diatribe about the wonders of family life and community support whenever abortion was mentioned. Ava shares a similar sentiment, arguing that Vance didnt do well on the question most important to me access to abortion and healthcare. He sounds and looks like a bad car salesman, repeating the same lines over and over, regardless of the actual topic. Although describing Walz as a bit boring, she believes he will appeal to people who prefer a normal politician and would have wanted to vote for Joe Biden but are nervous about Kamala Harris. Neither was convinced by Harris and Trumps equally bad performances in the presidential debate earlier in September to reconsider who they would be voting for in November. Mike is still voting for Trump, but said he would be doing so in a disillusioned manner. He is backing the former presidents stance on immigration. He recalls that his grandparents did not speak English very well when they emigrated to the US, yet tried hard and successfully integrated. You could argue that everyones grandparents in the US came from elsewhere. But they learned the ways and means of this place, tried hard to fit in, and went off to war for it even if it involved fighting their old homelands, he said You have to be able to assimilate, which means a digestible amount of people. And I believe that is Donald Trumps and the Republican stance, he says. On the other hand, Ava is almost 100 per cent sure she will be voting for Ms Harris. She says she was planning on voting for Joe Biden although she had concerns about his age because she could never vote for Trump because of his stance on womens reproductive health rights. There is nothing that could happen, or that Trump and the Republican Party could do, that would make me vote for him. For James, 55, and Tom, 25, the typical tropes of elder conservative and young liberal do not apply. James identifies strongly as an independent: I became a US citizen in 2005 and have voted for both the Democratic and Republican parties since. Tom, although residing in the historically blue state of California, is described by his father as the most conservative of my three kids. Back when I was in school I leaned more to the Left politically, says Tom, but now, I would put myself centre-Right. I voted for Trump in 2020. James shared his thoughts post-vice presidential debate with The Telegraph this morning: It was evident that Vance was the more polished performer, which was what I expected. Meanwhile, Walz had a slightly hokey, Midwestern vibe but thats precisely why Harris chose him. He argues he could not see a clear winner yet Vance certainly outperformed his boss, which often spells trouble in Donald Trumps world. On a positive note, I appreciated the civility of the debate. I hope this signals a new tone for politics after Trump leaves the scene. That said, I dont anticipate this will significantly shift the landscape. Tom also weighed in: Vance started off strong, but his repeated talking points made him sound somewhat like a broken record. Walz, on the other hand, showed that debate isnt his forte. As my dad mentioned, there was no clear winner in my view either. The more I hear from JD Vance, the less I recognize the weird label the media has given him, and the more I appreciate his policy positions. He also argues that the debate served as a reminder that, outside the echo chambers of the internet, political opponents in America can still agree on the problems, even if they differ on the solutionsmuch like the political climate pre-2012. Father and son also managed to find common ground with the Harris and Trump presidential debate: Theres no doubt that Kamala Harris won. But for Tom, who is not a fan of Harriss policies, her resolute performance did little to sway him to vote for her. However, it did sway him away from voting for Trump: I align mostly with Robert F Kennedy Jrs platform and plan to vote for him now. Unswayed by party blocs, Tom is aware that his vote will do little to change his home state of California. He said: I would like to support the independent candidate, despite his chances of winning here being slim to non and is interested to see if voters like me begin to reconsider the two-party system. James, on the other hand, was leaning towards voting for Harris before the debate and is now certain. He said, I came away more confident that Id already made the right choice. I thought her approach to focus on the future was solid. She seemed far more engaged and confident. Kenn and Kathy, both 74, first met 52 years ago in law school. Despite a lifetime together, their political views remain deeply divided with Kenn planning to vote for Trump and Kathy for Harris come November. Although Kathy thought Vance to be the better debater, she compares his demeanour last night to his demeanour in his campaign appearances and believes yesterdays was all an act and not the real Vance. I reject the slick act he put on last night, she adds. Kenn, on the other hand, believes its important to separate the policies from the person. He explained: I agree with Kathy that Trump isnt very likeable, but his economic and immigration policies are far stronger than Kamala Harris. He believes in a more free-market approach, except for tariffs against China. Harris, on the other hand, seems to think she can determine the price of peaches better than the local market can, which I find crazy. That kind of policy has failed in many countries and is partly why Venezuelans are fleeing to the US after their economy was ruined by similar measures. For Kathy, however, her dislike for Trump is a firm line in the sand: Much of my support for Harris stems from my opposition to Trump. I believe hes a dangerous person, his policies are dangerous, and the people he plans to bring into his administration are dangerous. Last time, Trump had guard rails which kept him from doing crazy things, but if gets re-elected, he wont have people standing up to him as he will be surrounded by his cronies. Worst of all, he has shown blatant contempt for the law stealing classified information is, to me, absolutely inexcusable. Keith, 63, and his son Zach Dookeran, 32, regularly discuss politics as a family. They describe how no topic is off-limits: Theres always something new and crazy to discuss because the world is just going nuts, Following the Vance-Waltz debate, Keith checked in with The Telegraph to share his thoughts. Keith labels Vance as a smooth operator yet argues that his sycophantic answer to what hed have done in Mike Pences place on Jan 6 will probably move the needle with anyone whos still undecided, but its the biggest reason I still refuse to vote for Trump. I worry about Vance, a smart man with essentially no integrity or fixed ideology, being handed the reins of power. On Walz, Keith was not impressed by how he couldnt non-answer his way out of foreign policy and immigration questions. Away from the vice presidential debate, the key political policy where the father and sons opinions diverge is Ukraine aid. Zach is in favour of sending all manner of aid to the war-torn country. He voiced his support for the defence of liberal, democratic, capitalist societies particularly as the US reaps the benefits of other countries holding those values. If a free, democratic society gets invaded by an autocratic neighbour, that just cant fly, he stated. However, Keith suggested that youth is optimistic when hearing his sons views: Americas only responsibility to Ukraine should have been the evacuation of civilians to the EU. Keith felt the USs involvement was too little, too late and if it was up to him, he would have opted for a policy of deterrence from the first sign of Russias hostilities. Now, it was for Europe more so than the US to get up and have that fight. Zach is reluctant to vote for either candidate whereas, Keith has reiterated his view that the country needs a change in direction, and he still prefers Trumps policy positions compared with essentially more of the same from Harris. Methodology The Telegraph readers interviewed were asked to score their voting intention on a scale of 100, where 0 is Harris and 100 is Trump. *Names have been changed Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Residents in an Inglewood neighborhood are on alert after a machete-wielding man has been spotted breaking into cars and homes recently. One homeowner provided KTLA with footage of the suspect walking into his backyard carrying the large machete and then breaking into his car. The homeowner, who identified himself as Lewis, is seen confronting the suspect who says he is leaving but first returns to the victims car to retrieve a bag. Surveillance video provided by a homeowner shows a man carrying a machete after breaking into a backyard in Inglewood. A man is seen breaking into a car in Inglewood in surveillance video provided by the homeowner. Lewis said he later found a machete left behind by the suspect. Neighbors believe the same man is responsible for breaking into other vehicles and homes in the community. Reports made to law enforcement have not resulted in the action sought by some residents, who say police considered the crimes petty theft. KTLA has reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department for comment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. (Bloomberg) -- Emmanuel Macrons attempt to name a moderate prime minister is beginning to show signs of progress as splits emerge in the leftist New Popular Front alliance. Most Read from Bloomberg Some moderate members of the Socialist Party, which is part of the NPF, have called for a return to the negotiating table even though the partys chief, Olivier Faure, refused to restart consultations with Macron after he rejected the lefts proposed candidate, Lucie Castets. The French president said the NPF, which includes the far-left France Unbowed of Jean-Luc Melenchon, didnt have the support to survive a no-confidence vote, even if it has the largest number of seats in parliament. Instead, Macron called for more moderate members of NPF including the Socialists, Greens and Communists, to work on a path to cooperate with other political groups. Carole Delga, the Socialist president of the Occitanie regional council in Southern France, said Macron had the right to refuse Castets and Faure should have kept dialog open with the president. The left should present an action plan, a roadmap to change peoples lives, she said in an interview with Le Parisien before meeting with Macron on Thursday. That is how we can make non-censure alliances at the National Assembly we need to open up to other republican forces to get consensus. The opening from Delga, who will meet with Macron in her capacity as a regional president, builds on comments from other Socialists, including Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, who was narrowly defeated by Faure for leadership of the Socialist Party last year. For the Socialists, there are two options: Either we sulk, refuse everything and sit in a corner where we participate in nothing, Mayer-Rossignol told France Info this week. Or we can say we wont go overboard, because we arent Jean-Luc Melenchon, nor will we be Emmanuel Macrons supporters. Macron threw French politics into chaos with his decision for snap elections nearly two months ago that returned a National Assembly where no group has enough seats to effectively govern alone, and there is little willingness to make broader alliances. Names have been floated of Socialists who have stepped back from politics in recent years, who might be able to command enough support for the job. They include former Socialist Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve and Didier Migaud, a former chief of the state auditor. Bernard Cazeneuve is a statesman, a man from the left, and of course a friend, Delga said on TF1 Thursday. He is capable of leading left-wing policies, of uniting, but it must be made clear that it wont be the NPF program and all the NPF program. Asked in Le Parisien who could hold the job, Delga also cited the mayor of Nantes Johanna Roland, the head of Oxfam France Cecile Duflot, and the former presidential candidates Fabien Roussel, Yannick Jadot and Benoit Hamon. Delga added that she herself was not a candidate. While Macron has no legal time line to abide by, finding a solution to the political impasse is becoming increasingly urgent as France needs to get to work on preparing a budget for next year. Investors are watching closely after dumping French assets and driving up the countrys borrowing costs on uncertainty over whether the a new government could tackle large deficits. Still, while splitting the NPF could help Macron by removing a barrier to other imaginable alliances, it would be insufficient alone to resolve his problems. Even if all the Socialist lawmakers defected and its unclear how many of the 66 would compromise with Macron the addition with his centrist group would be insufficient for a workable majority. Macron would still need some 60 more lawmakers from the right to be sure of having a government thats not vulnerable to being kicked out by parliament. In the parliamentary math, Macron also has to reckon with the larger contingent ever of Marine Le Pens far-right lawmakers who could table no-confidence motions to topple a government. She has said the party would support such a move against an NPF government. The NPFs proposals for massive increases in tax and expenditure have been a sticking point in negotiations on forming a government, after Melenchon declared the group in power would implement its whole program and nothing but the program. Castets told BFM TV Thursday the NPF has moved past that stance and is open to a compromise. She said she still has the support of the four components of the NPF to be the next prime minister, but has no personal problem with Cazeneuve. Hes a former prime minister I respect, but its a question of what program and what mandate, Castets said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Its no secret that both the Republican and Democratic presidential tickets would love to receive a 2024 endorsement from the International Association of Fire Fighters, which is meeting this week in Boston. Its why Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz addressed the labor union on Wednesday and received a warm welcome. A day later, his Republican counterparts reception was noticeably frostier. NBC News reported: Upon taking the stage at the International Association of Fire Fighters convention in Boston, Vance was met with a mix of mild cheers and boos, acknowledging there might be some haters in the crowd. Trumps running mate also drew a mix of audible boos and cheers after he claimed that he and the former president are proud to be the most pro-worker Republican ticket in history. I realize theres a degree of subjectivity in such matters, but the booing sounded pretty robust to me. JD Vance: President Trump and I are proud to be the most pro-worker Republican ticket in history. Crowd: Booooooo pic.twitter.com/InKPhT3TRw Acyn (@Acyn) August 29, 2024 A Washington Post report added that the GOP vice presidential nominee was booed yet again during the same appearance after he referred to the Republican Party as the party of the American worker. Its not too surprising that much of the audience in Boston knew better. As a New York Times report summarized just last week, Vances running mate has a record that trails after him like cans tied to a bumper: [T]he Labor Department and the National Labor Relations Board under Mr. Trump generally took a deregulatory approach to worker issues and union protections. His administration argued that employers should be able to prevent workers from bringing class action lawsuits, and sought funding cuts for workplace safety programs. His deputy labor secretary once worked as a lobbyist to prevent the federal minimum wage from applying to the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth where some workers earned less than $1 an hour. An Associated Press report last year came to a similar conclusion: [U]nion leaders say Trumps record in the White House speaks for itself. Union leaders have said his first term was far from worker-friendly, citing unfavorable rulings from the nations top labor board and the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as unfulfilled promises of automotive jobs. It was around this same time that the former president suggested UAW union members shouldnt pay their union dues. That anti-labor rhetoric was hardly unusual. Just two weeks ago Trump participated in an online event with conspiratorial billionaire Elon Musk, whom the Republican candidate praised for taking a hardline with employees. They go on strike, the former president said. I wont mention the name of the company, but they go on strike and you say, Thats OK. Youre all gone. Youre all gone. So every one of you is gone, and you are the greatest. The New York Times Michelle Goldberg soon followed with a column on this, with a headline that read, Trump Is No Longer Even Pretending to Champion the Working Class. With this in mind, if Vance was surprised to be booed, he shouldnt have been. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Donald Trump covered a fair amount of ground in his latest interview with Phil McGraw (better known as Dr. Phil), but one unexpected part of their conversation touched on notorious comments the former president made late last year, when the Republican candidate talked about becoming a dictator. A Fox News report summarized: Trump recalled the statement to Dr. Phil, And I said jokingly on Sean Hannity, hes a great guy, I said No, Sean, I wanna be a dictator for one day because Im gonna get going with Drill, Baby, Drill and Im gonna strengthen the borders to a level like youve never seen, I only wanna-be, and after that, Ill never be a dictator. And I said one day, because I wanna do the energy and I wanna strengthen the border, one day, and it was said with a chuckle, the audience laughed, I laughed, we all laughed, he added. But they take it and they cut it, and then they cut it, and it says I wanna be a dictator. These are very dishonest people that were dealing with. Very dishonest people. Bad people.When the television personality the host, not the candidate asked whether the comments had been taken out of context, the former president replied, All you have to do is watch it. If Trump wants to relitigate the controversy, thats fine, but he might not like where this ends up. The controversy began in early December 2023, during an on-air interview with Fox News Sean Hannity. The host, a close ally to the former president, prompted Trump to say he wouldnt abuse his powers, but the GOP candidate replied, Except for Day One. When the host seemed surprised, Trump added, while pointing to Hannity, Hes going crazy. Except for Day One.Offered an opportunity to explain himself, Trump suggested that hed use dictatorial powers to close the border and approve increased oil drilling. When Hannity again tried to help his pal, the GOP frontrunner doubled down. I love this guy, Trump said, referring to Hannity. He says, Youre not going to be a dictator, are you? I said: No, no, no other than Day One. Were closing the border, and were drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, Im not a dictator. As the video of the exchange makes clear, the context doesnt much help. Hannity asks Trump for a second time if he has plans to abuse power. Trump admits he plans to do some dictatorial things on "day one" of his second term. pic.twitter.com/51b9I8bIJ7 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 6, 2023 Republican officials insisted soon after that the former president was kidding. That defense proved unsustainable: In the weeks that followed, Trump repeated the line over and over and over again.In other words, this wasnt just a single joke in a single interview; the GOP candidate, on multiple occasions, spoke publicly about his intention to serve as a temporary American dictator. I can appreciate why the former president, months later, wants to downplay the significance of his own rhetoric, but Trump said what he was quoted saying. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com From MAGA to Harris: Why I decided to leave the chaos of Donald Trumps party behind | Opinion In 2016, I was a dedicated supporter of Donald Trump. I devoted considerable effort to elect and reelect the former president, writing campaign scripts, working at phone banks, assisting voter registration, guiding voters to polls and persuading politically uncertain Americans to support Trump. I unapologetically supported Trump. However, I now realize his disruptions were damaging to our democracy. This November, we face a choice between stability Vice President Harris and chaos Trump. And this time, Im choosing to reject the chaos. The truth is, after Trump lost in 2020, he snapped. I took the time to better understand the Jan. 6 insurrection, and, to my horror, discovered that the groups who coordinated the attack seemingly had the blessing of Trump the most powerful person in the world. Additionally, I vehemently disagreed with Trumps continued lies about a stolen election. I knew he had lost, and was angry that he and his allies continued to manipulate and exploit their followers. There were many reasons for my leaving MAGA; the first catalyst was Trumps ally, my governor: Ron DeSantis. When Floridians were falling ill and dying from COVID-19, he followed Trumps lead and flip-flopped from supporting common-sense public health measures to actively opposing lifesaving measures like the COVID-19 vaccine. Leaving MAGA on Aug. 30, 2022, was a choice for compassion and steadiness over cruelty and spitefulness. As a working-class father and husband, like many of you, I am concerned about economic opportunities, constitutional freedoms, living costs, safety, our childrens education, Social Security, Medicare, and Americas global standing. I assure you, many Trump supporters share these concerns and are fundamentally good people. For those considering abstaining from voting, I urge you to remember that not voting is still a choice one that could significantly impact your life and your loved ones. For me, the most important trait for a political leader is that he or she cares about others not just their own voters, but also those who voted for other candidates. Harris exemplifies this quality. In the White House, she has helped bring back manufacturing jobs in a post-pandemic economy, taken on Big Pharma to bring down health care costs, and helped bring unemployment to a historic low. And she has always stood up for American national security as a critical partner to President Joe Biden in restoring American leadership on the world stage. This doesnt mean I agree with her on everything, and I will continue to support reasonable Republicans in Florida. But I value the robust, civil discourse that defines a thriving democracy. This moment in our history calls for unlikely but essential alliances. We the people are one team. Trump is a divider. As a uniter, Harris is best suited to lead our nation. Rich Logis, of Deerfield Beach, is a small business owner, co-chairman of Florida Republicans with Harris and founder of Leaving MAGA. He once registered as a Republican and is now an independent. Logis was featured at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Main Street in Riley will now be permanently closed RILEY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) The Vigo County Commissioners, the Vigo County Highway Department, the Indiana Department of Transportation, and the Riley Town Board decided to permanently close Main Street in Riley. This will move all traffic to the light at State Roads 46 and 159. Vigo County Commissioner Mark Clinkenbeard says the closure will improve safety for those turning onto 159 from Gross Drive. He says it will also be safer for those using the new Riley Spur trail. Clinkenbeard explains some of the next steps in this process. Duke Energy announces scheduled outages in Terre Haute Coming from Gross Drive, that will just be a T intersection as opposed to this jog here in the road that was very awkward, said Clinkenbeard. At Highway 46, that will be closed off also and we will have some curbing there. Clinkenbeard said that they plan to start tearing down portions of the road next week. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com. By Yuka Obayashi, Katya Golubkova and Ritsuko Shimizu TOKYO (Reuters) -Nippon Steel and other Japanese steelmakers are urging Tokyo to consider curbing cheap steel imports from China, the world's biggest steel producer, to protect the Japanese market, Nippon Steel Vice Chairman Takahiro Mori said in an interview. As Nippon Steel tries to close its acquisition of U.S. Steel, key to its global expansion, Mori, who is the lead negotiator for the deal, also said he gained the support of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for the takeover when they met in June, although Walz has not commented on the deal since becoming the Democratic vice presidential candidate. China's steel exports rose 24% to 53.4 million tons in the first half of 2024, on track for 100 million tons for the year. Imports of ordinary steel by Japan, the world's No.3 producer, surged by 17% to 1.32 million metric tons in April-June, with imports from China jumping 43%, the Japan Iron and Steel Federation data shows. "China's exports could rise further as local demand drops by about 30 million tons annually," Mori said, predicting Chinese demand to remain weak this year. "We are lobbying the government to consider measures including anti-dumping duties." The United States, Europe, South Korea and others have implemented trade policies to restrict Chinese steel imports, Mori said. "Only Japan is exposed. We are in a very dangerous situation ... If we don't protect it, the Japanese market will go wrong," he said. Any action to curb imports would be unusual for Japan, which is more often the target of anti-dumping actions by other countries when it comes to steel. EXPANSION IN US, COKING COAL Nippon Steel, the world's fourth-biggest steelmaker, is eager to close the $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by the end of 2024, which should add 30 billion-40 billion yen ($208 million-$277 million) to its profit in the January-March quarter, Mori said. Nippon Steel's net profit forecast of 340 billion yen for the current fiscal year does not include the acquisition, which faces opposition from some Democrats and Republicans, including presidential candidate Donald Trump. Mori, who visited the U.S. five times this year to talk to various stakeholders, met Walz at a U.S. Steel plant opening ceremony in Minnesota in June, before Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris picked him as her running mate. "Walz welcomed investment in Minnesota and showed a very strong interest in U.S.-Japan relations," Mori said, adding Walz expressed his support for the acquisition deal at the time. Story continues A spokesperson for Walz did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside of normal U.S. business hours. Mori plans another U.S. trip next month to continue the dialogue with stakeholders. To gain support from politicians and labour unions, Nippon Steel hired former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as an advisor and unveiled a plan this week to invest an additional $1.3 billion in U.S. Steel's mills. Last week, Nippon Steel agreed with Whitehaven Coal to buy a 20% stake in the Blackwater coking coal mine in Australia for $720 million, boosting its self-sufficiency ratio of the key steel-making ingredient to 35%. Nippon Steel targets a ratio above 40% to offset the impact of raw material prices. "We'll consider buying more interests in coking coal mines if a good deal emerges," Mori said. He declined to comment on whether the company would bid for Anglo American's coking coal assets. ($1 = 144.5600 yen) (Reporting by Yuka Obayashi, Katya Golubkova, Ritsuko Shimizu, Additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Tomasz Janowski, Stephen Coates and Tom Hogue) REPUBLIC, MO Another big development is coming to this growing Greene County town, bringing hundreds of new jobs to the Springfield area. During its council meeting on Tuesday, Republic city officials confirmed Walmart is building a major pharmaceutical processing facility near James River Freeway and Route MM. The project comes almost exactly three years after the opening of Amazons fulfillment center, which is located across Sawyer Road and just south of the Walmart site. According to information provided during the council meeting, the warehouse and distribution center will be one of the Bentonville-based companys main pharmacy Central Fill facilities. Information on the City of Republic BUILDS website reveals the new facility will be nearly 130,000 square feet. For size comparison, a typical Walmart Supercenter is around 189,000 square feet. According to Walmarts website, these fulfillment centers use robotics and staff to process prescription orders for Walmart stores across the county. Until recently, most customer orders had been filled in-house at the individual stores. Caroline Sanders, a Walmart public relations representative, tells OzarksFirst, These medications are then sent to our store pharmacies where our customers can pick them up at their convenience. As a result, time is freed up for our community pharmacists to better connect with customers and patients. Walmarts new Republic facility will be one of only a few facilities like it in the country and highlights the retailers new focus on centralized fulfillment. According to Walmarts online job postings, other Central Fill sites currently in operation or planned include Spring, Texas near Houston; Rogers, Arkansas; Orlando, Florida; Frederick, MD near Washington DC; Litchfield Park, AZ near Pheonix; and Plainfield, Indiana near Indianapolis. During Tuesdays city council meeting, city officials talked about a developer agreement to construct water mains to the site. Karen Haynes, Republic BUILDS Planning & Development Manager, explained the city would build the lines. Then, the developer would reimburse the city for the costs related to materials and equipment used for those infrastructure improvements. The agreement is set to be voted on by council members in two weeks at the Tuesday, September 10th meeting. Derek Lee, a representative for the developer, said the retailer closed on the property last week, and construction is set to begin this week. He explained major groundwork should be underway by next week. In addition to Amazon and Walmart, the northside Brookline neighborhood of Republic has seen a lot of other new projects in recent years. Other openings in recent years include Convoy of Hope, Red Monkey Foods, McLane, ROI, Lews, Heart of American Beverage, Everything Kitchens, and Watson Metal Masters, among others. New restaurants and other retail establishments have also opened nearby. Haynes hinted even more projects are in the works. She stated the Walmart project will be the first of several large-scale economic development projects and job centers in this area. Sanders tells OzarksFirst that the new facility is expected to be open in the fall of 2026. It will employ 200 associates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. Nearly 11 months into Israels military campaign in Gaza, 60% of Americans want the United States to keep up its military support for Israel until the hostages held by Hamas are freed, according to new polling from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs that was exclusively provided to CNN. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his security cabinet have defined the destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities as one of their key aims in Gaza, though the notion was rejected by Israeli Defense Forces Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari in June, when he called promises to make Hamas vanish outlandish and tantamount to throwing sand in the eyes of the public. But that number falls to 49% when the more ambitious goal of dismantling Hamas, the terror group that carried out the October 7 attacks inside Israel, is described as the endgame. The results of the 2024 Chicago Council Survey, carried out in late June into July, and another poll from Council-IPSOS, conducted in mid-August, described the US as closely divided over the American governments role in Israels ongoing bombardment of Gaza, with a narrow majority, 53%, now saying the US should condition that military aid to Israel not be used toward military operations against Palestinians. More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its war on Hamas last fall, the enclaves health ministry announced on August 16. The death toll has risen since then, and, despite optimistic talk from US leaders about a potential ceasefire, Israel announced a new military operation in the occupied West Bank this week, a move that could further broaden the conflict. Overall, a plurality of Americans said the US is striking the right balance in its support of Israel (22%) or failing to do enough to support Israel (20%). Three in 10 respondents said the US is supporting Israel too much. An additional 27% said they were not sure. The findings were roughly the same when the question focused specifically on military aid. Similar shares of Democrats and Republicans say the US is delivering the right amount of military aid to Israel, at 28% and 29%, respectively. The parties differ over the level of aid the US is providing, with 42% of Democrats saying the US is offering too much support, while 34% of Republicans believe not enough is being done. Support across party lines for restricting military aid to Israel remains largely unchanged since a similar question was asked before the October 7 attack the figure was 52% in September 2023 and 53% in June 2024. Democrats became six points more supportive of restrictions over that period, while Republican support dropped by seven. Republican leaders have on the whole been more aligned with Netanyahus government. Former President Donald Trump, who has run hot and cold with the prime minister, called for Israel to finish the job in Gaza during his lone debate with President Joe Biden. He has also criticized the Israeli military for losing the PR war over the conflict. The GOP rank-and-file are more likely to say US humanitarian aid to Gaza has been delivered at the right amount (31%) than Democrats, among whom 44% said not enough has been done. Some Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have criticized Netanyahus conduct. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the new Democratic presidential nominee, have offered slightly different messages about the war. Both are now firmly pushing for a ceasefire, with Biden having declared it was time for this war to end in late May. Harris, shortly after Biden dropped out of the presidential race, endorsed Israels right to defend itself, but also warned that Americans cannot look away in the face of these tragedies. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering, Harris said, and I will not be silent. At the Democratic convention last week in Chicago, Harris once again pledged US backing for Israel, condemned the atrocities of October 7 and insisted that the administration was determined to secure a lasting peace in the region. At the same time, she continued, what has happened in Gaza over the last 10 months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost. Desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking. While about 60% of Americans view the US as playing a generally positive role in resolving problems in the Middle East, their views of Israels conduct is less generous. Only 39% said Israel is a positive force. A closer look at American attitudes toward Israel also reveals a significant partisan divide. Nearly 60% of Republicans say Israel is defending its interests and that its militarys actions are justified, compared with only 15% of Democrats who said the same. On the flip side, 50% of Democrats told pollsters that Israel had gone too far and acted unjustifiably, while only 14% of Republicans agreed. When combined with independents, there was an even three-way split. Thirty-two percent of Americans said Israel was justified and defending its interests; 34% disagreed, holding that Israel had gone too far; and the final third said they were not sure. There is, again, a sharp split on the question of whether Israels military is intentionally targeting all Palestinians, including civilians. Overall, 46% of Americans believe they are a number boosted by Democrats, of whom 63% said Israel was not restricting its military actions to members of Hamas. Only 28% of Republicans said the same. US support for an independent Palestinian state, uniting the West Bank and Gaza Strip, has remained steady over the past six years, according to the report, at 49%. But the underlying figures show an increasing partisan divide, with Democrats increasingly backing a state (67%) while Republicans (27%) are now even less likely to do the same. The June 21-July 1 Chicago Council survey was conducted by Ipsos and surveyed 2,106 US adults using a nationally representative online panel. The margin of sampling error for the full sample is plus or minus 2.3 percentage points. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Malaysia to refund passengers if flights are delayed by more than five hours Malaysia has introduced new regulations requiring airlines to offer refunds to passengers if their flight is delayed by more than five hours. These rules will also apply to passengers who choose not to take the delayed flight and buy a different one. The rules, set to come into effect from Monday, are meant to strengthen consumer rights in Malaysia. Airlines have recently had issues in the country with flight delays and cancellations and national carrier Malaysia Airlines faced disruptions due to engine problems with its Airbus A330 fleet. Malaysias transport minister Anthony Loke also stated that all cancelled flights must be removed from booking systems, including both online and offline travel agent platforms. This is to protect users from buying cancelled flight tickets, he said at a news conference. The policy is part of the revisions to the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code 2016, which will be officially published on 2 September. Earlier this week, a statement from the managing director of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), Izham Ismail, said that the conglomerate was reducing flights from now until the end of the year to address ongoing supply chain challenges, worker shortages, and technical issues. MAG operates Malaysia Airlines (MH, Kuala Lumpur International), Firefly (FY, Penang), and the pilgrimage carrier Amal by Malaysia Airlines. These flight reductions came after multiple disruptions occurred last week across all three airlines. The disruptions included a Malaysia Airlines A330-300, flying from Melbourne Airport in Australia to Kuala Lumpur, which had to make an emergency landing in Alice Springs in Australias Northern Territory due to engine issues. Another Malaysia Airlines flight, heading to Madinah, was forced to return to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) because of similar engine problems. The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) recently conducted an audit of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) to investigate the causes of the recent delays, cancellations, and operational issues, Mr Loke said. We are taking very seriously concerns about whats happening at MAG, he said. I am in touch with Izham Ismail, and Ive asked him to make all the necessary follow-ups to ensure that operations are smooth. File. A ground staff member looks at the Malaysia Airlines aircraft (AFP via Getty Images) The Malaysian Aviation Commission will also continue to monitor airline performance to ensure compliance with industry standards, Mr Loke said. Meanwhile, airlines in Malaysia that fail to comply with the new regulations could be fined up to 200,000 ringgit (approximately $46,000; 35,000), with even steeper penalties for repeat violations. Similar measures have been implemented in the US, and Australia is considering reforms to enhance consumer rights in aviation. Earlier this year, the US department of transportation introduced rules that require airlines to display the full cost of tickets upfront, including all fees, and provide prompt cash refunds for cancelled or significantly changed flights. The Australian government also introduced a new Charter of Rights this week that will allow airline customers to receive cash refunds for flights that are cancelled or unreasonably delayed. The initiative part of the newly released Aviation White Paper aims to revitalise the aviation sector after high costs and the collapse of two airlines, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. The bottom line is if people dont get the service that they are expecting, then customers deserve to get their money back or they deserve to get an equivalent service, Australian transport minister Catherine King said. Grid lines were laid out for a potential fossil dig at a home in northwest North Dakota. Mammoth teeth were found 1988 while preparing the site for the construction of the garage at the right. (Photo courtesy of the North Dakota Geological Survey) Some mammoth bones have been gnawing at North Dakota State Geologist Ed Murphy for more than 35 years. Murphy on Tuesday described for the North Dakota Industrial Commission how he became aware of a find of mammoth bones in 1988. He updated the commission, which oversees the North Dakota Geological Survey, because his department, in cooperation with the State Historical Society, plans to excavate part of the site and may need to request money from the state to finish the job. In 1988, Murphy said he received a report of a homeowner finding some woolly mammoth bones while digging a foundation for a garage in northwest North Dakota. Murphy did not disclose a more precise location of the find. The family had already sent a couple of teeth to North Dakota State University to verify that they had come from a woolly mammoth, prehistoric beasts that lived in what is now North Dakota during the Pleistocene Epoch, commonly called the Ice Age. Weeks later, word got to Murphy that teeth had been confirmed as coming from a mammoth and he went to the site the next day. But by this time, the foundation had been poured and the garage built. Murphy said he asked the homeowner if he would be willing to have the garage moved and foundation busted up so there could be an archeological dig. Murphy said the homeowner was willing, as long as the garage was restored the next month. But Murphy was not able to find the people or the money to make that happen. In December, 35 years later, Murphy started going through his notes from that visit. After the holidays, he contacted the person who now owns the home and attached garage. While the property had changed hands, the new owner knew people from the garage construction crew, who had shared that there may be a mammoth under the garage. So it was not a big surprise when Murphy reached out. The homeowner agreed to a test dig near the garage. Murphy said the small pit revealed some bone fragments and pieces of tusk in the backfill for the garage slab. Digging a little deeper revealed three undisturbed bones. Margaret Patton, a research archaeologist with the Historical Society, also used ground-penetrating radar at the site. It doesnt make beautiful pictures, Patton said of the radar, but it does detect anomalies, something different from the soil around it, that corresponded to where construction workers had reported bones being found. Murphy said a crew will return to the garage for a larger dig about 6 feet by 6 feet and down at least 30 inches in mid-September. If they uncover a big rock, Ill be sad, but Im hoping that it really will be bigger mammoth bones, Patton said. Patton said the September dig should provide a better idea of the potential for the site and the potential cost. There may need to be a budget request for the Legislature when it meets in January so work can continue into 2025. While there have been woolly mammoth tusks and other bones found in the state, a skeleton or a nearly full skeleton would be a first for North Dakota, Murphy said. Several species of mammoth lived in North America, including the woolly mammoth and the Columbian mammoth, according to the North Dakota Geological Survey. They lived alongside other animals like saber-toothed tigers and giant sloths before going extinct in the area about 10,000 years ago. In 2023, coal miners near Beulah discovered a 7-foot tusk of an ancient mammoth. There we had a beautiful tusk that was really in great shape, Murphy said. In addition, 18 other bones or parts of bones were found. Murphy said fossil bones like the tusk are soft and need to be encased in plaster to be safely removed. Then its a monthslong process to stabilize the fossil. Murphy said he is hopeful for the new dig site, but there are no guarantees. It still will be a gamble of whats under there, he said. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Man, 21, shot multiple times on South Side, police say, dies after being dropped off at hospital CHICAGO A 21-year-old man died from multiple gunshot wounds overnight after being dropped off at University of Chicago hospital. Chicago police interrupt South Side train heist, dozens of TVs left behind According to Chicago police, the man was shot in 4000 block of South Lake Park Avenue, in the Oakland neighborhood on the citys South Side. Police say officers responding to a call around 12:45 a.m. Thursday in that area discovered damage to vehicles from gunfire. Officers then responded to University of Chicago hospital, where the victim had been dropped off. Police say he suffered gunshot wounds to the upper chest and right shoulder and was pronounced dead a short time later. Three shot, one fatally, near Chicago Lawn: police According to police, its not clear yet if witnesses to the incident refused to cooperate with authorities or not. Nobody is in custody, and Area One detectives are investigating. On Friday, the Medical Examiners Office identified the victim as Tyquan Carson. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Man accused in fatal hit-and-run lied to police and said friend was driving car: report LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man facing a hit-and-run charge told police a friend was driving the car, not him, according to the arrest report. Las Vegas Metropolitan police took Van Deangelo Burrell, 33, into custody hours after the fatal crash which closed Paradise Road at Tropicana Avenue to traffic, cutting off the main access to Harry Reid International Airport on Monday morning. Paradise Road at Tropicana Avenue was closed to traffic as LVMPD investigated a fatal crash on Aug. 26, 2024. (Credit: RTC) Burrell is accused of striking and killing a man identified as Steven Struwe-Perez who was walking southbound on Paradise Road. After the crash, police said Burrell left the scene. The crash caused the intersection of Paradise at Tropicana, also the main entrance to the airport, to be closed to traffic for several hours. Update: Paradise reopens to traffic following fatal crash Through surveillance videos and a witness interview, investigators identified the vehicle involved in the crash as a white Nissan Altima and were able to locate Burrell at a residence hours after the crash. Van Deangelo Burrell is facing charges in a fatal crash that occurred on Aug. 26, 2024. (LVMPD) The report said Burrell told police the car belonged to his mother and a friend named Mike was driving the car, not him. Burrells mother also told police the same story and blamed Mike for the crash, according to documents. Police said that surveillance video from a parking lot showed Burrell getting into the car about six hours before the crash and then returning to the same parking lot with a damaged car shortly after the crash, the arrest report stated. Police also recovered clothing with broken glass fragments from Burrells bedroom they said matched what the suspect was wearing in the surveillance video. Burrell is facing a hit-and-run charge and is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 4, 2024. This death is the 97th traffic-related fatality in Metros jurisdiction for 2024. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Man to appear in federal court for abducted child case JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) The man charged in connection to the abduction of two Louisiana girls, which ended with one of them deceased in Mississippi, will appear in federal court in Louisiana next month. The Daily Leader reported Daniel Callihan would appear for a preliminary hearing on September 23 at 2:00 p.m. Callihan is suspected of killing Callie Brunett, 35, in Loranger, Louisiana, in June 2024. Tangipahoa Parish Coroner Rick Foster said Callie Brunett died of multiple sharp force injuries. He said there were multiple stab wounds to her head, neck, chest, abdomen and back. Foster also said Brunett had what appeared to be defensive wounds to her arms. Trial set for woman charged in death of abducted child in Mississippi Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards said Callie Brunett was found dead by her father on the floor of her bedroom inside her locked mobile home on North Cooper Road after having been reported missing by her parents 24 hours earlier. Investigators told the Associated Press that Callihan and Callie Brunett had dated. According to Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade, 3-year-old Erin Brunett was found deceased in a wooded area off of Boozier Drive on Thursday, June 13. Her sister, 6-year-old Jalie Brunett, was taken to a Jackson hospital for treatment and later released. The Hinds County coroner said Erin Brunett died from asphyxiation due to suffocation. Daniel Callihan (Courtesy: Madison County Detention Center) Victoria Cox (Courtesy: Hinds Co. Detention Center) 6-year-old Jalie and 3-year-old Erin Brunett (Courtesy: Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office) The Jackson police chief said there was evidence of possible human trafficking at the location on Boozier Drive, including small animal cages. Authorities said the Amber Alert was issued for the two girls, who were abducted after their mother was killed in Loranger. Callihan and Victoria Cox were both arrested in Jackson. Wade announced on Monday, June 17 that Callihan had implicated Cox in the case. Daniel Callihan facing federal charges in Brunett murder, abduction case A Hinds County Grand Jury previously indicted Cox for capital murder, kidnapping, and sexual battery in connection to the case. She pled not guilty in Hinds County Circuit Court. The grand jury also indicted Callihan for one count of capital murder, two counts of kidnapping, three counts of sexual battery, and one count of receiving stolen property. In Louisiana, Callihan has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping of a child and second-degree kidnapping. Cox was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping of a child, second-degree kidnapping and accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Callihan has since been extradited to Louisiana. Anyone with additional information about the incident can contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A man was arrested after officers say he threatened a woman with a crossbow, leading to a standoff with Scranton police. According to the Scranton Police Department, officers were called to Watson Street Wednesday night for a woman requesting a PFA (Protection From Abuse) order. Police said they learned a man, identified as David Smith, 41, was at the house and threatening the woman with a crossbow. PD: Park fight with gun threats ends with four arrests, one wanted As stated in the release, Smith fled the house and barricaded himself at a different residence on East Elm Street. Police say they confronted Smith outside the home where he was shot with bean bag rounds before retreating back inside. A standoff took place but eventually ended after police said they used special tools and tactics to get Smith to surrender. Smith was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) The man convicted of killing an East Providence barbershop owner a decade ago will remain behind bars for the rest of his life, a judge ruled Wednesday. Thomas Mosely, 43, is currently serving two consecutive life sentences for the murder of 42-year-old Yusef AVant. Court documents reveal that Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg affirmed Moselys conviction, concluding that the appeal lacked merit. Moselys court-appointed attorney appealed the conviction on his behalf, per Goldberg. In his appeal, Mosely outlined 21 legal and procedural issues concerning his trials. It is evident that many of the appellate issues were conceived and researched by [Mosely], Goldberg explained. But having carefully scoured voluminous records in tandem with considering his arguments, Goldberg determined that Moselys claims were either moot or misconstrued. We discern no error, Goldberg wrote. Mosely walked into the Pawtucket Avenue barbershop and shot AVant in the chest as he was giving a customer a haircut in August 2014, according to prosecutors. He was found guilty of second-degree murder in February 2020. Evan Watson, the man who provided Mosely with the gun used to kill AVant and a ride to the barbershop, pleaded guilty in January and was sentenced to 28 years behind bars. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. VILNIUS, Lithuania, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nium, the global leader in real-time cross-border payments, is expanding its operational hub in Vilnius through new hires and a new office facility that will better serve its growing customer base across Europe. This includes: Nium's Chief Business Officer, Mike Birmingham, and Nium's Chief Operating Officer, Spencer Hanlon, at the new office in Vilnius, Lithuania (PRNewsfoto/Nium) Hiring 18 new full-time employees in Lithuania, representing 100% headcount growth over the last 8 months Moving to a new state-of the art office in Vilnius to support employees and collaboration among the local fintech community Appointing a new Chairman of the Board to oversee further investment in Nium's local operations and offering to customers in the EU Over the last seven years, Nium has steadily grown its presence in Lithuania following the approval of its Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license by the Bank of Lithuania in 2017. The license has enabled the fintech to better serve its European and global business customers with entities in the EU. Now, the cross-border payments leader has moved to a new, larger, state-of-the-art office in Vilnius as it continues to hire more local talent and strengthen its operational risk and compliance teams. Nium celebrated the occasion with an informal office launch party for employees on 7th August 2024, with Spencer Hanlon, the firm's newly appointed Chief Operations Officer and Chariman of the Board of Nium's Lithuania entity, leading the proceedings. Nium's Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer, Mike Birmingham, was also in attendance. "Lithuania is a highly attractive market for fintechs on the world stage. A combination of forward-thinking regulators, world-class talent, and collaborative community members make Lithuania a leading fintech hub in the EU, enabling global fintechs like Nium to accelerate opportunity and innovation in the marketplace. This is an exciting step forward, driving greater investment in the local fintech ecosystem and Nium's operational efficiencies to better serve our customers across Europe and around the world," said Spencer Hanlon, Chief Operating Officer at Nium. Nium is among the earliest members of Fintech Hub Lithuania, a local association that seeks to unite and support the interests of fintech companies in the region. "Nium has been ever present in the Lithuania fintech landscape for some time. Now, we have a team and physical space that reaffirms our commitment to Lithuania's dynamic fintech community," adds Karolis Urbonavicius, Lithuania Country Manager at Nium. Among its cross-border payment capabilities, Nium enables faster payments in the region, processing transactions through CENTROlink, the payment system operated by the Bank of Lithuania, providing the gateway to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). Story continues Including licenses issued by the Bank of Lithuania (BOL), UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and Institute of Financial Services Malta (IFSM), Nium holds over 40 regulatory authorizations around the world to serve its customers on a global scale. In addition to Lithuania, the company has a number of local offices across Europe in London, Malta, and Amsterdam, and is co-headquartered in Singapore and San Francisco. Nium enables banks, financial institutions, and platforms to collect, convert, and disburse money instantly across borders. Today, its global payout network supports low-cost payments in 100 currencies to more than 220 markets, 100 of which in real-time. Its customers serve many industries, including travel, e-commerce, and payroll, among others. About Nium Nium, the global leader in real-time, cross-border payments, was founded on the mission to deliver the global payments infrastructure of tomorrow, today. With the onset of the global economy, its payments infrastructure is shaping how banks, fintechs, and businesses everywhere collect, convert, and disburse funds instantly across borders. Its payout network supports 100 currencies and spans 220+ markets, 100 of which in real-time. Funds can be disbursed to accounts, wallets, and cards and collected locally in 40 markets. Nium's growing card issuance business is already available in 34 countries. Nium holds regulatory licenses and authorizations in more than 40 countries, enabling seamless onboarding, rapid integration, and compliance independent of geography. The company is co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2492796/Nium.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1678669/Nium_Logo.jpg Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nium-grows-presence-in-lithuania-with-local-team-and-office-expansion-302234336.html SOURCE Nium ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A man who ran from police twice, after getting caught passed out behind the wheel, will be released from prison in two months. Julian Candelaria pled guilty to two counts of aggravated fleeing from police in two incidents. Man facing federal charges in connection to shooting of Albuquerque police officer In October 2021, officers found him passed out in a car at the intersection of San Pedro and Southern. 11 days later, he crashed into a fence near Gibson and Broadway where police again found him passed out. In both cases, Candelaria ran from police. Hes already serving a three-year sentence in Texas for federal convictions on firearm and drug possession charges. As part of his plea deal, he was sentenced to three years in prison which ran concurrent with his federal sentence. With time served, hell be released on October 28. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Man injured during shootout with Colbert Co. deputies during chase COLBERT COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) A man is in the hospital after a chase that started in Mississippi ended in a deputy-involved shooting in Colbert County. According to Colbert County Sheriff Eric Balentine, deputies began chasing a man after he went through or around a roadblock in Tishomingo County, Miss. That man was later identified as John William Griffin. Balentine said the man shot at deputies before crossing the Alabama state line. Man convicted in Guntersville Taco Bell Murders, sentenced to life The Colbert County Sheriffs Office picked up the chase after it crossed into Alabama. The sheriff said Griffin started heading toward Town Creek and then Leighton and continued to shoot at deputies before continuing north on County Line Road. Balentine told News 19 that deputies believed Griffin was lost, so they attempted to negotiate with him from a distance. He said the man was belligerent and he tried to talk him down for about three minutes. Officials said Griffin started shooting at police again, causing them to shoot back. He was flown to Huntsville Hospital Trauma Services. Balentine says the man is alive in the hospital. He said the two officers are currently on administrative leave. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. A Fayetteville man was arrested Tuesday night in the fatal May shooting of a Fort Liberty soldier outside a Ramsey Street hookah lounge. Jaivion Omari Robinson, 22, is charged with first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon in the May 4 slaying of Jonah Malik Taylor, 21. According to search warrants, Taylor died at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center after being taken there by personal vehicle. Related: Police identify victim of Saturday's fatal shooting near Methodist University Police dispatchers received the first 911 call about 2:30 a.m., according to court records. The caller said he was in a parking lot near the Anubis Hookah Lounge on Ramsey Street when he heard the gunshots and saw several vehicles speeding from the area, court records state. The caller said the shooter, who left the scene in a gray vehicle, was wearing a green hat and a white jumpsuit and was armed with a large silver handgun, according to the warrant. Two .45-caliber shell casings, drops of blood, a gold necklace and a Don Julio liquor bottle were found at the scene, the warrant states. Crimestoppers tips provided police with the names of Robinson and the people he was with on the night of the shooting, according to court records. Five days after the killing, Robinson, driving a gray Nissan Altima, was stopped by police for an alleged window tint violation, the record states. According to a search warrant, police claim the Nissan is the same vehicle seen speeding away from the shooting. During his first appearance Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Cheri Siler-Mack denied Robinson bail, citing the fact that he has unrelated charges pending against him and a history of failing to appear in court. Among the 20 unrelated charges pending in Cumberland County are felony fleeing to elude arrest, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver marijuana and two counts of maintaining a dwelling. According to court records, at the time of Taylor's killing, Robinson was out on bail on misdemeanor charges of fleeing to elude arrest, reckless driving and failure to stop at a red light in October. During Robinson's brief first appearance in court Wednesday, Assistant District Attorney Autumn Young said that Taylor and four friends were in a vehicle Taylor was driving when they came across Robinson and his friends in the parking lot. She said that Robinson snatched a chain from someone in Taylor's group and brandished a gun at those in his vehicle before shooting Taylor at point-blank range. Young also stated that Taylor was unarmed and reportedly told his assailant as much. According to news partner WRAL, Taylor was a paratrooper assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. Public safety reporter Joseph Pierre can be reached at jpierre@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Man jailed in fatal shooting of Fort Liberty soldier outside hookah lounge Man Who Killed Wife Dies In Police Standoff on Maine Bridge. Slain Child Found in His Car Investigators believe the man killed his wife in New Hampshire and then crossed into Maine where he was stopped by police Getty Piscataqua River Bridge (left) and the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge (right) The man called 911 at 2:07 a.m. and told police he had fought with his wife and she was now dead. Some 20 minutes later in the early morning of Aug. 29, police in Maine located the man on the Piscataqua River Bridge, which links Maine and New Hampshire. The man whose name has not been released was parked on the southbound side in Kittery, Maine, according to Maine State Police. The so-called High Rise Bridge was shut down in both directions for several hours while law enforcement in both states tried to negotiate with the man, but attempts ended with him getting out of his car and raising a firearm, police said. Three state troopers one from Maine and two from New Hampshire shot back, striking the man, who fell into the river below. Law enforcement later recovered his body from the water, and he was declared dead at the scene. 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. Accessing the mans car, police found an 8-year-old child whose name has not been released fatally shot in the backseat, which Maine State Police say was not connected to the officer-involved shooting. New Hampshire State Police found a woman whose name has not been released dead inside a residence in Troy, N.H., where the man had directed law enforcement that his wife could be found. "They're family: husband, wife and child," Maine State Police Col. William Ross told Maine's WMTW TV. Investigators believe the man killed his wife overnight and then took off on Interstate 95, according to the New Hampshire Department of Justice, which noted in a press release issued later that day that the exact circumstances surrounding this incident remain under active investigation. In accordance with standard protocol, the Maine Attorney Generals Office is investigating the officers use of deadly force, and the three troopers are on administrative leave pending those findings, according to Maine State Police and New Hampshires Department of Justice. The Major Crimes divisions of both state police troops, as well as both attorney generals offices are investigating the case. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Man who pleaded guilty to starting 2009 Highway 31 wildfire accused of failing to stop for police HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) The man who started the 2009 Highway 31 wildfire in Horry County has been arrested again, according to a police report obtained by News13. Marc Torchi, 54, was arrested Tuesday and charged with failure to stop for a blue light and possession of methamphetamine or cocaine. He was released from the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on Wednesday on a $8,500 bond. An Horry County officer noticed Torchis Chevy Silverado driving over the double lines on Main Street and 15th Avenue in the Conway area multiple times and conducted a traffic stop, the report said. Torchis vehicle didnt stop and stayed at about 20 mph before ultimately stopping at Main Street and 5th Avenue, according to the report. Torchi was put in handcuffs before his vehicle was searched. Officers searched his vehicle and found a plastic baggie with a white substance believed to be methamphetamine, the report said. The bag had 0.2 grams of meth. In 2009, Torchi started one of the worst wildfires in South Carolina history. No one was hurt, but 76 homes were destroyed, 97 were damaged and more than 19,000 acres of land were burned. More than 500 people fought the fire, which the state said caused about $50 million worth of damage. Torchi was arrested for starting the initial fire and pleaded guilty to two charges. He was also eventually charged by the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Torchis Tuesday arrest was at least his fifth arrest in Horry County in 2024, online booking records show. He was previously charged with various traffic offenses and shoplifting. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, Manhattan (PIX11) A man was stabbed and slashed in an unprovoked attack on a Manhattan subway train Wednesday night, sources told PIX11 News. It happened at the 191st Street Station on a northbound No. 1 train around 11:15 p.m., according to authorities. The 39-year-old victim was sitting on the train when he was approached by another man, who yelled and screamed at him, sources said. More Local News Thats when the victim was stabbed in the chest and slashed in his left arm, according to sources. The victim got off the train while the suspect stayed on, sources said. The suspect was described as a man in his 30s last seen wearing a red hat and black shirt and carrying a red duffle bag, according to sources. Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Man sentenced to nearly 23 years in prison for murder of Chesapeake woman CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) A 63-year-old man was sentenced to almost 23 years in prison for the murder of a Chesapeake woman. Previous Coverage: We just need better communities Daughters of hearing and visually impaired woman advocate against domestic violence On Monday, Anthony L. Johnson was convicted of 2nd degree murder for the stabbing death of Valarie McElroy by Chief Judge Marjorie A. Taylor Arrington in Chesapeake Circuit Court. State evidence showed that Johnson and the victim were romantically involved but the victim later decided to end the relationship. On Nov. 27, 2022, Johnson showed up unannounced at the store where the victim worked and had to be escorted off the property. Later that day, the victim was supposed to meet a friend but she never showed up. After the victims friends and family were unable to reach her, police were asked to perform a welfare check. When officers entered the victims apartment, they found her dead from multiple stab wounds. They also found Johnson unconscious on the bed, bleeding from apparent self-inflicted stab wounds. McElroy is survived by family members, including her brother, who testified at the sentencing hearing, and her two daughters, who provided written statements to the court. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233 to provide resources and support. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Man in custody after fire at Jeanerette City Hall, authorities say UPDATE, 8/28/2024, 8:30 p.m.: The suspect has been taken into custody, the Louisiana State Fire Marshals Office announced. Eugene is charged with aggravated arson and manufacture and possession of delayed action incendiary devices. ORIGINAL: IBERIA PARISH, La. (KLFY) A 41-year-old man is wanted in connection with a delayed incendiary device that was ignited at Jeanerette City Hall on Wednesday, according to the Louisiana State Fire Marshals Office. The State Fire Marshals Office said they are searching for Desmond Eugene in connection with the incident, which authorities say occurred just before 1 p.m. Wednesday. Desmond Eugene According to a news release, Eugene arrived on a bike and attempted to get into the Mayors Office portion of the building. After an unsuccessful attempt, authorities said Eugene then started a fire using a delayed incendiary device before leaving the scene on the bicycle. Several people were inside City Hall at the time of the fire but no injuries were reported. Authorities said there was minimal damage reported. Anyone with informaion on the whereabouts of Eugene is asked to contact Jeanerette Police at 337-276-6323 or the State Fire Marshals Arson Tipline at 1-844-954-1221. Tips can also be submitted online at lasfm.org where the information can be shared anonymously. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Latest News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. HONEA PATH, S.C. (WSPA) Police are searching for a woman wanted in connection with a stabbing Monday in Honea Path. Honea Path Police said they responded to the 300-block of East Hampton Avenue around 3:15 p.m. Monday. Officers arrived to find a man with a stab wound to his body. He was flown to the hospital where he remains in stable condition, police said. Investigators identified the suspect as 37-year-old Latorria Fuller, of Honea Path. Police described the stabbing as a domestic incident. We believe this is an isolated incident and we want to reassure the public that there is no immediate danger, said Honea Path Police Chief Chris Miller. Anyone with information on Fullers location is asked to call Honea Path Police at 864-369-0532 or Crime Stoppers at 888-CRIME-SC. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. Shaun Brady, as pictured in 2019 when he worked as the chef at Bradys Public House, was shot and killed outside his restaurant Brady & Fox on Aug. 28. Friends have identified Kansas City chef Shaun Brady as the victim of a fatal shooting outside the Irish restaurant he owned in the Brookside neighborhood Wednesday evening following an armed confrontation. Kansas City police officers responded to reports of a shooting at East 63rd Street and Rockhill Road around 5:18 p.m. Wednesday, according to Sgt. Phil DiMartino, a Kansas City Police Department spokesperson. Upon arrival officers discovered the victim unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds, DiMartino said. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, DiMartino said. Brady owned and operated Brady & Fox Restaurant & Lounge with chef and friend Graham Farris. The beloved chef was both a father and a prominent figure in Kansas Citys Irish community. He is survived by his wife, Kate, a Wichita native who met Brady while traveling in Ireland. He was a great chef, but he was a better friend, husband, and father, one friend wrote on Facebook Wednesday night. We lost a good man tonight. I lost a friend. His family lost much more. The victim had been taking out the trash from one of the adjacent businesses when he encountered several people standing around a parked car, DiMartino said. The shooting occurred as the interaction between the man and the group of suspects escalated. The shooting was witnessed by several people, DiMartino said, and was captured on surveillance cameras from nearby businesses. Officers continued to investigate at the scene of the shooting Wednesday night. Brady & Fox opened in spring 2022 in east Brookside following more than a decade of culinary collaboration between Brady and Farris. The pair previously ran Bradys Public House, an Irish restaurant on Troost Avenue that closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The chef grew up in County Tipperary, Ireland, and was one of the youngest graduates from the Dublin Institute of Technology after falling in love with the Dublin restaurant scene. Brady worked in kitchens in Europe and Asia before embarking on a culinary career in Chicago. When he relocated to Kansas City to become executive chef at the Ambassador Hotel, Farris became first his apprentice, then his partner. Heavily involved in Kansas Citys Irish community, Brady was also a vocal participant in Kansas Citys Irish Fest, bringing live cooking demonstrations to the festival stage. Bradys death was the 102nd homicide reported in Kansas City this year, according to data tracked by The Star. At this time last year, 133 homicides had been reported in the city. Reporting by The Stars Joyce Smith contributed to this article. RAMONA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) A man and a teenager were arrested Wednesday after a robbery earlier this month at a gas station in Ramona, authorities said. The suspects have been identified as Jahziel Hayes, 18, and a 16-year-old, whose name was not released due to them being a minor, Sgt. Sean Gallagher with the San Diego County Sheriffs Department said in a news release. The robbery occurred Aug. 10 shortly before 3:30 a.m. at the Stars gas station in the 1900 block of Main Street. San Diego police identify officer killed in crash An employee was assaulted, and several suspects stole items from the business, according to law enforcement. The investigation resulted in deputies serving a search warrant to a home in the 1700 block of San Vicente Road, where authorities arrested both suspects without incident. Deputies located items connected to the robbery while searching the home. They also found two privately manufactured firearms, commonly referred to as ghost guns, Gallagher said. Both Hayes and the teenager were arrested on suspicion of robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and possession of an illegal firearm. Hayes was booked into the San Diego Central Jail, while the teenager was booked into juvenile hall. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Man Who Told Wife's Children She Was Terminally Ill Pleads Guilty to Beating Her to Death with Hammer Joseph Glynn, 70, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder of his wife, Jackie Metro Nashville PD/X (2) Jackie Glynn, left, and Joseph Glynn A Tennessee man who killed his wife with a hammer and told her children that she was terminally ill and had left home pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. Joseph Glynn, 70, hit his wife, Jackie Glynn, 76, over the head with a hammer on Jan. 1, the Nashville Police Department said at the time. The next day, according to police, he drove her body to DeKalb County, Tenn., where he buried it. Police said Joseph then told his deceased wifes children that she had been terminally ill and decided to leave home, though her medical provider refuted that claim. On Wednesday, Aug. 28, Joseph pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison, according to reports from The Tennessean, WSMV and WTVF. A record of his guilty verdict is also found in online court records viewed by PEOPLE. Related: Man Told Missing Mom's Children She Was 'Terminally Ill.' Now He's Accused of Killing Her with Hammer, Burying Her Police previously said Jackies body and car were found in separate locations in DeKalb County in the days after she went missing. The Tennessean reported that when Joseph was interviewed by police, he admitted to killing Jackie before disposing of her body. 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. Jackies son, Chad Folk spoke at Josephs hearing on Wednesday, WTVF reported. "I was told my mother left and had been ill for a long time, and it was her will that they didnt follow her," Folk reportedly said, adding that his daughters doubted that their grandmother would have left without telling anyone. "My oldest daughter, through tears, said, Yaya wouldnt do that. She loved us too much, Folk said, according to the outlet. She would never leave us. Something has happened to Yaya. Dad, you have to find her. " For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Man trips, falls head first into police car trying to run from police on West Side YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Reports said a man tripped Wednesday and fell head-first into a police car when he tried to run away after police tried to take him into custody on several warrants. Police also said they found a large amount of methamphetamine in a car belonging to the man. Jamel Patton, 29, was taken to the Mahoning County jail on the warrants as well as additional charges of possession of methamphetamine, a second-degree felony, possession of ecstasy, a third-degree felony and two fourth-degree felony counts of possession of drugs. Patton is expected to be arraigned in municipal court on Friday. Reports said Patton was spotted about 1:35 p.m. in the parking lot of an 1835 Mahoning Ave. gas station and police approached him because they knew he had warrants for his arrest. Patton was taken into custody and cuffed and just after police asked if he had anything in his car they should know about, he tried to run away, reports said. Reports said he only made it a few steps before he tripped, fell and hit his head on a police car. When police searched his car they found the drugs in two plastic bags on the drivers side of Pattons car, including one large bag of methamphetamine, reports said. Police also found pills, fentanyl and crack cocaine, reports said. Patton was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center to be examined after he fell, reports said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Man wanted in deaths of 2 women in Worcester captured after days on the run A man wanted in connection with the stabbing deaths of two women in Worcester has been captured in New York, Boston 25 News has learned. William Rodriguez, a 59-year-old person of interest in the murders of 76-year-old Sergia Acosta and her 58-year-old daughter, Ana Maria Martinez, was nabbed by law enforcement officials in the Bronx on Thursday, sources and family confirmed to Boston 25s Bob Ward. BREAKING: William Rodriguez, Wanted for two murders in Worcester this weekend, CAUGHT in Bronx, NY. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/xrwxiDKFjN Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) August 29, 2024 Officers responding to a report of a double stabbing at the Webster Square Towers on Main Street on Sunday, Aug. 25, found the two women dead in an apartment. Rodriquez was in a relationship with Ana Maria for about a year, Ward reported earlier this week. While investigators werent initially able to track Rodriquez down, court records revealed that police did locate a note in his apartment written in Spanish that read, Women who make mistakes will receive what is coming. The murders of Sergia Costa and Ana Maria Martinez come twenty years after Rodriguez was arrested for the stabbing death of his wife, Carmen Rodriguez. Court records indicate he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter and served 15 years in prison before his release in 2019. Genesis Berrios, Acostas grandaughter, told Boston 25 that her family knew nothing about the death of Rodriguezs wife or his criminal history until the recent murders. The fact that this man was able to get out in just 15 years for what he did... Because now he just hurt another family. How many more families does he have to keep hurting for them to keep him there? Berrios said. it was terrible to walk into a scene like that, Berrios continued. It was like straight out of a horror movie. Its traumatizing. I hope this time they keep him behind bars so he never has to make another family go through something like this again Hector Gonzalez is mourning the loss of his sister-in-law and mother-in-law. He says Rodriguez tried to get closer to the family by going to their church. He wanted something more, Gonzalez said. He wanted to date but my aunt didnt want to once she found out who he really was which was a killer.. a murderer. A police report says a note written in Spanish was reportedly found in Rodriguez apartment which said Women who make mistakes will receive what is coming. She already knew the man he really was and she tried to reject him, said Gonzalez. There were no additional details on the arrest of Rodriguez immediately available. He will be called to court to face two counts of armed assault to murder when he is returned to Massachusetts. An investigation remains ongoing. 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 DENVER (KDVR) A man accused of stealing a Ford F-250 and injuring a Golden police officer on Friday is still wanted by law enforcement. The incident occurred at a Home Depot on West Colfax Avenue in Golden at about 8:12 a.m. on Aug. 23. 17 stolen vehicles found, 11 arrested in Douglas County operation Golden police responded to the store to attempt the recovery of a stolen Ford F-250 pickup truck and used a car immobilization technique to try and arrest the suspect and regain the truck. However, the officers were unsuccessful. The driver allegedly rammed several police vehicles and then fled from the scene. While leaving, he struck and injured a Golden Police Department officer. The agency said the officer was taken to a hospital with minor injuries and has been released. Golden police and Jefferson County deputies chased the vehicle into Denver but stopped the pursuit when officers determined the suspects driving was increasingly jeopardizing other peoples lives. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office shared these photos of a suspect who allegedly stole a Ford F250 from a Home Depot in Golden on Friday. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office shared this photo of a suspect truck wanted in a case that left a Golden police officer injured. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office shared these photos of a suspect who allegedly stole a Ford F250 from a Home Depot in Golden on Friday. Police report that the suspect was last seen driving near West 10th Avenue and North Perry Street in Denver, and the truck has moderate damage to the drivers door and rear drivers side quarter panel. Anyone with information about this incident or suspect is asked to contact Sgt. Stephanie Sipes at ssipes@cityofgolden.net. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Man whose escape from Kansas prison was featured in book, TV movie dies behind bars FILE - Inmate John Manard, left, is followed by Safe Harbor Prison Dog Program President Toby Young as he walks his dog on the grounds of the Lansing Correctional Facility in Lansing, Kan. on Dec, 8, 2005. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel,File) MISSION, Kan. (AP) An inmate whose escape from a Kansas prison hidden in a dog crate became the subject of a book and TV movie has died behind bars. John Manard, who was 45, died Sunday at the La Palma Correctional Facility, a private prison in Eloy, Arizona, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. His cause of death is pending the result of an autopsy, department spokesperson Jennifer King said. Manard was serving a life sentence for a suburban Kansas City killing at a prison in Lansing, Kansas, when he met Toby Young, a married mother of two who worked helping prisoners train animals for adoption. They struck up a romantic relationship. On Feb. 12, 2006, Young, then 47, hid Manard, then 27, in a crate and helped him escape. Prison officials said she took advantage of the trust she gained while running the program to drive Manard out of the prison. A guard who recognized Young did not thoroughly search the van. Young and Manard were captured 12 days after the escape in east Tennessee on Interstate 75 between Knoxville and Chattanooga, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) south of a remote cabin they had been sharing. Young, whose husband filed for divorce after her arrest, was sentenced in state court for her role in breaking Manard out. She also pleaded guilty in federal court to giving him a gun. She was freed in 2008 and wrote about what happened in the book, Living With Conviction. John is finally free. But I am crushed, Young, who has since remarried and goes by Toby Dorr, said in a Facebook post Wednesday. I pray you have at last found the peace you were searching for, John. The escape story also was featured on Dateline and is the inspiration behind the Lifetime movie, Jailbreak Lovers. In a March 2006 letter to a Kansas City television station, Manard said he and Young have a fairytale love the size of infinity. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a rightwing Republican representative, has promised another gun giveaway soon as she attacked Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and her hypothetical gun policies and the administrations Afghanistan pullout. Greene made the announcement on the anniversary of the chaotic and deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan. The firebrand shared an old video from her first gun giveaway on social media, showing her holding a .50-caliber rifle that she claims Democrats would ban if they keep the House. Throwback to three years ago where Kamala Harris proudly claimed she was the last person in the room when they oversaw the disastrous pullout of Afghanistan, Greene wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Ill be doing another gun giveaway soon. And itll be one she will want banned should she get elected! The Biden administration carried out the Trump administration plan negotiated with the Taliban in 2020. However, the hurried pullout in August 2021 allowed the Taliban to seize control of the country and left 13 American soldiers dead in an attack. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene talks to a reporter during a campaign rally in Georgia. She is now promising a new rifle raffle to protest a potential ban under Harris. (EPA) A special investigator found in 2022 that decisions made during both the Trump and Biden administrations were behind the Taliban takeover and the rapid defeat of the Afghan military, WSBTV noted. The pullout has become a rallying cry for Republicans to show foreign policy failures by Democrats. Greenes newest video also shows the Georgia represenative shooting a vehicle with socialism on it until it blow ups. Im going to blow away the Democrat socialist agenda, the congresswoman added. She subsequently shared a website allowing people to register for the giveaway before Joe Biden bans it. Throwback to 3 years ago where Kamala Harris proudly claimed she was the "last person in the room" when they oversaw the disastrous pullout of Afghanistan. Ill be doing another gun giveaway soon. And itll be one she will want banned should she get elected! pic.twitter.com/Fo1n6Mk0Ru Marjorie Taylor Greene (@mtgreenee) August 27, 2024 President Joe Biden ended his campaign for reelection and endorsed Harris on Sunday, July 21. Following the presidents departure from the race, Trump has been targeting Harris and her part in the administrations foreign policy. The voters are going to fire Kamala and Joe on November 5, we hope, and when I take office we will ask for the resignations of every single official, he said at a rally in Detriot on Monday. Well get the resignations of every single senior official who touched the Afghanistan calamity, to be on my desk at noon, on Inauguration Day. You know, you have to fire people. You have to fire people when they do a bad job. Harris also made a statement on the anniversary of the terror attack at the Abbey Gate at Kabul Airport, which took the lives of 13 servicemembers and about 170 Afghans. My prayers are with their families and loved ones. My heart breaks for their pain and their loss, the vice president said. She added that Biden made the courageous and right decision to end Americas longest war. Over the past three years, our administration has demonstrated we can still eliminate terrorists, including the leaders of al-Qaeda and ISIS, without troops deployed into combat zones. I will never hesitate to take whatever action necessary to counter terrorist threats and protect the American people, Harris said. The Associated Press contributed to this report MARSHALL, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)The Marshall Fire Department hosted a community event at Memorial City Hall for the public to meet candidates for a new fire chief. The candidates were first introduced to the audience on stage. Jerry Miller, deputy fire marshall in Princeton Kevin May, Longview Fire Department David Rainwater, assistant fire chief in Richland Hills Eric Burnside, from San Antonio Marshall PD opens registration for citizen police academy A reception followed each candidates introduction, during which residents were allowed to meet, greet, and ask questions of the applicants. Comment cards were also available for citizens to voice their opinions. The cards will be read as part of the decision-making process. Chase Palmer, a Marshall Resident, said, This is a great event. Its always good to allow the community to come out and meet people who may come and work here and be a part of our community. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. The fallen Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is pictured Sunday, March 31, 2024, where divers assisted crews with the complicated and meticulous operation of removing steel and concrete. (AP Photos/Mike Pesoli, File) BALTIMORE (AP) Maryland transportation leaders on Thursday approved a contract for rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge several months after the 1.6-mile (2.6-kilometer) steel span collapsed under the impact of a massive container ship that lost power and crashed into one of its supporting columns. In the immediate aftermath of the deadly March 26 collapse, officials quickly promised to rebuild the bridge a longstanding Baltimore landmark and vital piece of transportation infrastructure. They cited a 2028 completion date and estimated the project would cost $1.7 billion and would include significantly more pier protection to better defend against future wayward ships. At a monthly meeting Thursday morning, the Maryland Transportation Authority board awarded a $73 million contract for the first phase of the project to Kiewit Infrastructure, which calls itself one of North Americas largest and most respected engineering and construction organizations. Bruce Gartner, executive director of the Maryland Transportation Authority, said the contract award signifies a big step forward in the recovery and rebuild process. This really represents such an order of magnitude bigger than all our previous milestones, he said in an interview Thursday. He said the agency hopes to release renderings of a preliminary design within the next few months, which will give the public an idea of what the new bridge will look like. Kiewit was founded in 1884 to provide masonry services in Omaha, Nebraska, according to its website. Its notable past projects include the Fort McHenry Tunnel under Baltimores harbor, which opened in 1985. More drivers have been using the tunnel since the bridge collapse eliminated one of three water crossings that allowed them to bypass downtown Baltimore. Gartner said the state has worked with Kiewit before and that the company has managed construction of major water crossings with maritime activity similar to the Key Bridge. We look forward to partnering with the Maryland Transportation Authority, many local subcontractors and suppliers, and our strong craft workforce to safely deliver and restore this vital transportation link in the city of Baltimore and the greater region, the company said in a statement Thursday. In announcing their recommendation to the board, state transportation officials said the companys proposal was ranked first for its technical contents despite being somewhat more expensive than others. Officials said the project will advance in two phases, with the first focusing on the design work and other necessary steps before construction begins, which could include demolition of the remaining pieces of the bridge that are still standing. Phase one is expected to be completed within a year. Kiewit will have exclusive negotiating rights for the second phase, transportation officials said in a statement following the board meeting. In the event a guaranteed maximum price is not agreed upon, the MDTA will deliver the work under a separate contracting mechanism, the statement read. Officials have said the new bridge will be somewhat taller than the old one to accommodate ever-larger ships entering Baltimores harbor. The original Key Bridge took five years to construct and opened in 1977. The March bridge collapse killed six members of a road work crew who were filling potholes on the bridge when it came crashing down into the water below. Baltimores busy port was closed for months after the collapse and increased traffic congestion in the region remains a problem for drivers. An FBI investigation is ongoing into the circumstances leading up to the collapse, including power outages experienced by the cargo ship Dali while it was still docked in Baltimore. The state transportation board also on Thursday approved a proposal to remit the proceeds from a recent $350 million insurance payout to the federal government. They called the decision a show of good faith as discussions continue about whether the federal government will cover 100% of the cleanup and rebuilding costs. Chubb, the company that insured the bridge, made the $350 million payout to the state, officials said this week. Ongoing litigation will ultimately determine other assignments of liability in the bridge collapse, which could become one of the most expensive maritime disasters in U.S. history. Impacted businesses have joined Baltimores mayor and city council in filing claims arguing the owner and manager of the Dali should have to pay damages. Underwood Energy, a Baltimore-based company that transports hazardous materials, filed a new claim Thursday based on revenue losses associated with the bridge collapse. Hazmat trucks are not allowed in two tunnels under the Baltimore harbor, so those vehicles now must make a 30-mile detour to cross the Patapsco River, the complaint says. The federal government generally picks up 90% of the tab and the state 10% when replacing disaster-damaged interstate highways and bridges, but the Biden administration and members of Marylands congressional delegation are pushing congressional lawmakers to approve a 100% reimbursement. Officials have said they expect that federal taxpayers will eventually be made whole for replacing the bridge through insurance payouts and damages, but that may take a while. ___ Associated Press writer Brian Witte contributed from Annapolis. We recently published a list of 10 Best Dividend Stocks Under $5. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Nordic American Tankers Limited (NYSE:NAT) stands against the other dividend stocks under $5. Dividends have consistently been a strong source of returns over time. These stocks hold both theoretical and practical significance in assessing stock values. Although dividend stocks have underperformed the broader market in recent years, their long-term performance remains steady. Since the beginning of 2024, the Dividend Aristocrats Indexwhich monitors companies that have consistently raised their dividends for at least 25 consecutive yearshas yielded returns of over 8% for investors. However, this performance has fallen short compared to the broader market, which has surged by nearly 19% during the same period. Despite this shortfall, 2024 has been a favorable year for dividends overall. This improvement is largely attributable to several major technology firms, previously known for not paying dividends, announcing the start of their dividend programs. Moreover, these companies have collectively distributed billions in their inaugural dividend payments. Also read: 12 Best Dividend Stocks For Steady Growth The long-term performance of dividend stocks also takes into account periods of high interest rates, during which other asset classes typically experience declines. This doesnt imply that dividend stocks only perform well during episodes of high interest rates. While there isnt a clear connection between their performance and interest rates, historical data shows that they tend to remain relatively stable regardless of the rate environment. For instance, in certain periods of rising US interest rates, such as the mid-1970s, dividend-paying stocks outperformed the broader market. Conversely, as rates decreased from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, the performance of high-yield stocks relative to the market remained relatively stable. Even if we set aside historical data and concentrate on more recent performance, we find that elevated interest rates did not have any serious impact on the performance of dividend equities. For example, in 2022, when the Federal Reserve raised its federal funds rate seven times to tackle persistent inflationfour of which were consecutive hikes of 75 basis pointsdividend stocks outperformed the broader market. This could be due to the fact that dividend-paying companies tend to be well-established and more stable, with enough confidence in their cash flows to commit to returning cash to shareholders. Moreover, committing to a dividend imposes financial discipline. Instead of using excess cash for acquisitions that may or may not create value, repurchasing shares at uncertain prices, or funding speculative growth initiatives, executives are compelled to manage payouts responsibly. Story continues Given investors growing interest in dividend stocks, more companies are initiating and increasing their dividend payments. A key driver behind this trend is that many companies, particularly large tech firms, have substantial cash reserves and are rapidly boosting their free cash flows. This strong financial footing allows them to reward investors with higher dividends. According to the latest report from S&P Dow Jones Indices, companies in the index paid $153.4 billion in dividends during the second quarter of 2024, up from $151.6 billion in the previous quarter and $143.2 billion in the same period last year. The report also highlighted that there were 539 dividend increases reported, compared to 460 in the same period last year, marking a 17.2% year-over-year growth. The total amount of these increases reached $20.4 billion for the quarter, up significantly from $9.8 billion in Q2 2023. With that, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks under $5. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here). Is Nordic American Tankers Limited (NAT) The Best Dividend Stock Under $5? A top-down view of a crane loading or unloading oil barrels from a Suezmax crude oil tanker. Nordic American Tankers Limited (NYSE:NAT) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 8 Share Price as of the close of August 23: $3.63 Nordic American Tankers Limited (NYSE:NAT) is an international tanker company that owns, operates, and charters Suezmax tankers. The companys business model is strong but is currently challenged by ongoing geopolitical tensions around the Red Sea. The stock is down by over 11% in the past 12 months That said, it still has many positive aspects to focus on. The supply and demand for Nordic American Tankers Limited (NYSE:NAT) fleet is currently favorable, contributing to a positive outlook. In addition to this, the company has one of the lowest debt levels among publicly traded tanker companies. As of March 31, 2024, the companys net debtcalculated by subtracting current assets from total liabilitieswas $228 million. With a fleet of 20 vessels, this translates to $11.4 million of debt per ship. The company also maintains a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.5. Nordic American Tankers Limited (NYSE:NAT) places a strong emphasis on maintaining its financial health. The company prioritizes strategic timing and careful financing of expansions to ensure financial stability and sustain its commitment to paying dividends. The company has paid dividends for 107 consecutive quarters, positioning it as one of the best dividend stocks on our list. It offers a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share, yielding 11.85%, as of August 23. The company expects to increase its payouts when market conditions improve. Moreover, its financial position is strong, with over $37.5 million in operating cash flow generated in the first quarter of 2024. Insider Monkeys database for Q2 2024 indicated that 8 hedge funds held stakes in Nordic American Tankers Limited (NYSE:NAT), down from 18 in the previous quarter. These stakes have a total value of nearly $23 million. With over 2.2 million shares, Two Sigma Advisors was the companys leading stakeholder in Q2. Overall NAT ranks 8th on our list of the best dividend stocks under $5. While we acknowledge the potential for NAT as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NAT but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: $30 Trillion Opportunity: 15 Best Humanoid Robot Stocks to Buy According to Morgan Stanley and Jim Cramer Says NVIDIA Has Become A Wasteland. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Photo by Darwin Brandis/iStock Getty Images Plus. As we seek to confront the overdose crisis, one area too often overlooked is the criminal justice system, which accounts for more than one-third of referrals to addiction treatment programs. Approximately half of individuals incarcerated in the U.S. meet criteria for substance use disorder (SUD). Incarcerated individuals are up to 40 times more likely to die of an overdose within two weeks of release, which is a leading cause of post-release fatality due to loss of tolerance to opioids during incarceration when medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) are not provided. Furthermore, whether an individual receives medication for OUD while incarcerated may rest in the hands of a jail administrator with no medical training. We know that treatment during and immediately following release reduces the risk of death by up to 75%. Nationwide, medications for OUD are underutilized in criminal justice settings, even despite the removal of barriers to buprenorphine allowing for licensed health care practitioners to prescribe without an X-waiver. Incarcerated individuals still face the prospect of forced withdrawal from and lack of access to evidence-based, life-saving medications such as methadone or buprenorphine upon incarceration. What is Maryland doing about this crisis? The State Opioid Use Disorder Examination and Treatment Act (formerly, House Bill 116, 2019) required local correctional facilities and the Baltimore Pretrial Complex to implement programs for OUD screening, evaluation and treatment including methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone by January 2023. Maryland has fallen behind in meeting the laws requirements despite sincere efforts. COVID-19 initially delayed implementation efforts, so the Governors Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services allocated grant funding for Health Care Access Maryland (HCAM) and Health Management Associates (HMA) to support correctional facilities with technical assistance. In its FY23 report, only 19 of Marylands 24 correctional facilities submitted aggregate data on implementation status and overall, the number of incarcerated individuals treated for OUD fell far below national estimates of OUD prevalence in incarcerated settings. What are the barriers to full implementation in Maryland pre-trial facilities? Ongoing, sustainable funding is key. Access to insurance benefits in Maryland are suspended during incarceration, making medical care a state-funded enterprise administered by contracted medical vendors, departments of health or facility employees. Thus, new treatment programs incur new costs, which require additional funding. In Marylands case, local grant opportunities were made available through the Opioid Operational Command Center, but administrative burdens associated with grants and imposed restrictions on use of funds for new positions beyond the grant period were identified as barriers. In January this year, I gave testimony as part of the Community Overdose Action Town Hall Series. Marylands Office of Overdose Response held the town halls statewide to hear from the community about ways to address the overdose crisis. My testimony focused on ways to reduce the impact of SUD on the county level and in Maryland more broadly. Although there are no easy solutions to this multipronged problem, there are areas that are critically in need of funding now including resources needed to meet the mandate of the State Opioid Use Disorder Examination and Treatment Act. We also need more robust data collection, and health information exchange. Its imperative that financial support for these programs is built into correctional budgets, rather than solely as time-limited grant opportunities, especially in the correctional setting when resources are spread so thinly. A former Mason City Schools bus driver was charged Monday with endangering children, over three months after the alleged incident. James Vance, 44, is the suspect, according to police and school district records obtained by The Enquirer. In a letter emailed to parents Tuesday, the district said the charges stem from the driver's alleged actions while transporting students to school May 30, the last day of the school year. A fellow transportation department employee that day noticed that the driver smelled of alcohol and reported it, the letter says. Ten Mason High School students and 21 Mason Early Childhood students were driven to school before the driver was taken off duty. According to Vance's personnel file with Mason City Schools, he was placed on administrative leave on May 30. He no longer works for the district, officials said in the letter. Vance had been working for Mason City Schools since May 2021, according to his personnel file. He initially signed on as a substitute bus driver. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mason City Schools ID's bus driver charged with child endangerment The man accused of shooting and killing a 21-year-old college student in a club shooting in May has been indicted. Karanji Reese, 21, turned himself in to police in June after he shot six people inside of Elleven45 Lounge, including 21-year-old Mari Creighton and Nakyris Ridley, 20, who died due to the shooting. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As part of a 19-count indictment, Reese faces multiple charges, including murder and aggravated assault. The club has been marred with previous incidents, leading city officials to describe the club as a hotspot for violence after the Mothers Day mass shooting. Adding to the citys case, Kelly Harrison, a concerned homeowner living less than a mile from the nightclub, described the establishment as a neighborhood nuisance, citing issues such as noise, crime, and the derelict state of the building. RELATED STORIES: Earlier this month, the Fulton County Superior Court ruled the lounge must close immediately and permanently. The day prior, club owner Djibril Dafe was arrested mid-hearing as he attempted to fight to keep the embattled club open. It is unclear as to when Reese will be sentenced for the shooting. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Residents of Massachusetts are now free to arm themselves with switchblades after a 67-year-old restriction was struck down following the U.S. Supreme Courts 2022 landmark decision on gun rights and the Second Amendment. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision on Tuesday applied new guidance from the Bruen decision, which declared that citizens have a right to carry firearms in public for self-defense. The Supreme Judicial Court concluded that switchblades arent deserving of special restrictions under the Second Amendment. Nothing about the physical qualities of switchblades suggests they are uniquely dangerous, Justice Serge Georges Jr. wrote. It leaves only a handful of states with switchblade bans on the books. The case stemmed from a 2020 domestic disturbance in which police seized an orange firearm-shaped knife with a spring-assisted blade. The defendant was charged with carrying a dangerous weapon. His appeal claimed the blade was protected by the Second Amendment. In its decision, the Supreme Judicial Court reviewed this history of knives and pocket knives from colonial times in following U.S. Supreme Court guidance to focus on whether weapon restrictions are consistent with this nations historical tradition of arms regulation. Georges concluded that the broad category including spring-loaded knifes are arms under the Second Amendment. Therefore, the carrying of switchblades is presumptively protected by the plain text of the Second Amendment, he wrote. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell criticized the ruling. This case demonstrates the difficult position that the Supreme Court has put our state courts in with the Bruen decision, and Im disappointed in todays result, Campbell said in a statement. The fact is that switchblade knives are dangerous weapons and the Legislature made a commonsense decision to pass a law prohibiting people from carrying them. The Bruen decision upended gun and weapons laws nationwide. In Hawaii, a federal court ruling applied Bruen to the states ban on butterfly knives and found it unconstitutional. That case is still being litigated. In California, a federal judge struck down a state law banning possession of club-like weapons, reversing his previous ruling from three years ago that upheld a prohibition on billy clubs and similar blunt objects. The judge ruled that the prohibition unconstitutionally infringes the Second Amendment rights of American citizens. The Massachusetts high court also cited a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court opinion that Americans have a right to own guns for self-defense in their homes as part of its decision. 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 Editors Note: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence. As tears roll down her face and her body shivers with pain, Hamida cradles her 4-year-old daughter and baby boy on her lap, comforting them as they cry for their father. The 22-year-old ethnic Rohingya is surviving on the kindness of fellow refugees in a camp near Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh and trying to process the horrors she endured in neighboring Myanmar, where a civil war is raging between the countrys military and rebel groups including the Arakan Army. After they entered my home, they hit me, beat me, and I was struggling to get free when they raped me, Hamida says. For at least one hour, they tied me up. Hamida who asked to only use her first name for fear of reprisals says seven Arakan Army soldiers gang-raped her during the attack in Myanmars western Rakhine state in late July. I screamed, so they closed my mouth with their hands, she says. They raped me. They beat me with their guns. They kicked me. Still, I cant move (without) pain. During the attack, she says her husband heard her screams and ran into their hut to save her but he was pinned down and forced to watch. They slaughtered my husband after they raped me, she says. Four Arakan Army soldiers were holding him down tightly, and one slaughtered him with a big sharp knife. CNN cant independently verify Hamidas account of the attack nor those of other survivors who fled to safety across the Naf River, which provides a natural border between Myanmar and Bangladesh. Known as the worlds biggest refugee camp, more than a million Rohingya Muslims are sheltering in makeshift tents near the town of Coxs Bazar most of whom fled there in August 2017, after Myanmars military killed an estimated 10,000 people in what United Nations experts labeled a genocide. Now, new arrivals like Hamida are bringing reports of mass murder, bombing attacks on civilians, and burning villages which bear hallmarks of the 2017 attacks, seven years later. But this time, the ethnic Rakhine rebel group Arakan Army is being blamed for the brutality. It felt like the end of the world Witnesses say the deadliest day for attacks was August 5, when an estimated 200 people were killed as drones rained down bombs on those fleeing fighting in the town of Maungdaw. Videos circulated widely online show piles of bodies mostly women and children surrounded by their belongings scattered around a mangrove forest along the shoreline, slaughtered as they tried to board boats to Bangladesh. Imagery verified by CNN shows the aftermath of an attack on the western edge of Maungdaw townships Myo Ma ward. - From X Abdul Bashar, a 48-year-old father who survived the drone attacks, says they took place around 6 p.m. that day. When we reached the border fence, we saw a large bomb fall on a group of people, killing many of them, he says. They were attacking with drones, gunfire, and heavy weapons. It felt like the end of the world. Bashar saw his 17-year-old son die, along with his sister, who was killed as she breastfed her 8-month-old daughter. I couldnt look back because bombs were falling heavily, he said. I had two of my children with me, and I was bleeding. Abdul Bashar and his 10-year-old nephew survived the drone attacks on the riverside near Maungdaw, Myanmar on August 5. - Rebecca Wright/CNN Bashar is now sheltering in a Coxs Bazar camp with his 10-year-old nephew whose parents and five siblings died in the attack. The boy survived despite severe shrapnel wounds to his arm. I feel that death would be better than living through this, Bashar said. A new report from human rights group Fortify Rights urges the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate a massacre of Rohingya civilians perpetrated by the Arakan Army (AA). A separate report from Human Rights Watch says the attacks raise the specter of ethnic cleansing. In an interview with CNN, Arakan Army spokesperson Khaing Thu Ka denied allegations of atrocities, calling the reports fake news and disinformation. He said AA fighters had never targeted or killed innocent civilians, claiming the August 5 drone attacks were carried out by the military. The Myanmar military blames the AA for the attacks. CNN cannot independently attribute the reports of responsibility or verify the number of people who were killed. In response to a separate question about Hamidas testimony of gang rape, the AAs Khaing Thu Ka said the group would certainly investigate her case. The Rohingya people a largely Muslim ethnic group with a distinct language and culture have long been persecuted and denied citizenship in majority-Buddhist Myanmar, with official propaganda describing them as Bengalis or illegal immigrants. They are also denied official status in Bangladesh, making them known as the worlds most unwanted people. Bangladeshs new interim chief Muhammad Yunus has promised to continue supporting the Rohingya in his country, but has appealed for the fighting in Myanmar to end so they can return to their homeland with safety, dignity and full rights. Overnight exodus Tight controls remain in place along the 18-mile (30-kilometer) shoreline of the Naf River snaking between Myanmar and its neighbor with Bangladeshi border guards under orders to try to keep the fleeing Rohingya out. Refugees are now using the cover of darkness to try to evade capture, often setting out from Myanmar around 10 p.m. to make the 1.8-mile (3-kilometer) journey across the water. As midnight approaches, CNN travels down the long coastal road to a tiny fishing village on the southern tip of Bangladesh to meet with a Rohingya refugee who sneaked out of the camp to meet his sister, who is due to arrive on a boat from Myanmar that evening. All the phones on her boat had been switched off for security during the journey, so he went for hours without hearing an update. I am really very concerned, said Mohammed, who didnt want to use his real name. This is my big sister. Hes worried that his sister, who cant swim, could drown during the crossing. Many refugee boats have sunk in recent weeks, the bodies of their desperate passengers eventually washing ashore and buried in shallow graves on the beach. Compounding Mohammeds fears are the pre-dawn sounds of explosions and rifle fire just across the river a reminder of why his sister and other Rohingya are fleeing. On the Bangladesh side, it has become a game of cat and mouse for the coast guard to spot boats emerging from the inky waters before they make it onto land. The full moon casts a silver glow over the river, putting incoming boats in extra danger of being spotted. A senior border guard who spoke to CNN on the beach said if boats do make it to land on their watch, they usually provide food to the people onboard before sending them back. Mohammeds sister never appears that night, and by dawn, his panic starts to rise. The world is now dark for me, he said. I lost everything in my life. Hours later, he hears that his sister made it to land further up the coast but was kidnapped by brokers demanding payment for her release. Eventually she was able to reunite with Mohammed in the camps, but the family spent all of their money trying to get her to safety. AA wants to wipe out Rohingyas Despite the challenges of getting across, Bangladeshi officials told CNN that more than 5,000 Rohingya have arrived in Bangladesh from Myanmar during recent fighting. Calls are now growing for Bangladesh to allow humanitarian access for the incoming refugees. UNHCR is calling on Bangladesh to provide access to safety for refugees escaping the violence in Northern Rakhine State, most recently in Maungdaw township, said Shari Nijman, spokesperson for UNHCR Bangladesh. Among new arrivals are many women and children, including some with critical injuries from gunshots and shelling. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) which operates multiple clinics in Coxs Bazar told CNN they treated 54 people who arrived with war wounds between August 5-11, 48% of whom were women and children. Jamila Begum, 45, made it across in a boat with four of her orphaned grandchildren. She said her family tried to run from their homes on August 5 during a pause in the fighting, but then bombs fell on the roof of the house, killing Begums daughter, her husband and their 7-year-old daughter. Begum managed to grab the youngest child a 6-month-old baby from her daughters arms. Begum fled with the grandchildren and they hid for five days before boarding a boat to Bangladesh. But her eldest grandchild didnt make it he died from his injuries before they were able to find a boat, and she was forced to leave him on the beach. After they left, she heard the AA had set fire to her village. AA wants to wipe out Rohingyas from Rakhine State, Begum says, echoing the feelings of the dozen other refugees CNN spoke to. Now, Begum is safe in the camps but fears for the future of her grandchildren, as their only guardian. Sadness will not go from our lives, she says. CNNs Helen Regan and Avery Schmitz contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MEMPHIS, Tenn. A box suite for Memphis Grizzlies games, millions on furniture and equipment for a new office in a downtown skyscraper, and more WREG Investigators spent hours poring through Memphis Area Transit Authoritys board meeting minutes to try figure out how they got in a $60 million deficit. MATA announced recently it can no longer cover current staffing and services under its current budget. Twenty-three bus routes will be cut down to 16, and trolley service is suspended indefinitely. MATA to slash hundreds of jobs, bus routes and trolleys Please be patient with us as we work to get through this time, but we will get to the other side, MATAs Interim CEO Bacarra Mauldin said at a recent board meeting. She said increased costs, decreased ridership and flat funding resulted in the shortfall. City council gets tough on MATA as agency announces cutbacks WREG Investigators wanted to find out more. We dug through years of MATAs board minutes. According to those minutes, the budget remained steady at the end of 2020 through 2021 as the executive team touted that COVID relief money took them from a very low cash position to a manageable position. They stated it took care of immediate cash flow needs. MATA has stated 95% its funding comes from local, state and federal government. MATA determines how its spent, like upgrading vehicles assigned to field supervision activities from vans to SUVs that cost around $27,000 dollars each. They bought six of these SUVs in December 2021 and three more in 2022. Last year, they approved two Chevy Traverse AWD LS off the Tennessee State contract at a cost of $36,130 per vehicle and four Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew-Cab pick-up trucks at a cost of $45,400. In 2021, a water pipe break damaged MATAs office. The executive team claimed the temporary office wasnt big enough, because they were adding several safety positions and administrative positions for various technology projects. The board approved a $267,210 lease at One Commerce Square, $123,300.88 more for additional storage and a build-out on the 12th floor that ended up costing $800,000. They also signed off on $600,000 dollars for furniture, fixtures and equipment. Last year, MATAs CEO at the time said they expect future awards of federal capital grants and that would require additional office space. They added more space to the lease, spent another nearly $800,000 in construction and design fees plus another half million in furniture, fixtures and equipment for that new area. In May 2023s meeting, they discussed expanding their contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, at a cost of up to $510,898 over two years. We entered into an agreement with the Grizzlies where they will work with us on some marketing efforts, the CEO Gary Rosenfeld said. We have looked at the opportunity to be able to provide tickets to games. Tickets to games, meaning a branded suite. That brought its contract with the Grizzlies to a half-million dollars. This includes concerts, Disney on Ice, whatever might come into it. Anything but the playoffs, Rosenfeld told the board. MATA said it would enhance their ability to hire and retain employees and enhance opportunities with internal and external stakeholders. It passed unanimously. Mayor Paul Young announced an international firm is conducting a forensic audit on MATA. Its not clear when it will be complete and if those results will be released. MATA is not in this alone. We are all in this together, Young told the city council at a meeting earlier this month. When COVID relief money ran out, the next budget for FY2023 showed operating expenses had reached $84 million and the operating profit was in the red. MATA said by halting the trolleys, cutting staffing and routes, their budget is now balanced. Its unclear what the future holds. We reached out to MATAs Interim CEO and her team for a comment on the spending. MATA said in an email that the agency no longer has the Grizzlies suite this season. As for the office space and furniture, MATA said that spending went through a competitive bidding process, or competitive quotes were obtained, and they defended the cost and procurement process as not abnormal. In contracts passed by the board in the past 3.5 years, more than $5 million has been spent on trolleys, repairs and pavement. Group pushes city for $20M to save public transportation Asked whether that money could have been spent better in light of the fact that trolley service is now suspended indefinitely, the agency said it is committed to maintaining all assets in excellent condition and we are required to maintain all assets in a state of good repairs. In addition to the cuts to service and staff, MATA says the agency will Conduct a thorough review of expenses to identify non-essential expenses and prioritize critical ones that directly impact operations Suspend non-essential travel Postpone non-essential purchases of supplies and equipment Halting nonmandatory training programs Freeze hirin /recruitment efforts Limit overtime for operation staff Freeze overtime for administrate staff Scale back vendor contracts. We are deeply committed to the responsible and efficient use of our resources. Every dollar is thoughtfully allocated to maximize impact, ensuring that our initiatives not only meet their goals but do so in a way that reflects our dedication to fiscal responsibility and the communities we serve, the agency said in an email. They also invited the public to attend its regular community meetings to provide feedback. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. In January 1912, German geophysicist Alfred Wegener proposed an idea the scientific world thought was wack. After scrutinizing similar-looking fossils of plants and animals on different land masses, he wondered if perhaps the continents had once been joined together before somehow separating into a new configuration. His work was roundly scorned, and dismissed as "delirious ravings". Now, of course, the idea of continental drift is accepted as established science, with many different lines of evidence all pointing in the direction of Wegener's supercontinent, now known as Pangea. Paleontologists have just identified another example that would have delighted the geophysicist; almost identical sets of dinosaur footprints have been found in Cameroon in Central Africa and in Brazil in South America, separated by a distance of more than 6,000 kilometers (about 3,700 miles). A long ornithopod trackway in the Sousa Basin in Brazil. (Ismar de Souza Carvalho) These two locations define one of the last places dinosaurs could cross between the land masses freely before the continent of Gondwana a fragment of Pangea broke away completely, some 120 million years ago. Together, there are more than 260 footprints, stamped into the mud of riverbanks by ornithopod, sauropod, and theropod dinosaurs across what might have been the last land bridge connecting Africa to South America. "We determined that in terms of age, these footprints were similar," says paleontologist Louis Jacobs of Southern Methodist University. "In their geological and plate tectonic contexts, they were also similar. In terms of their shapes, they are almost identical." The metamorphosis of Earth's continental configuration was not a one-and-done event, but a long, ongoing process that continues to this day, with the continents continuing to slowly move around the globe. Two theropod footprints from the Koum Basin in Cameroon. (SMU) We can piece together past arrangements by looking at features such as the shapes of and alignments of shorelines, matching mountain ranges and rock types that are similar across continents, and even fossils that are similar to each other as Jacobs and his team have done here. From lines of evidence such as these, scientists have determined that Africa and South America started to split apart from each other around 140 million years ago. Rifts formed in the crust, and a gap between the two pieces of Gondwana started to widen. In these cracks, magma flowed up from below, hardening into a new crust that would form the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. As the two new continents continued to separate, the points at which animals could move between them became smaller and fewer. A reconstruction of the past movements of the continents. (US Geological Survey) "One of the youngest and narrowest geological connections between Africa and South America was the elbow of northeastern Brazil nestled against what is now the coast of Cameroon along the Gulf of Guinea," Jacobs explains. "The two continents were continuous along that narrow stretch, so that animals on either side of that connection could potentially move across it." To find those points of passage, he and his colleagues made a careful study of the published literature. They reconstructed the sundering of the continents, making the case for a connection point between Borborema in Brazil and Cameroon. Then, they studied the dinosaur tracks in both regions, comparing them, and finding that they matched. Because of this connection, we can extrapolate that other, perhaps less heavy-footed animals could follow similar paths. This, the team says, means that the two places formed what they have named the Borborema-Cameroon dinosaur dispersal corridor one of the very last places animals could move between the continents before they split apart completely. The stars represent the two sites found to have similar dinosaur tracks. (SMU) "This study places dinosaur tracks in a context to elucidate an appropriate path of biogeographical exchange between what would soon (geologically) become separate continents," the researchers write in their paper. "We have tracked dinosaur footprints from the time they were impressed in mud along rivers and lakes over 120 million years ago, in localities originally contiguous and on a single landmass but some 1000 kilometers apart. Today, these sites of fossil preservation are on two continents separated by 6000 kilometers and an ocean." The paper, titled "The Early Cretaceous Borborema-Cameroon Dinosaur Dispersal Corridor", has been published in the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin, as a tribute to late paleontologist Martin Lockley, who was an avid scholar of dinosaur tracks. This paper will not be made available online. Related News COOK COUNTY, Ill. A teen from Matteson has been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting and killing a relative during an argument. The Cook County Sheriffs Office said at around 8 p.m. Monday, deputies were sent to the 22000 block of Governors Highway to investigate a shooting outside of a home. When deputies arrived, they found 22-year-old Jose Moran-Padilla unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds. Moran-Padilla was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, while a semi-automatic handgun and two firearm magazine were recovered from the scene, according to investigators. CPS coach quits after disparaging remarks on radio show about Tim Walzs son Over the course of the investigation, detectives learned Moran-Padilla was shot during an argument outside of the home. Detectives developed information on a suspect and, as a result, arrested a 15-year-old boy without incident. The teen has been charged with first-degree murder and is currently being held at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Matthew Perry was called Chandler and a moron by doctor and drug dealer in month before his death A doctor and a drug dealer charged with supplying thousands of dollars worth of ketamine to Matthew Perry in the month before his death referred to him as Chandler and a moron, text messages have revealed. The pair are among five people charged earlier this month in connection with 54-year-old Perrys death. The Friends star was discovered in the hot tub at his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023. Perrys assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa; acquaintance Erik Fleming; doctors Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez; and Jasveen Sangha, a north Hollywood woman known as The Ketamine Queen were named as defendants by the US Attorneys Office. Text messages between the group showed that they allegedly conspired behind Perrys back to get him to pay top dollar for the drug, which prosecutors said Perry had become increasingly addicted to in the months before he died. Law enforcement agencies executed search warrants, and seized computers, phones and other electronic equipment to determine who was responsible for the supply of the drug. I wonder how much this moron will pay, Plasencia asked Chavez in a message, a month before the actors death. He followed up: Lets find out. After meeting Perry, Plasencia, who officials allege administered ketamine to Perry, described the experience as a bad movie. In another instance, while coordinating a $5,000 sale of 25 ketamine vials, Fleming, 54, referred to Perry using the name of a well-known character that [Perry] portrayed in a television series, his plea agreement stated, according to the Los Angeles Times. Law enforcement officials told the outlet that he called the actor Chandler. Text messages between a doctor and a dealer who allegedly supplied Matthew Perry, 54, with ketamine show they mocked him by referring to the actor as Chandler and moron (PA Archive) Prosecutors allege that Sangha ripped Perry off by initially quoting Fleming $160 a vial but charging Perry $220 a vial. Fleming pocketed an additional $500 in the transaction. In a statement announcing the charges, US Attorney Martin Estrada said: These defendants cared more about profiting off of Mr Perry than caring for his well-being. Drug dealers selling dangerous substances are gambling with other peoples lives over greed. This case, along with our many other prosecutions of drug-dealers who cause death, send a clear message that we will hold drug-dealers accountable for the deaths they cause. Fleming pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death earlier this month. In court, he admitted to providing Perry with the ketamine dose that killed him. Iwamasa, 59, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, and admitted to repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training, including on the day that Perry died. Chavez, 54, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. The other defendants have been charged with conspiracy to distribute ketamine to the actor. A medical examiner later ruled that Perry died from acute effects of ketamine. An autopsy report found that the amount of the ketamine in Perrys blood was in the range used for general anesthesia during surgery. Perry first started using the drug to treat depression and anxiety at a local clinic. Treating depression with ketamine is a new form of therapy but has showed some promising results, The Times reported. Still, the therapy can be harmful, Dr Robert McCarron, a professor of psychiatry, told the outlet. Ketamine has the potential to harm someone or kill someone if not monitored carefully and used in an approved therapeutic way, he said. Following the news of Perrys death, his five Friends co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow released a joint statement asking for time to process this unfathomable loss. They wrote: We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now were going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Mattys family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said he was heartbroken to learn of the fatal shooting of local chef Shaun Brady in the Brookside neighborhood Wednesday, while acknowledging concerns business owners have raised about crime in the area. For months, community members have cried out for a response from institutions, including our police, our electeds, our county justice apparatus, and all with some role in making things better, explaining that a failure to address would lead to more violent criminal activity, Lucas said in a social media post early Thursday morning, pointing to the worry business owners in Brookside, Waldo and other areas of the city have raised. You have heard from us many reasons, but none are sufficient. Brady, 44, was one of the proprietors of Brady & Fox, at the intersection of East 63rd Street and Rockhill Road in Brookside, and a popular chef known for his contributions to the local Irish community. Sgt. Phil DiMartino, a spokesperson for the Kansas City Police Department, said Brady was taking out trash Wednesday evening when he had an interaction with a group that was near a vehicle and was shot. Police said Thursday morning that within an hour of the shooting, two teenage boys were taken into custody and a vehicle was recovered in Midtown. Residents and business owners have called for action in the Waldo and Brookside neighborhoods in recent weeks, responding to what theyve said is an upswing in crime in the area. In his statement responding to the shooting, Lucas said the city needed to immediately expand its detention capacity and said city officials had identified space for holding people at the police departments downtown headquarters. He said to expect ordinance activity on that space shortly. While noting police staffing challenges, he also said the department needed to work to increase patrols in areas where crime was an ongoing issue, and said police needed to return to a policy of arresting for all law and ordinance violations, even if only to intervene in criminal activity, to show some certainty and swiftness of consequences. While prosecutors and the courts will be the arbiters of the latter severity of consequences, we must ensure all, including our teenage suspects and their peers, know there are consequences for criminal behavior where probable cause supports an arrest, Lucas said. Lucas said he had previously met with Brady, laughed with him and was inspired by the work he was doing in Kansas City. I grieve for and express my sincerest condolences to his family and all who knew him, Lucas said in his post. Good morning, Broadsheet readers! Abercrombie & Fitch chief executive officer Fran Horowitz called the economy "uncertain," Citigroup is looking to open its doors to smaller businesses, and Colette Kress helps lead Nvidia to record earnings. Have a great Thursday! - Big gains. Investors have been looking forward to Nvidias second quarter earnings report with the breathless anticipation typically reserved for your home teams long-shot Super Bowl victory. And the company didnt disappoint. In what some called the most important tech earnings in years, it beat expectations, reporting revenue of $30 billionmore than double what it reported this time last year. Though the companys stock fell on the news of minor production snags, it is up more than 150% year-to-date, and its market value is only bested by the likes of Microsoft and Apple. Investors and analysts watched closely for a signal of the health of the broader AI market. Its a remarkable story, made only more so by the fact that few outside of the tech and investing spheres were paying attention to the company a year or so ago. And though CEO Jensen Huang is the figurehead of the Santa Clara, Calif.-based chipmaker, a not insignificant share of its success over the past decade can also be credited to CFO Colette Kress. In fact, Kress has been the key to turning Nvidia into Wall Streets hottest stock, my colleague Sheryl Estrada recently reported. "The CFO leadership at Nvidia from Colette Kress has been instrumental in Nvidias success with Wall Street, and is key to Jensens vision," Dan Ives, managing partner at Wedbush Securities, told Estrada. She is extremely well respected both internally at Nvidia and across the tech industry." When she joined, the company was known mainly by gamers who were wowed by its graphics processing chips. Now, its an artificial intelligence darling, producing the chips that power AI services like OpenAIs ChatGPT, and one of the most valuable companies in the world. Kress herself is one of the most influential women in tech. Kress was "advised" to join the company in 2013 by her then 8- and 10-year-old sons, according to an interview she gave last year with the Israeli financial newspaper Globes. With prior stints at Cisco and Microsoft, moving to Nvidiaa much smaller company at the timewas anything but the logical next step; but Huang persuaded Kress to come aboard as the company began to position itself as a key player in the growing AI industry. "When I started at Nvidia, it was the smallest company that Id ever worked for," Kress told Fortune back in 2022. "Its gotten quite large, but the focus is on, how do you think about the future and make sure were ready for it to scale?" Story continues By all accounts, Kress and Nvidia were more than ready. Alicia Adamczyk alicia.adamczyk@fortune.com The Broadsheet is Fortune's newsletter for and about the world's most powerful women. Today's edition was curated by Nina Ajemian Subscribe here. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Pennsylvania Senate candidate Dave McCormick (R) was mocked Wednesday after his X account confused Philadelphia, Miss., with Pennsylvanias biggest city. McCormicks account on social platform X shared a clip from a local Mississippi news station reporting on a shooting that police said was carried out by an alleged gang member from El Salvador. The post took aim at Vice President Harris and Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) over their policies on immigration. MS-13 gang members are terrorizing Philadelphians because of Harris & Caseys radical open border policies, McCormick captioned the post. The post was deleted minutes after it was posted, ABC 27 reported. A spokesperson for Casey, McCormicks opponent in the key Senate race, shared a screenshot of the post. Dave, this story is from Philadelphia, Mississippi not Philadelphia, PA, Maddy McDaniel, the communications director for Casey, wrote on X. Philly cop cars look like this hope this helps! she added, along with a photo. The Casey campaign trolled McCormick by sharing photos of maps showing where the two Philadelphias are located. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) also seized on the mistake, taking aim at McCormick over his ties to Connecticut. Things like this tend to happen for people who live in Connecticut but run for the Senate in Pennsylvania, Fetterman wrote in a post on X. A spokesperson for McCormick acknowledged the mistake in a statement to The Hill. We made a mistake in our tweet, and thats not nearly as bad as what Bob Casey did when he enabled illegal immigrant gang members to terrorize Americans because of his and Harriss radical open border policies, the spokesperson said. McCormick has faced criticism from his opponents for owning a home in Connecticut that he had listed as his primary address. The Associated Press reported that McCormicks vote in the 2022 Republican primary, which he lost to celebrity heart surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz, was his first in Pennsylvania in 16 years. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Dempcratic gubernatorial nominee Jennifer McCormick discusses her education platform durning a Zoom call on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Screenshot from Zoom stream) School accountability, teacher salary boosts and academic freedom are priorities on Jennifer McCormicks education plan, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate announced on Thursday. The former state public instruction superintendent, along with running mate Terry Goodin, said their platform largely intends to create more flexibility for K-12 administrators and educators to craft curriculum, while still ensuring academic rigor and accountability across both public and private schools. The plan also guarantees that teachers would be paid at least $60,000 per year an increase from the current $40,000 minimum. Obviously, education is my passion. It is also Terrys passion. We believe in the power of education not just for our kids but for our families and our communities and the entire state. Its also what empowers us as a nation, McCormick said during a Thursday press call. Too often in Indiana, we talk about the expense, because we are incredibly expensive, but we dont talk about it as an investment, and it needs to be. Its not a K-12 isolation, it is a system of education. The costs of the proposal are unknown at this time. Democrats outline education priorities The McCormick-Goodin Commonsense Education Plan is broken down into five pillars: increased funding for early education; school accountability; teachers pay and bargaining rights; keeping partisan politics out of school curriculum decisions; and re-establishing a statewide emphasis on attaining post-high school education. Specifically, the Democratic plan would expand quality and affordable childcare to address Indianas childcare deserts. The platform also seeks to guarantee universal pre-kindergarten education for all Hoosier families. Although McCormick said the state is doing a much better job at expanding child care now than in years past, she emphasized that we still have an enormous amount of Indiana that does not have access to quality care. And with some of that childcare, too, were really struggling to find providers because of (low) wages, she added. The platform also promises to protect the rights of students and parents by establishing a streamlined, consistent and transparent accountability platform for all schools accepting public dollars. McCormick said the system seeks to ensure schools public, private, urban, rural and so on are all being held to the same academic and fiscal standards. This would impact private schools receiving voucher dollars that currently dont have to follow some of the same rules and regulations. Were a school choice state, and there are no quality guardrails on that system, she said. And so in order to really do it in a way that makes sense and is fair to kids and families and our business industry thats relying on us getting this right and taxpayers, there should be some accountability. If were going to be a state of school choice, it needs to be parent choice and not school choice, McCormick continued. It also needs to be one that those quality guardrails are tight so parents at least know theres some threshold that when you come into a school, that you do have some educated and trained teachers. What kind of curriculum you are following? What kind of fiscal responsibility are we following? McCormick and Goodin said theyll also champion Indianas K-12 and post-high school instructors by implementing policies to recruit and retain the best and brightest educators. That means fighting for a minimum base salary of $60,000 for Hoosier teachers, and adjustments for veteran teachers salaries to reflect their non-educator peers. When it comes to finding the funding for increased salaries, McCormick said there are a lot of areas in the state budget that we just need to re-look at again. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Its about prioritizing, she said, noting that her property tax relief plan, for example, really offers some relief and tries to relieve some of the local dollars, which would also help with some of the expenses at the school level. The Democratic duo further promised to uphold teacher rights by protecting the freedom of teacher unions to bargain for wages and benefits. Mandates placed on educators and school boards will be reviewed, too and where unnecessary or burdensome those will be eliminated, McCormick said. The plan additionally calls for autonomy at the local level to design a unique curriculum that prepares students for the future they choose. The Democratic nominee said that doesnt mean lowering standards, though. Rather, its guarantee of more flexibility. Why should we have to go to the State Board of Education to beg them to address the needs of our kids? McCormick asked. We can still hold everyone accountable for certain thresholds and certain standards of performance, but allowing them to take care of the needs of their schools with the resources they are provided given where they are located within the state of Indiana, and the partners they have access to and dont have access to only make sense. For too long, Indiana has said one size fits all. And when it comes to higher education, McCormick and Goodin said they intend to celebrate, champion, protect, and better fund our higher education institutions and direct workforce development training programs. That means ensuring resources are place for high schoolers to earn certifications they can use upon graduation, McCormick noted, in addition to maintaining and promoting clear paths towards college. No specific GOP plan yet McCormick was endorsed by the political action committee for the Indiana State Teachers Association the states largest teachers union earlier this year. A former Republican, McCormick fell out of favor with the Indiana GOP while serving as state superintendent. The Republican-controlled legislature with approval from Gov. Eric Holcomb eliminated the elected position and replaced it with a Secretary of Education, who is appointed by the governor. McCormick switched sides to become a Democrat shortly after. She announced her campaign for governor in May 2023 and was the only gubernatorial candidate on the Democratic primary ballot in May. Goodin, a former Indiana lawmaker and social conservative, was previously a teacher, assistant principal and public school superintendent at Crothersville Community Schools. I think, unfortunately, the other team, they look at education as a liability. But our team, the Democratic team, looks at it as an investment, Goodin said Thursday. We look at the state budget over 50% of that budget goes to education. Were looking at that as an investment that will make Indiana better going forward and into the future. And the folks on the other side say that its a waste of money, and thats been proven in the policies that theyve been trying to push for the last, three, four, five 10, years. McCormicks competitor, Republican Sen. Mike Braun, has yet to release a detailed education platform. Brauns campaign website emphasizes that while more than half of the state budget is spent on K-12 education, far too many of our graduates are not prepared to enter the workforce or pursue a degree. The Republican candidate a former school board member knows parents are the primary stakeholders in their childrens education and every family, regardless of income or zip code, should be able to enroll in a school of their choice and pursue a curriculum that prepares them for a career, college or the military, Brauns website continues. Recently, he has additionally supported the state education departments proposed overhaul of Indianas high school diplomas and graduation requirements, saying Hoosier education focuses too little on career readiness. Libertarian Donald Rainwater is also running for governor. He said he is troubled by McCormicks focus on expanding government control over our children and their educational opportunities. Rainwater supports expanding educational opportunities, including school choice. Lets break down barriers, empower parents, and create a vibrant educational landscape, he said. By trusting families and respecting their choices, we build a stronger Indianaone where every childs potential is unlocked. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX VINCENNES, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) Thursday night, journalist Anne Montgomery promoted a new book in Knox County. Montgomery discussed her new historical fiction book Your Forgotten Sons based on the true story of a Vincennes veteran from the Second World War. The book follows the story of Bud Richardville joining the United States Army as a part of the Grave Registration Service. His unite was tasked with locating, identifying and burying the dead. Montgomery was presented the story by her best friend Regina Liparoto, which is Buds niece. Liparoto gave Montgomery letters that Bud had written during his time in the Second World War, to help write the book. I got to know him through those letters, and I got to see how what he had to do, and war beat him down. And because you know we glorify so much of what happens in war the guys that do the shooting, guys that fly the planes. But these men what they did I dont think anybody ever gave them any credit for it. So, Buds last letter home that I had was signed to his mother and it was signed your forgotten son. And so, then we realized that all of the men who served in the Graves Registration Service had been forgotten, said Mongomery Vincennes YMCA gets grant money for childcare Mongomerys book isnt just a way to honor Buds legacy, but a way to honor others with similar experiences. Bud was laid to rest in France and his remains never made it home. As far as they know, Bud has never had a true memorial service. That your forgotten son line just never left me. Anybody who had to pick up bodies for two years body parts. You know a toe, foot, a finger, a head, you know you cant, you know how do you go on? You know? And so, identifying those body parts he got to bring everybody else home, but hes buried in France. And thats been a mission of mine to get him home, said Liparoto. A memorial service for Bud will be held at the Indiana Military Museum on August 30, at 9:30 a.m. To find out where you can purchase Your Forgotten Son or any of Montgomerys other books, you can head to her website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com. Meeting of Eurozone finance ministers in Budapest could be cancelled due to Orban's attitude towards Russia The meeting of the Eurozone finance ministers, planned to be held on 13 September in Budapest, could be cancelled due to a growing indignation of the EU member states regarding the attitude of the Hungarian authorities towards Russia. Source: European Pravda with reference to Politico Details: Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform of Ireland, who is to lead the meeting, will decide whether it will be held or not by the next week. One of the officials reported that at the moment intense capital-to-capital contact was taking place to assess how many ministers were considering boycotting irrespective of Donohoe's decision. The talks between the ministers of finance are usually held once a month but the country presiding in the EU on a rotating basis holds two such meetings per year. Several ministers have made it clear that they will not participate in the meeting if it is held in Hungary. Specifically, these are German Finance Minister Christian Lindner and his counterparts from Estonia, Finland and Lithuania. It is planned to hold several ministerial meetings before the Eurogroup. Specifically, this weeks meeting between the ministers of foreign affairs and defence of the EU was transferred from Brussels to Budapest. Officials report that Donohoe will likely assess the mood at the Brussels talks before making the decision on whether to cancel the finance ministers meeting. Previously: Right after the start of Hungarys presidency, Orban went on a number of "peacemaking trips", visiting Moscow; the EU distanced itself from his actions and stressed that Orbans actions only represented his own country. The European Commission says that it cannot legally deprive Orban of the presidency in the EU Council, but can boycott it. Support UP or become our patron! LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Two Nevada men are facing charges after they allegedly damaged ancient rock formations at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. On April 7, two men were caught on camera pushing large chunks of the rock formations over the edge of a cliff onto the ground below while on or near the Redstone Dunes Trail at Lake Mead. A video of the incident went viral on social media, and the National Park Service shared a screenshot asking for the publics help identifying the suspects. The National Park Service and Park Rangers released this photo in April, asking for the publics help identifying the two men. (Courtesy National Park Service) The history of the recreation area is significant, according to the National Park Service. What is now hard sandstone was once loose sand dunes 140 million years ago. The dunes were shaped by geologic forces over millions of years into the bright red rock formations you can see today. The damages were more than $1,000, according to the indictment. Now, a federal grand jury has indicted Wyatt Clifford Fain, 37, and Payden David Guy Cosper, 31, on one count of injury and depredation of government property and one count of aiding and abetting. Fain and Cosper were arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service and made their initial court appearance on Friday. A jury trial has been scheduled for October. Lawyers representing both men did not issue a comment when contacted by NPR. If they are convicted, Fain and Cosper could each face up to 10 years in prison. National parks are some of the most special, treasured, and protected areas of our country, the Park Service reminded visitors. To protect these natural and cultural resources for this and future generations, all visitors to national parks are expected to follow park laws and regulations and practice leave no trace principles to minimize their impact on park lands. Late last year another Nevada resident was sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to pay restitution for defacing a national monument. The Las Vegas resident had climbed up onto a ledge at Gold Butte National Monument and kicked a petroglyph, breaking the panel of petroglyphs into pieces. He took a broken off piece of the petroglyph home, investigators found. The petroglyph was created approximately 700 to 1,500 years ago. This site is important to people of the Moapa Band of Paiutes, Southern Paiute tribes more broadly, and other indigenous people of the region, U.S. Attorneys Office, District of Nevada, said in a press release. The actions were found to violate the Archaeological Resources Protection Act. If you see something suspicious in any National Park location, or if you have information that could aid an investigation, call the NPS-wide Tip Line at 1-888-653-0009 or submit a tip online here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) Mesa County Public Health released its annual suicide report Wednesday morning. The report is prepared in collaboration with the county coroner and the Mesa County Suicide Prevention Coalition; officials say its findings are used to inform the planning and implementation of prevention activities across Mesa County. Our biggest takeaway from this years report is the suicide death rate in Mesa County has stabilized in recent years, but remains higher than both the state of Colorado and the United States, said Shae Lynn Watt, Mesa County Public Healths data team lead. Key findings The highest rate of suicide-related hospital visits was among youth and young adults, while the highest rate of suicide death was among working-age adults. Rates of suicide-related hospital visits for older adult women are low, but steadily increasing. Firearms are responsible for half of suicide deaths in Mesa County, and men are almost three times as likely as women to use a firearm. Drugs and alcohol were involved in more than 70% of suicide deaths and more than 30% of suicide-related emergency department visits. Between 2021 and 2023, serious mental health challenges and suicidality among Mesa County high schoolers decreased, while suicide-related hospital visits for this age group increased. Prevention efforts The county offers several different approaches to suicide prevention. Gun shops and pawn shops participate in Colorados Gun Shop Project, which provides information about suicide risk and distributes gun locks to encourage the safe storage of firearms. Partners with the Mesa County Opioid Response Group provide community training and substance abuse recovery support. MCORG also offers prescription drug takeback days throughout the year for the safe disposal of unused prescription medications. Grand Valley Connects is a resource navigation program offered by Mesa County Public Health that helps community members with complex needs. Mesa County Libraries host events related to mental health, grief, resilience and more, partnering with other local organizations like HopeWest and Hilltop Community Resources to do so. The Mesa County Suicide Prevention Coalition offers free training for community members who want to be more prepared to support someone through a mental health crisis. Information on these trainings can be found on the coalitions website. View the full report on Mesa Countys website. If you or a loved one is struggling, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, text CO to 741-741 or call 988. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) On Tuesday morning, the Mesa County Board of Commissioners held a meeting about upcoming topics for discussion with the community. One of those topics is a lawsuit that Mesa County, and seven other local counties, plans to file against Gov. Jared Polis and the State of Colorado. Todd Starr, Mesa Countys attorney, said, Its just wrong with the state government. County and local governments are already faced with a mounting challenge with unfunded mandates. Then for the legislature to take 25 million dollars of money thats designated, shall be for local governments. Janet Rowland, Mesa County commissioner, states, We dont have a lot of extraction in our county, but we have a lot of employees who work in the field. Thats why back in 2008, Mesa County led the way in changing the calculation for the severance tax to include the employees residents. With all the money, thats pulled from the local government of Mesa County. It wont affect just the county streets, but itll affect the infrastructure as well. If the plans move forward in Denver, this could be a serious issue regarding funds to help fix the bridges or even the roads of Mesa County. Cody Davis, Mesa County commissioner, states, This lawsuit, I dont think its just a legal battle, but a defense of our communitys right to those resources that we depend on. These funds, in my view, are essential to maintaining infrastructure, supporting public safety, and providing services that our residents rely on every day. Depleting local government funds will have severe consequences on our country and the people we serve. After the motion and hearing, the plans were to move forward and await the future. Starr explains, I would expect them to file a motion to dismiss and allege that a local government cant sue the state. But well deal with that when were faced with it. But Im confident well survive that motion and that someday. A year down the road, a judge will hear this matter on its merits and will prevail. Bobbie Daniel, Mesa County commissioner, states, Ill just add that these are local dollars, and we just want to push back against taking any of those local dollars. It belongs to the local people and we just want to see this resolved, and were looking forward to a positive outcome for our residents and local government as well. WesternSlopeNow has reached out to the state government but they declined to comment on pending litigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion announced that it has awarded more than $40 million in state grants to expand high-speed internet access and deploy infrastructure to unserved and underserved communities. Story continues below The grants are being released through the states Connect New Mexico Fund. An underserved area is one that has access to a broadband connection less than 100 download/20 Mbps upload. Connect New Mexico Fund grants awarded: Comcast Corporation: $12,532,773 (4 projects) Resound Networks: $8,100,000 (3 projects) Valley Telephone Cooperative: $5,682,261 Penasco Valley Telephone Cooperative: $4,858,602 (2 projects) Picuris Pueblo: $4,072,430 San Ildefonso Services, LLC: $3,474,312 Isleta Pueblo: $1,554,891 The state grants will be used for broadband deployment in 16 counties throughout the state. Nearly 400 miles of fiber will be constructed to complete the projects. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) New Mexico Public Education Secretary Arsenio Romero resigned on Wednesday. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced his resignation and said it was effective immediately. He was the governors fourth Public Education Department Secretary serving since February of last year. APS superintendent outlines challenges and goals at the first State of the District Romero is still one of the five finalists to be president of New Mexico State University. The university said theyre nowhere near close to filling that position. Governor Michelle Lujan Grishams Office sent this statement: Gov. Lujan Grisham gave Secretary Romero a choice to either resign and continue pursuing the NMSU position or stay on the job and withdraw his candidacy at NMSU. The Secretary of the Public Education Department is critically important in New Mexico and the governor believes its imperative that the person serving in this role be fully committed to the job. Michael Coleman, Spokesperson Romero posted on social media: This is what it is all about. We work together to do what is right. This is hard work and not everyone is willing to step up to the plate, take risks, and sometimes make others mad. I am proud of my years as a public school servant. My next adventure awaits. Arensio Romero Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. picture alliance / Contributor / Getty Images Key Takeaways While investors are underwhelmed by Nvidia's growth prospects, Wall Street analysts are sticking with their buy calls. JPMorgan analysts raised their price target to $155 from $115, noting strong demand for the company's Hopper chips and a Blackwell GPU that is now on track. Still, the shares were falling in Thursday morning trading. Investors have found Nvidia's (NVDA) latest results to be underwhelming, Wall Street is calling on them to buy the dip. Several Nvidia (NVDA) analysts came out in support of the artificial intelligence (AI) darling's "strong" quarterly results in notes after its slowing growth, reported last night, underwhelmed the market, sending its shares about 3% lower in early trading. Nvidia on Wednesday reported blockbuster quarterly earnings. The chipmaker's second-quarter revenue and net income more than doubled from last year, surpassing analysts' estimates. Its shares fell, however, as investors focused on signs of slowing growth at the chipmaker at the heart of the AI boom. JPMorgan Lifts Target to $155, Blackwell Issues Sorted Out JPMorgan analysts raised their price target to $155 from $115 and reiterated their overweight call on the stock, noting strong demand for Nvidia's existing Hopper chips while the highly anticipated next-generation Blackwell GPU is now on track for production. "While Blackwell shipments are pushed out as we expected by about 2 months, we do not believe this has any impact to the overall CY24/CY25 revenue profile as that void has been back-filled with Hopper shipment upside given the strong AI demand environment," JPMorgan wrote Thursday. Wedbush called the results "masterful." For every $1 spent on the company's GPU chip, the broker said, there would be "a $8-$10 multiplier across the tech sector." "AI GPU demand is way outstripping supply for Nvidia at this juncture and the Street should come away from these results as a very bullish indicator for the broader tech sector with more shock and awe rather than a shrug of the shoulders in our view," wrote Wedbush, which maintained an outperform rating. Jefferies said that while the earnings beat fell short of expectations, what was important was that the Blackwell delay "is in the rearview mirror, while Hopper demand remained strong." Jefferies has a buy rating on Nvidia. HSBC maintained its buy call and $145 target price on the stock. Bank of America raised its target to $165 from $150. Read the original article on Investopedia. Mexico is experiencing its most widespread drought in over a decade. Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters Mexico faces a severe drought that has affected over 85% of the country. Most reservoirs are below 50% and a lack of water is affecting local wildlife. Satellite images show how one lake drastically changed between January and June. Mexico is experiencing one of its most severe and widespread droughts in over a decade. Water levels are so low in some regions that you can see the effects from space. Bustillos Lagoon in northern Mexico, for example, is at 50% of its typical capacity. The US Geological Survey released images this month from its Landsat satellites showing the shriveled-up lagoon in June compared to its size 6 months earlier in January. The image on the right shows Bustillos Lagoon at 50% capacity in June. USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center The lagoon's reduced capacity was deadly for thousands of fish. Low water levels concentrated pollutants even more reducing water quality and further stressing the fish, Irma de la Pena, head of the Ecology Department in the city of Cuauhtemoc, told CNN in June. Low water levels and pollutants killed thousands of fish in Chihuahua, Mexico. Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters Bustillos Lagoon is a significant water source for the state of Chihuahua and is mainly used to irrigate nearly 20,000 agricultural plots. With limited water, people in Chihuahua have watched their crops and livestock wither. It's not just Bustillos Lagoon, though. Over 85% of the country was affected by the drought in May, with some areas having little rainfall since the end of 2022, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. You can see more images of drought-ridden Mexican lakes in the video below. The drought, "created a pretty big deficit in both the northwest and the south-central parts of the country in terms of lack of precipitation," Derek Vollmer, director of Waterscapes at WWF, told Business Insider. The view from space is bleak, but the images from the ground show an even grimmer reality for the people, plants, and animals coping with the drought. Some farmers can't provide adequate water for their livestock, and cows and donkeys have died during the hot and arid months. Other farmers have left the area because the conditions are so severe, rancher Jesus Maria Palacios told Reuters in June. Livestock are struggling during the drought in Chihuahua, Mexico. Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters Even the bees are perishing. "There is almost no vegetation in the landscape right now, due to the drought," beekeeper Adan Rascon Ramos told Reuters. That includes thirsty wildflowers, which haven't bloomed. As a result, bees searching for pollen have turned to what limited agricultural crops are left, and the herbicides are killing them in droves. A beekeeper lost hundreds of bees during the drought. Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters An unusually dry year Using Landsat satellite data, researchers can determine that Mexico's current drought is more widespread than its last one in 2011 because it affected two regions, the north and south-central. "From hundreds of miles up in space, we're able to look at things like drought and look at very subtle shifts in what's happening on the landscape," Terry Sohl of the USGS's Earth Resources Observation and Science Center told BI. Dead fish cover the dry bed of the Las Lajas dam in Buenaventura, Chihuahua, Mexico. Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters Different factors led to the latest drought. Last year, El Nino failed to bring its usual precipitation to the north, and a weak La Nina affected rain levels in the south and central regions. The first half of this year was also very dry, adding to the problem, according to NOAA. Tropical storms in June brought some relief to the central and southwest regions but northwest Mexico is still in a drought. Over half of Mexico's reservoirs are at or below 50%, right now. "It takes a lot of additional precipitation to build that back up," Vollmer said. "One good set of rain isn't going to take places out of drought." Vollmer said drier conditions could become more permanent in some regions. Droughts are classified based on historical averages, he said, but "we're moving into new conditions." What was once a drought may now be the new normal. There are some potential measures to help safeguard against future droughts. WWF has been working in Mexico to help communities create water reserves by implementing policies to keep river systems above a certain level. Originally it was an effort to ensure biodiversity, but "it's increasingly recognized as kind of an insurance against these drought conditions," Vollmer said. Read the original article on Business Insider Miami Lakes is suing a law firm over its involvement in an FBI sting operation that led to the arrest of the towns mayor in 2013. The suit, which was filed by the town in Miami-Dade Circuit Court last week, is seeking more than $5 million in damages over the role of Richard Candia, who was an employee at the law firm Becker & Poliakoff, in the FBI operation. Candia was party to an alleged corruption scheme involving then-Mayor Michael Pizzi and later became an FBI informant. Miami Lakes is suing the firm, which was under contract to provide lobbying and consulting services to the town, for negligence, as well as breach of contract and fiduciary duties. The contract had stated that the law firm should protect the town from potential harm and reimburse the town for costs it incurred because of the actions of the firm. The lawsuit was first reported by the Daily Business Review. Pizzi, who at the time was serving as the mayor of Miami Lakes and the town attorney for Medley, was arrested and charged with bribery in a case involving a vendor that was interested in stealing town funds. But after standing trial, he was acquitted and reinstated as mayor. He sued Miami Lakes, and earlier this year, he received a $1.6 million settlement over a decade after his initial arrest. As an employee of Becker & Poliakoff, Candia provided lobbying and consulting services to the town during the time of the FBI operation. Candia was arrested for his involvement with the scheme, but he avoided prison time. A spokesperson for Becker & Poliakoff said the firm believes the suit is without merit and expects a prompt dismissal. Miami Lakes Town Attorney Raul Gastesi said this unfortunate situation ... certainly wasnt the towns fault. He added that the town has spent millions of dollars over the past decade digging out from under this. The Becker Poliakoff firm is a very reputable firm, Gastesi told the Miami Herald. Unfortunately, this happened on their watch. Manny Cid, the towns current mayor, did not respond to the Heralds request for comment. The operation involved a sham firm called Sunshine Universal, which claimed it could obtain grant money to conduct economic studies, then carry out the studies poorly and use the leftover money to enrich itself and town employees, including the mayor. In actuality, the firms two operators were undercover FBI agents. Candia became involved when the undercover FBI agents approached him with an offer to get in on the scheme. According to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office following the arrests in 2013, Candia selected Pizzi as a potential target who could be exploited in Town Hall. The mayor later accepted more than $6,000 in bribes in connection with Sunshine Universal, according to the FBI, and he was arrested on federal corruption charges. (Pizzi has always denied and continues to deny those allegations.) Candia worked with the mayor and, unwittingly, the undercover FBI agents to further the scheme, according to the FBI. Miami Lakes now claims that the law firm that employed Candia breached its contract with the town by not intervening when it became aware of red flags with Sunshine Universals operations, according to the complaint filed in civil court. The complaint states that Candia knew of several lies and irregularities related to Sunshine Universal, including that Pizzi had lied on an audit call, that the grant-funded report would be of a very poor quality and that the principals of Sunshine Universal were not qualified to carry out economic studies. Despite knowing that, the complaint states, Candia still promoted the program to the town council. Based on his recommendation, the council voted to apply for the grant funding for the study in May 2013. In June 2013, federal agents approached Candia, asking him to become an informant and revealing that Sunshine Universal was actually an undercover FBI operation. The complaint states that as an informant, using his position of trust Candia sought to and did obtain evidence against his clients mayor, and encouraged and instigated Pizzi to commit illegal acts. That evidence led to the mayors arrest on seven counts of criminal bribery, the town argues. This entire mess was caused by out of control informants, unscrupulous lobbyists, and under cover government agents who took advantage of the genuine desire of public officials to help their cities, Pizzi told the Herald in an emailed statement. He added that as one of the victims of the scheme, he is happy to assist the town in its lawsuit in any way he can. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A Michigan man has been arrested for entering the U.S. Capitol building during the riot on Jan. 6, 2021. According to court documents, on Jan. 12, 2021, the FBI got a tip that Adam Christopher Mancuso posted two images on Facebook: one was outside the Capitol on the day of the riot and the other was inside. Investigators reviewed his Facebook pages and found multiple photos of him wearing the same Hatchetman hat, the document said. A photo included in a federal court document shows Adam Mancusos selfie outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. A photo included in a federal court document shows Adam Mancusos selfie inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. A photo included in a federal court document shows Adam Mancuso taking a selfie inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The FBI reviewed security footage of inside the Capitol and learned that Mancuso entered the building shortly before 3 p.m. through the Senate Wing door. The footage showed him stopping to take a selfie before heading down the hallway towards the Crypt, court documents said. He could also be seen grabbing a sign that another person had left that read America First, Never Give Up, Never Surrender with a picture of the American flag. The footage, the court document said, showed a police officer confronting Mancuso, who placed the sign back against the wall and continued heading towards the Crypt. He was then seen in the Hall of Columns, where he took photos and videos. The document said that he was then seen heading to the House Carriage Door and leaving the building around 3:04 p.m. A photo included in a federal court document shows Adam Mancuso entering the Rotunda Lobby on Jan. 6, 2021. Around 3:20 p.m., he went back inside the building through the East Rotunda Doors, documents said. Investigators said that by this time, officers had already removed the rioters from the area and they were trying to get back inside. Court documents said that Mancuso could be seen on surveillance video working his way through the crowd, stopping to use a vape and taking a video. He then took off his backpack and put on a gas mask. He then made his way to the front of the crowd and recorded a video on his phone. At one point, the documents said, he is pushed chest-to-chest with an officer who pushes him away. Around 3:27 p.m., he and the rest of the crowd can be seen being pushed out of the building by officers. During the investigation, agents went to the address listed for Mancuso and watched him for two hours, court documents said. They confirmed that he was the same person in the photos posted on Facebook and in the Capitol surveillance video. Mancuso was arrested Wednesday in Laurium in Michigans Upper Peninsula on charges of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; knowingly, and with intent to impede or disrupt the orderly conduct of government business or official functions; disorderly conduct in a capitol building or grounds; parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a capitol building. At his first court hearing Wednesday, he was given a personal recognizance bond and has since been released while the case moves forward. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. China has spent billions expanding into Africa under its Belt and Road initiative, aimed at boosting growth and Beijings geopolitical power. Now, a very different battle for control is raging in the skies above Africa. Giant airlines from the Middle East are vying for dominance in the worlds last great untapped aviation market. The dogfight involves three super-carriers that have already transformed the face of global aviation: Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines. Not content with snatching lucrative long-haul traffic from the likes of British Airways and American Airlines, the three companies have begun carving up an African market thats expected to become the airline industrys fastest-growing in coming decades. Thierry Antinori, Qatars chief commercial officer, said: Theres a lot of upside in terms of the middle class that will emerge one day. And its a continent that is geographically very well placed for operating a hub in the Middle East. You can capture flow east to Asia but also west to Europe. Qatar Airways made the running last week when it swooped for South African carrier Airlink, taking a 25pc stake, the legal maximum, and two seats on the board. The company declared the deal would provide a springboard for its ambitions in the south of the continent. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Qatar Airwayss chief executive, said that the airline, which also owns 25pc of British Airways parent IAG, wants to become embedded in Africas growth story. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Qatar Airways' chief, right, joined Rodger Foster, the boss of Airlink, at a signing ceremony this month - Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters Securing African traffic will help swell passenger numbers at the huge hubs that the three airlines have built in cities including Dubai and Doha, where the bulk of travellers swap planes for onward journeys without ever setting foot outside the airport. Desmond Latham, an aviation analyst in South Africa, told the countrys state broadcaster that the purchase may be good news for consumers and offer greater connectivity. However, he said it would add to consternation in aviation circles over the increasing reach of Middle Eastern carriers in Africa. Qatar Airways serves 31 African cities, equivalent to almost 20pc of its worldwide network of 170 destinations. Close rival Emirates, the worlds biggest long-haul carrier with its fleet of A380 superjumbos, operates about 20 African routes. Turkish Airlines, which serves more countries than any other operator, has three times the number of African routes as Emirates, again representing almost a fifth of its network. By contrast, British Airways, which itself once held a stake in Comair, the now defunct South African airline, serves 10 African cities. The increasingly feverish contest has been described as the new scramble for Africa, reflecting what some view as its neo-colonial overtones. Mr Latham said that even as interest in African carriers soars, governments would do well to resist handing over full control of carriers to outside interests. He said: You dont want an outsider running your airlines for you, you really dont. You want some sort of strategic, scientific-based enterprise. We need to control our own airlines. The concerns echo those that emerged around Asian investments in Africa more than a decade ago as Chinas appetite for natural resources led it to lavish hundreds of billions of dollars on railways, ports and other infrastructure across the continent. Click here to view this content. While such investment boosted the continents infrastructure, concerns were raised about Beijings sway over African politics and finances. Unlike the raw materials boom, which was accompanied by claims of corruption and worker exploitation, the incursions by foreign airlines at least brings some obvious benefits to the residents of a continent where flying between cities can be next to impossible. Africas 1.5bn people accounted for just 2.1pc of global airline traffic last year. Europe generated 27pc, despite having only half the population. The shortfall is a product not just of relative poverty that persists in parts of the continent but also a simple absence of flights. Even today, inhabitants of Francophone west Africa may find it necessary to fly thousands of miles out of their way via Paris in order to travel between countries where a direct service, if available, would take a matter of hours. Almost inconceivably, Nigeria, Africas most populous nation with 230m people more than Britain, Germany and France combined has no national airline. Festus Keyamo, the countrys aviation minister, announced in May that plans for a new flag carrier announced in 2018 have been shelved indefinitely, While Nigeria dithered, Qatar Airways seized the opportunity, expanding from one destination in the country in 2019 to four today. Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano have been added alongside Lagos. Trade with China has been a major driver of the expansion, according to Mr Antinori, with a lot of business to Guangzhou. Ethiopian Airlines, one of Africas own big three carriers, has fought a lone battle to repel the Middle Eastern interlopers, seeking to establish Addis Ababa as a global hub much like those in the Gulf, and investing in units in Togo, Malawi and Zambia. Progress has been tortuous however, held back by restrictions on traffic rights that mean airlines require special accords even to fly to neighbouring countries. The Single African Air Transport Market initiative aims to remove those barriers but few governments have taken steps to implement it, the International Air Transport Association said. Sub-Saharan Africas two other main indigenous operators, South African Airways (SAA) and Kenya Airways, have meanwhile been beset by financial difficulties. SAA now faces a more significant challenge from the Qatar Airways-backed Airlink. The Doha-based company is also negotiating the purchase of a 49pc stake in RwandAir, around which it intends to build an East African hub that would turn the screw on Kenya Airways. Mr Antinori told The Telegraph that the weakness of Africas own carriers is inevitably part of the attraction. He says: Africas airlines are not global. Its airline industry is a bit underdeveloped. Qatar Airways has added nine new African cities since the Covid-19 pandemic. The continent is part of a plan for global dominance that is showing no signs of slowing as the carrier prepares to announce a major order for Airbus or Boeing jets. Mr Antinori said: Everybody speaks about China and India but if you add Africa you have half the worlds population. The biggest challenge to dominance of the Middle Eastern carriers may come from within, as Saudi Arabia gears up for the launch of Riyadh Air. The high-end carrier will be a direct rival to Emirates and Qatar, aiming to both boost Saudi tourism and raise the countrys profile abroad. Mr Antinori admitted the startup will compete with us on some segments, but insisted: We have no big concerns. One thing is for sure, however: the battle to dominate Africas skies is only becoming more hard fought. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) The Midland City Council held a meeting this week, discussing a re-zoning proposal for a new YMCA childcare center and improvements that are needed downtown. Were having conversations with building owners downtown about alleyways specifically, and probably youre seeing some of those being improved, but some of those need quite a bit of improvement. These murals are an opportunity to elevate alleyways and other walkways too. We have such a great starting place with the park and the square right around the park, but we want that life and vitality to expand outward from there, said Mayor Lori Blong. The Mayor then moved the meeting onto a re-zoning proposal for a new YMCA childcare center which would be built in north Midland, off of Avalon Drive. City planners said a traffic study isnt necessary due to the building being so small, but public comment at the meeting garnered mixed reactions. RELATED: YMCA expanding services into northwest Midland The Northwest Y is not contingent upon the approval of this SUD. We have started construction and we are excited about opening our doors in fall of 2025. You know if the YMCA is willing to put their time and energy and donor dollars and the community is obviously behind it to help address this big need some call the greatest need that we have here in the here in the Midland community. We just need to get behind it and help. The YMCA is a its no doubt it seemed like its a pretty good idea. I think the main problem is its they dont have everything in place yet to make it a good idea. Were asking for an organization to create another facility, and they cant even handle the one they have today. Heaven forbid something would happen to these children so now were going to provide them with another location. The alternative is to have a dying city and a reducing population, and I dont think we want that. But to think that we could have a city that just stabilizes and stays exactly as it is thats not how things work. And so we are either a growing city dealing with the growing pains that inevitably come with that or were a dying city and I dont think any of us would wish that upon ourselves. The motion passed through the City Council unanimously, with the addition of imperative improvements in the area as the new facility is built. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. By Crispian Balmer VENICE (Reuters) - Oscar-winning documentary maker Errol Morris premiered his latest work at the Venice Film Festival on Thursday, picking apart one of former President Donald Trump's most contested policies - family separations at the U.S.-Mexico border. "Separated" looks at how the Trump administration quietly started separating children from their parents in an effort to deter migrants from crossing illegally into the United States. "God knows I feel strongly about many of the policies of the Trump administration, but the idea that somehow you would hurt children as a matter of policy seemed unthinkable," Morris told reporters. "What did they imagine that they were doing, or how did they justify this behaviour? After a whole series of interviews, it becomes clear that there was a kind of absence of thought, which is perhaps the scariest part," he said. The Trump administration launched its "zero tolerance" policy in April 2018 as a way to discourage crossings, including by families. Under the policy, parents were charged with immigration crimes and sent to jails while children were placed in shelters. Trump, a Republican, ended the practice in June 2018 amid a backlash both at home and abroad. The documentary, based on a book by NBC journalist Jacob Soboroff, makes clear that successive Republican and Democratic administrations have struggled to find ways of dealing with mass migration across the southwest U.S. border. Quoting government figures, Morris's documentary said at least 4,227 children were taken from their parents during the period of the family separations, with more than 1,000 still living apart. "Separated" is based on interviews with U.S. officials who witnessed Trump's policy up close, and uses a dramatic recreation of a young boy being taken from his mother to highlight the plight of families seeking a better life in the United States. Although Trump rescinded the order in 2018, he has vowed to intensify his crackdown on immigration if he wins re-election in November, and has left the door open to resuming separations. Morris won an Oscar for Best Documentary in 2003 for his film "The Fog of War". "Separated" is being shown out of competition in Venice. (Reporting by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Frances Kerry) Watch: The tiny compartment the width of a human chest used to smuggle seven migrants The narrow and unventilated compartment where the migrants were unable to move during the journey - Home Office/PA Wire A people-smuggler hid seven Vietnamese migrants in a secret van compartment barely the width of a human chest, a court has heard. Anas Al Mustafa, 43, was convicted of assisting unlawful migration by trafficking the six men and one woman in a specially adapted van on a ferry between Dieppe and Newhaven on Feb 16. They had been given no water and were starved of oxygen in the boiling and tiny compartment, forcing them to cry out for help from the crew on the Seven Sisters ferry, Lewes Crown Court was told. The crew members heard the desperate pleas and used an axe to break into the compartment, and the discovery of the migrants led to a major emergency services response at Newhaven, with ambulances, police and Border Force in attendance. Click here to view this content. The van with the hidden compartment on the car deck of the Dieppe-Newhaven ferry after crew members rescued the hidden migrants - Home Office/PA Wire After the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict, Nick Corsellis KC, prosecuting, told the court that while the younger migrants recovered from the dehydration and heat, one man had a possible heart attack, one woman had acute kidney injury and another man, who went to hospital in a comatose state, suffered a stroke. Following Al Mustafas conviction, Dame Angela Eagle, the minister for border security and asylum, said the appalling incident could easily have ended in tragedy. Chris Foster, a Home Office criminal investigations officer, said: Todays conviction is a clear example of the lengths evil people-smugglers will go to to make cash. The lives of seven people were put on the line after being crammed into a boiling and tiny concealment in the back of a van with no access to air. Anas Al Mustafa is escorted into the court building on Wednesday before he was found guilty of assisting unlawful migration - David McHugh/Brighton Pictures A large emergency services response was waiting for the arrival of the ferry at Newhaven following the discovery of the migrants - Martin Sinnock/PA Wire Judge Christine Laing KC told Al Mustafa was likely to receive a substantial custodial sentence. Mr Corsellis had told the court the hidden compartment was 2m wide, 194cm high and 37cm in width, which forced the migrants to stand, and stopped them from moving to any meaningful degree. The prosecutor said: The heat created by seven people in such a small space and the lack of sufficient air/oxygen had created a highly dangerous situation. It was no doubt this mortal emergency that forced the migrants to call for help in desperation. Two of the migrants had lost consciousness by the time they were rescued at around 9.20am. Anas Al Mustafa, who is originally from Syria, said he had been paid to drive the van but had not know the migrants were in it - Home Office/PA Wire During the trial, Al Mustafa, of Swansea, denied knowing they were in the vehicle and told jurors he was shocked and completely numb at the discovery. The court was told Al Mustafa, who is originally from Syria but moved to the UK in 2010-11, was introduced to a man called Badr last time he was in Syria who said he needed him to do a job for him driving a van. In a police interview, Al Mustafa, a self-employed construction worker, said he was paid 500 on a previous occasion to drive the van to get an MoT in Liverpool, but for the February job he was paid 5,000 to drive the van to the UK. He will be sentenced on Sept 6. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Ed Miliband has bowed to Greenpeace by refusing to fight a climate lawsuit brought against two of Britains biggest North Sea oil schemes. The Energy Secretary has said that he will not resist legal challenges against licences issued for the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil fields meaning the two projects are at high risk of being halted. Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, described the decision as a final blow for the North Sea. Equinor is developing Rosebank, 60 miles west of Shetland, which contains up to 500m barrels of oil and was planned to operate until at least 2050. Jackdaw, which would produce 40,000 barrels a day for two decades or more, is being developed by Shell. A spokesman for the Energy Department said: The Government will not challenge the judicial reviews brought against development consent for the Jackdaw and Rosebank offshore oil and gas fields in the North Sea. This decision will save the taxpayer money. This litigation does not mean the licences for Jackdaw and Rosebank have been withdrawn. The legal dispute over Rosebank and Jackdaw follows a landmark decision by the Supreme Court in June, which ruled that emissions from burning fossil fuels must be considered when approving new drilling sites. Campaigner Sarah Finch speaks to reporters in June after the Supreme Court ruled that Surrey County Council acted unlawfully in allowing planning permission for oil production without considering its climate impacts - Vuk Valcic/Cover Images Greenpeace and fellow climate campaign group Uplift subsequently secured judicial reviews of oil licences already issued by regulators, including the North Sea Transition Authority, which approved Rosebank and Jackdaw and is ultimately overseen by Mr Milibands department. A final decision on the licences will depend on the companies and the courts, but if the Government refuses to defend the case the environmental groups are almost certain to win. Brendan Long, director of research at investment company Zeus Capital, said that Mr Milibands decision would put wider investment in Britain at risk. He said: The issue is not so much how this will affect the energy industry, but how it will affect the broader trust in the UK as a reliable jurisdiction. London has fallen out of the top 10 capital markets in terms of monies raised from initial public offerings. That might reflect that financial markets are increasingly concerned with the UK as a jurisdiction that values and defends property rights and the sanctity of honouring agreements made. It is a big mistake to believe financial markets will not appreciate the broader implications of such measures across all sectors of the economy. Ms Coutinho, who approved the Rosebank licence when serving as energy secretary in the previous Conservative administration, said: No other major economy is shutting down its domestic energy supply as the UK now is. We get roughly half of our gas from the North Sea but we will now be more reliant on imports with higher carbon emissions. It means 9bn of tax revenue and 200,000 jobs are being put at risk plus billions of investment into clean energy just so Ed Miliband can virtue signal on the world stage. Its both economically and environmentally illiterate. The last government said the Rosebank project was consistent with Britains climate goals, adding that emissions would be offset by the shuttering of older oil fields. Mr Miliband disagreed, attacking Rosebank as climate vandalism while in opposition. He has already made clear he is banning the issuing of any new licences beyond those already handed out. A Shell spokesman said: Jackdaw was approved in 2022 and we are carefully considering the implications of todays announcement by the Government. We believe the Jackdaw field remains an important development for the UK, providing fuel to heat 1.4m homes and supporting energy security, as other older gas fields reach the end of production. An Equinor spokesman said: Were currently assessing the implications of todays announcement Rosebank is a vital project for the UK and is bringing benefits in terms of investment, job creation and energy security. Permits should never have been granted Mel Evans, Greenpeace UK climate team leader, said: These permits should never have been granted without being properly assessed for their impact on the climate, and following the Supreme Court ruling earlier this year, conceding these cases is the logical course of action. The two new fields combined would generate a vast amount of emissions while doing nothing to lower energy bills. The only real winners from giving them the greenlight would be multibillion-pound oil giants. Shell and Equinor should respect the Supreme Courts decision and the Governments position that their permits are illegal, and not waste time and money in greedy tactical legal battles. Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift, said the last governments decision to approve Rosebank had been unlawful. She said: It is astonishing that the massive emissions from burning oil and gas have been overlooked by decision-makers till now. This Government has rightly accepted that this huge oil field cannot proceed without the full extent of the damage it will do to our climate being taken into account. Rosebank is also a bad deal for Britain. Its mostly oil for export and would do nothing to lower bills or boost our energy security yet, because of huge tax breaks for new oil and gas drilling, the UK public would effectively cover a huge chunk of the costs of developing it. This Government is right not to waste time and money trying to defend the indefensible. Its now up to the Scottish courts to decide if Rosebanks approval was unlawful. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. On August 28, Lithuania delivered loaders, anti-drone systems, and folding beds to Ukraine as part of a new military aid package. The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense reported that earlier deliveries this year included 155-mm ammunition, armored personnel carriers, winter gear, and anti-drone systems, among other items. The first part of this recent aid package, including forklifts, trailers, and beds, was sent on August 15. Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte noted that by the end of 2024, Lithuania will fulfill and most likely exceed its commitment to spend 0.25% of its GDP on assistance to Ukraine and defense. "I urge all our partners and allies to commit to the same target," Simonyte added. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, which tracks international aid for Ukraine, Lithuania has allocated 501 million euros ($560 million) in support for Ukraine. Read also: Poland can only provide additional MiG fighter jets to Ukraine when it receives modern F-35s, Polish Defense Minister says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. SAO PAULO (AP) It's a showdown between the world's richest man and a Brazilian Supreme Court justice. The justice, Alexandre de Moraes, has threatened to suspend social media giant X nationwide if its billionaire owner Elon Musk doesn't swiftly comply with one of his orders. Musk has responded with insults, including calling de Moraes a tyrant and a dictator. It is the latest chapter in the monthslong feud between the two men over free speech, far-right accounts and misinformation. Many in Brazil are waiting and watching to see if either man will blink. What is the basis for de Moraes' threat? Earlier this month, X removed its legal representative from Brazil on the grounds that de Moraes had threatened her with arrest. On Wednesday night at 8:07 p.m. local time (7:07 p.m. Eastern Standard Time), de Moraes gave the platform 24 hours to appoint a new representative, or face a shutdown until his order is met. De Moraes order is based on Brazilian law requiring foreign companies to have legal representation to operate in the country, according to the Supreme Courts press office. This ensures someone can be notified of legal decisions and is qualified to take any requisite action. Xs refusal to appoint a legal representative would be particularly problematic ahead of Brazils October municipal elections, with a churn of fake news expected, said Luca Belli, coordinator of the Technology and Society Center at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, a university in Rio de Janeiro. Takedown orders are common during campaigns, and not having someone to receive legal notices would make timely compliance impossible. Until last week, 10 days ago, there was an office here, so this problem didnt exist. Now theres nothing. Look at the example of Telegram: Telegram doesnt have an office here, it has about 50 employees in the whole world. But it has a legal representative, Belli, who is also a professor at the university's law school, told The Associated Press. Does a single judge really have that much power? Any Brazilian judge has the authority to enforce compliance with decisions. Such measures can range from lenient actions like fines to more severe penalties, such as suspension, said Carlos Affonso Souza, a lawyer and director of the Institute for Technology and Society, a Rio-based think tank. Lone Brazilian judges shut down Metas WhatsApp, the nations most widely used messaging app, several times in 2015 and 2016 due to the company's refusal to comply with police requests for user data. In 2022, de Moraes threatened the messaging app Telegram with a nationwide shutdown, arguing it had repeatedly ignored Brazilian authorities' requests to block profiles and provide information. He ordered Telegram to appoint a local representative; the company ultimately complied and stayed online. Story continues Affonso Souza added that an individual judge's ruling to shut down a platform with so many users would likely be assessed at a later date by the Supreme Court's full bench. How would de Moraes suspend X? De Moraes would first notify the nations telecommunications regulator, Anatel, who would then instruct operators including Musk's own Starlink internet service provider to suspend users access to X. That includes preventing the resolution of Xs website the term for conversion of a domain name to an IP address and blocking access to the IP address of Xs servers from inside Brazilian territory, according to Belli. Given that operators are aware of the widely publicized standoff and their obligation to comply with an order from de Moraes, plus the fact doing so isnt complicated, X could be offline in Brazil as early as 12 hours after receiving their instructions, Belli said. Since X is widely accessed via mobile phones, de Moraes is also likely to notify major app stores to stop offering X in Brazil, said Affonso Souza. Another possible but highly controversial step would be prohibiting access with virtual private networks ( VPNs) and imposing fines on those who use them to access X, he added. Has X been shut down in other countries? X and its former incarnation, Twitter, are banned in several countries mostly authoritarian regimes such as Russia, China, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Venezuela and Turkmenistan. China banned X when it was still called Twitter back in 2009, along with Facebook. In Russia, authorities expanded their crackdown on dissent and free media after Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. They have blocked multiple independent Russian-language media outlets critical of the Kremlin, and cut access to Twitter, which later became X, as well as Metas Facebook and Instagram. In 2009, Twitter became an essential communications tool in Iran after the countrys government cracked down on traditional media after a disputed presidential election. Tech-savvy Iranians took to Twitter to organize protests. The government subsequently banned the platform, along with Facebook. Other countries, such as Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt, have also temporarily suspended X before, usually to quell dissent and unrest. Twitter was banned in Egypt after the Arab Spring uprisings, which some dubbed the Twitter revolution, but it has since been restored. Why is Brazil so important to X and Musk? Brazil is a key market for X and other platforms. Some 40 million Brazilians, roughly one-fifth of the population, access X at least once per month, according to the market research group Emarketer. Musk, a self-described free speech absolutist, has claimed de Moraes' actions amount to censorship and rallied support from Brazil's political right. He has also said that he wants his platform to be a global town square where information flows freely. The loss of the Brazilian market the world's fourth-biggest democracy would make achieving this goal more difficult. Brazil is also a potentially huge growth market for Musk's satellite company, Starlink, given its vast territory and spotty internet service in far-flung areas. Late Thursday afternoon, Starlink said on X that de Moraes this week froze its finances, preventing it from doing any transactions in the country where it has more than 250,000 customers. This order is based on an unfounded determination that Starlink should be responsible for the fines levied unconstitutionally against X. It was issued in secret and without affording Starlink any of the due process of law guaranteed by the Constitution of Brazil. We intend to address the matter legally, Starlink said in its statement. Musk replied to people sharing the earlier reports of the freeze, adding his own insults directed at de Moraes. This guy @Alexandre is an outright criminal of the worst kind, masquerading as a judge, he wrote. De Moraes defenders have said his actions have been lawful, supported by most of the courts full bench and have served to protect democracy at a time in which it is imperiled. In April, de Moraes included Musk as a target in an ongoing investigation over the dissemination of fake news and opened a separate investigation into the executive for alleged obstruction. Will X appoint a new legal representative in Brazil? X said Thursday in a statement that it expects its service to be shutdown in Brazil. Unlike other social media and technology platforms, we will not comply in secret with illegal orders, it said. To our users in Brazil and around the world, X remains committed to protecting your freedom of speech. It also said de Moraes colleagues on the Supreme Court are either unwilling or unable to stand up to him. ___ Biller reported from Rio and Ortutay from Oakland, California. The U.S. military rebuked former President Trumps campaign on Thursday over an unfortunate graveside photo op at Arlington National Cemetery, extending the controversy over the politically charged incident. Trump campaign aides abruptly pushed aside an Arlington National Cemetery official when she tried to enforce federal laws and cemetery rules that prohibit campaign activities in some areas of the revered Virginia burial ground. This employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption, the Army said, refuting Trump aides claims that the official acted improperly. The incident was reported to the police, but the employee decided not to immediately pursue the matter, reportedly because she fears retaliation from Trump or his supporters. This incident was unfortunate, the Army said. Its also unfortunate that the (Arlington) employee and her professionalism has been attacked. The Army said it considered the matter closed although it remains to be seen if further investigation may take place. The incident has raised hackles with some veterans who accuse Trump of intentionally violating federal law and showing a lack of respect for Americas slain heroes who are buried at Arlington. Trump went to the cemetery on Monday to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony marking the third anniversary of a 2021 attack that killed 13 American service members in Afghanistan. The former president blames President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, his opponent in the November election, for the chaotic withdrawal and the killings. After the ceremony, relatives of one of the slain soldiers invited Trump to join them by the soldiers grave, located in a sensitive part of the cemetery called Section 60 where victims of recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq are buried. Federal law bars campaign photographs or videos near graves and the Army says Trump aides were repeatedly informed of the prohibition. Trump and his entourage ignored the rules and continued to the gravesite. Thats when the Arlington official tried to block them and was pushed aside, the Army said. Trump carried out the photo op anyway and later included the footage in a TikTok post. After news broke of the clash, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung derided the Arlington official as clearly having a mental health episode. Top campaign official Chris LaCivita called the Arlington staffer despicable. Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance has downplayed the incident and said Harris can go to hell, despite the fact that neither she nor her campaign have commented on the incident. The Trump campaign vowed to release video of the incident that would bolster its claim but has since refused to do so. Militia group member from Kentucky sentenced to 5 years in prison for Capitol riot plot WASHINGTON (AP) A militia group member who communicated with other far-right extremists while they stormed the U.S. Capitol was sentenced on Wednesday to five years in prison. For weeks before the Jan. 6, 2021, riot, Kentucky electrician Dan Edwin Wilson planned with others to attack the Capitol and stop the peaceful transfer of presidential power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden, according to federal prosecutors. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Wilson told U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich that he regrets entering the Capitol that day but got involved with good intentions. Our country was in turmoil, he said. I believe it still is. The judge said there is no question that Wilson intended to interfere with the congressional certification of Bidens 2020 electoral victory over Trump. Hes not being punished for what he said that day. His comments are reflexive of his intent, the judge said. Prosecutors recommended a five-year prison sentence for Wilson, who pleaded guilty in May to conspiring to impede or injure police officers. He also pleaded guilty to illegally possessing firearms at his home. Wilson, 48, communicated with members of the far-right Oath Keepers extremist group and adherents of the antigovernment Three Percenters movement as he marched to the Capitol. Wilson has identified as an Oath Keeper and as a member of the Gray Ghost Partisan Rangers, a Three Percenter militia, according to prosecutors. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: A co-defendant, David Scott Kuntz, has pleaded not guilty to Capitol riot charges and awaits a trial. Kuntz organized a Telegram group called Coalition of the Unknown, which included Three Percenters from different militia groups, prosecutors said. Wilson posted in the group under the username Live Wire. On Nov. 9, 2020, Wilson wrote to the group, Im willing to do whatever. Done made up my mind. I understand the tip of the spear will not be easy. Im willing to sacrifice myself if necessary. Whether it means prison or death. Wilson and Kuntz traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend then-President Donald Trumps Stop the Steal rally near the White House on Jan. 6. Defense attorney Norm Pattis said Wilson believed that the presidential election was stolen from Trump. Mr. Wilson did not plan an insurrection. He appeared at a protest and was swept up in events that turned violent, Pattis wrote. But prosecutors said Wilson planned with others to use the threat of violence to keep Trump in the White House. MORE POLITICAL NEWS: Wilson is in a rare class. Although he did not commit any acts of violence, his role in preparing for violence and helping to organize a conspiracy makes him particularly dangerous, Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Mariano wrote. As he approached the Capitol, Wilson used the Zello app to communicate with other members of a group called STOP THE STEAL J6 and provide them with updates on the erupting riot. How many patriots do we have pushing through at the Capitol, Live Wire? another user asked Wilson. Hey, pass the word, Badlands, as fast as you can. The people are pushing on the Capitol. We need hands on deck, Wilson responded. Heard, Live Wire. Will send, the other user replied. Wilson wore a gas mask as he entered the Capitol through a door on the Upper West Terrace. He took a selfie of himself flashing a Three Percenters hand sign during his roughly 12 minutes inside the building. Photos show him carrying what appeared to be a can of bear spray. Read more of the latest trending news Prosecutors said Wilson sought out violence and endeavored to organize others to join him in his violent aims. Wilsons crime was an attack on not just the Capitol, but the United States and its system of government, Mariano wrote. He joined a mob and struck a blow to a central feature of the American system: the peaceful transfer of power. Wilson was arrested in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, on May 2023. Law enforcement seized six firearms and approximately 4,800 rounds of ammunition when they searched his home. Wilson had a criminal record that made it illegal for him to possess the firearms. More than 1,400 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. Approximately 950 of them have been convicted and sentenced, with roughly two-thirds receiving terms of imprisonment ranging from a few days to 22 years. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Millions swelter as central and eastern US placed under excessive heat watch Millions of Americans will continue to swelter as Labor Day weekend approaches, with much of the country under some kind of excessive heat watch. The brutal heatwave the US midwest suffered earlier this week has spread to the eastern half of the country, with more than 20 million people under some kind of a heat alert. Related: Hot and alone: how US cities work to protect isolated people in heatwaves But meteorologists predict the weather will cool down, particularly on the east coast just in time for the federal holiday when a cold front moves in. Meanwhile, the south-east may see scattered storms. Cities across central US states like Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana, as well as coastal cities in South Carolina and Virginia are experiencing major heat, according to National Weather Service (NWS), with heat index values reaching as high as 105F (40C). The NWS says: This level of heat affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Impacts likely in some health systems, heat-sensitive industries and infrastructure. The climate crisis, caused largely by the burning of fossil fuels, forest destruction and methane emissions, means heatwaves are increasing in frequency, duration, intensity and magnitude, the World Health Organization says. Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the US. Around 1,220 people in the US are killed by extreme heat annually, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Related: Corn sweat: crop moisture amplifies humidity and heat in US midwest Those in engaging in physical activity, such as athletes or outdoor workers, where heat advisories are active, are at risk for exertional heat stroke. Other vulnerable groups include children, the elderly and disabled, people experiencing homelessness, emergency responders and incarcerated people. The American Red Cross urges people experiencing extreme heat to limit outdoor activities and exercise, avoid sugary, caffeinated or alcoholic drinks, and try to stay in a place with reliable air conditioning. Milwaukee police chief calls on community to intervene with youth following brazen exchange of gunfire in Third Ward Shots were exchanged between a man and teens who attempting to steal a vehicle on the 500 block of East Corcoran Avenue in Milwaukee on Tuesday night. Police Chief Jeffrey Norman issued a renewed "call to action" for the community to intervene with Milwaukee's youth, who are increasingly becoming victims and suspects in crimes, including a brazen exchange of gunfire Tuesday night in the Third Ward. The Milwaukee Police Department sent a statement Wednesday evening about an incident the night before where seven teenagers were arrested, suspected of breaking into cars and firing shots at a parking lot attendant in the Third Ward. Norman would then send a "letter to the community" just minutes after the initial statement. On Tuesday, at about 7 p.m., on the 500 block of East Corcoran Avenue, a 28-year-old fired three shots into the air in an attempt to stop teens breaking into a vehicle, according to police. In an an email obtained by the Journal Sentinel from nearby apartment management to Third Ward residents after management spoke to witnesses and police, the incident took place near a warehouse on Corcoran Avenue and the 28-year-old was "patrolling and monitoring" the lot. After the initial shots, the guard confronted one of the teens inside the vehicle and the teen pointed a firearm at him, police said. The guard took cover, but the remaining teens pulled up in a vehicle and started shooting at him, according to police. The guard returned fire and the teens fled in the vehicle. No one was injured, police said. Police observed the suspected vehicle on the 300 block of North Water Street and initiated a traffic stop. The suspected vehicle initially pulled over; however, fled and a pursuit ensued, according to police. The pursuit ended when the vehicle collided with two vehicles on South 13th Street and West Lincoln Avenue, police said. Seven teenagers, a 16-year-old girl, and six boys from ages 13 to 16, were arrested and several firearms were recovered. Police said the man was also arrested. Charges will be reviewed by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office in the coming days. The nearby apartment management told residents that security will be increased in the area into the upcoming Labor Day weekend. "All 7 of these kids were in a stolen vehicle attempting to steal another vehicle," Norman said in his statement. "They had guns, and when a security guard tried to stop them from stealing the vehicle, they shot at the guard. Many of these kids had prior arrests and prior convictions for taking cars without owners consent. Many of these kids werent even old enough to get a license." Norman calls on the community again Norman, who was passed over for the chief job in Austin, Texas, earlier this month, reiterated his belief that the community must do more to intervene with Milwaukee's youth. "As Chief of Police for the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD), a lot of things keep me awake at night," he wrote. "Every morning, I am briefed about the major crimes that have occurred in the last 24 hours and the arrests my officers have made. "Recently, I have had many sleepless nights over the arrests we are making of youth, many who are 14, some older, and some even younger at 11, 12 years of age. These kids are brazenly using firearms to take cars and other property from strangers. This compels me to call our community to intervene. "This is not intended to raise the alarm that the City of Milwaukee is a dangerous place. In fact, our crime numbers are down. Crime and people causing harm to one another has been around since the beginning of humanity. "This is intended to raise awareness about the trends I am seeing in reckless youth behavior." Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman asked the community to intervene with Milwaukee's youth, who are increasingly becoming victims and suspects in crimes, in a statement released Wednesday night. In addition to Tuesday's incident, Norman points to an incident earlier this month in which a 14-year-old boy was charged in adult court with five counts, including first-degree reckless homicide, accused of fleeing police after a robbery and crashing into and killing a motorcyclist in Walker's Point. "Not old enough to drive, yet doing so with complete disregard for the people around him," Norman wrote. "He, too, was a kid who had multiple prior offenses for this same type of behavior. "MPDs role is to respond to crimes when they occur and arrest those who cause harm to others. MPD also works hard to prevent crimes through patrol, education and outreach. We are committed to innovative new approaches. We are always open to new ideas. But even with unlimited resources, we cant be everywhere, and our primary and priority role in crime is to enforce the law. If crime occurs, MPD arrests. After an arrest is made, we present our evidence to our partners in the criminal justice system who then use that evidence to build a case that goes to court. The court process results in a consequence for the offender. "From our end, these consequences are not changing our youths behavior. The kids we are arresting are reoffending. The community must intervene." Norman asks, 'What are you doing to help?' Norman closed with strong words for community leaders, residents as a whole, and the press. "To the media, I ask that your coverage of crime includes an exploration into why individuals are committing these crimes. Instead of asking why MPD is pursuing vehicles, ask why are people not stopping when MPD tries to pull them over? Instead of asking why MPD doesnt write more citations for unlicensed drivers, ask why are so many people driving without a license? Why are kids or young adults using guns to steal, instill fear, and cause harm? What have their parents done to address this behavior? The public has a right to know what is driving the actions of those who are causing harm to others. It is easier to report out on how law enforcement responds when a crime occurs, but it is indeed a more difficult task to get to the heart of what compels the reckless behavior. I challenge you to make that a focus. "To those in our community who can step up to the plate youth organizations, organizations that work with parents, healthcare professionals, legislators, parents, faith leaders, aunts, uncles, neighbors, what can you do to educate our youth to not bring harm to others, and what can you do to ensure that they dont? "This call to action isnt new. Ive held press conferences, and participated in interviews. Ive been at community meetings. I am trying to get this message out in any space that I can. We need you at the table. Our youth need you at the table. Be a part of the solution. What are you doing to help?" This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee police chief calls out community following brazen crime Police and ambulances stand near the scene, where people were killed and injured in an attack at the 650th anniversary celebrations of the city of Solingen in western Germany Gianni Gattus/dpa Shortcomings in EU migration procedures are to blame for Germany's inability to deport the 26-year-old Syrian man suspected of carrying out a deadly terror attack in the western city of Solingen last weekend, a minister said on Thursday. Josefine Paul, the refugee minister for the German state of North Rhine Westphalia, testified on Thursday to a special joint committee of state lawmakers looking into the deadly attack. The state, Germany's most populous, includes Solingen. The Green politician criticized complicated EU migrant transfer rules and the outright refusal by some EU countries to accept the return of asylum seekers from German authorities. EU rules require foreign asylum seekers to pursue their claims in the first EU country they arrive in. Many migrants, however, illegally make their way onward to Germany and other wealthier EU countries. An EU-wide agreement known as the Dublin Regulation calls for those migrants to be sent back to the country where their asylum cases were first registered. But that system has been plagued by issues. Only about 10% to 15% of attempts by Germany to send migrants to other EU countries have been successful. The suspected Solingen attacker, identified as Issa al-H, arrived in Germany in 2022 via Bulgaria, and should have been returned to Bulgaria under the Dublin rules. German authorities could not find Issa al-H on the day of his scheduled deportation in June 2023, however. Paul said on Thursday that a shortage of seats on deportation flights meant that authorities could only book a new deportation flight to Bulgaria for the man after a six-month deadline for the transfer had expired. She decried what she called "dysfunctional proceedures" and called for a wide-ranging overhaul. Lawmakers from the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), however, accused Paul of failing in her responsibilities - and of "disappearing from public for days" after the attack. Minister on Solingen terror suspect: 'Nobody had him on their radar' Herbert Reul, Minister of the Interior of North Rhine-Westphalia, speaks to the media after the special meeting of the committees for internal affairs and integration in the state parliament on the suspected Islamist attack in Solingen. Christoph Reichwein/dpa The 26-year-old Syrian who allegedly killed three people and wounded several others in a knife attack at a festival in the German city of Solingen was not identified as a potential threat by the security services before the attack, a senior state official said on Thursday. "Nobody had him on their radar," said Herbert Reul, the interior minister for the state of North Rhine Westphalia (NRW), the country's most populous state which includes Solingen. Authorities in NRW are currently monitoring 185 people who may pose an Islamist threat, but the "perpetrator from Solingen was not one of these people," Reul told a joint special committee of state lawmakers. The suspect, identified as Issa al-H, is being held in custody on suspicion of murder, suspected membership in the Islamic State terror group and other charges. Patrolling officers captured suspect Reul also said the suspected attacker was captured by police patrolling Solingen on Saturday evening and did not turn himself in to police, as had been widely reported in the media. Officers noticed the man near the crime scene on Saturday, less than 24 hours after the deadly attack, and approached him because they found his appearance and behaviour suspicious. The minister also confirmed that the bloodstained knife found in Solingen's city centre was most likely the murder weapon. Three victims remain in hospital Three people wounded in the deadly knife attack in Solingen remain in hospital six days after the attack, Reul said on Thursday. The other five people injured have been discharged by the hospital and are recovering, Reul said. A 56-year-old man, a 67-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman died in the attack, which occurred in front of a music stage on the market square in Solingen during a Festival of Diversity meant to celebrate the city's 650th anniversary. Islamic State ties under investigation Reul also said that a purported confession video of a masked man released by Islamic State is being closely examined by authorities for authenticity. The video certainly fits with Islamic State propogana strategy, the minister added. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack and published a video of a masked man that the terror group claimed was the attacker. Authorities have not yet determined whether that terror group's claims are supported by evidence. The suspected attacker had evaded a deportation order in Germany, something that has helped fuel the intense ongoing debate in the country over asylum and migration policy. Security authorities have been warning about the threat of Islamist violence in Germany for years, but Reul said on Thursday that the Solingen attack showed "that such an act of terrorism can take place." Police officers had been in the square in Solingen city centre before the knife attack, Reul said, and mobile roadblocks had also been set up for security reasons. He said it is unfortunately very difficult to predict where someone will actually strike. Minister blames EU rules for failed deportation The Solingen attack suspect arrived in Germany in 2022 via Bulgaria, and was ordered deported back to Bulgaria in 2023. But he remained in the country, apparently becaues German authorities could not find Issa al-H on the day of his scheduled deportation in June 2023. NRW Refugee Minister Josefine Paul told lawmakers on Thursday that a shortage of spots for transfers to Bulgaria meant that authorities could only book a new deportation flight to Bulgaria for the man after a six-month deadline for the transfer had expired. Paul blamed shortcomings in EU migration procedures for Germany's inability to deport the man well before the attack. The Green politician criticized complicated EU migrant transfer rules and the outright refusal by some EU countries to accept the return of asylum seekers from German authorities. EU rules require foreign asylum seekers to pursue their claims in the first EU country they arrive in. Many migrants, however, illegally make their way onward to Germany and other wealthier EU countries. An EU-wide agreement known as the Dublin Regulation calls for those migrants to be sent back to the country where their asylum cases were first registered. But that system has been plagued by issues. Only about 10% to 15% of attempts by Germany to send migrants to other EU countries have been successful. She decried what she called "dysfunctional proceedures" and called for a wide-ranging overhaul. Lawmakers from the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), however, accused Paul of failing in her responsibilities - and of "disappearing from public for days" after the attack. Herbert Reul (R), Minister of the Interior of North Rhine-Westphalia, and Josefine Paul Minister for Children, Youth, Family, Refugees and Integration in North Rhine-Westphalia, are on their way to the special meeting of the committees for internal affairs and integration in the NRW state parliament on the attack in Solingen. Christoph Reichwein/dpa Minister: Three wounded in Solingen terror attack still in hospital Herbert Reul (R), Minister of the Interior of North Rhine-Westphalia, and Josefine Paul Minister for Children, Youth, Family, Refugees and Integration in North Rhine-Westphalia, are on their way to the special meeting of the committees for internal affairs and integration in the NRW state parliament on the attack in Solingen. Christoph Reichwein/dpa Three people wounded in a deadly knife attack in the western German city of Solingen remain in hospital six days after the attack, according to the interior minister for the state of North Rhine Westphalia (NRW). "Things are looking up," Herbert Reul said of their condition in remarks to a special joint committee of the NRW state parliament looking into the suspected Islamist terror attack. The other five people injured have been discharged by the hospital and are recovering, Reul said. A 56-year-old man, a 67-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman died in the attack, which occurred in front of a music stage on the market square in Solingen during a Festival of Diversity meant to celebrate the city's 650th anniversary. The suspected perpetrator is 26-year-old Syrian identified as Issa al-H. He is being held in custody on suspicion of murder, suspected membership in the Islamic State terror group and other charges. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack and published a video of a masked man that the terror group claimed was the attacker. Authorities have not yet determined whether that terror group's claims are supported by evidence. The suspected attacker had evaded a deportation order in Germany, something that has helped fuel the intense ongoing debate in the country over asylum and migration policy. Reul, who arrived at the crime scene within hours of the attack on August 23, told lawmakers on Thursday that he would never forget that night. The front door of the New Mexico Supreme Court in Santa Fe in Feb. 2022. (Photo by Austin Fisher / Source NM) In a ruling Monday, the New Mexico Supreme Court rejected the challenges of two defendants who said county sheriffs offices violated their Miranda rights. Specifically, notifying them of their right to an attorney. The Justices ruled that the way detectives phrased the warnings was sufficient. Anyone whos watched cop shows like Law and Order has a sense of what Miranda warnings sound like. You have a right to remain silent. Anything you say may be used against you in a court of law, one episode phrased it. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you at no cost. The state Supreme Courts ruling stems from the appeals of two defendants who admitted to sexually abusing children during questioning without attorneys present. Both had confirmed at the time they understood their rights. According to court documents , a detective with the San Juan County Sheriffs Office warned Howard Atencio that he had, A right to a lawyer. Atencio argued that did not make it clear that he could have had legal counsel both ahead of and while being questioned. In a separate and later consolidated case, a detective with the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office warned Zaenan Chiaramonte that he had, The right to an attorney and have him/her present while you are being questioned. He argued that phrasing suggested, The right did not apply before questioning. In a unanimous decision , the states high court ruled that, while the Miranda right includes the right to consult with an attorney before and during questioning, the warning does not have to explicitly say so. The court wrote that those specifics are, Adequately conveyed simply by informing a suspect of the right to counsel. Atencio had also filed a cross-appeal about whether there was enough evidence to support his convictions. The court ruled there was. Meanwhile, according to the Administrative Office of the Courts, Chiaramontes criminal case is still pending. This article first appeared at KUNM. It is republished here with permission. Missing at-risk elderly person last seen in Sunnyvale UPDATE: The missing person has been found. Original story below. (KRON) Safety officials are seeking the publics help in finding Saadat Hajiyeva, 80, of Sunnyvale. The Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety said Hajiyeva was last seen on a Ring camera leaving her house near downtown Sunnyvale at about 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Haijiyeva is known to walk near Murphy Park in Sunnyvale, but that is the only location where she will normally walk, SDPS said. Police describe Hajiyeva as a Caucasian woman approximately 55 tall and 180 pounds. She has gray hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a denim shirt, gray sweatpants and blue shoes. Hajiyeva speaks fluent Azerbijiani and basic Russian and English. She is considered at-risk due to suffering from dementia, per SDPS. Anybody who locates Hajiyeva is asked to call Sunnyvale DPS at (408) 730-7181. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. GULFPORT, Miss. (WJTV) During the Changing Tides Festival, the Mississippi Aquarium will celebrate its one millionth guest. The celebration will be held on Saturday, August 31 starting at 9:45 a.m. on the Mississippi Aquarium ticketing plaza. The one millionth guest will be determined and will receive the ultimate Mississippi Aquarium prize package. In addition to the special prize being awarded to one lucky guest, the first 500 guests will receive a free commemorative water bottle. Mississippi State receives $180K for STEM education The Changing Tides Festival began in 2023 with the third anniversary of the aquarium and the grand opening of the Changing Tides building. Entertaining and educating one million guests is such an amazing accomplishment and its so special that it lined up perfectly with our fourth anniversary, said Patrick Pearson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Were proud to be a premiere tourist attraction for so many in the state and across the region and we hope everyone can come join us this week to celebrate. Commemorative water bottles are issued on a first come, first served basis. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. By Azernews Fatima Latifova Since late January of this year, tension has been high in the relations between Azerbaijan and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which was triggered by the Assembly's decision not to ratify the credentials submitted by the Parliamentary delegation of Azerbaijan. Considering the high potential for cooperation between the two sides, it is regrettable that certain factions within PACE harbor biases against Baku and openly reflect these biases in their policies. For nearly thirty years, Azerbaijan sought assistance from the Council regarding refugees and internally displaced persons, nevertheless, the Council consistently refrained from engaging in such matters, claiming it lacked the mandate. After the Azerbaijani Army liberated Garabagh from Armenian occupation, many politicians revealed their pro-Armenian stances. It is worth noting that after the liberation of Azerbaijani territories, discussions on the Garabagh issue became a recurring topic in almost every session of the assembly. Curiously, some deputies who had opposed the discussion of the Garabagh conflict over the previous 30 years began persistently raising the issue in every session. These individuals, who previously ignored discussions about the rights of Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs during the occupation, now openly focused on the rights of Armenians who later settled in Garabagh and their fate after leaving Azerbaijan. Azerbaijans decision to invite the OSCE, rather than PACE, to monitor the early elections held in February became a pretext for these individuals. Frank Schwabe, head of the German delegation to PACE, is one of the politicians with a pro-Armenian stance and bias against Azerbaijan. What started as an artificial intelligence (AI) and growth stock-driven rally has blossomed into a widespread flurry of higher equity prices. Growth-oriented sectors, like technology and communications, are no longer the sole winners. Of the 11 Vanguard sector exchange-traded funds (ETFs), 10 are down less than 5% from their 52-week highs. Even stodgy and safe sectors are putting up monster gains. Here's why a broader rally is better than a rally driven by a few sectors and how to navigate a bull market when valuations are getting more expensive. Image source: Getty Images. Dissecting the market rally Vanguard offers low-cost ETFs for all 11 stock market sectors, with expense ratios between 0.1% and 0.13%, or $1 to $1.30 in annual fees for every $1,000 invested. Sector ETFs can be a great way to achieve diversification, especially when you can't decide among several investment opportunities. For example, utilities tend to have regional operations and vary from electricity providers to gas, water, and more. The Vanguard Utility ETF (NYSEMKT: VPU) provides an easy way to protect against natural disasters and smooth out risk across different industries and geographies. As you can see in the chart, every sector except energy is down less than 5% from its 52-week high, the S&P 500 is off less than 1% from its high, and six sectors are at 52-week highs. VCR Chart What's more, all 11 sectors have gained year to date, with no individual sector outperforming the S&P 500 by a wide margin. Technology, utilities, and communications are slightly beating the S&P 500 but only by less than 2 percentage points. VCR Chart The tech sector makes up over 31% of the S&P 500 and has been the key driver of the index in recent years, given its exposure to the fast-growing software, hardware, and semiconductor industries. Seeing traditionally low-growth sectors, like utilities, healthcare, and consumer staples, put up impressive gains (in addition to the tech sector) is a great sign that the stock market rally is becoming healthier so that a sell-off in a few sectors won't necessarily derail the bull market. Everyone's a winner The characteristics that may attract an investor to a high-octane growth opportunity like Nvidia differ from a company like Coca-Cola. Nvidia is an expensive stock primarily valued based on future earnings potential and a sustained boom in demand for its graphics processing units rather than what it is making today. By contrast, Coca-Cola has paid and raised its dividend for 62 consecutive years and is valued based on its track record, global reach, and diversified beverage brand portfolio spanning soda, juice, energy drinks, coffee, tea, water, and sparkling water. Despite their differences, Nvidia and Coca-Cola are both hovering around all-time highs. So are UnitedHealth -- one of the most valuable health insurance providers -- JPMorgan Chase, Lockheed Martin, Procter & Gamble, Apple, and Meta Platforms, to name a few. In sum, investors are optimistic about the broader economy, not just a particular theme or investment opportunity. Navigating a bull market Markets like this are great for investors with established positions in top companies. But it can be difficult to find bargains in an expensive market, especially for investors just starting or those looking to put new capital in the market. After all, no one wants to lose money by investing in the market at its peak only to watch it sell off. No one knows when there will be another recession, market correction, or bear market -- but they will inevitably happen. Volatility is simply the price of admission for unlocking gains in the stock market. So, instead of hoping to dodge a sell-off, a better approach is to invest in companies or ETFs you are comfortable holding through periods of volatility. Understanding a company's investment thesis and what will likely drive the stock's long-term performance can help filter out the noise during a sell-off. It's also essential to align your holdings with your risk tolerance. If you are investing for a retirement that is decades away, then it doesn't really matter what the stock market does in the coming quarters or years. But if you are a risk-averse investor looking to supplement income in retirement and preserve capital, investing in safe companies that can do well even during a major downturn could be a better strategy. Should you invest $1,000 in Vanguard World Fund - Vanguard Utilities ETF right now? Before you buy stock in Vanguard World Fund - Vanguard Utilities ETF, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Vanguard World Fund - Vanguard Utilities ETF wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $786,169!* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. 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Here's What That Means for Investors in Value, Dividend, and Growth Stocks. was originally published by The Motley Fool Mississippi insurance commissioner pushing for his job to be appointed, not elected Long-time Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney confirmed Wednesday he has met with legislative leadership about making his position appointed instead of elected. The Republican Chaney, who was first elected to the statewide post in 2007, said he has come to the conclusion that a person who is appointed can do a better job regulating the industry and protecting the consumers than someone elected to the post. I have grave concerns about someone running for this as a stepping stone to another position, said Chaney, age 80. It is too important to do that. He said it is borderline unethical to take campaign funds from the industry being regulated. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, who presides over the Senate, has met with Chaney about making the post appointed. House Speaker Jason White and other legislative leaders also are aware of his suggestion, Chaney said. In 39 states, Chaney said, the insurance industry is regulated by an appointed person. Chaney said he has proposed an insurance commissioner be nominated by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate to serve a six-year term. There are other positions in Mississippi appointed for six-year terms, such as the commissioners of banking and of revenue. Chaney said he is flexible as to when the Legislature might make the position appointed. I could leave July 1 if they wanted to make it effective then or I could stay until the end of my term in January 2028, Chaney said. He admitted that he would lose money from his state pension if he did not finish out his term, but added, It is not about the money. It is about doing what is right to regulate the industry and protect consumers. Chaney said he also would be willing to finish out his term as an appointed commissioner. When he first ran for the post in 2007, Chaney recalled he said then the position should be appointed instead of elected. I am trying to do that now. Chaney said. Hosemann said earlier this month during an interview on Mississippi Todays The Other Side podcast that legislators would be studying before the 2025 session begins whether some state posts should be appointed instead of elected. Mississippi has eight statewide elected posts, including the position of insurance commissioner. Six of those posts are mandated by the state Constitution to be elected and would require a vote of the people to make them appointed. It would just require a change in law by a vote of the Legislature and the signature of the governor to make the post of insurance commissioner elected. Before being elected as insurance commissioner in 2007, Chaney served in the state Senate where he was at one point Education Committee chair. Before then, he served in the state House. Joshua Zimmerman, who escaped from a Mississippi courthouse and is wanted on murder and armed robbery charges, is taken into custody following a standoff with police at a restaurant in Chicago on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (ABC 7 Chicago via AP) HERNANDO, Miss. (AP) A Mississippi sheriff's department says it has set new security procedures since an inmate escaped and fled to Chicago, where he was arrested last week after a 15-hour standoff with police at a restaurant just blocks from the Democratic National Convention. Joshua Zimmerman was wearing street clothes and was not handcuffed when he fled from the DeSoto County Courthouse in Hernando, Mississippi, on June 14. The weaknesses that were exposed from Zimmermans escape have been rectified, and we have implemented additional security measures that we will not disclose to the public for obvious safety reasons," the DeSoto County Sheriff's Department said in a statement Wednesday. A former deputy jailer in DeSoto County, Ronnie Hunt, has been charged with conveying articles useful for the escape of a prisoner, Mississippi Department of Public Safety spokesperson Bailey Martin said Tuesday. Martin said additional charges are probable. She did not respond to a question about whether Hunt is represented by an attorney, and the jail where Hunt was initially taken said he was no longer listed as an inmate there Thursday. Hunt, 32, was fired from his job with the sheriff's department. When Zimmerman escaped in Mississippi, he was set to make a court appearance on charges of attempted murder and armed robbery. He was also awaiting extradition to Houston, where hes charged with murder, the U.S. Marshals Service said. Investigators said last week that they believe Zimmerman was working at the seafood restaurant where he was captured. It is about a half-mile from the United Center, where the political convention was being held. The Marshals Service said there was no connection or threat to the event or those attending. According to court records in Harris County, Texas, Zimmerman is accused of fatally shooting a woman, Keyanna Mercer, at a Houston motel on Sept. 2, 2023. The two were asked to leave the motel after multiple complaints of fighting, and when staff members checked the room to see if they had left, they found Mercers body with a gunshot wound to the head, police said. Court records also show Zimmerman was arrested in Connecticut in 2022 on a felony sexual assault charge. He pleaded not guilty and was freed on a $200,000 bond, but a warrant was later issued for his rearrest. Missouri sent troopers to the Republican National Convention. Was it appropriate? Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. The Missouri State Highway Patrol sent 30 troopers to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, last month, sparking criticism from some lawmakers as the agency struggles with vacancies. The patrols presence at the RNC came at the request of Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, who issued an emergency declaration for assistance last July. Throughout the event, which occurred July 15 to 18, Missouri troopers provided security inside and outside the venue as well as traffic control spots. The troopers worked 14-hour shifts each day of the event costs that the state of Wisconsin will reimburse, said Capt. Scott White, a patrol spokesman. The decision came as the agency, which has roughly 1,100 troopers, has been plagued by a shortage of troopers across the state. Rep. Deb Lavender, a Manchester Democrat who sits on the House Crime Prevention and Public Safety and Budget committees, criticized the decision in an interview, pointing to the shortage of troopers. Even without taxpayer dollars, which would have been outrageous, to take highway patrol out of Missouri when were already short, to police a political convention is still very inappropriate, Lavender said. As of July 1, there were 168 vacancies inside the law enforcement agency, White said. Those are scattered throughout all nine troops with Troop D in southwest Missouri having the most vacancies. Troops covering Kansas City and St. Louis Troops A and C are down 13 troopers each, according to information from the patrol. And Troop E, which covers more than a dozen counties in southeast Missouri has 14 vacancies. While Missouri sent troopers to the RNC, it did not send any to the Democratic National Convention, held last week in Chicago. Thats because state and local officials didnt ask for any, White said. The Patrol did not receive a request for assistance from Chicago or Illinois, White said in an email responding to Star questions. The patrol also sent troopers to the 2016 RNC and the 2021 inauguration of President Joseph Biden, he said. Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, a St. Louis Democrat, said in an interview he also had concerns about the move due to the shortage of troopers. Since we are down at the highway patrol, and also across the state in a lot of our police departments, sending those resourcesthose skilled folks somewhere else it could be a problem for us, he said. Especially since we have a shortage of law enforcement. Missouri officials faced similar criticism earlier this year when Republican Gov. Mike Parson signed an executive order sending up to 200 National Guard members and 22 highway patrol troopers to the Texas border with Mexico. Parson allowed the order to expire in June, touting the deployment as a success. Republican state lawmakers were quick to defend sending troopers to the RNC. Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, a Parkville Republican who chairs the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, noted the 54 delegates that Missouri sent to the convention. When theres a large gathering of that kind involving elected officials and dignitaries from every corner of the country, I think its reasonable for other states to help secure the event, he said. If the RNC had been held in Missouri, we would have welcomed that support from other states. Luetkemeyer added that he was grateful for all the Highway Patrol did to help secure the RNC. Mixed responses on patrol post At the RNC, which took place in Milwaukee from July 15 to 18, former President Donald Trump accepted his partys nomination for president and Sen. JD Vance from Ohio accepted the nomination for vice president. All 54 delegates from Missouri cast votes for Trump. A spokesperson for the Missouri Republican Party in a statement said the delegates were really proud to see state highway patrol troopers assist with security at the convention. They did an excellent job and represented our state well, the statement said. Those in the Missouri highway patrol who worked the convention received overtime, White said. The patrol posted a photo on its Facebook page of the 30 troopers at the RNC. The vast majority of the nearly dozens of commenters praised their presence at the convention, applauding Parson for sending them. But a few questioned the move. I hope you do the same for the Dem convention, wrote one. Otherwise stop wasting our money on politics. In response to that comment, someone wrote: Personally, Im pretty disgusted by this. I feel sure Wisconsin had plenty of LEOs (law enforcement officers) to handle security. ENDWELL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) Local Vietnam War veterans were honored with a pinning ceremony, to commemorate their service and sacrifice. Congressman Marc Molinaro hosted a Vietnam Veterans pinning ceremony at Maine-Endwell High School this morning. Local veterans could RSVP ahead of the ceremony to receive the commemorative pin. The ceremony began with the presentation of the colors by the color guard, then the Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem, which was sung by Kori Bell, a student at M-E. One speaker, a retired army major general, and the Mayor of New Berlin, Pete Lennon says many Vietnam vets werent provided with the supports they needed when they returned home, but that wont happen anymore. So, while we cant change the past, the pinning that you will receive today is a commitment from Congressman Molinaro, and from all of us here, that you and your service will never be overlooked, said Lennon. Molinaro hosted another pinning ceremony earlier this month in Greene County. The pins themselves feature a bald eagle on one side, with text that says, A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You. And on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I not only want to thank our veterans here with us today, I want to say to you those two words that you were owed all those years ago: welcome home. Welcome home to a country that at the time, didnt extend to you its appreciation and gratitude as we ought to have, said Molinaro. Over a dozen veterans were honored at this mornings ceremony. Molinaro went down the line, shaking each of their hands, and placing the pins on their lapels. He will face his opponent, Josh Riley, during the November election. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. CORE, W.Va. (WBOY) Monongalia County is getting a second Almost Heaven swing. The Monongalia County Parks and Recreation announced Wednesday that the swing will be installed in the Dunkard Third Crossing area of Mason-Dixon Historical Park. The 295-acre park in northern Monongalia County commemorates the Mason-Dixon Line, a National Civil Engineering Landmark, and Browns Hill, a National Historical Landmark, as well as their historical significance. This will be the second Almost Heaven swing in Monongalia Countythe other being at Coopers Rock State Forestand the 30th one in West Virginia. Balloons Over Morgantown announces 2024 launch times The swings are a project by the West Virginia Department of Tourism to guide tourists to some of the best views in West Virginia. The swings are a perfect place to take photos with West Virginias beautiful landscapes in the background. For a full list of swings across West Virginia, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners will resurrect its Tribute in Lights this September, which is the beaming of two rays of light to honor the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The Tribute in Lights will be illuminated for one night only: From sunset to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, rain or shine. The lights will be visible from Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook in Atlantic Highlands, which has views of New York City. This is the fifth year Monmouth County has beamed the lights, which is an expense to the county. Monmouth County first started beaming the lights in 2020, when New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio said he would be unable to shine the twin beams from Ground Zero as to not risk workers being exposed to coronavirus. We will always remember and honor the 147 men and women who called our County home and lost their lives on September 11, 2001," said Commissioner Director Thomas Arnone. Mount Mitchell also houses Monmouth County's September 11 Memorial. Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook will have extended hours from Wednesday, Sept. 11, through Saturday, Sept. 14. The park will close at 11:30 p.m. each evening to allow visitors to spend additional time at county's 9/11 memorial. Also coming up in September: Monmouth County Will Hold Sept. 11 Ceremony From Mount Mitchill Monmouth County's Sept. 11 Twin Beams Will Return This Year originally appeared on the Middletown Patch During a meeting Wednesday night, the Montpelier City Council was told 44 different pieces of municipal infrastructure were listed on the damage inventory the city sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency following last years July 11 flood. Assistant City Manager Kelly Murphy said approximately $11 million would be necessary to complete all 44 of these projects. City officials expect all 44 to eventually be funded through FEMAs Public Assistance program. FEMA has obligated funds for 15 of the projects to this point. We have received $135,000 or so, so far, she said. Of those 15 projects, they total about $910,000. Thad Leugemors, part of the State of Vermont Flood Recovery Team, told the council that whatever remaining funds Montpelier will get from FEMA will likely arrive by late next spring. You guys are in a good place and youre part of the complex project group that we have in FEMA, Leugmors said. Were thinking theyre all going to work themselves through this process in the late summer and early fall. However, Lisa Edson Neveus home on State Street flooded 13 months ago. Her flood insurance didnt even come close to covering all of the damage. She was exasperated that FEMA hasnt offered her a financial lifeline. Were hearing from contractors, Edson Neveu said to Leugmors during Wednesdays meeting. Theyre scheduling two years out, and were still not scheduling, and we live in a house with no walls and no kitchen and no bathroom. And yet, you stand here and say were in a great position and were supporting the uninsured what is going on here? Edson Neveu may have answered her own question moments later. She speculated that Montpelier homeowners whose insurance didnt completely cover their damage might be getting left out because there simply arent very many of them. What youre talking about is sort of outside of my scope, Leugmors replied. Im not here to discuss that and I dont speak for Vermont Emergency Management on that point. Yeah, its outside of everyones scope, Edson Neveu said. Everyone tells me how its not their fault and that somebody else is responsible. Murphy told the councilors that FEMA will likely end up covering 90% of the cost of the 15 projects Montpelier asked for help with. No official notice of this has arrived from the agency, however. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. More than 1 in 10 students say they know of peers who created deepfake nudes, report says At Beverly Vista Middle School, five eighth-graders were expelled for their involvement in the creation and sharing of fake nude pictures of their classmates. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) When news broke that AI-generated nude pictures of students were popping up at a Beverly Hills middle school in February, many district officials and parents were horrified. But others said no one should have been blindsided by the spread of AI-powered "undressing" programs. "The only thing shocking about this story," one Carlsbad parent said his 14-year-old told him, "is that people are shocked." Now, a newly released report by Thorn, a tech company that works to stop the spread of child sexual abuse material, shows how common deepfake abuse has become. The proliferation coincides with the wide availability of cheap "undressing" apps and other easy-to-use, AI-powered programs to create deepfake nudes. But the report also shows that other forms of abuse involving digital imagery remain bigger problems for school-age kids. To measure the experiences and attitudes of middle- and high-school students with sexual material online, Thorn surveyed 1,040 9- to 17-year-olds across the country from Nov. 3 to Dec. 1, 2023. Well more than half of the group were Black, Latino, Asian or Native American students; Thorn said the resulting data were weighted to make the sample representative of U.S. school-age children. According to Thorn, 11% of the students surveyed said they knew of friends or classmates who had used artificial intelligence to generate nudes of other students; an additional 10% declined to say. Some 80% said they did not know anyone who'd done that. In other words, at least 1 in 9 students, and as many as 1 in 5, knew of classmates who used AI to create deepfake nudes of people without their consent. Read more: AI-powered deepfake nude websites are targeted by San Francisco city attorney's lawsuit Stefan Turkheimer, vice president of public policy for the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, the country's largest anti-sexual-violence organization, said that Thorn's results are consistent with the anecdotal evidence from RAINN's online hotline. A lot more children have been reaching out to the hotline about being victims of deepfake nudes, as well as the nonconsensual sharing of real images, he said. Compared with a year ago or even six months ago, he said, "the numbers are certainly up, and up significantly." Technology is amplifying both kinds of abuse, Turkheimer said. Not only is picture quality improving, he said, but "video distribution has really expanded." The Thorn survey found that almost 1 in 4 youths ages 13 to 17 said they'd been sent or shown an actual nude photo or video of a classmate or peer without that person's knowledge. But that number, at least, is lower than it was in 2022 and 2019, when 29% of the surveyed students in that age group said they'd seen nonconsensually shared nudes. Not surprisingly, only 7% of the students surveyed admitted that they had personally shared a nude photo or video without that person's knowledge. Read more: Scandal over AI-generated nudes at Beverly Hills middle school exposes gaps in law The study found that sharing of real nudes is widespread among students, with 31% of the 13- to 17-year-olds agreeing with the statement that "It's normal for people my age to share nudes with each other." That's about the same level overall as in 2022, the report says, although it's notably lower than in 2019, when nearly 40% agreed with that statement. Only 17% of that age group admitted to sharing nude selfies themselves. An additional 15% of 9- to 17-year-olds said they had considered sharing a nude photo but decided not to. Turkheimer wondered whether some of the perceived decline in sexual interactions online stemmed from the shutdown last year of Omegle, a site where people could have video chats with random strangers. Although Omegle's rules banned nudity and the sharing of explicit content, more than a third of the students who reported using Omegle said they'd experienced some form of sexual interaction there. He also noted that the study didn't explore how frequently students experienced the interactions that the survey tracked, such as sharing nudes with an adult. According to Thorn, 6% of the students surveyed said they'd been victims of sextortion someone had threatened to reveal a sexual image of them unless they agreed to pay money, send more sexual pictures or take some other action. And when asked whom to blame when a nude selfie goes public, 28% said it was solely the victim's fault, compared with 51% blaming the person who leaked it. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. More than 500 migrants cross Channel for second day in a row A group of people thought to be migrants were brought ashore in Dover, Kent, on Thursday - Gareth Fuller/PA More than 500 migrants have crossed the Channel for the second day in a row, the Home Office revealed on Thursday. Some 614 people made the journey in 10 boats on Wednesday, taking the provisional total for the year so far past 20,000. On Tuesday, 526 migrants made the crossing. There have been 6,585 migrant arrivals since Labour came to power in July. A total of 20,433 people have made the journey so far this year three per cent higher than at the same point last year, when the figure was 19,801, but 18 per cent lower than 2022s total of 25,065. People-smugglers are cramming more migrants into dinghies because supplies of boats and equipment have been limited following operations by border agencies and law enforcement officers. More than 60 migrants on average were packed into each boat that made the journey on Tuesday and Wednesday. Officials have blamed the overcrowding for an apparent increase in deaths, not only through drowning but also by being crushed on overloaded boats. There have been at least 25 deaths in the Channel this year. Wednesdays total of 614 arrivals is the second highest on a single day since the election, after 703 people made the crossing on Aug 11. The highest number on any day so far this year was 882 on June 18. Labour scrapped the Tory governments Rwanda deportation scheme soon after coming to power. Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, is instead creating a Border Security Command, which will bring together existing immigration units and equip them with counter-terrorism style powers. He is also seeking returns agreements with other countries. Small boats at a warehouse in Dover, which are thought to have been used by migrants crossing the Channel - Gareth Fuller/PA Last week, it emerged that the number of migrants winning permission to remain indefinitely in Britain had quadrupled, while efforts to increase deportations have stalled. More than 25,300 Channel migrants were granted asylum or another type of humanitarian protection in the year to June, Home Office data showed, compared with about 6,600 in the previous 12 months. Across all types of asylum claims, the number granted last year hit an all-time high of 76,176 more than triple the previous years figure. The increases followed a backlog-clearing exercise, launched by Rishi Sunak, which aimed to eliminate legacy asylum claims by the end of 2023. However, the data showed that just three per cent of migrants who arrived since the start of the Channel crisis have been deported. Some 3,788 of the 127,834 people who have crossed the Channel since 2018 have been sent home. A Home Office spokesman said: We all want to see an end to dangerous small boat crossings, which are undermining border security and putting lives at risk. The Government is taking steps to boost our border security, setting up a new Border Security Command, which will bring together our intelligence and enforcement agencies, equipped with new counter-terror-style powers and hundreds of personnel stationed in the UK and overseas, to smash the criminal smuggling gangs making millions in profit. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Paramount Corporation Berhad (KLSE:PARAMON) Second Quarter 2024 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: RM232.9m (down 3.6% from 2Q 2023). Net income: RM25.8m (up 7.1% from 2Q 2023). Profit margin: 11% (up from 10.0% in 2Q 2023). The increase in margin was driven by lower expenses. EPS: RM0.039 (in line with 2Q 2023). All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period Paramount Corporation Berhad Earnings Insights Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 13% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 8.2% growth forecast for the Real Estate industry in Malaysia. Performance of the Malaysian Real Estate industry. The company's share price is broadly unchanged from a week ago. Risk Analysis We should say that we've discovered 2 warning signs for Paramount Corporation Berhad that you should be aware of before investing here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. More money coming to WA for housing for people with disabilities Billy Frank Jr. Place in Olympia is one of the properties in Washington where housing is available with subsidies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 811 program, which helps people with disabilities afford rental housing. The property serves homeless veterans, homeless young adults, and disabled people. (Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard) Washington is getting a boost in funding to help subsidize rent for adults living with disabilities. The state will get $8 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which announced last week it would be awarding nearly $140 million in grants nationwide to 18 state housing agencies as part of its Section 811 Project Rental Assistance for Persons with Disabilities program. Washingtons slice of the money will help fund 158 new subsidized rental units. Thats in addition to 132 units the state already supports with this program. Its the third grant of this type that the state has received. Melodie Pazolt, managing director of the Office of Apple Health and Homes at the Department of Commerce, said the funding will help house adults with disabilities who might otherwise not be able to afford these units. This third HUD award expands our ability to provide that rent assistance, Pazolt wrote in an email. Washington is among the states that got the highest award amount in this round of grants. California and Oregon also each got $8 million in new federal funding. The awards will allow housing agencies to refer eligible tenants to housing and provide them with rental assistance and supportive services. The goal of the Section 811 program is to allow adults with disabilities to live as independently as possible by creating new housing opportunities for them in existing, new or renovated multifamily properties. Adults with disabilities often face significant barriers in securing a safe and stable place to live, said Julia Gordon, assistant secretary for housing and federal housing commissioner. These awards create opportunities for more housing thats available, accessible, and inclusive. In Washington, there are currently 17 properties across the state accepting Section 811 rental subsidies. Commerce works with the Department of Social and Health Services and the Health Care Authority to identify eligible residents. To be eligible, at least one person in a household must be between the ages of 18 and 61 years old, disabled, and receiving or eligible to receive Medicaid and services and supports provided through the Department of Social and Health Services. They also must have incomes at or below 30% of the average median income for the area where theyre living. For a household of one in King County, thats $31,650. Those who receive the rental assistance are also connected with support services. Eligible properties can be new or existing and must be funded in part by a state or federal program, such as Washingtons Housing Trust Fund or its Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. They must also have at least five housing units. No more than 25% of the units can be funded by Section 811 funds or be used to house people with disabilities. The objective of the program is to expand the inventory of units available to persons with disabilities and not just add subsidies to existing units with these preferences, according to Commerce. Pazolt said the department will issue a notice of funding announcement to interested landlords or housing operators as soon as the contract with the federal government is finalized. DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) More Disaster Recovery Centers in Siouxland will soon be closing their doors permanently. According to a release from FEMA, four more Disaster Recovery Centers will be closing. On August 22, we reported that the centers in Cherokee and Emmet counties would be closing permanently on August 28 and that the center in OBrien County would be closing permanently on August 30. Now, three more centers are joining the center in OBrien County by closing on August 30. The OBrien County center in Sheldon at the City of Sheldon Community Services Center will close on that date alongside the Buena Vista County center in Sioux Rapids at the Sioux Rapids Municipal Pool, the Palo Alto County center at Iowa Lakes Community in Emmetsburg, and the Pottawattamie County center at the Veterans Affairs Building in Council Bluffs. Watch: Gov. Reynolds highlights flood recovery in Rock Valley The Woodbury County Disaster Recovery Center changed locations earlier this week and the Dickinson County Fairgrounds Expo Building Disaster Recovery Center will be closed until September 3. A Disaster Recovery Center also recently opened in Union County, South Dakota. Even if your local Disaster Recovery Center is closing, you still have options. Disaster Recovery Centers will still be open in the following areas: Clay County at the Spencer City Hall Council Chambers in Spencer Dickinson County at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds Expo Building Meeting Room in Spirit Lake (Closed until September 3) Lyon County at Forster Community Center in Rock Rapids Sioux County at the City Park Shelter House in Rock Valley Woodbury County at Morningside Lutheran Church in Sioux City Additionally, applications to apply for FEMA are open until October 22 in Iowa. If you would like to apply for FEMA, you can do so by visiting their website, downloading their app, or calling them at 800-621-3362. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) After a mosquito tested positive for West Nile virus, the City of Abilene will spray the majority of the southern part of town on Thursday. On Wednesday, the city shared that a mosquito within city limits tested positive for West Nile virus. The city plans to spray the area where it was found at 10:00 p.m. Thursday, August 29. The type of mosquito found infected with West Nile virus is known to be active in the evening hours. City staff will spray during hours while the mosquitos are active to ensure the insecticide is most effective, the city shared. The Abilene Taylor County Public Health District has reviewed the positive test result in the 79602 zip code, which was found during routine testing. Spraying will take place from: Northern point: 300 Block Mesquite Street & 700 Block North 4th Street Southern point: 900 Block Ben Richey Drive & 4700 Block Boys Ranch Road Eastern point: 2100 Block Westminster Drive & 1400 Block Kingwood Circle Western point: 2200 Block Oakwood Lane & 2220 Block Hollis Drive The department is working to notify residents and will conduct spraying in the area overnight from Thursday into Friday. While the insecticide is approved for treatment by the Environmental Protection Agency, residents in the area are asked to remain indoors while the city sprays. If you are in a vehicle while spraying is taking place, you should remain in the vehicle with the windows up and the air conditioner off until the trucks pass and the spray is no longer visible. Residents should keep animals indoors until the fog clears and the residue is dry. If contact with the spray occurs, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water. The West Nile virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Residents are encouraged to: Dress in long sleeves and pants when outside Use insect repellent containing DEET Drain standing water in your yard and neighborhood Avoid being outdoors during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active Studies continually prove the most effective means of preventing mosquito-borne illness is to prevent mosquito breeding. The City of Abilene Environmental Health Department uses a phased response approach to mosquito treatment, which limits the spraying of insecticide to when mosquito-borne illness is detected through routine surveillance. This practice also works best to protect beneficial insects and wildlife in our area, the city shared. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. Most in US favor continued military support for Israel until hostages are released: Survey Most Americans say they want the U.S. to continue supporting Israel in its war against Hamas until the remaining hostages in Gaza are released, according to survey results from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. The public opinion survey, published Thursday, shows 60 percent of respondents favor the U.S. supporting Israel militarily until the hostages are returned one of Israels primary goals in its miliary operation in Gaza. Americans were less inclined, however, to favor backing Israel beyond the release of the more than 100 hostages still held in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the country has another critical goal in its military campaign eradicating Hamas, the U.S. designated terrorist organization governing the Gaza Strip. The war could end tomorrow if Hamas disarms, surrenders, disarms and returns all the hostages, Netanyahu said in a joint address to Congress last month. But if they dont, Israel will fight until we destroy Hamass military capabilities, end its rule in Gaza and bring all our hostages home. Only about half (49 percent) of survey respondents said they favor the U.S. supporting Israel militarily until Hamas is dismantled or destroyed. Two-thirds (67 percent) of Republicans held this view, while less than half of Democrats (41 percent) and independents (44 percent) agreed, the poll found. Asked about the amount of military aid the U.S. provides to Israel, a combined plurality (43 percent) overall said the U.S. provides either the right amount (26 percent) or not enough (17 percent) military aid to Israel. This result was boosted by Republicans strong support for continuing military aid to Israel. A combined majority (63 percent) of GOP respondents said the U.S. provides either the right amount (29 percent) or not enough (34 percent) military aid to Israel. A plurality of Democrats (42 percent) and independents (39 percent) were both more inclined to say the U.S. gives Israel too much military aid. Among Democrats, 28 percent said its the right amount of aid, and 7 percent said its not enough. Among independents, 22 percent said its the right amount, and 14 percent said its not enough, the survey found. The poll was conducted amid mounting concerns over escalating tensions in the region, a worry that now seems to be playing out, as Israel faces numerous threats from Iran and its proxy militant groups. The survey, conducted by Ipsos June 21 to July 1, included 2,106 respondents. The margin of sampling error overall is 2.3 percentage points but greater for partisan subgroups. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) An annual fundraiser kicked off Wednesday in honor of a University of Louisiana at Lafayette student, who lost his life to an accidental combination of prescription and over the counter cold medicine. Every year, his mother, Carol Trosclair, raises money in honor of her late son, David, for UL Lafayette students chasing his same dream of working in physical therapy. Trosclair and UL kinesiology students raise this money by selling $10 raffle tickets. The grand prize is a customized vacation for two and each ticket can be redeemed for a free gift at a partnering business. All money raised goes towards Davids memorial scholarship. He was one of those rare students who, he had it all, from a professors standpoint, seeing in a student. He had grades, 3.9 GPA. He was in great shape. He exercised, and he gave. He did a lot of service, said UL Associate Professor of Biomechanics in the School of Kinesiology, Brian Campbell. Man in custody after fire at Jeanerette City Hall, authorities say Out of 1,000 students in David Trosclairs kinesiology class, David was the top student. The David Trosclair scholarship in kinesiology now helps students, like David, who had dreams of becoming a physical therapist. I think the students see us going above and beyond, and so they kind of feel like I need to do my share also and kind of pull their weight. So its a good lesson, I think, for the kids about hard work, keeping someones memory alive, and a little part of David lives on with all of our scholarship winners. Thats kind of humbling, and thats kind of beautiful, Campbell said. He says a $10 raffle tickets may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way. If yall didnt buy books and tickets, Id have nothing to give these wonderful students. So I just want to say to yall, thank you so much for coming, thank you for giving, thank you for being my friend, Davids mom, Carol, said at the fundraising event. Body found in Iberia Parish, witnesses say they heard gunshots Carol dedicates her time year after year to raising funds for the scholarship since it was established in 2011. Weve been raising money since then, and what we raise, we give. What we raise, we give because these students need it now. So thats why Im back at it this year, she said. Its just wonderful that weve turned it into a community scholarship, and the community, for $10, can say, I support UL scholarships.' As for David, he gets to still help other students achieve their goals, just as he would if he was still here. I think hes probably saying, Mom, youre amazing. Youre just too much,' Carol said. You can buy the $10 raffle tickets by contacting Carol Trosclair at 337-255-8155. Travel Machine will pull the winning ticket for a trip for two at the last Kinesiology Professional Association Meeting on Nov. 19. Latest News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. SPRINGBORO, Ohio (WDTN) A man is in custody after officers located a stolen motorcycle. The Springboro Police Department found a motorcycle with no license plate that was being driven around Springboro. Authorities eventually came upon information that the vehicle was reportedly listed as stolen. Butler County sheriff bills Liberty Center $5K over security concerns Although officers had an opportunity to take the motorcycle, they decided to wait to see if anyone would come back to the vehicle. Officers could have towed it away then; however, decided to wait and see if the suspect would return, said police. Officials claim a male individual did come to the vehicle. Springboro Police reports the man was taken into custody, and the vehicle was recovered. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. MOUNTAIN CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) The Town of Mountain City announced Thursday that the town has entered into an agreement to merge the Cold Springs Utility District into the towns water system. According to the town, about 350 Cold Springs customers will join Mountain Citys water and wastewater system effective immediately. In a release, Mayor Jerry Jordan said this has been an ongoing and collaborative process between the City, the Colds Springs Utility Board and Johnson County. Victor Birchfields remains identified months after he went missing The county commission approved the consolidation in April. County Mayor Larry Potter then signed it after a public hearing and other required approvals. On behalf of the Town of Mountain City Board of Mayor and Aldermen, I would like to thank Johnson County Mayor Larry Potter, the Johnson County Commission and the board members and customers of Colds Springs Utility for their support of the merger, Jordan said. According to the town, Mountain City will manage several existing and new projects with the Cold Springs system, including the replacement of water lines and meters and the automation of plant facilities. The state provided $997,500 in grant funding for the improvements. Once the improvements are finished, a rate study will be conducted. Cold Springs customers can continue to call and visit the office at 1635 Cold Springs Road. Customers may call 423-727-8851 or 423-727-8005 during business hours with questions or concerns. Employees of the Cold Springs district are now employed by the town. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) Theres frustration at the Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) of Mississippi after officials said a Jackson work crew cut a water valve while mowing the grass on Wednesday. Peggy Harrell, the director of ARF, said the employee was mowing a right of way in front of their building on Mayes Street. She said the employee ran over ARFs back flow valve, which left them without water for five hours. Basils Downtown to close Jackson location The broken pipe was repaired more than three hours later. Harrell said the employee who came out to fix the broken pipe guaranteed that it would be fixed. However, Harrell said the pipe was still leaking Thursday morning. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Baron Funds, an investment management company, released its Baron Real Estate Fund second quarter 2024 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The fund declined 9.20% (Institutional Shares) in the second quarter compared to a 0.22% decline for the MSCI US REIT Index (the REIT Index) and a 4.03% decline for the MSCI USA IMI Extended Real Estate Index (the MSCI Real Estate Index). Some of the Fund's top performers from 2023 and the first quarter of 2024 experienced declines, partly due to concerns about slowing growth. This includes the shares of homebuilders, residential building product and services companies, casino and gaming operators, certain REITs, and other real estate-related companies. In addition, please check the funds top five holdings to know its best picks in 2024. Baron Real Estate Fund highlighted stocks like Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR), in the second quarter 2024 investor letter. Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR) is a real estate investment trust focused on the acquisition, development, and management of apartments. The one-month return of Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR) was 6.55%, and its shares gained 13.27% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On August 28, 2024, Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR) stock closed at $74.19 per share with a market capitalization of $28.993 billion. Baron Real Estate Fund stated the following regarding Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR) in its Q2 2024 investor letter: "In the second quarter, the shares of Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR), the largest U.S. multi-family REIT, appreciated due to continued strong operating updates, an improved full-year growth outlook, and faster-than-expected improvement in the companys West Coast markets. Management has assembled an excellent portfolio of Class A apartment buildings located in high barrier-to-entry coastal markets with favorable long-term demographic trends and muted overall supply growth. Please see the Top net purchases for further thoughts on the company. In the second quarter, we increased the Funds REIT exposure to best-in-class multi-family owners/operators Equity Residential and AvalonBay Communities, Inc. Our meetings with each management team supported our view that both companies are led by astute executives that are highly focused on driving value creation for shareholders (Click here to read the full text) An exterior shot of a newly acquired apartment building, signifying the companys acquisition of large residential properties. Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR) is not on our list of 31 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 30 hedge fund portfolios held Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR) at the end of the second quarter which was 36 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is as promising as NVIDIA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. Story continues In another article, we discussed Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR) and shared the list of best residential real estate stocks to buy. Baron Real Estate Fund reestablished its position in Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR) in Q4 2023. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q2 2024 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors. READ NEXT: Michael Burry Is Selling These Stocks and A New Dawn Is Coming to US Stocks. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey . LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Few details are available after Metro police reported a county jail inmate with Mpox formerly known as monkeypox. The Clark County Detention Center had one reported case of an individual with monkeypox. That individual is no longer in custody and there are no other reported cases at this time, according to a statement released by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. County health officials did not immediately confirm the case, but issued their own news release Wednesday stating that seven probable and confirmed Mpox cases have been reported so far this year in Southern Nevada. Officials described sporadic cases of Mpox in Clark County residents. Concern over the viral illness has grown in Europe and Africa in recent weeks. On Aug. 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General declared a public health emergency of international concern. The Southern Nevada Health District said there are two types of Mpox, clade I and clade II. Clade I can cause more severe illness and death and is endemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There has been transmission to neighboring countries resulting in the current outbreak. No cases of clade I have been reported in the United States, SHND said. Mpox spreads through close or intimate contact, Dr. Fermin Leguen, District Health Officer for the Southern Nevada Health District, said in Wednesdays news release. The most effective way for those at risk to protect themselves is by receiving two doses of the Mpox vaccine if eligible. The SNHD website currently states 317 probable and confirmed cases to date. The last available weekly report posted was in October 2023, when there were 301 known cases. A total of 11,745 vaccines have been administered at SNHD-affiliated clinics, the website reports. SNHD advised people of additional steps to protect themselves if they are concerned: Avoid close contact with individuals exhibiting symptoms of Mpox, including those with rashes or lesions. Avoid touching objects, clothing, bedding or materials used by someone with Mpox. Watch for signs and symptoms for 21 days if exposed to Mpox and visit a health care provider. For more information about vaccine availability and eligibility, please visit www.snhd.info/Mpox. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The debate began over a 15-inch wall. To opponents, it was an eyesore that would block their beach views and cover their citys old seawall. To supporters, the project would finally protect pedestrians and lower the cost of clearing windswept sand. Now, the future of Pass Christians section of a 26-mile concrete beach boardwalk is up to the state. Were just waiting on answers, Mayor Jimmy Rafferty said Wednesday. At a packed meeting last week, the citys Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to stop future construction and finish building only the ongoing stretch of boardwalk from Henderson Avenue to the harbor. Crews have already built a small stretch of knee-wall near Henderson Avenue. The Board voted to finish that phase of construction as a boardwalk only without building more of the knee-wall. But that decision depends on the Department of Marine Resources, which Rafferty said has already funded $2.5 million in federal grants for the projects first phase, and approved $2.5 million for the second phase. Were hoping that they wont put the wall up, Alderman Kenny Torgeson said. It doesnt mean that they cant just overrule that and do it anyway. A section of already completed seawall and boardwalk on Highway 90 in Pass Christian on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. The Pass Christian Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Tuesday night to stop construction of the seawall and boardwalk after citizens said it would ruin their view of the beach, limit beach access and complained that city leaders had not shared enough information with the public. Beach boardwalks future uncertain The project is part of a Coast-wide boardwalk planned from the Bay St. Louis Bridge to the Biloxi Bridge. Long Beach, Gulfport and Biloxi are also part of the plan, but it is unclear how Pass Christians rejection of the walkway will affect the project as a whole. Rafferty said he is asking the Department of Marine Resources whether the city can finish the ongoing section of boardwalk without building more knee wall. He had not heard a decision as of Wednesday. Almost everyone agrees about one thing we need a safe passageway, Rafferty said. We have different views of what that safe passageway might look like. The Boards sudden rejection of the boardwalk came four months after mayors across the Coast broke ground on the project in Pass Christian. Opponents at the meeting last week said they were surprised by the construction this summer and demanded more information from the city. One called the 15-inch knee-wall at Henderson Avenue reprehensible. Others said the plan for a widened boardwalk was a huge opportunity that would let them bike and walk safely next to traffic for the first time. Rafferty also said the knee-wall could lower the more than $1 million cost each year in Pass Christian to clear Highway 90 of sand. A boardwalk and seawall similar to what was under construction in Pass Christian lines Highway 90 in Biloxi on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. Debate in Pass Christian continues The Boards decision was their right, said Harrison County Supervisor Marlin Ladner. They listened to their citizens. Torgeson said it is possible the city could face consequences, such as shortfalls on future funding, for stopping the boardwalk plan. Rafferty declined to speculate on potential fallout. He said the Department of Marine Resources had already agreed to consider lowering the knee-wall and adding more access after hearing citizens concerns. The Department of Marine Resources did not respond to questions about the boardwalk this week. The debate may not end soon. If Harrison County receives funding in the future, it could also take steps to improve safety and control sand, Ladner said. There is no immediate plan, and he said the Board of Supervisors would consult the city and its residents before taking any action. But he said something must be done to lower the cost of re-nourishing the countys beaches and clearing sand from the highway. Our real concern is safety, he said. And, he added, if we can stop erosion from the beach, that, in the long run, will save us money. Torgeson said he voted against the project in part because he did not want to lose the seawall he grew up with. I hope it just stays the same, he said. None of us know whats going to happen. Partially completed construction on a new boardwalk and seawall being built on top of the old seawall on Highway 90 in Pass Christian on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. MSNBC Host Puts Trump Campaign Adviser 'On Notice' For Pushing 'False Quote' On Air MSNBCs Ari Melber wasnt having it with Trump campaign senior adviser Corey Lewandowski after he tied a false quote to the host on Wednesday. Im putting you on notice, Melber told Lewandowski in a contentious live interview. If you continue to repeat falsely that I said that, you will be, potentially, in a defamation situation, because I didnt say that. But I understand that youre working off the internet, which has a lot of false information. Lewandowski, an ex-campaign manager for Donald Trumps 2016 bid, tried to dodge a question about saying he has no obligation to be honest with the media and instead pointed to the hosts coverage during the Republican National Convention in July. Melber, at the time, cited a New York Times critic who called Trump his own biggest prop prior to writing on his bandaged ear in the wake of the assassination attempt that month. A reminder of mortality, a badge of survival it was a blank rectangle on which the crowd could read what it wished, and that made it the most potent placard in the hall, the NYT piece read. Melber, after quoting part of the piece on air, added: A placard for delegates to fill in, an image for political mobilization, a spectacle for this candidate who we know is, by his own admission, obsessed with assorted spectacles. On Wednesday, the Trump adviser accused Melber of stating Trump had a bandage on his ear just for a spectacle before the host, who tried to clarify his on-air analysis from July, issued a warning. Fox News, which has been caught in defamation, ran a false piece falsely stating that I said something else that I didnt say, Melber said of the RNC coverage. So, I stand on that. I stand on the New York Times quote. H/T: Mediaite Related... MIDDLEBURY The Town Hall Theater was a long time coming. Organizers including Douglas Anderson began talking in 1997 about turning the former Middlebury town hall into a space for the arts and other community events. The building finally welcomed the public in 2008, but the theater wasnt perfect. From the day we opened, Anderson, the theaters artistic director, said from his office in the building, we knew this was too small. Sixteen years later, the Town Hall Theater is growing in a big way. The site is in the midst of a $7.8-million, 9,000-square-foot expansion that, when it opens to patrons sometime in the new year, will more than double the size of the performing-arts center. The project will create a rehearsal space and scene shop so the 232-seat theater will no longer be out of commission for performances while companies get ready for shows. A new education center means educational programming wont be scattered throughout the 140-year-old brick building. Douglas Anderson, artistic director at the Town Hall Theater, discusses an addition being built at the Middlebury arts center June 17, 2024. A project of this scope comes at a tumultuous time in the arts world. Performing-arts organizations have stumbled out of the wreckage wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic four years ago. Vermont theater troupes as new and refreshing as JAG Productions and as established and beloved as St. Michaels Playhouse have shuttered temporarily or permanently. Many arts organizations are just trying to hold things together, not even dreaming of expanding. The Town Hall Theater, based in a town of fewer than 10,000 residents, knew it couldnt bank solely on concerts by the likes of Richard Thompson and Judy Collins or performances by the Middlebury Acting Company and the Opera Company of Middlebury. The space is available to rent for business meetings, proms, weddings and other events that bring entire communities together. If we only did plays and musicals, Anderson said, we wouldnt last very long. A computer-generated image showing the site including the addition being built in 2024 at the Town Hall Theater in Middlebury. You want to lose a little sleep? Plans for the Town Hall Theaters expansion took off when the organization hired Lisa Mitchell in 2020 to become executive director, taking some of the pressure off of Anderson to do it all. Soon after she arrived, Mitchell took a deep look at the theaters list of events. I did sort of go through a typical calendar year, Mitchell said, and noticed that about 30 percent of the time we were closed for rehearsal. Anderson noted that when the Opera Company of Middlebury, which he helped establish 20 years ago, holds rehearsals at the Town Hall Theater it shuts the theater down for performances for three weeks. Town Hall Theater officials drew up plans for the expansion to the current 8,000-square-foot facility. Fundraising and design work began in 2021. Construction adjacent to the theater began last December without the organization having raised all the necessary money. You want to lose a little sleep? Anderson said of the stress that caused. The Town Hall Theater still hasnt raised all the money, but its close. Anderson said Aug. 22 that the project has accumulated $7.6 million and is within $200,000 of the goal. He said the theater would like to exceed $7.8 million in money raised to pay for improved lighting and other enhancements. Douglas Anderson, artistic director of the Town Hall Theater, discusses architectural plans for an addition at the Middlebury arts center June 17, 2024. Glowing like a beacon Because the theaters main performance space is in such heavy use, Mitchell said the organization rejects 80% of requests asking to use the theater. The addition, according to Anderson, should allow the Town Hall Theater to increase its event bookings by 30%. More than half of the 2025 calendar is already filled, he said. The project will add more than rehearsal space, a scene shop and room for educational programming. An outdoor plaza will host free performances. A new lobby will be more spacious than the current cramped entryway. The rehearsal space can be used for performances in front of small crowds up to 100 people. The project will be transparent, literally, as the addition is highlighted by huge windows. Those will allow residents and visitors to downtown Middlebury to see how much life is going on in what can sometimes be perceived as a quiet college town. The Town Hall Theater, left, and an addition being built onto the Middlebury arts center, shown June 17, 2024. This (old) building is lovely and we love it to death, but its a brick fortress, Anderson said of the theater. He said the rehearsals, classes and performances visible from outside the addition will have the opposite effect of a fortress. It will kind of glow like a beacon, Anderson said. 'A town needs a big room' The increase in performances will bring a bump in revenue for the theater, which Mitchell said has typically had annual budgets in the $800.000-$1 million range. More performances in more spaces will require more personnel; Mitchell said the Town Hall Theater will likely see its current staff of nine full- and part-time employees expand between 12 and 15. An increase in revenue for the Town Hall Theater should lead to an increase in revenue for the region. Mitchell said studies have shown the theater that has welcomed half a million patrons since 2008 will inject about $1.4 million annually into Middlebury and Addison County following the expansion. Though the theater attracts patrons from all over 129 Vermont towns, a dozen states and several countries, according to Mitchell its core audience is local. Thats the same audience that has put the Town Hall Theater on track to meet and possibly exceed its fundraising goal for the expansion. It really is a community-based and a community focused thing, according to Anderson. We have strong support, which is really important, Mitchell said. The Town Hall Theater already serves as the home for the Opera Company of Middlebury, the Middlebury Acting Company and The Middlebury Community Players, among other arts organizations. Mitchell said the building is ready to host events from Middlebury College, business leaders and just about any other activity community members can dream up. My pet phrase is, A town needs a big room, Anderson said. We dont want to edit what goes on in this room. September events Activities coming up at the Town Hall Theater include: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, Vermont Public offers a preview screening of the American Masters film Julia Alvarez: A Life Imagined about the award-winning Addison County author. Free; registration required. 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7-Sunday, Sept. 8, the Middlebury Acting Company presents The Cutting Edge , an off-Broadway play-reading series. $15. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, The Moth presents the open-mic event StorySLAM . $15. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, Vermont comic Jason Lorber presents his show Comedy at the Core . $25-$40. 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, Music, Magic and Chocolates is the grand-opening celebration for Adagio Chocolates and a flood-relief fundraiser featuring magic by Christopher McBride and music from Japhy Ryder. $15-$55. www.townhalltheaterorg Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Town Hall Theater in Middlebury VT to 'glow like a beacon' CLAY COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) The Clay County Sheriffs Office announced Thursday that three men were recently arrested on meth related charges. The release stated that these were the results of lengthy narcotics investigations. The release states that the first man arrested was James Shepard, 47, of Centerpoint, Indiana. He was found at a home in Brazil, Indiana, and was taken into custody without incident and taken to the Clay County Jail. He was initially charged with dealing methamphetamines and possession of methamphetamines a level four and level six felony respectively. The release also states that upon the actual arrest deputies and detectives located additional items including meth and paraphernalia that led to a C misdemeanor charge of possession of paraphernalia and another level 5 felony of possession of methamphetamines. Shepard is being held on a $2,500 bond for the initial charges and a $10,000 bond with no 10% for the additional charges. The release also noted the arrest of John F. Crafton Jr., 53, of Brazil, Indiana. Crafton was also found at a Brazil home and arrested and taken to Clay County Jail. The release states that his warrant was for a level four felony of dealing methamphetamine, and a level six felony of possession of methamphetamines. The officers had also applied for a search warrant for the arrest and found additional items that led to a maintaining a common nuisance level six felony charge, possession of methamphetamine level six felony charge, and possession of paraphernalia C misdemeanor charge according to the release. Craftons bond is currently at $2,500 as well for initial charges and another $7,000 bond with 10% for the additional charges. The final arrest was Woodrow W. Hill, 53, of Brazil, Indiana. The release states that Hill was driving near Posey Township when officers conducted a traffic stop. Hill was arrested and charged with a level four felony of dealing methamphetamine and a level six felony of possession of methamphetamines. Hill is being held on a $25,000 bond with 10%. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com. UPDATED with new plea: One of four suspects charged in connection with the shooting death of former General Hospital actor Johnny Wactor pleaded guilty today on charges of attempted robbery and grand theft. Leonel Gutierrez, 18, made an open plea to the court, meaning his guilty plea was made without any agreement with prosecutors about his sentence. More from Deadline The three other suspects in the case have pleaded not guilty. Robert Isaiah Barceleau, Sergio Estrada, 18; and Frank Olano, 23, are due back in court Oct. 16, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for them to stand trial. As the alleged gunman in the killing, Barceleau was being held without bail, while Estradas bail was set at just over $2 million, and Olanos at just over $1 million. Gutierrez was released on bond after his bail was lowered to $120,000. A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge will determine Gutierrezs sentence at a hearing set for Nov. 1 at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse. Gutierrez is facing a maximum of four years and eight months in state prison. He remains free on bond while awaiting sentencing. PREVIOUSLY on August 29: Three suspects, including two facing murder charges, have pleaded not guilty in the May shooting death of General Hospital actor Johnny Wactor. The three were arraigned Thursday morning before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Susan De Witt in downtown L.A. Not guilty pleas were entered on behalf of the alleged gunman, 18-year-old Robert Isaiah Barceleau of Huntington Park, who is charged with murder and the special-circumstance allegation of murder during the commission of an attempted robbery. Hes facing a potential sentence of life in prison without parole if convicted. RELATED: General Hospital Family React & Pay Tribute To Johnny Wactor Also pleading not guilty were Sergio Estrada,18, who was also charged with murder, but is not charged with the special circumstance allegation. He was also charged with attempted robbery and grand theft, both while armed with a firearm. Additionally, 22-year-old Frank Olano, 22, of Inglewood, pleaded not guilty to being an accessory after the fact to the killing, along with receiving stolen property and three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. A fourth suspect, 18-year-old Leonel Gutierrez, who is charged with attempted robbery and grand theft by embezzlement, both with gun allegations, indicated through his attorney that he would plead guilty. He is free after posting $120,00 bond. RELATED: Johnny Wactors General Hospital TV Wife Sofia Mattsson Remembers Co-Star: My Heart Is So Utterly Broken De Witt set a preliminary setting hearing date of Oct. 16 for Barceleau, Estrada and Olano. Gutierrez was expected to enter his guilty plea on Sept. 11. Wactor, 37, was killed in the early-morning hours of May 25 in downtown Los Angeles. Walking to his car with a co-worker after a bartending shift, he was shot after confronting three robbers attempting to steal the cars catalytic converter. RELATED: Dozens March In Downtown Los Angeles To Demand Justice For Actor Johnny Wactor His death sparked an outpouring of reaction from the community, with dozens attending a rally in June demanding justice. L.A. District Attorney chief deputy Joseph Iniguez told the crowd at the time that the major crimes division was working with Central Bureau homicide detectives on the case, saying, We have a number of leads. Wactor played Brando Corbin in 164 episodes of General Hospital during the years 2020-22. The long-running ABC daytime drama paid tribute to him in a mid-June episode. City News Service contributed to this report. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Paul Peavey, 57, was found dead in Colorado on Aug. 24. Police say many of the puppies he bred are unaccounted for Elite European Dobermans Paul Peavey. Investigators believe finding a set of missing Doberman puppies could help solve the murder of a Colorado dog breeder. Paul Peavey, 57, was reported missing on Aug. 21, two days after he had last been heard from, according to the Clear Creek County Sheriffs Office's Facebook. A private search party found his body, just before noon on Saturday, Aug. 24. The coroners office is conducting an autopsy to determine his cause and manner of death, per police, who are investigating the suspicious case as a homicide, per another of the Sheriff's Facebook post. Police say that many puppies are unaccounted for, possibly as many as 10 from the breeders Elite European Dobermans facility near Idaho Springs, Co.," and that locating the lost pups which have become an integral part of their ongoing investigation may also help solve his homicide. Elite European Dobermans A litter of Paul Peavey's European Dobermans 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. The sheriffs office, along with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the 5th Judicial District Attorneys Office has not yet determined a motive for the suspected killing the details of which have not been publicly released and the investigation remains in its very early stages, according to law enforcement. Although no one has been apprehended in connection to the killing, police say the public is not in imminent danger. Peavey bred no more than two litters of European Dobermans each year, per his company's website. Each puppy was microchipped, according to law enforcement. Investigators believe the missing pups may have been sold through social media sites or by other means since Aug. 20. Elite European Dobermans Paul Peavey In a Facebook post earlier this week, the sheriffs office appealed to the public for help in the case, urging anyone who purchased a Doberman puppy in the central Colorado area within the last week to check the puppy for a microchip and contact the sheriffs office. Additionally, law enforcement asks anyone who bought a puppy through Peaveys Elite European Dobermans since June to contact the sheriffs office whether you received the puppy that was purchased or if you did not receive the puppy in an effort to determine the exact number of missing dogs. On his website, Peavey the proud owner of an American Doberman and mutt rescues described himself as a dog lover from the age of 10 who had been committed to training dogs at a young age. In addition to breeding, he walked local rescue dogs and organized visits with his dogs to senior homes and senior rehabilitation centers. Noting the toll his death was taking on the community, the sheriffs office advised on Facebook this week that on Aug. 29 counselors from the Jefferson Center for Mental Health Mountain Services Team were available to community members who have been impacted by the death of Paul Peavey. If you have recently purchased a Doberman puppy in the central Colorado area or from Elite European Dobermans, contact the Clear Creek County Sheriffs Office at 303-679-2393 or admin@clearcreeksheriff.us. If you have other information regarding the case, call the sheriffs office or email crime_tips@clearcreeksheriff.us, or submit a tip anonymously at https://bit.ly/CCSOCrimeTips. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) Police say a 17-year-old girl left voluntarily from Muskegon Community College on Wednesday and is safe. Muskegon police said they had spoken with her and she was OK. She left on her own accord and by all indications she is safe, police wrote in a statement. The college told News 8 that she was reported missing Wednesday morning after she was last seen driving into Muskegon Community Colleges northern parking lot. Thank you to everyone who shared the missing person flyer on social media, the college said after the teen was located. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) As the summer season comes to a close, Myrtle Beach International Airport is expecting another busy holiday weekend with Labor Day coming up. This year, the airport is expected to have roughly 36,000 scheduled departing seats, an 18% increase from last years Labor Day weekend. Airport spokesman Ryan Betcher said that MYR typically has around that number for the month of August and is pleased to see it go up a bit from 2023. What we always kind of say is Memorial Day weekend is the official, kind of, kickoff for the busy summer season here at MYR, he said. Labor Day is essentially one of our last, like, really strong, busy weekends for the summer. Betcher also said as kids go back to school and summer family travel dies down, he anticipates the flights will die down as well after this weekend. He said historically, for the month of September, flights for many airlines see low trend. Betcher said with tourists leaving, locals in the area may be able to snag a deal. He said as Myrtle Beach heads into the fall and winter season, locals can use that to their advantage. Betcher said end of summer scheduling with still be offering competitive airfares flights with deals as the airport wont be as busy. All of our other carriers like Spirit, Allegiant, Breeze that may have otherwise pulled back a little earlier, theyre going to, kind of, continue a lot of those flight offerings, he said. So, really, its a majority of the flight offerings that we have during the summer are going to continue through September and even into October or November. So, it really depends on the airline. It depends on what flight it is. Overall, Betcher said the summer season has been relatively full, which he said is especially good as more people move to the beach. He said that makes a healthy environment for the airport, its staff and its passengers. * * * Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Indiana law enforcement said last week they received a disturbing call from a white woman admitting to unleashing her violent Karen tantrum on her neighbor. However, the condition of victim made matters even more concerning. Officers with the New Castle Police Department said they responded to a home on Stonegate Drive the evening of Aug. 20. The report mentioned a woman hitting someone with a bat, police said. Dispatchers clarified the report came in from 49-year-old Angela Canaday who admitted she hit another woman with the bat, per CBS 4 Indy. The woman in question was Canadays pregnant neighbor. Police said the victim told them she was standing outside her home, yelling for her friends child when Canaday - seemingly at random - stepped outside her home in a tirade. The woman said Canaday began yelling at her and calling her a racial slur. In response, the woman told the police she began to approach Canaday and advised her to watch her language because of the group of children outside. Canaday then went back into her house and emerged with a black wooden back and things went wayyy down hill, according to police. Read what happened next from FOX 59 News: [Canaday] said go on you n lovin f b-., the documents allege. [Canaday] lunged towards [the woman] in an aggressive manner with the bat raised in her right hand, swinging it at [the woman] while [she] was holding her baby. The bat struck the pregnant woman, the documents said. Canaday then reportedly told the woman that she would kill her, calling her a f b- once again. The documents said that this caused the woman to be fearful [for] her life. Canaday was charged with battery resulting in bodily injury to a pregnant woman and intimidation, both felonies. Its unclear if she will face enhanced hate crime charges for her use of a racial slur. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Zebras, wildebeest and impala are among animals being killed for meat - Franz Aberham/Getty Namibia is planning to kill more than 700 big game animals, including elephants, zebras and hippos, to feed people affected by the countrys worst drought in a century. Professional hunters will cull animals in national parks where there are sustainable game numbers, the countrys ministry of environment, forestry and tourism said. The list of animals to be killed includes 83 elephants, 30 hippos, 60 buffalo, 50 impalas, 100 blue wildebeest and 300 zebras. The ministry said the cull would focus on parks where they believed animal numbers exceed available grazing and water. A farmer in Zimbabwe where the maize harvest has failed - Shaun Jusa/Xinhua/Alamy Farmers across southern Africa from Zambia to Mozambique suffered the worst dry spell in more than a century during the middle of their growing season earlier this year. The drought led to the death of livestock and produced a three million-ton shortfall of maize, a staple food in the region. The United Nations World Food Programme is currently seeking 290,000 tons of maize from as far afield as Mexico and Ukraine, the organisations biggest drought response yet in southern Africa. Namibia declared a state of emergency in May as the impact of the drought worsened. An estimated 1.4 million people, around half the population, were expected to face high levels of acute food insecurity. The ministry said the cull was already underway, and hunters had killed more than 150 animals, providing more than 125,000lb (57,000kg) of meat. Hunters have already started culling animals for meat - Barry Lewis/Corbis via Getty This exercise is necessary and in line with our constitutional mandate, where our natural resources are used for the benefit of Namibian citizens, the ministry said. This is also a prime example that conservation of game is really beneficial. We are happy that we can assist the country in this very difficult time and when it is absolutely needed. Namibia decided last year that it needed to cull elephant numbers because the animals are increasingly in conflict with people for space and resources in rural areas. Such conflicts can increase during droughts when animals searching for food and water come into contact with humans. Climate scientists said this years drought was driven by one of the strongest recorded El Nino weather patterns. The natural phenomenon is caused by fluctuating surface water temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Relief may be on the way for the region, however. The Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum said this week there was an increased probability of normal, or above normal, rainfall from October to March in Botswana, central Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Naples Police arrested Mayor Teresa Heitmann late Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, saying she was driving drunk with a minor in the car. Photo provided by Teresa Heitmann Editor's note: A previous version of this story misstated details about the arrest based on the charges filed. The headlines have also been corrected. Months after she won her second term, Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann faces criminal charges after authorities say she was driving under the influence. According to Collier County Jail records, Heitmann, 61, was arrested about 10:45 p.m. Wednesday. She faces one count of DUI with a blood alcohol of 0.15 or higher. In Florida, the legal limit is 0.08. Months after she won her second term, Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann faces criminal charges after authorities say she was driving under the influence on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. Animal cruelty arrest: Golden Gate Estates couple arrested after severely emaciated horse found roving streets According to Naples police, shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday, Naples police officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of 16th Avenue South after they received a call for service from the resident. Police said the reporter advised officers that he and his wife were followed from the intersection of 12th Avenue South and 3rd Street South to their residence by a female, unknown to them, driving a silver vehicle. When they arrived at their residence, the unknown female, later identified as Heitmann, stopped her vehicle on the grass in front of their home. After a brief verbal exchange with Heitmann parked in their front yard, police said, the reporter contacted Naples police and reported Heitmann's actions to dispatchers, saying that Heitmann was claiming to be the mayor and appeared intoxicated. Officers arrived on scene and observed Heitmann leaning on her vehicle and promptly identified her as the Naples mayor. During the call for service, police said, officers believed Heitmann may have been intoxicated and observed her in physical control of her vehicle. At the request of investigating officers, police said, Heitmann agreed to complete field sobriety exercises. Following the completion of the investigation, police said, officers found probable cause to arrest Heitmann for driving under the influence of an intoxicating substance. Heitmann was taken to the Naples Jail Center, where she agreed to participate in a breath test to determine her blood alcohol content, police said. Heitmann completed two breath samples, which resulted in a blood alcohol content of 0.155 and 0.169. Monique Barnhart-Tiberio, spokesperson for the city, said Naples police were working on a joint statement with the city Thursday morning. She declined further comment. A phone call to a number registered to Heitmann indicated the mailbox was full and could not accept further messages. The Daily News left a voicemail at a second number associated with her. Her arraignment is set for Sept. 18. She is the second Collier County elected official arrested on drunken driving charges this year. In March, a machine recount confirmed incumbent Heitmann's election victory over challenger Gary Price. Heitmann eked out a victory over Price, a former city council member, by just 22 of the more than 8,500 votes cast in the mayoral race. She won 38.17% of the vote in total, a 0.26% margin over Price. Heitmann, a former account executive for cosmetics firms Revlon Co. and then Lancome, in Jacksonville, entered politics in 2008. Other Collier County elected officials faced charges this year Heitmann is the second Collier County elected official to face a driving under the influence charge this year. Marco Island City Councilman Erik Brechnitz was arrested and charged after police found him asleep in his running car in his condo parking space. Brechnitz said he had been listening to music and fell asleep. He agreed to a breathalyzer, which registered a blood alcohol level of 0.036 about three hours later. In another case involving a public official, Collier County Commission Rick LoCastro was arrested and charged with battery due to an alleged altercation with a woman last year. The charges were dropped and the case closed in March. 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 and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann arrested for DUI, BAC of .15 New Narcan vending machine in Bastrop hopes to help curb opioid overdoses AUSTIN (KXAN) Local groups say the opioid epidemic in Texas is problematic. In the past week alone, the Williamson County Sheriffs Office said it has investigated two deaths related to opioid overdoses. In Bastrop, there were nine calls in 2023 to the local poison control center. We are experiencing an overdose crisis In Texas, we are experiencing an overdose crisis, Texas Harm Reduction Alliance Executive Director Maggie Luna said. A former drug user herself, she now advocates for the use of harm reduction techniques across our area and the state. University of Texas Houston also wants to help battle the problem in places like Bastrop and elsewhere. It has placed a naloxone (better known as Narcan) vending machine at Bastrop County Cares, located at 806 Water Street. The vending machine is free and available to the public. Travis County looking for legislative changes after startling overdose data released UT Houston said being aware of the dangers of overdoses, and making Narcan readily available to everyone is just one way to help combat the problem. VOCAL Texas, a statewide grassroots organization aimed at helping curb the use of drugs, especially for low-income individuals, reports 13 Texans die daily from preventable overdoses. 13 Texans die a day from overdoses The group said drug overdose deaths increased by more than 75% in the past five years. In 2023, there were an estimated 5,566 drug-related deaths in Texas. Of those, 45% of them involved fentanyl, the Texas Tribune reported. People are buying Xanax, or percocets, or anything off the street, and theyre being pressed with fentanyl, Brandie Harris said. Shes a community health liaison for UT Houston focused on Bastrop. VOCAL Texas is calling on Governor Greg Abbott to do more. Ahead of Opioid Awareness Day on Saturday, leaders from VOCAL Texas and other organizations held a rally Thursday afternoon outside the governors mansion to address the growing need for awareness. Its just like having an EpiPen Narcan has been proven an easy way to give someone immediate help while they wait for medical attention. Part of the problem can be having easy access to it. Thats where the vending machines come in. Its just like having an EpiPen, Harris said. You have an allergic reaction, of course you want to have your EpiPen ready because you dont know what your adverse side effects are going to be. Austin memo outlines next step for citys NARCAN distribution, training efforts The long-term goal of all the groups involved is to have Narcan available for when you least expect it, whether or not youre a drug user. Keeping it on you at all times. It can stand high heat temperatures so it doesnt harm it, Harris explained. Its a problem in Texas these groups hope to stop and now. These senseless deaths are happening to people who dont know fentanyl is in what theyre taking, Luna said. Narcan only takes seconds to work. Health experts say if someone is given Narcan, but is not having an opiate overdose it will not harm them. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. NASA record holder can relate to astronauts stuck in space. He was, too FILE - In this photo released by Roscosmos State Corporation, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio sits in a chair shortly after the landing of the Russian Soyuz MS-23 space capsule about 150 km (90 miles) south-east of the Kazakh town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, Sept. 27, 2023. (Ivan Timoshenko/Roscosmos Space Corporation via AP, File) NASAs record-holding astronaut is urging his two stuck-in-space colleagues to stay positive and keep up the good work. Frank Rubio knows firsthand about unexpectedly long spaceflights. His own visit to the International Space Station lasted just over a year, twice as long as planned. So for the past two weeks, he's been helping out with his friends' extended stay. He said he spoke with Suni Williams on Thursday and expressed pride in how she and Butch Wilmore have coped with their situation. Williams and Wilmore should have returned to Earth on Boeings troubled Starliner capsule back in June, a week after blasting off on its first test flight with a crew. After extensive tests and analysis of thruster problems and helium leaks, NASA decided last weekend it would be safer for SpaceX to fly them home, but that wont happen until February, more than eight months after they blasted off. Theyre doing great work, really maintaining a positive attitude up there, setting a great example and knocking out a whole lot of extra work on the space station, Rubio told The Associated Press from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. While remaining in space until next year is not the optimal outcome, Rubio said, "they've done a fantastic job of dealing with adversity. Their families, like his own, also have had to make sacrifices because of the switch in plans. But thats part of our job is just to adapt and overcome and make the best of the situation," he said, "and theyve done just that, so super proud of them. Williams and Wilmore haven't spoken publicly about the Starliner dilemma since their lone orbital news conference last month, well before the decision to bump them to SpaceX and bring Boeing's capsule back empty in early September. Rubio's own mission was extended after his Russian Soyuz capsule was hit by space junk and leaked all its coolant. A new Soyuz had to be rushed up for him and his two Russian crewmates, and they rode it back to Earth last September. Rubio holds the U.S. record for the longest single spaceflight with his 371-day mission. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Montana 2024 Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy. (Courtesy Tim Sheehy campaign) U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy recently said he parachuted into Glacier National Park as part of his military training in Montana an activity a national park spokesperson said is not permitted. Sheehy, a Republican and a former U.S. Navy SEAL, made the comment at a campaign event last month, according to a video posted on Facebook and shared multiple times. He used the story to tell the group about how he grew up in Minnesota, but got to know the Treasure State. Sheehy did not respond to questions sent this week to two campaign staff members asking for details about the claim. However, a Glacier National Park official said parachuting, hang gliding and base jumping are not allowed in the park. A public information spokesperson said the park does not grant special permission for the U.S. military, and if the activity is taking place, it is illegal. There is no way to get permission, the spokesperson said. Sheehy is a decorated veteran. His awards include a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and other commendations. He was commissioned into the military in 2008 and was on active duty until September 2014, according to records from the U.S. Navy. He was in the reserves until 2019. The businessman based in Bozeman is campaigning to unseat incumbent Democrat and U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a farmer seeking his fourth term in office. Tester is the only Democrat elected to statewide office in Montana. Republicans have put a target on his back, and Democrats are pouring money into the race to keep him in office. Political control of the U.S. Senate could hinge on the outcome of the race in Montana. The Daily Montanan requested information from, the U.S. Navy about any parachute training it conducted in Glacier National Park. A Naval Special Warfare spokesperson said it trains in Montana but did not have any record of parachute training in the park. In the video of Sheehys recent campaign stop, he talked about first coming to Montana after growing up in Minnesota and entering the military. He said he trained in the Limestone Hills. Fort Harrison provides military training facilities at different sites in Montana including the Limestone Hills southeast of Helena. All branches of the military have access to the facilities overseen by the Montana National Guard. Master Sgt. Michael Touchette said he is not aware of any arrangements with Glacier. However, he said the Guard does not have much visibility on the training Special Forces soldiers undertake. Theyll travel 20 miles through the mountains in the winter in the middle of the snow, Touchette said. A Naval Special Warfare spokesperson said its Special Forces conduct cold weather training in many states, including Montana. He said the following in response to the Daily Montanans questions about any parachute training in Glacier National Park or in any other parks: Naval Special Warfare utilizes many states across the country, including Montana, to conduct cold-weather research and development, said the spokesperson. Several years ago, we had service members attend a non-DOD (Department of Defense) hosted conference on the topic of emergency medicine at Glacier National Park. Sheehy earlier said he lied about a different Glacier National Park incident, according to reporting this spring from The Washington Post. In 2015, Sheehy received a citation for illegally discharging a weapon in the park, and he paid a $525 fine for it, according to records from The Washington Post; the Daily Montanan cited the Posts reporting in an earlier story. However, Sheehy told The Post he had lied about the illegal discharge. He said he fell while on a hike; feared the injury had dislodged an old, unreported bullet in his arm; and manufactured the story about the illegal discharge to dissuade any investigation into whether he had been shot by friendly fire while on duty overseas. Sheehy did not release medical records from the incident. Sheehy and Tester are running a close race. It is listed as a toss-up by the Cook Political Report. Tester, however, has far outraised Sheehy. In the most recent reporting period, Tester pulled in $6.4 million, and Sheehy raised $3.1 million, including a $400,000 loan he gave his campaign. BEIJING In the latest sign that rival superpowers China and the United States are working to stabilize ties, national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday and held rare talks with a top Chinese military official. It comes a day after the White House said that President Joe Biden would speak by phone with Xi in the coming weeks. Sullivans trip to China, his first in the role, comes at a time of rising tensions between China and U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific, where Washington has criticized growing Chinese pressure on Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy claimed by Beijing, and Chinese military actions in the South China Sea, a strategically important waterway that Beijing claims virtually in its entirety. The White House said Sullivans meeting with Xi were part of efforts to responsibly manage the U.S.-China relationship. Both sides welcomed ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication, including planning for a call between President Biden and President Xi in the coming weeks, it said in a readout. The meetings Sullivan had in Beijing, as well as the impending phone call between Biden and Xi, suggest the two countries could be building toward another summit between their leaders before the end of Bidens term. At a news conference Thursday, Sullivan said that while he had no announcements to make, both Biden and Xi were likely to be at summits later this year of Asia-Pacific leaders and the Group of 20 nations, and that if they are, it would only be natural for them to have the chance to sit down with one another. The U.S. and China have also been seeking to improve communication between their militaries to minimize the risk of conflict in the region. Sullivan took a major step in that direction on Thursday when he met with Gen. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of Chinas Central Military Commission, in the highest-level public engagement the Biden administration has had with the Chinese military. It was the first time a U.S. official had met with a commission vice chair since Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in 2018. In his meeting with Zhang, Sullivan stressed that both countries have a responsibility to prevent competition from veering into conflict or confrontation, the White House said in a readout. The White House said Sullivan raised the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the U.S. commitment to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, as well as concerns about Chinese support for Russias defense industrial base as it wages war against Ukraine. Zhang said that maintaining stability in U.S.-China military and security matters was in both parties interest and is also what the international community expects. But he emphasized that the status of Taiwan was at the core of Chinas core interests, and said the U.S. should stop arming Taiwan. Taiwan independence and peace in the Taiwan Strait are like fire and water they cannot coexist, Zhang said, according to a readout from the Chinese Defense Ministry. Both sides said there are also plans for a call between their respective military theater commanders. Xi agreed to resume military-to-military communications last year after he cut them off in 2022 in response to a visit to Taiwan by Rep. Nancy Pelosi,D-Calif., the U.S. House speaker at the time. Sullivan, left, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, before talks in Beijing on Tuesday. Sullivan arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for two days of talks with Wang Yi, Chinas foreign minister and top diplomat. Starting last year, the two men held a series of backchannel talks in an attempt to stabilize relations that had reached their lowest point in decades after the appearance of a Chinese spy balloon over the continental United States in early 2023. They met in Vienna in May 2023, Malta in September and Bangkok in January, and Wang also visited Washington in October to meet with Biden. But this was Sullivans first trip to China as national security adviser and the first by a national security adviser since Susan Rice near the end of the Obama administration in 2016. The White House said Sullivan and Wang held candid, substantive and constructive talks in Beijing on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues. They also discussed next steps for implementing agreements that Biden and Xi reached at a summit they held in California last year, including on counternarcotics, military-to-military communications and artificial intelligence safety and risk. But both sides held firm on some of the most sensitive issues between them, which for China include Taiwan, its territorial claims in the South China Sea and U.S. tech and trade restrictions it sees as designed to suppressed Chinas development. From Chinas point of view, this meeting cannot solve Chinas concerns, said Wu Xinbo, director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai. On the U.S. side, he said, it is impossible for them to force China to stop the development of bilateral economic and trade relations with Russia and change its basic position on the Russia-Ukraine conflicts. Biden and Xi have spoken only once by phone since their November meeting, in a call in April that lasted almost two hours. With direct contact so rare, the two leaders have few opportunities left to interact one-on-one before Biden leaves the White House early next year. Part of the purpose of Sullivans visit is to keep U.S.-China relations stable in the final months of the Biden administration, said Li Cheng, founding director of the Centre on Contemporary China and the World at the University of Hong Kong. Theyre not interested in changing direction, but want to find a floor to prevent U.S.-China relations from continuing to fall apart, said Li, who previously spent 17 years at the Washington-based Brookings Institution. The best possible outcome of the trip, Li said, would be if it paves the way for another Biden-Xi summit. The two main opportunities would be at this years Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Meeting in Peru or summit of Group of 20 nations in Brazil, both of which will take place after the U.S. election on Nov. 5. Both sides would have something to gain from a Biden-Xi summit, said Wen-Ti Sung, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council who is based in Taipei. For Biden, its an opportunity to leave a positive-looking legacy for the most important bilateral relationship in the world, he said. China might be able to invoke that summit if Bidens successor tries to adopt a tougher line. Beijing then will have ammunition to say, U.S. side is rocking the boat, Sung said. Janis Mackey Frayer reported from Beijing, and Jennifer Jett and Larissa Gao reported from Hong Kong. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Despite suspending his presidential campaign, third-party candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will remain on North Carolinas ballot in November, the State Board of Elections decided on Thursday. The boards Democratic majority agreed that it would be impractical to remove Kennedys name now, given that over half of the states counties have begun printing absentee ballots, the first of which will be sent out on Sept. 6. Given the fact that we have a short deadline to turn these around, the amount of ballots thats been printed, the cost that local counties would incur to reprint the ballots with all those things in mind I move that he remain on the ballot, board member Jeff Carmon, a Democrat, said. The two Republicans on the board disagreed, saying they believed the board had the authority to delay the statutory deadline for absentee ballots being sent out. After spending months fighting to achieve ballot access and even defending his candidacy in court, Kennedys newly certified We The People party asked the state board to withdraw Kennedys name from the ballot on Wednesday. The request came a week after Kennedy announced he was suspending his campaign and endorsing Republican former President Donald Trumps campaign instead. During his announcement, Kennedy said he would remain on the ballot in noncompetitive states, but would seek to withdraw his candidacy in major battleground states. Citing internal polls, Kennedy said he wanted to be removed from those ballots because his candidacy would help Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and harm Trump. Republican board member Kevin Lewis suggested the board should have directed counties to stop producing ballots after Kennedy dropped out even though his party had not yet requested that his name be removed from the ballot. I think it would probably have been prudent when this issue first was reported, to maybe say, lets go on a holding pattern until we had this board meeting, rather than ordering full steam ahead, he said. Nevertheless, I think that weve got the time and the means to remove these candidates from the ballot if we exercise our discretion to do so. The boards executive director, Karen Brinson Bell, said the state would not have been able to meet its Sept. 6 deadline if it had paused ballot production. In addition, the cost of reprinting ballots would be in the high six-figure range and would be borne by the counties that have already printed ballots, she said. It would also take the printing vendor an estimated 12 to 13 days to make the changes, likely forcing the state to reduce its absentee voting period. The board, which has a 3-2 Democratic majority, initially refused to certify We the People in June in a party-line vote. Board members faced a wave of criticism from Republicans and independents for that decision, with critics accusing them of blocking third-party candidates who may have taken votes away from the Democratic nominee. The board later reversed its decision and certified We the People, clearing the way for Kennedy to run as a third-party candidate. The North Carolina Democratic Party then sued, asking a judge to nullify Kennedys candidacy. The judge denied that request, allowing Kennedy to remain on the ballot. One of the groups that opposed Kennedys candidacy said the campaigns decision to request a withdrawal proves it was a sham political party from the beginning that was not actually interested in challenging the two-party system. Now that Mr. Kennedy has endorsed one of the two major party nominees, WTPs disdain for the duopoly has suddenly and coincidentally faded away, the group, Clear Choice Action, wrote in a letter to the state board on Thursday. Board member Siobhan Millen, a Democrat, agreed. I think this whole episode has been a farce, and I feel bad for anyone whos been deceived, she said. Under the Dome Get the latest news about North Carolina politics from The News & Observer's award-winning team. Get the free digest sent to your inbox by signing up here. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has joined the search party for Madalina Cojocari, the Cornelius girl who mysteriously disappeared two years ago. Cooper is offering $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the 11-year-old girls 2022 Thanksgiving disappearance. Two arrests, hours of questioning, and a confidential informant have failed to lead local police and the FBI to the girl. Her parents conflicting statements havent helped, either. Madalina was last seen getting off her school bus on Nov. 21, 2022. Her mother and stepfather Diana Cojocari, 39, and Christopher Palmiter, 61 didnt report her missing until school officials confronted them on Dec. 15, 2022. Surveillance video from 11-year-old Madalina Cojocaris school bus shows she got off at her stop on November 21, 2022, at 4:59 p.m. This is the last time police have independent confirmation of when she was last seen Both parents have said they thought the other knew where Madalina was. What happened to Madalina Cojocari? Cojocari in May pleaded guilty to failing to report a child missing. She had already served 17 months in jail the maximum sentence for the Class I felony and was promptly released. A judge told her that deportation back to Moldova, where she lived before meeting Palmiter on the online dating site GlobalLadies, was likely. Mystery looms over Madalina Cojocaris disappearance as convicted parents end jail time Its unclear if she was deported, but her Facebook page says she lives in Moldova. She has photos of herself on an airplane and recently of yellow flowers. On Madalinas 12th birthday 141 days after her disappearance yellow ribbons and missing persons posters put up by her community led the way to her home. On her porch, more yellow ribbons and a yellow Easter wreath waited for her. The community gathers for a candlelight vigil for Madalina Cojocari, 11, in Cornelius, N.C., on Tuesday night, December 20, 2022. Madalina Cojocari wasnt reported missing until Dec. 15 by her mother and step-father, Diana Cojocari, 35, and Christopher Palmiter, 60, who have both been arrested for failure to report the disappearance of a child to law enforcement. Diana Cojocari has not posted at least not publicly about Madalinas disappearance. Palmiter, who was also charged with failing to report Madalina missing, didnt plead guilty. He opted for a jury trial. In the Mecklenburg County Courthouse in June, his lawyer argued that Cojocari had kept Madalinas absence from him. Christopher Palmiter, the stepfather of missing girl Madalina Cojocari, testified before a jury in Mecklenburg Countys Superior Court Tuesday, May 28, 2024. I think Diana took her somewhere, maybe with her Moldovan family, I dont know, but I think Diana has tucked her away somewhere she wont be found, he said. He said his spouse mainly took care of Madalina, and shed never indicated their daughter was anywhere but under their roof. She even kept Madalinas bedroom light on, he said. She also burned photos of Madalina that once hung around the house, stashing any extras in the attic, he said. The theory isnt far out, his lawyer argued. Cojocari, whose spirituality had grown into paranoia, believed Russian entities were tracking her, waiting for the right time to take her and Madalina. She once asked Palmiter to create a plan to hide Madalina with his family in Michigan. Palmiter tried, he said in court, but Cojocari aborted the plan after she became convinced Palmiters sister-in-law recorded a conversation. But Cojocari said equally concerning things about Palmiter. During a jail call to her mother, she said she thought Palmiter gave Madalina away for money, according to court records. She also told police she didnt talk to Palmiter about Madalinas disappearance because she feared it would start a fight between the two. Cojocari also called people involved in ongoing drug trafficking investigations, police said when asking a judge to grant search warrants for the couples Cornelius home. People associated with narcotics activity are also associated with human smuggling, police wrote. The jury found Palmiter guilty of failing to report Madalina missing. According to North Carolina law, parents and other caregivers must report missing children within 24 hours of their disappearance. The disappearance of a child is defined as when the parent or other person providing supervision of a child does not know the location of the child and has not had contact with the child for a 24-hour period. Palmiter was her caregiver, her stepfather, prosecutors said, an involved one. He would make sure she got home from school safely, play games with her and chase their 15 cats around the house with her. He should have known she was missing, and he should have reported it when he didnt see her, prosecutors argued. A judge sentenced Palmiter who had already served 244 days in jail to 30 months of supervised probation at the end of his trial. The highest sentence would have been 17 months in jail, but Palmiters otherwise clean record kept him from a cell. How to report a tip With both parents found guilty and out of jail, the search for Madalina forges on. Cooper on Thursday asked anyone with information about Madalina to contact the Cornelius Police Department at (704) 892-1363 or the State Bureau of Investigation at (919) 662-4500. Cornelius Police are looking for witnesses in Madison County who might have seen Madalina Cojocaris mother, Diana, or a Toyota Prius. One of the biggest innovations going on in the automobile market right now is autonomous driving. While many car manufacturers have developed some form of self-driving capability, electric vehicle (EV) pioneer Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) seems to fetch the most attention. The company was supposed to showcase the progress of its autonomous driving fleet, dubbed robotaxi, on Aug. 8. However, Tesla CEO Elon Musk canceled the event at the last minute and rescheduled it for Oct. 10. In the midst of all of this hoopla, ridesharing platform Uber Technologies (NYSE: UBER) has taken some shots at robotaxi's viability. Just a couple of days ago, Uber announced a partnership with General Motors -- a rival to Tesla in both electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous driving. Let's take a look at Uber's new partnership and assess what it could mean for Tesla investors. What is Uber doing with General Motors? Uber has a number of relationships with car companies seeking to disrupt the autonomous vehicle market. Most notably, Uber works closely with Waymo -- a subsidiary of Alphabet. In late August, Uber announced that it is also teaming up with a subsidiary of General Motors, called Cruise. Per the press release, Uber plans to begin rolling out rides featuring Cruise's autonomous vehicles next year. This means that users on Uber's app may be presented with an option to be picked up in a driverless Cruise vehicle as opposed to a standard Uber ride featuring a human driver. While this looks exciting on the surface, I question if this is the best move for Uber. Image source: Getty Images. Don't judge a book by its cover Cruise has raised funding from the likes of SoftBank, Microsoft, Honda, and even Walmart. Indeed, that's a pretty impressive roster of investors. However, Cruise has not been without problems for quite some time. Late last year, Cruise had to suspend operations in San Francisco due to safety concerns. This incident led to the company's management voluntarily suspending operations across the nation. Unsurprisingly, Cruise initiated a vehicle recall program and eventually its CEO and founder Kyle Vogt resigned. To be frank, things haven't really turned around for Cruise in 2024 either. During General Motors' second-quarter earnings call, investors learned that Cruise is delaying production of its next-generation vehicle, Origin. As a result, GM recorded an impairment charge of $605 million related to Cruise Origin. On top of all of this, Cruise's operating losses were $458 million during the second quarter and have totaled $900 million through the first six months of the year. Cruise has been far from a moneymaking machine for GM, and I question whether its deal with Uber will lead to much. Story continues Should Tesla be worried? Uber certainly stands to benefit from autonomous vehicles as the company can save costs related to driver commissions. However, I think Tesla has more use cases when it comes to large-scale self-driving car fleets. For example, Uber competes with delivery services such as DoorDash and Instacart. In theory, should Tesla pull off a wide-scale commercialization of robotaxi, the company could form partnerships with various delivery platforms and take on Uber more directly. Another use case for autonomous vehicle fleets could be car rental services. Although both Uber and Tesla could benefit from forming partnerships with car rental companies, I think Tesla has the edge due to its production capabilities. Cruise has yet to prove that it can mass-produce its vehicles, which is a problem when it comes to penetrating new markets. As a Tesla investor I am not worried about the prospects of Uber entering the self-driving car space. I think the addressable market is large enough to have multiple players. Furthermore, given all of the headaches surrounding Cruise over the years, I sort of see its deal with Uber as more of a lifeline than a real opportunity. To me, Uber's partnership with Cruise is an interesting development but I don't necessarily see it as a big threat for Tesla. For all of these reasons, I think Tesla will handily outmaneuver Uber and Cruise and do not think the robotaxi initiative is in jeopardy. Should you invest $1,000 in Uber Technologies right now? Before you buy stock in Uber Technologies, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Uber Technologies wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $786,169!* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of August 26, 2024 Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Adam Spatacco has positions in Alphabet, Microsoft, and Tesla. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, DoorDash, Microsoft, Tesla, Uber Technologies, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors and Instacart and recommends the following options: long January 2025 $25 calls on General Motors, long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft, and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is Tesla's Robotaxi in Jeopardy After Uber's Latest Partnership? was originally published by The Motley Fool Nebraska Supreme Court says no to fast-tracking lawsuit on abortion-rights amendment (Courtesy of Getty Images) LINCOLN The Nebraska Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to fast-track a Douglas County womans lawsuit seeking to remove the abortion-rights amendment from the November ballot. The courts daily minutes said the lawsuit, filed Monday by Carolyn LaGreca, who has helped house and serve women facing unplanned pregnancies in Omaha, did not meet its requirements. The court said the application for a so-called original action was not supported by an affidavit or positively verified application. Application for leave to commence original action denied, the court stated. Lawyer says he has refiled LaGrecas attorney Matthew Heffron, has said she did not have time to wait for the regular process to start at the District Court level because ballots must be finalized by Sept. 13. LaGreca has declined to comment through her attorney. Heffron, who returned the Examiners call on Thursday, said he has now refiled the lawsuit with corrections to address the courts concerns. It was a clerical error, Heffron said. We had attached a verified petition to our application. The Court said we needed to verify the petition and application. Now, he said, the Supreme Court will decide if it wants to take the case. He said earlier this week that the lawsuit was funded by the socially conservative Thomas More Society, based in Chicago. The lawsuit is separate from a formal complaint filed Monday with Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen by a group of local medical professionals about the same ballot initiative. That push could also end up in court if Evnen declines to change his stance that the measure, which seeks to enshrine a right to an abortion in the Nebraska Constitution has qualified for the ballot. The lawsuit and the complaint both argued that the abortion-rights initiative combines more than one subject, which they argue runs counter to a constitutional requirement that it cover only one. Two more Nebraskans sent letters to Evnen this week raising similar complaints, one a former abortion clinic employee, the other a legislative candidate. Supporters of the ballot measure note it has survived scrutiny from Evnen and Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, both of whom oppose abortion. No immediate comment from Protect Our Rights Allie Berry of Protect Our Rights, which organized the abortion-rights ballot initiative, has described the legal maneuvering as a sideshow meant to distract voters. Her group had no immediate comment on the Supreme Courts decision not to take up LaGrecas case. Nebraska voters, unique nationally, could face two competing abortion-related ballot measures at the same time this fall, including the one supported by Protect Our Rights. Another ballot measure seeks to constitutionally limit abortion to the first trimester of pregnancy and keep the door open for the Legislature to pass stricter bans in the future. When Michigan state lawmakers left Lansing in June for their summer recess to hit the campaign trail, they left behind a stack of bills for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to sign into law. Last month, she put her signature on legislation to overhaul election recounts in Michigan, criminalize necrophilia, create a prevailing wage requirement for wind and solar projects in the state and ban gay and trans panic defense in criminal cases, which specifies that someone's sexual orientation or gender identity can't be used as evidence to defend an alleged crime against them. In addition to the slew of policy bills, Whitmer also signed budget bills for the upcoming fiscal year that starts Oct. 1, providing funding for state departments and schools for programs new and old while the other bills Whitmer signed will usher in long-term changes. A new recount law A pair of bills Whitmer signed into law July 8 will bring significant shifts to the process for conducting election recounts in Michigan. But they won't take effect until after the Nov. 5 election. The new recount law will require candidates and ballot committees requesting a recount to request a review of enough votes to change the outcome of the election. It comes after recounts of abortion and voting rights ballot proposals in 2022 did not include enough votes to possibly change the outcome, even though they left taxpayers footing a significant portion of the bill for the review. Members of the state's elections panel that oversaw the recounts blasted them as frivolous at the time. Under the new law, election workers will also be able to recount so-called out-of-balance precincts that don't report an explanation for why the number of ballots recorded as cast in the pollbook does not match the number of ballots tabulated, an outcome election experts attribute to routine clerical recording errors. Michigan law currently includes a broad prohibition on recounting such precincts and it stands out nationally as one of the strictest recount laws on the books. It became a flashpoint in 2020 when the Republican members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers initially refused to certify the election results, citing the number of out of balance precincts in Detroit without an explanation. Democrats holding legislative majorities in the state House and Senate passed the recount bills over unanimous Republican opposition to them. GOP lawmakers blasted them as an effort to remove an avenue to investigate potential election fraud because the new law would require a candidate or ballot committee requesting a recount to allege an error in the results rather than fraud. Michigan criminalizes sex with a corpse Whitmer also signed into law bills criminalizing necrophilia in Michigan. The necrophilia ban is called "Melody's Law," named after Melody Rohrer, a retired nurse who was killed in 2021, according to a summary of the legislation. During the course of the investigation, prosecutors discovered that sexually violating a dead body isn't a crime in Michigan, according to the summary. The new law will make it a 15-year felony to have sex with a corpse and sexual contact a two-year felony. Offenders will be added to Michigan's sex offender registry. The legislation passed unanimously in the state Legislature and the new law takes effect Oct. 6. The 'Homeowner's Energy Policy Act' On a party-line vote, Democrats passed legislation invalidating homeowners' associations from prohibiting members from making wide range energy-saving home improvements. The list of improvements that can't be prohibited is long: a clothesline, air source and ground source heat pumps, insulation and energy-efficient insulation materials, rain barrels, reflective roofing, energy efficient appliances, solar water heaters, electric vehicle supply equipment and energy-efficient windows. The new law will also bar homeowners' associations from prohibiting the installation of solar energy systems. It takes effect 90 days after the state Legislature adjourns for the year. Michigan 2024 Election: Kamala Harris to return to metro Detroit on Labor Day Unequal installments for car payment plans A bill Whitmer signed into law would bring Michigan in line with most states that allow car payment plans for new vehicle purchases to include unequal installments, enabling consumers to pay higher amounts upfront before reducing their payments or vice versa. According to testimony on the bill, Michigan was previously one of eight states that didn't allow unequal car payments. Contact Clara Hendrickson: chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen. Looking for more on Michigans elections this year? Check out our voter guide, subscribe to our elections newsletter and always feel free to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: New Michigan laws: Election recounts, necrophilia ban LISBON, Ohio (WKBN) A Negley man was arrested and charged after police say he was recording women in a locker room at a local gym, including a minor. Shane Wright, 24, was arraigned in Columbiana County Municipal Court Thursday on eight counts of voyeurism, all second-degree misdemeanors; voyeurism trespass to photograph in a state of nudity of minor, a fifth-degree felony; possessing criminal tools, a first-degree misdemeanor; and inducing panic, a first-degree misdemeanor. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and bond was set at $15,000. According to an incident report from St. Clair Township Police, officers were called about 5:40 p.m. Friday to Planet Fitness on State Route 170 after a man was found in the rafters secretly taking pictures and/or videos of women. That man was later identified as Wright. According to the incident report, Wright told police that he gained access to the rafters through the ceiling of the mens locker room and maneuvered to different areas of the building to record the women with his cell phone for sexual gratification. Wright was discovered by victims and witnesses, the report stated. He is due back in court in September. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. On the 10th anniversary of the Battle of Ilovaisk, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has remembered all the fallen Ukrainian defenders in the war with Russia and emphasised that negotiations with them are a deadly dangerous matter. Source: Syrskyi on Facebook Quote: "Ilovaisk is not only a tragic event in Ukraine's history but also a chapter of Ukrainian resilience, an act and a feat of Ukrainian soldiers. Let us remember that despite the losses and the enemy's deceit, our warriors did not surrender but continued to break through the trap and fight. This day will always remind us of the treachery and deceitfulness of the Russian aggressor, of the fact that any negotiations with terrorists and murderers are deadly dangerous and that they cannot be trusted." Details: Syrskyi thanked Ukrainian mothers and fathers "for their children who gave their lives for Ukraine's independence and the freedom of the entire Ukrainian people". "Your children are true heroes. Their sacrifice is not in vain and is eternally etched in the memory of our nation," Syrskyi concluded. Background: The fighters of Ukrainian forces were surrounded near the city of Ilovaisk in Donetsk Oblast after fierce fighting at the end of August 2014. Russian leader Vladimir Putin called on the militants to open a humanitarian corridor for the Ukrainian servicemen who were surrounded, to allow them to leave the combat zone without interference on the night of 28-29 August. However, the Russian military attacked the corridor through which, as agreed, the Ukrainian fighters were supposed to exit. Ukrainian forces suffered some of the heaviest losses since Russia's invasion of Donbas in the Ilovaisk tragedy. Officially, 366 soldiers were killed, around 450 were wounded, 300 were captured and 84 went missing. On 14 August 2017, Ukraines Prosecutor General's Office published the results of the investigation into the events in Ilovaisk in August 2014. According to these findings, the primary culprit for the Ilovaisk tragedy was the Russian military command. On 13 September 2019, Viktor Chumak, the new Chief Military Prosecutor, announced a new investigation into the causes that led to the Ilovaisk tragedy. Following this, Petro Poroshenko, the fifth President of Ukraine, was repeatedly summoned for questioning in the "Ilovaisk case". In 2020, the Prosecutor General's Office asserted that the sole factor causing the deaths of Ukrainian soldiers in Ilovaisk was Russia's direct invasion. Since 2019, the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine is marked annually on 29 August. Support UP or become our patron! Neighbors call for change after man stabbed, hit by car in southeast Las Vegas LAS VEGAS (KLAS) People living in the southeast valley are calling for change after police said a man was stabbed and then hit by a car early Wednesday morning. Several people who spoke with 8 News Now near Nellis Boulevard and Harmon Avenue said they were still rattled by what happened. Its scary, Robert Montgomery said. Its scary. Montgomery, who said he was on his way to work as a crossing guard near the intersection, described what he saw. They had Nellis all closed off, he said. And the body was still laying there about 8:00 this morning. Another woman who lived near where the incident unfolded also walked 8 News Now through her point of view, though she did not want to share her identity. He was stabbed right there, she said, pointing to the crime scene on Lana Drive, near Nellis Boulevard. People living in the southeast valley are calling for change after police said a man was stabbed and then hit by a car early Wednesday morning. (KLAS) In a news conference, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said this all started with an argument around 3:00 a.m. in front of a home. A man involved in that argument was later stabbed, but officers said as he tried to cross Nellis Boulevard, he was hit by a car. They told 8 News Now the driver pulled over, ripped off the vehicles damaged bumper, and left the scene. Now, detectives are trying to piece together more about the victim and the people connected to his death. I think once we start learning the relationship of who he is, LVMPD Lt. Jason Johansson said of the victim. Well be able to identify the other parties involved. However, those living nearby said this isnt the first time problems have come up at the same address. A lot of times they close the street because of the neighbor, a woman living nearby said. A lot of people come and go. She said she hopes to see some changes made to prevent situations like this from happening in the future. I wish they could close that house and not let people come in, she concluded. I dont feel safe. Police said they are still searching for the person connected to the stabbing and the driver involved in the hit-and-run. Officers described the car as an orange Dodge Challenger with a missing front bumper. Anyone with any information should contact LVMPD at 702-828-3111 or Crime Stoppers of NV at 702-385-5555. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. A Spanish chef and YouTuber was sentenced to life in prison Thursday for murdering and dismembering a Colombian man on the island of Ko Pha-ngan in southeast Thailand. Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, the 30-year-old son of a distinguished acting family, confessed to dismembering his victims body and dumping the parts on land and at sea, but said he only ever acted in self-defense against 44-year-old Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, a plastic surgeon. He pleaded guilty to the murder last August but denied that it was premeditated. Famous Actors Son Charged in Surgeons Gruesome Murder A Thai court disagreed, finding him guilty of found guilty of premeditated murder, as well as concealing a corpse and destruction of property. He was also ordered to pay the victims family $125,000 in compensation. Sanchos defense claimed Arrieta died after hitting his head on a bathtub after Sancho resisted an attempt by Arrieta to force him to have sex. Both men were holidaying on Ko Pha-ngan, popular among foreign tourists for its monthly Full Moon beat parties and regular raves, in August 2023. Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that, according to Thai authorities, they met on Instagram and the motive for the murder was a love affair between the two. Daniel wanted to start a new life with his girlfriend, but Dr. Edwin threatened him that, if they broke up, he would share intimate photos, said Surachate Hakparn, the former deputy national police chief of Thailand. (Hakparn, nicknamed Big Joke, was removed from office in April after he was placed under investigation for his alleged involvement in an illegal online gambling operation.) The case initially emerged when, according to The Bangkok Post, waste collectors found a sawed-off pelvis and intestines weighing 11 pounds inside a fertilizer sack at a garbage dump on Aug. 3, 2023. A day later, investigators found two legs, a black T-shirt, shorts, and red boxers in a black trash bag at the same landfill. DNA tests later confirmed the remains belonged to Arrieta. Police said the two men, having met in person on previous travels, arranged to meet up in Ko Pha-ngan. Sancho initially told police Arrieta disappeared late at night on the evening before the first remains were found. The Bangkok Post reported that police who inspected his hotel room found bloodstains, tissue, fat, and hair in the rooms drain. Thai investigators said forensic evidence at the scene did confirm that Sancho and Arrieta fought in the hotel room and that Arrieta hit his head on the sink. But an autopsy determined Arrieta was killed when his throat was slit. Sanchos father, Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre, is a television star in Spain, and his mother, Silvia Bronchalo, is also an actress. His grandfather, Sancho Gracia, was an actor who worked in Hollywood for a time, appeared on Australian television, and co-starred in the Oscar-nominated 2002 Mexican-Spanish film The Crime of Padre Amaro. 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. Nevada voters like the idea of killing taxes on tips, poll finds and other states agree LAS VEGAS (KLAS) An overwhelming 71.4% of Nevada voters polled recently favor eliminating taxes on tips. The idea has gained widespread support among Nevadans and other states, too since former President Donald Trump put it out there at a June rally at Sunset Park during a Las Vegas campaign rally. The Culinary Union immediately labeled it a political stunt, but it has grown beyond that now. The union and Democrats have supported all or part of the idea. The poll asked: Tips received by employees are considered federally taxable income. Do you think taxes on tips should be eliminated, or should tips remain taxable? Heres how Nevadans responded: 71.4% Taxes on tips should be eliminated 16.5% Tips should remain taxable 12.0% Unsure or no opinion The question was included in the latest Emerson College Polling/The Hill/8 News Now poll, which was conducted Aug. 26-28. The poll surveyed 1,168 Nevadans who said they are very likely to vote in the November election. The poll has a credibility interval similar to a margin of error of 2.8% in Nevada. SEPARATE STORIES: The poll also asked voters about the battle between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, along with the races for U.S. Senate and Congress. Seven swing states were surveyed in the poll, providing a further look at the issues popularity in other parts of the country. In Arizona , 73.9% of voters said taxes on tips should be eliminated, 14.2% said they should remain taxable and 11.9% were unsure or had no opinion. In Georgia : 73.5% said eliminate them, 11.6% said they should remain taxable and 14.9% were unsure. In Michigan : 64.9% said eliminate the tax, 17.0% said keep it and 18.2% were unsure. North Carolina : 70.2% said eliminate it, 17.7% said keep it and 12.1% were unsure Pennsylvania : 68.4% eliminate, 16.5% keep it and 15.0% unsure Wisconsin: 65.6% said eliminate the tax, 19.5% said keep it and 15.0% were unsure. In Nevadas poll, Democrats were less likely to support killing the tax and independents favored it more than Republicans or Democrats. Trump supporters favored the idea more than Harris supporters. Several people who participated in the poll said they had never heard of at least one of the candidates, but they favored eliminating the tax on tips. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. We will never get over this. Two plead guilty in grisly murder of Miramar teen The 18-year-old high school student was ambushed in a stairwell at the Miramar apartment complex where he lived, lured there by classmates with the promise of a sexual encounter. He was beaten in the face, a sword plunged into his chest. His body was dragged down a flight of stairs, pitched over a railing and hidden in bushes at the complex. Then, for two days, his anxious family searched for him. On Thursday, two of the three teenagers accused of the crime were sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of second-degree murder, evidence tampering and conspiracy to commit murder. In 20 days, he would have been 21, said Madgelyn Emile, whose son, Dwight D.J. Grant, was brutally murdered on Oct. 17, 2021. Three of his schoolmates were charged in his death: Christie Parisien, 20, of Miramar; Jaslyn Smith, 19, of Miramar; and Andre Clements, 20, of Pembroke Pines. Even as minors charged as adults, all three faced the possibility of a life sentence if convicted at trial. The plea agreement prosecutors reached with Parisien and Smith limits their prison time and comes with an additional 10 years of probation. No agreement has been reached with Clements, and he is scheduled for trial in January. Both Parisien and Smith are expected to take the stand against him, and both said in court Thursday that he was the mastermind of the plot to kill Grant. Parisien and Smith cried audibly as Emile described the heartbreak over losing her son, who she described as the kind of kid who avoided trouble and had serious conversations about quantum physics and black holes. Emile said she spoke to Parisien after he was murdered but before his body was found. One of the last things she said to me was I hope you find your son,' Emile recalled. I hope you find your son! Knowing what she did! We will never get over this. According to investigators, it was Parisien who lured Grant to the crime scene, a narrative she confirmed on Thursday. Part of the attack on Grant was captured on surveillance video that was played in court Thursday. The actual murder was not shown. According to records filed in the case, Clements targeted Grant because Grand had sex with an ex-girlfriend, though Clements was dating Parisien at the time. Both girls said that while Clements threatened to kill Grant in a series of text messages, they did not take him seriously enough until after the violent assault began. Prosecutor Kristine Bradley told Broward Circuit Judge Ernest Kollra that the victims family members strongly believe all three defendants deserve life sentences, but they were willing to accept the 25 years in the interest of justice. Eulet Downer-Rose, a co-worker of Emile who showed up Thursday to support her friend, said the incident was a tragedy for four families, but especially for the victims. I dont know how sorry they are for what they did, but it doesnt seem like there was any remorse, she said outside the courtroom. Inside, the victims aunt, Nadine Dixon, said the defendants may never fully appreciate the seriousness of the crime they committed. No words can ever undo the pain that they have caused, she said. What can you say to undo the evil they have done? Society may forgive them, but we never will. Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457. Follow him on Threads.net at @rafael.olmeda. Staff writer Angie DiMichele contributed to this report. News 4 viewers come forward about more problems with Champion Homes MUSTANG, Okla. (KFOR) Another News 4 viewer has reached out after seeing our story last week about a family moving into their Champion Home in February, before discovering that dream home was covered in black mold. News 4 viewer Eric Riggs reached out with his complaints echoing Melissa Haskins and her familys concerns with their Champion Home in Sulphur. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Sulphur family demanding answers, says their home is covered in black mold We just want the answers, we want things fixed, we want safe homes, says Riggs. Riggs says his roof is also punctured with nails and has been leaking since last year. The ceiling bridge is falling, separating, Riggs said. We took water damage to the flooring all the light fixtures are falling out of the ceiling. He took matter into his own hands and called another company to inspect his roof. He was in disbelief, he didnt believe it, said Riggs. Hes been doing this for 20 years and he said, Ive not seen a roof this horrible before ever.' Norman City Council rejects Oklahoma Turnpike Authority proposal Riggs purchased his Champion Home from Titan Factory Direct in Oklahoma City. He says hes spoken to the general manager and hasnt been able to get help. News 4 went to Titan Homes to speak with the General Manager, Ron Garcia. When asked about customers having issues, Garcia told News 4, Thats false. Garcia also told News 4, Champion has already reached a solution. When News 4 reached out to Haskins after talking with Garcia, she said she got a surprise visitor Wednesday morning. Someone from Champion Homes showed up to test the mold in her home. As for Riggs, he says hes out of options. Champion has blocked my phone number. I cant use my phone call to get any communication with them, says Riggs. News 4 called the manufacturers phone line for Champion Homes. The company is based out of Burleson, Texas. No one picked up the phone and their mailbox was full. Like Haskins, Riggs is hoping he can get some help. Were not looking for a fight. We just need it fixed. We need everything addressed, said Riggs. Another viewer who emailed News 4 with similar problems said hes hired a lawyer to tackle the problems with Titan Homes and Champion Homes. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. PAYNE COUNTY, Okla. (KSNW) The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that killed a Newton High School student. It happened around 6:20 a.m. Thursday on Interstate 35 north of Oklahoma City in Payne County. The OHP says the crash involved a Kia Soul driven by a 51-year-old Newton woman. A 17-year-old boy, a passenger inside, was pronounced dead at the scene. The 51-year-old woman driver and her 56-year-old male passenger were critically injured and taken to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City. Another 13-year-old boy was transported to Stillwater Medical Center and was treated and released. The teens name who was killed isnt being released at the familys request. Two teens charged with Augusta womans murder Newton High School released a statement saying the district experienced the loss of one of our own students due to a car accident. With the information coming out, we understand that some of our students are experiencing pain and grief. We want to be supportive of those students while also understanding that we are coming into a three-day weekend. Reach out to the school if you need further help or assistance. The OHP hasnt released the cause of the crash. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. As Chinese stocks recently experienced a dip amid cautious market sentiment, investors are increasingly focusing on companies with strong growth potential and high insider ownership. In this environment, stocks that combine robust growth prospects with significant insider stakes can offer a compelling investment narrative. Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In China Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth ShenZhen Woer Heat-Shrinkable MaterialLtd (SZSE:002130) 18% 28.7% Suzhou Shijing Environmental TechnologyLtd (SZSE:301030) 22% 54.9% Western Regions Tourism DevelopmentLtd (SZSE:300859) 13.9% 39.2% Arctech Solar Holding (SHSE:688408) 38.7% 26.9% Ningbo Deye Technology Group (SHSE:605117) 23.4% 30.4% Suzhou Sunmun Technology (SZSE:300522) 36.5% 63.4% Eoptolink Technology (SZSE:300502) 26.7% 38.8% Sineng ElectricLtd (SZSE:300827) 36.5% 42.4% UTour Group (SZSE:002707) 23% 36.1% BIWIN Storage Technology (SHSE:688525) 18.8% 116.8% Click here to see the full list of 379 stocks from our Fast Growing Chinese Companies With High Insider Ownership screener. Here we highlight a subset of our preferred stocks from the screener. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Ningbo Sanxing Medical Electric Co., Ltd. manufactures and sells power distribution and utilization systems in China and internationally, with a market cap of CN43.35 billion. Operations: The company generates revenue from the manufacturing and sale of power distribution and utilization systems both domestically and internationally. Insider Ownership: 23.8% Earnings Growth Forecast: 18.5% p.a. Ningbo Sanxing Medical Electric Ltd. has demonstrated robust growth, with recent earnings showing a significant increase in revenue to CNY 6.99 billion and net income rising to CNY 1.15 billion for the half year ended June 30, 2024. The company's revenue is forecasted to grow at over 20% annually, outpacing the Chinese market average of 13.4%. Insider ownership remains high, and the stock trades at a discount relative to its estimated fair value despite no recent insider trading activity. SHSE:601567 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Aug 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Ecovacs Robotics Co., Ltd. engages in the research, development, design, manufacture, and sale of robotic products in China and has a market cap of CN21.73 billion. Story continues Operations: Ecovacs Robotics generates revenue from the sale of robotic products in China. Insider Ownership: 27.1% Earnings Growth Forecast: 36.6% p.a. Ecovacs Robotics has seen a decline in profit margins from 10.4% to 3.7% over the past year, though its earnings are forecasted to grow significantly at 36.6% per year, outpacing the Chinese market average of 21.9%. Despite being added to the SSE 180 Index recently, revenue growth is expected to be slower than the market at 12.8%. The stock trades at a significant discount relative to its fair value with no recent insider trading activity reported. SHSE:603486 Ownership Breakdown as at Aug 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Huakai Yibai Technology Co., Ltd. specializes in providing environmental art design services for indoor spaces in China and has a market cap of CN4.25 billion. Operations: Revenue segments (in millions of CN): Huakai Yibai Technology Co., Ltd. generates revenue through environmental art design services for indoor spaces in the Peoples Republic of China. Insider Ownership: 28.6% Earnings Growth Forecast: 28.0% p.a. Huakai Yibai Technology Ltd. has reported a rise in sales to CNY 3.52 billion for the first half of 2024, but net income declined to CNY 134.53 million from CNY 207.96 million a year ago, reflecting lower profit margins and earnings per share. Despite these challenges, the company is forecasted to grow its earnings by 28% annually and revenue by 21.2%, outpacing market averages. The stock's price-to-earnings ratio of 16.4x indicates it is undervalued compared to the broader CN market (26x). SZSE:300592 Ownership Breakdown as at Aug 2024 Next Steps Discover the full array of 379 Fast Growing Chinese Companies With High Insider Ownership right here. Are any of these part of your asset mix? Tap into the analytical power of Simply Wall St's portfolio to get a 360-degree view on how they're shaping up. Simply Wall St is your key to unlocking global market trends, a free user-friendly app for forward-thinking investors. Curious About Other Options? This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.The analysis only considers stock directly held by insiders. It does not include indirectly owned stock through other vehicles such as corporate and/or trust entities. All forecast revenue and earnings growth rates quoted are in terms of annualised (per annum) growth rates over 1-3 years. Companies discussed in this article include SHSE:601567 SHSE:603486 and SZSE:300592. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com The next chapter in Oregons fight against fentanyl starts next week A homeless man, 24, holds a piece of aluminum foil he used to smoke fentanyl on March 13, 2022. (John Moore/Getty Images) Oregon is about to embark on a new experiment as it seeks to stem the tide of fentanyl overdoses across the state. Starting Sunday, 14 counties in Oregon will start deflection programs that are intended to help people enter recovery and avoid criminal charges and jail. The timing of the programs coincides with the start of a new misdemeanor penalty for low-level drug possession. Both are the product of House Bill 4002, which state lawmakers passed this year after fentanyl overdoses killed about 1,400 Oregonians in 2023, up from 280 in 2019. The bill recriminalizes possession of small amounts of drugs, while prioritizing recovery instead of jail time. The bill allows but does not require counties to set up programs to help people avoid criminal charges and get help, whether through treatment or other recovery services. The programs require law enforcement, community mental health providers and prosecutors to work together for the best response. Under the law, people who dont have access to the programs or decline them will be offered treatment and the expungement of their charges if the case goes to court. So far, officials in 28 of Oregons 36 counties intend to start new programs. Of those, 14 will start by Sept. 1, while the others will launch later this year or early next year, grant applications filed with the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission show. The new law unwinds part of Measure 110, which voters passed in 2020. That measure decriminalized low-level drug possession and put a system of $100 citations in place to encourage people to seek help. But law enforcement said the citation system lacked teeth and failed to motivate people to enter treatment. The new law didnt entirely undo Measure 110. It preserves the provision to put a share of cannabis revenue toward addiction programs and services, including peer mentors, harm reduction and housing services. In the upcoming months, lawmakers, prosecutors and treatment providers will closely watch the impact of the approach each county takes. We know this is going to be a period of innovation and experimentation, Rep. Jason Kropf, D-Bend and a chief sponsor of the bill, said in an interview. Different counties, different approaches Each county is charting its own path. In Multnomah County, Oregons largest, officials plan to launch a mobile response with outreach workers as its deflection center opening is delayed, the Oregonian/Oregonlive.com reported. Portland police officers have the discretion to cite and book people for low-level possession. In Deschutes County, police will be able to take people to an existing 24/7 drop-in crisis stabilization center rather than jail. In Washington County, police in Hillsboro and Beaverton will summon outreach workers to encourage people with drugs to enter a treatment program. Elsewhere in the county, police will give them a citation and court date with information about how to avoid charges. In Clatsop County, officials will offer people tailored treatment that can include counseling, medication and group activities depending on their needs. Along the journey, people will have the opportunity to get gift cards to continue to participate. In Marion County, officials are building upon its existing Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program, or LEAD, which already diverts people away from jail for low-level crimes, like vandalism, so they can get treatment. Regardless of the approach, the goal remains the same: help people move away from drugs while avoiding criminal charges and jail. But there are caveats: Counties that have deflection programs are not required to offer it to every person who is arrested or cited for misdemeanor drug possession. Counties also have the discretion to limit the services and decide how often to offer second chances to past participants who relapse. This also means that more people are likely to enter jails, compared to the past, even as others enter new deflection programs. A state analysis suggests that 226 people annually could end up in jail for low-level possession, with a disproportionate impact on people of color. Its better for the new programs to be selective rather than accept everyone and lack the means to care for them, said Dr. Dan Hoover, an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science Universitys School of Medicine. Through an OHSU contract with the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, Hoover is providing technical assistance on a project to help local deflection programs be successful. You are going to have some counties that have a narrower criteria to enter the program than others, and that may be really wise, just thinking about what the capacity is to take people in and give them something useful, Hoover said in an interview. We dont want to take so many people into a deflection program that we cant offer them something useful when it comes to those services or substance use disorder care. Gauging success From county to county, there will be differences in how people can enter deflection programs and what the requirements are to successfully finish. In Washington County, a person will get a court date set for one week after the officer cites them. During that one-week period, they can still sign up for treatment and avoid the court system entirely. Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton said officials wanted to have a tighter timeline than the typical 30-day period people have to show up for their first court appearance. The seven-day period can speed up the process and get the person into treatment sooner, Barton said. If the person does not enter the treatment program before the court date, the county plans to set up a table in the courthouse and encourage people to sign up for treatment before their first hearing. A successful participant will need to engage in treatment for six months and appear committed to continuing treatment, Barton said. Its sort of like that moment when youre teaching a kid how to ride a bike, and youre going to let go, Barton said. You only let go if you think theres a pretty good chance theyre going to keep pedaling. You dont let go if you know theyre going to fall. So if we know someones going to fall at the end of six months, then were going to consider that not successful. Washington Countys program also takes into account that recovery is a lifelong process. As a result, success is not based upon whether a person demonstrates their sobriety and passes drug tests. Relapse can be part of recovery, Barton said. So if we had a clean and sober requirement in six months, thats really not an attainable standard. In reality, thats not going to happen. That approach developed after input from recovery providers. The goal of deflection is to get people engaged meaningfully in treatment, Barton said. Its not to solve all of lifes problems. Clatsop County program In Clatsop County, officials will offer several potential pathways toward recovery. During regular business hours a worker in the program will go meet the person who was stopped by police. A police officer could also take that person to one of two clinics. And if an officer cites the person, they will have 72 hours to contact the program. During that period, outreach workers will try and get in touch. Were going to be looking to do outreach to them and say, Hey, were just here to help you get engaged and get you enrolled in the program, said Rick Martinez, program manager for the recovery services team at Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare, the countys community mental health provider. At this point, he said, its unclear how many people they will serve when the program launches. Are we going to have five clients the first month, or are we going to have 50? Martinez said. We just dont know yet. Amy Baker, executive director of Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare, said officials will consider that people who engage in treatment for 90 days have succeeded, though officials will take into account a persons circumstances and their progress. Like Washington County, officials will not expect complete abstinence but their goal is to help people make headway, Baker said. The goal of this program really is to help people and get them treatment, not to punish them for having a substance use disorder, Baker said. Incentives planned for participants Clatsop County will use simple rewards to lure participants into treatment, like gift cards and T-shirts. Were going to allow them to choose what prizes are available to pick, and then theyll have opportunities to win those prizes, Martinez said. So everyone coming through is going to be receiving some type of recognition and some type of award for being here with us. Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare has tried incentives before and found they motivate people to show up for group activities. We saw their attendance increase, their timeliness increase, Martinez said. We had clients showing up before the facilitator. They were 30 minutes early for a group, and that doesnt happen in regular programming. They were more engaged. They were doing homework. Baker said the investment is better than the alternative. From my perspective, its money well spent, Baker said. I would rather do that than the cost of them going through an expensive criminal justice system. Needs outpace resources Lawmakers allocated nearly $20 million to counties for the programs as part of a $211 million package of related services, such as recovery houses, residential treatment facilities and medication treatment for jails. That $20 million is not enough, county officials said with so much demand. Washington County, which has a population of more than 600,000 people, will receive $1.34 million for its new deflection program. But Barton, the countys district attorney, has said officials would need millions more to build and run the most effective programs, which means theyve had to curtail costs. Thats why outreach workers will only go to police calls in Hillsboro and Beaverton. The Legislature, I think, was building a complex, complicated machine, Barton said. And it makes sense that out the gate, theres going to be some things that they missed in the short session, because it was a really, finite amount of time. Opponents of recriminalization agree the state needs to do more. Jason Renaud, the board secretary of the Mental Health Association of Portland, said the bill criminalizes mental illness and addiction without meeting the pent-up demand for services. What we need is medical detoxification, inpatient addiction treatment without barriers, without six-week waiting lists or six month waiting lists, he said. We need housing for people in their early recovery from addiction. Those are the things that we need, but those are the things that have been on the table for years. Kropf, the Bend Democrat behind the new law, said discussions about how to fund behavioral health and addiction treatment will continue in the next session. Long-term future Lawmakers and local officials anticipate that the Legislature will tweak the law after they get feedback about how the programs roll out. Kropf said lawmakers will get data about the programs and people who go through deflection programs, go through the court system and on those who complete and fail treatment. Well be able to look at those populations of people and see how successful these different approaches have been hopefully in moving people from a period of instability in their life to more stability, he said. In each participating county, there likely will be lessons learned that will guide the work forward, Kropf said. This article was first published by the Oregon Capital Chronicle, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com. Follow Oregon Capital Chronicle on Facebook and X. When is the next presidential debate? Donald Trump, Kamala Harris set to face off. Here's when The first presidential debate between presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is almost here and it's expected to be heated. Vice President and Democratic nominee Harris and former President and Republican nominee Trump are expected to go head to head in a debate moderated by ABC on Sept. 10. But in recent days, Trump has cast doubt on whether or not the debate will take place. "Why would I do the Debate against Kamala Harris on that network?" Trump asked in a Truth Social post. He criticized Jonathan Karls interview with Tom Cotton on ABCs This Week, as well as the shows panel of commentators. Trump has remained critical of the network since agreeing to debate Harris. He has also pushed for a Sept. 4 on Fox News, but Harris' campaign hasn't agreed to it. This much anticipated debate between the political rivals comes after a turbulent summer in the political world, in which President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race, clearing the way for Harris to pick up the mantle, and after an assassination attempt on Trump during a July rally in Pennsylvania. ABC News will host qualifying presidential candidates to debate on September 10 on ABC. Vice President Harris and former President Trump have both confirmed they will attend the ABC debate, the network said in a statement last week. When is the next presidential debate? Harris and Trump are expected to meet on stage Tuesday, Sept. 10, the same date Trump and Biden were expected to meet for their final debate. The debate will be at 9 p.m. ET. Where will the presidential debate be held? In Philadelphia, one of the key battleground states in this years election, at the National Constitution Center, a museum devoted to the U.S. Constitution in Independence Mall, which also contains the Liberty Bell, according to USA TODAY. What are the rules for the ABC presidential debate? It may be a new debate, but the rules haven't changed. On Tuesday, a Trump spokesman stated that both sides agreed to the same terms as Trump and Biden's CNN June debate. Here's what the rules are: No studio audience No use of notes No interrupting each other during the debate Microphones will be muted when candidates are not speaking The ABC debate also banned any props and it will include two commercial breaks. Where can I watch, stream the presidential debate between Harris and Trump? The debate will air on ABC and can be live streamed on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. Who is Kamala Harris' vice president pick? Harris's campaign for the White House came together quickly after Biden stepped aside as the presumptive candidate for the Democrats in July after mounting pressure from the party for him to step aside after his first debate with Trump. Harris, who was Biden's VP pick before his departure, chose her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz just ahead of the Democratic National Convention in August. Who is Donald Trump's vice president pick? Trump announced his vice presidential selection at the start of the Republican National Convention on July 15. "After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio," Trump shared in a post on Truth Social on Monday. Will there be a vice-presidential debate? Vance and Walz have both agreed to an Oct. 1 debate hosted by CBS News. Kamala Harris, Tim Walz interview with CNN's Dana Bash Harris and Walz will sit down with CNN Anchor and Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash Thursday night for the Vice President's first large interview since accepting the Democratic nomination. The Harris and Walz interview will air as a primetime special on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. CT across CNN's platforms. Will there be another presidential debate? Harris team has agreed to a second presidential debate to take place before the November election, but its not clear when or even if it will happen. According to USA TODAY, the Harris-Walz campaign in a statement earlier this month said the debate about debates is over. Donald Trump's campaign accepted our proposal for three debates two presidential and a vice presidential debate. Assuming Donald Trump actually shows up on September 10 to debate Vice President Harris, then Governor Walz will see JD Vance on October 1 and the American people will have another opportunity to see the vice president and Donald Trump on the debate stage in October, the campaign said. Who's winning the presidential race? Harris has surged ahead of Trump in several polls over the last month since she started her campaign for president. The latest USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll found Harris has exceeded Trump in the polls 48%-43%. It was just a few short months ago that Biden trailed behind Trump, putting into question if the sitting president would be able to pull the win come November. Since Harris has become the Democratic candidate, she has forged a small lead fueled by large shifts among some key demographic groups traditionally crucial for Democrats, including Hispanic and Black voters and young people, reports USA TODAY. Here's what the poll showed. Voters 18 to 34 years old moved from supporting Trump by 11 points to supporting Harris by 13 points, 49%-36%. Hispanics, a group the Republican campaign has been cultivating, moved from supporting Trump by 2 points to supporting Harris by 16 points, 53%-37%. Black voters, traditionally one of the most overwhelmingly Democratic groups, moved from supporting Biden by 47 points to supporting Harris by 64 points, 76%-12%. Lower-income voters now support Harris 58%-35% Take a look at the methodology and more about the poll at usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: When is the Trump-Harris presidential debate? Time, rules, streaming YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Sentencing will be Oct. 23 for a Niles man who pleaded guilty this week in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to fleeing a sobriety checkpoint earlier this year. Read next: Legendary Browns radio announcer stepping down Joseph Bianco, 46, entered his plea Tuesday to a charge of failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony. He remains free pending sentencing. Reports said Bianco was the driver of a car May 17 that refused to stop for an OVI checkpoint in the 1500 block of Mahoning Avenue. When police tried to pull him over, he refused to stop, first getting on Interstate 680 and then exiting the freeway on the South Side and driving at speeds of up to 90 miles per hour, reports said. Bianco then crossed over to the West Side, at one point blowing out a tire when he collided with a curb, and continued into Weathersfield, reports said. Police followed but backed off as the car continued on just three wheels and a rim, reports said, throwing sparks into the air. Bianco was taken into custody when he stopped at his home in the 100 block of Royal Mall Drive in Niles. When asked why he didnt stop, reports said he told police he wanted to get his car home. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. NJ Sheriff warns against scammers pretending to be officers demanding money NEW JERSEY (PIX11) The New Jersey Sheriff is warning residents against the latest scam on the rise, callers pretending to be officers. These fraudulent callers spoof the phone numbers of local sheriff offices and try to threaten their victims with arrest if they dont pay a fee or pressure them into sharing personal information. More Local News During the call, scammers posing as sheriff officers tell their victims that theyve missed jury duty, a court date or that theres a warrant for their arrest. They then force residents to stay on the phone while they go to the bank, withdraw money and pay a fee through bitcoin, Venmo or Zelle. The sheriff office warns that any caller claiming to be law enforcement and telling residents to send them money or gift cards is a scam. Officials urge the public to contact a family member or police if they should get such calls. More Crime News Those who have been scammed should report the incident to the County Sheriffs Office or local law enforcement. Other common scams are: Email or phone calls saying your accounts have been hacked. Email or pop-ups saying your computer has been hacked. Email or pop-ups claiming you owe money or have been hacked. A Facebook message that you have been hacked. Callers from a bank or other business claiming to update their records by asking for personal data. Callers claiming your grandchild was in an accident and needs bail money. Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. We have no idea who forced the Colorado Legislature back to work this week Michael Fields, president of Advance Colorado, which helped lead the opposition to Proposition HH, holds up a Colorado license plate with "TABOR53" stamped on it during a No on HH watch party in Aurora, Nov. 7, 2023. (Kevin Mohatt for Colorado Newsline) There are very few people with the power to force a whole state government to get to work. In Colorado, the governor is one of those people. We know his name. He generally has to be public about his actions. And voters can hold him to account. As we saw this week, others possess this power, but their identities are concealed. They are the wealthy supporters of a dark money group, which can spend massive amounts of money to influence policy public policy that every resident of the state must live with but is untraceable to a source thats answerable to the public. Emergency business thats taking place this week at the Capitol ostensibly is about property taxes. But its at least as much about how a tsunami of money can warp lawmaking and distort democracy. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In May, at the end of the regular legislative session, Colorado lawmakers passed a bipartisan bill to curb rising property taxes in the state. Democratic Gov. Jared Polis helped guide the bills passage and signed it into law, and the achievement was lauded as a moment of cross-party teamwork in an institution often marred by bitter partisanship. Not good enough, said Advance Colorado. Advance is a nonprofit group that advocates small government and other conservative priorities. Its piloted by Michael Fields, its president, but its engine remains hidden. Advance has become increasingly influential in many facets of state politics. Most recently, it pushed two citizen initiatives, 50 and 108, onto the November ballot. These property tax-cutting measures would so drain schools, fire departments and other public services across Colorado that some observers doubt that even Advance ever intended for them to pass but rather wielded them as a threat. Cut more taxes or else! Well played, Advance. The threat worked. Polis called the Legislature back to work, and this week during a special session, lawmakers are working on giving Fields and his unknown backers or, if youre not a cynic, homeowners a new round of tax cuts that wont decimate local districts. They hope the new cuts will persuade him to pull the noxious initiatives from the ballot. Fields has proved agile and effective. He has notched several conservative achievements in a state where Democrats nominally dominate Capitol politics at every turn. But he is only the face of an organization thats in many respects a complete mystery. Rarely has the plutocratic result of secret political donations been on such vivid display as it was this week at the Colorado Capitol. As it demonstrated this week in spectacular fashion, Advance Colorado can operate as if its the fourth branch of Colorado state government. But unlike with the constitutionally established branches, Coloradans cant vote out its officers or have any say in its actions. Most alarmingly, Coloradans dont know whos supplying its money or their true motivations, because nonprofits dont have to disclose their donors. When Polis some weeks ago took part in secret negotiations with Fields over property tax cuts, who was he really negotiating with? Does Polis even know? The reality is that the people of Colorado have no idea who forced their entire state government to reform tax policy. Who took the Legislature hostage? asked Scott Wasserman, a political advisor and former president of the left-leaning Bell Policy Center. I think thats an extremely important question. Its not like people havent tried to find out. A campaign finance complaint in 2020 against Unite for Colorado which Advance was known as at the time prompted the secretary of states office to impose a fine against the organization and order it to disclose its donors. But it has done everything in its power to resist the order, and the case is still pending in the courts. In a recent filing in that case, the organization provided a view on its huge resources. In 2020, for example, it says it spent more than $17 million on policy matters, and more than $4 million went to advertising and other work on three statewide ballot measures. It got its way on two of the three. With that kind of muscle, Advance got Polis and Colorado Democrats to bend to its will, and yet the people of Colorado are left wondering where the real power rests. There really is no accountability, Wasserman said. They are actively negotiating with the governors office and are controlling the scope of the special session I mean, no one has stopped to say, Wait a minute, you guys are an organization with a standing court order to disclose your donors, maybe its completely improper for you guys to be essentially in charge of the special session.' Dark money in politics has proliferated in recent years, especially since the U.S. Supreme Courts disastrous 2010 Citizens United decision, which allowed unlimited spending on elections by corporations, including nonprofits. The practice is hardly limited to the right. Millions in dark money supported Democrats or liberal causes in the 2022 elections in Colorado. But rarely has the plutocratic result of secret political donations been on such vivid display as it was this week at the Colorado Capitol. Many proposals to reform campaign finance laws have emerged in recent years as dark money donors have amassed influence. Those proposals, more than ever, deserve urgent attention in Colorado. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) A 21-year-old man will not be charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of a 17-year-old in Buda on Aug. 5, according to Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins. A release said the shooting occurred in a drainage area behind homes in the 800 block of Shadow Creek Boulevard at approximately 5:15 p.m. Hays County deputies responded and found 17-year-old Erick Alejandro Marin who had been shot. He died at the scene, according to law enforcement. PAST COVERAGE | Hays County Sheriffs Office investigating suspicious death in Buda Investigators acquired two videos of the shooting, which were filmed by people present. Officials said the video showed two groups meeting at the location to fight. A juvenile relative of Marins was fighting a 21-year-old male. During the fight, Erick Marin pulled a handgun and started shooting at the 21-year-old. A juvenile male from the opposing group returned fire before the 21-year-old grabbed that weapon and shot Marin, killing him, the county said. Officials said Marin was the first person to draw and fire a weapon. The District Attorneys Office reviewed all of the evidence and concluded that the shooting that killed Marin was justified under the Texas laws related to self-defense and defense of a third person, the county said. Officials said the other juveniles present and involved could still face charges. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. A judge overseeing Arizona's fake electors prosecution said there would be no sanctions against an attorney who exposed grand jury information by filing a court document that could be viewed by people other than parties to the case. Thomas Jacobs, an attorney for defendant Christina Bobb, filed a reply on Aug. 19 that included transcripts of grand jury proceedings and grand juror names. The document used grand jury transcripts to support the argument that the prosecution of Bobb was politically motivated. Judge Bruce Cohen had the document sealed Tuesday after Nick Klingerman, the head of the criminal division of the Arizona Attorney General's Office, flagged the issue. In court Wednesday, Cohen said due to the nature of electronic filings, it is easier to make document filing errors. "I'm just going to ask everybody to bear in mind the critical nature of preserving that privacy, and we'll leave it at that," Cohen said during a hearing Wednesday. "I will tell you, Mr. Jacobs, that in a discussion off the record, nobody was asking for any sanctions for this, and I was not considering it. I just wanted to address it, and I'll leave it there." The discussion about the grand jury material opened the third day of hearings on several motions, including defendants' requests to dismiss the criminal charges against them. Defense attorneys wrapped their arguments in favor of dismissal on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, it was the state's opportunity to respond to the argument that the case was political retaliation. In April 2024, a grand jury indicted 11 Arizona Republicans and seven top aides to Donald Trump on felony charges stemming from a plan to keep him in the White House by falsely certifying he won the state in 2020. Two defendants have resolved their cases since the indictments were revealed. One agreed to testify on the prosecution's behalf. The other pleaded guilty. Prosecutors counter arguments that case is political retaliation Attorneys for several defendants have argued that the indictments should be thrown out because they were in violation of Arizona's anti-SLAPP statute. SLAPP stands for "strategic lawsuit against public participation," and the law creates a framework for cases to be quickly dismissed if a defendant can prove the case was substantially motivated by retaliation because they exercised a constitutional right, like freedom of speech. On Wednesday, Klingerman said the defense argument that the Arizona Attorney General's Office is prosecuting people over their political speech doesn't hold water. "This prosecution involves nothing more than enforcing the law against those who are alleged to have committed frauds, forgeries and conspiracies to change the outcome of a lawful election because they were unsatisfied with the results," Klingerman said. "Like all criminal prosecutions, it seeks to punish prior behavior, educate the public, and deter future efforts to do the same thing. Left unchecked, this can happen again." Klingerman said he was surprised to hear the defense argue that the First Amendment somehow allowed defendants to engage in criminal actions "to deprive every citizen of their constitutional rights democracy, because some people believe the 2020 election was stolen, and because election lawsuits are hard." "Simply put that is not protected speech," Klingerman said. Therefore, the state's anti-SLAPP statute does not apply to this case, he said. Klingerman used the actions of several defendants, including former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, to make his point. "Mr. Giuliani had every right to hold a fake hearing at the Hilton on November 30 and say that 1000s of people in Arizona fraudulently voted in the election," Klingerman said. "But what he did not have the right to do was make those statements with intent to commit a fraud, and that's what he's charged with." Bobb was not indicted for being a journalist but rather for her complicity in the alleged scheme to overturn the election, Klingerman said. Responding to criticisms about Mayes making statements during her run for office that she would investigate the fake electors, Klingerman said this was simply campaign speech, analogous to any county attorney candidate vowing to go after cartels or even the "Gilbert Goons." "I think common sense dictates that candidates for office talk about these groups of people to prosecute crimes because that's what prosecutors do," Klingerman said. The idea put forth by defense attorneys that the prosecution was targeting Republicans was also false, Klingerman argued. "The fact is that the state asked the grand jury to consider not indicting more Republicans than the grand jury actually indicted," he said. "The state asked the grand jury to consider not indicting Donald Trump. And that fake legislative declaration that the grand jury wanted to indict legislators about? The state asked them not to indict them as well, saying, quote, 'Give them the benefit of the doubt.'" After the hearing, Mayes echoed Klingerman's comments in a news release and statement on social media. "These motions are a distraction and an attempt to deflect from the facts of this case and muddy the waters in the public eye," Mayes said. "Let me be clear: the indictments in this case were not politically motivated. They were the result of a thorough, lengthy, and professional investigation carried out by experienced and dedicated law enforcement officers and prosecutors." Mayes said the actions in question were not protected speech. "The law draws a clear line between free expression and illegal conduct," Mayes said. "We believe the evidence shows that the defendants crossed that line." Attorneys will have an opportunity to file reply briefs by Sept. 6, and then Cohen will deliberate and issue decisions on the motions before him. Cohen thanked both the defense and prosecution for their patience and willingness to discuss their arguments in a respectful and scholarly manner in the midst of such turbulent political times. Have a news tip? Reach the reporter at jjenkins@arizonarepublic.com or 812-243-5582. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JimmyJenkins. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: No sanctions for attorney who exposed fake elector grand jury info No Tower Bridge dinner for you? Here are 5 majestic Sacramento meals that are easier to get Sacramentos annual Tower Bridge Dinner showcases the work of the regions top farmers and chefs, a marquee event thats stretched across the landmark yellow bridge since 2013. Yet part of its notoriety is its exclusivity, even for those who can afford the $300-a-head cost. To dine on carrot-habanero aguachile with Delta crawdads or goat tagine made from Sacramento Countys brush-clearing ruminants (read up on all the dishes here), prospective attendees must either work for one of the local corporations that locked down seats years ago or win two of 80 available seats in a lottery. Its the ultimate celebration of greater Sacramentos produce and chefs, experienced vicariously by most of the regions residents. These five other majestic meals are a tad more accessible, yet plenty delicious in their own right. Village Feast (5th and C Streets, Davis): Now in its 21st year, the Village Feast is modeled after a Provencal Grand Aioli featuring Buckhorn BBQ & Grill lamb, heirloom tomatoes drizzled with Yolo County olive oil and yes, bowls of the garlicky mayonnaise. Bella Bru Cafe pear tarts round out the decadent lunch on long tables at the site of the Davis Farmers Market. Hosted by Davis Farm to School and Les Dames dEscoffiers Sacramento chapter, the Village Feast and its auction component have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Saint Johns Program for Real Change and other charitable causes over the past five years. Attendees bring their own place settings in a cost-saving effort that adds a certain element of mishmash charm. Farm-to-Fork Dinner (6401 Main Ave., Orangevale): This fundraising dinner benefits the Orangevales Food Bank Farm, a one-acre plot that exclusively grows produce for the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Food Bank. Its the fourth annual event; past extravaganzas have begun with cocktails and charcuterie before diving into five-course dinners for 120 people. Oct. 5. Tickets go on sale Sept. 5. The Grand Tasting (5th Street and Capitol Mall, Sacramento): A recent addition to Visit Sacramentos annual Farm-to-Fork Festival, The Grand Tasting lets attendees sample unlimited bites from 20 favorite area restaurants including Bawk, Camden Spit & Larder and Chicha Peruvian Kitchen. This exclusive event inside the otherwise free Farm-to-Fork Festival includes two complementary drinks and prime access to see local rock band Dunsbar Road. Legends of Wine (6-9 p.m., Sept. 5, western steps of the Capitol, $77 per ticket) is more beverage-focused, but will also have tastes from restaurants such as Grange Restaurant & Bar, Hawks and Urban Roots Brewery & Smokehouse. 6-9 p.m., Sept. 20. $125 per ticket. Woodlands Dinner on Main (701 Main St., Woodland): This five-course meal composed by Las Brasas Tacos & Salsas, Father Paddys Irish Pub, The Burger Saloon and Savory Cafe chefs is served on one communal table stretching through downtown Woodland. 5:30-9:30 p.m., Sept. 15. $207 per ticket. Polestar Farm (25491 County Road 21A, Esparto): Guests truly eat local at this Capay Valley farms monthly dinners, which source from the 12-acre property and cost less than other listed events. September and October menus have yet to be released, but a five-course August moon dinner included fresh-made herb focaccia, grilled corn bisque and peppers stuffed with rice, zucchini, mushrooms and sausage. Each dinner is BYOB, with water and lemonade provided. 6-9 p.m. Sept. 14, then Oct. 12. $85 per ticket. What Im Eating For another special occasion dinner with more dependable hours than the aforementioned farm smorgasbords, head to Rose Park Bistro in Fountains at Roseville shopping center. Opened in December 2023 by co-owner and general manager Bulent Ozel, whos also a partner in Burlingames Park & Howard Bistro and Folsoms upcoming Fiori Local Italian Pizzeria, its quickly become one of the regions best relatively-fancy New American restaurants. Ozels sister-in-law Zuzana Ozel, an interior designer, helped create a gorgeous space replete with green velvet chairs, striped floors and light streaming from table lamps, overhead oblong orbs and large windows. Rose Park Bistros dining room can easily celebratory as well as intimate: on my visit, we were neighbored by a young womans group birthday dinner on one side and a couple sharing sparkler-topped dessert for their 63rd wedding anniversary on the other. The food deserved that sparkling decor, too. Butternut squash gnocchi ($14), an 11-dumpling appetizer with pools of Gorgonzola cream sauce and carrot-and-basil-infused olive oil, was fluffy and bouncy on the first bite before cheesy and earthy tastes burst to the forefront. Butter-poached lobster bucatini ($36) in creamy lobster sauce could be an embarrassment of richness in the hands of a less-skilled chef. At Rose Park Bistro, it was an illustration of balance. Shrimp, garlic-roasted tomatoes, lemon breadcrumbs and the sauces surprising lightness elevated the browned and salted lobster tail atop hollow noodles. Beef lovers can opt for the cheapest entree, a house burger ($20) with bourbon-bacon jam, Gruyere cheese and truffle fries, or splurge a bit for teriyaki-marinated skirt steak ($36). The latter was steeped to perfection flavorful but not overpowering then grilled over high heat, cut into tender slices, topped with crunchy onion strings and plated alongside grilled asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes. Rose Park Bistro Address: 1017 Galleria Blvd., Suite 160, Roseville. Hours: 11 a.m.-9 pm. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Phone: (916) 474-5658 Website: https://www.roseparkbistro.com/ Drinks: Full, beautiful bar, with experimental cocktails a highlight. The Queen Bee ($16) is a tasty and royal eye-catcher featuring Barr Hill gin, Lillet Blanc apertif, orange liqueur, honey, lemon and a mixed berry-infused smoke bubble applied at the table. Vegetarian options: Appealing salads, a mix of appetizers and mushroom risotto as a main. Noise level: Medium-loud. Outdoor seating: Patio with ample tables. Openings & Closings Pizza and burger spot Vechos recently opened at 1600 Fulton Ave. Kevin and Alexis Ramos American concept first opened in Granite Bay in December 2022, but shut down in August 2023 before its rebirth in Arden Arcade. Shipwrecked Tiki Bar will replace University of Beer at 1510 16th St., Suite 100 in midtown Sacramento this October, the tropical cocktail lounge announced on social media on Aug. 23. Nate Yungvaitsait and his wife MK, the owners of both concepts, opened the first Shipwrecked in downtown Davis a year ago and have six UOB locations from Vacaville to Folsom. Tilted Mash Brewing closed Sunday after eight years in business at 9175 Union Park Way in Elk Grove. Jonathan Martinezs craft brewery had a range of options for beer drinkers, including an ube sour, a Peruvian corn lager and a milk stout infused with Temple Coffee Roasters beans. The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles says it has closed two drivers license offices in the southern part of the state because it doesnt have enough people to run them. The DMV offices in Laurinburg and Raeford, southwest of Fayetteville, have been closed since Monday, Aug. 19. The agency announced Thursday that they will remain closed indefinitely, until it can hire and train drivers license examiners to staff them. The DMV was borrowing examiners from nearby offices to keep Laurinburg and Raeford open, but determined that only spread out the staffing problem. It decided instead to refer customers from Hoke and Scotland counties to the larger offices in Aberdeen, Fayetteville, Hamlet and Lumberton. The DMV has closed offices in the past because of a lack of staff, but only for a day or two, says spokesman Marty Homan. This is the first time in recent memory that a lack of workers has prompted such extended closures. Homan said the DMV has 50 new examiners lined up to take the required five-week training classes starting in September and October. It hopes some of those new trainees will enable it to reopen the Laurinburg and Raeford offices by the end of the year. The DMV has contacted customers with appointments at the Raeford office to reschedule elsewhere. The Laurinburg office was only accepting walk-in customers without appointments before it closed. The DMV has been plagued by staffing shortages statewide for several years. As recently as 2022, about a quarter of all drivers license examiner positions were vacant, contributing to long lines and wait times at the agencys 115 drivers license offices. Higher pay and one-time sign-on and retention bonuses have helped reduce the vacancy rate to about 12%. But agency officials say to fully staff its drivers license offices, it needs authorization and money to hire more examiners than currently permitted. State law caps the number of employees in drivers license offices at 568. The agency says it needs 638 to run them at fully capacity. To try to alleviate crowding, the DMV encourages customers to check its website, MyNCDMV.gov, to see if they can do their drivers license business online. NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. The North Little Rock Police Department said they arrested a mother after her 4-year-old daughter was shot and killed earlier in the month. According to NLRPD officials, 25-year-old Bethany McManis of North Little Rock is facing multiple charges tied to the shooting death of her daughter. North Little Rock police investigating Friday morning shooting death of 4-year-old On Aug. 9, authorities said officers responded to a residence in the 200 block of Water Street just before 8:30 a.m. after a child was reportedly shot. According to an arrest affidavit, officers arrived as the child was being taken to a local hospital to be treated for a gunshot wound to the head. Police said the child died from her injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital. Officers said they then entered the home to find blood throughout the residence leading to the back bedroom. Police said they spoke to McManis boyfriend who allegedly told law enforcement that he was asleep when McManis two-year-old child got into her purse, pulled out her gun and then shot the four-year-old. Authorities said McManis told officers that she was sleeping when she heard a gunshot and jumped up. Police said they then executed a search warrant of the home, finding two firearms, a 9mm handgun and a .40 caliber handgun. Authorities said the magazines were both removed from the guns and the ammunition was removed from the magazine of the 9mm gun. Detectives said they also found a firearm cartridge lying on the bed in the back bedroom. Hot Springs PD: Man arrested after Wednesday deadly shooting During a later interview, police said McManis said she keeps her 9mm handgun in her purse and normally keeps it on the kitchen table or underneath her nightstand on her side of the bed. On the night of Aug. 8, police said McManis clocked out of work at 11:32 p.m. and got home at 12:10 a.m. on Aug. 9. According to police, McManis was tired and put her purse, which contained her gun, under her nightstand before going to bed at 1 a.m. The next morning, detectives said McManis was awakened by the 4-year-old asking her to watch TV. McManis put cartoons on and the 4-year-old then got on the far side of the bed with McManis in the middle and her boyfriend on the right side. Police said McManis then went back to sleep. Little Rock man facing murder charge in connection with Saturday deadly shooting According to the affidavit, McManis was then woken up by the sound of a gunshot and saw the 4-year-old suffering from a gunshot wound to the head and her handgun lying on the floor in front of her 2-year-old son. The affidavit states that McManis called 911 and collected both her and her boyfriends firearms. The arrest affidavit states that McManis also told police that she smoked methamphetamine on the night of Aug. 8 and uses marijuana regularly. Bethany McManis, courtesy of the North Little Rock Police Department McManis is facing multiple charges, including manslaughter and first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor. Arkansas State Police investigating death of Cherokee Village woman Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the NLRPD tip line at 501-680-8439 or detectives at 501-771-7151. Those with information can remain anonymous. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Zuma / SplashNews.com / Zuma / SplashNews.com One of ex-president Donald Trumps main talking points during the 2024 presidential campaign is his promise to protect Social Security benefits if he wins a second term this year. He has vowed not to cut benefits despite suggestions from some lawmakers that cuts are needed to deal with a looming funding shortfall. Trump has even floated the idea of eliminating federal income taxes on Social Security benefits. Check Out: Trump Wants To Eliminate Social Security Taxes Heres How Much the Average Retiree Would Save Read Next: 7 Reasons You Must Speak to a Financial Advisor To Boost Your Savings in 2024 The idea was brought up in a July 31 post on Trumps Truth Social network, when he wrote that SENIORS SHOULD NOT PAY TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY! Trump isnt the first lawmaker to propose an end to federal taxes on Social Security benefits. As CNBC reported, a bill introduced in January by U.S. House Democrats (dubbed the You Earned It, You Keep It Act) also called for excluding Social Security benefits from gross income for federal income taxes. If enacted, that bill would save the typical senior household nearly $560 a year, according to estimates from the Senior Citizens League, a non-partisan seniors advocacy group. Learn More: Here Are All the Promises Trump Has Made About Social Security If Hes Reelected Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week. New Bill: Can It Pass? But getting Congress to pass such a bill is unlikely, experts say, even though it would undoubtedly be popular among Social Security recipients. For now, Social Security benefits are subject to federal income taxes if you earn a certain amount before reaching full retirement age. Individuals with provisional income (adjusted gross income + nontaxable interest + 1/2 of Social Security benefits) above $25,000 and joint filers with provisional income above $32,000 have up to 50% of their Social Security benefits taxed. For individuals with provisional income above $34,000 and joint filers above $44,000, up to 85% of Social Security is taxed. About 40% of seniors who receive Social Security have to pay taxes on the benefit, according to the Social Security Administration. If these taxes are eliminated altogether, seniors previously affected will not have their benefits reduced by tax withholding. That sounds good on the face of it especially if you are a baby boomer considering retirement. But before making the leap, be sure you understand whats at stake. Here are four reasons boomers might want to hold off on retirement, even if Trump succeeds in eliminating federal income taxes on Social Security benefits. Story continues 1. Benefits Could Be Cut Eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits would put the already stressed program under even greater financial stress. Social Securitys Old Age and Survivors (OASI) Trust Fund is due to run out of money within the next decade, leaving the program solely dependent on payroll taxes for funding. Payroll taxes currently fund about 77% of benefits, but the program also gets money from income taxes that help pay for administrative and other costs. Exempting Social Security benefits from taxation will further increase the insolvency of Social Security, George Mason Universitys Veronique de Rugy wrote in a column for the National Review. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimated that the move would push the insolvency date of Social Securitys retirement trust fund up by more than a year. When the fund becomes insolvent, some lawmakers have suggested cutting retirement benefits to deal with the shortfall. If that turns out to be the case, you might be better off delaying retirement so you have more time to build a nest egg and increase your eventual Social Security payment. 2. Medicare Might Also Be Impacted Holding on to your employers health insurance plan as long as possible might be a good idea if Medicare benefits end up being affected by Trumps proposal. According to a recent analysis from the Tax Foundation, exempting all Social Security benefits from income tax would not only reduce revenue for Social Security it also would reduce revenue for Medicare. That in turn could lead to Medicare cuts. Boomers who delay retirement also delay having to depend on Medicare to pay their healthcare bills. 3. Full Retirement Age Could Be Raised Another suggestion to deal with the trust funds insolvency is to raise the full retirement age, which is currently 67 years old for most working Americans. The reasoning is that by raising the retirement age, workers will be motivated to delay retirement until they qualify for the full Social Security benefits they are due. This could help the program buy time until lawmakers find other funding sources. If you are a younger boomer, a higher retirement age means you might have to wait another year or so to collect your full benefits. That alone could be reason enough to delay retirement. 4. You Have a Chance To Earn More Money Pushing back your retirement date is often a good option no matter what happens with Social Security. Doing so gives you more time to earn money, pay down debt, contribute to your 401(k) or IRA and boost your eventual Social Security benefit. Earning a few years of extra income could go a long way toward funding a comfortable retirement if Social Security benefits get cut. Editors note on election coverage: GOBankingRates is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. You can find more coverage of this topic on GOBankingRates.com. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Trump Wants To Eliminate Social Security Taxes: 4 Reasons Boomers Might Want To Hold Off on Retirement AFTON, Okla. Students at Northeast Tech are, in some cases, being recruited for jobs before they graduate. Those jobs are in fields like marine technology, the medical field, and heavy equipment operation. School administrators said theyve been able to do that by listening to what employers and students want. Krisalyn Palmer is a member of Commerce High Schools most recent graduating class and said when it came time to continue her education, there were some things she had to keep in mind. Ive never really been a school kid, I struggled in school my whole life, I never had those constant good grades, said Palmer. Now shes one of two women in the schools marine tech program and says how the program is taught is what caught her eye. Im more of a hands-on kid, and here is almost always hands-on. Campus Director Dr. Ravonda Higgins says for kids looking for that approach to teaching, Northeast Tech is a perfect fit. Thats what we do best. Thats what were known for, said Higgins. The goal is to keep students like TJ Thompson engaged. Thompson is one of Palmers marine tech classmates. Learn about how the motor works and all the electronics on the boat, and every point and angle on the boat, said Thompson. Like Palmer, hes continuing his education after high school through Northeast Tech, pursuing a lifelong love of the water. I wanted to do something more that I loved to do and loved being around, and I saw this program and decided, chance it, lets see how I can make this work for my life, said Thompson. Dr. Higgins said when Palmer, Thompson, and the other 500 students on campus graduate, itll be employers competing for them. Oftentimes, theyll come into the classrooms and recruit our students that are getting ready to graduate, said Higgins. Meanwhile, Thompson said hes looking forward to his new career doing what he loves. Theres plenty of lakes around here, theres marinas everywhere. You can learn about what Northeast Tech has to offer here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. This article was originally published in Chalkbeat. Mayor Eric Adams poured cold water Tuesday on an imminent citywide school cellphone ban, citing a number of remaining obstacles and saying the city is not there yet. There will be some action in the upcoming school year, but the extent of a full ban, were not there yet. We want to make sure we have parents on board, Adams said at a press briefing Tuesday in response to a question from Chalkbeat. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The previous administration attempted to do this, and they had to roll back, Adams added, referencing a previous cellphone ban instituted by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, then overturned by his successor, former Mayor Bill de Blasio. I dont want to go backwards after we make a determination. Adams comments significantly dial back the message that schools Chancellor David Banks offered just months ago about the likelihood of a citywide school cellphone ban. Youre going to hear, within the next two weeks, the big announcement, but I will tell you we are very much leaning towards banning cellphones, Banks said on June 26. But with just over a week before the start of the new school year, city officials havent shared any updates, leaving many parents and school staffers craving details. Adams said the city is still ironing out a number of the wrinkles that would make instituting a citywide school phone ban complicated . Once you use the terminology that it is a full ban coming from the chancellor, theres a lot of things that will kick into play, including [United Federation of Teachers], Adams said Tuesday. Who pays for the pouches? What mechanism is being used? So weve been doing a lot of reviews. Some educators and advocates have also raised questions about if and how the Education Department will offer schools guidance on discipline for students who dont comply. Several principals familiar with Education Department plans told Chalkbeat last month that education officials were floating a plan to have a ban take effect in February, though its unclear whether that timeline is still under consideration. States and districts across the country have moved towards mandating cellphone bans amid rising concerns about their role in distracting students during class and harming kids mental health. New York governor Kathy Hochul is also considering taking statewide action and is currently soliciting input. Los Angeles, the nations second largest school system, recently decided to move forward with a district-wide school cellphone ban. Hundreds of New York City schools already have their own cellphone bans. Many use Yondr, a company that produces magnetized cloth pouches that can be locked and unlocked by schools for students to store cellphones during the school day. But such systems can be expensive, and one of the big open questions about a citywide cellphone ban is whether the city would provide extra funding to schools to help collect phones. Many other city schools that historically have not fully banned phones are moving towards adopting their own cell phone-free policies, but enforcing those policies comes with significant logistical challenges and staffing needs. Passing a systemwide school cell phone ban would also require changing the chancellors regulations, which would need approval from the Panel for Educational Policy, according to a source familiar with the deliberations. Adams said the city is trying to learn from the approaches of city schools that have their own cellphone bans and are enforcing them effectively. Were learning from those who are already doing it, Adams said. We do have schools in the city that are doing it on their own, and so we want to make sure we get it right. Julian Shen-Berro contributed. Michael Elsen-Rooney is a reporter for Chalkbeat New York, covering NYC public schools. Contact Michael at melsen-rooney@chalkbeat.org. This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. Several women who were victims of a pipe-wielding road rage driver are expressing outrage that their attacker been released from prison early. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed that Nathaniel Radimak, 37, was freed on Wednesday after serving his full sentence as defined by law, the department said in a statement. Attorney Gloria Allred hosted a video conference on Wednesday that included statements from several victims. Im very disappointed in the overall outcome of this case leading up to his release, one victim, identified only as Jane Doe, said on Wednesdays video conference. I highly doubt Radimak has learned from his mistakes and will be coming out a changed person after a short time. Radimak was arrested in January 2023 for a series of attacks on Los Angeles area drivers, some of which were recorded on dash cameras. In at least two cases, he was seen on video getting out of his Tesla and striking vehicles with a metal pipe. Prosecutors say Radimak also threatened to attack a woman at a storage facility in Atwater Village and threatened to assault a 74-year-old woman outside a doctors office in Glendale. At the time of his arrest, prosecutors said Radimak had a lengthy criminal history which spans nearly two decades and crosses multiple states. Tesla freeway attacks He faced charges in a 2020 road rage case in Hollywood, during which police allegedly found steroids and more than $30,000 in cash inside his car. Last September, Radimak pleaded guilty to assault, vandalism, elder abuse and criminal threats and was sentenced to five years in prison in a plea deal that his victims blasted for being reached without their input. Allred said her clients were notified that Radimak was released Wednesday after getting credit for 424 days served while awaiting sentencing, 212 for actual days in jail and another 212 days for good behavior. Allred and her clients also share a concern that Radimak would seek retribution. Im worried he will try to find the victims whose names have been released, the victim said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Mussie Imnetu was found unconscious and injured on Queensway on the second day of Notting Hill Carnival - UKNIP A chef who worked at a Michelin-star restaurant under Gordon Ramsay is fighting for his life after being attacked during Notting Hill Carnival. Mussie Imnetu, 41, is in critical condition in hospital after he was discovered unconscious with a head injury on Queensway, west London, on Monday night. He was described as a well travelled chef who had worked under Ramsay, Alain Ducasse and Marcus Wareing. A 31-year-old man from Newham has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody, the Metropolitan Police said as it appealed for witnesses. The attack has sparked concerns that police are in effect powerless to stop people bringing weapons to the carnival. Susan Hall, the former Conservative London mayoral candidate, described the levels of violence at this years carnival as absolutely unacceptable. She added: Are they waiting for there to be a massive tragedy with a large number of people killed or maimed? Is that what it will take for somebody to say, we really have got to move it. Are they waiting for that? Because if they are, it is nothing short of a disgrace. The police have released photos of Mr Imnetu on the day of the attack as part of the investigation - Met Police Mike Neville, a retired Scotland Yard detective chief inspector, said: If it was moved to Hyde Park you would have some sort of access point. You could check for drugs, you could check for weapons, and you could charge people some money. So they contribute like they contribute to football. He added that the sheer number of people who now attend the event meant a crush was becoming increasingly likely. If that happens, they will have to change it. If there is a fatal crush, its not just five people being stabbed, it is 20 people dying in a horrific way, he said. Mr Imnetu, a Swedish national who is originally from Eritrea, was visiting the UK on business from Dubai, where he lives and works as head chef at the Arts Club. Shortly after 1pm on Monday afternoon, he visited the Arts Club branch on Dover Street in central London, where he used to work. He was alone and wearing a blue T-shirt and black jeans. He was later seen wearing a white cap. At around 10.30pm on Monday evening, Mr Imnetu went to the Dr Power restaurant on Queensway, where food was being served from stalls outside and loud music was playing. A police spokesman said that the venue and surrounding areas were extremely busy with carnival-goers at the time. At 11:22pm, officers who were deployed as part of the Carnival policing operation found Mr Imnetu lying unconscious with a head injury on Queensway. They provided first aid until paramedics arrived. Officers were deployed as part of the Carnival policing operation to keep the festivities under control - MINA KIM/REUTERS Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, leading the investigation from the Mets Homicide Command, said: While the arrest of a suspect is a significant step in our investigation, we are still very keen to hear from anyone who can help piece together Mussies movements between when he left The Arts Club at 13:00hrs and when he arrived at Dr Power restaurant at 22:30hrs. He added: Customers at the venue tried to help stop the attack, we need to speak with these people and I urge them to contact us. Describing Mr Imnetus career path, the Arts Club Dubai website says: Prior to starting his role in Dubai in August 2020, Mussie was senior sous chef at the London [Arts] Club for four years, as part of its reopening team in 2011. In between his positions at the Arts Club London and Dubai, he worked in both pre-opening teams and Michelin-starred restaurants, such as Oblix and 2850 in London, Adour Alaine Ducasse, the two Michelin-starred restaurant in New York, Gordon Ramsey [sic] at The London, which was awarded two Michelin stars within the first year of opening, and Marcus Wareing at Savoy Grill, with one Michelin star. The Arts Club also called Mr Imnetu a passionate chef whose calm nature delivers the very best cuisine. Eight people were stabbed during the Notting Hill Carnival with a total of 334 people being arrested during the event the Met previously said. According to the police, a total of 50 officers had been injured during the event, while most of the arrests were for possessing an offensive weapon or drug offences. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. NYC woman with long rap sheet busted for biting own pit bull: Thats what I do, I bite my dog Jilian Teixeria, 24, is accused of grabbing the poor pup by the ears and chomping down on her head, prosecutors said. A woman with 20 prior busts was nabbed for biting her pet pit bull in a vicious and bizarre Upper East Side attack heartlessly telling cops, Thats what I do, I bite my dog, prosecutors and sources said. Jilian Teixeria, 24, allegedly grabbed the brown female dog by the ears and chomped down on her head around 6:15 p.m. Saturday on East 86th Street near Lexington Avenue, according to a complaint filed in Manhattan Criminal Court. The cruel attack caused the poor pup to yelp and screech loudly and bleed from her head and ears, prosecutors said. When cops arrived, Teixeria admitted to biting her dog, but offered a wild defense, Assistant District Attorney William Eddy said during Teixerias Monday arraignment. Thats what I do. I bite my dog, Teixeria said, according to the ADA. What would you prefer me to do? Hit her? Shes bleeding because she has eczema. The injured dog was taken to an animal hospital, sources said. Teixeria was arrested and charged with one count of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals a misdemeanor and Judge Michael Ryan ordered her held on $1 bail. That came over prosecutors request that Teixeria be held on $5,000 cash, $15,000 insurance company bond and $15,000 partially secured surety bond, the DAs Office said. But the same judge ordered Teixeria held on that exact bail amount in connection to an April 8 assault in which she allegedly threw an ice cream container in a mans face, prosecutors said. Monday was her first criminal court appearance in connection to the April case. She was previously granted supervised release for allegedly shoplifting and slugging a Harlem Food Dynasty worker in December of 2022, according to prosecutors. Teixeria, who identifies as female and uses she/her pronouns, is a Bronx resident who is also listed in some records as Julian. She has one prior animal abuse-related bust from March 18 of last year in the Bronx, law enforcement sources said. Several of her prior arrests are for failure to appear in court in Queens, law enforcement sources said. During her Manhattan appearance on Monday, prosecutors said she failed to appear 16 times on cases across the Big Apple. Her other busts, dating back to 2018, have been for assault, menacing, robbery, petit larceny and criminal contempt, sources said. She is next scheduled to appear in court in connection to the three Manhattan cases on Friday. After years of experiencing toxic bacterial blooms, a well-loved New Hampshire lake finally has crystal-clear water all summer long. This stunning transformation didn't happen overnight, as residents around the lake, campgoers, and state officials worked tirelessly to treat and clean the water. Since 2020, Lake Kanasatka in Moultonborough has been experiencing cyanobacteria blooms, according to NHPR. This bacteria spreads across the surface of the lake's water, often appearing as blue-green splotches. While this bacteria naturally occurs in bodies of water, it can pose a serious and sometimes fatal health risk to humans and animals, officials warn. To keep safe, state officials recommend keeping out of the water when a bacteria bloom is detected. As a result, these bacteria blooms can disrupt warm-weather activities for locals and summer campers, like boating, swimming, kayaking, and fishing. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has warned that these bacteria blooms are showing up more frequently across the state as water temperatures get warmer and weather patterns change, according to NHPR. Four years ago, Lake Kanasatka saw one of the largest bacteria blooms in the state's history. Even in 2023, the small town lake saw a bloom lasting more than 120 days, when a typical bloom would last just a couple of weeks. Residents in the town took action to protect the lake and ensure it and its local wildlife a clean future. The Lake Kanasatka Watershed Association worked alongside state officials to treat the lake with aluminum sulfate. This treatment, which costs around $500,000 across three lakes, causes phosphorus minerals in the lake to stay on the bottom. As cyanobacteria feed off phosphorus, this prevents the bacteria from growing and spreading in large blooms. Luckily, the treatment was a success, leaving the lake clear all summer long for the next 10 to 15 years. Residents and homeowners can take several steps to ensure a clean future for the lake, protecting themselves and supporting the local ecosystem. Specifically, lake-goers should keep pollution out of the water, avoid using fertilizer near the shore, and avoid planting bushes or trees near the water's edge. "The kids are loving the lake," local summer camp director Eric Carlson told NHPR, calling it "a huge relief." "We're not waking up each day, concerned about whether or not there'll be a bloom." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Officers with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) seized a combined 24.84 kg of methamphetamine concealed in passenger suitcases at Vancouver International Airport destined for Sydney, Australia on two separate occasions this July. At the time of this seizure, the street value of the methamphetamine was estimated at $1.25 million. The CBSA and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are committed to preventing the smuggling of illegal and dangerous drugs. According to the CBSA, Border Services Officers and the Detector Dog Service intercepted 10 kilograms of methamphetamine from a Canadian citizen on July 27. The drugs were concealed in false-sided compartments of two suitcases. Then on July 29, CBSA Border Services Officers intercepted 14.84 kg of methamphetamine from another Canadian citizens suitcase. In this suitcase, officers discovered a total of four vacuum-sealed packages containing methamphetamine wrapped in clothing. On both occasions, the travelers were arrested and taken into custody by the RCMPs Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit (FSOC). These interdictions by the CBSA and the Pacific Region RCMP Federal Policing Program have served to protect Canadians, and our partner nations from exposure to a significant amount of potentially toxic drugs. They also demonstrate our shared commitment to defending Canadas border from transnational criminal elements that threaten our nation, said Chief Superintendent Stephen Lee, Deputy Regional Commander for the RCMP, Pacific Region. Both of the investigations are ongoing, and the RCMP FSOC is putting forward numerous criminal charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact their local police, the RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity, please contact the CBSA Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060. OGDENSBURG, N.Y. (WWTI) The City of Ogdensburg will be getting a big boost to improve its municipal swimming pool. In a release from Governor Kathy Hochuls office, the Elsa M. Luksich public pool will be getting just over $2.5 million in funding to renovate the pool. Some of the improvements include fixing the pool and bathhouse complex. This includes replacing the pool surface, decking, filtration system and plumbing, making the facility accessible for individuals with disabilities, and modernizing the bathhouse. This part of an plan of nearly $150 million in capital grants have been awarded to fund 37 projects in underserved communities across the State as part of the New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) initiative New Yorks biggest investment in swimming since the New Deal. Thanks to the NY SWIMS grant, the City of Ogdensburg can address our pool infrastructure issues, expand water recreation through the addition of a Splash pad, and at the same time provide children and their families safe spaces to learn how to swim and prevent childhood drowning. Ogdensburg Mayor Michael Tooley The program provides grants between $50,000 and $10 million to help municipalities design, construct, rehabilitate, or modernize public swimming facilities, with a focus on supporting disadvantaged and underserved communities that lack access to safe swimming and outdoor recreation opportunities. Also, SUNY Potsdam will partner with Potsdam Middle School to increase access to learn to swim classes as well other community groups in the area. This is part of a plan that will expand access to free or low cost learn-to-swim classes, and lifeguard or water safety instructors training and certification. In addition, several SUNY campuses are including options for adaptative swimming for children with disabilities. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) Governor Andy Beshear announced further investment in Kentuckys site and building development efforts as Ohio County was approved for $222,500 in state funding to spur future investment and job creation. Officials say the funding is through the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI), which is overseen by the Cabinet for Economic Development. The initiative provides funding for local communities statewide to increase investment in site and building upgrades to attract future job creation and economic growth. Fire departments feud over public safety income tax Officials say the Ohio County Fiscal Court, on behalf of the Green River Regional Industrial Development Authority, plans to extend main road access along the Bluegrass Crossings Business Centre in Beaver Dam. The industrial development authority will provide the match funds for the project. Ohio County Judge/Executive David Johnson praised the program: We truly appreciate the support of the state to invest in site development in Ohio County. This program is another great opportunity for us to grow. Western KY companies earn Governors Safety and Health Awards Terri Bradshaw, president/CEO of the Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED), said the project will positively impact the region: KAED is proud to be a part of Kentuckys continued commitment to communities across the commonwealth to deliver the financial resources needed to grow strong, resilient regional economies. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this investment will have in Ohio County. Officials with Gov. Beshears office say Round 1 of the program concluded in December 2023, with 53 projects statewide approved for $31.2 million in funding. Including local contributions, these projects are generating over $123 million in investments in Kentuckys sites and buildings portfolio. To date, Round 2 of the program has seen $31.4 million in state support approved for 29 additional projects throughout the state. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) TourismOhio is featuring over 400 events happening across Ohio throughout autumn. As temperatures begin to drop and leaves start to fall, Ohio is preparing for a variety of seasonal activities. TourismOhio has debuted a new Fall Events Guide to help visitors and residents find fun activities throughout the fall season. Must-visit pumpkin patches across the Miami Valley The guide is available at Ohio.org and features five exciting events in each of Ohios 88 counties. In total, 440 events are featured, from fall festivals to pumpkin patches, along with everything in between. This is the first time TourismOhio is offering a comprehensive guide to fall seasonal events. The debut follows the success of the official 2024 Ohio Summer Events Guide released earlier this year. TourismOhio hopes these guides will allow for easy trip-planning for those who live in and visit Ohio. Ohio in the fall is pure magic, said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. From vibrant foliage to festivals that bring our rich traditions to life, theres no better time to explore everything Ohio has to offer. To see the full list, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Satellite images showing the spread of the fire caused by a drone attack on the premises of the Rosrezerv oil depot in Rostov Oblast, Russia, have been released. Source: Russian service of Radio Liberty Details: The two photos, taken a few hours apart on 28 August, show that the fire spread to the third fuel tank on Wednesday. Videos taken by eyewitnesses and the data of the NASA FIRMS system show that the fire at the oil depot has not been extinguished as of 29 August. Local Telegram channels report that the firefighters lack the special equipment to neutralise the burning fuel with foam. For reference: The Atlas plant of the Russian Federal Agency for State Reserves in the Southern Federal District specialises in the supply of petroleum products to the Russian Armed Forces. Russian media reports indicate that in August 2020, the plant hosted joint exercises by the Russian Ministry of Defence and Rosrezerv as part of the Caucasus 2020 exercise. The demonstration exercises on the supply of petroleum products for the needs of the army involved three methods road, rail and pipeline. Background: Ukrainian-made attack UAVs hit an oil depot in Russias Rostov Oblast as a result of a joint operation by Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) and the Special Operation Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (SOF). The Atlas plant of the Federal Agency for State Reserves in the Southern Federal District in the Kamensky district of Rostov Oblast has been attacked by drones two times; after the first drone hit, on 3 August, the blaze was quickly put out. Radio Liberty stated then that in 2020 the plant hosted joint exercises by the Russian Ministry of Defence and Rosrezerv as part of the Caucasus 2020 exercise. Along with the oil depot near the settlement of Astakhov, another Rosrezerv oil depot near the settlement of Proletarsk, Rostov Oblast, kept burning for 11 days in a row. NASA satellite imagery shows the fire had been extinguished, but local authorities did not report this. Support UP or become our patron! A Republican state lawmaker whos been his partys primary budget watchdog over financial issues at the Oklahoma State Department of Education has asked Democratic U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to launch a federal investigation into the state agencys management of federal programs and use of funds. In an Aug. 23 letter obtained by The Oklahoman, Rep. Mark McBride told Cardona he had serious concern with OSDEs management of the over $2.7 (billion) in federal funds along with state funds that (are) entrusted for the benefit of Oklahomas children and families. Our students, schools and educators deserve to receive the support and funding that is necessary to ensure each student in Oklahoma receives a high-quality education, wrote McBride, of Moore, who is term-limited and leaving office in November. It is my expectation that OSDEs Chief State School Officer be a faithful steward of the public funds that are entrusted to their agency. The letter has the potential to increase scrutiny of the state agency's financial practices, which have faced escalating criticism over the last month. Terri Grissom, a former grant writer for the agency who has been critical of state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, has said if the agency doesn't address issues raised by the federal government, "they will come after them and withhold federal money from Oklahoma." Rep. Mark McBride has asked the U.S. Department of Education to investigate the Oklahoma State Department of Education's use of federal funds. Dan Isett, a spokesman for Walters and the state agency, said he believed the letter had political motives. "This is just another step in the ongoing effort by Speaker (Charles) McCall and his lapdog, Mark McBride, to impeach Superintendent Walters and try to clear the path for the 2026 election," Isett said. There was no immediate comment from the federal agency regarding the letter from McBride, who chairs the Oklahoma House of Representatives education budget subcommittee. The letter lands a month after the federal agency issued a scathing report on July 25 that identified 32 areas out of a potential 52 in which the state agency needed to show urgent attention in addressing. The federal agency gave the state agency 30 to 60 days to do so. Walters has said the agency will easily meet that deadline, but has provided no details as to how. Walters, who heads the state agency, has blamed any issues highlighted in the report on his predecessor, Joy Hofmeister. The review was conducted in December, 11 months into his four-year term as superintendent. You guys remember when I was elected, I said, 'Listen, were going to have to change a lot of federal programming, Walters told media after the most recent state Board of Education meeting. There was a lot of misinformation. There was a lot of arrows being thrown at us, from even some folks in the Legislature. I said, look, weve got to get this under control. I think I used the word dumpster fire. State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters has blamed issues raised in a federal report on his predecessor. In the wake of the federal report and recent media reports of possible financial issues within the state agency, House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, agreed earlier in August to an investigation of the agency to be conducted by the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency, commonly known as LOFT. McCall only did so, however, after McBride amassed a group of 25 Republicans to sign a petition calling for an investigation into Walters. That group joined 20 Democrats in that call, a show of bipartisanship thats been rare at the Capitol in recent years. Walters lashed out at McCall and McBride over the LOFT investigation and called for his own impeachment hearing. McCall, who would have to approve any impeachment hearing, declined to do so. What youve seen are political attacks directed at me from the speaker of the house, Charles McCall, and his buddy, Mark McBride, Walters said that day. They continue to attack my office with baseless lie after baseless lie with no evidence. Oklahoma school districts have complained about federal funds distribution Timely distribution of Title I funds which are federal funds allocated based on the number of low-income students served by schools have been an issue for the state Department of Education under Walters. During the 2023-24 school year, an informal survey on the timeliness of schools receiving federal funding found that 55% of districts said they had had no grants receive final approval from the state agency. And 72% said their districts had no claims that had been paid through the state agency. In past years, that money had been distributed to districts months earlier. The survey was sent to schools in November and conducted by the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration. On social media site X on July 27, Bixby Public Schools Superintendent Rob Miller questioned why there has been a long delay in the Oklahoma State Department of Education informing school districts as to how much their federal funding allocations under Title I might be for the current school year. The numbers provided to districts by the agencys past administrations in late spring or early summer are vital in helping districts plan budgets and determine how many teachers they could hire. The fiscal year began July 1. Walters criticized Miller, calling him a clown and a liar. But days later, the agency sent an email to school districts saying all federal allocations, including Title I, would be published by Aug. 16. Still, after initial numbers were published, the state agency cited a glitch in its system and sent out revised allocation numbers to districts. Walters blamed a faulty formula on a federal spreadsheet for the issue. McBride noted the state agencys issues with Title I funding in his letter: It is my understanding that OSDE was recently monitored by (the U.S. Department of Education) for the aforementioned programs where a range of performance issues indicated that OSDE is failing to meet its basic obligations to administer these programs in accordance with the letter and the spirit of the law. I have received numerous complaints and allegations from local education agencies and taxpayers that districts and ultimately schools are not receiving timely, accurate and reliable receipt of allocations of (federal) formula funds for the second consecutive school year including as recently as the beginning of the school year 2024-2025, he wrote. The state agencys issues with staffing as of March, more than 130 employees had left during Walters tenure, most by resignation or retirement have also caught the notice of federal officials, something McBride mentioned in his letter. Similar to USEDs findings, members of the state legislative body share concerns regarding staff attrition at the agency and its impacts on ensuring OSDE provides accurate and transparent information on school performance, has proper internal controls, completes and submits timely and accurate audits (and) maintains appropriate records, among other requirements, McBride wrote. McBride said that during Walters tenure, my office has been inundated with information from current and former employees of the state agency, who raised many similar concerns that were outlined in the (federal) report. McBride asked the federal agency to work in conjunction with my office to make sure LOFT has access to the information your agency has collected in its oversight mission over federal funds to reduce duplication in efforts and ensure a more timely conclusion of our state level investigation. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Rep. Mark McBride asks federal secretary for investigation into OSDE Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt talks about slowly taking away income tax during an October press conference at the Oklahoma State Capitol. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY Efforts to settle a class action lawsuit against the state appear to have hit a brick wall. The Contingency Review Board on Wednesday voted 2-0 to send the federal judge overseeing the case a letter outlining concerns about a potential settlement agreement between the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and plaintiffs. The civil rights class action lawsuit alleges the state agency is violating the due process rights of mostly indigent defendants declared incompetent to stand trial and being held in county jails. The suit alleged the state was failing to provide timely court-ordered competency restoration treatment to defendants, who in some cases, had been waiting for many months while their criminal cases remained on hold. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who is representing the mental health department, skipped the meeting, telling Gov. Kevin Stitt, who chairs the panel, that the meeting was premature because no consent decree has been approved to settle the case. Your zeal to proceed out of order strikes me as more political theater than clear-eyed leadership, Drummond wrote. My objective is to support victims of crime, not to provide cover for a state agency that has failed to do its job for the last six years. He said that the settlement agreement his office has negotiated with the plaintiffs would save the state many millions of dollars and deliver long-delayed justice for crime victims while ensuring due process. The settlement of certain cases requires the approval of the Contingency Review Board when lawmakers are not in session. The bulk of the meeting consisted of Gov. Kevin Stitt posing questions to mental health Commissioner Allie Friesen. Friesen said she told Drummond multiple times that she would not agree to the consent decree as drafted. She said the decree removes her ability to help those in a jail-based setting. I cannot and will not agree to withholding services from those that are suffering, she said. The document removes the ability of clinicians and experts to drive evidence-based care and places those decisions in the hands of attorneys, she said. It positions the department for immediate violation of court orders to provide competency restoration services to those in need, and puts the state on a conveyor belt of endless fines and contempt citations that will result in additional financial burdens, Friesen said. It removes her authority to authorize when individuals should be moved to the Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita, she said. The agency has restored 216 people back to competency since January 2023 through jail-based competency restoration programs, she said. The decree could cost taxpayers about $142 million, she said, adding that it would impact the agencys ability to provide other services. Under questioning from House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, Friesen said the proposal is similar to the Pinnacle Plan, implemented after a class action lawsuit challenging how the state treated children in foster care. She said it has the same attorneys, a similar structure and no reasonable timeframe to end. Stitt said the state has spent more than $400 million on the Pinnacle Plan, including $18 million on consultants. Friesen said the concerns can be solved without the settlement agreement. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A Republican state lawmaker has formally requested the U.S. Department of Education investigate the Oklahoma State Department of Education for its handling of federal funds. News 4 obtained a letter State Rep. Mark McBride (R-Moore) sent U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on Aug. 23. UPDATE: OSDE sends corrected Title I allocations to schools In the letter, McBride asked Cardona to have the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) open an investigation into the Oklahoma State Department of Educations handling of federal funds. McBride-Ltr-to-Sec.-Cardona-8.23.24_Redacted_WATERMARKED-KFORDownload Specifically, McBride said he was concerned about OSDEs management of billions of dollars in federal funds for Title I and Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) programs. Additionally in the letter, McBride requested the U.S. Dept. of Education assist Oklahomas Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) in their ongoing investigation of OSDEs finances. Former OSDE staff say Walters, not them, to blame for missed federal grant funds It wasnt a decision the Republican took easily, but its one McBride says rises above partisan politics. I hated to reach out to somebody from the other party, McBride said. I was really left kind of no choices because were not getting answers really to anything. No answers, he says, on issues with how OSDE handles federal funds. News 4 has reported about the issueslike how OSDE told school districts incorrect amounts for their Title I allocations, having to go back and recalculate them at the very last minute. The issues also include a July report published by USDE, which found significant compliance and quality concerns in how OSDE handled federal funds across the board. Records suggest previous business, personal relationship between top OSDE advisor, contractor We still have districts, taxpayers, former employees that that are throwing questions out there that are unanswered, McBride said. Theres just so much uncertainty in all of it. And I believe even today there is money thats not gone out. At the core of the issue, McBride believes the biggest problem comes from the dozens of longtime OSDE staff members who have resigned or retired since State Superintendent Ryan Walters took office. Walters once falsely claimed the mass staff departures were a result of him firing people. But McBride said he has obtained copies of their resignation lettersproving they were not fired. I know of 130, McBride said. And whos been replaced? And what kind of quality of people have been have replaced them? I mean, people that have left that had been there years handled handling federal funds. And now weve got a lot of people in its obvious that they dont really know what they were talking about and its concerning. And it should be concerning to everybody. Its why McBride says he ultimately made the decision to send that letter to Cardona. Over 20 House Republicans call for investigation into Superintendent Walters As for the political optics, McBride says hes not too worried. Theres nothing more Republican than looking into waste, fraud and abuse, he said. This is about your state tax dollars or your federal tax dollars coming back to Oklahoma, about your kids, about your grandkids. And if the jobs not getting done, you know, theres a problem. And we need to find out if the jobs getting done. But McBride also said, even if USDE investigates OSDE along with the ongoing LOFT investigationstate lawmakers still need to investigate deeper. Bixby Public Schools Superintendent files defamation suit against Ryan Walters I dont think were getting the true answers, McBride said. Im all in for the LOFT investigation. You know, Im not upset, but I still think there needs to be a complete investigation of the Department of Ed.. we need to get down and figure out whats going on, because 18 months of this, its the same complaints from districts. McBride said Sec. Cardona has not responded to his letter as of Wednesday afternoon. News 4 reached out to OSDE for comment, but did not get a response. PROGRAMMING NOTE: Tune in to News 4 Wednesday at 10 p.m. to hear Rep. McBride discuss the letter and why he sent it. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Oklahoma Voice is celebrating our first birthday. Will you help support local journalism? (Photo by Ruth Black/Getty Images) (This image cannot be republished unless you have a Getty subscription.) Can you believe its been a year since Oklahoma Voice published its first free, nonpartisan news stories and commentary aimed at helping expand Oklahomans knowledge of the inner workings of government? From uncovering the reason why students standardized test scores suddenly increased to examining the intersection of state policy and Oklahomas Indigenous communities, our first year was filled with newsy stories that helped shine a light on important issues that might have otherwise gone uncovered. Thanks to the hard work of our staff, contributors and columnists, the demand for Oklahoma Voice content has continued to grow. Our coverage, which is never behind a paywall, has been republished or mentioned thousands of times. In an effort to help train the next generation of state government reporters, we launched an internship program and selected a promising Oklahoma State University journalism student to work in our newsroom for the summer. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST One of our founding reporters, Nuria Martinez-Keel, recently earned our newsrooms first award in a multi-state journalism competition for her in-depth reporting on the exodus of textbook publishers. But no matter how many awards we win, how many times were republished or how many stories we write, we know that the people reading this note are in large part responsible for our success. You are among the first Oklahomans to support our mission and to believe in our product. Youre the ones who return week after week to our site, subscribe to our free newsletter and help provide some of our story ideas and thought-provoking columns. Ive got big dreams for Oklahoma Voice in the months and years to come, and its your donations that will help us continue to thrive. As we celebrate our first birthday, we hope youll celebrate with us by making a donation to support our journalism. Im excited to see what our second year has in store for us, and I hope you are, too. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST ONEONTA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) Assemblyman Brian Miller was on hand in Oneonta on Thursday, August 29 to welcome the first-ever class of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) from the Otsego-Northern Catskills BOCES to begin their studies at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta. The programs inaugural class which will have 34 students in it held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the hospital on Thursday, following an orientation on Wednesday, August 28. There is no better place to learn the necessary skills for a career in nursing and become immersed in a clinical environment than in a hospital setting, Dr. Joan MacDonald, Chief Nursing Officer at A.O. Fox Hospital, said in a statement. On behalf of A.O. Fox Hospital and the greater Bassett Healthcare Network, we are ecstatic to welcome our first class of LPN students who are now an important part of our hospital community and provide the essential resources, experience, and support to help them pursue rewarding careers in healthcare. In the first few months at the hospital, students will undertake intensive classroom studies in a variety of disciplines, including pharmacology, maternity and pediatrics. The hospital says that as soon as November, students will be able to observe various clinical areas at the hospital, as well as several healthcare facilities within the Bassett Healthcare Network. Students will also study in clinical simulation laboratories that the hospital says will allow them to apply their practical skills. This program, with a history spanning over 60 years, has long been a cornerstone of our community. Today, as we cut this ribbon, we mark the continuation of that legacy and the beginning of a new chapter that promises to be even more impactful, thanks to incredible partnerships and support, Dr. Catherine Huber, District Superintendent at ONC BOCES, said in a statement. I want to extend our deepest gratitude to Bassett Healthcare Network and A.O. Fox Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Joan MacDonald. They have truly gone above and beyond, and we are incredibly grateful. Bassett Healthcare Network runs several facilities across the Mohawk Valley, including the Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, Valley Health Services in Herkimer, and the Little Falls Hospital. Re-establishing the Practical Nurse Program is more than an educational initiative it is a vital contribution to our nursing community and embodies our dedication to advancing healthcare, Margaret Kiss, the Clinical Program Director at ONC BOCES, said in a statement. This program will equip aspiring nurses with the skills and knowledge needed to make a profound impact in our local hospitals, clinics, and beyond. The inaugural classes will begin on Tuesday, September 3. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. One critically injured in SW OKC motorcycle and bus crash UPDATE @ 9:14 P.M. Authorities have told News 4 the motorcyclist is in critical condition. ORIGINAL STORY OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma City Police responded to a motorcycle and bus collision Wednesday night in Southwest Oklahoma City. According to officials, the accident happened near Southwest 26th Street and South Robinson Avenue. Motorcyclist collides with bus in SW OKC Wednesday night Police say the motorcyclist was transported to a local hospital and their condition is currently unknown. There is no other information at this time. This is a developing story. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. HOWARD COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) According to the Howard County Volunteer Fire Department, one person has died following a structure fire on Jay Road in Tubbs Edition. HCVFD said the victim was trapped inside when they arrived. The fire broke out on August 28; when HCVFD arrived on the scene, crews quickly deployed a hose line and entered through the front door. Working with the Big Spring Fire Department, the fire was quickly contained; however, the victim did not survive. RELATED: 3 displaced after early morning fire in Odessa The name of the victim has not yet been released nor has the cause of the fire. We ask the community to keep the victims family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time, HCVFD said in a statement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. One of Idahos most beloved areas is going up in flames. See heartbreaking images The Wapiti Fire in Custer County has increased nearly ninefold in size in the span of one week, from 9,000 acres last Tuesday to 79,000 acres on Wednesday. More than 800 personnel are working to combat its spread, but the wildfire remains at 0% containment, according to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise. Idahoans across the state have watched as the area around Stanley one of Idahos most iconic small towns continues to burn. Images shared by law enforcement, government agencies and locals show the picturesque area awash in smoke and flames. The photos may be jarring for those with memories of hiking beneath the towering Sawtooths, swimming in Redfish Lake or Stanley Lake, or grabbing a sandwich from Stanley Baking. Or for those who grew up in Custer County. The Wapiti wildfire had burned 79,745 acres by Wednesday afternoon. Kathy Rodgers, chief dispatcher and public information officer with the Custer County Sheriffs Office, better known as the mom of the office, has kept those who love Stanley informed on the latest news. Each day, she posts photos and information on the sheriffs Facebook page as deputies in the field send her updates. We love the beauty of the area and the people of the area, Rodgers told the Idaho Statesman by phone. Our main priority is to keep everybody safe and keep them updated as quickly as possible on anything that develops. Firefighters from multiple agencies have traveled to the Stanley area to assist fighting the Wapiti wildfire. Since a July 24 lightning bolt started the fire, it has been an all-hands-on-deck month for law enforcement officers living in Custer County. On top of the physical toll, its been emotionally challenging to see the fire devastate their county, according to Rodgers. Earlier this summer, Rodgers and a couple of other Sheriffs Office employees hosted an education day at Stanley Lake. Rodgers said it was difficult when a deputy sent images of that same area covered in smoke and fire. To see the video and the pictures that he had posted when the fire started moving in, we were pretty much in tears because its dear to our hearts, Rodgers said. Wildfire reached Stanley Lake on Aug. 22. On Aug. 24, Custer County Sheriff Ethan Kelly issued a first wave of evacuation orders. Two deputies living in Stanley with their young families have had to evacuate and move into campers. Amid monitoring fire activity, keeping traffic away from closed areas and the other tasks on their plate, the deputies have had little time to spend with their loved ones. I dont even know if theyve slept in the past week, Rodgers said. They had to displace their families, put them in campers with their wives and kids, and then theyre not there. Theyre out constantly with the fire, going to the meetings and getting the updates. Last night, they were all over Lower Stanley notifying the residents to find somewhere else to go. Rodgers said law enforcement will continue working to deal with the Wapiti Fire as long as necessary though shes still holding out hope for a miracle. Weve pretty much never wanted snow in August as much as we do right now, Rodgers said. The Statesman collected images and videos from the Custer County Sheriffs Office and others that show the devastation created by the Wapiti Fire. Areas that were green just a month ago were left burnt and brown by the Wapiti wildfire. Officials have employed aerial firefighting techniques in Stanley. The Wapiti wildfire spews smoke into the air near Stanley. A plane dips water out of Redfish Lake to carry to the Wapiti wildfire. Smoke from the Wapiti wildfire billows across Custer County. An aerial firefighting aircraft was seen from downtown Stanley. Firefighters work through the night to combat the Wapiti fire. The Wapiti Fire was started by lightning on July 24, about two miles southwest of Grandjean. Law enforcement, including Custer County Sheriffs Office deputies, were at the scene of the Wapiti Fire. While the surrounding valley is burned, the lake is not looking bad at all, the Custer County Sheriffs Office posted on Tuesday evening. We hope these photos will give the community some good news! The last time we saw footage of Stanley Lake it was pretty heartbreaking. Firefighters work to combat the Wapiti wildfire west of Stanley. The Boise County Sheriffs Office posted photos on Friday of the Hanging Valley subdivision, located north of Lowman, after Hotshot Fire crews waged a heroic battle through the night against the relentless Wapiti Fire, standing between the flames and the (subdivison). (Bloomberg) -- A US appeals court has struck down a long-standing argument from social media platforms: that a federal law grants them blanket immunity from being held accountable for user harms even the wrongful death of children. Most Read from Bloomberg In a ruling delivered by a three-judge appeals court panel on Tuesday, a Pennsylvania mother won the right to sue TikTok over the death of her 10-year-old daughter. The court said that TikTok could be liable because its algorithm served up dangerous content to the child. Three weeks before Christmas 2021, Nylah Anderson was found lifeless in her mothers closet in suburban Philadelphia. She had accidentally strangled herself with her moms purse strings while mirroring a blackout challenge video that was promoted to her on TikTok. That algorithmic recommendation forms the crux of the ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. The judges overturned a lower courts decision to dismiss the case on the grounds of social medias liability defense: Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act. Under Section 230, online platforms are shielded from responsibility for content posted on their sites by third parties. But, by promoting a How-To-Guide on self-asphyxiation to a child, TikTok moved beyond the realm of a passive intermediary shielded by Section 230, the ruling said. Instead, it became an active promoter of dangerous content. The Anderson familys lawsuit seeking to hold TikTok liable for its knowing distribution and targeted recommendation of the blackout challenge can proceed, it said. The ruling could have sweeping implications for all websites that run on user-generated content, which the site owners dont screen before its posted. The liability shield has allowed social media platforms to grow to tremendous scale, because they only tend to stop and review users posts if other users report them and even then, tend to do so using artificial intelligence. With so much content, those same platforms have increasingly relied on algorithmic recommendation to ensure users are looking at what will retain their attention, bolstering their advertising businesses. Big Tech just lost its get-out-of-jail-free card, Jeffrey Goodman, a partner at Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky, who argued on behalf of the family, said in response to the ruling. If social media platforms cause harm, they will now have to face their day in court, he said. Story continues A spokesperson for TikTok declined to comment about the decision or whether the company plans to appeal. In a previous statement about the case, the company said, TikTok remains vigilant in its commitment to user safety and would remove any content related to the blackout challenge from its app. The Anderson family declined a request for an interview. In a statement released by Goodman, they said: Nothing will bring back our beautiful baby girl, but we are comforted knowing that by holding TikTok accountable our tragedy may help other families avoid future, unimaginable suffering. Social media platforms must stop exploiting children in the name of profit, they said in the statement. The appeals court ruling comes amid growing concerns over the harms social media has inflicted upon a generation of children. Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against social media platforms in recent years, alleging theyve designed addictive products that have promoted suicidal and self-harm content to kids, and connected young users to drug dealers and sextortionists. Bloomberg Businessweek published a 2022 cover story on the blackout challenge, which was cited in the brief Goodman filed to the appeal court. The blackout challenge is a dare whereby participants choke themselves with household items, like a shoelace or a power cord, until they black out and film the adrenaline rush they get regaining consciousness. The Businessweek story linked the dare to the deaths of at least 15 pre-teen children. It also uncovered evidence that TikTok knew its algorithm was sending videos promoting the blackout challenge to kids and that some of them had killed themselves attempting it before Andersons death. Five months after she died, in May 2022, Andersons parents filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging product liability, negligence and wrongful death. Two months later, a second lawsuit was filed against TikTok by the Social Media Victims Law Center on behalf of the families of Arriani Arroyo, 9, of Wisconsin and Lalani Walton, 8, of Texas, who both accidentally killed themselves attempting the blackout challenge. The families claimed the dangerous dare was recommended to the girls via TikToks For You feed, a page of personalized content curated for each user to keep them scrolling for as long as possible. The Arroyo and Walton case is ongoing. In the Anderson case, TikTok argued that it was completely protected by Section 230, and in October of that year, a district court granted the companys motion to dismiss the case. It said TikTok couldnt be held liable for a video a third party had posted on its site. The family appealed a week later. By promoting this challenge and populating it on the For You Pages of children all around America, TikTok is placing children in harms way and in many cases killing them in the name of corporate greed, the appellate brief filed by the Anderson family said. The familys lawyers went on to challenge the way section 230 has tragically been applied to protect goliaths of the technology industry. Applying the law as a blanket immunity shield has, they argued, empowered social media companies to develop increasingly predatory and manipulative technologies designed to addict users and control their actions. Children, more than anyone, are paying the price. The appellate court agreed, saying that TikTok knew the deadly blackout challenge was spreading across its app, that the algorithm was feeding the challenge to children and that several children had died attempting it. Nylah, still in the first year of her adolescence, likely had no idea what she was doing or that following along with the images on her screen would kill her, Judge Paul Matey, writing on behalf of the three-judge panel, said. The judges reversed the lower courts decision, granting Andersons parents the right to sue. The appellate ruling also went beyond the Anderson case, criticizing the way section 230 rides in to rescue corporations from virtually any claim loosely related to content posted by a third party, no matter the cause of action and whatever the providers actions. Congress did not intend to create a lawless no-mans-land of legal liability, the judges said. This loose reading of the law has immunized social media platforms from the consequences of their own conduct. It has permitted these companies to ignore the ordinary obligations other businesses face, like preventing their services from causing devastating harm. The case is Estate of Nylah Anderson v. TikTok, Inc. et. al., Case No. 22-3061 (on appeal from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Case No. 2:22-cv-01849) (Updates with context in the 14th paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. UTICA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente announced on Thursday, August 29 that grants will be made available to replace or repair septic systems. New York State has identified Oneida County as being part of an area where there is a need to reduce the impact of sewage and septic systems. As part of that, as well as the Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation has granted the County $200,000 for properties in the priority area. Oneida County is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our residents and businesses, Picente said in a statement. This septic system reimbursement program is a vital step in protecting our environment and supporting the long-term sustainability of our communities. I urge those eligible to apply immediately for this outstanding opportunity. In order to be eligible for the grants, residents must be located within 250 feet of these state-designated bodies of water: Barker and Eli Creek and its tributaries, Beaver Brook and its tributaries, Big Brook and its tributaries, Delta Reservoir and its tributaries, The East Branches of Fish Creek and both its lower and upper minor tributaries, The East Branch of the Mohawk River and its tributaries, Echo Lake, including the North Pond, Fall Brook and its tributaries, Florence Creek and its tributaries, Hinckley Reservoir and its minor tributaries, Lansing Kill and its tributaries, Upper and Minor tributaries of the Mohawk River, the Rome Reservoir, Stringer Brook and its Tributaries, The Upper Tributary of Sauquoit Creek, The Oneida Lake Tributary of Upper Murray Brook, and The Upper White Creek and its tributaries. A map of eligible properties can be found at this link here. Eligible properties can find the application at the link here. Applicants must provide sufficient information about the condition of the septic system and how much repairs to the system are estimated to cost. Estimates should include engineering services, as well as time and material costs. All system replacements and upgrades must be approved by the Oneida County Health Department and must be designed by a licensed engineer. Local Codes Departments must also approve the design. The program will run until Wednesday, March 31, 2027 or until all of the $200,000 has been awarded. Residents needing more information should call the Oneida County Health Department at 315-798-5064 or email the department at environmentalhealth@ocgov.net. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. Smoke billows from the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarem during an Israeli army operation in the north of the occupied West Bank on Thursday. Photo by Ismael Ahmad/UPI Aug. 29 (UPI) -- In Israel's ongoing counter-terrorism operation in the West Bank, soldiers killed five "terrorists" in a mosque, its military said Thursday morning. The Israel Defense Forces has been conducting an operation in the occupied Palestinian territory since Tuesday night, resulting in a growing death toll and condemnation from international humanitarian organizations. In a statement Thursday, the IDF said in an operation of its fighters, Shin Bet security agency agents and others killed five alleged terrorists "who where hiding in a mosque" in Tulkarm, in western West Bank. It said they were killed following a firefight. The IDF identified one of those killed as the head of a terrorist organization in Nur Shams, a Palestinian refugee camp in northwestern West Bank. Smoke billows from the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarem during an Israeli army operation in the north of the occupied West Bank on Thursday. Photo by Ismael Ahmad/UPI It also said one Israeli soldier was "slightly injured" near the end of the operation and was taken to the hospital. IDF Arabic spokesman Avichay Adraee added that one person was arrested. Adraee said a laboratory for the manufacturing of explosive devices was found hidden inside the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq mosque by soldiers searching overnight through the Far'a refugee camp. Palestinians inspect the damage to their homes, following an Israeli military raid in the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarem on the second day of a large-scale military operation in the north of the occupied West Bank on Thursday. Photo by Ismael Ahmad/UPI "The dangerous explosive devices, which were too dangerous to use or even move, posed a threat to the forces and to the residents living near the mosque, and therefore the engineering forces destroyed the devices on the spot in a way that did not harm the prayer hall or any holy place," he said, adding that a fire did break out but was extinguished. # . ... pic.twitter.com/mbfi1caZ6L (@AvichayAdraee) August 28, 2024 Israeli soldiers check the documents of an ambulance driver during a raid in Jenin in the occupied West Bank, on Wednesday. On Thursday, the military operation conducted. Palestinian news reports states at least 17 Palestinians have been killed and more than 30 injured in that time. Photo by Nasser Ishtayeh/UPI At least 17 Palestinians have been killed and more than 30 have been injured during the operation, the state-run Palestinian WAFA news agency reported, increasing the death toll from 11 the day before. It said it was the largest Israeli invasion of the Palestinian territory since 2002. Gov. Kamal Abu al-Rub of Jenin, where eight Palestinians were reportedly killed, told WAFA that Israeli forces have besieged his city, bulldozing streets and infrastructure, destroying vehicles and homes. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the ongoing situation in the West Bak was "deeply concerning." "I strongly condemn the loss of lives, including of children, and I call for an immediate cessations of these operations," he said in a statement, while calling for the end of the Israeli occupation. "Only an end to the occupation and a return to a meaningful political process that will establish a two-state solution will bring an end to the violence," he said. The United Nation's Human Rights Office also condemned the military response as a violation of international law that "risks further enflaming an already explosive situation." Meanwhile, Amnesty International warned that the ongoing military operations "will undoubtedly lead to an escalation in deadly violence" and the loss of Palestinian lives. "Israel's launch of a major coordinated military assault on cities and towns across the occupied West Bank follows an escalation in unlawful killings by Israeli forces in recent months and will put more Palestinians at risk," Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International's senior director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns, said in a statement. "It is likely that these operations will result in an increase in forced displacement, destruction of critical infrastructure and measures of collective punishment, which have been key pillars of Israel's system of apartheid against Palestinians and of its unlawful occupation of the occupied Palestinian territory." Israel seized the West Bank following the Six Day War in 1967, but its occupation of the region and construction of settlement outposts have been widely viewed as illegal under international law, and has attracted the repeated criticism and condemnation of the United Nations and the wider international community. The region has also since an increase in violence amid Israel's war against Hamas that began on Oct. 7 with the militant groups brutal assault on the Middle Eastern country. Between the start of the war and Monday, 622 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, 602 by Israeli forces, according to a Wednesday update from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. After weeks of expecting an escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, due to Hezbollahs threats to avenge the assassination of its chief of staff, Fuad Shukr, recent events signal that neither party is rushing into war any time soon. Israel preempted the Hezbollah attack with a somewhat limited strike, avoiding hitting strategic targets. Hezbollah, though it failed in executing its plan, presented an image of victory to its public, indicating this chapter has ended. As Hezbollahs leader, Hassan Nasrallah, said in a televised speech: Hezbollahs response has ended and at the current stage Lebanon can rest and the Lebanese who fled can return to their homes. Still, the Israel-Hezbollah escalation is far from over. All signs suggest it will get much more intense rather than subside a clear trend decision-makers in Washington need to prepare for. It has been almost 11 months since Hezbollah launched its first attack against Israel, one day after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that killed more than 1,200 Israelis and took more than 200 Israelis hostage. At that time, Hezbollah launched hundreds of explosive drones and thousands of rockets and anti-tank guided missiles against Israeli communities in the north, resulting in massive damages and casualties. The Israeli government at the beginning of the war decided to evacuate tens of thousands of civilians from the north, anticipating another Hamas-like attack a decision that today seems might have been rushed. Those evacuees have been living like refugees in their own country since then. Many are hosted in other communities in Israel or have rented temporary housing in the center, but this situation is not sustainable, either practically or economically. Now, as the school year in Israel begins, these families are not even sure where to send their kids. Just this week, one of the heads of the regional councils in the north said to the minister of education in an emergency discussion about the school year that they will never forgive this government for abandoning us and burning us alive. The ugly truth is that the government does not have a viable solution to protect these communities while fighting continues. Even if fighting stops, many of those evacuees are not willing to go back unless the threat of Hezbollah is removed. The hope, for some, is that a hostage deal with Hamas will stop the fighting in Gaza, leading to Hezbollah stopping its attacks in the north, enabling families to come back to their homes. But the negotiations are currently stalled, and it does not seem like a breakthrough is in the cards meaning that Hezbollah may continue to attack. The more important issue, which is being missed by many commentators, is that even if a hostage deal were to miraculously materialize and Hezbollah stopped all of its attacks, Israelis have now become very aware of the threat of Hezbollah on the northern border, and they are unwilling to go back and live under such a threat. In a recent survey by Israels leading national security think tank, more than 40 percent of Israelis responding to the question of what Israel needs to do in response to Hezbollahs attack answered that Israel should start a wide military operation against Hezbollah even at the risk of a regional war. This result should not shock anyone. Survey after survey in recent months has shown that many Israelis support a war against Hezbollah. Hezbollahs continued attacks against Israelis since Oct. 8 made clear to many Israelis the power that Hezbollah holds in Lebanon. It also showed them that Israels strategy of trying to prevent Hezbollah from building its military capabilities while avoiding war did not succeed. What about diplomacy? The U.S. has tried repeatedly in recent months to negotiate between Israel and Hezbollah, to come up with a formula that will stop the fighting and remove some of Hezbollahs fighting forces from the border area. Sadly, no significant progress was achieved. Furthermore, after the complete failure of UNSCR 1701 that concluded the Second Lebanon War and that was supposed to make sure Hezbollah would not rearm in south Lebanon it did so anyway many Israelis lost all trust in the efficacy of diplomacy to stop Hezbollah. The brutal truth is that war between Israel and Hezbollah is inevitable, even if it wont happen this week or next week, or even in the next few months. Hezbollah has proven to Israelis and Israeli decision-makers that it is a considerable threat that cannot be dealt with only by trying to stop its rearmament. Yes, Israeli decision-makers will need to define what will be considered a victory in a much better way than in Gaza, but taking out Hezbollahs strategic capabilities and pushing its forces away from the border will be a good start. Whether this war will happen under this administration or the next one, Washington must treat this scenario as the most probable, think about ways to limit the impact of such a war on the entire region and come up with effective mechanisms to end such a war that will benefit both the U.S. and Israel. Nadav Pollak is a lecturer on Middle East affairs at Reichman University and a former research fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal resigned on July 16. President Emmanuel Macron accepted Attals resignation, but asked him to remain in post as a caretaker until a new candidate to lead the government was agreed on. Attal is still the tenant at the Hotel Matignon, the prime ministers official residence, and is now the longest serving caretaker in French politics. Elections were held for the European Parliament on June 9, and parties of the populist, anti-immigration right performed well. Germanys Alternative fur Deutschland, the Giorgia Melonis Brothers of Italy party and the Party for Freedom in the Netherlands all increased their representation. In France, the right-wing National Rally topped the poll to win 30 of the countrys 81 EU seats, while Macrons liberal Ensemble coalition lost nearly half its representatives. More than one-third of French voters had embraced the nationalist right represented not only by the National Rally but also by Reconquete. Macron took this as a personal affront, and declared that he would dissolve the National Assembly and hold legislative elections at the end of June and beginning of July. The results made three things clear. First, although the National Rally had not polled as well as some had expected, it made significant gains. With its smaller allies, it mustered 142 seats out of 577. Second, Ensemble lost nearly 90 seats and ended up with 159. Third, there was an unexpected surge by a hastily assembled left-wing group under the banner of the New Popular Front, which came out on top with 180 seats. The morning after the election, Prime Minister Attal offered his resignation, given the bruising verdict from the electorate. Macron initially refused to accept, but a week later conceded while requesting that Attal stay on temporarily until a new government could be formed. There was a political truce during the Paris Olympics, but the closing ceremony was nearly three weeks ago and Attal is still reluctantly in office. Macron faces a thorny challenge. The prime minister of France, who leads the government and chairs the Council of Ministers, is appointed by the president, in theory with a free hand, but in effect in accordance with the political composition of the National Assembly. Although a new prime minister does not require confirmation by the legislature, the Assembly can force a government out by a vote of no confidence. But the current party balance is so divided that it is not clear what the most consensual way forward might be. The New Popular Front has claimed that, as the largest faction in the National Assembly, it has the right to nominate the prime minister. Late in July, it proposed the name of Lucie Castets, a largely unknown 37-year-old civil servant and economist currently serving as director of finance and purchasing at Paris City Hall. Castets was described as a leader of associative struggles for the defense and promotion of public services with a background in fighting tax evasion and financial crime. The president, unimpressed, dismissed her candidacy. The question is not a name; the question is what kind of majority can emerge from the National Assembly, he said. His implication, probably correct, was that the New Popular Front does not have the support of enough deputies for Castets to be a credible or sustainable prime minister. He alluded to the reelection of Yael Braun-Pivet of his own Renaissance party as presiding officer of the Assembly, ahead of the New Popular Fronts Andre Chassaigne. The New Popular Fronts furthest left element, Jean-Luc Melenchons La France Insoumise (France Unbowed), absurdly accused the president of attempting an unacceptable anti-democratic coup. In fact, Macron is practicing realism. The parties of the center and right have already vowed to vote down any government led by the New Popular Front. It is pointless arguing with parliamentary arithmetic. But where does the president turn? A prime minister from the right-wing National Rally would be as unacceptable to him as to the Assembly. Macron has called on the left to cooperate with other political forces, but that thinly veiled request to back down has been poorly received. A spokesman for the president said he would hold no further talks with La France Insoumise or the National Rally, nor with the center-right, the once-dominant Republicans. Time is running out. A draft budget must be presented to the National Assembly at the beginning of October to take effect on Jan. 1, 2025. French politics has long drawn an invisible but solid cordon sanitaire around the far-left and (especially) the far-right, but the current composition of the Assembly leaves Macron trapped in a confined center too small to find a viable government. Some names bandied around sound stale: Xavier Bertrand, a middle-ranking minister under President Jacques Chirac; 73-year-old former foreign minister Michel Barnier; socialist Bernard Cazeneuve, prime minister for six months under the almost-forgotten President Francois Hollande. If he has the inclination for self-reflection, Macron must be wondering if his decision to call a snap election was wholly wise. The National Rally did not sweep to victory, as some predicted, but Macrons presidency runs until May 2027 (after which he must step down). He must find someone who can survive as prime minister for at least a year or two at the sufferance of the National Assembly, but it looks as if every week may be a wearying struggle with his power base severely diminished. Eliot Wilson is a freelance writer on politics and international affairs and the co-founder of Pivot Point Group. He was senior official in the U.K. House of Commons from 2005 to 2016, including serving as a clerk of the Defence Committee and secretary of the U.K. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Comedy has always been prominent in politics, but this election cycle has brought increased attention to the role it can play in politicians rhetoric. Kamala Harris gave her first major speech as the Democratic nominee for president last week, which included multiple humorous elements, including the conclusion that, Simply put, [the Republicans] are out of their minds. The speech provided a first look at how Harris might employ humor in her election campaign. Over the years, U.S. politicians have differed in their use of comedy. During an internship with Professor Daniel P. Carpenter of Harvard Universitys Department of Government, I recently reviewed the last 28 years of the annual State of the Union address and found that the Democratic presidents (Biden, Obama, Clinton) delivered comedic lines more frequently and more effectively than their Republican counterparts (Trump, Bush). Former President George W. Bush, for example, hardly used comedy at all, registering just nine humorous lines across the four addresses during his first term. In contrast, President Biden was most likely to use comedy, including, the idea to ban surprise resort fees that can cost you up to $90 a night at hotels that arent even resorts. Although Harriss nomination speech had a different purpose and audience than the State of the Union, it provided some important early signals as to where she could fall on the spectrum of politicians use of humor. In 3,312 words, she made eight remarks that could be interpreted as comedy including hyperbole, zingers, and parodying remarks. In other words, she devoted 1.85 percent of her speech to comedy. Among the last five presidents, the funniest was former President Obama during his second term, in which his State of the Union addresses averaged 1.81 percent humorous content. Just as important as how much humor politicians use is what they choose to joke about. In past State of the Union addresses, three political contexts were especially popular targets of comedy. One was the economy, which related to about one-fifth of the humorous lines. For example, in President Bushs 2008 address, he lampooned wealthy Democrats demanding higher taxes, wryly inviting them to pay more. Im pleased to report that the IRS accepts both checks and money orders, he said. Another popular context was public health, the subject of about 10 percent of the jokes. For example, in 2022, President Biden remarked, You cant build a wall high enough to keep out a vaccine it might have landed better if he had delivered the line correctly as keep out a virus. Harris largely followed these trends, devoting 25 percent of her jokes to the economy and 12.5 percent to public health. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) had an even more humor-packed speech in accepting the Democratic nomination for vice president (5.67 percent of his words), focused 20 percent of his jokes on the economy. Humor may prove advantageous for Harris and her campaign. The angry stereotype has followed Black women in politics and other high-profile positions, but humor can help subvert that trope. Only 50 percent of the jokes in Harriss nomination speech yielded a large laugh, far lower than all the last five presidents, for which the lowest laugh rate was former President Obama in his first term (53 percent). In Walzs speech, 90 percent of his humorous lines received a laugh. But Harriss humor can neutralize some of the attacks from her Republican opponent. Former President Trump has repeatedly referred to Harris as Laffin Kamala, so humor could be a way to show strength in the face of his insults. In the month since she became a viable candidate for president, humor has helped draw a contrast between her and Trump. Her mockery strategy, of calling the Republican ticket weird, is an example of humor. Still, Harris must not overdo it with the humor. Evidence from previous State of the Unions suggests that certain topics are better left off-limits. For example, in nearly 30 years of State of the Union addresses, there have been no jokes about climate change or drug addiction. Furthermore, some attempts at humor have backfired, such as Sen. JD Vances (R-Ohio) comment about the childless cat ladies, which he subsequently described as an attempt to be funny. Self-deprecating humor also may not be the most effective path; indeed, in my analysis, it was not commonly used outside of President Biden, whose frequent self-deprecating remarks never managed to defuse concerns about his age. Humor can be an extremely powerful weapon for Harris in her campaign if deployed appropriately. If she continues at her current pace, her use of humor could surpass recent past examples. With Walz, they may be the funniest ticket in recent campaign history, resulting in substantial political benefits. Max Kesselheim is a student at the Roxbury Latin School in Boston. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A new book by Luis Elizondo, a former Pentagon official, doubles down on persistent allegations of secret government UFO activities. With several former senior officials and scientists making a series of alarming and seemingly credible corroborating claims, Congress must now act to separate fact from fiction. Fortunately, a legislative remedy is currently working its way through the Senate. Elizondos riveting memoir, Imminent: Inside the Pentagons Hunt for UFOs, underscores the urgency of the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act. The bill, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), is arguably the most extraordinary ever introduced in Congress. In Imminent, Elizondo claims to have learned of an ultra-secret government Legacy Program that possesses UFO materials of nonhuman origin. Notably, Elizondos terminology is an exact, word-for-word match with the language in the UAP Disclosure Act. Among several eyebrow-raising provisions, the Disclosure Act defines legacy program and non-human intelligence, with the latter referenced no fewer than two dozen times throughout the 64-page legislation. Astoundingly, the Senate majority leader sponsored legislation that would require the U.S. government to take possession of any and all recovered UFOs and biological evidence of non-human intelligence transferred to private defense contractors. The identical language in the Disclosure Act and Elizondos memoir makes sense. As Elizondo recounts, he, along with other former government officials, scientists and fighter pilots, briefed the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Armed Services Committee on the UFO phenomenon. Those briefings spurred a sweeping congressional investigation which, according to Schumer, uncovered a vast web of individuals and groups with relevant information. Congresss inquiry ultimately informed the Disclosure Act, which would mandate that all UFO-related records carry a presumption of immediate disclosure. Of equal importance, the legislation would establish a blue-ribbon review board to gradually and strategically release sensitive, long-withheld UFO-related records and, perhaps, the existence of non-human intelligence to the public via a controlled disclosure campaign. Elizondos attention-grabbing allegations cant be viewed in isolation. In a remarkable July 2023 congressional hearing, Air Force veteran and former intelligence official David Grusch testified under oath to the existence of a multi-decade [UFO] crash retrieval and reverse engineering program. Importantly, Grusch filed a formal complaint with the intelligence community inspector general the internal watchdog that oversees Americas spy agencies. The intelligence communitys first inspector general, nominated by then-President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate, signed Gruschs complaint and serves as Gruschs attorney, lending significant credibility to the underlying allegations. Grusch would be in significant legal jeopardy if he made false statements to an inspector general. Moreover, the law firm that represented Grusch confirmed that the current inspector general found Gruschs core allegation that information was inappropriately concealed from Congress to be urgent and credible, triggering legally mandated notifications to Congress. Senate Intelligence Vice Chairman Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) corroborated this finding. Although a similar inspector general complaint was closed in nine months, Gruschs case remains open over two years after it was filed. Karl Nell, a former high-ranking Army officer and defense and technology industry executive, has corroborated Grusch and Elizondos overarching allegations. In a remarkable exchange at a conference in May, Nell stated that there is zero doubt that non-human intelligence exists [and] has been interacting with humanity. This interaction is not newits been ongoing, and there are unelected people in the government who are aware of that. If Elizondo, Grusch and Nell are all fabulists, their behind-the-scenes efforts in Congress and unwavering support for the unprecedented transparency mandated by the Disclosure Act would be self-defeating, to say the least. Moreover, spurred by the release of Elizondos book, Harald Malmgren the 89-year-old distinguished statesman, former U.S. ambassador and advisor to multiple presidents stated last week that one of the most significant figures in CIA history informed him of otherworld technologies possessed by the government over six decades ago. Similarly, the former senior Defense Intelligence Agency scientist who ran the UFO analysis program that evolved into Elizondos investigative effort has stated that the government has retrieved at least one UFO. And as Elizondo writes (described in a 2020 New York Times article), government-affiliated astrophysicist Eric Davis detailed the Legacy Programs long-running efforts involving off-world vehicles not made on this earth to the Senate Intelligence and Armed Services committees. Asked about the credibility of the whistleblowers who have spoken to the Senate Intelligence Committee, Rubio characterized them as smart, educated people with high clearances and very important positions in our government. Rubio asked rhetorically, What incentive would so many people with that kind of qualification these are serious people have to come forward and make something up? Last August, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence committees, echoed Rubios comments, describing the UFO whistleblowers who informed congressional legislation as very thoughtful, serious people. Critically, Rubio stated that multiple whistleblowers with firsthand knowledge or firsthand claims of UFO retrieval and reverse engineering activities have spoken to Congress. Similarly, Grusch testified that he had the people with the firsthand knowledge provide a protected disclosure to the [intelligence community] inspector general. Rubio also stated that some of the whistleblowers who have spoken to Congress are not known publicly. According to Rubio, these individuals still work in the government, are fearful of administrative reprisals and fear harm coming to them. A source with knowledge of recent UFO legislation and whistleblower testimony added important context, telling me that most [UFO whistleblowers] are completely unknown to the public. According to the source, individuals known publicly had been advocating for years and wouldnt have been enough to move the needle. Once public, this individual told me, there are lots of questions about motivations. In other words, according to this source, the former senior officials and scientist characterized above Elizondo, Grusch, Nell and Davis were not sufficient, by themselves, to catalyze the extraordinary language in the Disclosure Act. Given the deep stigma long associated with UFOs, one wonders what the tipping point for these lawmakers may have been. When I asked my source how confident they are in the existence of legacy UFO programs, they responded, Hovering around 100 percent. It should come as little surprise, then, that Schumer, in a remarkable exchange on the Senate floor, asserted that multiple credible sources have alleged that elements of the government have illegally withheld UFO-related information from Congress. For its part, the Pentagons UFO analysis office strenuously denies allegations of secret, unreported UFO activities. But following a series of astounding analytical failures, outright falsehoods and absurd explanations for perplexing, highly credible UFO incidents, key members of the Senate have signaled their lack of trust in the Pentagons All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office. Perhaps most pointedly, Schumer and Rounds reintroduced the Disclosure Act shortly after that office released a deeply flawed report flatly denying the very allegations outlined in the legislation. Congress must pass this bill swiftly and decisively. Marik von Rennenkampff served as an analyst with the U.S. Department of States Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, as well as an Obama administration appointee at the U.S. Department of Defense. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. America and Israel have no Iran strategy. This is my conclusion after meeting with members of Congress and their staff, State Department workers, and Israeli political, intelligence, defense and think tank leaders this month. The U.S. cannot deal with the gravity of the threat, and Israel has been waiting for the U.S. to take the lead. America needs an Iran strategy because a nuclear Iran will lead to a regional nuclear arms race, in which every nation from the Muslim Brotherhood oriented Turks to Saudi Arabia to Egypt to Iranian-controlled Iraq will want and find a way to get apocalyptic weapons. And the U.S. will definitely be drawn into any resulting war. If one of those weapons falls into the hands of a terrorist organization, it will be used to intimidate American political leaders. Terrorists do not need a ballistic missiles. They can put nukes on container ships headed for the port of Baltimore, New York, New Orleans, Seattle, Miami or Los Angeles, then set them off it in international waters, shutting down the electrical grid for months (to say nothing of the supply chain) and terrorizing the whole country. Perhaps this is an overreaction, but it is a genuine possibility. Yet we choose to ignore the zealotry of jihadists in Tehran, in bunkers in Gaza, in Beirut, and in the hideouts of al-Qaeda and ISIS leaders in Syria, Iraq and Pakistan. Iran is on the verge of weaponizing a nuclear device. The U.S. director of National Intelligence could not confirm in her most recent report that Iran is not working on a nuclear weapon, a significant change from years of previous reporting to Congress. If not for Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) forcing intelligence agencies to make the information public, Americans would still be in the dark about this. To the average American, the idea the U.S. or Israel does not have a national strategy to confront the Islamic Republics ambitions seems inconceivably negligent, especially with Iran constantly in the headlines. But political leaders talking about Iran without an effective strategy for their nefarious activities throughout the Middle East and support of radical proxies that have killed many American and Israeli civilians and soldiers for decades is insufficient. The Iranian strategy is to chase America out of the Middle East, which for isolationists and pro-Hamas protesters is just fine. However, they ignore that the Iranian goal over time is not just to wipe Israel off the map, but also expand their jihadist ideology to our shores once they are able. The American mind cannot fathom in the 21st century that there are people so driven with Islamist revolutionary zeal that they would even contemplate using nuclear weapons in the name of Islam. America needs to support the Iranian people, which means allowing them to take charge of their lives, ending rape in their notorious Evin prison for dissidents, ending the misogyny endemic in their society and the routine hanging and persecution of gay Iranians. We need to support the Iranian people who have taken to the streets in the hundreds of thousands over the last 15 years to change their government. Which brings us to developing a strategy to deal with Iran. Iran is a weak and vulnerable nation despite its bravado and aggressiveness. It is happy to fight until the last drop of its Arab proxy blood. According to Mark Dubowitz and Orde Kittre, the U.S. should use the Reagan playbook that fostered the collapse of the Soviet Union. Economic warfarestrengthening the pro-democracy forces in Iranand an all-out offensive against the regimes ideological legitimacy[as it is] susceptible to collapse. This means enforcing our sanctions on the books that the Biden administration has ignored. We need to demand snapback sanctions in the U.N. Security Council under UNSCR 2231, which do not require Chinese or Russian assent. The ability to reinstate snapback sanctions ends in October 2025. We need to institute and enforce secondary sanctions against nations who ignore primary sanctions, like Americas nemesis China, and end any waivers for Iraqi electricity payments of billions of dollars a year to Iran. Starving the regime will help create the conditions for the Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands. Perhaps Elon Musk can give his Starlink system to dissidents so they can communicate and coordinate their opposition. Is this provocative? Not when you consider that Iranian-directed militias in Syria and Iraq have targeted our soldiers for years, leaving numerous deaths and traumatic brain injuries. Importantly, this does not mean American boots on the ground. Irans Supreme Leader and his terrorist henchmen in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps should never get a nuclear weapon, but they are on the threshold of doing so. Iranians oriented toward peaceful coexistence can be trusted with safeguards for a civilian nuclear program, if they desire. What does Irans current weaponization entail? It involves creating the uranium metals for an atomic warhead, developing the neutron initiators to ignite the bomb, and doing the computer modeling for it all to work. The bombs they are developing dwarf the power of those used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But time is short. Iran is on the cusp of an irreversible nuclear weaponization program, and America and Israel lack a joint strategy. Eric R. Mandel is the director of the Middle East Political Information Network and senior security editor for the Jerusalem Posts Jerusalem Report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Figuratively speaking, all roads in Iran are dangerously leading to Tehrans nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz. From there, they are increasingly interconnected in spider-like fashion to dozens of other nuclear weapons sites strategically located throughout the vast country nearly the size of Alaska. Iran is hellbent on achieving a nuclear endgame. To achieve it, though, it needs more time. Playing for time is now Tehrans number one strategic tactic in becoming a nuclear power. It informs everything that the country does in its calculus against the West. This is why Tehran appears to be holding back from immediate retaliation against Israel for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and why, if it happens in the near term, it likely will be limited and symbolic. It may also underpin Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis new statement that there is no harm to resuming nuclear negotiations with Washington. Time is the one commodity Washington does not have. Despite the prevailing view that Irans nuclear program had been curtailed since 2015, the reality is that Tehran has been accelerating its nuclear weapons program all along. For too long, the West as well as the International Atomic Energy Agency failed to call out Irans ambitions. Instead, diplomatic euphemisms were employed and the growing radioactive nuclear white elephant in Tehran was ignored. No longer. In May, for the first time, International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Rafael Grossi finally came close to acknowledging that Iran is aggressively pursuing nukes. Still, the diplomatic doubletalk continues. Grossi framed Irans progress as one of moving closer to a situation where there is a big, huge question mark about what they are doing and why they are doing it. Yet, with all due respect, there is no question mark. We have long known the deadly answer. Iran is building a nuclear weapons arsenal. You do not need to be a nuclear physicist to understand this. Basic math suffices. Ninety-percent highly enriched uranium is needed to achieve nuclear weapons-grade. Iran presently is at 60 percent HEU, and probably higher, if not already amassing stockpiles of mass enriched to 90 percent. There is no innocent explanation. Fuel rods for nuclear power plants and nuclear material for medical experiments, for example, require only 3 percent to 5 percent enrichment. There is only one reason for exceeding 5 percent. Iran wants the ability to unleash a nuclear Armageddon. Israel will not let that happen Iran knows that. So Tehran hopes to drive a wedge between the U.S. and Israel by reopening negotiations with the the Biden administration, since this would buy much-needed time. Andrea Strickers latest reporting is that Iran is shockingly close to nuclear breakout. Earlier in June, she writes, Tehran installed numerous new uranium-enrichment centrifuges at its Natanz enrichment plant and its underground Fordow site, more than tripling the latters capacity to produce uranium enriched to 60 percent purity.Tehran could have nearly 1,400 IR-6 machines spinning at the highly fortified Fordow site, along with hundreds more new advanced machines at Natanz. If were not there yet, Iran will soon be. David Albright reports for the Institute for Science and International Security that Iran could have enough weapons-grade HEU to build three nukes in 10 days, five nuclear weapons in a month and a total of nine in 60 days. Of course, constructing them is one thing, and delivering them is another. In July, Washington started to get the message. Iran has a nuclear endgame that cannot remain unchecked. But it is becoming increasingly clear that Washington does not have a plan to end Irans nuclear weapons program. Significantly, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence acknowledged in an agency latest report that Iran continues to do everything consistent with weaponizing its accelerating nuclear program, including installing [even] more advanced centrifuges, further increasing its [HEU] stockpile. Thats just the unclassified version. The classified report is setting off alarm bells across Congress. On CBS Face The Nation, House Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) warned that Iran might declare themselves a nuclear weapons state by the end of this year. We really are in If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and walks like a duck, it is a duck territory with Iran. Khamenei likely gets that, hence his signaling that he is open to further negotiations. Undoubtedly, Irans offer stems from its feelings of vulnerability. Israeli intelligence has penetrated Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other government institutions. Irans air defense networks can be penetrated on demand, a weakness Israel exposed in April when it took out a single air defense system defending Natanz. Ditto Jerusalems successful pre-emptive strike against Hezbollah earlier this week and the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran. Washington cannot be fooled again. Iran is not being cowed or deterred. Khamenei is merely playing for time until he can achieve nuclear weapons status. We are well past the point of no return. No amount of money, sanctions-relief or delay will prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power. President Biden and his administration must now finally act and make good on his White House statement of August 2022, pledging to Israel that the U.S. will never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. Iran has an endgame against Washington. It is time for the Biden-Harris administration to put a decisive end to Khameneis nuclear folly. We can no longer risk waking up to a nuclear 9/11, be it in Washington or in the Middle East. Mark Toth writes on national security and foreign policy. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Sweet served 30 years as a military intelligence officer. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The recent assassination in Tehran of Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader, has brought to light the complex and often opaque relationships that Iran maintains with non-state actors throughout the Middle East. Unlike previous incidents, where Iran has swiftly retaliated for such actions, this situation is marked by an unusual silence. Weeks have passed, and Iran has yet to respond, leaving analysts speculating about whether, how, or when retaliation might occur. This calculated inaction suggests that Irans next move may be influenced by broader geopolitical developments, particularly the ongoing efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza. If an agreement is reached, it seems increasingly possible that Iran may opt not to retaliate at all a surprising departure from its historical approach to proxy warfare. Irans cooperation with non-state allies can be understood as part of a broader global pattern of proxy warfare, where states extend their influence and pursue strategic objectives through indirect means. Like many other nations, Iran uses non-state allies to engage in conflicts without the risks associated with direct military involvement. This tactic allows Iran to apply pressure on its adversaries while minimizing the possibility of international backlash. These alliances are often based on shared ideological or religious beliefs, particularly Irans promotion of Shia Islam. This ideological alignment mirrors other states support for non-state actors rooted in common political or religious objectives, such as Saudi Arabias backing of Sunni groups or U.S. support for democratic movements. In these relationships, Iran provides its allies with weapons, training and logistical support, enhancing their ability to engage in asymmetric tactics such as guerrilla warfare and cyber-attacks. This dynamic of state support for non-state actors is not unique to Iran but is a common feature of modern conflict, where weaker states leverage unconventional means to challenge stronger military powers. However, there are distinct characteristics that set Irans strategy apart. Unlike many other nations, Iran uses religious ideology not only as a tool of influence but as a unifying force that transcends national borders. By fostering a transnational Shia identity, Iran extends its reach through groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and various Shia militias in Iraq. This religious solidarity serves as a powerful means of mobilizing support and exerting influence across the region. Moreover, Irans alliances with non-state actors are not merely temporary or transactional. These relationships are deeply institutionalized and have evolved over decades, transforming groups like Hezbollah into major political and military forces with enduring ties to the Iranian state. This long-term commitment contrasts with other state-non-state partnerships, which are often more fleeting and based on immediate strategic interests. Iran has also blurred the lines between state and non-state actors in ways that few other countries have. By integrating these groups into its broader state military strategy, particularly through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran has created a hybrid model of influence that complicates efforts to counter its actions. This blending of state and non-state forces enhances Irans ability to project power indirectly, making it difficult for adversaries to identify clear targets for retaliation. Another distinctive aspect of Irans strategy is its support for non-state actors in the digital realm. Beyond traditional military aid, Iran has equipped its proxies with cyber warfare capabilities, giving them the tools to challenge adversaries in both the physical and virtual worlds. This technological sophistication adds a modern dimension to Irans influence, allowing it to disrupt its enemies on multiple fronts. Irans network of non-state actors spans the Middle East, creating a regional web of influence often referred to as the Shia Crescent. This network enables Iran to exert control across multiple countries simultaneously, making it difficult for opponents to counter its influence effectively. By decentralizing conflict and empowering independent yet coordinated non-state allies, Iran has developed a distributed warfare strategy that places pressure on adversaries from multiple directions. The killing of Ismail Haniyeh, however, has introduced an element of uncertainty into this well-oiled machine of proxy warfare. Irans decision not to respond immediately suggests a more calculated approach than in the past, one that may be influenced by broader geopolitical calculations. As negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continue, Iran may be weighing the costs and benefits of retaliation more carefully. Historically, Iran has positioned itself as a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause, often using its influence over groups like Hamas to challenge Israel. But if a diplomatic resolution to the conflict appears within reach, Iran may see more value in holding back rather than risking further destabilization through military action. This restraint, if it continues, could signal a significant shift in Irans broader strategy. It suggests that Iran may be moving away from immediate military responses in favor of a more long-term, calculated approach that prioritizes its broader geopolitical goals over short-term gains. The silence following Haniyehs assassination may indicate that Iran is willing to forgo retaliation if it believes peace in Gaza could ultimately serve its interests better than continued conflict. Irans cooperation with non-state allies is a complex and multifaceted strategy that combines elements of proxy warfare, religious ideology and long-term institutionalization. The killing of Ismail Haniyeh highlights the delicate balance Iran must maintain between its commitments to these non-state actors and its broader geopolitical ambitions. As Irans next steps remain uncertain, it is clear that any decision to retaliateor notwill be deeply intertwined with the larger dynamics at play in the Middle East. Whether Iran ultimately chooses to respond militarily or hold back, its actions will continue to shape the regions geopolitical landscape for years to come. Pari Esfandiari is the co-founder and president at the Global TechnoPolitics Forum, a member of the at-large advisory committee at ICANN representing the European region, and a member of APCO Worldwides advisory board. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Reuters) - New vehicle sales in the United States are projected to rise over 4% in August from a year ago, partly boosted by the Labor Day weekend falling within the reporting period, according to a joint report by industry consultants J.D. Power and GlobalData on Thursday. On a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) basis, which adjusts for Labor Day timing, sales are expected to stay roughly flat at 15.3 million units. WHY IT IS IMPORTANT Discounts from dealers and manufacturers are rising, while average transaction prices are falling, leading to a slight SAAR growth in August. The industry is also grappling with the effects of reduced leasing activity from three years ago. Fewer leases signed back then mean fewer lessees are returning to dealers to purchase or lease a new vehicle. J.D. Power on Wednesday forecast a slower-than-expected growth rate for EV sales in the first half of 2024 amid competition in the market for gasoline-powered models. BY THE NUMBERS Total new vehicle sales for August, including retail and non-retail transactions, are expected to be up about 4.2% to 1,437,954 units from a year ago. Transaction prices are trending towards $44,039, down $1,895 from a year earlier. Total retailer profit per unit - which includes vehicles gross plus finance and insurance income - is expected to be $2,249, down 33% from August 2023. KEY QUOTES "An increase in the transition to EVs will take time, with several interdependent variables affecting adoption," said Elizabeth Krear, vice president, electric vehicle practice at J.D. Power. "The global demand recovery is showing signs of slowing, with lower volume tempering the outlook for the rest of the year," Jeff Schuster, vice president of research, automotive at GlobalData. (Reporting by Aishwarya Jain in Bengaluru; Editing by Shreya Biswas) Now is not the time to micro-manage Kyivs actions or to withhold supplies and impose strict caveats on equipment use, especially against military targets in Russian territory, out of fear of escalating the war, possibly to a nuclear level. Over the past few years, Ukrainians have learned that externally-imposed restrictions, aimed at keeping the war contained within Ukraines borders, have only enabled Russia and, tragically, led Ukraine into a lethal war of attrition. Its too early to judge if Kyivs recent military incursion into Kursk Oblast, launched in early August, was the right approach, though it has succeeded in boosting the morale of Ukrainian troops and civilians, especially after the failure of the 2023 counteroffensive against entrenched Russian defenses. Ukrainians and their allies have been concerned that the sheer scale of Russian numbers could eventually give Russia the upper hand against the determined but numerically disadvantaged Ukrainians. Despite Russia having already suffered 600,000 casualties, with 15-20% of these being fatalities, its population is at least four times larger than Ukraine's, and its economy is 15 times the size. This disparity is evident in Russia's mobilization numbers and its defense industrys capacity to expand. The Ukrainian intervention in Kursk has several objectives, according to Oleksandr Merezhko, the chair of Kyivs parliamentary foreign affairs committee. These include relieving pressure on other fronts and providing a buffer zone for Ukrainian forces around the eastern Ukrainian city of Sumy. Strategically, it also demonstrates, he says, "that we can turn the tide and show results to Western taxpayers." He hopes the Kursk operation will have a similar impact to the Wagner mutiny, which saw Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner Group, drive from Rostov-on-Don to Moscow in June 2023. This event, which ended in negotiations with a surprised Kremlin, highlighted the vulnerabilities and weaknesses within the Russian state. Read also: The Counteroffensive: How Ukraine uses The Lord of the Rings to frame its battle for survival The Kursk advance creates an opportunity for diplomatic leverage. Until now, the political efforts for peace have lagged behind the military developments. Ukraines move into Russia should be viewed in the context of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys 10-point peace plan. For peace to take hold, Ukraine must show that there are greater benefits to peace than to continuing the war, and demonstrate a viable path to achieving it. Additionally, external powers must actively encourage both sides to come to the negotiating table. Enormous challenges remain, particularly among states that prioritize narrow interests over human rights. Some key African and Latin American countries fall into this category, such as Colombia and South Africa. While South Africa has pressured Israel over Gaza through international courts, it has not done the same with Russia, its BRICS ally, regarding the full-scale war against Ukraine. Egypt and Ethiopia are similarly among the fence-sitters, indicating as much about their preference for Russian President Vladimir Putins style of governance as their interests in arms transfers and geopolitical allegiances. Brazil and China, with their own peace formula, essentially offer a rival process to Ukraines, potentially with tacic Russian support as fellow BRICS members. Rival processes often expect Ukraine to make concessions that China, Brazil, or other BRICS members would be unwilling to make. Most Ukrainians are committed to one key negotiating principle: the return of all territory according to the 1991 borders, including Crimea. That Ukraine is striving for its sovereignty should be important to African states in particular, given the continental propensity for weak borders that criss-cross ethnic allegiances and communities. Neutrality in this conflict often equates to working in Russias favor. A Russian victory would suggest, as former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko put it, that "Dictators International" would be the norm. This has broader implications for democrats everywhere, from Venezuela to Zimbabwe, where civilians struggle against authoritarianism. Goals also matter. Ukraines demands are not just about territory; as Nobel laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk points out, they represent "a historic opportunity to change the approach to justice for war crimes." War tends to deepen poverty, and in Kharkiv, the daily reality of war is evident in the ruined buildings and the constant threat of air raids. The cost of turning a blind eye to Russias wanton destruction in eastern and southern Ukraine extends beyond the loss of civilian lives and infrastructure. It reflects a situation where the state's interests overshadow those of the individual, contrary to the human rights principles established after World War II. Ukraine will need safeguards, such as potential membership in the European Union and NATO (with interim NATO-like security guarantees). The goal is to achieve EU membership by 2029, ahead of the next European parliamentary elections, according to Maria Mezentseva, a Ukrainian MP from Kharkiv working on Euro-Atlantic integration. While NATO membership could be challenging while at war, Ukraine's interoperability with NATO demonstrates progress. The Russian invasion has accelerated Ukraines integration with the West. This has been facilitated not only by accession talks but also by the movement of people, with over five million Ukrainian refugees in Europe, and the strengthening of logistics chains with the West. Ukraines leadership in defense technology innovation also reflects this shift. While there is still much to be done, especially in governance, the benefits of this integration are evident: Ukraines per capita wealth is just $2,200, compared to the Eurozone average of $37,400. Ukraines progress post-war will depend on the continued flow of financial support, which will rely on its role as a bulwark against Russia and its ability to improve governance and combat corruption. For now, the priority remains maintaining the flow of money and arms from the West while pursuing peace an ongoing balancing act skillfully managed by Zelensky. Ukraine demonstrates the crucial role of technology in modern warfare. Without the internet and advancements in drone technology, soldiers would operate almost blindly. Yet, the fundamentals of warlogistics, training, mass, maneuver, and fighting spiritremain constant. Khartiias officer praised his troops proficiency with the Browning 5-oh, considered a strategic weapon by the Russians, but noted a shortage of artillery ammunition, particularly of NATO standards. Ukraine can still do more, especially in mobilizing troops, despite advances through apps like Reserve-Plus and Army-Plus. Only infantry can hold ground effectively at this stage, as drones are not yet a substitute. Kyiv feels oddly normal compared to a wartime city, contrasting with the image of London in 1942. Effective debt management and financial sacrifices are necessary, echoing Churchills reminder that sometimes you must do what is required. Ukraine should be cautious not to take outside assistance for granted, as the recent experience in Afghanistan highlights the unpredictability of international support and the severe consequences of misplaced trust. In the midst of the Kursk incursion, excluding the possibilities of Putins departure or a Russian economic collapse, four potential peace scenarios emerge. Read also: Opinion: How Oleksandr Dubovyks bouquet philosophy is shaping a global Ukrainian renaissance The first would involve Ukraine expelling Russia, either through military action or negotiations. This would require the timely delivery of promised Western weapons and the deployment of well-trained, refreshed Ukrainian brigades. A second scenario is that Kyiv might negotiate from a position of weakness. A third possibility is meeting Putins demands, which would entail Ukraine forgoing NATO (or EU) membership for security guarantees. This assumes Putin would abandon what former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko describes as an imperial project to recreate the Russian empire, an ambition he argues is impossible without Ukraine. The fourth, more speculative scenario is that an outsider such as former U.S. President Donald Trump or even Chinese President Xi Jinping might threaten both Russia and Ukraine with increased escalation or reduced support in order to broker a deal. These scenarios hinge on the level of support among Ukrainians for negotiations. Support for Zelensky has dropped from over 90% at the start of 2023 to 54% in June (before the Kursk invasion). Fewer Ukrainians are willing to negotiate if it involves conceding territory acquired after 1991. Support for negotiating to end the war fell from 43% to 26% when respondents were asked to choose between negotiating with Russia and continuing the fight. Ultimately, peace will be a political decision. The Kursk incursion seeks to counter Russia's overwhelming economic and numerical strength through surprise, maneuver, and Ukrainian tactical ingenuity. It appeared that Ukraine was going to fall, admits Oleksandr Lytvynenko, Secretary of Ukraines National Defense and Security Council, describing Russia's advance as one hundred to two hundred meters per day, very slow, but seemingly unstoppable. Turning the tactical gains from Kursk into strategic success depends on several factors, including the scale, speed, and type of international assistance. Zelensky stressed on August 17, 11 days into the operation, that it is undoubtedly important for us that our partners remove the barriers that prevent us from weakening Russian positions as required by the course of the war. Long-range capabilities are key to resolving the most critical issues, but theres also the need to build diplomatic support, maintain economic stability, and strengthen the armed forces to withstand Russias military. While the operation is risky, Kursk has already shifted the wars narrative. Whether this shift will be enough to sustain international supportparticularly with the US election in November 2024 loomingdepends on Kyivs ability to hold its ground as leverage in future negotiations. Support for Ukraine or Russia ultimately ties into the broader issue of defending or opposing the international rules-based order, especially the principle of non-interference in states' internal affairs. Russia and its allies want to deepen this principle domestically while maintaining the right to interfere externally. With Kursk, the stakes have risen, and they could climb even higher if Ukraine launches further surprise actions, such as in Crimea or elsewhere. Lytvynenko points out that Russias strategy rests on rejecting Ukrainian identity. But, he smiles, we dont think this way because, axiomatically, we are not Russian. However, he warns against Ukraine engaging in a drawn-out war of attrition, given Russia's numerical advantage. Instead, Kyiv must focus on an asymmetric strategy fighting smart. We have no territorial claims against Russia, Lytvynenko adds. We dont want to intervene in Russia or change its government. We just want to determine our own future. Ukraines ability to determine its future depends on battlefield success. Given the broader implications for international law, human rights, and justice, Ukrainians deserve not just to see Putin defeated they deserve victory. Editors 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. In recently resurfaced comments, Donald Trump's running mate JD Vance asserted that childfree teachers brainwash and destroy the minds of children. As an educator, I hope women everywhere, in every profession, are listening. During a 2021 leadership forum hosted by the Center for Christian Virtue, Vance was asked how hed handle issues with schools while senator. In his answer, he took aim at Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, saying, You know, so many of the leaders of the left, and I hate to be so personal about this, but theyre people without kids, trying to brainwash the minds of our children. If she wants to brainwash and destroy the mind of children, he added, she should have some of her own and leave ours the hell alone. To be clear, Weingarten is stepmother to two daughters and has publicly described herself as a mother by marriage. But her family status is irrelevant to her capacity to lead the nations teachers. I began my career as a middle school English teacher in New Jersey. When I was studying for licensure, I was required to take university and state exams focused on content knowledge and best practices, all with a foundation in child psychology and the science of learning. I gained experience designing lesson plans, assessments and rubrics that account for the myriad learning styles that populate classrooms across this country each year. At no time during my path to teaching was I questioned about the status of my womb and whether gestation would enhance my ability to work with children and their families. When I became a teacher, my students and I read books together. I taught them to analyze text and write essays across several genres. In my classroom, students learned about the art of informed argumentation and how in the words of Plato opinion is the lowest form of knowledge. They also learned new vocabulary and grammar and everything else that one might expect of a classroom in which literacy development is front and center. I like to think that what my students learned while in my care helped set them up to pursue success in their chosen professions. When I met my students parents to talk about their childs progress, at no time was I questioned about my reproductive status, or how that status related to my ability to educate their children. All parents simply want to know that the person standing at the front of the room is competent in their chosen profession and cares about their child as a whole person. I now teach at the college level, in a teacher preparation program. My students are some of our nations future teachers. My curriculum includes the nuts and bolts of teaching and has been adapted to account for the issues facing schools, classrooms and students today. We work on how to not only create lesson plans, but also build inclusive classroom communities where all children feel safe and cared for, and where parents can feel confident knowing that their children are in good hands. It doesnt even occur to me to wonder about my students reproductive organs or their future goals for family planning. Why? Because Im not weird. A teachers willingness to be a mother, or a desire to remain childfree, has absolutely no bearing on their capacity to care for the children who will some day occupy a seat in their classroom. Also, not all of my students have wombs. Which leads me to my next point: Its no accident that Vance speaks this way about a female-dominated profession. He has a well-deserved reputation for demeaning women and their work at nearly every turn. Just as he denounced childfree women who have cats, and said nothing of the childfree men who also have cats, so too does he also vilify teachers who do not have children, and says nothing of the fact that not all teachers have wombs. Perhaps next, its women in any profession with only one or two children who meet his disapproval. Vance has shown us that, indeed, there is no bottom, no misogynistic low for which he will not strive. Its fitting that Vances comments have resurfaced as a new school year begins. As I type this, all teachers regardless of whether they have children are currently digging into their own pockets for supplies that experience and wisdom tells them their new students will need. I personally know teachers who keep drawers stocked with nonperishable food for students to access, no questions asked. Every day, my own social media feed is full of teachers posting links to their classroom wish lists, pleading for assistance that they cant get anywhere else. Many of the folks I describe here are childfree, but they care and want to do a good job for other peoples children, which is why they go into teaching to begin with. It goes without saying that the Republican Party has long had an axe to grind for educators. For years, GOP lawmakers like Vance and their allies have lobbed misinformed attacks against us and the work we do. Most recently, the Heritage Foundations infamous Project 2025 proposes dismantling the Department of Education, which not coincidentally is the entity that funds public schools. But Vances comments are not really about teachers. He has made it clear to American women: There is nothing we can do outside of raising children and grandchildren that meets his approval. And all coming from a man who cant even seem to order doughnuts in a way that isnt cringe-inducing. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Serving in a unit like the 101st Airborne Division can feel like a job. Its a normal, everyday thing. Even in combat. Its not until after you leave a famous unit like that after you leave the Army, in fact that you realize it is a privilege to lead and serve alongside such soldiers. Its not until much later, among the regular people at the office, that you realize how unlikely it is that anyone around you would ever grab three guys and come running if you were pinned down or out of ammo. In the Army, you take those things for granted because everybody does it. They do it. They dont question it. They dont all survive. I survived and Im old now. Not truly old. Im 46. But old in the Army sense. Im no longer carved out of wood. My left hamstring groans at the thought of running more than a mile. Doctors have taken an interest in my colon. But I realize this is a privilege. Its a gift. Being old, I mean. Aging out. For once, Im finally aware of the privilege in the moment. I am old. But I have friends who are still in their 20s. Friends who should be in their 40s. Some of them are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. That is what makes Arlington a special place. And for those of us who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, Section 60 the burial site of hundreds of service members killed in those wars is the inner sanctum. It is the most sacred plot among more than 600 hallowed acres. When I lived in Northern Virginia during Barack Obamas administration, I avoided Section 60 studiously. It was too much, and still too close. There was always that looming sense that it couldve been me. Maybe it shouldve been me. So I didnt visit until I was about to move back to Dallas. An Army buddy told me I had to go before I left D.C. So I did. Finally. All of this is to say that, to combat veterans, Arlington National Cemetery has the same power that all holy places have. And that is why Donald Trumps recent behavior is so repulsive. Trump was so eager to use Arlingtons Section 60 as a backdrop for a campaign event this week that he may have broken federal laws against politicizing the burial ground to do it. Trumps staff also shoved aside a cemetery official trying to stop them. He even posed for a photograph over a U.S. Marines gravesite, grinning and giving a thumbs-up. The moment was jaw-droppingly crass and vulgar, as all of Trumps are. It defiled sacred ground. But of course, Trumps disregard for military tradition and his disdain for military service members is well documented. This incident was only the latest in a long line. Trump began his adult life dodging the draft for Vietnam. Someone else went in his place. Maybe that person survived. Or maybe theyre buried at Arlington with thousands of other Vietnam veterans. 'Whatever the outcome, the thought has never troubled Trump. He later told Howard Stern that avoiding sexually transmitted diseases was my personal Vietnam. When those comments resurfaced during his first run for president, his supporters shrugged them off. Its a joke! they said. Hes a showman! If it had only ended there. In 2015, responding to criticism from Sen. John McCain, a former POW, Trump claimed, Hes not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who werent captured. However one feels about the Vietnam War, few Americans have given more for their country than John McCain. That didnt matter to Trump. A year later, after Trump proposed the first version of his Muslim ban, the parents of Army officer Humayun Khan took the stage at the Democratic National Convention. Khan is buried at Arlington, having been killed in Iraq in 2004. His parents gave an impassioned plea to voters, laying out how service members of all faiths had sacrificed their lives in Americas wars. They denounced Trumps attempt to single out Muslims. He responded by spending days attacking the grieving Gold Star family. General Mark Milley told The Atlantic that when he invited a wounded, wheelchair-bound soldier to sing God Bless America at Milleys welcoming ceremony as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, Trump admonished him. Why do you bring people like that here? Trump asked, according to Milley. No one wants to see that, the wounded. On a trip to France in 2018, Trump declined a scheduled visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, where more than 2,200 U.S. service members are buried. Why should I go to that cemetery? he asked staff members. Its filled with losers. This horrific statement was confirmed by Trumps then-chief of staff, John Kelly, a former Marine general whose own son was killed in Afghanistan and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Kelly also confirmed that in another conversation on the same trip, Trump called the Marines who died at Belleau Wood suckers for getting killed. And just a few weeks ago, Trump told an audience that the Congressional Medal of Freedom hed awarded to Republican donor Miriam Adelson was much better than the Medal of Honor. Trump said the civilian award was superior because Medal of Honor recipients are either in very bad shape because theyve been hit so many times by bullets or they are dead. These are not one-off statements by a rhetorically reckless buffoon. This man harbors deep resentment toward the military and those whove sacrificed in service. Even when he poses with a family as he did at Arlington this week he only does so to enhance his campaign or his political prospects. Trumps use for the military and our dead extends only as far as it suits him. All Americans should keep this front of mind as we head into the fall. In particular, veterans should remember that Donald Trumps behavior at Arlington National Cemetery this week epitomizes not only how he is a menace to the United States, but how he is an enemy of everything we fought for. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com When I was preparing for deployment for Iraq in 2007, we were required to do grenade training. Before we started, our master sergeant asked who would jump on a grenade to save the lives of others. More than half of the Marines (mostly guys who hadnt deployed yet) raised their hands. When we finished training, he asked the same question. After seeing what grenades actually do, no one raised their hands. Our master sergeant then told us that is what separated Cpl. Jason Dunham from the rest of us Marines, and why Dunham earned the Medal of Honor. We all sacrificed in the military, but Jasons sacrifice is on a level even Marines might struggle to understand. Earlier this week, Donald Trump, looking to jump start his struggling campaign, decided to make a campaign stop at Arlington National Cemetery. This hallowed ground had been avoided by Trump for the last three years, but now was a perfect opportunity to engage in what he has mastered better than most politicians; performative patriotism. However, there was something that would inhibit his goals and that was the actual rules of Arlington National Cemetery which prohibit political campaigning and photography for political purposes. Of course, that wouldnt stop Trump and his team from getting what they wanted. An altercation ensued, and we were presented with a picture of Trump smiling over the graves of the fallen with a thumbs up. This pursuit of the photo op, despite rules, decorum, decency and tact is the latest illustration of Trump appearing to view fallen military and their families as props and not people. And it plays into the feelings that Americans have about a word that Trump knows how to manipulate. Sacrifice. This isnt the first time that Trump has run afoul of his view of military members. We all remember what he said about late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), his words to his chief of staff and Gold Star father Gen. John Kelly about suckers and losers. And in his latest insult, he asserted that the nations highest military award, the Congressional Medal of honor, is no better than the Presidential Medal of Freedom. But there was one incident back in 2016 that I want to touch on because it speaks volumes about how Trump views sacrifice. After Khizr and Ghazala Khan shared the story of their son, Humayun Khan, who had died in Iraq in 2004, Trump decided to discuss the loss of their son in the context of his own personal sacrifices. Speaking to ABCs George Stephanopoulos, Trump said I think Ive made a lot of sacrifices. I work very, very hard. Trump went on to talk about the buildings and jobs he created, putting his business career on the same level as an officer who had died preventing a suicide bomber from killing his men. Of course, Trump (his writers) put out a carefully worded condolence later. But since then, we have been treated to a slew of insults to people who served and their families. We have also been doused with the performative routine that Trump uses to rally some of his followers. From hugging flags to altering the Bible, Trump has made millions from his followers. Now this performative patriot routine will always appeal to certain people. Slap a flag on a beer can, truck, t-shirt sleeve, bag of coffee or underwear and people will pay for it, regardless of its quality. And you really cant blame them for this and Trump being the businessman that he is, taking advantage of that. But on a deeper level, we also need to understand this. Trump seems to truly believe that the sacrifices that Americans have made in battle are on the same level as the ones he has made in his business and political career. And that is something that no true patriot should accept. Sure, we all sacrifice in some sense. Parents sacrifice for their kids, immigrants sacrifice their old lives to start a new one here, people give up time with their families to start a new business, and teenagers sacrifice fun times with friends to work toward college acceptance and success. But most of us have the cognizance to realize that what we give up pales in comparison to the sacrifices that service members endure. It is easy to hug a flag, sell an American Bible or stage a photo op at Arlington. But Trump has never been able to answer whether he truly knows what it is like to sacrifice for his country. Does he understand that whatever he did pales in comparison to those who had died for us? And is he humble enough to admit it? Jos Joseph is a masters candidate at the Harvard Extension School at Harvard University. He is a Marine veteran who served in Iraq and lives in Anaheim, Calif. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Opinion: Politics and Arlington National Cemetery show the need for Americans to confront their sacred places In an interview with the University of Connecticut a few years ago, history professor and author Micki McElya talked about the importance of Arlington National Cemetery as a sacred place. I do believe that Arlington National Cemetery as ground that has been hallowed over time by civilian and military uses encapsulates the entire history of the country, she said. Its both profound and beautiful as a space; it doesnt tell just one story but it tells many stories, including contested and difficult ones. That story extends to its origins as a plantation built and maintained by enslaved people, many of whom are buried there along with their descendants. Its grounds include the house where Robert E. Lee made the fateful decision to resign from the U.S. Army and fight for the Confederacy. Arlington is a site that pulls all of these historical and political threads together; but that puts a very big burden on a small piece of land, McElya, who wrote The Politics of Mourning: Death and Honor in Arlington National Cemetery, said. Its a burden Arlington doesnt face alone. The United States is filled with sacred places, from local cemeteries to churches, synagogues and temples, from city halls and statehouses to the halls of Congress. That list also includes Civil War battlegrounds and land considered sacred by Indigenous tribes, as well as countless historical sites and monuments. Americans, and Utahns in particular, have been forced in recent days to confront the intersection of sacred spaces, specifically Arlington, and raw politics a different sort of institution, often crass but also necessary to freedom. It is a good intersection to explore, especially in an age where sacred things are too easily tossed aside or marginalized. Misty Fuoco, left, sister of Nicole Gee, and Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump place their hands over their heart after placing a wreath in honor of Sgt. Nicole Gee, at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, in Arlington, Va. | Alex Brandon Earlier this week at a wreath-laying ceremony to honor the 13 soldiers, including a Utahn Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor, who died during the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan three years ago former President Donald Trumps campaign staff clashed with cemetery officials. A statement from the Army said the participants in the event had been told about rules prohibiting filming for political purposes at such events. The Army said a cemetery official attempted to enforce the rules but was abruptly pushed aside. For its part, the Trump campaign has called the cemetery official despicable and said she had a mental health episode. The Army said she acted with professionalism and has decided against filing charges. Separately, Utah Gov. Spencer Coxs campaign decided to post pictures of the ceremony, which he attended with Trump, and to use these in a campaign email. The governor subsequently issued a statement apologizing, saying the campaign was not authorized to do what it had done. Campaigns and campaign workers can easily get out of hand and exceed their authority. That deserves a benefit of doubt. But Americans often take their cues from the actions of people at the top of state and national governments. The record there is slipping. We should demand better. Last year, a clash erupted in the U.S. Senate over a long-standing dress code after Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman insisted on wearing shorts and a hoodie on the Senate floor. That caused The Washington Post editorial board to say, Dressing formally conveys respect for the sanctity of the institution and for the real-world impact of the policies it advances. Putting on a suit creates an occasion for lawmakers to reflect, just for a moment, on the special responsibilities with which the people have entrusted them and on a deliberative process that at least aspires to solemnity. A court, the editorial said, wouldnt be court unless (judges) put on black robes. And that gets to the heart of the matter. Sacred places are important because they convey solemn and often silent messages about things that are of real value to society. They urge us to dress differently and to act with dignity, which in turn urges our minds to contemplate things much larger than ourselves. Churches, as The Hill quoted Harvards Robert D. Putnam saying, build and sustain more social capital than any other type of institution in America. Churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship provide a vital institutional base for civic good works and a training ground for civic entrepreneurs. Historical sites honor those who made sacrifices and endured hardships that blessed future generations. On an everyday level, civil discourse among individuals honors the sanctity of life and the concept of equality under God. Insults and profane discourse do the opposite. Weddings and funerals demand our best dress, not just out of tradition, but as an outward symbol of respect. Yes, the nation needs a serious discourse about sacred places and decorum, and not just in the opportunistic realm of politics. A society that loses its regard for these places will become deaf to the messages they speak. As the American Historical Review said in its review of McElyas book on Arlington: Perhaps it is cliche to observe that in the cities of the dead we find meaning for the living. But such a cliche is certainly fitting of Arlington. As it is in so many other places, as well. Former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard joined former President Donald Trumps transition team this week. Trumps campaign has framed the addition of Kennedy and Gabbard, who are both former Democrats, to its team as proof that Trump has assembled a broad coalition that has expanded across partisan lines. Kennedy and Gabbard dont represent significant Democratic constituencies, however. Theyre fringe, idiosyncratic political players whove long had supporters on the right. Trump's tent didn't necessarily get bigger; in fact, this is a potential narrowing of his coalition, as theres a chance that, by bringing Gabbard and Kennedy under his wing, Trump alienates more voters than he wins over. It is standard and savvy for parties to point out that they appeal to people across the aisle. At the Democratic National Convention, Democrats attempted to make that case by inviting several Republicans to speak on the main stage, such as former Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan. Having people like Kinzinger speak about how theyll be voting for Democrats and not Trumps GOP is powerful because Kinzinger is still a Republican and during his time in office he was aligned with the Republican establishment. He was first elected during the tea party wave endorsed by Republican former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and as my colleague Steve Benen has pointed out, Kinzingers voting record in Congress was that of a traditional Republican partisan. His strident opposition to Trump, then, has the potential for credibility with certain sectors of the GOP. Kennedy and Gabbard, a former representative from Hawaii, arent analogous to Republicans like Kinzinger. Even when Gabbard was in the Democratic Party, her outlier positions on foreign policy made it an awkward fit. In office, Gabbard praised Russian President Vladimir Putins Syria strategy over former President Barack Obamas, met personally with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and argued in favor of aligning with his brutal regime and insisted Democrats werent calling out Islamist terrorism clearly enough. She fared poorly in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries, where her value add as a candidate was her idiosyncratic foreign policy views. In 2022, she announced she was leaving the party, and she immediately formed a warm relationship with Fox News. She has evolved into a vociferous critic of Democrats and long been seen as a friend of the MAGA right. Thus, her joining Trump doesnt come as a shock. Kennedys journey is different, but it similarly clashes with the Democratic Party establishment. Despite his surname and a history of working as an environmental lawyer, he has long been at odds with prevailing norms among Democrats, liberals and even mainstream conservatives with his noncredible activism against vaccines. During the Covid pandemic, he became a superspreader of misinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccines and influenced Republican talking points with his online messaging. When he threw his hat in the ring in the Democratic presidential primaries in April 2023, he did, surprisingly, garner the interest of a surprisingly large percentage of Democrats, sometimes receiving the support of up to 20% of Democratic voters. But before it could be established what percentage of that support owed to Biden fatigue and his names being Kennedy, he dropped out of the primaries and launched an independent campaign. Most of his time as a presidential candidate in the public eye has been defined by his appearances in the right-wing media ecosystem. Its no surprise that, since last year, polling has shown that Republicans hold a more favorable view of him than Democrats do. In other words, neither Kennedy nor Gabbard is well-positioned to sell the story of how the Democratic Party left them. While both of them are idiosyncratic and hold views that dont fit into one ideological category, their most salient, reputation-defining views in recent years havent had a significant audience in the Democratic Party. For a long time theyve been seen as not quite belonging to that party. Their defections to Trump not only make sense but have recently even seemed probable. Will Trump benefit from his newest transition team members? Gabbard has a small, energetic online following, but shes currently more of a pundit than a politician and has been seen as an adversary of the Democratic establishment long enough that its hard to see her moving the dial in any significant way. Kennedy, on the other hand, was putting up significant numbers with his independent presidential campaign until last week, and the behavior of his following remains an open question. After Vice President Kamala Harris entered the White House race, Kennedys support declined to around 5% in three-way matchups among Harris, Trump and Kennedy. It seemed clear he was more of a threat to Trumps vote share than Harris. But its hard to predict how persuasive Kennedy will be in persuading his supporters to cast their ballots for Trump. It is plausible that a significant proportion of his remaining die-hard followers were disinclined to ever vote for either of the two major parties. Its also plausible that much of his support was never going to materialize at the ballot box since his campaign hinged on the idea of mistrust of American institutions. Instead of winning more independents, theres even a chance Trump takes a ding among such voters for Kennedys most extreme views and for lending credence to the Democrats seemingly effective attack that the GOP is hobbled by weirdness and creepiness. Kennedy constantly makes news for an unrelenting stream of outlandish conspiracy theories and bizarre personal tales. He has offensively and falsely claimed that Covid was "targeted" to spare Chinese people and Jews. He has told stories about worms eating his brain and about leaving a dead bear cub in Central Park. It has recently resurfaced that in a 2012 magazine story, his daughter said her father once found a dead whale on a beach in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, used a chain saw to sever its head and then tied it to the roof of his car and (potentially illegally) drove it home to New York. In light of Kennedys official role in helping form a potential Trump administration, and in light of reporting that Kennedy and Trump have discussed whether hed have a position in one, Democrats can now pin Kennedys strangeness and extremism onto Trump. Trump might ultimately benefit at the margins from Kennedys dropping out and joining his campaign. All signs indicate that this will be an extremely tight race, and so even a small share of votes that mightve otherwise gone to Kennedy in a swing state could be of help to Trump. But its far from a slam dunk. (One additional wrinkle: Kennedy wont be able to remove his name from ballots in Wisconsin and Michigan, and that fact could theoretically hurt Trump in those states with people looking for a protest vote option.) Ultimately, Gabbard and Kennedy arent sirens for Democrats, and Kennedys extremely odd behavior could be a liability for Trump. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com On Friday, Donald Trump declared that his administration would be great for women and their reproductive rights. The Truth Social post immediately drew the ire of anti-abortion leaders and the mockery of commentators supportive of abortion rights, who noted that in an interview the day before, Trump had also repeated his now familiar (and false) line that all Americans wanted Roe v. Wade overturned. Trump is trying to have it both ways. And while this strategy may not exactly be working at the moment, history can help us understand his bigger goal and whether it will work in the longer term. Clearly, Trump and many in the GOP are aware that the reversal of Roe remains unpopular. And Republicans attempts to appear more moderate may seem novel, given how recently politicians like JD Vance boasted about their pro-life bona fides. But in reality, just a few decades ago mainstream Republicans were already trying hard to appease both sides of the debate. Ronald Reagan was the first GOP presidential nominee to fully embrace the anti-abortion movement, believing not that most Americans opposed legal abortion but that his position could help the GOP win over socially conservative Catholics and Democrats who might have voted Democratic for economic reasons. In 1976, the GOP platform adopted at the Republican National Convention had taken a muddy position on abortion; in 1980, Reagan ran on a platform that embraced an amendment to the Constitution to protect fetal rights. But by the late 1980s and early 1990s, GOP leaders were having second thoughts. Lee Atwater, George H.W. Bushs campaign manager, often stated publicly that anti-abortion positions were unpopular and stressed that the GOP was a big tent that could accommodate those with a range of positions on reproductive rights. With Atwaters encouragement, Ann Stone, the ex-wife of Trumpworld insider Roger Stone, launched Republicans for Choice in 1990 to organize these efforts. This move was blunted by the success of firebrand Pat Buchanan during the 1992 GOP primary, however. Buchanan fared better than expected in several key contests, winning himself a prime slot at the GOP national convention, where he railed against abortion and women working outside the home. Republicans had considered changing their platform at the 1992 Republican National Convention to leave out demands for a fetal personhood amendment. But Bush ultimately veered back to the right on the issue. The whiplash continued. After autopsies of the race established that the abortion issue had hurt George H.W. Bush, the effort to make the GOP a big tent regained momentum. Kansas Sen. Bob Dole, the Senate majority leader and GOP standard bearer in 1996, wanted to push a more moderate line. He called on his party to condemn a specific procedure performed in the second trimester that abortion opponents called partial-birth abortion. At the same time, Dole promoted a pledge of tolerance welcoming those into the GOP with a wide variety of views on personhood, especially those who considered themselves pro-choice. But Dole lost that November to President Bill Clinton, and abortion opponents argued that his position on abortion had watered down the enthusiasm of his own base. President George W. Bush won two elections at a time when abortion rights seemed secure. His father, by contrast, lost an election at precisely the time many Americans had first expected Roe to be overturned. By that point, Reagan and the elder Bush both of whom had called for the reversal of Roe had nominated a majority of the justices then on the Supreme Court. And more tellingly, in 1989, the Supreme Court had issued a major decision openly criticizing Roe. This election season, Trump has borrowed from strategies that the GOP once used to undercut Democrats advantage on abortion. Like his predecessors, Trump and other Republicans have spotlighted abortions later in pregnancy, presuming them to be more unpopular. The 2024 GOP platform omitted any mention of a fetal-personhood constitutional amendment and praised IVF. And as mentioned earlier, Trump himself has used the language of reproductive rights, suggesting that he, too, wants to build a big tent. But look closer, and it is clear that Trump is doing something different. Advocates like Atwater or Stone might generally have supported some abortion rights or felt the need to change the GOPs position to remain electorally relevant. (Welcoming pro-abortion voters into the tent, in theory, would necessitate a political pivot.) With Trump, its far less clear that this is the case. After all, Trump never defined what he meant by reproductive rights, and has claimed baselessly that Americans never wanted a right to abortion in the first place. This despite polls dating back to before Roes reversal show that more than half of Americans did not want it to be reversed. It certainly seems possible that Trumps definition of reproductive rights could actually exclude the right to an abortion. This confusion is par for the course with Trump. His platform, for example, nodded to the theory that the Fourteenth Amendment already recognized fetal personhood, and members of the platform committee insisted that it was for this reason that there was no longer a need to mention a specific personhood amendment. Trump has said that he supports the Supreme Courts recent ruling preserving access to the abortion pill mifepristone yet also suggested that he was open to prohibiting mifepristone access. And recently, when stating that he would not enforce the Comstock Act, a nineteenth-century obscenity law some conservatives would love used to ban abortion, Trump made clear that the specifics had yet to be worked out, and that his commitment not to enforce the law, such as it was, applied only generally. The upshot, it seems, is that Trump wants both anti-abortion voters and supporters of abortion rights to vote for him without offering either one much of anything. Trumps obfuscation has angered anti-abortion leaders with reason it suggests that he has taken their voters for granted. And Trump has embraced talk of reproductive rights while reiterating how happy he is that the Supreme Court overturned the biggest safeguard to those rights. Trump is not the first Republican to try to walk a fine line on abortion. But he may be the first GOP presidential candidate to try to totally redefine the concept of reproductive rights in a bid to soften his rhetoric without having to actually soften any of his policy stances. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Opinion - Why the American right gets Venezuela all wrong, and the left doesnt get it at all Last months Venezuelan elections, with over 8 million participants, highlighted the deepening crisis in the countrys democracy. Marred by accusations of fraud and voter suppression, these elections were a litmus test for Venezuelas future. The official results, controlled by Maduros regime, claimed 5.1 million votes for the government, while the opposition, led by Edmundo Gonzalez, allegedly secured 4.4 million votes results that experts have deemed improbable. Opposition tallies suggest a different outcome, with Gonzalez receiving around 6.2 million votes compared to Maduros 2.7 million. These figures, recognized by the U.S. and international observers, underscore the desperate plea for change from the Venezuelan people. This crisis has ignited strong reactions from the extremes of American politics. On the right, figures such as Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) blamed the Biden-Harris administration for easing sanctions, arguing it emboldened Maduros regime. However, this narrative is flawed. Historical evidence shows that sanctions aimed at regime change in Latin America have little impactCuba being a prime example, where decades of U.S. sanctions have failed to dislodge the government but have significantly harmed the Cuban people. Similarly, Trump-era sanctions made Maduro more entrenched, driving him closer to powers like Russia and China. These sanctions exacerbated economic hardships in Venezuela, contributing to the mass exodus of nearly 8 million Venezuelans since 2014 the largest refugee crisis in the Americas. Meanwhile, on the far left, theres a dangerous naivety. Some progressive organizations have painted the Venezuelan opposition as far-right and the Maduro regime as a victim of U.S. imperialism. Simplifying the Venezuelan opposition is not only incorrect but harmful. The Democratic Unitary Platform is a broad coalition of center-left and center-right parties united by a commitment to democracy and the rule of law. This narrative ignores Maduros blatant disregard for democratic norms. Groups like The Peoples Forum and certain Black Lives Matter chapters have been unwittingly legitimizing a dictatorship in Caracas, advancing misguided anti-imperialist rhetoric that supports a regime responsible for widespread oppression and human rights violations. In Venezuela, this isnt a debate about political ideologies; its about the survival (or revival) of democracy. The current moment is an opportunity to turn the page on the failed promises of Chavezs socialism, rampant organized crime and ongoing disregard for democratic principles. The Biden-Harris administrations use of sanctions relief as leverage in the Barbados Agreement, which led to the July 28 elections, was a pragmatic approach to encouraging democratic reforms in Venezuela. The negotiations and subsequent concessions created the conditions for Maria Corina Machado to galvanize the Venezuelan opposition in an unprecedented way. However, what began as a pivotal opportunity for democracy has been subverted by Maduros regime, which barred leading opposition figures from running and is now delaying the release of transparent election results and the peaceful transition of power. There is still hope. Maduros disregard for transparency and ensuing political violence has yielded widespread condemnation from the international community, most notably from center-left governments in Latin America. Some of these governments, like Colombia and Brazil, drawing from their own experiences with political conflict, are leading negotiations to incentivize Maduros regime to exit peacefully and allow the will of the people to be honored. As Venezuelan activist Roberto Patino suggests, this may even require offering a legal offramp for Maduro and his allies on international investigations and sanctions. The Venezuelan crisis underscores a lesson that has been lost in modern American politics: When extremes dominate the narrative, critical nuances are overlooked, and the potential for compromise is lost. A moderate, sensible approach is essential to help Venezuela escape the grip of authoritarianism and restore power to its people. The U.S. must support multilateral diplomacy aimed at peacefully resolving the crisis, working with regional organizations to mediate negotiations. The path forward for Venezuela, like in so many global crises, will depend on the willingness to embrace pragmatism, diplomacy and compromise over rigid ideological stances. Hector D. Mujica is a Venezuelan-American community leader and tech philanthropy executive with a background in public policy, residing in South Florida. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The woman accused of murder after her boyfriend was found dead in a suitcase in 2020 is now acting as her own attorney and tried to get the judge to dismiss her case, claiming constitutional violations. But Orange County Circuit Judge Michael Kraynick on Thursday refused to consider the motion for dismissal filed Tuesday by Sarah Boone after ruling it was filed by a non-party someone unaffiliated with the case. The motion was sent through the mail by two people from a California address Boone, who is representing herself in the killing of Jorge Torres Jr., argued her Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial was violated by prosecutors. The two-page motion to dismiss the case, mailed to the court clerk last week, argued the prosecution has not met the requirements or proven good cause of delays. [Ineffective] substandard state provided attorneys should have made this request long ago proving this as a fact, the motion read. The motion included a copy of the first seven amendments in the Bill of Rights. Its not clear if Boones argument that prosecutors violated speedy trial rules would have held up, even if she properly submitted the motion. While Floridas speedy trial rules require prosecutors bring felony cases to trial within 175 days without a demand by a defendant, defense attorneys can waive that requirement, which according to court records Boones court-appointed attorneys did at a hearing Nov. 2, 2020. Boone, however, now represents herself after going through nine attorneys eight appointed by the court. Her last one, Patricia Cashman, quit in June after she said Boone walked out of a videoconference to discuss defense strategy for the second time since agreeing to take the case. Kraynick ruled Boone forfeited her right to counsel and allowing her to continue burning through attorneys would only serve to delay the case further and encourage Defendant to persist in efforts to prevent the resolution of the case on its merits. Boone faces life in prison if convicted of murdering Torres, who investigators said died while trapped inside a suitcase as she watched. Deputies found video taken by Boone where she taunted Torres as he begged her to let him out. Yeah, thats what you do when you choke me, Boone replied as he struggled, according to an arrest affidavit. Her trial is scheduled for Oct. 7. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Ahead of Oregons ghost gun ban taking effect Sept. 1, the Oregon Department of Justice is reminding Oregonians to comply with new serialization laws. The reminder comes a week after a federal judge denied a motion for a temporary restraining order that challenged the ban, as first reported by The Oregonian. The plaintiffs, including Oregon Firearms Federation Inc. and Firearms Policy Coalition Inc., filed the motion earlier in August against Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and Oregon State Police Superintendent Casey Codding. Old Farmers Almanac releases Pacific Northwests 2024-2025 winter weather extended forecast After the plaintiffs argued that the law (under House Bill 2005) violated their Second and 14th Amendment rights, United States District Judge Adrienne Nelson denied the motion Aug. 20, saying the Second Amendment right is not unequivocal. The Second Amendment does not encompass the right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever and for whatever purpose, Judge Nelson wrote in her opinion. The judge offered a similar opinion on the laws ban on undetectable guns, or guns made with materials that do not trigger metal detectors, noting the plaintiffs have offered no evidence as to why, aside from illicit purposes, law-abiding citizens would prefer an undetectable firearm. Fred Meyer employees begin week-long strike Judge Nelson furthered that Oregon laws offer ways for gun owners to comply with serial number requirements and that lawmakers provided ample time for gun owners to comply by implementing the law in September, one year after the law passed the Oregon legislature. In sum, plaintiffs have offered no evidence to support the implication that unserialized firearms, undetectable firearms, or unserialized, unfinished frames and receivers are in common use by law[1]abiding citizens for lawful purposes. Indeed, the evidence presented indicates the opposite: that these types of firearms are most commonly used for illegal purposes, Judge Nelson concluded. Ahead of Sept. 1, the Oregon Department of Justice is encouraging Oregonians to ensure theyre complying with state gun laws. Family member mourns death of man killed by Beaverton police Responsible gun ownership means respecting the gun laws of our state, and that now includes a ban on unserialized and undetectable ghost guns. Oregonians who own guns lacking serial numbers will be in violation of the law after September 1. For the safety of your families and communities please make sure you understand our new law and that you are in compliance, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said. Starting Sept. 1, guns manufactured after Oct. 22, 1968, along with unfinished frames or receivers must have serial numbers. First-time violators of the law may face a fine of up to $1,000. Repeat offenders may face higher fines and potential jail or prison time. To comply, guns, frames, and receivers can be taken to a federally licensed gun dealer to be serialized. The Oregon Department of Justice released a fact sheet for gun owners with a list of federally licensed gun dealers in Oregon that are authorized to serialize guns. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. By News Centre The first step was taken for the flights that will connect Istanbul with Mostar, one of the most important touristic and historical cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the meeting, the tourism potential and investment opportunities of the city of Mostar and the Herzegovina region in general were conveyed to Turkish officials, while the importance of direct flights from Istanbul to Mostar was also emphasized. Deputy Minister of Transport of the Republic of Turkey Enver ?skurt and Civil Aviation Director General Kemal Yuksek, Civil Aviation Directorate General Air Transportation Department Head Sefa Ceyhan, Pegasus Airlines Sales and Network Planning Director Emre Pekesen, Ground Operations Group Head Bo?ac U?urlutegin met with Mostar Mayor Mario Kordic, Herzegovina Neretva Canton (HNK) Prime Minister Marija Buhac, HNK Finance Minister Adil Suto and Mostar Airport Director Marko Duzel during their visit to Mostar. Investment opportunities were discussed At the meeting, the tourism potential and investment opportunities of the city of Mostar and the Herzegovina region in general were conveyed to Turkish authorities, while the importance of direct flights from Istanbul to Mostar was also highlighted. Mayor Mario Kordic stated that it was very important for Mostar to be directly connected to Istanbul by air, and that they, as the Mostar Municipality, were ready to contribute to the realization of this flight. Parties approached positively HNK Prime Minister Marija Buhac emphasized that tourism is one of the strategic areas for the development of Herzegovina region and said that the government is ready to support the improvement of the airport infrastructure and the opening of new lines. Deputy Minister of Transport Enver ?skurt expressed that they want to work on starting direct flights between Istanbul and Mostar. Pegasus officials also noted that Mostar is a well-known destination in Turkey and that this destination has potential, and that if the technical infrastructure of the airport is suitable, they will start flights from Istanbul to Mostar in the coming period. Meanwhile, Pegasus Airlines, which has been operating flights between Istanbul and Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for many years, recently started flights to Tuzla. Following the 2022 launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT, generative artificial intelligence (AI) has taken Wall Street by storm. Few companies have benefited more than Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) -- the chipmaker that creates the hardware needed to make this new technology possible. An explosive second-quarter earnings report suggests its boom is far from over. Nvidia's revenue soared 122% year over year to $30 billion, compared to analysts' expectations of $28.7 billion. Growth was driven by demand for advanced graphics processing units (GPUs) like the H200, which helps train and run AI algorithms. The company's bottom line also remains buoyant, with net income soaring 168% to $16.6 billion. How much longer can Nvidia's rally continue? Let's dig deeper into what the next 12 months may have in store for this technology leader. The bear case Nvidia is becoming an increasingly polarizing stock. While few would deny its operational momentum, we can question the AI industry buying up its pricy hardware. So far, things aren't squaring up. While consumer-facing large language models (LLMs) are fun to play with, they seem far from a transformational tech megatrend. And even if these algorithms could become smart enough to make a big splash, their monetization potential remains unclear because of competition from free, open-source options like Meta's Llama or Elon Musk's Grok. Analysts at Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) highlight these alarming dynamics. In a June report, they suggest that the roughly $1 trillion tech giants invested in AI capital expenditures might never pay off. If Nvidia's clients don't start making money, they will eventually stop buying the company's expensive chips, leading to sales declines and margin erosion. With a trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 59 compared to the Nasdaq-100 average of 32, Nvidia's valuation prices in significant future expectations. And if these don't materialize, shares could crash. The bull case In the best-case scenario, Nvidia's long-term rally is only just beginning. According to analysts at Bloomberg, the generative AI industry could expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 42% to $1.3 trillion by 2032 as investment shifts from training infrastructure to consumer use cases like software and advertising. If this is true, Nvidia's current sales are only a drop in the bucket compared to its long-term potential. Management is also pushing back against the suggestion that its clients won't profit from their AI investments. Story continues Image source: Getty Images. Nvidia CFO Colette Kress claims cloud computing providers are seeing an "immediate and strong return" on AI investment. On the earnings call, Kress claimed that $1 spent on Nvidia hardware could generate $5 over the next four years. That number rises to $7 for the company's newest products, like the HDX H200 AI accelerator. However, while robust demand suggests Nvidia's cloud clients see value in its hardware, Kress's claims might be a little misleading. These companies still serve the infrastructure side of the AI market. They buy Nvidia GPUs to rent out to AI start-ups. If the consumer-facing start-ups can't monetize the technology, they will eventually stop renting GPUs and the cloud service providers will stop buying them. Is Nvidia stock a buy? Nvidia is a great company because it sells products the market wants. And its stock will probably continue soaring in the near term. However, the foundations of long-term demand for AI GPU products are shaky. This hype-driven industry could be in for a reckoning over the next 12 months if the software side of the opportunity doesn't start showing more progress toward monetization. Investors should consider taking profits or avoiding Nvidia stock until more information becomes available. Should you invest $1,000 in Nvidia right now? Before you buy stock in Nvidia, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Nvidia wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $769,685!* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of August 26, 2024 Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Will Ebiefung has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Meta Platforms and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Where Will Nvidia Stock Be in 1 Year? was originally published by The Motley Fool Oregon leaders call on U.S. government for help, flexibility to help ranchers Ranchers in Oregon have scrambled to get their cattle out of harm's way this summer. (Courtesy of Juliet Connant) Ranchers in Oregon have scrambled to get their cattle out of harm's way this summer. (Courtesy of Juliet Connant) This summers historic wildfires in Oregon have taken a toll on ranchers and their more than a million cows and other livestock, prompting a unified plea by the states top leaders for federal help. Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency and invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act nine times to deploy state resources to help ranchers and local communities. And then at the end of July and again in early August she called on the U.S. government for help. She asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to designate 23 counties in central, southern and eastern Oregon disaster areas and open up federal resources to help devastated communities, a plea that was backed by all eight members of Oregons congressional delegation, Democrats and Republicans. As climate chaos continues to worsen turning fire seasons into fire years that see millions of acres scorched and countless lives forever changed we must make sure communities can access the federal resources they need to equitably recover from these increasingly devastating fires, the lawmakers wrote. The delegation and Kotek asked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to work with the U.S. Forest Service, which falls under the USDA, to modify grazing permits. She and Oregon Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden made the same request to the U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees the Bureau of Land Management. The BLM manages more than 245 million acres nationwide, including 16 million in Oregon and Washington. Oregon ranchers, who own more than 1.2 million heads of cattle and sheep, depend on that land to feed their livestock in the summer. But they submit their grazing plans in the winter, months before they know where the fires will burn. And this year the blazes were historic: A total of 1,650 fires have scorched over 1.5 million acres in Oregon, setting a new record. Much of the land blackened was grazing allotments, said Matt McElligott, president of the Oregon Cattlemens Association. A wildfire outside Ukiah in Umatilla County becomes part of the Battle Mountain Complex of fires that have burned more than 183,000 acres and destroyed seven homes and 10 other structures. (Courtesy of Northwest Interagency Coordination Center) When fires emerge, ranchers have to snap into action to get their cattle out of harms way, McElligott said. He has cows grazing this summer and at one point, a fire flared just south of his forest allotment and threatened about 550 of his cattle. We didnt know if it was going to blow up on us, he said. McElligott helped put it out. He also carved bulldozer lines around properties threatened by the Monkey Creek Fire in Umatilla County. The threat was real, McElligott said. The weather was hot. The winds were blowing, and it was moving fast, McElligott said. There were thousands of people on that fire. The Monkey Creek Fire merged with others to form the Battle Mountain Complex of fires that are still not fully contained. Theyve blackened more than 183,000 acres, destroyed seven homes and 10 other buildings and forced ranchers to scramble to protect their cattle and property. If McElligott had followed his grazing permit, he would have moved his cattle on land that was on fire. So he worked out an agreement with the local BLM official under an adaptive management clause to move them elsewhere. But not all federal officials are flexible, he said. Its like anything else, you get in the habit of doing things one way and you think thats just the way it should be, McElligott said. Thats why McElligott and others asked Kotek to intervene. He said federal cooperation and resources are crucial to helping families get back on their feet. McElligott has not lost any cows. Others have, and he said its going to take a while to assess the damage. Everybodys been busy either fighting fires or trying to find their cattle and take inventory, McElligott said. He suspects by October ranchers will have a tally of their losses. Though firefighters have made progress on many of the wildfires, new ones have flared, prompting Kotek to invoke the Conflagration Act a total of 13 times this year. Ranchers say federal help cant come soon enough, a sentiment that lawmakers echoed in their letter to Vilsack. Given the harm these fires have caused to both the physical and social infrastructure throughout Oregon, we urge you and your department to ensure the state, local and tribal governments have all the resources they need to help Oregonians recover from these deadly fires, the lawmakers said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX UPDATED at 10:34 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 with the latest invocations of the Conflagration Act. CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)Several organizations are coming together to bring awareness to the opioid crisis in the Lowcountry and to provide strategies and support to those who may be struggling with substance abuse. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, over 70,000 drug overdose deaths occur in the United States every year, including right here in the Lowcountry. North Charleston has responded to over 200 incidents of overdose in the first six months of the year. About 20 of those were fatal, but Narcan was administered in so, so many of them, and that helps preserve a life so that person can make a decision later on, said Shelby Joffrion, the opioid coordinator for the city of North Charleston. Nanci Steadman Shipman, who is the founder of Wake Up Carolina, lost her teen son Creighton to an overdose back in 2016. Since Creightons death, Shipman has dedicated her life to helping others avoid the same tragedy. Its just one way shes honoring her own sons memory. We celebrate the life they lived, the beauty, the charm, the humor, and the things that made us laugh. We honor them. Their lives meant something, said Shipman. Mount Pleasant will host its Light the Way for Hope event with free Narcan training and a luminary remembrance ceremony happening Thursday at the town hall at 7 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. Orsted U.S. is expanding its footprint in Rhode Island, including plans to open a new engineering, procurement and construction hub out of the Blue Cross Blue Shield building in downtown Providence. (Courtesy Orsted U.S.) The Danish company developing Rhode Islands first commercial, offshore wind project is expanding its footprint in the Ocean State. Orsted U.S. on Thursday announced plans to open a new engineering, procurement and construction hub in Rhode Island, centered in a new headquarters up the street from its existing, downtown Providence office. The company also plans to more than double its existing, 100-person state workforce in the years ahead a date for which was not specified. As the birthplace for Americas offshore wind industry, Rhode Island has always been a focal point for our companys U.S. operations, David Hardy, group executive vice president and CEO of Americas at Orsted, said in a statement. We are proud of the role Orsted has played over the years helping establish the Ocean State as a national leader in clean energy. We look forward to opening the doors on our new, expanded space in downtown Providence as we continue building Revolution Wind and solidify our hub in the Northeast, which includes port facilities, workforce training, and much more. The new, 17,500-square-foot offices within the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island building in downtown Providence is expected to open this winter. Terms of the lease were not disclosed. The Danish wind giant, which owns and operates the Block Island Wind Farm, was also awarded the purchase agreements to build the states first utility-scale offshore wind farm. Construction of the 65-turbine Revolution Wind farm, which will sell power to Rhode Island and Connecticut, is underway, though the expected completion date has been pushed back to 2026 due to onshore construction delays, the company said in an earnings call this month. Orsted has also submitted a proposal to bring another 1,200 megawatts of offshore wind power to Rhode Island in response to a competitive, tri-state solicitation. The Starboard Wind proposal was one of four submitted to Rhode Island Energy, which expects to award a tentative selection on Sept. 6. Already, the company has funneled more than $1.5 billion into the Ocean State, including major upgrades to infrastructure at Providence and Quonset ports, an innovation hub based out of the CIC Providence, and a separate operations hub in Quonset Business Park. The company also leases office space out of 56 Exchange Terrace in Providence. Nearly a decade ago, Orsted helped us build a new American industry right here in Rhode Island. Now, as offshore wind continues to grow, were thrilled that this model corporate citizen is doubling down on the Ocean State, Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. By choosing Providence for their U.S. Engineering, Procurement and Construction Hub, Orsted is once again ensuring our state remains at the center of Americas clean energy revolution and the thousands of jobs that come with it. The move to a bigger downtown office may mean giving up other office space in the capital city, Meaghan Wims, a spokesperson, said in an email Thursday. Both our existing office at Exchange Terrace and the space in the CIC have served our needs well, but as we grow our local workforce we need to reassess our office spaces, Wims said. Providence-based members of our innovation team will join their colleagues in the new office when it opens later this year. Information regarding the number of employees based in either existing Providence office was not available. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Four years after being Oscar-nominated for The Edge of Democracy, director Petra Costa is back prodding at the current state of Brazilian politics with the documentary Apocalypse in the Tropics, which world premieres in the Out of Competition section at the Venice Film Festival. The film, originally teased as a snapshot of former president Jair Bolsonaros infamously poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, morphed into a questioning of how democracies blur into theocracies and the role of the countrys growing evangelical movement in Brazils recent political turmoil. For perspective, in Brazil, the evangelical population was 5% in the 1980s. Now, it makes up for more than 30%. More from Variety The film is a continuation of an investigation I began with The Edge of Democracy, Costa tells Variety. Two of the films seminal scenes were captured during the shooting of her previous doc, including the opening scene showcasing a group of evangelists blessing the Congress and speaking in tongues ahead of Dilma Rousseffs impeachment vote in 2016. A few days later I stumbled upon a mass gathering called the Prophetic Act, which gathered the most important pastors of Brazil. The event was organized by Silas Malafaia, Brazils most prominent televangelist, Costa added. I heard them saying God would take over the three branches of power, the executive, the legislative and the judiciary, and rid the country of the scum of the nation. That was when I realized the sentiment I had encountered inside the Congress was not a fringe, but one of the strongest political forces in the country. Apocalypse in the Tropics closely follows Malafaia over four years as his influence in the federal government grows. Costa obtained unprecedented access to the contentious figure, who can be seen in the film openly talking about how his council influenced Bolsonaros decisions while maintaining a lavish lifestyle that includes a private plane named Gods Gift. What is fascinating is that when we began filming Malafaia, he was one of Bolsonaros allies, but as the political crisis deepened, Bolsonaro started losing many of his allies and Malafaias importance grew tremendously, Costa said of the pastor, emphasizing that, although the documentary focuses on the famed televangelist, there are many more pastors currently in Brazil who hold even bigger influence over the countrys politics. The Brazilian director joined forces with Brad Pitts production company Plan B (Moonlight, 12 Years a Slave), in what marks the companys first documentary. It was wonderful working with Jeremy Kleiner and Dede Gardner because they come from the world of fiction and have done films that portray American politics and history that I greatly admire. This was their first documentary and the way they looked at it was very different from the other executive producers who are more experienced with documentaries, but also very fresh and eye-opening. It was a nice combination. It made the film evolve in ways it wouldnt have. Apocalypse in the Tropics begins its festival journey just over two months before the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, also marked by growing religious and conservative rhetoric. The Edge of Democracy had American audiences drawing parallel lines between what was happening with their southern cousin and their political turmoil. Costas latest is bound to do the same. Since The Edge of Democracy, I see audiences viewing Brazil almost as a distorted mirror of what is happening not just in the United States but many countries around the world. Its almost like a parable. You see a film about Brazilian politics and become frightened because we are all living through similar democratic crises and crises of the separation between church and state, Costa says, drawing parallels between the two countries. She highlights the infiltration of what you can call the majority rule. People who believe that because they are the majority and sometimes they may not even be the majority but they believe they are it gives them a right to rule. They think that is democracy but that is not democracy. Democracy is also about the protection of minority rights. Thats why we have the Supreme Court, which is a point of attack for all these far-right movements. As for how she emotionally safeguards herself to spend years closely chronicling the growing far-right movement in Brazil, including manifestations by those who ask for the return of a military dictatorship, the director credits her spirituality as a much-needed buffer. Im a spiritual person. I wasnt raised religious but it makes up a big part of my sense of self and meaning in life. The theological research that guided me through the making of this film was very enriching, spiritually, poetically and intellectually. I wouldnt have been able to make a film just about the raw reality of the dystopian present we lived in. It was too painful. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., joins Virginia Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland, in Louisa County on June 5, 2024 to support his bid to represent Virginia's 5th Congressional District. (Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury) State Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland, remains the winner in a highly contested GOP primary in Virginias 5th Congressional District, following an unexpected additional review of ballots from five of the districts 24 localities almost one month after a full recount that did not significantly change the outcome of the election. Working with the registrars from Amherst, Cumberland, Halifax and Mecklenburg Counties and the city of Danville, who had been summoned to the Goochland County Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon, a three-judge panel corrected some minor reporting errors that resulted in incumbent U.S. Rep. Bob Good, R-Farmville, picking up four more votes, bringing down McGuires winning margin down to 366 votes. The court also reviewed a petition filed by Goods attorney Brad Marss objecting to some of the recount-related expenses billed to the congressmans campaign. The court agreed to some of the objections, resulting in a reduction of the total cost from $104,000 to $88,918 less than the $96,500 that Goochlands Chief Judge Claude Worrell, who headed the recount panel, had estimated at a preliminary hearing in July. Weve reviewed, and reviewed, and reviewed, Worrell said at the conclusion of Wednesdays hearing. We asked the representatives of the different areas to come in to show us what we were looking at, but in the end it got a little bit more complicated than that. During their review the judges identified some reporting methods by the registrars that differed slightly from the courts initial instructions, resulting in numbers that didnt line up correctly with the final tally. But the differences were too small to impact the outcome of the recount or the election overall. Jason Corwin, the general registrar in Mecklenburg County, said in a phone interview earlier this week that his staff discovered several minor math errors made during the recount in two of the countys 22 precincts. When we took the original recount certification sheet, we put down a couple of wrong numbers. One was 36 and should have been 37, and one was for early voting where we put down 283 and 128, and they were both off by one vote, Corwin said in the interview. Goods campaign filed a petition for a district-wide recount eight days after the election was certified by the State Board of Elections in early July. The chairman of the powerful House Freedom Caucus told supporters in an email at the time that he was seeking a complete recount, including a hand-count and paper ballot match to the reported machine results. Bernard Goodwyn, the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, then appointed the three-panel recount court, consisting of Worrell, Judge J. Christopher Clemens of Salem and Judge Christopher Papile of Newport News. Initially, Worrell ordered the recount for July 31, but later pushed it back by a day due to scheduling conflicts. Before the recount, McGuires lead over Good was 0.6%, which put the incumbent within the 1% margin allowing him to request a recount at his campaigns expense, but above the 0.5% threshold that would require localities to pay for it. Candidate-funded recounts are rare in Virginia, because of the high cost and because they rarely change the outcome of elections. And after the court reviewed the recounted election returns that election officials from across the district had delivered to the Goochland County Circuit Court on Aug. 1, Good picked up a mere four votes, bringing down McGuires winning margin to 370 and effectively ending Goods bid for a third term in office. The court on Wednesday agreed to honor some, but not all, of Goods objections to the cost assessed by the court in the days after the recount. For example, it sustained a motion by Marss to toss out a $2,800 bill by Lunenburg County for its county attorney, agreeing that this expense was undocumented and not reasonably necessary to the proceedings. But the court ruled other expenses billed by the localities as justified, including mileage and other travel expenses filed by election officials and sheriffs deputies, who escorted registrars carrying ballots to Goochland on Aug. 1. The court also kept in place its order that Goods campaign pay for meals and catering expenses incurred by election workers during the process. Speaking with reporters inside the courtroom on Wednesday, Marss Goods attorney said that the courts decision to hold another hearing weeks after the conclusion of the recount was highly unusual. Having a hearing like this one I havent heard of before, Marss said. I consider it unfortunate that it happened that way. Had it not been for the discrepancies from the localities, this would have not been done in a hearing but by way of written memos. Good said in a text message after the hearing that his campaign will pay the cost determined by the court as required within 21 days. He also thanked the court for correcting the irregularities in the final tally. I appreciate the efforts of the judges to address some mistakes that had been identified after the recount, Good said. Sean Brown, a McGuire spokesman, said that the changes that the court reviewed Wednesday were all clerical errors by either the registrars or the court on recount day. The court sustained Goods objections to costs for the Lunenburg County Attorney, Albemarle Clerk, and sheriffs deputies. The court said that since it considered the recount to be a court proceeding, those costs shouldnt be imposed on the parties. The court overruled all of his other objections, Brown said. McGuire, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump three weeks before the primary election, had made his campaign a referendum on which candidate is a more loyal supporter of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. Trumps support likely helped push him over the edge McGuire won the election by a mere 374 votes out of 62,792 cast. Within days of losing the recount, Good squashed persistent rumors that he would be seeking the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor in Virginia by filing a formal statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission declaring that he will once again run in the 5th District in the 2026 election. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Charlotte Douglas International Airport and its largest provider for flights are expecting to break Labor Day weekend travel records as the summer travel season comes to an end. More than 1.14 million people will use CLT for arriving and departing flights from Thursday through Sept. 4, according to airport predictions. The estimate is a 19% increase (216,600 more passengers) from last year for the holiday period. In the upcoming days, the Transportation Security Administration is forecasting to screen 235,000 local passengers at Charlotte Douglas checkpoints before they step on planes around 37,600 more people (a 15.8% rise) compared to 2023. More than 17 million people will be screened nationwide during the Labor Day travel period, according to a TSA news release. Busy weekend underway for American Airlines American Airlines, which takes up the bulk of CLT flights, is expecting to surpass 2023 Labor Day totals, according to the company. It will serve more than 418,000 customers on about 4,000 flights from Thursday through Tuesday which is expected to be the largest travel day. Compared to 2023, this is a 17% increase (71,060 more passengers). American Airlines accounts for about 87% of the flights at the airport. Charlotte Douglas is the second largest hub for the Fort Worth, Texas-based company. The airline will use 15,000 workers for operations, according to Ralph Lopez Massas, senior vice president of CLT operations. In May, American announced that it would serve more than 8 million passengers in Charlotte between May 17 and Sept. 3 on about 75,000 flights for the summer. This is a 12% increase compared to last summer and will surpass pre-pandemic levels of flying, according to the airline. How is everything going so far? Passengers headed to Charlotte Douglas should prepare to deal with a baggage claim matter, TSA confirmed. CLT experienced a technical issue in one of the baggage screening systems due to current construction at the airport, according to TSA spokesman Daniel Velez. TSA is working on the problem and its expected to be fixed by Tuesday. We do not expect system impacts to overall operational capacity or to passengers since we have fully operational systems in other areas, the airport said in a statement. Delta Airlines advised its passengers to arrive two and a half hours before scheduled departures if they are checking bags. As of Thursday morning, there were 29 flights delayed at CLT, according to Flight Aware, a website providing real-time information. Another 23 flights coming to Charlotte were also pushed back. There were no reported flights canceled early Thursday. Staying prepared As always, airport officials encourage passengers to add extra time to their schedules to avoid traffic problems, while also looking at road conditions. Passengers should arrive at the terminal at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight, officials said. Estimated wait times for security checkpoints are available on the airports website at www.cltairport.com and through the app. Airport officials also suggest customers book parking in advance online at parkCLT.com. Workers collect dead fish from a river near the port city of Volos, central Greece, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, following a mass die-off linked to extreme climate fluctuations. (AP Photo/Vaggelis Kousioras) VOLOS, Greece (AP) More than 100 tons of dead fish were collected in and around the port of Volos in central Greece after a mass die-off linked to extreme weather fluctuations, authorities said Thursday. The dead freshwater fish filled the bay 320 kilometers (200 miles) north of Athens, and nearby rivers. Water levels were swollen by floods in 2023, followed by months of severe drought. The die-off has hit local businesses along the seafront, reducing commercial activity by 80% in the past three days, according to Volos Chamber of Commerce. Fishing trawlers have been chartered by the regional authorities, along with earthmovers, to scoop the dead fish out of the sea and load them onto trucks bound for an incinerator. The fish came from Lake Karla in central Greece, a body of water drained in the early 1960s and restored in 2018 to combat the effects of drought. There are millions of dead fish all the way from Lake Karla and 20 kilometers (12 miles) eastward, Anna Maria Papadimitriou, the deputy regional governor of the central Thessaly area, told state-run television. Right now, there is a huge effort underway to clean up the millions of dead fish that have washed along the shorelines and riverbanks an effort that involves multiple contractors, she said. Water levels rose abruptly in fall 2023 during a deadly storm that caused extensive flooding in central Greece, but have since receded due to low rainfall and successive summer heat waves. The mayor of Volos lashed out at the regional authority, accusing it of acting too slowly, while the citys Chamber of Commerce said it was taking legal action to seek damages after the sever drop in commercial activity. Businesses along the seafront, particularly in the catering industry, are now suspending operations, the chamber said in a statement. A strong stench along the seafront is repulsive to both residents and visitors delivering a severe blow to tourism in Volos. ___ Gatopoulos reported from Athens, Greece. ___ Follow AP coverage at: https://apnews.com/climate-and-environment DENVER (KDVR) An overnight fire in Jefferson County is being blamed on an unattended candle left on a backyard table under a covered patio. The residential structure fire was reported at about 1:23 a.m. on Wednesday on West Polk Place. South Metro Fire Rescue reported that the Emergency Communications Division escalated the incident to a working structure fire after crews established a live video feed of the active flames. Road in Highlands Ranch renamed to honor STEM school shooting hero The first crew arrived on the scene at 1:30 a.m. and was met with intense flames engulfing the rear of the house. Flames were rapidly spreading, according to South Metro Fire Rescue, so crews adopted a defensive strategy to protect lives and property. There were two people inside the home and both were evacuated safely. Both were examined by medics but declined further medical assistance. The residents immediate needs are being supported by the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office victim assistance unit and the American Red Cross of Colorado. South Metro Fire Rescue shared these photos of crews responding to a fire in unincorporated Jefferson County that has left two residents displaced. South Metro Fire Rescue shared these photos of crews responding to a fire in unincorporated Jefferson County that has left two residents displaced. South Metro Fire Rescue shared these photos of crews responding to a fire in unincorporated Jefferson County that has left two residents displaced. South Metro Fire Rescue shared these photos of crews responding to a fire in unincorporated Jefferson County that has left two residents displaced. South Metro Fire Rescue shared these photos of crews responding to a fire in unincorporated Jefferson County that has left two residents displaced. South Metro Fire Rescue shared these photos of crews responding to a fire in unincorporated Jefferson County that has left two residents displaced. South Metro Fire Rescue shared these photos of crews responding to a fire in unincorporated Jefferson County that has left two residents displaced. South Metro Fire Rescue shared these photos of crews responding to a fire in unincorporated Jefferson County that has left two residents displaced. South Metro Fire Rescue shared these photos of crews responding to a fire in unincorporated Jefferson County that has left two residents displaced. South Metro Fire Rescue shared these photos of crews responding to a fire in unincorporated Jefferson County that has left two residents displaced. South Metro Fire Rescue shared these photos of crews responding to a fire in unincorporated Jefferson County that has left two residents displaced. South Metro Fire Rescue shared these photos of crews responding to a fire in unincorporated Jefferson County that has left two residents displaced. The fire was under control by about 2 a.m., and crews began an extensive overhaul and mop-up operation on the structure. The South Metro Fire Rescue Fire marshal conducted an investigation and determined the fire was accidental and caused by a candle left unattended on a covered patio. The fire is a timely reminder for residents to remember that as days grow shorter, candles and other open flames should never be left unattended. Earlier this summer, the Interlaken Fire burned over 700 acres. The fire was attributed to an unattended campfire that had been improperly extinguished. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Overnight shooting near Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum in North Little Rock leaves 1 dead, 1 injured LITTLE ROCK, Ark. North Little Rock police are investigating after an overnight shooting left one person dead and another injured. According to the North Little Rock Police Department, two people were shot in the area of the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, near the river trail on Riverfront Park Drive around 3:18 a.m. Latest report from Little Rock Police Department shows crime rate dropping in the city Police said that a man was killed in the shooting. Another victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment and is stable, NLRPD officials said. NLRPD officials have not released the victims identity or a possible suspect at this time. Little Rock man facing murder charge in connection with Saturday deadly shooting Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact detectives at 501-771-7155 or the NLRPD tip line at 501-680-8439. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. SOPA Images/Getty Images There are plenty of reasons to worry about overtourism in some of the worlds most frequently visited cities, from skyrocketing CO2 emissions to increased gentrification and rising housing costs pushing out longtime residents. Last month, protesters took to the streets of various Spanish cities to demonstrate against their economic reliance on tourism, from Barcelona to Mallorca, sporting signs like Tourists go home and even spraying tourists with water guns. More than ever, it is Americans who are responsible for much of Europes tourism, per a Wall Street Journal article. In May, almost 2.5 million Americans departed for Europe, according to data provided to The Journal, an increase of almost 500,000 from 2019 numbers. This is certainly bad news for the climate by 2030, transport-related CO2 emissions from international tourism are expected to grow by 25% from 2016 levels, per a report from UN Tourism and the International Transport Forum. But even domestic tourism has proved to be a problem within the United States. In North America, travel and tourism made up roughly 9.1% of the gross domestic product and contributed 11.3% to the continents total employment in 2019. In places like Hawaii, where tourism quickly reached pre-pandemic tourism levels a little more than a year after COVID-19 first started to spread, mass tourism exploits the areas culture in the name of financial gain, as one young Hawaiian told Teen Vogue. But responsible travel advocates say there are ways to travel ethically and with positive cultural effects. Part of that is better understanding the problem. (Sites like Inside Airbnb have popped up to show the impact short-term rentals can have on the long-term housing market.) Teen Vogue called up Daniel Pardo Rivacoba, a member of the citizen group that organized the July 6 protest in Barcelona, to better understand the groups goals and what he sees as a sustainable future for tourism. Barcelona municipality condemns the act of spraying tourists with water guns Anadolu/Getty Images Teen Vogue: The Assemblea de Barris pel Decreixement Turistic (ABDT) was born in 2015 from various neighborhood collectives in Barcelona. At the time, do you think there was a particular event that made it clear that tourism was becoming a problem in the city? Daniel Pardo Rivacoba: Since the beginning of the 2000s, the social conflict around tourism had been growing little by little, and there were some rough neighborhood collectives working on different precise issues. By 2010, some of us stated that we needed some kind of coordination to work on the struggle at the city scale and no longer keep with the tiny neighborhood battles. In August 2014, the neighborhood of La Barceloneta, which is the so-called fishermen neighborhood in the center but with a very particular collective identity, for one month every evening had a demonstration in the streets. People like me who had been trying to mobilize around these neighborhoods and it wasnt happening suddenly, it just happened all at once. In 2015, there was an election for the City Hall, and there were two parties that were taking the impacts of touristification seriously, with quite critical speeches. We as ABDT didnt exist yet, but I think this also helped with the idea that there was a possibility of real change around tourism. That also reinforced our movement, which didnt exist yet but was about to be born. Barcelona municipality condemns the act of spraying tourists with water guns Anadolu/Getty Images TV: Would you say the rising cost of housing is the principal concern around overtourism? From 2014 to 2020, for example, the average monthly rental price in the metropolitan area of Barcelona rose from roughly 600 euro to 840 euro, per data from Barcelona Metropolis. DPR: This is the most extended worry, and its shared by so many people because more and more people are differently affected by this. Its becoming really generalized. Another one of the impacts most shared by the people of Barcelona is the massification [or standardization] of public space and the public transport network we always try to comment on this, because very often, journalists and others use mass tourism as the problem, and its not. Its just one of many impacts it has. Even more important is the fact that the economy of the city becomes absolutely specialized towards tourists. It generates a very high dependence on that sector, and it makes the city much more vulnerable to so many kinds of crises that can happen at any time, because tourism is volatile. Weve seen it very clearly with COVID-19, but we also saw it three years before with the terrorist attack on Las Ramblas [when a van collided with tourists and residents, killing 16]. It can be a pandemic, it can be a terrorist attack, it can be the geopolitical situation, but there are so many factors that make tourism dynamics change very quickly and without any possibility of anticipating it. TV: The statistics bear out just how much Spains economy is dependent on tourism. In 2022, tourism was the countrys main productive sector, making up 11.6% of its GDP. It was the number one European country in terms of international visitors. How do you reconcile this economic impact with the negative effects of tourism? DPR: It creates so many jobs, but honestly, they are among the worst in the city, both in wages and in work conditions, and it doesnt redistribute the huge amounts of money it makes. It just polarizes society more and more between the winners and the losers. TV: ABDTs website has a list of demands tied to the July 6 protest that include ending the public promotion of tourism, limiting airport infrastructure and recovering short-term and tourist apartments for the long-term residential rental market. Can you talk about how these came to be and how they have changed since the organizations start? DPR: They are addressed to the different levels of public administration, but honestly, up until now, we were just ignored, which is quite strange for the biggest demonstration around tourism. Were talking about at least 15,000 people in the streets that day. [Editors note: Outlets like NBC News have reported protest turnout from police at around 2,800 people, but ABDT has consistently said between 15,000 and 20,000, according to media reports.] But it's not very surprising coming from the city government we have right now, which is especially pro-tourism. But we know they care, because they are being more careful in their statements around tourism, but they dont really feel like giving us the importance to meet us. TV: Still, Barcelona has not been inactive on this issue. The mayor recently announced an intention to ban the licenses for apartments approved as short-term rentals by November 2028. What do you make of these changes? Do you think they are in part a result of the citys activism? DPR: It could be a good policy, but waiting four years I dont know where they want the people who will be kicked out in those four years to go. On the other hand, at the moment, this is only a proposal, so we hope it can happen, but its not enough by itself. There is still another modality of rental in Barcelona called seasonal rental, from 31 days to one year. There have been different regulations of rental in Spain, but none of them have included these temporary rentals. We already did that, theres no need to repeat it. TV: Lets talk about the July 6 protests in the center. With signs like mass tourism kills the city and squirting water guns at tourists, the aim was pretty clear. Is the end goal no tourism or something in-between? DPR: We always talk about these local impacts, but there are also global impacts related to the environment and to the climate crisis, and to me, they are among the most important ones. Tourism activity is responsible for about 8% of the CO2 emissions in the world. So the conclusion is very easy: we have to urgently and radically decrease the number of flights, otherwise we are just killing the planet and killing ourselves. We as a collective dont really believe in consumption as a tool for transformation, so we want to work instead on tourism production. This means regulating markets, like mandating that this airport must decrease its activity by half. This kind of frantic tourist consumption a weekend in New York, a week in Sweden, August in Mallorca its not possible. There is not such a right to tourism, but we do have a right and a need for rest and vacation and relaxation. So what if we just travel 50 kilometers or 100 kilometers? Thats more or less how I see the future. TV: What do you make of criticism of the water gun approach? DPR: I think we have a lot to learn from it. First of all, these actions were not thought up by the organization they were just spontaneous actions by people coming to the march. Personally, I found them funny and I could never have imagined the importance that it got that, to me, it doesnt have. Theres something really absurd about the fact that the same media that is criticizing the use of water guns would have never called you if there hadnt been any water guns. So, in the end, we just feel like we have to think about something in that vein for the next one, because its working. Its true that it takes a little too much work to try to refocus on the real problems, but we get to do it, and the whole world is talking about the problems of touristification in Barcelona. TV: What would your advice be to tourists who want to travel but dont want to have a negative impact on the city? Is there a way to do this? DPR: There are different ways of being a tourist in a place, but its also true that in a context of high touristification, its not up to you. Youre just one more piece in a big machine, and you can do a little better or a little worse, but you will probably have to take a plane and get an accommodation and you will be one more in the crowd. As I said before, we dont focus on the consumption, were focused on the production, but if I had to tell them something, I would tell them: its just better if you dont come. It hurts the city and it hurts its population. TV: Any last thoughts? DPR: The general idea is to change not the tourism model but the economic model of the city. Obviously, other economic sectors must be promoted in order to keep on as a city and as an economic system. In the tourism degrowth process, one of the first priorities must be training programs for the people that were working in tourism. We cant propose such a large economic change without thinking about the social groups that always suffer the most from every crisis. So they must be a priority in that transition. Stay up-to-date with the politics team. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue More great activism coverage from Teen Vogue: We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Canadian Penny Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where B2Gold Corp. (NYSE:BTG) stands against the other Canadian penny stocks. As we navigate the complexities of 2024, Canadas economic landscape presents a unique blend of challenges and opportunities. The global economy is grappling with the aftershocks of generationally high inflation, which has led to the most rapid monetary tightening weve seen in decades. While the U.S. economy has shown surprising resilience, achieving a delicate balance of strong growth and moderating inflation, Canada faces a different set of circumstances that investors should closely monitor. Canadas economy, while robust in many respects, is particularly sensitive to interest rates. High household debt-to-income ratios and relatively shorter mortgage terms mean that Canadian consumers and businesses feel the impact of rising interest rates more acutely than their counterparts in the U.S. Despite this, the latter part of 2023 brought stronger-than-expected economic momentum, bolstered by record immigration and the positive spillover effects from a resilient U.S. economy. As a result, fears of a recession in Canada this year have largely dissipated. However, this doesnt mean the Canadian economy is out of the woods. Growth is expected to remain below trend in 2024, with the Bank of Canada projecting a modest GDP growth rate of 1.25% to 1.5%. The slowdown in growth is partly due to the countrys unique economic vulnerabilities. Productivity growth, for instance, has been on a concerning decline, with Canadas senior deputy governor even describing the situation as an emergency. This decline in productivity is largely driven by a lack of business investment in critical areas such as equipment, machinery, and intellectual property, exacerbated by limited competition in key industries like telecommunications and banking. On the brighter side, this slower growth is expected to contribute to a further moderation in inflation pressures. Headline inflation has been gradually decreasing, and core inflationexcluding volatile food and energy pricesis also making its way toward the Bank of Canadas target range. This gives the Bank of Canada some room to maneuver, with expectations that it will reduce interest rates by 50-75 basis points later this year. Despite strong economic growth, including an exceptional surge in job creation in April 2024, employment growth of 2.0% over the past year has lagged behind the 3.4% increase in population. This imbalance has driven the unemployment rate up by nearly a full percentage point to 6.2%, and it is expected to remain high through the rest of this year before gradually declining in 2025. Wage growth, which averaged 5.3% in 2023, has slowed significantly to just 3.9% (annualized) in the first quarter of 2024. With inflationary pressures easing, this slower pace of wage growth is likely to persist through 2024 and into next year. The Bank of Canadas decision to cut its policy interest rate was welcomed, but Canadian households remain the most indebted in the G7. The interest rate hikes since 2022 have strained household finances, leading to a decline in real consumer spending per capita in five of the last seven quarters as more income is directed toward servicing mortgage and loan interest payments. Story continues The impact on the housing market has been even more pronounced. Real residential investment per capita fell by 22.8% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period two years earlier. Looking ahead, consumer spending and residential investment are expected to recover as lower interest rates help restore demand. However, with consumer confidence low, reluctance to make major purchases, ongoing challenges in housing affordability, and savings rates still above normal, the pace of recovery in the second half of 2024 will likely be restrained. Deloitte projects that more significant gains in consumption and residential investment will occur next year as confidence improves. Overall, Canadas economy performed better in the first half of 2024 than anticipated. However, this strength is expected to be offset by slower real GDP growth in the latter half of the year due to weaker household spending. The updated forecast projects real GDP growth of 1.2% for 2024, with an acceleration to 2.6% in 2025. On a per-capita basis, real GDP is expected to decline by 1.6% this year before rebounding to 1.1% growth in 2025. In this context, the Canadian stock market, particularly the penny stocks segment, offers intriguing opportunities. Penny stocks, often overlooked, can be a gateway to substantial returns, especially in a market like Canadas, where economic conditions are ripe for selective investment. Whether youre a seasoned investor or new to the world of penny stocks, the following picks are poised to potentially deliver impressive returns in the current economic climate. Our Methodology For this article we first used a stock screener to list down all Canadian stocks trading under $5 as of August 25. We then picked 10 of these stocks with the highest number of hedge fund investors. To gauge hedge fund sentiment we used Insider Monkeys database of 912 hedge funds. This way, the penny stocks mentioned in this article are the best penny stocks to buy according to elite hedge funds. At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here). Aerial view of a gold mine in Mali, showing the scale of the mining operations. B2Gold Corp. (NYSE:BTG) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 22 Leading our list of the ten best Canadian penny stocks to buy now is B2Gold Corp. (NYSE:BTG). B2Gold Corp. (NYSE:BTG) is a Vancouver-based exploration company that focuses on the acquisition and development of mineral properties. With operations spanning multiple sites, including the Fekola Mine in Mali, Otjikoto Mine in Namibia, and Masbate Mine in the Philippines, B2Gold Corp. (NYSE:BTG) has established itself as a significant player in the gold mining sector. Despite some operational challenges, such as the temporary production setback at Fekola due to equipment issues, the company remains well-positioned for growth, supported by its strong track record of successful exploration and mine development. In the second quarter of 2024, B2Gold Corp. (NYSE:BTG) reported revenues of $492.57 million, a 4.61% year-over-year increase, which exceeded market expectations. Although the company faced a slight miss on earnings per share (EPS), posting $0.06 instead of the expected $0.07, the strong revenue performance highlights the robust demand for gold and B2Gold Corp. (NYSE:BTG) ability to capitalize on this trend. The companys financial position remains solid, with $467 million in cash and cash equivalents and access to a $700 million revolving credit facility, ensuring sufficient liquidity to fund ongoing operations and future growth initiatives. Looking ahead, B2Gold Corp. (NYSE:BTG) growth potential is further supported by its ongoing projects, such as the expansion of the Fekola Mine and the development of the Goose Mine in Canada. The company is also exploring additional opportunities through its aggressive drilling programs, which could unlock further reserves and extend the life of its mines. With a strong foundation, a focus on operational efficiency, and a commitment to growth, B2Gold Corp. (NYSE:BTG) is well-positioned to deliver long-term value to shareholders, making it a compelling pick among Canadian penny stocks. In the second quarter of 2024, the number of hedge funds with stakes in B2Gold Corp. (NYSE:BTG) increased to 22 from 19 in the previous quarter, according to Insider Monkeys database. The combined value of these stakes is approximately $132.61 million. Jim Simonss Renaissance Technologies emerged as the largest stakeholder among these hedge funds during this period. Overall BTG ranks 1st on our list of the best Canadian penny stocks to buy. While we acknowledge the potential of BTG as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than BTG but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: $30 Trillion Opportunity: 15 Best Humanoid Robot Stocks to Buy According to Morgan Stanley and Jim Cramer Says NVIDIA Has Become A Wasteland. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. PLEASANT HILL, Iowa The owner of the water buffalo that was on the loose in Pleasant Hill for the past several days has a history of rogue animals in the city. On Saturday the Pleasant Hill Police Department was notified of a water buffalo in the roadway in the 2060 block of NE 56th Street. According to the city, the owner of the water buffalo, Prem Nepal, told officers the buffalo was aggressive and escaped from its pen. After several days the buffalo was finally captured and taken to the Iowa State University Veterinary Hospital for treatment. High speeds potential factor in Des Moines crash that injured six, police say As first reported by Axios, this isnt the first time Nepal has had a rogue animal in Pleasant Hill. According to court documents, in September 2020 law enforcement officers responded to a report of a rogue cow near E University Avenue and NE 56th Street. Officers attempted to herd the cow to a nearby field but it wouldnt cooperate. The cow continued to wander around the city and all efforts to coral the animal failed, leading officers to shoot and kill the cow in a field near Highway 163 and Meecham Drive due to safety risks, court records state. The owner of the cow was determined to be Nepal. Officers informed Nepal of the dead cow and informed him to properly dispose of the carcass. According to a criminal complaint, officers followed up nearly a week later and discovered that Nepal had not properly disposed of the carcass. Nepal pled guilty to charges of failure to dispose of dead animal and parks and public lands animal not on leash in connection to the 2020 incident. According to court records, Nepal also pled guilty to charges of animal at large in 2016 and in 2019. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Pair of restaurants in Wisconsin neighborhood burglarized in one weekend, officers investigating MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) Over the span of a few days, two restaurants in the same southern Wisconsin neighborhood were broken into overnight, and officers are investigating whether the incidents are connected or not. According to the Madison Police Department, officers have been investigating a pair of burglaries that happened at two restaurants only a few blocks away from one another between August 23 and August 26. The release notes that both restaurants were broken into and had cash stolen from them after each front door was damaged with rocks or bricks. On Saturday morning, officers were called to a restaurant in the 4000 block of East Towne Boulevard around 9 a.m. after employees found that a piece of concrete was used to shatter the front door and cash had been stolen. This embedded content is not available in your region. Officers say the burglary happened sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning. Then, on Monday morning around 8 a.m., officers were called to another restaurant in the 1700 block of Parkside Drive for a similar situation. This embedded content is not available in your region. Employees reportedly noticed that a large rock was used to shatter the front door. Cash had also been stolen during the overnight incident. Madison PDs Burglary Crime Unit is investigating both incidents. However, authorities say that at this time, it is unclear if they are connected. Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact Madison Area Crime Stoppers at (608) 266-6014 or online. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Taking lessons from what it learned in 2023, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) believes it will be ready if it must encounter another drought. The authority expects another El Nino-driven drought within the next four years, Panama Canal administrator Ricaurte Vasquez Morales told reporters Monday. More from Sourcing Journal According to Vasquez, the canal isnt expecting to have new infrastructure before the next major drought. The canals planned $1.6 billion Indio River reservoir project would take six years, and would need at least 18 months before construction could even start. The authority still needs to gain approval from the 12,000 people who live near the rivers basin. If built, the new reservoir would provide capacity for an additional 11 transits in the event of another drought period. The frequency (of droughts) is faster now than it has been in the past, Vasquez said. Recently, vessels have been arriving at the canal with larger cargo volumes, allowing the authority to cut water usage while keeping tonnage stable, Vasquez said. He said the ACP will work with shippers to ensure ships arrive at the canal with the most cargo possible. The Panama Canals average tonnage per transit has increased to 43,000 metric tons this year from about 38,000 tons in 2023, as it reduces water utilization. The ACP already announced a return to 36 vessel transits per day as of Sept. 1., progressively having increased the amount allowed through the canal in 2024. This number is a far cry from the nadir of 22 ships that could be booked last December, when the transit restrictions were at their peak. This move essentially brings the Panama Canal back to its maximum sustainable capacity, in which approximately 36 to 38 vessels per day can pass through the 50-mile waterway. On August 15, the canal lifted draft restrictions back to their normal maximum draft of 50 feet for Neopanamax locks, which facilitate the movement of container ships longer than 966 feet. The agency may need to bring back the draft restrictions during the 2025 dry season, which lasts from January to May, Vasquez said, but it will seek to avoid using daily transit restrictions. With the year-long restrictions lifted for the remainder of the May-to-November rainy season, the ACP has launched a long-term slot allocation (LoTSA) initiative for Neopanamax vessels to increase transit certainty and flexibility within the canal. The long-term transit reservation system offers booking slot packages for different market segments, such as container ships, liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vessels. The system allows customers to secure transit slots up to a year in advance. Participants bid through a sealed auction process, with the first year covering booking dates from Jan. 5, 2025, to Jan. 3, 2026. The first auction for container ships take place Oct. 1, with five total auctions taking place that month. LNG and LPG vessels will be able to make first bids on Sept. 9. Each slot has a base price of $200,000. Slots will be allocated based on the bidding results and the timing of bids. For example, the highest bidders on slots 70 to 60 days before transit get priority. The system allows shippers to swap out of their slot for free up to eight days before the reserved transit date. Slots can also be transferred to vessels within the same alliance. Making a more efficient reservation system has been a major goal of Vasquez since the restrictions were put in place starting last May. As water levels at Gatun Lake dwindled throughout late 2023, the canal even began holding auctions in which shippers could bid for transit slots. Only about 70 percent of transits were booked in advance prior to the drought, he noted. As of Wednesday, water levels at the manmade, rainfall-fed Gatun Lake have a depth of 85.8 feet, which is nearly two feet deeper than Augusts 83.9-foot average since 2019. The water levels are an almost six-foot improvement over the 79.6-foot depth on Aug. 28, 2023. Vasquez said he expects long-term vessel traffic to return as the water levels keep rising, but at a slower pace. It is the market that responds to this, not something you see immediately. Assigning vessels and assigning contracts is a process and the lead time associated with that is critical, Vasquez said. So, if it took about four to five months for the market to adjust downward, were assuming it will take five to six months for the market to readjust upwards. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) A Panama City man has been arrested in connection to a scheme to defraud an elderly victim of $30,000. The Bay County Sheriffs Office said they received a call from the 73-year-old victim who believed she had been scammed. She already gave the scammer the money, but as she thought about the incident, she realized she had been scammed, officials said. The woman said she received an email that appeared to be from a legitimate computer security software company. The victim was told she overpaid for her subscription and was owed money back, according to BCSO. Through a financial transaction, the scammer manipulated the womans bank account to make it appear the refund she was given was more than what she owed. Authorities said the scammer told the victim to withdraw the overage and meet them at a local store with the money. Cottondale man facing multiple counts of sexual battery on two minors BCSO Financial Crimes Investigators from the Criminal Investigations Division and Bay Real Time Crime Center began collecting video to identify the suspect and his vehicle. Due to the quick realization from the victim and the immediate response from Financial Crimes Investigators, the suspect was located and taken into custody. Officials confirmed all of the victims money was recovered and returned. Sheriff Ford would like to remind all Bay County citizens that internet scams are now an unfortunate part of everyday life. If you suspect someone is trying to scam you online, cease contact with them and report it to your local law enforcement agency. Do not provide money to them, in person or electronically, BCSO said in a news release. 29-year-old MDZohair Anjum was taken to the Bay County Jail and has been charged with Grand Theft in Excess of $20,000. Anjum was also in possession of a controlled substance and charged with Felony Drug Possession. His first appearance in front of a judge is Wednesday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. A parent threatened to shoot a gun before Oakdale Elementary School rang its first bell, according to a Charlotte arrest affidavit. Police say Shanique Williamson, 30, got into a parking-lot fight with another parent at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday morning students third day back from summer and threatened to shoot the parents car. She came back after 9 a.m. and told officers it was her second time bringing the gun to the northwest Charlotte K-5 school of about 450 students, according to court records. Williamson let officers search her vehicle, where they found a black .45-caliber Glock 30 handgun behind her passenger seat. They charged her with two felony counts of bringing a gun onto a school campus. According to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department report, which did not name a suspect, a person was arrested without incident and no students were involved. The report also said the fight didnt happen on school property, but an arrest report said Williamson and the other parent were in the schools parking lot. In court Thursday, District Court Judge Fritz Mercer, Jr., set a $5,000 secured bond, according to entries on eCourts, Mecklenburg County Courthouses online system. A day earlier, court documents show that Magistrate April Phifer suggested a $10,000 bond. Anthony Dorseys battle to get his children to school on time is far from over. Last spring, the St. Louis Public Schools parent had to drive his four children to different schools after the districts bus contractor quit in May. It wasnt uncommon for some of his kids to miss the first class of the day because of the trek across town. This summer, Dorsey was hoping the new school year would bring improved transportation. Instead, he is once again in the drivers seat which he fears will hinder his childrens education. I have to make sure everybody gets to school on time. I dont want them to miss any more time in class, Dorsey said. So its just going to be a real hectic time in the morning just trying to move through traffic and hustle and bustle. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Dorsey is one of thousands of St. Louis parents and millions more nationwide who have had to scramble to make alternative plans for their kids because of bus driver shortages. An August survey of 400 school districts by HopSkipDrive, a national student transportation company, found that 91% reported being impacted by a bus driver shortage in 2024. The numbers were 92% in 2023 and 88% in 2022. About 60% said shortages had forced them to cut back on bus services. More than a third (38%) of the districts said staffers are taking time away from their jobs to drive school buses or vans. My fear is that at some point we are going to cross the point of no return, said Keith Galloway, a senior vice president with Student Transportation of America, in an Aug. 7 podcast. We have to somehow figure out how we will continue to partner with school districts, keep our costs under control and also be in a position where we can recruit and retain school bus drivers, mechanics, dispatchers and managers to operate the business, he said. In St. Louis, after the bus company pulled out last spring, district officials cobbled together an emergency transportation plan involving yellow buses, taxis and private rideshare cars from nearly 20 vendors. Related To Fight Chronic Absenteeism, Its Time to Rethink the Yellow School Bus On Aug. 19, the first day of school, roughly 6,400 students were supposed to be transported by yellow buses, 6,200 by cabs or rideshare cars and 1,450 by public transit. But the day before, three bus vendors canceled their commitments, leaving more than 1,000 students in limbo. In lieu of bus transportation, some parents received temporary gas cards, according to the district. Dorsey was one of them his 10th grader at Nottingham CAJT High School was assigned to a bus, while his eighth grader at Compton-Drew ILC Middle School received a $25 gas card. His other two children attend charter schools. The card probably wont last two days of picking up and dropping off, Dorsey said. He said he adjusted his work schedule so he can bring his children to school, but picking them up will be a problem. His shift starts at 3 p.m., so he either will have to get to work late or take his kids out of class early. I know its going to be a lot with the upcoming school year, especially with these kids trying to figure out how to ride public transportation or even jumping in a cab with a stranger, Dorsey said. Its going to be hard for the parents to instill that confidence in their children. Its going to be hard for the parents to even try to make sure that their children are at the bus stops and get to work. Its a lot for us right now. The HopSkipDrive study also surveyed 500 parents and found 79% said they are managing school transportation on their own and 62% said driving their children has caused them to miss work. About 63% said their kids would miss less school if more convenient transportation were available. HopSkipDrive is one of the rideshare vendors that recently partnered with St. Louis Public Schools to cover transportation. Earlier this year, Patricia Ludwig left her job as a bus driver in the St. Louis area to become a driver with HopSkipDrive because of her arthritis. Related The Big Yellow School Bus Isnt Doing the Job Anymore Ludwig said the job is easier because she uses her own car. She uses company software to pick up as many routes as she wants and transports only a few children at a time. Ludwig said she drives kids of all ages. You can offer certain things you cant offer with the school bus, because its a much more personalized and intimate experience, Ludwig said. Youre not on a bus with 30 to 70 other kids, right? Youre just with three or four children. Its much more like carpooling. Drivers with HopSkipDrive go through a rigorous background and certification process, and their cars have to be inspected, according to the company. Drivers communicate directly with parents, pick up children at their door and can wait for students if they are running late. Square Watson, chief operations officer for St. Louis Public Schools, said at an Aug. 13 school board meeting that the district is ensuring safety for students using rideshare companies and public transit by patrolling routes, monitoring driver progress using GPS and stationing volunteers at stops. All vehicles transporting children require windshield decals, and drivers have to wear identification badges. Officials havent said how long the district will use rideshare companies or taxis. Watson said the district hopes to bring on more traditional school buses as the year continues. Everyone is in this together as we arm up and get ourselves ready for the start of school. Will it look ugly? Yes, Watson said. I mean, weve got lemons and were making lemonade. CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) Drought conditions in West Virginia have gotten even worse since last week, according to the new drought monitor released Thursday. Part of the Mid-Ohio Valley area is now in exceptional drought (D4), which is the most severe drought category. This is the first time that West Virginia has seen a D4 rating since the U.S. Drought Monitor started back in the 1990s. The new map from the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) also says that the area of West Virginia that is in extreme droughtwhich is one category lowerhas expanded along the Ohio River as well as further into the Monongahela National Forest. U.S. Drought Monitor for West Virginia released Aug. 29, 2024 (Courtesy: NIDIS) Wednesday night, a fire was reported in the Monongahela National Forest amid extremely dry conditions. According to a social media post from the Forest Service, smoke may still be visible in the Cass and Green Bank areas from the Train Track Incident, which burned 3-5 acres before it was contain by Forest Service personnel and volunteer firefighters in the area. Government sues Randolph County logger who allegedly cut timber from Monongahela National Forest The whole state remains under a State of Emergency related to the drought as its effects continue to been seen across West Virginia. In Randolph County, a fish kill has been reported in the Tygart Valley River, and low water has caused recreation areas like Tygart Lake, Stonewall Lake, and Summersville Lake to issue warnings for law water and even close some services. Some major West Virginia landmarks like Cathedral Falls are completely dried up. Currently, 35.7% of the state is at risk for major crop and pasture loss, and many farmers have already seen the effects. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. An internal review board at the National Institutes of Health has decided to shut down a long-term study of Havana Syndrome patients that found no signs of brain injuries, after several participants complained of mishandled medical data, bias and pressures to join the research. A spokeswoman for NIH said the internal review found that informed consent policies to join the study were not met due to coercion, although not on the part of NIH researchers. Given the role of voluntary consent as a fundamental pillar of the ethical conduct of research, NIH has stopped the study out of an abundance of caution, said Jennifer George. She did not say who coerced the patients. In a letter on Tuesday, Dr. Leighton Chan, the principal author of the study, told participants that due to concerns about the study raised by some participants, the review board decided to close it down. The letter does not mention what the review board found. The study was supposed to continue tracking these patients over years. Chan did not reply to an email seeking comment, and NIH did not provide further information about the internal review findings or say whether they will be made public. Anomalous health incidents the U.S. government term for Havana Syndrome have been reported in many countries, including the U.S. Several cases involving U.S. diplomats and CIA officers were first reported in Havana in late 2016 and 2017, giving rise to the name, although the Miami Herald later reported there was a case as early as 2014 in Germany. The victims have described being exposed to sensory phenomena such as pressure and noise coming from a specific location and developed brain trauma and a variety of other symptoms like vertigo, tinnitus, migraine, visual problems and cognitive impairment. Many of the victims have been involved in work linked to Russia. The corroboration that participants were coerced to join the NIH study will likely add to the debate surrounding Havana Syndrome and increase scrutiny over how the U.S. government has handled its investigation and treated the victims. Though it hadnt been published at the time, the NIH study was cited in an intelligence assessment in March 2023 concluding that Havana Syndrome was probably not the result of aggression by a foreign adversary and that most reported symptoms could be explained away by other causes, like pre-existing conditions or environmental factors. Despite that assessment, at least 334 former and active government employees, military officers and relatives, including 15 children, have qualified to get treatment for Havana Syndrome in specialized military health facilities, according to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. To be eligible for treatment in the military health system, a doctor must certify a brain injury or other significant symptoms that a known cause or a pre-existing condition cannot explain. The NIH research examined MRIs and blood markers of people exposed to the incidents and found no evidence of mild traumatic brain injuries, contradicting earlier studies. It published its first results in March in two papers in the Journal of the American Medical Association. But the results were immediately challenged by a group of participants who alleged several irregularities, including cooperation between NIH and the CIA to suppress medical data pointing to a traumatic brain injury diagnosis, pressures to join the study and the unauthorized disclosure of medical data to other government agencies by NIH researchers. Other scientists involved in previous Havana Syndrome studies also questioned the researchs methodology and results. The NIH launched its internal investigation in April. At the time, Nicole Grant, the Institutional Review Board chair, emailed participants to inform them that the institution was investigating complaints about the study and asked them to complete a form with more information. After complaints, National Institutes of Health launches review of Havana Syndrome study Participants were asked if they felt pressured about joining or remaining in the study, if they were led to believe that participation was required to be able to receive medical care at another medical facility, and if medical information collected during the study that would identify them was shared with others without their permission. Were you ever told or given the impression that your symptoms would not be accurately recorded by the NIH staff who were evaluating you? another question asked participants. Grant and the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services declined to comment. It is unclear if the office has received the internal review findings. The NIH study was made public in the medical journal amid news that the House Intelligence Committee was launching a formal inquiry into how spy agencies handled the Havana Syndrome investigation following complaints by whistle-blowers. Senate committee seeks answers from spy agencies after bombshell Havana Syndrome report Congress has called for more answers following media reports pointing to possible Russian involvement. Lawmakers have also pressured government agencies, particularly the Department of Defense, which coordinates medical care through the Defense Health Agency, to treat the victims more expeditiously and spend the money allocated by Congress for such efforts. Last week, U.S. Reps. Mark Green, the chairman of the Homeland Security committee, and August Pfluger, the chairman of the subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence, wrote to Jake Sullivan, the presidents National Security Advisor, expressing being deeply alarmed that these incidents continue to take place here and abroad. We implore the Administration to take decisive action to investigate the causation and attribution of the anomalous health incidents, disrupt and deter the operations of any foreign entities conducting these attacks, and send a clear message to the world that these actions will not be tolerated, they said in a letter. We also ask that the administration be fully transparent with the American people on the gravity these threats pose. By Thomas Escritt SUHL, Germany (Reuters) - Trains laden with battle tanks passing her window awakened dark fears for Kathrin Ruck, who on Sunday will vote for a party which promises to bring an end to the war in Ukraine by halting Germany's weapons shipments to Kyiv. "I'm scared that one day this war will be directed against Germany," said the legal secretary, 50, from Sonneberg in Thuringia, a region which until 1990 was occupied by the Soviet army as part of communist East Germany. "That's no problem for Russia." Though there is no indication the tanks she saw were heading to Ukraine, such fears have helped push the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance from a standing start a few months ago to second or third place in polls ahead of state parliament elections this Sunday in the eastern German states of Thuringia and Saxony. But even if it won it would be in no position to deliver on its promise. State governments run schools, law enforcement and social services. And few believe ending Germany's supply of arms would stop Ukraine fighting to repel the Russian forces who invaded in February 2022. Yet the BSW, created in January by an exodus from the far-left Left party, has cast the state elections - three are being held this autumn, all in the east - as a referendum on Germany's support for Ukraine. Blending social conservatism and left-wing economics, it promises higher pensions, better schools, less immigration without excluding refugees, better jobs but fewer onerous regulations for employers, and above all a sense of certainty. BREAKING THE IMPASSE Supporters say it is honesty that they prize in Wagenknecht, leader of the party that bears her name. "She believes in what she says and in what she advocates," said Milo Schroeder, a 17-year-old fan who cast his first vote for her at the European Parliament elections and gazed with adoration as Wagenknecht made her speech. Wagenknecht presents her party as the answer to the impasse in the country's politics created by the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany. "It can't go on like this. There has to be something new," Wagenknecht told an audience on the main square of Suhl, dominated by a Stalinist-style House of Culture built by the Communists in the 1950s. Every party, including hers, refuses to govern with the AfD, complicating coalition arithmetic when its legislators take as many as a third of seats in Germany's parliaments. In Thuringia, an unwieldy minority government under Left politician Bodo Ramelow keeps it from power. Party rules prevent the conservatives, running second in Thuringia, from working with the first-placed AfD or the Left - successor to East Germany's communist party. The BSW, despite being every bit as much of a communist successor party as the Left, is a possible partner. No mainstream party is likely to drop its support for Ukraine because of an upstart's regional success, but a local win could shape public discourse. Nationwide, the party is polling 9% - enough to make for tricky coalition negotiations. RUTHLESS DISCIPLINE The daughter of an absent Iranian immigrant father and a German mother, Wagenknecht grew up an impassioned Communist in East Germany, writing fan letters to that country's prominent intellectuals in a looping handwriting that she fashioned into an imitation of Persian script. In the early 1990s she drew up stridently Marxist policy documents for the communist Socialist Unity Party's (SED) democratic successor. "Politicians aren't paid to make people's lives harder," she told the crowd in Suhl, where the party had its best European election performance. "They're paid to make things easier. Katja Wolf, BSW's leader in Thuringia, a former mayor of Eisenach, where Martin Luther first translated the Bible into German, joined because she saw in the BSW a party that could at last take the fight to the AfD. The two parties share an anti-immigration, anti-NATO stance that pro-Kremlin social media hails. Ruthless discipline is one of the party's secrets. It has only a few dozen hand-picked members nationwide, mainly ex-Left and Social Democrat politicians and some local businesspeople. Public filings show that the party has received around 4 million euros in donations from a wealthy couple with no public profile who in the one media interview they gave said they wanted to support a party that stood up for peace. (Reporting by Thomas Escritt; Editing by Angus MacSwan) In nearly every stock's life, sooner or later it has a day where the market just can't decide whether it's a buy or sell. That happened to mighty chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM) (TSMC) on Thursday. Not coincidentally, this was the trading session just after the current hot company in the chip sphere published its latest market-shaking news item. On the day, TSMC traded sideways, which happened to match the flat line of the bellwether S&P 500 index. Here come the professional bulls This occurred despite a clutch of generally positive new analyst takes on TSMC shares. Numerous pundits felt compelled to weigh in on TSMC, as graphics processing unit (GPU) king and company peer Nvidia had unveiled its second quarter of fiscal 2025 results after market close on Wednesday. Citigroup, for one, feels there's more gain in store for TSMC stock. In a fresh analysis, the bank pointed out that the company has managed to double capacity to produce its chip-on-a-wafer-on-substrate (CoWoS). This next-generation "packaging" technology is designed for high-performance computing (HPC) and for artificial intelligence (AI) functionalities. The bank reiterated its buy recommendation on TSMC, as did Bank of America. BofA's new research note on the chipmaker shows that it continues to be encouraged that demand for AI capacity is strong, among other factors supporting the Taiwan-based company. Ignoring the industry, for now Nvidia's trailing and anticipated growth will almost certainly help support TSMC's business. Still, expectations for the former company's quarter were extremely high, and anytime that happens more than a few market players are sure to be disappointed. No matter the continued praise from pundits, at least some of those investors will continue to give Nvidia and any associated stock the cold shoulder for a bit. Should you invest $1,000 in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing right now? Before you buy stock in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $769,685!* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. Story continues See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of August 26, 2024 Bank of America is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bank of America, Nvidia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Taiwan Semiconductor Stock Had a Thursday to Forget was originally published by The Motley Fool DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) The penalty phase of the trial for a man convicted for his role in killing seven people begins Friday. A jury found Fredric Rogers guilty of three counts of capital murder Wednesday after seven days of testimony and arguments and four hours of jury deliberation. Attorney for man charged in death of HPD officer motions to withdraw The State of Alabama is seeking the death penalty against Rogers, which is what the jury will now decide in this phase of the trial. The penalty phase is almost a mini-trial, in which jurors will hear from character witnesses as the defense will argue Rogers should be given life in prison without the possibility of parole. Rogerss defense said at the trial opening he was guilty, but they hope to spare his life. Rogers was found guilty of murdering seven people in what investigators said was a dispute within their motorcycle club dubbed The Seven Deadly Sins. John Legg is also accused of killing the seven people, but does not have a trial date yet. Investigators called it the worst crime in Morgan County history. The pair were arrested in Oregon after surveillance video showed them at Rogers grandmothers house. The Morgan County Sheriffs Office was initially tipped off about them after a traffic stop in Colorado. Download the WHNT News 19 App to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WHNT News 19 newsletters to have news sent to your inbox. In closing arguments, the States Courtney Shellack said, Theres nothing that I need to do to convince you that hes guilty of capital murder. Were not arguing about the facts because he told you that he went there to kill everyone. He went there to kill 7 people. News 19 will be in the courtroom throughout the remainder of the trial and will bring you the latest. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. HUNTINGDON COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) A York man was arrested in Huntingdon Wednesday for allegedly driving under the influence in a stolen car. Charges have been filed against Tyler Robarge, 32, for receiving stolen property and allegedly admitting to police that he took drugs earlier in the day. Tyler Robarge Huntingdon County Jail Around 9:51 p.m. Aug. 28, state police in Huntingdon County were in the area of 9th Street and its intersection with Moore Street within the Huntingdon Borough. Charges show they saw a blue Hyundai Accent traveling east and through automated license plate recognition, they learned the vehicle was stolen. Police investigating alleged theft at Flight 93 National Memorial Police proceeded to pull over the car. Robarge complied when asked to exit the car and was detained by troopers. According to the criminal complaint, Robarge allegedly admitted to state police he had used Suboxone earlier that day. Troopers noted in the complaint that his pupils were constricted and non-reactive to light. He went through a standard field sobriety test where he showed numerous indicators of being impaired, according to the affidavit. Robarge was taken to Penn Highlands for the opportunity for a blood draw, however, he refused to test around 10:27 p.m. Troopers said they found two buprenorphine and naloxone sublingual films in his wallet during a search at their barracks, charges show. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. Robarge is in the Huntingdon County Jail with bail set at $100,000. He is charged with a felony count of receiving stolen property, along with misdemeanors for driving under the influence and for possessing an unregulated controlled substance. He is also facing summary driving offenses. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. (Bloomberg) -- The US Defense Department said it will provide additional military support capabilities to the Secret Service to guard the major presidential and vice presidential candidates through the November election in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Most Read from Bloomberg Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved a request from the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service, for increased support at various locations across the United States, Sabrina Singh, a Defense Department spokeswoman, told reporters Thursday. Such support would be provided by National Guard units. Although Singh didnt elaborate on why the help being provided through US Northern Command was needed, the Secret Service has been under scrutiny for security failures that allowed the attempted assassination of former President Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July. Trump was slightly injured and a spectator in the crowd was killed before snipers shot and killed the attacker. Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the Secret Service, said in a statement that since the assassination attempt the service has bolstered our protective operations in order to ensure the highest levels of safety and security. As part of this effort, the Department of Defense is providing the US Secret Service with additional assistance including logistics, transportation, and communications, through the 2024 campaign season. Northern Command said in a statement that the Defense Department is providing enhanced support for the protection of the 2024 Presidential and Vice-Presidential campaign candidates. It compared that to past support for National Special Security Events, such as political conventions, but with additional capabilities provided to further bolster candidate security. Singh said the added military support is likely to continue for the president-elect and vice president-elect through their inauguration in January. (Updates with Secret Service comment in fourth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. People in Brazils Amazon are choking on smoke and feeling the heat from rainforest wildfires Smoke from wildfires fills the air along the Jornalista Phelippe Daou bridge over the Negro River in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros) MANAUS, Brazil (AP) Smoke from wildfires in Brazil's Amazon rainforest Wednesday was causing people in the region to cough, burning their throats and reddening their eyes. Large swaths of the country have been draped in smoke in recent days, resulting from fires raging across the Amazon, Cerrado savannah, Pantanal wetland and the state of Sao Paulo. Residents are feeling the sting, including Fatima Silva, a 60-year-old farmer in the Amazonian town of Labrea. I am not well. I am feeling short of breath, my throat hurts, my eyes need eye drops, I cant go out on the street, I cant go anywhere because everything is white with smoke, Silva told The Associated Press in a voice note, adding that her grandchildren are coughing so much they can hardly sleep. My grandchildren, my children, everyone is getting sick. Today it got even worse. No one can stand it, she said. Fires are traditionally used for deforestation and for managing pastures, and those man-made blazes are largely responsible for igniting the wildfires. In the Amazon, there have been 53,620 fire spots between Jan. 1 and Aug. 27, an 83% increase from the same period last year, according to the National Institute for Space Research, a federal agency. Across the Amazon, many areas were classified as having very bad or terrible air pollution Wednesday, according to the the State University of Amazonas' environmental monitoring system. In cases of wildfires and due to the resulting smoke, Amazonas state's civil defense authority has recommended staying hydrated and remaining indoors. But street vendors, garbage collectors, crossing guards and other workers have to be out and about. That means they cant avoid the smoke. Even worse, because they have to work harder to breathe in those conditions they inhale more of the dangerous particles into their lungs, according to Jesem Orellana, a resident of Manaus, the biggest city in the Amazon, and an epidemiologist and researcher at the state-run Fiocruz Institute. Residents of Manaus have come to expect the smoke of death in mid-September and October when fires and deforestation approximately peak, but this year the smoke became a problem much earlier, he added. That means that we are exposed to this toxic smoke for an even longer period of time, which has direct implications for the health of the population, Orellana told the AP by phone. And the smokes impact goes beyond physical health, he said, causing anxiety which can impact sleep quality. Maria Soledade Barros Silva, who lives in the Ponta Negra neighborhood of Manaus, said the nearby riverside beach where people normally bike, skate, rollerblade and jetski is clouded with thick smog. Navigation of waterways that residents depend on has become more complicated, too. Its not normal. Ive lived here for 40 years. We didnt have this before, Barros said. Silva, who lives farther up the Purus River in Labrea, also said she had never seen anything like this before. I think this is the worst place in the world. We are asking for help, because we cant live like this anymore, she said. ___ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america People are finding ways to survive in the heat in Hampton Roads PORTSMOUTH Va. (WAVY) As August comes to an end, the heat returns with a vengeance. People are trying to survive the end of summer. The excessive heat can cause sunburn, cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. We know weve had some cooler temperatures come in now thats getting hot again, said Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator for the city of Virginia Beach Renee McKinnon. We just want to remind folks all the things they did during the summer. Libraries and community centers in Portsmouth and Norfolk are doubling as cooling centers for people to get away from the heat. One tourist who is visiting from Oklahoma said he had been in and out of buildings to find cool spots. We try to get out early in the morning and do as much as we can before it gets too hot, said tourist Randy Harris. Virginia Beach Emergency Management said preparing for the heat is key to helping as many people as possible. Folks might not have expected these hot days coming here at the end of August, but they just need to go inside. Theres a lot of places on the Oceanfront or in the city as a whole, they can go inside and get some relief from the heat, said McKinnon. Whether you are a local or a tourist, the advice from the experts is the same if you have to be outside make sure to hydrate, stay in the shade, and if possible, find places that have AC. To learn where you can find the closest cooling center to you, click here. Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. What theyre saying: We know that [male dolphins] sometimes communicate by biting each other, so it may be that it is trying to do this with humans, Mari Kobayashi, head of the marine biology laboratory at the Hokkaido-Okhotsk campus of Tokyo University of Agriculture, told South China Morning Post. Also, this is a species that usually lives in groups, so it is possible it is lonely. Putu Mustika, a marine researcher at James Cook University in Australia, told the New York Times that its actions could be that of a horny, lonely dolphin. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) At Tuesday nights Peoria city council meeting, the Native American tribe that is also the citys namesake was in attendance to receive a special recognition. Peoria mayor Rita Ali presented the key to the city to the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma Chief Craig Harper. She spoke about how the tribe was forced out of Illinois and how it reflected the painful history of Native Americans in this country. Peoria appoints a new city treasurer Harper thanked city officials for the gesture. We receive this key, we receive this gift of friendship and this new opportunity on behalf of myself, our elected officials, and our 3787 citizens across the nation, Harper said. Youve been quite generous with your hospitality, thank you. Chief Harper was joined by Peoria Riverfront Museum officials at the meeting. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Shares of Victoria's Secret (NYSE: VSCO) were falling on Thursday, down as much as 9.6% in early trading before recovering to a 3.4% decline as of 2:37 p.m. ET. While the apparel giant delivered revenue and earnings above expectations for the second quarter last night, the company is still seeing declines across most of its business. And with the stock having popped earlier this month on news of the appointment a new CEO, shares gave back some of those near-term gains today. A beat, but an unenthusiastic one In the quarter, Victoria's Secret's revenue fell 0.7% to $1.42 billion, with adjusted (non-GAAP) earnings per share of $0.40. Both figures beat analyst expectations, with the bottom-line figure up handily from the year prior, thanks to the company's cost-cutting initiatives. Still, the stock didn't react favorably. Retail is a tough business, and it appears Victoria's Secret's brand may be losing some luster compared to new up-and-coming players such as Fenty. Victoria's Secret is seeing same-store sales declines across not only its physical stores, which fell 5%, but also its online direct-to-consumer channels, which fell a more modest 3%. One might think that online sales would be taking away from physical stores these days, but it looks like both channels are actually declining. While last night's results were an improvement over the prior year's 14% and 11% respective same-store sales declines, slowing declines apparently didn't impress investors. Victoria's new CEO has her work cut out On Aug. 14, Victoria's Secret appointed Hilary Super as its new CEO. Super actually comes from Victoria's Secret rival Savage X Fenty and was CEO of retailer Anthropologie prior to that. So, if anyone knows how to counteract new competitors in today's more body-positive era, it's her. Still, Super may have her work cut out for her, as Victoria's Secret has to navigate a brand transformation or adaptation. So while Victoria's Secret stock trades at an undemanding 13.7 times earnings, investors may still want to stay on the sidelines and hear more of her turnaround plan -- and see if those measures make a financial difference -- before betting on this company. Should you invest $1,000 in Victoria's Secret & Co. right now? Before you buy stock in Victoria's Secret & Co., consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Victoria's Secret & Co. wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Story continues Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $769,685!* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of August 26, 2024 Billy Duberstein and/or his clients have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Victoria's Secret Stock Fell Today was originally published by The Motley Fool Person killed after being struck by BART train in Berkeley Person killed after being struck by BART train in Berkeley (KRON) A person was killed after being struck by a BART train Wednesday evening at the Downtown Berkeley station, officials said. BART the station shut down at 5:46 p.m. The victim was not on the trackway but was standing near it, according to BART. BART service has resumed, BART officials said. As of 9:20 p.m., the Downtown Berkeley station has reopened. AC Transit bus No. 12 was available for riders to travel between the Downtown Berkeley and Ashby stations. Earlier, bus No. 52 provided between N. Berkeley and Downtown Berkeley stations, officials said. Officials said a coroner is at the scene investigating. SF barber breaks leg while detaining robbery, stabbing suspect Berkeley police and fire departments are also at the scene responding to the incident. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have a rare point of agreement in their otherwise bitter and divisive contest: Its up to the government to cut high U.S. drug prices. Harris cast the tie-breaking Senate vote in 2022 for legislation that allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices for its more than 60 million beneficiaries. Before that, she was an aggressive regulator of the drug industry as California attorney general. As president, Trump would likely retain Medicare price negotiations unless the pharmaceutical industry can come up with something more compelling to offer, people close to him say. In his first term, he proposed various policies aimed at reducing prescription costs but had limited success with their implementation. The drug industry could benefit, though, if Trump remains unable to advance such proposals. "His efforts were largely fragmented and faced resistance from both the industry and lawmakers," said Sergio Jose Gutierrez, a political strategist who has primarily worked with Democrats in the U.S. "The lack of a cohesive strategy and the limited ability to implement significant changes made his approach less effective compared to what a Harris-Walz administration could offer." The industry is increasingly under attack by lawmakers from both parties for drug prices most Americans regard as unreasonable, according to KFF polling, so the election outcome could be pivotal to drug companies fortunes. Their predicament is a sharp reversal from years past, when the companies enjoyed a reputation as being almost untouchable. For more than a decade, manufacturers successfully fended off proposals to let Medicare negotiate lower drug prices before losing the battle two years ago. The shift in their political standing shows up in pharmaceutical companies contributions to candidates. An industry that gave three or four times as much to GOP candidates as to Democrats in the 1990s and early 2000s is now hedging its bets. So far in the 2024 cycle, drug companies have given $4.89 million to Democrats and $4.35 million to Republicans, according to OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan research group. Harris has received $518,571 from the industry, and Trump has received $204,748. At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Harris and fellow Democrats touted their records on curbing drug prices. Harris supporters point to her past and present. As Californias attorney general, Harris joined cases that resulted in nearly $7.2 billion (about $22 per person in the U.S.) in fines for drug companies. Her vote to pass President Joe Bidens Inflation Reduction Act paved the way not only for Medicare price negotiation but also an annual $2,000 cap on Medicare beneficiaries total drug spending and a $35 cap on their monthly insulin supplies. Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris voted for a new law that lets Medicare negotiate drug prices, a policy that Republican nominee Donald Trump would likely retain. In his first term, he proposed policies aimed at reducing drug costs but had limited success applying them. "In the United States of America, no senior should have to choose between either filling their prescription or paying their rent," Harris said Aug. 15 in her first joint appearance with Biden since he exited the presidential race. She has promised to extend both the annual drug spending cap and the insulin price cap to all Americans with insurance, not just those on Medicare, if elected president. Harris also backed a contentious policy that, in some instances, would empower the federal government to inject more competition into the marketplace by seizing the patents on some high-cost drugs developed with federal funds. Doug Hart, 77, of Tempe, Arizona, has been spending about $7,000 annually on prescription drugs. A drug he takes to prevent blood clots will cost less under the Medicare price negotiations. The retired labor union president said the decrease will be considerable, and it is one reason he backs Harris. "The Republicans all voted against Medicare negotiation. Harris broke the tie in the Senate to allow it," said Hart, who is a board member for the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, which works to mobilize returned union members and activists on progressive issues. Although Republicans as a party remain more friendly to the pharmaceutical industry, Trump has been willing to take action to combat high drug costs. He sought during his administration to tie drug prices in Medicare to lower international prices, a proposal that the PricewaterhouseCoopers health research institute estimated would cost five drugmakers as much as $500 million a year. What was known as the "most favored nation" interim final rule was blocked because of legal challenges and later rescinded by the Biden administration. Trump issued a rule setting up a path to import drugs from Canada and other countries. Florida this year became the first state to get federal approval to import some prescriptions from Canada. But the state has been stymied by pushback from Health Canada, the Canadian government department responsible for national health policy. On his campaign website, Trump posted a video in which he questioned whether childhood health problems are the result of "overprescription" of medications. "Too often, our public health establishment is too close to Big Pharma they make a lot of money, Big Pharma big corporations, and other special interests, and does not want to ask the tough questions about what is happening to our childrens health," he said. "If Big Pharma defrauds American patients and taxpayers or puts profits above people, they must be investigated and held accountable." Trump hasnt said much about drug prices in his 2024 campaign, but allies and former advisers say he remains committed to knocking down prescription prices if reelected. He would likely focus on increasing generic and biosimilar competition, importing drugs made in the U.S. but sold overseas back to the U.S., and capping out-of-pocket insulin costs, according to former Trump administration officials. Other goals might be lowering prices for drugs in the Medicare 340B program, which requires drugmakers to provide outpatient drugs at reduced prices to eligible health organizations that serve lower-income and uninsured patients. "The No. 1 issue he cared about while I was in the White House, and I continue to hear him talk about, is lowering drug prices," said Theo Merkel, a senior research fellow at conservative think tanks Paragon Health Institute and the Manhattan Institute. Merkel was also a special assistant in the Trump White House. "Im confident that will be at the top of the agenda," he added. Catherine Hill, a spokesperson for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, said the industry trade group looks forward to collaborating with any future presidential administration. She criticized the Biden administrations plan for Medicare price negotiation and Trumps plan to align U.S. prices with those in foreign countries. This month, the Biden administration announced new, reduced prices for 10 drugs in the program following negotiations between the federal government and drugmakers. The lower costs take effect in 2026. "Previous price controls adopted by the Biden administration threaten to stifle that innovation," Hill said. "Undermining intellectual property protections and borrowing other countries price controls will further undercut innovation and threaten patients access to medicine." This article was republished from KFF Health News. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: For pharma, Trump versus Harris is a showdown between two industry foes (Bloomberg) -- The Philippines is seeking offers as it plans to buy 40 new multirole fighter jets to boost its military capability, its defense chief said Thursday, amid recent hostilities with China in the airspace. Most Read from Bloomberg We have decided that acquisitions shall be for capabilities that can make a real difference, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told a budget hearing on Thursday on his agencys proposed spending. To have credible defense provisions, the minimum for us will be 36 aircraft, equivalent to a squadron-and-a-half, plus four in reserve, he said. Potential bidders will have to submit a proposed financing package that will lower governments borrowing costs, Teodoro said. Manila is seeking to bolster its air force as tensions with Beijing reach the airspace above the disputed South China Sea. The nations military chief, in a separate briefing on Thursday, also flagged a plan to acquire the latest weapon system. Earlier this year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved a military modernization plan which will allow the government to spend $35 billion in 10 years, focused on strengthening external defense. Teodoro also said during the hearing that the government will seek legislation to creatively finance the acquisitions because the existing law limits external loans for any defense acquisition to $300 million. The defense chief called on the Philippine central bank to support proposals to amend the rules and allow local banks to lend to defense establishments, which is currently prohibited. The intent there is to prevent financing offensive weaponry, but the world has changed, Teodoro said. The banking system with a lot of liquidity right now certainly should really pitch in, he said. Any addition to our credible deterrent posture would reduce country risk and will invite more foreign direct investments. (Updates with defense chiefs call on central bank to support looser rules.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. NEW HOLLAND, Ill. (WCIA) Multiple Central Illinois fire departments responded to a Logan County village on Wednesday for a grain bin rescue. The Lincoln Rural Fire Protection District was among the agencies that responded to the New Holland Elevator. Officials posted on Facebook that a single person was trapped up to his waist when Lincoln arrived. Casey construction accident leaves two workers seriously hurt New Holland Fire, Middletown Fire and the Logan County Paramedic Association responded to the grain elevator as well. At the end of a significant joint effort, the victim was rescued in a little over an hour with little to no injuries. As we have seen before, grain bin rescues have the potential to be a very serious type of call, and we are grateful that it had a positive outcome and such a great working relationship with first responders in our county, officials from Lincoln said. Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Rural Fire Protection Districts Facebook page Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Rural Fire Protection Districts Facebook page Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Rural Fire Protection Districts Facebook page Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Rural Fire Protection Districts Facebook page Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Rural Fire Protection Districts Facebook page Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Rural Fire Protection Districts Facebook page Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Pinnacle Man mystery finally solved four decades after he was found frozen in cave Pennsylvania authorities have identified the frozen remains of a man discovered in 1977 in a cave below the Pinnacle on the Appalachian Trail. Dubbed the Pinnacle Man, the Berks County Coroners Office revealed his identity as 27-year-old Nicolas Paul Grubb from Fort Washington, Pennsylvania at a news conference. Two hikers discovered the mans body on 16 January 1977 in Albany Township. That January happened to be one of the coldest months in Pennsylvanias history. Snow during that winter reached 49 inches. Grubb had been described as a white male between the ages of 25 and 35 with blue eyes and reddish curly hair. He was thought to have stood 510 to 511 and weighed 155 pounds. Following an autopsy conducted on 17 January 1977 at Reading Hospital, the mans cause of death was listed as an overdose of Phenobarbital and Pentobarbital. His manner of death was declared a suicide. There were no obvious signs of foul play. No one claimed Grubbs body and the case went cold for decades. He was buried at the Berks County Potters Field, a county plot of land designated for unmarked graves. In August of 2019, his body was exhumed from Potters Field and taken to Reading Hospital, where he was examined by a forensic anthropologist, forensic pathologist and forensic odontologist. Samples taken from a forensic dental exam were shipped to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification. The department has been successful in solving cold cases in the past. The center conducted tests but those examinations did not yield any results. Earlier this month, a cold case officer found Grubbs original fingerprint cards and submitted them to the FBI for examination. An agent found a match in less than an hour on August 27, finally identifying him. Someone related to Grubb confirmed his identity and provided documents to authorities. His family now wants him buried in a family plot and the Coroners Office is working to bring him home. Piscataqua River Bridge, which connects Maine to NH, re-opens after officer-involved shooting The Piscataqua River Bridge, which connects Maine to New Hampshire, reopened on Thursday morning amid an investigation into the death of a child, a fatal officer-involved shooting, and the killing of a woman 100 miles away. #UPDATE: The Piscataqua River Bridge is now fully open. Traffic is flowing but moving slow. Drivers should anticipate delays. New Hampshire State Police (@NH_StatePolice) August 29, 2024 The bridge and I-95 in both directions were shut down for the majority of the morning. Maine State Police said northbound traffic from New Hampshire into Maine was completely blocked, and southbound traffic was being diverted at Exit 3 in Kittery. Piscataqua River Bridge, which connects Maine to New Hampshire shut down A man suspected of killing his wife at a home in Troy, New Hampshire, overnight was fatally shot by police after he drove nearly 100 miles to the Piscataqua River Bridge, where a childs body was also found in his vehicle, law enforcement officials said. Troopers are on scene. Drivers should anticipate delays and avoid the area if possible, New Hampshire State Police wrote in a post on X. #UPDATE: The situation remains active and ongoing. We continue to ask everyone to avoid the area. Updates will be disseminated as appropriate. New Hampshire State Police (@NH_StatePolice) August 29, 2024 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 UPDATE: She has been found deceased. Pittsburgh police are asking for the publics help to find a missing and endangered woman. Latasha Jefferson was last seen in the Oakland area at around noon on Wednesday. Jefferson is 5 feet, 3 inches tall and 170 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair. Police said Jefferson is considered endangered due to an existing medical condition. Anyone with information on Jeffersons whereabouts is asked to call 412-323-7141 or 911. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Man vandalized Robinson businesses, then set truck on fire, ran from officers with knife, police say Local school implements 4-day school week Pittsburgh man advances to semifinals of Americas Got Talent VIDEO: Arson investigation underway after multiple police cars set on fire in McKeesport DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Planned Terrorist Attack at Taylor Swift Concert Was Intended to Kill Tens of Thousands of People, CIA Official Says The thwarted terrorist attack on a Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert in Vienna was intended to kill a huge number, tens of thousands of people, including Americans, according to the deputy director of the CIA. At the annual Intelligence Summit just outside Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, David S. Cohen shared an update on the investigation into the planned terrorist plot earlier this month, which resulted in the pop star canceling all her shows in Austrias capital. More from The Hollywood Reporter They were plotting to kill a huge number, tens of thousands of people at this concert, I am sure many Americans, Cohen said, as reported by The New York Times. The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our partners in the intelligence community provided them information about what this ISIS-connected group was planning to do. On Aug. 7, Austrian concert promoter Barracuda Music announced that the three Eras Tour shows scheduled at the Ernst Happel Stadium would be canceled over an apparent terrorist plot. Austrian authorities have since arrested three people accused of plotting the attack, including one who was found with bomb-making material. Cohen emphasized they had no doubt that the goal of the plot was to attack the Eras Tour show, killing a large number of concertgoers. Weeks following the cancellation of the shows, Swift broke her silence on the planned attacks, as well as expressed gratitude to the authorities. Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating, she wrote on Instagram. The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows. The superstar continued, But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives. I was heartened by the love and unity I saw in the fans who banded together. Cohen did not share how the CIA learned of the planned attack. The Times reported that 200,000 people were expected to attend Swifts Vienna shows. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Plasma center denies SC womans donation because she has HIV. They are wrong, suit says An Horry County woman is suing a Myrtle Beach area plasma donation center after she was allegedly told she had HIV when she did not. The suit names ADMA Bio Centers Georgia, ADMABiologics and Qualtrex Laboratories. Messages left Thursday with ADMA Biologics, the parent company of the centers, and its attorneys office were not immediately returned. A phone number for Qaultrex Laboratories continued to ring and did not allow for a message to be left. ADMA has two centers in the Myrtle Beach area. The center denied the woman, who is identified as Jane Doe in the suit, the opportunity to donate, saying that she could no longer donate plasma as her blood had tested positive for the HIV virus and directed her to go to the Myrtle Health Department to discuss her illness, the lawsuit said. HIV is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other diseases and if left untreated, can lead to AIDS. Jane Doe is married, has a child and works full-time, the suit said. She would some times donate plasma to help pay her bills. After hearing the information from the plasma center, Jane Doe became so overwrought that she had heart palpitations and went to the hospital, the suit said. The health department tested the woman and later told her that she did not have HIV and that the test performed by the defendants was false and inappropriate, the suit said. Jane Doe returned to the center and was told that despite the health departments testing that she would never be able to give blood again because according to their records she had HIV, the suit said. The suit says that Jane Doe does not have HIV, has never had HIV and has never been an at-risk person for HIV. The suit claims that the defendants were negligent in their testing and in advising Jane Doe that she had HIV. Jane Doe suffered severe emotional distress, trauma, mental anguish, stress on her marriage and incurred medical expenses from hospital visits. The suit is asking for a jury trial and an award of damages for $74,500. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A Kansas City neighborhood feels its in an uphill battle with development to preserve the very thing that makes it special. Theres plans to build yet another apartment building in the Plaza neighborhood behind town homes, another complex and family homes. Some neighbors on Pennsylvania Road are frustrated with the development, as it now blocks their back porch view. Prominent Irish Fest chef killed in Kansas City shooting This is blatantly disrespectful to our single-family homes, said Christina Boveri. Not to mention the devaluation of our homes. Its taken away our privacy, our quality of life. Boveri claims that she fears whats left of her privacy is next. She lives directly behind what could be the next project: A 20-unit apartment complex. In order for that to happen, the lot would need to be rezoned from an R 1.5 to an R 0.75. This would increase the maximum height to 60 feet, however, due to infill standards, it would limit the project to 48 feet. Douglas Stone with Lewis Rice is representing the applicant, and Will Block with Block Real Estate Services addressed the Kansas City Plan Commission last week. Were interested that we have the right kind of housing to support the future of the Plaza, the future of the hospital system in both of those entities growth, he said. Members of the Plaza Westport Neighborhood Association say theyre not against building more to support the growing population, but the core of a neighborhood is not the right place. As you can imagine, that impacts traffic parking, said Amelia McIntyre, Plaza Westport Neighborhood Association Member. That kind of density that this neighborhood didnt have when there were four single-family homes in that area. The developers noted they could build an 11-unit apartment now, and showed them what that could look like. 17-year-old critically hurt after getting hit by car outside of Childrens Mercy Park Instead, theyre asking for more density by increasing the units to 20 and showed plans of their intention to add a retaining wall system, screening fence and trees. Still, neighborhoods feel its a domino effect, as apartment complexes keep going up, single-family homes come down. It feels as if the people are not being heard, and we feel it is one-sided, and that side being the developers side, Boveri said. As to what will happen 10 years from now, I am very concerned it will continue to see much more dense development occurring, McIntyre said. Neighbors are now inviting council members to come out and see the area for themselves. City staff gave its recommendation to approve the rezoning request, along with the City Plan Commission. It now goes to the City Council for a final decision. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Poland looks for wreckage of suspected Shahed drone near border with Ukraine for fourth consecutive day The location of remains of an "aerial target" that entered Poland during the large-scale Russian airstrike on Ukrainian cities on the morning of 26 August has still not been identified. Source: European Pravda with reference to Polish news portal RMF24 Details: As of Wednesday, the Polish Territorial Defence Force had not located the "aerial target", likely a Shahed drone, that crossed the Polish border on 26 August. The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command reported that the search operation would continue on Thursday. The object entered Poland at 06:43 and disappeared from radar over the area of Gmina Tyszowce, south of the town of Hrubieszow. The territorial defence forces searched approximately 2,800 hectares where the drone might have fallen on Monday and Tuesday. The search continued in the area around the villages of Wolica Sniatycka, Barchaczow and Dabrowa, west of Tyszowce and closer to Zamosc on Wednesday. This area is about 50 kilometres from the PolandUkraine border. The operation involves infantry, mounted patrols, helicopters and drones. Background: After Russia's large-scale attack on Ukraine on the morning of 26 August, Poland reported a violation of its airspace by an "aerial object", which was likely a kamikaze drone. Maciej Klisz, Commander of the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces, said the object that flew in from Ukraine was not shot down because of weather conditions. Polish media, citing sources in the military, reported that they were inclined to believe that the drone was a Shahed and it had remained in the country's airspace for at least 33 minutes. Support UP or become our patron! Chief of the Chancellery of the Polish Prime Minister Office Dworczyk the renovated Ukraine-Poland border crossing point near the village of Krakovets WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland's Prosecutor General has asked the President of the European Parliament to consent to prosecuting Michal Dworczyk, a European Union lawmaker and right-hand man of former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, for alleged obstruction of justice. Donald Tusk's pro-European coalition government, in office since December, has made a priority of holding to account those it accuses of wrongdoing under the previous nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) administration. However, its efforts are being complicated by some PiS appointees who are still in powerful roles in sectors like the judiciary, political analysts say. Prosecutor General Adam Bodnar accuses Dworczyk, the former head of the prime minister's office, of failing to perform his duties as a public official, including using a private email account for official communication including classified information. He also stands accused of obstructing criminal proceedings by permanently deleting some emails from his private mailbox after reporting a hacking attack. In 2021, Poland said it had suffered one of the biggest cyberattacks in recent years, with over 100 email accounts of current and former government officials being attacked. The government blamed the attack on Russia. Dworczyk said at the time that some of the e-mails and information were stolen from mailboxes owned by him and his family and published on Telegram, while some were falsified. Holding a member of European Parliament responsible for a crime is only possible after receiving the consent of the institution. "I treat it as another political attack," Dworczyk told private radio RMF on Thursday, commenting on the prosecution's motion. (Reporting by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk; Editing by William Maclean) Russia is not ready for peace talks with Ukraine because it continues to demand that Ukraine relinquish large portions of its territory, Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski said in an interview on Thursday. "Russia continues to demand Ukraine's capitulation, and as long as that is the case, Ukraine will not accept it," Sikorski told the PAP news agency. He was responding to an announcement by Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky, who said he wants to present a new peace plan before the US election in November. When talking about ending the war, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian politicians always demand large territorial concessions from Ukraine and a Moscow-friendly government in Kiev. Since Ukrainian troops advanced into the Russian region of Kursk, Russian officials have described talks as completely impossible. The Polish foreign minister views the Ukrainian offensive more optimistically than other Western governments. "Ukraine has done something unexpected for Putin, it has occupied part of Russia. Now there is a basis for talks and for the demand for both countries to withdraw to an internationally recognized border," he said. Ukraine has been fending off Russia's full-scale invasion, which started in February 2022, with large amounts of Western support. Poland is one of Ukraine's biggest supporters. Two suspects in a Portland shooting that left a 26-year-old woman dead and two others injured have been arrested in Pierce County, police said Thursday. William A. Watson, 32, and Candice M. Hicks, 34, were arrested in connection to the Oct. 15, 2023, murder of Cali M. Durbin, the Portland Police Bureau said. Both remain in custody at the Pierce County Jail, records show, where they are awaiting extradition to Oregon. Watson was booked into jail Saturday, and Hicks was booked Monday. Police said the suspects were arrested by their detectives with assistance from U.S. Marshals and members of the Criminal Investigations Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. A spokesperson for the base said Watson was not a military service member. Durbin and two other people were found shot around 4:08 a.m. in Southeast Portland after officers responded for reports of a shooting at the intersection of Southeast Foster Road and Southeast 86th Avenue, according to police. Durbin was pronounced dead at the scene, and the two others were transported to an area hospital with life-threatening gunshot wounds. Watson was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree attempted murder, two counts second-degree assault, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. According to Pierce County Superior Court records, Watson reported to pretrial services that he has lived on JBLM for the past two years in the 5100 block of Nevada Avenue. Records show he has criminal history in San Diego and Kansas. He was convicted in 2011 in San Diego of sexually annoying or molesting a child, and he was convicted in 2014 in Junction City, Kansas, of criminal possession of a weapon by a felon. Hicks was arrested on suspicion of second-degree attempted murder and unlawful use of a weapon. Pierce County court records show that she reported living at an address on Village Green Loop in Steilacoom for the past eight months. Police reported that she was from Covington. She has no prior criminal convictions. A man was arrested by Santa Monica police after he allegedly climbed on top of a female sunbather and started thrusting against her. It happened Tuesday around 1:30 p.m. on the 1300 block of Santa Monica State Beach, according to the Santa Monica Police Department. Officials said Los Angeles County lifeguards flagged down a police officer to report that a woman had been assaulted while sunbathing. The victim said an unknown man climbed onto her and started thrusting his body against hers. She and her sister were able to push the man away and get help as the suspect walked away. Its nothing draconian Santa Monicas mayor says of proposed homeless crackdown The victim and witnesses provided a description of the suspect to police, who found a man who matched that description nearby. The man was identified as Alonzo Dickson, a 25-year-old homeless man. Police said the victim identified the man they apprehended as her alleged attacker. Alonzo Dickson, 25, is shown in this mug shot provided by the Santa Monica Police Department on Aug. 28, 2024. (Santa Monica Police Department) Dickson was arrested and faces charges for sexual battery with restraint, which is a felony. Police say Dickson has no known criminal record in California, but has at least one pending criminal case in Washington State. Detectives are looking into that incident as part of the assault investigation in Santa Monica. Anyone with information about Dickson or the alleged assault is asked to contact SMPD Detective Nicole Murphy by email or by calling the SMPD Watch Commander at 310-458-8427. Dickson remains in custody at the Santa Monica Police Department and is expected to appear in court Thursday. The city of Santa Monica has made headlines multiple times this year for several violent incidents that took place both on the beach and surrounding areas, leading the towns mayor to call for more police enforcement. In June, another homeless man who is a registered sex offender was arrested for allegedly assaulting three women on Santa Monica State Beach. That man, 32-year-old Jawann Dwayne Garnett, was also accused of trying to drown one of his alleged victims and has been charged with attempted murder. Garnett remains in custody without bail and is due in court next month, jail records show. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. The Davenport Police Department says body-cam video supports the actions of an officer who shot and killed a familys dog on Aug. 21, according to a news release sent Wednesday afternoon. After a thorough review of videos from the neighborhood, body-worn cameras, vehicle cameras, and interviews, Davenport Police released video collected during the review. On Wednesday, Aug. 21, about 7:20 p.m., Davenport Police responded to the 800 block of North Pine Street in reference to a report of four dogs at large, appearing aggressive. The caller stated the dogs were attempting to get over a fence to reach their dog, police say. While the officer was responding to the call, he came upon two children on their bikes with a dog off-leash in the alley of 2100 Telegraph Road. The officer, while in his squad car, asked the children to put the dog on a leash. Myst (Don Hesseltine) The officer parked his squad car behind a neighboring residence in the alley and approached the adult present to inform her of why he was speaking with the children, the statement says. Upon exiting his vehicle, the videos show the dog run out of its yard, through a neighbors yard, at the officer standing near the alley. The officers report completed as part of the call for service says: The dog charged me at full speed, barking aggressively at me. I overheard the adult woman say Oh, no. I began to back up, holding my left hand out in hopes the dog would catch my scent and back away from me. The pitch of the dogs bark changed to a threatening bark. The dog continued barking at me, baring its teeth at me. I observed the dog to be salivating from the mouth. The dog lunged at me multiple times, snapping its teeth at me in an attempt to bite me. I dodged the dog multiple times as it lunged at me while snapping his teeth, the officers statement continues. Myst (Don Hesseltine) This put me in fear of being seriously injured. I drew my service handgun and continued to back up. The dog lunged at me as I was backing up, trying to bite me. I discharged my firearm twice, striking the dog. The officer then requested a supervisor to respond to his location, where the officer then remained on scene for about 23 minutes, while the supervisor met with the family involved. Body worn camera supports the officers statement about what happened. Based on a review of the facts, the officers actions were deemed lawful, the departments statement says. Earlier, the department released a statement about an investigation: Standard practice in these circumstances includes a department review of videos from the neighborhood if available, body worn cameras, vehicle cameras, and all other information available at the time. The Davenport Police Department is committed to taking the time to ensure all standards, policies and procedures of the department are followed. City of Davenport statement on police-related dog incidents Heres the statement the City of Davenport released Wednesday afternoon: The City of Davenport wants to express its condolences to the family involved in the events that led to the loss of their dog on August 21, 2024. The incident is upsetting to us, particularly because children were present. Right away, the Davenport Police Department assured the City it would review the incident and ensure the departments standards were met. That review is now complete. While we acknowledge the desire for a more urgent response, taking time for due diligence was of the utmost importance. The City recognizes that police officers are often in unpredictable situations, where they are entrusted with the authority to make decisions in a matter of seconds. In this case the Davenport Police officer expressed his sincere fear that he would be seriously injured, and we believe the officers body worn camera supports his statements. Same officer, different incident The City also wants to recognize a media report that the same officer was also involved in an incident on July 13, 2024. Recognizing we cant provide solace for the loss of a pet, the City and police worked together with the dog owner on a financial resolution, the statement shows. But to be clear these incidents, while both tragic, are unrelated, and any attempt to mischaracterize them as malicious actions is inaccurate. The violent threats and harassment on social media targeting the officer and his family are wrong and terribly inappropriate. The City of Davenport expresses sympathy to the dog owners in both instances and remains committed to leading with transparency in all matters of public interest, the statement concludes. Execution. A dogs owner grieves Last week, Don Hesseltine told Our Quad Cities News that his son and his sons cousin were returning from the Unpack Your Backpack event before the start of school. Don Hesseltine (Bryan Bob, OurQuadCities.com) Theyre all playing in the alley with the dog, and a police officer comes down the alley and stops and talks to the kids, Hesseltine said., This interaction was in the 2100 block of Telegraph Roa The kids drop their bikes, walk down my sidewalk, up the back porch there, and the cop slowly creeps down the alley, stops his car, and for whatever reason decides to get out, Hesseltine said. A second security video gives a different perspective of what happened next. The cop steps out and the dog (Myst) starts in the police officers direction, Hesseltine said. With that being said, the dog is barking at the officer. He decides to pull out his sidearm and kill my dog. It wasnt even my dog they were looking for, said Hesseltine, an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan. And your best course of action is to pull out a gun and execute my dog? Myst (Don Hesseltine) Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. SALEM, Ohio (WKBN) Salems Police Department Wednesday announced the retirement of both of their K9s. According to a press release, K9 Simon and Argo were both trained in the detection of marijuana. With the recent legalization of weed in Ohio, Simon, Argo and an estimated 300 other K9s in the state will be retired. An official retirement date will be announced soon. The departments K9 handlers will remain, and two new dogs will be selected and sent to training. Simon and Argo will continue to serve until their replacements are certified. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - The Piscataqua River Bridge connecting New Hampshire and Maine was shut down for more than six hours Thursday after police shot and killed a man wanted for killing his wife and then found their 8-year-old son dead in his car. Authorities said the unidentified man killed his wife at their home on Monadnock Street in Troy overnight and then drove nearly 100 miles to the bridge on Interstate 95 in Portsmouth, which is at the state line with Kittery, Maine. New Hampshire State Police outside a home on Monadnock Street in Troy, August 29, 2024 after a woman was found dead there. / Credit: CBS Boston Maine State Police Col. Bill Ross said the man called 911 just after 2 a.m. to report he had been involved in a fight with his wife and she was dead. Police found the man in his car in the middle of the bridge at about 2:30 a.m. The bridge was shut down for several hours while police tried to talk to the man, but negotiations were "ultimately unsuccessful," Ross said. He said the man got out of his car and raised a gun. That's when a Maine State Police trooper and two New Hampshire State Police troopers fired at the man, killing him. The man fell from the bridge and his body was recovered in the water by the Coast Guard, Ross said. 8-year-old boy killed After police shot the man, law enforcement found an 8-year-old boy who had been shot to death in the backseat of the car. Ross said police were not aware there was a child in the car until then, but said the child's death is not associated with police using deadly force. He was later identified as the couple's son. "Based on information we saw, it was very clear that the officers involved in the shooting did not fire on that child," Ross said. Ross said the investigation is still ongoing. The family has not been identified. "I know everyone wants to know the why, right now we're going to be focused on what happened," Ross said. The Piscataqua River Bridge between Kittery and Portsmouth, N.H. was shut down Thursday, August 29, 2024 after a shooting there. / Credit: NewEngland511 Neighbors in the tightknit community of Troy were stunned. "I couldn't believe it happened here in Troy and that the whole family was involved it was like oh jeez that's a terrible tragedy," said neighbor Joe Nagel. "Most of the time it's pretty peaceful. It's still tragic no matter how or what the circumstances were." Piscataqua River Bridge closed The bridge was completely shut down around 3 a.m. New Hampshire State Police said it was reopened to traffic around 9:30 a.m. Traffic was diverted to the two other local bridges in the area for more than six hours while the bridge was closed. The Piscataqua River Bridge between Kittery and Portsmouth, N.H. was shut down Thursday, August 29, 2024 after a shooting there. / Credit: CBS Boston No other information is available at this point in the investigation. Virginia pushes to ban cellphones in schools New GOP-backed Georgia election rules raise concerns Boy's heroic actions save stepfather's life after crash STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Police say they are looking to identify two females after they did a sleight of hand trick at Weis Market in Stroudsburg. According to the Stroud Area Regional Police Department on August 28 they were dispatched to Weis Market on Ninth Street in Stroudsburg for an incident that occurred on August 15 at 5:33 p.m. Police say the women pictured below were able to steal $140 in $20 bills. Three charged with stealing two PA Games of Skill Machines As stated by officials the suspects handed an employee three $100 bills, requesting a change in $20 bills and when the employee was not paying attention the suspect hid $140 of the $20 bills in her hand and handed the employee back the rest of the $20 bills requesting the $300 bills back. Officials note the females are also suspected of committing the same crime at the Weis Market in Tannersville on the same day. Anyone with information on these females is asked to Submit a tip through Crimewatch. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. Will there be police officers in MPS classrooms this school year? Demonstrators gather outside Milwaukee Public Schools administrative offices in 2020 to support a resolution ending district contracts with the Milwaukee Police Department for resource officers. It's been over a year since the state government issued a mandate for Milwaukee Public Schools to return police officers to its buildings, setting a Jan. 1, 2024, deadline to make it happen. Nearly nine months later, the district has yet to comply with the state law. On Thursday evening, Interim Superintendent Eduardo Galvan said the district has worked with the Office of the City Attorney and the school board to "draft, review and refine" a memorandum of understanding between the Milwaukee Police Department and district. As of last week, a draft of that document was returned to the city attorney's office for "final consideration," Galvan said. More meetings about next steps are planned in the coming weeks. Galvan included no specific timeline for when the agreement will be complete or when officers will be in schools. The status update about Act 12 was the first made by a district official to the school board since February. "We are committed to reaching a consensus that will facilitate the successful implementation of Act 12 in a manner that is sustainable and mutually beneficial to both Milwaukee Public Schools and the Milwaukee Police Department," Galvan said. When it passed in June 2023, Act 12 mostly focused on increasing funding for local governments across Wisconsin. But it included a requirement only targeted at MPS: to put at least 25 school resource officers into schools during regular school hours, and have them at the ready for events, before and after school, and extracurricular activities "as needed." Republican lawmakers who backed the proposal said it would make school safer, and even increase teacher recruitment. The law requires MPS to decide which of its schools to station police in based on school crime data, and to train them in topics like de-escalation and working with young adults. But that stance quickly drew criticism from local activists and members of the MPS school board concerned about the policy being racist and over-reaching. The school board had previously ended the practice of placing police in schools, concerned about the use of law enforcement to discipline students, most of whom are Black and brown. The state law doesn't include details about what happens if MPS fails to comply with the new requirement or is simply late to meet the deadline. Act 12 didn't include any funding, either leaving MPS and the City of Milwaukee to find the money, agree on a contract and get it approved by the school board. Employing 25 full-time school resource officers is expected to cost over $2 million annually, according to state estimates. That figure is based on a calculation of $84,600 annually per entry-level school police officer, which includes salary and benefits. On Thursday night, Galvan said the memorandum of understanding between the district, and Milwaukee police doesn't focus on finances. Those details are being negotiated separately, he said. For MPS, hiring the police officers comes at a difficult time: The district is already subject to a state audit related to serious financial troubles and turnover of key administrators, including now-former Superintendent Keith Posley. More: A month after bombshell letter, what we know about how a crisis quietly spiraled at MPS MPS previously cut ties with police, citing concerns about discipline MPS has a long history with police in its schools. It first removed them in 2016, citing concerns that law enforcement officers were unnecessarily arresting students who could have been disciplined by the district for behavior. Then, in 2020, the school board severed contracts for police who patrolled school grounds. Act 12 effectively forces MPS to reverse those steps by placing police back in schools. District administrators last formally updated the public on their plans to respond to Act 12 during a school board meeting on Feb. 29. During that meeting, Posley said the district's goal is to create a plan in response to Act 12, alongside Milwaukee police, that "redefines the previous roles of the school resource officers in MPS." In doing so, district officials have toured schools in Washington, D.C., and Georgia to learn about school resource officer programs that "that implement a variety of practices focused on improving relationships between students, law enforcement, youth, and the greater community," Posley told the board in February. More: Police are slated to return to Milwaukee Public Schools in January. But do cops in schools help or hurt? Details about the meeting MPS administrators updated the public and school board about their next steps during a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29. Anyone can watch the meeting live on YouTube at https://shorturl.at/wg7CM. The meeting is open to members of the public who want to attend in person at 5225 W. Vliet St. It takes place inside the Donald J. O'Connell Memorial Auditorium in the district's Central Services Building. Cleo Krejci covers higher education, vocational training and retraining as a Report For America corps member based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at CKrejci@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @_CleoKrejci. For more information about Report for America, visit jsonline.com/rfa. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: MPS getting closer to returning police officers to schools UPDATE 11:43 a.m. Muscogee County School District has confirmed the cause of the police presence at Columbus High School. Director of Communications Kimberly Wright told WRBL, A third party reported potentially concerning social media communication. Out of an abundance of caution, protocols involving law enforcement response were initiated. Wright says police are investigating the incident. All students and staff are safe. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) WRBL has confirmed there is a police presence at Columbus High School with the Columbus Police Department. There are no details at this time as to why the police are at the school. WRBL has reached out to the Muscogee County School District for more information. This is a developing story. WRBL will update this article when more details are available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. Police are searching for a stolen French Bulldog who may have been abducted from a Milford home. The owners of My Love were in their Main Street home around 11:00 p.m. Tuesday night when they heard the 1.5-year-old, French Bulldog cry out. When they went to check, they discovered she had vanished, according to Milford police. Bellingham Police Department is also currently investigating two French Bulldog abductions in their town and Milford police it is not clear if the incidents are connected at this time. My Love has a black coat and a white patch chest. Anyone who has any info regarding the potential abduction is asked to contact the Milford Police Confidential Tip Line 508-473-3800 or email tipline@milfordpolice.org 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 DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Dayton Police Department is searching for a missing person. The department said that Jacob Cook, 21, was reported missing to their office on Monday, Aug. 27. Jacob Cook, a 21 year old male, was reported missing August 27th. At this time there is nothing suspicious about this case. Detectives are investigating and have checked with multiple locations to see if he is there, said Sgt. Roberta Bailey in a statement to 2 NEWS. We will update this story as applicable. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) Keshawn Dixon, who faces two murder charges and 13 aggravated assault charges in the shooting that happened during Round Rocks Juneteenth celebration, had an extensive history with the Round Rock Police Department (RRPD), according to his newly released arrest affidavit. Authorities first arrested Dixon on July 6 on a deadly conduct charge, a third-degree felony. New court documents reveal how police believe they have tied him to additional crimes from that night. Ongoing dispute led to shooting at Round Rock Juneteenth event, court records say KXAN reached out to the attorney listed in court records as Dixons representation. This story will be updated if we receive a statement on Dixons behalf. The shooting happened at Old Settlers Park on June 15 following a feud between two rap groups, according to RRPD. Two mothers both innocent bystanders died. Fourteen others were injured. Court records show at least one of them was also involved in the fight that prompted the gunfire. Dixons affidavit noted the 18-year-old has been arrested before on multiple violent offenses including robbery, terroristic threat, assault and evading arrest. He is also a documented gang member, according to police. Evidence: Shell casings, witness accounts, social media posts During their investigation, police found a group of 12 shell casings on the ground near the vendor area of the park. Multiple witnesses told RRPD they saw and heard gunshots come from the direction of the vendor trucks. According to Dixons affidavit, people were shot near or east of the vendor area, indicating gunfire came from the vendor area toward the stage where numerous individuals were watching the concert. How to help the victims of the Juneteenth Round Rock shooting One witness told police she knows Dixon, and that a family member of Dixons said he fired shots. Police said that same witness showed them an Instagram story post of Dixon holding a gun with another gun in front of him. Additionally, about two weeks later, police said Dixon and his brother posted another video of them pointing guns at the camera. Police obtained a subsequent search warrant after Dixons initial arrest. While searching his home, they found a gun in Dixons bedroom. Investigators said they ran ballistic testing, and the group of shell casings found on the scene matched that firearm. Dixon, who is currently in custody at the Williamson County Jail on a charge of deadly conduct related to the shooting, will remain in custody as these new and enhanced charges are brought against him, RRPD said. The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as new information becomes available. Violence prevention efforts in Killeen Dee Dee Jose is the founder of Xpreesha Outreach, a violence intervention program in Killeen, where Dixon is from. While she did not work directly with him, she shared her perspective on youth violence prevention efforts in the community. This is our ninth year doing a talent showcase. You see sports and different things in the community and there are so many talented youth out there looking for something to do, so we created a platform giving them the opportunity to showcase their talent, she said. When we talk community and we talk youth and providing positive things, it definitely takes a community. She said the group also runs a scholarship program to help give teens a positive benefit to look forward to and work toward. Jose said intervening early and providing proactive support for young people is crucial. I do find that to be very important because sometimes there are so many things going on with the youth if they dont have a listening ear and someone thats supporting them, it makes it hard for them, she said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Police: Woman shot, killed while fleeing from gunmen on South Side CHICAGO A woman was shot and killed while driving away from gunmen on the South Side Thursday morning. Two women, 27 and 30, were sitting in their car in the 7000 block of South Vernon at around 11:10 a.m. Two male offenders approached with guns, according to CPD. The 27-year-old woman driving sped away and one of the suspects fired a shot, which struck the woman in the head. She was pronounced dead at the University of Chicago. Man critical after being stabbed by roommate in Calumet Heights No other injuries were reported and the suspects fled in an unknown direction. Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com. Julian Crews reported on the story in WGNs 4 p.m. newscast. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Polio vaccines are coming to Gaza, but for this baby boy, its first case in 25 years, theyre too late Abdul Rahman sleeps in a battered car seat, rocked by his mother Niveen Abu al-Jidyan. For the moment, hes blissfully unaware of the drones overhead, or the incurable disease crippling his body. He cant stand, sit, or move like before. He is very weak, Abu al-Jidyan tells CNN in a makeshift tent in Al-Mawasi refugee camp. He will be one next month. He should be walking by now, but he suddenly stopped moving. Abdul Rahman is the first person in Gaza in 25 years to be diagnosed with polio once one of the worlds most feared diseases, but now easily preventable with a vaccine. Polio mostly affects children under 5 years old, and can cause irreversible paralysis and even death. Its highly infectious and there is no cure; it can only be prevented by immunization, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). As a precaution, the Israeli military is already vaccinating troops on operations in Gaza. But Abdul Rahman was not so lucky. Living amid war, he has not been able to receive the standard infant immunizations that would have protected him. Polio vaccination is generally recommended to begin within a few months of birth. Before the war, Gaza had near-universal vaccine coverage, but it has since dropped to just over 80%. The resurgence of the virus eliminated in most of the developed world highlights the struggles facing Gazas two million residents, who have lived under Israeli bombardment since October last year. Many people in the enclave are deprived of food, medical supplies and clean water, with up to 90% of the population internally displaced. To curb the outbreak, WHO says it will launch alongside UN childrens agency UNICEF a mass vaccination drive to inoculate 640,000 children under the age of 10 in the besieged enclave. Abdul Rahman sleeps in a car seat. - CNN Vaccine coverage needs to reach around 95% of the targeted population to prevent polio from spreading. If the vaccination drive fails to reach that threshold, WHO warns it would be just a matter of time before polio infects thousands of children in Gaza. But an operation of that scale under an ongoing Israeli military offensive that has killed more than 40,000 people and crippled infrastructure across the Palestinian enclave means the effort will likely be plagued with challenges like the repeated evacuation orders that have forced thousands to flee their homes. The administration of the vaccine is the easy part. The difficult part is everything else, Sam Rose, director of planning at UNRWA told CNNs Jeremy Diamond from Gaza. We previously had 22 health centers across Gaza, only five of those are currently functioning. Bombardments in all areas of the Gaza Strip (mean there is) an increasingly shrinking space in which were able to operate. The vaccination drive will begin on August 31 if conditions allow. COGAT, the Israeli government agency that coordinates movement into and out of Gaza, says it has allowed more than 25,000 vials of the polio vaccine into the strip, along with cooling equipment needed to keep the medicine at the required temperature. But it is already too late for Abu al-Jidyan and her son. I feel helpless. It is difficult for me and the doctors because the situation is very bad, she said. All she wants now is for her boy to be able to walk. While theres no cure for polio, there are treatments that can help alleviate the symptoms but these will be hard to find for the Abu al-Jidyan family given the state of Gazas battered healthcare system. From his mother, a plea: Take him abroad for treatment or find a solution so my son can start walking and start moving again. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WARSAW, Poland (AP) Poland's electoral authority said Thursday that the former governing nationalist conservative party violated campaign funding rules in the 2023 parliamentary vote, and imposed a penalty worth millions of dollars that would undercut the party's resources for next year's presidential election. The State Electoral Commission said that the campaign of the Law and Justice party, which led Poland from 2015-2023 and is now the main opposition force, improperly took 3.6 million zlotys ($930,000) in public money. The commission ordered the conservative party to repay the money, and it also ordered a cut in the party's government subsidies for the coming years, amounting to about 10 million zlotys ($2.5 million) per year. The commissions decision can be appealed to the Supreme Court, where Law and Justice still holds some sway. The courts verdict would be binding and final. Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted on X that the party was now learning the true meaning of the words law and justice. The penalties would significantly reduce the partys resources for the 2025 presidential election, in which it will seek to maintain its control of that office. Incumbent President Andrzej Duda hails from the party but his second and final term ends next year. Mateusz Morawiecki, who served as Law and Justice prime minister in 2017-2023, said the commission's decision was shameful and was part of a political game of the current government whose goal is revenge and pushing the opposition to the margin. He said the government wants to weaken Law and Justice before the presidential election, and that the party would appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. Earlier this month, party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski said that the commission was acting under pressure from Tusk's centrist and pro-European Union government. Kaczynski said that any punitive decision would spell the end of democracy in Poland. While Law and Justice was in power, he was Poland's most powerful politician, although most of the time he held no government job. The years-long bitter rivalry between Kaczynski and Tusk, a former EU Council head, deepens Polands political divide. The electoral commission is obliged by law to review the financial reports of all parties that ran in an election, and any funds exceeding the party's budget by more than 1% must be returned and a fine is imposed. It pointed to Law and Justice campaigning during summer military picnics for the general public and to Justice Ministry television spots as examples of using public funds for election purposes. The euroskeptic Law and Justice party, which had put Poland on a collision course with Brussels over its violations of the rule of law, was the biggest single vote-getter in the Oct. 15 general election, but a coalition led by Tusk won a comfortable majority of seats in parliament, removing the conservatives from power. Ever since, the government has been investigating its predecessor on accusations of abusing power and state finances. Kaczynski and his supporters call the efforts a politically motivated attempt to undermine the opposition. WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland's largest opposition party, the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS), will lose millions in state funding after the electoral commission said on Thursday that it misused public money for campaigning. The loss of financing for a party that came first in the 2023 general election but lost its majority is likely to strengthen the hand of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's pro-European Civic Coalition (KO) as it tries to establish itself as the single dominant force in Polish politics. Poland holds a presidential election in 2025, and PiS condemned the decision as a bid to scupper its chances in the ballot. A party's state funding is calculated according to its electoral performance and paid retroactively. "When it comes to misusing public funds in election campaigns, I believe this will be a signal for everyone that you need to think twice whether it's worth it," electoral commission head Sylwester Marciniak told reporters. The electoral commission said that PiS illegally spent 3.6 million zlotys ($930,738) on the 2023 electoral campaign. It listed electioneering at events designed to encourage military recruitment and an advert from the justice ministry as examples of misuse of funds. As punishment PiS will lose around 10 million zlotys ($2.59 million) from the funding related to its 2023 election performance, and will also lose about 10 million zlotys per year in annual funding until the end of the current parliamentary term in 2027. The commission warned that it could lose annual funding completely. PiS had previously said that any cut to its funding would be an attack on democracy, and its lawmakers reacted furiously to Thursday's decision. "The decision of the National Electoral Commission... is shameful," said former prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki in a post on X. "It is part of the political game of the current government, whose goal is revenge and marginalisation of the opposition," he said, adding that PiS would appeal the decision. Prosecutors say that lawmakers from PiS ally Sovereign Poland, which was a junior partner in government from 2015 to 2023, used money earmarked for helping victims of crime to curry favour with voters in rural target seats. Former Deputy Justice Minister Marcin Romanowski was arrested in July on charges concerning the misuse of funds, but was later released after the president of a European rights assembly said he had immunity as a member of the body. The government also says that money spent on promoting an increase in child benefits or events to encourage people to join the armed forces were in fact a misuse of state funds for political campaigning, while local media have reported that money was siphoned off from state companies. "PiS has learnt the true meaning of the words law and justice," Tusk said in a post on social media platform X following the decision. ($1 = 3.8673 zlotys) (Reporting by Alan Charlish, Barbara Erling, Editing by William Maclean) The polls look good for Harris and the Trump campaign just told on itself A series of new polls shows that Vice President Kamala Harris has either a slight lead in swing states or has closed the gap in others. A USA Today/Suffolk University poll out on Thursday shows Harris with a five-point lead aganst Donald Trump, an eight-point turnaround from a June survey that showed President Joe Biden trailing. Specifically, she saw huge shifts to the point that she now has an impressive 23-point lead with people who earn $20,000 or less. Trump previously had a three-point lead in that demographic. Of course, national surveys mean little, given the Electoral College. But Harris has shown vast improvement in numerous battleground states. US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is now competitive or beating former president Donald Trump in numerous polls ((Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)) Polls from Fox News also show Harris has a one-point lead in Arizona; a two-point lead in Georgia and Nevada; and trails Trump by only one point in North Carolina. Earlier surveys when he was still top of the Democratic ticket had shown Joe Biden falling away in each of these states. Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, are currently doing a swing through rural Georgia and she recently held her first major rally in Atlanta. She made a swing through Arizona and Nevada shortly after announcing Walz as her running mate. She made her first big speech about the economy and housing in North Carolina, where the states gubernatorial race might give her a lift. In other words, the Harris campaign has been focused on the swing states in a big way. If Harris were to only win these four states, she would not need to win Pennsylvania, Wisconsin or Michigan though the chances are that if she won these four, she would likely win at least one or more of the midwestern states. Emerson College released a survey that is slightly less rosy than the others, but it does show Harris with a slight lead in Georgia, Michigan and Nevada, while she slightly trails in Arizona, North Carolina and Wisconsin, and is in a dead heat with Trump in Pennsylvania. One sign that Trumps campaign worries about these polls: Before the numbers dropped, they released a statement trashing Foxs atrocious polling. President Trump continues to outperform polling from past cycles, the campaign said. President Trump is 10 points ahead of where he was in Arizona at this point in 2020, according to Fox. Likewise, he is running 8 points ahead of his 2020 polling in Nevada and 5 points ahead of his 2020 polling in North Carolina. This comes as Trump continues to face questions about his conduct during a visit to Arlington National Cemetery with the families of servicemembers killed in a terror attack during the US exit from Afghanistan. His running mate, JD Vance, tried to do damage control as the story built, accusing the media of creating a story where I really dont think there is one. He went on to add that Harris can go to hell. Republicans have hoped for a while that the Harris honeymoon is about to wear off. But it seems like her convention bump and positive reception, buoyed by fundraising and enthusiastic followers, is continuing for now into the next phase of her campaign. If Harriss ascent to the top of the ticket served as the first phase and her veepstakes served as a sort of mini-primary followed by a successful convention, the next 68 days might be characterized as phase four. Tonight, Harris and Walz will hold a rally in Savannah, Georgia and CNN will air a joint interview with the two. This will be Harriss first sitdown interview with a major news station since she became the Democratic nominee. In the past, Harris has bombed sitdown interviews, most notably her 2021 NBC Nightly News interview with Lester Holt where she laughed off a question about why she had not visited the US-Mexico border. But like many other parts of her campaign, this sitdown gives her a chance to reset her relationship with news outlets. Next week, Harris will do a blitz through Detroit and Pittsburgh both cities with a heavy union presence to capitalize off of her support from almost every major labor union. The week after will come the biggest test of them all: her debate with Trump, followed by Walzs debate with Vance. Trumps will-he-or-wont-he dance about if he will actually participate has made his followers simultaneously anxious and excited about the debate. Harris has responded to Trumps attack lines by saying she would like him to say it to my face, only adding to the excitement. Early voting will begin in September and October in the swing states, meaning that Harris will have to regularly target voters likely to turn in their ballots throughout those months. Thats a much more daunting task than aiming to get them to turn out on just one day, and requires continual momentum. But as of right now, that momentum is on Harriss side and there are few signs Trump has figured out how to blunt it. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Illustration by Julia Wytrazek / Getty Images Pacific Island leaders are gathering in Tonga this week to address issues including climate change, international drug trafficking, geopolitical power struggles, and more, amounting to what Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka called a "polycrisis". At the 53rd annual Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting, which concludes on 30 August, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will join regional leaders amid a "growing sense of urgency as existential threats intensify on several fronts", said Al Jazeera. Recent unrest in New Caledonia, a French overseas territory, has only exacerbated concerns over the region's future. "If the region is to survive, it really needs something to drive their collective agenda and identity," Sandra Tarte, a regional politics expert at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, told Al Jazeera. The 2050 Strategy for a Blue Pacific Continent looks to fill that role. The broad approach was endorsed by PIF attendees in 2022, and leaders hope to thrash out more concrete details at this year's meeting. But some of the proposals on the agenda are likely to be shaped by international influence, yet another dimension of the "polycrisis" flagged by Rabuka. 'It's about control' "Once overlooked by many Western governments," the Pacific "has become a focus of competition in recent years among the world's largest governments for influence, resources and power", said The Hill. "The Pacific Islands Forum has exploded in importance as a result, drawing diplomatic and civil society observers from across the globe." The Pacific Islands' strategic location and vulnerability to climate change have made them the source of an "intense rivalry" between China, the United States, and allies like Australia and Japan, said Reuters. According to a report by the Lowy Institute, these countries' competing interests pull the region in "different directions, swamping small bureaucracies", and risk "distracting from local priorities". The Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), proposed by Australia, has prompted such expert concerns. The Australian government has touted the initiative as a solution to the problem of increasingly cheaper drugs moving through the Pacific Islands, often from the Americas and Asia, to Australia and New Zealand. The PPI would "provide training and capacity-building to Pacific island police forces", training officers in Brisbane before stationing them in "regional crime hotspots", said Al Jazeera. But Tarte said the costly initiative would "hugely suck up resources and may not have much benefit on the ground", and is instead aimed at beefing up Australian influence to counter Beijing's own interest in the Pacific. "These projects are often driven by the wrong reasons. It's about access, it's about influence and it's about control." 'It's a trade-off and it's not one that's good' New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said last week that the United States, New Zealand and other Western nations have waited too long to act in the Pacific Islands, leaving a "power vacuum" that has swiftly been filled. Although not mentioning China by name, Peters "decried what he termed the rise of 'chequebook diplomacy' that has swept the Pacific", said The Hill, "a strategy by which China has solidified its influence in recent years". The nation has funded numerous projects in the region, often leaving Pacific Island nations with crippling debts in return. After civil unrest in 2006 left Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa "devastated", the small nation "had little choice" but to accept the hefty loan offered by Beijing. With that $104 million (78.7 million) debt owed by 2030 and other loans to account for, the country currently contributes 3.8% of its GDP to Chinese debt repayments, a rate that Lowy researcher Riley Duke called "astronomically high". Samoa is in a similar position, with 2.6% of its GDP paid to China, and Vanuatu pays 1.8%. Although many international loans, from China and elsewhere, often improve infrastructure and tourism, the repayments also take away from funding for initiatives relating to health and climate resilience. Pacific countries "have some of the highest costs in the world in terms of climate adaptation needs", Duke told ABC News. "But these are things that have to be deprioritised to deal with the debt. It's a trade-off and it's not one that's good." By Joshua McElwee VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis leaves on Monday for a visit to four island nations across southeast Asia, an ambitious trip to urge global action on climate change that may test the strength of the 87-year-old head of the global Catholic Church. Over 12 days from Sept. 2-13, Francis will travel nearly 33,000 km (20,500 miles) to visit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. It is the longest trip yet by the pontiff, who now regularly uses a wheelchair due to knee and back pain. Francis pushed hard for the 2015 Paris climate agreement and aides say he wants to continue his appeals to confront the dangers of a rapidly warming world, and especially to support the most vulnerable. In the countries on his tour, these dangers include rising sea levels and increasingly severe and unpredictable heat waves and typhoons. Jakarta, the Indonesian capital where the trip begins, has experienced disastrous flooding in recent years and is slowly sinking, prompting the government to build a new $32-billion capital on Borneo. Francis is scheduled to headline more than 40 events during the voyage and some observers say that, beyond his specific itinerary, he wants to show he is still capable of leading the 1.4-billion-member Church, despite his age and bouts of ill health. "It is a show of strength for Pope Francis," said Massimo Faggioli, an Italian academic who has followed the papacy closely. WHAT DOES THE POPE HOPE TO ACHIEVE? Faggioli, a professor at Villanova University in Philadelphia, noted that no pope had toured abroad at such an age. Benedict XVI, Francis' immediate predecessor, resigned at 85. John Paul II, suffering from Parkinson's disease, made his last visit abroad at 84. The tour will be Francis' 45th foreign trip since his election in March 2013. He speaks often about reaching out to people or groups on the margins of society, and has prioritised trips to places never before visited by a pope, or where Catholics are a small minority. "Francis has almost drawn a new map of the Church," said Faggioli. "It's global Catholicism now, a Church that it is not just more globally extensive, but truly globalised." Also on the agenda is a renewed push for Catholic-Muslim dialogue, long a priority for Francis who, in 2019, became the first pope to visit the Arabian peninsula. Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, has about 280 million inhabitants, only about 3% of them Catholic. Francis will take part in an interfaith meeting at Jakarta's Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia. Jeremy Menchik, a political scientist professor at Boston University who has written extensively on Indonesia's politics, said it was in a "golden age" of interfaith dialogue, noting that the mosque sits opposite Jakarta's Catholic cathedral. "This is a moment where you have pluralism rather than polemics," he said. Francis lands in Jakarta at about midday on Tuesday, and departs for Papua New Guinea three days later. To allow him to rest after a night-flight of more than 13 hours, he will have no public activities on Tuesday, apart from a brief official welcome at the airport. WHY HAS THE POPE CHOSEN ASIA? In each of the four countries, the pope will hold official meetings with political authorities, diplomats, and local Catholics. He will also lead outdoor celebrations of the Catholic Mass in all four countries. Catholic officials broadly see Asia as fertile ground to expand the faith, which has experienced decline in Western countries. Shihoko Goto, director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the Wilson Center, a Washington think-tank, said Francis' visit, despite his health concerns, "speaks volumes about the strategic importance of Asia for the Church". Papua New Guinea, with an official population of about 9 million, has some 2.5 million Catholics, the Vatican says. East Timor, with a population of 1.3 million, is nearly 96% Catholic, while Singapore counts about 210,000 Catholics among its 5.92 million people, according to the Vatican. (Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Kevin Liffey) Pope Francis on Wednesday denounced those who willingly work to repel migrants as sinners, calling out restrictive immigration laws, border militarization and rejection as tools that endanger migrants. Francis opened his weekly address usually heavy on theology with a call to think about both people who are crossing seas and deserts to reach a land where they can live in peace and safety, and people who actively oppose migration. It must be said clearly: There are those who work systematically and with every means possible to repel migrants. To repel migrants. And this, when done with awareness and responsibility, is a grave sin. Let us not forget what the Bible tells us: You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, Francis said. Francis said migrants cross sea and desert to seek refuge. And when I say sea, in the context of migrations, I also mean ocean, lake, river, all the insidious bodies of water that so many brothers and sisters all over the world are forced to cross to reach their destination. And desert is not only that of sand and dunes, or rocks, but they are also those inaccessible and dangerous territories, such as forests, jungles, steppes where migrants walk alone, left to their own devices. Migrants, sea and desert, he said. The pope has for years pushed for more humane migration policies, often butting heads with political leaders who favor restrictions. In 2016, Francis laid a wreath to honor migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border amid a hotly contested U.S. election, and upon his return to the Vatican, he said, A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not of building bridges, is not Christian. The context of the popes statement a reference to then-GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump set off a political back-and-forth that culminated in Trumps visit as president to the Vatican in 2017. Francis on Wednesday called the Mediterranean Sea a cemetery and recalled the story of Mbengue Nyimbilo Pato Crepin, a Cameroonian man whose wife and six-year-old daughter died in the desert between Libya and Tunisia last year. The pope more broadly described the commonalities of human rights violations along migrant routes both toward Europe and in the Americas and the abandonment of migrants by both governments and smugglers. In the time of satellites and drones, there are migrant men, women and children that no one must see: They are hidden. Only God sees them and hears their cry. And this is a cruelty of our civilization, Francis said. Francis, himself the son and grandson of Italian immigrants to Argentina, spoke out against current migrant routes the deserts but said the pathway to safer migration is not in stricter restrictions on human movement. Brothers and sisters, we can all agree on one thing: Migrants should not be in those seas and in those lethal deserts. But it is not through more restrictive laws, it is not with the militarization of borders, it is not with rejection that we will obtain this result, Francis said. Instead, we will obtain it by extending safe and legal access routes for migrants, providing refuge for those who free from war, violence, persecution and various disasters; we will obtain it by promoting in every way a global governance of migration based on justice, fraternity and solidarity. And by joining forces to combat human trafficking, to stop the criminal traffickers who mercilessly exploit the misery of others. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Port of Bellingham to install electrical plugs for visiting vessels to cut noise, bad air Sustainable improvements are closer to reality for the Bellingham Shipping Terminal after the Port of Bellingham received state funding to support the efforts. The Port received a $2.8 million grant from the state of Washington for the electrification of shore power at the shipping terminal. Electrifying the Bellingham Shipping Terminal means docked ships will be able to plug into the electrical grid at the terminal rather than rely on diesel engines for power. Ships will be able to turn off onboard generators, which significantly reduces noise levels and carbon and diesel particulate matter emissions, according to Port of Bellingham Public Affairs Administrator Mike Hogan. Electrification will also allow the Terminal to serve as a clean energy home base for sustainable shipping companies, according to a release about the grant. There is a growing trend within the shipping industry toward large battery and hybrid-powered vessels, which is being driven by environmental, regulatory and economic factors, the release states. In Puget Sound, the lack of charging infrastructure is a significant barrier toward the widespread adoption of quieter, environmentally-friendly vessels. The electrification initiative is just one of many modernization projects underway at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal including: The reinforcement and strengthening of the main dock to sustain heavier cargo and equipment. Increasing the navigational depth at the terminal to allow for a wider range of cargo. The installation of a new stormwater management system to maintain water quality. The reconnection of a rail line to the shipping terminal to facilitate more marine shipping industries. The Port of Bellingham is one of 11 deep-water ports across the state to receive a portion of the $26.5 million funding available through the states Port Electrification Grant program to help reduce carbon emissions. In total, all 11 ports plan to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by more than 140,000 metric tons over the next 10 years. The Bellingham Shipping Terminal electrification project is expected to be complete by 2026. In 2016, the Center of Economic and Business Research at Western Washington University found that the ports economic impact is felt broadly across Whatcom County, where it facilitates roughly 6,000 jobs or about 7% of the total workforce, according to previous reporting by The Bellingham Herald. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A Northeast Portland psychiatric hospital is adding emergency substance use disorder services to its roster as the community hopes to find solutions to the ongoing addiction crisis. The Unity Center for Behavioral Health expansion fills a gap left by the 2019 closure of Central City Concerns sobering center, which was predominantly for alcohol detoxification. Officials with the hospital said the shift in focus is to address the meth and fentanyl crisis in the Portland area. LIST: Portland area Fred Meyer stores impacted by strike The new substance use disorder services at Unity Center are designed to manage methamphetamine and fentanyl withdrawal, offering nine beds and expecting to serve over 800 patients in the first year. They are geared towards anybody in the community that is experiencing an acute psychiatric crisis that includes substance use and the need of medical withdrawal management, said Unity Center President Melissa Eckstein. Eckstein said their services include emergency drop-offs, walk-in care, withdrawal management, harm reduction education, peer support and more. What we can offer is for that person to be triaged by a nurse, seen by a provider, medications can be given, Eckstein said. We offer a safe environment for somebody to withdraw and to continue to receive psychiatric care. And between our peers and our social worker, we help connect individuals to other resources that are available in the community to help them with their healing process. Oregons ghost gun ban takes effect in September Unitys expanded substance use disorder services was originally announced for opening up in March of this year. However, it kept getting pushed back. KOIN 6 News asked Eckstein why these delays were happening in light of the fact that Providence was able to open up a similar unit in January. I think for anyone who has had to do construction within a hospital or that has experience in building out behavioral health, substance use treatment programs, there are a lot of variables that in the beginning planning phases of that you cannot account for, Eckstein said. Unity Center for Behavoiral Health President Melissa Ekstein (courtesy Unity Center for Behavoiral Health). A nursing station as part of a new substance use disorder unit with Unity Center for Behavior Health. August 28, 2024 (courtesy Unity Center for Behavioral Health). Inside of a new substance use disorder unit in Unity Center for Behavoiral Health in Portland. August 28, 2024 (courtesy Unity Center for Behavoiral Health). The Unity Center for Behavorial Health in Northeast Portland. August 28, 2024 (courtesy Unity Center). The hospital president said not only did the construction itself take longer than expected but the regulation and permitting process, as well. However, the unit is now open and offering substance use disorder services 24/7. We wanted to make sure that our programming was 100% set and we were ready to open with no hiccups, she said. The hospital can give oral medication to help someone withdraw from drugs. However, Eckstein said theyre not offering patients IV treatments for detox at this time due to safety concerns. The thing to remember about Unity is that we deal with the most acute individuals in the community, and because we are a licensed psychiatric hospital, we have to be really mindful about the environment and people not having access to something that they could hurt themselves with, Eckstein said. So that IV presents something that weve not interfaced with before, so were taking it slowly and making sure that weve got this service rolled out and then I think that is something that the medical team would like to look at in the future. REPORT: Shoplifting, overdose deaths spiked in 2023 Eckstein emphasized the importance of the collective effort in addressing the crisis on Portlands streets, saying not a single organization or agency can meet all the needs alone. I think we have to continue to focus on where our gaps are and what we can do together to bridge those gaps, she said. The Unity Centers new substance use disorder services will provide a place where individuals, families, ambulances or police can take people in psychiatric crisis who need help withdrawing from drugs. The expansion is funded with the publics tax dollars. In late 2022, CareOregon and Health Share committed to funding the nine beds at Unity Center$4 million for capital construction from Health Share, plus $3.5 million a year to cover ongoing operations from CareOregon. In spring of 2023, the City of Portland and Multnomah County committed additional funds of $335,000 each to close an unexpected gap in construction funding. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. A delegate at the Democratic National Convention watches former President Barack Obama give a speech in Chicago on Aug. 21, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Griswold / Source NM) Going into 2024s election-cycle hubs for U.S. political power showed me the enchantment in New Mexico is unmatched. Nothing like leaving to make you love where youre from. A throughline between Wisconsin and Illinois is how fast and easy it is to get a good cheeseburger. They do need a little green chile up there to make the hamburger stands better. And hot take: Pizza is pizza is pizza. If it doesnt have green chile, it is not great pizza. Go ahead and @ me. Waiting in lines to get on the floors of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and then, a couple of weeks later, at the Democratic one in Chicago, my thoughts kept turning to home, where were trying to sort out new ideas and fixes for problems we carry uniquely, but that are still tied to greater issues in the United States. Many people nationally are working every day on access to clean water, good schools and safe, clean streets. Delegates from both political parties and elected leaders spoke to these issues with a more recent lens. In New Mexico, these are long-standing problems weve been patching up incrementally, sometimes going back years before New Mexico was taken over by the United States. Water wars In regards to the environment, Republicans voiced loud support for extraction. Drill, baby, drill, former President Donald Trump said in his nomination speech. Democrats did speak to energy, too, while trying to at least say that clean air and water are necessary. Former President Barack Obama caught my attention during his speech when I heard the word clean followed by air and water. I had to take a picture of the teleprompter to just remind myself it happened. Days later, images from back home of the San Juan Generating Station coal stacks being demolished after decades of polluting this regions air, water and healthy existence reminded me that Obama-administration policies on coal are fragile. Coming from New Mexico, water abundance up north is so present, its in the air. The humidity can be tasted at times. The Great Lakes region (the name doesnt lie) has rivers, lakes and their rivers dump into their lakes, I thought as I constantly walked from where I stayed to my work covering the conventions. A little mud from a Bosque walk off Isleta Boulevard before I left somehow stayed on my sole. It mustve wanted to be on that Milwaukee concrete. On my first night staying at a colleagues house, I went for a glass of water. Confused on where to get it, only seeing the tap, I had to ask: can I drink from the kitchen tap? My host looked surprised, until I mentioned that the aquifer where I live has a history of contamination and my family in Zuni Pueblo cannot drink water from the tap. So I remind everyone that it took us fighting for an act of Congress to hopefully get us closer to the comfort others take for granted to just drink from the tap in their kitchen. Its just part of our New Mexico existence that were told to not drink the tap water. My host assured me that wasnt a problem there, but it was nearby. So the water issues we experience are at least peripherally present for others even with the rivers and the lakes, and the rivers that go into the lakes. It was a regular conversation between Milwaukee and Chicago, where bragging who has the better tasting tap water is like our Chile Verde Wars. Its all subjective and very privileged. Quality education The entire reason for the assignment became a lesson on Native American history, both contemporary and pre-colonization. I was there with a team of Indigenous journalists, and each day we summoned the class. Outside of the 12 radio shows we did between the RNC and DNC, the crew answered all questions like it was a freshman seminar in American Indian studies at the University of New Mexico. Really, we were giving lessons Native American children are learning at home and, in some places in New Mexico, at preschool and elementary schools across the state. Not only is that unique since so many people do not know our history or that Native people are still here the politicians we were speaking with often said they would support expanding curriculum to their public schools. Suddenly we were talking about the culturally relevant curriculum and New Mexico public education reform mandate. Many at both conventions were surprised by the model. Sovereignty was a throughline to discussions of freedom. Every person not Native at both conventions had no idea about sovereignty, but could talk freedom. And when someone finally understood that sovereignty comes with terms, namely total approval by the federal government, they could see the limitations to their freedoms. This conversation with U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wisconsin) struck a nerve because he said he understood the perspective from his time as a medical professional for the Indian Health Services at the hospital in Shiprock. He connected the struggles for working with that system to economic sovereignty for tribes, like the Lac Courte Oreilles Band that he represents in Congress. A few weeks later, on the last night of the DNC in Chicago, a Laguna Pueblo person from New Mexico took the stage and gave a Keres introduction. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland kept up the principles of education for a television audience. Most directly, she took it to two Laguna Pueblo people working up in media row covering her speech. When Haaland asked how people at the convention were doing with the Keres phrase, Guwhatzi, my co-host for the radio show Shawn Spruce immediately responded in the way we as Pueblo people are taught. He said in Keres that he is doing fine. As I wrote the article, I asked Spruce if it was appropriate to write out the phrase. He said yes. Then he helped me spell it as best we could to share it with the Source NM audience. He gave me a Keres lesson a language I am actively trying to learn. When we published the article, we got several comments from readers acknowledging that Pueblo journalists are covering Pueblo politicians, which is as it should be. It felt enchanting. I could feel my uncles, my grandparents, a language they were told not to speak and struggled to pass on. I knew they heard it. I could feel their voice come out of me. And that is why we went to Milwaukee and Chicago. We needed Native voices to be heard Native issues to be reported on by our people. That is why we put so much stress on ourselves, our families and our co-workers back home. The support we needed was always at home. And we did it, is what I told my mom. Whats safe? Before the J.D. Vance nomination speech at the RNC, the sounds of passive, angry, violent chants from the Fiserv Forum that hit the Republican talking points on immigration followed me outside of the Panther Arena where we interviewed GOP members of Congress earlier in the day. I had finished my job at that point. I was looking for tacos. That kicked off a great experience meeting Milwaukee. Everything open outside the perimeter around the Fiserv Forum was somehow loving, even with the large presence that apparently hit the city like a turd. Many businesses closed, home rentals were easy to snag because locals left. People werent tipping workers, even after the gleeful crowd inside cheered for tax reform on tips. Local police from all over the country came and made traffic horrible. This was much different than the secure perimeter set and monitored by federal police, it was clear when state police from places like Indiana and Kentucky would march between arenas inside the perimeter for their shift to usually patrol some street outside in greater Milwaukee. An officer from Columbus, Ohio, shot and killed one local. I met several of his friends and apologized for all of us: the press, staff and the convention itself for having to be there as part of what felt like a takeover of their city. Its great to be back home. As soon as I got off the plane in Santa Fe I took a taxi to the Rail Runner, got to downtown Albuquerque, hopped on the 66 ABQ RIDE, sat in the back of the bus, and heard my cousins from Kewa Pueblo check in on me. They asked how I am doing. Were all doing just fine. The wildflowers in the backyard are fine, too. I was surprised at how well the house plants did with less care. RIP petunias. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Potential testimony in Madigan case is previewed as attorneys start wrangling over what a jury might hear Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was back in a federal courtroom Thursday to hear proposed expert testimony from a former Chicago alderman about the structure and importance of political operations like the one Madigan helmed during his record run in the state legislature. Madigans attorneys asked a judge to bar Dick Simpson, a political science professor emeritus at the University of Illinois Chicago who served as the 44th Ward alderman in the 1970s, saying his opinions are not based on any scientific methodology and that he has a long history of bias against Madigan and the regular Democratic Party. Meanwhile, with his racketeering trial rapidly approaching, Madigans attorneys also filed a lengthy list of other items they want to keep a jury from hearing. That included any evidence mentioning Madigans son, Andrew; wiretapped calls mentioning former Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios; and a potentially damning recording where Madigan tells his confidant and co-defendant, Michael McClain, that some of his friends had made out like bandits with the contracts theyd landed for them. The flurry of court activity comes as both sides are ramping up to the highly anticipated trial, which is scheduled to kick off Oct. 8 and will last up to three months. A 148-page joint filing from prosecutors and the defense teams late Wednesday laid out the plethora of issues still to be decided over the next six weeks, from dozens of evidentiary disputes to crucial alterations in jury instruction language following a recent Supreme Court decision that affects what prosecutors must prove. Madigan, 82, is charged in a 23-count indictment alleging he participated in an array of bribery and extortion schemes from 2011 to 2019 aimed at using the power of his public office for personal and political gain. Also charged was McClain, 76, a former state legislator and lobbyist who was convicted last year of orchestrating an alleged bribery scheme by Commonwealth Edison. McClains sentencing in that case is pending. In court Thursday, Madigan watched from a defense table as Simpson explained the sort of Schoolhouse Rock version of state and city politics his testimony would entail, saying hed studied national and local politics for more than 55 years, authored some 13 books on the subject and worked on transition teams for several mayors, including Harold Washington and Lori Lightfoot. Among the nuts-and-bolts detail Simpson testified to was the makeup of the ward system, how committeemen accumulated and maintained power, and how elected officials employed precinct captains to deliver votes and doled out patronage jobs as a reward for loyalty. In his line of questioning, Madigan attorney Dan Collins poked at Simpsons qualifications and resume, noting he had no specific knowledge of Madigans 13th Ward, which is far away from the North Side lakefront area Simpson represented. The defense also attacked Simpson for the many critical statements hes made over the years about Madigan. You have been interviewed in the media saying it was going to be a very good thing for the state when Mr. Madigan was out of office? attorney Patrick Cotter, who represents McClain, asked at one point. I dont remember that particular phrase, Simpson replied. Cotter followed up, asking whether it was true that a significant part of your career has been premised on your public opposition to the Chicago regular Democratic Party? Yes, he answered. In arguing for Simpsons testimony, Assistant U.S Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu told U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey it would provide key context to the jury on why Madigan would have taken steps to reward those who work on his behalf in order to maintain power. Bhachu also said the testimony would help the jurors decode some of the recorded conversations theyll hear, including one where McClain explains how the old-fashioned patronage system of giving meter-reader jobs to loyalists had given way to a more sophisticated system of funneling money to key people in the organization. Last year, prosecutors wanted Simpson to describe the structure and operation of the Chicago machine to jurors in the ComEd Four trial of McClain and three former ComEd executives and lobbyists, but U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber decided to block Simpson from testifying, ruling it wouldnt help the jury decide the facts at issue and could prejudice the defendants. Blakey said hed rule on the issue in Madigans case at a later date. In their filing late Wednesday, meanwhile, defense attorneys asked Blakey to bar evidence related to Madigans son, insurance broker Andrew, saying its irrelevant to the charges and only serves to drag a defendants family into the trial. Prosecutors have alleged the speaker at one point beseeched then-Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis for help getting Andrew Madigan business with the Resurrection Project, a Pilsen-based nonprofit that had received millions of dollars in state funds. Just ask him, give (Andrew) something. Give him a chance to show what he, what he can do, Madigan allegedly told Solis, who was secretly cooperating with investigators and recorded the conversation. Other evidence in the investigation included a recording of Andrew Madigan talking with McClain about sweepstakes gaming legislation and donations made by AT&T to Aunt Marthas, a community health and wellness organization where Andrews significant other was the executive director, according to the defense filing, which referred to Andrew only as a Madigan relative. Even if the evidence related to Madigans relative was marginally relevant, any probative value is significantly outweighed by the substantial risk of confusing the issues and wasting time, the filing stated. The defense made a similar argument when it comes to evidence that Berrios daughter Vanessa was recommended for a position with ComEd, arguing in the filing that the irrelevant testimony would prejudice Madigan because Berrios is a well-known, although at times controversial, public figure throughout Cook County. The defense is also seeking to bar a recorded call between Madigan and McClain on Aug. 4, 2018, as the two were pushing for the execution of a labor agreement with ComEd, which theyd been arranging with ComEd Senior Vice President Fidel Marquez without the knowledge of the utilitys incoming CEO. McClain noted in the conversation that they had a courier who was going to drive the agreement around to various parties to get it done. Madigan then asked, But Mike, hes involved with ComEd? Yeah, remember we got him that contract, um, maybe five years ago now whenever it was? McClain said on the recording, referring to payments of $150,000 to the contractor. For a buck fifty a year. Madigan responded, Mhm, and laughed. Some of these guys have made out like bandits, Mike, Madigan said. Oh my God, McClain said, coughing. For very little work too. Yeah, Madigan said. The specific arguments for why the call should be barred were filed under seal on Wednesday. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 44) The Texas A&M Forest Service is encouraging Texans to help prevent wildfires during Labor Day weekend and the start of dove hunting season. According to the Forest Service, hot and dry conditions in August resulted in increased wildfire activity across North and Northwest Texas. Throughout August, Texas experienced 281 wildfires which burned 24,333 acres. With rain and increased moisture in the forecast, the risk of wildfire activity will be reduced. Wildfires caused by vehicles, trailers, ATV/UTVs and other equipment frequently used while hunting and camping are common during hunting season, which occurs from September to January every year. The Forest Service says nine out of ten wildfires in Texas are caused by humans, and everyone can make a difference by taking personal responsibility for their actions. Texans are urged to remain vigilant as drought conditions continue to expand and intensify and to be cautious with any activity which might cause a spark. The Forest Service is sharing these tips to keep in mind in order to avoid accidentally starting a wildfire while dove hunting: Avoid driving over and parking on dry grass the heat from your vehicle can easily ignite the grass. Always check with local officials for burn bans or other outdoor burning restrictions. Each county in Texas sets and lifts its own burn bans. You can view the latest burn ban map here: https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/burnbans/ . If you are taking a trailer out on your adventures, make sure that the tires are properly inflated, chains will not contact the road and any loose metal will not continually hit anything else, all of which can cause sparks. Always be ready to put out a fire should one start. Have a shovel and water with you in camp and have a fire extinguisher with you at all times. For more information on preventing wildfires this hunting season, you can visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/HuntingFireSafety/ . The Forest Service is sharing these tips in order to help prevent wildfires while grilling outdoors: Never leave your grill unattended. Wind gusts may blow embers into dry vegetation, potentially starting a wildfire. Ensure your grill is kept clean of excess grease to prevent flare-ups. Place your grill in an open space away from tall or dry grass, shrubs, woodpiles or other flammable materials. Also, avoid placing your grill underneath a tree or on a wooden patio deck. After you are finished grilling, allow time for the coals in your grill to completely cool. Smoldering coals may reignite and release embers, which may be blown into nearby vegetation. For more information about fire prevention resources, you can go here: https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/preventionresources/ Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. Poor planning of the Veterans Affairs new $453 million online platform for education benefits has caused project costs to double and its completion date to be pushed back two years, according to a federal watchdogs report released Wednesday. Officials from the VA Inspector Generals office blamed poor contract planning, including the lack of information technology expertise, which led to unclear and unrealistic requirements that caused delays and additional costs. The report added that department leaders need to overhaul their oversight efforts to ensure the work gets finished without the final bill topping $1 billion. Republican lawmakers called the missteps another disappointment in a series of technology failures for the department in recent years. This is wholly unacceptable, said House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., in a letter sent to VA Secretary Denis McDonough shortly after the reports release. Due to failures of [VA] leadership the American taxpayers are on the hook for nearly an additional half a billion dollars. In response, VA planners acknowledged delays but pushed back on assertions that poor leadership has led to widespread failures in the modernization effort, noting that the new system is already providing benefits to students. Significant progress has been achieved to date, improving the veteran experience and outcomes through increased claims processing automation that both streamlines timeliness and provides real-time claims status and information, Under Secretary of Benefits Joshua Jacobs said in a statement to the inspector general. Prior to the [new system], a veteran or beneficiary could expect their application for original benefits to take up to 28 days, and follow-on supplemental claims to take up to 14 days. [Those] are now being completed in approximately 10 days for original claims and 4 days for supplemental claims. The GI Bill digital portal project designed to provide students speedier eligibility decisions on their veterans education benefits was launched in early 2021. The effort was originally slated to be fully operational by spring 2024, but that target date has now been pushed back to summer 2026. VA has said the original $453 million contract for the work has now been updated 25 times, to include development of new features, migration of existing student information to a new database and continued support of the system into the future. The new price tag for the project is $932 million. Inspector General officials said some of those changes came because original contract requirements were unclear, which resulted in development and implementation delays. They also said VA leaders did not choose to follow best practices on oversight and scheduling of the project, a charge that Jacobs denied. The report calls for stronger communication between VA and its vendors and clearer timelines for progress, recommendations department officials said are already underway. But Bost in his letter said those promises are not enough, given similar past cost and management problems with electronic health records modernization efforts and other technology system upgrade projects. Bost requested a full report on planned project improvements to be delivered to the committee by Sept. 8, and questioned whether any department officials will be disciplined or otherwise punished for the errors so far. No one at VA seems willing to take responsibility for the constant upheaval and delays in this project, he wrote. The full watchdog report is available on the VA Inspector Generals website. PRICEVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) The Priceville Police Department (PPD) sits just off I-65 in Morgan County. With a birds-eye view of the interstate, its no surprise that the department is finding success in its efforts to combat drug trafficking. Just in the last few months, PPD has made more than a dozen arrests involving drug trafficking or possession of illegal narcotics. Many of the arrests have been posted on the departments Facebook page. Jury finds Frederic Rogers guilty of multiple charges in Seven Deadly Sins case I think since we have focused on that some, were probably somewhere around over $1,000,000 worth of drugs off the streets and upwards of $50,000 cash seized, said Priceville Police Chief Jerry Holmes. Chief Holmes told News 19 that the department has started putting efforts into the interdiction work on the interstate and has been successful with it. Despite being a small department of only nine patrolmen and one school resource officer (SRO), he says his officers have the training to spot potential drug traffickers. Chief Holmes told News 19 that with their vantage point of being right on I-65, they have a duty to be on the lookout for illegal narcotics. 20 Chihuahua mix dogs in shelter after owner dies Theres really no interdiction units between Birmingham and Nashville, and so weve always understood that thats been a hotspot area for criminal activity and the transportation of contraband, Chief Holmes said. Chief Holmes said the department has always been small and lacked resources, but now, with the growth they have received, they can focus more on the area. Our primary focus as a police department is to safeguard. Safeguard lives and property, Chief Holmes said. The Chief said although the drugs might not be heading to the streets of Priceville, its still important that they are intercepted. Theyre headed somewhere. Maybe not here in Priceville, but theyre headed somewhere, he said. So if we get a lot of fentanyl off the highway, I really think that is saving lives. Chief Holmes said fentanyl has become one of the more popular drugs they encounter. He said that people who are into drugs should be worried because dealers are lacing their drugs with fentanyl. Many of the recent arrests the department has made for drugs have come as a result of traffic stops on I-65. Chief Holmes says in many of the cases where theyve discovered drugs, it falls under the trafficking amount. Its not personal use stuff, he said. This is the transportation of large bulk narcotics. Chief Holmes said he is thankful for the support of the City of Priceville, the Mayor and the residents. The community is, you know, theyve always been very supportive of the police department and based off of the response from some of them on our social media, theyre fired up about it, Holmes said. Ive seen one gentleman say, Man, this makes me proud to be a member of this community, you know, and that makes us feel good and makes us realize that we are doing a good job and making a difference out there. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. (File photo of a prison by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) Anti-gerrymandering groups in Ohio and nationally are looking to correct what they say is a representational flaw in redistricting regarding prison populations. As it stands now, those incarcerated in the countrys state and federal prisons are counted in the U.S. Census every 10 years as residents of the county in which their facility sits. Groups like Common Cause and the Prison Policy Initiative are asking the U.S. Census Bureau and, failing that, other government entities to change that policy. When youre crafting a policy that is intended to last for decades, you want to ensure that things are as fair as possible, said Catherine Turcer, head of Common Cause Ohio. The national Common Cause Education Fund, in conjunction with the PPI, sent a letter to U.S. Census Bureau director Robert Santos and other agency leaders, asking that the bureau suspend its current method of privacy protection within its census data, which they claim led to unnecessary inaccuracies in the data set used for the most recent redistricting cycle, and had an adverse impact, especially on data for correctional facility populations. The Census Bureaus method uses the intentional infusion of inaccurate information into the data in an attempt to keep resident data safe, though some of the data creates miscounts, Common Cause and the PPI said. Along with the inaccuracies the group said the privacy protection method created within census data sets, the bureau continues to interpret its residence rule to count incarcerated people as residents of their prison cells rather than their home communities, according to the letter, signed by PPI legal director Aleks Kajstura and Common Cause justice and democracy manager Keshia Morris Desir. As a result, when states use census data to draw new state or local districts, they inadvertently give residents of districts with prisons greater political clout than all other state residents, Kajstura and Desir wrote. Counting incarcerated individuals as residents of the county in which they are housed creates a problem, not only when it comes to representation for that incarcerated individual, but also for the county and community where they live when they arent serving out a sentence. More often than not, those sentences dont last a decade, as well, which means the data will be inaccurate before the next census is taken, but after districts have been drawn and resource distribution has happened, according to advocates. Ohios prisons are in more rural areas than urban areas, with the Ohio Office of Prisons holding facilities in Ashtabula, Richland, Union, Madison, Pickaway, Fairfield, Ross, Noble and Scioto counties. Franklin, Marion, Montgomery, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Trumbull and Mahoning counties also house correctional facilities, according to the office. And while changing the way in which incarcerated individuals are counted wouldnt necessarily impact the way in which prisons are funded, it would change representation and the constituency that can engage with elected officials. It takes a little bit of representation from every community that has incarceration, said Mike Wessler, communications director for the Prison Policy Initiative, which continues to oversee the Prison Gerrymandering Project, in an effort to advocate for better redistricting and census processes when it comes to incarcerated individuals. Wessler said counting those in prisons as residents of the prisons county also lowers the amount of impact residents who actually live in the counties with prisons can have on political issues. The population of Ohios statehouse district 12, for example, is made up of 7% incarcerated people, according to PPI counts. What that means is 93 people in that district have the same power as 100 people in another district, Wessler said. Also, despite the fact that those incarcerated individuals are considered residents of the prison counties in census data, elected officials may not count them as part of the population to which they need to answer. Just about everyone weve heard from that represents a prison district has not considered incarcerated individuals a part of their constituency, Wessler told the OCJ. Even if the U.S. Census Bureau doesnt change their methods, state and local governments have their own ways of changing the population representation. The U.S. has 14 states acting to change the way in which they draw districts to revise census data that places incarcerated individuals in their home county rather than their facility location, according to the PPI. Ohio could be a part of that list if voters approve redistricting reforms on the ballot in November. As part of the constitutional amendment drawn up by Citizens Not Politicians, the 15-member citizens redistricting commission would be required to provide that persons in the custody of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections or its successor agency shall be counted at their last known pre-incarceration address for purposes of population equalization, according to the amendment. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Abortion-rights ballot initiatives backed by at least half of Republicans in Arizona, Nevada Editors note: The headline of this story has been updated to correctly characterize the ballot initiatives. At least half of Republican voters in Arizona and Nevada say they would vote for ballot initiatives this November that protect abortion access, according to a pair of Fox News polls released Wednesday. Fifty percent of Republicans in Arizona and 54 percent of Republicans in Nevada say they would vote for their states proposed constitutional amendments to establish the right to an abortion up until fetal viability or when necessary to protect the patients health, according to the polls, which were conducted Aug. 23-26. The initiatives are broadly supported across demographics groups in both key battleground states. Overall, 73 percent of Arizona voters say they back the proposed state amendment, including 95 percent of Democrats and 76 percent of independents. The amendment is backed by 96 percent of self-described liberals, 81 percent of self-described moderates and 52 percent of self-described conservatives. The only Arizona demographic listed as having less than 50 percent backing the initiative is white evangelicals, 49 percent of whom support the amendment. Even among those who strongly disapprove of President Biden, 51 percent support the initiative. Similar trends are evident in Nevada. Overall, 75 percent of Nevada voters back the ballot initiative, including 95 percent of Democrats and 76 percent of independents. It is also backed by 96 percent of liberal voters, 81 percent of moderates and 57 percent of conservatives. A majority (58 percent) of white evangelical voters in Nevada back the initiative, as do 54 percent of those who strongly disapprove of Biden. Democrats hope abortion remains a top issue for voters, who say they largely trust the Democratic Party on the issue more than they do the Republicans. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, 22 GOP-led states have seen anti-abortion laws take effect that ban or restrict abortion access beyond the standard held for nearly half a century. Several states have seen initiatives led by citizen activists to put the issue on the ballot, letting residents vote directly on the issue during the general election. The Arizona poll included 1,014 registered voters. The Nevada poll included 1,026 registered voters. Both had a 3-point margin of error. Updated Aug. 29 at 1:40 p.m. EDT Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. As Idaho students head back to school, we wanted to highlight the groundbreaking Idaho LAUNCH program which is opening doors for thousands of young people. In fact, many of those students are heading to school this semester solely because of LAUNCH. This program offers high school graduates up to $8,000 to train for in-demand careers such as nursing, teaching, welding, engineering and auto repair. LAUNCH is a triple boost to Idahos economy: 1) it makes it possible for students to develop income-increasing skills who may not otherwise be able to afford it; 2) it focuses workforce development on the areas most needed by our business community; and 3) it keeps students in Idaho, working as a brain-gain to reverse the brain-drain to other states that weve seen too often. While its only been in effect for a year, the early signs are very promising. A total of 9180 graduating students will receive LAUNCH grants this year. These grants will change lives in many cases doubling or tripling the expected lifetime income of recipients. However, despite its popularity and clear economic benefit, not to mention Governor Littles full-throated support, LAUNCH almost didnt happen at all, and it remains in peril. It passed in 2023 by one vote in the House, with the majority of Republican legislators voting against it - saved only because the entire Democratic caucus supported it. Without us, LAUNCH would have remained only a dream. As Idahos population rapidly increases, the need for skilled young people to work new jobs is essential. Well need entrepreneurs to start and run Idaho businesses, engineers and welders for new factories and infrastructure projects. Well need more healthcare professionals to take care of us, teachers for our kids, and farmers to feed our growing state. When we look at the top fields of study, thats exactly what these young, hardworking, ambitious LAUNCH recipients will be: 2,604 are preparing for healthcare careers, 860 will study engineering, 654 are learning to teach, 488 will study business administration, 475 will train to be automotive technicians, 349 will learn welding, and 310 are preparing for careers in agriculture and food industries. LAUNCH is giving young Idahoans the opportunity to gain the skills that will not only support themselves and their families, but serve our entire state. It is no surprise that Idahos business community is excited about LAUNCH theyve got job openings they urgently need filled. LAUNCH is a resource for young people who might not feel they could otherwise pursue higher education, LAUNCH tells them that if theyre willing to put in the work, they will have the opportunity to get ahead. While LAUNCH is a bipartisan program that has been very popular with Idahoans, its future is far from guaranteed. The fact that it squeaked through last year does not mean it will survive going forward the Legislature could pull the plug any time, and the risk of that grew exponentially after the May Republican primary. The far right, spearheaded by the Idaho Freedom Foundation has gone to war against LAUNCH and attacked its supporters relentlessly. Eight of the GOP representatives who voted for it lost their primaries in May, leaving the future of LAUNCH and thousands of young potential grant recipients in peril. Idaho Democrats see the obvious value of this program and we will continue supporting it. But if Idahoans want to preserve LAUNCH, theyll need to elect more Democrats this November. We need more adults in the room its that simple. Rep. Nate Roberts is a Democrat from Pocatello. Rep. Ned Burns is a Democrat from Bellevue. A box containing copies of the Project 2025 "Mandate for Leadership" at the Heritage Foundation headquarters in Washington, D.C., on June 6. Seven advocacy organizations that have been working to engage Latino voters ahead of the presidential election found that many Hispanics are familiar with Project 2025, but few understood the specifics behind the 900-plus-page conservative policy plan and its potential impact if implemented. These groups, most of which are left-leaning or progressive, are coming together under a new coalition to launch a bilingual campaign condemning Project 2025 and its stances on specific issues that are important to Latino voters such as education, health care access, reproductive rights, climate change and immigration, as well as jobs and workers rights. The Defendiendo Nuestro Futuro, Latinos Against Project 2025 campaign aims to target millions of Latino voters in swing states through door-to-door canvassing efforts, phone-banking and social media. "The more we educate the community about this plan and its implications ... the more Latino voters will understand that Project 2025 is not in their best interest," Vanessa Cardenas, executive director of the immigrant rights advocacy group Americas Voice, said during the campaign's launch Tuesday. Latino voters stand to reshape the presidential race in ways that are hard to predict since many of them are young people or newly registered voters, according to a memo on a recent Equis Research poll. Theres a huge gap of information missing on Project 2025 in the Latino community, said Yadira Sanchez, executive director of the Latino civic engagement organization Poder Latinx. Sanchez said her organization speaks to about 200 people weekly as part of their efforts to engage Latino voters in six states: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Washington, California and Texas. Based on the conversations they've had, she estimated that "less than 20% know what Project 2025 is," in part because there is little information about the project in Spanish. At the same time, TikTok posts about Project 2025 garnered millions of views on the social media platform earlier this year. TikTok is hugely popular among young Hispanic adults, most of whom prefer to get their news in English and from digital sources. A point that got a lot of attention on TikTok was Project 2025's plan to limit federal education policy and, ultimately, eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. Katharine Pichardo-Erskine, executive director of the Latino Victory Foundation, argued this would ultimately cut "vital education programs that help break the cycle of poverty" in Latino communities. Pichardo-Erskine said her organization recently commissioned a national poll on Latino voters that included a question about Project 2025. "As a result of the poll, a plurality of Latinos are familiar with Project 2025," Pichardo-Erskine said. Of those who had heard about it, "almost 40% understand that its somewhat bad for them." She added that "theres still a lot of education that we need to do" in order for people to understand how it could affect their daily lives. Developed by the conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation, Project 2025 is a transition project that includes a policy blueprint and a personnel database for the next Republican president and counts the support of more than 100 conservative organizations. Many of these organizations are led by close allies and top former advisers of former President Donald Trump, who is the Republican presidential nominee. Trump has publicly disavowed Project 2025 and redirected supporters to his own campaign platform named Agenda47. Still, the Latino groups believe there's not enough of a separation as they called special attention to overlaps on conservative views on issues, including immigration. Project 2025 calls for the "mass deportation" of undocumented immigrants by expanding the powers of immigration enforcement authorities and finishing the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. Signs that read "mass deportation" were given out to attendees of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last month when Trump accepted the Republican nomination, said David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West, a labor union in California. "So, it's very clear what the agenda of a potential Trump presidency would be if he's elected in November," Huerta said. Impacts on health care and abortion access, climate legislation When it comes to health care access and reproductive rights, Project 2025 proposes limiting Medicaid through spending caps, moving away from the program's open-ended funding structure, which allows it to more easily adjust to the needs of the population, especially in times of crisis. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, research has shown that Medicaid expansion has contributed to a decrease in uninsured rates among Latinos from 2010 to 2022. Proposed Medicaid spending caps could affect health care access for the nearly 18 million Latinos enrolled in the program. The conservative policy road map also states that "abortion is not health care" and proposes strict limitations to it. Almost 6.7 million Latinas of reproductive age already live in states that have banned or are likely to ban abortions, making them the largest group of women of color in the nation affected by current or likely state abortion bans. Project 2025 policies would deprioritize efforts to fight climate change and roll back various environmental regulations considered burdensome for business development. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Latinos are more likely to experience the detrimental consequences of climate change and global warming since they face higher temperature-mortality rates compared with non-Hispanic whites and live in areas prone to inland and coastal flooding. The three states with the highest Hispanic populations (California, Texas and Florida) are also among the hardest hit by natural disasters such as wildfires, increasingly stronger hurricanes and extreme heat waves. Project 2025 also outlines ways to stop the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from collecting employment statistics based on race and ethnicity, which would make it more difficult to track discrimination in the workplace, as well as dismantle the National Labor Relations Boards oversight role. Huerta said this move would erode workers' protections and their right to unionize. "Too often as a community, we choose not to vote, but this time we have to vote," Huerta said. "Never before have we seen the consequences of not voting as real as they are now." A spokesperson for the Heritage Foundation did not respond to an email and phone call seeking comment. But the organization's Project 2025 website states, "The Left has spent millions fearmongering about Project 2025, because theyre terrified of losing their power." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Students in a classroom. Getty Images. From universal private school vouchers to stripping away diversity and inclusion requirements, censoring classrooms, and targeting LGBTQ students some of Ohios education laws and bills mirror the goals outlined for a second Trump administration in Project 2025. Project 2025 is a Presidential Transition Project written by the Heritage Foundation that spells out the first 180 days in office for the next right-wing administration. Even though former President Donald Trump has tried to distance himself from Project 2025, former Trump administration officials helped come up with the nearly 900-page policy book Mandate for Leadership: A Conservative Promise, which leans heavily on Christian Nationalism values. Trumps running mate, Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, is the author of a foreword to an upcoming book about Project 2025 by Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts. The publication of that book has been postponed until after the 2024 Election. The book, now called, Dawns Early Light: Taking Back Washington to Save America, was originally titled, Dawns Early Light: Burning Down Washington to Save America. Honesty for Ohio Education Executive Director Christina Collins told the Capital Journal that its as though the Ohio General Assembly has been bringing many of the policies outlined in Project 2025 to the Buckeye State already. Its almost like Ohio knew what Project 2025 was going to go for, and that our legislature was like, lets just get ahead of it. Lets just start implementing, Collins said. Honesty for Ohio Education compiled a document explaining how Project 2025 would affect education and how it lines up with what is happening in Ohio. Whats embedded in Project 2025 with these Christian Nationalism values is one form of educating children, Collins said. Its restrictive. It prevents the freedom of knowledge. It prevents the freedom of learning. It is not inclusive, and it is not an honest education. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Project 2025 would eliminate the United States Department of Education and would eliminate the Office of Head Start, which means closing Head Start child care programs that served about 833,000 low-income children in fiscal year 2022. Its almost like theyre taking everything thats research based and just throwing it out the window, Collins said. We know that we should be going towards universal pre-K. Ohio State Rep. Phil Robinson, D-Solon, introduced a universal preschool bill in May. How its happening in Ohio Project 2025 would create universal school vouchers, something Ohio did last year through the state budget. Ohio is on the cutting edge of implementing universal vouchers, Collins said. Ohio is the Wild West when it comes to universal vouchers. Project 2025 would then take it a step further by expanding education savings accounts something Ohio is also trying to do. Rep. Gary Click, R-Vickery, introduced House Bill 339 last year which would establish the noncharted educational savings account program. The education savings account program started in August 2011 in Arizona and have grown in popularity in the past few years as more states move toward universal school vouchers. ESAs give families access to public per-pupil funds to be used for tuition for private schools, among other things. Arizonas budget this summer faced a meltdown due to private charter school spending, which caused hundreds of millions in budget cuts to critical state programs and projects. Project 2025 would require school staff to out LGBTQ students to their parents, similar to Ohios House Bill 8. State Reps. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, and Sara Carruthers, R-Hamilton, introduced H.B. 8 last year and it passed in the House. The bill requires educators to notify parents about any request by a student to identify as a gender that does not align with the students biological sex. Embedded in Project 25, embedded in what Ohio has done in just the last two years, is just this real emphasis on anti-LGBTQ families, households and students, Collins said. Project 2025, Ohios efforts have worked really hard to try and not acknowledge that LGBTQ people particularly transgender students recently to try and not acknowledge that they exist and to try and dehumanize people that are in those communities, and this exacerbates those efforts to keep doing that. Pieces of Ohios controversial higher education bill Senate Bill 83 are sprinkled throughout Project 2025. Ohio Sen. Jerry Cirinos Senate Bill 83 would ban mandatory DEI training unless it is required to comply with state and federal law. Project 2025 would strip DEI requirements. SB 83 would define controversial beliefs or policy as any belief or policy that is the subject of political controversy, including issues such as climate policies, electoral politics, foreign policy, diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, immigration policy, marriage, or abortion. The bill would allow students to reach their own conclusions about all controversial beliefs or policies and shall not seek to indoctrinate any social, political or religious point of view. Project 2025 calls for deleting terms such as sexual orientation and gender identity, diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and reproductive rights. LifeWise The Heritage Foundation also appears to have ties to the Ohio-based religious instruction program LifeWise Academy. Joel Penton, the founder of LifeWise, has been on the Heritage Foundations podcast The Daily Signal and the Family Research Council podcast, a partner of Project 2025. Were seeing these groups that are partnered, they are sponsoring each other, and theyre all working towards this common end, it seems, of injecting their values into all of public education, Collins said. LifeWise is a program that teaches the Bible to students with their parents permission off-campus during the school day under released time for religious instruction laws. It enrolled nearly 30,000 students across more than 12 states last year and is more than 170 Ohio school districts. Ohio House Bill 445 would require school districts to come up with a policy to let students be excused from school to go to released time for religious instruction. Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on X. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/35917C/d2h6a3ly6ooodw.cloudfront.net/reasontv_audio_8295327.mp3 1x 1.1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 3x :15 :15 Download If any two beliefs are shared by both critics and admirers of former President Donald Trump, they are these: His whims were frequently hamstrung by the people who surrounded him during his first term in office, and that won't be allowed to happen again. Trump's victory in 2016 appeared to surprise his campaign as much as anyone. He boasted during the campaign that he hires "only the best people," but that was easier said than done. Bereft of institutional backing, with no serious plans for a postelection transition, the 45th president had no choice but to turn to the "Beltway establishment" to staff his administration. "When I first got to Washington," he lamented in April to Time, "I knew very few people." Trump was supposed to be a repudiation of "Conservatism, Inc."not just in tenor but in substance. Out were the commitments to limited government and free trade, the insistence on fiscal belt tightening and entitlement reform, and the largely sunny orientation toward immigrants associated with previous Republican leaders such as former House Speaker Paul Ryan. In were hardball politics that pulled no punches, minced no words, and had no qualms about a "muscular" state that interferes at will in people's lives. But Trump had trouble getting the rest of the governing apparatus to line up behind him. Unfavorable court rulings bookended his presidency, overturning his Muslim travel ban in 2017 and rejecting his election fraud claims in 2021, with other losses along the way. After he left office, the conservative America First Policy Institute released a report complaining that "career bureaucrats resist[ed] Trump Administration policies" by withholding information, slow-walking priorities, and otherwise refusing to carry out work that didn't align with their ideological preferences. Worse, Trump's own advisers and appointees often seemed to be working at cross-purposes. "His White House was hastily staffed by a mix of underqualified true believers, opportunistic hacks and experienced but disloyal swamp creatures who colluded with journalists and permanent bureaucrats to undermine the president's populist agenda," wrote Sam Adler-Bell in The New York Times in January, summarizing the MAGA view. "The solution, then, should be simple: Find, vet and train the right people, and everything will be different." And so, almost immediately after Trump left office in January 2021, conservatives in Washington began mobilizing to prepare for his return. The conservative Heritage Foundation has been releasing presidential policy blueprints, known as Mandate for Leadership, for decades. This time around, under the "Project 2025" banner, it announced a plan to supplement its policy work with a personnel database: a "conservative LinkedIn" that would "provide an opportunity for rock-solid conservatives to place themselves in contention for roles in the next administration," the think tank explained. Meanwhile, veterans of Trump's first term launched the aforementioned America First Policy Institute, a rival group with much the same mission. Similar entities have been proliferating and expanding ever since: the Conservative Partnership Institute (led by former South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint), American Moment (which focuses on identifying Trump-friendly young conservatives), the Society for American Civic Renewal (a spinoff of the Claremont Institute, home to attorney John Eastman, who is currently under indictment for helping Trump attempt to overturn the 2020 election), a new Association of Republican Presidential Appointees, and on and on. A general telos unites many of these groups: to ensure, if Trump wins again, that his vision for America won't be stymied by personnel who don't fully embrace it. As Paul Dans, the director of Heritage's Project 2025, put it on C-SPAN, "It's incumbent on us to get the right people and make sure they have the right ethos." That strategy was on display in July with Trump's selection of Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate. The pick stood in contrast to 2016, when Trump chose thenIndiana Gov. Mike Pence to balance the ticket and calm any misgivings that evangelical Christians and other traditional conservatives might have had about voting for a philandering TV star. Today, the only truly important qualification is loyalty. After the 2020 election, Pence refused an order from Trump to interfere with Congress' certification of Joe Biden's victory. Vance, a power-hungry populist who once mused to a friend that Trump might be "America's Hitler," later said publicly that he can be counted on to do what his predecessor would not. This explosion of activity has caused agita in Democratic circles and among the press, and there are a number of real causes for concern in these developments. Yet a clear-eyed analysis of the situation offers at least one source of comfort: Many of the things that prevented Trump from putting his worst impulses into action during his first term would likely do the same in a second one. Be Afraid The last public address Tucker Carlson gave before Fox News ousted him in April 2023 was a keynote speech at a dinner celebrating Heritage's 50th anniversary. Hailing Carlson as a hero, Kevin Roberts, the foundation's president, noted afterward that "if things go south for you at Fox News, there's always a job for you at Heritage." Carlson by that time had earned a reputation for dabbling in conspiracy theories, racially tinged and otherwise, and questioning the free markets that Heritage had long claimed to defend. His appearance at the gala, alongside other changes then afoot at the think tank, caused many observers to wonder what in the world had happened to the once-staid Heritage Foundation. I spoke with multiple people formerly associated with Heritage, from research fellows to senior staff. They painted a picture of an organization that has, in the 14 years since launching its lobbying arm, Heritage Action for America, come to care less about getting conservative policies into law and more about getting friendly Republicans into power. During the Trump era, that has increasingly meant defending the 45th president and attacking his enemies, full stop, no matter what. Standing by Trump after the events of January 6, 2021, was apparently a bridge too far for some Heritage insiders. Then-President Kay Coles James and thenExecutive Vice President Kim Holmes announced their resignations in March of that year. Many more departures would followsome voluntary, others less so. In contrast, Roberts, who succeeded James in late 2021, has seemed unbothered by Trump's continued insistence that the 2020 vote was stolen. Asked in a January interview with The New York Times whether he believes Biden won that election, he was quick to say "no." This, mind you, was after Trump declared that "a Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution." Heritage under Roberts has embraced a decidedly authoritarian rhetorical style. "The conservative movement increasingly knows what time it is in America," one staffer wrote in a blog post about Project 2025. "More and more of our politicians are willing to use the government to achieve our vision, because the neutrality of 'keeping the government out of it' will lose every time to the left's vast power." "This is our moment to demand that our politicians use the power they have," Roberts told The American Conservative last year. "This is the moment for us to demand of companies, whether they're Google, or Facebook, or Disney, that you listen to us, rather than ram down our throats and into our own families all of the garbage that you've been pushing on us. This is our time to demand that you do what we say. And it's glorious." More recently, the Heritage president said on the War Room podcast that "we are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be"a remark one longtime conservative foundation leader described to me as "grotesque and dangerous" and evidence that Roberts "lacks the judgment and maturity to lead the Heritage Foundation or any other institution in our movement." Offered a chance to clarify, Roberts passed along a statement asserting that Americans "are committed to peaceful revolution at the ballot box. Unfortunately, it's the Left that has a long history of violence, so it's up to them to allow a peaceful transfer of power." It made no mention of January 6. Even sharp departures from positions that Heritage has championed for decades don't seem to faze Roberts. At the 2022 National Conservatism Conference, he astonished onlookers by proclaiming that "I come not to invite national conservatives to join our conservative movement but to acknowledge the plain truth that Heritage is already part of yours." Though the Heritage mission statement lists "free enterprise," "limited government," and "individual freedom" as core values, national conservatism seeks to concentrate power at the national level and is comfortable with many government interventions into the economy, such as industrial subsidies and tariffs. Admittedly, some responses to the policy components of Project 2025 have been overwrought. Opponents claim the agenda would limit access to contraception, for exampleverbiage that suggests a desire to throw up legal barriers to the purchase or use of birth control. What it actually says is that a conservative president should allow religious organizations to opt out of paying for contraceptives and not force employers to cover "potential abortifacient" drugs, two preTrump GOP views supported by many if not most Americans. The bulk of the program is just this sort of run-of-the-mill Reaganism: deregulation, welfare and entitlement reform, "drill, baby, drill," etc. Yet there are disquieting aspects of Project 2025, and of Heritage leadership's broader decision to cozy up to hardline anti-liberal elements on the right. This summer's National Conservatism Conference, where Roberts also spoke, included sessions repudiating the idea of separation of church and state; promoting "mass deportations" as necessary to "decolonize America"; calling on Republican officials to criminally prosecute their political opponents ("unfortunately, we're going to have to use banana republic means," warned the former George W. Bush administration lawyer John Yoo); and supporting laws "governing the internal affairs of corporations" to ensure they're run in accordance with a right-wing understanding of the common good. The latest Mandate for Leadership also departs from prior iterations by taking a Trumpier approach to immigration (proposing "the civil arrest, detention, and removal of immigration violators anywhere in the United States, without warrant where appropriate") and wavering on international trade. If it looks as if the contemporary Heritage Foundation has become primarily a vehicle for ensuring Trump's will is realized, whatever that will might be at a given moment, Roberts doesn't seem to disagree. In the same New York Times interview where he refused to say that Biden's election was legitimate, he described Heritage's role as "institutionalizing Trumpism." That switch from standing for a set of principles, regardless of who espouses them, to standing for a candidate, regardless of his principles, has put Heritage in bed with some unsavory characters, from Steve Bannon to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. At an institutional level, consider the Bull Moose Project, a startup run by edgy young activists with a history of posting such statements as "White lives matter" and "Libertarians contribute nothing of use to the conservative movement." In 2023, Heritage sponsored the Bull Moose Leadership Summit even after critics pointed out that one of the group's executives had proudly defended "blood and soil" nationalism and allied himself with the antisemitic influencer Nick Fuentes. (Veep hopeful Vance was an advisory board member for American Moment, another sponsor of the event.*) What was the Bull Moose worldview that a Roberts-led Heritage was keen to bolster? "National populism is the future of the Right. All other competing philosophies will be eliminated," tweeted former Florida state Rep. Anthony Sabatini beside a photo of himself with fellow summit attendees. Or as former Bull Moose staffer Gabe Guidarini said at a different conference a few months later, "We have to build a conservative movement that doesn't shy away from achieving victory by any means necessary." Behold the will to power. After Fox sent Carlson packing, Roberts released a statement claiming that "no one in America has demonstrated more courage in speaking truth to power than Tucker" and that "the entire Heritage family is deeply upset." A year later, after Carlson traveled to Russia and then released a series of bizarre propaganda videos glorifying life under Vladimir Putin, Reason asked Heritage if it wished to distance itself from its onetime keynote speaker. The think tank did not respond. But in June, Roberts announced that he would appear with Carlson and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (RGa.) at an event this fall. Recall that the avowed purpose of Project 2025 is "to get the right people and make sure they have the right ethos" to serve in the next Republican administration. If this is the ethos that groups like Heritage will be looking for as they offer staffing advice, it's hard not to be afraid. But Don't Panic The regnant narrative on the right is that the first Trump administration suffered from being populated by a combination of establishment conservatives who weren't truly devoted to implementing the president's vision and Kool-Aid-drinking MAGA warriors without the know-how to get things done. By all accounts, the various groups preparing to staff a second Trump administration are laser-focused on solving the first problem by demanding absolute fealty to the big man and his desires. Saurabh Sharma, the youthful head of American Moment, "is prescriptive about what gets a person on his list," reported Axios' Jonathan Swan in 2022. "He wants applicants who want to cut not just illegal but also legal immigration into the United States. He favors people who are protectionist on trade and anti-interventionist on foreign policy. They must be eager to fight the 'culture war.' Credentials are almost irrelevant." John McEntee, a veteran of the Trump White House's personnel office who went on to advise Heritage, takes a similar view. "A red flag went up if a prospective employee answered 'deregulation and judges' when asked to name their favorite Trump policies," Swan wrote, also in 2022. "It was a sure sign the applicant could be a weak-kneed member of the establishment." But the solution to Trump's first problemensuring his new staff is fully ideologically aligned with himpulls against the solution to his second. He can have people who are true believers or he can have people who are competent; he probably can't have both, because there are simply too few of them. Stacking the government with folks from outside the establishment, without relevant experience, leaves you with a work force that is unlikely to be effective at implementing an agenda. "The best way to describe these lists is it looks like they're looking for incompetence as the chief qualification," says Cato Institute Senior Fellow Thomas Firey. "The bureaucracy, whether you love it or hate it, is an extremely complex machine that is extremely hard to operate.It's like giving my 8-year-old the keys to a steam shovel. Nothing's going to happen but a disaster." Much press coverage has focused on "Schedule F," shorthand for an executive order that could in theory allow a president to fire as many as 50,000 members of the permanent bureaucracy and replace them with his own political cronies. The effort has been described in apocalyptic terms, as something very like a coup, by mainstream and left-of-center outlets. In June, the Associated Press reported that a new group called the American Accountability Foundation, with funding from Heritage, had begun "digging into the backgrounds, social media posts and commentary of key high-ranking government employees, starting with the Department of Homeland Security." Its aim is to identify figures hostile to Trump's goalsdescribed by Heritage as "anti-American bad actors"who could be targeted under Schedule F. The issue is a tricky one to approach from libertarian first principles. The bloated and biased executive bureaucracy, and the "civil service protections" that make it almost impossible to get rid of lazy federal workersthese are longstanding and legitimate complaints of limited-government types. On the other hand, Congress did statutorily establish the civil service system with an eye to shielding career employees, who are supposed to be nonpolitical subject matter experts, from rank electoral considerations. If things haven't worked out as intended, it ought to be Congress' responsibility to pass a structural fix. There's something unsettlingly Soviet about the image of a president hunting for thought criminals to cast into the darkness. But wherever you come down on the appropriateness of Schedule F, it probably won't matter much in practice. "Given Trump's frequent vows to deliver 'retribution' against his critics and political opponents if he returns to office, it is unnerving to think of a federal bureaucracy of loyalists carrying out his commands," wrote Firey in a recent Cato report. "But a Trump restoration of Schedule F and takeover of the federal bureaucracy is unlikely to play out the way either he or his critics imagine." Presidents already have the ability to make some 4,000 political appointments. Trump could not manage it last timeand many of the people he did appoint turned out to be insufficiently sycophantic for his taste. (It seems most folks do have some lines they're unwilling to cross.) The idea that Trump's team could fill tens of thousands of additional openings with workers who are even mostly aligned and minimally competent beggars belief. "I think a lot of these positions are just going to sit empty," Firey says. Yes, a whole brood of groups, new and old, have positioned themselves to help a second Trump administration do better. But there are reasons to be skeptical that they're up to the task. Behind the scenes, the various organizations are busy squabbling among themselves and jockeying for prominence. And several of them are gimcrack enterprises headed up by 20-somethings whose biggest claim to fame is acting out online via inflammatory social media posts. There's also an incredible amount of money sloshing through and around these efforts, which makes them an inevitable magnet for griftersthe kind of political operatives who specialize in lightening donors' pocketbooks rather than actually accomplishing things. A May New York Times expose found that the Conservative Partnership Institute, which contributed to Project 2025, had paid millions of dollars "to corporations led by its own leaders or their relatives" in a pattern of "insider transactions" that "raise concerns about self-dealing." People just looking to get paid are not exactly known for their ability to tackle complicated strategic and administrative challenges. Finally, there's the problem of Trump himself: that even as he demands unswerving loyalty from his subordinates, he exhibits zero hesitation about throwing those around him under the bus when doing so suits his interests or his mood. Multiple groups have gone all in on backing the 45th president. If they hoped for gratitude, they must be feeling disappointed. Initially, Trump seemed to stand behind the work being done at places like Heritage and the America First Policy Institute. But over the last year, his campaign managers have issued a series of escalating bulletins warning that "unless a message is coming directly from President Trump or an authorized member of his campaign team, no aspect of future presidential staffing or policy announcements should be deemed official." In Julyfollowing bad press regarding the Heritage policy agenda and Roberts' "bloodless revolution" commentsthe former president apparently decided he'd had enough. "I know nothing about Project 2025," he posted on his Truth Social platform. "I have no idea who is behind it. I disagree with some of the things they're saying and some of the things they're saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal." A campaign aide went further, telling Semafor that "if you're an organization that is purporting to be pushing 'Trump policies,' it's probably the last organization that we'll take references from for personnel." That smackdown by the Trump team, Semafor added, could "signal to conservative donors that Heritage, a power inside the movement for more than 50 years, would have less clout in a second administration." A few weeks later, Project 2025 chief Dans announced his departure from the think tank. "Reports of Project 2025's demise would be greatly welcomed," the campaign said in a statement, "and should serve as notice to anyone or any group trying to misrepresent their influence with President Trump." It's hardly certain that, push coming to shove, a future Trump White House would turn away help from groups such as Roberts'; staffing the executive branch may necessarily be an all-hands-on-deck effort. Still, the episode typifies the chaos that seems ever to follow in Trump's wake. Democrats are trying hard to paint Project 2025 as part of a "playbook for Trump to achieve his dream of being a dictator on day one." Yet the former president isn't even disciplined enough to play nice with a guy who sold out a venerable conservative policy institution in order to put it entirely at the disposal of Trumpian whims. The will to power is strong in MAGA world, but the dysfunction may be stronger. *CORRECTION: This article originally misstated the group for which Vance was an advisory board member. The post Project 2025 Is No Match for MAGA Dysfunction appeared first on Reason.com. Prominent Irish Fest chef killed in Kansas City shooting KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Kansas City metro is mourning the death of a prominent Irish Fest chef who was shot and killed outside his own business. On Wednesday night, multiple sources told FOX4 the victim is Shaun Brady, of Brady & Fox near E. 63rd and Rockhill. He was also a father. Kansas City police confirmed his identity early on Thursday morning, he was 44 years old. Kansas City police officers responded to that address Wednesday night on a report of a shooting and found a man dead. Witnesses said Brady had been trying to stop someone breaking into a car. Middle schooler dies after hard hit at football practice Brady appeared on FOX4 many times, cooking food to promote Irish Fest, which takes place this weekend. FOX4 spoke with Bradys longtime friend Pat ONeill, who talked about Bradys character. The Irish community is totally stunned. He was a beloved figure, a native of Ireland, just a generous do anything for anyone kind of guy, so, a lot of us again, stunned, praying, angry, wondering why, he said. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android No suspect is in custody at this time. Sources tell FOX4 the Irish Fest board is meeting Wednesday night. Anyone with information that can help detectives in this case can call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. We're tracking the Colorado General Assembly's special session on property taxes. This week's special session is focused on a property tax deal crafted by legislative leaders, the governor and two groups, Advance Colorado and Colorado Concern. The two groups pledged to withdraw two property tax ballot measures should the deal win approval from the General Assembly. Follow us here. A Lebanese depositor hurls an object towards the facade of a local bank in Beirut during a protest demanding their own money. As the tiny Mediterranean nations crippling economic crisis continues to worsen, a growing number of Lebanese depositors have opted to break into banks and forcefully withdraw their trapped savings. Marwan Naamani/dpa Dozens of people attacked several banks in Beirut in response to Lebanon's economic crisis, breaking windows, setting fires and burning tires at five different locations, according to a dpa journalist. The protests were organized by the Depositers Outcry Association. The demonstrators are demanding a solution to the frozen savings in Lebanese banks. The current situation, which has been going on for years, is "unacceptable," they said. One demonstrator on site shouted, "I have cancer and yet they don't want to give me my money." Lebanon has been in the worst economic crisis in its history since 2019. The country is running out of foreign currency. The banks have therefore imposed strict limits on withdrawals in foreign currencies. As a result, people can no longer access their savings in dollars. Many Lebanese have accounts denominated in US currency. For many of those affected, this means they can barely make ends meet, even though they have money in their accounts. People in the country repeatedly attack banks - to demand access to their frozen funds.. The crisis is also attributed to decades of corruption in politics and business. The Lebanese currency has lost more than 95% of its value. Three quarters of the more than six million people in the country are living in poverty, according to the United Nations. A Lebanese depositor attacks the facade of a local bank in Beirut during a protest demanding their own money. As the tiny Mediterranean nations crippling economic crisis continues to worsen, a growing number of Lebanese depositors have opted to break into banks and forcefully withdraw their trapped savings. Marwan Naamani/dpa A Lebanese depositor attacks the facade of a local bank in Beirut during a protest demanding their own money. As the tiny Mediterranean nations crippling economic crisis continues to worsen, a growing number of Lebanese depositors have opted to break into banks and forcefully withdraw their trapped savings. Marwan Naamani/dpa LEWISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Residents in several central Pennsylvania counties have the opportunity to provide input on the regions multimodal transportation system and its future. SEDA-Council of Governments is working on a long range transportation plan (LRTP) for the counties it covers: Juniata, Mifflin, Clinton, Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union. The LRTP impacts the counties in our metropolitan planning organization region, ensuring that the regions needs and potential funding levels are considered over a 25-year planning horizon, says Kim Wheeler, SEDA-COG Executive Director. The public survey is an important step in pursuing projects that align with the regions transportation vision and goals. The LRTP is updated every four or five years to reflect changes in regulations, regional demographics and travel patterns, and the priorities of residents and other stakeholders, says Steve Herman, SEDA-COG MPOs Director of Transportation. A wide variety of project types will be included in the final LRTP, from major, capital-intensive projects, to those focused on traffic operations. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter Public participation, SEDA-COG says, is key to the development of the plan and the public is encouraged to take a survey here. A printed version can also be requested by contacting Kristin McLaughlin, SEDA-COGs project manager, at 570-524-4491. The plan is currently in its first phase of data collection and analysis. During the plans development, the MPO will assess all modes of transportation, including walking, biking, driving, transit, and freight. Once completed, the plan will be used to identify transportation investments that align with the publics goals for the region, such as improved safety and mobility, reduced congestion, and economic development potential. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. A billboard promoting Enbridge Inc. (Susan Demas | Michigan Advance) Opposition continues to grow against the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline, after a federal judge ruled the Canadian energy company trespassed on Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa land in 2013. A coalition of faith organizations, environmental advocates, tribal communities, farmers, public health experts, business owners and residents have submitted over 150,000 public comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, opposing the pipelines continued operation. Some of those views were voiced in a virtual press conference Wednesday morning. Gussie Lord, managing attorney for the Tribal Partnership Program at EarthJustice, highlighted the various risks the pipeline could pose. EarthJustice represents the Bad River Band, which sued Enbridge over the operation of Line 5 on the Bad River reservation. Enbridge continued operating Line 5 even after easements with the Bad River Band expired in 2013, with the band declining to renew them. Last year, a federal judge ordered Enbridge to remove the pipeline from the Bad River land by 2026. As an alternative to shutting down the decades-old pipeline, Enbridge has proposed rerouting Line 5 around the reservation. Outside the reservation, the reroute would create 43 miles of pipeline across wetlands, streams and other ecosystems which are still part of the Bad River Bands watershed. Theres 180 river crossings in the Lake Superior basin, said Lord, noting that wetlands are important for controlling floods, which has grown in severity over recent years. Before constructing the reroute, Enbridge is required to obtain numerous permits from state and local agencies, as well as permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. On Friday, a public comment period for the U.S. Army Corps will close,. Lord called the pipeline deeply unpopular, stating that, people dont want this fossil fuel infrastructure entrenched. They dont want the threats to the Great Lakes. During a hearing in June, 90 people spoke in opposition to the pipeline while 45 spoke in favor. The trend continued during a hearing on Aug. 5, where 24 people spoke against the pipeline and seven spoke in support of Line 5. Robert Blanchard, Chairman of the Bad River Band, said, Weve been fighting this for quite some time now. Even today, over a decade after the easements ended, the pipeline continues to operate on the Bad Rivers land. Were still fighting that, said Blanchard. We just dont want that threat to our lands and our waterways and Lake Superior, our wild rice beds which we are harvesting nowIf we were to have something happen right now that could really damage our wild rice crop for many, many years to come and maybe forever. And thats something that we do not want to see. Blanchard also pointed to fishermen who depend on clean water, hunters who depend on clean land and the importance these resources have to indigenous culture and survival. Ive hunted, Ive fished, said Blanchard, adding that these were crucial to feeding families. That was a way of life for us, said Blanchard. So this is what we are fighting for. Our homelands. Our way of life. Climate activists also joined the call. Isak Dragstveit, a college freshman from northern Wisconsin, where his family owns a tree farm, stressed that the Great Lakes hold 85% of fresh surface water on Earth. Studies suggest over two-thirds of youth in America are plagued by something called climate anxiety, said Dragstveit. I too, felt and still feel this anxiety, and chose to convert that ball of energy churning in my stomach into the courage to speak before you today. The college freshman added, Line 5 is an investment in a future that doesnt exist anymore. Theres no return on the money and natural destruction spent on a project that leads to the past. Invoking the Wisconsin state motto, Forward! Dragstveit called on the Department of Natural Resources and Gov. Tony Evers to oppose Line 5. Abby Novinska-Lois, executive director of Healthy Climate Wisconsin, discussed Enbridges history with oil spills. Enbridge is responsible for the two largest inland oil spills in U.S. historyThe Michigan Department of Health reported that the spill increased neurological and respiratory symptoms, impaired immune system function, and caused reproductive problems. Novinska-Lois said Line 5 has spilled dozens of times over its history, including a spill in Wisconsin that went unreported by Enbridge for over a year. Were speaking up because these spills threaten safe drinking water for millions. Clean water is foundational to public health. The sentiment was shared by faith groups, environmental businesses and Wisconsin beef farmer Xander Waters, who said that Enbridges main concern appears to be profits. This is extremely terrifying, with a 70-year-old pipeline that goes through the Great Lakes, goes through Bad River at the highly eroded site, said Waters. Enbridge has pipeline infrastructure on Waters property, he said, adding that dealing with the oil company has been difficult. Waters fears that Enbridge feels that it can simply buy its way out of accountability when a spill happens. Its just a horrible decision if the Army Corps should choose to allow the reroute to continue, because it would perpetuate a pipeline that should not be here and is unconscionable. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Putin to travel to Mongolia next week despite an ICC warrant for his arrest FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, leads a meeting with top security and defense officials at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside of Moscow, Russia, on Aug. 12, 2024, to discuss the fighting in the Kursk and Belgorod border regions of Russia. (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File) Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Mongolia next week, the Kremlin said Thursday, despite the country being a member of the International Criminal Court, which last year issued a warrant for his arrest. The visit, scheduled for Sept. 3, will be Putin's first trip to an ICC member state since the warrant was issued in March 2023 over suspected war crimes in Ukraine. Under the courts founding treaty, the Rome Statute, ICC members are bound to detain suspects for whom an arrest warrant has been issued by the court, if they set foot on their soil. But the court doesn't have any enforcement mechanism. In a famous case, then Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir wasn't arrested in 2015 when he visited South Africa, which is a member of the court, sparking angry condemnation by rights activists and the countrys main opposition party. The Kremlin, which had previously stressed that it doesn't recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC, didn't comment on the prospects of Putin being arrested in Mongolia. According to the Kremlin's online statement, Putin will travel to Mongolia upon the invitation of President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh to participate in the ceremonial events dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the joint victory of the Soviet and Mongolian armed forces over the Japanese militarists on the Khalkhin Gol River. Putin will also hold talks with Khurelsukh and other top Mongolian officials, the statement read. The ICC has accused Putin of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine, where Moscow has fought a devastating war for the last 2 years. It was the first time the global court has issued a warrant against a leader of one of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. The ICC said in a statement that Putin is allegedly responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of (children) and that of unlawful transfer of (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation. The Kremlin has dismissed the warrant as null and void. Putin hasn't traveled to ICC member states ever since. Putin skipped a summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies last year in South Africa. South Africa lobbied Moscow for months for Putin not to attend to avoid the diplomatic fallout since the country is an ICC member, and ultimately announced the countries had reached a mutual agreement that Putin not attend a meeting he's normally a fixture at. The Kremlin said that Putin had decided not to attend in person. He instead took part in the summit in Johannesburg by video link, during which he launched a tirade against the West. Last, year, the Kremlin also bristled at old ally Armenia over its decision to join the ICC, adding to the growing tensions between Moscow and Yerevan. Armenian officials, however, quickly sought to assure Russia that Putin wouldn't be arrested if he entered the country. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Quinton Lucas has nobody but himself to blame for Kansas City police funding failure | Opinion Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has decried passage of Amendment 4. His list of complaints: His lack of political control over the citys police department, the increased funding requirement and the financial burden it places on local taxpayers. His arguments are internally contradictory and dont stand up to scrutiny. Lucas has two positions on policing. First, and what got us here, was his effort to redirect funding from police activities into newer approaches to violence prevention. He doesnt believe an increase in funding for the KCPD would be useful in countering rising violent crime. Yet his spokesperson Jazzlyn Johnson tells me more funding can support law enforcement success. Which is it? Research tells us increasing police officers reduces homicides and pays a dividend in crime reduction. Lucas knows this too it seems he just wants to be on both sides of the funding argument. Lucas also asserts the KCPD is not sufficiently under the thumb of local politicians. But the mayor exerted more control over Kansas City policing than any other Missouri politician. Johnson apparently recognizes this, lauding the mayors work in getting leadership change at KCPD, higher pay for officers, and closer relationships between the police department and our community. Lucas claims the homicide rate is proof the Board of Police Commissioners system doesnt work. This is nonsensical. The current system has been in place since the 1930s, through good times and bad. The structure has nothing to do with our high homicide rate. This is a political red herring. As for Amendment 4, this is Lucas own fault. Back in May 2021, the heyday of the defund the police movement, Lucas and his City Council colleagues introduced two ordinances. According to Black Enterprise, One significantly cuts the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) budget and the other creates a new community fund. Lucas again played both sides of the street by arguing cutting police funding wasnt really defunding the police, according to Fox4KC. The police board sued the city, alleging the action was unlawful. A Jackson County judge ruled against the city, ordering the funds be restored. In the ruling, the judge pointed out the ordinance states its intent is to reduce the annual police budget. He also found the city, having already passed a budget for the year, transferred the monies in those city accounts to a new account. Once Kansas City adopted the budget and transferred funds to the police, it could not then move the money around. The city refunded to the police the money Lucas claims not to have defunded. It was a complete legal defeat for Lucas. But thats not where it ends. The General Assembly drafted legislation increasing Kansas Citys required spending on police from 20% of its general revenue fund to 25%. It passed the overwhelmingly Republican legislature in Jefferson City and won with over 63% of the statewide vote in November 2022. Lucas and others complained that the ballot language was misleading. A court agreed and a corrected measure was back on the ballot this month. It again won statewide, albeit by a much slimmer margin. Back in 2021, Lucas could have waited until the next budget to make the changes he desired. He could have used his position on the Board of Police Commissioners to negotiate from a position of strength how police funds are assigned. Instead, he picked fights he should have known were hopeless. Lucas made Kansas City and himself irresistible political targets for Jefferson City. He diminished the legislative freedom of all future city leaders. And he wasted public funds fighting a losing battle. Now he wants to cast blame everywhere else: on the police board system, on the legislature, on the voters of Missouri. I asked the mayor if he had any regrets about what led up to Amendment 4. None were provided. But it all of it rests squarely on his shoulders. Patrick Tuohey is co-founder of Better Cities Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on municipal policy solutions, and a senior fellow at the Show-Me Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to Missouri state policy work. Gareth Dennis, a rail design engineer, said his 'dream job' was 'ripped away' from him A minister pushed to have a railway engineer fired after he raised safety concerns about overcrowding at London Euston station. Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, who until July was chairman of Network Rail, appeared to tell Gareth Denniss employers that he would withhold lucrative public contracts unless they dismissed him, it has been alleged. Lord Hendy appeared to have been angered after Mr Dennis described Network Rails response to crowds at Euston as unsafe, despite regulator Office of Rail and Road (ORR) previously forcing the state-owned company to take safety action over similar concerns. Mr Dennis, a design engineer, said he was dismissed from HS2 contractor Systra earlier this month after speaking to a journalist about the ORRs investigation into how Network Rail deals with large crowds at Euston station. Mr Dennis had commented on the Euston situation for an April story for the Independent. He was quoted as a railway engineer and the article did not mention Systra. The ORR investigated how Network Rail deals with large crowds at Euston station - istock/george clerk The engineer said he was paraphrasing what the ORR had said in October when it served an improvement notice on Network Rail, following what it described as unacceptable levels of overcrowding together with reports of minor injuries that had the potential for more serious consequences. It was honestly my dream job, Mr Dennis said. Im pretty unhappy that that role has been ripped from me. After the article was published, Lord Hendy wrote to Systras UK chief executive, Nick Salt, and said: Gareth Dennis is a Systra employee, so he must write with your authority. Please let me know what evidence you have to substantiate his allegation, or alternatively what action you are taking if what he alleges is not your companys view. Lord Hendy also said in the letter, sent on Network Rail headed paper in May and first published on the Politico website: Employees here know that what they say in the media reflects on their employment, and I should like confirmation that your employees understand that too. And, of course, finding a potential supplier criticising a possible client reflects adversely on your likelihood of doing business with us or our supply chain. Lord Hendy, the rail minister, was formerly the chairman of Network Rail - Steve Back In a follow-up email seen by The Telegraph that was dated five days later, he added: Looking forward to your reply. If you would rather, Id be happy to take it up with your head office and shareholders. Systra dismissed Mr Dennis for misconduct after bosses told him in a letter that they had received a complaint from Lord Peter Hendy, chairman of Network Rail (a Systra Ltd key client), adding: To this end, your conduct has brought the name/reputation of Systra Ltd and Network Rail into disrepute. Lord Hendy gave up his Network Rail chairmanship when he was appointed to the Department for Transport as rail minister in July. Helen Whately, the shadow transport secretary, said Labour and Lord Hendy had serious questions to answer about Mr Dennis dismissal. We need a culture in Government where people arent afraid to speak up when somethings wrong, she said. We now need to know who knew what and when, and whether Keir Starmer thinks his ministers conduct is acceptable. Ms Whately has written to the Cabinet Office to demand answers, The Telegraph understands. Click here to view this content. A Network Rail spokesman said: The rail regulators concerns raised in September 2023 about passenger congestion at Euston station were addressed and put to bed in December 2023, months before the Independent piece was published. Decisions on how employee conduct is handled is a matter for employers in this case, Systra. A Systra spokesman said: We are unable to comment on individual staff matters other than to confirm that a thorough investigation was carried out. The Department for Transport did not respond to a request for comment but said the May 2024 incident, which it did not deny, took place before Lord Hendy was made a minister. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Freight railroad BNSF is generally striving to improve safety on a consistent basis, but that message doesnt always reach front-line workers who often dont feel comfortable reporting safety concerns for fear of being disciplined, according to an assessment released Wednesday by regulators. The Federal Railroad Administrations review of BNSFs safety culture also found that the company continues to be held back by some of the same issues that have been common across the industry for years. This new report is the second one the agency has completed to address railroad safety concerns following the disastrous February 2023 Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, as it works to review all the major railroads. The BNSF review is more positive than last summers Norfolk Southern report, which said executives at that railroad were too often satisfied with only doing the minimum for safety. The FRA found that company leaders consistently stressed safety as a core value, but at the lower levels of the railroad, some managers still prioritize keeping the trains moving ahead of safety. Big Boy, the 1.2 million-pound train, to stop in 10 states this fall Changes in messaging create doubt among front-line craft employees as to the true goals, priorities and commitments of the railroad, the agency said in the report. Regulators also reiterated their recommendation for BNSF and all the major freight railroads to sign on to the confidential federal safety reporting hotline for workers to report concerns without fear of being punished. BNSF earned praise for launching a pilot program with that hotline for its dispatchers earlier this year, but the FRA said it needs to be available to all rail workers. The industry has a long history of retaliating against workers who report too many safety concerns, because those issues slow down the trains while repairs are made. All the major railroads promised to join that federal reporting system after East Palestine, but so far only BNSF and Norfolk Southern have announced limited pilot programs. Effective reporting systems improve safety by reducing risks and allow for changes and repairs to be made so safety incidents do not recur, according to the report. BNSF said it would review the FRA report and look for ways to continue improving safety, but said it is proud of its record after recording the lowest number of injuries in the railroads history last year and continuing to reduce train accidents this year. We will continue to make strides in our safety achievements and are committed to continuous improvement as we work to achieve our safety vision of operating a railroad free of accidents and injuries, the railroad said in a statement. BNSF is one of the nations largest railroads, with tracks crossing the Western United States. It is based in Fort Worth, Texas, and is owned by Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate of Omaha, Nebraska. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. American forces are ready with a range of options to deal with increasing acts of aggression in the disputed South China Sea if ordered to carry them out jointly and after consultations with treaty ally the Philippines, a U.S. admiral said. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command chief Adm. Samuel Paparo, who heads the biggest number of combat forces outside the U.S. mainland, refused to provide details of the contingency options. Paparo's comments came when asked at a news conference what the longtime treaty allies could do to deal with Chinas so-called gray-zone tactics in the disputed waters. US military open to escorting Philippine ships in South China Sea The gray-zone tactics refer to types of assault, like water cannon fire and the blocking and ramming of rival ships in the disputed waters, that are under the threshold of an actual armed attack and wouldnt allow the Philippines to invoke its 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the U.S. The treaty obligates either country to help the other in case of an armed external attack. We certainly have prepared a range of options and USINDOPACOM stands ready, if so called, after consultations in accordance with the treaty to execute those shoulder to shoulder with our ally, Paparo said. Detailing those U.S. military options would allow the potential adversary to build a countermeasure to those, he said. Paparo held a joint news conference with Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romero Brawner Jr., after both led an annual meeting in the northern Philippine mountain city of Baguio to discuss security challenges and military plans. They include the Balikatan Tagalog for shoulder to shoulder the treaty allies largest combat exercises, which in April involved more than 16,000 American and Philippine forces and were partly staged in the South China Sea. In response to a question, Paparo repeated the U.S. military is open, after treaty consultations with the Philippines, to escorting Philippine ships in the South China Sea amid a spike in hostilities between Beijing and Manila in the disputed waters. Such a prospect would risk putting U.S. Navy ships in direct collisions with those of China. Washington and Beijing have been on a collision course over Chinas increasingly assertive actions to defend its territorial claims in the South China Sea, and Beijings stated goal of annexing Taiwan, by force if necessary. Brawner said the Philippines could still fend for itself in the disputed waters, where hostilities with the Chinese coast guard, navy and suspected militia ships have alarmingly spiked since last year. If we exhaust all the options and nothing works, then thats the time we can ask for help, Brawner told reporters. When Philippine forces in the disputed waters are at the verge of dying, because food supplies were being blocked by Chinese forces, then thats the time that we are going to seek the help of the United States, Brawner said, but added that we still have a lot of options. During combat exercises by U.S. and Philippine forces in April, the U.S. military transported a midrange missile system to the northern Philippines, angering China, which warned that the missile system can trigger a regional arms race and endanger regional stability. Beijing demanded the U.S. missile system, which can threaten mainland China, be pulled out of the Philippines. Paparo and Brawner refused to say on Thursday if and when the missile system would be flown out of the Philippines. Brawner thanked the U.S. military for transporting the high-tech weaponry to the country, saying Philippine forces were being exposed to advance defense equipment that the Philippine military plan to acquire in the future. "Just like what we did with the Stingers and with the Javelins, we start training already even if we dont have them yet in our inventory, Brawner said. China has angered the Philippines by repeatedly harassing its navy and coast guard ships with powerful water cannons, a military-grade laser, blocking movements and other dangerous maneuvers in the high seas near two disputed South China Sea shoals. They have led to minor collisions that have injured several Philippine navy personnel and damaged supply boats. China has accused the Philippines of setting off the hostilities in the disputed waters by encroaching in what it says are its offshore territories, demarcated by 10 dashes on a map. It says the Chinese coast guard and navy have been forced to take action to expel Philippine coast guard and other vessels from those areas. The Philippines has repeatedly cited a 2016 international arbitration ruling based on the U.N. Convention of the Law of the Sea that invalidated Chinas claim over virtually the entire South China Sea on historical grounds. Aaron Favila contributed to this report. Rapper Lil Baby told police to just arrest him after allegedly bringing gun to Las Vegas Strip casino, report says LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Lil Baby repeatedly told detectives to just arrest him for the charge and lets go, before he was arrested on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon at a Las Vegas casino, according to an arrest report. On the evening of Aug. 26, around 8:30 p.m., the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was alerted to a situation involving Dominique Armani Jones, also known as the rapper Lil Baby, at a casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Security reported Jones for possibly carrying a tan-colored firearm in his waistband while gambling, according to the report. Lil Baby arrested on suspicion of carrying concealed weapon in Las Vegas Security at the casino reviewed the video surveillance which showed Jones to have a tan-colored firearm in his inner waistband. Police said Jones reached for his firearm placed it inside a black duffle bag and handed it over to a man who was with Jones. That man was contacted by security and the firearm was confiscated from him at the casino property, the report stated. LVMPD officials then interviewed Jones, who admitted that he knew carrying a firearm in the casino was not allowed, but had forgotten he had it with him after visiting a nightclub earlier, according to the report. Jones claimed to have a concealed weapons permit from Georgia, but was informed by detectives that such a permit is not valid in Nevada, the report stated. Police said Jones repeatedly told detectives to just arrest him for the charge and lets go, according to the report. Jones also told police he would beat the charge because of his Georgia-based permit, despite being told that permit was not valid. Court records show Jones was arrested on Aug. 26. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 1. He faces a felony charge of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. A booking photo for Jones was not immediately available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. A rare bird that numbered in the hundreds in California two decades ago was spotted at a city park. The sighting is a powerful testament to collective efforts that have helped the species rebound. As detailed by the Los Angeles Times, a Least Bell's Vireo returned to Rio de Los Angeles State Park after a habitat restoration initiative targeting the creature began about two years ago. The small gray bird, listed as endangered by California in 1980, favors wetlands near rivers and streams, commonly referred to as a riparian habitat. However, as noted by the Times, as much as 97% of riparian habitats in the Golden State were already lost in 1999, with urbanization and other pollution from human activities contributing to their decline. Six years after California added the Least Bell's Vireo to its endangered list, the federal government did the same. Now, there are nearly 3,000 documented pairs in California after only 291 pairs were recorded 20 years ago, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. "It's persistent. It's a survivor," said Nicolas Gonzalez, National Audubon Society senior communications manager for migration science. "Sometimes it takes a really long time to see the change," added Evelyn "Evy" Serrano, the director at Audubon Center at Debs Park. According to Serrano, two nesting pairs of Least Bell's Vireo were seen at Rio de Los Angeles within one year of the start of the restoration, which included cooperation between volunteer teams and professional organizations, including Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR) and California State Parks. "It was really nice to see it happen so quickly," Serrano said. The restoration at Rio de Los Angeles is just one of the many success stories proving that small actions can significantly impact biodiversity, which keeps our ecosystems running smoothly and helps to prevent disruptions to the availability of food or medicines. For example, conservationists reintroduced the Atlantic sturgeon to Sweden's Gota alv River after pollution and overfishing resulted in the disappearance of the fish. Its return is expected to benefit the health of the river, supporting species like the Atlantic salmon. To protect the Least Bell's Vireo, the Audubon Center at Debs Park encourages parkgoers to respect listed rules and have educational conversations with others about the "amazing" birds. Volunteers are also still needed to support restoration efforts. While the project at Rio de Los Angeles is newer, work to restore the Los Angeles River has been ongoing since the late 1990s, according to the Times. "FoLAR brings thousands of people to the river each year, and that's something we're really proud of," Candice Dickens-Russell, the organization's CEO, said in a 2023 statement, as reported by the Los Angeles Daily News. In fact, prior to a volunteer day last year, FoLAR changed its trash cleanup location after Least Bell's Vireos were seen. This was to ensure their nesting process wouldn't be disrupted. "It's a wonderful thing," FoLAR COO Dennis Mabasa told the Daily News. "It tells us that we have a regenerating environment along the river. The return of this endangered bird is the resurgence of wildlife we've tried for, and pursued, for 30 years." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. A rare stone seal dating back 2,700 years ago from the First Temple Period was discovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority in Jerusalem on Thursday. The seal was used to sign documents by a senior official in the Kingdom of Judah's administration. More information will be presented during the annual City of David Research Conference on Wednesday. View comments Graduate recruiter attacks Rayners right to switch off policy in LinkedIn rant Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, is planning to ban bosses from contacting staff outside of their contracted hours - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu via Getty Images Angela Rayners promise to give workers a right to switch off is the exact opposite of flexibility, a senior recruiter at the consulting giant Accenture has said. Sam Turnpenny, a lead member of Accentures UK campus graduate recruitment team, said the policy is a load of rubbish and needs further scrutiny. In a post shared on LinkedIn, he said: Firstly, how am I supposed to speak to my colleagues in Sydney? Should I be banned from having meetings with them? Strict working hours rules just wont work for international firms. Secondly, are we all really routinely getting out-of-hours texts from our bosses asking us to log back in? I have a feeling that its a small minority making a lot of noise. Labour is planning to ban bosses from contacting staff outside of their contracted hours as part of a major overhaul of workers rights championed by the Deputy Prime Minister. The proposal would give employees the right to ignore late night emails or take calls out of hours. It is designed to prevent homes turning into 24/7 offices and to boost productivity. Ms Rayner is expected to water down the policy from a legal right to a non-binding code of practice after the proposal was omitted from the Kings Speech last month. Mr Turnpenny also said he was shocked by the countless posts from flexible working advocates on LinkedIn touting the policy as a big step forward. He said: This isnt flexible working, is it? Surely making me sit at my desk from 9-5.30 is the exact opposite of flexibility? I have codified work hours in my contract, but sometimes I log on early and finish early, or log off late and start late the next day. And guess what? I dont need a code of practice to make that happen. Mr Turnpenny is responsible for filling hundreds of UK graduate consulting roles at the New York-listed firm, including within technology, engineering and manufacturing. The recruiter made clear that he was sharing his own personal views rather than speaking on behalf of Accenture. Mr Turnpenny argued that the employers should address the root causes of overtime, such as poor leadership skills, tedious bureaucracy, inefficient processes and presenteeism. Accenture, which specialises in IT consulting, employs about 750,000 workers across 49 countries. The firms UK operation includes offices in London, Manchester and Newcastle. A Department for Business and Trade spokesman said: Our plan to Make Work Pay will consider a range of approaches on the right to switch off that work for businesses and employees alike. We will set out further details in due course. Accenture declined to comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Another holiday weekend means another record-setting amount of travel coming in and out of Southern California. KTLAs Eric Spillman was at Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday morning, where he described the scene as busy but not terrible. There were long security and check-in lines early in the morning, but they subsided as airport staffing increased. Spillman spoke to numerous travelers, including a group of women visiting from Missouri and a mother taking her young child to Disneyland from Sacramento. According to the TSA, this weekend will be the busiest Labor Day Weekend on record for air travel. The TSA expects to screen 2.8 million people on Friday alone. People are traveling more than ever this summer and TSA along with our airline and airport partners stand ready to close the busiest summer travel period on record during this upcoming Labor Day weekend, said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. The majority of travel in Southern California, however, will come via car, according to AAA. AAA said that domestic travel bookings this Labor Day Weekend are up 9% compared to last years. The top destinations for car travel for Southern Californians are San Diego, Anaheim, the Grand Canyon and the Central Coast. In terms of flights, here are the top domestic destinations for the weekend from Southern California: Seattle, WA Orlando, FL Anchorage, AK New York, NY Boston, MA Las Vegas, NV Denver, CO Chicago, IL Juneau, AK San Francisco, CA Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. As we celebrate Labor Day this year, it is an opportune time to remember the women who have helped pave the way in advocating for the workforce in our state and country. Frances Perkins was the first female, and longest serving U.S. secretary of labor in our nations history. She was also the first woman to serve in a presidential Cabinet. She was a huge proponent of workers' rights causing President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to nominate her as secretary of labor in 1933. She presented him with a list of things she wanted to fight for, including Social Security, unemployment insurance and the minimum wage. To this day, the federal Department of Labor building in Washington, D.C., is named the Frances Perkins Building. Here in Oklahoma, one of our pioneers was Kate Barnard, the first woman to be elected to a statewide office in 1907. She was a tireless advocate for workers' rights and social reforms. As the commissioner of charities and corrections, she fought for child labor laws, better working conditions, and the rights of women and children. More: Employees declining their vacation time isnt a win. It's bad for work-life balance As I grew up and pondered a future career, I remember that I had never seen a female plumber or a male nurse. Im glad that, in my lifetime, we have put away those gender stereotypes and instead have focused on passion for the job, ability and work ethic. As the third female elected state labor commissioner, I am proud to have followed in the footsteps of Brenda Reneau and Melissa Houston. We must continue to fight for inclusiveness and an agnostic attitude toward gender in professions. The old adage of telling our children that they can be whatever they want to be has never been more accurate. Today, there are still issues to fight for and causes to champion. In the last few years, several states have passed laws to weaken child labor laws to aid in workforce shortages. Those states are now seeing higher high school dropout rates. The temporary fix of a youth helping out their family then leads to low educational levels and a life of minimum wage jobs. Lets advocate for safety nets to help those children and families to get by, while allowing our kids to graduate and attain profitable employment and opportunities that will last a lifetime. Another issue being pushed in legislatures across the country is the ability to allow businesses to reclassify their full-time employees as independent contractors. This allows the business owner to stop paying for pensions and health insurance. In a state that unfortunately has low educational outcomes and high poverty, we once again see the victimization of the working class. As often as we see improvements in things such as workplace safety, we have to watch that we do not go backward in other areas. So, as we commemorate Labor Day this year, lets remember the groundbreaking women who have helped shape our labor movement and continue to fight for fair, safe and inclusive workplaces. My personal hope is that we support all of our citizens in reaching their full potential, while championing equity and opportunity in all professions. Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn Leslie Osborn is Oklahoma's labor commissioner. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: On Labor Day, remember groundbreaking women who shaped labor movement NILES, Ohio (WKBN) The Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber continued a tradition Thursday morning with its Salute to Business breakfast. The event took place at the Eastwood Event Centre in Niles. Over 600 people were there the largest event since 2007. They even had to add tables to accommodate everyone. The keynote speaker was Robert Schlaeger of the Foxconn Technology Group. Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the Chamber, also hinted at things to come. We are focused on regrowing our population, and in October will announce strategies to get more working-age people off the sidelines and into employment, he said. Several other business leaders were also honored with special awards. Brian Oehlbeck contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Forty-two percent of Black-owned homes in Washington have zero net worth. That means their owners face more financial hardships and a more difficult time holding onto the property. In Thurston County, the homeownership rate for white, non-Hispanic households is 69%, while the homeownership rate for Black households is 45%. The Black Home Initiative looks to better those numbers and bring more homeownership opportunities to Black families, and the program is expanding into Thurston County. The Black Home Initiative is a regional effort started by the Seattle nonprofit Civic Commons to help 1,500 new low- and moderate-income Black households become stable homeowners within the next five years. It already has partnerships with the cities of Seattle, Tacoma, Burien, and Tukwila, as well as Pierce County. The Tumwater City Council received a briefing on the program Aug. 27 and offered unanimous support for the programs expansion into the county. The following day, the Thurston County Regional Housing Council met with representatives from each city and the county to gauge their interest, and not everyone was on the same page. Olympia housing program specialist Christa Lenssen said the Olympia City Council received a briefing on the program in July and has already signed the pledge to partner with BHI. She said the Affordable Housing advisory board also supports the programs expansion into the county. But the cities of Lacey and Yelm, and the Thurston County Board of Commissioners werent ready to fully agree to a partnership. Lacey council member Carolyn Cox said she presented the partnership plan to the Lacey City Council, and they expressed interest in joining. But the city manager recommended they have their Commission on Equity and other staff take a look at the plan and bring it back for a council study session before making a final decision. So thats a long way of saying were interested, but weve got some thinking to do, Cox said. County Commissioner Carolina Mejia said the county hasnt had a chance to discuss the proposal. She said it will be added to a future work session before the commission makes a final decision. Gary Cooper with the City of Yelm said the proposal hasnt been presented to their council. He said they dont have a housing program in Yelm, and though he could see them being in support of the initiative, it would only be moral support. I cant imagine Yelm would be opposed to doing that, but staffing resources would be pretty limited, he said. Cox said if the Regional Housing Council were to go ahead and sign the partner pledge, it doesnt preclude the other jurisdictions from signing on at a later time. Olympia council member Dani Madrone recommended the RHC go ahead and sign the partner pledge because there are things they can do as an inter-jurisdictional body. She said the RHC has talked about developing a policy platform together and the Affordable Housing advisory board has asked that the RHC support the initiatives expansion into Thurston County. I think its great that the other jurisdictions are considering it, but I think that we can also consider it separate from those decisions and say that, yeah, we think that this is really, really important for our region, and wed like to figure out the role that our body can play in this, Madrone said. Tumwater council member Michael Althauser said he thinks it would be meaningful for Tumwater to join the coalition and work together as a region and to not go at the partnership alone. I think the goals are ambitious and incredibly worthwhile, he said. I think its an exciting initiative, and I would be proud for us to support it. The US Department of Defense has signed contracts with the American company Lockheed Martin for about $5 billion related to the production, maintenance, modernization and use of fifth-generation F-35 fighter-bombers, Azernews reports. The $3.91 billion contract deals with the purchase of systems for training the management of these aircraft, testing of the F-35, their production, transfer, modernization and maintenance. The $1 billion contract is related, in particular, to ensuring the operation of facilities where the F-35 is serviced and related developments are underway, as well as improving the aircraft software. Lockheed Martin will receive almost $200 million more for increasing its F-35 repair capacity. Lockheed Martin announced in July that it plans to release up to 110 upgraded F-35s this year. The company clarified that on July 19, it began deliveries of the first F-35 aircraft in the Technology Refresh 3 configuration. This modification includes an update to the F-35 software, as well as various hardware. Regulators in final months of hearings over how to deal with 2,000 miles of aging gas pipes under Chicago A regulatory battle over the subterranean network of century-old gas pipes buried beneath the streets of Chicago is entering the final rounds, with billions of dollars, safety concerns and the future of the citys energy infrastructure riding on the outcome. Filings last week in the ongoing Illinois Commerce Commission investigation into the paused Peoples Gas pipeline replacement program heated up arguments over the scope of the massive undertaking, ranging from just repairing leaks to upgrading the whole system. The ICC put the slow-moving pipeline replacement program on hold last fall, with a decision on its future expected after the investigation wraps up in January. Consumer groups have long argued that the utility should focus on repairing and replacing the most vulnerable leak-prone pipes, while Peoples has been looking to replace 2,000 miles of aging iron pipes and upgrade from a low- to a medium-pressure gas system. The complete system upgrade has taken years longer and cost billions more than originally projected. During the yearlong investigation, Peoples proposed a slight refinement of its existing program by eliminating the replacement of 49 miles of large cast-iron pipe, ostensibly saving about $330 million. It dubbed the option the preferred alternative approach for continuing the systemwide pipeline upgrade. Brett Seagle, an ICC staff engineer, filed testimony last week in support of the refined Peoples proposal, which would cost a projected $7.2 billion and take until 2040 to complete. Upgrading the companys low pressure system is both reasonable and prudent, Seagle said. A medium-pressure system offers significant safety features that are not available in a low-pressure system. The utility touted the ICC engineers findings in a news release Thursday. The conclusions by ICC experts confirm what prior research showed and what our own construction teams have been seeing underground for years, said Bill Mastoris, who became interim president of Peoples Gas in June. It is critical this very old system be modernized. We must work together. Mastoris, a longtime executive with Peoples parent company, Milwaukee-based WEC Energy Group, replaced Torrence Hinton, who left after two years in the role to become president of electric utility operations in Ohio for FirstEnergy. Peoples Gas, which serves 891,000 customers in Chicago, was acquired by WEC Energy Group in 2015. Launched in 2011, the Safety (formerly System) Modernization Program was plagued from the outset by delays and budget overruns. More than a decade later, the pipeline program is 38% complete. Peoples Gas said it would take until 2040 and cost upward of $8 billion to complete at the time it was paused. The pipeline replacement program was originally projected to cost $2.6 billion and take 20 years to complete. Peoples Gas filed for a record $402 million rate hike for 2024, in large part to continue funding its pipeline replacement program after a 10-year legislative surcharge enabling it to automatically pass the costs along to customers expired at the end of last year. In November, the ICC issued an order pausing the pipeline program and reducing the rate increase. The replacement program was driven by pressure from the administration of former President Barack Obama to hold utilities across the U.S. accountable for aging pipeline systems following a 2010 explosion in San Bruno, California, that killed eight people, injured 58 and destroyed 38 homes. But consumer advocates have argued for years that gas pipelines may be obsolete by the time Peoples completes the systemwide infrastructure upgrade, as the shift to electrification and renewable energy sources such as wind and solar gain traction. Abe Scarr, director of Illinois PIRG, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization, remains hopeful the commission will rein in the program to focus on replacing leak-prone pipes, despite the testimony of the staff engineer. I am confident thats not going to win the day in the case, and that the Commission will take that into account as it should, but will also take into account the testimony of other parties, which calls for a much more significant reevaluation of the program, down to the studs, Scarr said. The Illinois attorney generals office, the city of Chicago, PIRG and other consumer advocates have all filed testimony to the ICC in the case advocating more oversight and a scaled-down approach to the pipe replacement project. Scarr said the urgency of replacing aging pipes is not in question, but better risk assessment methods and a strategy for targeted repair would be preferable than continuing the broader system upgrade decades into the future, where other forms of clean energy may supplant gas. Peoples Gas has a specific problem with old aging pipes thats what this program is supposed to be about, Scarr said. Were trying to get refocused on effectively addressing that, and not Peoples Gas desire to change its whole system from low to medium pressure. We may not even be using this system in 30 years. rchannick@chicagotribune.com Family members and supporters of hostages kidnapped during October 7 attack use loudspeakers to call their captive loved ones, at Kibbutz Nirim Family members and supporters of hostages kidnapped during October 7 attack use loudspeakers to call their captive loved ones, at Kibbutz Nirim KIBBUTZ NIRIM, Israel (Reuters) - Families of Israeli hostages being held in the Gaza Strip protested near the border on Thursday, demanding a deal to secure their release and at one point made a dash to try to cross into the coastal enclave. Relatives of some of the 107 hostages still held by Palestinian militants in Gaza, carrying photographs and wearing shirts marked with red paint, gathered at kibbutz Nirim in southern Israel, roughly 2 km (1.2 miles) from the border. They began by shouting messages of love and support through a stack of speakers pointed towards the Gaza frontier. "Hersh, it's dada," yelled Jon Polin, whose son Hersh Goldberg-Polin was taken hostage from a music festival. "What you need to know, and all 107 of you need to know, is not only are the families here today and 9 million people of this country, but people all over the world are fighting for you," he said. His mother, Rachel Goldberg, raised her hand to the sky as she spoke into the microphone: "We love you. Stay strong. Survive." Nirim was one of a string of Israeli communities around the Gaza Strip targeted in a cross-border rampage by Islamist group Hamas on Oct. 7 that sparked the war in Gaza. Hamas-led gunmen killed some 1,200 Israelis and foreigners and abducted around 250 hostages on Oct. 7, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel's military has levelled Gaza, driving nearly all of its inhabitants from their homes and killing at least 40,000, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel says it has killed some 17,000 militants. International efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal have failed to end the fighting. At one point a few dozen protesters broke off and rushed towards the Gaza border in the distance. "We are coming to get them back to Israel where they belong, where they are supposed to be," said Eyal Kalderon, short of breath during the dash, whose cousin Ofer is a hostage. They were stopped before reaching the border by Israeli police, who warned that standing in the open field made them easy targets for Palestinian militants. "We were trying to get into Gaza to get the hostages back. Our family members. Our military stopped us, they are trying to defend and protect us. But the hostages aren't protected there," said Gil Dickmann. His cousin Carmel Gat is also in captivity. "We have to sign a deal now and get all the hostages back. And we're calling our prime minister - if you can't do this, we'll get inside and we'll bring them back ourselves. Bring them home now." (Reporting by Amir Cohen; Editing by Alex Richardson) NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) Thursday, Aug. 29, marks the 19th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a devastating storm that forever changed New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. As one of the deadliest and most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history, it reshaped the region and tested the resilience of its people. On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, making landfall near Buras, Louisiana, as a powerful Category 3 hurricane. With winds exceeding 125 mph and a massive storm surge, Katrina overwhelmed the region, but its most devastating effects were felt in New Orleans. The citys levee system, designed to protect against such storms, tragically failed. Floodwaters breached the levees, inundating 80% of the city and displacing hundreds of thousands of residents. The flooding in New Orleans was catastrophic. Entire neighborhoods, such as the Lower Ninth Ward and St. Bernard Parish, were submerged under several feet of water. The aftermath of the storm left more than 1,300 people dead, and the destruction extended across hundreds of miles of the Gulf Coast, from Louisiana to Mississippi and beyond. Louisiana Education Dept. to pay $1.3M over Katrina funds Katrinas impact exposed critical vulnerabilities in disaster preparedness and emergency response at both the local and federal levels. The slow and often disorganized response to the disaster led to widespread criticism and prompted significant changes in how the country handles natural disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) faced intense scrutiny for its handling of the crisis, leading to reforms aimed at improving disaster response capabilities. Views of inundated areas in New Orleans following breaking of the levees surrounding the city as the result of Hurricane Katrina. (Image credit: NOAA Corps, Lieut. Commander Mark Moran) FILE Portions of New Orleans remain covered in floodwaters from Hurricane Katrina, Sept. 9, 2005. With a housing crisis that has priced out many Native Hawaiians as well as families that have been there for decades, concerns are rising that Maui could become the latest example of climate gentrification, when it becomes harder for local people to afford housing in safer areas after a climate-amped disaster. Other examples include New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Paradise, Calif., after the 2018 Camp Fire. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool, File) FILE Homes remain surrounded by floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Sept. 11, 2005, in New Orleans. Hurricanes in the U.S. over last few decades killed thousands more people than meteorologists traditionally calculate and a disproportionate number of those victims are poor, vulnerable and minorities, according to a new epidemiological study released Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool, File) NEW ORLEANS AUGUST 25: The French Quarter is seen in the foreground with the city skyline behind August 25, 2006 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina is August 29. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) A view of New Orleans, Louisiana, following Hurricane Katrina. This image was taken on September 5, 2005, from a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter during an aerial pollution survey. (Photo: USCG/NOAA) FILE Members of the Louisiana Recovery Authority tour New Orleans hurricane-ravaged Lower 9th Ward, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005, as much of the 9th Ward was destroyed when the levee broke at the Industrial Canal during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Seventeen years after Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans, the Army Corps of Engineers has completed an extensive system of floodgates, strengthened levees and other protections. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File) (Courtesy: Slidell Police Department) (Courtesy: Slidell Police Department) (Courtesy: Slidell Police Department) (Courtesy: Slidell Police Department) (Courtesy: Slidell Police Department) The storm also underscored the severe impact of natural disasters on vulnerable communities, particularly those with limited resources. Many of the hardest-hit areas were home to low-income and predominantly Black residents who struggled to recover in the years following the storm. The devastation caused by Katrina shone a light on issues of inequality and environmental justice that continue to resonate today. Looking back at Hurricane Katrinas pet Rescues In the years since Katrina, New Orleans and the surrounding areas have worked tirelessly to rebuild. The citys levee system has undergone extensive upgrades, with billions of dollars invested in strengthening the defenses to prevent a similar disaster. The spirit of resilience and determination in the face of adversity has defined the recovery process, with communities coming together to restore what was lost and build a safer future. As the Gulf Coast reflects on the 19th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, it is a time to remember those who lost their lives and to honor the strength and perseverance of the people who survived. Stay with WGNO as we bring you coverage of Thursdays remembrance events. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO. Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, at the state Capitol on Jan. 9, 2023. A social media post by Lee has prompted backlash from some and a call from a national Muslim civil rights group for the lawmaker to meet with community members. | Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News A social media post by Utah Rep. Trevor Lee featuring a group of Muslims walking the streets of Taylorsville has prompted backlash from some and a call from a national Muslim civil rights group for the lawmaker to meet with community members. "It is important for elected officials to know and understand all segments of their constituencies. We encourage Rep. Lee to take up the Muslim community on its offer to meet with them and build greater understanding," Corey Saylor of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a statement Wednesday. The council said leaders of the Alrasool Islamic Center in Taylorsville have invited Lee and other lawmakers to meet with them. Lee, for his part, said that he's open to the idea. "If they want to invite me to something, yes, I can make time. I'm more than happy to sit down and talk with them. I just don't know what for," said the Layton Republican. At the same time, he expressed a measure of exasperation over the attention and responses generated by the post on the social platform X on Monday, many responders defending the Muslim contingent's right to religious expression, others expressing discomfort and alarm with the group's presence in Utah. It had been seen by 6.6 million people as of Wednesday afternoon and generated around 2,300 responses. "All I do is post a video, and because of how each side is assuming what it means, they're all just going out there crying foul on each side," Lee told KSL.com. Some 60,000 Muslims with roots in a broad range of countries live in Utah, according to members of the religious group, and the state is home to 14 mosques. The video, which Lee said was sent to him by an acquaintance, shows a contingent of Shia Muslims, the women among them wearing head coverings and long black garments, walking on a sidewalk in Taylorsville. "In the small town of Taylorsville, Utah," Lee wrote in the post, to which he added a comment in the post's reply section, "Not a single American flag in sight." "Someone sent me the video and said, 'Hey, this is interesting.' I said, 'Oh yeah, it is interesting,' so I just posted it. That's all. It's a video. This is in the small town of Taylorsville, Utah," Lee said. Group members, it turns out, were walking as part of an annual religious pilgrimage called Arbaeen, which follows a 40-day mourning period to honor the death of the prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein ibn Ali, a seventh-century revolutionary leader who stood up against a corrupt leader of the time. The pilgrimage has also come to represent a protest against oppression. Lee wonders why posting of the video has prompted such a response and suspects it may be a backlash to his conservative politics. "It's because I'm a conservative lawmaker and I'm outspoken on what I believe and so they're trying to rile something up and they call me islamophobe because I post a flippin' video," he said. Indeed, he thinks people are getting riled up over nothing. Why does posting a video of a bunch of Muslim people in Taylorsville, Utah, rile so many people up on the left and the right? Why is that the case? he asked. Is it because everywhere the Muslim community has infiltrated in Europe it has been destructive? Is that why? Is it because of 9/11? I dont know. While not speculating on what Lee's intent may have been, the Council on American-Islamic Relations said in its statement Wednesday that the organization had documented 4,951 bias complaints from January to June this year, up 69% from the same period last year. The group received 8,061 complaints in all last year, the most it has recorded in its 30-year history. "CAIR's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice and empower American Muslims," reads the group's statement. While expressing vexation at the response of his post, Lee also said the mainstream media has a role in not exacerbating the situation through its coverage of the matter. "You guys should not assume either, but that's what all the news articles have done thus far, right?" he said. "Like they're trying so hard to make it a story that gives them a click instead of just saying, 'Hey, it looks like a video is posted and it has caused a lot of assumptions on both sides, the left and the right. Let's talk to people and figure out why a video of a bunch of Muslims in Taylorsville is causing so much an issue.' That's your story right there." As for the responses to the post, some of the X commenters bashed Lee, others questioned why he made the post, others offered their own open-ended questions. "What are they protesting? Or supporting? I can't tell from this clip. I served my mission in a region of Russia that was heavily populated with Muslims and they are good people, being Muslim isn't an identifier for a person being good or bad," said one poster. "I never said being a Muslim makes them a bad person," Lee responded. Some posters offered words of support for the people in the video. I live in Taylorsville and Im OK with it. They are peaceful, unlike the Americans who violently stormed the capital on Jan. 6, wrote one. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Rhode Island U.S. Sen. Jack Reed privately suggested that President Biden should take a neurological exam and have doctors report the results to the public if he wanted to continue as his partys nominee, according to a report Thursday. The New York Times reported that Reed was among the first to speak at a pivotal private meeting July 11 between Democratic senators and Bidens campaign team, as concerns were mounting about the presidents deteriorating political position after his disastrous debate performance. [T]he decision by the normally taciturn Mr. Reed to be among the first to speak was notable, wrote Carl Hulse, a longtime Capitol Hill reporter for the paper, adding that the five-term Democrat is hardly known as a troublemaker prone to rash statements. Hulse continued, It was a striking position for a Democratic loyalist to take, and one that underscored the near unanimity among Senate Democrats in the room that day that Mr. Biden should not continue as the partys nominee. Reed spokesperson Chip Unruh said he wasnt in the meeting and couldnt confirm exactly what was said, but emphasized that Reed was trying to sketch out a way forward for Biden if he planned to stay in the race. Reed was trying to be constructive and helpful, Unruh told 12 News. Everything he said was out of respect for the president and advice to his team. You dont give ultimatums to a friend who also happens to be a great president. Also, Senator Reed has a rule: Be kind and no surprises, Unruh continued. So as a courtesy, both the presidents team and [Majority Leader Chuck] Schumers team were given advance notice and not hearing it for the first time in that room. The revelation about Reeds private remarks is also striking since he was far less vocal about his concerns than his fellow Rhode Island senator, Sheldon Whitehouse, in the weeks following the debate. Reed had previously gone to bat for Biden by defending the presidents mental acuity to The Wall Street Journal as the paper was preparing a damaging story about Bidens fitness that ran prior to the debate. Whitehouses concerns about Biden were well known at the time he made international headlines for an interview with 12 News days after the debate when he urged the presidents team to be more candid about his condition and whether he could continue. At the July 11 meeting, according to The Times, Whitehouse said he was willing to be a loyal soldier and keep saying that the president was in good shape, but if Biden had another public episode, that would make a liar of him, and his constituents would never believe him again. Whitehouses argument, The Times noted, resonated strongly with his colleagues. Another Rhode Islander Mike Donilon, Bidens longtime political adviser and a former Whitehouse strategist as well also features in the Times article for his defense of the president at the meeting. He argued the presidents campaign could repair the damage, but was said to have convinced few senators of his argument. Biden quit the presidential race a week and a half later. Ted Nesi (tnesi@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesis Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter, Threads and Facebook. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Nesi's Notes Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Republican donor Eric Levine is not too pleased by former President Donald Trumps decision to welcome aboard Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, asking in an email sent to allies, Is Trump Trying to Lose? RawStory reported. Levine, who had supported the campaign of former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, urged Trump to focus on the middle instead of "seeking and coveting the endorsement of fringe candidates with fringe policy positions that offend most Republicans and Independents." The wealthy New York conservative condemned the former president for embracing anti-vax kook Kennedy, who he claimed sees conspiracies behind every tree and under every bed, and Gabbard, the former vice-chair of the DNC and co-chair of the 2016 Bernie Sanders for President campaign. Levine serves on the board of directors for the Republican Jewish Coalition, which has raised more than $2.8 million for Trump's campaign, The Independent reported. In the email, made public Wednesday by Jewish Insider reporter Matthew Kassel, the GOP donor warned Trump that he risked alienating himself from more traditional Republicans by welcoming two former Democrats. Levine lamented that Trump is not more disciplined, claiming that Vice President Kamala Harris could be "easily exposed" if he chose to focus "on policy and records." Instead, the former president appears laser focused on narrowing his base rather than expanding it. "It is hard to imagine a more self-destructive announcement," Levine wrote. Addressing the GOP candidate, the donor added that if Trump doesnt fight for the middle, he will forever be known from this day forward as the Former President. Residents frustrated after judge throws out major lawsuit filed against powerful oil giants: 'This decision is the oil companies' dream' A Maryland judge recently threw out a climate case, handing a huge win to major oil companies and an enormous loss to residents of Baltimore City. What's happening? Inside Climate News reported that this case, filed in 2018, is just one of over a dozen similar lawsuits against powerful oil giants such as Exxon, Chevron, and BP. Across the nation, climate change has caused major problems for citizens. Instances of extreme weather events worsened by the planet's rising temperatures have caused destruction, pollution, and financial burden in many communities. These people are seeking compensation from big oil companies, arguing the corporations knew the work they were doing was harmful and dangerous but that they did it anyway. The judge in this case, the Baltimore City Circuit Court's Videtta A. Brown, explained that her decision to side with the oil companies came because damages from gas pollution fall under the Clean Air Act. "Global pollution-based complaints were never intended by Congress to be handled by individual states," Brown wrote in her opinion. The city disagreed with this ruling. It argued the oil companies should be held responsible for damages since they falsely marketed their products and deliberately hid the known harms associated with burning dirty energy sources. The city claimed it was not pursuing the lawsuit with the aim to regulate gas pollution and that it should fall into state jurisdiction; it intends to seek a higher court's opinion. "This decision is the oil companies' dream," said Robert Percival, a professor and director of the Environmental Law Program at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. "This is what they would love to happen to all those cases." Why are these lawsuits important? Planet-warming dirty energy sources have caused disastrous situations in communities across the United States. Earth is heating up, making huge weather events more extreme and putting people in danger. The air pollution alone has caused health issues for citizens, including reproductive issues. This slew of lawsuits taking place across the nation aims to hold big oil companies accountable for knowingly harming the environment and, therefore, consumers. What's being done about the lawsuits and the environment? Alyssa Johl, the vice president and general counsel for the Center for Climate Integrity, said that other similar court cases are turning out differently. Many judges have allowed climate deception lawsuits to continue to trial. While these court cases unfold, many researchers are seeking ways to help the environment. Experts have devised a way to trap carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it easily. One startup has even found a way to turn carbon dioxide air pollution into butter. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. ENGLEWOOD, Ohio (WDTN) The city of Englewood is looking to fill an open spot on the city council. Englewood city council member dies at 26 The city posted on social media, inviting residents to consider applying for the position. To apply, residents should meet the following requirements: 18 years or older A resident of Englewood for at least 1 year Submit a letter of interest to the citys Clerk of Council, Marla Goodrich, by 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 11 The vacant seat will fill an unexpired term that will end on Nov. 30, 2025. For more information, contact Goodrich by phone at 937-771-2011 or by email at goodrich@englewood.oh.us. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Residents scramble after record-breaking glacial outburst flood inundates major US city: 'Likely will happen again' Glacial outburst floods threaten millions of people worldwide. Juneau, Alaska, experienced this type of flood recently, nearly a year after another flood struck the region. What's happening? In early August, meltwater from an Alaskan glacier overwhelmed a drainage basin above Juneau, bringing a deluge down to the town below. The record-breaking glacier outburst flood destroyed at least 100 homes. Eran Hood is a hydrologist with the University of Alaska Southeast who studies glaciers. He believes what happened with the Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska will be repeated in the future. "What we saw yesterday can happen again and likely will happen again in the future. And it could be bigger," Hood said, per The Washington Post. "We're chasing a moving target in terms of being able to really lock down the flood volume." Why are glacial outburst floods important? A study published in the scientific journal Nature Communications warns that glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) threaten millions of people around the world. "The continued ice loss and expansion of glacial lakes due to climate change therefore represents a globally important natural hazard that requires urgent attention if future loss of life from GLOF is to be minimised," noted the study. The study's authors say GLOFs are a major hazard that could result in significant loss of life. Their study was the first of its kind to quantify the exposure and vulnerability to these floods on a global scale. They estimate that 15 million people are exposed to the impacts of potential GLOFs. There is frequently little warning for these floods, which can kill and also cause serious damage to property and infrastructure. The number, area, and volume of glacial lakes worldwide have increased nearly 50%. The population increase in areas potentially susceptible to these floods has put more people at risk. What's being done about this type of flooding? The Green Climate Fund, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Pakistan government partnered on a project to help reduce the risk of GLOFs and build climate resilience in the mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the UNDP, the project's goals are to "install protective infrastructure, repair, and rehabilitate irrigation channels, and stabilize slopes using bioengineering techniques." Our overheating planet is melting glaciers as heat-trapping gases build up in Earth's atmosphere. Implementing clean energy solutions will help reduce pollution and cool our world. New technology is emerging that offers hope. A startup recently unveiled cold-fusion technology that would help reduce our reliance on traditional energy sources. Also, the U.S. government is offering billions of dollars for home energy upgrades such as heat pumps, solar panels, and induction stoves. These can all help improve a home's energy efficiency and reduce dirty energy pollution. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. The Colorado Supreme Court announced on Monday it will hear appeals in six cases, including the question of whether a person can claim he knowingly ingested one substance that was secretly laced with another behavior-altering substance as a defense to criminal charges. RFK Jr. will remain on Alabamas presidential ballot despite dropping out of race while Cornel West doesnt make cut BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) A man who recently ran for president before dropping out and endorsing former President Donald Trump will nonetheless be on the ballot in Alabama come Election Day. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will remain on the general presidential ballot in Alabama when voters go to the polls on Nov. 5. The Alabama Secretary of States office certified the ballot Wednesday afternoon. RFK Jr., who suspended his campaign last week and encouraged his supporters to vote for Trump instead, will join Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris as presidential candidates on the ballot. Green Party candidate Jill Stein and Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver will also be on the ballot as third-party candidates. According to Laney Rawls, communications spokesperson for the Alabama Secretary of States Office, RFK Jr.s staff had already filed the necessary paperwork prior to ending his campaign. RFK Jr. dropped out of the race last Friday, the deadline for presidential candidate nominations. Parent of B.B. Comer High School cheerleader claims daughters health neglected by coaches following concussion In his announcement last week, RFK Jr. said he would be asking election officials in swing states to remove his name from the ballot. The attorney and environmental activist who has been criticized for anti-vaccine sentiments and conspiracy theories had previously run as a Democrat challenging President Joe Biden before deciding to run as an independent candidate. Despite efforts by his team to be withdrawn from other state ballots, RFK Jr. will continue to be on the ballot in places like Michigan and Wisconsin. However, not everyone who is running for president will be on the Alabama ballot in November. Noted professor and public intellectual Cornel West will not be on the ballot, with Rawls citing not enough submitted signatures to be considered for certification. After going back and forth between the Peoples Party and the Green Party, West ultimately opted to run under the newly formed Justice for All Party. Edwin DeJesus, campaign spokesperson for West, told CBS 42 that voters had the option to cast their vote for West as a write-in candidate. In the state of Alabama, write-in votes officially count as a vote, and there are no requirements for official write-in status, DeJesus said in an emailed statement. We encourage everyone to vote their conscience and Write-in West for the Win. The election will be held Nov. 5. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) The family of a Massachusetts woman killed earlier this year in a murder-suicide is speaking out after police arrested a Rhode Islander accused of illegally providing the gun. Loren Marino, 24, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, died in March when police said Austin Amaral, 24, of North Providence, went to her home and shot her nine times before turning the gun on himself. Marinos parents, Christine Marino and Gary Levesque, who live in Rhode Island where Marino grew up, said their world was turned upside down that day. They said they have since been fighting for information about what happened and how Amaral got the weapon he used to kill their daughter. I started taking action into my own hands and reached out to everybody I could, Marino told Target 12 in an exclusive interview this week. On Tuesday, police arrested Heather Costa, 37, of Warwick, and charged her with providing false information when securing a firearm, along with the illegal sale of a weapon. Police allege Costa bought a Glock 17 pistol under false pretenses in January 2023 and then delivered it to Amaral, who went on to use it when he killed Marino the following year. Amaral shot Marino four times in the head, according to her mother. It was really a bad, irresponsible decision on her part and I dont have anything to say to her, the mother said about Costa. Costa was arraigned on Tuesday in Kent County District Court and was released on personal recognizance. She didnt respond to multiple requests for comment. Her next court date is scheduled for December. While specific details remain murky, the murder-suicide in Haverhill came after Amaral and Marino had been seeing each other for a couple of months. A neighbor found them both dead inside Marinos apartment and the Essex County District Attorneys Office ultimately ruled Amaral shot Marino before killing himself. BACKGROUND: Police investigating apparent murder-suicide involving RI man But Christine said its since felt impossible to get information about her daughters death. Christine said Haverhill police initially told her Marino was shot once. Then they said twice, she said. Finally, the autopsy report came out and neither was correct. My husband and I realized she was shot nine times, Christine said. Four to the face and the rest to the body. Feeling like shed been lied to about the gun wounds, Christine said she became her own advocate and pressed police to investigate who was responsible for Amaral obtaining the gun. A spokesperson for the Essex County District Attorneys Office said investigators did a ballistic testing of the weapon, traced its owner back to Warwick and notified local police in May. But Christine said it became clear the local police department didnt know about it until she became frustrated with the pace of the investigation and reached out directly to Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi in July. The text message, she said, kickstarted the investigation into Costa. With the Warwick Police Department, it was very quickly investigated, Christine said. A local police report wasnt immediately available publicly, but Levesque said police told them Costa bought the weapon for Amaral because the man didnt have a license and couldnt obtain one himself. Costa and Amaral had also been in a romantic relationship, Christine said they were told by police. She purchased it for him, Levesque said. If you dont feel like you can be responsible for a firearm then you shouldnt purchase it. Levesque said he doesnt understand why Amaral killed his daughter. He lauded Warwick police for bringing the charges against Costa, but he also expressed frustration that it had taken five months since his daughters death. RELATED: 2 dogs in need of new home after owners tragic death Levesque said he didnt think it would have happened at all without the advocacy of his wife, and the fathers now hopeful they can get some closure as a family. She reached out to everybody every day anyone she could to get this case moved along and she did, Levesque said. This case it should be near its end now and if this is going to bring some solace to our family and to Lorens friends that is all we want. The family is now trying to find homes for Marinos dogs, Darla and Spanky, who are awaiting adoption at the Hotel for Homeless Dogs in Cumberland. Correction: An initial version of this report had an incorrect date for when the gun was purchased. Sarah Guernelli (sguernelli@wpri.com) is the consumer investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook. Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Richard Desmonds plans for a controversial 1bn housing development in east London have taken a major step forward after he won approval from council officials. Councillors in Tower Hamlets voted to grant permission to develop 1,358 homes on the Westferry Printworks site in the Isle of Dogs. The massive project which includes a 31-storey tower, 1,200-capacity secondary school, shops and restaurants was at the heart of a high-profile political row in 2020 after it was waved through by then-housing secretary Robert Jenrick, now a Tory leader hopeful, before ministers later blocked it. The project is being brought forward by Westferry Developments, a company that forms part of the media magnates Northern & Shell business empire. Six councillors voted in favour of the scheme, while one was against. Construction is expected to start later this year and will be completed in phases over six to eight years. This application marks the tycoons third attempt to gain planning consent for the development, after first filing the plans nine years ago. The proposed height of the taller towers has shrunk from previous iterations, while shorter blocks have increased. The affordable housing offer has increased to 35pc. The proposed height of the taller towers has shrunk, while shorter blocks have increased The application went back to councillors in Tower Hamlets after initial approval by Mr Jenrick was overturned. Mr Jenrick approved the scheme in 2020, going against advice from a planning inspector who recommended refusal after identifying planning policy breaches in areas including design and supplying enough affordable housing. After Mr Jenrick gave his backing to the scheme, it emerged he had been lobbied by Mr Desmond, who was also a Tory donor. The pair sat together at a fundraising dinner before the planning application was approved, which Mr Jenrick later said he regretted. They also sent each other text messages. In one of those messages, Mr Desmond complained about dealing with Marxists, which appeared to reference the Labour-run Tower Hamlets Council. He wrote at the time: Good news finally the inspectors reports have gone to you today, we appreciate the speed as we dont want to give Marxists loads of doe [sic] for nothing! Following High Court action launched by Tower Hamlets, Mr Jenrick accepted that some aspects of the decision could have been handled better, but maintained he acted without bias. Towe Hamlets Council said the development would 'help breathe new life' into the Docklands - Yui Mok/PA Wire The approval was subsequently quashed by the High Court and a public inquiry into the proposal was reopened. The plans were refused a year later by Michael Gove, when he replaced Mr Jenrick as housing secretary, prompting Mr Desmond to alter them and seek approval for a third time. With an estimated net worth of around 1.3bn, former Daily Express owner Mr Desmond made his millions through a media group that ranged from soft-porn magazines and phone sex lines, to titles including OK! Magazine and TV channels such as Channel 5. Northern & Shell also operates the UKs Health Lottery. Of the 1,025 public consultation responses received by planning officers at Tower Hamlets, 968 were in favour of the latest proposal, while 51 were objections. Many of those views were gathered by an external consultant hired by the developer. While the approval is a major hurdle to clear, the project is not entirely out of the woods. The councils decision will now be referred to Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, who has 14 days to decide whether to back it or call in the development. A spokesman for Tower Hamlets Council said: This is a major regeneration scheme on a currently disused site, which will help breathe new life into this historic area of London Docklands. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. (Bloomberg) -- A very small band of investors is starting to snap up French debt after three months of volatility turned off most funds. Most Read from Bloomberg Jupiter Asset Management and hedge fund Mount Lucas Management are among those looking past the countrys recent political turmoil it currently doesnt even have a prime minister and swelling pile of public debt, to buy its long-term government bonds. Thats a wager based on the view that a selloff has been overdone since surprise elections were called in June. We do like France, said Mark Nash, Jupiter Asset Managements head of fixed-income alternatives, pointing to an excessive risk premium versus neighbor Germany that now makes the bonds cheap. He reckons the regions interest-rate cuts will end up taking the sting out of its debt burden. The market is assigning a high level of risk to France, with this yield premium to haven German debt having soared in June to the highest since 2012, the time of the euro-area debt crisis. Its still elevated after the election as divergent parties vie to form a government, while the countrys stocks are lagging peers. French President Emmanuel Macron has prolonged discussions this week on appointing a prime minister after rejecting Lucie Castets, the candidate representing the New Popular Front leftist alliance, which won the largest number of seats in the election but not enough to govern alone. Its pledges for vast public spending and higher taxes have spooked investors. For Nash, its his latest punt on an unloved section of the market, following multiple bets on Greece and then two-year US Treasuries last year. He just increased his long position on 30-year French debt last week, seeing the recent downturn in global economic data helping drive further European Central Bank rate cuts. He expects the French premium on this tenor to fall to 60 basis points, from over 100 now. The debt credibility issue for France is a problem when you have an environment in which global real rates are rising and rising, which we had before, he said. France will be bailed out by the ECB cutting. French inflation eased to its lowest level in three years on Friday, supporting the case for interest-rate cuts. The market is fully pricing two more quarter-point reductions this year, with a 60% chance of a third. The ECB already lowered borrowing costs once in June. Growing Urgency Allianz Global Investors, one of Europes biggest funds, also sees near-term opportunity in French bonds. It expects the situation in parliament, where no one party is able to act alone, will mean no extreme fiscal policies can be implemented. Still, its not clear Macron can easily find a prime minister who would have the cross-party support that he said the NPF and Castets lacked to withstand no-confidence votes in parliament. Some members of the left-wing alliance have indicated they could agree to not censure a more centrist figure, on the condition there is a clear shift away from Macrons pro-business policies. There is no official deadline for a decision, but there is growing urgency for a new government to get to work in order to present a budget at the end of September. Thats no bar for David Aspell, co-chief investment officer and partner at Mount Lucas Management, which purchased the bonds in the firms quant strategy. The parliamentary things seem like they will work themselves out, he said. Yet most of the market sees too much risk to make such a wager at the moment. More than 10 investment firms contacted by Bloomberg said they were not buying French bonds, including the likes of Vanguard Asset Management, Abrdn Plc and JPMorgan Asset Management. Even once a new premier is in place, they will be under pressure on the budget from all sides. Lawmakers from the NPF alliance and Marine Le Pens National Rally the single party with the largest number of seats in the National Assembly were elected on platforms to boost spending and undo some of Macrons key pro-business measures of recent years, including his decision to raise the retirement age in 2023. Budget discussions could create renewed tensions, said Ales Koutny, head of international rates at Vanguard, which is using short positions on French bonds to hedge its long bets on Spanish and Greek debt. We think the current spread is fair. We need some resolution regarding the budget and no increase in the deficit to make us reassess our view. The EU has already reprimanded France for running a big deficit. In April the government forecast debt would hit 113.1% of annual economic output next year, up from 112.3% in 2024. Thats well above Spain and Portugal, traditionally considered more risky for bond investors. We dont own any French bonds. Should we? said Jack McIntyre, portfolio manager at Brandywine Global Investment Management. What we find unattractive about French bonds are valuation, uncertainty over politics, but most importantly better opportunity elsewhere. Some funds pointed to Spain as a better option. For those willing to bet on a recovery in France, the trajectory of Italy may offer a positive model. Perennially seen as risky, given inflated debt and fractured coalition politics, right-wing populist leader Giorgia Melonis government has pursued broad restraint since taking power in 2022. Now its seeking cost cuts to fill a hole in the budget. Thats slashed the spread between Italian and German 10-year bonds by about 30 basis points this year to near a two-year low. This is the kind of juice buyers of France are looking for. Prospects for the French-German spread look attractive for Mount Lucas Managements Aspell. There is too much pessimism, he said. --With assistance from Ruth Carson, Alice Atkins, Mia Glass and James Hirai. (Adds French inflation data and ECB rate outlook in the eighth paragarph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. DENVER (KDVR) Five years after a teen sacrificed his life to save fellow students during a school shooting, a road in Highlands Ranch is being renamed in his honor. Kendrick Castillo, 18, was a senior at STEM School Highlands Ranch when a shooter entered his classroom on May 7, 2019. In 2020, one student told FOX31 that one of the suspects arrived late to class, pulled out a gun and ordered that nobody move. 5 years later, emotions still raw for Castillo family Castillo reportedly charged at the gunman, giving other students time to take cover and escape. He was shot and killed, and eight others were hurt. A memorial for the teen in Civic Green Park in the Town Center area of Highlands Ranch is in the works. Wednesday, Douglas County announced that Lucent Boulevard between South Broadway and County Line Road will be renamed to Kendrick Castillo Way in his honor. This embedded content is not available in your region. The Kendrick Castillo Memorial Oversight Committee requested the road name change, which was formally approved at a public hearing on Tuesday by the Board of Douglas County Commissioners. Kendrick Castillos father says critical confidential information about school shooting being kept from public As the days go on, its tough, and it gets tougher all the time, Kendricks father, John Castillo, said during the public hearing. Were very honored that it has come to light to rename Lucent Boulevard, a street I drive every day. Its good that we remember our heroes, who sacrificed their lives, and that we think of the events, so we can improve resources for mental health, andfund our police and give them the resources they need. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. An investigation into a July robbery and assault in Victorville resulted in the discovery of a cache of automatic weapons at a home in Fontana, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department. On Tuesday, deputies searched a home in the 14500 block of El Contento Avenue in Fontana, locating multiple automatic weapons along with high-capacity magazines and ammunition, the SBSD said in a news release. Germell Shidon Miles, 48, was arrested and booked into the West Valley Detention Center on charges of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. Miles, a Los Angeles resident, has since been freed on bail, according to jail records, which also indicate that Miles assault with a deadly weapon charge did not involve the use of a firearm. No information on an upcoming court date was available. Anyone with information is urged to call at 760-241-2911 or 760-956-5001. To report information anonymously, call WeTip at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or visit wetip.com Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fought to get onto NCs ballot. Now he cant get off. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Photo: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Getty Images) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. must stay on the North Carolina ballot, despite requests from he and his new party We the People that he be removed. The state Board of Elections voted along party lines to keep Kennedy on the ballot, with Democrats citing the states Sept. 6 deadline for absentee ballot mailing to begin, and the fact that most counties had started printing ballots. Kennedy announced last Friday that he was suspending his presidential campaign and endorsing former President Donald Trump. He said he was going to take his name off the ballot in 10 battleground states. But his decision runs up against the deadlines in several states for dropping out. The Kennedy campaign, through the We the People party, spent months trying to get him on the North Carolina ballot. Thursdays Board of Elections vote represented a turnabout in the consideration of Kennedys candidacy. The two Republican members who argued passionately this summer for Kennedy to be allowed on the ballot fought Thursday to take him off, and the three Democrats who were skeptical about letting him on in the first place voted to keep him. People are already printing their sample ballots, said Board member Siobhan Millen, who was the only member to vote against certifying We the People as a political party. Party certification allowed Kennedy to appear on the ballot. The statutory deadline of Sept. 6 cant be ignored just because of the capricious behavior of one partys candidate one party, one person, she said. I think this whole episode has been a farce. I feel bad for anyone whos been deceived. State Elections Director Karen Brinson Bell told the board that 67 of the states 100 counties have received their absentee ballots, or will by the end of Thursday. Requests for absentee ballots is high, she said, and counties are preparing to start mailing them to voters next Friday, a date set by state law. The company that prints most ballots estimated that 80 of the 93 counties they work for had begun preparing ballots and election coding. That single company has printed 1.73 million ballots, she said. When we talk about printing ballots, were not talking about pressing copy on a Xerox machine, Brinson Bell said. Republican Board member Stacy Four Eggers IV questioned Brinson Bells instructions to county boards to continue printing ballots after Kennedys Friday afternoon news conference. She defended her instructions to counties. She said she couldnt advise counties to stop printing ballots at the risk of missing the Sept. 6 deadline based on a press conference. We knew of a press conference by Mr. Kennedy on Friday of last week. However, Mr. Kennedy did not file as an unaffiliated candidate, and we had not heard of a decision from the We the People Party based upon his press conference. So, I instructed the countries to continue with their proofing processes. I copied the Board on that, she said. Our staff and counties continue to work through the weekends as we would, so that we could meet the statutory deadline. Eggers said he received a copy of a letter Kennedy signed asking to be removed from the ballot. Kennedys wishes should be considered, he said. Because Kennedy is a party nominee and not an independent candidate, he cannot remove himself. Board member Jeff Carmon, a Democrat, said he would agree with Eggers if Kennedy wasnt now acting as an independent when he fought to be recognized as the nominee of a party. Him acting as an independent and we taking that into consideration just goes against everything weve gone through for the past few weeks. The We the People North Carolina executive board voted 4-1 on Wednesday request Kennedy and his running mate Nicole Shanahan be removed from the ballot, Rock Hill man sentenced to 27 years in prison for producing fentanyl in laundry room lab WILMINGTON, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A Rock Hill, South Carolina, man was sentenced Wednesday to 27 years in prison after authorities found his makeshift lab for manufacturing fentanyl. Quavion Maurice Pickett, 30, pled guilty on April 24 for trafficking fentanyl pills in the Fayetteville area. U.S. Attorney for Eastern North Carolina Michael Easley said Pickett was caught with three kilograms of fentanyl, a high-capacity pill press, cash, and tens of thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills. South Carolina prison director says electric chair, firing squad and lethal injection ready to go Counterfeit pills made with deadly fentanyl in filthy makeshift labs are turning up everywhere, Easley said. These pills are made with zero quality-control, with narcotics being mixed in plastic bins and store-bought blenders by reckless, money-hungry narcotics dealers who care only about money and care nothing for human life. (Photo: US Attorneys Office) According to the court documents and other information presented in court, in April 2022, officers with the Fayetteville Police Department became aware through a confidential informant of Picketts drug distribution. Ultimately, law enforcement conducted surveillance on Picketts Fayetteville residence and observed what appeared to be multiple drug transactions conducted by Pickett. While executing a search warrant, law enforcement reportedly discovered a counterfeit pill-making operation in the laundry room of the residence complete with a pill press, large plastic tote containers covered in light blue powder residue, multiple digital scales. Officers also found more than $70,000 in cash and a loaded .45-caliber handgun. The amount of fentanyl seized from the residence totaled 3.1 kilos. The fentanyl pills seized had pressed markings of A215, designed to appear to be oxycodone hydrochloride 30 milligram pills. Law enforcement arrested Pickett on Oct. 26, 2022, in South Carolina, where he was residing at the time. During the arrest, court documents show officers located and seized a duffle bag with 11 baggies containing a total of 19,016 pressed fentanyl pills inside, as well as two baggies of fentanyl powder weighing approximately 294.85 grams, and other materials associated with drug trafficking. PA man sentenced for trafficking meth, fentanyl in Charlotte The Fayetteville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Nucci prosecuted the case. The Fayetteville Police Department continues to work collaboratively with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, we continue to aggressively combat narcotic trafficking affecting our community, said Kemberle Braden, Fayetteville Chief of Police. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. An aerial view of the 200-foot-tall (60-meter-tall) front of the Getz Ice Shelf with cracks An aerial view of the 200-foot-tall (60-meter-tall) front of the Getz Ice Shelf with cracks By Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Engineers who specialize in building NASA spacecraft to explore distant worlds are designing a fleet of underwater robot probes to measure how rapidly climate change is melting vast ice sheets around Antarctica and what that means for rising sea levels. A prototype of the submersible vehicles, under development by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory near Los Angeles, was tested from a U.S. Navy laboratory camp in the Arctic, where it was deployed beneath the frozen Beaufort Sea north of Alaska in March. "These robots are a platform to bring science instruments to the hardest-to-reach locations on Earth," Paul Glick, a JPL Robotics engineer and principal investigator for the IceNode project, said in a summary posted on Thursday on NASA's website. The probes are aimed at providing more accurate data gauging the rate at which warming ocean water around Antarctica is melting the continent's coastal ice, allowing scientists to improve computer models to predict future sea level rise. The fate of the world's largest ice sheet is a major focus of nearly 1,500 academics and researchers who gathered this week in southern Chile for the 11th Scientific Committee on Antarctica Research conference. A JPL analysis published in 2022 found that thinning and crumbling away of Antarctica's ice shelf had reduced its mass by some 12 trillion tons since 1997, double previous estimates. If melted completely, according to NASA, the loss of the continent's ice shelf would raise global sea levels by an estimated 200 feet (60 meters). Ice shelves, floating slabs of frozen freshwater extending miles from the land into the sea, take thousands of years to form and act like giant buttresses holding back glaciers that would otherwise slide off easily into the surrounding ocean. Satellite images have shown the outer "calving" off into icebergs at a higher rate than nature can replenish shelf growth. At the same time, rising ocean temperatures are eroding the shelves from underneath, a phenomenon scientists hope to examine with greater precision with the submersible IceNode probes. The cylindrical vehicles, about 8 feet (2.4 meters) long and 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter, would be released from boreholes in the ice or from vessels at sea. Although equipped with no form of propulsion, the robot probes would drift in currents, using special software guidance, to reach "grounding zones" where the frozen freshwater shelf meets the ocean saltwater and land. These cavities are impenetrable to even satellite signals. "The goal is getting data directly at the ice-ocean melting interface," said Ian Fenty, a JPL climate scientist. Upon arrival at their targets, the submersibles would drop their ballast and float upwards to affix themselves to the underside of the ice shelf by releasing three-pronged "landing gear" sprung from one end of the vehicle. The IceNodes would then continuously record data from beneath the ice for up to a year, including seasonal fluctuations, before releasing themselves to drift back to the open seas and transmit readings via satellite. Previously, thinning of the ice shelf was documented by satellite altimeters measuring the changing height of the ice from above. During the March field test, an IceNode prototype descended 330 feet (100 meters) into the ocean to gather salinity, temperature and flow data. Previous tests were conducted in California's Monterey Bay and below the frozen winter surface of Lake Superior, off Michigan's upper peninsula. Ultimately, scientists believe 10 probes would be ideal to gather data from a single ice shelf cavity, but "we have more development and testing to go" before devising a timeline for full-scale deployment, Glick said. (Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Sandra Maler) Rocky Mountain Power is lowering its proposed residential rate increase from an initial 30.5% to 18.1% after criticism from Utah leaders. (Getty Images) This developing story has been updated. Rocky Mountain Power has updated its Utah rate increase application, lowering its proposed hike of 30.5% for residential customers to 18.1%. The company is revising its request to further mitigate the customer impacts of the general rate case, it said in its application, referring to its initial rate increase proposal. Rocky Mountain Power is also revisiting the amount allocated for insurance premiums for a 2025 test period. In the new proposal, rates would only go through the first increase phase initially filed by Rocky Mountain Power. The new schedule presented by the company would take residential rates from 10.96 cents per kWh to 12.94 cents per kWh, effective on Feb. 23, 2025. The second installment, scheduled for January 2026 that would have taken the rate to 14.31 cents per kWh, wouldnt go into effect. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The change would represent a $14.28 monthly increase for the average Utah household, versus the original full two-phase proposal of $24.14 a month. The Company has heard the concerns of its customers regarding the requested increase in this case combined with other cost pressures and continued to review ways of further mitigating the impact of the requested increase on customers, the application reads. In addition to the general rate increase proposal, Utahns electrical bills have been substantially increasing this year with other market adjustments included in the companys Energy Balancing Account a price adjustment that either credits or debits users for differences between power prices and the other market costs that are somewhat outside the control of the utility. An interim 11.6% rate increase of the Energy Balancing Account went into effect on July 1, sending electricity costs soaring this summer. Rocky Mountain Power had filed to spread that Energy Balancing Account adjustment across 24 months. However, state law requires the cost recovery to be done in 12 months, which made the company look to further mitigate the increased bills, said David Eskelsen, a Rocky Mountain Power spokesperson. Were looking at ways to spread those costs out and kind of mitigate the impact and lessen it over time, Eskelsen said. Though Rocky Mountain Power is seeking just over half of its initial proposal, prices may still go up in the future, as the costs associated with increases in net power, fuel and wholesale power are expected to be recovered in the future through the Energy Balancing Account, Eskelsen said. Its very important, because Rocky Mountain Power is an essential public service, that we cover our costs and remain financially viable, Eskelsen said. And thats also why were regulated, so that customers can have confidence that there is a third-party analyzing the companys financial records and all of its transactions. In the amendment to its application to the Utah Public Service Commission, the utility revised its initial ask to recover $667.3 million through a rate increase, and proposed a reduction of 41% to take that amount to $393.7 million. Those $393.7 million include $92.9 million for new commercial insurance premiums and $21 million for amortization of the Wildfire Mitigation Balancing account. Let us know what you think... The initial application had requested a recovery of $81.4 million for insurance premiums, the companys best estimate at the time. Since the filing of the Companys Application, the Company has entered into renewals of its excess liability insurance and the premium costs are now approximately $210 million total-company, or $92.9 million Utah-allocated for the recent policy period. Experts from Utah Clean Energy, a nonprofit that advocates to advance clean energy technologies, said they are still reviewing the details, but this should be welcome news for Utah ratepayers at least for the short-term. However, most of the remaining proposed 18% increase is still tied to rising fossil fuel costs and PacifiCorps insurance premiums increasing due to wildfires, so we are still at risk for more rate spikes in the future, Logan Mitchell, climate scientist and energy analyst said in a statement. This underlines the need to add more zero fuel cost energy like wind, solar, and geothermal to protect customers from rising and volatile fuel prices. Rocky Mountain Power had cited increased costs of fuel and wholesale power, in addition to ongoing new electric transmission and generation projects as the principal causes for the hike. The initial application for a 30.5% rate hike was met with harsh reactions from Utah leaders, including Gov. Spencer Cox, who committed to ensure that proposal wouldnt become effective. The proposal is completely unacceptable. The audacity and lack of awareness with this request seriously calls into question management at RMP. I will do everything I can to make sure a rate increase of that magnitude never sees the light of day, Cox wrote in a post on X. Rocky Mountain Power executives were also grilled during two legislative interim meetings about the increase, with some lawmakers asking the companys shareholders to absorb some of the costs, and asking for a report studying a potential split of PacifiCorp, the companys parent company. The hope is to separate PacifiCorps two subsidiaries; making Utah, Idaho and Wyoming into a consortium and California, Oregon and Washington another one. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST An Aurora landlord is blaming the citys decision to shut down an apartment complex on a Venezuelan gang a claim that city officials dismissed, calling it an "alternative narrative" to numerous code violations and the poor condition of the building. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) holds a comfortable lead over Republican challenger Sam Brown 50.4% to 39.5% in the latest poll of Nevada voters. Another 5.8% are undecided. The race for Rosens job is among the most-watched battles in the U.S. Senate as Republicans try to pry away another seat from Democrats. Republicans currently hold a 50-48 advantage in the Senate. The Emerson College Polling/The Hill/8 News Now poll released Thursday looked at the Rosen-Brown race and the contests for Nevadas four seats in Congress. The sample of 1,168 Nevadans all weighed in on the Senate race, but only residents of each district were polled on their congressional representative. That means the margin of error 2.8% for the Senate race is higher for the smaller sample sizes in the Congressional races. SEPARATE STORIES: The poll also looked at the presidential election, as well as tapping into public opinion about the No Taxes on Tips issue. In Congressional District 1 (CD1), U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.), who has been in Congress for 20 years, has a big lead over Republican challenger Mark Robertson. Titus has 46.7% of the vote compared to Robertsons 31.7%, with 13.3% undecided. In CD2, incumbent Republican Mark Amodei was supported by 43.6% of the voters polled, with another 31.2% undecided. Amodei didnt have a Democratic challenger. Democratic U.S. Rep. Susie Lee represents CD3, and she is leading Republican Drew Johnson as she seeks her third term in Congress. Lee has a 47.4% to 34.6% lead over Johnson, with 14.3% undecided. In CD4, U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) leads Republican challenger and former North Las Vegas Mayor John J. Lee 45.7% to 36.1%, with 10.5% of voters undecided. The poll surveyed Nevadans who said they are very likely to vote in the November election. The sample used in the Nevada poll matches the party affiliations found in state: 29.1% Republican, 32.2% Democrat and 38.7% independent (nonpartisan). The survey was administered by contacting respondents cell phones via MMS-to-web and landlines via Interactive Voice Response with respondents provided by Aristotle, along with an online panel provided by CINT. The survey was offered in English. Data was collected between Aug. 26-28, 2024. The survey was conducted by Emerson College Polling and sponsored by Nexstar Media. It is important to remember that subsets based on demographics, such as gender, age, education, and race/ethnicity, carry with them higher credibility intervals, as the sample size is reduced. Survey results should be understood within the polls range of scores, and know with a confidence interval of 95% a poll will fall outside the range of scores 1 in 20 times. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Russian troops regularly use TOS-1 Solntsepyok heavy multiple-launch rocket systems to attack the positions of Ukrainian units on the Lyman front. Source: Dmytro Kozhubenko, the officer of the planning section of the 4th Rapid Reaction Brigade Rubizh, on the national joint 24/7 newscast, as quoted by Army Inform Quote from Dmytro Kozhubenko: "The enemy is ruthlessly burning all our positions with TOS-1 Solntsepyok heavy multiple-launch rocket systems. This is a powerful and terrible weapon because one missile array burns a large area, making it impossible to keep the defence there. The enemy uses scorched earth tactics." Details: At the same time, Kozhubenko added that it is unclear what the Russians are expecting, because even if they capture these territories later, they will no longer be able to defend themselves there. Kozhubenko noted that the Russian assault operations in this area occur almost daily. These can be assaults by groups of 2-4 people, and now the Russians are using equipment, which they have not done for a long time. Quote from Dmytro Kozhubenko: "We had thought it was gone, but the enemy showed that the equipment was there. But they were stopped, the FPV drone operators detected and destroyed them. The artillery then finished off what was left of the infantry." Support UP or become our patron! The Russian Foreign Ministry announced a new wave of sanctions against 92 American citizens Wednesday, including more than two dozen journalists. The nearly 100 people listed shall be permanently denied entry into Russia, according to the foreign ministry, which said the sanctions come in response to the Biden administrations Russophobic policy with a stated goal of inflicting a strategic defeat on Moscow. The ministry said the announcement is also a response to U.S. blanket sanctions on Russian politicians and elite members of society with ties to the government. The list of U.S. citizens includes members of the U.S. government, pro-democracy activists, academics, and leaders of defense contracting firms and financial institutions that supply weapons to Ukraine to respond to Russias war. Referencing the journalists on the list, the statement said the roster includes employees of editorial offices and reporters from leading liberal globalist media outlets involved in manufacturing and spreading fake claims about Russia and its armed forces, and engaged in using propaganda to cover Washingtons hybrid war. Among the journalists listed is Wall Street Journal Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker, who became a vocal critic of Moscow as she advocated for the return of reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was incarcerated in Russia for more than 16 months before being released earlier this month in a prisoner swap. Another 13 current or former employees at the Journal were on the list, including the outlets deputy editor in chief, its head of the world news division, its Kyiv bureau chief, its former Moscow bureau chief and a member of its editorial board. Five New York Times journalists, four Washington Post journalists and a handful of reporters for British papers were also listed. The Hill has not independently verified that the 92 people listed are American citizens, as Russias foreign ministry stated. The sanctions add to the list of more than 2,000 Americans who have already been barred entry to the country, including many U.S. politicians. A State Department spokesperson condemned the list in a statement to the New York Times and expressed concern about Russias escalating attempts to restrict freedom of expression and media freedom in Russia. In the strongest possible terms, we condemn the Kremlins continued attempts to intimidate, repress and punish independent journalists and civil society voices, including through the use of censorship laws to punish criticism of Russias brutal war in Ukraine, the spokesperson said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Editor's note: This article has been updated after Andrii Polukhin, a spokesperson for Ukraine's 24th Mechanized Brigade, said that he mistakenly calculated that Russia controlled 40% of Chasiv Yar. In his correction, Polukhin did not say how much of Chasiv Yar Russian forces control. Russian forces control part of the embattled Donetsk Oblast town of Chasiv Yar, but Ukraine is preventing them from crossing the canal in the eastern part of the city, said Andrii Polukhin, a spokesperson for Ukraine's 24th Mechanized Brigade, on national television on Aug. 29. Earlier in the day, Polukhin said that Russian forces controlled 40% of the town, but he later said that the estimate was a mistake. According to the crowd-sourced monitoring website DeepState, Russian forces control only 8% of Chasiv Yar. After capturing Avdiivka in February, Russian forces shifted their focus toward Chasiv Yar, an elevated town that potentially creates an opening for further Russian advances into Donetsk Oblast. Ukraine's military withdrew from the eastern Kanal neighborhood in July, but military experts told the Kyiv Independent at the time that the withdrawal had "no strategic consequences." Polukhin confirmed that the front line still runs along the canal that divides the city from its eastern neighborhood. If the town is fully captured, Russian forces could utilize its elevation to gain an increased advantage for attacks on the neighboring towns of Kostiantynivka and Druzhkivka, as well as the larger nearby city of Kramatorsk, Polukhin said. The seizure of Chasiv Yar could be "a very dangerous thing" for Ukraine's defensive positions in Donetsk Oblast, he said. Fighting in Chasiv Yar has been highly destructive and costly for Russian troops. Nazar Voloshyn, the spokesperson for the Khortytsia group of forces, said in July that over 5,000 Russian troops had been lost fighting for one district of the town. "At the moment, the city of Chasiv Yar is destroyed," Polukhin said. Before the full-scale invasion, Chasiv Yar was home to about 12,000 people. By April 2024, around 700 people remained. In recent weeks, Russian forces have been closing in on the city of Pokrovsk, located some 70 kilometers (43 miles) southwest of Chasiv Yar. Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin said on Aug. 28 that some 38,000 people remained in the city, which is an important logistical hub for Ukrainian forces and supports their operations in Donetsk Oblast. Read also: What Ukraines partial Chasiv Yar withdrawal actually means Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia faces a "difficult fight" to retake territory lost in Ukraine's Kursk incursion, Deputy CIA Director David Cohen said on Aug. 28. "We can be certain that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin will mount a counteroffensive to try to reclaim that territory," he told a national security industry conference in Maryland in comments reported by Reuters. As Kyiv's incursion into Kursk Oblast entered its fourth week, Ukraine is in control of 1,294 square kilometers (around 500 square miles) and 100 settlements, including the town of Sudzha, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Aug. 27. The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims. "I think our expectation is that that will be a difficult fight for the Russians," Cohen said. The CIA deputy director also added that Putin"is not only going to have to face the fact that there is a front line now within Russian territory that he's going to have to deal with, he has to deal with reverberations back in his own society that they have lost a piece of Russian territory." In his evening address on Aug. 28, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine continues to "expand the territory under our control in the designated areas near the border of Ukraine," but did not provide specific details. Citing Russian milbloggers, the Institute for the Study of War on Aug. 28 said that Ukrainian forces "are now attempting to dig in and hold select areas they recently seized." Speaking at the Ukraine 2024 Independence forum in Kyiv on Aug. 27, Zelensky said that the ongoing Kursk incursion is one part of a plan for victory that he would present U.S. President Joe Biden during a meeting in September. Read also: Stranded Russian troops in Kursk Oblast could top-up Ukraines POW fund, experts say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine says one of its Western-donated F-16 warplanes has crashed In this photo taken Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, the Ukrainian Air Force's F-16 fighter jet flies in an undisclosed location in Ukraine. One of the handful of F-16 warplanes that Ukraine has received from its Western partners to help fight Russia's invasion crashed on Monday, Aug. 26, when Russia launched a major missile and drone barrage at Ukraine, Ukraine's military officials said on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) KYIV, Ukraine (AP) One of the handful of F-16 warplanes that Ukraine has received from its Western partners to help fight Russias invasion has crashed, Ukraines Army General Staff said Thursday. The pilot died. The fighter jet went down on Monday, when Russia launched a major missile and drone barrage at Ukraine, a military statement posted on Facebook said. Four of those Russian missiles were shot down by F-16s, the statement said. The crash was the first reported loss of an F-16 in Ukraine, where they arrived at the end of last month. At least six of the warplanes are believed to have been delivered. The Defense Ministry has opened an investigation into the crash. The Ukrainian air force in a Facebook post identified the pilot as Col. Alexei Moonfish Mes, who saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles, unfortunately, at the cost of your own life." Moonfish and a fellow Ukrainian pilot, Andrii Juice Pilshchykov, made an early, public visit to the U.S. in June 2022 to press lawmakers and media to send Ukraine F-16 fighter jets and they both continued to serve as public faces for Ukraine's battle to secure its airspace. Juice was killed in an August 2023 accident. When I met with Ukraine pilots Juice and Moonfish I had a sick feeling they wouldnt make it through the war, former U.S. congressman Adam Kingzinger posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. They fought like hell for Ukraine, and the F16." Earlier Thursday, Russia conducted a heavy aerial attack on Ukraine for the third time in four days, again launching missiles and scores of drones that mostly were intercepted, Ukraines air force said. Russian forces fired five missiles and 74 Shahed drones at Ukrainian targets, an air force statement said. Air defenses stopped two missiles and 60 drones, and 14 other drones presumably fell before reaching their target, it said. Authorities in the capital, Kyiv, said debris of destroyed drones fell in three districts of the city, causing minor damage to civilian infrastructure but no injuries. Russias relentless and unnerving long-range strikes on civilian areas have been a feature of the war since it invaded its neighbor in February 2022. Belgium, Denmark the Netherlands and Norway all NATO members have committed to providing Ukraine with more than 60 of the planes. That number is dwarfed by the Russian jet fighter fleet, which is around 10 times larger. Ukraine needs at least 130 F-16 fighter jets to neutralize Russian air power, Kyiv officials say. U.S. officials told The Associated Press at the end of last month that the first of a batch of F-16s promised by European countries had arrived in Ukraine. Military analysts have said their arrival wont be a game-changer in the war, given Russias massive air force and sophisticated air defense systems. But Ukrainian officials welcomed them as offering an opportunity to hit back at Russias air superiority. Ukraine has until now been using Soviet-era warplanes, and its pilots underwent intense training on the F-16s in the West for months. The usual training period is three years. U.S. President Joe Biden granted authorization in August 2023 for the U.S.-built warplanes to be sent to Ukraine. That came after months of pressure from Kyiv and internal debate in the U.S. administration where officials feared the move could escalate tensions with the Kremlin. The F-16s can fly up to twice the speed of sound and have a maximum range of more than 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers). They can also fire modern weapons used by NATO countries. Ukrainian officials have recently become more vocal in their long-standing insistence that Western countries supporting their war effort should scrap restrictions on what Ukraine is allowed to target inside Russia with long-range weapons they have provided. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy renewed his pleas for Western allies to untie his hands in deciding what to strike on Russian soil. All our partners should be more active much more active in countering Russian terror, Zelenskyy said late Wednesday. We continue to insist that their determination now lifting the restrictions on long-range strikes for Ukraine now will help us to end the war as soon as possible in a fair way for Ukraine and the world as a whole. The European Unions top diplomat on Thursday backed Zelenskyy's push for international backers to end their limits. Ukraine has deployed domestically produced drones to strike Russia. The Russian military said Thursday it had thwarted an overnight attack on Crimea. The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces destroyed three Ukrainian sea drones aimed at the Black Sea peninsula that Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014. The Russia-installed governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev added that four Ukrainian aerial drones and three sea drones were destroyed at a significant distance from the peninsulas shore. In the meantime, Ukraines Army General Staff acknowledged Thursday Ukraines involvement in strikes this week on oil depots deep inside Russia, where blazes broke out. The attacks in the Rostov and Kirov regions were part of Ukraine's effort to disrupt logistical infrastructure supporting Russia's war machine. ___ Tara Copp contributed from Washington. Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Russia loses 1,200 soldiers and 27 artillery systems in one day Stock photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Ukraines Defence Forces are continuing to inflict losses on Russia as it has lost 1,200 soldiers killed and wounded, 18 armoured combat vehicles and 27 artillery systems over the past day alone. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 29 August 2024 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses ed.]: approximately 612,390 (+1,200) military personnel; 8,571 (+3) tanks; 16,699 (+18) armoured combat vehicles; 17,549 (+27) artillery systems; 1,174 (+0) multiple-launch rocket systems; 939 (+1) air defence systems; 368 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft; 328 (+0) helicopters; 14,369 (+21) strategic and tactical UAVs; 2,556 (+3) cruise missiles; 28 (+0) ships and boats; 1 (+0) submarines; 23,706 (+52) vehicles and tankers; 2,965 (+15) special vehicles and other equipment. The information is being confirmed. Support UP or become our patron! Russia has banned 92 individuals from entering the country, including journalists from The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. The list also includes leaders and executives from security agencies, military-industrial companies, and financial institutions linked to supporting Ukraine. Russia's foreign affairs ministry stated that their reason behind the latest ban was due to U.S. President Joe Biden's "Russophobic policies." The Biden administration has continuously reaffirmed its support for Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion began. On August 19, the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), Biden stated, "No commander-in-chief should ever bow down to dictators." In April, Congress passed a military aid bill backed by Biden, which included $61 billion for Ukraine. Among those barred in the list released are 14 current and former employees of The Wall Street Journal, including its editor in chief, Emma Tucker. Wall Street Journal writer Evan Gershkovich was recently exchanged in a prisoner swap, but he had been convicted of espionage and sentenced to 16 years in prison. He was arrested in Yekaterinburg in late March 2023 while working on a story about the Wagner mercenary group's recruiting methods, as well as Russian citizens' views on the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This latest ban adds to a list of over 2,000 Americans already prohibited from entering Russia. Russia's descent into totalitarianism under President Vladimir Putin accelerated after the launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with harsh crackdowns on independent media and free speech. Read also: France issued arrest warrant also for Telegram co-founder, Durovs brother Nikolai, Politico reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia relocated 90% of its aircraft so they won't be in range of Ukraine's ATACMS, report says Russia relocated 90% of its aircraft so they won't be in range of Ukraine's ATACMS, report says One of Ukraine's most powerful weapons seems to have prompted a big response from Russia. Per an official cited by the WSJ, Russia moved 90% of its planes out of range of ATACMS launchers. The move came even though Ukraine isn't actually allowed to use ATACMS to hit targets inside Russia. Russia seems to be afraid of losing its planes to one of Ukraine's strongest weapons, and moving them out of harm's way. Per a report in The Wall Street Journal, Russia has moved 90% of its aircraft beyond the range of the ATACMS missiles given to it by the US. It attributed the statistic to an unnamed US official, who in turn cited a US intelligence assessment. ATACMS can reach about 185 miles. The figure was given in the context of a dispute between Ukraine and the US over what it is allowed to target with its ATACMS. A condition of receiving the missiles is that Ukraine can only use them to strike limited targets on Russian soil excluding planes at airfields. The US official cited the 90% figure to justify not softening its stance. Their argument was that there was no point Russia already moved the planes. An earlier report from Politico gave a more conservative account of Russia's relocation, saying that it only moved 90% of the planes capable of launching glide bombs. That assessment was cited to an unnamed senior Biden administration official making a similar argument. It hasn't stopped Ukraine pleading publicly for all restrictions to be dropped. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this week, after a large salvo of Russian air strikes that "Defenders of life should have no restrictions on weapons, as long as Russia uses all kinds of its own weapons." The Institute for the Study of War estimated earlier this month that at least 250 militarily significant targets in Russia were within range of Ukraine's American long-range ATACMS missiles but that the current restrictions only allow Ukraine to strike 20 of those targets. Experts have previously told BI that removing restrictions would force Russians to have to spread their resources. The Telegraph and the Financial Times reported on Tuesday that UK government officials have privately been asking the US for the go-ahead to let Ukraine use its Storm Shadow missiles on Russian soil. Storm Shadows have a shorter range than ATACMS, around 155 miles compared to 185. Ukraine has instead been using reasonably inexpensive, locally built drones to launch longer-range attacks. Last week, Zelenskyy shared a video on X showing Ukraine's homegrown long-range weapon, called the Palianytsia. The rocket-drone hybrid was designed specifically to hit targets deep inside Russia. Read the original article on Business Insider Russian attacks across Ukraine killed five civilians and injured at least 43 over the past day, regional authorities reported early on Aug. 29. Ukrainian air defenses reportedly shot down 60 of the 74 "kamikaze" attack drones launched by Russia overnight, while 14 others fell or were lost on Ukrainian territory, the Air Force said. Ukraine also downed two of the three Russian Kh-59/69 guided aerial missiles launched in the attack, according to the Air Force. Around 15 drones were reportedly downed during an attack on Kyiv. The fallen debris damaged multiple buildings across the city, but no casualties were reported. This was the third large-scale aerial strike on the capital this week. Nine people were injured during a Russian attack against the city of Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Governor Serhii Lysak reported. A car repair shop, over 230 cars, administrative buildings, and other property were damaged in the attack. A school, a post office, a church, and a shop suffered damage in attacks against the Nikopol district overnight on Aug. 29. In Donetsk Oblast, five people were killed and six injured over the past day, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin. A family of four was reportedly killed during a Russian airstrike against the village of Izmailivka. One more civilian was killed in an attack against the Lysivka village. Two people were injured in Nykonorivka, two in Chasiv Yar, and two others in Shcherbynivka and Kostiantynivka, the governor said. In Kharkiv Oblast, a Russian airstrike against the town of Kupiansk in the afternoon on Aug. 28 injured 17 people, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. The Russian attack damaged the Kupiansk city administration building as well as a hotel, residential buildings, cars, shops, and other civilian infrastructure sites, according to local authorities. Three police officers were among the injured. Russian attacks against Kherson Oblast injured five people over the past day, according to the regional governor, Oleksandr Prokudin. In the Mykolaivka community of Sumy Oblast, four people were injured during a missile attack on Aug. 28 and two more during an airstrike overnight on Aug. 29, the regional military administration said. Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Poltava, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts were also attacked, but no casualties were reported. Read also: Russia attacks Kyiv for third time in one week Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Sean Duffy, a former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Bill Owens, is a communications and media relations strategist and ghostwriter based in the Denver area. Authorities in Russia's Kursk Oblast are creating detachments of armed volunteers to ensure "law and order" in the region, acting governor Alexey Smirnov announced on Aug. 29. As Kyiv's incursion into Kursk Oblast enters its fourth week, Ukraine is reportedly in control of 1,294 square kilometers (around 500 square miles) and 100 settlements, according to the Ukrainian military. Members of the volunteer detachment, titled "Bars-Kursk," will receive training and weapons, Smirnov said. Their primary task is to ensure security in areas of the region that have been evacuated due to advancing Ukrainian forces. "The fighters will act in close cooperation with the army and the counter-terrorist operation headquarters," Smirnov said. Russian authorities have publicly attempted do downplay the extent of Ukraine's cross-border incursion since Kyiv launched its offensive on Aug. 6, referring to engagements with the Ukrainian military as a "counter-terrorism operation." Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, claimed on Aug. 27 that Russia has redeployed 30,000 troops to Kursk Oblast in response to the incursion. The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Aug. 20 that it will establish troop groups in Belgorod, Kursk, and Bryansk oblasts to defend settlements along the Ukrainian border as Ukrainian forces advance. Read also: Kursk operation: What Ukraine achieved so far and potential future gains Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian crime at Ilovaisk in 2014 won't go unpunished, Zelensky says on Defenders Remembrance Day The "planned, cynical Russian war crime" during the battle of Ilovaisk in 2014 "will never (be allowed) to go unpunished," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on the day of commemoration of fallen Ukrainian defenders on Aug. 29. Russian forces and their proxies massacred over 360 Ukrainian soldiers as they were retreating through an agreed-upon corridor from the besieged city of Ilovaisk in Donetsk Oblast in August 2014. More than 400 Ukrainian troops were wounded, and around 300 were captured. It was the single largest loss on Ukraine's side up until that point of the Donbas war, which was launched by Russia at the onset of its aggression against Ukraine. "On August 14, during these very days, the Russian occupier(s) committed one of the... vilest crimes of this warkilling hundreds of our warriors near Ilovaisk," Zelensky said on social media. "It was a planned, cynical Russian war crime that Ukraine will never forget and will never allow to go unpunished." The battle of Ilovaisk was followed by the signing of the first Minsk Agreement between Ukraine, Russia, and OSCE in September 2014. This initial attempt to stop the fighting failed, preceding the Russian victories at the Donetsk International Airport and Debaltseve and the signing of the second Minsk Agreement in February 2015. Hostilities in Donbas had never fully ceased and escalated again after the outbreak of the full-scale war. Ilovaisk remains under Russian occupation to this day. Ukrainian media reported in March 2023 that Russian commander Dmitrii Lisitskii, who led a unit that carried out the massacre, was killed in battle during the all-out war. Since 2019, Ukraine has been commemorating Aug. 29 as the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine in honor of those who fell while fighting for the country. Read also: The origins of the 2014 war in Donbas Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The aftermath of the Russian attack on Nikopol. Photo: Serhii Lysak on Telegram One person has been killed and five more injured in a Russian strike on the city of Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote from Lysak: "A woman, 42, has been killed in Nikopol. The Russians killed her by bombarding the city with artillery. Five people have been injured: women aged 19 and 59 and men aged 30, 60 and 74". The aftermath of the Russian attack on Nikopol. Photo: Serhii Lysak on Telegram Details: The official noted that Russian forces had damaged a shopping centre, high-rise buildings, outbuildings, cars, and a gas pipeline in the city. The aftermath of the Russian attack on Nikopol. Photo: Serhii Lysak on Telegram The aftermath of the Russian attack on Nikopol. Photo: Serhii Lysak on Telegram Background: Earlier, Ihor Smilianskyi, CEO of Ukrposhta, Ukraines state-owned postal operator, reported that a local hub belonging to Ukrposhta had been attacked by a Russian drone in Nikopol. The attack damaged a building and five lorries. Support UP or become our patron! Russian troops forced to retreat in Vovchansk after failed assault preparations, Ukraine says Russian troops being transported into the embattled town of Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast were forced to retreat after suffering losses, Ukraine claimed on Aug. 29. In a post on Telegram, the Kharkiv group of forces said Russian soldiers were traveling in two tanks and two other armored vehicles "as part of preparations for assault operations." It did not specify how many Russian troops were killed during the engagement. Vovchansk is an embattled town some 60 kilometers (37 miles) northeast of Kharkiv that has seen heavy battles since Russia launched a new offensive in the area in May. The Kharkiv group of forces reported on Aug. 20 that Russia had increased aerial reconnaissance and was preparing new assault operations. While initially gaining ground in May, the Russian offensive in northern Kharkiv Oblast has quickly bogged down, with Russian troops reportedly suffering heavy losses. The intensity of fighting has decreased somewhat compared to other sectors, though several reports of Russia preparing new attacks have emerged since then. Some observers believe that the offensive helped to stretch Ukrainian forces as Russia intensified its push in Donetsk Oblast, focusing on towns like Pokrovsk, Toretsk, and Chasiv Yar. Read also: Russian POWs on their capture in Kursk Oblast: Commanders just disappeared Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A Russian private military company with links to Russia's Defense Ministry is withdrawing from Burkina Faso due to Ukraine's incursion into Kursk Oblast, French newspaper Le Monde reported on Aug. 29. According to Le Monde, the 100-strong unit known as the Bears Brigade arrived in the West African nation of Burkina Faso in May to support the junta of Captain Ibrahim Traore, who came to power in a coup in September 2022. Traore visited Russia in July 2023 for a Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and attended Russian Navy Day celebrations. Around 300 Russian troops are estimated to be deployed in Burkina Faso, Le Monde said. Le Monde contacted the commander of the Bears Brigade, Viktor Yermolaev, via Telegram, on Aug. 22, after Ukraine launched its incursion into Kursk Oblast on Aug. 10. "When the enemy arrives on our Russian territory, all Russian soldiers forget about internal problems and unite against a common enemy," Yermolaev told Le Monde. The Bears Brigade's Telegram channel posted on Aug. 27 that the unit is returning to its base in Russian-occupied Crimea "in connection with recent events." Read also: Russia redeploys 30,000 troops to Kursk Oblast amid Ukraines incursion, Syrskyi says Yermolaev also told Le Monde that the unit has "no connection with the Russian Defense Ministry." The Bears Brigade was formed in March 2023 and is part of a Russian military grouping called Redut, which claims to be a private military company. A Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty investigation in 2023 revealed that Redut is controlled by the GRU, Russia's military intelligence agency. Burkina Faso is reportedly a focus of Russian efforts to expand its influence in Africa. Two of Burkina Faso's neighbors, Mali and Niger, recently broke diplomatic ties with Ukraine after alleging that Kyiv supported local Tuareg-led rebels. The rebels reportedly inflicted significant losses against Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner Group mercenaries in late July. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry on Aug. 5 called the decision "hasty" and said that Mali had not provided evidence proving Ukraine's involvement. Read also: Wagner Group claims to no longer be fighting in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russians attack Ukrainsk and centre of Kostiantynivka, injuring six people Aftermath of the attack. Photo: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office Russian troops shelled the towns of Ukrainsk and Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast with artillery on 29 August, injuring six civilians. Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office on Facebook Details: The Russians shelled the city of Ukrainsk with artillery, injuring a married couple aged 56 and 62. They were diagnosed with mine-blast injuries. The Russians also attacked the town of Kostiantynivka with tube artillery, hitting the central part of the settlement. Four women aged 53, 55, 77 and 84 sustained injuries of varying severity. They received medical assistance. Apartment blocks, private houses, cars, as well as power, gas and water supply lines were damaged. Prosecutors are taking all possible and appropriate measures to document war crimes committed by representatives of the Russian armed forces. Support UP or become our patron! Russian forces were repelling a drone attack on the city of Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea on the night of 28-29 August. Source: Mikhail Razvozhayev, Russian-backed sham "governor of Sevastopol" on Telegram; Crimean Bridge: Operational Information, a local Telegram channel Details: According to Razvozhayev, Russian air defence units are repelling a drone attack near Sevastopol. Early reports indicate that "two UAVs have been shot down over the sea". The Crimean Bridge was closed to traffic for about an hour. Support UP or become our patron! By Pavel Polityuk and Olena Harmash KYIV (Reuters) -A Russian drone and missile attack on Monday forced Ukraine to disconnect several nuclear power units from the grid, posing a risk to the nuclear power sector, a Ukrainian mission to the International Atomic Energy Agency said. Russia used more than 200 missiles and drones in Monday's attack on energy facilities, Ukrainian officials said. "The Russian Federation continues to deliberately target Ukraine's energy infrastructure, intending to disrupt the operation of the country's nuclear power plants, which provide most of Ukraine's electricity," the Ukrainian mission to the U.N. nuclear watchdog said in a note on Thursday. "Russian attacks pose a significant risk to the stable operation of nuclear facilities in Ukraine and the safety of millions of people." Russia, which began its full-scale invasion in February 2022, stepped up attacks on Ukraine's power grid in March in what Kyiv said looked like a concerted effort to degrade the system before winter. Ukraine's mission to the IAEA said Monday's attack was intended to paralyse the operation of power facilities. "It is a deliberate decision by the Putin regime to threaten the world with nuclear catastrophe," Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff, said on Telegram messenger. Ukraine has not said Russia has attacked nuclear power plants directly, but strikes on transmission and distribution systems have forced the grid operator to reduce production at nuclear power plants or shut down nuclear units. The mission said that as a result of Monday's attack, three out of four power units at the Rivne nuclear power plant in western Ukraine were disconnected from the grid, as was power unit 3 of the South Ukrainian nuclear power plant. Ukrainian nuclear energy firm Energoatom declined comment. IAEA CONCERN Russia's Defence Ministry said on Monday it had struck electricity substations in nine Ukrainian regions and gas compressor stations in three regions. Ukrainian officials have said Ukraine has lost about half its power generating capacity during the war, and most of its power needs are now covered by electricity produced by three Ukrainian nuclear power plants. Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the Europe's largest, is occupied by Russian forces and out of operation. The IAEA has urged both sides to refrain from fighting around nuclear plants to avoid a catastrophic incident, and IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said after visiting Russia's Kursk nuclear power plant on Tuesday that there was a risk of a nuclear accident there. Russia says the plant has been attacked by Ukrainian forces following a Ukrainian incursion into Russian territory this month. Ukraine has yet to respond to the accusations. (Reporting by Olena Harmash and Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Timothy Heritage) Sabotage spreading at defence industry plants in Russia and Belarus Atesh resistance movement A document at the disposal of Atesh exposing the spread of sabotage at Russian and Belarusian defence industry plants. Photo: Atesh Cyber Atesh, the cyber division of the Ukrainian resistance movement Atesh, has obtained documents exposing the spread of sabotage at Russian and Belarusian defence industry plants. Source: Atesh Details: Members of the movement acquired a text document containing calls for sabotage at the defence industry facilities. The acquired guide outlines step-by-step actions that have been disseminated among employees at major facilities. An Atesh operative reports that workers are taking these calls with great interest and are ready to act. Defence industry workers are being encouraged to slow their work pace, take longer toilet and smoke breaks, give confusing answers to questions, and repeatedly ask for task details to be clarified. Support UP or become our patron! Following a five-day sting-operation that spanned 15 retail locations, the Sacramento County Sheriffs Retail Crime Task Force said its recovered $22,000 in stolen merchandise and issued nearly 400 criminal citations. About 100 deputies staked out the California capitals most heavily trafficked, highly targeted stores, from Target to Walmart, TJ Maxx, Ulta, Ross and Marshalls, trolling for criminal activity. They found it in spades, according to Sacramento Sheriffs Office spokesperson Sergeant Amar Gandhi, who said that Operation Hot August Nights resulted in 216 trespass notices, 240 misdemeanor charges and 20 felony charges. More from Sourcing Journal Conducted between Aug. 19 and Aug 24, the operation (so named for a classic car show that takes place in Reno, Nev.) was developed in partnership with the local retail community. A lot of it is from the retailers reaching out to us, but also a very proactive and robust relationship we have with the retailers in our area, Gandhi said, noting that the Retail Crime Task Force encourages two-way communication about crime trends including problem categories and times of day. The multifaceted sting included plainclothes officers inside stores observing shoppers and monitoring CCTV cameras with loss-prevention personnel, along with arrest teams stationed outside of stores and marked units to deter criminal activity. We have huge manpower behind this.These are very costly operations, the sergeant said. They cost a lot of money, but its a quality-of-life issue for residents where theyre sick of seeing higher prices, and theyre sick of seeing deodorant and things like that locked behind glass cases. Gandhi said Sacramento, like other California cities of a similar size, faces fewer smash-and-grabs and flash mobs than metropolitan hubs like nearby San Francisco. You cant paint a broad brush throughout the entire state, because everybodys got a different set of unique issues based on their localities. You go to somewhere like San Jose thats got Santana Row, you go to L.A. where theres the Fashion Center. Maybe they are experiencing a lot of these big things; we dont have that, he said. We have Target getting victimized. Weve got small businesses getting victimized. Items recovered from Target. Gandhi characterized the cadence of retail crime in Sacramento as a slow, steady trickle, where repeat offenders often return to the same stores over and over again to grab handfuls of product or slip a pair of jeans over their own clothingsometimes all within the span of the same day. The nature of the thefts suggests that much of the product taken is for personal use, though the Sheriffs office also believes shoplifters are using online marketplaces to fence stolen goods regularly. Apparel is a big one, because the resale market on clothing is crazyespecially the name brand stuff, Gandhi said. We talk about Lululemon all the timethis high-end, expensive clothingyou find it on eBay or Facebook marketplace, or some of these other places for next to nothing. During Operation Hot August Nights, deputies also arrested Yubo Tian, a Chinese national who the Sacramento Sheriffs Office believes is a part of an international crime syndicate engaged in a national gift-card scam. Gift cards are stolen from retailers, their barcodes are scanned, and the cards are replaced in stores for unsuspecting customers to purchase. When the cards are activated, the funds are siphoned. According to Gandhi, Yubo was arrested with 6,300 gift cards in his possession from retailers across the U.S. Such crimes often go unreported. Stolen gift cards recovered from retailers across the country. Gandhi stressed that the retail communitys active participation is essential to law enforcement operations like the one conducted last week. Both parties have faced a learning curve; last fall, Sacramento Sheriff Jim Cooper called out the citys local Target for placing optics above shopper safety when it demanded that deputies arrest thieves outside of the store instead of in front of shoppers during a sting operation. But Gandhi said the issue has since been resolved. I think smoothed out is an understatement; they are fantastic partners in all of this now, because I think they see the effectiveness of these operations, he said. They understand the intent behind these operations is not to embarrass people, per se, or create a negative perception of a store. We want to enforce the law, and I think their customers now are demanding ittheyre fed up, the sergeant added. They want to see a change, not just from legislation, not just from lawmakersbut from these retailers and especially these large chains, which have a significant amount of culpability and control over this. Statewide legislation does have a major role to play, though, and Gandhi said the Sacramento Sheriffs Office is intent on seeing Prop. 36, the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act, passed in the next election. The petition, brought by California voters, provides some antidotes to the 10-year-old Prop. 47, including harsher sentences for serial thieves. Operation Hot August Nights underscores the need for reform, he said. We caught nearly 400 people during this operation, the majority of which were released by citation as if they ran stop sign, he added. There are reforms in place right now that are going on the ballot in November, with Prop. 36 widely supported by law enforcement because it really targets the repeat offenders. Right now, we are seeing folks who were arrested previously doing this over and over again, because theres no repercussions. Gandhi commended California Governor Gavin Newsoms passage of 10 retail theft bills earlier this month, calling them great steps in the right direction. We support that legislation because theyre trying to make sure that there is an impact on retail theft and these criminalsstraight, clean punishments, he said. But the voter referendum is going to carry the most weight. Prop. 47 was enacted by voters, and can only be changed by voters. Students at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind are getting to shape their own world through their brand-new universally accessible playground. The playground began as a class project in 2018 and was officially unveiled Wednesday afternoon during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which drew a large crowd of community members, alumni and city leaders to the school. Jack Lambert, a former student and a graduate of the Class of 2020, was part of the group that started this project. Lambert said the idea for the playground started five years ago in a social studies class of all places. The teachers here empowered us to ensure that when we created a project based around an issue that we believed in, that we were so passionate about, that it would be for the benefit of those students and community members that came after our time, Lambert said. The project took several years of fundraising and extensive planning, with feedback from orientation mobility specialists, like Robin Teuting, shaping the space to be safe and inclusive. The overall design was influenced by the knowledge of 12 staff members and student feedback, according to the school. It was really cool that when we gave feedback, they took it and ran with it, Teuting said. Initially, the plan was a big open area with winding sidewalks, and esthetically, it looked great, but my colleague and I looked at that and we knew that would not make sense to our students. The playground has several details that speak to its accessibility. On the north entrance, there are places to store backpacks, and more specifically, students canes. The park also features large boldface signs throughout with Braille to help the students with low vision navigate without their cane as is intended by the design. Each area has its sign so students are able to feel their options for play while walking through the playground. Also for students who have low vision or are blind, there are several auditory play equipment options, which staff members used to count down to the ribbon cutting during the ceremony. The playground also promotes friendship and community through features like the wheelchair accessible merry-go-round and buddy swings, one of which is also wheelchair accessible. Each piece of the playground appears to serve a purpose, even with the color scheme being bright with high contrast colors to assist those students with low vision. Vibrant yellows and blues make it easier for some students to see the shapes of the equipment. Even the ceremony was accessible, with a staff member from the school giving everyone in attendance a play-by-play audio description of where people where and who was in attendance. Featured Local Savings The playground was built by Nunn Construction and N.E.S. Landscape Architects, who were hired using state funding through the Office of the State Architect. Tyson Nunn, president of Nunn Construction, attended the event and expressed gratitude for being able to be a part of the project. I would humbly offer that the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind has the absolute best playground in the entire state. Now theres some playgrounds that are bigger. Maybe some may have water that sprays up in the air. Some might have taller slides, Nunn said. But that doesnt matter; this playground welcomes everyone. This new accessible playground is not the only one in Colorado Springs, as Legacy Peak Elementary School, among others, recently created one for their campus. Laura Paris, principal of Legacy Peak Elementary School, believes that all students should be able to play together without anyone being left out because they cannot access playground equipment. Since school started a few weeks ago, weve already seen students playing at recess, specifically using the adaptive swing, Paris said in an email. It is great to see our neurodivergent students swinging alongside their peers, with big smiles on their faces and enjoying elementary school recess. Paris said she has seen students play alongside each other without noticing differences of their peers through their accessible playground. At Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, while students had already spent some time at the playground as construction wrapped up ahead of schedule, their excitement Wednesday during the official ceremony was apparent. Something special the students got to do during the ribbon cutting was place rocks they painted in class throughout the playground, truly leaving their mark. Several students were seen searching for the perfect spot for their rock with the help of several staff members after the ceremony. Other students were seen guiding themselves through the playground through the use of the accessible features with wide smiles on their faces. Many kids jumped from area to area, checking out each feature with their friends. (The playground) not only allows us to show students that they can use the many mechanics of a structure to grow and to develop in their own way, but rather they can navigate this structure themselves, Lambert said. They can understand how the world works and how they have the opportunity in front of them to shape their own world. CHICAGO Postal workers continue to raise safety concerns following the deadly shooting of a mail carrier on her route on the Far South Side. Police on Tuesday released video of the suspect in hopes of catching the killer. Yet, persistent safety issues mean some neighbors arent getting their mail. Elise Foster, president of the National Association of Letter Carrier Branch 11 in Chicago, on Wednesday renewed calls for answers and a resolution to a shooting death felt by many of her peers. RELATED: Surveillance video shows person of interest wanted in connection with deadly shooting of letter carrier in West Pullman We do want justice for our fallen sister and we want something to be done, Foster said. Foster told WGN News that the newly released video of the man suspected of fatally shooting 48-year-old Octavia Redman on July 19 offered a glimmer of hope. Its limited video, but its something, she said. Video captured the suspect, seen wearing all black, in the 700 block of S. Campbell moments before the deadly shooting. Redman was on her delivery route when she was shot and killed. The shooting, residents say, has raised a safety concern in the area, leading to a lack of deliveries. After she was murdered, everything went downhill. Its like no one wants to deliver the mail. Where is my mail? All I need is just my mail, said Roseland resident Rosie Liggins. Several other residents who stopped by the Roseland post office Wednesday morning to pick up their mail echoed similar concerns. Makeeba Lane, a former mail carrier who worked out of the Roseland office, called the situation unfortunate for all involved. Its a tough situation because, of course, people want their mail, Lane said, Just speaking from experience, if you dont feel safe, you dont want to go out there and risk your life for mail. The Letter Carriers Union wants federal lawmakers to pass the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act, which would, among other things, enhance sentencing guidelines for anyone convicted of committing a crime against a letter carrier. WGN-TV reached out to 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beales office for comment: The 9th Ward Office has reached out on numerous occasions to Rep. Kellys office about the concerns of the community and the lack of postal safety and neglect of postal surroundings. We are hopeful service and safety around postal carriers will get better soon and fast. In response, Kellys office said they have not yet heard from the Aldermans office but have received feedback from constituents: Both my mother and brother retired from the Post Office, so I know its a tight-knit community of hard workers. The tragic shooting of Octavia Redmond was an insurmountable loss for her family, her co-workers, and the community. Ive dedicated my public service career to ending gun violence, and I will not stop fighting until the safety of every letter carrier, child, and family is guaranteed. Gun violence has several ripple effects, and in this case, residents of West Pullman are not able to get their mail due to public safety concerns. My office has heard from several people who have not received their mail, and were doing everything in our power to help them. My office has an open-door policy for anyone who needs support. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Foster added, We need some help out here. All the people who can figure it out need to figure it out because we cant keep having our letter carriers attacked. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Nonprofit Rhode Island health care provider Lifespan announced Thursday it will purchase the hospital operations, buildings and land of Saint Annes Hospital in Fall River and Morton Hospital in Taunton for $175 million. Lifespan CEO John Fernandez said his company was purchasing the hospital licenses and operations from Steward Health Care and the property from Medical Properties Trust via its lender, Apollo Global Management. Were very excited about it," Fernandez said in an interview. Ive got to tip my hat to the people that work there. Theyve been through a lot, a lot more than we have during the last several months of having such uncertainty. Lifespan announced Thursday it will purchase the hospital operations, buildings and land of Saint Annes Hospital, above, in Fall River and Morton Hospital in Taunton for $175 million. How will Lifespan pay for the deal? In May, the for-profit Steward abruptly filed for bankruptcy, throwing into question the future of its eight hospitals across Massachusetts, among others nationwide. In its filing, it revealed it owed money to more than 100,000 creditors in an amount ranging in the billions. Among its debts was $50 million to its landlord, Medical Properties Trust, an Alabama-based real estate firm. MPT bought Steward hospital buildings and land from Steward including Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, Morton Hospital in Taunton and St. Anne's Hospital in Fall River and leased them back to Steward. Lifespan said the bulk of the $175-million purchase price would go toward purchasing the land and buildings. The deal would be debt-financed. The company said it would receive "modest support from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for a limited timeframe, to support hospital operations." Earlier this week, Gov. Maura Healey announced a plan to bail out five bankrupt Steward Health Care hospitals in a deal that could cost $700 million by 2027. Fernandez said Lifespan and the state had yet to work out the exact agreement in terms of how much money the company would receive. That deal would be worked out during closing, expected to happen within the next month. The deal is still contingent upon approval by court and regulatory approval. If approved, the two hospitals would be owned by Lifespan of Massachusetts, a nonprofit affiliate of Lifespan. Also Thursday, Healey's administration announced Lawrence General Hospital agreed to buy and operate both campuses of Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill and Methuen. Will anyone at Saint Anne's or Morton hospitals lose their jobs? Fernandez said no staff at either hospital is expected to lose their job, from janitors to physicians. We need more people, not less," Fernandez said. We plan to retain the staff and just move forward. We probably need more staff, because of nursing shortages, et cetera. In health care right now, I wish I had the problem of too many people. He said his company has worked on a transition services agreement with Steward, with the process expected to take a year to 18 months. We have to get in and assess what needs to be fixed quickly and what needs to be implemented over time, he said. The hospitals would join Lifespans network of over 1,600 hospitals and clinics, including Rhode Island Hospital, Hasbro Childrens Hospital, Newport Hospital and others. We look forward to working with them and really digging in and finding out how we can make these thriving organizations in these two communities, Fernandez said. Health care workers' union praises news, blasts Steward Tim Foley, executive vice president of 1199 Service Employees International Union, United Healthcare Workers East, the union representing many employees at both Saint Annes and Morton, stated that he was pleased by the news. Four of the eight Steward hospitals are now safe from the financial brinksmanship of Steward and its investors, he said in a statement. Now, with Stewards greed and mismanagement in the rear-view mirror at these sites, we can turn our full attention to the essential work of rebuilding our hospitals and caring for our patients. Foley called on Steward to finalize sales of Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton and St. Elizabeths Hospital in Bostons Brighton neighborhood. The bankruptcy court has approved Stewards plans to close Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer by Aug. 3. Foley said Steward must pay all laid-off workers what they are owed in accumulated PTO and severance pay. Massachusetts is turning a new page in our health care system today, but workers will not forget how Stewards investors spent years draining resources from these hospitals to fuel their profits, Foley said. They still need to be held fully accountable for their misconduct and greed. This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Lifespan announces $175M deal to buy Fall River, Taunton hospitals One of the Salisbury Zoological Parks Andean bears, Raymi, will soon be catching a one-way flight to Switzerland. Raymis big international move to Zoo Zurich, recommended by the Andean Bear Species Survival Plan (SSP) for breeding, is set to take place in September. Raymi was born alongside his twin, Inti, on Jan. 16, 2022, at the Salisbury Zoo, and has already stayed at the zoo longer than most cubs do. The brothers were split up in May 2024, when Inti moved to the Racine Zoo in Wisconsin. However, the separation was necessary as Raymi and Inti would have gone their separate ways in the wild. It was a little bit of an adjustment, mainly because they would wrestle so much and get a lot of their energy out with each other, Salisbury Zoo Registrar Jessica Mandelson said of the twins separation. So, we saw a little bit more destruction. CHANGES COMING TO SALISBURY ZOO: Salisbury Zoo announces 5-year master plan. Here's what's ahead, including new exhibits. Andean bears' primary trainer says they're 'so charismatic and smart' Salisbury Zoo Andean Bear Raymi peeks out the door Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Salisbury, Maryland. Mandelson, who began working at the Salisbury Zoo in 2016 after years of volunteering, oversees all animal transports. She also works as the primary keeper and trainer for the Andean bears, a species she has grown to love. As a species, (Andean bears) are very unique because theyre the only descendent from short-nosed bears," Mandelson said. "Theyre so charismatic and smart." As Raymi and Inti grew up, Mandelson could point out key differences in the bears personalities. Inti was more of the vocal one. But, he was all talk, no action. Whereas, Raymi was more in charge, she said. First 2024 human West Nile case in Md.: Maryland confirms first human West Nile Virus for 2024. What you can do to combat it. Raymi will be matched up with a new female Andean bear in Zurich Mandelson and the Salisbury Zoos veterinarian will be traveling alongside Raymi to Switzerland to help with the transition to his new environment. In Zurich, Raymi will be placed with a female Andean bear with hopes that they will breed. Raymis last day on exhibit at the Salisbury Zoo will be Sept. 2, ahead of the start of his journey abroad to Zurich the following day, the zoo said in an Aug. 26 news release. Mandelson believes Raymi will acclimate well to his new environment. Theres always going to be a little bit of stress. I mean, were stressed when we travel. But we do try to acclimate them as best we can, either by crate training or by allowing them to see the crate beforehand, she said. Theyre very adaptable, very resilient. MEET LOCAL HUMANITARIAN AND HERO: Ocean City's Al 'Hondo' Handy earns Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award The Andean bears are beloved members of Salisbury Zoo family Salisbury Zoo Andean Bear Chaska Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Salisbury, Maryland. Andean bears originally came to the Salisbury Zoo in the 1980s. Raymi and Intis mother, Chaska, 14, still resides at the Salisbury Zoo. Their father, Pinocchio, 11, has moved to the Nashville Zoo on a breeding loan. Each of their names, like the rest of the Andean bears, pay homage to the Quechua Language, the official language of Ecuador. Raymis name can be translated to celebration, Intis sun and Chaskas bright star. Raymi and Intis names were voted on by the public in an online survey back in 2022. For this reason, the surrounding community has come to develop close ties with the twin Andean bears. A lot of our guests are here daily. They are part of our family. So, the community will be missing (Raymi and Inti), said Salisbury Zoo Director Chuck Eicholz. Beloved Crab Derby returns this weekend: Crab Derby is back with fun-filled crab races, boat docking and much more. Your guide. Salisbury Zoo part of wider effort to help Andean bears thrive Salisbury Zoo Andean Bear Chaska Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Salisbury, Maryland. The SSP works closely with Andean Bear SAFE, or Saving Animals From Extinction, of which the Salisbury Zoo is a program partner and Mandelson is secretary. Because of the international move, the Andean bear conservation counterparts in Europe were also involved, the release stated. Zoos are working together internationally to move bears around to increase genetic diversity, Mandelson said. Because Pinocchio was wild-born, his genetics and offspring are helping to increase the genetic diversity of Andean bears on an international level. According to the zoo, Andean bears are a solitary species and only come together for breeding, and Raymi has already been separated from Chaska since last year as it would be in the wild. Chaska let the animal care staff know through her behavior when it was time to separate from the cubs. ROSENFELD'S TO OPEN IN SALISBURY: Rosenfeld's Jewish Deli looks back on past 11 years in Ocean City, and bright future ahead Although the Zoo staff will miss Raymi, his international move is important for conservation of the species, the release stated. The Salisbury Zoo has had successful Andean bear breeding for many years, and we are proud to be involved in helping grow the Andean bear population under human care on this international scale, said Eicholz. Its definitely a labor of love. Were not in this for the money, were in this for them, Mandelson said, nodding to the animals nearby. Were in this for the conservation of all the species. Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com. This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Salisbury Zoo Andean bear, Raymi is catching a flight to Switzerland SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) The Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office has charged a Salt Lake man with obstruction of justice in an eight year old unsolved murder. According to a probable cause affidavit, Jesse Mascaro, 35, is said to have hindered, delayed or prevent an investigation from running its course. READ NEXT: Three people displaced after house fire in Springville In February 2016, Unified Police were called out to the Great Saltair, where they found the body of a 22-year-old who was shot and killed. The 22-year-old had two gunshot wounds, one in the cheek and one in the chest, the affidavit states. The Utah Medical Examiners Office ruled the death a homicide. Unified Police went through the 22-year-olds associates and interviewed the accused in 2016. Mascaro was questioned regarding an individual who would become a suspect in the investigation. When the investigator asked Mascaro, so you dont know [suspect] very well? Mascaro responded, I dont know who the hell that is, according to the affidavit. Mascaro said he may have met the suspect once or twice but, I dont really know who he is or what hes about or, or anything, the affidavit continued. Detectives later learned that Mascaro and the homicide suspect had allegedly worked at the same small company of 10 individuals together, according to the press release. Reportedly, the owner of that business had introduced [Mascaro] to the unnamed homicide suspect in 2016, the press release states. Some cases take a significant amount of time to investigate and obtain the necessary evidence to lead to charges being filed. This case has been under investigation for more than eight years, but the charges filed today underscore our commitment to ensuring that justice is served for the victim and his family, Sam Gill, Salt Lake County District Attorney, said in the release. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) A judge ruled in the murder trial of former social worker Deidre Silas Thursday afternoon. The judge has ruled Benjamin Reed is guilty but mentally ill. Legislators, union push for house visit reform on anniversary of fatal DCFS caseworker stabbing Silas, 36, was a social worker with DCFS. In January 2022, she went on a home visit in Thayer, Illinois. It was there that she was stabbed and killed. Benjamin Reed was accused of first degree murder. He pleaded insanity during the trial. He was diagnosed at a young age with Schizoaffective Disorder, which means he experiences symptoms of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Trial over Deidre Silas murder turns focus on alleged murderers mental health Reed will be sentenced Nov. 15. This is a developing story that will continue to be updated. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) It may be hard to believe but the unofficial end of summer is fast approaching. Were talking about Labor Day Weekend. AAA is projecting travel to be up by nine percent for the holiday compared to last year. When it comes to Labor Day travel, many people opt to drive to their destinations and some already have a head start. Labor Day travels are about a three and a half week travel starting in Pikeville, Tennessee, John Smolko of Tennessee said. Were going out to Bozeman to visit my son, Scott Watson of Illinois said. And theres some good news for any drivers filling up the tank in South Dakota. This year, the average right now is about a three and a quarter dollars per gallon in South Dakota, Shawn Steward with AAA South Dakota said. And thats 45 cents less than what we saw a year ago. Thats something Scott Watson of Illinois has already noticed. Our first fill-up in Illinois was $3.85 and now we obviously are below two dollars. So thats always pleasant, Watson said. His tip for saving even more money is to pack your own food. Yeah, we brought along, like I said, some of our own food. Were staying in an AirBnB so that we can avoid restaurants a little bit, Watson said. LifeLight is ready to rock Labor Day weekend Speaking of where you sleep, AAA says hotel costs are up this year, but John Smolko of Tennessee has a way to handle that expense. Well, we brought our camper so we saved the hotel bills and we just got through having lunch down at the Falls, Smolko said. If youre keeping the car parked this weekend and traveling by air, you could also see some lower prices. AAA says domestic airfare is down two percent from last year and international flights are down eight percent. However, you can expect some busy airports. Theyre anticipating the busiest travel day this coming weekend to be on Friday. They are planning to screen more than 2.8 million passengers around the country, Steward said. So make sure that you leave early, leave plenty of time and keep up to date on the status of your flight. No matter how youre traveling this holiday weekend, remember to have some fun along the way. I just hope they enjoy it and remember what Labor Day is all about the working man, Smolko said. AAA also has a free mobile app that allows you to check gas prices at any location along your trip so you can find the lowest option. Steward suggests checking your cars maintenance making sure it has full tires and a good battery before you hit the road to help lower your risk of having to spend money on tow trucks and repairs along the way. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Gov. Henry McMaster ceremoniously signs a bill approving a monument of Robert Smalls on the Statehouse grounds on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Skylar Laird/SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA The clock is ticking for a state panel to approve a design and choose a patch of land for a monument to Civil War hero and lawmaker Robert Smalls. The monument will be the first on the South Carolina Statehouse grounds to memorialize a single Black person. While another monument tells the story of the struggles and achievements of Black South Carolinians, from the slave trade through present day, its carved panels do not identify any specific people. A commission has until Jan. 15 to decide on a design and location for the monument. As commission members pointed out Wednesday, that leaves less than five months to solicit designs, make a decision and raise money. We dont have a whole lot of time, said Mike Shealy, who chairs the commission and oversees special projects for the state Department of Administration. Private donations will fund the sculpture. Commission members dont yet know how much theyll need to fundraise, since that will depend on the design they choose. The type of sculpture whether a traditional monument on a pedestal or something more interpretive is also up in the air. Right now, weve got a blank slate, Shealy said. On a general level, Sen. Chip Campsen said he wanted to make sure the monument celebrated Smalls and his fight for freedom, whether as a slave, as a steamship pilot during the Civil War or as a legislator. Someone may come up with ideas better than we have, but we want to give them some general direction, the Isle of Palms Republican said. Finding a place to put the monument may also prove a challenge. More than two dozen statues and markers of varying sizes already sit on the grounds. In fact, the complex is so crowded that the Legislature in 2007 put in place a moratorium on adding any more. The moratorium allowed for exceptions if a proposal received supermajority approval. The proposal for a Robert Smalls memorial was approved unanimously by both chambers. There arent a whole lot of statues I think we need to add to the Statehouse grounds, but I think Robert Smalls is worthy, said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield. The story of Smalls hijacking a Confederate ship and sailing himself and others to freedom is one that resonates across the state, Gov. Henry McMaster said during a Thursday ceremonial bill signing. This is a great symbol, a great indicator of our strength and what we can do and will do, McMaster said. History of Robert Smalls Smalls, born into slavery in Beaufort, was sent to Charleston in 1851 at age 12. He was an enslaved crew member on the steamship Planter when the Civil War began. Because of his boating skills, he was trusted to pilot the Confederate ship despite the fact that slaves were not usually permitted to do so. One night, in 1862, Smalls and the other enslaved crew members hijacked the ship and picked up family members from a nearby wharf. Disguised in a captains hat, Smalls used the hand symbols he knew as a pilot to bypass Confederate troops and steer the ship to freedom. It seems more like a script from a Hollywood blockbuster movie than something out of the pages of a South Carolina history book, said Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Hartsville. He was the first Black man to pilot ships for the U.S. Navy, eventually becoming a captain and helming the same ship he used to escape, this time for the Union. Congress also awarded Smalls prize money for capturing the Planter, which he later used to buy at auction the mansion of the man who had once enslaved him. During the Reconstruction era, Smalls joined a majority-Black convention of delegates to write the states 1868 constitution. That constitution undid the Black Codes restrictive laws passed across the South to limit the freedom of African Americans after slavery was abolished, such as forcing Black people to sign yearly work contracts that ensured they could be hired as cheap labor. It also promised free education to all children and voting rights to all men and led Congress to readmit South Carolina into the Union. Smalls served in both the state House and Senate before winning a seat in Congress in 1874. There, he served five terms following the end of Reconstruction, as politicians overturned the rights of freed slaves, often violently. In 1895, the state constitution was again rewritten to roll back education and voting rights. Smalls was a delegate to that convention as well. He pleaded for guarantees of fair and honest elections even though he knew the authors sought to disenfranchise Black voters. Smalls was probably the most important politician of the 19th Century, and probably the most important African American politician in the state through the 1970s and 1980s, said Eric Emerson, head of the state Department of Archives and History. Smalls went widely unrecognized after his death in 1915. In the early 2000s, nearly a century later, Beaufort residents began to call for a national park site to tell his story. Now, a national historic park preserves his home and the church where he is buried. But no mention of him exists on the Statehouse grounds. Putting up a monument to his legacy would help make sure more people in South Carolina know his story. Black and white legislators alike said they hope Smalls history will inspire future generations. Thats especially true for Black residents, who can see their own legacies in Smalls story and aspire to be like him, said Rep. Jermaine Johnson said. Im really looking forward to the day when I get to bring my children and my grandchildren up here to the Statehouse grounds and I get to allow them to read whatevers going to be on that monument, allow them to say, This is from what you come from, the Hopkins Democrat said. Editors note: This article has been updated to correct the year the state constitution was rewritten following Reconstruction. This SC community saved a 200-year-old oak tree from being cut down. Heres how you can do the same When Murrells Inlet residents learned of plans to remove a beloved 200-year-old live oak tree, they used social media to rally others to their cause and save the tree. The South Carolina Department of Transportation planned to axe the historic oak during construction to improve safety at the intersection of Tadlock Drive and the Highway 17 connector. But some residents argued that, while traffic safety improvements are necessary, the tree doesnt have to come down. I was alarmed because the tree is huge and beautiful and makes a grand entrance into Murrells Inlet, which I felt should be saved and, obviously, the more trees we lose, the greater the flooding problem is here, said local Pamela Mills Talbert. ... and so, I sort of started a campaign. Talbert found out about the decision to remove the tree on Facebook and began reaching out to environmental groups to sound the alarm. When local citizens group Preserve Murrells Inlet, which works to address land use and environmental problems, started posting about the tree on the Sustainable Murrells Inlet Facebook page, people took notice. For a small community like Murrells Inlet, that whole issue just became viral, said Gary Weinreich, one Preserve Murrells Inlets director. I think weve had close to 40,000 views on those various posts. Weinrich believes that the outcry on social media changed the oaks fate. One supporter who weighed in on a Sustainable Murrells Inlet post urging people to contact state Rep. Lee Hewitt, state Sen. Stephen Goldfinch and SCDOT Chairman Tony Cox, was Goldfinch himself. That tree wont come down. Theyll prune it and thatll be it, Goldfinch commented. A spokesperson told The Sun News plans to reverse course and save the oak were made in conversations involving Hewitt and Goldfinch about the best way to complete construction. This is a project thats in its very early phases, so were going through kind of the design phase and finalizing that, and so its just constant conversation. Its not that we had it a certain way, and that was what we were sticking to, it was that were kind of trying to figure out what works best, SCDOT media relations manager Hannah Robinson said. So it was like a not set in stone thing and now its set in stone. Robinson confirmed that the live oak will not be removed and instead will be pruned by a certified arborist to address overhang in the road. SCDOT doesnt currently know if or how the decision to keep the tree will impact construction, but Robinson said it wont, greatly affect the project. Its not just one voice in the wilderness, Talbert said. I hate to use a cliche, but it really does take a village. It takes a lot of people to become involved. And you should never think that just one voice isnt enough. Everyone has a voice, and everyone should be able to use it. This SC roundabout has dozens of accidents each year. Heres how DOT plans to fix it Highway engineers say statistics bear out their belief that roundabouts, rather than traditional intersections, are safer, reduce delays and contribute to better air quality. And then theres Hearon Circle. Now a relic built in 1954, it was named for Charles O. Hearon, who was considered a pioneer in highway development and was a member of the very first South Carolina State Highway Commission from 1917 until 1936. He served as chairman for five of those years. The Spartanburg traffic circle has 11 ways to get on and off, rather than a more traditional eight connecting one road to another. Not only that but the circle is bisected by an Interstate 85 Business bridge. There are also many fast food restaurants along the route and an industrial bakery. Motorists consider it a nightmare. We have experienced one person out of town coming the wrong way, Spartanburg resident Curtis Baldwin told television station WSPA. Another said slow down. If you got to be a little late for work thats the best thing than causing a wreck and everything gets piled up because a lot of people travel this way and it gets backed up and cause a whole discombobulation, Spartanburg resident David Carter told the station. Enter the South Carolina Department of Transportation with a fix. Engineers have come up with a preliminary plan to close off two of the roads leading to the roundabout. The first step was a presentation to the public in which 50 or so people showed up to see the new design. Comments are being accepted until Sept. 6 using this link, emailing BodnerAC@scdot.org or by sending a letter to Adam Bodner from the South Carolina Department of Transportation at P.O Box 191, Columbia SC, 29202-0191. National studies show roundabouts reduce total crashes by 35%, injury crashes by 75%, pedestrian crashes by 40% and fatal crashes by 90%. Hearon Circle, from Jan. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020, had 1,546 crashes with 206 (13%) resulting in injury. Rear end crashes accounted for nearly 80%. The Spartanburg Area Transportation Study identified this area for improvement due to the significant congestion and history of frequent crashes, said Hannah Robinson, the media relations manager for DOT. This proposed project aims to close and reconfigure various approaches to Hearon Circle to improve the efficiency and safety. The Transportation Department did not provide a cost estimate for the project, which likely wont be built until 2026. The department hired the engineering firm Stantec, headquartered in Edmonton, Canada, to analyze and evaluate safety and traffic conditions and determine what improvements need to be made. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources will conduct courtesy boat inspections during Labor Day weekend to keep people and waterways safe. SCDDNR boating safety and enforcement officers will perform quick but thorough inspections at public boat landings around the state. The Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest boating times of the year for South Carolina lakes and waterways, along with being the traditional wrap-up for the summer boating season, and officers want to do everything possible to keep everyones weekend fun and safe, said the Department of Natural Resources. Authorities will check for required safety equipment and proper boat and motor registrations. Those who are not in compliance with safety regulations or registration requirements will not be ticketed during the complimentary inspections. Instead, officials will allow boaters to correct the problem before they launch their boats. Officers will also be available to answer questions and give boaters tips on how to stay safe on the water. Inspections will be conducted on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Labor Day weekend boat inspections will be held at the following locations: Saturday, August 31 Berkeley County: William H. Dennis Landing, Tail Race Canal, 10 a.m. to Noon Charleston County: Limehouse Landing, Stono River, Johns Island, 10 a.m. to Noon Darlington County: Society Hill Landing, Great Pee Dee River, 10 a.m. to Noon Horry County: Johnny Causey Landing, North Myrtle Beach, 10 a.m. to Noon Lexington County: Lake Murray Dam Landing, 10 a.m. to Noon Oconee County: Fall Creek Landing, Lake Keowee, 10 a.m. to Noon York County: Ebenezer Park Landing, Lake Wylie, 10 a.m. to Noon Sunday, September 1 Anderson County: River Forks Recreation Area, Lake Hartwell, 10 a.m. to Noon Beaufort County: Battery Creek Boat Landing, Paris Island, 10 a.m. to Noon Charleston County: Buck Hall Boat Landing, Intracoastal Waterway, McClellanville, 10 a.m. to Noon Clarendon County: Alex Harvin Landing, Lake Marion, 10 a.m. to Noon Georgetown County: Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex, Sampit River, 10 a.m. to Noon Kershaw County: Clearwater Cove Marina, Lake Wateree, 10 a.m. to Noon Marion County: Galivants Ferry Landing, Little Pee Dee River, 10 a.m. to Noon Monday, September 2 (Labor Day) Beaufort County : Lemon Island Landing, Okatie, 10 a.m. to Noon Charleston County: Wappos Cut Landing, Charleston, Intracoastal Waterway, 10 a.m. to Noon Chesterfield County: Lake H.B. Robinson Boat Landing, 10 a.m. to Noon Colleton County: Bennetts Point Landing, Mosquito Creek, Green Pond, 10 a.m. to Noon Lexington County : Lake Murray Dam Landing, 10 a.m. to Noon Oconee County : Fall Creek Landing, Lake Keowee, 10 a.m. to Noon York County: Ebenezer Park Landing, Lake Wylie, 10 a.m. to Noon Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. Colorado Springs Police Department's applications for the Chiefs Youth Advisory Council are now open, with several students returning who speak of "having a great experience." According to Gazette news partner KOAA, the council allows Colorado Springs young people the chance to discuss their thoughts and concerns directly with Police Chief Adrian Vasquez. The council is composed of high school students who meet with Vasquez monthly for two hours, from 6 to 8 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month during the school year. The council kickstarted in 2023, but only ran for a semester as a trial run. Youths from 10 high schools across the city served on the council. This year, several returning students are looking forward to a full year with the chance to truly advise police in Colorado Springs, with hopefully more involvement. Ayush Vispute, a sophomore at Rampart High School, said he hopes to talk more about the issue of vaping in schools. "One thing that I want to advise the chief on and make him more aware of is the amount of vapes and drugs that are used in schools on a daily basis," Vispute said. "When you walk into a school bathroom, there's often just a hoard of people vaping, and that's something that's inherently a problem." Vispute also is a member of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council, where he said several other members say vaping in schools is also one of their major concerns. When it comes to solutions, Vispute wants to make law enforcement aware of non-invasive options, such as certain kinds of smoke detectors. "There are new technologies that are coming out that are able to detect whether or not people are using vapes without being invasive of privacy," Vispute said. "I think advising the chief and making him aware of the fact that, one, this is an issue, and two, there are solutions that can be created, is what I would want to work on (this year.)" Another student, Saffran Stevens, a senior at Pine Creek High School, said education is at the top of her priority list. She expressed the importance of youth engagement with law enforcement to reduce fear and misconceptions about police. Featured Local Savings "A lot of us have a baseline knowledge of the criminal justice system, but we don't really know how it works for us juveniles," Stevens said. "I think that learning about a lot of that could be really fun and really important." Stevens also spoke about her perspective on law enforcement before joining the council last year. While she said she used to feel intimidated by police, she now understands the system and has more respect for it. "I feel like I can actually interact with the police now, rather than just be terrified any time I see a cop car," Stevens said. Avery Romney, a junior at Vista Ridge High School, is not sure what she will advise police on, but is looking forward to another fun year with them. "I'm honestly really just excited to learn more about the Police Department and just what they have to say this year," Romney said. "It was super-fun to just have discussions with them, and just learn more about their job. It definitely helped me get a whole different perspective on what work goes into the police." Overall, all three students spoke about a great experience last year, with a visit to the police training academy being a highlight for each. The students got the chance to participate in mock training and simulation exercises, getting a real feel for what training actually looks like for those going through it. All three plan to return to the council for a second year, and encourage their peers also to get involved. Applications are now open on the department websites community outreach page. They are open to all high school youth in the community who are enrolled in public school, charter school, online school, alternative school, home school or private school education programs. Students under 18 must have permission from a parent or legal guardian. KOAA reports that there will be an informational meeting for interested students on Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at the Police Operations Center, 705 S. Nevada Ave. Applications are due Sept. 10 and students will be notified by Sept. 13 if they have been chosen for the council. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Students and staff at Wyandotte High School were held in place while police investigated a bomb threat on Thursday morning. During the investigation, officers found an unaccompanied bag. Upon further investigation, they found that there was nothing in the bag. Kansas City Kansas Public Schools confirmed that officers with its department and the Kansas City Kansas Police Department were at the school, which is on Minnesota Avenue, bordered by N. Washington Boulevard on the west and N. 22nd Street on the east. KCPD arrests two juveniles in deadly shooting of restaurant owner FOX4 has a news crew headed to the scene to get the latest details, refresh this page for updates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. The big story: Florida lawmakers decided to let school districts put cameras on buses as a way to catch drivers who illegally pass the buses as theyre stopped to let children on and off. So far, the cameras havent proven much of a deterrent. Hillsborough County officials recently said they caught more than 2,300 vehicles zooming past buses with their stop arms flashing in the first four days of classes. Miami-Dade County leaders said they issued more than 11,500 citations in the first two weeks of school, the Miami Herald reports. Violations come with a $225 fine. Donny Wolfe, vice president of the company that runs the cameras in Miami-Dade, called the number stunning. But he said in other places where cameras have been used, violations tend to drop as people become more aware. I hope this continues to curb reckless driver behavior, he said. In related school transportation news ... The Polk County school district is revisiting its contract for school bus cameras amid questions of whether the agreement violates state law, the Ledger reports. The Lee County school district has denied some parents requests to restore bus rides to their children who live within 2 miles of school, WFTX reports. Some Hernando County students left their school bus through the emergency exit after getting frustrated with the length of the ride, WFLA reports. K-12 hot topics Pay raises: Pasco County teacher and school district representatives reached a tentative contract agreement that includes a raise package just over 5%. Leon County school support employees will receive a $1 per hour pay raise, WTXL reports. Local-option taxes: St. Johns County voters will decide in November whether to approve one new local-option school tax and extend another, the St. Augustine Record reports. Employee discipline: Another teacher at a Duval County arts magnet school has been reassigned amid investigation of inappropriate communication with a student, Florida Times-Union reports. At least five other teachers have been removed from the school in the past two years. DeSantis agenda: Gov. Ron DeSantiss recent setbacks in school board elections and state parks policy offer a sign that Florida is getting more comfortable pushing back against his power. Classroom technology: Alachua County schools are getting closer to providing laptops or other devices for every student, MainStreet Daily News reports. Cellphone service: The Citrus County school district is working to repurpose old telecommunication towers, once used to support its computer system, as a way to improve cellphone service in the county, the Citrus County Chronicle reports. Book bans: The Brevard County School Board narrowly agreed to remove three books from school libraries, WESH reports. From the police blotter ... A Seminole County daycare school bus driver was arrested on allegations of child abuse for leaving a 6-year-old asleep inside a hot bus after saying the bus was all clear, WFTV reports. An Alachua County school bus driver was arrested on accusations of sexually grooming a teenager, WCJB reports. From the court docket ... An appeals court will hear the states arguments seeking reversal of the dismissal of perjury charges against former Broward County superintendent Robert Runcie, News Service of Florida reports. In higher ed USF: Tampa General Hospital announced it will invest $162 million in the USF health system next year, WUSF reports. UPDATE: President Rhea Law is in line for a $282,000 raise, not a larger amount initially reported. FSU: Some Florida State University students are upset with the schools new $300 fee for overnight parking in certain lots, WCTV reports. FAU: The Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees dropped 22 courses, mostly in the humanities, from the schools offerings in an effort to comply with state law limiting diversity, equity and inclusion programs, WPBF reports. Dont miss a story. Yesterdays roundup is just a click away. Before you go ... For todays look inside world culture, Tinikling, the national folk dance of the Philippines. Several schools have reported closings and early dismissals on Thursday as the extreme heat continues. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] News Center 7 will track any new closings or early dismissals and have the updated forecast LIVE on News Center 7 Dayton. Summit Academy Transitional High School in Montgomery County will be closed on Thursday and Friday. Valley View Schools in Montgomery County will also be closed on Thursday and Friday due to rising temperatures in the buildings. Several schools have announced they will be dismissing students early on Wednesday due to the extreme heat: Troy City Schools in Miami County will have a two-hour early release on Thursday. Tipp City Schools in Miami County announced that Broadway Elementary and LT Ball students will dismiss students two hours early on Thursday. News Center 7 will continue to monitor local school districts for any closures or early dismissals. >> CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST CLOSINGS AND DELAYS LIST << Access closings, delays, anytime, anywhere, on any device, 5 different ways: For information on how to enroll your school, church, or business in the free School Watch Program, click here. TOPEKA (KSNT) Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab told 27 News on Wednesday that the Pony Express was faster than voting by mail. Schwab was advising against mailing ballots and said some ballots had shown up without being postmarked. We had ballots show up in several counties on Election Day that werent postmarked, Schwab said. The difference is this isnt a Bed, Bath & Beyond coupon. This is a persons ballot that was legally cast to vote. That the Post-Office basically disenfranchised those voters. The latest number show a steep decline in mail-in ballots for the primary compared to the 2020 election year. During the pandemic, voting by mail spiked with over 261,000 people sending in advance mail ballots during that primary. In the 2022 primary, 103,000 were sent. This year only about 40,000 have been returned. Almost 75%, in larger elections, tend to vote at their polling places in Shawnee County, Shawnee County Election Commissioner Andrew Howell said. Marshall demands answers for overestimated job numbers Howell said he thought the election office could handle an increase in in-person numbers if people decided not to use mail-in voting. Typically, well see almost a thousand a day come through here in a General Election, so itll be busy, Howell said. An extra 10 percent, I can see maybe, if everyone went from mail to early voting, that we might see a 10, 15 percent, maybe 20 percent jump. I think we can handle that. Howell told 27 News theres a percentage of mail that doesnt make it to the election office in time, he said theres always that risk. Earlier this year, Howell encouraged people to learn where their polling location is and find the best route. There are 87 different polling locations throughout Shawnee County. Click here to check on your voter registration and assigned polling location. As for turnout, the Secretary of States Office said that while turnout was lower than pervious primary elections, theyre expecting an increase this November. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. The sea lamprey, a parasitic fish native to the northern and western Atlantic Ocean, made its way into the Great Lakes in the 1830s. There, it has laid waste to populations of lake trout and other bony fish, effectively single-handedly killing the region's trout fisheries. The National Ocean Service has called it "America's first destructive invasive species." Now, scientists have proposed a new method of controlling sea lamprey populations: releasing sterile males into lamprey populations. After a decade-long study, scientists from the Great Lakes Science Center and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have published their results in the journal Nature. "Here, we demonstrate for the first time in fish, that a small population of sea lamprey arguably one of the most impactful invasive fish in the world, can be controlled by the release of sterilized males," the scientists wrote. A similar method was deployed to help control mosquito populations in Brazil and Djibouti. In that case, the mosquitoes released were genetically modified to kill female mosquitoes after mating with them. Genetic modification has also been proposed as a strategy for dealing with invasive plant species. While this type of method may sound extreme on the surface, the big advantage is that it does not involve the use of pesticides or herbicides or, at least, requires less of them to be used saving the environment from toxic chemicals that harm all life indiscriminately and have several long-term downsides. In the case of the sea lampreys, releasing large numbers of sterile males into geographically isolated populations was enough to significantly reduce their numbers when combined with lampricide treatment, the scientists reported. "The postponement of lampricide treatments in the Pigeon, Sturgeon, and Maple Rivers had the added benefits of allowing resources to be diverted to control sea lamprey in other priority areas in the Great Lakes, thereby collectively benefiting the entire program," the scientists wrote. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Scientists issue alarming warning after 2 of world's hottest days: 'Increasingly Likely 2024 will be ... the warmest year on record' Earth's record for the hottest day was broken on July 21. A day later, the record was broken again. This year is a virtual lock to be the hottest year on record globally. What's happening? It has been a scorching summer so far. The contiguous United States just had its 11th warmest July on record. July was California's hottest month on record. Collectively, the summer months of June and July are the second warmest on record for the U.S. Record-breaking heat seemed to be a daily occurrence in our country during the first two months of summer. August has also started off hot, with record-high temperatures outpacing record lows by a ratio of nearly seven to one. The unusual warmth is being felt worldwide. The Copernicus Climate Change Services (C3S) reported that our planet had its first and second hottest days on record. July was also the 14th consecutive warmest month on record globally, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. The C3S report for July noted that "it is increasingly likely that 2024 will be warmer than 2023, and thus the warmest year on record." Why is record-breaking worldwide heat important? According to Copernicus and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, last year was the warmest year on record for Earth. In 2023, there were a record number of heat-related deaths. The World Meteorological Organization says extreme heat is the deadliest type of extreme weather. People with increased exposure to heat, such as emergency responders, athletes, outdoor workers, and the homeless, are among the most vulnerable groups. Our planet is overheating as heat-trapping gases raise the Earth's temperature. A warming world increases the risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths. A new study found that more than two million preterm births (from 28 up to 37 weeks) and nearly six million early-term births (37 to 39 weeks) between 1993 and 2017 were tied to heat waves. What's being done about record-breaking heat? The American Red Cross says staying hydrated is important in extreme heat. It says the average person needs about three-fourths of a gallon of water daily. Before the heat hits, it advises making a plan to stay cool. The plan should include spending at least a few hours each day in air conditioning, wearing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, and creating a support team of people you might need and who you can assist. Ditching dirty energy sources for clean, renewable sources is vital to cooling our planet. Modernizing our homes by switching to solar energy, upgrading to LED bulbs, and unplugging devices that waste energy are ways we can lessen our reliance on dirty energy. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Scientists sound the alarm after making puzzling discovery about 'floating' continent: 'It's happening so rapidly that we can see these large effects even in a human lifetime' One geosciences professor is warning that, if planetary overheating continues at its current rate, the melting of the Antarctic glaciers alone could raise sea levels in North America by 10 feet by 2150. What's happening? Colorado State University geosciences professor Rick Aster published his findings in the journal Science Advances, as reported by The Colorado Sun. Aster and his colleagues found that the melting of Antarctic glaciers is happening in a "feedback loop," overflowing the continental rock bowl that contains the glacier, which in turn lets in more seawater that makes the ice melt even faster. The Sun summarized the findings well on what happens when the snowcap melts: "The rock pushes up under the reduced pressure and slows the loss of ice to the sea. The team found that parts of the bedrock in West Antarctica, the area below South America, are rising at about 2 inches a year as it sheds ice, among the fastest rates on earth. ... As the seas rise and threaten coastlines, the coastline itself rising up could [be good]? Correct, Aster says, but only if the melt is held to a low or moderate level. At the current glacier-gushing rates, the 'float' of continental rock can't keep up with the fast rise of sea water." And that inability to keep up could mean ocean levels at both low and high tides could rise in other parts of the world. "It's happening so rapidly that we can see these large effects even in a human lifetime," Aster said. "And that is something that the Earth has not seen before, as far as we know. So that's the most stunning thing to me." Previous research found a similar phenomenon occurring under one of Greenland's glaciers, indicating that the ice melt could occur at a much faster pace than previously anticipated. Why are melting glaciers important? As the glaciers continue to melt, sea levels will continue to rise and as that happens, coastal communities will begin to disappear underwater. This could happen relatively slowly, or it could pick up steam very quickly, as the research into glacier behavior indicates it may. With sea levels rising by 10 feet, cities such as New York, Mumbai, Shanghai, and Miami could end up underwater, while countries that exist just above sea level, such as the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu, could disappear entirely. Killing off glaciers also directly, and massively, harms the ecosystems around them, leading to erosion and widespread landscape changes. What's being done about the melting of glaciers? The overheating of our planet is largely being caused by our continued reliance on dirty energy sources such as gas and oil. In order to slow the effects of the air pollution created by these energy sources, it is vital that we immediately switch to clean, renewable sources such as wind and solar. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Jamie Stevenson has pleaded guilty to directing the importation in September 2020 A notorious gangster, known as Scotlands answer to Tony Soprano, has admitted to masterminding a plot to smuggle nearly a ton of cocaine from South America hidden in bananas. On the fifth day of his trial at the High Court in Glasgow, Jamie Iceman Stevenson pleaded guilty to directing the importation of the drug. An estimated 76 million of cocaine was seized by Border Force teams at Dover in September 2020 as part of Operation Pepperoni, which also involved the National Crime Agency and Police Scotland. The packages were concealed in boxes of bananas from Ecuador and addressed to a fruit merchants in Glasgow. Prosecutors said the huge trafficking operation spanned the UK, Spain, Ecuador and the luxury Nurai Island Resort in Abu Dhabi. The drugs were hidden in boxes of bananas shipped over to Glasgow from Ecuador - UNPIXS Stevenson was also central to a massive pill factory which churned out millions of street Valium tablets. His guilty plea came two years after he was arrested while out jogging in the Netherlands, following a massive manhunt to capture the 59-year-old and bring him to justice. Stevenson was already one of Scotlands most notorious gangland figures and was once described as Scotlands answer to Tony Soprano, the mafia boss portrayed in the TV series The Sopranos. He was charged in 2001 with the murder of Tony McGovern, his best man, but the case was later dropped. However, Stevenson was jailed for more than 12 years in 2007 after laundering over 1 million of dirty money. He was freed in 2014 but soon returned to crime. Jamie "Iceman" Stevenson has been described as Scotland's answer to Tony Soprano - HOME BOX OFFICE INC. By summer 2020, police were hunting for him again after they seized 28 million street Valium tablets at a pill factory in Kent. He was arrested but released on bail, allowing him to flee the country. The cocaine seizure at Dover followed that September. Mr Prentice said: I understand he was arrested in Feb 2021 while he was out jogging in the Netherlands. The gangster and five associates are behind bars again after investigators managed to get access to scores of messages on the EncroChat phone network, in which they discussed their activities. Stevenson pleaded guilty to a charge of being involved in the importation and supply of cocaine between Jan 25 and Sept 21 2020. Prosecutors stated this involved the smuggling of cocaine in deliveries of imported fruit destined for the Glasgow Fruit Market at an address in the citys Townhead. Serious organised crime Dirty cash was also used to fund the set-up involving the purchase of equipment, leasing premises, buying cars and registering company directors under fake names. Stevenson pleaded guilty to a further charge of being involved in serious organised crime relating to the production and supply of Etizolam, commonly known as street Valium. David Bilsland, a fruit merchant, 67, also admitted being involved in the cocaine smuggling. Stevenson was joined in the dock alongside his stepson Gerard Carbin, 45 who admitted a charge of being involved in serious organised crime involving etizolam between March and June 2020. Ryan McPhee, 34, and Paul Bowes, 53, also pleaded guilty on identical terms. It is also said they were part of the concealing, transfer and possession of criminal property described as money. Lloyd Cross, 32, pleaded guilty before the trial started to being involved in serious organised crime involving cocaine. Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC said: The Crown accepts the pleas tendered. Co-accused Garry McIntyre, 43, had his not guilty pleas accepted by the Crown. All the men were remanded in custody pending sentencing next week before Judge Lord Ericht. Michael Miller, a senior NCA officer, told the court that it took him and his team three days to search 118 foils of cocaine, which had a purity of no less than 73 per cent. John Scullion, who was defending Cross, told the court: The total value was in the region of 38 million on a wholesale basis. It could achieve a value of 76 million. Stevenson had lodged a special defence of incrimination against a number of men including gangster James White. White was jailed for almost 10 years in August 2023 after he admitted his involvement in serious organised crime. White headed up a gang run by crime brothers Barry and James Gillespie after they disappeared. Police believe the Gillespies were killed while on the run in South America. Stevenson also tried to incriminate John Gurie who was given a six year sentence in 2021 for dealing 1.6 million of cocaine. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Update: According to the Scranton Police Department, Cordaro has been located. SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) On Wednesday, Scranton Police said they are searching for a missing person in Lackawanna County. On August 27, police say they were called to the 800 block of Harrison Avenue in Scranton for a reported missing person. Mosquito spraying scheduled in parts of Wyoming Valley Police are searching for 19-year-old Sean Cordaro who is described as weighing about 240 pounds and standing at about 5 9 and was last seen on August 27. If you have information that could help authorities find Cordaro, contact Scranton Police Patrol at (570) 348-4134, Scranton Police Detective Joe Dombroski at jdombroski@scrantonpa.gov, or the Scranton Police Detective Bureau at (570) 348-4139. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. A general view of an Uber sign as seen on a billboard in the Bronx as seen from New York. These Uber drivers took passengers for a $40 million ride. A pair of fraudsters sold hacked smartphones and fake apps including one dubbed Screwber to more than 800 Uber drivers as part of a scheme that conned customers into paying bogus surge pricing fares, federal prosecutors said Wednesday. Eliahou Paldiel, 52, of Queens, and Carlos Arturo Suarez Palacios, 54, were arraigned Wednesday on federal wire fraud and money laundering charges in Brooklyn federal court. More than 800 Uber drivers participated in a scheme that wrongfully reaped them $40 million, federal officials said. Christopher Sadowski The pair reaped more than $1.5 million for themselves out of $40 million in ill-gotten fares from the shady drivers, and even bragged about the upcoming flow of cash at the schemes outset in 2018, according to court documents. You know Screwber is like drugs .. once you get into it youll get withdrawals when you cant get your fix, Suarez wrote Paldiel, documents state. The scheme ended up depriving tens of thousands of drivers of access to Uber, company representatives said. Christopher Sadowski The scheme worked by having Uber passengers pay fraudulent surge fees which the rideshare company charges when demand is higher in a certain geographic area to drivers whod effectively jumped the line to receive them, prosecutors said. Paldiel and Suarez made that possible by selling drivers hacked smartphones for $600 a pop with a suite of three illicit apps, documents state. This embedded content is not available in your region. View this document on Scribd Those apps included Screwber, a program that allowed drivers to see prospective Uber riders destinations and fares before they accepted the rides, according to the documents. The dishonest drivers could then cherry-pick only the most profitable and lucrative rides offered to them, documents state. Another app called Fake GPS allowed drivers to fake, or spoof, their locations in Ubers legit application so they would appear as if they were in an area with surging fares, the documents contend. Demand for the pairs criminal services was high at several points, the feds saw long lines of drivers of cars with city Taxi & Limousine Commission plates waiting to meet with Paldiel, according to the documents. When Paldiel sent a June 26 message to drivers offering help or a phone pickup at his home, investigators conducting surveillance saw more than 20 vehicles, the documents charge. Feds saw drivers line up to meet Paldiel on several days, according to court documents. U.S. Department of Justice A spokesperson for US Attorney Breon Peace declined to comment on whether the 800 alleged cheating drivers who are considered co-conspirators soon will face criminal charges as well. As alleged, the defendants sought to enrich themselves by corrupting the rideshare market at the expense of unsuspecting passengers and hardworking drivers who play by the rules, Peace said in a statement. Paldiel and Suarez pleaded not guilty to the charges and were released on $210,000 bonds. The pair each face up to 20 years in prison, if convicted. The alleged fraud by 800 bad actors not only took money out of the pockets of hardworking drivers it forced rideshare companies to further limit access to work for tens of thousands of TLC drivers, said Josh Gold, an Uber spokesman. David Do, the citys taxi and limousine commissioner, said the dastardly drivers stole from both passengers and their fellow drivers. We are working closely with the FBI to identify any TLC drivers who used these illegal apps and ensure they never drive for hire in New York City again and, if feasible, recover any overcharges for those harmed, Do said in a statement. Students in and around Colorado Springs posted improvements overall on standardized test results that Colorado public school students take every spring, inching closer to pre-pandemic levels, according to district and school results the Colorado Department of Education made public Thursday. The 2024 Colorado Measures of Academic Success showed continued growth in math and English Language Arts scores from the previous year, nearly closing the gap since COVID-19 began spreading in March 2020. The pandemic prevented CMAS testing from being administered in the 2019-2020 academic year. Educators now consider 2019 scores a benchmark year. Four years later, among all 178 public school districts statewide math scores rose slightly with 34.2% of students meeting or exceeding expectations, up by 1.3%, while English scores saw a nominal bump of 0.4% up to 44.1% meeting or exceeding expectations, the Education Department reported last week. Colorados math scores have caught up with pre-COVID scores, while English scores continue to trail, but by less than a half-percentage point. Students in grades 3-8 are tested for math and English Language Arts annually, and students in fifth, eighth and 11th grades take CMAS science assessments. Secondary students also take the SAT and PSAT college-readiness exams administered by the College Board. A Gazette analysis of test results of students in the 17 Pikes Peak region districts indicates academic progress in English Language Arts and math overall, with gains and losses varying from district to district. Cheyenne Mountain D-12, Colorado Springs D-11, Academy D-20, District 49, Fountain-Fort Carson D-8, Edison 54 JT, Peyton 23 JT and Cripple Creek-Victor RE-1 reported improvements in English and math in 2024. Despite the gains for the districts individually, 11 in the region ranked below the states average percentage in English this year while 12 did for math. Work also still remains for most districts to regain their pre-COVID scores, though this gap is nearly closed in most instances. The two highest-performing districts in the area, Cheyenne Mountain D-12 and Academy D-20, are within 1 percentile of meeting or surpassing pre-COVID results in both subjects. Featured Local Savings When compared with 2019 test results, multiple districts including D-11 have met or surpassed these totals in one of the two subjects. In line with state trends, our math performance is above pre-pandemic levels, D-11 Superintendent Michael Gaal said. Most notably, District 11 is outperforming state trends in ELA, with our lowest-performing schools achieving double-digit gains and closing gaps in the percentage of students meeting grade-level expectations. While we celebrate these successes, we remain dedicated to continued improvement. Our focus is on building upon this momentum and striving for even greater achievements in the coming years. We look forward to working together as a community to ensure that every student in District 11 has the opportunity to thrive. To date, only three of the Colorado Springs-area districts have met or surpassed their test score averages from 2019. Manitou Springs D-14 has surpassed these figures for the past three academic years, while Calhan RJ-1 improved in math and English in 2021. In subsequent years, Calhan has steadily increased its English scores but saw decreases in its math scores. Marking arguably the biggest improvements this year was Woodland Park RE-2. In addition to improving math and English scores by nearly 10% in the spring testing cycle, the district is the latest to reach and then improve both of its 2019 scores and by significant margins. Scoring 39.3% for math and 52.6% for English Language Arts, the district also surpasses this years state average for both subjects. When accounting for the districts testing results this year, Cheyenne Mountain D-12 and Academy D-20 both ranked in the top 10 across the state at one and 10, respectively. Gazette contributor Evan Wyloge provided the data analysis of Colorado Measures of Academic Success test scores. Reggae artist Sean Kingston and his mother are scheduled to stand trial next year on federal charges of defrauding multiple businesses of more than $1 million. Kingston, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, and Janice Turner appeared in federal court Thursday morning in Fort Lauderdale, where a judge set the trial date for March 24, 2025, according to Kingstons attorney Robert Rosenblatt. Were happy with Judge Liebowitz, he gave us more time than we requested for discovery and for the trial date, Rosenblatt told the Herald on Thursday. We remain confident that Mr. Kingston will be exonerated of these charges. On July 11, they were indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five counts of wire fraud, according to district court records. The pair pleaded not guilty to all charges in state court Monday. Sean Kingstons Southwest Ranches home is shown during a raid by the Broward Sheriffs Office on Thursday, May 23, 2024. A woman named Janice Turner, 61, was arrested on numerous fraud and theft charges, during the raid at the sprawling white mansion in the 4600 block of Southwest 178th Avenue, spokesperson Carey Codd said in a media release. Turner is Kingstons mother, according to reports. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel) Back on May 23, Kingstons seven-bedroom mansion was raided by Broward Sheriffs Office detectives and Davie police SWAT. Search and arrest warrants were executed for the property. Turner was arrested during the raid; Kingston, too, was arrested in California that same day. Kingston and Turner orchestrated a lucrative wire fraud scheme from April 2023 to March 2024, the indictment alleges. They are accused of falsely representing that they had made legitimate bank wire transfers for vehicles, jewelry and other goods. Instead, the wire transfers were fraudulent, resulting in the businesses providing the goods without receiving payment. Among their alleged fraudulent transactions were $480,000 for two watches, $285,000 for another watch, and $159,702.78 for a car, totaling $1,017,702.78 in goods obtained through deceit. Kingston and Turner are scheduled to return to state court October 11. Hes hoping to be acquitted and go about his ability to perform for his fans. Hes performing now. Hes doing well, said Rosenblatt. Kingston is set to headline the Landslide Festival in Utah on Aug. 31. Miami Herald reporter Devoun Cetoute contributed to this report. CHEBOYGAN, Mich. (WJMN) A passenger and plane remained missing for 17 years after a crash over the Straits of Mackinac despite extensive search efforts. After finding both in 2024, the president of a non profit marine search and recovery team explains what made it possible for them to find what evaded Michigan State Police investigators for over a decade. On the afternoon of August 24, 2007, pilot Karen Dodds left with her fiancee H. Brooke Stauffer Jr. took off in a Socata T-20 Trinidad, a small single-engine plane, from Mackinac Island Airport. Dodds had two brief conversations with other pilots over radio about the weather, and then was never heard from again. If you havent already, you can read our previous story outlining what investigators knew about the day the plane crashed. The first clue for investigators came by way of an ear-witness; a man on Bois Blanc Island who told them he heard the sound of the plane hitting the water south of the island. Months later, the only signs of the crash investigators would discover washed ashore near the north pier of the Mackinac Bridge. It was the remains of the pilot and a few cushions they believed were from the Trinidad. A new search begins Jim Scholz is a longtime Great Lakes diver, shipwreck hunter, and president of Great Lakes Search and Recovery. He founded the non profit seven years ago after he realized that his advanced sonar equipment was more advanced than the gear nearby law enforcement agencies were using while looking for missing people and objects in the water. Since then, weve gotten calls from family members where weve been asked to go to different parts of the state, look for cases, said Scholz. He said in many cases, local sheriffs departments are using deputies off the road or out of the jail, taking people away from their normal roles and responsibilities to form dive and search teams. At some point they have to return to their normal duties, but that may be before theyve been able to close the case, said Scholz. Quite often we will come in after that, working with the information theyve provided to keep searching and potentially make the find that could return the loved ones to the family. Even in cases like Dodds and Stauffers where state police have more abundant resources, searches like the one for their missing plane can be as much about luck as anything else. Scholz likened it to finding a needle in a haystack. After the initial search was called off, MSP still maintained search efforts by training members of their dive team in the area of the Straits of Mackinac they believed the wreckage of the crash to be in, but with little success. In October of 2023, family of Dodds and Stauffer reached out to Scholz to see if he could help them. He told them he would try. Searcher shares key details to finding plane We spent a good part of the fall and winter researching as much information as we could about the plane, the weather conditions, and the search that had been done by the Michigan State Police, Coast Guard, and Civil Air Patrol, said Scholz. From that research, the most helpful pieces of information they found were records of previously-searched areas, testimony of a witness who heard the crash, and the location of where the remains and plane cushions washed ashore. It was all information that investigators have had through the years, but Scholz said the passage of time had given him something the initial searchers didnt have. The new drift data was a game changer The new drift data was a game changer, said Scholz. The data came from an experiment some years prior where researchers dropped buoys from different points of the Mackinac Bridge and monitored their course out into Lake Huron. Pairing that with the discovered location of the pilots body and plane debris, his team was able to run a backward drift analysis to predict where it had come from. They also consulted with a man who worked near an airport and paid keen attention to the sound planes made as they departed. The man gave them his opinion of where the crash could have been based on the testimony and location of the person who heard the crash. With a trajectory and potential search area, the team looked for places that MSP had not yet searched. That pointed us to an area basically close to the shore of Bois Blanc Island, said Scholz. Found in 70 feet of water Beginning on Friday, August 23, Scholz and his team began canvassing their new search area with two types of sonar; one that created broad, rough pictures of the lakebed about 600 ft wide, and another that used high frequencies to make a more detailed picture about 100-150 ft across. Normally they call this mowing the lawn, said Scholz. And, you know, sometimes you get a little wide on one way and you come back the other direction and youre a little wide again, and youve got a little gap in the middle. It was when they were filling in one of those gaps that they found the anomaly that would turn out to be the missing plane. [The anomaly] was much larger than anything we had seen before, and it was such a unique shape that we immediately stopped, broke off from the search pattern and hit this thing from multiple angles, said Scholz. Saturday afternoon, the crew sent down an ROV to take a look. Seventy feet below the surface of Lake Huron and on the edge of a shelf going much deeper, they saw what was left of the Trinidad. At first we werent quite sure what it was until we started reviewing the video, said Scholz. When [the ROV] was back on the boat we realized we had what we believed to be the plane we were looking for. Scholz said it was near the edge of where MSP searchers had looked years earlier. He said while the impact and waters had taken its toll on the aircraft, the Trinidad had a very unique window in the rear of the planeand in the wreckage they found a frame matching that shape. On Sunday the crew sent a diver down to the wreckage to confirm what they saw on the ROV, then notified MSP that they had found the missing plane. MSP divers soon followed suit, finding on their dive the likely bones of Stauffer, the missing passenger. A dental record analysis would confirm the finding. This was providence Not far from where the plane was found was a drop-off. If the plane had sunk down there instead, it could have ended up in a trench nearly twice as deep as the water it was found in. Im a religious person, and Gods hand was guiding us, said Scholz. I want to believe he wanted us to help this family and have more closure. For other families who are still hoping for new findings on someone believed to be lost in the water, Scholz said they can contact him through the Great Lakes Search and Recovery Facebook page. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com. Officers from the Seattle Police Department heard reports of a possible shooting in the Capitol Hill neighborhood on Thursday morning. SPD and the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) responded to the 1700 block of 17th Avenue around 8 a.m. According to SPD, it appears that there was a shooting and one man is dead. SPD says their information is currently limited but they are heading to the scene to learn more. Native Vote 2024. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. As his wife, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz continued their campaign bus tour in rural Georgia, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff made a campaign stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The second gentleman, making his first campaign appearance since last weeks Democratic National Convention in Chicago, described his wife, the current vice president of the United States and the 2024 Democratic Partys presidential nominee, to the audience of 250 as the joyful warrior, who is tough as they come; who already is a world leader. He recounted several topics of Harris nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, including citing how she told the convention that throughout her long career, she has only had one client: the people. As attorney general of California, her approach was if its not fair, there have to be consequences. So, if opportunistic companies take advantage of a crisis to rip off customers, she's going to find them and shes going to stop them. This is not ideological. If someone is ripping us off, it's gotta stop and shes going to stop. Its not ideological, it's practical, Emhoff said. Fairness is good for the economy. When she took on the big banks, it was because people were getting ripped off, plain and simple, losing their homes, and there needed to be a solution for that, he continued. Emhoff emphasized the Biden-Harris administration getting the bipartisan Inflation Reduction Act through Congress that brought money and jobs to Michigan. Michigan ranks number one in the country for investments from the Infrastructure Reduction Act. More than $26 billion in new federal investments and over 21,000 good paying jobs. Its supporting entrepreneurs, helping manufacturers expand, growing the pie and investing in the middle class. This is all important, and this is everything that she's talking about. But just as in business, these goals are only practical if they come with trust and character in this election, and on those measures, there is no contest trust in character on one side: Kamala and Tim; not so much on the other, Emhoff said. Before Emhoff spoke, Gina Raimondo, the former Governor of Rhode Island and current U.S. Department of Commerce, spoke. The audience was told she was there only in her personal capacity, not in her official capacity. Raimondo says she married a man from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 24 years ago and loves getting to Michigan when she can. She said she came to the rally to support Kamala Harris candidacy because she admires her as a public servant. She was called to public service because she wanted to fight for people without a voice. She wanted to stick up for people who needed an advocate. She did that and shes doing that, and she will do that as your president, Raimondo said. In addition, Rep. Hillary Scholten, a Democrat who represents Michigans 3rd congressional district and Michigan State Rep. Phil Skaggs, from the 80th state district, spoke about the need to work hard if Democrats want to win in November. Emhoff left Grand Rapids for Ketchum, Idaho where he will attend a fundraiser. About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Chinese President Xi Jinping Thursday as part of talks aimed at managing the bilateral relationship and keeping communications lines open. Photo by Trevor Hunnicutt/EPA-EFE Aug. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met Thursday with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss a number of issues as part of ongoing efforts to manage the bilateral relationship and keep communication channels open. The White House said that both sides "welcomed onging efforts to maintain open lines of communication," a focus of Sullivan's visit as the United States and China are also planning a call between President Joe Biden and Xi "in the coming weeks." "The two sides discussed further implementation of the commitments President Biden and President Xi made at the November 2023 Woodside Summit, including on counternarcotics, military-to-military communications, and AI safety and risk," the White House said in a statement. Sullivan and Xi discussed Russia's war against Ukraine, the South China Sea and cross-strait issues, according to a White House readout of the meeting. A Chinese government statement said Xi met with Sullivan at the Great Hall of The People in Beijing. China said it is committed to a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship "President Xi pointed out that in this changing and turbulent world, countries need solidarity and coordination, not division or confrontation," the Chinese government statement said. "People want openness and progress, not exclusion or regress." China's government said China and the United States "should be a source of stability for world peace and a propeller for common development." "China follows a path of peaceful development. While realizing its own development, China is also ready to work with other countries for common development, and to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind," the statement added. Xi expressed hope that the U.S. will work to carry forward "the traditional friendship between the Chinese and American people." According to the Chinese government, Sullivan "reiterated that the United States does not seek a new Cold War, it does not seek to change China's system, the revitalization of U.S. alliances is not against China, the United States does not support 'Taiwan independence,; and it does not seek conflict with China." Sullivan also met with General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission in Beijing. The White House readout of that meeting said the two countries reaffirmed the importance of regular military to military communications "as part of efforts to maintain high-level diplomacy and open lines of communication, as directed by President Biden and President Xi at the November 2023 Woodside Summit." Sullivan also stressed the importance of cross-strait peace and stability with Taiwan, the U.S. commitment to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and concerns about Chinese support for Russia's defense industrial base. Wednesday the White House described Sullivan's meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as "candid, substantive and constructive." Topics of discussion included military-to-military communications, AI safety and risk and ending the flow of illegal narcotics from China to U.S. markets. A military theater commander phone call between China and the United States is planned in the near future. New security in place after Zimmerman escape, Sheriff says MEMPHIS, Tenn. DeSoto County Sheriff Thomas Tuggle says theyve added more security since the escape of inmate Joshua Zimmerman from a DeSoto County courthouse in Hernando on June 14. Zimmerman was arrested two months later inside a Chicago restaurant by U.S. Marshals. On Monday, DeSoto County Deputy Jailer Ronnie Hunt, 32, was arrested in connection to Zimmermans escape and charged with the escape of prisoners and conveying articles useful for the escape of prisoners. Deputy jailer arrested in connection to Joshua Zimmermans escape Sheriff Tuggle isnt talking about Hunts arrest but released this statement about changes made since Zimmerman managed to walk away from the courthouse: We cant speak on any matters concerning Ronnie Hunt or the escape. The investigation and its results are in the jurisdiction and control of MBI/AG Fitch. The weaknesses that were exposed from Zimmermans escape have been rectified, and we have implemented additional security measures that we will not disclose to the public for obvious safety reasons. Zimmerman is accused of attacking an elderly Southaven man who hired him to work at his house last September. He is also facing charges in Texas for the death of a woman. He was at the courthouse for a hearing when he walked past the courtroom, down some stairs, past metal detectors and guards at the entrance without being noticed. The extent of Hunts alleged involvement in Zimmermans escape is unclear. The DeSoto County Sheriffs Office said Hunt was fired from his job. He is currently being held at the Lafayette County Jail. MS AG opens investigation into escaped inmate Zimmerman The DeSoto County Sheriffs Office has been directing all questions to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation investigating Zimmermans escape. MBI said additional charges against Hunt are probable. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. For a brief moment at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, it seemed like the uncommitted movement might break through the seemingly impenetrable walls of the Democratic Party leadership. The 30 uncommitted delegates there, representing some 700,000 protest voters from various states nationwide who oppose the Biden administrations policies on Israel, met in person for the first time at the convention. The group had real, scrappy energy, and for a few days, I watched as they seemed to gather momentum and help drive the issue to the forefront of the conversation at the convention. But by the last day, it was clear that movement leaders felt snubbed by national Democratic leadership. And in the week since the convention, theyve been trying to make sense of where they stand now. Layla Elabed, one of the three Palestinian American co-founders of the national movement in Michigan, is trying to focus on the progress the movement has seen. In response to the uncommitted voter turnout in Michigan surpassing 100,000 voters, President Joe Biden had waved his hand, telling reporters that Muslims and Arabs will be forced to accept that Trump is the worse option for them. When President Biden was at the top of the ticket, they werent talking to us at all, she recalled. After a brief meeting with Kamala Harris before her rally in Detroit, where the vice president showed genuine empathy, Elabed felt hope. After the DNC, she felt deeply disappointed but not ready to give up. Im at a point where Im incredibly disappointed and embarrassed to be a member of the Democratic Party. But it doesnt mean Im going to just leave the Democratic Party, she said. (For one thing, her sister, Rashida Tlaib, remains the United States first Palestinian American congresswoman.) Im going to continue growing our movement within the Democratic Party, because we are representative of the majority of Democrats. For some people who heard Harris speech the final night, when she called Israels assault in Gaza devastating, it seemed as if the vice president might be signaling a new approach to Israel. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking. President Biden and I are working to end this war such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination, she said. But Rami Al-Kabra, a Palestinian American local city council member in Washington state and a Kamala Harris delegate, winced as he listened to the speech. You know how when you see somebody is about to punch you, you see it coming, but when it hits you, it really hits hard and its painful? Thats what it was for us, Al-Kabra said. There was one word in particular that jumped out to him: Harris declaration that she would ensure America had the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world. We know what lethal military means. We know where the bombs get dropped, he said. I understand the complexity of being a VP under a current administration, but show me something. Al-Kabra was one of the Palestinian Americans at the convention who stood up and clapped for the parents of a 23-year-old American Israeli man who was taken hostage by Hamas, Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Al-Kabra has a child around the same age as Hersh, and he felt for the parents. I really pray for his safe return and all the other hostages taken unjustly, he said. But much of his frustration at the DNC stemmed from feeling like officials prioritized one side over the other. Its painful to have your child taken away from you. It doesnt matter who does itits painful, he said. He started the convention as a Kamala delegate, but says he is less sure than ever about his vote come November. I understand she has a campaign to win. And dont get me wrong, I personally do not want Trump to win, as an immigrant, Muslim, Arab, PalestinianI mean, he used Palestinian as a cuss word, for Gods sakeand this is why I keep pushing on the Democratic Party at the state level and the national level. I understand there are a lot more powerful forces than us, and I hate the fact that its us versus them. But I truly wish that VP Harris would signal that shes hearing us, he said. Since before the convention began, Harris campaign has been in active conversation with members of the uncommitted delegation. Among those in the closed-door negotiations is James Zogby, a seasoned political activist and founder of the Arab American Institute. Zogby has been navigating the intricate politics of the Democratic Party for decades. Look at me. Im 78 years old, going to be 79 in a month, Zogby told the crowd of reporters at the last press conference organized by the uncommitted delegation. We havent had this discussion in 40 years, he said, pointing out that he was the last personpossibly the only personto ever speak about Palestinian human rights from the podium of a major American political convention, back in 1988 in Atlanta. Delegates that day waved a giant banner that read Self Determination and Statehood for the Palestinian People. Even then, Zogby met resistance from Democrats. After delivering his remarks, he was asked to withdraw by party insiders who worried Republican and Jewish groups would weaponize his presence in the DNC against the caucus. The chair of the DNC at the time, Ron Brown, agreed. Zogby said Brown later made it up to him by defying major a major donor who was threatening to pull donations and attending an Arab-American political event hosted by Zogby. His frustration with the current partys leadership stems from those experiences. When Democrats declined to allow a Palestinian speaker on the main stage at the DNC, one of the most bitter flashpoints of the week, Zogby called it boneheaded, an unforced error, stupid. Whatever smart consultant came up with the fact that having a Palestinian speaker would be divisive, that guy should be fired and drummed out of the business of politics, he said. They, pardon my French here, pissed on their own convention. The theme that they, and I, would like you to talk about is Kamala Harris message. But they just dumped on their own message by making this an issue. I heard everything from, If you had a Palestinian speaker, people would be chanting From the river to the seathere were lots of different arguments made, that it would encourage disruptions from the floor. People were grasping at straws at that point to try to justify something that was ultimately unjustifiable, he told me. He suggested party leaders were beholden to certain donors over the will of voters, an argument that polling partly bears out: Recent polls shows more than 4 in 5 Democrats favor a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, and more broadly suggest a sea change in how Democrats view the broader rights of Palestinians. Party leadership now lags far behind voter sentiment. Waleed Shahid, another key figure in the negotiations with the Harris campaign, suggested that as a strategist himself, he understands why the Harris campaign is risk-averse on the issue. But he thinks the risk has moved to the other direction. The leadership is always going to be the last to respond, Shahid said. But its a generational change that I think will carry into whatever the next four years look like. Shahid said the negotiations are ongoing with the Harris campaign. The new ask is to meet with leaders in the uncommitted movement or with Palestinian Americans whove had loved ones killed in Gaza by Israel. We want to make this work. We want to unite the party, but they cant run out the clock like they did last time. They need to make this a priority, he said. Asma Mohammed, an uncommitted delegate from Minnesota, the state with the highest percentage of primary voters to vote uncommittednearly 20 percentis now worried that much of the Democratic base in her state wont show up for the Harris campaign in November. She works closely with other local organizers to get Democrats voted in down the ballot, and intends to issue a voter guide in her community ahead of the November election, but has already heard from voters who say theyre not coming back. There are voters who are like, Fine, I will vote for her. But theres a huge number who are saying theyre not going to, who are like, No, that speech was garbage, she said. She missed another opportunity to engage with this base of voters who are ready to be activated come November. Mohammed herself has had a hard time answering questions about why she hasnt lost faith in the Harris campaign, including from lifetime Democrats. Theyre like, Why do you even work with them? They dont want us there. And Im like, This is my party. I belong in my party. Were trying to build back this base. But people are so angry right now, Mohammed said. Rima Mohammad, an uncommitted delegate from Michigan, said she is facing similar challenges is her closely contested state. Everyone felt the same waydisappointed and frustrated. Going back home, its been even harder. People are very emotional and feeling dehumanized. They feel isolated from the Democratic Party, like the party doesnt want them there, she said. In Michigan, especially, people are disassociating from the party, she said, warning that it isnt only Muslim votersits LGBTQ+ voters, Black voters, student voters. As the uncommitted movement looks ahead, their focus is on mobilizing the coalition theyve built to continue pushing for change within the party. Obviously, we want meetings. Obviously, we want gestures and signs of support. Obviously, we want indications of policy change, said Zogby, the Arab American Institute founder. But he said this is not just about immediate victories; its about laying the groundwork for long-term change. He said the anger at Democratic leadership at the convention actually felt like progress. I, for one, am saying to my community, Look at the win and lets build on it. Lets grow from it. Weve crossed the threshold here. Were not the losers. They are. All the while, Zogby is also sympathetic to the position that Harris is in. She has to build an entire national campaign in only a few months, and so she is under much more pressure to raise funds and earn donor support. Still, Zogby says that the buck ought to stop with her. The candidate should have the wherewithal to say, Cut it out, guys. This is screwing up. And our hope is that we reached that point where she sees that, he said. Ive spoken with her early on in this war. I know she feels differently than the foreign policy blob. I want her to feel differently than the consultant blob too. HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A Huntersville man accused of exchanging thousands of masochistic and sexually abusive images of children received his prison sentence on Thursday, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of North Carolina announced. Huntersville resident Tommy Pritchard, 39, will serve ten years after pleading guilty in March to transporting and shipping thousands of child porn images. Court records stated that in 2022 an investigation was launched after a tip was received regarding Pritchard and the use of the mobile app Kik. Thousands of images that included victims under the age of 12 and that law enforcement agents said featured sadistic and masochistic sexual abuse of children were found through Pritchards Kik account. The discovery of a second account under his name revealed even more images, DOJ officials said. During sentencing, the judge stated that the crime was worse than just watching some videos that are bad and emphasized that the juvenile victims suffered humiliation, abuse, and torture. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Of all the policies implemented by the Trump administration, the most outrageous at least to many critics was Family Separation. Oscar-winning filmmaker Errol Morris, for one, doesnt mince words in his assessment of it. More from Deadline The policy, when you really look at it square in the face, is appalling, Morris tells Deadline. Not a policy of deterrence, not a policy as some would argue of just following the law, whatever that means. A policy of cruelty. Morriss new documentary, Separated, premiering at the Venice Film Festival later today, investigates the Trump administration mandate that ordered the pulling apart of migrant families who crossed the Mexican border into the U.S. Parents were detained and sent for criminal prosecution; their children, taken from them, were detained separately (in cages, or if you prefer, chain-link enclosures), under the jurisdiction of the Dept. of Health and Human Services. Some of the children were infants. The documentary is based on the book Separated: Inside an American Tragedy, written by NBC News Political and National correspondent Jacob Soboroff, who spent years covering immigration and the border during the Trump presidency. He serves as an executive producer of the film and appears on camera in it. A temporary detention centre for illegal underage immigrants in Tornillo, Texas, near the Mexico-U.S. border on June 18, 2018. [Trump] certainly allowed, easily in a way that nobody has ever done before 5,500 people to be deliberately taken from their parents, Soboroff says. And just to emphasize, the American Academy of Pediatrics called it government sanctioned child abuse and Physicians for Human Rights, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning organization, said it met the UN definition of torture. It will go down as one of the most shameful chapters in modern American history, if not [all of] American history, for what they did. The documentary, a production of NBC News Studios, Participant, Fourth Floor and Moxie Pictures, takes a forensic approach to identifying how the policy was conceived and carried out, and why. Zero Tolerance, the Trump administrations umbrella term that authorized family separations, was announced in May 2018. Secretly, immigration authorities had been separating migrant families for at least a year beforehand. RELATED: Venice Film Festival 2024: All Of Deadlines Movie Reviews Even before it became quasi-legitimized [in 2018] it was a sort of a covert policy that was being implemented not advertised but most certainly being implemented, Morris says. RELATED: Alfonso Cuaron Talks Rare Foray Into TV With Venice Series Disclaimer Starring Cate Blanchett & Kevin Kline: We Approached This Whole Thing As A Film Its whole purpose, Separated argues, was to create a situation so devastating and horrifying for migrant families seeing their children seized from them that word would get back to Central America and other points of origin of migration, and the result would be a reduction in attempts to cross into the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kirstjen Nielsen, was told by government lawyers that the policy might violate the U.S. Constitution, but she signed off anyway. REVIEW: Kevin Macdonald On Diving Into John Lennons Archive For Venice Doc One To One: John & Yoko & The Musicians Connection To Politics Today: Weve Talked About The Same Things For 50 Years The bottom line is they knew exactly what they were doing, Soboroff maintains. And as Adam Serwer sort of coined in The Atlantic at the time, the cruelty was the point. I say that as, I believe, an objective journalist who saw this with my own eyes. Errol Morris at the Deadline Portrait Studio at the Toronto International Film Festival. Morris, as he has done in many of his other documentaries including The Thin Blue Line, Wormwood and The Pigeon Tunnel, weaves dramatizations throughout Separated. Filming of a dramatized sequence in Separated. Theres really two movies here. Two movies for the price of one, he says wryly. Youre getting a documentary film with interviews of some of the central figures not the expected figures but some of the central figures involved in these policies. And youre also getting a dramatic film with actors telling the story of at least one representative family making its way from Central America across the U.S.-Mexico border into the United States. RELATED: Netflix Takes U.S. Rights To Pablo Larrains Maria Starring Angelina Jolie Actress Gabriela Cartol plays a mom who makes the dangerous journey north with her son, a boy of perhaps 10. Author and NBC Correspondent Jacob Soboroff. The narrative portion of the film, to me, is almost my favorite part of this, says Soboroff, because Errol is so masterfully able to document the emotional truth that, outside of speaking to families themselves, you would never understand what its like to take that journey to get here and then only to be faced with the hand of the person that you think of as your savior, then doing to you the most unspeakable thing that you could possibly imagine, which is ripping your family apart for no reason other than to hurt you. Thousands of people march in support of families separated at the U.S.-Mexico border on June 30, 2018 in New York. A little over a month after announcing the family separation policy in 2018, President Trump abandoned it. Public outrage, to a large degree bipartisan, forced his hand. He reversed the policy in late June 2018, Soboroff says, with the executive order because he didnt like the sights and the sounds on television, one could assume of children being separated. For him, it was a superficial reason, not a moral reason. Morris chimes in, He didnt like the optics! Separated doesnt let the Democratic Party off the hook. The film begins with audio of Presidents Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama and Biden all talking tough on immigration. As noted in the film, the Obama administration considered implementing a family separation policy but rejected the idea (it did build cage-like enclosures in which some migrant children were housed either in cases where the parents could not care for their kids, or the parents were suspected of serious crimes). Soboroff says the whole thrust of U.S. immigration enforcement policy has been punitive and not humanitarian. Former President Trump, in the midst of a campaign to return to the White House, is running on a promise to deport millions of undocumented people from the U.S. And, if he is elected, family separation could be revived. The spirit of the family separation policy is alive and well in Republican politics today, Soboroff asserts, but Democrats have not done enough to make it so that they couldnt bring it back if they wanted to. The legacy of family separation is still with us. According to the Dept. of Homeland Security, more than a thousand children separated from their parents because of Trump administration policy still have not been reunited with their families. As we would all acknowledge, its a set of very complex issues [around immigration], Morris says. But we do know that our governments response to it is shameful. We should be ashamed of what happened, and we should seek that its not repeated ever again. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The cruelty is the point. Weve heard that sentence a lot over the past eight years. At no time was it ever more blisteringly accurate than during the family-separation policy the Trump administration enacted within days of taking office in January 2017. Watching Errol Morriss urgent reminder of a documentary possibly the most enraging film yet made by a director whos certainly known how to illuminate infuriating topics over the past 45 years will raise your blood pressure considerably. Especially on one point that Separated, produced by NBC News, implies, but never underlines: How is it that we forgot about this shocking inhumanity so quickly? More from IndieWire How is it that following the 2020 election at least there werent congressional hearings, the appointment of a special prosecutor, and charges filed, related to the policy? It ostensibly ended in the summer of 2018 after massive public outcry, but over 1,000 children remain in U.S. custody, still un-reunited with their parents. That is an abandonment of governance almost as damning of the Biden administration as of the Trump administration that actually carried out the policy. Morris recognizes an essential truth from the start: Much of the American public, and certainly the U.S. government, seems to have moved on from this injustice, turning their attention to the parade of crises that have occurred since. Its necessary then for a total refresher. He starts Separated, based on NBC News reporter Jacob Soboroffs book of the same name, from the very beginning: how the policy came to be, who was steering it, and how it affected thousands of children, ripped from their parents arms as the families were caught illegally entering the U.S. at its southern border. The idea was to deter the waves of migrants fleeing Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, countries consumed with gang violence: Come to the U.S. illegally, and you may never see your children again. And they may end up in cages. Soboroff admits near the start of the film that he didnt really have a background in source-based reporting before writing his 2020 book at least not the in-depth investigational kind he ultimately delivered. He can still be seen hosting segments on the Today show or anchoring Weekend Today, and it really is remarkable how well he balances the start your morning right! infotainment demands of those shows with the serious journalism of his book (and ongoing segments from the border in the years leading up to it). Hes a ready-made subject for Morris in his own right: Looking like a kind of 21st-century Harold Lloyd, Soboroff is certainly telegenic. But the incredible thing about Separated is that he also knows when to get out of the way. Hes been the leading journalist in the country to keep beating the drum about this awful story, but he knows its not about him. And his talking head time is appropriately limited. Instead, Morris dramatizes the kind of dangers that so many migrants face when fleeing Central America. Working not with reenactments as much as poetic narrative composites of what any number of migrants might experience on their journey, Morris focuses on a young mother (Gabriela Cartol) and her son (Diego Armando Lara Lagunes) as they pack the belongings they want to take with them, then set out on foot over rough terrain. They sneak aboard a freight train to carry them north. The boy almost drowns when they swim across a river. And finally, theyre apprehended by ICE agents after theyve crossed the U.S. border. Then, theyre separated. These scenes, filmed in Mexico and with Roma and Bardo production designer Eugenio Caballero providing an immersive level of lived-in detail, are a direct conduit to emotion. Its impossible not to empathize with what theyre going through, and marvel at their hope, misplaced though it may be, of what America could provide. Its a stark contrast to the parallel narrative of how the family separation policy got off the ground, how U.S. agencies had their mission twisted so that they became tools of fear. The Office of Refugee Resettlement, which always had been in charge of unaccompanied children sent to the border (often in hopes of them meeting up with a family member already in the U.S.), instead took the lead on taking children away from their parents when they were already accompanying them. It was a complete reversal of the ORRs mission. And all to send two messages: Dont come here. And to the American people: Look how tough we are. The head of the ORR who carried out this policy, Scott Lloyd, is interviewed on-camera by Morris and comes across like a dullard. But Morris spends significant time showing how such a dehumanizing policy came about: By imagining emails, all in the public record and an FOIA request away, being written by Lloyd and others as theyre trying to formulate this policy. These are antiseptic animated recreations totally at odds with the urgent humanity of the mother-son journey Morris has dramatized. The emails bear a tone of office-like formality, with the distinct impersonality of corporate-speak. Its all about the senders and recipients getting aligned on the policy and issuing quick clarifications and correcting misunderstandings in a way where no one person bears responsibility for everything. Its human suffering masked with red tape, and indifference so profound that the separated kids being reduced to numbers on a spreadsheet is even still too much. One accusation against Lloyd in the film alleges he suggested not even keeping those spreadsheets of the kids, thus possibly deliberately losing track of what kids belong to what parents, at all. (Lloyd has long since denied that claim.) Then theres the soul-obliterating audio of the kids in cages crying and a heartless guard mocking them by saying, Well, we have an orchestra here! Whats missing is a conductor. Like many other moments in Separated, this had existed before. Morriss mission here, like Soboroffs in his book, is simply to capture these moments in a format where we wont just forget about them when the next crisis dominates the news cycle. A feature film has a staying power, an ability to lodge itself in your brain, that the endless churn of 24/7 cable news simply never will. All that coverage on MSNBC or NBC Nightly News in 2018 was a first draft of history. A feature documentary is the more polished, peer-reviewed draft, the one that wont just be buried under a succession of first drafts of other stories. With its punchy 93-minute running time, Separated seems calculated on Morriss part to break through in an attention economy where attention spans keep getting shorter and shorter and outrage about one thing only lasts until theres the next thing to be outraged about. Theres probably a deeper version of this movie that could have been made, one that really addresses the life cycle of the publics empathy. One that even holds a critical lens up to, say, MSNBC, which has offered airtime to ex-Trump officials such as Olivia Troye and Stephanie Grisham, now apparently on the right side of history because theyve spoken out against the former president. But when kids were in cages, they did not resign their posts. Thats not what Separated is. And maybe that would be asking too much. When Trump held up his squiggle signature and ended the separation policy in July 2018, that was the end of it for many. Morris and Soboroff remind us very clearly of what it would take to bring the policy back: simply another stroke of that pen. Grade: B+ Separated world premiered at the 2024 Venice Film Festival. It is currently seeking U.S. distribution. Want to stay up to date on IndieWires film reviews and critical thoughts? Subscribe here to our newly launched newsletter, In Review by David Ehrlich, in which our Chief Film Critic and Head Reviews Editor rounds up the best reviews, streaming picks, and offers some new musings, all only available to subscribers. Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Colorado Springs six City Council districts will shift next year to account for population growth, and residents have a chance in September to help choose those new boundaries. City staff and the District Process Advisory Committee will host seven meetings across Colorado Springs next month. At the meetings, residents can provide feedback on three possible council district maps and share what their biggest priorities for a redistrict map should be, officials said in a news release Wednesday. Each of the six council districts is represented by an elected council member who represents the people living within district boundaries. City Clerk Sarah Johnson is required by charter to set each of the district boundaries every four years so the districts remain comparable in population as Colorado Springs grows. The districts have not been redrawn since 2020. The new maps will not be approved by the mayor or City Council. The city clerk sets the district maps after the redistricting process. Redistricting ensures the districts have roughly an equal population, are contiguous, are representative of their respective populations and comply with applicable laws like the Voting Rights Act and others, the city said. The public meetings will be held in every district, plus an at-large meeting that includes a virtual option to attend, beginning Sept. 6: Featured Local Savings Council District 1: 5:30-6:30 p.m, Sept. 11; Fire Station 18, 6830 Hadler View. Council District 2: 6:30-7:30 p.m., Sept. 9; The Village High School, 1355 Kelly Johnson Blvd. Council District 3: 6-7 p.m. Sept. 18; Westside Community Center, 1628 W. Bijou St. Council District 4: 5:30-6:30 p.m., Sept. 12; Caramel County School, 1740 Pepperwood Drive. Council District 5: 2-3 p.m. Sept. 11 ; Ruth Holley Library, 685 N. Murray Blvd. Council District 6: 5:30-6:30 p.m., Sept. 6; Fire Station 20, 6755 Rangewood Drive. At-Large: 5:30-6:30 p.m., Sept. 23; City Administration Building, 30 S. Nevada Ave., Room 102, and virtually at ColoradoSprings.gov/2024Redistricting. Residents also can see the proposed maps, fill out an online survey and find more information about the redistricting process on the citys website, ColoradoSprings.gov/2024Redistricting. Johnson will release a preliminary district report and map in October, with another opportunity for public input. Then she will prepare the final district report on setting the new boundaries between Nov. 4-Dec. 2. If you go back to the earliest days of his career Gates of Heaven and Vernon, Florida Errol Morris great gift appeared to be giving voices to people on the margins of American society. Morris interests have shifted or evolved somewhat since then. Sometimes hes issue-driven and sometimes hes determined to get under the skin of famous and notorious figures. There isnt always a simmering rage driving his filmmaking his last outing, The Pigeon Tunnel, was pretty close to hero worship. But its become more common than the curious empathy that fueled his first works. More from The Hollywood Reporter The prolific directors fury is at a full boil in his NBC News documentary Separated, which is now getting a fall festival showcase. Examining the border policy of family separations, Morris rips into the xenophobes who stealthily crafted it, the unqualified bureaucrats who set it in motion and the paranoid climate that could allow it to resurface depending on how the November election goes. On an intellectual and reporting level, Separated is sturdy and persuasive. Morris is angry, and if youre watching this movie, chances are good that after 90ish minutes, youll be angry, too. What Separated needs, though, is a little touch of the old Errol Morris. The film replaces the voices of the actual people impacted by the family separation policy with generic composite characters who exist only in sterilized reenactments. It plays solidly to the head, but misses the heart and soul entirely. Adapting the book by NBC News Jacob Soboroff, Morris is careful to emphasize that as much as Donald Trump and Stephen Miller might be the heavies of the piece, the general inhumanity of our border policy has existed for decades regardless of the party in power. Still, hes equally careful to distinguish between the stumbling blocks imposed by previous (and subsequent) administrations and what was rolled out during the Trump presidency. Morris builds his timeline and his case convincingly enough that you wont fret that hes a couple of years behind on the reporting for this particular story, previously chronicled in Soboroffs 2020 book and multiple documentaries and docuseries. There are heroes, including Jonathan White, a top official and attempted whistleblower in the Office of Refugee Settlement, who was given the impossible task of trying to reunite separated families. White is candid and unflinching and never gives any sense of a political ideology as he explains the need to protect and care for children at our borders, regardless of how they got there. Thats basic human stuff. But he explains how a government apparatus meant as a program for unaccompanied minors became a way to strip children from their parents in the name of deterrence, and how facilities meant as temporary holding areas became overcrowded institutions. Morris, frequently presented as an off-camera voice, calls the de-parented children state-created orphans and includes footage from David Leans Oliver Twist for good measure. Harm to the children was part of the point, White laments, echoing claims by most of the career administrators who agreed to Morris typically impeccable Interrotron treatment. To nobodys surprise, Miller wouldnt sit down for interviews. Nor would Trump or former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. They all look horrible here, but its hard to imagine them caring. (Elaine Duke, Nielsens predecessor in an acting capacity, is present mostly to confess that she was relieved she didnt get the full-time gig.) Giving every indication that hes never sat through a full Errol Morris film, Scott Lloyd, the former director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, makes an easy villain. Hes squirmy, forgetful and generally incapable of giving a straight answer to any direct question. His former bosses will surely appreciate that he doesnt narc, but theres no chance that he will generate ambivalent reactions. Hes just a cad. One thing White says about the separated children struck me. He observes, Theyre not a metaphor. Each of them is an actual child. Why, then, does Morris choose to treat the traumatized families as symbols? As characters in a carefully composed diorama? Throughout Separated, were following Gabriela and her son Diego (played by actors Gabriela Cartol and Diego Armando) as they come up from Guatemala. Their death-defying trek is restaged in beautifully shot, entirely bloodless fashion. Morris two composites dont have personalities or backstories or voices. Theyre not people. Theyre shells of people and I have no idea why he decided this was a better approach than finding an actual mother and son who were separated at the U.S.-Mexico border and later reunited, and interviewing them. The reenactments feel like reenactments, without specificity. The stories they replace the tangible horror of the journey, the Kafka-esque procedural nightmares, the conditions within the facilities themselves arent provided elsewhere. As distancing devices go, I far prefer the way Morris compares the border wall to the old zoetrope. But other than unexplained snippets of animation, Separated doesnt use or explain that technique at all. I can try: The light let in by the slats in the zoetrope helps bring still images to life. What does that mean for little fictionalized Diego? Nothing. Instead, the slats in the wall and the zoetrope made me think of the light that Morris fails to let in here, from the people on the fringes of American society who could really bring Separated to life. Best of The Hollywood Reporter BERLIN TWP., Ohio (WKBN) Work is set to begin next fall to replace an 81-year-old bridge in Mahoning County. Read next: Realty Building demolition nears completion The Mahoning County Engineer proposes to replace the Berlin Station Road Bridge over Turkey Broth Creek/Berlin Lake between Bedell Road and Pricetown Road. The existing bridge was constructed in 1943 and has never undergone a major rehabilitation. The project proposes to replace the current two-lane bridge with a new two-lane bridge and 4-foot shoulders on each side. Additional work includes the replacement of approach pavement on each end of the bridge and guardrail replacement. During construction, Berlin Station Road will be closed to traffic for approximately 180 days. The $1,813,345 project is scheduled to begin construction in the fall of 2025 and will be completed in early 2026, according to the engineers office. The official detour route will utilize Bedell Road, West Akron-Canfield Road (U.S. Route 224), and South Pricetown Road (state Route 534). A local traffic detour will also be established to maintain access for emergency/public services. Detour-MapDownload Access will be maintained to all adjacent properties, residences, the Berlin Lake Recreation Area and the Berlin Lake Wildlife Area/Public Hunting Land for the duration of the project. While the proposed project will not result in any substantial impacts to environmental resources, Mahoning County Engineers Office is seeking any comments the public may have regarding the proposed project. Contact Bob Durbin, P.E., P.S., Deputy Engineer, with any comments at 330-799-1581 or bdurbin@mahoningcountyoh.gov. Comments received by Sept. 27, 2024 will be considered during this phase of project development, but all comments will be addressed, the office states. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. The flight from Cancun to Chicago was diverted to Memphis, where paramedics met the plane at the gate Getty A stock photo of passengers experiencing turbulence on a flight A passenger was sent to the hospital after a United Airlines flight from Cancun to Chicago was diverted due to extreme turbulence. The airline confirmed to PEOPLE in a statement that United Flight 1196 landed in Memphis on Wednesday, Aug. 28, after encountering a brief period of severe turbulence while the seatbelt sign was on. Paramedics met the aircraft at the gate and transported one passenger to the hospital, the statement added. Were grateful to our crew for their efforts to ensure the safety of our employees and customers. The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane, a Boeing 737-900, landed safely at Memphis International Airport around 2:50 p.m., and that the turbulence occurred over Louisiana. The FAA is investigating the incident. Kevin Carter/Getty A United Airlines Boeing plane Related: Passenger Sues Jetblue for $1.5 Million, Alleges She Was Severely Burned by Hot Tea During Turbulence The Memphis Fire Department told NBC News that when paramedics arrived at the gate, the passenger who was transported to the hospital was in noncritical condition. The department also said that six other passengers declined treatment and transportation to a hospital, adding that the extent of their injuries is unknown. PEOPLE reached out to the MFD, but did not immediately receive a response. In July, extreme turbulence on an Air Europa flight from Spain to Uruguay left dozens of people injured and one man stuck in an overhead bin. It's unclear how the man became lodged in the space. Several passengers reported that people not wearing seatbelts were thrown from their seats unexpectedly by the rough air, hitting the cabin ceiling. Memphis International Airport/Facebook Memphis International Airport Related: Man Appears to Be Rescued from Overhead Bin After Flight Experiences Extreme Turbulence, Injuring Dozens Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to Reuters, around 30 passengers were injured on the flight. Other reports put that number as high as 40. "There are passengers with fractures and injuries to their arms, faces, and legs," a passenger told the outlet. "It was a pretty horrible feeling. We thought we were going to die there." "From one moment to the next, the plane destabilized and went into a dive," another traveler added. Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila Alves were on a trans-Atlantic flight that experienced extreme turbulence in March 2023. "It's suspended disbelief. I mean, it's zero gravity," explained McConaughey while recalling the experience in a preview clip of his upcoming appearance on the Let's Talk Off Camera podcast shared by ET on Tuesday. Alves, 41, had previously shared her recollection of the flight on Instagram, expressing that "the plane dropped almost 4000 feet." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Summer was off to a tumultuous start when allegations of child sexual abuse surfaced on a blog dedicated to Christian survivor stories. This time, the man involved had gone on to lead one of Americas largest megachurches. Robert Morris, who founded and led Gateway Church for nearly 25 years in the affluent Dallas-Fort Worth suburb of Southlake, Texas, resigned after the scandal came to light in June. His exit sent thousands of evangelicals into a season of struggle that has lasted months. Last week, a pastor who oversaw all of Gateways campuses departed amid an undisclosed moral issue, becoming the latest in a series of changes for the church: The cancellation of its annual conference. The departure of Morris successor. The renaming of its Houston campus and an exodus of worshippers. At each weekend service, worshippers continue to face reminders of the scandal, with interim or guest pastors kicking off their sermons saying Im sorry, talking about grief or finding hope in difficult times. Theyve noticed people who have sat and prayed around them for years are once again not showing up for service. The church has seen a decrease of 17% to 19% in weekend services attendance, a church spokesperson told CNN. The turnover at the church could have far-reaching effects. Gateway Church draws an estimated 100,000 people to its weekend services and has more than 560 employees at nine locations in Texas, and two others in Missouri and Wyoming, according to the church. It is considered one of Americas largest megachurches, which are congregations with an average weekly worship attendance of 2,000 people or more. There are nearly 1,800 megachurches in the United States, according to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. Morris standing as a public figure goes beyond the size of his former congregation. In 2016, he was part of former President Donald Trumps Evangelical Executive Advisory Board, the campaign announced in a news release at the time. Trump also held a roundtable at Gateways Dallas campus in 2020 and Morris led a prayer before the event. I did not know the truth, elder says of Morris abuse The congregations difficult and uphill season as interim teaching pastor Max Lucado called it in a sermon last weekend began in June, when Cindy Clemishires account of abuse was published in The Wartburg Watch, a church watchdog blog. Clemishire, 54, told CNN affiliate WFAA Morris molested her in 1982 when she was 12 years old. It started on Christmas Day and it continued until she told her parents in 1987, she said. Shortly after the allegations surfaced, Morris admitted to having inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady in the 1980s. In its initial response, Gateway Church said the pastor had been open and forthright about a moral failure that took place when he was in his 20s and working at another church, and had a two-year restoration process, according to statements obtained by WFAA. It wasnt until days later that Morris resigned from his role. In a statement announcing the resignation, the Board of Elders of Gateway Church said the group did not have all the facts about Morris extramarital relationship, the victims age and length of the abuse. The board said Morris discussed it many times as something that happened before founding the congregation, but he did not mention that it was with a child. As an elder, I did not know the truth. And frankly, like so many of you, my wife and I are shocked, devastated and grieving, Tra Willbanks, one of the megachurchs elders, told the congregation in a June service. For about 10 minutes, he was tearful as he spoke about Morris resignation from behind a lectern at the center of the stage. I cant imagine carrying a burden like that for so many years and I want to say to you, Cindy. Im so sorry, he added. Since then, the church said it hired a law firm to review the report of past abuse so it can understand the facts. Clemishire alleges at least one church leader knew about the abuse in 2005, she said in a statement to CNN. If there are other victims, Clemishire said she encourages them to speak up. I wholeheartedly and sadly believe I am not the only victim. I encourage anyone who has been sexually victimized by a leader at Gateway Church to take the bold step forward and say something. Now is the time. Please know that you will be supported and will not walk this journey alone, Clemishire said in her statement. Morris successor steps down At least three other pastors have left Gateway Church since Morris resignation, unleashing more uncertainty about the future. Morris son James Morris, who was slated to become lead pastor next year, and his wife Bridgette resigned a month after the scandal. They agreed to leave their current roles and step down from leading Gateway in the future, the church said in a July 27 statement. He had been asked to take a leave of absence while the law firm conducted its review. When the couple addressed the congregation one last time during service, they held hands after taking the stage to a standing ovation from worshippers. The young Morris chose to focus his message on the joy and love he felt at the church, while his wife choked up before talking about grief. The Lord is giving us vision for the future, but we do grieve, grieve (by) not being here with you, Bridgette Morris said. With their departure, the couple chose to allow Gateway to have a fresh start, said Willbanks, who introduced them at the service. Three current elders who served on the board from 2005 to 2007 were placed on leave while the law firms review is conducted, the church said. The men are following a recommendation made by the law firm and have said they had no knowledge of the true facts of this situation, according to a June 28 statement by the church. Congregants at Southlake, Texas, megachurch Gateway sing during worship at Sunday service on July 28. - James Hartley/Fort Worth-Star-Telegram/TNS/Getty Images Another pastor leaves, Houston church cuts ties Another pastor, Kemtal Glasgow, was dismissed over an unspecified moral issue, the church announced last week. Glasgows role was overseeing all of Gateways campuses. We were informed last week of a moral issue, which we believe, as elders, disqualifies him from serving in the role that he had at Gateway, Willbanks said in a video statement. We love his family, we love his wife and his kids, and we want to come alongside them during this difficult time and help them find restoration and healing that they need as a family. Gateway Church spokesperson Lawrence Swicegood acknowledged the church asked Glasgow to step down because of his moral failure, he told CNN Wednesday. To be clear, this decision regarding Kemtal had nothing to with the departure of Robert Morris nor related to those circumstances. Morris son-in-law said his church cut ties with Morris earlier this summer, and he recently announced the rebranding of his congregation from Gateway Church Houston to Newlands Church. Senior Pastor Ethan Fisher, who is married to Morris daughter Elaine, has said his church was supported by Gateway since it launched in 2020, but operates as an autonomous church, both financially and legally. I believe that during this season, as a church, that God is once again calling us into something new, and I simply want to follow, Fisher told the congregation. Whats next? Church members have been torn over whether to continue attending. Lou Comunale, a longtime church member, told CNN affiliate KTVT he attended a June service and has seen that leaders are not hiding behind the shame. I think it was on target. I think he did not hide behind the shame that it brought to the church but we went beyond that and were not just looking to one man, were looking to Jesus Christ and this church is going to thrive because they fessed up, Comunale said about Willbanks addressing the congregation. The week the allegations surfaced, several people held a protest outside the church while Sunday service was underway. They held signs in support of Clemishire, carrying messages that read Justice 4 Cindy, She was 12 and They Knew. For Emily High, the 17 years she spent as a church member came to a halt because she felt betrayed, she said. Its anger, its all the range of emotions, High told WFAA. Being a pedophile, a molester, thats not OK. As the search for a new pastor is underway, the two interim pastors have been splitting weekend duties. Pastor Joakim Lundqvist, a leader of a megachurch in Sweden, has shared how his own congregation faced and overcame several crises. Lucado, an author and church leader in San Antonio, Texas, encouraged the Gateway community to think about whats next. I am confident that this season, which is a difficult uphill into the wind season, will result in a second wind, a new season, a time in which the church will be better because of it, and stronger on the other side of it, Lucado said last weekend. They hope to help worshippers heal and stay united. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The 2023 murder-suicide that left two dead on Columbus State Universitys campus was preceded by a troubled relationship between the two involved, including sexual assault allegations and distress signs, according to documents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The GBIs investigation into the fatal shooting of Gisele Lara and Nathaniel Janik on Aug. 18, 2023, also found that family members close to Janik thought the two were dating. Laras family and friends didnt think they were dating, according to an investigative summary from the GBI. GBIs investigators interviewed more than half a dozen people in their investigation. That included Matthew Gilbert, who told investigators he was Laras boyfriend at the time; Jonathan Funston, Laras former fiance; Daniel Janik, Nathaniel Janiks father; Amber Janik, Nathaniel Janiks sister; Rebecca Lara, Gisele Laras mother; Michael Newbrey, a professor for both Lara and Janik; and other students at CSU. GBI also compiled autopsies, cell phone data and more. The shooting happened Aug. 18, 2023, and the investigation closed June 6, 2024, after District Attorney Don Kelly decided he wouldnt pursue criminal charges. Gisele Lara and Rebecca Lara pose for a photo while on vacation. Gisele was killed on Aug. 18, 2023 in an apparent murder-suicide on Columbus State Universitys main campus. What unfolded before fatal Columbus shooting? Newbrey, who taught an ecology class that Lara and Janik both took, said to investigators that Lara and Gilbert told him Janik had sexually assaulted Lara over the summer, according to GBIs investigation documents. Newbrey said he was told about it two days prior to the shooting. He was required to document and report the allegation, and he contacted his supervisor to start a Title IX complaint. Gilbert, who told investigators he lived with Lara for about a month or a month and a half, said she told him about the alleged sexual assault shortly before they went to Newbrey to report it. Janik and Lara had Newbreys class together the day of the shooting, according to GBIs investigation. A student interviewed by investigators said she saw the two having an argument before class that day, and said they werent sitting together when they got to class. That student later received a text from Lara that said Ignore him Ill fill you in later. He went from a nice guy to a weirdo overnight, according to GBI documents. Newbrey told investigators Lara and Janik showed up to class five minutes late the day of the shooting. Dr. Newbrey stated that while they were in class, he noticed that they looked distressed, GBI investigators wrote in their report. Dr. Newbrey advised their behavior as being wide eyed, they looked unhappy, they were fidgeting a lot. They did not sit together, and he noticed they had flushed face. Newbrey ended class at 9:49 a.m. for an appointment with another student at 10 a.m., according to the GBI investigation. Gilbert came to campus to bring Lara a coffee after that class ended, according to GBIs investigation. He told investigators he didnt want her to be alone. When he got to the parking lot where he was set to meet Lara, he found the area roped off with police on scene. Newbrey told investigators he was still in a student meeting when Gilbert showed up at his office and said something bad happened. The two went outside and saw the crime scene. Gilbert couldnt be reached for comment before this story was published. Newbrey told the Ledger-Enquirer in a statement Wednesday that the university doesnt comment on pending litigation, but we continue to mourn the loss of Gisele Lara and respect the grief of Giseles family. Janiks family believed he was dating Lara Daniel Janik told investigators his son and Lara were seeing each other, and their relationship was tumultuous, according to GBIs report. He said his son was increasingly frustrated with life and wanted to go to Alaska to get away from it all. Daniel Janik didnt respond to a request for comment before publication. Amber Janik told investigators her brother and Lara were romantic but didnt advertise it. She said they started dating at the beginning of the summer semester, according to GBI documents. She also told investigators Lara would visit her brother at their apartment, and they would be affectionate with each other and had a pregnancy scare over the summer, according to GBI records. (Amber) Janik said that Nate knew that Lara lived with her ex-boyfriend, Matt, but that they were just friends now, GBI investigators wrote. Photos provided to investigators showed Lara and Nate Janik at his familys home, according to the document. Rebecca Lara told investigators her daughter had been dating Gilbert since February 2023. She said she had no knowledge of her daughter dating Nate Janik. She announced earlier this month that she plans to sue CSU and the state of Georgia over her daughters death. Jonathan Funston told investigators that Gisele Lara once asked Funstons opinion on whether she should date Gilbert or Janik, according to GBI documents. He told her she should date Gilbert, because Janik seemed creepy to him. Funston said he and Lara were basically roommates but she spent most of her time with Gilbert, according to the investigation records. Funston advised that he did not think Lara was serious about Janik but had entertained the possibility of dating him momentarily. Funston said that from his understanding, Lara had moved on and had decided to date Gilbert, investigators wrote. Funston told the Ledger-Enquirer that as far as he knows, Janik had asked Lara out and she had turned him down. Data recovered from Nathaniel Janik and Gisele Laras phones showed worrisome google searches from Nathaniel Janik and a recording from the day of their deaths from Laras phone. Recovered photos showed Janik and Lara in both public and private, affectionate settings, according to GBI documents. There were also Google searches on Janiks phone from Aug. 17, 2023, which included, Does a Christian who commits suicide go to Heaven? and Can suicide victims go to heaven? There were no photos of Janik in Laras phone, according to GBIs investigation, but there was a recording from the day they died in which shes heard getting in a vehicle and asking Janik to let her leave. Lara says on the recording shes going to call the cops. Janik is heard saying he did not care if the police come and says he will shoot himself if they come, investigators wrote in records. Janik tells Lara that she is not leaving until they work it out. Lara died by a gunshot to the head and her death was ruled a homicide, according to GBIs investigation. Janik also died by a gunshot to the head and his death was ruled suicide. Victims mother responds to investigation Rebecca Lara told the Ledger-Enquirer she was very disappointed in the GBI investigative summary. She said the report featured misinformation and inaccurate statements about my daughter. There is victim blaming, she said, adding she felt there were missing details. Rebecca Lara said shes concerned that not all information has been released, including toxicology labs and blood-alcohol levels for Nate Janik. She said after reviewing the report, she feels its apparent that CSU failed Gisele by not responding to her safety concerns prior to and after being shot on campus. My hope and prayers are that by highlighting Giseles story real changes can occur that ensure campus safety and responsible oversight by the universities, Rebecca Lara said. She added that universities need to have an environment thats protective and safe for learning. She felt Gisele Laras report about Janik shouldve been responded to more promptly. When asked about the possible relationship between her daughter and Nate Janik mentioned in the report, Rebecca Lara said, The only time Gisele mentioned Nate Janik was when she informed her uncle in early August that a male student (Nate Janik) was harassing her, creeping her out and she was going to report to CSU. Whether Nate Janik believed he was dating or a research partner with Gisele there is absolutely no reason to harm or murder Gisele, she said. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) What seemed like a regular Tuesday afternoon for San Francisco barber Ramy Shatara turned into a civilian arrest and a broken leg in a matter of minutes. Shatara had just finished cutting a clients hair and stepped outside the Chicago II Barber Shop to take a phone call when he heard a woman screaming for help, he told KRON4. The woman had been stabbed by a man who stole her belongings near Divisadero Street and Golden Gate Avenue, the San Francisco Police Department said. At first, a security guard at nearby Obsidian Dispensary jumped in to help, according to the shops owner Alex Asefaw. The guard, named Kharlil Mitchell, helped get the knife-wielding suspect off the victim before the suspect broke free and took off running. Bystanders detain suspected drunk driver after fatal crash in Oakland Hes one of the guys that saved that ladys life, Asefaw said of Mitchell. Thats when Shatara took action. He and two coworkers ran after the suspect, who was still armed with the knife. He was eventually able to trip the man up, pry his fingers open and disarm him, he said. We gotta go get him. I just got in a mode where that was what we were gonna do, so we did it, Shatara said. SFPD responded to the scene and arrested the suspect, who has not been identified. When Shatara got back to the barbershop, the adrenaline wore off, and he noticed his leg was hurting. The pain did not stop, and after a trip to the emergency room, he was told he has a broken fibula. He is now on crutches. Shatara, a San Francisco native who has been working at the barbershop for 10 years, says he has never been in a situation like this before, but he thinks the crime in San Francisco is out of control. Theres definitely more guys that are like this guy. Theres a lot of bold people, a lot of sick, drugged-out people, he said. To Asefaw, the fact that Good Samaritans stepped in to help the victim and track down the suspect demonstrates the cohesion in the neighborhood. Thats the kind of neighborhood that we are. Were big on community and taking care of each other, he said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Following other school districts in the state, the Sioux Falls School District is joining the conversation on phone use in schools by creating a group to study their impact in the classroom. SFSDs School Board President Carly Reiter said the group will have around 30 members including teachers, parents, administrators and even students. Sioux Falls Pork Showdown returns for 4th year In middle schools, phones are currently not allowed in the classroom or hallways the entire school day. The high schoolers have a more flexible policy where phones are not allowed during class periods but can be used between classes and over lunch. The purpose of the study, Reiter said, isnt necessarily to change the current policy, but to work out some of the existing challenges with phone use in the classroom. The idea isnt that they come to the board with a recommendation, but its more of a Lets all try to understand each other and how can we make this better, Reiter said. The strictness of the phone policy varies for each teacher, Reiter said. Some teachers require students to shut their phones off and keep them in their bags, others are more lenient and some teachers use the over-the-door shoe pouches for students to put their phones in during class. The problem with that is that kids will find a way around everything, she said. Kids probably have other phones at home, older phones or whatever, so they can walk up and just put something in the pocket and nobody is gonna know the difference, so thats not necessarily effective. The solutions that other, smaller districts are working with implement in their schools arent feasible for a district the size of Sioux Falls, either. Before the start of the school year, Gettysburg School District bought magnetic, locking pouches for their 220 students, which cost a little over $4,000 for the district. That might make sense for a district with 200 kids, but not 25,000, Reiter said. The expense of that would be ridiculous, then the replacement value of that. Theres already videos online showing kids how to unlock the magnet and use your phone. I think the more responsible thing to do would be to try to help people help kids understand how to use their phone appropriately. Superintendent Jane Stavem echoed those same sentiments in an August 2024 column. Stavem said collaborating with parents will help create a good partnership between home and school. The reality is that banning cell phones is not the only solution, Stavem said in her column. Parents and guardians play a crucial role in guiding their children to be responsible consumers of technology. They decide when a child is allowed to have a phone, set parameters for its use, and manage the apps and content on the device. Reiter said one way parents can help their students and collaborate with teachers is by not texting and distracting them during the school day. If as parents, we dont reach out to our kids during the day for just random, you know, whatever it is, then that gives them less reasons to be on their phone or have that temptation, so I think its a community effort. More information on joining the group will be released by the SFSD in the coming weeks. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. COLBERT COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) The Colbert County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) says a Sheffield man was arrested on multiple drug charges Wednesday morning. CCSO said Donald Ramson, 47, of Sheffield, was arrested for drug trafficking, first-degree possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession with intent to distribute. On August 28, CCSO said they, along with Colbert County Drug Task Force agents and Sheffield police, carried out a search warrant at a residence in the 2600 block of Hatch Blvd. in Sheffield. CCSO said when they entered the residence, they found 109.35 grams of spice, 19.9 grams of cocaine, 177.6 grams of marijuana, three clonazepam pills, three firearms and $608. CCSO said Ramson was taken to the Colbert County Jail and is being held on a $150,000 bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Sheriff: Man steals more than $9K of jewelry at Cielo Vista Mall Sheriff: Man steals more than $9K of jewelry at Cielo Vista Mall EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 40-year-old man was arrested after allegedly stealing more than $9,000 worth of jewelry last Thursday, Aug. 22, at Cielo Vista Mall, according to the El Paso County Sheriffs Office. The Sheriffs Office says at around 6 p.m. that Thursday, deputies working at Cielo Vista Mall were notified by employees of a local jewelry store that they had seen a man who had previously stolen from another store. The Sheriffs Office says Adan Gutierrez, 40, was seen stealing more than $9,000 worth of jewelry earlier that Thursday. Deputies then initiated an active search for Gutierrez and were able to locate him after he attempted to leave the area. Gutierrez was wearing the same clothes he was wearing earlier that day when he was seen stealing the jewelry, and he was also in possession of stolen jewelry, according to the Sheriffs Office. Gutierrez was turned over to El Paso Police Detectives. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. After being delayed by months, data collected for a single night in January and released Wednesday shows that the homeless population in the Colorado Springs area appears to be on a downward trajectory in several key categories. Most notably, the number of unsheltered people who live on the streets and sleep in vehicles, under bridges, in empty buildings or in urban camps dropped by nearly one-third this year over last year. A tally of 259 people self-identified as being homeless during the Jan. 21-22 Point in Time and Housing Inventory Count. Thats 115 fewer people than last year and represents a 31% decline, according to the statistics. Its also the lowest number since 2015. Of this years 259 unsheltered individuals, 41% said they had a serious mental illness, and 47% were addicted to substances. In total, homelessness decreased by 12% in El Paso County over last year, with 1,146 people considered both sheltered, meaning sleeping in emergency shelters and transitional housing, or unsheltered in uninhabitable places. Thats 156 people less than the homeless population in 2023. Using 56 volunteers this year and administered by the nonprofit Community Health Partnership for the Pikes Peak Continuum of Care, a group of homeless service providers, the survey is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for communities as a condition for federal funding and to report to Congress but, according to HUD, is not a factor in how much Continuums of Care throughout the nation receive in funding. The results are encouraging, said Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade. This is the second year in a row weve seen decreasing numbers, and I believe this is a testament to the effectiveness of our communitys collaborative efforts to address homelessness in our city, he said in a statement. Despite these results, homelessness remains one of our enduring challenges. It is an issue that weighs heavily on our residents, business owners and our community. The mayor is creating initiatives under a Homelessness Response Plan, as part of an updated strategic plan that will be unveiled next month. Supportive services, preventive measures and more affordable housing are among the priorities, said Katie Sunderlin, the citys acting chief housing officer. Residents have until Monday, Sept. 2 to say what theyd like to see included in the plan at ColoradoSprings.govhttps://coloradosprings.gov/2024HomelessnessResponse. Whats concerning, Sunderlin said, is that the number of homeless families increased by 12% in this years count, with 48 more people who are part of a family unit saying they were homeless. Families tend to hide during the process, officials say, as parents often are afraid their children might be removed from their care during what is a difficult time. But in Colorado, child protective services does not take away children due to homelessness. More robust family sheltering is a need identified in the citys response plan, Sunderlin said, and the city probably will use $1.1 million of federal pandemic-relief money it received to help create a noncongregate shelter of individual temporary quarters for families. The Salvation Armys Family Hope Center, which has 31 family suites and a total of 186 bunkbeds, is the citys primary shelter for families who are homeless. Featured Local Savings Also, Sunderlin said, families often stay with relatives or friends or in motels, which are not considered as homeless for the Point in Time survey, but are counted under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which annually checks homelessness among school-age children to ensure equal access to education. The Point in Time provides a snapshot on a given winter night of the countys status but isnt necessarily an accurate depiction of homelessness, some point out. For example, the survey does not count the number of homeless people who are in institutions such as the county jail, hospitals or treatment facilities on the night the census is taken. The number of homeless people staying in the county jail during this years census topped 300. In the Pikes Peak region, nearly 4,200 individuals used emergency homeless shelters or transitional housing last year, according to the Continuum of Care data reported to HUD. A Homeless Management Information System, which tracks services provided from many but not all providers, reported that 4,660 households representing 5,391 people received homelessness-related services from Oct. 1, 2021, to Sept. 30, 2022, the most recent data available. There are many factors that contribute to the Point in Time count, which account for fluctuations year over year weather, volunteer efforts, willingness of participants to share information and other factors that may influence the final count, said Kristy Milligan, CEO of Westside Cares. The nonprofit consortium of churches provides free food, clothes, bus passes, rent assistance, referrals and other programs for people who are homeless. The decreases in the Point in Time are an indication that the community has been effective in implementing multiple and diverse interventions to prevent and end homelessness, Milligan said. Those efforts range from offering different types of rehousing programs to a plethora of direct services to work opportunities. One big success of the Pikes Peak Continuum of Care, she said, is that the retention rate of permanent housing communitywide was 94.7% for 2023. Our partners also did a tremendous job of increasing exits from homelessness through street outreach in 2023, Milligan said. Homelessness among military veterans and youth also declined in this years Point in Time headcount. Changes in HUD policies this year combined race and ethnicity categories and increased the number of racial categories from six to 15. El Paso Countys results continue to show overrepresentation of traditionally marginalized communities, which Milligan said speaks to the need for additional and diverse interventions for Black, American Indian, Indigenous and Alaskan Native people who are homeless. Twice or nearly twice the percentage of people who reported a race in those categories were homeless, compared with the U.S. Census Bureau population statistics for El Paso County. Delays in releasing the local data were due to HUD changes as well as the need to ensure the accuracy of the reporting, according to the Pikes Peak Continuum of Care. The Denver-area Point in Time count, which covers Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties, was released Aug. 14 and shows a 10% increase this year in the overall homeless population, for a total of 9,977 people. Some estimate the area sees 30,000 people who are homeless throughout the year, according to a release from the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative. Contact the writer: 719-476-1656. Sheriffs office asks for publics help after campers stabbed in Washington County, TN WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) Authorities in Washington County, Tennessee are asking for the publics help locating two suspects wanted in connection with a stabbing on Dry Creek Road on Aug. 19. The Washington County, Tennessee Sheriffs Office (WCSO) reports deputies responded to the 1800 block of Dry Creek Road regarding a stabbing. The two victims were reportedly camping in the area and were attacked by multiple subjects with a hatchet and knife. Victor Birchfields remains identified months after he went missing One of the victims suffered serious injuries that required hospitalization and surgery, according to the sheriffs office. Two suspects in the incident, Savannah Barber, 23, and Adam Porter, 40, are both facing two counts of aggravated assault. Savannah Barber, Adam Porter (Courtesy of the Washington County, Tennessee Sheriffs Office) Barber is described by authorities as a white female with blonde or red hair. She is 56 and 125 pounds, with hazel eyes and tattoos on the right side of her face. She has a tattoo that circles around her right eye onto her forehead. Porter is described as a white male with short brown hair. He is 58 and 150 pounds with green eyes and tattoos on both arms. He usually has goatee-style facial hair, the sheriffs office reported. Due to the stabbing, Porter is believed to have a substantial cut on the top, right side of his head that will be visible without a hat, according to the WCSO. Adam Porter, Savannah Barber (Courtesy of the Washington County, Tennessee Sheriffs Office) Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Crime Watch Barber and Porter have unrelated, outstanding warrants and should be considered dangerous, the WCSO stated. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to contact the Washington County Sheriffs Office at 423-788-1414 or by calling 911. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. A single rose lay outside Brookside Irish restaurant Brady and Fox Restaurant and Lounge on Thursday afternoon; a sunflower rested against the front door. The blooms are a small memorial to Shaun Brady, an Irish immigrant and the owner of the Kansas City restaurant at 751 E. 61st St. Brady was shot and killed Wednesday around 5:15 p.m., after encountering multiple individuals surrounding a parked car while he was taking out the trash. Kansas City police arrested two teens shortly after. On Thursday, temporarily closed signs hung in the restaurants windows. A small group remained inside the restaurant Thursday but did not want to comment. They told The Star they were unsure when it could reopen. A sign reading We are temporarily closed is posted on the door of Brady & Fox on Thursday, Aug. 29, in Kansas City. The closure follows the death of Shaun Brady, the restaurants owner, was shot and killed Wednesday night. Jasper Mirabile, owner of Jaspers Italian Restaurant at 1201 W. 103rd St., said his friends in the restaurant community are grieving deeply. Mirabile admitted he himself has a hard time finding the words to describe the loss. He had been friends with Brady for several years. He would give anything to anyone who came in the restaurant, he said. You never heard one bad thing about Shaun. Not once. Brady invited Mirabiles family to his restaurant many times, and the two swapped stories about the industry and shared advice. Bradys wife, Kate, and two young children were his entire life, Mirabile said. He worked long, hard weeks to provide for them. When I heard the news I was lost, Mirabile said. This one hit hard. Shaun Brady, chef and co-owner of Brady and Fox, prepares to put creme brulees in a fridge at Brady & Fox in March 2022, shortly after he opened the restaurant with his business partner, Graham Farris. John McClain, owner of Brownes Irish Marketplace, similarly described Brady as a hard worker and a family man. He was a very giving person, and were just saddened by it, McClain said. Separately, both Mirabile and McClain told The Star they were concerned for their own safety, as well as their staffs, especially considering Brady was killed doing something employees do every day, multiple times a day. Mirabile held a meeting with his staff Thursday to update them on security protocol. Hes looking into ways to make sure his employees stay safe in the parking lot, especially at night. There needs to be something done in Kansas City, and there needs to be a change, Mirabile said. McClain said it could have been any one of us. Im sorry it was him, he added. Brady grew up in County Tipperary, Ireland, and was considered to be a pillar in the local Irish community. He met his wife while she was traveling in Ireland. Kate and Shaun Brady moved to Chicago before relocating to Kansas City in 2013. His first restaurant, Bradys Public House, at 5424 Troost Ave., closed during the pandemic. He opened Brady and Fox with his partner, Graham Farris, in 2022. The restaurant is known for its traditional Irish dishes like fish and chips, bangers and mash, and shepherds pie. The restaurant community in Kansas City, our hearts go out to his family, Mirabile said. The impact that he had on our lives it will never fade. Rep. Steven Jackson (Allison Allsop) Freshman state legislators typically promise to bring back more money to their districts or to pursue broader policy. But the very first two bills Rep. Steven Jackson, D-Shreveport, authored during his first regular session in the Louisiana Legislature had an unusual target for a new lawmaker: Louisianas Board of Ethics. Jacksons first bill reduces how often elected officials have to file their personal financial disclosure forms with the state ethics agency. His second one dramatically cuts the fines lobbyists have to pay if they file paperwork late. Both became law this month. Jackson also successfully got his colleagues in the Louisiana House of Representatives to sponsor a study of the states ethics and campaign finance laws and produce a report on the topic by next April. His interest in the ethics board follows five years of angry exchanges between Jackson and ethics staff over financial penalties he has accrued while running for office. Since his first race for the Caddo Parish Commission in 2015, Jackson has racked up $10,080 in late fees after failing to file or improperly submitting 12 campaign finance and personal disclosure reports. The Illuminator acquired copies of correspondence among Jackson, ethics board staff and the attorney generals office through a public records request made to the state ethics board. You all are nothing more than a debt collection agency that harasses and bullies elected officials who dont have the means to defend themselves, Jackson wrote as Caddo Parish commissioner in an email to Ethics Administrator Kathleen Allen in October 2022. Campaign finance reports and personal financial disclosure paperwork are the primary way the public knows who is donating to a political campaign and how a candidate supports themselves ahead of an election. When they are turned in weeks or months late, as Jackson has sometimes done, it can rob voters of their ability to learn about a candidates donors or their personal financial interests before having to cast ballots. Jackson has repeatedly said he believes the fines for late reporting are too high. He declined to comment directly to a reporter about this story. Instead, a person identified as his assistant campaign manager, Micheal Murphy, responded to questions sent to Jacksons campaign email account. Rep Jackson believe [sic] the ethics board consist [sic] of individuals who have never had to run a campaign or hold political office, the email sent to the Illuminator earlier this month reads. They lack empathy and understanding in their approach. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Grievances going back years Over several exchanges from 2019 to 2023, Jackson accused the ethics staff of harassing him, treating him unfairly and not being sensitive to the impact of a record-breaking winter storm that hit Northwest Louisiana in February 2021. There is no place on this form to list a forgiven loan. I think that is bullst. You all will harass someone over loans they forgave themselves, Jackson said in a handwritten note included on the front page of a February 2021 campaign finance report. The particular form Jackson was turning in only has to be filed when someone has missed previous deadlines. We are in a state of emergency without power and without water. This date could have been pushed back, Jackson continued in a typed note included on the next page of the same report. This was done from a smartphone to avoid a fine. This shows no regard for our health and well being. Rep. Steven Jackson, D-Shreveport, stands at his desk in the Louisiana House of Representatives during the 2024 regular session. (Allison Allsop/Louisiana Illuminator) Two weeks later, Jackson made the same complaint in an email to the ethics board about having to file that campaign finance report. You may not be aware or you may not care, but the citizens of the region experienced a 100 year snow storm that caused severe disruption in every level of service as noted on the form submitted, Jackson wrote. Our office is well aware of the storm and the devastating effect it had on people, and to say that our office does not care is not correct, Allen responded to Jacksons email on behalf of the ethics department. We have talked with and assisted many people with the filing of reports since that time. However, we are reaching out to people who have still not filed the required reports. In spite of his numerous email exchanges, the state has had to go to great lengths to extract some of the fines Jackson has owed over the past five years. In 2019, the ethics board filed a short-lived lawsuit to block Jackson from qualifying to run for his second term on the Caddo Parish Commission over $3,600 the board said he owed in late fees from his 2015 race. State law requires candidates for public office to have paid their penalties in full before they enter a new election cycle. The lawsuit, filed on Aug. 15, 2019, was withdrawn the next day after Jackson hastily met with the board and paid some of the fines he owed. The board conceded that Jackson might not have received notices that more recent campaign finance reports were late. Jackson went on to win that 2019 Caddo Commission election in October as an unopposed candidate. That victory did not stop Jackson from lashing out at the ethics board staff a year later, however, when staff members told him he still owed additional fines from missed 2018 deadlines. What is this about and why am I receiving this? I paid you all those fees and owe nothing. Something must be wrong in your system, Jackson wrote to Allen on the ethics board staff on July 14, 2020. Two years later, another tense email exchange involving Allen, Jackson and the attorney generals staff indicated he still hadnt paid $3,260 in fines for his overdue 2018 campaign reports. You all are going to continue to harass police jurors, school board members, and local public officials who will one day eventually become state legislators. Probably sooner rather than later, Jackson wrote in a 2022 email, a year before he won his statehouse election. A few months later, the attorney generals office garnished more than $1,000 per month from Jacksons paychecks in May, June and July in order to recover some of the late fees he owed from the 2018 election cycle. The attorney generals staff collects ethics fees that have gone unpaid for several weeks. By that time, Jacksons costs had ballooned to not only include the initial penalties but also interest on the original fines, attorney fees, court costs and a commission to the East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office for performing the wage garnishment, according to a 2023 email from Amy Richard Easley, who worked on Jacksons collections for the attorney generals office. You cant be serious. If the AG office hasnt sent the money they collected its my fault? What kind of game are yall playing. Those fines have been paid. You got what you needed. Why are yall jerking with me? Jackson wrote to the ethics staff and Easley on Aug. 4, 2023 after being told he had to settle his fines in order to qualify for his legislative race. Jackson eventually paid the remaining penalties about a week after sending that email on Aug. 9, 2023. The next day, he signed up to run for the Louisiana House of Representatives, Allen said. Even after turning over thousands of dollars in fines, Jackson continued to miss campaign report deadlines, improperly submit reports and rack up new penalties. Since that email exchange a year ago with Easley, he has accrued $3,220 in new penalties. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX How Jackson changed state ethics laws One of the new state laws Jackson authored exempts candidates from filing personal financial disclosure forms if they are already an elected official and have the same form already on file with the ethics department. The paperwork, which is due a few days after candidates sign up to run for office, includes information about a candidates income, property ownership and business interests for the public to inspect. Jackson has never turned in the personal financial disclosure documents due after he signed up for the 2023 election and now faces a $2,500 fine. He didnt think it was necessary because he had already submitted the same information to the ethics board as a Caddo Parish commissioner. The new law is not retroactive and wont erase Jacksons current fine. Jacksons second ethics law change dramatically cuts fines and fees for lobbyists who file paperwork about their clients late with the ethics board. It is similar to another new statute Rep. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge, sponsored. Under the old law, lobbyists faced a $50-per-day automatic fine that maxed out at $1,500 in total for filing paperwork disclosing their clients late. The ethics board could also assess an additional $10,000 fine on top of the $1,500 maximum. Jacksons legislation lowers the per-day ceiling penalty to $500 and reduces the additional fine amount to $1,000. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST (Bloomberg) -- A deal between Singapore and Malaysia to establish a special economic zone in Johor is likely to be signed by November, according to a top official. Most Read from Bloomberg Speaking to a conference in Singapore on Thursday, Chief Minister of Johor Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the timeline for both sides to ink the agreement had been delayed due to leadership meetings. Itll be signed hopefully by November, he said, adding that officials were ironing out the details of the definitive agreement. All relevant parties, decision makers, are coming on board to make sure this happens, he said. Malaysia and Singapore signed a memorandum to develop the economic zone in January this year, aiming for the free movement of goods and people between the resource-rich state of Johor and land-constrained Singapore. November would constitute a delay from earlier assessments. Malaysias Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli had said in July both sides should be able to sign a deal and unveil the zone in September. Johor officials have said the SEZ could create as many as 100,000 new jobs in the state and bolster the Malaysian economy by about $26 billion per year by 2030. (Updates with comment from Johor Chief Minister in paragraph three.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. South Korean firefighters prepare to lift a vehicle that fell into a sinkhole on a street in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Seo Dae-yeon/Yonhap via AP) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) A sinkhole suddenly opened and swallowed an SUV in South Korea's capital on Thursday, injuring the two occupants, emergency workers said. Photos from the scene showed a white sport utility vehicle engulfed in the 2-meter-deep (eight-foot-deep) hole that appeared on a street in the central part of Seoul. Emergency workers rescued the vehicles 82-year-old male driver and a 76-year-old female passenger. No one else was hurt in the incident, which occurred at around 11:20 a.m. (0220 GMT), according to Seouls Seodaemun district fire station. The conditions of the injured victims werent immediately known. Traffic in the Seondaemun area continued to be restricted as of Thursday evening as workers and officials repaired the damaged road and investigated the cause of the sinkhole. South Koreas Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport told lawmakers last year that at least 879 sinkholes were reported in the country from 2019 to June 2023. Nearly half of those sinkholes were caused by damaged sewer pipes, the ministry said at the time. Last week, a 48-year-old tourist from India disappeared in Malaysias capital when pavement collapsed beneath her and caused her to fall into an eight-meter-deep (26-foot-deep) sinkhole. Officials said that she may have been swept away by an underground water current. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A Sioux Falls man is headed to federal prison for 15 years following a conviction on three counts of possession, manufacturing or distributing child pornography. According to a press release from the South Dakota Attorney Generals office, Cory William Wendt, 32, was sentenced on Aug. 22 in Lincoln County Circuit Court. He originally had been charged with 10 counts of possessing, manufacturing or distributing child pornography. Time-lapse: Tornado near Mound City Wendt was charged in January 2023 following an investigation conducted by State Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) agents. Those agents are assigned to the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The Lincoln County States Attorneys Office prosecuted the case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. MIDDLEFIELD, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) The Otsego County Department of Health reported on Thursday, August 29 that a skunk has tested positive for rabies. The skunk was found acting abnormally in the town of Middlefield. It was caught and tested positive for rabies on Saturday, August 24. It is reported that several farm animals had been exposed to the skunk. According to the Otsego County Department of Health, all animals exposed to the skunk had been vaccinated against rabies. According to the Department of Health, there was also human exposure to the infected skunk. The individual exposed is being treated with post-exposure treatments. The Health Department also warned people that it is New York State law that all dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated for rabies, as well as all farm animals. Unvaccinated pets in contact with wildlife that is suspected or confirmed to be infected must be euthanized or strictly quarantined at the owners expense. All dogs and cats must be vaccinated for rabies at 4 months old, one year following the initial dose, and then every three years following. Ferrets must receive their initial dose by four months old, then booster shots every year following. If you need a rabies vaccination, need more information or have been exposed, you are encouraged to call the Otsego County Health Department at 607-547-4230 or visit their website at the link here. The Health Department will also be holding free rabies clinics across the county at the following places: Tuesday, September 10 at the town barn in Burlington Flats, Thursday, October 3 at the Otego Fire Department, and Thursday, December 5 at the Hartwick Seminary Fire Department. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. Family continues fighting for justice Editors Note: The video above first aired in 2023. (KMID/KPEJ)- Its been a nightmare seemingly without end for more than a decade for Clinton Dunn and his children; a nightmare that is never far from their minds, especially on days like today as they celebrate what would have been Hailey Dunns 27th birthday. It would be cruel for us to simply wish her a Happy Birthday in Heaven without acknowledging why she isnt here to celebrate this special day with her loved ones. No good comes from pretending her life wasnt stolen. No good comes from moving on without seeking justice for this beautiful girl. To do so would be further insult to the short life she lived, full of love and laughter, jokes and pranks, Guitar Hero and singing with her friends and family. No good comes from ignoring the why. The only way we can ever begin to make this right is to guarantee justice for this beautiful little girl. Hailey, you are loved, and you are missed. Your sisters and Daddy include you every day. Because of them, you will never be forgotten, and they will advocate for your justice every day until it is received. Who Killed Hailey Dunn Facebook Page Courtesy: Who Killed Hailey Dunn Facebook Page That was a message to Hailey posted Wednesday by a group dedicated to bringing Haileys killer to justice. Its that search for justice we want to address today, as we consider the case so far. Heres what we know: The 13-year-old cheerleader from Colorado City went missing on December 27, 2010. Her mother reported her missing the next day and despite a massive search expanding much of West Texas, there was no sign of Hailey until March 16, 2013, when her remains were found near Lake JB Thomas in Scurry County. Court documents showed that authorities believe that Dunn was struck in the head with a blunt object; the only arrest ever made in the case came in June of 2021 when Shawn Adkins, of Big Spring, was charged with murder. Adkins, who had long been considered a person of interest in the case, was dating Haileys mother and lived in the home where Hailey was last seen. Hed not been arrested previously because authorities said there wasnt enough evidence. In 2020, the district attorney for the 32nd Judicial District, Ricky Thompson, consulted with the Texas Rangers Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program regarding the case, and the Rangers took a new look at the investigation. The Rangers interviewed several people, and investigators ultimately narrowed in on Adkins. A search warrant was issued to collect Adkins DNA; he was eventually arrested and booked into the Howard County jail after those samples were collected. According to an affidavit released after his arrest, authorities believed Adkins killed the teen and tampered with her corpse. Adkins was later indicted by a Grand Jury, and a trial date was set for June of 2022, but the discovery of new information pushed the trial back to April of 2023- that date was pushed again when Adkins defense team asked for a continuance. Then, in late May of the same year, Haileys family were informed that Adkins and his defense team rejected a plea deal that would have sent him to prison for 30 years. Then, the Dunn family was dealt another blow when they learned the case had been dismissed altogether, again citing lack of evidence. In June of 2023, after spending two years in jail awaiting trial, Adkins was released from custody. Documents released at the time showed that the case was dropped without prejudice. This means the state can re-file the charges against Adkins at any time. To be clear, the prosecution views (Adkins) as the primary suspect in the Hailey Dunn murder, a motion to dismiss read. However, levying charges against Adkins again would require more work from law enforcement agencies; the same people who dropped the ball on multiple occasions, according to the Dunn family. Court documents explained that further investigation is needed in order to prove elements of the offenses beyond a reasonable doubt. Called a complex circumstantial case, court records showed that several leads and potential evidence were collected and worked with for more than a decade. This included soil, cell records, and even a polygraph test. Clinton has alleged that the investigation was mishandled from the very beginning and said files connected with the case were disorganized and reports have gone missing and a critical test, which may have connected Adkins to the area where Haileys body was found, is now being disputed. According to court documents, that particular piece of evidence involved a soil analysis using Near Infrared Spectroscopy and found that soil collected from Adkins work boots had a high degree of chemical similarity with soil samples collected from the site where the teens remains were found. Clinton said that test came back a 94-95% match. However, court documents showed that the soil was also sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for analysis using a different method. Prosecutors said that analysis determined that the soil samples did not match. Scientists with the FBI said that NIRS testing is not a methodology sanctioned by the forensic community for soil analysis and should not be relied on in a criminal trial. Additionally, when Haileys body was found in 2013, a forensic anthropologist found blunt force injuries to her skull and determined the injuries had been inflicted at or near the time of death and likely resulted in significant bleeding. While multiple searches of the house were conducted by law enforcement, there wasnt any forensic testing done in the house in the days following Haileys disappearance so theres no evidence to test to see if blood was present in the home at the time. Also, multiple searches of Adkins car, as well as the location in Scurry County, were conducted; however, none of the evidence collected was ever forensically tested, court records show. Before this case proceeds to trial, that evidence should be thoroughly tested to determine if it has any value, the motion read. Another piece of evidence was the cell records and cell tower records of Hailey and Adkins. An analysis of these records showed that on December 27, 2010, Hailey sent a text at 2:16 p.m. and 2:27 p.m. At the same time, Adkinss cell connected to a cell tower in Big Spring at 1:53 p.m. and again at 2:40 p.m. Adkins also took a call at 2:56 p.m. which connected to a cell tower along I-20 east of Big Spring but west of Colorado City. A minute later, an incoming call to Haileys cell phone connected to a cell tower in Colorado City. These facts show that Hailey MIGHT have been alive before 2:57 pm on December 27. There are also issues with the timeline. The day before, on December 26, Haileys brother spent the night with two friends and returned home on December 27 at about 5 p.m. When he got there, according to court documents, he talked to Adkins, and Hailey was not there. At 6 p.m., Adkins left and picked up Haileys mother from work in Snyder. Adkins wasnt alone again until the following morning. With that timeline in mind, court documents said that if Hailey was alive when Adkins arrived at home, he would have been alone with Hailey for at most about two hours from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. This would mean Adkins would have had to kill her, clean up any blood and other incriminating evidence in the home and hide her body in a relatively short amount of time. While not impossible, that timeline could be a challenge for prosecutors especially when considering the overall lack of evidence in the case. The motion to dismiss the charges against Adkins stated that there is no direct eyewitness to Haileys murder, nor any known current forensic science evidence directly linking Adkins to the murder. Because of this, the current state of the evidence is not sufficient for the prosecution to proceed to trial. Prosecutors said that additional investigation is needed, but has that been done? We dont know because investigators have been notoriously tight lipped about the case. Courtesy: Who Killed Hailey Dunn Facebook Page Despite all the grief and unanswered questions, Clinton and his children have continued to fight for justice for the slain teen. In a recent podcast, Clinton talked with Grieving Our Babies about his daughter and all the unanswered questions that still remain. You can listen to that podcast here, or following this Facebook page as the search for answers continues. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. At 23-years-old, Robert Smalls won freedom for himself and his family. The Beaufort County man went from slavery to pilot during the Civil War before being elected to Congress. He is the embodiment of a true hero, said members of the Robert Smalls Monument Commission on Wednesday. Soon, his legacy will be cemented onto state house grounds. At a commission meeting Wednesday, 10 members of the South Carolina Senate and House discussed the logistics of design, location and fundraising for the monument. The legislature passed a bill in the 2023-24 session that created the commission after the states moratorium on new monuments on state house grounds. State Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington, one of the bills sponsors, said it was a monumental time for the state. Malloy emphasized the need for the historical perspective to not be lopsided and show what Smalls meant to the state. It should be a true picture of South Carolina and an American hero, Malloy said. State Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Charleston, said it was past time and overdue for Smalls to get the recognition he deserved. I think probably the best way to sum up Robert Smalls life is it was a fight for freedom as a slave, as a pilot and as a statesman. And those three different arenas, his life was best described as a fight for freedom. And he knew that his freedom would only endure through law, Campsen said, adding his fight for education as well. Smalls was born in Beaufort and escaped from slavery in Charleston. He was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives during Reconstruction era, and then served in the state Senate. In 1874, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Hes someone that all South Carolinians can and should respect. He had a lot that he could be bitter about, but he did not. He set a course for the remainder of his life to try to make South Carolina a better place for all people of all races, Campsen said. Smalls monument will be the first of a single African-American figure on state house grounds. It currently holds more than 30 monuments, including one dedicated to the history of slavery and Black history in South Carolina. Earlier this year, University of South Carolina unveiled a monument of the first three Black students to register for classes after desegregation. The monument is at the heart of campus, Dorn Smith, USC board member and former board chair, told to The State, which reported that the board hand-picked its location so everyone visiting campus will walk past and enjoy it. The commission set a Jan. 15 deadline for the statutes design and location. The commission is also planning a website for donations. This is pretty cool. This is pretty neat. There arent a whole lot of statutes that we need to add to the state house grounds, but I think that Robert Smalls is worthy, said Sen. Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield. Massey said some members of the state Senate werent familiar with Smalls. Massey said they want people to be educated and honor Smalls accomplishments. Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, who attended the meeting by Zoom, and said he once lived across the street from Smalls house in Charleston. He learned about Smalls impact 40 years ago because of the schools, monuments and streets dedicated in his name. I learned very quickly who he was and what he meant to South Carolina and how it exemplifies the very best of what South Carolina stands for, Davis said. State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Richland, said it is often said that its a great day in South Carolina, but Wednesday was truly an extremely fantastic, great and amazing day in South Carolina. Johnson said the school system doesnt always teach about these historical figures. Think of the many field trips and education that will come from it, he said. Im really looking forward to the day where I get to bring my children and my grandchildren up here to the state house grounds, Johnson said about what he would tell them. This is the soil that you have come from here. These are the kind of heroes I want you to look up to and exemplify. A proposed Colorado Springs ordinance that would preemptively limit where facilities selling recreational marijuana may operate in the city could possibly subvert the will of local voters, planning commissioners said during a special meeting Wednesday. Colorado Springs currently does not permit recreational marijuana sales, but a citizen-backed question on the November ballot proposes authorizing the roughly 90 existing permitted medical marijuana stores in Colorado Springs to opt into also selling retail cannabis. If residents vote to allow retail marijuana sales locally this fall or later in the future Council members Lynette Crow-Iverson and Brian Risley have introduced a proposed ordinance that would modify city code to prevent marijuana facilities that sell retail cannabis from operating within 1 mile of K-12 schools and residential child care and drug or alcohol treatment facilities. The ordinance requires that the distance between the buildings is measured using a route of direct pedestrian access. Currently, medical marijuana stores cannot operate within 1,000 feet of schools and child care facilities. A map city planners provided Wednesday depicts Colorado Springs' medical marijuana centers in relation to schools and child care and rehabilitation centers. The map measures the distance between the facilities using a 1-mile radius, rather than direct pedestrian access, Interim Planning Director Kevin Walker said. Direct pedestrian access is likely a shorter distance than the 1-mile radius shown on the map, he said. All marijuana facilities in Colorado Springs are currently located within a 1-mile radius of schools, child care and rehab facilities. Under the proposed ordinance, retail marijuana sales would only be permitted on the city's eastern side "probably mak(ing) it very difficult to find a location" where recreational marijuana shops can operate, Walker said. Planning commissioners including Marty Rickett, Colby Foos, Nadine Hensler, and Andrea Slattery worried Wednesday the proposed ordinance could potentially directly oppose voters' wishes if residents choose to permit retail marijuana sales in city limits. "It seems ... once City Council heard (residents) were trying to (approve) recreational marijuana sales, this was a knee-jerk reaction to that, to say, 'Even if that passes, we're not going to let that happen. We're going to supersede the will of the people if that's what they so vote for,'" Rickett said. Crow-Iverson told The Gazette on Wednesday the council is elected to govern on behalf of the people. "That's our form of government," she said. Rickett also worried if retail cannabis sales are authorized in Colorado Springs, and if the proposed ordinance is in place, it would encourage marijuana facilities to move locations to the eastern portion of the city, closer to military installations like Fort Carson and Peterson and Schriever Space Force bases. Featured Local Savings Crow-Iverson has previously said the proposed 1-mile buffer is "not scientific." Hensler said Wednesday the ordinance is "too limiting" and is inconsistent with distance limitations required by other communities along the Front Range. For example, Manitou Springs prohibits retail marijuana dispensaries from operating within 500 feet of educational institutions, child care and alcohol or drug rehabilitation facilities. In Boulder and Denver, retail cannabis dispensaries cannot operate within 1,000 feet of those services. Crow-Iverson and other supporters have highlighted the potential health effects of marijuana, particularly if it has high-potency THC, the main psychoactive component in cannabis. Studies show high-potency THC can cause sleep issues, anxiety and depression and can lead to addiction, said Henny Lasley, co-founder and executive director of One Chance to Grow Up. The organization protects children from the effects of THC, she said. Data from the American Public Health Association in 2021 found cannabis availability significantly determines marijuana use, Lasley told commissioners. More opportunities to purchase recreational marijuana in Colorado Springs will increase the likelihood that more people, including children, will use it. Children who start using marijuana before age 13 run the risk of developing an addiction to the drug, she said. No one spoke against the proposed ordinance Wednesday. At a City Council meeting Aug. 13, Truman Bradley, the executive director of Marijuana Industry Group, said marijuana use among teens has fallen. A survey by Healthy Kids Colorado shows the percentage of high school students who have used marijuana has dropped from 41% in 2009 to 26% in 2023. The survey did not include data from El Paso County because of a lack of participation. In an Aug. 6 email, Bradley told The Gazette the citizen-backed ballot initiative to legalize retail cannabis sales in Colorado Springs puts "strong protections in place" to keep the drug from kids and schools. "We cannot underscore this approach enough keeping marijuana away from kids is a top priority," Bradley said. Planning commissioners voted 6-1 on Wednesday to recommend the City Council deny the ordinance. Commissioner David Robbins was the sole nay vote. Commissioner Jennifer Cecil was absent and Commissioner Jack Briggs recused himself. Briggs, who is the president and CEO of the Springs Rescue Mission, testified at the Aug. 13 City Council meeting he is opposed to legalizing retail sales. He rarely meets someone whose path to addiction did not start with marijuana, he told the council. The council can take the Planning Commission's recommendation into account when considering the ordinance, but the commission's vote is not binding. The council may still decide to approve the document. At 23-years-old, Robert Smalls won freedom for himself and his family. The Beaufort County man went from slavery to pilot during the Civil War before being elected to Congress. He is the embodiment of a true hero, said members of the Robert Smalls Monument Commission on Wednesday. Soon, his legacy will be cemented onto state house grounds. At a commission meeting Wednesday, 10 members of the South Carolina Senate and House discussed the logistics of design, location and fundraising for the monument. The legislature passed a bill in the 2023-24 session that created the commission after the states moratorium on new monuments on state house grounds. State Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington, one of the bills sponsors, said it was a monumental time for the state. Malloy emphasized the need for the historical perspective to not be lopsided and show what Smalls meant to the state. It should be a true picture of South Carolina and an American hero, Malloy said. State Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Charleston, said it was past time and overdue for Smalls to get the recognition he deserved. I think probably the best way to sum up Robert Smalls life is it was a fight for freedom as a slave, as a pilot and as a statesman. And those three different arenas, his life was best described as a fight for freedom. And he knew that his freedom would only endure through law, Campsen said, adding his fight for education as well. Smalls was born in Beaufort and escaped from slavery in Charleston. He was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives during Reconstruction era, and then served in the state Senate. In 1874, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Hes someone that all South Carolinians can and should respect. He had a lot that he could be bitter about, but he did not. He set a course for the remainder of his life to try to make South Carolina a better place for all people of all races, Campsen said. Smalls monument will be the first of a single African-American figure on state house grounds. It currently holds more than 30 monuments, including one dedicated to the history of slavery and Black history in South Carolina. Earlier this year, University of South Carolina unveiled a monument of the first three Black students to register for classes after desegregation. The monument is at the heart of campus, Dorn Smith, USC board member and former board chair, told to The State, which reported that the board hand-picked its location so everyone visiting campus will walk past and enjoy it. The commission set a Jan. 15 deadline for the statues design and location. After that, the commission plans a website for donations. This is pretty cool. This is pretty neat. There arent a whole lot of statutes that we need to add to the state house grounds, but I think that Robert Smalls is worthy, said Sen. Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield. Massey said some members of the state Senate werent familiar with Smalls. Massey said they want people to be educated and honor Smalls accomplishments. Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, who attending the meeting by Zoom, said once lived across the street from Smalls house in Charleston. He learned about Smalls impact 40 years ago because of the schools, monuments and streets dedicated in his name. I learned very quickly who he was and what he meant to South Carolina and how it exemplifies the very best of what South Carolina stands for, Davis said. State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Richland, said it is often said that its a great day in South Carolina, but Wednesday was truly an extremely fantastic, great and amazing day in South Carolina. Johnson said the school system doesnt always teach about these historical figures. Think of the many field trips and education that will come from it, he said. Im really looking forward to the day where I get to bring my children and my grandchildren up here to the state house grounds, Johnson said about what he would tell them. This is the soil that you have come from here. These are the kind of heroes I want you to look up to and exemplify. KANSAS CITY, Mo. From 39th Street to Waldo and Brookside, residents and businesses alike have been hit with thefts and break-ins in recent weeks. Its also impacted storefronts in the Crossroads and Midtown, where multiple small businesses were broken into on August 26. These incidents are having a significant impact on small business owners. Prominent Irish Fest chef killed in Kansas City shooting To pull up the car and see all the windows broken into and just to see the trail of broken glass everywhere, I mean, it was a heartbreaking feeling, to say the least, said Chris Riggins, the owner of Brewers Kitchen in Midtown. Brewers Kitchen was broken into on Monday. Burglars shattered windows and took the restaurants safe. Im a small business owner. Every single dollar matters to me, and to just have that clean taken out of my restaurant with the weeks deposits in that safe, its heartbreaking, Riggins explained. Its something where we hope that we can recover, and you know, were blessed with the community of Kansas City who often does rally around local (businesses), and thats all I can ask for is some support during this tough time. Butch Rigby is the owner of Screenland Real Estate. He says several other businesses in Midtown and the Crossroads, including Grinders Pizza and King Gs, were broken into the same night. I feel that small business in this town is under attack, Rigby said. We have almost all small business tenants. I worry about the landlords and damage to the property, but more than that. I am mostly focused and concerned with how this affects small business owners. Rigby wants to see action taken to stop these crimes targeting small businesses and popular districts. I think its time for us to start patronizing every business we hear about thats been broken into, but more importantly, start demanding of our elected officials that this is taken seriously, Rigby explained. That there is an understanding that the attack on small businesses is really an attack on any success we can have as a community. They are our community. Kansas City man who shot and killed his son pleads guilty, sentenced In the meantime, Brewers Kitchen will close the week of August 29-September 1 as Riggins and his team support their new sister location, Brewers Wrap House, participating in the Santacaligon Festival. As a small business owner, I still have to get ready for the festival, which is next week. I still have to buy the inventory. I still have to keep my chin up, Riggins said. Brewers Kitchen will be open to customers the week after the festival. Riggins encourages others to support local businesses, especially locations impacted by recent break-ins and thefts. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Five adults arrested in the smash-and-grab robbery of a Manhattan Beach jewelry store earlier this year will spend multiple years in prison, police said. The incident took place on March 22, when multiple armed suspects also carrying hammers entered the Pasha Fine Jewelry store on Manhattan Beach Boulevard. The suspects used the hammers to smash open display cases and take merchandise before fleeing to their getaway vehicles in a nearby alley, the Manhattan Beach Police Department stated in an Instagram post on Wednesday. Authorities tracked down and arrested seven people, including five adults and two juveniles, in connection with the robbery while recovering two handguns and jewelry taken from the Pasha store. Manhattan Beach police announce convictions of smash-and-grab robbers The five adults accepted a plea bargain last Friday after multiple charges were filed against them. Under the plea bargain, the five adults will serve time ranging from 3-16 years in state prison and receive a strike for their part in the robbery, the Police Department stated in the post. The adults were identified as 20-year-old Twuan Walker of Lancaster, 25-year-old Alan Daniels of Los Angeles, 24-year-old Eworth Sutherland of Los Angeles, 24-year-old Johndean Blocker of Los Angeles and 25-year-old Jamil Edwards of Los Angeles. The two minors, both 17, had their cases previously adjudicated through the juvenile court system, police said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Smoke is choking Boise again. Heres where its coming from, how long it will irk us The air quality in Boise and the Treasure Valley deteriorated quickly Thursday, with smoke blown in overnight from the Wapiti and Nellie wildfires in Central Idaho the two largest fires burning in the Boise National Forest. Jay Breidenbach with the National Weather Service in Boise said dry and windy conditions Wednesday produced more smoke, which was blown south and then drifted west. The smoke from (the Wapiti and Nellie fires) drifted south out of the mountains down into the Snake River Plain, and then overnight the smoke turned more so that it was drifting towards the west downhill, Breidenbach told the Idaho Statesman. That has continued this morning as it came through Boise. A pretty thick band of smoke, and that is continuing now to drift west towards the western Idaho border. Theres not much good news ahead, either: Breidenbach said the smoke would continue to impact the Boise area for the next several days. Michael Toole with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality said the air quality over Boise as of Thursday afternoon at about 2 p.m. was a 144 reading (orange), which is unhealthy for certain groups. The DEQ sent out an updated air quality advisory of orange at 3 p.m. Thursday for Ada, Canyon and Elmore counties. Most of the Treasure Valley averaged a moderate air quality (yellow) within the previous 24 hours, but by 3 p.m. Thursday, the live DEQ readings online were showing numbers as high as 174 (red) at certain monitoring spots. The lightning-caused Wapiti Fire has scorched nearly 90,000 acres in Custer County and remained uncontained as of Thursday. The fire increased tenfold in size in a little over a week it was 9,000 acres on Aug. 20. More than 800 personnel are working to contain it. The Nellie Fire is part of the Middle Fork Complex and has spread to 52,974 acres with only 5% containment, so both fires will continue to pour out smoke. A community meeting concerning the fires will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Stanley Community Center with updates from the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team. It will also be streamed live on the Wapiti Fire Information Facebook page, and shared on YouTube. Columbus Police Department and Muscogee County School District Police Department officers arrived Thursday morning at Columbus High School to investigate a potentially concerning social media communication, MCSD communications director Kimberly Wright told the Ledger-Enquirer. Out of an abundance of caution, protocols involving law enforcement response were initiated, she said in an email responding to the Ledger-Enquirers questions. MCSD didnt say what was in the post. Wright said there were no lockdowns and the school is operating as normal. Six CPD and six MCSD officers responded at around 10 a.m., Wright said. As of her email at 12:48 p.m., police still were investigating, she said. No injuries and no arrests or criminal charges have been reported. All students and staff are safe, she said. We take the safety and welfare of students and staff seriously. The case remains under investigation and there are no further details at this time. The alleged perpetrator of the knife attack in Solingen is taken by a helicopter after being brought before the investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice (BGH). Several people were killed and injured in a knife attack on Friday evening at the city festival celebrating the 650th birthday of the city of Solingen. Uli Deck/dpa The suspected knife-wielding Solingen attacker did not turn himself in to police as widely reported in the media, but was captured by patrol officers, the interior minister for the state of North Rhine Westphalia said on Thursday. The terror attack in the western German city of Solingen left three people dead and injured eight more. The suspected attacker is a 26-year-old Syrian who authorities believe may be affiliated with the Islamic State terror group. Police officers in Solingen approached the suspect and quickly arrested him on Saturday evening, less than 24 hours after the attack, the minister, Herbert Reul, told a joint special committee of state lawmakers on Thursday. Reul said the officers noticed the man near the crime scene and found his appearance and behaviour suspicious. The minister also confirmed that the bloodstained knife found in Solingen's city centre was most likely the murder weapon. In North Rhine Westphalia, Germany's most populous state which includes Solingen, the security services are monitoring 185 suspected Islamist threats, Reul said. "The perpetrator from Solingen was not one of these people," Reul added. The man had not previously appeared in police custody or even in connection with state security offences. "Nobody had him on their radar," Reul said. The son of two Spanish actors will spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of murdering and dismembering a plastic surgeon from Colombia. Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, 30, was sentenced Thursday in a Thai court after being found guilty of killing Edwin Arrieta Arteaga in August last year on the island of Koh Phangan, a popular destination for tourists, the New York Times reports. The two had met at a monthly full moon celebration after connecting on Instagram a year prior and becoming romantically involved, according to El Pais. Sancho, who is a chef and son of Spanish actors Rodolfo Sancho and Silvia Bronchalo, pleaded guilty to concealing the body by dismembering it and disposing of the parts by throwing some in the ocean and others in a nearby landfill. Sancho himself reported Arrieta missing to authorities the morning after. Sancho claimed that the killing was not premeditated, alleging that Arrieta had died in an altercation after threatening to sexually assault him. Prosecutors countered that Sancho had purchased knives and a saw before his meeting with Arrieta, the ladder of which he used to dismember his body. Sancho was also ordered to pay over four million baht (about $130,000) to Arrietas family. We are satisfied with the court sentence because we believe this sentence gives justice to the victims family. Through the trial, we have proven that it is not self-defense, their lawyer, Metapon Suwancharern, said according to the Times. Sancho was eligible for the death penalty, but the use of capital punishment is rare in Thailand. Furthermore, Arrietas family asserted that they did not want Sancho to receive such a sentence. Juango Opsina, another lawyer representing the family, said that they "hope that this sentence will serve to make Daniel Sancho reflect on the profound damage that has been done to a family. Sancho's lawyers intend to appeal the verdict. What happened: The crime occurred in August 2023 on Koh Phangan, a popular Thai island known for its beach parties and raves. Sancho, a 30-year-old chef and YouTuber, claimed the killing happened during a fight after Arrieta allegedly tried to sexually assault him. He acknowledged dismembering the body and disposing of the parts around the island. However, evidence showed that Sancho had purchased items, such as a knife, rubber gloves and cleaning solutions, used in the crime beforehand. Police claimed that Sancho planned the murder because Arrieta threatened to reveal their alleged sexual relationship. The aftermath: The case has drawn significant media attention due to its violent nature, celebrity connections and shocking details. Sancho was also ordered to pay $125,000 in compensation to the victim's family. Under certain conditions, he may apply to serve the remainder of his sentence in Spain. I am sorry that a life has been lost and that parents have lost a son. I am sorry that his family was not able to bury him properly. Im sorry for what I did after the death, he said during his trial. Immigration Vice President Harris is now being portrayed as tough on illegal immigration and even supportive of a border wall. The Biden-Harris administration gleefully and proudly canceled every executive order that Donald Trump had regarding the border on Day One. She was vocally and publicly against a border wall in 2018 and 2019, as well. They presided over 10 million illegal entries under President Biden and she did exactly zero when Biden gave her the remit to tackle immigration. California What in the world are California officials thinking. Gov. Newsom orders homeless camps evicted from public property, while the elected officials pass legislation to give $150,000 loans to illegal immigrants to purchase a home. Someone explain how that makes sense. Sickening In a sickening display of phony baloneyness, Donald Trump was front and center at a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery honoring dead soldiers, just days after his disgusting Medal of Honor comments. We all know that he thinks they were losers who were weak, not voiced by his political enemies or the fake news but by his own words out of his own mouth. This tops the upside down Bible photo op stunt by a mile. The real suckers Are the working-class Republicans who send Donald Trump $5, $20 or $100 at a time the same ones lamenting that they cant feed their families because of President Biden? They are paying Trumps self-imposed legal debts while he flies around the country eating KFC in his jet with the oversized gold letters, bragging to anyone who will listen what a successful businessman he is. The debate If Donald Trump were to debate Vice President Harris and he were to win again, would the Democrat leaders diss her and pick someone else, like they did President Biden? His fault Congress drafted a non-partisan bill to fix the border crisis. Republicans killed the bill because Donald Trump told them to. He needed the crisis to blame the Democrats and his followers are passing it on. RFK Jr.? Who in their right mind would want RFK Jr. on their staff? Even RFK Jrs own family doesnt support him. Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com. By News Centre The Istanbul Global E-Export Summit will be held at the Halic Congress Center on September 4-5. The summit, which will be attended by more than 30 marketplaces with a volume of 1.5 trillion dollars worldwide, will open the door to strategic collaborations and new opportunities that will shape the future of e-commerce. A new step is being taken to increase the recognition of Turkish brands in the global arena and to grow their market share in line with their e-export goals. The Istanbul Global E-Export Summit will be held at the Halic Congress Center on September 4-5 with the participation of Minister of Trade Omer Bolat. Hasan Onal, Head of the E-Export Department of the Ministry of Trade, stated that more than 30 marketplaces from the USA, China, Russia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East will come to Turkey, and said, The marketplaces we will bring together in Istanbul have a volume of 1.5 trillion dollars. More than 30 marketplaces will participate Speaking about the summit, Onal said, We invited all international companies operating in the field of e-commerce to the IGEXX Istanbul Global E-Export Summit with the slogan Istanbul invites you to a global e-export experience. More than 30 marketplaces are coming to the summit. Amazon, Walmart, Wayfair from the USA; Ozon, Wildberries from Russia; Alibaba, Tmall, Temu, JD from China; Liverpool from Mexico; Mercado Libre from Brazil; Otto from Germany; e-commerce giant Jumia and Africasokoni, Takealot operating in 11 countries including Algeria, Egypt, Ghana and Ivory Coast in Africa; Myntra, Amazon India, Relianze Group, AJIO from India; Noon, one of the largest marketplaces in the Middle East based in Dubai, and of course Hepsiburada, Trendyol, PttAVM, all marketplaces in our country will meet here. We will close 2024 with 8.4 bln dollars Onal, who stated that $2.9 trillion of the $5.8 trillion global e-commerce volume is provided by digital marketplaces, said, The marketplaces we will bring together in Turkey also have a volume of roughly $1.5 trillion. We closed e-export in Turkey with $5 billion last year. This year, it will probably reach $8.4 billion. Our goal is to increase the share of e-export in overall exports to 10 percent by the end of 2028. Opportunities to catch business and trends Onal noted: The main agenda item of the forums, where important speakers from the New York Retail Fair as well as leaders of marketplaces will analyze the points where e-commerce is evolving, will be the effects of artificial intelligence. The summit will not only provide business opportunities for our companies, but will also allow them to catch up with trends. Turkish product will be showcased Onal, who underlined that the summit also aimed to promote the image of Turkish products abroad, said, Our companies cannot easily go to China, India, Brazil, Malaysia or South Africa, but we are bringing all of them to Istanbul with the right experiences. Our companies will have the opportunity to promote their products in these marketplaces. The annual elk rut in Colorados Rocky Mountain National Park is nearing and that means the Parks meadows, where the large animals meet for the fall mating season, will be closing for parts of the day. The park service said beginning Sunday Sept 1, the e annual meadow closures go into effect to prevent the disturbance and harassment of elk. The meadow closures are also in place for safety and enjoyment of park visitors who are enjoying wildlife viewing during the elk rut season, authorities said. Meadow closures will be in place between 5 p.m. to 10 a.m., daily, with closures remaining in effect through Oct. 31. Meadowed areas that will be closed include: Horseshoe Park Upper Beaver Meadows Moraine Park Harbison Meadow Featured Local Savings Holzwarth Meadow During the specified hours, these meadow areas will be closed to all travel on foot or via horseback off established roads and trails, the park service said. Fishing locations along the Fall River, Thompson River, and Colorado River that are accessed by walking through closed meadow areas are closed to fishing between the hours of 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. Here are four tips to view wildlife that visitors can enjoy each fall: Keep your distance and view wildlife with respect. When viewing elk, keep back at least 75 feet (23 m). This is the length of two school buses. Dont keep approaching wildlife until they react. As always, elk calling and the use of spotlights or vehicle headlights for spotting wildlife is prohibited within Rocky Mountain National Park. South Carolina death row inmate wants his attorney to decide how he will die he above shows the space in the Department of Corrections Columbia prisons complex for executions, as seen from the witness room. The firing squad chair (left) was added following a 2021 state law that made death by firing squad an option. The electric chair is under the cover. (South Carolina Department of Corrections) This story originally appeared on South Carolina Daily Gazette. COLUMBIA The South Carolina inmate scheduled for execution next month gave his attorney the power to decide how he will die, according to court filings. Meanwhile, the state Supreme Court said it will not schedule any more executions until justices decide how much time should pass between them, according to a Friday order. Freddie Owens is still scheduled to die Sept. 20, which would mark the first execution in the state since 2011. But additional executions are on hold, pending a ruling on a request from condemned inmates attorneys to space them at least 13 weeks apart. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Under a state law upheld by the high court last month, Owens has three options for how his execution will be carried out: Lethal injection, firing squad or electrocution. Without a decision in writing, the default method is the electric chair, as per a 2021 law. But Owens signed over decision-making powers to his attorney Aug. 14, more than a week before the court issued his execution order Friday. He signed the documents under his new legal name, Khalil Divine Black Sun Allah. But his court filings remain in his old name to reduce confusion. A bearded man in a green prison jumpsuit Owens attorneys informed state prisons officials of Owens decision after his warrant was issued, according to legal filings. Corrections Director Bryan Stirling asked the high court Monday to decide whether an inmate can relinquish that power to his attorney basically, whether the attorneys decision would be valid, since state law doesnt address that specific scenario. Justices have ordered attorneys for Owens and the state to submit their responses to Stirlings question by this Friday. State law sets a decision deadline of two weeks after an execution order. In Owens case, that would be Sept. 6. Question about timing Owens is also among five inmates asking the court to wait at least 13 weeks between executions. The five men who have signed onto the motion, including Owens, are those who have exhausted their normal appeals processes and are not waiting on any further decisions from the courts. Owens execution was twice scheduled and halted in 2021 due to legal wranglings over the lack of available options. State law does not set any rules about the frequency of executions. Rather, it refers only to the timeline between the court issuing a death warrant and the execution date, which must be four Fridays later. The Supreme Courts ruling last month, which enables executions on hold since 2021 to proceed, creates the possibility of five consecutive Fridays of executions. There are multiple problems with that, the inmates attorneys argued in the motion. First, scheduling executions close in time to one another heightens the risk of serious error during the execution, likely resulting in cruel or unusual punishment, the attorneys wrote. The compressed time period would take a punishing toll on the mental and physical health of staff who must carry out the executions, the attorneys wrote. It would not give executioners the potential time needed to learn from any mistakes and adjust protocols and for the attorneys to sue to ensure they do. Plus, if problems do arise with a particular method, inmates should be able to choose a different one. They cant do that if the 14-day deadline has already passed, the inmates attorneys continued. The Attorney Generals Office declined to comment on the motion because it is an ongoing legal matter. Asked Tuesday about the request for 13-week intervals, Gov. Henry McMaster told reporters that decision should be decided by the Legislature. If legislators want to insert a frequency delay into state law, then they should do that. In the meantime, justices should not create such a rule themselves, he said. I think the current law is a good law, McMaster said. It was carefully devised, and there have been years of history on these kinds of things all over the country, and if our Legislature made that decision (to keep the law as is), I think thats a good decision. Its a sound decision. If they want to change it, then that will be up to them, he added. Clemency? McMaster, who served as attorney general for eight years, declined to say Tuesday whether he would give Owens clemency. He pointed to his repeated support for the death penalty as a form of justice for victims families, especially once an inmate has exhausted the legal processes. My position, after years of involvement, is that there are some things that are not highly praised or that are not comfortable for some but that are necessary for some under our rule of law, McMaster said. The death penalty is one that our Legislature and those around the country and other places have determined is necessary. By law, the governor will receive a call from the Department of Corrections minutes before an execution is set to proceed. McMaster will be asked then whether he wants to grant clemency. He told reporters he wont give an answer until he gets that call. But he certainly suggested that the answer will be no. I think that when the rule of law has been followed, then theres really only one answer, but you make that statement at the time the law says its to be made, McMaster said. Owens was convicted in 1999 of killing gas station clerk Irene Graves as part of a crime spree two years prior. The single mother of three was shot in the head because she didnt know how to unlock the safe. Owens and his accomplice left with $37.29 from the cash register. The night after he was convicted, Owens killed another inmate at the Greenville Detention Center, then confessed to the crime in court the next day. The Supreme Court twice sent Owens sentence back to the courts over problems in his case, and both times, the jury recommended the death penalty. In 2008, the court agreed. SC Daily Gazette is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. SC Daily Gazette maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Seanna Adcox for questions: info@scdailygazette.com. Follow SC Daily Gazette on Facebook and X. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources will have free boat inspections in Horry, Darlington, and Marion counties for Labor Day weekend. In an effort to keep waterways safe this weekend, SCDNR will have three days of free boat inspections at public boat landings around the state. It will conduct quick inspections for required safety equipment and boat registration. SCDNR said anyone with a violation will not be ticketed but will be given the chance to fix any issues before putting their boat in the water. From 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, there will be inspections at Johnny Causey Landing in North Myrtle Beach and Society Hill Landing in Darlington County. From 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, inspections will be done at Galivants Ferry Landing in Marion County. For more information, click here. * * * Jordan White is a Digital Producer at News13. She joined the News13 team in August 2024. Jordan, a Myrtle Beach native, graduated from St. James High School in Murrells Inlet and is a graduate of Coker University. Follow Jordan on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. DILLON COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) The South Carolina Department of Transportation is requesting public comment on a proposed Dillon County project. The proposed plan is an intersection improvement project at Highway 9 and Highway 30 (Pleasant Hill Road) in Dillon County. The comment period goes through Saturday. SCDOT is also requesting comments for two other projects in Greenville County and Orangeburg County. To submit a comment online for the Dillon County project, click here. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) South Carolinas prisons director said Wednesday that states supply of a lethal injection drug is pure, its electric chair was tested a month ago and its firing squad has the ammunition and training to carry out its first execution next month in more than 13 years. Corrections Director Bryan Stirling was ordered by the state Supreme Court to submit a sworn statement to the lawyer for Freddie Owens certifying that all three methods of putting a prisoner to death are available for his scheduled Sept. 20 execution. Owens lawyers have said they will review the statement, and if they dont think it is adequate, they will ask the state Supreme Court or federal judges to consider it. Its one of at least two legal issues of contention between the state and Owens ahead of next months execution date. Owens has until Sept. 6 to decide how he wants to die, and he signed his power of attorney over to his lawyer, Emily Paavola, to make that decision for him. The state Supreme Court has agreed to a request from the prison system to see if that is allowed under South Carolina law. The power of attorney was signed under the name Khalil Divine Black Sun Allah. Owens changed his name in prison but goes by his old name in his legal hearings with the state to avoid confusion. In the sworn statement, Stirling said technicians at the State Law Enforcement Division laboratory tested two vials of the sedative pentobarbital, which the state plans to use for lethal injections. The technicians told him the drug is stable, pure and under guidelines from other jurisdictions that use a similar method is potent enough to kill, Stirling wrote. The state previously used a three-drug cocktail but those drugs expired, part of the reason no execution has been carried out in South Carolina since 2011. Stirling released no other details about the drugs under the guidelines of the states new shield law, which keeps secret the name of the supplier of the drug and anyone who helps carry out the execution. The laws passage in 2023 also helped restart executions so the state could buy pentobarbital and keep the supplier private. The states electric chair, built in 1912, was tested June 25 and found to be working properly, Stirling wrote, without providing additional details. And the firing squad, allowed by a 2021 law, has the guns, ammunition and training it needs, Stirling wrote. Three volunteers have been trained to fire at a target placed on the heart from 15 feet (4.6 meters) away. Owens, 46, was sentenced to death for killing convenience store clerk Irene Graves in Greenville in 1997. Prosecutors said he and friends robbed several businesses before going to the store. One of the friends testified that Owens shot Graves in the head because she couldnt get the safe open. A surveillance system didnt clearly show who fired the shot. Prosecutors agreed to reduce the friends murder charge to voluntary manslaughter and he was sentened to 28 years in prison, according to court records. After being convicted of murder his initial trial in 1999, but before a jury determined his sentence, authorities said Owens killed his cellmate at the Greenville County jail. Investigators said Owens gave them a detailed account of how he killed Christopher Lee, stabbing and burning his eyes, choking him and stomping him while another prisoner was in the cell and stayed quietly in his bunk. He said he did it because I was wrongly convicted of murder, according to a confession read by a prosecutor in court the next day. Owens was charged with murder against Lee right after the jail killing. Court records show prosecutors dropped the charge in 2019 with the right to restore it around the time Owens exhausted his appeals for his death sentence in Graves killing. Owens has one more avenue to try to save his life: In South Carolina, the governor has the lone ability to grant clemency and reduce a death sentence to life in prison. However no governor has done that in the states 43 executions since the death penalty was restarted in the U.S. in 1976. Gov. Henry McMaster said he will follow longtime tradition and not announce his decision until prison officials make a call from the death chamber minutes before the execution. McMaster told reporters Tuesday that he hasnt decided what to do in Owens case but as a former prosecutor he respects jury verdicts and court decisions. When the rule of law has been followed, there really is only one answer, McMaster said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. SEOUL (Reuters) -The CEO of a South Korean lithium battery maker that was struck by a fire that killed 23 people in June has been arrested after a court approved a warrant on allegations of violating industrial safety law, a judge said on Thursday. Park Soon-kwan, the CEO of Aricell, which is majority owned by S-Connect, apologised after the fire but said at the time the company had followed all required safety precautions and training for staff. The Suwon District Court, which has jurisdiction for the city of Hwaseong where the factory is located, approved the warrant for Park's detention late on Wednesday due to the gravity of the allegations against him, a public affairs judge said by telephone. The court also approved a detention warrant for Park's son, who is an executive at the company, she said. Park's lawyer could not be immediately reached for comment. Entering the court for a hearing on Wednesday, Park did not answer reporters' questions about the charges against him but said "I'm sorry," television footage showed. Authorities investigating the fire released a report on Friday saying a rush to meet a supply deadline and a lack of action to address signs of dangerous quality defects in batteries that had been produced led to the fire. Hiring temporary workers who did not receive proper safety and emergency escape training to make up for a backlog of production contributed to the large number of casualties, police and labour ministry officials said. (Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by Jamie Freed) Aug 29, 2024, 12:22pm EDT East Asia The News South Koreas top court ruled Thursday that the absence of legally binding targets for carbon emission reductions violated the rights of future generations to be protected from climate change, and ordered the government to set out concrete plans through 2049. Climate campaigners won a partial victory after the court said the countrys failure to specify targets for the years 2031-2050 when the country hopes to have achieved carbon neutrality transferred an excessive burden onto future generations. However, the court did not find fault with the governments goal of cutting carbon emissions by 35% from 2018 levels by 2030, and rejected plaintiffs calls for more specific implementation plans. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Ruling could be a catalyst for further climate action in Asia Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Dialogue Earth, Forbes The ruling is the first of its kind in Asia, climate advocacy groups said, and there are hopes it could set a precedent for similar initiatives, including in Japan, where plaintiffs recently filed a lawsuit against 10 thermal power companies and called on the government to commit to stronger emissions-reduction plans. While Japan has a less active civil society and weaker judiciary than South Korea, their climate policies are similar, and Japan wont want to fall behind its neighbor, another climate lawyer told Dialogue Earth. Asia is responsible for nearly all the worlds growth in emissions, primarily due to rapid economic development and industrialization, representing a major challenge in the global fight against climate change, a columnist argued in Forbes. The rights turn in climate litigation Sources: Climate Action Europe, E&E Politico, Dialogue Earth The youngest plaintiff in the South Korean case was a 20-week-old embryo, and one lawyer told Agence France-Presse that their age helped to exemplify peoples desperation for change. The latest wave of climate litigation is distinguished by a rights turn the use of human rights and constitutional law arguments by plaintiffs while its geographical scope, once primarily US-based, has shifted towards to Europe, Climate Action Europe wrote. That said, US-based lawsuits even ones that were thrown out have inspired copycat efforts around the world, such as in Colombia, Germany, and Belgium, a legal expert told Politicos E&E News following the dismissal of the landmark youth-led case in May. (Bloomberg) -- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is looking to reform the pension, medical, education and labor sectors, calling the overhauls a difficult task that is essential for the survival of the country. Most Read from Bloomberg Yoon said Thursday the economy is clearly reviving and he wants to boost consumer demand to keep the momentum going. But Yoon and other presidents have faced a hard time in funding a social safety system that was set up relatively late in the nations path to affluence, which gave the government less time to fill coffers. It will be a challenging journey, Yoon said in an opening statement before a news conference. I will not choose the easy path. On pensions, Yoon called for a tiered system in which taxes would be increased for older workers at a higher rate, while the increases would be implemented more gradually for younger workers. He did not give any specific rates for the increases. Yoon added he wanted to increase the sustainability and inter-generational fairness in the pension system. The president said a detailed proposal on pension reform would be submitted to parliament soon. South Korean governments have tried for years to reform a pension system seen as not strong enough to support the countrys rapidly aging population. But they have failed to push major changes through parliament due to public opposition to tax increases. The national pension stockpile is anticipated to be fully drained by 2055 if there are no changes to the current system, the National Pension Service reported last year. South Korea in 2007 decided to gradually reduce the income replacement rate from 50% to 40% by 2028. However, the contribution rate, which refers the share of money that a subscriber should dole out from salaries per annum, has stayed at 9% since the late 1990s. Yoons conservative People Power Party is a minority in parliament and he is likely to face stiff resistance to his plans from the opposition bloc led by the Democratic Party, which is looking to take back the presidency when Yoons single term ends in about three years. The push to overhaul the pension system comes as South Korea faces the worlds lowest birthrate, which poses long term risks to the economy, as well as straining the social safety net. The nations elderly have an income poverty rate of 40%, according to a 2023 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. That was the highest in the OECD and compared with an average of 14.2%. Yoon also said he wanted to level the playing field for labor to allow greater mobility for jobs and ensure that fair wages are paid. He is also looking to spend 10 trillion won on medical reform over five years. When it comes to security matters, Yoon said the issue is at the foundation of South Korea and essential for supporting its economy. He also heralded security cooperation with the US and Japan that has reached new levels during his term and included joint military training for items such as countering missiles from the likes of North Korea. There have been worries in Seoul about Washingtons long-standing commitment to seek a complete end to North Koreas atomic arms program after the two major US political parties didnt pledge to seek denuclearization during their national conventions. In what could serve as a reminder of the threat from Kim Jong Uns regime, North Korea may be considering a nuclear test near the time the US presidential election is held to raise its profile, Shin Wonsik told Bloomberg last month when he was defense minister. Shin was recently appointed as Yoons national security adviser. Yoon said he believes the US cannot tolerate North Korea having nuclear weapons, which undermines the global non-proliferation regime. It would be completely contrary to the US position and strategy, Yoon said. --With assistance from Sam Kim. (Updates with details from news conference.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. By Hyunsu Yim and Jihoon Lee SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday pledged urgent reform of the national pension fund, one of the world's largest with $860 billion of assets, to make it more equitable and to ensure income security for an ageing population. Yoon said there had been a loss of confidence in the pension system across generations and there was a need for fundamental and sustainable reform to restore the trust of those who needed it in retirement. "Now is the time to fundamentally reform the national pension system that has the confidence of neither the elderly nor the youth," Yoon told a press conference. Yoon said the contributions paid in must be increased to ensure the fund is sustainable, and the rate of increase also needed to be differentiated between age groups to make it more equitable. "We will pursue reforms that will be persuasive to the youth who will be paying into the fund the longest and will be receiving pension the last." "A pension system that leaves the elderly poor and young people suspicious must fundamentally be reformed," he said. South Korea's public pension fund, established in 1988 and currently the world's third-largest with 1,147.0 trillion won ($860 billion) in assets as of the end of June, is expected to be depleted by 2055 as payments start to outpace contributions from 2041. The contribution rate into the pension scheme, which is mandatory for wage earners and business owners, is 9% of income, compared to 10.6% in the U.S., 18.3% in Japan and an average of 15.4% for members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The average payout is 31.2% of average pay, compared to the OECD average of 50.7%, meaning South Korea's elderly are among the poorest out of OECD economies. Reforming the system has been a policy goal for a series of South Korean presidents but there has been little progress because of disagreements on how to approach the issue and the risk of alienating some voters. The opposition Democratic Party, which controls parliament, criticized Yoon's reform plans as pitting young people against the old and urged generational solidarity in pushing the reform. In a wide-ranging news conference, Yoon said he did not believe the U.S. would ever accept North Korea as a nuclear state regardless of who is president. He also said that three-way security cooperation with Tokyo and Washington will continue despite an imminent change in leaders in both capitals. Yoon has taken a tougher line on Pyongyang, while moving to improve strained ties with Japan and boost security relations. He also expressed concern about an overheating housing market and said there was a need to "manage" policy loan rates if expectations of falling borrowing costs lead to speculation that adds price pressure. Yoon said he was pushing ahead with ambitious healthcare reforms and, after launching a plan to increase the number of doctors, his focus was on improving the quality of medical care in key disciplines and regions outside of large cities. More than 10 trillion won will be invested over five years to improve services in those areas, he said. Yoon's push for healthcare reform has been met by strong resistance from doctors, who deny there is a shortfall of physicians. Thousands of young doctors walked off the job in February in protest, disrupting hospital services. Yoon has been unpopular since narrowly winning the presidency in 2022, with his support ratings remaining just above 30% for months. His conservative People Power Party suffered a landslide defeat in parliamentary elections in April, further complicating his policy plans. ($1 = 1,335.0500 won) (Reporting by Hyunsu Yim, Ju-min Park, Jihoon Lee and Hyonhee Shin; Writing by Jack Kim; Editing by Ed Davies, Jan Harvey and Ros Russell) DAKOTA CITY, Neb. (KCAU) A South Sioux City man, charged with vehicular homicide in connection with a May crash that led to the death of a 64-year-old woman, has pleaded not guilty. Bradley Gatzemeyer, 26, pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide, a felony, and two counts of driving under the influence, both misdemeanors. He waived his right to appear in court for his arraignment on Tuesday. Man pleads not guilty to Christmas Day robbery On May 4 at about 6:27 p.m., officials were called to at the intersection of College Way and the Highway 77 bypass for a reported three-vehicle crash. Two adults and one child were taken to the hospital for possible injuries sustained during the crash. The South Sioux City Police Department was later notified at about 7:23 p.m. that a 64-year-old female driver the sole occupant of one of the vehicles had died. The victim was later revealed to be Debora James. According to an officers affidavit, at the scene, two small empty bottles of Fireball whisky were found in Gatzemeyers vehicle. His breath was reportedly found to have a blood alcohol concentration of .217, well above the legal limit of .08. A later blood test of Gatzemeyer came back with a blood alcohol concentration of .155. 1 dead, 4 injured in downtown Des Moines crash Witnesses reportedly said that Gatzemeyers vehicle hit James vehicle while she was turning onto Highway 77. Gatzemeyers four-year-old child was in the vehicle with him. Gatzemeyer was arrested and charged in July. His case was later transferred from county court to district court. A pretrial conference is set for Oct. 1, 2024, at 9 a.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. LOS ANGELES An Antelope Valley man was sentenced to three months in federal prison on Monday for illegally importing an ancient floor mosaic from Syria depicting the Roman demigod Hercules. Mohamad Yassin Alcharihi, 57, of Palmdale, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge George W. Hu, who also approved the governments request to permanently seize the mosaic, believed to be nearly 2,000 years old. Following a five-day trial, a jury in June 2023 found Alcharihi guilty of one count of entry of falsely classified goods. Federal prosecutors say in August 2015, Alcharihi imported the mosaicdating from the era of the Roman Empireby falsely declaring its value and quality. The shipment arrived at the Port of Long Beach from Turkey. The 15-foot-long, 2,000-pound mosaic illustrates a scene from Greek and Roman mythology of Hercules rescuing Prometheus, who had been chained to a rock by his fellow gods for stealing fire for humanity, the U.S. Department of Justice said. It was hidden inside a large metal shipping container filled with vases and two other mosaics. According to prosecutors, Alcharihi purchased the mosaic in 2015 but did not disclose to U.S. customs officials that he was importing a valuable Syrian antiquity for which he had paid approximately $12,000, knowing it was worth significantly more. Instead, prosecutors said Alcharihi misled his customs broker into falsely declaring the item as ceramic tiles valued at less than $600. He later paid $40,000 to restore the mosaic, and a government appraisal expert valued it at $450,000. The importation occurred months after the United Nations Security Council condemned the destruction of cultural heritage in Syria, particularly by terrorist groups ISIL and Al-Nusrah Front. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. UPDATE: Diana Currington was found safe, according to police. The Colorado Springs Police Department is asking the public for assistance in locating a missing woman suffering from dementia, according to a social media announcement. Police said 75-year-old Diana Currington was seen walking away from her home along the 2800 block of Blake Drive near Hancock Expressway and Chelton Road at approximately 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Currington suffers from dementia, is a diabetic, and is in need of her regular medication, police said. She was last seen wearing a white top, white jeans and pink and grey Converse shoes. Currington has long, gray-weaved hair that was last seen in a bun hairstyle. Police are asking anyone with information regarding Currington's whereabouts or if they find her in medical distress to call 911. The FAA is grounding SpaceX rockets after one of the companys Falcon 9 failed to land safely on Wednesday morning. The failure came just hours after the spacecraft maker pushed back the launch of the manned Polaris Dawn mission, the first commercial attempt at a spacewalk, citing weather conditions. Per the FAA, the Falcon 9 would remain grounded pending a full safety investigation, also posing delays for the Polaris Dawn launch, as four astronauts wait in quarantine ahead of the mission. An investigation is designed to further enhance public safety, determine the root cause of the event, and identify corrective actions to avoid it from happening again, the agency said in a statement, according to NPR. The launch, which succeeded in its second stage despite the first-stage failure, was designed to send even more of the companys Starlink satellites into orbit, adding to the 6,000+ strong fleet, while some North Carolina residents allege the satellites often end up as dangerous debris in their yards. The failure, and regulatory scrutiny, marks another for the young private aerospace manufacturer, which has scooped up countless federal contracts as its founder, billionaire Elon Musk, throws his weight behind presidential candidate Donald Trump, who led deregulation efforts during his time in office. SpaceX was also slated to take over a rescue mission next month of two American astronauts, left stranded on the International Space Station after Boeings Starliner suffered a failure. The news sent an already-battered Boeings stock down further on Monday morning. Beyond SpaceXs competitors, the Elon Musk-founded Tesla also faced technical hurdles this week, when reports revealed that the automotive manufacturers long-championed full self-driving technology could not navigate through the companys one-lane empty tunnels beneath Las Vegas. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attends a press conference in Dakar, Senegal, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited Senegal on Thursday as part of a trip through three West African nations aimed at boosting cooperation in controlling irregular migration from the region to Spain's Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Annie Risemberg) DAKAR, Senegal (AP) Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met with Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Thursday to conclude his trip through three West African nations aimed at tackling irregular migration to Spains Canary Islands. The two leaders signed agreements to promote temporary work opportunities in Spain for Senegalese nationals and vocational training in the West African country. Irregular migration is a term for illegal or unauthorized immigration commonly used in the region and by some international organizations. Regulated migration benefits us all, Sanchez said. "It vaccinates us against those who make a business out of irregularity, like the mafias, and against those who use it as an excuse to spread hatred and xenophobia in our societies. He was referring to people-smuggling networks and far-right parties who have pushed for tougher immigration policies. Sanchez began his tour in Mauritania on Tuesday where he announced that Spain will provide temporary work opportunities in Spain to Mauritanians and renew cooperation between the two nations security forces to combat people smuggling networks. The Spanish prime minister continued his tour going south to Gambia on Wednesday. He arrived in Senegal the same day before meeting with Senegals president on Thursday. Mauritania, Gambia and Senegal have become the main departure points of migrants trying to reach the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago located close to the African coast and used as a stepping stone for migrants and refugees trying to reach continental Europe. More than 22,000 people have disembarked on its shores since January, according to Spains Interior Ministry, more than double the number of irregular arrivals for the same period last year. Among those making it to the Canaries are thousands of Malian refugees fleeing violence and instability in the Sahelian nation as well as youth from Senegal, Mauritania and other West African countries who are seeking better job opportunities abroad. There are also increasingly more teenagers and children traveling alone to the Canary Islands, which has overwhelmed the local government responsible for their care. Last month, a boat carrying 300 migrants, mostly from Gambia and Senegal, capsized off Mauritania. More than a dozen died and at least 150 others went missing. President Faye said his government is concerned by the massive departures of migrants from Senegalese coasts leaving to Spain but that alongside repressive measures, it is necessary to combat the root causes of migration. The agreements signed by Sanchez and Faye will promote circular migration programs," which are temporary job opportunities in Spain for selected Senegalese workers, granting them permits of up to four years, and for a maximum of 9 months a year, the Spanish government announced in a press release on Thursday. Some 17,200 foreign workers took part in Spain's circular migration program last year, but only 140 were Senegalese, according to Spanish government officials. The majority came from Morocco and other countries in Latin America. Sanchez also announced the launch of the Alliance Africa Advances, a development initiative that includes vocational training to around 500 young people in Senegal and a project with Spanish operating company Hispasat to expand internet access throughout the West African country, during a speech at the Spanish cultural institute in Dakar on Wednesday. Some migrant rights organizations have expressed doubts regarding the efficiency of vocational trainings like the one promoted by the Spanish government. The problem of migration is not a question of education or training, it's a problem of job opportunities, Moustapha Diouf, who leads an organization promoting local job creation to dissuade young Senegalese people from leaving to Europe, told The Associated Press. Each year thousands of young Senegalese get diplomas, and yet a large number of them end up unemployed, Diouf said. Spains prime minister described himself as a firm defender of regular migration in his speech on Wednesday but also said people-smuggling networks continue to grow and are intertwined with terrorist networks and drug trafficking. To combat these threats, the return of those who have arrived in Spain illegally is essential, mainly because this return sends a clear, strong and discouraging message to the mafias and those who put themselves in their hands, Sanchez said. Last week, the Senegalese army said it had arrested 453 migrants and members of smuggling networks as part of a 12-day operation patrolling the coastline to prevent illegal migrants from leaving the Senegalese coast. More than half of the arrested were Senegalese nationals, the army said. ___ Associated Press writers Renata Brito in Barcelona, Spain, and Babacar Dione in Dakar, Senegal, contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs global migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration MSNBC Host to Trump Campaign Adviser: I May Sue You for Defamation MSNBC Corey Lewandowski, a recently rehired campaign adviser for Donald Trump, deflected multiple times when asked by MSNBC anchor Ari Melber why he had deliberately been dishonest to him in a prior interview. Instead, Lewandowski accused Melber of making certain critical comments about Trump, which Melber denied, to the point where the MSNBC anchor threatened legal action for defamation if Lewandowski continued to do so. On Wednesdays broadcast of The Beat, Melber brought Lewandowskis attention to a September 2019 House hearing that referenced an MSNBC interview he gave that February. In that interview, Lewandowski claimed he didnt remember Trump asking him to be a conduit to the Justice Department. Yet Lewandowksi admitted to lawmakers he was untruthful, saying he had no obligation to be honest with the media because theyre just as dishonest as anybody else. Trump MUST Be Desperate if Corey Lewandowskis Back on the Team After Melber asked Lewandowski why people should believe him now if hes lying about other things, Lewandowski refused to answer. Ari, if were going down this road, are you going to state that Donald Trump had a bandage on his ear just for a spectacle? Are you going to state that that was false? The guy got shot in the head, and you said the only reason he had a bandage on his earI could read you the quote if you wantthat you said it was just for a spectacle. So if you want to apologize, Ari Melber jumped in. Corey, youre not answering the question. I know what youre referring to, and at the end of the interview we can touch base on that, but were going to finish this question, Melber said. Yet that proved difficult to do, because for the next several minutes, Lewandowski refused to drop iteven as he claimed he was there to answer questions. You cant ask me something when youre not willing to say you were wrong, too! Lewandowski protested. Eventually, after Melber said Lewandowski had been busted under oath, the MSNBC anchor addressed what the Trump adviser kept bringing up. On July 16s episode of The Beat, Melber discussed the effect of Trumps ear bandage. He first quoted a story in The New York Times by its television critic, who wrote that Trump was his own biggest prop at the RNC. The story added that the bandage was a reminder of mortality, a badge of survivalit was a blank rectangle on which the crowd could read what it wished, and that made it the most potent placard in the hall. After quoting those excerpts, Melber offered his own analysis, which fell along similar lines. Thats fair, Melber said then. A placard for delegates to fill in, an image for political mobilization, a spectacle for this candidate who we know is, by his own admission, obsessed with assorted spectacles. Melbers use of the word spectacle was cited in a FoxNews.com article the next day. On Wednesday, Melber delved into this. I quoted a New York Times article that said at the [Republican National] Convention, Donald Trump was his own biggest prop. It was a New York Times quote about how he had become such an important figure in rebounding from what was a horrific assassination attempt, he told Lewandowski. Fox News, which has been caught in defamation, ran a false piece falsely stating that I said something else that I didnt say, he claimed. So, I stand on that. I stand on the New York Times quote. Lewandowski sought clarification: So, you didnt say, This bandage was a prop, a spectacle from a candidate whos obsessed with spectacles? Melber denied it. I did not say that. That is a false quote, he said. After Lewandowksi maintained that he did, Melber repeated that it was a false quote. Im putting you on notice: If you continue to repeat falsely that I said that, you will be potentially in a defamation situation, because I didnt say that, he told him. But I understand that youre working off the internet, which has a lot of false information. Melber then swiftly concluded the interview. Fired Trump Campaign Manager Corey Lewandowski Returns as Adviser Amid Turmoil Later Wednesday night, Lewandowski posted to X his exchange with Melber about Trumps bandage, along with the clip of Melbers comments on July 16. An MSNBC Host threatened to sue me for defamation tonight for (by definition) the opposition of defamation >> Quoting their own words, the Trump adviser wrote. Watch for yourself and let me know what you think. 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. LENOIR CITY, Tenn. (WATE) The restaurant with the low score is found in Loudon County. Flying and crawling bugs were found at the restaurant. The grade is a 78 at The Burgers in Lenoir City on Highway 321 North. That 78 is a passing score as any grade of 69 and below is considered failing. The Burgers, 540 Highway 321 North, Lenoir City Grade 78, Follow-up: 93 First off, the inspector writes he found numerous flies buzzing around throughout the kitchen. A roach was found on the floor where dishes are cleaned and a dead bug was found in the bottom of a clean pot in the area where dishes are washed. Neither insects are welcome at restaurants. $250 reward offered after vandalism at Lenoir City High School stadium Two containers of spoiled strawberries were found in the walk-in cooler. They were thrown away. Food was found stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler, but shelves were present and thats where the food should have been stored. The dishwasher temperature was also off. It read 135 degrees but 160 is the proper hot temperature and no sanitizer was running through the cycle. The inspector returned to The Burgers in Lenoir City. He checked to see if the original critical violations were corrected and they were. The new grade is 93. Check stolen from East TN Better Business Bureau: How to avoid check washing SKM_300i18051702560Download Top Scores of the Week Five Guys, 10922 Parkside Dr, Knoxville 100 Sonnys Original Southern Pub, 2613 Adair Dr, Knoxville 100 Petros, 1033 N. Cedar Bluff Rd, Knoxville 100 Texas Roadhouse, 4332 Erica Greene Circle, Morristown 99 Wendys, 11136 Kingston Pk, Knoxville 99 Southern Kitchen Sandwich Company, 2307 W. Emory Rd, Powell 99 The Smokey Q, 287 Us-25w, Dandridge 99 Tennessee Jeds, 631 Parkway, Gatlinburg 99 SECOND HELPING: Miss a Food for Thought segment? See them all here. If you notice a health issue while dining, let the manager know or you call the health department in the county where you live. An inspector will be sent out for a special surprise visit. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. A Spokane resident will spend a year in prison for defrauding the government of over $360,000 from COVID-19 relief funds. On Wednesday, the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Eastern District of Washington announced that 41-year-old Marisa Beck, of Spokane, was sentenced for stealing money from the Payment Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program designed to go to small businesses and employees who were at risk of losing their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Securities (CARES) Act, the PPP and EIDL were meant to provide loans and low-cost funding to protect small businesses and their employees. According to court documents, Beck admitted to using businesses that were not active, and falsified payroll and other documents necessary to obtain the funds from these programs. Many small businesses struggled during the COVID-19 shutdowns and were eligible for pandemic relief funds to keep their doors open and to ensure that their employees could keep their jobs. Fraudulent schemes diverted critical money set aside to help those businesses and instead were used to enrich individuals such as Ms. Beck, stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. Im grateful for the investigators and prosecutors of our COVID Fraud Strike Force. Their teamwork and focus on uncovering fraud strengthens our community and protects small and local businesses. The Eastern Washington COVID Fraud Strike Force investigated and brought the case against Beck. Todays sentencing underscores the VA Office of Inspector Generals commitment to rooting out fraudsters and safeguarding taxpayer funds, said Special Agent in Charge Dimitriana Nikolov with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector Generals Northwest Field Office. The VA OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners as part of the COVID-19 Strike Force to investigate fraud against relief programs intended to support bona fide recipients. After 12 months in prison, Beck will spend an additional three years under supervision and will be required to pay over $402,000 in restitution. SPRING HILL, Fla. (WFLA) A teenager admitted to squeezing a 1-month-old baby, causing several fractures, because she was frustrated that it kept crying, according to authorities. On Sunday, officials responded to St. Josephs Childrens Hospital after learning an infant had been airlifted from Oak Hill Hospital in Brooksville, after arriving with injuries. The Hernando County Sheriffs Office met with the Tampa Police Department who were at the hospital investigating the child abuse case. Officials said the child suffered the injuries at a home on Woodbury Road in Spring Hill. A nurse at the Brooksville Hospital told a detective the 1-month-old was brought to the emergency department with injuries to their head due to severe swelling, which continued through scans and testing, the sheriffs office said. Florida teacher used legs to put 3-year-old in headlock during storytime, deputies say The teen who brought the baby in, 19-year-old Arianna Renee Hamilton, said she was changing their diaper when she let go with both hands, and the baby rolled off the bed and hit the floor. However, the hospital scans in Brooksville revealed the baby suffered severe skull fractures. Once at St. Josephs in Tampa, additional scans showed fractures to the childs collarbone, and both shins and femurs. Hamilton could not provide a reason for the fractures. All injuries noted were in various stages of healing, meaning they happened at different times, authorities said. A physician told officials this indicated ongoing abuse. Hamilton told detectives she was too scared to call 911 so she packed a bag and drove the child to the hospital. When detectives spoke with several family members, they said they had witnessed Hamilton yelling at the baby for constantly crying, saying she wished the infant was in the care of someone else. Frustrated students walk off bus in Hernando County Photos provided by other members of her family showed the babys injuries, dated Aug. 6, Aug. 9, Aug. 13, and Aug. 20. Each image included a new injury including lacerations, bruising, and swelling, the sheriffs office said. Detectives searched the Spring Hill home in which they discovered that the bed where the infant was allegedly changed had no signs of a recent diaper change or had any items including dirty clothes or diapers. All of which were located in a separate room. On Monday, physicians at St. Jospehs confirmed the injuries were not accidental. On Tuesday, Hamilton admitted to becoming frustrated and squeezing the baby, resulting in the fractures. Hamilton was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse and child neglect. She is being held without bond. Anyone with additional information on this case is asked to contact Hernando County Crime Stoppers at 1-866-990-8477 or online. You will remain anonymous. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) A suspect wanted on six arrest warrants, including armed carjacking in Springfield, was caught in Las Vegas. According to the Springfield Police Department, an arrest warrant for 22-year-old David Clark of Springfield was granted for his alleged role in an armed carjacking in Springfield. The incident occurred in May 2023 in the area of Merrimac Avenue and Nottingham Street. Police say Clark allegedly had a gun and a motorcycle was stolen during a carjacking. Holyoke teen charged with armed carjacking at Chicopee gas station On Friday, Clark was held at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas and was taken into custody by a Springfield Police Detective along with a Massachusetts Police Trooper. He was brought back to Massachusetts and booked on charges at the Springfield Police Headquarters. The following arrest warrants stem from Springfield and Palmer District Courts: Arrest Warrant Firearm-Armed Carjacking Arrest Warrant Firearm-Armed Carjacking Armed & Masked Robbery Assault with a Dangerous Weapon Arrest Warrant Assault & Battery on a Police Officer (Two Counts) Resisting Arrest Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon Reckless Operation of a Snow/Recreational Vehicle Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle Arrest Warrant Resisting Arrest False ID Information Arrest Warrant Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle Failure to Stop for Police Number Plate Violation Receiving Stolen Property Arrest Warrant Breaking and Entering into a Building Nighttime for a Felony Vandalize Property Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. (Bloomberg) -- A candidate with roots in Marxist socialist policy in Sri Lanka is gaining momentum in next months presidential election with a strong message to combat corruption and scrutinize investment deals with China to avoid another debt trap. Most Read from Bloomberg Anura Kumara Dissanayake, popularly known as AKD, leads the National Peoples Power, a coalition of leftist political parties and groups backed by protesters who ousted the powerful Rajapaksa government in 2022. Hes emerged as a key challenger to incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who remains unpopular for carrying out austerity measures in exchange for an International Monetary Fund bailout. Dissanayake is campaigning on a platform of clean governance and combating corruption in a country thats still saddled with high debt two years after an unprecedented economic crisis and historic default. Sri Lankas debt had ballooned over the years partly because of Chinese loans to fund ambitious projects ranging from ports, roads and a lotus tower. Beijing has faced allegations of burdening developing countries like Sri Lanka with debt through its funding of infrastructure projects, accusations its denied. China had been an easy source of money for past governments and the NPP wants to ensure future investment isnt wasteful, said Harini Amarasuriya, a lawmaker and a member of the coalition. We dont want easy money coming in to fund unproductive projects and not care about corruption, Amarasuriya, an academic who has become one of the more public faces of the group, said in an interview in the capital Colombo. Thats what we expect of any country, and thats how we would want it to be with China. The coalitions main party is the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, which is led by Dissanayake. Once known for its violent uprisings in the 1970s and 1980s, the JVP has since re-branded itself and entered mainstream politics. Some surveys have polled Dissanayake as a leading contender in the Sept. 21 vote while hes been drawing substantial crowds at his campaign rallies. Dissanayake is drawing support from the 2022 protesters, who wanted to curb the executive powers of the presidency, eradicate graft and bring the ruling Rajapaksa clan to task for their role in bankrupting the country. The Rajapaksas cultivated ties with China to help rebuild the country in the 2010s after brutally ending a decades-long civil war with Tamil separatists. Amarasuriya said the leftist coalition wants to maintain ties with China since the country had been one of the few to back Sri Lanka when it faced global scrutiny for human rights violations as the civil war drew to a close. We are cognizant of the fact that China has politically backed us in sensitive moments, she said. And we want to maintain those relations. IMF Bailout The popularity of the leftists candidate adds to political uncertainty that could jeopardize Sri Lankas debt restructuring deal with creditors and possibly delay bailout funding from the IMF. Markets do not have past experience to make a judgment call on NPP policies, said Thilina Panduwawela, a senior economist at Frontier Research in Colombo. And the election itself is too close to call and that is why there is some uncertainty in markets. Citigroup Inc. economists said in a note Thursday that its unlikely Sri Lankas debt restructuring will be finalized before the elections. Based on meetings with policymakers and analysts in Colombo recently, the economists said the election remains too close to call. Also contesting the election is the main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, who leads a breakaway group from Wickremesinghes party, and Namal Rajapaksa, the scion of the populist clan. Amarasuriya said her party was against some of the tax measures Wickremesinghes government was implementing to meet the IMF targets. Even so, she acknowledged that the conditions of the loan program, including the primary balance and the debt-to-GDP ratio, were fairly standard. Dissanayakes election manifesto, which was launched on Aug. 26, proposes a number of tax amendments and more oversight on government spending. Hes pledged to increase the income tax-free threshold and equitably amend rates and tax brackets. He also wants to remove some essential health, education and food items from the 18% value-added tax to make them more affordable, Amarasuriya said. The tax threshold has had a huge impact on the middle class and professionals, she said, leading to a severe brain drain with over 3,000 doctors as well as IT and banking personnel having left the country. Amarasuriya added that the current administration has not paid enough attention to some other IMF conditions, including bolstering social security networks and eradicating graft. With corruption, the approach will be to clean it from the top where all elected representatives have to behave based on a code of conduct that is strictly enforced, she said. There will be restrictions on government appointments and the tender processes two areas where corruption gets initiated, Amarasuriya said. Foreign investors have nothing to fear as the party will make it easier for business by eliminating corruption and putting in systems, she added. --With assistance from Asantha Sirimanne. (Updates with comment from Citigroup economists.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Jim Hoft, founder of The Gateway Pundit, talks with Stephen K. Bannon while appearing on an episode of Brietbart News Daily on SiriusXM Patriot at Quicken Loans Arena on July 21, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio (Ben Jackson/Getty Images for SiriusXM). A St. Louis judge this week set a trial date of next March 10 for the defamation lawsuit against the owners of the far-right conspiracy site Gateway Pundit over false allegations of election fraud against two Georgia poll workers. Although trial schedules can always be amended, the Aug. 26 order by Judge Elizabeth Hogan appears to finally bring clarity to the question of when St. Louis will be the scene of what will be a high-profile First Amendment trial. Its also a setback for Jim Hoft, owner of the Gateway Pundit, who had hoped for an indefinite delay in the proceedings. The case pits the claims of the two poll workers that the Gateway Pundits one-hundred-plus article campaign against them helped prompt death threats and other harassment against Hofts claims that he acted only as a journalist exercising his right to free expression. The March 10 date is the one requested by the lawyers for the two poll workers, Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Shaye Moss, who are mother and daughter. It is also the one that had been recommended by a court-appointed special master in the case and that the court itself had set earlier in the year. But the lawyers for Hoft and his co-defendants his identical twin brother Joe Hoft and TGP Communications LLC, the business behind the Gateway Pundit website requested a stay while they appeal the July 24 dismissal of TGPs bankruptcy filing by a Florida bankruptcy court. In an Aug. 22 filing, Hofts attorneys argued that the St. Louis court should extend the automatic stay that had been placed on the case when they made their initial bankruptcy filing in April. This strategy, they said, would avert possible stops and starts that could flow from a reimposition of the bankruptcy proceeding and another automatic stay. Hofts lawyers also said the two women and their lawyers are clearly on a mission to drive TGP Communications out of business, and seeking bankruptcy protection in the face of that mission makes sense. But in tossing the filing, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Florida ruled that it had been made in bad faith and purely as a litigation strategy. The lawyers for the poll workers took note of that in their request for the March 10 trial date. They wrote that Hoft and his attorneys have used every option to delay justice since the case was first filed in December 2021, including through 1) improper removal to federal court; 2) filing a defamation counterclaim against counsel of record for repeating facts and opinions included in the operative petitions; 3) failing to produce many responsive documents until more than a year after they were requested; and 4) failing to provide defendants depositions dates until ordered to in April 2024. They also wrote that Hofts lawyers had not responded to their multiple attempts to meet to discuss how to comply with the schedule the special master had laid out for discovery and depositions in the case. A similar suit by Freeman and Moss against former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani led a Washington, D.C., jury last December to award them compensatory and punitive damages of more than $148 million. Guilianis lawyer in that case contended that the Gateway Pundit whom he called patient zero of the election fraud conspiracy theory was more responsible than his client for the lies. The trial in St. Louis will also be before a jury. Reached by email, John C. Burns, the Hofts St. Louis-based lawyer, said he had no comment. Dressed in a reflective work vest and gloves, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter joined city workers for several hours Wednesday in clearing torn and soiled sofas, couches and other large, bulky, cast-away items from the basement of the troubled Lowry Apartments across from downtown City Hall. The mayor helped fill four truckloads with trash by early afternoon, by which time at least half a dozen broken coin-operated washing machines their coin compartments pried open lined the Fourth Street sidewalk, waiting to be hauled away. Our team has been here since 8 in the morning, said Carter, around 1 p.m. This isnt peoples stuff who live here right now. This is stuff thats been piled up in the basement. Nobodys been managing the building. The goal today is just the obvious fire hazard stuff trying to get this stuff out of here. The guys who do this for a living, all day everyday, say theyre throwing away their clothes. This is disgusting. Court-appointed receiver While the mayor helped clear debris, an assistant city attorney appeared in a courtroom across the street Wednesday morning, asking a Ramsey County District Court judge to fast-track a request for a court-appointed receiver to collect rents and better manage the 11-story building, which is in foreclosure. Judge Sara Grewing agreed, assigning receivership to Frauenshuh, Inc., a commercial real estate company, and setting in motion what some hope will be better days ahead for what had once been one of downtown St. Pauls most sought-after destination hotels. Among Grewings seven findings: there is currently no contact on site for building management, city photos showed evidence of dog feces and drug paraphernalia strewn about hallways, elevators are often inoperable, the roof is not secured, broken doors and blocked off stairwells are a fire hazard, abandoned couches and other furniture is haphazardly strewn throughout the basement, and trash accumulating throughout the Lowry is so significant that it could impede or prevent fire rescue. An attorney for Madison Equities which had attempted to sell the Lowry on the traditional market could not immediately be reached for comment on Wednesday. This receivership step is critical, said City Council President Mitra Jalali, on the social media platform X on Wednesday. It allows a more responsible party to work (with the) city on immediate health, cleaning, safety efforts underway at Lowry. As a precautionary measure on Wednesday afternoon, the St. Paul Fire Department sent a large crew of firefighters to 345 Wabasha St. for building familiarization walk-throughs, according to the departments social media. This is to note any hazards in the event of an emergency. Too little, too late? Carter this week sent a strongly-worded letter to property owner Madison Equities, which the city has accused of effectively abandoning management of the building. The mayor on Monday made a personal call to a repair company and found $2,000 to get the elevators, which had been offline since Saturday, back in working order so residents could begin moving out, if need be. On social media, some observers praised the mayors hands-on approach, while others derided it as a photo op and questioned why the city and county hadnt coordinated efforts earlier to keep the property from becoming derelict. Following a building tour on Monday, Carter and City Attorney Lyndsey Olson said living conditions were among the worst theyd seen in the city. An entire floor and seven additional units have been condemned. Where were they two years ago when the fire escapes were dead-bolted closed and my sister, who is disabled, was stuck on the 11th floor? said Anthony Kearns, a two-year lease holder, while riding the dingy elevator to the lobby. He said the city would be best served by emptying the building entirely. Its been a nightmare, Kearns added. Carter noted that a recently-delayed foreclosure auction is now scheduled for early September, but the mayor said thats too long to wait for responsible stewardship of a building home to more than 100 tenants, some of whom have children there. Dozens of those families receive rental assistance, such as federal Section 8 housing vouchers, meaning Madison Equities continues to receive at least partial rent payments, the mayor said. New challenges: trash service canceled FirstService Residential the property management company that oversees the nearby Lowry Medical Arts building, which houses residential condominiums and the St. Paul Conservatory informed property managers for the Lowry last Friday that they would no longer allow shared use of their basement trash room and trash compactor. After Saturday, the Lowry Apartments will now have to find a new trash service. If any staff, resident or personnel are found dumping garbage in the trash compactor or trespassing on Lowry Commercial property, law enforcement will be notified, and they will be issued citation for illegal dumping and for trespassing, reads the Aug. 23 letter from FirstService Residential to the Lowry Apartments. The city of St. Pauls Department of Safety and Inspections recently informed Madison Equities that they would be cancelling the buildings Fire Certificate of Occupancy, meaning that if conditions dont improve, the building would have to be cleared of tenants by April. Some county officials have quietly opined that the city which has already condemned multiple insect-infested units could condemn the entire property, giving tenants 60 days to relocate before winter. Carter said the the city is taking pains to balance fire safety priorities against the possibility of leaving dozens of tenants homeless. Safely removing so many tenants would require careful coordination between the city, county and nonprofit providers of emergency housing. Many, but not all of the families already have caseworkers assigned. Rose Lindsay, a spokesperson for Ramsey County, said the county just learned of the issues facing the Lowry residents on Aug. 15 and is coordinating with the citys Office of Neighborhood Safety. The city and county hosted an informational meeting on Aug. 21 to inform tenants of their rights and responsibilities as ownership changes hands. Since we received notification, we have been working closely with the city of St. Paul on a response plan to provide resources, Lindsay said. Madison Equities principal, Jim Crockarell, died in January. In addition to the Lowry Apartments, his widow, Rosemary Kortgard, has put nine downtown office buildings and parking ramps spanning more than 1.6 million square feet of commercial real estate on the market en masse, as well as the Handsome Hog restaurant on Selby Avenue. Related Articles STAMFORD, Conn. (WTNH) A Stamford police officer charged in a pedestrian crash that killed a beloved pastor has been fired from the department, according to the mayors office. Authorities said Rev. Tommie Jackson was walking across Wire Mill Road to get his mail on July 26, 2023, when Officer Zachary Lockwood hit him with his 2017 Ford Interceptor Utility. Jackson later died of his injuries at a hospital. Stamford officer pleads not guilty to misconduct after hitting, killing pastor According to authorities, Lockwood was en route to an unrelated crash on Hope Street, which had escalated into a disturbance. Lockwood allegedly intermittently activated his emergency siren while traveling on Wire Mill Road, with the final siren activation occurring just fifteen seconds before the collision. However, Lockwoods vehicle did not meet the criteria of an emergency vehicle under Connecticut law at the time of impact. The investigation showed Lockwood was driving at speeds well above the posted limit of 25 mph. In March, Lockwood pleaded not guilty to misconduct with a motor vehicle. Jacksons family wants the charges increased to second-degree manslaughter because of what they said was reckless disregard and for not following dispatchs instructions to go slowly. I am aware that Zachary Lockwood has been terminated from his position as an officer with the Stamford Police Department, Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons said. My thoughts and prayers remain with the Jackson family and all those impacted by this horrific tragedy. David OMeara, president of the Stamford Police Association (SPA), said they are very disappointed in the chiefs decision to fire Lockwood. We are also saddened by those members of the community who turned this tragic accident into a race issue, OMeara said. We will continue to pray for both families and hope they both get the positive support they need during this time. News 8 has reached out to Lockwoods attorney for comment on his termination. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Stanislaus reports $3.37 billion in ag income in 2023. Do farm workers get enough credit? Advocates for farm workers urged Tuesday that they be better rewarded for helping make Stanislaus County so bountiful. It happened as the county released a report estimating $3.37 billion in gross farm income in 2023. It was down 10% from the previous year primarily because of low milk prices. Nuts, tomatoes, beef and poultry gained. In past years, the county Board of Supervisors received the report with general comments about the ups and downs for farm owners. This time, members heard from the Latino Community Roundtable about low pay and tough conditions for the hired hands. President Karlha Arias said workers can suffer from heat stress, cancer-linked pesticides and other hazards, and have poor access to medical care. The people who harvest our crops and maintain our orchards are paying with their health and in some cases with their own lives, she said, yet these workers remain invisible, their health needs unmet and their own contributions unrecognized. Arias read her prepared statement at the podium soon after the report was unveiled. She noted that she grew up with farm worker parents in a crowded home in Hughson. Longtime activist Miguel Donoso said many workers are undocumented immigrants, so they do not want to lodge complaints. He said the situation is especially bad on dairy farms. Supervisor Channce Condit said he, too, would like to see more about the laborers in future reports. The latest does have a short article on one: Salvador Anaya of Stewart & Jasper Orchards, an almond business. He won the countys latest Farm Worker of the Year award in March. Salvador Anaya, farm lead at Stewart & Jasper Orchards, was named Farmworker of the Year in Modesto, Calif., Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Report tallies crop prices, total volume The 21-page report was compiled by county Agricultural Commissioner Linda Pinfold and her staff. It lists total volume and average prices for about 50 crops and livestock products. Dozens of other items are lumped together as miscellaneous. The report does not account for farmers costs, such as labor, tractors, fertilizer and water. They can exceed the gross income in some years. Farmers can get by if they have diverse crops or access to credit. Everything cycles, right, said Supervisor Terry Withrow, an accountant and almond and grape grower. Its just part of the deal, and ag will get through this as it always has. The report also does not detail the ripple effect from the raw farm products. Thousands of local people work at canneries, wineries, dairy plants, nut processors and the like. Others get the goods to market by truck and rail. Still others work in ag lending, tractor sales and more. The 2023 gross income was 16% below the record $4.4 billion in 2014, when both milk and almond prices were high. Even with the decline, Stanislaus is No. 8 among the 3,078 counties in the nation that have farms. Tomatoes arrive for processing at Stanislaus Foods Products in Modesto, Calif., Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Whats in the Stanislaus top 10? The report has these details on the top 10 farm products: 1. Almonds: $813.4 million in gross income in 2023, up from $753 million the year before. Prices improved but still were depressed by a glut in the global market. 2. Milk: $761.5 million, down from $1.13 billion. Volume dipped and prices were down from the especially high levels of 2022. 3. Poultry: $399.9 million, up from $383.2 million. Prices and total animals both increased slightly. Chicken and turkey are both big business here. 4. Cattle: $208.7 million, up from $192.8 million. The category includes animals sent to beef processors and young cows sold to dairy farmers. 5. Fruit and nut nurseries: $146.3 million, down from $175 million. These businesses sell young trees and vines to farmers. 6. Silage: $121.4 million, down from $173 million. This high-quality dairy feed is made by fermenting corn, oats and other crops under massive tarps. Prices had spiked due to drought in 2022. 7: Tomatoes: $107.1 million, up from $53.5 million. Acreage and prices both jumped. Most of the crop goes to local canneries rather than produce aisles. 8. Almond pollination: $83.6 million, down from $87.4 million. The income goes to beekeepers who rent their colonies to nut growers each winter. Honey brought another $13.8 million last year. 9. Walnuts: $55.5 million, up from $42.7 million. Prices and tonnage both rose for this crop, which has struggled even more than almonds in recent years. 10. Eggs: $54.3 million, down from $84.2 million. Prices shot up in 2022 due to avian influenza in other states. Cows line up at the robotic milking station at Fiscalini Farmstead in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, April 10, 2024. The report details other ag commissioner functions besides crop statistics. The staff monitors the county for pests and issues spraying permits. It assesses damage from floods, wildfires and other emergencies. It certifies measuring devices used by the public, such as grocery scales and gasoline pumps. The Farm Worker of the Year award began in 2020. It is sponsored by the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, the Modesto Rotary Club and AgSafe, a nonprofit involved in employee training. Anaya has worked 54 years at Stewart & Jasper, which grows and processes almonds near Newman. If we ever have a question of what weve done in the past, I just ask Salvador, Manager Ray Henriques said. (Bloomberg) -- Fallout from the clash between Elon Musk and a justice on Brazils top court spread across the billionaires companies as the judge vowed to shut down X and blocked Starlink bank accounts in Latin Americas largest economy. Most Read from Bloomberg Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes is spearheading efforts to combat fake news and hate speech in Brazil. Musk and conservatives including former President Jair Bolsonaro say the judge is overstepping his bounds and undermining free speech. The order to block the bank accounts of Musks satellite internet provider was issued by Moraes on Aug. 18, according to local news website G1, which described the decision as a bid to force his company to pay for fines imposed on social media platform X. A person with knowledge of the situation at the Supreme Court confirmed the report. Starlink, the internet service run by SpaceX, says it has a quarter million customers in Brazil. In an appeal filed Friday, Starlink Brazil Holding LTDA asked the Supreme Court to lift the order, arguing that the internet business isnt part of the case against X. Later Justice Cristiano Zanin denied the appeal and kept the financial assets block. Musk lashed out at Moraes, calling him a criminal masquerading as a judge in a post on X. Starlink confirmed in a series of posts on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that an order from Moraes froze the companys finances and prevented it from conducting financial transactions in Brazil. This order is based on an unfounded determination that Starlink should be responsible for the fines levied unconstitutionally against X, the company said, adding it intends to address the matter legally. In a later X post, Musk said that SpaceX will provide internet service to users in Brazil for free until this matter is resolved. Moraes on Wednesday threatened to block X in Brazil if the company didnt appoint a legal representative in the country by Thursday night. The decision came days after the platform said it would close its operations in Brazil, while keeping the service available to its estimated 20 million active users in the country. Musk responded to the order with an apparently AI-generated picture of a man resembling Moraes behind bars. One day, Alexandre, this picture of you in prison will be real. Mark my words, Musk posted. Close to the deadline set by the judge, Xs Global Government Affairs account stated in a post on X that it wouldnt comply with Moraes illegal orders. Until early afternoon on Friday, X had been operating normally in Brazil. The US Embassy in Brazil said in a statement that it is closely monitoring the situation and that the United States values freedom of speech as a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. (Updates the fifth paragraph with top court judge maintaining the block) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Starmer promised me he would protect pensioners his winter fuel raid let me down Joyce Hays, 80, told Keir Starmer she was afraid to turn the heating on because of soaring energy bills - Lorne Campbell A pensioner who Sir Keir Starmer promised to protect from soaring energy bills says she feels let down by the prime ministers decision to axe her winter fuel allowance. Joyce Hays, 80, told Sir Keir she was afraid to turn the heating on when she met him during a Labour visit to Dewsbury, Yorkshire. Sir Keir said he was more than shocked by her situation and pledged that he was doubly determined to do something about it. In May, during an election campaign video, he told cameras how the pensioners he met in Dewsbury were in an awful position and remembered meeting an 84-year-old woman who couldnt get out of bed because of high energy bills. He then pledged: Pensioners deserve security in retirement. Thats what my Labour government will deliver. Click here to view this content. But four months later, the Government announced plans to scrap winter fuel payments for 10 million pensioners, including Ms Hays who will miss out on 300 a year. The lifelong Labour supporter said: I do feel a bit [betrayed] by it and it is disappointing, but it doesnt really surprise me as its what politicians do. You are talking to someone who has voted Labour since they were 21, and they all let you down. If I was in his position, Id have halved the allowance rather than cutting the whole lot. I am a bit upset about it. During his visit in 2022, Sir Keir stressed that no one should have to wrap up and be frightened to heat their home in the 21st century. The Governments decision to scrap universal winter fuel payments has sparked fears from charities that pensioners bills will jump by almost 500 compared to last year, while younger households bills fall. Ms Hays now plans to double up on dressing gowns this winter. As we used to do in the good old, bad old days, Ill put extra clothing on, she said. I have got a couple of fleece dressing gowns and will put them on. You do what you can. Ms Hays, who is unmarried and has no children, gets a 805 monthly state pension and a 400 a month pension from Kirklees Council, where she worked for disability services. Her income means she does not qualify for pension credit and will therefore not receive the winter fuel allowance. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the decision to cut the allowance will save the Treasury up to 1.4bn a year, citing a so-called 22bn fiscal blackhole left by the Conservatives. Ms Hays said she is sympathetic to the situation, but is saddened that pensioners are having to bite the bullet. Finding the black hole when they came into power must have been a shock, and I understand they need to fill it but its unfortunate we pensioners always get hit, she said. They hadnt got all the numbers in the election campaign. But it is a bit disappointing that its happened. Age UK has warned the move will leave as many as two million pensioners in serious trouble and struggling to heat their homes this winter. The Government said it is absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement. A spokesman said: Through our commitment to protect the triple lock, over 12 million pensioners will see their state pensions increase by almost a thousand pounds over the next five years. But given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, its right that we target support to those who need it most while we take the difficult decisions needed to fix the foundations of our economy. Over a million pensioners will continue to receive the winter fuel payment and eligible pensioners will also be able to benefit from the 150 warm home discount scheme from October to help with their energy bills over winter. We are urging pensioners to come forward and check their eligibility for pension credit to ensure as many people in need as possible have access to this support. Click here to view this content. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Aspire of Donnellson nursing home in Iowa was subject to a state-ordered evacuation this week, although state officials aren't saying why. (Photo courtesy of Lee County Assessor's Office; logo courtesy the State of Iowa) For the second time in two years, residents of the Aspire of Donnellson nursing home in Lee County have been relocated after an emergency evacuation at the facility. On Christmas Eve in 2022, the homes 50 residents were evacuated with the assistance of the fire department and more than a dozen other agencies after a water line burst and flooded the building. The facility didnt reopen until October 2023. On Tuesday, with state inspectors on site to investigate a complaint, the 46-bed home was evacuated again although state officials arent saying why. A spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, which oversees nursing homes in the state, said the investigation of the complaint, along with the homes scheduled recertification inspection, had been underway on Tuesday when deficiencies were identified, including a life-safety issue, requiring the facility to implement their emergency plan and safely relocate their 16 residents to other health facilities. The spokesperson did not identify the life-safety issue or indicate where or how the residents were relocated, or when they might return. She said that once DIAL finishes its inspection, it will write a report that outlines the agencys findings and then publish it to the DIAL website. Iowa Long-Term Care Ombudsman Angela Van Pelt, whose office is responsible for independent oversight of DIAL and for protecting residents rights related to evictions, indicated that while her office wasnt at the home when the evacuation occurred, DIAL kept her office informed of the situation as it unfolded. Van Pelt said DIAL shared with her a list of issues that gave rise to the evacuation. She said one of the issues was tied to some form of infection-control problem, but she declined to elaborate. Van Pelt said she doesnt know what DIAL will ultimately decide to disclose with regard to its findings and so shed rather not share the information she has. Were not the regulator, she said. So for me to release that information, publicly is you know, Im not overly comfortable doing that. Aspire of Donnellson has the lowest possible quality ratings on the federal governments Care Compare website. It has been awarded one star, on a five-star scale, for both its inspection results and its staffing levels. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the home was last subjected to federal fines in 2022, when $30,544 in fines were imposed. It has been six years since any state fines were imposed, according to state records. Officials at the home and at the Florida office of the homes corporate owner, Beacon Health Management, did not respond to calls and emails Thursday. Beacon operates nine Iowa nursing homes, all of which carry the Aspire name. Aspire of Donnellson and Beacon are currently being sued for wrongful death by the family of Jo Anne Walter, a former resident who died in July 2021, allegedly as a result of a fall at the home. The company has denied any wrongdoing, and a trial is scheduled for May 13, 2025. Last year, the family of Marjory Chaney sued the home and Beacon for negligence, alleging the home failed to treat her pressure sores until the wounds were so serious she had to be treated at a hospital emergency room and then transferred to hospice care. The home has denied any wrongdoing, and a trial is set for Sept. 30, 2025. Home was the focus of complaints and violations Almost immediately after the Donnellson home reopened in October 2023, it was the focus of complaints. In November of that year, inspectors from DIAL investigated seven complaints and substantiated six of them. The home was cited for 11 regulatory violations, although no fines or penalties were imposed. In April 2024, inspectors from DIAL visited the Donnellson facility again, this time to investigate a backlog of 10 complaints. Nine of the 10 complaints were substantiated. While there, the inspectors cited the home for 30 state and federal regulatory violations an unusually high number and proposed, but then held in suspension, $15,700 in fines. The violations included failure to meet overall quality of care standards, failure to treat pressure sores, failure to have sufficient nursing staff, failure to avoid significant medication errors, failure to meet infection-control standards, and numerous failures related to a lack of staff training. Some of the suspended fines were tied to allegations that the home had failed to attempt cardio-pulmonary resuscitation on two residents, both of whom died. In the first of those two cases, according to state reports, a male resident of the home was found in his bed at 5:15 a.m. on Jan. 18, ashen colored with no pulse or respirations. The aide who found him later told inspectors the man was still warm when found. According to the inspectors, the aide had checked on the man after noticing his light was on, suggesting he was up or at least awake. After noticing the man wasnt breathing, the aide summoned a nurse and asked whether they should initiate CPR. The aide allegedly told inspectors the nurse never answered and instead called the family to report the man was dead. The nurse told inspectors that he had not been exactly sure about the residents code status which would indicate whether attempts to resuscitate him should be made, according to state reports. He acknowledged, however, that it was later determined the man was full code, indicating CPR should have been attempted. Eleven days after that incident, a female resident of the home was found unresponsive in bed at about 10 p.m. The womans guardian and family were notified, and a funeral home was summoned to pick up the body. Although the resident was full code, no one on staff had attempted CPR, according to state reports. Earlier this year, the Iowa Board of Nursing Home Administrators charged Tara Behrendsen of Eagle Grove, who ran the Aspire of Gowrie care facility in Webster County in 2022, with violating the standards of her profession. Behrendsen voluntarily surrendered her license. The Gowrie home had been cited for 114 regulatory violations over the course of 19 months. State proposes extraordinary new rules with potential to impact millions of residents here's what will change New Jersey proposed new rules that would help the state protect its residents against natural disasters. According to OCNJ Daily, the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection announced an update to its land-use regulations on Aug. 5 to help communities improve their resilience to extreme weather events, chronic flooding, and sea-level rise. New Jersey is the first state to propose modern regulations to protect against changing weather patterns. The proposed updates are under the Resilient Environments and Landscapes part of the New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Threats regulatory reforms Gov. Phil Murphy implemented in 2020 through Executive Order 100. Some of the proposed rules include creating an "inundation risk zone," in which new or renovated buildings would be required to account for the increased flood risk in these areas. The program also aims to improve water quality by upgrading stormwater management practices. The regulations are in a 90-day public comment period, allowing residents to give their input during three public meetings in September. According to USA Today, New Jersey has four counties that rank in the top 10 places in the United States for risk of flooding. Between 1980 and 2024, New Jersey experienced 71 weather disasters, each totaling more than $1 billion in losses. These included four floods, 30 severe storm events, 12 tropical cyclones, and others, per National Centers for Environmental Information data. Storms can be catastrophic for communities all over, as was the case in Chile in 2023, when 30,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes because of downpours and flooding. Eight hundred homes were damaged during the weather event. Updating regulations to make homes more resilient is important as storms get more extreme. You can use your voice by writing to representatives to get your local regulations updated and by voting for candidates who will take climate action. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. An Orange County grand jury indicted State Rep. Carolina Amesty on forgery charges Wednesday, the Office of the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit said. Amesty -- a Republican who represents District 45 -- was indicted on the following charges: forgery, uttering a forgery, false acknowledgement or certification by a notary public and notarizing your own signature. The charges are connected to evidence showing she knowingly notarized a document with a forged signature in 2021 while serving as an administrator at Central Christian Academy, a nonprofit school run by her family, the State Attorneys Office said. It said that all four charges for the misuse of her notary commission are classified as third-degree felonies. Read: Regina Hill case: 96-year-old files lawsuit to force sale of homes Carolina Amesty -- a Republican who represents District 45 -- was indicted on the following charges: forgery, uttering a forgery, false acknowledgement or certification by a notary public and notarizing your own signature. State Attorney Andrew Bain said that his office received a tip from a concerned citizen, prompting his offices request for a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation. That information was presented to the grand jury, who found sufficient evidence to return an indictment, he said. I am committed to upholding fairness and justice in every case by applying the law equally to everyone and my record reflects this dedication. Amesty, 29, of Windermere, surrendered herself at the Orange County Jail on Thursday. Read: Trump assassination attempt: FBI says gunman saw rally as target of opportunity She was first elected in 2022 and is running for reelection. Amesty faces Leonard Spencer, a former Disney executive, in that race. Check back and watch live updates to this developing story on Channel 9 Eyewitness News. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Treasurer Dereck Davis (D) questioned the need for a $25,000 settlement with an inmate who had his walking boot confiscated by correctional officers at the Western Correctional Institution in Cumberland in 2020. File photo by Bryan P. Sears. The Maryland Department of Corrections will pay an inmate at the Western Correctional Institution $25,000 to settle a federal lawsuit after corrections officers confiscated his walking boot, a prescribed medical device they said could be weaponized. The three-member Board of Public Works Wednesday unanimously approved the settlement with George Bobbitt, 59. But Treasurer Dereck Davis, a member of the panel, asked why the settlement was necessary at all. Its more common sense reading the facts of the case if a doctor has prescribed something, how do we confiscate it without consulting with the medical team, if nothing else, about a possible alternative that would prevent or provide less risk? Davis asked. Because of that lack of a simple question What else can we do that would provide the same level of care without this potential risk? its going to cost the state $25,000, he said. Im sure that alternative would cost less than $25,000. Davis has routinely questioned the number of lawsuit settlements related to alleged law enforcement and correctional officer misconduct. Bobbitt, then 55 and an inmate at the Western Correctional Institution near Cumberland, alleged in a federal lawsuit that a corrections officers took a walking boot prescribed for him by a doctor following a surgical procedure. The device, which immobilizes the foot, was intended to be part of his treatment and recovery. But Bobbitt said guards confiscated the device, alleging a safety issue. The seizure caused him pain and discomfort as he attempted to walk on his injured foot, he said in his suit. Bobbitt sued in U.S. District Court in 2020 after unsuccessfully appealing the seizure through a prison grievance process. In the lawsuit, he alleged that the seizure constituted cruel and unusual punishment and violated his civil rights. He asked a federal judge to order the prison to return the medical device. He also asked for civil penalties against corrections staff who seized the device. Assistant Attorney General Teresa Kelly told Davis and the board, chaired by Gov. Wes Moore (D), that the situation, which happened under the administration of Gov. Larry Hogan (R), was unfortunate. Some medical devices, however, constitute a safety concern in prison, she said. Steps are being made and have been made to make sure that questions are asked in advance when these situations arise, that medical providers are aware that certain devices are not permitted out on the compound, so that prisoners who are prescribed devices such as a controlled ankle movement, such as is at issue in this case, will stay in the infirmary if they are required to use the boot, Kelly told Davis. Inmates who must use a boot or similar device would likely remain in the infirmary where theyre better monitored, so that they do not weaponize the boot. And that if they are permitted to be released to the compound that they are given an appropriate alternative device, whether that be a wheelchair or something else that is safe, she said. So, the medical department is quite well aware of these situations. And custody staff are also reminded regularly of the importance of checking to make sure that medical devices are either required, and if not required, theres an alternative, Kelly said. So, we anticipate that a situation like the one alleged in this case does not arise again. Pharmacist George Tadross, takes care of a customA pharmacist takes care of a customer at MAC Pharmacy in Cleveland in May. Some states are forcing drugmakers to continue to sell cheaper medications to a greater number of pharmacies through a federal drug-discount program as part of their efforts to lower prescription drug costs. (Photo by Sue Ogrocki/The Associated Press) Pharmacist George Tadross, takes care of a customA pharmacist takes care of a customer at MAC Pharmacy in Cleveland in May. Some states are forcing drugmakers to continue to sell cheaper medications to a greater number of pharmacies through a federal drug-discount program as part of their efforts to lower prescription drug costs. (Photo by Sue Ogrocki/The Associated Press) In their ongoing quest to lower prescription drug prices, some states are forcing drugmakers to continue to sell cheaper medications to thousands of pharmacies through a federal drug-discount program. Under the 32-year-old 340B program, pharmaceutical companies that participate in Medicaid must sell outpatient drugs at discounted prices to clinics, community health centers and hospitals that primarily serve low-income patients. The idea is that providers will use the money they save between 20% and 50% off the normal price to expand their services. But many such facilities dont have in-house pharmacies, so in 2010 the federal government expanded the 340B program to allow many more outside pharmacies so-called contract pharmacies to dispense the drugs to eligible patients on behalf of health centers and hospitals. Among the top four pharmacy chains (Walmart, CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens), 71% of locations participate in the 340B program, according to a recent study by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Drugmakers contend that the 340B program has grown far beyond its original intent, and that some hospitals are pocketing the savings instead of investing the money in more services. Some research supports that contention. In 2020, seven major pharmaceutical manufacturers announced that they would restrict or halt 340B drug sales to contract pharmacies, since those sales arent required under federal law. As of last September, 25 drugmakers had imposed such restrictions, according to 340B Health, an advocacy group that represents more than 1,500 public and private nonprofit hospitals and health systems. We as an industry continue to provide those discounts, but were concerned that theres no evidence patients are seeing any improved access or that theyre seeing lower costs, said Nicole Longo, deputy vice president for public affairs at Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, a trade group representing drugmakers. States are pushing back. This year, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri and West Virginia have enacted laws requiring drugmakers that participate in Medicaid to sell discounted drugs to contract pharmacies. In 2021, Arkansas became the first state with such a law, and Louisiana followed in 2023. Other states, including New York, have considered similar bills this year. Its very hard to maintain services and keep a hospital open. So, when 340B came into play, it was very helpful, West Virginia Republican state Sen. Tom Takubo, the sponsor of the legislation in his state, told Stateline. They just unilaterally stopped delivering medications to those peripheral pharmacies, Takubo said. And so, we passed a bill that said you cant do that. You gotta deliver out there. And if you dont do it, were gonna fine you. 340B expansion One thing is certain: The 2010 expansion of the 340B program to many more contract pharmacies has dramatically expanded access to the discounted drugs. The number of retail pharmacies participating in the program grew from 789 in 2009 to 25,775 in 2022, according to a study published last year in JAMA Health Forum. Patient spending on 340B discounted drugs also has increased significantly, from $6.6 billion in 2010 to $43.9 billion in 2021, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The programs intention is not what the program looks like today, and thats why you have so many different people on different sides. Karen Mulligan, research assistant professor at the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California Karen Mulligan, a research assistant professor at the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California, said there are valid arguments on both sides of the debate. The point of the 340B program is not to subsidize drugs for low-income patients, she said. Rather, it is to funnel financial support to struggling community health centers and rural hospitals. The federal government began allowing those entities to use contract pharmacies because many of them did not have pharmacies in-house, Mulligan said. But she pointed out that the expansion of the 340B program also has brought in some hospitals that make plenty of money without 340B. And because the 340B reporting requirements for hospitals are lax, she said, its not clear that they are using the money they save to improve patient care. The challenge, Mulligan said, is that efforts to rein in the program likely would harm all providers those that need the savings to serve low-income patients and those that dont. The programs intention is not what the program looks like today, and thats why you have so many different people on different sides, Mulligan told Stateline. A broad range of patients Some critics of the 340B program claim the discounts end up flowing to hospitals located in wealthier neighborhoods. But Joey Mattingly, an associate professor of pharmacy at the University of Utah who has been in pharmacy for more than two decades, said the health care providers that use contract pharmacies see a broad range of patients. And the revenue they get helps those hospitals stay open. When you lose the hospital and its no longer even available in your community, now youve got to drive farther to get to a hospital, Mattingly told Stateline. Thats not to say that if 340B went away tomorrow, you would lose a bunch of hospitals. But I think youd see a lot of changes that would be dramatic. Mattingly said a lot of hospitals and clinics use the savings to create changes that are both economical and helpful to patients. For example, they may start offering free or subsidized drugs in-house that patients could get right away, increasing the likelihood that they will actually take the medicine and avoid a costly hospital readmission. Aimee Kuhlman, vice president of advocacy at the American Hospital Association, said the 340B program generates tens of billions of dollars in savings that hospitals use to benefit patients. The reality is, Big Pharma doesnt want to give discounts to hospitals or the patients these hospitals serve, they want to keep it for themselves, Kuhlman told Stateline. The fact is, 340B is a critical resource to eligible hospitals and the patients and communities they serve. Participation in Medicaid is optional, and pharmaceutical companies that dont want to provide the 340B discounts can decline to be part of it, said Greg Havard, CEO of the 49-bed George Regional Health System in Lucedale, Mississippi, a city of a few thousand people close to the Gulf Coast. Pharmacy manufacturers have agreed to sell certain drugs to us at a lower price, and the 340B program is there to help us recoup costs on services or facilities that we operate to treat these folks and try to keep the doors open, Havard told Stateline. The reason we as a group wanted to pursue legislation is because pharmaceutical manufacturers, during the height of the worst pandemic in 100 years stopped honoring our contract pharmacies that have been a practice in place for 15 years. Vacheria Keys, associate vice president of policy and regulatory affairs at the National Association of Community Health Centers, also argued that the facilities she represents invest 340B savings into patient care. Keys said the program is essential because the federal funding that community health centers receive doesnt stretch as far as it used to. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies are challenging the new state laws in court. Last month, for example, a federal judge denied a bid by drugmaker Novartis to halt Mississippis law. The company told Stateline it plans to appeal the decision. Robert Dozier, executive director of the Mississippi Independent Pharmacies Association, hailed the new state law and the courts ruling. Were getting more brand-name drug manufacturers back on board, Dozier told Stateline. That gives us access to more medication to where we can help more people in the community. Stateline originally published this article. Like the Alaska Beacon, Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Getty Images Oliver Lackey opened a pharmacy in his hometown of Fairview, Oklahoma, so he could provide the best patient care. He set up shop a decade ago in the local grocery store with zero prescriptions. Before long, business took off yet he was still struggling. I was getting more patients and was filling more prescriptions, Lackey told Stateline. But as I grew in revenues, my reimbursement from the insurance companies and PBMs every year was getting worse. PBMs are pharmacy benefit managers, the intermediaries in the drug supply chain that manage prescription drugs for health plans. PBMs determine which drugs are available under a persons insurance plan, set copayments and decide how much pharmacies must pay to acquire drugs. PBMs argue that they use their bargaining power to negotiate lower drug prices for consumers and pharmacists. But critics say PBMs, some of which are owned by the largest health care corporations in the nation, engage in anticompetitive practices that lead to higher prices and drive independent pharmacies like Lackeys out of business. In recent years, all 50 states have enacted laws designed to lower prescription drug costs by curbing the power of PBMs, according to the National Academy for State Health Policy, a nonpartisan research group. But thanks to a 50-year-old federal law called the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, better known as ERISA, almost none of those measures applies to the 65% of Americans who work for large employers that cover their workers through so-called self-funded health care plans. That could change if the U.S. Supreme Court upholds a PBM law enacted by Lackeys home state of Oklahoma. Five years ago, Oklahoma tried to rein in PBMs by approving a measure barring them from forcing pharmacies to pay certain fees or requiring patients to use PBM-owned or -affiliated pharmacies. The law also prohibited PBMs from giving more generous reimbursements to their own pharmacies or arbitrarily booting pharmacies from their preferred networks. What is ERISA? The Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or ERISA, was signed into law in 1974. It is meant to protect participants in employer-sponsored retirement and health plans by setting uniform standards for how the plans operate. It was the most aggressive, broadest PBM enforcement legislation in the country, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready, a Republican, told Stateline. And it was immediately challenged. The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, a trade association representing PBMs, sued to invalidate the law. In August of last year, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that ERISA, the federal law, prevented Oklahoma from applying much of its law to self-funded health care plans. Greg Lopes, the trade groups vice president of public affairs, said the Oklahoma law would raise costs for health plans and consumers in the state. Oklahomas law would devastate employer, union, and Medicare plan sponsors as well as hundreds of thousands of their beneficiaries, who would experience higher costs and reduced benefits, Lopes said in an email. But in May, the state pushed back: Oklahoma appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the decision. In June, 32 state attorneys general and five pharmacist trade groups joined the lawsuit. The Supreme Court hasnt decided whether to take the case. If the high court eventually rules in favor of Oklahoma, legal experts say, it could establish an important precedent by allowing states to regulate the health plans that provide coverage to the majority of Americans, instead of being limited to regulating individual and group health plans and Medicaid programs. But if the high court declines to hear the case or rules against Oklahoma, states will continue to have a hard time applying any state regulations to self-funded plans. Whatever the outcome, it will come too late for Oliver Lackey. He was in business for six years but had to shutter his pharmacy in 2020, he said, because PBMs werent paying him enough for the drugs he was selling. He now works as the pharmacy director for the nonprofit Great Salt Plains Health Center, which serves patients in five Oklahoma locations. I had lots of patients who, when I announced that I was closing, came in crying, he said. It was a really tough time to go through that, because youre essentially telling your family or your patients that you cant afford to take care of them anymore. Origins of the law The goal of ERISA, which President Gerald Ford signed into law in 1974, is to protect participants in employer-sponsored retirement and health plans by setting uniform standards for how the plans operate. The rules are designed to ensure that plan administrators run them in the interest of participants and beneficiaries, solely to provide benefits and cover expenses. Congress approved ERISA in response to high-profile cases of underfunding and fraud in pension plans, said Elizabeth McCuskey, a professor of health law policy and management at the Boston University School of Public Health and School of Law. They made a lot of protections for employees, to make sure that the benefits promised to them by their employers were not being fraudulently reduced or squandered, McCuskey said. Under ERISA, large employers with thousands of employees in multiple states must abide by a single set of federal standards in their retirement and health benefits, rather than having to follow many different sets of state rules. Companies want to offer benefits, and they want to offer very good health plans for their employees, said James Gelfand, president of the ERISA Industry Committee, a trade group representing large employers covered by the law. However, it would not be possible to do that if they had to follow different rules in every state, every city or every municipality. Having to follow state-specific regulations such as the ones in the Oklahoma law likely would make it more expensive for large employers to provide health care coverage to their employees, Gelfand said. In response, he suggested, employers might stop offering certain benefits. Weve also said to states, you know, if you pass a law that violates federal law, we will consider legal action, because our companies are not going to be able to offer benefits if they have to have a different plan in California and Texas and Maryland and Massachusetts, he said. At the time ERISA was approved, McCuskey explained, the main concern was pensions, not health care plans. But it has this tradeoff, she added, because the thing that states want and need to regulate over the past 50 years has been their health care markets. Legal confusion ERISA can be triggered fairly easily, so states must be careful when they try to regulate their health care markets, according to Joanne Roskey, an attorney at Miller & Chevalier, where she specializes in ERISA cases. As a result, their legislative efforts typically dont apply to the nearly two-thirds of people enrolled in self-funded plans. In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court opened the door to at least some state regulation of PBMs in self-funded plans when it upheld a more limited Arkansas law. But the constant threat of ERISA-related lawsuits makes it challenging for legislators to do more to curb prescription drug costs, an issue that ranks high on voters lists of concerns, experts said. Its so broad, and its so muddled, and theres billions of dollars at stake, Boston Universitys McCuskey said. McCuskey and other legal experts say a ruling on the Oklahoma case could clear the way for more action. Mulready, the states insurance commissioner, hopes they are right. We just need clarity on the issue, he said. Thats whats needed by lots of folks across the country as theyre watching this or have watched this play out. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X. Police use of force has overall remained stagnant since the 2020 murder of George Floyd and subsequent worldwide protests, with some jurisdictions reporting an increase in use of force, according to data released Wednesday. While a U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics survey found that an estimated 350,000 people reported facing physical force by police each year from 2002 to 2011, data from Mapping Police Violence found that between 2017 and 2022, U.S. police used force on 300,000 people a year. Samuel Sinyangwe, the founder of Mapping Police Violence, told The Hill that the data highlights the limits of incremental reforms and underscores the need for policy interventions that replace police with new solutions for public safety. An additional 200,000 people each year faced displays or threats of force from police, and an estimated 100,000 of forceful encounters resulted in injuries. Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. His murder led to widespread scrutiny in regard to the use of neck restraints and changes in local and state policies restricting the practice. While Mapping Police Violence found that by 2021 there was a nearly 90 percent drop in the use of the tactic, the data also found that police response to policy restrictions simply led to less reporting of the use of neck restraints. Half of the agencies in the database reported an increase in their use of force in the two years following Floyds murder. In the database, use of force included deploying stun guns, chemical sprays, K-9 attacks, neck restraints, beanbags and baton strikes. For every one person killed by police, the report states, hundreds face nonlethal force. For instance, out of 259 people, where one was killed, 36 people were tased; 14 were sprayed with chemical spray; eight people were hit with batons or impact weapons; four people were bitten by K-9s; and two people faced nonlethal police shootings. More than 80 percent of the people impacted by police use of force were unarmed. A majority of those police used force against were not involved in a violent crime, but 56 percent of people who experienced police force were reportedly arrested. Those who were most impacted by police use of force were the unhoused. Between 11 percent and 44 percent of the people police used force against were reportedly homeless. But the data also found that police used force of any kind both lethal and nonlethal against Black people at more than three times the rate of force deployed against white people. Eight in 10 police agencies reported anti-Black disparities in overall force. Black people accounted for 33 percent of people reported to have experienced police use of force in 2022, though they make up only 14 percent of the population in jurisdictions where race and ethnicity data is available, while white people accounted for 33 percent of those impacted, despite making up 45 percent of the population. Different factors played into the use of force across jurisdictions. Agencies with larger budgets used more force, and jurisdictions that increased police budgets were more likely to report increases in the use of force. Police agencies that used deadly force more were also more likely to report broader problems with use of force. These agencies used more force overall and more less lethal weapons such as tasers, batons and pepper spray. Mapping Police Violence has laid out several policy recommendations to help address the use of force, including funding case studies of jurisdictions that have the lowest use of force rates. Doing so could help build an evidence basis for solutions that might actually work to reduce police violence in other places as well, the report states. The organization is also calling for state public records laws to classify police use of force records as public records. Thirty-five states now prevent police records from being disclosed to the public. The group is also demanding routine audits that ensure compliance with official data collection programs. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Stefanik: Harris CNN joint interview with Walz is offensive to ALL women Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) slammed Vice President Harriss joint interview with her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), airing on CNN on Thursday night, calling it offensive to women in the country. It is absolutely unacceptable that the first and ONLY interview from Kamala Harris the anointed Democrat nominee for President of the United States is done jointly with Tim Walz, Stefanik wrote Thursday on the social platform X. It is offensive to ALL women that Kamala has refused to sit for a solo interview when she is running to be Commander-in-chief. Harris and Walz sat for an interview Thursday with CNNs Dana Bash, the vice presidents first interview since she rose to the top of the Democratic ticket upon President Bidens exit from the race. The conversation is scheduled to air on CNN at 9 p.m. EDT. Former President Trump, the GOPs presidential nominee, and other Republicans have repeatedly criticized Harris for her lack of media interviews and other live, unscripted events on the campaign trail. Since becoming the Democratic nominee, Harris has only briefly answered questions from reporters traveling with her. She told reporters last month that she would schedule a full interview by the end of August. Some Republicans, including Stefanik a longtime supporter of Trump have baselessly argued the Harris campaign provided CNN questions or talking points to stick to during Thursdays joint interview. And the Democrats stenographers in the mainstream media just blindly regurgitate the talking points provided to them directly by the Kamala Harris campaign, Stefanik wrote. Kamala Harris and her entire campaign is an affront to the American people. Harris is likely to be asked tough questions by Bash, a veteran reporter who hosts Inside Politics and is a co-host of State of the Union. Bash also co-hosted the June debate between Biden and Trump. Since Harris entered the presidential race, she quickly consolidated support from Democrats and posed a threat to Trumps previously healthy lead over Biden when he was the Democratic presidential nominee. According to a polling index by Decision Desk HQ and The Hill, Harris has a 3.9 percentage point lead over Trump. The Hill reached out to the Harris campaign and CNN for comment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Steve Bannon, the right-wing podcaster and former Donald Trump aide, asked a federal judge on Thursday to release him from prison early as he continues to challenge his contempt of Congress conviction. Bannon reported to prison earlier this summer to begin serving a four-month sentence for defying a congressional subpoena from the now-defunct House select committee investigating the January 6, 2021 US Capitol attack. He is currently set to be released on October 29. His prison sentence had been on hold as he challenged his conviction at federal courts in Washington, DC. But after a three-judge panel of the DC US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against him in May, he was ordered to begin serving it. Now, Bannon is asking the federal judge who oversaw his trial to release him early, pointing to his pending request for the full DC Circuit to review his challenge to the conviction. His attorneys are arguing that if the full appeals court agrees to take a look at the case or declines to do so over the dissent of at least one judge it would necessarily be an intervening and changed circumstance since this Courts last decision on bail. Mr. Bannons case presents compelling circumstances because of the subsequent developments discussed above namely the realistic prospect that the D.C. Circuit will grant en banc or issue dissents from denial on the core issue in this case, either of which would demonstrate this case raises substantial issues and that Mr. Bannon should not have to serve his entire sentence before the en banc D.C. Circuit or Supreme Court can hear his case, Bannons attorneys wrote. They said that if Judge Carl Nichols does not agree to release him early, he should instead reduce his sentence and impose a period of supervised release. Previous efforts by Bannon to remain free have been rejected, including by Nichols and the Supreme Court. Bannon is one of two former members of Trumps inner circle who faced prosecution for not participating in the House January 6 probe. The second, former Trump White House aide Peter Navarro, has already served a four-month prison sentence for his conviction. When the now-defunct House panel sought documents and testimony from Bannon in 2021, it pointed to alleged communications between Bannon and Trump in the days leading up to the January 6 Capitol attack, as well as comments Bannon made on his podcast the day before the riot that all hell is going to break loose tomorrow. CNNs Tierney Sneed and Holmes Lybrand contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Steward Health Care announces sale of 4 Massachusetts hospitals Bankrupt Steward Health Care announced Thursday that it has entered into definitive agreements to sell certain Massachusetts-based hospitals. Terms of the asset agreements indicate that Rhode Island-based Lifespan will purchase Morton Hospital in Taunton and Saint Annes Hospital in Fall River, while Lawrence General Hospital will purchase Holy Family Hospital locations in Methuen and Haverhill, Stewards Chief Restructuring Officer John Castellano said in a news release. An agreement to sell Stewards Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton and St. Elizabeths Medical Center in Boston to Boston Medical Center is in the process of being finalized, according to Castellano. As Steward continues to progress through the ongoing Chapter 11 proceedings, we are thrilled to have identified such qualified acquirers for hospitals in the Commonwealth that are critical to the health of underserved populations, Castellano said in a statement. In Lifespan, Lawrence General Hospital, and Boston Medical Center, we have found partners with established track records of treating communities in the northeast United States. Through these transactions, the people of the Commonwealth will continue to receive critically needed care while Steward continues to focus on its ongoing Chapter 11 process. In a statement, Gov. Maura Healey welcomed the arrival of Lifespan and the removal of Steward from Massachusetts. This agreement accomplishes our goal of maintaining and protecting access to care and jobs in Southeastern Massachusetts and the Merrimack Valley while removing Steward Health Care from Massachusetts once and for all, Healey said. I am grateful to Secretary Kate Walsh and Commissioner Robbie Goldstein for their and their teams incredible leadership and work navigating us through this challenging time. I welcome Lifespan, its leadership, and its team to Southeastern Massachusetts and appreciate Lawrence General Hospital for stepping up to preserve care in the Merrimack Valley. All of us will work hard to bring this over the finish line. Healey said the state is continuing to support the communities impacted by the upcoming closures of Stewards Nashoba Valley and Carney hospitals. Formed in 1994, Lifespan is a not-for-profit health system based in Providence. Its comprised of the three teaching hospitals of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University: Rhode Island Hospital and its Hasbro Childrens Hospital, The Miriam Hospital, and Bradley Hospital. Lifespan is also comprised of Newport Hospital, Gateway Healthcare, Lifespan Physician Group, and Coastal Medical. The Dallas-based healthcare system currently operates more than 30 hospitals across Arizona, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, and Massachusetts. 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 This Fox News Host's Comments About Kamala Harris Were So Gross Even His Cohosts Told Him To Take Them Back *Sigh* Last time we spoke about Fox News host Jesse Watters, he said it was "cruel and unusual punishment" to make former president Donald Trump sit for his own trial. Roy Rochlin / Getty Images At the time, his cohosts offered no rebuttal. However, the same can't be said for a recent clip of Watters discussing how he views Vice President Kamala Harris's potential capabilities as a president. John Lamparski / Getty Images During a segment on The Five, Watters was addressing Harris's role in the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan when he questioned how she might handle foreign policy. He said, "We don't know who she is. We don't know what she believes. She's going to get paralyzed in the situation room while the generals have their way with her." Watters: She's going to get paralyzed in the situation room while the generals have their way with herJeanine: I dont like thatWatters: Not in a sexual way pic.twitter.com/xmtAjShIwT Acyn (@Acyn) August 26, 2024 Fox News / Via Twitter: @Acyn The two female cohosts, Dana Perino and Jeanine Pirro, immediately speak up, with one urging, "Jesse, I don't like that. Take it back." Fox News He doubled down, repeating, "Have their way with her." Then, further clarifying, "Control her." Fox News "Not in a sexual way," he said with a smile. Fox News The 23-second clip instantly sparked backlash. On Twitter (now known as X), one user commented, "This is straight-up misogyny. There is no basis for these attacks other than she's a woman & thus not cut out for this. There's no other angle here. It's so fucked." such a sexist piece of shit. need his sensible mom to call into the show again & drag him. Like, this is just straight-up misogyny. Theres no basis for these attacks other than shes a woman & thus not cut out for this. Theres no other angle here. Its so fucked. https://t.co/XLz8qQ1TWK sunny day (@littlelostsunny) August 27, 2024 Fox News Others perceived the comment to be a veiled "rape joke," like this user who suggested, "Any other network would fire you for this shit." .@JesseBWatters: Your rape joke about Kamala Harris was absolutely intentional and sexual in nature. And you are truly one of the most vile and disgusting people on television. Any other network would fire you for this shit. https://t.co/xSIOBPCuNf AndrewAuthor of America Rises On Substack (@AmoneyResists) August 27, 2024 Fox News And the discourse led some to conclude that the "appalled" reaction by Watters's cohosts shows he took his words too far. Jesse Waters should be fired for this. Even the two women on this panel were appalled. What say you @FoxNews? pic.twitter.com/68zjgNf2gv Amy Siskind (@Amy_Siskind) August 27, 2024 Fox News Former Republican lawmaker Barbara Comstock, for one, said, "When even Fox Hosts can't abide the intentional misogyny against @KamalaHarris by the dumbest and most obnoxious man on Fox, Jesse Watters." When even Fox Hosts cant abide the intentional misogyny against @KamalaHarris by the dumbest and most obnoxious man on Fox, Jesse Watters. The brain worms that have their way in this boys head https://t.co/tqnUWWmx3M Barbara Comstock (@BarbaraComstock) August 26, 2024 Fox News The video, which reached over 9.2 million views, even caught the attention of Kerstin Emhoff, the ex-wife of Harris's husband, Douglas Emhoff, who wrote in response, "There are many things to worry about, but Kamala being manhandled in the situation room is not one of them." There are many things to worry about, but Kamala being manhandled in the situation room is not one of them. https://t.co/EGmp5KfpGI Kerstin Emhoff (@keprettybird) August 27, 2024 Fox News In response to the criticism post-airing, Watters said in their next episode: Theres been some attention to comments I made on the show yesterday about VP Harris, he said. People are misconstruing my comments to mean something inappropriate. I wasnt suggesting anything of a sexual nature. I was expressing my opinion that VP Harriss current leadership style could be an issue if elected. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have been stranded on the International Space Station since June A mission to return two astronauts trapped on the International Space Station (ISS) to Earth is at risk of further delay after SpaceXs Falcon 9 rockets were grounded. Upcoming missions using the rockets, developed by Elon Musks launch company, were put on hold by US regulators after a booster crashed and exploded on Wednesday. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) confirmed it had grounded the rockets pending an investigation. A return to flight of the Falcon 9 booster rocket is based on the FAA determining that any system, process or procedure related to the anomaly does not affect public safety, the watchdog said. It comes days after Nasa confirmed that Mr Musks company would launch a rescue mission to return astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from space amid problems with their own rocket. The astronauts have been stranded on the ISS since June after a series of technical issues with their Boeing-made rocket, Starliner. A return flight aboard their spacecraft was repeatedly postponed, before it was announced on Saturday that they would be returning on an upcoming SpaceX mission to the orbiting base. The rocket was due to launch in September and return to Earth in February 2025, with Mr Wilmore and Ms Williams on board. However, those plans have been further complicated after SpaceXs Falcon 9 booster, which is designed to return to Earth so it can be reused, toppled over when attempting to land. It is the second time this year that SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket the companys workhorse that has been used to carry thousands of satellites into space has been grounded. A mission in July ended after one of the companys rockets broke up in space. Prior to that, the rocket had conducted hundreds of missions without incident and had not experienced a failure since 2016. SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets had been used in hundreds of mission prior to the two recent failures - Joe Raedle/Getty Images The grounding is expected to delay an upcoming mission to take four astronauts into space, which had been scheduled for Friday morning. The Polaris Dawn mission is intended to carry humans to the furthest point from Earth since Nasas Apollo missions 50 years ago. While the FAA regulates private space missions, SpaceXs operations for Nasa, including the planned ISS mission, are handled by the US space agency. A Nasa spokesman told the Washington Post: The agency will be included in the investigation to understand the issue and path forward. Nasa will provide updates on agency missions including potential schedule impacts, if any, as more information becomes available. The most recent SpaceX grounding left its Falcon 9 rockets out of action for just two weeks. SpaceX said its booster fell over after attempting to land on an ocean-borne drone ship. The company said it was the 23rd launch of the booster. The rest of the mission proceeded successfully and the missions payload reached space. The company said it had postponed a second planned rocket launch on Wednesday to give the team time to review booster landing data. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Members of the Independent Flight Attendants Organization (UFO) union stand at the rally in Terminal 1 of Rhein-Main Airport. The unions Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) and Ufo have called on the crews of the still young Lufthansa subsidiary to go on strike for four days up to and including Friday. All departures from Germany are affected. Andreas Arnold/dpa Pilots handling cargo flights for Lufthansa Cityline, a Lufthansa Group subsidiary, will join an ongoing pilot strike at Discover, another subsidiary of the German airline, and walk off the job on Thursday at 6 pm (1600 GMT). The German pilots' union VC said the strike at Cityline is a solidarity action with the Discover pilots. Eight cargo flights will be affected by the strike, although it's unclear whether Lufthansa will cancel those flights or use other pilots to continue operations. The strike at Discover entered its third day on Thursday, but has so far caused only a limited number of cancellations as other partner airlines in the Lufthansa Group have taken over the routes. A single long-haul flight and several European connections were cancelled on Thursday at Discover, an airline launched in 2021 that caters to German tourists with flights to popular holiday destinations. The strikes, organized by the VC pilots' union and the flight attendants' union UFO, came after Lufthansa management reached a labour deal with the rival union verdi. Verdi represents only a small number of pilots and flight attendants at the Lufthansa Group, according to the VC and UFO trade unions, which are using the strikes to demand their own collective bargaining deals with the company. Discover Airlines currently has 27 aircraft that fly to vacation destinations in Europe and overseas. Around 1,900 people work on board. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Officers are investigating a string of vehicle burglaries reported overnight in the Music Row neighborhood of Nashville. Officers were called the area near 19th Avenue South and Chet Atkins Place around 3 a.m. after multiple vehicles were broken into. $42K in exclusive sports cards stolen from Brentwood store (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) Metro police reported a white sedan with no license plate backed into a spot and up to six people jumped out of the car. Four of the suspects ran one way while one man went to a trailer and another busted out the window of a truck, according to officers. The suspect who rummaged through the truck took two bags, one which contained clothes and another that had an estimated $100,000 of automotive programming equipment inside. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Im so aggravated and angry, but what can you do about it? You know, its just that society today, man, its just sad. They just people need to get off their butt and go get a job instead of taking everybody elses stuff they work for, said victim Ron Begley. Metro police reported four vehicles were burglarized in the immediate area. Officers were able to obtain video in all incidents, which appear to be related. No firearms were reported stolen though some items were taken from the vehicles. No additional information was immediately released. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Student debt forgiveness is a tricky campaign issue for both Vice President Harris and former President Trump. While the Biden-Harris administration has struggled to deliver on some of President Bidens key policies, Trump has said he is against the forgiveness that is highly favored by the young voters he needs to sway to his side. There are stark differences in how Harris and Trump would approach student loans. Harris is likely to continue President Bidens policies, and Trump has signaled he will not do much in terms of loan forgiveness. So Kamala, the prospects for being really great on student loans are very low, said Alan Collinge, founder of Student Loan Justice, adding, We have even less hope for the Republicans. If you look at Project 2025, its pretty clear that theyre just telling the sort of student loans swap line, which theyve been doing for years now. So student loans borrowers really dont have anywhere to look for at this point. Biden has forgiven about $170 billion in student debt through various programs but failed to give $10,000 in universal relief to all borrowers, as he promised to during his campaign. When Harris ran for president in 2019, her platform only would forgive the debts of Pell Grant recipients who start a business in a disadvantaged community for at least three years. Since becoming vice president, she has proudly shown support for the broad forgiveness Biden has aimed for, and both Democrats and Republicans believe she will continue on a similar path if elected. Well, I think if shes elected, it will probably be a continuation of the same thing, attempts to forgive loans by any means necessary, said Michael Brickman, an adjunct fellow with the American Enterprise Institute. If she does stick with Bidens policies, voters would see more efforts to forgive student loans through various income-driven repayment (IDR) programs and a continuation of the legal fight for the new Saving on Valuable Education IDR plan. The actions of the Biden-Harris administration come as a Harvard analysis found that 70 percent of voters think the government needs to take some sort of action when it comes to student debt. What the President has done with student loan forgiveness is really trying to focus on giving Americans, especially young Americans, a fresh start, said Michael Starr Hopkins, CEO of Northern Starr Strategies. Its so important that Democrats get elected in the House and the Senate, and that we win the White House, because theres one party that really seems to be focused on middle-class, working families: Democrats, he added. While Trump gave some student debt relief during his presidency, it was minuscule compared to the Biden administration, which has forgiven more loans than any other president. Trumps relief only went to targeted groups of individuals, and he did not propose any sort of broad or universal forgiveness. Although Trump often steers away from the topic of loan forgiveness, he has given glimpses of his thoughts more recently. Yesterday, the Supreme Court also ruled that President Biden is not allowed to wipe out hundreds and hundreds of billions, probably trillions, of dollars in student loan debt, which would have been very unfair to the millions and millions of people who have paid their debt through hard work and diligence, Trump said last year when the Supreme Court struck down Bidens universal debt relief plan. Both candidates will be pushed to go further on the issue. Student loan advocates are still reeling from Bidens attempt at universal loan forgiveness, saying he didnt use the proper measure to push relief through. Bidens push in his first four years as president was on student loan cancellation. It was something he promised to do, and he never attempted to use the correct law. Instead, he used ill-fitting piece of legislation, Collinge said. Biden has been criticized numerous times for tying his universal forgiveness to emergency act powers during the pandemic. And Republicans will be looking for Trump to ensure future presidents do not have the power to give away any relief. Under a Trump administration, you probably see along the line depending on what happens with Congress you can see a permanent end to vast loan forgiveness, Brickman said. I know Republicans in Congress are very eager to make clear in law once and for all that this can never happen again, he added. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A student threatened with suspension is suing the University of Texas, UT President Jay Hartzell and former Provost Sharon Wood, claiming they violated his First Amendment rights when he was arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest on April 24. The suit, filed Tuesday, alleges that UT "unlawfully attempted to prevent that speech" and is now trying to suspend the student and bar him from campus for three semesters pending a hearing Friday. In an additional motion filed Wednesday, the student seeks a temporary restraining order against the disciplinary hearing, which a federal judge denied Thursday afternoon. "It's pretty evident that the university's actions targeting that demonstration were really just unambiguously unlawful," Brian McGivern, the lawyer representing the case from Austin Community Law Center, told the American-Statesman in an interview. "My hope is that the lawsuit will also deter them from blindly, unapologetically breaking the law." University of Texas police officers arrest UT student Ammer Qaddumi at a pro-Palestinian protest on April 24. Qaddumi is now suing the university, claiming UT officials violated his First Amendment rights. More: Can Texas public universities remove protesters from campus? First Amendment experts explain McGivern said the discipline threatened against the student is "unlawful retaliation." Ammer Qaddumi, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, is a member of the Palestine Solidarity Committee, the group that organized the April 24 protest and was the first person arrested by police after a dispersal order. "The police sought out a mediator from among the crowd to communicate directives to, and Mr. Qaddumi volunteered to fill that role. At their request, Mr. Qaddumi shared with the other demonstrators the officers directives to disperse," the lawsuit states. More: $5,200 for Pok-e-Jo's barbecue: A look at UT's expenses for pro-Palestinian protests It describes Qaddumi addressing the crowd when they regathered on Speedway to listen to officers and communicating to officers about the challenges with dispersal when "at that moment, at approximately 12:49 p.m., he was arrested by UT Police Department officers on the accusation of criminal trespass." Video evidence posted by the news service Al Jazeera, as well as reporter accounts, show Qaddumi helping police before a UT police officer arrested him. Fifty-six other people were arrested that day, though all criminal trespassing charges were quickly dropped "due to insufficient evidence." Because of Senate Bill 18, a 2019 Texas law, all university public spaces are established as traditional public forums, affording them the highest scrutiny in free speech law, McGivern said. This conduct would not meet the standard required to allow censorship, McGivern argues, even for a university. "The University is a state entity, and it's one of the bedrock principles of our democracy that the state cannot casually censor speech ... except in very specific situations," McGivern said. "There's no good faith argument that they can make that what they are doing is lawful, except by relying on statements of facts that are pure fiction." More: Analysis: UT increases limits on free speech after pro-Palestinian protests, Abbott order On April 23, the university preemptively canceled the registered student group's plans to protest due to officials' belief the demonstrators planned to break rules and disrupt the campus. Wood, whom Hartzell announced Tuesday would return to the engineering faculty starting Sept. 1 after stepping down as provost, emailed the Dean's Council early the next morning to say UT "is working to ensure this type of disruption doesn't happen." Hartzell has said he asked outside law enforcement to meet protesters, fearing the protest would break rules and disrupt campus. The president and provost were named and sued for damages in their personal capacity due to both parties showing their involvement in prior restraint with the protest, McGivern said. More: UT offers deferred suspension to some pro-Palestinian student protesters, one suspension University spokesperson Mike Rosen said the university is aware of the lawsuit and will respond in court filings, but he pointed to Hartzell's comment in April that UT followed its rules and protocols and that it protects free speech that follows those rules. "Today, our University held firm, enforcing our rules while protecting the Constitutional right to free speech. Peaceful protests within our rules are acceptable. Breaking our rules and policies and disrupting others ability to learn are not allowed," Hartzell wrote then. "The group that led this protest stated it was going to violate Institutional Rules. Our rules matter, and they will be enforced. Our University will not be occupied." The lawsuit states the Palestine Solidarity Committee was not intending to break university rules, accusing the university of conflating their intentions with national groups. Protests largely organized by chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine, which the Palestine Solidarity Committee is a part of, spread across universities nationwide last spring after more than 100 protesters in an encampment were arrested at Columbia University on April 18 when demanding their institution divest from weapons manufactures contributing to Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. The UT protest was held in solidarity with others across the nation but was planned to be a gathering on the South Lawn with workshops, teach-ins and pizza, organizers said on social media. At a protest April 29 not organized by the Palestine Solidarity Committee, protesters did briefly set up a surprise encampment and police arrested 79 people. More: Seventy-nine pro-Palestinian protesters arrested after setting up encampment at UT Austin The lawsuit heavily cites a UT Faculty Council committee report that says the university broke its rules in silencing protesters' free speech preemptively, something UT denies. The Statesman's reporting has showed the university changed its free speech rules this summer to state off-campus police can in some instances enforce university rules, something that was not present explicitly at the time of the arrests, though police have assisted the UT police before. It also changed the rules to cite drumming as amplified sound. The April protests didn't use amplified sound but they did involve drums. More: UT faculty panel accuses school of violating its own rules during pro-Palestinian protests The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas previously raised concerns about the disciplinary process, encouraging the university in a letter to Hartzell to treat students in a content-neutral way and to protect their free speech rights generously. At least one other student protester also faces suspension, the Statesman previously reported. The university has said disciplinary proceedings are separate from the law, though it publicly criticized County Attorney Delia Garza for dropping criminal trespassing charges because they did not meet the highest standard of evidence that protesters broke the law. U.S. District Judge David Ezra on Thursday denied the temporary restraining order motion sought by Qaddumi, saying "no injury currently exists," as the hearing Friday will determine whether or not Qaddumi is suspended, and the university is following due process through having a hearing, according to his order. In his lawsuit, Qaddumi seeks compensatory and punitive damages from defendants and a permanent injunction against disciplinary proceedings. "This (is part of) a larger phenomenon that we see today with certain leaders, very publicly, very unapologetically, breaking the law in ways that they know are illegal ... and then trying to gaslight the public or lie to the public to justify it," McGivern said. "What people should know is that they deserve better leadership." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Student sues University of Texas for first amendment violations CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WAVY) The Suffolk man who pleaded guilty to the attempted abduction of a University of Virginia student was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Previous Coverage: Suffolk man pleads guilty in UVA student abduction case James Allen pleaded guilty to abduction by force/intimidation and malicious wounding. He was sentenced to serve 10 years for abduction and 20 years, with five years suspended, for malicious wounding, according to court records. The sentences are to be served consecutively. Upon release, he will have five years of probation. Previous Coverage: Suffolk man accused of attempted abduction of UVA student appears in court The incident occurred back in October 2023 when a female student reported Allen attempting to abduct her in the 800 block of Cabell Avenue. Multiple vehicles and trees were struck by Allens vehicle during the incident, police said. Allen was arrested on Oct. 5 and plead guilty to his charged in April. Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. National security adviser Jake Sullivan met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, seeking to ensure that relations remain stable for whoever replaces President Biden in the White House come January. Being able to reach the end of President Bidens administration with the relationship on a stable basis even though we have areas of difference and areas of difficulty, this is something we will work towards, Sullivan said during a press conference in Beijing. Sullivan said reestablishing military-to-military communication channels between the U.S. and China was crucial for whichever administration is next in office. We are going to look for a deepening of the military-to-military communication so that we can pass that on to President Bidens successor and in fact a very positive outcome of the sessions here, he said. Sullivan said the U.S. elections were not discussed in the meetings, but he reassured Chinese leaders that Vice President Harris shares Bidens goal of responsibly managing this competition so it doesnt veer into conflict or confrontation. Vice President Harris has been a central member of the Biden foreign policy team, a leading member and has been part of the design and execution of the overall strategy in the Indo-Pacific and with respect to the responsible management of US China relations, he told reporters. Former President Trump has sought to cast Harris as weak on foreign policy, and he claimed she would be overwhelmed by world leaders like Xi, who she met with in 2022. Sullivan met with the Chinese leader at the conclusion of a three-day trip and 14 hours of meetings in Beijing. He is leaving the country securing a commitment to schedule a call between the Chinese leader and Biden in the coming weeks. President Xi asked National Security Advisor Sullivan to pass on his regards to President Biden, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a readout of the meeting. President Xi expressed readiness to stay in touch with President Biden to guide and steer the development of China-U.S. relations. It was Sullivans first trip as national security adviser to the China, coming at the end of Bidens only term in office. Sullivan said it is logical and reasonable that Biden and Xi will meet over the presidents final months in office, over potential crossing points at an economic summit to be held in Peru in November and the G20 in Brazil. Biden administration officials have described their strategy toward China as responsibility managing the relationship, to make sure competition does not veer into conflict. Chinas threat to Americas economy and global security has been a rare area of bipartisan cooperation during Bidens time in the White House, with the parties coming together to form a select committee on containing China, and advancing a bill banning TikTok, which is owned by a Chinese technology company. Sullivan said he raised a number of thorny issues with Xi, including concerns over Chinese interference in the U.S. election, the security of Taiwan, naval confrontations in the South China Sea and Chinas support for Russias war in Ukraine. Well have to manage the risks and flash points too, he said, well continue to work on all of those in the months ahead. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Summer COVID surge is starting to recede in Missouri. The next wave is likely only weeks away A sign marks the entrance to the a drive-through COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Shannon County Health Center on July 8, 2021 (Tessa Weinberg/Missouri Independent). A summer COVID wave fueled by a highly contagious variant, increased travel and hot days that crowded people indoors may be starting to ebb in the Kansas City area. Health officials said they hope that surge prompts far more people to sign up for the new COVID vaccine, which could reach area pharmacies next week. The new shot was approved last week and is recommended annually for people 6 months and older. Please take advantage of it, said Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Roll up both sleeves. Get your flu shot and your COVID shot. Last year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that fewer than a quarter of adults actually got the new COVID vaccine. Getting the updated vaccine, doctors agree, is the best way to prevent serious illness and reduce the risk of developing long COVID, a lingering and often debilitating condition that can leave a person with symptoms for months or years. But since the federal government lifted its public health emergency in May 2023 and stopped providing the vaccine for free, public health officials have worried about how some people would afford it. Cash price for a shot can top $100. People covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance can still get the shot for free or for a small fee. And a $1 billion federal program made free shots available to people without insurance last year. But funding for that program was expected to run out at the end of August. Some area health departments, including the Wyandotte County Public Health Department, had said they wouldnt have any free shots for uninsured adults this year. And Vibrant Health, a Wyandotte County health clinic, said its still unsure how many free shots will be available to its uninsured patients this fall. But as federal funding was scheduled to dry up, the government announced it had found money to help cover at least some of the gap. Kansas expects to get around $780,000 of the newly found federal aid, enough to cover about 9,380 COVID doses. The state, which hasnt expanded Medicaid, has nearly 250,000 residents who lack health coverage. Jill Bronaugh, spokesperson for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said the shots would be equitably distributed across the state to local health departments, community health centers, rural health clinics and other vaccination locations. Missouri got word last week that it would get just over $1.1 million of the federal funds. That means the state can buy around 12,000 COVID shots. The state, which has expanded Medicaid, still has more than 500,000 uninsured residents, according to 2022 data. Lynelle Paro, chief of Missouris Bureau of Immunization in the Department of Health and Senior Services, said the shots will be made available to public health departments and to some federally qualified health clinics, including Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center, KC CARE Health Center and Swope Health. Dr. Mark Steele, University Healths chief clinical officer, said people at lower risk of getting really sick from COVID could consider waiting to get the updated shot until late September or early October. That could extend protection into the holiday season. But doctors warn about putting it off any longer. The virus is sure to surge again once the weather turns cold, a new variant likely takes hold and people go back inside. If youre an individual at high risk and its been two months or more since your last COVID update, err on the side of (getting the new shot) sooner rather than later, Steele said. Heres what else you should know about the latest shot and what steps to take if you get infected. Where can I get the new COVID vaccine and how much will it cost? Many pharmacies offer the vaccine on a walk-in basis. Retail chains like Walgreens and CVS let you sign up through their websites. People covered by Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurance plans still can get the COVID shot for free, but you may have to pay an administration fee. Some area health departments charge $20 to give you the shot, even if you dont have insurance. Many federally qualified health centers, such as KC CARE, provide the shot for free to uninsured and underinsured patients. Uninsured and underinsured minors get the shot for free through a federal program known as Vaccines for Children. What variant is the latest vaccine targeting? The newly approved mRNA vaccines, from Moderna and Pfizer, target the KP.2 strain of the virus. KP.2 is one of the FLiRT variants, the highly contagious versions of COVID that fueled this summers surge. If I had COVID recently, how long should I wait to get the new COVID vaccine? Doctors said you can wait up to three months after an infection to get the new vaccine. Thats because you will develop immunity from having the virus. How long will the vaccine protect me? Steele said you can expect the shot to keep you from getting sick for about three months. The vaccine will protect you from getting seriously ill for at least six months. Older adults and patients with underlying health conditions may be advised to get a second shot midway through the year. If I get sick, when should I test? Test when you have symptoms, said Dr. Sarah Boyd, an infectious disease doctor at St. Lukes Health System. And dont assume youre COVID-free if one home antigen test shows a negative result. When a cough, sore throat or other symptoms persist, you should test a second time 48 hours later to rule out COVID. If I am exposed, when should I test? If you know youve been exposed and you dont have symptoms, you should test five days after exposure. Unless symptoms develop, you dont need to repeat the test, Boyd said. Where can I get COVID tests? Beginning in late September, you will be able to order four free tests from the federal government. Tests are available to buy at most drug stores or online, but that can cost $6 a test or more. No-cost testing is still available at some pharmacies for people without insurance who have been exposed to COVID or have symptoms. If the test is positive, do I need to stay home? The CDC recommends that if you test positive, you should avoid contact with others. Once your symptoms are improving and you have been fever-free for 24 hours, you can go back to school or work as long as youre not returning to a health care setting. But when you go back into the world, you should take precautions like wearing a mask for five additional days. Should I consider taking Paxlovid if I test positive? Its a good idea to check in with your doctor if you test positive, Boyd said. They may recommend that you take Paxlovid, an antiviral medication that can prevent serious illness. Testing and determining that you have COVID is especially important for people at higher risk because Paxlovid must be started within five days of getting sick. How can I reduce my risks of getting long COVID? The best strategy to avoid long COVID is to avoid being infected in the first place, experts said. Wear a mask in crowded places, practice good hand hygiene and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth when in public. Most importantly, stay up to date on the vaccine. Like the flu shot, updated COVID vaccines are tweaked to more closely match and repel the virus variants that are circulating. This article first appeared on Beacon: Kansas City and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. Sunk superyacht likely to cost insurers at least $150 million, experts say FILE PHOTO: Bayesian, a 56-meter-long sailboat, which later sank off the Sicilian capital Palermo, is seen in Santa Flavia By Noor Zainab Hussain and Carolyn Cohn LONDON (Reuters) - Insurers of the Bayesian superyacht that sank this month, killing tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and six others, could be on the hook for at least $150 million, according to the first estimates by industry experts. The British-flagged 56-metre-long (184-foot-long) yacht, which the experts estimated cost around $40 million, capsized and went down on Aug. 19 within minutes of being hit by a pre-dawn storm while anchored off northern Sicily. The superyacht's hull was insured against physical damage by yacht insurance provider OMAC and a consortium of insurers including Travelers Companies Inc, Navium Marine and Convex, Reuters reported last week. Its protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance, which typically covers third-party liability claims including for environmental damage, injury and death, was provided by British Marine. The hull was likely insured for around $40 million, while the P&I cover would be larger, insurance sources said. "Our understanding is that the cost of the boat was between $40 and $50 million, so the limit of the hull & machinery policy was probably around those values," said Marcos Alvarez, managing director, global financial institution ratings at Morningstar DBRS. The P&I policy would likely be "several multiples" of the hull policy, or $200-300 million, Alvarez added, noting it would also likely cover liability payments even if the captain or crew are found to be negligent. Prosecutors in the town of Termini Imerese, near Palermo, are investigating the captain and two other crew members. An investigation does not imply guilt or mean formal charges will follow. Prosecutors have said the probe would take time and require salvaging the wreck. Oscar Seikaly, CEO of broker NSI Insurance Group, that provides yacht insurance, estimated the hull value at $40-70 million, but said P&I cover might not total more than $100 million. P&I insurance would also cover recovery of the Bayesian, said Francesco Dubbioso, country manager for Italy for insurer Alta Signa Europe, who estimated the superyacht's value at $30 million to $40 million. Reuters is the first to report the potential insurance costs. OMAC, Travelers and Navium Marine did not immediately respond to Reuters' for comment. Convex declined to comment. The Bayesian disaster, which has puzzled experts who said the boat would have been built to withstand a severe storm, adds to recent woes for yacht insurers, who have faced a raft of hurricane losses in the past few years. Premium rates have risen by four to five times in the past couple of years in parts of the U.S. and the Caribbean, and yacht insurers have cut the amount of cover they provide because of the risks, Seikaly said. As a result, insurers have increased rates and re-evaluated their guidelines and risk appetite, according to industry experts. As well as hurricanes, insured losses have mostly stemmed from severe storms, floods, and other weather events in North America, the Caribbean, and Europe, according to a report by broker Marsh. Seikaly said four clients had last week been ready to buy boats but changed their minds because of the high cost of insurance. Climate change was also likely to add to yacht insurers' worries, Seikaly added, as it throws up more unexpected events. "Whoever thought a storm in the Mediterranean in the month of August is going to sink a ship?" (Additional reporting by Sinead Cruise; editing by Michelle Price and Sandra Maler) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) In a part of Albuquerque where its gotten harder to find fresh groceries, a newly opened food market is giving neighbors hope that things might be turning around. Story continues below Its nice to finally have a place like if you want fresh produce or need some medicine or anything like that. Youre able to get to. A lot of us, a lot of my friends dont have cars. It makes it to where youre still able to shop and get your daily needs, said Kyle Kamm. The new 505 Supermarket opened two weeks ago on San Mateo near Southern. The broader neighborhood has seen more closures than development. Last year, the Walmart and Walgreens near San Mateo and Central closed their doors, with many believing crime is to blame. Months later, the Sais Food Mart burned down leaving the community in a food desert and forcing those who lived nearby to find a store elsewhere. Hussein Nimer is the owner of the new 505 Supermarket. He said he wants to bring crucial services to the neighborhood. I grew up around here. I would say that its a struggling community right now. Not the community itself but the area. We just want to bring some life back into it and stay local, said Nimer. The new store is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and accepts SNAP and EBT cards. The owner said hes also making sure to put in security and cameras. Nimer added hes still working on filling the shelves and wants to hear more about what customers would like to see for sale. The old Walmart at San Mateo and Zuni has now been closed for over a year. No plans have been announced for the property. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Paris Hilton is emotional during a discussion of legislation to protect youths in residential treatment facilities in California. She is joined by state Sens. Aisha Wahab (D-Hayward), left, and Janet Nguyen (R-Huntington Beach). (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) California lawmakers on Wednesday passed bipartisan legislation to enact stricter public oversight on the use of seclusion or restraints on children and teenagers in residential treatment facilities, protections advocated by celebrity hotel heir Paris Hilton. Senate Bill 1043, called the Accountability in Childrens Treatment Act, written by Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), would require both public and private short-term therapeutic programs to publish every incident of seclusion or restraint used on minors, as well as any health or safety concerns. Policymakers nationwide have expressed concern about the historical use of these punishment tactics against youths, many of whom are in foster care, criticizing the lack of transparency about these incidents. The bill now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his consideration. Read more: Paris Hilton testifying today in Sacramento for bill aimed at troubled teen industry The act will promote the highest level of transparency when it comes to using restraints or seclusion rooms on youth in short-term residential therapeutic programs," Grove said in a statement. California used to send foster youths with serious behavior problems to out-of-state treatment programs, but after numerous reports of abuse, state lawmakers in 2021 banned those placements. Since then, California has created Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs, but the use of seclusion rooms and restraints on minors still occurs. Grove found that youths routinely experience these tactics, but foster parents and guardians rarely learn about them happening. Under the bill, the California Department of Social Services would be required to publish data on its website about every incident in which seclusion or restraint is used, searchable by anyone. It's up to the department how to display the information to the public, according to Grove's office. The parent, foster parent, guardian or tribal representative of a child subjected to this punishment also would be notified. The bill was supported by legislators on both sides of the aisle and earned support from Hilton, who visited Sacramento in April to testify at a Senate committee. As a teenager, Hilton, who is now 43, was taken to a youth educational facility where she said she endured mental and physical abuse, including being held in restraint and seclusion rooms, an experience that has been likened to solitary confinement. Grove agreed to amendments made in the Assembly Human Services Committee that would require an investigation every time an incident is reported, but after fiscal analysts found it would be too costly, those amendments were taken out. Now, an investigation into a facility would take place only if the safety of a child is at risk or if there was any misuse of such disciplinary tactics. Read more: Paris Hilton came to talk about 'abuse disguised as therapy.' We both teared up Hilton's visit to the state Capitol was just one of many cameos she's made over the years at statehouses across the country where she has served as an advocate for victims of what has been dubbed "the troubled teen industry." Hilton issued a statement calling on Newsom to sign the legislation. For too long," she said, "these facilities have operated without adequate oversight, leaving vulnerable youth at risk." 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 Supreme Court ignored 80 years of precedent and its own rules, initiative backers argue Photo via Getty Images The political committee behind a ballot proposition to end partisan primaries is asking the Arizona Supreme Court to reconsider its order last week that allowed a challenge to the initiatives place on the ballot to move forward, even after counties have begun printing ballots, calling the courts action unprecedented and contrary to more than 80 years of case law. At issue is determining whether some 40,000 signatures gathered for Proposition 140, the Make Elections Fair Act, that were already deemed valid are actually duplicates, which would jeopardize the measures place on the ballot. A trial court judge had earlier ruled against the signature challenge, determining that Prop. 140 had about 32,000 petition signatures more than needed. But the Supreme Court on Aug. 22 said the lower court judge improperly refused to consider the evidence plaintiffs said proved there were tens of thousands of duplicate signatures, and told the judge he needed to reopen the case and examine that evidence to determine whether Prop. 140 has the signatures required to go before voters in November. Attorneys representing Make Elections Fair, the political committee behind gathering the signatures, filed a motion on Aug. 28 telling the Supreme Court that it stepped outside its own precedent and court rules and could end up disenfranchising Arizona voters. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In its previous ruling that sent the issue back to a trial court, the Supreme Court said that, if the signatures are ultimately invalidated, then any votes cast for Prop. 140 will not be counted. The ballot measure would amend the Arizona Constitution to create an open primary system where all candidates for federal, state and local offices would face off in a single primary election instead of segregated partisan elections. Those primaries would also include candidates who are politically unaffiliated. The proposal would allow all registered voters to choose from all the candidates in the primary, and the top vote-getters would advance to the general election, even if they dont represent different parties. One of the key arguments made by the committees attorneys is that counties across the state have hit their deadline of when ballots have to be finalized in order to be printed for early ballots, overseas ballots and the general election. Ballots for military members and voters overseas start being sent out in Maricopa by September 21 and early ballots begin to be sent out by October 9. By requiring this litigation to continue beyond the start of the ballot printing process, the Order breaks with eight decades of precedent that petition challenges must end before ballot printing begins, the attorneys wrote. The committee argues that, in previous challenges before the court, it was determined that challenges had to be resolved prior to the ballot printing deadline and the order creates a risky path. It allows Plaintiffs signature challenge to continue after the counties have begun the process of printing ballots that will include the Initiative, the attorneys wrote. As a result, the Order invites and indeed contemplates the risk that Arizona voters will vote for the Initiative and later have their votes thrown out. And its exactly this disenfranchisement that the court has previously tried to avoid in other cases by making a final determination prior to the ballot deadline. In their request for the Supreme Court to reconsider its action, attorneys for the committee wrote that the justices are upending procedures, rules and case law that will affect far more than Prop. 140. The Order also creates a playbook for future initiative opponents to follow, they wrote. This embedded content is not available in your region. In the courts order last week, Chief Justice Ann Scott Timmer dismissed those concerns. We also recognize the desire for certainty. But the courts role is to dispense justice. Courts cannot be forced to rule rashly to meet a ballot printing deadline or provide the parties with certainty, Timmer wrote in the order. Theres little doubt that the case will end up back in front of the Supreme Court after the trial court evaluates the allegedly duplicate signatures. If the ultimate ruling is that the Make Arizona Elections Fair Act didnt get enough signatures, then the court will issue an injunction disallowing any votes for the measure to be counted. If the court rejects Plaintiffs challenge, the voters will decide whether the Initiative should be enacted into law. If the court disqualifies the Initiative, the court should issue an injunction precluding any votes for the measure from being counted, Timmer wrote. After an emergency hearing last week, the trial court case wont resume until Sept. 3. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE In the wake of the Supreme Court's stunning decision on presidential immunity, legal experts had a variety of predictions of what would happen next in special counsel Jack Smith's federal election interference case. But once Smith's office advised Washington, D.C., federal judge Tanya Chutkan earlier this month that it needed more time to "assess the new precedent ... including through consultation with other Department of Justice components," I realized one reason Smith could need more time was to supersede, or replace, his own indictment to resolve the Supreme Court's clearest concerns. And on Tuesday, Smith did exactly that. Others including my colleagues Jordan Rubin and Hayes Brown have written about the changes in the new indictment, both big and small, and what's likely to happen next in the litigation. But assuming the stripped-down indictment can survive both judicial review and November's election (if Trump wins, we can assume his Department of Justice will put an end to his federal criminal cases), what really interests me is Smith's removal from the indictment of multiple alleged conversations between Trump and executive branch officials and how those deletions have complicated his case at trial. Most damning evidence removed The charges against Trump all four of which remain necessitate showing not only that Trump falsely claimed there was outcome-determinative fraud in the 2020 presidential election and that he had won, but that he knew these claims were false at the time he made them and conspired to change the election outcome. The original indictment alleged that the sources of Trump's knowledge included senior Department of Justice leaders, including then-Attorney General Bill Barr and his successor, then-acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, as well as senior White House lawyers, namely then-White House counsel Pat Cipollone and his deputy Pat Philbin. That document quotes Philbin as having told Trump, "[T]here is no world, there is no option in which you do not leave the White House [o]n January 20th." In the new indictment, however, Smith has eliminated any and all references to conversations in which DOJ leaders, White House staff, and agencies within the intelligence community allegedly informed Trump that one or more claims about voter fraud were unproven and/or false or simply that he had lost the election period. It's no secret why Smith did this. Under the Supreme Court's immunity decision last month, Trump's communications with executive branch aides are either part of his core constitutional powers, as the court held with respect to his interactions with DOJ leaders, or at the very least, within the outer perimeter of his official duties so that they are presumably immune both from prosecution and as evidence even as to his unofficial conduct. But now, the case won't include some of what seemed to be the most damning proof that Trump knew he lost. The conversations through which Barr, Rosen and Rosen's then-acting deputy, Rich Donoghue, disabused Trump of his false claim that votes cast through voting machines had been "switched" from him to Biden in multiple, contested states? Gone. The time Barr also told Trump there was no evidence of a "suspicious vote dump" in Detroit? Gone. How about when Rosen and Donoghue separately told Trump that the claim there had been 200,000-plus more votes than voters in Pennsylvania was also untrue? Cut. Or what of Trump telling then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley in early January 2021 that "its too late for us" to take action on an "overseas national security issue" and they should "give that to the next guy?" Nowhere to be found. Then-Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe's assuring Trump that there was no outcome-determinative foreign interference in the election? Like it never happened. Can this new indictment survive? The superseding indictment is a reflection of a weird, dual reality for Smith and his team: In order to save their case, they also had to jettison some of their best proof. The question now is whether what's left is powerful enough to prevail. My guess is yes, in part because some of the most important witnesses are still important in GOP politics and therefore, all the more credible if they tell the truth. Indeed, without testimony from official Trump World, those who directly communicated with Trump about his failure to win come from two camps: state officials who refused to do his bidding and his own campaign staff. (The Supreme Courts opinion suggests Trumps discussions with both state officials and his campaign staff constitute unofficial, personal acts that do not qualify for immunity.) Consider, for example, two events that the new indictment alleges went down on Dec. 8, 2020. First, the indictment notes that a "Senior Campaign Advisor who spoke with the Defendant on a daily basis and had informed him on multiple occasions that various fraud claims were untrue," dismissively described those fraud claims in an email as "just conspiracy shit beamed down from the mothership" that unsurprisingly had resulted in more than 30 court losses to date. Those details are hardly new, but they could carry even greater weight going forward given their source: once and current Trump adviser Jason Miller, who is perhaps even more prominent within the inner circle today than he was in 2020. The new indictment also alleges that Trump called Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and asked him to join the so-called "original jurisdiction" lawsuit that Texas had filed in the Supreme Court. But Carr declined, telling Trump, according to the indictment, "that officials had investigated various claims of election fraud in the state and were not seeing evidence to support them." And Carr, who defeated a Trump-endorsed opponent to win re-election in 2022, remains unbowed, at least so far, refusing to reopen an investigation of the 2020 election in Georgia's Fulton County despite a directive from the Georgia Election Board. I can't imagine Miller or Carr would necessarily welcome testifying in a Trump trial. But I also can't envision the Supreme Court ruling their testimony is ultimately off-limits under the contours of the immunity decision. The special counsel and those weighing in at the Justice Department understand this. And even as they recover from their Supreme Court loss, they are playing the long game. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com How a survey of women in the 1920s changed the way Americans think about sexuality In the 1920s, many women became more comfortable in their skin. But the facts of life remained in short supply. George Grantham Bain Collection/Library of Congress In the 1920s, many women became more comfortable in their skin. But the facts of life remained in short supply. (George Grantham Bain Collection/Library of Congress) American women still have fewer orgasms than men, according to new research that suggests that decades after the sexual revolution, the orgasm gap is still very much in effect. One of the studys lead authors at the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction told The New York Times that the gap persists because many Americans continue to prioritize mens pleasure and undervalue womens sexual pleasure. As my research shows, these attitudes toward sexual pleasure have a long history. But so do efforts to push back against them. Almost a century ago, a pioneering American sex researcher named Katharine Bement Davis challenged the prevailing view that respectable women did not and should not experience sexual desire or have sex, except to please men or to have children. Daviss 1929 book, Factors in the Sex Life of Twenty-Two Hundred Women, completely upended this thinking. By surveying everyday American women, she was able to show that it was completely normal for American women to have sex for the sake of pleasure. An unlikely advocate for sexual liberation Davis spent the first half of her career policing womens sexuality, not promoting it. In 1901, after earning her Ph.D. at the University of Chicago, Davis became superintendent of the New York State Reformatory for Women at Bedford Hills. While there, she studied the women in her care. Most female convicts, she concluded, were immoral women. Davis efforts to enforce sexual morality drew the attention of philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. In 1917, he invited her to lead his private agency, the Bureau of Social Hygiene, founded to study and combat prostitution and venereal disease. During World War I, Davis promoted sex education to curb sexually transmitted infections among soldiers and civilians. Through this work, she became convinced that sexual ignorance not sexual immorality posed the greatest danger to womens welfare. Davis had long criticized the sexual double standard, which condoned mens sexual experimentation but condemned womens sexual experience. Now, she also recognized that this double standard promoted womens chastity at the expense of knowledge. She complained that discussions of womens sexuality were taboo, which resulted in distorted views, baffled speculation, and unfortunate experiences. Tackling a taboo topic Katharine Bement Davis (Library of Congress) Insisting that Americans needed accurate information to achieve a sane outlook on all matters pertaining to sex, Davis made it her mission to teach women about sex. But first, she needed to learn about womens actual sexual experiences. Davis decided to undertake a large-scale study of what she called the sex life of normal women. Davis approach was a dramatic departure from existing studies of abnormal sexuality focused on institutionalized populations. Except on the pathological side, she remarked, sex is scientifically an unexplored country. By contrast, Davis explained, she wanted to understand the woman who was not pathological mentally or physically. To that end, Davis distributed a detailed questionnaire to what she called women of good standing in the community from 1921 to 1923. The resulting study sample of 1,000 married women and 1,200 unmarried women was not representative it skewed white, well-educated and well-to-do. But their responses allowed Davis to redefine female sexuality. Americas first sexual revolution Davis launched her study of womens sexuality during what historians now refer to as Americas first sexual revolution. The second and more well-known one would take place in the 1960s. In the 1920s, as one commentator noted, a revolution in manners and morals was underway. Sex suffused popular culture. Contestants in beauty pageants displayed their charms in skimpy bathing costumes and short skirts. Actresses flaunted their sex appeal on stage and screen. New attitudes about sex affected the daily lives of average Americans, too. Young women throughout the nation adopted the sexy look of flappers, the term used for women who sported short skirts, rolled stockings and bobbed hair. Prior to the 1920s, courtship often took place in the home, allowing parents to closely supervise couples. But the ubiquitous automobile which one juvenile court judge had dubbed a house of prostitution on wheels rendered adult chaperonage obsolete and granted young people unprecedented sexual freedom. Meanwhile, birth control activists like Margaret Sanger and Mary Ware Dennett distributed contraceptive devices and disseminated sexual information in defiance of the Comstock Act of 1873, which had defined birth control and sex education as obscene and made circulating such materials a federal crime. Sex, secrecy and shame Even amid the nations first sexual revolution, the facts of life remained in short supply. According to surveys Davis distributed to married women, only about half of the respondents believed that they had been adequately prepared for the sex side of marriage. After expanding her study to include unmarried women, Davis found that fewer than one-third of all participants received sex education from their parents. Many women didnt know how pregnancy occurred. Some had been unprepared even for menstruation. One recalled that when she experienced her first period, I naturally thought I was bleeding to death. In place of information, many women imbibed shame. Having acquired the feeling as a small child that any sex pleasure was shameful and a great sin, as one respondent put it, some could never overcome their discomfort with sex. Another woman regarded all sexual thoughts as something to be shunned like the devil. One response succinctly summarized the problem: Our present secrecy, fear, and repression are responsible for most of our sex ills. Challenging the conspiracy of silence Many women were eager to challenge what one called a conspiracy of silence surrounding female sexuality. Study participants ended up providing Davis with over 10,000 pages of handwritten responses. She used this information to produce the nations first major study of womens sexuality, a 400-plus page book brimming with both statistical data and personal stories. Factors in the Sex Life of Twenty-Two Hundred Women covered a wide range of topics, ranging from sex education to sex play. Running throughout the entire work, however, was one central idea: Women liked sex. Davis included data on birth control, same-sex relationships and masturbation. At the time, these practices were universally stigmatized and often criminalized. Yet significant proportions of study participants engaged in all these activities. Nearly three-quarters of married respondents reported using contraceptives. Many probably took advantage of state laws allowing physicians to prescribe diaphragms to protect patients health. Surprisingly, nearly 1 in 10 women admitted having abortions, even though the procedure was illegal in every state. More than half of unmarried women and nearly one-third of married women stated that they had experienced intense emotional relationships with other women. In each group, approximately half described those relationships as sexual. This was a remarkably high figure, given prevailing views of homosexuality as sexual deviance and state laws criminalizing homosexual acts. Nearly 65% of unmarried women and more than 40% of married women reported masturbating. Since nearly all physicians and pastors condemned the practice, Davis assumed the actual numbers were even higher. Davis data demonstrated that normal women experienced what one called natural sex feeling. In short, her study showed that many women enjoyed sex for its own sake. Davis believed that reliable data would lead to more satisfactory adjustments of the sex relationship. In other words, better information would lead to better sex. Davis paved the way for future studies that validate womens sexual pleasure. While researching female sexuality, she established the National Research Councils Committee for Research on the Problems of Sex. The Rockefeller-funded committee later subsidized Alfred Kinseys studies of human sexuality. Davis legacy lives on. The findings from the Kinsey Institutes latest study show that discussing sexual pleasure still matters, particularly for women. It also suggests that Americans understandings of sex have improved over the past century. When Davis conducted her study in the 1920s, she found it advisable to define orgasm for participants who were unclear on the concept. Now, a generation of better-informed Americans ponder how to address a persistent orgasm gap. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This is an adapted excerpt from the Aug. 28 episode of "Morning Joe." Sen. JD Vance of Ohio is making headlines yet again after another one of his rants about childless women resurfaced. This time, Donald Trumps running mate turned his ire to educators attacking Randi Weingarten, the head of the American Federation of Teachers, during a Center for Christian Virtue leadership forum in 2021: So many of the leaders of the left and I hate to be so personal about this but theyre people without kids trying to brainwash the minds of our children and that really disorients me and it really concerns me. Randi Weingarten, whos the head of the most powerful teachers union in the country, she doesnt have a single child. If she wants to brainwash and destroy the minds of children, she should have some of her own and leave ours the hell alone. Let me just say, as a person who has not birthed a child from my own womb, I take grave offense to these comments. I dont know what children Vance himself has birthed its my understanding that it was his wife who had the children but it seems the senator just cant help himself from opening his mouth and disparaging large swaths of the American public. Most Americans probably dont agree with the idea that if you dont have children, you dont have a stake in this countrys future. Obviously, this isnt the first time Vance has attacked women without biological children and every time another one of these rants is unearthed, further damage is done to the Trump-Vance ticket. This all goes back to the importance of vetting in a presidential campaign. I recently spoke to former Attorney General Eric Holder, who ran the vetting process for the Harris-Walz campaign. During that conversation, I asked him if he was sure his team got everything and that no stone was left unturned. Holder told me he combed through the internet and watched hours of videos of the top contenders. So, I just have to wonder: What was the vetting process like for Vance? Because this is simply insane. Join Symone Sanders-Townsend, Rachel Maddow and many others on Saturday, Sept. 7, in Brooklyn, New York, for MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024, a first-of-its-kind live event. Youll get to see your favorite hosts in person and hear thought-provoking conversations about what matters most in the final weeks of an unprecedented election cycle. Buy tickets here. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com SYRCUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Syracuse University took time out of the first week of school on Wednesday, August 28, for an impressive occasion. They marked the 60th anniversary of one of SUs best-known programs, the Newhouse School of Public Communications. Among those in the crowd, one of our Newhouse grads, Tim Fox. It all started in the late 50s when SU Chancellor William Tolley posed a question to the owner of the Syracuse Herald-Journal, newspaper icon Samuel Newhouse. S.I., you have said on a number of occasions that when you die, you have provided funds in your will for a school of journalism at Syracuse. Why wait until you die? said Donald Newhouse. Within a half-hour, Newhouse agreed to fund a new home for SUs School of Journalism. And President Lyndon Baines Johnson came to campus August 5, 1964, to dedicate what was to become the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, now a three-building complex known around the world as a leading training ground for journalists. I think my grandfather was very focused on the students. He wanted it to be a place where really outstanding students could learn and help create the media of the future, said Steven Newhouse, the grandson of Samuel Newhouse. S.I.s original $15 million check was just the start of 60 years of support from the media family, which was honored by the surprise renaming of the patio between the schools three buildings as the Newhouse Family Plaza. Their support has also encouraged others to invest in the Newhouse School because they see that this is an investment thats worthwhile. Its helped seeding the future generations of community, so their continuing involvement is critically important to us, Mark Lodato, the dean of the Newhouse School. It was a great way to start a new school year for the newest of the tens of thousands of professionals around the globe who call themselves Newhouse grads. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. 'Systems are there, what is lacking is final go' Kuleba urges partners not to delay Patriot deliveries Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Aug. 29 urged foreign patners not to delay and provide Ukraine with the promised Patriot air defense systems. "Good progress has been made, and announcements were made, but again, some Patriot systems were announced and not delivered yet," Kuleba told journalists ahead of an EU ministerial meeting in Brussels. Ukraine has received at least three Patriot systems from Germany and one from the U.S. Other countries, like the Netherlands and Spain, delivered individual launchers or missiles. The U.S., Romania, and the Netherlands pledged in June to deliver one additional system each, but no announcement on their arrival has been made so far. "Some complain (about) bureaucracy... some argue that there are delicate internal moments in their politics," Kuleba said. "We pay for all these delays with damage and the loss of lives." The pledged batteries "are there, they are ready for delivery. What is lacking is just the final go, the green light to do it," Kuleba stressed. The highly advanced Patriot systems have played a crucial role in protecting the Ukrainian sky. They are capable of downing even the most advanced ballistic missiles, such as Kinzhals. The Patriots are not the only Western systems comprising Ukraine's sky shield. Kyiv has also received IRIS-T, NASAMS, Hawk, and SAMP/T systems. Italy has promised to deliver a second SAMP/T system in addition to the one already provided jointly by Paris and Rome, and Berlin pledged to transfer four more IRIS-T systems of various ranges within 2024. During the NATO summit in Washington in July, the allies pledged to deliver "dozens" of air defense systems in the coming months. Faster air defense deliveries are ever more crucial now as Russia launched its largest aerial attack against Ukraine throughout the full-scale war on Aug. 26. Read also: The goal should be strategic defeat of Russia Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A bill before the California Legislature would allow murderous felons those serving life without parole to petition for early release if they have been in prison for at least 25 years. As a proud representative in the Sacramento region, I am deeply alarmed by this extreme example of dangerous legislation. Senate Bill 94, authored by Dave Cortese, D-San Jose, not only endangers the public but also degrades essential principles of justice. Granting early release to individuals sentenced to life without parole is terrible policy making. These sentences are meant to reflect the severity of a persons crimes, the permanent harm they inflicted and the danger they continue to pose. Statistics from the California Department of Justice clearly show that age does not cure crime. In fact, over the last 10 years, homicide arrestees over 40 have increased by nearly 30%. Opinion This bill ignores these facts and threatens to release some of the worst criminals imaginable: an individual who killed off-road racer Mickey Thompson and his wife over losing a court battle, an individual who lit a house on fire with his wife and children inside and two brothers who shot their parents over sixteen times with a shotgun. Some of these dangerous felons took life sentences in prison as part of a plea deal to avoid the death penalty. These criminals should not be released back into society. SB 94 is being pushed forward this year despite the significant public opposition it faced last year when it was placed on what is known as the inactive file. But on August 13, Democrats began hearing the measure in the Senate. This is a clear sign of Sacramento legislators disconnect from the values and concerns of ordinary Californians. This bill is the latest attack on public safety by politicians. Im committed to standing against this kind of extremism that is out of touch with anyone working or living outside a one-block radius around the states capitol. Concerns about SB 94 are not just about one bill, its part of a broader pattern of radical policies that are advanced without regard for their impact on public safety and justice. You may have heard or read about SB 94, but there are dozens of dangerous proposals introduced every year that dont get the same hype or coverage. Whatever happened to the notion of accountability? Opposition to SB 94 is rooted in a commitment to protecting our community and upholding the integrity of our justice system. California should oppose policies that strip victims of closure, rip safety away from our communities and degrade the principles that justice stands on. We must be vigilant against attempts to undermine our justice system and stand firm in our commitment to fair and just sentencing to protect our communities. Lets continue to fight against policies that jeopardize justice while supporting common-sense public safety policies that protect victims and hold criminals accountable. Our communities deserve a justice system that reflects our shared values and priorities not one driven by radical shifts that disregard the seriousness of crime. Asm. Joe Patterson represents Californias 5th Assembly District. He formerly served as the mayor of Rocklin. AT&T workers brave the heat in day 13 of strike over contract negotiations AT&T workers brave the heat in day 13 of strike over contract negotiations CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) AT&T workers in Charlotte rallied in the blazing heat as their strike entered the 13th day. Members of the Communications Workers of America Union say its over the companys failure to bargain in good faith over a new union contract. They say the negotiators have been working on a new contract since June. Its important to be out here because we cant allow AT&T to continue their bad faith tactics at the bargaining table. At the end of the day we just want a fair contract. And the sooner that they bargain in good faith, the sooner we can make that happen, Eddie Maresca told Queen City News. More than 17,000 AT&T employees across nine states have been on strike since mid-August. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Abby DuBord, left, a Bismarck teacher, speaks next to Sherry Tandeski, principal of St. John Elementary, during a meeting of the North Dakota Teacher Retention and Recruitment Task Force on Aug. 28, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) Reducing barriers for on-site child care, funding a mentorship program for new teachers and maximizing benefits are among recommendations adopted Wednesday by a group working to address North Dakotas teacher shortage. The work of the Teacher Retention and Recruitment Task Force will be forwarded to Gov. Doug Burgum, who will present a state budget recommendation ahead of the 2025 legislative session. A lot of our heavy-hitting problems were addressed and now its up to the governor and legislative session to see where we go from here, said Abby DuBord, a 2023 North Dakota Teacher of the Year finalist from Bismarck. During the groups final meeting on Wednesday, the task force approved nine recommendations to combat the states teacher workforce issues. Seven of the measures received unanimous support from the group made up of teachers, administrators, school board, education associations, lawmakers, a representative from the governors office and Superintendent Kirsten Baesler. One proposal is to annually survey school employees to understand their job satisfaction. Another recommendation relates to providing a safe and supportive environment for educators and learners in every building. During previous work sessions, teachers emphasized the need for more mental health and social work resources in schools to address the needs of students. DuBord, one of the task force members, said it can be overwhelming trying to solve all the problems in a career field, but she thinks the final recommendations will begin to address concerns of educators. There is always work to do, but I do feel like teachers voices were represented here, DuBord said. She also said she believes the recommendations will help elevate the profession and inspire new educators. She highlighted recommendations focused on increasing teacher leadership opportunities, supporting new teachers through continued mentorship during the first years in their career and better collaboration with organizations and other agencies are all things that will elevate the profession. The task force met six times and divided its recommendations into three categories: working environment, professional value, and support and flexible funding. The task force also recommended the Legislature study the effects of grouping the health insurance of teachers into a statewide pool for potential cost savings that could then be used for potential wage increases. Members also want to study teacher compensation structures to maximize their lifetime earnings and give them higher salary levels earlier in their careers. It is a little nerve-racking as a teacher when you hear things might change, but I do think one of the best things we can do is to look into options, DuBord said. These are studies and options to pursue and to get information on, but nothing has been recommended to go in that direction, officially. Baesler said the variety of stakeholders had open discussions and focused on finding a solutions-oriented approach. We are done admiring the problem and now were able to focus on solutions, Baesler said. Obviously, the nearly unanimous vote on all of the issues really demonstrates that the process of conversation and the work that was done since the task force convened was productive. Nick Archuleta, president of North Dakota United, which represents teachers and public employees in the state, said the recommendations from the task force are important steps, but hes looking forward to seeing how Burgum prioritizes those points into his state budget. One of the things that I think is going to be interesting is when they start talking about changing how teachers are compensated, Archuleta said. That is really going to be an eye-opener and I think we want to make sure as they go forward that we dont see any teacher going backward. The Hunt Institute, which helped facilitate the meetings, will compile the task forces official report for Burgum by Sept. 30. Burgum also directed the task force to identify partners in the Legislature to sponsor legislation in the 2025 session. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Taylor Swift terror attack suspects planned to kill 'a huge number' of fans, CIA official says The suspects who plotted an attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna earlier this month planned to kill "a huge number" of people, according to a CIA official. CIA Deputy Director David Cohen spoke about the foiled terror attack at the Intelligence and National Security Summit in Bethesda, Maryland, on Wednesday. "They were plotting to kill a huge number -- tens of thousands of people at this concert, including I am sure many Americans -- and were quite advanced in this," Cohen said at the summit. "The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our partners in the intelligence community provided them information about what this ISIS-connected group was planning to do." "As a result, hundreds of lives, undoubtedly, were saved," he added. PHOTO: A general view of the heightened security outside Wembley Stadium in north west London, ahead of Taylor Swift's latest Eras Tour concert the venue, on Aug. 15, 2024. (Lucy North/PA Images via Getty Images, FILE) MORE: Taylor Swift concert terror plot suspect sought to kill self and 'as many people as possible,' officials say Three suspects -- ages 17, 18 and 19 -- have been arrested in connection with the plot. Intelligence officials said they were inspired by the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda, and that bomb-making materials were found in the 19-year-old Austrian citizen's home. Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, head of Austria's Directorate of State Security and Intelligence, previously said the 19-year-old confessed to the plot under interrogation. The suspect was "clearly radicalized in the direction of the Islamic State" and allegedly intended to kill himself and "as many people as possible" outside the concert venue using knives and homemade explosives, Haijawi-Pirchner said at a news conference shortly after the arrest. PHOTO: Taylor Swift performs onstage at Wembley Stadium on August 16, 2024 in London. (Tas2024/Getty Images, FILE) Following the arrests, Swift canceled three sold-out concerts in Vienna, which more than 150,000 fans were expected to attend. In an Instagram post after the canceled Eras Tour shows, Swift said it was "devastating" having to call off the Vienna tour dates. "The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows," Swift wrote MORE: Taylor Swift addresses foiled Vienna terror plot for 1st time Swift thanked authorities for their work stopping the alleged attack. "Thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives," she wrote. Swift wrapped up her European leg of the tour with several shows in London, amid increased security, earlier this month Taylor Swift terror attack suspects planned to kill 'a huge number' of fans, CIA official says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Taylorsville man allegedly shoots at friend during argument over who will drive MIDVALE, Utah (ABC4) A 21-year-old Taylorsville man is facing federal charges for multiple violent crimes after he allegedly fired a gun toward one of his friends during a heated argument about who would drive a car. According to court documents, Maxwell Archibald was with two friends at a Midvale gas station near 7300 South and Union Park Avenue when the argument started. The victim told investigators Archibald wanted to drive the car that belonged to their friend, however, their friend wanted to drive their own car. Archibald allegedly became increasingly upset which escalated into a physical altercation between him and the victim when the victim intervened. Archibald brandished a firearm and attempted to fire at [the victim.] [The victim] was able to push the firearm away just before it was discharged, causing Archibald to miss, charging documents state. 13-year-old found padlocked in makeshift cell in Kearns home, 2 arrested The victim told police Archibald fired at him again, shooting him in the arm. Both the victim and the other friend then fled the car, which Archibald took and drove away. Officers with the Unified Police Department responded to the scene and the owner of the car reported his vehicle stolen. Law enforcement later found Archibald and a short police chase ensued which ended after Archibald reportedly crashed the car. After a foot chase and a short struggle, Archibald was then taken into custody. Police say they recovered a firearm that matched the one used against his friends. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Utah, Archibald has been charged with carjacking and carrying, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 5. U.S. Attorney Trina Higgins said the case continues to be investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. UPDATE: Woman found safe after being reported missing in Tazewell County UPDATE: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 @ 10:47 a.m. | TAZEWELL COUNTY, VA (WVNS) According to the Tazewell County Sheriffs Office, 36-year-old Timber McCowan was found safe. TAZEWELL COUNTY, VA (WVNS) The Tazewell County Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics help in locating a missing woman. According to a post on the Tazewell County Sheriffs Office Facebook page, members of the Tazewell County Sheriffs Office are looking for 36-year-old Timber McCowan, of Richlands, Virginia, and are worried about her safety. The Tazewell County Sheriffs Office stated that McCowan has brown hair, brown eyes, is five feet five inches tall, and weighs around 120 to 130 pounds. According to the Tazewell County Sheriffs Office, McCowan was last seen in the Town of Tazewell area. The Tazewell County Sheriffs Office stated that anyone with information about McCowans location can contact Captain Neil Turley at the Tazewell County Sheriffs Office at 276-988-0902 or message the Tazewell County Sheriffs Offices Facebook page. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. TBI: Former Middle Tennessee jail supervisor indicted, accused of having sex with inmate A former Dickson County Jail corrections supervisor is facing several felony charges after a recent investigation found he allegedly had sex with an inmate last year. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation special agents started looking into Calvin Wayne Lewis at the request of 23rd Judicial District Attorney General Ray Crouch, according to a release. During the course of their investigation, agents determined that Lewis, 41, had sexual contact with a Dickson County Jail inmate on Nov. 1, 2023, while he was working at the jail as a supervisor. No other details about the alleged encounter between Lewis and the inmate were released. A Dickson County Grand Jury returned indictments against Lewis on Aug. 22. He's been charged with three counts of sexual contact with an inmate, the release said. Lewis was arrested and booked into the Dickson County Jail on $25,000 bond. He's scheduled to appear in Dickson County Circuit Court to face the charges at 9 a.m. on Sept. 9. Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee jail supervisor indicted, accused of having sex with inmate The American Federation of Teachers President shot back at Senator JD Vance for his unearthed comments about educators in which he mentioned her by name. Vance called out AFT President Randi Weingarten in an unearthed 2021 interview and said that teachers who dont have biological children really disorients and really disturbs him. [S]he doesnt have a single child, Vance said of Weingarten. If she wants to brainwash and destroy the minds of children, she should have some of her own and leave ours the hell alone. Weingarten is now hitting back at the Ohio senator and GOP candidate for vice president. If it wasnt so insulting, and if we didnt have such a divided country, where people take seriously what he or Donald Trump say, it would be ridiculous, Weingarten told MSNBC on Wednesday. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, shot back at JD Vances unearthed comments about her in 2021 (AFP via Getty Images) Whether its Catholicism, or Judaism, or any of the religions or not that many of us believe in, teaching children is one of the most important things we can do, regardless of whether we are parents or not, the New York City educator and labor leader added. Weingarten also told MSNBC that her wife has two children she considers her own. Its nonsensical, but what it does in this age of disinformation and misinformation, it just makes the job of teaching and learning the connection between parents and teachers and kids it makes it harder, Weingarten said. And thats why its gross. Vances unearthed comments about educators come amid a long string of sexist comments about women and their children. In a resurfaced interview from 2021, Vance said the US was run ba bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that theyve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too. Look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC, the entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children, Vance continued. How does it make any sense weve turned our country over to people who dont really have a direct stake in it? The Ohio senator has also argued that those without children should pay higher taxes and that parents should have more votes in elections. Vance has since tried to walk back his cat lady comments, arguing that Democrats have willfully misinterpreted the remarks. MSNBC American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten called JD Vance nonsensical and insulting in light of his recently unearthed 2021 comments in which he mentioned Weingarten by name and claimed that having teachers without biological children really disorients and really disturbs him. If it wasnt so insulting, and if we didnt have such a divided country, where people take seriously what he or Donald Trump say, it would be ridiculous, Weingarten told Jen Psaki Wednesday on MSNBCs Deadline White House. Whether its Catholicism, or Judaism, or any of the religions or not that many of us believe in, teaching children is one of the most important things we can do, regardless of whether we are parents or not, she continued, before mentioning her wifes two children I consider them my kids now. And its wonderful to have a big family with lots of nieces and nephews, she said. Weingarten explained further that somebody doesnt have to be a parent to be a great teacher. In fact, so many teachers in America, so many nuns in parochial schools are fantastic teachers who teach compassion and caring and critical thinking and context, she said. Its nonsensical, but what it does in this age of disinformation and misinformation, it just makes the job of teaching and learningthe connection between parents and teachers and kidsit makes it harder. And thats why its gross. NEW VANCE AUDIO: During a Center for Christian Virtue forum in 2021, JD Vance attacked American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten for "brainwashing" children while not having children of her own: "So many of the leaders of the left, and I hate to be so personal pic.twitter.com/g7fXb1ReZV Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) August 27, 2024 In the audio, uncovered by the publication Heartland Signal this week, Vance accused people without kids of trying to brainwash the minds of our children. Weingarten, he said, doesnt have a single child. If she wants to brainwash and destroy the minds of children, she should have some of her own and leave ours the hell alone. Donald Trumps running mate has made other high-profile comments denigrating Americans without children. Also in 2021, unearthed audio revealed that Vance called Democrats childless cat ladies, and suggested that parents should be granted extra votes for however many children they have. People without children, he argued, have no physical commitment to the future of this country. 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. Trump campaign adviser Chris LaCivita has decided to take the team on a death spiral against Americas military, calling the office of the Army secretary a bunch of hacks. Reposting this hoping to trigger the hacks at @SecArmy, LaCivita wrote Thursday afternoon, resharing a campaign video of Donald Trump at Arlington National Cemetery earlier this week. Screenshot of a tweet Trumps decision Tuesday to film at the military graveyardand in Section 60, where recent military casualties are buriedviolated federal law, which prohibits politically related activities in the cemetery such as taking photos and videos in support of a political campaign. The criminal behavior reportedly sparked a verbal and physical fight between Trumps surrogates and an Arlington National Cemetery official who attempted to rein in the campaigns videotaping. In a rare statement, the Army sided with the cemetery official on Thursday morning, writing that the military organization believed the official had been abruptly pushed aside and unfairly attacked by Trump staffers. Participants in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent Section 60 visit were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside, an Army spokesperson said. This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked, they continued. ANC is a national shrine to the honored dead of the Armed Forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nations fallen deserve. The Trump campaign claimed that they had been given permission to videotape by the families of fallen service members, but unfortunately for Trump, that doesnt change federal law. LaCivitas words are unlikely to help Trumps efforts to attract more veterans to his side. The Republican presidential nominees anti-military rhetoric has been a point of contention with current and former service members in recent weeks. Earlier this month, the reputed Vietnam-era draft dodger came under fire for arguing that the Presidential Medal of Freedom he awarded to one of his billionaire donors was much better than the nations highest military honor, the Medal of Honor. That comment struck a nerve with veterans, who connected Trumps disrespectful rhetoric to a 2020 Atlantic report that caught the former president repeatedly referring to fallen soldiers as suckers and losers. Teen suspect arrested, first to be charged over mask ban in Nassau County, Long Island NEW YORK A 18-year-old was arrested on Long Island over the weekend and charged with possessing a knife and wearing a mask in public, becoming the first person to face potential punishment over Nassau Countys new ban on face coverings. Wesslin Omar Ramirez Castillo sparked concern Sunday night as he walked down Spindle Road in Levittown. He was dressed in black and wearing a mask to conceal his identity, which was enough to frighten residents into calling for help, the Nassau County Police Department said in a press release Monday. An image released by police shows Ramirez Castillo sporting a dark-colored ski mask, with only his eyes visible. When officers arrived on the residential street just before 8 p.m., they spotted Ramirez Castillo, who displayed suspicious behavior while attempting to conceal a large bulge in his waistband which turned out to be a 14-inch knife, police said. Following a pat-down and search, the suspect refused to cooperate with officers and he was placed under arrest without further incident. Ramirez Castillo was subsequently charged with criminal possession of a weapon and obstructing governmental administration as well as violating the Mask Transparency Act, which was signed into law by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman on Aug. 15. The legislation has been held up as a public safety measure, aimed at cutting down crimes involving people wearing masks. However, Ramirez Castillos legal team was skeptical that his arrest was legal. We dont believe the police have a constitutional basis to stop and detain Mr. Castillo for wearing a face mask under longstanding New York State law, said Scott Banks, attorney-in-chief at the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County, which is representing the teen. The law has already been challenged in court under the Americans with Disabilities Act, though it contains exemptions for health and religious reasons. Our police officers were able to use the mask ban legislation as well as other factors to stop and interrogate an individual who was carrying a weapon with the intent to engage in a robbery, Blakeman said in a statement to the New York Times. Passing this law gave police another tool to stop this dangerous criminal. Banks, however, pointed out that Ramirez Castillo was charged with a misdemeanor, not a robbery. The police didnt stop a robbery, he told the Daily News. They didnt see a robbery. (Were) a long way from going into what his intent was. _____ QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) A shoplifter allegedly punched a teen worker in the face with brass knuckles while he and his two accomplices were being kicked out of a Queens store last month, police said Thursday. The 18-year-old worker was attacked in a business at 88-01 Queens Blvd. at around 9 p.m. on July 25. The three suspects were being escorted out of the store when one of the robbers punched the teen in the face with brass knuckles, chipping his tooth, police said. The victim was not hospitalized. The shoplifters made off with office equipment before fleeing the scene, police said. There have been no arrests. The neighborhood is patrolled by officers from the 110th Precinct, where robberies and misdemeanor assaults have spiked this year compared to 2023, according to NYPD data. Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) An inmate at Tehachapis California Correctional Institution has been sentenced after pleading guilty to spearheading what attorneys say was the largest Economic Development Department fraud case in the nation. Telvin Breaux, 32, received a 65-month prison term Monday for the $25 million COVID-19 relief fraud scheme, according to a filing in federal court. Prosecutors say more than $5 million was paid out. Claim seeks more than $5M for fatal crash involving BPD Breauxs attorney, Alekxia Torres Stallings, said hed initially faced decades in prison. My client is extremely remorseful for his conduct in this case, but I also think it is an eye-awakening moment for the State of California because they too have an obligation to ensure safeguards are in place to prevent actions like this from occurring in the future, she said. Breaux and three co-defendants stole personal identifying information and submitted more than 400 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims. They used names of patients at hospitals and dentists offices and customers at other businesses where the co-defendants worked, prosecutors said. They also used the names of their children and children of family and friends. Claim alleges BPD used excessive force in fatal January shooting The money went toward rent, jewelry, vehicles, luxury handbags, trips to Las Vegas, tuition and expensive furniture. Shanice White, of Hawthorne, and Los Angeles residents Fantasia Brown and Holly White also pleaded guilty. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. Telegram CEOs arrest: What it could mean for US companies The detention and indictment of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has brought the debate over online privacy and free speech into the spotlight, with some experts questioning if the arrest is a signal of whats to come for U.S. tech firms and their leaders. Durov, a dual citizen of France and Russia, faces a total of six charges and is accused of complicity in the distribution of child sexual abuse materials, illicit transactions, money laundering and drug trafficking allegedly taking place on the messaging app, according to a translated version of the Paris prosecutors office statement. He spent days in police custody for questioning and was released Wednesday morning ahead of his court appearance, where he was formally indicted. He was released from custody and placed under judicial supervision after posting 5 million for bail. The arrest followed a judicial investigation opened last month into an unnamed individual suspected of complicity in illegal transactions, possession and distribution of child sexual abuse materials, possession and sale of narcotics, and organized fraud, among other charges. Critics of Durovs arrest linked it to concerns over free speech and the privacy of users content. Tech billionaire Elon Musk who throttled content moderation on X after purchasing the social media platform in 2022 voiced his support for Pavel this week. Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski also claimed France crossed a red line by arresting Durov for not censoring free speech. Telegram cannot be directly compared to many U.S. social media platforms due to differences in security protocols, experts said. Even so, Durovs arrest still raises potential concerns for U.S. tech companies operating abroad as European countries ramp up regulations. I think its certainly of concern to U.S. tech companies, U.S. founders, anybody thinking about starting a tech business in France, Will Duffield, an adjunct fellow at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, told The Hill. The lack of process here, or seeming lack of process, should be most concerning. Telegram offers users the option to send messages with end-to-end encryption, along with large group chats with as many as 200,000 users. Metas WhatsApp has a maximum of 1,024 users. Given that theyre willing to take this step with a company like Telegram, I think it implies something about the direct message feature of all the social media companies, University of Florida law professor Jane Bambauer told The Hill. Duffield said before the indictment that U.S. companies should be very worried if Durovs charges are related to the encryption of content, but less concerned if they center on Telegrams alleged refusal to hand over information or documents requested by authorities. France is ostensibly the first-world-developed country with a strong tradition of the rule of law. And yet something that looks like it would have been handled as a civil matter by sending summons, issuing subpoenas, potentially imposing fines, instead is being handled by grabbing the CEO of a company as he steps off his flight, he said. Nonetheless, it indicates a conflict between American and European values around speech and the privacy of users content is slowly rearing its head, Duffield and Bambauer said. The European Union has already opened several investigations under the Digital Services Act (DSA), a wide-ranging set of tech regulations that went into effect earlier this year. The DSA is meant to curb the power of major tech companies and protect Europeans from privacy breaches and abusive content. Despite bipartisan support in the U.S. for greater tech regulation, the federal government has yet to make major changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which broadly protects social media platforms from being sued over material posted by users. Some Europeans especially European regulators, especially empowered by the Digital Services Act have adopted a kind of bullying attitude of late towards American tech firms, the idea that theres a new sheriff in town or something, and there hasnt been a great deal of pushback from the United States, Duffield said. The differences between the two regulatory acts show a big distinction on the ground floor, right at the foundation, Bambauer said. Retired Army. Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman caught attention over the weekend when he suggested Musk should be worried, given Durovs arrest. While Durov holds French citizenship, is arrested for violating French law, this has broader implications for other social media, including Twitter, he wrote on X. Theres a growing intolerance for platforming [disinformation] & malign influence & a growing appetite for accountability. Musk should be nervous. While he does not believe the two tech leaders are directly comparable at this point, Vindman told The Hill the arrest shows an increasing appetite for accountability. It doesnt really necessarily translate over to actions that the U.S. could take, or it will take, because, again, we have a different view on free speech, he said. The U.S. kind of took it as an attack on free speech, but I was mainly alluding to the fact that I think the Europeans are going to be increasingly assertive in dealing with platforms that consider themselves only platforms and have no interest in moderating content. Jared Carter, a professor at Vermont Law and Graduate School, pushed back on the free speech argument when it comes to Telegrams alleged refusal to give materials to authorities, adding the U.S. Constitution does not apply in France. I dont think the First Amendment law becomes into play, because as long as theres a duly issued subpoena or warrant to search the companys files thats been legally executed, the First Amendment doesnt protect a business owner or a business from having to comply with an otherwise legal subpoena or search for it, he said. Updated at 4:45 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (WJET/WFXP) Telegram CEO and co-founder Pavel Durov has been charged with multiple crimes related to his messaging app following his arrest over the weekend in Paris. Allegations against the Russia-born Durov, who is a French citizen, include that his platform is being used for child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking, and that Telegram refused to share information or documents with investigators when required by law. Human remains found in 1995 Florida cold case identified The 39-year-old billionaire was indicted Wednesday with complicity in the administration of an online platform to enable an illicit transaction by an organized gang. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of 500,000. He also faces the following charges: Complicity in making, without legitimate reason, a program or data designed to attack an automated data processing system Complicity in organized gang dissemination child pornography images of minors Complicity in drug trafficking, organized gang fraud, and criminal conspiracy Laundering of crimes or offenses by organized games Provision of cryptology services aimed at ensuring confidentiality functions without compliant declaration Durov was detained on Saturday at Le Bourget airport outside Paris as part of a sweeping judicial inquiry opened last month, and released earlier Wednesday after four days of questioning. Investigative judges filed the preliminary charges Wednesday night and ordered him to pay 5 million euros in bail and to report to a police station twice a week. Pavel Durov, chief executive officer of Telegram, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. Durov was detained in France, on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, over claims that the messaging service failed to properly fight crime on the app. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that the arrest wasnt a political move but part of an independent investigation. In Frances first public comment on the arrest, Macron posted on the social media platform X that his country is deeply committed to freedom of expression, but freedoms are upheld within a legal framework, both on social media and in real life, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights. Denouncing what he called false information, Macron said the arrest is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter. Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X who has in the past called himself a free speech absolutist, posted #freePavel in support of Durov. Western governments have often criticized Telegram for a lack of content moderation, which experts say opens up the messaging platform for potential use in money laundering, drug trafficking and the sharing of material linked to the sexual exploitation of minors. In a statement posted on its platform after his arrest, Telegram said it abides by EU laws, and its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform, Telegrams post said. Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as means of communication and as a source of vital information. Were awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all. What is Telegram? Telegram is an encrypted messaging service that is a cloud-based mobile and desktop messaging app with a focus on security and speed. The platform was founded by Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai in the fall of 2013. As of 2024, the app has almost 1 billion active users, making it one of the largest messaging apps behind WhatsApp, WeChat, and Facebook Messenger. Number of 401(k) millionaires reaches record high: Fidelity The app largely bypasses the governments oversight of content, with its central privacy feature being its end-to-end encryption in secret chats and calls. This essentially prevents third parties from seeing what is being sent or said in the conversation. According to Telegrams FAQ page, the company has historically been funded by Durov, meaning your data is not sold to generate revenue. To help with funding, Telegram has implemented several ways to monetize the platform. In 2021, they added minimalist, privacy-conscious advertisements that can appear in certain public channels. The following year, they introduced a premium subscription to support the app and unlock premium features. The app has become a major source of unfiltered and sometimes graphic and misleading content by both Ukraine and Russia after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The app is used heavily by both Ukraine officials and the Russian government. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Far-right activists, violent white supremacists and neo-fascists who have built large followings on Telegram are jumping to the defense of the apps founder, Pavel Durov. Long before Durov was charged Wednesday with enabling criminality on the app, Telegram became notable as an essential gathering spot for people and groups who had been booted off mainstream social media platforms. Telegrams enthusiastic users include a spectrum of right-wing political figures, from conservative pundits and allies of former President Donald Trump to violent extremist groups that have staged white supremacist events. By contrast, its rare to find high-profile Democrats or progressives on it. French prosecutors announced that Durovs arrest was part of a larger investigation into complicity in the spread of child exploitation material and other nefarious activities on the app, but the right-wing Americans who have built followings on Telegram quickly framed the incident as a matter of free speech. Darkness is descending fast on the formerly free world, conservative media figure Tucker Carlson, who has a large following on Telegram, wrote on X this week. Telegram appears to have operated as normal since Durovs arrest, and its not clear whether the criminal case will eventually force changes to the app to stem extremism or illegal activity. In a statement in response to Durovs arrest Saturday near Paris, Telegram said: It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform. Telegram isnt as widely used in the U.S. as competitors such as WhatsApp, but researchers have observed for years that it has become critical to groups such as the Proud Boys and the Patriot Front by giving them the space to organize, recruit members and spread hate-filled propaganda. That has given the app the nickname Terrorgam among anti-hate researchers. Telegram, which is based in Dubai, has long expressed reluctance to moderate or patrol content that people send on it, including many scams and other types of criminal behavior. Its known for offering little cooperation with government requests. (Other tech companies, such as Meta, also sometimes turn down law enforcement requests but usually take them case by case.) Megan Squire, deputy director for data analytics at the Southern Poverty Law Center, an anti-hate group founded in 1971, called Telegram very permissive. They have barely any content moderation, she said. The content moderation they do have is pretty light-touch, so the folks who were getting deplatformed elsewhere found it pretty attractive. Squire said the platform also has technical advantages that make it more popular than fringe apps such as Gab or Rumble. For example, it rarely crashes, she said. Its pretty easy to use. There are no ads. Its fast, she said. If Telegram were to go away or change significantly, she said, the extremist users would most likely trickle to different places, including Gab and X. Telegram has both one-on-one chat and groups, called channels, where users can broadcast messages to subscribers, though the service is free. It also has file storage, which is especially helpful for video creators, and a recommendation engine to suggest channels to follow. Durov, in a post last year, defended the hosting of extremist material, including videos by Hamas, saying Telegram serves as a unique source of first-hand information for researchers, journalists, and fact-checkers. Squire, who has researched extremists on Telegram for years, estimated that Telegram has 30,000 extremist channels worldwide, including those associated with QAnon conspiracy theorists, neo-Nazis, Christian nationalists and other violent groups. American white nationalist Nick Fuentes, who is banned on most social media apps but has more than 63,000 followers on Telegram, wrote on X that the arrest is yet another outrageous attack on freedom of speech by Western elites who will stop at nothing to control and surveil all global communications. Fuentes has frequently praised Adolf Hitler. Keith Woods, an Irish white nationalist whose Telegram channel has over 30,000 subscribers, posted on X that the arrest was madness and that saying Durov was complicit in crimes on Telegram was like holding the telephone company liable. He has written about devoting his life to keeping European nations white. And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga, who has faced suspensions on platforms including Facebook and what was then known as Twitter, wrote on X: Free speech is under attack all over the world. Why are peoples opinions and voices such a threat? Greene maintains two active and verified channels on Telegram, which together have over 98,000 followers. Despite the claims that the arrest is a form of free speech suppression, Daphne Keller, director of the program on platform regulation at the Stanford Cyber Policy Center, said most legal systems, including the U.S. system, could hold an app liable for failing to remove unencrypted child sexual abuse material when they are notified. I am usually one of the people making noise about free expression consequences when lawmakers go overboard regulating platforms. Possibly this will turn out to be one of those cases. But so far, I dont think so, Keller wrote in a post on LinkedIn. She wrote that Telegrams case may be analogous to that of Silk Road, a website seized by U.S. prosecutors in 2013, whose creator, Ross Ulbricht, was convicted in 2015 of seven counts of enabling illegal drug sales via bitcoin. (Trump has vowed to commute Ulbrichts sentence.) At least one big conservative account on Telegram, that of Trump-supporting former attorney Lin Wood, appeared open to the possibility that Telegram had committed wrongdoing. Pedophilia and child sex trafficking is the REAL pandemic in our nation and the world, Wood told his 301,000 subscribers in a post about the Telegram investigation. He added in a separate post: Draw your own conclusions. Wood wrote in an email that he has no opinion on Durov or the impact of his arrest on Telegram. He said he uses Telegram because of its large, international audience, and he said hes unaware of the white supremacist groups on it. Telegram started to gather steam as a right-wing platform around 2019 after mass shootings at a mosque and Islamic center in Christchurch, New Zealand. Video of the shootings was widely available on Telegram, even after a crackdown by other apps, such as Facebook, according to a report that year by the Anti-Defamation League. Telegram isnt a member of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism, a tech industry organization dedicated to stopping the spread of graphic material like the Christchurch video, the forum confirmed Wednesday in an email. Since the Christchurch shootings, Telegram has been a host for other violent videos, including of a 2019 mass shooting near a synagogue in Halle, Germany, videos taken by Hamas after the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks on Israel and video of the 2022 attack on a grocery store in Buffalo, New York, where a white gunman killed 10 people because, he said, they were Black. Among the active extremist channels on Telegram are several belonging to the Patriot Front, which splintered from the neo-Nazi group Vanguard America after the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. At least one of the Patriot Front channels has more than 19,000 followers. Other channels are devoted to the far-right Proud Boys, a group whose former leader Enrique Tarrio is serving a 22-year prison sentence in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. A study published this year by researchers at New York University and George Washington University identified 92 public Telegram channels explicitly affiliated with the Proud Boys. The Proud Boys channels are primarily in the U.S. but also in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the U.K. and Germany, the researchers found, constituting the core of a well-connected network with 131,953 subscribers. A rare example of Telegram removing extremist channels occurred just after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, when at least 15 of them were banned, according to an NBC News tally at the time. But the crackdown turned out to be an exception. More mainstream right-wing channels have attracted followings in the five and six figures. Trump doesnt have a verified Telegram channel, though a channel with his name has more than 650,000 subscribers. A channel devoted to Trumps official cryptocurrency project has more than 47,000 subscribers, and Donald Trump Jr. has a verified channel with more than 452,000 subscribers. Carlsons verified channel has more than 265,000 subscribers, and Greenes has more than 86,000. Other longtime Trump associates have large accounts. Mike Lindell, founder of MyPillow and a prominent denier of the 2020 election results, has a verified channel with more than 111,000 subscribers. He posts a variety of content, including support for Trump, pillow promotions and paid partnerships for investing in precious metals. And another channel with more than 191,000 subscribers belongs to Michael Flynn, a national security adviser in the Trump administration whom Trump pardoned after he pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his communications with a Russian diplomat. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Telegram CEO Pavel Durov placed under judicial supervision in France with 5 million bail Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of the Telegram social media platform, has been placed under judicial supervision, but he can avoid being remanded in custody by paying a 5 million bail, reporting to police twice a week and not leaving French territory. Source: Reuters Details: The court ruling was issued four days after Durov, a Russian citizen, was arrested at an airport near Paris. Being placed under formal investigation in France does not imply guilt or necessarily lead to a trial, but indicates that judges consider there are sufficient grounds to proceed with the investigation. Investigations can go on for years before going to trial or being shelved. Background: Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov was detained on the evening of Saturday, 24 August at Le Bourget airport on the outskirts of Paris. Law enforcement agencies have accused Durov of complicity in drug trafficking, paedophilia and fraud due to Telegrams refusal to cooperate with the French authorities. The Russian Embassy in France requested consular access to billionaire Pavel Durov and accused the French authorities of "refusing to cooperate". The price of Toncoin, a cryptocurrency used on Telegram and co-founded by Pavel Durov, plummeted following the news of Durovs arrest. Support UP or become our patron! Telegram founder faces probe into alleged acts of violence against his child in Switzerland French prosecutors told CNN they have requested more information from Switzerland over allegations that Telegram founder Pavel Durov conducted acts of violence against one of his children. Irina Bolgar, the former partner of the Russian-born billionaire and the childs mother, made the claims against Durov. She filed a legal complaint in a court in Geneva, Switzerland, in March 2023. Bolgar told CNN she had a relationship with Durov between early 2013 and 2022 and that they had three children together. She and the children now live in Switzerland. Despite the fact that the marriage was not registered, the children were officially recognized and bear the fathers last name, she wrote on Instagram. In a legal complaint seen by CNN, the Swiss court in Geneva said Durovs former partner filed a complaint for alleged violence against one of their three children. CNN has reached out to Durovs lawyers about the allegations and court case, but they declined to comment. The ongoing case alleges that Durov harmed his youngest son five times between 2021 and 2022. In one instance, he allegedly threatened that he would kill him, the complaint says. Durov, 39, was arrested at Pariss Bourget Airport on Saturday on a warrant related to Telegrams lack of moderation as the platform comes under scrutiny for its use by terrorist groups and far-right extremists. The entrepreneur has found himself at the center of a media storm as he was placed under formal investigation for several offenses related to criminal activity on the messaging platform he founded. He was released from custody on Wednesday and must remain in France under judicial supervision, with a bail set at $5.56 million (5 million euros). Shed some light According to the Swiss complaint against Durov, after the alleged incidents, the child had been in an anxious state, had regular sleep troubles, enuresis (the medical term for bedwetting), and nightmares. Bolgar claims in the complaint that at the end of 2018 the couple had separated and Durov committed in writing that he was willing to contribute 150,000 Euros a month towards the maintenance of her and her children. He gave the named two bank cards, allowing her to withdraw the said sum from his personal accounts, the complaint says. The complaint adds that Durov had not seen his children since September 2022 and that he was not taking care of them and had blocked the bank cards he had given her. In an Instagram post from July 30, Bolgar said she met Durov in 2012 and had been living together as a fully-fledged family since 2013 in St. Petersburg where their three children were born. Bolgar also said that since 2020 she and her children had been living in Switzerland. While living in different countries, my relationship with Pavel remained family-like, she wrote in the Instagram post. Bolgar also said that they remained a couple and Durov used to visit her and the children in Switzerland with his mother and brother. She added that she did not publicize the information about her family to avoid deliberately bringing attention to herself or her children. But changed her mind because her children had been asking why there was no information about them on the internet, unlike their fathers two older children, she said. I decided to shed some light on this information, Bolgar said. Durovs arrest started a row over freedom of speech, and caused particular concerns in both Ukraine and Russia, where it is extremely popular and has become a key communication tool among military personnel and citizens during Moscows war on its neighbor. Independent action French President Emmanuel Macron has told reporters that he knew absolutely nothing about Durovs travels to France and his arrest was an independent action taken by the countrys justice system. The French leader told a scheduled press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, that he was not scheduled to meet Durov at the end of last week or the days after and stressed that Durovs arrest was an independent action taken by the French justice system. Macron also defended his decision to grant French nationality to Durov in 2021, commending that the entrepreneur had made the effort to learn the French language. Durovs naturalization came about as part of a French government initiative that allows individuals who shine in the world and make the effort to learn the French language to apply for French nationality. Macron ultimately defended the scheme, calling it a great thing for our country. Durov was born in the Soviet Union in 1984, and in his 20s became colloquially known as the Mark Zuckerberg of Russia. He left the country in 2014 and now lives in Dubai, where Telegram is headquartered, while also holding French citizenship. He is worth an estimated $9.15 billion, according to Bloomberg, and has maintained a lavish, globe-trotting lifestyle over the past decade. But while his app has won plaudits from free speech groups and enabled private communication in countries with restrictive regimes, critics say it has become a safe haven for people coordinating illicit activities - including the terrorists who planned the Paris terror attacks in November 2015. With reporting from CNNs Niamh Kennedy For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Consumers continue to put the heat on Temu. Howard Favichia, a California resident, filed a proposed class action against the e-commerce marketplace on Aug. 21 in the states Eastern District Court, alleging that it had violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. In his complaint, he said Temu texted him with marketing and advertising messages multiple times after he attempted to opt out. More from Sourcing Journal Screenshots in the complaint show Favichia sent Temu an opt-out message on April 10, but allegedly, the company continued to send him messages; other screenshots showing purported messages from Temu are dated June 29, July 6, July 13, July 19 and July 21. The plaintiff said, The purpose of [Temus] text messages was to advertise, promote and/or market [its] goods. According to the complaint, Favichia believes Temu does not have an efficient way to keep track of its marketing and advertising recipients. [Temus] refusal to honor [Favichias] opt-out requests demonstrates that [Temu] has not instituted procedures for maintaining a list of persons who request not to receive text messages from [it], counsel for Favichia wrote. The complaint goes on to say that, because Temu allegedly continued messaging Favichia without his consent, to harass [him] into making purchases, its actions were violative and that his wishes were ignored by [Temu] and its employees. In turn, Favichia alleges, the alleged messges caused inconvenience, invasion of privacy, aggravation, annoyance and violation ofprivacy rights. Favichia makes note throughout the lawsuit that he is not alone in his situation, which is why his counsel chose to propose a class action, rather than an individual lawsuit. Counsel for the plaintiff proposed the definition of the class as every person within the U.S. who, over the past four years, has received two or more unsolicited texts from Temu within a 12-month period, after previously opting out of communication with the company. The complaint estimates that there are at least 50 individuals that fall within the class definition. Favichias attorneys have sought an injunction that would require Temu to maintain a do-not-call list, and have requested damages applicable under the TPCA for himself and potential class members. Before the lawsuit can proceed as a class action, a judge would need to certify the case as such. That in mind, Favichias lawyers also asked the judge to certify the case and appoint him the representative of a potential class in this case. The lawsuit comes on the heels of a similar class action, filed in early July, which alleged that Temu repeatedly contacted Phyllis King via text message several times, despite her status on the federal do-not-call registry. Kings attorney filed a notice of voluntary dismissal for that case on Wednesday; court records show that, leading up to that, Temu had not filed a counterclaim, nor had a judge taken action to approve or deny the formation of a class. Temu takes consumer protection seriously. We believe the lawsuit is without merit and intend to defend our interests vigorously, a Temu spokesperson said in an emailed statement. That statement is identical to the one the company issued to Sourcing Journal when commenting on Kings proposed class action. Members of the Tennessee Ethics Commission are considering a complaint filed against Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds behind closed doors during an executive session. An ethics complaint filed by Rep. Caleb Hemmer, D-Nashville, in May alleges Reynolds illegally accepted travel reimbursements paid for by a group that also lobbies the legislature. Reynolds attended two out-of-state events last year with expenses paid by her former employer, ExcelinEd, a national advocacy group whose partner 501(c)(4) which shares staff, office space, and a post office box employs a lobbyist in Tennessee. State law prohibits members of the executive branch from accepting gifts, including travel reimbursements, from lobbyists and their employers. Tennessee Commissioner of Education Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds interviews with the Tennessean at Tennessee Department of Education in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. The commission met on Thursday but Bill Young, executive director of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance, said complaints filed with the Ethics Commission are confidential. As such, the office did not have any comment regarding Thursday's executive session proceedings. ExcelinEd employs Miranda Williams, who is registered as a lobbyist in Tennessee. Williams works for both ExcelinEd, and ExcelinEd Action, according to the groups websites. She advocated for Gov. Bill Lee's statewide universal school voucher proposal this spring, which Reynolds as commissioner of the department also pushed. After The Tennessean first reported the travel and the ethics complaint was filed Reynolds paid back about $2,000 in travel expenses and was reimbursed by the state. Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds received nearly $2,000 in travel reimbursements from her former employer, pro-voucher group ExcelinEd, who employs a lobbyist in Tennessee. State ethics law prohibits state officials from accepting gifts from employers of lobbyists. Lees chief counsel Erin Merrick, who is representing Reynolds in the matter, characterized Hemmers complaint as politically motivated," and argued that Reynolds' travel was paid for by ExcelinEd, not ExcelinEd Action, and so it was acceptable. Williams, a registered lobbyist, is employed by both groups. In a letter to the Ethics Commission ahead of Thursdays meeting, Hemmer told commissioners that Reynolds attorney was glossing over key facts in her arguments in an attempt to clean up after the Commissioners continued malfeasance. While Commissioner Reynolds has 'voluntarily' repaid monies associated with the two conferences after being chastised publicly in the media and following the filing of an official ethics complaint, her defense is akin to a bank robber having second thoughts after seeing a wanted poster with their picture on it and returning the money the next day, Hemmer wrote. Hemmer noted it was the second time Reynolds had been compelled to repay funds after not following state policy. Reynolds twice signed state tuition waiver forms last year certifying under penalty of perjury that she had been a state employee for more than six months before her actual six months of employment with the state. She later paid tuition funds back to the state, with the education agency calling the mishap an administrative error. She clearly has trouble learning from her past mistakes and now requires a formal reprimand as well as a civil penalty to deter future illegal and unethical behavior, Hemmer said. Moreover, her continued coziness with special interests who are intent on dismantling public education sends a terrible message to Tennessees students, parents, teachers, and taxpayers," he said. Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.gov or on X at @Vivian_E_Jones. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TN Ethics Commission considers Reynolds complaint behind closed doors Tennessee population could hit 8 million in two decades. What it could mean for the state's biggest cities Tennessee's population is expected to reach nearly 8 million in less than two decades. According to the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee is expected to be home to 7.94 million residents by 2040 that's a 13% increase from the 2022 population of 7.05 million, for which data is most recently available. Between 2020 and 2030, Tennessee is projected to experience an annual population growth rate of 0.82%, an increase of approximately 600,000 people. According to the data, that's 35,000 more people than were added between 2010 and 2020. A period of steady but smaller population gains will follow and is expected to continue through 2070, when the population is expected to reach 9,250,000. "At the state level, the amount of population growth during the 2020s will feel similar to the gains we saw last decade, said Matt Harris, Boyd Distinguished Professor of Health Economics and co-author of the findings. But as the baby boom generation reaches the later stages of life, a rising number of deaths will begin to slow Tennessees population increases. Per university research, older adults are expected to experience the highest population increase of all the age groups. The Volunteer State is also expected to grow more racially and ethnically diverse. Here's how else Tennessee is expected to grow at both the local and state level. Which Tennessee cities grew the most? See how population shifted according to the U.S. Census A growing population of older adults By 2040, almost 20% of the states population is expected to be aged 65 and older. According to research, that's a 17% increase and a growth of 306,000 people from 2022. By 2040, people between 65-74 (815,120) will be the dominant age group among older adults, following behind will be people between 75-84 (506,795) and finally people 85 and over (204,895). Gathercontent Embedded content: https://assets.gathercontent.com/NDg3Nzk/iv76Thzi2puSLjLY?s=3c8da63fc1e600eebb9a017ed01de597 According to Harris, a growing population of older adults will not only affect the health care system, but will also increase the need for more housing, transportation and other types of personal care throughout the decades. Age groups younger than 65 are also expected to grow, however, those populations will grow at a much smaller rate. For example, populations between 25-52 are expected to grow by 11%, while populations under 20 are expected to grow just by 2%. A more racially and ethnically diverse Tennessee More than half of the state's projected population growth can be attributed to Hispanics, Black or African Americans or people who are of other races or more than one race. The largest increase will be among Hispanics, who will see an increase from approximately 450,000 in 2022to 754,000 over the next 20 years a 6.4% increase. By 2040, the Hispanic population is expected to make up 10% of Tennessee residents. Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native American populations will see a similar increase, growing from 307,00 to 470,000 by 2040. While populations of Black and white Tennesseans are expected to grow as well, the share of the state's population that is white or Black will decrease. The Black population will decrease from 16.4% to 15.4% and the white population will decrease from 73% to 69% by 2040. How will the Nashville area population change compared to other Tennessee cities? The Nashville Metro Statistical Area, which includes Davidson, Murfreesboro and Franklin, is projected to see a 28% population increase, bringing the total population to 2,642,779 in 2040. The Knoxville area will experience an 11% increase in 2040 bringing its total population to 1,038,122. The Chattanooga area is projected to experience a 13% increase in 2040, bringing the total population to 474,768. On the other hand, the Memphis area is projected to experience a 3.4% decrease in population, lowering its 2040 population to 986,741. Methodology The Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research developed its population estimates using a cohort component model. Projections were conducted at the county level for each combination of race, sex and age, using internal data well as from the United States Census Bureau and the Tennessee Department of Health. In order to determine individual areas' population by race, sex and age for each year, information about birth rates, death rates and net migration was factored. To learn more about the methodology, visit tnsdc.utk.edu. Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee population may hit nearly 8 million by 2040. Here's how NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Public Utility Commission of Texas selected 17 projects, seeking $5.38 billion in government funding, to advance in a new program aimed at spurring the development of gas-fired power plants, the regulators said on Thursday. The Lone Star State, whose power grid has been plagued with bouts of prolonged blackouts, established the Texas Energy Fund last year to incentivize the build-out of natural gas electricity generation by offering low-interest loans. NRG Energy, Vistra, Constellation, NextEra and GE Vernova are among the applicants. The selected projects, totaling nearly 10,000 megawatts in power generation capacity, will advance to the next stage of the fund's application review process, the Texas PUC said. Approved applicants are expected to receive initial loan payments by Dec. 31, 2025. The PUC received 72 applications for the loan program, with requests adding up to about $24 billion in funding for projects totaling more than 38,000 megawatts, the PUC said. (Reporting by Laila Kearney; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) AUSTIN (KXAN) A new study from the Texas Comptroller shows just how widespread housing affordability challenges are in Texas. According to the report, Texas is more than 300,000 homes short of what it needs and Texans from major cities to rural communities are struggling with housing costs. It means to me that even as Texans who kind of see themselves as being pro-market and wanting to build, build, build, were not building enough, said Steven Pedigo, the director of the LBJ Urban Lab at the University of Texas at Austin. Weve got to build more to keep up with the population gain that were seeing. The study identifies local challenges including: do cities need to better manage large investment groups who can out bid and drive up costs on single-family homes? And how do cities best regulate their land? The latter is something the city of Austin has discussed for years. At the local level it remains one of the biggest parts of our affordability toolkit and we have to tackle that, said Awais Azhar, deputy director of HousingWorks Austin. Its interesting that the state is beginning to think about how do they sort of provide guidance to localities to work this localized issue. The report noted the pushback some communities, like Austin, have gotten while working through land development code changes. Homeowners want to maintain high property values to earn the greatest return on their investments, and they may oppose projects they believe may de-value their property. This resistance can result in project delays, increased costs and even cancellation of new housing projects, exacerbating housing shortages and affordability issues, the report says. Not about the wisdom of the policies: City of Austin back in court over zoning notification process Several years ago, the city worked through a complete rewrite of its land development code which governs what can be built where but that rewrite was successfully challenged in court in 2020. Now, Austin City Council is working through individual changes to its rules, most notably including the passage of the HOME initiative which, in part, reduced minimum lot size requirements and allows building of more units on a single-family lot. Still, housing experts say theres a lot more to be done. I worry that if the city doesnt do it, the city and state has this kind of back and forth friction and I wonder if we dont take care of it does the state kind of step in and start to mandate cities like Austin and Houston and Dallas to do more. That may actually happen and well see how that plays out in terms of the politics of that, Pedigo said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Thai court sentences a YouTube chef, who is the son of Spanish actors, to life in prison for murder Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho, father of Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, talks to reporters arrives at Koh Samui provincial court in southern Thailand, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. A court in Thailand is expected to sentence the son of the actor accused of killing and dismembering a Colombian surgeon on a popular tourist island.(AP Photo/Thanapat Cherajin) BANGKOK (AP) A court in Thailand on Thursday found Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, a member of a famous Spanish acting family, guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced him to life in prison, in a lurid case that involved the victim being dismembered. The Koh Samui Provincial Court issued an initial sentence of death for Sancho but commuted it to life imprisonment due to his cooperation during the trial, said Police Col. Paisan Sangthep, deputy commander of the Surat Thani Provincial Police, who attended the hearing. Sancho, a 30-year-old chef with a YouTube channel, had been charged with the murder of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, a 44-year-old plastic surgeon from Colombia, when both were vacationing on the Thai holiday island of Koh Pha-ngan in August last year. The island is famous for its monthly Full Moon beach parties, attracting travelers from around the world for all-night raves. The convicted man is the son of Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre, a prominent Spanish actor, and Silvia Bronchalo, who has also been in acting. Both parents are 49 years old and attended Thursday's court session. The court also ordered Sancho to pay more than 4.2 million baht ($125,000) in compensation to the victim's family. Lawyers representing the family at the trial had asked for 30 million baht ($882,000), Spains EFE news agency reported. EFE also quoted Sancho's father Rodolfo telling media after the verdict that he intended to always keep fighting, to keep fighting." At his trial on the island of Samui, Daniel Sancho had claimed he got into a fight with Arrieta for allegedly trying to sexually assault him. He said that Arrieta fell as they scuffled and hit his head on a bathtub, losing consciousness and then dying. He had pleaded not guilty to charges of premeditated murder. Sancho acknowledged dismembering the victims body and disposing of the parts on land and at sea. For the charge of concealing or damaging a body, he received a four-month prison sentence, reduced to two months for acknowledging the act, said Paisan. He had also pleaded not guilty to the charge of destroying another person's documents the victims passport for which he received a two-year prison term. The elements of the case violent death on a holiday island, the celebrity connections and the lurid details attracted huge coverage in Spanish media. HBO produced a Spanish-language documentary on the events. The case came to light when trash collectors found what the Bangkok Post newspaper described as a sawed-off pelvis and intestines weighing about 5 kilograms (11 pounds) in a fertilizer sack at a garbage dump. Shortly after that, Sancho reported to police that Arrieta was missing, and police then gathered evidence linking the two men that led them to detain and interrogate him. Police established a narrative, claiming to the press that Sancho had confessed to the murder and saying he had planned it because Arrieta threatened to disgrace him and his family by revealing their alleged sexual relationship. Sancho, through his father and his lawyers, said that was a distorted version of what he told police, and denied having a sexual relationship with Arrieta. Police obtained surveillance video showing Sancho allegedly purchasing a knife, rubber gloves, garbage bags and cleaning solutions at a convenience store before Arrieta's death, which prosecutors claimed bolstered the charge of premeditated murder. In his closing statement earlier in his trial, Sancho told the court he regretted his actions, the Spanish newspaper El Pais reported. I am sorry that a life has been lost and that parents have lost a son, Sancho said. I am sorry that his family was not able to bury him properly. Im sorry for what I did after the death. Under certain conditions, Sancho can apply to be repatriated to serve the remainder of his prison term back home after several years of incarceration in Thailand, according to a treaty between Thailand and Spain. The handful of Spanish nationals in Thai prisons includes another man convicted of premeditated murder and dismembering his victim. Artur Segarra Princep was convicted of the 2016 killing of fellow Spaniard David Bernat. Police suspected that Segarra robbed the victim, whom he was said to have known. The body was kept in a freezer in Segarras Bangkok apartment until parts were tossed into Thailand's Chao Phraya River. His 2017 death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 2020 by Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Thai court sentences son of Spanish TV star Rodolfo Sancho to life in prison for murder The son of famed Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho has been found guilty of murdering a Colombian plastic surgeon at a Thai holiday resort before dismembering the body, a senior police officer told CNN. Daniel Sancho, a chef who made YouTube videos, was sentenced by a Thai court on Thursday to life in prison for killing Edwin Arrieta Arteaga last year in a hotel room on Koh Phangan, an island off the coast of southern Thailand. The trial heard that the 30-year-old killed Arrieta after the pair had a fight and put parts of his body in plastic bags before discarding them around the island. Sancho had faced the death penalty. But the court on the island of Koh Samui commuted the sentence to life imprisonment due to his cooperation during the trial. He had admitted killing Arrieta, but insisted it was not premeditated saying he had acted out of his extreme anger, Police Col. Paisan Sangthep, deputy commander of the Surat Thani Provincial Police, who attended the hearing, told CNN. The court saw his confession to the murder was useful during the trial. So the court commuted the sentence to life imprisonment, Paisan said. The court found Sancho guilty on all three charges: premeditated murder, concealment of a body and hiding another persons documents. Sancho claimed he killed Arietta in self-defense and admitted to hiding his body, according to the Agence France-Presse news agency. Sancho denied destroying Arrietas passport, which has never been found. Paisan said evidence showed Sancho had made preparations for the killing, suggesting it was premeditated. Before committing the murder, the defendant had bought a knife, gloves, plastic bags, garbage bags, (a cleaning sponge), cleaver knife and a saw, he said. Before the murder, Sancho had booked a room in a different hotel to where the killing happened, Paisan added. Sanchos parents, Silvia Bronchalo and Rodolfo Sancho who are both actors appeared in court, Paisan said. Parents of the deceased were not present in the courtroom. Rodolfo Sancho is one of the most recognizable faces on the small screen in Spain, having starred in hit series The Ministry of Time and Isabel. Daniel Sancho was arrested in August last year, soon after the killing of Arrieta, a plastic surgeon from Monteria in northern Colombia. Sancho, who wore a face mask to court, appeared to accept his fate, with no objection following his sentencing, Paisan said. Sanchos lawyer, Marcos Garcia-Montes, told reporters he would appeal the sentence. Under Thai law, he has the right to appeal to a higher court. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Thief steals trailer used to help move seniors into assisted living WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (KDVR) Wheat Ridge police are trying to track down a trailer thief who stole a local mans means of helping senior citizens. For some, a work text or call can ruin a mood, but not for Colorado native Joesph Crows. I love my work. Not a whole lot of people could say that, but I do, Crows said. I really do love helping seniors. And Im one, too. Colorado wolf spends time in Rocky Mountain National Park For 17 years, Crows has helped move senior citizens to assisted living and nursing homes. He said its more than just his livelihood. I really dont know how I got so passionate about it. I think it was just all the stories I would hear from the seniors when Im moving them, Crows said. His love for his job makes what happened last Monday at the Richmond Apartments parking lot in Wheat Ridge even harder for Crows. Surveillance shows a white SUV pulling in. Investigators believe the suspect was driving a white 2000s Hyundai Santa Fe. Footage captures the car back up to the trailer at an angle and a person gets out. I had it all locked up. He cut the cable, hooked it right up to his SUV and just drove off the parking lot, Crows said. I really felt, you know, invaded that someone would steal my livelihood. Its devastating. It really is. I, I feel violated. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Because the trailer is worth more than $2,000, the case is classified as a felony theft investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call the Wheat Ridge Police Department. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Third Texas man indicted for stealing ATMs in Springfield and Ozark SPRINGFIELD, Mo. A third Texas man was indicted by a jury today for his role in stealing automatic teller machines (ATMs) in Springfield and Ozark. According to a press release from the Department of Justice, Nigel Dwane Luchin, Leo Smith and Christopher Merchant, from Texas, were charged in a six-count indictment. Luchin was originally charged in a Dec. 19, 2023, indictment and Smith was charged in a Jan. 23, 2024, superseding indictment. Merchant was added as a defendant in todays second superseding indictment. According to the indictment, from Oct. 3 to Nov. 8, 2023, Luchin, Smith, and Merchant allegedly participated in a conspiracy to commit bank burglary and conspiracy to commit bank theft. Smith allegedly stole a pickup truck and used it to break open and steal money from the Wood & Huston ATM. In addition to the conspiracy charges, Smith is charged with a count of alleged bank burglary and one count of bank theft. A similar crime occurred in Nixa and Ozark on Oct. 29, 2023, with the indictment alleging Luchin, Smith, and Merchant were involved in the theft of a truck and breaking into a Southern Bank ATM. In addition to the two conspiracies, Luchin, Smith, and Merchant are all charged with one count of bank burglary and one count of bank theft in relation to Southern Bank. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. (Bloomberg) -- The glass panels shuddered as the two explosions reverberated through the shopping mall. A few people started running to the exit, but most stayed put. It was only Israeli planes breaking the sound barrier, they said to each other. Barely anyone reacted when there was a third. Most Read from Bloomberg We thought this was it, the war had started, Leila, who owns a beauty parlor next to the mall on the outskirts of Beirut, recalled as she filed the nails of a customer. But any dip in business would be short-lived, she said. Youll see, Lebanese people will be back out and everything will go back to normal. Beirut is used to living with the threat of war, and this was a couple of weeks ago. That threat is now getting more acute after Israel launched a preemptive attack on southern Lebanon. But for many in the city, recent events have just been the latest version of normality. Lebanon has been waiting for war since October, when Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah began firing at Israel because of the war in Gaza, itself a response to Hamass assault on the Jewish state. The two sides have been trading fire along the border, exchanges that could spiral into a bigger, broader conflict involving global as well as regional powers. That prospect became more real last Sunday when Israel dispatched 100 warplanes to take out Hezbollah missile launchers and, officials said, thwart a planned assault by the group to avenge an earlier attack. Israel struck Beiruts southern suburbs at the end of July and killed the military chief of Hezbollah, designated a terrorist organization by the US and UK. Hours later, Iran blamed Israel for killing Hamass political head Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Since the assassinations, the world has been bracing for the repercussions. Flights were suspended in and out of Lebanon and countries including the US, UK, France and Gulf states told their citizens to leave. But for Leila and others in Beirut, it was a case of adding it all to the list of worries. Their economy is still reeling from a financial meltdown in 2019 and then a massive explosion at Beiruts port a year later. The currency is shaky, unemployment hit almost 50% and infrastructure is crumbling. On Aug. 17, state-run power firm Electricite du Liban said it had run out of fuel. An ensuing blackout hit Beirut airport, ports and prisons. Lebanese make fun of themselves and their definition of normal on social media. A meme circulating online summed up their way of living, showing the branded bottle of Absolut Vodka with the words Absolut denial instead. You have to be in your 40s to have much memory of the civil war that made Beirut a byword for Middle East conflict, but the country remained a tinderbox. There was tension with Syria and regular exchanges with Israel, as well as the sporadic sectarian strife that has defined the country for decades. George Beshara, a contractor who lives in the district of Matn, dropped out of school during the civil war and also remembers dodging parts of the city in 2006 when Israel hit the airport and port in response to a Hezbollah attack over the border. Lebanon has always been like that, said Beshara. If Israel goes for war, itd be for a couple of days and then itll be over. That sanguine attitude, though, contrasts with people who had more of a choice. Days after the Israeli strike, barely anything changed as the Lebanese diaspora, one of the largest in the world, flocked for the summer season. Tourist arrivals were up over 100% in June compared with the same month last year. The lights emanating from Sky Bar, one of the most popular nightclubs in the Middle East, lit up the Beirut night. Many others had to turn people away. Cars lined up to get into clubs a few kilometers down the coast from Beirut. Scheduled concerts went ahead. Then the threat of all-out war and travel warnings snuffed out any hope that tourist income would exceed the $5 billion to $7 billion recorded last year, according to the minister responsible for the economy. Welcome to the Lebanese expatriate, the backbone of the economy, read posters glued to several buildings along a highway leading to downtown Beirut. Visitors would have passed them as they joined long queues at the airport, with stories of skyrocketing prices for tickets back to Europe and the US. Ali, a 50-year-old staunch supporter of Amal Movement, Hezbollahs main ally, drives his taxi through Beiruts southern suburbs, one of Hezbollahs traditional strongholds. When he passed through after the Israeli missiles hit, Ali saw barely any traffic for the first time in years. People got scared and moved out, he said. A picture of his brother in military fatigues is fixed on the blades of his cars air conditioning. He died in an airstrike in southern Lebanon earlier this year. Israeli assaults on that region near the border and elsewhere have so far killed at least 500 people, mostly Hezbollah fighters, based on local estimates. Roughly 30 soldiers and 18 civilians have been killed by Hezbollah attacks, according to the Israel Defense Forces. Entering Beirut, a billboard shows an image of a child with torn clothes looking at a destroyed building and reads Enough, were exhausted, with a hashtag Lebanon does not want war. Bashir, a 43-year-old father of two, belongs to a significant portion of society that believes the problem is Hezbollah, which holds great sway over political life in Lebanon and is better armed than the Lebanese military. Leader Hassan Nasrallah said that his group, whose ultimate goal is to destroy Israel, has contained the conflict on the border for the sake of the Lebanese against calls from Palestinians to escalate further. Who is he to make a decision to go to war on my behalf? said Bashir, who, like Leila, declined to be identified by his full name. I didnt ask for this. Bashir still makes his way 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Beirut to south Lebanon every week to check on his house near the border. Many people in that area have grown used to the sounds of the strikes. Theyre now normal, he said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Three arrested in connection to June 28 shootings in Ithaca ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM) Three men from Ithaca have been arrested in connection to two separate shootings that occurred in the City of Ithaca on June 28. According to the Ithaca Police Department, the arrests stem from a double shooting incident and an intentional car crash that occurred on the above-listed date. Two shootings, one intentional car crash happen in Ithaca on Friday The three men were arrested by the Ithaca Police Department on Aug. 28 on a Tompkins County Superior Court Warrant. Each of the arrests occurred at different times, and one of the men is facing more charges than the others. Police say that one of the men, Jeremiah Greenidge, 25, was arrested around 10 a.m. on the following charges: Attempted murder in the second degree, a class B felony Attempted assault in the first degree, a class C felony Criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a class C felony Following Greenidges arrest, police say they arrested Daquan Graves, 31, around 1 p.m. on the following charges: Attempted murder in the second degree, a class B felony Attempted assault in the first degree, a class C felony Two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a class C felony Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree, a class A-II felony Two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a class B felony Criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a class D felony Criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a class E felony Criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor Graves faces the additional charges after police say they executed a search warrant and found an illegally possessed and stolen handgun, a high-capacity magazine, over a half kilogram of meth, an ounce of cocaine, four small envelopes of fentanyl, packing material and a scale. Police say that the final man to be arrested, Rashid Mack, 25, was transported from a correctional facility and arrested on the following charges: Attempted murder in the second degree, a class B felony Attempted assault in the first degree, a class C felony Criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a class C felony As a result of each of their arrests, all three of the men were returned to jail on $100,000 cash bail each. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. Three baggies of cocaine found during traffic stop in Wisconsin, driver arrested RICHLAND COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) Authorities in Wisconsin say one man was arrested after three baggies of cocaine were found following a traffic stop on Saturday. According to a release from the Richland County Sheriffs Office, a deputy conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle for an apparent equipment violation. After the vehicle came to a stop, officials say the driver exited quickly and began walking around the vehicle. Illinois man arrested in Wisconsin after search warrant leads to discovery of drugs The driver did return to the drivers seat of the vehicle following commands from the deputy before an officer with the Richland Center Police Department arrived on the scene with a K9. K9 Teddy was deployed and alerted to an area near the vehicle where three baggies containing a white powdery substance were found that the driver allegedly threw away after exiting the vehicle. Deputies say the powdery substance later tested positive for cocaine and the driver, Carlos Suarez Umanzor, was arrested and is facing both felony and misdemeanor charges. At this time, no other information is available and the Richland County Sheriffs Office is reminding the public to contact the Richland County Crime Stoppers if they wish to report crimes or drug information. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Convicted murderer, kidnapper and rapist Loran Kenstley Cole was executed by lethal injection Thursday at Florida State Prison. He murdered 18-year-old Florida State University student John Edwards in 1994 and raped Edward's sister. Photo courtesy of Florida Department of Corrections Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Convicted murderer, kidnapper and rapist Loran Kenstley Cole was executed by lethal injection Thursday at Florida State Prison, officials announced. The death sentence against Cole was carried out at 6:15 p.m. EDT in the Raiford, Fla., facility, the Florida Department of Corrections said in a brief statement. When asked if he had any last words, Cole said, "no, sir," the Tallahassee Democrat reported. After the injection, his body appeared to tremble for several minutes as he lay strapped to the gurney in front of 19 witnesses, two guards, four Corrections Department communications staff members and seven journalists, the newspaper said. Cole was convicted of killing John Edwards, an 18-year-old Florida State University student, in 1994. Cole pretended to help Edwards and his 21-year-old sister Pam at a campsite. Cole left the site and returned with another man he claimed was his brother. Cole attacked Pam Edwards while the four walked, handcuffing her and pushing her to the ground. John Edwards fought back but was overcome. The other man took Pam Edwards away from the area and that's when Cole killed John Edwards, cutting his throat and bashing his head. Pam Edwards was raped and left tied to two trees, where she freed herself the next morning. Cole was the first inmate executed in Florida this year and the 13th put to death in the nation in 2024. Cole had said he shouldn't be convicted of his crimes because he endured "horrific abuse" at the state-run reform school Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys before it was eventually shut down. He said the abuse included being raped, beaten regularly and having both legs broken by staff at the reform school after he made an escape attempt. For years, Cole repeatedly challenged his conviction and blamed the crimes on his co-defendant. Tim Walz is a car guy and works on his own 1979 Scout SUV. Will it help him with voters? In 2007, when Tim Walz was a freshman congressman, he told a reporter that his dream car was a 1973 Chevrolet Camaro, noting, Im kind of a muscle-car guy. What he was actually driving was a more staid choice: a Dodge minivan. But a year after that interview with the Hill, the self-professed car guy bought a vehicle that is now making headlines and has come to define the vice presidential candidates Im-from-a-small-town, Minnesota-dad vibe: a 1979 International Harvester Scout II. The choice impresses people like Brandon Ray, a 48-year-old fellow Scout II owner from Phoenix. As Ray tells it, hed just gone through a divorce 15 years ago when a bad-ass yellow Scout II caught his eye. The SUV bore two decals: One said, Face your fears, the other, Live your dream. He bought the Scout. It did what it said it was gonna do, Ray said. I faced my fears and lived some of my dreams in that truck. News that Walz owns a 1979 Scout II came as a surprise to Ray. "I just don't picture a blue guy driving a f Scout," he said, referencing Walz's Democratic affiliation. Cars and politics have long mixed. With exhortations to "buy American," presidents have almost always favored rides from U.S. automakers. That includes President Biden, who cherishes his 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. Amid Walz's whirlwind journey to the national political stage, his car credentials have become part of his story. Notably, a 2018 video of Walz admonishing Ford over a low-quality headlight harness has resurfaced to the delight of gearheads. The teacher-turned-Minnesota governor wrenches on cars and goes to classic auto shows, too. But the most obvious part of his pistons-and-pushrods persona is his Scout. For years, Walz, 60, has taken to social media to share photographs of his Scout, which is painted an arresting glacier blue and sports a license plate that reads "ONE MN," an apparent reference to his "One Minnesota" political slogan. Of the many American classics still roaming the roads, the Scout is one imbued with particular meaning. The Scout was produced in Fort Wayne, Ind., by International Harvester from 1960 to 1980 in multiple guises spread across two generations, known as I and II. It is among the quirkiest of the vintage SUVs that have become popular in recent years. The Scout wasn't made by a familiar automotive brand: International Harvester was a Chicago-based farm equipment company that shut down about 40 years ago. That has made the Scout less recognizable to the Instagram set and more appealing to enthusiasts looking for a deal at a time when vintage Ford Broncos often sell for more than $100,000. The Scout, said Randy Nonnenberg, cofounder of the automotive auction platform Bring a Trailer, has "always been an underdog." With its boxy body, chrome grille, round headlights and removable or soft top, it is practical, charming and not too flashy. "Scouts are very Midwest, which is very on-brand" for Walz, said Nonnenberg, whose company has auctioned 285 Scout IIs at an average price of about $38,000. "It's kind of like the vehicle version of him." Some other Scout owners agree. This International Harvester Scout II was restored by Gary Brown, an Orange County resident who is impressed that Walz maintains one of his own. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) "Anyone who wants to maintain and keep a '79 Scout is not your average person," said Gary Brown, an Orange County software engineer who has restored and sold about 10 Scouts over three decades. "It takes someone with a retro or somewhat older mindset ... [who] knows how to tinker." "I like guys like that guys who can fix things," he said. As for Ray, who is selling another Scout a rare 1978 version priced at $59,999 he didn't want to talk politics, which he called "a tough topic." But, in a nod to the unifying power of cars, Ray imagined a trip he and Walz might take into the wilds of the Southwest: "Maybe he and I can go out in the dunes one of these days?" No 'garage queen' Walz appears to have a genuine passion for cars, but he also seems to possess a finely calibrated understanding of how his actions may play with voters, said Matt Hardigree, publisher of the Autopian, which has written about the politician. Just take the governor's social media posts featuring his Scout and another Scout his dog. That, Hardigree said, "is an unhateable image." "It is Norman Rockwell transported 50 years into the future," he said. Then there's Minnesota's right-to-repair law, one of several such measures passed by states in recent years. Signed by Walz in 2023 and called the Digital Fair Repair Act, it directs makers of electronics and other items to give consumers access to information and parts so that they can repair their own devices. Although the law doesn't cover cars, Hardigree said it shows that Walz subscribes to a fix-it ethos that many vintage car owners can appreciate. In the case of the Scout, maintaining one is no small feat, because parts are hard to come by. Still, Hardigree, who reviewed images of Walz's ride, approved of the politician's upkeep: "It's clean, but it's clearly driven. It's not a garage queen." Being a motorhead is such a part of Walz's political persona that it became the subject of a joke during this month's Democratic National Convention. TV producer Ben Wexler, whose credits include "Arrested Development," posted on X, "If Tim Walz walks out onstage wiping his hands on a greasy rag because he just fixed the transmission on the campaign bus, we win all 50 states." Scouting for votes When Ray expressed surprise over Walz's ownership of a 4x4, he was tapping into a stereotype: Trucks are for Republicans. It's a notion that former President Trump has leaned into, singing the praises of beefy American rides, even saying in 2019, "I love trucks of all types." "Even when I was a little boy at 4 years old my mother would say, 'You love trucks,'" Trump continued. "I do. I always loved trucks." Read more: Beverly Hills Car Club and its Real Housewives owner sell dream cars. Some spark legal battles Hardigree, a former Texas political consultant, said that a truck has long been a requirement to get elected in that state. "The sense [in Texas] was you couldn't get elected as a Democrat or a Republican if you didn't own a pickup truck," he said. "But the Republicans never had to prove they drove a truck, and the Democrats always did." Nonnenberg said that Walz's Scout and his ability to work on it could help him find common ground with voters. "It shows his connection to reality," said Nonnenberg, who spoke with The Times from the wheel of his Rivian R1S electric SUV, whose styling calls to mind the Scout. "This guy is not out of touch with normal Americans." Elana Scherr, a senior editor at Car and Driver, took it a step further: "Having a hobby and being genuinely into it is charming." Read more: Whats happening to the color of L.A. cars? Inside the obsession with muted earth tones Could Walz's ownership of a Scout convince some Republican car cognoscenti to vote for Kamala Harris? Nonnenberg is doubtful, believing it's little more than an "interesting contextual addition" that would hardly change minds. It could, however, raise the profile of a new breed of Scout at an auspicious moment. In a twist, the Scout is coming back, with a new model expected by 2026. The 4x4 is being revived by Volkswagen, which acquired its trademark in 2021. The new car will feature styling that harks back to the original. But it won't be like the Scout that Walz drives in one important way, adopting technology whose proponents Trump has urged to "ROT IN HELL." It'll be electric. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. 'It's our time': These Arizona seniors were looking for something to do. They built a family David and Virginia OConnor, who have been married for 47 years, discovered the community center soon after it opened in 2016. It sits in a Goodyear strip mall, just off Interstate 10. The bright, airy space, operated by health care giant Optum, is open to anybody age 55 and older and offers a gym, an array of classes, and a place to hang out, free of charge. When David and Virginia started going there, connections were easy to come by. This was particularly the case in a class called Brain Savers, which involves entertaining memory exercises, often with a hefty dose of innuendo. During a word association game involving alliterating names, Virginia offered as her contribution: Virgin Virginia. I think its past that! cracked a fellow attendee, a woman named Cindy Butler. So thats how they became friends with Cindy. Over time, a tight-knit group of six began to form. There was David and Virginia and Cindy, and Lynnette Rollins, a thoughtful, soft-spoken woman who works security at Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns games, and Amalia Cordova-Rubio, a devoted knitter with blue hair who had only just started getting to know the group before losing her husband, Tito, in January 2018. And there was Jan McNeil, who had moved from southern California at her childrens behest after being widowed herself. One day in 2019, David and Virginia were telling the gang about a trip they were taking to New Mexico. They were going to visit Santa Fe and Taos and stay with friends who lived on a vineyard. It sounded divine. So divine, in fact, that Jan took a leap into the unknown. Can we come? she asked. Jan didnt really mean it. But also, she kind of did. To her surprise, David and Virginia didnt say no, or laugh it off. They went home and talked it about. The next day, they came back with an answer: yes. Making connections When Jan moved to Arizona, she was craving connection. She had cared for her husband throughout his long illness, and over time, her social contact had dwindled to the people she chatted with as he received chemotherapy. I was ready for people and for friendships, she said. But she was dubious about her new surroundings I thought, What am I going to do in Goodyear, Arizona? and frustrated by her childrens well-meaning micro-managing: I just wanted them to leave me alone! At the center, she found what she was looking for a way to stay fit, classes to keep her mind occupied, and, most importantly, connection. All six group members, in their mid-60s to mid-70s, came to the center for different reasons. David went for an annual physical the center's amenities are open to all, but Optum members can also receive care there and after seeing the gym and classes, recruited Virginia, who was after a place to exercise. Lynnette heard about it from her neighbor after asking her to go walking in the hope of exercise and socializing. Cindy wanted something to do after retirement, certain that she needed a plan. By the time the New Mexico trip came around, they had been friends for a while, hanging out in classes, doing puzzles in the lobby, and enjoying excursions closer to home. But venturing out-of-state made clear what they had was special. Travel can inject tension into the oldest of friendships, the closest of families, and they hadnt known each other all that long. Somehow, it worked. We just grew together, Cindy said. Everybody got along. Before long, seeing each five days a week at the center wasnt enough. They started playing Uno at Chik-Fil-A every Saturday, their games long and raucous. When COVID-19 hit in early 2020, they had to get creative. They established a group chat, which lit up every morning with a joke David sent from his flip phone and Zoomed together every Friday. They met up in the YMCA parking lot, sitting in a circle of chairs spaced 6 feet apart under the shade of solar panels, talking through their masks. With most of the group living by themselves, the social contact was a lifeline. You weren't alone, you know? Cindy said. You had somebody besides the animals. Even for David and Virginia, who live together, having others to talk to was a godsend. It just kept us sane, Virginia said. Once it felt safe to venture out again, they met up at Flemings Steakhouse, dressed to the nines. And as soon as they could, they got back to their adventures. Amalia Cordova-Rubio, Jan McNeil, David O'Connor, Virginia O'Connor, Cindy Butler, Lynette Rollins spin with their hands over their heads during a Brain Savers class on June 27, 2024, at Optum Community Center in Goodyear. These days, the group hangs out six days a week: Monday to Friday at the center and breakfast at Rudys on Sundays. They have shared countless meals, helped each other look for apartments, and celebrated St Patricks Day and July 4. Theyve seen plays together, tailgated at a Cardinals game, and gone to the movies to see, among other things, "Aquaman," where David sank low in his seat as the rest of the group wolf-whistled at star Jason Momoa. I dont know why they didnt get kicked out, he said. We may be older, Jan said, but were still alive. Traveling with friends Five years on from New Mexico, the group members have their travel routine down pat. They rent a van, which David drives, and tally their costs, which Virginia splits between the six of them at the end of the trip. David calls ahead to scout out travel locations. Lynnette, a natural navigator, keeps them on track. Amalia knits and Jan puts on sunglasses to hide the fact shes falling asleep. Cindy ribs Jan about the sunglasses, the napping, and just about everything else. Theres a running gag that Jan gets in the van without even knowing where theyre going, though like many inside jokes the truthfulness of the story has been exaggerated over time. And their travels have taken them all over Arizona, to Cave Creek, Queens Creek, Tombstone, Williams, Sedona and more. They experienced a car accident on the way to Tucson It was NOT our fault! several of them exclaimed in unison and were the last group off the dance floor at the Cliff Castle Casino in Camp Verde. Last year, they went on their most ambitious trip yet: Niagara Falls. They took a ride on Maid of the Mist, the famous boat tour that takes you right up to the churning waters. They had just stepped onto dry land when Jan found out her brother had died. He was 56, and the loss was completely unexpected. Jan was hit by a wave of shock and grief. But as she looked around, trying to process the news, all she saw was the natural beauty of the falls and the faces of her friends. She knew they had all experienced losses and that they understood her pain. And they held me up, she said. Yes, I cried. But then I was thankful. Because I was with them, in such a beautiful place. Why it works Sometimes the group senses that what they have is a little unusual. It might be a whiff of jealousy from a friend who doesnt have the same social calendar. Or an admiring relative who sees travel photos on Facebook and remarks that they want that for their own retirement. So why does it work? How have these six seniors in Goodyear managed to escape the epidemic of loneliness affecting every generation? The group talks in their typical overlapping sentences as they try to lay a finger on why. We just have fun, Cindy said. We get each other. When you get older, youll find out sometimes people dont take you seriously, or they dont invite you to do things. This place just brought us all together. Were just like a family, and we can count on each other. Were not alone. Amalia Cordova-Rubio (from left), Jan McNeil, David O'Connor, Virginia O'Connor, Cindy Butler and Lynette Rollins work on word pairing sheets during a Brain Savers class on June 27, 2024, at Optum Community Center in Goodyear. Friendship is very sacred, Amalia said. I believe the key to making a friendship last is trust and respect. And I think theres a mutual respect. I think we all had a lot in common, Lynnette offered. And I think that we were all in the same place when we met everything was alike with us. Their experiences in common range from losing loved ones to dealing with adult children to sometimes feeling overlooked as an older person. They know each others political views, more or less, but they just dont go there. Its not worth risking the friendship, Cindy and Jan said, to create tension over something they ultimately have no control over. I think as you get older, I think we all know life gets shorter, and we just want to do as much as we can and enjoy life, Cindy said. It doesn't have to be perfect. We don't have to have our way. We just want to be with each other, that's all. And were so easygoing, Virginia said. I mean, we can say we're going to go here, and then at the last minute we'll go over here, and we're all OK. You know, we're ready to do that. And to me, its more important to be with you guys than where were going, Jan said. So if something changes, something falls through it doesnt matter. I don't know what it is, but we just get in sync, Cindy said. I just think, Virginia said, decisively, we were all ready for an adventure. 'We really have become family' They trace the depth of the friendship if not the chronological beginning back to Jans bold question about New Mexico. It kind of shocked us, Virginia confessed. I was so shocked you considered it! Jan said. Even more shocking, though, was David and Virginias answer. I couldnt believe their hearts were so big like that. In the years since, Jan added, we really have become family. Weve been through deaths, births, weddings, birthdays, Virginia said. Weve been through everything. Theyve all had friends before, of course. But nothing quite like this. This is the best, Cindy said, without hesitation. I had friends from work, cause I worked for the county for 40 years. And, you know, you're sort of, you're sort of pushed into that friendship. You know, you're in school, you're sort of pushed into that. But when you're retired, you're not pushed into this friendship. As she spoke, the usually rowdy group fell silent, nodding as they listened carefully to her assessment. We're in this friendship because we love each other, Cindy continued. Were good friends. We choose to be friends. But you know, when you work, you've got people you work with. You're just thrown in there because you work with them, and that's your life. Well, this is our life now. It's our time. There was a moment of reflective silence as her words sank in. Dang, that was good, David said. And once again, the group erupted in laughter. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Goodyear seniors find family at local community center Villages of Hope, a planned 14-tiny house community for women escaping human trafficking, has received a $500,000 challenge grant from Jacksonville philanthropist Delores Barr Weaver. The nonprofit community on the city's Westside has raised about $1.4 million of the $2.4 million capital construction cost. The grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida requires the nonprofit to first raise $600,000 that with the match will cover the remaining cost. This is a tiny house on the property of nonprofit Villages of Hope on Jacksonville's Westside, which will ultimately be the site of 14 tiny houses for women escaping human trafficking. "We are incredibly grateful," co-founder Donna Fenchel said. "We call on the community to help us meet this challenge and make a meaningful impact." Florida ranks third in the United States for human trafficking, with Jacksonville the third highest in the state, according to Villages of Hope. At issue locally is the lack of adequate, safe housing and tailored care for survivors. In 2022, Carla Sweeney, left, and Donna Fenchel talk inside a model tiny home under construction at The Villages of Hope, the tiny-home community their nonprofit is building for human-trafficking survivors. "I am deeply grateful for the hard work and dedication of nonprofit professionals both at home andaround the world," Weaver said. "Together, we will make a difference." Villages of Hope will be built on a donated one-third of an acre, with 14 tiny houses each housing two women referred by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and other partners. One house is already there to act as a model. A building that was already on the property has been renovated as a community center, which will be a hub for meals, therapy and medical care. Land clearing and other needed construction is completed for Jacksonville's Villages of Hope, which will be a nonprofit 14-tiny-house community for women escaping human trafficking. Additional buildings will house social enterprise, training and a store, among other things. Residents will be transported to services that are not on site. Women's Giving Alliance: New focus to address 'alarming' violence against women and girls To donate or get more information, call (904) 253-3123 or go to villagesofhope.org. bcravey@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4109 This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville tiny home village for trafficking survivors gets big boost NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) In Tennessee, the weight of a tip is about more than just service, but survival, considering employers are only required to pay tipped workers $2.13 an hour under state law, provided their total earnings add up to at least the minimum wage of $7.25 an hour with tips. Currently, Tennessee is one of 16 states that allow employers to pay tipped workers the federal tipped minimum wage of $2.13 an hour, provided their workers total earnings add up to at least $7.25 an hour. If the employees tips do not add up to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, employers are required by law to make up the difference. This system, called the tip credit, allows employers to save money on employee salaries by using their tips as a credit. Longtime server, Doug Soileau told News 2 the system benefits him, too. TN tipping laws: How tips help workers close the gap I like it being at the $2.13 because it gives me the opportunity and incentive to want to go out there and work harder, do a better job, Soileau said. I know, hey, Ive got to make the money myself. Its all about me. If I dont do the job, I dont get paid. Soileau worries if Tennessee gets rid of the tip credit system and requires employers to pay tipped workers the full minimum wage plus tips, his customers would tip less, among other consequences. Theyll say, Oh, theyre getting a big, high hourly wage, and theyll stop tipping, or some employers will use it as an excuse to cut hours, or cut staff, or shut up shop, or not pay people, Soileau said. There are currently seven states in the country Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington that do not use the tip credit system and require employers to pay tipped workers the states full minimum wage. In 2022, Washington D.C. voters overwhelmingly chose to phase out the tip credit system by 2027 and require employers to pay tipped workers $17.50 an hour. News 2 talked to groups in Washington D.C. about the positive and negative consequences of the change. Tipping fatigue sets in as many Americans say its out of control Andrew Kline, general counsel for the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington said even though D.C. is only a year into phasing out the tip credit, he pointed out customers and staff are already paying the price through 15-20% service fees, and other problems. Its created a great deal of confusion as operators have experimented with service charges, increased prices, cut staffing, and other methods to make up the additional wages that must be paid, Kline said. Kline added many are concerned D.C.s independent restaurants will eliminate jobs, close down, and be replaced by chains. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, full-service restaurants in D.C. have cut around 3,700 jobs since the district began scaling back the tip credit. However, Benjy Cannon with UNITE HERE Local 25, a labor union that represents casino, hotel, and restaurant workers, told News 2 the two arent connected. Weve seen no evidence that raising the tip minimum wage has led to restaurant closures or even fewer restaurant workers, nor have we read that its led to a decrease in tips, Cannon said. What is the etiquette for tipping in various situations? Cannon and other opponents of the tip credit say it leads to wage theft and inequitable pay between staff serving people who are more likely to tip and those who are not. Eliminating it is the only way to ensure workers are paid fairly, he added. What [eliminating the tip credit] does is just make sure that every worker, no matter if theyre at a fancy steakhouse or a chain, is going to at least be making the minimum wage, Cannon said. Its unclear whether lawmakers in TN have any legislative plans to eliminate the tip credit, but multiple Democrats have sponsored bills in the past to raise the minimum wage. Legislation proposing a minimum wage increase could be presented during the upcoming legislative session, which begins Jan. 2025. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) The Tennessee National Guard is assisting in efforts to fight wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park shared that efforts were underway to suppress a wildfire, named the Flint Gap Fire, near Hannah Mountain, south of Abrams Creek. The fire was first reported to the park on the evening of August 26. Crews fighting wildfire in the Smokies, closures reported Starting on August 27, the TN National Guard provided four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from Knoxvilles 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion. The helicopters left McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base with Bambi Buckets used to provide hundreds of gallons of water to fight wildfires. Each aircraft made multiple trips throughout the afternoon, picking up water from nearby water sources and transporting it directly to the needed area. The aircrews delivered more than 40 bucket loads of water, totaling nearly 8,000 gallons, wrote the Guard in a release. A Tennessee National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, from Knoxvilles 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion, flies to a nearby river to pick up water with a Bambi Bucket suspended under the aircraft. The hundreds of gallons of water were used to fight wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, August 27. (submitted Tennessee National Guard photo) A Tennessee National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crewchief, from Knoxvilles 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion, monitors the wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, August 27. (submitted Tennessee National Guard photo) A Tennessee National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, from Knoxvilles 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion, delivers water with a Bambi Bucket suspended under the aircraft, to fight wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, August 27. (submitted Tennessee National Guard photo) New Pigeon Forge ordinance changes parking along the Parkway ahead of Rod Run On August 28, three helicopters flew missions delivering water to suppress the fire. The Guard shared that they are prepared to continue supporting the firefighting efforts as long as needed. GSMNP shared that as of Tuesday, August 27 at noon the fire was estimated to be about 10 acres. The fire has also led to several closures within the park. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. Top 10 high schools in Greater Boston area, according to Boston magazine School is back in session and Boston Magazine has released its annual list of best high schools in the Greater Boston area. The magazine ranked 150 schools within, or partially within, the I-495 corridor. The schools were ranked based on criteria including enrollment, class size, student-to-teacher ratio, 2023 rank, graduation rates, standardized test scores, and teacher evaluations. To ensure accuracy and consistency, it is compiled with the most recent data available at press time from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which publishes a limited amount of information on each school, including MCAS and SAT scores, Boston Magazine wrote. For the 2024 rankings, Dover-Sherborn Regional High School moved into the #1 spot, up from #3 last year. Weston High School took the #2 spot in 2024 and Manchester Essex Regional High School took the #3 spot. These are the top ten schools for 2024 in the Greater Boston area: Dover-Sherborn Regional High School Weston High School Manchester Essex Regional High School Wayland High School Concord-Carlisle High School Wellesley High School Littleton High School Hingham High School Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Lexington High School To view the full list, visit the link here. 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 EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell chairs the EU Foreign Ministers' informal meeting in Brussels. Francois Lenoir/EU Council/dpa EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday he "wasn't entirely successful" in convincing the 27 EU member states to sanction Israeli government members. There was "certainly" not unanimity among EU foreign ministers, Borrell said in a press conference after an informal meeting in Brussels. "The ministers will decide. It's up to them, as always. But the process has been launched," Borrell said. The proposed sanctions target Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, dpa learned from EU officials shortly before the meeting. Israeli ministers have been "launching hate messages, unacceptable hate messages against the Palestinians," Borrell said earlier on Thursday. Some of the things proposed by Israeli ministers go "clearly against international law," Borrell said, and encourage the committing of "war crimes." The EU must not consider anything taboo when it comes to ensuring that humanitarian law is respected, Borrell said. Hungary and Germany are viewed as Israel's strongest EU supporters, however, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock did not rule out German approval of the proposal to sanction Smotrich and Ben-Gvir. Baerbock said before the meeting that she believes only the legal requirements and allegations against the politicians should be considered in approving the sanctions. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told his EU counterparts the proposed sanctions were "extremely dangerous and irrational," according to Hungarian government spokesman, Zoltan Kovacs. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on X he was working with EU supporters against the sanctions "pushed by anti-Israel elements." "Our message is clear: In a reality where Israel faces threats from Iran and its proxy terror organizations, the free world must stand with Israel, not against it," Katz said. Both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have recently caused outrage with anti-Palestinian statements. They are far-right coalition partners of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both officials are advocates of the settlement policy in occupied territories, which the highest UN court considers illegal. Ben-Gvir recently called for an end to aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip in order to pressure the Palestinian militant organization Hamas. Smotrich made a similar statement, suggesting a possible blockade of aid until all Israeli hostages held by Hamas were released. He described this as morally justified, even if it meant risking the lives of 2 million people in Gaza. According to Israel, Hamas still holds 107 hostages in Gaza. At least a third of them are believed to be no longer alive. The Gaza war was sparked by the Hamas-led attack in which 1,200 people, largely civilians, were killed on October 7. Since then, Israeli military bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 40,000 people, among them thousands of children, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority in Gaza. Multiple EU foreign ministers expressed their horror at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called on Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire. "This is essentially now a war against Palestinians, not just against Hamas," Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said, describing the civilian casualties as "unconscionable." "The immense suffering of the civilian population in Gaza must end," Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said. Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib described the fighting in Gaza as a "tragedy, a humanitarian catastrophe" and warned about violence escalating in the West Bank. Germany's top diplomat Baerbock joined calls for a ceasefire and said the situation in the West Bank "must not be allowed to explode." Sigrid Kaag, a senior United Nations official coordinating humanitarian efforts in Gaza, said the destruction and human suffering has not been "seen in the 21st century to this extent." The 27 EU member states also urged on Thursday for humanitarian pauses in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza to allow a vaccination campaign against polio to begin. Later on Thursday, the United Nations announced that Israel had agreed to limited daily pauses in fighting to allow health officials to vaccinate children. The future of Ukraine's top anti-corruption agency hung in the balance as its second-in-command lashed out at his boss after a disciplinary commission recommended firing or reprimanding him. Gizo Uglava, first deputy chief of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), continued to deny accusations of wrongdoing as he claimed in a Facebook post on Aug. 29 to have "provided indisputable materials that demonstrate (NABU chief Semen Kryvonos) personal interest... in dismissing me illegally." Later on Aug. 29, Uglava also accused Kryvonos of pressuring him to resign and having a conflict of interest in the potential decision on his dismissal. Uglava added that the National Agency for Anti-Corruption Prevention had launched an investigation at his request into an alleged violation of anti-corruption law by Kryvonos. He claimed that Kryvonos had no legal right to fire him due to the investigation. Uglavas post and two sources close to NABU interviewed by the Kyiv Independent confirmed the disciplinary commissions Aug. 28 recommendation to fire or reprimand him. The decision followed a probe into Uglavas alleged pressure on a whistleblower who revealed information on the NABUs first deputy chief allegedly leaking information to suspects and undermining the bureaus credibility. Kryvonos has yet to make a final decision on whether to fire or reprimand Uglava. His deputy Polina Lysenko told the Kyiv Independent that the bureau could not comment on the issue before its boss decided. Anti-corruption activists and experts describe Kryvonos decision on Uglava as a crucial test for the NABUs integrity and independence. The reputation of the NABU, set up in 2015 as part of Western-backed anti-corruption reforms, has been undermined by the whistleblower scandal. Uglava has been the NABU's first deputy chief, effectively second-in-command, for nine years. He was suspended upon his own request in May after the probe was launched. Chairman of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine Semen Kryvonos reports at press conference on the results of work for the first half of 2024 on Aug. 9, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Ihor Kuznietsov/Novyny LIVE/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images) The whistleblower case Uglava has been probed for allegedly pressuring a whistleblower who revealed information on the NABU reportedly leaking case materials to suspects in a high-profile corruption investigation and warning them about upcoming searches. A criminal case into the leaks was launched in May. Two internal probes into the alleged pressure on the whistleblower and illegal instructions allegedly given by top NABU officials to detectives were also initiated in May. The leak scandal and its aftermath have prompted accusations that the NABUs independence was compromised, allegedly with involvement of several people linked to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys office. Gizo Uglava, who served as NABU's deputy chief for nine years in an undated photo. (Wikimedia) To fire or not fire Uglava Kryvonos has been lambasted by parliament's anti-corruption committee and anti-corruption activists for failing to react quickly and adequately to the leak scandal and for not firing Uglava. A source close to the NABU confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that the commission had recommended either firing Uglava or reprimanding him. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press. The disciplinary commission is comprised of three representatives of the NABU and two representatives of the NABUs civic oversight council. Three commission members supported firing Uglava, and two voted against it, another source familiar with the probe told the Kyiv Independent. The source close to the NABU said that Kryvonos could have a conflict of interest because he had had close relations with Uglava for a long time. "If Uglava is fired, it will be a good step," the source told the Kyiv Independent. "This way Kryvonos will get rid of a reputational problem. But If Uglava is not fired, it will be the end for the entire institution. He will not be able to function normally." He said that the decision on Uglava will be a litmus test for Kryvonos. If Uglava is fired, this could prove that Kryvonos is independent, the source added. The source also argued that Uglava had spoiled his reputation by getting involved in political intrigues and bargains with the authorities. Read also: Legal violations identified in probe into NABU leak scandal, top anti-corruption official says Uglava said on Facebook that he disagreed with the commissions decision and called it "strange." "There is no evidence in the materials that I have made any threats or exerted pressure on any person," he said. "Moreover, there is no motive for such threats, since the criminal proceedings on the information leak do not confirm my involvement and the fact of leaking information itself, and the content of the correspondence does not correspond to the real facts. Uglava added that he hoped the law would prevail but an opportunistic approach has won. We are waiting for (Kryvonos) decision, he added. The Ukrainian newspaper Dzerkalo Tyzhnya reported on Aug. 28, citing its sources, that during a meeting of the disciplinary commission Uglava had played a recording in which Kryvonos allegedly told him that he considered him to be innocent. According to the alleged recording, Kryvonos also said he would have to fire Uglava because anti-corruption activists and international organizations were pressuring him. Uglava and Kryvonos have been involved in a conflict with the Anti-Corruption Action Center, with Uglava filing a libel lawsuit against the Western-funded watchdog. Read also: Ukraines anti-corruption bureau under fire over its handling of leak scandal Controversial correspondence The alleged leaks that sparked the current NABU scandal were discovered after investigators seized a phone belonging to businessman Yury Holyk, who was under investigation in a high-profile corruption case. The phone contained copies of messages obtained by Holyk from Georgy Birkadze, who allegedly acted in Holyks interests and talked to NABU employees from 2021 through 2023. Some of the messages have since been published by investigative journalists. One of the interlocutors told Birkadze in October 2022 that Oleksandr Kubrakov, who was infrastructure minister at the time, wanted to meet him. Kubrakov told the Bihus.Info investigative journalism project that he had met Uglava several days after the message was sent. Birkadze also refers to this interlocutor as a "compatriot" an apparent reference to the fact that both Birkadze and Uglava are Georgians. They also discuss traditional Georgian food such as khachapuri and lobio. A law enforcement source told the Kyiv Independent that "the style and semantics of the messages don't match Uglava's" but at the same time only Uglava could have access to all the information mentioned in the correspondence. Another law enforcement source told the Kyiv Independent that several versions are being investigated: the messages were either written by Uglava himself, or by someone on his orders, or Birkadze typed them up himself based on information from the NABU to present them to Holyk. The criminal investigation into the leak is being carried out by the NABU's internal audit unit and supervised by prosecutors of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. However, Kryvonos said in July that detectives of the unit had no authority to investigate the head and deputy heads of the NABU, which means they wouldnt touch Uglava. Moreover, he said that investigating the cases of employees divulging investigative secrets was not within their jurisdiction. Under Ukrainian law, the case may be transferred to the State Investigation Bureau if the NABU lacks jurisdiction. No charges in the criminal case have been announced so far. Read also: Ukraines anti-corruption bureau makes progress yet doesnt take on top presidential allies Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Alimat Aliyeva National Security Advisor to the President of the United States Jake Sullivan said that the United States and China have a joint responsibility to prevent confrontation and conflict between the two countries, Azernews reports. "The President's National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, met with the Deputy Chairman of the Central Military Council (CVS) in Beijing on August 29 China's Zhang Yuxia stressed that both countries are responsible for preventing competition from escalating into conflict or confrontation," the message says. It notes that both sides have "acknowledged progress" in the last ten months in this area. Sullivan also "noted the importance of peace and stability on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, the US commitment to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, and concern about China's support for Russia's defense industrial base," the White House informed. (Bloomberg) -- Senior White House official Jake Sullivan said China and the US have a duty to stop competition spiraling into conflict, during rare talks with a top Chinese general that broke another logjam. Most Read from Bloomberg Sullivan on Thursday became the first US national security advisor in eight years to meet a vice chairman of Chinas top military body, which is helmed by President Xi Jinping and oversees the worlds largest army by active personnel. The US official and General Zhang Youxia, of the Central Military Commission, discussed maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea two flashpoints in military relations as well as Washingtons growing concerns over Chinas ongoing support for the Kremlins war machine in Ukraine. Mr. Sullivan stressed that both countries have a responsibility to prevent competition from veering into conflict, according to a White House account of the meeting in Beijing. Zhang demanded that the US stopped arming Taiwan, according to the Chinese statement. Going into the exchange, Zhang said the gathering demonstrated the value the US government puts on military security. Sullivan called the sitdown the highest level publicly known talks between a Biden administration official and the Peoples Liberation Army a very important meeting. That breakthrough in dialogue underscores US efforts to stabilize ties as America enters a tumultuous political period ahead of a November election that will elect a new president. Sullivan earlier secured pledges for long-stalled calls between US and Chinese military commanders, as well as for Xi and President Joe Biden to speak again soon. Any talks at any level between China and the US are always welcome, its not only good for themselves but also a relief for other nations, said Zhou Bo, a retired senior colonel in the PLA. The key is to avoid a conflict and the way forward is to keep open lines of communication wherever possible. Sullivans trip comes at a time of rising military tensions between Beijing and Americas Asia-Pacific partners. A Chinese military aircraft breached Japanese airspace for the first time on Monday, escalating frayed relations with another key American partner, after clashes between ships from China and the Philippines which has a defense treaty with the US. Biden and Xi pledged to repair military exchanges at a summit just outside of San Francisco last November, after ties were abruptly cut following the August 2022 visit of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. But exactly who American officials should meet with had become a sticking point. While US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has requested to talk with Chinas top military brass, Beijing had put forward its defense minister a diplomat with no meaningful influence over military operations. Sullivans meeting with Zhang marked a return to precedent. In 2016, then US National Security Advisor Susan Rice met CMC vice chairman Fan Changlong in Beijing, while then American Defense Secretary Jim Mattis sat down with General Xu Qiliang who at the time held the same CMC ranking two years later. Xis Old Friend Zhang, 74, has been a vice chairman of the CMC since 2017 and is the oldest member of the 24-man Politburo after Xi dismantled retirement norms at a party reshuffle in 2022. Keeping on the senior general was seen as a push for continuity for the PLA, as military tensions rose with the US over Taiwan, which Beijing views as a breakaway province to be claimed someday, by force if necessary. During the Sullivan meeting, Zhang was flanked by other uniformed personnel, including Li Bin, director of the CMCs office for international military cooperation, who earlier this year spoke with Ely Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs. A social media account affiliated with Chinas state broadcaster highlighted that almost all of Sullivans entourage could speak Chinese, including National Security Council officials Diana Partridge and Joy Li. Zhang stands out as one of Chinas few senior military officials with combat experience, having fought against Vietnam decades ago. He is also a family friend of Xi, after their fathers worked together in northwestern China during the civil war. The septuagenarian previously served as the director of the General Armaments Department when the now-graced former Defense Minister Li Shangfu was his deputy. Li was ousted from the ruling Communist Party in June on allegations of bribery. Sullivan, who is on his first and likely last trip to Beijing in this role, could also meet with Xi before departing the worlds No. 2 economy. During the Obama administration, the Chinese leader sat down with the White Houses top security aide every year between 2013 and 2016. --With assistance from Jing Li and Colum Murphy. (Updates with Chinese statement.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. For the past six months, Monte Mabra has noticed the same black tow truck circling a shopping center on Milwaukees northwest side. "Every time I go, a customer is running out of the store saying, 'Don't take my car, don't take my car!'" he said. The truck only has a 1-800 phone number displayed on its side. It frequently tows cars that Mabra says are parked legally outside Hampton Shopping Center, 4801 N. 76th St. Monte Mabra frequents the Hampton Shopping Center on North 76th Street, where he started advocating against a tow company that, he says, is wrongfully towing customers' cars. Mabra started stepping in and filming the tow truck encounters this month. So far, he has stopped at least three cars from being towed. The owners of the companies operating in the parking lot, DT2 Towing LLC and Kings in Trucking Express LLC, denied that their drivers tow cars illegally. They were aware of Mabras videos on social media, but said they do not portray what's really going on. They also criticized the videos, alleging they've wrongfully given the companies "a bad rap," leading to an increase in break-ins at the company's lot. "We don't touch any vehicle that wasn't either in the handicap (spot), fire lane, or things of that nature," said David McElrath, Kings in Trucking owner, in an interview. But Public Investigator found problems with how the companies are operating. Kings in Trucking isn't licensed with the city of Milwaukee to tow cars from private property, and its LLC registration has lapsed, according to city and state records. Because of that, the towing companies are not legally permitted to work together, city officials say. In addition, city regulations stipulate that cars can only be towed at the request of the property owner. However, DT2 Towing owner Don Thurmond told Public Investigator they do not tow at the owners request, but instead patrol the lots 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The city's license division manager, Jim Cooney, said Wednesday the two companies have been referred to the Milwaukee Police Department's License Investigation Unit after Public Investigator began asking questions. Any reports or citations, plus any complaints from the public, will be made part of the license file and "could be grounds for discipline at the time of license renewal," Cooney said. Two companies work together to tow cars, but only one holds the proper license, city says Monte Mabra has become a resource for people who lose their cars to local towing company Kings in Trucking Express LLC. A red sign pictured above Mabra shows the company's phone number and says unauthorized vehicles are subject to towing. When cars are towed from the Hampton Shopping Center, they're taken to DT2 Towing located at 2620 W. Silver Spring Drive. However, the 1-800 number on tow trucks leads to Kings in Trucking Express. Thurmond, DT2s owner, said the number is for both businesses. It can reach his personal phone, the owner of Kings in Trucking's personal phone, and the lot's phone when it's open for business hours, he said. City regulations require towing businesses that take cars without prior consent of the owner or operator of the vehicle to obtain a city license. In an earlier interview, Cooney, the license division manager, said Kings in Trucking Express holds a license that only allows for nonconsensual towing in the case of bank repossession or from the public right of way to the city tow lot not from a store's parking lot. Thurmond told Public Investigator he holds the license needed to tow cars, while he contracts Kings in Trucking to aid in towing cars. Cooney confirmed DT2 has the license needed, but he said the way the two companies are working together is not legal. Kings in Trucking owner McElrath told Public Investigator he's properly licensed to take cars, he "just can't store them." However, Cooney said businesses engaged in nonconsensual towing from private properties must hold their own license and have their own premises in the city. Kings in Trucking also isn't properly registered as an LLC. State records show the company was registered in 2019 but was administratively dissolved in June. An administratively dissolved company can later seek reinstatement if it corrects any deficiencies and pays all fees and penalties. After Public Investigator spoke with the propertys owner, John Lewenauer, about these discrepancies, he called back this time, with Thurmond and McElrath. During the call on Tuesday, McElrath said he thought he was in compliance with city regulations and that his company has done everything "by the book." The owners of the two companies pledged to make changes. The property owner had thought he only worked with Kings in Trucking but realized how the two companies worked together after speaking with Public Investigator. In a call Wednesday, he told Public Investigator he would only work with DT2 Towing moving forward. Shopper said she had to pay $430 to get car back After Unique Johnson took her baby into Save A Lot on Aug. 7, she realized she had forgotten something in her white truck. When she returned to the parking lot, her truck was gone. "I thought I was getting pranked," Johnson said. Her truck had only been there for about five minutes, and she had parked correctly, she said. One of the towing companies later told her she had parked too close to accessible, or handicap, parking, which Johnson denied. Johnson went back inside the store where employees advised her to call the number on a small sign in the parking lot: 1-800-774-5892, the number for Kings in Trucking Express. As she waited for someone to pick up her and her daughter, Johnson panicked and cried as she wondered how she would get her truck back. She was forced to pay nearly $430 to get her car back that same day. Johnson also accused the towing companies of theft. She said $2,000 was missing from her truck when she picked it up. She showed Public Investigator a photo of broken cash bands in the truck, but said she did not report the theft to police because she did not think they would be able to help get her money back. McElrath denied that Johnson's money was stolen and said employees never enter people's cars. McElrath and Thurmond said they did not recall any interactions with Johnson. "You can't pay me to go in that parking lot, Johnson said, because it's like they just sit bored, just towing people's cars for nothing. More: What do I do if my car gets towed in Milwaukee? More: Milwaukee's Abyss Towing loses license to operate in city after complaint about denied 'drop fee' Companies deny they overcharge people who come to pick up their cars State statutes outline when cars can be towed, as well as how much towing companies can charge. State regulations allow a maximum towing fee of $150, plus an additional $25 to $35 for every day the vehicle is stored. Fees can be added under unique circumstances if special equipment is required to tow the vehicle. Videos and witness accounts of the cars towed by Kings in Trucking and DT2 Towing show employees using a hook and chain, a normal method outlined in state statutes. However, Johnson and several others on social media describe being charged at least $430 immediately after their cars are towed. But Thurmond said trucks often use special equipment, which legally raises the price, like the tools needed to raise a car onto a flatbed. State statutes also require signage on the property stating unauthorized parking is prohibited. The notice should be at each vehicle entrance to the parking area or property. Mabra, who has filmed the tow trucks, showed Public Investigator one sign posted on a pole above a handicap parking spotat Hampton Shopping Center. Public Investigator could not find any more signs. Evolve Church says members cars towed during worship services Kyra Allen, a member of Evolve Church, is well-aware of Kings in Trucking Express and DT2. The two companies frequently tow cars in the church parking lot during worship services, she said. The problem got so bad, the church has designated people to watch the lot and make sure cars are not improperly towed, she added. The church is about two miles away from Hampton Shopping Center. Over the past month, Allen said she's increasingly noticed cars being taken from both the church's parking lot and the lot next door. An older womans car was towed with her house key inside, and a mothers vehicle towed with her breast pump inside, she said. "They have no compassion for people," she said. Thurmond said his company is only towing cars that are improperly parked in fire lanes or accessible parking spots in the church lot. He said he often tells church goers, "I'm sorry you're at church, but our job is to patrol their lot 24 hours a day, seven days a week." The citys license division has not received any complaints about the towing companies. Neither has the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The city's licenses committee has revoked the licenses of private towing companies in the past. In 2019, the city announced plans to maintain report cards for towing companies that would include the number of tows performed and the number of complaints for every licensed private tow contractor. However, Department of Public Works spokesperson Tiffany Shepherd said after a lawsuit ruling, the city can no longer require receipts, which were used to update report cards. Because of that, the towing report cards no longer exist. Mabra said he posted his videos to raise awareness of the problem and prevent more cars from being towed. Earlier this month, he shared a video of a woman whose car was nearly towed from the Hampton Shopping Center. "They don't have a right to take your car," Mabra told her. She was in an accessible parking spot and pointed out that her handicap permit was displayed at the front of her car. The video later showed the men unhooking her car from the tow truck and leaving it in the parking lot. Complaints about towing companies can be sent to the city of Milwaukee License Division at license@milwaukee.gov. Complaints about unlawful towing also can be sent through the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's online form. Quinn Clark is a Public Investigator reporter. She can be emailed at QClark@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Quinn_A_Clark. About Public Investigator . Government corruption. Corporate wrongdoing. Consumer complaints. Medical scams. Public Investigator is a new initiative of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and its sister newsrooms across Wisconsin. Our team wants to hear your tips, chase the leads and uncover the truth. We'll investigate anywhere in Wisconsin. Send your tips to watchdog@journalsentinel.com or call 414-319-9061. You can also submit tips at jsonline.com/tips. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tow companies accused of illegally taking cars outside stores, church Traffic to be impacted on I-70 Business Loop as CDOT starts next phase of improvements MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) The Colorado Department of Transportation, along with contractor United Companies, recently began the next step in the Interstate 70 Business Loop improvements. CDOT said in a press release the project started Monday and will improve congestion and bring multimodal improvements to the business corridor. The project is planned to be completed in the fall of 2025. CDOT noted traffic will be impacted as crews work on bettering the roadway. The project will include installing concrete pavement, asphalt pavement overlay, storm sewer drainage infrastructure and improved ADA accessibility with new curbs, gutters, sidewalks and curb ramps. The Interstate 70 Business Loop is the backbone of the transportation system in Grand Junction, CDOT Regional Transportation Director Jason Smith said in a press release. This business corridor serves as a gateway to the citys downtown historic district where local residents and area visitors access shops, restaurants, hotels, parks and the train depot. According to CDOT, work will be from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Times will be adjusted to accommodate changes to daylight hours. Potholing operations have already begun at Pitkin and Ute avenues which is down to one lane from First to Fourth street while the intersection of Main and First streets is currently one lane with alternating traffic. After these operations, the work zone will begin on Third Street for storm drain excavation and installation with alternating one-lane traffic. Business access will be open and maintained but could be changed to help customer needs, CDOT said in the release. The work zone will be 25 miles per hour. CDOT asks residents to slow down through the cone zone Additionally, infrastructure reconstruction will also happen at Pitkin, Main and Ute avenues and Second and Third streets, according to CDOT. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." The social norms we live by day to day don't exactly the same at the airport. If you want pizza and beer at 6 am, you can have itand without judgment. However, Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary is trying to change that, or at least change the number of morning beers you can toss back. O'Leary is calling for a two-drink limit at airports, which would prevent passengers from ordering a third. He argued that there has been an increase in violent booze-fueled outbursts on flights due to alcohol. "We don't want to begrudge people having a drink," he told The Telegraph, according to BBC. "But we don't allow people to drink-drive, yet we keep putting them up in aircraft at 33,000ft." According to O'Leary, crew members and other passengers have fallen victim to the alcohol-related violence. "In the old days, people who drank too much would eventually fall over or fall asleep. But now those passengers are also on tablets and powder," he said, while alluding to passengers mixing alcohol with other substances. "It's the mix. You get much more aggressive behavior that becomes very difficult to manage," O'Leary said. "As long as they can stand up and shuffle they will get through. Then when the plane takes off, we see the misbehavior." Ryanair has already implemented a bag search for alcohol for all flights to Ibiza and other "party destinations," like the Greek islands. A spokesperson for AirportsUK told the BBC that the behavior is "unacceptable" and added that it could "lead to substantial penalties," including fines, blocked boarding, and even up to two years in jail. Airports are reportedly adding a "wide range of measures in place to monitor and tackle disruptive behavior and ensure everyone's safety," they added. "Airports are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable travel experience for all passengers and we're pleased that the vast majority of travelers continue to enjoy their journeys responsibly," the spokesperson said. Travelers, however, are not exactly on board with the rumored drink limitand are even offering up their own solutions to the problem on Reddit. One person argued that the rule was just an attempt for Ryanair to "sell more onboard," while another said the only way they would put up with Ryanair is with at least two pints. "Or, maybe just have an absolute zero tolerance and ban anyone getting violent on flights from being ever being allowed to fly or leave the country again," one user wrote on Reddit. Even travelers in favor of the rule weren't entirely sure how it would realistically work. "Not sure how it would be enforced but I do think it makes sense," another user said. "Delays and detours due to those incapable of showing any impulse control when it comes to alcohol shouldn't be a thing." You Might Also Like Earlier this week, U.S. Treasurer Chief Lynn Malerba visited Alaska to meet with Alaska Native tribal leaders in her first official visit to an Alaska Native Tribe. Chief Malerbas visit celebrated the recent announcement of up to $83 million in State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funds for a consortium of 125 Alaska Tribes. Funded by the Biden-Harris Administrations American Rescue Plan (ARP), this investment supports the nations largest Tribal SSBCI consortium and is part of the most expansive investment in small business financing for Tribal governments in history. Through the consortium, 125 Tribes will access critical economic development resources for Alaskas Tribal economy and the funds are anticipated to catalyze as much as $830 million in additional private sector investment across the state and in Native-owned businesses. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. During the visit, Treasurer Chief Malerba attended a roundtable discussion in Anchorage, Alaska which was hosted by the Alaska Federation of Natives to discuss economic challenges impacting Alaska Native communities. The Treasurer also traveled to meet with Chickaloon Village, a rural Alaska Native Tribe. This visit included a tour of Tribal facilities funded with ARP programs. The Treasurer was joined by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra. The Treasurer concluded her visit with a roundtable with lenders and investors at the University of Alaska Anchorage which is administering the funding on behalf of the Tribal consortium. With this recent SSBCI announcement, Treasury has now approved SSBCI applications for up to $415 million to support more than 220 Tribes through the SSBCI Capital Program for small businesses and tribal enterprises. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net Clients at Spirit Lake Nation Food Distribution Program in 2016. (Photo credit/ Don Hamilton for USDA) Amid a monthslong food shortage affecting tribal food assistance programs, U.S. Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer of North Dakota urged Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to swiftly and thoroughly rectify the situation. These shortages are a gross failure of program management and the USDA needs to promptly resolve this issue, said Cramer in a statement to Buffalos Fire. Participating families need certainty that their food will show up on time. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Agricultures warehouse consolidation disrupted nationwide distribution, leaving many commodity food programs critical for children and elders without staples like meat, cheese, frozen vegetables and fruit juice. Six senators from both sides of the aisle, including Hoeven and Cramer, wrote in an Aug. 23 letter that while the USDA is mitigating the persistent delivery issues, more must be done. This letter is about getting answers, solving the problems and pressing to ensure that tribes are properly consulted on the administration of this program moving forward, Hoeven said in a statement to Buffalos Fire. Mary Greene-Trottier, director of the Spirit Lake Nation Food Distribution Program in Fort Totten, said that the resources Secretary Vilsack mobilized already have been tremendous. Im glad congressional leaders are heeding the call to urgency and I commend them for that, she said. In their letter, senators joined food program directors in calling for long-term guardrails and strategies to prevent a situation like this from occurring in the future. Delayed, incomplete or missing deliveries skyrocketed when the U.S. Department of Agriculture switched to a single distribution and warehouse provider in April. Missouri-based contractor Paris Brothers lacked the staffing and infrastructure necessary for a smooth transition. Many commodity food programs accustomed to monthly replenishment faced shortages or ran out of stock when delivery trucks didnt arrive until weeks after they were scheduled. Program directors have been in overdrive, working to establish a line of communication to secure deliveries. They have switched to multiple food suppliers and funding streams to ensure clients can take home the staple foods they need. The legislators emphasized that these food shortages are especially impactful during the summer months when many families rely on commodity food programs in lieu of school meals. Food distribution programs are critical in combating the summer slide, where students education level regresses without consistent resources. In early August, deliveries increased but needed to be improved to address the significant backlog. After more than three months of persistent shortages, USDA authorized food distribution programs to utilize separate funds and provided $11 million to purchase foods and bolster inventory. Food banks, vendors, and tribal leaders consistently reach out to tribal food assistance programs, offering resources and support. This shows they care, Greene-Trottier said. Greene-Trottier noted it was unfortunate the attention was on a negative experience within the food distribution programs, which are critical community hubs. I really hope this sheds a light on the important work we do, Greene-Trottier said. More than 50,000 participants in food distribution programs on reservations rely on the monthly food supply instead of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which can be hard to access on reservations. In 2023, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program served almost 700 million low-income seniors. Greene-Trottier will travel to Washington, D.C., on Sept. 12 for a consultation between tribal leaders and government officials. She hopes the discussion will establish strategies for long-term solutions. This article was originally reported by Buffalos Fire, a digital news site is published by the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance, a Native-led, Native-woman founded nonprofit media organization based in Bismarck. Trinidad and Tobago reckons with colonialism in a debate on statues, signs and monuments of its past A vandalized statue of Christopher Columbus towers over Columbus Square in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. Officials in the Caribbean island nation are reviewing on whether to remove statues, signs and monuments that reference European colonization. (AP Photo/Robert Taylor) SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) In a small auditorium in the seaside capital of Trinidad and Tobago, Christopher Columbus and other colonial-era figures came under scrutiny late Wednesday in a lengthy debate punctuated by snickers, applause and outbursts. The government had asked residents of the diverse, twin-island nation in the eastern Caribbean if they supported the removal of statues, signs and monuments with colonial ties and how those spaces should be used instead. One by one, people of African, European and Indigenous descent stepped up to the microphone and responded. Some suggested a prominent Columbus statue be placed in a museum. Others requested it be destroyed and that people be allowed to stomp on the dusty remains. One man encouraged officials to round up statues of colonial figures and create a square of the infamous. The majority of the more than two dozen people who spoke, and dozens of others commenting online, supported removal of colonial-era symbols and names. Its an issue about how after 62 years of independence ... we continue to live in a space that reflects the ideals and the vision and the views of those who were our colonial masters, said Zakiya Uzoma-Wadada, executive chair of the islands Emancipation Support Committee. Trinidad and Tobago is the latest nation to embrace a global movement that began in recent years to abolish colonial-era symbols as it reckons with its past and questions if and how it should memorialize it as demands for slavery reparations grow across the Caribbean. The public hearing was held just a week after the government announced it would redraw the nations coat of arms to remove Christopher Columbus three famous ships the Pinta, the Nina and the Santa Maria and replace it with the steelpan, a popular percussion instrument that originated in the Caribbean nation. Others pushed for further changes on Wednesday night. What the hell is the queen still doing on top of the coat of arms? Please let us put her to rest, said Eric Lewis, who identifies as a member of the First Peoples, also known as Amerindians. Trinidad and Tobago was first colonized by the Spanish, who ruled it for nearly 300 years before ceding it to the British, who governed it for more than 160 years until the islands independence in 1962. The colonial imprint remains throughout streets and plazas, with a statue of Christopher Columbus dominating a square of the same name in the capital of Port-of-Spain. The islands National Trust calls it one of the greatest embellishments of our town, but many differ. Its disrespectful to those who were the victims of him. The people suffered tremendously, said Shania James as she called for the statue to be placed in a museum. His atrocities should not be forgotten. But a handful of people dismissed concerns about how their ancestors were treated, including tour guide Teresa Hope, who is Black. They survived, and I survived, and we will keep on moving, she said, adding that if the actions of historical figures were scrutinized, everything would get knocked down. Rubadiri Victor, president of the Artists Coalition, said his country should instead erect statues and monuments to honor some of the more than 200 Trinbagonians who represent the best of the islands. We stumbling and tripping over heroes, he said. To have produced so much genius, and that lineage is nowhere present in the landscape. Among the suggestions of people to honor was Nobel Prize-winning author V.S. Naipaul; Cyril Lionel Robert James, a historian and journalist; and Kwame Ture, who helped spearhead the Black Power movement in the U.S. Others suggested that prominent Amerindians and more local women be honored, including Patricia Bishop, an educator and musician and Beryl McBurnie, a teacher credited with promoting and saving Caribbean dance. The debate was scheduled to continue soon in the sister island of Tobago, with the government having received nearly 200 submissions overall so far on what it should do. (Bloomberg) -- Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, currently the favorite to win the next Canadian election, says the country needs to slow its soaring population growth to better align with the growth in housing, jobs and health care. Most Read from Bloomberg We have to have smaller population growth, theres no question about it, Poilievre told reporters Thursday. He said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been adding new residents at three times the rate of the housing stock. We need to have a growth rate that is below the growth in housing, health care and employment, Poilievre said, though he did not say exactly how that would translate into an annual immigration target. A surge in temporary residents to Canada has helped push its population growth rate to 3.2%, one of the worlds fastest and above any other developed country. Thats quickly pushed the countrys population to 41 million, straining housing markets and the social safety net. Poilievre did not say how many immigrants he would welcome per year. But in July, the number of jobs rose by 1.7% from the year before, with the number of health care workers excluding managers up 3.5%. The total number of housing starts in the second quarter was up 2.6% from the previous year. Keeping the population growth rate below the lowest of those figures 1.7% would represent a halving of the current rate. Poilievre added that he would run the immigration system the way it was done in the 30 years before Trudeau came to power in 2015. While the Conservative leader also did not cite a specific number in that statement, the population growth rate averaged 1.1% annually from 1984 to 2014. Trudeaus government is currently targeting about half a million new permanent residents a year. Thats significantly up from the rate of about 300,000 annually when Trudeau was first elected in 2015. Trudeau and Immigration Minister Marc Miller have already announced a plan to scale back the pace in non-permanent immigration, with the goal of reducing the number by about 20% over the next three years. The government aims to decrease the temporary resident population to about 5% of Canadas total down from the current share of 6.8%. Miller has also said the government is now looking at reducing the growth in permanent residents. In an interview with CTV News this week, Miller said he intends to look at Canadas permanent immigration target and put real options on the table for the prime minister and for other cabinet ministers to look at, and not cosmetic changes simply to deal with public opinion, he said. Real significant change. Trudeau told reporters on Monday the government is looking at the various streams to make sure that as we move forward, Canada remains a place that is positive in its support for immigration, but also responsible in the way we integrate and make sure theres pathways to success for everyone who comes to Canada. --With assistance from Jay Zhao-Murray. (Corrects date range in chart and paragraph seven.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Say what you will about the UK immigration system, but there are always fresh horrors to be dredged up from its depths by the inquisitive mind. Take the EU Settlement Scheme Permit visa route, which has so far been used by almost 139,000 migrants though not quite the migrants you might expect. Despite the name, the visa was designed mainly to allow non-EAA-citizen family members to join EEA relatives who were living in Britain before the end of the Brexit transition period (December 31 2020). At a bare minimum, it functions like a temporary work or study visa, allowing the holder to live in the UK and work or study for up to six months, at which point they have to leave. But if the visa holder can demonstrate a sufficiently close relationship with their family member in the UK, and also that the relationship began before 31 December 2020, the visa holder, once in the UK, is eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme and gain pre-settled status. This puts them on the path to citizenship, and in the meantime gives them the right to work and study in the UK, free access to the NHS and access to the benefits system several years earlier than is normally the case. So who exactly is making use of this route? Well according to the latest Home Office data, its mainly citizens of poorer countries. For instance, a significant proportion of these 139,000 visas have gone to nationals from India (19.9 per cent), Pakistan (19.8 per cent), Bangladesh (7.6 per cent), Albania (6.5 per cent), Ghana (5.1 per cent), Somalia (4.5 per cent), Nigeria (4.0 per cent) and Moldova (3.8 per cent). Strikingly, only 0.5 per cent of the EU Settlement Scheme Permit visas have gone to nationals of developed English-speaking countries Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. And if we look at rich Asian countries, Japan and South Korea, that share drops to just 0.1 per cent. Wouldnt they have European relatives, too? But Brazilians using this route outnumber Americans five to one. Afghans outnumber Canadians ten to one. Senegalese outnumber Japanese sixteen to one. Now there might be perfectly legitimate reasons why such a large proportion of the visa holders are from poorer countries. The authorities have long been aware of Indians and Brazilians migrating to the UK on Portuguese passports, Somalis on Dutch passports, Moldovans on Romanian passports and so on. The usual chain migration of family members would naturally follow. And compared to normal family visa routes with stringent salary thresholds and a five-year wait for access to benefits, the EU Settlement Scheme Permit visa must look pretty attractive. Curiously though, while you might expect applications to tail off as the December 2020 cut-off recedes into the past, this varies quite a lot by nationality. For example, 887 Somalis were issued the visa in the first half of this year, more or less the same as the first half of 2023 (864). But the number of US nationals halved from 19 to just nine. Which leaves us with a deeply alarming possibility: that what we are seeing in this data is visa fraud from developing countries on an industrial scale. Evidence that may support this theory emerged just this week, when four members of a Nigerian criminal gang were jailed after forging more than 2,000 marriage certificates and accompanying documentation. These certificates were created between 2019 and 2023, with the intent of getting visa holders on the EU Settlement Scheme path. This wasnt just a small-time operation, either. These fraudulent certificates equated to about 1.4 per cent of all EU Settlement Scheme Permit visas issued, and around 35 per cent of those which have gone to Nigerian nationals. These are extraordinary numbers. Theres also no reason to think this is a one-off. Fraud has been rife on other visa routes in recent years, notably qualification fraud on the Health and Care visa. The countries which rank highly on the EU Settlement Scheme Permit route also tend to rank highly on international indexes of corruption. For example, Transparency International places Pakistan as the 133rd most corrupt country in the world (out of 180), with Nigeria at 145 and Somalia at 180 (the UK places joint 20th, alongside the likes of Austria and France but behind the Nordics and other English-speaking countries like Canada). This matters and not just as a matter of principle. As a recent Centre for Policy Studies paper that I co-wrote with the Conservative MPs Robert Jenrick and Neil OBrien showed, migrants from such countries have historically been much less likely to be net contributors to the Exchequer than nationals of EU and other developing countries. Yet, like most migrants, they still put pressure on housing, infrastructure and public services. There is evidence, in other words, that the EU Settlement Scheme is being abused possibly on a very significant scale indeed. Ideally, the scheme could be simply scrapped but that would mean reopening the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. And while Keir Starmer is keen to do so, hes not likely to do so on terms that would reduce immigration quite the opposite, if reports are to be believed. The Government must put a lot more effort into working out who these people are, whether their visa claims were legitimate, and removing them if they are not. Remember: in theory, these visas are only for six months. That means migrants entering on this route will not feed into the net migration numbers. While its impossible to tell from the available data exactly how many gained pre-settled status, how many slipped off into the grey economy and how many actually left, it seems a fair bet that migration to the UK has been thousands and perhaps tens of thousands higher than the official numbers, which were already staggeringly high. In other words, the EU Settlement Scheme Permit appears to be yet another hole in the Swiss cheese that is Britains immigration system. Karl Williams is Research Director at the Centre for Policy Studies Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) A lot has changed since CBS 17 reported former President Donald Trump leading in all seven swing states against President Joe Biden in April polling numbers. A new poll from CBS 17/Emerson College/The Hill released Thursday morning reflects a much tighter race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. In just one statePennsylvaniathe two are tied. The other six are an even split with three favoring Harris and three favoring Trump. The 1-point difference in NC Vice President Harris and former President Trump. North Carolina is in the group of swing states leaning toward Trump, the poll finds, with 49% of voters decided on Trump, 48% decided on Harris and the remaining 3% responded undecided or voting for another candidate. The race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump continues to be tight, within each states margin of error, said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling. States where Harris has the slight edge over Trump are Georgia (49% to 48%), Michigan (50% to 48%) and Nevada (49% to 48%). In addition to North Carolina, Trump has the advantage with Wisconsin voters (49% to 48%) and Arizona where he has the 3-point lead (50% to 47%). In Pennsylvania, its an even split with 48% for each candidate. There is also a stark gender divide, similar to that of 2020, Kimball said. In six of the seven swing states, Harris leads Trump among women, however, in Arizona, Trump has a two-point edge on Harris among women voters, a group that broke for Biden by about three points in 2020 according to exit polling. Key Issues, Questions for NC Voters The poll went well beyond the candidates, narrowing down the issues voters in North Carolina say they care about most. The results show economy is the landslide top issue for voters, with health care and education ranking as second and third. Voters in all swing states were asked if Project 2025 makes them more likely or less likely to support Donald Trump or if it has no real impact in their decision. The largest share of voters across both parties (37%) and independents (41%) said it has no real impact. NC voters who said Project 2025 makes them more likely to support Trump amounted to 17% of respondents. A little more than double that amount, 35% of NC voters said it makes them less likely to support the former president. The smallest group of voters to answer differently (11%) said they are unfamiliar with the initiative altogether. Who Leads Race for NC Governor? The poll also looked at top gubernatorial and Senate races in the swing states and where voters stand. On the ballots in Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin the races are being led by Democrats. The same holds true in North Carolina where Attorney General Josh Stein (D) holds a six-point lead (47% to 41%) over opponent and current Lt. Governor Mark Robinson (R). Methodology and acknowledgements: Data was collected between August 26-28, 2024 with a North Carolina sample size of n=775, with a credibility interval of +-3.5%. The survey was conducted by Emerson College Polling and sponsored by Nexstar Media. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) A Democratic congressman is calling on Arlington National Cemetery to release all information about an incident that happened during former president Donald Trumps visit Monday. Trump joined a wreath laying ceremony to honor the 13 U.S. service members killed in a suicide bombing during the Afghanistan War withdrawal three years ago. Video Trump posted to his TikTok shows him in the highly restricted area called Section 60, dedicated to recently fallen servicemembers. The former president is heard comparing his record to the Biden administration. We didnt lose one person in 18 months, Trump said in a voiceover. And then they took over that disaster. The cemetery said in a statement, Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, to include photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes, or in direct support of a partisan political candidates campaign. Arlington National Cemetery reinforced and widely shared this law and its prohibitions with all participants. We can confirm there was an incident, and a report was filed. Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement, An unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trumps team during a very solemn ceremony. Trumps running mate, Sen. JD Vance, (R-Ohio.), addressed the incident on the campaign trail Wednesday. There is verifiable evidence that the campaign was allowed to have a photographer there, Vance said. It is amazing to me that you have apparently somebody at Arlington Cemetery, some staff member had a little disagreement with somebody, and the media has turned this into a national news story. Rep. Gerry Connolly, (D-Va.), wants the cemetery to release a full account of what happened, saying in a statement, Its sad but all too expected that Donald Trump would desecrate this hallowed ground and put campaign politics ahead of honoring our heroes. A cemetery spokesperson did not reveal specifics of the incident and said to protect the identity of the person involved, no further information is being released at this time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Updated Aug 29, 2024, 10:39am EDT politics North America The News Former US President Donald Trump was accused of illegally using the countrys main military cemetery, where around 400,000 people are buried, as a campaign stunt. Trumps team visited Arlington National Cemetery for a wreath-laying ceremony honoring the victims of a suicide bombing Monday, but a veterans family said the campaign filmed their relatives grave without permission. A Trump staffer also apparently clashed with a cemetery worker who tried to stop the filming. In letters to The Washington Post, veterans irked by the Republican nominees perceived politicking criticized him as a pseudo-patriot and said he wasnt fit to serve again as commander-and-chief of the armed forces. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Trumps strained relationship with the armed forces Sources: The Atlantic, The Guardian Trump has a strained relationship with the military. He mocked former prisoner of war Sen. John McCain, and The Atlantic reported that he called fallen soldiers suckers and losers, comments that Trump has emphatically denied making. Its likely that Trumps cemetery visit was to court the military vote, conservative political commentator Charles Sykes wrote in The Atlantic, but it merely served to remind Americans of how little he understands about service, sacrifice, and heroism. Trumps disrespect toward veterans began long before he entered politics, an infantry veteran argued in The Guardian in 2016: Trump compared his sex life to fighting in the Vietnam War in the late 1990s. Veterans remain a key demographic for presidential nominees Sources: USA Today, Al Jazeera, The Hill Younger veterans are increasingly leaning Democrat, perhaps due to the diversification of the military and the Biden administrations focus on issues like spouse employment and support for caregivers, a columnist noted in USA Today. And despite military service no longer being a springboard for political leadership in the late 1960s and 1970s, around 70% of Congressional lawmakers were veterans, down to less than 20% today many Americans still perceive the military as a trusted institution. Successful leverage of that perception remains an efficient way to connect to voters, a political scientist told Al Jazeera. So-called veteran density in key battleground states, meaning they remain a pivotal demographic for presidential nominees, a veteran noted in The Hill. Trump backer helped foreign media exec jump the line to get visa - despite GOP push for companies to hire Americans Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks about No Tax on Tips at Il Toro E La Capra Restaurant in Las Vegas. Now, it has been releaved that a backer helped get a foreign Trump media executive a visa. (AFP via Getty Images) A member of Congress and Trump backer stepped in to help the social media company owned by former President Donald Trump jump the line to get a foreign-worker visa for a company executive, according to an investigation by ProPublica. The former director of special projects for Republican Nebraska Representative Don Bacon claims she was told to help Trump Media even though she believed it was inappropriate. Bacon suggested she needed to deal with it when she raised concerns. The former staffer later said ProPublica misrepresented what she said. Trump Media makes up about half of the former presidents net worth. Its the first known time an officeholder has helped Trump privately in connection to the social media firm. While nothing about obtaining the visa was illegal, it goes against Trumps own policies and public statements. The Trump administration pushed US companies to hire Americans and put in place policies that made it more difficult to get visas for skilled workers. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks about No Tax on Tips at Il Toro E La Capra Restaurant in Las Vegas. Now, it has been releaved that a backer helped get a foreign Trump media executive a visa. (AFP via Getty Images) Similarly, Trumps 2024 platform states that it will strengthen policies to buy ... and hire American. A person with knowledge of the situation told ProPublica that a North Macedonian software developer was partly selected for the executive role because US candidates were more expensive. Vladimir Novachki had already been approved for a visa, with the help of Trump Media, when the firm contacted Bacons office. However, a backlog at the US embassy in North Macedonia was causing severe delays in scheduling an interview, which is needed in order to finalize the process. Bacons office then stepped in to help Trump Media, according to ProPublica. While companies often reach out to congressional offices for help with visa applications, they usually contact the congressperson for their district. Trump Media is located in Sarasota, Florida. A spokesperson for Bacon cited privacy concerns when telling ProPublica that they couldnt discuss case details, but said that Trump Media was not afforded special treatment. They added that the request came from a Trump Media staffer residing in Bacons Nebraska district. This case was not treated any differently than the hundreds of cases we process every year, the spokesperson said. Politics dont come into play for official congressional work. Bacon spokesperson Danielle Jensen told The Independent in an email that Trump Media didnt ask our office to do anything. A constituent of NE02 reached out seeking assistance for one of his employees. She added that Bacon did not personally direct staff to deal with the matter and that the issue had no link to Trumps criticism of Bacon and his suggestion that a primary candidate take him on: Absolutely not. In fact, before and after the visa request, President Trump publicly criticized Don Bacon. Obviously, there was no quid-pro-quo. But Don Bacon and our staff did this for a constituent like we do for all constituents. No more, no less. Our staff routinely assists thousands of constituents with any issue arising from a federal agency. This was cut and dry: a constituent asked for assistance for an employee, we made an inquiry of the relative agency, no guarantee of outcome or timeline was ever given, and this request was handled in the same manner as all other casework, Jensen added. However, the office of Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon (pictured) denied any wrongdoing in the process and said they help hundreds of cases each year. (REUTERS) A Trump Media spokesperson claimed that ProPublica had grotesquely manufactured this hit piece by fabricating statements, misusing stolen communications containing our employees private information and maliciously insinuating wrongdoing where categorically none exists. An attorney for Trump Media sent a letter threatening to sue the outlet, calling the story defamatory. Trumps company has previously hired a foreign outsourcing firm, while several people living abroad list jobs at the company on their LinkedIn profiles, despite the former president saying that hell stop the practice of outsourcing labor and punish firms who send jobs abroad. The Trump campaign told ProPublica: When President Trump is back in the White House, he will enforce our immigration laws and deport illegal immigrants. Trump has always been in favor of allowing in thoroughly vetted highly skilled immigrants who do not undercut American wages. Novachki joined the Canadian IT and tech outsourcing firm Cosmic Development which was co-founded by Chris Pavlovski who also founded the rightwing video platform Rumble. Pavlovski subsequently recommended Novachki as being able to build a version of the firms Truth Social platform for a lower rate than Americans. The Independent has contacted Trump Media for comment. The Trump campaign referred back to Trump Media when reached for comment. When making plans for his potential presidential transition, Donald Trump is looking to a right-wing think tank staffed by former members of his administration and MAGA acolytes. No, not to the Heritage Foundations Project 2025which has become the rock tied to the ankle of the Trump campaignbut the America First Policy Institute. The group will create its own America First Transition Project to kick off Trumps next term, according to a report from Politico published Thursday. Earlier this month, Trump named Linda McMahon, the chair of the Trumpist think tanks board, to co-lead his transition teaman announcement that came abnormally late in the election cycle. A former professional wrestling executive, McMahon previously served as the head of the Small Business Administration during Trumps presidency, and then as chair of a pro-Trump super PAC that raised $83 million for Trump in 2020. One lobbyist told Politico that AFPI was in the drivers seat of the Trump teams potential transition. AFPI is not becoming the transition, another person familiar with the Trump teams transition preparations told Politico. But by virtue of how they are situated and that we are in a very late timeline for this work, AFPI and the transition may be a distinction without a difference. Kellyanne Conway, who chairs AFPIs Center for the American Child, explained what the think tank had been working on since Trumps last administration. For three and a half years, AFPI has focused on personnel and policy. It was formed by and is teeming with senior staffers from the first Trump Administration whose goal is to be ready on day one, Conway explained. Linda McMahon, Brooke Rollins and the team have planned with precision and executed with put-your-head-down type humility. Rollins previously served as Trumps former Domestic Policy Council director. According to an early memo, the groups staffers have done extensive research on the management, personnel, policy, financial, and administrative strategies behind running the federal government and conducted more than one thousand interviews with former administration officials. The group has reportedly analyzed every one of Joe Bidens executive actions and drafted more than a hundred of their own proposed ones, according to Politico. Because the group has 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, it does not disclose its donors, but it is well-funded, raking in $23.6 million in 2022. As a nonprofit, AFPI cannot openly support a candidate for office, and thus far it has not directly claimed any influence in the Trump campaignpossibly learning from the mistakes of the Heritage Foundation, from which Trump has tried and failed to distance himself. But at the end of the day, AFPI isnt so different from the conservative think tanks that have crashed and burned before it. While the official plan is still being built out, the groups broad agenda hits on many familiar conservative beats. The group advocates to finish building Trumps border wall, to deregulate the federal government and limit spending, as well as to increase oil and gas production. The vehemently anti-union AFPI has attacked unions at the Veterans Administration and the Transportation Security Administration. McMahon has previously advocated for right-to-work laws, which would bankrupt unions by allowing non-union workers to enjoy the benefits of collective bargaining without paying fair share fees. AFPI has also aligned itself with election deniers in Georgia and is currently backing a lawsuit against Fulton County by its own election board official Julie Adams, who is seeking a court ruling on whether her duty to certify election results is discretionary, not ministerial, in nature, according to the suit. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are campaigning in traditionally Republican areas of Georgia instead of concentrating solely on the more Democratic urban areas, with the hope of attracting the votes of the increasing number of Republicans who reject Trump, as well as rural Democrats who are often overlooked. Errin Haines, editor-at-large for The 19th News, discusses why it could be a winning tactic in the path to victory in an extremely close state. View comments Former President Trumps campaign is attacking Fox News after the network released polling this week showing him trailing Vice President Harris in several key battleground states ahead of November. Its that time of year again. Fox is releasing atrocious polling, the campaign said in a statement Thursday. President Trump continues to outperform polling from past cycles. President Trump is 10 points ahead of where he was in Arizona at this point in 2020, according to Fox. Likewise, he is running 8 points ahead of his 2020 polling in Nevada and 5 points ahead of his 2020 polling in North Carolina, it added. The statement was in reference to a poll released Wednesday showing Harris ahead in three of the four key Sun Belt states Arizona, Georgia and Nevada and with an overall lead of 1 point. In previous Fox News polls, President Biden was trailing Trump in all of the four states in head-to-head match-ups. Trump has relentlessly attacked the outlet for months over its coverage of him, though he has regularly appeared for interviews with several of the conservative media giants top hosts and pundits. The former president was irate with the network on election night in 2020, over a relatively early race call for Biden in Arizona, which sparked complaints from Trumps close allies directly to Foxs senior leadership. The GOP nominee has also suggested that he and Harris participate in a debate on Fox News, a pitch the Harris campaign has not agreed to. Instead, the two candidates are expected to go head-to-head Sept. 10 in a debate moderated by ABC News. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Donald Trumps embrace of anti-vax kook Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former Bernie Sanders supporter Tulsi Gabbard will be his self-destructive downfall, top GOP donor Eric Levine wrote in an email to his fundraising partners, made public Wednesday. Levine warned at the end of his message that if Trump does not fight for the middle, he will forever be known from this day forward as the former president.' Levine previously supported Nikki Haley during the Republican primaries but has stated the he will vote for Trump in November. The Trump campaign announced Wednesday that Kennedy and Gabbard had been added to the GOP candidates transition team following their public endorsements. Kennedy dropped out of the presidential race as an independent on Friday and immediately endorsed Trump. In his concession speech, Kennedy spoke about his familys connection to the Democratic Party, and his own distaste for the party now. It had become the party of war, censorship, corruption, big pharma, big tech and big money, he said, When it abandoned democracy by canceling the primary to conceal the cognitive decline of the sitting president, I left the party to run as an independent. Read Levines letter admonishing Trump for adding fringe political figures like Kennedy and Gabbard to his ranks in full below: In a new email, Eric Levine, a top GOP donor who said last March he would vote for Trump reluctantly and with reservations, assails the former president for adding RFK Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard to his transition team: It is hard to imagine a more self-destructive announcement. pic.twitter.com/am31Fxxq7h Matthew Kassel (@matthewkassel) August 28, 2024 At the beginning of his message titled with the subject line, Is Trump Trying to Lose? Levine said, Yesterday, the Trump campaign proudly announced that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard endorsed the former president and are being added to his transition team. It is hard to imagine a more self-destructive announcement. RFK is an anti-vax kook who sees conspiracies behind every tree and under every bed, and Gabbard is the former vice-chair of the DNC and co-chair of the 2016 Bernie Sanders for President campaign. She endorsed Sanders because of his sound judgement on foreign policy, which she believed would usher in a new era of peace and prosperity. Sanders is a self-avowed socialist. He is an isolationist. He hates the America we love and everything it stands for. Yet, Gabbard endorsed him, and this is who Trump is embracing. There is something terribly wrong with this picture. Rather than seeking and coveting the endorsement of fringe candidates with fringe policy positions that offend most Republicans and Independents, Trump would be better served by announcing he added Nikki Haley to his transition team. It is her voters he should be focused on. Kamala Harris is lying about her record for a reason. She is a radical progressive who may not understand that her policies are destructive and will destroy the America we know and love, but she certainly understands that they are unpopular and that her record is one of failure. It is for those reasons that she has focused her campaign on rebranding herself. Her entire campaign strategy is to appeal to Haley voters, independents and women; Reagan voters. These should be solid Trump voters. Harris lies are easily exposed if Trump remains focused on policy and records. Yet, they are up for grabs because Trump seems to be laser focused on narrowing his base rather than expanding it. Trump only helps Harris in her orchestrated act of national deception when he embraces fringe candidates like RFK and Gabbard. As a former Haley voter and Reagan Republican, I say to you, Mr. Trump, speak to me and my fellow Republicans. Reject the fringes. Fight for the middle. If you do not, you will forever be known from this day as the former president,' Levine concluded. The Trump campaign responded to Levins missive in a statement to media later Wednesday. As President Trumps broad coalition of supporters and endorsers expands across partisan lines, we are proud that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard have been added to the Trump/Vance Transition team, senior campaign adviser Brian Hughes said. We look forward to having their powerful voices on the team as we work to restore Americas greatness. The post Trumps Embrace of Anti-Vax Kook RFK Jr. Is a Self-Destructive Move, Top GOP Donor Says appeared first on TheWrap. In his new book, Donald Trump threatens billionaire and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg with prison. Save America, set to be published next week, includes a photograph of Zuckerberg and Trump at the White House. Underneath the photo, Trump wrote that Zuckerberg would come to the Oval Office to see me and bring his very nice wife to dinners, be as nice as anyone could be, while always plotting install shameful Lock Boxes in a true PLOT AGAINST THE PRESIDENT. Trump went on to pin some of his election conspiracies on Zuckerberg, and gave him a serious warning. He told me there was nobody like Trump on Facebook. But at the same time, and for whatever reason, steered it against me. We are watching him closely, and if he does anything illegal this time he will spend the rest of his life in prison as will others who cheat in the 2024 Presidential Election, Trump (or perhaps his ghostwriter) wrote. Its not the first time Trump has threatened the Meta mogul with prison. In July, he called out ZUCKERBUCKS, saying a Trump administration would pursue Election Fraudsters at levels never seen before, and they will be sent to prison for long periods of time. Zuckerburg responded by sucking up to Trump, calling him badass for raising his fist following the assassination attempt against him at a Pennsylvania rally. And earlier this week, Zuckerburg wrote to Congress expressing regrets over demoting the 2020 New York Post story about Hunter Bidens laptop, waiting for fact-checkers to review it, drawing a gleeful response from Trump on Truth Social. Zuckerberg admits that the White House pushed to SUPPRESS HUNTER BIDEN LAPTOP STORY (& much more!). IN OTHER WORDS, THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WAS RIGGED, Trump posted on Tuesday. Needless to say, imprisoning the owner of a social media platform because hes not doing what you want is a clear First Amendment violation. Trump still angrily insists that the 2020 election was rigged against him, claiming that massive voter fraud coupled with collaboration between the news media and social media fixed the results. And he wont commit to accepting a 2024 election outcome in which he loses, as his cronies make moves to sabotage Novembers election in Republicans favor, taking over key election posts in battleground states. Democrats will have to be vigilant as Election Day nears, perhaps looking at Georgia as an example, where even leading Republicans are looking to ensure a fair process. If Trumps Jan. 6 indictment sticks, he can just flee to safe Caracas | Opinion Donald Trump no doubt sees in the U.S. Supreme Courts new, broad notion of presidential immunity the same carte blanche Venezuelas high court just handed dictator Nicolas Maduro. Two legal events on opposite sides of the Caribbean have made it clear to me why former President Donald Trumps been calling Caracas a very safe city. Its not because Venezuelas capital is, as he says, crime-free. (Its frighteningly crime-ridden.) Its because he knows its a place he could potentially take refuge in. Consider that this week, U.S. special prosecutor Jack Smith submitted his revised indictment of Trump for his alleged conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election he lost including inciting the violent mob that attacked the U.S. Congress on Jan. 6, 2021. Then recall that last week, the Venezuelan Supreme Court approved socialist dictator Nicolas Maduros brazen and brutal theft of a July 28 presidential election that all evidence shows he lost by a landslide. Should Trump face prosecution here, he knows he can seek safe haven there. Not that Trump faces trial for sure, of course. Smith had to tweak his indictment to accommodate the U.S. Supreme Courts recent ruling in a case titled (surprise!) Trump v. United States that presidents enjoy broad immunity from criminal prosecution for acts committed while in office as part of their duties. Smith now has to show Trump perpetrated his assault-and-battery on the U.S. Constitution as a candidate instead of as commander-in-chief. The indictment still faces an uphill climb, because the conservative justices new notion of presidential immunity looks a lot like a Monopoly Get Out Of Jail Free card. And whats most disturbing about their interpretation is how it seems to indulge presidential actions in the White House that we usually look for in the extrajudicial deeds of dictators. Like Nicolas Maduro. Trumps narcissist eye undoubtedly sees the U.S. Supreme Courts presidential immunity decision as the same sort of back-room, transactional favor Venezuelas lapdog Supreme Court did for Maduro. And if Trump wins a new term in November, hell no doubt take the SCOTUS opinion as a nod to executive carte blanche. But whats even more disturbing is how chevere, or cool, a despot like Maduro would regard the U.S. Supreme Courts outlook. Should Smiths recalibrated indictment get dismissed because of the extra layer of Teflon Trump now wears on top of his tanning product, its hard not to imagine hoodlum heads of state from Nicaragua to North Korea grinning like wife beaters watching the O.J. Simpson verdict. If U.S. presidents can get away with trying to steal elections, theyll confide over vodka shots with Vladimir Putin, why should we feel guilty about actually stealing them? If the country that nags me day after day about constitutional rule of law rolls out the judicial red carpet for a constitutional scofflaw like Trump, says Maduro or Nicaraguan dictator Daniel Ortega, or Cubas communist regime, or El Salvadors ruffian Nayib Bukele, or Mexicos authoritarian Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, or Perus aspiring autocrat Dina Boluarte then I can tell Amnesty International to get the hell off my lawn. Its bad enough the U.S. Supreme Court risks dealing Trump the same sort of imperial hand Lopez Obrador holds in Mexico. But consider that right now, the Mexican Supreme Court looks like the braver bench in comparison. Its fending off Lopez Obradors dark bid to put Mexicos entire judicial system under his thumb. Brazils Supreme Court, too, is showing a reassuring wariness of presidential exemption. This year it approved the indictment of former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly falsifying his COVID-19 vaccination status during the pandemic. Bolsonaros also being investigated for inciting a January 2023 riot in an attempt to overturn his own re-election loss. If hes indicted for that alleged crime, theres little concern in Brazil that hell be handed a Go-Free card. As for Trump and Jan. 6, Smiths new indictment could actually stick, too. If so, Trump knows hell at least have Caracas as a very safe place to run to. Tim Padgett is the Americas editor for WLRN. Even those whove grown accustomed to Donald Trumps tantrums were taken aback by his latest online antics. An Associated Press report summarized: Donald Trump shared more than a dozen posts on his social media network Wednesday that call for the trial or jailing of House lawmakers who investigated the attack on the U.S. Capitol, special counsel Jack Smith and others, along with images that reference the QAnon conspiracy theory. The former presidents timing couldve been better. Vice President Kamala Harris campaign released a new ad this week that argued, among other things, that Trump would seek revenge against his perceived foes in a prospective second term. It was against that backdrop that the Republican nominee used his social media platform to promote: computer-generated images of Democratic leaders in orange jumpsuits alongside text that read, HOW TO ACTUALLY FIX THE SYSTEM a photo of the special counsel alongside text that read, He should be prosecuted for election interference & prosecutorial misconduct a photo of Barack Obama alongside text that called for public military tribunals a photo of Jan. 6 committee members alongside text that read, INDICT & SEDITION & LOCK THEM UP But in case that wasnt quite enough, a New York Times report highlighted what was arguably the most offensive item in the GOP candidates avalanche of ugly nonsense. Former President Donald J. Trump used his social-media website on Wednesday to amplify a crude remark about Vice President Kamala Harris that suggested Ms. Harris traded sexual favors to help her political career. The post, by another user on Truth Social, was an image of Ms. Harris and Hillary Clinton, Mr. Trumps opponent in 2016. The text read: Funny how blowjobs impacted both their careers differently... The Times report added that the repost was the second time in 10 days that the former president shared content from his personal account making sexually oriented attacks on Ms. Harris. Though he has a history of making crass insults about his opponents, the reposts signal Mr. Trumps willingness to continue to shatter longstanding norms of political speech. Its worth emphasizing that in each of these instances, it wasnt Trump who personally created the offensive online content. But that hardly makes the circumstances any better: The former president apparently saw these ugly messages and deemed them worthy of amplifying to his vast online audience. Whats more, his willingness to target Harris with a crude sexual remark dovetails with related rhetoric Fox News host Jesse Watters, who told viewers this week that the Democratic nominee, if elected, will get paralyzed in the Situation Room while the generals have their way with her. One of his co-hosts at the time, Jeanine Pirro, urged him to "take it back." (Watters denied that his remark was intended to suggest anything of a sexual nature.) Trump boasted this week that hed be great for women if voters return him to the White House. Theres fresh evidence to the contrary. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for the presidency, reposted a lewd comment comparing Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, to his former arch-rival Hillary Clinton. Reposted during a wild spree of activity on his social media platform Wednesday, Truth Social, the image shows a screenshot of a post on X featuring an early, grainy image of the two female Democrats. Funny how blowjobs impacted both their careers differently the caption reads. The post likely refers to Harris previous relationship with former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, whom she dated before in the 1990s. In an op-ed written in the San Francisco Chronicle in 2019, Brown said her association with him may have helped her career, but didnt get him any political favors. I would be indicted if I so much as jaywalked while she was D.A., the outspoken former mayor wrote. Its not the first time the former president has reposted lewd content about Harris. Earlier this month, he reposted a video parody of Alanis Morissettes 90s classic Ironic with sexualized lyrics about the Democratic nominee. Donald Trump reposted a lewd comment comparing Vice President Kamala Harris to his former arch-rival Hillary Clinton. Truth Social Trumps meltdown on Truth Social Wednesday included dozens of reposts of sympathetic media figuresincluding plenty of fawning Fox News segmentsand a number of memes created by supporters. They included seemingly AI-generated photos of Harris, Clinton, Barack Obama and other prominent Democrats in prison, a number of calls for Special Counsel Jack Smith to be prosecuted for bringing a pair of criminal cases against Trump, and at least one post calling for a public military tribunal to be called against Obama for unspecified crimes. Several had references to the QAnon conspiracy theory, according to The New York Times. The spree of posts also came amid another difficult news cycle for the former president, during which he was accused of disrespecting service members laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Trump was at the site to observe the anniversary of a 2021 attack in Kabul, Afghanistan that killed 13 American service members as U.S. troops pulled out of the country. Gold Star Father: Trump Exploited Sacred Ground for His Ego Trump raised eyebrows after being photographed grinning and flashing a thumbs-up while taking a photo in front of a fallen military members grave. Two of his staffers were also accused of getting into a verbal and physical altercation with an official at the cemetery who informed them of rules against filming in a specific section of the cemetery. The Trump campaign has denied that any physical altercation took place, though the cemetery said in a statement to NPR that there was an incident, and a report was filed. 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. (Note sexual language in paragraph 2) (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Wednesday reposted a lewd social media remark about Vice-President Kamala Harris, the latest in a volley of demeaning attacks by Republicans against Trump's Democratic rival. The comment was made by another Truth Social media user, who wrote, below a picture of Harris and Trump's 2016 Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton: "Funny how blowjobs impacted both their careers differently..." The remark appears to be a reference to former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, who briefly dated Harris over two decades ago. A frequent right-wing line of attack against Harris is that Brown fueled her political ascent. The Clinton jab is a reference to her husband, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, who had an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky in the 1990s. Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller told CNN in an interview on Thursday that he had seen the social media post but had not discussed it with Trump, adding that he did not know if Trump "even saw the comment that was on there or simply the picture." The Harris campaign, Brown, Hillary Clinton, and Bill Clinton also did not immediately respond. Trump's amplification of the post comes amid a torrent of racist and sexist attacks from him and his allies against Harris, the first woman and first Black and South Asian person to serve as U.S. vice president. Since replacing President Joe Biden atop the Democratic ticket, Harris has surged in the polls and now leads Trump in most recent national surveys. Trump has struggled to fully adjust to the new race, and still often muses about facing Biden, 81, in the Nov. 5 presidential election. Trump has called Harris "crazy," "nuts" and "dumb as a rock," and has falsely suggested that she previously downplayed her Black heritage. Some of Trump's donors and advisers want him to hew more closely to critiques of his rival's policies, and members of the "Black Americans for Trump" coalition have warned that disparaging Harris could hurt him in his outreach to Black voters. Trump has repeatedly defended his use of personal attacks. Last year, Trump was found liable of sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump denied the allegations. (Reporting by Alexandra Ulmer; additional reporting by Susan Heavey in Washington. Editing by Kieran Murray, Neil Fullick and Ros Russell) Trump says IVF costs would be covered if he is elected By James Oliphant and Helen Coster WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said on Thursday he will require the government or insurance companies to pay for IVF fertility treatments if he is elected in November, a move likely aimed at appealing to women and suburban voters. "We want to produce babies in this country, right?" Trump said during a town hall-style campaign event in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on Thursday. Earlier in the day in Michigan, Trump also said his administration would push for allowing new parents to deduct "major newborn expenses" from their taxes. Opinion polls show Trump has lost ground with women voters since Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic candidate in the Nov. 5 election. Harris led Trump by 49% to 36% - or 13 percentage points - among women voters in a Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Thursday, compared to her 9-point lead in polls conducted in July. In speeches, Harris has attacked Trump's abortion position and painted Republicans as a threat to women's rights, including access to birth control, abortion medication and fertility treatments. Trump, who as president appointed three of the justices who made up the majority that ended constitutional protection for abortion, has said the matter is now to be decided by individual states. Last week, Trump posted on his Truth Social account that his administration would be "great for women and their reproductive rights" - a statement that was viewed by some as an attempt by Trump to moderate his position and drew criticism from evangelical supporters. Trump's running mate, U.S. Senator JD Vance, said on Sunday that Trump would veto a national abortion ban if one were to be passed by Congress. Trump caused confusion on Thursday when he seemed to suggest in an interview with NBC News that he would vote in his home state of Florida this November in favor of an amendment to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution and overturn a current six-week abortion ban. "I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks," Trump said. But his campaign quickly clarified his statement, saying Trump has yet to make up his mind about the amendment, which is strongly opposed by the anti-abortion groups that have backed Trump's candidacy. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, an anti-abortion lobby group, said in a statement that she spoke on the phone with Trump after his remarks and was told that he remains undecided. A spokesperson for Harris, Sarafina Chitika, said on Thursday that Trump should not be trusted on issues relating to women's reproductive care. "Because Trump overturned Roe v. Wade, IVF is already under attack and womens freedoms have been ripped away in states across the country," Chitika said. IVF has emerged as a hot-button issue in this election, as Republicans nationwide have scrambled to contain backlash from a decision by the Alabama Supreme Court, which ruled in February that embryos were children. That ruling left it unclear how to legally store, transport and use embryos, prompting some IVF patients to consider moving their frozen embryos out of the state. Trump did not elaborate on how his administration would cover the cost of IVF treatments and changes to the U.S. tax code, or whether he would seek congressional action on his proposals. "Government is going to pay for it, or we're going to get or mandate your insurance company to pay for it," he said. Not all states currently require insurance companies to cover IVF, which involves combining eggs and sperm in a laboratory dish to create an embryo for couples having difficulty conceiving. IVF is expensive even with coverage and can cost thousands of dollars in drugs and medical procedures. (Reporting by Helen Coster and James Oliphant; Additional reporting by Katharine Jackson; Editing by Kanishka Singh, Colleen Jenkins, Daniel Wallis and Tom Hogue) Trump says hell vote in November that Florida needs more than six weeks for abortion Former President Donald Trump didnt exactly say how he would vote on a Florida amendment that would protect abortion access but on Thursday he said he would be voting that we need more than six weeks. Florida currently bans most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, a change that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law in 2023. Trump has previously called Floridassix-week ban a terrible mistake. When an NBC News reporter asked Trump how he would vote on Floridas abortion amendment, Trump reiterated that he thought the six-week cutoff was too short. When the reporter followed by asking Trump if that meant he would be voting for Amendment 4, thats when Trump said he would be voting that we need more than six weeks. Karoline Leavitt, press secretary for Trumps campaign, later said in a statement that Trump has not yet said how he will vote on the ballot initiative in Florida, he simply reiterated that he believes six weeks is too short. Amendment 4 says in part that no law should prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patients health. If passed, it would in effect undo Floridas current six-week ban. While Trump has skirted around directly addressing the amendment, DeSantis has come out in vocal opposition against Amendment 4, calling it extremely radical. Trump and DeSantis have butted heads over abortion when they were both on the presidential campaign trail, with DeSantis accusing Trump of not being truly pro-life. DeSantis also said he would sign a federal abortion ban, while Trump has declined to endorse such a move. Earlier this month, Trump said he would soon officially announce how he plans to vote on the November amendment. It needs 60% of voter support to pass. Former President Donald Trump once tried to keep a healthy distance between himself and the conspiratorial elements of his supporter base, admitting only a vague familiarity with their beliefs. A flurry of activity seen on his Truth Social page this week, however, emphasizes how far hes come toward fully and openly embracing the far-right fringe as he faces an increasingly tight presidential race. Trump shared several images referencing the baseless QAnon conspiracy that holds him up as a savior battling so-called deep state operatives involved in satanic rituals and sex trafficking. NOTHING CAN STOP WHAT IS COMING, reads text overlaid on one photo illustration of Trump walking somberly between two rows of soldiers as he is flanked by lightning bolts. A pair of eyes painted with stars and stripes fills the space where the sky should be. Another image includes the same phrase along with the QAnon slogan where we go one, we go all, abbreviated as WWG1WGA!!! By reposting images, Donald Trump signals support for the messaging in them. Truth Social Another contains a blatantly sexist attack on Vice President Kamala Harris, who is shown in a monochrome photograph alongside former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. A comment below the photo reads, Funny how blowjobs impacted both their careers differently Trump does not appear to have created any of these images. But he liked them enough to repost them to his personal social media feed, signaling that he stands by their messages enough to use his large platform to amplify them. The social media activity comes as Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, has outshined Trump in recent polls and appears to be gaining ground in battleground statessuch as Georgia that once seemed like relatively safe bets for him. Still another social media graphic depicts an assortment of Trumps political opponents or people Trump views as his political opponents in orange prison jumpsuits. The group includes President Joe Biden, his son Hunter Biden, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Clinton, Harris, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci. Former President Barack Obama is also in the mix, in a nod to the conspiracy theory that the nations first Black president has been secretly puppeteering the Biden-Harris administration. Two of the posts Trump shared to his Truth Social page this week. Truth Social ALL ROADS LEAD TO OBAMA, the image screams. RETRUTH IF YOU WANT PUBLIC MILITARY TRIBUNALS. Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaigns press secretary, dodged a question on Trumps reposting binge during an appearance on CNN. I dont think your viewers are concerned about social media posts, Leavitt told anchor John Berman, pointing instead to stories about migrants and gas prices. Berman interjected: Karoline Karoline can you answer do you know why he reposted that content? Some of Trump's reposts appear to feature graphics designed using AI. Truth Social But Leavitt only said she had not been able to talk with Trump because he was busy speaking to the media, pivoting then to attack Harris for not devoting more of her time to the press. (Harris and her vice presidential pick, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have a sit-down interview with CNNs Dana Bash set to air at 9 p.m. Eastern time Thursday. It will be the pairs first major interview since being chosen to lead their partys ticket.) Facing a similar question on Trumps antics from The Washington Post, Leavitt accused the newspaper of unfairly focusing on a few social media posts and negative stories about Trump. But the social media posts appear to provide even further evidence that Trump is struggling to respond to the Harris-Walz ticket, which infused last weeks Democratic National Convention with a party atmosphere and fresh energy. Certainly, showing even a shred of support for the QAnon conspiracy, whose supporters believe Democrats literally feed off the blood of children, is not going to help Trump combat one of the most effective new attacks against him. It is weird. Related... The Army has weighed in on the Trump campaigns Arlington National Cemetery dispute, and its siding with the gravesite official. A spokesperson for the Army said in a statement Thursday that the military organization believed the official had been abruptly pushed aside and unfairly attacked by Trump staffers. Participants in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent Section 60 visit were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside, the Army spokesperson said. This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked, they continued. ANC is a national shrine to the honored dead of the Armed Forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nations fallen deserve. The Arlington National Cemetery official who confronted the campaign filed a report over the potentially felonious behavior but declined to press charges, reportedly fearing possible retaliation from Trumps rabid supporters, according to The New York Timess Maggie Haberman. The army said it considers the matter closed. The militarys judgment follows a multiday scandal for the Republican presidential nominee after he was caught red-handed Tuesday filming video in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, where recent military casualties are buried. Campaign staffers reportedly launched into a verbal and physical fight with cemetery officials, who had asked the campaign to stop videotaping. Federal law prohibits politically related activities in the cemetery, including taking photos and videos in support of a political campaign. The Trump campaign claimed that they had been given permission to videotape by the families of fallen service members, but unfortunately for Trump, that doesnt change federal law. Instead, the footage was immediately transformed into a social mediaoriented campaign video, where Trump can be seen laying flowers down at a grave and taking photos with people while giving a thumbs-up to the camera. Trump campaign adviser Chris LaCivita torched the cemetery official after the incident was first reported, referring to her in a statement as a despicable individual and questioning her mental health. Trumps anti-military rhetoric has been a point of contention for the MAGA candidate in recent weeks. Earlier this month, the reputed Vietnam-era draft dodger came under fire for arguing that the Presidential Medal of Freedom he awarded to one of his billionaire donors was much better than the nations highest military honor, the Medal of Honor. That comment rubbed veterans the wrong way, who connected Trumps disrespectful rhetoric to a 2020 Atlantic report that caught the former president repeatedly referring to fallen soldiers as suckers and losers. This story has been updated. Even Donald Trumps staffers cant defend his recent chauvinistic tirades against Vice President Kamala Harris. In an interview with CNNs John Berman on Thursday, Trumps national Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt couldnt seem to offer a rational explanation for why the former president was reposting QAnon slogans and sharing a screenshot of an exchange on X that featured a photo of Harris and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton alongside a comment that read, Funny how blowjobs impacted both their careers differently. You say that Donald Trump was a candidate of stability, prompted Berman. Why was Donald Trump over the last 36 hours on his social media re-posting slogans from QAnon and reposting misogynistic, sexist content about Vice President Harris? Well, look, I dont think your viewers at home are concerned about social media posts. I think they are concerned with the news of the day, Leavitt started before launching an attack on President Joe Bidens border policies. Karoline, Karolinedo you know why he posted that? Berman asked. Do you know why he reposted that content? I havent been able to talk to President Trump yet this morning because hes calling into media interviews unlike Kamala Harris who has been avoiding the press for more than 40 days, Leavitt said. And were excited that CNN finally has the opportunity to question Kamala Harris tonight about her disastrous record. Again, Americans arent concerned with social media posts and silly memes, they are concerned with the problems that are plaguing them and their families right now, she continued, pointing to three unconnected murders of women by migrants as being more demeaning to women than Trumps rhetoric. But Berman argued that Americans are capable of deliberating more than one issue at a time. When theres content being reposted that uses QAnon slogans and when there are these sexist, misogynistic posts, its interesting to me that you cant, youre notyou dont think theyre bad, Berman said. You have no problem with them. I didnt say that. I said that I dont believe voters care, Leavitt said. JOHN BERMAN: Why was Donald Trump over the past 36 hours reposting QAnon slogan and misogynist and sexist content about Vice President Harris? TRUMP CAMPAIGN SPOX KAROLINE LEAVITT: I don't think your viewers are concerned about social media posts pic.twitter.com/ScJk43PV3m Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 29, 2024 WASHINGTON Members of former President Donald Trump's campaign staff had an altercation with a public affairs official at Arlington National Cemetery Monday during a wreath-laying ceremony. Arlington National Cemetery the country's biggest and most revered military burial ground said in a statement that "an incident took place, and a report was filed." Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said a cemetery official "decided to physically block members of President Trump's team." No charges have been filed, a police official told USA TODAY. The cemetery's statement noted that federal law prohibits political campaign-related activities within Army National Cemeteries. Prohibited activities include photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes, or in direct support of a partisan political candidates campaign." "Arlington National Cemetery reinforced and widely shared this law and its prohibitions with all participants," the statement adds. The incident pitted Trump's campaign against administrators who maintain the dignity of some of the country's most hallowed ground, with his spokesman attacking the official in strikingly personal and derogatory language. More: 'Furious': Veterans slam Trump team's altercation at Arlington National Cemetery Citing an unnamed source with knowledge of the incident, NPR first reported that Trump's campaign was filming in an area of the cemetery where only cemetery officials are authorized to take photos or video. The area known as Section 60 contains the graves of recent U.S. casualties. "When the cemetery official tried to prevent Trump campaign staff from entering Section 60, campaign staff verbally abused and pushed the official aside, according to the source," NPR wrote. A senior Defense Department official familiar with the incident at Arlington National Cemetery told USA TODAY it was a minor altercation. Keeping up with Washington? Sign up for USA TODAY's On Politics newsletter. In a statement to USA TODAY, Cheung said there was "no physical altercation as described and we are prepared to release footage if such defamatory claims are made." He did not respond to a request for the footage. "The fact is that a private photographer was permitted on the premises and for whatever reason an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trump's team during a very solemn ceremony," Cheung added. More: Donald Trump lays wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery amid tussle over veteran support The Trump campaign did immediately respond to a question about which staffers were involved in the altercation, which comes shortly after Corey Lewandowski who was fired as Trumps campaign manager in 2016 joined his 2024 campaign staff. Lewandowski was charged with battery at one point during the 2016 campaign for grabbing a reporter, but the charge was dropped. Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery on the third anniversary of a 2021 attack that killed 13 U.S. service members in Afghanistan. The attack at Abbey Gate outside Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport occurred as the U.S. was withdrawing from the country after two decades of war. Trump has pointed to the deaths to argue that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris mishandled the troop withdrawal. The Trump campaign shared a statement on X from five family members of two soldiers who were killed at Abbey Gate. The statement thanks Trump for participating in the wreath laying ceremony, saying the president and his team conducted themselves with nothing but the utmost respect and dignity. The family members said they gave approval for Trumps videographer and photographer to attend the event. I can speak for myself and our family, and we absolutely welcomed and appreciated having video and photography there with us during the time we spent with President Trump! said Cheryl Juels, the aunt of slain soldier Nicole Gee, in a statement provided by the Trump campaign. But the cemetery said the filming violated the law. "There's an actual federal law on the books saying it cannot be used political purposes," Fred Wellman, a 22-year Army combat veteran, said Wednesday. "The families put out a statement saying, 'Oh no, we authorized it.' They don't get that right. The families don't get the right to make decisions for the other people buried there." The cemetery filed a complaint with the civilian police department at Joint Base-Meyer Henderson Hall, which has jurisdiction over the federal property. An officer at the base who gave his name as Sgt. D. Jones told USA TODAY that he could not release details of the report, but said: we didnt do a police report, nobody was charged with this, this is just a report of incident. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump staff involved in altercation at veteran's cemetery, report says Former President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly bragged about his role in overturning Roe v. Wade, seemed to suggest on Thursday that he will vote in favor of Floridas pro-choice amendment that will be in front of voters in November. I think the six weeks is too short, it has to be more time, Trump told NBC News, referring to the states six-week abortion ban that went into effect in May. When the NBC News reporter asked the former president if that means he will vote in favor of the abortion rights amendment, he responded: Im gonna be voting that we need more than six weeks. WATCH: Former President Donald Trump tells @NBCNews that he believes Floridas six-week abortion law is "too short."@realDonaldTrump: It has to be more time. And Ive told them that I want more weeks. pic.twitter.com/g3TyvTgWR6 Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) August 29, 2024 Trump has repeatedly, and falsely, claimed that everybody wanted Roe v. Wade terminated for years, ever since the 1973 ruling was handed down. He emphasized that he does believe in abortion exceptions in cases of rape, incest and when the mothers life is at risk. The former president has been asked multiple times how he would vote on Floridas Amendment 4, which would restore abortion access in the state until fetal viability. President Trump has not yet said how he will vote on the ballot initiative in Florida, he simply reiterated that he believes six weeks is too short, Karoline Leavitt, press secretary for the Trump campaign, said in a news release. Trumps vice presidential running mate, JD Vance, also appeared to try to clean up Trumps comments on the Florida amendment in a Friday morning interview with CNN. The president is simply saying he doesnt like six weeks, Vance said. I think he will make an announcement on what he actually wants to do on the Florida law in particular. But again President Trump has been extremely consistent that hes going to make this decision as a citizen of Florida, but he wants the national government that he intends to lead to be focused on national issues like inflation, the cost of housing and the wide-open southern border, Vance added. He wants states to make their own abortion policy, and that will be his position for the remainder of the campaign and the remainder of his presidency. Earlier this month, Trump, a Florida resident, told reporters he believes the vote [on the amendment] will go in a little more liberal way than people thought. A recent poll of Florida voters found that nearly 70% of respondents said they would vote in favor of Amendment 4. But Trump has generally pivoted away from the question or given non-answers similar to how he has discussed abortion care as a whole on the campaign trail. The GOP presidential nominee has been scrambling to define his abortion stance since it has become apparent that the topic is a losing issue for Republicans. Despite his long history of anti-abortion policy, hes been somewhat critical of abortion restrictions, stating that Arizonas near-total abortion ban went too far, and last year describing GOP Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis six-week abortion ban as a terrible mistake. He claims he wont enact a national abortion ban if elected or create a backdoor national ban by enforcing the Comstock Act, yet he continues to align himself with some of the most extreme players in the anti-choice movement. Several of his allies authored Project 2025, an extreme wish list of policy proposals that include surveilling pregnant people, criminalizing the contraceptive morning after pill, and banning abortion nationwide. Trump claimed he supported in-vitro fertilization earlier this year when an Alabama Supreme Court case effectively criminalized IVF in the state. It was only after national outrage over the ruling that Trump spoke up in support of IVF, seemingly trying to distance himself from anti-abortion advocates in his party who are also anti-IVF. Despite his new promise to make IVF free to any American if elected, Trump has deep ties to the anti-IVF movement. Related... Donald Trump wrote a book, and true to form, it contains some deeply unbalanced textual musings. According to Politico, the coffee-table book titled Saving America accuses Mark Zuckerberg of plotting to usurp the 2020 election in favor of President Joe Biden, and warns that the Meta CEO will spend the rest of his life in prison if he crosses Trump again. The book, which will be released next week, features a photo of Zuckerberg and Trump during an undated meeting in the White House. According to Politico, in the caption under the photo Trump claims that Zuckerberg would come to the Oval Office to see me. He would bring his very nice wife to dinners, be as nice as anyone could be, while always plotting to install shameful Lock Boxes in a true PLOT AGAINST THE PRESIDENT. We are watching him closely, Trump adds, and if he does anything illegal this time he will spend the rest of his life in prison as will others who cheat in the 2024 Presidential Election. The former president is referring to a conspiracy theory spread in the aftermath of the 2020 election that Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, had used a $350 million investment in the Center for Tech and Civic Life a Chicago-based nonprofit helping provide election administration resources to thousands of precincts during the Covid-19 pandemic to help rig the election against him. In a June 2021 interview with Fox Business, Trump falsely claimed that he won the election, that Democrats cheated, and that Facebook and [CEO Mark] Zuckerberg, with the $500 million worth of phony lockboxes that he put on, some of them had 96 percent Biden votes in them 96 percent! The claim was bogus then, and its bogus today but almost four years after the fact Trump is still using it to sow doubt about the 2020 election. Zuckerberg himself has been attempting to placate angry Republicans who have targeted Meta and its companies over their content moderation policies in a series of Congressional investigations. Earlier this week, the Facebook founder wrote a letter to the House Judiciary Committee one of the most powerful committees in Congress that is currently controlled by Trumpist Republicans in which he blamed the Biden administration for Covid-era social media policies restricting the spread of misinformation related to the virus, and expressed regret for the companys role in the 2020 Hunter Biden laptop scandal. In 2021, senior officials from the Biden Administration, including the White House, repeatedly pressured our teams for months to censor certain Covid-19 content, including humor and satire, and expressed a lot of frustration with our teams when we didnt agree, Zuckerberg wrote. In a separate situation, the FBI warned us about a potential Russian disinformation operation about the Biden family and Burisma in the lead-up to the 2020 election, he added. Its since been made clear that the reporting was not Russian disinformation, and in retrospect, we shouldnt have demoted the story. Weve changed our policies and processes to make sure this doesnt happen again. While Zuckerburg can grovel for the forgiveness of House Republicans, it clearly wont stop Trump from continuing to use him as a scapegoat in his election conspiracies especially if he once again loses in November. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for Rollingstone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. POTTERVILLE, Mich. (AP) Former President Donald Trump says that, if he wins a second term, he wants to make IVF treatment free for women, but did not detail how he would fund his plan or precisely how it would work. I'm announcing today in a major statement that under the Trump administration, your government will pay for or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for all costs associated with IVF treatment, he said at an event in Michigan. Because we want more babies, to put it nicely." IVF treatments are notoriously expensive, and can cost tens of thousands of dollars for a single round. Many women require multiple rounds and there is no guarantee of success. The announcement comes as Trump has been under intense criticism from Democrats for his role in appointing the Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to an abortion in the country. The decision has led to a wave of restrictions across Republican-led states, including proposals that have threatened access to IVF by trying to define life as beginning at conception. IVF relies on the creation of multiple embryos, some of which may be destroyed. Abortion is expected to be a major motivator for Democrats and women this November, and was a dominant theme of the party's national convention last week, including Vice President Kamala Harris' speech as she accepted her party's nomination. In response, Trump has been trying to present himself as more moderate on the issue, going as far as to declare himself very strong on womens reproductive rights. In an interview with NBC ahead of the event, Trump also suggested that he would vote in favor of repealing Floridas six-week abortion ban, which limits the procedure before many women even know they are pregnant. Trump, in the interview, did not explicitly say how he plans to vote on the ballot measure this fall. But he repeated his past criticism that the measure, signed into law by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis last year, is too restrictive. I think the six weeks is too short. It has to be more time," he said. I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks. Trump had previously called DeSantis decision to sign the bill a terrible mistake. Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement after the rally Thursday that Trump has not yet said how he will vote on the ballot initiative in Florida known as Amendment 4 and that he simply reiterated that he believes six weeks is too short. His comments nonetheless drew immediate reaction from those who oppose abortion rights, including Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, who said she had spoken with Trump after his speech. He has not committed to how he will vote on Amendment 4. President Trump has consistently opposed abortions after five months of pregnancy. Amendment 4 would allow abortion past this point. Voting for Amendment 4 completely undermines his position, she said, adding that, anyone who believes in drawing a different line still must vote against Amendment 4, unless they dont want a line at all. In his speech, Trump also said that, if he wins, families will be able to deduct expenses for caring for newborns from their taxes. Were pro-family, he said. Trump has held multiple conflicting positions on abortion over the years. After briefly considering backing a potential 15-week ban on the procedure nationwide, he announced in April that regulating abortion should be left to the states. In the months since, he has repeatedly taken credit for his role in overturning Roe and called it a beautiful thing to watch as states set their own restrictions. Trump, however, has also said he does not support a national abortion ban, and over the weekend, his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, said he would veto such legislation if it landed on his desk. Donald Trumps view is that we want the individual states and their individual cultures and their unique political sensibilities to make these decisions because we dont want to have a nonstop federal conflict over this issue," Vance said on NBCs Meet the Press." Trump first came out in favor of IVF in February after the Alabama state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law, briefly pausing treatment and sparking national backlash. Trump has since claimed the Republican party is a leader on the issue, even as at least 23 bills aiming to establish fetal personhood have been introduced in 13 states so far this legislative session, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. That kind of legislation, which asserts that life begins at conception, could imperil fertility treatments that involve the storage, transportation and destruction of embryos. Senate Republicans in June blocked legislation that would have made it a right nationwide for women to access IVF and other reproductive technology, and also would have made treatments more accessible by requiring employer-sponsored insurance plans and other public insurance plans to cover fertility treatments. IVF can costs tens of thousands of dollars for medical appointments, medication and surgery, and is not covered by many health insurance plans. Trump has in general been opposed to various kinds of federal mandates, and originally ran against the Affordable Care Act also known as Obamacare which included popular provisions like protections for people with preexisting health conditions. In a statement, Harris campaign said Trump shouldn't be believed. Trump lies as much if not more than he breathes, but voters arent stupid," said Harris-Walz 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika. Because Trump overturned Roe v. Wade, IVF is already under attack and womens freedoms have been ripped away in states across the country. There is only one candidate in this race who trusts women and will protect our freedom to make our own health care decisions: Vice President Kamala Harris. Jessica Mackler, the president of EMILYs List, which works to elect women who support abortion rights, called Trump's proposal disingenuous and unserious. He knows how unpopular the GOPs attacks on fertility treatments are, and his comments are a desperate ploy to distract from the fact that he and his party have gutted reproductive freedom," added Reproductive Freedom for All President and CEO Mini Timmaraju. Trump made the IVF announcement during a campaign swing to Michigan and Wisconsin, states he is intensely focused on recapturing after he won them in 2016 but narrowly lost both states in 2020. Trump's first stop was Alro Steel in Potterville, Michigan, near the state capital of Lansing, where he railed against the Biden administration over inflation. Kamala has made middle class life unaffordable and unlivable and Im going to make America affordable again," he charged. Later, Trump traveled to La Crosse, Wisconsin, for a town hall moderated by former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democrat who endorsed the GOP nominee earlier this week. Gabbard opened the town hall by talking about her own IVF journey, giving herself injections in airport bathrooms and the heartbreak of failed embryo transfers. While the treatments ultimately didn't work for her, she applauded Trump's proposal. I cant tell you how life-changing that would be for so many families," she said. It was his first visit to the state since the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which ended just days before Biden dropped out of the race and began after Trump survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania. Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, which Trump will visit again Friday, are part of the so-called blue wall bloc of northern industrial states that Democrats carried for two decades before Trump won them in 2016. ___ Beaumont reported from La Crosse, Wisconsin. Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Christine Fernando in Chicago contributed to this report. LANSING, Mich. (AP) Donald Trump is scheduled to campaign Thursday in Michigan and Wisconsin as the former president ramps up battleground state travel heading into the traditional Labor Day turn toward the fall election. Trumps intense focus on recapturing states he won in 2016 but lost narrowly in 2020 continues with stops in the middle of Michigan and western Wisconsin. Trumps day starts with an afternoon rally in Potterville, Michigan, near the state capital of Lansing. Trump won Eaton County, where part of Lansing is located, in both 2016 and 2020, but by a smaller margin the second time. It will be his third visit to the state in the past nine days and second this week after a speech to the National Guard Association in Detroit on Monday. Later, he will visit La Crosse, Wisconsin, for a town hall moderated by former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who endorsed him in Detroit. It will be Trumps first visit to Wisconsin since the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which ended three days before President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and made way for Vice President Kamala Harris. Along with Pennsylvania, which Trump will visit on Friday, these three Midwestern states make up a northern industrial bloc Democrats carried for two decades before Trump won them in 2016. Biden recaptured them on his way to the White House in 2020. Trump and his vice-presidential pick, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, have blitzed the battleground states in recent weeks, with Vance in both states this week as well. The battleground offensive comes as a reinvigorated Democratic Party rallies around Harris and her new running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Harris and Walz are aiming to leverage the surge in enthusiasm among the partys base since her campaign launch just over a month ago. They hope this excitement which was on full display at last weeks convention in Chicago will extend to more moderate areas as they embark on a two-day bus tour in Georgia, including events in the states rural southern regions. Trumps events in Michigan and Wisconsin are both in swing congressional districts. Potterville is in Michigans 7th District, which features a mix of Republican-dominated counties like Clinton and Shiawassee, and Democratic strongholds such as Ingham, home to the state Capitol and Michigan State University. This district is expected to be one of the nations most competitive this fall following incumbent Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkins decision to run for the states open U.S. Senate seat. La Crosse, meanwhile, is a hub within Wisconsins 3rd Congressional District, where Republican Derrick Van Orden won narrowly in 2022. Democrat Rebecca Cooke won the Aug. 13 primary to face him in November. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com. Trump's appalling desecration of Arlington National Cemetery shows he still can't be trusted Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has continued his divisive antics this week by desecrating a sacred moment of remembrance for the American troops killed in a suicide bombing three years ago in Afghanistan. In a time that should have been used to comfort and unify the nation, Trump instead saw another opportunity to promote himself. Even worse, according to NPR, Trump's staff got into a physical altercation Monday with an Arlington National Cemetery employee after they were told not to record video inside the cemetery. Federal laws and U.S. Army regulations prohibit political activities on the cemetery grounds. Trump and his campaign staff blatantly ignored those restrictions, and then attacked the cemetery employee who tried to uphold the law, even describing her as a "despicable individual." Army rebukes Trump campaign over Arlington visit, Vance says Harris 'can go to hell' Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump lays a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 26, 2024, alongside retired Marine Cpl. Kelsee Lainhart, who was injured three years prior in a suicide bombing in Kabul as U.S. troops were leaving Afghanistan. This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the (Arlington National Cemetery) employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked," the Army said in a statement released Thursday. "ANC is a national shrine to the honored dead of the armed forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nations fallen deserve." Making Trump's very bad week even worse, the former president's running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, falsely accused Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris of politicizing the cemetery visit and then cursed her. And she wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up? She can she can go to hell," Vance said Wednesday. Are Trump and Vance really the leaders we want representing our nation's military? I dont. Vance accused Walz of 'stolen valor.' He should thank him for his service instead. On the same day that Trump participated in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington, he posted on Truth Social: "Three years ago, Kamala's and Biden's incompetence left 13 dead warriors, hundreds of civilians killed and grievously wounded, and $85 billion worth of the finest military equipment on the planet abandoned to the Taliban." (In reality, the Taliban captured an estimated $7 billion worth of weapons and other military equipment.) But are President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris really to blame for the chaotic withdrawal? Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump at Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 26, 2024, outside Washington, D.C., to mark the third anniversary of the Islamic State bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members during the evacuation from Afghanistan. Blaming the Biden administration ignores the decisions that Trump also made leading up to the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Under Trump's leadership, negotiations for the withdrawal led to an agreement with the Taliban that influenced the eventual outcome. By refusing to acknowledge his role in the preparations for the withdrawal, the former president is attempting to shift blame and mislead Americans. Plans by the White House, military leaders, intelligence agencies and international partners for the Afghanistan withdrawal were multifaceted and performed with great scrutiny and caution. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. I interviewed Stephen Bender, a former Marine officer, who worked as a private security officer during the evacuation. His role was to coordinate with the U.S. government to ensure the safe processing of Afghan evacuees and U.S. personnel. He recalled the Taliban's swift takeover. It felt like we were in denial about the withdrawal, Bender said. One day, they (the Taliban) were just 20 kilometers away, and it felt as though nothing had changed. Suddenly, they were within the city, only 400 meters from our front gate. US 'abandoned' people of Afghanistan He said both Biden and Trump need to acknowledge the mistakes they and others in their administrations made in planning for and executing the exit of American forces from Afghanistan. The people of Afghanistan were abandoned by our country," Bender said. "While it may not affect the average American's daily life, I witnessed firsthand the failures of our politics. Fathers who wanted a better life for their families, seeking safety for their children, faced the worst possible outcome due to our leaders refusal to accept responsibility and their tendency to blame others. Veterans for Harris: Is the military woke? Democrats make political gains among America's warriors. Leadership requires more than assigning blame; it demands the courage to face uncomfortable truths, the ability to bring people together in times of crisis and the humility to honor those who have served without exploiting their memory. When Trump asserts blame for the withdrawal from Afghanistan, perhaps we should ask: Can a leader who refuses to take responsibility for his own actions, and who consistently uses moments of national significance for self-promotion, truly be trusted to lead a nation? Marla Bautista is a military fellow columnist at USA TODAY Opinion. You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's Arlington desecration, Vance 'go to hell' attack are appalling Brent E. Taylor, who is accused of sexually abusing teenage boys two decades ago while working as the Utah Valley Youth Symphony director, was sentenced to prison Wednesday. Prosecutors believe he victimized dozens of boys. | Tanner Siegworth, KSL-TV A Utah band director said Thursday he was groomed and abused for four years as a teenager by Brent Taylor, a now-retired director of the Utah Valley Youth Symphony. He said over this time there were weekly occurrences of sexual experiences and manipulation by a man who claimed to be his mentor. "The defendant had a way of making this all seem normal. ... Mr. Taylor employed a masterful and calculated process," the man said Wednesday. It wasn't until he was teaching his own group of students when he said he came to a full realization of what had happened, and the significance of the moral, ethical and legal boundaries Taylor had crossed. Brent Taylor, 76, was ordered Wednesday to serve a term of three years to life in prison after pleading guilty to a reduced charge of forcible sodomy, a first-degree felony, in the man's case. The sexual abuse occurred between 2002 and 2006. The victim listed multiple first names of other boys who he said he witnessed Taylor groom or abuse during that time and said he is sorry he did not come forward sooner. He brought his story to police days after a Deseret News investigation was published in 2018 with allegations against Taylor from six others. 'You are the betrayer' Fourth District Judge Roger Griffin said he was "appalled" by a statement from Taylor in a report prepared before his sentencing where Taylor said he was betrayed by "a good friend." Griffin said that "friend" had been repeatedly victimized by Taylor. "Mr. Taylor, you weren't betrayed, you are the betrayer. You betrayed children and their parents who trusted you to be their teacher and their mentor. They trusted you," he said. He called Taylor a pedophile, a fraud and a coward for refusing to face a jury trial, which was scheduled to occur without him after he repeatedly did not appear in court. He was arrested and pleaded guilty after jury selection for his trial had begun. Griffin said he was struck by the sophistication Taylor used in his grooming. "You have earned a prison sentence. You've asked for leniency but you never showed any leniency toward your victims," the judge said. Griffin also said Taylor's "nonsense" keeping his case from going to trial for over two years longer than necessary caused further harm to his victims. Griffin said Taylor would still be in Colorado if he had not ordered an independent medical investigation which showed he had faked a stroke and other medical conditions to get out of appearing in court. Griffin said he plans to write a letter to the board of pardons recommending he not be granted parole, and that the board should not lighten his sentence on any medical grounds. The judge said he would include a copy of the independent medical report he ordered, which shows Taylor intentionally came to the appointment on a gurney and in an ambulance when he was capable of traveling by car. A tragic legacy Scott, another man who shared a statement at the hearing, began his comments by thanking Taylor for introducing music into his life. "Yours could have been a name that I shared with my children as the man who inspired me in my formative years. Instead, every memory I have from that time is tainted, painful. It's a tragedy not only what happened but what you did to your legacy. ... You could have been revered for generations, but any legacy you have left is one of pain," said Scott, who asked that his last name not be published. Eric Bartlett said Taylor has taken years from his life. He said he thinks Taylor understood him better than anyone else, and saw his needs. "He had an opportunity to fill those needs and to change my life, maybe even to save me from myself, but instead he exploited every single one of those voids in my life," Bartlett, who agreed to allow his name to be published, said Wednesday. He said Taylor drove a wedge between him and his family. "He told me he wanted to be my dad. Well, my dad never touched me the way Brent did," he said. He said it angers him that Taylor is still affecting his family. Bartlett said Taylor's actions made him unavailable to his wife and children for more years than Taylor has left in his life, saying the maximum sentence "will not even touch justice." Another man, Jeff, asked for a sentence that would ease victims' pain and help them find peace and forgiveness. "We all know that there are many more of your victims watching these proceedings from the shadows," he said. As he walked back to his seat, Jeff stared directly at Taylor, facing the man he said robbed him of 20 years of a life without fear and addiction. Jeff also asked that his last name not be published. Taylor is also charged in Salt Lake County with two counts of sodomy on a child, a first-degree felony, and two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a second-degree felony, based on Jeff's report to officers. He has a hearing in that case on Sept. 5. A request for jail and probation Defense attorney Ashley Murphy asked the court to sentence Taylor to less than a year in jail and probation. She said Taylor wanted her to mention his mother is on hospice in Colorado and that he would like to see her again. She also said he is wheelchair-bound and has other health issues. She reminded the judge that although multiple men testified about their experiences, he has, at this point, only been convicted of one charge. Taylor also shared a short statement. "I'm 76 years old, I'm in poor health. I ask the court for leniency and above all I apologize to everyone. I'm sorry," he said. 'They have overcome' Deputy Utah County attorney Julia Thomas said everything was set to move Taylor's Utah County case to trial without him when he was finally arrested. Taylor checked himself into a nursing facility in Colorado, and she said he was walking out of the facility after jury selection for the trial had started when he was arrested. She said he only pleaded guilty in the case to avoid hearing testimony against him in a trial, so she talked about the details of his crime during the sentencing so he would still need to hear about them in court. She said he gradually lured people into his life with small jobs, would bring them into his home promising travel with the symphony and other things. Gradually he would introduce pornography, massages, naked hot-tubbing, masturbation and oral sex. She said he was careful in how he spoke, so the boys would think things were coming from them. "In reality, he was using them for his own perverse sexual pleasures," Thomas said. Thomas said she is aware of at least five victims, but estimates there are dozens. She said those who couldn't participate in the case "are not at fault." "I hope this brings them some degree of the end, and that they can move on," the prosecutor said. She said the men who shared comments at the sentencing are "survivors" of abuse that has long-term effects. "They have overcome and risen above," she said. Thomas said Taylor either has no concept of the effects of his crimes, or he doesn't care about them. She said either option is "monstrous." "Whatever time he has left that he spends incarcerated isn't enough time. He has left these innocent people with a lifelong impact of his conduct and takes no responsibility for it even in the slightest," she said. She said news reports helped bring Taylors case forward years after the abuse. After charges were filed, the case took six years to resolve partially because of the pandemic and partially because of his defrauding the court with claims of medical problems. Former Democratic representative turned Trump endorser Tulsi Gabbard claimed she is on a Transportation Security Administration watchlist that the agency uses to snoop on unknown or partially known terrorists Wednesday. Unfortunately, it has not been resolved. Ive been informed that the targeting package that the TSA created for me when they put me on the secret domestic terror watchlist is still operational, Gabbard told Fox News Sean Hannity on Wednesday night. In a previous Fox appearance on Aug. 10, Gabbard alleged her name was supposedly added to the TSAs Quiet Skies program on July 23. The secretive program was first exposed by The Boston Globe in 2018. It allows federal air marshals to follow U.S. citizens and collect information on their behavior and movements, even if they aren't suspected of a crime or on a terror watchlist. The Globe reported on a TSA bulletin that said the program aims to stop threats posed by unknown or partially known terrorists and that it targets travelers who are not under investigation by any agency and are not in the Terrorist Screening Data Base. Gabbard, a U.S. Army Reserve officer who represented Hawaii's 2nd District from 2013 to 2021, described what it was like being added to the list in her earlier appearance on Fox. As I was traveling, I ended up in 30 to 45 minutes of going through screening every time I would go to the airport to fly, she told the networks One Nation. I noticed air marshals, I noticed K-9 teams, there were things that I saw and noticed that were highly unusual. But the deepest pain and harm and stress thats been caused by this is that forever going forward I will always be looking over my shoulder wondering if and how my government is surveilling me. She alleged the monitoring was a violation of her Fourth Amendment rights protecting against unreasnable search and seizure. Tulsi Gabbard Completes MAGA Makeover by Endorsing Donald Trump An erstwhile Bernie Sanders backer who quit the Democratic Party in 2022, Gabbard subsequently drifted closer and closer to Trumpworld, culminating in her endorsement of former President Donald Trump earlier this week. She was added to Trumps transition team alongside former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Gabbard claimed in a statement to the Hawaii Tribune-Herald that her addition to the TSA list is clearly an act of political retaliation for her outspoken criticisms of her former party and its presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris. Earlier this month, Hawaii state GOP Reps. Gene Ward, Diamond Garcia, David Alcos, and Elijah Pierick sent a joint letter to TSA Director David Pekoske accusing his agency of including Gabbard on the Quiet Skies Program watchlist without explanation, adding that air marshals have harassed her and her husband. Sir, please remember this is the United States of America and you have not even stated why such a dastardly label has been attached to and besmirched her good name, the groups letter to Pekoske reads. We strongly urge you to immediately withdraw her name from the Quiet Skies program and/or provide full public transparency of the TSAs reasons for maligning her name and reputation. Last week, House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer wrote to Pekoske, stating Federal Air Marshals Service whistleblowers made recent disclosures that FAMS wasted resources and abused its authority in surveilling Gabbard. Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) have also written letters to Pekoske raising concern about Quiet Skies and Gabbards addition to the program. Paul noted a 2020 Homeland Security inspector general report that said Quiet Skies lacked measures to prevent the misuse of passenger data or oversight to determine whether it was doing what it was supposed to do. He asked the TSA to turn over documents detailing how it selects people for watchlists by Sept. 4, including information on Gabbards allegations. On its website, the TSA says it uses the program to reduce the risk on airplanes by identifying passengers deemed to be higher risk according to certain travel patterns and other intelligence-based factors. 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. Tulsi Gabbard, who once ran for president as a Democrat, is taking on a prominent role as part of former President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign team. On Thursday, she will moderate what Trump's campaign is calling a "town hall" with him when he visits La Crosse in battleground Wisconsin. Gabbard publicly endorsed Trump on stage in Michigan earlier this week, and joined his presidential transition team along with fellow former Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. "This administration has us facing multiple wars on multiple fronts and regions around the world and closer to the brink of nuclear war than we ever have been before," Gabbard said. "This is one of the main reasons why I'm committed to doing all that I can to send President Trump back to the White House, where he can, once again, serve us as our commander in chief." Trump called Gabbard an "amazing person" and that he looked forward to working with her. MORE: Trump adds RFK Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard to his transition team Gabbard, a military veteran who represented Hawaii in Congress for eight years, has also been aiding Trump as he prepares for his first debate against Vice President Kamala Harris on Sept. 10. Gabbard debated Harris and President Joe Biden in the 2020 Democratic primary, and made headlines at the time for taking aim at Harris' record as a prosecutor. Since leaving the Democratic Party in 2022 to register as an independent, Gabbard's adopted several views that align with those held by Trump and his Republican allies. That includes opposition to U.S. support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian invaders; criticism of the criminal indictments against Trump; and statements railing against the so-called deep state and "woke" ideologies of the Democratic Party. PHOTO: Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump shakes hands with former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who endorsed Trump, at the National Guard Association of the United States' 146th General Conference, Aug. 26, 2024, in Detroit. (Paul Sancya/AP Photo) Gabbard, an anti-interventionist when it comes to foreign policy, has accused President Joe Biden's administration of stoking tensions around the globe -- describing Democrats as a "cabal of warmongers" when she became an independent. "This war and suffering could have easily been avoided if Biden Admin/NATO had simply acknowledged Russia's legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraine's becoming a member of NATO, which would mean US/NATO forces right on Russia's border," she wrote of the Russia-Ukraine war on X, formerly known as Twitter, in 2022. She also shared false information alleging U.S. involvement in Ukraine biological weapons laboratories. Her comments received pushback from the likes of Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, a Republican, who described her comments as "treasonous lies" that were "parroting false Russian propaganda." The State Department, around the time such claims were being spread, said the Kremlin was intentionally proliferating "outright lies that the United States and Ukraine are conducting chemical and biological weapons activities in Ukraine." The year Russia invaded Ukraine, Gabbard made multiple appearances on Tucker Carlson's show on Fox to discuss the conflict, clips of which were aired on Russian-state media. MORE: Tulsi Gabbard turned down RFK Jr.'s offer to be his running mate, she says After leaving the Democratic Party, she campaigned for election-deniers in the 2022 midterm cycle, including Arizona's Kari Lake and New Hampshire's Don Bolduc -- both of whom were defeated. During an event for Bolduc, she compared President Biden (who she endorsed in the 2020 primary after bowing out of the race) to Adolf Hitler. In 2023 comments to Fox's Jesse Watters, Gabbard continued to make comparisons to Hitler as she said Biden and the party's focus on diversity was similar to the "geneticist core principles embodied by Nazism and Adolf Hitler." PHOTO: PHOTO: Tulsi Gabbard, former US Representative from Hawaii, speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland, US,Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. (Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images) More recently, she's accused Biden of weaponizing law enforcement to go after his political opponent after Trump was indicted on federal charges stemming from his handling of classified material and his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss. At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) earlier this year, she suggested, like many Republicans have, that the criminal charges against Trump were an effort to interfere in the 2024 election. "The Democrat elite and their cronies are using our criminal justice system to prosecute and distract the Republican presidential candidate in the midst of his campaign," she said. After Biden dropped out of the race, Gabbard turned her focus toward Harris -- though asserted a larger "deep state" was at work in the federal government. "Biden's out, Kamala is in. Don't be fooled: policies won't change. Just like Biden wasn't the one calling the shots, Kamala Harris won't be either. She is the new figurehead for the deep state and the maidservant of Hillary Clinton, queen of the cabal of warmongers. They will continue their efforts to engulf the world in war and taking away our liberty," Gabbard claimed on X. Tulsi Gabbard's transition from Democrat to high-profile role with Trump's 2024 campaign team originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is canceling plans to build frontage roads and other amenities discussed in connection with new toll roads to be built through Norman and adjacent communities in response to rejection of the project by the Norman City Council. Norman council members have spent the past month debating potential resolutions requested by the turnpike authority, which would have pledged the city's cooperation in planning and construction of the new toll roads. The 28-mile east-west connector turnpike is designed to connect Newcastle, Blanchard and Tuttle at State Highway 37 and NW 32 and cross the South Canadian River east to Interstate 35. The toll road will then continue east and northeast to Interstate 40 to connect with the Kickapoo Turnpike. contested_tolls_ok24 Lisa Shearer-Salim, turnpike authority spokeswoman, said engineers sought to work collaboratively with the city of Norman in response to requests for frontage roads, trails and other amenities. She said the resolution was requested as a step in a public process toward signing an agreement The OTA requested the resolution as a step in the public process toward signing an agreement that would determine ownership and maintenance responsibilities of the requested amenities, Shearer-Salim said. Frontage roads help provide long-term solutions for local traffic flow. If constructed at the same time as the new turnpike route, it would significantly lessen the construction costs for local taxpayers and lessen disruption to drivers. Design work for the east-west connector is 60% complete and currently includes frontage roads requested by Norman officials. Shearer-Salim said engineers will redo the plans to focus on the turnpike. Construction is expected to start in 2025 with completion in 2027. T.J. Dill, deputy director of the turnpike authority, promised the current Indian Hills corridor parallelling the planned toll road will be kept intact. Regardless the outcome of this, we will not remove Indian Hills, it will remain as it is, Dill told The Oklahoman. We will not touch it. If we were going to complete the request the city had made to build the frontage roads, we would have rebuilt Indian Hills Road. City engineer Scott Sturtz and other staff previously recommended approving a statement of cooperation. After multiple study sessions in which different drafts were written, the resolution that was unanimously rejected asked for the Norman City Council to acknowledge the ACCESS Oklahoma plan to build turnpikes through critical areas, including the citys water supply, flood hazard areas and Lake Thunderbird tributaries. Norman residents complained about turnpike officials' tactics on turnpike Rob Norman, an attorney representing residents opposed to the Norman-area toll roads, questioned whether city staff fully represented residents concerns. The main reason certain forces at the city and on staff talk about how we have to have a seat at the table, we have to have a resolution to have a seat at the table, Norman said. No, you dont. You are supposed to already have a seat at the table. More: Does the turnpike authority have an unfair advantage over homeowners? This family fought and won Residents spoke for more than hour in opposition to the resolution, with some complaining turnpike officials have used manipulation, intimidation and time pressure tactics to impose their will regardless of hundreds of residents losing their homes and impact to water supply, wildlife and a delicate aquifer system. Michelle Sinclair, a 22-year Norman resident, told the city council their support for the toll road will come at a cost. The greenspace is important to the health of everyone everywhere, Sinclair said. If you partner with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, you are giving those resources away. Your partnership with the OTA, no matter how you spin it, will result in the destruction of the land, destruction of hundreds of homes, and displacement of hundreds of residents who have built their dream homes, built their family homes, and built retirement homes where they can retire in peace. Other residents argued against the resolution saying the city can still fight the toll road in court and be the first community to successfully stop the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. The city council, which previously debated the merits of the requested resolution, were unanimous in their ultimate vote. Michael Nash, elected to the city council after initially leading opposition to ACCESS Oklahoma, praised residents for making their voices heard. There is no way we can overlook this amount of people, this amount of effort, Nash said. You dont see this very often. Im sitting here as a steward of our community, someone like you who cherishes the land we live on and the water that sustains us. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Turnpike Authority cancels frontage roads due to opposition Two Arizona residents sentenced in Oklahoma for possessing counterfeit pills containing fentanyl ROLAND, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA) Two Arizona residents were sentenced in Oklahoma earlier this week for possessing counterfeit pills that contained fentanyl, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office Eastern District of Oklahoma. Devier Tamon Washington, 25, and Gabriel Donte Cunningham, 28, were sentenced for one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl on Wednesday. Washington received 63 months in prison and Cunningham received 34 months. Six arrested in Springdale drug bust; multiple pounds of drugs seized Investigators said on March 29, 2022, law enforcement stopped the two for speeding on Interstate 40 in Roland. The car was searched and authorities found 30 plastic bags containing counterfeit oxycodone pills with fentanyl, a loaded gun and around $4,000 in cash. Washington pleaded guilty on December 19, 2023, and Cunningham pleaded guilty on January 10, 2024. Both will remain in U.S. Marshal custody pending transportation to a Bureau of Prisons facility to serve non-paroleable sentences of incarceration. The charges came from investigations by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Roland Police Department and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. Two arrested, alleged suspects in death of 12 year old Two arrested, alleged suspects in death of 12 year old Video: Coverage of Tuesdays press conference. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Two people are reportedly in police custody as alleged suspects in the shooting death of a 12 year old last Friday. Two arrests have been made in connection with the murder. This is still an ongoing investigation, confirmed Major Brian Johns of the Dayton Police Department. Isabella Amor-Carlos was a 7th grader at Charity Adams Earley Girls Academy. Last Friday, Aug. 23, Amor-Carlos was sleeping in bed when her home was breached by gunshots, and where she was fatally struck. Major Johns spoke on behalf of the DPD on Tuesday and reported that around 37 rifle rounds were fired during the incident. The gunfire hit three other homes as well. A 12-year-old girl was shot and killed in her bed, and thats something we cant stand for, the major said at the conference. This story is developing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. (KRON) Two people who allegedly pulled a gun on an undercover Santa Rosa Police Department officer were arrested on Tuesday, the police department said. The suspects created chaos as they tried to flee the scene. The undercover officer was part of an operation in which detectives were trying to arrest people involved in drug trafficking. SF barber breaks leg while detaining robbery, stabbing suspect The officer agreed to meet the traffickers in a parking lot on the 1900 block of Santa Rosa Avenue to buy 10,000 fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone, police said. The plan was for him to buy the pills, leave the scene and make way for uniformed officers to come in and arrest the suspects. As with all undercover operations, contingency plans are implemented if the unexpected happens, as was the case with this operation, police said. After a quick conversation with the officer, both suspects took out a gun and pointed it at him. They stole his watch, necklace and cash. After the theft, marked patrol and undercover cars converged on the scene. The suspects attempted to drive away. At one point, one suspect got out of the car to run away but changed his mind and ran back to the car. He was dragged a short distance and suffered minor injuries, police said. After multiple collisions, including the suspects intentionally ramming an unmarked car, the suspects red Acura became disabled and they were arrested. The whole situation unfolded in about five minutes, SRPD said. No officers were injured. The suspects were identified as Ulises Vera, 25, of Bakersfield and Manuel Cardenas Jr., 28, of Fresno. They did not possess any drugs. They were arrested for charges including assault with a deadly weapon, robbery and felon in possession of a firearm. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Two found guilty of first-degree murder in 2020 fatal shooting of teen over dirt bike WEST PALM BEACH Two Riviera Beach men were found guilty Wednesday of the 2020 murder of a 19-year-old man in a dispute over a stolen bike in Lake Park. Jurors deliberated for more than nine hours over two days before finding Divien Colson and Broadus Peterkine Jr. guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Marcas Johnson on Jan. 22, 2020, in a parking lot off Northlake Boulevard. Both men were also found guilty of aggravated assault and shooting into an unoccupied vehicle. Circuit Judge Caroline Shepherd ordered that both men be held without bond pending sentencing and scheduled a hearing for Oct. 1. Both men face up to life in prison. The courtroom was largely silent as the verdicts were read, with Shepherd warning those in the gallery that any outbursts could result in contempt charges. Some walked out in tears moments after the verdicts were announced. Twelve years later, an arrest: Man facing murder charge in 2012 Boca fatal stabbing Authorities found Marcas Johnson, 19, of Lake Park dead in a parking lot off Northlake Boulevard and Prosperity Farms Road on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. His family said his greatest love was fishing Prosecutors: 'Zero doubt' two men meant to kill Marcas Johnson Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office investigators reported that Peterkine, now 24, and Colson, 23, pursued Johnson's pickup on a dirt bike and fatally shot him after a fight at Tommy's Cycle shop on 10th Street. Investigators said Johnson and his girlfriend, Paris Stokes, were searching for his stolen dirt bike that day when they arrived at the shop and found Colson standing next to the bike. A witness told investigators Colson pulled out a gun after fighting with Johnson. Peterkine eventually took the gun, and Johnson and his girlfriend left, the sheriff's office said. Its arrest reports said the two made it about a block to the parking lot of the Tri City Plaza in the 1500 block of Prosperity Farms Road before Colson rode by on another dirt bike. His passenger on the bike, Peterkine, fired three shots at them, the sheriffs office said. Two hit Johnson. Stokes testified at the trial, describing how she and Johnson had gone out to search for Johnson's missing red-and-black bike. In her closing remarks Tuesday morning, Assistant State Attorney Aleathea McRoberts told jurors that Colson and Peterkine conspired to kill Johnson, with Colson driving a dirt bike in pursuit and Peterkine firing shots from the rear seat. "The evidence is beyond any doubt that these two people were acting in concert to commit the crimes they were committing," McRoberts said. "They were clearly principals. They were assisting each other. There is zero doubt this was a deliberate attempt to kill Marcas Johnson." PBSO deputy stabbed: Man in stable condition after attack while breaking up robbery in Greenacres Defense: Evidence didn't prove men's guilt beyond reasonable doubt Marcas Johnson, 19, of Lake Park was shot to death on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, in the parking lot of Tri City Plaza on Prosperity Farms Road near Northlake Boulevard. Attorneys for Colson and Peterkine challenged Stokes' testimony and questioned her ability to identify the attackers. Assistant Public Defender Robert Gordon, who represented Colson, described Stokes as being "frantic, shaken and in shock" when she initially provided an identification to sheriff's investigators. "Memory is complex," he said. "We know that by the time that Ms. Stokes made the identification, she had several opportunities to look at photographs that would make her more likely to pick Mr. Colson." Defense attorney Scott Skier, who represented Peterkine, described evidence presented by the state as "woefully insufficient." He argued that video-camera surveillance produced by the state did not prove that Peterkine was one of the people aboard the dirt bike. "The video is not beyond a reasonable doubt," he said. "The video does not show you beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Peterkine was on the back of the bike and the physical evidence contradicts that in every single way." Skier also raised questions about Stokes' ability to see the shooter, noting a moment at trial when Stokes asked to put on her eyeglasses before identifying Peterkine from the witness stand. Stokes testified that she was not wearing her glasses on the day of the shooting, but told the court she was still able to see the faces of both men. Jurors returned to the courtroom Tuesday afternoon to listen to a recording of Stokes' testimony. After expressing concern over the quality of the recording, Shepherd instructed a court reporter to read a transcript of it out loud. 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: Two Florida men found guilty of killing teen over stolen dirt bike Two Jefferson Co. men charged after alleged copper theft at former prison WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) Two men from Carthage are facing charges after allegedly trying to take copper plumbing from the closed-down Watertown Correctional Facility. New York State Police arrested 33-year-old Donald Bishop and 44-year-old Zachary Guichard after both were allegedly found inside the former facility in an electrical room attempting to steal copper plumbing on Tuesday, August 27. NNY lawmaker proposes ideas to help local prisons avoid closure Both were in also allegedly in possession of Methamphetamine and Amphetamine tablets. Here are the felony charges the pair are facing: Burglary in the Third Degree, (class D felony) Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, (class B felony) Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, (class C felony) The duo were also charged with a number of misdemeanors that include criminal mischief, criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal trespass among other charges. Bishop and Guichard were both arraigned in Jefferson County CAP Court. Guichard was remanded to the Jefferson County Jail with no bail. Bishop was held on $10,000 cash/$20,000 partially secured bond, or $40,0000 unsecured bond. In the same police release, Troopers arrested 55-year-old Joseph Palladino Sr. from Carthage for Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree. Palladino was arrested after he was found to be allegedly trespassing inside the closed Watertown Correctional Facility, which is in the town of Watertown. Palladino Sr. was issued an Appearance Ticket returnable to CAP Court on September 11. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. BLUEFIELD, WV (WVNS) Two people were arrested by the Bluefield Police Department in connection to an animal cruelty investigation in Mercer County. According to a post on the City of Bluefield Local Governments Facebook page, two people were arrested in relation to an animal cruelty investigation on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. Former Nicholas County Deputy Sheriff sentenced for child pornography crime The Facebook post stated that an investigation started after a welfare check took place at a house in Bluefield, West Virginia on July 1, 2024 that resulted in multiple dogs found in bad conditions. According to the Facebook post, Bluefield Animal Control, Mercer County Animal Control, the Bluefield Police Department, and Code Enforcement, carried out a search warrant on July 2, 2024. The post stated that two dogs were found dead, and five dogs were found alive, however the living dogs were emaciated, sick, and malnourished. The Facebook post from the City of Bluefield Local Government stated that the five living dogs were taken to the Mercer County Animal Shelter for medical care. It was discovered that the surviving dogs had Lyme disease, were severely emaciated, and had severe eye infections that resulted in emergency eye removal. Princeton man pleads guilty to sexual assault from the 1980s In the post, the City of Bluefield Local Government stated that the arrest warrants issued on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 came from an investigation into the incident that included interviews with the people responsible for the animals, as well as the search warrant that was carried out on July 2, 2024. According to the City of Bluefield Local Governments Facebook post, the people who were arrested were reportedly charged with seven counts of animal cruelty each, under West Virginia Code 61-8-19. The Facebook post from the City of Bluefield Local Government stated that while two of the five surviving dogs were adopted, three are still looking for their forever homes. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Two people killed and two more hurt in crash that blocked I-26 for hours, SC officials say Two people were killed and two others were hurt Thursday morning in a crash that blocked part of Interstate 26 for about 7 hours, South Carolina officials said. The three-vehicle collision happened at about 2:45 a.m. in Lexington County, said Master Trooper William Bennett of the South Carolina Highway Patrol. A 1999 International tractor trailer, a 2014 Nissan sedan and a Dodge Ram pickup truck all were driving west on I-26, according to Bennett. At the 90 mile marker, near the Chapin area, the tractor trailer and car slowed for traffic ahead and the pickup hit the rear of the car, Bennett said. The car was then pushed into the back of the tractor trailer, according to Bennett. A driver and passenger in the Nissan died at the scene, Bennett said. The Lexington County Coroners Office has not publicly identified the people who were in the Nissan. There also were two people in the pickup, and both were taken to Prisma Health Richland hospital, according to Bennett. Further information on their conditions was not available. Bennett said the driver was the only person in the tractor trailer, and was not hurt. No other injuries were reported. There was no word if any of the people involved in the crash were wearing seat belts, but the wreck continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol. Following the crash, all of the westbound lanes of I-26 were closed, and they werent reopened until several hours later when the scene was cleared at about 10 a.m., according to the South Carolina Department of Transportation. Through Sunday, 563 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2024, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,030 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported. At least 34 people have died in Lexington County crashes in 2024, according to DPS data. There were 45 deaths reported in the county in 2023, DPS reported. This was the fourth fatal collision in Lexington County since Aug. 20, and six people have died in the unrelated wrecks. Millions of residents were urged to evacuate after the storm made landfall on Thursday. Typhoon Shanshan made landfall in southern Japan on Thursday, threatening unprecedented high winds, waves, heavy rainfall and powerful storm surges, according to Japans disaster management agency. At least three people have died and dozens of others have been injured, officials said. Millions have been told to evacuate as the powerful storm pummels the region. "Maximum caution is required given that forecasts are for strong winds, high waves and high tides that have not been seen thus far," Satoshi Sugimoto, a chief forecaster of the Japan Meteorological Agency, warned during a news conference earlier in the week. Hundreds of thousands of people have also experienced power outages as the typhoon a term meteorologists use for tropical cyclones that form over the Northwest Pacific; whereas in the North Atlantic and central and eastern North Pacific Ocean, theyre called hurricanes pumped two feet of rain into some areas and wind gusts of up to 112 mph. Meteorologists expect Typhoon Shanshan to continue to bear down on southwest Japan for the next few days before moving northeast to the central and eastern regions of the country, including the capital, Tokyo, over the weekend. Who has been affected by Typhoon Shanshan? Yasin Demirci/Anadolu via Getty Images More than 5 million people, mainly in Kyushu Japan's third-largest island located in the southwesternmost part of the islands were urged to evacuate. People in central Japan were also given evacuation notices after torrential downpours on Wednesday caused a landslide. About 20,000 people across Kyushu took shelter at local community centers and school gymnasiums, government reports showed, according to the Associated Press. Over 70 people were reportedly injured by the force of the storm on the way to shelters, Japans Fire and Disaster Management Agency said. As of 10 p.m. local time on Thursday, a little over 150,000 households in Kyushu lost power, a local power company wrote on X, according to an online translation. What has been affected? An object blown by strong winds is stranded on a power line in Miyazaki, Japan, on Thursday. (Kyodo/via Reuters) Shanshan caused damage in downtown Miyazaki, located on the eastern coast of Kyushu. The strong winds and rain knocked down trees, shattered windows in buildings and hurled cars in parking lots. On Thursday, airlines, including All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, canceled an estimated 800 flights. Train, bus and ferry services have also been suspended in many areas of Kyushu. Big-named automakers are also shuttering their operations due to Typhoon Shanshan. According to Reuters, Toyota announced they were halting operations at all 14 of its plants in Japan from Wednesday through Thursday. Nissan also said it would suspend its plant operations in Kyushu from Thursday to Friday. Honda will also temporarily shutter its plant in southwestern Kyushu. Mazda will close two plants in western Japan until Friday. Postal and delivery services were also halted and stores were closed on Honshu, Japans main island. Cover thumbnail photo: Kyodo via Reuters The U.S. Coast Guard's heavy icebreaker USCGC Polar Star has returned to its home port of Seattle, Washington, after a major service life-extending overhaul and not a moment too soon. The U.S. Coast Guards heavy icebreaker USCGC Polar Star has returned to its home port of Seattle, Washington, after a major service life-extending overhaul and not a moment too soon. The medium icebreaker USCGC Healy, the services only other icebreaker available for operations in the Arctic and Antarctica, also sailed back into Seattle earlier this month after suffering a fire that forced its crew to abandon a planned deployment to the High North. You can read more about that incident, which shined a glaring light on the inadequacy of the Coast Guards icebreaker fleets, in the War Zones previous reporting here. Polar Star sailed back into Seattle on August 25 following the completion of the fourth phase of a Service Life Extension Project (SLEP) at Mare Island Dry Dock (MIDD) in Vallejo, California. The ship was away from home for 285 days, of which around 140 days were actually spent on the overhaul. The SLEP has been ongoing in this incremental way since 2021 and is set to keep the ship, which first entered service in 1976, operational at least through next year. The USCGC Polar Star transits the Puget Sound on the way back to its home port in Seattle on August 25, 2024. USCG As part of phase four of the SLEP boiler support systems were recapitalized, including the electrical control station that operates them, and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system was refurbished through the overhaul of ventilation trunks, fans and heaters that supply the cutters berthing areas, according to a release the Coast Guard put out yesterday. The flooding alarm system was redesigned, providing the ability to monitor machinery spaces for flooding from bow to stern. The USCGC Polar Star at Mare Island Dry Dock in June 2024. USCG U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area Additional work not typically completed every dry dock included removing and installing the starboard propulsion shaft, servicing and inspecting both anchor windlasses, inspecting and repairing anchor chains and ground tackle, cleaning and inspecting all main propulsion motors and generators, installation of an isolation valve to prevent seawater intrusion into the sanitary system, and overhauling the fuel oil purifier, the release adds. The USCGC Polar Star is refloated at Mare Island Dry Dock in August 2024. USCG U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area Completing a dry dock availability is a positive milestone, and despite challenges due to being away from home port, our crews energy and resilience inspires me every day, Coast Guard Capt. Jeff Rasnake, Polar Stars commanding officer, said in a statement. The amount of time and effort put into Polar Star and its mission is truly remarkable. The dedication and teamwork displayed across all stakeholders exemplifies the Coast Guards flexibility and commitment to ensuring the continued success of Operation Deep Freeze, as well as strengthened partnerships among nations invested in the Antarctic latitudes, Rasnake continued. I look forward to observing how this crew will continue to grow as a team and to discovering what we can accomplish together. USCG Rasnake can-do attitude stands in stark contrast to the Coast Guards current icebreaking capacity. While Polar Star continues to be the worlds most powerful non-nuclear icebreaker, it is also the only one in U.S. service capable of operating year-round in Arctic and Antarctic waters. Heavy icebreakers like Polar Star are defined as ships that have icebreaking capability of 6 feet of ice continuously at 3 knots, and can back and ram through at least 20 feet of ice, according to a report from the National Research Council of the National Academies. The medium icebreaker Healy is designed to break 4.5 feet of ice continuously at three knots, according to the Coast Guard. Healy, which was commissioned in 1999, is also now sidelined following the fire that occurred on July 25 while the ship was sailing near Banks Island, the westernmost island in Canadas Arctic Archipelago. The ship was able to make it back under its own power, but is in need of repairs and its unclear how long it might take to do that work. The USCGC Polar Star, at left, and the USCGC Healy, at right, moored in Seattle on August 25, 2024. USCG Coast Guard Cutter Healy had an electrical fire in the engineering spaces; shes now having to return to home port to try and affect repairs, Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard Adm. Kevin Lunday said at a talk at the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington, D.C., hosted on August 7. Most of the machinery systems aboard are antiquated and for some there arent even parts. Were going to work as hard as we can to repair it and try to preserve the rest of the patrol but thats in doubt. Polar Star has to deal with the same kinds of sustainment difficulties and its sister ship USCGC Polar Sea has been being cannibalized for spare parts for decades now. The Coast Guard has been working to acquire new Polar Security Cutter (PSC) heavy icebreakers, but that program has suffered substantial delays and the first of those ships may not arrive until 2028. A rendering of VT Halters Polar Security Cutter design. Technology Associated, Inc. via VT Halter Marine The service is now in the process of buying another medium icebreaker, the Aiviq, which has been operating in the commercial sector since the early 2010s. However, various modifications have to be made to that ship first and it currently is not expected to begin sailing operationally in Coast Guard colors from its new home port in Juneau, Alaska, until sometime in 2026. The U.S. government is well aware of the inadequacy of its icebreaking fleets. In July, U.S. authorities, along with their counterparts in Canada and Finland, announced the creation of a new Icebreaker Collaboration Effort, or ICE Pact, to help meet projected demand for up to 90 icebreakers over the next decade across multiple allied nations. Later that month, the Pentagon released a new Arctic Strategy that outlines key tenets to preserve the Arctic as a secure and stable region in which the U.S. Homeland is defended and our vital national interests are safeguarded. The strategic significance of the Arctic, especially, has already been growing in recent years as polar ice recedes due to global climate change, opening up new access to natural resources and trade routes. Russia has been particularly active in expanding its military presence in the region in recent years amid concerns that increased global competition there could lead to conflict. Russia also currently has the largest fleet of icebreakers anywhere in the world by far, which includes nuclear-powered (which the Russian government is currently the only operator of globally) and combat-capable types. China, the U.S. governments chief global competitor, also has a clear desire to become a more prominent actor in the High North and has also been increasingly teaming up with Russia to project military power in the region. A newly significant demonstration of the military cooperation between the two countries came in July when Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers and Chinese H-6K missile carrier aircraft flew together through a portion of the U.S. Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) around Alaska. This was also the first time Chinese military aircraft had flown in this part of the northern end of the Pacific at all, marking a major power projection milestone for the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army, in general. China and Russia conduct joint air strategic patrol over Bering Sea on July 25. This marks the eighth air strategic patrol organized by the two militaries since 2019. Photos from China PLA Air Force Weibo accounthttps://t.co/g9w27FRnnM pic.twitter.com/oeZA4cUQR9 Ryan Chan (@ryankakiuchan) July 25, 2024 So, while USCGC Polar Stars return to Seattle is welcome, it is also a bitter reminder of its limited icebreaking capacity, now made worse by Healys accident, at a time when demand for these capabilities is only growing. Contact the author: joe@twz.com Forum moderator Michelle Egan of the Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., Republican challenger Nick Begich III and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola are on the stage at the beginning of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association's candidate forum on Aug. 28, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon) Forum moderator Michelle Egan of the Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., Republican challenger Nick Begich III and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola are on the stage at the beginning of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association's candidate forum on Aug. 28, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon) Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola said in a candidate forum on Wednesday that she has worked across the partisan aisle to advance the interests of Alaskas oil and gas industry, while Republican challenger Nick Begich III said Peltolas party is working against the state. Peltola and Begich faced off at the Alaska Oil and Gas Associations annual conference at the Denaina Center in Anchorage, five days after the third major candidate, Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, withdrew from the race. The forum was the first debate of the year for Peltola and Begich, who also competed in special and regular elections in 2022, when the third major candidate was former Gov. Sarah Palin. Peltola began her introduction with a one-word exclamation that drew applause: Willow! She said she helped convince President Joe Biden to approve the North Slope development, a theme she returned to repeatedly during the 40-minute event. I am the advocate for resources, for the resource industry in Washington, D.C., Peltola said. Ive spoken out against this administrations attempts to slow it down, to slow down exploration and production. Begich said the industry would have no better friend than him, and that Democrats want to shut down the trans-Alaska pipeline, referring to a petition that asks the federal government to study ways to phase out North Slope oil production. The Democrats have it out for Alaska oil and gas 66 executive orders affecting our state, and counting, Begich said. He said an example of the federal governments approach is a Biden administration action on Tuesday to keep 28 million across free of large-scale development. While the national political parties are deeply divided in Congress, the two candidates took similar positions on industry concerns at the forum, with both highlighting their advocacy of Alaska oil and other projects. Both said they support cutting regulations that delay Alaska projects and oppose Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris endorsements of taxing unrealized capital gains and increasing the corporate income tax rate. Begich described the unrealized capital gains tax for those with more than $100 million as a policy seen in socialist or communist governments. They criticized each other. Both candidates recognized the legacy of Republican Congressman Don Young, saying he championed Alaskas interests. But Peltola pointed out that Begich challenged Young in a primary, and she questioned whether he was driven by personal ambition rather than the states best interest. Begich said they should look forward, while saying that Peltola failed to influence Biden administration and congressional actions regarding Alaska. Some voters thought that perhaps having a Democrat in office would be a good thing then maybe we would be able to make some traction with the administration, he said. Unfortunately, it appears as if no ones listening. Why do you think it is that you have so little influence with your colleagues in the House when it comes to Alaska resources? Peltola cited the example of Willow. I was able to sit in a room with both of our senators and convince the president of the United States that we need to listen to the people of the North Slope Borough, we need to listen to Alaska Natives, Peltola said. Begich said he would like to see Congress follow up on a recent Supreme Court decision saying courts shouldnt defer to federal agencies legal interpretations, by passing a law making federal permitting of projects more certain. We look at how the left in this country has weaponized what Im going to call the carbon lie, or the carbon economy, right? And theyve weaponized it against everyone in this room, Begich said, criticizing methods that attribute the social costs of climate change to fossil fuel production. Theyre trying to use these methodologies to shut us down. Peltola said oil will always be part of energy production in the U.S. I am a reasonable, practical person, and I am articulate, and Im able to explain Alaska to the Lower 48 and I will always continue to do that, and I feel like I do have a long record of recognizing our energy challenges across Alaska and across the United States and working to find solutions, she said. Peltola responded to an audience question about missed votes by citing close family deaths, ruefully adding: My hope is that in the next two years, my mother and my husband dont die. The two other, lesser-known candidates who are on track to be on the ranked choice voting ballot in November Republican Matt Salisbury and Alaskan Independence Party leader John Wayne Howe were not invited to the event. If neither major candidate exceeds 50% of the vote in the first count, the voters who listed a trailing candidate first will have their votes allocated to their second choice, with the process repeating until there is a winner. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX U.S. offers financial help to 'displaced survivors' in wake of Hurricane Beryl A man looks at a fallen tree knocked over by wind and rain from Hurricane Beryl in Houston, Texas, on July 8. On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $3.6 million in funding for "displaced survivors" from the storm. File Photo by Carlos Ramirez/EPA-EFE Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Wednesday it will release $3.6 million to "displaced survivors," in Texas and Oklahoma, whose homes were damaged this summer by Hurricane Beryl. The funding will come from HUD's Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing, or RUSH, program and will provide quick money for anyone experiencing homelessness due to damage in declared disaster areas. "Addressing the housing needs of impacted communities is one of our priorities," said HUD acting secretary Adrianne Rodman. "RUSH funding provides lifesaving assistance to our most vulnerable neighbors who struggle to find safe, stable housing after a disaster strikes." The funding will supplement the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross' efforts as "displaced survivors" from damaged buildings have "exceeded local capacity." The money will be used for emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, move-in costs and supportive services. The state of Texas will receive more than $1.8 million with Houston getting $1 million, Fort Bend Country receiving $104,420 and $383,630 going to Harris County. The state of Oklahoma, which was not hit as hard, will receive about $205,000. "We have heard loud and clear -- every day counts when communities are working to get people safely housed in the wake of disasters," said Marion McFadden, principal deputy assistant secretary for community planning and development. At least 10 people were killed last month after Hurricane Beryl slammed southeast Texas with heavy winds, rain and flash flooding, as power outages impacted millions. Hundreds of thousands remained without power in the Houston area one week later. Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott blasted Houston's main power company CenterPoint for failing to restore electricity faster, saying "CenterPoint has completely dropped the ball." The Public Utility Commission, a state regulator, has launched an investigation into the utility's slow response. Beryl was the first storm to make U.S. landfall during the 2024 hurricane season, which began on June 1. It was also the earliest Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic on record. Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov delivers a keynote speech during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona DUBAI (Reuters) - A United Arab Emirates official said on Thursday the government was in contact with French authorities and representatives of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, who is a UAE citizen. A French judge has placed Durov under a formal investigation after a probe into organised crime on the messaging app and ordered the Russian-born executive not to leave French territory. "We are in touch with the French authorities about this case and Pavel Durov's representatives," the government official said, adding that the UAE prioritises the welfare of its citizens and providing them with assistance was a key priority. (Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; editing by Hugh Lawson) SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is warning drivers that there will be delays over the Labor Day weekend on several major Utah roadways. According to a press release, some of those delays will occur on major throughways in the Salt Lake and Utah Valleys. READ NEXT: Duchesne County convicted sex offender arrested again on child sex crimes Davis County: Northbound I-15 on 8/30: Up to 10 minutes of additional delays from 3-6 p.m. Salt Lake County: Southbound I-15 on 8/30: Up to 15 minutes of additional delays from 3-6 p.m. Juab County: Southbound I-15 in the Nephi area on 8/30: Up to 20 minutes of additional delays from 3-8 p.m. On Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2, UDOT says that drivers should plan ahead as well. Drivers should be paying attention for these areas: Northbound I-15 in Juab Co./Nephi area: Up to 10 minutes of additional delays from 2-6 p.m. Westbound US-6 in the Spanish Fork Canyon area: Up to 30 minutes of additional delays from 1-7 p.m. Across the state, most UDOT projects will suspend construction and open all lanes to traffic to help reduce delays over the holiday weekend, but certain existing lane restrictions or traffic shifts will remain in place as needed to protect the work zone and ensure safety, John Gleason of UDOT said in a press release. UDOT says in the release that lane restrictions will exist in the following locations: SR-201 at 3200 West: traffic will continue to be directed up and down exit ramps as crews replace the bridge deck. Expect delays due to change in traffic configuration. Bangerter Highway: Work will pause from Friday at noon through the holiday weekend but current lane restrictions will remain in place to protect the work zones for the new interchanges at 9800 South, 13400 South, 2700 West and 4700 South. They also urge drivers to keep in touch with UDOT with the UDOT traffic app as this can change over time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. (Bloomberg) -- The UKs top financial regulator is set to delay the next wave of bank capital reforms, according to people with knowledge of the situation, the latest example of a major global rulemaker abandoning its timetable for the changes until the US finalizes its package. Most Read from Bloomberg The Bank of England is poised to announce in coming days that it will postpone its entire package until January 2026 at the earliest as it monitors international developments, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing information that isnt public. A BOE representative declined to comment. The BOEs Prudential Regulation Authority announced Thursday that it will publish its second and last set of near-final rules on Sept. 12, without offering more details. Regulators around the world hammered out the final stage of Basel III post-crisis reforms back in 2017, and originally pledged to implement them by January 2022. The global time line was delayed by a year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and implementation has slipped further in major jurisdictions, including the UK, EU and US. The issue has become a political flash point in the US, with banks threatening to sue their regulators over original proposals that would have increased system-wide capital requirements by 16%. Regulators have spent months trying to agree on revised proposals for their so-called Basel III Endgame, but have so far not presented them. The delays mean that the US is widely expected to shift its June 2025 timetable for implementing the new rules, since banks say they need at least 12 months notice to prepare for the changes. The US impasse has already prompted the EUs announcement in June that it would postpone a key part of its package until January 2026 so that its banks will not be at a disadvantage to Wall Streets. Canada, which implemented the rules in 2024, last month announced a delay to one of its measures to give regulators time to consider the implementation time line of the Basel III 2017 reforms in other jurisdictions. The delays in the worlds biggest banking jurisdictions to measures designed to make bank capital harder to game come as the political pendulum swings from constraining banks risks toward using lenders to fuel global economic growth. The UK has decided to delay the entire package because the calling of a general election in mid-May meant that regulators were forced into a quiet period that left them unable to publish their detailed rules in time to give banks a full years notice of the changes, the people said. The BOE announced some of its plans in December 2023 and had hoped to announce the remainder by the end of June. The BOE already pushed out its timetable to align with the June 2025 schedule announced by the US in 2023. The EU has deferred only the portion that deals with banks trading businesses, where markets are truly global and banks would be hurt the most by an uneven playing field. Switzerland is sticking with a January 2025 implementation despite protests from its banks, while Japan introduced the rules in March 2024. (Updates with BOE announcement in third paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Ukraine said Thursday that one of its F-16 fighter jets made by the United States crashed while repelling a Russian air strike, killing the pilot onboard. A U.S. official confirmed to CBS News the F-16 crashed on Monday. The announcement marks the first reported destruction of an F-16 in Ukraine, just weeks after Kyiv began taking delivery of the supersonic aircraft. Initial reports are the plane wasn't shot down by the Russians, CBS News has learned. "F-16 fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were used to repel a missile attack on the territory of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, along with units of anti-aircraft missile troops," the Ukrainian army said. "During the approach to the next target, communication with one of the planes was lost. As it turned out later, the aircraft crashed, killing the pilot," it added. It did not identify the pilot, but a unit of Ukraine's air force said one of its pilots, Oleksiy Mes, had died in a crash on Monday while repelling a Russian air attack. "On 26 August, while repelling a Russian massive combined missile and air strike, Oleksiy destroyed three cruise missiles and one attack drone," Ukraine's Western air command unit said. "Oleksiy saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles. Unfortunately, at the cost of his own life," it said. The announcements come as a blow to Ukraine, which had long relied on a fleet of ageing Soviet-era MIG-29 and Sukhoi jets and had asked for the F-16s to defend against intense Russian aerial bombardment. F-16 Fighting Falcons perform in the sky as President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech congratulating the Ukrainian military on the stand in front of the first General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon received by Ukraine on August 4, 2024 in, Ukraine. / Credit: Ukrainian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images Moscow fired a wave of attack drones and missiles at Ukraine on Monday this week in what President Volodymyr Zelensky called one of the "largest" attacks of Russia's two-and-a-half year invasion. Earlier this month, Zelenskyy said the newly arrived F-16 fighter jets will boost the country's war effort against Russia. The American-made F-16 is an iconic fighter jet that's been the front-line combat plane of choice for the NATO alliance and numerous air forces around the world for 50 years. President Biden gave the go-ahead in August 2023 for used F-16s to be deployed to Ukraine, though the U.S. won't be providing any of its own planes. What we know about the Boar's Head listeria outbreak with at least 9 people dead New numbers show U.S. economy grew 3% in Q2 Deadly large-scale Israeli raids in West Bank continue Ukraine is targeting the Key E38 highway with drones to slow down Russian logistics. Ukrainian forces targeting a portion of the key E-38 highway in Kursk with first-person view (FPV) drones are raising new alarms among some local Russian leaders and milbloggers. Ukraine is hitting that area to halt Russian logistics. The Rylsk Bridge in particular has been a hotspot. An image appeared on social media of one burning vehicle on that span claimed to have been hit in an FPV drone strike. The E38 highway runs east to west from Kursk city to the Ukrainian border, and would be the main logistics route for any Russian counter-offensive to try to dislodge Ukrainian forces from Kursk Oblast. Ukraine having "drone control" over the highway complicates any such efforts. https://t.co/XTsvKHYgiR pic.twitter.com/cMLV56kw4W Euan MacDonald (@Euan_MacDonald) August 28, 2024 The highway runs across the middle of Kursk eastward from just over the Ukrainian border. It is a major logistics supply route for Russian forces, located about 15 miles north of the leading edge of Ukraines advance in this part of Kursk. An advisor to acting Kursk Gov. Alexei Smirnov recently raised concerns about these attacks. For the second day, the enemy has been striking the Rylsk Bridge with FPV drones, Roman Alekhine wrote on Telegram. They are hitting both the military and civilians. Alekhine called for greater protection for the bridge and urged civilians to evacuate the area. We have been talking about the fact that the enemy will soon begin to fly to the Rylsk-Lgov highway for more than a week, he complained. And we recommended evacuating not only to save lives, but also to avoid interfering with the military. We were told that we were causing panic. The Romanov_Light Telegram channel chided Russian leadership for not paying more attention to the problem. Chief of the General Staff of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation Valeri Gerasimov announced to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin that the enemys advance deep into the territory in the Kursk direction has been stopped, he wrote Was he deliberately covering the Ukrainian Armed Forces? It is unclear if Ukrainian forces have the ability, or the interest, to push closer to the bridge. In particular, attempts continue to bypass Korenevo and take fire control of the E-38 highway (Rylsk Lgov Kursk), where enemy attack drones sometimes reach (although the prospects of the occupation corps directly reaching it are extremely unlikely), the Russian MiG of Russia Telegram channel wrote on Wednesday. Even if it cant reach the highway, Ukraine can slow the flow of Russian forces and materiel by making the E-38 difficult to transit. A new facet of modern warfare, these drones provide an aerial precision-strike capability that can put a major roadway, and specific moving vehicles on it, at risk from many miles away without the need for fixed or rotary-wing strike aircraft that would be highly vulnerable to air defenses. Google Earth image Despite the dangers, Russian drivers trying to avoid being attacked have received speeding tickets. Thats because traffic cameras on the highway have recorded them exceeding the limit. Some motorists have tried covering their license plates to avoid the tickets, but traffic police are forcing them to remove them. Traffic cameras are still operating in Kursk, and people are receiving speeding fines when trying to outrun FPVs. Some have resorted to covering their license plates but the traffic police force them to remove them. https://t.co/a39mosxzzM pic.twitter.com/8Bt1vcm8dX Rob Lee (@RALee85) August 27, 2024 An ABC News crew recently spent some time across the border from Kursk. Reporter Patrick Reevell said among other things, he was struck by the massive number of vehicles traveling back and forth from Russia, the vastness of the territory Ukraine invaded and how the Russians taken prisoner were young conscripts with little support. We spent a couple days up on the Ukrainian side of the border with Kursk last week as Ukraine conducts its offensive into Russia. A few impressions. pic.twitter.com/KjW6aTAkOm Patrick Reevell (@Reevellp) August 28, 2024 Ukrainian Special Forces destroyed a rare Russian Sapfir (Sapphire) electronic warfare system in Kursk. The system is designed to counter drones, boosting area defenses. It uses a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter bus chassis as a platform, according to the Ukrainian Militinari news outlet. The Latest Elsewhere in the war, Russian troops continue to push toward the key logistics hub of Porkrovsk with growing indications that Ukrainian resistance in the area is melting away, according to the latest assessment from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Kharkiv Oblast: Russian forces continued offensive operations in northern Kharkiv Oblast on August 27 but did not make any confirmed advances. Luhansk Oblast: Ukrainian forces recently regained lost positions southwest of Kreminna amid continued Russian offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line on August 27. Donetsk Oblast: Russian forces have made significant tactical advances in the Pokrovsk direction amid reports that Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from select areas southeast of Pokrovsk, ISW reports, adding that they have also made marginal advances elsewhere in the area. Moscows troops are also made marginal advances toward Toretsk and advanced southwest of Donetsk City. Their continued offensive operations in the Siversk and Chasiv Yar direction on August 26 and 27, produced no confirmed changes to the frontline. Zaporizhzhia Oblast: Russian forces continued offensive operations in western Zaporizhia Oblast on August 27, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline in the area. Kherson Oblast: Fighting continues along the Dnipro River with no confirmed territorial changes. NEW: Russian forces have made significant tactical advances in the Pokrovsk direction amid reports that Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from select areas southeast of Pokrovsk. (1/9) pic.twitter.com/17YUtfcJra Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) August 28, 2024 While the U.K. supports allowing Ukraine to use long-range weapons like its Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles against targets deep inside Russia, it has so far acquiesced to concerns by the U.S. and Germany over escalating the conflict. London has been making the case to Washington for months that Ukraine should be able to fire U.K. Storm Shadows at targets inside Russia, the Financial Times reports. Well-placed figures have told the FT that the British government sent a request to both Washington and Paris earlier this summer to that effect. The Biden administration has denied it is withholding permission. However, the idea of a veto is too strong, one person familiar with the situation told the publication. Meanwhile, Downing Street admits that consensus among Western allies is needed on such a contentious issue and that they should move in lockstep. Another consideration is that Storm Shadow missiles may require access to U.S. intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in areas where Russia is jamming GPS signals that the weapons use for targeting, according to the person familiar with the discussions. Great Britain and France support the authorization of long-range strikes against the Russian Federation, the United States and Germany are against. According to the Financial Times, Biden and Scholz are concerned about the risk of escalation. The publication reminds that they pic.twitter.com/1V1HMEEV02 Jurgen Nauditt (@jurgen_nauditt) August 28, 2024 In an interview with Defense Acquisition Magazine, Assistant Defense Secretary Doug Bush said the U.S. has revved up its munitions production to meet Ukraines ongoing needs. We have significantly boosted domestic production of many different types of munitions to meet demands from Ukraine, he explained. Congressional funding allowed us to boost production of 155 mm artillery shells to about 9,000 per month at the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022. Production will reach close to 80,000 per month this fall, and we will exceed 100,000 a month by next summer. 155mm production ramp-up ahead of schedule! Assistant Secretary Bush says that 155mm ammunition production will reach close to 80,000/month this fall (Q1 FY25). The previous target was 70,000/m. He also adds it will exceed 100,000/m next summer; the current target for pic.twitter.com/NwZoKDzHgx Colby Badhwar (@ColbyBadhwar) August 28, 2024 Ukraine is concentrating forces and weapons in the Odesa region to strike Crimea, the Russian Diary of a Paratrooper Telegram channel claimed. According to our underground, a large number of [aerial] drones and sea drones (SUDs) are being recorded in Odesa, Diary of a Paratrooper stated without proof. Their total number is approaching a thousand units. It is obvious that the enemy is preparing a massive combined attack on the Crimean Peninsula. We hope that our command will pay attention to this information. Russians are worried about an upcoming attack on occupied Crimea. "According to information from our underground, a large number of drones and marine drones are concentrated in Odesa. Their total number is approaching a thousand units. It is obvious that the enemy is preparing pic.twitter.com/H8rWF2XYzv NOELREPORTS (@NOELreports) August 27, 2024 Ukraines 28th Mechanized Brigade released a video showing its troops shooting down a Russian Su-25 Frogfoot with an unspecified man-portable air defense system (MANPADS). There have been at least 31 Frogfoots destroyed and two damaged during this conflict, according to the Oyrx open-source tracking group. That figure could be higher because they only tabulate losses for which there is visual evidence. The Ukrainian 28th Mechanized Brigade reports that it downed a Russian Su-25 using MANPADS. pic.twitter.com/6W3GL3LNRw (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) August 28, 2024 Ukraine has unveiled another new drone, called REX. It is a combination of a small bomber and reconnaissance aircraft able to carry up to eight munitions weighing a combined 22 pounds under its wings. It can also provide surveillance capabilities, according to the ITC.Ua website, a news portal about computer and digital technology. With a takeoff weight of 16 kg (about 35 pounds), the REX drone can stay in the air for up to 1.5 hours and reach speeds of up to 126 km/h (about 78 mph), the outlet reported. The newest strike aviation complex REX, from the Ukrainian team Armadrone. At the same time, the UAV can carry from 2 to 8 ammunition with a total weight of up to 10 Operational range 45 km, flight time 1.5 hours, maximum speed 35 m/s or 126 km per hour. pic.twitter.com/4RQgEx7wDZ MilitaryNewsUA (@front_ukrainian) August 27, 2024 The Ukrainian Wild Hornets drone production team compiled a video showing more than 10 of the 100 Russian drones Wild Hornets claims were downed by its first-person view (FPV) drones. You can read more about this tactic in our story here. Meanwhile, Russia is also developing its own drone-on-drone capabilities. Great work by Wild Hornets developing anti-drone drones, they say they rammed down a hundred by now. pic.twitter.com/eiy2nbpPc6 WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) August 28, 2024 Ukraines use of FPV drones to take out Russian UAVs is causing consternation among some Russian milbloggers. We cannot remain silent about this problem, Alexander Kharchenko wrote on Telegram. The enemy is increasing its efforts to destroy our reconnaissance UAVs. I will not give figures, but even within one unit they can be significant. Previously, a drone could operate for several months, but now The enemy has started to use FPV drones as interceptors. There is no magic here. The Ukrainians have set up radars, landed crews, created a unified system and started shooting down our drones, Kharchenko complained. This problem must be taken very seriously. Without reconnaissance UAVs, our reconnaissance and strike contours will not work. Artillery, Iskanders and FAB (glide bombs)will sharply reduce their effectiveness if the enemy clears its skies. Russian voenkor Alexander Kharchenko posts about how Ukraine is successfully countering Russian ISR UAVs with FPVs. He says Russia must take this problem seriously because it will threaten the effectiveness of artillery, glide bombs, Iskanders, and other fire support pic.twitter.com/863fcJEckg Rob Lee (@RALee85) August 28, 2024 Tunnels under Bakhmut once used to store champagne are now home to Russian military vehicles, troops and supplies. In addition, the 195th Separate Medical Battalion has set up a base there. The Russians have established an underground base in the champagne storage tunnels under Bakhmut. pic.twitter.com/uW2KAp4gXR Roy (@GrandpaRoy2) August 27, 2024 And finally, Ukraine is boosting its cotton production in Odesa, but not to make clothing. An initiative launched earlier this year by Zelensky is particularly strategic given that cotton cellulose is a key component in the production of gunpowder and tank shell charges, both of which are currently in short supply worldwide, the Kyiv Post wrote. The global shortage of gunpowder has driven up prices, exacerbated by Russias aggressive procurement of cotton cellulose from Asian countries to supply its munitions factories. By cultivating its own cotton, Ukraine can mitigate its ammunition shortage, reducing reliance on foreign sources. Ukraine's long dormant domestic cotton industry set for explosive growth as the basis for the extraction of nitrocellulose, a key ingredient in the manufacture of gunpowder. Zelensky signs new law streamlining new farming operations.https://t.co/qZ3JrVxBBY KyivPost (@KyivPost) August 28, 2024 Thats it for now. Ukraine can't use the UK's Storm Shadow missiles on targets inside Russia because the US is standing in the way: reports Ukraine can't use the UK's Storm Shadow missiles on targets inside Russia because the US is standing in the way: reports The UK privately backs Ukraine's call to lift a targeting ban on Storm Shadow missiles, reports say. But it first wants to persuade the US to support the green light to strike inside Russia. The US likely has some say because Ukraine relies on American intelligence and systems for the strikes, per the reports. The UK wants to let Ukraine use its Storm Shadow missiles on Russian soil, but isn't giving Kyiv permission out of concern that the US won't back the call, according to multiple reports. The Telegraph and the Financial Times reported Tuesday that London officials have privately been asking the US for the go-ahead this summer. But Ukraine has yet to receive the green light to launch the British and French-made cruise missiles on targets inside Russia a move that it's championed as the next crucial step for the war effort. Both The Telegraph and FT reported that the US has some say in the decision because Ukraine's Storm Shadow strikes likely rely on American capabilities. The FT, citing an anonymous source familiar with the discussions, wrote that the missiles need US intelligence and reconnaissance to circumvent Russian GPS jamming. The Telegraph mentioned that the missiles work in tandem with unnamed "classified US systems." The new deliberations also come as the UK's Labour Party in June replaced the Tory government, which was aggressively at the forefront of pushing the West for more advanced vehicles, munitions, and aircraft to Ukraine. But UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is, according to The Telegraph, choosing a more "consultative approach" with the US, which has often trailed its European allies in providing Ukraine with more powerful weapons. US officials have long cited concerns of escalation with Russia when it comes to delivering devastating and long-range munitions to Kyiv. When asked about the reports, a spokesperson for the British defense ministry pointed Business Insider to Starmer's comments to reporters on Wednesday about Ukraine's Storm Shadows. "We supported the approach and the framework put forward by the previous government in the United Kingdom when we were in opposition and we are acting consistently with that in government," Starmer said, adding that "no new decisions" were yet made with regard to tactical use of the UK-provided weapons. The Pentagon and the Ukrainian defense ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent outside regular business hours by BI. Storm Shadow missiles, which are air-launched and have a range of about 155 miles, have been touted as one of Ukraine's most effective tools in the war. "Its accuracy and ability to deliver successfully the payload, as sent and designed by the Ukrainians, has been almost without fault," said then-UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace in June. Russia, meanwhile, has been playing down its impact on the battlefield, with leader Vladimir Putin saying the missile isn't inflicting "critical" damage. The UK allowed Ukraine to hit Russian ships and naval facilities in Crimea with Storm Shadow missiles in 2023, marking one of the first major Western endorsements of deep strikes. Washington later sent Kyiv its long-range ATACMS missiles, but has so far restricted Ukraine from firing its advanced weapons into Russian territory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the US and UK this week to lift the ban, saying it's become a severe handicap as Russia rains drones and bombs on Ukraine. "The United States, the United Kingdom, France, and other partners have the power to help us stop terror. We need decisions," he said. France, which also delivers Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, has been supportive of allowing Kyiv to strike deep into Russia. "We are in fact telling them that we are delivering weapons to you, but you cannot defend yourself," French President Emmanuel Macron said in May, criticizing the situation. September 2, 2024: This story was updated to reflect comment from the UK defense ministry. Read the original article on Business Insider Ukraine is continuing discussions with its partners on the possibility of creating an air defence shield over Ukraine's West. Source: Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umierov on X (Twitter) following a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council on 28 August, as reported by European Pravda Details: Umierov recalled that Kyiv had initiated the meeting after the latest large-scale aerial attack, during which Russia launched over 200 missiles and drones on Ukraine. Todays Ukraine-NATO Council meeting was convened on the instructions of the Ukrainian President in response to the massive russian missile attacks on our cities. Two days ago, the terrorist state launched more than 200 missiles and drones, which led to killing innocent people pic.twitter.com/6TJVzz2lwQ Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) August 28, 2024 "I informed our partners of the current situation. We discussed further plans to supply air defence systems and missiles for them. We need to strengthen our air defences. We are also continuing consultations, in particular in bilateral formats, regarding the creation of an air defence shield the so-called security belt over the western regions of the country," Umierov tweeted. He expressed gratitude to Ukraine's allies for their support and commitments. "More and more allies support the lifting of restrictions on the use of long-range weapons for Ukraine's self-defence within the framework of international law," the minister added. Background: In July, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the security agreement with Poland included a provision to develop a mechanism to shoot down Russian missiles and drones fired in the direction of Poland in Ukrainian airspace. On 27 August, Zelenskyy noted that he wanted Warsaw's help in shooting down missiles over Ukraines west, at least the ones heading toward Poland. On 28 August, Poland announced that the decision to authorise the use of Polish air defence systems to intercept Russian missiles and combat drones in Ukrainian airspace has raised scepticism among NATO countries. Support UP or become our patron! KYIV, Ukraine One of the handful of F-16 warplanes that Ukraine has received from its Western partners to help fight Russias invasion has crashed, Ukraines Army General Staff said Thursday. The pilot died. The fighter jet went down Monday, when Russia launched a major missile and drone barrage at Ukraine, a military statement posted on Facebook said. Four of those Russian missiles were shot down by F-16s, the statement said. The crash was the first reported loss of an F-16 in Ukraine, where they arrived at the end of last month. At least six of the warplanes are believed to have been delivered. Ukraines F-16 jets intercept Russian missiles in apparent first The Defense Ministry has opened an investigation into the crash. Earlier Thursday, Russia conducted a heavy aerial attack on Ukraine for the third time in four days, again launching missiles and scores of drones that mostly were intercepted, Ukraines air force said. Russian forces fired five missiles and 74 Shahed drones at Ukrainian targets, an air force statement said. Air defenses stopped two missiles and 60 drones, and 14 other drones presumably fell before reaching their target, it said. Authorities in the capital, Kyiv, said debris of destroyed drones fell in three districts of the city, causing minor damage to civilian infrastructure but no injuries. Russias relentless and unnerving long-range strikes on civilian areas have been a feature of the war since it invaded its neighbor in February 2022. Belgium, Denmark the Netherlands and Norway all NATO members have committed to providing Ukraine with more than 60 of the planes. That number is dwarfed by the Russian jet fighter fleet, which is around 10 times larger. Ukraine needs at least 130 F-16 fighter jets to neutralize Russian air power, Kyiv officials say. U.S. officials told The Associated Press at the end of last month that the first of a batch of F-16s promised by European countries had arrived in Ukraine. Military analysts have said their arrival wont be a game-changer in the war, given Russias massive air force and sophisticated air defense systems. But Ukrainian officials welcomed them as offering an opportunity to hit back at Russias air superiority. Ukraine has until now been using Soviet-era warplanes, and its pilots underwent intense training on the F-16s in the West for months. The usual training period is three years. U.S. President Joe Biden granted authorization in August 2023 for the U.S.-built warplanes to be sent to Ukraine. That came after months of pressure from Kyiv and internal debate in the U.S. administration where officials feared the move could escalate tensions with the Kremlin. The F-16s can fly up to twice the speed of sound and have a maximum range of more than 2,000 miles. They can also fire modern weapons used by NATO countries. Ukrainian officials have recently become more vocal in their long-standing insistence that Western countries supporting their war effort should scrap restrictions on what Ukraine is allowed to target inside Russia with long-range weapons they have provided. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy renewed his pleas for Western allies to untie his hands in deciding what to strike on Russian soil. All our partners should be more active much more active in countering Russian terror, Zelenskyy said late Wednesday. We continue to insist that their determination now lifting the restrictions on long-range strikes for Ukraine now will help us to end the war as soon as possible in a fair way for Ukraine and the world as a whole. The European Unions top diplomat on Thursday backed Zelenskyys push for international backers to end their limits. Ukraine has deployed domestically produced drones to strike Russia. The Russian military said Thursday it had thwarted an overnight attack on Crimea. The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces destroyed three Ukrainian sea drones aimed at the Black Sea peninsula that Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014. The Russia-installed governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev added that four Ukrainian aerial drones and three sea drones were destroyed at a significant distance from the peninsulas shore. In the meantime, Ukraines Army General Staff acknowledged Thursday Ukraines involvement in strikes this week on oil depots deep inside Russia, where blazes broke out. The attacks in the Rostov and Kirov regions were part of Ukraines effort to disrupt logistical infrastructure supporting Russias war machine. PARIS and WASHINGTON F-16 fighter jets delivered to Ukraine by the Netherlands are operational and doing a good job, Dutch Chief of Defence Gen. Otto Eichelsheim said. The Netherlands will provide Ukraine with 24 of the jets as well as weapons, with no limits on how the arms can be used beyond compliance with humanitarian law, Eichelsheim said at a press briefing in Washington on Wednesday. Should Ukraine see a military need to use its F-16s for deep strikes into Russia, then we have no restrictions on that, the general said. Ukraine used Western-supplied F-16s to shoot down Russian missiles this week in two waves of attacks targeting residential areas and energy infrastructure, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Eichelsheim declined to say how many aircraft are already operating in Ukraine, citing the security of Ukrainian forces. The Netherlands is stationing a further 18 F-16s for pilot training in Romania, and some of those aircraft could be given to Ukraine in the future, the general said. Additional airframes will become available for Ukraine as more countries in Europe shift to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, he added. Focus should be now on getting the pilots and technicians trained well, Eichelsheim said. We have the capability ready in Romania to train Ukrainian pilots. We will see now a shift from the older pilots that were trained on the MiGs that we have now converted to the F-16, towards young pilots that are coming out of the training pipeline. The biggest challenge will be to sustain the F-16 fleet with personnel and materiel, the Dutch general said. The Netherlands is providing Ukraine money and data to keep the jets flying, with parts delivery and aircraft overhaul to be handled mainly by civilian contractors employed by the Ukrainian government. That will be done inside Ukraine, and we will be providing the Ukrainians with the financial assets to do that, Eichelsheim said. Understand that are always difficulties in this, because you have then perhaps foreigners working on Ukrainian soil. So there will be always a risk involved there. F-16s and their airfields will be a primary target for Russia, and protecting them will require layered air defense, according to Eichelsheim. Ukraine has a good sensor system that provides enough early warning to allow the jets to react to threats, the general said. Eichelsheim met with officials in Washington to discuss the Dutch initiative to supply Ukraine with additional Patriot systems, as Zelenskyy is expected to request more air-defense assets following Russias air attacks this week. He described Ukraines incursion into Russias Kursk Oblast as technically very well executed, using maneuverability and new techniques and technologies to quickly seize terrain. Kyivs military could choose to expand the push there, Eichelsheim said, in which case Ukraines allies should be prepared to ponder an military-aid request from Kyiv to sustain the presence in the Russian oblast. The operation boosted Ukrainian morale, and has given the country a bargaining chip with Russia. From a military perspective, they can then provide dilemmas for the Russian Federation, and I think thats what they should do, Eichelsheim said. You have to give them the maneuverability to win the fight, if it is so static on the other front, he added, referring to fighting in Ukraine. Russia has kept up its Donbas offensive for now, while Ukraine has depleted part of its reserves with the Kursk incursion, and time will tell whether the operation was a strategic success, according to the general. But strategically, you would like to see a reaction coming out of the Russian forces, and thats a reaction we still did not see. The continued Russian focus on Donbas shows something about how Russian leader Vladimir Putin sees his territory and people, according to Eichelsheim. If I was a Russian, I would be worried about it. With both sides dug in quite deeply, it will be very hard for Ukraine to regain territory, and for Ukraine to take the offensive will require materiel for more brigades, including artillery ammunition, fighting vehicles, main battle tanks and electronic warfare assets, according to Eichelsheim. The Dutch general met with arms maker RTX during his Washington visit to discuss cooperation between U.S. and European companies. Conversations revolved around how missiles needed by Europe and Ukraine, such as FIM-92 Stingers, AIM-120 AMRAAMs and interceptors for the Patriot system, can be built more quickly. Eichelsheim said he received a very positive response, and now European countries will need to provide more clarity on their needs and timetables, and what their respective industrial bases can contribute. We have to work the details out in the near future, Eichelsheim said. But also, how can we discuss this with the U.S. government? Because they play an important role as well. Its U.S. technology that needs to be produced and shared. Ruitenberg reported from Paris; Robertson reported from Washington. A fire is seen at the Klintsevskaya oil depot, near Bryansk, in January. Ukraine confirmed Thursday that it had carried drone strikes against strategic Russian oil facilities in the past 24 hours that also targeted field artillery infrastructure just across the border inside Russia. File Photo courtesy Russian Emergencies Ministry/EPA-EFE Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Ukraine said Thursday that it had used domestically manufactured drones to expand strikes against strategic Russian oil facilities overnight and target field artillery infrastructure just across the border inside Russia. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said that following an attack on an oil depot in Rostov province Wednesday morning, Ukrainian forces had hit an oil storage facility in the Kirov region, northeast of Moscow and more than 900 miles inside Russia and an artillery ammunition dump in the Rossosh district of Voronezh region, about 35 miles from the border with Ukraine. Confirming the attacks in a social media post, the General Staff said the strike on the Atlas oil depot in Rostov caused explosions and set storage tanks ablaze, but the full extent of the damage inflicted there and in Kirov and Voronezh was "currently being clarified." It said the missions were carried out by special operations forces and the Intelligence Directorate of the Defense Ministry, in cooperation with other branches of the military. Both the Rostov plant in Molodezhnyi, just east of occupied Luhansk province, which belongs to Russia's Federal Agency for State Reserves, and the Kirov facility were targeted for their roles in keeping Russia's armed forces supplied. Russian media reported fresh, powerful explosions at the Rostov plant late Wednesday where firefighters were still fighting fires from the earlier attack. Kirov. Gov. Alexander Sokolov confirmed a blaze near the Zenit oil products depot in Kotelnich that he said was started when three of five drones targeting the facility fell nearby after being downed by Russian air defenses. The Kyiv Independent reported a source as saying the Zenit oil depot was a "facility of the enemy military-industrial complex and provides fuel to the Russian occupation forces." The General Staff pledged more attacks as part of continuing measures to "undermine the military and economic potential of the Russian occupiers and stop Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine." Ukraine has mounted at least 64 drone strikes against Russian refineries, storage and other oil infrastructure either in Russia or Ukrainian territory occupied by Russia, the BBC's Russian service reported Wednesday. Controversial lawmaker Artem Dmytruk has been placed on Ukraine's wanted list, and the State Bureau of Investigation has launched an international search for him, it announced on Aug. 29. The bureau previously confirmed on Aug. 26 that Dmytruk illegally crossed the border from Ukraine's Odesa Oblast to Moldova. Under martial law, Ukrainian men aged between 18 and 60, with some exceptions, are not allowed to leave the country as they may be called up for military service. Lawmakers can travel abroad if permitted by the head of the parliament, but Dmytruk had no such permission. Dmytruk fled the country on Aug. 24, the day before Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin charged the lawmaker with assaulting a soldier and a law enforcement officer in separate altercations. "The (bureau) announced an international search for the suspect, who is a current member of the parliament, due to attacks on citizens," it said in a statement on Aug. 29. The bureau did not name Dmytruk but included a photo of him. Celebrating Independence Day with a store sale Shop now The Prosecutor General's Office also did not directly name Dmytruk, but sources within law enforcement agencies confirmed to Ukrainian news outlet Ukrainska Pravda that the suspect was Dmytruk. Dmytruk did cross the border illegally, Tetiana Sapian, the bureau's communications advisor, said on national television. According to Ukrainska Pravda, the lawmaker did not officially pass a Ukrainian border crossing point. Authorities are investigating several people, including border control officials, suspected of aiding Dmytruk in illegal crossing. Dmytruk, who was elected to the parliament as a representative of President Volodymyr Zelensky's Servant of the People party but was later kicked out of it, was involved in two separate altercations with authorities. While in Odesa, Dmytruk, along with accomplices, allegedly caused minor bodily harm to an on-duty law enforcement officer during an argument. He also allegedly attempted to steal the officer's weapon. In another incident in Kyiv, Dmytruk allegedly got into an altercation with a soldier, hitting him on the head several times and causing moderate bodily harm. Sapian also confirmed that the investigation against Dmytruk had been ongoing for a long time, but the charges against the lawmaker were awaiting the prosecutor general's signature. There are no grounds to strip Dmytruk of his parliamentary mandate as of now, Serhii Yevtushok, deputy head of the parliamentary committee on parliamentary ethics, said on national television. The grounds may include a court verdict, which is not yet available in Dmytruk's case, deprivation of Ukrainian citizenship if a person has dual citizenship, death, or resignation, Yevtushok added. If the court verdict is issued, "the parliament will strip this lawmaker of his powers," Yevtushok said. In a post on Telegram on Aug. 24, prior to fleeing the country, Dmytruk acknowledged that law enforcement officials conducted a search of the lawmaker's hotel room in Kyiv, as well as his apartment in Odesa. Dmytruk, without evidence, claimed that the search was politically motivated, as a result of his previously pro-Russian political views, as well as support for the Kremlin-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP). First elected as an independent lawmaker representing Odesa in 2019, Dmytruk later joined and was subsequently expelled from the Servant of the People parliamentary group. While serving in parliament, Dmytruk took a number of pro-Russian stances on various issues. A staunch supporter of the Moscow-backed church, Dmytruk purportedly posted bail for a priest of the church suspected of collaboration with Russia. Law enforcement officials told Ukrainska Pravda that Dmytruk fled Ukraine through Moldova and took a flight to Rome the same day. The Kyiv Independent cannot independently verify these claims. Read also: Zelensky signs law potentially banning Moscow-linked church Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine has lost its first F-16 just weeks after the first batch of the US-made fighter jets were delivered to the country. The aircraft was destroyed during the massive long-range barrage in which Russia launched over 100 missiles and 100 drones at targets across the entire country, it was reported. But anonymous US officials quoted by the Wall Street Journal said the crash was probably the result of pilot error and not enemy fire. Lt Col Oleksiy Mes, a top pilot known by his call sign Moonfish, was killed in the crash, a Ukrainian military source said. The pilot had played a prominent part in Ukraines lobbying of its Western allies for the jets, making the case for their delivery to politicians and the media. The Ukrainian air force confirmed the death of the pilot in a post on the Telegram messaging app. He heroically fought his last battle in heaven. On August 26, Oleksiy destroyed three cruise missiles and one attack UAV while repelling a massive Russian combined air and missile attack, the statement said. Volodymyr Zelensky stands in front of some of Ukraine's F-16 jets as he hands over the flag of a military unit on Air Forces Day on Aug 4 - Efrem Lukatsky/AP Photo The news that Ukraine has lost one of its prized F-16 fighter jets so soon after their introduction on the battlefield will come as a significant blow for Kyiv. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, confirmed this week that the jets had been used for the first time to intercept Russian missiles. The countrys leadership had hoped the Western aircraft would give its forces an edge on the battlefield as the war with Russia approaches its third anniversary. However, the death of one of Ukraines few F-16 pilots will hurt more than the loss of an aircraft. US officials say Lt Col Mes was one of just six pilots in the country trained to fly the F-16. Mr Zelensky said earlier this month that a total of 80 F-16s would be delivered over the next few years, while more pilots are being trained to fly them. The fighter jets can cost up to $60 million depending on the configuration and any potential upgrades. However, The Telegraph has previously reported that many of the F-16s pledged by the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Belgium are not the most technologically advanced models. It is unlikely they will be flown in combat operations close to the front line because of the risk posed by Russian surface-to-air missile systems. On Thursday, General Otto Eichelsheim, the head of the Dutch military, said the jets delivered by the Netherlands were doing a good job. He said Ukraine was free to use the aircraft in cross-border strikes into Russia. We have no restrictions on that, he added. But given the conditions along the front lines and reliance on other governments to green-light the attacks this is unlikely. The Netherlands has pledged 24 of its F-16s to Ukraine, and another 18 to a training centre in Romania that will be used to bring Ukrainian pilots up to scratch. Focus should be now on getting the pilots and technicians trained well, Gen Eichelsheim said. We have the capability ready in Romania to train Ukrainian pilots. We will see now a shift from the older pilots that were trained on the MiGs that we have now converted to the F-16, towards young pilots that are coming out of the training pipeline. Meanwhile, Ukraine on Thursday urged Britain not to squander the momentum created by its invasion of Kursk, and to grant it permission to fire Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia. Kyiv has ramped up its calls for the UK to drop restrictions on the long-range weapon since mounting its daring cross-border raid into the southern Russian frontier region. The air-launched cruise missile, which can dodge enemy radar and precisely hit targets up to 190 miles away, is seen as crucial for targeting airfields deep inside Russia. Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraines foreign minister, urged its Western allies to take bold decisions, with both Britain and America so far holding back on granting permission to use the weapon more freely. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Ukraine lost an F-16 and a top pilot after one of the fighter jets crashed while battling Russian missiles A Ukrainian F-16 crashed on Monday, killing a top pilot, according to the Ukrainian military. The crash occurred during a massive Russian attack, which Ukraine's F-16s helped to defend against. It marks Kyiv's first loss of the US-made aircraft just weeks after they arrived in the country. A Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet crashed on Monday, killing a top pilot in what appears to mark Kyiv's first loss of the American-made aircraft. It is still unclear what led to the crash, which occurred just weeks after Ukraine received its first batch of F-16s from NATO. The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed on Thursday that one of its pilots, Oleksiy Mes, died in combat during a massive Russian attack on Monday. Kyiv said he shot down three cruise missiles and one attack drone before he was killed. "Oleksiy saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles," the Ukrainian Air Force wrote in a Telegram statement. "Unfortunately, at the cost of his own life." The Ukrainian military said it lost communication with an F-16 while it was engaging the Russian threats and later found out that the aircraft had crashed. It said that the cause of the "accident" is under investigation. Initial reports suggested the jet wasn't downed by Russian fire, a US official told The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the loss of the aircraft. A source in the Ukrainian Defense Forces told CNN that they don't think pilot error caused the crash. The Pentagon and US European Command referred questions to the Ukrainian military, and Kyiv's air force did not immediately respond to Business Insider's queries. The fatal incident reportedly took place during Monday's massive Russian missile and drone attack, during which Moscow launched a combined 236 munitions in what Ukraine said was the largest aerial bombardment it had faced throughout the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later shared that Kyiv used its F-16s for the first time in combat that day to shoot down several Russian missiles. He said the fighter jets "performed well." The F-16 crash and death of a pilot is a major blow to Ukraine, which has waited years to get the fighter jets. After the US allowed its European allies to transfer the aircraft to Kyiv last year, Western countries began training a limited number of Ukrainian pilots to fly them. Ukraine revealed in early August that the first F-16s had arrived. However, Kyiv is only operating a small number of fighter jets, and Zelenskyy has expressed concerns that the country won't receive enough to make a difference in combat. Read the original article on Business Insider Updated Aug 29, 2024, 7:41am EDT politics security Europe The News Ukraine is pressing the United States to allow it to more freely use long-range missiles against Russia. Kyivs foreign minister is meeting his European counterparts in Brussels on Thursday to rally their support on the matter, while the Ukrainian defense minister travels to America to make the case in Washington. Ukraine is rapidly expanding its defense capacity it test-fired home-grown ballistic missiles this week and used recently acquired F-16s to help repel a Russian aerial barrage. Earlier this month it seized a significant chunk of territory within Russia, which it won in a surprise offensive. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Ukrainian FM builds argument for long-range use Source: Politico Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told Politico that his countrys top priority is getting permission from its allies to use long-range missiles to strike deep into Russian territory. So far, nations have pushed back on the suggestion over fears it could drag them into the conflict. The moment we can shoot, the moment we have enough missiles and can use [the missiles], then it will work. But as of now, we are still in the process of talking, of negotiating, Kuleba said, as he moves to rally European support in Brussels. Developing weapons is Kyivs long-term goal Source: The Associated Press Ukraine has long angled to develop its own long-range missiles that could pad out its weapons capacity. Kyivs newly-tested missile was a completely new development, from scratch, one source close to its development told The Associated Press. This is not an extension of an old Soviet project. The new weapon, called the Palianytsia, is believed to have a range of up to 430 miles, making it comparable to the ATACMS missiles supplied by the US. As many as 20 Russian air bases are located within that range, the news agency noted. The Prague-led ammunition initiative is delivering supplies to Ukraine on schedule, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Aug. 29. Czechia unveiled its initiative to purchase artillery shells for Ukraine jointly with partners earlier this year amid shell shortages caused mainly by delays in U.S. assistance. Czech President Petr Pavel announced on July 12 that the Czech Republic will send Ukraine 50,000 shells in July and August. From September to the end of the year, Ukraine will receive 80,000 to 100,000 rounds per month, Pavel said. Lipavsky said later in July that the ammunition initiative has secured enough funds to provide Ukraine with 500,000 shells by the end of 2024. While the delivery of ammunition "is being fulfilled," there is a renewed focus on "the effort to ensure air defense," Lipavsky said in Brussels on Aug. 29. The meeting was also attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who said that the EU will speed up the delivery of military aid, including air defense systems. The meeting in Brussels came days after Russia's largest-ever aerial attack against Ukraine. While Ukraine downed 102 missiles and 99 drones of the 127 missiles and 109 drones launched by Russia during the attack, strikes hit several civilian, energy, and fuel facilities, killing seven people and injuring at least 47 others. Read also: Czech FM: Ammunition initiative is a vital part of Ukraines defense but needs more donors, money Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine's Air Force spotted 11 Tu-95MS strategic bombers in Russian airspace at around 5 a.m. on Aug. 26. In less than three hours, Ukraine was under the largest aerial attack since the start of the full-scale war, with 127 missiles and 109 drones flying into Ukraine. To attack Ukrainian cities far from the front, the Kremlin uses strategic bombers and fighter jets stationed deep inside Russia, along with ground launchers closer to the border. With a U.S. ban on missile strikes deep inside Russia still in place, to minimize Russia's capacity to launch mass attacks, Ukraine is forced to employ domestically produced drones to target airfields and launch sites. Over the past year, Ukraine has managed to substantially increase domestic production of drones, now capable of hitting targets 1,800 kilometers (1,119 miles) away, according to Ukrainian military intelligence. With dozens of Russian airfields now bombarded by Ukraine, Russian forces are forced to look for new solutions to protect their aircraft, pulling them further away from Kyiv's reach. How effective are Ukrainian drones? Two out of five Russian airfields located in occupied Crimea are now functioning "at a minimum capacity" due to constant attacks by Ukrainian forces, Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said on Aug. 13. And if Ukraine can keep attacking Crimean airfields, Russia will be forced to stop using them, Peter Layton, associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and former Australian Air Force officer, told the Kyiv Independent. However, despite successfully making some Russian airfields unusable, Russia has plenty more. Russia operates 42 airfields, including those in Belarus and the occupied Crimean peninsula, with 28 of them able to station strategic bombers and fighter jets, retired military officer and defense expert Viktor Kevliuk told the Kyiv Independent. Read also: Kursk incursion and Crimea strikes could ease pressure on Ukraines Donbas forces Russia still has over 1,000 warplanes at its disposal, according to the Military Balance 2024 overview, and numerous airfields still out of Ukraine's reach. Ukraine carried out at least five strikes on Russian airfields in August, which were confirmed to the Kyiv Independent by a military intelligence source familiar with Kyiv's operations on Russian soil. On Aug. 14, Ukraine launched its largest aerial attack against Russia so far. Ukrainian drones struck four airfields, including Savasleyka, located nearly 665 kilometers (413 miles) from the border with Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that it shot down 117 drones and four tactical missiles. Ukraine did not disclose what equipment was used during the attack. Despite hundreds of drones being launched, only a handful usually reach their targets, hitting aircraft, runways, ammunition, or fuel depots. Engels-2 airfield in Russia in 2024. (Google Maps) Kevliuk compared the recent Ukrainian attacks to a "mosquito bite." However, he still assessed the effectiveness of Ukraine's strikes as "acceptable," considering the weapons used and the consequences they brought. Defense expert Andrii Kharuk said that Ukraine's current tactics of striking Russian air bases seem to be effective. However, the results are difficult to measure because satellite images do not clearly show all the destruction. "In any case, it is to some extent easier to destroy or damage Russian aircraft, which carry guided aerial bombs, at an airfield than to catch it in Russian airspace, several dozen kilometers from the front line," Kharuk told the Kyiv Independent. "Strikes on airfields could have been considered unjustified some time ago when we had insufficient drone resources. Now, when we see hundreds of Ukrainian drones hitting targets at night, it is certainly possible to strike airfields, hitting their aircraft," Kharuk added. One of the drones' biggest disadvantages is their speed. According to Kharuk, unmanned aerial vehicles can be detected several hours before an attack, allowing planes and helicopters to redeploy. Read also: Who needs warships when youve got drones? Russia loses control over Black Sea Changing strategies In response to Ukrainian attacks, Russia mainly takes operational measures, which include aircraft redeployment, camouflage, covering the planes with tires to protect them from kamikaze drones, and strengthening air defense in territories closer to Ukraine. Russian forces also draw aircraft silhouettes on airfields to mislead the opponent and construct metal covers, which are easier to build than concrete ones. "If there are two dozen covers at the airfield, it is unclear which one is used to hide the aircraft," Kharuk explained. Russian troops are building concrete shelters as well, but the issue of aircraft protection has not yet been resolved, according to the expert. "The airplane is a very delicate construction. Just because it did not burn or explode does not mean it has not been riddled with debris," Kharuk said, adding that even minor damage could put the plane out of action for months. Despite sanctions, Russia still has the means to repair and build aircraft, Kevliuk said. Kharuk, in turn, added that Russian forces often disassemble non-functioning aircraft to use their parts to repair damaged ones. "There were, for example, photos and videos of a K-52 helicopter with a tail section that was significantly different from the helicopter itself. Presumably, part of a crashed helicopter was put on a working one to return it into action," Kharuk said. "The same applies to airplanes, such as the Tu-22M3 bomber, which was discontinued in 1993, and engines are not produced anymore for it either. The only way to repair them is to use planes that are out of service and disassemble them into parts," the expert added. Kharuk assumed that Russia has not yet established regular supplies of parts for its airplanes and helicopters from third countries, which may also hinder the repair of damaged equipment. Read also: How F-16s in Ukraine can help fight Russia Will long-range missile strikes help? In the meantime, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug. 27 that Ukraine is already testing the first long-range missile of its own production. Ukrainian officials have long called on Western countries to lift their ongoing ban on missile strikes on military targets deep inside Russia using Western-provided weapons. "Our Ukrainian drones work exactly as they should. But there are things that cannot be done with drones alone. Unfortunately. We need other weapons missiles," Zelensky said. The U.S.-led coalition had not yet budged. None of the countries have officially authorized using long-range missiles in Ukraine's arsenal, such as the British Storm Shadow, American ATACMS, or French SCALP, to be used in long-range strikes. Layton said that long-range missiles could be a game changer for Ukraine if there are enough of them to keep Russian air bases closed due to the constant threat of bombardment. Russia has reportedly transferred 90% of its military aircraft to bases outside the reach of long-range ATACMS, a United States official told the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) in remarks published on Aug. 27. The U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) have a range of approximately 165-300 kilometers, and Russia is allegedly preparing for the U.S. to lift the ongoing restrictions. A Tu-22M3 strategic bomber destroyed at Soltsy-2 air base, Novgorod Oblast, Russia, on Aug. 19, 2023. (Twitter) Yet, Russia has strategic bombers in its arsenal, including Tu-22/95s, which can launch missiles from a distance out of reach for Western-provided arms, Layton added. Layton also did not rule out the likelihood that Russia could also seek help from Belarus to use its airfields to station Russian combat aircraft. Kharuk refused to make any specific predictions about the potential effectiveness of long-range missiles but noted that the time to reach the target, which "is now calculated in hours, would be calculated in minutes" as soon as the long-range weapons are put into action. The expert also said that the response time for Ukrainian attacks has been significantly reduced. "Previously, it took about two days from the time we detected aircraft at a Russian airfield until we struck them, but now this interval is calculated in hours," Kharuk said. "And the Russians are also worried about this because they fear that they will not have time to simply move their aircraft before the attack." Read also: Russian POWs on their capture in Kursk Oblast: Commanders just disappeared Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Key developments on Aug. 29: F-16 fighter jet crashes in Ukraine, military confirms Fighting near Pokrovsk 'exceptionally brutal,' Syrskyi says Russian troops forced to retreat in Vovchansk after failed assault preparations, Ukraine says 'Systems are there, what is lacking is final go' Kuleba urges partners not to delay Patriot deliveries EU to speed up arms, energy equipment deliveries to Ukraine, Kuleba says One of the F-16 fighter jets recently delivered to Ukraine crashed while repelling a Russian mass attack, Ukraine's General Staff confirmed on Aug. 29. The confirmation came after earlier media reports that the aircraft crashed during Russia's drone and missile strike on Aug. 26. According to the military, the F-16 shot down four Russian cruise missiles during the attack, demonstrating "high efficiency." "During the approach to the next target, communication with one of the jets was lost. As it turned out later, the plane crashed, the pilot was killed," the General Staff said. The crash site was not disclosed. Earlier the same day, Ukraine's Air Force announced that pilot Oleksii Mes with the call sign "Moonfish" had been killed on Aug. 26. "Oleksii destroyed three cruise missiles and one attack drone while repelling a massive Russian combined air and missile attack," the Western Air Command said. Ukraine's Defense Ministry has established a special commission to investigate the causes of the crash. Ukraine received its first F-16s by the beginning of August, a year after its allies formed the fighter jet coalition at the NATO summit in Vilnius to support Kyiv with training and aircraft. Just 10 jets have been delivered so far, according to media reports. Kyiv has been promised at least 79 F-16s from the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium. Read also: Ukraine strikes Russian airfields with homemade weapons in hopes of preventing devastating attacks at home Fighting near Pokrovsk 'exceptionally brutal,' Syrskyi says Fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russian troops in the Pokrovsk sector of Donetsk Oblast is "exceptionally brutal," Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Aug. 29. The Pokrovsk sector has been the scene of heavy battles for several months and a focal point of Russia's offensive in Donetsk Oblast. The town is an important logistical hub for the Ukrainian forces that supports their operations in the region. Pokrovsk had a pre-war population of around 80,000. The most intense fighting in the Pokrovsk sector is taking place on the eastern outskirts of the village of Hrodivka, along the border of Kamianyi Yar and Krasnyi Yar, and near Mykhailivka, located on the way to Selydove. The battle is also ongoing in the town of Novohrodivka, according to Syrskyi. "The fighting is exceptionally brutal. The enemy throws everything that can move and advance into the battle, trying to break through the defenses of our troops," the general said after visiting the eastern front. According to Syrskyi, Ukraine's main goal is to strengthen the defense "in the most difficult areas of the front" and to provide brigades with sufficient amount of ammunition and other equipment. President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier that Pokrovsk had become Russia's main target after its Kharkiv Oblast offensive failed. The military administration of Pokrovsk called on residents on Aug. 15 to evacuate immediately, as the Russian army was about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the town's outskirts. One of the objectives of Kyiv's ongoing Kursk Oblast operation was to divert a significant number of Russian forces from other sectors, primarily from the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions, Syrskyi said. Moscow has redeployed about 30,000 of its troops from other sectors to the Kursk direction, but keeps its most combat-ready units in the Pokrovsk sector, he added. Russian troops forced to retreat in Vovchansk after failed assault preparations, Ukraine says Russian troops being transported into the embattled town of Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast were forced to retreat after suffering losses, Ukraine claimed on Aug. 29. In a post on Telegram, the Kharkiv group of forces said Russian soldiers were traveling in two tanks and two other armored vehicles "as part of preparations for assault operations." It did not specify how many Russian troops were killed during the engagement. Vovchansk is an embattled town some 60 kilometers (37 miles) northeast of Kharkiv that has seen heavy battles since Russia launched a new offensive in the area in May. The Kharkiv group of forces reported on Aug. 20 that Russia had increased aerial reconnaissance and was preparing new assault operations. While initially gaining ground in May, the Russian offensive in northern Kharkiv Oblast has quickly bogged down, with Russian troops reportedly suffering heavy losses. The intensity of fighting has decreased somewhat compared to other sectors, though several reports of Russia preparing new attacks have emerged since then. Some observers believe that the offensive helped to stretch Ukrainian forces as Russia intensified its push in Donetsk Oblast, focusing on towns like Pokrovsk, Toretsk, and Chasiv Yar. Read also: Updated: Russia controls part of Chasiv Yar, military says "Systems are there, what is lacking is final go" Kuleba urges partners not to delay Patriot deliveries Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Aug. 29 urged foreign partners not to delay and provide Ukraine with the promised Patriot air defense systems. "Good progress has been made, and announcements were made, but again, some Patriot systems were announced and not delivered yet," Kuleba told journalists ahead of an EU ministerial meeting in Brussels. Ukraine has received at least three Patriot systems from Germany and one from the U.S. Other countries, like the Netherlands and Spain, delivered individual launchers or missiles. The U.S., Romania, and the Netherlands pledged in June to deliver one additional system each, but no announcement on their arrival has been made so far. "Some complain (about) bureaucracy... some argue that there are delicate internal moments in their politics," Kuleba said. "We pay for all these delays with damage and the loss of lives." The pledged batteries "are there, they are ready for delivery. What is lacking is just the final go, the green light to do it," Kuleba stressed. The highly advanced Patriot systems have played a crucial role in protecting the Ukrainian sky. They are capable of downing even the most advanced ballistic missiles, such as Kinzhals. The Patriots are not the only Western systems comprising Ukraine's sky shield. Kyiv has also received IRIS-T, NASAMS, Hawk, and SAMP/T systems. Read also: The goal should be strategic defeat of Russia Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds EU to speed up arms, energy equipment deliveries to Ukraine, Kuleba says The European Union will speed up the delivery of weapons and equipment for Ukraine's energy system, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said after an informal meeting with EU counterparts in Brussels on Aug. 29. His statement came days after Russia's largest-ever aerial attack against Ukraine. Strikes hit several civilian, energy, and fuel facilities, including part of the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant, killing seven people and injuring at least 47 others. "I appreciate the readiness of my colleagues to take measures to speed up the delivery (of promised military aid, including air defense systems)," Kuleba said. "I welcome the readiness of member states to advocate for the lifting of restrictions on strikes on legitimate military targets in Russia during bilateral negotiations with other members of the coalition." When Ukraine launched its Kursk Oblast incursion in early August, Western countries have largely allowed Ukraine to use their arms in the incursion. But the U.S. and the U.K. have maintained their restrictions on the use of long-range arms like ATACMS or Storm Shadow. Despite reports that Russia has redeployed 30,000 troops to the sector, Kyiv's forces in the east of Ukraine say the situation there remains dire as Moscow continues its advance near Pokrovsk and Toretsk. Kuleba also said that Ukraine is fulfilling its obligations on the path to EU membership, mentioning the recently ratified Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). "We count on your support in advancing the EU accession negotiations," he added. Read also: 76% of Ukrainians consider all Russians responsible for invasion, poll says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has visited the Pokrovsk front in Donetsk Oblast, where the most intense fights with the Russians are ongoing. Syrskyi reported that he was solving supply issues. Source: Syrskyi on social media Quote: "I worked for several days in a row in the brigades defending the Pokrovsk front, where the situation is currently the most complicated. The work in staff is ongoing 24/7. We constantly have to find unconventional solutions to strengthen the defence and kill the enemy, who is conducting an offensive. The most intense fights are ongoing in the eastern outskirts of the settlement of Hrodivka, along the border of Kamianyi and Krasnyi Yar, directly in the settlement of Novohrodivka, and lower, near the eastern outskirts of the settlement of Mykhailivka located on the way to the settlement of Selidovo." Details: Syrskyi added that the fighting is extremely heavy. He noted the exceptional resilience of the soldiers of the 25th Separate Air Assault Brigade, which inflicted significant losses on the Russians. Syrskyi also noted the members of the 68th Jaeger Brigade named after Oleksa Dovbush and the 151st Mechanised Brigade who "give the enemy no chances to come back safe and sound from the battlefield". He added that in such conditions the main task is to "strengthen the defence of our troops in the most complicated areas of the frontline and supply the brigades with a sufficient quantity of ammunition and other material and technical means". Syrskyi stated that he was working on these tasks on the Pokrovsk front. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's foreign minister convinces EU that Poland shooting down Russian missiles will not make it party to war Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Minister of Ukraine, intends to discuss with his European Union counterparts the possibility of allowing EU countries, particularly Poland, to use their air defence capabilities to protect a portion of Ukraine's airspace. Source: Kuleba in a comment to Politico, as reported by European Pravda Details: Kuleba rejected the argument that helping Ukraine shoot down missiles would make Poland a party to the war. Quote: "The argument that this would make some of them party to the war is void. You dont enter the war by shooting down a missile or drone that flies in your direction and may actually inflict damage on your own territory." Details: The foreign minister also noted that he wants neighbouring countries to raise their support for Ukraine to a new level. "We are talking about planes [not only] flying in Polish air space but being capable of intercepting Russian missiles in Ukrainian airspace," he said. Kuleba recalled that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed this with NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg at the Alliance summit in July. "Weve been working on it since then through military and diplomatic channels, but its time to make a decision. Youve seen just recently how bad Russian missile and drone attacks have been," the Ukrainian minister said. Background: On 27 August, Zelenskyy said that he wanted Warsaw's help in shooting down missiles over Ukraines west, at least the ones heading toward Poland. In response, Polish officials said that the decision to allow Russian missiles and combat drones to be shot down in Ukrainian airspace using Polish air defence systems has been met with scepticism among NATO countries. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, noted that delivery of some of the promised Patriot systems is being delayed and urged partners to accelerate the process. Source: Kuleba during a conversation with the media ahead of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. The minister noted that since April, when Ukraine requested additional Patriot systems, "good progress has been made," but some systems have still not been delivered. Quote: "I urge all the countries that promised Patriot systems months ago to finally deliver them. They are available, they are ready; all that's missing is the final 'green light.' Whatever the reasons may be, it is time to act. We are entering autumn, and on Monday [26 August], we saw how Russia will behave," Kuleba emphasised. He said he also plans to raise Ukraine's concerns at the meeting about the significant amount of time that can pass between the promise of military aid and its actual delivery, making it impossible to plan actions on the battlefield effectively. Kuleba noted that he would also call on partners to invest in the production of the weapons Ukraine needs within Ukraine itself, as it is a cheaper and more resource-efficient approach. Background: The Patriot missile systems were announced, among other things, in the US aid package in July. At the end of July, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported the arrival of Patriot systems from Germany. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Thursday said he will urge allies to make good on promises of air-defence missile systems for Ukraine. "Some Patriot systems were announced and not delivered yet," Kuleba told reporters as he arrived at an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels. "I will urge all partners who have made their pledges to finally deliver these systems." Air-defence systems - such as the widely-used, US-made Patriots or the Italian SAMP/T system - have been a top priority for Western military aid to Ukraine in recent months. Several countries have promised to supply Ukraine with such systems. But Kuleba said the waiting times between announcement and delivery are "sometimes excessively long." That hurts Ukrainian military planning, he said. "You cannot calculate what you can count on and what you cannot count on." Ukraine's invasion of Russia would be going even better if the West ended its weapons restrictions, war experts say Ukraine's Kursk attack would be going even better if its allies gave it a freer hand, experts said. The US and other allies don't let Ukraine hit inside Russia with their long-range weapons. Ukraine said the incursion wouldn't have been necessary in the first place without those limits. Ukraine's high-stakes incursion into Russia's Kursk region this month would be going even better if its Western allies dropped restrictions on how the country can use the advanced weapons they've supplied, military experts told Business Insider. Ukrainian forces pushed into southwest Russia on August 6 in a surprise attack and, as of this week, control almost 500 square miles of Russian territory, Ukraine's army chief said. Experts say it's unclear how the incursion will end, but they add that it's been highly successful, both in allowing Ukraine to take the initiative and in embarrassing Russia. Ukrainian forces during military operations in Malaya Loknya, Russia, this month. 95th Air Assault Brigade/Handout via REUTERS They also say that Ukraine would be even more successful if the restrictions that many of its major allies, including the US, imposed on it were dropped. This would allow Ukraine to hit targets in Russia with the long-range missiles they have supplied. Rajan Menon, a senior research scholar at Columbia University's Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies, said being able to use those weapons would help Ukraine "in terms of disrupting logistics, in terms of hitting airfields, ammunition, supplies, petroleum oil and lubricants." He added that Ukraine had been hitting some of these targets with drones but that doing so at a larger scale with Western weaponry would make things even more difficult for Russia. Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel and a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told BI that Russia had been moving forces into the region and that Ukraine using missiles to hit roads and crossroads could disrupt those efforts. A Ukrainian soldier after hearing a drone in Sudzha, Russia, this month. aras Ibragimov/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC "UA:PBC"/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images Restricting Ukraine While countries like the US have removed some restrictions around Ukraine using their weaponry on targets in Russia, those still in place mean it's unable to use some of its most powerful weapons, including Storm Shadow/SCALP and ATACMS missiles, to target the sources of Russian attacks. "If we allowed the Ukrainians to reap the suite of benefits that come from using those missiles, that would indeed help the Kursk campaign," said George Barros, a Russia analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank. Barros added that Ukraine had to use significant resources to protect its power, infrastructure, and weaponry from attacks, while "the Russians categorically don't have to really deal with any of that." Ukraine has repeatedly asked its allies to remove the restrictions, saying they make its defense much more difficult. In fact, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on August 19 that Ukraine's incursion into Kursk would not have been necessary if its allies had already dropped their restrictions. He said the incursion was intended to create a buffer zone to prevent more Russian attacks into nearby parts of Ukraine. A still from a video shared by the Ukrainian military of ATACMS missiles in use. General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Screengrab via X Zelenskyy also said Ukraine's success in Kursk showed the falsity of Western fears that Russia would escalate the conflict if its supposed red lines were crossed. Meanwhile, warfare analysts previously told BI that in launching the incursion into Kursk, Ukraine likely wanted to stretch Russia's forces and give fresh motivation to its troops and allies. Barros said it's not clear how the fast-moving operation would end, or what Russia or Ukraine would decide to do next. But he said it was a boost for Ukraine to have taken the initiative after months of being stuck in a largely defensive position. "It is now no longer the Ukrainians lying on their back for nine-plus months at a time simply trying their best to triage," he said. Menon described it as a "moment of embarrassment" for Russia because its response both in evacuating people and in dealing with the incursion "has been disastrous." "I mean, there's just no other way of putting it," he added. Read the original article on Business Insider By Lucy Papachristou, Mark Trevelyan and Filipp Lebedev LONDON (Reuters) - The last time Liana spoke to her husband Husain before he was captured by Ukrainian troops, he said what he always told her: "Everything is fine." Husain, a 21-year-old conscripted soldier, was dispatched with his Russian army unit in mid-July to a base in the western Kursk region that he said was nine miles (15 km) from the frontier with Ukraine. When Husain phoned his wife on Aug. 4, he said the situation there seemed calm, Liana told Reuters. The only sign of the war in Ukraine was the buzz of drones overhead, protecting soldiers as they slept. Two days later, thousands of Ukrainian troops smashed through the border into Kursk in a lightning attack that took Moscow by surprise. For about three weeks, Liana heard nothing from Husain. Then, on Sunday, he called her from a Moscow hospital and said he had been released with more than 100 other Russian prisoners of war who had been captured in Kursk. Husain told her his unit had come under heavy Ukrainian shelling, and that he and two other conscripts were the unit's only survivors. Reuters could not independently verify Husain's account. "He thought he was going to die," said Liana, 19, who spoke on condition that the couple's surnames not be used for fear of recriminations. Liana is relieved that Husain, with whom she has an 18-month-old son, is alive. But she fears that her husband, who worked as a builder, will be sent back to fight in Kursk. "He is still young, he just started to live," she said. SENSITIVE ISSUE Russian men are required to complete a year of military service before the age of 30, with about 280,000 called up each year. Ukraine's incursion has reopened public debate about whether raw and untested recruits should be thrown into battle. Less than two weeks after sending troops into Ukraine in 2022, President Vladimir Putin said: "I emphasise that conscript soldiers are not participating in hostilities and will not participate in them." The following day, Russia's defence ministry acknowledged some conscripts were fighting in Ukraine. Putin ordered an investigation and promised to punish the officials responsible. Over two years later, investigations by the BBC Russian Service and independent Russian outlet Important Stories show hundreds of conscripts have been sent to Kursk to defend against Ukraine's advance. Dozens have gone missing or were captured. Reuters confirmed the deaths of two conscripts from accounts posted by their families on social media. Artyom Dobrodumsky won medals in children's karate competitions in the southern Rostov region, and graduated from a cadet school. He was 22 when he died in Kursk. Daniil Rubtsov, who was raised in northwest Russia, received his army notice in December 2023. He hoped to become a police investigator, his mother told Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta. He died in the Kursk region on Aug. 7, aged 18. Russian civil society groups that advise men on how to avoid military service say they are concerned about pressure on conscripts to sign contracts to become professional soldiers. Alexei Tabalov, founder of legal support group Shkola Priziyvnika (Conscript School), said conscripts, many of them teenagers, are highly susceptible to such coercion. "It's easy to fool them, manipulate them, blackmail them. You can threaten them and use physical force against them without any real consequences," Tabalov said by telephone. He said many conscripted soldiers in Kursk had received little military training, and were treated like "service personnel" tasked with maintenance and other low-level tasks. "Many say they didn't even have access to weapons, which confirms that they weren't considered to be participants in possible hostilities, or defending something," Tabalov said. In recent days, he said, conscripts from areas including the far east and Bashkortostan near the Ural Mountains have sought his advice, saying they have been told they will be deployed to Kursk or the adjacent border regions of Bryansk and Belgorod. Reuters was not able to determine how many conscripts have been sent to fight in those regions since Ukraine's incursion. Asked about media reports that conscripts are being sent to Kursk and pressured to sign military contracts, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "Most often such reports are an absolute distortion of reality. We do not consider it necessary to comment". EVERYONE 'MUST STAND IN FORMATION' Following the incursion, a Russian military commander in Kursk dismissed parents' concerns that their sons may be too young or inexperienced to see battle. "We should not turn 18-year-old conscripts, who are men, into children who have to be given a pacifier and sent off to bed," Major General Apti Alaudinov, commander of Chechnya's Akhmat special forces, said in a video message posted on Telegram. "Everyone in our country today, from the smallest to the greatest, must stand in formation." Russian military analysts say it is unlikely that conscripts fighting in Kursk are prepared to meet battle-tested Ukrainian units. Some of those captured were drafted in May or June and may have had only the minimum 45 days of training, said Pavel Luzin of the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), a U.S. think-tank. "The best thing the Russian conscripts can do is to turn themselves in to the Ukrainians immediately," said Nico Lange, a defence expert at CEPA. "They will not survive this." (Reporting by Lucy Papachristou, Mark Trevelyan and Filipp Lebedev in London, Writing by Lucy Papachristou, Editing by Timothy Heritage) The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine stresses that the situation with water quality in the Seim and Desna rivers is under control and there is no threat to the drinking water supply. Source: Oleksandr Krasnolutskyi, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, on the air of the Kyiv TV channel, quoted by the Ministry's press service Quote: "A preliminary assessment of water quality found that no excesses of chemical and highly toxic components were detected in the Seim and Desna rivers. This is organic pollution." Details: Krasnolutskyi assured that all services of the Ministry of Environment are constantly monitoring water quality, more than 50 samples have been taken and sent to the laboratory for analysis. He said that, at the initiative of the State Environmental Inspectorate, seven meetings of the district and oblast state technogenic and environmental safety and emergencies commissions were held in Kyiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv oblasts. Residents are prohibited from taking water from rivers for technical needs, as well as fishing and swimming. The deputy minister also said that a meeting of the State Commission on Technogenic and Environmental Safety and Emergencies will be held on 29 August to determine further response steps. Instructions will be given to each executive body and local government to act. "We hope that the situation with water quality in the Seim and Desna rivers will improve in a few days," Krasnolutskyi added. Previously: On 28 August, during a national joint 24/7 newscast, Ruslan Strilets, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, said that there was no threat to the drinking water supply of the population, as no drinking water was being taken from the Seim and Desna rivers in Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts. Background: Earlier, Ukrainian news outlets reported with reference to the State Agency of Melioration and Fisheries of Ukraine that on 14 August Russian troops had started a large-scale pollution of water in the Seim River (which is a left tributary of the Desna River). At the same time, the State Ecological Inspection of Ukraine tested the water samples from the Desna River within Kyiv Oblast and detected no significant deviations. The Kyiv city authorities reported that the water supplied to the city residents is safe. Support UP or become our patron! A local hub belonging to Ukrposhta, Ukraines state-owned postal operator, has been attacked by a Russian drone in the town of Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. This attack has damaged a building and five lorries. Source: Ihor Smilianskyi, CEO of Ukrposhta Quote: "Today was a difficult day. Our hub in Nikopol was attacked by a drone, damaging the building and five lorries." Details: Smilianskyi added that the company would restore the hub within a week. Background: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has engaged Ukrposhta to deliver documents, primarily passports, to foreign diplomatic missions of Ukraine. Ukrposhta is ready to open a post office in the Russian town of Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, which is now controlled by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, if it receives instructions from the headquarters for activities in the liberated territories under the Cabinet of Ministers (Ukrainian government). Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian border guards report no observed increase or movement of Belarusian military assets and personnel near the Ukrainian state border. Source: Colonel Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for Ukraine's State Border Guard Service (24/7), during the national joint 24/7 newscast Quote: "All branches of our nation's defence forces maintain complete control over the border from Volyn to Chernihiv (from west to north, respectively, where Ukraine borders Belarus ed.), and we have not noticed any unusual situations along the border. In addition, we have not recorded any movement of equipment or personnel or a significant build-up of Belarusian military units in the immediate vicinity of our border... However, given that Belarus remains in the orbit of Russia's influence, we must remain vigilant for any developments. Our current information indicates that there is still some movement of equipment and personnel, various units, and a certain build-up deep inside the territory of Belarus. We hope, of course, that Belarus will have enough common sense not to take rash steps and attempts to destabilise the situation in our direction. Our soldiers are prepared to respond appropriately." Details: Demchenko stated that Belarusian forces are tens of kilometres away from the Ukrainian border (different distances at different segments). The official noted that, meanwhile, intelligence units from both Ukraine's Defence Ministry and the SBGS are closely monitoring the situation in Belarus to assess any changes and potential threats to Ukraine. This enables all branches of the defence forces reinforcing the area to be prepared to respond to any developments. Background: On the evening of 25 August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported the concentration of a significant number of Belarusian Armed Forces personnel and equipment near the border with Ukraine under the guise of exercises, as well as the presence of former Wagner Group fighters, and urged Belarus not to make tragic mistakes under Moscow's pressure. The Belarusian independent monitoring group Belaruski Hajun noted that the grouping of Belarusian troops on the border with Ukraine numbers about 1,100 people and does not pose a threat to Ukraine. The SBGS stated that the situation near the border with Belarus as of 26 August remained unchanged and under control, with no redeployment of military forces or equipment recorded. At the same time, Alexander Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, continues to stir the information landscape with provocative statements about deploying Belarusian troops to the border with Ukraine in an effort to align with Kremlin propaganda. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian Air Forces F-16 fighting aircraft is seen on the ground in an undisclosed location in Ukraine KYIV (Reuters) -An F-16 fighter jet used by Ukraine crashed on Monday, Kyiv's military said, the first such loss reported since the long-awaited arrival of the U.S.-made planes in the country was confirmed this month. The jet came down and its pilot died while it was approaching a target during a Russian airstrike, the Ukrainian General Staff said on Thursday in a statement on Facebook. The F-16s had "demonstrated high efficiency" and downed four Russian cruise missiles, it added. "Connection with one of the aircraft was lost while it was approaching the next target. As it turned out later, the plane crashed, the pilot died," the statement added. Ukraine has not given detail on the size of its new fleet, though the loss is likely to have left a significant dent. The Times of London has cited a source familiar with the matter as saying Ukraine had six of the jets. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed on Aug. 4 his pilots had started flying F-16s, hailing the moment as a major milestone in the fight against the invasion Russia launched 29 months ago. He said on Tuesday F-16s were used to repel a major Russian attack a day earlier of more than 200 missiles and drones, which targeted the energy sector. Monday's crash did not appear to be the result of Russian fire, and possible causes from pilot error to mechanical failure were still being investigated, a U.S. defense official told Reuters. Military analysts have said the arrival of the small number of planes, while significant, is unlikely to be a turning point in the conflict. Russia has had time to prepare defences to try to nullify the F-16s' impact, and Ukraine has had to survive with a depleted air force that is a fraction of the size and sophistication of its enemy's. Ukraine's Air Force Western command posted on Facebook an obituary of a pilot, Oleksiy Mes, saying he died while repelling Monday's attack, but did not say he was an F-16 pilot. CNN said Mes had a call sign Moonfish and reported in 2023 he was training for F-16 missions. Kyiv has been urging allies to supply modern jets since the start of Russia's invasion to bolster its small and old post-Soviet fleet. (Reporting by Idress Ali in Washington and Anastasia Malenko in Kyiv; writing Yuliia Dysa; editing by Toby Chopra, Rod Nickel and Andrew Heavens) Ukrainian forces hit two oil depots and ammunition storage point in Russia on 27-28 August Ukraine's General Staff Ukrainian forces launched attacks on three targets in Russia on the night of 27-28 August. The strikes hit two oil depots in Rostov and Kirov oblasts and a field artillery ammunition storage point belonging to Russia's Armed Forces in Voronezh Oblast. Source: Ukraine's General Staff on Facebook Quote: "The Atlas oil depot in Russia's Rostov Oblast was struck on the night of 27-28 August. The strike caused a fire on the premises of the facility's vertical tanks. Fire trains are known to have been involved in firefighting operations." Details: The task was reportedly carried out by officers from Ukraine's Special Operations Forces (SOF) and Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) in cooperation with other units of the defence forces. "In addition, strikes were carried out on the Zenit oil depot in Kirov Oblast and a field artillery ammunition storage point belonging to the Zapad [West] Grouping of Russian Forces in Voronezh Oblast," the General Staff said. Information about the consequences of the attack is currently being gathered. Why it matters: The Zenit oil depot in Russia's Kirov Oblast is located 1,500 km (roughly 932 miles) from the Ukrainian border. Background: Earlier, Russian Telegram channels and the Russian authorities reported that on the night of 27-28 August, fires broke out at two oil depots in Russia's Rostov Oblast following loud explosions. Early reports indicated that the Atlas plant belonging to Russia's Federal Agency for State Reserves had caught fire. Three weeks earlier (on 3 August), a fuel and lubricant depot on the territory of the Atlas plant in Rostov Oblast was attacked by drones operated by DIU. A fire broke out near explosion-hazardous facilities in the Rossosh district of Russias Voronezh Oblast on the night of 27-28 August, following a drone attack. The local authorities decided to evacuate residents from two settlements. Ukrainska Pravda sources in DIU reported that the oil depot in Rostov Oblast had been hit as a result of a joint operation by DIU and the SOF using Ukrainian-made attack UAVs. Support UP or become our patron! Reports from the United States suggest that Ukraine has lost its first F-16 fighter, and one of its pilots, in a crash during a combat mission earlier this week. If true, and there are some questions about the accuracy of the reports, it would be a significant blow for the Ukrainian Air Force, which has so far only received a small number of the jets and has only a handful of combat-qualified pilots. Ukraine has confirmed the loss of its first F-16 fighter and one of its pilots in a crash during a combat mission earlier this week. The incident is a significant blow for the Ukrainian Air Force, which has so far only received a small number of the jets, and more importantly, only a handful of combat-qualified F-16 pilots. In a post on Facebook, Air Command West of the Ukrainian Air Force confirmed that Oleksiy Mes died last Monday, August 26, but not before he shot down three Russian cruise missiles and a single one-way attack drone. This was part of an attempt to repulse a major Russian missile and drone attack directed against Ukraine, the largest of the war so far, which you can read more about here. Oleksii Mes, a pilot of the Ukrainian Air Force, heroically fought his last battle in the skies. On August 26, during a massive russian missile and air strike, Oleksii shot down three cruise missiles and one strike UAV. He saved countless Ukrainians from deadly russian pic.twitter.com/Wwc0BiUThO Ukrainian Air Force (@KpsZSU) August 29, 2024 The aircraft type Mes was flying was not initially named but was subsequently confirmed by the Ukrainian General Staff as an F-16, adding that the same type shot down four Russian cruise missiles during the same raid. One of the first official images of an F-16 in Ukraine, configured for an air defense mission. Ukrainian Ministry of Defense screencap An unnamed U.S. official also confirmed the fatal crash of a Ukrainian F-16 in an incident on Monday, The Wall Street Journal reported today. Details of exactly what happened are unclear, although, according to the WSJ, initial reports indicate the jet wasnt shot down by enemy fire. That information was provided by the same U.S. official who suggested that the crash was likely a result of pilot error. There is currently no confirmation that this is the case, however, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces have apparently refuted this, according to a report from CNN, which also notes that the pilot was buried today. As for the pilot who was killed, Oleksiy Mes, callsign Moonfish, was already known as one of the Ukrainian Air Force aviators who was most active in campaigning for the country to receive F-16s. He promoted the cause in Washington, alongside Juice, a Ukrainian MiG-29 pilot killed in an accident almost exactly a year ago. Ukrainian Lieutenant Colonel Oleksii "Moonfish" Mes was the first F-16 jet pilot killed in Ukraine. Mes, 31, was among a select group of only six Ukrainian pilots who had completed the intensive training program to operate the F-16 jets. https://t.co/ieCB6u8XKP pic.twitter.com/MsWHabRlyw Clash Report (@clashreport) August 29, 2024 It is really a super fun jet to fly, Moonfish had said about the F-16, in a video interview during training on the jet in Denmark earlier this summer. Im not saying the MiG I flew before is super boring. But the F-16 is definitely more agile. F-16s have arrived in Ukraine Look back at Danish instructors training Ukrainian pilots, technicians and ground crew how to fly and maintain the fighter jets #StandWithUkrainepic.twitter.com/dQSLoCalLi NATO (@NATO) August 6, 2024 Reports of the death of Mes had emerged earlier this week, including in a statement from Ihor Polishchuk, the mayor of the city of Lutsk, in northwest Ukraine. Initially, there were reports that Mes had been killed on the ground, in one of the Russian missile strikes, while other claims suggested he may have been killed while flying a MiG-29. Regardless, Polishchuk appears to have retracted his original claim, which led to some uncertainty about exactly what happened. The first F-16s were only confirmed as having arrived in Ukraine in late July, this date apparently having been set as the deadline for the first deliveries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this week confirmed that F-16s flew combat missions to try and shoot down cruise missiles and drones launched by Russia in the heavy wave of attacks on Monday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stands in front of one of the first F-16s received by Ukraine as he congratulates the Ukrainian military on the Day of Ukrainian Air Force on August 4, 2024. Photo by Vitalii Nosach/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images VITALII NOSACH While Ukraine was almost inevitably going to lose an F-16 at some point, the timing could hardly be worse. According to the WSJ, only six examples of the fighter had arrived in Ukraine as of Monday. The source of this figure is a second unnamed U.S. official. However, with around 85 F-16s having been made available, its the loss of an F-16 pilot that will be even more troubling for Ukraine. According to a late July report in the Washington Post, only six Ukrainian pilots had qualified to fly the F-16 in combat by that point, limiting the number of sorties that could be flown each day. The loss of one of the first Ukrainian pilots to be trained on the F-16, and therefore an experienced combat aviator, will make this an even heavier blow. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com Barry Fagin was a successful plaintiff in the Supreme Court case of Reno v ACLU et. al that established First Amendment protections for the internet. He is a recipient of the ACLU National Civil Liberties Award. Readers can write Dr Fagin at barry@faginfamily.net. An injured Palestinian infant brought to Al-Awda receives medical treatment after Israeli forces hit a house belonging to Shamiye family at Nuseirat Refugee Camp in Deir al-Balah. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Israel has agreed to limited daily pauses in fighting in the Gaza Strip to allow for a polio vaccination campaign, the United Nations said on Thursday. Fighting is to cease in three areas of the Palestinian territory from morning to afternoon on three consecutive days, according to Rip Peeperkorn, a representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), citing a commitment made by the Israeli authority responsible for Palestinian affairs, COGAT. Peeperkorn said the polio vaccination campaign would be launched on September 1 in central Gaza, and carried out the two following days in southern and northern Gaza. The daily pauses in fighting to facilitate the vaccination of more than 600,000 children would start at 6 am and end between 2 and 3 pm, he added. Following the discovery of polio viruses in waste water in Gaza, vaccines against the disease were brought into the coastal area last week as it endures an ongoing Israeli siege. The United Nations is looking to immunize more than 600,000 children in the Gaza Strip against the virus in two rounds of vaccinations. In order for the doses to be administered, UN representatives had called for temporary ceasefire in the Gaza war that began almost 11 months ago. Since the beginning of the war triggered by the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, many babies in the Gaza Strip have not been vaccinated. The terrible hygienic conditions in the coastal strip, where numerous internally displaced people have to survive in very confined spaces and clean water is scarce, could contribute to the rapid spread of the disease. Palestinians return to their homes after the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the eastern part of Deir al-Balah Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Israel has agreed to limited daily pauses in fighting in the Gaza Strip from Sunday to allow for hundreds of thousands of children to be vaccinated against polio, the United Nations said on Thursday. Fighting is to cease in three areas of the Palestinian territory from morning to afternoon on three consecutive days each, according to Rip Peeperkorn, a representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), citing a commitment made by the Israeli authority responsible for Palestinian affairs, COGAT. "So it has been agreed that the campaign will be delivered (...) in a phased approach over three days," Peeperkorn said. Peeperkorn said the polio vaccination campaign would be launched on September 1. "We start in central Gaza for three days, followed by South Gaza and then followed by the North of Gaza," he added. A fourth day might be needed for each region, according to the WHO official. "We expect that all parties will stick to that," Peeperkorn said. "Otherwise, it is actually impossible to do a proper campaign, because you will definitely not reach 90%," he said, referring to the share of children that need to be vaccinated against the type 2 polio virus in order to prevent a polio outbreak in Gaza, according to the WHO. The daily pauses in fighting to facilitate the vaccination of more than 600,000 children would start at 6 am and end at 3 pm, he added. Following the discovery of polio viruses in waste water in Gaza, vaccines against the disease for 1.26 million people were brought into the coastal area last week as it endures an ongoing Israeli siege. The United Nations is looking to immunize some 640,000 children under the age of 10 in the Gaza Strip against the virus in two rounds of vaccinations. In order for the doses to be administered, UN representatives had called for temporary ceasefire in the Gaza war that began almost 11 months ago. The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, had expressed strong concern about the case of a 10-month-old baby on the social media platform X on Friday. The child from Deir al-Balah in the centre of the Gaza Strip is the first confirmed case of polio in the Gaza Strip in 25 years. The baby showed signs of paralysis in his left leg, but was in stable condition. Since the beginning of the war triggered by the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, many babies in the Gaza Strip have not been vaccinated. The terrible hygienic conditions in the coastal strip, where numerous internally displaced people have to survive in very confined spaces and clean water is scarce, could contribute to the rapid spread of the disease. Polio is an infectious disease that can cause paralysis and lead to death. Poliovirus is transmitted via faecal and oral contamination. It has been detected in Gaza waste water in recent weeks, although no cases have yet been confirmed. Amid the collapse in the territory's health care systems, however, the WHO is concerned that the disease could be spreading undetected. "We need absolute freedom of movement for health workers and medical equipment to carry out these complex operations safely and effectively," the WHO Director-General said earlier this month. According to Peeperkorn, the WHO and partner organizations are relying on a mixture of vaccination centres and mobile teams to vaccinate people in the Gaza Strip. Families have access to 392 centres throughout the territory, he said. Almost 300 mobile teams are also being deployed to bring the vaccine to people in need. In total, more than 2,100 medical staff are deployed for this purpose. A second round of vaccinations is normally carried out four weeks after the first. A Palestinian holds empty gun shells after the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the eastern part of Deir al-Balah Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Palestinians return to their homes after the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the eastern part of Deir al-Balah Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa 'Unfairly attacked': Army defends Arlington Cemetery official who had altercation with Trump staff U.S. Army officials appeared to indirectly rebuke former President Donald Trump's campaign Thursday for "unfairly" criticizing the professionalism of an Arlington National Cemetery employee who got into an altercation with Trump staffers, and provided new details about the incident. The cemetery official was "abruptly pushed aside" while trying to enforce rules against political campaign activity at the site, according to a statement by the Army. The Monday incident was reported to police, but "the employee subsequently decided not to press charges." "Therefore, the Army considers this matter closed," the statement continues. Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung in a statement to USA TODAY on Wednesday alleged the cemetery official suffered "from a mental health episode." Trump senior adviser Chris LaCivita also criticized the employee, calling the person a despicable individual, according to the New York Times. While not specifically mentioning Trump's campaign, the Army statement says it's "unfortunate that the (cemetery) employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked." Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump at Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 26, 2024, outside Washington, D.C., to mark the third anniversary of the Islamic State bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members during the evacuation from Afghanistan. Arlington National Cemetery "is a national shrine to the honored dead of the Armed Forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nation's fallen deserve." The Army statement also says those involved in Monday's wreath-laying ceremony and visit to Section 60, which contains the graves of recent U.S. casualties, were made aware of federal law, Army regulations and Department of Defense policies that "clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds." Trump's team was photographing and filming at the site. Cheung said a private photographer "was permitted on the premises" and the cemetery employee "decided to physically block members of President Trump's team during a very solemn ceremony," but disputed that there was a "physical altercation as described" in reporting about the incident. Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery on the third anniversary of a 2021 attack that killed 13 U.S. service members in Afghanistan. The attack at Abbey Gate outside Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport occurred as the U.S. was withdrawing from the country after two decades of war. Trump has pointed to the deaths to argue that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris mishandled the troop withdrawal. Some veterans expressed outrage at the Trump campaigns actions at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Army defends Arlington National Cemetery official after Trump incident The Arlington National Cemetery staffer who tried to stop the Trump campaign from filming a video among the graves of recently fallen service members has declined to press charges, according to a statement released Thursday by the Army that said the "employee and her professionalism was unfairly attacked." The updated statement also defended the actions of the employee, who the military has opted not to name publicly due to privacy and safety concerns. "This employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption," according to the statement. The Army said the incident was reported to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia, which has jurisdiction over the cemetery, "but the employee subsequently decided not to press charges. Therefore, the Army considers this matter closed." "This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked," the Army continued. "ANC is a national shrine to the honored dead of the Armed Forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nation's fallen deserve." PHOTO: Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump during a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 26, 2024 in Arlington, Va. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) MORE: Trump posts campaign video of Arlington National Cemetery visit after 'incident' Trump campaign's communications director, Steven Cheung, has said his team was given permission to have an official photographer and videographer outside the main press pool. According to the Army statement, public wreath laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are routinely allowed. However, it said participants from Trump's campaign were told in advance there should be no photography or video taken in "Section 60," where recently fallen service members are buried. Federal law prohibits campaigns from using the military cemetery for political campaigning or election-related activities. PHOTO: Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump looks on during a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 26, 2024 in Arlington, Va. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Virginia Democrat Rep. Gerry Connolly has called for the public release of the police report with the names redacted. "The public has a right to know. It must be released protecting the staffers' identities," he said. In response to the Army statement, Cheung said, "This employee was the one who initiated physical and verbal contact that was unwarranted and unnecessary." ABC News' Soorin Kim. Lalee Ibssa and Kelsey Walsh contributed to this report. 'Unfairly attacked': Army defends Arlington National Cemetery employee involved in Trump incident originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Army is defending an Arlington National Cemetery official involved in an incident with the Trump campaign this week at the national memorial, saying the woman was abruptly pushed aside and unfairly attacked by the Trump staffers and its surrogates. The unidentified female staff member has declined to press charges due to concern over retaliation, and the Army, which runs national cemeteries, said in a statement Thursday morning that it considers the matter closed. The Monday incident unfolded as former President Donald Trump attended a memorial service at the cemetery with families of two service members killed during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Army officials say they fully informed the Trump team about a federal law prohibiting the filming of partisan political advertisements at national cemeteries, and when a Trump photographer attempted to accompany the former president to the grave sites, the Army official attempted to stop them only to be pushed aside. In a statement on Thursday, the Army said the Trump campaign were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. On Wednesday, the Trump campaign seemingly flouted that law, releasing a TikTok video of his Arlington visit, with a Trump voice-over blaming President Joe Biden for the service members deaths. A Pentagon official who was granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive subject said the department is not taking any legal action against the Trump campaign at this time. In the statement, an Army spokesperson said the employee, despite being abruptly pushed aside acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption. After news of the incident broke, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung disparaged the employee as someone clearly suffering from a mental health episode. The Army spokesperson said Thursday that it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked. Democrats on Capitol Hill quickly condemned Trump's visit as a politicization of Arlington and fallen service members. "Can't believe this needs to be said: You don't defile sacred ground for Americans who gave their all, you don't flout the law and rules at Arlington National Cemetery to score a photo op," Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), a former Navy officer, wrote on social media. "Donald Trump's disrespect for our war dead & the law is a disgrace." Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), a former Army officer, similarly called the Trump campaign's actions "a disgrace." "Arlington National Cemetery is sacred ground. The final resting place of our fallen should never be used for campaigns," Crow posted. "Id like to say Im surprised, but the Trump campaigns altercation and use of the cemetery for campaign photos was just more of the same." Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), who represents a Northern Virginia congressional district in the Washington area, urged the Arlington National Cemetery to publicly release information about the incident. A spokesperson added that a public release should protect Army staffers' identities. "Ive joined families in grieving at Arlington Cemetery and spent my career ensuring those who served can be buried at our National cemetery," Connolly said in a statement. "Its sad but all too expected that Donald Trump would desecrate this hallowed ground and put campaign politics ahead of honoring our heroes." "I urge Arlington Cemetery to publicly release all that transpired [Monday] so the American people can ensure the ground in which our nation's heroes are buried is not being debased by a man who has no concept of service and sacrifice," he added. Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat who sits on the Senate Armed Services panel, added Thursday that he wants to see the Army's report on the confrontation. "As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I am troubled by the reporting and want to see the incident report," Kaine said in a statement. Likewise, Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah, who attended the ceremony with Trump, apologized on Wednesday for posting photos of the visit in a campaign email that asked for donations. This was not a campaign event and was never intended to be used by the campaign, Cox said on social media. It did not go through the proper channels and should not have been sent. My campaign will be sending out an apology. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Flight attendants with United Airlines picketed outside San Diego International Airport Wednesday morning, joining a nationwide movement ahead of the busy Labor Day weekend. The workers, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, demanded good faith negotiations with the airline regarding base pay increases, schedule flexibility, job security, retirement benefits and more. United flight attendants picket at San Diego airport Flight attendants nationwide with the major airline have voted 99.99% yes on strike authorization should an agreement with management fail to be met. Timothy Truman, a representative with the union, told FOX 5/KUSI Wednesday, Weve been in negotiations with United Airlines for over three years now and we still dont have a contract. He said, as of Wednesday, travelers hoping to fly with United do not have to worry about a strike impacting their holiday weekend plans. If the government should say theres an impasseshould the government put us into a 30-day cooling off periodand if no agreements are reached, then wed be permitted to conduct a CHAOS action,' Truman said. A CHAOS action is our version of striking. Construction worker dies after being trapped under a pipe in Scripps Ranch A release from the AFA stated that CHAOS which stands for create havoc around our system could affect the entire system or a single flight. This marked the first time United flight attendants have voted on strike authorization since the 2005 bankruptcy negotiations, according to the AFA. In a statement to FOX 5/KUSI, United Airlines said in response, We continue to work toward an industry-leading agreement for our flight attendants, including negotiations this week and every month through November. Both sides have been actively engaged in these negotiations facilitated by the federal mediator requested by the union. We remain eager to reach an agreement. The company added, To be clear, there is no work stoppage or labor disruption. Instead, off-duty flight attendants are exercising their right to conduct an informational picket. Federal law bars a strike until after a lengthy process that includes a release from mediation, which can only be granted by the National Mediation Board. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. HONOLULU (KHON2) United Airlines flight attendants said theyre ready to strike. The announcement comes after workers at several hotels also declared theyre on the verge of striking. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Now, state officials are waiting to see if these labor negotiations will have any impacts on Hawaiis tourism industry. United Airlines flight attendants shared their frustrations at 19 different airports across the nation Wednesday morning including at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The company has about 25,000 flight attendants, 300 of which are based in Honolulu. Employees voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike saying they deserve improvements in pay and work rules. Flight attendants are having to live in their cars, stated Kevin Batey, Association of Flight Attendants Executive Council President. It used to be that this job was enough to live on for one person, but now thats no longer the case. A statement from United Airlines said, We continue to work toward an industry-leading agreement for our flight attendants, including negotiations this week and every month through November. Both sides have been actively engaged in these negotiations facilitated by the federal mediator requested by the union. We remain eager to reach an agreement. Thousands of Waikiki hotel workers ready to strike According to the company, there has been no work stoppage or labor disruption. Off-duty flight attendants exercised their right to conduct an informational picket. Federal law bars a strike until after a lengthy process, which includes a release from mediation that can only be granted by the National Mediation Board, per United. Their management is paying themselves millions of dollars in bonuses, said Batey. We play a huge part in the success that United is experiencing right now. We just want our fair share of that success. Workers have been in negotiations for the past three years, per Batey. The strike authorization vote comes days after thousands of hotel workers announced theyre ready to walk out of the job. We feel disrespected and Im pretty sure our guests dont feel respected as well, stated Rodney Y. Nakashima, Sheraton Waikiki Grounds Keeper. Our tourism industry is supposed to provide for us. Its our number one industry here in Hawaii. I want to be able to give them all the aloha, not just 80% because they took away 20% of the amenities. State officials say they are monitoring hotel and airline labor negotiations closely for potential impacts on travelers. A joint statement from the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) and the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) stated, We are hopeful that both sides will come to an amicable resolution. I hear [guests] complaining about the quality of service, waiting in line, and that never happened before. Thats staffing [theyre] not staffing appropriately to where we can service them, said Nakashima. KHON2 reached out to the four major hotel groups, which include the Hyatt, Hilton, Kyo-ya, and Marriott that oversee the seven Waikiki hotels and one hotel on Kauai involved in the potential strikes. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news A statement from the Hyatt said, While negotiations continue, we have plans in place so that hotel operations are not impacted by any demonstrations and expect to continue to provide all services. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Roughly a dozen flight attendants for United Airlines gathered outside Terminal 3 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Wednesday morning to announce their union voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. United Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, said 99.99% of members voted "yes." More than 90% of the union's approximately 28,000 members participated in the vote, they said. The vote came after the union filed for federal mediation more than eight months ago. Ken Diaz, president of the AFAs United chapter, said the vote represented the lengths flight attendants were willing to go to reach a contract agreement after nearly three years of negotiating. We deserve an industry-leading contract. Our strike vote shows were ready to do whatever it takes to reach the contract we deserve, Diaz said in a written statement. We are the face of United Airlines and planes dont take off without us. As Labor Day travel begins, United management is reminded whats at stake if we dont get this done. Union member: 'This is the last step' Peter Coenen, a United AFA Council 9 representative who was at Sky Harbor picketing with his colleagues, echoed Diazs sentiments that a strike authorization vote was a necessary escalation to make the company agree to their demands. This is the last step, Coenen said. Were hoping for management to see this opportunity to say OK, we are now willing to give the flight attendants what they demand a fair and industry-leading contract. If that fails, then we will be looking at a potential strike action. United Airlines flight attendants last authorized a strike in 2005 when the company was in the midst of bankruptcy negotiations. Coenen said United Airlines flight attendants sought significant pay increases along with pay for time spent on the ground between flights, schedule flexibility, job security and improved retirement benefits. Coenen said higher pay was especially important some flight attendants at the beginning of their career qualify for food stamps. He argued the demands were reasonable given the vital role flight attendants play as a part of the companys business model. Were safety professionals, Coenen said. Were also serving meals and drinks on the airplane. Were also basically qualified (to use automated external defibrillators) for medical emergencies. Theres a lot to our jobs. He added that flight attendants work physically demanding jobs that can require them to be on their feet for up to 15 hours. When they arent serving passengers on an airplane, flight attendants are often sitting at the airport waiting for their next flight time for which Coenen said they arent paid. Strike requires national authorization, 30-day wait period United Airlines provided a written statement to The Arizona Republic highlighting that the vote did not mean a strike was imminent and negotiations remained ongoing. We continue to work toward an industry-leading agreement for our flight attendants, including negotiations this week and every month through November, the airline said. Both sides have been actively engaged in these negotiations facilitated by the federal mediator requested by the union. We remain eager to reach an agreement. The Railway Labor Act requires workers involved in air travel to request a release from the National Mediation Board, which would lead to a 30-day cooling-off period before a strike could occur. Coenen said he didnt anticipate flight attendants to go on strike until next year and encouraged people to continue booking flights on United. Where you can fly: Frontier's new $19 Phoenix-California flights This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: United Airlines flight attendants overwhelmingly authorize strike A United Airlines flight hit "severe" turbulence Wednesday over Louisiana and was diverted to Memphis International Airport in Tennessee for an emergency landing. One person was transported to the hospital, as six others suffered minor injuries, according to the airline. File Photo by Caroline Brehman/EPA-EFE Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Seven people were injured Wednesday after a United Airlines flight hit "severe" turbulence over Louisiana. The Boeing 737-900 was diverted to Tennessee for an emergency landing, according to the airline. United Flight 1196 was traveling from Cancun, Mexico, to Chicago on Wednesday afternoon when it encountered "a brief period of severe turbulence while the seatbelt sign was on," United Airlines said in a statement. The plane landed safely at Memphis International Airport at 2:50 p.m. local time with 179 passengers and crew on board. Paramedics met the plane at the gate and transported one person to the hospital in non-critical condition. Six others suffered minor injuries, according to the Memphis Fire Department. "We're grateful to our crew for their efforts to ensure the safety of our employees and customers and we expect the flight to depart for Chicago soon," United said. The plane took off for Chicago O'Hare International Airport later Wednesday evening. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident. No US airline has purchased the Boeing 777X widebody plane, which hasn't yet been certified. An executive at United Airlines told BI the jet is too big for the airline's multihub network. He said the model better suits carriers with one central hub, like Emirates and British Airways. Despite 481 orders from airlines around the world, Boeing can't sell US carriers on its new widebody jetliner. An executive at United Airlines said the upcoming Boeing 777X the world's largest twin-engine plane in production was simply too big for the airline's needs. "We think the 777X will be a very good airplane, but it is a very big airplane," Patrick Quayle, the senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, told Business Insider. "Given our hub structure, we find a smaller widebody is actually better." United has seven hubs across the US, including Chicago, Houston, Washington, DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, and Newark, New Jersey. Quayle said such a wide network lets the airline split its passenger traffic by serving the same destination from multiple hub cities instead of shuttling them all through one central airport. United has placed huge bets on the Boeing 787, which comes in different sizes and ranges. JanValls/Urbanandsport /NurPhoto via Getty Images Quayle said the airline's London service is served 22 times a day from all seven United hubs, while its Sydney service has flights from San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Houston. "We're not taking people from the West Coast, flying them to the East Coast, and then flying to London," he said. "We're flying nonstop from the West Coast, nonstop from the Mountain region, nonstop from Houston and Chicago, and nonstop from the East Coast." United's widebody fleet consists of the Boeing 767, the classic Boeing 777, and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Since 2022, the airline has amassed a record 150 orders for the 787 model to replace its 767s and some 777s. United already flies more than 70 787 Dreamliners across all three variants, which come in small, medium, and large and have varying ranges giving United added route and capacity flexibility. The Boeing 777X is better for United's central hubs The Boeing 777X is intended to replace the company's 747 model and the Airbus A380 as a more efficient, high-capacity long-haul jetliner. Quayle said the 777X's immense size is better suited for airlines with one giant central hub, like Emirates in Dubai, Qatar Airways in Doha, Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong, and British Airways in London Heathrow. All these airlines have ordered the 777X. "Everything is out, and everything is back, and it's all through these massive connecting complexes," Quayle said. "The reason American, Delta, and United didn't order the 747-8 or the A380 is for this very situation in that the traffic is fragmented and splintered." Emirates has made the Airbus A380 work because of its centralized hub, with the airline placing an order for 205 Boeing 777Xs. Horacio Villalobos/Getty Images It's unclear if the other two Big 3 US carriers plan to order the 777X. Neither American nor Delta have confirmed any orders. American ordered 260 new Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer planes, which did not include any widebodies to complement the airline's existing Boeing 787 and 777 fleets. The airline's also overhauling its 777 cabins. Delta retired its classic 777s during the pandemic and is currently flying the 767, old and new Airbus A330 variants, and the 777X's competitor, the Airbus A350. Delta purchased the Airbus A350-900 which holds at least 100 fewer people in two cabins compared to the 426-seater 777X in 2014 as a replacement for its larger widebodies, including the Boeing 747-400. The Boeing 777X is in certification limbo While Boeing has a lot riding on the success of the 777X, the aerospace company's struggling to get it certified. The jet is already at least five years behind schedule, $1 billion over budget, and had its certification testing paused earlier this month over a structural issue. BI toured one of the Boeing 777X test jets in January at the Wings Airshow in India. Taylor Rains/Business Insider "During scheduled maintenance, we identified a component that did not perform as designed," Boeing previously said in a statement shared with BI. "Our team is replacing the part and capturing any learnings from the component and will resume flight testing when ready." Qatar and Emirates previously said they were expecting a 2026 delivery for their respective first 777X planes. Once the 777X is certified, airlines can take advantage of its revolutionary folding wingtips, while passengers can expect upgrades like a more spacious cabin and unique lighting that resembles a sunset or the northern lights. Read the original article on Business Insider A United Airlines flight en route to Chicago was diverted to Tennessee after experiencing "severe turbulence" Wednesday, the airline said. Seven people were injured, including one who was transported to a local hospital, authorities said. MORE: 2-year-old found stuck in cabin ceiling after severe turbulence on Air Europa flight, mother says Flight UA1196 encountered "a brief period of severe turbulence" Wednesday afternoon, United Airlines said in a statement. The seatbelt sign was on at the time, the airline said. The crew reported the severe turbulence over Louisiana before landing safely at Memphis International Airport around 2:40 p.m. CT, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. PHOTO: A United Airlines flight makes an emergency landing in Memphis, Tenn., following severe turbulence, Aug. 28, 2024. (WATN) Paramedics met the aircraft at the gate and transported one passenger to the hospital, United said. The person suffered non-critical injuries, according to the Memphis Fire Department. Six others declined treatment and transport and the extent of their injuries is unknown, the fire department said. "We're grateful to our crew for their efforts to ensure the safety of our employees and customers," United said. MORE: What causes turbulence, and how can it pose a danger to air travel? An expert explains The Boeing 737-900 was traveling from Cancun International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport at the time, the airline said. There were 172 passengers and seven crew members on board, according to United. The plane was back in the air on its way to Chicago as of Wednesday evening. The FAA said it is investigating. ABC News' Victoria Arancio contributed to this report. United flight diverted to Memphis due to 'severe' turbulence: Airline originally appeared on abcnews.go.com At least six political allies of former University of Florida President Ben Sasse have been terminated by the university following his abrupt departure in July. While Sasse announced on July 18 that he would resign his position after just 17 months on the job, questions have remained about the job status of those he brought with him to Gainesville from his time as a Republican Nebraska Senator in Washington., D.C. The Sun, through a public records request, obtained the personnel files for eight of those individuals, including six of his former Senate staffers and two former Republican officials. Records show two of Sasse's three former Senate staff members hired by the university in mid-March 2023 to serve as advisers to the president received courtesy notices that their temporary appointments would not be renewed, and that they will both continue to work remotely through Nov. 1. Kari Ridder, who lives in Nebraska, has an annual salary of $122,400. Kelicia Rice, who lives in Virginia, has an annual salary of $138,000. Past coverage: The best place to live? Some of Ben Sasse's UF cabinet members don't reside in state A third staffer, Raven Shirley, initially was hired as a transition adviser but was promoted on May 8 to an executive assistant position with an annual salary of $126,000. Shirley received a notice of non-reappointment on July 31 with her last day on Aug. 1. Under a university regulation that requires three months' notice of termination, Shirley will be paid a lump sum of three months' salary, or $31,500. Also receiving notices of non-reappointment were Penny Schwinn, UF's first vice president of PK-12 and pre-bachelor programs; Alice James Burns, director of presidential relations and major events; and Taylor Silva, assistant vice president of presidential communications and public affairs. Schwinn, a Republican, previously served as Tennessee's education commissioner and was hired by UF in September 2023 to carry out a series of initiatives throughout Floridas K-12 schools. Schwinn, who was paid an annual salary of $367,500, worked remotely from Tennessee during her brief stint at UF. Perhaps her most controversial initiative came to the forefront in March when she recommended that UF's P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School, which has a history of maintaining a student population that's representative of Florida's racial and income demographics, move to a selective admissions process. The idea behind the proposal was to help propel the K-12 school, specifically the high school, into the top 10 in the state. Schwinn's last day at the university was July 31. She will be paid a lump sum of $91,875. Burns, who previously worked for Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, was paid an annual salary at UF of $205,000. Her final day at the university was July 31 and, like Schwinn and Shirley, she will receive a lump some payment of three months' pay, or about $51,000. Silva, Sasse's former Senate press secretary, was hired as UF's first assistant vice president of presidential communications of public affairs. His salary was set at $225,000. He also was provided a $15,000 relocation payment. Silva's last day with the university was Aug. 6, and he will receive a lump sum payment of $56,250. When asked Thursday about the terminations, UF spokesperson Steve Orlando said, "We don't discuss personnel matters." Two of Sasse's former Senate staff members Raymond Sass and James Wegmann both had no letter of non-reappointment in their personnel files and appear to still be employed by the university. Sass was hired on Sept. 20, 2023, as the university's first vice president for innovation and partnerships with a salary of $396,000. Wegmann, Sasse's former Senate communications director, was appointed by Sasse on the same date to the position of vice president of communications. Wegmann, who works remotely from his home in Washington, D.C., remains on the president's cabinet website with an annual salary of $432,000. Sasse's unexpected resignation in July because of his wife's health stunned the university community. The board of trustees quickly named Sasse's predecessor, Kent Fuchs, who served as UF president from 2015 to 2023, to the interim position. Sasse has since come under fire following a report by The Independent Florida Alligator that he "more than tripled his offices spending, directing millions in university funds into secretive consulting contracts and high-paying positions for his GOP allies." The Alligator reported that because all but one of Sasse's staff members for UF worked outside of Florida, "travel expenses for the presidents office soared to $633,000 more than 20 times higher than Fuchs annual average of $28,000." Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis has called on the state university system to investigate Sasse's spending, saying his office would "offer auditing support." Sasse defended himself in a post on X, calling the allegations of inappropriate spending "not true" and that "there was substantial funding for a number of important new initiatives." This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: UF terminates several allies of former UF President Ben Sasse The suspect in the murder of four University of Idaho students, Bryan Kohberger, returned to court Thursday as the judge weighs whether to change the venue for his trial. Kohberger's lawyers hope to move the trial to a different county, arguing the local jury pool in Latah County, which encompasses the college town of Moscow, was tainted by pretrial publicity. Defense lawyers surveyed Latah County residents and said their results found that the "pressure to convict" Kohberger was shown to be "so severe" the venue couldn't possibly be impartial. PHOTO: Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a hearing on Aug. 18, 2023 in Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in Nov. 2022. (August Frank-Pool/Getty Images, FILE) MORE: Idaho college murders: Bryan Kohberger trial budget gets big hike The defense said one respondent answered they would "burn the courthouse down" if he were not convicted. The same survey, according to the defense, found "much less emotional" responses from people living closer to Boise, where Kohberger's lawyers suggested the trial be moved. "The traumatized town of Moscow is understandably filled with deeply held prejudgment opinions of guilt," defense attorney Elisa Massoth said in a filing this month. The prosecution has said the case has national and international interest, and that the case has been covered plenty in Boise, so a change of venue would not solve any problem. Prosecutors argued in a filing this month that the defense "failed to establish that a fair and impartial trial cannot be held in Latah County." MORE: Idaho college murders: Former King Road roommate recalls learning of killings Victim Kaylee Goncalves' family wants the trial to stay in Latah County. To Kaylee Goncalves' mom, Kristi Goncalves, all Latah County citizens are victims. MORE: University of Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger may stand trial in June 2025 She recalled seeing a huge crowd of people, some crying, at the University of Idaho's healing garden, which opened to the public last week. The local residents "deserve to have a hand in part of the healing and part of the justice," she told ABC News Thursday. "Anybody can find 12 people that can go into that courtroom without their mind made up. Its America," added Kaylee Goncalves dad, Steve Goncalves. PHOTO: Police tape at the site of a quadruple murder of four University of Idaho students, Jan. 3, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (David Ryder/Getty Images, FILE) Moscow Mayor Art Bettge said in a statement last week that, if the case stayed in Latah County, "I firmly believe people would be able to set aside any personal feelings they have ... set aside any information they may have read or heard ... and make a determination of guilty or not guilty based on the evidence presented in the courtroom and deliberate according to the instructions provided to them." The trial is scheduled to start on June 2, 2025, and run until Aug. 29, 2025. Judge John Judge said in June that if the venue changes, the trial date would still hold. MORE: University of Idaho murders 1 year later: Where the case stands Kohberger is accused of stabbing four University of Idaho students to death in an off-campus house in the early hours of Nov. 13, 2022. Ethan Chapin, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20, and Goncalves, 21, were all brutally murdered during the break-in. Kohberger, who was a criminology Ph.D. student at nearby Washington State University at the time of the crime, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. A not guilty plea was entered on Kohberger's behalf. If convicted, he could face the death penalty. ABC News' Sasha Pezenik and Julie Scott contributed to this report. University of Idaho murders: Judge weighs change of venue decision originally appeared on abcnews.go.com SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A Boiling Springs man has been sentenced to life in prison for a fatal shooting in Spartanburg County. Spartanburg County officials said on Wednesday that 24-year-old James Bridges Byrd was found guilty of the murder of Kush Patel. An investigation began on the night of June 6, 2021. The Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office responded to a home on Swain Avenue where Byrd shot and killed Patel. Deputies found Patel slumped over a couch seat with two gunshot wounds to his back. Byrd was arrested at the scene. While in custody, deputies said Byrd admitted that he took LSD, Xanax, marijuana and alcohol the night of the incident. He also told deputies that he shot Patel because he believed the victim was attacking him. During the trial, officials said Byrd took the stand and provided a testimony that did not match his previous interview with law enforcement. The homeowner of where the murder took place happened to witness the murder in 2021 according to officials. The individual testified on behalf of the State. Byrd was also sentenced to five years in prison for possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) The Hard Rock Casino opens in Rockford on Thursday, but Reverand Violet Johnicker of Rockford Urban Ministries wants to offer a sober event. We wanted to create and offer a sober space for people who live with addiction issues and specifically to offer resources for people who are impacted by gambling addiction, which unfortunately we predict is going to be more and more people in our community as the casino opens, said Johnicker. They are offering two free concerts as well as a gambling addiction resource fair at Inscape Collective. Johnicker said she has heard from community members concerned about the impact of a casino. Cities and communities that have opened casinos have certainly seen increases in needs for social services and law enforcement presence. I definitely hope thats not the case in Rockford. But all signs point to the fact that it probably will be, said Johnicker. So, I know that there have been a lot of social service agencies and faith communities whove been making preparations for this in a much different way than the celebratory ones that were seeing. Retired Rockford Urban Ministries Director Stanley Campbell believes having addiction resources like Remedies Renewing Lives will be even more important after the casino opening. Its important to have some support system for those who fall between the cracks and cannot control their gambling habits, said Campbell. The industry is not going to be concerned about them. The community has to step in. We just want to know that those resources are here, said Johnicker. And the more they talk about the resources, you might know that theyre available, the better off our community will be. The concerts will feature local artists and will run from noon until 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. 'For us, it's always been Texas, Texas, Texas': Tonkawa leaders return to a thankful Austin On Sept. 12, more than 180 years after the Tonkawa left Austin and 140 years after they were exiled from Texas to a reservation in Oklahoma the city will officially thank the tribe for its longtime friendship. Five tribal leaders, headed by President Russell Martin, will attend ceremonies at Austin City Hall, Republic Square and Mexic-Arte Museum. "It's a minor miracle that this day could ever happen," said Martin, who in December signed papers to purchase and reclaim Red Mountain, also known as Sugarloaf Mountain, a Tonkawa sacred site in Milam County, northeast of Austin. "For us, it's always been Texas, Texas, Texas. It's been quite a journey to come back to this place that means so much to us. Tonkawa Chief Russell Martin speaks during a ceremony on a bridge that crosses the Little River just below Sugarloaf Mountain, otherwise known as Red Mountain. The Tonkawa, once the dominant tribe in this part of Texas, have recently acquired the sacred site near Gause, Texas, which had been privately owned for some time. On Sept. 12, Martin will head a party of tribal leaders back to Austin to accept the thanks of the city they helped save more than 180 years ago. "The icing on the cake is that all the Texas folks have been so accommodating," Martin continued. "We all know how long it takes to build relationships like this." Why gather now at Republic Square? The most public event, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 12 in Republic Square, carries special meaning, since the Tonkawa camped just a few yards away from the park for 18 months in the 1840s. They are credited with helping keep the vulnerable city safe from Comanche raids after Texas President Sam Houston urged citizens to abandon Austin, since he hoped to move the capital back to his namesake city. After Houston's departure, Austin's population dropped from 800 to 200. From July 1842 to as late as December 1843, the Tonkawa more than doubled the city's population, to 450. They lived in a camp open to all Austinites, above Little Shoal Creek. The dominant tribe in Central Texas, the Tonkawa wintered east and south of the Balcones Fault. They had been friends and allies of the Anglo-Americans since Stephen F. Austin led immigrants to Texas in the 1820s. More: 'Austin has done almost nothing': Time to thank the Tonkawa for saving the capital of Texas "The Tonkawa were always at peace and provided valuable assistance to early settlers of Travis County," states a proclamation that Mayor Kirk Watson will sign on Sept. 12 during Austin-Tonkawa Friendship Day. "The Tonkawa were allies of Texas, serving as scouts and participants in many engagements during that period." As reported earlier in the Statesman, the presence of the Tonkawa off West Fourth Street not far upstream from the Colorado River ford at the mouth of Shoal Creek served as a tripwire for incursions by Comanches, who would race down the Shoal Creek Canyon on their raids. "When the Tonkawa or others sounded an alarm about encroaching Comanche, the settler and Tonkawa boys were so close to home that they could easily scatter to the protection of their respective mothers," wrote Bob O'Dell in "How the Tonkawa Tribe Came to Live in Austin," a research paper that he placed at the Austin History Center on Aug. 2, 2023. O'Dell is the producer of the upcoming documentary film "Tonkawa: They All Stay Together," due out next year. The Tonkawa withdrawal from Austin in 1843 coincided with the return of Austin as the seat of Texas government. Houston, however, directed that the Tonkawa stay out of settlements, "despite all the evidence that they had a very good record of coexistence and collaboration," wrote O'Dell. In 1884, the Tonkawa, once called "the best friends of the Texans," were taken from Fort Griffin in northwestern Texas to first one and then another reservation in Oklahoma as part of their own "Trail of Tears." They had been moved previously in 1855 and 1859. Rachel Starr, Secretary treasurer Treasurer presents Leon Herzog, right, with a seal of the Tonkawa tribe blanket during a private lunch. Herzog and his family sold 60 acres around Red Mountain, also known as Red Mountain, to the Tonkawa of Dec. 12, 2023. The Camino Real de los Tejas National Trail Association will maintain and make accessible the sacred site. Starr will be among the tribal leaders in town for Austin-Tonkawa Friendship Day on Sept. 12 Early on, the Tonkawa were not happy in Oklahoma. In 1866, they sent a delegation to Austin to ask for a homeland in Texas. The legislature promised them 4,000 acres, but they never received it. Until now, that 1866 delegation was the last official visit of the Tonkawa to Austin. The return of the Tonkawa to Texas By the late 20th century, it was said that the Tonkawa had died out altogether. They had not. Although their numbers dwindled for a time, the tribe of 950 citizens now operates a reservation as well as a casino, a hotel and other amenities in the town of Tonkawa, on the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River near the Oklahoma-Kansas border. More: 'We're home': 140 years after forced exile, the Tonkawa reclaim a sacred part of Texas The small ceremony on the Little River near Gause last December, which honored the recovery of 60 acres of the tribe's ancestral lands at Red Mountain, was just a first step of their public return to the area. Martin said at the time, "We're home." Thanks to the Tonkawa at last During the 20th century, some Austinites tried to acknowledge their connections with the Tonkawa. In 1962, a study committee proposed naming the new lake, informally called "Town Lake," "Lake Tonkawa." But other citizens protested. It is now Lady Bird Lake. To be sure, San Marcos has raised a heroic statue to Tonkawa Chief Placido by the San Marcos River. At Pioneer Farms in Northeast Austin, replica teepees have been placed at a confirmed Tonkawa campsite. Yet some Austinites have been waiting decades to thank the Tonkawa. In 1966, influential Texas activist Martha Cotera served as director of federal documents at the Texas State Library and Archives. "I distinctly remember toward toward the middle of my tenure, we received a request for all federal publications that had to do with Tonkawa in Central Texas, primarily in Travis County," Cotera told the American-Statesman. "They had a land claim, but Travis County turned them down. Said they did not have title to it. That was the end of that." Cotera, whose Indigenous family came from the Casas Grandes Chihuahua historic area of northern Mexico, was haunted by that incident. "I was very sad to see the displacement of the Tonkawa," she said. "What if I went back to Casas Grandes and couldn't stay? Who's going to throw me out? The Tonkawa tribe wanted so much to return to Texas." Over the years, Cotera, who is helping plan a Latino history museum at the historic Palm School at East Cesar Chavez Street and Interstate 35, has held onto her materials on the Indigenous presence in Central Texas. When a community archivist at the Austin History Center sent filmmaker O'Dell to Cotera, she shared those materials with him. She connected O'Dell with Mexic-Arte Museum director Sylvia Orozco, who realized that the Tonkawa story from the 1840s fit into the museum's ongoing 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor project. In 2023, Cotera met with Mayor Watson to enlist his help in a public ceremony of thanks to the tribe. "I think things are aligned," Cotera said. "We still have displacements today. I cannot die without appeasing the sadness of these first displacements. I'm glad that we are seeing some process of return. Sure enough, the Tonkawa got Sugarloaf Mountain, and they are now assured a historic presence in Austin." Sept. 12: Austin-Tonkawa Friendship Day 9 a.m. Mayor Kirk Watson will present a proclamation to Tonkawa leaders during a short ceremony in the press room at Austin City Hall. 10:30 a.m. Travis County Judge Andy Brown will lead other local and state officials in a ceremony culminating in the announcement of a future Texas Historical Marker at Republic Square. Among the speakers will be Steven Gonzales, director of the Camino Real de los Tejas National Trail Association, which will oversee the historical park and museum planned for Red Mountain. Evening: Museum director Sylvia Orozco will present the Indigenous banner slated to hang in the 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor during an invitation-only reception at Mexic-Arte Museum. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin welcomes the Tonkawa tribe back to Texas with 3 events US army officials issued a strongly worded rebuke of Donald Trumps campaign on Thursday as they confirmed a worker at Arlington national cemetery (ANC) was abruptly pushed aside during an altercation with members of the former presidents staff. The statement was the strongest official criticism yet of Trumps controversial visit in which he gave a thumbs-up over graves as a photo opportunity and there was an alleged physical assault by two of his staffers on the army official. It came as outrage continued to mount from veterans and families of some of the service members buried there. Adding to pressure on the election campaign of the Republican presidential nominee was the armys revelation that Trumps team was explicitly told in advance by a defense department official that taking photographs and video footage at the cemetery breached federal law. Related: Fascists: Jack White threatens to sue Trump campaign over use of music The campaign ignored the warning and filmed anyway, sparking a confrontation, during the visit on Monday that one Democrat called abhorrent and shameful. And on Thursday the Trump campaign continued to aggressively insult the unnamed cemetery staff member caught up in the altercation, who was shoved when trying to enforce rules, after learning she had declined to press charges for fear of retribution from Trumps supporters. Participants in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent Section 60 visit were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and [defense department] policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside, the army statement said. This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked. ANC is a national shrine to the honored dead of the Armed Forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nations fallen deserve. Steven Cheung, the former presidents communication director, said the employee was experiencing something he termed Trump derangement syndrome. A day earlier he claimed the person was mentally ill, while Chris LaCivita, Trumps senior adviser, called the employee despicable. The ramping up of rhetoric by the Trump campaign was widely seen as an effort to deflect from growing condemnation of the candidates efforts to seize political capital by staging a photo opportunity at the Virginia cemetery on the third anniversary of a suicide bomb attack outside Kabul airport in Afghanistan that killed 13 US servicemen and women. Related: Trump staffers reported over altercation at Arlington cemetery during photo op According to reports, the Arlington employee was pushed and verbally abused by two Trump campaign staffers after trying to prevent them from entering the cemeterys heavily restricted section 60, where recent US casualties, mostly from Iraq and Afghanistan, are buried. Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within military cemeteries, Arlington officials said in a statement, noting that a report of the incident was filed with military authorities. But Trump, who has blamed Joe Biden as well as Kamala Harris, his opponent in Novembers election, for the US militarys chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, posted to social media on Wednesday footage of himself laying a wreath and talking with the family of one of the deceased veterans at his grave. At a Michigan campaign event on Thursday, Trump defended his visit and accused the media of creating a scandal. Trump said that he was invited to Arlington by the family of some of the 13 US servicemen and women killed in a suicide bomb attack ahead of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. I spent a lot of time there. And while I was there, those families that asked me to be there they said, Could you take pictures over the grave of my son, my sister, my brother? Would you take pictures with us, sir? Trump said. I did. And then I said, farewell. I said, goodbye, and last night I read that I was using the site to politic, that I used it to politic. This all comes out of Washington. They ask me to have a picture. And they say, I was campaigning. The one thing I get is plenty of publicity. I dont need that. I dont need the publicity. The fallout from the episode was gathering pace on Thursday after the family of a fallen special forces Green Beret soldier reportedly said footage of his adjacent grave was taken without their permission, and politicians and other military families stepped up to offer condemnation. According to our conversation with Arlington national cemetery, the Trump campaign staffers did not adhere to the rules that were set in place for this visit to Staff Sergeant [Darin] Hoovers gravesite in Section 60, which lays directly next to my brothers grave, Michele Marckesano, sister of Master Sgt Andrew Marckesano, who died in 2020, told the New York Times. We hope that those visiting this sacred site understand that these were real people who sacrificed for our freedom and that they are honored and respected accordingly. Khizr Khan, father of the 27-year-old army captain Humayun Khan, who was killed in Iraq in 2004 and is buried in section 60, questioned why Trump made the visit. Khan, who has previously criticized the former president for calling deceased veterans suckers and losers, told the Daily Beast: He has proven his disrespect. Somebody needs to ask him, You have shown that contempt multiple times and yet again, you go there. Gerry Connolly, a Virginia Democratic congressman, said: Its sad but all too expected that Donald Trump would desecrate this hallowed ground and put campaign politics ahead of honoring our heroes. His behavior and that of his campaign is abhorrent and shameful. I urge Arlington cemetery to publicly release all that transpired so the American people can ensure the ground in which our nations heroes are buried is not being debased by a man who has no concept of service and sacrifice, he added in a statement. Cheung said on Wednesday that the campaign had footage of the Arlington altercation that it was willing to release, but by Thursday morning it had not done so. JD Vance, the Ohio senator and Republican vice-presidential candidate, attempted to defend his running mate on Wednesday during a campaign stop in Erie, Pennsylvania. Harris, he said during a speech critical of Biden and the vice-presidents handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, can go to hell, insisting falsely that Trump had not filmed a TV commercial at a grave site. Michael Sainato and the Associated Press contributed reporting US Army private from Racine will plead guilty to charges for crossing into North Korea Travis King, a U.S. Army private from Racine who last year crossed into North Korea causing a multiweek diplomatic effort to secure his return to the U.S., will plead guilty to five charges, including desertion, his lawyer said Monday. King, 24, was charged in October under the Uniform Code of Military Justice with 14 offenses, including desertion, assault against officers and solicitation of child pornography. Almost immediately his attorney, Franklin D. Rosenblatt, said there would be a vigorous defense effort for King. Rosenblatt said in a statement Monday that King would plead guilty to five of those charges, including desertion, three counts of disobeying an officer, and assault on a noncommissioned officer. He will plead not guilty to the remaining offenses, which the Army will withdraw and dismiss. "King will take responsibility for his conduct and enter a guilty plea," Rosenblatt said. "Travis is grateful to his friends and family who have supported him, and to all outside of his circle who did not pre-judge his case based on the initial allegations." A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 20 in Texas, where King is expected to explain what he did and take questions from a military judge. King joined the Army in January 2021. He was detained in South Korea over assault allegations to which he pleaded guilty. King had already been due to face disciplinary action in the U.S. after his release from South Korean detention. He was on his way home when he slipped away from Seoul's international airport and made his way to a civilian tour of the border area between North and South Korea. Then King bolted into North Korea. He was immediately taken into North Korean custody before being released last September. U.S. Private Travis T. King (wearing a black shirt and black cap) is seen in this picture taken during a tour of the tightly controlled Joint Security Area (JSA) on the border between the two Koreas, at the truce village of Panmunjom, South Korea, His release followed weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations that led the Swedish government to retrieve King in North Korea and bring him across the border into China for a handoff to the U.S. ambassador. King is a 2020 graduate of Park High School in Racine and his family lives in the area. Reuters contributed to this report. "Proud parent of a U.S. Army soldier" stickers adorn the car and windows at the home of 23-year-old Pvt. Travis King's mother in Racine on July 19, 2023. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: U.S. Army private King to plead guilty after crossing into North Korea LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Officials said Thursday a multi-state pharmacy burglary ring investigation has led to 42 people being indicted in Little Rock. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas Jonathan Ross said the 42 were involved in a ring that operated from coast to coast in burglarizing narcotics with a $12 million street value from rural pharmacies. Ross said the group stole from 200 pharmacies in 31 states, 20 of which were in Arkansas. Little Rock DEA, other agencies arrest 18 in connection with rural pharmacy pill burglaries Ross said that the 42 indictments announced on Thursday include the indictments of 18 in December in phase one of the investigation. The investigation was titled #richoffmeds, using a hashtag the group from Houstons fifth ward shared. During the arrests, Ross said 11 firearms were seized, along with $79,000 in cash and $510,000 in custom jewelry. Ross said the group worked by using the internet to scout independent rural pharmacies. Then, they would travel to them, breaking in through the pharmacies window glass at night and low-crawling on the floor to avoid motion detectors. Arkansas pharmacist reacts to pill theft ring arrests The group targeted narcotics for theft including oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam, Xanax, Adderall, and cough syrup with codeine, Ross said. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer said the indictments resulted from the largest pharmacy burglary case in DEA history. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. 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. Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan in Beijing Thursday as the two countries press ahead on stabilizing communication in their increasingly contentious relationship. The meeting was the capstone of a three-day trip that also saw Sullivan hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Central Military Commission vice chairman Gen. Zhang Youxia the first meeting between a US official and Chinese military figure in that role since 2018. Xi said Chinas commitment to the goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship remains unchanged, according to a readout from Chinas Foreign Ministry. The leader expressed hope that the US side will work in the same direction with China, view China and its development in a positive and rational light, see each others development as an opportunity rather than a challenge, the readout said. Sullivan in introductory remarks reiterated that US President Joe Biden is committed to responsibly managing this consequential relationship to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict. He added that Biden looks forward to engaging with Xi again in the coming weeks foreshadowing potential talks or a call between the two leaders, which were also referenced in both sides readouts of meetings between Sullivan and Foreign Minister Wang. Xi and Biden last spoke during a call in April. The meetings follow efforts over the past year from both sides to repair fractured lines of communication, even as US-China relations remain fraught over a host of frictions including Beijings aggressions in the South China Sea and toward Taiwan, and US trade controls targeting China. Beijing has also been carefully watching the upcoming US elections, where a change of administration in January could impact the trajectory of the relationship between the worlds two largest economies. Expectations for significant progress on sticking points in the relationship during this meeting were low, especially as the US elections loom. For both sides, they have no strong motivation to push aggressively because of the election, both are in a wait and see mode while looking to maintain current relations without incident, said Liu Dongshu, an assistant professor at the City University of Hong Kong. Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to maintain a level of continuity with Bidens China policy, while Republican candidate Donald Trump had a combative and mercurial relationship with China as president and has threatened to broadly expand American tariffs on Chinese imports if re-elected. Military talks Wang and Sullivan also discussed plans to hold a call between their respective military theater commanders, both sides said. Such talks part of a broader resumption of regular military discussions following a meeting between Biden and Xi in November would involve commanders leading American troops in the Indo-Pacific and those leading Chinese strategy in the Southern and Eastern theater. The Biden administration has for months pushed to move direct discussions between the two global powers beyond the government brass to uniformed officers making decisions in the region. The call has not yet been scheduled, a US official told CNN. Wang and Sullivans discussion of military communication comes amid especially heightened tensions in the South China Sea, where Chinese and Philippine ships have been engaged in a series of violent, but non-lethal confrontations in recent months. Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command Adm. Samuel Paparo earlier this week suggested the US could escort Philippine ships through the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety despite a major international ruling to the contrary. In his meeting Thursday with Zhang, a senior figure in Chinas powerful Central Military Commission, Sullivan stressed US commitment to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and the importance of cross-Strait peace and stability, in reference to Taiwan, according to a White House readout. Sullivan also raised cyberspace, efforts to reach a ceasefire in the war in Gaza, and American concerns about what the US says is Chinas support for Russias defense industrial base as it wages war on Ukraine. In introductory remarks ahead of the meeting, which took place at Chinese military headquarters in Beijing, Sullivan acknowledged how rare it was to have such exchanges. Given the state of the world and the need for us to responsibly manage US-China relations, I think its a very important meeting, he told Zhang. Zhang called on the United States to correct its strategic understanding of China, return to a rational and pragmatic policy toward China, (and) earnestly respect Chinas core interests, citing Taiwan as the core of Chinas core interests, according to a readout published in Chinese state media. The general also called for both sides to maintain stability in the military and security field. China's top diplomat Wang Yi and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met at Yanqi Lake in Beijing, China, on August 27, 2024. - Ng Han Guan/Pool/Reuters Fraught ties Prior to those talks, Sullivan held two-days of engagements with Wang, marking the fifth time that the two officials have met over the past year and a half in multiple locations, including their last meeting in January in Bangkok. The two agreed to advance areas of cooperation, such as counternarcotics and AI safety and risk but, as expected, made little leeway on major frictions in the relationship. Wang stressed the importance of US-China coexistence, while calling on the US to stop arming Taiwan and support Chinas reunification with the island a self-ruling democracy claimed by Beijing. The top Chinese diplomat also called on the US to stop suppressing China in the fields of economy, trade, and science and technology, calling American concerns about Chinas manufacturing overcapacity an excuse for protectionism. Sullivan said the US would continue to take necessary actions to prevent advanced US technologies from being used to undermine our national security and expressed concern about Chinas unfair trade policies. The Biden administration earlier this year announced it would maintain a set of sweeping import tariffs in place on Chinese goods with significant increases on categories like semiconductors and electric vehicles expected to be implemented soon. It has also instated controls on Chinese access to American high-tech that could have dual-use civilian and military purposes. China has responded by limiting the export of certain materials key to produce high-tech goods. The US has also included Chinese entities in tranches of sanctions targeting Russias war machine, including a set released Friday. US officials have repeatedly warned that Chinas exports of dual-use goods to Russia were supporting its defense industry and enabling Moscows war in Ukraine a charge Beijing denies. Sullivans visit comes ahead of a series of high-profile multilateral summits in the coming months that could provide a platform for Biden and Xi to meet again in what would be the twilight of Bidens presidency. CNNs Kayla Tausche, Haley Britzky and Shawn Deng contributed to this report. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com US forces ready with a 'range of options' to deal with South China Sea aggression, US admiral says U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo, left, and Philippines military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., shake hands after a press conference on the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board held at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio, northern Philippines on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) BAGUIO, Philippines (AP) American forces are ready with a range of options to deal with increasing acts of aggression in the disputed South China Sea if ordered to carry them out jointly and after consultations with treaty ally the Philippines, a U.S. admiral said Thursday. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command chief Adm. Samuel Paparo, who heads the biggest number of combat forces outside the U.S. mainland, refused to provide details of the contingency options. Paparo's comments came when asked at a news conference what the longtime treaty allies could do to deal with Chinas so-called gray-zone tactics in the disputed waters. The gray-zone tactics refer to types of assault, like water cannon fire and the blocking and ramming of rival ships in the disputed waters, that are under the threshold of an actual armed attack and wouldn't allow the Philippines to invoke its 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the U.S. The treaty obligates either country to help the other in case of an armed external attack. "We certainly have prepared a range of options and USINDOPACOM stands ready, if so called, after consultations in accordance with the treaty to execute those shoulder to shoulder with our ally, Paparo said. Detailing those U.S. military options would allow the potential adversary to build a countermeasure to those, he said. Paparo held a joint news conference with Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romero Brawner Jr., after both led an annual meeting in the northern Philippine mountain city of Baguio to discuss security challenges and military plans. They include the Balikatan Tagalog for shoulder to shoulder the treaty allies largest combat exercises, which in April involved more than 16,000 American and Filipinos forces and were partly staged in the South China Sea. In response to a question, Paparo repeated that the U.S. military is open, after treaty consultations with the Philippines, to escorting Philippine ships in the South China Sea amid a spike in hostilities between Beijing and Manila in the disputed waters. Such a prospect would risk putting U.S. Navy ships in direct collisions with those of China. Washington and Beijing have been on a collision course over Chinas increasingly assertive actions to defend its territorial claims in the South China Sea, and Beijings stated goal of annexing Taiwan, by force if necessary. Brawner said the Philippines could still fend for itself in the disputed waters, where hostilities with the Chinese coast guard, navy and suspected militia ships have alarmingly spiked since last year. If we exhaust all the options and nothing works, then thats the time we can ask for help, Brawner told reporters. When Filipino forces in the disputed waters are at the verge of dying, because food supplies were being blocked by Chinese forces, then thats the time that we are going to seek the help of the United States, Brawner said, but added that we still have a lot of options." During combat exercises by U.S. and Philippine forces in April, the U.S. military transported a mid-range missile system to the northern Philippines, angering China, which warned that the missile system can trigger a regional arms race and endanger regional stability. Beijing demanded that the U.S. missile system, which can threaten mainland China, be pulled out of the Philippines. Paparo and Brawner refused to say on Thursday if and when the missile system would be flown out of the Philippines. Brawner thanked the U.S. military for transporting the high-tech weaponry to the country, saying Filipino forces were being exposed to advance defense equipment that the Philippine military plan to acquire in the future. "Just like what we did with the Stingers and with the Javelins, we start training already even if we dont have them yet in our inventory, Brawner said. China has angered the Philippines by repeatedly harassing its navy and coast guard ships with powerful water cannons, a military-grade laser, blocking movements and other dangerous maneuvers in the high seas near two disputed South China Sea shoals. They have led to minor collisions that have injured several Filipino navy personnel and damaged supply boats. China has accused the Philippines of setting off the hostilities in the disputed waters by encroaching in what it says are its offshore territories, demarcated by 10 dashes on a map. It says the Chinese coast guard and navy have been forced to take action to expel Philippine coast guard and other vessels from those areas. The Philippines has repeatedly cited a 2016 international arbitration ruling based on the U.N. Convention of the Law of the Sea that invalidated Chinas claim over virtually the entire South China Sea on historical grounds. ___ Aaron Favila contributed to this report. Chinese leader Xi meets US national security adviser as the two powers try to avoid conflict Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, right, shakes hands with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan before a meeting at the Bayi building in Beijing, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, Pool) BEIJING (AP) Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday as the latter wound up a three-day visit with the stated aim of keeping communications open in a relationship that has become increasingly tense in recent years. Sullivan, on his first trip to China as the main adviser to President Joe Biden on national security issues, earlier met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a top general from the Central Military Commission. Starting with a trade war that dates back to 2018, China and the United States have grown at odds over a range of issues, from global security, such as Chinas claims over the South China Sea, to industrial policy on electric vehicle and solar panel manufacturing. Sullivans trip this week is meant to keep the tensions from spiraling into conflict. We believe that competition with China does not have to lead to conflict or confrontation. The key is responsible management through diplomacy, he told reporters at a news conference shortly before leaving Beijing. Both governments are eager to keep relations on an even keel ahead of a change in the U.S. presidency in January. They said they remain committed to managing the relationship, following up on a meeting between Xi and Biden in San Francisco last November. While great changes have taken place in the two countries and in China-U.S. relations, Chinas commitment to the goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship remains unchanged, Xi said. President Biden is committed to responsibly managing this consequential relationship to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict or confrontation, and to work together where our interests align, Sullivan said. The two countries agreed to work toward a phone call between Xi and Biden in the coming weeks, and Sullivan indicated the two could meet in person at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or Group of 20 summits later this year. The likelihood is theyll both be there and if they are, it would only be natural for them to have the chance to sit down with one another, he said. Xi and Sullivans meeting also touched on the issues of American citizens detained in China, on Taiwan and also on the clashes between the China and Philippines in the South China Sea. The two also discussed Chinas support for Russia, as a recent U.S. assessment found that the country was exporting technology that Russia uses to manufacture missiles, tanks and other weaponry. They also discussed efforts to end the Ukraine war, but Sullivan said they did not make any progress on that issue. Sullivan said an agreement to have a call between the military commanders in the Indo-Pacific region was a very positive outcome of his meetings and that they hope to deepen military-to-military communication so it can be passed on to whoever succeeds Biden as president. The decades-old issues surrounding Taiwan have taken renewed prominence as the islands ties with China become increasingly strained over Beijing's claims that Taiwan is part of China. Taiwan, a self-governing island that split from communist China in 1949, has rejected Beijings demands that it accept unification with the mainland. The U.S. is obligated under a domestic law to provide the island with sufficient hardware and technology to deter invasion. Danny Russel, a vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York and who served on the national security council in the Obama administration, said the meeting between Sullivan and Xi was particularly important because Sullivan was seen by the Chinese leadership as a direct extension of the U.S. president and that Sullivans messaging was viewed as coming straight from Biden. Sullivan also met one of Chinas vice chairs of the Central Military Commission, Gen. Zhang Youxia, on Thursday morning a rare meeting with a visiting U.S. official. Zhang said that reunification of Taiwan with the mainland is the mission and responsibility of the military, according to a statement from Chinas Defense Ministry. China demands that the United States stop military collusion between the U.S. and Taiwan, stop arming Taiwan and stop spreading false narratives about Taiwan, the statement said, without elaborating on what the false narratives are. Sullivan said it is rare that we have the opportunity to have this kind of exchange and underscored the need for us to responsibly manage U.S.-China relations. A White House statement said the two had recognized the progress in sustained, regular military-military communications over the past 10 months and noted an agreement announced the previous day to hold a telephone call between commanders at the theater-level in the near future. On Taiwan, the U.S. statement said only that Sullivan had raised the importance of cross-Strait peace and stability. China suspended communication between the two militaries and in a few other fields after a senior U.S. lawmaker, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, visited Taiwan in August 2022. Talks were only gradually resumed more than a year later, after Xi and Biden met outside San Francisco in November. A theater-level call would be between Adm. Samuel Paparo, who heads the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii, and his Chinese counterpart, said Russel, of the Asia Society Policy Institute. This theater command-level dialogue is critical for crisis prevention but something the Chinese military has been resisting, said Russel, a former assistant U.S. secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs. Paparo said this week that the U.S. military is open to consultations about escorting Philippine ships in the South China Sea, where they have clashed with Chinese ships trying to block them from small islands and outcroppings that both countries claim. ___ Wu reported from Bangkok. Associated Press writers Didi Tang and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed. US parents are so stressed, the Surgeon General has issued a warning US parents are so stressed, the Surgeon General has issued a warning NEW YORK (PIX11) Parents across the U.S. are so stressed that the Surgeon General has issued a warning about it. Around 41% of American parents said theyre so stressed most days, they cannot function. PIX11s Kirstin Cole has the story. Watch the video player for more on this story. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. US President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held a rare meeting on Thursday with one of China's top generals during his visit to Beijing, in what appears to be a sign of rapprochement between China and the United States. General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission in Beijing, said that the meeting showed Sullivan's high regard for the relations between the US and Chinese militaries, according to a report by Chinese broadcaster Phoenix TV. As adviser to Biden, Sullivan plays a crucial role in formulating US security strategies and coordinating policy towards China, Zhang added. The Central Military Commission is China's highest military decision-making body and is chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The White House said that, in the meeting, Sullivan "stressed that both countries have a responsibility to prevent competition from veering into conflict or confrontation." "The two sides reaffirmed the importance of regular military-to-military communications as part of efforts to maintain high-level diplomacy and open lines of communication as directed by President Biden and President Xi at the November 2023 Woodside Summit," the White House added in a readout of the meeting. "Mr Sullivan and Vice Chairman Zhang recognized the progress in sustained, regular military-military communications over the past 10 months and planned to hold a theatre commander telephone call in the near future," the White House said. Sullivan is the first US national security adviser to visit China in eight years, a period in which relations between Washington and Beijing have been strained by trade and security concerns. The November meeting between Biden and Xi in California after a year of complete radio silence revived communication between Washington and Beijing, to an extent. Nevertheless, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said before Sullivan's arrival that Washington had continued to try to "contain and suppress" China. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaks to reporters at the United States Embassy. Sullivan concluded a three-day visit to China, during which he spoke with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China. Johannes Neudecker/dpa US President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held a rare meeting on Thursday with one of China's top generals during his visit to Beijing, in what appears to be a sign of rapprochement between China and the United States. General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission in Beijing, said that the meeting showed Sullivan's high regard for the relations between the US and Chinese militaries, according to a report by Chinese broadcaster Phoenix TV. As adviser to Biden, Sullivan plays a crucial role in formulating US security strategies and coordinating policy towards China, Zhang added. Washington concerned about Chinese foreign policy Sullivan raised concerns, according to the White House, about China's support for Russia's arms industry and the efforts towards a ceasefire in the Gaza War. He also emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the strait between China and Taiwan and the need to avoid miscalculation and escalation in cyberspace. The White House said that, in the meeting, Sullivan "stressed that both countries have a responsibility to prevent competition from veering into conflict or confrontation." Zhang, according to Chinese sources, demanded that the US stop arms deliveries to Taiwan and the spread of what China considers to be false representations about the self-governing democratic island republic. Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory. The Central Military Commission is China's highest military decision-making body and is chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping. "The two sides reaffirmed the importance of regular military-to-military communications as part of efforts to maintain high-level diplomacy and open lines of communication as directed by President Biden and President Xi at the November 2023 Woodside Summit," the White House added in a readout of the meeting. "Mr Sullivan and Vice Chairman Zhang recognized the progress in sustained, regular military-military communications over the past 10 months and planned to hold a theatre commander telephone call in the near future," the White House said. Biden could meet Xi this year Biden could meet Xi Jinping again this year - possibly at an international meeting in November, Sullivan said on Thursday. Sullivan said it is likely that both Biden and Xi will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru and the Group of 20 (G20) meeting in Brazil - both in November. "The likelihood is they are gonna be there and if they are, it would only be natural for them to have the chance to sit down with one another," Sullivan said. While he said it would only be natural for the two leaders to sit down together, should they both be there, he stressed that he was not announcing or confirming a meeting. Biden last met Xi in November of last year on the sidelines of the APEC summit in San Francisco. First US national security adviser to visit China in eight years Sullivan said during his three-day visit to China he spoke with Chinese politicians and military officials for a total of 14 hours and was received by Xi at the end of his stay. Prior to that, he held talks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Youxia. Sullivan described the conversation with Zhang as "very useful" and it allowed both sides "the opportunity to explain what [they] are doing." The meeting addressed issues such as the situation in the South China Sea and the strait between China and Taiwan. But he said no agreement had been reached on topics such as trade tariffs and there had been no progress towards a solution regarding Russia's war against Ukraine. Sullivan is the first US national security adviser to visit China in eight years, a period in which relations between Washington and Beijing have been strained by trade and security concerns. The November meeting between Biden and Xi in California after a year of complete radio silence revived communication between Washington and Beijing, to an extent. Nevertheless, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said before Sullivan's arrival that Washington had continued to try to "contain and suppress" China. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaks to reporters at the United States Embassy. Sullivan concluded a three-day visit to China, during which he spoke with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China. Johannes Neudecker/dpa US President Joe Biden could meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping again - possibly at an international meeting in November, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Thursday. Sullivan, speaking after three days of meetings with high-level Chinese officials in Beijing, said it is likely that both Biden and Xi will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru and the Group of 20 (G20) meeting in Brazil - both in November. "The likelihood is they are gonna be there and if they are, it would only be natural for them to have the chance to sit down with one another," Sullivan said. While he said it would only be natural for them to sit down together, should they both be there, he stressed that he was not announcing or confirming a meeting. Biden last met Xi in November of last year on the sidelines of the APEC summit in San Francisco. Sullivan said during his three-day visit to China he spoke with Chinese politicians and military officials for a total of 14 hours and was received by Xi at the end of his stay. Prior to that, he held talks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and one of China's top military leaders, Zhang Youxia. Sullivan described the conversation with Zhang as "very useful" and it allowed both sides "the opportunity to explain what [they] are doing." The meeting addressed issues such as the situation in the South China Sea and the strait between China and Taiwan. But he said no agreement had been reached on topics such as trade tariffs and there had been no progress towards a solution regarding Russia's war against Ukraine. ROUND ROCK Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn took aim at Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, saying the vice president's new TV ad stressing the importance of border security makes her sound like "Donald Trump reincarnate." The Texan, speaking at a Round Rock Chamber of Commerce luncheon and then with reporters Wednesday, said the "honeymoon" period Harris has enjoyed since President Joe Biden ended his candidacy in July and she wrapped up the Democratic nomination at her party's national convention in Chicago last week will likely come to an end once Republicans start hammering her record as the No. 2 official in the White House since January 2021. "Kamala Harris can run but can't hide," Cornyn said during a 15-minute question-and-answer session with reporters. "I don't know how you can be part of an administration for the last 3 years, or four years, and claim not to be associated with the policies of that administration." Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, talks to reporters during an appearance Wednesday in Round Rock, where he criticized Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris over what he called her "magnificent flip-flop from her earlier positions." Cornyn was referencing the Harris campaign's effort to blunt one of the perceived Democratic administration's weaknesses presiding over the record pace of unauthorized migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border, which have only recently begun to slow down by highlighting Trump's efforts earlier in this year to pressure Republicans in Congress to derail a bipartisan bill that would have boosted funding for border agents and other enforcement efforts to keep Biden from gaining a big policy win during an election year. A recent ad by Harris' campaign, which touts her prosecution of transnational drug gangs as California's attorney general, shows a brief image of the border wall that became the symbol of Trump's get-tough approach to immigration during his four years in the White House. That ad, coupled with others and speeches Harris has given, lays the blame for the inability to enact comprehensive immigration reform at the Republican presidential nominee's feet. More: 'A new way': Kamala Harris reintroduces herself to voters and other key moments Sen. John Cornyn speaks with Round Rock Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jordan Robinson during the chamber's luncheon Wednesday at Round Rock's Embassy Suites by Hilton. Donald Trump believes a border deal would hurt his campaign, so he ordered his allies in Congress to kill the deal, Harris said in her presidential nomination acceptance speech last week. Well, I refuse to play politics with our security. And here is my pledge to you: As president, I will bring back the bipartisan border security bill that he killed, and I will sign it into law. Cornyn who is not up for reelection this year but is mounting an energetic behind-the-scenes campaign among Republican senators to lead them after Senate Minority Mitch McConnell of Kentucky retires from that top post at year's end said it is up to Trump and his GOP allies to hammer Harris on what the senior senator from Texas called her "magnificent flip-flop from her earlier positions" since her failed 2020 bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. More: Trump to National Guard crowd in Michigan: 'Closer to World War III' than ever Back then, Harris called the border wall, which the Biden campaign declined to continue, a medieval vanity project." She also expressed opposition to fracking to extract oil and gas, but she has since dropped that stance. She also has indicated she no longer supports what has become known as "Medicare for All," which would be a government-run health insurance plan similar to that which Americans 65 and older have been entitled to since the Lyndon B. Johnson administration. "What we see right now cannot be sustained," Cornyn said of Harris' policy shifts, adding voters will be "better informed" once the fall campaign kicks into high gear as it barrels toward the Nov. 5 election. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Senator John Cornyn hits Kamala Harris on border stance 'flip-flop' US to step up work with Pacific nations to halt drug trafficking By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) - The United States will work with Pacific Island nations to rein in drug trafficking by criminal networks from China, which use the region as a way station for narcotics exports to the U.S., Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said on Thursday. Grappling with a spike in overdose deaths, the United States has frequently criticised Chinese firms for their role in the global fentanyl supply chain, while island nations Fiji and Tonga have seen a rise in methamphetamine seizures this year. The United States is determined to assist on the drug front and will make an announcement next week on law enforcement regarding drugs in the Pacific, an issue that increasingly troubles regional leaders, Campbell said. "We are concerned some of the networks that have grown in China and South East Asia are beginning to use the Pacific for transhipment both to Latin America and the United States," he told reporters in Vanuatu. "Many of our partners in the Pacific want to work with us to try to get a handle on that." The United States could help with efforts in areas such as drug interdiction, treatment and prevention, he added. Campbell was in Vanuatu to formally open the U.S. embassy, a day after meeting leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga. The Solomon Islands, which struck a security pact with China under its previous leader, wants to re-engage with the United States, Campbell said after meeting Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, who was elected in May. Campbell also met China's Pacific envoy Qian Bo in Tonga on Wednesday, and said they discussed finding areas of co-operation in the Pacific, such as a climate change project, which he said regional leaders had welcomed. "Many of those countries want to see the United States and China keeping lines of communication open and finding potential, even if they are only narrow, areas of possible co-operation or engagement," he said. "The Pacific has made clear that it does not want to be in a battle or a battle zone between conflicting large powers and we respect that." The United States was working to offer financing for small business to revive tourism, hospital infrastructure and telecoms links in Vanuatu, he said, to ensure Pacific Island countries a choice of partners. China is Vanuatu's largest external creditor after a decade of infrastructure construction by its companies. On Wednesday, the Pacific Island Forum backed an Australian-funded A$400-million ($271-million) plan to improve police training in the region and create a mobile policing unit. Australia has previously said it was concerned at China's growing police presence in the region, and boosting the capability of Pacific police will reduce the need for Chinese police. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) George Brauchler is the former district attorney for the 18th Judicial District and is a candidate for district attorney in the newly created 23rd Judicial District. He has served as an Owens Early Criminal Justice Fellow at the Common Sense Institute. Follow him on Twitter(X): @GeorgeBrauchler. University of Texas at Austin police arrest student Ammer Qaddumi during a pro-Palestinian demonstration on April 24. He is suing the university, claiming it violated his First Amendment rights. Credit: Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune A University of Texas at Austin student has sued the university, President Jay Hartzell and Vice President and Provost Sharon Wood, claiming that the university violated his First Amendment rights when he was arrested during a pro-Palestinian demonstration on campus this spring. Ammer Qaddumi filed the lawsuit in U.S. federal court Tuesday, which was first reported by KXAN. On Thursday, he also requested the judge prevent UT-Austin from moving forward with a disciplinary hearing against him while the lawsuit makes its way through the courts. The court denied that request Thursday afternoon. According to the lawsuit, UT-Austin is scheduled to hold a hearing Friday to determine whether Qaddumi should be suspended for three semesters for his participation in the protests, barring him from campus or from completing any academic work during that time. Heres what you need to know: What the lawsuit says: On April 23, the Palestine Solidarity Committee, a student group at UT-Austin, called on students to protest the university and its investment into companies that support Israel in response to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. The protest was scheduled for the next day. That evening, according to the lawsuit, the university emailed the student groups leaders letting them know they would not be allowed to hold the event; two university staffers repeated the message the next day when Qaddumi arrived on campus. As students started to gather, police called on them to disperse and sought out a student mediator to communicate their directives to the group. Qaddumi volunteered, the lawsuit states, but when he rushed to the front of the crowd to encourage them to disperse and avoid arrest, UT-Austin police arrested him. Over the summer, Qaddumi received a notice from UT-Austin saying he violated university policy for his involvement in the April 24 protest. Qaddumi tried to dispute the universitys accusations, arguing that it erroneously attributed social media posts from another student group to him. But the university rejected his defense, scheduling a hearing on Aug. 30. In the lawsuit, Qaddumi argues that the universitys attempt to cancel the event before the students expressed themselves violates their First Amendment rights. He argues the universitys decision to discipline him is retaliation for his beliefs and asks the court to prevent the university from pursuing any further disciplinary action. UT officials did not respond to The Texas Tribunes request for comment. [T]he Universitys response to the lawsuit and claims will be set out in our court filings, university spokesperson Mike Rosen wrote in an email to KUT. Until then, no further comment. Broader impact: The lawsuit is the latest after multiple protests rocked the UT-Austin campus this spring. University administrators called on law enforcement to intervene, leading to the arrest of 130 individuals who were charged with criminal trespass. Travis County District Attorney Delia Garza has since dropped the charges against all of those arrested. UT-Austin has issued disciplinary punishments against the students who were arrested, including probation and suspension. While UT-Austin has defended its actions, faculty have criticized the universitys actions. This summer, a university committee alleged administrators violated the universitys rules with their handling of the protests. The Texas Tribune partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage. Disclosure: University of Texas at Austin has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Time is running out to get your TribFest tickets! Be there Sept. 57 for 100-plus unforgettable conversations featuring more than 300 speakers, including Stacey Abrams, Colin Allred, Liz Cheney, Richard Linklater, Nancy Pelosi, Rick Perry, Gretchen Whitmer and Glenn Youngkin. Hurry - buy your tickets today! Correction, Aug. 29, 2024 at 4:39 p.m. : An earlier version of this story incorrectly named University of Austin Provost Sharon Wood. AUSTIN (KXAN) A hearing happening later this week will determine whether a University of Texas student will be suspended for his actions connected to a pro-Palestinian protest that happened on the UT campus back in April. That student, Ammer Qaddumi, is now suing UT President Jay Hartzell and UT Vice President Sharon Wood, according to a lawsuit, saying they violated his First Amendment rights. KXAN reached out to the university regarding the lawsuit. A spokesperson for the university provided an excerpt from Hartzells message in April, which can be viewed below: Today, our University held firm, enforcing our rules while protecting the Constitutional right to free speech. Peaceful protests within our rules are acceptable. Breaking our rules and policies and disrupting others ability to learn are not allowed. The group that led this protest stated it was going to violate Institutional Rules. Our rules matter, and they will be enforced. Our University will not be occupied. Excerpt from Hartzells message UT says it will discipline students who violated campus rules during pro-Palestinian protests On April 23, a student group called the Palestine Solidary Committee (PSC) posted to Instagram saying a protest was scheduled for the next day. The lawsuit said Qaddumi was one of the organizers of this protest. However, the night before the protest was scheduled to take place, the PSC received an email from the university saying it would not be allowed to hold the event. The lawsuit said Wood also sent an email to the Deans Council the morning of April 24 before the protest was supposed to start. When the protest began, there was a law enforcement presence on campus. According to the lawsuit, police asked for a mediator from the crowd to communicate with, which Qaddumi volunteered to be. Qaddumi attempted to tell protesters to disperse. However, the lawsuit said law enforcement blocked off most routes for dispersal, and that is when crowds reconvened in another area. Qaddumi again told the protesters to disperse to avoid getting arrested by law enforcement, which they did, according to the lawsuit. It was at that moment that Qaddumi was arrested on a criminal trespass charge, which was quickly dropped, the lawsuit said. Qaddumi then said he received a letter July 3 from the university threatening to discipline him for his involvement in the protest. The lawsuit said if Qaddumi receives the suspension, he would be suspended for three academic semesters and not be allowed on campus during that time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Utilities that opposed Kentuckys new energy planning commission are now part of it The Kentucky Public Service Commission regulates the rates and services of more than 1,100 utilities, ranging from large investor-owned electric providers like Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities to small water districts that provide drinking water to rural communities. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Gov. Andy Beshear has filled two seats on a new energy planning commission with utility executives who, like Beshear, opposed the commissions creation. Kentucky lawmakers earlier this year created the Energy Planning and Inventory Commission (EPIC) to slow the retirement of power plants fueled by coal and natural gas. Investor-owned utilities and environmentalists opposed the legislation which Beshear vetoed, calling it unconstitutional for numerous reasons. The new law also was opposed by the United Way of Kentucky, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and chambers of commerce around the state. The Republican-controlled legislature easily overrode Beshears veto. Among Beshears first eight appointees to the 18-member board are Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities CEO and President John Crockett and Duke Energy senior vice president Brian Weisker. The law requires that one of the governors appointees represent a Kentucky investor-owned utility. Weisker in a statement to the Lantern said he agreed to serve despite opposing Senate Bill 349 which created EPIC because its vital that Duke Energy continues to have a voice in securing Kentuckys energy future. John R. Crockett III In March, Crockett told state lawmakers EPIC would be an inherently political body and that he feared it would be just another layer of bureaucracy. Crockett also has pushed back against Senate President Robert Stivers assertion that the state is facing an electric reliability crisis. LG&E and KU spokesperson Liz Pratt said Crockett agreed to serve on EPIC to allow us to be part of the evaluation process and help responsibly shape the future of energy while providing insights to the long-term energy solutions proposed for the communities we serve and for Kentucky. As regulated utilities, we must make decisions in the best interests of all of our customers and continue providing safe, reliable and affordable energy, Pratt said. Beshear also appointed Jeffrey Brock, an executive for Kentuckys largest coal producer Alliance Resource Partners. Alliances CEO is Joe Craft, a prominent donor in Republican politics along with his wife and former candidate for Kentucky governor Kelly Craft. Brock serves on the Kentucky Coal Associations board of directors. Beshears Aug. 19 EPIC appointments John Crockett, CEO and president of LG&E and KU Brian Weisker, Duke Energy senior vice president who leads the utilitys natural gas business. Ashli Watts, CEO and president of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Kevin Nolan, CEO and president of Louisville-based GE Appliances Caryl Pfieffer, former LG&E and KU director of corporate fuels and by-products who retired from the utility in January 2022. Jeffrey Brock, vice president of business development at Alliance Coal LLC, a subsidiary of Alliance Resource Partners, according to a LinkedIn social media profile. Mark Gooch, an executive with Community Trust Bank. Eston Glover, the former president and CEO of Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative and chair of the Pennyrile Regional Energy Agency Under the new law, most of EPICs decision-making power will be vested in a five-person executive committee. Beshear appointed Eston Glover to represent utilities on the executive committee. Glover is the former president and CEO of Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative and chair of the Pennyrile Regional Energy Agency thats trying to build a natural gas pipeline in Western Kentucky. Glover told the Lantern he had received a call asking about his interest in serving on EPIC but hadnt spoken with the governor personally. He said he wanted to learn more about EPIC and its duties before commenting. Im interested in energy. Im interested in making our community better and our region better and this state better, Glover said. Profile photo of Rodney Andrews wearing glasses. The new law puts the director of the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research, Rodney Andrews, on the executive committee. Andrews testified before lawmakers last week he is doing the very early work of understanding EPICs scope. Andrews would serve as EPICs executive director unless the executive committee chooses someone else. Beshear still has to appoint a third executive committee member who has experience serving as a CEO or board member of a company engaged in the production of coal. The full board will choose the final two members of the executive committee. The new law set a July 1 deadline for Beshear to appoint EPIC members. He still has multiple appointments to make from nominations by industry groups such as the Kentucky Oil and Gas Association, Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives and Kentucky Industrial Utility Customers. The law reserves one seat for an appointee representing residential electricity consumers. The law also requires EPIC to submit a study of the states electricity supply and the impact of federal policies on it by Dec. 1. Another of Beshears appointees, Mark Gooch, an executive of Community Trust Bank, has connections to One East Kentucky, an economic development nonprofit that opposed EPICs creation. Colby Kirk, CEO and president of One East Kentucky, told the Lantern that Gooch served on One East Kentuckys board until 2023 and was board chair when Kirk was hired. Kirk emphasized Gooch wasnt involved with the decision to oppose SB 349 this year. Gooch didnt return emails or a message at his office requesting an interview. Kirk said One East Kentuckys decision to oppose the creation of EPIC was spurred by their local investor-owned utility Kentucky Power. Kentucky Powers COO and president Cynthia Wiseman serves as the current board chair of One East Kentucky, and Community Trust Bank has membership on the board. I felt that its just another, I would think, unnecessary barrier or layer of red tape, Kirk said of EPIC. We already have a Public Service Commission, and we already have an Office of Energy Policy. You know, whats the real function of this? DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST JD Vance made another uncharismatic stop on the campaign trail on Thursday, making an appearance at an International Association of Fire Fighters event in Boston, where he was booed before his speech even began. Sounds like we got some fans and some haters. That's okay, Vance, whos been dubbed the negative rizz candidate by social media users, said. But Vance earned even more raucous boos, and some laughs, for dubbing his and Trumps ticket the most pro-worker Republican ticket in history. JD Vance: President Trump and I are proud to be the most pro-worker Republican ticket in history. Crowd: Booooooo pic.twitter.com/InKPhT3TRw Acyn (@Acyn) August 29, 2024 The boos mark just another entry in a seemingly endless list of Vance stump stops gone wrong. Last week, he was relentlessly mocked on social media after a donut shop worker shook him off during a stop in Georgia. On Wednesday, Vance gaffed, referring to the Abbey Gate bombing where 13 American troops and 60 Afghans were killed as Abbey Road." In a statement from the Harris campaign, spokesperson Sarafina Chitika pointed out the stark contrast between the speech on Thursday and the one that took place the day before, in which IAFF members embraced Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz during his address before the unions conference. JD tried selling firefighters on the Trump-Vance Project 2025 agenda to undermine workers, gut labor protections, and cut overtime pay - and got hosed, Chitika said. Walz, a former union member, championed his and Harris pro-labor agenda over that of Trump, who said in a conversation with Elon Musk earlier this month that he would fire federal striking workers, prompting the UAW to file NLRB charges against the duo. The group, which endorsed Joe Biden in 2020, has yet to make an endorsement, though the Harris campaign has scooped up the support of several of the largest labor groups in the country. Vance: Harris can 'go to hell' for criticisms of Trump campaign over Arlington incident Sen. JD Vance has defended the Trump campaign over an altercation with an Arlington National Cemetery staff member, instead criticizing Kamala Harris over the controversy and telling an audience she "can go to hell." In remarks at a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, Vance cited the deaths of 13 American service members during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, blaming the vice president for not having investigated the withdrawal or firing anyone. Sometimes mistakes happen thats just the nature of government, the nature of military service. But to have those 13 Americans lose their lives and not fire a single person is disgraceful, he said. Kamala Harris is disgraceful. She wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up? he added. She can she can go to hell. Vance's comments are not just disrespectful although they follow the example that Trump has maintained throughout his political career they're also inaccurate. As The Washington Post pointed out, the criticism from the Harris' campaign spokesperson was merely to call the incident pretty sad but not surprising coming from the Trump team on CNN on Wednesday, and Harris herself has not said anything about it in public. Even as Vance has bristled at the criticism, accusing the Harris campaign of trying to make a massive political issue out of the incident and blaming the media for having turned it into a national news story, the Trump campaign's own indignant response to the incident has kept the story in the headlines. Rather than admitting it had defied federal laws that bar political activity at gravesites in Arlington, the campaign released a video that included the grave of Master Sgt. Andrew Marckesano, a combat veteran who died in 2020, without his family's permission. Marckesano's sister told The New York Times that the Trump campaign did not adhere to visitation rules, saying, "We hope those visiting this sacred site understand that these were real people who sacrificed for our freedom and that they are honored and respected accordingly." In addition to the scandal of politicking at the cemetery, a Trump aide pushed a cemetery employee out of the way so that the campaign could take photos and video, NBC News reported Wednesday, citing two Defense Department officials. Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung called the employee a liar in response. What's more, Cheung and Trump campaign official Chris LaCivita have disparaged the employee in deeply personal terms, suggesting she had a mental health episode. The employee initially filed an incident report with military officials but later declined to press charges, fearing retaliation from Trump supporters, according to the Times. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Vance says Harris can go to hell as campaigns battle over Afghanistan, cemetery incident Vance says Harris can go to hell as campaigns battle over Afghanistan, cemetery incident Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) said that Vice President Harris can go to hell in response to a question about a reported altercation at Arlington National Cemetery this week, as he criticized the Biden administration for its handling of the end of the Afghanistan War. Vance was asked a question regarding an incident involving the Trump campaign, cemetery officials and whether the national cemetery had been politicized by former President Trump with the presence of a photographer. He told reporters at his campaign even in Erie, Pa., that the altercation at Arlington Cemetery is the media creating a story where I really dont think there is one and argued there was verifiable evidence that the campaign was allowed to have a photographer with them. Vance said that it is amazing to me that you have, apparently, somebody at Arlington Cemetery, some staff member, had a little disagreement with somebody, and they have turned the media has turned this into a national news story, and he argued that veterans care more about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) misrepresenting his military service. Vance next pivoted to Afghanistan, hitting Harris over the handling of the countrys exit from the country. The other thing our veterans care a lot more about is that three years ago, 13 brave, innocent Americans died, and they died because Kamala Harris refused to do her job, and there hasnt been a single investigation or a single firing, Vance said at the Pennsylvania campaign event. Look, sometimes mistakes happen, Vance continued. Thats just the nature of government, the nature of military service. But to have those 13 Americans lose their lives and not fire a single person is disgraceful. Kamala Harris is disgraceful, he continued. Thirteen Americans were killed in the 2021 suicide bombing at Abbey Gate near Kabuls airport as the U.S. sought to exit Afghanistan. Were gonna talk about a story out of those 13 brave, innocent Americans who lost their lives, its that Kamala Harris is so asleep at the wheel that she wont even do an investigation into what happened, and she wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up, he added. She can go to hell. The Hill has reached out to the Harris campaign for comment. The Harris campaign earlier Wednesday had criticized the Trump campaign over the reported altercation at the cemetery. NPR, citing an anonymous source, reported that while Trump was there to observe the third anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing, several Trump campaign aides had an altercation with a cemetery official regarding entering Section 60 of the cemetery, where U.S. service members who died in recent overseas wars are buried. The Trump campaign disputed the idea that there was such a physical altercation. Harris campaign communications director Michael Tyler called the confrontation between the Trump campaign and cemetery official pretty sad Wednesday during an interview on CNN. Donald Trump is a person who wants to make everything all about Donald Trump. Hes also somebody who has a history of demeaning and degrading military service members, those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, Tyler said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. FILE PHOTO: Anti-Maduro protests spread as Venezuelan opposition says he stole vote, in Caracas MADRID (Reuters) -European Union foreign ministers agreed on Thursday they would not recognise the "democratic legitimacy" of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro following the country's disputed election, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. Borrell said the ministers made the decision after Venezuela's national electoral body repeatedly failed to heed calls to provide credible data to support Maduro's claims of victory in last month's election. "We cannot accept the legitimacy of Maduro as elected president," Borrell told reporters after a meeting of foreign ministers from the EU's 27 member countries in Brussels. "He will remain president, de facto ... But we deny democratic legitimacy based on a result that cannot be verified." Venezuela's electoral council proclaimed Maduro, in power since 2013, the winner of the July 28 election but has not published complete voting tallies. The opposition has published tallies showing a landslide win for its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez. Gonzalez took part in the EU ministers' meeting via video link. Borrell acknowledged Thursday's decision would not have any immediate practical consequences as the EU has not imposed any sanctions over the election. But he said the move was a "strong statement" by the EU, which represents some 450 million people. Borrell - a former Spanish foreign minister - has repeatedly urged the release of voting records, as well as the end of political persecution and dialogue between opponents, prompting Maduro to criticize him during rallies. Protests since the vote have led to at least 27 deaths. Human rights group Foro Penal says some 1,780 people are being held as political prisoners, including 114 adolescents. Several opposition leaders have been detained. (Reporting by Inti Landauro, Emma Pinedo and Andrew Gray, editing by Hugh Lawson, William Maclean and Nick Zieminski) Two journalists found guilty of sedition in trial seen as blow to Hong Kongs press freedom HONG KONG Two journalists who led a pro-democracy newspaper in Hong Kong were convicted of sedition Thursday, in a verdict that could have profound implications for press freedom in the Chinese territory. Chung Pui-kuen, the former editor-in-chief of the now-defunct Stand News, and Patrick Lam, the newspapers former acting editor-in-chief, had pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to publish seditious materials under a law dating to the citys time as a British colony. Hong Kong authorities have resurrected the sedition law as part of a broad crackdown on dissent following mass antigovernment protests that roiled the city for months in 2019. But this was the first time it had been used against the media since 1997, when Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule on the condition that civil liberties such as press freedom be preserved for 50 years. Prosecutors based their case on 17 articles Stand News published from July 2020 to Dec. 2021 that they described as seditious, which is defined as inciting hatred or contempt against the Chinese central government, the Hong Kong government or the judiciary. A judge ruled Thursday that 11 of those 17 articles had seditious intentions. The Court found that the political climate at the time of the offense was extremely heated, and a large number of the public were discontented with or even against the Hong Kong government and the Chinese central government, District Court Judge Kwok Wai-kin, who was handpicked by Hong Kongs top leader to preside over the trial, said in his ruling. The verdict, which comes almost two years after the trial began in Oct. 2022, had already been postponed three times. Chung and Lam, who both spent close to a year in pre-trial custody, will be sentenced next month and face up to two years in prison and fines of 5,000 Hong Kong dollars (about $640). Read more NBC News coverage of Hong Kong 14 pro-democracy activists found guilty of subversion in Hong Kongs biggest national security case Art world descends on Hong Kong as security laws spur censorship fears Hong Kong a cautionary tale as China looms over Taiwans election In a letter that was read out in court on Thursday, Lam, who was not present, said journalists do not have to be loyal to anyone or take sides against anyone. If we have any true allegiance, it is to the public and only the public, because we believe in freedom of the press and freedom of speech. Stand News has been shut down and its online content deleted since Dec. 2021, when its office was raided by national security police and its assets were frozen. Chung, Lam and five other people were arrested the same day, though only Chung and Lam were later charged. The newspapers parent company, Best Pencil (Hong Kong) Ltd., was also charged but was not represented in the trial. Western officials criticized the arrests and the closure at the time, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said, Journalism is not sedition. Stand News and other pro-democracy news outlets had been under pressure since June 2020, when Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law in response to the protests the year before. Though officials argue that the law was necessary to restore stability after the protests, which sometimes turned violent, critics say the law and local national security legislation enacted in March are being used to suppress dissent. Many of Hong Kongs most prominent pro-democracy figures have been arrested under the national security law, while others have resigned from politics or moved abroad. Dozens of civil society groups have also shut down, citing the uncertain environment. The raid on Stand News followed the forced closure in June 2021 of Apple Daily, a popular pro-democracy newspaper whose founder, Jimmy Lai, 76, faces national security charges that could lead to his being imprisoned for life. Another pro-democracy news outlet, Citizen News, cited the closure of Stand News when it shut down shortly afterward. In a statement on Thursday, the Hong Kong Journalists Association said the Stand News conviction exemplifies the decline of the citys press freedom. During the Stand News trial, the group said, prosecutors microscopically scrutinized its editors and reporters intent. In an annual press freedom survey released by the group last week, local media workers gave Hong Kong a score of 25 out of 100, the lowest since the survey was first conducted in 2013. They were especially concerned about the impact of the new local national security legislation, known as Article 23, which has been criticized as being vaguely worded. Hong Kong ranked 135th out of 180 countries and territories in Reporters Without Borders 2024 World Press Freedom Index, compared with 70th in 2018. The Hong Kong government says freedom of the press and freedom of speech remain protected under the citys mini-constitution and Bill of Rights but are not absolute. Stand News, which was founded as a nonprofit in 2014, gained a large audience in 2019 for its livestreamed coverage of the protests. Though government officials criticized the papers coverage, Hong Kong residents rated it among the citys most credible news outlets in 2019, according to a survey by researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The 17 articles at issue in the Stand News trial included opinion pieces criticizing the national security law, interviews with former pro-democracy lawmakers now living in self-exile with bounties on their heads and profiles of three pro-democracy candidates who are waiting to be sentenced in a national security case. Lawyers for Chung and Lam argued that they were legitimate journalists reporting on issues that other Hong Kong news media were also covering. Since the national security law was imposed in 2020, journalists in Hong Kong have struggled to discern which topics are safe to report on, said Aleksandra Bielakowska, a Taiwan-based advocacy officer at Reporters Without Borders. It was very difficult for them to say what can trigger the authorities, national security police to prosecute them, or to arrest them, or basically even to threaten them with any other means, she told NBC News. With Chung and Lams conviction, Bielakowska said, the 17 articles on which the case was based become a warning for other journalists as to which people and topics might put them at risk. This trial is basically setting up the new ground rules, she said. Its actually showing where the red lines might lay in the future. Penalties for sedition were increased in the local national security legislation that Hong Kongs opposition-free legislature passed in March, which replaced the colonial-era sedition law. Under the new law, the maximum penalty for sedition is now 10 years in prison rather than two. Bielakowska said Chung and Lams conviction on Thursday could open the door for Hong Kong authorities to use the sedition sections of the Article 23 legislation as another tool to basically threaten and prosecute journalists and media workers who are trying to report on some topics that are not in line with what authorities want. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Colorado Republican Eli Bremer, left, talks with a supporter at a hotel in Colorado Springs during his unsuccessful 2022 campaign for the U.S. Senate, in front of an oversized photo depicting his participation as a competitor in the 2008 Olympics. On Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, a group of Republicans elected Bremer to chair the state GOP at a meeting the party's incumbent leadership considered invalid. Waterbury, VT. State health officials have identified four towns at high-risk for Eastern Equine Encephalitis: Alburgh, Burlington, Colchester and Swanton. To avoid virus-carrying mosquitos, residents in these towns should be outside as little as possible between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. This state health recommendation will remain in place until temperatures lower and mosquitos die off. Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a rare but serious disease caused by infected mosquito bites. EEE can be fatal for some who develop its severe form, which causes inflammation in the brain. While most people infected with EEE virus do not develop symptoms, some may experience flu-like traits. Individuals with symptoms should contact their care provider immediately. So far, only one person from Vermont has tested positive for EEE. First human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis detected in Vermont Since 2012 Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD said Vermonters need to take the threat of EEE very seriously. If you live in a town at high risk, please avoid spending time outside in the evenings when mosquitoes are most active to protect yourself from this potentially severe illness. This summer, 47 groups of mosquitoes tested positive for EEE virus in 11 towns, which is far more than the 14 positive groups across 3 towns in 2023. As a result, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets is increasing its mosquito-collection efforts. Towns at moderate risk are Milton, Vergennes, Sudbury and Whiting. Low-risk towns include Cornwall, Grand Isle, Highgate and Fairfield. Vermont residents, regardless of area risk-level, should prevent mosquito bites. To learn more about EEE in Vermont, visit the Vermont Department of Health webpage. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. JOPLIN, Mo. A man who once served our country travels to southwest Missouri to officially pair up with his new best friend. Scott Fanelli spent eight years serving his country in the U.S. Air Force. You cant look at that face and not fall in love. But an accident while working on F-15 fighter jets left him unable to remain in the military. To make matters worse, he was diagnosed with brain cancer after leaving the service. The combination of PTSD and the byproduct of cancer surgery has left him in need of a little help from mans best friend, in this case, Elka. Its a little embarrassing to be a fifty-year-old man and breaking down in the middle of a store and start crying but here we are, you know, said Fanelli. All right, block post and watch, your choice on however you want to do it, said Jimmy Burgess, Executive Director, Heartland Canines For Veterans. Thanks to the generosity of the Webb City Elks Lodge, which paid for Elka and her training, an area store served as the setting for a final exam of sorts to make sure both veteran and dog are operating as one. So we like to submerge these service dogs in areas and places where there are going to be a lot of stimulus to see how they react and condition them to reacting the right way when something does come up, said Burgess. Burgess said the team passed with flying colors. From the first minute I walked into the pen with her she was like Jimmy took pictures of us together for the first minute and you know, just like shes there she just knew she was mine and I was hers and it was just love at first sight, said Fanelli. Its an amazing day, any chance we get to see a tree bear fruit of being able to provide a service dog with a veteran is just a blessing for everyone involved, family members, friends, the community as well as everybody with Heartland Canines, said Burgess. Elka marks the 45th dog Heartland has been able to place with veterans since its inception in 2015. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Veteran Salute: Taking the unpaved road in Iraq COUNCIL GROVE (KSNT) Over her 23 years of service, National Guard Truck Master Rebecca Elias served across Germany, Iraq and even locally in Council Grove. Looking ahead at life post high school, Elias hear the call to duty loud and clear at age 17. I had other plans, Elias said, but for some reason the military just kept gnawing at me. My great grandfather, my grandfather, my uncle were all in the military, and it just resonated. Serving in Germany, Elias worked in the chaotic and fast paced world of telecommunications. That has a different meaning then, than it does now, She said. We worked in a fixed sight communications center. Message trafficking and things like that. We did deal with a lot of different units, a lot of different contractors, it was just very interesting being able to see but not see what was coming through. Veteran Salute: supplying worldwide and at home Her next deployment took a very different route, trading communications work for the unpaved road. We were a fuel hauler, bolt tanks that we would haul, Elias said. We ended up getting called to desert storm. So we went up over there hauling fuel to the front lines, fueling tanks sometimes helicopters and whatnot. Its really rewarding knowing that you are taking care of supplies, youre driving things where they need them. Its really cool to be in on the logistic side of the house. Moving forward with that Truck Master role meant a lot to the sergeant. The saying is nothing happens til something moves, She said, and we were the movers. You cant get anywhere without gas. We sometimes hauled ammunition, we hauled food, we hauled water during Desert Storm. Nothing was going to happen unless we got there on time. After Desert Storm, Elias found herself deployed once again for Operation Iraqi Freedom. An unlikely string of events led her and her husband Tony overseas at the same time, but not in the same squad. Veteran Salute: Serving alongside family in Iraq, Egypt We flipped units, Elias said. I was with the head company, and he was with the palletized loading system company. My unit needed a First Sgt., his unit needed a Truck Master. So they flipped us, I wasnt very happy about it but they did it anyway, and we went back overseas. We moved forward up into Iraq, just north of Baghdad. Our transportation company was phenomenal. Our main area of focus was the Sunni Triangle, which was one of the worst because thats where a lot of things happened. Well hear more about 1st Sgt. Tony Elias and how the couple met through the Council Grove Armory, in next weeks Veteran Salute. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Donald Trumps photographed visit to Arlington National Cemetery earlier this week has drawn widespread criticism from many veterans groups, members of Congress who served, and even an official who served in the former presidents Cabinet. Staffers for the 2024 Republican nominee reportedly verbally abused and shoved an Arlington official who tried to prevent his photographers from taking pictures of Section 60the part of the cemetery dedicated to veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, NPR first reported on Tuesday. The Trump campaign later used footage from Section 60 in a video posted on TikTok. Federal law prevents political candidates from using the cemetery for election-related activities. The Trump campaign countered by claiming they had permission to bring in their own photographer, and denied the reports of a physical altercation. Arlington Cemetery confirmed to NPR that an incident took place and a report had been filed. Trump Uses Marines Families to Shield Him From Arlington National Cemetery Blowback Trump was also criticized for flashing a thumbs-up and a wide grin during a graveside photo op while at the cemetery. The visit has since drawn widespread criticism from across the political spectrum, including several veterans groups. Trump only cares about the fallen when he can exploit their sacrifice for his own gain, the progressive organization VoteVets said on Wednesday in a statement on social media. To him, theyre just suckers and losers. Hes proven time and again that respect and honor mean nothing to him. Former Rep. Max Rose (D-NY), who serves as an advisor for the group, also condemned the events as sick and tragic. Retired Maj. General Paul Eaton, another VoteVets advisor, told USA Today he truly cannot think of something more repugnant than starting a political fracas on land where Gold Star families mourn. Someone who would do that should never be Commander in Chief. The group also criticized Trumps vice presidential nominee, Sen. JD Vance, who defended the campaigns actions Wednesday and blamed the media creating a story where I really dont think there is one at a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania. Political activity is and was always illegal the group wrote in a post on X, labelling Vance a gutless fraud. The statement added: Trumps campaign got physical with cemetery staff who were upholding the law and protecting the solemnity of all the graves. Rather than stand up for them, JD Vance betrays them. Veterans for Responsible Leadership, a non-partisan veterans organization, accused the former president of violating both the sanctity of Arlington as well as the code of conduct for national military cemeteries. The Trump campaign was quick to highlight support from the Marine veterans who invited the former president to the event commemorating the deaths of 13 Marines during a 2021 bombing at the Kabul airport. Trump appears alongside Marine Cpl. Kelsee Lainhart (Ret.) and and U.S. Marine Corps. Sergeant Tyler Vargas-Andrews (Ret.), two of the marines injured during the Kabul bombing. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images On the three-year anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing, the president and his team conducted themselves with nothing but the utmost respect and dignity for all of our service members, especially our beloved children, the group said in a statement posted on the campaigns social media accounts. The group said they had given the Trump campaign permission to photograph and record the event ensuring these sacred moments of remembrance were respectfully captured. Former President Trump lays a wreath alongside the sister of Sgt. Nicole Gee, one of the Marines killed during a Kabul bombing in 2021. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images The campaign was also openly criticized by one major Trump cabinet official. I think its important that the report was filed. I think it should be investigated, said former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who served in the Trump administration from 2019 to 2020. There is no more hallowed ground in this nation than Arlington Cemetery, where we have been burying our heroes, our veterans, since the Civil War. Bottom line, I think the principle is no person or party should ever use Arlington National Cemetery or any of our cemeteries or battlefields for partisan political purposes, the former Trump admin official told CNN. Some veterans serving as members of Congress joined in the criticism. Morning Joe Shames Trumps Arlington Cemetery Photo Op: Beyond Condemnation Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), who served in the Marines, said the event was part of a pattern, and called the former president out for past controversies including avoiding the draft during the Vietnam War and insulting a Gold Star family. Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), an outspoken Trump critic who spoke at the DNC earlier this month, called the former president a disgrace to our nation. Kinzinger served in the Air National Guard. 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. Fifteen sheep were killed and 13 injured when two dogs ran away from their owner near Derby - E+ Two dogs belonging to a veterinary nurse killed 15 sheep after being allowed to roam free, a court heard. The Spanish greyhound and lurcher, named Pacho and Beans, were on the loose for three and a half hours, after running off from Evie Watson, their owner, near Derby in May. Ms Watson eventually tracked down the dogs to a farm and discovered that they had also injured 13 other sheep. The 27-year-old, who did not ring police until the following day, pleaded guilty at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court on Wednesday, to being the owner of dogs that worried livestock. The court heard that she had been walking the two dogs in a field near her home when they ran off. Ms Watson had stopped to untangle the lead of the Spanish Greyhound, dropping it as she did so. The dog then ran off along with the lurcher which had been walking without a lead. Felicity Coates, Ms Watsons solicitor, said it was the first time either of the dogs had ever ran away from her. She asked her family and ex-partner to help her, Ms Coates said. They assisted, and three and a half hours later she found the dogs. The pair were found at Hall Pastures Farm in Littleover, beside the dead and injured sheep and lambs. Ms Watson then took the dogs, one of whom had collapsed, to see a vet before reporting the incident to police the following day. By that time Lynne Parnell, the farmer, had already found the dead and mutilated livestock. Evie Watson spent over three hours trying to track her dogs down before coming across the dead and injured sheep Mrs Parnell said she continues to have horrible flashbacks. I knew straight away it was a dog attack, she told BBC News after the hearing. We came in the field, and I rang the police, and as I was on the phone, I was telling [them] how many lambs Id got dead, how many Id got injured. We found three that were dead. My husband found one that was lying with its stomach [wounded], still alive, and it looked perfectly fine until you saw its stomach. Mrs Parnell said more sheep died over the coming days because of head injuries and heart failure. The ewes are settling back down because they lost their lambs, it was very traumatic, she said. People dont think they are affected, but they are. Mrs Parnell said Ms Watson should have told her about the attack immediately. It still makes me feel upset that somebodys dog did this, and they couldnt even come and tell us that their dog was loose and they left my sheep to die, she said. She should have said Im sorry but this has happened, and if theyd told us sooner, wed have saved more lives. It is vital dogs are kept on leads around livestock Ms Watson later admitted the offence during a police interview. The farm has received just short of 8,000 in compensation through the dogs insurers, her solicitor added. Magistrates told Ms Watson that it was a horrific incident, but they recognised the effort you went to to try and track down the dogs. She was ordered to pay 750 in fines, legal costs and a victim surcharge. Sgt Chris Wilkinson, from Derbyshire Polices rural crime team, said: No one ever wants to believe that their dog is capable of hurting other animals but as has been seen time and time again they can and do return to their predator instincts and chase livestock if given the chance. Thats why it is vital that dogs are always kept on leads around livestock no matter how much control you believe you have over them. Mrs Parnell urged dog owners to keep their pets on leads. Please just keep them on a lead; please keep them under control when youre walking through footpaths, or if youre nowhere near footpaths, she said. If your dog runs off, if the farm is close by, please go and tell the farmer because we can help. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. MOUNTAIN CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) An autopsy has confirmed that human remains discovered in Butler in early July are those of Victor Birchfield, a Hampton man whom authorities believe was killed by escaped Carter County jail trusty Billy Fletcher. Birchfields daughter, Tiffany Cole, confirmed on Thursday that the family had been told there was DNA confirmation on the remains. She received the identification Tuesday evening. At that point, we all knew in our hearts that the remains belonged to my dad, said Cole. So, while its nice to have this DNA confirmation, I dont know that its really changed a whole lot for us. CCSO: Search recovers human remains in Butler, missing mans family believe it to be him Tiffany Coles confirmation came several hours before a Thursday news conference held by the Johnson County Sheriffs Office, during which Sheriff Clifton Worley and Carter County Sheriff Mike Fraley also confirmed the remains were Birchfields. The circumstance in the case is unfortunate for those families affected; however, our dedication to justice still continues, Worley said. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the family involved. Worley said DNA and forensics were used to confirm the remains were Birchfield. He told News Channel 11 that the remains were decomposed past the point of recognition when they were discovered, making DNA testing necessary. Cole said the state of her fathers remains when found made it more difficult than normal to extract DNA. Unfortunately, East Tennessee humidity, up in the mountains, in the woods, exposed to the elements, it is brutal to a decomposing body, Cole said. During the news conference, Worley informed members of the media that Birchfield was found in a secluded area of Butler. Fletcher had close ties to Butler after having been raised there, Worley said. News Channel 11 streamed the news conference live on WJHL.com. It can be viewed in its entirety above. We are thankful to put this piece of the process behind us, Cole told News Channel 11 Thursday morning. The autopsy process has been difficult. After spending 15 days not knowing where he was, it was gut-wrenching to have him gone for another month-and-a-half. Cole said the family knew in our hearts that the remains found in July near Copley Branch two days after Fletcher was captured in South Carolina and more than two weeks after Birchfield went missing the same day Fletcher walked off a work detail belonged to Birchfield. It is somewhat comforting to know he will be returned to us soon and we will be able to lay him to rest, she said. Cole said the family is planning a private funeral and inviting close family and friends. Birchfield was reported missing June 21, when the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) issued a Silver Alert on behalf of the Carter County Sheriffs Office (CCSO). CCSO officials initially played down a potential link between Birchfields disappearance and Fletchers absconding the day before. Questions remain around inmate Fletchers trusty status Fletcher was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree murder during the commission of a felony, abuse of a corpse, and theft over $2,500 by a Johnson County grand jury July 12. As a family, we have been doing our best to adjust to our new reality, but the loss of my dad has left a void in all of our lives that will never be filled, Cole said. He was a precious soul that was taken from this world much too soon in a preventable, senseless act of violence. Cole said she plans to continue to be at every one of Fletchers hearings. Its important for me to be able to look at him, to be able to look him in the eye, said Cole. I look enough like my dad that he will know exactly who I am. And I dont think hell ever realize what he took from us. Fletcher has another court appearance December 13. Both Fraley and Worley spoke about the cooperation between agencies during the still-active investigation. There was a lot of joint cooperation between multiple agencies, and it was a long investigation and its still ongoing, were not finished yet, Fraley said. The work with the Johnson County Sheriffs Office, the TBI and actually the South Carolina authorities have been working well with us putting these pieces together. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. (Getty Images) LINCOLN The village of Litchfield in central Nebraska boasts a whopping 280 people, according to its website, which goes on to say that the small-town atmosphere contributes to a high quality of life. But a Nebraska State Auditors Office probe into village operations has disrupted the calm, revealing apparent misappropriation of public funds, inaccurate utility billings and lack of documentation. Nebraska Lt. Gov. Mike Foley An upshot was the resignation a week ago of the village clerk, whose improper pecuniary benefits were a focus of the report released Wednesday. Auditor Mike Foley, when releasing results, zeroed in on fiduciary responsibilities despite the size of a municipality. He said that for various reasons proper financial controls can sometimes be less vigorous among smaller political subdivisions. But the consequences of such insufficient fiscal oversight may be just as devastating, if not more so, to those less-populous communities and their local taxpayers as to their larger counterparts, Foley said in a media release. Clerk and hair salon owner A 21-page letter to the Litchfield village board detailed findings of the state auditors team, which looked into the villages finances following complaints of alleged financial improprieties by the village clerk, identified in the report as Julie Miller. Hired as clerk in November 2022, Miller was empowered with oversight and control over village financial and utility billing processes, including processing payroll payments for herself and other employees of the village. The report said Miller also owns a hair salon next to the village office. She was hired initially to work 20 hours a week as clerk but was authorized two months later to begin working additional hours, which were recorded as overtime for which she received twice her regular $15-an-hour wage. The audit team said that change was made after Miller said her clerk duties were taking more than the agreed upon 20 hours a week and causing her to lose wages at her salon business. To account for those lost wages, the village board voted to pay her twice the normal rate for time worked past 20 hours. It was meant to be temporary until she had received training, according to the report. But, the auditors said she was still getting the overtime rate some eight months later, even after an assistant clerk was hired. Miller reportedly received $18,524 in overtime pay in eight months. One check showed she was paid $525 for one hour of overtime, the report said, noting that she did not provide an explanation. Though troubling, the problems found with the Villages purchasing card could have been much worse, but they serve as a cautionary tale nonetheless. Mike Foley, Nebraska State Auditor The team reported that Miller submitted conflicting timesheets, leaving the team unable to determine when she was working and if she was paid the correct amount. For the period examined, the Litchfield municipality was unable to provide all timesheets or other documentation to support all hours supposedly worked by its employees, including Miller, the team said. The village board did not appear to be approving payroll wages during its monthly meetings, the report said. Much of the blame for these problematic expenditures, Foley said, lies with the failure of the Village to implement proper payroll procedures. Walmart purchase The audit team also was critical of Millers $97.89 purchase at a Walmart on July 4, 2023, with a city purchasing card. The audit team was able to obtain, through a receipt lookup website, a listing of items purchased (including clothing, charcoal and a kiddie pool) that did not jibe with what she said she had bought. According to the report, that situation pointed to apparent unauthorized expenditure of village funds for personal benefit. The audit team said the village lacked a written policy regarding purchasing cards. Though troubling, the problems found with the Villages purchasing card could have been much worse, but they serve as a cautionary tale nonetheless, Foley said. The report noted additional deficiencies in village operations, including a lack of supporting documentation for other expenses, inaccurate utility customer billings, payment of late fees and failure to provide timely responses to the auditors requests for information. A response by the Village Board, included in the audit letter, said that in addition to accepting Millers resignation, the governing board proposed to implement a host of changes that respond to the auditor teams findings. Those include a time clock to better track employee hours, a different review process for payroll, a more stringent oversight of purchasing cards and reimbursement of expenses and more. Foley said he believes Litchfield can right the ship, I have no doubt that it can be done, much to the benefit of the municipality as a whole and the taxpayers who pay for its operations. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX An image widely shared across social media makes several misleading and outright inaccurate claims about public health agencies, the funding those agencies receive, and the pharmaceutical industry. Just think about this.. pic.twitter.com/RmjiZZ0opH Joseph Varon (@joevaron) August 22, 2024 The posts make three specific claims: The FDA receives 45 percent of its annual budget from the pharmaceutical industry. The World Health Organization gets roughly 50 percent of its budget from private sources, including Bill Gates and Big Pharma. The CDC is a vaccine company; it owns 56 vaccines patents and buys and distributes $4.6 billion in vaccines annually through the Vaccines for Children program. Thats not science, the post adds. Thats business. The first claimthat the Food and Drug Administration derives 45 percent of its budget from the pharmaceutical industryis true, but missing important context. The FDAs annual At a Glance report, issued in January 2024, disclosed that user fees made up 47 percent of the agencys $6.7 billion budget in 2023. The FDA may charge user fees to pharmaceutical companies, such as when a company applies for FDA approval or review of a product. The user fees are authorized by Congress, and Congress determines the FDAs budget. The FDA also charges user fees to companies outside the pharmaceutical industry, such as tobacco producers. The second claimthat the World Health Organization, a global health agency of the United Nations, receives about half its funding from Bill Gates and Big Pharmais completely false. Contributions to WHO come largely from public funds. In both assessed and voluntary funding, [U.N.] Member States contribute directly nearly 60 percent of the programme budget, and another 14 percent comes from other organizations in the United Nations system, the WHO states on its website. Nearly 10 percent of WHOs funds come from philanthropic foundations, predominantly the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. According to the organizations 2023 financial statements, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation donated the most of any non-state contributor that yeara total of $356 million. The next largest non-state WHO contributor in 2023 was Gavi, the Vaccine Alliancea public-private partnership that promotes immunization effortswhich gave a total of $260 million. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation donation accounted for 10.7 percent of WHOs financing, while Gavi contributed 7.8 percent. The third claimthat the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a vaccine company that owns 56 vaccine patents and distributes $4.6 billion in vaccines annuallyis misleading and missing context. The CDC is a federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, and it is permitted to own or jointly own patent licenses for vaccines the agency helps develop. When the CDC researchers partner and collaborate with private companies and academic institutions for vaccine research and development, the CDC will often be listed on the patent as an assignee. Yes, CDC does hold patents relating to vaccines, Nicholas Spinelli, a public affairs specialist at the CDC, told the Dispatch Fact Check. In fact, the CDC is an assignee on 206 patent technologiesand on 84 vaccine patent technologies, according to the U.S. National Institutes for Health, the CDCs parent agency. The CDC does distribute vaccines through its Vaccines for Children program (VFC), but the agency purchases the vaccines at a discounted price and provides them to health-care providers to distribute to children. It is unclear where the $4.6 billion figure mentioned in the social media posts derives from. The Congressional Research Servicea nonpartisan research agency in the federal governmentestimated that the VFC budget was $7.213 billion in fiscal year 2024. Importantly, the VFC budget is not devoted entirely to vaccine spending, but also contributes to state and local vaccine administration programs, as well as employee payroll expenses. If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. A Virginia Beach man charged this month with stabbing his ex-wife and stepdaughter, fleeing with his three biological children and then causing a car crash that killed the youngest and injured the other two made his first local court appearance Thursday. Dana Plummer, who also was injured in the Aug. 15 crash off a Maryland highway, was extradited on Wednesday to Virginia Beach, where hes being held without bond in the city jail. Plummer made his first court appearance via video Thursday in the citys Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Judge Cheshire Eveleigh informed him of the many charges he faces, and scheduled a bond hearing for Friday. Among the counts against him is one accusing him of maliciously wounding a pregnant woman, and names his ex-wife as the victim. After the hearing, Plummer agreed to be interviewed at the jail by reporters from The Virginian-Pilot and three local TV stations. The series of events leading to his arrest began when Plummer allegedly stabbed his ex-wife and her 12-year-old daughter in their home, then fled with his sons, ages 7 and 5, and his 16-month-old daughter. A statewide Amber Alert was issued, and Plummers vehicle was located hours later by state police in Northern Virginia. Officers attempted to pull him over, then followed him into Maryland, where he crashed into two other vehicles. Plummers daughter was pronounced dead after being flown to a childrens hospital, and he and his sons were taken to hospitals for treatment. In Thursdays interview, Plummer made a series of unsubstantiated claims, including that he was trying to protect his children. He said he was heading to his aunts home in Washington when the crash occurred, and that his daughter was in a child safety seat in the backseat, and both sons were wearing seat belts. He also said he prays his boys are safe, and that his daughter is now with his own mother, who also is deceased. Virginia Beach court records show local police became concerned about Dana Plummer in March, when he was seen displaying paranoid behavior while armed with a shotgun in a restaurant with his sons. Officers sought a court order that would require him to hand over any firearms he had, and to prevent him from purchasing or possessing them. A judge later granted the order, and Plummer voluntarily surrendered four guns. On Aug. 2, Plummers 14-year career with the Navy ended when he was separated from the service. A Navy spokesperson declined to say whether it was a voluntary or involuntary action. Plummer said on Thursday that he was never notified of the action. Jane Harper, jane.harper@pilotonline.com Students in a classroom. (Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images) The Virginia Board of Education on Wednesday approved the final touches on the states Every Student Succeeds Act plan, designed to address concerns with how schools were rated and student performance was measured to determine better how to direct state resources. During the special meeting in Richmond, the board approved Virginias ESSA plan, readiness weighting for different grade levels, and the overall school performance and support framework proposal as part of its package of accountability system changes. Compared to the existing system, the new regulations are splitting the states accreditation system into two: an accreditation system, to assess whether schools meet all requirements laid out in state laws and regulations; and an accountability system, to provide timely and transparent information on student and school performance. VDOE staff said this plan helps meet the boards goals of setting and assisting students in meeting high expectations and supporting learning loss recovery by ensuring the school performance framework holds schools accountable for actual performance. Whether that is human resources or financial resources, whatever it is, targeted support is absolutely what this is, said Board President Grace Creasey, an appointee of Gov. Glenn Youngkin, like most members of the board, following the groups vote. Based on 2022-23 data, VDOE projects that 60.5% of schools are off track or would need intensive support according to the new accountability system standards, meaning they are significantly or not meeting the states expectation for growth, achievement, and readiness. Compared to the existing system, 11.5% of schools were found not fully accredited, with conditions. Youngkin, who directed the board to split the accountability system into two, suggested earlier in his tenure that the decisions by previous administrations created an inaccurate picture of the state of K-12 public education in Virginia as identified by state and national assessments. Board member Mashea Ashton stated that the old system identified schools needing support and resources. Still, it didnt give schools the data they needed to use their resources appropriately to target the students who needed it most such as English language learner students, who were excluded from that data. Chad Alderman, a co-consultant on the redesign, said the new accountability system will require more schools to examine a greater number of student groups than under the previous system. And when more schools have to pay attention to more groups of students, thats a good thing, said Board member Andy Rotherham. Board Vice President Bill Hansen added that in so many ways, this is such a wonderful opportunity for us to change our system bring accountability, bring transparency, bring innovation into this conversation. Data collection on assessments is underway, and full implementation of the plan will begin in the 2025-26 school year. Some members of the public who spoke at Wednesdays meeting were perplexed by the changes, after Virginias education system helped the commonwealth earn CNBCs rating as the top state for business in 2024. CNBC examined Virginias K-12 public schools and higher education institutions. The board also faced criticism regarding the accountability changes from speakers who claimed the changes will increase current inequities for students, require teachers to earn additional certifications to teach accelerated coursework in middle school mathematics, science, history and social science, and require more English learners to be considered in accountability calculations. English learners are typically excluded because some children are learning English for the first time and may need more time to become proficient in the language. The board said the new rules would reduce the number of semesters English learners are excluded from the calculations from 11 to three. Under the previous regulations, approximately 35,000 students were excluded. Do you know how many students cannot access advanced classes due a language disability, cost or availability? asked parent Vanessa Hall. We asked for equitable support for student success; instead, these measures punish schools with too many low income English language learning or disabled students. Hall added that the measures throws them under the bus and challenged the board to learn a language in three semesters in order to take science and history tests. Other speakers embraced the changes. Todd Truitt, a parent with children in Arlington schools, said he supported the newly adopted accountability framework, the middle school accelerated coursework readiness factor and changes to give school districts extra credit for students successfully taking Algebra before the eighth grade. He also pointed to a social media post from former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who supported updating the accountability framework and said that Lying to parents about how their children are doing academically is definitely the easier path, but it is always the wrong path. Truitt added that with the changes, Virginia will finally live up to its responsibility to students, parents and communities with proper disclosure of academic performance data. Last month, the board successfully approved its newly designed Standards of Accreditation regulations, separating the existing system because information about the quality of schools or student learning outcomes wasnt clearly delineated. In addition, the existing system used the process for accrediting schools as an accountability system to foster school improvement, instead of fostering the establishment of effective school-level educational programs. The ESSA plan is subject to revision by the U.S. Department of Education. According to Todd Reid, a spokesman with VDOE, the federal agency will have 90 days to review and approve the revisions to the ESSA state plan. The changes they are making are consistent with components of other states plans that have been approved by USDOE previously, Reid wrote in an email to the Mercury. Anne Holton, an appointee of Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam and former state secretary of education, said she disagreed that the new accountability system enhances transparency. She said the previous system was developed in 2018-2019. She also said the development process of the new system ignored feedback from parents and members of other academic organizations, some who claimed that it was wrongheaded and not fully flushed out. I certainly cant say that its perfect in every way, and I think there are some legitimate improvements that the new framework would make, Holton said of the splitting of the system, but I think that [the new system] is fundamentally flawed in a number of ways. Holton said many people have said there is an issue with the honesty gap the perceived difference between how students in Virginia fared on state assessments versus national assessments but she believes the state should address the support gap for schools, which has spanned across different administrations. Thats what we need to do next, Holton said. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Sen. Tim Kaine believes in marking milestones. As he approached his third decade in public service this year, Kaine said he took time to reflect before seeking another term in the Senate. He had already served as a city councilman, mayor, governor and Virginia senator for two terms, and ran as the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2016. Maybe it was time for a new chapter? I really grappled with what was the right answer, he said. I wanted to do either (decision) whole-heartedly. Kaine ultimately concluded this wasnt the right time to step away. He is running for his third Senate term and faces Republican political newcomer Hung Cao, who has former President Donald Trumps support. During a Monday interview with The Virginian-Pilot, he discussed the concerns that kept him in politics and shared his thoughts on this years unprecedented presidential election. Its been a whipsaw of a two months, he said. This summer was marked by political upheaval. President Joe Bidens debate performance in June caused panic among some Democrats and sowed divisions within the party about whether the 81-year old should halt his bid for re-election. A gunman attempted to assassinate Trump at a campaign rally just two weeks later. Kaine described the debate as painful, but said he understood why the president wasnt pressured to drop out sooner. President Biden did a great job at the State of the Union, he said. Not only was the speech great but he stayed in the chamber visiting with everybody I dont think anybody was in a position before June 27 to say Hey, weve got to go a different direction.' Kaine, however, noted presidential debates are always held in September or October. He suspects Bidens campaign may have offered to debate earlier this year to ensure there would be time to change candidates if problems arose. Kaine, who never added his voice to the public chorus calling on Biden to step aside, said his gut told him the president would make the right call. Biden later withdrew from the race in July and was replaced by Vice President Kamala Harris. Kaine said Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are off to a strong start and have unified the party. But hes still expecting a tight race to the White House. Explaining economic issues are a priority for most voters, he urged the candidates to tout the Biden administrations record on infrastructure, job creation and new business registrations. Democracy and freedom are good (campaign themes) but put the economy in and have there be three pillars, he said. The Republican economic message is so simple and straightforward, cut taxes and cut regulation and theyve had that as the theme since Reagan. The Democrats never had a simple theme so how about one that takes advantage of the Biden-Harris accomplishments Make, Build, Grow? As for his own campaign, Kaine said he isnt taking anything for granted. But if re-elected, he hopes to focus on unfinished business related to immigration reform. Its a heated issue, but he sees reasons to hope for a bipartisan solution. The unemployment rate in this country is low and the birth rate is low, he said. We are not going to meet the needs of the shipbuilding industry or hospitals or hotels without a workforce-based immigration reform bill. Kaine, who was governor of Virginia during the 2007 mass shooting at Virginia Tech, said he also has more work left to do on firearms. He wants to continue pushing for measures, like magazine limitations and universal background checks, aimed at reducing gun violence. Strengthening alliances abroad would be another priority, he said. Kaine co-sponsored legislation last year, which was passed as part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act, to prohibit any president from withdrawing from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization without congressional approval. Its the one thing that China and Russia never really have had, although you see them realizing as theyre watching whats going on in Ukraine that they better be closer together because NATO and other alliances like that are such a value add for the democracies, he said. I really feel like more work in the diplomacy space to strengthen alliances both for military and other cooperations is something Im really excited to be (a part of) in the future. Katie King, katie.king@virginiamedia.com ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) The Elmira City Council is working with Chemung County to resolve a clerical matter that caused a vote on a new gunshot detection system for the city to be withdrawn. The plan is to install a network of 40 microphones to poles around Elmira to help pinpoint shooting locations. Police Chief Kristen Thorne said the system will speed up response times to shooting scenes. Chief Thorne says the system is designed to tell the difference between gunfire, and fireworks or a backfiring car. The resolution stated the price of a two-year subscription with SHI was $66,553.85. In an email to 18 News, City Manager Michael Collins said Mondays vote was pulled after the Director of the Chemung County Purchasing Department raised concerns about a clerical matter discovered during a review of the paperwork. Gunshot detection system, other votes ahead for Elmira City Council Collins says the Chemung County Purchasing Department provides the city with purchasing support. He added the city is reviewing the paperwork with the county to finalize the path forward. Collins did not say if the vote would be back on the agenda for the next City Council meeting on September 9th. 18 News reached out to the Chemung County Executives Office Thursday afternoon to ask about the nature of the clerical error, and when the county expects it to be resolved. As of this publication, we have not received a response. Resolution 2024-285, sponsored by Mayor Dan Mandell, reads as follows: RESOLVED, that the communication from the City Manager regarding the Citys purchase of a two-year subscription for a police gun-shot detection system from SHI, be received and placed on file; and be it further RESOLVED, the City Council of the City of Elmira, New York does hereby approve the purchase of a two-year subscription from SHI for police gun-shot detection system for a total subscription price of $66,553.85; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Citys purchase of a subscription will be made using the Sourcewell Cooperative thereby eliminating the need to conduct formal bidding requirements; and be it further RESOLVED, that LETECH Grant funds will be used for the purchase. A LETECH grant is a law enforcement technology grant from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. In a letter dated August 26, 2024, City Manager Collins told the Mayor and Councilmembers: The Police Chief is recommending the purchase of a two-year subscription for a Police gun-shot detection system from SHI. The system detects when a gun shot goes off and the microphones to poles around the City triangulate where the gun shot came from allowing a quicker police response time. The two-year subscription price is $66,553.85. The City will use the Sourcewell Cooperative eliminating the need for the City to solicit formal bids. LETECH Grant funds will be used to purchase the subscription. The following resolution authorizes this purchase. Mayor Mandell told 18 News the system does not pick up any other sounds, like conversations. One of the residents had a concern whether it would be listening to conservations. Thats not what its for. It strictly picks up sounds relating to gunshots based on the decibel sound that the gunshot makes, to distinguish it between gunshots and possible fireworks. So thats what the program actually does, Mayor Mandell added. Its very beneficial for the police department to pinpoint where these shots are happening so they can respond quicker and catch the perpetrators that are shooting the guns. The resolution is for approving a two-year subscription from SHI for a police gun-shot detection system utilizing the Sourcewell Cooperative and using LETECH Grant funds for the purchase of the subscription price of $66,553.85. The LETECH Grant is awarded by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. Last summer, Elmira received a $383,147 New York State grant for the Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative. The money allowed the Elmira Police Detective Bureau to hire two full-time investigators to focus on gun crimes. Public records show a 33% year-to-year drop in gunshot calls in the city of Elmira in the first quarter of 2024. 14 gunshots were reported from January through May. Thats down from 21 reported gunshots during the same time in 2023. 18 News is working to obtain gunshot reports through August of 2024. The Elmira City Council did approve a different purchase for the Police Department at Mondays meeting. Councilmembers unanimously approved $77,064.42 to buy new Motorola radios and equipment. The money is also from LETECH grant funds. In a letter to Mayor Mandell and councilmembers, City Manager Collins wrote: The Police Chief is recommending the purchase of new Motorola radios for the Department. The total cost of the order is $77,064.42, which will be paid by LE TECH Grant monies. The purchase cost is based on New York State Contract pricing. Therefore, it does not require formal bid procedures. The following resolution authorizes this purchase. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. I will vote for her if she agrees to sell her house: Brentwood locals joke about Harriss presence in their neighborhood Vice President Kamala Harris neighbors are divided over the fanfare that accompanies the Democratic nominee when she stays at her Los Angeles area home. I will vote for her if she agrees to sell her house, one neighbor joked to the Wall Street Journal. Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff have been escaping the Washington, DC, circus for years and venturing to their sprawling California home in the Brentwood neighborhood but the second couple have been using this residence more and more since Harris has moved to the top of the Democratic ticket. The posh Brentwood enclave is known for its oceanside views, trendy restaurants and attracting A-listers. Reese Witherspoon, Tom Hanks, Gwyneth Paltrow and LeBron James have all at one point called the neighborhood home. Emhoff reportedly bought the property he shares with Harris for $2.7 million in 2012 it is now valued at more than $5.3 million. The Democratic presidential nominee has stopped at the Brentwood home for different fundraising events in recent weeks. A security motorcade and media attention follows her to the typically quiet neighborhood, prompting a range of emotions from locals, the Journal reported. Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harriss neighbors are divided on the fanfare that follows the Vice President when she escapes to her Brentwood, California, home (REUTERS) Some residents are excited by the fanfare, while others are less than thrilled to have the motorcade and extra security in their neighborhood. Im not from DC, so its really cool for me, another told the outlet. You see celebrities here, but not politicians. One Brentwood resident told the outlet: Very annoying to be their neighbor. Another groaned: The streets always shut down. A Secret Service spokesperson told the Journal the agency works closely with communities to minimize disruptions whenever possible without compromising critical safety measures. We regret any inconveniences our presence may cause, the spokesperson continued. No matter the reaction, Harris presence in the neighborhood undoubtedly changes the dynamic. While the dynamic shift may be new to Brentwood, its not new to the world of politics. Every president has a place of retreat outside of DC: President Joe Biden ventures to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Donald Trump flocked to his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida, and Barack Obama escaped to Marthas Vineyard. Even in DC, a place where residents are more used to political fanfare, locals complain about the disruption that comes with the election cycle. Earlier this week, neighbors of JD Vance grumbled about the Secret Services announcement that it planned to temporarily close a local park to provide security for Trumps running mate. I am all for protecting people, but if that park is such a danger, he should probably move, one person suggested in the comments section of ALX Now, which first reported the closure. The park belongs to the city and the people of Alexandria, not his protection staff. And to be perfectly honest, a true Republican would not want the government infringing on other peoples rights. We voted to create commonsense water management rules. Arizona ignored us Last August, following a public hearing, the Arizona Department of Water Resources adopted its management goal for the citizen-approved Douglas Active Management Area. I objected to the goal and subsequently filed a Judicial Review of Administrative Decision appeal. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney is expected to issue a ruling soon, and the future of rural Arizona hangs in the balance. Why such a dramatic statement? Douglas AMA plan could set precedent The case before the judge addresses two important aspects of groundwater management, and by ADWRs arguments, would set major precedents. Ill do my best to explain the situation as I see it. As mentioned in a previous op-ed, Arizonas 1980 groundwater code policy is to address problems caused when withdrawal of groundwater is greatly in excess of the safe annual yield and to protect the welfare of this state and its citizens. Of Arizonas five initial Active Management Areas (AMAs), three aimed explicitly for safe-yield, meaning a balance of water supply and demand. Of the remaining two, Santa Cruz added a more specific target to prevent local water tables from experiencing long-term declines, and the Pinal AMA targeted the necessity to preserve future water supplies for non-irrigation uses which, of course, implies the eventual stabilization of groundwater levels. ADWR broke with this precedent in designing a goal for the Douglas AMA, where the aim is to support water users in the basin by reducing the rate of aquifer depletion. Why not try to stabilize water levels? A sunset view in McNeal, one of the communities included in the Douglas Active Management Area. Why no safe-yield or stabilized water tables for the Douglas Basin, as most residents requested? The agencys answer was published in its summary of the public hearing: The proposed goal is tailored to the unique supply and demand conditions in the Douglas AMA. Not much of an explanation. But the departments recent appeal filings gave a more revealing answer. It referred to comments from the Arizona Farm Bureau and Nav Athwal, a California agriculture investor with holdings in the Douglas basin. Athwal requested that the management goal for the Douglas AMA should allow for long-term depletion of the aquifer because, he said, our basin doesnt get Central Arizona Project or other surface water supplies. Let that sink in. Because our groundwater supplies are more limited than other AMAs, we should forgo efforts to stabilize our aquifer. And ADWR agrees with Athwal. Locals should get to use our water first In my first public comment to the Arizona Department of Water Resources, I asked about giving preference to local water users in an AMA. Ultimately, its goal was in service of water users in the basin. The department made clear in its brief that it means all water users, regardless of residency and citizenship. Despite agency officials protest, its clear that theyre avoiding their statutory duty. Roughly 50% of the irrigated land in our basin belongs to eight companies from California and Minnesota. Arizona will never solve: Its water issues like this Why does it matter whether commercial water users are based locally or elsewhere? Because when our limited water resources are commodified, the profits should go to locals and support our local economies, not the pockets of shareholders in other states. Worse than a dry well is not having money to deepen it because your local economy is suffering. (Its a common misconception that a locals first policy would limit growers to local markets. The issue is about who the seller is, not the buyer.) State can prioritize water use. It refuses to Is it xenophobic to give preference to local water users? Ask that of Mexican farmers in Totalco currently protesting the extraction of groundwater by U.S. corporations in their basin. Of course, its not. Water resources are subject to the public trust doctrine, which gives each state the responsibility to protect those resources for their citizens. As recently as 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed that each State has full jurisdiction over the lands within its borders, including the beds of streams and other waters, and the principle that one State may not physically enter another to take water in the absence of an express agreement. Its not that the Arizona Department of Water Resources cannot prioritize water access for Arizona growers and residents in our basin. Or that it cannot help us stabilize our water tables. Theyre simply refusing to. And by their logic, it will be the same for the Willcox basin and much of rural Arizona. If youre wondering whether politics and corporate lobbyists are influencing their decisions, Id say youre asking the right questions. Christian Sawyer is a techno-economic researcher who lives in the Douglas groundwater basin area in southeastern Arizona. Reach him at cjsawyer@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona refuses to put teeth in Douglas AMA's water management plan A Sioux Falls resident votes in a primary election on June 4, 2024, at the downtown library. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) Just when we thought bipartisanship was dead in South Dakota, Democrats have joined Republicans in opposing Amendment H. That amendment, on the ballot in November, creates what detractors are calling a jungle primary. All candidates for office at the gubernatorial, congressional, legislative and county levels would be listed on the primary ballot, regardless of party affiliation. All voters would be allowed to vote in the primary with the top two finishers in each race going on to the general election in November. In the case of the state House of Representatives, where two candidates are elected, the top four finishers would advance out of the primary. The sponsors of Amendment H say its passage will be an antidote to the Republican dominance in South Dakota politics. They claim it will open primaries to all voters, ending the closed Republican primaries that allow just a few people to decide who serves in the Legislature. Election 2024 Visit South Dakota Searchlights Election 2024 page for more election news, commentary and resources. The states Republican Party has been against the concept since it was first introduced. I dont think downtown Sioux Falls should be deciding who we should have on our general election ballot, Republican Party Chairman John Wiik told South Dakota Searchlight when the Amendment H petition drive kicked off. Its an old adage of mine: pick a side and stick with it. If you run in the middle of the road, youre bound to get run over. Occupying the middle of the road are some of the more than 150,000 South Dakotans registered as independents or with no political affiliation, who get to help pay for the Republican primary but are not allowed to cast their ballots. Republican leaders are convinced thats OK. Instead of letting those who pay for the primaries take part in them, they are more concerned with keeping Republican bloodlines pure. While adamantly opposed to Amendment H, Republicans havent felt the urge to open their wallets and pay for their share of the cost of a primary. Concern about GOP dominance in the state has sparked Amendment H, yet Republicans havent offered to make their candidate selections in a caucus or a convention. It makes sense that if its really that important to ensure that only Republicans decide who represents the party, that party should be willing to take on some of the cost or put in some extra effort. Originally taking no stand on the amendment, the Democratic Party has come out against Amendment H as well. Democrats have allowed independents to vote in their primaries for more than 10 years. While that seems like a generous offer, those primaries are rare. In June, Republicans had 44 legislative primaries. Democrats had one. Democrats fear that they may be overwhelmed if Amendment H becomes law. Running for legislative office seems to be a new Republican badge of honor. The GOPs 44 primaries included 121 candidates. District 30 in the Black Hills had six Republican House candidates for two places on the ballot. Democrats, with 47 total legislative candidates, are rightly afraid of getting lost in the crowd. Theyd much rather have their candidates just show up on the general election ballot instead of fighting their way through a crowded primary scrum. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The weakness of the Democratic Party in South Dakota can be seen in the number of candidates they have on the November ballot. In July and August there was a flurry of Democratic candidates dropping out of their legislative races. While many were replaced by new candidates, some were not. As it stood recently, Democrats had 16 candidates for the 35-member Senate and 31 candidates for the 70-member House. Even in the unlikely event that all of the Democrats on the ballot are elected, they have still ceded control of both chambers to Republicans before a single ballot has been cast. This turn of events comes in a year when Democrats did a better-than-usual job of recruiting candidates. No wonder they are worried that the passage of Amendment H will overwhelm them on the primary ballot so that there will be only Republican candidates left to slug it out in the general election. The turnout for primary elections can be remarkably low. Just 17% of registered voters cast ballots in the June primary. While Amendment H backers hope opening the primary to all voters will increase participation, they are at the same time asking voters to make a significant change in their voting system. If Amendment H passes, South Dakota will be left with an open primary that closely resembles a general election. Opening the political party primaries to all registered voters is a good idea as it lets the people who are paying for the election take part in the process. However, replacing the entire primary system with a new method for choosing candidates may be too much for voters to swallow. Voters rejected the last two Jackson County tax increases. Could No. 3 be the charm? Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. Jackson County voters twice rejected tax increases in the past 10 months, both by big margins. Last fall it was a new sales tax on online purchases that lost by a landslide. Then a 40-year stadium sales tax to support the Royals and Chiefs failed resoundingly at the polls in April. Now the countys elected officials are crossing their fingers as they try again. This time its for a property tax levy that would raise millions of dollars to support social programs for people of retirement age. If it passes, Jackson County would join Clay, Platte, Ray and more than 50 other Missouri counties that already levy a property tax to finance their own senior citizens services fund to help people who are 60 and above live independently as they get older. But getting enough yes votes could be a challenge, legislator Manny Abarca warned as he and his seven colleagues in attendance for the tax vote decided unanimously Monday to put the question to voters in the November general election. The intent I 100% agree with, absolutely positively, he said. But the reality is that because of the state of where we are, the reality that we have lost two other tax initiativesI worry about this. He said taxpayers are already frustrated about their rising property tax bills as a result of the 2023 reassessments that hiked values and noted a lack of public awareness about the goals of the tax. It was added to the legislatures agenda only this month and got its first and only public hearing on Monday. During that half hour session, only supporters of the proposed senior levy gave testimony, and there was no discussion of what the specific financial impact would be on individual homeowners. Tax would raise millions The Stars spot check of county records showed that the owner of a house worth $345,000 would likely pay about $33 more in taxes every year, based on the proposal to levy a nickel tax on every $100 of the assessed value of a piece of real estate. According to legislator Donna Peytons office, who co-sponsored the proposal with colleague Jalen Anderson, the tax would raise roughly $8-10 million a year. The money would go into a special fund administered by a seven-member board appointed by the county legislature. State lawmakers passed the enabling legislation 35 years ago that lets Missouri counties create senior services funds, if their voters authorize it. In our area, voters in Clay, Platte and Ray counties approved such funds that support agencies that provide older people with meals, transportation, home repairs and other services. Tax supporters say a new Jackson County program would do the same by easing the financial burdens that now limit what services nonprofits can provide. Our funding has helped seniors get the safety modifications and home repairs to help older adults to be able to stay in their homes, Tina Uridge, executive director of Clay County Senior Services told county legislators. We helped to make up the funding shortage for five senior centers so that they could improve staffing programs to meet in the nutritional needs of our community, and were providing wellness programs to keep seniors healthy and active, to prevent social isolation. Missouri Counties with Senior Fund Tax Levies Help is needed, advocates say More than 20 social services groups, ranging from Habitat for Humanity, to the AARP and the Missouri Council on Aging, wrote letters of support this month urging legislators to put the measure on the ballot. Janet Baker, executive director of the KC Shepherds Center, led off the hearing by noting that voters passed a sales tax in 2016 that pours millions of sales tax dollars into a Jackson County Childrens Services Fund. Older people who voted for and paid taxes for decades to support others now deserve help, too, she said. And those needs will only grow, she said, as more and more the baby boomers retire, with Gen XZ right behind them. Seniors are the ones who vote for the childrens levies, the school levies, libraries, the mental health fund, the blind pension, bonds to support Jackson County, and frankly, all of you, she told legislators. These are the people who have reliably paid their taxes to support Jackson County for decades longer than anyone else. All these seniors and the organizations that help them remain safely in their homes are asking is: Do they count too? Supporters plan to create a campaign committee to push passage of the tax, said Uridge, who is also president of Missouri Association of Levy Boards and Senior Organizations. WA House passed tax-free weekend of school shopping in 2022. Why was it never created? Summer is coming to a close and the new school year is here. With that comes searching for the best deals for back to school shopping. Several states like Florida, Alabama and Mississippi offer a tax-free weekend to help save some dough when filling up your cart. However, Washington does not offer this incentive for residents. But why not? Heres what to know, and some alternative tips on saving on shopping in the 2024 school year. WA almost approved a tax free weekend in 2022 Washington nearly implemented a tax-free weekend back in 2022. Under the proposal, sales tax wouldnt be charged between Sept. 3 and Sept. 5 of that year on purchases of items under $1,000. Tobacco, marijuana and alcohol products didnt qualify for the exemption, and neither did meals, services or travel purchases. The measure aimed to provide relief for families still struggling financially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, while also encouraging them to shop at local businesses on Labor Day weekend. Whether your kids need pencils, notebooks or a new computer this fall, this bill will ensure its a little easier on your bank account this Labor Day, Alicia Rule, one of the bills co-sponsors, said in a statement at the time. Theres no single solution to solve the pressure that working families are facing, but this is one good bill to help us all find a little relief. The bill made it through the House by a 91-7 vote, but it met a different fate in the Senate, as it didnt make it out of the Ways and Means committee. Why doesnt Washington have a tax free weekend? 2022 wasnt the first time the state has considered a tax-free weekend in an email to McClatchy, the Department of Revenue estimated that similar proposals have been put forward nearly half a dozen times over the last decade, including several in the 2013 to 2014 legislative cycle. So why did Washingtons Senate reject the tax-free weekend back in 2022 after it passed the House by such a wide margin? According to a spokesperson for the State Senate Democratic Caucus, there were several reasons that the Senate didnt approve of the measure. First of all, the policy sounds better in theory than it is in practice, as tax-free weekends havent been found to cause a significant increase on economic activity. Additionally, lawmakers were concerned that it would disproportionately benefit the wealthy, who have enough saved up to spend large amounts in one weekend. There were also concerns that it would cause administrative issues for the Department of Revenue, and cost local government millions in tax revenue, all with little benefit, according to caucus staff. Lastly, lawmakers were concerned about the legality of a tax-free weekend under the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement, which governs how member states collect sales tax from retailers that operate across different states, including out-of-state online retailers that ship to Washington. Although the Evergreen State doesnt have a tax-free weekend, there are still ways to save money this back-to-school season. Where can I get the best deals for back to school? If you live near the border with Oregon, where they do not have general sales tax, you can take a road trip for shopping. But if road trips arent your thing, you can still save big by scrounging through your local store ads and searching for the best deals: Walmart currently has deals on computers, supplies, book bags, clothing and more. Target has deals on school supplies for kids and college students as well as office supplies for teachers. Staples has notebooks starting at 35 cents, pencils for 50 cents, backpacks for $20, calculators for $119 and more. WA state superintendent calls on schools to limit cell phone use. Heres why The Washington state Superintendent of Public Instruction is encouraging local school leaders to limit cell phone use during instructional time by changing policies over the next year. Chris Reykdal, the state superintendent, called for new school policies regarding cell phone and smart device use in a news release Wednesday. The guidance calls for school leaders to work with their local communities to update their policies by the start of the 2025-26 school year. This messaging comes as many schools across the state and nation have started to restrict or plan to restrict cell phone use to improve education and health outcomes. Reducing the use of cell phones in class improves concentration and learning, improves mental and physical health, and reduces pressures caused by social media, Reykdal said in the guidance document. Specifically, Reykdal suggests school leaders implement uniform, school-wide policies to create consistent expectations of students, staff and families. Exceptions may be implemented when educators need to use devices as part of a lesson plan or in the event of an emergency, Reykdal advises. Additionally, schools should accommodate students with disabilities who use devices to support their learning as part of their Individualized Education Program, the guidance says. About 79% of educators who teach in schools that allow educators to set rules found cell phone use to be very disruptive, according to a 2024 survey by National Education Association. About 90% of those surveyed said they would support restrictions on cell phone use. The guidance also highlights a case study from the Reardon-Edwall School District, which is located west of Spokane. The district implemented cell phone restrictions last school year. A quote from Reardan-Edwall School District Superintendent Eric Sobotta says the district engaged with staff and then parents over the summer to develop its own policy. The outreach reportedly included town halls, written communication and book studies. The guidance highlighted the following points from the Reardan-Edwall School District policy. Cell phones must be stored in a locker or cubby during the school day. High school students may use their cell phones during morning break and at lunch. Elementary students may give their phone to their teacher at the start of the day to be kept in a locked drawer in the classroom. Parents and guardians must leave a message with the school office to contact a student. Truthfully, it went way better than I thought it would last year, Sobotta said. It has not gone perfectly, but it did go well, and we are continuing our stance going into the 2024-25 school year. As the saying goes, now that we know better, we need to do better. Larry Delaney, president of the Washington Education Association, supported the guidance in a news release. We know that students succeed when they can focus on learning, Delaney said. These policies provide educators with support to create better learning environments and is a step forward in creating safer and healthier schools for our students. The efficacy of these policies improves when they are paired with other strategies, such as supporting student mental health and showing students how to safely use digital media. Joe Aune, executive director of the Washington Association of School Administrators, also supported the guidance. We want our students to develop healthy habits and digital citizenship skills that will serve them well in the future, Aune said. I am confident that school and district leaders will be thoughtful about implementing policies that support learning and well-being for all students. To that end, the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction says it is partnering with educators to integrate media literacy and digital citizenship into English language arts learning standards. Additionally, the state says their partnerships are working to help students learn about safe and ethical ways to use artificial intelligence. New rules around cellphones went into effect this week at several Tri-Cities schools just as the state superintendent for public education challenged all districts to consider stricter phone rules. Its all part of a broader trend of states, districts and schools cracking down on student cellphone access as growing research shows a correlation between increased phone use and more anxiety, bullying, depression and distraction. The research is clear: Reducing the use of cellphones in class improves concentration and learning, improves mental and physical health, and reduces pressures caused by social media, Superintendent Chris Reykdal said in a Wednesday statement. I am challenging all Washington school districts to engage their communities over the next year with a goal to reduce distractions during instructional time and determine a path for restricting cellphone and smart device use in class by the start of the 2025-26 school year, he continued. Starting this year, most high schools in the Tri-Cities will begin enforcing rules to restrict cellphones during class time, if they already werent, while middle schools adopt a stricter away for the day policy. Most allow exceptions for health reasons, students on individualized education programs or for students with disabilities. Enterprise and Carmichael middle school students in the Richland School District are expected to keep their cellphones away and out of sight from the first bell of the school day to the last. Students who violate the new policy will be asked to take their devices to the office to be picked up at the end of the school day. That includes smart watches. Richland and Hanford high school students in Richland cannot use their phones or earbuds during class time, but may use them during passing periods and at lunch. Earbuds can be used on Chromebooks for school work. Kennewick School District does not allow any student, from prekindergarten to 12th grade, to access or use their personal electronic device during class time, unless permission is granted by a teacher. This policy has been in the books since 2022, and Kennewick High School reportedly sent out a letter to parents before the start of school reminding them of it. Students at Pasco High School, Chiawana High School, Delta High School and New Horizons High School can use their phones during passing periods and lunch, but will no longer be allowed to use them during class. McLoughlin Middle School, Ochoa Middle School, Reynolds Middle School and Stevens Middle School students have been required since last year to keep their phones in their backpack and out of sight from the time they arrive on campus to the time they leave. At its Tuesday night meeting, the Richland School Board agreed to study the issue of stricter cellphone policies over the coming months while also engaging parents and teachers. Board member Bonnie Mitchell said theyve received emails from parents who are onboard with limiting phones Four of its schools are piloting new guidelines and, if theyre successful, could result in regulation district-wide. That new policy could be adopted and implemented as early as the second semester. Kennewick Superintendent Traci Pierce said in an email the intent of their district-wide policy is to limit distractions and promote engagement in academic activities. Schools across the district are renewing efforts to ensure the policy is consistently implemented, Pierce said. It is not surprising that the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is working to address the issue of cellphone use on a statewide level, and our local district policy aligns well with the new state guidance. Piling cellphone research Teachers say students are more distracted than ever, and cellphones are often a leading cause. Nearly three-quarters of high school teachers say students being distracted by cellphones is a major problem in their classroom, according to a November survey from the Pew Research Center. The share of middle and elementary school teachers who shared the same sentiment in the survey was 33% and 6%, respectively. Several years of research has shown unregulated cellphone use is detrimental to the mental health, focus and socialization of kids and teenagers, with reports showing that social media can leave them especially stressed, depressed and burdened. Children can also develop a separation anxiety to their devices known as nomophobia, as well as an addiction to the internet. These issues have the potential to impact a students overall academic performance. New OSPI guidance Cellphone ownership and social media use is nearly universal among teenagers and young adults, OSPI says, and research shows a link between social media use and poor sleep or depression. While many school districts have in place policies limiting phones, few have ones that expressly say where and how phones should be stored when not in use, the state agency says. Uniform school-wide policies that limit cellphone access during instructional time create ongoing and consistent expectations for students, staff and families, Reykdal said. District and building leaders may consider exceptions to consistent policies when an educator is expressly using devices as part of a lesson plan, or in the event of an emergency consistent with locally adopted policies. OSPI says schools should consider several aspects when re-examining phone policy and adopting new guidance, including instructional use, the learning environment, student mental and physical health, accommodations and safety. Efforts undertaken by the Reardon-Edwall School District are being highlighted by OSPI as it releases its new guidance. After the 2022-23 school year, the small Eastern Washington district made students keep their phones either in their lockers or cubbies. High school students are allowed to use their devices during the morning break or at lunch, while elementary students can give their phones to their teachers at the beginning of the day. To contact a student, parents or guardians leave a message with the schools front office. Truthfully, it went way better than I thought it would last year, said Reardan-Edwall Superintendent Eric Sobotta in a statement provided to OSPI. It has not gone perfectly, but it did go well and we are continuing our stance going into the 2024-25 school year. As the saying goes, now that we know better, we need to do better, he continued. In the last couple years, seven states have either adopted policies or statewide restrictions on cellphone use for students while either on campus or during class time. Those are Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia, according to Education Week. Earlier this year, the Washington Legislature considered a bill that would have piloted cellphone restrictions in some schools, tasked the Washington State School Directors Association with developing model policy, and eventually required school districts to adopt a policy restricting student mobile device use during class time. It ultimately failed to pass. Current Washington law does not expressly prohibit cellphones from school grounds or in classrooms, but instead allows individual school districts and boards the discretion to adopt and implement policy how they see fit. Pasco and Richland schools returned to class Tuesday, Aug. 27, and Kennewick returned Wednesday, Aug. 28. HONOLULU (KHON2) Max, a 42-pound, two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix, is ready to find his forever home. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Known for his adventurous spirit and playful personality, Max is treat-motivated and loves learning new tricks. He also enjoys long walks and snuggling up after a busy day. Max is a Reid Krucky recipient, which means his adoption fee is waived. This furry friend will make a majestic addition to your family He will come with an adoption starter kit to help him adjust to his new environment. Max would do best in a home without small animals. Prospective adopters can meet Max at the Hawaiian Humane Societys Kosasa Family Campus at Hoopili, open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news For more information on Max and other pets available for adoption, as well as details about the Clear the Shelters adoption event running through September 10, visit HawaiianHumane.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Want to beat the Labor Day traffic? New toll lanes open on the 10 Freeway in San Bernardino FasTrak express lanes on the 405 Freeway. New express lanes have opened in both directions on the 10 Freeway in San Bernardino County. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) This Labor Day weekend, motorists will be able to beat the congested traffic on the 10 Freeway in San Bernardino County by using newly opened toll lanes in both directions. After four years of construction, the new lanes opened Thursday, spanning 10 miles from the Los Angeles County line to Interstate 15, officials said. Drivers can create a FasTrak account online at sbexpresslanes.com to get the lowest toll price. Those without a FasTrak account can pay for tolls using the Pay Online feature within five days of their trip. There are several entry and exit points along the route, including near the Mountain Avenue, Fourth Street and Haven Avenue exits. Carpools with three or more passengers can use the SB Express Lanes for free if they have a FasTrak transponder. Vehicles with a Clean Air Vehicle decal from the state Department of Motor Vehicles will get a 10% discount if they have a FasTrak account, while qualifying low-income San Bernardino County residents who sign up for a FasTrak account will get a one-time credit for the express lanes. Disabled veterans who open a FasTrak account get toll-free travel. 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. Warning issued to people who use SENTRI lanes at San Ysidro Port of Entry SAN DIEGO (Border Report) Due to a rise in blind mule cases at the border, the Tijuana Police Department warns drivers to inspect their cars before crossing into San Diego. The term blind mule refers to someone who unknowingly carries drugs or unauthorized migrants through a port of entry. Fernando Sanchez Gonzalez, head of Tijuanas secretary of public safety, says those who use SENTRI lanes are most at risk. Theres no particular area where most of the incidents are happening, its all over the city, he said. People should check under their cars to see if something has been attached or hidden underneath. He is also asking citizens who may come across suspicious packages or items to immediately call 911. Legal border crossings up 3.3% at California ports of entry Let us know, well go out there and check to see if narcotics are involved, if so, well turn it over to prosecutors we dont want anyone having a problem as they try to cross the border into the United States while unknowingly carrying drugs or other contraband, Sanchez Gonzalez said. Sanchez Gonzalez told reporters about a case just a few days ago involving a man who found several packages that had been taped under his car. He said officers responded and inspected a Toyota Tacoma and spoke with the driver who was from Phoenix, Arizona. The three packages found contained almost four kilos of crystal meth. Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border Officers also found a GPS tracking device attached to the car. Border Report contacted U.S. Customs and Border Protection to see if CBP officers have noticed an increase in blind mule cases, but the agency has yet to respond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. WARREN COUNTY, Ohio (WDTN) A law enforcement presence in northern Warren County caused some to potentially hear loud noises on Wednesday. According to the Franklin Police Division, members of the Warren County Tactical Response Unit participated in an explosive breaching training session on Wednesday in Franklin. Police said Franklin residents may have heard loud booms near downtown Franklin during training. Troopers conducting Labor Day weekend traffic enforcement The Division posted a handful of photos shot during the training to social media. 2 NEWS compiled a few of the photos below: The city of Lebanon reports the WCTRU is made up of officials from numerous agencies throughout the county to respond to critical incidents, like a hostage situation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Washington: Check to see if you have unclaimed money Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Thursday that he had recovered more than $5.2 million, plus interest, that Washingtonians can claim through the states unclaimed property program. The money is coming our way because of Fergusons lawsuit over uncashed checks, issued by international money transfer company MoneyGram, according to a release published on Thursday. Washingtons unclaimed property program, which is administered by the State Department of Revenue, works to return unclaimed or abandoned funds and other property to its rightful owners. That can include uncashed checks, funds in bank accounts, insurance proceeds, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, consumer credits, and more. Search for unclaimed property in your name here. The AGs office says the $5.2 million is part of a more than $190 million resolution between Delaware and a bipartisan coalition of 30 states to ensure that the funds from the uncashed MoneyGram checks were returned to their states residents. This money belongs to Washingtonians, Ferguson said. The unclaimed property program helps return funds that are rightfully yours. Every Washingtonian should visit the unclaimed property programs website to see if they have funds waiting to be claimed. The funds come from uncashed prepaid MoneyGram checks that people can purchase from banks or credit unions. After the checks are purchased, the issuing financial institution pays MoneyGram the amount of the check. MoneyGram then uses the funds to reimburse the financial institution that cashes the check. If the check recipient fails to cash the check, the money becomes unclaimed property, said the release. The AGs office says, Delaware originally took possession of the funds regardless of where the checks were issued since MoneyGram is headquartered there. Ferguson and the bipartisan group of states sued Delaware, arguing that, under a federal law regulating abandoned money orders and travelers checks, the unclaimed funds should be returned to the states where the checks were issued to be disbursed as unclaimed property. The case was heard at the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in Fergusons and the states favor. According to the Department of Revenues unclaimed property website, Washingtons program has returned more than $1.5 billion in unclaimed funds to Washingtonians already. How to Watch Kamala Harris and Tim Walzs CNN Interview: What Time Does It Air? Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been under pressure to speak with reporters directly since accepting the Democratic Partys presidential nomination, will sit with CNN on Thursday for her first interview since Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 race. The interview will be a joint sit down with both Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The stakes for the pair are high, coming off of a successful convention, with Harris having to back up her unscripted interview skills. Heres everything you need to know about the sit-down interview with Harris and Walz. What time does the interview air? The sit-down interview will air as a primetime special on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 9 p.m. ET across CNNs platforms. Is the Harris interview streaming? The interview will air exclusively on CNN platforms for pay TV subscribers, including CNN International, CNN en Espanol, CNN Max, CNN.com, and on CNN apps. The interview will also be available on demand starting Friday, Aug. 30 for pay TV subscribers via CNN.com, CNN-connected TV and mobile apps, and Cable Operator Platforms. Who is conducting the interview? CNN anchor and chief political correspondent Dana Bash will be conducting the first joint interview of the pair. Bash will be interviewing Harris and Walz from the battleground state of Georgia, as they attempt to motivate voters to the polls in November. Bash has already played a role in this election cycle, moderating the June 27 debate between Donald Trump and Biden, which exposed the president to further criticism of his age, ultimately resulting in his withdrawal from the race. Harris most recent TV interview immediately followed Bidens poor debate performance, in which she joined CNNs Anderson Cooper to defend the President. The post How to Watch Kamala Harris and Tim Walzs CNN Interview: What Time Does It Air? appeared first on TheWrap. ROCK VALLEY, Iowa (KCAU) As Rock Valley continues to recover from the June floods, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Rock Valley officials have found a temporary solution to get students back in class on time. In the days following the flood, it really did seem unlikely that we would be able to start on time, or bring most of the students back to the school, Reynolds said. But if I know one thing about this community, where there is a will, there is a way. Flood-impacted teachers given classroom and book donations On Thursday morning, the governor held a press conference at the Rock Valley Community School to address the towns recovery, as well as the efforts made by the Rock Valley Community School District as they rebuild from flood damage. Quickly, we just had to move to how we are going to get students back, superintendent Matt Van Voorst said. So we came up with three priorities. Number one was to provide a safe and healthy learning environment. Number two, we needed to get our learning spaces done first. And number three, we wanted our students together in person. The solution is to house Rock Valley Middle School students in a temporary building equipped with six classrooms, each supplied with Wi-Fi and a smart board. This building makes it possible to bring the students in this community back together, Reynolds said. Again, it just helps them take a really big step forward in getting their life back to normal. With the temporary pod building, help from the local church, and a few classrooms ready in the school building, Rock Valley will be able to welcome students back just 75 days following the flooding. Next week, were going to have our students together for the first day of school, Van Voorst said. We will celebrate that were making it happen. Theres nothing like Rock Valley, nothing like the power of our community, and really whats even cooler than doing it on our own is that we all did it together. All FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers to close on Labor Day Kindergarten through second grade students will have classes at a local church. Students will be bussed to the school for lunch and to play on the playground and then be taken back to the church for afternoon classes. Rock Valley students will be welcomed back Sep. 5. Rock Valley Christian School, meanwhile, is starting on Sep. 4. You can watch a replay of Reynolds press conference below: Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Visitors take photos and gather at the lookout near Mather Point at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in 2022. (Robbin Goddard / Los Angeles Times) Pipeline leaks at the Grand Canyon will shut down overnight hotel accommodations over Labor Day weekend, the National Park Service announced Thursday. Officials found four significant breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline, reducing water supplies in the canyon and forcing multiple hotels inside the park to stop hosting overnight guests for the foreseeable future, according to a release. Hotels booked in Tusayan, the town outside the Grand Canyon, will not be affected. Water will be unavailable from spigots in South Rim dry campgrounds, but bathroom faucets will still work. Daytime food and beverage services will still be in operation. "We are asking residents and visitors to help conserve water by limiting showers to five minutes or less, turning off faucets while shaving or brushing teeth, flushing toilets selectively, washing laundry with full loads, and reporting leaks to the appropriate offices," the release said. Read more: Fecal fears pile up as an L.A. hiking mecca reopens without half its bathrooms Hikers are warned to carry enough water or methods of filtering creek water while walking. There are no campfires allowed on the South Rim or inner canyon areas. Built in the 1960s, the Transcanyon Waterline delivers water from the North Rim of the canyon to the South Rim, but it experiences frequent breaks and has exceeded its expected useful life, the park service said. There have been 85 major breaks along the waterline that have disrupted water delivery in the canyon since 2010. Contractors are building a new waterline to replace the damaged existing structure. It will cost $208 million and is expected to be completed in 2027. 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. Waukesha police cordoned off a several block area around the 200 block of Douglass Avenue, where a homicide suspect had barricaded himself inside a home late Sunday, Aug. 25. WAUKESHA - A 24-year-old man will face an intentional homicide count and two other criminal charges stemming from the death of his grandmother, who was shot Aug. 25 in their Waukesha home. Sean Couture, who according to online court documents resided in the house that his grandmother owned on Douglass Avenue, made his initial appearance in Waukesha County Circuit Court on Thursday. In addition to the homicide count, he was charged with failing to comply with an officer's attempt to take him into custody, a felony, and possession of a firearm while intoxicated, a misdemeanor. The charges are tied to an Aug. 25 incident in the 200 block of Douglass Avenue, where several neighbors had reported hearing gunshots at about 8:30 p.m., that resulted in an hourslong standoff involving tactical police personnel. The criminal complaint filed Thursday provided additional information beyond what Waukesha police had previously reported. Among those details was what led to the alleged confrontation with the 74-year-old victim, who police previously identified as Nancy Lovejoy, and how police finally ended the standoff. According to the complaint: Couture told police that Lovejoy had discovered a firearm he had purchased in June, precipitating an argument that quickly and violently escalated. Couture allegedly shot Lovejoy near the side-entry door and then dragged her inside. The Waukesha County Medical Examiner's office, which performed an autopsy, indicated that Lovejoy was shot six times. Couture then called his father, who was vacationing in Montana with his stepmother, to tell them what had happened. His stepmother then called police, authorities said. Couture waived his rights and spoke to police while he was being treated at a hospital for a bite to his wrist sustained when a Waukesha K9 police dog helped subdue him after police had employed a chemical agent to force Couture out of a bedroom and closer to the front door. Police had made several previous attempts to convince to convince him to surrender. Police used drones to locate both Couture and Lovejoy, who was seen lying motionless near the basement stairs. Her body was removed from the home prior to Couture's arrest. After executing a search warrant, police also found a semiautomatic gun and seven spent casings at the home. According to court documents, Couture could potentially face a sentence of life in prison if he is convicted on the intentional homicide charge, which includes modifiers of domestic abuse and the use of a dangerous weapon. (The least serious charge was tied to a blood test at the hospital, which found he had a 0.45 blood alcohol concentration at that time.) A preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 2. Couture's Waukesha County Public Defenders Office attorney listed in court documents did not immediately return a phone call asking for comment on behalf of Couture. Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Sean Couture charged in shooting death of his grandmother in Waukesha Wealthier households face paying more to subsidise the heating and power bills of the poorest homes this winter under plans presented to ministers. Energy industry representatives presented a plan to Miatta Fahnbulleh, the energy consumer minister, on Wednesday to help support the countrys poorest by increasing the Warm Home Discount. The scheme allows millions of low income households to claim 150 off their electricity and heating bills over winter. Under the proposals the payment could be more than doubled, funded either by raising the existing 20 levy added to all power bills or through taxation or a mixture of the two. It comes as ministers draw up plans to address a looming winter energy debt crisis. Arrears have already surged across the country in recent years and the Governments decision to scrap the winter fuel allowance for about 10m pensioners is expected to deepen the problem. Ms Fahnbulleh told the assembled executives that the Government would support vulnerable households this winter by delivering the Warm Home Discount to eligible low-income households. The Warm Home Discount maximum payment of 150 has hardly risen since the scheme was introduced over a decade ago when domestic dual fuel energy bills averaged about 1,200. Bills have since risen to an average of 1,669 and the amount on offer is now seen as completely inadequate for keeping poorer households out of debt. Energy UK, the trade body, and Citizens Advice, whose representatives attended the meeting, believe the payments must at least double to prevent debts surging any further. Energy UK said in a report last month: The quickest and most pragmatic way to improve short-term support is through reform of the Warm Home Discount to offer serious protection this 150 payment should be at least doubled for the most vulnerable households. Ms Fahnbulleh said: We are committed to putting in place winter support this October. We will be hashing out the details over the next month so that families that need it are protected in the colder months. Government statistics show that 3.1m households qualified for the Warm Home Discount last winter, a 646,000 increase on the previous winter. This is expected to rise again this coming winter. It means that over 10pc of British homes are deemed to be too poor to pay their own energy bills, with many of them getting ever deeper into debt. Domestic energy debts have risen from 1.3bn four years ago to 3.3bn today. Among British Gass 7.5m residential customers, debt surged massively from 501m in 2022 to 764m in 2023. EDF, with 5.2m domestic and business customers, reports 469,000 customers in debt owing 518m an average of 1,104 per household. In a statement issued after the meeting with industry, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: Energy suppliers must play their part to make sure struggling households are supported and do not fall into debt, and that those currently in debt or arrears are better protected. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Why workers still swelter, weeks after new heat standards took effect for indoor worksites California's new indoor heat standards are expected to apply to 1.4 million workers at a broad range of job sites, including industrial warehouses, commercial laundries and restaurant kitchens. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times) Alexia Rangel recalled sweating as she rang up customer orders at a Taco Bell in Alhambra during an early August heat wave. The air conditioning wasnt working, she and fellow workers said, and heat radiated from the grills in the kitchen. She remembers feeling dizzy a few hours into her shift, then her vision shifting to black and white. The color drained from her face, she said, and her lips turned purple. I nearly, almost passed out, recounted Rangel, 20. Despite new state regulations requiring workplaces to cool indoor climates when they reach unsafe levels, the temperature in the restaurants kitchen that day registered 104 degrees, according to a hand-held thermometer that Rangel said a co-worker showed her. Workers would include a photo of the temperature reading in a complaint filed with state regulators. After years of delays, Californias new rule regulating heat in indoor workplaces took effect in late July. The rule, adopted by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, lays out heat illness prevention measures for indoor workplaces. It requires employers to provide easy access to clean drinking water and cooling areas, and to monitor workers for signs of heat illness whenever work site temperatures reach or exceed 82 degrees. If temperatures climb to 87 degrees, or employees are required to work near hot equipment, employers must cool the work site or rotate workers out of hot environments. Workers are to be allowed an unlimited number of cool-down breaks to protect themselves from overheating. Under California's new indoor heat standards, employers are required to provide easy access to clean drinking water and cooling areas. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) But more than four weeks after the regulations took effect, interviews with workers and union leaders indicate compliance varies by industry and workplace. Some workers interviewed by The Times said they continue to swelter. Many werent aware of the new rules. The places where heat safety measures were in effect tended to be union shops where regulations had been written into existing contracts, or in industries such as demolition and hazardous materials removal where such precautions have become ingrained in workplace culture. While employers have a legal responsibility to implement the new measures, advocates stressed that labor groups and community organizations will need to work with the state to raise awareness of the regulations and ensure employees have the information they need to push for changes. A major challenge will be supporting workers who fear retaliation, labor experts said. The timeline should be as soon as possible, because heat was killing workers yesterday, said Renee Guerrero Deleon, an organizer at the Southern California Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health. Some occupational health experts worry that Cal/OSHA wont be up to the task of promoting and enforcing the new standards. The agency is confronting a severe staffing shortage that is hampering its ability to conduct workplace inspections. Cal/OSHA is already under fire for failing to aggressively enforce heat regulations for outdoor laborers , raising questions about its ability to ensure compliance with nearly 200,000 indoor sites. Cal/OSHA spokesperson Peter Melton said in an emailed statement that the agency has begun extensive campaigns on social media. It will continue to ramp up inspections and work to increase hiring, Melton said. The state estimates the heat standards will apply to about 1.4 million workers. The job sites expected to be most affected include industrial warehouses, commercial laundries, manufacturing facilities and restaurant kitchens. Employers who fail to comply could face Cal/OSHA inspections and penalties of up to $15,873 per violation; penalties rise for deliberate or repeat violations. At the Taco Bell in Alhambra where Rangel works, employees initially weren't aware of the heat standards. Still, they were so concerned about conditions that, days after Rangel nearly fainted, workers held a one-day strike in front of the restaurant. They learned of the new rules while filing a complaint with Cal/OSHA. Taco Bell Corp. did not respond to specific questions about its compliance with the heat law, but issued a more general statement saying it prioritizes the health and safety of employees. In this case, the franchise owner and operator of this location took swift action to address the issue, the company said. Rangel said the restaurant, indeed, has felt cooler in recent days, adding: It took for someone to almost pass out for them to do all this stuff, like fix the A/Cs. Ana Solis is a dishwasher with Flying Food Group, a catering company that services airlines. She says the heat emanating from dishwashing machines can be suffocating. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times) Ana Solis, 65, is among the workers who said they hadn't heard about the new regulations until interviewed by The Times. Solis is a dishwasher with Flying Food Group, a catering company that services airlines. Her work area in Inglewood has air conditioning, but she said that the system isnt powerful enough to cool a room filled with steamy dishwashing machines. She said the high heat sometimes leaves her struggling to breathe and with red, irritated skin that she treats at home with creams. Solis said workers at the site are allowed to go to an air-conditioned cafeteria for 10-minute breaks and lunch, but that she sometimes needs additional breaks, escaping to a cool hallway to catch her breath. We dont have the right to a cool-down break, she said, unaware the new regulations provide that right. But sometimes I take it, because the heat makes me feel like Im suffocating. Flying Food representatives did not respond to questions from The Times regarding how the company is complying with the heat standards. Margot Alvarez, an employee with Braun Linen, a commercial laundry company, was among the workers The Times interviewed who said they were unaware of the state's new indoor heat regulations. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Margot Alvarez, who sorts soiled bedding and other materials from convalescent homes and medical facilities at Braun Linen, a commercial laundry in Paramount, was also unaware of the regulations. Hot steam wafts from a large washing machine as she works in a vinyl gown and gloves. She said the heat generated by sanitizing appliances makes the room feel at least 10 degrees hotter than the outdoor temperature. After Alvarez raised concerns, she said, management installed a fan by her work station. But she said the fan mainly blows hot air in her direction. Twice in recent weeks, Alvarez said, she grew lightheaded and vomited in the restroom. Scott Cornwell, owner of Braun Linen, declined to comment on specific concerns Alvarez raised. He said his company works closely with the union that represents its workers, and has installed fans and air conditioning. He said workers have access to cooling areas and water. We are in compliance, Cornwell said. Bertha Servin, 58, works at Mission Linen Supply in Chino, an industrial laundry where workers sanitize and iron linens, uniforms and bedding for nearby hospitals. The big industrial machines, the big dryers, the ironers, everything is hot, Servin said. But because of long-standing provisions built into their union contract, Servin said, she and her colleagues have access to fans and cooling machines, and workers come together to make requests, such as asking the company to repair a broken ice maker. The contract also requires the company to provide annual training sessions, where workers are told to be attentive to their bodies in the heat and to feel free to go to the lunch room for a cool-down break. "If you don't feel good, you have to report immediately to a supervisor, she said. Read more: California cuts back on safety enforcement as farmworkers toil in extreme heat For demolition and construction workers laboring on sizzling roofs or handling hazardous materials in humid plastic enclosures, heat has long been a serious threat. Several workers who specialize in asbestos, lead and mold removal said efforts to safeguard against heat illness predate the state standards. Instead, the industry serves as an example of what protocols can look like once they are ingrained in workplace culture. Often, buildings undergoing construction have the power shut off, which means there is no air conditioning. On some sites, workers wear respirators and protective body suits as they extract hazardous materials. They often are slinging sledgehammers and crowbars in a sauna-like environment, said Fabian Plascencia, of the Northern District Council of Laborers Local 67. Each morning, PARC Environmental, a hazardous services company based in Fresno, convenes a meeting to discuss the dangers presented by that days job site, and review a worksheet that outlines safety protocols, including heat illness prevention, said foreman Rodolfo Nunes. "The company has always been really strict on heat, since we are from the Central Valley. Our guys need to stay hydrated at all times, said Nunes, 35. For demolition and construction workers laboring on sizzling roofs or handling hazardous materials in humid plastic enclosures, heat has long been a serious threat. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Nunes frequently works in triple-digit conditions. "Oh man, it gets overwhelming," he said, adding that hes finally developed a habit of drinking water before he's thirsty. "It's adapting, just getting used to routines," Nunes said. "When you're new, you don't know the first symptoms, like dry mouth. The small things that are going to take you to dehydration." Eco Bay, a Bay Area company that does hazardous materials remediation, convened supervisors for a meeting earlier this summer to discuss the new indoor heat rule. Workers had already been trained to hydrate and take breaks, and to check in with each other for symptoms of heat illness using a buddy system, said Juan Carlos Moreno, 51, a supervisor at Eco Bay. The main changes communicated at the training involved monitoring temperatures throughout the job site and emphasizing to workers that there are no break limits in the heat. Michelle Moreno, Eco Bays safety director, said the company now places thermometers in different areas of the job site and checks them throughout the day to ensure the temperature is under the 82-degree threshold. During a months-long project inside a poorly ventilated building in the Sacramento area last year, Eco Bay provided workers with respirators that had built-in cooling systems, called a powered air-purifying respirator. Moreno said the companys owner was a laborer himself before he started the company, and so he takes safety seriously and is more than willing to spend money on it. "It comes down to companies having the right culture," Moreno said, "and making sure people in charge are trained properly to recognize hazards and how to put controls in place, and also training workers so that they know how to recognize warning signs and to speak up if they aren't feeling well." This article is part of The Times equity reporting initiative , funded by the James Irvine Foundation , exploring the challenges facing low-income workers and the efforts being made to address Californias economic divide. 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. Wells Fargo is continuing a federal court battle against a fired supervisor who won $22.1 million in a disability discrimination lawsuit in July. The bank is now asking a judge to reconsider a verdict in the case with Christopher Billesdon, according to new court files. A Charlotte jury awarded Billesdon millions of dollars after a week-long trial this summer in the U.S. District Court for Western North Carolina. Wells Fargo filed a motion on Monday to either set aside the verdict, order a new trial or reduce the judgment. Attorneys for the bank claim Billesdon failed to provide evidence about his claims. In March 2023, Billesdon sued the San Francisco-based bank over claims of violating the American with Disabilities Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. He has a paralyzed colon and bladder that impacted his working conditions. This involves taking medicine associated with side effects, according to his suit. Billesdon was paralyzed in 1990 after an accident fractured his spine. Billesdon claims he lost his job in Charlotte after Wells Fargo made employees return to the office following the height of the COVID pandemic, according to court filings. But the bank said he was terminated because of cost-cutting, according to Billesdons suit. About the jury decision against Wells Fargo In July, the jury said Wells Fargo was liable under ADA for failing to provide reasonable accommodation and unlawful retaliation. The bank was also liable under North Carolina law for wrongful discharge, the jury said. Billesdon was awarded $6 million in compensatory damages for back pay and $14 million for future lost earnings. The jury also awarded $100,000 for emotional distress, $1 million for punitive damages under the ADA and $1 million under N.C. law. If the verdict stands, Wells Fargo is asking the court to reduce the award to Billesdon. This includes cutting back pay to $4.2 million and nothing for compensation. The motion claims that his own evidence of back pay was not greater than that amount and the $14 million for compensation is speculative based on employment history. The bank is also asking the court to reduce ADA punitive damages to $200,000 and combined with the award of $100,000 for emotional distress the total complies with the ADAs $300,000 cap for damages, according to the filing. And if the state law wrongful-discharge is pushed aside, then punitive damages for the claim must be thrown out too, according to Wells Fargos claims. Billesdons lawyer, L. Michelle Gessner of Charlotte, said Wells Fargo recent motion is offensive. It is insulting to this jury members of this community for Wells Fargo to in any way claim this jury, or the court, got it wrong. Indeed, they did not, she said in a statement to The Charlotte Observer. As (Judge Frank Whitney) said to the jury after rendering the verdict, thank you for telling us the truth of this matter which they did in all aspects of their verdict. Wells Fargo declined to comment to the Observer about the recent filings. Billesdon case against Wells Fargo Wells Fargo employed Billesdon for about 25 years at offices in the Los Angeles area and Charlotte home to Wells Fargos largest employment base. Billesdon came to Charlotte in August 2020 during the pandemic and kept his position as Head of West Coast Asset Backed Finance Sales within Wells Fargo Securities Corporate & Investment Banks Markets Division. When Wells Fargo began talks of workers coming back to the office, he asked to stay at home. The request was denied in December 2021 and Billesdon was let go a couple of months later. This occurred weeks before a mandatory return-to-office for everyone, the suit claimed. Billesdon claims the Charlotte office did not have the right working conditions because of the bathroom being on the opposite side of the building where his groups were located, the suit said. A Wells Fargo employee was found dead at a Tempe, Arizona, office, four days after scanning into work, authorities say. According to the Tempe Police Department, 60-year-old Denise Prudhomme checked into work on Friday, Aug. 16 around 7 a.m., and never scanned back out. On-site security at Wells Fargo alerted the Tempe Police Department on Tuesday, Aug. 20 after discovering her body. Sgt. Ryan Cook said police found Prudhomme in a cubicle on the third floor of the multi-level Wells Fargo building. The cause of death is still under investigation, but police say a preliminary investigation did not show any obvious signs of foul play. The Office of the Medical Examiner will make a further medical determination, Cook said. "To hear she's been sitting at the desk like that would make me feel sick," a worker told ABC News 12. "And nobody did anything. That's how she spent her last moments." In a statement provided to CBS News, Wells Fargo said they are "deeply saddened" by the loss of their colleague Denise Prudhomme: "Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones, and we are in contact to ensure they are well supported during this difficult time. We are committed to the safety and wellness of our workforce and are reviewing our own internal procedures after this event. Counselors are available to support any employees impacted by this event." Virginia pushes to ban cellphones in schools New GOP-backed Georgia election rules raise concerns Boy's heroic actions save stepfather's life after crash (NEXSTAR) A 60-year-old Wells Fargo employee was found dead in an office cubicle four days after scanning into the corporate building in Tempe, Arizona, authorities said. Denise Prudhomme had last scanned into the office around 7 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, the Tempe Police Department said in a statement to Nexstar. The following Tuesday, a security guard called 911 after discovering an unresponsive employee at her desk on the third floor. Wells Fargo confirmed that her cubicle is located in an underpopulated area of the building. She was pronounced dead at 4:55 p.m., according to police. CDC: 9 now dead in listeria outbreak linked to deli meat Local NBC affiliate KPNX reported that a colleague, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said several people had noticed a foul odor but attributed it to plumbing issues. While police are still investigating, no foul play is suspected at this time. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner will determine her cause of death. A Wells Fargo spokesperson offered condolences in the following statement to Nexstar: We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague, Denise Prudhomme. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones, and we are in contact to ensure they are well supported during this difficult time. We are committed to the safety and wellness of our workforce. Counselors are available to support any employees impacted by this event. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. (NEXSTAR) A 60-year-old Wells Fargo employee was found dead in an office cubicle four days after scanning into the corporate building in Tempe, Arizona, authorities said. Denise Prudhomme had last scanned into the office around 7 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, the Tempe Police Department said in a statement to Nexstar. The following Tuesday, a security guard called 911 after discovering an unresponsive employee at her desk on the third floor. Wells Fargo confirmed that her cubicle is located in an underpopulated area of the building. She was pronounced dead at 4:55 p.m., according to police. CDC: 9 now dead in listeria outbreak linked to deli meat Local NBC affiliate KPNX reported that a colleague, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said several people had noticed a foul odor but attributed it to plumbing issues. While police are still investigating, no foul play is suspected at this time. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner will determine her cause of death. A Wells Fargo spokesperson offered condolences in the following statement to Nexstar: We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague, Denise Prudhomme. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones, and we are in contact to ensure they are well supported during this difficult time. We are committed to the safety and wellness of our workforce. Counselors are available to support any employees impacted by this event. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. (NEXSTAR) A 60-year-old Wells Fargo employee was found dead in an office cubicle four days after scanning into the corporate building in Tempe, Arizona, authorities said. Denise Prudhomme had last scanned into the office around 7 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, the Tempe Police Department said in a statement to Nexstar. The following Tuesday, a security guard called 911 after discovering an unresponsive employee at her desk on the third floor. Wells Fargo confirmed that her cubicle is located in an underpopulated area of the building. She was pronounced dead at 4:55 p.m., according to police. CDC: 9 now dead in listeria outbreak linked to deli meat Local NBC affiliate KPNX reported that a colleague, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said several people had noticed a foul odor but attributed it to plumbing issues. While police are still investigating, no foul play is suspected at this time. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner will determine her cause of death. A Wells Fargo spokesperson offered condolences in the following statement to Nexstar: We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague, Denise Prudhomme. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones, and we are in contact to ensure they are well supported during this difficult time. We are committed to the safety and wellness of our workforce. Counselors are available to support any employees impacted by this event. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Wells Fargo worker dies at her desk and isnt found until four days later A woman working at a Wells Fargo branch in Arizona died while she was at work and was not found until four days later, according to police. Denise Prudhomme, 60, arrived at the Tempe, Arizona bank office at 7am on August 16 for her shift, but died at her desk on the third floor of the building. She wasn't found until August 20 when security at the building stumbled upon her body. Firefighters and police were called out to the building, where the woman was declared dead at 4.55pm, police said. A Wells Fargo bank office in Tempe, Arizona where Denise Prudhomme, a 60-year-old employee, died on August 16 and was not found until four days later on August 20 (Google Maps) The Office of Medical Examiner in Tempe said her manner of death is still pending, according to USA Today. Police said an initial investigation found no evidence of foul play contributing to the woman's death. Their investigation will continue, including interviews with other employees at the bank location. Employees at the bank began to suspect something was off when they began to note a foul smell in the building, but believed it to be a plumbing issue, according to KPNX, citing an anonymous employee. Prudhomme's cubicle was not near the third-floor's main aisle, which may explain why it took so long before she was discovered, according to KPNX. Many of the bank's employees work remotely, but the building does have round-the-clock security. One employee said they were sickened by the thought of their co-worker's body sitting for days in her cubicle. To hear shes been sitting at the desk like that would make me feel sick, the employee told K12 News. And nobody did anything. Thats how she spent her last moments. One of the employees told the broadcaster they were furious that security took four days to find the woman, calling it "negligence." Wells Fargo issued a statement lamenting Prudhomme's death to KPNX. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and loved ones during this difficult time, the company said. Counselors, through our Employee Assistance Consulting service, are available to support our employees. We are fully cooperating with the Tempe Police Department in their investigation and will direct all further questions to them." WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) A West Haven woman recorded herself sexually assaulting a child and then sent the video to a Milford man, according to police. Elizabeth Jordan, 42, sent photos of a second minor to 44-year-old John Bailey for his sexual gratification, according to police. Josh Bailey (Source: West Haven Police Department) Elizabeth Jordan Jordan has been charged with second-degree sexual assault, conspiracy to commit second-degree assault, risk of injury to a minor and unlawful dissemination of an intimate image. Shes also facing two counts of voyeurism and two counts of disseminating voyeuristic material. Police said she turned herself in on an outstanding warrant. Bailey was taken into custody in Milford for an unrelated crime, according to police. Hes been charged with criminal liability to commit second-degree sexual assault, conspiracy to commit second-degree sexual assault, criminal liability to commit risk of injury to a minor and conspiracy to commit risk of injury to a minor. Hes also been charged with two counts each of conspiracy to commit voyeurism and criminal liability to commit voyeurism. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) A Wood County man with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced on Thursday after he was found guilty of trafficking fentanyl in West Virginia. Price Javon Patterson According to a release from the US Department of Justice, Price Javon Patterson, 37, of Parkersburg, was sentenced to 188 months (15.6 years) in prison for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. An investigation into Patterson was launched in 2022 after he was stopped for speeding in Harrison County. Officers said that they smelled marijuana coming from his car, which led to a subsequent search of the vehicle that netted $11,136 in cash as well as items indicative of drug trafficking, court documents say. Officers then obtained a search warrant for Pattersons hotel room where they found, a 9mm Grey Ghost Precision pistol with no serial number, ammo, and thousands of fentanyl stamps that were valued at around $50,000, the release said. Deputies say woman was DUI when she fled from police in semi and then crashed Patterson has been classified as a career offender due to his previous history of felony convictions including ones for assault, firearms possession and drug trafficking. He was also arrested in Clarksburg in 2016 after deputies found several drugs and a large amount of cash at a residence on South Linden Avenue that had three small children inside. After he serves his sentence, Price will also serve four years of supervised release. The Greater Harrison Drug Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department investigated this incident and Assistant US Attorney Brandon Flower prosecuted on behalf of the government. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. In South Jersey, the Labor Day holiday is usually the last hurrah before the kids go back to school. Folks get in that last big Jersey Shore weekend, gather at barbecues or take advantage of those holiday sales to do last-minute school shopping. Some people even go away for the holiday, which falls on Sept. 2 this year. We wanted to let you know whats opened and whats closed for Labor Day, so you dont waste your time. Are stores closed for Labor Day? Need last-minute grocery items? ShopRite, Acme, Wegmans, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Lidl, Aldi and more are open and are to mostly operate on regular hours. Many retailers, including Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, Kohls, PetSmart, Big Lots, Marshalls, Ross and Best Buy, are set for normal store hours on Labor Day. Wawa, CVS, Walgreens and many more stores are open, too. Costco is closed. Many smaller businesses are generally closed on Labor Day as well, so call ahead on those. Beachgoers walk the Atlantic City Boardwalk on June 29, 2024. Are government offices, courts closed for Labor Day? Since Labor Day is a federal holiday, federal (the non-essential offices) and court offices are closed. State governments in the region also close administrative and non-essential offices on Labor Day. More food options New restaurant on the block: P.J. Whelihan's has a Deptford location coming Are banks closed for Labor Day? Banks will be closed for Labor Day, as well as colleges, universities and public schools. Scenes from Atlantic City, New Jersey. When does school start? Headed back to school in South Jersey? Here's when you start. Is mail delivered on Labor Day? U.S. Postal Service locations are closed for the federal holiday. Priority Mail Express, however, is delivered. FedEx and UPS will not have pickup or delivery services, although some FedEx or UPS stores will be open with modified hours, so check your local office locations. Consider a digital subscription to help support our journalism This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: What businesses are open on Labor Day? When Darren Harrison, right, of Lakeland was forced to take over the controls of a small Cessna after the pilot collapsed in May 2022, Bobby Morgan, left, an air traffic controller on duty that day in the FAAs Palm Beach International Airport facility, helped guide him to a safe landing. Picture this perfect day: Youve had a splendid time fishing in the Bahamas, have enjoyed beautiful sunsets and scrumptious meals, and are now sitting in the back seat of a private plane cruising under blue skies over the Atlantic Ocean, heading for a landing in Florida just a few dozen miles away. Life is good! And then, in a literal heartbeat, everything changes as the sole pilot slumps over, unconscious. Neither you nor the other passenger know how to fly and worse, the plane has entered a steep descending spiral because the pilots limp arms apparently have disengaged the autopilot and nudged the yoke forward. That was the situation in which Darren Harrison of Lakeland found himself on the morning of May 10, 2022, sitting in the rear of a Cessna 208 Caravan, a rugged turboprop owned by a friend. One thing was certain no one could help the pilot, Kenneth Allen of Lake Wales, until the plane was on the ground, intact. And unless exactly the right action was taken quickly the odds of anyone on board living to tell about it were diminishingly low. Soon to enter the equation was Robert Bobby Morgan, a veteran air traffic controller on duty that day in the FAAs Palm Beach International Airport facility who was, crucially, himself an experienced pilot and flight instructor. Allen: It was just a routine trip to and from the Bahamas, which Ive done many times in that same plane. A few days before, I had taken the owner of the plane plus Darren and a couple other guys to Marsh Harbor. On that flight the owner was flying left seat and I was right seat. He got a little fast during descent and I said, Watch your airspeed. And Darren pipes up in the back and says, What do you mean? Can we go too fast? And I said, Yeah, if you go too fast things start coming off the airplane. And he said, Whats the worst that could happen? I said, The worst that could happen is that the wings rip off and the airplane becomes a lawn dart and everybody dies. We all laughed about it. Harrison: Every time I fly, I always wear a headset because I want to know what's going on. I always listen, I always pay attention. Allen: On the trip back to Florida on May 10, were heading to Fort Pierce, which is where we have to clear customs, descending down to 10,000, probably 80 miles offshore, right over the middle of the ocean. Suddenly I feel a sharp pain in my head. Every time my heart would beat, it would just really hurt. I said Guys, I don't feel well. And they said, What does that mean? I said, I don't know. I just know my head is killing me. The last thing I remember is Darren and Russ tapping me on my shoulder, saying, Stay with us! Stay with us Ken! Harrison: I remembered the conversation wed had about airspeed. I knew there was a good chance that if I just pulled back the wrong way, we probably would either stall or the wings would come off. So I leaned over Ken, did a gradual turn and leveled the airplane. And once we flattened out, I slowly started to bring it back up. I asked Russ, the other passenger, Can you hold us level for a minute because I'm going to have to move Ken. I dragged him out of the seat and lay him down at the back of the airplane. Kenneth Allen was piloting a Cessna 208 Caravan with two friends returning from a fishing trip in the Bahamas on May 10, 2022, when he suffered a medical emergency. "I should be dead because of the aortic aneurysm, but also Darren (Harrison) and Russ Franck," he said. If not for the quick reaction of Harrison, "all three of us should be at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean." At that point I was like, man, he's done, I'll have to figure this thing out myself. So I got in the pilots seat and just started trying to work things out. Here's the throttle, the yoke, a couple other gadgets, the compass on the dash. I know if I go west I'll eventually get to the state of Florida. I don't know where the hell it'll be but I'm pretty sure I'll get somewhere between Miami and Jacksonville. That's when I called air traffic control and said, I've got a serious situation here. I don't know what I'm doing. Morgan: This is something we dont train for, its so rare. I was sitting outside, on break, and I get a page: Come to the radar room immediately. I walk in and one of my supervisors says, We have a pilot whos incapacitated, a passenger flying the plane and he doesnt have any flying experience. You get that news and you want to run the other way. What am I supposed to do? Im not in the plane. They said, We chose you because youre a flight instructor and out of everyone in the facility here, you have the most experience flying and you fly in this area all the time. So were hoping you can do something. What's wrong with immigration system? For Lakeland lawyer, it starts with 'rule of law' Allen: In my opinion, Darren remembering the talk about too much speed is what saved everybody's life because the plane was doing 294 knots and it's only rated for 180, so it's more than 100 knots faster than it was designed to be. If he had pulled the yoke back suddenly, nobody would ever have known what happened. I should be dead because of the aortic aneurysm, but also Darren and Russ Franck. All three of us should be at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean because the plane was exceeding its limitations. Morgan: The closest thing Ive flown to a Caravan is a Kodiak, which is pretty similar, but I only have about an hour and a half in it. But I also work as a flight instructor, so I do a lot of flying, especially with newer pilots, teaching them. At the time I didnt know what the panel looked like whether it was steam gauges or glass but I was familiar enough to walk him through a few things. I didnt know what to say at first, so I asked what he saw in front of him. The shoreline. Great. Youre heading looks good, good altitude I didnt know what instruments he had, what was working. By that time he was maintaining control of the plane. I said, Everything looks good keep the shoreline in sight. Then he tells me his instruments are out it was a glass panel and one of the switches got turned off, we found out later. But I could tell from radar his altitude, heading and speed. Harrison: Now that I could see land, Im thinking I'm going to put this thing on the ground somehow in some way, shape or form. In my mind I wasn't dying that day. I told myself, It ain't gonna happen today. Morgan: Now hes near the shoreline at Boca and we originally thought to take him there, but theres only one runway and its a really congested airspace. I decided it was a better option to bring him to Palm Beach because we have a huge runway 10,000 feet lots of room for error. Despite a crosswind, I opted for that airport with its longer runway, even with gusts at 22 knots. So I told him to make a shallow turn and head there. I had him start a slow descent but as he got closer, I didnt want him to go too low. Harrison: I said, Okey. And so we went up to Palm Beach International. If you look at the flight data, you'll see that the plane was going up and down as I was flying. And what I was doing was trying to learn how to control my altitude, to know exactly what my rate would be, to try and bring it down gradually because I didn't want to come in too strong and basically crash into the ground. And I wanted to be able, if I was coming in too low, to come back up a bit. 'We fight like cats and dogs' But they're united by a love for the system Morgan: Hes about eight miles away from the airport, at 2,500 feet. He was worried about how to stop. I said, When youre on the runway, put your feet at the top of the petals and apply pressure. I was bringing him past the airport, to the west, to line him up for a really long final maybe seven miles. I wanted him to have to make as few turns as possible. When I had him make his final turn, he could see the airport. All I could see on the radar was ground speed, not airspeed, but he seemed to be going a little fast, so I had him slow down, just a bit at a time. I didnt want him to stall. At five miles out, four miles out, three miles out, hes looking good on speed and on altitude. I told him, When the runway starts appearing wider in your windscreen, pull the throttle to idle, pull back on the controls and land. At one mile final he dropped off our radar. I thought he was gone but what happens is the plane gets below our radar coverage and drops off. Another 10 seconds passes and he says, Im on the runway. I just assumed that Ken had passed away. Harrison: We came to a stop and now reality sank in what had just been accomplished. Bobby did a great job. Did I think I was going to be able to do that and be okay? Yeah, I had in my mind that I was going to land and I'd be alive, but I thought for sure that I'd land upside down or in a ditch or something and wind up with some bumps and bruises. To come out unscathed was a pretty big miracle and the fact that Ken is with us today is an even bigger miracle. When I got on the ground they asked me if there was anything I wanted to do. I said, Yes, I want to go meet the guy who was talking to me. Morgan: It was pretty crazy, an adrenaline rush. At the same time, I was nervous about making the wrong decision turning him away from the closest airport. In the end I was thinking, I cant believe we pulled this off. Darrens been in a lot of small planes, probably more than the average person, and he asks questions and sees what his friends are doing when theyre flying. He was able to keep his cool, which was the saving grace of the whole situation. If wed had bad weather that day, a nervous person in the cockpit or someone who couldnt follow basic guidance, it would have been a totally different outcome. Allen: I remember them taking me into the emergency room. A doctor came in and said, Well, the good news is you didn't have a stroke. The bad news is we're going to rush you to surgery or you're not going to make it. In a phone message the surgeon left for my wife luckily, she didnt hear it for several days she was told I had a 50/50 chance of survival and if I survived, quite possibly would be brain damaged. Harrison: Therere so many miracles that went into that day that you just can't count them all. When Ken and I get together we'll sit there and it's almost like we come up with another miracle we hadnt thought of. One time we got to 12. You gotta go with the God thing there's no other way to explain it. Allen: A few days after I had surgery, I went flying with another instructor youve got to climb back on the horse. Then I spent the next 17 months trying to get my medical back, this whole laundry list of things that the FAA wants to see. But it finally happened. Im just happy to still be around. What do I take from this? You never know when your time's up. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: How a Lakeland man took over a plane and saved lives The allegations: DiAngelos dissertation, titled Whiteness in Racial Dialogue: A Discourse Analysis, allegedly lifted material from Thomas Nakayama of Northeastern University and Stacey Lee of the University of Wisconsin-Madison without proper attribution. The complaint, which was obtained and first reported by the Washington Free Beacon, reveals 20 instances of alleged plagiarism. National Association of Scholars President Peter Wood, who likened one instance to forgery, told the Beacon, It is never appropriate to use the secondary source without acknowledging it, and even worse to present it as ones own words. The allegations appear to extend beyond the two scholars. The White Houses top drug policy official is urging the next presidential administration to continue the progress President Biden has made in reducing the countrys overdose deaths. As part of Overdose Awareness Week, White House officials met with families who have lost loved ones to addiction as well as addiction recovery advocates. In a recent meeting, Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, touted steps the Biden administration has taken to address the nations overdose epidemic including increasing access to the opioid reversal drug naloxone and rolling out drug-detection technology at U.S. borders. The progress that has been made requires continuous commitment, a commitment of will, a commitment of resources and a commitment to following evidence-based practices in to continue to make this progress, Gupta told The Hill. We have no time to waste, Gupta added. Anything different will not be able to prevent more deaths from happening. Overdose deaths in the United States have been generally increasing since the early 2000s with some dips in the mid-2010s. Deaths spiked, though, during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that overdoses claimed the lives of almost 200,000 people in 2020 and 2021 alone with synthetic opioids like fentanyl causing most of those deaths. In 2023, the number of overdose deaths decreased for the first time in five years, according to provisional data from the CDC. And that trend has continued into 2024. An interactive map of CDC provisional data released earlier this month shows a 7.5 percent drop in overall overdose deaths between March 2023 and March 2024. That is equal to one life saved every hour and that didnt happen in a vacuum, Gupta told The Hill. Percentage changes in overdose deaths vary by region with many states including Missouri, Indiana and Virginia reporting decreases in overdose deaths in the upper teens. Nebraska reported the largest 12-month decrease in overdose deaths at more than 30 percent, according to the map. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The White House is pushing new efforts to stop illegal drugs from entering the country as part of Overdose Awareness Week. The administration is calling for better drug detection machines and more Border Patrol agents. So critical to securing our southwest border, Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, said. Dr. Gupta is calling on Congress to provide funding to stop illegal drugs from coming into the country. President Biden and Vice President Harris know that far too many Americans understand the pain of losing a loved one to overdose. Gupta says the White House has already made strides to combat illegal drugs at the border. In the last two years, weve seized more fentanyl than the previous five years combined, Gupta said. While the White House wants to beef up efforts at the southern border conservative groups are blaming China for the deadly drugs. While many Americans may rightly so and should rightly so, or in Mexico and hold those cartels accountable for their illegal actions, we cannot lose sight that the Chinese Communist Party is fueling this. More than many may realize, said Andrew Harding of the Heritage Foundation. Andrew Harding, with the Heritage Foundation, says the federal government needs to crack down on China because they are the source. We have to carry a bigger stick and finally use it, Harding said. Harding says that means placing financial sanctions on China and going after those who are benefiting from the suffering occurring in the U.S. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Elon Musks free speech project is once again under firethis time for flagging an article critical of Donald Trump. On Thursday, X users and NPR editors noticed that a link to an NPR story about Trumps Arlington National Cemetery mishap was being marked as spam on the platform. When users clicked on the article link, they received an alert reading: Warning: this link may be unsafe, followed by the URL to the webpage. This type of warning is typically displayed when the URL leads the user to spam or another kind of malicious link, not a factual news report. Twitter screenshot @StevenStrauss @Steven_Strauss: @X why are you blocking NPR ? (with screenshot of warning) The issue now appears to be resolved, but there doesnt seem to be any official explanation from X for the warning. Steve Inskeep, host of Morning Edition and Up First on NPR, flagged the issue, writing: As of 12:45 p.m. ET, X has blocked this NPR story. Other NPR stories are not blocked, so Im assuming a good faith mistake. Twitter screenshot Steve Inskeep @NPRinskeep: As of 12:45pm ET, X has blocked this NPR story. Other NPR stories are not blocked, so Im assuming a good faith mistake. And Im posting much of the blocked story here so you can read it. I have remained on this platform and trust it will fix the issue! @elonmusk That assumption may be a bit too generous. Recently, X has come under fire for limiting access to several political accounts such as KamalaHQ, the official rapid response page for Harriss campaign, the Uncommitted movement, and the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. This also is not the first feud between Elon Musk and NPR. In 2023, Musk labeled the new organization state-affiliated media, a label usually reserved for true propaganda outlets in countries like Russia and China. In response, the outlet formally left the platform. Meanwhile, Musk continues to back Trump every way he can, including using X to get him greater attention. Perhaps that support may include more overt censorship going forward. Why does Amazon want to conserve the Central Valleys water? FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) According to an announcement Wednesday morning, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has plans to save the Central Valleys salmon population through water conservation; however, these efforts would also serve a dual purpose, benefitting both the company and salmon across the state. The cloud service provider officials say they are committed to being water-positive by 2030. The company adds that a large part of getting to water positivity starts with their worldwide network of data centers, which need an abundance of water to keep from overheating. AWS says they are working on new water replenishment projects in China, Chile, the United States, and Brazil. In the Central Valley, their mission focuses on Chinook Salmon, which have garnered attention after statewide restrictions on salmon fishing. The Department of Fish and Wildlife says Chinook salmon return to the waters of the Central Valley spawn each fall, but the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment says their populations are shrinking. AWS has taken an interest in the issue and is partnering with River Partners, a non-profit dedicated to bringing life back to rivers, to address the problematic phenomena. Amazon says with the help of River Partners, they are working to reconnect rivers to floodplains and side channels. They hope to improve overall flood management, conserve water, and replenish freshwater ecosystems by retiring agricultural irrigation. By 2027, AWS says the projects are expected to generate over 1.6 billion liters of volumetric benefits each year all in efforts to help the salmon. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. Why evangelicals are upset at recent Trump, Vance statements on leaving abortion to states Conservative evangelical Christian voters continue to wrestle with a shifting Republican stance toward abortion, with former President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance further agitating that confusion with recent statements about a federal abortion ban. Stalwart evangelical supporters of Trump called out the GOP presidential nominee for taking a less hard-lined stance against abortion, going as far to say Trump is no less pro-choice than Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris. The recent angst is a continuation of a debate that erupted ahead of the Republican National Convention in July, when the religious right urged the GOP not to soften its stance on abortion. Influential leaders within the Nashville-based Southern Baptist Convention and other prominent evangelical figures are increasingly expressing a sense of disillusionment and are outright saying they wont vote for Trump come November. Heres what led them to that point. Confusion sets in ahead of Republican National Convention Evangelical confusion about the Republican partys anti-abortion messaging began to set in ahead of the Republican convention, when the party endorsed a platform that says abortion is best left to the states. The Republican Party has been clear about the value and dignity of life for over a generation. It must not fail to do so now in this post-Roe moment, Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, which is the SBCs public policy arm, said in a July 3 letter to the Republication National Committee. Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, which is the SBC's public policy arm, speaks with former Vice President Mike Pence during a June 11, 2024 event at the 2024 SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis. Other influential Christian leaders joined the chorus. For Leatherwood and others, the hands-off attitude of leaving abortion policy to the states to determine the best outcome weakens the evangelical push for expanding abortion restrictions at the state and federal levels. National leadership is critical in this new era as we need leaders willing to articulate a robust vision for life, Leatherwood said in his July 3 letter. To do anything short of that would signal to millions of pro-life Americans that our cause has no value. Anxieties grow more forcefully The anxiety expressed by Leatherwood materialized more forcefully this past week with recent statements by Trump and Vance on abortion. My Administration will be great for women and their reproductive rights, Trump said in an Aug. 23 social media post. Then, NBC aired an interview with Vance, who said Trump would veto a federal abortion ban. "Donald Trump's view is that we want the individual states and their individual cultures and their unique political sensibilities to make these decisions because we do not want a non-stop federal conflict over this issue, Vance said in the NBC interview. The backlash was swift. Just within the SBC alone, some of the most conservative voices expressed disdain. For example, Denny Burk, president of the Louisville-based Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, a traditionalist advocacy group, called Vances comments horrific. Georgia pastor Mike Stone, a former candidate for SBC president whose support for Trump was central to a conflict between Stone and other SBC leaders, called Trumps social media post morally wrong and politically foolish. Other influential evangelicals outside the SBC, such as Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, said on social media, Trump is not only suppressing his own support, he is going to hurt the vast majority of Republican candidates who are 100% pro-life. Other recent religion + politics news: Obama and Biden pitched voters on a faith-based vision. How will Harris make the appeal? Frustration, but no revolt Though deeply frustrated, evangelicals arent outright revolting against Trump. Some voices are vowing to pull their vote for the Republican ticket in November. But as a counterbalance, other key Trump backers are redirecting concern elsewhere. Instead of criticizing Trump over a national abortion ban now lets do what we can do to persuade the electorate today to make abortion not only illegal but unthinkable, said Texas pastor Jack Graham, who leads one of the largest SBC churches in the nation and was on a religious advisory board during the Trump administration. Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, said on a recent podcast he was upset with Republicans but that the other option is still far more dangerous. Evangelical Christians are left in a very awkward position, Mohler said on the podcast. We are left with one candidate who carries some of our hopes. And we have another candidate who carries almost all of our fears on this issue. Following additional comments by Trump on Florida's six-week abortion ban and in-vitro fertilization, Mohler more directly criticized Trump. "Former President Trump had better count the cost of abandoning pro-life votersquickly. That cost is going to be very high," Mohler said on social media Thursday evening. "Pro-life Christian voters are going to have to think clearly, honestly, and soberly about our challenge in this electionstarting at the top of the ticket." This election is shaping up as a catastrophe for the pro-life movement in America. There are still 67 days until Election Day in America. That means former President Trump had better count the cost of abandoning pro-life votersquickly. That cost is going to be very high. 2/3 Albert Mohler (@albertmohler) August 29, 2024 Liam Adams covers religion for The Tennessean. Reach him at ladams@tennessean.com or on social media @liamsadams. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Trump, Vance comments on abortion: Why evangelicals are upset At least 78 attendees of former president Donald Trumps rallies have been hospitalized for heat-related illnesses in the past three months, according to news reports and local fire officials interviewed by The Washington Post. In addition, an attendee of Vice President Kamala Harriss rally in Wisconsin this month appeared to suffer from heat stroke, prompting a pause in the programming. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. The incidents underscore how climate change, which is making heat waves longer and more extreme, is complicating plans for outdoor events of all kinds. Such rallies have become a hallmark of campaigning, especially in swing states in the sweltering Sun Belt and the unseasonably warm Midwest. Both presidential campaigns have provided water and coordinated with medics to help supporters cool off. But the two candidates have staked out vastly different positions on climate policy and heat regulations for employers. Harris has called climate change an existential threat, and under the Biden administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed the first federal rule requiring employers to protect workers from heat-related illnesses. Trump, in contrast, has called global warming a hoax and would almost certainly block that rule from becoming final if he returned to the White House. Outside a Trump rally in Glendale, Ariz., on Friday, 100 people were evaluated for heat-related illnesses and 26 were taken to a nearby hospital for further treatment, Glendale Fire Department spokesman Kyle Borg said in an email. People waited in a long line that stretched for blocks outside the Desert Diamond Arena in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, where temperatures reached 104 degrees that afternoon. Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the Trump campaign, said rally organizers typically take several steps to keep attendees cool. When planning campaign events, it is our teams utmost priority to protect attendees, Leavitt said in an email. In cases of extreme heat, our team has provided cooling tents, a sufficient supply of water, and coordination with EMS personnel for cases of emergency. Leavitt added that the campaign rented space in a nearby hotel for attendees to wait in the air conditioning before the Glendale rally began. She did not respond to a question about whether the campaign acknowledged the link between climate change and extreme heat. Global warming - caused largely by the burning of fossil fuels - made the extreme heat in the Phoenix area last week three times more likely, according to research by the nonprofit Climate Central. By 2050, the area is expected to experience 102 days per year with heat that is highly dangerous to human health. Last week in Phoenix was made hotter by that boost of climate change, that climate fingerprint, said Shel Winkley, the weather and climate engagement specialist at Climate Central. And in this warming world, heat is only going to continue to cause more issues for outdoor events, especially in the summer season. Harris has had fewer instances of heat exhaustion at her rallies - in part because she has only been campaigning since late July, when Biden ended his own reelection bid. In comparison, Trump announced his 2024 campaign in November 2022. During Harriss rally at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale on Aug. 9, volunteers for the campaign handed out fans, water bottles and Gatorade to combat the 108-degree heat during one of the areas hottest weeks of the year, the Arizona Republic reported. Near the entrance, free Mexican ice pops were available, according to the newspaper. It is unclear how many heat-related incidents occurred during that rally. Borg said he did not know because the Glendale Fire Department does not specifically track heat-related calls; spokespeople for the Harris campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Two of the battleground states in the 2024 election - Arizona and Nevada - are home to two of the countrys hottest cities, Phoenix and Las Vegas. The average annual temperature in Las Vegas increased by 5.7 degrees from 1970 to 2023, a trend driven by both climate change and the urban heat island effect, in which heat reflects off hard surfaces. June was the hottest month on record in Las Vegas, with 28 days reaching 100 degrees or higher. At a Trump rally on June 9 in Las Vegas, where temperatures exceeded 100 degrees, 24 people were treated on-site and six others were sent to a hospital, said Billy Samuels, deputy fire chief at the Clark County Fire Department. Ninety-seven people used the departments cooling tents that day, he said. The Trump campaign hired extra medics for the Las Vegas event and allowed supporters to carry umbrellas. At one point, Trump joked that he didnt want anyone dying because then they couldnt vote for him. I dont want anybody going on me, he told the crowd. We need every voter. I dont care about you. I just want your vote. Earlier in the speech, Trump said campaign officials would help any supporters who were feeling tired. He quipped that everybody, including the Secret Service, was worried about the safety of the crowds and not about him. They never mentioned me. Im up here sweating like a dog, he said. This is hard work. During an Aug. 7 rally in Eau Claire, Wis., Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), Harriss vice-presidential pick, took a different tack. When an attendee appeared to be suffering from heat stroke, Walz paused his speech to ask the crowd for help. Can we get somebody to help? Somebodys hot, Walz said. You okay? Drink some water, folks. It is hot out. Walz continued his speech after ensuring the attendee received assistance. Take care of one another, he said. In the hours leading up to the event in Eau Claire, where the high was 78 degrees, medics walked around the rally area to check on attendees, while event organizers offered water to the crowd. At one point, there was a line of dozens trying to get water. Heat also complicated the logistics of Trumps July 13 rally in Butler, Pa., where the former president was rushed offstage after a shooting that authorities called an assassination attempt. At least 250 attendees received on-site treatment for heat-related illnesses, including ice packs and IV drips of cool fluids, and around 10 were hospitalized, said Nathan Bacher, the co-owner of Butler Ambulance Service. Our crews were there all day, so when the actual [shooting] happened, they had already dealt with a lot, Bacher said. Heat is the deadliest form of extreme weather. It killed at least 2,325 Americans last year - more than any other year in nearly a quarter-century of records, according to research published Monday in JAMA. The OSHA proposal, if finalized, would require employers to provide drinking water and break areas for workers when the heat index - a combined metric of heat and humidity - reaches 80 degrees. More protections would kick in when the heat index hits 90 degrees, including mandatory 15-minute breaks every two hours. Employers in agriculture, tourism and other sectors have argued that the proposal is overly burdensome and that they might challenge it in court. Trump, who has sought to minimize federal oversight of private industries, would probably block the rules implementation if he were to win a second term. If President Trumps new secretary of labor reviews the rulemaking and concludes that absent the Biden-Harris administrations perspective on climate policy, this rule is no longer an appropriate priority, then I think you would expect them to take a different course, said Jonathan Berry, managing partner at the law firm Boyden Gray and the former head of the Labor Departments policy office under Trump. In the coming days, the Trump and Harris campaigns are both keeping busy schedules, with some of these events in hot places. Trump plans to hold a town hall on Thursday in La Crosse, Wis., where the high is forecast to be 86 degrees, followed by a rally on Friday in Johnstown, Pa., where the high is forecast to be 82 degrees. Harris and Walz will hold a rally on Thursday in Savannah, which could get as hot as 91 degrees. Sabrina Rodriguez contributed to this report. Related Content Their graves were marked only by numbers. She fought to find their names. Tim Walzs upbringing in rural Nebraska seemed idyllic. Then came tragedy. Jesse Jackson, slowed at 82, is still showing up and keeping hope alive Why are the flags flying at half-staff in Wisconsin on Thursday? You might notice flags around Wisconsin flying at half-staff Thursday. The gesture, ordered by Gov. Tony Evers, is in memory of a former state representative who died recently. Here's what to know about the flags at half-staff and the Wisconsinite they're honoring: Why are flags at half-staff in Wisconsin on Thursday? Flags will be at half-staff Thursday to honor James Soletski, a two-term representative of Wisconsin's 88th Assembly District. Soletski was raised in New Franken and attended high school in Green Bay, before graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, according to a news release from the governor's office. After working in the energy industry for more 20 years, Soletski, a Democrat, ran for and was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly twice from 2007 to 2011. During his time in the state legislature, he served as chairperson of the Energy and Utilities Committee, as well as vice-chairperson of the Elections and Campaign Reform Committee and the Consumer Protection Committee. Soletski died on Aug. 20 at the age of 75. A memorial will be held for him in Green Bay on Aug. 29, the same day flags will be lowered. A lifelong Wisconsinite, Representative Soletski was dedicated to serving others and the greater Green Bay area, Evers said in the news release. Kathy and I send our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and neighbors during this time of mourning. How long will flags be at half-staff? Flags will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset Thursday. Where will flags be at half-staff? According to Evers' order, the American flag and the Wisconsin state flag will fly at half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations belonging to the state of Wisconsin. Why do flags fly at half-staff? U.S. flags typically fly at half-staff in the wake of national tragedies or after deaths of government officials, military members or first responders. They also fly at half-staff on Memorial Day and other national days of remembrance. "The United States flag flies at half-staff or at half-mast when the nation or a state is in mourning," USA.gov says. "The president, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff." This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why are flags flying at half-staff in Wisconsin today? A new school year is just around the corner. In some parts of Michigan, families are already sending their kids back to class. Teachers are prepping classrooms and course materials. And because of the new budget passed by Democrats in Lansing, some school boards and administrators are deciding what programs to cut and whom to lay off. Superintendents, parents, education advocacy groups, and teachers are severely frustrated with the state school aid budget, passed along party lines by the Democrat-majority Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The budget leaves school districts without any increase to the primary source of school funding the per-pupil foundation allowance. With inflation reducing the value of each dollar, the budget effectively decreases this foundational school funding by about $280 for every student. New school year brings heat, enthusiasm, new challenges for Michigan schools School officials are staring down tough choices about what they can afford, and theyve made it clear that the budget will result in layoffs. They need to determine whether to consolidate classes, eliminate some elective courses, cut tutoring and after-school initiatives, shrink counseling programs, or scale back school safety investments. School safety and mental health are most at risk, after Democrats slashed dedicated funding by $302 million, or 92%. My Republican colleagues and I supported a total of $343 million for school safety and mental health efforts in the bipartisan school budget in 2022, with the hope these resources could continue in future years. Last year, the budget largely maintained this support, with a total of $328 million. This years budget only includes $26.5 million. State Rep. Andrew Beeler, R-Port Huron, speaks on the state House floor. Schools have used past funds to hire counselors and school resource officers, purchase safety equipment, upgrade their buildings and launch mental health support programs. Democrats enormous cuts will force some schools to cut back. Resource officers and counselors, supportive professionals focused solely on fostering a safe and healthy learning environment, may lose their jobs. Education organizations and unions that normally align with Democrats have issued blunt criticisms of this budget. The K-12 Alliance of Michigan warned of the coming consequences of this misguided budget. The Michigan Education Association opposed the deep cuts to school safety and mental health, calling for the Legislature to return to work and restore these resources. The state superintendent, appointed by the Democrat-majority Board of Education, expressed disappointment in the significant reduction in funding for student mental health and school safety. Michigan's rural schools are shrinking, but remain critical for communities The Democrats, for their part, have defended the budget by pointing to the decrease in contributions to the educator retirement system, which they argue helps make up for the unchanged per-student funding and the school safety cuts. But school advocates arent buying that spin, and my Republican colleagues and I have pointed out that raiding the teacher pension fund, which is still underfunded by $35 billion, gambles with teachers hard-earned retirements. When the bill comes due in future years, the state may have to cut education spending just to pay retired teachers what theyre owed. Democrats unpopular budget fails the students of Michigan, who are already struggling academically. Less than 40% of third graders scored proficient on the state M-STEP test, scores released this week show, a crucial milestone for student achievement. Michigan families deserve schools that operate more efficiently, spend tax dollars more effectively, and teach kids more successfully, but that will require real student-oriented reforms to support good teachers and focus our resources on improving academic performance. Democrats in Lansing already stripped away many tools Republicans designed to hold schools accountable and improve student success. Their slipshod, out-of-touch budget is just another disruptive step in the wrong direction. State Rep. Andrew Beeler, R-Port Huron, represents the 64th House District, which includes portions of St. Clair and Sanilac counties. He is not running for reelection. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan students' safety, mental health hit by school funding cuts This Wichita schools students must keep cell phones in locked bags. What other schools do A Wichita private school has adopted a new cell phone policy, requiring students to place their cell phones and other electronic devices inside a locked bag during the school day. Its the first area district to take that step. Others, including the Wichita district, allow students to use their phones during passing periods and lunch, but not during class. Trinity Academy is a private Christian K-12 school in northeast Wichita. It has given students in grades 8-12 lockable magnetic pouches called Yondr Bags. When students arrive at school, they are required to place their phones, earbuds and smartwatches inside the bag. The students keep the pouch with them all day and at the end of the day tap their pouch on a base that opens it up. Students may have their phones before and after school, but not during lunch, classes or passing periods, Trinity Academy spokesperson Joni Attenberry said in an email. Kids in grades K-7 are not allowed to have cell phones or smartwatches on campus, Attenberry added. Los Angeles-based Yondr Bags works with school districts, musicians, comedians, court houses and venues. The company reportedly works with thousands of school across 27 countries. Why a cell phone-free environment? Cell phones in the classroom are a source of distraction, especially in high schools, according to the Pew Research Center. Teachers also blame students worsening mental health on the constant use of devices in the classroom, Education Week said. Matt Shepherd, head of Trinity Academy, said the policy has been well-received. The halls are alive, the lunchroom is filled with laughter, and kids are looking at each other in the eyes, Shepherd said. This is good for their souls. That distraction [cell phones] impacts in-class learning and friendships, and leads to poor sleep, anxiety and depression, Shepherd added. One of the most common objections to a cell phone-free policy is that students may need to access their devices during an emergency or security threat. To counter this, all classrooms at Trinity Academy have a cell phone, as do teachers, Attenberry said. The Yondr Education Program and U.S. school districts say the pouches have shown results with 83% of participating schools noting improved student engagement and 65% reporting better academic performance. School districts elsewhere have adopted similar policies. Arkansas school districts have implemented a phone free program. In Texas, school officials report that cell phone-free policies are improving student engagement and mental health. Cell phone policies in Wichita, surrounding school districts The Wichita school district, the states largest, allows high school students to use their cell phones before and after school, during passing periods and at lunch. At all other times, phones are not to be used unless allowed by an administrator, according to the districts handbook. Cell phone use at Derby High School is restricted from 8 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. When students can use their cell phones is not noted, but the Derby High School handbook says use is discouraged. High schools in Haysville, Valley Center, Mulvane, Clearwater, Goddard, Maize, Andover, Renwick and Cheney school districts have policies similar to Wichitas. Students can use their cell phones before/after school, during passing periods and at lunch, according to their handbooks. Wife of Missing Man Found Dead After He Vanished from Hilton Head Rental Speaks Out "Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us during this incredibly difficult time, Jackie Kotowski wrote of her husband, Stanley Beaufort County Sheriff's Office Stanley Kotowski The wife of Stanley Kotowski, the Massachusetts man whose body was found this week on Hilton Head Island, S.C. 10 days after he disappeared is sharing her heartache. Kotowski, 60, was discovered underneath townhomes at the Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island on Monday, Aug. 26, according to authorities. He went missing more than a week prior, on Friday, Aug. 16. Jackie Kotowski, Stanley's wife, mourned the death of her husband in a statement shared on Facebook the same day he was found. Sadly, he is no longer with us, she wrote on Monday. Our hearts are heavy with grief as we begin to process this unimaginable loss. Jackie then thanked everyone who offered their support, shared information, and helped in the search efforts for her husband. Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us during this incredibly difficult time, she wrote. As we take the time to come to terms with this news, we ask for your continued thoughts and prayers. Related: What We Know About Final Days of Missing Dad Found Dead After Vanishing from Hilton Head Rental Stanley disappeared on Aug. 16 around 10:30 a.m. local time, officials have said. Jackie told authorities that her husband was worried that the Sea Pines Resort, where they were staying, was "a 'set up' and that the people there were "out to get him," according to local TV station WJCL, citing a report from the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office. In the police report, Jackie also said her husband claimed people were watching him and told her before his disappearance, Promise me you will go on without me. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In an interview with WJCL before her husband was found, Jackie said he had been experiencing issues with insomnia for about a month and that his anxiety was progressively getting worse and worse and worse." "He started to get a little paranoid," she said then. Jackie told WJCL that her husband had just walked out the door on Aug. 16. Authorities said he left the vacation home without his phone or wallet and was seen in doorbell camera footage walking away barefoot. Related: Missing Climber Who Separated from Group Found Dead After Apparent Fall at Glacier National Park On Monday, Stanley's body was found in a small crawl space underneath a pair of townhomes about 150 to 200 feet away from where he was last seen on camera, according to authorities. Authorities believe he died the same day he went missing. An autopsy determined he died by suicide, Beaufort County Coroner David Ott announced at a news conference on Tuesday, Aug. 27. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Its wild: Body found in Enid cellar could be tied to revenge killing ENID, Okla. (KFOR) The Enid Police Department says human remains found inside of a cellar on Tuesday may be a retaliation killing for a womans disappearance two years ago. Police found the remains Tuesday in an Enid neighborhood after getting a warrant to search the cellar. Brian Travis spoke with News 4 employees Wednesday and said he observed multiple law enforcement vehicles on the scene Tuesday evening. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: UPDATE: Third suspect booked on murder complaint after body found in Enid cellar They had about four cop cars out front here with the crime scene unit van, said Travis. There was nobody living here. Enid Police find human remains in the cellar of a home near North 12th Street and East Ash Avenue. Photo courtesy Brian Travis. Investigators believe the remains found in the cellar are Colby Sheppard, 27, who was reported missing back in January. A Facebook post the same month from police said Sheppard was last seen by his family December 2023 and had made contact with someone at a Pizza Hut shop in town on East Broadway. We take all of those cases very seriously, said Cass Rains with the Enid Police Department. All leads are followed up on. Every tip is followed up on. Investigators have booked Victor Battelo, Charles Jordan and Devin Harris on first-degree murder complaints in connection to the case. Battelo and Jordan were already in custody on different charges and Harris was arrested Wednesday. Police havent shared what was obtained that tied all three of them to the case but confirmed Wednesday they were acquaintances. Devin Harris. Photo courtesy Garfield County Detention Facility. Victor Battelo. Photo courtesy Garfield County Detention Facility. Charles Jordan. Photo courtesy Garfield County Detention Facility. Enid police say unshared evidence suggests Sheppard was killed in retaliation for his rumored involvement in Kendra Battelos disappearance in 2022. Battelo was last seen by her family in Enid in July of 2022. Enid Police have followed tips and leads, served search warrants and pinged her cell phone, but havent been able to find her in that time. Battelo is described as a light-skinned female, 509 tall, 120 pounds, and having brown hair and brown eyes. She has short hair and is known to often wear wigs of various colors. Victor Battelo is Kendras uncle, and police say they have not found any evidence to support Sheppards involvement in her disappearance. Online court records do spell out some kind of existing relationship between Kendra Battelo and Sheppard. Small claims cases involving them both date back to 2020, and Sheppard petitioned for a protective order against Battelo in 2021 that was ultimately dismissed. News 4 has requested a copy of that petition from the Garfield County Court Clerks office, but had not heard back Wednesday. Its wild, said Travis, emphasizing his sympathies for Sheppard and Battelos families. Police believe additional people may be involved in the case and the investigation is ongoing, but arent sharing additional details at this time. Police also confirm the search for Kendra Battelo is ongoing. Its very frustrating, said Travis. Theres got to be justice. We just want to know whats going on. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Wildfire in Great Smoky Mountains National Park grows: Here's what we know The National Park Service has announced the arrival of additional resources to assist in battling a wildfire burning near Hannah Mountain on the Tennessee side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The initial announcement of the fire through an Aug. 28 news release said that it was roughly 10 acres in size. The fire has since grown, and several areas remain closed due to potential fire danger. Here's what the new announcement said. More: Wildfire reported in Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Here's what we know Where is the fire in the Smoky Mountains? Smoke emanating from the Flint Gap Fire. On the evening of Aug. 26 a wildfire was reported burning near Hannah Mountain, south of Abrams Creek. As of noon on Aug. 27, the Flint Gap Fire was estimated to be about 10 acres. According to the NPS news release from Aug. 29, the fire is now estimated to have grown to about 23 acres and is burning primarily in undergrowth in steep terrain. Is the Smokies wildfire under control? On Aug. 28, Tennessee National Guard continued to provide aviation support, dropping 25,000 gallons of water in total on the fire. Today, Aug. 29, a Type 3 Helicopter was set to assist, including assessment of opportunities for crews on the ground to safely access the fire. While the fire is still burning, the news release said that no structures are currently threatened. The Citizen Times has reached out to park personnel via phone and email. The Tennessee National Guard dropping water on the Flint Gap Fire. More: Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smokies, saw record economic impact in 2023; How much? What's closed in the Smoky Mountains? No further areas of the park have been closed according to the release. The areas that remain closed are: Backcountry campsites 14, 15 and 16. Parson Branch Road. Rabbit Creek Trail from Abrams Creek to Cades Cove. Hannah Mountain Trail from Parson Branch Road to Little Bottom Trail. More: Former 'football star' killed, juvenile charged: APD releases 911 calls, timeline What caused the Smokies wildfire? The Tennesse Bureau of Investigation provided a flyover on Aug. 27 to help map and monitor the fire, but the cause of the wildfire has not yet been identified, according to the Aug. 29 news release. More: Task force on forced Western NC railroad labor, drug war; Asheville reparations extension Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Where is the fire in the Smoky Mountains? Update on Flint Gap Fire The McFlurry machine is always broken, and so are some of the brains looking for dirt on Kamala Harris. On Thursday, the right-wing outlet The Free Beacon published an article suggesting Harris may be lying about a brief employment stint at a McDonalds during college. Harris has often spoken of her time working as a cashier, fry-maker, and ice cream server during the summer of 1983 in Alameda, California, while still a student at Howard University. The summer job has featured in campaign materials, and Bill Clinton even joked during the Democratic National Convention last week that Harris might break my record as the president who has spent the most time at McDonalds. In 2019, Harris joined a picket line of McDonalds workers in Las Vegas, Nevada, striking for a $15 minimum wage. She recalled that while she did the french fries and the ice cream at the Golden Arches, at the time there was not a family relying on me to pay the rent, put food on the table, and keep the bills paid by the end of the month. Earlier this year, Harris spoke about working at McDonalds on The Drew Barrymore Show. I did fries, and then I did the cashier, she said. But for some on the right, Harris has not provided enough documentation to definitively prove that she spent a summer slinging fries and soft-serve in California. The publication took issue with the fact that Harris had not mentioned her time at McDonalds in her 2010 or 2019 memoirs. The Free Beacon also cited a copy of a 1987 job application Harris submitted to the Alameda County district attorneys office for a position as a law clerk. On the application, Harris lists her educational background, her references, as well as her past work experience at various legal firms and the Federal Trade Commission. McDonalds is nowhere to be found, which the Free Beacon finds suspicious. After all, how will the district attorney of Alameda County know if shes good at frying potatoes? Does she know how to load a soft-serve machine? How can she expect to clerk without this skillset? The non-troversy reflects a string of desperate attacks against Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz whom the Free Beacon fragged for claiming two decades ago that he had received the Outstanding Young Nebraskan award from the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, when it was actually an award from the states Junior Chamber of Commerce. Seriously. From accusations of being a communist, to misogynistic memes Trump promoted on social media, to racist attacks disputing her heritage and ethnicity, Harris is being put through the wringer and handling it with considerable grace. Because if theres anything to be learned from working at a fast food chain, its how to deal with entitled blowhards who think angry shouting will get them their way. When asked by CNN on Thursday to respond to Trumps claims that she had recently happened to turn Black, Harris shrugged off the dig. Same old, tired playbook, she said. Next question, please. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for Rollingstone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Wisconsin police searching for two men who reportedly broke into, stole from Walmart jewelry case BELOIT, Wis. (WFRV) The Beloit Police Department posted an update regarding two men who reportedly broke into and stole from a jewelry case at a Walmart. According to the release, the incident occurred around 2:25 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23. One suspect in a white hat, blue t-shirt and black pants reportedly acted as a lookout. Pair of restaurants in Wisconsin neighborhood burglarized in one weekend, officers investigating The second suspect, who was wearing a black hat, white sunglasses, light-colored hoodie and black sweatpants broke the lock and stole multiple items. Both suspects reportedly went into a different aisle, hiding the items before they left the store. There have been similar incidents reported in other nearby Walmart locations, according to the release. Fisherman saves 68-year-old Shawano County man after he crashed vehicle down embankment into the Wolf River Anybody with information is asked to contact the Greater Beloit Area Crime Stoppers at (608) 362-7463 or leave anonymous tips at this site. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) A Lackawanna teenager will now be riding in style after getting his wish granted by Make-A-Wish Western New York. Caleb Kinsley is a Hodgkins lymphoma survivor who started battling cancer at 15 years old. Four years ago, Kinsleys mom noticed a lump on his neck. After going to the doctors, he received a few biopsies and they ended up finding cancer. The following months for Kinsley were spent in and out of the hospital. He began treatment which included several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. I just kind of tried to keep the most positive outlook I could, Kinsley said. There was really nothing I could do but face it. Thats exactly what he did. In September 2022, Kinsley was able to ring the bell, marking the end of his treatment, officially declaring him cancer-free. Make-A-Wish Western New York grants wishes for children in the region with critical illnesses. When the organization heard Kinsleys story, volunteers knew they wanted to help. On Wednesday, Kinsleys gift of receiving a dirt bike was finally granted. Ive always had a passion for dirt bikes, and I always loved dirt bikes growing up, Kinsley said. Ive always really wanted to be into dirt bikes, wanted to race them. Now, thanks to Make-A-Wish and Bob Weaver Motorsports in North Tonawanda, Kinsley can do just that. Surrounded by his family, Kinsley was presented with a 2025 Honda CRF250R dirt bike, the exact model he wanted. Both organizations said they didnt think twice when given the opportunity to help make Kinsleys dream come true. Its in perfect fashion. Track ready with the tent, the mat and the stand, said Mike Weaver, part owner of Bob Weaver Motorsports. We wanted to make this happen for him because we knew thats what he wanted. Were more than happy to be a part of it. Were so grateful that we are able to give him that hope, that joy, as he dreamt about what his wish was going to be, said Mary Hazel, director of development at Make-A-Wish. Its medicine for the soul. Hes been able to just have some positive thinking and now hes going to have years of fun riding that dirt bike. Kinsey also gave thanks to his family, friends, the staff at the hospital and the members of the Make-A-Wish team. He said he couldnt have made it through this journey without them. Latest Local News Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. It is their sensitive response to human circumstance that accounts for the persistence of certain universal ideas. Rabbi Meir, a second-century scholar, admonished his disciples to look not at the pitcher but at its contents because, he stated, "Many anew pitcher has been found to be full of old wine. This was his way of emphasizing the importance of the distinction between form and idea and of stressing that the integrity of an idea is more important than the form of its expression. Creative ideas not only produce their own instruments of survival as time and circumstances demand, but permit the substitution of new forms for old under the pressure of changed circumstances. For example democracy, as an idea originated in ancient Greece and was carried from there to Western Europe and the Americas. But it did not retain the ancient Greek form: it passed through several reforming processes and exists today in many countries. Democratic governments differ in form because democracy is in principle dynamic and has therefore responded to local needs. Show Spoiler B 1. The author is primarily concerned with A. illustrating the teachings of a historical figure B. discussing an important characteristic of human ideas C. describing the history of the growth of democracy D. contrasting ancient and modern views of the importance of creative ideas E. explaining the difference between form and idea Show Spoiler B 2. According to the passage, democracy is an example of A. a human circumstance that has molded creative ideas B. an instrument of survival that has altered its original form C. an attribute of a creative idea that has allowed that idea to persist D. a creative idea that has persisted because of its adaptability E. a reforming process that has culminated in the creation of modern governments Show Spoiler E 3. It can be inferred from the passage that the author would agree with all of the following statements EXCEPT: A. Changing circumstances sometimes give rise to original ideas. B. Creative ideas may have universal applications. C. Changing human needs influence universal ideas. D. Democracy is an old idea but exists widely in new forms E. An idea must be expressed in a traditional way. A. illustrating the teachings of a historical figureB. discussing an important characteristic of human ideasC. describing the history of the growth of democracyD. contrasting ancient and modern views of the importance of creative ideasE. explaining the difference between form and ideaA. a human circumstance that has molded creative ideasB. an instrument of survival that has altered its original formC. an attribute of a creative idea that has allowed that idea to persistD. a creative idea that has persisted because of its adaptabilityE. a reforming process that has culminated in the creation of modern governmentsA. Changing circumstances sometimes give rise to original ideas.B. Creative ideas may have universal applications.C. Changing human needs influence universal ideas.D. Democracy is an old idea but exists widely in new formsE. An idea must be expressed in a traditional way. Woman, 24, shot in head while traveling in car on South Side CHICAGO A 24-year-old woman is in critical condition after being shot in the head while traveling inside a car on the citys South Side. The shooting happened around 9:40 p.m. Wednesday in the 1500 block of East 95th Street. Police said a 24-year-old woman was traveling in a vehicle when she was shot by someone traveling in a silver SUV. The woman was shot in the head and transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition. Man, 53, stabbed multiple times by roommate on South Side No one is in custody. Area Two Detectives are investigating. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Woman attacked, robbed while walking in Webb, deputies searching for suspect WEBB, Ala (WDHN) Houston County Deputies are combing the town of Webb and surrounding areas for a possible suspect after a woman was attacked early Thursday morning. According to the Houston County Sheriffs Office, the woman was assaulted and robbed while she was walking to work. Houston County Sheriffs Corporal Brandon Barnes tells WDHN they are searching for an unidentified male suspect. RickeyStokesNews reports the assault occurred around 6:25 a.m. on Kirkland Street. The investigation is still in its infancy, and authorities will release additional information soon. Stay with WDHN for updates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. A womans ex framed her for robbery and sent her to prison. Heres how she got free Seemona Sumasar was jailed for seven months after being framed by her ex, Jerry Ramrattan. This story mentions sexual violence. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. At first, Jerry Ramrattan seemed like a stand-up guy a neighborhood cop who looked out for everyone and seemed to really care about his girlfriend, Seemona Sumasar. But then things took an unimaginable turn. In 2012, Ramrattan, who was posing as a police officer, was convicted of raping Sumasar, then orchestrating an elaborate scheme to frame her for multiple armed robberies she did not commit. Sumasar and her family members open up about their experiences with Ramrattan in a new Netflix true crime docuseries, Worst Ex Ever, describing how he deceived and abused Sumasar and ultimately sent her to jail for seven months for a series of imaginary crimes. How evil someone can be to do something like this. She has a kid, and she was in jail for so long, and he was out there having the time of his life, Sumasars aunt, Vijay Itwaru, says in the documentary. Read on to learn more about Sumasars experiences with Ramrattan in the episode titled Betrayed by the Badge in Netflixs Worst Ex Ever. Jerry Ramrattan as seen in Season 1 of Netflix's "Worst Ex Ever." How were Sumasar and Ramrattan linked? Sumasar and Ramrattan met in 2006 when he visited the Golden Krust franchise location she owned in Queens, New York. He came by the restaurant. He purchased food and struck up a conversation with me, Sumasar says in the documentary. He was wearing a suit and he had a holster and he had a gun at his side. He told me he was a cop and a detective for the Brooklyn DAs office. Sumasar says Ramrattan came across as thoughtful, offering to fix her restaurants camera system and help her with other tasks. He showed up to just do random things for me, if just to take my car to the car wash, little things like that to make my life on a daily basis easier, she says in the docuseries. And then I guess we became friends. Eventually they began dating and for a while, nothing seemed amiss. Sumasars niece, Melanie Sumasar, says in the Netflix documentary that their family looked up to him and liked him because they believed he cared for Seemona. Ramrattan and Samasar met in 2006. What was Ramrattan convicted of doing? Their relationship soured when Sumasar discovered that Ramrattan was married to another woman and had three children. She broke up with him in 2008, but Ramrattan asked if he could stay in her basement for a few weeks. He ended up staying for months, according to a 2016 lawsuit filed by Sumasar against the Nassau County police officer and detectives who investigated the purported crimes which led to her indictment. On March 8, 2009, Ramrattan raped Sumasar, according to the lawsuit. She says he bound and gagged her with duct tape, threatened her with a gun, and held her prisoner in his basement apartment for several hours, according to the 2016 lawsuit. Ramrattan was charged with rape, and also came under investigation for impersonating a police officer, per the lawsuit. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. While out on bail, Ramrattan then then launched what the 2016 lawsuit called a campaign of harassment to destroy Sumasars credibility and to convince her to stop cooperating with the rape investigation. He sent multiple people to Ramrattans restaurant to try to talk her out of continuing with the case. And when she did not back down, he staged a series of imaginary crimes in an attempt to frame Sumasar for armed robbery, per the lawsuit. Six months later, Ramrattan launched a new attempt to frame Sumasar. According to court documents, he enlisted the help of two other associates, Terrell Lovell and Luz Johnson, to report imaginary armed robberies to the Nassau County Police Department in Long Island, New York, and to share details about the imaginary crimes that would lead police to Sumasar. Ramrattan told Lovell he would pay $20,000 to help frame Sumasar. These reports culminated in Sumasars arrest in May 2010. I said, No, like, clearly you made a mistake. I shouldnt be here, Sumasar said in the Netflix documentary, recalling her arrest and interrogation. She immediately suspected Ramrattan had something to do with the claims brought against her, but says when she mentioned his name, the police didnt take her seriously. If you think I did something, then hes behind it. I didnt do it, she recalls telling officers after her arrest, but says they brushed that off, like, No, this has nothing to do with him. Despite maintaining her innocence and despite presenting an alibi showing she had not been in New York during one of the supposed crimes Sumasar was indicted in June 2010 on multiple counts of robbery in the first, second and third degree, grand larceny in the fourth degree, criminal use of a firearm in the first degree, and criminal impersonation, among other charges, according to court documents. She faced up to 25 years in prison. This is when I really started to panic, she says in the documentary. Im absolutely freaking out because I am trying to figure out if they have all these things, they concocted all this falsified stuff, what is going to be my defense? Her bail was set at $1 million, which she could not meet, so she remained incarcerated. Sumasar was imprisoned for about seven months, during which time she was separated from her then-12-year-old daughter, Chiara. Every day seemed like a lifetime, when youre in a place like that, she says in the docuseries. She was finally released in December 2010, after an informant called the Nassau County District Attorneys office saying Sumasar had been framed, according to court documents. What happened to Seemona Sumasar after she was freed? In 2011, Sumasar and her daughter, Chiara, sued Nassau County and the police detectives involved in her arrest, according to the Netflix documentary. The lawsuit was settled for $2 million in 2017. Any settlement they would have gave me, I probably would have just said yes to, just for it to be over, Sumasar says in the documentary. So yes, that was a relief, and I couldnt have asked for a better outcome. She also said that the settlement wasnt just about money, but about vindication, and about not having to relive her experiences in a trial. I never said, Oh, I wanted X amount. I never relayed that to anybody else, Sumasar says in the documentary. I just wanted to win, I think. Admit that you all were way out of line and wrong, because I didnt want to have to go to testify. She also reflected on the anger she felt after she was exonerated. When I found out that he was found guilty, to me, its like, I told you so. I was more angry about it, you know what I mean? Like, why couldnt anybody listen to me? Why did it have to take seven months for us to go through this? she says. For me, I knew it all along. Where is Jerry Ramrattan now? Ramrattan, now 52, was convicted in January 2012 on charges including rape in the first degree, perjury in the first degree, and tampering with a witness in the third degree, according to court documents. Three of Ramrattans associates, Lovell, Johnson and Rajive Mohanlal, were subsequently charged with lying about Sumasars supposed crimes. They pled guilty to perjury and were sentenced to six months in jail plus four years of probation. Ramrattan is currently incarcerated in the Eastern NY Correctional Facility, a maximum security level facility for males, according to his inmate record from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. He will be eligible for parole in December 2031, after having served a minimum sentence of 21 years, five months and two days. His earliest possible release date is April 24, 2032, and his maximum release date is Nov. 22, 2040. During his time as an inmate, Ramrattan has filed multiple lawsuits. In 2012, he brought a complaint against the New York City Department of Corrections, claiming that he had experienced religious discrimination while incarcerated at New York Citys Rikers Island between 2010 and 2011. These claims were ultimately dismissed. In 2021, he filed a complaint against the State of New York, alleging that he had not received adequate accommodations for his visual and hearing impairments during a period of time at the Eastern NY Correctional Facility. These claims were also dismissed. Ramrattan also filed an appeal against his original conviction, which was denied in 2015. This article was originally published on TODAY.com CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) A woman whose body was found off of Marshall Street south of downtown Shreveport Sunday has been identified. According to the Caddo Parish Coroners Office, a woman who was found dead on Sunday August 25, 2024, has been identified. Reports of nude man attacking people with weapons leads to arrest Officials say 58-year-old Brenda Gilmer was found dead just after 6 p.m. in the 500 block of 4th Street, which runs south off Marshall Street between Marshall and McNeill streets. She had suffered blunt-force trauma, though the manner and cause of death remain under investigation. Gilmer was positively identified through fingerprint comparison. Her death continues to be investigated by Shreveport police. An autopsy was ordered. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) A Wichita Falls woman on probation for defrauding a woman who hired her to do housework is now charged with a new case of credit/debit card abuse of an elderly person. Skyler Houston, 29, was arrested Tuesday, Aug. 27, and posted $75,000 bonds Wednesday, Aug. 28. Wichita County deputies said a 76-year-old woman outside of Burkburnett opened her door to a woman seeking help after her car broke down. The victim said within a short time of the woman leaving her house, she received electronic notification of use of her cards at different businesses, and she said her wallet was missing from her purse. Cigarette to blame for house fire that hospitalized one The charges included $733 and $558 on two cards at an auto parts store and about $550 for charges to her cards at a restaurant and cell phone store. In 2021, Houston was placed on probation for two separate fraud cases. One involved paying her phone bills using the account number of a woman who hired her to do housework. When the woman became suspicious and told her she would have to pay her with cashiers checks in the future, she said Houston became angry with her for making accusations. Police said Houston denied the accusation but could not explain how the victims bank information was on her phone bill. She said it could have been her banks error, but she said she would repay the woman. In the other case in 2021, Houston pleaded guilty to using stolen money orders from Tealwood Apartments to pay her rent. Police said they obtained one money order that had been altered and made out to Houstons landlord for $777 rent. They said Houston admitted to the forgery, said it was so she could care for herself and her family, and was willing to pay them back. Sentence affirmed for driver in 2018 fatal hit-and-run Records show Houston has another credit card abuse case pending and two motions to revoke her probation. She was convicted of theft in 2013. Jail records show nine arrests since 2012 for theft, fraud, forgery, and credit card abuse. This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) One of two people arrested after police were called to investigate a reported burglary received her sentence on Thursday. Brittany Shook, 31, was sentenced to three years of probation. She pleaded guilty to an amended indictment of attempted trespass into a habitation when a person is likely to be present, a fifth-degree felony charge, last month. Police arrested Shook, along with Anthony Talbert, after they were called to a home in the 500 block of Parkman Road NW on March 31. They were called there by someone who saw lights on in the home and knew that the homes resident had recently passed away. According to a police report, when officers arrived, they found Shook sitting on the floor and Talbert hiding under a couch bed in the living room. The police report states Shook was found to have keys to the home, and she told police that she and Talbert were given the keys to the residence by one of Talberts friends. Shook stated that they were supposed to be cleaning the house out and the friend said they could stay there. Police said the home appeared ransacked and there was no indication any cleaning had been done. Talbert was sentenced earlier this month to 12 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of heroin, attempted trespass in a habilitation with another person present or likely to be present, aggravated possession of drugs, and possession of a fentanyl-related compound. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. There is video footage that totally exonerates Donald Trump and his campaign, his team claims, which if you only saw it would convince you that Democrats, the mainstream media and officials in charge of the nations most revered military cemetery are all lying when they suggest the former presidents MAGA entourage was abusive towards a woman who tried to stop them from filming a campaign ad on top of soldiers graves. We are prepared to release footage if such defamatory claims are made, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told NPR on Monday ahead of a report that campaign staff had violated federal law by filming in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, where veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are buried. According the broadcaster, and subsequent reports from The Washington Post and The New York Times, Trumps staff had been warned against using the cemetery for partisan political activities, a Department of Defense official confirmed, but then verbally harassed and physically brushed aside an employee who tried to enforce the same rules that apply to all visitors. An Arlington National Cemetery official has confirmed that an incident took place, noting that filming political ads is expressly prohibited by federal law. But the Trump campaign playbook appears to be a mix of denial and so what? You guys in the media, youre acting like Donald Trump filmed a TV commercial at a grave site, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, said at a campaign rally on Tuesday. He was there providing emotional support to brave Americans who lost loved ones and there happened to be a camera there and somebody gave him permission to have that camera there. This is not a gross violation of federal law. For good measure, Vance also told Vice President Kamala Harris to go to hell, attempting to spin her campaigns criticism of the Arlington visit as the actually shameful politicking. But if there is indeed video that exonerates Trump and his entourage, proving as Cheung previously claimed that the cemetery official was suffering from a mental health episode, for some reason his campaign is not releasing it. Instead, on Tuesday the Trump campaign went ahead and released a commercial, if not for TV then for TikTok (at least for now). The 21-second clip shows the Republican candidate within the restricted area of Arlington National Cemetery, posing for photos with the family members of a soldier who died in the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan supporters who had invited him, to be sure, but who had no ability to offer the consent of other families who absolutely did not want Trump campaigning on their loved ones remains. And there you go, the liberal veterans group VoteVets responded on social media. Donald Trump is using footage and photos his campaign took at Arlington National Cemetery for political purposes, it noted, describing it as sickening and an affront to all those hundreds of thousands of families who never agreed to allow their deceased loved ones to be dragged into politics. Master Sgt. Andrew Marckesano, whose grave stone is visible in the clip, died by suicide in 2020 while suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, having served eight combat tours. Hes one of those whose families did not agree to becoming content for a Chinese social media site that Trump previously wanted to ban as a national security threat (one of his campaign megadonors, billionaire Jeffrey Yass, is a major investor in TikTok). Marckesanos sister, Michele, urged Trump and others to remember that dead soldiers are not campaign props. We hope that those visiting this sacred site understand that these were real people who sacrificed for our freedom, she said in a statement, and that they are honored and respected accordingly. Trump, however, is incapable of understanding the concept of sacrifice or engaging in normal human empathy thats not according to some liberal critic, laying it on thick, but those who worked with him when he was president and heard him repeatedly denigrate veterans (suckers and losers, per former Chief of Staff John Kelly). He never understood why would you do anything that doesnt benefit you, a former senior Trump White House official told the Post, reacting to the cemetery scandal. I remember talking to him about death and sacrifice for the country and it was like talking Greek to him, the official said, arguing that the military family that invited Trump to the cemetery in the first place could be forgiven for not knowing any better. They dont know who he is and what hes really about, the official said. But many others do know what Trump and his campaign are really like, having assessed the publicly available evidence: for example, the woman his campaign allegedly abused to get that TikTok video and photos of a grinning Republican candidate giving a thumbs-up beside soldiers graves. According to the Times, that cemetery employee filed an incident report after the altercation with the Trump campaign but later decided against pressing charges. Military officials, the outlet reported, said she feared Mr. Trumps supporters pursuing retaliation. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Dozens of people packed the courtroom to hear the sentencing of a woman who stole more than $2 million from the Wall Co-Op Country Store on Thursday, Aug. 29. Mina Abbott was sentenced to 42 months in jail for unauthorized transactions with an access device in federal court and the restitution of $2,146,885.19. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: San Angelo woman suspected of stealing over $100,000 from Wall Co-Op Abbott, who had worked at the store for 25 years, wrote over 300 checks and made over 300 withdrawals. During the sentencing, it was stated that the embezzlement affected over 400 Co-Op members. Two victims took the stand to share how Abbott had damaged the Co-Ops reputation and business dealings along with their mental and emotional health. Concho Valley Homepage staff reported that Abbott sobbed while giving an apology to the victims, friends and families. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Woman accused of stealing $100K from Wall Co-Op admits to stealing over $2M According to court documents, Abbott embezzled a total of $2,146,885.19 from the Wall Co-Op Country Store. Previous reports from Concho Valley Homepage shared that Abbott spent $176,569.73 from May 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023. Abbott also conducted transactions during a vacation in July 2022 and a personal trip in 2023. These included: Several withdrawals at ATM machines Charges of $500.88 at Academy Sporting Goods and $726.45 at Walmart in Owensboro, Kentucky A charge of $557.99 at the Opry Shop and a charge of $294.41 at Enterprise Rent-a-Car in Nashville, Tennessee Several unauthorized charges made in Boston, Massachusetts This case was first brought to light in September 2023 when the Tom Green County Sheriffs Office began an investigation into long-term money theft at the store eventually revealed that approximately $100,000 had been stolen. Abbott plead guilty to the charge earlier in 2024. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) The 20th annual Womens Equality Day luncheon was held today at the Old National Events Plaza. Womens Equality Day commemorates the nineteenth amendment to the U.S. Constitution establishing the right for women to vote. The Evansville YWCA partnered with stepping up Evansville to hold the luncheon that celebrates the achievements of women and recognizes the fight for equal rights. In addition to the luncheon, volunteers helped register people to vote. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Women who had abortion access when they needed it fight for future generations Abortion supporters hold up signs condemning recent abortion restrictions and calling for the election of pro-choice candidates at a rally in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2022. A day before, the Arizona Court of Appeals decided in favor of pausing a near-total abortion ban from 1864 while Planned Parenthood of Arizona challenges its reinstatement. Photo by Gloria Rebecca Gomez | Arizona Mirror A generation of Arizona women who were young when Roe v. Wade was decided and who believe their lives were saved by the landmark abortion rights decision are fighting for their children and grandchildren to have those same rights. Val Smith remembers when her 15-year-old neighbor a year older than her had to go to a pediatricians office, through the back door at night, to terminate a pregnancy. I just remember thinking it was really weird that a pediatrician would do it and that she had to go at night, Smith, a 64-year-old who lives in Tempe, told the Arizona Mirror. Smith was around 13 years old in 1973 when the U.S. Supreme Court made its decision in Roe v. Wade, recognizing that the Constitution grants the right to an abortion. Her neighbors procedure happened in the year or two after that, when the stigma surrounding abortion was still intense, she said. After the Supreme Court overturned Roe in June 2022, the constitutional right to abortion that had been accepted for nearly 50 years was stripped away from women across the country, returning regulation of abortion to the states and meaning that women in many states, mostly Republican controlled, no longer have that same kind of access. Advocates in the Grand Canyon State are working to give women back the right to access an abortion through Proposition 139, the Arizona Abortion Access Act, which will be put to voters in November. If voters favor it, the act would amend the state constitution to guarantee a womans right to an abortion up to the point of fetal viability, which is generally regarded to be around 24 weeks of gestation. Abortions beyond that point would be allowed, as well, if a health care provider determines it is necessary to preserve a patients life, physical or mental health. When Smith was 20 years old, she found out through her own painful experience that the stigma surrounding abortion still existed. She was more than five months pregnant, with a baby who she wanted and had prepared for, when doctors told her they could no longer detect a heartbeat. Looking back, Smith is thankful that her abortion happened in a hospital, with access to the proper equipment and experienced providers, unlike her neighbor. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Smith, who gathered some of the more than 800,000 signatures that the Arizona Abortion Access campaign collected to get the initiative on the ballot, said she changed hearts and minds during the process by sharing her own story. When doctors couldnt find her daughters heartbeat, they told Smith to wait a week, and then another. Then they told her that her body would take care of the unviable pregnancy itself. After three weeks, Smith demanded action. I cant do this. I cant do this, Smith told her doctors. People are asking me when my baby is due, and shes not. So, after four weeks with no heartbeat, and after she had developed a fever of 104 degrees, doctors finally agreed to induce labor. But even though her procedure happened several years after abortion was legalized, and her pregnancy was no longer viable, the opinions of some of the health care providers who treated her were clear. It was a horrible experience, because the nurses thought I was terminating the pregnancy (voluntarily), and they were really ugly about it, Smith said. Val Smith as a young woman and in 2024. Photos courtesy of Val Smith / By Caitlin Sievers | Arizona Mirror At the time, she thought about how unpleasant it would be for any other woman or girl who needed an abortion to have her health care providers to judge her decision without knowing the circumstances. I dont want to see our country go backwards, Smith said, adding that now a woman in the same situation that she was in all those years ago would have to wait until she was much sicker to get the care that she needed. Arizona law bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions only in the case of a medical emergency, meaning that doctors might have to wait until the mother is very sick before they are legally able to perform the procedure. Smith knows from her experience talking to voters and gathering signatures that some of the people who say they oppose abortion dont understand the myriad reasons that it might be necessary. I had one young man say that its murder, Smith said. I told him my story, and he signed. She also spoke to a labor and delivery nurse who said she could not support the initiative, until Smith shared her story and the nurse acknowledged that Smith could have gone into septic shock if she didnt have access to abortion. Sharing my story is incredibly difficult for me, but also we have to protect a womans right to make her own decisions, Smith said. The price of sharing the story is worth the benefit of people changing their mind. Smith went on to have two more daughters, and said she often wonders if the child she lost would look or act like either of them. It just makes my blood boil Julie Neff-Encinas, 67, who lived in Tucson for decades before retiring to travel the country with her husband, remembers what the discourse was like leading up to the Roe decision. At the time, Neff-Encinas was a teenager with politically active parents, living in the suburbs of Chicago. I have vivid memories of conversations with my closest friends about the abortion issue, Neff-Encinas told the Mirror. It was huge in our world. One of her close friends was from a German-Irish Catholic family, with five siblings. The friend told Neff-Encinas that, in the view of the church, abortion was wrong. Neff-Encinas asked her friend what she would do if she were to accidentally get pregnant. Id have to have an abortion, Neff-Encinas said her friend responded. My parents would just be nuts if they found out Id gotten pregnant. Julie Neff-Encinas as a young woman and in 2024. Photos courtesy of Julie Neff-Encinas / By Caitlin Sievers | Arizona Mirror Years later, when she already had two children who were 7 and 4, Neff-Encinas had to have an abortion herself. She was around 20 weeks pregnant when she caught a strep infection that attacked the fetus. The amniotic sac lost integrity, all of the fluid leaked out and the sac was compressing the fetus, something that doctors told her it could not survive, Neff-Encinas said. They waited 24 hours to give the sac time to heal and refill, but told her that, if it didnt, she needed to terminate or she could become septic and die. Neff-Encinas chose to end the pregnancy after her condition didnt improve. Doctors induced labor, which lasted a grueling 39 hours. It was two of the worst days of my life, ever, Neff-Encinas said. I held the fetus after they brought her out. She was not anywhere near ready for life outside. Looking back, Neff-Encinas said she is thankful that she was able to terminate her pregnancy before she began feeling ill, and before she could suffer damage to her uterus. She went on to have another child. It angers her that women in Arizona now could not make the same choice, but would have to wait until they were in immediate danger before inducing an abortion. There was no point in waiting, Neff-Encinas said. Delaying the inevitable is just meaningless. It just hurts more. It was a horrible time for our family. And Neff-Encinas, who worked for the Tucson Unified School District for 30 years, was the familys breadwinner, so if something had happened to her, it would be an even bigger blow to her family than the tragedy of losing a wife and mother. If they didnt have my income, it would have been a very different world for my husband and kids without me if God forbid I had died, Neff-Encinas said. Now, when she reads about women in other states with strict abortion bans, like Texas, being forced to leave the state to get access to the procedure even when its medically necessary, she said she gets angry. Thats one of the reasons she volunteered to gather signatures for the Arizona Abortion Access Act. I see that kind of stuff and it just makes my blood boil, Neff-Encinas said. Its just so wrong. Those decisions should be up to women, their medical providers and any family members who they choose to involve, she said. Just get out of their business, Neff-Encinas said. Trust that women and their family members and their medical team know what theyre doing. Its just so offensive that women are so disrespected. She said shes worried for her daughter-in-law, who is currently pregnant, as well as her grandchildren, and what kind of future they face if abortion remains restricted in Arizona, or if a nationwide ban were to be put in place. Its a very basic concept, Neff-Encinas said. Bodily integrity. Bodily autonomy. Its our body. If pregnancy is at a terrible time in our life, if its in some way a risk for us, or if its the most inconvenient point in your life and you just cant have a baby, you need to have control and be able to get with medical professionals and take care of it. Former President Donald Trump has waffled in his public statements about abortion over the past 25 years, most recently promising not to enact a nationwide ban, and saying regulations should be up to the states. However, he has bragged about appointing the three conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices who tipped the scale to rescind the rights that Roe v. Wade had provided and indicated that he might support a nationwide 15 or 16 week ban earlier this year. And some of his closest advisors and aides helped craft Project 2025, a right-wing blueprint for a second Trump administration that calls for a nationwide abortion ban. We never thought women would lose their rights Heidi Ross believes that if a strict abortion ban was in place 25 years ago, she wouldnt have lived to tell her story. When she was carrying her youngest son, Ross was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy heart failure that happens late in pregnancy. She was told that if she became pregnant again, it could kill her. But birth control pills increased her blood pressure, so she was told to just be careful. Ross, a 58-year-old Buckeye woman, already had two young sons in 1999 when she found that she was pregnant for a third time. Rosss OBGYN told her that the decision was in her hands, but if she chose to keep the pregnancy, it could not go past 32 weeks and doctors would have to constantly monitor her heart. Her cardiologist, who shared that he was Catholic, with four children, told her the sobering news that, if she went through with it, the pregnancy would most likely kill her or leave her bedridden. So, I made my choice, Ross told the Mirror. Heidi Ross as a young woman in the early 1990s, when she was pregnant with her oldest son, and in 2024. Photos: courtesy of Heidi Ross / By Caitlin Sievers | Arizona Mirror Her sons were 2 and 6 at the time, and she didnt want to leave them without their mother. Now, she worries that her granddaughter will have the same pregnancy-induced heart condition, without the same access to abortion. That is why I fight for my granddaughter, because I dont know if shell have what I have, Ross said. Back then, you never thought about all of this going away. After her abortion, Ross went to nursing school and became a maternal care nurse. Shes currently in school to become a nurse practitioner. Learning about Arizonas abortion ban, as well as others across the country, inspired Ross to get involved with Democratic groups in the Valley. All I could think was maternal mortality was going to rise, Ross said. And it did. And now you have all these women in Texas screaming for their lives because they are allowed to lose organs before they can get an abortion. In 2022, Texas implemented a near-total abortion ban, with an exception only if the mother is at risk of death or impairment of significant bodily function. Since then, numerous Texas women have shared harrowing stories about their travels outside of the state to access medically-needed abortions that they werent yet sick enough to receive inside the state. Because Ross was not ill at the start of her pregnancy, but very likely would be by the end of it, such a law would have forced her to travel out of state, or to wait until she was very sick to gain abortion access. Im scared that future women wont have the same rights that those in my mothers generation fought for, Ross said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Bloomberg/Getty Images A study from the Centre for Countering Digital Hate released this month shares a snapshot of the abuse that women public officials face onlineand how social media platforms fail to address or prevent this kind of abuse. Researchers from the CCDH selected Instagram content from five Republican and five Democrat female incumbents who are running for office running in 2024; including Vice President Kamala Harris, Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jasmine Crockett, Nancy Pelosi and Senator Elizabeth Warren, as well as Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene, Maria Elvira Salazar, Anna Paulina Luna, Lauren Boebert and Senator Marsha Blackburn. 560,000 comments on their recent Instagram posts were gathered as part of this study, which found that 1 in 25 comments over 20,000 were identified as likely to be toxic by Googles Perspective AI tool. Delving further into the sentiment of these comments, researchers reported 1,000 of the worst, which included sexist and racist abuse, death and rape threats, as well as comments which violated Instagrams own community guidelines. Of these, Instagrams community guidelines review process allowed for 93% to remain on the platform. Instagram must enforce its existing rules against violent threats and abuse and work with experts in gender-based violence to ensure its current policies align with the lived reality of women and marginalized people in public life. All platforms should be required to be clear on how they enforce their rules and allow visibility and scrutiny of the actions they take to address abuse, Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate wrote in an introduction to the report. For context as to what kinds of comments were among the worst, a selection including: Hope someone leaves you fordead in a ditch, She would sound better with a f*cking gag in her mouth, and You complete evil f***ing b*tch, the devil has a hot place in hell reserved for you were among comments found. But anyone who has spent any time even casually viewing comments under the posts of prominent women politicians, knows that this kind of vitriol is all too common. Alarmingly, the study also found 221 of the 1,000 accounts reported by researchers to Instagram had targeted politicians several times in the space of half a year, meaning they were repeatedly targeting these figures posts, time and time again. Researchers discovered that Instagram specifically failed to act on 92% of comments targeting Vice President Kamala Harris, specifically, in the weeks following her announcement of presidential candidacy. Instagram failed to act on sexist comments claiming she is blowjobbing to the top and racist comments that she is VP because you are brown and without a penis went unaddressed after a week of being reported by researchers. Cindy Southworth, head of womens safety at Meta, said in an emailed statement to NBC News: We provide tools so that anyone can control who can comment on their posts, automatically filter out offensive comments, phrases or emojis, and automatically hide comments from people who don't follow them. "We work with hundreds of safety partners around the world to continually improve our policies, tools, detection and enforcement, and we will review the Centre for Countering Digital Hate report and take action on any content that violates our policies. Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue As the world focuses on Gaza, the West Bank has reached boiling point. Heres what to know Israels assault on Gaza since the Hamas-led October 7 attack has killed more than 40,000 people, according to Palestinian authorities, drawing international condemnation. But just 60 miles away, another major escalation of violence has also been playing out in the West Bank, where more than 600 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops since the war began. On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it began an expansive offensive in the occupied West Bank, launching raids and airstrikes in densely populated civilian areas in Jenin and Tulkarem that have killed at least 15 people so far. The attacks are occurring amid a surge in Israeli settler violence across the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem, where some settlers continue a campaign targeting Palestinian civilians and infrastructure. Israel says its military operation in the West Bank is necessary to stem further terror attacks on its territory. Palestinian leaders say the violence will only lead to dire and dangerous results. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Israel to immediately cease its operation, saying it was a deeply concerning development. As Israel signals its operation is only just getting started, heres what you need to know about the occupied territory and why bloodshed is escalating there. What is the West Bank and who controls it? The West Bank, a territory that lies between Israel and Jordan, is home to 3.3 million Palestinians living under Israeli military occupation as well as hundreds of thousands of Jewish Israelis who began settling there some 57 years ago. Israel began its occupation after the 1967 Six-Day War, where it captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, and the Golan Heights from Syria. Israel argues that Jews have a biblical and ancestral right to the land. Soon after, it began establishing Israeli communities in those territories. The West Bank remains where the bulk of those settlements, illegal under international law, are. In the 1990s, Israel and Palestinian factions began a peace process with the aim of establishing a Palestinian state. That process, known as the Oslo Accords, led to the creation of an interim Palestinian government known as the Palestinian Authority (PA), based in the West Bank city of Ramallah, with nominal control over the West Bank and Gaza. Peace talks have been frozen for years and the current Israeli government has ruled out granting independence to the Palestinians. Today, the PA has administrative and security control of 18% of the West Bank, while 22% is under joint Israeli and PA control. Israel has sole control over the remaining 60%, where most of Jewish settlements are. Israel withdrew its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005. In 2007, Hamas seized control of that territory after winning elections. In July, the International Court of Justice, the United Nations top court, issued an unprecedented advisory opinion that found Israels presence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to be illegal, and called on Israel to end its decades-long occupation. Who are the settlers in the West Bank? The Israeli settlement of Givat Zeev, near the Palestinian city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, is seen in 2019. - Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images There are more than 700,000 settlers living in the West Bank, the presence of every one of them considered illegal under international law. They are spread across 146 settlements throughout the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem. The vast majority of settlements are built by government order, but some unauthorized settlements, known as settlement outposts, have been established by ideologically driven Israeli civilians with the hope that they will one day be authorized by the government. Many of the settlements encroach on Palestinian villages and, in some cases, privately owned Palestinian land. Some are built in close proximity to Palestinian population centers and one, in Hebron, sits in the heart of a Palestinian town. In East Jerusalem, there are 14 Israeli neighborhoods, which the international community considers illegal. The expansion of settlements has been a top priority for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus right-wing government, which has supercharged the approval of land seizures in the West Bank during its tenure, despite human rights groups calling it a war crime. In July, Israel approved the largest seizure of land in the West Bank since the Oslo peace process, according to the Israeli anti-settlement watchdog PeaceNow. The settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are seen as a major obstacle to peace as they sit on land that Palestinians, along with the international community, view as territory for a future Palestinian state. What has been happening in the West Bank since the war began? Tensions have been rising in the West Bank for many years, but October 7 has ushered in a volatile new chapter in the occupied territory. On that day, Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people in Israel and took more than 250 hostages, according to the Israeli authorities. Israel subsequently launched a war in Gaza that has killed 40,476 people, according to Palestinian authorities. Since the start of the war, 652 Palestinians have also been killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, including 150 children, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Over 5,400 people have been injured. The violence has been especially stark for children, according to the American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), who said in an August report that the number of Palestinian children in the West Bank who have been killed by Israeli forces bullets nearly tripled in a year. Meanwhile, settler attacks have been unfolding for months without significant consequence or accountability. In February, hundreds of settlers carried out one of the largest attacks on Palestinians in years in the town of Huwara and surrounding areas after a Palestinian gunman killed two Israeli settlers who lived nearby. In the aftermath of the violence, Israels finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, himself a settler who opposes Palestinian sovereignty, said that Huwara needs to be erased. Earlier this month, more than 70 armed settlers invaded the town of Jit, firing bullets and tear gas at Palestinian residents and setting several homes, cars and other property on fire. One person was killed. The attacks drew condemnation from top Israeli officials, but far-right members of Netanyahus government and settlement leaders deflected blame away from the settlers. A girl comforts the mother of a 23-year-old Palestinian man who was killed during an attack by settlers on the residents of Jit, a town in the occupied West Bank, earlier in August. - Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP/Getty Images In total, at least 1,270 settler attacks against Palestinians have been recorded since October 7, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Of those, over 120 attacks led to Palestinian fatalities and injuries, OCHA reported. Meanwhile, the United States, Israels strongest military and diplomatic backer, imposed a series of sanctions this year on Israeli settlers accused of violence in the West Bank, blocking their financial assets and barring them from entering the US. The United States remains deeply concerned about extremist violence and instability in the West Bank, which undermines Israels own security, the US State Department said in a statement last month. Who is the current Israeli military campaign targeting in the West Bank? Israel launched a large counter-terror operation in the areas of Jenin and Tulkarem on Wednesday, where authorities said that over 150 shooting and explosive attacks have originated in the last year. Israel claims that the northern West Bank, including Jenin and Tulkarem, has seen a rise in Palestinian militant groups, bolstered by what it says is an Iranian campaign to distribute weapons there. Local militias are also gaining traction in the northern West Bank, groups largely comprised of disillusioned young men that have grown up under the Israeli occupation and who deeply resent the unpopular PA, which is seen as aiding the Israeli occupation and unable to protect them from it. The PA condemned violation and crimes by Israel on Wednesday, especially the ongoing war of genocide in the Gaza Strip and the targeting of the northern West Bank. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) militant group condemned the Israeli militarys comprehensive aggression, referring to it as an open and undeclared war. On Thursday, the IDF said that it killed five militants, including Muhhamad Jabber, a commander affiliated with the PIJs military wing, the Al-Quds brigade. CNNs Abbas Al Lawati and Abeer Salman contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Editor's note: Ukraine's military confirmed later on Aug. 29 that an F-16 had crashed on Aug. 26. Ukraine's Air Force announced on Aug. 29 that a pilot had been killed during Russia's mass attack on Aug. 26, shortly after the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that one of the recently delivered F-16 jets had been destroyed in a crash on the same day. Ukraine received its first F-16s by the beginning of August, a year after its allies formed the fighter jet coalition at the NATO summit in Vilnius to support Kyiv with training and aircraft. Just 10 jets have been delivered so far, according to media reports. Kyiv has been promised at least 79 F-16s from the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium. While the jet was not downed by Russian fire, it did crash during Russia's mass attack on Aug. 26, the WSJ said. Russia launched 200 missiles and drones on Aug. 26 as part of the largest-ever aerial attack against Ukraine. Strikes hit several civilian, energy, and fuel facilities, including part of the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant, killing seven people and injuring at least 47 others. "The crash was likely a result of pilot error," the WSJ said. "The Ukrainian Air Force wouldn't confirm the crash or the status of the pilot." Shortly after the WSJ report was published, the Ukrainian Air Force's Western Air Command announced that pilot Oleksii Mes had been killed on Aug. 26. "Oleksii destroyed three cruise missiles and one attack drone while repelling a massive Russian combined air and missile attack," the Western Air Command said. "Oleksii saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles. Unfortunately, at the cost of his own life." The lieutenant colonel's funeral was held on Aug. 29. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi posthumously awarded Mes the rank of colonel, Western Air Command said. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Aug. 27 that F-16 jets had been used to repel the attack on Aug. 26. Ukraine downed 102 missiles and 99 drones of the 127 missiles and 109 drones launched by Russia during the morning attack. Read also: BREAKING: F-16 fighter jet crashes in Ukraine, military confirms Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. SAN FRANSICO (KRON) X, the social media company formerly known as Twitter, will shut down its San Francisco headquarters in two weeks on Friday the 13th of September, according to a report. The microblogging platform, which is owned by Elon Musk, circulated an internal memo cited by the New York Times earlier this month announcing plans to close the SF HQ over the next few weeks. Surrounded Oakland liquor store worker chases off crowd with gun in viral video According to a subsequent report in Fortune, the company sent a note to staff Thursday announcing that the headquarters will close for good on September 13. The SF headquarters, which is located on Market Street in the beleaguered mid-Market neighborhood, has long served as the social media companys global headquarters. According to the NY Times, workers at the SF office will move to existing offices in San Jose. Musk, the Tesla CEO who purchased Twitter in 2022 and later rebranded it as X, announced in July that he would be moving the social media companys headquarters to Austin. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. (Bloomberg) -- Americas top security official touted Kamala Harris credentials for managing one of the worlds most-important bilateral relationships, after talks in China aimed at stabilizing ties ahead of the US election. Most Read from Bloomberg US national security advisor Jake Sullivan highlighted the vice presidents experience dealing with Chinas top leadership, and her role in shaping Asia-Pacific policy, during a press conference in Beijing on Thursday, as he wrapped a three-day visit to the Asian nation. Vice President Harris has been a central member of the Biden foreign policy team, he said, specifically citing her role in US-China relations. Shes had the opportunity to engage herself with President Xi and with Premier Li, so she is known to both of the top leaders in China. Sullivans comments mark some of the most direct by a senior Biden administration official on Harris ability to helm delicate relations with the worlds No. 2 economy. They also seemed aimed at addressing concerns the Democratic nominee is lacking foreign policy chops, as voters wait for her to flesh out her agenda ahead of the November vote. Unlike President Joe Biden who has publicized his 90 hours of talks with Xi Jinping over their long political careers, Harris has only met the Chinese leader on the sidelines of a summit in Thailand. She hasnt visited Beijing in her current role, something she shares with Biden partly due to pandemic curbs that clipped travel for years. Sullivans trip was aimed at putting guardrails on ties, as Beijing braces for a turbulent period in US politics in which the only guarantee is another tough-on-China president. Republican nominee Donald Trump has threatened a 60% tariff on all Chinese exports, which UBS Group AG estimates would more than halve Chinas annual growth rate. Election season could stoke suspicion on both sides, said Da Wei, director of the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University in Beijing, making Sullivans trip important for stability. The US may worry that China may interfere in the election, he added, while the Chinese side may worry that may some in the US might utilize the China card to gain domestic political benefits. During some 14 hours of talks in Beijing which included his first one-on-one meeting with Xi Sullivan said he discussed Harris, although declined to elaborate on what questions Chinese officials might have asked about the election. I was able to share my experience, my perspective, of working closely with the vice president, he said, and the role that she has played over the course of the past four years. Sullivan signaled that, as expected, Harris would continue the China policy implemented by Biden, saying that she valued high-level open lines of communication. The White House incumbent has also rallied allies to block Chinas access to cutting-edge chips citing national security concerns, and vowed to defend self-ruled Taiwan from an invasion to Beijings chagrin. Amid that growing list of disagreements, the two nations have used dialog to stop the ties spiraling. That was on display during Sullivans trip with a flurry of meetings announced between officials on both sides in the final months of the Biden administration. Sullivan and Chinas top diplomat Wang Yi who have met every few months in recent years to manage ties announced Wednesday plans to set up a leaders call in the coming weeks. That could pave the way for a final Xi-Biden meeting days after the election, at multilateral events in Peru and Brazil that both presidents have previously attended. Such a sitdown would be only natural, Sullivan said, without committing to any outcome. Long-stalled calls between US and Chinese military commanders were also penciled in, along with talks between commerce officials and John Podesta, the US senior adviser to the president for international climate policy, and his Chinese counterpart Liu Zhenmin. Sullivan became the first US national security advisor in eight years to sit down with a vice chairman of Chinas top military body during his trip. The senior White House official called meeting General Zhang Youxia a family friend of Xi very important. During a roughly one-hour meeting with Xi, Sullivan reaffirmed Bidens commitment to prevent competition between the superpowers from veering into conflict or confrontation. The Chinese leader said the US should see Chinas development as an opportunity and take a rational approach. Hours before Sullivan arrived in Beijing, Canada announced fresh tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, as well as steel and aluminum, that echoed similar US measures. The European Union has also announced levies on EVs from the Asian nation, with Biden officials saying its critical for the bloc to present a united front on China trade. While the relationship still faces challenges, the Chinese leaders meeting with Sullivan sent an important signal of goodwill to the US, said Zhu Junwei, a former researcher in the Peoples Liberation Army. If talks between the two sides over the last two days didnt go well, they wouldnt have met, she said. From this perspective, the meeting is successful. --With assistance from Josh Xiao and Colum Murphy. (Updates with details throughout.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Yale Grad Returns To Teach English At His Mississippi High School Alma Mater | Photo: Pexels Jeffrey Caliedo, a recent graduate student at Yale University, came back to his high school as a teacher. In just four years, he went from being a senior at Murrah High School to teaching English to six classes of freshmen students. Giving back and being a part of your community is a momentous occasion, and it has leaps and bounds of effects on people more than you know, he said in an interview with The Clarion Ledger. Caliedo graduated high school as valedictorian in May 2020. He pursued his studies at Yale after receiving a full scholarship, which he earned through the QuestBridge program catering to low-income, high-performing students. It was something that felt like a dream. I wont have to worry about financial struggles, how to pay for school and its just a blessing, he told The Clarion Ledger in December 2019. I remember screaming out loud for five minutes like, Im going to Yale. At the time, he credited the school district for helping him get into the Ivy League institution. JPS prepared me the most. In my essay to get into Yale, I wrote about my experience in this district, Caliedo said. Ive had teachers and classes constantly challenge me He also pointed to his AP literature and AP language classes at Murrah as a source of inspiration to teach English. Reading the texts that we did of African American literature for AP lang and AP lit, thats what helped me understand that this is the focus that I want to do as well, he said. In May, Caliedo graduated from Yale with degrees in both English and African American studies. By July, the 21-year-old had accepted a position at Murrah High School. He is now friends with his former school teachers and has been able to gain a unique perspective by being a former student. Ive been joking actually with a lot of my old teachers about how now I see the other side, Caliedo said. A lot of the concerns that I had as a student are sort of fresh on my mind now, but from a teachers perspective. So, Im trying my best to address those as I can moving forward. Four years ago, he was a scholar at Murrah HS, but today, Jeffrey Caliedo is a teacher. This incredible story by @ClarionLedger explains why the recent Yale graduate returned to JPS. https://t.co/vcxzXzgcZg | #StrongFinish #WeAreJPS Jackson Public Schools (@JPSDistrict) August 28, 2024 Caliedos younger sister is a junior at the high school, which allows him to gain an ongoing student perspective. Thats as current as it gets, Caliedo said. If I am curious about a sort of students perspective, I can go directly to her. Going forward, Caliedo hopes to earn his masters degree and doctorate to become an English professor. After years of pressure on Durov, Russia suddenly rallies behind him FILE PHOTO: Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov delivers a keynote speech during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona By Alexander Marrow and Mark Trevelyan LONDON (Reuters) - Days after gunmen killed 145 concert-goers at a venue near Moscow in March, as allegations emerged that the assailants had been recruited on Telegram, the Kremlin issued a stern warning to its founder. "We would expect more attention from Pavel Durov, because this unique and phenomenal resource ... is increasingly becoming a tool in the hands of terrorists," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Five months later, as French prosecutors pursue an investigation into Telegram founder and boss Durov over the use of the messaging app for fraud, drug trafficking, money laundering and other forms of organised crime, Moscow has changed its public stance on the tech entrepreneur. With some Russians now hailing Durov as a hero of free speech, Peskov said on Thursday that the case against him should "not turn into political persecution". Briefing reporters, he added: "We know that the president of France (Emmanuel Macron) has denied any connection with politics, but on the other hand, certain accusations are being made. We will see what happens next." Some Russian lawmakers have alleged, without providing evidence, that the case against Durov has been orchestrated by Washington. A source at the Paris prosecutor's office said the probe had no connection to the United States and Macron had been given no prior warning of the arrest. "Pavel Durov remains a hostage of the 'dictatorship of democracy' of the collective West," Leonid Slutsky, the leader of a pro-Kremlin parliamentary party, wrote on Telegram. The furore has provided Russia with an opportunity to pursue a favoured line of attack: that the West, while claiming to uphold values such as free speech, is really driven by a vengeful desire to undermine Russia. Ksenia Ermoshina, a researcher at Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto and the Center for Internet and Society at French institute CNRS, said Russia's strong reaction also reflects security concerns because of the widespread use of Telegram in military communications. "Telegram has become a tool for Russian defence to communicate internally," she said. "If Durov is accused by the French government and he is in the hands of French justice, they are afraid that he might give access to his servers and, because there is no internal encryption by default in Telegram, this will enable potential access to sensitive information from the Russian army." A lawyer for Durov said on Thursday it was "absurd" to suggest the head of a social network was responsible for any criminal acts committed on the platform. Telegram has said it abides by European Union laws. TROUBLED RELATIONS Durov, 39, has not always been able to count on vocal defenders in Russia, where his troubled relationship with the authorities goes back more than a decade. His first big tech venture - a Russian version of Facebook called VKontakte (VK) - permitted forums for opposition activists to organise protests against President Vladimir Putin, and Durov refused to comply with demands to shut down late opposition figure Alexei Navalny's anti-corruption blog. In 2013, Russia's FSB security service requested the VK data of Ukrainians protesting against the pro-Russian president who was then in power in Kyiv. "I refused to comply with these demands, because it would have meant a betrayal of our Ukrainian users," Durov said in March 2022. "After that, I was fired from the company I founded and was forced to leave Russia." Durov launched Telegram, now used by almost 1 billion people, in 2013. Before long, Russia came after that platform, too. The FSB said militants had used Telegram to carry out a suicide bombing on the St Petersburg metro in 2017, and state communications regulator Roskomnadzor demanded that Durov "hand over the keys" to information on the app. Durov said those demands violated Russians' constitutional right to keep their correspondence secret. For two years from May 2018, Roskomnadzor sought to block Telegram, efforts that were thwarted by rotating proxy servers, hiding traffic and other anti-censorship tools. Since then, the platform has continued to grow in popularity, becoming an indispensable tool for everyone from dissidents to bloggers on the war in Ukraine. On the streets of Moscow on Thursday, people interviewed by Reuters said they were following the case of Durov, who has French as well as Russian citizenship. Irina, a middle-aged woman who declined to give her last name, alluded to the fact that the businessman had been invited in the past to dine with Macron. "Of course, this is alarming, this is a very unpleasant thing," she said of Durov's arrest. "If this is such a set-up on the part of the head of France, Macron, then this is beyond the pale." Mark, a young man in a white hoodie, said the case was easily explained. "This is politics. They've arrested a Russian billionaire in France. Why not? It's beneficial for them, it's a blow to Russia." (Reporting by Alexander Marrow in London and Reuters in Moscow, Writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Frances Kerry) Leaving a positive impression on someone was a trademark for South Memphis native Willie B. Dean. "He personally made me a better person," said Tymikia Glenn, director of the Georgette & Cato Johnson YMCA in Whitehaven. Glenn said Dean was well known within the YMCA leadership circle and she was aware of him since she became involved in the organization in 2014. When she relocated to Memphis in 2023 to oversee the Whitehaven-based branch, she began meeting with Dean monthly and he became a mentor and close friend, she said. From left, Willie B. Dean, Carol Johnson-Dean, Patrice Robinson and Jackie Robinson pose for a photo during the opening of the Georgette & Cato Johnson YMCA branch in Whitehaven in 2023. Dean had navigated being a person of color in a leadership position throughout his decades-long career and his advice and positivity helped guide her through a difficult transitional period, she said. "He always had a way of turning a mishap into hope," Glenn said. "He had that magnetic personality. He always found light in every situation." Dean, who had a nearly four-decade career in youth leadership, largely with the YMCA, died on Aug. 22 in Memphis. He was 73. Dean was born on March 15, 1951, in Potts Camp, Mississippi. He and his family would relocate to West Memphis, Arkansas, in his youth and later to Memphis where Dean attended the since-closed Dunn Elementary School and graduated from Hamilton High School. Neither of Dean's parents graduated high school, but he and his siblings' paths led to academic success, his wife, Carol Johnson-Dean, said. Dean would graduate from Memphis State University (now known as the University of Memphis). He would later earn a master's and doctorate from the University of Minnesota and an executive MBA from the University of Nebraska, with additional graduate studies in urban affairs at the University of Texas. The scholar would turn toward a path of civil service first as an auxiliary probation officer for Memphis and Shelby County and later during a decades-long career with the YMCA. He began his career with the YMCA as a program director at the Glenview Branch in South Memphis. During his career with the organization, Dean held several leadership positions including executive director of the Monsanto branch in St. Louis, chief operating officer at the YMCA of Greater Cleveland and president and CEO of the YMCA of Arlington, Texas. He also served as the first Black CEO for the Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan YMCA in Nebraska. Dean retired from the YMCA in 2012. After retirement he helped contribute his leadership to two Minneapolis nonprofits; serving as general manager for the KFAI radio station and executive director of Youth CARE. It was in the Twin Cities that he met Carol Johnson-Dean. Johnson-Dean said they first met in 2017. She was living in Memphis at the time and was in Minneapolis for a funeral. The two met among a group of former and current Memphians after the service, and when she learned Dean was from Memphis, she told him to give her a call next time he was in the Bluff City. And he did, she said. The two shared a first date at Capital Grille. They both were widowers, and Johnson-Dean said their relationship reflected a shared respect to their first partners and their children. Two also bonded over a joint affinity toward community and academia. Johnson-Dean served as a superintendent of Memphis City Schools and later as interim president at LeMoyne-Owen College. The two were married in 2018 and lived in Memphis. "We shared so much joy and love together," Johnson-Dean said. "We only had seven years, but it was a miraculous seven years." In 2022, Dean wrote a memoir, "Overcoming: How Faith, Family, and Friends Helped One Black Man Beat the Odd." The memoir detailed Dean's life and the adversity he and his family faced. Johnson-Dean said despite his father being a sharecropper, he and his siblings all found pathways to success and ways to give back to their respective communities. Funeral services for Dean will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, at St. Andrew A.M.E. Church at 1876 S. Parkway East in Memphis. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. The family is asking in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Georgette & Cato Johnson YMCA, St. Andrew A.M.E Church and/or the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Neil Strebig is a journalist with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at neil.strebig@commercialappeal.com, 901-426-0679 or via X: @neilStrebig. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Willie B. Dean, longtime YMCA leader, dies at 73: How he's remembered New York Ferry Bursts Into Flames, 37 People Rescued: 'It Was So Scary' I was fairly certain we were going to have to jump into the river," a passenger said More than two dozen people were rescued from a ferry they were traveling on that caught fire on Tuesday, Aug. 27 in New Jersey. In a video circulating on social media, passengers can be seen hopping from a smoke-filled New York Waterway public ferry to another boat as rescuers quickly try to help them to safety. According to the Associated Press and SWNS, 37 people were rescued after the ferry caught fire on the Hudson River just before 5 p.m. local time on Tuesday. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. SWNS PEOPLE reached out to New York Waterway and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey but did not immediately receive a response. Per the outlets, a witness who happened to be on a nearby boat said he saw the flames and the ferry began to "shake." ABC7 The unidentified individual sailed closer to the boat to assess the situation when another boat helped passengers to safety. The evacuation reportedly took around 10 minutes, and the ferry that caught fire was towed away. Related: 5 People Injured and Nearly 700 Passengers Evacuated After Fire Breaks Out on Staten Island Ferry Getty ferry stock image "I was on a boat with a few colleagues cruising along the river. I saw the smoke coming from the boat it was so scary," another passerby who filmed the scene said. "The water was very choppy and there were a lot of boats passing which made the situation worse." Cary Broder, who takes the ferry to save an hour on his commute to work, told New York's Pix 11 he was on the vessel when the fire began. I looked behind me, and there were orange flames shooting out of the back of the boat, he told the news station. Fortunately, everybody really remained calm. Like, people were obviously scared. Broder added, I was fairly certain we were going to have to jump into the river, actually. Despite the incident, he said he will continue to use the NY Waterway ferry in the future. Related: Boat Captain Found Guilty of Manslaughter Over Calif. Fire that Killed 34 I was a little bit panicked, you know, and there were a bunch of people gathered on there. I was just trying to get off the boat onto the other one, and then it wasnt until afterward I realized oh, my bikes still on there, Broder said. No injuries were reported, and it is not immediately clear how the fire started, reports ABC 7 NY. The ferry was on the Paulus Hook to Pier 11 line and was heading to Paulus Hook and Liberty Harbor in New Jersey at the time of the incident, NBC New York reports. The outlet added that the investigation is ongoing. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Raising sewer rates and applying for a DORA were among some of the things approved at Wednesdays Youngstown City Council meeting. By a six-to-one vote with Councilwoman Amber White voting no Youngstown City Council passed an ordinance increasing sewer rates. Listen, I dont want to have to do this because I have to talk to my family and my mother about another rate increase, said Mayor Tito Brown. The rate increase will be 5 percent a year for the next five years. At the end of the five years, homeowners will have seen an increase of $8 to $16 a month. The money is needed to pay for sewer upgrades mandated by the EPA. But it is a fault of the leadership over all of these years. Weve not prioritized long-term solutions, said Councilwoman Samantha Turner This does not fall on the council or this administration. This has been happening for years. This can has been kicked all the way to us, Councilman Julius Oliver said. The Council also passed a resolution allowing for an application to be submitted to allow for a DORA where people could carry cups of alcoholic beverages throughout downtown. It would be allowed Thursday and Friday from 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and for all special events. Turner was concerned that a DORA would require more police. How do I talk to my business owners and people in the community about that when we need a heavy police presence on certain sides of town, during certain times of the day? Turner asked. Oliver said representatives of Youngstowns Economic Action Group will be ambassadors downtown. Those ambassadors will be on-site, in place, making sure people are where they need to be. If they see somebody getting unruly, or going out of the zone, theyll be able to have direct contact with the police officers. So if its needed, they will come to that site, Oliver said. The vote only allowed for the application to be submitted. If approved a second vote will be needed for the DORA to become law. City Council also approved $500,000 of American Rescue Plan money to upgrade Borts Field, $400,000 for pedestrian safety on Mahoning Avenue, $50,000 for renovations of the South High Auditorium, and $50,000 for Bess Purpose which helps women, families and veterans Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, 30, killed Edwin Arrieta Arteaga and dismembered his body Somkeat Ruksaman/AP Daniel Sancho Bronchalo A Spanish cooking YouTuber was sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted of murdering a surgeon while both were vacationing in Thailand. Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, 30, killed Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga last August on the island of Koh Phangan, according to reports from the Associated Press, the BBC and CBS News. Sancho is the son of well-known Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho, and the case has spawned considerable media coverage in Spain, CBS reported. Sanchos mother, Silvia Bronchalo, has also acted before, the AP reported. The outlets reported that Sancho was originally sentenced to death but his sentence was commuted due to his cooperation during the trial. Sancho is required to pay Arrietas family 4.2 million baht, the equivalent of $125,000, the AP reported. Spanish news outlet EFE reported that Sancho can apply to transfer the remainder of his sentence to Spain if he pays the required amount and serves at least four years in Thailand. The AP reported that during his trial, Sancho pleaded not guilty, claiming he was acting in self-defense after saying Arrieta tried to sexually assault him. Sancho did admit to dismembering the surgeons body and disposing of it on land and at sea, according to the AP. 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. Given the high-profile status of Sanchos family, HBO produced a Spanish documentary about the case, titled El Caso Sancho. "The plaintiff is satisfied with the sentence because he will be put in prison for life and they receive some financial compensation," said Bussakorn Kaewleeled, an attorney for Arrietas family, according to CBS. Sancho started his YouTube channel, Pero Disfrute, in 2022. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Yukon High School officials confirmed on Thursday that students are being released due to a delay in restoring power. According to Yukon Public School officials, the school will be closed and students dismissed for the remainder of the day. Due to a delay in power restoration at Yukon High School, school will be closed and students are dismissed for the remainder of the day. We will practice normal dismissal procedures for this process. Busses are available for students who need transportation home. Bus riders will be transported on their normal bus numbers. For students who will have a parent/guardian pick them up, they will wait in the cafeteria until their parent/guardian arrives. Students who are waiting in the cafeteria will be provided with lunch. Students who are able to drive will practice normal dismissal procedures. Kayla Agnitsch, Director of Communications of Yukon Public Schools School officials say, power is set to be restored for after-school activities and games and will update as changes occur. Other Headlines Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Best Labor Day Deals on Electronics Right Now: Earbuds, iPads, TVs, and Much More Labor Day falls on September 2 (that's this Monday)which gives many of us a well-deserved three-day weekend to look forward to. This Federal holiday was established to honor the American labor movement as well as the contributions of laborers toward building the United States into what it is today. What better way to celebrate Labor Day than to use the hard-earned fruits of your own labor to engage in some electronic retail therapy? Whether youre in the market for a replacement laptop, a household smart TV upgrade, or some new earbuds to treat yourself, chances are its on sale now. Here are a few of our top picks, with more on the way as retailers reveal more discounts throughout the week. Our expert called the , one of the best tablets you can buy, no matter the price. This $130 discount makes this fantastic device, which offers powerful performance and a familiar design, all the more compelling. Compatible Apple accessories like the and the Apple Smart Keyboard (or other ) transforms this tablet into a pseudo-laptop. For those who prefer Android devices, the is a premium tablet at a reasonable price, and earned our Editors Choice award for Android tablets. Boasting good performance and a long battery life, its the Android tablet to beat, according to our expert, and the current $100 discount makes it even more enticing. The 12.4-inch LCD has a resolution of 2,560 by 1,600 pixels and, while not as sharp as the OLED displays offered by the pricier Tab S9s, its still a nice, large workspace to use in conjunction with the included S Pen stylus. More Tablet Deals *Deals are selected by our commerce team For more tablet recommendations, check out our article. The XPS 13 9345 is powered by the, which performed well in testing. This snappy ultraportable will easily handle your day-to-day computing needs, whether youre working from home, consuming media, or doing some casual gaming. Measuring only .60 inches by 11.62 inches by 7.84 inches and weighing in at under 3 pounds, you can easily take the XPS 13 9345 with you on the go. More Laptop Deals *Deals are selected by our commerce team This Asus ROG Strix G16 has everything on a modern gamers wishlist: A powerful GPU, a good amount of storage, and strong Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi 6E connectivity means youll have the fastest possible connection during your online sessions, and a number of ports, including USB Type-C with Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.1, enable you to connect peripherals without having to juggle. The customizable RGB lighting is just icing on the cake. More Gaming Laptop Deals *Deals are selected by our commerce team For more Laptop recommendations, check out our article. An all-in-one PC is the ultimate in computational convenience, marrying a monitor and desktop tower into one space-saving form factor. This 27-inch Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO brings convenience a step further by offering a number of ports and inputs and even a wireless charging base so that compatible devices will never be without juice. The ergonomic hinge allows you to position the screen for your viewing comfort, plus theres a built-in webcam, mic, and speakers for those Zoom meetings. Also included is a wireless keyboard and mouse, so youll have everything you need to get started right out of the box. More Desktop Deals *Deals are selected by our commerce team The offers solid performance at an affordable price for those who dont need the latest and greatest. The interface supports most major streaming services, including Amazons own Prime Video and other popular names like Disney+ and HBO Max, and can be controlled hands-free via Alexa. The voice assistant is a noteworthy feature of this line, allowing you to conveniently search for content as well as control the TV and any compatible smart home devicesall through your TV. There's also an model available now that improves upon this formula, for those with bigger budgets that desire more features from their television set. More TV Deals *Deals are selected by our commerce team For more smart TV recommendations, check out our article. Maybe you dont want or need to replace your entire TV. A is the simplest solution to unlocking your televisions potentialnot to mention the cheapest. Simply plug and play 4K HDR content through a variety of streaming apps, including Apple AirPlay. Our reviewer applauded the fast, responsive performance of the which enables fast browsing and streaming. More Media Streaming Device Deals *Deals are selected by our commerce team Smart watches and fitness trackers are a boon for those of us who want to operate our devices hands-free or simply keep a measure of our activity and vitals throughout the day. Samsungs Galaxy Watch6 Classic looks dressy enough to be worn out and is built durably enough that it can be your regular workout companion. Our expert praised the for its big, bright screen, premium stainless steel case, and the return of the rotating bezel which enables you to quickly and conveniently scroll through content. Samsung is offering a trade-in deal wherein you can get up to $200 in trade-in credit, knocking the price down to next-to-nothing. More Smartwatch Deals *Deals are selected by our commerce team For more Samsung brand recommendations, check out our article. The reign supreme as our Editors Choice winner for noise cancelling headphones. Excellent audio performance, class-leading noise cancellation, and a comfortable, stylish design make them easy to recommend. Of all the pros these fantastic over ear headphones possess, there is a single con: the price. This $100 discount is your chance to see what all the fuss is aboutfor significantly less. More Over-Ear Headphone Deals *Deals are selected by our commerce team For more headphone recommendations, check out our article. The includes a wireless charging case, extending your battery life while on the go. While they dont have the active noise cancellation feature of the AirPods Pro, they offer crisp, clear audio and good mic quality for less than $100 on sale. If you prefer the more classic, tailed design in terms of comfort the second generation Airpods are still worth a look. More Wireless Earbud Deals *Deals are selected by our commerce team For more Apple brand recommendations, check out our article. Need something with more reach than earbuds? Despite its diminutive size, the produces room-filling sound. Controls are handled through the Sonos app or hands-free via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, making this soundbar convenient to operate. Our expert says, the second-gen Sonos Beam is one of the best options" when it comes to low profile sound bars that offer fantastic sound quality. More Soundbar Deals *Deals are selected by our commerce team A powerful 4-stage cleaning system that prioritizes messier areas in your home makes this mop-vacuum combo a good fit for homes with pets and children. It will intelligently map your home and can switch seamlessly between vacuuming and mopping with the insertion of the mopping bin. The iRobot Roomba is also an Amazon brand, so it will easily fit into your existing smart home setup alongside Alexa and the gang. More Robot Vacuum Deals *Deals are selected by our commerce team UPDATE 6 p.m. ET: Brazils Supreme Federal Court officially pounded its gavel on X Friday afternoon, ordering an immediate and complete suspension of the service throughout the country. The by Judge Alexandre de Moraes orders Brazils to take measures to ensure Xs suspension and directs Apple and Google to block use of Xs apps, including removing them from their app stores. It also sets a daily fine of 50,000 Brazilian reals, about $8,900, for people and companies that use technological subterfuges (presumably, ) to evade the ban. Elon Musk reacted by continuing a quote-posting spree that earlier saw him elevate a baseless conspiracy theory about voting machines in Brazil. A typical comment from him Friday evening: The oppressive regime in Brazil is so afraid of the people learning the truth that they will bankrupt anyone who tries. Earlier Friday, de Moraes issued an order and blocking domestic transactions of SpaceXs service. That satellite broadband service now connects more than a quarter million customers in Brazil, according to that said it was committed to continue providing service to you. Original story: X is facing a deadline to put a face to its presence in Brazil before the nation's top court bans the platform from the second most-populous country in the Americas. The Supreme Federal Court posted an order at 8:31 p.m. local time Wednesday night and on X ordering the service to name a legal representative in Brazil within 24 hours, under penalty of suspension of activities in Brazil. The order signed by Alexandre de Moraes, one of the courts 11 judges, comes after X announced that it would shut down operations in Brazil instead of complying with an order by de Moraes to suspend accounts allegedly posting disinformation to undermine Brazils democracy. Since April, the judge has led an inquiry into the role the former Twitter may have played in helping digital militias plot the January 2023 insurrection in Brasilia in support of former president Jair Bolsonaro. The rioters who stormed the capitals presidential, legislative, and judiciary buildings sought to overturn Bolsonaros defeat in the October 2022 election by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Many hoped the military would join their efforts and stage a coupas Brazils armed forces did in 1964 before embarking on 21 years of military dictatorship rife with extrajudicial imprisonment, torture, and execution. The January 2023 insurrection has been widely compared to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the US Capitolexcept that in Brazil, courts and other government bodies have not bent over backwards to shield Bolsonaro from accountability. In June 2023, the Supreme Federal Court banned the former president from running for office until 2030. (In April, President Lula, as hes commonly known, became one of few heads of state to set up shop on the Twitter alternative Bluesky, where he posts under the same lulaoficial handle he uses on X.) This is not the first time Brazilian authorities have threatened a ban on a social platform for noncompliance. In March 2022, de Moraes ordered Telegram to shut down in the country for failing to meet legal obligations to combat disinformation; Telegram founder Pavel Durov, now facing a series of criminal charges in France, blamed that on staffers overlooking emails from Brazilian officials, and the shutdown ended after two days. In January 2023, a court imposed another brief shutdown of Telegram for failing to disclose information on alleged neo-Nazi activity on the platform. Musk, however, has taken this treatment more personally, criticizing de Moraes in increasingly hostile terms that Bolsonaro supporters have cheered. Meanwhile, Musk has walked away from Xs anti-disinformation efforts, invited such misinformation magnets as disgraced conspiracy liar Alex Jones back on X, and has shared fake images himself. Musk took the news as he does most criticism: by quote-sharing supportive posts from his chorus of superfans with opinions like This judge has repeatedly broken the laws he has sworn to uphold, and sharing an altered image of de Moraes wielding lightsabers as if Voldemort and a Sith Lord had a baby and he became a judge in Brazil. And Musk posted another generated image of de Moraes behind bars, tagged with the handle from which the judge hasn't posted anything since Jan. 11, under the text One day, @Alexandre, this picture of you in prison will be real. Mark my words. Shattered Glass A clever car burglar broke into a vacant Cybertruck by popping one of the windows ajar and then peeling it wide open, which should alarm any owner of the Tesla vehicle, which has been marketed for its shatter-proof glass and tank-like exterior. "No Alarm, No Notifications to my phone... literally nothing happened just found it like this..." wrote Cybertruck owner Anuj Thakker, who shared the upsetting news on Facebook a few days ago. Thakker, who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, posted footage from a Cybertruck camera that shows a hoodied person exit a red sedan that parked next to his Cybertruck. After he looked inside the vehicle, the burglar took a tool from the red car and popped ajar the driver side window of the Cybertruck. The glass shattered but the window still kept its shape, probably due to an adhesive layer that keeps the Tesla window glass layers laminated together. The burglar then peeled down the window and reached inside for an unattended backpack before leaving in the getaway car. Joy Ride It's a rude awakening for Thakker, who may have bought into the Cybetruck's various security features, from the alarm to the so-called shatter-resistant armor glass that's supposed to be able to withstand substantial impacts. But if you've been following the development of the Cybertruck, the glass window's failure does not come as a huge surprise. Back when Tesla CEO Elon Musk first unveiled the brutalist pickup in 2019, a Tesla designer threw a metal ball at the Cybertruck to demonstrate the strength of the glass but the glass shattered onstage. This seemed to be a harbinger for the twists and turns of the Cybetruck's journey to the world's roads, which has been beset with many production delays and quality control issues. Even now with the Cybertruck out in the public, the vehicle has been subject to at least four recalls for problems with its wiper motor, accelerator pedal getting stuck, trunk issues, and trim pieces falling off. As for the glass windows, there have been reports of the glass shattering due to hail and owner mischief, including one case in which a Tesla fan walked on a Cybertruck and broke the glass windshield. More on the Cybertruck: Lord Have Mercy, Cybertrucks Are About to Get "Full Self-Driving" When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: PlayBox Neo SOFIA, BulgariaPlayBox Neo has announced that it will mark its 25th year anniversary at IBC2024, unveiling its range of smart media playout solutions. During the show in Amsterdam from Sept. 13 - 16 at Stand 7.A17., the provider of broadcast media playout, streaming and channel branding technologies will be showing attendees the latest versions of Media Gateway, AirBox Neo-20, Capture Suite, Channel-in-a-Box and Cloud2TV With solutions designed for international media content owners and broadcasters navigating multi-platform, multimedia, multichannel environments, PlayBox Neo will demonstrate at IBC how its entire series of television channel management, graphic branding and playout solutions integrate into one single affordable solution. From a single desktop, PlayBox Neos suite of products control ingest, transmission, scheduling through to playout, delivering efficient and scalable workflows, the company said. Media Gateway allows the reception, transmission and conversion of a wide range of broadcast signals to simplify the everyday tasks of content delivery and distribution. AirBox Neo-20 offers automated content streaming with 4K-UHD optimization; Capture Suite enables users to control multiple ingest channels, spread on multiple servers from a single web user interface; and finally, Channel-in-a-Box provides an all-in-one solution for UHD, SD, and HD channels. Over the past 25 years, PlayBox Neo has achieved global growth and enhanced many media businesses. Their products leverage decades of innovation that ensures the delivery of unique competitive advantages to broadcasters and are designed to help broadcasters adopt new business models and to support companies as they adapt and transform in the face of revolutionary technological change. Over the years, PlayBox Neo has contributed significantly to the industrys success with some of the first groundbreaking playout and Channel-in-a-Box solutions to ever hit the market. Many customers over the past 25 years are still benefiting from PlayBox Neos longevity and impressive legacy which includes EutelSat, CME, United Media, Canal+/SPI, Olympusat, RCN, NileSat, IkoMedia/STN, GulfSat, Tata Communications, ThaiCom, TVB and many more. Notable highlights of its history include various awards, upgrades and development breakthroughs. The AirBox Neo-20 playout automation system launched in 1999 and achieved world-wide success after PlayBox Neo initiated international distribution in 2002. With 2020 marking the beginning of a new decade, PlayBox Neo unveiled the new Capture Suite, even in the year of a major pandemic. Further success followed in 2021 with the launch of TS ime Delay and Media Gateway, a solution that won TV Technologys Best of Show Award at NAB. In 2024, the installed base of playout and branding channels exceeded 20,000, demonstrating continued success. PlayBox Neos founder and CEO Pavlin Rahnev reveals the formula of success, Rule one in the broadcast media business is to listen carefully to customer feedback. Rule two is to respond constructively and promptly by delivering enhanced services that help transform customer experience into success. Reflecting on PlayBox Neos 25 year legacy encourages us to focus on whats ahead today. We are on the cusp of a new journey to empower customers to continue to step into the future with us with reassurance, adds Pavlin Rahnev. We show great appreciation and thanks to our valued customers for their ongoing loyalty and trust in our technology. With the joint effort of our distribution partners worldwide, product development colleagues, sales, marketing and administration teams, PlayBox Neo continues to lead the way in smart media solutions. Looking ahead, we see efficiency, reliability and flexibility as the key priorities across the entire media industry, freeing creative professionals to concentrate on what really matters: - our customers come first and their creative content is king, it always was, and it always will be. To book a meeting to see PlayBox Neo in action at IBC2024 (Stand 7.A17), click here: https://bit.ly/4dvhpdn For further information about PlayBox Neo solutions, visit www.playboxneo.com . Researchers make 'elegant' breakthrough that could change the future of solar power: 'Addressing the key challenges' A team of South Korean researchers have switched out tin for lead in solar cells as part of what they call an "elegant" innovation. That's partially because tin is less toxic than lead and seems to work well as part of halide perovskite suncatchers. Perovskites are a family of crystalline minerals that can turn sunlight into energy with great efficiency when part of a cell. Better yet, experts tout the potential for low production costs as an added benefit, all according to the U.S. Energy Department. Researchers at Chung-Ang University note that lead, which can be harmful to people and the environment, is often coupled with perovskites to form reliable solar cells. But their latest findings suggest that tin could be a suitable replacement. First, they had to troubleshoot some problems with the tin/perovskite material that were causing performance failures, including moisture sensitivity. The answer is a mouthful: 4-Phenylthiosemicarbazide. "We purposely chose a multifunctional molecule that acts as a coordination complex and a reducing agent, passivates defect formation, and improves stability," study lead, Associate Professor Dong-Won Kang, said in the lab report. The multisyllable additive, introduced during production, boosted performance. The cell reached a 12.22% efficiency rate. That's the amount of sunlight the material is able to turn into electricity, according to the summary. The solution helped to regulate crystal growth in the structure, prevent defects, and stop unwanted chemical reactions. Importantly, the test cells retained nearly 100% of "initial power conversion efficiency" after 500 hours and 80% after 1,200 hours "in ambient conditions," the experts note in the report. But there's still progress to be made to reach rates recorded elsewhere. The Energy Department cites a report about perovskite cells that have achieved a greater than 25% efficiency. Scientists from Oxford are combining perovskite with silicon, a material used in most panels, reaching what they said is a "world-record" 26.9% rate. It's all part of the effort to generate more of the world's electricity with renewable energy. A recent nationwide study by government analysts found that, on average, rooftop solar panels produced energy bill savings of around $700 a year, even after deducting costs to get the setups up and running. Steep tax incentives for up to 30% of installation costs are making the panels more affordable than ever. Better tech is increasing panel life spans to beyond 30 years, expanding the value window for an energy source that produces no heat-trapping air pollution. NASA links planet-warming gases to higher severe weather risks. So, adding solar can have a positive impact beyond your pocketbook. For Chung-Ang's part, the experts plan to continue experimentation with tin/perovskite suncatchers, improving the low-cost, good-performing, and durable invention. "Addressing the key challenges and significantly improving their performance aligns with our goal of contributing to developing efficient and sustainable renewable energy solutions," Kang said in the summary. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Peter Hotez, MD, PhD; Photo by Agapito Sanchez VILLANOVA, Pa. (August 29, 2024) Villanova University has named Professor Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, co-director of the Texas Childrens Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and founding dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, as the 2024 recipient of the Mendel Medal. Dr. Hotez will present the Mendel Medal lecture, titled Global Immunizations and the Antipoverty Vaccines: The Science vs the Anti-Science, on Friday, November 8, 2024. The Mendel Medal is named for 19th-century Augustinian friar and scientist Gregor Mendel, best known as the father of modern genetics, for his discovery of the celebrated laws of heredity that bear his name. Dr. Hotez is the 54th recipient of the award, which was first presented by Villanova in 1929 and is given to outstanding contemporary scientists in recognition of their accomplishments. Villanova University is proud to celebrate Dr. Peter Hotezs valuable advancements to science and medicine by presenting him with the 2024 Mendel Medal, said Fr. Kail Ellis, OSA, PhD, Special Assistant to the President and Dean Emeritus of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Villanova University. His contributions have had a global impact, and in true Augustinian character are concentrated on helping communities devoid of certain medical necessities that are crucial to health. Additionally, his quest to educate the public on vaccine science are both an embodiment of this award, and Gregor Mendel himself. Dr. Hotezs lifelong dedication to the development of novel vaccines has impacted millions of people throughout the world. In 2022, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize after co-leading the development of a low-cost and patent-free Covid vaccine technology, leading to the delivery of 100 million vaccine doses to India and Indonesia. His coronavirus research includes ongoing work to develop a pan-coronavirus vaccine to target multiple variants at once. Active in the fight against neglected diseases of poverty, specifically, Dr. Hotez has worked diligently to develop vaccines for human hookworm anemia infectionwhich affects roughly 400 million individuals worldwideand schistosomiasis, both of which are currently in clinical trials. He has also devised novel vaccines for Chagas disease and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), among others, and is an author of more than 700 scientific publications. In addition to his contributions to vaccine technology and the prevention of neglected diseases of poverty, Dr. Hotez is active in combating vaccine misinformation, particularly through his five authored books. He has been recognized by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS) with their Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award, and by the American Medical Association (AMA) with their Scientific Achievement Award, among numerous other accolades from various esteemed entities. Prof. Hotez is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and holds several honorary doctoral degrees. According to Dr. Hotez: Im thrilled to be honored by Villanova University and to receive a recognition that commemorates Gregor Mendel, one of my science heroes. It is especially exciting to view the list of international scientists who have also received the Mendel Medal, and Im humbled to join this extraordinary group Villanova University, as an institution founded by the Augustinian Order, plays a key role in sustaining Mendels legacy. The Mendel Medal is awarded to outstanding scientists who have worked to advance the cause of science and, by their lives and their standing before the world as scientists, have demonstrated that between true science and true religion there is no intrinsic conflict. To learn more about the Mendel Medal and its history, please visit the Mendel Medal website. About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova Universitys Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six collegesthe College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nations top universities, Villanova supports its students intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu. The fresh newsletter for the International Community in Hungary - described by readers as a "Great read each week" - is now available for your interest and use via the link below. Maruti Suzuki New Plant: Maruti Suzuki India is facing a slight delay in finalising the location for its new plant with an annual capacity of 1 million units. However, the upcoming facility at Kharkhoda in Haryana remains on schedule to begin production by 2025-26, according to company Chairman RC Bhargava. During the company's annual general meeting, Bhargava also reaffirmed Maruti Suzuki's stance that low-cost, small cars are essential for India's economic and social landscape. A temporary dip in demand will not change the company's strategy, as it anticipates a revival in small car demand within the next two years. "Our programme for expanding production is proceeding as scheduled, cars produced in the Kharkhoda plant will add to our sales in FY25-26. A small delay has taken place in finalising the site for a new one million unit expansion. We are making our best efforts to come to a quick decision in this matter," Bhargava said. At the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January, Suzuki Motor Corporation President Toshihiro Suzuki revealed that Maruti Suzuki India (MSI), the company's Indian subsidiary, plans to invest Rs 35,000 crore in establishing a second manufacturing facility in Gujarat. This new plant will have an annual production capacity of 10 lakh units. In 2022, the company had announced setting up of a new plant at Kharkhoda with an installed peak capacity of 10 lakh units per annum at an investment of Rs 18,000 crore. This is the company's third plant in Haryana. On entry-level cars, Bhargava said, "We firmly believe that low-cost and small cars are necessary in our economic and social conditions. A temporary setback in demand is not going to change our strategy." He further said, "We are waiting that in the next year (or) two years, the small car market will revive...I think the nation has a need for small cars, and we are waiting, maybe by the end of FY25-26 we should have this (demand) coming back." New Delhi: The buzz is currently strong that actress Rakul Preet Singh is all set to reprise her role in the eagerly awaited sequel De De Pyaar De 2, following the success of the first installment. After kick-starting the shoot for Son of Sardaar 2, Ajay Devgn will reunite with the actress for this highly anticipated project. The original film, which also starred Tabu and Jimmy Sheirgill in prominent roles. De De Pyaar De 2 Shooting In the first De De Pyaar De, Rakul Preet Singh and Ajay Devgn's on-screen pairing was liked by the masses. A source close to the production team for De De Pyaar De 2 said, As of now, the production is busy preparing for a 45-50 day schedule in some beautiful and rustic locations in Punjab. While Madhavan, Rakul and the other cast and crew members leave next month for Punjab, Ajay Devgn will be joining after his Son of Sardar 2 schedule which is being filmed in the United Kingdom." De De Pyaar De 2 Plot The sequel introduces R Madhavan as Rakuls father, promising an engaging battle of wits between him and Ajays character, Ashish. Rakul's return to the film is highly anticipated, as her performance in the original was widely praised for bringing charm and adding comedic value to the screen. Fans can look forward to seeing her presence once again in this sequel, as De De Pyaar De 2 is slated for release in the summer of 2025. Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a revered Hindu festival that commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of wisdom and prosperity. Celebrated with immense zeal across India, this festival holds cultural, social, and religious significance. The festivities commence with the creation of elaborately crafted clay idols, followed by prayers, rituals, and grand processions. Each tradition and custom associated with Ganesh Chaturthi carries a unique symbolic meaning, fostering a sense of unity and devotion among communities. Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 Time: Shubh Muhurat And Tithi According to Drik Panchang, the auspicious time to welcome home Lord Ganesha on Chaturthi Tithi will start at 03:01 PM on September 6, and end at 05:37 PM on September 07. The auspicious puja muhurat time will start from 11:03 AM to 01:34 PM on September 7, 2024. Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Rituals And Celebration In Hindu belief, Lord Ganesha is revered as Vighnaharta, the remover of obstacles. He holds immense importance in Hinduism, with nearly all rituals starting with his worship. Preparations for this festival commence months ahead, including the crafting of Ganesha idols. Ganesh Chaturthi features four primary rituals: Pranapratishtha, Shodashopachara, Uttarpuja, and Visarjan puja. During this festival, people adorn their homes with flowers and rangoli patterns and bring clay idols of Lord Ganesha into their residences. Additionally, elaborately decorated Ganesha idols are set up at puja pandals, homes, offices, and educational institutions on Chaturthi day. The Pranapratishtha ritual is conducted by a priest who chants a specific mantra. Following this, 16 distinct rituals, collectively known as Shodashopachara puja, are carried out. Modak, a cherished sweet dumpling from Maharashtra, is believed to be Lord Ganeshs favorite offering. During the puja, Modak, along with other sweets and fruits, is presented to Lord Ganesh. People celebrate the festival by singing religious hymns, dancing to the rhythm of drum beats, and preparing a delightful feast. The third significant ritual of Ganesh Chaturthi is Uttarpuja, which involves saying farewell to Lord Ganesh. New Delhi: The 47th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM today. Around 3.5 million shareholders will hear from Chairman Mukesh Ambani during the meeting, who will give updates on important facets of the business's activities. Given that Ambani has a history of making significant announcements at Reliance AGMs, investors will be closely monitoring any major announcements. The following is a summary of the top five market projections for the 47th Reliance AGM in 2024: 1. Reliance Jio and Reliance Retail IPOs Investors will be closely monitoring any plans or scheduled dates for Reliance Jio or Reliance Retail's IPOs. Since the management stated at the 2019 AGM that both businesses would be listed within five years, investors have been waiting for a date for the announcement of these listings. According to global brokerage Jefferies, Jio may go public in 2025 at a valuation of about $112 billion. 2. Stake Sale in O2C Busines A specific plan for selling stakes in the company's oil-to-chemicals (O2C) business is anticipated by investors. Shareholders will keep a careful eye on the specifics of potential buyers and the transaction value of such sales among others. 3. New Energy Projects During today's Reliance AGM, investors will be closely monitoring Mukesh Ambani's address for updates on ongoing projects in the new energy industry. Investors will seek out precise project commissioning dates as well as evaluations of these businesses' possible profit margins. RIL has set aside $1 billion for capital expenses for its solar manufacturing division in FY24. Investors will be watching for further information in these areas. 4. 5G Monetization Plans Reliance Jio's plans for monetizing its 5G network are expected to be revealed at the AGM. This covers, among other things, strategies for utilizing 5G technology to drive revenue growth and potential partnerships. Analysts anticipate updates on Reliance Jio's accelerated 5G rollout. 5. Succession Plan Investors will be watching for information on Reliance Industries' succession plans, leadership changes, and important hirings. A succession plan headed by Mukesh Ambani in 2022 put Isha Ambani in charge of retail, Akash in charge of Jio, and Anant in charge of the energy division. Investors will be closely monitoring any further developments on the leadership change. RIL 47th Annual General Meeting Livestreaming The 47th Annual General Meeting will be live-streamed on various platforms of Reliance. Shareholders and investors can join this link :https://jiomeet.jio.com/rilagm/joinmeeting --30 minutes ahead of the schedule. New Delhi: Two more people, including a bank manager, have been detained by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau in connection with the Rs 175 crore Hyderabad SBI Branch scam. The Cyber Security Bureau has arrested Upadhya Sandeep Sharma, a gym trainer, and Madhu Babu Gali, the manager of State Bank of India's Shamshergunj branch for their alleged involvement in the case. This has brought the case's total number of arrests to four. A case was registered against them under 66D of the IT Act, and sections 318(4), 319(2), and 338 of the BNS Act at the Cyber Crime Police Station, Hyderabad, based on a suo motto complaint, Telangana Cyber Security Bureau Director Shikha Goel said. In exchange for commissions, the SBI Shamsheergunj branch manager allegedly conspired with fraudsters to help open current bank accounts, assist with cash withdrawals, and plan money diversion, Goel said. On August 24, the Cyber Security Bureau busted the fraud and arrested two persons - Mohammed Shoeb Tauqeer and Mahmood Bin Ahmed Bawazir. According to the Cyber Security Bureau, the main fraudster operates out of Dubai. Along with his five associates, he used to lure people into opening bank accounts and supply them for use in cybercrimes and hawala operations. Shoeb was instrumental in opening bank accounts and preparing the required paperwork. A portion of the funds was transferred via cryptocurrencies to Dubai. In February 2024, Shoeb and his associates lured several people to open six current accounts in the SBI's Shamsheergunj branch. These six accounts saw major transactions in March and April totalling around Rs 175 crore. The Cyber Security Bureau has advised people to avoid opening a bank account for someone else or carrying out any dubious transactions. "If you have already opened a mule account, report it to 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in. Be cautious of unsolicited offers to open bank accounts. Verify the identity and credentials of anyone asking you to open an account and monitor your account activity regularly," it said. IANS Inputs A shocking case has emerged from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, where a madrasa was being used as a cover for printing counterfeit currency. The illegal operation was being run with the consent of the madrasa's cleric, Maulvi Mohammad Tafseerul. The incident took place at the Jamia Habibiya Madrasa located in the Atarsuiya area of Prayagraj. During a police raid, four people, including the cleric, were arrested on the spot. The accused were using green tape to create the security thread for the fake notes. According to the police, they recovered a total of 1,300 counterfeit notes in the denomination of Rs 100. The cleric confessed that these fake notes were being distributed across various parts of the city. In addition to the fake currency, the police also seized printers, scanners, equipment used for making counterfeit notes, and the special paper required for their production from the madrasas premises. Further investigation revealed that the principal of Jamia Habibiya Madrasa, Mohammad Tafseerul, had rented a room in the madrasa to Zahid Khan, a fake currency producer from Odisha. The police stated that Tafseerul was fully aware of the counterfeit currency operation and was, in fact, a shareholder in the illicit business along with Zahid Khan. DCP Nagar Deepak Bhukar disclosed that this operation had been running inside the madrasa for the past three months. Mohammad Afzal and Mohammad Shahid, residents of Kareli in Prayagraj, were responsible for distributing the fake notes in the market. According to the police, counterfeit notes worth Rs 45,000 were being exchanged for Rs 15,000 in genuine currency. They believe that counterfeit currency worth lakhs of rupees has already been circulated in the market. Based on Zahid Khans confession, the police recovered 1,300 fake Rs 100 notes, along with the scanner, printer, paper, and other equipment used in their production. The investigation is ongoing, and the police are thoroughly probing the connections of madrasa principal Mohammad Tafseerul and mastermind Zahid Khan. Anyone found involved in this illegal operation will face strict action. Haryana Assembly Election 2024: With the poll dates announcement, the Haryana Congress is looking to dethrone the BJP and return to power in the state after warming the opposition benches for a decade. While the poll dates are out, all eyes are on the political parties and their ticket distribution. With the anti-incumbency in play, the ticket distribution will hold a key this time for both the big parties. However, to avoid a possible rebellion scenario that could hurt the party's poll prospects, Congress has sent a clear message to leaders who could have landed the party into troubled waters. Days before, the Haryana branch of the ruling BJP challenged the Congress to announce Kumari Selja as their chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming state Assembly elections, questioning the party's commitment to the welfare of the SC community. Lok Sabha MP Kumari Selja is former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's bete noire. Then there is Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala who supports Selja. While the Selja-Surjewala faction wants their say in the candidate selection, the process is likely to be dominated by the old guards -the Hooda faction. Hooda has bounced back to the race as he promised Rahul Gandhi that this is his last election. Hooda recently emphasized that he is 'neither tired nor retired', but acknowledged that the decision on who will become Chief Minister will rest with the Congress high command. If reports are to be believed, both Selja and Surjewala have expressed their desires to contest the assembly polls. This was likely to catalyse the factionalism and internal tussle in the Haryana Congress and the party has thus asked the Hooda faction to accommodate the views of the rival-Selja faction and work on the inter-party fault lines. The party asked the leaders to not send the wrong message to the respective caste groups. Now, the party has also made it clear the party's members of Parliament, be it from the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, won't be allowed to contest the assembly polls and they should instead focus on campaigning. However, Deepak Babaria, the AICC in-charge for Haryana, maintained that the final decision about who will contest the polls lies with the party's high command. All 90 seats of Haryana will go to the polls on October 1 while the counting of votes will take place on October 4. In a bizarre incident, a 60-year-old man allegedly died of suffocation on Thursday after a python he was carrying around his neck tightened its grip in Jharkhand's Jamshedpur city, police said. He used to earn money by showing the snake around his neck to people. The incident occurred when the victim, Hemant Singh, was on Dimna Road in Mango area. It was then handed over to the forest department, a police officer said. The Officer-in-Charge of Mango police station, Niranjan Kumar, said the body was sent for post-mortem examination. Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: In a shocking revelation surrounding the rape and murder of a Kolkata doctor, disturbing audio clips have emerged, highlighting the hospitals troubling response to the tragedy. The victim, a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, was found murdered in a seminar hall on August 9. The case has ignited widespread protests and scrutiny, with new information shedding light on the hospital's handling of the incident. Confusing Calls To Parents On the night of August 9, the doctors parents received three distressing calls from the hospital. According to reports and leaked audio clips, the first call came at 10:53 AM, where the assistant superintendent informed the parents that their daughter was critically ill and urged them to come to the hospital immediately. Despite repeated requests for more information, the caller was vague, only stating that doctors would provide further details upon their arrival. Transcription Of The Calls: First Call: - Caller: Her condition is really bad. Your daughter has been hospitalized. Please hurry. - Father: Please tell us what has happened. - Caller: I am not a doctor, I am an assistant superintendent. Your daughter has been admitted to the emergency, her condition is very bad. A doctor will tell you more about this. - Father:Are there no doctors there? - Caller: I am the assistant superintendent. We have brought your daughter to the Emergency. You come and contact us. Second Call: - Caller: I am speaking from RG Kar (hospital). - Mother: Yes, please say. - Caller: You are coming, right? - Mother: Yes, we are coming. How is she now? - Caller: You come, we will talk, come to RG Kar Hospital's chest department HOD. Third Call: - Caller: This is the Assistant Superintendent. The matter is that your daughter has probably died by suicide. She is dead, police are here, we are all here, please come as soon as possible. - Father: We are coming, right away. - Mother (screams in the background):** My daughter is no more. Hospital's Attempt To Mislead? The release of these audio clips has raised serious questions about whether RG Kar Medical College and Hospital officials were attempting to mislead the victims family or obscure the true nature of the crime. The inconsistency in the information providedfrom the initial reports of illness to the final assertion of suicidehas fueled allegations that the hospital may have been involved in a cover-up. Legal And Public Reactions The Supreme Court and local authorities have criticized the handling of the case, particularly the delay in filing a formal police complaint and the initial classification of the death as "unnatural" rather than murder. Protests have erupted across Kolkata, with junior doctors and the public demanding justice and accountability. Current Developments As the investigation continues, the Kolkata Police and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are focusing on these new revelations. Police spokesperson DC (Central) Indira Mukherjee confirmed that their records show the victims body was covered with a blue sheet, countering claims of evidence tampering. The authorities remain committed to uncovering the truth behind the hospital's response and ensuring justice for the victim. This case remains under intense scrutiny as officials work to address the numerous questions raised by these new revelations and the ongoing public outcry. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has clarified that a malicious disinformation campaign was carried out against her using one of the statements she made during a rally yesterday. Addressing a gathering yesterday, Mamata Banerjee reminded protesting doctors of the Supreme Court appeal to join work. She further said one must remember that the Supreme Court said it was up to the state government to take action against errant doctors. "We didnt take action. If an FIR is filed against you, your future will be ruined. He or she wont get a passport or visa, she said. The protesting doctors termed her remark as a passive threat. However, after a wide outrage over her remarks, Banerjee clarified that her statement has been subjected to a 'malicious disinformation campaign'. I detect a malicious disinformation campaign in some print, electronic and digital media which has been unleashed with reference to a speech that I made in our students' programme yesterday. Let me most emphatically clarify that I have not uttered a single word against the Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 29, 2024 "I detected a malicious disinformation campaign in some print, electronic and digital media which has been unleashed with reference to a speech that I made in our students' programme yesterday. Let me most emphatically clarify that I have not uttered a single word against the (medical etc.) students or their movements. I totally support their movement. Their movement is genuine. I never threatened them, as some people are accusing me of doing. This allegation is completely false," she said on X. The West Bengal CM further said that her statement was against the BJP. "I have spoken against BJP. I have spoken against them because, with the support of the Government of India, they are threatening the democracy in our State and trying to create anarchy. With support from Centre, they are trying to create lawlessness and I have raised my voice against them," added the CM. Addressing a Trinamool 'Chhatra Parishad' foundation day programme in Kolkata yesterday, in response to BJP's 12-hour long 'Bengal Bandh' call, the Chief Minister had alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is using his party to cause a fire in Bengal over the Kolkata woman doctor rape and murder incident. "Some people think this is Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh; they speak like us and share our culture. But remember, Bangladesh is a separate country, and India is a separate country. Modi Babu is using his party to cause fire here. If you burn Bengal, Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn! We will topple your chair," Mamata Banerjee said. Union minister and BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar criticized Banerjee for her remarks, accusing her of attempting to intimidate the doctors. BJP leader Baijayant Jay Panda also criticised the Bengal CM. "I strongly condemn the statement by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Threatening to set Odisha, North-East, Eastern India, and the entire country on fire is reckless and divisive. Odisha is a peaceful state, and its people reject any attempts to incite hatred and unrest. Such rhetoric has no place in our society and will not be tolerated," he said. New Delhi: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) suspended Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, amid the CBI investigation of his alleged involvement in the rape and murder of a trainee doctor earlier this month. In a recent order, the Indian Medical Association announced that a committee, establised by IMA national president Dr RV Asokan, reviewed the rape and murder case involving a postgraduate resident doctor and the subsequent events at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. "The undersigned along with the National President has also visited the parents of the victim in their home. They had put up their grievances against you (Ghosh) in dealing with the situation as well as lack of empathy and sensitivity in handling the issue in an appropriate manner befitting the responsibility held by you in your dealings with them," the order stated, ANI reported. "The IMA Bengal state branch as well as certain associations' of doctors also have demanded action citing the nature of disrepute brought by you to the profession on the whole," it said. The order also said that the disciplinary committee of the IMA has "unanimously decided to suspend you forthwith from the membership of the Indian Medical Association." On August 26, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concluded a second round of polygraph tests on former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH) principal Sandip Ghosh as a part of his investigation into the rape and murder of a female doctor at the institution. Kerala Lottery Results Thursday 29-08-2024 LIVE: The Kerala Lottery Department, on behalf of the Keralan government, announces the "Karunya KN-536" Lucky Draw Result today Karunya KN-536, August 29, 2024. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala Lottery Result 2024 for "Karunya KN-536" will feature 12 series, with changes in series possible each week. A total of 108 lakh tickets are available for purchase weekly. The ticket prices may vary. Check the Karunya KN-536 results right here to see if youre the first-place winner of 80 Lakhs. Stay tuned to this website for the live update of Kerala Lottery Karunya KN-536 results today. Kerala Lottery Result 29-08-2024 Aug: FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR KARUNYA PLUS KN-536 Draw LUCKY TICKET NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 80 LAKHS IS: PK 602476 LUCKY TICKET NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 10 LAKHS IS: PH 840051 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: 1) PA 387622 (KOLLAM) 2) PB 127862 (VAIKKOM) 3) PC 416738 (MALAPPURAM) 4) PD 822561 (ERNAKULAM) 5) PE 430513 (THRISSUR) 6) PF 244408 (KANNUR) 7) PG 111020 (NEYYATTINKARA) 8) PH 359978 (THIRUVANANTHAPURAM) 9) PJ 969657 (KASARAGOD) 10) PK 852441 (PAYYANUR) 11) PL 936919 (KAYAMKULAM) 12) PM 736112 (CHERTHALA) LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: PA 602476 PB 602476 PC 602476 PD 602476 PE 602476 PF 602476 PG 602476 PH 602476 PJ 602476 PL 602476 PM 602476 (For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below) LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: 0727 1367 1465 2101 2876 2933 4330 4385 5279 6011 6050 6546 7320 7446 7699 7992 9160 9519 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: 0070 1060 1133 1273 1321 1893 2267 2389 2717 2902 3391 3491 4933 4951 5162 5422 5746 5783 6579 6765 7170 7504 7767 8194 8213 8401 8466 8927 8976 9033 9213 9508 9721 9736 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: 0096 0241 0253 0256 0345 0389 0393 0514 0782 0900 0946 1139 1496 1549 1596 1599 1632 1635 1838 1941 2201 2371 2424 2441 2989 3016 3197 3293 3301 3618 4064 4115 4310 4484 4620 5175 5396 5695 5703 5802 6146 6233 6327 6440 6441 6462 6620 6728 6775 6985 7032 7066 7205 7265 7312 7420 7502 7503 7543 7569 7794 7976 8018 8071 8102 8119 8273 8294 8566 8727 8965 9032 9248 9255 9383 9570 9752 9776 9791 9821 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: 0045 0052 0067 0076 0234 0277 0314 0378 0627 0743 0802 0874 0885 0893 0918 0990 1220 1230 1233 1281 1375 1381 1431 1677 1750 1752 1813 1834 1992 2009 2064 2271 2327 2444 2471 2598 2693 2713 2835 2888 2904 3193 3212 3253 3264 3325 3562 3573 3643 3707 3709 3752 3949 4232 4363 4430 4475 4522 4536 4547 4751 4857 5045 5093 5095 5187 5199 5367 5393 5613 5625 5635 5673 5807 5867 6005 6012 6017 6021 6038 6091 6092 6293 6356 6548 6585 6905 6960 7226 7435 7494 7510 7548 7605 7694 7701 7768 7782 7837 7844 7978 7993 8014 8088 8142 8280 8292 8326 8421 8595 8611 8675 8679 8771 8849 8909 9282 9309 9367 9373 9411 9464 9547 9556 9660 9708 KERALA LOTTERY RESULT TODAY 29-08-2024 August: KARUNYA PLUS KN-536 LOTTERY PRIZE DETAILS 1st Prize: Rs 80 Lakhs 2nd Prize: Rs. 10 lakhs 3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh 4th Prize: Rs. 5,000 5th Prize: Rs. 1,000 6th Prize: Rs. 500 7th Prize: Rs. 100 Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000 (NOTE: Lottery can be addictive and should be played responsibly. The data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or encouragement. Zee News does not promote lottery in anyway.) Shivaji Statue Collapse: Under fire over the collapse of a Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday asserted he would not hesitate to touch the feet of the warrior king 100 times and apologise for the incident if required. Talking to reporters here, Shinde said the opposition has other issues to do politics on but Shivaji Maharaj, a revered figure in Maharashtra, should be kept out of it. As the collapse of the statue four days ago in Sindhudurg district continued to generate heat, the state government set up a technical committee to find out reasons for the crash, while members of the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, staged silent protests across Maharashtra over the incident. "Chhatrapati Shivaji is a patron deity of Maharashtra. I am ready to touch his feet 100 times and apologise (for the statue crash). I will not shy away from apologising. Our government functions keeping his (Shivaji's) ideals in mind," Shinde insisted. His remarks come a day after Ajit Pawar apologised to the people of the state for the collapse of the structure which was installed in the coastal district's Malvan tehsil, around 480km from Mumbai. The 35-foot statue of the 17th-century Maratha empire founder installed at Rajkot Fort premises collapsed on August 26, nearly nine months after it was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, triggering a political storm in the state, which is due for polls in the next few months. The state government has pointed out that the project was handled by the Indian Navy. The Navy on Thursday said it conceptualised and steered the project of installing the Shivaji statue in coordination with the state government which provided funding for it. In a statement, the Navy said it remains committed to assisting in all measures to repair, restore and reinstate the statue at the earliest. A statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office after Shinde held a late night meeting on Wednesday with ministers, top state and Navy officials said the government has set up a technical committee to probe reasons behind the collapse of the Shivaji Maharaj statue. The panel will comprise engineers, IIT experts and Navy officials. Shinde said two joint panels have been formed. One panel will ascertain the reasons behind the crash, while the other committee comprising experts, sculptors with experience of building Chhatrapati Shivaji statues, engineers and Navy officials will look into the reconstruction aspect. "Our endeavour is to rebuild the statue," the CM maintained. Shinde said the Navy has demanded that the area where the statue was installed by cordoned off for inspection and starting rebuilding work. The Navy has said the statue was unveiled on December 4 as part of Navy Day celebrations, held for the first time in Sindhudurg district. The structure was aimed at honouring the legacy of the Maratha Navy and Chhatrapati Shivaji towards maritime defence and security, and its historical linkage with the modern Indian Navy. In a related development, activists of the Sambhaji Brigade, a Maratha outfit, stated a protest outside the house of Jaideep Apte, the sculptor who built the statue, in adjoining Thane city. Protesters accused Apte of disrespecting Shivaji Maharaj, and their demonstration included blackening his house's door, posting a "Shivdrohi" label, and breaking eggs. The NCP, a constituent of the Mahayuti government, staged state-wide protests demanding swift rebuilding of the statue. Speaking in Nanded during Ajit Pawar's 'Jan Sanman Yatra', NCP's Maharashtra president Sunil Tatkare said the collapse of Shivaji Maharaj's statue was painful, and added his party decided to protest against the incident as everyone has the right to do so. "In a democracy, everyone has a right to agitate. The incident in Malvan was unfortunate and painful.We are also agitating against it and demanding strong action against the culprits by submitting memorandums to the authorities," Tatkare maintained. In Pune, the city unit of the NCP staged a protest near a statue of Shivaji Maharaj in Shivajinagar. Speaking during the protest, NCP's city unit president Deepak Mankar urged the state government to reconstruct the statue as early as possible. "For us, Chhatrpati Shivaji Maharaj is a matter of pride and a symbol of our identity," he said. In Thane, NCP spokesperson Anand Paranjape said those involved in the project, ranging from architects to government officials, must face strict action. "Even though we (NCP) are in power, the incident has caused anger to us and hence this protest," Paranjape said. In Latur city in central Maharashtra, activists of NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) staged a protest against the statue collapse. Opposition party workers gathered at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk in Latur and held a demonstration against the Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP government. The protest was led by NCP (SP) Latur district president Sanjay Shete. "This may be the first such instance in Maharashtra's history. In a desperate bid to gain votes before (Lok Sabha) elections, the government completed the statue work within just eight months. This hasty action has backfired on the Mahayuti alliance," Shete opined. Opposition leaders have announced that on September 1, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will take out a protest march in Mumbai against the statue collapse. National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah, campaigning in the Ganderbal constituency where he is running for election, stated, Forming an alliance with Congress is crucial, particularly in Jammu and the Pir Panjal region, to maximize our efforts to defeat the BJP. He added, I no longer take any election lightly; seriousness is required, as I have learned from the recent Lok Sabha defeat. Responding to questions about his evolving stance on electoral participation, Abdullah criticized those accusing him of compromising his principles, implicitly referencing PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti. While Mufti herself is not contesting, her daughter Iltija is running in Bijbihara. Those who criticize me should reflect on their own choices, he remarked. Abdullah also voiced concerns about the current assembly's strength, stating, The present assembly is not as powerful as it used to be, but it can be strengthened through these elections. Regarding the bail hearing of jailed MP Engineer Rashid, whose party has decided to contest the elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah emphasized that such decisions are determined by the court and not influenced by electoral outcomes. Lets wait to see under what conditions Engineer Rashid will be granted bail, he noted. Battling against PDP candidate Bashir Ahmad Mir in Ganderbal, Abdullah reiterated, No election is easy. Contesting the polls is always challenging. The Uttar Pradesh government, facing flak over its new social media policy, came under attack from Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday, as she mocked the scheme as a regressive and self-eulogizing move. Priyanka Gandhi, taking to X, shared a satirical post, saying You will say what you like. If you call day as night, it will be night. Firing a volley of questions, she questioned the state government on ensuring the security of women and also asked what steps it has taken to resolve the recruitment reservation case, concerning 69,000 teachers. In which category will the voices of women seeking justice fall in the social media policy of the Uttar Pradesh government? In which category will the questions raised in the 69000 teacher recruitment reservation scam fall? In which category would exposing the BJP government by BJP leaders and MLAs fall? asked Priyanka Gandhi. Notably, two girls were found hanging from a tree in Farrukhabad district on Wednesday, sending shockwaves in the city and leaving the state administration searching for answers. The Congress leader further accused the Yogi Adityanath government of stifling the freedom of speech and suppressing the truth by issuing such diktats. She said that the state government rather than resolving peoples issues was finding 'new ways' to suppress the truth. The policy of 'if you call day as night, then it is night or else jail' is another way of suppressing the truth. Can the BJP not think of anything more than crushing democracy and the Constitution? she further said. The UP cabinet on Wednesday gave nod to Uttar Pradesh Digital Media Policy 2024, which broadly has two components -- one is encouragement for popularising the governments schemes while another is about crackdown for objectionable and offensive posts on social media. Soon after the policy details filtered into the public domain, Opposition parties cried foul and claimed that it was a blatant attempt to quell freedom of speech as this would allow the state administration to torture and terrorise people even for speaking the truth. Gujarat has been facing massive rainfall over the past few days. The death toll from the rain-related incidents in Gujarat since Monday has jumped to 35 as 25 more deaths have been reported. Around 17,800 people were evacuated from flood-affected areas as heavy rain continued to batter the state for the fourth day in a row, officials said. Out of the 35 deaths, 25 occurred recently. Among the deceased include seven persons who went missing after the tractor trolley they were travelling in was swept away while crossing an overflowing causeway on Sunday near Dhavana village under Halvad taluka of Morbi district, a police official said, PTI reported. #WATCH | Gujarat | Heavy and incessant rain triggers waterlogging at places in Vadodara. Visuals from Kashi Vishwanath Mahadev Temple pic.twitter.com/zsNTRwuOA4 ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2024 Despite a temporary pause in rainfall, Vadodara struggled with severe flooding in extensive low-lying areas after the Vishwamitri River, which runs through the city, overflowed its banks and inundated residential neighbourhoods, flooding buildings, roads, and vehicles. Amidst the flood-like situation prevailing in many parts of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday to take stock of the situation and assured the Centre's support to the state in tackling the ongoing natural disaster. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted extremely heavy rains in isolated parts of districts in Saurashtra on Thursday. In a post on X, IMD said that DD over Saurashtra & Kachchh remained practically stationary during the past 6 hrs and about 50 km north-northwest of Bhuj (Gujarat)."To move W-SW and emerge into the northeast Arabian Sea by the morning of 30th August. While moving W-SW over the northeast Arabian Sea away from the Indian coast, there is a possibility of its temporary and marginal intensification over the northeast Arabian Sea on 30th August," IMD said. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the states SDRF, and three Army units rescued people stranded in their homes and on rooftops in Vadodara city, relocating them to safer areas, officials said. New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district has been receiving a threat for the last two months because of the continuous attack of wolves in the 32 villages of the district. The wolves are responsible for the deaths of at least eight people including children and women. Bahraich Forest Department today caught the wolf that killed 8 people in Bahraich. The villagers and local leaders were trying hard to catch the wolves. The forest department and police are also working to control the attack of wolves in the district. #WATCH | Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh | The wolf that killed 8 people has been captured and is now being taken to a rescue shelter of the Forest Department pic.twitter.com/AjTCN6KGsg August 29, 2024 To control the attack, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched an 'Operation Bhediya' to catch the wolves on the prowl in Mehsi tehsil in Bahraich. The Forest Department has used drone cameras and thermal mapping techniques to capture the wolves. Additionally, officials are employing elephant dung and urine to divert the wolves' path during attacks. New Delhi: A low-floor cluster bus ferrying around 50 passengers was completely destroyed after it caught fire in east Delhi's Jagatpuri area on Thursday, officials said. They said no passengers were injured. The Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System Limited (DIMTS) monitors and manages cluster buses. #WATCH | Delhi: Fire broke out in a cluster bus at Jagatpuri bus stand earlier today. The area was cordoned off and all passengers, about 40 in number, were rescued. Three fire tenders reached the spot immediately and extinguished the fire. No casualties or injuries were pic.twitter.com/2fK7NjIEbd August 29, 2024 An inquiry has been ordered, transport department officials said and added that the bus will be examined by the manufacturer to determine what caused the fire. "This bus was just four-and-a-half years old. It is a matter of concern that a relatively new bus caught fire. The fire started from the back portion and despite efforts by the driver and the conductor to extinguish it, it spread," an official said. Station officer of Delhi Fire Services (DFS) Anoop Singh said a call was received around 9.40 am about the incident and three fire tenders were sent to the spot. It is suspected that an electrical short-circuit in the vehicle's air conditioning system may have caused the fire, Singh said. According to police, the bus was plying on route 340, from Central Secretariat to Seemapuri. The probable cause of the fire was a short-circuit in the AC system, they added. Eyewitness Surender Bhola said a biker noticed smoke coming out of the bus engine and alerted the driver, who immediately stopped the vehicle and instructed the passengers to get off. The incident caused a massive traffic jam at the Jagatpuri crossing, affecting other commuters. Traffic police later managed to regulate the flow, the DFS officer said. Thirty buses caught fire in Delhi in the last eight years, including four in 2023, according to the city government's data on fire incidents in DTC and cluster buses. Last year, the government informed the Delhi Assembly that short-circuits were the most common reason behind the fire incidents that mostly occurred in buses around 12 years old. The transport department has over the years constituted different committees to look into the causes of the fires. The common reasons have emerged to short-circuit and engine overheating and drivers have also flagged technical issues. Teaching stands out as one of the noblest and most influential professions. Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping students' lives, inspiring them to achieve success, and nurturing them into responsible citizens. Society always remains deeply indebted to their dedication to contributing knowledge, moral values, and life principles. In India, Teachers Day is celebrated on September 5 each year to honor the legacy of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a distinguished educator and philosopher who greatly influenced Indian thought and education. Who Was Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan? Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, 1888, in Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu. He was a renowned ideologist, writer, teacher, academician, philosopher, statesman, and a recipient of the Bharat Ratna, Indias highest civilian award. Influenced by the works of Swami Vivekananda, Vinayak Savarkar, and the Theosophical Society, he developed his understanding of Hindu philosophy. After completing his masters degree, Radhakrishnan began his career as a professor of philosophy at Presidency College in Chennai, where his lectures left a profound impact on his students. One of his students, Professor Yamunacharya, once remarked, "The intellectual stimulation that followed in the wake of his teaching left in us a perennial interest in philosophy. He was a great teacher who left us better than he found us." When Dr. Radhakrishnan became the President of India, some of his former students approached him to celebrate his birthday. In response, he said, "Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if September 5 is observed as Teachers Day." Since then, India has been celebrating September 5 as Teachers Day to honor teachers across the nation. Significance of Teachers Day Teachers Day is a significant event in India, celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country. It provides an opportunity for students to express their respect and gratitude towards their teachers for their unwavering efforts and dedication to their students' success. On the eve of Teachers Day, the President of India presents the National Teacher Awards to outstanding educators to recognize their hard work and contributions to the field of education. How is Teachers Day Celebrated? On Teachers Day, students across schools and colleges engage in various activities, including giving speeches, reciting poems, singing, and performing dances to honor their teachers. Many students also express their appreciation by presenting handmade cards or tokens of gratitude to their teachers, showing their heartfelt thanks and admiration. Teachers Day is not just a day to celebrate the work of teachers but also a day to reflect on the significant role they play in shaping the future of the nation. New Delhi: Indian equity indices closed at an all-time high on Thursday following a strong rally in the auto and IT stocks. During the trading hours, both Sensex and Nifty reached new all-time highs of 82,285 and 25,192 respectively. At closing, Sensex was up 349 points, or 0.43 per cent, at 82,134 and Nifty was up 99 points, or 0.40 per cent, at 25,151. Selling was seen in the midcap and smallcap stocks compared to largecaps. The Nifty Midcap 100 index closed at 58,883, down 262 points or 0.44 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 index closed at 19,214, down 105 points or 0.54 per cent. In the Sensex pack, Tata Motors, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv, HCL Tech, ITC, Reliance, Tata Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Wipro, SBI, Bharti Airtel and HUL were the top gainers. M&M, Sun Pharma, JSW Steel, Kotak Mahindra, Tata Steel, Infosys, UltraTech Cement, and ICICI Bank were the top losers. The recently listed OLA electric shares witnessed a rough ride to close at Rs 120.28, down 4.30 per cent. In the NSE indices, Auto, IT, PSU Bank, fin service, FMCG and energy contributed the most, while pharma, metal, media and realty fell the most. According to market experts, Indian equities began steadily and breached a record high. Volatility disturbed the trend in the afternoon due to Reliance Ltd AGM expectations, but the broad market carried the rally to a new high by the end of the day with rapid improvement in sentiment, they said, adding that the recent uptick in Indian IT and FMCG stocks points to a potential soft landing for the US economy and an improvement in domestic rural consumption. New Delhi: Kangana Ranaut shared a good friend with actor turned politician Chirag Paswan. Their camaraderie grabbed a lot of attention during their Parliament visit, the video of them giving each other a high five and hugging went viral. Both the actors are not very happy with this unnecessary chatter of something cooking between them. Hence, they both have decided to not get indulged at the Parliament as their workplace is like a temple to them. In fact, Kangana in her interview with AajTak revealed that Chirag has started avoiding her and distancing himself as he spots her around the Parliament. In her interview she said it in jest when asked about Chirag and her bonding, "It is the temple of our Constitution. I represent my constituency there. Chirag ko main bohat pehle sey jaanti hun wo mera accha dost hai, bechare ney ek do baar hansa diye mujhe lekin aap log to peeche hi pad gaye, ab wo bhi rasta badalkar chala jaata hai." Kangana is a no-filter person, and she has made it very clear that nothing is cooking between the two. In one of his podcasts Chirag was questioned about the viral video about their meeting at the Parliament where he clarified," I was really looking forward to meeting her in Parliament. Because past 2-3 years I was so busy in my life toh connect toot gaya tha." Kangana Ranaut is right now promoting her next film Emergency, and she has been strongly bashing Bollywood for keeping their silence over it and called the industry a hopeless place. Kangana Ranaut is balancing both her acting career and political life with much ease. Mumbai: The rape and brutal murder of a doctor in RG Kar Medical Hospital in Kolkata shook the nation and how. There have been constant protests over the safety of women in India, from laymen to Bollywood celebrities everyone is seeking justice. Bollywood veteran actress Shabana Azmi was recently questioned about the brutal rape and murder of the 31-year-old doctor, where she insisted that dismantle patriarchy. Speaking about the incident, Shabana quoted to ANI and said, "Such incidents are extremely dangerous. Its embarrassing to see that these kinds of heinous acts have not been reduced despite the formation of the Justice Verma Committee back in 2012 during the Nirbhaya case. We should not treat women as commodities we need to dismantle patriarchy which is deep-rooted in us." There have been many celebrities who reacted strongly against this gruesome rape and murder, right from Alia Bhatt, Richa Chaddha, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Suhana Khan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Hrithik Roshan came out and voiced their opinions over the safety of women in India. Thiruvananthapuram: The Museum police in Thiruvananthapuram has registered an FIR against senior Malayalam actor Siddique over charges of rape on the complaint of a young actress. Siddique had earlier resigned as general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) following allegations made by the young actress. Siddique has also given a complaint to police stating that the allegation by the woman actor is a conspiracy against him. On Monday, actor Mohanlal resigned as the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists in the wake of the Justice Hema Committee report and sexual harassment allegations faced by some members of the executive committee. Mohanlal and all executive members have resigned. After the release of the Hema Committee report, a section of AMMA members demanded that those facing sexual harassment allegations should resign from key positions. They said that those facing allegations should not delay sending their resignation and that their continued stay was not in the interest of the association. More female actors have come forward with their complaints and allegations in the wake of the Hema Committee report which revealed discrimination and harassment of women in Malayalam film industry. The government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the hardships faced by women in the industry. Kerala Police said that the Special Investigation Team held a meeting at the police headquarters on Tuesday. "The SIT has been strengthened by including additional women officers. All related cases registered at local police stations are to be handed over to the SIT for further investigation," a Kerala Police release said. On August 26, Malayalam film actor Minu Muneer made sexual harassment allegations against some of her co-stars in the Malayalam film industry. New Delhi: Unlike many A-listers powerhouse performer R Madhavan has declined the offer to endorse a popular paan masala brand reportedly. The 'Shaitan' actor was even offered a huge amount of money to become brand ambassador of the brand. However, Madhavan rejected the offer, keeping up with the responsibility towards the audiences. According to sources, a big paan masala company is looking to cast a domestic face to increase reach of their brand. With Madhavan rejecting the offer, the brand is still on the look out for a new face. Previously, several celebrities such as Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Mahesh Babu and Ajay Devgn among others endorsed pan masala brands and were highly criticised by their respective audiences. On the work front, Madhavan kick-started 2024 with 'Shaitaan', which received immense love. Now, he is gearing up for several upcoming releases, including 'Dhurandhar', 'De De Pyaar De 2' and 'Shankaran' among others. In Tamil, he has Test and Adhirshtasaali to his credit. The actor is currently shooting for a project titled Bridge in London. New Delhi: The Centre is set to make the retirement process easier for its employees with the launch of a new simplified pension application form. According to an official statement, the Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) will unveil the updated "Form 6-A" on Friday. Announced via a notification dated July 16, 2024, this new form aims to streamline the pension application process. "This form will be available in Bhavishya/e-HRMS (online modules) to all the central government employees who are going to retire in December 2024 and onwards. The retiring officials, who are on e-HRMS, will fill Form 6-A through e-HRMS (only superannuation cases) and the retiring officials, who are not on e-HRMS, will fill Form 6-A in Bhavishya," according to a statement released by the Personnel Ministry on Thursday. The statement announced that Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, Jitendra Singh, will launch the new form along with its integration with Bhavishya/e-HRMS on August 30, 2024. Form simplification has been an important initiative of the Centre's "maximum governance-minimum government" policy, it said. In this new form, a total of 9 forms/formats have been merged, the statement said. This new form and related changes in the business process of Bhavishya will be a game changer as on the one hand it simplifies the pension form submission for the employee through "a single sign only" and on the other hand achieves the end-to-end digitisation of the entire process of pension processing till the start of pension payment after retirement, it added. "This paves the path towards paperless working in the whole process of pension," the statement said. It added that with a pensioner-friendly user interface, pensioners no longer need to worry about the forms they have filled out or might have missed. (With PTI Inputs) New Delhi: Realme, the Chinese smartphone brand has introduced its newest lineup in India with the Realme 13 5G series. This series features two models: the Realme 13 5G and the Realme 13+ 5G. Both of these models features a sleek, consistent design and bring latest 5G technology to the market. Availability and Offer: Starting September 6, the new Realme 13 5G series will be available on Flipkart, Realmes website and in stores. Users can pre-book it and earn you a Rs 1,500 cashback. Pricing: The Realme 13 5G series begins at Rs 17,999. The Realme 13 5G is available for Rs 17,999 for the 8GB+128GB version and Rs 19,999 for the 8GB+256GB model. The Realme 13+ 5G is priced at Rs 22,999 for the 8GB+128GB variant, Rs 24,999 for the 8GB+256GB version, and Rs 26,999 for the 12GB+256GB option. Realme 13+ 5G: Key Specifications Camera: The smartphone features a 50-megapixel primary camera and a 2-megapixel mono camera on the back. For selfies and video calls, it includes a 16-megapixel front camera located in the punch-hole display. Battery: The device packs a powerful 5,000mAh battery with support for 80W fast charging, allowing for rapid recharging. Display and Design: The Realme 13+ 5G boasts a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The design includes a circular camera module on the back and a marble-like texture on the lower part. It comes in three colors: Dark Purple, Speed Green, and Victory Gold. Processor: Under the hood, the Realme 13+ 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip and runs on Realme UI 5.0, based on Android 14, providing a smooth and updated software experience. Realme 13+ 5G: Features - Cooling Technology: The smartphone is equipped with a Stainless Steel VC 6050mm cooling area to keep the device cool during intense gaming sessions. - 90FPS Gaming Speed: The Realme 13+ 5G offers a high 90FPS gaming speed, a feature currently exclusive to this model in its price range. - Game Modes: It includes a Game mode with three settings: Low-power mode, Balanced mode, and GT mode, providing a customizable gaming experience. - Advanced Camera: The device features a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-600 OIS Camera, enhanced with AI boost for improved photography. The Israeli military released a video on Thursday showing what it claims to be the interior of a mosque used as a terrorist base in Far'a, a town in the Jordan Valley in the West Bank. The video, captured by a drone, allegedly depicts tools for the manufacture of weapons and explosives. Zee News has yet to independently confirm the date or location of the footage. Israel Defence Forces, while sharing the video on the social media platform X claimed, "This drone footage shows a place of worship that has become a hub for terrorism. During our precise, counterterrorism operations in Judea and Samaria this week, our troops uncovered a mosque that was used as an operations center and an explosives lab. Our troops will continue operating to protect civilians from terrorism on all fronts." This release comes as Israel continues one of its largest military operations in the West Bank in recent months. The operation, which began in the early hours of Wednesday, involved hundreds of Israeli troops supported by helicopters, drones, and armored personnel carriers. They targeted the cities of Tulkarm, Jenin, and areas in the Jordan Valley. This drone footage shows a place of worship that has become a hub for terrorism. During our precise, counterterrorism operations in Judea and Samaria this week, our troops uncovered a mosque that was used as an operations center and an explosives lab. Our troops will continue pic.twitter.com/1DagAuqKV9 August 29, 2024 On Thursday, The Washington Post reported that Israeli forces killed five 'militants,' including a top commander of the Islamic Jihad, during ongoing raids. This marks the second day of what appears to be one of the largest operations in the region in recent years. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that Mohamed Jaber, also known as Abu Shuja'a, was among those killed inside a mosque in Tulkarm after "exchanges of fire." Jaber, the commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad-led Tulkarm battalion, was a key target for Israel due to his involvement in planning and executing attacks, including a shooting in June that killed an Israeli civilian, Amnon Muchtar, in Qalqilya. Jaber, 26, had previously evaded capture; Israeli media had reported his death during a raid earlier this year, only for him to later appear alive at his own funeral. The Tulkarm branch of Palestinian Islamic Jihad confirmed Jaber's death, labeling it the "assassination of our leader." In response, they claimed their fighters detonated an explosive device and shot at an Israeli infantry unit behind a mosque, causing "direct hits," according to The Washington Post. As the operation continues, Palestinians have raised concerns that the sweeping incursion could escalate violence and disrupt access to essential services. The military actions around Jenin and Tulkarm are ongoing, with both sides engaged in intense exchanges of fire. Last week, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, who have been stationed at the International Space Station (ISS), will return to Earth in February 2025 aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon flight. Williams and Wilmore arrived at the ISS aboard Boeing's Starliner in June, with plans to return within a week. However, technical issues prevented the spacecraft from beginning its return trip to Earth. NASA has now decided that Starliner will return without a crew to avoid exposing the astronauts to unnecessary risks. NASA and SpaceX are currently addressing several tasks in preparation for the Crew Dragon launch. This includes reconfiguring the seats and modifying the manifest to accommodate additional cargo. Here's an overview of Crew Dragon and its features. What is Crew Dragon? Crew Dragon is one of two versions of SpaceX's Dragon 2 spacecraft, which is partially reusable. The other version is Cargo Dragon. As the names imply, Crew Dragon is mainly used to transport astronauts to the ISS, while Cargo Dragon is responsible for delivering supplies to the space station. SpaceX designed Crew Dragon as part of NASA's strategy to transfer space station missions to American companies following the retirement of its space shuttle in 2011. Crew Dragon's inaugural mission to the ISS occurred in 2020, carrying four American and Japanese astronauts. Since then, the spacecraft has completed eight crew rotation missions to the space station for NASA. What are the features of Crew Dragon? Crew Dragon is composed of two components: a reusable space capsule and an expandable trunk module. According to reports, the capsule is fitted with 16 Draco thrusters that allow it to maneuver in orbit, with each thruster generating 90 pounds of force in the vacuum of space. The report also mentioned that the trunk includes solar panels, heat-removal radiators, cargo space, and fins that provide stability during emergency aborts. The spacecraft is launched into space using a Falcon 9, which is a reusable, two-stage rocket developed by SpaceX, and it automatically docks with the ISS. CHICAGO The company that owns Greyhound buses is nearing the end of a lease at its downtown station, and that could leave Chicago poised to become the largest city in the Northern Hemisphere without an intercity bus terminal, according to a new report. Closing the station, especially in a transportation hub like Chicago, would be felt acutely by low-income riders, residents of communities without easy access to train or airline service and others who rely on buses to travel between cities, advocates said. Greyhound and other buses pick up passengers curbside at other sites in Chicago, but mention of giving up the current station building and instead relying more heavily on curbside pickup and drop-off outside Chicago Union Station has been decried by advocates and Amtrak, which owns the train station. We are quite concerned about the ripple effects of the loss of this station, said Joseph Schwieterman, one of the reports authors and director of the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development. Theres nothing quite like it in the United States in terms of consequence of taking something this basic out of the system. Advocates have sounded alarm bells about the potential for the bus station to close for more than a year. The latest report found Chicago would become the third of the worlds 130 largest cities without a bus terminal, should the current downtown station close with no replacement. The two large cities that currently do not have stations are Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nairobi, Kenya, where temperatures in the winter tend to be warmer than in Chicago. Losing a bus station would also make Chicago the largest city among those considered the Global North, meaning they have high levels of economic and industrial development, without an intercity bus terminal, the report found. The future of Chicagos bus station was thrown into question after a series of sales of Greyhound and its properties. Greyhounds parent company sold the bus line to German company Flix in 2021, but much of the bus lines real estate was not part of the sale. The Chicago station is now among those owned by Twenty Lake Holdings, an affiliate of Alden Global Capital, which also owns the Chicago Tribune. Twenty Lake has hired brokers to seek the sale of the property, which could be redeveloped, according to reporting from commercial real estate information firm CoStar. The issue has taken on heightened urgency as the lease at the current station is set to expire. The bus operator will likely have to leave the facility Sept. 20 under current circumstances, said Gilda Brewton, an executive with Flix. The lease could also be extended. Already, Greyhound stations in other cities have been relocated. In some cases, stations were moved miles outside the city center or instead became only curbside pickup and drop-off locations, with no indoor waiting areas. Advocates, Brewton and Chicago Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa gathered virtually Tuesday to rally against such a solution in Chicago. The Greyhound station now is used by Flix- and Greyhound-branded buses, as well as bus lines Burlington Trailways and Barons Bus. Some 500,000 passengers traveled through the station last year, according to information shared by the gathered advocates. About 71% of Flix and Greyhound ridership in Chicago makes less than $35,000 a year, Brewton said. Some riders cannot afford other modes of transportation between cities, others are students, senior citizens or people who choose not to fly, she said. Micheal Podgers, with transportation advocacy group Better Streets Chicago, said buses are also crucial for people traveling to or from rural communities with few other transportation options. And, as the number of out-of-state abortions in Illinois skyrocketed the year Roe v. Wade was overturned, he suggested it is an important form of transportation for those seeking reproductive and other types of care. Chicago is a key bus hub where travelers can connect between bus lines, allowing travel to more cities, Schwieterman said. Such connections wouldnt be possible without a climate-controlled waiting area during layovers, and other cities dont have the capacity to handle the number of connections that revolve around Chicago, he said. Chicago Chief Operating Officer John Roberson said in a statement city officials were continuing to talk with Greyhound and Amtrak. The rail agency has agreed to work in partnership to solve Greyhounds problem of providing a clean and safe terminal facility for intercity bus passengers, he said. While we have looked at a number of different options, it should be noted that Greyhound has an option to renew its lease at its current Harrison Street location under the same terms and conditions that it currently operates under, he said. Even as its lease expiration approaches, Flix is continuing to push for another, longer-term option. Brewton suggested the city buy a bus station that could be used as a public intercity terminal. She compared it to an airport, where multiple airlines fly in and out of a facility owned by a public agency. CHICAGO The Chicago Transit Authority has begun testing technology that uses artificial intelligence to identify guns in its L stations. The technology, from company ZeroEyes, automatically detects guns that have been brandished. Images are sent to a ZeroEyes operations center where they are reviewed by staffers who determine what the object is, then alert relevant authorities like police, CTA officials and Chicagos Office of Emergency Management and Communications. The goal, CTA officials said, is to alert police quickly to any situation arising at the transit agencys stations. Often the alert can be made in under a minute, they said. The test program comes as the CTA has grappled with concerns about personal safety, both real and perceived, in recent years, and as the use of different types of technology to address public safety concerns has grown. ZeroEyes technology has at times been used on other public transit systems, and the company touts the use of its program in schools, businesses and other places. But a separate gunshot detection technology used in Chicago, ShotSpotter, became a political flashpoint earlier this year. Supporters have said the technology which uses audio sensors to determine the location of potential outdoor gunfire, while ZeroEyes relies on images helps police arrive quicker at crime scenes and helps critical aid reach gunshot victims more quickly. Opponents, including Mayor Brandon Johnson, labeled it a costly impetus for overpolicing, and the mayor has nodded to studies questioning its effectiveness as a tool to curb crime and catch criminals. ACLU Illinois spokesman Ed Yohnka said technology like ZeroEyes demands transparency from the CTA, and could lay the groundwork for further intrusive technologies to be used. CTA cameras were marketed as a way to make the system safer, but now another technology needs to be added, he said. There are solutions to security issues. Im not sure that an opaque system being marketed by a company to make money, and not done with sort of citizen input as to how it should work and where people want it to work, Im not sure any of that is the answer, he said. On the CTA, information about the prevalence of specifically gun-related crimes, such as the type that could be detected by ZeroEyes, was not immediately available. The CTA referred questions about crime statistics to Chicago police, and the Police Department said Wednesday it could not immediately provide gun-specific statistics. The department did say 626 instances of violent crime had been reported on the CTA this year through Aug. 27, up from 547 through the same time period last year. One gun on the system is too many, which is why were interested in exploring ways to increase our safety on top of the measures that are already in place, CTA spokeswoman Maddie Kilgannon said. The technology will join the CTAs use of unarmed security, K-9 teams and Chicago police to patrol the system. The agency has boosted its security spending in recent years as it has added guards and dog teams, budgeting nearly $65.2 million to purchase security services in 2024. Security service spending was running overbudget through June. The $200,000 ZeroEyes test run, which has been in place for about a month, will run through summer 2025 to start, CTA Vice President of Security Kevin Ryan said. The program uses the CTAs existing cameras to detect guns once they have been exposed, and is now installed on more than 250 of the agencys roughly 30,000 cameras, he said. ZeroEyes is now being used in CTA train stations across the system, though Ryan declined to specify which stations or train lines have the technology, citing security concerns. He anticipates the program will expand if the test run goes well, which will be determined based on whether the technology works as expected, if law enforcement can respond to any gun reports quickly enough to intervene, or if it works as a deterrent to would-be gun carriers. So far, the program has detected guns carried openly by law enforcement officers and toy guns, including large electronic water guns, he said. ZeroEyes alerted Chicago and CTA officials to the toy guns, noting they were not believed to be lethal weapons, and then it was up to local officials to determine how to respond, Ryan said. One of the reasons I really like ZeroEyes is it has a human component to it, he said. Its not relying on AI or computers to completely do the work. Ryan, who once worked for the Chicago Police Department, said officers responding to a call of a person with a gun almost always want more information about what theyre heading to. A picture of the person helps them know what to expect, and helps managers know how best to direct their resources, he said. Stuff like that, weapons, it doesnt happen everyday, Ryan said. But when it happens, it has big repercussions to public transit for obvious reasons, so I want a way to mitigate that to the quickest extent possible. The technology has been used by other transit agencies, including Philadelphias Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, which operates a metro, along with buses and regional rail. But the agency ended a yearlong pilot program with ZeroEyes. The technology wasnt compatible with SEPTAs analog cameras, and the agency decided to reallocate funding toward other needs, according to reporting from the Philadelphia Inquirer and the local ABC TV station. Kilgannon said CTA did not anticipate the same issues. The Chicago agency uses a different camera system that so far has been high-enough quality to be effective, she said. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Public school education may be experiencing the worst of times in an age of foolishness and an epoch of incredulity. There are so many forces against public school education before us that it is easy to be overwhelmed into a paralysis of complacency and despair. However, if the United States is to live up to its mantra of democracy and the commitment to quality education for all, we must confront threatening forces that undermine this promise. An educated populace ensured by free public education is still our best hope for a thriving democracy. All citizens should realize these forces in our society today and work for the success of our public school system. Underfunded schools Our public schools continue to be underfunded while the N.C. legislature continues to add more funding to vouchers for private schools. According to EdLaw of NC, we are 48th in per student spending in the nation. That is approximately $5,000 less than the national average. We are 38th in teacher pay. Thats more than $12,000 below the national average. North Carolina ranks 42 in beginning teacher pay at $15,000 below the national average. The Leandro court ruling that mandated millions of dollars be spent on underfunded schools remains in court while funding for private school vouchers is allotted for any applicant to private schools, despite household income. According to Public Schools First NC, the legislature approved $5 billion for private vouchers over the next 10 years, and there has been a call for even more expansion. This voucher funding comes while our teachers, according to one local newspaper survey, spend an average of $1,300 a year to supplement supplies in the classroom and schools continue to sponsor fundraisers to help supplement funding. Retention and recruitment of teachers The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction shows an 11.7% attrition rate for public schools in 2022-223, up from 7.7% the previous year. Of the 90,600-plus public school teachers in the state, more than 10,000 have left. Most cited personal reasons as the cause. In North Carolina, teachers with masters degrees are no longer compensated for that higher level of training. Due to the teacher shortage, many systems are relying on filling vacancies with personnel who have not received traditional teacher training but have entered through alternate pathways. These are not always the highly qualified staff our students need. Elections of leaders Local school boards are now partisan elections, and the focus too often has become which candidate adheres to certain personal agendas, rather than which candidate is working for the best possible education for all students. In Catawba County, with 3 seats open and 5 candidates; only one candidate has had experience as an educator with a knowledge of all levels of education in the system. Contrast that background with one of the nominees for N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction who is a vocal anti-public school candidate and has never had children in public schools. She has referred to public schools as indoctrination centers. She was an election denier and urged the former president to invoke the Insurrection Act and put the constitution aside to maintain his presidency. Just recently, she and one of the nominees for governor have openly supported shutting down the Department of Education and rejecting $1.5 billion in federal support for education. A loss of those funds would have devastating consequences for the public schools in North Carolina, affecting nutrition programs, career and technical services, substance abuse and mental health services just to mention a few. How does a state make up a $1.5 billion gap? Curriculum adjustments Legislative mandates have resulted in fear tactics and vague objectives that threaten critical thinking, honest research, questioning, and a willingness to dig deeply into content that might be controversial and uncomfortable. Requirements that parents must now sign permission to opt in for certain classes have resulted in a decrease in students engaged in certain health initiatives that have, in the past, been successful in helping them understand and deal with important issues. The push to remove books from school libraries is a movement that blatantly denies the rights of parents to make decisions on what their students can access. These hearings take up resources of time and money that take away from time and money spent on addressing educational goals in our schools. Parents who object to certain materials have a process for limiting that access to their students, and the system works to accommodate them. When books are challenged and removed, one group decides for everyone what students can access. Parental choice should work for all parents. We have heard many times that the 2024 elections will be the most important in our countrys history. We, the people, have the responsibility to use our votes to elect leaders at all levels who will work toward ensuring equal opportunities and quality education for our public schools. And make no mistake, those positions from local school boards to county commissioners, to state representatives, to judges, to governor, to Congress, and president all impact the education of our children. Lets do our homework. Lets be sure we are registered. Lets use the resources at hand to learn about candidates. Then, lets go to the polls and vote for what we want our country and the education of our children to be. Maybe we can turn the epoch of incredulity and foolishness into an epoch of hope and common sense. Even from her office at Forsyth Technical Community College, President Janet Spriggs remains a teacher at heart. So when questions about the effects of a rather dubious budget decision made or not made by the legislature cropped up, Spriggs first broke down the mechanism by which the states 58 community colleges are funded. Before you can address a problem, you have to understand it first. The community college system has its budget set in two-year increments, she said, and each school has its money tied to the previous years enrollment. If Forsyth Techs enrollment increases by, say, 9%, the Legislature traditionally would adjust the budget to match growth. But this year, lawmakers mired in a false debate over whether (or how much) to increase pay for teachers left town without updating the second year of the two-year budget cycle. And community colleges were left holding the bag even though the state has a $1.4 billion budget surplus. I dont think it was intentional, Spriggs said. I dont think they left Raleigh knowing this would happen. An easy fix This, of course, leaves presidents such as Spriggs scrambling to stretch their budgets under the uncertainty of when (or if) the biennial budgets are adjusted. For Forsyth Tech, which is looking at a record enrollment increase this year, that could mean cutting course offerings and reduction in support services. Per Public Ed Works, an organization that advocates for public education in North Carolina, the State Board of Community Colleges in the annual budget dance asked the Legislature in February for $69 million to account for 4.6% growth in 2023-24. So far, so good. But when lawmakers were in Raleigh earlier this summer, the House and Senate could not come to an agreement over pay increases and left town without making adjustments. And as Spriggs noted, its likely that few, if any, realized that what some view as a technicality would actually hurt the schools and their 393,000 students by creating budget deficits. The deficit is so much more than weve ever encountered, community college system president Jeff Cox told state board members earlier this month. On paper and in real life, too $69 million is a lot of money. But the state has a $31 billion annual budget and $1.4 billion squirreled away. Its an enviable position, and dipping into the surplus for $69 million amounts to an impulse purchase. An easy fix. In practical terms, college leaders dont know yet exactly how theyll be affected. For the fall semester, were doing everything we can not to have it impact students, Spriggs said. Effects of the shortfall Forsyth Tech has around 9,000 students enrolled for classes that began this month, Spriggs said, and school leaders expect that to be 9,200-9,300 by the second eight-week term that begins in October. Over the course of a calendar year, Forsyth Tech serves more than 24,000 students 11,000 in curriculum classes working toward an associates degree and the rest taking continuing education courses or job skills training. So the $3.2 million budget shortfall the school already knows about is being felt. And it could get worse when the calendar rolls over into January. The college is raising the cap on class sizes and is asking instructors to teach more students, Spriggs said. We havent cut classes (for fall), but it will catch up to me in spring. That means students who often must schedule around work and family obligations could miss out on making progress toward their degrees if required classes usually offered at different times and on different days have to be pared back. Were going to be short, and we will have to look at cutting sections of some classes that students need, Spriggs said. And we wont be able to do some of the support programs, either. Well have to look at cutting back on the tutoring thats available. Thats regrettable. Even if it was unintentional. Community colleges are crucial rungs on the economic ladder. The schools offer opportunity at affordable prices a true meritocracy. The good news here is that the Legislature never formally adjourned, which means that leaders can come back anytime they wish. But dont hold your breath. Not when election season is in full swing. The General Assembly has been very good to us, said Spriggs, ever the pragmatist. I just think that maybe the impact wasnt realized. Best colleges in North Carolina Best colleges in North Carolina #10. University of North Carolina - Wilmington #9. University of North Carolina at Charlotte #8. University of North Carolina - Greensboro #7. Appalachian State University #6. University of North Carolina School of the Arts #5. North Carolina State University #4. Wake Forest University #3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill #2. Davidson College #1. Duke University U.S. schools reopen amid growing calls to combat youth gun violence Xinhua) 08:55, August 29, 2024 Children mourn for victims of a school mass shooting at a square in Uvalde, Texas, the United States, on May 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling) According to an analysis by Everytown for Gun Safety, gun violence in schools rose by 31 percent last year. Even more alarmingly, firearms have become the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 17 in the United States, surpassing other causes such as traffic accidents and cancer. SACRAMENTO, the United States, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- As students across the United States are returning to classrooms for the new school year, the specter of gun violence looms large over American communities, with recent data and events highlighting the ongoing crisis, and some cities and organizations launching new efforts to address the issue. In Indianapolis, Indiana, more than 100 residents participated in a peace walk on Saturday to raise awareness about youth gun violence. The event, which took place on the city's far east side, marked the fifth anniversary of the tragic murders of two teenagers who were shot and killed by another teenager in 2019. "Our children are hurting," said Antonia Bailey, the mother of the slain siblings, to The Indianapolis Star. "They're being raised by parents that are hurting and have no clue what to do." The peace walk came at a time when youth homicides in Indianapolis were steadily rising. According to data from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, 25 homicides of individuals 17 years or younger were investigated in 2023, with additional cases handled by neighboring police departments. Meanwhile, in Seattle, Washington, city officials and the school district announced a combined 14.5 million investment to protect youth from gun violence. The funding, unveiled last week, aimed to implement safety measures before the start of the new school year on Sept. 4. Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones outlined some planned improvements, including new cameras, additional signage, fencing, and access control measures. The district also doubled security specialist staff at key schools and creating a new position called "executive director of student and community safety." The investment came in the wake of recent tragedies, including the shooting death of a 17-year-old student in a school parking lot in June and the fatal shooting of another 17-year-old high school student in 2022. Despite significant budget shortfalls, city and district leaders emphasized the importance of investing in school safety. Recent national data underscored the urgency of addressing youth gun violence. According to an analysis by Everytown for Gun Safety, gun violence in schools rose by 31 percent last year. Even more alarmingly, firearms have become the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 17 in the United States, surpassing other causes such as traffic accidents and cancer. People display photos of victims of gun violence during a march to the Capitol to protest for a ban on assault weapons, in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 17, 2023. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua) The impact of gun violence on Black children is particularly severe. The Giffords Law Center, citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reported that gun violence had been the leading cause of death for Black children since 2006. In 2022, Black children were more than 18 times more likely to be killed in a gun homicide than white children. The pervasiveness of firearms in U.S. society continued to be a subject of debate and research. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association examined the association between the start of deer hunting season and shootings in rural U.S. counties. The study found that the first week of deer hunting season was associated with a significant increase in shootings relative to the week prior. The researchers concluded that their findings "align with a body of research showing that firearm prevalence is associated with an increase in the risk of firearm violence." As the gun violence crisis persists, some advocates are calling for more comprehensive approaches to address the issue. In Tennessee, where educators are allowed to carry guns in schools, some parents expressed concern about the presence of firearms on school grounds, regardless of who is carrying them. Rebekah Schuler, an 18-year-old survivor of a school shooting in Michigan, has become a volunteer for Students Demand Action, advocating for laws requiring background checks for handguns, secure storage for firearms, and other measures to keep children safe. "We've normalized this crisis for too long, and it doesn't have to be this way," Schuler told the USA Today newspaper. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Banking and business solutions provider CommBank and telecommunications company Telstra announced jointly that their anti-scam technology Scam Indicator has been expanded to cover landlines to detect suspicious calls in real-time. Scam Indicator was conceived and developed in partnership with Quantium Telstra, Telstra and Quantiums AI joint venture. It was launched to cover mobile phone calls in October 2023. The anti-scam technology indicates whether a customer may be on a call to a scammer. CommBanks Fraud team can apply holds, blocks and declines and proactively send real-time alerts to the impacted customer, for example via a message through the CommBank app or NetBank, to help stop the scam in real-time. Both companies say they are expanding the coverage of the Scam Indicator as Telstras data shows more than 85% of residential landline services are registered to Australians over the age of 60. It will expand protection as the National Anti-Scam Centre data reveals that: - Those aged over 65 lost more money to scammers in 2023 than any other age group and were the only group that did not experience a decrease in reported losses during that year. - Phone calls were the #1 contact method used by scammers in 2023 based on the amount lost. - Those aged over 65 made the most scam reports in the first quarter of 2024. Quantium Telstra CEO Sandy Cameron praised the Scam Indicator technology and the collaboration with CommBank. According to Quantium Telstra CEO Sandy Cameron, landlines are still an essential service for Australians, but they can also be a target for opportunistic scammers who prey on people's trust and goodwill. Expanding Scam Indicator to cover landlines means were able to help safeguard those in our community that are most vulnerable to being targeted by cyber criminals," Cameron says. CommBank general manager of group fraud James Roberts says scammers create a sense of urgency and use impersonation tactics to often trick their target to download software that gives them remote access to their victims computer. Roberts cited an example, recalling that the CommBank teams used Scam Indicator to help stop an elderly customer from being scammed when she was talking to a scammer using her landline. The customer had been convinced by the scammer to download software that gave them full access to her computer and banking information. Scam Indicator technology allowed us to monitor the customers banking activity and decline around $70,000 in attempted scam transactions, so the money didnt end up leaving the customers account. Scam Indicator is used by CommBank and Telstra across their joint retail customer base. The recent increase in landlines represents a 25% additional potential coverage, according to both companies. GUEST OPINION: Australian organisations have been quick on the uptake of new technologies, including digital transformation, cloud computing, and the hot-topic generative AI. However, with this uptake, organisations are finding themselves exposed to new risks. The 388% increase in data breaches in 2024 demonstrates this, as cyber attackers begin to capitalise on these vulnerabilities. In response to these breaches, the Australian Government has allocated additional budget to help businesses improve their security and compliance infrastructure. Its hoped this fiscal support will help make it easier for organisations to achieve the right balance between security, organisational resilience and regulatory compliance, while ensuring continuity of their day-to-day operations. Finding the intersection between risk, compliance and security for organisations is key to ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of their data, to maintain customer trust while complying with regulatory standards. Understanding risk within a compliance framework As the Australian Government continues to scrutinise and tighten data regulations across industries, many organisations are relooking at current policies to ensure they have a clear and comprehensive compliance roadmap to mitigate risk, protect their citizen's data and strengthen operational resilience. This all centres on risk management. However, "risk" is not a universally consistent phrase across teams within an organisation. For an ICT team, risk refers to uptime, availability, security of data, contractual stability and management of costs ensuring that ample resources are available and well managed. Despite ICT teams efforts to manage these risks, vulnerabilities remain if data is being transferred between parties - which is why secondary breaches answer for 20% of all Australian data breaches reported between July and December 2023. Strategically, organisations may try to lessen the suppliers they engage with to decrease the likelihood of data breaches. However, single supplier failure can pose just as great a risk to operational resilience, incurring software outages, and loss of pricing leverage. For the Financial Services Industry (FSI), organisations are encouraged to choose technologies that are vendor agnostic so as not to be locked into a single provider. This means that these organisations can manage risk from a technical perspective because it gives them more flexibility on where data is. APRAs CPS230 regulation reinforces this sentiment, stipulating that all FSI must be vendor-agnostic by July 2025 to reduce the vulnerabilities that are being exposed in Australias second most breached sector. Why organisational resilience must start with security It is increasingly important for security, business and technology C-suite leaders to work more closely together to ensure security, compliance and innovation are mutually supported. The division of responsibility between teams, and the intersectionality of compliance, risk and security are fundamentally linked. Security is implemented through mandates and policies, just like regulations, however, the teams that carry it out are ICT or Risk management. Clear communication between these departments , therefore, is a must. Recent research shows that a significant proportion of cross-functional leaders, specifically 79%, encounter substantial obstacles in collaboration during digital growth projects. This challenge results in them being 37% less likely to surpass their revenue and profitability goals compared to those leaders who face fewer collaboration hurdles. The benefits of leaders encouraging cross-functional communication between these teams will allow regulations to be implemented to the highest degree, ensure that data is flowing where it needs to, and increase organisational resilience. However, leaders must also consider not only their internal lines of communication but also external lines and operations within suppliers and service providers. With new regulations around data sovereignty and transfer between regions, having control over where data ends up is the main priority. Organisations must ensure that they can follow the trail of data and maintain control over it whether that be locking out specific service providers if needed. The road to achieving compliance success in today's regulatory landscape Finding the intersection between security, risk and compliance is an imperative task for business leaders in the current regulatory landscape. One way to achieve this could be to leverage a BYO cloud or account option, which could allow organisations to run services within their environment without losing control of where their data is going i.e. third-party providers. Leaders need to make sure they have the flexibility to limit access when necessary and ensure that services continue to run smoothly, and backups are maintained. Selecting the right managed services partner can significantly reduce these risk events and support teams, leading to substantial cost savings. To ignore the issue would be to expose the organisation to an average impact value of $300,000, with four potential events in the first year of operations. This could lead to an overall cost to a company, in one year, of 1.2 million dollars. Managed services that are reliable, scalable and innovative are the best options for companies in terms of uptime and data security, growing with business needs, and adoption of technologies. Organisations must remain vigilant in terms of security management, especially with new risks from digital transformation. Now is the time to act while also ensuring you have the right technology partner, who understands your compliance needs, for the journey ahead. Forget Eastern vs. Western or the relative merits of vinegar-based sauce, hushpuppies or Brunswick stew. A spicier food fight has erupted following the Monday visit of gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson to Mr. Barbecue. Critics of the bombastic Republican theyre legion have come out of the woodwork to light the restaurant up for its decision to serve as a willing political backdrop for arguably the most flawed candidate to ever win statewide election in North Carolina. Over the years, hes attracted attention for trotting out anti-Semitic tropes, gleefully bashing gay people and demeaning teen-aged school shooting survivors as media prosti-tots for speaking out against gun violence. Nice. Yeah. That guy. And by welcoming the caustic Mr. Robinson, Mr. Barbecue is now taking flak and suffering collateral damage. Plenty of candidates, in their zeal to appear to be regular folk, drop into diners and ice-cream parlors. Its both a time-honored tradition and a golden photo opportunity. Often served with Tums. And in North Carolina, wandering into a barbecue restaurant whether it serves Eastern cue or Lexington-style - ranks with kissing babies and pressing the flesh at the State Fair as political musts-dos. And so it was that Robinson, whos being battered in the polls by Democrat Josh Stein, settled up Mr. Barbecue on Peters Creek Parkway for his mandatory appearance. Most of the time, such a campaign stop would amount to a blip. A front-page story in the local paper and B roll on the evening news showing the candidate, sleeves rolled up on a brand new plaid shirt, chopping it up over banana pudding. Standard campaign fluff. But Mark Robinson is anything but standard. His rhetoric, gleefully plastered on the airwaves and social media by Steins supporters, still ricochets across the landscape. His greatest hits include: This foolishness about Hitler disarming MILLIONS of Jews and then marching them off to concentration camps is a bunch of hogwash, Robinson wrote in a 2018 Facebook post. Its about killing a child because you were not responsible enough to keep your skirt down. Its not yo body anymore! he thundered while arguing in favor of strict abortion laws. And months after he referred to homosexuality as filth, Robinson said that straight couples are superior to same sex couples and equated LGBTQ people with what the cows leave behind as well as maggots and flies. Yeah. Him. And those are just his words. His deeds character issues that might have doomed standard candidates - include a string of bankruptcies, bounced checks (including one to the Girl Scouts written), not filing income taxes for five consecutive years and operating a daycare cited for leaving toddlers unsupervised, having uncovered electrical outlets and operating at times without heat or electricity. No wonder that Robinson felt compelled to address some of it during his visit to Mr. Barbecue. My opponent (Stein) is talking about things that did not happen, halfway happened or just outright lies, Robinson said. Hes talking about what I said on Facebook 10 years ago. Not long after Robinson left the restaurant, a virtual war opened up online. Voters who find him loathsome rushed to pig-pile on Mr. Barbecue being a political patsy and defenders naturally followed into the virtual sty. More than 100 chimed in or added emojis to the Facebook page so many and so nasty that Mr. Barbecue felt compelled to disable comments. We literally serve thousands of people every week. Each with their own opinion. Each with their own views. And they are all good people. And they are all welcome. Management also tried to limit damage by extending equal time to the opposition. If Josh Stein would like to pay us a visit and meet the good people of Winston-Salem, we would treat him with the same respect, Mr. Barbecue wrote on Facebook. Naysayers were not placated, however. I read some of the comments on their page and how they would welcome Josh Stein but nah, wrote Facebook user Suzanne Vaughan. Bros there are other BBQ joints that Id rather give my coin to going forward. Their all good people comment reminds me of what a certain felon said about the white supremacy march in Charlottesville. Surely Mr. Barbecue knew about Robinsons divisive and hateful comments before rolling out the red carpet. Not knowing, at this point, is willful ignorance. Some views are so reprehensible that it is the responsibility of decent people to oppose them, wrote commenter Leon Plock. Whether the hubbub actually hurts the bottom line remains to be seen. Given the uproar, though, perhaps Mr. Barbecue would have been wise to heed the words of renowned pitchman Michael Jordan. Republicans buy sneakers, too, Jordan famously said when he was criticized for not taking sides in an infamously nasty U.S. Senate race between Harvey Gantt and Jesse Helms. Democrats, it would seem, are big on the pig, too, Mr. Barbecue. Emergency landing on I-840 GREENSBORO - An old saw, taken as gospel, has it that the U.S. interstate system was designed to be wide enough to accommodate planes in the event of war. Coming at a time when the Cold War constantly threatened to heat up, it makes sense. Mile-long stretches of concrete double as emergency landing strips. That design concept came in handy Wednesday night when the pilot of a single-engine Beechcraft landed on Interstate 840 near Fleming Road. The plane, officials said, experienced engine failure on the way to Piedmont Triad International Airport. The pilot managed to land it on I-840, a ring road about 15 minutes from downtown Greensboro, near busy I-73. Once the plane came to a stop, a motorist stuck it in the westbound lanes, officials said. One person inside the plane - it wasnt immediately clear whether it was the pilot or a passenger - suffered minor injuries, authorities said. The motorist was not hurt. Considering that the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing on a highly traveled interstate, its a small wonder that only one person was injured. Engineers who insisted that the highway system be wide enough for planes clearly were onto something. The truth of the matter is that the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 was more complex. Yes, Congress approved the creation of the interstate system to support the military - most big bases are near four-lane highways, too - but making it easier for businesses to move goods long distances perhaps mattered more. Money talks. Same as it ever was. A village clerk in central Nebraska has resigned her position after the Nebraska State Auditor found she had paid herself for hundreds of hours of unnecessary overtime while mismanaging other public funds. Julie Miller, who was hired as the village clerk in Litchfield in November 2022, resigned her position earlier this month ahead of a report from State Auditor Mike Foley detailing several financial improprieties during her tenure. According to the audit report published Wednesday, Miller was responsible for the finances, including the processing of the employee payroll, for the village of 262 people in Sherman County. The Litchfield village board hired Miller to work at a rate of $15 per hour for 20 hours per week, but in January 2023 agreed to pay $30 per hour for any time over the initial 20 hours a move made to compensate Miller, who was also known as Julie Tyrrell, for wages lost at her hair salon business. The audit notes the special pay rate was recorded as "overtime" in the village's payroll system, and while the arrangement was meant to be temporary, Miller was still receiving the special pay rate 8 months later. Between Nov. 1, 2022 and Sept. 30, 2023, Miller was paid a total of $26,419, with $18,524 of that amount coming from 681 hours of reported overtime, according to the auditor's report. On one pay slip, from August 2023, auditors found Miller paid herself $525 for one hour of overtime, which was $495 over the rate approved by the village board. The overtime payments continued even after the village hired an assistant clerk to help Miller manage the workload, the auditor's report states. The assistant clerk worked a reported 418 hours between May and September 2023, while Miller recorded working 881 hours, according to the auditor. Other questionable payroll records were also found by Foley's team, including discrepancies in pay histories, duplicate time sheets for the same time periods but with different hours and days worked, as well as missing time sheets or documentation of hours worked. "Specifically, time sheets were lacking for 1,035.85 hours paid to Ms. Miller from November 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023, totaling $16,856.84 of her net pay," the report states. Foley's office also found what it called "questionable expenditure of village funds" made by Miller using a Litchfield credit card. On July 4, 2023, Miller made a purchase at Walmart for $97.89 but was unable to provide documentation to auditors upon their request, explaining the card had been used to buy cleaning supplies for the village office. But, using Walmart's "Receipt Lookup" website, the state auditor was able to locate the receipt with a detailed list of the specific items purchased, finding that cleaning supplies were not among them. Miller used the card to purchase women's clothing, charcoal briquettes, a kiddie pool and food and beverages items the village board chair told auditors Miller had not been authorized to purchase. According to the auditor's report, the issue gives rise to "serious statutory concerns which are exacerbated by (Miller's) apparent attempt to deceive the (Auditor of Public Accounts) regarding the true nature of the purchases at issue." The audit also found other issues, including purchases made for food using the village credit card while Miller was traveling to a work-related conference in Lincoln where meals were being provided. In addition to the misuse of a village credit card, auditors found discrepancies in utility billing for Litchfield customers. Five customers were all underbilled for two different months, the report states. The auditing team also found a lack of documentation for three checks that drew more than $1,000 from a village bank account, as well as a failure to remit payroll taxes withheld from wages paid to village employees. Miller agreed to resign after a meeting with Litchfield board members and administrators, the village stated. Her resignation was accepted by the board during a special meeting on Aug. 20. The report marks the latest in a trend of misdeeds by village clerks across the Cornhusker state, as well as the failure by local boards to notice their wrongdoing. "For various reasons, proper financial control can sometimes be less rigorous among smaller political subdivisions," Foley said in a news release. "But the consequences of such insufficient fiscal oversight may be just as devastating, if not more so, to those less-populous communities and their local taxpayers." A 2022 investigation by the Flatwater Free Press found village clerks have pilfered an estimated $1.7 million from 17 small towns across the state over the previous decade. In every instance, auditors have determined a lack of internal financial controls were responsible for the financial mismanagement and, in some cases, criminal activity. The audit into the village of Litchfield's expenses in 2022-23 is no different. The report mentions the need for the village to adopt "good internal controls" essentially set policies and standards of review for a slew of activities at least a dozen times. In a response, the village said it had engaged with the Dana F. Cole & Company accounting firm to conduct an audit for 2025, and planned to implement several controls in order to prevent further mismanagement. Litchfield will implement a time clock to keep better track of the hours worked each day by employees, will review time cards prior to approval, and will set policies for reimbursement of expenses as well as for review of billing rates and taxes collected. Foley said Litchfield "has a lot to do to right the ship" and improve the village's financial management. "I have no doubt that it can be done, much to the benefit of the municipality as a whole and the taxpayers who pay for its operations, assuming sufficient determination to accomplish the crucial goal of sound fiscal stewardship and accountability," he said. Top Journal Star photos for August 2024 "If someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first." Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 72a1 Introduction The topic of the Second Amendment and its relationship with the American Jewish community is a rich tapestry woven with complexity and contention. Although many Jewish politicians and community leaders advocate for stricter gun control laws, a stance often perceived as anti-Second Amendment, the historical narrative of Jewish persecution and the contemporary rise of antisemitism powerfully argue that the Jewish community, perhaps more than any other, should deeply appreciate the importance of the Second Amendment and personal self-defense. A Soviet Jewish Perspective Individuals of Jewish descent who lived a part of their lives in the former Soviet Union understand the significance of the Second Amendment from a unique vantage point. They observed, and many personally felt, the paralyzing powerlessness of disarmed citizens in a society where the government held unyielding control. The oppressive nature of the regime was only possible because the populace was disarmed and left vulnerable, effectively squashing any potential opposition. This firsthand experience underscores the profound implications of the Second Amendment, extending far beyond personal safety. Indeed, the right to bear arms becomes crucial when viewed in the context of a citizen's relationship with the state. It is more than just a guarantee of personal protection; it's an assurance of a balance of power between the government and its citizens, a safeguard against potential tyranny. The right to bear arms is, therefore, viewed as a fundamental pillar of democracy, serving not just to empower citizens, but also to act as a constant reminder to the government of the collective strength of its people. ..... Humans hunted and killed almost all northern bald ibis birds by the 17th century. But breeding and rewilding efforts over the last 20 years helped grow the bird population. However, the birds do not know which direction to fly to migrate without the guidance of wild-born birds. So, humans are helping the birds learn their migration path. The northern bald ibis once flew over North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and much of Europe, including southern Germany's Bavaria. People liked eating the migratory birds, and they disappeared from Europe. A few groups of the birds survived in other places. In 2002, a conservation and research group based in Austria stepped in to help. The group is called Waldrappteam; the birds are called Waldrapp in German. Scientists at Waldrappteam raise the birds and teach them how to fly to warmer areas. Johannes Fritz is a biologist working with the team. He said, "We have to teach them the migration route. Fritz and the Waldrappteam have increased the number of northern ibis in Central Europe from zero to almost 300 since the start of their project in 2002. Fritz said the groups work is the first attempt to reintroduce a continentally extinct migratory bird species. He said his team found that, when released, the birds raised by humans flew in the wrong direction and died in the winter. The humans have led the birds now for 17 years to places like Tuscany, Italy. Due to climate change, they have had to change the route to a winter home. Now they help the birds fly to Andalusia in southern Spain. To prepare them for travel, the humans begin working with the baby birds, or chicks, when they are just a few days old. The foster parent humans want the birds to connect with them so they will trust them along the migration route. Barbara Steininger is one Waldrappteam foster mother. She said she acts like "their bird mom." "We feed them, we clean them, we clean their nests. We take good care of them and see that they are healthy birds," she said. "But also we interact with them." Steininger and the other foster parents then sit on the back of a very small aircraft, waving and cheering for the birds as they fly. Fritz knew his work would be possible because he saw the work of Canadian inventor and naturalist Bill Lishman. Lishman taught Canadian geese to fly alongside his small plane beginning in 1988. He later guided endangered whooping cranes through safe routes. Fritzs team efforts have worked. The first bird independently migrated back to Bavaria from Tuscany in 2011. The team hopes the Central European population will be more than 350 birds by 2028 and will not need human help to migrate. This year, the route to Spain is longer than last year's path. Earlier this month from an airfield in upper Bavaria, the team guided 36 birds along one stage through blue skies and a wind from behind them that increased their speed. The full journey to Spain could take up to 50 days. Fritz said the effort is bigger than just the northern bald ibises. He hopes the groups work offers a possibility for helping other threatened migratory species to fly. Im Jill Robbins. Bobby Hardy and Stefanie Dazio reported this story for the Associated Press. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. ______________________________________________ Words in This Story breeding n. the activity of keeping and caring for animals or plants in order to produce more animals or plants of a particular kind migrate v. of a bird or animal. to move from one area to another at different times of the year extinct adj. no longer living route n. a way to get from one place to another place foster v. to provide the care that a parent usually gives to a child; to be or become the foster parent of a child interact v. to talk or do things with others journey n. an act of traveling from one place to another species n. biology. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants What do you think of this story? Write to us in the Comments Section. About 200 freshwater dolphins were found dead in Lake Tefe of the Amazon River in Brazil during a period of severe dry weather last year. That is why a team of biologists, animal doctors, and fishermen temporarily captured some river dolphins recently to study their health. The researchers hope the findings will help protect the dolphins from another weather disaster. One of the captured dolphins was a female with her offspring nearby. Fishermen were careful not to injure her and kept her close to her offspring to avoid stressing the animals. "She relaxed and we could do all the tests. She appeared in good health," said project leader Miriam Marmontel. She is a researcher at the Mamiraua Institute of Sustainable Development based in Tefe, Brazil. The organization planned the temporary capture of up to 20 dolphins. The team took blood from the animals and performed other medical tests. The work included removing a small amount of fat to see if harmful chemicals were in the dolphins body. They also put microchips in the animals to follow their movements. The Solimoes River feeds water into Lake Tefe. Unusually dry weather last year caused water levels in the river to drop. As a result, the water became warmer than usual. Thousands of fish also died in the Amazon rivers because of a lack of oxygen in the water. Many Amazon river dolphins are the color pink. They are found only in the rivers of South America, and they are among only a few kinds of freshwater dolphins still living in the world. Because they reproduce slowly, threats to their environment can more easily reduce their populations. Marmontel said researchers hope to better understand what caused last year's deaths, so that experts and officials can react faster to the effects of this years dry weather. "We aim to learn more about the health of the dolphins at a time when water begins to go down and temperatures start to rise, so we can identify the changes and know whether they are due to higher temperatures or a toxin or pollutant in the water," she told Reuters. The river dolphin research project received financial support from the National Marine Mammal Foundation of California in the United States. That organizations researchers helped examine the dolphins using ultrasound technology. Marmontel said most of the dolphins that died last year were in Lake Tefe. The lake is very close to the Solimoes River. The lake's waters reached 40.9 degrees Celsius during the 2023 dry season, more than 10 degrees higher than the average for that time of year. The water is now at 30 degrees Celsius, said Ayan Fleischmann. He is a geosciences researcher at the Mamiraua Institute. Environmental activists have blamed climate change for the severe dry weather that made the river water warmer than normal. However, El Nino, the periodic and natural Pacific Ocean warming weather event could also have brought about last years dry weather in the Amazon. Im Andrew Smith. Bruno Kelly reported this story for Reuters. Andrew Smith adapted the report for VOA Learning English. ________________________________________________ Words in This Story offspring -n. an animal or child as related to its parent stress -v. to cause worry or anxiety level -n. the height of the surface of a body of water or other substance toxin -n. a poisonous substance produced by animals, plants, or bacteria ultrasound -n. sound waves that are used to get images of the inside of a human or animal body A British force of about 4,000 infantry has arrived in Korea from Hong Kong. The decision to send the troops, as back up for the American-led United Nations force, was taken suddenly a week ago. Until now, the only British support has been from warships in the area and some local air squadrons. The British force includes the 1st Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and 1st Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. American troops have been in the region since the beginning of July and there has been deep concern in Britain that it has taken so long to send support. At the end of July, the Minister of Defence, Emmanuel Shinwell, announced a self-contained expeditionary force, including armour, artillery and engineers, as well as infantry, would be sent to Korea. But he said ground forces would not be withdrawn from Malaya or Hong Kong to make up the force. However, it appears following an urgent request from General Douglas MacArthur last week for infantry reinforcements, there was a change of plan in Whitehall. The self-contained force including a centurion tank is still being sent to Korea but is not expected to arrive for another couple of weeks. Opposition leader Winston Churchill intends to raise the matter when Parliament next meets on 12 September. The British contingent has arrived at a moment when the United Nations line is under heavy pressure on its northern front and the port of Pohang on the east coast is threatened by Communist encirclement. Reports from Korea say Communist forces have also moved inland to capture Kigye. If they are successful, the Communists are expected to turn their attentions next to Taegu, the main centre of allied communications. Courtesy BBC News In context Parliament was recalled on 12 September when the Government announced it was increasing its expenditure on defence and extending the period of national service from 18 months to two years due in part to the demands of the war in Korea. Two million people died during the Korean war, which ended with an armistice signed on 27 July 1953. Of the 63,000 UK troops sent to Korea many National Service conscripts 1,078 died and more than 1,000 were taken prisoner. Many were mistreated and subjected to political re-education. 82 prisoners never returned home and are presumed dead. Local police received at least 20 reports over six days from 24 people defrauded of more than MOP210,000 after purchasing fake concert tickets online. Scammers used social media to falsely claim they were reselling official tickets for a popular mainland boy bands Macau concert. Victims paid deposits or the full amount upfront but were left empty-handed when the scammers disappeared on the day of the event. The police issued a warning, advising the public to be cautious when buying tickets online and only purchase from authorized vendors. Related Beijing and Washington will plan for a phone call in the coming weeks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden, the White House said yesterday after National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. Sullivans first trip to China as national security advisor was aimed at keeping high-level communications open and stabilizing bilateral relations to avoid conflict. The White House statement said both sides would keep lines of communication open, including planning for a leader-level call in the coming weeks. There was no indication the two leaders might meet in person before Biden leaves the Oval Office. The White House said the two sides also planned to hold a military theater commander telephone call in the near future. China has rapidly expanded its military, and there are concerns in the West that Taiwan and the South China Sea are becoming flashpoints. Wang told Sullivan that Taiwain independence poses the greatest threat to stability in the immediate region. He demanded that the U.S. stop arming the island but support Chinas peaceful unification, according to a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy that split from communist China in 1949, has rejected Beijings demands that it accept unification with the mainland by peace or by force. The U.S. is obligated under a domestic law to provide the island with sufficient hardware and technology to deter invasion. The White House statement said Sullivan underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Beijing also warned Washington not to support or indulge the Philippines to infringe upon Chinas rights and interests in the South China Sea. China and the Philippines have clashed over the Second Thomas Shoal and lately the Sabina Shoal. The U.S. military has pushed back against Chinas claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, saying this week it would be open to consultations about escorting Philippine ships in the disputed sea amid a spike in hostilities between Beijing and Manila on the issue. The White House said Sullivan reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to defending its Indo-Pacific allies and expressed concern about Beijings destabilizing actions against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea. The Philippines has called for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to do more. The 10-nation Southeast Asian bloc includes the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, which have South China Sea claims that overlap with each other as well as Chinas and Taiwans. The U.S. has shifted its policy with China from engagement to competition. The Biden administration has made it a priority to prevent the competition from spiraling out of control, while seeking to collaborate with China in areas such as climate change, artificial intelligence and enforcement against illicit drugs. John Podesta, the senior advisor to the president for international climate policy, will travel to China, and Sullivan and Wang discussed next steps to reduce the flow of illicit synthetic drugs and continue repatriation of undocumented migrants, the White House said. The U.S. Border Patrol in July made 1,851 arrests of Chinese immigrants on the border with Mexico, down from the December high of 5,951. The two sides also agreed to hold a second round of dialogue over artificial intelligence, the Chinese foreign ministry said. Sullivan raised continued concerns about Chinas trade policies and non-market economic practices, the White House said. Wang demanded the U.S. stop suppressing China in the areas of trade, economic and technology, the Chinese foreign ministry said. By resorting to protectionism, the U.S. would only hurt the global green development and affect the global economic growth, Wang told Sullivan. MDT/AP Chen Hong, president of the Chinese Educators Association of Macau, expressed her support for Sam Hou Fais candidacy in the upcoming Macau Chief Executive election yesterday, stating that she believes Sam is well-suited to lead the city into the future. Chen emphasized the 62-year-old legal veterans strong track record, having served in the Macau judiciary since 1999, where he led the courts in effectively performing their duties in accordance with the law. In her endorsement, Chen highlighted Sams extensive legal and administrative experience, his familiarity with both mainland China and Macau, and his profound thoughts on promoting Macaus sustainable development, to local press. She expressed hope that Sam would listen to the voices and demands of all sectors of Macau society, build consensus, and use his courage, vision, and wisdom to address the challenges facing the city. The Chinese Educators Association of Macau is confident that Sam Hou Fais governance concepts align with the central governments policies for Macau and respond to the expectations of Macau citizens. The association pledges to actively participate in the election process and work with the SAR government and all sectors of society to select a CE who loves the country and Macau, and has strong governance capabilities. NS The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, returned to his headquarters in Dharamshala, northern India yesterday after undergoing a knee replacement surgery in New York. Hundreds of followers in colorful, flowing robes, waving scarves and flowers, cheered the Dalai Lama at the airport and his residence. Several of them beat drums and performed traditional dances. Tibetan and Buddhist flags adorned poles and railings. The Dalai Lama, 89, flew to Dharamshala after weeks of recovery at the Nappi Farmhouse in Syracuse, New York, following the surgery on June 28. Dr. David Mayman, chief of the adult reconstruction and joint replacement service at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, said after the surgery that the Dalai Lama was recovering well and was expected to continue improving over the next six to 12 months. Dr. Tsetan D Sadutshang and Dr. Tsewang Tamdin, physicians to the Dalai Lama, said last month that the surgical incision had completely healed without any complications. The physiotherapists said they were happy with the speed of his improvement. The Dalai Lama has made Dharamshala, the hillside town in northern India, his headquarters since fleeing Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. The Dalai Lama formally relinquished his political and administrative powers in 2011 and handed his political responsibilities to the communitys elected leadership. But he has remained the spiritual leader of the Tibetan community. His followers see him as capable of uniting and mobilizing Tibetans inside and outside China. Over 100,000 Tibetan refugees live in India, Nepal and Bhutan, according to Tibetan organizations. Their number in India is estimated at around 85,000, while many have also moved to countries such as the U.S., Canada, Germany and Switzerland. China exercises rigid control over all religions. China castigates the Dalai Lama as an advocate for Tibetan independence and has not had direct contact with his representatives for more than a decade. The Dalai Lama says he merely advocates for Tibets substantial autonomy and protection of its native Buddhist culture. MDT/AP The Labour Affairs Bureau and the Macau Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM) are set to host three industry-specific job matching sessions during the first week of September, featuring a total of 519 job vacancies. Applications are being accepted from yesterday to Sep. 2. On Sep. 3, a session for the cleaning industry will offer 118 positions, including supervisors and security guards. That afternoon, the catering industry will present 154 vacancies. Finally, on Sep. 5, the hotel industry will hold a session with 247 openings, including roles for restaurant managers and chefs. Related The growing mpox outbreaks in Africa that triggered the World Health Organizations emergency declaration are largely the result of decades of neglect and the global communitys inability to stop sporadic epidemics among a population with little immunity against the smallpox-related disease, leading African scientists said yesterday [Macau time]. According to Dr. Dimie Ogoina, who chaired WHOs mpox emergency committee, negligence has led to a new, more transmissible version of the virus emerging in countries with few resources to stop outbreaks. Mpox, also known as monkeypox, had been spreading mostly undetected for years in Africa before the disease prompted the 2022 outbreak in more than 70 countries, Ogoina said at a virtual news conference. What we are witnessing in Africa now is different from the global outbreak in 2022, he said. While that outbreak was overwhelmingly focused in gay and bisexual men, mpox in Africa is now being spread via sexual transmission as well as through close contact among children, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups. And while most people over 50 were likely vaccinated against smallpox which may provide some protection against mpox that is not the case for Africas mostly young population, who Ogoina said were mostly susceptible. Mpox belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox but causes milder symptoms like fever and body aches. It mostly spreads through close skin-to-skin contact, including sex. People with more serious cases can develop prominent blisters on the face, hands, chest and genitals. Earlier this month, WHO declared the surging mpox outbreaks in Congo and 11 other countries in Africa to be a global emergency. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were more than 22,800 mpox cases and 622 deaths on the continent and that infections had jumped 200% in the last week. The majority of cases and deaths are in Congo, where most mpox infections are in children under 15. Dr. Placide Mbala-Kingebeni, a Congolese scientist who helped identify the newest version of mpox, said diagnostic tests being used in the country did not always pick it up, making it hard to track the variants spread. In May, Mbala-Kingebeni, who heads a lab at Congos National Institute for Biomedical Research, published research showing a new form of mpox that may be less deadly but more transmissible. The noted mutations suggested it was more adapted to human transmission, he said, but the lack of tests in Congo and elsewhere complicated efforts to monitor outbreaks. The new variant has been detected in four other African countries as well as Sweden, where health officials said they have identified the first case of a person this month with the more infectious form of mpox. The person had been infected during a stay in Africa. WHO said that available data to date does not suggest that the new form of mpox is more dangerous but that research is ongoing. Marion Koopmans, a virologist at Erasmus Medical Centre in the Netherlands who has been studying mpox, said scientists were now seeing some significant impacts of the disease, noting that pregnant women were miscarrying or losing their fetuses and that some babies were being born infected with mpox. Ogoina, a professor of infectious diseases at Niger Delta University in Nigeria, said that in the absence of vaccines and drugs, African health workers should focus on providing supportive care, like ensuring patients have enough to eat and are given mental health support, given the stigma that often comes with mpox. Its very, very unfortunate that we have had mpox for 54 years and we are only now thinking about therapeutics, he said. Mbala-Kingebeni said strategies previously used to stop Ebola outbreaks in Africa might help, given the limited numbers of shots expected. He said authorities have estimated Africa needs about 10 million doses but might only receive about 500,000 and its unclear when they might arrive. Finding a case and vaccinating around the case, like we did with Ebola, might help us target the hot spots, he said. Koopmans said that given the urgent need for vaccines in Africa, waiting for more doses to be produced was unrealistic. The short term (question) really is about, who has vaccines and where are they to be best used next? she said. Spains health ministry announced Tuesday that it would dip into its mpox vaccine stockpile to donate 20% of its supply, about 500,000 doses, to African countries battling mpox. We consider it senseless to accumulate vaccines where they are not needed, Spains health ministry said in a statement, adding Spain will recommend to the European Commission to propose that all member states also donate 20% of their vaccine stock. Spains donation alone is more than what the European Union, vaccine Bavarian Nordic and the U.S. have pledged. Last week, Africa CDC said the EU and Bavarian Nordic had promised 215,000 mpox vaccines while the U.S. said it was donating 50,000 doses of the same vaccine to Congo. Japan has also donated some doses to Congo. Meanwhile, the U.S. this week donated 10,000 doses of mpox vaccines to Nigeria where mpox has been common, making the vaccines the first to arrive in Africa since the global emergency was declared. The country has had a few dozen cases this year. MARIA CHENG, LONDON, MDT/AP When the Vatican acknowledged in 2022 that the Nobel Peace Prize-winning, East Timorese independence hero Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo had sexually abused young boys, it appeared that the global clergy sexual abuse scandal that has compromised the Catholic Churchs credibility around the world had finally arrived in Asias newest country. And yet, the church in East Timor today is stronger than ever, with most downplaying, doubting or dismissing the claims against Belo and those against a popular American missionary who confessed to molesting young girls. Many instead focus on their roles saving lives during the countrys bloody struggle against Indonesia for independence. Pope Francis will come face to face with the Timorese faithful on his first trip to the country, a former Portuguese colony that makes up half of the island of Timor off the northern coast of Australia. But so far, there is no word if he will meet with victims or even mention the sex abuse directly, as he has in other countries where the rank-and-file faithful have demanded an accounting from the hierarchy for how it failed to protect their children. Even without pressure from within East Timor to address the scandals, it would be deeply meaningful to the victims if Francis did, said Tjiyske Lingsma, the Dutch journalist who helped bring both abuse cases to light. I think this is the time for the pope to say some words to the victims, to apologize, she said in an interview from Amsterdam. The day after Lingsma detailed the Belo case in a September 2022 report in De Groene Amsterdammer magazine, the Vatican confirmed that Belo had been sanctioned secretly two years earlier. In Vatican spokesman Matteo Brunis statement, he said the church had been aware of the case since 2019 and had imposed disciplinary measures in 2020, including restrictions on Belos movements and a ban on voluntary contact with minors. Despite the official acknowledgement, many in East Timor still dont believe it, like Dili university student Martinha Goveia, who is still expecting Belo will show up to be at Francis side during his upcoming visit. If hes not there, she said, that is not good in my opinion, because it will confirm he is being sanctioned by the Vatican. Vegetable trader Alfredo Ximenes said the allegations and the Vaticans acknowledged sanctions were merely rumors, and that he hoped Belo would come to welcome the pope and refute the claims in person. Our political leaders should immediately meet him to end the problem and persuade him to return, because after all he has contributed greatly to national independence, Ximenes said. Timorese officials refused to answer questions about the Belo case, but theres been no attempt to avoid mentioning him, with a giant billboard in Dili welcoming Pope Francis, whose visit starts Sept. 9, placed right above a mural honoring Belo and three others as national heroes. Only about 20% of East Timors people were Catholic when Indonesia invaded in 1975, shortly after Portugal abandoned it as a colony. Today, some 98% of East Timors 1.3 million people are Catholic, making it the most Catholic country in the world outside the Vatican. A law imposed by Indonesia requiring people to choose a religion, combined with the churchs opposition to the military occupation and support for the resistance over years of bloody fighting that saw as many as 200,000 people killed, helped bring about that flood of new members. Belo won the Nobel Peace Prize for his bravery in drawing international attention to Indonesian human rights abuses during the conflict, and American missionary Richard Daschbach was widely celebrated for his role in helping save lives in the struggle for independence. Their heroic status, and societal factors in Asia, where the culture tends to confer much power on adults and authority figures, helps explain why the men are still revered while elsewhere in the world such cases are met with outrage, said Anne Barrett Doyle, of the online resource Bishop Accountability. Bishops are powerful, and in developing countries where the church is dominant, they are inordinately powerful, Barrett Doyle said. But no case weve studied exhibits as extreme a power differential as that which exists between Belo and his victims. When a child is raped in a country that is devoutly Catholic, and the sexual predator is not only a bishop but a legendary national hero, there is almost no hope that justice will be done. In 2018, as rumors built against Daschbach, the priest confessed in a letter to church authorities to abusing young girls from at least 1991 to 2012. It is impossible for me to remember even the faces of many of them, let alone the names, he wrote. The 87-year-old was defrocked by the Vatican and criminally charged in East Timor, where he was convicted in 2021 and is now serving 12 years in prison. But despite his confession and court testimony from victims that detailed the abuse, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, an independence hero himself, has visited Daschbach in prison hand-feeding him cake and serving him wine on his birthday and has said winning the ex-priests early release is a priority for him. In Belos case, six years after winning the Nobel Prize, which he shared with current East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta, he suddenly retired as the head of the church in East Timor in 2002, citing health reasons and stress. Not long after his retirement, Belo, today 76, was sent by the Vatican and his Salesian missionary order to another former Portuguese colony, Mozambique, to work as a missionary priest. There, he has said, he spent his time teaching catechism to children, giving retreats to young people. Today he lives in Portugal. Suspicion arose that Belo, like others before him, had been allowed to quietly retire rather than face any reckoning, given the reputational harm to the church that would have caused. In a 2023 interview with The Associated Press, Pope Francis suggested that indeed was the case, reasoning that was how such matters were handled in the past. Lingsma said she first heard allegations against Belo in 2002, the same year East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste, won its formal independence after the Indonesian occupation ended in 1999. She said she wasnt able to investigate the case and build enough evidence to publish her story on him until two decades later. Her story garnered international attention, as well as the Vaticans acknowledgement of the case, but in East Timor was primarily met with skepticism and negative reactions toward her reporting. Her 2019 story exposing the Daschbach case eventually prompted authorities to charge him, but also did not lead to the outpouring of anger that she had anticipated. The reaction was silence, she recalled. During the fight for independence, priests, nuns and missionaries put themselves at great risk to help people, like parents wanting to save their children, helping form todays deep connection between the church and people of East Timor, said Timorese historian Luciano Valentim da Conceixao. Pedophilia and sexual violence are common enemies in East Timor, and we should not mix them up with the struggle for independence, said Valentim da Costa Pinto, executive director of The Timor-Leste NGO Forum, an umbrella organization for some 270 NGOs. The chancellor of the Dili Diocese today, Father Ludgerio Martins da Silva, said the cases of Belo and Daschbach were the Vaticans jurisdiction, and that most people consider the sex abuse scandals a thing of the past. NINIEK KARMINI, DAVID RISING & NICOLE WINFIELD, DILI, MDT/AP Wynns new lifestyle brand, Wynn Signature, has announced that registration for the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards 2025 is now open until December 31, 2024. Applications can be submitted through the Wynn Signature WeChat mini-program. This years competition aims to unite Chinas top wineries, highlight exceptional wines, and promote the growth of the Chinese wine industry on an international stage. The inaugural awards, held from March to April 2024, featured over 700 wines from 200 wineries and was judged by a panel of 27 experts, including seven Masters of Wine. Linda Chen, president, vice vhairman and executive director of Wynn Macau, Limited said: Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards aims to promote outstanding Chinese wines. This also expands the target regional markets for Chinese products, she added. In May, Wynn partnered with the renowned 67 Pall Mall in Singapore to host its first overseas Chinese wine tasting event for the clubs private members. Four conglomerates expressed interest in participating in Manila Electric Co.s (Meralco) competitive selection process for its 400-megawatt (MW) mid-merit supply requirement. These are First Gas Power Corp. and First Natgas Power Corp. of Lopez-led First Gen Corp.; FDC Misamis Power Corp. of the Filinvest Group; Masinloc Power Co. Ltd. and Sual Power Inc. of San Miguel Corp.; and GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. of Aboitiz Power Corp. that attended the pre-bid conference for the 400-MW CSP on Thursday. - Advertisement - A mid-merit power plant can adjust its capacity based on demand at certain hours of the day, while a baseload power plant is capable of running 24 hours a day. Following the success of our recent CSP for 600 MW of baseload supply where Meralco received very competitive offers, we welcome the continued interest of the countrys major energy players to join this CSP round that will help us ensure availability of least-cost supply for our customers starting next year, Meralco bids and awards committee chairman Lawrence Fernandez said. We look forward to the participation of these prospective bidders during the bid submission deadline and bid opening scheduled on Oct. 1, Fernandez said. Meralco senior vice president and head of regulatory management Jose Ronald Valles said the CSP aims to secure the least-cost supply for customers. We hope that there will be no further delays as we work towards immediate signing of the PSAs resulting from the 600 MW CSP. We trust that ERC evaluation and approval will also be swift so customers can enjoy these very low rates upon scheduled delivery date in August 2025, Valles said. The resulting 15-year power supply agreement/s (PSA/s) for Meralcos 400-MW mid-merit requirement is targeted to start by Aug. 26, 2025. Interested bidders should be able to supply 100 percent of the contract capacity for a continuous period of 15 hours during Mondays to Saturdays covering the peak hours of 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 10 hours during Sundays covering the peak hours of 2 p.m. to 12 midnight, based on the terms of reference. Meralco on Tuesday secured the lowest offers for its 600-MW supply requirement from two power generation companies through another CSP. Masinloc Power Co. Ltd. offered P5.6015 per kWh for 500-MW capacity, while GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. offered to supply the remaining 100-MW baseload requirement at a rate of P5.7392 per kWh. Both offers were lower than the P7.2609 per kWh reserve price set for the bidding. The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) said Thursday it approved the P17-billion preferred shares offering of oil refiner Petron Corp. The PSE said in a notice posted in its website Petron plans to offer 13 million series 4 preferred shares, with an oversubscription option for another 4 million shares at P1,000 apiece under its 50-million shares shelf-registration program. - Advertisement - It said the offering would run from Sept. 5 to Sept. 13. The shares will be listed on the main board of the PSE on Sept. 23, 2024. The company said it plans to use the proceeds to redeem series 3A preferred shares, refinance maturing obligations and fund general corporate purposes, including crude oil inventory purchase. BDO Capital & Investment Corp. will act as sole issue manager, while Bank of Commerce, BDO Capital, China Bank Capital Corp., Philippine Commercial Capital Inc., PNB Capital and Investment Corp. and SB Capital Investment Corp. are the joint lead underwriters and book runners. Petron also raised P14 billion in 2023 from the initial issuance of preferred shares. Petron is the countrys biggest oil company with a 180,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Bataan. It has a combined service station network of about 2,600 outlets in the Philippines and Malaysia. Petron posted a flat growth in its net income in the first half of 2024 to P6 billion from P6.14 billion in the same period last year amid challenging economic conditions. Petron is one of the four companies that are planning to raise fresh capital through the capital markets via preferred shares offering. Other firms that previous announced plans to issue preferred shares are Arthaland Corp., Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. and San Miguel Corp. Fastfood giant Jollibee Foods Corp. earlier reported plans to withdraw its planned P8-billion preferred shares sale. The PSE expects more companies to tap the capital markets in the second half of 2024 on the back of improving macroeconomic conditions. President Marcos signed into law the Loss and Damage Fund Board Act that will help the country push for climate change impact financing. The Philippines was earlier selected to host the LDF Board after earning a spot in the body during the United Nations 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai in December 2023. - Advertisement - The new law grants juridical personality and legal capacity to the LDF Board, a global finance mechanism to help vulnerable states dealing with the effects of climate change, to operate in the Philippines. The board will also have the legal capacity to negotiate, conclude, and enter into a hosting arrangement with the World Bank as interim trustee and host of the global LDF secretariat. We are honored to have a seat on the Board itself, ensuring that the Philippines will be a formidable voice in promoting and advancing global climate action an issue of critical interest to the country. Hosting the LDF Board reinforces our dedication to inclusivity and our leadership role in ensuring that the voices of those most affected by climate change shape the future of international climate policies, Mr. Marcos said in July when the Philippines was chosen as LDF Board host. For his part, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said the Philippines is set to establish a gold standard for climate finance and action globally with the new law that enables its hosting of the LDF Board. The LDF Board Act is one of many decisive actions we take to escalate our climate initiatives and solidify the Philippines leadership in championing the voices of those most impacted by climate change. We are determined for our hosting to set the gold standard for climate finance and action, not just across Asia and the Pacific, but around the globe, he said. By hosting the LDF Board, the Philippines will play a leading role in helping attract significant support from developed countries and development partners to provide concrete financial contributions in averting, minimizing, and addressing losses and damages, Recto said. It will also serve as an avenue for the Philippines to showcase its game-changing initiatives, transformative reforms, and science-based innovations on adaptation and mitigation actions as well as disaster risk management aligned with its national plans and strategies, he added. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs earlier reported that in2023, at least 12,000 people died globally because of floods, forest fires, cyclones, storms, and landslides, representing a 30 percent increase compared to the figures recorded in 2022. Developing countries are the most vulnerable on the list and bear a disproportionate burden in terms of experiencing the adverse impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels and extreme weather events. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), developing countries have 15 times more victims of natural disasters than developed countries. As of March, at least $661 million was pledged to the Fund, led by France, Italy, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates which each committed $100 million or more. Editors Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: Marcos signs Loss and Damage Fund Board law The Leaders Forum, a group of employer and labor organizations, has released a joint statement issuing policy recommendations to improve workers rights in the country. The employer-labor group consists of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT), Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Federation of Free Workers (FFW), and Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO). - Advertisement - For two years in a row, the Philippines labor rights situation has been under the global spotlight in the International Labour Organization (ILO) since its January 2023 High-Level Tripartite Mission on Freedom of Association to the Philippines, the Leaders Forum said in a statement. The Leaders Forumissues this Joint Position outlining proposed courses of action which should be part and parcel of the tripartite implementation report of the Philippines requested by the ILO by September 1 towards concrete meaningful progress in fostering harmonious labor-management relations to uplift the lives and livelihood of Filipino workers and their families, it added. Among its recommendations is for the Inter-Agency Committee (IAC) for the Protection of the Freedom of Association and Right to Organize of Workers to regularly convene. The Leaders Forum also suggested aligning national policy and practice with international labor standards as articulated by ILO Conventions. Additionally, it proposed to increase the budget of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), provide witness protection until cases are resolved, increase reparations and expedite their release to the families of victims of human rights violation. We reiterate our earlier call for government to continue the investigation, prosecution, and disposition of all labor-related cases affecting freedom of association and collective bargaining, without delay and in the interest of justice, the Leaders Forum added. Lastly, it sought to review the continued operation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on the basis of possible redundancy or overlapping functions with other agencies. Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, 64 Ilonggo Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Lebanon have been reported safe, according to the Public Employment and Services Office (PESO) in Iloilo. One Ilonggo OFW, however, reported being in an unsafe situation due to their proximity to a war zone and their employer preventing them from returning home. - Advertisement - PESO-Iloilo Acting Head Cynthia Dario stated that they have been closely monitoring the safety of all 65 OFWs from Iloilo, with 64 confirmed safe. Every day, we are monitoring. Out of these 65, 64 are safe, although one has declared feeling unsafe because they are close to the war zone, Dario said. The data shows that the highest number of Ilonggo OFWs in Lebanon are from Barotac Nuevo, with 16 workers. They are followed by Tigbauan and Leon with 15 workers each; Miagao with five; Santa Barbara with three; Concepcion, Anilao, and San Joaquin with two each; and Calinog, Carles, Badiangan, Cabatuan, and Sara with one each. Most of these OFWs are service workers who have been employed in Lebanon for an extended period. These reports were gathered through the activation of the Task Force Bulig Ilonggo Desks, a collaboration between the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and Barangay and Municipal PESOs, as directed by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. Dario also disclosed that there are approximately 1,400 undocumented Ilonggo OFWs in Lebanon, based on data from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). In contrast, only over 200 individuals are actively listed with the agency. To address this, PESO-Iloilo is intensifying its monitoring efforts alongside Municipal PESO managers to reach the families of undocumented OFWs. Dario clarified that only 65 families have reported the status of their relatives in Lebanon to PESO-Iloilo. Our lines are open 24/7, and we are actively monitoring to understand the situation of our Ilonggo OFWs in Lebanon. They can call us anytime and reach out to us in collaboration with the PDRRMO, she explained. As of today, we have accounted for 65 Ilonggo OFWs through our municipal PESO managers and Barangay PESO, Dario added, emphasizing their continued commitment to monitoring and supporting affected OFWs and their families. The Iloilo provincial government, under Defensors directives has mobilized Task Force Bulig Ilonggo in partnership with the PDRRMO to ensure the safety and well-being of its OFWs in Lebanon. MAGELANG, Indonesia Indonesia and Australia signed a new defense agreement Thursday, pledging closer cooperation to counter security threats in the Asia-Pacific region . The pact, announced this month, was signed during Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles visit to Indonesia this week and includes provisions for joint drills and deployments to each country. - Advertisement - The two countries have sought to boost security ties in the face of increased flashpoints in the region including the South China Sea, where several states claim sovereignty over disputed islands and waterways. Indonesias defense minister Prabowo Subianto described the Australia-Indonesia Defence Cooperation Agreement as a historic milestone. (The deal) was carried out together to increase cooperation to help each other overcome various security threats and promote sustainable peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, he told a joint news conference Thursday. Prabowo emphasized that the agreement was not a military pact or military alliance, adding that he hoped to forge stronger ties with Australia in the future. Marles said the pact was the most significant defense agreement between the two countries, hailing it as a treaty-level agreement. We will see a much greater interoperability between our defense forces, an ability to operate from each others countries, Marles said. The pact was first unveiled when president-elect Prabowo, who is set to succeed President Joko Widodo in October, visited Canberra last week. The two countries are due to hold a joint military exercise in East Java in November, involving almost 2,000 military personnel. The exercise, which will involve air, land, sea and cyber exercises, will be the biggest exercise that Australia will do outside of our nation this year, Marles said. Namibia is experiencing its worst drought in a century and has declared a state of emergency. To address the crisis, the country has launched a national plan that includes a controversial measure: culling dozens of animals, including hippos and buffalo, in various national parks. The Environment Ministry announced on August 27 that Namibia plans to cull 723 wild animals, including 83 elephants, to distribute their meat to those struggling with food shortages due to the severe drought affecting southern Africa. The animals targeted include hippos, buffalo, impala, blue wildebeest, zebra, and elephants. The culling is also intended to ease pressure on grazing and water resources within the parks. So far, 157 animals have been culled by professional hunters and government-contracted companies, resulting in over 56,800 kilograms of meat. The Ministry defended the measure as necessary and in line with its mandate to use natural resources for the benefit of Namibian citizens. With over 200,000 elephants in the region, which spans Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Angola, and Namibia, it is home to one of the worlds largest elephant populations. However, the decision has faced backlash. The NGO Elephant Human Relation Aid has criticized the plan and launched a petition on Change.org, which has garnered over 2,600 signatures. The UN estimates that nearly 1.5 million people are facing food insecurity due to the drought, and despite calls for international assistance, Namibia appears to be handling the crisis largely on its own. In Rwanda, the legal proceedings against entrepreneur Davis Manzi, who faces charges of fraud, money laundering, and operating an illegal online foreign exchange business, have taken a significant turn. Manzi allegedly persuaded over 500 individuals to invest nearly $10 million. On August 28, a court in Kigali denied his request for parole. The court determined that Manzi does not qualify for parole, given the seriousness of the charges and the need for him to remain in custody until his trial. Almost one hundred investors have filed civil suits against him. One anonymous investor shared their experience, explaining how a friend introduced them to Manzis scheme in 2022, leading them to invest. In court, around fifteen alleged victims, along with some investors who had received their dividends on time, attended to support Manzi. Manzis lawyer argued for parole to enable his client to address his debts, with the hope that repayments could be made after the trials conclusion. Earlier this year, the Rwandan Financial Markets Authority implemented new regulations for foreign currency trading to enhance transparency and protect investors. The 81st Venice Film Festival kicked off on Wednesday on Lido Island in Venice, Italy, showcasing 21 films competing for the prestigious Golden Lion award. Members of the 81st Venice Film Festival Jury pose at the photocall in Venice, Italy, Aug. 28, 2024. The 81st Venice Film Festival will run from Aug. 28 until Sept. 7 at the Venice Lido island in Italy. (Xinhua/Li Jing) The festival opened with the premiere of "Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice," the latest film by Tim Burton, with the opening ceremony hosted by Italian actress Sveva Alviti. The international jury is led by French actress Isabelle Huppert, who is known for winning multiple Best Actress awards at Cannes and other prestigious film awards. Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi is also one of the jury members this year. The film lineup this year includes the crime drama "Joker: Folie a Deux," with Joaquin Phoenix as The Joker and Lady Gaga as his romantic partner; "The Room Next Door," the first English-language film from Oscar-winning Spanish director Pedro Almodovar; "Maria," starring Angelina Jolie as opera legend Maria Callas, and the thriller "Baby Girl," featuring Nicole Kidman. In addition to the main competition, the festival includes other sections which highlight films representing the latest aesthetic and expressive trends, debut films and virtual reality works. First held in 1932, the Venice Film Festival is the oldest of its kind. Together with the Cannes Film Festival in France and the Berlin International Film Festival in Germany, it is one of the three major film festivals in Europe. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa urged his Justice Minister, Thembi Simelane, to address allegations of corruption that have intensified calls for her resignation. According to a statement from the presidents office, released on Wednesday August 28, Ramaphosa expressed concern over media reports detailing allegations against Simelane. These reports suggest that Simelane received a questionable loan exceeding R500,000 ($28,000) while serving as mayor of Polokwane in Limpopo province from 2014 to 2021. The reports also link this loan to the VBS Mutual Bank fraud scandal, which saw the bank collapse in 2018 following claims of looting by executives and politicians. In response, the presidency has requested a comprehensive report and briefing from Simelane on the allegations. Several political factions in South Africa have demanded her resignation and a thorough investigation. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a left-wing opposition party, has called for Simelanes immediate resignation due to her purported involvement in the banks looting, although some EFF members are themselves under suspicion for accepting bribes related to the scandal. The Democratic Alliance (DA), a center-right party, has raised concerns about Simelanes integrity and her capacity to effectively uphold justice. Simelane, 51, was appointed as Justice Minister in June 2024 after the African National Congress (ANC) formed a coalition with the DA and other smaller parties following the May elections. Spain has reached agreements with Mauritania, Gambia and Senegal to enhance cooperation in tackling illegal migration to Europe and to promote regulated migration. The agreements were reached during Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezs west African tour, which aims to address the increasing influx of illegal migrants into Spain. On Tuesday evening, Spain signed a memorandum of understanding with Mauritania on circular migration, and a similar agreement with Gambia on Wednesday. These memoranda establish a framework for managed migration to Spain, focusing on labor needs and prioritizing young people and women. Additionally, Spain and Mauritania have signed a declaration of intent to bolster collaboration against organized crime, particularly human trafficking. Sanchez emphasized this goal during his meeting with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, as reported by Mauritanias state agency. In Senegal, the third and final stop of his three-day tour of West Africa, Pedro Sanchez affirms his commitment to fighting the criminal networks that engage in human trafficking between Africa and the Canary Islands. And to fight against this threat to the stability and security of our societies, it is also essential that those who have entered Spain illegally return to their countries, the Spanish Prime Minister stated in an address while attending this Thursday an event showcasing collaboration projects at the Cervantes Institute in Dakar. Spain is experiencing a sharp increase in illegal migration, primarily through the Canary Islands. Between January 1 and August 15, over 22,300 migrants arrived in the Canaries, up 126% from 9,864 in the same period last year. For Spain as a whole, the increase is 66%, from 18,745 to 31,155. The three west African countries are key departure points for many migrants. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A randomized controlled trial of 435 women having a medical abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy found 71% of patients who took the first dose of misoprostol at home spent fewer than 9 hours in hospital, compared to 46% of patients who took the first dose of misoprostol at hospital. There was no difference in safety outcomes observed between the two groups. However, of the women who took the first dose of misoprostol at home, 1% (2/220) completed the abortion before admission to hospital. In a survey after the abortion, more participants in the home group (78%) said they preferred their allocated treatment compared with the hospital group (49%). The authors say the option of taking the first dose of misoprostol at home would give women having abortions after 12 weeks greater autonomy and reduce the need for overnight hospital stays. Pregnant people who took the first dose of misoprostol (a pill given as part of the procedure for medical abortions) at home had a 71% chance of completing their care in hospital within 9 hours with no overnight stay when having an abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy, compared to 46% of those who took the first dose of misoprostol at hospital, finds a randomized controlled trial published in The Lancet. A medical abortion (also known as abortion with pills) involves taking two types of pills to end a pregnancy: mifepristone, which blocks the hormone progesterone therefore causing the lining of the uterus to break down, and misoprostol, which makes the womb contract. For abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy, mifepristone is often given at a clinic to which the patient returns one to two days later to receive a first dose of misoprostol followed by additional doses of misoprostol every few hours until the abortion is complete. In this trial, all patients received the first dose of mifepristone in the clinic as usual, but some patients then took the first dose of misoprostol at home. Previous studies indicate that most medical abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy are completed within eight to 12 hours after the first misoprostol dose and require an average of two to three misoprostol doses, with some patients needing to stay overnight in hospital. "Currently, most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy take place in hospitals and may require an overnight stay, which some women find stressful and isolating. Our trial results show that taking the first dose of misoprostol at home decreases the average time women spent in hospital, enabling them to leave the hospital within nine hours after admission and without an overnight stay. "Offering the choice to take the first dose of misoprostol at home provides a safe and effective alternative to taking all misoprostol doses at hospital and enables women to self-manage some of the process, potentially leading to feelings of autonomy during a time where women can feel extremely vulnerable," says author Dr. Johanna Rydelius, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. She adds, "Our study found 1% of the women who took misoprostol at home completed the abortion before attending hospital for the next dose. Previous studies suggest a 1% complete abortion rate within two hours after the misoprostol first dose, and women who took misoprostol at home were made aware of this risk when choosing to take part in the trial and provided with a number to call if they had any concerns. It's extremely important that women who are given the choice to take the first dose of misoprostol at home are clearly informed about the very small risk of the abortion occurring before attending the hospital." The study took place at six hospitals in Sweden between January 2019 and December 2022. All participants were given mifepristone oral pills at an outpatient clinic and provided with a time to return. Women between 12 to 22 weeks pregnant planning to undergo a medical abortion and who chose to take part in the trial were randomized to either receive their first dose of misoprostol at home or at the hospital. Women in the home treatment group administered the first dose of misoprostol vaginally at home and returned to hospital two hours later for the remaining treatment. Women in the hospital group self-administered the first dose of misoprostol upon arrival at the hospital. All participants then took repeated doses of misoprostol under the tongue every three hours until the abortion occurred. Of the patients in the home treatment group, 71% (156/220) spent fewer than nine hours at hospital, compared to 46% (99/215) of those in the hospital treatment group. There was no difference in the average pain score, types and number of side effects, or rates of admittance to hospital earlier than planned between the two groups. Two patients in the home treatment group (1%) had the abortion on the way to the hospital, between one to two hours after taking the first dose of misoprostol. The patients were asked to complete a follow-up survey two to four weeks after the abortion. Five out of six participants in both trial arms (171/200 of those in the home treatment group and 152/188 of those in the hospital treatment group) said they were very satisfied with the care they received. When asked "if you were to choose, where would you prefer to take the first dose of misoprostol?" 78% of women in the home group and 51% of women in the hospital group said they'd prefer to take the first dose of misoprostol at home. The authors acknowledge some limitations of the study, including that the researchers were advised by the Data and Safety Monitoring Board to end the trial early due to a lower-than-expected enrollment and slow progress towards the trial's target of 784 participants. However, trial site feedback suggests the lower-than-expected enrollment rate was not due to reluctance to take misoprostol at home, but rather due to patients feeling overwhelmed by the overall situation. "Every patient who seeks abortion care must navigate a unique set of personal and medical circumstances. The choice of self-administering the first dose of misoprostol at home may provide some patients with a sense of autonomy and comfort during what can be a very overwhelming time in their lives. "In addition, providing the option of the first dose of misoprostol at home would enable more abortion clinics with no overnight facilities to provide medical abortions for women who are over 12 weeks pregnant, something particularly important for locations where access to abortion care is limited," says author Prof Kristina Gemzell Danielsson, The Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. Writing in a linked Comment, Heidi Moseson and Caitlin Gerdts, Ibis Reproductive Health, U.S., who were not involved in the study, said, "Increasing access to abortion later in pregnancy is a crucial component of the struggle for reproductive autonomy; it requires innovation, and evidence, and a willingness to listen to the needs and experiences of people having abortions. Judging from the overwhelming preference for at-home administration of misoprostol in the PRIMA Trial, moving towards a less clinically supervised model of medical abortion care later in pregnancy is an important first step." More information: First dose of misoprostol administration at home or in hospital for medical abortion between 1222 gestational weeks in Sweden (PRIMA): a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial, The Lancet (2024). DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01079-1 Journal information: The Lancet 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: Hans Kluge, Regional Director for Europe at the World Health Organization (WHO) hold a press conference with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, right, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Budapest, April 21, 2021. Credit: Zoltan Mathe/MTI via AP, File The World Health Organization's office for Europe on Thursday decried a decline in condom use by adolescents in recent years, warning of risks of infection and unplanned pregnancies in countries from Canada to central Asia. The findings come in the latest report by WHO Europe on health behavior in school-age children and were drawn from surveys of nearly a quarter-million 15-year-olds across 42 countries between 2014 and 2022. "While results varied widely across the countries and regions, the most important observed trend since the (health behavior in school-age children survey) in 2014 is of declines in some countries and regions in condom use among sexually active 15-year-olds," said Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Europe regional director, in a preface to the report. He said the results, which also examined use of the contraceptive pill, were "dismaying" but "not surprising," in light of neglected sexuality education in many countries. WHO and the authors urged decision-makers to do more to improve it. In the countries where "age-appropriate" sexuality education is available, "it has increasingly come under attack in recent years on the false premise that it encourages sexual behavior," Kluge added. Among the sexually active teens surveyed, the percentage of boys who said they had used a condom in their last sexual intercourse dropped to 61% in 2022, from 70% in 2014. Among girl respondents, the figure dropped to 57% from 63% over the same span. Overall, the proportion of teens who reported having intercourse remained "relatively stable" since 2014 with one in five 15-year-old boys and 15% of girls of the same age reporting having had sex. The figure for boys was down slightly from 2018, when one in four reported having had intercourse. Among other findings, teens from poorer, or "low-affluence," families, were more likely to have reported not using a condom one in three compared to one in four among teens from wealthier backgrounds, Copenhagen, Denmark-based WHO Europe said. Condom use among girls was lowest in Albania (24%) and highest in Serbia (81%), the report found. For boys, the lowest rate of use turned up in Sweden (43%), while the highest rate was in Switzerland (77%). 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Classroom cellphone bans should help improve learning environments in schools, a child development expert says. Keeping the devices out of classrooms would help focus attention, improve problem-solving andby allowing kids to occasionally lapse into boredomspur creativity, says Jon Piacentini, a child and adolescent psychologist at UCLA Health. "There are more harms associated with cellphone use in school than the benefits," Piacentini, a father of three, said in a UCLA news release. As a new school year kicks in, school district officials across the United States are weighing cellphone restrictions, experts said. Nearly 84% of teens ages 16 to 19 have a cellphone, making the devices as ubiquitous as backpacks, highlighters and three-ring binders, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). What's more, U.S. children ages 8 to 12 spend about six hours a day on screens, sometimes while in class, the NIH said. "We know that a lot of kids are spending time on their phone during class or during recess," Piacentini said. Dividing attention between class and a smartphone can make it tough for students to concentrate or problem-solve, he noted. Students who can't concentrate "do not have the ability to take multiple perspectives or see problems from multiple approaches," Piacentini said. Cellphones can also harm kids' imagination and critical thinking skills by never allowing their minds to wander, and boredom actually stimulates creativity in kids, he explained. "If kids are on their phones 24/7, it doesn't help them develop a sense that they can create, understand and generate thoughts and ideas," Piacentini said. Smartphones can also stunt kids' social development. Traditional forms of play and connection are being replaced by video games and online platforms, according to Piacentini. As a result, kids might not be prepared to engage socially in person with others they don't know. Social media algorithms also can increase a child's anxiety by spreading misinformation or reinforcing biases, Piacentini said. Young children without the capacity and context to understand and interpret such messages may come to believe "that the world is scary," he said. Parents can help schools that ban classroom cellphones by mirroring those restrictions at home. For example, parents can require no cellphones at the dinner table or in the bedroom before sleeping, Piacentini said. Parents also can create more opportunities for children to put away their phones and enjoy non-screen activities with family and friends. More information: The National Education Association has more on classroom cellphone bans. Copyright 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved. 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: Histogram of serum lipoprotein(a) concentrations distribution in the study population divided into four categories. Credit: Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2024.08.004 Heart experts say that everyone should have their levels of lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), measured routinely at least once in life, following research from one of the most populous EU countries, Poland, that shows how common high levels of Lp(a) are in the general population. The findings come from several studies presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress taking place in London, UK, this week and published in Progress in Cardiovascular Disease and also appearing in the journal Archives of Medical Sciences. LP(a) is a parcel of fats (also known as lipids) and a protein (known as apolipoprotein(a)) that carries the fats around the body. Lp(a) is very sticky, and high levels have been shown to lead to faster furring of the coronary arteries and may also participate in the development of blood clots. These can cause heart attacks, stroke, heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases. Lp(a) levels are determined by people's genes, and sometimes by conditions such as kidney disease or underactive thyroid glands. People with premature myocardial infarction (heart attack) and familial hypercholesteremia (FH), an inherited condition that causes extremely high cholesterol levels, will have their Lp(a) levels measured more often, but this is not common for the rest of the population. It is estimated that around 1.5 billion people worldwide have elevated Lp(a) levels, higher than 50 milligrams per one-tenth of a liter (mg/dL) of blood, but accurate estimates for most European countries are still lacking. In addition, little is known about factors and conditions that could increase the risk of high Lp(a), what drugs could interfere with it, its role in complications during pregnancy, and whether low Lp(a) levels might increase the risk of diabetes. Now, results from studies of three groups of Polish patients show for the first time that Lp(a) levels were found in between 20% and 34% of people either receiving preventive care or being treated for diseases of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease, CVD). They also demonstrate that the prevalence depends on the patients' initial risk for cardiovascular disease. Maciej Banach, Professor of Cardiology at the Medical University of Lodz, Poland, told the ESC Congress, "These results show that Lp(a) is highly prevalent in Poland, which is the eighth most populous country in the EU. They suggest that Lp(a) should be measured more routinely than happens at present, because as many as six million adults may have high Lp(a) out of a population of approximately 38.5 million. "This is especially important in Europe, particularly in Central and Eastern European countries, where people tend to have a high risk of cardiovascular diseases, even before any symptoms or events occur. This is due to unhealthy lifestyles that include smoking, lack of exercise, overweight and obesity, and the consumption of alcohol and junk food." In the first study, Prof. Banach and colleagues analyzed data from 511 patients (53% were women) at the Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institutethe PMMHRI-Lp(a) study. This registry was established in 2022, and the researchers aimed to understand patients' characteristics, prevalence of high Lp(a) levels and its association with other CVD risk factors in people with a high or very high CVD risk who attended departments or clinics for cardiology, endocrinology, congenital heart diseases, diabetes and metabolic diseases. "We found Lp(a) levels of 30 mg/dL or higher in 28% of patients, and levels of 50 mg/dL in 20% of patients. We noticed significant differences in elevated Lp(a) levels in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, and after heart attack and with thyroid diseases. These are groups in which we should be especially careful to measure Lp(a) levels. We did not see any differences in Lp(a) by sex or age. PCSK9 inhibitors were the only therapies associated with a significant reduction in Lp(a) levels of about 45%," said Prof. Banach. In the second study, the STAR-Lp(a) studyled by Associate Professor Michal Chudzik, of the Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education in Warsaw and Medical University of Lodz, Poland, the researchers analyzed data from 553 patients (66% were women) with risk factors for CVD but who did not have established CVD. They underwent coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA). The aim was to use the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score to assess the relationship between elevated Lp(a) levels and the risk of developing narrowed arteries (atherosclerosis). Prof. Banach said, "We found that the prevalence of Lp(a) levels ranged from 21.5% for Lp(a) of 30 mg/dL or more, to 13.5% for Lp(a) of 50 mg/dL or more. A prevalence of 21.5% means that about six million adult Poles have elevated Lp(a). "We also confirmed a direct link between Lp(a) and atherosclerosis progression; for every 10 mg/dL increase in Lp(a), the CAC score increases by 16 points. What is more, in those with Lp(a) of 50 mg/dl or less, the chance of having a CAC Score of 0, meaning there was no sign of coronary artery disease, was 2.3 times higher than in those with elevated levels of Lp(a). "These results confirm that if elevated Lp(a) levels are found in a patient, a CT scan of the coronary arteries with assessment of the CAC score should be considered to understand the level of risk of CVD." In a third study, presented to the Congress by Associate Professor Krzysztof Dyrbus, from the Silesian Center for Heart Diseases at the Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland, the researchers analyzed data from the Zabrze-Lip(a)R Registry of 2001 patients with very high and extremely high risk of CVD. They wanted to understand the characteristics of patients at risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and whether increasing levels of Lp(a) might cause faster furring of the arteries. They found that 27% (540 patients) with established ASCVD had Lp(a) levels above 30 mg/dL; the prevalence of higher Lp(a) levels was very high in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (32%), in patients who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (32%) and in patients who had a previous heart attack (34%). Prof. Banach said, "In addition, following diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome, elevated Lp(a) levels were found in 25% of patients, which could mean about 20,000 patients a year in Poland are affected by raised Lp(a). Among patients who have had a heart attack, we found elevated Lp(a) levels in 34%. In Poland there are about one million people who have had a heart attack, which means 340,000 may have elevated Lp(a), and this adds to an increased risk of another heart attack or other CVD problem." Assoc. Prof. Dyrbus added, "These results show that 27% of patients who are at very high risk and have ASCVD experience an additional risk relating to an elevated Lp(a) level. Every second patient in this group had chronic coronary syndrome. Interestingly, one of the factors significantly related to elevated Lp(a) levels was a higher platelet count. This raises the question as to whether these patients should be treated with aspirin, something that is not currently recommended. More research needs to be carried out into this." More information: Bozena Sosnowska et al, The prevalence, patients' characteristics, and hyper-Lp(a)-emia risk factors in the polish population. The first results from the PMMHRI-Lp(a) registry, Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2024.08.004 Krzysztof Dyrbus et al, Lipoprotein(a) and its impact on cardiovascular disease the Polish perspective: Design, and first results of the Zabrze-Lipoprotein(a) Registry, Archives of Medical Science (2024). DOI: 10.5114/aoms/188294 ABSTRACT NO: 83965: Study of lipoprotein(a) and its impact on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: design, rationale, and first results of the Zabrze-Lip(a)R Registry. esc365.escardio.org/ESC-Congress/speakers/8439 Provided by Polskie Towarzystwo Lipidologiczne (Polish Lipid Association) This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain In early August, farmworkers gathered under a pavilion at a park here for a picnic to celebrate Farmworker Appreciation Day. One sign that this year was different from the others was the menu: beef fajitas, tortillas, pico de gallo, chips, beansbut no chicken. Farms in Colorado had culled millions of chickens in recent months to stem the transmission of bird flu. Organizers filled out the spread with hot dogs. No matter the menu, some dairy workers at the event said they don't exactly feel appreciated. They said they haven't received any personal protective equipment beyond gloves to guard against the virus, even as they or colleagues have come down with conjunctivitis and flu-like symptoms that they fear to be bird flu. "They should give us something more," one dairy worker from Larimer County said in Spanish. He spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear he'd lose his job for speaking out. "What if something happens to us? They act as if nothing is wrong." Agricultural health and safety experts have been trying to get the word out about how to protect against bird flu, including through bilingual videos on TikTok showing the proper way to gear up with respirators, eye protection, gloves, and coveralls. And Colorado's health and agriculture departments have offered a free month's supply of protective equipment to any producer who requests it. But so far, many farms aren't taking them up on it: According to numbers provided by the state health department in late August, fewer than 13% of the state's dairies had requested and received such PPE. The virus is known to infect mammalsfrom skunks, bears, and cows to people and house pets. It began showing up in dairy cattle in recent months, and Colorado has been in the thick of it. Ten of the 13 confirmed human cases in the U.S. this year have occurred in Colorado, where it continues to circulate among dairy cows. It isn't a risk in cooked meat or pasteurized milk but is risky for those who come into contact with infected animals or raw milk. Weld County, where the farmworker event was held, is one of the nation's top milk producers, supplying enough milk each month this year to fill about 45 Olympic-size swimming pools, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. Neighboring counties are notable producers, too. Concerns are growing about undiagnosed illness among farmworkers because of a lack of testing and safety precautions. One reason for concern: Bird flu and seasonal flu are capable of gene trading, so if they ended up in the same body at the same time, bird flu might end up with genes that boost its contagiousness. The virus doesn't appear to be spreading easily between people yet. That could change, and if people aren't being tested then health officials may be slow to notice. Strains of seasonal flu already kill some 47,000 people in the U.S. a year. Public health officials fear the havoc a new form of the flu could wreak if it spreads among people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that dairy workers don a respirator and goggles or a face shield, among other protections, whether they are working with sick animals or not. A recent study found that not all infected cows show symptoms, so workers could be interacting with contagious animals without realizing it. Even when it is known that animals are infected, farmworkers often still have to get in close contact with them, sometimes under grueling conditions, such as during a recent heat wave when Colorado poultry workers collected hundreds of chickens by hand for culling because of the outbreak. At least six of the workers became infected with bird flu. One dairy worker in Weld County, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of losing his job, said his employer has not offered any protective equipment beyond gloves, even though he works with sick cows and raw milk. His bosses asked the workers to separate sick cows from the others after some cows produced less milk, lost weight, and showed signs of weakness, he said. But the employer didn't say anything about the bird flu, he said, or suggest they take any precautions for their own safety. He said he bought protective goggles for himself at Walmart when his eyes became itchy and red earlier this summer. He recalled experiencing dizziness, headaches, and low appetite around the same time. But he self-medicated and pushed through, without missing work or going to a doctor. "We need to protect ourselves because you never know," he said in Spanish. "I tell my wife and son that the cows are sick, and she tells me to leave, but it will be the same wherever I go." He said he'd heard that his employers were unsympathetic when a colleague approached them about feeling ill. He'd even seen someone affiliated with management remove a flyer about how people can protect themselves from the bird flu and throw it in a bin. The dairy worker in neighboring Larimer County said he, too, has had just gloves as protection, even when he has worked with sick animalsclose enough for saliva to wipe off on him. He started working with them when a colleague missed work because of his flu-like symptoms: fever, headache, and red eyes. "I only wear latex gloves," he said. "And I see that those who work with the cows that are sick also only wear gloves." He said he doesn't have time to wash his hands at work but puts on hand sanitizer before going home and takes a shower once he arrives. He has not had symptoms of infection. Such accounts from dairy workers echo those from farmworkers in Texas, as reported by KFF Health News in July. "Employers who are being proactive and providing PPE seem to be in the minority in most states," said Bethany Boggess Alcauter with the National Center for Farmworker Health, a not-for-profit organization based in Texas that advocates for improving the health of farmworkers and their families. "Farmworkers are getting very little information." But Zach Riley, CEO of the Colorado Livestock Association, said he thinks such scenarios are the exception, not the rule. "You would be hard-pressed to find a dairy operation that isn't providing that PPE," he said. Riley said dairies typically have a stockpile of PPE ready to go for situations like this and that, if they don't, it's easily accessed through the state. "All you have to do is ask." Producers are highly motivated to keep infections down, he said, because "milk is their life source." He said he has heard from some producers that "their family members who work on the farm are doing 18-to 20-hour days just to try to stay ahead of it, so that they're the first line between everything, to protect their employees." Colorado's health department is advertising a hotline that ill dairy workers can call for help getting a flu test and medicine. Project Protect Food Systems Workers, an organization that emerged early in the COVID-19 pandemic to promote farmworker health across Colorado, is distributing PPE it received from the state so promotorashealth workers who are part of the community they servecan distribute masks and other protection directly to workers if employers aren't giving them out. Promotora Tomasa Rodriguez said workers "see it as another virus, another COVID, but it is because they don't have enough information." She has been passing out flyers about symptoms and protective measures, but she can't access many dairies. "And in some instances," she said, "a lot of these workers don't know how to read, so the flyers are not reaching them, and then the employers are not doing any kind of talks or trainings." The CDC's Nirav Shah said during an Aug. 13 call with journalists that awareness about bird flu among dairy workers isn't as high as officials would like it to be, despite months of campaigns on social media and the radio. "There's a road ahead of us that we still need to go down to get awareness on par with, say, what it might be in the poultry world," he said. "We're using every single messenger that we can." 2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain For the millions of Americans who have a food allergy, doctors recommend they always carry an epinephrine auto-injector, such as an EpiPen, in case they have a severe allergic reaction. But a recently approved nasal spray may offer a needle-free alternative in the near future. This August, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Neffy, which is the first epinephrine product for the treatment of anaphylaxis that is not administered by injecting a needle. Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can happen seconds or minutes after a person is exposed to something they are allergic to, such as certain foods, medications, or insect stings. Epinephrine is a medication used to treat anaphylaxis, and it traditionally is administered with an auto-injectora needlein the thigh. Neffy is expected to be available in the U.S. by early October. Although it is not yet available to prescribe to patients in Colorado, Suzanne Ngo, MD, an allergist and immunologist at Children's Hospital Colorado and the UCHealth Allergy and Immunology Clinic, is brainstorming how to talk about the new product with her patients. "It's very encouraging that there is this additional option because there has been a barrier of this medicine being administered with a shot. I think that can scare people from using it," says Ngo, an assistant professor in the Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the University of Colorado Department of Medicine. "If we have other options that are just as effective, maybe there will be less hesitation to use it." However, Ngo cautions that the efficacy of the device is still not fully known. "We need time to know if it truly is equivalent to the EpiPen because, as of right now, most of the studies have been primarily on healthy people," she says. "There's been more limited data on actually using it in the setting of an allergic or an anaphylactic reaction, so I think that's where being able to collect more of that data will give us more confidence with using it." How it works Neffy can be used on both adults and children who weigh more than 66 pounds. It is a single-dose nasal spray that is administered into one nostril. "It essentially has epinephrine in it, which then is absorbed into the nasal mucosa and exerts its effects. There are other medications that have utilized the same sort of nasal delivery approach, such as Narcan, which is used in emergency situations for opioid overdoses," Ngo says. On its website, Neffy recommends carrying two Neffy devices at all times. A second dose can be given if there is no improvement in symptoms or if symptoms worsen. This second dose involves using a new nasal spray to administer Neffy in the same nostril. Neffy advises users to not sniff during or after use. It also recommends that if a person is using their right hand to administer the medicine, the spray should go in the right nostril; similarly, left-handed dosing should be to the left nostril. "The hope is that those who are more hesitant to use a needle may be more willing to use this to treat a severe allergic reaction," Ngo says. "It's also a slightly smaller device that may be easier to carry than an auto-injector." Potential concerns Given that it is a nasal spray, there have been some concerns about whether Neffy can get the medicine into a person's system as effectively as an auto-injector can. "One potential concern was that a lot of our patients have nasal allergies and always have a runny nose. And if you have a child who is having an allergic reaction and crying and snotty, are we able to get enough medication in their system?" Ngo says. "But they have done studies where they tested patients who have nasal allergies, where they essentially exposed them to things they're allergic to in order to set off those nasal symptoms and then used Neffy. "Those preliminary studies indicated that it didn't affect the absorption of the medication. If that is consistent when treating allergic reactions, I think that's reassuring because that's one of the concerns many people will have," she adds. Another concern Ngo has about Neffy is the ability to quickly administer the medicine to a child who is not cooperating. "It's a bit easier to hold a child's leg still and do an injection versus administering the nasal spray for a child who may be moving their head around," she says. "The worry is, if you aren't able to spray it where it needs to go, you may be losing that medication and not treating the child." Cost is also a potential concern, Ngo says, because it is unknown how different insurance policies may cover Neffy. "That's always something we have to consider, because there are different epinephrine devices out there and we sometimes have to pick whichever product the patient's insurance will cover. That may differ from patient to patient," she says. The need for more data Ngo wants patients to keep in mind that most of the studies on Neffy have primarily been on healthy people who were not experiencing anaphylaxisa limitation of the clinical trials due to ethical guidelines. "Because this is potentially a life-threatening reaction that we're treating, the ethics of inducing anaphylaxis to someone just to test Neffy's efficacy is not feasible," she says. "However, we have other opportunities when patients are more likely to have anaphylaxis, such as a food challenge procedure, where we can study effectiveness for Neffy to treat anaphylaxis." As Neffy becomes more available and is used to treat people experiencing anaphylaxis in real-life scenarios, it will be important to collect data on the efficacy of the device. This data can then help allergists like Ngo decide whether they want to advise their patients to use the product or not. "I think we're all cautiously preparing for how we are going to recommend this to patients until we gather a bit more data to reassure us that this is going to be just as effective in treating those reactions as an auto-injector is," she says. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The conversation wasn't sounding good for Kensington residents on June 20. The Philadelphia neighborhood is a critical center of the nation's opioid crisis, and the city had decided to spend $7.5 million in opioid settlement money to improve the quality of life there. But on that day, a Pennsylvania oversight board was about to vote on whether to reject the city's decision. It was a thorny issue with major implicationsboth for Kensington residents and people across the state, as the decision could set a precedent for what kind of spending the board would allow for years to come. But a lot of people were shut out of the discussion. Pennsylvania's board doesn't allow members of the public to speak at its meetings, a rule that sets it apart from about two dozen similar opioid councils nationwide. "It's another moment where folks not connected to this community are making decisions for this community, and I think that's inappropriate," said Bill McKinney, a Kensington resident whose nonprofit is involved in some of the city's settlement-funded initiatives. "Those that are sort of most affected are not at the table." It's one example of how the public, including people who have lost loved ones to the opioid crisis or are dealing with it daily, are routinely shut out of having a meaningful say in how this windfall can be best used to address the damage. They are eager to suggest solutions for dollars that many of them consider blood money. But a first-of-its-kind survey conducted by KFF Health News and Spotlight PA found that, in many places, their voices are systematically dismissed. In at least 39 states and Washington, D.C., councils consisting of government officials, clinicians, law enforcement officers, and others guide decisions about how to spend settlement dollars. These powerful groups are influencing addiction policy and funding at a time when more than 100,000 Americans are dying of overdoses annually. At least 14 of these councilsincluding Pennsylvania'sroutinely block members of the public from speaking at their meetings. Four of those typically conduct their meetings in secret, barring the public from even attending or observing. The survey also found: Practices that close the public out of settlement spending discussions are "unconscionable," said Stephen Loyd, chair of Tennessee's Opioid Abatement Council, which regularly allows public attendance and comment at its meetings. "This is the population we're there to serve. They have to have a voice in this process." Different stances on public comment People directly affected by the issue are a staple of the Tennessee council's meetings. This year, commenters have included several parents holding photos of their deceased children and choking back tears, and at least one frustrated community member. At the June meeting in Memphis, Peter Hossler, an associate professor at Rhodes College, said he was "very angry" about how the council's recent grant awards of $81 million seemed to shortchange the western part of the state. Loyd called such critique "invaluable," comparing it to the feedback he received from loved ones during his recovery journey. "We have to be held accountable," he told KFF Health News and Spotlight PA. "And then we have to fix it." Hossler's comments are changing the council's conversation about its next round of grants, Loyd added. Loyd believes people who have been failed by the current system know what needs to be improved "better than anybody." "I want to talk to the people who had medication stopped in jail and laid there and withdrew," he said. "I want to talk to the people who got out of jail with no money, a couple of felonies hanging over their heads, three meetings they had to make that week or they're going to be in violation of their probation, and they ain't got a car or driver's license." States cited a variety of reasons for limiting public involvement. In some, state law does not require councils to take public comment at meetings. Several officials said they've sought feedback in other ways. An official in New Jersey said its council held public listening sessions, but that its monthly meetings are not public. Some officials may worry that public comment would add to meetings that already run multiple hours, but several states manage that by limiting each person's comment to a few minutes. For communities of color, being shut out of opioid settlement discussions can compound the negative effects not just from today's overdose crisis but from the earlier crack cocaine epidemic. Many people considered the government's response at that time to be ineffective and harmful. If settlement money is used only to "build on what's already in place, you've already failed," said Philip Rutherford, an expert on substance use disorder at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. At a July 2023 meeting of Illinois' settlement council, Fanya Burford-Berry said the current system doesn't work for women of color with substance use disorderthey can risk losing custody of their children. Burford-Berry, director of the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force in Chicago, hopes comments like hers will prompt the council to support solutions tailored to women of color, including bringing together more organizations that already work in those communities. "When you allow more people to be involved, and then they have an idea, and they get excited about it, then they get more people involved and the circle of healing can become larger," she said. 'A retraumatizing moment' In Pennsylvania, the state's 13-member opioid settlement board has the power to withhold future funding if it decides local governments spent their money inappropriately. At its June meeting, the boardwhich includes a state senator representing part of Kensingtonvoted to disapprove of Philadelphia's use of$7.5 million for park improvements, home repairs, rent relief, and other initiatives in Kensington. (Philadelphia later appealed the rejection; the issue is pending.) McKinney, the Kensington resident and executive director of the New Kensington Community Development Corporation, called the board's decision "a retraumatizing moment" for residents and criticized the way they were silenced. "I think it's unfortunate that things were chosen to be done that way," McKinney said. Others have also been frustrated by Pennsylvania's settlement council. Gail Groves Scott, a public health policy advocate who has a child in sustained recovery from an opioid use disorder, attended a board meeting in person last year. Not allowing the public to comment at meetings, she said, prevents them from offering feedback at critical times, such as when the board is considering county spending plans or contracts for its operations. "We could be questioning those decisions or adding information they may not be aware of," Groves Scott said. "It's disappointing that, despite pushback from multiple people, they have not changed." Some advocates say the closed sessions of work groups, which make recommendations about which programs to approve, obscure why the full board takes certain action. Pennsylvania trust officials have defended their practices. Briana Anderson, the trust's administrative director, downplayed the group's role, saying it does not make specific spending decisions on settlement money but reviews choices made by local governments. State law doesn't require the trust to offer public comment at its meetings but the public is encouraged to participate at the local level, Anderson added. Pennsylvania's practices contrast sharply with the way councils operate in places like Illinois, Kentucky, and Oregon, which routinely allow public comment at both full council and smaller committee meetings. In Kentucky, the open process has allowed members of the public to weigh in on a fierce debate over funding research into ibogaine, a psychedelic drug that has shown potential to treat addiction. At least eight people spoke in favor of the drug at the council's January meeting. Back in Tennessee, council chair Loyd said he hopes to increase public participation by creating an advisory panel that consists primarily of people who have personally experienced addiction or their loved ones. He also encouraged other settlement councils to embrace opportunities to hear from people in their states. "You'll make better decisions as a result. I can't be convinced otherwise," he said. Methodology In June and July, reporters from KFF Health News and Spotlight PA surveyed opioid settlement councils in 39 states and Washington, D.C., to assess their general and standard practices for engaging with the public. The team also reviewed council websites, meeting minutes, agendas, and, in some cases, hours of meeting recordings. These councils have various roles, including directly deciding how to spend the money, making recommendations, or providing oversight. Although they go by different names, including advisory councils, boards, committees, and commissions, we refer to them as councils as a broad, encompassing term. 2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. BROWNING Patty Homegun keeps a close eye on her finances. Having worked on the financial side of a tribal program for years, she keeps track of recurring bills and anticipates expenses that may fluctuate, like her property taxes. This year, Homegun, 53, expected her property tax bill to be around $600 or $650, so she budgeted accordingly. But when she got her bill, Homegun was blown away by the number. She owed close to $1,000. Talk about jaw-dropping, she said. I just couldnt believe the number I was looking at. I thought, This cant be right. Homegun was right the number was wrong. The state Department of Revenue admitted it made an error when appraising hundreds of property values in Browning that bumped tax bills two to four times above normal in the impoverished area. The states error ultimately affected 380 parcels in Browning. On average, the state incorrectly appraised property values about $30,000 higher than they should have. The Glacier County Treasurer's Office issued more than $200,000 total in rebate checks. Rebates averaged around $300 per property. Headquarters for the Blackfeet Nation, Browning is home to just over 1,000 people. The median household income is $41,250 about $26,300 less than that in Montana statewide and 40% of residents live in poverty. The erroneous property tax hikes hit community members hard. Seventy-one-year-old Laurie Higgins Marso is on a fixed income and raising several grandchildren. When she got her initial property tax bill, she wondered whether shed have to return to work. She thought about cutting back on groceries. Others, like Kevin LaDue, considered skipping a car payment to pay the increased property tax bill. While hundreds of Browning residents have now received rebates (meaning they were refunded for the portion of the bill that was overpaid), community members and local officials say the error has lasting consequences. Why were property taxes so high in Browning? The state Department of Revenue in May said a computer error affected more than 300 properties in Browning. The state specifically alleges a human data entry error pointed a computer model to the wrong numbers, inflating appraisal values, and in turn, property tax values for some Browning residents. Once the error was discovered following reporting by Lee Montana, the state issued revised assessments for affected properties. But there was a lot of work left to do to get people their money back. Glacier County Treasurer Don Wilson said although the error was not the fault of his office, he and his staff spent weeks rectifying it. Wilson and his staff worked 12-hour days for three weeks including weekends to remove protests, calculate new tax values for each district, create new tax bills and mail them out along with information notifying residents of what was happening. It was an enormous task, Wilson said. While community members were relieved to get their money back, Wilson said he never got any assurance that the error didnt occur anywhere else. He said hes seen high property tax values in surrounding communities, like Cut Bank and East Glacier. He lives between Browning and Cut Bank and is protesting his taxes because his appraisal doubled in value. (The state) didnt fix things across the board, he said. Its an issue, there could be errors elsewhere. A state Department of Revenue spokesperson maintained that the error was limited to Browning and said systems have been put in place to ensure it doesnt happen elsewhere. This process has been scrutinized and securities have been put in place for additional review, the spokesperson said. We will be able to easily detect future discrepancies of this nature all across the state. While Homegun was relieved to receive her $267 rebate in the mail, it saddens her to think about how the error weighed heavily on so many in the community. Im glad to be refunded the difference, she said. But with the stress, anxiety and fear they put us through, I wish theyd refunded us the whole thing. Some of us are fixed income or low income and you put us through a lot! A full refund would be a gesture of goodwill. Sun Hengqin, president of China Movie Metropolis, told China.org.cn that at the Moscow International Film Week (MIFW) he attended in-depth exchanges and would love for more communication and collaboration with Russian studios and filmmakers. Sun Hengqin, president of China Movie Metropolis, speaks at a media event as part of the Moscow International Film Week (MIFW) in Moscow, Russia, Aug. 26, 2024. [Photo courtesy of China Movie Metropolis] During his time in Moscow, Sun toured the Moscow Film Industry Moskino Cluster and its Moskino Production and Experience Park. This 1,000-hectare project, which is expected to be completed by 2030, impressed him with its existing sets, long-term planning and expansive but reasonable layouts. He believes it is bound to become a rare and outstanding international film studio. As the top executive of China Movie Metropolis, Sun said he expects more exchanges in the future and will continue to pay attention to the construction of Moskino. He told China.org.cn that he looks forward to building relationships with Russian colleagues that are mutually beneficial. "I always think that communicating with peers is a good thing, as we can inspire each other. In the coming years, we can learn from each other's advantages and then improve together." Sun added, "in our Chinese delegation this time, there were several producers who work on Russian films; they often come to Russia. In Russian films, Chinese cities are rare, but I remember Qingdao appeared once. I hope in-depth film industry communication and people-to-people exchanges will become deeper and closer, and that our collaboration can be long-lasting and steady." A photo captures the China Movie Metropolis Hills with a huge sign and studios in the background. [Photo courtesy of China Movie Metropolis] During MIFW, Sun introduced his China Movie Metropolis, located in Qingdao, Shandong province, to international filmmakers. The Chinese film complex, one of the largest of its kind, spans 3.76 million square meters. Besides housing film studios, the complex also has a grand theater, a cluster of hotels and resorts, a yacht club, a hospital and an international school, etc. China Movie Metropolis' core studios park occupies a total area of 1.7 million square meters and meets international standards. According to Sun, it is committed to providing comprehensive and advanced services to global film producers. Since opening in April 2018, the studio complex, which features 40 state-of-the-art studios, an underwater stage, a post-production center, a film and TV virtualization production platform and backlots, has provided services for a number of films. It has earned high recognition within the industry and has been praised by some media outlets as "the cradle of Chinese sci-fi blockbusters." The complex has supported the production of domestic hits like "The Wandering Earth" series, "Moon Man" and the Russian-element-heavy "Wonder Family," as well as international blockbusters including "Pacific Rim: Uprising" and "The Great Wall." A Morganton man who already is a registered sex offender was charged with child sex crimes again Tuesday. Tod Randall Cook, 60, of Morganton, was charged with 10 counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, according to a release from the Burke County Sheriffs Office. Charges against Cook came after the sheriffs office and the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction conducted a compliance check on registered sex offenders on Feb. 27, the release said. Electronics that investigators believed Cook had child pornography on were seized during the check. Forensic downloads were conducted, leading to the new charges against Cook, the release said. Cook was charged with third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor in 2022 and convicted of the charge in 2023. He was charged in 2023 with a probation violation related to child porn, the sheriffs office said. Homeland Security Investigations also assisted with the case. An aerial drone photo taken on March 27, 2024 shows a construction site at Lin-gang Special Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone in east China's Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua] The Lin-gang Special Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) has vowed to create at least 150,000 new jobs over the next three years, mainly in the digital economy, high-end services and advanced manufacturing sectors. Located in the southeast of Shanghai, a major economic powerhouse in east China, Lin-gang is one of the city's fastest-growing areas. Since the beginning of this year, Shanghai has introduced a new round of policies to support the development of the Lin-gang Special Area, offering more relaxed conditions for jobseekers to settle there. These policies have made it easier for key enterprises in the area to attract talent and facilitate their relocation. "The Lin-gang Special Area offers significant policy support for talent in terms of housing purchase and rental. With relaxed conditions and relatively low housing prices, it is much easier for young people to buy homes in Lin-gang," said Chen Jinshan, director of the management committee of Lin-gang. Since its establishment in August 2019, the Lin-gang Special Area has attracted approximately 100,000 talents, with an average annual growth rate of 97 percent over the past five years, according to local authorities. DES MOINES Three Libertarian Party candidates for Congress including one in a closely contested Eastern Iowa race should not be allowed on ballots for the November election, a state panel ruled Wednesday. The State Objection Panel, meeting at the Iowa Capitol, upheld challenges to the candidacies of Nicholas Gluba in Eastern Iowas 1st Congressional District, Marco Battaglia in Central Iowas 3rd District and Charles Aldrich in Western Iowas 4th District. The ruling effectively removes the three Libertarian candidates from the Nov. 5 ballot. The candidates could challenge the panels ruling in court. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird voted to uphold the objections and remove the Libertarian candidates; State Auditor Rob Sand voted against the objections. Pate and Bird are Republicans; Sand is a Democrat. The rules are the rules, and I as a commissioner of elections dont get to make them up. I have to enforce them as they are, Pate said during Wednesdays meeting. Does it feel like a technicality? Well, it may be in your eyes. But we have to be consistent. Iowas 1st and 3rd Districts, currently represented by Republicans U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, respectively, are projected to be closely contested. In the 1st District, Democrat Christina Bohannan is challenging Miller-Meeks, and in the 3rd District, Democrat Lanon Baccam is challenging Nunn. Sabatos Crystal Ball has both elections as leaning Republican, while the Cook Political Report has the 3rd District leaning Republican and the 1st likely Republican. Elections Daily classified the 3rd District as a tossup. Removing a third-party candidate from the ballot in those close elections could impact the outcome. In 2020, for example, the Libertarian candidate in Iowas 3rd District received over 15,000 votes in an election that was won by the Democratic incumbent by fewer than 7,000 votes. Chris Larimer, a political-science professor at the University of Northern Iowa, said removing Libertarian candidates from the ballot is more likely to have an impact in the 3rd District race. He said the question is whether those voters who would have voted for a Libertarian will now choose a different candidate or will opt against voting. The case made in the objections The objections were brought by Iowa Republicans in each of the districts, and they were represented by Alan Ostergren, a lawyer prominent in Iowa conservative causes. The objections centered on the assertion that the Libertarian Party of Iowa failed to properly conduct county conventions, thus nullifying the special conventions they later conducted to nominate the three congressional candidates. Iowa Libertarians conducted their precinct caucuses and county conventions on the same day: Jan. 15. But because Iowa law says delegates nominated at precinct caucuses do not begin their official term until the next day, Ostergren argued the Libertarians newly elected delegates were not yet able to conduct party business. Therefore, Ostergren argued, the actions taken by those delegates at the county convention were improper, and so were the special nominating conventions held June 8 to nominate the three candidates. This flaw is fatal, Ostergren told the panel. (The) less than two dozen individuals who met in Des Moines to purport to nominate candidates for these three congressional seats had no legal authority to represent the Libertarian Party of Iowa because they had not done basic organizational steps. Iowa Libertarians are subject to state elections law requirements for major political parties because the Iowa party earned major party status in the 2022 elections, when the partys candidate for governor, Rick Stewart, earned more than 2 percent of the vote. What panel members said Bird during the hearing said that when a political party earns ballot access, it becomes obligated to achieve certain party-building requirements set in state law. As I reviewed this, its clear to me that the Iowa code and here, it doesnt matter what my personal opinion may or may not be I am bound to follow the Iowa Code and the words on this page. The Iowa code makes it clear that a caucus and a county convention cant be held at the same time, at least not where they would transact any business, Bird said. Sand argued that the panel did not have the authority to consider the objections, and that it should reject them. He said the panel has been designated by law to consider only objections to candidates filing paperwork, such as nominating petitions. Iowa law allows for objections to the legal sufficiency of a nomination petition or certificate of nomination or to the eligibility of a candidate. Sand told reporters after the hearing that the law pertains only to the information that candidates are required to provide, like their address or whether they have been convicted of a felony. He also argued the objectors failed to submit documentation confirming their ability to vote for the candidates and that they did not have legal standing to object to Libertarians nominating procedures. Allegations of political motivations Sand also accused Pate and Bird, the State Objection Panels two Republicans, of voting to remove Gluba and Battaglia in order to help their fellow Republicans. I just want to call this for what it is: Its obviously Iowas GOP uni-party doing their part to prop up a dying two-party system, doing their part to limit the voters choices in the state of Iowa. And Im not going to go along with it, Sand said. Jules Cutler, chair of the Libertarian Party of Iowa who also represented the candidates during Wednesdays hearing, said she was not surprised by the ruling. The Democrats and Republicans have done everything to keep us off the ballot over the years, Cutler told reporters. Just like Mr. Battaglia said (during the hearing), we jump through whatever the hoops that are demanded, and then they create more hoops for us to jump through. In response to those allegations, Bird in a statement said her duty is to uphold state law. The law applies to everyone, regardless of party, Bird said in the statement. Pate, in a statement, also said his role is to administer the law as written, and to serve as a referee of elections. It is always unfortunate to have to turn anyone away, and I commend anyone for putting their name in and running for elected office. I have an immense respect for the passion we see displayed from political parties and the candidates, Pate stated. I have participated in the objections panel process several times over the years, and as a result we have had to make decisions in favor of and against each of Iowas major parties, Republicans, Democrats, and Libertarians alike. In the name of transparent, safe, and secure elections, it is the objection panels role to apply the information we are given to enforce Iowa Code to the best of our ability. Thats what we each did today. Whats next for the candidates Gluba, Battaglia and Aldrich could challenge the ruling in District Court. Cutler said that decision will be made after conferring with the candidates. Any legal challenge will need to occur soon. The Iowa Secretary of States Office said it will certify ballots Sept. 3, after which county auditors can begin printing them. The State Objection Panels 2022 ruling to uphold U.S. Senate candidacy Abby Finkenauers candidacy was challenged in District Court. Ultimately, the Iowa Supreme Court sided unanimously with State Objection Panel members Sand and former Attorney General Tom Miller in upholding Finkenauers candidacy. If they ultimately do not appear on the ballot, all three candidates told reporters they would continue to campaign and ask Iowans to vote for them as write-in candidates. Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has responded to Ugandan President Yoweri Musevenis accusations of meddling in Ugandas politics. Museveni made the allegations on Tuesday while endorsing Raila Odingas bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson at State House in Nairobi. He claimed that Owino was involved with Ugandas opposition, citing intelligence reports he had received. There are some individuals in Railas group who I dont think know what they are doing. I am a consumer of intelligence services, so I always see intelligence reports, Museveni said. There is a character named Babu. I always see Babu interacting with anti-NRM groups. I had never accused him before, but now I am accusing him. Hours after Musevenis speech, Babu Owino took to Twitter (X) to address the Ugandan Presidents remarks. Owino reaffirmed his commitment to democracy and shared details of his own political journey, highlighting his humble beginnings and his understanding of the challenges faced by the poor. I thank President Museveni for supporting Babas bid for AUC Chairmanship. However, as a young leader in Kenya, having grown up in poverty, I know what it means to lack, Owino said. Adding, If you tell me that youve slept hungry, I know what it means to lack food because Ive been through that. If you tell me that you lack school fees, I will feel you because I know what it is to lack school fees. Because of the challenges that we face in Kenya and Africa, we as leaders are meant to provide solutions. Shackles of Oppression Owino advocated for the rights of the Ugandan people through democratic values, arguing that Africans deserve alternative visions of leadership to overcome oppression and poverty. As Babu Owino, I stand for a democratic society where a child in Kenya will receive proper medication, and education and will equally get a job. Equally, a child in Uganda should receive the same treatment as a child in Kenya, he asserted. Because of this, we must offer alternative visions of leadership that will save Africans from the shackles of oppression and the jaws of poverty. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna also weighed in, condemning Museveni for his public attack on Owino. Whatever beef Museveni has with Babu Owino, I strongly object to the manner of his attack on a young Kenyan leader on our own soil, Sifuna stated. He went on, Kenya is a country ruled by law and if there is any objectionable conduct on the part of Babu, there are diplomatic channels to convey that to Kenyan Authorities and let the law take its cause. To use a Presidential Podium to make such grave accusations against a Kenyan is a NO! The calibre of a brokerage companys trading software has a major impact on its success. Choosing a software supplier is a critical choice because this essential component comprises order execution systems, trading charts, and analytical tools. The systems provided by MetaQuotes, which are widely regarded as the industry standard, are used by many FX brokers. Brokerages have two options: purchase a complete server license from MetaQuotes or choose a more affordable white-label solution from other vendors. However, what is a white-label solution from MetaQuotes exactly, and how can it help your brokerage? 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Laikipia Deputy Governor Reuben Kamuri led a group of at least eight deputies in discussions with the Senate Devolution Committee on how to increase the impact of their positions in county governance. They complained that some Governors had assigned executive roles to their principal assistants, leaving many deputies idle. The deputies rejected a proposal by senators to mandate governors to give them executive roles, favoring instead a more proactive approach. They suggested overseeing programs such as disaster preparedness and chairing all County Government Sub-Committees. To enhance their supervisory capabilities, they also requested budgetary allocations for their offices. The Senate Devolution Committee is expected to present a report on these proposals when the Senate resumes its sessions next month. The outcome could reshape the role of Deputy Governors across the counties. Diplomatic Affairs analyst Ahmed Hashi has expressed doubts about opposition leader Raila Odingas chances of winning the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson seat, predicting a likely defeat to Djiboutis candidate, Mahmoud Youssouf. In an interview on Citizen TVs Daybreak, Hashi evaluated Railas prospects, even after receiving endorsement from the East African Community (EAC) States. He suggested that the French government could play a significant role in influencing the election outcome by swaying Francophone countries to unite against Kenyas candidate. Hashi predicted a landslide victory for Djiboutis candidate in the elections scheduled for February 2025 in Addis Ababa. He emphasized the importance of considering the broader context of African politics and how various states are likely to respond to Railas candidacy. I believe Raila Odinga will lose the AUC chair election in Addis Ababa. Im likely the only one who thinks that, but I would be shocked if he even manages to secure a slim majority. The candidate from Djibouti is going to win by a landslide, he asserted. Reflecting on the 2017 AUC elections, Hashi recalled how Kenyas then-candidate, former Foreign Affairs CS Amina Mohamed, lost to Chads Moussa Faki after seven rounds of voting. Reports from that election highlighted a last-minute shift by Uganda, Djibouti, and Burundi, which ultimately cost Kenya the seat. Hashi noted, The leaders in these nations are heavily influenced by external powers. The AU is divided along these fundamental lines, with the French being one of the most significant influences. Having served as a spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the 2017 elections, Hashi recalled the strong confidence in Kenyas victory before the French government intervened, leading to the unexpected loss. He observed that Djibouti, which initially supported Kenya, ultimately turned against them in the final rounds. Hashi expects a similar scenario in the upcoming elections, predicting that the French, along with Sahel regions and major Central African states, will unite against Railas candidacy. Hashi also questioned Railas decision to pursue the AUC chairperson seat as he approaches his 80s, arguing that Africa needs a more vibrant and energetic leader to champion its agenda. I believe this is the wrong move for Raila. In a continent where 80 percent of the population is under 25, we must consider whether it serves Africas interests to have a leader nearing retirement age. Does he have the energy, vitality, and drive to address the pressing issues facing our youth? he remarked. Former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal has been found guilty of corruptly receiving Kes.84 million for supplying petroleum products to the county government during his term in office. Trial Magistrate Thomas Nzioki declared that the evidence presented by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) clearly demonstrated that Lenolkulal and his proxy, Hesbon Ndathi, were the primary beneficiaries of these public funds. The court found Lenolkulal guilty of using his company, Oryx Service Station, to supply fuel to the Samburu County Government, creating a conflict of interest. Magistrate Nzioki emphasized that the overwhelming evidence showed Lenolkulal acted unethically while serving as governor. The magistrate based his judgment on more than 200 payment vouchers and Local Purchase Orders (LPOs), which proved Lenolkulals direct business dealings with the county. Nzioki pointed out that Lenolkulals private interests compromised his integrity. A public officer must take a keen interest in their offices affairs and adhere to the principles of good governance. The law prohibits a governor from trading with their own county government, Magistrate Nzioki stated Wednesday. The court dismissed the defenses claims that no money was lost, highlighting the gravity of the corruption charges. The prosecution built its case using the testimony of 11 witnesses and 388 documentary exhibits, all revealing a systematic misuse of public funds. Lenolkulal, along with ten co-accused, was found to have manipulated public resources for personal gain. Other former county officials charged alongside the governor were also found guilty of abuse of office. The court specifically criticized the county secretary, the second accused in the case, for his role in the financial misconduct. It was noted that the county secretary signed and approved payments despite knowing that Lenolkulal owned Oryx Service Station. The accounting office falsely claimed under oath that they did not know Lenolkulal owned Oryx. They should not have approved the payments to Oryx, the court remarked. Charged in 2019 with abuse of office and conflict of interest, Lenolkulal was implicated in the alleged loss of Sh84 million. EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi confirmed that the funds paid to Lenolkulals company have been recovered in a separate civil suit filed by the EACC. This conviction marks the first time a sitting or former Kenyan governor has been convicted by the Anti-Corruption Court. Ngumbi, speaking at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Courts, highlighted the rulings significance in the fight against corruption. This is the first criminal corruption case involving a governor to reach its logical conclusion, despite an earlier attempt by the DPP to withdraw it, he said. Sentencing is expected today (Thursday) at 10:30am. Members of Parliament will gain the final authority over who receives tax relief if the new Tax Procedures (Amendment) Bill, 2024, becomes law. This bill proposes changes to the Tax Procedures Act (Cap 469B), shifting some power from the Treasury Cabinet Secretary and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Commissioner General to the legislators. Currently, the Tax Procedures Act permits individuals or companies to request amnesty from the KRA Commissioner for unpaid penalties and to propose a payment plan for any outstanding amounts. If the KRA Commissioner finds that recovering the taxes is likely to be challenging, they forward the case to the Treasury Cabinet Secretary, who then decides whether to approve or reject the request. The bill specifies that the Cabinet Secretary may approve relief for part or all of the tax due or instruct the Commissioner in writing to take the appropriate action. Additionally, the Cabinet Secretary will be required to present the tax relief notice to the National Assembly for final approval. The bill mandates that the Cabinet Secretary must also publish the names of the taxpayers receiving amnesty, the reasons for the relief, and the amount of taxes waived. National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah, who introduced the bill, emphasizes that the amendment is designed to prevent the abuse of the tax waiver system. According to the bill, the Cabinet Secretary must gazette any approved reliefs and present them to Parliament. This process allows Parliament to scrutinize and oversee the Cabinet Secretarys decisions. This proposal marks its second introduction after initially being shelved in the repealed Finance Bill 2024. The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) has announced that water supply will be restored today at noon. This follows an interruption in water supply in several parts of the city caused by vandalism of the Sasumua Dam water treatment pipeline. The pipeline, which runs to the Kabete Water Works near Nazareth Hospital in Kiambu, was damaged by vandals on Tuesday night. Engineers from the Nairobi Water Company promptly moved to the site and began repairs immediately. The company said repair work started at 10 a.m. on Wednesday and was expected to be completed within 24 hours. To minimize the impact of the reduced water supply, particularly in areas west of Uhuru Highway, NCWSC plans to manage water distribution from Ngethu to Gigiri reservoirs. They aim to increase the volume of water being pumped from Gigiri to Kabete Water Reservoirs. In addition, NCWSC will supply water to critical public institutions, including schools and hospitals, using water tankers. The areas affected by the water supply interruption include locations along Limuru Road such as Parklands, Ngara, Aga Khan Hospital, University of Nairobi School of Law, City Park Area, Gigiri, United Nations-Gigiri, and Muthaiga. Additionally, regions along James Gichuru Road, Langata Road, and Waiyaki Way, such as Riverside, Westlands, Lavington, Kilimani, and Kileleshwa, will face disruptions. Estates along Langata Road, including Madaraka, Karen, Langata, Kibra, and parts of South C Estates, will also be affected. Other impacted areas are along Naivasha Road and Kikuyu Road, which include Kawangware, Riruta/Satellite, Uthiru, and Ndwaru Road. A NCWSC has urged residents to be patient and use the available water sparingly while efforts to restore the supply continue. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga stands to receive a substantial salary and a range of benefits if elected Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). Kenya, through President William Ruto, officially launched Odingas campaign at State House in Nairobi on Tuesday. The event was attended by various presidents and former heads of state. If Odinga secures the position, he would earn a monthly salary of approximately Kes.2 million ($15,576). In addition to this salary, Odinga would enjoy several benefits: Child Allowance : A monthly allowance of $250 (about Kes.32,187) for each eligible child. : A monthly allowance of $250 (about Kes.32,187) for each eligible child. Rental Budget : A monthly rental budget of $6,000 (Kes.772,500) to cover housing and utility expenses. : A monthly rental budget of $6,000 (Kes.772,500) to cover housing and utility expenses. Education Benefits : The AUC will cover 100% of school fees for dependent children studying in Africa. For those studying in Europe or North America, the AUC will provide up to $15,000 (approximately Kes.1.9 million) annually. : The AUC will cover 100% of school fees for dependent children studying in Africa. For those studying in Europe or North America, the AUC will provide up to $15,000 (approximately Kes.1.9 million) annually. Spousal Allowance: Odingas wife, Ida, would receive a monthly allowance equal to 5% of his basic salary, provided she earns no more than $500 (Kes.64,375) per month. This amounts to about $778 (Kes.100,167), based on 5% of his salary of $15,576. In comparison, President William Ruto, whom Raila competed against in the last Kenyan election, currently earns a basic salary of Kes.866,250 per month, plus a housing allowance of Kes.350,000 and a salary market adjustment of Kes.227,500. This totals a gross monthly salary of Kes.1,443,750 ($10,873), which is about Kes.500,000 less than what Raila could potentially earn as AUC Chairperson. Three suspects, Abdul Razak Rehan, Mohammed Amin Suleiman, and Ebrahim Ahmed Ebrahim, faced charges at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, accused of defrauding a Pakistani national of over Kes. 116 million. The suspects allegedly orchestrated a complex scam involving a scrap metal and car battery syndicate. They lured the victim to Kenya with promises of lucrative business opportunities in the industry. Upon arrival, Ebrahim Ahmed Ebrahim reportedly directed the victim to register a company, demanding Kes. 7 million for the process. The victim handed this money to Mohammed Amin Suleiman and Abdul Razak Rehan Shul, who were posing as high-ranking officialsone as an accountant at the registrar of companies and the other as a personal assistant to the Deputy President. Following this, the victim was pressured to make additional payments for various fabricated expenses, including warehouse rent, scrap metal and battery purchases, customs duties, and special permits. By the time the scam was uncovered, the victim had lost a staggering Kes. 116 million. Investigators, who examined financial records and document authenticity, discovered that the permits issued to the victim were forged and did not originate from any government offices. This revelation triggered a manhunt for the suspects, who were tracked through detailed analysis of their geo-locations and movements. The suspects were eventually apprehended and brought before the Milimani Law Courts, where they pleaded not guilty to the fraud charges. The court set their bond at Kes. 5 million each, with an additional requirement of one surety. The case is scheduled for mention on September 9, 2024. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) urged anyone who may have fallen victim to this or similar fraud schemes to report to the DCI Headquarters, their nearest police station, or via the #FichuaKwaDCI hotline. Reports can also be made anonymously by calling 0800 722 203. Panchen Rinpoche concludes visit to Xizang's Nyingchi City Xinhua) 09:35, August 29, 2024 Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po visits a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Zayu County of Nyingchi City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 26, 2024. (Photo by Chogo/Xinhua) LHASA, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po concluded his tour of Nyingchi City in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, and returned to the regional capital Lhasa on Wednesday. Panchen Rinpoche arrived in Nyingchi on Aug. 22. During his stay there, he inspected rural vitalization work in a village of the Deng minority in Zayu County, visited a local family, and toured a kiwi fruit plantation base. On Aug. 26, he delivered a lecture and performed head-touching rituals for monks and believers in a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Zayu. He visited a tea planting base and a tea processing plant in Bome County the next day. On June 25, Panchen Rinpoche traveled from the Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Qinghai Province to Lhasa. During his time in Lhasa, he performed his regular duties at the Xizang Branch of the Buddhist Association of China, and carried out a series of social research and religious activities. Panchen Rinpoche is a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body. He is also vice president of the Buddhist Association of China and president of the association's Xizang branch. Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po visits a local family in Zayu County of Nyingchi City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo by Chogo/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) You are here: China China has developed an aerospace science and technology curriculum that primary and middle school students can use both in and out of class. The China Association of Children's Science Instructors, universities such as Beihang University and Tsinghua University, and some aerospace experts, collaborated to develop and design the curriculum. Containing 224 aviation sci-tech courses and 224 aerospace sci-tech courses, the curriculum incorporates multiple subjects such as science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. The curriculum was designed to cultivate students' abilities to explore, practice and think creatively, as well as encourage their interest in aerospace and promote scientific literacy. The Ministry of Energy has reported a loss of Kes. 670 million over the last two financial years due to nationwide transformer thefts. During a session with the National Assembly Committee on Energy, Principal Secretary for Energy Alex Wachira explained that the ministry lost Kes. 234 million in the Financial Year 2022-2023 and Kes. 336 million in 2021-2022 because of vandalism. Reports indicate that vandals primarily steal transformers, steel tower bracings, earth cables, and other essential components from various substations. In the FY 2023-2024, documents show that the Kenya Power and Lighting Company reported 66 vandalized transformers in Kiambu County alone. This financial year, thieves have stolen nine transformers, with Limuru, Lari, Kiambu East, Kiambaa, Juja, Thika East, Ndeiya, and Kabete being the most affected sub-counties. Wachira expressed deep regret over the significant disruptions to operations and the severe impact on businesses and essential services caused by these thefts. As of January, authorities had arrested 108 individuals connected to vandalism, with court cases progressing through various stages. The PS emphasized that the ministrys infrastructure remains a prime target for vandals, leading to substantial financial losses as efforts to combat this issue intensify. He noted that there were no cases of vandalism in January 2022, following the governments nationwide moratorium on the scrap business. There was no reported vandalism of power infrastructure for the entire period of five months. This is a clear indicator of the correlation between vandalism of energy infrastructure and the scrap business, he stated. Wachira informed the committee that the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit, along with the Energy Police Unit and other police formations, has helped the ministry reduce vandalism. He also mentioned that the ministry is exploring support from security agencies and implementing innovations such as detection systems, mobile phone tracking services, fingerprint dusting, and forensics to deter vandals. Committee members stressed the need for the ministry to invest in trackers for transformers, arguing that taxpayers should not endure continuous losses, nor should businesses face disruptions caused by saboteurs. SACRAMENTO Efforts in California to establish first-in-the-nation safety measures for the largest artificial intelligence systems cleared an important vote Wednesday that could pave the way for U.S. regulations on a technology that is evolving at warp speed. The proposal, aiming to reduce potential risks created by AI, would require companies to test their models and publicly disclose their safety protocols to prevent the models from being manipulated to, for example, wipe out the states electric grid or help build chemical weapons scenarios experts say could be possible in the future with such rapid advancements in the industry. The bill is among hundreds lawmakers are voting on during its final week of session. Gov. Gavin Newsom then has until the end of September to decide whether to sign them into law, veto them or allow them to become law without his signature. The measure squeaked by in the Assembly Wednesday and requires a final Senate vote before reaching the governor's desk. Supporters said it would set some of the first much-needed safety ground rules for large-scale AI models in the United States. The bill targets systems that require more than $100 million in data to train. No current AI models have hit that threshold. Its time that Big Tech plays by some kind of a rule, not a lot, but something, Republican Assemblymember Devon Mathis said in support of the bill Wednesday. The last thing we need is for a power grid to go out, for water systems to go out. The proposal, authored by Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener, faced fierce opposition from venture capital firms and tech companies, including OpenAI, Google and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. They say safety regulations should be established by the federal government and that the California legislation takes aim at developers instead of targeting those who use and exploit the AI systems for harm. A group of several California House members also opposed the bill, with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling it well-intentioned but ill-informed. Chamber of Progress, a left-leaning Silicon Valley-funded industry group, said the bill is based on science fiction fantasies of what AI could look like. This bill has more in common with 'Blade Runner' or 'The Terminator' than the real world," senior tech policy director Todd OBoyle said in a statement after the Wednesday vote. We shouldnt hamstring Californias leading economic sector over a theoretical scenario. The legislation is supported by Anthropic, an AI startup backed by Amazon and Google, after Wiener adjusted the bill earlier this month to include some of the company's suggestions. The current bill removed the penalty of perjury provision, limited the state attorney general's power to sue violators and narrowed the responsibilities of a new AI regulatory agency. Elon Musk, the owner of the X social media platform, also threw his support behind the proposal this week. Anthropic said in a letter to Newsom that the bill is crucial to prevent catastrophic misuse of powerful AI systems and that its benefits likely outweigh its costs. Wiener said his legislation took a light touch approach. Innovation and safety can go hand in hand and California is leading the way, Weiner said in a statement after the vote. He also slammed critics earlier this week for dismissing potential catastrophic risks from powerful AI models as unrealistic: If they really think the risks are fake, then the bill should present no issue whatsoever. Wiener's proposal is among dozens of AI bills California lawmakers proposed this year to build public trust, fight algorithmic discrimination, and outlaw deepfakes that involve elections or pornography. With AI increasingly affecting the daily lives of Americans, state legislators have tried to strike a balance of reining in the technology and its potential risks without stifling the booming homegrown industry. California, home to 35 of the worlds top 50 AI companies, has been an early adopter of AI technologies and could soon deploy generative AI tools to address highway congestion and road safety, among other things. Newsom, who declined to weigh in on the measure earlier this summer, had warned against AI overregulation. AI gold rush: Proprietary trading firms race to lead the future of finance AI gold rush: Proprietary trading firms race to lead the future of finance Imphal: A group of Myanmar nationals lodged at Manipur Central Jail in Imphal has been on a prolonged hunger strike for over ten days, demanding immediate release and protection from deportation back to Myanmar. According to the Burma Refugees Committee Kabaw Valley, the detainees, who have completed their jail terms and paid fines, fear being handed over to the Myanmar junta against their will. "Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!" The group has accused the jail authorities of using excessive force to suppress the strike, including firing sound bombs, rubber bullets, and even guns. In a statement released on Wednesday, the committee urged the Indian government and Manipur Governments to take immediate action to protect the lives and well-being of the detainees. The group called for an end to the violent repression and a halt to plans to deport the detainees to Myanmar. The committee has also expressed concern about the potential for the detainees to be handed over to the Myanmar junta, which could endanger their lives. They have requested that the detainees be allowed to stay temporarily along the border areas after their release until they can safely return to their homes. There are currently 141 Myanmar nationals detained at the Manipur jail in Imphal, including 97 males and 44 females. Many of them have already completed their sentences but remain incarcerated. Flash Editor's note: Since Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the vision of jointly building a community with a shared future in cyberspace in 2015, China's internet environment has seen significant improvement amid the country's efforts to enhance cyberspace governance. As the 2024 China Internet Civilization Conference unfolds in Chengdu this week, China.org.cn reviews key quotes from President Xi on advancing civility and governance in cyberspace. The nine schools that make up Emory University have big plans for the 2024-25 academic year, from welcoming new faculty to introducing new programs and initiatives. Heres a roundup of incoming class stats and other things to come, as listed by each school. Candler School of Theology Incoming class: Candler welcomes 158 students from 27 states and seven countries. New dean: Candler begins the new academic year with new leadership: Jonathan Strom, professor of church history, will be installed as Mary Lee Hardin Willard Dean of Candler during Fall Convocation on Thursday, Aug. 29. New faculty: Joining the faculty are Geordan Hammond, acting associate professor of Methodist and Wesleyan studies; Soren Hessler, assistant professor in the practice of leadership and administration; Mark Jordan, Deans Professor of Christian Ethics; Jennifer Quigley, assistant professor of New Testament; and Dhruv Raj Nagar, Bhagawan Arnath Post-Doctoral Fellow in Jain Studies. Brian Blount, president emeritus of Union Presbyterian Seminary, will serve as the 2024-25 Alonzo L. McDonald Chair in the Life and Teachings of Jesus and Their Impact on Culture. New endowed chair: Anthony Briggman will be installed on Thursday, Aug. 29, as the inaugural Dr. Andrew J. and Georgia L. Ekonomou Distinguished Associate Professor of Patristic Theology, Candlers newest named professorship. Noteworthy event: Candlers Pitts Theology Library will host its annual Morgan Forum on Thursday, Sept. 19, centered around the English Bibles history and ongoing significance to the church and world. The main event will be a screening of the documentary film 1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture, which traces the origins of the anti-LGBTQIA+ movement among Christians to a significant biblical translation choice made in 1946. A panel discussion featuring the films director will follow. Learn more at the Candler School of Theology website. Emory College of Arts and Sciences Incoming class: Emory College welcomes a stellar, high-achieving first-year class of 1,448 students. Almost 20% of the class identifies as first-generation students. New faculty: Fifty new faculty members will join the Emory College ranks this fall. The diverse and highly accomplished cohort represents ambitious hiring across the sciences, humanities and arts. Building community: The Emory College Communities Project, successfully piloted last spring, continues this fall. Spearheaded by Dean Barbara Krauthamer and Divisional Dean of Arts Kevin Karnes, the project supports grassroots efforts by students, faculty and staff to gather for conversations around complex issues facing our world today. Several small-group, moderated discussions around select campus events are also being planned. New lecture series: As part of the Colleges ongoing efforts to build an inclusive community, the inaugural Deans Distinguished Lecture will take place Thursday, Oct. 10, with Pearl Dowe, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Political Science and African American Studies. She will discuss her most recent book, The Radical Imagination of Black Women: Ambition, Politics, and Power. This new lecture series aims to bring in prominent scholars to address timely topics and, in conjunction with the College Communities Project, give students the opportunity for in-depth interaction and discussion with speakers. Building career pathways: Career and Professional Development in the Pathways Center will offer three career treks during spring and fall breaks for students to travel to cities around the country to network with alumni and learn more about opportunities in different industries. The treks will visit Miami, New York and San Francisco this year. Learn more at the Emory College website. Goizueta Business School Incoming classes: Goizueta welcomed more than 900 students for the new academic year. The new class included nearly 400 students and 70 exchange students in our BBA program and approximately 545 graduate students in our MBA programs and specialized masters degrees. Across programs, Goizueta celebrated a record number of veterans and service members joining as students at our school. Launching inaugural programs: Goizueta launched the first incoming class for our Master in Management program, designed for recent graduates with a non-business major who are looking to level up their undergraduate degree with business knowledge and skills, and our Master in Business for Veterans program, which supports the transition of active-duty military members and veterans from service to a successful civilian career in business. New faculty: Goizueta welcomes new faculty members Tucker Richard Balch, professor in the practice and research of finance; Jake Jo, assistant professor in the practice of organization and management; Brian Jonghwan Lee, assistant professor of finance; and Dionne Nickerson, assistant professor of marketing. Elevating business and careers: Ranked #6 in the U.S. by Financial Times, Emory Executive Education continues to evolve its programs and courses to reflect the evolving needs of businesses and professionals. This fall, it is launching three new online certificates centered on Business and Digital Transformation, Analytics and AI. Existing and new short courses cover topics such as AI in business, change management, negotiations, design thinking and more. Connect to discuss significant discounts for Emory alumni and employees. Learn more at the Goizueta Business School website. Laney Graduate School The James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies welcomed 486 new students, with 80% of students pursuing PhDs and 20% seeking masters degrees. The diverse incoming class includes students from 31 states across the U.S. and 43 countries. All LGS students were invited to a fun and engaging LGS welcome picnic designed to build community among other activities. New PhD program: The Laney Graduate School recently received approval for a new Environmental Studies and Society (ESS) PhD program. Through co-mentoring and experiential cross-training in applied natural and social sciences, students enrolled in the program will pursue actionable research to address environmental issues and their associated complex challenges through an integrated interdisciplinary applied perspective. Congratulations to the faculty who spearheaded this effort. Laney joins national consortium: Laney-EDGE (Emory Diversifying Graduate Education), with support from executive leadership at Emory, has become one of the newest members of the Leadership Alliance a national consortium of leading research and teaching colleges, universities and private industry aimed to develop underrepresented students into outstanding leaders and role models in academia, business and the public sector. ELSP revamped: The Laney Graduate Schools English Language Support Program (ELSP) was restructured to better support international students. The program removed the global assessment requirement, allowing newly admitted LGS students who indicated on their admissions application that English is not their first language to take oral and written Emory-specific language proficiency assessments, either through referral by their individual programs or through self-selection. We are delighted to take this more student-centered approach. New administrative office: The administrative offices of the Laney Graduate School have moved from the Administrative Building to a new location. Located at 1784 North Decatur Road, Second Floor, the new space is designed to foster collaboration and community-building and is near the new graduate and professional student housing complex. Please come visit our new space! Learn more at the Laney Graduate School website. Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing Incoming class: The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is excited to welcome approximately 1,400 students this fall across pre- and post-licensure programs. New faculty: The School of Nursing is thrilled to welcome 14 diverse faculty members this fall. New alumni: The school celebrated 184 of its newest alumni during the August Graduation and Pinning Ceremony. These students graduated from the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA) program, the Master of Nursing Pathway to Master of Science in Nursing (MN to MSN Pathway) program and the Distance Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (DABSN) program. New programs: The school recently launched a spring start for its Master of Nursing (MN) program to meet the needs of our population and prepare additional nurses. The MN spring start is a 15-month, full-time, campus-based program designed for second-degree students. It offers three career pathways designed to fit our students needs. Faculty honors: Ten members of the Emory Nursing community will be among the distinguished nurse leaders inducted into the American Academy of Nursing 2024 Class of Fellows this October. The honorees are Glenna Brewster, Renee Byfield, Ethan Cicero, Carrie McDermott, Adrianna Nava, Quyen Phan, Courtney Pitts, David Reinhart, David Jackson Smith and Irene Yang. Learn more at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing website. Oxford College : Oxford starts this 2024-25 school year with 436 first-year students on campus. These talented students were selected from the largest and most competitive pool of applicants in the colleges history. New leadership: This year, Oxford welcomed several new leaders, including Darleny Cepin, the new senior associate dean of campus life and chief student affairs officer, who previously served as an assistant dean for student life at Princeton Universitys Mathey College. Daisja Dukes also joins Oxford from the Morehouse School of Medicine as the new director of the Colleges Center for Counseling and Wellbeing. New and promoted faculty: Oxford welcomed several new faculty members this fall. They are: Joseph Cheatle, assistant professor of English and director of the Writing and Communication Center; Tulay Dixon, assistant teaching professor of QTM and linguistics; Mary Johnson, assistant professor of art; and Kelly Murray-Stoker, assistant professor of biology. Oxford is also proud to announce several new faculty promotions. They are: Maria (Tanya) Davis, promotion to teaching professor of Spanish; Nicholas Fesette, promotion to associate professor of theater with tenure; Devon Goss, promotion to associate professor of sociology with tenure; Alix Olson, promotion to associate professor of womens, gender and sexuality studies with tenure; Deric Shannon, promotion to professor of sociology; Salmon Shomade, promotion to professor of political science; Erin Tarver, promotion to professor of philosophy; and Daniel Walter, promotion to associate professor of German and linguistics with tenure. New this fall: Oxford College is launching a new office called Global Oxford, which will bring together all international student programs and expanded student international travel opportunities (faculty-led, summer programs and international internships). Global Oxford will be housed in the Center for Pathways and Purpose (CPP) and will be led by Daphne Orr, who will assume the role of senior director. Oxford College will be the site of the Emory Center for Public Scholarship and Engagements inaugural Ideas Festival Emory Sept. 20-22. The weekend will feature some of the most impactful and interesting scientists, musicians, writers, filmmakers and creators of our time, including Jermaine Dupri, who will be the keynote speaker. Learn more or register here. Learn more at the Oxford College website. Rollins School of Public Health Incoming class: Rollins welcomes 511 students (including Humphrey Fellows) representing 41 countries and 36 states. For the 2024-25 school year, 592 Rollins students have Rollins Earn and Learn awards (a work-study program unique to Rollins). New programs: Starting this fall, Rollins is offering a fully online, part-time Master of Public Health in four subject areas. Prospective students can also apply for the Doctor of Public Health program, which will enroll its first cohort across two specializations for fall 2025. For students not seeking a degree, this summer marked the launch of the Rollins Health Education Institute, a new continuing education initiative offering short courses for public health professionals. Scientific innovation: The Climate and Health Indicator Dashboard for Georgia launched this summer to track the impacts of extreme weather and climate change on human health throughout the state. This is part of a larger focus on climate and health across the school, including the expanding activities of the Climate and Health Actionable Research and Translation Center, established last fall. Rollins researchers are also innovating in outbreak analysis through the Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analytics and Training Hub, an innovation partner with CDCs Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics. Expanding communications: In August, Rollins launched Health Wanted, a new podcast and radio show produced in partnership with WABE. Host Laurel Bristow a research scientist and infectious diseases expert leading social media science communication at Rollins talks to experts, delivers essential public health headlines and demystifies the science behind trending topics. Learn more at the Rollins School of Public Health website. School of Law Incoming class: Emory Law welcomes new students from 35 states plus the District of Columbia and 15 countries to pursue JD, LLM, MCL and JM degrees. New faculty: Emory Law welcomes several faculty during the fall semester. Jessica Roberts is a professor of law in artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science at Emory University School of Law. She specializes in the legal and ethical issues related to genetics and other emerging health technologies, disability rights and antidiscrimination law. Dave Fagundes is a professor of law who writes and teaches about property, including copyright, real estate and wills and trusts. Matt Roessing is an assistant professor of practice who, prior to joining the Emory Law faculty, taught business, real estate and international trade law at business schools, first at Georgia College and State University, then University of Georgia. Chelsea Harris serves as an assistant professor of practice teaching Introduction to Legal Analysis, Research, and Communication and Introduction to Legal Advocacy. Key upcoming events: Social Justice Workshop, Wednesday, Sept. 11 Innovator Diversity Pilots Conference: Friday, Sept. 13 Learn more at the School of Law website. School of Medicine Incoming students: On July 22, 150 students matriculated to the MD program. The incoming students are 61% women, with 86% non-traditional students (meaning they have been out of college for a year or more). Of these, 28 received other graduate degrees prior to medical school; 57 claim Georgia as home and 24 were born outside the U.S. Their average age is 24. The Physician Assistant program Class of 2026 began July 29 with 57 students selected from a pool of nearly 1,300 applicants. They have an average of 4,200 hours of health care experience prior to Emory, 42% identify as racial or ethnic minority and 81% are women. On June 3, the Doctor of Physical Therapy program welcomed 63 students in the class of 2027. The new class is 77% women, and students come from 22 U.S. states and four countries including China, Chile, Mexico and India. The DPT program was recently ranked no. 4 in the country according to U.S. News and World Reports 2024 Best Graduate Schools. Two students from the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program class of 2024 were selected as finalists to present posters on medically challenging cases at the Georgia Society of Anesthesiologists Summer Meeting in July. Students of the class of 2025 completed their skills labs in neuraxial blocks and central line placement. On Aug. 19, we welcomed 40 students to the Class of 2026. The Genetic Counseling Training Program welcomes 12 incoming students and 12 returning students. The incoming class has the highest number of Georgia residents in the program history and represents three different countries. The Medical Imaging program welcomes eight students in the Class of 2026. Additionally, applications open Sept. 1 for 2025 enrollment in the Bachelor of Medical Science Bridge Program (RT- BMSc). Contact Kimberly Cross at kgreen@emory.edu for details. Incoming residents and fellows: This summer, the SOM welcomed 468 new residents and fellows across 119 ACGME-accredited training programs. This outstanding group of residents and fellows will join their colleagues in providing essential services for our community while obtaining exemplary medical training. New centers: As part of a continued effort to transform education in the School of Medicine, we have launched a new Center for Humanizing Innovations in Medical Education (CHIME). The center will focus on meeting the evolving needs of faculty, staff, learners and patients through learning sciences, innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. Experts in learning sciences, educational/faculty development, instructional technology and medical education will work together to prepare our people to become compassionate, competent and forward-thinking leaders who will be equipped to innovate in the rapidly changing health care and education landscape. New leadership: After five years as department chair, Drew Patterson has stepped down and Anne Marie McKenzie-Brown, professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, will serve as interim department chair. Ravi Rajani, professor of surgery, stepped into the role of executive associate dean for Emory at Grady on June 1, 2024. Carlos del Rio, will become the Department of Medicine chair beginning Sept. 1. Solomon F. Ofori-Acquah will arrive in Georgia in September and will have a joint faculty appointment at Emory University and Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) as the Calvin Smyre GRA Eminent Scholar Chair. In this role he will lead the Georgia Solve Sickle Cell Initiative, coordinated by the Georgia Research Alliance in partnership with Emory, MSM and Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta. Learn more at the School of Medicine website. Photos by Kay Hinton and Sarah Woods, Emory Photo/Video. Tibet Week has been an enduring tradition at Emory University since 2001, celebrating the universitys longstanding collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and affiliation with the Drepung Loseling Monastery in South India. Beginning as the Emory-Tibet partnership in 1998, Tibet Week celebrates the combination of Western and Tibetan Buddhist traditions for education and discovery. The 2024 celebration is set for Sept. 3-6 and features plenty of programs that are open to the public. Tibet Week 2024 activities There are many opportunities this week to celebrate the decades-long partnership and work of the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics. In addition to being able to attend the opening and closing ceremonies, the community can participate in discussions and meditations, observe the construction of the intricate sand mandala and more. All programs are free and open to the public. Events will be held in Ackerman Hall, located on the third floor of the Michael C. Carlos Museum, unless otherwise noted. Tuesday, Sept. 3 Tibet Week Opening Ceremony 12-1 p.m. The Drepung Loseling Monks of the Mystical Arts of Tibet and Lobsang Tenzin Negi, executive director of the Emory Compassion Center, will kick off Tibet Week with a special ceremony. Complete with traditional Tibetan musical instruments, the monks will demonstrate their vocal abilities through sacred chants. Mandala Sand Painting 1-5 p.m. During the weeklong celebration, the Drepung Loseling monks of the Mystical Arts of Tibet will create a mandala sand painting of Akshobya Buddha, the unmovable one who embodies the knowledge of what is real and dispels confusion. The Akshobya Buddha is traditionally invoked at times of crisis and conflict. The mandala will feature millions of colored sand grains, meticulously placed with metal funnels called chak-purs. There are daily opportunities for the public to watch the monks work on the mandala in Ackerman Hall. Guided Tour: Mindfulness in the Galleries 4-5 p.m. Join Jennifer Knox, certified instructor in Cognitively Based Compassion Training and the Community Resilience Model, for a tour through the Carlos Museum galleries exploring connections between art and the practice of mindfulness. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Guided Compassion Meditation 5-6 p.m. Participate in a time of compassion meditation led by staff from the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics. Cushions and chairs will be provided, and attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing. Lecture: Buddhist Perspectives on Finding Common Ground in a Divided World 7:30-9 p.m. Hear Venerable Geshe Lhakdor, director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, as he returns to Emory to deliver a talk titled Buddhist Perspectives on Finding Common Ground in a Divided World. This lecture is free to attend, but registration is required. Wednesday, Sept. 4 Mandala Sand Painting 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Return for the second round of mandala sand painting as the Drepung Loseling monks of the Mystical Arts of Tibet continue to meticulously create their work of Akshobya Buddha. Hands-On Community Sand Painting 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Try your hand at creating a mandala sand painting just across from where the Drepung Loseling monks of the Mystical Arts of Tibet are crafting the large sand mandala. All are welcome to learn the techniques used in creating an elaborate painting constructed with millions of grains of sand. Guided Compassion Meditation 5-6 p.m. Dont miss another opportunity for guided compassion meditation sessions with staff from the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics. Cushions and chairs will be provided, and guests are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing. Panel: Bridging Two Worlds 7:30-9 p.m. Join panelists for Bridging Two Worlds, a discussion exploring the intersection of Buddhism and science. Panelists include Geshe Lodoe Sangpo of Gaden Jangtse Monastic College and Sera Je Monastics; Geshe Gelek Gyatso from Drepung Loseling Monastic College; and Elizabeth Martin, participant in the Emory Mind/Body Sciences Study Abroad Program. This panel is free to attend, but registration is required. Thursday, Sept. 5 Mandala Sand Painting 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday provides another opportunity for the Emory community to observe the progress of the mandala sand painting of Akshobya Buddha by the Drepung Loseling monks of the Mystical Arts of Tibet. Hands-On Community Sand Painting 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dont miss your opportunity to try your hand at creating a mandala sand painting just across from where the Drepung Loseling monks of the Mystical Arts of Tibet are crafting the large sand mandala. All are welcome to learn the techniques used in creating an elaborate painting constructed with millions of grains of sand. Guided Compassion Meditation 5-6 p.m. Return for a third opportunity to join a guided compassion meditation session with staff from the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics. Cushions and chairs will be provided, and guests are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing. Panel: Future Pathways in SEE Learning and Education 7:30-9 p.m. Join educational professionals for a panel discussion about the future of SEE (Social, Emotional and Ethical) Learning with Emorys Compassion Center. Panelists include Venerable Hye Ju Sunim, director of SEE Learning in South Korea; Adrea Lawrence, interim provost at the University of Montana; and Nanook Smildiger, director of the Levapan Foundation, Colombia. This panel is free to attend, but registration is required. Friday, Sept. 6 Mandala Sand Painting 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This is one of the last chances to observe the progress being made on the mandala sand painting of Akshobya Buddha by the Drepung Loseling monks of the Mystical Arts of Tibet. Hands-On Community Sand Painting 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Attend one last session to create your own mandala sand painting. All are welcome to learn the techniques used in creating an elaborate painting constructed with millions of grains of sand. Guided Compassion Meditation 5-6 p.m. Participate in the final guided compassion meditation of Tibet Week with staff from the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics. Cushions and chairs will be provided, and attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing. Mandala Closing Ceremony 6 p.m. To signify the end of Tibet Week, the completed mandala sand painting will be deconstructed shortly after its completion during the Closing Ceremony. Join Geshe Lobsang Tenzin Negi, director of Emorys Compassion Center, and monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery and Mystical Arts of Tibet as they withdraw the sand mandala and distribute the sand to spread its blessings throughout the community and the world. Panel: Leadership and Compassion 7:30-9 p.m. Hannah Smith, senior program coordinator of the Emory Compassion Centers Compassion Shift, facilitates a multi-disciplinary discussion between Reshma Piramal, co-director of SEE Learning India; Kirstie Papworth, executive director of Experiential Learning at the London Business School; and Kalie Giovanni, licensed clinical social worker. The program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Close to eight in 10 Democrats say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans enthusiasm about voting in this years election has surged in recent months, with 69% of U.S. adults now saying they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting. This is up from 54% in March. The Aug. 1-20 survey was conducted mostly before the Aug. 19-22 Democratic National Convention but after President Joe Biden abandoned his reelection bid on July 21. Party leaders quickly coalesced around Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee in the days after Biden's announcement. Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents are largely driving the surge in enthusiasm nationally. In March, 55% of Democrats and Democratic leaners said they were more enthusiastic than usual about voting; now, 78% are. Republicans and Republican leaners, who held a slight edge in enthusiasm in March, now trail Democrats by a significant margin, with their current 64% enthusiasm score up slightly from 59% in the spring. ###Embeddable### As a result of these changes, election enthusiasm has shifted from being at an average level in March to the highest Gallup has measured during a presidential election campaign. Gallup measured similarly high enthusiasm -- 67% -- in September 2020, October 2008 and August 2004 surveys. ###Embeddable### Democrats current level of enthusiasm is one percentage point shy of the groups high in Gallups trend since 2000. That was the 79% measured in February 2008, when Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were engaged in a spirited battle for the partys presidential nomination. Enthusiasm subsided later that year, but by the end of the campaign, consistently more than seven in 10 said they were more enthusiastic than usual about voting. Democratic enthusiasm was also elevated during the 2004 and 2020 presidential campaigns. Republican enthusiasm about the 2024 election is approaching the record 70% measured in August 2020, when Donald Trump was seeking a second term as president. Republicans had similarly high levels of enthusiasm in the latter stages of the 2004 and 2012 elections. ###Embeddable### Thought Given to the Election at Record High for August The Aug. 1-20 poll also finds 79% of Americans saying they have given quite a lot of thought to the election, surpassing the previous August high of 74% in 2008. Given that more Americans typically pay attention to the election closer to Election Day than do in August, 2024 is poised to establish a new high in election thought at the conclusion of the campaign. Currently, the 84% from 2004 is the highest Gallup has measured immediately before Election Day. ###Embeddable### Americans have been closely tuned in to the election all year, with 77% in February and 71% in April saying they had given it considerable thought. Early this year, Republicans were more likely than Democrats and independents to be thinking about the election, perhaps because of the Republican presidential primaries. Now, Democrats and Republicans show similar levels of attention, with independents still trailing by about 20 percentage points. ###Embeddable### Most Voters Have Made Up Their Minds With voters highly engaged in the election campaign, it is not surprising that most have already made their choice about whom they will be voting for. Seventy-nine percent of U.S. adults, including 83% of those registered to vote, report they have made up their mind, leaving about one in five U.S. adults (19%) -- and one in six registered voters (16%) -- saying they are still deciding. Democratic adults (93%) are slightly more likely than Republican adults (86%) to say they have made up their mind. About six in 10 political independents report having decided on a candidate, while 35% have not. Americans Generally Positive About the Campaign Process Americans mostly answer positively when asked about six different ways the campaign could reflect a healthy democracy. Specifically, 79% think the presidential campaign has identified at least one good candidate; 71% say it has fostered discussion of important issues; 81% believe they know where the candidates stand on those issues; and 72% say the candidates have offered solutions to the country's problems. In contrast to these generally positive reviews, more Americans disagree than agree that the way the campaign is being conducted makes them think the process is working as it should. On a more personal level, 88% of U.S. adults say it makes a real difference to them who is elected president. ###Embeddable### For the campaign aspects that generate positive reviews, majorities of both Republicans and Democrats agree that the campaign is going well in these respects, in some cases because they are probably answering in terms of their preferred candidate. By contrast, their views of how the campaign is being conducted may tap more into perceptions of the opposing candidate. At a time when the Trump campaign is calling foul on the Democrats replacement of Biden as the Democratic nominee after the primaries had taken place, 70% of Democrats versus 26% of Republicans say the conduct of the campaign makes them feel the process is working this year. Independents views are closer to those of Republicans than Democrats. Republicans and Democrats hold similarly positive views on the other election dynamics rated, while independents tend to be less positive than the two major-party groups about the campaign. ###Embeddable### Bottom Line Bidens decision to stand down as the Democratic nominee amid pressure from high-ranking Democrats preceded a surge in election enthusiasm among the party faithful while raising doubts among Republicans and independents about the process. Still, both party groups are highly engaged in the election, although Democrats' level of engagement now exceeds that of Republicans. As a result of elevated election thought and enthusiasm in both parties, voter participation could surpass what it was in 2020, when two-thirds of eligible U.S. adults cast ballots, the highest in over 100 years. To stay up to date with the latest Gallup News insights and updates, follow us on X @Gallup. Learn more about how the Gallup Poll Social Series works. View complete question responses and trends (PDF download). ###Embeddable### 16:46 "I miss mangoes. Hapus, alphonso. They are not allowed to be sent so easily. Sometimes my friends try. But the customs keep them until they are overripe. That I miss, cricket I watch. Friends I am in touch with," the 88-year-old told PTI. Mehta, who has held on to his Indian passport, left Mumbai when he was just 18 and has since travelled the globe. He is honorary citizen of Florence and Tel Aviv and Israel Philharmonic Orchestra's Music Director for Life. Besides, he has conducted many orchestras, including those of Montreal, Los Angeles, Vienna and Berlin. He was in India last week to conduct the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai. As he talked about his seven-decade career in music -- perfecting western classical music scores written by greats like Beethoven, Bach and Brahms -- Mehta also discussed the hobbies that he finds time for. "I watch cricket all the time. Although I don't have a favourite, I have of course backed India whenever possible," he said. Thanks to the 24-hour cricket channel Willow in Los Angeles, Mehta manages to catch up on live and past matches. "They broadcast live and past matches. And I watch whenever I can. You know I am very busy also, so I can't just sit and watch. But sometimes I watch in the middle of the night because of the time difference, I upset my wife a lot," he said. Mehta married former American actor Nancy Kovack in 1969. And the love for spicy food has continued to an extent that Mehta now has a kitchen garden to grow his favourite ingredient - chillies. "I can't do without it. I grew up with it, that's my food. There is no such thing as getting along. I have spicy food wherever I want. I grow my own chillies at home. But today I can get chillies anywhere." In the foreword of Mehta's 2008 biography The Score of My Life, sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar writes of the conductor's love for spicy food, so much so that he would carry a box of chillies on his travels. Theirs was a friendship that expanded to several musical collaborations. The two greats, one from Indian classical music and the other from the Western classical firmament, first met in Montreal in the 1960s. Shankar had gone there to perform and Mehta was chief director at Montreal Symphony. "From the beginning, I was in the company of India's greatest musician. And he treated me with such friendship and he taught me his language and I performed with him with the New York Philharmonic, with the London Philharmonic, with the Paris orchestra," Mehta recalled. The friendship between the two great names in Indian and Western classical music has continued to the next generation with Mehta and Shankar's daughter Anoushka working together. "We got along very well and after his passing I have made music with his daughter also. They are a great family," Mehta said. The celebrated conductor has also made sure he stays in touch with his friends back in Mumbai. Born in 1936 in a Parsi family in Mumbai's Cuffe Parade area, Mehta finished his school at St Mary's and then studied medicine at St Xavier's College. He dropped out of college after second year to pursue music in Vienna. He manages to watch cricket, grows chillies at his Los Angeles home and makes sure he keeps in touch with friends. But there is one thing that renowned conductor Zubin Mehta misses and doesn't get Hapus mangoes. There are but a few things in the world -- other than musical notes of course -- that make Mehta's eyebrows go up in excitement and make him shift in his chair like a child on his birthday. And Hapus mangoes are right there on top of the list. International concert organist and composer Chelsea Chen will perform a free concert for the Marianne Webb and David N. Bateman Distinguished Organ Recital Series Sept. 20 at SIU Carbondales Shryock Auditorium. (Photo credit: Darius Liktorius.) SIU to host acclaimed organist Chelsea Chen in concert Sept. 20 by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. Acclaimed international concert organist and composer Chelsea Chen will perform at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in September for the Marianne Webb and David N. Bateman Distinguished Organ Recital Series. The SIU School of Music performance is at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20 in Shryock Auditorium, home of the Marianne Webb Pipe Organ. The concert is free and open to the public. A reception will follow. This is the 26th concert in the endowed series, established in 1990 by Webb and Bateman, both former SIU faculty members, to present outstanding, well-established concert organists in recital for Southern Illinois residents, said Lynn Trapp a concert organist and one of Webbs former students who has been the series principal artistic director since its inception. Chens program will include works by French composers Jehan Alain, Claude Debussy, Maurice Durufle and Louis Vierne; German composer Johann Sebastian Bach, American composer Powell Weaver and Chens own creations. Chen studied at The Julliard School in New York, where she received bachelors and masters degrees and won the John Erskine Prize for academic and artistic achievement After returning from Taiwan on a Fulbright Scholarship, Chen studied at Yale University and earned an artist diploma. Chen has recorded several CDs, including Live at Heinz Chapel and Reveries, and her playing has aired on CNN.com, Pipedreams from American Public Media, Hawaii Public Radio and Taiwans Good News Radio. She has also performed at such venues as Singapores Esplanade with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, Hong Kongs Cultural Centre, Philadelphias Kimmel Center and Los Angeles Disney Hall. Chen is the artist-in-residence at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. Distinctive series, distinctive organ Webb came to SIU Carbondale in 1965 as a music faculty member teaching organ and piano and serving as the university organist. Under her direction, the School of Music initiated an annual organ festival, the first of its kind in the country. She led an effort to renovate Shryock Auditorium, including the installation of a new 3,312-pipe, 3-manual, 58-rank Reuter pipe organ that she designed. The organ was named in her honor in 2001, when she retired as professor emerita, though she continued to serve as visiting professor and distinguished university organist for 11 years after, passing away in 2013. Bateman is a management professor emeritus for the College of Business and Analytics. He retired in 1995. Webb also established the Southern Illinois chapter of the American Guild of Organists, which hosts one or two nationally or internationally known concert organists each year. The chapter covers Southern Illinois, southeast Missouri and western Kentucky. She would be very pleased to know that the Distinguished Organ Recital Series has inspired the chapter to continue bringing fine artists to Southern Illinois, Trapp said. PNN Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], August 29: Fusion CX, a leading provider of customer experience (CX) and business process management solutions, announced the completion of strategic investment into RCC BPO, a prominent outsourcing services provider based in Belize. This strategic investment will further expand Fusion CX's global footprint and enhance its ability to deliver exceptional CX services to its clients. "Joining forces with a global customer experience solutions provider like Fusion CX will also allow us to enhance our service portfolio in international markets and enjoy organic growth with minimal or no change in our existing working environment. We will benefit from Fusion CX's strong presence in the APAC, EMEA, North American, and Latin American markets," said Nubia Ramirez, Co-Founder and CEO of RCC BPO. "We are excited to welcome RCC BPO, Belize, to Fusion CX," said Kishore Saraogi, Co-Founder and Director of Fusion CX. "Their capabilities align perfectly with our strategic vision to provide our clients with a comprehensive suite of CX solutions on a global scale. RCC BPO's commitment to quality and their talented team will be a valuable asset to our organization." Pankaj Dhanuka, Co-founder, CEO, and Director of Fusion CX, commented on the strategic investment: "The integration of RCC BPO epitomizes our commitment to expanding our reach while delivering innovative and culturally aligned customer service solutions. With RCC BPO's expertise and regional insights, we are set to redefine the customer service landscape, driving unparalleled value for our clients." David Long, EVP of RCC BPO, said, "We are leaping forward in our mission to provide outstanding BPO and CX services. Our clients will greatly benefit from this partnership's advanced technologies and resources, reinforcing our pledge to exceed client expectations in every interaction." Belize has a large population of native English and Spanish-proficient people, making it ideal for customer service and other communication-heavy roles. Belize offers a competitive price advantage compared to traditional nearshore/offshore destinations while still providing a skilled workforce. The country's proximity to the US and shared time zones create smoother working relationships with fewer cultural barriers. Adding Belize to Fusion CX's delivery locations will enable the company to offer better nearshore solutions to its global clientele. About Fusion CX Fusion CX, a transformational CX and business process outsourcing solutions provider, offers omnichannel consumer engagements in over 25 languages to over 250 clients worldwide. With a diverse global workforce of 14,000+ professionals, Fusion CX drives clients through exceptional customer service. With a portfolio of process automation solutions and services, the company leverages AI & ML to deliver next-gen customer experiences. Explore more at https://www.fusioncx.com About RCC BPO RCC BPO, Belize's premier business process outsourcing company, proudly announces over 19 years of industry leadership. With a robust workforce of over 2,000 workers fluent in English and Spanish, RCC BPO provides comprehensive omnichannel support--including voice, chat, email, and social media services. Our expertise spans customer service, sales, collections, dispatch, tech support, and back office support, catering to sectors such as E-commerce, Retail, Telecommunications, Banking, Field Services, Public Utilities, Logistics, and Healthcare, primarily in North America, including Canada. Strategically positioned across eight locations in Belize within the districts of Belize, Cayo, Orange Walk, and Dangriga, RCC BPO leverages a performance-driven culture and a deep focus on analytics to deliver cost-effective, strategic solutions that meet the specific needs of our clients. Our proximity to the United States and Canada facilitates easy travel and regular interaction between clients and our management teams, enhancing service continuity and engagement. RCC BPO is fully PCI-certified, underscoring our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and excellence in service. For more information about RCC BPO and the services we offer, please visit our website at https://www.rccbpo.com (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) PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 29: In recent months, the western suburban belt of Malad-Goregaon to Borivali is witnessing average rental yields now ranging between 4% and 5%, according to NoBroker. This is attributed to various factors, including heightened housing demand, enhanced infrastructure, and shifting lifestyle preferences. "The increase in rental yields across the western suburbs is a direct consequence of significant infrastructure upgrades and the influx of new residential developments," states Rohan Khatau, Director of CCI Projects, a prominent developer. "The introduction of new metro lines, improved road networks, and the completion of several major projects have substantially boosted the attractiveness of these areas. For instance, our residential project Rivali Park at Borivali East has generated substantial interest among home buyers and the ones who seek good rental yields, added Mr. Khatau. Echoing similar sentiments, Umesh Jandial, Chief Business Officer of Omkar Realtors & Developers, remarks, "The western suburbs, especially the Malad-Goregaon corridor, are becoming increasingly popular with modern homebuyers thanks to their well-developed amenities and conveniences. The substantial housing growth and rising rental prices highlight the strong performance in rental yields, which is bolstered by excellent connectivity via the Western Express Highway, proximity to the airport, metro lines, and the upcoming Coastal Road." Jandial further goes on to add, "Our residential project, Omkar Alta Monte, located along the WEH and close to business hubs and retail spaces, exemplifies this trend. The rental yield at Alta Monte has surged by more than 30% in 2023-24 and is only expected to move up owing to its preferred status, lifestyle and ease of commuting." Shifting focus is Himanshu Jain, VP - Sales, Marketing & CRM at Satellite Developers Private Limited (SDPL), who says "We are seeing a growing number of young professionals and families opting for the western suburbs due to the balance of affordability and accessibility. This shift is naturally driving up demand for rental properties, thus increasing yields. Our Compact homes project Aarambh Avyaan is especially in demand from young working couples, who find the proximity to commercial hubs ideal." The western suburban belt in Mumbai is known for its lush greenery and is rapidly emerging as a hotspot not only for residential but also for commercial and retail needs. What distinguishes this western suburban belt is its ability to preserve the old-world charm while reinventing itself as a vibrant and contemporary destination. Speaking on rising demand for residential and commercial properties, Shraddha Kedia-Agarwal, Director, Transcon Developers said, "Rising rental yields in the Malad-Borivali corridor highlight the increasing attractiveness of the western suburbs as a key investment destination. This trend reflects strong demand for quality residential and commercial spaces, further strengthening the real estate market and making the region a promising opportunity for investors and developers alike." "Apart from Auris Galleria, Malad, we have an extensive commercial portfolio spread across the western suburbs which offer unparalleled luxury and convenience in retail and commercial real estate. This blend of sophistication, connectivity, and affordability makes these properties a top choice for businesses, while also promising strong rental yields," adds Kedia-Agarwal. The surge in rental yields in Malad, Goregaon, and Borivali East underscores a vibrant and evolving real estate market in Mumbai's suburbs. With ongoing developments and an increasing population of renters, these areas are proving to be beneficial for property investors and developers alike. As infrastructure improves and demand continues to rise, the upward trend in rental yields is likely to persist, making these suburbs attractive for both current and future investments. (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) PRNewswire Santa Clara (California) [US], August 29: Trianz, a digital transformation technology solutions company, today announced that it entered into a comprehensive Strategic Collaboration Agreement (SCA) with Amazon Web Services (AWS), aiming to transform the landscape of cloud migrations, modernization, management, and maximization. This collaboration integrates Trianz' cutting-edge Concierto platform with AWS's cloud infrastructure and services, promising to deliver unparalleled velocity, simplicity and highly cost-effective cloud adoption. Concierto is a hyper-automated, zero code, multi-lingual SaaS platform which covers an organization's end-to-end cloud journey under one umbrella. It enables lightning-fast migrations to the cloud; PaaS modernization; hybrid cloud management and maximizes the cloud through 360-degree observability and automated, artificial intelligence (AI)-based anomaly remediations. The collaboration addresses the growing complexity of cloud adoption and management, offering a software-powered approach which significantly accelerates digital transformations. Key elements of this strategic collaboration include: 1. Collaborative Innovation: Trianz and AWS will work together on joint roadmaps, combining their expertise to develop advanced solutions that streamline cloud migrations and modernization efforts. This will make cloud management more efficient, accessible, and economical for organizations of all sizes. 2. Global FREE Access to Concierto Migrate: In a move set to democratize cloud migration capabilities, AWS will make Trianz' Concierto Migrate solution licenses available free of charge for AWS Migration Competency Partners and customers worldwide. This initiative removes financial barriers to AWS adoption, utilizing state-of-the-art Concierto Migrate solutions, enabling more and more organizations to benefit from automated, efficient cloud transitions. Trianz is also offering FREE training to customers and partners on Concierto Migrate. 3. Easier and Cost-efficient Hybrid Cloud Operations: Concierto Manage enables customers to manage their cloud and on-premise infrastructure from a single pane of glass. Hybrid cloud ops on Concierto is easier than managing platforms like VMware and does not require cloud specific skills. AWS and Trianz are jointly reducing the financial burden in transitions by subsidizing the costs of Concierto Manage software, training and certification for customers and their operations partners. 4. Enhanced Professional Services: AWS Professional Services will work hand-in-hand with Trianz to deliver expedited and cost-effective migrations leveraging Concierto to customers across the globe. This collaboration combines the strengths of both organizations to provide comprehensive support throughout the migration journey. 5. Accelerated Migration Incentives: Through the AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP), and Rapid Migration Offer (RMO), customers and partners will receive additional incentives for adopting a Concierto software-powered approach to cloud migration. This program underscores the commitment of both AWS and Trianz to facilitating rapid and cost-effective cloud adoption. 6. MSP Ecosystem Enhancement: AWS and Trianz will actively engage with AWS Managed Service Provider (MSP) Program Partners to help them consolidate their fragmented toolsets into the unified Concierto Manage platform. In addition, Trianz will provide free Concierto Manage training & certification to customers and AWS MSP Partners so that they are able to run hybrid cloud operations with ease. This initiative aims to enhance service delivery efficiency, enabling AWS MSP Partners to offer more streamlined and cost-effective services to their customers. Sri Manchala, CEO of Trianz and author of Crossing the Digital Faultline, shared his perspective on the collaboration's transformative impact: "Cloud technology stands as a cornerstone of digital transformation. Without it, no company can transform, let alone utilize next gen technologies like AI to make decisions predictively, transform customer value or reimagine their futures. Complexities associated with migration and ongoing management have long been formidable barriers for most organizations even as transformation windows have rapidly shrunk. Our Concierto platform, now supercharged through this global collaboration with AWS, effectively dismantles these obstacles by fast-tracking the journey to the cloud and making its subsequent management remarkably simpler than legacy on-prem formats. "The best part is the human element- we have very deliberately designed Concierto to enable personnel who have long managed on-prem environments, operate the hybrid cloud with ease. This enables organizations to upskill with their existing and experienced teams- as opposed to having to hire expensive talent anew. By combining Trianz' innovative software solutions with AWS's robust infrastructure and services, we are not just facilitating cloud scaling -- we're revolutionizing it." Jahid Khandaker, Chief Information Officer at GE HealthCare, commented, "Concierto Migrate positively changed the migration process across our global IT and organizational environment with its high levels of automation, ultimately simplifying our team's involvement, accelerating our migrations, and providing predictability. This is an exciting collaboration to bring much needed and timely cloud solutions to customers." Trianz's collaboration with AWS marks a pivotal moment in the mission to revolutionize, simplify, democratize, and accelerate digital transformations. Rima Olinger, Managing Director of North America Partners at AWS, added, "The collaboration between Trianz and AWS will provide our joint customers and partners globally with an accelerated path to migrate, modernize, and manage critical workloads on AWS." In order to educate organizations worldwide on the path to migrating diverse sets of workloads including VMware, AWS and Trianz have jointly released an e-book titled 'Accelerate your legacy workload migrations with Trianz | Concierto.' Download instantly from here. About Trianz Trianz simplifies and accelerates digital evolutions through technology platforms and excellence in execution. Powered by research, technology, and experience, we enable customers transition to a digital enterprise by leveraging new Cloud, Analytics, Digital, Infrastructure and Security adoption and management platforms. With over 2,000 employees worldwide, offices in Silicon Valley, Washington DC Metro, Chicago, Austin, Boston, Seattle, New York, Dubai, Singapore and technology centres in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai, Trianz and its partners serve Fortune 1000 and emerging organizations across industries globally. For more information about Trianz, visit www.trianz.com. Concierto is a hyper-automated, zero code and SaaS platform that offers cloud migrations, management, modernization, and maximization under one umbrella. Besides Concierto professional services, the platform is available to customers directly or through approved partners. For more information on the Concierto platform, visit www.concierto.cloud. To become a partner, visit www.concierto.cloud/partners. About Amazon Web Services Since 2006, Amazon Web Services has been the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud. AWS has been continually expanding its services to support virtually any workload, and it now has more than 240 fully featured services for compute, storage, databases, networking, analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, security, hybrid, media, and application development, deployment, and management from 108 Availability Zones within 34 geographic regions, with announced plans for 18 more Availability Zones and six more AWS Regions in Mexico, New Zealand, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, and the AWS European Sovereign Cloud. Millions of customers--including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies--trust AWS to power their infrastructure, become more agile, and lower costs. To learn more about AWS, visit aws.amazon.com. About the book - Crossing the Digital Faultline Crossing the Digital Faultline is a book on leadership that examines why only 7% of companies across industries succeed in digital transformations despite enormous leadership efforts, financial investments, and technology implementations. Combining data from 5,000+ companies and his 25+ years of experience in the technology industry, Sri Manchala explains what is driving digitalization and what makes a small percentage of leaders successful. The book is available on Amazon here. For more information, please contact: Prashant BhavarajuVice PresidentMedia.Contact@Trianz.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2491675/Trianz_Concierto_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], August 29: Odomos--India's most preferred personal application mosquito repellent brand from the House of Dabur, celebrated the yearly Suraksha Bandhan campaign. The initiative involved the distribution of protective solutions infused into the rakhis along with free samples of its trusted mosquito repellent to students, reminding them of the importance of safeguarding against mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. This effort was further strengthened by raising awareness among school children and staff on effective prevention measures for these diseases. During the school visits, representatives from Odomos engaged directly with students, discussing the risks posed by mosquito-borne diseases through interactive Q&As and playful activities. These activities were carefully designed to educate children on the importance of using mosquito repellent as a preventive measure. The students enthusiastically received their Odomos samples, followed by a fun activity where they tied Odomos #SurakshaBandhan rakhis to one another, symbolizing a promise to protect themselves and those around them from these harmful diseases. This gesture emphasized the value of extending the promise of protection, not just from brothers, but from one sibling to another, against dangerous diseases. As of August 2024, India has reported over 32,000 cases of malaria and more than 3,200 cases of dengue. In India nearly 40 million people get infected with diseases spread by mosquitoes each year. These figures emphasize the urgent need for awareness and prevention, especially among vulnerable groups such as schoolchildren. Odomos' latest initiative promotes protection against mosquito-borne diseases through student outreach and heartwarming sibling stories. To further amplify the campaign, Odomos partnered with People of India to share touching stories of sibling bonds, highlighting the unspoken yet powerful role of siblings as protectors. These stories fostered a deeper connection to the Raksha Bandhan tradition, celebrating the strength and support between siblings while emphasizing how these bonds can extend beyond familial protection to safeguarding health and well-being. Atoot Suraksha ke Rishte, kyuki iss rishte ko bhi chahiye Odomos ki Suraksha--a testament to the unbreakable bonds of protection that even siblings need with Odomos by their side. Please refer to the Campaign https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-76E-FoMJf/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet Speaking on the initiative Santosh Jaiswal, Category Head, Home Care, Dabur India Ltd said; "Through the Suraksha Bandhan campaign, we at Dabur Odomos reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of the community. By merging the traditional significance of Raksha Bandhan with the pressing need for protection against mosquito-borne diseases, we aim to create a lasting impact. Protection, for us, goes beyond a simple promise--it's a responsibility. Through #SurakshaBandhan, we are dedicated to raising awareness about disease prevention while fostering a culture of care and protection within families and communities alike." Odomos presented its Suraksha Bandhan rakhis to the future leaders of society. The #SurakshaBandhan initiative by Odomos continues to raise awareness about the importance of protecting one another from mosquito-borne diseases. Through school outreach, touching sibling stories, and partnerships, Odomos remains dedicated to ensuring that protection is not just a promise but a reality. About Odomos: Odomos, a trusted mosquito repellent brand from Dabur, provides clinically proven and effective protection against mosquitoes. Independent institutes have certified Odomos as one of the best protectors against mosquitoes carrying deadly viruses. Choose Odomos as a safe and effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones from mosquito-borne illnesses. For more information, please visit :www.odomosprotect.com For media queries, contact: Adfactors : suhasini.kona@adfactorspr.com/ uthara.chandrasekhar@adfactorspr.com Dabur India Limited |0120-3962100| corpcomm@dabur.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL New Delhi [India], August 29: The 2024 Roundtable Conference, a prestigious event organized by the Gravittus Foundation in association with UNICEF, bringing together an array of prominent voices to address the urgent and essential topic of Early Childhood Development (ECD). The conference served as a pivotal platform for discussing the significance of nurturing the youngest minds, particularly during the critical first 1000 days of life, when brain development is at its peak. Among the distinguished dignitaries who attended were Shabana Azmi, a celebrated actress with a powerful voice in social issues; Dr. Medha Kulkarni, a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha; and Suraj Mandhare, the Commissioner of Education in Pune. Joining them were Dr. Amita Phadnis, a renowned pediatrician and neonatologist; Dr. Pramod Jog, former National President of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics; and Tanisha Mukherjee, an actress committed to advocacy. The 2024 Roundtable Conference proved to be a defining moment in the ongoing efforts to elevate ECD on both the national and global agenda. Actress Shabana Azmi said, "We've heard from experts, but I'm not one myself. So, I can only speak from personal experience, observing what my parents did and what I've seen mothers do with their babies. I feel that today's mothers are often overly conscious of their roles, which may not always be a good thing. In earlier generations, there wasn't this level of concern, yet there was a deep, natural bond of love with children. I believe that treating your child with love and respect is essential, and I'm not sure if the modern "helicopter parenting" style benefits the child. She further added, "My husband, for example, lost his mother early, had no toys growing up, but he had the freedom to explore and develop his imagination, which he credits for his success as a writer today. Philanthropist and Entrepreneur Usha Kakade said, "Our Gravittus Foundation's 'Good Touch Bad Touch' project has reached a significant milestone, impacting over 5 lakh students from 1,095 schools. This initiative is crucial in raising awareness about child safety, empowering children to recognize and report unsafe touch." Sanjay Singh, Chief, UNICEF Maharashtra added, "We are here for every child, regardless of their background, ensuring equal opportunities to not only survive but thrive. The first 1,000 days are crucial for lifelong health and development, but if missed, we must invest in adolescence to secure their future." Dr. Simin Irani, Senior Advisor, Newborn Care, UNICEF Maharashtra said, "Investing in early childhood development is the most valuable investment one can make, as it builds the foundation for a child's entire future." This pivotal initiative serves as a valuable instrument in the prevention of abuse and violence targeting children and raising awareness about child abuse, while highlighting the foundation's effective efforts in providing assistance and support to these children. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Reliance Industries announced that its Board of Directors will be meeting on September 5, 2024, to consider a 1:1 bonus issue for its equity shareholder, the company informed the exchange in a filing on Thursday. This means that for every share an investor holds, they may receive an additional share if the proposal is approved. "We wish to inform you that pursuant to Regulation 29 and other applicable provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 ("Listing Regulations"), a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company is scheduled to be held on Thursday, September 5, 2024 to consider and recommend to the shareholders for their approval, issue of bonus shares in the ratio of 1:1 to the Equity Shareholders of the Company by capitalization of reserves" said the company in the filing. The company stated that the board will discuss and potentially recommend this bonus issue to the shareholders for their approval. If the board approves this bonus issue, it will be funded by capitalizing the company's reserves. A 1:1 bonus issue is often seen as a way to reward existing shareholders by increasing the number of shares they hold, effectively doubling their shares without any additional cost. While this does not change the overall value of their investment, it can increase the liquidity of the shares in the market. Bonus issues can also reflect a company's confidence in its future prospects and a strong financial position, as it typically indicates that the company has sufficient reserves to distribute among shareholders. Shareholders and investors will be closely watching the outcome of the meeting on September 5, as this decision could impact the stock's performance and investor sentiment. If the bonus issue is approved, the shareholders will need to give their final nod in a subsequent general meeting. Reliance Industries is a conglomerate with diversified interests in sectors such as petrochemicals, refining, oil, telecommunications, and retail. (ANI) Mumbai's residential market is projected to surpass the remarkable milestone of Rs 2 lakh crore in residential sales value by 2030, real estate and investment management company JLL anticipated in a report. Mumbai continues to attract substantial real estate investments, as the city's residential sales value in 2023 breached Rs 1 lakh crore and is expected to surpass Rs 1.35 lakh crore in 2024. Citing the reason behind the continued growth, the report added that the development of projects such as Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), Navi Mumbai Suburban Rail, and various Metro lines, have significantly improved the city's connectivity with the suburbs and the sister cities of Thane and Navi Mumbai. The initiation of transit infrastructure networks has propelled growth in these areas, the JLL reported. By 2030, the ongoing infrastructure projects aiming to enhance multimodal connectivity are expected to foster new residential hubs and revitalize existing ones, the report said. These development projects will enhance accessibility contributing to an uptick in residential launches and sales, particularly in Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Western Suburbs II, the report said. As per the report, the Months To Sell (MTS) inventory decreased from 58 months in March 2022 to 31 months in June 2024. Going further, the report noted that Mumbai's real estate development has shifted from the southern parts to the north and east suburbs due to increased demand for housing, improved connectivity, and available land, The city has also witnessed the entry of notable national and regional developers, who have chosen Mumbai as the launchpad for their residential projects, it said. Developers in Mumbai have successfully acquired a sprawling 260 acres of land (since 2022) through outright purchase or joint development agreements, all earmarked for residential development. This substantial land acquisition equates to an immense development potential of 42-48 million sq. ft, with an estimated sales potential of over Rs 70,000 crore, the report mentioned. Mumbai's residential real estate market has experienced a significant boost over the last few years, due to the effective implementation of the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA), it said. Post the pandemic, the market saw a remarkable recovery in both sales volumes and new project launches, reaching unprecedented heights in 2022, the report added. It further added that the s positive trend sustained in 2023, marking another milestone in the city's residential asset class. In the first half of 2024, Mumbai's residential market achieved its highest-ever sales over a six-month period, already reaching around 57 per cent of the total sales recorded in 2023. As a result, Mumbai's contribution to India's overall residential market activity has grown substantially, accounting for approximately 25 per cent of new project launches and 22 per cent of total sales from 2022 to the first half of 2024. (ANI) PNN Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], August 29: In an emerging landscape of fast-changing media, with video being the most potent form of communication, BrandStory stands as Bangalore's exceptional video production company. BrandStory never stops raising the bar with its ingenuity and creativity in video production. From advertisements and branding to online video presence and personal video shoots, it is proficient in making top-notch video content. With growth and a relentless quest for perfection, the agency has successfully transformed into the finest and most reputed video production company in Bangalore. A Proven Track Record With over 60 video production projects executed successfully, BrandStory has built versatility and expertise across various formats and industries. It has the prowess to handle professional, polished corporate video creation that raises the bar on corporate communication. The agency is experienced in crafting videos for brands that build strong brand identities through captivating visuals. Its promo videos are dynamic and engaging for audiences, while employee videos talk about company culture and team achievements. Product videos clearly explain the features and benefits of a product, increasing visibility. Not to mention, BrandStory's 2D & 3D animation videos use cutting-edge techniques to bring any imaginary idea to life, setting new benchmarks in creative storytelling. Comprehensive Video Production Services BrandStory is a one-stop video production company in Bangalore catering to various businesses. From discovery to pre-production--from scriptwriting and storyboarding to detailed planning--BrandStory has everything in place and motion in a smooth workflow. They have the most up-to-date equipment for high-quality video capture during the production phase, after which the post-production phase begins, consisting of editing, sound design, and the final touches to bring in a professional and polished end product. This gives a 360-degree view of all the details relevant to video production and its execution with the correct second-by-second accuracy. Diverse Video Formats to Engage BrandStory is versatile and can make videos that capture all client requirements with precision and creativity. These include corporate video creation to leverage clear business communication, interviews to capture valuable insights from industry leaders, and animation videos that bring ideas to life through inventive techniques. They are experts in mixed media, event, and social media videos specifically for specific platforms. From educational videos and product explainers to live streams, real estate tours, and commercial/TV Ads, BrandStory covers it. Their expertise includes documentary music videos, aerial shots, BTS (behind-the-scenes) content, personal branding videos, social media micro-videos, and manufacturing plant videos. Thus, any video production requirement, whether B2B or B2C, finds its place under one umbrella. Excellence in Website Development and SEO Besides its video production expertise, BrandStory has been rated as one of the best website development companies in Bangalore. BrandStory builds a solid online presence for businesses by designing aesthetically pleasing and functionally robust websites, setting them apart in the cluttered digital space. As one of the most prominent SEO agencies in Bangalore, BrandStory has always delivered remarkable results for clients by improving search engine rankings and organic traffic. Believing in the culture of data-driven SEO, the company ensured that every strategy was coupled with proper research and analysis. Looking Ahead Quality at BrandStory is defined by the attention to detail given to any project. This agency ensures that video content meets client objectives and enhances market position. As BrandStory continues to push the boundaries of video production, it remains at the forefront of the industry, helping businesses harness the power of visual storytelling to achieve their goals. To get more details on BrandStory and its services, visit www.brandstory.in BrandStory is a Bangalore-based Digital Marketing Agency offering video production, website development, SEO, and more services. With a prime focus on delivering outstanding results, BrandStory has teamed up with businesses to create their digital presence by meeting their desired marketing goals. (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) PNN Jamshedpur (Jharkhand) [India], August 29: The International Youth Development Foundation (IYDF), in collaboration with Hosiery Point, organized a heartwarming charity event near Sewa Aashram Chuna Bhatta, Dhobi Line, Jamshedpur. This event was designed to provide essential living and educational supplies to children in the orphanage, while also infusing their lives with a ray of sunshine through a variety of engaging activities. Event Highlights The event was led by Ankush Modi, with enthusiastic participation from volunteers such as Sweety Singh, Sangeeta Bansal, Madhu Roy, Sunil Gupta, Rina Prasad, Sathi Paul, Balraj Kaur, Divya Das, Raja Kumar, Ranjeet Ji, Pinky Mishra, and Komal Kumari, along with photographer Deepak Sharma. These volunteers not only brought necessary supplies but also shared their love and care with the children, making the event truly special. Generous Assistance The event benefited 39 children from the orphanage, offering a wide range of assistance that covered both food and educational supplies. The children received a variety of food items, including rice, lentils, spices, instant noodles, jams, tomato ketchup, flour, cooking oil, semolina, flattened rice, Horlicks, Bournvita, split pigeon peas, washing powder, chickpea flour, soybean chunks, Good Day biscuits, sugar, snacks, tea, and vermicelli. Educational supplies such as pencils, erasers, sharpeners, rulers, crayons, drawing books, exercise books, and other stationery were also distributed. Additionally, the children were provided with backpacks and water bottles, ensuring their daily needs were met while supporting their learning and extracurricular activities. Fun Activities Volunteers organized a series of engaging activities on-site, including a drawing competition, a quiz, poetry recitals, and a session where the children shared their visions for the future. The children actively participated, showcasing their creativity and expressing their hopes for the future. The event was filled with laughter and joy, with the children's smiles and the volunteers' sense of fulfillment intertwining in a truly memorable experience. Beneficiary Organizations The event supported three organizations: Shree Ram Ashram, Jai Prakash Ashram, and Seva Ashram Burmamines, managed respectively by Brihaspati Patro, Ambika Mahato, and Manoj Bhagat. Volunteer Reflections The volunteers shared their thoughts after the event, stating, "This experience has brought us immense joy; it was an unexpectedly beautiful journey. No other NGO has ever provided such a rich variety of activities and supplies. We feel incredibly proud to have brought so much happiness and support to these children." IYDF's Mission The International Youth Development Foundation (IYDF) is committed to helping underprivileged and vulnerable children achieve better lives and futures through educational and support programs. This event not only provided substantial assistance to the children in the orphanage but also conveyed the warmth of society through interaction and care. Conclusion This event demonstrated the tremendous power of community kindness and highlighted the deep commitment of IYDF and Hosiery Point to charitable causes. Through this initiative, 39 orphanage children received material support and emotional warmth. IYDF will continue to dedicate itself to such charitable activities, bringing hope and care to more children in need. (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) VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 29: Swadgram, a key player in India's food and beverage distribution sector, today announced the launch of eight international brands at the Anuga Select India 2024 event, held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre. The announcement marks Swadgram's latest move in introducing premium global F&B products to the Indian market. The newly launched brands--Dutchmill (Thailand), Vifon (Vietnam), Luwak (Indonesia), Lasegar (Indonesia), Mutale (Thailand), Super Corn (Indonesia), Golden Ginger (Indonesia), and Kobe (Indonesia)--represent a diverse range of products, including dairy, noodles, coffee, functional drinks, snacks, and traditional beverages. Swadgram's strategic partnerships with these international brands underscore its commitment to enhancing the availability of high-quality F&B products in India, addressing the evolving preferences of Indian consumers, particularly millennials and Gen Z. Dignitaries from Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, along with the brand owners, were in attendance, emphasizing the importance of these strategic partnerships in expanding Swadgram's portfolio. This initiative is a direct response to the evolving preferences of Indian consumers. "Launching these eight global brands at Anuga Select India 2024 aligns with our strategic vision to bridge the gap between international and Indian markets," said Ajal K. Babu, CEO of Swadgram. "Each brand brings a unique value proposition, and their introduction to the Indian market will significantly broaden consumer choice and elevate the overall F&B landscape in the country." Swadgram's initiative at Anuga Select India 2024 strengthens its position in the F&B distribution sector, expanding its portfolio with globally recognized brands that cater to the growing demands of the Indian market. The company's approach focuses on meeting consumer needs with high-quality, innovative products that are already successful in international markets. Brand Highlights: * Dutch Mill Co., Ltd. (Thailand): is one of Thailand's largest manufacturers and marketers of dairy products. * Vifon (Vietnam): One of Vietnam's largest instant noodle brands, with exports reaching over 80 countries * Luwak (Indonesia): No.1 coffee premix brand in Indonesia * Lasegar (Indonesia): Known for its refreshing functional beverages. * Mutale (Thailand): Thai Fruit Gummies with 70% fruit content. * Super Corn (Indonesia): A leading brand in healthy kids snacks. * Golden Ginger (Indonesia): Global favorite in natural confectionary * Kobe (Indonesia): Pioneers in ready-to-eat noodle snacks. About Swadgram: Swadgram is a leading Indian food and beverage distribution company, specializing in bringing high-quality international brands to the Indian market. With a deep understanding of the evolving tastes and preferences of Indian consumers, Swadgram partners with renowned global manufacturers to offer a curated selection of products that cater to the diverse needs of the modern Indian palate. Leveraging a robust distribution network and a brand-first approach, Swadgram is committed to delivering innovative and premium food and beverage solutions across India, ensuring that consumers have access to the best the world has to offer. For more information, visit: https://swadgramindia.com/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN New Delhi [India], August 29: E-commerce is a vast and rapidly growing industry with leading players like Amazon and Flipkart dominating the platforms to attract an even larger consumer base. In this pool of competitors, Indifly's Zionmart, based in Pune, has emerged with its robust partnership as a significant player in the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) ecosystem. As India's first logistics buyer app on ONDC, Zionmart is setting new benchmarks by integrating cutting-edge technology with an expansive reach, particularly in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Zionmart's achievements, its key role in ONDC, and the impact of its initiatives highlight its growing influence in digital commerce. As a network participant, Zionmart has developed comprehensive apps catering to buyers, sellers, and logistics, making it a key enabler of digital commerce. The company's buyer and seller apps are designed to streamline operations, offering AI-powered cataloguing, inventory management, and advanced search functionalities. This enhances the user experience and empowers small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace. At Indifly Ventures, we are committed to supporting entrepreneurship and digital growth across Bharat. I'm dedicated to helping local businesses thrive and realizing our vision of a digitally inclusive India. said Vishvjeet Thombre, CEO of Indifly Ventures. I see our integration into the ONDC network as more than just a business milestone; it's a crucial step towards aligning with the government's goal of a fair digital economy, said Narahari Rao, CEO of Zionmart. With over 1500 sellers boarded in pilot, Zionmart is creating a sincere ecosystem that facilitates united transactions between buyers and sellers. The company's logistics app plays a crucial role in ensuring effective order fulfilment and delivery, which is vital for maintaining customer satisfaction and driving repeat business. As Zionmart continues to solidify its position within the ONDC network, its focus on tier 2 and tier 3 cities. These regions, often overlooked by other e-commerce platforms, are now undergoing a transformative digital shift. Zionmart's extensive network and strategic outreach are equipping local businesses with the tools and support necessary to compete on a national scale. By streamlining e-commerce and driving grassroots economic growth, Zionmart is playing a pivotal role in reshaping the digital marketplace. ONDC, a government-backed initiative, aims to create an open, inclusive, and transparent platform that democratizes digital commerce across India. With a target to on board 1.2 million sellers by 2025, ONDC envisions creating a $100 billion market and simplifying 30 million digital transactions daily. Zionmart's involvement in this ambitious initiative is not only critical but also aligns with ONDC's broader goals of dismantling monopolistic practices and empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Beyond its core offerings, Zionmart offers a range of custom-branded platforms personalised to the needs of various industries. These resolutions enable businesses to rebrand and utilise Zionmart's platform under their own brand identity, offering a unique and flexible e-commerce solution. This approach not only diversifies Zionmart's revenue streams but also sets its position within the ONDC ecosystem. Zionmart's impact is further amplified by its sister ventures within the Indifly group, such as Indipe and SkillSetu, which are also making significant strides in the ONDC space. Indipe is transforming the credit landscape through its loan app, which integrates with ONDC to bring multiple loan providers onto a single platform. This innovation simplifies the process of securing credit for both businesses and individuals, thereby easing growth. SkillSetu, powered by ONEST, simplifies the process of skill development and career advancement for learners of all backgrounds. With a focus on creating a connected and streamlined digital ecosystem, SkillSetu offers a wide range of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of students and professionals, including course discovery, mentorship connections, skill development programs, internship and job access, and financial support options. As Zionmart continues to grow and extend its influence, it is set to play a critical role in shaping the future of digital commerce in India, alongside Indipe and SkillSetu. These initiatives under Indifly Ventures are driving innovation and fostering economic growth across all levels of the ONDC ecosystem. For more information please visit https://indifly.in/?source=aspire&medium=press-release&campaign=pr and https://zioncommerce.in/?source=aspire&medium=press-release&campaign=pr (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) An FIR has been registered against actor and CPI (M) MLA from Kollam, Mukesh M, following the complaint of actress Minu Muneer. Kerala Police informed ANI on Thursday, "FIR has been registered against actor Mukesh, CPI (M) MLA from Kollam constituency. The FIR was registered on the basis of the complaint of an actress." The police also added that another FIR has been registered against Actor Jayasurya on the complaint of the same actress, under section 354 which deals with intent to outrage modesty. Special Investigation Team (SIT) has taken the statement of the actress yesterday (Wednesday)." Muneer has accused actors Mukesh M, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu of both verbal and physical abuse during their collaborations on film projects. Speaking to ANI, Muneer detailed her experiences, alleging a range of misconduct. "Once, as I was coming out from the toilet, Jayasurya hugged me from behind and even kissed me forcefully... After that, Idavela Babu expressed his interest in a sexual relationship with me," she claimed. She further described troubling interactions with Maniyanpilla Raju, including inappropriate suggestions regarding her hotel accommodation. The allegations surfaced shortly after the resignation of director Ranjith and actor Siddique from their positions in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), following separate accusations against them. Muneer's allegations were initially shared on her Facebook page, where she recounted a series of incidents dating back to 2013. "I am writing to report a series of incidents of physical and verbal abuse I suffered at the hands of Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Babu, Jayasurya, Advocate Chandrasekharan, production controller Noble and Vichu," Muneer wrote. She stated that the abuse led her to leave the Malayalam film industry and relocate to Chennai. In response to these serious accusations, actor Mukesh M, who is also a Member of the Legislative Assembly, issued a press release asserting his innocence. "In response to the allegations raised against me and other film industry colleagues, I welcome the ongoing investigations. A fair and transparent inquiry is crucial to uncover the truth behind the accusations being discussed in the public domain," he said. "As both an actor and a public representative, I hold a deep responsibility towards society. Coming from a family with a rich theatrical tradition, I am perhaps more capable than most of understanding the pain and concerns of those in the arts," he added. "My mother, who began acting at the age of fourteen, continues to perform at the age of eighty-seven. I have no qualms with those who seek to politically target me. Similar accusations were made against me in 2018 as part of a political drama, which the public dismissed. In the face of those now attempting to judge me, I am providing certain clarifications backed by evidence to demonstrate my innocence," Mukesh M added in the press note. Mukesh alleged that Muneer had previously sought financial assistance and attempted to blackmail him. "This group, which has been persistently blackmailing me for money, has now turned against me at this opportune moment," Mukesh stated. He has called for a thorough and transparent investigation to clear his name. The controversy is further intensified by the recent release of a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report, which outlines various cases of harassment and exploitation in the Malayalam film industry. The report highlights the dominance of a small group of male figures within the industry and their control over its operations. In light of these revelations, the Kerala government has decided to form a special investigation team to address the allegations. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced the formation of this team in response to growing public and media scrutiny. "In light of recent interviews and statements from several women in the Malayalam film industry detailing the hardships they have faced, we have convened a meeting with senior police officials to ensure a thorough investigation," read an official release from the Chief Minister's Office. (ANI) American actor Sigourney Weaver got emotional as she received the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award at the opening ceremony of the 81st Venice Film Festival, which marked a return on Wednesday night. The legendary star of films such as 'Alien,' 'Avatar' and 'Gorillas in the Mist' was awarded the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement in honour of her work spanning 45 years ahead of the world premiere of "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice'. In award receiving speech, Weaver said, "I'm sure I'm dreaming. I want to roar,' reported Deadline. The three-time Oscar nominee thanked the festival for what she called a "jet-fuel of encouragement," adding, "I can't believe I'm here." She also stated that her Golden Lion was "the most astonishing honour I can imagine," jokingly adding that the statue would be "sitting next to me on the plane, it will be next to be in the gondola and my husband will have to get used to having it in bed with us." During the Weaver tribute, in a surprise video message from her 'Avatar' director James Cameron, wished her "massive congratulations." In the message, he said, "I am blessed to know her as a friend ... our working bond of trust and respect has only gotten stronger with every new project." He also shared that Weaver received her first Academy Award nomination for their first collaboration, 1986's Aliens, and said she is "way overdue for that Oscar," as reported by Deadline. French actress Camille Cottin, who appeared with Weaver on hit satire series 'Call my Agent', lauded her. "She's faced everything from aliens to ghosts to gorillas to extra-large soldier pads, to glass ceilings to gender stereotypes," said Cottin. Cottin revealed when she first met Weaver, she was surprised to find her "so soft spoken, so gentle. I was struck that you weren't an oddly powerful woman but just a woman who doesn't give a fuck about the male gaze." On August 28, Weaver got emotional during the festival press conference when a reporter linked her role as Ripley in 'Alien' to U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. In response, holding up her tears, Weaver said "We're all so excited about Kamala and to think for one moment that my work would have anything to do with her rise makes me very happy, actually, because it's true. I have so many women who come and thank me." She then joked, "Sorry, I need my vodka," as quoted by Variety. (ANI) Boseman, who passed away at the age of 43 in 2020 from colon cancer, had been privately battling the illness for several years. His condition and treatments were kept out of the public eye, with his final projects filmed during his ongoing medical battles. In a social media post, Nyong'o shared two photos of Boseman, one of him alone and another featuring the two actors together. Accompanying the images was a quote that read, "Grief never ends. But it changes. It is a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith. It's the price of love." She concluded the post with, "Remembering Chadwick Boseman. Forever." https://www.instagram.com/p/C_N2x7sJH7g/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=0904009f-0386-4c40-b0f8-c363138f0977&img_index=1 Despite Boseman's absence from 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,' Nyong'o previously spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the impact of his memory on the film's set. She described the experience as both challenging and therapeutic, reflecting on how Boseman's presence was felt throughout the production process. "To make this film against all odds is a powerful statement unto itself," she said, highlighting the project's significance as a tribute to Boseman's legacy, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Nyong'o also shared a touching tribute following Boseman's death, expressing difficulty in accepting her friend as a memory rather than a present force. She described Boseman as possessing a timeless quality, a person whose presence seemed destined and eternal. "Chadwick was a man who made the most of his time, and somehow also managed to take his time," Nyong'o wrote. (ANI) Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho's son, Daniel Sancho Bronchalo has been found guilty of murdering a Colombian plastic surgeon at a Thai holiday resort before dismembering the body, CNN reported citing officials. The Thai court on Thursday, sentenced Bronchalo, a YouTube chef, to life in prison. The trial heard that the 30-year-old killed Arrieta after the pair had a fight and put parts of his body in plastic bags before discarding them around the island. Notably, Sancho had faced the death penalty. But the court on the island of Koh Samui commuted the sentence to life imprisonment due to his cooperation during the trial. He had admitted killing Arrieta but insisted it was not premeditated saying he had acted "out of his extreme anger," CNN reported citing Police Col Paisan Sangthep, deputy commander of the Surat Thani Provincial Police, who attended the hearing. "The court saw his confession to the murder was useful during the trial. So the court commuted the sentence to life imprisonment," Paisan said. The court found Bronchalo guilty on all three charges: premeditated murder, concealment of a body and hiding another person's documents. Paisan said evidence showed Sancho had made preparations for the killing, suggesting it was premeditated. "Before committing the murder, the defendant had bought a knife, gloves, plastic bags, garbage bags, (a cleaning sponge), cleaver knife and a saw," he said. Before the murder, Sancho had booked a room in a different hotel to where the killing happened, Paisan added. Sancho's parents, Silvia Bronchalo and Rodolfo Sancho - who are both actors - appeared in court, but the parents of the deceased were not present in the courtroom. Rodolfo Sancho is one of the most recognizable faces on the small screen in Spain, having starred in the hit series "The Ministry of Time" and "Isabel," according to CNN. Daniel Sancho was arrested in August last year, soon after the killing of Arrieta, a plastic surgeon from Monteria in northern Colombia. Sancho, who wore a face mask to court, "appeared to accept his fate, with no objection" following his sentencing, Paisan said. Sancho's lawyer, Marcos Garcia-Montes, told reporters he would appeal the sentence. Notably, he has the right to appeal to a higher court under Thai law. (ANI) According to Billboard, during an appearance on Shannon Sharpe's Club Shay Shay, John Cena reflected on his youth in West Newbury, Massachusetts, and described how he channelled his teenage rebellion through hip-hop. "I was one of five boys, and I had a lot of angst with how the household was being run. I was a rebel. That music found me at the right time," Cena recounted. According to Billboard, he mentioned that tracks like NWA's "F--k tha Police" resonated deeply with him, seeing the police as symbolic of his own rebellious spirit. Cena also discussed his decision to pursue rap music despite WWE's rock-dominated focus. "At the time, WWE was a rock and roll company. They didn't have any depth of field for hip-hop, and I listened to my own music being like, 'I could do better than this,'" he explained. This led to his 2005 debut album, 'You Can't See Me', which achieved significant success, peaking at No 15 on the Billboard 200 chart. In his interview, Cena revealed his top athlete-rappers--Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Master P--and shared his personal 'Mount Rushmore' of rap, featuring Rakim, Jay-Z, Nas, and Eminem, according to Billboard. He acknowledged that his list might stir debate, emphasizing the subjectivity and personal nature of music. "We all have our bias. We all have our favourites. That's what makes music special. That's what makes creativity," Cena said. He also credited Tony Yayo of G-Unit as the inspiration behind his famous 'You can't see me' hand gesture, a detail he previously shared during a 2022 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. (ANI) Flash The Israeli Air Force killed a senior militant of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement on Wednesday near the Syria-Lebanon border, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement. The militant, identified as Faris Qasim, was killed in a drone strike along with other PIJ fighters reportedly on their way from Syria to carry out an attack on behalf of Hezbollah, the IDF said. Qasim, a "significant" operative in the PIJ's Operations Division, was responsible for developing the movement's operational plans in Syria and Lebanon and played "a central role" in recruiting Palestinians into Hezbollah, it said. He was also responsible for carrying out attacks from Lebanon against Israel, it said. The IDF accused Iran of "directing and funding" the recruitment of Palestinian operatives into Hezbollah to launch attacks against Israel from Lebanese territory. Meanwhile, according to a report by Palestinian news agency Quds News, at least four people were killed in the airstrike targeting a vehicle on the Beirut-Damascus Highway near the town of Zabadani in Syria's Rif Dimashq Governorate. The Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, allied with Iran, has been trading fire with Israel along the Israel-Lebanon border since the onset of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in October 2023. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Wednesday suspended the membership of Kolkata's former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Dr Sandip Ghosh, amid a CBI probe into the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor earlier this month. In an order, the Indian Medical Association said the committee constituted by IMA national president Dr RV Asokan suo-motu considered the rape and murder case of the postgraduate resident doctor and the subsequent developments at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Kolkata. "The undersigned along with the National President has also visited the parents of the victim in their home. They had put up their grievances against you (Ghosh) in dealing with the situation as well as lack of empathy and sensitivity in handling the issue in an appropriate manner befitting the responsibility held by you in your dealings with them," the order stated. "The IMA Bengal state branch as well as certain associations' of doctors also have demanded action citing the nature of disrepute brought by you to the profession on the whole," it said. The order said the disciplinary committee of the IMA has "unanimously decided to suspend you forthwith from the membership of the Indian Medical Association." Earlier on August 26, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concluded a second round of polygraph tests on former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH) principal Sandip Ghosh as part of their investigation into the rape-murder of a woman doctor at the institution. The investigation was initiated after a single bench of the High Court ordered the CBI to probe the alleged corruption at the medical college. The Calcutta High Court has granted the CBI three weeks to submit a progress report on the investigation, which is to be presented on September 17. Earlier in the month, the Supreme Court ordered the security of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to be handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) while hearing the suo motu case concerning the incident. The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. (ANI) Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma informed that the Assam government will be bringing a white paper by April-May of next year change of demography in the state. Assam CM said that the white paper will demonstrate how the Muslim population in Hindu-majority areas has increased. "We are bringing a white paper, how on polling booth level demography is changing in Assam so the people at large realise the challenges. Yesterday I told it in the Assam Assembly that by April or May, we are bringing a comprehensive white paper." CM Sarma said. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted that Hindus are "not resisting" the demographic changes and "living peacefully" but Muslims are not reacting the same. "We are bringing a white paper to show how in Hindu majority areas the Muslim population is increasing and there is absolute communal harmony. Hindus are not resisting it. They are living peacefully but an exact reverse situation is happening at the other front." CM Sarma said. CM Sarma had appealed to the assembly to look into the matter. He emphasised stopping the migration because of the change in demographics. "Let us protect the people as they exist today so no migration happens from one village to another. Our intentions have no malice we just want to secure the communal harmony and peace in Assam." Sarma said. CM Sarma also cited an example and highlighted the changing demographics in Assam. He said that there's a village in Assam called Kachari Gaon, in which no member of the Kachari community resides today. Earlier, Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Assam government's priority to focus on the marriage reigstration bill and its next step is to ban polygamy. "Assam government is not decided on the whole UCC, we are focusing on the Muslim registration bill which we made compulsory, we have said that the registration of the marriage and divorce will be done by sub-registrar rather than 'Kazi'. Our next step is banning polygamy which will be coming in anytime we are just waiting for any judicial comment on Uttarakhand UCC we are looking closely." CM Sarma said. CM Sarma stressed that the Assam government's "line of action" is different and they are looking at other issues."We are not looking to bring a comprehensive UCC because our line of acion is different. " We are working against child marriage. We are working against the exploitation of women. Our stand is completely different." Sarma said. (ANI) Uttarakhand's Director General of Police (DGP), Abhinav Kumar, has decided to develop a detailed action plan to prevent crimes against women in the state and ensure more effective action against such offences. As part of this initiative, he formed a five-member committee on Wednesday under the chairmanship of P. Renuka Devi, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Crime and Law and Order, Uttarakhand. The DGP stated that this committee will present a detailed report after conducting a comprehensive study on various aspects, including the nature of crimes against women in the state, crime rates, identification of sensitive areas, reporting of such crimes, the status of investigations, and the outcomes in court. The report will also provide information on the assistance and services available to crime victims. The committee will also assess the actions being taken by the police to prevent crimes against women, the level of awareness in society about these crimes, and the infrastructural and human resource needs in the districts for effective crime control. Abhinav Kumar further mentioned that in view of the inconvenience caused to the general public during religious processions and dharnas/demonstrations, he has instructed all district in-charges in Uttarakhand to coordinate with the concerned District Magistrate to regulate events while maintaining public convenience and peace. The DGP directed that events should not disrupt the functioning of hospitals and educational institutions, nor should they impede patients and students in their daily activities. He emphasized that time limits for such events should be fixed, and gatherings exceeding the stipulated time should be declared illegal. He also directed that before granting permission, authorities must ensure that the event does not disrupt the normal life of the general public. He also advised that when planning routes for processions and demonstrations, the above-mentioned concerns should be considered, and generally, permission for events should not be granted on government working days. The DGP added that event permissions be scheduled as much as possible on government holidays and that dharnas and demonstrations should be held at designated sites whenever feasible. (ANI) In a shocking incident, a video has surfaced on social media in which a woman and a minor were allegedly assaulted in the Government Railway Police (GRP) station in Madhya Pradesh's Katni, an official said. After the video went viral, SP (Superintendent of Police) GRP took cognizance, removed the station in-charge and ordered an investigation into the matter, he added. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Santosh Deharia said, "A video has gone viral on various social media groups where prima facie it seems to be a case of GRP Katni in which a woman and a minor is seen being assaulted. We have not received any complaint in this regard and if a complaint is filed, the investigation will be carried out based on facts." "SP GRP posted on social media, GRP Katni station in-charge has been removed and the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Railway has been ordered to investigate the matter," he added. SP GRP posted on X, "Upon noticing the incident, the fact that came to light is the video shown has been found to be of October 2023. The people seen in the said video are relatives of a criminal Deepak Vanskar. 19 cases are registered against Deepak Vanskar in GRP police station Katni. Deepak Vanskar is a criminal under surveillance since 2017. Last year, a reward of Rs 10000 was announced for him after Deepak Vanskar absconded in connection with a theft case. In April this year, orders were given to externed Vanskar from Katni district. Upon receiving the fact from social media (video gone viral), the station in-charge of GRP Katni has been removed and the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Railway has been ordered to investigate." Meanwhile, in a post on X, Madhya Pradesh Police stated, "A video of misbehaviour in GRP station Katni has come to light through social media. The video is of October 2023. Upon noticing the incident, the station in-charge has been attached to GRP Police Line Jabalpur. The Police Headquarters has ordered a DIG level officer to go to Katni and investigate the incident." Besides, the victim said, "The police took us saying a senior official has called us. They asked me about my son Deepak. I told them that I didn't know, you should catch him and do whatever you want. They took me to the station, interrogated me and then closed the windows and door and started beating with plastic pipe. My grandson was with me, they took him somewhere else to beat him." "We had complained about the matter and submitted an application to the collectorate office in this regard," she added. (ANI) An Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter, aiding the Gujarat government amid the flood situation in the state, rescued four people from Devbhumi Dwarka on Thursday. The people were saved from the flood-affected Kalyanpur tehsil in Devbhumi Dwarka, IAF officials said. Meanwhile, six columns of the Indian Army are conducting rescue operations in the worst-affected areas as the flood-like situation continues in parts of Gujarat due to relentless rainfall. The Army has been deployed to support the ongoing relief efforts. "In response to the severe flooding in multiple districts, the Indian Army has swiftly mobilised its resources to support the ongoing relief efforts. Following a request from the Gujarat State Government, six columns of the Indian Army are undertaking rescue operations to the worst-affected areas to provide immediate Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)," the Army said in a statement on August 29. Earlier, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescued 95 people. Inspector Manjit of the NDRF said that Dwarka has experienced heavy rainfall over the past two days. "In the last two days, there has been heavy rainfall in Dwarka...water has entered people''s homes...our team has rescued 95 people so far," Manjit said on Wednesday. The India Meteorological Department has also predicted more rain today in the state. "Extremely heavy rainfall may occur over Saurashtra and Kutch. Very heavy rainfall may occur over Gujarat," it said on X. Earlier, Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said that more than 5,000 people have been rehabilitated and over 12,000 people rescued as of Wednesday from the floods following the heavy rains that lashed the city of Vadodara. Speaking to ANI, Patel said on Wednesday, "We have rehabilitated more than 5,000 people so far and more than 12,000 people have been rescued. The Vishwamitri River flows through Vadodara, and water has entered both sides...for those people who are trapped there, we have arranged all necessary facilities to provide them with food and medicines." Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and assured him of all possible support and assistance from the Central government. "The Prime Minister guided the protection of citizens''s lives and livestock. Also, Gujarat was assured of receiving all necessary support and assistance from the Central Government," CM Patel said in a post in X on August 28. (ANI) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday slammed the Modi government for lacking in ensuring women's safety and said instead of 'Beti Bachao', we need to ensure equal rights for our daughters. Kharge lambasted the government and questioned whether the recommendations of the Justice Verma Committee and provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace were fully implemented or not. Taking it to a social media post on X, Kharge wrote, "Any injustice done to our women is intolerable, painful and highly condemnable. We need to ensure 'Equal Rights for our Daughters', not 'Beti Bachao'. Women do not need protection, they need safety. Every hour 43 crimes against women are recorded in the country. Every day 22 crimes are registered against the women and children of the most vulnerable Dalit-tribal class of our country. There are countless crimes that are not even registered - due to fear, intimidation and social reasons." Kharge further advocated for serious reforms to ensure women's safety in every sphere of society whether it was about adding a "Gender Sensitisation Curriculum" or "Gender Budgeting" or providing basic facilities like street lights and public women's washrooms. "The Constitution has given equal status to women. Crimes against women are a serious issue. Stopping these crimes is a big challenge for the country. We all have to unite and find solutions to this by taking every section of society along. Be it Gender Sensitisation Curriculum or Gender Budgeting, Women's Call Centres or basic facilities like Street Lights and Women's Washrooms in our cities, or our Police Reforms or Judicial Reforms - now the time has come for us to take every step that can ensure a fear-free environment for women," the Congress President said in his post on X. Hitting out at the Modi government, Kharge said that they haven't taken any effective and preventive measures to ensure women's safety and the legal system won't become efficient just by painting walls about social change and "Beti Bachao". The post added, "Prime Minister Modi has talked about women's safety several times in his speeches at the Red Fort, but his government has not done anything concrete in the last 10 years that could prevent crimes against women. On the contrary, his party has also assassinated the victim's character several times, which is shameful. Will painting "Beti Bachao" on every wall bring about social change or will governments and the legal system become more efficient? Are we able to take preventive measures? Has our criminal justice system improved? Are the oppressed and deprived sections of society now able to live in a safe environment?" https://x.com/kharge/status/1829031054860050662 Congress President further alleged that many times, the government and administration have tried to hide crimes by forcibly performing the last rites of the victims. "Has the government and administration not tried to hide the crime? Has the police forcibly stopped the last rites of the victims so that the truth does not come out?" Kharge mentioned in a tweet. "We have to think that when the Nirbhaya incident happened in Delhi in 2012, the recommendations of Justice Verma Committee were implemented. Are we able to fully implement those recommendations today? Are the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, passed in 2013, being followed properly, thereby creating a fearful environment for our women at the workplace?" Kharge added. The Congress President's remarks come in the wake of the murder and alleged sexual assault of a female trainee doctor on August 9 at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital which caused national outrage and many rallies have been held in different states of the country. (ANI) The Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud on Thursday inaugurated a creche in the Supreme Court and said that it has a play area, feeding area, sleeping area and a dining area for the young children that will encourage more women lawyers to participate in the legal profession. CJI Chandrachud said, "We have a large number of young lawyers who come here every day to work. We have a staff of almost 2500 members. The earlier creche was about 198m2. This creche is 450 m2. It can accommodate about 100 children of lawyers and the staff. The idea is to create a safe, very appealing environment." "We have a play area, feeding area, sleeping area and a dining area for the young children. This is to encourage more women lawyers to participate in the legal profession without any uncertainty about the safety of their children," he added. The CJI further said that other organizations should take the cue from this as it will encourage more women enrolment. "I hope other organizations take the cue from us and create these facilities because this is a way we can encourage more women to come into the workplace and create safe working conditions for the children," he said. After inaugurating the creche, when the CJI sat on the bench to hear the cases, he said, "So sorry we were all late. But we dedicated the new creche to benefit the young men and women lawyers. Earlier creche was about 200 sqm for 30 children but now it's close to 400 sqm for nearly 100 kids." The Chief Justice of India also inaugurated a branch of the Bank of Maharashtra in the Supreme Court earlier today. The President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Kapil Sibal also accompanied the CJI. (ANI) Multiple Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders arrived at the residence of Union Minister and Party President JP Nadda on Thursday for the party's Haryana core committee meeting to discuss the upcoming state assembly elections and the selection of candidates. Earlier, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar met BJP Haryana Assembly election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan ahead of the core committee meeting. The Haryana core committee meeting will be held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National President JP Nadda. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Organisation General Secretary BL Santosh, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and State President Mohanlal Badoli among other members are also going to participate in the meeting. BJP MP Kangana Ranaut also met Union Minister JP Nadda at his residence for a brief period. Earlier on Monday, Haryana CM Saini addressed the Nonstop Haryana Jan Ashirvad rally in Tosham, Bhiwani. He vouched for the effectiveness of the "double-engine" government, the CM also hit out at the Congress party, saying that the leaders had gone silent after they had heard the 2-month account of his government's tenure. The CM highlighted the various schemes for the citizens provided by the government in the area, saying the government provided water to everyone, brought grains at MSP prices and also provided government jobs to people. Ahead of the Haryana polls, Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and Chandra Shekar Azad's Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) have also announced their alliance on Tuesday. The pre-poll alliance is going to contest all the 90 Assembly constituencies, with JJP set to compete in 70 seats while Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) will be contesting the remaining 20 seats. Voting for 90 seats of the Haryana Assembly elections will be held on October 1. The results will be declared on October 4. The polls for the assembly elections will be held in a single phase across the state. (ANI) Reacting to a media report that Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami bypassed the Minister and Chief Secretary to appoint the Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, State Forest Minister, Subodh Uniyal said on Thursday that it is false and the decision was made after his and CM's consent. Uniyal told ANI, "There has been a media report that the CM has bypassed the Minister, Chief Secretary and everyone else to appoint the Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve. This is false. The decision was taken unanimously, it was made after the consent of CM and me. As far as the media report of the CBI inquiry is concerned, the CBI inquiry is going on against several people in several matters. Strict action has been taken if something is found against them. CBI inquiry doesn't mean that everyone in the department is considered guilty." The media report has mentioned that CM Pushkar Singh Dhami appointed the head of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, who was removed from the head post of Corbett Tiger Reserve. Meanwhile, the Tiger Conservation Foundation has been formed for Rajaji Tiger Reserve, which has been pending for 9 years. A 10-year proposal for forest landscape restoration is being prepared, incorporating all the points of wildlife management in the state for which an amount of Rs 32 crore has been approved by the Government of India in the financial year 2024-25. An amount of Rs 10 crore 50 lakh has been allocated to the forest divisions for the purchase of modern equipment in the financial year 2023-24 to prevent human-wildlife conflict in the state. Earlier, CM Pushkar Dhami announced that under the Uttarakhand Climate-Friendly Rainfed Agriculture Project, various works like increasing crop productivity, tree plantation and soil erosion prevention will be done to increase the income of farmers. Along with this, agricultural clusters and agri business growth centers for high value crop production will also be established in different areas of the state. Dhami said his government was working with determination for the upliftment of the food producers. (ANI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday clarified her recent remarks and stated that she did not utter a single word against students or their protests in her speech at the recent Trinamool Chhatra Parishad programme. In a post on X, the West Bengal CM said that she totally supports the student movement as it is genuine. "I detect a malicious disinformation campaign in some print, electronic and digital media which has been unleashed with reference to a speech that I made in our students' programme yesterday. Let me most emphatically clarify that I have not uttered a single word against the (medical etc.) students or their movements. I totally support their movement. Their movement is genuine. I never threatened them, as some people are accusing me of doing. This allegation is completely false," she said. Further, targeting the BJP, CM Mamata said that she spoke against the BJP as they are threatening democracy and trying to create anarchy in West Bengal. "I have spoken against BJP. I have spoken against them because, with the support of the Government of India, they are threatening the democracy in our State and trying to create anarchy. With support from the Centre, they are trying to create lawlessness and I have raised my voice against them," West Bengal CM said. She also clarified that the phrase ("phonsh kara") that she used in her speech on August 28 was a quote from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Deva. "The legendary saint had said that occasionally there is need to raise one's voice. When there are crimes and criminal offences, voice of protest has to be raised. My speech on that point was a direct allusion to the great Ramakrishnite saying," BAnerjee said. The West Bengal Chief Minister on Wednesday condemned BJP's 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' and called it an attempt to "defame" Bengal. Addressing a Trinamool 'Chhatra Parishad' foundation day programme in Kolkata yesterday, in response to BJP's 12-hour long 'Bengal Bandh' call, the Chief Minister had alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is using his party to cause a fire in Bengal over the Kolkata woman doctor rape and murder incident. "Some people think this is Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh; they speak like us and share our culture. But remember, Bangladesh is a separate country, and India is a separate country. Modi Babu is using his party to cause fire here. If you burn Bengal, Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn! We will topple your chair," Mamata Banerjee said. The remarks from the West Bengal Chief Minister ignited criticism from BJP Chief Ministers. (ANI) Flash Israeli military vehicles are seen during an Israeli operation in the Far'a refugee camp, to the south of the northern West Bank city of Tubas, on Aug. 28, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] At least 10 Palestinians were killed on Wednesday by Israeli shelling and gunfire in the northern West Bank, according to the Ramallah-based Palestinian Health Ministry. "A young man, Mohammad Abed, was killed by Israeli army gunfire in the village of Kafr Dan, west of Jenin," the ministry said in a press statement. Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that the army fired directly at Abed, a freed prisoner, who was subsequently taken to Jenin Government Hospital. Earlier on Wednesday, the Ramallah-based health ministry announced that nine people were killed and dozens of others were injured in the Israeli operation in the West Bank cities of Jenin, Tubas, and Tulkarm. Avichai Adraee, spokesman for the Israeli army, stated that Israeli security forces launched a campaign last night aimed at countering "terrorism" in these cities. During the operation, the forces killed a number of militants both from the air and on the ground, found weaponry, and arrested suspects, according to the statement. Meanwhile, Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary general of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said President Mahmoud Abbas is making intensive efforts to halt the "aggression" in the West Bank. Sheikh stated that Abbas has directed all relevant parties to take immediate action and address the needs of the Palestinian people. Ramesh Chennithala, who is AICC in-charge of Maharashtra, said on Thursday that there were no differences in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and they will together fight the upcoming Assembly elections. The former Kerala Home Minister also said that leaders of the opposition alliance will hold another round of discussion over the seat-sharing very soon. "Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will fight elections together. There are no differences. Two rounds of discussions have been held on seat sharing. On September 1, our leaders will hold another round of discussions," the four-time MP told reporters here. Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held later this year. However, the Election Commission of India has yet to announce the dates. Chennithala who arrived in Nagpur city on August 29 morning is scheduled to attend a program of a Congress leader in Yavatmal in the evening. On who will be the Chief Ministerial face of the opposition alliance, he said, "Our face is MVA. We are fighting elections in the name of MVA. The Chief Minister will be decided after the elections. We had not projected any PM face during the Lok Sabha elections." When asked if Congress is going to fight on the maximum number of seats, he retorted, "MVA will fight on the maximum number of seats in the election. We will stick to the dharma of the alliance and take everyone along." The tenure of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly is scheduled to end in November. The Mahavikas Aghadi, comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, which came to power in the state, collapsed after Eknath Shinde revolted and joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with a bunch of MLAs. This led to the formation of the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction)-BJP government in the state. Ajit Pawar, from the NCP, revolted against his party chief and joined hands with the BJP along with some of his party colleagues. The state is now run by the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP. (ANI) Ajit Pawar led NCP party workers staged a silent protest in Pune on Thursday regarding the incident of a Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse. A 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the state's Sindhudurg district collapsed on Monday afternoon. The Shivaji statue was inaugurated in December 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Navy Day. NCP Ajit Pawar faction's Maharashtra spokesperson Anand Paranjpe said, "The incident that took place in Sindhudurg district is very reprehensible and the state government has also ordered an investigation into it but we demand that the Home Minister should immediately intervene and people responsible for the poor work should be arrested." Various opposition leaders including Shiv Sena (UBT) Uddhav Thackery questioned the BJP-led Mahayuti government over the incident. "Two days ago people saw how the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj fell and what kind of statements people are making. Rajya Bhavan is on the seashore but even the Governor's hat never flew and they say that the statue of Shivaji Maharaj fell due to strong winds, how is this possible?" said Uddhav Thackeray. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had said that the "statue fell and was damaged due to strong winds." Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole hit out at the state government, claiming that both the government at the centre and the state knew nothing except corruption. He said, "The way the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was vandalized is because of their corruption, whether this government is of the centre or the state, they know nothing except corruption. They have never lagged in insulting the ideas of Shivaji Maharaj, the lord of Maharashtra. Yesterday's incident is a misfortune for Maharashtra, for the people of Maharashtra. And no one will forgive this government, this government should now leave the chair and run away." Earlier Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had extended an apology to the people of Maharashtra on Wednesday following the collapse of the statue at Rajkot Fort. The deputy CM also assured strict punishment for those responsible. (ANI) BJP candidate from Reasi Assembly Constituency, Kuldeep Raj Dubey said on Thursday since the BJP government came to power at the Centre and post the abrogation of Article 370 militancy has been almost crushed in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir "The National Conference and the Congress should make their stand known (on the recent terror incidents). Since Narendra Modi-led government came to power and abrogation of Article 370, militancy has been almost crushed," Dubey told ANI. "Our security forces are giving a befitting reply to terrorists (remaining in Jammu and Kashmir) and will wipe them out," he added. He also referred to the record number of tourists visiting the valley in the last few years. "Tourism was facing a challenging time. Unemployment was rampant. Since 2019, Kashmir is experiencing a wave of tourism," he added. Polling will take place from the third week of September in Jammu and Kashmir, nearly after a decade. Earlier in the day, Thakur Randhir Singh who is BJP's candidate from Kalakote-Sunderbani termed the recent terrorist activities in the Rajouri as an "attempt to disturb" polls. Lashing out at Pakistan for fomenting trouble in J&K, the BJP candidate told ANI, "Such cowardly acts from Pakistan have always had the intention to disturb us. They caused trouble in J&K, our youths were killed and were devoid of education." Earlier on Wednesday, Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, Army Commander Northern Command accompanied by the 16 Corps Commander, Lt Gen Navin Sachdeva visited forward areas along the line of control in Sunderbani Sector to review the prevalent security situation. He was briefed on the synergy between Security Forces and Operational preparedness in the region. The Army Commander also visited supporting units of the formation. The Army Commander along with GoC Romeo Force, Major General Manish Gupta also visited troops in the hinterland and was briefed on the operational preparedness and security situation in the region. The Army Commander complimented the troops and exhorted all ranks to maintain high morale and professionalism for future challenges. (ANI) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has conducted extensive searches in multiple locations in a massive crackdown on the Pakistan-led Visakhapatnam espionage case. NIA searched multiple locations in seven states across India and seized a host of sensitive documents, the agency said on Thursday. A total of 16 locations in Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Haryana were searched by the agency on August 28, in a case related to the leakage of classified defence information through a Pakistani ISI espionage racket. The premises searched by the NIA teams were linked with suspects who had received money from Pakistan to undertake spying activities in India, said the anti-terror agency. As per the NIA, its raiding team seized a total of 22 mobile phones and a host of sensitive documents during the searches. The case involved the leakage of sensitive vital information pertaining to the Indian Navy as part of a conspiracy hatched from across the border. The NIA took over the case in July 2023 which was originally registered in January 2021 by the Counter Intelligence Cell of Andhra Pradesh Police. NIA had filed a chargesheet against two accused on July 19, 2023, identified as Meer Balaj Khan, an absconding Pakistani national, and Akash Solanki. The investigation revealed that both the people had been involved in the espionage racket. On November 6 of last year. The NIA had filed a supplementary chargesheet against two other accused, identified as Manmohan Surendra Panda and Alven. Panda has been reportedly arrested while Alven, an alleged Pakistani intelligence operative is absconding. Further, on May 2024, NIA filed a second supplementary chargesheet against another accused, Aman Salim Shaikh, who was allegedly conspiring with Pakistani Intelligence Operatives. Earlier, a former Indian Army personnel from Uttar Pradesh had also been convicted and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment by the NIA Special Court in a Pakistan-operated espionage case. The person identified as Saurabh Sharma had been sentenced to five years of imprisonment, a statement by NIA said. Sharma had been arrested with another accused, Anas Yakub Giteli, a Gujarat resident. (ANI) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday reached the Police Morgue of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata for further investigation of the rape and murder of the Trainee doctor at the college. Earlier, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concluded a second round of polygraph tests on former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH) principal Sandip Ghosh as part of their investigation into the rape-murder of a woman doctor at the institution. The test was conducted by a team from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL). CBI officials had also conducted a polygraph test on the arrested accused, Sanjay Roy, in connection with the incident. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Wednesday also suspended the membership of Kolkata's former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Dr Sandip Ghosh, amid a CBI probe into the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor earlier this month. In an order, the Indian Medical Association said the committee constituted by IMA national president Dr RV Asokan suo-motu considered the rape and murder case of the postgraduate resident doctor and the subsequent developments at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Kolkata. Meanwhile, the anti-corruption branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation conducted searches on August 25 at multiple locations connected to Sandip Ghosh and his relatives in West Bengal's Kolkata. On August 24, the CBI filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Dr Sandip Ghosh based on directives from the Calcutta High Court. The investigation was initiated after a single bench of the High Court ordered the CBI to probe the alleged corruption at the medical college. The Calcutta High Court has granted the CBI three weeks to submit a progress report on the investigation, which is to be presented on September 17. Earlier in the month, the Supreme Court ordered the security of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to be handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) while hearing the suo motu case concerning the incident. Earlier, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) formed a disciplinary committee at the headquarters that took cognisance of the grievances of the victim's parents and different doctor's associations which led to his suspension, said IMA President Dr RV Ashokan on Thursday. He further noted that the Bengal branch of IMA and other associations of doctors had written that Dr Ghosh had brought disrepute to the whole profession which led to the suspension of his membership. IMA National President Dr RV Asokan said, "Indian Medical Association (IMA) headquarters has suspended the membership of Dr Sandip Ghosh, former Principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and the vice president of Calcutta IMA branch. A disciplinary committee was formed in the IMA Headquarters which took into cognisance the grievances as expressed by the parents of the victim where they were not able to meet the Head of the institution and were also appalled by the information given to them that their daughter had committed suicide." The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. (ANI) Former Jharkhand CM Champai Soren on Thursday said that he is joining the BJP to protect the interests of Tribals. Speaking to ANI ahead of his formal joining on Friday the former JMM stalwart said, "I am going to join that party (BJP) after a lot of deliberations. From there, I will protect the existence of tribals. Their population is declining, I will raise my voice regarding that. I will join the BJP tomorrow. After that, I will shoulder all the responsibilities that will be given to me." Earlier, the BJP moved to ensure that the formal joining of Soren takes place without a hitch. On Thursday the Principal Private Secretary (PPS) to the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote to the Jharkhand government for security preparations for the CM's visit to the state on August 30. The Assam CM will visit Jharkhand on Friday when former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren will join the BJP. The PPS to Assam CM said, "Requested kindly to make all necessary arrangements including reception, see off, security, transportation etc., for Assam Chief Minister as per protocol." Assam CM Himanta Sarma will reach Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi at 10 am. Earlier, Champai Soren vowed to focus on the development of tribals after he announced on joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He also emphasized that he is joining the BJP with the intent to develop the state and to save the very existence of tribals who are in danger due to Bangladeshi infiltration. Speaking to ANI, Soren highlighted his dedication to advancing the state's development and said, "We don't have the next plan yet. On the 30th, I will join the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the biggest party in the country. Whatever role the party will give me; I will do it." Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday revealed Soren's decision to join the BJP. "Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a distinguished Adivasi leader of our country, Champai Soren, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah a short while ago. He will officially join the BJP on 30th August in Ranchi," the Assam CM said in a post on X. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren responded to the news saying, "The people of the state will decide if there were any shortcomings." Independent MP Pappu Yadav criticized Champai Soren's decision, stating that it would erode trust and undermine the leadership of Hemant Soren. The Congress accused the BJP of leveraging prominent figures from rival parties who have "high ambitions." "Hemant Soren is the biggest leader there and Champai Soren was the acting CM. After Hemant ji returned, he was elected again. It is not right when he (Champai Soren) says that he is not getting respect. We have seen that BJP goes where they see someone who has high ambitions," Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said while speaking to ANI. (ANI) In a response to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's "If you burn Bengal, Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn!" remarks, Congress leader Pawan Khera on Thursday said that the entire country is outraged with whatever is happening in the country whether it is Maharashtra or Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh Bengal or Assam. Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "The entire country is outraged with what is happening to the women in our country, whether it is happening in Maharashtra or Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh Bengal or Assam. Wherever it is happening, this is one country. These women are from our own family, so we need to be concerned and outraged." Asserting that the President of India, Draupadi Murmu should intervene and talk about all ghastly incidents that occurred in Farrukhabad, Badlapur, Ratnagiri, Pune, Kolhapur or Jodhpur, Khera said, "We are very happy to see that the President has also intervened. It's important for women's safety that all of us talk about it and repeatedly keep talking about it. Having said that, the President should also ensure that she talks not just about one incident, she talks about other incidents also and gets equally outraged about Farrukhabad where 2 Dalit girls were found hanging on the day of Janmashtami, she should talk about Maharashtra where every day you are hearing reports - whether it's Badlapur or Ratnagiri or Pune or Kolhapur. All these incidents have also shaken the country; Jodhpur yesterday. So, the President should ideally intervene and talk about all these ghastly incidents." Congress leader Pramod Tiwari also reacted to CM Mamata's remarks and said that he doesn't know in what context she gave those remarks. He asserted that now it's the CBI and the government of India who must answer in the matter. "I don't know in what context she said that; only she or her party can answer that. Maybe she wanted to say that the manner in which things are happening, neighbouring states can be affected...But I would like to say that what happened with the doctor in Kolkata, is like that of the Nirbhaya incident. Now, the answerability is that of CBI because CBI is probing the matter now. Now, the answerability is that of the Government of India. Strictest action should be taken against the accused who has been nabbed. Others who are involved should not be spared either," Pramod Tiwari said. The West Bengal Chief Minister on Wednesday condemned BJP's 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' and called it an attempt to "defame" Bengal. Addressing a Trinamool 'Chhatra Parishad' foundation day programme in Kolkata yesterday, in response to BJP's 12-hour long 'Bengal Bandh' call, the Chief Minister had alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is using his party to cause a fire in Bengal over the Kolkata woman doctor rape and murder incident."Some people think this is Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh; they speak like us and share our culture. But remember, Bangladesh is a separate country, and India is a separate country. Modi Babu is using his party to cause fire here. If you burn Bengal, Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn! We will topple your chair," Mamata Banerjee said. The remarks from the West Bengal Chief Minister ignited criticism from the BJP. (ANI) Delhi High Court on Thursday listed the bail pleas of JNU student leader Umar Khalid and other accused in a UAPA case linked to the alleged larger conspiracy of Delhi riots 2020, for hearing on October 7. A division bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Girish Kathpaliya listed the matter related to the bail pleas of Abdul Khalid Saifi, Gulfisha Fatima, Sharjeel Imam, Shadab Ahmed and other accused persons for final hearing on October 7. The bail plea of Umar Khalid is also listed on October 7 along with other pleas for hearing. The High Court on July 24 issued notice to Delhi police Khalid's plea. Other pleas are pending before the High Court. Former JNU Student leader and accused in Larger Conspiracy of Delhi Riots 2020 Umar Khalid has moved Delhi High Court seeking bail in a UAPA case. He is one of the accused in the larger Conspiracy of Delhi riots case 2020. Umar Khalid is in custody since September 2020. In this investigation is still ongoing on after filing of charge sheet and supplementary charge sheets. His bail petition was dismissed by the trial court. Now he has moved to the High Court. On May 28, Delhi's Karkardooma Court refused to grant regular bail to Umar Khalid. While rejecting the bail plea, the trial court had referred to the order of the Delhi High Court which said that the allegations against the accused were prima facie true and he did not deserve bail. Special judge Sameer Bajpai in his order had said, " Hon'ble High Court analyzed the case against the applicant and finally concluded that allegations against the applicant are prima-facie true and that the embargo created by section 43D(5) of UAPA squarely applies against the applicant and the applicant does not deserve bail." "It is clear that the Hon'ble High Court has minutely considered the role of the applicant and declined the relief as desired by him," the Special judge observed in the order passed on May 28. The trial had court also said that the High Court did a surface analysis and concluded that a prima facie case is made out against the accused. "As according to Vernon's case as relied upon by ld. counsel for the applicant, while considering bail, no 'deep analysis' of the facts of a case can be done and only 'surface analysis' of the probative value of evidence has to be done and as such the Hon'ble High Court has, in fact, did complete surface analysis of the probative value of the evidence while considering the prayer of the applicant for grant of bail and after doing so it was concluded that prima-facie case is made out against the applicant," the trial court had noted in the order. The court had said that when the Hon'ble High Court has already dismissed the criminal appeal of the applicant vide order dated 18.10.2022 and thereafter, the applicant approached the Hon'ble Supreme Court and withdrew his petition, the order of this Court as passed on 24.03.2022 has attained finality and now, in no stretch of the imagination this court can make an analysis of the facts of the case as desired by the applicant and consider the relief as prayed by him. The trial court has dismissed his two bail applications. He was arrested in September 2020. Since then he has been in custody. He had sought a regular bail under Section 437 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 read, with Section 43D (5) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 for grant of regular bail. (ANI) A joint technical committee headed by the Indian Navy with representatives from the Maharashtra Government and technical experts is being formed to investigate the unfortunate damage to the Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj installed at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg, subsequent to the exceptional weather conditions in the region, said an official release from the Indian Navy. The Statue was unveiled on December 4, 2023, as part of the Navy Day celebrations conducted, for the first time, in Sindhudurg, aimed at honouring the legacy of the Maratha Navy and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj towards maritime defence and security, and its historical linkage with the modern Indian Navy. The project was conceptualised and steered by the Indian Navy, in coordination with the state government which also provided funding for it. A 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the state's Sindhudurg district collapsed on Monday afternoon. The Shivaji statue was inaugurated in December 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Navy Day. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar led NCP party workers staged a silent protest in Pune on Thursday regarding the incident of a Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse. Various opposition leaders including Shiv Sena (UBT) Uddhav Thackery questioned the BJP-led Mahayuti government over the incident. "Two days ago people saw how the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj fell and what kind of statements people are making. Rajya Bhavan is on the seashore but even the Governor's hat never flew and they say that the statue of Shivaji Maharaj fell due to strong winds, how is this possible?" said Uddhav Thackeray. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had said that the "statue fell and was damaged due to strong winds." Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole hit out at the state government, claiming that both the government at the centre and the state knew nothing except corruption. Earlier Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had extended an apology to the people of Maharashtra on Wednesday following the collapse of the statue at Rajkot Fort. The deputy CM also assured strict punishment for those responsible. (ANI) The Assam State Assembly on Thursday passed the Assam Repealing Bill, 2024, which abolished the 89-year-old Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act and Rules of 1935. In a move to prevent child marriage and eliminate the 'Qazi' system in Muslim marriage registration, the Assam Government introduced a new bill, the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Bill, 2024, last week and the discussions on the same were held in the state assembly on Thursday. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "We want to abolish the Qazi system in the Muslim marriage registration process. Apart from it we also want to prevent Child marriage in the state." However, the opposition party, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), has voiced its opposition to the abolition of the Qazi system. "We are against Child marriage and the government can amend some provisions in the previous act, but they didn't and repealed the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act and Rules, 1935," AIUDF leader Aminul Islam said. He added, "We have no other option but to take the matter to court." The object of the proposal of the Assam Repealing Bill, 2024 is to replace the bill for the Assam Repealing Ordinance, 2024 for the repeal of the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935 and Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Rules, 1935. It states that the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935 is a pre-independence Act adopted by the British India Government for the then Province of Assam for Muslim religious and social arrangements. "The registration of marriages and divorces is not mandatory and the machinery of registration is informal leaving a lot of scope of noncompliance of extant norms," the Assam Repealing Bill, 2024 stated. The Assam Minister Jogen Mohan said in the Statement of Object and Reasons of the Repealing Bill that, "There remains a scope of registering marriages of the intended person below 21 years (in case of male) and 18 years (in case of female) and hardly any monitoring made for implementation of this act throughout the state which attracts and invite the huge amount of litigation in the criminal/civil court. There is a scope of misuse by both authorized licensees (Muslim marriage Registrars) as well as by citizens for underage/minor marriages and forcefully arranged marriages without the consent of the parties." (ANI) Flash Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the encrypted messaging service Telegram, was released on Wednesday after paying a 5-million-euro (about 5.6 million U.S. dollars) bail, but he is required to report to the police twice a week, Paris Public Prosecutor Laure Beccuau announced Wednesday night. Durov is officially placed under investigation on six charges and he was prohibited from leaving France during the investigation, Beccuau added. Durov was arrested by French police at an airport outside Paris on Saturday night. Beccuau said on Monday that the Telegram founder is accused of 12 criminal offenses, including failing to act against Telegram users involved in cyberbullying, sharing pedophilic content and glorifying terrorism. Beccuau said the arrest "comes in the context of a judicial investigation opened on July 8, 2024." It also concerns "refusal to communicate, at the request of competent authorities, information or documents necessary for carrying out and operating interceptions allowed by law," the Paris prosecutor added. In response to the arrest, the Telegram group said on its X account that the company "abides by European Union (EU) laws, including the Digital Services Act." "It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for abuse of that platform," it added. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that the arrest of Durov is "in no way a political decision." Durov's arrest in France "took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation," Macron said on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. After the arrest, Russia's embassy in Paris has referred a note to the French foreign ministry demanding consular access to Durov, the TASS news agency quoted Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying. Meanwhile, Elon Musk, owner of the U.S. social media platform X, and Edward Snowden, former U.S. National Security Agency contractor, condemned on Sunday Durov's arrest. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Thursday that he would accept the Supreme Court's decision in the disproportionate assets case as God's decision. "I believe in the Courts, and I believe in God. I will accept the Court's decision as God's decision," he said while responding to questions about the disproportionate assets case during an inspection of the Yettinahole project works in Sakaleshpura. When asked about a complaint lodged against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife, Shivakumar said, "I don't understand why some are targeting the Chief Minister. Nothing will happen to him. It was the BJP that allotted compensatory sites to the CM's wife in exchange for the land. The CM has no role in this." Regarding Kumaraswamy's allegation that the land was de-notified, he said, "I will only respond to 'asli' (genuine) issues, not to the 'nakli' (fake) ones." DK Shivakumar also highlighted that the Yettinahole project, aimed at restoring groundwater levels, will benefit 75 lakh people. "We conducted an experimental operation on Wednesday evening. The project will benefit people across seven districts, including Tumakuru, Chikkaballapura, Chitradurga, and parts of Ramangara. We need to pump water before the rainy season ends. This project is a testimony to our philosophy of delivering on promises," he said. "The project is an ambitious venture of our government. We will invite elected representatives of all the districts for the inauguration of the project. We will invite all the officials involved in the project as well. Many people criticised this project, but good work will live on forever," he added. "Right from the labour to engineers, everyone has worked hard for the project. It is a difficult project where water flows through for a distance of 1.5 km in a tunnel. I would like to thank everyone involved in the project. We will finalise the inauguration date after consulting the CM," he noted. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari has called for an FIR to be filed against the station in-charge of GRP (Government Railway Police), Katni after a video surfaced on social media showing the alleged assault of a woman and a minor at the station. Reacting to the incident, Madhya Pradesh BJP president VD Sharma called the incident "unfortunate" and said that strict action would be taken against the responsible persons. The video purportedly shows the alleged assault on a woman and a minor at the GRP station in Katni. Soon after the video went viral on social media, the GRP SP (Superintendent of Police) took cognizance and removed the station in charge. He has also ordered an inquiry into the incident. "A 60-year-old woman was beaten inside a police station simply because she is a Dalit? A 15-year-old boy was assaulted because he belonged to a Dalit family. What does this say about Madhya Pradesh now? It has become a hub for atrocities against Dalits. CM Mohan Yadav, who is also the state home minister, should address these issues as they reflect poorly on the BJP's stance against Babasaheb Ambedkar and the repression of Dalits," MP Congress President Jitu Patwari told ANI. "If there was a theft case against the person then what was the fault of his old mother? If there is a case, then will the police and administration do the work of the court? An FIR should have been lodged against the woman (in charge of the GRP station) who committed the incident, there is a CCTV video and no need for any other evidence. Why is the CM and the government silent on this? What is the responsibility of the Home Minister," Patwari questioned. BJP state chief VD Sharma said that it was an unfortunate incident. "No individual, irrespective of them being the relative or family of a criminal, should be treated like this, strict action will be taken against whoever did this. Currently, the GRP station in charge has been shifted from there and an investigation has been ordered to DIG-level officers. Strict action will be taken after the investigation," Sharma said. "Such people will not be spared. There is a BJP government in the state and whoever has committed the crime, strict action will be taken against them," he added. After the video went viral, SP GRP posted on X, "Upon noticing the incident, the fact that came to light is the video shown has been found to be of October 2023. The people seen in the said video are relatives of a criminal Deepak Vanskar. 19 cases are registered against Deepak Vanskar in GRP police station Katni. Deepak Vanskar is a criminal under surveillance since 2017. Last year, a reward of Rs 10,000 was announced for him after Deepak Vanskar absconded in connection with a theft case. In April this year, orders were given to externed Vanskar from Katni district. Upon receiving the fact from social media (video gone viral), the station in-charge of GRP Katni has been removed and the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Railway has been ordered to investigate." In a post on X, Madhya Pradesh Police stated, "A video of misbehaviour in GRP station Katni has come to light through social media. The video is from October 2023. Upon noticing the incident, the charge station has been attached to GRP Police Line Jabalpur. The Police Headquarters has ordered a DIG-level officer to go to Katni and investigate the incident." (ANI) Delhi Police has opposed the bail plea of Leena Maria Paulose, the wife of Sukesh Chandrashekar, in an MCOCA case linked to a Rs 200 crore extortion case. Police filed a reply on her bail plea and said that she may flee to Dubai if granted bail. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna listed the matter for hearing arguments of Delhi Police on September 12. The High Court heard the arguments of Senior advocate Tridip Pais for Leena Maria Paulose. She moved a bail plea through advocate Anant Singh Malik. In its reply, Delhi police said that the family member (sister and brother-in-law) of Leena are settled in Dubai and she was brought up in Dubai. "There is every likelihood that she may flee to Dubai to avoid trial of the case if granted bail," police said. Delhi Police said that it is crystal clear that the accused applicant was actively involved in the crime syndicate and her husband, Sukesh Chandrashekar, was the main mastermind and kingpin of the syndicate. Both husband and wife had earlier also cheated several people by impersonating senior government officials, it added. Delhi police also stated that the accused applicant is highly influential in Kerala as she has invested extorted money in the different areas of Kerala, Chennai and Bengaluru. It is also stated that an investigation regarding the recovery of entire extorted funds is still ongoing, and several conspirators are on the run. It is also pertinent to mention that the bail application of the accused had already been dismissed twice by Trial Court on 02-11-2022 and 09-04-2024. Delhi Police requested, in view of the severity of the punishment, the potentiality of the accused to influence the witnesses, apprehension of jumping the bail and provisions of Section 21 (4) of the MCOC Act, the bail application of accused Leena Paulose may please be dismissed. Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Akhand Pratap Singh appeared for Delhi Police. During the hearing, a senior advocate appeared for Leena and argued that there was no direct evidence that she was in touch directly with her husband, who was in custody. There is only confessional evidence from Sukesh Chandrashekar, Arun Muthu and Mohan Raj. All three witnesses have withdrawn their statements, the counsel argued. It was also stated that four accused have already been granted bail. It is submitted that the present bail application has been filed by the applicant/accused on the ground of parity in view of the four accused, namely Sunil Kumar, Joel Daniel, Pinky Irani and Avtar Singh, who have been admitted on bail by the Hon'ble Court. Leena has been booked in a case registered by Delhi Police in 2021. She has been in custody for more than three years. Delhi police opposed the bail application on the ground that the case is very sensitive and is at a crucial stage of framing of charge. This is a case where an entire syndicate has cheated and extorted the complainant to the tune of Rs 217 crore under a deep, well-knitted and planned conspiracy. It is also stated that the entire recovery of cheated and extorted funds involved in the case is to be affected. There is every possibility that the accused will tamper with the evidence and may influence the witnesses if released on bail at this stage. It is further stated that the Delhi High Court had already dismissed the bail application of the accused on 11-07-2023 and there is no change of circumstances qua the present applicant. The accused is involved in the offence of MCOCA and Section 21 (4) is not entitled to bail under MCOCA, Delhi Police said. (ANI) Station in charge of Government Railway Police (GRP) Katni, Aruna Vahane and five other police personnel have been suspended for assaulting a woman and a minor at GRP station, said Simala Prasad, Superintendent of Police GRP on Thursday. DIG (Deputy Inspector General) Railways of Madhya Pradesh, Monika Shukla will investigate the matter and further action will be taken accordingly, the officer added. According to the police, the incident occurred in October last year but recently, a video of it surfaced on social media. SP Railways, Simala Prasad told reporters, "We have seen the original video. There is a CCTV camera installed in the office here and on the basis of that, TI Aruna Vahane has been suspended. Along with this, five other police personnel who are seen in the video have also been suspended. The entire investigation of the case will be done by DIG Railways Monika Shukla." The investigation has been started and all the involved police personnel have been suspended immediately. Further action will be taken according to the facts revealed in the probe, she added. Earlier, after the video went viral, SP GRP posted on X, "Upon noticing the incident, the fact that came to light is the video shown has been found to be of October 2023. The people seen in the said video are relatives of a criminal Deepak Vanskar. 19 cases are registered against Deepak Vanskar in GRP police station Katni. Deepak Vanskar is a criminal under surveillance since 2017. Last year, a reward of Rs 10,000 was announced for him after Deepak Vanskar absconded in connection with a theft case. In April this year, orders were given to extern Vanskar from Katni district. Upon receiving the fact from social media (video gone viral), the station in-charge of GRP Katni has been removed and the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Railway has been ordered to investigate." In a post on X, Madhya Pradesh Police stated, "A video of misbehaviour in GRP station Katni has come to light through social media. The video is from October 2023. Upon noticing the incident, the charge station was attached to GRP Police Line Jabalpur. The Police Headquarters has ordered a DIG-level officer to go to Katni and investigate the incident." (ANI) Lambasting West Bengal Chief for "attempting to protect the culprits" of the rape-murder of trainee doctor, Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi on Thursday urged Mamata Banerjee to focus on women's safety. Speaking exclusively with ANI, Annapurna Devi said, "The incident that happened in Bengal is very tragic. Regarding this incident, the Chief Minister of Bengal, who is herself a woman, should have immediately taken cognisance and taken action against the culprits. But instead, it seems that she is somehow trying to cover it up and attempting to protect the guilty." On Mamata's letter to the Prime Minister, Devi said, "Recently, she wrote a letter to the Prime Minister. Today, when the women's helpline, which is run entirely by the Government of India, is not implemented in Bengal. If the women's helpline were implemented, then if any woman faced any trouble, she could call, and that call would be transferred to emergency number 112, after which necessary action would be taken in an integrated manner. Perhaps this could have helped a lot of people." Devi also questioned the law and order of the state and criticised the Mamata government for the lack of fast-track courts. "Along with that, let's talk about the fast-track courts. Today, if we look at Bengal, there are many cases related to women that are pending. We suggested establishing fast-track courts, but they refused. Later, they talked about opening 11, but today, there are only six fast-track courts. With just six courts, you cannot deliver justice to people in such a large state. The work that should have been done, especially since law enforcement is a state matter, is not being carried out by this government. Such incidents continue to happen," she said. She further stated that the Mamata government was not serious about the rape and murder of the postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 which led to nationwide outrage. Devi also accused Mamata of not taking necessary actions and instead tried to "destroy evidence" and protect the culprits connected to this incident. "Recently, there was an incident with a doctor, and even before that, there have been several similar incidents, but it seems the state government is not serious about crimes against women. Because of this, we keep seeing their statements, sometimes threatening, sometimes something else. This does not seem appropriate at all, especially since the Chief Minister is a woman herself and also the Home Minister and Health Minister, yet she is out on the streets. This does not befit her position. You did not take the necessary actions; instead, you tried to destroy evidence and protect the culprits," she added. (ANI) If Assam Chief Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma tries to forcibly repeal Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935, the AIUDF will approach the court, said party MLA Dr Rafiqul Islam on Thursday. In a move to prevent child marriage and eliminate the 'Qazi' system in Muslim marriage registration, the Assam Government introduced a new bill, the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Bill, 2024, last week and the discussions on the same were held in the state assembly on Thursday. The AIUDF MLA said that amendments had been proposed to the bill, where they suggested that the word 'repeal' be repealed from the bill. He said, "Assam govt has brought a bill to repeal Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935. We have given an amendment to this new bill. We have demanded to repeal the word 'repeal'." He further asked why the government should be deciding on how Muslim women should be married when there already is a law for the same "We have said that why the state government should decide on how Muslim women should be married when there is an existing law. Our CM's agenda is just to target one community. The CM cannot attack the rights given to every community under personal laws. If the CM tries to forcefully pass this bill, then we will approach the court...", the MLA added. Earlier today, the Assam State Assembly passed the 'Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Bill, 2024'. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa praised the passing of the bill, calling it a 'historic day', "Today is a historic day in our effort to fight the social evil of child marriage.", said the CM in a post on X. "This Act will now make it mandatory to register marriages with the Govt and cannot contravene the legal age of marriage of 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys. It will also act as a strict deterrent against teenage pregnancy and improve the overall growth of our girls. I thank all the legislators who pledged their support to this Bill and Govt's vision of preventing child marriage. This Bill is above party politics and is a means to give our girls a life of dignity. Next target Banning Polygamy!", added the CM in the post. (ANI) The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched the SHe-Box portal, a centralized platform for registering and monitoring complaints of sexual harassment of women in the workplace. "The new SHe-Box portal serves as a centralized repository of information related to Internal Committees (ICs) and Local Committees (LCs) formed across the country, encompassing both the government and private sectors. It offers a common platform to file complaints, track their status and ensure a time-bound processing of complaint by ICs," the Ministry said in a press release. "It provides assured redressal of complaints and a streamlined process for all stakeholders. The portal through a designated nodal officer will enable real-time monitoring of complaints," it added. Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi hailed the launch of the platform, terming it a major step to deter sexual harassment of women in the workplace. Speaking to ANI, WCD Minister Annapurna Devi said, "In 2017, an upgraded version of SHEbox was launched based on the 2013 sexual harassment law, where women who are harassed at any workplace can register their case on this SHEbox, and file their complaint, following which two types of committees will be formed." "One, for private institutions, an internal committee will be formed, and for government institutions, a local committee will be formed under the chairmanship of the DM or DC or an officer appointed by them. So when women register their complaint, it will be kept completely confidential, and through it, a case will be registered with the local committee or the internal committee, and actions will be taken by them from time to time," she added. The Minister said actions will be taken based on the complaint and victims will be informed about them. "At the ministry level as well, we can monitor how many cases have been registered and at what stage the complaint is. Through this, the women working in our workplaces can act fearlessly, just as the Prime Minister also wants the participation of women in the workforce to increase. So, for that, this will prove to be very useful, and women can work fearlessly anywhere," Devi added. The launch event was held in the national capital on Thursday, where Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi launched the platform. Devi also launched the new website of the Ministry during the event. Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur and Secretary for Women and Child Development, Anil Malik along with other officials of the Ministry were also present on the occasion. She said the portal was launched earlier but today an upgraded version has been launched as per today's requirements. She added that they will continue to expand the platform further as per the requirements. "This will certainly benefit the women working in various sectors, as they can access it from anywhere by searching on Google. Additionally, we will make every effort, in collaboration with the state governments, to spread awareness about it among as many people as possible. We also want private institutions to register and get onboard so that the women working there can work fearlessly," the minister said. "We would like to urge women to work confidently and fearlessly wherever they are employed. If ever they face any trouble, especially in today's times where we see situations that arise due to the actions of a few with a disturbed mindset, they should not hesitate to file a complaint. Their name will be kept completely confidential when they register a complaint," she added. Meanwhile, the newly developed website of the Ministry is tailored to meet the needs of the government. The Ministry also provided the link to access the SHe-Box portal and the new ministry website: https://shebox.wcd.gov.in/ and https://wcd.gov.in/respectively. "This website aims to establish a cohesive visual identity across digital platforms, enhancing the government's engagement with national and global audiences. As digital platforms become the primary point of contact for citizens, maintaining a strong and compelling brand presence is essential," it stated. (ANI) Doctors at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) in Siliguri held a protest on Thursday regarding the rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata, demanding justice for the victim. A protesting doctor said that the protest has been ongoing for 20 days, and will continue until justice is achieved. "We are on the 20th day of our protest demonstration here. We are seeing that CBI has made no considerable progress till now... We want to make it very clear that this strike will go on till justice is achieved," he told ANI. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday reached the Police Morgue of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata for further investigation of the woman doctor rape and murder case. Earlier, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concluded a second round of polygraph tests on former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH) principal Sandip Ghosh as part of their investigation into the rape-murder of a woman doctor at the institution. The test was conducted by a team from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL). CBI officials had also conducted a polygraph test on the arrested accused, Sanjay Roy, in connection with the incident. On Wednesday, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) suspended the membership of former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Dr Sandip Ghosh amid a CBI probe into the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor. On August 25, the anti-corruption branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation conducted searches at multiple locations connected to Sandip Ghosh and his relatives in West Bengal's Kolkata. On August 24, the CBI filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Dr Sandip Ghosh based on directives from the Calcutta High Court. The investigation was initiated after a single bench of the High Court ordered the CBI to probe the alleged corruption at the medical college. The Calcutta High Court has granted the CBI three weeks to submit a progress report on the investigation, which is to be presented on September 17. Earlier in the month, the Supreme Court ordered the security of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to be handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) while hearing the suo motu case concerning the incident. Earlier, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) formed a disciplinary committee at the headquarters that took cognisance of the grievances of the victim's parents and different doctor's associations which led to his suspension, said IMA President Dr RV Ashokan on Thursday. He further noted that the Bengal branch of IMA and other associations of doctors had written that Dr Ghosh had brought disrepute to the whole profession which led to the suspension of his membership. IMA National President Dr RV Asokan said, "Indian Medical Association (IMA) headquarters has suspended the membership of Dr Sandip Ghosh, former Principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and the vice president of Calcutta IMA branch. A disciplinary committee was formed in the IMA Headquarters which took into cognisance the grievances as expressed by the parents of the victim where they were not able to meet the Head of the institution and were also appalled by the information given to them that their daughter had committed suicide." The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. (ANI) Airlines company SpiceJet will now operate under the "enhanced surveillance" of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), an official press release said. Based on reports of cancellation of flights and financial stress being experienced by SpiceJet Airlines, DGCA conducted a special audit of SpiceJet engineering facilities on 7th and 8th August 2024 which revealed certain deficiencies. After a series of occurrences reported on the SpiceJet fleet in 2022, a special drive of spot checks was undertaken during which SpiceJet was permitted to release aircraft for operations only after confirming to DGCA that all reported defects and malfunctions had been rectified, the release informed. According to the release, during the year 2023, based on reports of the airline being under financial stress, it was again placed under enhanced surveillance. This action would entail an increase in a number of spot checks and night surveillance with a view to ensuring the safety of operations, according to the press release. Earlier, The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed a financial penalty of Rs 10 lakhs on Air India Express for not complying with DGCA regulations. According to the press release, DGCA carried out a Surveillance inspection as per the Annual Surveillance Program (ASP) 2024 of scheduled domestic operators in the month of June 2024 in respect of DGCA-issued Passenger-centric CAR Section-3, Series M, Part I, Part II and Part IV. During the Surveillance inspection of the airlines, it was observed that Air India Express was not complying with the provisions of CAR Section-3, Series M, Part IV. A show-cause Notice was issued to Air India Express seeking their response for non-compliance to the provisions of the relevant regulations. The reply submitted by Air India Express revealed that the Airline had not complied with the provisions of the aforementioned CAR for providing compensation to passengers affected due to cancellation of flights. To ensure compliance with passenger-centric CARs, DGCA carries out inspections of scheduled domestic airlines at various major airports on a continuing basis, according to the press release. In order to ensure appropriate protection for air travellers, DGCA has issued passenger-centric regulations to safeguard the interests of the travelling public. (ANI) West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar on Thursday wrote to Governor CV Ananda Bose over Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's revenge remark and sought intervention in the matter. In the letter, Majumdar claimed that Mamata Banerjee's statement attempted to threaten and incite violence and demanded her resignation over her statement made during her address to the Student Wing of TMC in Kolkata. "I am writing to bring to your urgent attention the recent statements made by Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee during her address to the Student Wing of TMC in Kolkata. She brazenly incited the gathering by declaring, "I never sought revenge, but now, do what needs to be done." This blatant endorsement of revenge politics from the state's highest office is concerning. Furthermore, she also made inflammatory remarks, stating, Remember, if Bengal burns, then Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi will also burn," Majumdar said in his letter to Governor Bose. In the letter, Majumdar said that Mamata Banerjee's statement attempts to threaten, incite violence, and sow hatred. She should resign immediately. He added that it is the duty of every public servant, especially those in high authority, to foster peace and discourage violence. "This is not the voice of a person in a constitutional position; it is the rhetoric of an anti-national. Her statement clearly attempts to threaten, incite violence, and sow hatred among the populace. She no longer merits holding such an important office and must resign immediately, it is the fundamental duty of every public servant, particularly those in high authority, to foster peace and discourage violence of any kind. The Chief Minister's stance during this meeting is alarming and jeopardizes both the safety and security of the citizens of West Bengal and the integrity of the state," he said in the letter. "I respectfully urge you to recognize the gravity of this situation and initiate appropriate measures to address it judiciously. I look forward to your prompt and decisive action to protect the interests of the citizens of West Bengal and uphold the constitutional values of our nation," Majumdar said. (ANI) According to BJP sources, priority is being given to candidates based on their winnability. Another BJP source said that BJP will prioritize local issues, publicize the work done at the local level, and distribute tickets based on caste equations, winnability, and popularity, sources said. BJP leader and former Haryana minister, Anil Vij told the media regarding the Haryana core group meeting that "The state team made central leadership aware of all the things. Our party is a democratic party. Now central leadership will decide it in the Central Parliamentary Board... Some Haryana leaders said that some former MPs who lost the Lok Sabha elections may also be given tickets. Leaders who have joined from other parties may also find a place in the BJP's list. Several players may also get a place in the BJP's list of candidates, said sources. Earlier today, a meeting of the BJP's core group to decide on candidates' list for Haryana's 90 assembly seats lasted for 5 hours at the residence of national president JP Nadda on Thursday. Discussions were held on the selection of candidates. Union Minister Amit Shah, Manohar Lal Khattar, Krishan Pal Gurjar, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, Anil Vij, Sudha Yadav, Captain Abhimanyu, Haryana election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan, and Haryana in-charge Biplav Deb were present in the meeting. Voting for 90 seats of the Haryana Assembly elections will be held on October, 1. The results will be declared on October, 4. Earlier on Tuesday, ahead of Haryana polls, Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and Chandra Shekhar Azad's Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) on announced their alliance.The alliance will contest on all 90 Assembly constituencies in Haryana with JJP competing on 70 seats while ASP on 20. Haryana will go to polls on October 1 in a single phase. (ANI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached immovable properties, spanning 401.65479 acres and valued at Rs. 834.03 crore belonging to EMAAR India Ltd and MGF Developments Ltd, the agency said on Thursday. Among these attached properties, EMAAR India Ltd's assets are valued at approximately Rs 501.13 crore, while MGF Developments Ltd's assets are valued at around Rs 332.69 crore. ED's Delhi-based unit attached the properties which are in the form of land, located in 20 villages of Haryana's Gurugram district, and Delhi. As er the ED, both EMAAR India Ltd and MGF Developments Ltd are being investigated for money laundering in connection with license no. 97/2010 dated September 18, 2010, obtained from DTCP ( Department of Town and Country Planning) for Residential Plotted Colony falling in Sector-65 and 66 of Gurgaon. ED initiated the investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the then Chief Minister of Haryana, Trilok Chand Gupta, then Director, DTCP, EMAAR MGF Land Limited and 14 other colonizer companies. The case involves cheating various landowners, the public at large, and the state of Haryana and HUDA, by getting issued notification under section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (LA Act) and subsequently under section 6 of LA Act for the acquisition of lands of respective landowners which compelled landowners to sell their land to said colonizer companies at a lower price than the prevailing price before the notification under section 4 of LA Act. Additionally, the ED said, the accused fraudulently and dishonestly obtained the Letter of Intents (LOIs) and licenses on the notified land, causing loss to the respective landowners, the public at large, and the state of Haryana and HUDA, while wrongfully gaining for themselves. On June 2, 2009, ED said the Haryana government issued a notification under section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act 1894 on 1417.07 acres of land comprising of sectors 58 to 63 and 65 to 67 of Gurugram. Subsequently, notification under Section 6 was imposed on approximately 850.10 acres of land out of 1417.07 acres of land on May 31, 2010. Therefore during the period from June 2, 2009, to May 31, 2010, nearly 600 acres of land were released in patches from acquisition proceedings by the Haryana government for grant of LOIs and licenses. On April 22, 2009, the joint venture of EMAAR Properties PJSC, Dubai and MGF Developments Limited, which is EMAAR MGF Land Limited, applied LC-1 application for 112.46 acres of land for grant of license for the residential plotted colony in sectors 65 and 66 of Gurugram and land measuring 70.406 acres which was notified under section 4 was released from acquisition proceedings by DTCP and subsequently LOI for land measuring 108.006 acre was granted to the company on May 31, 2010 after internal concurrence from Haryana government. ED said the license bearing no. 97/2010 was granted to EMAAR MGF Land Limited on November 18, 2019. ED investigation revealed that EMAAR MGF Land Limited had executed six ante-dated development agreements with farmers for land measuring 27.306 acres claiming that the said development agreements were executed in the month of April 2009 but in reality, they were executed in the month of March 2010. ED investigation further revealed that the so-called collaboration agreements were ante-dated and fabricated and wrongly shown to have been entered into before the notification under section 4 was issued so as to avoid any complications in getting the license from the DTCP. Thus, EMAAR MGF Land Limited generated proceeds of crime in the form of license on land measuring 25.887 acres having a present value of Rs 1229.17 crore . ED investigation has revealed that the acquisition of land for HUDA was never the real intent. It was only a scheme so that farmers who may or may not have sold their lands to builders otherwise, were forced to give it to builders under the disguise of one or other agreement due to impending fear of acquisition proceedings. Later on, EMAAR MGF Land Limited was split into M/s EMAAR India Limited and MGF Developments Limited having 60.11 per cent and 39.89 per cent share in combined properties. Thus, the immovable properties to the extent of Rs 501.13 crore in respect of EMAAR India Ltd 60.11 per cent of the remaining Proceeds of Crime) and Rs 332.69 crore in respect of M/s MGF Developments Ltd (39.89 per cent of the remaining PoC) has been provisionally attached.(ANI) Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Thursday said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is not in favour of the investigation of Kolkata rape and murder case as it may reveal many secrets. Chowdhury also alleged that Banerjee fears the investigation might reveal sensitive secrets and is attempting to divert attention by making inflammatory statements and intimidating the public. However, Chowdhury claimed that such tactics are failing as the case has ignited widespread protests and become a mass movement. "Mamata Banerjee does not want this case to be investigated properly because many secrets will be revealed, she does not want this to happen, so she is trying to divert attention by speaking nonsense and scaring people but people will not get afraid as this has become a mass movement," Chowdhury told ANI. The brutal rape and murder of the trainee doctor has sparked a wave of protests in West Bengal and other parts of the country. President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday wrote an open letter 'Women's Safety: Enough is Enough' and said the gruesome incident of rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata has left the nation shocked. She expressed her sense of outrage at the incidents of atrocities against women and called for self-introspection to uncover the roots of the malaise. Expressing concern over collective amnesia over the memory of criminality, she said the time has come not only to face history squarely "but also to search within our souls and probe the pathology of crime against women". The President called for honouring the memory of the victims to make society more vigilant in the future and said the recent spate of crimes against women should force honest introspection. She spoke of the need to counter the mindset that sees "the female as a lesser human being, less powerful, less capable, less intelligent"and said it is "objectification of women by a few that is behind the crimes against women". "The gruesome incident of rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata has left the nation shocked. I was dismayed and horrified when I came to hear of it. What is more depressing is the fact that it was not the only incident of its kind; it is part of a series of crimes against women. Even as students, doctors and citizens were protesting in Kolkata, criminals remained on the prowl elsewhere. The victims include even kindergarten girls. No civilised society can allow daughters and sisters to be subjected to such atrocities. The nation is bound to be outraged, and so am I," she said. The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. The Central Bureau of Investigation, which is probing the case, has conducted the second round of polygraph tests on Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. CBI officials have also conducted the polygraph test on the arrested accused, Sanjay Roy, in connection with the crime. The CBI took over the investigation into the rape and murder of the postgraduate trainee doctor of the state-run hospital following directions of Calcutta High Court. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court ordered the security of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to be handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) while hearing the suo motu case concerning the incident. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has suspended membership of Sandip Ghosh. (ANI) Launching a scathing attack against Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday said that Soren is scared and all the ministers and MLAs of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and alliance are being spied upon. "The Chief Minister of Jharkhand is scared and all the ministers and MLAs of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and alliance are being spied upon. Champai Soren was humiliated and hurt to such an extent that he left JMM to save Jharkhand," said Chouhan. "The piles of notes recovered from the minister of the ruling party tell the story of loot. Bangladeshi infiltrators are occupying the lands of our tribal brothers and sisters. Corruption is at its peak. BJP will uproot this government..." he added. Earlier in the day, Chouhan planted a sapling under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign in New Delhi on Thursday and urged everyone to plant a sapling to protect the environment for coming generations. "In the Kisan Kendras, Agriculture Universities of the Agricultural Department and in all our offices, the employees of our department are planting trees today. We have to keep this Earth safe for future generations and save the environment. At Least we should make arrangements for our living that we should plant saplings for the sufficient amount of oxygen we need," Union Minister Chouhan said. "This is a very good initiative of the Prime Minister in which today our employees and officials took part with enthusiasm. The Agriculture Department has planted saplings and employees of the Rural Development Department have planted the saplings. Now, those who are left, I appeal to them that we have planted saplings, did you? If not yet then let's plant a 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'," Chouhan added. The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day in June this year. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday took cognizance over an old assault video in which an elderly woman and a child were being assaulted in Government Railway Police (GRP) Katni station and ordered to suspend them. According to the police, the incident occurred in October last year but recently, a video of it surfaced on social media. CM Yadav posted on X, "An old assault video of the officer/employees of GRP Katni station is going viral on social media. As soon as it came to my notice, I immediately directed the DIG (Deputy Inspector General) Railway to visit the spot for investigation. As per the preliminary investigation, orders have been given to suspend the then police station in-charge of GRP Katni, one head constable and four constables with immediate effect." "Along with this, all senior police officers have been directed to ensure that such misconduct should not be repeated in future," he further wrote. Meanwhile, SP Railways, Simala Prasad told reporters, "We have seen the original video. There is a CCTV camera installed in the office here and on the basis of that, TI Aruna Vahane has been suspended. Along with this, five other police personnel who are seen in the video have also been suspended. The entire investigation of the case will be done by DIG Railways Monika Shukla." According to the suspension letter issued by SP Railways on Thursday, a copy of which is with ANI, the suspended officials have been identified as the then station in-charge of GRP Katni, Aruna Vahane along with head constable Ajay Srivastava and four constables Varsha Dubey, Omkar Sirsam, Soheb Abbasi and Salman Khan. Earlier, after the video went viral on social media, SP GRP posted on X, "Upon noticing the incident, the fact that came to light is the video shown has been found to be of October 2023. The people seen in the said video are relatives of a criminal Deepak Vanskar. 19 cases are registered against Deepak Vanskar in GRP police station Katni. Deepak Vanskar has been a criminal under surveillance since 2017. Last year, a reward of Rs 10,000 was announced for him after Deepak Vanskar absconded in connection with a theft case. In April this year, orders were given to extern Vanskar from Katni district. Upon receiving the fact from social media (video gone viral), the station in-charge of GRP Katni has been removed and the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Railway has been ordered to investigate." (ANI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday said that the state government is taking decisions on war-footing for the reconstruction of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and two committees have been formed including that to investigate the collapse of the statue in Malvan area of the state. He also called upon the opposition parties not to politicise the matter, saying that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is revered deeply and giving respect and honour to him is everyone's duty. "We have formed committees, one committee will investigate it and take action and the other committee has been formed with the intention of building the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as soon as possible... We are working on a war footing, we are preparing to build a grand statue of Shivaji Maharaj there as soon as possible. Instead of doing politics on this, everyone needs to cooperate," he said. He said a joint committee has been formed to investigate the unfortunate collapse of Shivaji Maharaj's statue and take action. He said all efforts are being made for early reconstruction of the statue and Navy officials, officials from IIT, architect, engineer and sculptors of international repute were called. "The feeling for early reconstruction of the statue..(making efforts that) this is done at the earliest...Shivaji Maharaj is 'aradhya devta' of Maharashtra, giving him respect and honour is everyone's responsibility," he said. The Defence Ministry said earlier in the day that a joint technical committee headed by the Indian Navy with representatives from the Maharashtra Government and technical experts is being formed to investigate the unfortunate damage to the Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj installed at Rajkot Fort, Sindhudurg, subsequent to the exceptional weather conditions in the region. The Statue was unveiled on December 4 last year as part of the Navy Day celebrations conducted, for the first time, in Sindhudurg, aimed at honouring the legacy of the Maratha Navy and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj towards maritime defence and security, and its historical linkage with the modern Indian Navy, the Defence Ministry release said. It said the project was conceptualised and steered by the Indian Navy, in coordination with state govt which also provided funding for it. "The Indian Navy remains committed to assisting in all measures to repair, restore, and reinstate the statue at the earliest," the release said. Shiv Sena (UBT) Uddhav Thackery has questioned the BJP-led Mahayuti government over the incident. Party leader Sanjay Raut demanded the formation of a special investigation team to investigate the case. "There should be an SIT under the leadership of a sitting High Court judge. Otherwise, what do these people do, they put their people in the SIT...I will demand that an inquiry be done like the High Court judge. But all this matter is not going to cool down," Raut said. Uddhav Thackeray also attacked the government over the collapse of the 35-foot statue of Shivaji Maharaj. "Two days ago people saw how the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj fell and what kind of statements people are making. Rajya Bhavan is on the seashore but even the Governor's hat never flew and they say that the statue of Shivaji Maharaj fell due to strong winds, how is this possible?" he asked. Congress leaders, including Prithviraj Chavan, also attacked the coalition government in Mahrashtra over the issue. (ANI) Rohini Court has granted bail to an accused after six years of custody in a murder case, noting that only two witnesses have been examined and 37 others are yet to be examined that will inevitably involve a prolonged process of trial. However, the accused Narender Mann, alleged to be a member of the Gogi Gang, will remain in judicial custody in other cases. The case pertains to an FIR registered at Ashok Vihar Police Station in 2018 regarding the murder of Bablu Kheda, who was a property dealer and suspected arms supplier. Police had suspected a gang war behind the murder. Kheda was also accused in murder and extortion cases. He was shot dead by armed assailants when he was in his car outside a society in the Ashok Vihar area. He was also involved in many property disputes and was declared a bad character in the area by the police. After investigation, Delhi Police filed a charge sheet in the year 2019. This case is at the stage of prosecution evidence. Accused Narender Mann is alleged to be a member of the Gogi Gang. He has several cases registered against him, including under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) of 1999. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Babru Bhan granted bail to accused Narender Mann, subject to certain conditions, including that he shall not try to influence any witnesses. "Applicant / accused Narender Mann is admitted to bail on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 25,000 with one surety of like amount, subject to the condition that the applicant shall not try to influence or approach any witness or tamper with evidence in any manner and shall attend the trial regularly," ASJ Babru Bhan ordered on August 24. While granting bail, the court said that the prosecution had cited 39 witnesses to prove its case. Only 2 out of the 39 witnesses have been examined to date. Therefore, a good number of witnesses are yet to be examined, which will inevitably involve a prolonged process of trial. Mann approached the court to seek bail and filed a bail application. Advocate Ravi Drall appeared for him. Advocate Drall argued that one of the purposes of detention during the trial and before conviction is to protect witnesses and to preserve evidence. Here in this case, detention of the applicant is not going to serve any such purpose because all the material witnesses relating to the applicant have been examined and the applicant has no reason to advance threats to the remaining witnesses, who are merely formal in nature. On the other hand, the bail plea was opposed by the Additional Public Prosecutor (APP), Monika Aggarwal, who argued that Mann is a habitual offender, against whom nine criminal cases were previously registered. If released on bail, he will again indulge in the criminal activities. (ANI) AICC in-charge of Haryana, Deepak Babaria on Thursday said that anyone can project himself as the CM, provided he has the support of the Congress High Command and MLAs. On CM's face for Haryana, AICC in-charge of Haryana, Deepak Babaria says, "Yes, it can happen (that those who do not contest elections can become CM). Anyone can project himself as CM, provided that person has the support of MLAs and the blessings of the party high command." Detaling about the Congress party's preparation for the 2024 polls in Haryana, Babaria said, "More than 60% of the work has been completed. The (CEC) meeting is likely to be held on September 2. We are fully prepared for the elections, everyone knows that this is not the Election Commission, it is the BJP Commission. As per my knowledge, it is final( that no Congress MP will contest the election)..." On speculations of Vinesh Phogat contesting in the Haryana Assembly elections, Hooda said that the answers will be provided at the appropriate time. Menawhile, the BJP is also gearing up for the 2024 Assembly elections in Haryana. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday met BJP Haryana Assembly election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan ahead of the Central Election Committee meeting. CM Nayab Singh Saini and Manohar Lal Khattar arrived at the residence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, early on thursday morning. The Central Election Committee meeting was held today chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National President JP Nadda. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Organisation General Secretary BL Santosh, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, State President Mohanlal Badoli and other members were also part of the meeting. Voting for 90 seats of the Haryana Assembly elections will be held on October, 1. The results will be declared on October, 4. Earlier on Tuesday, ahead of Haryana polls, Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and Chandra Shekhar Azad's Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) on announced their alliance.The alliance will contest on all 90 Assembly constituencies in Haryana with JJP competing on 70 seats while ASP on 20. Haryana will go to polls on October 1 in a single phase. (ANI) Day two of the 5th session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly discussed on matters of urgent public importance under Rule 54 pertaining to the Ceasefire and Law and Order situation in the State. MLA Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, who is also the Leader of the NPF Legislature Party said Ceasefire has become a license to threaten and intimidate, Kidnapping, Extortion, Multiple Taxation and Killing. "All such Nefarious activities are happening right in-front of our eyes under the guise of the ceasefire, which includes mushrooming or groups, faction", he said He said that Nagas would be better off without Ceasefire and questioned," For how long can we as mandated Leaders remain a silent Spectator and for how many times shall we allow them to challenge the Rule Of Law"? He said that it is time for the state to seriously ponder as to whether the Ceasefire should be extended or not if at all ceasefire needs to be extended. "The Ceasefire Ground rules need to be reviewed immediately so that the current ground situation and the measures to control the violations can be incorporated and the Rule of Law be enforced ", Azo said. Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton also holds the charge of Home and Border. He said that the state Government has written to the Chairman, of the Cease Fire Monitoring Group/ Ceasefire Supervisory Board, this month highlighting the instances of ceasefire violations and seeking action on the same. "Police force has been making regular arrests in respect of extortion cases by the factions" he added. He said that the crime situation in the state is under control with the police registering a good number of cases under different sections of the law. With respect to the Extension of Ceasefire, Patton reminded the House that for the NSCN-R, NSCN-KN, NSCN-K (Khango) & NSCN-K (Nikki) factions, the Government of India extended the Ceasefire of NSCN-R and NSCN-KN for a period of one year from 28th April 2024 till 27th April 2025. It was also extended for NSCN-K (Khango) faction for a period of 1 (one) year from 18th April 2024 to 17h April 2025 and for NSCN-K (Nikki) group for a period of one year from 8th September 2023 till 7th September 2024. He also added that certain pockets have been declared as'disturbed areas' under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 for six months from 1st April 2024. The Deputy Chief Minister also informed the presence of fifteen designated camps for different groups, NSCN-IM 9, NSCN-KN 3, NSCN- R 1, NSCN (Nikki) 1, and NSCN-K(Khango) 1. Patton further assured the members of the House that the State's police force is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the maintenance of law and order in the State. (ANI) The Assam Government on Thursday inked an MoU with Visva Bharati University for establishing the Srimanta Sankardeva Chair at the university. The MoU was signed by Madhu Sudan Nath, the Secretary of Higher Education of the Assam government and Registrar of Visva Bharati University Ashok Kumar Mahato in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at a function held at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati. Notably, the MoU stated that a chair in the name of Srimanta Sankardeva would be established with an objective to promote the study and research of Srimanta Sankardeva and his Bhakti Movement beyond the borders of Assam and India. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma thanked the Visva Bharati University, its Vice Chancellor and other fraternities for partnering with the Assam Government in furthering the studies and research of Srimanta Sankardeva's Bhakti Movement. "Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva's teachings have illuminated Assam through centuries and united Sanatan Dharma by relegating individual caste identities. The MoU will help the academic fraternity to utilise the opportunity to study and undertake research of the teachings and philosophies of Gurujona and his contribution to Indian society," Sarma said. Sarma also said that the chair at Visva Bharati University will be a boost to doctoral and post-doctoral research on the Bhakti Movement. He also hailed the initiative of Visva Bharati University for taking the step to support Assam's endeavour of giving to the world the ethos of Sankardeva's teachings, which are embedded with the spirit of cultural nationalism. Sarma further said that in the period of the 15th and 16th centuries, Sankardeva was the only scholar who taught the people the essence of unity and rose above the narrow considerations of caste and creed. He also said that the society of Assam has subsequently taken the form that truly reflects the ethos of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva's philosophy. Samra also said that the Assam Government would provide a one-time grant of Rs 5 crore for the establishment of the chair as a part of the MoU. He said that along with Visva Bharati University, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Punjab University where the chair has already been set up, the Srimanta Sankardeva Chair will also be set up at two other prominent universities across the country, taking the total to five. The event was presided over by Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu, VC Visva Bharati University Arabinda Mondal, VC Gauhati University Prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta, Padadhikar Srimanta Sankar Sangha Bhabendra Nath Deka, VC Bhattadev University Dhanapati Deka, VC Birangana Sati Sadhini Raijyik Viswavidyalaya Prof. G. Singaiah, VC Cotton University Professor Ramesh Chandra Deka and other dignitaries. (ANI) Assuring action on the alleged assault on a woman and her grandson at Katni GRP station, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday said that orders have been given to suspend the then Thana incharge, one head constable and four constables with immediate effect. "An old video of assault by the officer/employees of Thana G.R.P. Katni is going viral on social media. As soon as it came to my notice, I immediately directed to send DIG Rail to the spot for investigation this morning. As per the preliminary investigation, orders have been given to suspend the then Thana Incharge G.R.P. Katni along with one head constable and four constables with immediate effect. Also, senior police officers have been directed to ensure that such misconduct is not repeated in future," Mohan Yadav wrote in a post on X. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women on Thursday took cognisance of the Katni incident and wrote to the Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) demanding a swift and thorough investigation. In a post on X, the National Commission for Women said, "NCW takes serious note of a disturbing incident in Katni, MP where a woman and her 15-year-old grandson were reportedly beaten by GRP officers. The Commission has written a letter to DGP of the state demanding a swift and fair investigation. Action must be taken against those responsible. Detailed report expected within 3 days." Moreover, the Congress also launched an attack on the government over the viral video of 2023 where a woman and her teen grandson were mercilessly thrashed inside the railway police station in Katni district. Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitendra (Jitu) Patwari said, "A woman was beaten up the whole night, her 15-year-old grandson was also beaten up. We have come here to file an FIR, but for the last 2 hours, the police is confused whether to file an FIR or not. She is a Dalit and comes from the reserved category and her FIR is not being registered. This is a living example of hooliganism... Until her FIR is registered, we will sit here..." Jitu Patwari on Thursday stated that unless justice is served and an FIR is registered against the culprits he will go on a hunger strike. "A Dalit child and his grandmother were brutally beaten up in Katni and now even an FIR is not being filed against the culprits! Mohan Yadav ji, why do you hate Dalits so much? The fact that the victims of this brutal act are not getting justice shows your anti-Dalit thinking," Patwari wrote in a post on X. Simala Prasad, SP Railway, Jabalpur, earlier today stated that the accused station in charge of Government Railway Police (GRP) Katni, Aruna Vahane and five other police personnel have been suspended in the case. DIG (Deputy Inspector General) Railways of Madhya Pradesh, Monika Shukla will investigate the matter and further action will be taken accordingly, the officer added. SP Railways, Simala Prasad told reporters, "We have seen the original video. There is a CCTV camera installed in the office here and on the basis of that, TI Aruna Vahane has been suspended. Along with this, five other police personnel who are seen in the video have also been suspended. The entire investigation of the case will be done by DIG Railways Monika Shukla."The investigation has been started and all the involved police personnel have been suspended immediately. Further action will be taken according to the facts revealed in the probe, she added. In a post on X, Madhya Pradesh Police stated, "A video of misbehaviour in GRP station Katni has come to light through social media. The video is from October 2023. Upon noticing the incident, the charge station was attached to GRP Police Line Jabalpur. The Police Headquarters has ordered a DIG-level officer to go to Katni and investigate the incident." (ANI) Following the Karnataka High Court's decision to quash a CBI application in the disproportionate assets case against him, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar hailed the verdict as a "victory for the people and the government." "I had great faith in the judiciary and I feel vindicated today. It is more a victory for the people and the government than a personal one. I would like to thank the government and my legal counsels for all the support," he said, speaking to reporters after the Karnataka High Court quashed the application of CBI and BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal in the disproportionate assets case. "The High Court has upheld the decision of the government. This means that the CBI has to either drop the case or appeal to the Supreme Court. I have faith in the courts of the country and the judiciary has given me protection," he further added. The Karnataka High Court dismissed a CBI petition challenging the Congress government's withdrawal of consent for investigating a disproportionate assets case against Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. The court ruled that issues raised should be addressed by the Supreme Court. The case has been referred to the Lokayukta for further investigation. Shivakumar accused the BJP of attempting to tarnish his reputation and stated that his government prioritizes transparency in governance and politics and pointed out that the previous BJP government could have investigated the case through Lokayukta but instead referred it to the CBI. "We take great care in the way we do our governance and politics. But the BJP has been slinging mud at us. There are thousands of cases in the country and the governments are free to investigate any of them. The previous BJP government could have investigated the case against me through Lokayukta but it chose to refer it to the CBI. No case of disproportionate assets has been referred to the CBI in history," he explained. Shivakumar highlighted that the ED's case against him, related to the same matter, had been dismissed and that he had submitted all necessary documents to the Lokayukta, which is currently investigating the case. "The BJP even filed a PMLA case against me and sent me to jail. But I continue to repose my faith in the judiciary. The case registered by the ED regarding the same case has also been dismissed. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took a decision to transfer the case to the Lokayukta. The Lokayukta is investigating the case and I have submitted all the documents regarding the case," he added. "In the meantime, the CBI had argued that it would like to investigate the case. The CBI had even said that it had completed 90 per cent of the case. How can they complete the investigation without even interrogating me? I have submitted all the documents and those documents can't be changed. A BJP leader had submitted an application in this case and I have filed a defamation case against him for making false claims," he said. When asked about Yatnal's statement that he would appeal to the Supreme Court, he said, "I won't say no to it if he chooses to do so. But the main question is, What is Yatnal's interest in my case? Even the CBI has nothing to do with the case. This concerns the governments." When asked if he would treat this as a relief or start another fight, he said, "There will be a conspiracy against me until I die. We have to fight it out." Speaking of the opposition taking this route as it was not able to fight politically, he said, "Absolutely. There is no wrongdoing in the CM's case. There is no signature to indict him. They are doing this to weaken him mentally. These things don't bother me much these days. I remained confident even when I was in Tihar jail and I will remain so in the future too. I was calm even though I knew that the verdict was today. The government has only transferred the case to Lokayukta and it has not withdrawn it. The government would have taken into account all legal aspects before taking a decision." (ANI) During a meeting of the BJP's Minority Morcha, some members expressed their displeasure to the Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been facing internal disagreements over the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill. The members voiced their concerns about the government's decision to present such a significant issue in Parliament without consulting them. Further, they emphasised that this situation puts them in a difficult position when questioned by their community. Recently, the central government introduced the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament, proposing significant changes to certain rules. The Bill, introduced during the Budget session, proposed several changes including allowing a non-Muslim chief executive officer and at least two non-Muslim members to be appointed by the state government to the Waqf boards at the state level. It also proposed to make the District Collector the arbiter on whether a property is Waqf property or government land. Following opposition from both the Opposition and some NDA allies, the government decided to refer the bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. Sources said that Minority Morcha had organized a workshop focused on membership, with Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in attendance. During the meeting, several leaders expressed concerns about the Waqf Amendment Bill. Several members questioned why the party's minority representatives were not consulted before bringing such a bill to Parliament. Additionally, these members pointed out that when such bills are introduced in Parliament, they often face tough questions from their communities. They urged the government to take steps to dispel any misconceptions surrounding the Waqf Bill. Jamal Siddiqui, the President of BJP's Minority Morcha, acknowledged that concerns about the Waqf Amendment Bill were raised during the meeting, but emphasised that the discussion focused on the bill's positive aspects. He clarified that no party official opposed the bill, and the party would work to spread awareness about it. Siddiqui also mentioned that several leaders highlighted issues related to the misuse of Waqf properties by mutawallis (custodians). Issues discussed included the construction of a hotel on 11 acres of Waqf land in Uttarakhand by BSP leader Akbar Ahmed Dumpy, the leasing of Delhi's Oberoi Hotel for just one rupee by a custodian named Madani, and the occupation of Waqf property on Ashoka Road in Delhi, among others. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitendra Patwari has strongly condemned the assault of a woman and her minor grandson at the GRP Police Station in Katni, calling it a "pure example of hooliganism" in the state. Patwari expressed outrage that the police are still uncertain about filing an FIR, despite the woman being beaten throughout the night and her 15-year-old grandson also being assaulted. "A woman was beaten up the whole night, her 15-year-old grandson was also beaten up. We have come here to file an FIR, but for the last 2 hours, the police are confused whether to file an FIR or not. She is a Dalit and comes from the reserved category and her FIR is not being registered. This is a pure example of hooliganism in the state. Until her FIR is registered, we will sit here...," said Patwari. "The woman was beaten up the whole night and her 15-year-old grandson was also beaten up but the police are still confused whether to file an FIR or not. This is the state of law and order in the state. This is a pure example of hooliganism in the state," he said. Patwari questioned whether the woman's Dalit status was the reason for the police's inaction, highlighting the incident as a reflection of the police's disregard for law and order. He said "Is it the fault of the woman that she is Dalit? This shows the hooliganism of the police. There is no police personnel here. This reflects that the police do not care about the law and order in the state." Meanwhile, Additional SP Santosh Deheria informed that the victim has registered her complaint and the investigation is being supervised by the DIG. Speaking to the reporters, Deheria said "The victim has registered her complaint and we have taken her complaint seriously. The Congress party demanded that the complaint should be registered online and on paper. This will be sent to the GRP Police Station. The investigation is being done by the DIG. Earlier, on Thursday, the National Commission for Women took cognisance of the Katni incident and wrote to the Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) demanding a swift and thorough investigation. In a post on X, the National Commission for Women said, "NCW takes serious note of a disturbing incident in Katni, MP where a woman and her 15-year-old grandson were reportedly beaten by GRP officers. The Commission has written a letter to the DGP of the state demanding a swift and fair investigation. Action must be taken against those responsible. Detailed report expected within 3 days." (ANI) The FBI on Wednesday revealed that the gunman who attempted to kill former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally last month viewed the event as a "target of opportunity," Al-Jazeera reported. Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, fired shots, one of which grazed Trump in the ear at an outdoor rally in Butler. Thomas Matthew Cooks was planted on the roof of a manufacturing plant located over 130 yards away from the stage at Butler Farm Show grounds, the New York Post had reported, citing sources. According to FBI officials, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks had mounted a "sustained, detailed effort" to attack a major gathering of some sort before deciding to target the Republican presidential candidate at a Pennsylvania rally in July. FBI officials said Thomas Crooks searched more than 60 times for details about Trump and his then-rival, Democratic President Joe Biden, before registering for the Trump rally. "We saw ... a sustained, detailed effort to plan an attack on some events, meaning he looked at any number of events or targets," Kevin Rojek, the FBI's top official in western Pennsylvania, said in a telephone briefing to reporters on Wednesday, according to Al-Jazeera. Rojek further said that Crooks became "hyper-focused" on the Trump rally when it was announced "and looked at it as a target of opportunity." Notably, after the assassination attempt, the US Secret Service snipers had shot Crooks and an AR-style rifle was later recovered. Bethel Park is a village 40 miles south of where Trump's rally was held in Butler. Donald Trump was on stage at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania's Butler before gunshots rang out and Secret Service agents stormed the stage, The Hill had reported. (ANI) Dr Shafiqur Rahman, the Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has emphasised the importance of strengthening ties between Bangladesh and India. The Jamaat leader made these comments during a meeting with representatives from the Indian Media Correspondents Association Bangladesh (IMCAB). "We are mutual neighbours. Neighbours cannot be changed at will, and this is something that neither of us can deny," Dr Shafiqur was quoted as saying by Daily Manab Zamin, a leading Bangladeshi tabloid when asked about the current state of India-Bangladesh relations. He reflected on the Jamaat's historical relations with India, noting that while relations had cooled during Sheikh Hasina's tenure over the last 15 and a half years, there remains potential for improvement. "It's not that the relationship was non-existent, but we hope for a more positive relationship moving forward. We are open-minded in this regard, and we hope India will be as well," he added. Responding to questions about India's relations with Bangladesh, Dr. Shafiqur stated, "Cooperation should be the priority. That is our desire." He also emphasised that Jamaat does not engage in intentional criticism of India or any other country. During the meeting, Dr Rahman declared that Jamaat-e-Islami is committed to peace and democracy, asserting that the party has never been involved in destructive activities. "If it is proven that any of our members have engaged in terrorism, we will apologise to the nation and ensure they face the law," he affirmed. Dr Rahman was accompanied by Assistant Secretary General and former MP AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, as well as Central Executive Council Member and Central Publicity and Media Department Secretary Matiur Rahman Akanda during the meeting with journalists. In a media statement released by Jamaat-e-Islami, the party reiterated its commitment to protecting the homes, resources, and places of worship of all religious communities in Bangladesh. The statement highlighted the Jamaat's belief in equal rights for all citizens, regardless of religion or majority status. Dr. Rahman also voiced concerns about the current state of the judiciary, citing instances where judges have been forced into exile, and criticized the lack of a functional Election Commission in the country. He expressed disappointment with the police force, describing it as adversarial towards the people. Rahman called for the interim government to be given sufficient time to implement necessary reforms and highlighted Jamaat's focus on supporting victims and their families affected by recent student movements. "We want to restore peace and order in the country as soon as possible," the statement continued. Rahman added, "The constitution, administration, judiciary, and political culture of the country need reform. No divisions should be made based on party or religion. We do not believe in revenge and respect everyone's rights." He discussed recent floods in Bangladesh, attributing the situation primarily to heavy rainfall, but also suggested that better communication between India and Bangladesh regarding water release from dams could have mitigated the impact. He called for improved communication and consultation between upstream and downstream countries to prevent such issues in the future. Addressing recent protests at the Indian visa center in Dhaka, Dr Rahman disapproved of the actions, urging respect for all involved. He reiterated Jamaat-e-Islami's commitment to maintaining strong ties with India, stating, "We view India as a close neighbor and believe in the importance of good relations with those who live near us." (ANI) Justice Alexandre de Moraes of the Federal Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal or STF) of Brazil has asked Elon Musk to appoint a legal representative for his social media platform X in Brazil within 24 hours or face the consequences of a nationwide suspension. Sharing a post on its official X handle, the Federal Supreme Court said, "STF summons Elon Musk and X to appoint a legal representative within 24 hours, under penalty of suspension of activities in Brazil." On its official site, the STF said, "Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), summoned on Wednesday night (28) businessman Elon Musk, owner of the social network X (formerly Twitter), to indicate, within 24 hours, the new legal representative of the company in Brazil." It further said, "The summons was made through a post on the Court's official profile on the social network itself. The lawyer appointed in the proceedings was also summoned, on 08/18/2024, to present the information." The STF warned that the event of non-compliance would result in the suspension of the social network's operations in Brazil. "In case of non-compliance with the determination, the decision provides for the suspension of the social network's activities in Brazil," the STF said. Notably, Musk is being investigated in inquiry (INQ) 4957, which probes the alleged practice of the crimes of obstruction of justice, criminal organisation and incitement to crime. Earlier this year, Alexandre de Moraes had ordered X to block certain accounts accused of spreading false information and hate messages, including some accounts belonging to supporters of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro, Al Jazeera had reported. Bolsonaro had repeatedly claimed that Brazil's electronic voting system was vulnerable to fraud before a tightly contested election in 2022. Months after facing defeat by Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a mob of Bolsonaro's supporters stormed the top state institutions in Brazil to express anger over the results. Moraes, who presides over Brazil's Superior Electoral Tribunal, had said, "Freedom of expression doesn't mean freedom of aggression." He further said, "It doesn't mean the freedom to defend tyranny." Earlier this year, Moraes also opened a probe into the billionaire after Musk said he would reactivate accounts on X that the judge had ordered to block. (ANI) During his visit, Stalin aims to attract investments from various leading US-based companies to benefit the state. In a post on X, he said, "In the USA--the land of opportunities, seeking support for the prosperity of Tamil Nadu." https://x.com/mkstalin/status/1828976610370105722 On Tuesday, Stalin addressed the media before his departure at Chennai Airport. The official DMK handle posted a video with the caption, "Hon'ble Chief Minister Mr. M K Stalin met and interviewed the media at the Chennai airport before his official visit to the United States." https://x.com/arivalayam/status/1828479895346852181 Earlier, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, State Minister for Information Technology and Industries, Sridhar Babu Duddilla, and their team members visited Apple headquarters in California on August 9. During their visit, Telangana CM met with senior executives in the manufacturing, public policy, and healthcare divisions of Apple. "Exhilarating to visit Apple Park, the corporate headquarters of Apple Inc., at Cupertino, California. The 175-acre campus was the ideal place to make a strong pitch for Hyderabad and Telangana as leading investment destinations in several sectors," CM Reddy said in a post on X. "My team, including my minister colleague @OffDSB, and senior officials, and I, highlighted the new Electronics park, Skills University, AI city, Future City and other game-changing initiatives to the senior Apple Executives looking after manufacturing, public policy and Apple healthcare divisions," he added. Further, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that the positive discussions will lead to beneficial outcomes for Hyderabad and Telangana, positioning the state as a leading investment destination in various sectors. Before arriving in California, Revanth Reddy and his delegation visited New York, New Jersey, Washington, DC, Dallas and Texas. (ANI) High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha on Thursday handed over the first payment for Hybrid Power Projects aimed at addressing energy needs in Delft, Nainativu and Analaitivu islands, the Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka said in a statement. Jha handed over the payment to Sulakshana Jayawardena, the Secretary of Ministry of Power and Energy and Chairperson of Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), the statement said. The project is aimed at catering to the needs of the people of the three islands, which are not connected to the national grid. India is granting an assistance of USD 11 million for this project, as per the statement. Earlier on August 23, Jha visited the island's Eastern Province, where he met Governor Senthil Thondaman and State Minister of Trade and Environment S Viyalendiran and discussed various planned and ongoing projects in the Province under India's assistance. In a post on X, the embassy said, "During his visit to Eastern Province, HC Santosh Jha met Governor Hon. Senthil Thondaman & State Min. of Trade & Environment Hon. S. Viyalendiran discussed various planned & ongoing projects in the Province under Indian assistance. Also exchanged views on political developments in Sri Lanka." https://x.com/IndiainSL/status/1826791053804089679 Earlier on August 22, Jha interacted with representatives of Batticaloa District Chamber of Commerce and Batticaloa Chamber of Commerce and Industry and advised them on avenues to enhance B2B engagement with India. https://x.com/IndiainSL/status/1826672658052010373 On August 21, Jha visited the site and reviewed progress of the Tri-lingual Multi-ethnic School being constructed at Polonnaruwa as a High Impact Community Development Project under Indian grant assistance. https://x.com/IndiainSL/status/1826522535057666229 The Rai Bhasha Multi-Ethnic School is a high-impact community development project under the Indian grant assistance. On August 20, Jha distributed solar lanterns to beneficiaries of houses built with Indian grant assistance at Pitakanda, Rattotta Estate, reaffirming India's continued commitment towards betterment of the IOT community in the plantation regions. (ANI) Russia has imposed a ban on 92 US nationals, including over two dozen journalists, the Russian Foreign ministry announced on Thursday. The sanctions have been made in "response to the Biden administration's Russophobic policy with a stated goal of 'inflicting a strategic defeat on Moscow'," state media TASS said. The list of US citizens includes members of the US government, pro-democracy activists, academics, and leaders of defence contracting firms and financial institutions that supply weapons to Ukraine to respond to Russia's war. The ban applies to some reporters from the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post and the New York Times, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry statement. The list of sanctioned people include "editorial staff and reporters of leading liberal-globalist publications involved in the production and dissemination of false stories about Russia and the Russian armed forces and propaganda that covers up the 'hybrid war' unleashed by Washington," the country's foreign ministry said. Among the journalists listed is Wall Street Journal Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker, who advocated for reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was released earlier this month in a prisoner swap. Another 13 current or former employees at the WSJ on the list, include the outlet's deputy editor-in-chief, its head of the world news division, its Kyiv bureau chief, its former Moscow bureau chief and a member of its editorial board. Five New York Times journalists, four Washington Post journalists and a some reporters for British papers were also listed. Commander of the US Space Command Stephen Whiting, Commander of Space Systems Command Philip Garrant, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Space Policy John Plumb also figure on the sanctions list. The sanctions add to the list of more than 2,000 Americans who have already been barred entry to the country, including many US politicians. The move as per the Russian foreign ministry is response to the "insane sanctions frenzy of the American ruling elite, the practice of expanding the list of people under entry bans will be continued with determination and consistency by including those who are directly involved in anti-Russian activities." The ministry statement said that it wants to remind the "current US authorities that punishment is inevitable for hostile acts" whether they directly encourage Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy and his "sidekicks" to "commit acts of aggression and terrorist attacks or represent attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of the Russian Federation." Recently, the US Treasury Department stated that it has targeted companies and individuals "whose products and services enable Russia to sustain its military efforts and evade sanctions." The sanctions list released on August 23 includes 34 Russians, including Pavel Belousov, the son of the Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov. Further, the US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced that it is taking aggressive action to further restrict the supply of both US-origin and "US branded" (i.e., labeled) items to Russia and Belarus for "Kremlin's illegal war on Ukraine." BIS has added 123 entities under 131 entries to the Entity List-- 63 entities in Russia or the Crimea Region of Ukraine, 42 in China including Hong Kong and 14 entities in Turkiye, Iran, and Cyprus. Since March 2022 the BIS has added 1,056 entries to the Entity List in response to Vladimir Putin's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and ongoing aggression against the country. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday received Director General Yaakov Blitshtein of Israel in Delhi where the two noted the development of India-Israel cooperation. Jaishankar said that they exchanged views on the ongoing situation in West Asia. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Pleased to receive Director General Yaakov Blitshtein of Israel today in Delhi. Noted the continued development of India-Israel cooperation. Exchanged views on the ongoing situation in West Asia." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1829050814750445797 Earlier on Wednesday, India and Israel held the 17th Round of Foreign Office Consultations, during which Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri shared India's concern at the escalating situation in West Asia and emphasized restraint, dialogue, and diplomacy. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian side was led by the Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, and the Israeli side was led by the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yaakov Blitshtein. "Reflecting on the strength of the India-Israel Strategic Partnership, both sides discussed various issues of bilateral interest in depth and reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral endeavours. The two sides also shared views on the prevailing situation in West Asia and the Indo-Pacific," the ministry added. Further, during the event, the Foreign Secretary also reiterated India's strong and unequivocal condemnation of the October 7 terror attacks on Israel and called for the immediate release of all hostages and a ceasefire. Earlier in the day, Blitshtein paid tributes to victims of the 26/11 terror attack at the Nirman House in Mumbai and inaugurated the Advanced Antimicrobial Emergency Room at JJ Hospital in Mumbai. While speaking to ANI, he said. "It is fabulous that the hospital has been taking care of people for 118 years now... We are now in a difficult situation in Israel and we do realize the importance of good healthcare..." (ANI) Tensions continue to persist in Balochistan as Pakistani security forces raided the Turbat University. The intelligence agencies conducted a search operation in the women's hostel, The Balochistan Post reported, citing the media reports from Kech district in the province. Students claim that the forces interrogated them on Mahal Baloch, popularly known as Zilan Kurd, who was a part of the recent suicide attack by the BLA Majeed Brigade on a Pakistani army base in Bela. The students said that enquiries concerning Mahal Baloch's presence at the hostel and her life were made, and that their rooms had been examined. There are reports that the soldiers stole multiple items from Mahal Baloch's room during the operation. Mahal Baloch, a law student at Turbat University, was from the coastal city of Gwadar. According to Balochistan Post, she was involved in a suicide attack on a central Pakistani forces camp in Bela as part of the Baloch Liberation Army's "Operation Herof." The administration at Turbat University has refrained from commenting on the raid and the harassment of students. Meanwhile leading Baloch Activist Mahrang Baloch said that the Baloch Yakhjeti Committe was against the use of violence. "From the last few days, there has been a significant amount of criticism regarding our stance on the violence against unarmed civilians in Balochistan. From the day one, my position has been very clear: we are peaceful activists committed to non-violence. Both BYC and I strongly oppose any form of violence, regardless of ethnicity, race, political, or religious affiliation. The solution to Balochistan conundrum lies in the rule of law, which those in power don't want because chaos strengthens their grip on power," she said in a post on X. (ANI) Three individuals from the Baloch community were reportedly detained on Wednesday and taken to undisclosed locations by Pakistani security forces, according to The Balochistan Post. Amid ongoing reports of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings by Pakistani armed forces in Balochistan, recent incidents have raised concerns amongst the Baloch community, the report stated. In the Gwadar region, Naseebullah, the son of Haji Nazir Ahmed, a resident of Kharan district, was allegedly arrested by Pakistani armed forces and the Counter-Terrorism Department. Naseebullah, who operates a shop, was reportedly detained near a school and transported to an undisclosed location, The Balochistan Post reported. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), an organization advocating for Baloch rights, confirmed the incident and alleged that Naseebullah's arrest was baseless. The BYC and Naseebullah's family have demanded his immediate release and warned of protests if their demands are not met. As per the report by The Balochistan Post, on the same day, another incident occurred in the Kech district, where a labourer identified as Jawed, a resident of Gokdan Turbat, went missing. Jawed was allegedly detained by Pakistani security forces while travelling to a satellite town. Since his detention, his whereabouts have remained unknown. Jawed's mother has appealed for his safe release, "If any charges exist against him, he should be brought before a court rather than being subjected to enforced disappearance," she told The Balochistan Post. Additionally, journalist Hayat Khan Khetran from Barkhan was reportedly abducted on the orders of a Frontier Corps (FC) Colonel. According to the journalist's family, Hayat Khan was taken by Colonel Babar Khalil of the FC Kohlu 86 Wing, along with other personnel, and moved to an undisclosed location, The Balochistan Post stated. Currently, the family has no contact with him since the abduction and they accused Colonel Babar Khalil of orchestrating the disappearance. They are calling for Hayat Khan's immediate and safe return and have appealed to the government, senior officials, and the journalist community for assistance. The family has warned of strong protests if the authorities fail to act, The Balochistan Post reported. Per the report, these incidents have intensified concerns about the safety and rights of individuals in Balochistan and highlight the ongoing issues of enforced disappearances in the region. (ANI) Dubai [UAE], August 29 (ANI/WAM): The Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) hosted a networking event on Wednesday to commemorate Emirati Women's Day, bringing together members of the council and Advisory Board to honour women's remarkable contributions and showcase their pivotal role in driving progress and innovation across all sectors. The event at the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park fostered networking, encouraging participants to support one another and share success stories. Commenting on the event, Mariam Bin Al Shaikh, Director of SBWC, said, "Today, we honour Emirati women and reaffirm our commitment to the vision of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and Patron of Sharjah Business Women Council. Empowering women is essential to our shared journey towards national progress. Providing a supportive environment creates a positive impact that drives growth and prosperity to achieve our collective goals." She added, "We are proud of Emirati Women's achievements across all fields, from entrepreneurship and politics to education and healthcare. These women are not just contributors but leaders, innovators, and agents of change. Our support will remain unwavering, empowering them to support each other, share their unique journeys, and exchange inspiring experiences. Through this strong relationship, we 'Collaborate for Tomorrow' to elevate each other and build a sustainable future where they continue to shine and solidify their role in the nation's comprehensive and sustainable development." As part of the Emirati Women's Day celebrations, SBWC organised a mini-exhibition at Sharjah Archives, highlighting the innovative projects of six successful business owners. This initiative underscored the council's strategy and commitment to empowering its members by providing a platform to showcase their work and further their success. (ANI/WAM) Human Rights Watch (HRW), an international human rights watchdog, in a recent statement lamented the Chinese government for its human rights abuses in Xinjiang, claiming that the authorities have been persistently committing human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang. The statement by the HRW came on the second anniversary of the release of the United Nations human rights office's damning report on Xinjiang from August 2022. While commenting on the situation, Maya Wang, the associate China director at Human Rights Watch, stated, "Beijing's brazen refusal to meaningfully address well-documented crimes in Xinjiang is no surprise, but shows the need for a robust follow-up by the UN human rights chief and UN member states. Contrary to the Chinese government's claims, its punitive campaign against millions of Uyghurs in Xinjiang continues to inflict great pain." Further, the HRW statement claimed that for over past two years, the Chinese government has dismissed all calls to end its severe repression in Xinjiang, which includes mass arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances, mass surveillance, cultural and religious persecution, separation of families, forced labour, sexual violence, and violations of reproductive rights. Thousands of Muslim minorities in Xinjiang continue to remain wrongfully imprisoned, wherein their relatives living domestically and abroad have little to no contact with their families in China. Many live with the uncertainty about whether their loved ones, sometimes dozens of their family and relatives, remain detained, imprisoned, or forcibly disappeared. Some families do not know if their relatives who have been taken into custody are even still alive. And the ones that have been released, continue to remain subjected to strict police surveillance and further restrictions on their rights, the HRW statement claimed. Additionally, on August 27, 2024, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, acknowledged that in Xinjiang "many problematic laws and policies remain in place," and reported that his office continues to press the Chinese authorities to free those being held in arbitrary detention and clarify the status and whereabouts of those missing. Turk also said that his office was "continuing to advocate for implementation" of its recommendations, even though the Chinese delegation has continued to reject all recommendations from the 2022 Xinjiang report. Additionally, the Chinese authorities have also dismissed the report as "illegal and void" in reference to the UN Universal Periodic Review of China's human rights record in July. "The UN human rights commissioner has recognised that many of the 'problematic laws and policies' that led to the abusive crackdown against Uyghurs remain in place. Two years since the UN Human Rights Office report concluded that abuses in Xinjiang 'may constitute crimes against humanity,' the office needs to issue an update on the current situation in Xinjiang and present a concrete action plan for holding those responsible to account," he added. (ANI) Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita who is on a visit to Tonga has emphasised India's strong commitment to partnering with the Pacific Islands countries to address the challenges and aspirations of the Pacific community. "As part of our continuous solidarity with our Pacific Partner Countries and the Pacific Islands Forum, I am pleased to announce that Government of India will undertake one Quick Impact Project or QIP of each country's choice worth USD 50,000 in each of the 14 Pacific Island Countries. We will be happy to receive proposals in this regard from the respective countries," Margherita said. The Union MoS for External Affairs was addressing the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Dialogue Partners Session in Nuku`alofa the captial city of Tonga, which is hosting the PIF. Margherita reaffirmed India's strong commitment to work closely with Pacific partner countries and the Pacific Islands Forum, as the foremost regional mechanism, in line with the priorities outlined in the 2050 Strategy to help build a stronger, more resilient and prosperous Blue Pacific Continent. India's bilateral development partnership in the form of grant-in-aid projects is worth about USD 3 million per annum. These are demand-driven and have had high impact in the 14 Pacific partner countries. The minister said that India's approach to the Blue Pacific Continent is based in its ancient philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or the 'World is one Family'. Later, taking to a post on social media platform X on Thursday the MoS said, "Addressed the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders PIFLM53 Dialogue with Forum Partners today in Nuku'alofa. Emphasized India's strong commitment to partner the Pacific Islands Countries to address the challenges & aspirations of the Pacific Community." https://x.com/PmargheritaBJP/status/1828966152846094598 India's multifaceted engagement with the Blue Pacific Continent is anchored in its 'Act East' Policy and is strengthened both bilaterally and through different mechanisms such as the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC). At the 3rd FIPIC Summit held in Papua New Guinea last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 12 Point Action Plan, which includes the setting up of a 100-bedded regional Super-specialty Hospital in Suva, Fiji, a Regional IT and Cyber Security Training Hub in Papua New Guinea, 1,000 Scholarships over the next five years, supply of Dialysis Units, and Generic Medicine Pharmacy outlets. "The countries in the Pacific have benefited from the India-UN Development Partnership Fund which supports demand-driven sustainable development projects such as the Parametric Microinsurance project in Fiji, construction of water cistern in Tuvalu and solarisation of the Langafonua building of Tonga's National Council for Women which will be commissioned on August 30," the Mos said The 3rd Voice of the Global South Summit (VOGSS) that was held earlier this month with the overarching theme of "An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future" saw participation by over 120 countries including many PIF members who provided valuable inputs. The MoS stated that India is committed to responding to the vulnerabilities caused by natural hazards in the Pacific region. India has shared its concern regarding threat posed by climate change and rising sea level and has successfully reduced the emission intensity vis-a-vis its GDP by 33 per cent between 2005 and 2019, thus achieving the initial Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) target for 2030, 11 years ahead of the scheduled time, the minister said. India leads a number of global initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Green Grids Initiative -- One Sun, One World, One Grid, the Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS), the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the Global Biofuel Alliance which benefit its Pacific partners. (ANI) Two former chief editors of the now-defunct pro-democracy news outlet Stand News, have been found guilty of sedition by a Hong Kong court, amid a security crackdown in the China-ruled city, Al Jazeera reported. District Court judge Kwok Wai-kin announced the verdict on Thursday, which declared former editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen and former acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam guilty of conspiring to publish seditious publications based on 17 articles. The judge did not immediately hand down a sentence, but the pair could now face a maximum sentence of up to two years in prison and a fine of 5,000 Hong Kong dollars (about USD 640) under a colonial-era sedition law. According to Al Jazeera, the trial was being seen as a litmus test for press freedom in the city. Notably, it was the first sedition trial against Hong Kong journalists since the former British colony was handed back to China in 1997. Stand News was shuttered in 2021 after a massive police raid on its office. Two journalists were arrested along with five members of staff during the raids. Notably, it was one of the city's last media outlets that openly criticised the government amid a crackdown on dissent that followed massive pro-democracy protests in 2019. Prosecutors described Stand News as a political platform as well as an online news outlet. They claimed some of the articles helped promote "illegal ideologies," as well as smearing the security law and law enforcement officers. "Freedom of speech should not be restricted on the grounds of eradicating dangerous ideas, but rather it should be used to eradicate dangerous ideas," said Chung during the trial, which saw him deny that Stand News was a political platform. His former colleague, Lam, did not appear in court. Best Pencil (Hong Kong) Ltd, the outlet's holding company, was convicted on the same charge. It had no representatives during the trial, which began in October 2022. Stand News was shut down just months after the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper, whose jailed founder Jimmy Lai is fighting collusion charges under a sweeping national security law enacted in 2020. Days after its closure, independent news outlet Citizen News also announced it would cease operations, citing the deteriorating media environment and the potential risks to its staff. In the latest World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, Hong Kong was ranked 135 of 180 territories in, down from 80 in 2021. Self-censorship has also become more prominent during the political crackdown on dissent, as reported by Al Jazeera. In March, the city government enacted another new security law that many journalists worry could further curtail media freedoms. However, the Hong Kong government continues to claim the city still enjoys press freedom, as guaranteed by its mini-constitution. (ANI) As Israel continued with its military raids at the West Bank on Thursday, five 'militants' including a top commander of Islamic Jihad were killed in the operation, The Washington Post reported. This was the second day of Israeli operation, in what appeared to be one of the largest in the territory in recent years. Hundreds of Israeli troops launched raids in several areas of the northern West Bank on Wednesday, carrying out mass arrests and engaging in gun battles. It said the operation was needed to stave off terrorist attacks on Israelis. But, Palestinians said the sweeping incursion could fuel further violence and hamper access to health care and other essential services. Military operations around Jenin and Tulkarm continued on Thursday morning. The militant groups said they were exchanging fire with Israeli troops. The Israel Defense Forces announced Thursday that Mohamed Jaber, also known as Abu Shuja'a, was one of five militants Israeli forces killed inside a mosque in Tulkarm after "exchanges of fire," The Post reported. Jaber, the commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad-led Tulkarm battalion, was one of Israel's most wanted men for his role in the planning and execution of attacks including a shooting that killed an Israeli civilian, Amnon Muchtar, in the West Bank city of Qalqilya in June. Abu Shuja'a, 26, has proved an elusive target for Israel: This spring, Israeli media reported the military had killed him during a raid -- before he received a hero's welcome, alive, at a funeral days later. The Tulkarm branch of Palestinian Islamic Jihad confirmed Shuja's killing terming it the "assassination of our leader" in a statement on Telegram. It further said its fighters detonated an explosive device and shot at an Israeli infantry unit behind a mosque, causing "direct hits" in response to the killing, as reported by The Washington Post. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed 'deep concerns' about Israeli raids and called for "an immediate cessation," Al Jazeera reported. "All those injured must have access to medical care, and humanitarian workers must be able to reach everyone in need," he said. "These dangerous developments are fuelling an already explosive situation in the occupied West Bank and further undermining the Palestinian Authority," he added. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has sanctioned an Israeli NGO known as Hashomer Yosh as well as three members within this group. This group is funded in part by the Israeli government and is affiliated with far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir as well as Bezalel Smotrich. However, Israel has raised objections to the sanctions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has released a statement saying the Israeli government views with "the utmost severity the imposition of sanctions on citizens of Israel" and that "the issue will be a point of discussion" with the US, as reported by Al Jazeera. (ANI) Pakistan's National Assembly was informed that the contentious Web Monitoring System (WMS) is being used to block online applications and websites in the country, Geo News reported. In a recent session of the National Assembly, the minister responsible for overseeing the Pakistan Telecom Authority was questioned about the agency's procedures for restricting online content in the country. The minister explained that the PTA is mandated to block "unlawful content" under Section 37 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. While the Pakistani authority submits complaints and requests for removal and blocking of applications directly to hosting entities such as Apple and Google, it has deployed the WMS for "internet content management," the minister said. He also admitted that the PTA has been using the WMS to block applications and websites within Pakistan. "The PTA has till date blocked a total of 469 mobile applications (435 Android and 34 Apple) related to various categories including applications against the glory of Islam, indecent/immoral content, and fraudulent activities," the response stated. Notably, the controversial Web Monitoring System (known also as the Web Management System) was acquired by Pakistan in 2018 from the Canada-based company Sandvine for USD 18.5 million, Geo News reported citing a report by Coda. Earlier this month, Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Khawaja Fatima claimed that the WMS was necessary to "deal with cyber security attacks in the country." However, the minister in charge of the cabinet division in response to the National Assembly made no mention of cyber security concerns when blocking content. In December 2023, the WMS was further upgraded and tested on landing stations for internet submarine cables SMW 3, 4, and 5, a PTA spokesperson told Geo TV. The Pakistani authority claims that this "upgrade" led to national internet outages and slowdowns prior to the elections. The minister in charge of the cabinet division admitted to the National Assembly that despite its attempt to block content at the gateway level the content could still be accessed in Pakistan through VPNs, adding that VPN users who "bypass the gateway through their private traffic are also bypassing the state policy regarding banned content." Social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter) has been officially blocked in Pakistan since February 17, and the website of the opposition political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has remained inaccessible since before the elections. However, government officials, including ministers and the prime minister himself, have been using X despite its official ban. But, it is unclear whether they are accessing the platform through VPNs, as reported by Geo News. (ANI) The Chairman of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (SCCCP) John Moolenaar and US Senator Marco Rubio has demanded US Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin to place China's Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) under list demanding more scrutiny. The lawmakers in their letter to the Secretary have demanded CATL to be immediately placed on the list required under Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Section 1260H List provides transparency on Chinese military companies operating in the United States and helps Washington to counter the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) Military-Civil Fusion (MCF) strategy. The SCCCP statement claimed that CATL squarely fits the requirements of 1260H as the list exposes a company that is involved in bolstering Beijing's military ambitions and contributing to MCF while continuously also operating in the United States. CATL is an electric vehicle battery company with deep ties to the Chinese Communist Party and its armed wing, the People's Liberation Army (PLA). The lawmakers emphasised that CATL is a key contributor to the PRC's military-civil fusion policy to enhance the capabilities of China's military. They further wanted that reliance on CATL batteries endangers US national security by making the country dependent on the CCP for energy infrastructure and supporting a company that backs military systems that could target American troops in future conflicts. The statement further added that the US Congress has repeatedly exposed the company's nefarious activities in the United States and claimed that CATL's placement on the Section 1260H List is long overdue and justified. "CATL's connections to the CCP, and its armed wing, the People's Liberation Army (PLA), are extensive and obvious. A Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) report quoted in the SCCCP report revealed that CATL has over time enjoyed "subsidies, tax incentives, favourable procurement deals, and additional policy benefits." These benefits propelled CATL toward its massive 37.5 per cent share of the global electric vehicle (EV) battery market, which the company boasted about on X just last month," the statement read. "CATL's central role in the CCP's MCF strategy is further illuminated by the company's close alignment and partnership with several companies already included on the Section 1260H List. For example, in December 2023, CATL announced a formal partnership with China Mobile, a company identified as a Chinese military company by the DoD," the SCCCP added. (ANI) China develops aerospace curriculum for primary and middle school students Xinhua) 09:53, August 29, 2024 BEIJING, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- China has developed an aerospace science and technology curriculum that primary and middle school students can use both in and out of class. The China Association of Children's Science Instructors, universities such as Beihang University and Tsinghua University, and some aerospace experts, collaborated to develop and design the curriculum. Containing 224 aviation sci-tech courses and 224 aerospace sci-tech courses, the curriculum incorporates multiple subjects such as science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. The curriculum was designed to cultivate students' abilities to explore, practice and think creatively, as well as encourage their interest in aerospace and promote scientific literacy. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Stating that India's multifaceted engagement with the Blue Pacific Continent is anchored in our Act East Policy, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita reaffirmed New Delhi's strong commitment to work with Pacific partner nations for sustainable development. Margherita announced that India will undertake one Quick Impact Project (QIP) of each country's choice worth USD 50,000 in each of the 14 Pacific Island Countries. Addressing the Pacific Islands Forum, the MoS said, "India's multifaceted engagement with the Blue Pacific Continent is anchored in our Act East Policy and is strengthened both bilaterally and through different mechanisms such as the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC)." "India's approach to the Blue Pacific Continent is based on our ancient philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or the 'World is one Family'," he added. He further elaborated on India's approach and the significance New Delhi attaches to this relationship. Margherita said India's bilateral development partnership in the form of grant-in-aid projects worth about USD 3 million per annum is demand-driven and has had a high impact in the 14 Pacific partner countries. He recalled that during the 3rd FIPIC Summit in Papua last year, New Guinea Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 12-Point Action Plan. This includes the setting up of a 100-bedded regional Super-specialty Hospital in Suva, Fiji, a Regional IT and Cyber Security Training Hub in Papua New Guinea, 1000 Scholarships over the next five years, a supply of Dialysis Units, and Generic Medicine Pharmacy outlets. "Our Pacific friends have benefited from the India-UN Development Partnership Fund which supports demand-driven sustainable development projects such as the Parametric Micro-insurance project in Fiji, the construction of water cistern in Tuvalu and the solarisation of the Langafonua building of Tonga's National Council for Women which will be commissioned tomorrow," he stated. He emphasised that the 3rd Voice of the Global South Summit (VOGSS) hosted by India recently had an overarching theme of "An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future". The summit was joined by over 120 countries including many PIF members and provided valuable input. The MoS said India shares the concerns of Pacific nations regarding the threat posed by climate change and rising sea levels and highlighted New Delhi's commitment to achieving its emission targets and global initiatives. "India shares your concern regarding the threat posed by climate change and rising sea levels. India has successfully reduced the emission intensity vis-a-vis its GDP by 33 per cent between 2005 and 2019, thus achieving the initial Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) target for 2030, 11 years ahead of the scheduled time," Margherita said. "India leads a number of global initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Green Grids Initiative -- One Sun, One World, One Grid, the Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS), the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the Global Biofuel Alliance which benefit our Pacific partners," he added. Margherita added that India is committed to responding to the vulnerabilities caused by natural hazards in the Pacific. While announcing India undertaking 14 Quick Impact Projects, the MoS reaffirmed India's strong commitment to work closely with Pacific partner countries and the Pacific Islands Forum. "As part of our continuous solidarity with our Pacific Partner Countries and the Pacific Islands Forum, I am pleased to announce that the Government of India will undertake one Quick Impact Project or QIP of each country's choice worth USD 50,000 in each of the 14 Pacific Island Countries. We will be happy to receive proposals in this regard from the respective countries," Margherita said. "To conclude, I reaffirm India's strong commitment to work closely with our Pacific partner Countries and the Pacific Islands Forum, as the foremost regional mechanism, in line with the priorities outlined in the 2050 Strategy to help build a stronger, more resilient and prosperous Blue Pacific Continent," he added. MoS Pabitra Margherita is on a visit to Tonga on August 28-29. Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders' meeting is being held as a part of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum and related meetings, a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs said. The PIF is the apex intergovernmental organization in the Pacific Region consisting of 18 members, namely, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Since 2002, India has been a Dialogue Partner of the Forum. (ANI) The New Education Policy (2020) is not just a policy, but a vision for the future of education in India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday. The EAM was speaking at an event on the Internationalization of Education on Thursday. The event saw the handing over of Letter of Intent to the University of Southampton, which will establish its campus in India under the NEP 2020. The EAM said this development reflects the vision of elevating India's educational standards to the highest global levels and delivering on the education pillar of India-UK cooperation. He also exuded confidence that such endeavours will further make our youth world-ready and foster a spirit of global understanding and cooperation. Jaishankar also acknowledged the strong bilateral ties between India and the UK, with education being a key pillar. "Today's event is also a testament to the strong and multifaceted bilateral ties between India and the United Kingdom, of which education is a particularly important pillar. At the heart of this progress lies the National Education Policy 2020. It is a policy which champions internationalization and aims to position India as a global player in education," Jaishankar said at the event. "NEP 2020 is more than just a policy, it is in fact a vision for the future of education in India, one that aspires to elevate our standards to the highest global levels. It aims to make India a hub of excellence, attracting students from around the world, setting up foreign university campuses and fostering global competencies among our students and our faculty. The initiative will help establish a strong international footprint of brand India in the education sphere." he added. Taking to social media platform X, Jaishankar stated, "Pleased to attend handing over of Letter of Intent to the University of Southampton which will be establishing a campus in India under NEP 2020." "This reflects both the vision of elevating our educational standards to the highest global levels and delivering on the education pillar of India-UK cooperation. Confident that such endeavours will further make our youth world ready and foster a spirit of global understanding and cooperation," he added https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1829120738298868091 The Ministry of Education in a press release informed that the move is aimed towards fulfilling the vision of NEP 2020. "India as a 'Vishwa-Bandhu' is committed to fulfilling its global responsibilities and building a brighter future for education, innovation and progress," it stated. EAM Jaishankar graced the occasion along with Sanjay Murthy, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri; Christina Scott, UK Deputy High Commissioner to India; Andrew Atherton, Vice-President, International, University of Southampton and UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar were present at the occasion. Additionally, esteemed Ambassadors of nations and eminent academicians from private and state universities along with industry officials and other distinguished guests were also present. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also attended the event. In his post on X, Pradhan termed the initiative a foot forward towards realising the goal of 'internationalisation at home' as envisioned in the NEP 2020. https://x.com/dpradhanbjp/status/1829131183810089414 India as a 'Vishwa-Bandhu ' is committed to fulfilling its global responsibilities and building a brighter future for education, innovation and progress, he said. Pradhan expressed his happiness that more and more globally renowned HEIs are evincing keen interest in multi-faceted collaborations with top Indian institutions as well as tapping the potential of India as a global education and talent hub of the future. He further said that the establishment of campuses of foreign universities in India and Indian HEIs abroad is not just about expanding educational opportunities, it is about creating a vibrant ecosystem of research, knowledge exchange and global collaboration. Educational institutions across countries have a responsibility to produce "global citizens" with global ethos who can provide solutions to global challenges, he added. Union Education Minister extended his heartiest compliments to the management of the University of Southampton for further strengthening India-UK relations by opening its campus in India. He also invited other top institutions of the world to come to India, the release added. (ANI) Balazs Orban, Political director of the Prime Minister and Member of Parliament, Hungary on Thursday expressed his belief that India is a rising power and is playing a crucial role in resolving the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He also appreciated the way External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is representing India at the global stage. During an interview with ANI, Orban said, "Your foreign minister is doing a wonderful job. He is representing India in a very strong way on the world stage. India is a rising power. It is playing a more and more important role. It is playing in many conflicts, stabilizing role in the Ukrainian-Russian conflict as well. We think that we are on the same side, on the side of the peace, and we try to coordinate our efforts, to convince the parties, the two parties that are involved in that conflict, and all the potential mediators to do more to stop the bloodshed." Orban also stressed that Hungary is on the same side and wants a peaceful solution to the war.. Speaking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Ukraine, Orban said that initiatives like these are "very important" and PM Modi's statements from the visit are "better for the world.""I think these are very important initiatives. My Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, just after the European Parliamentary elections started the so-called Peace Mission Tour, where he went to Kyiv, Moscow, Beijing and Washington. He also met with with former President Donald Trump, the candidate of the Republican Party, and tried to convince all players to have a new strategy, because what happened in the last two and half years, brought us nowhere, and hundreds of people died, and there is a serious risk of escalation. I think these are very important initiatives, and the more initiatives like this and like Prime Minister Modi's statements are better for the world," said Orban. The Hungarian MP also spoke about the growing India-Hungary ties and underlined that there are many points where both countries share the same vision. "India is a civilization, and even in this modern period of time, only those countries can be successful which are building their foreign policy and also domestic policy, on cultural values and historical roots", said Orban. He further affirmed hope that "there will be higher level visits" between New Delhi and Budapest. "I think that even on the party basis, the Hungarian Conservative Party and the BJP have many things in common. As we were discussing the idea of sovereignty, fighting against progressives, and advocating in favour of peace and peace for economic cooperation. These are all pillars of our policies. So I'm convinced that we should put more energy into getting our nations and our national leaders closer to each other," he added. Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also met Hungarian MP Balazs Orban in New Delhi. He appreciated Orban's interest in the India-Hungary historical connection. "Glad to meet Hungarian MP @BalazsOrban_HU today in Delhi," Jaishankar wrote on X. "A good conversation on our perspectives of the world. Appreciate his interest in our historical connect." In March this year, a parliamentary delegation led by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman, RS Harivansh, visited Hungary from March 7-8 on the invitation from Istvan Yakab, Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly. Harivansh was accompanied by two Rajya Sabha members, Ashok Bajpai and Lt Gen (Retd) DP Vats, along with Rajya Sabha Secretary-General PC Mody. Diplomatic relations between India and Hungary are warm, friendly, multi-faceted and substantive, which marked the 75th anniversary of the agreement in 2023. There have been regular parliamentary exchanges between the two countries.Zsolt Nemeth, President of the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs of the Hungarian Parliament, visited India in January 2024. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], August 29 (ANI/TPS): The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) reported that 12 terrorists were killed, more than ten wanted terrorists were arrested, dozens of explosives were destroyed and weapons were confiscated in an anti-terrorist operation carried out with Border Police and the Shin Bet (Israel's anti-terror General Security Service) in Jenin and Tulkarm that lasted for 30 hours. The IDF units involved in the operation included combat engineers, paratroopers, and the Duvdevan special forces unit. Five of the terrorists eliminated were hiding in a mosque in Tulkarm and were killed in a firefight. Among them was Muhammad Jaber - also known as "Abu Shahja'a" - the leader of terrorist activity in Nur Shams. Amid the operation, the Duvdevan fighters under the direction of the Shin Bet found with the use of a drone an explosives laboratory and an operations centre located inside a mosque. During the operation, one IDF soldier was moderately injured and another was lightly wounded. The soldiers were evacuated to receive medical treatment at a hospital and their families were informed. (ANI/TPS) A Nepali lawmaker from the Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has demanded an amendment in the constitution to make Nepal a "Hindu State." Lawmaker Kirankumar Sah made this demand in the lower house of federal parliament on Thursday. It is a rare instance when a lawmaker from the communist party has demanded a Hindu state. Sah further claimed that the secularism adopted by the newly promulgated Constitution of Nepal 2072 has failed to give Nepal a respectful position in the world arena. He also claimed that secularism in terms of religion was also a reason for Nepal's loss in the election for the World Health Organization's (South Asia) Regional Director's Election. "When Nepal was a Hindu state, in 1969 and 1988 it became the (elected non-permanent) member of the UN Security Council; it shows the position of Nepal in the international arena. But we made the nation a secular state, today when we file candidacy for the World Health Organization we lose. Did we make Nepal a secular state to see these days? We ruined the identity of the nation by claiming more stake for the food, shelter and clothes but we still are not able to fulfil those demands," Lawmaker Sah, said. "Nepali youths are forcefully going abroad to fulfil the basic requirements of their family. Shortfall of students is closing colleges, industries are shutting down, fields are left barren, businesses are closing, and villages now only host the elderlies. The question arises in front of us, we had thought that we wrote the Constitution of Nepal through the constituent assembly, and all the leaders claimed it to be the finest constitution in the world but this constitution is neither able to yield progress nor identity to the nation. Therefore, the constitution needs to be amended and should be given the identity of Sanatana Hindu State," Sah laid the ways forward. Nepal in the year 2006 had abolished a centuries-old constitutional monarchy after then King Gyanendra seized power and imposed an emergency sending all the leaders under house arrest. The movement also referred to as "People's Movement II" witnessed bloodshed with dozens killed in a crackdown against protestors by the government. After weeks of violent protest and increasing international pressure, Gyanendra gave up and reinstated the dissolved parliament, the dawn of a new democracy is highlighted as Lokantantra (People's Rule). Right-wing Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has been advocating and lobbying for the reinstatement of the Hindu State as well as the constitutional monarchy. While a faction within the Nepali Congress, a largest political party in Nepal's federal parliament also has been raising demands to make the Himalayan Nation a Hindu state. (ANI) A total of 10 countries have welcomed the progress made in Nepal over the Investigation of Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act 2071 (Amendment) Bill passed with consensus by both houses of the Federal Parliament of Nepal. Issuing a joint statement on Thursday late afternoon, USA, UK, Switzerland, Australia, Norway, Japan, Finland, EU, Germany and France welcomed the progress made over the TRC Act. "As the Government outlines a path forward, the undersigned will explore possible mechanisms for support to the Government of Nepal for the benefit of the victims. The continued participation of the victims in decision making processes will aid the effective implementation of the TRC Act," the joint statement states. But the statement also states that Nepal is in early stage of resolving and addressing the war-era issues the signing countries would keep an eye on the proceedings of the Government of Nepal while resolving the issues. "Now is the time for all stakeholders to band together in support of bringing this segment of Nepal's history to a successful conclusion," the statement reads. The joint statement comes hours after Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel authenticated the bill to amend the Enforced Disappearances Enquiry, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act on Thursday in accordance with Article 113 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal. The amendment bill on the Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons, Truth, and Reconciliation Commission Act, which was passed by the National Assembly on 22nd August, aims to ensure truth and accountability for serious human rights violations committed by all parties during Nepal's civil war. The commission will also oversee mediation and reconciliation efforts, and make recommendations to the Government to provide reparations, relief, and support to the victims and their families. At least 13,000 people were killed and 1,300 went missing between 1996 and 2006 during the internal conflict between the Royal Nepal Army and the Communist Party of Nepal. The UN Human Rights Office also had documented unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, torture, arbitrary arrests, sexual violence, war crimes and crimes against humanity by both parties. The conflict ended with a peace agreement, in which the parties committed to establishing the truth and ensuring the victims receive both justice and reparations. But the transparency and inclusivity in the appointment of the new commission's members, to ensure their independence, impartiality and competence has always been the concern when it comes to the address of the crimes committed back then. Soon after the lower house of Nepal's Federal Parliament endorsed the bill on August 14, 2024, victims of the decade-long insurgency claimed that reduced sentencing aims to provide amnesty to the guilty after symbolic action as well as they claim the transitional justice process cannot be complete without providing justice to former Maoist child soldiers. A panel formed to give suggestions and draft the bill had excluded minor child soldiers in the bill as the Maoist Centre would strongly oppose any such inclusion. Among the 4,008 Maoist combatants who did not qualify for integration into the Nepal Army, 2,973 were verified as minors by a United Nations mission. They are yet to get substantial support, except for a few thousand rupees given by the UN while they were discharged. In addition, activists claim that the new bill also doesn't address crimes against humanity and war crimes. The former warring parties--the Maoists and the state security forces--maintain that no acts of crime against humanity or war crimes ever happened in Nepal. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons have been paralyzed for over two years in the absence of chairpersons and members. Their appointment process will commence with the Act's endorsement. In its verdict on a writ petition jointly filed by dozens of conflict victims, the Supreme Court in February 2015 had turned down several provisions in the Act as they allowed amnesties in serious violations of human rights. Nine years after the ruling, the Act is yet to be amended despite several attempts to do so. Records show that as many as 3,223 complaints of enforced disappearances implicating either security forces or the Maoists have been lodged at the Disappearances Commission. It has picked for investigation 2,494 cases falling under its jurisdiction. Similarly, 63,718 complaints have been registered with the Truth Commission. (ANI) In what is being seen as a move to further restrict freedom of speech, the Quetta Press Club in Pakistan has been directed not to host any seminars or conferences without obtaining a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the district administration, The News International reported. The district administration has justified this unusual restriction by citing the current law and order situation. The directive, outlined in a letter dated August 27, 2024, from the deputy commissioner of Quetta to Abdul Khaliq Baloch, President of the Quetta Press Club, mandates that no organization or political party can hold events at the press club without prior approval from the district administration. The letter emphasizes that this directive should be treated as a matter of 'utmost importance'. Notably, journalists in Balochistan are operating under extremely challenging conditions, facing significant security threats from militant groups, political factions, and state actors. They also contend with severe censorship and restrictions that hinder their ability to report freely, as well as harassment and intimidation that compromise their safety and effectiveness. Earlier, journalist Hayat Khan Khetran from Barkhan was reportedly abducted on the orders of a Frontier Corps (FC) Colonel. Khetran's family claims that Colonel Babar Khalil of the FC Kohlu 86 Wing, along with other personnel, forcibly took him to an undisclosed location, and they have had no contact with him since. The family accused Colonel Khalil of orchestrating the disappearance. Moreover, the media landscape in Balochistan is severely constrained by stringent censorship and regulatory restrictions that curtail journalists' freedom to report on sensitive or controversial topics. The imposition of such limitations often involves bureaucratic hurdles, such as requiring no-objection certificates (NOCs) or prior approvals for reporting or organizing events. This bureaucratic oversight can stifle critical reporting and inhibit the media's role in fostering transparency and accountability. (ANI) Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch, expressed deep concerns about the mutilated bodies of enforced disappearance victims recovered from various areas of Balochistan and termed it "deeply alarming." She further said that the Pakistani state forcibly disappears people, holds them for years and then kills them or throws their mutilated bodies. "Multiple mutilated bodies of enforced disappearance victims have been recovered from various areas of Balochistan. This is deeply alarming. The state forcibly disappears individuals, holds them for months or years, then kills them and discards their mutilated bodies. This is nothing less than a Baloch genocide," she stated in a post on X. https://x.com/MahrangBaloch_/status/1829165062004809754 Earlier this week, Mahrang Baloch, who is also the organiser of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee appreciated the UN's stand on the forced disappearances of Baloch members. "Finally, the UN takes a stand for the disappeared in Pakistan. Urging Pakistan to ratify the Convention against Enforced Disappearances. The UN's call for Pakistan to address enforced disappearances is a crucial step towards justice. We, the people of Balochistan, have waited too long for the world to see our plight. We are looking forward to more adequate pressure to meet the magnitude of the issue," she stated. The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination issued its findings on Pakistan, and called on the nation to take the necessary measures to investigate and prosecute reports of enforced disappearances, reported The Balochistan Post. The committee called on Islamabad to investigate and prosecute reports of enforced disappearances involving politicians, public officials, human rights campaigners, and leaders of ethnic and ethnoreligious groups, the report added. In Balochistan, the enforced disappearances of innocent Baloch individuals are a major issue in the area. Several Baloch activists, leaders and Human rights groups have criticized that these disappearances are a collective punishment. They claim that such action not only affects the person but also causes significant distress to their families. (ANI) The man, identified as Aliyan Zaman, was about to board a flight to Malaysia when he was detained by immigration officials. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that his phone contained over 47 visas for various countries, including Cyprus, which were allegedly meant for Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals. The victim identified as Aliyan Zaman, a resident of Attock, had a plan to travel from Malaysia to the United Kingdom (UK) with the assistance of an agent, ARY News reported citing Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) sources. He had already paid Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 4,00,000 to the agent, with a total of PKR 2.8 million agreed upon for the illegal immigration attempt with payments made through both cash and microfinance accounts. During the investigation, authorities also discovered a Cambodian visa among the documents stored on Zaman's phone. When Zaman was unable to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the visas, he was transferred to the FIA's Anti-Human Trafficking Circle (HTC) in Karachi for further investigation. Earlier in June, the Airport Security Forces (ASF) intercepted and apprehended a passenger attempting to smuggle drugs at Karachi airport, as reported by ARY News. The ASF spokesperson disclosed that a significant quantity of 5.7 kg of hashish was seized from the individual in question. According to ASF officials, the suspect, identified as Arman and bound for Doha, had ingeniously concealed the drugs within containers, ARY News reported. (ANI) US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin III praised Poland for its leadership in supporting Ukraine's defence. He emphasised that America, Poland, and their allies stand united in their support for a sovereign and free Ukraine. The remarks by Austin came as he met with Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz at the Pentagon on Thursday. Austin noted Poland's continued contribution to the US-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group as the lead nation overseeing the armour and manoeuvre capability coalition aimed at supporting Ukraine's short- and long-term security requirements, a press release by the US Department of Defense said. "Poland has always understood that Putin's war of choice in Ukraine threatens our shared security," Austin said. "The United States and Poland, along with our allies and partners, stand together for a free and sovereign Ukraine." He added that Poland's contribution of vital logistics support and security assistance has been key to Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russia's ongoing assault, the release said. Meanwhile, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz shared pictures of his meeting with Austin on his X handle and said, "Today at the Pentagon, I spoke with Lloyd Austin about the strategic partnership that connects Poland and the US." He further said, "This is extremely important at a time when, in the process of modernization, the Polish Army is equipped with the most modern equipment manufactured in the US, including F-35 aircraft, ABRAMS tanks and Apache helicopters." Poland's Defence Minister further asserted that the two leaders engaged in discussions on NATO's eastern flank and Ukraine. "Among the topics we discussed with Sec Def (Austin) were also matters related to the current situation on NATO's eastern flank and support for Ukraine. I thanked Secretary Austin for the continued presence of US troops in Poland, who, shoulder to shoulder with our soldiers, protect security in the region," the post said. (ANI) Pakistan has extended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, scheduled for October this year in Islamabad, as reported by Geo News. While addressing a weekly news briefing, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, said that Pakistan has extended invitations to all heads of government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the upcoming Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting in Islamabad. Baloch further said that Islamabad has also received some confirmations for the upcoming SCO moot to be hosted by Pakistan on October 15-16, according to Geo News. The official confirmation regarding Pakistan's invitations to the heads of the SCO member states came two days after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the country would certainly invite PM Modi to the regional summit. Notably, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had earlier denied the media reports suggesting that PM Modi would not attend the upcoming SCO summit in Pakistan. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a permanent intergovernmental international organization established on June 15, 2001 in Shanghai (PRC) by the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan. Its predecessor was the mechanism of the Shanghai Five. Currently, the SCO countries includes nine Member States -- the Republic of India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan. (ANI) A Greek-flagged vessel attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea appears to be leaking oil, according to a Pentagon spokesperson, who warned of a potential environmental catastrophe in one of the worlds busiest waterways. The Sounion came under a barrage of projectiles last week, after the Iran-backed group targeted the crude oil tanker as part of a months-long campaign on ships along the maritime route. The Houthis, who control Yemens most populous regions, say the attacks are in response to the Israeli offensive in Gaza which has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians and laid waste to swathes of the strip. The Israeli military launched its offensive after Hamas-led October 7 attacks on southern Israel left around 1,200 people killed and more than 250 abducted, according to Israeli authorities. Images have emerged in recent days of bright orange balls of fire raging over the vessel. The Sounion is carrying about one million barrels of crude oil, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said on Tuesday. The ship had been sailing from Iraq to Greece when it came under fire, according to Ryder. The entire crew of 23 Filipino and two Russian sailors have evacuated the carrier. The MV Delta Sounion now sits immobilized in the Red Sea where it is currently on fire and appears to be leaking oil, presenting both a navigational hazard and a potential environmental catastrophe, said Ryder. According to two US defense officials, the burning oil leak appears to be either fuel or engine oil from the vessel itself. The barrels of crude oil are not on fire, the officials said. But the major concern is that the ongoing fire could quickly spread and risk igniting the million barrels of crude oil. The damage to the vessel poses a navigational risk and a serious and imminent threat of regional pollution, according to Eunavfor Aspides, a European Union defensive maritime security operation aimed at protecting merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf. Theres no oil spill, and the ship is still anchored and not drifting, Eunavfor Aspides said in a post on X on Wednesday, adding that fires have been detected in several locations on the main deck. The fires currently burning on the deck of the Sounion are unlikely to spread, according to another captain involved in maritime oil shipping who likened the situation to a gas stove: The fires on the ship are like the burners on the stove and are being fed by vapors in its cargo tanks. Because the gas inside the tanks is inert, and lacks oxygen, the fire isnt likely to spread further, according to the source. The easiest way to stop the fires on the deck is with a combination of foam and smothering, the captain said, adding that once the fires are put out, it becomes a routine oil salvage recovery. Attacks by the Houthis have sunk at least two ships and killed three crew members in the Red Sea which connects with the Suez Canal, a vital thoroughfare that accounts for 10-15% of world trade according to Reuters. The Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion, pictured on November 29, 2017 in the United Kingdom, has been one of dozens of ships targeted by the Houthis in the Red Sea. - David Mackinnon/AP The Houthis fired on the tanker because Delta Tankers breached its ban on entry to the ports of occupied Palestine, according to the groups military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, Reuters reported. The Iran-backed group will enact a temporary truce to allow rescue vessels to reach the area to extinguish the fire, the Iranian Permanent Mission to the United Nations told CNN in a statement on Wednesday. But the mission warned that as long as the war in Gaza persists, the Houthis will continue to target oil tankers bound for the Israeli regime in the Red Sea referring to the group also known as Ansar Allah (Supporters of God). Earlier this year, leading shipping groups called on governments to put a stop to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which has sent costs soaring as companies resorted to alternative cargo routes with longer travel times. The US State Department urged the Houthis to cease attacks along the bustling shipping route and called on other nations to step forward to help avert this environmental disaster. The biggest oil spill from a ship was recorded in 1979, when approximately 287,000 metric tons of oil ran from the Atlantic Empress after it crashed with another carrier in the Caribbean Sea during a storm, according to the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation. CNNs Artemis Moshtaghian and Paul Murphy contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com At least 30 dead after dam collapses in Sudan, UN agency says At least 30 people have been killed following the collapse of a dam in Sudans northwest Red Sea State, according to the United Nationss emergency relief agency. Hundreds more are believed missing, Reuters reported. Flash flooding decimated 20 villages and damaged a further 50 after the Arbaat Dam collapsed Sunday, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. It estimated 50,000 people had been severely affected by the disaster. In the villages of Khor-Baraka and Tukar, residents were reportedly forced to flee for safety, OCHA also said, citing local officials. It added that the final death toll could rise significantly. Agence France-Presse (AFP) footage of the aftermath shows industrial trucks buried in mud and debris, some laden with crates and personal belongings. Other vehicles are almost unrecognizable on the silty riverbank. One resident who lived near the dam, Moussa Mohamad Moussa, described in another video from AFP how the dam broke and the water swept away around 40 people. In the area where Im from, the Tabub area they told me that all the houses and everything was swept away, he said. Another resident, Ali Issa, was pictured saying he had helped to rescue families, elderly people, and children who were trapped in their cars when the floodwaters rose. We came to the area to check out the situation but we couldnt reach the Arbaat Dam because there was so much water, he said. Initial reports indicated torrential rains had caused the dam to breach, OCHA said, adding this had resulted in the reservoir behind it being fully drained. Damaged trucks buried in the mud after the collapse of the Arba'at Dam in Sudan following heavy rains and torrential floods on August 25, 2024. - AFP/Getty Images The dam facility supplies fresh water to Port Sudan, the countrys fifth largest city, which is about 38 kilometers (23 miles) to the southeast. OCHA said the damage was expected to worsen the humanitarian situation in Red Sea State. In recent months, aid agencies have warned Sudan is on the brink of collapse and starvation following more than a year of civil war. Sudans Federal Minister of Health, Dr. Haitham Muhammad Ibrahim, promised emergency humanitarian assistance including the provision of basic medicines and medical personnel during a visit to the region Sunday, according to a statement by his office. He also committed to provide resources to support evacuation efforts. On Monday,Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) chief and head of the Sudanese Transitional Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan visited Tokhar, an area devastated by the weekends storms but unaffected by the dam collapse, according to a statement from the council. Footage posted to X by the council shows Al-Burhan speaking with residents of the town, roughly 170km south of Arbaat. The region surrounding the Arbaat Dam has been wracked with humanitarian challenges. The region hosts nearly 240,000 displaced people, according to the United Nations International Organization for Migration. OCHA said it is liaising with partners, including United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund and WASH Cluster and local officials to reach communities affected by the collapse. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Parker man killed a neighbor, then set fire to his home and killed himself, BCSO says Bay County sheriff's Capt. Jason Daffin, at a Thursday news conference at the Sheriff's Office in Lynn Haven, talks about the Wednesday incident in Parker in which two men were found dead in and near a burning mobile home. PANAMA CITY The Bay County Sheriff's Office says the two men found dead amid a mobile home fire in Parker on Wednesday night died in a murder-suicide. During a Thursday afternoon news conference, sheriff's Capt. Jason Daffin, in charge of criminal investigations, said the Sheriff's Office is confident that the incident was a murder suicide. Daffin said Edward Langston, 64, shot his neighbor Jose Perez in the side-yard of his mobile home with a semi-automatic handgun. Langston then attempted to light a camper van next to his mobile home on fire. When that was unsuccessful, Langston went inside his home, barricaded the entrances and exits, then lit the home on fire before shooting himself in the chest. The Bay County Sheriff's Office said one man was found dead outside this mobile home in Parker with a gunshot wound. The other was found inside, also with a gunshot wound, which investigators think was self-inflicted. The mobile home was on fire when first-responders arrived. Daffin said the Sheriff's Office is still searching for a motive and found no evidence of narcotics or other illicit substances on either person. He said investigators think there was an element of mental illness involved. The incident was called in as a fire just before 9 p.m., prompting the Springfield, Parker and Callaway fire departments to respond. When sheriff's deputies arrived, there were two bodies with gunshot wounds, so they remained on site until they were confident the scene was safe, Daffin said. This embedded content is not available in your region. The fire started at the back of the trailer and worked its way to the front. Langston was found inside the front door with a single gunshot wound to the chest, which sheriff's investigators believe was self-inflicted, Daffin said. There was a camera situated atop an antenna on the home, and Daffin said investigators recovered some footage,. However, the recording stopped several hours before the event. The investigation is ongoing and BCSO is still conducting interviews. Daffin said residents can call 850-747-4700 or 850-785-TIPS if they have more information relating to the case. This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Fire in Parker was part of a murder-suicide, BCSO says This Rare Mosquito Virus Was Just Found In The U.S. Here Are The Symptoms Doctors Are Looking For There are some illnesses you hear about that you know the basics of. But then there are those that you have no flipping clue about: Meet sloth fever. This virus is making headlines after 21 Americans were infected with it20 in Florida and one in New York. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also issued an advisory for people traveling to the Americas, where sloth fever is more common. There are outbreaks in parts of Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, and Cuba, and two people have died from it, per the Pan American Health Organization. With all of that, its understandable to have questions about sloth fever. Heres the deal, according to an infectious disease doctor. Meet the expert: Thomas Russo, MD, is a professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York. What is the sloth fever virus? Sloth fever virus another name for the Oropouche virus. Its a viral illness that is often mistaken for dengue fever, per the CDC. Sloth fever virus is most common in sloths (hence, the name), plus birds and non-human primates like monkeys. But it can spread to people through the bite of certain insects like mosquitoes. As of August 16, 21 Oropouche virus disease cases were identified in U.S. travelers returning from Cuba, per the CDC. What are the symptoms of sloth fever? The CDC says these are usually the most common symptoms of sloth fever: Fever Muscle aches and pains Headache Diarrhea Nausea or vomiting A rash Pregnant women need to be particularly cognizant and careful of this, Thomas Russo, MD, a professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York, tells Women's Health. Why? Oropouche has been linked to congenital malformations and even pregnancy loss, per the CDC. How is sloth fever treated? Its notor, at least, not really. We dont have any treatment for it, Russo says. Instead, it's symptomatic, supportive therapy. Meaning, if you have a fever or muscle aches, doctors may recommend taking an over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help you feel more comfortable. How do I protect myself from sloth fever? Russo stresses that the average person living in the U.S. shouldnt stress about Oropouche. Its of zero concern, unless youre traveling to areas where its circulating, he says. To date, no known cases have been acquired in the U.S. (Instead, the virus has been detected in people who traveled outside the country and came back here.) But if youre traveling, Russo recommends being aware that Oropouche is circulating if youre headed to areas where outbreaks are happening. Its transmitted by biting insects, he says. If possible, wear long sleeves, long pants, and use insect repellents. If youre pregnant, Russo recommends re-thinking your travel plans, if youre planning to head to an area where Oropouche is spreading. Be careful of this, he says. You Might Also Like A Lynchburg man pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder in connection with a city cab drivers February 2023 shooting death. Dabney Maurice Thomas Jr., 34, was convicted in Lynchburg Circuit Court on Wednesday of the murder charge and one count of using a firearm in commission of a felony. Two other charges, reckless handling of a firearm and discharging a firearm in city limits, both resulting in serious injury, were dropped in accordance with a plea agreement. A seven-minute video surveillance clip of the incident captured from a city residents backyard with a view of Morson Street, where the shooting took place Feb. 9, 2023, was played in court Wednesday before Judge F. Patrick Yeatts. City police officers responded to the 2600 block of Morson Street after reports of shots fired at 3:31 p.m. that day, the Lynchburg Police Department has said. Upon arrival, officers found Carroll Mack, 62, of Lynchburg, with a gunshot wound, LPD said in a news release. Despite life-saving efforts, Mack died from his injuries. Thomas was determined as a suspect during the investigation and search warrants were executed for two residences on Cobbs Street and Monroe Street, Lynchburg Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Chelsea Webster said. Webster said when police arrived at the scene of the shooting, two bystanders flagged them down. Mack was found lying unresponsive on the drivers side of the cab. The autopsy three days later determined the cause of death was gunshot wound to the chest, Webster said. The investigation immediately after Macks shooting led two LPD detectives to Cobb Street, where the cab had picked up its most recent passenger, and two witnesses were interviewed, Webster said. While on Cobb Street, the detectives observed a man matching the description of the suspect who appeared nervous and was carrying a backpack get into a black Nissan, which drove off, Webster said. Detectives alerted other officers to be on the lookout, the car was located at a business on Wards Road in Lynchburg and Thomas was taken into custody, Webster said. Thomas girlfriend worked at the business and the vehicle was operated by an Uber driver, who police interviewed, Webster said. The Uber driver told investigators Thomas was twitchy and making odd statements during the ride. In the surveillance video of the street that captured the cab pulling to a stop in broad daylight, Mack is seen getting out of the car and is heard telling Thomas multiple times get on out, sir. Mack can also be heard in the video saying I dont want to hear it and the exchange quickly turns to him telling Thomas: You dont want to go to jail, sir and to put a gun away. Webster said Thomas told Mack take me home and Mack told him No problem and Ill take you home, get in the car. She said the exchange turned physical, Thomas shoved Mack to the ground, sounds of a struggle were heard and a vehicle pulled up with two passersby, Webster said. Mack told the bystanders he pulled a gun on me and wanted them to call police, Webster said. A single gunshot then rang out, the prosecutor said. Webster said after the single shot was fired, Thomas looked around, picked up the gun and a bag and walked away from the scene. During the investigation and upon police talking to his girlfriend and looking at screenshots of phone correspondence, Thomas intended to go to Baltimore that day but decided not to, Webster said. A search conducted of Thomas fathers residence on the 2000 block of Cobbs Street located a firearm with several red stains on it, she said. A residence on Monroe Street where Thomas and his girlfriend lived also was searched and police found a coat and jeans with bloodstains on them, according to Webster. Thomas was interviewed, providing police with various versions of the incident, initially professing ignorance and after being confronted with the video footage said it wasnt him, Webster said. The defendant told investigators Mack didnt like him and dragged him out of the cab because he thought he was drunk, she said. He continued to deny he had done anything, Webster said of Thomas statements to police. Thomas then said the other guy shot Mack and ran away and contradicted himself during the interrogation, Webster said. The story changed to Mack producing the gun, tried to shoot Thomas and accidentally wounding himself, Webster said. Later in the interview, Thomas admitted to having the gun for about two months prior to the shooting and said he knew he serious s-, Webster said. On the drive to the jail after the interview, an officer heard Thomas say I f-d up my life and I knew I shouldnt have held the gun, Webster said. The defense did not add have any remarks following Websters summary of evidence. Mack, a 1979 graduate of Heritage High School, was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps after three years of service and held several jobs before becoming an owner/operator Allied Cab driver, according to his obituary. After finding Thomas guilty of the two charges, Yeatts set a sentencing hearing for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 11. TOKYO, Aug 29 (News On Japan) - A major incident has occurred at the exhibition of world-renowned painter Shuzo Tamura (played by Koji Ishizaka). One of the displayed works was revealed to be a forgery. Who is the artist behind this counterfeit piece? As media coverage intensifies daily, the body of a woman is discovered in Otaru. A man emerges between these two casesRyuji Tsuyama, once hailed as a genius painter, who disappeared from public view following a certain incident. Anna, Ryujis former lover and now the wife of Tamura, heads to Hokkaido. In Otaru, she reunites with Ryuji, whom she never expected to see again. However, Ryujis body is being ravaged by illness. In his remaining time, what will he paint? What thoughts fill his mind? What secrets has he kept hidden? Source: By Ikenna Ngere The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has been plunged into darkness after the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) disconnected the institutions power supply due to unpaid electricity bills. This development was confirmed in a statement released by the universitys management on Wednesday, highlighting the growing financial strain caused by escalating electricity costs. UNILAG has been struggling to cope with rising energy expenses, a situation exacerbated when EKEDC recently upgraded the universitys tariff classification from Band B to Band A. This upgrade led to a significant increase in monthly electricity bills. Prior to the tariff change, the university was paying between N150 million and N180 million per month. However, under the new Band A category, the June bill nearly doubled, soaring to almost N300 milliona 100% increase that has left the university financially strained. The university management expressed deep regret over the ongoing blackout that has affected the campus since Tuesday. They explained that despite ongoing negotiations with EKEDC and a recent payment of N180 million made on August 20, the institution was abruptly disconnected from the power supply on August 27, without any prior notice. Just two weeks after our meeting, we were hit with a staggering bill of nearly half a billion naira (N472 million) for July, further increasing our debt burden! We kept our promise and paid N180 million on August 20, yet on August 27, EKEDC disconnected us without notice and has refused to reconnect the university to the national grid, the statement read. The university management assured the community that they are actively working to resolve the issue with EKEDC. In the meantime, they urged calm and announced that power supply across the campus would be rationed until further notice. Whether the luck of the Irish was with them or if a divine power intervened, emergency personnel are thankful that no injuries were reported in an explosion that rocked ONeill before sunrise on Monday. Egypt has sent two military aircrafts loaded with arms and ammunition to Somalia, in a move that triggered the fears of Ethiopia. Relations worsened when Ethiopia and the breakaway Somaliland signed a memorandum of understanding to use 20 km of coastal land for a port purpose in return for recognition as a state. Somalia opposed the deal and denounced it as a violation of its sovereignty and an act of aggression by Ethiopia. Turkey and Kenya have previously offered separate mediations in the conflict between the two neighbors to no avail. Somalia is now receiving military hardware from Egypt, two weeks after the two countries signed a military cooperation deal. Media reports mentioned that Egypt was ready to send boots on the ground to back the African Union peacekeeping force (ATMIS). Sisi said last month Egypt would do that if asked. Egypt is at loggerheads with Ethiopia over the Renaissance Nile Dam, which Cairo fears would reduce the share of water it receives. Ethiopia insists the dam is a sovereign issue conducive to the countrys water and hydro-power strategy. The Ethiopian government denounced the Egyptian military aid convoys saying Somalia was colluding with external factors to instill conflicts and endless wars in the Red Sea. Ethiopian columnists mentioned that the Somali-Egyptian military alliance will prevent the landlocked country from direct access to the sea. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez agreed with Mauritanian president Mohammed Ould Ghazouani to stem migration flows, as part of a West African tour that will lead him to Gambia and Senegal. The Canary Islands, located close to the African coast and used as a stepping stone for migrants and refugees trying to reach Europe has seen more than 22,000 people land on its shores since January, more than double the number of irregular arrivals for the same period last year, according to Spains Interior Ministry. With Mauritania, Sanchez signed deals to expand its circular or seasonal migration program to Mauritanians and renew cooperation between the two nations security forces to combat people smuggling and trafficking networks. Despite the rhetoric that is growing in Europe, migration is not a problem, Sanchez said, openly recognizing the need for migrant workers in Spains aging society. On Wednesday, Sanchez signed a similar agreement with Gambia, establishing a framework for managed migration to Spain, focusing on labor needs and prioritizing young people and women. Mehdi Ghezzar, Algerian commentator with French radio RMC and head of Tebbounes electoral campaign in France, spit his venom while speaking on the Algerian mouthpiece AL24, describing Morocco in derogatory terms while proffering antisemitic remarks. The derogatory remarks cost him his position at RMC, which officially announced that it will terminate his participation in a weekly show. For an hour and a half of anti-Moroccan rhetoric, Ghezzar stipped himself of all moral restraint uttering hateful remarks about the Kingdom which he described as a rogue state, a colonial state, or even a thugocracy. He lauded the violent attack on a Moroccan diplomat by an Algerian agent at a Japan-Africa meeting in Tokyo and showed disrespect for Moroccan women. Ghezzar adapted to the propaganda style of Algerian media spreading lies. He said Morocco issued a decree banning all pro-Palestine protests at the initiative of Jewish Royal Advisor Andre Azoulay. Such a lie is actually true for Algeria which brags about standing against Israel but in reality bans all support marches with Palestine. So far, the largest pro-Palestinian protests in the region took place in Morocco, where protests denouncing Israeli atrocities are commonplace and unhindered. A day later, after reprimands on social media by senior French political figures and Moroccans, Ghezzar said he apologized to the Moroccan people, whose country he insulted! At the image of their impulsive Algerian diplomacy, many Algerian lobbyists are resorting to lies and hate speech to defend their military paymasters virtually as Morocco accumulates diplomatic gains on the ground, the latest of which was French support for Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara territory. After silencing dissent, sending scores of political opponents to jail or forcing them into exile, the Algerian regime has stepped up its crackdown with the kidnapping of opposition figure and leader of Algerias communist party MDS Fethi Ghares. Ghares wife, Messaouda Chaballah, said that agents in plainclothes took him from his home, and that his whereabouts remain unknown. Ghares and his MDS party are outspoken critics of the military regime in Algeria. The Algerian politicians wife, a party activist, denounced the mafia methods used by the Algerian regime that is reproducing the same bloody tactics of the black decade. She also recalled that the head of the Algerian police is Abdelkader Haddad, alias Nacer El Djen, notorious for his assassinations during the civil war of the 1990s. Ghares is believed to be arrested for his loyalty to the pro-democracy Hirak protests of 2019 which demanded a clean break with the military junta in favor of a civilian-led government. The kidnapping took place as President Tebboune seeks a second term in an electoral campaign marred by large-scale indifference. Ghares is the latest episode in a crackdown on opponents that has also affected many leaders of the RCD opposition party, who urged a boycott of the sham elections. The Algerian regime is still thumbling at any call that would re-ignite calls for democracy following the example of the 2019 Hirak that prevented Bouteflika from a fifth term. Last month, Karim Tabbou, another opposition leader, was forced to house arrest and banned from practicing in any political activity. Never in Algeria has a presidential election campaign been marred by such implacable repression or a flood of arrests, Mohcine Belabbas, former president of the RCD said, adding that his country is currently experiencing an unprecedented climate of terror. Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah underscored the urgent need to hold accountable those responsible for the closure of the countrys oil fields during a meeting with Stephanie Koury, the Acting Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. During their talks, on Wednesday, Dbeibah and Koury reviewed recent political developments in Libya and Kourys recent briefing to the UN Security Council. Dbeibah emphasized the crucial role of international cooperation and support in achieving consensus and addressing Libyas ongoing crises. He condemned the closure of oil fields, which he characterized as a criminal act carried out under dubious pretexts. He stressed that those responsible for such actions should face legal consequences. This meeting followed the announcement by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aqila Saleh, and the government appointed by the House, led by Osama Hamad, regarding the closure of oil fields in protest against the Presidential Councils decision to change the board of the Central Bank of Libya. The meeting also came on the heels of Kourys discussion with Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi, where they addressed the Central Bank crisis. The UN mission has indicated its intention to facilitate dialogue among the Libyan parties involved in the Central Bank dispute to seek a resolution. In a surprising shift atop Africas wealth pyramid, South African business magnate Johann Rupert has claimed the title of the continents richest person, surpassing long-time leader Aliko Dangote of Nigeria. This changing of the guard reflects the volatile nature of global markets and regional economies. Rupert, the 74-year-old mastermind behind the worlds largest luxury watchmaker, has seen his fortune swell to an impressive $14.3 billion, according to the latest data from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. His company, Cie Financiere Richemont, boasts an impressive portfolio of high-end brands that have proven resilient in the face of economic uncertainties. Meanwhile, Dangote, once the undisputed king of African wealth, has experienced a significant setback. His net worth has dwindled to $13.4 billion, a decline of nearly $1.7 billion this year alone. This downturn is largely attributed to Nigerias economic woes, which have cast a long shadow over Dangotes diverse business empire. The reshuffling at the top has also highlighted other African billionaires making waves. South African Nicky Oppenheimer, Egyptian businessman Nassef Sawiris, and another South African, Natie Kirsh, round out the top five wealthiest individuals on the continent. This shift in fortunes serves as a stark reminder of the economic challenges facing many African nations, as well as the resilience of certain sectors in the face of global uncertainty. Jensen Huang is a rock star to these people. Photo: Ann Wang/Reuters Have some Nvidia beads! Lauren Balik hands me the green Mardi Grasplastic necklace and sure, why not? Its just before 4 p.m. at the Store House in Chelsea. A bunch of black, green, and white balloons slam me in the face. Bubbles float through the air, and CNBC is broadcast on seven screens hanging above the 30-odd people who are here for one reason: to see just what unfathomable amount of money Nvidia, the most important stock on planet Earth, made during the last three-month earnings period. Nvidia is at the peak of its hype cycle. This year, the computer-chip maker became something like a vector of all of capitalisms hopes and dreams as it rocketed past $3 trillion in market value, more than tripling in value over the past 12 months. Thanks to a dashed-off tweet from Balik, finance and tech superfans descend upon the bar for a quarterly earnings watch party. Ive been covering Wall Street in some form for 14 years, and this is the first time Im aware of that a single companys 10-Q regulatory filing has made a bunch of people who dont even work there throw a party. All of this is really embarrassing! said Takara Satone, 27, who told me she works at a big tech company. Part of it is the power of financial memes and the stunning rise in Nvidias share price over the past year, which has catapulted it to the second-largest company in the world by market cap, after Apple. Most of the people here I spoke with owned some shares, and one had almost his entire life savings. But Nvidia has become something else a feel-good story at a time when the economy has otherwise been so unsteady. This is just the bubble in physical form, said Howe Wang, an investor who was blowing bubbles into the air. Im a believer, said a man visiting from Texas who also works at a big tech company and was wearing an Nvidia T-shirt. He said he has invested in Nvidia since 2017 and has seen his shares rise about 3,000 percent. On Monday, he bought a studio apartment in Hudson Yards with the proceeds. Next year, he hopes to retire. From left: Lauren Balik and her Nvidia-themed balloons. Photo: Kevin Dugan, New York Magazine Anticipating the Q3 numbers. Photo: Kevin Dugan, New York Magazine From left: Lauren Balik and her Nvidia-themed balloons. Photo: Kevin Dugan, New York Magazine Anticipating the Q3 numbers. Photo: Kevin Dugan, New York... more From left: Lauren Balik and her Nvidia-themed balloons. Photo: Kevin Dugan, New York Magazine Anticipating the Q3 numbers. Photo: Kevin Dugan, New York Magazine By 4:20, just before the earnings came out, the crowd swelled to about 60. NPR sent a reporter. So did The Wall Street Journal and Morning Brew. Most of the investors were in their 20s; a few were older. CNBC treated the earnings like it was New Years Eve with a countdown clock. Everyone joined in, shouting, 3! 2! 1! A miss! Nvidia made a paltry $30 billion from April to June actually better than some estimates, but well below the most euphoric expectations for Wall Streets most die-hard investors. Balik booed. The whole vibe deflated. A stock chart traded sideways and then way down, around 7 percent. A man in a collarless celadon button-down balked when I asked him his thoughts about it, looking as if Id killed his dog. Others were far less attached. I dont really know anything. I barely care, Satone said. I just wanted to see what was happening with this meme event. To be fair, the expectations were insane. Nvidia has been a phenomenon arguably since June, when Jensen Huang, the 61-year old leather-jacket-clad CEO, signed a womans breast, the kind of over-the-top celebrity treatment that normally doesnt get afforded to Silicon Valley executives. (If there are pictures of Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk doing the same, Im not aware of them.) At the time, the company was well on its way toward a $3.35 trillion market value, not just enriching its own employees but supporting the stock market as a whole. Balik had planned to play the earnings calls over the bars speaker system, but by 5 p.m., almost everyone had left. I was pulling for Nvidia to go down a bit. I thought it would be funnier, she said. But I dont want anybody to lose their shirt! U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, wears a protective mask while walking though the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on January 6. Photo: Ting Shen/Bloomberg/Getty Images On Tuesday, a Republican-led House committee released new documentary footage taken on January 6, 2021, giving a closer look at thenHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosis real-time reaction to the evacuation of the U.S. Capitol as a riot raged outside. The series of videos were published by the House Committee on Administration on its website. One ten-minute-long clip shows the hectic moments after Pelosi was asked to leave the building. The House leader is seen rushing through hallways and down staircases with her aides and security at her side; a member of the security team can be heard telling Pelosi that the crowd of Trump supporters had breached the Capitol. I do not appreciate this. I do not support this my leaving the Capitol like this. We cannot let them disrupt what were doing, Pelosi says. NEW: Video from Jan. 6, 2021 reveals an even more detailed look at then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi's movements and real-time reaction to the attack on the Capitol.@_marcanthony4, @mattsgorman and @woodhouseb join @kasie to respond. pic.twitter.com/xzdiemqjpb CNN This Morning with Kasie Hunt (@CNNThisMorning) August 28, 2024 Pelosi criticizes the inadequate and sluggish security response to the riot. How many times did the members ask, Are we prepared? Are we prepared? she says. Were not prepared for the worst. Were calling the National Guard now. It shouldve been here to start. I just dont understand it. There are also clips of Pelosi talking with her staff on January 7, discussing her upcoming remarks on the riots. In one clip, an aide reads out Pelosis prepared statement as Pelosi is in an SUV en route to the Capitol. The first draft included a call for the resignation of thenCapitol Police Chief Steven Sund, but Pelosi pushes back on the language. I think our focus has to be on the president. Lets not divert ourselves, Pelosi said. I never liked Sund. I think he shouldve been gone a long time ago. (Republicans have sought to direct blame for Capitol security failures toward Pelosi herself.) In another video taken during a meeting with her staff, Pelosi has strong words for Donald Trump, giving an early indication that she would seek to impeach him for his actions surrounding January 6. Weve taken an oath to protect our country from all enemies foreign and domestic. Theres a domestic enemy in the White House, she says. And lets not mince words about this. The footage was filmed by Alexandra Pelosi, the former Speakers daughter, who works as a documentary filmmaker. She was accompanying her mother that day filming a project for HBO. The network later turned the footage over to Congress. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: Getty Images A general rule in business is that, if there is a trend, someone will find a way to capitalize on it, and in this case, that somebody is Robby Starbuck. A conservative documentarian who once directed music videos for the likes of Gucci Mane and Snoop Dogg, he started targeting corporate DEI policies this summer, arguing that theyre bad for business. This week, Starbuck took credit after Lowes and Ford ended some of their DEI-related commitments, including working with minority-owned suppliers and donating to LGBTQ Pride events. That brought the tally up to six companies that have buckled after his social-media campaigns, after Harley-Davidson, Tractor Supply Co., Jack Danielss parent company, and John Deere pulled back. The problem for Starbuck, though, is that his crusade is showing exactly the opposite of what he is arguing and that at the very most, DEI policies are benign and have no effect on how much a company makes or how well it does. Whatever Starbucks real motivations are, he dresses up his argument so that it appears to be one of dollars and cents. If DEI and supplier diversity quotas were making you money, do you really think Tractor Supply and now Harley-Davidson would drop those initiatives? I dont think so. We all know the DEI is not making you money, he said in one of his videos. This is the kind of argument Wall Street might be amenable to if it were true. After all, corporate policies affect how companies spend money, which is what hedge funds and money managers care about. If money is not being used efficiently, investors tend to dump their shares and vice versa. But a strange thing has happened. Perhaps unwittingly, Starbuck has gone after companies that all happen to trade on Wall Street, giving the public a window into how the investor class thinks about his victories. So far, the reaction has been a shrug. After he posted about Fords changes on Wednesday, the stock essentially didnt move after falling in early-morning trading. Lowes shares fell slightly but held steadier than Home Depots. The stock movements for the rest, coming after Starbucks social-media posts, are all slight movements up or down that show little to no interest from investors. In fact, Starbuck may be getting it all backwards. In a paper published in June, Hoa Briscoe-Tran, an assistant professor of finance at the University of Alberta, found that Wall Street had punished Florida-based companies after DeSantiss Stop WOKE Act was first announced. The change in the law, and subsequent drop in stock price, was a natural experiment, he later wrote in a post for the Columbia Law Schools Blue Sky blog. The reasons why arent exactly straightforward. Policies that diversify executive ranks have no real correlation to higher profits, studies show. (They dont show lower profits, either.) The idea that DEI brings more perspectives, and that improves problem-solving and the collection of knowledge and expertise that is actually documented from psychology field experiments or lab experiments. But on a large scale, at the company level, there is no evidence, Briscoe-Tran said in an interview. A lot of research also documents that when companies have a lot of diversity [among employees], they disagree with each other more often, and they reach conclusions slower. So in the short run, diversity and inclusion could hurt the company in terms of speed, you may slow down. But in the long run, all these benefits may accumulate. Dropping DEI policies also creates an economic advantage for companies that retain their policies and want to promote from rivals, according to Briscoe-Tran. A lot of minorities, when they face backlash from a company changing their policies, how likely are they going to speak up? he said. In essence, this is causing a company to look like it is doing the inverse of what it intends. By ending DEI policies, companies create a perception that they are restricting whom they hire, mostly to white men. That might give non-white employees who work at, say, Lowes more of a reason to work at Home Depot and for job applicants to think twice about sending a resume for an open position. In an e-mail, Starbuck appeared to be putting some of the blame on DEI policies on Wall Streets biggest investors. Sanity will rule again and the customer will be king, not BlackRock, not the HRC, not State Street and not Vanguard, he said. Companies need customers to walk through their doors to buy products and it appears that our movement has done an effective job of reminding them of that. (In his research, Briscoe-Tran notes that its smaller investors, rather than giants like BlackRock, who are more likely to dump company shares after a change in DEI policies.) He also claimed that both John Deere and Tractor Supply were down during his campaigns, but recovered after. Clearly rejecting wokeness doesnt crash your stock price! But there is, probably, a better reason why Wall Street has not reacted and that is that Starbucks supposed wins dont add up to much. Fords biggest change, for instance, amounted to a change in its employee resource groups for underrepresented groups, which will now be open to all employees. At Jack Daniels, the changes may be even smaller. Starbuck claims that the liquor company changed how it gave out bonuses, trained employees in diversity, and worked with diverse suppliers after his crusade. But the actual wording from the company says nothing like that its just mushy corporate-ese that makes vague promises to change ambitions and ensure that bonuses are tied to business performance. (It also stopped contributing to the Human Rights Campaigns index about as de minimis as you could get.) In a follow-up email, Elizabeth Conway, a spokeswoman for Jack Danielss parent company, Brown-Forman, told me that its change in DEI policies has had no impact on jobs. To translate: The changes here amount to mere lip service. Photo: Kent Nishimura/Getty Images Donald Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery on August 26 to commemorate 13 American servicemembers killed in Afghanistan during the pullout of U.S. forces three years ago. But reporting soon emerged about an altercation between his campaign staff and a cemetery official over photography in a restricted section, sparking a backlash. Although Trumps team has cited the support of the Gold Star family members accompanying him on the visit, Kamala Harris has accused of Trump of politicizing sacred ground, while other critics allege that the Republican candidate has run afoul of federal law that forbids campaign activity at the site. Here, what we know so far. What happened at Arlington National Cemetery? Trump was at the cemetery to take part in a ceremony honoring the 13 U.S. servicemembers who were killed in a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate outside the Kabul airport during the chaotic military withdrawal from Afghanistan. During his visit, Trump laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and stopped by the burial sites of several servicemembers alongside their relatives and loved ones. NPR reported that an altercation occurred between Trump campaign staff and an Arlington employee. It took place as members of Trumps team attempted to take photographs and record videos in Section 60, an area of the cemetery largely reserved for members of the military who died while serving in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A source told NPR that a cemetery employee tried to prevent those staffers from entering that section but that they then verbally abused and pushed the official aside. It was later reported that the two Trump campaign staffers were Justin Caporale, a deputy campaign manager and Michel Picard who works on the advance team. Arlington National Cemetery confirmed in a statement to NPR that the incident took place and that a report had been filed, indicating that the campaigns actions might have been illegal. Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, to include photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes, or in direct support of a partisan political candidates campaign, the statement said. Arlington National Cemetery reinforced and widely shared this law and its prohibitions with all participants. An Army spokesman issued a statement on August 29, again confirming the incident without mentioning Trump or his campaign directly. They said that the people involved had been advised of the federal rules barring political activity at the cemetery. An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside. Consistent with the decorum expected at ANC, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption, the statement read. The spokesman confirmed that a report was made to the police but that the employee opted against pressing charges. The employee reportedly feared retaliation from Trumps supporters if she pursued charges, military officials told the New York Times. Before the cemetery visit, Trump was already under increased scrutiny for his rhetoric about the military, following recent comments in which he said the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a civilian honor, was better than receiving the Medal of Honor, the nations highest military award. In 2020, The Atlantic published a story alleging that then-President Trump had referred to American WWI veterans buried in the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris as losers and suckers in 2018 when explaining his reasoning for canceling a trip to the site, citing sources familiar with the conversation. How have Trump and his campaign responded to the allegation? Trumps campaign immediately took a defensive posture after the incident was reported, largely blaming the individual cemetery official. In a statement to NPR, which first broke the story, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung denied that a physical altercation occurred and said Trumps team was prepared to release its own footage to combat the defamatory claims, but they have yet to do so. The fact is that a private photographer was permitted on the premises and for whatever reason an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trumps team during a very solemn ceremony, he said. Trump campaign co-manager Chris LaCivita called the employee a despicable individual and accused them of lying about the incident. The campaign circulated a statement by relatives of two of the fallen servicemembers, Sergeant Darin Taylor Hoover and Sergeant Nicole Gee, saying they gave permission for Trumps official photographer and videographer to attend the ceremony and that the Republican candidate and his team conducted themselves with nothing but the utmost respect and dignity. Trumps running mate, J.D. Vance, dismissed the controversy as a media-led creation during a campaign stop on August 28 and took a shot at Vice-President Kamala Harris, blaming her for the 2021 attack that occurred under the Biden administration. Three years ago, 13 brave, innocent Americans died, and they died because Kamala Harris refused to do her job, and there hasnt been a single investigation or a single firing, he said. Vance then accused Harris of trying to criticize Trump for the Arlington visit, though the vice-president herself had yet to comment publicly on the incident at that time. And she wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up? She can she can go to hell, he said. .@JDVance: "Kamala Harris is so asleep at the wheel that she won't even do an investigation into what happened and she wants to give Donald Trump because he showed up, she can go to hell!" pic.twitter.com/hoUO0DRhQm CSPAN (@cspan) August 28, 2024 Trump discussed the visit during a campaign stop August 29, claiming that the relatives of the fallen service members invited him to Arlington and denounced the controversy as coming from Washington. So, I go there, they ask me to have a picture and they say I was campaigning, he said. The one thing I get is plenty of publicity. I dont need that. I dont need the publicity. On August 30, after Harris attacked Trump over the incident, the Trump campaign put out a statement from family members of seven of the servicemembers killed in the Abbey Gate attack which praised Trump and criticized Harris. We, the families of the brave service members who were tragically killed in the Abbey Gate bombing, are appalled by Vice President Kamala Harris recent attempts to politicize President Trumps visit to Arlington National Cemetery, the statement said. The campaign and Trump additionally posted videos on social media from the relatives making similar claims, and also featured their comments in a new political ad released on Sunday. Trump also thanked the family members for saying you wanted me to stand with you at Arlington National Ceremony, and take pictures, that it was your request, not mine. On September 3, Trump continued to deny that the incident, calling it a made up story on TruthSocial despite the U.S. Army issuing an official statement commenting on what happened. Thank you to my friends, the GREAT GOLD STAR FAMILIES, for revealing the TRUTH OF A BEAUTIFUL DAY OF HONOR, he said. How has Kamala Harris responded to the incident? On August 31, Harris said in a statement that Arlington National Cemetery is not a place for politics and that Trump had disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt. She also called attention to past instances in which Trump had disparaged fallen servicemembers. I will always honor the service and sacrifice of all of Americas fallen heroes, who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our beloved nation and our cherished freedoms, she said. I mourn them and salute them. And I will never politicize them. The White House has also said that neither Harris nor President Biden were invited to the August 26 ceremony, after the Trump campaign and some of the servicemembers relatives suggested they had been. Did Trumps visit to Section 60 violate federal law? Arlington National Cemetery is a frequent location for official visits by American leaders with presidents often marking Memorial Day and Veterans Day with remarks and a wreath-laying ceremony at the historic site. Generally, the cemetery allows photography by members of the public within its grounds with more specific rules for the media. But Trumps visit might be in conflict with 32 CFR 553, a federal regulation that states, Memorial services and ceremonies at Army National Military Cemeteries will not include partisan political activities. The campaigns use of the footage taken on Monday so far appears to be political in nature. Dan Scavino Jr., a senior campaign adviser whose social-media feeds largely consist of ads and clips of campaign rallies, shared a video of Trump at the grave of one servicemember with members of their family. Trump later shared a video on TikTok featuring footage taken from his Arlington visit, including him visiting graves located in Section 60 with Gold Star family members. The accompanying audio left no doubt that the video was intended as a political message. It featured a voice-over of Trump condemning the Biden administration for its handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal: We didnt lose one person in 18 months and then they took over that disaster, the leaving of Afghanistan. Although the legal questions surrounding the incident remain open, Trumps visit has upset at least one Gold Star family. The Times reported that relatives of Master Sergeant Andrew Marckesano have expressed concerns that Trump filmed at his grave site without permission. Marckesanos headstone can be seen in videos of Trump laying flowers in Section 60 next to the grave of Sergeant Hoover, whose family accompanied the former president to the site. In a statement to the Times, Marckesanos sister, Michele, said that their family supports Hoovers family and others in their quest for more information surrounding the Afghanistan bombing. However, according to our conversation with Arlington National Cemetery, the Trump campaign staffers did not adhere to the rules that were set in place for this visit to Staff Sergeant Hoovers gravesite in Section 60, which lays directly next to my brothers grave, she said. This post has been updated. 5 years is not enough of a punishment. Reply Thread Link Expulsion is a joke in Korea. If the parents have any form of affluence and money, they can bribe another school to take in their bad seed child. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link given south korea's tendency to let criminals who commit violence against women off with a slap on the wrist if they "show remorse," or it was their first crime, or if they were drunk, 5 years is a pipe dream Reply Parent Thread Link Sorry, but we have to start [REDACTED] these men. Like, yes, rebuild societies from the ground up to socialize boys into being good people, but in the interim... Reply Thread Link Honestly? Yes. Other animal species reject and ostracize dangerous members from their communities, no? I hate that we cant do that. Anyone who commits sex crimes against other human beings should not be welcome in our societies at all, like go live in the wilderness and dont use anything other human beings have built. Youre out. Reply Parent Thread Link Some info about the Twitter hashtag campaign scheduled for Saturday, September 1: On September 1, South Korean women will launch a hashtag campaign asking the South Korean government to expel the perpetrator from school and reveal his identity (video is evidence # DigitalSexCrimes_in_Schools # Expose_the_Deepfake_Perpetrators # SouthKorea_expels_criminals https://t.co/QoKwgbJI3a pic.twitter.com/LaxLDAAR75 (cat) = (@dvu84djp) August 26, 2024 OP, thank you so much for making this post.Some info about the Twitter hashtag campaign scheduled for Saturday, September 1: Reply Thread Link 220k members is abhorrent. i'm so disgusted Reply Parent Thread Link Cat is doing the Lords work. And, of course, men and boys feel threatened by her so theyre making deepfakes of her. Reply Parent Thread Link Omni on YouTube just talked about this. Mentioned that some were family members sharing their relatives to participate. Ugh. Reply Thread Link the majority actually, was guys abusing their sisters/moms/female relatives Reply Parent Thread Link Which is so infuriating. Because WTF. And we know there's no protection for women there if the population is expected to half by 2100. Reply Parent Thread Link I remember reading once that there is a huge epidemic of men sexually harassing their mother-in-laws. Anyway men are disgusting. Reply Parent Thread Link I know pann is gross but there was a post there with screenshots from the chats I guess and one guy was talking about forcing his little sister to take sleeping pills so he could then feel her up, and post about it for these other assholes. It was 100% sickening. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Apparently these fucks divided their rooms by cousins, mothers, sisters, and acquaintances. Just revolting. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link between this and Indian men looking up videos of a gang rape of a female dr we just need to cancel men all over the world Reply Thread Link There was also the Rice University student who was just murdered by a man she was dating. A few months ago, the local news in my community reported a grown man was breaking into buildings and exposing himself to women. I am sick and tired of this shit. Reply Parent Thread Link My uni had what seemed like weekly e-mails in the fall about a man that was entering women's washrooms/showers and taking videos of women, he did it multiple times over three months and some of the victims were underage and I know every woman that lived in a dorm would have been terrified like how can you focus on anything when you aren't safe in your new home but you are always expected to just cope. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link It was the second murder of a female Houston college student this week, as well. Reply Parent Thread Link Women and girls getting stabbed in the UK too. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Look at that man in France, who had been drugging his wife for years and letting men r*pe her. She only found out when she started having medical issues and the videos he made were discovered. Reply Parent Thread Link God, what happened to that woman is beyond awful. I hate that there are photos of her circulating, too. Why can't men just leave us alone??? Reply Parent Thread Link Thats so crazy and incredibly heartbreaking. Madness. That punishment should be rather harsher Reply Thread Link men are a fucking plague, my god Reply Thread Link This is so heartbreaking. How do you even get something like this under control without very extreme measures Reply Thread Link 4B feminists have the right idea tbh Reply Thread Link There was a twitter that was like "If there were no men who would protect you" and every woman was responding with "protect us from what?" Reply Thread Link In those few times in my life where some of that toxic male brute masculinity was appropriate, every single one of those men were flops. Wouldn't bother me if it wasn't such a manosphere talking point. 'Men are the protectors!' Yet you read those stories 'My bf abandoned me when a mugger pulled a gun on us. I'm upset am I overreacting?' Reply Parent Thread Link Edited at 2024-08-29 01:42 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link 5 years in prison for making CSAM is...wow. i was looking it up earlier on the deepfake map a MIDDLE SCHOOLER made (deepfakemap.xyz). my university isn't on there but my friend's is (not surprising because that school is notorious for having unserious weirdos), and the highschool i tutored english at isn't but the highschool next to my uni is on it. i was in a club once and while i was dancing and talking to some girls, some guy was pretending to talk to them and was filming my breasts. i didn't even notice until another girl caught him and made him delete it. another time i was in a bar and a guy came up to my male friend and was like "if you like a girl, make sure to get her more drunk so you have 'opportunity'". luckily my friend doesn't play that shit and got the guy kicked out of the bar. it's just a really weird fucking place and the "nicest" guys are super fucking weird. it's like living in incel dystopia where incels are living out the blackpill fantasy of talking to girls only to hurt them. Reply Thread Link I hope that between everything that has happened from Burning Sun to this shit, that Koreaboos who fetishize Korean men wake the fuck up. These aren't your little oppas in your fave Kdrama (who usually suck as charcters anyway)... there's a serious INCEL problem among them. Reply Thread Link They wont. Theres people defending Taeil already Reply Parent Thread Link Even though VP Harris is speaking of "revenge porn" here,what she says can to a point be applied to this situation and what language we should use going ahead. Reply Thread Link It's so fucked up that so many of these young men had to take explicit photos of their female family members in order to get into these Telegram chat rooms. It's SO fucked up. I know a lot of the assholes on Telegram were making deepfakes with some of the journalists reporting on this too. Fuck that asshole on YouTube PPKka, fucker hides his face and doxxes women who deign to speak up. Someone needs to make deepfakes with him and see how he likes it. Reply Thread Link the cyberloser is so lame, cant do anything because he sits with a bag over his head in a white room to talk about how feminists are cowardly liars lmfao. can't wait to see him waddle like sojang. Reply Parent Thread Link Someone needs to hack him and reveal his face. Give him a taste of his own medicine. Reply Parent Thread Link Telegram should be banished from the earth. idgaf about FrEe SpeEch. I'm glad that dude is locked up rn Reply Parent Thread Link If a member of my family did that to me I would absolutely lose my shit. Theyd be dead to me. Reply Parent Thread Link It Ends With Us Crew Members Say Justin Baldoni and Blake Livelys Creative Differences Were Not a Secret on Set Report: https://t.co/SuPtn47v20 pic.twitter.com/KtfuVwNgH7 Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) August 28, 2024 Just yesterday Variety published a new piece onthat questioned whether Ryan Reynolds' unapproved and unasked for rewrites coincided with the writers strike. The new details that emerged suggest that director Justin Baldoni had thought that Lively ad-libbed new lines during the scenes, but found out at the premiere that Reynolds had re-written the scene. The film's screenwriter Christy Hall, was also informed of that new detail at the red carpet as well. But the Variety piece buried the lede. They revealed that Baldoni and his studio, Wayfarer Studios, holds the rights to the sequel novel,. Baldoni secured the rights to both novels well before the BookTok rallied behind the books and a source with knowledge of the deal says that he, "is the sole party who can determine its fate." This seems to rub against the amount of credit that Lively claimed in the promotion of the movie. And now Rolling Stone is here to stir the drama up some more, but the crew members they interviewed all basically say that it all boiled down, "to a mismatch of creative approaches and personalities." The four month production was "on-again, off-again" according to these crew members, and during that time "they observed Lively and Baldoni's contrasting approaches to filmmaking and noted a shift in Lively's attitude while making the project." Lively and Baldoni largely avoided each other on set unless absolutely necessary. One of the crew members tells RS, "Everyone knew that they didn't like each other. I think some of the rumors online seem a little strong. I don't think they hate each other. But I don't think they would work together again. Their styles are way too different. Blake is very business-minded and very practical. Justin...is so on the other side of why he makes art that they were never going to be friends." A crew member says, there were such conflicting ideas of how to make the movie, and since Blake was bankrolling it, Justin couldnt really put his foot down. But also he didnt really have a strong opinion. Hes very good at directing actors and hes good at acting, hes an actors director, but as far as the direction of the entire picture goes, I dont think it was his sort of film. These crew members note that Lively was very excited at the beginning, "bringing in scrapbooks of ideas and notes regarding the details of her character's wardrobe and set decorations." Lively's vision of how to dress her character, Lily Bloom, conflicted with the ideas of the film's costume designers. A crew member says, "we went dark because of picket lines and [in that time] the costume department was running around with their heads cut off trying to figure out how they could change everything to make sure Blake was happy. There were a lot of returns, exchanges, and repurchasing of an entire wardrobe." Another crew member alleges that the film's production designer was "put on the spot" when Lively asked to change the initial plan for her character's flower store in the film. The original set was apparently "almost Gothic" to give the movie an appropriately "moody vibe" but Lively wanted a new spin to better fit her idea of the character's style. The production designer did not respond to Rolling Stone's requests for a comment. All three crew members interviewed say that Lively often had schedule conflicts, and that after paparazzi photos of her on set in costume were leaked to the press, "her passion for the project seemed to drop off precipitously." One crew member even said, "there was lots of talk about, if this wasn't contractually obligated she probably would have just scrapped the whole thing." The same crew member does say that Baldoni was "inexperienced with running a big crew" while Lively was treating it, "like a bigger production than it was...after she stopped caring, she didn't care about anything about the shoot...Normally that wouldn't be that big of a deal, a lot of actors are like that, but she was so invested in the beginning and then the more she and Justin interacted, the less she cared about it." Union members picketed the New Jersey set, production was halted when some cast and crew members caught COVID. In June 2023 smoke from Canadian wildfires also disrupted filming, and then the writers strike shut the production down for the rest of the year. It didn't start up again until January 2024 before wrapping in February. The crew members say that this also dragged out the professional tension between Baldoni and Lively. Crew members note that both were "civil" about their disagreements, with both throwing in their own two cents on problems. Another crew member says, "I feel like a lot of the things youre seeing online makes it sound like it was a hostile work environment and it wasnt in any way, shape, or form. Everybody was very professional. Everyone was nice. They didnt yell at each other. There was no, like, Oh, Mom and Dad have to go behind a closed door and yell at each other. Nothing like that happened. The crew members say Baldoni tried to foster a "warm environment" of support between above the line and below the line members of the crew, and was very amicable. One of the crew members says, "he was much more personable and available than pretty much any other director and certainly any other lead actor that I've worked with." But still, the crew members did see him as a "green director" with only two features under his belt. They say he was "out of his depth" One of the crew members says, "theres two types of directors: Theres the ones that want control over every little thing they choose every color, choose every costume, all that and then there are directors that hire people they trust and they spend all their time in rehearsal and in front of the camera dealing with actors. Justin was very much the latter...He just hired people that he trusted, but Blake really wanted to have her fingers in every little thing, which is fine, shes executive producer. No one was upset by that. But I think she was kind of taken aback by how sort of laissez-faire Justin was. One of the crew members, who Rolling Stone notes is a 20 year veteran on sets, says that working directly with Lviely, "was fine. We'll leave it at that. It was a fine shoot. Every production I've worked on has its cast of characters, and you know, it is what it is. It's all good." The crew members do feel that the "clash" between Baldoni and Lively took on a new life after the premiere thanks to fan speculation and press coverage caused the situation to spiral. They say that it distracted from the movie's message, one that they say Baldoni emphasized the importance of during the shoot. One crew member says, "I understood that he had a lot of weight on his shoulders that he was carrying. He was always reminding us that aside from the fact that we were trying to make the best possible product, we had an obligation to do the victims of domestic violence justice by telling their story in a way that was respectful and accurate, by shining a light on it. He was always reminding us that this movie has the potential to change lives." The crew members emphasize that the "drama" is merely all creatively driven between a novice director and an actress/producer who lost interest, and that everyone looking for deeper drama won't find it. this looks...good? Reply Thread Link I wasn't expecting it to be. But it looks good, even though I'm sure they changed some of Terry's story from Rosemary's Baby. Reply Parent Thread Link Weird, I had no idea this was being made. I just watched Rosemarys Baby for the first time last week. I forgot until about 45 min in that it was directed by Roman Polanski which sucks cause I really, REALLY enjoyed it Reply Thread Link Polanski, especially early Polanski, is regrettably also a great goddamn director. Reply Parent Thread Link He really was. He's an inexcusably awful human, but that means he's an excellent example of how just because someone is GOOD at a chosen art form doesn't mean they're good at being a human being. Reply Parent Thread Link I think it was one of the producers or someone else who said that the reason it was a good adaptation of the book was because Roman didnt know you deviate from the source material so as result he remained true to the book as possible. Ill give him this but I thought it was clever that he says he didnt totally make it out to be supernatural and if you wanted you could see it as a straight story and that most of the events had other more benign explanations iirc. Reply Parent Thread Link Apparently, he filmed everything from the book, making the movie over 3 hours, but cut it down to 137 minutes. They even had Joan Crawford playing herself, as she appears in the book. Reply Parent Thread Link this looks only ok to me but imo julia garner is one of the most talented young actresses around so go baby go Reply Thread Link I'm off Kevin McNally since he defended Johnny Depp and, oops! Got arrested for domestic violence against a female partner who is not his wife, Phyllis Logan, and thus was likely his mistress in February this year. Reply Thread Link he's not even listed on the youtube description, which is where I got the synopsis from, which I thought was weird... I included him in this post. Reply Parent Thread Link He's in the trailer, so that makes sense for you to add him. Reply Parent Thread Link I really liked her until I found out she's a zionist. Blegh. Reply Thread Link jfc Reply Parent Thread Link This looks surprisingly pretty good and scary. can be a solid tie-in if done well. Bet the ending (deleted or post credit ending scene) would be like a subtle nod to the OG movie with the newlyweds if it ends with them there. Thatd be so crazy Reply Thread Link the original movie (shit stain director aside) is so fucking perfect, and ruth gordon's performance is one of my all time fave movie performances. she deserved that oscar. hopefully this prequel is decent but I'm not sold on that trailer. Reply Thread Link this is essentially just the film redeux and we don't need it in any capacity Reply Thread Link it's a prequel Reply Parent Thread Link with almost the exact same beats as the film lmao so like i said in my comment, i don't see the purpose Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah, I dont understand either. It shouldve been a completely different story if they were going down the prequel route. This is just too similar to the movie Reply Parent Thread Link lol i am glad i'm not alone! i kept watching the trailer expecting SOMETHING to be different but alas, it's the same old shit Reply Parent Thread Link Rosemary's apartment was so dreamy in the og. I'd still love to have such a cute little kitchen and pantry, and that cozy fireplace. It was all so well decorated. Reply Thread Link [ Spoiler (click to open) ] the child from this incident being a girl and thus not the antichrist. This looks decent but seems kinda... ??? since presumably she does not have a successful child, otherwise why would they have needed Rosemary? Unless they're going to pull the Omen prequel thing on us, with Reply Thread Link This is giving me big Suspiria remake vibes. I'm into it even though I'm not a huge fan of the original (don't come at me). I was pleasantly surprised with The First Omen this year so here's hoping we get another great horror prequel! Reply Thread Link wait, why is the rabbit from Donnie Darko in this?? anyway, this trailer was unsettling (in the good way) and the hair cutting scene was almost giving ANTM lol. Reply Thread Link Lmaoooo I met him and hes really nice Reply Parent Thread Link Norway has been investing heavily both in its renewable energy infrastructure as well as continuing to produce huge quantities of oil and gas for several years. However, with greater pressure from international organisations to curb oil production, a lack of new exploration activities, and worries of a decrease in global demand for fossil fuels in the coming decades, Norways oil production could begin to decline from as early as 2025. Norways upstream regulator, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate (NOD), reported this month that it expects the countrys oil and gas production to start decreasing from next year if the government does not pursue new exploration activities to maintain Norways output. This could prevent the Nordic country from earning billions in revenue. Norway has overtaken Russia as the biggest natural gas supplier for Europe, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions on Russian energy. It has reserves of around 7.1 billion cubic metres of oil equivalent (Bcmoe), including around 3.5 Bcmoe of undiscovered resources, according to the regulator. In its report, the NOD set out three scenarios for Norways oil and gas production between 2025 and 2050, which all show a decline in output, and all, according to the regulator, adhere to Paris Agreement objectives. In the base scenario, oil and gas output increases to 243 million cubic metres of oil equivalent (MMcmoe) in 2025 before gradually falling to 83 MMcmoe in 2050. This would largely be owing to a decline in Norways bigger oil fields. The low scenario shows production falling, starting in 2025, to almost zero by 2050. This is driven by a lack of exploration activity and the drying up of wells in the Barents Sea. In the high scenario, production remains high for the next decade before decreasing to 120 MMcmoe by 2050. This is driven by greater exploration in the coming years and the rollout of advanced technologies in the industry. The NOD highlighted that the Norwegian continental shelf is still competitive, as it has vast oil and gas reserves and sufficient infrastructure, as well as favourable government policies. The 2000 petroleum tax reform has also helped spur investment in the sector, supporting growth. Further, Europes movement away from a reliance on Russian energy has helped Norway to become the biggest supplier of gas in the region, a trend that is expected to continue for several years, with natural gas seen as a transition fuel for the green transition. However, the regulator emphasised that the failure to capitalise on Norways massive oil and gas reserves, as shown in the high scenario, would equate to losing nearly an entire government pension fund or around $1.42 trillion. Kjersti Dahle, the Director of Technology, Analysis, and Coexistence at the NOD, stated, This is why well need to ramp up exploration and investment in fields, discoveries and infrastructure moving forward in order to slow the decline in production. A failure to invest will lead to rapid dismantling of the petroleum industry. Dahle added, The scenarios reveal stark differences in future value creation and future government revenues from the petroleum activities. The Norwegian Offshore Directorates calculations show a difference in net cash flow of about NOK 15 thousand billion between the high and low scenarios. This year, two Norwegian firms brought an end to drilling operations in the Barents Sea. While Aker BPs project resulted in a gas discovery, Equinor made no such find. Preliminary estimates show that the size of the Aker discovery could be between 0.51 0.7 million standard cubic metres (Sm3) of oil equivalent. The NOD is calling for more companies to launch exploration activities in the region, as well as for the development of a new pipeline to support increased gas production in the Barents Sea. While Equinor may have failed to make a discovery in its recent Barents Sea project, it has big plans for oil and gas in Norway. Equinor's CEO, Anders Opedal, recently stated that it is important for Equinor to maintain economic growth and support Europes energy security, while also backing the green transition. Opedal said that high levels of investment in oil and gas will continue for many, many years, while also emphasising the importance of the electrification of Equinors operations to reduce emissions. This month, Equinor announced plans to invest $66 billion in oil and gas by 2035, as well as an emergency preparedness plan for Barents Sea activities, following the recent NOD report. The plan earmarks between $5.7 and $6.6 billion a year for hydrocarbons. The company hopes to maintain production at around 1.2 million bpd over the next decade. Funding will boost exploration activities, with plans to drill between 20 to 30 wells a year to ensure a stable output over the next 10 years. This action from Equinor is expected to help Norway avoid the low scenario set out by the NOD, as it continues to produce high levels of oil and gas well into the next decade. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Exxon's warnings contrast with forecasts from the IEA and others who see lower oil demand in the future but raise questions about the long-term security of energy supplies. Traders and analysts have been overwhelmingly bearish on oil in the past few months. With a few exceptions, everyone seems to expect dwindling demand and falling prices. Yet it might turn out that the opposite will happen. OPEC has been warning about this for years. Various officials from the cartel have been sounding the alarm that insufficient investment in new oil supply would eventually turn into a future supply squeeze that will push prices significantly higher. Exxon is now joining OPEC in those warnings. In the new edition of its Global Outlook, the U.S. supermajor predicted that both oil and gas will continue to be vital elements of the worlds energy mix in 2050, with demand for oil remaining at above 100 million bpd after growth peaks and gas demand also remaining strongbecause electricity use in Exxons forecast will be 80% higher in 2050 than it is now. Perhaps the most disheartening prediction made by Exxon concerns EVs and their effect on oil demand. Heres what Exxon said about electric vehicles: If every new car sold in the world in 2035 were electric, oil demand in 2050 would still be 85 million barrels per day. Thats the same as it was in 2010. This stands in stark contrast with virtually every other forecast about electric vehicles and their impact on oil demand, which those other forecasters see as devastatingeven though the major growth in EV sales so far, even in China, has not really arrested oil demand growth. One could argue that Exxons vision is of a world that the company wants to see in the future, so it can continue making money from selling hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon derivatives. It is the same argument one would use for OPECs warnings of underinvestment in oil and gas. However, it is not a particularly strong argument. A shortage of oil and gas would be very welcome to Exxon and OPEC alike. Shortages tend to drive prices higher, and higher prices invariably mean greater profits, as we saw in 2022. The other thing shortages lead to, however, is political and social instability, and that would not be welcome to large businesses such as Exxonhence the warning, and it is a grim one. According to the supermajor, global oil production is facing a natural decline at a rate of some 15% annually over the next 25 years. For context, the IEA sees the rate of natural decline at 8% annually. Exxon points out, however, that the faster decline rate is a result of the shift towards shale and other unconventional oil production, where depletion happens faster than it does in conventional formations. To put it in concrete terms: With no new investment, global oil supplies would fall by more than 15 million barrels per day in the first year alone. This is a scary prospect because At that rate, by 2030, oil supplies would fall from 100 million barrels per day to less than 30 million thats 70 million barrels short of whats needed to meet demand every day. In other words, if investment in new oil and gas production dries up, the world will soon face not just a supply squeeze but the mother of all supply squeezes. Per Exxons report, the effects of that squeeze will feature severe energy shortages and disruption to daily lives, with oil prices potentially rising by as much as 400%--twice as much as they jumped during the Arab oil embargo in the 1970s. This would, in turn, lead to higher unemployment, where rates could reach 30%, Exxon also said. Of course, this is not going to happen. Long before such a massive squeeze materializes, there will be calls for more production, often from the same people who are currently calling for an end to all new oil and gas investment, as the IEAs Fatih Birol did shortly after the IEA published its roadmap to net zero back in 2021. In that roadmap, the IEA said the world needed no new oil and gas investments after the end of that year because oil and gas demand was going down. Several months later, amid falling supply and rising prices, Birol came out with a call on oil and gas companies to invest in more production and bring down prices. In IEAs Oil Market Report for October 2021, the agency noted surging demand for energy and insufficient supply, noting that Shrinking global spare capacity underscores the need for increased investments to meet demand further down the road. It seems, then, that Exxon might be on a more accurate track than the IEA, and the rest of the bearish forecasters fixated on Chinas monthly crude imports and fuel exports. The supermajor might not be exaggerating the future that awaits the world if investment in oil and gas ceases. Fortunately for all of us, investment in oil and gas will not cease, despite the activist calls and threats by governments to force them to cease. The threats will remain just threats. Energy security always trumps ideology. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com China appears to be reconsidering the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline project with Russia, as indicated by Mongolia's exclusion of funding for the pipeline in its economic plan. Buddies in war, Russia and China appear to be frenemies when it comes to energy. As a result, Turkmenistan may be the primary beneficiary of Beijings need for more natural gas. Just a few months ago, Russian and Chinese officials were saying that an agreement to build a new gas pipeline connecting the two countries, dubbed Power of Siberia 2, was imminent. Now, it appears those plans have been put on hold. A recent decision by Mongolias government not to include funding for pipeline construction in a five-year economic plan is widely seen as an indicator that China is rethinking the pipeline project, the South China Morning Post reported. Power of Siberia 2 is projected to carry up to 50 billion cubic meters of gas annually from western Siberia to China via Mongolia. Its operation would provide much needed revenue for Russia, which is straining to afford the cost of its war in Ukraine. China has proven an important supporter of Russia, helping the Kremlin surmount sanctions imposed by the West. But the hold put on the Power of Siberia 2 project suggests Beijings friendship does have boundaries, despite the famous proclamation by Chinese leader Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, that bilateral relations had no limits. While China is keeping Russia hanging on energy cooperation, it is tightening ties with Turkmenistan. A cohort of Turkmen students, for example, has spent the summer taking a training course at Petroleum University in Beijing, the Turkmenportal website reported. RFE/RL cited a regional expert, Alexey Chigadayev, as saying a new pipeline connecting China and Turkmenistan makes more sense for Beijing. For one, China would maintain a far greater degree of control over such a pipeline during both the construction and operational phases. Negotiating with Turkmenistans political leadership is also easier it has an even higher level of authoritarianism than Russia and a simpler economy, Chigadayev told RFE/RL. So far in 2024, Turkmenistan is outpacing Russia in supplying gas to China, in terms of revenue. A report published by an Uzbek news outlet, Spot.uz, said that Turkmenistan was Chinas top gas supplier during the January-July period, exporting $5.67 billion in gas. Russia was second with $4.69 billion in sales. Kazakhstan also provided over $730 million worth of gas to China during the period. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Azerbaijan is strengthening ties with China through strategic partnerships and seeking membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS group. Sullivan's trip aims to address a range of issues including tensions in the South China Sea, China's cooperation with Russia, and the conflict in the Middle East. The US imposed sanctions on Chinese firms believed to be supporting Russia's war effort, leading to a diplomatic dispute ahead of Jake Sullivan's visit to Beijing. Beijing called recent U.S. sanctions on its companies over the Ukraine war illegal and unilateral and not based on facts, as White House national-security adviser Jake Sullivan arrived in China for several days of high-level talks. Heres whats going on. Finding Perspective: Washington has repeatedly warned Beijing over its support for Russia's defense industrial base and has already issued hundreds of sanctions aimed at curbing Moscow's ability to exploit certain technologies for military purposes. The United States imposed sanctions on more than 400 entities and individuals for supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine on August 23, including Chinese firms that U.S. officials believe are helping Moscow skirt Western sanctions and build up its military. One hundred and twenty-three entities were also added to the U.S. export control list known as the Entity List, which forces suppliers to obtain licenses before shipping to targeted companies. Among those added in this most recent batch, 63 entities were based in Russia and 42 in China. On August 27, ahead of Sullivans arrival that same day, Li Hui, China's special envoy for Eurasian affairs, who has done four rounds of shuttle diplomacy, criticized the sanctions at a briefing for diplomats in Beijing after the latest round of meetings with officials from Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa. China has been striving to present itself as a party that is actively looking for a solution to the war in Ukraine, despite skipping a key peace conference in Switzerland this June. After past rounds of talks led by Li in the spring, Beijing put forward proposals on supporting the exchange of prisoners of war, opposing the use of nuclear and biological weapons, and opposing armed attacks on civilian nuclear facilities, as well as an outline for principles to end the war in February 2023. Sullivan In China: Sullivan's trip comes at a time of high tensions in the U.S.-China relationship, with issues like Taiwan, the war in Ukraine, and tensions in the South China Sea flaring up. The trip is Sullivans fifth meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also the director of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee Foreign Affairs Commission Office. As the Financial Times recently reported, both officials have been engaged in secret backchannel talks since 2023 following a low point in ties after an incident with a Chinese spy balloon flying over the United States. The two officials are expected to discuss a litany of issues in Beijing, including tensions in the South China Sea, Chinas growing cooperation with Russia, and conflict in the Middle East. Why It Matters: Talks between Washington and Beijing are never easy and both sides have lots to talk about, but Russia and the war in Ukraine are high on the agenda. When U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing in April, he warned that Washington would act if China did not stop supplying Russia with microchips and machine parts to build weapons used in Ukraine. He also accused his Chinese counterparts of helping to fuel the biggest threat to European security since the Cold War. Since then, Chinese companies have been hit with a raft of measures and the threat of further secondary sanctions on other Chinese entities have led to Chinese banks tightening their restrictions on payments from Russia. Both Sullivan and Wang are hoping to set up a framework for stable relations between their two governments despite their laundry list of issues. During comments about U.S.-China relations in January at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, Sullivan said that he and Wang continued to have direct conversations on leading issues, including Ukraine and Russia. "Both of us left feeling that we didnt agree or see eye-to-eye on everything but that there was a lot of work to carry forward, Sullivan said. By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com China invested a total of $676 billion in its energy transition last year, the Chinese authorities said on Thursday in a white paper on the countrys renewable energy market and energy pathways forward. China led global investments in low-carbon energy in 2023, Chinas State Council Information Office said in the white paper China's Energy Transition. Since 2013, China has been responsible for over 40% of the annual additions to global renewable energy capacity. Last year, Chinas newly installed renewables capacity accounted for more than half of the worlds total, the white paper showed. At a news conference to present the white paper, the head of the National Energy Administration, Zhang Jianhu, said that China would continue to phase out fossil fuels, reform its electricity system, and promote green electricity trading. China is pursuing rapid expansion of its renewable energy capacity, but it isnt ditching coal. China has yet to see its carbon dioxide emissions peak as it is a developing nation and has a massive population. The message came from the countrys National Energy Administration in response to speculation that China had achieved peak emissions before its own deadline. We should not forget that China is still a developing country, pursuing modernization for a huge population, the head of law and institutional reform at the NEA, Song Wen, told media on Thursday. The worlds second-largest economy leads in global renewable investments and installations and has a dominant role in many of the clean energy supply chains, including solar equipment, lithium processing, and mining and processing of other critical battery metals. But China also continues to expand its coal-fired power fleet as its electricity demand grows, to ensure energy security and stable electricity supply, especially in peak demand periods. China has already reached its goal of having more non-fossil fuel installed electricity capacity than fossil fuels earlier than planned, with 50.9% of its power capacity now coming from non-fossil fuel sources. Back in 2021, the Chinese authorities said they would target renewables to outpace fossil fuel-installed capacity by 2025. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com China has yet to see its carbon dioxide emissions peak as it is a developing nation and has a massive population. The message comes from the countrys National Energy Administration in response to speculation that China had achieved peak emissions before its own deadline. We should not forget that China is still a developing country, pursuing modernization for a huge population, the head of law and institutional reform at the NEA, Song Wen, told media. Great efforts are still needed to achieve the goals of peak carbon and carbon neutrality, Song also said, as quoted by Bloomberg. China has been at the forefront of the energy transition, accounting for most of the worlds total spending on things such as wind, solar, and EVs, and turning into the biggest producer of all three. However, this has not changed its status as one of the biggest emitters of carbon dioxide either. Beijing is working to change this, however. Earlier this month media reported that the country planned to build 11 new nuclear reactors to boost the share of the zero-emission electricity source in its energy mix. China is building more nuclear power plants than any other country in the worldjust like its coal power plantsand based on those record approvals, it plans to build even more, becoming the worlds biggest nuclear generator by 2030, according to BloombergNEF. There are 26 nuclear reactors under construction in the country, set to add over 30 GW in generation capacity to the countrys total when completed. At the same time, Chinese authorities reduced significantly the number of approvals for new coal capacity. The total approved during the first half of the year was as much as 80% lower than the new coal capacity approved during the same period in 2023. The question here, however, is whether the approvals are down because after last years push the country will have all the coal capacity it needs or because of efforts to reduce the dominance of coal in the energy mix. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The Iran-aligned Houthis have agreed to allow salvage crews including rescue ships and tugboats to access an oil tanker that the Houthis hit with a missile in the Red Sea earlier this month. Several countries have reached out to ask Ansarullah (the Houthis), requesting a temporary truce for the entry of tugboats and rescue ships into the incident area," Irans mission to the United Nations in New York said, as carried by Reuters. The Houthi movement has agreed to this request, in consideration of humanitarian and environmental concerns, the Iranian mission to the UN added. Reports last week said a tanker on fire was drifting in the Red Sea. It later emerged that the vessel had come under attack by armed groups traveling on small vessels some 90 miles from the Yemeni port city of Hodeida. The tanker was also reportedly struck by missiles or drones. The vessel reports being not under command, the UK Maritime Trade Operations office said at the time, likely meaning it lost all power. No casualties reported. The Greek-flagged oil tanker, the Sounion, had 25 crew members and was traveling from Iraq to Cyprus. The crew was rescued by a European warship and transported to Djibouti. Earlier this week, U.S. Pentagon officials said that the Greek tanker that the Yemeni Houthis struck in the Red Sea a week ago is now leaking oil. The MV Sounion now sits immobilized in the Red Sea, where it is currently on fire and appears to be leaking oil, presenting both a navigational hazard and a potential environmental catastrophe, Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder said, as quoted by the Maritime Executive. The oil tanker holds close to a million barrels of crude oil and if it spills as a result of the strikes, it could become one of the largest oil spills from a vessel in recent history. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Natural gas transport operator ONEOK has struck a deal to acquire interests in two energy companies for a total consideration of $5.9 billion. One of the acquisitions will be a 43% stake in EnLink Midstream, the Wall Street Journal reported. The seller is Global Infrastructure Partners and the size of the deal is $3.3 billion. The other acquisition is for Global Infrastructure Partners stake in a company called Medallion Midstream for $2.6 billion. ONEOK is one of the largest energy infrastructure operators in North America. It has a network of more than 50,000 miles of pipelines. Some of that was added to the companys total last year when it acquired Magellan Midstream partners for $18.8 billion. This acquisition creates a more resilient energy infrastructure company that is expected to produce stable cash flows through diverse commodity cycles, ONEOK said at the time. The deals signal that the merger and acquisition wave that began in the shale oil patch is spreading across the industry. While the upstream mega deals in the shale patch have been drawing the most market attention, pipeline operators are also embarking on a merger spree in a quest to add scale, optimize assets, and gain more exposure to export markets. Earlier this year, for instance, reports emerged that Occidental Petroleum was exploring the sale of a 49% stake in Western Midstream following its acquisition of CrownRock, the shale field operator. In a deal last year, natural gas pipeline operator Energy Transfer bought midstream energy company Crestwood Equity Partners in an all-stock deal valued at around $7.1 billion, including the assumption of $3.3 billion of debt. The midstream merger frenzy continued into 2024, with gas station owner Sunoco LP announcing in January that it would buy pipeline and liquids terminal operator NuStar Energy in an all-equity transaction valued at around $7.3 billion, including debt. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Liberty Steel's Polish plate producer, Huta Cz?stochowa, was recently declared bankrupt for the second time in its history. Via Metal Miner Big changes seem on the way for the Polish steel industry. Recently, local steel news outlets reported that several companies have expressed interest in leasing Polish plate producer Huta Cz?stochowa, which Liberty Steel acquired in 2021, after a local court declared the plant bankrupt in July. Among the potential suitors for the plant is the Ukrainian metals and mining group Metinvest. We can confirm that we were invited to consider leasing the steel plant, with the possibility of later acquiring it, daily newspaper ?ycie Cz?stochowy quoted Metinvests chief commercial officer Dmitriy Nikolayenko as saying on August 15. At present, we dont have information on what condition the previous owner left the site in. We need to conduct a thorough assessment, including a comprehensive due diligence study, which would determine the launch date of the steelworks, Nikolayenko added. Metinvest officials were not available for comment, despite several attempts. Other parties interested in leasing Huta Cz?stochowa include Katowice-headquartered coal producer W?glokoks, which has stakes in other Polish rolling assets. One official at that company would only tell MetalMiner that the company is analyzing the possibility and declined o comment further. Metinvest Could Expand Non-Ukraine Capacity Information on the groups website showed that Metinvests assets outside of Ukraine include Italian plate producers Ferriera Valsider and Metinvest Trametal. The latter is in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region and has a 600,000 metric tons per year capacity to roll plate in 4-180mm and a maximum width of 3200 mm. Ferriera Valsider, in the Veneto region, can roll up to 400,000 metric tons per year of heavy plate in 8-200mm gauges and widths of up to 3,000 mm as well as 600,000 metric tons of HRC in 1.8-25mm gauges per year to a maximum width 1,555mm. Huta Cz?stochowa is 80 kilometers north of Katowice, the Silesian Voivodeships capital, and can produce about 1.2 million metric tons per year of plate in 5-20 mm gauges on two rolling mills. Information on Liberty Steels website indicated that products from the plant target wind towers and unpressurized tanks. Yellow goods, construction, as well as vehicular and water transport sectors are also targets for Huta Cz?stochowas production. In addition, the plant can produce welded pipes in 1,000-3,000mm diameters. The Plant Has a Checkered Financial History The Cz?stochowa District Court placed Huta Cz?stochowa into bankruptcy on July 25. Reports from Polish media and steel news outlets stated that this was because the plant had not operated in six months and had not received any new orders. A source with GFG Alliance told MetalMiner that the plant was working at minimal levels earlier in the year, but worsening market conditions in Europe created cash flow problems. Plate produced in northern Europe is currently about 605 ($675) per metric ton EXW, down from 700 ($780) earlier in the month. This is due partly to lower seasonal demand in the European summer as well as declining input prices. The current bankruptcy is not Huta Cz?stochowas first. Indeed, the same court that announced the current bankruptcy also placed the plant into bankruptcy in September 2019 after its board filed for bankruptcy in June. Liberty Hopes to Retain its Steel Industry Positions Sunningwell International Polska reportedly expressed interest in taking over the plants lease in 2019, after Polish courts previously placed the plant into bankruptcy. The company withdrew from the planned sale in 2020, after which Liberty Steel acquired it for the reported sum of z?. 190 million ($43.3 million). Liberty Steel originally took over the lease for Cz?stochowa in December of that year and then fully acquired the plant in May 2021. Libertys parent company, GFG Alliance, stated on August 15 that it had filed an appeal against the bankruptcy proceeding. Liberty is appealing because it believes the business proved it had strong support from its largest creditor, had a Letter of Intent from a credible financial institution for a 100 million [$111 million] working capital loan, and was already undergoing a restructuring and restart process, the company stated in an announcement. Libertys appeal also highlights a number of court procedural issues which have a significant impact on the validity of the proceedings, the company stated. By Christopher Rivituso More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The Omaha Police Department Thursday identified the man killed by a police officer in a north-central Omaha residential neighborhood. Cameron Ford, 37, was shot by Officer Adam Vail as police executed a search warrant pertaining to firearms and narcotics at a multilevel house near 78th and Redick Avenues Wednesday morning. Vail has been with the Police Department for nearly seven years, a police press release said. The Police Department said Vail has been a SWAT member since March 2023 and been involved with the execution of 122 high risk warrants during his time in SWAT. SWAT was involved due to Fords criminal history, police said. The Drug Enforcement Administration also assisted in the execution of the warrant. Police said they found a firearm and a large quantity of narcotics in the house. After Vail shot Ford, police immediately performed CPR. Medics took Ford to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he later died. A police report Thursday said that during the execution of the search warrant, there was property damage to the houses front door and frame. Damage to the door included dents and scratches. Per department policy, Vail has been placed on administrative leave and will be interviewed by internal investigators on a later date. The Douglas County Sheriffs Office and Nebraska State Patrol will assist Omaha police in the investigation, as required by state law. After the internal investigation is completed, state law requires that a grand jury will investigate Fords death since it happened while police were trying to take Ford into custody. Omaha police plan to provide further updates at a press conference about the shooting at its downtown headquarters Tuesday morning. This is the second incident this year in which an Omaha police officer shot and killed a person. In February, Capt. Jay Leavitt and Officer Robert Soldo shot and killed Fernando Rodriguez-Juarez, 26, and Jonathan Hernandez-Rosales, 28 close to a South Omaha nightclub near 32nd and L Streets. Police said one of the men fired a shot toward the officers, who working off-duty as security guards, before officers shot the mens vehicle 21 times. Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine concluded the officers use of deadly force in the February shooting was justified. A Davenport police officer killed two dogs in separate incidents this summer, according to the dogs' owners. Video footage posted online last week shows an officer shooting and killing a barking dog with two kids and a mom nearby. A petition circulating online and shared by the dog's owner calls for accountability for Davenport Police Officer Ethan Bock. And a little more than a month before last week's incident, Bock struck and killed another resident's unleashed dog with his police vehicle while driving through an alley, according to the dog's owners and bodycam footage obtained by the Quad-City Times. Asked to confirm if Bock was the same officer in the Aug. 21 incident, the Davenport Police Department didn't say. "We are aware of the information circulating on social media and are sensitive to the concerns of our community. The Davenport Police Department is conducting a comprehensive review of the incident," the department wrote in an emailed statement. "At this time, it would be premature to speculate on the results of the internal review, but the department is committed to sharing more information to include additional video once the review has been completed." A devastating call for a dog owner Lacindra Spears was out of town on the night of July 13, when she got a devastating call. Her dog Muneca was hit and killed by a squad car driven by Bock in the alleyway behind her home. For more than a week, Spears said the department gave her and her family differing stories about what happened. Spears said she was told her witnesses were "not credible." Then, on July 30, the police department offered her $1,700 for her dog, Spears said in an interview that same day. At the time, Spears said it was not enough to replace her dog or make up for the disrespect she feels she and her family faced. The Davenport Police Department wrote in an Aug. 26 email: "This incident was resolved with the help of Ms. Spears." Muneca could recognize when Spears had hemiplegic migraines, which cause paralyzing symptoms that mimic a stroke. Muneca would nudge her head up until someone, usually her brother, came to check on her, Spears said in a July 30 interview. Because of the debilitating symptoms, which developed in recent years, Spears said she lost her ability to drive, lost her home, closed her business on Harrison Street and began staying there until she could figure out another living situation. "I needed that dog," Spears said. "All the stuff I've been going through I lost my business she was what I had left." On July 13, Spears' brother, C'edward Spears, was taking out the trash at about 10 p.m. to the alleyway behind the Harrison Street buildings where he and Lacindra live. At the same time, another brother was taking Muneca out to do her business. They all were in the alleyway when Davenport police vehicles drove through. C'edward Spears said in a July 30 interview he tried to stop the police cars so Muneca could cross safely. The first one slowed and allowed the dog to cross before continuing. But the second officer did not heed his warning. "He comes speeding down, so I stepped in front of the police car, I say, 'stop' so the dog can come out so he stops," C'edward Spears said. "The dog goes out into the field and a few seconds go by, and another police car, he comes up speeding as well, and by this time the dog has used the bathroom already and is on the way back. I step out again. I'm like, 'stop the dog.' So he stops. He acknowledges me. Then he speeds up and he goes." Bodycam footage shows aftermath Video requested by the Quad-City Times through a Freedom of Information Act request does not show the moment the police officer's vehicle struck the dog. But the department did supply this past week three videos from different officers' body cameras just after the incident. A records department staffer said there was no dash camera footage because the vehicle's emergency red and blue lights were not on, which triggers the dash camera to record. In one 17-minute body camera video from the officer that hit the dog, Bock, he can be seen getting out of the car and approaching the dog lying on the ground. "God dammit," he said before speaking into his radio asking for a public service response to the alley. Several witnesses stood in the alley, the video shows. One man stood with his hands clasped over his forehead. Another had his hands on his hips. "Let me get on with a sergeant all right?" Bock said. C'edward Spears can be seen walking over to Muneca with his hand over his mouth in shock. "That's why you gotta' have your dog on a leash bro," Bock said. Bock typed on his phone and could be heard saying: "Hey, I'm 10-2. Some frickin' dog just ran out here, and I smoked it." A person off camera asked Bock to get his badge, a paper, and pen and make a report. Bock repeated his situation into his phone or radio: "I hit a dog in the alley between Harrison and Ripley just south of 14th." Someone off camera can be heard telling the officer, "You know better than to go in this alley." Bock responded: "You gotta' have your dog restrained, man." Another person asked Bock what the procedure is. Bock told him animal control will come pick up the dog. "I'm very sorry," Bock said to the man, who was bent over Muneca. After a few minutes, another officer approached. Bock exited his vehicle and the second officer asked Bock, "These guys acting up?" Bock responded: "No, they're upset. I smoked their dog by accident." Bock approached the bystanders and told them his sergeant would come talk to them. He said, "Animal control is not going to respond at night to get him, but they will respond tomorrow to pick him up unless you guys want to do anything different." C'edward Spears told Bock the dog is his sister's. "Well, I feel horrible," Bock said to him. "But I was enroute to something really important." The Davenport Police Department did not respond to a question about why Bock was using the alleyway. A sergeant arrived and Bock and another officer stood talking for a few minutes. The sergeant told Bock: "You've gotta say that different on the radio." "Say what different?" Bock asked. "You said you smoked a dog," the sergeant said. "Oh I did?" Bock asked. "Yeah," the sergeant said. The person off camera asked if animal control knew about the dog already. One of the policemen responded yes, and that they would probably come tomorrow. But in the July 30 interview, Lacindra and C'edward Spears said when animal control officials came, they said they don't pick up deceased animals. They'd come to scan the dog for a chip or check for a tag to try to find the owners. The Spears family paid $200 for Muneca to be cremated. Lacindra Spears got a call that night at 2:30 a.m. from someone with the police department. She said he offered condolences, said she should be able to see a tape of what happened, and that someone would get back to her the following Monday. But she said no one called. So she called the police department and was directed to a voicemail. Then, she said her calls to the police department started to go unanswered. On July 23, she got a call back. "I told him exactly what all five people told me," Lacindra Spears said. "Right off the bat, he goes, 'Well, that's not what happened. This is not gonna come out in your favor. Your witnesses are not credible. What happened was ' And then I tell you, he gave me a whole tuck and roll on how the dog got stuck, so I'm listening to the details of his version of what happened, and I said, so you've seen the tape? He said no. I said was you there? I said, how you know then?" Lacindra Spears said the police frequently drive through the alley behind where she lives without lights or sirens on, and the person on the phone told her that they were on an eluding call and had initiated a chase. Then, she said she was told that the officers were only going 16 miles per hour. The whole incident has been incredibly stressful, Lacindra Spears said. She wasn't eating. She slept on her couch because she used to sleep in her bedroom with Mun. One month later, another dog was killed Just over a month after Muneca was killed, on Aug. 21, Don Hesseltines dog a 2-year-old golden retriever and German shepherd mix named Myst was shot and killed by a Davenport police officer. Footage of the event, from two separate angles, was shared on social media by Hesseltine last week. By zooming in on the officer's name tag in that footage, Hesseltine said that he's concluded that Bock was the officer that shot Myst. He has not heard from police about the identity of the officer. The footage shared online shows a police vehicle approach Hesseltines son, his son's cousin and the dog, while the boys ride bicycles in the alley behind Hesseltines home. According to a news release shared on Aug. 22, police responded to investigate a report of four dogs at large, appearing to act aggressive and attempting to get over the callers fence and reach their dog. Hesseltine wasnt there at the time of the incident, but said the officer, Bock, rolled down the window to let the boys know they had to put Myst on a leash. After the conversation, the boys dropped their bikes in the alley and began walking toward the house alongside the dog, the footage shows. In the videos Hesseltine released, the dog runs back toward Bock, barking. Brandy Russell, the mother of Hesseltine's son, and one of the boys start to follow the dog towards the officer. Bock at first bends down and the dog stops barking, but then begins again. Bock backs up and moves his right hand towards his hip. The dog follows him and then the officer extends his hand and there are two gunshots. Myst then ran back through the yard toward the house and falls over. Hesseltine said that Myst did not bite the officer. The release from the department does not reference any injuries to the officer, but says that the dogs behavior became aggressive, resulting in the officer discharging his firearm at the dog. Hesseltine is still frustrated over the officers handling of the incident, and has circulated a petition on social media that calls for Bock to be reprimanded. The petition has more than 1,300 signatures as of Tuesday morning. It was started, Hesseltine said, by a stranger to the family who reached out and offered to help. "We don't want him on the streets anymore, man," Hesseltine said. "Nobody does. I've had 100 people reach out to me." Spears called for discipline for officer On July 30, the police department met with Lacindra Spears and her mother and offered her $1,700, the price that Lacindra Spears paid for Muneca. But Lacindra Spears said it wasn't enough. She wanted to know what disciplinary action the officer would face. Lacindra Spears questioned why she was told her witnesses were not credible and said it was indicative of how people who live near her or look like her are treated by the police. "I'm just never gonna get over the fact that why is y'all saying what we say don't matter man," Lacindra Spears said. "Why don't we ever f***ing matter? Why are we not credible? Why the hell is it not credible? ... The police not always right. That badge does not carry more weight than a Black man's truth." Reporter Gannon Hanevold contributed to this article. U.S. Rep. Don Bacon asserted Thursday he did nothing wrong in intervening to help former President Donald Trumps media company obtain a hard-to-obtain foreign worker visa for a company executive. According to a report by the nonprofit news organization ProPublica, Bacons efforts helped the social media worker jump the line to get the visa in 2022. Bacon said his effort was no different than the services he would provide for any constituent, and that he handled the case no differently. I treated him like I treated every other constituent Ive done hundreds of these things, Bacon told The World-Herald in an interview. I did the standard thing, no more, no less. The request for assistance came from Andrew Northwall, the chief operating officer of Trump Media who is also a longtime Nebraskan and Republican political consultant. Bacon, a Republican who represents the Omaha-based 2nd District, said if the visa assistance request had come from Tony Vargas the Democrat who is challenging him in Novembers election he would have done the same thing. Before Trump Media reached out to Bacon, the company had already helped get the tech worker from North Macedonia, Vladimir Novachki, approved for the visa, ProPublica reported. But a backlog at the American embassy in the Balkan nation was causing delays in finalizing the process. Bacons office helped fix the problem for Trumps company, ProPublica reported. Novachki is now Trump Medias chief technology officer. At the time of the request, Bacon and Trump were not exactly political allies. Trump had criticized Bacon in December 2021 for voting the previous month in favor of President Joe Bidens infrastructure bill. Trump had called for a Republican patriot to challenge Bacon for his seat. Bacon had also criticized Trumps actions surrounding the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol. Bacon ultimately faced no serious primary challenge and was re-elected to the U.S. House seat he has held since 2017. A former staffer for Bacon told ProPublica the congressman personally instructed her to help Trump Media, even though she thought it was inappropriate to mix politics with the offices constituent services duties. Bacon said Thursday his response after the request was that we all feel uncomfortable about it Ive got someone from the Trump team asking me to help out with a visa. So he said his office sat down to discuss how to handle the request. I said, Well, its a constituent we should handle it like we handle every constituent request, he said. It would have been a story if I didnt help. It was a constituent. I said, Lets make sure we follow procedures and we do it like we do everyone else. So that was the basis. ProPublica said its common for companies to ask members of Congress to help speed along such applications. But they typically do so when the applicant or company is based in the lawmakers district. Trump Media is headquartered in Sarasota, Florida. But Bacon said he considered the man making the request in this case a constituent. Bacon described Northwall as a long-term Nebraskan who still has a home here while also living part-time in Florida. I know him, Bacon said. He said he first met Northwall through Republican political circles, when Bacon was helping the campaign of then-Congressman Lee Terry. He said Northwalls firm also in the past had done minor consulting work for his campaign, particularly some data analysis. According to Northwalls LinkedIn page, he had only gone to work as COO of Trump media just weeks before the assistance request, in December 2021. Before that, he worked as an Omaha-based political consultant, the owner and founder of several political strategy entities. Clients have included Republican candidate for governor Charles W. Herbster. He also in 2021 served as an adviser and architect for Parler, the conservative social media site. The Ralston High graduate also earned a political science degree at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2009 and served as chairman of UNOs campus Republican group. The request for help also came just weeks after Trump had called for someone to challenge Bacon. Virginia Canter, a former government ethics lawyer, said the timing made the request from Trumps organization more troubling, potentially increasing the pressure on Bacon to help. Thank you so much for your help on making sure we push this forward, Northwall wrote to a Bacon staffer in January 2022, according to an email reviewed by ProPublica. I will make sure to thank the congressman as well! An aide to the congressman replied promptly. We will follow up with the proper officials about your concerns, an aide wrote. Bacon told The World-Herald he also subsequently had a phone call with Northwall. Bacons office ultimately gathered the forms and rationales it would need to push the case forward with the State Department. Bacon noted that even after his office assisted on the visa, that did not stop Trump from criticizing Bacon during an appearance in Omaha just before the May 2022 primary, with Trump saying hes not good. There was zero quid pro quo, zero any deal made, Bacon said. The ProPublica report suggested there was incongruity in Trumps organization seeking to obtain a visa for a foreign worker. Trumps administration generally pushed U.S. companies to hire Americans over foreign workers, and it instituted policies that made it harder to secure visas for skilled workers. Trumps current platform pledges to strengthen Buy American and Hire American Policies. A Trump campaign spokesperson said in a statement that when President Trump is back in the White House, he will enforce our immigration laws and deport illegal immigrants, ProPublica said. The spokesperson added that Trump has always been in favor of allowing in thoroughly vetted highly skilled immigrants who do not undercut American wages. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of August 2024 There is some sort of panic in the ruling APC over the results Atiku Abubakar of the PDP said he got and how he allegedly defeated President Buhari. What is more revealing is that up till date INEC has not been able reconcile the results it claimed Buhari used to defeat Atiku. Right now PDP leaders are threatening to stop Buharis inauguration until the determination of the petition challenging the Presidents victory in the February 23 election. The Presidency has dismissed the threat as unserious and dared the PDP to launch its legal battle. The main opposition party was reacting yesterday to the court cases filed against the announcement of results of the March 9 governorship and state Assembly elections in Bauchi and Rivers states by candidates of the Presidents party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Governor Mohammed Abubakar (APC) of Bauchi State has obtained an ex parte order at the Federal High Court stopping INEC from concluding the governorship election. A similar court case was filed by the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Rivers State, Mr Awara Biokpomabo, seeking an order of the court to stop INEC from releasing the results of the governorship election in the state. But the PDP, which believes that its candidate, Governor Nyesom Wike, won the election, alleged that the case filed by the AAC and its candidate was instigated by the APC. The PDP has filed a petition with the National judicial Council (NJC) against Justice Ekwo Inyang who granted the Bauchi governor the order, inciting a violation of the Constitution and Section 87(10) of the Electoral Act. The said provision of the Electoral Act prescribes that no court has the power or jurisdiction to stop any election pending the determination of a suit. National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, who decried the action of the petitioners, expressed concerns over hiccups in the conduct of the 2019 general elections. The party, at an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja yesterday, complained about the inability of INEC to conclude the elections in record time. The PDP chieftains were particularly miffed that almost two weeks after, INEC could not conclude the governorship and state assembly elections that were held on March 9. Winners of governorship elections are yet to be declared in seven states where the polls were inconclusive. The states are: Kano, Sokoto, Benue, Plateau, Adamawa and Bauchi states. The concluding part of the elections are billed to hold in the states on Saturday. The governorship election in Rivers state has become a subject of legal rigmarole by interested parties following the suspension of the announcement of the results. Also of grave concern to the main opposition party is what it called the militarisation of the elections in many states in the Southsouth. Secondus who presided over the meeting, called on the military not to allow themselves be called out again for what he described as illegal duties. He enjoined the military and other security agencies to resist any attempt to be dragged into paying manipulative roles in Saturdays supplementary elections. According to him, inconclusive is a rigging strategy introduced by the INEC to aide the APC and its candidates. He expressed optimism that PDP candidates will emerge victorious in the upcoming supplementary elections in five of the six states that the election will take place. Secondus said that posterity will hold the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, responsible for the consequences of all his actions. He said: The way they (APC) are going about getting court injunctions stop elections that have already been held, if we also go to court to stop inauguration of elected officers, it will disrupt the democratic process. If INEC has to give people the opportunity to go to court, we too can go to court and stop the swearing in ceremony, be it the President or other (APC) governors. Invest & Get 20% In Just 90 Days Click HERE >> Delicious Noodles Pizza In Lagos Click HERE >> To Buy Cheap MTN & GLO Data Click HERE >> The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives and contender for the Speaker of the House in the Ninth National Assembly, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Wednesday, denied ever being convicted on any corruption case. The Director-General of the Gbajabiamila/Wase Campaign, Abdulmumin Jibrin, at a world press conference at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, on Wednesday, made the clarification that contrary to claims and reports making the rounds, Femi Gbajabiamila has not been accused nor convicted of any corruption case. Jibrin said that the accusations against Gbajabiamila are fabrications aimed at tarnishing his image. In the last few weeks, the media has been washed by a reoccurring fabrication of false accusations and outright lies against Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila. The latest was a live press conference addressed yesterday by someone claiming to be speaking on behalf of the Coalition of United Political Party (CUPP). For the benefit of the doubt, we wish to state once again that Hon Gbajabiamila has never been convicted for any crime in the USA, Nigeria or any other country around the world for that matter. He has never been accused of corruption and has no case hanging on his neck in Nigeria or anywhere around the world; he has never been accused, committed perjury in Nigeria or any country of the world. He was eligible to contest in all previous elections he won and, indeed, eligible to contest for the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Ninth Assembly. Honourable Femi has severally responded to these allegations, provided clarifications and set records straight. The allegations have also been tested and struck out in courts of law in Nigeria, the state bar of Georgia has also written and categorically stated that there is no criminal conviction in the matter relating to Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and he is currently an active member in good standing of the state bar of Georgia. All these facts are in the public domain. ALSO READ: Femi Gbajabiamila gets Orji Kalus endorsement for Speaker Hon Femi has not been served any summon by an area court neither has he been notified by the clerk of the national assembly. We are worried that those behind these antics are trying to drag the judiciary and our judges to what is clearly a hatchet job. We urge the general public to disregard the falsehood being peddled around. Hon Femi has instructed his lawyers to take every necessary legal step against all those involved and the parliamentary conspirators and sponsors to seek redress and sue for defamation with immediate effect, Jibrin declared. The National Democratic Congress Flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama has pledged to embark on a massive industrial revolution if he is elected President in the upcoming December elections. As a part of his campaign to some constituencies in the Greater Accra region, John Mahama visited the Amasaman constituency where he assured constituents and supports of the NDC that the 24-hpur economy mantra which the NDC propagates, will encapsulate an industrialization drive which will in turn, create job opportunities for the youth. During his campaign, Mahama visited several constituencies, including Amasaman, Domeabra-Obom, Trobu, and Anyaa-Sowutuom, to promote the partys key policy proposals which was received with thunderous shouts and enthusiasm. In Amasaman, former President John Mahama pledged to designate the Amasaman-Suhum stretch as an industrial zone, encouraging investors to establish factories and operate under the 24-hour economy policy along the stretch. Everyone goes to Tema to put up a factory. Well arrange this place when we come into power. Whoever would want to put a factory would come and put it here. Well designate the Amasaman-Suhum stretch as an industrial zone, and theyll operate under the 24-hour economy policy, Mahama said. Source: Kobina Darlington/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 Ghanas Finance Minister, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, has revealed that Ghanas provisional nominal central government debt stood at a total of GHC 761.1 billion. Explaining to the media during the monthly media Economic update at the Ministry of Finance in Accra on Thursday, August 29, 2024, the minister noted that, the current figure saw an increment from GHC 587.7 billion, with its USD equivalent being US$ 53. 5 billion. Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, has given an update on the state of the Ghanaian economy putting the country's public debt as of July 31, 2024, at Gh761.1 billion, equivalent to USD 51.1 billion. Dr. Amin Adam said, The increase in cedi terms and the decrease in US dollars is attributed to a combination of factors, including cedi depreciation, disbursements from multilateral institutions, and domestic financing of the budget." He further announced, by way of marking critical steps in the external debt restructuring programme, the government, through the ministry of Finance will launch an exchange offer in few days to come. According to Dr. Amin Adam, the government of Ghana is committed to achieving its debt targets under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. Giving further updates on the external debt restructuring programme, the Finance Minister revealed that the government is pleased to officially launch its exchange offer in the coming days, "marking a critical step in our external debt restructuring journey." He added that, "this reflects the terms agreed in principle with bondholders on 24th June including important concessions from our bondholders, ensuring a fair burden sharing between our domestic, official, and commercial external creditors." The exchange will be open for 21 days, and we count on the full support of our bondholder community, both abroad and in Ghana, to reach high participation levels." Source: Kobina Darlington/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 Olam Agri, a global leader in food and agriculture, is set to transform the pasta market in Ghana with the construction of a new state-of-the-art pasta production facility and the expansion of its wheat flour production capacity. The facility is planned in two phases, and when completed will have the volume capacity potential to meet the entire demand for pasta in Ghana. As the one and only pasta production facility in Ghana, it will bring the products closer to the Ghanaian consumer. Premium wheat will be sourced and milled for pasta production directly by Olam Agri for better quality control. Baibhav Biswas, Country Head of Olam Agri in Ghana, said: With this facility, we will be able to bring high quality, highly nutritious, and affordable pasta products closer to our Ghanaian consumers than ever before. This speaks of our commitment to Ghana and our efforts to contribute positively to the economic development and food security in the country thanks to greater stability in the supply and affordability of pasta. We hope that this raises the bar for the entire industry. It is an exciting chapter for Ghana's food landscape, and the future of pasta looks bright and delicious. Olam Agri has a 30-year track record in Ghana as a major provider of food and agriculture products. Over the years, the company has invested in high-quality infrastructure and competent human resources to ensure the production of quality products that meet local demands and international standards. Growth of Olam Agri in wheat and pasta in Africa Olam Agri has established a strong and trusted wheat milling and pasta production business in Africa over the past 14 years. It produces wheat flour in Ghana, as well as in Nigeria, Senegal and Cameroon with domestic distribution in all of these markets and exports to Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso Chad, Central African Republic, Mali and Guinea. The company currently produces pasta in Nigeria for domestic retail consumption under a strong stable of consumer brands such as Mama Gold, Crown Premium, First Choice and Bijou. Olam Agris Global Managing Director for Processing & Value Add, Saurabh Mehra said: Olam Agri is known for its capabilities in global sourcing and origination, processing and manufacturing as well as end-distribution of wheat flour and pasta. Our expertise in wheat milling operations, consumer insights and on-the-ground network has allowed us to foster long-term relationships with consumer and business customers. This expansion in Ghana comes amidst growing demand in the country and broader region for high quality food products. It is underpinned by a number of long-term fundamentals including demographic change, increasing urbanisation, and the development of the food sector, including the downstream sectors. We are committed to building our processing footprint in Ghana, Mehra added. 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 Property and business owners affected by the construction of the Akyem Bunso, Osino, and Enyiresi Bypass in the Eastern Region are threatening to disrupt ongoing works on the stretch of the Accra Kumasi highway over failure to be compensated. Scores of property and business owners affected by the Bunso-Oaino and the Anyinam-Enyiresi bypass road projects are picketing atJustmoh construction site at Akyem Asiakwa Junctions in the Eastern Region to demand compensations due them or risk a blockade of the two major roads connecting Accra to other parts of the country. The affected people include landlords, chop-bar operators, mechanics, farmers, elders and electricians, whose properties were demolished to pave the way for the construction of the two major roads that may pass as the busiest roads connecting the two largest cities in the country Accra and Kumasi. Speaking to UTV news reporter Jesse Amankwah, the leader and spokesperson for the group, Berimah Ansah Sasaraku Ofram II, Chief of Akyem Ankaase, noted that the demolition of their structures for the construction of the two roads had plunged them into all sorts of hardships. According to him, some of their fellow property owners died within the period of wait, many of them had been rendered homeless, while others were being chased by their bankers for the recovery of loans they contracted for their businesses, Meanwhile, the aggrieved affected property and business owners said the government had failed to honor many promises to meet them and address their concerns, They, therefore, called on the authorities to immediately pay their compensation, which is rightfully and legally due to them, without further delay. 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 Oti Regional Minister, Hon. Daniel Machator has indicated that the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) will enhance local economic development. Speaking at the launch of the road construction equipment in Dambai, he revealed that the "One District per set of construction equipment" was a special purpose vehicle initiated by the President aimed at decentralising road infrastructure in all metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) across the country. "The programme is expected to create direct jobs, stimulate local economic development and reduce post-harvest losses since farmers will have improved roads to transport their farm produce to the market and improve general service delivery across the country", he indicated. He added: "government is committed to ensuring equitable distribution of the national cake with effective decentralization mechanisms to benefit every Ghanaian without recourse to the social, economic or political background as well as their geographical location." Hon. Machator noted that despite the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak, which significantly impacted the economy, the government has remained steadfast in its efforts to revive the economy. To mitigate the hardship faced by citizens, he said the government has initiated several measures to get the economy back on track, stressing that each district in the region will receive a fleet of heavy equipment, including dump truck, backhoe, concrete mixer, roller, bulldozer and motor grader The Technical Manager of J.A Plant Pool Limited, Mr. Eric Anobaah, stated that his company, in collaboration with their Chinese partners, LiuGong, was providing technical support for the DRIP. He highlighted that a key aspect of this support was a knowledge transfer program, which will train Ghanaian technicians, including students from technical institutions, in the proper operation and maintenance of the equipment. He mentioned that DRIP will provide employment opportunities to over 5,000 individuals including drivers, operators, mechanics, welders, sprayers, janitors among others. Mr. Anobaah further disclosed that maintenance facilities will be established to provide regular upkeep and servicing of the machines, ensuring they remain in optimal condition and are always ready for use. This proactive maintenance approach, he explained, will help prevent equipment downtime, extend the lifespan of the machines, and guarantee their continued effectiveness in supporting the DRIP project's objectives. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday cut the sod for the reconstruction of the Accra-Tema Motorway and Extension project. The project, valued at over $350 million, is being undertaken through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) by Maripoma Limited, a fully-owned Ghanaian firm. The project is scheduled to be completed within 36 months after the start. The scope of work includes a 10-lane divided highway with full access control for express traffic and partial access control for local community traffic. Renowned journalist and host of Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', Kwami Sefa Kayi hoped this sod-cutting would 'actually' lead to the reconstruction of the Tema Motorway. "I only pray this is the final sod-cuttingI pray this is the final. Im not saying he (Akufo-Addo) did sod-cutting in the past but we recall that a contract had been awarded and even TMA came in to sack squatters in the area; now the squatters are even backso I pray we will not come back and talk about this again" he said on Tuesday's edition of his programme. Prayer Nana Akomea, in response to this, expressed hope that with the President's intervention, everything will proceed according to plan. Now that the President has stepped in, we pray everything will go as planned he indicated. However, Kwami Sefa Kayi told him that this is not a matter of prayer. "Weve prayed for so longit is the time for action" he insisted. Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/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 opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, to investigate the missing Biometric Verification Devices and components of Biometric Verification Registration Kits at the Electoral Commission (EC). The General Secretary of the party, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey in a letter dated April 18, 2024, under the heading "Missing Biometric Verification Devices and components of Biometric Verification Registration Kits at the Electoral Commission" addressed to the Speaker said "Following the revelation from Parliament by the Minority Leader, Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson about missing biometric verification devices (BVDs) and Biometric Verification Registration Kits (BVRKs) and the subsequent interest it generated in the public and social media space, the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the party decided to probe the matter a bit deeper in order to unearth the truth about the matter." He explained that the FEC's involvement in the fray and the subsequent admission by the EC Chairperson at the Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on April 9, 2024, that the biometric equipment were indeed stolen, culminated in a major press conference by the party on April 15, 2024. He added that at its meeting on the April 16, 2024, FEC again deliberated extensively on the missing equipment, especially on the effect this could have on the December elections. Mr Kwetey said the party decided to refer the matter to the Speaker's office to further investigate the issue in order to "bring a closure to the matter and to ensure a free, fair and transparent election in December 2024." He said the party is also ready to provide any assistance to the Speaker's office with regard to the said investigation. 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 Kwamena Duncan has ridiculed the 24-hour economy policy of the former President John Dramani Mahama which, to the Ex-President, will increase Ghana's productivity. The former President cum flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress days ago launched his manifesto at the University of Education, Winneba, and outlined the policies he intends to implement to better the living conditions of Ghanaians should he become President again. Among the policies is his flagship programme dubbed "24-hour economy" which he explained will ensure a 3-shift of 8 hours system. Citing how this will work under his government, Mr. Mahama mentioned that nightclubs will work for 24 hours. Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' show, Kwamena Duncan, a former Minister for Central Region, found it intriguing that nightclubs will run three shifts. Hospitality industry; our restaurants, our discotheques, our night clubs, our hotels, 24/7, 24 hours a day, Mahama said. He questioned the feasibility of this 24-hour economy strategy, saying "nightclub operators are asking how is this going to work?" To Kwamena Duncan, the NDC manifesto is empty and called on Ghanaians not to fall for the opposition leader. "The field is now plain and clear that when you do comparison, the NDC manifesto is empty because we would have known the details of their headline slogan which is the 24-hour economy. The details they have offered us are that they will run a three/eight-hour shift. So, if you are President, you will be President from the morning to a certain time. If you are a Chief Director, it means we will have a Chief Director who will in the morning, a Chief Director who will work from the afternoon to evening and a Chief Director who will start from the evening till dawn." "If it was not democracy, we wouldn't have a group that would so much disrespect the nation because if you talk about 24-hour three shift, you have virtually nothing in it," he fumed. 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 Bernard Allotey Jacobs has chided John Dramani Mahama over his policy to remove ex-gratia under Article 71 of the 1992 Constitution. The payment of ex-gratia to especially members of the Executive including the President, Vice President, Ministers of State and Parliamentarians including the Speaker of Parliament after every four years has generated lots of controversies with many Ghanaians expressing varied opinions on whether or not it should be scrapped. In view of this, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader, in his manifesto launched days ago, said, among the many things he promises the citizenry, is to abolish ex-gratia. "The payments of ex gratia to members of the Executive under Article 71will be scrapped and the necessary constitutional steps to abolish that payment will start in earnest in 2025...persuading the other arms of government other than the Executive to accept the removal of these ex-gratia members," he stated. However, President John Mahama currently enjoys the benefits of Article 71. Touching on the promise to eliminate ex-gratia, Allotey Jacobs, a former NDC Central Regional Chairman, asked Mahama to set an example by not receiving his benefits with immediate effect to serve as a proof of commitment to his manifesto promise. "If you say you will remove Article 71, you are currently enjoying from that same Article 71. So, for us to believe in you, let us hear that from today and with immediate effect, you forfeit your benefits from Article 71. It is a simple logic," he told Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show. 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 Bernard Allotey Jacobs has descended heavily on a group of persons at Sokode in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region who invoked curses on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over an honor from the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS). The Council of UHAS announced a decision to honour the President with a doctorate for his contribution to STEM, Second-cycle education, and the development of UHAS. But a youth group calling themselves "Concerned Volta Youth" chastised the University, hence summoning the spirit of the late President John Evans Atta-Mills, who is said to have conceived the establishment of the University, to strike the President dead. UHAS Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lydia Aziato was not spared as the group pronounced similar curses on her as well. We heard that they are saying it was not you Prof Milss who established the University and that it was Akufo-Addo so they want to honour him. Prof. Mills, you led the establishment of the University. If today they are saying that you are not the one, I am handing them over to you to judge. "When they set off for the honorary doctorate to be conferred on President Akufo-Addo for establishing the University, strike them dead before they get to this very spot. Prof Lydia Aziato, the day you receive them, whoever is scheduled to speak at the ceremony should vomit blood when he gets to this very spot, the leader of the group said. This action incurred the wrath of the traditional leaders of the Sokode land who also performed counter-rituals to revoke the curses. This is our land and you need to ask permission before you perform any rituals here. The school belongs to the world. We the people of Sokode are not against anybody. Development is in phases. Some will construct schools, others will build roads, and others will build toilets and markets. That is development. I am telling you whatever evil that they think will occur here, it will not. Sokode Paramountcy has cancelled everything, the Dutor of Sokode Traditional Area, Togbe Awee Japhet Amoako stated. Commenting on the issue during Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, Allotey Jacobs rebuked the Volta youth saying the Region was, in terms of development, abandoned for years and it's taken President Nana Addo to erect a magnificent edifice in the Region, therefore, if nothing else, he deserves praises. "The Region has been neglected for a very long time...no development takes place there. Then, someone builds such 60 million huge buildings for UHAS, you say because he is going to be honored, you have cursed him...Someone, who from the bottom of his heart, has done such a thing there to generate employment, you say you have cursed him," he emphasized. Watch video below 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 Prioritizing STEM/TVET education, Full Autonomization of Sea Ports, Agric Mechanization Centers in all districts, Creation of a Credit Bureau, Rental Assistance for All, Flat Tax Rate, and Training 1,000,000 Youth in IT Skills are part of the Bold Solutions Dr Bawumia is proposing. And that is why is he is a transformative Policy Entrepreneur. According to scholar, John Kindon (1984), policy entrepreneurs are actors who can be inside or outside of government, in elected or appointed positions and who play a crucial role in driving policy innovation by developing new ideas, translating them into formal proposals or bills, and assisting in their implementation. This definition perfectly fits the current role, status and future promises of HE. Dr Bawumia. Policy entrepreneurs actively promote innovative policy ideas and work to bring about significant changes in the policy landscape. They play a crucial role in discovering unmet needs in current policies, suggesting creative ideas, and taking on the related risks, therefore helping to advance policy reform. That is why its fair to say that Dr Bawumia has been a key part and played key roles in the marauding policy successes of the current NPP government compared to previous ones before them. Since he burst onto the Ghanaian political space, he has proposed a number of transformative policies that have the potential to power this country to greatness. But the true genius of Dr Bawumia arrived when he was sworn in as a Vice President in January 2017. There he proved his worth by becoming one of the most consequential Vice Presidents in Ghanas history. He personally championed revolutionary policies like Digitalization, the Ghana Card, Mobile Money Interoperability, Drones for medical and other essential deliveries. All these have powered Ghana to be a leader in the use of digitalization to provide services to citizens in Africa and beyond. Policy entrepreneurs are also people who can compile the required tools and knowledge by creating and organizing coalitions and networks, thereby enabling their projects. They also set agendas by framing policy issues to attract the attention of decision-makers and developing strong arguments to win over them. As leader of the Economic Management Committee in Cabinet since 2017, Dr Bawumia used his position to champion digitalization as an antidote to the archaic and outdated model of service delivery in Ghana. Hence, citizens today can renew their health insurance cards, move money from their bank accounts to their phones and vice versa, make online payments and file taxes online all because of his insightful digitalization policies. A characteristic of policy entrepreneurs is their willingness to invest their resourcestime, energy, reputation, and sometimes moneyin the hope of a future return. To bring about policy innovation and transformation, they negotiate political settings, create coalitions, and seek to influence decision-makers. In his new role as the flagbearer of the NPP and in his recent Bold Solutions Tour, he has promised and provided transformational ideas and policies that can power this country to the next level. A rare gem with huge intellectual and political prowess, his bold solutions include simplifying the tax code by providing a flat tax rate, establishment of a credit rating system. Up North, he is proposing to establish Agric Mechanization Centers in every district to provide assistance to farmers all year round. The Veep has thus demonstrated that he understands the nuances of policy making and implementation. That he has the political, economic, financial and networking skills to bring stakeholders together to achieve major policy objectives. 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 Former Minister of Works and Housing and MP for Abuakwa South, Atta Akyea left many wondering who was the target of a thinly-veiled tirade he launched in his constituency on Wednesday. During the visit of NPP Flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Atta Akyea launched a veiled scathing attack, insinuating that somebody is a drunkard unlike Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. The Abuakwa South MP described Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as a visionary leader and not a drunkard. Dr. Bawumia is a wise man. And he is not a drunkard. He is not a drunkard and he is wise, Atta Akyea said amidst cheers from the crowd. He continued; "God has blessed this nation and we are on the verge of being blessed with a wise man who is not a drunkard." "Don't you like this? If you don't like this what else do you like?" Recently, during the state of the nation address, President Nana Akufo-Addo also insinuated that he doesn't drink alcohol when he paused his address to take a glass of water. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: AI-generated image On Aug. 18, former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump posted an unusual endorsement to his social media account on Truth Social. Amid a series of photos, he included an image of pop megastar Taylor Swift wearing an Uncle Sam hat and declaring: "Taylor wants you to vote for Donald Trump." The problem: It wasn't real. Swift hadn'tand still hasn'tendorsed a candidate for the 2024 presidential election. The image may have been generated by artificial intelligence. Casey Fiesler, associate professor in the Department of Information Science at CU Boulder, sees the rise of AI in politics as a worrying trend. This month, for example, NPR reporter Huo Jingnan tested out Grok, a new AI platform launched by the social media company X. She was able to use the platform to create surprisingly realistic security camera images of people stuffing envelopes into ballot drop boxes in the dead of night. "It's not like fake images weren't a thing before this year," Fiesler said. "The difference is that it's so much easier to do now. AI is democratizing this type of bad acting." To help voters navigate this new and perilous election information landscape, CU Boulder Today spoke to Fiesler and other experts in AI and media literacy. They include Kai Larsen, professor of information systems in the Leeds School of Business, and Toby Hopp, associate professor in the Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Media Design. These experts discuss how you can find out if a photo you're seeing online is the real dealand how to talk to friends and family members who are spreading misinformation. Yes, AI really is that good In the past, AI-generated images often left behind "artifacts," such as hands with six fingers, that eagle-eyed viewers could spot. But those sorts of mistakes are getting easier to fix in still images. Video is not far behind, said Fiesler, who covers the ethics of AI in a course she's teaching this fall called "Ethical and Policy Dimensions of Information and Technology." "At some point soon, you will be able to see an AI-generated video of the head of the CDC giving a press conference, and it will totally fool you," she said. At the same time, the algorithms that govern social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram can trap users in downward spirals of misinformation, Larsen said. He's the co-author of the 2021 book titled "Automated Machine Learning for Business." "Algorithms, at least historically, have been driving people into these rabbit holes," Larsen said. "If you are willing to believe one piece of misinformation, then the algorithm is now finding out that you like conspiracy theories. So why not feed you more of them?" Tech probably won't save us A range of companies now offer services that they claim can detect AI-generated content, including fake images. But just like human eyes, those tools can be easily tricked, Larsen said. Some critics of AI have also urged tech companies to add digital "watermarks" to AI content. These watermarks would flag photos or text that had originally come from an AI platform. "The problem with watermarks is that they are often fairly easy to get rid of," Larsen said. "Or you can just find another large language model that doesn't use them." 'Google it' When it comes to AI images, a little searching online can go a long way, Fiesler said. Earlier in August, Trump's campaign accused Kamala Harris's team of using AI to make the crowd size look bigger in a photo of one of her rallies. Fiesler ran a quick Google image search on the image. She discovered that numerous news organizations had covered the same event, and dozens of other photos and videos existed, all showing the same large crowd. "Google it," Fiesler said. "Find out: Are news organizations writing about this same event? Do other photographs exist?" Hopp, a scholar who studies fake news or what he prefers to call "countermedia," cautions social media users to beware of posts that try to trigger our worst impulses. In 2016, troll farms in Russia posted thousands of misleading ads about the presidential election to social media. Many tried to tap into negative emotions, pitting Americans on the right and left against each other. "We can evaluate a piece of information and ask ourselves: 'Is this trying to make me angry? Is this trying to make me upset?'" Hopp said. "If so, we may want to ask: 'Is there a possibility that this might be misleading?'" What about friends and family? It's a familiar problem for many peoplea friend or family member who won't stop sharing misleading social media posts. Dealing with that kind of loved one can be a minefield, Hopp said. Research shows that simply challenging people on their false beliefs (say, that the Earth is flat) often won't change their minds. It may even make them double down. He and other researchers have experimented with giving social media users "media literacy interventions" or basic info on how to tell fact from fiction. Such interventions can help, but not as much as Hopp would hope. "I do think that sober, empathetic and caring discussions with those who are important to us about media literacy can be important for helping people use different strategies when they're on social media platforms," he said. "But there's no silver bullet." What can we do in the long-term? Can anything help to slow the spread of misleading AI images online? Fiesler sees an urgent need for the federal government to step in to regulate the rapidly growing AI industry. She said that a starting point could be the "Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights," which the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy drafted in 2022. This blueprint, which has not been passed into law, includes recommendations such as, "You should know that an automated system is being used and understand how and why it contributes to outcomes that impact you." Hopp, for his part, believes that a lot of the responsibility for stopping political misinformation comes down to another group: politicians. It's time to cool down the temperature of political discussions in the United States. "There's a role for our political leaders to discourage the use of hyper-partisan, divisive information," Hopp said. "Embracing this type of misleading information creates conditions that are fairly ripe for its spread." 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: AI 3D tracking in action: Automatically detected and tracked coral reef fish foraging on the coral reef of Eilat, Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea. Credit: Julian Lilkendey A study by the Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) is employing new methods in coral reef research. Under the leadership of fish ecologist Dr. Julian Lilkendey, an international research team utilized innovative AI technologies to analyze the movements of reef fish in the Red Sea with high precision. The study, recently published in the journal Ecology and Evolution, combines stereo-video technology with AI-driven 3D tracking. The method provided detailed insights into the movement patterns and energy expenditure of two surgeonfish species in their natural habitat in the Red Sea. The researchers initially observed that the Brown surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) showed a preference for algae growing on dead corals during foraging, while the Yellowtail tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum) utilized a broader food spectrum and also grazed on algae found on sedimentary rock, coral rubble, and sand. The notion of "peering into the deep" is evident on multiple levels. Spatially, the researchers captured the three-dimensional movement of fish during foraging on the coral reef using calibrated stereo-video systems, which goes far beyond conventional two-dimensional observations, according to lead author Lilkendey. The depth of insight was further enhanced through AI algorithms, which allowed for precise measurements of energy expenditure. Yellowtail tang feeding Targeted training of the AI model for species recognition Initially, the pre-trained program YOLOv5 (You Only Look Once version 5) was employed, a neural network for real-time object detection. For the study, YOLOv5 was fine-tuned with additional background images from the Red Sea to better recognize fish in the video recordings. Subsequently, the neural network classified the detected fish by species. A particular challenge was the targeted training of this AI model for species recognition. "Because there were few specific training images for the two surgeonfish species and the region, we relied on media from the citizen science website 'iNaturalist'", explains Lilkendey. "This allows us to use a variety of publicly accessible photos." For the subsequent three-dimensional data acquisition, the scientists employed the so-called DeepSORT algorithm (Simple Online and Realtime Tracking with a Deep Association Metric). "This algorithm enables robust multi-object tracking by following the detected fish across consecutive video frames," Lilkendey says. "DeepSORT can track the movements of individual fish even when they temporarily disappear from view or are obscured by other objects. By integrating the 3D information from the stereo image pairs, the algorithm generates precise three-dimensional movement patterns of the fish." By coupling this with an approach to modeling their energy expenditure, the research team gained new insights into the ecology of the surgeonfish species. "The Brown surgeonfish demonstrated specialized feeding behavior, preferring certain algae growing on specific substrates, in contrast to the generalized feeding behavior of the Yellowtail tang," reports Lilkendey. "Despite their low biomass, both species significantly contribute to reef grazing, using the energy obtained from food with similar efficiency in their movements." Brown surgeonfish feeding Role of surgeonfish in maintaining the ecological balance in coral reefs These findings underscore the importance of niche partitioning and the role of surgeonfishes in maintaining the ecological balance in coral reefs. "Changes in feeding behavior and energy budgets of surgeonfishes can influence algal growth and coral larval recruitment, thereby affecting the health and biodiversity of the entire reef ecosystem," Lilkendey continues. Through this advanced analysis, the researchers have been able to peer more deeply into the functioning of marine ecosystems, laying the foundation for a better understanding of how energy is absorbed, transformed, and distributed within the reef. Dr. Lilkendey stresses, "With high spatial and temporal resolution, we were able to analyze the three-dimensional movements of many fish in a coral reef simultaneously. Our innovative methodological approach allows us to peer deeper into the complexity of fish behavior and resulting energy flows." The research methodology also opens up new possibilities for deriving "Energy Seascapes"detailed representations of the energy expenditure of animals in marine ecosystems. Such mappings are crucial for developing effective health indicators and novel protection measures for reefs. More information: Julian Lilkendey et al, Herbivorous fish feeding dynamics and energy expenditure on a coral reef: Insights from stereovideo and AIdriven 3D tracking, Ecology and Evolution (2024). DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11070 Journal information: Ecology and Evolution Provided by Leibniz-Zentrum fur Marine Tropenforschung (ZMT) 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: Images of the Earth's surface obtained by satellites can now be processed using artificial intelligence (AI). AI has the potential to achieve significant advances in the analysis of Earth observation data, particularly in areas such as climate change, deforestation and natural disasters. Credit: B. Schroder / HZDR, NASA Three studies conducted with the collaboration of the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, an institute of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), show significant progress in monitoring mining areas. The researchers advocate the ethically guided use of artificial intelligence (AI) for Earth observation in terms of environmental protection and disaster prevention. Furthermore, they also have developed an AI-supported model that incorporates data obtained through remote sensing. That might represent a major step for the Earth observation community. The studies have been published on the arXiv preprint server and in IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence. "MineNetCDA Benchmark for Global Mining Change Detection on Remote Sensing Imagery" is the title of a comprehensive study led by an international research group with the participation of the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF). The study focuses on the exploration and monitoring of mining areas using remote sensing images. The newly developed dataset, "MineNetCD," is based on over 70,000 bitemporal high-resolution remote sensing image pairs from 100 mining sites worldwide. These images, together with the proposed unified change detection framework that integrates over 13 advanced change detection models, enable a detailed inventory and analysis of mining-induced changes. "For the first time, we have a global benchmark for monitoring mining activities at our disposal. The algorithms developed prove to be powerful tools for researchers and developers in monitoring global mining activities," explains Professor Pedram Ghamisi, Head of the Machine Learning group in the Exploration Department at HIF. A key component of the study is the ChangeFFT model, which provides mining planners with a specific measurement methodthe so-called Fast Fourier Transformationfor utilizing remote sensing images. This allows for a detailed analysis of critical spectral components and the detection of changes down to the pixel level. At the same time, it achieves higher accuracy and efficiency in processing large datasets. "The open access to MineNetCD and the ChangeFFT model is intended to support the global research community and will contribute to the development of sustainable mining practices," Professor Ghamisi explains the advantage of the innovative dataset. The study has demonstrated an outstanding ability to distinguish changes using bi-temporal remote sensing images using the MineNetCD method. This makes it possible to consistently create more accurate change detection maps. "MineNetCD is a robust solution for detecting mining-related changes, which is crucial for environmental impact assessments in the mining industry using geodata," emphasizes Professor Ghamisi. "We believe this sets a benchmark for advancements in sustainable mining." Responsible AI for Earth observation Among the new possibilities for using remote sensing images in mining is the increasing application of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In the recent study "Responsible AI for Earth Observation," an international research team emphasizes the need to incorporate related ethical and responsible practices. "AI has the potential to achieve significant advances in the analysis of Earth observation data, particularly in areas such as climate change, deforestation, and natural disasters. However, the use of these technologies also carries risks, such as algorithmic biases, lack of transparency, and the potential to exacerbate social inequalities," explains Professor Pedram Ghamisi, who played a leading role in the international study. The researchers highlight the importance of techniques to mitigate such biases and argue that the AI models used must not only be powerful but also socially and ethically interpretable and accountable. Professor Ghamisi states, "This includes careful data collection and preparation, the development of models that minimize the impact of biases, as well as close collaboration with stakeholders to incorporate their needs and concerns into the development process." The study therefore advocates for the prioritized use of transparent and understandable AI systems. "The use of interpretable machine learning models and explainable AI techniques is intended to ensure that users can understand an AI-based decision-making process. This is a prerequisite for building trust in the results," the authors note. They also call for an interdisciplinary approach that strengthens collaboration between professionals, AI researchers, and relevant stakeholders: "The goal is to ensure that innovative remote sensing technologies are always developed and deployed in line with fundamental social and environmental priorities." SpectralGPT: An AI-based model for remote sensing images ChatGPT is known by many as an AI-supported communication platform. Such a trained platform now also exists for remote sensing images, called SpectralGPT. This was presented in a study titled "SpectralGPT: Spectral Remote Sensing Foundation Model," which was carried out by an international research group in collaboration with the HIF. SpectralGPT is the first universal remote-sensing foundation model, which is trained using over a million images of varying sizes, resolutions, time series, and regions in a progressive training fashion. This approach enables the full utilization of extensive remote sensing big data and is tested across a variety of vision-related tasks. Professor Ghamisi says, "The focus of AI algorithms has shifted between being model-centric and data-centric over time. However, focusing on only one aspect is insufficient. Instead, there must be a balanced emphasis on both data quality and model innovation, which would bring AI experts and domain experts together. "Perhaps we are entering the era of data-model-centric approaches. The rise of foundation models, such as our pioneering SpectralGPT and other models from Microsoft, IBM, NASA, ESA, and others in the field of Earth observation, might be evidence of this trend." He adds, "These models are a step toward the long-standing dream in the Earth observation community of addressing a variety of applications using a single model." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The recent Democratic National Convention in Chicago was a showcase of impressive speeches. Presidential nominee Kamala Harris jupstified the newfound enthusiasm of Democrats with a strong acceptance speech, but even she couldn't match the oratorical power of Michelle and Barack Obama two nights earlier. US political culture is marked by visionary speeches, from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of gold" to Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" and Ronald Reagan's "Tear down this wall". This rhetorical tradition infuses events such as party conventions, where memorable speeches can lay the groundwork for presidential careers. Australia also has some justly famous political speeches. There was Robert Menzies' "Forgotten People" address of 1942, Paul Keating's Redfern speech in 1992, and Julia Gillard's "misogyny speech" to parliament in 2012. Noel Pearson's eulogy for Gough Whitlam in 2014 was a rhetorical masterpiece. But these speeches are memorable because they are so rare. Australian politicians need to be good communicators, but they are not expected to deliver the kind of soaring, visionary rhetoric we see so often in the US. Why is this? Politics with the soul of a church US party conventions often look like Hollywood awards ceremonies, and Steven Spielberg was involved in the planning of the recent DNC. Hollywood has become an indelible part of US political culture. Reagan, a former Hollywood actor, set new standards for how telegenic and entertaining presidents could be. Donald Trump may not be everyone's idea of a great orator, but the former reality TV star is certainly a master of televised spectacles. The tradition of preaching is an even deeper cultural source of US political rhetoric. With about 30% of Americans attending religious services regularly, the sermon is the most prevalent form of public speech in the US. American preachers need to be compelling, given the level of religious competition, and church is where many future politicians first encounter the craft of public speaking. American political speeches often reflect the combination of uplift and warning found in preaching. While evangelical Christianity is usually associated with the Republican Party, it is also in the DNA of Democrats because of the Civil Rights Movement and the black church. One of the standout speakers of the DNC was Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock, senior pastor of the same Baptist church in Atlanta where Martin Luther King Jr preached. Warnock described Trump in biblical terms as a "plague on the American conscience." But he also described a vote as "a kind of prayer for the world we desire for ourselves and for our children." Australia has no shortage of politicians who were raised as Christians and have Christian commitments. But unlike in the US, where even secular politicians must pay lip service to prayer, Christian politicians in Australia must adapt themselves to the secularism of Australian culture. This culture does not expect politicians to preach. Strong speeches for weak parties Michelle Grattan last week described Australian party conferences as "mind-numbing" compared with the "Hollywood extravaganzas" of their US counterparts. But the spectacles at US party conventions testify to the weakness of American political parties. The Democratic and Republican National Committees have little power. Party organizations are localized and fragmented. They lack the central authority found in Australian parties, and the national convention every four years is the only time a nationwide party truly comes into existence. Even in Congress, parties have few mechanisms for disciplining their members. Party leaders are forced to negotiate with their own side, not always successfully. Party conventions see an extravagant display of unity behind a newly nominated candidate. This is one of the few moments party unity is guaranteed. While there is plenty of competition for power within Australian parties, in Australia it mostly takes place behind closed doors within party hierarchies. In the US, would-be legislators and executives need to campaign publicly to win the often brutal primary elections that earn them the party's nomination. Successful candidates must create their own personalized campaigns. They have help from local party organizations, which coordinate resources and volunteers, but they need much more than that. A candidate for national office must build their own coalition of donors that would dwarf anything a party could provide. Hence the need for good speech-making. Competition for the attention of donors and voters is fierce, and a compelling speech is a vital way to stand out. This is especially true of candidates such as Barack Obama, who came from outside the party's traditional power bases. In Australia, inspirational speeches don't have the same political currency. A system of strict party discipline, small preselection contests and short, relatively cheap election campaigns means candidates are rewarded more for other political skills. The Australian advantage: Debating While a US politician might give a more entertaining stump speech than an Australian one, an Australian politician would probably perform better in any scenario that requires unscripted commentsespecially a debate with an opponent. Even superb US political orators can be underwhelming when they don't have a script and a receptive audience. Congressional debates consist of prepared speeches with little direct engagement between opponents. There is no equivalent to Parliamentary Question Time, and holders of executive office (such as the president or state governors) aren't even in the legislature. While Congressional committee hearings can sometimes provide a simulation of the rowdiness we associate with Question Time, the structure of Congress isn't conducive to debate in the same way. The physical format of Westminster parliaments, with opponents facing each other directly, attests to an adversarial nature that was there from the beginning. The power of Gillard's "misogyny speech," which went viral globally, came partly from the way she delivered it straight into Tony Abbott's face. US Congress was designed differently. The framers of the Constitution loathed the idea of factions, and imagined a legislature made up of representatives who would negotiate with each other to find consensus. Congress in turn would have to negotiate with the president, who would rarely need to engage publicly with its members. This may explain why, despite the routine brilliance of convention speeches, US presidential debates are so tedious and forgettable. Commentators who try to hype these debates by citing "great moments" from past debates inevitably reach for the same ancient zinger, "you're no Jack Kennedy," delivered by forgotten vice-presidential candidate Lloyd Bentsen in 1988. The sad reality is that the most memorable and consequential presidential debate in living memory is the one we just saw, where Joe Biden performed so badly he ended his hopes of a second presidency. In the land of the scripted, the teleprompter is king. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Spider embryo with a loss of the waist region upon knockdown of the gene waistless. Hoechst staining with fluorescent stereomicroscopy. Credit: E.V.W. Setton et al., 2024, PLOS Biology (CC-BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) An ancient gene is crucial for the development of the distinctive waist that divides the spider body plan in two, according to a study published August 29 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Emily Setton from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, US, and colleagues. The spider body is divided into two sections, separated by a narrow waist. Compared to insects and crustaceans, relatively little is known about embryonic development in spiders, and the genes involved in the formation of the spider waist are poorly understood. To investigate, researchers sequenced genes expressed in embryos of the Texas brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi) at different stages of development. They identified 12 genes that are expressed at different levels in embryonic cells on either side of the waist. A specimen of Aphonopelma hentzi next to her burrow during field collection of embryos. Comanche National Grassland, Colorado, U.S.. Credit: E.V.W. Setton (CC-BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) They silenced each of these candidate genes, one by one, in embryos of the common house spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) to understand their function in development. This revealed one genewhich the authors named "waist-less"that is required for the development of the spider waist. It is part of a family of genes called "Iroquois," which have previously been studied in insects and vertebrates. However, an analysis of the evolutionary history of the Iroquois family suggests that waist-less was lost in the common ancestor of insects and crustaceans. This might explain why waist-less had not been studied previously, because research has tended to focus on insect and crustacean model organisms that lack the gene. The results demonstrate that an ancient, but previously unstudied gene is critical for the development of the boundary between the front and rear body sections, which is a defining characteristic of cheliceratesthe group that includes spiders and mites. Further research is needed to understand the role of waist-less in other chelicerates, such as scorpions and harvestman, the authors say. The authors add, "Our work identified a new and unexpected gene involved in patterning the iconic spider body plan. More broadly, this work highlights the function of new genes in ancient groups of animals." More information: taxon-restricted duplicate of Iroquois3 is required for patterning the spider waist, PLoS Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002771 Journal information: PLoS Biology 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 excitation rate of atoms under different . Credit: arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2408.13016 How would atoms behave near a supermassive object? We know how atoms behave in extremely weak gravity like that at the Earth's surface: They can be excited from a lower energy level to a higher one when an electron absorbs a photon or a nucleus absorbs a gamma ray, and so on. But what if the atom is in a strong gravitational field such as one near a supermassive, rotating black hole or rotating neutron star? Two scientists from Beijing Computational Science Research Center in China have determined that the amount of excitation would also depend on how fast spacetime is being spun around outside the massive object. In fact, they say, the reverse picture could be useful: Measuring the changes in a set of excitations might be used to determine how fast spacetime is rotating, a phenomenon called frame dragging. The findings are posted on the arXiv preprint server. Frame dragging is a prediction of Einstein's theory of gravity called general relativity. Just as a stationary black hole deforms spacetime around it, resulting in an event horizon and an apparent singularity at its center, in 1918 Austrian physicists Josef Lense and Hans Thirring found that the rotation of a massive object would drag spacetime near it around in the direction of rotation. The measurements of distances and angles would thus be changed near the mass, and space and time might even be partly mixed up relative to an observer far away. Known as the LenseThirring effect, the effect exists even in the "weak field" limit of Einstein's equations, same as spacetime near a black hole's event horizon, where gravity isn't overly strong (but stronger than on Earth). NASA and other groups have found astronomical evidence of frame dragging, though researchers say the measurements need to be tightened up. The rotational velocity of dragging depends on the mass's angular momentum (how fast it is rotating) and mass, as well as the distance away from it. Dragging the spacetime continuum. Credit: OzGrav ARC Centre of Excellence In this study, the scientists assumed a small mass (such as an atom or other object with energy levels) surrounded by a simple quantum field that exists everywhere outside the central rotating mass. The quantum field's associated particles have zero spin (in the quantum mechanical sense); one example would be an electromagnetic field, where the field's force carriers, photons, have zero spin. Would the angular frequency of frame dragging be reflected in the excitation rate of an atom? In the simpler case of a nonrotating black hole, the so-called "Schwarzschild solution" to Einstein's equations, there is no frame dragging. It's known that an atom at rest would be excited by the black hole's Hawking radiation, radiation emitted with the frequency spectrum of a blackbody that is released at the event horizon surrounding the black hole. The excitation rate of the atom contains information about the strength of the gravitational field at the event horizon. However, for a rotating massive black hole, which has the so-called "Kerr solution" (which wasn't found until 1963), there are no true event horizons and singularities. The Kerr spacetime does exhibit frame dragging, but an atom at rest would not be excited. Unlike the Schwarzschild solution, the Kerr solution is an exact solution for the structure of spacetime even for very large masses and strong gravity. So co-authors Rui-Chen Liu and C. P. Sun considered the case of an atom traveling in a circle at constant speed in Kerr spacetime. They "quantized" the zero-spin field, that is, treated it in accord with the rules of quantum mechanics (which are unlike the famous Maxwell equations that treat the electromagnetic fields as classical, with no photons or zero spin particles.) Putting all this together and working through the mathematics, the two found that an atom will be excited. They further found that excitation ratethe number of excitations per secondis the same as that of an atom immersed in a thermal bath (surrounded by energy) at a temperature proportional to the atom's acceleration as it goes around in a circle. This is akin to the Unruh effect, in which an atom undergoing a constant acceleration in an empty vacuum, even in a straight line, would see particles and a thermal bath with an extremely small but nonzero temperature. To further their analysis, Liu and Sun considered various excitation energies for atoms rotating at different speeds and different distances from the central mass and found that the excitation rates all appeared between 0 and an upper bound for all values of the frame dragging rotational frequency. They write, "The frame dragging effect generates a distinct excitation rate for atoms undergoing circular motion." This upper bound could be measured, and the rotation rate of the frame dragging rotational frequency could be inferred from it and the motion's radius. They note that their approach uses the non-local properties of quantum fields, also known as entanglement, using measurements that do not depend on traditional stellar calibration, which uses stars with known light properties to determine the quality and reliability of sensors on a telescope. More information: Rui-Chen Liu et al, The Frame-Dragging effect on the excitation rate of atoms, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2408.13016 Journal information: arXiv 2024 Science X Network This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The current strain of avian flu, H5N1, is responsible for the culling of millions of domestic birds and has sickened more than a dozen farmworkers in 2024, most recently in Colorado. The Conversation U.S. asked immunologist and microbiologist Jenna Guthmiller from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus to explain the historical roots of H5N1, its mode of transmission and how to avoid coming into contact with it. What is H5N1? H5N1 is a subtype of influenza A viruses. Other commonly known influenza A virus subtypes include H1N1 and H3N2, which cause seasonal outbreaks in humans. Unlike H1N1 and H3N2, H5N1 largely infects wild birds, with waterfowl such as ducks and geese being the natural reservoirs for H5N1 viruses. Most H5N1 viruses are highly pathogenic avian influenza, meaning spillovers into other bird populations can lead to high mortality rates, including domesticated poultry. H5N1 viruses were first identified in 1959 due to an outbreak in domesticated chickens in Scotland. In 1996, waterfowl were identified as the natural reservoir for H5N1. Since its identification, H5N1 viruses have led to four major outbreaks: in 1997, 20032005, 2015 and 2021 to the present. The outbreaks in 1997 and 20032005 led to substantial spillover to humans. Since 2003, nearly 900 H5N1 infections in humans have been recorded. Of those infections, more than half were fatal. Where did H5N1 originate? The current outbreak of H5N1 started in late 2021 and derives from the virus that caused a major outbreak in 2015. Since 2021, H5N1 strains have spread to six continents by migratory birds. Spillover to domestic poultry has led to the culling of millions of domestic birds Researchers have documented the current H5N1 strain in numerous mammals, with it largely affecting aquatic mammals like seals and scavenger mammals. Sporadic spillover to domestic mammals has been recorded, including to minks, goats and alpacas. In March 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported an outbreak of H5N1 in lactating dairy cows. As of Aug. 27, 192 herds in 13 states have been confirmed H5N1 positive. Dairy cow-associated H5N1 viruses have since jumped back into wild birds, and recent outbreaks in domestic poultry resembled H5N1 in dairy cows. Between May and July 2024, 13 confirmed H5N1 infections have occurred in humans, with all cases directly linked to dairy farms and poultry culling. Why did the avian flu become more widespread? It is unclear why H5N1 has become such a widespread problem. H5N1, like all influenza viruses, rapidly mutates to infect new hosts. However, H5N1 has several features that could increase its host range. First, H5N1 viruses use a protein called hemagglutinin that allows H5N1 to infect with new hosts. Second, my research group identified a mutation in H5N1 viruses causing the dairy cow outbreak that allows hemagglutinin to bind to its receptor more efficiently. Lastly, H5N1 viruses are mutating genes associated with replication and immune evasion that are known to increase the infection of mammals. Together, these factors could heighten H5N1 transmission and increase H5N1 spillover to mammals. How is the strain transmitted to dairy cattle? H5N1 viruses are largely causing infections in the mammary glands of cattle rather than the respiratory tract, which is the main site of infection for other influenza viruses in mammals. Recent studies have shown that the mammary tissue has receptors for H5N1, which could make this tissue susceptible to infection. Since the infection is largely restricted to the mammary glands, researchers believe that H5N1 is being transmitted to cows by contaminated milk equipment, particularly the milking apparatus that attaches to the cow udders. Transmission across farms is due to infected cattle movement and shared equipment and personnel across dairy farms. To reduce transmission, in April 2024, the USDA put in testing requirements for when cows are transported across state lines. In addition, Colorado, the state with the greatest number of positive herds, requires weekly testing on farms to identify infected herds. What are the risks to people and other animals? H5N1 does not pose a risk to the general public, as this virus is not known to transmit between people. As all known cases were those with direct contact with infected animals, people with occupational exposure to H5N1-infected cows and poultry continue to be at the greatest risk of infection. People with occupational hazards should be aware of the H5N1 symptomssimilar to those of a coldsuch as congestion, sore throat and fatigue, as well as conjunctivitis, more commonly known as pink eye. For more information, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's webpage on avian influenza in people. Domestic and wild animals near dairy farms are at high risk of infection. Particularly, barn cats that have been fed raw milk have been reported dead on dairy farms with infected cows, with these animals coming back positive for H5N1. In addition, spillover of H5N1 to other domesticated farm animals near infected dairy cows has been recorded. What are the best ways to keep farm workers safe? Using personal protective equipment, such as goggles and gloves, remains the best way to prevent the transmission of H5N1 to humans and from humans back to animals. People working around poultry or dairy cattle should also be aware of biosecurity measures, such as not wearing the same clothes and boots when traveling from one farm to another. Is drinking dairy milk a concern? As long as you are consuming pasteurized milk products, there are no concerns for infections in humans. Pasteurization is very effective at killing any H5N1 virus that ends up in milk. People should avoid raw or unpasteurized milk, as H5N1 virus has been found at very high levels in raw milk. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain One of Colorado's reintroduced wolves wandered into Rocky Mountain National Park this month, marking the first time one has been present in the park since the state released wolves in December. A collared "spent some time" inside the park in August, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife's monthly update on wolf locations Wednesday. The map released Wednesday shows a wolf traveling in watersheds near U.S. 34 in the northwestern corner of the national park. The highwaycalled Trail Ridge Road inside the parkspans the park from east to west and crosses the high alpine terrain of the Continental Divide. Rocky Mountain National Park officials expected reintroduced wolves would eventually move into the park, where they previously had been a native species. At least one wolf also traveled in a watershed along Colorado 14 in the Poudre Canyon south of Red Feather Lakes. All of the state's known wolves remain north of Interstate 70, CPW officials said. Eleven adult wolves are known to live in Colorado: nine released in December as part of the state's voter-mandated reintroduction program and two remaining from a pack that formed after wolves naturally migrated from Wyoming. The state released 10 wolves in December, but one died this spring, likely killed by a mountain lion. Two of the reintroduced wolves bred and this spring produced at least three pups, but state wildlife officials on Tuesday announced they would capture and relocate the pack following a string of livestock depredations. It's unclear where the packcalled the Copper Creek packwill be moved and whether those wolves will be released into the wild or kept at a sanctuary. 2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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 artist's illustration shows a spacecraft using an Alcubierre Warp Drive to warp space and 'travel' faster than light. Credit: Les Bossinas/NASA/Wikimedia Commons Warp drives have a long history of not existing, despite their ubiquitous presence in science fiction. Writer John Campbell first introduced the idea in a science fiction novel called Islands of Space. These days, thanks to Star Trek in particular, the term is very familiar. It's almost a generic reference for superliminal travel through hyperspace. Whether or not warp drive will ever exist is a physics problem that researchers are still trying to solve, but for now, it's theoretical. Recently, two researchers looked at what would happen if a ship with warp drive tried to get into a black hole. The result is an interesting thought experiment. It might not lead to starship-sized warp drives but might allow scientists to create smaller versions someday. The paper is published in the journal Physics Letters B. Remo Garattini and Kirill Zatrimaylov theorized that such a drive could survive inside a so-called Schwarzschild black hole. That's provided the ship crosses the event horizon at a speed lower than that of light. Theoretically, the black hole's gravitational field would decrease the amount of negative energy required to keep the drive going. If it did, the ship could pass through and somehow use it to get somewhere else without getting crushed. Furthermore, the mathematics behind this idea points the way toward the possible creation of mini-warp drives in lab settings. What's a warp drive? Could scientists build a micro- or mini-warp drive in the lab? Good questions. To understand the team's work, let's look at the major players in this research: warp drives and black holes. The idea is inspired by the fact that nothing can go faster than light speed. Given the distances in space, traveling to the nearest star would take years (if we could go at light speed). Going across a galaxy or to more distant galaxies would take years and many lifetimes. So, if you want to be a space-faring species, you must travel faster than light (FTL). How would you do that? This is where warp drives come in. Theoretically, they allow you to put your spaceship inside a bubble that could slip through space at FTL speeds. That's how the starships in Star Trek (and other SF stories) get across huge distances so quickly. The Star Trek ships use an energy source in a "warp core" to power warp field generators. They create the warp bubble in subspace. The ship uses that to go wherever the crew needs to be. Do physicists like warp drive? Such a warp drive is a tantalizing idea with many caveats. For example, generating a warp field requires an insane amount of energy. Some physicists suggest that it would take more energy than we're capable of generating. Creating that energy would require huge amounts of exotic mattersomething like "unobtanium." So, that's a problem right there. Others say that creating such a drive goes against our current understanding of spacetime physics. However, that hasn't stopped anybody from speculating on ways to make it happen. For example, Mexican physicist Miguel Alcubierre had an idea for such a drive in 1994. He suggested that it could create a bubble that would shift space around an object. He has continued his research about a ship that could get somewhere faster than light. However, he and others still point out various problems with both creating and sustaining a warp drive. That includes the idea that such a drive effectively isolates itself from the rest of the universe. Among other things, it means the ship can't control the drive that's making it go. So, there are still a few bugs to work out. About black holes We are most familiar with black holes in terms of stellar mass and supermassive ones. These also sport accretion disks that convey material into the black hole. For example, the central supermassive black hole named Sagittarius A* in our own Milky Way galaxy periodically gobbles down material. Then, it emits a belch of radiation. Other, more active galaxies send out jets of material emitted as the central supermassive black hole feeds continuously. A black hole is a concentration of mass with gravity so strong that nothing, even light, can escape. In their study about black holes and warp drives, the authors used Schwarzschild black holes. These so-called simple "static" black holes curve spacetime, have no electric charge and are non-rotating. Essentially, they are good approximations for mathematical explorations of the characteristics of slowly rotating objects in space. When a ship with warp drive crosses into a black hole The Schwarzchild black hole is the "perfect" black hole to use in this theoretical exploration of a warp drive crossing the event horizon. To figure out the scenario, Garattini and Zatrimalov decided to mathematically combine the equations describing the black hole and the ones describing the warp drive. Among other things, they found that it's possible to "embed" the warp drive in the outer region of the black hole. The warp bubble itself is much smaller than the black hole and needs to be moving toward it. The black hole's gravity affects the energy conditions needed to create and sustain the warp drive. That means you can theoretically decrease the amount of negative energy required to sustain the warp bubble. In addition, the researchers suggest that if the warp bubble is moving at less than the speed of light, it effectively erases the black hole horizon. The research team also described the idea that such an occurrence could evoke the conversion of virtual particles into real ones in an electric field. If so, it could lead to the creation of mini warp drives in the lab. Changing the black hole a bit Interestingly, the team also suggests that, if the warp bubble is moving slowly and is much smaller than the black hole horizon, it could increase the entropy of the black hole. However, as they state in their closing arguments, "there are potential problematic issues in other physical situations: namely, when the warp drive is completely absorbed by the black hole, it may decrease its mass, and, therefore, its entropy. Likewise, when there is a larger warp bubble passing through a black hole, it would produce a "screening" effect and de facto eliminate the horizon, making it impossible to define the black hole entropy in the Hawking sense. If warp drives are possible in nature, these issues indicate that we still do not understand them from the thermodynamic point of view." Warp drive technology remains to be seen So, while this research may prove valuable theoretically, and could lead to lab production of mini black holes, many questions remain. Perhaps in the future, when we understand the quantum mechanics behind both of these objects, we might find warp technology a slam-dunk. If so, then, as ships travel through black holes, we could face a weird time. For example, signals from inside a black hole could get carried out by a warp bubble merging from the singularity. That would allow us to send images or recordings of what it's like inside the event horizonsomething nobody knows about today. There's also a chance that those fearsome black holes could make a warp drive less difficult to achieve, since they won't need so much exotic "negative energy" source material. More information: Remo Garattini et al, Black holes, warp drives, and energy conditions, Physics Letters B (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2024.138910 Journal information: Physics Letters B 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 lake formed in the Suicide Basin is surrounded by bedrock on three sides and the Mendenhall Glacier on the fourth side. Following the breach of the ice dam, water from the lake drained into Mendenhall Lake and the Mendenhall River, flooding the valley. Credit: USGS Climate Adaptation Science Centers In the early hours of August 6, a lake dammed by Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier burst through the ice, flooding hundreds of homes and businesses in the Mendenhall Valley where many of the Alaskan capital's residents live. This outburst led to the largest flow ever recorded in the Mendenhall Basin and surpassed last year's historic flood levels, with an estimated 16 billion gallons of waterenough to fill more than 32,000 Olympic-sized swimming poolsdraining into the river. Flooding peaked early in the morning on August 6, reaching a whopping 15.99 feetthree times the river's usual height. While city officials initially estimated that about 100 homes were affected, that number has jumped to over 300 as assessments continued. Some residents experienced only minor damage, while others had foundations damaged and severe water damage to their belongings, homes and cars. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a state disaster emergency shortly after Juneau declared a local emergency on August 6. Two days later, Dunleavy visited Juneau along with Senator Lisa Murkowski to speak with affected residents and city officials. Glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs) can occur when rain and meltwater build up behind ice dams until the water pressure grows strong enough to burst through, causing the lake to drain rapidly; they can also happen as a result of large chunks of ice falling into lakes at the base of glaciers. These floods have become more common as a result of human-induced climate change causing rapid melting of glaciers around the world. Two miles from the terminus of the Mendenhall Glacier, ice blocks Suicide Basin, a valley that the Suicide Glacier formerly filled, but which is now open space because the glacier has retreated significantly. The basin now fills with rain and meltwater every summer due to climate change and glacier recession. This water slowly erodes a tunnel in the ice dam each year before eventually breaking through and draining rapidly, as can be seen in this time-lapse video. This series of images shows the ice-studded lake in Suicide Basin from August 4, 2024, through August 8, 2024. Images from a webcam courtesy of the National Weather Service, United States Geological Survey, University of Alaska Southeast, and Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center. GLOFs originating from Suicide Basin have occurred annually since 2011, sometimes more than once in a single year, so residents knew another flood was likely on its way. However, flooding has worsened in recent years, with record flood levels being set both last year and this year. Monitoring has improved substantially on the basin, providing residents with early flood warnings, which is critical for communities like Juneau, according to Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, the director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at the Columbia Climate School. "Better understanding of the strength of the barriers containing the water and likelihood of rupture or other triggers of flooding will help with early warning to communities," Schlegelmilch told GlacierHub. These early warnings are critical for residents to get somewhere safe, but property damage remains a problem. Various solutions have been proposed to reduce flooding in the future, including bombing the ice dam and creating permanent tunnels, but issues with feasibility, cost and the low chance of success have stopped these conversations from developing into action. For now, Juneau residents are cleaning up after this flood while trying to prepare for the next one. In the short term, many city and disaster assistance programs have been helping residents rebuild. City officials are working on improving hazard zone maps, and residents can apply for state assistance for house repairs and personal property damage, though last year's flooding proved that these funds were often insufficient for the extent of repairs needed. Flood insurance can help those who have it, but residents are not required to purchase policies. According to a state report published in 2023, only 745 households in the entire state of Alaska had flood insurance. And even those with flood insurance or homeowners insurance can sometimes find themselves paying out-of-pocket for damages. This divide between individuals who can afford to prepare and recover from these hazards is key for predicting inequalities in preparations and disaster planning, according to Schlegelmilch. "Unless there is a conscious effort made to address equity in resilience, [floods] and other disasters will widen inequalities in the communities impacted," Schlegelmilch said. While water levels have returned to normal, the lives of many Juneau residents have not and will not for some time, reflecting the struggles of millions around the world living in close proximity to glaciers that are rapidly shrinking due to climate change. 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: KoolShooters from Pexels While super-rich kids make for great TV subjects, their real lives, perspectives and ambitions are often shielded from the public. To learn more about them, we interviewed students at one of the most expensive secondary schools in the world, where fees come to 120,000 Swiss Francs (around 125,000) per yearand followed up with them five years later. We started our research when these young people were studying together in the Swiss Alps, observing and interviewing them over 15 months. We asked about their backgrounds, thoughts on their school environment, and plans for the future. Five years later, we asked them about what had happened since they graduated, their daily lives, and their ambitions. At that point, most had finished their university studies and were starting their careers. Our findings, which we discuss here, have been published over several articles. Certain features were universalthese young people came from extremely wealthy families in their own countries, and their parents had pushed them to study abroad, learn English and live a global lifestyle. However, their paths to joining the ranks of the global super-rich varied depending on where they were from and what they wanted to do with their lives. Citizens of the world? Their exclusive Swiss school promised to turn its students into "citizens of the world," but these Gen Zers' friendship groups were in fact usually determined by their national background or languagepartly because they shared cultural references and values, and partly because of pressure to conform. As one student told us, "If I wanted to sit with other friends, [my national group] would be like, "Are you mad at us?'" Even when starting careers abroad, these wealthy young people did not entirely break their ties to their home countries. Living abroad could "feel lonely," they told us, while home offered "more resources and more support family and also friends." However, these young people were also aware that meeting wealthy peers from around the world at school could lead to international business opportunities down the line. As one explained, "There's definitely benefits of making friends from all over the world, no doubt. The general profile of students here is that of upper-class to high-class families so, regardless, you'd be making powerful and wealthy friends and that's a plus." 'I don't fly commercial' As teenagers, these Gen Zers embraced conspicuous consumption. They stayed at five-star hotels and shopped for luxury brands, and one even donated a lightly used Louis Vuitton backpack to local refugees. They did not, in the words of one student, "fly commercial." Their families' financial resources made these habits possible, but the habits themselves were a product of boredom: "I'm going after something when I want that thing, you know? I look forward to it. I need it. Like, I'll move mountains to have it. But when I actually have it it's just meaningless to me," one young woman told us. Buying items and experiences provided short-term relief from boredom, but the ease with which things could be bought just made these young people more bored. As young adults, however, they found meaning in taking on jobs and living within their income, though often with family money and connections to fall back on if needed. Still, these young people took pride in self-sufficiency, which they connected to "growth," "character," and "self-respect." Though one of our interview subjects still drove an Aston Martin, the luxurious, stereotypical super-rich lifestyles from their younger years seemed to matter less as they got older. Racism and geopolitics: Leaving the boarding school bubble At their boarding school, wealth was the normthe few scholarship students were largely left out of social cliquesand this defined much of these young people's social identities. As one young Russian explained, "The type of people who come here, they're really rich, right? So, people here often see Russians as really rich people. I don't knowstrange but it suits." When transitioning to university, however, their privilege was challenged by the realities of geopolitics and racism. This intensified with time. Geopolitics, for example, meant that one wealthy Ukrainian student had to think about "more important things than just like, whatever things I want." Racism meant that a young Chinese man who had moved to the US was rethinking his decision: "Basically, going back to China is effectively saying like, Oh, I could just be the white person. I could be the white male in the room. And wouldn't that be nice? I don't want to live in a place where people think I have no personality, or where people tell me you have a glass ceiling at the top." Limitless possibilities make for an uncertain future One question for these young people was what they wanted to be. Some knewartist, entrepreneur or, most often, owner of their family's businesswhile others were figuring it out. Another question was where they wanted to be. These young people were weighing going home versus staying abroad, and whether they would put down roots or keep moving. Some of these wealthy Gen Zers were aiming to join the global super-rich, while others wanted to remain part of the wealthy in their countries of origin. Some embraced the adventure of the unknown. Others felt anxious about the uncertainty. Despite similar starting points and opportunities, their paths and goals hugely varied. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Norwegian forest edge. Credit: David Edwards Climate change will move and reduce the land suitable for growing food and timber, putting the production of these two vital resources into direct competition, a new study has found. The sight of vineyards in Britain is becoming more common as hotter summers create increasingly suitable conditions for growing grapes. But behind this success story is a sobering one: climate change is shifting the regions of the world suitable for growing crops. Researchers at the University of Cambridge have uncovered a looming issue: as the land suitable for producing our food moves northwards, it will put a squeeze on the land we need to grow trees. The timber these trees produce is the basis of much of modern lifefrom paper and cardboard to furniture and buildings. They say that the increasing competition between land for timber production and food production due to climate change has, until now, been overlookedbut is set to be an emerging issue as our demand for both continues to increase. Under the worst-case scenario for climate change, where no action is taken to decarbonize society, the study found that over a quarter of existing forestry landaround 320 million hectares, equivalent to the size of Indiawill become more suitable for agriculture by the end of the century. Most forests for timber production are currently located in the northern hemisphere in the US, Canada, China and Russia. The study found that 90% of all current forestry land that will become agriculturally productive by 2100 will be in these four countries. In particular, tens of millions of hectares of timber-producing land across Russia will become newly suitable for agriculturemore than in the US, Canada and China put togetherwith conditions becoming favorable for potato, soy, and wheat farming. "There's only a finite area of suitable land on the planet where we can produce food and woodtwo critical resources for society. As climate change worsens and agriculture is forced to expand northwards, there's going to be increasing pressure on timber production," said Dr. Oscar Morton, a researcher in the University of Cambridge's Department of Plant Sciences who co-led the study. "We've got to be thinking fifty years ahead because if we want timber in the future, we need to be planting it now. The trees that will be logged by the end of this century are already in the groundthey're on much slower cycles than food crops," said Dr. Chris Bousfield, a postdoctoral researcher in the University of Cambridge's Department of Plant Sciences and co-leader of the study. Global food demand is projected to double by 2050 as the population grows and becomes more affluent. Global wood demand is also expected to double in the same timeframe, in large part because it is a low-carbon alternative to concrete and steel for construction. Shifting timber production deeper into boreal or tropical forests are not viable options, because the trees in those regions have stood untouched for thousands of years and logging them would release huge amounts of carbon and threaten biodiversity. "A major environmental risk of increasing competition for land between farming and forestry is that wood production moves into remaining areas of primary forest within the tropics or boreal zones. These are the epicenters of remaining global wilderness and untouched tropical forests are the most biodiverse places on Earth. Preventing further expansion is critical," said David Edwards, Professor of Plant Ecology in the University of Cambridge's Department of Plant Sciences and senior author of the study. To get their results, the researchers took satellite data showing intensive forestry across the world and overlaid it with predictions of suitable agricultural land for the world's key crops -including rice, wheat, maize, soy and potatoin the future under various climate change scenarios. Even in the best-case scenario, where the world meets net zero targets, the researchers say there will still be significant future changes in the regions suitable for timber and crop production. The study is published in the journal Nature Climate Change. Timber production contributes over US $1.5 trillion per year to national economies globally. Heat waves and associated wildfires have caused huge recent losses of timber forests around the world. Climate change is also driving the spread of pests like the Bark Beetle, which attack trees. Climate change is expected to cause areas in the tropics to become too hot and inhospitable for growing food, and make large areas of southern Europe much less suitable for food and wood production. "Climate change is already causing challenges for timber production. Now on top of that there will be this increased pressure from agriculture, creating a perfect storm of problems," said Bousfield. "Securing our future wood supply might not seem as pressing as securing the food we need to eat and survive. But wood is just as integrated within our daily lives and we need to develop strategies to ensure both food and wood security into the future," said Morton. More information: Climate change will exacerbate land conflict between agriculture and timber production, Nature Climate Change (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41558-024-02113-z. www.nature.com/articles/s41558-024-02113-z Journal information: Nature Climate Change 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: Experimental design. Credit: npj Biofilms and Microbiomes (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41522-024-00545-1 Scientists have uncovered how spaceflight profoundly alters the gut microbiome, revealing previously unknown effects on host physiology that could shape the future of long-duration space missions. Led by University College Dublin (UCD) and McGill University, Canada, in collaboration with NASA and an international consortium, the research offers the most detailed profile to date of how space travel impacts the gut microbes we carry into space. Published in npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, the study used advanced genetic technologies to examine changes in the gut microbiome, colons, and livers of mice aboard the International Space Station (ISS) over three months. The findings reveal significant shifts in specific bacteria and corresponding changes in host gene expression associated with immune and metabolic dysfunction commonly observed in space, offering new insights into how these changes may affect astronaut physiology during extended missions. Dr. Emmanuel Gonzalez, McGill University, and first author of the study, said, "Spaceflight extensively alters astronaut physiology, yet many underlying factors remain a mystery. By integrating new genomic methods, we can simultaneously explore gut bacteria and host genetics in extraordinary detail and are beginning to see patterns that could explain spaceflight pathology. It's clear we're not just sending humans and animals to space, but entire ecosystems, the understanding of which is crucial to help us develop safeguards for future space exploration." Ground control, live animal return and ISS murine gut microbiome capture. Credit: npj Biofilms and Microbiomes (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41522-024-00545-1 The international collaboration, spearheaded by UCD with NASA GeneLab's Analysis Working Groups, is part of the recent Nature Portfolio package: The Second Space Age: Omics, Platforms and Medicine across Space Orbitsthe largest coordinated release of space biology discoveries in history. These findings highlight Ireland's growing role in microbiome and space life sciences research and demonstrate how understanding biological adaptations to spaceflight can not only advance aerospace medicine but also have significant implications for health on Earth. Professor Nicholas Brereton, UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, and senior author of the study, said, "These discoveries highlight the intricate dialogue between specific gut bacteria and their mouse hosts, critically involved in bile acid, cholesterol, and energy metabolism. They shed new light on the importance of microbiome symbiosis to health and how these Earth-evolved relationships may be vulnerable to the stresses of space. "We hope this research exemplifies how cooperative Open Science can drive discoveries with clear medical benefits on Earth, while also supporting the upcoming Artemis missions, the deployment of the Gateway deep space station, and a crewed mission to Mars." Ames Space Biology Portfolio Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center, Jonathan Galazka said, "These discoveries are an important piece in our understanding of how spaceflight impacts astronauts and will aid the design of safe and effective missions to Earth orbit, the moon, and Mars. Moreover, the collaborative nature of this project is a blueprint for how Open Science can accelerate the pace of discovery." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Excavators clawed at the remnants of Iron Gate Dam, clattering loudly as they unloaded tons of earth and rock into dump trucks. Nine miles upriver, machinery tore into the foundation of a second dam, Copco No. 1, carving away some of the last fragments of the sloping concrete barrier that once towered above the Klamath River. Over the last few weeks, crews have nearly finished removing the last of the four dams that once held back the Klamath River near the California-Oregon border. Workers will soon breach the remaining cofferdams by carving channels at the last two sites, allowing water to flow freely for more than 40 miles along the Klamath for the first time in more than a century. "The biggest thing for me, the significance of the dam removal project, is just hopeunderstanding that change can be made," Brook M. Thompson, a Yurok tribe member, said recently as she stood on a rocky bluff overlooking the remnants of Iron Gate Dam. "This is definitely one of the highlights of my entire life, seeing this view that we're looking at right now," Thompson said. "This is everything." The dismantling of four hydroelectric dams, which began in June 2023 and has involved hundreds of workers, is the largest dam removal effort in U.S. history. The project's goals include reviving the river's ecosystem and enabling chinook and coho salmon to swim upstream and spawn along 400 miles of the Klamath and its tributaries. Salmon are central to the culture and fishing tradition of Native tribes along the Klamath River. But the dams have long blocked the fish from reaching ancestral spawning areas, and have degraded water quality, contributing to toxic algae blooms and disease outbreaks that have killed fish. Thompson, a 28-year-old restoration engineer for the Yurok tribe, is one of many Indigenous activists who began protesting to demand change after witnessing a mass fish kill in 2002, when tens of thousands of salmon died, filling the river with carcasses. Thompson was aged 7 when she saw the dead fish floating in the river, and that memory has stayed with her. She saw it as evidence that dam removal was essential for restoring the river's health. In high school, she traveled by bus to demonstrations in Sacramento, Portland, Ore., and other places. She grew accustomed to hearing some say their calls for dam removal would never become a reality. Now, those hard-fought dreams are finally coming to fruition. "It happened so quickly," Thompson said as she watched machinery carving into the base of the dam in mid-August. "It's like a magic trick, like it was there and now it's not." She hopes the dam removals will mark a historic turning point and eventually restore a thriving salmon population and reinvigorate fishing traditions. "This is something where I can show my grandkids and be like, 'There was a dam here. There's not anymore,'" she said. "And part of that is because of the tribal people and our persistence in bringing this down." Accompanying her on the visit was Mark Bransom, chief executive of the nonprofit Klamath River Renewal Corp., which is overseeing the project. "We've achieved what we set out to do here, standing on the shoulders of our tribal partners, and getting the job done ahead of schedule, which ultimately is good for the environment, good for the fish," Bransom said. "It's amazing to see the progress." Crews hired by the contractor Kiewit Corp. have excavated an estimated 1 million cubic yards of rock, soil and clay at Iron Gate Dam. They have hauled the material to a location nearby, using it to reform a hill that was removed during the dam's construction decades ago. Once the river is flowing in its natural channel again, work crews will pour concrete to plug diversion tunnels where water is currently rerouted and will demolish a concrete tower that was used to control water flow. Those tunnel sites will be covered with large rocks, Bransom said, and the work of taking out the dams will be complete in September. "There really won't be any visual reminders that there was a dam here," Bransom said. The project's $500-million budget includes funds from California and from surcharges paid by PacifiCorp customers. The utility agreed to remove the aging damswhich were used for power generation, not water storageafter determining it would be less expensive than bringing them up to current environmental standards. Two other dams, which aren't affected by the project, will remain further upstream in Oregon. The removal of the four dams, which were built without tribes' consent between 1912 and the 1960s, has cleared the way for California to return more than 2,800 acres of ancestral land to the Shasta Indian Nation. Since the reservoirs were drained in January, the river and its tributaries have returned to their original channels, exposing lands that were submerged for generations. This winter and spring, workers scattered millions of seeds of native plants to begin to restore natural vegetation in the reservoir bottomlands. The approach draws on lessons from previous efforts, including dam removals on the Elwha River in Washington. Bransom said he and others believe the Klamath project will serve as a model for future restoration efforts aimed at helping salmon. "What we're doing with dam removal is essentially creating more favorable conditions for these amazing species of fish to return," Bransom said. "Because these fish know. They have ancestral DNA that will lead them back to this place to do what they have done for thousands and thousands of years, to come back from the ocean and to spawn here and die and contribute themselves to the health of the watershed. And for the next generation of those fish to return to the ocean." Once the river is flowing freely, salmon will be able to pass upstream to access creeks that provide spawning habitat. Fall-run chinook have already been entering the mouth of the river and are heading upstream. The emptying of the reservoirs has released vast amounts of sediment that had accumulated behind the dams, sending pulses of turbid brown water into the river. But the current sediment levels aren't expected to be a major problem for the returning salmon. Watching the dark water flow past, Thompson said, "The river is healing. The river is clearing itself out." The work of planting seeds in the empty reservoirs will continue this fall. Thompson, who is currently a doctoral student in environmental studies at UC Santa Cruz, said she is looking forward to watching the vegetation return in the coming years. Restoration crews have also been using a helicopter to carry logs and place them in the creeks, where they will create stream habitats for aquatic insects and fish. Thompson watched as one helicopter soared over Camp Creek, a log dangling from a cable. A gripping device set the log down on the creek bed while the whirling rotor blades kicked up dust. "It's not a usual thing where you see fish get their habitat taken away for decades and then it's given back all of a sudden," she said. "So seeing how they behave will be interesting." One morning in mid-August, on a tributary creek downstream from the dams, a group of men wearing wetsuits, masks and snorkels swam in clear pools, scanning the water for small fish. The team, part of the Karuk tribe's fisheries program, was searching for juvenile chinook and coho salmon. "Did you see anything?" Toz Soto, the tribe's fisheries program manager, asked one of the snorkelers. "No," the man said. "Saw some steelies"steelhead trout. Soto, who has worked for the tribe for more than two decades, said that 15 years ago, it wouldn't have been difficult to find chinook salmon here in Wooley Creek. "Now it's hard. Just finding fish is challenging now," he said. The team continued searching in a pool below a sheer rock face. Using a seine net, they formed a circle and pulled up their catch. At first, they didn't find any salmon. But after a few tries, the net came up filled with small wriggling fish, including some salmon. Sitting on the bank, the team went to work. They inserted tracking tags in the small coho salmon, and clipped tiny pieces from chinook salmon fins, placing them in envelopes for genetic testing. The sampling will provide data that can support efforts to rebuild salmon populations, which have declined dramatically because of a mix of factors, including dams and water diversion as well as the worsening effects of climate change. In May, California banned commercial and recreational salmon fishing for a second straight year due to low numbers. Members of the Karuk and Yurok tribes continue small-scale subsistence fishing. Tribal leaders have said they hope salmon populations will gradually rebound as the fish return to productive cold water upstream. "I think dam removal couldn't come at a better time," Soto said. "We just tripled the amount of habitat. So that's pretty exciting." Dams are being removed on the Klamath River, which is now flowing in its original channel. The nation's largest dam removal project is nearing completion on the Klamath River. On a recent evening, Karuk men and boys gathered by the Klamath wearing traditional regalia and holding spears, bows and quivers made of animal skins and filled with willow branches. They sang, let out cries and danced facing a fire. Their celebratory dance was part of the tribe's annual World Renewal Ceremony. Leaf Hillman, an elder and ceremonial leader of the Karuk tribe, said that through this sacred ritual, people come together to "help to put the world back in balance." "It's a resurgence, it's a revival. It's a renewal that we do every year, but this one feels significant," Hillman said. "The added meaning for us is that we've been praying for the dams to come down for all these years." Hillman and others spent more than two decades campaigning for the removal of dams, including filing lawsuits, holding protests and speaking out at meetings of utility shareholders. "We consider ourselves fix-the-world people, and really the whole effort around dam removal and activism," he said, "was kind of a natural extension of that." With the dams almost gone, he said, the Karuk are finally celebrating victory. "People are feeling inspired," he said. "I'm feeling hopeful about the future." 2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: Gentrified tracts in Buffalo in 2011, 2015, and 2019. Credit: PLOS ONE (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302832 Neighborhood gentrification in Buffalo between 2011 and 2019 was associated with a decrease in property crime, independent of a general decrease in similar crime city-wide during those same years, according to a University at Buffalo study. The findings published in the journal PLOS One could help city planners and lawmakers faced with balancing issues like neighborhood improvement and crime. The study's authors, however, caution that gentrification is often accompanied by multiple effects, and the wide-ranging impact of the process demands carefully measured thought ahead of any direct action. "If well managed, gentrification could be part of a strategy to make neighborhoods safer," says Zhe Zhang, a sociology graduate student in the UB College of Arts and Sciences, and the study's lead author. "However, it must be emphasized that gentrification is a complex issue, and the countervailing effects of crime reduction must be considered alongside potentially negative outcomes, like displacement of long-time residents." Since the 1990s, gentrification, which involves the in-migration of a new, middle-class population following a period of economic decline, has changed many urban landscapes in the U.S. But most research on gentrification has been in large cities like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Because lessons learned in those large cities do not necessarily apply to smaller cities, Zhang and study co-author Ashley Barr, Ph.D., an associate professor of sociology at UB, expand upon that earlier work by focusing on Buffalo, a mid-sized city. Buffalo, a characteristic Rust Belt city, prospered through the early 20th century, but then experienced high unemployment and population loss in the 1980s, followed by a surge in development beginning around 2010. This was fueled by state-funded projects and private investment. In addition to those changing features, Buffalo, in the last 20 years, has become a destination for refugees and migrants. "By studying neighborhoods in cities like Buffalo, we can look at gentrification in a place that has continued to go through economic hardships while simultaneously experiencing the hallmarks of gentrification," says Zhang. "Buffalo's unique experience with gentrification, despite its ongoing economic struggles, provides insights that can apply to other, older industrial cities aiming for revitalization." The current study, which relied on census data and data from the Buffalo Police Department, also distinguished itself from previous work by not looking at gentrification as a discrete process. Earlier studies have centered on the differences between gentrified and non-gentrified areas, but Zhang and Barr also examine changing crime rates within neighborhoods as they undergo gentrification. They studied 79 different census tractsareas containing 1,200 to 8,000 peoplein the years leading up to and following gentrification. "This approach helps clarify whether crime rate changes are due to gentrification itself or other factors," says Zhang. Neighborhoods that eventually become gentrified are different in some ways from neighborhoods that are vulnerable but do not gentrify, according to Barr. "Although both are disadvantaged, the latter are more so. It is important to take these preexisting differences into account if we are to say gentrification matters for crime. By looking at two differencesthose between gentrified and never-gentrified tracts, and changes over time within the same tractour multipronged approach does this," says Barr. The results were the same across the study's multiple approaches: Gentrification was linked to reduced crime. "Although this study does not speak directly to policy changes and their effects, plausible ways forward might include affordable housing programs, community engagement efforts and economic support for long-term residents to ensure that the benefits of gentrification, such as reduced crime, do not come at the cost of the most vulnerable populations," says Zhang. This study is a first step toward understanding gentrification's effects on crime on mid-size cities, but more work is needed. "We encourage qualitative researchstories from people in these areasas well as quantitative research like ours, to better understand the underlying reasons behind the link between gentrification and crime and other effects resulting from the process, both positive and negative," says Zhang. More information: Zhe Zhang et al, Gentrification and crime in Buffalo, New York, PLOS ONE (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302832 Journal information: PLoS ONE This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Marshes were drained and replaced by shallow, lifeless ponds. Old floodplain forests were cut down with no plan for them to grow back. Swamps and bogs were permanently drowned by open water. Minnesota and the Upper Midwest have been losing prime natural wetlands to development and logging that in many cases converts them to waters with few if any ecological benefits, according to a federal wetlands report released this spring. Despite decades of promises and policies aimed at stopping the loss of wetlands, the rate at which they are disappearing across the United States has gotten progressively worse since 2004, the report found. The loss doesn't only threaten the billions of birds, reptiles, fish and other species that rely on them, it has degraded water quality and put human lives, homes and businesses at greater risk of flooding and wildfires, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report. A fundamental shift in strategy is needed to stop the loss, the report concluded. In the decade between 2009 and 2019, about 670,000 acres of vegetated wetlands disappeared across the country, the report found. State data shows that Minnesota, one of the nation's most wetland-rich states, lost 140,000 acres of forested wetlands between 2006 and 2020, despite a 3-decade-old law promising no net loss in the quantity or quality of the state's wetlands. The way that the country has been losing its wetlands has changed in recent decades, said Megan Lang, a chief scientist at Fish and Wildlife and one of the report's lead authors. "It's not as simple as it was in the past," she said. Until the 1970s, the vast majority of that loss was agricultural, from farmers draining land for crops. The country is still losing wetlands to agriculture, but it's also seeing them flooded away, lost to sea-level rise and logging, converted to artificial lakes and ponds and drained for suburban development, the report found. "Over time, our wetland policies at a national level have become less stringent," Lang said. "And now we're kind of burning the candle at both endswe're still losing wetlands to people ditching and filling them, but we're also losing them to these more complicated factors." The report shows that one of the major ways the Upper Midwest has been losing vegetated wetlandsswamps, bogs and marshes covered with shrubs, cattails or treesis by converting them into open-water ponds. That can happen when a housing developer drains an intact marsh to build a subdivision and then digs a larger shallow pond that supports little or no wildlife in the middle of that subdivision. And it happens when loggers clear cut the trees out of a swamp, and saplings fail to regenerate. Ponds and treeless swamps are still wetlands, but they don't come close to producing the same levels of wildlife, water quality or carbon storage as before. As vegetated wetlands have declined, the number of ponds and nonvegetated wetlands has risen in Minnesota and across the country, which can obscure the magnitude of the loss, the Fish and Wildlife Service warned. Efforts are needed to protect the old wetlands and not simply replace them with less valuable ponds, the report said. The first step would be to create a data set that maps out the location, type and abundance of the nation's wetlands, and to model the functions and services the landscapes provide. That would help regulators better protect the most valuable wetlands and make sure that any that are lost to development are replaced by those of the same quality. In Minnesota, the biggest losses have been to the state's forested wetlandsthe swamps and floodplains with heavy tree cover. Of the 140,000 acres of forested wetlands in the state that were lost between 2006 and 2020, about 20% were expected to return, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Much of the rest was degraded into open water or "emergent" wetlands with little tree cover. "We can see that there are some of these wetland conversions here, and now the next step is to the why," said Melissa Kuskie, deputy director of the DNR's ecological and water resources division. "That is where we all agree in state wetlands management that we need a lot more information to answer because there are multiple potential causes." The state is partnering with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to build tools to better understand the ecological functions of wetlands. The report found that the rate of vegetated wetland loss has been increasing in recent years, but it's hard to say why that's happening, said Steve Herrington, associate director of water for the Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit that has been working to protect wetlands in the region. Minnesota has some of the strongest state-level wetland protections in the country, Herrington said. And logging practices haven't changed much in decades. But what has been worse, he said, is the weather. Temperatures have increased, and the state has been swinging between extremes of floods and droughts. All of that can make it harder for floodplain forests to regenerate after a clearcut, or for the moss and vegetation in swamps and bogs to survive the drainage ditches that were built decades ago. "These are really sensitive systems, and we just don't know yet how all this change is affecting them," he said. The U.S. Supreme Court's Sackett v. EPA decision in May 2023 removed massive amounts of wetlands from federal protection under the Clean Water Act. That includes most of the prairie pothole wetlands that make up much of western Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Among the most productive landscapes for wildlife, the prairie potholes in the Upper Midwest and Canada support up to 80% of North America's duck population, according to a 2005 study. Minnesota still has wetlands laws that will protect them from development. The Dakotas do not, he said. "The prairie porthole area is really what gives us heartburn," Herrington said. "Just because of how things evolved since the glaciers 10,000 years ago, all the birds and critters and insects using them, those things are really sensitive." 2024 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain New research, published in a CESifo working paper reveals that expressing political views on social media can erode public trust in academics. The paper is a collaboration from Dr. Eleonora Alabrese from the University of Bath; Francesco Capozza, Research Associate at the WZB Berlin Social Science Center and Prashant Garg, an Economics Ph.D. student at Imperial College Business School. In an online experiment involving 1,700 people from the US, participants were shown vignettes featuring fake academic profiles with different political posts. They were then asked to rate, on a scale of 1 to 10, how credible they thought the academic and their research were, and their willingness to read an opinion piece written by the academic. The results of the experiment revealed that academics who stay out of political debates are seen as the most trustworthy. The more polarized their views, the less credible they become. Academics with strong Republican views were rated 39% less credible than their neutral peers, while those with strong Democratic views were seen as 11% less credible than their neutral peers. People were also far less likely to engage with content from politically vocal academics, regardless of whether they leaned left or right. The research team also surveyed 128 academics from around the world, asking them what they think about academics sharing their political views on social media. The survey revealed that many are aware of the potential risks to their credibility when expressing political opinions but despite these concerns, some still choose to engage in these discussions, possibly seeking greater visibility and impact. These findings are important for the public because they show that when academics share their political views on social media, it can make people trust them and their research less. If the public sees academics as less trustworthy, they might ignore important scientific information on issues like climate change or public health. Dr. Alabrese, co-author from the Department of Economics at the University of Bath, commented, "Trust in science is key for making informed decisions and shaping good public policy. But with trust in scientific authority facing challenges, this study shows how crucial it is for academics to find the right balance between being visible and staying credible. Our findings suggest that science communication is inherently polarizing, so striking a balance in communication is essential, particularly when discussing topics outside one's area of expertise." The research team also analyzed academics' social media timelines with AI. They found that 44% of the nearly 100,000 US academics examined between 2016 and 2022 engaged in political debates on X (then Twitter)six times more than the average user (7%). Female academics (50%) were more likely to be politically active than their male counterparts (40%), and those in the humanities and social sciences were the most outspoken (58% and 65%, respectively). Academics express views from diverse political camps on popular topics such as climate change and immigration. Issues like abortion, income redistribution, and racism are becoming more divisive within the scientific community. The researchers found academics are showing even more polarized views than general users on racial issues, and this gap between academics and the public is widening. The researchers recommend that academics carefully consider how they share their research online while also expressing their political opinions on social media. The findings point out that when academics engage in political discussions online, it could erode the public's perception of their credibility, undermine public engagement with academic discussions and potentially exacerbate polarization with US society. More information: Politicized Scientists: Credibility Cost of Political Expression on Twitter: www.cesifo.org/en/publications political-expression 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 windows of a convenience store in Fukuoka, Japan are taped up in anticipation of Typhoon Shanshan's arrival. One of Japan's strongest typhoons in decades dumped torrential rain across southern regions on Thursday, with one person missing and at least 80 injured as authorities warned of life-threatening flooding and landslides. Typhoon Shanshan packed gusts of up to 252 kilometres (157 miles) per hour as it smashed into Japan's main southern island of Kyushu early Thursday, making it the most powerful storm this year and one of the strongest at landfall since 1960. The storm then weakened, with maximum gusts of 162 kph at 5:00 pm (0800 GMT), the weather office said, but it was still dumping heavy rain across Kyushu and beyond as it moved slowly towards the main island of Honshu. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned that "the risk of a disaster due to heavy rain can rapidly escalate in western Japan as Friday approaches". Even before Shanshan hit, precipitation pummelled large parts with three members of the same family killed in a landslide late Tuesday in Aichi prefecture around 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) from Kyushu. Authorities issued their highest alert in places, with more than five million people advised to evacuate, although it was unclear how many did. Kunisaki city in the Oita region of Kyushu warned inhabitants to "evacuate to a safe place or higher place such as the second floor of your houses" because of the risk of flooding. Path of Typhoon Shanshan, as of August 29. One person was missing on Thursdayreportedly a man on a small boatand two people were seriously injured, chief government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said. At least 80 people were injured across Kyushu, the JMA said. Rains turned rivers into raging torrents while winds smashed windows and blew tiles off roofs. TV images showed flooded roads and power lines being repaired. The coastal city of Miyazaki, littered with debris from nearly 200 damaged buildings, reported 25 injuriesincluding some from a tornado. Some parts of Miyazaki prefecture saw record rains for August, with the town of Misato recording a staggering 791.5 millimetres (31 inches) in 48 hours, the JMA said. Worried student Aoi Nishimoto, 18, said he had called his family in Miyazaki to see if they were safe. "Our home is fine, but there was a tornado in Miyazaki and power went out in some places," he told AFP in Kyushu's main city of Fukuoka. Typhoon Shanshan packed gusts of up to 252 kilometres (157 miles) per hour as it smashed into Japan's main southern island of Kyushu. "This year, I am away from my parents' home for the first time. So it's a bit scary being all alone," fellow student Rio Ohtsuru, 19, told AFP. "Maybe I will look for a flashlight in case of a power outage," she said. Kyushu's utility operator said 187,010 houses were without power elsewhere on the island. Climate change Shanshan comes in the wake of Typhoon Ampil, which dumped heavy rain that disrupted hundreds of flights and trains this month but caused only minor injuries and damage. Typhoons in the region have been forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more rapidly and lasting longer over land due to climate change, according to a study released last month. Another released by World Weather Attribution (WWA) on Thursday said that climate change turbocharged Typhoon Gaemi, which killed dozens of people across the Philippines, Taiwan and China this year. Typhoon Shanshan has wreaked havoc on train schedules on Japan's Kyushu island. A man's umbrella is blown inside out at Hakata station in Fukuoka, Japan. In the city of Usa, retiree Fukashi Oishi looked forlornly at an old tree opposite his house that was already mature when he was a child but had snapped and fallen on the road. "Oh, it's so sad," he told AFP. Toyota halt Auto giant Toyota suspended production at all 14 of its factories in Japan. Nissan and Honda also halted operations at their Kyushu plants, as did chipmakers including Tokyo Electron, reports said. Kyushu is a hub for the semiconductor industry, with chip giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company opening a plant there in February. Japan Airlines and ANA cancelled more than 1,000 domestic flights and four international flights for Thursday and Friday, affecting more than 44,000 passengers. Rail operators suspended most Shinkansen bullet trains between Kyushu's Hakata and Tokyo, and said services would be disrupted elsewhere on Friday. 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Infant formula shortage. Credit: John Crowley, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Despite complex regulations for infant formula, contamination in production and supply chain issues at Abbott Nutrition created a dangerous shortage in 2022. The nationwide shortage affected families across the country, particularly low-income households. In response, Congress directed the Food and Drug Administration to enter an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study the challenges in supply, market competition and regulation of infant formula in the United States. It assembled an international team of interdisciplinary experts to study critical vulnerabilities in the supply and regulation of infant formula. That team, which recently published their findings and recommendations, have identified risks exposed by the shortage and recommended improvements to the sector. The work is published in the journal National Academies Press. Ravi Anupindi, vice chair of the study and professor at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, discusses their efforts and the overall landscape. The study was a coalition of researchers in several fields. How did an interdisciplinary approach help uncover the challenges of infant formula shortages? The research entailed understanding the infant formula sector from multiple angles: product and its intended uses; nutritional needs of infants; customer segments and their characteristics; understanding of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children program; end-to-end supply chain including raw materials and components, production, distribution and retail; roles of government agencies like the FDA, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services; regulatory and contracting processes; and crisis management. Having a diverse team of experts in these areas allowed the committee and myself to develop a holistic understanding of the sector and its vulnerabilities. How did your previous research on essential medical supply chains and operations influence this project? Were there any previous studies in which you discovered similar systemic challenges? I have studied supply chain risk and resiliency issues for over 15 years across different industry sectors. I have previously written case studies on Cisco and Boeing on this topic. I have also been a member of the Supply Risk Leadership Council. In the last few years, I worked on risk, resiliency and crisis-management issues. These include for the COVID-19 testing scale-up in Michigan, policies to secure health commodities at the national level, written testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Government Affairs and a National Academies study on a Globally Resilient Supply Chain for the pandemic influenza vaccine. The core insights from these experiences were relevant to the infant formula sector as well, though there were some unique aspects of the infant formula market and distribution channels. The report notes persisting gaps in the infant formula system. Which are the most critical? In our report, we use a vulnerability framework to identify gaps in the infant formula system. These included: Lack of a robust risk and resiliency management system at a company and sector level Concentration of production Lack of information and authorities to ensure speedy recovery post-disruption Inadequate communication, lack of coordination and unique structure of WIC impeded better management of adverse effects on consumers Structural barriers to the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding The extent of the infant formula shortage and its impact will depend on the nature and scale of the disruption. What actions can business leaders and policymakers take to reduce the risk of future disruptions in the infant formula supply chain? Our report has made several specific recommendations for business leaders and policymakers to address each of the vulnerabilities identified in the study. They include: The development of robust risk and resiliency management plans by each company The FDA to ensure that manufacturers have such plans and that, collectively, these plans ensure sector-wide resiliency The USDA to ensure that companies supplying WIC programs have robust risk and resiliency management plans Congress to enact rules and laws to ensure better information visibility and faster recovery and if needed offer incentives to industry to develop resiliency; the FDA will also need support to develop its capabilities in supply chain risk and resiliency management of the sector We have recently seen several other shortages and disruptions in the medical and pharmaceutical industries. How similar or different are these challenges to the infant formula shortages? At a conceptual level, issues are similar. Preparedness and response strategies will, however, differ based on the product category, customer segments, structure and governance of the supply chain and channels of distribution. Many of the medical and pharmaceutical supply chains are global, adding to opaqueness and risk exposure. In contrast, the infant formula industry is predominantly domestic but concentrated, so the nature of risks may differ. In addition, because WIC plays such a dominant role in infant formula distribution and sales, managing this effectively is a unique issue for this industry. Has participating in this study influenced your future research? Do you have any upcoming projects? The entire project was fast-tracked and just about a year long. We did not have enough time to research some of the issues deeply. We have called some of these areas out as needing more research. Immersing myself in this project, I learned a lot about a new critical industry from my fellow expert committee members. I am walking away with several research project ideas. At Michigan Ross, for instance, we have just started one to quantify vulnerable populations' barriers to accessing infant formula. More information: Barbara O. Schneeman et al, Challenges in Supply, Market Competition, and Regulation of Infant Formula in the United States, National Academies Press (2024). DOI: 10.17226/27765 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: Lagrangian water transport pathways and the value of tracers along with it. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51777-w A new study sheds light on the vital role that the mixing of Atlantic and Arctic waters plays in sustaining the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which is crucial for regulating Earth's climate. Researchers from the University of Southampton, the Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, the National Oceanography Center and Stockholm University analyzed ocean data from 1979 to 2021 to better understand how the mixing of Atlantic and Arctic waters helps to maintain the AMOC. The AMOC acts like a giant ocean conveyor belt moving warm water from the tropics north and cold water south, distributing heat around the planet. It helps to keep Northern Europe, including the U.K., relatively mild compared to other regions at similar latitudes. The study, published in Nature Communications, found that the lower limb of the AMOCthe part of this "conveyor belt" consisting of deep, cold, dense water flowing southward in the Atlantic Oceanis composed of 72 percent Atlantic waters and 28 percent Arctic waters. "As the warm water reaches the cooler regions of the North Atlantic, it loses heat to the atmosphere, becomes denser, and sinks to great depths," explains Dr. Dipanjan Dey , lead author of the paper from the, who undertook the research as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Southampton. "We found that while some of this dense water immediately returns south, much of it travels northward, where it mixes with colder, fresher Arctic waters in regions like the Denmark Strait, between Iceland and Greenland. This mixing process makes the waters even denser before they too flow southward, contributing to the AMOC's strength." The researchers estimate that the mixing of Atlantic and Arctic waters is responsible for 33% of the transformation of warm, salty, water into colder, fresher and denser water, with 67% attributed to interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere. The study challenges previous assumptions that focused mainly on heat loss in specific areas without accounting for the critical role of Atlantic-Arctic water mixing. Models predict that the AMOC could slow down as the planet warms due to climate change. A weaker, shallower AMOC circulation, as happened during the last Ice Age, has major consequences for global climate patterns. The new insights into the role of the mixing of Atlantic and Arctic waters help us to better understand these processes. Professor Robert Marsh, a co-author on the paper from the University of Southampton, explains, "As the ocean surface warms and becomes fresher, the resulting increase in stratification (layering of water) hinders this crucial mixing between Atlantic and Arctic waters. This reduced mixing weakens the AMOC by decreasing the density and depth of its southward flow, potentially leading to an overall slowdown of the circulation. "A slowdown in circulation of the AMOC would have major consequences, from much colder temperatures in Northern Europe to sea level rises along the eastern coast of the United States. If it weakens significantly, there could be abrupt, dramatic, and potentially irreversible changes to our planet's climate." A weaker, shallower AMOC could also shorten the time carbon dioxide stays in the ocean before being released back into the atmosphere, potentially accelerating climate change and its impacts. "Climate models need to accurately represent these water mixing processes to better predict future climate scenarios," says Dr. Dey. "Our study highlights the complex interplay between our climate and global ocean circulation processes. We need to urgently address global warming to avoid crossing potential tipping points where the circulation could slow down significantly, or even collapse." More information: Dipanjan Dey et al, Formation of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation lower limb is critically dependent on Atlantic-Arctic mixing, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51777-w Journal information: Nature Communications ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg held a meeting with Rashad Al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, here on Thursday, during which they stressed the critical need for constructive dialogue to achieve broader de-escalation throughout Yemen. According to a press statement released by Grundberg's office, the UN envoy also voiced deep concern for the UN personnel currently detained in Yemen and reiterated UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' urgent call for their immediate release. Grundberg's visit to Aden followed his trip to Muscat, Oman, on Wednesday, where he met with senior Omani officials and Mohammed Abdul Salam, head of the Houthi negotiating delegation. According to a separate statement from Grundberg's office on the social media platform X, the discussions in Muscat centered on advancing peace efforts and reducing tensions throughout Yemen. During his meeting with Abdul Salam, Grundberg underscored the urgent need for comprehensive de-escalation and highlighted the importance of prioritizing the interests of the Yemeni people. He also called for constructive dialogue among all parties involved in the long-standing conflict. The detention of UN personnel remains a pressing issue. Since June 2023, the Houthi group has held dozens of UN staff in Sanaa, prompting repeated calls from the UN for the immediate and unconditional release of these detainees, including UN staff, aid workers, and civil society members. The Yemeni capital Sanaa and most of northern Yemen have been under Houthi control since late 2014. However, several UN and international organizations maintain their headquarters in Sanaa. 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: Children play in a water fountain during a heatwave in Seoul. The country's constitutional court will decide Thursday a case brought by child plaintiffs against official carbon emmission goals. A groundbreaking climate case brought against the South Korean government by young environmental activists who named an embryo as a lead plaintiff is set to be decided Thursday by the country's Constitutional Court. In Asia's first such case, the plaintiffs claim South Korea's legally binding climate commitments are insufficient and unmet, violating their constitutionally guaranteed human rights. A similar youth-led effort recently succeeded in the US state of Montana, while another is being heard at the European Higher Court. The caseknown as "Woodpecker et al. v. South Korea" after the in-utero nickname of an embryo, now toddler, involvedincludes four petitions by children. In 2021, South Korea made a legally binding commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 290 million tons by 2030and to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To meet this goal, the country needs to reduce emissions by 5.4 percent every year from 2023a target they have so far failed to meet. If no changes are made, the plaintiffs argue, future generations will not only have to live in a degraded environment, but will also have to bear the burden of undertaking massive greenhouse gas reductions. This, the case claims, would mean that the state has violated its duty to protect their fundamental rights. Similar climate cases globally have found success, for example, in Germany in 2021, where climate targets were ruled insufficient and unconstitutional. But a child-led suit in California over alleged government failures to curb pollution was thrown out in May. The lawyer for one 12-year-old plaintiff told AFP that the age of the plaintiffs helped hammer home people's desperation for change, and urged the court to rule in their favour. "This lawsuit is not just a symbolic lawsuit, but a lawsuit that we can and must win," Youn Se-jong said. "The essence of the climate lawsuit is no different from the numerous constitutional issues related to fundamental rights that the Constitutional Court has judged, such as conscientious objection to military service or right to abortion," Youn said. "If we delay our response to reduce the burden of climate change, that burden will be passed onto future generations." 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Composite image of a globular springtail jumping. Credit: Adrian Smith Move over, Sonic. There's a new spin-jumping champion in townthe globular springtail (Dicyrtomina minuta). This diminutive hexapod backflips into the air, spinning to over 60 times its body height in the blink of an eye, and a new study features the first in-depth look at its jumping prowess. Globular springtails are tiny, usually only a couple millimeters in body length. They don't fly, bite or sting. But they can jump. In fact, jumping is their go-to (and only) plan for avoiding predators. And they excel at itto the naked eye it seems as though they vanish entirely when they take off. "When globular springtails jump, they don't just leap up and down, they flip through the airit's the closest you can get to a Sonic the Hedgehog jump in real life," says Adrian Smith, research assistant professor of biology at North Carolina State University and head of the evolutionary biology and behavior research lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. "So naturally I wanted to see how they do it." The work appears in Integrative Organismal Biology. Smith is the corresponding author. Finding the globular springtails was easy enoughthey're all around us. The ones in this study are usually out from December through March. Smith "recruited" his research subjects by sifting through leaf litter from his own backyard. But the next part proved to be the most challenging. "Globular springtails jump so fast that you can't see it in real time," Smith says. "If you try to film the jump with a regular camera, the springtail will appear in one frame, then vanish. When you look at the picture closely, you can see faint vapor trail curlicues left behind where it flipped through the one frame." Globular springtail jumps captured by filming at 10,863 frames per second. Credit: Adrian Smith Smith solved that problem by using cameras that shoot 40,000 frames per second. He urged the springtails to jump by shining a light on them or lightly prodding them with an artist's paintbrush. Then he looked at how they took off, how fast and far they went, and how they landed. Globular springtails don't use their legs to jump. Instead, they have an appendage called a furca that folds up underneath their abdomen and has a tiny, forked structure at its tip. When the springtails jump, the furca flips down and the forked tip pushes against the ground, launching them into a series of insanely fast backflips. What do we mean by insanely fast? "It only takes a globular springtail one thousandth of a second to backflip off the ground and they can reach a peak rate of 368 rotations per second," Smith says. "They accelerate their bodies into a jump at about the same rate as a flea, but on top of that they spin. No other animal on Earth does a backflip faster than a globular springtail." The springtails were also able to launch themselves over 60 millimeters into the airmore than 60 times their own height. And in most cases, they went backward. "They can lean into a jump and go slightly sideways, but when launching from a flat surface, they mostly travel up and backward, never forward," says Jacob Harrison, a postdoctoral researcher at the Georgia Institute of Technology and paper co-author. "Their inability to jump forward was an indication to us that jumping is primarily a means to escape danger, rather than a form of general locomotion." Landing was found in two styles: uncontrolled and anchored. Globular springtails do have a sticky forked tube they can evertor push out of their bodiesto grapple a surface or halt their momentum, but Smith observed that bouncing and tumbling to a stop was just as common as anchored landings. "This is the first time anyone has done a complete description of the globular springtail's jumping performance measures, and what they do is almost impossibly spectacular," Smith says. "This is a great example of how we can find incredible, and largely undescribed, organisms living all around us." More information: Adrian Smith et al, Jumping Performance and Behavior of the Globular Springtail Dicyrtomina Minuta, Integrative Organismal Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1093/iob/obae029 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 closed carbonised papyrus scroll from Herculaneum being scanned. Credit: EduceLab/University of Kentucky The Vesuvius Challenge is an unparalleled competition in the field of classical studies, with the potential to pave the way for something akin to a second Renaissance. Its objective is to use artificial intelligence (AI) to virtually unroll hundreds of closed papyrus scrolls, containing ancient literature that has not been seen for 2,000 years. When Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD79, it buried various cities at the Gulf of Naples under massive volcanic materialincluding Herculaneum, located near Pompeii. In the 18th century, an exceptionally luxurious Roman villa was excavated there, close to the ancient city walls and shoreline. The villa's marvelous wall paintings, mosaics, busts and statues had been conserved by the ashes. This building, Villa of the Papyri, is named after its most remarkable treasure. It housed the only preserved library from antiquity: around 1,000 papyrus scrolls that were not destroyed by the eruption, but carbonized (turned into a kind of charcoal) and sealed in the earth until their rediscovery. The villa probably belonged to Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, a Roman consul and Julius Caesar's father-in-law. He was the patron of the Epicurean philosopher Philodemus of Gadara (11030BC), who may have lived in the villa. Before moving to Italy, Philodemus was educated in Athens at the philosophical center of the Epicureans. Its founder, Epicurus, proclaimed the world was made up of atoms and considered pleasure, friendship and atheism as essentials for a happy life. A reconstruction of the Villa of the Papyri. Credit: University of Kentucky/Museo Archeologico Virtuale/Ercolano The original Greek texts of the Epicureans were lost in late antiquity, but a Latin poetic version of Epicurus's philosophical views survived. It dealt with ethics and especially physics, and was titled "On The Nature Of Things." Since their discovery, several attempts have been made to mechanically unroll the fragile papyri, with only modest success. Many scrolls were almost completely destroyed, while others were badly damaged and are now very fragmentary. Parts of over 300 scrolls stored in Naples are still waiting to be unrolled. What does all this have to do with AI? The plan for noninvasive reading of the Herculaneum papyri was first pursued by University of Kentucky computer scientist Brent Seales in 2007. He worked on the problem for about 15 years. But while he succeeded with other scrolls, the Herculaneum papyri proved very tricky. Seales recognized that the key to discerning the carbon ink from the carbonized papyrus background was AI. Initial experiments confirmed his hypothesis that AI could help recover the elusive ink from the CT scans, but significant challenges remained to unlock the secrets of the scrolls. Silicon Valley entrepreneur Nat Friedman came across Seales's work and suggested they establish an open-source AI challenge to accelerate the progress. Several prizes, including one of USD$1 million (771,835), were promised to people or teams who could finally crack the scrolls. A closed carbonised papyrus scroll from Herculaneum being scanned. Credit: EduceLab/University of Kentucky Since March 2023, more than 1,000 teams have entered this competition. In October 2023, the first letters and lines of Greek text were detected, and in February 2024, the first winners of the prize moneymachine learning students Youssef Nader, Luke Farritor and Julian Schilligerwere announced. Their AI model spectacularly revealed parts of 15 columns from the innermost part of one of the scrolls. It was a text on ethics, probably written by Philodemus. How the scroll was read This "virtual unrolling" technique starts by scanning the carbonized scroll in a particle accelerator at super-high resolution. Then, the complex structure of the scroll is analyzed and virtually flattenedbut no text can yet be seen. At this point, the team trains ink detection AI models on the papyrus, based on distinct patterns that have been isolated through visual inspection. The winning images can be considered definitive proof of conceptvirtually unrolling the Herculaneum scrolls is possible. Although several technical difficulties remain, many of the other unopened scrolls should be virtually unrolled in the near future. This breakthrough facilitated the funding of phase two of the Vesuvius Challenge, with donors including Elon Musk's charity, the Musk Foundation. The next objective is to scan more scrolls and to accelerate and standardize the virtual unrolling process. It is highly possible that dozens of new ancient Greek and Latin texts will emerge over the next few years. We can extrapolate the types of text to expect based on those already unrolled mechanically. As the Greek library was a special Epicurean library, most of the emerging works should cover topics like ethics, mathematics, music, and the history of philosophy. Some Stoic literature might appearand Epicurean texts also often contain lengthy citations from other philosophers or authors, as well as previously unknown historical information. But the biggest surprises may come from the Latin papyri. We can reasonably hope for historical and poetical Latin works from Rome's late Republican and early Imperial periods. There is also the possibility that the virtual unrolling may prompt new excavations at the Villa of the Papyri (phase four of the Vesuvius Challenge). Many researchers believe that another Greek and Latin librarywith its all lost masterpieceshas yet to be unearthed. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Woodcut of Cologne from the Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493. Credit: Wikimedia Commons, CC PDM 1.0 Complexity Postdoctoral Fellow Kerice Doten-Snitker studies how government-sanctioned violence in medieval Germany diffused from one community to another. More specifically, she wants to know what sometimes prevented the spread of targeted ethnic or racial policies. "Although there is a tendency to see diffusion as ubiquitous, violence may be less contagious than we assume," she writes in a paper published on August 20 in Comparative Political Studies. However, "we still lack theories to explain when the spread of exclusionary extremism is sluggish or interrupted, and when it flows unabated." To begin to address this, Doten-Snitker examines the case of Jewish exclusionary policies in medieval Germany. During this period, antisemitism was on the rise across Europe, and between the 11th and 14th centuries, Europe saw an uptick in expulsions, which forced Jews out of cities, small regions, and entire countries. Most well known, perhaps, are the countrywide expulsions in France (beginning in 1182) and England (in 1290). The sprawling region of medieval Germany, or the western Holy Roman Empire, which abutted France and shared widespread antisemitism, had a relatively limited spread of exclusionary policies. Drawing on a robust database, Doten-Snitker investigates the diffusion of policies that expelled Jews from 1385 through 1520 CE among 578 politieslocal governments joined together in the Holy Roman Empire, similar to federated states we recognize today. Instead of territory-wide expulsions, Medieval Germany had spots of periodic expulsions from particular cities. Perhaps surprisingly, the German cities that expelled Jews weren't necessarily neighbors, and cities that were close in proximity didn't necessarily issue expulsions at similar times. "Diffusion research often looks to proximity as the chief factor that promotes contagion," Doten-Snitker states in the paper, which began as a chapter in her Ph.D. dissertation. "However, this study demonstrates that proximity can hamper diffusion." Many did, however, share the unusual characteristic of being "free" citiescities beholden only to the Holy Roman Emperor and no other king or ruler. Across the Holy Roman Empire, Jews were under the legal jurisdiction of the Empire onlyany local polity had limited recourse to govern them. "Free" cities began to consider this a liability: perhaps Jews would be loyal to the Emperor rather than the city, they worried. And when the Emperor decided to levy taxes on his Jewish subjects, it took money out of the local economy and put it in imperial hands. "Free" cities began to practice political independence by expelling Jewssometimes to just beyond the city walls. "A lot of other, smaller, placesplaces that aren't politically independentare having hardly any expulsions at all," says Doten-Snitker. In untangling why, Doten-Snitker's paper offers several independent conclusions. First, Christian elites began to change their views on governance, their responsibilities to their communities, and how Jews fitor didn'tin that vision. Second, political and economic relationships worked through spatial proximity to limit which polities took the step of expulsion. "It's not a straightforward story," says Doten-Snitker. "That's part of what makes my research a good fit at SFIit's complex. There's not an obvious rule to what's happening." Beyond being an interesting time period in a place with excellent available data, Doten-Snitker thinks that lessons from Medieval Germany can provide real insights for current-day problems. "We are rightly worried about the spread of intolerance and violence," she says. "What this paper shows is that, rather than being worried just about the spread of violence, we should also be thinking about what it is about social relationships that can make intolerance or violence or exclusion spreador not." More information: Kerice Doten-Snitker, The Diffusion of Exclusion: Medieval Expulsions of Jews, Comparative Political Studies (2024). DOI: 10.1177/00104140241269956 The case against Atlantic City High School principal accused of failing to report child abuse has been referred to a grand jury, court officials said. Constance Days-Chapman is charged with official misconduct, hindering apprehension of another, obstruction of justice and failure to report child abuse. It is unknown when the case will go before the grand jury. We adjourned it without a new date, Days-Chapmans attorney Lee Vartan said in a text message Wednesday afternoon. We made clear our position that the state dismiss or we will immediately move to dismiss any indictment. Days-Chapman last appeared in court May 28 for a pre-indictment conference, where Vartan said he would push for the case to be thrown out due to a lack of evidence. Earlier this year, the teenage daughter of Mayor Marty Small Sr. and Superintendent LaQuetta Small told school officials she was being physically and mentally abused at home, according to a court document. The claim set off an investigation that saw Days-Chapman charged with failing to report the alleged abuse and the Smalls charged with endangering the welfare of a child over allegations they assaulted their teenage daughter. The case against the Smalls is currently awaiting grand jury presentation. According to prosecutors, a staff member informed Days-Chapman about the daughters abuse claim. Days-Chapman said she would report the issue to the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency. Days-Chapman then allegedly met with the girls parents at their home and informed them the student had told staff about the abuse, authorities have said. But it was later determined that Days-Chapman failed to report the abuse, as required by law and school district policy, according to the Prosecutors Office. Court documents allege Days-Chapman didnt report the incident to protect the girls parents from being investigated. Days-Chapman has since been replaced as principal by the districts secondary education director, Donald Harris. Days-Chapman headed up Mayor Smalls reelection campaign in 2021 and is president of the citys Democratic Committee, but she was asked to take a leave of absence from that position pending the outcome of her case. She faces five to 10 years in prison if convicted, Vartan said. EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP The Tilton Inn has been sold to a developer who will lease the property to Dooney's Pub, Samantha Zerafa Roessler, the broker with Foresite Commercial Realty, said Thursday. The sale of the 6823 Tilton Road property was settled last Friday, said Roessler, whose firm facilitated the transaction. "My understanding is that the building will be going under renovations with an expected opening early 2025 though I do not have an approximate date," said Roessler in a statement. The Tilton Inn, a restaurant and bar had been up for sale since October. It later closed in April, with many recalling fondly their times online and during final visits to the in, which had been operating there since 1963. The property was assessed at $2,994,600, according to NJ Property Records, with the land being assessed at $700,000, and the building at more than $2.2 million. The lease for the property included the 9,000-square-foot restaurant and 25,000 square feet two-floor office building. Dooney's Pub is an Irish-themed bar and restaurant owned by Jim and Mary Dooney. Dooney's first location opened in Delran in 2011, with its second location in Voorhees opening in 2018. The pub serves entrees like shepherd's pie, fish and chips, and Guinness beef stew. It also lists flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers and salads, along with gluten-free options. Summer cocktails, a wine list and happy hour also are offered. On its website, Dooney's is also projecting a 2025 opening, and is advertising for Egg Harbor Township staff on Indeed and via its web page.